So I wrote this a while back after beating my NG+ Plus run on Royal because Akechi's such a deep and rich character that I wanted to explore a hypothetical version of his final days in the third semester. I know it's short but I had fun writing this so I hope all you P5 Royal fans enjoy it, big thanks to BlackDevil WhiteDemon for helping with editing this story of mine as well and very quickly too.

So with that all being said let's start the show!

Akechi's Lament

He would carve his own path for himself. Goro Akechi had meant every word with every fibre of his being. He would never allow himself to be used, not again. He was in charge of his life. Even if that life had been revived by the man that wanted to grant him and the world their 'perfect life'.

What a load of bullshit.

Even the thought that his very existence was held in the balance of Maruki angered him to no end. It seemed no matter what Akechi did his fate would never truly be of his own will. But his choice to return the world to its true reality? It was his, that much he was sure of. The former detective prince would ensure this task was carried out and his final act would be done of his own accord. However, there was something that he felt during his talk with Ren that...lingered.

At first, it was rage and betrayal that the man he considered his equal and rival would even think of hesitating on their mission to defeat Maruki. After hearing his resolve to fight Maruki despite the protests, it became a relief. However, as Akechi made his trek back to his home it developed into sadness and...regret? Truthfully even the brilliant former detective prince was unsure of the reason why. He had no family aside from Shido and that bastard could rot for all Akechi cared. His job was fine as were his school grades, but he had no close work colleagues aside from Sae. Even then he never cared too much for her. He had no real friends to speak of, the closest thing he had of friendship was with...

No.

He was not feeling regretful and sad because of those idiots. Akechi refused to believe he had grown fond of them after everything. The thought of him feeling these things for even one of them disgusted him. He pushed aside this ridiculous line of thought as he opened the door to his apartment and slammed it behind him.

Tomorrow he would enter the palace with the Phantom Thieves and do whatever it took to return this world to its true form. Even if it meant his death.

Akechi couldn't believe it at first. No matter how hard he tried to deny it, it became abundantly clear. He was enjoying this. While he normally did enjoy the rush of fighting and annihilating the shadows, this was different. He was enjoying fighting alongside those fools. Whenever he fought before with the Phantom Thieves it was always for a goal; never because he enjoyed working together. The only person he enjoyed being around was Ren and it was because he was a challenge to his intellect and his skills in battle. After his battle with the Thieves in Shido's Palace, he found respect for their skills. However, he still despised how disgustingly compassionate and supportive they could be.

Akechi had killed so many people for his bastard of a father, lied and attempted to kill the Phantom Thieves, and had even killed Haru's father. Yet here he was, allied with the people he had betrayed, and he was enjoying it. He hadn't fully atoned to them for what he did, how could he? Akechi doubted anything he could say would be meaningful, they knew of his life and struggles, plus he never was the type to apologize. The former detective prince knew some of them still disliked him for what he had done, even if they understood why. He knew none of them fully trusted him. At least he knew they weren't completely idiotic. Akechi didn't care how they thought of him as long as they pulled their weight and stayed out of his way.

The dark prince hated that now of all times he was enjoying being a part of this. Goddammit, this wasn't supposed to happen to him! He did everything meticulously in his life, grades, image, even his fame so someone would want him around. It never happened, perhaps because they saw through his actions or perhaps the image he crafted came off negatively. Yet those fools all flocked to Ren, a teenager who held a criminal record and lived in an attic. Even Akechi himself was drawn to him. He had no idea how the leader of the Phantom Thieves attracted so many. It had always pissed the dark prince off. Yet the dark prince had deduced the reason for this, Ren went out of his way to help his friends. It's this compassion and kindness that Akechi despised, so, that was Ren's strength and drew people to him. Yet, despite everything, the man also known as Joker continued to show Crow this same compassion and was genuinely distressed at the thought of him dying after Maruki's defeat.

...It seems that Ren had influenced him more than he had thought. Because now the former detective prince was enjoying fighting alongside the Thieves.

"Crow, switch with me!"

A sudden shout brought Akechi out his deep thoughts, his head shifting to look at Joker who had his hand up waiting for the baton pass. A smirk etched its way onto Crow's face, holding up his own hand and slapping it against his rival's palm.

"It'll be a massacre."

Crow leaned against the wall's corner in the final safe room listening to Joker's formation for fighting Maruki should they need to. Of course, they would need to, it would be boring otherwise.

"On the frontline with me will be Skull, Violet, and Crow." Joker informed his comrades. "Everyone else stays close by for support, Mona is on healing as usual and be ready to switch should things get dangerous."

Everyone nodded at their leader's orders, all fully trusting Joker's plan. He had never let them down before in battle and they refused to let him down likewise.

"This is it, our final battle as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts." Ren smiled at his friends and teammates. "Thank you for all standing with me today. I couldn't have done this without all of your help. You're the best team of troublemakers a leader could ask for, let's show Dr. Maruki the strength of our resolve and take back our world!" A devilish smirk appeared on his face that rivalled even Akechi's own. "Are you ready to take his heart with me?"

"YEAH!" All minus Akechi cheered. He simply nodded, an evil grin on his face.

"Well then," Joker's smirk widened. "IT'S SHOWTIME!"

Everyone nodded eagerly, quickly shuffling out the room. Joker was quick to follow his teammates but stopped when he realised Akechi hadn't moved. He was still leaning on the wall in his corner.

"Impressive speech Joker, I expected nothing less from the leader of the Phantom Thieves."

Joker turned his body to fully face the dark prince. "It was nothing special really," He shrugged. "I just spoke from my heart."

Crow chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "They certainly eat it up well."

Joker's smirk returned, his right eyebrow raised in a teasing fashion. "Does that include you?"

"Please, don't try to insult my intelligence." Akechi swiftly replied, his own smirk present. "For any matter, doing this will ensure I never have to listen to one of those annoying pep rallies again."

Though there was a hint of humour to Akechi's voice, Joker's smirk quickly dissipated into a frown. Crow realised the words he had used and internally cursed himself knowing what would follow next.

"Crow-"

"We are not discussing this again, Joker."

Akechi moved from his position on the wall and to the exit, but was stopped by Ren's body standing in his way.

"No, this time you're going to listen to me." Joker's voice was stern, his eyes shooting daggers at the dark prince. "I stand by what I said about stopping Maruki, but I am not going to just give up and let you die because of it."

Akechi's eyes flared with anger, taking a step so his face was inches away from Ren's. "There is no OTHER way, you naive idiot! As soon as we defeat Maruki and the palace disappears I will as well, do not try and take this from me!"

"Take what from you?!" Joker exclaimed in his own angered state. "A choice of your own?! What point is that choice if you can't make any after that?!"

"There is nothing else for me after this! Even if I were to miraculously live after all this shit I would be thrown back into prison for my own crimes and left to rot like that bastard Shido!" Crow grabbed a hold of Joker's collar and pulled him closer to his black mask. "I'm doing you and your friends a favour. So just shut the hell up and let me do this!"

Joker grabbed Crow's hand that held his collar and threw it aside. Glaring down at the dark prince.

"The others wouldn't want you to do this either!"

Akechi let out a laugh, not a maniacal evil one, a pure genuine laugh of hilarity. "Really? Is that right?" Crow glared back at his rival. "Don't try and fool me Joker, your team loathe me for what I've done."

"We never hated you!"

"Could you say the same for Noir and Oracle?"

A deep silence overtook the room as the two were locked in a staredown. Neither man wanted to give up their position. Ren simply sighed and looked down at his feet in frustration and sadness.

"You really are as foolish as your friends, Joker." Akechi chuckled. "But this is my decision alone to make, do not make this any harder than it has to be."

Ren said nothing but moved his body out of the way to allow the dark prince to pass. Before he reached the door however, Joker's voice rose.

"Thank you, Crow." Akechi turned his head, eyes wide with shock as he saw Joker give him a small smile. "We won't let your sacrifice be in vain, I promise."

Crow's eyes found the floor, stumped by the words that flew from his rival's mouth. He still managed to reply.

"You're...welcome, Joker," Akechi said a small smile of his own. "Shall we go? I believe your teammates will be worried about you."

"Alright then." The two moved to the exit together, side by side for one final time. "And Crow?"

"What now?"

"Promise that we'll have that duel if you make it out?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Joker."

As the palace faded Akechi felt his body disappearing too. Sitting in the back of Mona's new helicopter form, Crow felt his life flash before his eyes. His terrible childhood, the anger and rage he felt for so many years. Gaining his powers, working for Shido, it had all felt pointless. His mind flickered onto memories of meeting Ren, the conversations they had, the hours they spent together in the jazz club, and his time with the Phantom Thieves. He felt a small smile appear on his face, it wasn't all good, but in the end… He was content with how it would end. A final thought crossed his mind as the last bit of his body disappeared from existence.

'Thank you, Ren, my equal, rival and only friend. May we meet again in another life.'

Persona 5 Royal really improved my thoughts on Akechi as a character with all the added content and new confidant to the extent where he almost took over from Ryuji as my favourite character. I hope I represented him well in my writing, he is a very daunting character to write for since he has so many layers. Didn't expect to come back to posting so soon after putting Battle for Redemption up for adoption but inspiration struck me as they say. Once again thank you to BlackDevil WhiteDemon for editing this story it was a big help and I hope you all are doing well these holidays.

Can't wait to get into the new year, and start writing more so I hope to see you all soon. Take care, everyone!

Gamer100 out