A/N: Soooo… any SMT fans out there? I saw a few fanfics bringing in Minato or Akira from the persona games, so why not involve a protagonist from the less celebrated roots of the series? Well, SMT IV:A wasn't released all too long ago, but it's older than Persona 5 and part of mainline so… yeah. Hope this isn't a waste of time.
It happens far too suddenly.
Years after defeating YHVH and uniting the realms of Tokyo and Mikado, long after parting ways with Dagda and regaining his humanity, Nanashi finds himself dreaming of the old god. Whirling through a boundless darkness, Nanashi soon finds himself face to face with Dagda, who seems troubled.
The god notices Nanashi and speaks to him, "So, ya made it kid. I'm afraid something's gone terribly wrong."
Finding his voice, and his bearings, Nanashi replies, "What do you mean? I thought we'd achieved an era of peace. Things are finally looking up for humanity, Demons and Angels alike have made treaties and alliances with us, so what's left to cause trouble?"
Dagda grimaces, "I'm not sure kid, but I've got plenty a reason to suspect this. Primarily, I got a visit from Stephen claiming something was about to go down."
Before Nanashi can respond, a familiar creaking sound becomes audible as Stephen rolls into view.
The wheelchair user smiles briefly while nodding to Nanashi before speaking, "Indeed, it would seem that a change in the multiverse is set to occur quite soon, by the will of The Axiom no less. This, while not impossible and not the first occurrence, is frankly unprecedented in my eyes. This is perhaps the first time I fail to understand the actions of The Axiom, and I'm terribly excited to see how everything plays out."
Nanashi's eyes go wide, "What do you mean by 'a change in the multiverse', Stephen?"
Frankly, Stephen had always weirded Nanashi out, despite the world he lived in, and the teen was not all too eager to find out what would excite him.
Stephen smiles again, this time slightly unhinged, as he adjusts his glasses, "The answer to that, is that even I don't know. There will be big changes, many on such a scale that they'll be nearly impossible to comprehend, but change will occur."
Dagda sets his mouth in a line and locks eyes with Nanashi, "Kid, I don't know what'll happen to you when this whole thing shakes out, but take some of my power. I have a feeling you'll need it."
The god makes a gesture at Nanashi, and the teen looks down as the all too familiar image of a four-leaf clover springs to life in a bright green on the back of his left hand.
Dagda approaches Nanashi and places a hand on his shoulder, "I want you to remember something kid. No matter what happens or where you end up, I'll always be proud of you and how far you've come. I feel like even my old self, misguided and angry as he was, would agree with that. You've done a lot of good for the world and your friends, and I'm sure that no matter where or when you are, you'll end up doing the same."
Nanashi smiles and nods to the god, "Thanks, it means a lot to hear that from you."
Not a second after the words leave his mouth, the dream realm begins to shake.
Stephen laughs, "It's starting!"
Before anything else can happen, the ground opens up beneath Nanashi and he falls through.
Nanashi doesn't know how long the fall lasts, but at some point he falls into a deep sleep. When he awakens, the ex-Godslayer takes a moment to look around. He's in some sort of bed, with high walls, and a sterile white ceiling above him. Trying to stand, Nanashi finds himself incapable of the action.
'What? What the hell is going on?'
Nanashi tries to push himself up with his arms, but fails there as well. As his arms move though, he catches sight of one of them. It's unusually pudgy, and quite short.
Realization strikes him as rage builds up inside, "I'm a goddamn BABY? Are you fucking serious? Stephen, next time I see you I'm going to tear you a new one, with or without the help of the other Messiahs.'
(Four Years Later)
Growing up again, but this time painstakingly aware of everything, is not fun for Nanashi. He wants so badly to do what his older body had been capable of, but finds that his tinier and weaker form makes that practically impossible. His anger at these facts knows no bounds. There is however, a hidden bonus to this new situation. Nanashi now has living parents.
His father, Neil Callaghan, is a hearty Irish man with short, dark-brown hair, the palest skin you've ever seen, and a generally jolly attitude. He's kind, caring, and not afraid to fight (physically or otherwise) for what he thinks is right. Nanashi's mother, Chinami Callaghan, is a Japanese woman with vibrant red hair falling to her waist, a smile that brightens any room, and a quiet, more introspective attitude. She's intelligent, witty, and a veritable jack of all trades.
From what Nanashi can tell, his father moved to Japan for work and met his mother on the job. They soon fell in love and settled together in the countryside of Japan. However, a few years after Nanashi was born into this world Neil's job forced them to move into a more populated part of the country, Musutafu, where they live now.
While growing up, Nanashi learned much about this new world he lives in. Mostly, that it is almost nothing like his own. Sure, Geography and some History lines up, but everything else is so different. In this new world, a majority of the population has some kind of superhuman ability, called a Quirk, and Demons, Gods, and Angels are just figments of the imagination.
Speaking of Quirks, Nanashi knows that his own is set to develop soon, seeing as they usually become known around the age of four. He takes a moment to ponder what it could be. His father's Quirk is somewhat similar to what most would describe as druidry, while his mother can manipulate matter on a small scale.
Nanashi shakes himself from his thoughts as he sees his father approaching, "Hey kid, time for school! Let's get going now, before your mother starts judging us."
As Nanashi is brought in to his kindergarten class, his attention is suddenly caught as the teacher brings in a new student. The new student is a girl with long black hair, black eyes, and a notable pair of goggles on her forehead.
Nanashi instantly knows who she is, even as the teacher is introducing her, 'Asahi? So my friends got wrapped up in this too, huh? Well, I suppose that makes this more bearable, seeing as I won't be alone.'
Later during recess, Nanashi approaches Asahi, and looks to make sure no one is watching before speaking to her, "So, how much do you remember?"
The girl looks around, startled, before focusing in on Nanashi.
Asahi's eyes light up with recognition, "Nanashi! I didn't recognize you earlier without your usual haircut."
Nanashi grimaces, unfortunately his parents weren't too keen on letting him get his hair cut to his liking just yet.
He sighs and cracks a small smile, "Well, at least you remember me. Hopefully that's not all, but considering everything we've been through I wouldn't put it past the universe to do that to me.
Asahi lets out a giggle, "Don't worry, I remember everything! I don't think I could possibly forget."
As they continue the conversation Nanashi and Asahi return to their usual flow of banter, something both of them had missed over the years in this new world.
Asahi touches on a new topic of interest, "So, have you figured out your Quirk yet? I got mine last week and it's a healing power, kind of fitting huh?"
Nanashi smiles, "Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from someone as kind as you. As for my own Quirk, I haven't discovered it yet, but it should turn up soon."
With little preamble, an explosion goes off nearby, and Nanashi whirls around to see one of his classmates standing over a cowering boy. The aggressor, a blonde haired boy with red eyes is named Katsuki Bakugou, and his Quirk lets him create explosions. The other boy has forest green hair and eyes and is named Izuku Midoriya, he was recently pronounced Quirkless and he is cowering on the ground from Bakugou.
Bakugou is grinning madly as he looks down at Midoriya, "What's wrong Deku? You were talking so big earlier, but without a Quirk what are you gonna do now?"
Nanashi's brain turns off for a second, and when his mind comes back into focus he's already closed half the distance between him and Bakugou. As Nanashi seethes about how Bakugou is acting, a familiar sensation rises up inside him. Unbeknownst to him, the bystanders are watching in awe as a four-leafed clover blazes to life in an emerald light on the back of his left hand, his eyes glowing the same color. On pure instinct, Nanashi raises his left hand and gestures at Bakugou.
As his palm comes level with the blonde boy, a rush of energy passes through Nanashi and a shadow begins to tower over him and the two boys in front of him. Bakugou turns around in time to notice a pissed off Nanashi with glowing green eyes standing in front of a large, bipedal entity with light blue skin, golden hooves in place of hands and feet, and two horse heads with orange manes, red eyes, and a single horn each.
Everyone stares in shock as the entity, seemingly at Nanashi's behest, begins to approach Bakugou. The blonde boy freaks out and lunges at the entity, loosing and explosion at it. The being shrugs off the blast and grabs Bakugou, moving him aside and dropping him before approaching Midoriya. The horse-headed creature picks up the wide-eyed green haired child before bringing him to, and gently setting him in front of, Nanashi, who begins to check him over for injuries.
After a few seconds Nanashi calls Asahi over to heal Midoriya's injuries before helping the boy to his feet and giving him a smile.
Turning to the Demon, Nanashi can't help the smug feeling welling up inside him as he speaks to it, "Hello again, Centaur."
A/N: Well then, this was pretty fun to write, even with the small SMT rabbit-hole I jumped down to do so. All I can really say is I hope you enjoy this and have a nice day/night/whatever the fuck.