Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He’s no fool about the current state of his situation.

A couple of weeks ago he admitted to the Phantom Thieves that he was the one behind the Psychotic Breakdown Incidents — that under Shido’s orders he went about killing the Shadows of individuals that were in the way of Shido and his associates, which would lead to a complete psychological collapse and, in time, death in the victim.

On top of that, he boldly — if not stupidly — informed them he was Shido’s bastard son.

All he ever wanted wanted was to be showered with his father’s love and attention . . . but he also wanted to guide him to the top of the world, only to pull the rug under his feet and watch his dreams shatter as his crimes were made public knowledge. To put simple, he wanted to ruin his entire career all so that man could, once and for all, care for him. But he was too blind and foolish to even realize that Shido was using him instead of the other way around. . .

It was crushing to learn that not only did Shido suspected he as his son — all because he had such a likeness to his mother’s forgotten face —  but, that he was going to kill him anyway.

God. It’s almost hilarious.

Why did he ever think anything else would happen?

In the eyes of Japanese society, illegitimate children and orphans are a taboo subject and the latter were not called ‘throw away children’ for nothing.

Society, even her own family, looked down on his mother and gave her so much shame, grief and agony that she came to the conclusion that ending her life was the better option, leaving him utterly alone. From that moment on, his childhood was filled with nothing but abuse and neglect from the overcrowded system — including bullying from the hierarchy of power organized by the older orphaned children — and contempt from society as a whole. It only got worse once he hit fifteen. He was promptly ejected out of the system and told to fend for himself in a society that relies heavily on the koseki.

With no family, he was nothing — and as far as anyone cared -- he would return to nothing.

And now, after the two years of abuse and manipulation, he’s sadly realized it was utterly pointless his actions were and that he has nothing to show for it. . . Maybe nothing but a number of dead bodies, leaving behind suffering individuals that will venomously hate him for living while their parents died because of his actions and . . . three Co-operations; The Fool, Empress and Justice. How ironic, after reaching a point of no return, he’s found people to rely on but. . . Co-operations are useless at this point. . .

After everything, he’s not an idiot.

Soon enough, he’s going to be arrested and charged with heinous crimes. . . everything he built to make people love and adore him will be shattered and he will face either life in prison or, worse, the death penalty.

Gazing into his cup of coffee he sees the reflection of his tired and haggard face in the brown liquid. Exhaling out his nose, he watches the liquid ripple as he -- almost mechanically -- pour in some cream and gives it a gentle stir with his spoon. Truthfully, he’s not actively listening to what the Phantom Thieves are discussing — even if they’re letting him in on their upcoming plan to raid Mementos one last time -- because of the low energy Takashi is exhibiting and the fact it’s affecting others to the point that nothing is actually getting done at the present moment.

Given the knowledge he’s gained from his time with the group, Takashi usually hits a low when stressed or when his mother is down. And anyone can clearly see that’s exactly how she feels at the moment. In fact, she seems to be in such a funk that she’s not even trying to hide how down she is currently feeling. Sitting next to him in their booth seat, she’s resting her head in her arms as she slouches on top of the surface of the table and lets out yet another deep sigh within the span of two minutes.

It’s almost intriguing how one depressed ‘team mom’ — who, ironically, is Takashi Kido’s legal mother but because of some odd time paradox ( or something ), she had yet to birth him — can cause everyone to crash and burn.

Almost.

She was Team Mom for a reason, not simply because she was someone's biological mother. She greeted everyone with a warm and beautiful smile on her lovely face and her heart was abundant in kindness and care for the others. Her heart and ears were always open to listen to someone’s troubles and to give them comfort when they needed it the most.

However, she was swift to drop the playful behavior she exhibited when she was in a comfortable environment in order to firmly express her beliefs. May it be everyone deserves redemption if they express genuine remorse for their actions or loud earth shattering protests against abuse and other injustice.

While she was determined and focused in battle or during various confrontations and negotiations, she was a bit foolish and put the needs and safety of others before her own, resulting in her becoming the most frequently injured person in battle.

But, even though weeks have passed, and they’ve spent a number of hours together, he still can’t fathom why she confronted the cognitive version of himself that Shido created. Up until that point, even during the heat of battle, she gazed upon him with nothing but contempt and hatred.

Strong, beautiful, nurturing and loving. . . Maybe that was why she was his Empress. . .

“Are you okay Akechi-kun?” Her soft voice pulls him from his train of thought. He finds her warm, shimmering eyes gazing upon him with a small smile present on her thin lips. For a moment, his brain struggles to find the proper words. He's so accustomed to be at the center of attention among teenagers and being fawn over but he has no idea how to respond now that the shoes is on the other foot. He coughs rather loudly, making her smile grow in return.

“Of course. Why do you ask?”

“Everyone else left.” She smiles sweetly. “You’ve been staring at your coffee for a while. . ."

Ah.

“I see. . . Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing. I’ve just been thinking. . .”

“If you say so. It’s getting late, so maybe we should head back to the apartment now. If you’re ready that is."

“Right, we should head back before Theodore begins to worry about you.” He offers her a smile and she grins in return, her fingers threading through the pearly white locks of hair that rest on her shoulders.

“He worries about you too.” Akechi stares at her -- his eyes blown open with shock -- for several moments. Even after all this time, he’s unable to find a response to such a simple statement. Honestly, the concept of anyone remotely caring for him still feels unreal.

As the two of them exit the booth Takashi leans over the surface of the table to grab the abandoned cup of coffee on the table’s surface. He moves it to the counter before turning back to the young woman and pulling her into a hug. She smiles gently, patting his head and threading her hand through his messy black hair. Takashi hold on her betrays nothing about how troubled the whole situation has made him feel.

After all, despite stealing Shido’s heart and his public confession, Japan has voiced no disgust or horror about the heinous crimes he’s enacted or ordered from behind the scene. They’re more concerned with more trivial things and when will he get to work. . . All their words and reactions just . . . make no sense. It’s like they’ve chosen to remain oblivious to the actual truth of things.

“You’ve done so well Takashi.” She smiles, affectionately cupping his face in her hands and rubbing her thumbs against his cheeks. Takashi's face glows red before glancing away from his mother but she continues to smile. “Have some faith in yourself. . . you’re a smart boy after all.”

“Right, okaasan. . . thank you. . .” She smiles once more, pressing a kiss to his forehead. She then releases him and returns to Akechi’s side. With one last wave, the two of them exit the cafe, leaving Takashi alone.

The first few times she escorted him around it was rather awkward but, slowly and steadily, as they grew accustomed and learned more about each other, it started to feel natural. In small ways, she walked him about the city or took him to various places -- places she found peace and hope -- and shared them with him in a small attempt to show him that the world wasn’t entirely ugly.

As much as he didn't want to admit, he yearned to feel her presence by his side. But, today, the walk back to her apartment was unusually tense. One of her hands clutched the strap of her purse to the point her knuckles were turning white and her eyes seemed hollow. Slowly, her steps came to a stop. He looked back at her, concerned about her behavior but all she did was stare at her feet.

“Melody-san?”

“I. . . I got in contact with. . . the Shadow Operatives. . .”

“Shadow Operatives?” Akechi repeats, confusion evident in his voice. For a moment, a hint of a smile appears on her face only for it to vanish moments later.

“It’s a section of the police that take care of Shadows and Persona related activities. . . They’re old friends and family of mine . . so, I won’t have to worry about what happened to Takashi while he was in police custody happening to you if you’re in their care.” Akechi furrows his brows in disgust at that particular memory. The cops pumped drugs into Takashi's body, making him sluggish and suffer from memory problems along with assaulted him -- even threatening to break his leg -- before making him sign a false confession. He can only imagine how livid she was when she heard this news. “They’ll treat you with more respect then the Shibuya police could muster and they’ll be able to help you with. . . you know, your problems . . .”

Ah yes. Cluster B personality disorders. According to what she's managed to dig up, he has a bit of each of the four disorders in this cluster. A disregard for others, lack of empathy, a rather extreme ‘black and white’ thought process, poor self-image, behavior that lead to self-harm and impulsive actions, and attention seeking behavior.

Unfortunately, he could not really deny these characteristics but given their current situation it was hard to confirm if he genuinely had these disorders, and if he did, get the proper medical attention.

“I see. . . That is a relief to know.” He forces a smile onto his face for the sake of her. But she doesn’t return the expression. She can only show regret and pain.

“I’m sorry, but this seems to be the extent of what I can do for you. . . I wish. . . I wish I could have done something more for you. I . . . I really wish I saw through all those fake smiles you gave me while you were suffering deep down. . . No one deserves what you’ve gone through. . .” Her strained voice filled with pain made it feel like a knife pierced his very heart and twisting in his chest. She has no reason to feel so upset how things have turned out. After all, it’s not her fault that he’s such useless, a disgusting mess and a stain in society’s eyes.

“It can’t be helped.” He responds noncommittally. “After all, any efforts would have been in vain up until this point. . .” Her frown deepens and her eyes begin to water.

“It’s so unfair. . .” She whispers softly. “Shit like this makes it feel like. . . everything I work for is almost pointless. . . No matter how much hope and joy I attempt to foster in the hearts of people there’s still victims of abuse or other tragic situations. Good people that turn to bad things because they feel like there’s no other option for them. . .” For a moment, she pauses then looks up to him as tears falls from her eyes, begging for some. . . comfort. From him.

Akechi suddenly finds himself fretting and unsure of what to say or do. He’s never . . . actually seen her cry before. For a while he thought it was almost impossible for her to even cry. . . but that’s a completely nonsensical idea. For whatever she is, she's very human-like and could express emotions all the same.

Now, in this situation he could offer his handkerchief. It would be the polite option. . . but it would be like saying there was a wall between them at this point in their relationship, wouldn’t it? Or . . . a hug. . . She offered them to those in need without hesitation, but wouldn’t that be too forward — not to mention, intimate — for him to do?

His brain struggles to figure something out as he watched her whimpering struggles to breath between the tears that stream down her red face. . . His face screws up with anger and contempt at himself. Seeing her like this was wrong and it was his damn fault she’s even in this state.

The feeling of a sudden tug to her wrist causes her let out a gasp of shock and fumble over her own feet. However, instead of falling flat on her face, Akechi pulls her against his body and she finds her face resting against the curve of his neck. Her tears, which briefly stopped due to shock, came back at full force. She rubbed her face against his shoulder as a tiny whimper escaped her lips.

He can hardly believe he’s actually doing this but his actions are moving faster than he could even process them. In his arms. . . all he wants is her in his arms. It just. . . feels so right.

Her trembling body held on tightly as if she was afraid he would disappear at any moment. Slowly he raised a hand to the back of her head and carefully threaded his fingers through her long shimmering hair. She shivered softly and pressed her face into his neck once more. He smiled softly, taking the hint that she enjoyed the feeling.

Holding onto each other they ignored the world that continued to go on around them. In that moment, the world could have been void of life and that would have been fine. This moment was beyond precious to the two of them. A true treasure.

"Maybe things would have been different if we met a couple of years ago. . . but I haven't regretted a single moment spent with you." Shocked by his words, she looks up at him with eyes that burned with hope and. . . dare he say, love, for him. "You opened a new aspect of me, bringing forth a light I've never seen before to my life." His voice was soft and kind. Warm even.

Gently, his gloved hand wiped the tears from her eyes and stroked the skin under her puffy eyes. Several moments passed as they gazed into each other's eyes. She then leaned up to him with lidded starry blue eyes and he leaned down to meet her halfway.

Her lips were soft, pouring every ounce of her love and genuine feelings into the kiss. He held on tight, bringing her in for kiss after kiss, even after she was breathless and her face was flushed red.

It was selfish of him to even imply that he has feelings for her -- much less return her genuine ones when there's so many better lovers out there for her. Ones that aren't going to rot away in jail.

But. . .

Just for a little longer, they both would be selfish. . .

Chapter Text

- Interrogation Room -

Takashi is losing his GODDAMN mind.

None of this was a dream, as much as he hoped it was.

Morgana is a human.

Wakaba-san is alive.

Futaba and Sojiro see nothing wrong with that.

At all.

It's abundantly clear, despite the fact this woman died years ago, they're talking to her as if she's always been here.

Actually, can he round back to the whole Morgana is a human thing? His cat is undeniably human. The voice is different and the pronouns . . .they're the same and the way he sits. . . is unfortunately the same. However, appearance wise, he's a literal carbon copy of the actor they saw on the TV the other day.

How the hell did this happen?

How could this happen?

. . .

Mom.

He needs to see his mother.

She, of all people, would know what the hell is going on.

"What's with that look?" Sojiro questions, concern clear in his voice. "C'mon, sit down and eat with us."

"Are you alright?"  Wakaba questions as well and Futaba looks at him with those big concerned eyes.

"He's been like this since yesterday. . . " Morgana sighs, shaking his head. Takashi uneasily grasps at the strap of his bag, his brain conflicted and spiraling out of control. How is he supposed to react in this situation? Something is saying it's time for 'flight or fight' but even if this is essentially his second home -- it's still home to him and he can't bear the thought of the people he loves the most to be in a situation like this, whatever the hell it is.

Ring~!

Eyes turn to the cafe's front doors and clutching his chest out of pure shock, Takashi can't help but tactfully wonder 'Am I having a stroke?' because standing at the door was genuinely the most unexpected person he ever thought he would face again. A man that would forever leave Takashi Kido, the infamous phantom thief leader -- J★KER -- absolutely floored with shock. . .

Makoto Yuuki.

His own uncle.

- Disquiet -

Nothing is real anymore.

All of it has to be fake.

It HAS to be.

He knows for a FACT that his uncle is DEAD.

Deader than dead even according to his mother. So dead his soul cant even go to the Grey Garden because of the incredible role it's performing but not only his soul, but the other person who shared his role across time and space itself. That very thought brings up a troubling situation. If he's here, what does this mean for that other person? Are they alone in holding up the Seal?

Jesus Christ.

What in the actual FUCK is going on here.

. . .

Makoto Yuuki -- with Minato Arisato as his birth name -- died resting in the lap of his short term wife Aigis on March 5th, 2010, which ironically was also the birthday he shared with his twin sister, but he does not look like the same seventeen year old that died that day. He looks very much like a twenty three year old man formally dressed in a light gray double-breasted trench coat layered over what appeared to be a formal long sleeve white shirt, black vest and red tie, finished off with black pants and shiny black shoes. His navy blue hair was cut to a more manageable length but his longer bangs were pulled back with some thin white hair clips, revealing both of his silvery-gray eyes and the mole that rested underneath the right eye.

And he can clearly see that Takashi Kido is clearly handling this as well as his mom did when he confronted her this morning but he can't say he didn't expect that from his younger sister's child. He may have inherited his father's physical traits -- something he learned all the biological children of the Melody clan do with the exception of Lucy -- but he most certainly has the same exact panicked reactions she has when pressed. So, he has to tactfully rescue him from himself.

"What's up? So shocked to see your uncle, you're now a fish?" Makoto laughs. Takashi sputters for a few moments before he finally takes action by flinging himself into the adult's arms. Makoto smiles fondly, gently patting his curly hair. Oh how he wishes fate has been a little kinder to him. He would have loved to fill the role of uncle for his beloved sisters children but a moment as brief as this will be acceptable. "Oh, I see, you're just surprised. Well, think of this as a New Years gift."

"Woooah! Your uncle!" Futaba gasps. "I didn't know you had more family besides Amada and your parents!” Takashi responds by pulling away from the adult and places his hand upon his chest with a flourish.

“I have uncles and aunts out the wazoo!” He proudly exclaims.

“Gross.”

“How dare you!” He mockingly gasps. She narrows her eyes.

“Well, maybe you shouldn’t keep them in your butt.”

“I can believe you come into my house and talk about my family like this.” He shouts so dramatically, with a flourish and all, as he leans against his uncle for support. It takes everything Makoto has to not burst out laughing. It seems not only has the boy inherited his mother’s panic tactics but her need to make dramatic flourishes -- especially when she makes fucking awful jokes

For a moment, this brings Takashi peace. Peace knowing he can still interact with Futaba like this. . . however peace doesn’t last long as he notes the face Morgana is making at him and the disappointment on Sojiro’s face while Wakaba loudly laughs. This isn’t home. This isn't normal. . . This isn't safe .

Once more, Makoto pats the young man on his head before steering him to the door. The adult bids farewell along with a promise to return the boy before nightfall. Once outside, Takashi lets out a loud sigh, clutching his chest, amazed that he somehow got out of that alive. Makoto gives his shoulder a sympathetic squeeze before leading him to the laundromat right outside the public bathhouse. It is inside this little area that quite a gathering has formed.

The first that pops out to him is. . . no. That’s not his aunt. Although she looks like Minako Arisato, this is undoubtedly Kotone Shiomi, the very woman that shares an absoolute likekness to the soul of his uncle despite living in an alternate-parallel timeline, thus shared his role of the Seal with him. 

Much like his uncle she too looks like an adult of twenty-three years. She lacks the happy go lucky aura of his aunt, her red eyes sharp and rather annoyed. Not that he can blame her given her situation. 

With her long auburn hair swept back into a long curly ponytail, she wore a lengthy red scarf secured around her neck, followed by a long beige capelet with large silver buttons which layers over a red skirt, a pair of long white fingerless gloves and black tights and finally a pair of dark brown ankle boots to finish the ensemble. 

She seemed to be struggling with an iPhone. Being frozen in time for basically several years be like that he supposes.

Then there’s his mother, sitting in a chair with her face in her hands. Her shimmering white hair delicately arranged into a crown braid with curls that frame her face and decorated with a silver butterfly pin adorned with sapphires -- if he had to guess it's from her boyfriend from the Velvet Room. She was dressed in a navy blue frock coat, her favorite yellow scarf, black tights and a pair of matching navy boots. 

And she looked like she was suffering. He immediately walks over to her to give her a pat on her back. Interacting with his mom when she’s only nineteen due to some time shenanigans has always been awkward but damn if he didn't try to comfort her when she needed it.

And that's when he notices Akechi.

If his mom looked like shit, Akechi looked like death. He’s pinching his brow in irritation, muttering something under his breath. Everything about him -- from his tone to his posture -- screamed anger, disgust and rage against just about everything.

Given what he knew about Akechi he was surprisingly well dressed -- but maybe that wasn’t a surprise given he had resources to live on his own and attend a prestigious school and all -- but he prepared for the winter nonetheless in a heavy brown coat with black buttons over a green vest and white collar shirt, and blue pants while retaining the familiar gloves and loafers. 

- Suspicion -

“Where’s Minazuki-ojisan?” Takashi questions, trying to break up the tension between the two. His mother sighs, slowly dragging her hands down her face.

“He went to see Agatha and Mel went with him to see if he could help stabilize the Velvet Room since it’s kinda fucked up at the moment.”

“Fucked up?” In the background Makoto makes a mock face of surprise. As if he’s actually astonished that his sister would cuss in front of her teenage son. They’ve cussed in front of Ken before. The look on Mitsuru’s face was always worth it when she caught them in the act.

“As Theodore explained it the space around it is generally fucked up due to . . . whatever is happening.”

“You mean the whole raising people from the dead and Morgana being a human thing?” She looks up, giving him an utterly baffled look.

“He’s what?” Takashi repeats ‘a human’ once more. His tone used to state that lacked any humor and was completely and utterly flat. The young woman groans, placing her face in her hands.

“Nevermind that.” Akechi cuts in. “Melody here decided she wouldn't explain who these two are,” He vaguely motions to both Kotone and Makoto, his expression very clearly expressing his distrust and distaste. “I was under the assumption she was waiting for you but it seems I’m the only one out of the loop here.”

“I was just buying time.” She sighs and now she’s the one pinching her brow. “That situation is kinda . . . a loaded one.”

“I don't know how it could be any more loaded than the very fact you are a literal alien and yet Takashi’s biological mother, somehow existing and talking to him before you even gave birth to him.” Beside them Makoto snorts, trying his best not to laugh at how blunt Akechi was in that delivery. She sighs, throwing her hands in the air.

“You know what? That’s fair. Okay, so, let’s begin with the concept of how Personas came to be.”

“What.”

“You asked, I’m answering.” She sighs, looking up from the palm of her hand with irritation. “So, before human life began, a star eater by the name of Nyx came to this world. The direct collision resulted in her psyche being implanted in life and she proceeded to place herself into stasis to repair herself. In the Moon.”

“What ?!” It was even more incredulous than before but she continues anyway.

“These fragments of her psyche became one with life and in turn life evolved to coexist with it to survive the changes she brought. The fragment of her psyche would become Shadows. This is why Nyx is also known as the Mother to all Shadows. From here on out, the logistics of Personas and Shadows are the same, should a person tame their Shadow, a Persona is born in turn and vice versa is possible should the person go under enough psychological stress that their foundation unravels. How to do so and how they’re summoned has notably changed over the years according to some older records in the hands of the Shadow Operatives.

Regardless, in 1999, Tartaus was formed and her Appraiser took shape. His form was quickly shattered, sending him into an incomplete state so he was defeated and sealed away within a child that happened to be nearby.” The way Akechi glances at both Makoto and Kotone shows he's already catching on but he says nothing so she continues. 

“In 2009, the Appraiser -- Death -- managed to cobble itself together and finally, Nyx’s return was confirmed. In 2010, Nyx awoke from her slumber and intended to use Tartarus for the intended function it was deigned for -- to act like a beacon for her arrival and to attract and collect all her fragmented pieces that lived inside all life with a consciousness. SEES, a group of teenage Persona users, resolved to eliminate her and on the eve of January 31st, they ascended the tower to combat her when she began her descent.”

“That is where we come in.” Makoto smiles, lifting his hand into the air. “Nyx, unfortunately, cannot be defeated.” Akechi narrows his eyes.

“Then what was the point in fighting her?”

“She can’t be defeated but she isn’t evil.” Kotone explains. “She’s entirely a neutral party. Erebus was the problem. This creature was the physical manifestation of humanity’s anger, despair, pain and grief. Should he touch Nyx those feelings would be transferred to her and she would react in kind.”

“So, together, we became the Seal. A great wall that transcended time and space by the sacrifices of our very souls.” Akechi provides no reaction but in knowing him as best as they do, both Takashi and his mother can see he’s genuinely having issues wrapping his head around this. The Phantom Thieves have confronted all sorts of people for the sake of others, hell even confronted a God for that same reason . . . but to willingly and consciously forfeit one's life for people you never met, never will meet and will never know of such a sacrifice was beyond him.

“But. . . you’re here now.” He finally speaks. “What does this mean. . . for everyone else?”

“Well, imouto has a contingency plan that’s been in place for some years now. She would pass along a sum of the Hope she collected to the Seal with the intention to provide enough hope that it required neither of the two souls it’s been feeding off of.” 

“I’m concerned with the how and why.” She confesses. “Why were they suddenly removed from the seal? And why is everyone acting as if Makoto never died? And why is everyone confusing Kotone with Makoto or vice versa?”

“They share the same soul.” Takashi reminds her. “And one is from a parallel universe. Perhaps they’re simply eclipsing each other now that they exist in the same space.” The young woman seems to think this over for several moments before nodding.

“A par--” Akechi sputters, truly and utterly lost. He knew tangling with this goddamn family was a disaster but this! This was outright insane! How could such an incident from nearly twenty and then nearly ten years ago go unnoticed? Where could this . . . this Nyx thing possibly originate from? And yet, he feels like he’s heard of this parallel universe shit before. He has no idea how or why but it fucking pisses him off even more because how do you forget something like that?!

Maybe this reality is affecting him, maybe not as bad as it did with Melody this morning before he -- literally -- slapped sense into her. Honestly, whoever is behind this is truly a piece of shit. Only a goddamn madman would think it’s acceptable to delude her into loving him.

That kindness, gentle smile and tender look in her eyes as she greeted him at the door of her apartment. . .  None of it was real and it never would be. She made her opinion of him clear long ago and despite her forgiving nature, she was not one to forgive him and then proceeded to hold him at arm's length.

She was so clearly ashamed of the way she acted that she refused to look at him for the duration of the trip from Komaba to Yongen-Jaya. Even so, they’ll have to deal with each other if they’re going to resolve this.

“I can't understand this shit you're talking about.” Akechi bluntly states. “However, I doubt your mother has much time to pull our legs with nonsense. So, like it or not, it’s most likely a real thing. That aside, to the point of this meeting, I propose we join forces to get to the bottom of this.” It’s clear his proposal was not including Makoto or Kotone but he knew, if they were friends with Melody (and a brother in one case) they would most likely stick their nose in it anyway. 

“We don't have much of a choice otherwise.” Takashi sighs, removing his false glasses to rub the corners of his eyes.

“Very well, first off, we need information.” Akechi points out. “As we, those of the Phantom Thieves, know, the first inkling of changes to reality was after the election.”

“With Yaldabaoth’s defeat things seemed . . . normal. . . After the battle you were taken in by the Shadow Operatives, but also claimed you would be all the evidence needed to contest Shido in the courts.” He remembers that. Actually it’s a rather vivid memory, much like the one where they released him after performing a grossly simple round of questioning. After that, he ended up holding himself up in his apartment, waiting and watching for anything strange to happen afterwards. . . and well, it sure happened

“So it seems the most glaring of the abnormalities appeared after New Years.”

“Can confirm.” Makoto pipes up. “Kotone and I found ourselves in a spare room in imouto’s apartment on New Years day. Neither her or Aragaki-san saw anything strange about it, however Ushio-chan did. In fact, she pointed out my picture was removed from the shrine in the living room.” Understandable. Akechi has met the child in question a few times when the Thieves had meetings at her place. Something about her was. . . off. He cant pinpoint the how or why, but she was certainly off. 

“I was kinda in and out of it for the day.” Melody confesses, looking a bit ashamed of herself. “I knew something was off but I couldn't figure it out and there were moments of lucidity before being dragged back under . . .a thrall, I guess. That changed once I saw Goro in person.”

Akechi grimaces. She’s throwing mixed signals his way. Again. She’s made it clear she doesn't want anything with him but she uses that name. If he didn't know she’s lived in Japan for years at this point, he’d think she was just ‘being American’ and casually using his given name as they would overseas, but no, she knows the implications of calling him by that name.

What the hell is her game?

PI!

PI!

They all fumble for their phones the second the sound rings out. It turns out to be Melody and she glances his way. He rolls his eyes. . . Like she needs his goddamn permission to do this shit.

“Go ahead, answer it.” He grunts. She nods, bringing the phone to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Senpai? It’s Yoshizawa! I'm in Odaiba right now, and. . . . uh. . .”

“Stay calm,” She speaks gently. With the utmost kindness that makes his skin crawl. How can she so naturally speak like that? “What happened?”

“Um, I don't really understand what I'm seeing, but I'm just going to describe it to you. . . It's that building. I, oh, I hope Takashi-senpai told you about it. . .”

“He did.” And truth be told, she has some Issues with that. And she may have to address those soon. Really she should have sooner but so much shit was happening it slipped her mind.

“Okay, well, it's really faint but I can see that 'Palace' place that Morgana-senpai mentioned a while ago!”

Morgana-senpai. That still cracks Takashi up. Calling a cat senpai. . .

“Senapi, I know it's sudden, can you and Takashi-senpai come to Odaiba right away?”

“Yes, just wait for us. Don't do anything without us.”

“I understand! See you soon!” Although the person on the other line cannot see her, she nods her head before hanging up the phone and pocketing it.

“We got a hit.” She simply states. “Takashi and Morgana found a Palace a few months back, however, it seems the APP history completely censored the name of the owner so we never had the chance to revisit it as a team.”

“But, despite the distorted happiness around us, it still exists and taking form in the real world no less.” Akechi narrows his eyes, perhaps wondering how the owner of one goddamn palace could have a reach across Tokyo, much less in reality itself. “Seems connected, don't you think?”

“Most likely.” Kotone hums.

“Then let’s get moving. Odaiba, right?” Watching his younger sister figure nod her head, Makoto wraps an arm around Takashi’s shoulder and leads him out with Kotone at his side in order to give the illusion that this was a family outing should anyone spot them leaving. It’s still New Years so it’s unlikely, even so, the person behind this could be watching so it's a necessary precaution as far as he’s concerned.

- Tension -

Leaving behind just Melody and Akechi. The two of them awkwardly stand there, uncertain of who should make the first move or how to deal with the tension between the two of them. Awkwardly she places a hand on his backside, which quickly moves to his shoulder.

This only serves to piss him off. He quickly slaps her hand aside, fire burning in his brown-red eyes.

“Don't you dare fucking touch me.” He spits. “I don't need your goddamn pity, you wishy washy two faced bitch!” She furrows her brows, very clearly annoyed that he would intentionally pick such rude names. He’s snapped at her in the past as he dealt with the repercussions of inflicting psychosis on himself but he’s never called her a bitch.

“I’m not fucking two faced because I said I can't be in a relationship with you at this moment! You need to figure out what you want from life and you need to be sure that you actually want to be with me because you care for me and not because I was nice to you.”

“Then stop acting like you care.” He snarls, glaring down at her with a fury unlike any other. “I don’t need that fake bullshit from you. It’s needlessly cruel .”

“Being nice and showing you basic goddamn human decency is not being cruel Goro!”

“Don't fucking call me that! You have no right to call me that! You threw me aside because you think I’m some confused brat!”

“Do not put words in my mouth!” She snaps. “I don’t think of you as a brat! I’m concerned for you! I want you to be happy!”

“You’re doing a real shitty job at that.” 

With those words, L'imperatrice finds herself in Doubt.

Chapter Text

- A Poem for Everyone's Soul -

A wonderful way to describe the Velvet Room is ‘its on fucking fire’ Akechi thinks as Igor, that long nosed bastard, explains the reason why the multiple Wild Cards present cannot summon multiple Personas -- a very basic skill they easily should be able to do.

It’s a case of too many cooks in the kitchen. 

Given this Palace has caused reality to basically lose it’s goddamn mind, it’s now existing in a completely unstable state and the surplus of Wild Cards, two who apparently wield the power of the universe itself, cannot properly exist all at once in one place. 

So Great.

Their greatest asset has been basically shot in the knees and left to die.

There’s some rambles about something called ‘Sub-Personas’, while useful in theory, he finds it subpar in the long run. All that apparently does is give someone the skills of the secondary Persona while adding additional health and SP to the summoner and because there’s so many of them, only so few ‘Sub-Personas’ they can hold at once. 

Regardless, a velvet blue shelf [ because of course its velvet-fucking-blue ] appears out of seemingly nowhere and Igor stands on his freakishly long legs to extract two compendiums -- it briefly makes Akechi wonder how many people actually used this Velvet Room in the past if Igor has such an expansive collection of compendiums -- before the two books are collected by . . . by someone in blue he’s never seen in Melody’s apartment.

Many of the Velvet Room residents took up residency at the apartment complex she bought out while she was searching for a way to get them back to their master, but the woman with the bob is completely new. Did Igor basically pull this woman out of his ass just to attend to those two anomalies?

He isn't sure and quite frankly he dosen't want to know. Regardless, as ‘Violet’ is left awkwardly in the main room with Igor, they are each escorted to a cell with their respective attendant. Kotone and Makoto to XIII with Elizabeth, Melody to III with Theodore, and Takashi and himself to VIII with Lavenza.

Justice.

What a fucking joke.

The small child wonder proceeds to tear the compendium apart, creating two separate books. She hands one to Takashi, who immediately begins sifting through his Personas to find the one that could suitably match their needs for this Palace run, and she places his book in his hands. For whatever reason it’s opened to the L'imperatrice Cooperation, but the image is a deep red color and upside down for whatever reason.

He look to Lavenza, wordlessly questioning what the fuck is this supposed to mean. She sighs and Takashi very quickly looks away. He narrows his eyes. Apparently, whatever this is, he knows what it means. Asshole. He looks back to the child, waiting for her to explain. She sighs once more, clasping her hands together in a motion that he immediately recognizes as Ryuuji going ‘BOI’ and points her fingers right at him.

“You implanted Doubt into your Cooperation.” 

He has no idea what that means.

“As a result, you are no longer able to summon any Personas that originate from said Cooperation.”

Oh My God. 

Are you shitting me?!

She doubts him now?!

And not after, oh, I don’t know, ATTEMPTING TO MURDER HER SON?

What the fuck is this woman’s priorities? 

“Once you reconcile with her, you may summon and fuse said Personas once more.”

That's it. This has gone pear-shape. He has to decapitate himself. 

Like he’s going to apologize to her for calling her out on her shit! What has he done wrong in doing that?! She let him kiss her and then immediately said they can't date with the excuse that he’s ‘not in the right state mentally’. He’s fucking perfectly fine! He’s in the best mental state in years! Like, did she honestly think there would be no repercussions to her actions?

“What you perceive and the facts of the situation can be two different things.” She simply states, her brows furrowed before letting out a sight and giving Akechi a look of pity. ( FUCKING PITY FROM A CHILD! )  “It would be unfortunate to lose a relationship with another person simply because one party refuses to understand the other, even if it hurts at first.”

He’s not going to lose it here. He refuses to. Especially because of some cheeky know it all brat. Clenching his teeth, he tosses his compendium back at her and storms out of the cell marked by the numerals VIII. For a moment Melody leans to the side, poking her head out of the III cell, giving him a hint of a concerned look before turning back to her attendant, deserting him once more.

Chapter Text

“Oh! Goro-kun!”

He’s going to FUCKING DIE.

He told both Takashi and Melody to visit the other Phantom Thieves, to snap them out of their delusional bullshit, and in doing so he expected Melody to be the one to confront Amada but fate seems to be mocking him by placing his own cousin before him instead.

Ugh. The very thought of that rattled him to the very core. Akechi thought he was without family, only to turn out he had but one family member living an almost parallel life to him. Amada has never explained it in full, clearly ashamed of some steps he made in his past, yet lucky enough despite them to find a family and people that adore him.

And yet, Amada’s greatest wish is to have a bond with him. 

What a goddamn joke.

They hardly know each other -- making their connection as cousins transparent at best -- but it’s clear it all stems from pity. Why else would Amada care for him? It’s all a desperate wish that their mothers did not clash and lose track of each other and in turn they were there for each other. That he didn’t become this .

However, fate was not kind to them.

“Amada, I don’t have time for your shit.”

But he will not be kind to it either.

“Goro-kun, is something wrong? You seem . . . tense.” Akechi snarls -- a gutteral sound from the back of his throat -- before he grabs the insufferable brat by the scruff of his coat and pulls him into a nearby alleway. The action not even registering on the consciousness of people so delusional and happy. He ruthlessly slams Amada the stone wall, not even caring that bricks are digging into his backside, or how terrified that fool looks. 

- Out of Kindness -

“I do not have time for your bullshit Amada.” His tone is firm, if not with a hint of annoyance . . . and cruelty as he states; Your parents are gone Amada. Get a grip.

He . . . He hates how jealous he is that in this false reality that Amada has both of his parents, like before he lost them both. A gentle mother. A loving father. A warm home to return to. Everything he could never have -- then or now.

But he also hates that small, pathetic miniscule part of himself that regrets bringings tears to Amada’s eyes. He hardly knows the kid, but he may as well just murdered his fucking parents before him. In fact, he did. The moment Ken comes to his realization, the illusion of his happy family life will be utterly shattered. Dead once more and it will be his fault.

“M-My parents aren’t dead. . .!” He sutters, completely taken aback by his words. Akechi rolls his eyes. Really? Is that all he has to say?

“Your father died, then your mother did and mine followed shortly after.” He spits. “The Amada family favored you over me, paying for your education but kept you at arms length because they saw you as a burden. They never brought you home for holidays, leaving you to rot at that school. . . that’s why Melody is your ‘onee-chan’. Because she took you under her wing and gave you love when you had nothing in the world.”

“T-That's’ not. . .” Amada’s voice trembles and tears bubble up in his eyes. Goddamnit. How dare him. How dare he look at him with those pitiful eyes! Whatever cruel words he was going to spin die out the moment Amada screams out ‘No!’ in fury and tackles him to the ground. His head smashed against the ground and Amada throws the first punch as he sits upon his chest, demanding he takes back everything he’s said.

He lands a hit or two before Akechi grabs his fist. He quickly shifts his grasp to Amada’s wrist, yanking him downwards so he could smash their foreheads together. Amada recoils, all too blinded by the confusion swimming in his head and the agony in his heart.

In the end, Akechi wins what he would hardly call a fight. And quite honestly, he feels. . . nothing. No battle has left him feeling such a way before. He detests it. With his briefcase in hand, and his clothes tidied up, he leaves the alleyway behind along with his sobbing wreck of a cousin. 

- Sense of Isolation -

. . .Ken Amada would soon return to his apartment in Shibuya, his clothes and hair in disarray, his bottom lip broken, forehead bruised and his eyes so empty yet full of tears. This apartment. This place he called home. . . It’s. . .  It's wrong. . . The lights are out. The TV is off. The radio isn't playing anything.

It’s silent.

A cold familiar silence that tears at his very soul.

But it’s right. This emptiness is how it’s always been.

He falls to his knees, his shoulder shake with sobs and his fists bang against the ground is utter agony. All that warmth, security and happiness is gone. A feeling he hoped and dreamed to obtain after so long -- so he would no longer steal it from the woman he's called his sister for years -- was gone.

He grits his teeth and slams his fists against the tile floor once more with such force he feels the pain in his bones.

Whoever did this to him. . . Whoever showed him this horrible, painful lie, will pay for it.

Chapter Text

“You all . . .” Maruki whispers, his voice soft with shock and awe. “I can't believe you’ve thrown away your happiness just to come here and. . .” Takashi glares, clutching Sumire’s body close to his own. To further enforce that they would not let him lay a hand upon the tormented girl or any other Phantom Thief, Melody, Yuuki and Shiomi stand before them all as a wall of greater unworldly power.

“You’re. . . You’re doctor Maruki, right?” Ann tentatively asks. The man sighs, nodding his head.

“That's right. More importantly, why are--”

“Dude. . . What the hell’s the Doc doin’ inside a Palace?!” Ryuuji booms.

“He’s the ruler of it you absolute buffoon.” Akechi spits. “This man is responsible for the false reality you all have been playing in for the last two weeks."

“All of this was done for your own joy.” The man simply states as if there’s nothing incredibly and horrifically wrong in taking control of someone's life and arranging it so it fits his idea of a happy life.

“Our joy?” Ken repeats, as if he’s not sure he heard correctly because this man has to be delusional if he thinks what he put him through was a joyous experience. “Is that supposed to be a joke? My parents died! They died long ago! I accepted that years ago! Of course it hurts sometimes but I know and understand death is a part of life and we must let go when time comes! Who the hell do you think you are tearing those old wounds open!?”

“We died satisfied.” Yuuki simply states. 

“We died protecting the people we loved.” Shiomi shoots the man a rather disgusted look.

“What right do you have to take that from us?”

“To take away all the growth we endured together?”

“To destroy everything they build in our honor to protect those in need?”

“What right did you have to kill my wife? ” Yuuki snarls, absolute rage and anger thrumming through his entire being. “Aigis is Aigis. Turning her into a human, you killed one of the many things I loved in her. Something she came to accept about herself!”

“Do you have an idea how cruel it is to have Akihiko love me. . .? But the next minute he does not because I’m not his Minako ?” Shiomi murmurs, a deep despair and agony in her eyes. “Do you even understand the magnitude of the problem you’ve created in your self righteous attempt to be a ‘hero’ to the people?”

. . . Takuto Maruki does not have the answers to any of these questions. Truthfully, he has no idea who these outer two people of the group are. They are, without a doubt, new to the group but this pain and agony they speak of is genuine. 

Something he’s caused. . .If that’s the case, he will fix it.

He will bring them happiness too. 

All of them.

“There’s still room for dis--"

“Will you shut up already!?” Melody demands, fury in her eyes. “You have no right to judge what someone’s happiness is! You’ve hurt my son! My brothers! My friends! I don’t want to hear shit about what you think happiness is when you’ve trampled over it! Your idea of happiness is not -- and will not -- be absolute!”

Maruki gazes upon her with sadness in his eyes. Truly and genuinely upset that his attempts to bring the peace and happiness to her life failed to the point she’s so angry and bitter. For some reason he cannot perceive and understand her in full, but surely, she would want to stop fighting and live happily with her loved ones. . .

“There’s still time. February 3rd. I’ll hear your final decision on the 3rd of February. If our views do not align we will have a physical altercation. As much as I loathe that, I cannot give up what I started. . .  Everything I swore to do, on the day I lost everything that mattered to me!” There is no time to question it as Maruki vanishes in a flash of white, leaving them all alone in the amphitheater. It’s only after Futaba confirms they’ve lost track of him do they withdraw from the Palace.