Disclaimer: Everyone… I have a confession to make.

I am an absolute Persona 5 Fan.

Yes. I freaking LOVE this game. Its story, the characters just EVERYTHING in this game is awesome. It has been a long time since I have been so invested in a game.

But one of the most interesting Characters is by far Goro Akechi.

Now beware, this story will be filled with spoilers so don't come here if you arent at least into the seventh palace. If you don't just go ahead, watch a lets play or play it for yourself this story wil stay right here…

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did you do it? Okay than I don't have anything to worry about anymore.

Akechi is quit intriguing to me. While I cant forgive him I do sympathize with him and what let him get where he is now. His Rivalry with Joker (not DC) is fantastic and I know there is something like a small rivalry between him and Makoto but lets be honest, the real stuff goes down between the two wildcards!

Something that bugs me however is tht there was no way to help him. What If you could invade his palace? how would Akechis Palace actually look like? I know he technically cant have one, but that's the same with Joker. Yet there are a lot of stories where he has a palace, Good ones btw.

Besides they both have wildcard powers so maybe they are the exception.

This story is supposed to show just that, the deepest parts of Akechis Distorted Desires.

So lets get it on with it everybody!

The Crows Nest

Akechi: Okay than we will begin tomorrow with our infiltration of Sae sans Palace right?

Ann: Exactly

Futaba: you better not slow us down Crow.

Akechi: Don't worry… I assure you I do not plan to stand in your way.

Akira: I am counting on you.

Akechi: Thank you for your trust. I am grateful for that.

"Yeah… I bet you are." said Akira to himself in his attic room. He was unable to hide the venomous tone in his voice.

Why you ask? It is simple…

Akira wasn't at all happy about working together with the Black Masked serial killer.

Yes… from the very first second he saw Akechi, he knew the Detective wasn't as friendly as he appeared to be. This was only further strengthened, when he was able to hear Monas wish for Pancakes. Akira knew this whole time, that Akechi was somehow involved with the Metaverse, even though a part of him didn't want to believe him to be all evil. Akechi was really symphatic and in some way, the young wildcard felt as if they shared a bond… just like him, Goro was used by selfish adults and had a troubling past, leading to a vengeful wish.

But everything he had thought about him changed, when he found out he had a palace.

It was way back when they were still investigating Kaneshiro. Akira had gotten curious if his perception was maybe tricking him and entered Goro Akechis name in the Metaverse Navigator.

Like always… his perception didn't lie to him.

The robotic 'Candidate found' still echoed in his ear.

He never talked about it with his teammates, worried they would went after Akechi and wanting to prevent the Public from going insane over the main 'Enemy' of the Phantom Thieves, receiving a calling Card. There was however something that made him hesitate about entering the Palace alone, not only the fact that he would be without his teammates the whole time, so there wouldn't be any help when he does fail. Something that made it fell… wrong. It was one of the few times where Joker was not sure about what he should do.

On the one hand, him having a Palace meant he definitely is hiding something personal, maybe Criminal or maybe something similar to Futabas case, beneath all the pride and ego that came as a Detective Prince… a broken soul rotting in his own Misery. If the Palace would turn out to be like 'normal' Palaces, it could prove that Akechi may entered his own Palace and in order to protect it, he would have teamed up with the Black masked killer.

On the other hand, Akechi could indeed be Black Mask, causing the mental shutdowns and solving the cases himself. That would however mean he has a Persona, in which case it would be impossible for him to have a Palace.

Akechis very existence was a mystery for Akira… a mystery he intended to solve.

So Akira waited… and waited… he waited for Akechi to do SOMETHING that he could use to find out the truth about the Detective Prince.

Than… Akechi did something he never expected to happen.

The newest Member of the Group, showed them his persona, the Righteous Thief and leader of the Merry Man, Robin Hood. Its bright appearance makes him the perfect counterpart to his own Persona Arsene.

With 'Crow' officially having a Persona, he had thought his Palace had disappeared… but it was still there. The Name Goro Akechi was still a hit in the Navigator.

Somehow Akechi managed to both have a Persona AND a Palace. Thousand thoughts filled Akiras head, as his Brain worked at the speed of Light. Akechi was a dangerous opponent before, but now he was more than just dangerous. Defying the very Rules of the Metaverse, commanding a Persona that could already singlehandedly Obliterate Shadows and his highly intelligent mind, that was not only masterful at solving Mysteries, but hiding them as well.

Akechi has become from dangerous… to unsettling.

Akira was taking a deep breath as he stood up from his Bed, walking over to his work desk, to check his Weapons and Equipment a last time. A silver model knife, a pitch-black Model gun and just as backup… a Cane Arsene himself made for him.

In this reality, these were nothing but Toys, unable to be of any use other than looking pretty.

But in the Metaverse… these tools became bringers of Destruction and his own way of fighting against the Evil that Plagued this world.

After storing all the Medicine he had, Akira closed his eyes, steeling his nerves and preparing himself for everything.

In this Phase of deep concentration, a voice called out to him, within the Depths of his heart. One of the few allies he would take with him during this Mission.

"Are you ready Trickster?" asked Arsene, Gentleman thief and Akiras Rebellious Will personified.

"Yes." answered Akira. A short answer, yet again filled with conviction and determination.

Arsene chuckled a little bit. "Very well my apprentice. Let us uncover the secrets of our enemy so that we shall defend our Justice and the people suffering under his schemes." The Trickster couldn't agree more.

Pulling out his Phone he starred at the Display. The keywords he already found out. A couple of sleepless nights leading him to the words displayed.

Goro Akechi

Japan

Game

Desires that envelop the entire Country. Yes, Goro was truly an unsettling Enemy.

But that last word couldn't get out of Akiras head. Game? He discovered it just by accident when he ranted about how he was supposed to win Igors stupid game under these circumstances. Speaking of… could it be that Akechi has ties to Igor? No… that must be a coincidence. Wasn't Igor HIS ally? He invented the Metaverse Navigator and trained him to where he is now. It wouldn't make sense if he turned out to be manipulating him this whole time.

The Trickster shook is head. This was not the time to be thinking about Igor… but still… why a Game?

"We will find out soon enough my apprentice." came the calm voice of a Gentleman within him. It worked wonders on Akira. Subconsciously nodding, he looked at the opened App, his thumb hovering over the button.

"Alright Goro, you have deceived me for the last time." he said. Morgana was currently living with Haru, a request Akira made since he didn't want Haru to suffer through her father's death alone. All because of Goro…

Morgana agreed with Akira. The Cat wanted to take care of their friend, the one who took him in when he thought he was alone, even tough he didn't know what Akiras true intention was...

He needed to be alone on this Mission. He couldn't risk anyone coming with him and he certainly couldn't risk Akechi to find out what he knew. So, discretion and deception where his two most necessary tools.

Pushing the button, the leader of the Phantom Thieves let the World around him become distorted, only one thought on his mind.

"Its time that you show me your true form."

And that's it for now… sorry I know I am a tease. Still I don't know just how far this story could go with what I have planned so I wanted to start slow.

Anyway has you have all seen, Akira is about to uncover Akechis darkest mysteries. Lets wish him good luck everybody.

OH before you guys leave… check out Youtube and visit the account of Ode Imaginations. He makes AMAZING Music. His persona 5 themes are great and could just as well be from atlas. He only has almost 300 subsribers for some reason but he deserves way more than that. Trust me… you wont regret it :)

In fact you can actually thank him for this story. His Akechi Palace theme gave me the inspiration necessary to start this. I actually have a comment on his video there. I used a friends account and already send a description of my idea for a Akechi palace down there. If you are interested in what direction this will go, go ahead and find my in the comments ;)

Speaking of, when we get to the later Chapters, why don't you try to read this story while hearing the song? Im pretty sure it would fit nicely :)

Until than.