When player enters the Tale again:

Hideo: You guys ready?

Mie: I'm ready to beat this fucker into the ground!

Protagonist: (Nods.)

Hideo: Hey... you OK?

Mie: Yeah. James? You seem a little... off. Are you alright?

Protagonist: (Wears a wide grin.)

Hideo: We can wait if-

Protagonist: (Writers in blue notebook, entering the Tale.)

(The trio now return to the Tale, where tehy are greeted by the doll.)

Doll: Hey, you're back.

Protagonist: A: You alright?

(Increases kindness.)

B: Ready to go?

Doll: Yeah. We got work to do.

Hideo: Ready when you guys are.

Doll: About... that...

Protagonist: A: You should stay back. It's dangerous.

(Increases kindness.)

B: Stick behind me.

C: I get you wanna fight but...

(Increases understanding.)

Hideo (A): What the Hell? No! We came for justice!

Mie (B): Don't underestimate us! We can-

Hideo (C): But what dude?

Doll: He has a point. You guys don't have personas so...

Hideo: Fine, but as soon as mine awakens...

Doll: Anyways, a word of warning, these places... tend to change. Every few floors there's consistent rooms but otherwise Tales will morph so... be careful. Anyways, let's go.

(The doll joins the party as the 4 enter the tale. After a couple of randomly generated floors going upwards, they reach floor three, which takes the form of a mess hall. In this room they meet a version of Chiako, who is dressed like a God, in holy attire, not unlike the Pope. This occurs on floor three, but on floor 2 a tutorial occurs.)

Floor 2: (Tutorial on hold ups and negations during a scripted battle.)

Doll: We got them all down, we can wipe them out with an all out attack or extort them. Your call pal.

Protagonist: (Is forced to recruit the shadow as a persona.)

Doll: Two... personas? What?

Mie: Oh that's not fair.

Doll: That's... yeah no one has... two uhhh...

(A voice is heard.)

Igor: Ah, yes. Come speak with me.

Hideo: Did he zone out?...

(Protagonist is called to the Velvet Room.)

Igor: You have awoken the Wild Card. The ability to have multiple Personas.

Beth: Impressive I must say.

Igor: Now you must develop this power via fusion!

(Cue fusion tutorial.)

Beth: gather personas, like pages in a book, and let us continue your story soon...

(Protagonist exits the Velvet Room.)

Mie: Heyooo!

Protagonist: (Appears to speak.)

Hideo: Oh, Velvet Room. Got you. Anyways, let's keep moving. Maybe we can use that to get even stronger...

(The four continue.)

Floor Three:

Chiako?: Ah, there you are you little bastards.

Protagonist: (Prepares to charge, only to be stopped by the doll.)

Doll: Your reign is over Chiako. We've come to beat a confession out of you.

Chaiko?: Ha! You? Some runt of a track team member, a talking teddy bear, a runaway, and a pathetic little bitch? Don't make me laugh! I'm Chiako! I'm a God in this town!

Hideo: You're nothing now! We are going to stop you! We're the Dawnbreakers!

Chiako?: I would like to see you try! I raised my daughter right dammit. It's her fault she didn't respect her elders!

Mie: Bastards like you don't get respect you murderer!

Chiako?: Oh really? Look.

(Chaiko snaps his fingers, revealing a screen on the left wall that shows his father beating a young Chiako. Chiako snaps his fingers as the young Chiako weeps, begging for mercy.)

Chiako?: I was raised to respect my father by hand. Disciplined properly unlike you pansies who-

(Screen flashes red.)

Mie: Pansies? Pansies for knowing the fucking difference between child abuse and discipline?

Hideo: Child abuse is a cycle you bastard! A cycle you failed to break! You used the abuse of your father to justify your own sins. You disgust me!

I...

(A red notebook appears in Hideo's hand.)

I'm going to make you pay!

(Hideo's persona awakens.)

Chiako?: Fuck this! Guards!

(Cue battle against shadows as Chiako flees. Hideo now joins the party.)

Hideo (After Battle): Man! That fucker!

Mie: I'm gonna be sick...

Protagonist: (Is hyperventilating.)

Mie: James? You OK?

Doll: Hey, lemme...

(Looks into James's eyes.)

Oh jeez.

Hideo: He OK?

Doll: How do I explain this? Tales... they are... difficult for one's mind. It ebbs away at one's sanity and I don't think he's doing to good. James, if you are pushed to far, you have to leave. We can come back to these rooms that don't change with the notebook. Think of them as checkpoints. Safe rooms to rest.

James: (Begins to calm down. Collects himself and nods.)

Hideo: Anyways, what was that?

Doll: That was his Tale and his shadow. Everyone has a shadow in their own Tale, and every Tale has records of the worst moments in the owner's or Teller's life. The moments that made them choose to sin. Why they're the evil person they are. That was shadow Chiako. Anyways, let's keep moving.

Author's Notes: I will now explain 2 ideas for mechanics that do tie into the plot.

1: Sanity: Much how the wanted levels in palaces worked in Persona 5, while in a Tale, getting ambushed, party members being downed, etc. all decrease sanity. As sanity lowers the protagonist will suffer debuffs at increasing severity. These are...

Sane (100%-70%): No debuffs.

Stressed: (70%-50%): Attack increased slightly, but defense decreased greatly. Protagonist is visibly more reckless in combat to reflect this.

Unstable (50%-30%): Protagonist loses more defense. Will now take blows for allies at random, protecting him with his own life. Outside of combat laughter can be heard, overriding audio cues normally used for avoiding or sneaking up on shadows. Screen will randomly become tinted red, making it harder to see.

Insane: (30%-0%): Protagonist may refuse to use items or heal in battle. Will laugh hysterically at random, drawing attention. Will begin to hallucinate shadows that aren't really there. Laughter grows more frequent and eerie music begins to play. Protagonist has a mad grin and shakes uncontrollably in this state, often holding his head.

2: The safe rooms occur between randomly generated floors in each Tale and function... just like safe rooms in Persona 5.

Three Floors Later At Second Safe Room:

(The next safe room is just before the director's office. This room is a padded room for solitary confinement. In the room is a single screen, which, through some static showed a teenage Chiako, covered in blood. His nose broken as he pleads with a police officer...)

Young Chiako: Please! My injures are evidence enough!

Police Officer: I'm sorry kid, but it's your dad's word against yours and I'm loyal to my partner. After all, he's chief of police around here...

Young Chiako: (Walks away in a rage.) Fine. Then I'll replace him, and I'll have everyone loyal to me! No one will hurt me ever again!

Mie: My god...

Hideo: You almost feel sorry for him.

Doll: Yeah. Then you remember...

Shadow Chiako: Remember what?

(Shocked the main cast turn to see him with a shadow.)

Shadow Chiako: That I see this world for the filth it is?

Mie: Filth? This world is beautiful! The only filth is you!

Hideo: Yeah! I've had enough of you-

Mie: You killed your daughter? Don't you understand what-

Chiako: I'm strong, and she was weak.

Mie: You're just your dad. You're the weakest of all.

Chiako: How fucking dare you! I'm better than him! The strongest survive and I'm stronger than him! That's what he taught me!

Mie: You're filth! You chose to be evil! That makes you weak! You wanna see strength?

(Mie awakens her persona.)

Mie: I'll show you!

(Cue battle against the shadow with Mie joining the party.)

After Battle:

Mie: Fuck that guy seriously.

Protagonist: (Is shaking and muttering.)

Hideo: Bro?

(Screen flashes red. A voice is heard.)

Voice: Strong?

You're strong.

You'll show him.

You'll show all of them...

Doll: Dude, do we need to... go? The shadow has nowhere left to run we can handle this tomorrow if...

Protagonist: (Shakes head. Collects himself.)

Hideo: Dude... are you OK?

Mie: Is there something... wrong with you?

Protagonist: (Appears insulted and angry.)

Mie: Easy we're not trying to insult you! I just...

Hideo: Dude we are legit worried about you right now.

Doll: Look, we can finish the job a today or tomorrow. I'll wait in the safe room for you guys like I always do OK?

Warden's Office:

(The group enter the warden's office, the final room, where they are greeted by shadow Chiako.)

Shadow Chiako: So, you are finally here.

Doll: It's over. You lose.

Shadow Chiako: Never. I'm finally strong! I'm a God in this town! The God! I will kill you! I will show you what happens when someone tries to hurt me!

(Chiako turns into a monster with crosses in its hands and four arms. Each holds a cross which functions as a gun.)

Shadow Chiako Fight:

(The fight goes on until Shadow Chiako hits half health. He then prays, healing himself. Afterwards this cutscene plays...)

Shadow Chiako: I am God! God! You will kneel before me! I can still hear the weakling scream! I still smile when I imagine the life fade from her eyes! She was so weak as she drew her last breaths!

Doll: (Turns away in disgust and fear.)

Protagonist: (Laughs madly.)

Shadow Chiako: What's funny?

(The screen turns red and remains so.)

Voice: Quothe the Raven...

Say my true name.

Let go Dawnbreaker.

You know I'll finish the job.

Give in.

Give in and let me handle it.

Say my name.

Say "Nevermore!"

Protagonist: (Sprouts black wings like that of a Raven. Claws into his own face with bird like talons, drawing blood.)

???: You just sealed your fate.

You shall breath...

Nevermore!

(Upon returning to the battle, the player is given a tutorial about an ability known as "Quothe the Raven" which allows the protagonist to greatly boost his stats for three rounds at the cost of 10% of his sanity. This ability also changes him to his raven like appearance. This ability is unique to the protagonist.)

Nevermore: That fucking brat...

Such a fucking coward.

Hideo: Bro?

Nevermore: (Eyes turn yellow, completing the transformation.)

Let me.

Mie: Dude what's-

Nevermore: Leave!

Leave now!

(The others leave the party.)

Nevermore: I want to watch as the life fades from your eyes. Slowly... gently. Breath by breath...

I...

Will...

Kill you!

(The battle proceeds, the player dealing way more damage until at 10% health...)

Shadow Chiako: You win! I'll confess!

(Backs away afraid.)

I-

Nevermore: My name is Nevermore.

The kid, that coward, he's not home right now. You can leave a message as I bash your fucking skull in!

Hideo: Dude! We won! Stop!

(Grapples and restrains Nevermore.)

Nevermore: Let me go! I have to finish the fucking job! He's still breathing!

Hideo: Breath man! He's just a shadow!

Doll: Well, if we kill the shadow the real Chiako... will... pass.

Hideo: Don't do this! You're better than him. We're better than this!

Protagonist: (Begins to calm down. The wings disappear, his eyes return to normal, and the claws fade away.)

Protagonist: Did... I...

He...

No.

He came out again he...

(The ground shakes.)

Doll: The Tale has ended we gotta move!

Mie: What?

Doll: When a Tale ends it collapses! Run! We gotta go!

(The four flee the tale as the structure falls apart, the four returning to the real world outside the high school with the doll on the protagonist's shoulder.)

Hideo: OK. We won. So...

Mie: Yeah can...we talk about what happened?

Doll: That... that was like some sort of... semi persona? Enhancing your other Personas? But... that wasn't... good for you. You hurt yourself.

Mie: Dude... what's wrong?

Protagonist: Nevermore... I can... handle him...

Hideo: That's his name? Nevermore? Dude, you... clearly have some serious mental health issues.

Doll: Let's not beat around the bush. You tried to kill him!

Mie: Please, you need help.

Protagonist: (Shakes head.)

(Nevermore appears next to the protagonist.)

Nevermore: You need me. Only I can avenge her...

Text Box: Avenge her...

Nevermore: Don't say anything else. Schizophrenic little fuck. They can't see me. Go home. Calmly. Say you're OK.

Protagonist: (Smiles and speaks.)

Hideo: Fine, but...

Doll: Don't worry guys. I'll take it from here.

Mie: Oh, you made it!

Hideo: Won't it be odd with a talking doll?

Doll: Only persona users can see or hear me. Otherwise I'm just a normal, everyday doll.

Mie: We need to name you something.

Protagonist: A: Cutie pie.

B: Alice.

C: Any ideas?

Doll (A): Hell no.

Hideo (B): Yeah I kinda like Alice.

Mie (C): I like Alice.

Doll: Alice... yeah. It feels right. Now we wait for the results. See you guys later!

(Alice and James leave.)

Hideo: (Now just him and Mie.) So... yeah he's not OK right?

Mie: Absolutely not he needs serious help...

(Protagonist and Alice return home.)

Alice: Hey! Can you hear me?

(Kazue looks up and greets the protagonist.)

Kazue: Oh welcome home kiddo! Have a good day?

Doll: Can you hear me? James is not OK! Like, mentally! He needs help!

James: (Glares at Alice.)

Nevermore: (Appears and whispers.) Don't worry dude. She can't hear Alice...

(Fades back into the shadows.)

Kazue: Hey... you know if something is wrong, you can tell me, right?

Protagonist: (Nods.)

Kazue: I mean it. If you have mental health issues... talk to me. OK?

Nevermore: (Appears once more.)

Lie.

Protagonist: I'm OK.

Kazue: Alright. Well, I'm here for you.

Text Box: You really feel you can trust Kazue...

(Justice arcana rank up!)

Protagonist: (Goes to his room and sets down Alice on his workbench.)

Alice: Dude, I'm trying to help you. You're like, one of my only friends right now OK?

I care about you and I'm worried.

Arcana: Magician

Owner: Alice

Voice: I am thou.
Thou art I.
Thou hast started a new tale.
This tale is the one that shall push you towards the justice you seek.
Thou hast awakened to the Magician arcana.
This grants thee a chance at the justice thou seeks.

Alice: Maybe we should just get some sleep. Soon we'll know if it worked...

If Tale Isn't Completed:

5/9

Day of Arrest

(Protagonist is walking to school before being tackled by two cops.)

Chiako: Game over kid. You lost...

(Cut to game over screen.)

If Tale is Completed:

5/9

Day of Arrest

Protagonist: (Wakes up and grabs Alice, entering the living room to see a shocked Kazue.)

Kazue: My lord... the news...

Alice: Dude... look...

Protagonist: (Turns to see Chiako confessing on the local news.)

Chiako: I... not only used my influence to have the police turn a blind eye to many crimes, but I also killed my daughter. I was threatened by a group calling themselves the Dawnbreakers. They came to me in a dream and if I didn't confess... they would've killed me.

Kazue: Dawnbreakers? Is this real?

Protagonist: (Phone rings. Answers.)

Hideo: Dude? We did it! We fucking did it! Oh, you're in a group call with me and Mie by the way.

Mie: Holy shit! It actually worked!

Hideo: Boys, we are in!

Mie: So who's next?

Hideo: Next?

Mie: We're like some urban legend now right? We can't quit now! We can help people!

Hideo: Oh good point! Still, who do we target next?

Alice: I dunno. I mean we can just, go to the Archives?

Mie: Archives?

Hideo: Nah right now we celebrate. Archives or whatever later alright?

Anyways, I purpose a nice lunch. My treat. Meet me at that cafe downtown at noon. The Dawnbreakers really did it! Ha ha!

Protagonist: (Nods and hangs up.)

Kazue: I knew you were innocent kid. I knew it...

You did good kid, staying calm in all this.

I'm proud of you.

Protagonist: (Smiles and nods.)

Kazue: Sounds like you have plans with friends so I'll let you go. Come back soon.

Protagonist: (Nods and leaves.)

(Noon at the cafe.)

Hideo: Man we really did it!

Mie: Thanks for treating us Hideo.

Hideo: It's nothing. I mean we all swiped some stuff in that Tale to pawn off right?

Mie: Uhhh... no?

Protagonist: A: Maybe a little.

B: Isn't that stealing?

Doll: It's fine. It's just a dream space anyways so to speak. You can steal whatever the fuck you want from there.

Hideo: Good because I did and I wanted to treat everyone with the money.

Mie: We're a team! All the way!

Alice: You guys... I'm sorry I was a dick when we first met. You are all great.

Protagonist: (Smiles and nods.)

(Fool arcana rank up.)

Alice: Hey, look.

(The group looks at a crowd gathered a round a tact board placing requests.)

Tired Teen: I dunno if they're real, but if they are... maybe the Dawnbreakers can help me...

Hideo: Can we?

Protagonist: (Walks over and grabs request.)

Alice: (Looks at request.)

Yeah. OK. I should explain the Archives.

So, imagine a place, a Tale for all mankind. Rows of books and books and books full of shadows and lesser evil people. Requests like this can probably be found in the ever changing halls of the Archives. You can probably take any utensil and write "Humanity" in that blue notebook to get there, so, if you guys ever need to practice against some shadows...

Author's Note: Yeah the Archives are this game's Mementos. That's... about all really.

Hideo: Awesome. We'll check it out sometime.

Author's Note: Entering the Archives for the first time will trigger a tutorial which will not be written here because that's game play. Not plot. However plot relevant events in the Archives will be written later on should need be.

Mie: For now though, let's have some fun OK?

(The group continue to chat and eat as the scene changes to a female intern at the police station.)

Intern: I'm telling you at my school they-

Bitter Old Cop: (Sighs.) Look kid, we got enough going on OK? Maybe those magic Dawnbreakers can help, but those guys? They own us, you get it? There's no Santa, no justice, and no Dawnbreakers. Let it go.

Intern: (Growls bitterly and walks away.)

Dawnbreakers eh? Well... I suppose it's worth a try. I wonder if they're connected to that Dawn Site...

(Return to the cafe as the group finish eating, The intern places a request and leaves.)

Mie: Hey looks like we got another one.

Hideo: I'll get it.

(Gets up to grab request.)

Mie: So, since we go into people's dreams, maybe just in case we should use code names?

Alice: I don't need one because, you know, doll, but... yeah better safe than sorry.

Hideo: Guys...

(Returns.)

This may be a new target.

Request: Search "drug dealer in my town" on the Dawn Site. If you are real and you give a shit, you will do this.

Alice: Guys, we may have something here...

Author's Note: The next part will cover the transition into the next dungeon before many social links after that. Until then however, that is the end of the first arc so to speak.