Author's Note

This story is a work of fanfiction. One that takes place in an alternate universe centered off of the Real World, but with additions from the Persona Series.

As you read this story, you will see faces that you think you recognize, people that you think you know, with personalities that seem familiar. The author of this story wishes for you to forget all of that, and to view these characters as their own individuals. This will apply even if they do seem close to the faces that you know.

By proceeding with this story, you are singing a contract that you the reader can accept these characters as their own, and can see this as the piece of fanfiction that it is.

The author thanks you, and hopes you enjoy this story.

Prologue

She slowly opened her eyes, looking around herself. She appeared to be aboard a train in a fog so thick nothing could be seen of the outside area, aside from the platform the train sat beside. The car she was in looked very posh and fancy, with the walls, ceiling, carpet and furniture, her soft chair included, being colored blue. To her right was a well-stocked bar, and to her left was a bookshelf and wardrobe. Hanging from the ceiling above the center of the car was a crystal chandelier. And right below it was a nice mahogany desk. She was seated on one side of it, and she wasn’t alone.

Seated across from her was a man in a black pinstriped suit with long yet elegant looking limbs and fingers. His head was balding and silver of hair, though his jagged eyebrows maintained a black color. Protruding from his face was a very long, pointed nose, and his eyes were closed, fingers twined beneath it with his elbows resting on the desk in a contemplative pose. Beneath his fingers, she could see a glimmer of a grin on his face that showed his teeth.

To his right next to a lectern with a thick book resting on it stood a young man she pegged as looking about her age. He was dressed in a blue and white suit, his hair was long and silver, and his eyes were a piercing yellow. He stood straight, feet together with his arms held behind his back, bringing to mind the image of a butler. A rather handsome butler at that.

Her gaze was drawn back to the seated man as he opened his eyes, which were bloodshot as though from lack of sleep. And at last, he spoke, his voice serene and carrying the weight of years behind it. “Welcome to the Velvet Room.”

(Cue Aria of the Soul)

“My, such an interesting individual. Many different types have passed through this Velvet Room, but none with eyes quite like yours.” He looked at her intently, with a hint of what might have been concern. “Young lady, are you well?”

Was she well? Such a simple question on paper, yet with an answer that could hardly be put into words as she glanced between him and the cute butler, wondering if asking about his nose would offend him. He seemed to notice the movement of her eyes and took it as an indication that she was cognizant.

“Well, you seem able to comprehend the world around you. That is good,” the long-nosed man said. “Still. This is most unusual.”

“Unusual?” she asked in a slow, methodical tone that seemed almost exhausted and weary of everything, fitting quite well with the way she listlessly sat slumped in her chair, happy for its soft, comfortable back.

He nodded. “Yes. You see, this place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a place that only those who are bound by a contract may enter. That we have met here means that our destinies are intertwined.”

“Intertwined how, Mr…”

“Ah! Forgive me. Where are my manners?” he asked. “My name is Igor. I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I am the caretaker of this Velvet Room. Might I know your name in return?”

She blinked slowly, a hand lifting from its spot on her armrest as though it were made of lead and gently gripping her head. “My… My name…” It was like there was a fog on her mind. It seemed on the tip of her tongue, just beyond reach.

“Take your time, young lady,” Igor said gently, his smile never fading, but coming off as comforting now. “You are perfectly safe in this place.”

She closed her eyes and delved deep, reaching for her name. And slowly, ever so slowly, the fog cleared, and it came back to her. “My name is… Twilight Sparkle.”

Igor nodded as he let out a small hum. “And now, perhaps we can learn more about the mysterious circumstances that brought you here.” A deck of cards appeared on the desk between them. “Will you allow me to read your fortune, Miss Sparkle?”

She blinked at the appearance of the deck. Had it always been there? Dream logic was weird. “I don’t really believe in fortune telling and horoscopes. But I guess I can humor you.”

Igor chuckled as he gently waved his hand, three cards shooting off the top into a row before her. “Splendid! Each reading is done with the same cards, but the results are always different. This first card represents your past.” The first card flipped, revealing a cloaked reaper atop a pale horse. “Death. It represents both physical death and transformation. Your life has taken a drastic turn and set you on the path to metamorphosis. You are no longer who you were before.”

Twilight looked away from him as she shut her eyes tightly, trying desperately not to cry as the memories started bubbling up. Damn subconscious! Why did it have to bring that up?!

“Ah. A recent incident,” Igor noted. “Still a fresh wound. I am truly sorry for your loss. Whatever it was.”

Twilight dried whatever tears formed and slowly composed herself, taking a number of deep breaths while doing so. Opening her eyes, she nodded for him to continue.

Igor nodded in turn. “The next card represents your present.” The center card flipped, revealing an old man with a lantern and staff standing alone. “The Hermit. Your loss has led you to isolate yourself, cutting yourself off from others. Even when surrounded by people, you are alone. However, your being here is perhaps a sign that on some level, your soul begs for the solitude to end.”

Another bullseye. She hadn’t talked to people in almost a year. Not since that day. Really Twilight was just going through the motions of everyday life, not truly engaging.

“Having lived through such tragedy, what might your future bring?” Igor wondered as the third card flipped. “Ah! Well, this is truly a surprising twist!”

Twilight looked at the card in confusion. It depicted a boy clutching a bright red flag riding a horse before a row of sunflowers, the sun shining and watching from above.

“The Sun,” Igor explained. “It represents clarity, personal growth, playfulness, and self-acceptance.” He regarded Twilight with a soft smile. “It would seem that despite your life’s tragic turn, your future is one where you may learn something of yourself and find true happiness.”

True happiness… Self-acceptance… Playfulness… For the first time, life seemed to flare within her, and her impassive, uncaring gaze changed. Her posture straightened, her grip on the armrests of her seat tightened, and her eyes narrowed, blazing with fire and fury as her mouth set into a scowl to accompany her glare. “What kind of Buddhist bullshit is that?!” she demanded; her voice full of rage that until now had been buried beneath her malaise.

Despite her outburst and mood swing, Igor and the butler were unperturbed. “Oh?” Igor asked her. His tone indicating a desire for her to elaborate.

Twilight shuddered in anger for several more moments before it all seemed to melt away, and she once more slumped exhausted into her chair, as though wondering to herself what point that anger had served. What advantage or boon it bought her. She sighed. “I just… I just don’t see happiness in my future. My life was good. I was content. I was happy. And then it all came crashing down when my entire world was yanked out from under me.”

Igor closed his eyes, another contemplative hum leaving him. “That is unfortunate indeed. It may be hard to believe, given your circumstances. But I truly believe that it is far too soon for you to give up.” He opened his eyes and looked at her intently. “Just now, when you momentarily stirred to life, you reminded me of someone I met long ago. He too was uprooted by unfair circumstances, thrust into a position where he thought himself powerless.”

Twilight looked at Igor, and thought he looked… almost regretful. Though her magenta eyes were back to looking near lifeless, there was curiosity in them. “Did you help him with it?” To her surprise, Igor shook his head sorrowfully.

“No. I did not aid him on his journey,” Igor said. “Or rather… I was unable to. All I could do was send someone to act as my proxy. But even so, I bore witness to his journey from beginning to end. It was difficult, and at times even seemed hopeless.” Igor finally smiled again. “But in the end, that young man overcame every obstacle placed before him and found his sunrise. And he did not do it alone. He had to open his heart to others. Let them resonate with him. And with them by his side, he found success.”

Igor closed his eyes again and sighed. “Though everything worked out, it has always bothered me that I could not aid him properly. But perhaps I have now been offered a chance for redemption, as it were.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked, some trepidation entering her voice.

“That you are here means that your life is about to take another drastic turn,” Igor explained. “Enter into a contract, and you will begin a journey that could change the course of the world and lead you to enlightenment.” He flicked his wrist and the next card shot from the top of the deck, landing between Twilight and the previous three cards. “You are in the perfect position,” the card flipped and revealed a man with a bindle stick and a dog, “to undertake your very own Fool’s Journey.”

She looked between Igor and the card. It was like he knew that card was next in the stack somehow. “What are the terms?” she asked nervously.

“Only that you take full responsibility for all of your actions,” Igor replied as the cards vanished. “Do this, and I can offer my aid. And my promise to stand by you until your journey reaches its conclusion.” He extended his hand to her, still gently smiling. “What is your choice, Miss Sparkle?”

Twilight stared at his offered hand, her mind running a mile a minute as she thought about everything they’d spoken of. This was just a dream. A very crazy, very vivid dream. But nonetheless, a dream. She would wake up, and her life would still be the same. Nothing would be different or change.

And what if it can?

What if this is real?

She started a bit. That voice. It sounded like hers yet wasn’t quite hers.

Accept the deal.

He can be trusted.

She gulped at the voice’s words. But… She decided to take that leap of faith. Slowly, she raised her arm, grasping Igor’s hand and shaking it. “I… I agree to the terms of the contract.”

Suddenly, the train lurched forward, startling Twilight, and began to pull away from the platform, beginning its journey through the fog as she released Igor’s hand. “We’re moving?”

“Ah. It seems we are at last on our way,” Igor commented before glancing to the butler. “Ah! I have neglected to introduce my assistant.”

The butler stepped forward and put his right hand to his chest, bowing respectfully to Twilight. “My name is Victor, Miss Sparkle. I too am a resident of this place, and a servant of its guests.” Reaching into his breast pocket, Victor produced a blue and white key, placing it on the desk before Twilight. “This key will allow you to return to the Velvet Room when the door reveals itself to you.”

Twilight nodded and slowly took the key, placing it in her jacket pocket. “Thank you, Victor.”

Victor nodded and gently caressed her cheek, a gesture of comfort that felt so familiar to her. “You are welcome, Miss Sparkle.” He then stepped back to his place by the lectern, the train’s whistle blowing.

“I will elaborate on our services at a later date,” Igor said. “For now, our time is ending. Until next we meet, Miss Sparkle.” As he said those words, the room faded away into darkness.

(end song)

Twilight’s eyes shot open. She was back in the car with Cadance. They had traveled a fair distance while she slept. They were now entering Canterlot City proper. She sighed a bit as she looked out the window, watching the scenery flash by. Her thoughts turned sour and the optimism in the dream bleed away.

“Oh! You’re awake.” Twilight glanced over at the driver’s seat, where Cadance was giving her a small smile as they sat at a red light. “We’re coming into Canterlot City now. How did you sleep?”

Twilight looked back out the window. “Alright I guess,” she answered as they started moving again. “Had a really weird dream though.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Cadance asked. “We’ve still got a while before we get to our new house.”

Twilight thought about it, and then shook her head. “No. I’m not really interested in talking about anything at all.”

“Alright,” Cadance said with a tone of sadness as she fell silent to focus on her driving, leaving Twilight to her own thoughts.

“Guess it really was all just a dream,” Twilight thought to herself, beginning to reach into her jacket pocket for her phone. “Oh well. I guess it really was too good to be tr-“ Her thoughts were cut off as she felt something brush against her finger when she grabbed her phone. Something small and made of metal. It couldn’t be.

She grabbed the object and pulled it from her pocket. There, sitting in her palm, was that same blue and white key Victor had handed her in the dream. But then… That would mean… Twilight gripped the key tightly, her until now glazed over eyes starting to light up as a spark flickered within her, becoming a small flame. A flame of hope. It had been real. Igor. Victor. The Velvet Room. They were real. And that meant Igor would help her. She had agreed to take responsibility for all of her actions and decisions. “I have agency in this world. I can build something new.” Putting the key back in her pocket with that thought in her mind, she relaxed again in her seat. And for the first time in nearly a year, her mouth curled into a ghost of a smile.