History Fanfic / YouSeeThem

* DirtyCoward: Principal Kobayakawa. [[spoiler:Even as a ghost]].

* ImmuneToMindControl: [[spoiler:The ghosts are all immune to the effects of [[BigBad Yaldabaoth]]'s cognitive override, as all carry their Shadows with them, and inherently desire freedom from their aimlessly-wandering afterlives. Joker points out that their revulsion to the new reality proves the masses don't want it, but Yaldabaoth rejects this and announces his intent to [[DeaderThanDead eradicate the "abominations" entirely]] and erase all doubt towards his worldview.]]
** [[spoiler:However, it is revealed later that Maruki ''is'' able to affect the mindsets of ghosts - and Persona-users - where Yaldabaoth was not]].

** [[spoiler:Kaoru, Iwai's son,]] also turns out to be one of these, with his deceased mother having watched over him since he was an infant.

* SuperEmpowering: The only way a non-seer can possibly gain the ability to see ghosts is through a near-death experience. [[spoiler:Goro Akechi]] gains the ability after the Thieves barely save him from [[spoiler:his cognitive double on Shido's ship]], while [[spoiler:the rest of the Phantom Thieves]] gain the ability after the final battle against [[spoiler:Yaldabaoth]] due to the latter's influence [[spoiler:erasing the Thieves from existence]]. Or so it seems; that explanation is perfectly feasible, yes, but it's quite possible that the actual reason they gained the ability is [[spoiler:Maruki's actualization beginning]]. Which one it is, has yet to be revealed as of Chapter 50.

** In Chapter 50, after defeating Yaldabaoth, [[spoiler:the rest of the Thieves all gain the ability to see ghosts, and without any previous indication of ''Royal'' content in the fanfic, the Third Semester - under Doctor Maruki - begins, and at the end of the chapter, Yoshizawa (who has gone explicitly unnamed, leaving her identity unclear) has shown up]].

* ImmuneToMindControl: It turns out that, unlike it was with Yaldabaoth, the current Palace ruler ''can'' affect ghosts and Persona-users mentally.

The main work ran from March to September of 2020. The sequel, [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/26798473/chapters/65376694 We See Them]], covers the added content from ''Royal'' and began production in October. Additionally, [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/26203711/chapters/63770779 a side-story]] covering interactions with his confidants (including the ''Royal'' ones) began on August 31, 2020.

[[folder:You See Them]]

[[folder:We See Them Tropes]]

* ExplainExplainOhCrap: [[spoiler:Kasumi Yoshizawa]] threatens to tell on Ren if he doesn't stop what he's planning to do to Kamoshida... a pity that they're dead and can only tell other ghosts.

--> If you don't stop, I'll tell... {{Beat}} ...you win this round, Ren Amamiya...

** [[spoiler:However, it is implied in chapter 50 that Maruki ''is'' able to affect the mindsets of ghosts where Yaldabaoth was not]].

-->'''Makoto''': You listen to me, you son of a bitch. You were, and still are, [[spoiler:even in death]], a whiny, selfish, despicable excuse of a human being who is only concerned about his own wellbeing. You got your job as a lapdog of the people orchestrating murders of innocents, as well as the endangerment and injuries of those subject to psychotic breakdown. You had to know all of this if you were going to the police about it, but up until then, you were more than happy to turn a blind eye for your own gain! And what did all of this really get you in the end?! [[spoiler:You died! You’re dead, and nothing you had followed you in death]]. If you want our help, you need to stop your groveling and complaining and help us, you pathetic, self-pitying weasel.

** Takemi hears Ren mumble in his sleep about being able to see ghosts during the clinical trials; she has enough evidence to believe it at the start, but becomes certain after Oyamada's change of heart, preceded by Ren being completely certain that Miwa wasn't dead. She also keeps [[spoiler:Akechi]]'s secret when the time comes.

BEWARE OF UNMARKED SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT!

* BrokenMasquerade: Before it can truly set in, the revelation that a Palace is still active snaps the Thieves and their ghost relatives out of the artificial happiness forced upon them.
* FlashbackEpisode: The first few chapters cover Joker's interaction with the Yoshizawa twins that occurred offscreen during the main story.
* ISeeDeadPeople: Thanks to the events in the previous story, it now applies to ''all'' of the PhantomThieves.

The main work ran from March to September of 2020, while a sequel is in development to cover the new content from ''Royal''. Additionally, [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/26203711/chapters/63770779 a side-story]] covering interactions with his confidants (including the ''Royal'' ones) began on August 31, 2020.

!!Tropes in this story include:

* ISeeThemToo: As it turns out, in addition to her fortune-telling prowess Chihaya is another ghost-seer like Ren is and after a rough start the two of them bond over it.

* ShutUpHannibal: [[spoiler:Yaldabaoth tries to tempt Akechi after the Thieves make it to the temple a second time. Akechi responds by shooting him.]]
--> '''Yaldabaoth:''' [[spoiler:Foolish, but perhaps you might listen to reason, unlike your rival. You may be just as interesting to watch as he. Turn on these Thieves. Destroy them. If you do, I will restore the world. You will take their place as a renowned detective and hero, and—]]
--> '''[[spoiler:Akechi]]''': ''(shoots him)'' [[TalkToTheFist Shut up and die]]!
* SideBet: Chapter 11 shows that Ryuji and Ann were betting on what Ren's special ability is, and Yusuke—who had already learned the truth—had also put one down. When the truth comes out a few chapters later, Ann and Ryuji refuse to pay him (1000 yen and a 12-pack of jagariko[[note]]Stick-shaped potato chips, a popular Japanese snack[[/note]]) due to him already knowing... though Ryuji concedes to give him the funds for the jagariko when Yusuke reveals he only got in on the bet for Ren's sake; namely, to plant the idea of the truth in the others' heads so they'd be less likely to freak out about it.

* ItsPersonal: [[spoiler:Akechi is, to say the least of it, ''pissed'' when he discovers that he was Yaldabaoth's UnwittingPawn for pretty much the entire story, and promptly buries any issues he has with the Thieves to focus on killing it]].

* SuperEmpowering: The only way a non-seer can possibly gain the ability to see ghosts is through a near-death experience. [[spoiler:Goro Akechi]] gains the ability after the Thieves barely save him from [[spoiler:his cognitive double on Shido's ship]], while [[spoiler:the rest of the Phantom Thieves]] gain the ability after the final battle against [[spoiler:Yaldabaoth]] due to the latter's influence [[spoiler:erasing the Thieves from existence]]. Or so it seems; that explanation is perfectly feasible, yes, but it's quite possible that the actual reason they gained the ability is [[spoiler:Maruki's actualization beginning. Which it is has yet to be revealed as of Chapter 50]].

** In Chapter 50, after defeating Yaldabaoth [[spoiler:the rest of the Thieves all gain the ability to see ghosts, and without any previous indication of ''Royal'' content in the fanfic, the Third Semester - under Doctor Maruki - begins, and at the end of the chapter, Yoshizawa (who has gone explicitly unnamed, leaving her identity unclear) has shown up]].

* SuperEmpowering: The only way a non-seer can possibly gain the ability to see ghosts is through a near-death experience. [[spoiler:Goro Akechi]] gains the ability after the Thieves barely save him from [[spoiler:his cognitive double on Shido's ship]], while [[spoiler:the rest of the Phantom Thieves]] gain the ability after the final battle against [[spoiler:Yaldabaoth]] due to the latter's influence [[spoiler:erasing the Thieves from existence]]. Or so it seems; that explanation is perfectly feasible, yes, but it's quite possible that the actual reason they gained the ability is [[spoiler:Maruki's actualization]].

** Takemi hears Ren mumble in his sleep about being able to see ghosts; she chalks it up to side effects and doesn't think anything of it until Oyamada's change of heart, preceded by Ren being completely certain that Miwa wasn't dead. She also keeps [[spoiler:Akechi]]'s secret when the time comes.

''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/23187694/chapters/55505653 You See Them]]'' is a ''VideoGame/Persona5'' AlternateUniverse FanFiction by June-Luxray.

[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/26203711/chapters/63770779 A side-story]] covering interactions with his confidants began on August 31, 2020.

* KeystoneArmy: Masayoshi Shido, in an attempt to secure his power after losing too many sources of income to the Phantom Thieves, uses his knowledge of the Metaverse to fuse all of his co-conspirators' Treasures with his own. He's confident in his Palace's defenses, but if a calling card is issued with the names of everyone involved, stealing Shido's Treasure will cripple the entire Conspiracy.
* KnowWhenToFoldEm: The yazuka Cleaner's Shadow leaves Shido's Palace after he's beaten by the Thieves, and Futaba states he's likely going to make it back to his own Palace by the time they send the calling card, meaning he won't be affected by the KeystoneArmy effect above.

* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: [[spoiler:While he's upset with her for committing suicide and leaving him alone, it's made clear that despite everything Goro Akechi still loves his mother]].

* ForWantOfANail: Ren has the ability to see people's ghosts. Virtually every change in the story is a direct or indirect result of this.

* ImmuneToMindControl: [[spoiler:The ghosts are all immune to the effects of [[BigBad Yaldabaoth]]'s cognitive override, as they inherently desire freedom from their aimlessly-wandering afterlives. Joker points out that their revulsion to the new reality proves the masses don't want it, but Yaldabaoth rejects this and announces his intent to [[DeaderThanDead eradicate the "abominations" entirely]] and erase all doubt towards his worldview.]]

** The Phantom Thieves steal [[spoiler:Shido]]'s treasure and [[spoiler:bring down the whole conspiracy with him]], and the public's reaction is still to [[spoiler:deny the Phantom Thieves' existence and assume Shido is just sick and will get better soon]], even without anyone pulling the strings on what they believe. Or, well, without anyone [[spoiler:other than Yaldabaoth]] pulling the strings.

* ItRunsInTheFamily: Genkei is incredibly intimidating when he gets mad with a DeathGlare to boot, leading the Phantom Thieves to remark that Makoto and Sae clearly take after him.
* KeystoneArmy: Masayoshi Shido, in an attempt to secure his power after losing too many sources of income to the Phantom Thieves, uses his knowledge of the Metaverse to fuse all of his co-conspirators' Treasures with his own. He's confident in his Palace's defenses, but if a calling card is issued with the names of everyone involved, stealing Shido's Treasure will destroy the entire Conspiracy.

* RevealingInjury: Joker manages to shoot Black Mask in the shoulder when he shows up to assassinate Okumura, [[spoiler:though it's not enough to save him.]] Okumura later spies on Shido [[spoiler:as a ghost]] and overhears that the medical treatment for Black Mask's gunshot wound was being publicized as an operation for appendicitis - [[spoiler:the same reason given for Akechi's sudden disappearance from the public eye.]]

* SideBet: Chapter 11 shows that Ryuji and Ann were betting on what Ren's special ability is, and Yusuke—who had already learned the truth—had also put one down. When the truth comes out a few chapters later, Ann and Ryuji refuse to pay him (1000 yen and a 12-pack of jagariko[[note]]Stick-shaped potato chips, a popular Japanese snack[[/note]]) due to him already knowing...though Ryuji concedes to give him the funds for the jagariko when Yusuke reveals he only got in on the bet for Ren's sake; namely, to plant the idea of the truth in the others' heads so they'd be less likely to freak out about it.

* RevealingInjury: Joker manages to shoot Black Mask in the shoulder when he shows up to assassinate Okumura, [[spoiler:though it's not enough to save him.]] Okumura later spies on Shido [[spoiler:as a ghost]] and overhears that the medical treatment for Black Mask's gunshot wound was being publicized as an operation for appendicitis - [[spoiler:the same reason given for Akechi's sudden disapperance from the public eye.]]

** Genkei gives Ren numerous things to say during his interrogation that make Sae think of her father, and later tells him to ask her if she's "having a Sae sigh," something he used to say whenever she sighed or got huffy.

* RevealingInjury: The Phantom Thieves become aware of the conspiracy's plots to frame them for Okumura's murder in advance thanks to Kobayakawa's intel. Joker manages to shoot Black Mask in the shoulder when he shows up to assassinate Okumura, [[spoiler:though it's not enough to save him.]] Okumura later spies on Shido [[spoiler:as a ghost]] and overhears that the medical treatment for Black Mask's gunshot wound was being publicized as an operation for appendicitis - [[spoiler:the same reason given for Akechi's sudden disapperance from the public eye.]]

* OutOfFocus: Aside from Sojiro and the other Thieves, almost all of Ren's confidants are this. The author states that they plan to cover them in a side story, including the ''Royal'' ones.

** The Phantom Thieves steal [[spoiler:Shido]]'s treasure and [[spoiler:bring down the whole conspiracy with him]], and the public's reaction is still to [[spoiler:deny the Phantom Thieves' existence and assume Shido is just sick and will get better soon]], even without anyone pulling the strings on what they believ. Or, well, without anyone [[spoiler:other than Yaldabaoth]] pulling the strings.

* SideBet: Chapter 11 shows that Ryuji and Ann were betting on what Ren's special ability is, and Yusuke—who had already learned the truth—had also put one down. When the truth comes out a few chapters later, Ann and Ryuji refuse to pay him (1000 yen and a 12-pack of jagariko) due to him already knowing...though Ryuji concedes to give him the funds for the jagariko when Yusuke reveals he only got in on the bet for Ren's sake; namely, to plant the idea of the truth in the others' heads so they'd be less likely to freak out about it.

''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/23187694/chapters/55505653 You See Them]]'' is a ''VideoGame/Persona5'' AlternateUnverse FanFiction by June-Luxray.

[[VideoGame/Persona5 Ren Amamiya]] has spent his whole life [[ISeeDeadPeople seeing people who no one else can]] and being called crazy. By the time he reaches Tokyo on probation, he swears to himself that he will never speak to someone who supposedly isn’t there ever again.

Easier said than done as several spirits come calling as he leads the Phantom Thieves.

The story can be found [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/23187694/chapters/55505653 here]], and is written by June-Luxray.

* AbusiveParents: Ren's parents were not remotely supportive of him having ISeeDeadPeople, and regularly told him that he was hallucinating it.
* AdaptationalPersonalityChange: Ren is portrayed as fairly quiet, shy, and reserved - a far cry from his usual portrayal in fanfics.
* AscendedExtra: Masumi Kitagawa (Yusuke's mother), Wakaba Isshiki, Genkei Niijima, [[spoiler:and Goro Akechi's mother Ayumu Akechi]] are all side characters here despite being dead in canon (they're still dead, but thanks to Ren that's not as big of a problem as it would be normally). Also, Ren's own parents, who are decidely absent in canon, are seen here too.

* EvenEvilCanBeLoved: [[spoiler:Ayumu Akechi admits that she can't defend what her son is doing, but she still loves him, since he's her son]].

* HeelFaceDoorSlam: [[spoiler:It's explicit in the story that Kunikazu Okumura's change of heart was successful. Sadly, it's also explicit that despite the efforts of the Thieves to stop Akechi, his mental shutdown was successful a few seconds later. Thankfully, he's able to at least try to undo some of the damage he's done thanks to Ren being able to talk to him (and posthumously apologize to Haru)]].
* InSpiteOfANail: Ren confronted Shido when he was trying to kidnap/possibly rape a woman because he was led there by the ghost of the woman's sister. It went as well for Ren as it did in canon.
* ISeeDeadPeople: Ren has been able to see people's ghosts since he was a child. As it turns out, though, so can Chihaya Mifune. [[spoiler: And Ren's grandmother could too - which led to her being viewed as insane, becoming an outcast, and her own family getting the same treatment as her, which led to his parents being AbusiveParents to Ren in an effort to get him to stop saying he saw them as well]].
* ISeeThemToo: As it turns out, in addition to her fortune-telling prowess Chihaya is another ghost-seer like Ren is, and after a rough start the two of them bond over it.
* SpannerInTheWorks: Kobayakawa's ghost was able to warn the Thieves that Shido was planning to pin the mental shutdowns on them before they did their raid on Okumura's Treasure, which led to them altering the calling card to warn both him and the general public that they weren't responsible for the mental shutdowns. [[spoiler:And later on, Okumura himself is able to piece together that Akechi is the assassin working for Shido]].

* SpannerInTheWorks: Kobayakawa's ghost was able to warn the Thieves that Shido was planning to pin the mental shutdowns on them before they did their raid on Okumura's Treasure, which led to them altering the calling card to warn both him and the general public that they weren't responsible for the mental shutdowns. [[spoiler:And later on, Okumura himself is able to piece together that Akechi is the assassin working for Shido]].

The story can be found [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/23187694/chapters/55505653 here]], and is written by JuneLuxray.