Persona 4 What-If's

lord geryon

Well-Known Member
#1

There
are
spoilers
in
this
thread.



Now, properly warned, let us continue.

This topic is for the list of What-If's I came up with at work today. These questions are meant to inspire ideas for fics, cause I wants me some more Persona 4 fics(I'd not gripe about P3 fics either).

They aren't all epic, or even serious. Some are cracky, some are for drama, etc. And they aren't meant to be for epic AU's, thought you could likely make one out of some, or by mixing and matching. They're just ideas.

Anyway, on with the show...

What if Seta had dozed off in the car on the way back from the trainstop?

I think this would dramatically alter the events that it started. Since he's asleep in the car, he's not shaking the gas attendant's hand and having his power to use Persona awoken.

However, I think that he would actually awaken that power anyway, since iirc, Izanagi says she gave that power to Adachi and Namatame, but awoke Seta's, meaning to me that he had the power already.

Question is, would he awaken it in time to make a difference?

This also could be paired up with the later question about what if Seta was a target of Nametame?
What if one of the party members couldn't handle the change in worldview and convinced themselves that the whole kidnapping/entrapment/rescue thing was just a really vivid fever dream?

Honestly, I think the most likely candidates for this are Kanji and Naoto. kanji because he doesn't seem to want to accept things that are different, and Naoto because she is the most logical and scientific minded of the group and most likely to go 'lalalala' when confronted with something that flies in the face of conventional science.
What if a rescue failed?

This is obviously a vague one, but it could mean that 1) the team can't make it in time, 2) the victim dies during the fight with their shadow.
What if, during the field trip to Gekkoukan, the team meets Mitsuru and she realizes that they are all Persona users?

This could be a massively AU story. My reasoning here is that as head of the Kirijo Group, which funds Gekkoukan, Mitsuru might actually decide to greet the visitors themselves as PR or something.
What if Adachi had tried to explore the TV world and got stuck there, before he threw in the anchorwoman?
What if Nametame hadn't taken it upon himself to 'save' whoever appeared on the Midnight Channel?

This could be that Adachi never puts the idea into his head - maybe someone else answers the phone and laughs off Nametame's call as a prank.
What if Seta had been targeted by Nametame?
What if Mitsuo hadn't murdered Morooka, who would have been the next victim?

Would the team have a double length break between victims, or would someone else take Mitsuo's place as the challenge of the month?
What if, due to being new and the run-in in April with the police, the police suspected Seta instead of Mitsuo?


What if Naoto decided during her recovery that to accept that she's a girl means not hiding it anymore?

This could be a crack story or a character piece.
What if Chie had died, or nearly so, because she ran off ahead of Seta and Yousuke at Yukiko's Castle?

I was incredibly irked when she did it in the game. <_<
What if, due to his success in school, Seta convinced his parents that it's better for his education to stay in Inaba?

Perhaps he was a lackluster student in the city, but since coming to Inaba, he's improved in nearly all aspects.

Of course, this could be used as a cover story, and he wants to stay for another reason.
What if Seta's Christmas Eve date turns up pregnant during the gap between December and March?
What if someone back in Inaba disappeared, ala the Midnight Channel, while Seta and crew were in Port Island?

What would their reaction be when they returned and heard someone had disappeared? For more drama, it's been raining for a few days, but the rains is supposed to let up that night... meaning the fog will come in the morning. Can they save the person in time?
What if Seta's girlfriends and lovers decide to drop by for a surprise visit on Christmas Eve... all of them?

Social Link Break!
What if Saki's brother, Naoki was a victim?

I was honestly surprised that he wasn't one.
What if Teddie liked all the attention he gets during the crossdressing pageant and decides to simply dress that way?

I think this'd make a funny oneshot about the guys getting weirded out and the girls getting jealous, cause Teddie is cute enough to be competition.
What if Seta and Naoto got interrupted during an intimate moment by Dojima, much to their dismay and Dojima's stunned realization that Naoto is actually a girl?

Yes, it's inspired by that pic I posted in the Funny Images thread.
What if Seta, or anyone for that matter, unknowingly helps one of the victims accept their repressed feelings before they ever appear on the Midnight Channel?

The following question could be paired up with this one.
What if Naoto's gender were to be discovered before she disappeared?

Like, somehow by accident, someone(I';d go with Seta), discovers that Naoto is actually a girl. Perhaps he figures it out. Perhaps he trips and crotch-grabs Naoto by accident only to discover her lack of dangly bits.
What if one of the Social Links characters disappears/appears on the Midnight Channel?
What if Nanako was being bullied and decided to tell her 'big bro'?

Now this isn't about Nanako being bullied by one of her classmates, but an adult that, due to whatever reason, is hateful to Nanako. They don't actually hurt her or anything like that, they're just an asshole to her.
What if one of the girls on the team were sexually assaulted by a stranger?

It does concern rape, yes, and I know that's never a popular topic... but what if?
What if Seta, Yousuke, Chie, and Yukiko were discovered by Morooka in the same tent during the field trip to the mountain and they all got suspended/expelled for it?
What if Seta and Yousuke got a serious case of food poisoning(requiring a trip to the hospital) from Chie's and Yukiko's attempt at curry?

I see this as being humor more than anything.
The reason is call the MC Seta is because to the best of my knowledge, his official name is Soji Seta.
 

Megaolix

Well-Known Member
#2
Got another I didn't see:
What if someone bought the TV they were using?
As for your ideas... Some look fun, others not so.
 

bigbabidi

Well-Known Member
#3
What if Mitsuo hadn't murdered Morooka, who would have been the next victim?

Would the team have a double length break between victims, or would someone else take Mitsuo's place as the challenge of the month?
I'd say the latter is more likely. It could be anyone really. Just depends on who shows up on the news during that time.
What if Chie had died, or nearly so, because she ran off ahead of Seta and Yousuke at Yukiko's Castle?

I was incredibly irked when she did it in the game. <_<
Yes, I could see this happening quite easily (sadly, I like Chie :blue: ). For one thing, Soji and Yosuke would be even more motivated to solve the cases. After they save Yukiko, she would too, even if she might blame herself for Chie's death (or near death). Yukiko might also have a harder time opening up to Soji, Yosuke and Teddie if Chie dies.

What if Seta's Christmas Eve date turns up pregnant during the gap between December and March?
Well it'd provide him a reason to stay, that's for sure.

For maximum drama, Soji could impregnate Rise. That'd make her already difficult challenge of returning to showbiz that much harder.

What if Teddie liked all the attention he gets during the crossdressing pageant and decides to simply dress that way?

I think this'd make a funny oneshot about the guys getting weirded out and the girls getting jealous, cause Teddie is cute enough to be competition.
That would be pretty hilarious, especially once people realize Yosuke and Teddie live together.

What if Seta and Naoto got interrupted during an intimate moment by Dojima, much to their dismay and Dojima's stunned realization that Naoto is actually a girl?

Yes, it's inspired by that pic I posted in the Funny Images thread.
Dojima: "What the hell? Soji, you're ga-" *sees Naoto's boobs* "oh thank god!" :snigger:

What if one of the Social Links characters disappears/appears on the Midnight Channel?
That depends on two things. 1) Who the character is and 2) How far the social link progressed before their disappearance.

If the social links aren't maxed out (or close to it), then they'll probably be no different than the playable characters thrown in. An "Other self" to deal with, as well as creating their own area (Kou would probably have some traditional japanese house as a stage, and Ai might have some fashion agency where only pretty people are accepted or something).

If they are maxed out... then I'm not sure. They may awaken their Persona on their own (and iirc, would have Shadows start attacking them immediately thereafter, which might actually make things worse if Soji & co. don't arrive in time), and they probably wouldn't have their own stage either.

What if Nanako was being bullied and decided to tell her 'big bro'?

Now this isn't about Nanako being bullied by one of her classmates, but an adult that, due to whatever reason, is hateful to Nanako. They don't actually hurt her or anything like that, they're just an asshole to her.
I forsee humiliation or an epic beatdown, as it's just a matter of time until Soji's friends find out as well.

Some that crossed my mind.

Shortly after Mayumi Yamano or Saki Konishi are thrown into the TV, what if Teddie happened to be nearby and got them outta there before facing their other self?

Both possibilities seem interesting to me. With Mayumi, Nametame's save crusade is highly unlikely to happen. With that in mind, Adachi might increase his own activity to keep the game going, and Saki probably wouldn't be thrown in either.

With Saki, Nametame may end up trying to warn Yukiko the same way as Saki since to him, it worked last time. Whether Yukiko survives is debatable and would depend on whether Soji & co (which may or may not include Saki) can figure things out in time to mount a rescue inside the TV. Actually, whether she gets thrown in at all is open for debate, come to think of it. :mellow:

Of course, if one wants to continue the story without immediately throwing Adachi behind bars, he could just end up threatening whichever lady not to mention him, unless they want a loved one to get thrown into the TV as well or to have a repeat experience themselves (or if you want to be cheap... an anmesia/trauma plot device could do the trick... even if I think that's kinda lame).

On the night of Nanako's kidnapping, what if Dojima forgot to pick up the mail? This means that both Soji and Dojima are at home when Nametame comes to "save" Nanako. Not only that, but considering that Soji was already planning to watch the Midnight Channel anyways, there's no way he'd miss the doorbell ringing. While it could be argued that Nametame wouldn't show up with Dojima's car at home, his mental instability when it comes to "saving" people might be enough for him to disregard the risk.

What if Junes' electronic department actually had security cameras around the area and had a perfect view of Soji & co. trips inside the TV?
 

Darkforce222

Well-Known Member
#4
I'm surprised that "What if EVERYONE got totally plastered during the Port Island trip?" hasn't shown up yet, if only for the comedy of Soji waking up next to Naoto and remembering everything except what pertains to her gender for maximum trauma. Bonus points if repression leads to Shadow Naoto shamelessly trying to get into his pants.

What if Soji used the TV in the police station while in police custody? Because I'm honestly surprised he didn't do this after he confirmed it was Nanako on the Midnight Channel. I mean, not jumping in right then and there was the right thing to do, but a bit less self-control...

It would probably be a side-story at most because I can't see him NOT somehow making his way to Nanako, or at least her world, solo. Might tie-in with the Soji-the-suspect idea though.
 

lord geryon

Well-Known Member
#5
bigbabidi said:
What if Junes' electronic department actually had security cameras around the area and had a perfect view of Soji & co. trips inside the TV?
Now, this one has occurred to me before, but less specifically in that Dojima asks Souji why he and his friends have been making such frequent trips to the electronics department of Junes.

I wondered, if Dojima knows that, why doesn't he know that they go into the electronics department and don't come back out for hours? Or that during those hours, they are not to be found in the electronics department, even though they don't leave it?

I chalked it up to the developers not wanting Souji to be put into that much drama, as it would likely make the game too long, but in fanfic, we don't need to concern ourselves with that limitation.

So, I think that question would make for a good plot.
 

Megaolix

Well-Known Member
#6
What if Souji started a S. link with 'that' person?

Would be interesting at the very least... For those who don't get it, here's a clue that won't spoil those who didn't reach that part yet.

I_ _ _ _ _ _.
 

Darkforce222

Well-Known Member
#7
Megaolix said:
What if Souji started a S. link with 'that' person?

Would be interesting at the very least... For those who don't get it, here's a clue that won't spoil those who didn't reach that part yet.

I_ _ _ _ _ _.
Given the Big Red Spoiler Tag, I don't think that's an issue.

Interesting idea, though it could also work as as an alternate-epilogue(just switch things around a bit so that Myraid Truths destroys her curse instead of herself(though she basically WAS a curse at that point)). Seeing the True nature of the TV world might change her viewpoint considerably. It's kind of a redemption for Izanagi, too.

And, of course, you have the comedy of the implications of Izanagi and Izanami.
 
#8
I actually had a great idea concerning the P3 cast that I'm slowly formulating. I can't decide if it's going to be AU or Timetravel though...

Or, since there is concept art to prove Atlus toyed with the idea, Souji as a girl?
 

Megaolix

Well-Known Member
#9
Oh, I got this idea...

What if, during the 'unlimited bucket work', one hit Souji at the right place and knocked him out as the others retreated?

Now, the guys certainly won't come back in. The girls can't leave him where he is either. Especially since the situation happened because of them. So what will they do with him? Just carry him out? They could get ideas... Also, can't forget Nanako is with them, so they can't get ideas that are too wild.
 

jwolf0

Well-Known Member
#10
Megaolix said:
Oh, I got this idea...

What if, during the 'unlimited bucket work', one hit Souji at the right place and knocked him out as the others retreated?

Now, the guys certainly won't come back in. The girls can't leave him where he is either. Especially since the situation happened because of them. So what will they do with him? Just carry him out? They could get ideas... Also, can't forget Nanako is with them, so they can't get ideas that are too wild.
I can't help but think that it would lead to bad things, especially if you've done the multi-girlfriend thing like <s>I</s> everyone here's done. With not being able to indulge/talk about anything lecherous due to Nanako, the girls would probably discuss the effects the MC's had on their lives, which leads to blushing, which leads to "wait, you too!" moments, which leads to NICE BOAT.

See Triangle Spread for an example.

What if the boys weren't fast enough to escape Hanako and Ms. Kashiwagi at the Inn?
-Not really going anywhere with this, just wanted to share yet another bad end.
"Alas poor Kanji, I knew him well Yosuke...."

What if Naoto had mustered up enough courage to come out for the swimsuit portion?
-It definitely makes the competition closer as the female student body goes from "aww adorably androgeously cute" to "RAWR she's hot and has a RACK* gnashsnarlhate." Outside of that, crack possibilities as Naoto grows increasingly uncomfortable with the date requests from boys and envious stares from girls. So uncomfortable, in fact, that she clings even more to the Investigation Team and the MC in particular (of course).
"Alas poor Kanji, he never stood a chance...."

*Think about when Rise was reading the physicals and what that implies.
 

DrTempo

Well-Known Member
#11
Here's some for you:
What if Naoto had always dressed as a girl?
In other words, Naoto would have been inspired by female detectives...Her Shadow would probably pick up on her sadness at not being seen as an equal among the police due to her gender and age.
What if Kanji really WAS gay?
In other words, Kanji accepts what appear to be homo tendencies from his Shadow....This one'd be crack, baby!
What if Teddie's human form was female?
The whole "scoring with guys" bit from Yukiko's stage, and the references to it, gave me this idea.
What if one of the Persona 3 characters ended up on the Midnight Channel, and as such, were "saved" by Nametame?
I think they'd survive, considering they can use Personas already. Souji and co. WOULD be shocked by this, though...
What if Yosuke had recieved the power of the Wild Card when he came to Inaba, and awakened to it when he gets his Persona per canon?
This makes things interesting, especially with the possibility of two Wild Card users.
More later!
 

lord geryon

Well-Known Member
#12
DrTempo said:
What if Teddie's human form was female?
The whole "scoring with guys" bit from Yukiko's stage, and the references to it, gave me this idea.
Well, I'm thinking the whole 'Teddie is a human?!' reveal would got a mite differently if Teddie was a girl. Considering, you know, nekkid under the suit?
 
#13
Interestingly enough, Teddie apparently started out as a female character. Some of the earlier drawings have him looking like Alice from "Alice in Wonderland", much like his beauty contest costume.

So it's not a far fetched idea in the slightest, which is a rarity in most fanfiction.
 

FH_Meta

Well-Known Member
#14
I'm pretty certain the Alice sketches were becuase they had something like the crosdressing event planned.

And as a reference to Alice, preennial favorite of those that love Mudo spells.
 

DrTempo

Well-Known Member
#15
OK, more ideas...
What if one of the characters who encountered their Shadow start acting like that Shadow did?
Same general idea as with the "gay Kanji" from eariler.
What if Souji won the crossdressing contest?
Admit it, if Teddie hadn't entered, he'd be a shoo-in.
What if Naoto really WAS a guy?
I HAD to ask this one.
 

Sect

Well-Known Member
#16
DrTempo said:
What if Naoto really WAS a guy?
I HAD to ask this one.
Then Kanji would be REALLY uncomfortable. Other than that, I don't see that much changing; the Shadow Naoto would still probably act the same way as before, but not as cute.
 

DrTempo

Well-Known Member
#17
Hmm...Good point, Sect. Good point.
Either way, anyone else wanna comment on these ideas?
 
#18
FH_Meta said:
I'm pretty certain the Alice sketches were becuase they had something like the crosdressing event planned.

And as a reference to Alice, preennial favorite of those that love Mudo spells.
Hate to break it to ya, but Teddie really was originally supposed to be a girl. Then they decided to change it and based his beauty contest costume off the girl sketches...

But whatever floats your boat.

As for the whole acting like their shadow...

Let's just say that Rise, Yukiko, and Kanji might be a whole lot more aggressive in pursuing Souji. ^_^;
 

DrTempo

Well-Known Member
#19
Hate to break it to ya, but Teddie really was originally supposed to be a girl. Then they decided to change it and based his beauty contest costume off the girl sketches...

But whatever floats your boat.

As for the whole acting like their shadow...

Let's just say that Rise, Yukiko, and Kanji might be a whole lot more aggressive in pursuing Souji.
Got proof of the whole "Teddie was supposed to be a girl" thing? Just asking.

And the last bit...HILARIOUS!
 

SimmyC

Well-Known Member
#20
It could be true, it could be false.

But simply saying 'he was supposed to be a girl' is useless without evidence. <_<

Again, not saying you're wrong. His 'Alice' look is pretty convincing. But I can't simply take your word for it about Teddie's 'original' gender either.
 

DrTempo

Well-Known Member
#21
Agreed, SimmyC. No proof means that we don't believe that theory.
Anyway, a couple of new what ifs:
What if Mitsuo Kubo had accepted his Shadow?
What if Nanako had a Shadow?
 

Sect

Well-Known Member
#22
DrTempo said:
What if Nanako had a Shadow?
Then it would be incredibly adorable.

Considering what Teddy is, "his" gender could have been determined by how he interacted with Seta and the gang. Remember how he started becoming a psuedo womanizer around the time when you rescue Yukiko?
 

Megaolix

Well-Known Member
#23
What if MC had a Shadow?

Because I expected (and wanted) Izanami to throw that at the party first before the last boss fight.
 

Sect

Well-Known Member
#24
Megaolix said:
What if MC had a Shadow?

Because I expected (and wanted) Izanami to throw that at the party first before the last boss fight.
I dunno... I kinda see Adachi as being Seta's shadow, in some sense.
 
#25
*shrugs* All boils down to esoteric and obscure errata that one reads on the internet. I wish I could remember where I read it, but I concede that without evidence, I can't exactly prove anything.

Oho. Concept for a P4 story.

The Protagonist's shadow would make for some excellent plot fodder.
 
Top