Times change, people come and go, families wither and grow, orders rise and fall. The winds of change blow seemingly without direction, guided either by the hand of man or the chaos of nature. But all are affected by the ripples caused. A single drop can change the motion of the ocean for good or for ill. Power and influence can make or break people depending on how it is used. Tragedy can give birth to triumph. Comedy to corruption, romance to rage, sorrow to soaring high. The world is a great stage with its people players, whether a play or a game of chess. It is the same and yet varies in multitudes of ways, the likes of which cannot be fathomed by mortal man.

With just a single flap of a butterfly's wings, all things can change. Despite being made of stone, the foundation of the world is not set in it. What is and what can be can be rewritten. The will of rebellion and the strength to resist apathy and avarice within the heart. It is what makes man as strong as he is. What allows him to rise from the ashes of tragedy and recover, lifting up others with him. Even obtaining his own happiness, which in turn can lead that happiness to others.

Fate is so often described as a two-sided coin. A simplistic notion, as it is more akin to a twenty-sided die. Varying outcomes, high and low rolls. A gamble like all things in life, but it is a gamble worth taking.

A Fool's gamble. What is great about a Fool is that he has nothing to lose. Often misinterpreted as having no value. Such a thing could not be further from the truth. A Fool doesn't not have value for it has zero value. Zero, a number of infinity. With zero value, everything is valuable. Not constrained by limitations, the path of the Fool is open to every and any path. The freedom to wander, to be what he wishes, and to make his own path. Salvation or damnation. And through the Fool were many ordained with the very salvation and freedom they pined for or once believed they held when it was merely an illusion. Ironic to the general populace, the Fool is actually the wisest. Sight beyond sight, might beyond might. With zero comes infinity, and as the Fool, the gifts of freedom and courage can be dispersed to infinite peoples.

All who had walked alongside the Fool's path or within his shadow have that freedom and courage. Forevermore.

Toranosuke Yoshida took it upon himself to run for Prime Minister after Masayoshi Shido's arrest, winning unchallenged. Despite his easy victory, Yoshida tasked himself with vigorous and backbreaking reforms to undo the corruption Shido had instilled in place. The police, prosecution, and incarceration systems were drastically overhauled. To combat apathy and disillusionment, Yoshida challenged unfair and choking work environments that stifled employee rights and freedoms. Yoshida combated the oppressive workaholic establishment put forth in order to give the working family a chance to be a family, to achieve their own happiness and mental stability. These reforms started hitting the country in such a short amount of time, able to get as much traction as they did without interference since the memory of the Phantom Thieves lingered. Yoshida was lauded overwhelmingly by the populace, the people going from chanting "No-Good Tora" to "Hurrah for Tora!"

Sadayo Kawakami became the face of Shujin Academy, pouring herself into the betterment of student livelihood, mental health, and grades. Her school became the new standard for establishments everywhere, and she the focus as a role model in the workforce for aspiring women everywhere. For her outstanding dedication to her students, she was bestowed one of the highest prestigious teaching awards in the country.

Tae Takemi won the Japan Medical Research and Development award for her medical breakthrough, her research and clinical trials not only curing Miwa-chan of her affliction but being a springboard for various other disease cures and countermeasures to potentially be found. She had been offered several lucrative positions at various hospitals, universities, and laboratories, but she turned them all down in favor of keeping her practice in Yongen-Jaya to be closer to the common man. She was ruthlessly effective in diagnosing her patients and getting them the medical aid they needed then and now. It quickly made her a local hero among the populace. Though the real victory came in the form of Miwa-chan visiting her and delivering her just reward: the trademark winning smile.

Munehisa Iwai, despite no longer being of the Yakuza, used his connections to clean up the streets and make them a safer place. A few sycophants of Kaneshiro, Shido, and Okumura had lingered about here and there, but they were quickly corrected. He wanted to leave a safe and orderly Tokyo for his son Kaoru, who would soon be on his way to entering Shujin Academy after passing his entrance exams with flying colors. Inspired by the example of a certain young man…

Ichiko Ohya won an award for her in-depth coverage of the Shido incident, the resulting fallout, and for her advanced coverage of the Phantom Thieves. Despite being offered illustrious positions with more money and more opportunity, she ultimately chose to stay independent and avoid the trappings of commercial influence. As a result, she became the most trusted journalist in the entire country for her dedication, thorough work, and lack of internal interference. True satisfaction didn't come until she received the call that Kayo Murakami had finally been released. Shaky and in need of some care but still very much alive. The two of them became roommates just like the old days and caught up, Ohya helping her best friend back onto her feet.

Chihaya Mifune continued her job as a fortune teller, helping guide along the lost and those in need of advice. She would read the fortunes and offer guidance to those wanting to change their fate or improve it. Her generosity and goodwill towards others turned to fortune as people would give her generous tips and donations, allowing her to achieve a cozier and more comfortable living space. She became a sort of minor celebrity around town, even helping turn the Assembly of Divine Power around into a charity and research center for gifted individuals who shared Chihaya's powers. Chihaya took on the role of teacher and guide for a new generation, making their powers less scary and teaching how to use them for good and benefit.

Sae Niijima retired from the police force and shifted to becoming a defense attorney as she had promised before. Her keen and selective eye allowed her to truly diagnose a person's character and see who truly was innocent and needed defending versus those who were in fact guilty. She was ruthlessly effective in protecting her clients and exposed the truth from the deceit and subjectivity with cutthroat efficiency. Many who would've been buried by lies and corruption were spared and given a second chance at life thanks to her. Also because of her speaking out about the internal corruption, the police force and SIU were massively overhauled and clean out from within.

Sojiro Sakura continued to live his quiet mild-mannered life at Leblanc, furthering his craft and making more money than he could have imagined. His little coffee store always managed to stay consistently busy, and yet it also retained that quiet atmosphere he had appreciated. Never overpacked with people or overly noisy. The perfect opportunity to spend more time with Futaba and make up for the years she had spent isolated in depression. To be the father he always wanted.

Hifumi Togo became the number one shogi player in the nation, the right way. No cheating or sleights-of-hand tricks, even a few losses here and there. But through good old-fashioned tenacity. Because of her change of heart, her mother had softened tremendously and treated her daughter as an actual person, not a vessel to live through. Slowly did they begin to heal their strained relationship, even sporting a friendly rivalry through shogi.

Shinya Oda used the newfound strength discovered within to become a positive influence around his school, acting as an older brother and protector against bullying just like how Akira was for him. He had become quite popular for his gaming prowess and even began making an official gaming channel online, dedicated to tips and tricks and easter eggs. His positive and kind nature, as well as his skill, made him a rising superstar in the online world, one of the youngest newcomers yet. Streaming donations and prize money won from tournaments were used to help his mother Hanae, who began to take an active and supportive interest in her son's hobby. Their relationship began to heal at a much faster rate.

Yuuki Mishima proceeded with his documentary on the Phantom Thieves, releasing it to the public. Despite being made by a high school student, the production quality was quite sound, almost professional level. It garnered lots of local attention, and Mishima even switched from volleyball to running the video club. As a result, he swiftly became popular around school, and he used the funds made off the documentary to fund his club and provide equipment. The boy was even consulted to help redesign Shujin's website, even getting to personally be in charge of the video club's section. His web design expertise ended up landing him an internship for when he eventually graduated.

Shiho Suzui worked to organize a union at her school focused on reaching out to teenagers who were the subject of abuse, both men and women. Her bravery and influence spread to other schools, reaching even back to Shujin to create a network dedicated to healing, spreading awareness, recovery, and friendship. She even went back to playing volleyball, eventually becoming the team captain through all her hard work.

Goro Akechi still retained his title as Detective Prince, posthumously receiving an award for his bravery and service in the Shido investigation. Naoto Shirogane herself came to present it. The true nature of his involvement was kept secret, the boy remembered as a hero and victim of circumstance rather than a contributor. Just as Akira had wanted. A private funeral was held for him despite having no body to bury. One last courtesy extended to him for his last-minute redemption.

Haru Okumura was instrumental in helping her father's company reform itself, onto a better and more ethical path from before. It would be years before Okumura Foods' reputation could ever be fully cleaned, but they were on the right path. In combination with attending her university after graduation and helping spearhead the coffee shop front, she began to work at Leblanc under Sojiro as an apprentice to truly hone her craft. The old man was blown away by her progress, rivaling that of Akira's and even his own. Best of all, Sugimura was nowhere to be seen, completely iced from the company completely.

Futaba Sakura began to attend Shujin Academy with her friends, further strengthening her bond and helping curve her social anxiety. Though she hadn't fully gotten used to Akira's absence in her life, she used the courage he had to help strengthen herself. The girl had managed to become strangely popular around the school, much to her confusion. She and Kana-chan hung out on the weekends as often as they could to help recapture the lost time.

Makoto Niijima graduated from Shujin Academy and followed in her father's footsteps to become a police commissioner. Sae became a tutor for her outside of college in order to help guide her on the path to becoming a proper law enforcement agent, to reform the system and not be swept up in the apathy as well as corruption that had taken her. Both sisters came to support and learn from one another in their journeys to advance their careers.

Yusuke Kitagawa elevated himself from starving artist to moderately well-off through his craft, now able to eat as much as he pleased through selling his artworks to the populace. He had even been asked to autograph a few as well as became a major figurehead in Kosei High School's art department, teaching and helping mold a new generation of aspiring artists. Many had attempted to hire or privately fund the artist, but he turned them down in favor of remaining independent to avoid the ill will that Madarame had fallen under. Currently, he opted to pursue being a mangaka after some influence from Futaba.

Ryuji Sakamoto eventually overcame his limp entirely, able to run just as fast as he could before Kamoshida's abuse. There were times when he wanted to return to the track team, but each time he resisted, instead opting to train himself and help his mother around the house. Though, he wasn't completely uninvolved as he became a surrogate coach and unofficial athletic trainer for the new members of the team. He felt purpose in being able to guide them as well as instill a sense of toughness and pride within them.

Mr. and Mrs. Kurusu kept to their word and became more involved in their son's life. Cooking in the kitchen every week as a family, with the wife even taking up gardening again after so many years. They slowed their workaholic lifestyle down to allocate more time to their only child. Slowly the rift began to heal, and they even regained a lost spark to their marriage. More affectionate and touchy-feely around the house. When on vacation at the beach, they felt a decade younger, like the old days had been recaptured.

Though the real question is what became of Akira Kurusu and Ann Takamaki? The two teenagers turned Phantom Thieves turned lovers. The Joker and his Panther. The Panther and her Joker. Comrades-in-arms, young couple of Shujin, light of the Phantom Thieves. And their cat Morgana too. What resided in store for them as well?

Many months later…

Another quiet day in Leblanc. Uneventful, not a care in the world. The skies nice and blue outside, the clouds absent, the sun so warm. One might describe it another day in paradise. Yet despite everything, something just felt a little amiss.

It was a holiday so the lot of them had the day off, even Haru and Makoto. The latter sipped graciously from some tea brewed by Haru behind the counter. Still hard at work even without schoolwork to do or a Sojiro to impress. The old man in question had stepped out for the day to run some sort of errand, the nature of which he hadn't divulged to anyone. Including Futaba. But she didn't seem too perturbed by it though, instead gaming away on her new shiny laptop. Yusuke occasionally took glances at her screen for inspiration while he sketched away on his drawing pad. She had tried to get him on board with a tablet for a month now, but he struggled with it. Nothing could truly beat a traditional paper and pencil for him. The both of them would get into heated debates about the technology which ultimately went nowhere. But was just so entertaining to behold. Ryuji dined on a platter of sweets with reckless abandon. Haru had taken to baking as well, and he had volunteered as a taste tester. Needless to say, he was heavily enjoying his newfound position. Everyone was enjoying their day off quite nicely. All save one.

She spun her spoon around in the bowl of ice cream Haru had prepared for her. Chocolate and caramel with sea salt sprinkled atop. The little tastes she had taken were delectable, but the blonde just didn't have her heart in it for sweets at the moment. Sacrilege but her heart was somewhere else. Pining for something much farther away. For someone.

"Ann-chan…" Haru looked at her with concern, but the blonde could only sigh and lean her cheek upon her hand. Today was hitting her worse than usual. Not a day went by where she didn't miss his presence, but this day felt particularly hard. Even worse than he hadn't called or texted her. Highly suspect of him. Ann tried to rationalize it as best she could, but her anxiety began to creep over her reasoning.

"I'm sorry, Haru." It pained her not to finish the entire bowl, especially after her friend went through painstaking efforts to make it. She hated to look unappreciative.

"That bad, huh?" Ryuji asked, earning a nod from the blonde.

"It's okay," the young barista in training said. "I miss him too. And Mona-chan."

"Kitty…" Futaba felt fidgety without Morgana to pet and tease. Hearing his cries of protest from her smothering him with affection.

"Yeah, I hate to admit it, but I miss the little furball too…" Ryuji shelved his hands into his pockets bashfully as Haru gave him a teasing smile.

"You love Mona-chan just as much as we all do…" Ryuji grumbled something under his breath at her doting upon him. He might have been a sweetheart, but he preferred his tough guy reputation be preserved as well. The gloomy vibe inside their little café was interrupted by the ringing of the front bell. Sojiro had returned from his trip, leaning against the door with a knowing smile. Futaba had to roll her eyes in embarrassment upon seeing him wear that fedora again. Good thing Akira wasn't here to give her a hard time about it.

"Anything exciting happen while I was gone?" he asked. Haru shook her head no, looking forlornly out towards her friends. Ann's demeanor had spread to the rest of them and stole their sunshine. "Geez, you kids are gloomy today."

"Sorry…" Ann fiddled with her twintail while eyeing her phone. In these tough times, she always turned to looking at the hundreds of selfies she had of herself and Akira. Their smiling faces, blushing cheeks, twinkling eyes. It all felt like he had just been here yesterday. It had been months since she had felt his touch, and she was going a little stir-crazy. "I just wish Akira was here." From outside did they hear a loud car horn honk. A little chuckle resonated out from the old man as he watched their surprise. They only grew all the more curious when it honked again.

"Well? Aren't you gonna answer it? Something tells me it might be important…"

Ann quirked an eyebrow at his words before slowly rising up from her seat. The others followed suit and ventured over to the door, Sojiro stepping aside to let the rest work its magic. Ann stepped outside and surveyed her surroundings for the cause of the honking. They weren't expecting anyone, especially someone that could drive. Another honk drew her attention around the corner, where she beheld Sojiro's car. But most importantly of all, who was sitting in the driver's seat.

As he stepped out of the car and slowly approached her, all time seemed to halt in place. The blonde could barely process what she was witnessing. None of it seemed real. The plaid pants, the Shujin blazer, the shaggy hair, the glasses. And the cat perched upon his shoulder with a smile.

"Lady Ann!"

"We're back…"

The blonde nearly burst into tears as she pounced upon him, Akira scooping her up in his arms and spinning her around as though they were in a movie. A dream come true for the emotional girl, now rendered to a bubbling mess. Soon, Ryuji jumped in to hug the both of them, followed by Yusuke and all the others too. The return of their big group hugs. Sojiro leaned against the wall and watched them with smug satisfaction.

"B-but how?" Ann managed between sniffles. Akira merely rubbed his nose against hers before going in for the kiss. All questions and queries she had were lost as she ultimately gave in, wrapping her arms around him and returning the lip lock. It felt like falling in love with him all over again, the boy holding her in his arms and tasting of that sweet coconut and coffee she long fantasized about. The blonde hadn't lost her touch either, still tasting and smelling of familiar strawberry sweetness.

"It was a surprise." The others looked back towards Sojiro for clarification, to which he merely nodded. He could barely contain his excitement as he went to the train station to pick him up. Akira felt bad for cold-shouldering Ann the whole day, but he wanted to make it special.

"I'll explain everything once you kids have calmed down-"

"Group hug!"

Once again did the old man find himself at the center of their little cuddle puddle, lavishing praise upon him, Akira, and Morgana. Now he found himself back in the saddle of being their surrogate dad. He'd never admit it, but he missed the position of unofficial Phantom Thief Dad. Though it didn't make their adoration any less embarrassing for him. He just resolved to let them get it out of their system so they can get back to doing whatever it was kids did these days. They'd have all the time in the world now.

"Hoo boy…"

Author's Note: At last. It's finished. Sixty chapters, two years of rewrites, edits, revisions, and a little under 500,000 words. I can honestly say I'm quite proud of all this and how it turned out. To finally get the version of the story I envisioned and always wanted as well as feeling right and satisfactory for everyone that stuck around this long. The process behind making this come to pass was rather clunky and gave me a few setbacks, but that's fine since I'm still perfecting my craft as a writer. I've learned a lot about myself from writing this as well as the feedback from all of you. What works for me, what doesn't work, what I need to improve on, what I can expand on.

For everyone who's stuck around this long through the rewrite, edits, delays, failing to meet personal deadlines, lapses of content, and other such things, thank you very much. Your critiques, feedback, praise, disapproval, and all sorts of things have given me lots of insight into the development of this story. You guys genuinely keep me going, and I like to provide the best possible story I can for both of us. As of now, Phantom Stardust is officially finished. I'll occasionally tweak and edit something either grammatically or format-wise, but this story has reached its conclusion. Though that's not to say I'm done writing fanfics for Persona 5. I actually have a lot of things in the works, including something I've had brewing since before Persona 5's release. But all those things will come in time. For now, I'm gonna ease up a bit. Relax and slow down with writing stuff. Not for too long though. I can get pretty restless. You'll be seeing more work from me shortly, both on here and AO3.

But for now, thank you all for sticking with me on this two-year journey that was long overdue to complete. So much has changed for me since starting this back in 2017. I have my own place now, two jobs, tons more friends, much stronger art and writing skills, and have been coming out on top over depression. Persona 5 had a lot to do with that as did writing this. I hope to have given you something you can enjoy and share with others, even inspire you to make your own stories and share them with the community.

See you guys when I see you.