iridescentfrontiers | Persona AU meme

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Persona AU meme

Personas are manifestations of the soul, a mask worn by the wielder to face life and its hardships. Those with the ability to summon their persona are able to do battle against shadows, which embody the negative aspects of the heart. Shadows, much like personas, can take countless forms based on the person themselves. Despite the distinctions, both are derived from people, typically with shadows representing the part of yourself you deny and personas the parts you accept.

Both come from you. How you deal with both is entirely up to you.

NOW THAT WE GOT THE FLUFF OUT OF THE WAY, it's a generic persona AU meme. Borrow elements from the games, make up your own shit, it's your life; shape it to what you want it to be. The games generally mix slice of life with RPG shenanigans and both allow your characters to draw strength from their personas, from their true selves. Have fun with that.

A better summary of personas
Arcana alignments since every persona has one. Your call if you wanna bother with these.

How much you wanna AU your characters is up to you! Literally canon but with personas, suddenly high school setting with magical spirit monsters, whatever as long as you're having fun! Find your characters' arcana, make or borrow personas

SOME PROMPTS I GUESS:

1. Awakening: Sometimes, people gain the ability to summon personas after a crucial moment of intense emotion. A desire to protect, a yearning for revenge, maybe even the will to live. What's just as important as what brought on your awakening is who's around for it and who's about to get their asses kicked?

2. Shadow self: Those who have difficulty accepting who they are may have to deal with their shadows, their "darker" selves. Shadows emphasize (even exacerbate) the traits the person denies, growing violent and murderous when denied and potentially becoming personas when accepted. If you find your shadow, chances are you're in serious trouble. This could end in a fight if talking doesn't work. Just be careful about fighting a being that represents part of someone...

3. Dungeon crawling: Maybe this'll lead to a shadow confrontation, maybe it won't. Good on you if you're honing your fighting skills! Regardless, you're probably not alone in doing this, so take your pals and go beat up shadows. Dungeons shape themselves after a person's desires and personality, much like the shadows that inhabit them. If you're gonna go to a friend's dungeon, at least make sure they're okay with it; it might be too personal for them to deal with.

4. Social links: As most of the persona and shadow stuff happens behind the scenes, there's still the rest of your life to deal with. School stuff, work life, personal problems, it's all here. These are people you ride into battle with, so it's good to know who's on your side. It's as if actually being friends with someone will make them stronger allies or something!

5. Persona vs Persona: I mean. No one's stopping you from fighting. Maybe shadows aren't enough training for you. Maybe you're practicing tactics. Maybe it's a social link thing, maybe one or both of you are really pissed at each other. Your personas are doing the talking now, so ~~hopefully you remembered your opponent's weaknesses~~ you're unquestionably giving it everything you've got.

6. Mandatory smut option I guess: It doesn't count if we touch personas, right?

7. Wildcard joke goes here: I'm not your dad; make up your own damn prompts if you want!

But Riki, I want more details than this! What about a setting, better prompts or less vagueness on your part?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Tch... cheeky little bastard.

[But Guzma turned, teeth grit. What's this guy all about, talking like a person but asking him if he's okay? He was GUZMA. THE SKULL BOSS!]

Worry about yourself! Ya boy hasn't got a scratch on him.

[The copy laughed, slapping a hand against the arm rest.]

Oh NOW we speak up! Always had a soft spot for animals, didn't we?! They don't judge us. Never did. They just want an order, or a pet on the head, or something to eat.

[The Shadow's mirth died immediately, and his eyes were flat and steely. It was the look of a man preparing to take a swing.]

They don't get all up in your grill with questions. They don't tell you how you're supposed to act, to feel, to smile and just behave for once... behave, and be good so he doesn't get all riled up again, you feel me?

...'Ay... yo, that's none of this guy's combeeswax. You shut your trap!

But wasn't that the usual story? Do our best, but come home with another silver... second place. The first loser. You're gonna make him mad again, and it's all our fault. Always has been. There's too much wrong with us to ever get that gold, to ever make him happy.

(It honestly isn't Cornelius' business, but that doesn't stop him from trying to save the man. It's difficult disputing truths as others understand it, as Shadows phrase it, especially when you know so little about them. Hints were scattered about the dungeon with the Shadow casting a light on what Guzma insists on denying.

That denial is the Shadow's greatest weapon and the greatest threat against his life. Cornelius frowns.)

'Tis arduous, earning the favor of one who demands the best over your best. For someone such as he to accept you...

(The rabbit gives pause, thinking back to his father and his disapproval of his son's life choices. Selfish? Certainly, but one's life shouldn't be so predetermined. It's always what she worried about...

He shakes his head.)

...Your own acceptance holds greater leverage.

[Guzma scowled, looking down. But his Shadow grinned.]

See? Even the Buneary thinks you don't add up, homie. So why don't we call it quits and keep up the good work, huh?

Didn't I tell you to shut your freakin' trap already?

But talking's our best gig, yo! I play real hard when I'm hurting inside, surrounding myself with pathetic souls and a needy girl that'll keep me in line. That way I'm sittin' pretty as the smallest disaster among the lot! Shiiiit, they didn't even come down to find you!

How would they know to find me!? You don't know me!

Please. I'm here because of you, homeboy! I'm part of you... you just need to accept it. Accept that you're trash. Who the hell likes you? The kahunas sure didn't. The Tapus don't. You're crap and you know it!

[Guzma's eyes sharpened and he turned to swing at the copy, who in turn disappeared. His fist met the chair.]

I'm the damn Skull Boss! I'm the beast that beats you down until there's nothing left!

Are you, though? [The copy reappeared, leaning to look out a nearby window.]

Sounds like Little Man Syndrome to me. ...He'd know. Wouldn't you, bunny?

(Internal arguments become external when it comes to your shadow. The shouting, the rising aggression...Cornelius holds out a paw to try and stop Guzma from attacking his shadow, but there's no stopping him. Such an outburst can be seen as denial, if he isn't careful!

It's still calm, thankfully. It's honing its attention on him, zeroing in on the rabbit's own dilemmas. He's glancing away for the moment.)

...I do not know why I take this form in this realm. To the shadows, I'm still a human. To humans, I am a shadow.

(He looks back at the shadow and Guzma.)

I am Cornelius, heir to the Titania corporation. To my father, I am irresponsible for choosing love over my heritage. I do not claim he is wrong. I know I will never meet his expectations through my own standards. I accept my mistakes and shortcomings, but they do not define me.

(With his free paw, he points a finger at Guzma.)

They shan't do the same for you. Your flaws and doubts bolster your strengths; they empower you to better yourself. Your Shadow will exacerbate your flaws to deceive you and force you to deny it, taking all of your strength for itself.

(He relaxes his pointing to approach Guzma directly.)

You are a proud man. If you are to craft a future of your own, you must accept your past.

Word... you heard him. You need to accept this. You need to accept that, day after day, the cops are looking for a damn good reason to lock you up and make an example of you. You know how valuable you are, even as an ex-Skull? You know how happy everyone would be if you were locked up, along with all of our miserable little brats?

Are you done?

[He wasn't proud. He really wasn't. As he clutched his head, he couldn't forget the memories of the dark and dingy bedroom. The door out of the room slammed open, and with it came a disembodied voice: "BOY... GET OUT HERE. DON'T MAKE ME COME IN."

Guzma froze, back stiff. His eyes were unfocused and never facing that door, his gaze too far off to really tell what was on his mind right now.]

What're you waiting for? Accept it. You didn't belong at home, you didn't belong in Po Town. You don't belong anywhere. If you don't act fast, he gets the putter. That one's the worst.

Get out. GET OUT! GET OUT.

[His eyes were wild as they focused, and he pointed to Cornelius, then the Shadow.]

BOTH OF YOU GET OUT OF MY FACE! I'm done with BOTH of you! Shut up and leave me alone!

[The Shadow's face was alight with malice as he stood, casually sweeping his fingers through his hair. A billowing smoke began to churn under his shoes.]

Finally! FINALLY! Hahahahah!

[Guzma grit his teeth as his hands went to his head. This only lasted three seconds before the color left his eyes as well as his complexion, and he sank to the floor in a heap. From the shadowy form erupted long and bony arms, all six of them slamming the earth and seeking purchase. Covered in thick bony plates, some beaten and cracked, what replaced the copy was something blending insect and bony beast. Its eyes were empty and hollow in the skull, save for a burning red light, more cracks and dents marring the dusty white. From each oozed an angry sort of magma that flowed like water, but reduced to steam when it dribbled to the floor of that dingy children's bedroom. From its maw came a long, hollow groan, spindly, insectoid claws running trails through the carpeting.]

Edited 2017-06-06 02:13 (UTC)

(Cornelius' eyes widen as the denial makes itself known and the inevitable happens. He rushes to Guzma's side as he falls unconscious, the rabbit able to do little besides stand between him and his shadow.

A shadow that's taken a far more sinister form, looming well over Cornelius' head and peering down at him with red eyes that pierce his skin. It'll kill Guzma the instant it gets an opportunity; the pooka may not have been able to prevent his shadow's transformation, but he can't allow himself to let someone die. After assuring that the man's alright for now, he rises back up to his feet and draws his sword, meeting that gaze with one of his own.)

You will not harm him, Shadow. This sword shall strike you down!

[The creature turned its hollows on Cornelius and that shining blade, all arms lifting from its position on the flooring, fingers flexing irritably.]

You would strike me, too...?

Then let's see how long you last until there's nothing left of you!

[The eyes burned and all six claws came bearing down at once.]

(While Cornelius could dodge the attack if he were focused, he can't risk abandoning Guzma's unconscious body. If he dies, this is all for naught. The rabbit's gaze sharpens as he readies his sword, a gentle blue mist surrounding him.)

Persona!

(The Emperor card hovers before Cornelius before it's quickly sliced in two. From the card's destruction sprouts a more humanoid figure, adorned in green armor and a sword in each hand. Bearing the symbol of an eastern dragon, the persona readies his swords in a defensive stance to block the incoming claws. The recoil of the guard reaches Cornelius himself, gritting his teeth and trying to fight through it, his little body tensing from the blow. The twin blades crackle with electricity as they try to push back the attacking claws to stagger the shadow and let loose a Zionga.)

[Another fragment of ego made real... his claws bore down on the creature, 'precise' failing to be the word for his assault more than a giant monster having an angry tantrum. One fell after the other, swiping and slamming down to try and reduce this hairy little fucker into a paste so that he could be done and consume the fool that refused to accept things as they were. Pathetic bastards, the lot of them...

But even as the smoke cleared, he saw the gleam of blue. The final claw struck the blades, met and pushed, but his own surprise was a setback; he retreated from the force of the blow, and earned a harsh bolt of lightning for his troubles. The beast screamed as they arced over his frame and discharged into the earth from which he emerged. But once the Zionga played its course, the creature only seemed angrier for it.

The lava oozed with a newfound intensity, thickening and beginning to warm the room further. Trophies twitched and began to sag further as those claws delved deep into the lava, that liquid fury that oozed from every pore of him. He never liked the smell of fur, but that was something he had to put up with.

With a roar that bordered on a scream of fury, he bore down on Cornelius with all six once more, flecks of molten earth coming with it. The strikes were more unfocused this time, but no less an attempt on the life of the original's savior.]

I'll burn it all... I'LL BURN THE WHOLE GODDAMN PLACE DOWN!

(The rising temperature is quickly becoming a concern, especially as the shadow wields it so chaotically. Desperate strikes like those are unguided, not very well-aimed. It's still a large mass, however, and avoiding the attack will be difficult.

Fortunately, it seems more focused on Cornelius than the unconscious Guzma, so the pooka does his best to use that to his advantage. He moves in closer, whizzing over an arm that comes dangerously close and cutting into another directly with his blade.

However, another swipe catches him offguard, punting the small creature into the trophy shelf. A satisfying clang of metals accompanies his descent onto the floor, but the rabbit springs back onto his feet, his sword at the ready.

He points towards the shadow with his blade, directing his persona to launch his own attack, both of his swords held tightly for a Double Fangs.)

[The blade struck true, and sent an arm flying. It began to burn to ash and blow away as the creature roared in barely restrained fury. But still it seemed to have fight in it, even after the Double Fangs swung in to disable another arm.

The trophies that were scattered on the floor turned to pools of silver and copper. But that was when the shadow began to act even stranger than the usual.]

GUZMAAAA, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?

[The other hands balled into fists, and he began to pummel himself, sending a rain of the magma down, hissing and boiling against the filthy carpeting. But with it came flecks of bone, like shards of glass to join the violent rain of a self-destructive entity.]

(In moving too quickly, Cornelius realizes the true pain of hitting a trophy shelf so hard and doesn't attack right away as a result. He's definitely feeling that one tomorrow, but if it means Guzma has a tomorrow at all, then he can deal with it.

It's enough to keep him from reacting to the rain of bone and lava right away, directing his persona to guard Guzma directly while he's too far away. Even with Liu Bei taking a defensive stance, he's still scuffed with cuts and burns, wounds that transfer over to the pooka's body as several cuts form along his body.

Because his persona is the larger body here, he decides it's best to have it guard the unconscious man while Cornelius goes in for the attack, gritting his teeth and trying to shake off the pain as best as he can. The continuing rain of bone and lava makes that difficult, even if Cornelius himself is a smaller target. Severing the shadow's arms seems to do the trick and hey, no fists means it can't beat itself up, right? It's a metaphor that too loudly echoes the man's inner pain.

All the same, he's charging back in, sword drawn to try and sever those remaining arms.)

[So entranced with his own self-inflicted pain, the Shadow didn't see a brave bun comin'. In with the blade, it seemed to cut through the bone and sever a pair of limbs with little effort. He was used to carving through dragon scales, things far tougher than the fractured ego and rage of a man who needed a hell of a lot of therapy.

This knocked the Shadow out of its own self-destructive tantrum, hollow eye sockets on the stumps that remained as skeletal arms lay limp on the floor.]

I DON'T NEED YOU... I DON'T NEED ANY OF YOU. DO EVERYONE ELSE A FAVOR AND BURN WITH THE REST!

[Its remaining hands grasped the walls around them, and the entire building seemed to shudder. It was building in strength... was it intending to take the whole place down?]

(With the rumbling of the entire building, it became difficult for Cornelius to maintain his footing. The mansion already looked to be in bad shape; it didn't look like it could take more before coming down on all of them.

There is one good thing to come out of this, at least: with the Shadow's focus on attacking the surrounding setting, it could be the right time to launched a combined attack with himself and his persona. Despite the bleeding cuts, the pooka tightens his grip on his blade and shakes his head.)

Come, Liu Bei! We fight as one!

(With the command given, his persona steels himself and readies an attack. It and Cornelius both charge forth towards the shadow, aiming to strike it from two sides at once in a pincer maneuver.)

[Everything needed to disappear. Everything needed to burn. Everything needed to leave him alone and forget anything ever happened or was ever said. Everything was easier that way and this dumb rabbit had no business getting in his way what was he doing, he needed to stop that right now-

They both hurtled in at once. With each of his limbs supporting the pieces of the building it had intended to tear, it had no means of defense. They struck and carved their way into a soft sort of core, ripping their way through. The monster could only scream out of mingled pain and rage, bleeding smoke and flame as the hulking frame began to melt and shrink down. As angry as he was, he could only flare up and lash out for so long before he'd be worn down...]

FUCK YOU! Fuck you and your miserable pep talk! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU!

[Yet despite all of that, what remained was a quaking copy of Guzma, smoke bleeding from his snarling mouth. But the original was stirring, groaning...]

(Cornelius and his persona hold their stances as the Shadow melts away into a calmer, more stable form, expecting it to try and pull one last attack to pull them down with it. It already tried to bring everything around it down, including itself; it (and Guzma) seemed the type to fight to the very end. It's only when the shadow has settled into a duplicate form of the man that the pooka finally lowers his blade.

But now is hardly the time to celebrate a victory; the shadow can transform again if the person continues to deny it. Typically, facing death like this can bring one around, but he isn't banking on a guarantee. Guzma likely catches a glimpse of Cornelius' persona as it's desummoned and the pooka sheathes his blade. Despite the visible cuts and bruises along his fur, he pays no mind to them, instead kneeling behind the man to confirm if he's alright.)

Careful. Don't move too quickly if it proves strenuous.

[He caught a glimpse of something weird- join the club, really- as his vision began to waver into focus. The rabbit was still there, looking like he'd seen better days, and he slowly sat upright.]

Strenuous... right. Like I don't have harder things to put up with than being able to get on my feet.

[He strained despite the warning, and brought himself upright. His shadow balled his fists and bared his teeth.]

You'll never stop being angry! You'll never be that kid again, you know that!?

Y'know what? Shut the hell up and listen. Ya boy's got a couple of things to make clear to you. Something that's been in the back of my brain.

The weird bunny's right. I can push people away all I want, I can be angry all I want, but I'm the only one who can set my future straight. Not my dad, not my friends... ME. You feel me?

[He looked to Cornelius.]

My dad hurt me in far more ways than you even know. He's a piece of crap. I won't forgive him for what he did. ...But there's a lot of people I probably should forgive, even if they raise my hackles up.

[His eyebrows knit. ...Right? Is that how this goes?]

(Deeeeefinitely seen better days, but Cornelius is a tough bunny; he can soldier through his injuries well enough. Now that Guzma's shadow has calmed down and the two are starting to talk it out, he's returning to that supportive role he intended to take upon arrival, almost refereeing the discussion.

Of course, he's not expecting immediate acceptance. Sometimes you gotta face those deeper problems and own up to them and that's precisely what he's doing. Although he doesn't say anything, Cornelius offers an encouraging nod and smile. You're on the right track. Work it out, face your shadow...he's just here to handle round 2 if it comes up.)

[He smoothed his fingers through his hair.]

It might take me a while to flap my gums at them, but the intention's there. Getting mad doesn't mean I'm taking steps back... it's human to get angry.

The cops will never leave us alone.

Maybe, and they suck for it. But we got a legal system for a reason. They can slap cuffs on me every day if they feel like it, but ya boy's never gonna sit behind bars. Guzma's gonna make a whole lot of people angry, knowing he can flip the bird at the system while standing on the right side of it.

I dunno if I'm worth a damn, deep down. Dad did a good job of it. But that's something I can work out, too. I just gotta make friends with people who have that sort of patience.

[The shadow's shoulders sagged. Then, he nodded.]

Now, come here, stupid. You owe me a part of myself.

[With that, the shadow melted away, instead rising as a chitinous blend of beetle and man, wielding a bevvy of blades. He dispersed in a blue light, and that's all Guzma remembered before it felt like his legs turned to goo under him.]

(And with that acceptance comes the true victory of this day. Interestingly enough, his shadow didn't simply fade away, as they do. No, Guzma's will is strong enough that his shadow became a persona, a strength that will hopefully guide him well through his own struggles.

But that's for another time. This ordeal has visibly drained him and while Cornelius can't really hold him up given his smaller size, he can at least help him sit up, catch his breath, maybe even check on him. Most of it's mental exhaustion, he's sure.)

Come; we've both spent enough time in this realm. I understand you must have questions about all of this. I do not possess all the answers, but I can tell you what I know. Perhaps after you rest, if you prefer.

[What... what was that? Guzma couldn't wrap his brain around the giant bug, how full he felt, yet how torn up and exhausted he was. But the bunny seemed to know what he was talking about.]

Is... is it supposed to feel like this...? Like a truck hit you?

Y-you owe me... a friggin' novel of what the hell all this was.

(Cornelius nods sadly.)

To surmise, it is your internal struggles becoming external. While it sounds preposterous, such is possible in the realm within the TV. Shadows, like your own, represent inner conflicts, often exaggerated. This is to enrage you, to get you to deny them. In doing so... (Guzma saw what happened, so that doesn't need much explanation.)

...They're the cause for the numerous murders taking place. To accept your shadow, however, may grant you the power of Persona. The insectoid warrior you saw is yours to command. That fullness may be its strength coursing through you.

...

You're... gonna have to explain that slowly, when I don't feel like a pile of crap...

[But he knew of the murders, the strangeness of them. But what he didn't know was how it was all connected. Not in his condition. He struggled to rise.]

I need to get outta here...

(No, that's totally fair. The poor guy's been through more than enough today and he probably doesn't want a headache on top of everything else.

Being smaller than him means there's not much Cornelius can do to help him stand, but the rabbit stands beside him all the same.)

Of course. I know the way back to the real world. I can take you home from there.

(Just need to leave the dungeon first. It should be calm with the shadow defeated, but he'll stay on guard just in case.)

[He could only grunt as he forced himself to his feet. He felt like he weighed a million pounds and wanted nothing more than to collapse in his bed and not think of anything for a while.

But the trick was getting TO the bed first. And not get eaten by the monsters here. Sheesh...]

You don't have any kind of stretcher or back-up, huh..?

Persona AU meme

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