iridescentfrontiers | Persona AU meme

Entry tags:

meme

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

[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..?

I'm afraid not. Technically, at least.

(An idea comes to mind before they get moving, the pooka's head perking up in a flash of realization. Just as before, the tarot card hovers before Cornelius as he crushes it in his little paw.)

Persona.

(Once again, Liu Bei is called to his side, this time with his blades sheathed. The persona is about Guzma's height, perfect for draping an arm over his shoulders to give him someone to lean against.)

Right... your purse-thing.

[He's gonna side-eye Liu Bei for a second, but it's not gonna be too much longer than that; he's stuck in this hellhole and he wanted to go home. He would have to suck it up and have this weird creature help him up. So he rose with the assistance.]

Just... just gemme out of this dump.

(With a nod, Cornelius takes point as his persona helps walk Guzma through the dungeon. Fortunately for them, the defeat of his shadow seems to have scared off all the lesser ones for now. They won't stay gone, he's sure, but the later they come back, the better.

The return trip is thankfully uneventful as the three of them arrive at a...very old fashioned looking TV, antennas and all. The screen is blank, but it begins to ripple as Cornelius pushes a paw through it, as if in demonstration.)

This will take us back to the real world. You should go first.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Persona AU meme

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject