corruption au meme

[kbcctv]

CORRUPTION AU MEME

The Sword Army pursues the Retrograding Army through history, encountering familiar settings and reliving old memories. Though strong, with every change in time and setting, the swords dread the old memories. As they fight to preserve history as it is meant to be, the Sword Army must steel their hearts and resist temptation lest they come to fight themselves…

A popular fan theory is that the enemy swords you fight are actually your swords from an alternate universe who wished to change history. For this meme, feel free to make up your own starters or use one of the prompts below. Remember to state if your character is corrupted, not, or if you have no preference.

PROMPT IDEAS 1. How could you let this happen? They wanted to be left alone, their mood was poor, and maybe you should have noticed the signs but now that you have, it’s too late. They can’t stop these thoughts in their head and something in their soul has turned dark and ugly. Is it too late? Maybe you can get through to them… if not, are you ready to draw your sword? 2. Possession. Even the smallest trace of doubt can attract them— evil spirits. Once the dark spirit has latched on to your soul, it takes over and consumes you. Maybe the possession is gradual or maybe it happens suddenly. All you know is that everyone has regrets and anyone can doubt… this could happen to anyone. 3. Cry Wolf. We fought the same battles and shared the same meals together so it was only natural that we would be considered allies and friends. The fateful moment approaches and suddenly it is revealed: One of you is not a true friend. There is a traitor among you. 4. Becoming your own enemy. Your mission is to go back in time and let things happen as they were meant to be but their fall into despair was never supposed to happen, right? And so you went back in time to prevent their misfortunes but you keep failing again and again until, this time, you think you’ve got it. This time, you’ll be able to save your friend - but will you be able to save yourself too? 5. Reborn again. When destroyed in battle, the sword disappears only to return again anew. You can’t choose the fate you’re born with though and this time, someone has returned… from the wrong side.

INSPIRATIONS There are some corruption fanart floating around Pixiv, as well as a FST made by Aki (fletrir). Other canons with similar themes to this meme are first and foremost Puella Magi Madoka Magica, as well as Shin Megami Tensei and other demonic-theme heavy series.

Original premise and coding was done by eskimo, image taken from here.

Comments

[newtimes]

2. (Corrupted)
( The most likely to move forward, he seemed like the least likely to get stuck dwelling on the past and it was true. He was never one to get hung up on things that had already passed and was always one of the first to charge head first into a new time, a new age, a new life, new future, new future. His mind was sharp, his spirit was clean, and his heart was strong.

... But maybe not strong enough. When had it happened? Ah, perhaps when they went back to Kyoto... the night was dark, the quarters were closed, and for a moment he had faltered. The time was wrong but the conditions had been the same. He had been useless then, what if the same thing-- no, he would never let that happen to him again. The thought was quickly rid of but a door had been open, an invitation made. He'd gotten through that mission just fine, or so he had thought. He had only been a little tired but so had everyone else.

After that night, something had begun to change. His aim was off, there was something in his eye. He'd tried to focus on his sword skills instead but his eyes couldn't keep up with his opponents moves. Gradually, it became worse and until his losses began to outweigh his victories. Had he always this weak and useless...?

His spirit not yet broken, today he can be found in the practice hall, his blade drawn and practicing his swings. Shouldn't he be using one of the practice swords...? Hmm. When he senses that he isn't alone, he stops but doesn't turn to greet you. Instead, he demands flatly, )

Fight me.

Wildcard
( Write your own starter and I'll gladly have not!corrupt Mutsu give a genki shounen speech that will surely bring u back. )

2 hohoho

[adornmental]

[The punk peering into the training hall this time is Kashuu, who seems to at least have some sort of goal in mind, judging by how focused he is. Looking for something he left behind earlier, maybe? It wouldn't be the first time. He's about to give a lazy greeting in passing once he notices that Mutsu is there, but--

Well. There's an unpleasant hello.

His lips purse, but he doesn't snap back as he normally might, because things have been just a little off with Mutsu lately. He's not really one to pry into emotional things more directly, but despite that and despite how self-focused he often is, he's also attentive to the people he's near. He had done his best to support in indirect ways once he had first started to notice something amiss; helping with joint chores with minimal complaint, getting extra yams, keeping an eye out in sorties... And something really was wrong then, wasn't it? One loss, two, more, and none of that saturating strangeness had improved until this moment when even someone who barely knew Mutsu would be able to hear the divorce between his present self and the him of just a short while ago.

He shifts where he stands, setting a hand against his hip and willing his unease away.]

I'm just looking for my towel. [A beat. He eyes the sword in Mutsu's hand and then, tone still even:] How long've you been at it in here?

i'm ready. i was ready. i've been ready.

[newtimes]

Tch.

( He grits his teeth the moment he hears who it is. Great, one of those Shinsengumi swords. Just who he wanted to deal with today and raises his sword again for another swing. It's strong and and practiced but when he stops, there's a rattling. The blade in his hand shakes for a moment until he steadies his hand again. )

And how long are ya gonna stand there? ( Why is he getting so frustrated right now. The air is so heavy he can hardly stand anything right now. ) ..Did ya come to make fun?

are you. are you ready eski.

[adornmental]

[In another situation, he might be inclined to just nab his towel and leave. In this one, where something is so clearly wrong, he can't. Irritating as it had been to chase Mutsu into deadend after deadend, it's not like he's on bad terms with the other spirit.]

I said what I came here for, yeah? [He doesn't soften his words for much and now's no exception - a bad habit, maybe - but the feeling of concern is growing despite outward indications. As an afterthought, when he hears the rattle of metal, he realizes he should probably try to get Mutsu to sheathe his sword.]

You weren't even at breakfast. [A somewhat pointed statment; he really didn't need an answer to his question. A new one, then:] So how long are you gonna be here?

I am *are you???*

[newtimes]

What's it matter to ya?!

( He doesn't mean to yell. He's trying so hard to keep everything together, even if his attempts are failing miserably as of late. He's been trying for awhile now but things just aren't getting better. He keeps getting worse and worse and... With a frustrated cry, he turns and swings his blade in Kashuu's direction.

Though strong and clearly able to do serious damage, it would be obvious to Kashuu that the blade is never going to even come near him. The technique is right but the swing is too wide, the point of target undefined. There's a sort of awkward clumsiness to the swing. The form is right but the execution is all wrong.

Now facing Kashuu completely forward, he might notice something.

There is an unfocused look in Mutsu’s eyes. He avoids looking directly at Kashuu, his line of sight, instead, on the ground or perhaps off to the side. Even then, there’s both a wild and lost sort of look in his eye as he frantically searches around everywhere except for where Kashuu is directly standing. Or, at least, where he thinks Kashuu isn’t standing.

Mutsu lingers for a moment until a sort of realization crosses his expression. It's as if he's just realized what he's done and instinctively he looks up at Kashuu. It's then, that Kashuu will notice that not only are his eyes unfocused but they don't seem to really react at all. Mutsu can't see.

And the moment he realizes that Kashuu probably realizes it too, he looks away. )

... Sorry. ( It's weak, but for just a moment, he sounds a little like his old self. He even manages a laugh. ) I just wasn't hungry. Ya'll see me at lunch, don't worry.

IM NOT SURE ANYMORE

[adornmental]

[Even if the swing itself is far from being an actual threat to him, the fact that it happened at all is enough to leave Kashuu looking genuinely shocked. Not that Mutsu will be able to see it, which he figures out for himself soon enough. It takes a second to sink in, but seeing it once it's all that's needed for it to register.]

Hey...

[It would explain a lot, right? But for everything it does explain, it overturns a new question. Like why had Mutsu kept this to himself? For a long time too, presumably, if this is the origin point of his recent ire. Where and when had such an injury even been landed? Is such a thing even possible? It's not like their bodies are truly human.]

Hey— wait a second. [Honestly, hearing that reminder of a more familiar Mutsu is only jarring at this point. It's out of place after that angry swing, at odds with his avoidant glancing.] What happened?

Finally, we share an rp fandom

[newtimes]

( Stop that, don't mention it. It's hard enough to try to keep himself together when he's lost something so important to him. )

What're ya talking about? ( If he acts like everything is okay, then everything will be okay, even when things aren't okay, and it's clear that he isn't. ) If ya aren't going to practice with me then get outta here.

( Please, go away. Why are these Shinsengumi swords always bothering him... )

2 ~

[oneblade]

[For once the day was quiet enough that Ichigo has time to dwell on things, wandering along as he takes solace in the silence that seems to have arrived. Normally there are things to be done, chores to be finished or tantou to watch over. Today there are few of those things and it's only as he walks by the training hall that Ichigo realizes that the background noise he's been hearing were those of someone practicing.

Ichigo watches Mutsu quietly and frowning slightly as the other takes a few swings, noting that the other seems off somehow. There's almost something wrong with the other's form but it's subtle enough that Ichigo can't pinpoint exactly what it is. It would be prudent to at least speak to Mutsu and perhaps ask, and he walks over and stares when he gets such a greeting.]

It would be wiser to work with one of the practice swords.

[newtimes]

( In theory, his form is fine but the problem comes in the execution; the swings are off, coming in too wide or unevenly.

For Ichigo, Mutsu makes a point of ignoring him. At least, as far as looking at him goes. It's obvious that he's felt Ichigo's presence, even acknowledging it, albeit, rudely. But he doesn't spare him a glance, if anything, he makes a point of not looking at him at all. His only real acknowledgement from this point on comes from the fact that he's lowered his sword. )

It's not the same. ( Ichigo might notice Mutsu tense his hold on his sword. His grip is so tight, the sword begins to rattle until he steadies his hand again, ) They don't feel the same way...

I felt like using something more familiar, ya know?

[oneblade]

I understand.

[Mutsu makes a point when it comes to the practice swords, that no matter how well crafted they were nothing could replace the weight of one's own sword in hand. All of them knew their own strengths and weaknesses, but when it came to practice swords they were simply small replicas that helped with the basics.

What didn't make sense was how Mutsu held the blade so tightly that it rattled. Everyone had bad days but considering who he was talking to right now Ichigo doubted that it was just as simple as that and he turns concerned eyes towards the other, trying to reign it in so that the blade doesn't wind up spooked somehow.] Would you like to talk about it?

[newtimes]

( He would have loved to talk.

Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki, the sword of the great negotiator, Sakamoto Ryouma. A sword that, even when on the front lines, passively bemoaned the fact they couldn't reason with their enemies. He would have loved to talk. Really.

But there's a nagging voice in his mind telling him they can't talk. There's no point in talking, nothing good will come from it, in the end, he'll have to fight? Yeah, he'll have to fight them all. This is absolutely necessary. There is no way around it. It... )

... It can't be helped. ( He has to fight. He has to. If he can't fight, he can't be useful. If he can't be useful then the already limited time he has with everyone will be cut even shorter. It could end. He doesn't want it to end. He still has more time...! This is why he has to fight.

... Even if it means fighting against his friends? He doesn't want to but if it really can't be helped... Wait, what? No. That isn't right. ) ... Something's wrong.

( It's hard to tell if he's speaking to himself or to Ichigo. )

2!

[havocking]

Ahh, you're being sort of scary...

[And this is the sort of scary that he can't sneak up on, since Mutsu has already called him out and demanded a fight... Midare is just reaching for a practice sword when he speaks, but when he sees that Mutsu is using his true form instead, he grabs for a second one before turning to him and holding it out.]

You won't be gentle enough with me unless you're using this, you know.

[It's a paltry attempt at joking around a little to make things more normal, but he still tries. The truth is, this is really freaking him out. He expects a certain amount of melancholy behavior or outright rudeness from some swords, but Mutsu isn't one of them.]

[newtimes]

( He can hear Midare remove another practice sword and it puts him on edge. No... )

I don't wanna use a fake sword. ( It's short and curt and he looks away. ) If ya aren't gonna be serious then go away.

Ya're a sword, ya shouldn't be afraid of the real thing!

[havocking]

We're weapons, so we have to stay sharp to do our best against our enemies.

[It's a rare moment of seriousness - if gentle (???) teasing hadn't been enough to get through to him, maybe this will be, he thinks.]

We can't risk dulling ourselves against each other.

[newtimes]

I'm still sharp. ( He's still good. Poor performance aside, he's still good... He just has to prove himself. ) I'm old fashioned but... I'm still sharp, see?

( And he'll even show off Mutsunokami a little. Certainly, the blade is still good. The saniwa is clearly looking out for them but Midare might sense something is a little off. Though the blade is in good condition, does it seem... a little cloudy, maybe? )

[havocking]

[A little cloudy, yes. It might not be so obvious to humans, but tsukumogami are attuned enough to their true forms that they can sense when something is wrong even when look at someone else's. Midare wonders idly how many swords just like this are in human museums - clouding over with regret at being locked away where they can't fulfill the purpose they were created for.]

Very, very sharp. Too sharp for someone like me. [He puts one hand over the flat of Mutsu's blade and shakes his head.] You want to save that sharpness. Remember who our real enemy is.

[newtimes]

( At the touch, he can't help but shudder some.

For a long time, he's felt as if he's been in a fog. His head is a filled with cotton and a voice that isn't his own is always whispering into his ear to distract him from any words trying to reach him. But he can still feel. It's probably the only sense he truly has left and Midare's hand feels real. It's a real hand and it's that of a friend.

He can hardly think, he can barely hear, the air smells rotten, and... )

Midare-kun. ( Is a friend. Not an enemy. He's a friend. He can trust him. ...For now. And Mutsu, who had been making a point of avoiding eye contact for some time, finally raises his gaze to meet Midare's, the tantou might notice it isn't just his sword that is clouded. Mutsu's eyes, normally bright and focused ahead, seem clouded as well. ) ... I can't see.

2

[helmsplitter]

[Using a real blade in a practice match was something he was used to pushing, but when he saw Mutsunokami swinging a gleaming blade, even Dotanuki paused. He didn't mind a real practice - one where you felt the pulse of war beneath the coordinated strikes - but Mutsunokami? Wasn't he the guy always going on and on about how the times were changing? And what was with that aura? It felt like a real battlefield in the hall, like he was stepping onto the stage of war. He liked the feeling, but it had its place.

Dotanuki tilted his head slightly and crossed his arms, his own sword sheathed in one hand.]

Sure, but you won't like it if I get serious.

[newtimes]

( He bristles some what at the comment. )

Ya think I can't handle it? ( His head turns slightly back at Dotanuki to acknowledge him but not enough to actually look back. ) C'mon, I'll show ya.

[helmsplitter]

[Well fine then. Dotanuki stepped into the dojo and cracked his neck from side to side before rolling his shoulders to limber up. He'd been looking to practice anyway and this was one way to do it.]

Alright, but don't complain if Saniwa has to send you to the smithy for a few hours.

[He turned to the side and readied to draw his blade, fingers tightening on the hilt.]

Bring it.

[newtimes]

( He won't hear any complaining from Mutsu.

The moment Dotanuki draws his blade, Mutsu is already attacking. The attack, however, is far too wide and open. It would be easy to pierce through his practically non-existent defense. Sure, he'd never been one for defense to begin with and yes, his fighting style might have always been a little on the unconventional and reckless side but there is no excuse for this. This is careless, wild, and completely lacking in skill.

Sorry, Dotanuki, this isn't exactly great practice at all. )

[helmsplitter]

[This is crappy practice, Mutsunokami. Seriously, crappy. What the hell.

Dotanuki was never one for high defence either, but this was ridiculous. An attack like that would leave even the most experienced sword wide open, and while Mutsunokami wasn't exactly battle hardened like some, he wasn't this reckless. He slammed his blade against Mutsunokami's and twisted, trying to bring an elbow up into the sword's face. If he was going to be stupid about this fight, Dotanuki was going to try to end it quickly.]

[reprizesal]

...Are you sure?

[Normally, Sayo doesn't mind sparring with other swords. His form need to stay sharp and fast for the sorties where he would excel at. For that purpose, he can hold back his usual bloodlust. But even he would pause when he saw the sword in Mutsu's hands. It's not one of the practice swords.

Is he intending on fighting him with that, instead of the practice swords.]

If I fight you, will you switch over to the practice swords?

[newtimes]

( Normally, he would be more than glad to switch over. Heck, he would have been practicing with one all along but this is different. Something is different and it's in the air, the way it feels tight and heavy like something could snap at any moment. )

And if I don't?

[reprizesal]

[Something is different and he can almost feel it in the air. The heaviness feels almost like the darkness he holds inside his heart, but more...tight, less burning and more wary.]

If you don't, then I can't fight you. It's too dangerous.

[It's almost funny for Sayo to say, as a sword to another sword.]