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

[giftedbythunder]

Well: hmph, at least he's getting some respect. (And the fact that he's never even wanted it before doesn't cross his mind.)

"What's it this time?" he asks, his arms folded, looking down with his expression cold and impassive. Not the look of the sword who's so often seen watching bunnies in the gardens or learning this whole 'modern cookery' thing - the look of someone who knows what sort of weapon he is.

[thirdarrow]

Takakage blinks, grey gaze steeling suddenly for a few moments before it fades back into his usual unreadable neutrality. He casually shifts his position, the movement concealing one of his hands as he makes a subtle sign with it. His personal guardian sword would be coming shortly.

"The time stream portal has destabilized, and we will be potentially moving on to somewhere new. I would like to hear your thoughts on that."

A very innocent and businesslike question, designed as a hook for more observations.

[giftedbythunder]

"What d'ya think I'm gonna say?" he responds. Same old story, same old routine. But perhaps... "You got any sorta clue where we're goin'?" Are they going to actually make progress, or just go chasing the same old opponents the same old way?

[thirdarrow]

"Of course."

A good strategist saniwa always has plans.

"We have found a new location where they are quite concentrated - Ikedaya. The scouts have said that there are more swords being held hostage there."

A pause.

"It would be quite the honour to have you accompany us, I believe. Especially to give those lost swords a fitting greeting. Unless, of course, you prefer not to?"

Make them feel valued - that is, deep down, what most swords want. It fit their nature as spirits born from tools, after all.

[giftedbythunder]

"Tch. Better 'n sitting around here."

The latter comment's softening the edge off his temper, though - "Ya really think they're gonna care?" he asks. Who does care? What's the point of his being here?

[thirdarrow]

To that, he just tilts his head, grey gaze piercing and unreadable as ever.

"Why would they not care?"

[giftedbythunder]

"They'd care for any rescue, and I understand that. But... You say 'it'd be an honor'. Do you truly mean that?"

There's a spot of arrogance to those words that isn't normally there, that's for sure.

[thirdarrow]

"Of course."

A blink, a pause.

"Unless you think otherwise?"