Requested by DTW123348

Persona is a long running game series with different protagonists and stories. So the best way to know which of them is the best is by pitting the Protagonists of Persona 3, 4 and 5 against each other

Minato Aristato

Superhuman Physical Characteristics

Summoning

Fire Manipulation

Ice Manipulation

Light Manipulation

Healing

Darkness Manipulation

Air Manipulation

Electricity Manipulation

Energy Manipulation

Emotion Manipulation

Regeneration

Almighty skills that bypass magical defenses and resistances. 

High Resistanceto Elemental Manipulation, Light Manipulation, Darkness Manipulation. 

Resistance Negation and Power Nullification. 

Resistant to Death Manipulation . 

Sealing with Great Seal 

Status Effect Inducement and Statistics Amplification. 

Can One Hit Kill with Hama/Mudo skills.

Weapons

Evoker

Sword

Notable Attacks/Techniques:

The Great Seal

Uses his Soul to seal his opponent away. He can survive without it for a least a month.

Persona

 A manifestation of one's psyche in the form of a powerful guardian spirit. They are typically summoned via the usage of an Evoker (a gun-shaped prop) that is meant to emulate the lethal circumstances when Personae usually manifest. As he possesses the Wild Card, he has over 180 personae as opposed to the most users having 1. Skills his Personae can use include:

Nilfheim: 

Creates a frosty explosion that completely freezes one target.

Samsara: 

Uses the power of Holy/Light to slay his enemies with a massive light burst. Has an 80% chance of inflicting instant death.

Pralaya:

 Creates a massive energy explosion that pierces all enemies. Has a chance to make them stricken with fear.

Thunder Reign: 

Creates a growing sphere of energy that explodes in a thunderous explosion.

Morning Star: 

A beam of holy light blasts the ground, creating a wave of light energy that detonates, exploding and destroying everything around it. One of his strongest skills.

Die For Me!: 

Card soldiers rain down everywhere. Has an 80% chance of inflicting instant death.

Panta Rhei: 

Creates a pillar of wind.

Vorpal Blade: 

Slashes everywhere. Deals more damage when he is in great physical condition.

God's Hand: 

Creates a massive metallic fist that smashes into the target from above.

Tetrakarn: 

Creates a barrier that reflects physical attacks.

Salvation: 

Completely heals him and his allies. Cure status ailments

Makarakarn:

 Creates a barrier that reflects magical attacks.

Diarahan: Restores the health of the entire stock of 1st party member.

Fusion Spells: He can summon several Personae at once to execute an extremely powerful attack.

Candenza: Dual-summons Orpheus and Asparas to heal his and his allies' health by 25% and increase their Evasion.

Thunder Call:

Summon thunderbolts that ring from the sky.

Justice: 

Dual-summons Angel and Archangel to make an orb of energy fall from the sky. When it touches the ground, it releases a large but soft explosion that halves the HP of all enemies.

Jack Brothers: 

Dual-summons Jack Frost and Pyro Jack to knock down all enemies to their feet. (mid chance)

Summer Dream: 

One of the following happens at random: The Protagonist and his allies are fully healed and have all their magical energy restored, all enemies are fully healed and have all of their magical energy restored, all allies are knocked down to their feet, all enemies are knocked to their feet, everyone is knocked down to their feet, nothing happens.

Last Judge: 

A massive gavel smashes into the ground, destroying everything.

Ardhanarhi: 

The Protagonist shoots a powerful wave of flames from his body like a flamethrower.

Armageddon: 

By far his strongest attack. A massive explosion of pure energy blasts apart everything, doing an insanely large amount of damage. This attack can kill most bosses in a single hit.

Fusion Spells:

He can summon several Personae at once to execute an extremely powerful attack.

Candenza: 

Dual-summons Orpheus and Asparas to heal his and his allies' health by 25% and increase their Evasion.

Thunder Call:

 Summon thunderbolts that ring from the sky.

Justice: 

Dual-summons Angel and Archangel to make an orb of energy fall from the sky. When it touches the ground, it releases a large but soft explosion that halves the HP of all enemies.

Jack Brothers: 

Dual-summons Jack Frost and Pyro Jack to knock down all enemies to their feet. (mid chance)

Summer Dream:

 One of the following happens at random: The Protagonist and his allies are fully healed and have all their magical energy restored, all enemies are fully healed and have all of their magical energy restored, all allies are knocked down to their feet, all enemies are knocked to their feet, everyone is knocked down to their feet, nothing happens.

Last Judge:

 A massive gavel smashes into the ground, destroying everything.

Ardhanarhi:

The Protagonist shoots a powerful wave of flames from his body like a flamethrower.

Armageddon:

 By far his strongest attack. A massive explosion of pure energy blasts apart everything, doing an insanely large amount of damage. This attack can kill most bosses in a single hit.

Feats

Resisted Nyx's insta-killing him with his death spell

Managed to defeat Elizabeth before she became stronger, stronger than other members of SEES who defeated Erebus

Stronger than Ryoji and Izanami, he has The Great Seal

Can cause sonic booms with his punches as can lesser Persona users

Casually flew to the moon in seconds without even accelerating after receiving The Universe Arcana

Tanked hits from Nyx's true form

Sealed away Nyx

Weakness

Using the Great Seal uses his soul to seal the opponent, needs his Evoker to summon his Persona

Yu Narukami

Superhuman Physical Characteristics

Expert Swordsman

Expert Hand-to-Hand Combatant

Can summon facets of his personality which take the form of mythological demons and gods, 

Elemental Manipulation

Healing

Forcefield Creation

Attack Reflection

Absorption

Power Nullification depending the Persona summoned

Can OHK enemies with Hado/Mudo skills

Can ignore Immortality (with Izanagi-no-Okami's Myriad Truths), 

Energy Projection

Statistics Amplification

Status Effect Inducement

Durability Negation

Resistance to Physical attacks

Fire Manipulation

Ice Manipulation

Air Manipulation

Electricity Manipulation

Almighty skills that bypass magical defenses and resistances. 

High Resistance to Elemental Manipulation, Darkness Manipulation, Light Manipulation,
Resistance Negation and Power Nullification. 

Resistance to BFR 

Weapons

Sword

Notable Attacks/Techniques:

Ziodyne: 

Deals heavy electric damage to one foe.

Agidyne:

Deals heavy fire damage to one foe.

Bufudyne: 

Deals heavy ice damage to one foe.

Garudyne: 

Deals heavy wind damage to one foe.

Cross Slash: 

Yu readies his sword with both hands in front of himself in a low stance charging it with lightning, then does a one-handed turning outward slash forward and Izanagi will then appear from its The Fool tarot card from above where-ever the opponent is hit and dives with a plunging dropping slash, crumpling the opponent.

Thunder God Dance:

Yu starts off the attack with a strong adjusted reaping slash, then in quick succession, Yu performs a series of furious combo attacks with his sword amped with lightning, then perform a Cross Slash, and finish with a slash from Izanagi.

Myriad Truths: 

The final move of Izanagi-no-Okami, the word of power that banishes all the world's curses and falsehoods; It is able to affect those with immortality and nullifies all types of curses. Yu used this move to finish off Izanami.

Megidolaon: 

Deals severe Almighty damage to all foes.

Feats

Led several successful rescues into the Midnight Channel and saved those who became his comrades.

Has defeated many powerful shadows, including the Reaper.

Defeated the superpowered serial killer, Torou Adachi.

Defeated the goddess Izanami, along with her avatars: Marie and Ameno-Sagiri.

No-selled the villians' illusions in the event of Persona 4 Arena.

Defeated the Persona user combat android Labyrs along with her shadow.

Is one of the few individuals who is capable of challenging the residents of the Velvet room.

Defeated three of the protagonists of Persona 3.

Defeated Aigis a military grade war android who, like Yu, possesses the power of the Wild Card.

Defeated his own shadow, who was his equal in power.

With the aid of Adachi, he defeated the reality warper Hi-no-Kagutsuchi.

Together with the Persona 3 protagonist in Persona Q, he defeated the Clockwork God.

Got up after being beaten by Izanami

Tanked blows from Ameno-Sagiri and Adachi

Took hits from Yosuke

Withstood attacks from Izanami and Margaret

Solved the mystery rocket in Inaba, a case which the police has yet to solve

Can naturally dodge lightning

Finished off Izanami; traded blows and damaged Margaret who is stated to be equal to Elizabeth, who is far stronger than SEES members which destroyed Erebus

With base Izanagi. Can trade blows with Yosuke as well as the Persona 3 cast, who destroyed the mountain sized Erebus

Can trade blows and even gain upper hand against Adachi, a trained policeman

Weakness

Has a limited supply of mana to use for magic attacks. 

Personas and their summoners share pain; if anyone of Yu's personas is injured, then so is he.

Dry sense of humour

Has done questionable things which he thinks is funny

Sometimes a bit naive and oblivious in the situation he is in

Akira Kurusu

Well-versed in the usage of handguns and combat knives.

Smart and strategic, even on the fly.

A LOT of Persona(s). His primary two is the starting Persona, Arsene, and final Persona, Satanael, of The Fool Arcana.

Wild Card (Can have access to more than one or two Persona(s) at all times)

Has a penchant for dramatic entrances, equally dramatic flair and tactical taunting.

Persona(s):

Arsene

"A being based off the main character of Maurice Leblanc's Novels, Arsene Lupin. He appears everywhere and is a master of disguise. He is known to help law-abiding citizens." —Persona 5 compendium

Akira's initial persona is resist to curse attacks but weak to bless and ice

Based off of Maurice Leblanc's Novels about Arsene Lupin the Gentleman Thief and Master of Disguise

Due to the prologue, Arsene has two more skill: Brave Blade and Eigaon

Feats

Ventured into the 'Palaces' of certain individuals and, in turn, vanquishing the 'Shadows' of said individuals, ranging from his own teammates to unpleasant people in the real world.

Destroyed countless horrifying monsters in those 'Palaces'.

Entered, fought through and escaped dungeons that were built and designed to resemble the 'Seven Deadly Sins'.

If the player chooses to go that route in-game, Akira can be a classified pimp.

Intelligence allowed him to know of a traitorous plot concocted by Goro Akechi, a detective, teammate and the Confidant of the Justice Arcana, before the traitor himself even knew about Akira knowing about it.

Stole and purified many Hearts, which in turn would affect the individuals that the Hearts belonged to in the real world.

Durability, strength and agility far exceeds that of a normal Human, though this can due to his various Personas' abilities.

Despite being an amnesiac, Akira managed to recall the very voice of the same man that got him jailed.

Destroyed Yaldaboth, a malicious God who can erase one's existence just by thinking about it, with one attack from his ultimate Persona, the Rebel King of Hell, Satanael.

Weakness

Despite his Personas' attributes buffs, Akira is still very much a Human and can still die by ordinary means.

Persona abilities require SP, which can be drained quickly if Akira is not careful, though he can regain SP over time.

Damage done to Persona(s) translate over to their users, and Akira is no exception. Sufficient damage can even cause Persona Break; an event in which a Persona is temporarily decommissioned out of the fight.

Fight

Building top

It is 12 Midnight in the city of Tokyo.

Akira Kurusu stood alone on the top of the building, brooding silently to himself.

However, Akira's moment of privacy was interupted upon hearing the sounds of a shoe touching onto the concrete, making a tapping sound.

TAP!

Akira spun around and he questions.

Akira: Who are you?

The newcomer is a tall young man cladded in a black uniform.

He seems to be wielding a katana and has especially short grey hair.

The newcomer bows respectfully and he greets Akira.

???: My name is Yu Narukami, nice night isn't it?

???: Indeed.

Both Akira and Yu spun around, their conversation interupted by a new voice.

A tall young boy cladded in a blue uniform steps into the scene with both hands placed inside his pants pockets.

The boy also seems to have short blue hair with a bang covering the left side of his face.

Yu questions the newcomer.

Yu: Huh? Who might you be?

The newcomer introduces himself.

???: I am Minato Arisato and....

Minato whips out a pistol from his pocket, spinning it in his hand.

TWIRL! TWIRL! CHK!

Minato then cocks his gun before pointing it at the two, saying.

Minato: I challenge you two to a Persona battle.

Akira narrows his eyes beneath his mask and he sighs before answering to Minato's challenge.

Akira: Fine, I was getting bored anyway.

Akira draws out his handgun and he said.

Akira: May the best man wins.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The tranquility of the night was suddenly interupted by the sound of gunshots ringing in the night sky.

Akira began summoning Arsene and he points his fingers forward, ordering his Persona to charge forward.

However, Minato summons Nilfheim and he throws it forward.

BOOM!!!!

Almost immediately, Nilfheim exploded into a frosty explosion, weakening Arsene.

At the same time, Yu sprints forward, launching himself up into the air, spinning in midair before swinging his blade downwards.

SLASH!!!!

Yu swung his blade across, slashing Arsene before throwing a kick.

WHACK!!!!

As Arsene was sent back, all of a sudden, Sataneal, his second Persona suddenly launches forward and he slams bodyfirst into Yu.

BOOM!!!

Yu grunts as he was sent flying up.

At the same time, Minato's Guardian Spirit Persona charges up a powerful lightning sphere before launching it towards Arsene, striking it from behind.

KABOOM!!!!

Yu backflips back before launching a heavy electrical attack towards Minato's Persona.

BOOM!!!!

Minato grunts as he was sent flying back from the attack.

Yu launches himself upwards and he swung his sword, slashing Minato repeatly.

SLASH! SLASH!

However, Minato began using Ardhanarhi, unleashing a powerful burst of fire at Yu.

SWOOSH!!!!

However, at the same time, Akira jumps up and he launches Arsene forward.

Arsene swoops forward and he uses Brave Blade, slashing Minato's Persona downwards.

SLASH!!!!

Arsene grabs Minato and he throws him downwards, allowing Akira to jump up and deliver a kick.

THUMP!!!!

Minato: Argh!

Minato grunts as he was sent crashing down from the attack.

CRASH!!!!

Akira lands onto the ground and he said.

Akira: It's over.

However, Minato pushes himself up and he uses 'Justice'.

Almost immediately, Angel and Archangel flew up into the air, summoning a sphere of energy from the sky.

The two Personas flew back as they releases the sphere, causing it to fall onto the ground.

Akira quickly launches himself back just as the sphere went off in a bright massive explosion.

KABOOM!!!!

Yu jumps back, spinning in the air as he dodges the attack.

Minato then summons Jack Frost and Pyro Jack and he launches the two forward.

However, Yu uses Agidyne and Bufudyne, launching a flame and ice attack towards the jack Brothers.

Jack Brothers: ROAR!!!!

Both Jack Frost and Pyro Jack lets out a loud cry as the attacks struck them, causing the two to vanish.

Akira draws out his knife and he sprints towards Yu.

However, Yu's eyelid shifts back and he said.

Yu: Oh no you don't.

CLANG!!!!!

Yu brought up his blade, parrying Akira's slashes.

Both Yu and Akira swung their blades at each other, clashing.

CLANG!!!! CLANG!!!! CLANG!!!!

Akira draws out his handgun and he opens fire at Yu.

BANG!!!!

However, Yu ducks under, narrowingly dodging the attack before throwing a kick.

WHUMP!!!!

Akira grunts as he was sent flying back from the attack.

Yu readies his sword with both hands in front of himself in a low stance charging it with lightning, then does a one-handed turning outward slash forward.

Izanagi will then appear from its The Fool tarot card from above where-ever the opponent is hit and dives with a plunging dropping slash at Akira, cleanly slicing him into half.

SLASH!!!!

Akira screams in agony as he felt his entire body splitting apart from the attack.

Akira's eyes widens in horror as everything began splitting into two.

Akira's body splits apart and it collapses onto the ground, dead.

KO!

Yu smiles to himself and he said.

Yu: That was fun.

However, Yu's eyes widens as he heard Minato say.

Minato: I'm not done yet.

Yu spun around and he said.

Yu: Oh well, if you insist.

Minato asked, clearly annoyed with Yu's newest antic.

Minato: Okay, what is it this time?

Yu: Just see if you can keep up!

 Yu warned, tossing his blade to the ground and throwing a sudden punch at Minato.

BAM!!!

 Lucifer followed suit, reeling back his right arm to give Satan an old fashioned punch to the jaw.

Minato: Seriously? Is that really your best attack?

Minato asked as he and Satan maintained caught their rival's fists in mid strike.

Yu: Don't worry, we're just getting started!

Yu replied, crushing Minato's hand in his fist and using his free hand to attempt a left hook, which met with the same fate as his previous strike.

Minato: If you're really that desperate to get your ass kicked in a real brawl, then...

 Minato sternly warned as he broke away from Yu with a fierce backhand to his right cheek. 

Minato:I'll just let the strength of my own bonds do the talking for me!

Minato roared as his Persona's body visibly surged with power yet again, rushing forth to meet Lucifer with an attack of his own. 

Yu simply gave a nod of approval as Lucifer followed suit to meet his rival head on.

The two Personas attacked simultaneously, only succeeding in striking each other's fists

BAM!!!!

 So they tried it again. And again. 

BAM!!!! BAM!!!! BAM!!!!

The attacks continued to collide with an ever increasing tempo until Lucifer and Satan's fists were nothing more than a seemingly invisible blur.

Yu opened his mouth to speak, only for Minato to silence him with a stern gesture of his finger. 

Minato: I swear, if you start shouting ora repeatedly, I WILL end you.

The blue haired teen quietly warned as the two Devils continued their furious rushes.

Yu: Alright, if you say so... MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA-

Minato: Oh, GODDAMMIT!

 Minato yelled with a loud facepalm, mentally cursing his luck as he silently commanded Satan to speed up his attacks even further. 

But nothing else truly mattered at this point. Both combatants needed all the focus they could muster.

A single slip up would most certainly come up with painful consequences.

Though Yu couldn't help but be amazed that Lucifer was keeping up with Satan despite having less limbs to attack with... Let's just say he was tempting fate with the mere thought of such a feat. 

The fated blow came sooner rather than later, as one of Satan's four arms had finally slipped past Lucifer's defenses and proceeded to lay a brutal smackdown on him.

Well aware that Yu was feeling every last punch that Lucifer received, Minato let this scenario play out for about five seconds before finally ending Yu's punishment, personally walking up to the silver haired teen to deliver a wicked uppercut to the jaw strong enough to knock him off his feet.

Minato: I'm ending this right now! 

Minato triumphantly shouted as he pulled the trigger on his Evoker yet again.

Yu rose to his feet with the utmost urgency in mind, but what he witnessed upon regaining his bearings was a pretty bad sign to say the least.

Not only did Satan remain on the battlefield, but Helel had been resummoned to the fight as well, floating alongside the demonic Persona.

Minato: I'll admit it's been fun... But my friend need me more than ever now...

Minato attempted to console Yu as Helel and Satan prepared to unleash one final attack.

With Lucifer well and truly defeated, Yu knew he only had one chance to save his life.

He randomly drew a tarot card with the admittedly vain hope his next Persona could stop the combined might of two devils.

Yu: It's time... for ARMAGEDDON! IZANAGI!

 The two Persona users instantaneously shouted at the top of their lungs. 

Helel and Satan unleashed their full power, engulfing the floor in a mass of violent light just waiting to annihilate whatever unfortunate souls that wandered within range. 

Izanagi did the same, unleashing the most powerful Megidolaon it could possibly muster into the sky.

KABOOM!!!!

The explosions that followed completely obliterated their surroundings, leaving naught but endless darkness.

When the dust had finally settled, the very area Yu and Minato had fought in ceased to exist altogether.

All that remained was the broken bodies of both combatants lying face down on opposite sides of what seemed to be an empty spot....

It seems the wounds collected over the course of the battle had finally caught up with them.

Yu and Minato were barely conscious now, having lost the will to even attempt to stand.

Minato: Dammit... Do I reallly have to go like this...

Minato whispered under his breath, straining to even speak.

Yu mumbled, silently wishing for the specter of death to overcome him...  

Yu: I can't believe... I'll never get to see my friends again...

Minato: What's the point of living... making friends... anything... If you're just going to die in the end?

Minato sighed in defeat, not even bothering to raise his head from the ground.

Yu: Can this really be the truth of life... Maybe ignorance wasn't such a bad idea after all...

Yu contemplated in a vain attempt to pass the time...

Both youths simultaneously thought out loud.

Both: "Maybe... This is for the best

Death is not a hunter unbeknownst to its prey, one is always aware that it lies in wait. Though life is merely a journey to the grave, it must not be undertaken without hope. Only then will a traveler's story live on, treasured by those who bid him farewell. But alas, now our guest's lives have ended, their tales left unwritten...

DOUBLE K-

???: NO! You can't give up yet!

Yu and Minato's minds suddenly jolted awake, believing they've just heard a strange, yet familiar voice in their hearts...

Yu: What... Who could possibly reach me out here?

 Yu thought, still struggling to even move his head.

???: What are you doing? Get up. You cannot allow yourself to fall here.

Came a more recognizable voice in Yu's head. 

The seeker of truth's eyes were forced open as a myriad of encouraging voices continued to pour into his mind, one after another. "

???: Listen closely. You can hear their words, right?"

???: Come on, partner! It's not like you to just give up out of boredom, right?"

???: There's no way you're dying yet! You still have so many people you need to protect!"

???: I know how tempting it is to just run away, but you have a home to return to, and people who still love you.

???: Dammit Senpai, you can't let this keep ya down! Don't make me drag your ass back to reality myself!

???: Senpai, you can't leave me like this! You can't be afraid to face the world either!

???: Yes, the concept of Death is a truth we all hold inside. But that's no excuse to lie down and let it consume you.

???: I'm gonna be BEARY disappointed in you if something this small if enough to keep you down, Sensei!

???: Big bro? Are you really going to go away again? Please don't! I'll make sure you're never alone again, but please don't go!

???: Stupiddyinghandsomejerk... I love you too much to let you go like this... So just get up already, you hear me?!

That last voice forced a goofy smile onto Yu's face as the roars of encouragement continued to flow through him.

All the while, Minato was experiencing a very similar phenomenon himself.

???: Oh my, it seems my journeys have finally payed off! But are you still so tired after all this time?" 

The awakened messiah chuckled softly upon hearing the casual, yet heartfelt greetings of his old friend. 

???: Chin up now! There are so many others just waiting to welcome you back into the world."

???: Dude, is that really you?! I have no idea what you've gotten yourself into this time, but there's no way in hell you're losing at a time like this!

???: It's my turn to save you from the depths of despair... Come on, you've gotta get up now!

???: A real man never dies, even when he's killed! You can't back down now!

???: I know you're better than this! This situation should be child's play to a man capable of surviving a personal execution!

<Woof woof! Growl... Woof!>

???: I've seen your resolve, and it's given so much to aspire to... You just can't let it end here!

???: You're facing another insurmountable challenge all by yourself... But I believe in you! You WILL succeed, no matter what!

???: You've shown me the true meaning of life... and love... I won't allow to throw it all away like this! I will NOT fail to save you this time!"

???: The hell's the matter with you? You're not as soft as me, right? It's up to you to take a different path. Take destiny by the reigns and decide your own destiny!"

Both: YAAAAA!!!!

Minato let out a cry of surprise upon hearing those last two speeches of empowerment.. 

Yu had done the same, clearly determined to rise to his feet no matter what punishment he had to endure.

Forcing his way through the pain, Minato roared in defiance, ready to stand again through whatever means proved necessary.

As the two Persona users finally reclaimed their ground, the sound of a clock tower chimed throughout the area for all to hear, followed by one last pair of voices neither teen expected to hear again.

???: I don't wanna see you guys in the afterlife until you're old and grey, you hear me!

???: Now is not your time. You've found your own reasons to live, and I expect you to follow through to the end.

Yu and Minato immediately recognized their voices, their hearts filling with many pleasant nostalgic memories.

With a tearful smile and a silent goodbye, the two saviors prepared to summon their Personas one last time.

Yu: Izanagi no Okami!

Minato: Come, Messiah!

The fight's not over yet!

With those five words of pure defiance, the empty void surrounding the combatants literally cracked away, slowly revealing the ever so familiar interior of Tartarus.

Yu and Minato found themselves in the middle of the very area they had just recently destroyed with naught but their ultimate Personas by their sides.

Yu's Persona greatly resembled Izanagi, just as the name implies.

This figure in particular bore a radiant white cloak and a uniquely shaped spear with a golden ring in the middle.

Minato's Persona closely resembled both Orpheus and Thanatos.

It was a humanoid figure with silvery skin, red eyes, and blonde hair.

One could hardly notice it, but this Persona came equipped with three of Thanatos's coffin like structures and a pair of angelic wings.

Messiah itself seemed to be permanently attached to a cross too, complete with an enormous metal pole protruding above its head.

The two summoners only gave one another a nod of understanding before their Personas sprung into action.

Izanagi no Okami struck first, unleashing a precise burst of lightning from its spear. A simple backhand was all Messiah needed to deflect the attack, before responding in kind with a great ball of fire from its palm.

Izanagi then took the offensive, using a burst of wind to propel itself towards Messiah, easily breaking through his foe's fireball along the way.

In the blink of an eye, Izanagi's spear was snagged up in a golden chain extending from Messiah's right arm, the coffins that had once lined up along the arm haven clattered to the floor to reveal a hidden longsword growing from its elbow.

Izanagi was the unceremoniously dragged along the ground, causing Yu's body to uncontrollably lurch forward in pain as Messiah's armblade was set ablaze in preparation for its target's approach.

Before he could even attempt to escape from his position, Yu was nearly brought to his knees when Messiah violently thrust its weapon into his Persona's abdomen.

Minato: You really don't know when to give up, huh?

Minato voiced as Messiah proceeded to twist its blade within its target's body. 

Minato: I guess that makes two of- ARGH!

The youth continued, only ceasing when Izanagi slammed its head into his Persona's skull with full force.

Yu: Believe me when I say I've been through much worse.

The opposing Wild Card calmly rebutted, freeing his Persona from Messiah's shackles before shredding the chain with a flurry of blinding slashes.

Minato simply grunted in response as he fought through the pain and commanded his Persona to close in on the Japanese Deity.

In the next moment, the two Personas began exchanging blows with their respective weapons, a conflict that quickly escalated into a seamless storm of clashing steel.

CLANG!!!! CLANG!!!! CLANG!!!!

The only sound one could hear from this point was the incessant clanging of the Persona's weapons as the battlefield was painted with a never ending stream of fire and lightning.

Minato asked as the Persona's tempo only continued to increase.

Minato: So you wanna try this again?

Yu: You haven't seen anything yet!

Yu openly challenged as Izanagi broke off from the confrontation to raise its naginata up at the sky.

Minato merely scoffed in response until he bore witness to a seemingly endless stream of lightning flooding the ceiling, all preceded by an electrifying gleam from Izanagi's mask.

ZSSSSST!!!!

In a fit of panic, a new chain lunged out from Messiah's arm in an attempt to lash out at the Japanese deity, but Izanagi was able to unleash its payload upon the opposing Persona before it could be shackled once more.

BOOM!!!!

The resulting stream of lightning that poured out from Izanagi's spear annihilated the floor beneath its feet in a grand explosion, throwing both Persona users into a perpetual state of free fall.

Minato found himself at a complete loss for words as he plummeted through the depths of Tartarus, with no floor in sight for as far as he could see.

CRASH!!!!

Though Messiah had taken the full brunt of the blast, a quick bestowance of Salvation was enough to negate any damage he had just taken.

Of course whatever semblance of peace existed was short lived when Yu and his Persona came diving after Minato, complete with an enormous collection of white lights following in their wake.

Yu: I think this has gone on long enough. Now it's time for you to realize the Truth!

Yu cried out, signalling Izanagi to rain hell down upon the two saviors.

Minato: So it took you this long to get this straight to the point? Though I guess you're right about one thing!

Minato shouted back as Messiah flicked a single tiny orb in Yu's direction. 

Minato: Only one of us will be allowed to survive from this point on, and I'm not about to give up my life for the world!

The blue haired youth concluded as Messiah snapped its finger, causing the orb to encompass its surroundings in another Almighty explosion.

KABOOM!!!!

Yu managed to crack another joke as his Persona shielded him from the oncoming explosion with the use of an invisible barrier.

Yu: Don't you mean you're not about to give it up for za warudo?

Minato: Whatever.

Was Minato's deadpan response as Messiah began to muster up all the energy it could take in, even as his descent went on without interruption.

By all means, all that remained of the tower below them bore more of a resemblance to an endless tunnel than anything else.

Yu: I'm gonna give this my all...

Yu replied as Izanagi did the same, its spear outstretched as a torrent of power began to form in the weapon's core.

Yu: Memento mori!

Both: Behold, the truth!

The two summoners cried out at the top of their lungs, dramatically pointing forward as their respective Personas unleashed two massive laser beams upon one another. 

As one might expect, Yu's Myriad Truths instantly clashed with Minato's Megidolaon in a massive beam struggle.

BOOM!!!!!

The two Persona's power proved to be so great, that the beams of war spontaneously exploded before either side could assert superiority, swallowing both parties involved in the ensuing blast...

But Yu and Minato refused to succumb this time, instead preparing to begin their struggle anew. 

The two Personas unleashed their payloads once again, this time producing an even bigger spectacle than before.

But the result was hardly any different than their last attempt, resulting in yet another explosion that tore through the combatants bodies with extreme prejudice.

But this pain only seemed to further the teen's resolve and determination.

So they simply unleashed their power again.

Yu: I'm coming back home alive, no matter what!

Yu yelled with all his might, continuing onslaught for the third time, escalating the combustive aftermath even further than before.

Minato: Dammit! This is like trying to fight my own shadow! In the literal sense! I guess we're both too stubborn to know when to call it quits.

Minato angrily commented, commencing the fourth round of this seemingly endless struggle.

Yu: I guess this just means we've both been through hell and back, right?!

Yu confidently asserted, refusing to back down as he initiated the fifth phase of the destructive conflict. But this line of dialogue got Minato to think to himself as he was engulfed in the ensuing explosion. By all means, both parties involved should be long dead by now. No ordinary human could have lasted this long...

But the very thought of having to leave behind the lives and friends they hold dear drove Yu and Minato to continue the struggle for a sixth time, with even more ferocity than before. 

To die here would be nothing less than an insult to the ideals they have fought for over the past few years, thus the wielders of the wild card powered though their exhaustion to pour even more power into their assaults. 

CLANG!!!! CLANG!!!! CLANG!!!! CLANG!!!! CLANG!!!! CLANG!!! CLANG!!!!

By the time the seventh clash commenced, the two Personas began to pepper one another with a miscellaneous spread of Maragidynes and Maziodynes.

Minato thought to himself by the time the ninth wave of annihilation had come to pass. 

Minato: So he really isn't going to stop until he knows he's won, huh? ...How admirable...

The blue haired youth concluded as he prepared to engage Yu in a tenth struggle for supremacy. The Myriad truths came once again...

But Minato made no effort to counteract the attack, instead allowing the beam to engulf his body, much to Yu's genuine surprise.

This time, all that was left in the wake of Yu's Myriad Truths was a thick cloud of smoke that completely obscured the youth's vision.

Clearly confused by his opponent's last minute decision, Yu stood atop his Persona's shoulder as he stared down upon the devastation he had just caused. He could hardly believe that Minato would give up so easily.

Yu: This has to be some sort of trick... Right?

Minato: You've got that right.

Yu: What the?!

Yu exclaimed as a familiar blue glow blew away the smoke that enshrouded Minato's position, revealing the teen himself to be completely unharmed by Yu's attack. 

Moreso, Minato had somehow managed to remain in place as if he were standing atop an invisible glass pane hovering over the abyss.

Minato taunted, not even bothering to recall his Persona as he looked Yu straight in the eyes.

Minato: What's the matter? Haven't you seen a Wild Card come back from the brink of death before?

The gray haired teen wasted no time unleashing another Myriad Truths in response, but his foe barely even reacted to the attack.

 Minato was now walking towards Yu as if he were climbing an invisible staircase, a wicked grin plastered across his face as he completely ignored the giant laser bursting through his body.

Though he would never admit it out loud, Yu was getting desperate now, as evidenced by the beads of sweat dropping down his forehead.

Izanagi no Okami threw out every attack in its disposal in a last ditch effort to deter Minato's progress. 

Agidyne, Garudyne, Bufudyne, Ziodyne, Megidolaon... None of his spells had any effect on the advancing advancing youth.

There was nothing he could do to prevent Minato from climbing towards him...

Izanagi was set to fire off one last Myriad Truths when Minato finally drew near, but the Persona failed to to even trigger the attack before its body suddenly started fading from existence.

Yu: Wh- What is this power...

Minato: This is goodbye.

Were the last words Yu heard before Minato pointed a finger directly at him. The gray haired teen could have sworn he felt his heart give out for a moment before his body violently imploded in on itself, with the ensuing blast growing large enough swallow up what appeared to be the entirety of Tartarus.

Minato gave a sigh of both relief and comfort as the Victory Cry of his collected Personas completely reinvigorated him.

When he next opened his eyes, Minato inexplicably found himself in the middle of an empty hallway, almost as if his duel with Yu Narukami had not destroyed the tower they had been attempting to climb. 

As painful as it was to kill an old friend in cold blood, the youth knew this would be his only chance to move on. 

There was far too much at stake for him to dwell on the past now...

KO!

The winner is 

Minato Arisato

Advantages and disadvantages

Minato

Messiah's capabilities trumps all of the others

Stronger

Resistant to death

Not experienced

Yu Narukami 

More experienced

Able to resist death

Skilled in combat

Weaker Personas

Does not take things seriously

Akira Kurusu

Better range of attacks

Skilled with a knife and gun

More vulnerable to normal means of harm

Can still die

Weaker

Victory quote:

Minato: Phew! Tough match!

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