Persephone

	Spoiler warning: This article may contain major plot or ending details.

Persephone
Sprite from Insurgence
Gender	Female
Eye color	Pink
Hair color	White
Hometown	Selene City
Trainer class	Cult Leader

Persephone is the leader of the Cult of Darkrai and a former Infernal Cultist in Pokémon Insurgence.

In the game

Persephone first appears in the game shortly before the player starts their adventure by escaping the Cult of Darkrai's base. She instructs the guards to continue using a Gengar to steal the player's memories before heading off to perform a ritual to summon Darkrai.

Once the player escapes from Gengar's Dream Eater, they are able to make their way through the base towards the area where Persephone is attempting to summon Darkrai by sacrificing one of her own subordinates. During this time the player learns that this is not the first time that Persephone has attempted such a ritual. Inside of the summoning circle, Persephone summons Darkrai before her as she attempts to convince it to join her and forsake her sister who lives in Selene City. Darkrai appears to wordlessly decline her offer once again as Persephone steps down and incinerates two of her grunts who try to convince her to try the ritual again. She leaves to check on the player's status as the player sneaks out of the base with Mew's assistance.

Persephone is next seen on Route 9, where she discusses her failure to wipe the player's memories to Jaern. It is revealed at this time that Jaern and Persephone had reached an agreement where Persephone would finish off the player in exchange for Jaern sparing her base in Shade Forest. Persephone openly states her dislike for Jaern as he leaves.

Persephone appears once again just outside of Selene City on Route 12 as she discusses going to see her sister, Diana, with one of her subordinates. In Selene City, Persephone bickers with Diana as Persephone attempts to coerce her sister into letting her see Darkrai. Diana objects if only because she states that she isn't on nearly as amicable terms with Darkrai as Persephone seems to believe; in fact, she has yet to actually see Darkrai herself. During the course of this conversation it is revealed that Persephone and Diana's estranged relationship is due to the pair's dark past, in which Persephone felt that Diana abandoned her after she was captured by someone whose identity is currently unknown. As Persephone leaves after failing to defeat the player in battle, Diana says that though she cannot condone the things that Persephone has done, Persephone's actions are not irrational and are somewhat justifiable.

Unbeknownst to Diana, Persephone stays in Selene City, hidden by her Zoroark and seeking to find out why Darkrai keeps visiting her sister. Following Diana and Calreath to the Infernal Base, Persephone reveals herself to her sister and the player. Some time after getting caught by Zenith, Persephone realizes that Darkrai was being lured to Diana by her Cresselia. Once the player defeats Zenith, the base starts collapsing due to Groudon being released. Before escaping the base, Persephone steals all of Diana's Pokémon and leaves her behind, as Diana had previously abandoned her.

Persephone is later encountered in the Cult of Darkrai base, this time with Cresselia as leverage. Malde appears with Damian to stop Persephone from enslaving Darkrai. Darkrai, enraged at Persephone, sends everyone in the area into the Dream Realm. The player battles and defeats Persephone, leaving her trapped in the Dream Realm. Eventually, Persephone becomes one of the only members left of her cult after the majority were turned in Deoxys-hybrids by Malde and Damian. She travels through the Nightmare Badlands in search of Darkrai to escape the Dream Realm. The player battles her at Rem Village, preventing her from capturing Darkrai and leaving the Dream Realm.

After receiving a Parcel from Diana and giving it Persephone, she thanks the player and hands them a Master Ball. Persephone remains in the Dream Realm, awaiting the day Darkrai returns there.

Pokémon

First battle

On Easy difficulty

Cult Leader Persephone Selene City Reward: 6100

Type: Dark Unknown Ability: Illusion Held item: Zoronite Zoroark Lv.61 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Foul Play Dark Physical   --       Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Dark Ability: Pressure Held item: None Spiritomb Lv.60 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Hypnosis Psychic Status   --       Ominous Wind Ghost Special   --       Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Water Dark Ability: Torrent Held item: None Greninja Lv.60 Hydro Pump Water Special   --       Extrasensory Psychic Special   --       Double Team Normal Status   --       Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Fire Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Houndoom Lv.60 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       Roar Normal Status   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Poison Ability: Levitate Held item: None Gengar♀ Lv.60 Hex Ghost Special   --       Hypnosis Psychic Status   --       Dream Eater Psychic Special   --       Destiny Bond Ghost Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85

On Normal difficulty

Cult Leader Persephone Selene City Reward: 6400

Type: Dark Unknown Ability: Illusion Held item: Zoronite Zoroark Lv.62 Night Daze Dark Special   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Flamethrower Fire Special   --       Grass Knot Grass Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Dark Ability: Pressure Held item: Leftovers Spiritomb Lv.58 Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Pursuit Dark Physical   --       Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       Foul Play Dark Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Water Dark Ability: Torrent Held item: Life Orb Greninja Lv.59 Hydro Pump Water Special   --       Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Ice Beam Ice Special   --       Grass Knot Grass Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Dragon Ability: Levitate Held item: Chople Berry Hydreigon Lv.64 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Dragon Pulse Dragon Special   --       Thunder Wave Electric Status   --       Flamethrower Fire Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Poison Ability: Levitate Held item: Life Orb Gengar♀ Lv.61 Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Sludge Bomb Poison Special   --       Dream Eater Psychic Special   --       Hypnosis Psychic Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85

On Hard difficulty

Cult Leader Persephone Selene City Reward: 6400

Type: Dark Unknown Ability: Illusion Held item: Zoronite Zoroark Lv.63 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Sludge Bomb Poison Special   --       Extrasensory Psychic Special   --       Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Dark Ability: Noctem Held item: Dark Rock Spiritomb Lv.62 Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Phantom Force Ghost Physical   --       Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       Foul Play Dark Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Water Dark Ability: Protean Held item: Life Orb Greninja Lv.62 Hydro Pump Water Special   --       Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Ice Beam Ice Special   --       Gunk Shot Poison Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Dragon Ability: Levitate Held item: Life Orb Hydreigon Lv.64 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Draco Meteor Dragon Special   --       Roost Flying Status   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Poison Ability: Levitate Held item: Life Orb Gengar♀ Lv.61 Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Sludge Wave Poison Special   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Destiny Bond Ghost Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85

Second battle

On Easy difficulty

Cult Leader Persephone Prion Town Reward: 7900

Types: Ghost Dark Ability: Pressure Held item: Spiritombite Spiritomb Lv.79 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Hypnosis Psychic Status   --       Calm Mind Psychic Status   --       Dream Eater Psychic Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Fire Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Houndoom Lv.77 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       Roar Normal Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Synchronize Held item: None Alakazam Lv.78 Psychic Psychic Special   --       Calm Mind Psychic Status   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Recover Normal Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Steel Psychic Ability: Clear Body Held item: None Metagross Lv.78 Meteor Mash Steel Physical   --       Bullet Punch Steel Physical   --       Ice Punch Ice Physical   --       Brick Break Fighting Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Dragon Ability: Levitate Held item: None Hydreigon Lv.78 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Headbutt Normal Physical   --       Dragon Pulse Dragon Special   --       Body Slam Normal Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Poison Ability: Levitate Held item: None Gengar♀ Lv.78 Sludge Bomb Poison Special   --       Hypnosis Psychic Status   --       Dream Eater Psychic Special   --       Hex Ghost Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85

On Normal difficulty

Cult Leader Persephone Prion Town Reward: 8000

Types: Ghost Dark Ability: Noctem Held item: Spiritombite Spiritomb Lv.80 Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Shadow Sneak Ghost Physical   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Fire Ability: Early Bird Held item: Life Orb Houndoom Lv.78 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       Hidden Power Grass Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Magic Guard Held item: Focus Sash Alakazam Lv.78 Psyshock Psychic Special   --       Energy Ball Grass Special   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Steel Psychic Ability: Clear Body Held item: Choice Band Metagross Lv.79 Meteor Mash Steel Physical   --       Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical   --       Ice Punch Ice Physical   --       Hammer Arm Fighting Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Dragon Ability: Levitate Held item: Expert Belt Hydreigon Lv.79 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Draco Meteor Dragon Special   --       Roost Flying Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Poison Ability: Levitate Held item: Life Orb Gengar Lv.79 Sludge Bomb Poison Special   --       Dazzling Gleam Fairy Special   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Destiny Bond Ghost Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85

On Hard difficulty

Cult Leader Persephone Prion Town Reward: 8200

Types: Ghost Dark Ability: Noctem Held item: Spiritombite Spiritomb Lv.82 Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Knock Off Dark Physical   --       Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical   --       Phantom Force Ghost Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Fire Ability: Flash Fire Held item: Choice Scarf Houndoom Lv.79 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Destiny Bond Ghost Status   --       Hidden Power Grass Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Magic Guard Held item: Focus Sash Alakazam Lv.79 Psyshock Psychic Special   --       Hidden Power Fire Special   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Taunt Dark Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Steel Psychic Ability: Clear Body Held item: Normal Gem Metagross Lv.80 Meteor Mash Steel Physical   --       Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical   --       Ice Punch Ice Physical   --       Explosion Normal Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Dragon Ability: Levitate Held item: Life Orb Hydreigon Lv.80 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Taunt Dark Status   --       Roost Flying Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Poison Ability: Levitate Held item: Black Sludge Gengar♀ Lv.81 Substitute Normal Status   --       Disable Normal Status   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85

Third battle

On Easy difficulty

Cult Leader Persephone Rem Village Reward: 9100

Types: Ghost Dark Ability: Pressure Held item: Spiritombite Spiritomb Lv.91 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Hypnosis Psychic Status   --       Calm Mind Psychic Status   --       Dream Eater Psychic Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Fire Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Houndoom Lv.90 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       Roar Normal Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Synchronize Held item: None Alakazam Lv.90 Psychic Psychic Special   --       Calm Mind Psychic Status   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Recover Normal Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Steel Psychic Ability: Clear Body Held item: None Metagross Lv.90 Meteor Mash Steel Physical   --       Bullet Punch Steel Physical   --       Ice Punch Ice Physical   --       Brick Break Fighting Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Dragon Ability: Levitate Held item: None Hydreigon Lv.90 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Headbutt Normal Physical   --       Dragon Pulse Dragon Special   --       Body Slam Normal Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Poison Ability: Levitate Held item: None Gengar♀ Lv.90 Sludge Bomb Poison Special   --       Hypnosis Psychic Status   --       Dream Eater Psychic Special   --       Hex Ghost Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85

On Normal difficulty

Cult Leader Persephone Rem Village Reward: 9300

Types: Ghost Dark Ability: Noctem Held item: Spiritombite Spiritomb Lv.93 Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Shadow Sneak Ghost Physical   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Fire Ability: Flash Fire Held item: Life Orb Houndoom Lv.91 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       Hidden Power Grass Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Magic Guard Held item: Focus Sash Alakazam Lv.91 Psyshock Psychic Special   --       Energy Ball Grass Special   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Steel Psychic Ability: Clear Body Held item: Choice Band Metagross Lv.92 Meteor Mash Steel Physical   --       Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical   --       Ice Punch Ice Physical   --       Hammer Arm Fighting Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Dragon Ability: Levitate Held item: Expert Belt Hydreigon Lv.92 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Draco Meteor Dragon Special   --       Roost Flying Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Poison Ability: Levitate Held item: Life Orb Gengar♀ Lv.92 Sludge Bomb Poison Special   --       Dazzling Gleam Fairy Special   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Destiny Bond Ghost Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85

On Hard difficulty

Cult Leader Persephone Rem Village Reward: 9500

Types: Ghost Dark Ability: Noctem Held item: Spiritombite Spiritomb Lv.95 Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       Pain Split Normal Status   --       Phantom Force Ghost Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Fire Ability: Flash Fire Held item: Life Orb Houndoom Lv.92 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Nasty Plot Dark Status   --       Taunt Dark Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Magic Guard Held item: Focus Sash Alakazam Lv.93 Psyshock Psychic Special   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Thunder Wave Electric Status   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Steel Psychic Ability: Clear Body Held item: Normal Gem Metagross Lv.93 Meteor Mash Steel Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Bullet Punch Steel Physical   --       Explosion Normal Physical   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Dark Dragon Ability: Levitate Held item: Life Orb Hydreigon Lv.94 Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Taunt Dark Status   --       Draco Meteor Dragon Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85 Types: Ghost Poison Ability: Levitate Held item: Black Sludge Gengar♀ Lv.94 Taunt Dark Status   --       Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       Hex Ghost Special   --       Sludge Wave Poison Special   --       HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe 85 85 85 85 85 85

Sprites

Battle sprite	Overworld sprite

Fan Art

Art by [www.twitter.com/FluffyChikorita FluffyChikorita]

Trivia

• The item Persephone uses to Mega Evolve her Zoroark and Spiritomb is the "Mega Ring".
• Persephone is the only cult leader that is confirmed to have a sibling.
• Before battling you in Selene City, she remarks she does not have her full team on her. Though Metagross and Alakazam are added to later fights in place of Zoroark and Greninja respectively, it may be possible the missing team member is either her Hydreigon or Houndoom as both appear together in future teams, regardless of difficulty.
  • To add further to this theory, Persephone is notably seen using her Houndoom in the opening scenes of the game.

Name Origin

• Her name is a reference to the Greek goddess Persephone, the Greek goddess of death and agriculture, and wife of Hades, god of death and the Underworld. In Greek mythology, Persephone is said to have been kidnapped by Hades to become his bride, which ties thematically into Insurgence's Persephone for multiple reasons:
  • First, she has a major desire for partnership (though not romantically) with Darkrai, a mythical Pokémon known for creating nightmares and, in Pokémon Insurgence, being heavily tied to the Dream Realm, a sort of Underworld.
  • Secondly, she, ironically, kidnaps the player in an attempt to maintain her cult.

Cult leaders Abyssal Cult Audrey Cult of Darkrai Persephone Infernal Cult Zenith Perfection Reukra Sky Cult Jaern

Characters
Torren Player • Professor Sylvan • Damian • Nora • Malde • Orion • Xavier • East • Harmony Anastasia • Diana • Calreath • Adam • Gail • Taen • Reukra • Persephone • Audrey • Jaern • Zenith • Nyx