Done with finals yay!
VongolaHermit- I didn't think about making Astral the Aeon arcana. I was considering creating an arcana for him called the Emissary but I think I like the Aeon idea better.
Matt- I actually already went through the entire PersonaXBleach crossover section but as for the other one…..let's just kindly say that I am not a fan of Ed, Edd, and Eddy.
Raven Tsurara- Shark will most likely end up punching Yosuke first rather than Yuma. I just love having those two in the same scene. The comedy just writes itself.
Yosuke leaned against the wall trying to catch his breath. So far the three of them had managed to doges all the traps though the falling ceiling had come to close to comfort. They had managed to end up in a room that had some murals painted everywhere and thankfully there were no traps so far. If only he could summon his Persona in reality then they wouldn't be running for their lives. Right now he could see Ryoga also trying to catch his breath while the other boy was examining the murals that decorated the room. Yosuke then turned to the orb that had been following them showing Yuma in is duel with some sort of weird knight. He hoped that Yuma could win this and get them out of here.
Yuma wiped a bit of sweat from his brow. Mach's strategy was putting him into a bind plus his friends' life was on the line. He really hoped that Astral could come up with a strategy to at least get rid of Unfair Treaty so they wouldn't keep losing life points.
Mach drew his next card, "It's my turn, I summon Secret Sect Druid Dru." A figure dressed similarly to Mach's first monster with two staffs instead of shields appeared. "When this card is successfully summoned I can summon one Druid monster from my graveyard, come back Wid!" The first druid reappeared and took his place on Mach's side of the field. "Let me show you my Numbers."
Everyone's backs went rigid.
"I overlay Dru and Wid!
"Here it comes," Muttered Yu…
"With these two monsters I build the overlay network!
The two monsters turned into balls of energy and floated upward into a starry portal that formed before it exploded.
"Oh eternal laborer, now is the time to arise from your ancient sleep! Become the wings that soar through the skies!….Number 44….Sky Pegasus!"
A mechanical winged horse soared out of the explosion taking its place on Mach's side of the field with two orbs of energy orbiting it.
"It's here," Astral muttered.
"This Numbers will impose a new trial on you," Mach began to explain, "I activate Sky Pegasus's effect! By detaching on overlay unit I can destroy one monster on your side of the field! And I choose Hope!"
"But that would leave Yuma defenseless!" Chie exclaimed.
"And open for a direct attack…" Rio added.
"Yuma, if we lose Hope we won't be able to save the others." Astral cautioned.
Yuma gritted his teeth trying to think of something that could save himself.
"However…."
Yuma played attention to what Mach said next.
"You can choose to give up 500 of your life points to negate the destruction."
"Going after my life again…." Yuma grunted, "Fine! I pay 500 life points to save Hope!"
Yuma: 3400- 2900
"Sky Pegasus's other effect activates!"
"He had more!?" Yukiko exclaimed.
"Whenever my opponent gives up life points, the same amount of damage is inflicted to him!"
Yuma watched in horror as Sky Pegasus charge up energy around itself then charging for a tackle knocking both him and Astral back several feet.
Yuma: 2900-2400
"Yuma! Astral!" Kotori cried out concerned for her friends.
Yu however ran up to Yuma and helped the boy back up on his feet, "You okay?"
"Yeah….this strategy is tough…." Yuma whipped a bit of sweat from his brow. He glanced over to the orb to check on Shark and the others. Thankfully no traps had activated and they were catching their breath.
"They'll be fine Yuma you just have to win this." Yu tried to reassure him.
"I know….but if our life keeps being drained….."
"And now his Number is part of his combo…." Astral glared at the warrior, "But we can't afford not to attack or else we'll be dooming the others."
"With friends..."
Everyone turned their attention back to Mach.
"Their inner value with be called into question, once they are separated from each other."
"What is he rambling on about?" Chie asked.
"Separated…" Astral mused. Then and idea struck him, "Shark!"
Shark was currently trying to ignore Yosuke's ramblings until a familiar voice caught his attention.
Shark!
Shark turned his attention to the viewing orb currently displaying Astral who had spoken.
Is there anything on your side that might give a hint about the duel?
"A hint for the duel?" Shark raised an eyebrow.
"Well there are all of these murals painted around the room, but they don't make a lick of sense." Yosuke said.
That's it!
Everyone looked at Astral in surprise.
"This is like a mystery game," Astral began to explain, "Our separation must have been part of his trial from the very beginning so that you can find the hint on your side hidden in those murals."
"Ryoga," Rio called out to her brother, "What are one the murals?"
Just some pictures and writing, but we can't read them!
This painting….
Everyone was surprised when Nasch started to speak
It tells of the legend about an ancient hero.
You….can read that stuff? Yosuke asked in surprise.
Nasch ignored him and continued to translate.
The legend goes like this, long ago there was a group of brave knights who served a certain land. One of them was a hero who rode his beloved steed, Pegasus. The knights lead by the hero, protected the peace of that country. One day the hero left the castle to visit his home. But in his absence, the other knights over threw the king and took over.
Shark just simply stared at Nasch, Just who are you?
Back with the duel, Astral why trying to figure out the meaning behind the story, "What does that legend mean for us?"
The rest of the legend is missing.
You're kidding me! How- Yosuke was cut off as the room started to rumble. Aw come on!
The ceiling blocks started to dislodge themselves from their places and began to rain down on them like a deadly game of Tetris.
"Yuma! Hurry and win this or else they're going to get crushed!" Chie yelled.
"I know! It's my turn, draw!" Yuma began his next turn.
"Yuma hurry and attack!"
"No need to tell me twice Astral, Hope! Attack Sky Pegasus!"
"Continuous trap, Shield of Conspiracy, activate!" Mach declared
The card flipped up as Mach explained the effect, "This card can be used as an equip spell for my monster. Once per turn, when the equipped monster is attack, all battle damage is rendered zero and destruction is negated!"
Hope's sword collided with a shield that had formed in front of Sky Pegasus reflecting the attack leaving no damage.
"Also, my combo of Labyrinth of Decisions and Unfair Treaty activates. Discard a card and pay 600 life points."
"Darn it…"Yuma grunted as he sent another card to the graveyard and a small explosion docked 600 of his life points knocking him and Astral back.
Yuma: 2400- 1800
Mach wasn't done yet, "Now Sky Pegasus' effects activates. When my opponent pays life points, the same amount is inflicted in damage!"
Sky Pegasus charged up its tackle attack again and Yu had to physically restrain by Kotori and Rio from running in to try to shield Yuma.
"There's nothing you can do!" Rio tried to calm him down.
"But I can't just sit like this!" Yu tried to break from their grip.
"Too late!" Kotori called out as the attack connected causing Yuma to cry in pain as more life points were taken. Chie and Yukiko had averted their eyes by this point.
Yuma: 1800- 1200
"Yuma! Are you okay!" Yu called out to him.
Yuma groaned as he got back up, "I'm fine…" He then glanced at the viewing orb seeing that the trio was now safely in another room and no sign of traps so far, "They're okay…I set one card face down and end my turn."
Astral turned his attention back to the orb, "Shark! Yosuke! Are there more paintings in that room?"
There sure are, Yosuke replied, do your thing kiddo.
Nasch sent him a scowl before reading, This is what follows, hearing about the rebellion the hero rushed back to the castle. He then appealed to them. Saying all the time, they had their hearts filled with justice and tried to have them remember their time as comrades. But his former comrades, turned their swords against him. The hero would not kill his comrades. He kept refusing to fight and they went to strike him but Pegasus swooped down and protected his master. Nach paused after that point.
"So….what happened next?" Yuma asked.
Sorry but that's all it has. The mural is too worn after this point for me to read.
"It….it can't be!" Yuma couldn't believe it, their clue for getting out of here was incomplete.
Nasch continued to stare at the wall, Why is this story….so familiar?
Mach drew a card starting his turn calling everyone's attention back to the duel, "It's my turn and I activate Sky Pegasus' effect! By detaching one overlay unit I can destroy one monster," Sky Pegasus absorbed the final orb, "Of course you can pay 500 points to save your Hope."
Yuma gulped and started to look at his companions trying to figure out what to do. If he saved Hope he would be down to 200 points and Unfair Treaty would wipe out the rest.
Yuma if you lose any more points you're going to lose! Don't worry about us! Shark had started to shout at him.
Hey! Yuma just do what you feel is right okay? Yosuke had taken on the opposite attitude than Shark.
Yuma looked back down at his hand…but what he heard next surprised him with what was said and who said it.
"Yuma you have to save Hope!"
Shark stared in shock at Nasch, "Why should he listen to you?"
"I remembered the rest of the legend….."
"How?" Yosuke asked, "You just said the rest of the mural is missing!"
Nasch ignored them, "The hero refused to leave his stead's side. They remained together as they were killed by their former comrades. Don't you see Yuma!? This whole story is about belief and loyalty! "
Shark growled, "And how do you know that? You're probably just our enemy trying to trick us!"
Yosuke was about to object when the room started to rumble, "Now what?!"
The ground began to crack and give way revealing a bottomless pit underneath them and unfortunately, the ground under Shark gave way.
Shark was about to scream as he fell but a hand shot out and caught him. Looking up, his rescuer turned out to be Nasch. "You….."
"Crap…."Yosuke backed up trying to avoid the widening pit….which he was on the opposite side of Shark and Nasch. "Hold on you two!"
Shark could only glare daggers at is rescuer which Nasch ignored, "Your right Ryoga….." Shark raised an eyebrow…he never told this kid his name, "I am your enemy….I am…." Nasch began to glow with red energy and if one was to look closely, Shark had started to glow with the same energy in fact, the energy had originated from him. The crack in Nasch's bracelet started to mend has he exploded with a bright light blinding everyone.
Shark closed his eyes to prevent permanent eye damage, when he looked up he was shocked at who he
saw.
"I am the Barian Emperor, Durbe!"
"Durbe…Nasch was Durbe this entire time!" Yuma could not believe it.
Yu had to rub his eyes over what he just saw.
"That's….a Barian?" Chie couldn't believe it either.
"But he just looked like a normal boy." Yukiko said.
"That's how they trick you," Kotori explained, "They just look human but they're not."
Yuma don't you dare believe anything he says! Shark warned Yuma. Do you want to make the same mistake again!?
Not the thing to say to the guys who's preventing you from falling to your death!
Not helping Yosuke!
Yuma looked conflicted, one of his enemies was trapped with two of his friends but saving them could cause him to lose the duel and Astral.
"Yuma….just do what you feel is right."
Yuma looked at Astral, "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure Narukami would agree."
Yuma turned to look at Yu who gave him a reassuring nod.
"So…what is your choice?" Mach asked.
"I….I pay 500 life points to negate Hope's destruction!"
Yuma: 1200- 700
WHAT?! That was Shark's exclamation from the other side.
"At this point Sky Pegasus' effect activates. You take damage to the amount you just paid."
Yuma braced himself as Sky Pegasus came in for another tackle but was still sent flying.
Yuma: 700- 200
Astral had begun to flicker by this point. "This is bad….only 200 points left." But then something hit him, "Of course! So that's how it is…."
Durbe had pulled Shark back onto solid ground but he less than thankful for the rescue has he shook off Durbe's hand.
"Yuma!" He yelled at the screen, "Why did you listen to him?!"
"Now's not the time to be worrying about that! Look!" Yosuke pointed behind them where the ground was still crumbling.
Both Durbe and Shark saw the weakening ground and began to run to where they could see solid ground. Big mistake, the force of them running caused the ground to give away again, this time under both of them. Durbe grabbed Shark again much to the latter's displeasure and tried to grab the ledge only for it to crumble in his grip. "No…"
For Yosuke, everything was moving in slow motion. He was now stuck on the other side of a very large pit and currently one of Yuma's friends and one of his supposed enemies were falling to their deaths. Aw crap what do I do?! If only I could summon Jiraiya here! He looked back up at the falling boys. Aw screw it, Yosuke step back then leapt forward unsure if what he had in mind would work and said the first thing that came to his mind.
"PERSONA!"
Blue light and the sound of shattering glass filled the room. Shark could only stare in shock as behind Yosuke was a humanoid figure that had some design aspects of a ninja with shrunken on its palms and a v shape chest place and a long red scarf and a frogish head. The thing caught Yosuke then reached out catching Shark and Drube before flying upward out of the hole and next to the door which had yet to open.
Shark shook himself out of his saviors grip and turned back to the viewing orb, "Yuma…."
Listen Shark…I don't want to doubt anyone…not anymore.
"Yuma….and YOU!" Shark pointed at Yosuke, "Care to explain what that thing is?!"
Yosuke looked miffed, "He's not a thing, his name is Jiraiya and he is my Persona! And I just saved your life so how about a little gratitude?"
"Persona…" Durbe mumbled over this word now being ignored by the two boys. Vector mentioned that Yuma and Astral had gotten involved in something else….could this Persona be connected to it?
"So if this thing is so powerful why didn't you summon it in the first place!?" Shark was ready to pop a blood vessel.
"Because I didn't know it would work! You can't summon Personas in reality!" Yosuke yelled back.
Will you two knock it off!?
I can't believe my brother is acting so childish!
Both boys stopped upon hearing Chie and Rio's words. They rather not incur their wrath right now.
He said not in reality…..Drube groaned to himself. He might have to ask Vector about what Yuma had gotten into.
"Okay it's my turn!" Yuma drew his next card.
"Yuma! His combo is broken! Attack him!"
"Huh?!" Yuma looked at him confused, as did everyone else. How was Mach's combo broken?
"I don't get it but here goes!" Yuma declared, "I attack Sky Pegasus with Hope!"
"My trap Shield of Conspiracy activates! The battle damage is turned to zero and destruction is negated!"
Hope's attack once again bounced off of the shield doing no damage.
Yu checked on the orb making sure that Shark, Durbe, and Yosuke got out safely. He even spotted Jiraiya holding the door open making sure the three of them escaped the room.
"Now Labyrinth of Decisions activates, send one card from your hand to the graveyard." Mach said.
Yuma almost reluctantly selected a card and slid it in the slot and braced for impact.
"With 600 points of damage Yuma will lose…" Rio solemnly said.
"But is can't end like this!" Chie exclaimed.
But nothing happened.
"Huh?" Yukiko and Kotori said at the same time.
Yu glanced over the field again, "I think I get it."
"Get what?" Chie asked.
"If I'm right, Mach will be taking damage right now."
"He's right…." Astral started to explain, "Mach's combo is broken…..Unfair Treaty only works when we have enough life points to pay."
"So…since Yuma only has 200, Unfair Treaty won't activate at all!" Kotori got it.
"Then Mach takes damage for activating Labyrinth of Decisions." Yu finished.
Mach almost smiled, "You figured it out." He barely reacted as the explosion took a chunk of his life points.
Mach: 2700-2100
"Now Yuma, the formula for our victory is complete!"
"Alright Astral! I activate the effect of the card I just sent to the graveyard! Counter trap Hyper Quick! When this card is sent from my hand to the graveyard, I can draw one card and if it's a Magic Card….I can play it right now!" Yuma drew the top card of his deck, "Kattobingu!" He glanced at the card, "It's here! I activated the magic card, Rank Up Magic, Numeron Force!"
Yuma played the card with a flourish and it started glowing.
"This card allows me to rank up one xyz monster. I overlay level four Hope to rebuild the overlay network!" Hope's body glowed and flew into a starry portal which exploded, "Chaos Xyz Change! Show yourself, Chaos Number 30, Hope Ray Victory!
The Investigation Team could only stare in awe as Hope began to reform now with white, blue, red armor and the number 39 still shining brightly on the shoulder.
"Alright!" Kotori cheered on.
"I activate Hope Ray Victory's effect! When declaring battle I can detach one overlay unit," One of the orbiting spheres entered Victory's chest as a second pair of arms emerged from the first, "And the opposing monster's attack points are added to his!" Each of the four hands grabbed and drew a sword ready to attack.
Hope Ray Victory: 2800- 4600
"Go Hope Ray Victory! Double Victory Slash!"
Victory slashed each sword downward making two Vs into Sky Pegasus destroying it and eliminating the last of Mach's life points.
Mach: 2100- 0
"He did it!" Kotori grabbed the other girls and started to dance around in a circle with them. They could hear Yosuke whooping with joy through the viewing orb too.
Yu stabilized Yuma with a hand on his shoulder, "You okay?
"Yeah….I can't believe we did it."
"Congratulations then."
"The two of you passed the trial…well done." Mach stood back up.
"Mach tell me….that Pegasus in that story….was it you?" Astral asked.
"Yes….I am that Pegasus….and there is still one more part of the story." Mach said as he began to fade, "The other knights were moved by the selflessness of the hero and Pegasus. They became ashamed of themselves and forgot all thoughts of rebellion. They buried the hero and Pegasus together with honor. And then their souls then ascended to heaven. That…is the entire legend. Yuma, Astral….You should both try betting on your strength to trust in others." Mach counseled as he faded away leaving being the Number Card which flew over to Yuma.
"That's….so sad…." Tears were forming in Yukiko's eyes.
"It's a sad story…..but if the spirit of the Pegasus was here…where was his rider?" Chie brought up a point.
Yu looked up at the ceiling, "Who knows…"
Yosuke watched as the exit opened up, "The outside….."
Shark ignored him once again turning his attention to Durbe, "Why did you help us?"
Durbe bowed his head, "I don't know. In a manner of speak you could say that my heart was moved by the legend of this ruin."
Durbe! Yuma's voice echoed through the orb, Thank you for your help. If you didn't tell us about the legend…
"It doesn't matter…you would of done it anyway….Because you would of trusted it without even listening to it." Durbe sounded solemn as he said this, "But this nonsense ends here and now!" The seriousness was back in his voice, "Next time we meet Ryoga, we'll be enemies and we'll settle things once and for all." Durbe then vanished through a portal.
"What….was that all about?" Yosuke asked turning to his Persona as if to get an answer. Jiraiya just simply vanished. "Aw man….I wanted you out longer."
Shark could only look at the spot Durbe had been, thoroughly confused by his actions.
"Is Durbe really your enemy?" Yu asked.
"I don't now…he helped us….and there was Alit and Gilag who were both friendly especially Alit, even after he reveled his true identity to me. But Mizeal…and Vector…..GAAAHH! I don't know!" Yuma scratched his head in frustration. A glint then caught his eye at the base of the alter, "What's that?" He walked over to it finding a coin at the base. "This….is a Conqueror's Coin…"
"What's that?" Kotori asked as the rest of the group joined him.
"My dad…after making his way anywhere dangerous….he would leave one of these coins behind as a sign that he made it."
"So your dad was here? If he knew these Numbers were important why didn't he take them himself?" Yukiko asked.
"I don't know….he must have had a reason…." Yuma palmed the coin before putting it into his pocket, "I'm sure he's watching us from somewhere…"
"We should get out of here," Rio said, "I bet Ryoga and Yosuke are waiting for us…"
They did find the two in question waiting for them back at the temple entrance.
"Yu! Everyone! You would not believe…GACK!" Yosuke was put into a headlock by Chie.
"How on earth did you summon your Persona outside the TV world!?"
"Should we….stop them?" Kotori asked as Yosuke began to turn blue.
"Oh don't worry about it," Yukiko reassured her, "They do this all the time."
Yuma began to chuckle but stopped when he realized that Shark was staring at him, "Shark…..Astral….Yu…." Yuma wasn't quite sure why he included Yu but it felt right, "I've done a lot of thinking…Those Barians guys might take advantage of the facts that I trust in people…But I can't bring myself to doubt people. All I can do is to trust them."
"That's perfectly fine Yuma," Yu said. Shark just shrugged.
Astral didn't do or say anything, If that is your conclusion, I won't saw anything for now. Even if it means you end up taking a different path from me in the future. Astral suddenly rubbed his chest, What….is this heavy feeling….sadness? Or the mark Vector spoke of…
Longest chapter so far….and tons of foreshadowing! There might not be a chapter next week. I'm visiting my family for the week so I might not get writing done so if nothing get's posted don't panic. I think I'll take the time to plan stuff. Keep sending in suggestions about Astral's Persona. Don't know when the Investigation Team will duel but, I'm trying to figure out the deck types for them. So for Yu it's spellcasters, Yosuke will have wind based, Chie ice based, Yukiko a pyro deck, and Rise fairies. Jury still out on the rest of the team but if you have an idea please let me know.
Next time...Black Mist