Yaya I finally got this done! I had so many debates over certain details about this chapter and how it would connect into future events. But I did iron out some solid ideas and also I was writing other things to practice angst because there is going to be much angsts in future chapters. BRING ON ALL THE ANGST! (Hedgi I look at you as a bad influence bty shameless plug go read her Big Hero 6 fan fic The Only Pay Off and be prepared to sob gross tears) And to the reviewers….
VongolaHermit- Just you wait…it will all tie in together
Double-DecaKiva-DenBlades- *evil laughter*
BahamutX978- I did consider Testuo jumping in as well but I couldn't find a good reason of how he would of contribute to the plot other than being a walking prop. I am giving an in story reason this chapter as to why he didn't jump.
Sekishiki- I'm glad you are liking it so far.
"Can I just have it on record that this is a crazy idea?"
What Chie was referring to was Kotori's plan to have Rise summon her Persona, pull every conceivable wire out of the control panels and plug them into the visor so she can use the ship's power to locate everyone. Everyone else went along with it even though Chie tried to point out that they had no idea whether or not the ship's technology and Persona's were even compatible.
"It's the only hope we've got." Takashi said linking up another set of wires with the help of Teddie, "I don't want to be sitting here helpless."
"Just as long we put everything back I don't think Astral would mind," Tokonosuke was making a record of what exactly they were taking apart.
"Though Testuo….why didn't you jump in as well?" Cathy asked him.
The boy turned red and whispered, "I can't swim…"
"What?"
"I can't swim okay!" He shouted, "I really wanted to but there's no way I would of made it down there."
Kotori jumped in before anymore comments could be made, "We're almost set up here. You're doing okay Rise?"
"Yeah….I think I'm good to go." Rise said from her seat.
"Alright…" Takashi linked in the last of the wires, "Ready when you are."
"Scanning…." Rise said as Himeko swayed her head side to side. Various screens lit up scrolling information at high speeds. On a large screen a map appeared displaying a maze.
"Um….Why are we seeing this? I thought we were scanning the ocean." Chie wondered.
"Hold on….data still coming in." Rise said as dots appeared on the map. There were four dots together in a group and were moving while there was a single dot on its own and was standing still.
"Are those supposed to be people?" Cathy asked.
"If they are...we're short one…two if you count Astral." Tokonosuke said.
"Actually…the numbers make sense if you count Persona users. I'll try expanding the search…." Rise focused as more machines hummed. Two more dots appeared on the map, one with the group and one with the single dot.
"Everyone's present and accounted for." Rise said, "I'll try to make contact." Himeko looked straight ahead as lights in her satellite face lit up. "Sempai? Can you hear me?"
GAH! I'M HEARING VOICES!
Kotori let out a relived laugh as Yuma's voice echoed out of the speakers. At least he was alright.
Rise? Is that you? Yu's voice was next to be heard.
"It is Sempai, where are you guys?" Rise asked.
In some sort of maze, we got separated from Shark and Yosuke.
"That explains the dots on their own." Chie said.
"Listen Sempai, I have a map of the maze you're in and I can tell that Shark and Yosuke are together in the center of the place. I can guide you through it to get to them." Rise said.
It might not be that simple, Naoto spoke next, We are pretty sure that the routes are changing keeping us away from them.
As if on cue, the map showed about half of the walls moving in the maze. Even worse the halls around Yu's group had just made a continuous loop.
"I hope you guys have a plan because you are now caught in a circle."
That's it! Kanji's voice nearly deafened everyone. I'm smashing the wall!
No wait don't!
Everyone just sweat dropped as various sounds of destruction echoed over the speakers followed by a triumphant cheer from Kanji. It worked!
"Okay…." Rise was a little stunned, "Just keep going east, that should take you to where Shark and Yosuke are."
Rise, Astral wants to know if you were able to contact the others. They heard Yuma ask.
"Sorry Yuma…..Something's blocking me there. I'll keep trying and let you know."
Thanks Rise, we'll try to get out of here soon. Yu said.
Rise nodded, "Sure thing Sempai."
Yosuke wasn't really sure what to make of the situation. He really didn't have that much knowledge of the card game so he really couldn't tell who was in the lead. But he could tell that Shark was under a lot of pressure seeing how his opponent was his sister possessed by some sort of spirit who also knew of Personas. That really made Yosuke uncomfortable. No one outside of his group really knew about Personas and even then, they really didn't know a lot about them. Yosuke was half tempted to cheer for Shark but decided against it seeing how much stress the boy was under.
Currently Shark had summoned several monsters to bring out another one called Black Ray Lancer which Yosuke admitted was pretty cool looking but had to end his turn due to have gone first. The spirit on the other hand had brought out and ugly looking one that it called Gorgonic Guardian which made Yosuke wondered if it was related to Medusa as it had turned Shark's monster into stone before destroying it.
"Gorgonic Guardian, direct attack!" The spirit ordered his monster as it obeyed by smacking Shark hard with its tail sending him flying back.
"You okay man?!" Yosuke ran over to where Shark landed and offered a hand up but the duelist just smacked it away. "I'm fine…."
"The way you are wincing in pain says otherwise…."
"I said I'm fine!" Shark turned back to face his opponent again.
"You plan to take your sister back looking so pathetic, Ryoga?" Rio's voice was distorting to the spirit's voice again.
Shark scowled but then notice something off.
"Dude…your sister is pulling weird glowing eye trick again!" Yosuke stated the obvious.
Shark just tuned him out focusing on his sister. There was something about that light that was drawing him in, like falling into the ocean. He was falling deeper and deeper, like he was sleeping, then he felt something heavy on him.
What the….His attention snapped back in front of him only to find himself somewhere completely different. He could tell that he was sitting on something at the end of a long hallway with guards standing at attention.
"Where…am I?" He stood up and turned to his right spotting a mirror and froze at his reflection. He was dress in some sort of armor gold in color. There was also a sword at his hip and cape draped over his shoulders but what caught his attention the most was the pendant he was wearing. It looked exactly like the Barian emblem.
"Why am I wearing this?" He gripped it with near crushing force. "Just what is going on?"
"Oni-sama." The sound of his sister's voice caught his attention and scowled when he saw her. She was dressed in the same outfit she was currently wearing in their duel. There was the fact she referred to him as oni-sama, Rio was never that formal. She would use his real name, or in very rare cases ni-san, but never oni-sama.
The maybe Rio smiled at him, "It's time to great your people."
"My people?" Shark whispered hoping that he wasn't drawing too much attention to him. Reluctanly he followed his sister to a balcony where he heard the shouts of hundreds of people. Looking over the balcony, he just who they were and what they were chanting.
"Our king!"
"Long live our mighty ruler!"
"Why are they calling king?" Shark wondered out loud.
"They are simply cheering for their wonderful leader." His sister told him.
"Me….a king?" Now this was getting confusing. Why on earth was he being shown this? Was he reliving the legend that went with these ruins?
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
A guard ran up to them and bowed, "Your Majesty! The enemy is approaching our harbors!"
"The enemy!?" Shark couldn't help but worry. Just who was attacking? "Lead the way." He found himself ordering the guard who took off down a set of stairs and Shark followed.
"JUST WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!"
Shark stopped at hearing a voice and turned around. Much to his surprise, Yosuke still in his modern day clothes and transparent was standing behind him.
"Yosuke?"
"You can see me?" Yosuke let out a sigh in relief, "I did a jig in front of those guards but they didn't even notice me. Do you know what's going on and why are you dressed like that?"
"I don't know…..but I'm going to find out." Shark resumed running down the stairs, "Just try to keep up and don't make a scene."
They guard led him to a stable where Shark quickly mounted a horse and took off heading to a lookout point at the end of the docks. Many other guards were there ready for him gathering weapons. Shark ran to the edge and looked out over the ocean to see exactly what was causing panic. There was an entire fleet of ships approaching them.
"Attack! Fire the catapults!" One of the solders behind him ordered.
Before any of the teams were ready, three forms burst from under the ocean shocking Shark. They were the Gorgonic Guardians that Abyss was using in the duel! Each one of them fired a laser from their eye at the outpost that Shark was on. Someone had pulled him down to take cover as others yelled in alarm. Getting up from the ground, Shark felt his blood go cold. Some of the men that were with him were now stone statues. Feeling anger boil up inside him, Shark stood up to his full height, "Who dares to attack?!"
Several of the smaller ships seemed to part allowing a much larger ship to come forward. Shark had a good feeling that it was the command ship and spotted someone sitting on a throne on the top most deck. He seemed underdressed for war has he had nothing to protect his chest and the only armor he had covered his left arm only. But the most notable feature was the orange hair spiked upward.
Yosuke seemed to caught onto who it was, "Isn't that the orange hair kid we saw in that weird ruins the other day?"
Shark scowled and nodded, "Vector…what is he doing here?"
The soldier standing next to Shark leaned down and whispered to him, "That's the Mad Prince, he has already attacked and plundered countless kingdoms already."
Shark was even more confused, what was Vector doing here? Why was he here? Why was Yosuke like a ghost rather than a person? Suddenly Shark felt like his brain was being knocked around as his surroundings melted away. Blinking his eyes, Shark saw that he was back at the sight of the duel and back in his normal clothing.
"What was that about?" Yosuke wondered rubbing his head.
"I don't know…..it could all just be a load of crap." Shark regained his composure, "It's my turn anyway. Just don't think about that vision."
Yosuke could only reluctantly nod but he had a bad feeling that the vision wouldn't be only one they would see.
Astral had to admit as crazy as breaking the labyrinth walls were, it was working. He was even more amazed that they weren't regenerating. Take-Mikazuchi was punching wall after wall and Kanji wasn't even breaking a sweat. The temple in the center was getting closer and closer so hopefully Shark and Yosuke were alright.
"You holding up Kanij? We could switch out if you want." Yu said.
"Nah I'm alright Sempai. These walls are nothing."
"I'm still surprised at how easy it is to do so…you think whatever is controlling the place would be making more of an effort to impede our progress."Naoto wondered.
"Who cares….we'll catch up with Shark and Yosuke in no time." Yuma was ever optimistic.
"I do have to agree with Naoto on this one. Before we couldn't make any progress and now we are making a straight line towards our goal." Astral mused, "Something might of preoccupied the spirit here."
"Like a duel?" Yuma asked.
"Possibly."
Everyone! There's trouble!
Everyone froze when they heard Rise's voice in their heads again.
"What is it Rise? Did you get in contact with Yosuke?" Naoto asked.
No but someone is heading your way. One of those Barian guys, Durbe saw us on the ship.
"Durbe? What is he doing here?" Yuma wondered.
I don't know but he made a beeline for the ocean so watch out!
"He's coming here?" Yu looked up to the sky above them and saw the barrier that was keeping the water out was bulging in one spot before bursting dumping water in an constant stream in front of them.
Yuma backed up a bit as the water reached his ankles and swallowed nervously. Durbe wouldn't attack them, right?
An arm broke through the water stream the grey color of it was a dead giveaway of who it was. Durbe step out of the stream glancing at who he was facing. "Yuma Tsukumo….and Astral. I'm not surprised that you are here however….." He glanced at the others in the group and to Take-Mikazuchi, "There are some Persona users as well."
Yuma took a defensive stance in front of everyone. "What do you want Durbe….are you here to fight?"
"If desire…it is destiny for Astral world and Barian world to fight after all."
"But we don't have to! Didn't you remember those legends? You used to be human!"
Durbe seemed to scoff, "I refuse to believe that. I have been a Barian for as long as I can remember."
"That's the problem!" Yuma protest, "You might not remember your human lives! And haven't you question why you are fighting?"
Durbe seemed to be pause then much to everyone's surprise, turned to Astral for back up. "I'm sure you agree with me Astral.
What Astral said next was the bombshell for everyone, "I have recently recovered this memory….but it is my mission to destroy Barian world."
Yuma looked at him looking rather hurt…or betrayed, "Astral….you don't really mean that."
"You're just going along with that?!" Kanji yelled, "That's just crazy talk!"
"Yuma does have a point, did either of you question your mission?" Naoto asked.
"Does it matter? Astral world and Barian world are opposites, destined to fight until one dies." Durbe shot a look at her.
"So there's no chance for peace?" Yu asked.
"Never….and if you intend to get in my way…." Durbe took a stance glowing with energy, "I will use all of my power to crush you."
*hums to herself* I can't wait for next chapter…..so much angst…heheh…..