Whoooieee, this ended up being a rather long chapter but I just kept going and going. But enjoy and I'll leave some more notes at the end.
…..
Yu just looked at Durbe sharply. One hand was twitching to summon a Persona while the other was ready to grab the Duel Monster deck in his pocket. He caught the glances of Naoto and Kanji who seemed to be ready to jump in and fight as well. Yuma on the other hand seemed rather relaxed while Astral looked liked he just wanted to fade into the background. Yu watched Durbe's actions carefully. Durbe's foot twitched and everything happened faster than anyone could blink. Yuma's only reaction was a bead of sweat running down the side of his face as Durbe's hand was barely a foot away from his face as he was held back by Izanagi grabbing his wrist, Take-Mizazuchi had a lightening blade to his neck, and Sukuna-Hikona was poised to stab Durbe's eye out. Astral looked ready to have a panic attack at the sight.
"We don't have to fight Durbe…." Yuma remained ever calm despite the situation.
"Destiny says so….that's what I believe in." Durbe said straining against those who were holding him back.
"So why did you help us out the other day?" Yu asked.
Durbe paused before answering, "It was a matter of common interests and nothing else."
"Even if that legend of the ruin was about you?"
Durbe glanced at Astral, "What are you talking about?"
"That legend about the knight and his stead…that was about you….the Number showed me. And it's true for all of you but….there are two Numbers here. Are there other Barians that we have not encountered?"
Durbe narrowed his eyes, "I might as well answer that question….Our two companions are Merga….and our leader Nasch."
"And where are they?" Astral asked.
Durbe didn't answer at first instead he shook off the Personas and jumped back, "Missing."
"Missing?" Naoto questioned.
"What happened to them?" Kanji asked.
Before Durbe could answer, a shockwave emanated from the temple rocked everyone. Projected onto the waterfall was an image of Shark and Yosuke.
"Shark!" Yuma called out in both relief and confusion. It looked like he was in a duel…with his sister?
"Why is Rio dressed like that?" He heard Kanji wondered behind him.
"More importantly why are they fighting each other?" Naoto pointed out.
Durbe looked at the image with an expression of wonder and realization. "We'll continue this later." With that said, he took off for the temple in a beam of light.
"Get back here!" Yuma shouted.
"We'll catch up with him, Kanji pick up the pace. Something is going on and I don't like the looks of it." Yu ordered.
"That really means something bad coming from you." Kanji said, "I'll get rid of these walls in no time."
"And Astral…." Yu caught his eye, "We are going to talk about his later."
"And I won't let you hid in the key to avoid it too." Yuma added.
Astral just bowed his head, "If you insist….."
…..
Shark grunted in pain as he was knocked down to 200 life points. The effect of Gorgonic Guardian was starting to get annoying. Not to mention that bizarre vision that Abyss showed him and Yosuke was unnerving him greatly to the point he really couldn't focus on the duel. There was something about that vision that felt…familiar. And he didn't like it. Looking up at Rio he could see that she was emitting that blue light again that preceded the vision last time. The sense of falling overtook him again as he found himself back in that throne room again but it was different this time. It was clearly dusk and most of the guards that were here last time were gone except for the three kneeling in front of him. His sister was standing to his left and behind her he could see Yosuke still transparent as a ghost looking rather confused about the situation again.
"Your Highness! Vector and his troops are pushing us back!" One of the guards said with worry.
"At this rate we will be killed and our kingdom plundered like our neighbors!" Another one said.
"Please….give us your orders." The third on begged.
Shark gritted his teeth, he didn't know anything about leading an army. Did these people realize that whoever their real leader was is not the person sitting in front of them? And just why Abyss chose to have Shark experience these events rather than just observe them?
"Brother…..I know you will find the solution that will save all of our lives." Rio reached out to put a hand on his shoulder.
Shark stopped her, "Not now….."
"But brother…." Rio was taken aback, "You are the king of this land! You were able to unite all of the smaller city states to create the great empire! Surely you must have a way."
"I don't!" Shark stood up from the throne, "Don't look at me as the answer for everything!"
Rio took a few steps back as the three guards sent whispers to each other. Shark realized he must of done something that their real king would of never done. Just was he supposed to do? He looked at his reflection again the Barian pendant mocking him.
"This is a test as well."
Shark let out a gasp as he heard Abyss' voice again, on top of that it was coming out of his reflection's mouth.
"Win the duel and with this battle only then can you can pass."
"SHUT UP!" Shark punched the mirror with all of his might watching the cracks distort his image and ignoring the pain in his knuckles.
Everyone else in the room except for the Yosuke jumped in alarm.
"Just leave me be…."
Rio just nodded at her brother's order and motioned to the guards. "My brother must be under more stress than we thought….let's give him time." With that the four of them left and Shark collapsed back into the throne.
"You know you really shouldn't have done that."
Shark rubbed his temples, "I thought I told everyone to leave."
"I am a ghost so I don't count!" Yosuke said with too much glee in his voice. "So what are you going to do?"
"What do you mean by that? I'm pretty sure that I'm in someone else's body and I have no idea what's going on!"
"But they are looking at you to be a leader right now, are you going to let them down?" Yosuke asked him.
"I….." Shark put his head in his hands, "I don't know…."
"Okay let's push everything aside and focus on the right now. This is a vision that you can have an effect on so might as well act the part. You've got a psycho at your door with medusa like monsters. You can't really fight back until those things are out of the way. So how do you get rid of them?"
"The problem is that they are turning the men into stone…." Shark gave a glance back at the ruined mirror, and got an idea. "Yosuke…you remember the legend of Persus right?
"Yeah…he slew Medusa with the help of a mirror shield so he wouldn't have to look at her….oh…."It dawned on Yosuke, "I see where you're getting at."
"Good….Guards!" Shark called out and the three men from before returned. "Yes Your Highness?"
"Gather every mirror in the castle and attach them to every shield. We are fighting back."
The three men bowed, "It shall be done." They left to go fulfill the order.
"They probably expect you at the front line." Yosuke said.
"Yeah….to be honest I do kinda want to give Vector a good beating."
"That's the spirit, I've got your back…kind of….I'm not sure I can touch anything like this."
"Just let me know if there's a sword coming at me."
….
Shark stood as confidently as he could at the bow of the ship his was on. The sword and shield in his hands felt heavy and clumsy but Yosuke did have a point that he might as well act the part until the vision was over. Vector's fleet was coming into view as well as all of the Gorgonic Guardians. He heard Vector's unmistakable laughter echo over the battlefield as he saw the snake like monsters charge up their attack.
"Shields up! Don't falter!" Shark ordered raising his own. All of the men in the front line gathered together overlapping their shields effectively creating a wall. Shark felt the force of the laser smash against his shield but managed to keep his footing. Feeling the lack of pressure he peered around the shield and smirked at the sight. Every single one of the Gorgonic Guardians were now stone statues.
"It worked! Now make sure you give your next order with lots of gusto!" Yosuke said.
If it weren't for the numerous people around him, Shark might have retorted back but suppressed the urge. He trusted his sword forward pointing directly at Vector's flag ship, "His mightiest weapon has been disposed of! Advance forward and show no mercy! We will prove that are not to be trifled with!"
The army let out a resounding cry as the ships pressed forward closing in on Vector's fleet. Shark was ready to put his sword through Vector's chest but felt everything around him disappear again snapping back to reality with was the ongoing duel. To be honest, Shark felt a little disappointed that he didn't get to see what happened next.
"You okay there buddy?"
"I'm fine Yosuke…..and don't call me buddy. It's my turn by the way." Shark said drawing his next card. Looking at the Gorgonic Guardian on Abyss' field and thinking back to the vision, he had an idea.
"I activate the card Freezing Point! It will change the attack of your monster to zero and due to its effect, it destroys itself!"
Yosuke laughed to himself a bit as he watched the snake monster stab itself, "Some guardian if it can destroy itself."
"Now I summon Depth Shark and since you've got no defenses, I'll attack you directly!" Shark ordered his monster but Rio barely flinched when the beast rushed in for an attack as her life points dropped to 2600.
"I don't know what kind of test this is Abyss but I am going to win."
"Then perhaps I shall end the duel quickly…."Abyss said through Rio, "It's my move."
…
Durbe flew as fast as he could to the temple. Ever since this encounter with Ryoga Kamishiro in the ruin, something was bothering him. His broken lapis was repaired due to encountering as strong source of Barian energy, and Ryoga was that source.
Just what are you Ryoga? Durbe wondered. He stopped himself to keep a good distance away from the scene he was witnessing, no need to make his presence known. Glancing down at the ongoing duel he could tell that Ryoga was facing his sister but there was something off about her. Standing by Ryoga was that Persona that was trapped with them the other day. Watching their moves he saw Rio summon several monsters then increasing their levels. "Now it's time for you to face my true power….and my true self. I overlay level 5 Gorgonic Gargoyle and Gorgonic Golem!" The two monsters disappeared into the swirling galaxy. "Come! My true self! Number 73, Abyss Splash!" Out of the network came a large warrior clad in blue and gold with orbs embedded in its chest and limbs as was carrying a large staff with an orb set in the top.
"Shark! Yosuke!" Durbe saw Yuma and his group arrive at the scene. "What's going on here? Why are you dueling your sister?"
"Something possessed her…." Shark grunted, "And that's not the only thing."
Durbe raised an eyebrow, that wasn't Rio Kamishiro dueling? And what was the other thing Ryoga was referring to?
That question was answered when Abyss Splash's scepter started glowing.
….
Astral barely had time to register what was the situation at the duel before they were all blinded by a bright light. Opening his eyes he could see that he was hovering over a massive battlefield that spread over various ships some of them burning and in the early stages of sinking in the water. Astral looked around trying to figure out what was going on and saw someone very familiar.
"Don't snivel at me you worm!" Vector's voice was sharp and angry.
"B-but…..Y-Your Highness…." The soldier was clearly afraid of Vector, "They defeated your summons….w-we must r-retreat…."
"NEVER!" Vector shouted causing every man around him to shrink in fear. "I will not leave until they are all dead!" His face distorted in rage looking out to his opponent then gave an inhuman grin, "Let's see them cower when I use their god against them!" A wind from an unknown source picked up around Vector catching his cape as a blue aura surrounded him. "Time to use this gift!" He squealed with delight as he slashed his sword through something very familiar to Astral sending a wave a shock through his body.
Vector had just cut a Persona Card.
The sound of shattering glass boomed like a thunderclap as Astral saw what Vector summoned. It looked like a dark curtain with three arms with long nails and a head. Glowing brightly on the curtain was the number 43.
"Soul Marionetter! Take a life to control their pathetic god!" Vector ordered.
The middle arm of Soul Marionetter raised up and slashed down running through the soldier that had begged Vector to retreat.
"But…Your…"
"Pffft…." Vector ignored the man's dying pleas, "All of you are expendable to me anyways."
Sucking the man of life, Soul Marionetter raised all of its arms shooting out tiny red threads that dove into the oceans before pulling taunght. Whatever it was pulling out of the water was creating enough suction to create a whirlpool. Astral could only watch in horror, what this the story behind the ruin? And why did Vector have the power of Persona?! And why was it a Number?!
Over on the other side of the battlefield, a feeling of dread was washing over Shark.
"Oi…Yosuke…did that sound familiar to you?"
"Yeah….it sounded like when we summon our Persona….is that even possible here?"
"I thought you were the expert on that."
"I don't know! I already told you that summoning Personas in reality doesn't work!"
Shark cast his eyes on the growing whirl pool then followed the red strings to the source, "Well I guess Numbers existed here."
"But I thought they didn't show up till Astral came."
"That's what he told me!"
Shark and Yosuke turned around in shock at the sound of Yuma's voice. Behind them was Yuma, Yu, Kanji, and Naoto see through and ghost like just like Yosuke.
"Yuma?"
"Shark? What's going on here? And why are you dressed like that?" Yuma asked.
"Never mind that, I'm not really sure myself."
"I think you have bigger concerns!" Naoto pointed to the whirlpool where something was finally emerging. Out from the water, arose Abyss Splash.
"KILL THEM!" Vector scream out for all to hear.
Abyss Splash very sluggishly raised its scepter and crashed it down on a ship sending wood and lucky occupants flying into the air.
"Our deity…." One of the captains next to Shark spoke, "Why is he attacking us?"
"Isn't that a Number? Why is it worshiped here as a god?" Yu asked.
"I don't know….I can't find Astral anywhere and usually he has answers to these things." Yuma muttered. He really was getting concerned about Astral's location. The way he was acting when they confronted Durbe earlier was troubling him as well.
Everyone ducked as Abyss Splash attacked again. "We have time to worry about that later if we can get out of here!" Kanji exclaimed.
"That's only when he decides we've seen enough…" Shark grunted as he got back up. "Everyone take cover for now! Don't be foolish and attack him head on!"
"Running away are we?" Vector's mocking voice was heard from his flagship.
"Even here you are just as annoying as I remember….." Shark was really hoping the vision would end soon so he could just get back to the duel.
That's when a new voice broke into the scene, "Fear not my friend!"
Everyone looked to the sky and saw a Pegasus, with a rider clad in silver armor. "You didn't think I would leave you alone in a time of need?"
Shark's jaw dropped upon recognizing who it was, "Durbe?"
Off in the distance, the real Durbe was watching in shock. "Why….why am here!?" That was his appearance that he took when he was on Earth. Was Astral telling the truth about that legend? If that was the case it would explain why Vector was here was well. And also….Durbe eyes trailed down to where Shark was standing. He was here was well and that pendant he was wearing, the Barian symbol.
"Ryoga Kamishiro….you are more connected than I first thought."
Astral had seen the same thing as well, and was starting to come to a similar conclusion. "All of the Barians had past lives as humans. Durbe said that two of their numbers are missing. This can't be a coincidence…..could Shark be…" Astral shook his head. Part of him didn't want to think of the possibility. It what he was thinking was true…it would bring Yuma a lot of heartache. Astral forced himself to keep watching, Shark trying to keep the army together while the transparent forms of his other friends where trying to keep close and advise him at the same time. How where they here as well? They clearly didn't have a connection to this past. But Vector had summoned a Persona….so could that be the reason. If so…why were Personas here? This was something that he had to investigate later.
Shark meanwhile was becoming overwhelmed. There was this battle plus the duel in reality he had to worry about. But more and more revelations where being piled onto him making less and less sense. Was this king him? Did he really lead this army into battle? Did he really know Vector and Durbe in a past life? He snapped out of his train of thoughts when he heard the sound of horse hooves. Catching sight of one of the piers, his hear dropped when he saw Rio riding towards the battle completely unarmed.
"Rio! What are you doing?! Get out of here!"
Rio ignored him dismounting and staring straight at the controlled diety.
"Well isn't this a treat?" Vector smirked, "I'll get to play with the life of your sister!"
"NO!" Shark tried to hop from ship to ship ignoring the protest of those behind him but there was too much rubble in the way. He could only watch in horror as Abyss Splash reached down and grabbed her in a tight fist.
"Whatever shall I do? Crush her? Drop her in the ocean?" Vector pondered his options.
"You scoundrel!" Durbe swooped down sword raised with every intention to cut Abyss' hand off but had to pull his stead upward to avoid Abyss' other hand.
Shark began to feel helpless. There was no way he could face a towering deity with just a sword. And there was the matter of the monster controlling it too? What was stopping Vector from using to control others?
"It's alright brother…."
Rio's voice was calm but not weak. "I'll free Abyss from this control but summoning another…."
"Rio…" What was she going on about?
"By giving it my life."
"You can't!" Shark cried out to her. She may be a doppelganger here but she was still his sister!
"Goodbye brother. I'll watch you from the other world." With that, Rio wiggled in Abyss' grip and slipped right out, and fell into the ocean.
"NOOOOOO!" Shark didn't pay attention to what happened next as a glowing figure emerged from where Rio landed. All he could see was her body floating on the water surface. Completely lifeless.
"Rio…..RIOOOOOO!"
….
Yuma felt his head spin as the battlefield went away and found himself back watching Shark's duel.
"Everyone okay?" He heard Yu ask.
"I think so…what was that all about?" Kanji wondered.
"Yosuke you've been here the longest. You do know?" Naoto asked.
"I…." Yosuke seemed to choke a bit, "I'm not sure."
Yuma spotted Astral once again next to him giving him a bit of relief but went straight back to worry seeing his expression. Clearly he saw something that bothered him. You are not getting out of a talk got it? He mentally sent.
Astral didn't say anything, out loud or mentally.
"Why…..why…." Shark started to mutter, "What was the point of showing me all of that?! How was this a test?!" He demanded of his opponent.
Rio looked down at him and spoke an Abyss' voice again. "This field is the same as your heart. You've lost your sister then, and you will lose her now."
Rio's body went limp and began to float from the ground the blue energy leaving her and started to form a human figure again.
"Hey what gives?! You said that you give her back if Shark won!" Yosuke demanded, "The duel isn't over!"
"That is not for you to decide!" Abyss scolded, "This test was meant for Ryoga alone, you were not supposed to have witness it." A vortex appeared below where Rio was floating, "It is time." Rio started falling.
Yuma ran forward adrenaline rushing, "Kattobingu!" He cried out crushing the Persona card in his hand. Hope appeared above him swooping forward catching Rio before she fell into the vortex brining her to their side. "It's not fair for you to do that to Shark's sister."
Abyss didn't say anything as he became corporeal revealing his true appearance. A bearded man dressed in armor similar to the Abyss currently on his field. "If you only you knew of the truth outsider."
Naoto quickly scooped the unconscious girl from Hope's arms. "Her breathing and pulse is normal. She should be okay."
"That's good, now kick his but kid!" Kanji said.
Shark let out a visible sigh of relief. Rio was out of harm's way but how was he going to wins this duel? There was the effect of Abyss Splash that doubled its attack points but decreased damage but that later half really didn't matter since he was down to 100 life points. All he had on his field was Depth Shark and many of his stronger monsters were now in the grave yard. He met Abyss' as the guardian spoke again.
"Defeat me Ryoga and regain your true memories. As an emperor you must lead your people"
"You mean all those visions you've been showing me? That's a load of crap! I was no emperor and far from it. But you will pay for nearly killing Rio!"
With those words, a light appeared in front of Shark forming card. Instinctively he took the card in his hand the light fading allowing him to read the text. Number 94 Crystalzero.
Did you send this to me Rio? Then I'll put it to good use. With renewed determination, Shark began his turn. "First, I'll equip Depth Shark Aqua Mirage with allows me to treat it as two summoning materials. Next I'll activate Monster Reborn to bring back Black Ray Lancer!" Shark's ace monster retook the field. "Now, I'll overly Depth Shark!" The shark split into two copies before falling into the swirling galaxies. "Appear Number 94! Crystalzero!"
The new number took to the field clearly a female dressed in blues and whites in diamond shapes wielding a rapier in its hand. Abyss rather than being shocked looked rather impressed at the turn in events.
"I think Chie would like that one." Yosuke snarked.
Yu had switched his glasses for the Duel Gazzer pulling up the card information. "It can decrease attack points in half…but it's not going to be enough to win on this turn."
"Especially after I use Abyss Splash's ability to double its attack points!" Abyss called out as the Number absorbed the overlay unit causing its attack points to 4800.
"I've prepared for that Abyss! I activate Full Armor XYZ! I'll use it to equip Crystalzero with Black Ray Lancer!" The monster glowed and became armor and formed a new weapon for the female warrior. "Then I'll use Crystalzero's ability TWICE!" Both overlay units were absorbed by Crystalzero sending a beam towards Abyss Splash reducing its attack points to 1200.
"This is the end Abyss! Crystalzero, attack Abyss Splash! Crystal eraser!" The warrior obeyed her master and skewered Abyss Splash with her weapon causing the Number to explode sending the warrior Abyss flying back as his life points hit zero.
"Nice one!" Kanji complimented.
"But where did Crystalzero come from? Did you have that card before?" Naoto asked.
"It must have been on the Number sealed here. Shark must of won the right to use it." Astral said.
Shark just glared daggers at the fallen spirit, "Tell me Abyss, what was the point of all of this?"
Abyss grunted as he got back up and faced Shark's gaze, "I was simply acting on orders."
"Who's orders."
Abyss' face remained neutral, "Yours my king."
This caught the group off guard. "Why would Shark tell you something like that? Isn't this his first time here?" Yu pointed out.
"It was not in this life that he gave me that order." Abyss extracted a card and threw it to Shark who caught it. "It seems that your memories haven't fully awoken but nonetheless, you have won. I wait for the time you remember who you truly are." With that, Abyss vanished.
"What was that all about? Shark is Shark." Yuma crossed his arms.
"Clearly something bigger is going on here than we first thought, right Astral?" Naoto asked the spirit.
"R-right…." Astral didn't sound very sure of himself.
Off in the distance, Durbe watched. "Ryoga and Rio Kamishiro…just maybe….." He disappeared through his portal.
"So how do we get out of here?" Yosuke asked.
The ground beneath them glowed as gravity reversed.
"You just had to ask didn't you?" Shark yelled.
…..
Yukiko paced the deck of the ship. Rise had managed to track everyone until something scrambled the signal causing her to lose all track of their friends. Plus they saw a Barian dive into the ocean as well so it was truly unknown if everyone is okay.
"Stupid thing! Work already!" Tetsuo said pounding the console for the hundredth time.
"I told you already that's not going to work!" Takashi said as he, Tokonosuke, and Teddie tried the finer tune approach of messing with the wires. "We've got signal before and we can get it again."
"We'll hurry it up already!" Chie cried out. "I'm sick of waiting."
"Sorry everyone….I'm really trying…." Rise whispered.
"It's okay," Cathy said trying to comfort her, "We just need to put our faith in them. They'll come back."
Yukiko smiled at the girl's optimism. Peering over the edge again she could see the water was till calm. No change since storm cleared.
"Hold on…." Yukiko squinted, "Guys! Something's coming up from the ocean!"
"What?!" Everyone ran to the edge and looked over. The water was bubbling and beam of light shot out and hit the deck of the ship.
"Oww….my head…."
"Yuma!" Kotori glomped the boy in relief.
"We're back? Oh sweet mercy we're back!" Yosuke bent down and Kotori could of sworn he was kissing the floor.
"Sensei!" Teddie had tears flowing, "We were so worried."
"We're okay….but Rio still hasn't woken up."
"Rio-san! What happened to her?" Tetsuo asked.
"That spirit…." Shark said through clenched teeth while holding his sister, "It possessed her and forced me into a duel."
"She seems to be fine physically but we should keep an eye on her for the next few hours." Naoto added.
"But you got what we came for right?" Chie asked.
"Shark won both of the Numbers located here, so our mission is done for now. We should return and recover before we plan our next move." Astral said.
"Sounds good…." Kanji popped his shoulder, "I'm tired from breaking all of those walls."
"Setting course for home!" Yuma run towards the bridge.
"Yuma wait!" Takashi cried out in vain.
"WHAT THE HECK DID YOU DO TO THIS PLACE?!"
"Sorry Yuma…" Rise started bowing in an apologetic manner. "We had to power Himiko's scan to contact you."
"But we recorded everything!" Tokonosuke held up his notes, "We should be able to put everything back together."
Astral blinked, "The ships technology is compatible with Personas?"
"It was my idea." Kotori held up her hand, "I figured that since you guys could summon Personas around the Legendary Numbers I thought it could work. Hope you're not made at us for messing up the ship."
"No…..I can see how you came to that conclusion."
"But the good thing is that the ship still runs and everyone's back. So let's just go home." Chie said.
"Extra dips in the hot springs for everyone?" Yukiko proposed.
"Hot springs!? Let's hurry!" Teddie said with stars in his eyes.
"Let's just go already….I'm worried about Rio." Shark was getting impatient.
"It will be alright Shark. There's a hospital in Inaba we could go to if she gets worse." Yu told him.
Shark just held his sister closer. He barely registered Yosuke placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey….if you want to talk about it…about what happened there…and what Abyss said. I'm off work tomorrow….sooooooo…if you want to….I can listen."
Shark paused for several moments before he finally answered in a voice softer than a whisper.
"Thank you."
…
Bet you didn't see some of that coming. And some good news for you that I did manage to write ahead several chapters so the next few chapters can come faster. Now that we've concluded the Legendary Numbers arc we can really get into the meaty stuff. Just one more thing if you want to still make suggestions as to what would be Astral's Persona I am still taking suggestions. I am open to all ideas so don't be hesitant.