Barian Curse

by Primal WolfBlood

In the third instalment of Yu-Gi-Oh The Lost Episodes, Rio Kastle, a seemingly normal teenager with a torrid history, had her life uprooted by the decisions of her brother to join the cause of the Barian race, and reign as two of their emperors, leading to her untimely demise. But what would have happened if she had turned her back on her brother, and joined an offshoot faction in

2. Noble Over-Hundred

Barian Curse

Chapter Two: Noble Over-Hundred

Vector and the newly-recruited Marin flew to Number 73's ruins, where Vector was surprised to be confronted by Nash, who had tracked them after escaping. 'Well look what the cat dragged in… how did you escape anyway? That was supposed to tear you apart' 'Never mind that, I came to talk to my sister.' Vector tried to block him, but Marin, eyes still glowing red, pushed him aside. 'What the hell are you doing?' 'I was offered the opportunity to live, to be on the winning side. I now serve Don Thousand, and let him guide me. Because you could never.'

Nash then pointed at Vector. 'What have you been telling her What did you do to my sister!?' 'Don't blame me that even your own sister can see you're a useless leader. Now if you don't mind, WE have some ruins to visit.' 'And Yuma and Astral to defeat. So get out of our way.' Before they could move anywhere however, they were disturbed by Alito and Girag arriving. And they quickly sided with Nash, as Alito would explain.

'Vector, we're supposed to be a united front under Nash. Our job is to destroy Astral World, but you're just trying to tear us apart.' 'Me? I'm not trying to "tear anyone apart", I'm simply making a little statement.' 'Which is?' The mad Emperor responded with a cackling laugh. 'That all the rest of the emperors are completely disposable to me! I am the only one that matters, as long as I survive the race survives, and as long as the race survives, Don Thousand is satisfied!' As he said this, Marin glanced over, clearly unimpressed by Vector's insults.

She then made a challenge. 'If you have a problem with what we're doing, we could always just take you out.' But Alito wasn't interested. 'I'm not going to tear us apart just because you think you're better than everybody else.' 'Well I'm certainly better than you, for starters I'm not a coward.' The last word was the final straw for Alito, as he immediately Battlemorphed. 'I will defeat you and restore unity to our race. No emperor is better than any other, and you've clearly lost sight of that. Maybe my monsters will punch some sense into you.'

As Alito looked over, Girag was already prepared for the duel. 'Girag?' 'If this is the only way that we're going to achieve our goals, then I'm going to be right there with you Alito. I'm gonna give her a big hand back to sanity land.' As the three of them were about to start, Vector laughed, and stepped back. 'I'm going to sit this one out if you don't mind.' Marin just stared through him. 'I'll be better off without you. Let's duel.'

Marin LP:4000 vs. Alito LP:4000 and Girag LP:4000

Turn 1: Marin: 'It's only fair that since I'm at a disadvantage I go first. I draw. Because I control no monsters, I can summon Ice Vulture without a sacrifice (Atk:2100). I'll set three and I'll end my turn.'

Alito: 'I draw. I summon Battlin' Boxer Shadow (Atk:1800). And because I summoned a Boxer, I can also call out Sparrer for some practice (Atk:1200). Then I'll overlay my two monsters to build the overlay network, and Xyz summon Battlin' Boxer Lead Yoke (Atk:2200). I end my turn with a face-down too.'

Girag: 'I draw. I summon Thunder Hand (Atk:1600). Then I activate the Spell card Mystery Hand. By revealing Ice Hand in my hand, I can place Fire Hand on the top of my deck. I end my turn with a face-down.'

Marin: 'I draw. I'll summon Blizzard Thunderbird (Atk:1600). Then I'll overlay my two monsters, to Xyz summon Number 94 - Crystalzero (Atk:2400).' 'So you can't even bring yourself to use your Barian Number, you think you're too good for us.' 'Say whatever you like, your downfall is my only concern. I'll attack Lead Yoke with Crystalzero.' The polar princess fired a single beam of ice at Lead Yoke, forcing Alito to protect it. 'I'll detach an overlay unit (ORU:2-1), to protect my Lead Yoke (Alito LP:4000-3700, Lead Yoke Atk:2200-3000).

'Now the battle's ended, I can use Crystalzero's effect to use an Overlay Unit (ORU:2-1), and halve your Lead Yoke's Attack (Atk:2800-1400). I'll end my turn there - good luck destroying my monster.' As her turn ended, Vector started shouting out. 'Why don't you use Barian's Force Marin?' She turned around to him with an evil glare. 'If you're such an expert, why don't you join in? I'll happily take on the three of you.' 'Why would I do that? It's much more fun to just watch you all exert yourselves.' As Marin called Vector a slur under her breath, Alito drew for turn.

Alito: 'Whatever we have to do in order to stop you, that's what we'll do. I'll activate Battlin' Boxer Spirits. By sending the top card of my deck to the graveyard, I can revive Battlin' Boxer Shadow (Atk:1800).' As Alito looked at the milled card, he gave a knowing nod. 'That's the ticket. Right, I'll summon Switchitter (Atk:1500). With it's effect, I can summon a Boxer from my graveyard.' 'So you needed to send a Boxer with Spirits, if I didn't have so much… hatred in my heart, I'd compliment you. But I suppose hatred is part of the Barian identity isn't it?'

'Say what you want, but you can't deny that you chose to be one of us. With the effect of Switchitter, I summon Battlin' Boxer Headgeared (Atk:1000). Then Headgeared will send Counterpunch to the graveyard. Now I'll overlay my three monsters, to Xyz summon! You might not want to use yours but I'll certainly use mine - I summon Number 105 - Battlin' Boxer Star Cestus (Atk:2500).'

'Star Cestus, knock out Crystalzero with Stardust Impact.' Alito's Barian number was just strong enough to deliver a killer blow to Marin's Xyz monster, destroying it (Marin LP:4000-3900). 'Lead Yoke, attack her directly.' 'I activate my face-down Blizzard Wall. This negates your attack and then lets me draw a card. If it's a Water monster, I can reveal it to deal both of you with 500 points of damage.' She drew the card and showed it off. 'Blizzard Falcon.' Without mercy, she shot a wave of ice from her hand, chilling both her opponents to the bone (Alito LP:3700-3200, Girag LP:4000-3500). 'I end my turn.'

Girag: 'I draw. If you like ice so much, you'll love my Ice Hand (Atk:1400). Then I'll overlay my two Hands to build the overlay network and Xyz summon Number 106 - Giant Hand (Atk:2000). Then I'll equip it with Doom Hand. Now, if you activate any cards or effects in the Battle phase, you lose 2000 Life points.' 'That's fine, I'll just activate my face-down Nightmare Wheel.' A large wheel attached itself to the knuckles of Giant Hand, preventing it from moving. 'Now, you can't attack with your big hand.' 'It's GIANT HAND!' 'I don't care what it's called, the point is, no Battle phase for you this turn.' With little other choice, Girag ended his turn. 'At the end of my turn, Doom Hand destroys itself because I didn't attack, and I lose half my Life points (Girag LP:3500-1750).'

Marin: 'I draw.' As she did, she heard Don Thousand's voice in her head. "Now is the time - summon my symbol!" "Whatever you desire, Don Thousand." She then made her move. I summon Blizzard Thunderbird (Atk:1600). Then I'll use her effect, to tribute herself and summon Ice Vulture from my graveyard, and Blizzard Falcon from my hand (Atk:2100,1500). Then I'll overlay them both to build the overlay network!' As she did, her red eyes peaked in luminosity, apparently enraged and clouded by Don Thousand's power. 'I Xyz summon Number 103 - Ragnazero (Atk:2400).'

As she did, Vector was laughing at the scenes. 'It's so easy, I don't even need to lift a finger!' In all his cockiness and bluster, Vector appeared to have not noticed the distinct lack of any significant communication from Don Thousand, who appeared to be focusing all his efforts on Marin. "Now attack Marin." She however, had other ideas, as she was about to demonstrate.

'I activate my face-down Serac Shift.' As she did, two large plates of ice appeared below Girag and Alito, and started violently shifting from side to side, causing them to lose their footing. 'What's going on?' 'This card deals 400 points of damage to all of us for each Water monster in my graveyard. Then one monster on the field loses that amount of Attack points. Of course, you could negate your individual damage, if you have a Water monster to discard.' Girag discarded an Ice Hand, but there was nothing Alito could do. 'I don't have any Water monsters, you know that.' 'Really? That's too bad. I'll discard Sirenorca.' The shifting ice stopped, apart from under Alito, who got sucked in, causing grievous injury, while a similar fate became of Star Cestus (Alito LP:3200-1600, Star Cestus Atk:2500-900).

As Alito got back up, she had more bad news to deliver. 'And now I've crippled you, I can destroy your monster with the effect of my Ragnazero. Moonblade Blitz.' Ragnazero surged in, and slices straight through Star Cestus, leaving Alito's field exposed. 'Then I draw a card.' Marin almost broke a smile with the card she drew, but kept that quiet. 'I'll attack Giant Hand with Ragnazero.' Girag though was determined to keep his monster around. 'I activate Endurance Hand. This protects my monster by doubling the Battle damage.' No sooner had he finished speaking than the gust from Ragnazero's dizzying attack sent him flying back into one of the walls of the ruins (Girag LP:1750-950).

As he struggled to get back up, Nash suddenly appeared from nowhere. 'Sister.' As he advanced, she held up her hand. 'Not another step until the duel is over.' 'We need to talk.' 'I would agree. So not another step, and you get what you want.' He then saw Vector, giggling away. 'What did you do to her?' 'Oh little ol' me? I didn't have to do anything, she did it all herself. If anything I'm feeling slightly left out.' While the discussion raged, Marin ended her turn setting one card.

Alito: 'We're… not… done!' 'We'll see about that.' The top card of Alito's deck then glowed red. 'Barian's Chaos Draw. I activate Battlin' Boxing Spirits. By sending the top card of my deck to the grave, I can revive Star Cestus (Def.:2000). Then I'll activate Double Rank-up Magic Hundred Force, but it requires some assistance from my partner.' 'Whatever you need Alito.' 'By skipping Girag's turn, I can rank up both our monsters at once!'

As Marin looked on in sheer shock, Nash looked on with arrogance. 'Don Thousand, did you really think I wasn't prepared for the day you turned on us? I knew you were an untrustworthy god, so I prepared all the emperors with the weapons they would need to take you on.' Alito then interrupted. 'Dual Chaos Xyz Evolution! I summon the champion of all Battlin' Boxers, Chaos Number 105 - Battlin' Boxer Comet Cestus (Atk:2800).' 'Come forth, Chaos Number 106 - Giant Red Hand. With the power to harness this chaotic world, its fist will smash the land, its finger will tear the sky! (Atk:2600).'

'Comet Cestus, activate your ability. By detaching an Xyz material, it can destroy Ragnazero and you lose Life points equal to its Attack. Comet Explosion.' She didn't even seem slightly flustered though, calmly countering. 'I activate Thousand Cross, equipping it to Ragnazero.' As this was activated, a large, ruby cross erupted from the ground, and thorns emerged, tying Ragnazero to it. 'Now she can't be destroyed in battle or by card effects.' 'Why are you doing this Marin?' Her revelation would change the entire context of the duel.

'Because frankly, I don't care about any of you. Nash knows what had to be done to convince me, I have no reason to care about any of your successes. I'm simply looking out for Number 1, and everyone else is collateral.' 'But… we're supposed to be allies.' 'You're NOTHING to me, don't you get it? The only one I need is Don Thousand, and I'll happily execute all of you for him.'

This enraged her opponents, while Nash continued to look on stoically. Vector continued laughing, having not realised she was also referring to himself. Eventually an enraged Alito declared 'Well nothing's stopping me attacking now! Celestial Burst!' 'Don't forget about the Blizzard Wall.' Rio drew her card, and revealed Snow Dragon. 'Enjoy your 500, ally (Alito LP:1600-1100). 'I end my turn.'

Girag: 'I draw! Giant Red Hand, eliminate her monster once and for all!' 'Again, I'll activate Blizzard Wall.' This time, she drew Mermaid Shark. As Girag took further punishment (Girag LP:950-450), Marin mused 'I really should have got rid of that card before we started. Well, I suppose it had a use at least.' 'I end my turn with a face-down.' As Marin went to draw for turn, Don Thousand tightened his grip over her. "Finish them off." She responded, deep under his spell. "Yes, I will finish them off for you."

Marin: 'This one is over! I draw. I activate the third effect of Thousand Cross, By sending it to my graveyard, I can rank up Ragnazero into a Chaos Xyz monster. Chaos Xyz Evolution! Barian's power, born of chaos, pales in comparison to that of the almighty god.' As the red in her eyes intensified, she raised her arm. 'I Xyz summon Chaos Number 103 - Ragnafinity (Atk:2800).'

'So you can tie Comet Cestus. But you can't take either of us down.' 'That is where you're wrong. I activate two Spells - Zero Blade and Reflection Prism. Zero Blade reduces the Attack of one monster on the field by 1000, and allows Ragnafinity to attack twice this turn. And Reflection Prism reflects the effect of a card, inflicting it on another monster as well.' A ghostly blade appeared and hit the prism, which reflected a ghostly white light into both Giant Red Hand and Comet Cestus (Atk:2600-1600, 2800-1800). 'Ragnafinity, let us be present for their FUNERAL!' The Over-Hundred Number spun her scythe slicing through both Giant Red Han and Comet Cestus, taking both her opponents out in the process (Girag LP:450-0, Alito LP:1100-0).

Alito and Girag slumped to the ground, and as they did, their bodies glowed a harsh, grainy red. Knowing the end was nigh, Girag looked over at his fallen comrade, and smiled. 'I'm glad I got to go out with you.' 'Yeah, me too bud. Good work there.' As they vanished, their souls became two orbs, both absorbed by Marin, who then transformed back into her human guise.

As she did, Nash continued to plead. 'You don't have to do this sister, you can stand on the right side. Stand against them.' Blinded by power though, she wasn't listening. 'I stand on whatever side I choose. I no longer need to take instructions from you, I chose a new master, a new path. One not dictated by you anymore. So I suggest you stand back and enjoy the symphony of our destruction, lest you be caught up in the blast.'

'But I still don't understand' 'And you never have, and you never will. Because that's what you do, you fail to understand.' Before the petty squabble could continue, the airship carrying Yuma and co. crashed into the wall of the ruins, causing the wall to crumble away. A voice then came from inside the ship. 'Astral! I thought you said this ship was under control!' 'No, I said that the ship wouldn't fall out of the sky. The fact nobody was steering it is not my fault.'

Still arguing with the invisible sprite, Yuma leapt out of the ship, to see the scene of Vector, Marin and Nash all facing off. Having missed the end of the Vector and Marin duel, he was very confused. 'Hey Rio, what's going on?' She briefly looked over, before looking away again. 'I'm sorry, I don't know who you're referring to.' 'Don't be like that, you know who I am.'

'Oh I know who you are Yuma Tsukumo. And I fully intend on dealing with you later.' Yuma went to approach, but Nash stopped him. 'I wouldn't bother Yuma.' He then stared at his sister. 'She's changed. She's been brainwashed by Don Thousand's power.' 'Sorry, who's Don Thousand again?' 'The Barian god. He's brainwashed her with delusions of power.' She then made a point of interrupting.

'I don't have any delusions of power. Thanks to Don Thousand, I know exactly how much power that I have.' 'Rio, please.' 'I told you already, I don't know anybody called Rio.' Nash then scolded his sister for that. 'I thought we were a race built on respect and dignity - stop taking everyone for idiots Rio Kastle.' She was still indignant however. 'I don't know why you're scolding me, you're the one who's not fit to be a leader. You're a disgrace to this "noble race".' 'How dare you insinuate such a thing.' 'I'm insinuating nothing, I'm outright stating it. Only one of us deserves to lead, and it isn't you. You can't keep me in your shadow any longer.'

Yuma then interrupted the conversation again. 'Why are you doing this - you heard Dumon's words, he sacrificed his life for you. Why are you ignoring his wishes?' Hearing this, she almost shed a tear, but kept it hidden. 'Dumon's wishes were for the Barian race to survive. Nothing more, nothing less. His sacrifice was a noble one, but it was still his decision. I have no sympathy, as every decision has a consequence. Including the one I'm about to make.' 'Why does that mean allying with Vector though?' 'Everybody's decisions have consequences. And it's my job to make sure that those consequences are followed up on.'

As she said this, she lifted her left hand and a bolt of ice streamed out of her ring finger, chilling him to the bone. She then grabbed him from behind, and threw him in front of her brother. 'He's all yours.' The delay from everyone being shocked allowed Vector to get back up again, still being affected by the chill. 'Hey, why did you just do that! When I rat you out to Don Thousand, he's going to end your little charade.' 'Actually, he already knows.'

She then walked over, and patted Vector on the head. 'Silly little Vector, did you really think that a god as wise as ours would trust you to get the job done? You may have released him, but it was me that he chose. You were just a vehicle for him to get to me.' Using his power, Don Thousand was then able to show a flashback to just before Marin and Dumon's duel with Vector.

FLASHBACK

'But why do you want me?' 'Because you are trustworthy. The traitorous Vector already has plans to betray me once he has what he wants.' 'And you're not the same?' 'No, I will grant you unlimited power. Once you have conquered all who stand before you, you will stand with the power to reshape the world however you desire, becoming a queen above all others.'

Now interested, she started to enquire. 'And I could do whatever I want?' 'You could control life and death itself. You could reshape the world, you would control the destiny of multiple worlds. You would decide the future of the universe itself.' Clearly making plans, she nodded. 'I'll do it.' Sensing Dumon arriving, she made a corrupt bargain. 'But nobody can know, and if it's me, it's ONLY me. Not Vector.' 'I will ally with him for as long as necessary.'

In the present

While Yuma looked dismayed and Nash disgusted, Vector was enraged by the betrayal. 'You little…' 'Don't pretend to be surprised, Vector. And don't expect an apology either, not for the amount of times you tried to KILL me. Frankly you're lucky that I'm even letting you live, with the power I've been handed, I could turn your blood into a slushie in seconds if I really wanted to' she stated with the greatest of arrogance, the power apparently now going to her head. Maddened, Vector burst into a fit of insane laughter.

'Well guess what princess - I don't need you. I never needed you, and I never will! I didn't need that traitor Don Thousand's help to conquer everything before, and I sure as hell don't need it now. So what I'm going to do is I'm going to destroy Nash once and for all, and then I'll come back for you (pointing to Yuma), and you (pointing to Marin), and then destroy Don Thousand, and I'll become Ultimate Emperor of Barian World!'

Nash then stepped up to Vector. 'I don't want to fight my fellow Emperors. However it is clear that I do not get a say in the matter. Therefore, I will have to defeat you, and then deal with my treacherous sister later.' As Nash activated his D-Pad, he had a stark warning. 'Remember Vector, you asked for this. What happens next' 'Is completely on me, yeah yeah, I know, you don't take any responsibility. What's new there? It's time to destroy you!'

Nash LP:4000 vs. Vector LP:4000

Turn 1: Vector: 'I'll start! I activate Magical Tomb.' As he did, Nash's entire deck flew out of his D-Pad, and the cards floated in the air in front of Vector, while a large coffin appeared in the centre of the field. 'This allows me to take any single card from your deck, and put it into the Magical Tomb. When the tomb is destroyed, the card goes directly to your hand. I think I'll take… Rank-up Magic the Seventh One! Let's face it, there's not seven anymore, is there!'

As the Tomb disappeared into the ground, Nash's deck returned to where it was. 'Now I'll activate Umbral Horror Ghost from my hand. By giving up my Normal summon for the turn, I can summon Ghost and Umbral Horror Ghoul from my hand (Atk:0,1800). Then Ghost's effect, by reducing its own Attack points to 0 (Atk:1800-0), can summon Umbral Horror Will O'The Wisp (Atk:0). Now I'll activate Star Aligning. So I draw a card, and if it's a monster, I can force every monster on the field to be the same Level as it.' He drew, and showed off his card. 'Another Ghost. So everything is Level 4. Now I'll overlay my three monsters to build the overlay network and Xyz summon Number 104 - Masquerade (Atk:2700). I end my turn.'

Nash; 'I draw. I know what your Masquerade is all about, and I don't intend on walking straight into the trap Vector. I end my turn by setting a monster face-down and setting two cards in my backrow.'

Vector: 'My draw. I'll happily attack your monster with Masquerade.' Masquerade threw several gold rings directly at Nash's monster (Shocktopus Def.:800), destroying it. 'I activate the effect of Shocktopus, to equip to Masquerade and make its Attack points 0.' 'Not so fast Nash, I have the effect of my Number! By detaching an Overlay unit (ORU:3-2), it can negate the effect and deal 800 damage to you.'

This is where Nash had Vector outsmarted though. 'Vector, I know what Masquerade does. Which is why I'm activating Energy-Absorbing Monolith. Now any effect damage you deal to me this turn is turned into Life points (Nash LP:4000-4800).' Angered, Vector took it in his stride. 'I'll use Masquerade's effect to send the top card of your deck to the graveyard (Rank Domination). Then I'll end my turn.'

Nash: 'I draw. I summon Hammer Shark (Atk:1700). Then because I control a Water monster, I can summon Abyss Shark (Atk:1200). When Abyss Shark is summoned, it can search a Level 3 through 5 Shark from my deck.' Staring at his sister the entire time, he declared 'I search Crystal Shark. I can summon this one by halving the Attack of Abyss Shark (Atk:1100). Now I'll overlay my Level 5 Crystal Shark and Abyss Shark in order to build the overlay network and Xyz summon Number 73 - Abyss Splash (Atk:2400).'

As the ruin guardian appeared, Marin stared it down long and hard. 'Well look who it is.' Finally fed-up, Nash glared at her again. 'If you've got something to say, just say it.' 'No, it can wait. Now isn't the time.' Unflustered, Nash continued. 'Now I activate Rank-up Magic Barian's Force. This will rank up my monster into one that is one rank higher. Chaos Xyz Evolution!'

As he declared this, his entire body was coated in a pink glow. 'Barian's power, born of chaos, destroy all those who stand before our ultimate victory! I Xyz summon Chaos Number 73 - the god of roaring cascades, cripple my foe at this time - Abyss Supra Splash (Atk:3000).' Despite facing down a stronger monster, Vector didn't seem to care much about its presence. 'Do whatever you like, I really don't care. Because you know that you will never beat me, I have more power than you could ever imagine!'

He appeared slightly unnerved when Nash barely reacted though. 'Is that so? In that case I suppose you wouldn't care if I activate Abyss Supra's ability, to gain Attack equal to that of Masquerade.' As Abyss powered right up, Vector cackled, unaware of what was about to befall him (Atk:3000-5700). 'Abyss Supra Splash, attack Vector with Final Fall.' Vector prepared to take the hit, but as the impact came, there was a sting in the tale. 'When Abyss Shark is summoned through its own effect, if a Number monster battles that turn, the damage is doubled!' As this was proclaimed, Vector watched on in shock. As the attack hit, rubble from the ruins flew up, causing an aquatic sandstorm.

END OF CHAPTER 2