Here it comes, ladies and gentlemen. It's now Marin's time to reveal her Heir. I'm hoping to get this one done in one night, but I won't cross my fingers. The last chapter took me about a month or so, though with a LOT of procrastination involved.
"Words are not enough to express the unconditional love that exists between a mother and a daughter."
-Caitlan Houston
Chapter Ten
The Heir of Marin
Previously...
Asuka, exiled from the Shinobi, has been transported to another world with her former rival, Homura, and two new friends. Upon Homura and their friend Akiru being revealed as the Heirs of two of the seven Barian Emperors, as well as three others being Heirs to other Emperors, the group now journeys to the capital city of Barian known as Sanctuary, where they can be safe and decide their next move. This is their story...
(Asakusa district, Tokyo, Japan)
A man and his wife were sitting in their home, having just been informed of their daughter's disappearance while on her way to where she was staying from school. The mother leaned against her husband for support, trying her hardest not to cry. Ryoga held onto his wife, gently petting her. "It'll be okay, Megumi. We'll find her. She's a smart girl." Megumi whispered to him, "I hope so. Dad will be so heartbroken if something happens to her." Her husband held onto her. "I know, dear. I know."
As they spoke, a portal appeared in front of them, a pale skinned woman with long blue hair and a coattail stepping out of it, her mask covering her face. Ryoga got up and looked at her. "Who are you?!" Looking him over for a moment, the newcomer said, "You don't remember." Sighing to herself, she added, "Why am I not surprised?" Megumi looked at her husband with concern. "Ryoga?" Patting her shoulder to reassure her, the man turned to the newcomer and repeated his question. "Who. Are you?" She replied, "I'm Marin, your sister."
Looking at each other in shock, the couple faced her again before Ryoga replied, "But I don't have a sister." Marin replied, "You do. You just don't remember it. Hold still." Holding out her hand, she lightly tapped his forehead, the man dropping to the ground, gripping his head. His wife rushed to his side, then looked at the newcomer. "What did you do?!" She replied, "Relax. It'll all make sense soon. For now, though, I know where your daughter is. You'll both have to come with me." Looking at her, the couple asked at the same time, "Where is she?"
(Barian World, outside the gates of Sanctuary)
Dumon led the group up to the gate, and knocked on it three times, the guard opening the view hatch, seeing the Emperor. "Lord Dumon! Welcome back to Sanctuary!" The Emperor replied, "Thank you. We've found five of the Heirs. The other two may be among the group, but they have not yet awakened to their Barian forms if they are. We need to get them all inside the city." The guard nodded with a salute. "At once, my Lord." As the gate opened, Mizar faced Akiru and the others. "This way, everyone. Try not to get separated."
As the group walked through the city, the denizens of the city cheered for the Emperors as they walked by, as well as the Heirs that stood among them, Akiru trying to not think about it, his father noticing. "Not really one for attention, hmm?" His son replied, "Nope." A blonde-haired human girl who was among the crowd noticed Homura, and started to run over, stopped by a pair of guards, who told her, "I'm sorry, miss, but you cannot approach the Emperors." Noticing the commotion, Dumon recognized the girl and said, "Guards, let her through. She is known to me." As they obeyed and moved out of the way, the girl ran straight to Homura, who immediately recognized her. "Yomi?!"
The two friends hugged in the midst of the group, the red-skinned girl's fellow Heirs watching with soft smiles. Her father waited a moment, before saying, "I'm sorry to break this up, but we need to get to the Palace. Marin will be expecting us." Turning to Yomi, he added, "You may come along with us. I'm sure you and Homura have much to talk about." The group soon reached the Palace, the guards letting them through with bows of respect, though not to the humans, who received polite nods.
When they all entered the throne room, Marin stood near the seven thrones situated in a half circle, the high throne in the middle, crimson carpeting all over the floor, which was made of crimson-colored stone. Turning towards the arriving group, Marin looked at her fellow Emperors as they approached and knelt to their temporary leader, saying, "Welcome back, gentlemen. Your timing is perfect. I've found Nash." All five of her fellow Emperors all sighed in relief, and she continued, "However, he has lost his memories. They're being restored as we speak, but I think it best to leave him in peace until the process is complete."
Turning to the Heirs, she said, "Welcome to Sanctuary, Heirs of the Emperors. Please, introduce yourselves." The blue-haired girl stepped forward first, and after kneeling, said, "It's an honor to meet you, my lady. My name is Yozakura, Heir of Alito." The female Emperor replied, "I'm glad you arrived safely, Yozakura." The pale-skinned girl stepped forward next, kneeled, and said, "My name is Shiki, Heir of Vector. It's a pleasure to meet you." Akiru whispered to Homura, "She was a lot more polite than I was expecting." Marin replied to Shiki, "Welcome home, Shiki."
The side-ponytailed girl approached next and kneeled, saying, "M-My name is Murakumo, my lady, Heir of Girag." The Empress chuckled and replied, "You don't need to be so nervous, Murakumo. We are all friends here." The Heir of Girag bowed in respect. The red-skinned girl bowed slowly to Marin, and said, "I'm honored to meet you, my lady. My name is Homura, Heir of Dumon." Marin said, "Oh, yes. I've heard a lot about you from your father. The Heir of Dumon blushed under her mask, the Empress adding, "Welcome to Sanctuary."
The young man stepped forward and knelt at last, saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you, milady. My name is Akiru, Heir of Mizar." Marin faced him. "Oh, yes. Your father has spoken quite highly of you. It's my pleasure to welcome you to Sanctuary." Turning to the humans at last, she addressed Kotori first. "The daughter of Mizar, I presume?" The younger girl nodded, replying, "My name is Kotori Hirasu, my lady." The Empress replied, "I'm not sure if you'll be able to stay in Barian permanently, but we'll do our best to ensure your comfort."
Turning to Asuka, she retracted her mask and smiled at her. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Asuka." Stunned, the yellow-eyed brunette asked, "You know who I am, my lady?" Marin replied, "Of course. Your father is my brother, after all." Akiru and Homura glanced at each other, both grinning under their respective mask and mouth guard. Turning to the twin-tailed girl, Marin said, "Welcome to Sanctuary, Midori. Thank you for being there for my daughter." Midori bowed down to the ground, stumbling over her words, much to the amusement of the Emperors gathered.
Finally, the Empress turned to Yumi and said, "I'm sorry I had to leave you, Yumi." The grey-haired girl gasped in surprise, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Mother?" Stepping down from the thrones, Marin embraced her daughter, Yumi crying into her shoulder, whispering into her daughter's ear, "It's okay. You're home now." The other Emperors gathered and the Heirs smiled under their masks at the reunion of mother and daughter, and when the two exited the embrace, Marin said, "We'll need to awaken your power now." Handing her daughter a blank card, she said, "This will form for you soon."
While Marin spoke with her daughter, Mizar approached his son and handed him a card. As Akiru accepted it and looked it over, his father explained, "I imagine you'll find this quite useful." Having looked it over, the young man said, "Oooooooooh!" Meanwhile, Yomi and Homura were speaking. "So he found you near the hideout while he was looking for me?" The blonde nodded in response, and said, "I was fortunate to still be alive. It must have been all the bean sprouts that kept me alive!" The red-skinned girl sighed to herself. "You'll never give that up, will you?" Yomi simply smiled in response.
The Empress looked over the five awakened Heirs, then made a decision. "Akiru." The Heir of Mizar faced her, saying, "Yes, my lady?" She replied, "I would like you to help Yumi awaken to her Barian form." The young man nodded in response. "Yes, ma'am." She put her hand up to get his attention. "That means you must Duel her without holding back. Unleash your Number against her." After deep contemplation, he said, "I suppose I do need to test out this new card, anyway, my lady." Yumi looked at him with an amused expression. "I am interested in facing the Duelist that trained Asuka-san and Homura-san."
He grinned under his mouthguard in reply, Duel Disk forming on his left arm, and his left eye turning bright red, right eye a bright blue. Readying her own Duel Disk, the grey-haired girl stared him down, ready for this challenge. "Sink into the dreams of sleeping souls!" In response, the young man replied, "I prefer to stay above the waves, if it's all the same to you." As the field took shape, everyone watched closely as the two drew their five cards, taking their positions before the seven thrones, Yumi on the left side of the room and Akiru on the right side. Holding their hands ready, the two declared, "Let's Duel!"
(Yumi: 4000)
(Akiru: 4000)
Drawing her card to start it off, Yumi said, "I will begin by Summoning Samurai of the Ice Barrier!"
(Samurai of the Ice Barrier appeared: a level 4 WATER monster with 1800 ATK)
Her opponent smirked under his mask. "Ice Barrier, huh? That's a rare archetype." The grey-haired girl retorted, "Do not focus on such trivial matters, Akiru-kun." With a sigh, he replied, "Just Akiru, please. I don't care for honorifics." She replied, "Very well, Akiru. But do not expect me to make this easy for you. I will end my turn with one card Face-Down." Drawing his own card, Akiru said, "First, since you control a monster and I don't, I can Special Summon my Level Warrior from my hand!"
(Level Warrior appeared: a level 3 LIGHT monster with 300 ATK)
(Level Warrior's level: 4)
The grey-haired girl tilted her head in confusion. "May I ask how your Level Warrior's level increased to 4?" The young man explained, "When he's Summoned by that ability, he becomes level 4." She nodded in understanding, and said, "I presume that is a first wave." He replied, "Something like that. Next, I Summon my Queen's Knight!"
(Queen's Knight appaered: a level 4 LIGHT monster with 1500 ATK)
Looking over his setup, the grey-haired girl understood. "Two level 4 monsters." The Heir of Mizar said, "Before I go any further, though. I'll activate Pot of Greed to draw two new cards." Once he did so, he selected his next card and said, "I now activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Face-Down!" The card was blown away, revealed to be a Mirror Force, Akiru smirking. "Nice try, but I know better than to attack blindly. I'll now Overlay level 4 Level Warrior and Queen's Knight!" The two monsters were enveloped in yellow energy before spiraling upwards, a triple-ringed portal appearing before their master, who said, "With these three monsters, I build the Overlay Network and Xyz Summon Photon Papilloperative!"
From the portal rose a butterfly woman with blue energy in her torso, dual glowing whips in her hands, which she struck as she took her place on the field.
(Photon Papilloperative appeared: a Rank 4 LIGHT Xyz monster with 2100 ATK and 2 Overlay Units)
Shiki whistled from where she was watching. "An Xyz Summon on his first turn." Vector nodded in agreement. "He represents his father well." Yumi slightly paled upon seeing the new monster. "You didn't Summon your Number?" Akiru replied, "Be patient. You'll see him in action soon enough. First, though, Photon Papilloperative, attack Samurai of the Ice Barrier!" The woman lashed at the Samurai with her whips, the resulting explosion covering the field in smoke as Yumi held her ground.
(Yumi: 3700)
The young man kept his gaze on his opponent and said, "You'll have to do better than that. I'll put two cards Face-Down and end my turn." Drawing her next card, Yumi said, "I Summon Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier!"
(Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier appeared: a level 4 WATER monster with 1500 ATK)
Akiru sighed upon seeing it. "I've heard of that card. It can't be destroyed by battle against a monster with 1900 or more Attack Points." Selecting a card, the grey-haired girl stated, "You can read my cards, but that will not grant you victory." He quipped, "Ever heard the phrase, 'Knowledge is power'?" She replied, "A fair point, but mine still stands. I'll activate the ability of Prior of the Ice Barrier in my hand. Since I have another Ice Barrier monster on my field, I can Summon Prior to the field."
(Prior of the Ice Barrier appeared: a level 2 WATER monster with 400 DEF)
Facing him again, Yumi said, "I do not fear your Photon Papilloperative, Akiru." The young man smirked under his mouth guard and replied, "Oh, she's not what you should be afraid of." Tilting her head in confusion, she replied, "I end my turn." Drawing his card, he said, "Photon Papilloperative, attack Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier!" Yozakura spoke up, 'Didn't you just say that-?" Facing her, he said, "I know that I said it can't be destroyed by monsters with 1900 or more Attack Points in battle. Here's the thing. She'll still take damage." Yumi grimaced as her Life Points were hit again.
(Yumi: 3100)
Looking at Yumi again, he said, "I end my turn." Drawing her card, the grey-haired girl said, "I Summon Defender of the Ice Barrier!"
(Defender of the Ice Barrier appeared: a level 3 WATER monster with 200 ATK)
Looking at her setup now, Akiru realized what she was planning. "You put Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier in Attack Mode to bait me into attacking it." She smirked in response. "You are not the only one who can use strategy, Akiru." Smirking in response, he replied, "I never said I was." Continuing, she stated, "Defender of the Ice Barrier is a Tuner monster, so I Tune him with level 4 Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier and level 2 Prior of the Ice Barrier, to Synchro Summon Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!" A three-headed glacier-like dragon rose into the air, roaring in defiance as it landed on the field.
(Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier appeared: a level 9 WATER Synchro monster with 2700 ATK)
Akiru was quick to respond. "I activate my Trap, Fiendish Chain!" As the grey-haired girl gasped in surprise, chains wrapped around the dragon, immobilizing it. Her opponent then explained, "While those chains are on Trishula, he can't attack and all of his abilities are negated, so you won't be Banishing any of my cards!" Yumi looked at him in surprise. "How did you know what I was planning?" He replied, "When you Summoned Defender, it clicked." Sighing to herself, she said, "I'll simply clear away an obstacle, then. I activate my own Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Fiendish Chain!"
As the chains shattered and Trishula was freed, Yumi declared, "Trishula, attack Photon Papilloperative!" Akiru was quicker. "I activate my other Trap, Eternal Galaxy!" Upon seeing the Trap, the grey-haired girl tilted her head in confusion. "I have never heard of that card." He quipped, "I mean, my father just gave it to me, so that would be why." Gasping, Yumi exclaimed, "What?!" Looking her dead in the eye, Akiru explained, "I can only activate Eternal Galaxy while I control a Photon or Galaxy monster, and an Xyz Monster. Photon Papilloperative counts as both!" Marin was impressed. "I never would have noticed that."
The Heir of Mizar continued. "I can use the Xyz Monster to Summon a new Galaxy Xyz Monster from my Extra Deck to the field that's four Ranks higher!" Kotori muttered to herself, "Wait, four plus four is..." Homura finished the thought. "He can Summon his Number!" Yumi stepped back a bit and said, "Impossible... An Xyz Monster Summoned by using another?" Akiru continued, "Using Photon Papilloperative, I rebuild the Overlay Network! Galactic Xyz Transformation!" As he spoke, Photon Papilloperative was enveloped in light blue energy before shooting into the air, a familiar galaxy-shaped portal appearing before him.
Closing his eyes, he chanted, "Master of reality bound in chains, cast off your shackles and break free!" The portal exploded, and from it came a giant blue crystal, with three glowing orbs circling it. The Number's master declared, "Join us, Number 114: Galaxy-Eyes Plasma Dragon!" The crystal formed small cracks before exploding into millions of tiny glowing specks, which began to converge and form into a dragon with black scales, but bioluminescent blue wings, horns on its head, claws, and the tip of its tail, the Number Crest glowing blue on its chest. Its eyes were shaped like blue galaxies, the dragon letting out a defiant roar at its enemy.
(Number 114: Galaxy-Eyes Plasma Dragon appeared: a Rank 8 LIGHT Xyz monster with 3000 ATK and 3 Overlay Units)
The Empress tilted her head in interest. "Fascinating..." Her daughter, however, paled upon seeing the dragon's Attack Points. "Trishula, cancel the attack!" As the ice dragon backed off, the Number stared at it with interest. Gritting her teeth, the grey-haired girl stated, "I will put this card Face-Down and end my turn." Drawing his own card, Akiru said, "I'll start this turn by activating Photon Sanctuary. This will Summon two Photon Tokens to my field."
(Two Photon Tokens appeared: level 4 LIGHT tokens with 0 DEF)
While Yumi tilted her head in confusion, her opponent made his next move. "I should mention that both Tokens have 2000 Attack Points, not that it really matters, though, because they'll be gone in a minute. I sacrifce the two Tokens, each with 2000 Attack Points, to Special Summon one of my best friends, a monster more savage than a supernova, with the combined strength of ten black holes put together! A cosmic scourge that vaporizes everything in its path, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" As he said this, he gripped the three-pronged object and threw it into the air, the object forming into the named dragon that let out its defiant roar.
(Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon appeared: a level 8 LIGHT monster with 3000 ATK)
Akiru gave the order, "Galaxy-Eyes Plasma Dragon, attack Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier! Plasma Scourge of Destruction!" The dragon let out a beam of pure energy that shredded Trishula to pieces, Yumi being knocked off her feet.
(Yumi: 2800)
Everyone gasped at the result. "She's wide open!" The grey-haired girl got up, looking at the two Galaxy-Eyes dragons with defiance in her eyes, a voice softly speaking in her mind. 'Even with the odds against you, you still stand against them?' Yumi replied, "I do, Grandfather. They may be powerful, but I do not believe they are invincible." Akiru asked, "Who are you talking to?" Blushing to herself, she replied, "M-My apologies." Shrugging, her opponent said, "I'm not sure what you're planning, but I am curious. I'll end my turn with that." Marin softly smirked. 'So he understands his role in this after all.'
Drawing her card, Yumi said, "I activate my Face-Down Spell Card Together As One!" Her opponent was the one to tilt his head in confusion this time. Yumi explained, "This Spell Card lets me Summon three monsters with the same name from my Deck!" Everyone present stared at her in shock. Ignoring the expressions, the grey-haired girl said, "I Summon three Strategists of the Ice Barrier from my Deck!"
(Three Strategists of the Ice Barrier appeared: level 4 WATER monsters with 1600 ATK each)
Staring him in the eyes, the grey-haired girl declared, "When I Duel, Akiru, I am never alone." Her Grandfather's voice echoed in her mind again, 'That is right. Are you ready?' She replied, "Yes. Come to me." The voice took on a deeper tone. "Then let us begin." A sharp pain entered her mind and she dropped to the ground, holding her head. "This day marks the beginning of your new destiny. The cold and chaos are your birthrights. Lay claim to them, and embrace who you really are." The air around them started to get colder, everyone except for Yumi, Marin, and Akiru shivering from it.
Staring him down, the grey-haired girl said, "I accept my destiny. I Overlay three level 4 Strategists of the Ice Barrier!" As she spoke, the three monsters were enveloped in blue energy, before shooting upwards in spirals. As the galaxy-shaped portal appeared before her, she said, "With these three monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Closing her eyes, she chanted, 'Ruler of the frozen world, lay waste to all that oppose us!" As she spoke, a massive glacier rose from the exploding portal, before becoming a pure black dragon with icicles all over its body, the Number crest glowing in its head in blue, as the girl finished, "Appear, Number 110: Kurokage, High Dragon of the Ice Barrier!"
(Number 110: Kurokage, High Dragon of the Ice Barrier appeared: a Rank 4 WATER Xyz monster with 2800 ATK and 3 Overlay Units)
Akiru stared in shock at the new monster. "A new Ice Barrier dragon?" The grey-haired girl soon became enveloped in deep mist, which soon vanished to reveal her in her new form, wearing a white kimono over her body, her face covered by an ice themed mask, her left eye now glowing red. Looking at her opponent, she said, "I have read your Galaxy-Eyes Plasma Dragon's ability, so I won't bother using the abiltiy that activates when I Summon Kurokage, but I will make use of the second ability! By using one Overlay Unit, I can Summon an Ice Barrier dragon from my Graveyard! Return, Trishula!"
(Same as before)
(Kurokage, High Dragon of the Ice Barrier Overlay Units: 2)
(Kurokage's ATK: 5500)
Akiru's eyes widened when he saw that. "How did your Number's Attack Points go up?" Yumi explained. "When the Ice Barrier dragon is successfully Summoned from the Graveyard, Kurokage gains Attack Points equal to that of the monster that was Summoned. Now, Kurokage, attack Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!" Looking at her with a deadpan expression, he said, "I activate Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon's ability! When he battles an opponent's monster, I can Banish them both from the field!" His opponent widened her eyes in surprise. "No!" As both monsters left, the Heir of Marin sighed. "I will end my turn."
Akiru was quick to respond. "Hold up, you're missing something important. At the end of the Battle Phase, both monsters return to the field!" As the two dragons returned and roared at each other, two orbs flew from the graveyard into Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon's chest.
(Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon's ATK: 4000)
Yumi's eyes were wide in surprise. "How did your Galaxy-Eyes gain more Attack Points?" He explained, "You see, when the monster Galaxy-Eyes banishes with him is an Xyz Monster, he gains 500 Attack Points for each Overlay Unit that monster had when it was Banished." Homura grimaced under her mask. "That is sneaky." The grey-haired girl commented, "You are certainly resourceful." He replied, "Part of my charm." Drawing his card, Akiru said, "I suppose I should get serious now. Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon, attack Trishula! Photon Stream of Destruction!" The blast of energy incinerated the dragon, leaving nothing.
(Yumi: 1500)
Contining, Akiro ordered, "Galaxy-Eyes Plasma Dragon, attack Kurokage! Plasma Scourge of Destruction!" As the dragon fired, Akiru quickly stated, "And just for the fun of it, I also activate the ability of Honest in my hand! By discarding it while a LIGHT monster of mine is battling, my LIGHT monster gains Attack Points equal to the other!"
(Galaxy-Eyes Plasma Dragon's ATK: 5800)
The sheer stream of pure energy ripped the ice dragon to shreds, leaving nothing by the end of it, and sending Yumi flying as she screamed.
(Yumi: 0)
(Akiru: WIN)
Marin went down to her daughter and said, "You Dueled well. One day you will be able to match him." Facing the young man, she said, "Thank you, Akiru. Your work here will be remembered." He bowed politely. Everyone gathered around Yumi to congratulate her on acheiving her Barian form.
A/N
Hoo... This one took less time to do than I was expecting. Everyone, only one Heir remains. At this point, you should know who it is. As for her Number, you'll find out soon enough.
OC Cards
Together As One
Normal Spell Card
Activate only if you control no monsters. Special Summon three monsters with the same name from your Deck.
Number 110: Kurokage, High Dragon of the Ice Barrier
Attribute: WATER
Rank: 4
ATK: 2800
DEF: 2400
Type: Dragon/Xyz/Effect
Summoning requirements: 3 level 4 "Ice Barrier" monsters
Effect:
If this card is Special Summoned, you can Banish up to three cards your opponent controls. Once per turn, you can Detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, then target 1 "Dragon of the Ice Barrier" monster in your Graveyard, except "Number 110: Kurokage, High Dragon of the Ice Barrier"; Special Summon that target, then this card gains ATK equal to the Summoned monster.