Chapter 11: Blackmail
Within the deepest darkest area of an isolated cave, a bright flash occurred, once the flash passed, Lucifer threw one side of his cape and lowered his hood. His head covered with grey hair in a Mohawk with yellow symbols engraved in his skin, with the divinity star symbol fused to his forehead.
"Bah!" he shouted as he began to walk further into the cave. "Stupid meddlesome pests" he sputtered while gritting his teeth.
He walked up towards a large double helix like object, with in the winds of the two helix shapes, a bright light illuminated the damp cave with the sound of small rain droplets form the tips of the stalagmite's hitting the ground. A set of menacing eyes slowly opened from within the portal, Lucifer knelt down with his arm in front of himself and lowered his head.
"I am sorry my lords" he said.
"You have failed us Lucifer" replied a deep inhuman voice. "Despite your…" the voice chuckled slightly "Entertaining display, your efforts have not made any progress."
"I...I am sor…"
"Enough of your grovelling," snapped the voice; Lucifer suddenly lifted his head while gritting his teeth, "Though your efforts may have been in vain, his contribution is vital for our plan. It is just as well you did not dispose of the boy, as we can use him."
"Surely you jest my lords!"
"Do not question our judgment mortal," snapped the voice, "It is best we make full use of the boy before we dispose of him, your next and last chance will be during the tournament. Now be gone."
The portal of light flashed instantly and the eyes vanished as Lucifer stood up. A new portal emerged showing the image of Michael and Bruno standing before Mr. Hetargi. As they stood firm with both hands at either side, while Mr. Hetargi leant back in his arm chair with one hand under his chin.
"Enjoy your last moment's boy, soon it will all be over." He began to let out an ever growing roar of laughter, it echoed through the depths of the cave growing louder than the sound of the waves crashing into the side of the island he stood on.
Meanwhile, tension grew as Michael and Bruno stood face to face with Mr Hetargi following recent events. Both of them where full of nerves, Bruno for Lucy's wellbeing and Michael for his future within the city. The sound of the water feature brought about and unsettling atmosphere.
"So let's review the facts one more time shall we?" asked Mr Hetargi, "Your saying that the death dancer stole an industrial forklift; ran a rampage through the city centre and destroyed one of my locomotives before falling to her death?"
"That's correct sir," replied Bruno, "As she fell from such a height I can't imagine her surviving."
"Officers at the crash scene found her helmet cracked to pieces," added Michael. "It is safe to say she didn't survive the fall."
"Hmm," groaned Mr Hetargi, "I will admit, you have performed admirably, however, I am a little…shall we say, displeased that she is dead. Given that your orders were to apprehend her."
"We're sorry," said Michael and Bruno as they bowed before him.
"But don't worry, my main concern was removing the girl from our society, therefore, I will keep my promise."
"Thank you," said Bruno with great relief
"Thank you sir," said Michael while keeping a serious expression welded to his face.
"You may leave," Mr Hetargi turned his chair around as Bruno and Michael made their way out of the building.
They two of them exited the building wearing their street clothes; Michael adjusted the strap on his guitar as the sun was slowly emerging from the horizon amidst the faint clouds. Bruno let out a sigh of relief as he lifted his head with a smile; Michael meanwhile still maintained his seriousness while looking out at the rising sun.
They made their way across the city centre, witnessing duels occurring at the crack of dawn. Even in the early hours of the morning the city still felt alive with the presence of many enthusiastic people. Time passed as they made their way up to the front of a tall green building, the wind zone. Michael groaned slightly as they made their way through the doors, both said nothing to each other, deep in thought they reached a door a few floors up.
"This is it," said Bruno, "This is Lucy's room."
"You think it worked?" asked Michael.
"I can only pray that it has."
"How do we know of she's here?"
"Lemme try something," smirked Bruno, "Lucy I'm home" he said with a strange voice as he knocked on the door.
"Shut up Bruno," moaned Lucy from inside. Bruno's face lit up with relief as Chloe opened the door for them.
They walked in to find Lucy lying down on the bead still in her tattered suit with medical supplies out on the computer table. Bruno was looking around the room slightly nervous but still holding a firm smile on his face. Chloe meanwhile was dabbing Lucy's hand with a swab with great care as Lucy lay there looking out of the window, trying to numb the pain with her thoughts. Bruno sat down on the floor next to Lucy holding her other hand; they looked into each other's eyes.
"I'm just glad to see my little hornet girl is safe," he said sincerely.
Lucy turned her head away slightly as Michael stood over the two of them.
"You big dummy," she said softly, "You know me by now; I'm used to this sort of thing." She hissed as Chloe dabbed the swap on her arm whilst gritting her teeth.
"Try to stay still," said Chloe, "It won't hurt as much then."
"I know that, but what I don't know is why you did this, and just how long you've been doing this for?" Lucy sighed briefly as she closed her eyes casting her mind back.
"It was about five years ago. The rain was like falling ice on the way home from our duel practice we had before. I took shelter under an awning and waited for it to die down. I don't know how long I was there before I heard it."
"Heard what?" asked Michael. Lucy opened her eyes looking up at Michael.
"A scream…the most horrific scream I heard in my life." The room fell silent for a moment as everyone became drawn to her words. "I was scared; I didn't know what was going on. That's when she cried for help." Lucy turned her head and looked out of the window, her eyes locked open.
"I wanted to run towards the cry, whoever and whatever was going on I could not sit by and do nothing, but…I did. Once she screamed again I braved the icy rain to find her."
"Did you find her?" asked Michael.
"Yes…but, what I saw shall forever be burned into my memory. I saw her…"
Lucy began to well up at the thought of it as she began to struggle speaking through her tears.
"She was pinned to the wall by someone, someone in a cloak. Then they…they!"
She suddenly erupted into tears; Bruno rushed over to her side and held a hold of her hand looking at her tear stricken face.
"Lucy" he said softly, "What did this person do?"
She slowly began to stop crying, just enough to get her words out.
"The son of a bitch killed her!"
Gasps filled the room as everyone's eyes opened wide, except for Michael as he sat down beside Bruno.
"They rammed their arm right into her chest… she dropped to the floor…almost instantly. If only I didn't hesitate…THEN I COULD HAVE SAVED HER!"
Bruno and Chloe became filled with depression, Bruno only shook his head.
"It's not your fault Lucy; you can't be blamed for her death."
"I know!" she sputtered, "Which is why I became the death dancer, so that I wouldn't repeat my mistake, so no else had to die."
"Bruno's right," said Michel, Lucy looked up to him with her eyes still brimming with tears.
"Her death was down to his actions, not your own. It occurred through a chain of events, he chose to kill her, had he not chosen to, you yourself would not have killed her."
"Huh?" she replied.
"You didn't kill her, you never intended for her to die, but he did."
"I know, but I can't shake the fact that I could have saved her."
Michael turned his head keeping his eye focused on her.
"So how would you save her?"
"Well…I would…knock him on his butt." Michael snapped his head back.
"What if you couldn't stop him?"
"Then I would…uh…"
"The answer is he would have killed you and the girl." Michael stepped closer to her. "What if you died instead of her, who would be effected then?"
She lowered her head as Michael turned away. Chloe kept looking back and forth between the two of them in confusion. Bruno reached out his hand and softly placed it on Lucy's. They looked deep into each other's eyes.
"Oh Bruno" she began to weep, "I'm so sorry."
She hugged him tightly sobbing on his shoulder as he embraced her.
"It's alright, your safe now that's all that matters."
Michael pulled up a chair and sat down on it backwards facing Lucy. Chloe put on a soft smile as she began to pack away the first aid kit. Resting both his arms on the back of the chair Michael closed his eyes and began to think to himself. How I envy those two…still. I only have myself to blame. But there's more to this story of hers, how did she get involved with Chloe?"
"Lucy?" asked Michael with a soft delicate voice. She dried her eyes with her arm as she slowly let go of Bruno.
"Yeah," she replied.
"So how was it you got involved with Chloe?" Lucy placed her finger on her lips and looked up at the ceiling.
"Well… to put things simply…I guess you could say I am working as her guardian."
"Miss Lucy is brave and strong" said Chloe enthusiastically. "My big sis was worried about me working on Doris at night, so she got Lucy to protect me from the bullies."
"So why are you working for her sister Lucy?" Lucy sighed and lowered her head.
"To put things simply, she was blackmailing me."
"WHAT!" shouted Bruno.
"She found out I was the death dancer, and threated to tell the mayor. I couldn't let that happen so I agreed to help."
"Well that tears it!" boomed Bruno.
"Nobody; and I mean nobody forces my hornet girl to do something against her will."
"Hold on a sec Bruno," said Michel, "Don't you think your being a bit rash?"
"Rash or not, there's got to be more to this."
"How so?"
"Think about it," said Bruno holding one fist close to his face while looking over at Michael, his face riddled with frustration, "If her sister cares so much then why does she ask Lucy to protect her?"
Chloe looked down with sadness, Michael noticed her reaction.
"Bruno!" whispered Lucy with slight anger, "Don't say things like that in front of her."
"Sorry," said Bruno lowering his fist while looking at the floor, "I am sure she has a good reason, I am sure she cares for you Chloe, but I don't like how she treated my Lucy the way she did."
"She's not a bad person," pleaded Chloe, "I don't like how she got Lucy to help me, but she is not a bad person."
Bruno slowly made his way to the door as he began to strap on his duel disk. Everyone looked on.
"What are you doing Bruno?" asked Lucy as she began to get out of bed.
"I am going to duel her, and teach her some manners." He replied. "Chloe, can you take me to her?"
"Uh…sure. I'll show you she's not a bad person."
"I'm coming with you Bruno." Lucy began to walk towards him, but she fell to her knees almost instantly. "Ow."
"Lucy" sighed Bruno.
"Don't push yourself," said Michael as he began to help her up, "I know you want to help others but for once, just help yourself."
Michael helped Lucy's back to her bed and laid her down slowly as Chloe ran over to Bruno's side. She held onto his hand looking up at him as he looked over to Lucy and Michael.
"Michael, you stay with Lucy and keep an eye on her." Michael nodded in response as Lucy groaned slightly. "Chloe, lead the way."
The two of them left the room closing the door softly behind them, leaving Michael with Lucy and his thoughts. As Bruno left the building with Chloe, he began to calmly follow Chloe as she walked slightly ahead of him; all the while she kept her head turned away. Every now and then she would turn her head enough so Bruno did not notice she was looking at him. She soon stopped just under a lamp post as its light was slowly fading away.
"Chloe?" asked Bruno.
She suddenly tensed her muscles at the sound of his voice.
"Just who is Doris?"
She relaxed her muscles and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh, Doris is the locomotive. I was running a few diagnostic checks and analysing the internal boiler pressure to make sure it didn't go over 300 psi."
Bruno became slightly confused and surprised.
"So, how old are you?"
"Oh…um…er."
She paused briefly, choosing her words carefully.
"I am 13"
"Wow," said Bruno overwhelmed with surprise, "How can you know how to check boiler pressure at that age?"
"Well…my family has a track record with science. Almost everyone in our family tree studied and devoted their lives to science, me, my sister, my parents and theirs."
"So what are they up to now? Researching a way to solve world hunger?" Chloe turned away from him in disgust.
"I have no idea what my sister is doing."
"And your parents?"
Chloe could be heard trying to hold back her tears slightly, but she did not shed any.
"They died."
Bruno gasped at her words, he backed up slightly.
"They died in an experiment they were doing, the lab exploded. My big sis was there as well, she was lucky to have survived."
"I'm sorry," said Bruno quietly with remorse.
Chloe looked back at him with one hand on her chest and shook her head."
"No, it's alright, you didn't know."
She then put on a serious face.
"But please, don't ever ask about our parents in front of my big sis."
Bruno walked up to her side and knelt down.
"Ok then, my lips are sealed. Oh by the way, just where is she right now?"
"She's right over," she replied pointing in the direction of a tall red building.
"She uses Fire monsters a lot so she's in the Fire zone; it's something she has a passion for."
They casually walked over towards the large crimson building and entered through the automatic doors. The made their way up a flight of stairs and walked down a hallway until they came to a door. Sounds could be heard from inside, someone was typing away on a keyboard with what sounded like a kettle boiling. Chloe knocked on the door, the typing stopped.
"Who is it?" asked someone from inside.
"It's me big sis, and I've brought someone who wanted to see you."
"Whoever it is can leave, I have no intention of speaking with someone else right now, I'm a little busy." Bruno walked up to the door and knocked on it loudly.
"Open up, you and I need a little chat." He said angrily. The women inside sighed slightly.
"And who might you be and what is it that can't wait?"
"I'm here to talk about Lucy. I like to know why it is you blackmailed her."
She sighed once more, a series of bolts and chains began to unlock, she walked slowly over to her desk and sat back down at the computer and began to type again, but the boiling kettle sound had stopped.
"Ok, you can come in," she said.
Chloe opened the door and ran up to the woman sitting at the desk. The woman had bright crimson hair like a wild fire with short lengths down either side of her ears. She wore a white and silver tank top with a white leather jacket and large gold studs around the excessively big collar. Flat silver shoes with bright red tights lead up to a white and silver pair of shorts. Her violet eyes were busy scanning the screen as her ice blue finger nails were frantically typing away at the key board.
Bruno entered the room and closed the door behind him as Chloe ran to the far side of her sister. Bruno looked over at her sister with a disgusted look as she continued to type away. She clicked with the mouse and turned off the computer, she now turned her chair around crossing her legs and arms looking up at Bruno.
"So," she said in a bleak tone, "I take it you must be Bruno Sebastian, am I right?"
"Did you force that out her as well?" The woman leant back into her chair as she narrowed her eyes.
"I'll have you know, just because I blackmailed her does mean to say I forced information out of her for my amusement. If that is what you're thinking?"
"Dam strait that's what I'm thinking" bellowed Bruno. "You put my girlfriend in harm's way against her will and what I want to know is WHY you couldn't do the job yourself?" the woman sniggered slightly.
"You best be careful what you say to me."
"Why, what are ya gonna do? Blackmail my girlfriend to protect yourself?"
"I never said I would do anything."
"Wha…What are you on about."
The woman turned her head slightly and looked over towards Chloe. Bruno grew puzzled as he looked over to see Chloe with her head lowered standing still clenching her fists, her arms shaking with the tension in her muscles. Bruno stepped slightly closer with confusion.
"Chloe?" he asked, "Are you ok?"
"How dare you," she said, "How dare you speak to my sister like that!"
"Whoa calm down Chloe."
Bruno engaged his duel disk on his arm; it clicked into place with a flurry of lights on the display.
"Let's settle this with a duel."
Chloe raised her arm and attached a duel disk, it too engaged with the same click and flurry of lights. The woman closed her eyes and chuckled with a sinister smirk. Bruno looked on confused.
"Wait a minute, I don't mean you Chloe."
"It's too late," said the woman, "Chloe has decided to take my place."
She looked up to him still holding the arrogant grin.
"Once she makes up her mind, it can't be changed."
Chloe suddenly looked up. Her face struck a degree of fear into Bruno as he looked into her eyes. Her face looked as though there was another staring through her own.
"Chloe?" asked Bruno.
"You can't reason with her."
"Wait why not?"
"Because she has another side to her."
"You mean she has…"
"A split personality, yes. No turning back now, you better duel her or things could get ugly."
Bruno reluctantly accepted and they made their way out to the city centre. They stood nearby the fountain as Chloe's sister sat down on the rim of the fountain with a laptop open in front of her. She flicked open and began to type away frantically scanning the screen with her eyes. Both Bruno and Chloe held out their duel disks and simultaneous said.
"Duel!"
"I shall take the first move!" demanded Bruno. "I shall start things of by summoning My Bronze Ore Golem in attack mode."
Bronze Ore Golem: Lv3/Rock/Effect/1300 Atk/1300 Def
"Hold on" interrupted Chloe. "I am activating the effect of my Steam Seagull."
"An effect during my turn?"
"When I draw this card it is removed from play."
A copper seagull with an array of pipes pistons and flywheels flew onto the field with steam shooting out from its mouth and wings. It took off to the sky and vanished out of site.
"Either way I can still summon my monster."
A human shaped being burst out of the ground, its body completely made of bronze with bright blue eyes and a miners helmet covering the very top of its eyes with a pick axe in its hand.
"I will set 1 card face-down and end my turn. It's your move Chloe."
Chloe's sister stopped typing and began to observe her closely. Chloe stood there silently for a while as she looked at the cards in her hand. A gauge soon materialized on one side, the meter rose a fraction with a few spurts of steam gushing out on numerous occasions. She then drew a card from her deck and examined it closely.
"I will now set one monster and I will set three cards face down, and with that I shall end my turn."
Four cards materialized on the field, one sideways which remained in place as the others faded away.
Chloe's sister still kept vigilant on the two of them, every now and then she would type fast on the keyboard.
"In which case I shall draw, and now I will activate the effect of one of my face downs, Ore Asylum."
A large caldron rose from behind Bruno with a searing hot fire raging from below its base.
"Next I shall activate my spell, Bronze Bow. I will use its effect to destroy my Golem."
"Hmm, interesting," said the woman as she continued to type away.
A bronze bow and arrow formed behind the human shaped being, the arrow fired and pierced the body of the golem causing it to shatter, but its miners helmet and one arm just fell to the floor and its light went out. Bruno swept his arm to one side as the light on the helmet lit up more brightly and changed to a silver colour.
"Using the effect of my Bronze Ore Golem I can now summon Silver Ore Golem from my deck, in addition I can add Silver Sword to my hand since I used Bronze Bow when Bronze Ore Golem when I activated it, but it doesn't end there, since it was sent to the grave my Ore Asylum gains one ore counter."
Silver Ore Golem: Lv4/Earth/Rock/Effect/1700 Atk/1700 Def
From the ground another human shaped figure burst forth, this time slightly larger and slimmer but its whole body was made of silver and holding onto a pick-axe in both hands. The cauldron behind Bruno boiled slightly as the arm of the previous golem was dropped into it.
So, those are his custom monsters? The woman thought as she stopped typing glancing at him through the corner of her eye. When destroyed they summon the next one in line, clever. Clever or not, I think I know how I can use this guy to my advantage.
Card Data:
Bronze Ore Golem: Lv2/1300/1300/Earth/Rock
You can special summon this card from your hand when your opponent controls a monster while you have no monsters on the field and in your grave. When this card is destroyed by a card effect, special summon 1 Silver Ore Golem from your deck or hand
Bronze Bow: Spell
Destroy 1 card on your side of the field. If there is a Bronze Ore Golem on the field when you activate this card, add 1 Silver Sword from your deck/grave to your hand. You cannot activate it in the same turn it was added to your hand through this effect.
Silver Ore Golem: Lv4/1700/1700/Earth/Rock
(To be revealed)
Silver Sword: Spell
(To be revealed)
Ore Asylum: Continuous Trap
During you Standby phase, send 1 Ore Golem monster from your deck to your grave, if you do not, destroy this card. When an Ore Golem monster is sent to the grave Place 1 Ore counter on this card. (More details to be revealed)
Steam Seagull: Lv1/0/0/Water/Aqua
When you draw this card it is removed from play. Place 1 steam counter on this card for each turn it is removed for. You can send this card to the grave at any time to place any counters this card had to Steam cards you control. You can only have 1 Steam seagull removed from play at any given time.