All right, readers! Sapphire100 here, reporting in for duty! I hope everyone seems well during these past few days, and let's just say that things are moving along for me as well. My pup is doing okay, and his sister just started her period for the first time! Lol, now she will know how I feel every single time she wants to jump on me! Or PMS, and feeling like crap! This is an extra super long chapter, so I hope that this will meet to your expectations, everyone. Please don't forget to vote. The voting will end in 8 days from now! But anyway's, you all have been waiting for this chapter, so lets get on with the story!
Disclaimers!: How many times do I have to tell you people that I don't own the Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise including ZEXAL, and that the only things that I do own is my OC's, the made up cards, and that is practically it? Probably every single stinking chapter that I have to write! And please people, for the love of Georgia, do NOT ask me if I own the plot twist…
LAST TIME ON 'ACCESS THE DIMENSIONS'!:
The airship for the World Duel Carnival has been rescued, along with Tori and the victims inside. Jenny confronts Kite about his true intentions towards Alesia, as he unexpectedly denied to her that he is interested in Alesia romantically. However with the suspicions continue to brew, Flip is caught cheating in the tournament and is soon forced to be kicked out. The events of the anime continues with a new twist in the story: Alesia getting trapped within the Emperor's Key.
Not aware of her true surroundings, Alesia finally encounters Number 96; a Numbers card who took on the shape of a dark personality of Astral. Trying to escape from the key and the Number, 96 uses his abilities to hold Alesia captive while attempting to assault her. Thankfully mercy was at it's wake, as Astral and Number 39: Utopia came to her aid just in time. After her explanation of what happened to the group, Jenny finally shows up. But this stir's up Alesia's anger, as the two wind up in a verbal dispute. Upset by this, Alesia walks away upset while trying to compose herself for the future ahead.
At the same time, Nistro and Dextra were able to help Alesia retrieve her winning heart pieces, and therefore she qualifies for the Duel Carnival Finals. Shark also reappears as the two have a conversation with each other, which in turn becomes something else. As Jenny mistakenly witness this between the two friends, Jenny's newly revived feelings for Shark resurfaces into light and runs away from the pair. But as Alesia tried to stop her friend, it becomes too late…
Chapter 21: Heart to Hart S01-21
It was just sad. Very sad… My close friend Jenny was around for who knows how long, and now she thinks that Shark and I are a couple! That's not even true, let alone far beyond belief. I never asked for this, neither did I wanted to be this. I don't even know what Shark was thinking! What was he thinking? I can hear Shark sigh at about something, so I turned around to see what was on his mind. "So? What is it about Jenny that you need to tell me?" He asked uncomfortably. Oh yeah, I have completely forgotten about that…
"First let me ask you something, Shark. When was the last time someone told you that they liked you?" Shark looked a bit startled by this question. "Why would you want to ask me that?" I rolled my eyes at him. "Please just answer the dumb question." I asked impatiently. "If it was so dumb, why bother asking?" He commented with a smirk. I was getting upset until he started laughing. "Okay, okay, geez, take it easy Alesia. You take things way too seriously. You need to lighten up a little." That response literally was pushing me to the deep edge until he finally got serious. "But to answer your question; No, I haven't had a girl come up to me and told me that she liked me." I raised an eye brow at him shocked. "Not even once?" He shrugged. "I don't know. And I seriously don't care. And besides I wasn't interested in girls back then…" His voice trailed off before he looked into my eyes. "So what does me liking girls have any of this to do with Jenny?"
I really didn't know how to explain this. I mean, how can you tell one of your favorite anime characters that your best friend had a crush on you, or HAVE a crush on you ever since she was little? Yeah, I think it would freak him out on this one.
"Alesia?" Shark questioned a bit concerned. I sighed and calmed down a bit. "Okay…the reason why any of this has to do with Jenny…" I paused. "Is because… [I sighed] she likes you." I said in a barely audible whisper. "She what?" He didn't fully hear what I had said. "She likes you, Shark! Jenny really likes you more then just a friend!" I sighed exasperated and turned my back at him, feeling completely frustrated at this.
Man who knew love confessions could be so hard? Even though this isn't me we're talking about here.
"I ah, I…um…WHAT?" Shark said flabbergasted. I rolled my eyes immediately at this. He seriously needs to get a clue. "You…So you mean to tell me that your best friend…Jenny Spenser, has…has a crush on me?!"
"Yes, yes, and YES! Man! You act like this is your first time hearing this from a girl!" I said finally turning to him. "Ah, in case you have forgotten Alesia…I already told YOU that before! But this is…this is too much for me to take in, right now. I…don't know what to say." He told me honestly. I bit my lower lip trying to come up with a better solution to his question. "Maybe you should just tell her the truth." Being honest with him was the best route to take at the moment.
Shark had a very distant look on his face and it seemed like he was really ignoring me! "Um Shark…?"
"I like you…" He told me looking at the ground. My eyes widened a bit in shock at what he just said. "What did…did you just say…?" I asked a bit frightened. "You heard me, Alesia." Shark admitted with a serious voice. He looked up at me. "I…I really like you. And I… I want to try to get to know you a little more better. Just…more then being friends…"
I was totally speechless. I didn't know what else to say about this. My heart was pounding, my breathing was getting shallow and labored. I just couldn't handle the pressure anymore. So I did the next best thing I could do.
Shark looked at me surprised at what I just did and tried to stop me. "Alesia! Alesia, Wait!" He pleaded. But I already bolted out of there!
Reginald…Reginald likes me? I was dodging trees and all sorts of branches just so I can escape from being anywhere near him. I felt my tears swelling up my eyes, and I gasped for air desperately as I was thinking all of this. No! Everything is spiraling out of control here! I don't like Reginald in that way. I never have, and I never will! That was Jenny's department. I can't believe that he would blow her off like that! Agh! He's no different then Kite Tenjo! I gasped when a certain blond head entered my thoughts. I stopped running for a minute when I finally realized that people were walking all around me, heading in different directions.
The light poles were indeed bright as the city illuminated it in it's busy streets. I continued to feel very pressured about everything. Everything that has to do with the Power of Eternia. I still remember everything that Hart had told me before I even came into this world:
FLASHBACK
"In less then 8 hours, your journey will soon begin. So take this time now to say goodbye to all the people that you love. For the only way to save your world, you must learn what's its like to save another…"
"You must find the Power of Eternity at all cost… for all the worlds are at stake, even yours…"
My Duel against his brother Kite:
"There's no time Alesia…, you must…find the power…" Hart struggled to talk "of Eternia at all cost…" Now that got me looking confused. The power of Eternia? What is that? The only thing I know of is a card with a similar title. It's called…
"Please Alesia… I don't know how much longer this world…my universe can go on…Aghh!"
When I got sent back home to the Real World, and I was afraid to tell my mother:
It's okay to tell her, Alesia…She will understand…
She is your mom, Alesia. She will have a hard time understanding you at times, but it doesn't mean that she doesn't love you. Even though my mom isn't around anymore, I know that she is still with me and Kite… Your lucky to have your mom around Alesia.
And I couldn't trust him anymore:
Alesia, please listen to me. I know that you're starting to doubt yourself now and wither everything you've experience is real or not, but you have to believe! My world is depending on you…
I'm sorry Alesia…, I want to tell you more about the power of Eternia. But there's only but so much I know. And even if I wanted to tell you the truth. The question is: can you be able to handle it?
At that time I couldn't believe anything that Hart was trying to tell me. Until Jenny got caught in the middle:
"Alesia, everything that you have encountered there in my world is real. Everything you've felt was just as real. I know you can't believe me right now, and I can't blame you. But someday you will understand. Mr. Heartland is looking for you, and is using my brother to do it. Try to keep a low profile for now while you still can. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up…"
FLASH FORWARD
After coming back home to Yuma and his family, I would never forget that that was the same day that I was able to see Astral for the very first time. Until he told me the exact reasons why I was told to find the power. Both he and Yuma have helped me a great deal…
FLASHBACK
"I believe that the only reason why you were told to find the power of Eternia, was not because you had to look for it. But because 'you' maybe the one who possess that power…"
Those two made sure that I was included in all of this, even when I had nothing to worry about:
"I appreciate the offer Grandma, but I can't let one incident stop me from getting an education, even though this place isn't really my home."
"Don't say stuff like that!" I look up to see that Yuma looked upset at what I had said. "Yuma…?" I asked confused. "Listen Alesia, I know that you came from another world. But Heartland City is as much as a home as it is back in your world. You shouldn't have to feel like an outsider here."
They helped me when I needed it:
"What do you mean? I feel like I've been using you guys just to satisfy my emotional needs — Just because I'm so insecure."
"So what are you supposed to do, feel sorry for yourself?" Yuma argued. I turned back to him. "Alesia if there is one thing I do know about you is that you are a very strong girl, and don't easily crack under pressure. Plus I know that my friends and I may not be what you had expected, when you first came here. Especially since we trusted you fully at the very beginning, without question. But we all really like you and want to continue being friends with you. And now that we know that you can come back from your world anytime you want, we will help you find a way to solve the mystery of your powers."
"Yuma is right…" Astral spoke finally after being quiet in most of this conversation. "You may not believe it yet, Alesia. But I believe that you may have what it takes to help us on our journey to collect all 99 Number cards, and unlock the secrets of both the power of Eternia and my missing memories."
"Yeah but this is all so risky, Astral, and dangerous…" I said out loud.
"Alesia, you cannot be afraid no matter what happens to you here." Astral pointed out. "You may remember some things about the anime show: Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL, but you must remember that you are no longer looking at this world from behind a television screen. The dangers and plot changes of this world are REAL. You known this first hand, after what Kite did to you when Yuma and I were gone."
"… …"
"We cannot afford to lose you now Alesia. And now more then ever, Yuma and I must protect you at all cost. Wither you think you're a normal girl or not is completely irrelevant now. You have to accept your fate and fulfill your destiny here…" Astral finished.
FLASH FORWARD
But for some strange reason. Astral's voice continued to be the one that stand out the most…
…you cannot be afraid…
But I am…
…you must remember that you are no longer looking at this world from behind a television screen…
You don't need to tell me twice!
The dangers and plot changes of this world are REAL.
I already KNOW that!
We cannot afford to lose you
But I'm scared to lose ALL OF YOU!
Wither you think you're a normal girl or not is completely irrelevant now. You have to accept your fate and fulfill your destiny here…
I sighed feeling so down and drained from all of this. Yeah, 'accept my fate and fulfill my destiny' he says…, but now Shark has confessed that he has feelings for me, what am I going to do now? "I can't accept this! I don't even belong in this world. Everything was going just fine until he confessed to me, now I'm gonna have to break his heart and risk our friendship all over again just because of a stupid decision to come here! Ugh! This is why I wanted to avoid romance at all cost, and everything isn't going as planned. Now Jenny is mad at me even more, and I don't even know if our friendship is even one anymore. And besides…" I bit my lip realizing all of this now. "I'm real and he's…not…" I looked to the ground sadly. "It will never work out…"
"Hey Kid! What are you doing in the middle of the street!" One person called out to someone. I looked up confused as a lot of people chit-chatter about something, until I had to turn around to look and see Hart walking across the street while the cars are still moving!
"Oh my God, Hart, stop!" I begged as I tried to move pass the bystanders standing in my way, and I somehow was able to reach to Hart dodging all of in coming traffic! Man these people are vicious, and I don't even know how to drive yet! "Hart!" I looked at him worried. He turned around to look up at me and widened his eyes when he recognized who I was. "Alesia!" He hugged me immediately and dug his head onto my belly. He held me so tightly even for someone as fragile as him, that I was too shocked even for me to do anything. I wanted to break down and cry at the moment.
"Alesia, I'm so scared… I can't find him. I can't find Kite!"
I shushed him as I did my best to calm him down. "It's okay, Hart. I'll keep you safe, and help you find him. Okay?" I told him in a soothing voice. He sniffed and looked at me with puffy and teary eyes even though you wouldn't expect for someone like Hart to inherit Barian powers. He nodded to me, and slightly smiled.
"Hey look Yuma, it's…" I hear the voice of Tori speak, but Yuma's sudden outburst startled me. "ALESIA, LOOK OUT!" I gasped when I heard the sound of an incoming truck that was about to crush Hart and I. Yuma somehow got across as well, but by then I was holding on to Hart. Yuma grabbed Hart and I both and held us from behind. While Tori and Astral looked on in horror.
"YUMA! ALESIA!" Astral called out in horror. "Hart! Do it now!" I told him. "DO WHAT NOW?!" Yuma questioned unsure and afraid. That was until Hart'e eyes glowed blue, and he somehow created an energy field that protected both him, Yuma and me at the same time. We heard a loud crash, but thankfully I knew that the truck did not hit us directly. It had already tumbled over by the time the truck driver was able to get it to hilt. All the more reason why they shouldn't be driving that fast at those speeds!
Tori came immediately to come and support us. "Yuma! Alesia! Are you two okay?" I looked back at Tori as I closely held Hart by me. He seemed to be snuggled underneath me for some reason, as if he didn't want to let me go. Maybe he's shy around strangers he doesn't know? But…Hart doesn't even know me that well enough to be this way around me. So why…
"Yeah, how about you and the kid Alesia?" Yuma questioned honestly. "I'm alright and so is Hart." Hart tightened his grip on my shirt. Astral and Yuma looked shocked. "Wait a minute, did you just say Hart?! Kite's younger brother?" Yuma looked surprised to see him for the first time, as well as I. Hart looked up from my waist and towards Astral.
Astral seemed alarmed when he see's that Hart is staring at his direction. "You look like your cold." He responded. I giggled at this and looked at Hart. "No Hart, he isn't cold. That is just how he is, sweety." I told him with an endearing smile. Hart looked to me and then back at Astral. "Really?" He asked unsure what to think. "Hey, ah, what's going on here?" Yuma asked about to panic. "So you can see me…?" Astral finally asked. "Yeah…why can't I see you?" Hart replied back. "Apparently you can hear me to."
"This is getting a bit creepy…" Tori commented. "Wait wasn't he the one you said that took you from the real world to the ZEXAL world, Alesia?" Yuma interrogated me. I sighed at this and nodded. "Hard to believe, I know. But it's true Yuma. And by the way, we have to leave now, before the copper's come!" And sure enough here comes the sirens of the Po-Po now!
"Dang it, why does things never go right?" I said mumbling to myself. However Hart looked up at me as he heard me asked that. "Yuma, Alesia! Bring the boy! I have more questions I would like to know." Astral ordered. I cannot believe that he has just ordered me around. "Hey! We're not people you can just order around you know!" I snapped, but Astral seemed unfazed by my outburst. "Hurry!" He ordered again. I sighed at this while Yuma was freaking out even more. I looked at Hart.
"Hart, your going to stay with us for a little while. And don't worry I'm right here, okay sweetheart?" I told him. He nodded immediately and took my hand. Yuma and the rest of us bolted out of there as fast as we could so we wouldn't get caught. I feel really sorry for Dextra and Nistro, who have to take it upon themselves to try and go look for him. But as this is part of canon, I can't afford to change the plot any more then what I just already did…
At the Tsukumo Residence
The news reported the accident as expected, but thankfully everyone was so confused at what happened with the light show, to the point that that was all that they could talk about. Kari and Grandma said that we could have him stay over. But they became really worried when they didn't hear from Jenny.
"Alesia, Do you have any idea where Jenny could be at this time of night?" Kari asked concerned. I looked down at the floor with shame written all over my face. I was sitting next to Hart who was watching the news. When I felt that he was looking at me I knew that he sensed it.
I really wanted to cry over this, so I let the tears stream down my face in silence. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I felt a small hand encircle around my thin and medium sized one. When I glanced to see that Hart was looking at me, he gave an emotionless look. But I can tell by this gesture what his true feelings are. Hart felt bad about what had happened earlier, as did the rest of the family, while Yuma and Tori explained what happened to them. Other then that, I never opened up about what happened between me and Shark earlier in the city park. That was really no one's business as far as I'm concern.
I hear Kari sighed disappointed at this. "Alesia, all I can say that no matter what happened between you two today: all you can do is forget about it and move on. Jenny is someone whom I find out to be a girl with so many problems, that she hasn't got a chance to get it resolved all on her own yet. And it's not entirely fair that she has to put all of the burden on you, just because you was told to 'save the world'." Hart widened his eyes slightly before giving a frown. Hart reached out towards me and tried to wipe my tears off with his tiny fingers.
It was really cute, and I felt somewhat relaxed by his touch. It's so strange the wonders what a child's innocent touch and affection can do for you. Okay, so maybe I take back what I said about him not being able to fully comprehend the capacity of a human emotion, for an anime character.
We had our dinner, and Tori was hanging out with Yuma in his room. I relaxed a bit in my room as I was preparing for the worse to come when Hart finally bails out on us to find Kite. Poor kid is so worried over his brother, that even Kite is so blind to it!
Normal POV
Tori walked out of Yuma's room for a bit to go get a snack and something to drink. "Yuma, I think something is very wrong with Alesia." Astral spoke worriedly. Yuma looked back up at the floating Astral who was now hovering next to him. "What do you mean, Astral?" Astral looked towards Yuma when he asked that question. "Remember that photograph we found when Alesia ran off?"
Yuma's eyes widened and took out the folded picture from one of his pockets and peeked at it with the floating being beside him. In the picture was a scene taken with Alesia being held by Shark, who was looking at her with tender looks and a hand cupping her left cheek. Yuma looked really shocked at it. "Wha…wha..,huh?! I never noticed this when I picked it up before!" Yuma said with a startled look.
FLASHBACK
Yuma picked up something that belonged to Alesia when she ran off. It dropped out from her pocket accidentally, as he tried to call for her to stop. But she still left. Jenny wasn't to far off behind when she realized her mistake she made. Yuma sighed at this. "Girls… always arguing over stupid stuff…" he mumbled to himself. Before he opened up the photograph and suddenly had his mouth opened wide, as if he was seeing something that he shouldn't for his age.
"Yuma what's…" Astral gasped as he finally saw what gotten Yuma to react like this. "What in the world?!"
The photograph was a picture showing Alesia being cornered by Kite at some building, with him doing what they both would have never expected from the Number Hunter: kissing her cheek.
FLASH FORWARD
"Exactly my Point, Yuma — The picture had changed somehow…" Yuma turned his attention back at Astral. "So wait a minute, what does that mean?" Astral was thinking really hard about before he came up with his answer. "I think I know now why Alesia is very avoided towards men." He answered. "And that is?" Yuma pressed on. "Alesia is a philophobic." Yuma was completely shocked at the answer yet so confused at the same time. "A what?"
"Philophobic; as in a person who is afraid to fall in love with someone?" Yuma was finally getting it, until he got confused again. "That still doesn't make since, Astral. Why would Alesia have a problem with something like that? What kind of person is going to be afraid of love?" he deadpanned. "Because Yuma, Alesia stated that she always had problems dealing with men, back in her world. Now why is that?"
"Ah, because those guys are jerks and they don't know what they are talking about?" Yuma said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Perhaps, but the unprecedented need to be by herself has been raising some 'red flags' with me lately. And with strange things going on between her, Kite and Shark, I'm beginning to wonder…" Astral took another glance at the now current photo. "If what Cameron was stating be true."
"We already went through this whole thing before, Astral. Those photos aren't real." Yuma stated. "But the outcome can be. I believe that Shark as well as Kite has feelings for Alesia, Yuma." Yuma looked back at Astral shocked. "What?! How can that be?! Shark, okay maybe — but Kite!"
"I can understand how farfetched that actually sounds Yuma, but deep down Kite is no exception. He has been acting very strange around Alesia, and so has Shark. If any one of them admits their feelings towards Alesia, I fear the worse may come." Yuma didn't quite understand. "I don't get it, how come?" Astral sighed at this before continuing. "Remember what Master Roku had said. 'The power of Eternia responds only within the act of selfless love.' Love is a powerful force Yuma. It can either bring people together or tear you apart from the one person you truly care about. By Alesia refusing to become vulnerable towards another male, and with her having a power that drives on the force of 'love', and she has to save our world and her's somehow…" Yuma's eyes widened before he got the rest of the answer.
"She wouldn't be able to activate her powers with full potential!" Astral nodded towards Yuma seriously. He was so excited about getting the answer. But quickly lost it at once. "Oh man, Astral, what are we going to do? Alesia must feel so confused about all of this."
Astral looked down at the picture sadly. "I don't know Yuma. I don't know what it's like to love a person like that, so I can't give any advice. She will have to go through this all on her own."
"This is so unfair…" Yuma complained sadly. "I know Yuma. Let's just hope that Alesia can move pass her fear, and that Shark and Kite won't do anything drastic that can harm her mission here."
"But Astral…"
My POV
I immediately sensed that Hart had left Yuma's house. And I couldn't help but become worried all over again!
I rushed out of the house and searched the possible places of where Hart could be, until I sensed someone was following me. I stopped immediately as I know that it wasn't Hart. Or Yuma, Astral nor Tori for that matter. It felt so familiar. "Quattro… you and you're family is gonna pay if you dare touch Hart!" I cried out in anger as I turned around to see exactly who I called out on.
He was very confident when he saw me and had a devious smirk on his face, while he was right in front of me. "My, my, to whom I owe the occasion?" He said teasingly, but I slapped him across the face. "I mean it! If you hurt him, I'll…Wha!" I suddenly got flung back to the wall very hard and I felt my back cracked a bit as I did, and fall to the ground with a crushing thud. I knew that I must of broken at least a few ribs. I gasped in pain, and felt blood released from my mouth. The faint purplish glow coming from Quattro's right hand left in an instant.
No…, Oh no… I think I broke something…
I panicked and tears streamed out of my eyes as I heard the footsteps of Quattro coming near me. "Man, why do you human girls got to be so resistant?" He looked down at me with a serious look on his face, and the tone of his voice meant that he was up to no good. He bended down towards floor level, and grabbed me by my hair and lifted me up. The pain stricken feeling in both my back, neck and upper chest areas were screaming hell! I gasped in more pain as I felt more blood trickling out of my throat, and down the sides of my lips.
I coughed up further and some of it got onto Quattro's clothes and face. But the look in his eyes showed that he didn't care. "Please…stop…" I begged desperately as I was beginning to get nauseous and dizzy. Quattro took his free hand and grabbed my throat and began squeezing really tight. I was struggling to get free as my body wasn't getting enough oxygen to my lungs. My blood pressure was also going up! "I should just forget what Vetrix said about you having the power, and just kill you right here and now…" He said venomously. When I looked up into his eyes, all I saw was hatred, anger, plain murderous intent to do exactly what he says!
"Besides we don't even need you any way's. As long as we got your little friend Jenny here. She will be the new catalyst for Vetrix to use for his plans, and transfer all of your powers to her instead. So her power of Eternia can manifest itself and grow for the ripping." I looked at him in shock.
"You…You're going to… [coughing badly] steal my power so that you can harvest it!?" I struggled to say. But now I was passing out from lack of oxygen. "Quattro!"
Someone in a helicopter approached us, causing my hair and clothes to fly along with the blistering winds. I closed my eyes as I felt all of my strength was leaving me, knowing that if I didn't get rescued soon, I was sure I was gonna die…again…
"Tsk! Quinton!" This got me on alert. What? Quinton! Quinton is here?! "Just what the hell do you think you are doing, Quattro?! Vetrix is going to be angered by this!" Quinton said in a panic as I hear him come towards us. "Let her go Quattro!" he ordered. Quattro was very angered towards Quinton, before he let me slip out of his hands. I felt strong pair of arms catch me, and a strange smell of cologne I never knew Quinton was wearing. I felt his warm breath on my face, as he held my now limped body. I felt something wiping along my face and lips to remove the wet substance on it.
"Dammit Quattro, can't you EVER learn to control your anger!?" Quinton lashed out on his brother. "Look! It's not my fault she slapped me again!" I was lifted in Quinton's arms, and I suddenly felt a strange power overflow throughout my body. It was like a strong cooling sensation the swept over me. I suddenly felt a little bit stronger. The pain was subsiding and my breathing was getting normal again. Did, did Quinton heal me using the power of his crest?
"There…that should do it for now, until we can figure out what Vetrix will want to do with her. She is far to weak to participate in the ritual he has in store for them." If I was able to move I would have protested immediately! Who the hell do these guys think they are, kidnapping people like this? "I'm taking her back with me, while I capture the other top priority. Think you can hold out your anger till then?"
"Shut up, Quinton! Grrrr…stupid…Aghh!" Quattro yelled in frustration before leaving in a portal irritated even more as he was thinking about it. I can hear Quinton sigh at him. "Figure's…can't you believe that he's only 17 and he still behave's like a spoiled little brat?" Quinton asked me in no one else in particular.
I can believe it…must have gotten it from your father!
He sighed again and began moving around with me. "Not that you could respond to me, any ways…" I wanted to say something back, but only if I could.
"Cassie…" I hear the sadness in Quinton's voice as he placed me down in the back on the helicopter, before taking off into the air. Suddenly everything fully blacked out on me…
"Good, we can start the ritual now…" I suddenly regain conscience to the hideous voice of Vetrix in the background! I couldn't move my body or open my eyes, as I was still too weak to move. And I already knew what Vetrix was planning for me was not going to be good. "But Vetrix, Alesia is still far to weak to participate in the ritual. The exchange in it itself can do permeant damage to Alesia's brain and heart!" Quinton's panicked voice reached my ears in an instant. I still couldn't believe what I heard.
…Do permeant damage to my brain and heart?!
Trey and Quattro looked at their older sibling with interest. "I've done some test on her before I was able to bring her here. It would seem that this black hole that resides inside of her brain is growing little by little each day. It's about the size of an orange now! Please Vetrix I beg of you, the least we don't want to do is to harm this girl more then enough that this ritual could kill her…"
"I'm starting to believe that you are becoming to be a bit too soft hearted for these real worlder's, Quinton. They're only tools to be use in my plans against Dr. Faker, after everything of what he did to me. To us…and now you decide to grow a soft spot, just because your dead girlfriend's sister is here to take her place?" He said in a mocking tone.
"But Vetrix…!" Quinton protested immediately. "Enough Quinton! We will continue the ritual as planned." Vetrix looked towards Jenny bitterly, who was sitting down in Vetrix's thrown underneath some type of spell. "The Spenser girl can wait. I want to make sure that all of this girl's power is securely drained, before we lose such an opportunity like this ever again."
Trey's eyes widened in shock. "But Vetrix, what are we going to do about Kite's brother?" He asked innocently. But Vetrix and the rest of them turned to look at Hart, who I now realized that was lying diagonal of me. Our heads were next to each other. "That is quite simple, my boy. I will drain both Hart and Alesia's powers all at the same time."
"All at once!" Quinton asked suspiciously. "But…"
"I know all of the risk, Quinton. Those fools don't realize that they are all working along side with our plans, but if they think they can rescue you and Hart, little Alesia, then you are wrong!"
I wanted to panic the moment he said all of that. My heart sank when he mentioned me, almost as if he knew that I was conscience the whole entire time! "You can relax now, Alesia. I know your awake…" Vetrix teased. Dammit, he really does know! "So the princess finally woke up huh? Should have stayed asleep." Quattro seethed in anger.
I was finally able to open my eyes, however they were a bit blurry. "Perhaps Quattro was right, Alesia. Maybe you should have stayed asleep…but then again I want to see the fear in your eyes once I'm able to take all of your powers!" Vetrix quoted. I struggled to get a look at him and Quinton together, as Vetrix was chuckling evilly at my demise! Quinton indeed look exactly the same like in the anime; Extremely long sliverish blue hair with a mixture of teal and blue streaks. His deep blue eyes continued to stare down at my helpless form on the ground. He was indeed tall at 6ft, and looked pretty handsome too. I can see why Cassie had fallen for him. However I couldn't resist the look in his eyes that he was giving me. Almost like…, remorse….
Trey's eyes were practically the same thing as Quinton's, except he looked extremely unsure about all of this happening. Quattro, however, looked like he couldn't give a damn of what happened to either me or Hart…HART! I quickly tried to see where he was, and saw from the side of me that he was indeed next to me, but he wasn't conscience yet.
"Don't even think about trying to escape, Alesia. We made sure to bind your powers from activating itself, and you are far too weak to even try any way." Vetrix commented at this. I can't believe that this was happening to me. I gasped when I finally noticed Jenny on the thrown. She really was under a spell! And I won't be able to do anything about it!
Vetrix came over to Hart and I before positioning himself on the floor next to us. I tried to move, but like they said, my body was far too weak! What am I gonna do?! I was panicking as it is. I don't know what it's like to have something a part of you get taken away! All of this thinking has got me remembering the situation between Kite and my duel between Kyoji, and Cassie giving up her powers to me. That was a different story…maybe… but I'm really starting to believe otherwise! I can hear Hart stir up from being unconscious for the while, so I took this opportunity to try and wake him up!
"Hart you gotta…wake up…!" I struggled to say. The crest sign for Vetrix appeared underneath us, and suddenly felt myself being lifted from below. I was feeling stiff and I struggled to speak again as pinkish D.N.A like strings encircled itself around my body and face. My arms and ankles wore bound by its strength. "Wha…?" I hear Hart reply back somehow.
"Open your eyes…" I said lastly struggling. But suddenly by body glowed a red color before I began closing my eyes, preparing for the worse! The intensity of Vetrix's power was beginning to seep into my body somehow. My heartbeat was racing, my breathing becoming labored, and anxiety was building up in me all at once. I was gasping for air, until I felt it. Pain stricken spasms shooting all throughout my body and while feeling all of my strength being zapped from me. I looked to the ceiling helplessly as I see pinkish light being absorbed out of my body and was slowly merging with Hart's red colored Barian powers, as it was all going to Vetrix himself!
No! I can't let him, win. I can't let it end like this! Hart!
It's too late for that, Alesia! You and Hart's power are being absorbed into me. And I must say that yours and his together make a powerful meal! I gasped after hearing Vetrix's voice inside of my head. I could hear Hart struggling to get free and I did the same. The pain in my head is unbearable! "No…! Stop, please…!" Hart continued to struggle, and I keep hearing him protest further. "Stop it! Don't hurt...Alesia! You can't take her power!" Hart was pleading with Vetrix. "…Help me! Brother! Save us, big brother!"
Now I know that I was confused. Why would Hart tell Kite about me being in trouble like this? Both of us was getting strangled by the chains, and all I kept doing was scream at the instant.
What the?! Hart, who is with you?! Who's screaming like that?! You can hear the panic in Kite's voice immediately. "Kite hurry…, please…!" Hart was very desperate to reach him. "Alesia…is with me…!" I could suddenly hear the gasping of Kite's voice and suddenly I felt a strong wave of emotion. Alesia is with you! Tell me what's happening to you two, Hart! Tell me where you two are! Alesia? Alesia can you hear me too! Please answer, are you safe?!
I struggled to try to reply back, not knowing if he ever could. Tears streamed down my face as I constantly struggled to maintain my strength. "… … no…" I finally answered. You sound so faint Alesia, I can barely hear you! What's going on?! "She said 'no', Kite…" At that moment Kite knew that we were in serious trouble, and somehow I was able to feel everything that Hart, Kite and now Vetrix was feeling! Hart felt just like me: fearful, helpless and weak. Kite was panicking and he tried to remain calm even while he is trying to get to us in time. Vetrix however was enjoying every bit of pain Hart and I were having. He was stealing our powers without remorse, and he could careless what happens to me or Hart.
"How can you do this to an innocent little kid, you bastard!" I yelled out in horror, as the pain intensified with every second I was in this thing! "Bastard? No, dear Alesia, I think I would prefer myself an opportunist. What is the harm in making sure you and Hart helping me out in defeating Dr. Faker? After all, you already knew that this was what I was planning on doing this whole entire time, Alesia. And there is absolutely nothing that you could do to stop it from happening!"
"Oh yeah?! We'll I never would have expected you to be doing THIS to me!"I struggled to breath better as the chains wrapped around my throat loosely but firm, until I attempted to remove it. It suddenly tightened on me immediately, as I tried.
"I wouldn't attempt to remove them if I were you. You'll just suffer even more as you try." Vetrix said deviously. "Jenny! Jenny, You have to snap out of it, Vetrix has got you under a spell! JENNY!" I couldn't hear speak, nothing. "Its best that you stop trying to awaken your friend here, Alesia." Quattro suddenly replied. "Your failed attempts won't work here. You see, she is under MY control now. Always had and she always will be as my new puppet." He chuckled at this wickedly. I wondered what he had meant by that. "What do you mean a puppet?! You mean to tell me that you were controlling Jenny this whole entire time!" I asked fearfully.
"That's right!" Vetrix answered excitedly like a sick and demented little boy. "You see, the moment when I had kidnapped dear Jenny from the real world, I knew that she had some sort of jealousy towards you. So I figured; why not use her jealousy and her presence here to get to you. In other words, when I brought her here: she became our spy!" I gasped at the news that Vetrix admitted to me. And suddenly flashbacks of everything that we had talked about and experienced when I first came across her in the ZEXAL World. Everything that she said, as well was her dueling equipment.
"You were the one who gave Jenny that D-Pad earlier! So that must mean the reason why she went missing…" I started. "Is because I had her dueling in the tournament to become a finalist! Under the pseudonym named Athena!" I heard about that! They have been talking about it all over the news, during the middle of the preliminary rounds of the Duel Carnival. I just never heard much about it, because many had speculated it as rumors. But now that I really think about it. And with the situation with Dextra getting possessed. She was using Dextra's jealousy to get to me also, by using her feelings for Kite against me! "How could you do this?! Jenny is my friend!"
"Was your friend! And now the time has come for me to take back what belonged to me in the very beginning!" The power intensified as Hart told Kite where we were located.
Suddenly a loud boom can be heard somewhere inside the museum, and I just knew that it had to have been Yuma and Kite to the rescue for Hart. But that would mean that I'm still in great danger here! "Tsk! Just prefect, the brat and Kite is already here!" Quattro said angrily. "How in the world did they find us that quickly?" Quattro turned around to look at Quinton. "You are certain that they didn't follow you all the way here, did you Quinton?"
"I swear, I made sure that I was completely undetected when I had done the operation!" Quinton was too worked up over this. But I knew better! Hart somehow must have contacted Kite using 'brother telepathy', I like to call it, and then Astral picked up on it and explained it to Yuma and Tori. "Well, it doesn't matter now. Might as well invite them inside." Quattro said nonchalant, with a sinister smirk on his face."I'm gonna beat the snot out of that brat and Kite. You guys just watch over the ritual already." Quattro said while attempting to exit the room. "Wait a minute, Quattro. Kite is far too powerful on his own for you to beat him alone in a duel." Quinton pointed out, but this had gotten Quattro on edge when he heard it from him. "What?!" Quattro turned back to Quattro curious as to what he real meant by that statement. "You think I can't handle him all on my own?"
"Not at all, in fact I think that you are pretty capable. However this mission is far to great of an importance to be ruined now. And as long as we have the two main sources of ultimate power here in our possession, Vetrix would rather not wait. And besides, Kite is a very powerful duelist. You won't be able to do it on your own like this." Quattro turned to Trey. "Trey, you will go with Quattro and lend him some support. You'll need each other in order to finish them off quickly. No doubt that Alesia already knows that you two may not win this duel. Don't take any chances." Trey sighed since he couldn't help to do anything for himself. "Don't worry I won't…"
"Hmph, just don't lag behind Trey." Quattro deadpanned, "I won't…" Trey responded in a bored tone, as both brothers had disappeared.
This was not ending well, I just know it!
Minutes seemed like hours to me. I can't believe any of this is actually happening. I…I could die here…
Hart was trying to hang on as well as I was, but fact that our powers were draining even more was to much to bare. "Kite….Kite where are you…?" Poor Hart, I can't even talk anymore! I have to try and use whatever strength left of my powers to stop this!
I felt a strong surge suddenly coming from my body, this in turn was confusing Vetrix. "What in the name of Gettysburg are you doing? Alesia Sarah Bennet!" Quinton paused from looking at the duel to see what was going on. Yuma had already lost Utopia to Number 15, and Kite summoned out his Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon. But it lost all of his attack power and dropped to 0!
"That's simple…" I struggled saying. "Going to put an end to this madness!" Quinton and Vetrix gasped at this. "Alesia, don't! Kite, please! You have to stop her!" Hart yelled out while in pain. I did my best to try and get my powers to work on it's own, …even if Vetrix did seal it. It can always be broken!
I hear the sound of something break, and then Vetrix gasped in horror. "Oh no! That brat actually was able to break the seal!" Vetrix said in alarm. "No Alesia, don't do it. You'll die!" Quinton warned. "Alesia please don't do this…! You have to live!" Hart tried to plead with me. And even though his desperate plea reached my torn and broken heart, I can't afford to let Vetrix get away with it. No more!
"I'd rather die then let you kill my friends!" I cried out in an outburst, before that surge of power that was building up inside of me activated on it's own and surrounded me. It's power traveled to Hart and suddenly he sounded way better then before even though he was gasping for air. "My…my strength is coming back!" He said surprised.
No! This girl will ruin EVERYTHING! I WON'T LET HER!
Somehow he was able to get into Hart's memories, and then it got worse when he did the same thing to me! He was messing around with it, and then the pain in my head got even worse to the point I was gasping for air. My head felt like it wanted to explode! "Grr! That's perfect! Now the black wormhole is growing by the second!" Vetrix seethed angry. I widened my eyes when I heard what he had found out about me. "I…got a wormhole inside of me!? How?!" I questioned fearfully. Is this what's giving me those awful migraines? "You do not fully understand, Alesia. The wormhole that is inside of you brain was caused when Hart communicated to you the moment you believed that Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL were real. And that's not the only part you are missing out my dear. You see, Hart wasn't the one who brought you here. It was me!"
Normal POV
This shocked everyone in the room, as well as the room where the dueling is being taken place. "What?!" Tori and Orbital said out loud. "But how can that be, I thought Hart was the one who sent Alesia to the ZEXAL World?" Yuma asked in confusion, and everyone else including Astral, Kite, Quattro and Trey were too. "Hey, he never told me any of this." Quattro said suspiciously. "Me neither, Quattro, and I bet even Quinton was left out of that info." Trey replied afterwards. "What the hell is going on around here? I was told that Hart was the one who brought her here." Kite pointed out, out loud.
"Aghhh! Kite just used that: 'word'! Can you stop that already?" Yuma asked in shock. "Pipe down, Yuma. Its minor, you're acting like I was saying the not so good ones. Stop being a baby, and stay out of my way." Kite told him seriously.
My POV
That's right…, I did. You see I knew all about you while on my little trip between dimensions. I saw how you grew up into the young woman you are today. How Cassie abandoned you, when your parents divorced, or the many time's 'love' had failed you effortlessly — with all of those poor diluted suitors. Leaving your sensitive and broken heart, shattered!
Vetrix once again travels to the time when I was hoping to avoid this boy that tried to ask me out, and I declined his offer. After sensing that he wasn't right for me. But then I catch him speaking to this other girl who goes to my science class, back in the 9th grade.
"Hey you see that girl over there?" His name was Andrew Miller, he was a B+ student, who now on honors roll after passing the PSAT so early in the school year since he qualified. The red head with shoulder length hair was named Kristy Thomas, another chick who moved into town about two years ago. Same time as me. "Yeah, her name is Alesia, right? Alesia Bennet? She goes to my science class." My past self shuttered at the mentioned of my recognition. "What about her, Andrew?"
Andrew snorted before rolling his brown eyes in the air. He slammed shut his locker down before rubbing in his blond hair and wrapped a protective arm over Kristy. "I would try to stay away from her if I were you. She isn't the type of girl I would want you to be friends with." Kristy's loving smile dropped instantly as she sensed the seriousness in his voice. "Well…,what do you mean? Alesia is actually very nice. What happened?"
"I tried talking her into dating me, but she isn't even worth dating. Pfft, can't you believe it? She said how she's not interested in dating anybody, and how she's WAITING for marriage to have sex. I mean, seriously?! Who's gonna want to have someone like HER for a girlfriend, let alone a WIFE?" Andrew mocked. "Agh, are you serious? No one in their right mind is gonna want someone with no experience. Let alone willing to please their partner. Must be a prude or something. Think she's religious?" Kristy said with a seductive charm to her as she grabbed onto his back for support.
Just looking back at all of this really makes me want to shut down again. "You always have been weak, Alesia." I turned around in horror as I see who it is. "Jenny! Jenny your back!" I said excitedly for her. But then her whole demeanor changed as if she was underneath that spell again. "You seemed to forget Alesia. Jenny is still underneath Quattro's control. And there is nothing you can do to stop him, or be able to bring her back…That is…unless you duel her for her freedom…" Vetrix told me with a cunning smile.
My eyes widened at the news at what I have to do. "I…I have to duel her?!" I asked shocked. "In here?!"
"That's right!" He said excitedly. Vetrix snapped his fingers while everything changes to the schools courtyard. Everyone from my school is sitting on the benches, watching us intently. "No, this can't be real."
"But it is, Alesia. And now your deepest and worse nightmare is about to begin!" Jenny said as she tossed her D-pad in the air as it turned into a duel disk. I done the same, as I was not about to give up on Jenny! "I hope that you are prepared to fight for your life, Alesia? Because this duel is now a shadow duel. If you lose this duel you will die, by the time I have already taken all of your power and every memory you have. But if you win, you won't be able to save Jenny, because she too will face the same fate as your poor dead sister! Now we shall see who is the true wielder of the power of Eternia!" Vetrix looked on with glee.
"I don't believe that, Vetrix. I know that I have what it takes to save Jenny. After all, Jenny is my friend. Always have, always will be!" I told him stubbornly. "Your delusional! Jenny doesn't care about you, she's in love with Shark. The one guy who already admitted his feelings to you! Do you honestly think that she will let you get away with stealing her man?" Vetrix countered angrily. "Wow Vetrix, for somebody who is a father to three boys, you sure do sound like a whiny girl!" I told him with a smirk. Yet he was not expecting all of that. "A…a…A GIRL?!" He squeaked in surprise. I nodded towards him as I placed on my Duel Gazer. "Oh yeah, Vetrix…you are definitely a whiny girl — and very bitchy too. Pardon the language." I said deliberately.
Everyone in the audience was laughing their butts off at Vetrix and some even pointed to him just to make their point. "B..b…Bitchy?!" He whined. "Your gonna regret calling me that word, Alesia Sarah Bennet!" He looked over to Jenny to make sure that she was prepared to duel me. "Jennifer Spenser! Crush your old friend, Alesia, and make her regret the day she has EVER stepped foot in the ZEXAL WORLD!"
"With pleasure, Master Vetrix!" Jenny said with dull eyes, as both she and I drew our starter hand.
AUTHENTIC REALITY VISION LINK ESTABLISHED
Jenny: 4000 Alesia: 4000
"Now, let's duel!" We said in unison. "The goddess of war will take the pleasure of going first…" Vetrix said with a smirk. "What? But I was…" I was ready to protest but he cut me off and gave a not so pleased look. "You were what? Hoping to go first just because I suggested that you two have a duel? Well guess what, dearie? The rules have changed! You will both will duel by my rules, do I make myself clear? Otherwise I can easily let your friend die right now. And I will have the pleasure in making it quick! Sweet and easy…" He chuckled evilly at this, as he was watching for my reaction. "Bastard…" I muttered.
Turn 1
"Fine! I'll wait for the 2nd turn to make my first move." I said reluctantly. "It will be your end…I draw!"Jenny drew her first card. "First I'll summon my Gellenduo in attack mode!" The twin fairy type monsters have entered the field.
1700 ATK/ 0 DEF
"Then I choose to activate the spell card Court of Justice! I can activate it as long as I already have a fairy type monster already present. With it, once per turn I can special summon a fairy type monster onto my field." She picked up two more cards. "And next, I will place two cards facedown and end my turn."
Turn 2
"My move, draw!" I shouted as I looked at my card quickly of what I have drown, and smiled. "First off, I will summon my Constellar Leonis!" Leonis jumped out of his card and onto the field ready to attack the two little fairies, who of course looked bored to death upon seeing him.
1000 ATK/ 1800 DEF
"What good will that monster do?" Jenny mocked. But all I could do was smirk at her. She didn't know that I changed my deck to Consterllar's back then, but after she witnessed my duel with Dexter, I'm afraid that she will know all of my strategies! Man, now I knew how Trey felt against dueling Yuma, which by the way, whom they are dueling! "It will allow me to do this! Next up, I will activate Leonis' special ability: which will allow me to normal summon an additional Constellar monster this turn…" Vetrix looked on with interest. "I summon out my Constellar Siat!"
Siat welcomed himself onto the field bouncing up and down with his jar over his head.
100 ATK/ 1600 DEF
"But don't let his little size fool you, because Constellar Siat also has special ability in which I chose to activate now! By targeting a monster I control or in the graveyard, that monsters level now becomes Siat's level."
Siat's level changed from level 1 to level 3 instantly. " Very intriguing. Sounds like to me that she is going to XYZ Summon on her first turn." Vetrix muttered to himself. "I now overlay my Constellar Siat and Constellar Leonis!" Both monsters turned into light and leaped into the air in a swirl of light. "And with these two monsters, I build the overlay network and XYZ Summon: Constellar Hyades!"
A rank 3 XYZ monster emerges from it's slumber. The beast warrior monster landed on the ground and taken out two twin blades in each hand, as two overlay units was orbiting around it.
1900 ATK/ 1100 DEF
I'm sorry Jenny, but this is as close as I can get into defeating Vetrix!
"If that is all you got Alesia, then you are in for a real surprise…" I smirked at her. "Hmph, whoever said that I was finished, Jenny?" I mocked back. But she looked at me curiously. "Go Hyades, attack Jenny's Gellenduo now!" Hyades flew towards Gellenduo and attempted to attack.
"Sorry, but I now activate my trap card; Negate Attack, which will end the battle step." Jenny said in a bored tone. The vortex that appeared bounced off Hyades from attacking Gellenduo and he was forced back onto my side of the field. Ugh, that was utterly annoying! "If that is the best that you can do now, Alesia, then I'm afraid that this duel is quite over." Vetrix teased me. I eyed him closely. "Not a chance, Vetrix! I won't be giving up!" I turned back to the duel.
"And now that my Hyades is on the field. I can prepare to set the stage for my victory! You see, I decide to use my Hyades' special ability! By using one overlay unit, Hyades is allowed to switch all of the monsters you control to face up defense position." Hyades used it overlay unit to activate the effect as ordered, and flung a ball of light towards Gellenduo. Forcing the little faired to take on Defense position instead. "Just what good is that going to do? You have already set the course for your very destruction. I now have a monster to defend me with instead of attacking you with it. But that is perfectly fine with me. Because soon you shall meet your demise. After having to suffer everything concerning you back at the real world, you have always been a pest to me, Alesia. I couldn't stand it any further. All the close friends that I have worked so hard to obtained, all decided to vanish from my life now, because they keep thinking that you were a freak of nature."
I was shocked at everything that she was saying to me. The fact that this is actually Jenny speaking here, you just couldn't believe that all of this was actually coming from her own mouth. "You were a loser, Alesia. And everyone in every school we went to know's it too. You couldn't even fit into one kind of social group. And I have had enough of trying to protect your sorry butt! Now hurry it up, and end your turn so that I can crush you later."
"Tsk! Fine whatever! I place two cards facedown and my turn!" Two cards appeared face down on my side of the field behind Hyades. I just hope that these cards will be enough to commence my plan. Then something else began to happen to me, as I felt pain near my heart this time. I didn't need Vetrix to explain anything else to me now, because after everything that has happened, I already knew that this duel was a shadow duel, that will drain all of my energy because of the ritual that was taking place!
Dammit, it was all a set up from the beginning. Vetrix knew exactly what he was doing when he was plotting to take me here to the ZEXAL World in the first place! What I still want to know, was how he was able to get Hart to do it, if he really was the one pulling the strings after all?
Turn 3
"Now let the real fun begin." Jenny drew her card. "I now use the effects of Court of Justice. With this spell card, I now decide to special summon my alter ego: Come forth, and appear with your glorious might! Goddess of war: Athena!"
Athena appeared on the field as the color in Jenny's eyes changed from brown to light blue, the same color as her monster's Athena's eyes. With her silver battle armor, a shield and a battle spear ready to pierce the darkness inside of anyone's unsure hearts. Jenny developed an aura that also appeared as the same color as well, so all of this was in fact freaking me out here! So I guess that's what it looks like to have a battle aura color all of your own…
2600 ATK/ 800 DEF
"And now that Athena has arrived to bring forth your judgement, I shall now summon my Hectatrice to the field!" The golden statue like fairy monster appeared in a shining glow before it ceased immediately.
1500 ATK/ 1100 DEF
"And when I have summoned a fairy type monster on my side of the field, my Athena's special ability automatically activates." I gasped at thought of what Athena can actually do to me! "You now have to take 600 life points of damage…" Athena's special ability began to activate itself, and a light beam appeared from her and shot me in the chest. Causing me to be alarmed by the impact and held on to the area that it hit at worse.
Alesia: 4000 — 3400
"And now I plan to attack you with my monsters. Go Athena, attack Constellar Hyades with Celestial Spear of Light!" Athena charges at Hyades with full force to attack, and then stabbed him immediately in the gut, causing me to lose life point damage again.
Alesia: 3400 — 2700
"Now Hectatrice, you know what to do…end the battle with Golden Blitz!" Hectatrice glowed a very bright color of gold and it's power bursted from its body in order to attack me in waves. I braced for impact as I was thrown from my spot on the field and landed heavily on my side.
Alesia: 2700 — 1200
"She isn't putting up that much of a fight. It truly makes me wonder if she is even trying to WIN at all?" Vetrix wondered to himself, until he caught on what I was going to do. He gasped when he finally figured it out. "Unless…!"
I tried getting up from my spot of the ground, and saw how dusty and dirty I was for scraping myself on the dirt. I coughed when debris from the dust had got into my throat somehow, and hissed in pain when I felt pain near my abdomen. It was there that I had saw that I had scraped that area, to the point now I have open wounds in the size of long scratches. It was not looking too bad, but it wasn't looking good either. "So pitiful, Alesia — you can't even hold yourself up in the duel, and yet you made it to the carnival? I tell you what. Why we don't wager ALL of our heart pieces. And whoever wins this duel shall have a spot in the finals?" Jenny said to me in a devious smirk.
I widened my eyes at her in complete shock. Wagering all of my heart pieces just for this one duel is very risky. I don't want to go through another crisis like I went through last time! I worked so hard in this tournament to get this far, and now she wants to play Russian Roulette with my heart pieces all for a spot in the finals? No way!
"Well then Alesia, do you accept the conditions of Jenny's request?" Vetrix tempted playfully. "There is no way in hell that I'm gonna risk my spot in the finals over this crap!" I said stubbornly. "Remember that I control what happens to Jenny. And time is running out for the both of you. One of you have to make the sacrifice here, so which one of you are you going to risk losing Alesia? Yourself? Or Jenny…?"
"You say that you and I are still friends right, Alesia? We'll if we really ARE friends, prove your worth to me. Here and NOW…" I looked back at Jenny so confused and heartbroken over this. This has truly shattered all of my hopes for this duel. "Jenny…" I bit my lip at this.
I have to make a choice. I have to make a choice of what I should do.
"… … Fine…" I said defeatedly. "I wager all of my heart pieces, and will forfeit my rights to enter the Finals in exchange that I should lose this duel." Vetrix was all too happy to hear those sad words come out of my mouth. Maybe I am weak…
That's not true, Alesia! I gasped when my scenery changed for a bit and Hart was staring up at me serious. Hart? I questioned feeling depressed about this whole mess. Alesia, PLEASE don't give up. I know that you have what it takes to win this duel. I looked at him like he was crazy, sorry no offense or pun intended. "But Hart, what am I supposed to do? Vetrix has played all of his cards right, and is forcing me and Jenny to duke it out in a duel of life and death. Plus, he is still having us trapped in his grasp as the ritual is draining all of our powers. I can't protect or save anyone without my powers!" I argued and whined with him at the same exact time.
But Alesia, Are you SURE that you can't save anyone without it? Do you really believe that if you hadn't had the power of Eternia in the first place, that YOU wouldn't be able to make it this far in the tournament? To be able to SURVIVE in this world without it? Alesia, you have to look at the bigger picture. Think back at all the times you won a duel and helped save your friends before you even knew you had the power. Remember the time you dueled my brother Kite? You didn't need your power then, you could have defeated him all on your own had it not became a draw.
Flashbacks of the duel and everything that I had went through played back in my mind. I gasped when I realized something. Hart is right. He was right all along. The power of Eternia didn't need to give me strength. The power of Eternia is my strength and will to believe. It comes and stems from inside of me! I was now filled with great determination, all thanks to little Hart. "Your right, Hart. I have finally figured out what I have to do."
Hart nodded at my direction before fading away very slowly from view. I know that you can do it, Alesia. Make Vetrix pay and show Jenny what being a true friend is all about. I looked back at Vetrix on the sidelines, and gave him smirk at his direction. He was extremely confused by this. "Just what in the world is that girl plotting this time?" He questioned to himself.
I began to stand up slowly as I was now becoming more weaker by the minute. Which means my body back in reality was taking a serious toll, and now my mind is suffering the consequences of it. "Jenny…, I will… I will show you how we are friends. I will show you my loyalty even when YOU don't agree with it." I gave her a tender smile. Jenny's eyes looked at me with curiosity. "Just what in the hell are you blabbering about? Do you honesty think this is a game? Are you forgetting where we are, Alesia? This isn't no longer a table top game we would play back in the real world. We are now in the ZEXAL World. The Yu-Gi-Oh! Universe, and you want to give me a childish speech on FRIENDSHIP? You must be another Teà Gardner then! Is this some type of trick?"
I shook my head at her slowly. "No Jenny…this isn't a trick. And I can prove it to you now with this duel."
Jenny narrowed her eyes at me. "Then you better hop to it! I now place one card face down and end my turn." She declared as the turn has now been passed on to me. "Now make your last move, wrench!" I didn't care what Jenny had called me. Because I now know that this isn't the real Jenny. And I am determined to bring the real one back! "It's my move, I draw!" I shouted with determination.
Turn 4
Jenny: 4000
Alesia: 1200
Now I have to show her what friendship is all about. "I summon my Constellar Pollux!" Pollux entered the field in Hyades' spot.
1700 ATK/ 600 DEF
"When my Constellar Pollux is normal summoned to the field, I am allowed to normal summon 1 Constellar monster in addition to summoning out Pollux once per turn." I picked up another card and prepared for my combo. "Next I summon my Constellar Algeidi!" The female Constellar monster appeared with her wand and emerged gracefully on the field.
1600 ATK/ 1400 DEF
Jenny narrowed her eyes at this, as she finally caught on to what I was planning. But that is okay. I know now that I cannot be afraid of what will happen to me. Just like what Astral said to me before. I have to believe that I can get trough to Jenny before it was far too late. Vetrix will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Even if it means he has to sacrifice innocent children just to get it! "And now that she is on my field, her special ability also activates this turn!" Vetrix was now shocked at this. "Just how is that even possible? You can't do that!" He said alarmed. Clearly Vetrix doesn't fully understand the full potential and the power of my Constellar monsters. But I'll shall him, and prove him wrong too…
"Don't tell me that you are going to do what I think you are going to do?" Jenny asked nearly in shock. "I don't know, what did you think I was going do?" Lol, I know, a Duel segment taken out from that Duel between Yusei and Akiza from the World Championship Qualifier at that time. Gotta love Konami for coming up with that one. Jenny was getting irritated. "You know exactly what I mean, you whore! And I expect you to do it!" Jenny seethed in anger as her battle aura intensified around her. "Enough! You will not talk that kind of language in my presence do you understand me?" Vetrix warned Jenny immediately, before she started sighing like a little kid. "Yes, Master Vextrix…"
"Good…" he said with a satisfying smirk. "Oh please — ANY WAY'S. By Algeidi's ability activated, I chose to summon out my Constellar Acubens!" Acubens entered the field by emerging from the ground with it's large over shaped body, built to destroy.
800 ATK/ 2000 DEF
"And now that he has been called to my side of the field, his special ability also activates!" I explained. "Just what the heck is with all of these special abilities?! Is this the true power of Constellar monsters?!" Vetrix asked appalled by what he was witnessing. "Now every Constellar monster that I control gains 500 Attack points permanently as long as they are on the field."
Pollux: 1700 — 2200 ATK
Algeidi: 1600 — 2100 ATK
Acubens: 800 — 1300 ATK
"Now I overlay my level 4 Acubens and Algeidi! To now build the overlay network and XYZ summon: Constellar Praesepe!" Praesepe finally enters from the overlay network ad landing in front of me with a threatening roar in the air.
2400 ATK/ 800 DEF
Vetrix however was shocked at my new monster. "So she has another XYZ monster? I never knew that Alesia could actually be so good at dueling." I pointed my finger at my facedown card. "And now that the stage is almost set, I activate my facedown card: XYZ Reborn!" The trap card activated on its own, and suddenly Vetrix began to panic at this. "Oh no! XYZ Reborn allows her to bring back one XYZ monster that was sent to the graveyard, and then that trap card becomes the overlay unit for that XYZ monster brought back! Jenny may not actually win this after all!" He dreaded in worry and fear.
Jenny gasped at this too, as she witness the power of XYZ Reborn at work here. "Come, welcome back Constellar Hyades!" I welcomed back monster as Hyades returned to the field. "But if you think that is worse, then your dead wrong. Because now, that trap card becomes the overlay unit for the returned monster." The trap card turned into an overlay unit for my Hyades, as it began to orbit around him. "Now prepare for my next move, as I decided to build the overlay network again by overlying my Constellar Hyades!"
"What?!" Vetrix was shocked. "That's right, Vetrix. I told you that I will find a way to save Jenny from this. And I meant exactly what I said. I'm keeping my promises. Witness the moment of truth! I now XYZ Summon: Constellar Ptolemy M7!" At last the dragon like machine monster has emerged on the field and roared with such ferocious intensity that now even Jenny was beginning to shake in fear just starring at him. " Then I activate my other facedown card: Big Bang Shot!"
2700 ATK/ 2000 DEF
I was really taking a big gamble here, but the fate of everyone here, including Hart and Jenny depends on it! I equipped it to Ptolemy M7 and it was now time to attack…
"Are you ready Jenny?! I attack your Gellenduo with Ptolemy M7! Go!" Ptolemy M7 began to lead the attack and sent a blast at Gellenduo. "But you won't get away scot free, because I now activate my Constellar Praesepe's special ability! By using only one overlay unit once per turn, during the damage step, I can increase the attack power of the monster of my choosing by 1000 Attack points." Vetrix and Jenny looked on in horror. "And the one who shall receive such a power is Ptolemy M7!" Praesepe uses an overlay unit and sent the power over to Ptolemy M7, and it's attack power increased.
Ptolemy M7: 2700 — 3700 ATK
Gellenduo got dealt with a heavy blow, and the piercing damage effected Jenny so badly that she was literally tossed far back on the ground, until you heard a bad thud in the end.
Jenny: 4000 — 300
"And now that your life points have been effected. Gellenduo's special ability declares that it must be destroyed since you took damage." Gellenduo gave a sad face before pixelated in to the air. Jenny looked shocked and upset. "No! Not my Gellenduo!" Vetrix growled dangerously towards my direction, as you can tell that he was extremely pissed off at this. "Curse you, Alesia Sarah Bennet!" He seethed.
"Since your Athena is stronger then my Praesepe. I refuse to continue battle this turn. Therefore I end my turn." I said lastly.
Turn 5
Jenny: 300
Alesia: 1200
I watched as Jenny shivered and the spell that was on her was breaking. "No…no how can I now go on without my friends." She cupped over her face and sobbed. "Without Shark…"
"Jenny that's not true at all. I have always been your friend, and I will never stop being one." I told her kindly. She looked up at me and sniffed. "Huh…?" I smiled gently towards her. "Jenny, what you saw today at the park wasn't my idea, and it wasn't all planned that way. Shark just…" I bit my lip. "He didn't know what he was doing. I don't know what he was thinking at the time. You know guys, they often act on impulse." I blushed a bit out of nervousness. "And I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the way how I reacted at you today. I had no right to yell and scream the way I did. Let alone run away from my problems. It was all so wrong. Everything was happening way too fast. And now look at us, Jenny. We're dueling against each other!"
Jenny's eyes was starting show realization of everything that I was telling her. She was examining the dueling field, the memories, everything… She finally turned back to me sorrowfully. "So then, you really mean it?" I nodded to her. "Yeah…" I said sincerely. "Maybe…No…I'm sorry too Alesia… I got so jealous over you. Over you and Reginald that I…my mind was so clouded that I let this, this — Tin headed FREAK take control of me and got the best of me too." Jenny said mentioning towards Vetrix.
"HEY! I'm NOT a Tin headed FREAK!" Vetrix took offense to that comment. I giggled at this as I still couldn't believe that she would said that. But at the same time, I kinda did. Same old Jenny…
"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Vetrix boiled out in anger. "Make your move Jennifer Spenser!" He ordered. "Actually Vetrix, I no longer take orders from you!" But suddenly the aura came back and then Jenny began screaming pain again!
"Jenny!" I cried out to her, but then she began to smile wickedly again towards me. I widened my eyes as I just now realized that she was possessed all over again. She is still underneath the spell. And now I don't know how to break it!
Jenny took hold of a card to draw with. "Forgive me, Master Vetrix, I will do your bidding. I draw!" She took a look at what she drew and began to smile. "I now activate the ability of Court of Justice, so that I can special summon on to the field Tethys, Goddess of Light!"
I gasped at what she revealed that she drew, and the card in her hand glowed an intense light before ceasing. An angel like woman with large wings descending from the skies with her wings unfolding. She stared down at her enemies before stopping on the field. Her eyes transfixed on me and my monsters.
It was then I realized what I have to really do. For only way for me to truly save Jenny is not for me to win the duel…
…But for me to lose…
2400 ATK/ 1800 DEF
"You know what I now must do, right Alesia? Because now I'm playing for real! Now Athena's special ability allows me to hit your life points with 600 points of damage!" Jenny declared pointing a finger at me. Athena glowed white before it pulsated and hit my body. I grunted in pain before I tried to hold on. But I know that everything will be okay…
Alesia: 1200 — 600
Jenny then picked up another card. "And now that that is over with, I can summon my Honest to the field!" Honest, one of the main staples in all of Light and fairy decks appeared before us on the field as he unfurled his wings and landed.
1100 ATK/ 1900 DEF
I wanted to tremble, I wanted this terrible dream to end. But I know now that I can't be afraid… Jenny pointed towards me again, but you can tell that in her eyes, she was showing no remorse. About anything…and NOTHING was going to stand in her way. No even me…
"Now that I have summoned my Honest on the field. Athena can use her special ability and attack you with 600 more life points of damage! So say goodbye Alesia. It was nice knowing you, while it lasted!" Jenny seethed in anger before she lifted up her left hand in declaration. "Now go my Athena! Use you're holy light burst to defeat Alesia, and win me this duel…!"
"At Last! The duel has finally come to a close, and Jenny is the true wielder of the Power of Eternia!" Vetrix laughed wickedly as he believes that he has won.
…you cannot be afraid…
But I am…
…you must remember that you are no longer looking at this world from behind a television screen…
You don't need to tell me twice!
The dangers and plot changes of this world are REAL.
I already KNOW that!
We cannot afford to lose you
But I'm scared to lose ALL OF YOU!
Wither you think you're a normal girl or not is completely irrelevant now. You have to accept your fate and fulfill your destiny here…
Astral…Yuma…Kari…Grandma…Lillybot…Tori…Gina…Cathy…Caswell…Flip…Bronk…Reginald…Mom…Dad…Hart…Kite…Orbital…Dextra…Nistro…Jenny…Cassie…
… … I am so sorry…
Athena once again glowed white and the effect of her power hit me like a stray bullet, and I cried out in the worse pain I have ever felt. I felt everything stopped. I felt all of my strength gone, Everything…
Everything was fading away…
Jenny: 300
Alesia: 600 — 0
Jenny was the victor for this duel. And with a smile knowing that fact…I know now that I am happy. I know now that Jenny is now set free…
Normal POV
Back in reality where the ritual was still taken place, the energy from Vetrix's crest was getting out of control. "This is bad. The energy matrix is destabilizing! Vetrix are you all right! " Quinton called out to him. But suddenly Jenny awoken from her deep slumber and the spell that was on her controlled by Quattro was broken. She looked around to see what was truly happening before her.
She gasped when she see's Alesia's limped form. "Oh my God! Alesia, please wake up! You can't die!"
And there you have it everyone. Over 14k of writing! Man that has to be the longest chapter I have ever written! OVER 14K! I need a real break after all of this one. Anyway, I know this is all so sudden when you read this. But let's see what is really going to happen here. Is she really dead for real this time? Is she ever going to get back? How will the other characters react to this? Especially Kite and Shark? Let me know in the review! New readers are always welcomed!
Thank you all for your kind support as always! Love you all!
~Sapphire100