I don't own Yugioh Zexal or any of the characters in it. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OC.
A/N Finally a single-POV chapter I can release that I'm proud of! Due will be be using a burn deck for now on. It's what I know how to write best. Hopefully my duel chapters will be better now that I know how to play the game. Reviews are always welcome! They really make my day. Shoutout to javonn919 for the favorite!
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Return of an Ally
Trey POV
Trey fingered the hilt of the blade. He knew the weapon choice was strange, considering all of the technological advances in the past three hundred and fifty years. It had long reach when it came to swords, which made it impossible to hide. It was lightweight, which meant it would break easily. It was much slower than any modern weapon, making the choice utterly impractical. But none of those factors mattered to him, because he wouldn't be using it for long. Just enough to momentarily apprehend the fiend he knew he'd meet.
I'll fix everything that I've done to him. For every time I wronged him, I will protect him that much more. He's going to need all the help he can get.
"Michael?"
His sister's voice broke his silent pledge to Yuma.
"I made tea for the two of us. Your favorite." She grimaced at the two teacups in hand. "I swear these things are just waiting to shatter. In fact, I heard the first time Mom had tea she threw the glass on the ground."
He blinked.
She tentatively took her first sip. "You know, I feel like we only ever talk over tea. And I don't even like tea."
He shrugged. "That's what Dad did with his friends, so I'd guess it's a genetic thing, maybe?"
Her hand grasped his. "You have to stop blaming yourself for what happened back then. You did what you thought you had to do for us."
He swallowed. Had she gained the power of telepathy, too? "I know. But I still wronged him, and I have to make up for that."
She eyed his weapon of choice. "I understand." She wound her finger around a lock of hair. "How's Chris' bracelet working out for you?"
He grinned, blushing a little. "It's been great! I kinda got used to having all of the powers father gave me, so it's a good replacement."
"Who'd think that science would allow us to use magic?" she wondered aloud. "Rather contradictory, if you ask me."
He shrugged again. "I was wondering if you could help me build a good deck for whoever I have to face."
She looked surprised at first but then nodded. "Alright. But just remember that your success survives on powerful combos and strategies. As for me, I built my deck to dish out 2000 points of damage every turn without the use of the battle phase, and building a strong offense with seventy billion spells and traps. It's fun to play, and in my opinion, a lot smarter. By playing on the defensive, you have a lower chance of taking damage. And with high-attack monsters, you don't have to worry about your monsters getting destroyed. The only issue is when your spells or traps get negated it when you draw a bunch of strong spells and traps and no more monsters. I know you prefer a strong offensive, mostly, though, so maybe that's not the best for you. You don't like leaving things to chance. Now that I think about it, Thomas and I seem to use the same strategies. But I'd never play Gimmick Puppets, since I can't stand their design." She shuddered.
He was acutely listening, his eyes scanning busily over the card text. "I'd relied so much on my numbers that everything I have seems so useless now." His shoulders drooped. "How am I supposed to use a strategy based around something I don't have anymore?"
"That's a good question. But just remember that Xyz cards aren't the only things that can be good. Remember all of the duel champions that existed before Xyzs were developed. Like when I used to use a Dark Magician deck. It used Fusions and all that."
His eyes widened. "That's right! How did I forget?" He rosed from his seat, rushing to his closet. In it were Extra Deck monsters that Due had gifted him years ago. He'd cherished them until the creation of Xyz monsters. He still remembered that Christmas day when he'd hastily unwrapped his only gift.
The orphanage he, Isla, and Thomas had lived in for three years was a good one. Nothing like those in movies. Miss Karinn, a kind young woman in her mid twenties, believed that orphans should have a right to get gifts on Christmas. She bought everyone a gift, even though her pay was rather low. She knew very well just how much the Arclights loved dueling.
Eight-year-old Trey's nimble fingers carefully undid the ribbon and removed the tape. He knew it paper could be reused and had no intention of tearing it. Quattro, on the other hand, treated the paper as though he was a lion eating its meal. And Due mimicked her youngest brother.
Each gift was no wider than eight centimeters, and no longer than twelve. Each sibling had a small idea of what it could be. Each were not left down.
Granted, it wasn't a Chronomaly card. Nothing close to that. He didn't care; the thought was enough.
He wrapped his short arms around Miss Karinn's waist in a thank you hug. At the time, he'd thought it childish. Now, he knew just how much it meant to her.
The extra deck monsters he currently possessed were old classics. Things like Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem and Junk Warrior. Thinking about it, these could be of use to him, thanks to all the Tuners and Fusion cards Due had given him over the years. In fact, he didn't have to use Chronomalies at all. He built an Ancient Gear deck long before he'd collected enough cards to make a complete Chronomaly deck.
Deck in hand, he retreated from the closet. Due raised an eyebrow. "Found what I was referencing?"
He nodded. "I did."
"Then go aid your friend. He'll be completely helpless without you."
He nodded. "I'll see you once I've defeated Heartland."
He waved his hand, the bracelet causing a reaction strong enough to allow him to transport him through space.
Sword in his hand and old deck in his pocket, he climbed to the top of a statue, watching Yuma and Heartland from above. From there he could clearly see someone else up high, but he didn't recognize him.
Heartland whispered something in Yuma's ear. The thirteen-year old hung his head. He reached for his cards, preparing himself for a fight.
I won't let him battle that monster by himself.
He leaped from the statue, throwing his sword toward Heartland. The man dodged, but it was enough to throw him off balance.
Trey himself landed on the ground between friend and enemy.
"Trey!" Yuma cried in surprise.
He lifted his eyes from the ground, half grinning. "I knew you needed my help." He rose from the ground. "I'll become your sword and shield!"
Heartland gathered himself from the shock of almost getting impaled.
"And this comical fly is nothing!" Trey added, pointing at his foe.
He liked insulting his enemies, because that made them seem way less frightening. Also, it was a bit of a guilty pleasure for him to say such cruel things. Normally, he took pride in his kindness.
"You're interrupting the conversation Yuma and I were having." Heartland flicked his wrist. "This should deal with you!"
A swarm of small bits of power flooded from his staff. They reminded him of insects. Maybe the insult had inspired him. But even Barian power was no match to the Crest bracelet Trey wore. He lifted his arm, an image of Vetrix's Crest projecting itself before him and becoming a shield. The small insects dropped like flies. Funny since that's what they were.
The tall green-haired man recoiled once again. For a second, Trey almost felt bad for him. Just one shocking moment after the other.
"But…how are you doing this? The seal of his Crest was broken months ago!"
Trey nodded. "It was…until Chris figured out how they worked and returned our power."
He collapsed, stunned.
Yuma smiled. "That's great, Trey."
The pinkette turned to face the younger boy. His expression softened. "I heard what happened to Astral while researching Astralworld. I'm so sorry. I know that I'll, never replace him, but you're my first friend. I can't ignore your sadness. In the past, we almost killed each other in our battle. Now we'll fight side by side as friends."
There was a short silence. Then Yuma reached for his deck box on his waist, pulling out two cards. "Speaking of Astral," He choked on the name. "He would have wanted you to have these. He would have wanted me to split their power with my friends."
Chronomaly Machu Mech and Atlandis.
How funny. He hadn't even brought his Chronomaly deck with him.
He took the cards anyway, smiling. "Thanks, Yuma.
He could still use them, though. He was pretty sure he had a few high-level Ancient Gears.
The man that Trey had seen earlier leaped downward from the statue he was standing on.
"Ready?" he asked. "If you like, I'll take you both on at once."
Trey smiled. "We could both beat you on our own. But if you insist…"
He called the petal-edged duel disk to him arm. The familiarly cold metal plating slid over his arm. His orange duel gazer glittered over one eye, turning that eye red. He motioned for Yuma to mimic him, which of course he did.
The strong-looking man grinned. "We'll start this duel with a field effect. You see, I get to take half your life points, and add them to my own."
A strange eight-pointed symbol flowed on the ground, forcing Yuma to his knees. Trey, however, withstood the pain, remembering how much worse it was when Vetrix granted him his Crest powers. Those magical chains had burned the symbol of the Crest into his body, permanently granting him a power too great for an ordinary human to possess. And the consequences were high.
Nevertheless, he couldn't dwell on that. He had a duel to win.
He watched his life points reduce to 2000, narrowing his wide emerald eyes. "That's dirty!"
Heartland twirled his staff in his fingers. "Yes, but that's a detail we can gloss over. It's not something we have to care about, now do we? Right, Semimaru?" He grasped Tori's chin while proceeding to poke Caswell's stomach with his staff. "It's your problem now."
Semimaru wasn't listening. He was too busy changing—no—mutating—into what Trey assumed was his Barian form. Insect-like wings hung from his back in a cape-like manner, and his now nonexistent mouth curled into a hideous beak. He spread his arms, a second wave of power flowing from his loathsome body. Thankfully, it missed Yuma and he. A Heartland bust wasn't so lucky, and its likeness mourned its loss.
"Be careful, will you? You're damaging flawless artwork!"
Yuma bit his lip. "I don't like this."
"This must be his true form," Trey noted.
He braved himself. This man may prove to be more threatening than he'd thought.