Chapter 25: Chains of Destiny
The Elevator door closed before them and made its way downward. Luke turned to the other boys inside and began to explain the situation they were presented with. "The DCA's been working on a secret project called Project Neo for some years. Basically, it's the Omnistrain Virus modified so that it actually does what it was meant to do, aid creatures to achieve strength surpassing Evolution. Your Guardian Creatures were meant to be used as test subjects for the project."
"Yeah, we know about Project Neo," Dylan said. "Back when we were trying to look up you guys during the Survivor Uprising."
"You think you know about Project Neo." Luke corrected. "In my own personal digging not only did I learn what Project Neo was about, but why it was initiated in the first place."
"And how does that tie into my sister?" Jason insisted.
Luke looked over at him. "Sapphire Wisdom."
Jason was the only one to react to that. "Sapphire Wisdom is just a myth. It doesn't exist."
"If it doesn't exist then why did Roman initiate Project Neo? Why is it that we all just so happened to have similar dreams during the last several days; dreams that feel more like memories? If you ask me, Sapphire's been getting its hands dirty."
The elevator opened and Luke was the first to step out, Jason close behind him. "Again, how does this tie into Jamie?! What did you do to her?!"
"I gave her what she wanted." Luke stopped and turned around. "Power."
Jason had Luke up against a wall, causing the other two boys to break them up. Luke straightened himself up and continued to walk. "Look, I get why your mad, but think about it for a second. If for the sake of argument, Sapphire Wisdom is real…imagine what its knowledge can bring out for the rest of mankind."
"What is Sapphire Wisdom?" Karon asked.
"A myth, like I said," Jason answered quickly, in an attempt to dismiss the conversation.
"The presumed source of the Alpha Code," Luke answered anyway. This perked Dylan's interest.
"We don't know that!" Jason insisted.
"You don't know that. But I do. And so does Roman, and the person who hired me to raid the DCA's servers way back when. Because if word got out of Sapphire's existence then the DCA would be exposed for everything and more."
"So then what about Project Neo?" Dylan asked. "You said it was designed to power up our creatures past Evolution. Then what? What's the point of that?"
Sapphire doesn't exist in this world, or the Creature World. It resides in a void dimension between worlds, according to the data. Leading hypothesis, Roman wants to meet Sapphire, and he feels that Project Neo and the DCA is his only shot at it."
"And what if he succeeds?"
Luke shrugged. "Best case scenario, a Golden Age. I mean based on what I figure, Sapphire isn't malevolent compared to others, it's just as curious about us as we are of it. Wouldn't you say it's worth a shot to explore what can come out of it?"
"Not if you're going to use my baby sister to open Pandora's Box." Jason countered.
They finally stopped and Luke held his hand on the scanner. "Don't forget, the last thing in Pandora's Box was a small glimmer of hope.
The door opened, revealing the cell on the other side, and Nate and Robert standing together outside of it.
"Don't tell me. He's been having crazy nightmares too…" Dylan pointed.
Magnificent, you are all gathered together…
The group all looked around, trying to figure out where the voice came from.
There should be one more among you…but no matter. I shall devise a manner so that they are not excluded as well.
Jason turned back and tried to run, but was repelled back by a force, causing him to bounce back.
I imagine you all have various questions, as do I…but before all of that, I would like to draw your attention to a fascinating scene.
"Is this…Sapphire Wisdom?" Jason spoke, dumbfounded at the sound of the voice.
For you see, all of you have continued to exceed my perceptions of your overall worth! Never in my lifetime have I ever expected you, Earthlings, to astound me in such ways…witness what I mean and from there continue to entertain me!
A holographic screen appeared before them and it showed the white void world and the sole castle that resided in it. Jake came into focus and he made his way up the stairs of the castle and eventually inside. The group, barely able to question just how they were seeing this, just kept quiet and watched, not knowing how much they are at Sapphire's mercy.
The shining ball of light disappeared from before him, and his K-Waves calmed down. CJ's senses were in flux. There were many ways to describe what this feeling was, but he just settled on one that was almost too familiar for his liking: Confusion. Better to be ignorant and lost, then flopping through various emotions and spending just as much time justifying them.
Apparently, he had the power of reality in his hand. He had the chance to revert things to before the reset. Or changes things to a reality that he wanted. A reality that involved them to beat Quazla. A reality even, to undo the Survivor Uprising. To start over fresh and go back to that day in March when he and his family first set foot in NYC.
Did he really want this power? Was he forced to take it? Did he need to take it? Bombazar grew warm in his pocket. CJ must have unconsciously slid it back there, possibly thinking that he was going to have another shot to talk about it. He took Bombazar out of his pocket and stared at it.
"A miracle…" CJ said, staring longingly at the card. "A miracle for who?"
CJ heard footsteps enter the chamber he was in. he looked back and from the large doorway a few yards from where he stood, Jake stood.
CJ didn't have to ask about Jonah. Jake's demeanor was enough of a tell. He took out his deck and added Bombazar back into it.
Jake did the same, taking out his deck.
Tabletops materialized before them and after they shuffled and prepared themselves, they stared at one another one more time.
Words didn't have to be spoken. They knew that in their positions this was inevitable.
As friends.
As rivals.
As deciders of reality itself.
"DUEL START!" They both exclaimed.
CJ started by setting Nature Mana, and Jake matched him with Light Mana after drawing for the turn. CJ took his turn again, drawing and setting to Jake's surprise, Fire Mana.
"I summon Mini Titan Gett!" CJ exclaimed, setting the Human in the Battle Zone.
Gett materialized and skidded on the crystal tiling, resting his hands on his hips.
Mini Titan Gett
Civilization: Fire
Power: 1000+
"When did you change your deck?" Jake asked him.
"Does it matter?"
"It does."
"Well, you're not getting any other answer than that."
Jake clicked his tongue and drew. He set Nature Mana and passed his turn.
"I could ask the same for you," CJ said, pointing out the Nature Mana.
"It's your turn." Jake ignored his statement and insisted the turn pass.
CJ drew and set Mana. "I summon Quixotic Hero Swine Snout!"
The pink horned pig and its pigman rider materialized besides Gett.
Quixotic Hero Swine Snout
Civilization: Nature
Power: 1000+
"Gett, break his Shield!"
Gett nodded and began to skate, using the pillars around them to flip and gain air to allow him to drop kick one of Jake's Shields.
Jake
Shields: 5-4
The shards flew back towards him, but then stopped in place and regathered themselves. "Shield Trigger: Kolon the Oracle taps Quixotic Hero."
Kolon materialized and did what it was said it'd do, zapping Quixotic Hero with a bolt of lightning.
Kolon the Oracle
Civilization: Light
Power: 1000
Jake drew and set mana. "I summon Jil Warka, Time Guardian."
The Guardian materialized behind Jake and parked itself besides Kolon
Jil Warka, Time Guardian
Civilization: Light
Power: 2000
"Whenever another Creature Enters the Battle Zone, Quixotic Hero Swine Snout gains an extra +3000 power for the turn.", CJ explained, the pigman glowing green at Jil's summoning.
Quixotic Hero Swine Snout: 1000-4000
"Thanks for the tip," Jake said, tapping Kolon. "Kolon attacks Gett."
Kolon the Oracle: 1000
Mini Titan Gett: 1000
Kolon sprang into action by taking itself airborne. Gett aimed its missile launcher towards it and fired two rockets at it, but Kolon's bolts disrupted them as it descended and they dropped, the explosions swallowing them both, throwing CJ off balance.
CJ grabbed the table and shook it off. "My turn!" he drew, set his fourth mana and tapped. "I cast Crisis Boulder! Choose Battle Zone or Mana. One card from one of them has to go to the Grave."
"Jil from my Battle Zone." Jake didn't hesitate to choose.
"Wha—seriously?" CJ on the other hand did.
"When Jil is destroyed, I tap up to two of your Creatures in your Battle Zone," Jake explained.
Jil's destruction sent a shockwave that caught Quix once again and paralyzed him. A disgruntled CJ was forced to watch his creature Tap again.
"Back down now," Jake stated.
CJ turned around and saw that Jake was serious.
"You first," CJ answered.
"You can't beat me, CJ we both know this." Jake drew and set Mana. "I summon Bronze-Arm Tribe and add an extra Mana."
Bronze-Arm Tribe materialized in the Battle Zone and worked its ability to add Mana.
Bronze-Arm Tribe
Civilization: Nature
Power: 1000
Quix gained its power boost but it proved irrelevant in the long-run.
"Are you saying that because I really can't beat you, or because you can just use those powers of yours to bail you out?"
Jake didn't answer him.
"Are you ever going to give me a straight answer about these powers? How you caused the reset? How you came into contact with this thing? Why you came into contact with it?"
Jake still didn't answer him.
"No more secrets!" CJ yelled at him. "I'll beat them out of you if I have to!" He ripped the card from the top of the deck and looked at it. With a smirk, he set Mana and tapped five. "I summon Terradragon Regarion!"
The name caught Jake by surprise. Behind CJ, a dragon rose from behind, an amalgamation of vines and wood intertwined and braided to form the body of the dragon along with blue-green armor on its top half. Its front claws were replaced by large pincers resembling additional mouths, and leaf-like wings sprouted from them and in its back. Thorns took their place as its horns and spikes across its body as well.
Terradragon Regarion
Civilization: Nature
Power: 4000+
Quix got its power boost but all attention was given to the new creature. Jake, stood enamored at the sight of the beast and looked down at CJ, who's eyes were showing hints of shifting colors.
"I'm sorry," Jake said.
"You never were, don't kid yourself…" CJ shot back.
"But until I figure things out myself, I need to keep one more secret," Jake said. "And when I understand it, then I'll tell all of you."
"Only if you spill everything else," CJ said, K-Waves sparking before him. "Quix break his Shield!"
Quix jumped in and rushed Jake, taking out a second Shield.
Jake
Shields: 4-3
The card returned to Jake's hand and he drew. It was his turn to respond. "Did you ever wonder why my family suddenly moved from our small town in California seven years ago to NYC?"
"My parents told me that your father had a promotion that needed him to move."
"That's only half true. For as long as I remember, my Father groomed me to be his tool to destroy the Creature World. My mother tried all she could to prevent this from happening but to no avail. And my job was to recruit those who could help.
CJ paused. "That's why…you recruited me for this?! Back when you were trying to convince me—did you know that Tsume and I could sync?"
"My father guided Team Neo to acquire the Survivors and to get us to tap into our hidden K-Waves to sync fully with the Guardian Creatures. I was supposed to help, but…my feelings for Jamie clouded my judgment. Dueling Luke wasn't a part of the plan but I reacted and he had to improvise."
"So the entire Survivor Uprising situation. You knew about every step going forward."
"When I realized how much danger Jamie was put through, I wanted to back out and try to disrupt it. It wasn't worth any of it…!"
"You and your father were trying to build an army… He wanted to overthrow the DCA because it was the one thing standing in his way from getting to the Creature World and waging war…" CJ pieced together. "That's just like how Quazla manipulated his way and assassinated Diamondia to get to Earth."
A chuckle left Jake. "Guess you can say that…"
"It's not funny!" CJ snapped. "What are you going to do if everyone else finds out about this?!"
"They already did," Jake answered.
CJ paused again. "They did…? When?" a thought crossed his mind at that moment. "This isn't the first reset, is it?"
Jake set Mana and tapped. "I summon Siri, Glory Elemental!"
Siri materialized behind CJ and stoically hovered behind him.
"If this isn't the first reset, then how many have you done up this point?!"
His response came in the landing of Bronze-Arm Tribe who shattered CJ's first Shield.
CJ
Shields: 5-4
"Your turn." Jake countered him. "How did you know about the resets? Why are you the only one who remembers what happened before?"
CJ gritted his teeth at the denial of his answer and drew. It seemed that he'd really have to beat it out of him to get what he wanted. He set mana and tapped six. "Roar the Savage Hero: Fighter Dual Fang!"
Quix acknowledged the Evo Crystal and subsequently evolved into Dual Fang.
Fighter Dual Fang
Civilization: Nature
Power: 8000
CJ added his two extra mana. "Regarion, with your +3000 Power Attacker, attack Bronze! Fighter Dual Fang, Double Breaks!"
Terradragon Regarion: 4000-7000
Bronze-Arm Tribe: 1000
Bronze was no match for the Dragon who grabbed it and cast it into the air. Tsume followed up, grabbing Bronze from the air and launching it in-between two of Jake's Shields, blowing them out.
Jake
Shields: 3-1
"You'll find out soon enough," CJ answered him. "But now I finally understand things a bit better. You kept things hidden from us because you didn't want us to know what you were doing, but what you've done."
"To answer your question, there were only two," Jake said. "The first one, After the survivor uprising, I was forced to come clean about everything. The team disbanded; my family was destroyed…everything that I wanted to protect shattered before me. With the team gone, and my father imprisoned, nothing was stopping Quazla's forces from invading and taking over. That's when Sapphire approached me and offered me a chance to undo what happened."
"And you took it," CJ confirmed.
"With my memories intact, I could basically predict how things would happen. But at the same time, I took the initiative. I kept the secrets to myself, and convinced Dylan to help me and Dr. Collins to try and de-escalate things in the Creature World."
"But that wasn't necessarily true, was it?"
"It was." Jake insisted. "The request to go to the Creature World to instigate peace threw Collins off. It was because of that I began to grow suspicious. And when we realized that there was no way back to Earth, I knew that Quazla and Collins were connected. And with Sapphire's help, it helped me weave my way through gaining a foothold on the Creature World side in such a short time. Dylan seemed curious himself, so I explained to him about all the things I ran into in this reality, leaving out the parts about Sapphire helped me foresee a lot of it.
"So the Creature World in chaos and the Earth being invaded…"
"Not only did I live it once before, but the second time around, I had the upper hand to undermine what could've been an even more catastrophic turnout."
CJ couldn't help but feel like that was cheating.
"But then there was the second reset." Jake pointed out. "And everything I did ended up being for nothing."
"And you're blaming me for it?"
"Why else would you have memories of the previous reality?"
"I didn't cause it."
Not consciously… Sapphire spoke up.
CJ turned back, hearing Its voice. "What do you mean?"
Listening to you two I'm learning more about what has happened. The Creature you created…its power to defy destiny…are the result of synchronization of unparalleled strength. Its powers kept you intact without my aid and caused a reset based on your desires to undo the chaos brought about by his actions. But these were not your desires alone…
CJ's eyes widened. "Then…"
Jake gritted his teeth. "I've heard enough!" He set Mana and tapped. "Descend upon us, prince of the skies; Lead those who walk in the light to victory and salvation! Reign justice upon this world!"
CJ turned around, blinded by the light of the card hung in the air.
"Siri, Evolve into Alcadeias, Lord of Spirits!"
The Shining Command's tendrils wrapped around it and glowed in bright light. From the light cocoon, emerged Alcadeias as a miraculous being of light.
Alcadeias, Lord of Spirits
Civilization: Light
Power:12500
Alcadeias floated so that it was taller than Fighter Dual Fang, with the two grilling one another, just like Jake and CJ at that moment.
CJ could feel the tone in the room shift. Sapphire wait all this time to speak. It did this on purpose to get Jake to react. To push him.
But why…?
"Tenshi…Kill him." Jake looked up at CJ, revealing his angered golden eyes.
Alcadeias, Lord of Spirits: 12500
Fighter Dual Fang: 8000
Alcadeias heeded his master's command tackling Tsume. The pair crashed far away from CJ, causing the boy to turn back and watched as Tsume attempted to defend himself.
Tsume blocked and slashed at Tenshi, but the Shining Command moved graciously and countered with solid hits on Tsume, eventually bring his palm underneath the Dual Fang when it brought its sword overhead.
This ended with Tenshi's arm cannon ripping a hole through Tsume, one that pierced the roof of the room. Tsume's blade crashed onto the floor and he went limp, before dispersing.
"TSUME!" CJ cried. He knew that Creatures didn't really die in Kaijudo duels, but…the ferocity of that scuffle enforced a killer intent. CJ for the first time since that initial duel sensed fear regarding Tenshi. When it turned towards him, CJ felt his heart constrict.
He finally understood why Tenshi terrified him during that time.
"Tenshi never lost his memories, did he?" CJ asked. "He was always like this, wasn't he…?"
Jake didn't answer. "Your turn."
CJ went to draw, but his hand was shaking. One revelation after another. Eventually, he was able to take the card, but he couldn't bring himself to attack, fearing that he was only to make matters worse.
"I…end…"
Jake drew and set Mana. "I summon Miele, Vizier of Lightning, who taps Regarion. Then, I'll summon a second Jil Warka, Time Guardian."
Jil re-appeared, joined by the brown tear-drop drone who sent a ring of electricity to constrict Regarion.
Miele, Vizier of Lightning
Civilization: Light
Power: 1000
"Alcadeias…" Jake tapped.
Alcadeias, Lord of Spirits: 12500
Terradragon Regarion: 4000
Regarion tried to break free, but Alcadeias mercilessly grabbed the Dragon and slammed it into the ground, dragging it far enough while charging its cannon. Once it stopped, Regarion was gone.
"It's over," Jake stated. "Your spells are locked by Alcadeias' ability. And you have no creatures to defend yourself. I win."
CJ drew his card. Seeing what he drew, he looked up at Jake with exhausted, emotionally drained eyes, and smiled. "You do…?"
"Yes. I do."
"Yeah… well, guess what…? I'll just do it again."
Jake furrowed his eyebrow, then noticed the area around them began to shift. Bringing them to the grounds of Empreya City; amongst the chaotic scene that was Emperor Maroll's rampage. A scenery that was initially rejected…
Sapphire deemed necessary to present.
"I'll defy you…"
Before Jake could offer a retort, Tenshi glided from over him. This, of course, was just the footage of him, as Tenshi waited patiently for Jake to declare another attack. Tenshi in the footage attacked Maroll directly, slipping through its beams and retaliating, all in an attempt to hold the Creature back.
And all the while Dragons from all other directions followed suit, aiding Tenshi to push the creature back. Including Jagalzor who carried everyone along with it. Nature and Darkness' dragons who dispersed from the group, had allies on their backs and trailing behind them, all willing to aid and defend against Maroll.
Jake looked around and caught sight of Jamie and the others in the footage. He wanted to call out to them, but he realized that their voices were muted. He watched Karon and Kaitlyn get off Jagalzor and intercept with Himself and Dylan who came from a nearby direction and saw them land. The memories flooded Jake's mind as he relived the moment. Asking where Jamie was, seeing her staying behind to tend to CJ. His insistence to go to her but being held back by the chaos surrounding them.
And Maroll's overwhelming strength blowing all of its adversaries back like paper dolls. Jake continued to watch as the Cyber Lord turned its attention to Jagalzor who shielded Jamie and CJ. Jagalzor went in to defend but even it was taken down and left to die. Jake's heart tightened as he saw Jamie and CJ in the sights of Maroll with no defenses.
"Run…" Jake uttered. "Just…just leave him and run…!" Jamie couldn't hear him. Instead, she did the complete opposite and hugged the unconscious boy to shield him from the incoming blast.
And then, as if by a miracle, Draconis stepped in front of them just as Maroll's cannon fired, taking the blast. The Dragon collapsed before them, to Jamie's horror.
"JAMIE JUST RUN ALREADY!"
"She won't…" CJ said. "And that's something that a reset won't change…"
Jake turned around and saw CJ, the latter's eyes were now inflamed in their jade-green hue.
"She will…always choose me. She will always be there for me to lean on…" CJ said. "No matter how much I try to reject her. How mad she gets with me. She'll always be there to help me."
"Not another word…" Jake hissed. "You don't know her, how I do! I will sacrifice everything for her! She deserves someone who can protect her!"
"SHE'S NOT A DAMSEL!" CJ roared right back.
That caught Jake. He looked back and to his shock Jamie stood in front of CJ, being the force between him and Maroll. Her fists were clenched, sparking with red K-Waves and her eyes began to illuminate in a bright, ruby-red color. The frequency of the K-Waves grew stronger and wilder, to the point that the ground began to break apart. Despite the strain, she continued to push herself. It wasn't enough for her, she had to keep pushing.
"She's a hero…my hero…" CJ uttered, tears streaming down his face. Jake didn't acknowledge him, instead, his own tears were going down his face as CJ woke up to Jamie's actions and came beside her, taking her hand.
"My partner!"
CJ, in the footage, opened his eyes and his eyes also began to glow as well, with his K-Waves growing erratic as well. The two waves intertwined together, expanding all around them. Draconis' lifeless body and a Terradragon nearby were caught in the waves and began to glow respectively. They raised their folded hands into the air and concentrated all they could. Draconis and the Terradragon meanwhile rose into the sky and began to intertwine as their K-Waves did.
"I summon…!" CJ started, tapping seven Mana. "Bombazar, Dragon of Destiny!"
The area surrounding them was engulfed in a blinding light, that encapsulated everything around them. The waves were so rough that it knocked Jake back from where he stood and caused him to tumble away. When he sat up, Bombazar's utter magnificent appearance was all that remained, with everything else around them returning to the room where they were before.
Bombazar, Dragon of Destiny
Civilization: Fire/Nature
Power: 6000
Jake was astonished. "What…is…that…?!"
"Proof of the bond that Jamie and I share…" CJ stated. "A bond that I won't let you take from me."
"Your…bond…" Jake repeated, "created this…?"
"Yes. Because unlike you, I fell in love with the strong girl who has my back as much as I have hers. And I accept that it's because of our bond that I will beat you and make things right. Bombazar Breaks your last Shield!"
Jake didn't respond to that, tapping Jil to block Bombazar's might.
Bombazar: 6000
Jil Warka: 2000
"That's bullcrap…So what?! Does that mean that everything I've done for her was for nothing?! Why couldn't that be enough?!"
"It's exactly that reason why you'll never win her. Or any of us for that matter."
Jake gritted his teeth and went to draw. "I won't accept that! You're wrong!"
"Bombazar's effect!" CJ interjected. "He grants me a second turn."
Jake went wide-eyed.
"This is where your lack of trust got you. Where it will always get you." CJ drew. "You can't force people to trust you. You can't force anyone to love you. You can't form a perfect world for just you alone. It doesn't matter how many sacrifices you make, or who you claim its for because it will never work."
Mini Titan Gett materialized in CJ's Battle Zone.
"Mini Titan Gett, Evolve into Armored Decimator Valkaizer!"
Mini Titan Gett instantly transformed into a larger Human creature with copper-colored armor, a blue cape and a massive gun-like armament on its right arm.
Armored Decimator Valkaizer
Civilization: Fire
Power: 5000
"Valkaiser's effect destroys one of your Creatures with Power 4000 or less." CJ pointed to Miele. Valkaizer locked on and sprayed Miele until there was nothing left. Alcadeias was all that stood behind Jake. Silent through this entire duel.
"No matter what happens, this ends here… and now." CJ said. "Valkaizer, Breaks your last Shield."
This was it. Everything that he's done. All the effort he put into preserving a place where his friends could be safe and sound. So what if at the end of it all he wanted to get the girl? He should deserve that at least, right? A reward for being the hero…the White Knight…
They were all right…he realizes that now…
Valkaizer locked on, and Jake snapped out of his trance, bracing himself for the worst at the last possible second. The final Shield cracked and shattered, spraying him back in the face.
The moment where Jake accepts fate was upon him. His punishment for the crime of defying it…
Jake
Shields: 1-0
The Shield reformed in front of Jake. He looked at it and was left without words. Except three.
"You were right," Jake replied. He took the shield and flipped it around.
Revealing Holy Awe.
CJ equally shocked, felt the energy leave him. The bolt of lightning came down on Bombazar, paralyzing him and keeping him from moving forward and ending things there and then. CJ relaxed and looked at Jake. "At the end of the Extra Turn Bombazar grants; the user loses the game…"
Jake still speechless aside from those few words stared blankly at CJ, feeling just as burnt out.
The two just stared at one another, as their creatures faded from the room. The room as well began to disappear around them, but not before the two exhaustedly collapsed on their backs, allowing themselves to disappear with the scenery around them, still silent.
One final gift, for such a splendid show…
CJ's eyes opened, seeing the familiar ceiling of his bedroom above him. Several blinks later, his eyes shifted to his right, his blinds hiding the sunrise. And to his left, where his deck case and phone sat, as they always do. And then back towards his ceiling.
His phone chimed. He looked over to it and reached over to answer the notification. His focus though went to the date first and foremost.
Sat. 4/15 20XX
"Saturday…?" CJ uttered. "It's Saturday…?"
He looked down at the message and it was Jake's name, labeled.
You free?
CJ rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing things right. He replied. Just waking up, what's up?
After a moment: Cool, I'm on my way.
Okay. CJ wasn't going to ask. He could guess easily enough.
Jake arrived nearly an hour later, CJ's parents welcoming him inside. CJ came from his room, dressed and saw Jake as he approached the living room.
"What's up?" CJ asked him.
Jake walked up to him and held his hand out. "Still remember it?"
It caught CJ off guard. He took his hand and performed a special handshake and afterward they couldn't help but smile at one another.
"Some things never change…" CJ found himself admitting.
"I'm happy about that, honestly." Jake agreed. "Took us reshaping all of reality for me to realize that…"
CJ's smile shrunk. "So then…all of that did happen."
Jake nodded.
CJ turned. "Jake and I are going out for a bit we'll be back later."
Nate and Catharine were busy in their own activities and shooed the two boys away, trusting them well enough to not get into any trouble. With that, CJ got his stuff and followed Jake out the door as the pair headed to the elevator.
"So now what?" CJ asked him. "What's different about this reality?"
"Don't know yet," Jake answered. "Don't know if this was the very first one, the one I made, or the one you did. Or even one that Sapphire itself conjured up."
"That's its name, right?"
Jake nodded. "I'm betting on option D."
"And you figure that because…"
Jake foresaw the question and pulled out his phone. "Someone's been leaking Set information online. Rumors include multi-civilization cards like Bombazar."
The elevator arrived for them and they walked in. "What do you mean 'Like Bombazar'?"
"No idea." Jake continued. "But the only thing we can do now is just keep an eye on things for now. Sapphire Wisdom was a myth up until recently after all."
"A myth tied with the Alpha Code, Quazla's actions, your actions…Sapphire's influence has been under our noses this whole time and we're just now wising up."
"Only because it allowed itself to be found."
"The DCA have any information on him?"
"Not that I can tell. I even asked my parents this morning. They don't have the slightest idea outside of rumors."
The elevator reached the bottom floor and the pair made their way outside. "' Parents?' Then does that mean?"
"The Survivor Uprising and Quazla's invasions never happened. Everyone killed or hurt in either event is fine as well."
"Even Dr. Collins?"
"Sapphire never used Invincible Technology to manipulate Quazla, meaning he never posed a threat. Which means that Collins never had a reason to create the Survivors."
"This means that there would be no reason for your father to overthrow the DCA and attempt to destroy the Creature World. No World Tree in Central Park, Dr. Collins is normal, Cindy's parents are still alive…everything is—"
"Exactly. Its almost as if nothing ever happened." Jake confirmed.
"So major reset aside, what does that mean? Every fight, every moment we shared…every memory…"
"We still remember it. But for everyone else, gone. If I had to guess, Sapphire granted us both chances to start fresh. To have new beginnings."
CJ stopped and suddenly concluded something major. and decided to open his deck case. He skimmed through and counted 39 cards. "It's gone…!"
"Bombazar faded away with the reset." Jake stopped and looked over. "Because it was a manifestation of the bond you built with Jamie…"
CJ felt the realization crush him internally. He didn't know what to say, or how to feel about that. "So…everything's gone then…?"
"Sapphire replaced memories too. You're still the fifth member of our team, you and Jamie still became partners in the DCA. Sapphire kept all of the good moments and replaced the dire ones."
"How's that any different from what you were trying to do?!" CJ snapped at him.
Jake didn't answer. CJ fell to his knees and started crying. He felt his heart shattering within. All of the moments that caused him stress, anxiety, that made him question his feelings towards the situations presented to him, the situations that forced him to accept things and help him grow…were all gone. And replaced by fake moments.
His feelings for Jamie through Bombazar's birth weren't dire moments. They were important. They were precious.
And Sapphire took them from him.
"Weren't you the one who told me that I couldn't have things my way?" Jake asked him.
CJ looked up and saw Jake kneel to him. "Weren't you the one who told me that?! If I can't have my perfect world then why should you?!"
CJ shoved him back. "You didn't lose anything so what does it matter to you?!"
"I WATCHED MY MOTHER DIE!" Jake shut CJ up. After that outburst, Jake clarified. "Sapphire showed me…after you all went into the Creature World, Quazla tortured my parents and I watched my mother die…At least in this reality, I have another chance to work towards my desires. So what if those moments are gone, good riddance…! At least we're on equal footing."
CJ's shrill breaths slowed. Jake was fighting back his own emotions while standing up. He held his hand out to CJ.
"We have a chance to start over. To have as normal of a life as we're gonna get. We both like her, right? So, let her choose who she wants to be with. That way twenty years from now, we can reminisce about how I talked you into playing a kid's card game." Jake smiled. "And how I was right about it."
CJ sniffled and couldn't help but let out a chuckle. He took Jake's hand and the latter helped him up. "Ok then. Fine."
"Promise?" Jake wanted to be sure.
"I promise." CJ nodded.
With that affirmation, the bond that the two boys shared was rekindled. And along with it, a new adventure awaited them on the cusp of a new future.
Both here, and in places beyond…
Shtra's small body took steps within the crystal throne room, much deeper within Sapphire's illustrious abode. Once it reached a safe and respectable distance, it bowed before the throne where a mysterious giant sat. Clad in golden robes, and adorned in sapphire, its hair extended through the hood of this mysterious creature and a mask hid its face, with a lone sapphire gem housing it as an eye. It sat with its scepter lying beside its throne, a yellow and blue Evo Crystal floating around it and legs crossed, as it took pleasure at the sight of Shtra.
"Master Sapphire…" Shtra addressed. "I thank you for allowing me to finally meet your presence. How may I be of service to you?"
Sapphire waved its hand and the room shifted once again, turning things back to the moment Jamie Oversynced. Shtra turned around and saw the beauty in her red eyes and the ferocity of her power. Following it by CJ Oversyncing as well and joining her as they used their combined strength to create Bombazar.
"Bonds…" Sapphire's voice bounced around Shtra. "Bonds…bring power. I wish to see more of this phenomenon."
Sapphire waved its hand again and what materialized now was a Light Bringer. A small ball of light with two beady eyes and small pincers for hands.
The Light Bringer floated to the small Cyber Lord and the two looked at one another. They reached out for one another and a light engulfed them. From the light, a pair of shimmering Evo Crystals emerged as well as the light reforming into a taller, bulkier being. What emerged, was a silver-armored alien-like creature, with two horns that housed an electromagnetic orb on its head, resembling an eyeball. In his right hand, he wielded a glowing golden trident, and in his left, a glowing azure spear.
"I part my powers unto you…from this moment forward, you shall be known as my Avatar of Hope. My…Wise Starnoid."
Wise Starnoid looked up to his master and bowed, grateful that it has now achieved the power to walk the stars… "I will not fail you."
Sapphire nodded, acknowledging the statement. And with that Wise Starnoid vanished from Sapphire's throne room, leaving the large Creature to be amused by its own thoughts…