Amity Blight did not consider herself a bad person by nature, just someone for whom certain standards and expectations that followed her that she must meet. As a Blight and among the best witches in her generation Amity knew she had certain expectations and obligations to fulfill
Regardless of what she wanted to do she must set an example and unfortunately that meant associating with only the best and brightest and as a good friend of a friend Willow is she was simply not cut out for the life Amity was to live.
This was the mantra Amity reminded herself of as she walked away from the duel by herself having left her socially acceptable friends behind not wanting to deal with them after having to deal with Bria, and her siblings. As she walked to nowhere in particular in the market Amity made a mental list of what she still had to do for the day.
"Alright I defended the Blight name, it's not time for my lesson with Lilith yet, my Hexide assignments will be done on time, I don't have a shift today." Amity sighed as she wondered what to do next. She already had spent the socially acceptable time with her friends and saw no reason to go back.
Amity wondered what Willow was doing with her friends when shew them out of the corner of her eye they seemed to be having a good time before she would furiously shake her head to rid herself of the thought.
"You are a Blight you only associate with the strongest of the witches." Amity reminded herself of the age old family motto with a passion.
With a sigh Amity resigned herself to wandering around until it was time to meet with her mentor later.
Amity arrived as always early to her training sessions at the usual meeting spot, an old dueling arena near the woods that Lilith had claimed for the two of them due to its isolation ensuring privacy.
Amity Blight always knew she was destined for power and greatness from a young age yet the fact that Ms. Clawthrone saw her as a worthy student would always humble and honor in ways she couldn't even begin to describe.
The elder witch was everything she wanted to be when she reached that age.
This respect was strictly that of a student to their teacher Amity Blight had absolutely no hidden daughter mother longing thoughts none whatsoever.
"Good Afternoon Amity, it is good to see you again." Ms Clawthrone called out.
"It's good to see you as well Mom." Amity would reply back before covering her mouth in embarrassment.
Not again why does this keep happening to me.
Mercifully Ms Clawthrone would make no mention of her latest slip-up but would instead turn to the guard that was standing to her side to tell them something.
She probably got tired of hearing me say that and just tries to ignore it.
Intellectually Amity would know that it was most likely Steve the easily excited guard that accompanies Lilith the most often yet even after all this time she cannot spot the difference between him and the other ones.
Are they even sure which one of them is which? Amity couldn't help but wonder as so many guards looked the same when she was younger Amity thought they were all illusion copies made by a single guard. Amity would feel her ears pink in embarrassment at the old memory of proudly saying her theory to Lilith and Steve. While Steve had begun to have an existential crisis on whether or not he actually existed Lilith explained why the guards looked so similar after laughing for a moment. That moment completely shocked Amity for she had never seen her mentor show so much emotion. Despite the embarrassment she had felt then and now overall the memory was a good one it had been nice to hear her teacher laugh.
Though she wouldn't say it to his face Amity couldn't help but feel guilty for it as the man had helped her many times since she was young.
A part of her will always be confused by the man's behavior wondering how the coven could accept such a silly man to its ranks though.
"Now then Steve I will require your assistance for today's lesson." Lilith gestured for the guard to come closer to her and whispered something in his ear whose face Amity could not see but if she could she would imagine that she would be seeing him blush extensively.
"You got it Lilith whatever you need. Anything you want I will give it to you!" Steve said with a tinge more emotion than was necessary in Amity's opinion.
Amity had accidentally overheard many of her teacher's conversations but Steve's feelings for his boss were obvious to anyone who watched him talk to her especially if he did not have his mask on.
Anyone not named Lilith Clawthrone that is. Amity amended mentally.
"Thank you Steve, your helpfulness is a sign of a truly worthy member of our coven."
Ouch coven-zoned Amity winced in sympathy as she watched the man deflate.
Amity could never imagine being so obvious about something as stupid as a crush. She was Amity Blight if there ever was a witch worthy of her and her status then the witchling in question would be honored to have themselves so skilly courted by her.
"Now then Amity Steve will aid us today be serving as a training partner. This will allow me to see how your skills are developing any questions before we begin?"
Amity absentmindedly shook her head no as she thought of what Steve used for his deck and strategies.
Steve uses his Gaia Knights as his lone warrior and tends to summon them one at a time and slowly powers them up. He's a good duelist but he can be predictable and favors simple and straightforward tactics backrow minimal. If I summon Demise after he starts his set-up, I can keep him from sending his strongest monsters at me assuming I can keep enough lifepoints to use him in time.
Little did Amity realize that while she was in deep thought strategizing she was also staring at Steve in an emotionless gaze who quickly grew nervous as it went on.
"I hate it when she does that." Steve whined as Amity finished the last of her mental thoughts.
"Okay I am ready to begin." Amity said and waited for further instruction.
"I see you have taken my lessons about always having a plan in mind but remember Amity no plan survives contact with the enemy." Lilith said with a solemn nod.
"Now then you may begin when ready Amity you will have the first turn. Steve will be using a deck that would be a suitable challenge to you."
"Yeah Madam Lilith had me modify my own to make it a fair fight, it was fun!"
"I understand may the best duelist win." Though on the outside Amity was calm the news had her panicking on the inside wondering if any of her planning would still be of any use. As she walked over to one side of the field she tried to calm herself down with slow breathing and rallied her mind.
Just play it safe, just play it safe.
As she looked over her cards Amity cursed thinking to herself that the hand wasn't good enough to help her deal with the unknown situation.
"I summon in attack position my Sonic Bird and I will use it to add a ritual spell to my hand."
As her monster dropped the card into her hand Amity promised herself she wouldn't prove herself a failure to Lilith and Steve.
"That is the end of my turn."
"Alright it's Steve time! Get ready minty you got this" The coven guard would summon his duel disk his enthusiasm evident.
Despite herself Amity had to hold back a smile, finding the guard's behaviour charming, the politeness and encouragement of an authority figure would always put a spring in her step no matter who it was.
"Now then say hello to my friend Marauding Captain and I'll use his ability to special summon my Vishwar Randi to the field."
When Amity saw the familiar grizzled warrior appear on the field Amity's mind raced as to what monster he would use next will he summon another captain, a tuner for Synchro summon, XYZ or Link summon. When the second monster was summoned Amity was confused as she hadn't heard of that one.
Once it manifested on the field her confusion was replaced by another feeling.
The monster Steve had summoned was a female seductive monster with 6 arms green hair wearing a blue corset with red accents. The monster struck a pose and winked at Amity who felt her face warm up and had trouble forming coherent thoughts.
"Coven Scout Steve explain." Lilith's calm and cold voice snapped Amity back into focus though her blush remained as her eyes went back and forth between Steve and Lilith trying to avoid looking at the smirking monster.
She failed.
"Hey you told me to find some weaker cards and you didn't give me a lot of time." Steve defended himself frantically.
"Ah I see now what you prefer for your cards now but please keep such things away from Amity she is too young for that."
Off to the side Amity protested weakly which was unheard by either of the adults in the room.
"I'm 14..."
"Madam Clawthrone it's not like that." Steve said in a panic as he waved his arms back and forth.
"Then where did you find such a card then?"
"It was a part of the pile of old cards you gave to me." Steve said awkwardly.
Amity watched transfixed as her mom mentor froze up and her ear pinken at the tips.
"Is that so?. It must have been one my sister slipped in when we were younger. Anyway, back to the duel now if you will please Steve." Lilith coughed and Amity noticed that she did not make eye contact with either her or Steve.
Eager to move on from the awkwardness Steve eagerly agreed.
"Alright I activate the spell card Natural Tune allowing me to turn my Vishwar Randi into a tuner which I will then use to Synchro Summon with my captain to bring my Gaia Knight, the Force of
The Earth to the field.
A small green circle appeared around Vishwar Randi and green light was emitted as the circle began to rotate rapidly. When the light disappeared the creature seemed unchanged but Amity knew better than that.
The succubus creature would then wink at Steve's Marauding Captain and the two would take each other's arms and began a dance that went faster and faster until they were a blur and in their place appeared a blue and gold armored knight dual wielding red lances on top of a mechanical horse with similar armor as its rider.
"Now then Gaia charge that bird brain!"
Though the knight came charging to Amity's perspective it would have been going in slow motion as she braced herself for the hit that she was about to take as the knight pierced the bird and shattered it in a single blow.
Amity: 4000-1200=2800
Though she felt pain from the attack Amity refuses to let it show knowing that showing weakness like that in a duel would invite more challengers to come after her.
"I place one card facey downy and end my turn." Steve said with a finger gun on both hands.
Now then I will activate my spell card End of the World to ritual summon my Demise, Agent of Armageddon and I'll use his effect to destroy his knight.
Throughout it all Lilith stood there face expressionless as she watched the two duel.
Amity took a deep breath as she readied herself to make her play.
"I activate the spell card End of the World and I will use it to ritual summon…"
"Hold it right there I activate my trap card Dark Bribe to negate your spell's activation!"
As the card shattered right after it first manifested Amity had only one thing to say in rebuttal.
"Fuck."
"Amity Blight language."
"Sorry!" Amity squeaked mortified. Boscha I blame you for this.
Amity, frustrated at having her whole strategy ruined by a single card with her opponent still having a strong monster on the field, drew the card given to her by Dark Bribe and shock appeared on her face before she took a deep breath and replaced it with the calm focus that Amity Blight must always have.
"I place one card in facedown position and end my turn."
"Now then it's my turn once again and come on out Command Knight."
Amity gulped as she recognized the blonde red armored knight that appeared on the field wielding a golden blade. If she remembered correctly it raised the attack of all warrior monsters by 400.
"Alright then I will attack with my knight your facedown!" Steve cheered as his Gaia Knight charged full force at her facedown card revealing a small green reptilian creature that let out a small growl before being destroyed.
"Now my Command Knight will attack you directly."
"Not so I face I activate my face down card Urgent Ritual Art and I will banish my End of the World Spell card to ritual summon Demise, Agent of Armageddon using my copy of Cu Chulainn the Awakened in my hand and I'll use his effect to destroy your knight."
The facedown card flipped itself up and three robed figures appeared around a stone altar lit with candles and a small raven on the altar's centers. As the smoke of the candles rose up a hexagonal circle appeared and spun rapidly. A card in Amity's hand was enveloped in a blue light and floated into the altar with the impression of a blonde warrior appearing for a moment. Before the altar was covered in dark blue flames.
CRACK
In the Altar's place was a skeletal figure dressed in dark armor and robes wielding an axe on their shoulder. Demise would then point out at Gaia Knight, the Force of the Earth before his axe was enveloped in blue flames and with a single swing a wave of energy was sent at the knight destroying it Demise rested his axe on his shoulder utterly silent.
"Nice move there thought I had you there." Steve said with approval in his voice.
"Your Dark Bribe gave me the exact card I needed." Amity said, smirking.
"Of course it did, that always happens every time I use it." Steve groaned as he gestured for Amity to start her turn.
As Amity drew her card she started thinking of how she could keep the momentum of the duel to her advantage. Once she saw what she drew she couldn't help but groan.
"Of course I draw the ritual for Cu Chulainn the Awakened the turn after I send it to the graveyard."
"Ms Blight it is best that you don't announce what cards you have in your hand to your opponent." Lilith said with a hint of amusement in her otherwise calm and even tone.
Sheepish Amity would nod in response.
Why do I always lose my guard when I'm with them? This is training they are not here to have fun or waste time. How can I prove to Lilith that I am a worthy apprentice if I keep making a fool of myself like this? I got to prove to her that I am more than worthy.
"I will tribute summon using my Demise to bring forth my Giga Gagagigo to the field."
The demon in question would swing its ax one last time before fading away then a giant green reptilian warrior covered in silver armor appeared on the field with a roar.
"Now then my warrior crush that knight beneath your heel!" Amity commanded with a triumphant smirk and a sadistic gleam in her eyes as she watched her monster slash the red armored knight to pieces with a single swipe of its claws.
Unknown to her Lilith furrowed her brow when she saw Amity's expression.
Steve: 4000-850 = 3150
"Alright it is time for some Steve! I draw and I set one card facedown."
Amity was shocked by how casual Steve was acting seemingly indifferent to the fact he was at a real disadvantage. Normally she would have placed this to her opponent being a childish fool but she knew better than to think that was happening here.
Steve may have been a childish opponent but he wouldn't have risen in the Emperor's Coven if he was such a fool he was up to something.
Whatever it was it wouldn't matter in the end.
"I draw."
When she saw the card that she had drawn it took all she had to not not squeal in joy and keep a neutral face on.
"And now I activate my trap card Call of the Haunted and I will use it to bring back my Gaia Knight!"
The sky darkened as a gravestone appeared on the field; an ill wind blew past Amity making her unconsciously shiver as the dirt in front of the gravestone began to shake.
BOOM
The ground had exploded leaving in its place the familiar knight atop his horse.
"You're going to need to do better than that to keep this knight six feet under!" Steve taunted.
Amity allowed herself an amused smirk before commencing her turn.
"Now then this duel was supposed to be a test of my worthiness so it is fitting I play this card as I rise to the top."
Amity would wince internally as she heard what she was saying. Note to self brush up on witty one-liners.
Steve may have been enveloped in the cloak and mask of the Emperor's coven uniform that hid his facial features but between Lilith's training and her family's upbringing she could see he was quite nervous.
"I activate the spell card Amulet of Ambition and equip it to my monster."
The mechanical reptilian warrior roared in triumph as a golden amulet appeared. The necklace consisted of a giant eye at the center of a golden star on top of a circle. A similar necklace outline would appear on Amity as Steve looked nervously at his opponent.
"Well that's not good I think? Your lizard didn't get any stronger from that equip so my knight is still stronger. "
"Oh you have no idea what trouble you are in right now trust me." Amity giggled manically in a way that caused Steve and Lilith to share a nervous look.
"Uh oh"
"Giga Gagagigo attack and tear that knight to shreds!"
The cybernetic reptilian warrior let out a roar and charged at his opponents who lowered his lances and responded with a charge of his own. Just before the knight's lances would have made contact with his opponent the amulet began to glow and a bright yellow aura manifested around the reptile who slashed at the knight destroying him and his steed in a single blow.
Steve: 3150-850 =2300
"H-how?"
"My normal monster attack power is increased when he faces a higher level monster 500 for every level in fact."
"Argh I can't top that attack level with a lower monster but I can't get a high level monster on the field! I'm DOOMED DOOMED I TELL YOU!"
Watching the two duelists still was Lilith who had studied the two from their posture, taunts and boasts, to the cards and strategies they used and analysed them to determine what plays they would attempt next.
Ah Amulet of Ambition, a difficult spell to deal with if you don't have a XYZ or Link monster on hand or if you don't have destruction effects. Question is though does Steve have one and will he be able to use it in time. Does Amity have a further plan for this equip spell or does she see it itself as her triumphant move. Lilith mused to herself as she observed the two with her arms behind her back giving no impression to what her inner thoughts were.
"I DRAW and I end my turn." Steve bellowed passionately only to devolve into an embarrassed mutter as he ended his turn.
Neither Lilith or Amity had expected that outcome and just watched
"Well well you might as well call it quits now then you're done for." Amity giggled as she watched Steve awkwardly stand there.
"Go Giga Gagagigo give him a taste of your power."
Gleeful Amity couldn't shout her next command loud enough.
"ATTACK HIM DIRECTLY!"
At Amity's command the reptilian montsority launched itself at the helpless coven guard, and slashed him with an armored claw.
Steve: 2300 - 2450 = 0000
"Well done Amity, a victory well earned, and Steve thank you for your service." Lilith said as she walked over to each of the duelists and patted them both on the shoulder.
"Yay shoulder pats for Steve!"
"Thank you Ms. Clawthrone." Amity visibly preened under the praise.
"Now then I have a few notes in regards to your performance to go over."
"Of course." Amity brought out a notepad to write down what her teacher would say so she could study it later.
After finishing her lesson for the day and bidding goodbye to Lilith and Steve, Amity found herself at a loss of what to do next, not wishing to return to the Blight Manor just yet, but not having anything to actually occupy her time with.
"I wonder if the library has gotten any new books yet?" Amity thought out loud as she watched a gaggle of children run by chasing a small demon child.
Mind met up Amity made her way to the library thinking that she could do research about a few personal interests of hers.
As she walked she saw a few other teenagers chasing after the gaggle of children but when she noticed Willow was approaching Amity turned her head away and walked away.
Later when she arrived at the library she saw that it was full of demon and witch children running around. Off to the side she saw one of the staff try to crawl away before being dragged back by the children screaming for help throughout. Meanwhile her boss Malphas the Master Librarian was floating on a book carefully trying to avoid having his book being boarded by the children running underfoot. Distantly Amity wondered why he didn't fly using his hands but could never bring herself to ask.
"Oh Amity like thank the Titan you are here please tell me you are available for an extra shift now! Pretty Please."
"Oh sure I can no problem. I would be happy to help" Amity agreed always willing to work at the library.
"Thank you now I got urgent master librarian business somewhere where there aren't any of these kids."
As she watched her boss rapidly float a way Amity wondered how she was going to handle all the children.
"Hello everyone" Amity called out nervously.
As soon as she said it the crowd went silent and turned towards her as one.
"Do you guys want to hear a story?" Amity gulped.
Hours later an exhausted but cheerful Amity walked out of the library with a yawn noticing the sun had set Amity realized she had to return to the manor now before it got too late.
As she walked Amity split her focus in two ways. One part of her was paying attention to her surroundings while the other half was planning out the day she was going to have tomorrow.
As a cold breeze blew past her Amity shivered wishing she had a coat with her as she continued her solitary walk. When she got her scroll out to check the time she saw she had several messages waiting for her. A few were from Boscha "inviting" her to a tag team duel tournament, others were from a few of her peers congrating her on beating Bria.
The most recent ones were from her elder siblings from only a few minutes ago.
Annoyance 1: Hey Mittens awfully late for you to be out
Annoyance 2: Yeah Mittens better hurry up
Annoyance 1: You don't want to get in trouble for a little fun do you
Annoyance 2: Like our little sis is capable of even doing that
Annoyance 1: Good point Mittens why are you so boring
As she typed up a response to Boscha Amity thought to herself why her siblings felt the need to finish each other's thoughts when they were texting.
"If I ever understand why they like to finish each other's sentences when they text me I would have probably lost most of my I.Q points beforehand." Amity grumbled to herself as she put her phone away without responding.
Finally arriving at Blight Manor Amity would feel her stomach grumble reminding her that she neglected to eat something for several hours. Amity wondered if there were any leftovers to eat or if the family would eat on their own today. Hoping the latter was the case so she could have the servants prepare something she wanted for herself Amity entered the door.
Walking inside she noticed that it was very quiet, not even the servants were around.
Shrugging her shoulders Amity made her way to the kitchen idly wondering where everyone was. As she walked toward she noticed that the light of the kitchen was on.
"Oh there you are Mittens. I was just about to go to your room to see if you were still awake."
Sitting on a chair was her mother Odalia Blight drinking from her favorite expensive cup.
"Oh hey Mom what did you need?" Amity asked, wondering why her mother didn't notice she was gone for most of the evening or why she was pretending she didn't notice.
"Oh does a mother need a reason to have some girl talk?"
"Of course not Mom."
"Good now then Amity I heard that you beat a Glandus student in the Market today."
"Yes it was a hard fought victory but in the end it was my victory." Amity responded hoping that her mother would accept that response.
"Yes that is so but it was nearly her victory letting her take your life points to 400 before you barely made a comeback. If that Bria wasn't such a amautur she would have beaten you and our name would have taken a hit. What is Lilith spending so much time teaching you if this is the result."
"She lost because she overestimated her power and underestimated me. That is why she started strong but faltered at the last step and couldn't stop me from beating her yet again. Ms Clawthorne's teachings are what allowed me to anticipate her plan." Amity was careful to keep herself calm not allowing her frustration to boil over knowing it would only lead to more lecturing about self control.
"That is no excuse and you should know that quite well if something like that happens again or Titan forbid that you lose in such an embarrassing way I will see that you improve whether you like it or not. Is that understood?"
"Yes Mother."
"It's better to remember Amity. If you are not taking your studies seriously I will find out."
"Now then how are things with your friends start with Boscha."
"Just fine she has not surpassed me in dueling or in school. She has invited me to participate in a tag team duel."
"Good, make sure that you keep it that way. This tag team tournament would be a good way to show off the difference in skill."
"I understand." Amity sighed.
"I knew introducing you to her would open up many opportunities for us. And to think that you didn't want to hang out with her and now you are the best of friends."
As her mother prattled on, Amity thought back to the first time she had met Boscha and remembered how the girl acted towards those she thought were weaker than her with a heavy heart.
She remembered cruel taunts.
Why are you even here? You won't be worth anything to anyone.
Wow, are you going to cry? How wimpey can you get?
Come on run or are you going to make your friend here fight your battles for you. What a coward.
Just go home crawl under a rock and never come back out no one is going to even notice but at least you'll stop embarrassing yourself.
RING
Amity was brought out of her thoughts by a shrill ringing as looking around she noticed it was coming from a watch around her mother's wrist who turned it off irritated.
"Oh Mittens look at the time. I know a developing girl needs her mother but you shouldn't take so much of her time when she has work to do. Now off to bed with you. Remember to brush your teeth with that prototype your father designed and take notes."
"Yes Mother." Amity turned around and left hoping she wouldn't run into anyone else as she went to her room. Too exhausted emotionally to eat at the moment she bruised her teeth, made a few notes in the Blight Industries brand notepad and went to bed.
Amity Blight did not consider herself a bad person by nature, she wanted to be a good person so bad she had standards and expectations that she couldn't escape. She just didn't have the courage and strength not like Willow, and Lilith have. She was a Blight; she had to be the best and associate with the brightest and most useful. She wasn't brave enough to stand up to her mother now just like she wasn't able to stand up to either mother and father then or even to Boscha now. She wishes she could be like her mentor who makes her feel like it was okay for her to not be the best to just be but Amity was too much her mother's child to truly follow her teacher's example. She may miss having Willow around and longed for friendship like what Willow had with Augustus but she was too much of a coward to be as loyal and kind as they were. Amity was simply not cut out for the happy and free life Willow was to live; she just didn't deserve it..