Chapter Twelve: Pushed to the Limit
Nick, Tony, and Laurna were out celebrating Tony's victory over Zane, as well as his acquisition of his fourth Decoder Device. They had taken seats in a fast food restaurant where Tony had given them all the details of his duel with Zane.
"And so... he forced Yata-Garasu into my hand and used the Confiscation magic card, discarding it to the graveyard." Tony said as he took a zip of his soda.
"I wish I could've been there to see it. You make it sound like such a heated duel!" Laurna exclaimed.
"I ended up winning without it. He used some Blackheart Card and was able to attack directly with his own Yata-Garasu when I had almost decked out. Luckily for me, he had left my facedown Fiber Jar on the field, restarting the duel. And I eventually won by taking out his hand, leaving him with nothing to defend himsef."
"What about that Don Zaruug card? I've never even heard of it before." Nick said.
"I've been looking for that card for a long time, but I still haven't gotten one. It would help my deck a lot, and I'd be able to take out my Gravity Bind trap cards."
"When you work for Blackheart, I guess you get whatever cards you want. I'm surprised we've even been able to compete with their powerful decks." Nick was talking with his mouth full.
"You know, that's really rude Nick. At least swallow what's in your mouth before you talk. Anyway, yeah, I'm surprised too. All his eliminators are supposed to be top duelists.
Zane watched them through his binoculars from the van.
"Hunter, report to Blackheart that they're at that restaurant, so he can take care of his business." Zane turned to Hunter, who was still working at his computer.
"Yes, Zane, right away." Hunter typed up something on his computer.
---
Blackheart was sitting in a limo with two of his Eliminators, Zander Edmont and Maggie Sheratt. They were on their way towards the residential area where Nick, Laurna and Tony lived.
"I've just received a message from Hunter. They're at some restaurant in the Shopping District, so they shouldn't be back for awhile."
"Okay, so then what's the plan?" Zander asked.
"Well, we're going to leave a little surprise for Nick, Antonio, and Laurna. We'll each deliver a special package to their houses." Jeff took out three boxes, each addressed to Nick, Laurna and Tony respectively. "As you can see, they're marked as coming from a friend."
"What's the point to all of this?" Maggie inquired as she examined the box.
"Nothing. It's just a little mind game. You'll be delivering that package to the Nicosia residence, while Zander delivers his to the Hope residence. I'll deliver my little gift to Nick, personally." Jeff let out a sickening cackle. "He'll never expect it! Hahahahaha!"
"Mr. Blackheart, you're not going to do anything that will put us under the public eye are you?" Zander looked worriedly at Jeff.
"There's no need to be worried. With my money and power, no one can stop me!"
---
"So how about we go and find Laurna someone to duel for her fourth Decoder Device?" Tony said.
"I don't see why not... As long as it's not another Blackheart Eliminator." Nick breathed out heavily signifying how tired he was of dealing with them. "I wanted to win some rare cards from other Duelists out there... Since all the people we've been dueling have been Eliminators, we've just been taking their Decoders."
"Yeah, but Nick, that got us the fast track to getting to the finals." Laurna kept sipping at her soda. "I don't feel like dueling very much tonight. I might just go straight home."
"Mind if I walk you home?" someone said.
"Huh?" she turned around. It was Ace. "Oh! Hi Ace!" Laurna was blushing. "It's nice to see you at a time when you're not saving our lives!"
"It's always a pleasure to see you, Laurna. So how about it? May I walk you home?" Ace extended a hand of invitation.
"Sure! I'll see you guys later!" Laurna got up off her seat and left with Ace.
Nick and Tony were scowling.
"That guy... As many times as he's saved us, I still don't like him." Nick said.
"Hmm... I wonder why that is? Maybe because he just ran off with our girl!?"
"Hmph," Nick crossed his arms. "So how about I come over and watch the game?"
"Okay. Who's playing tonight?"
"I think it's the New Mephisto Demons versus the Domino City Dragons."
"Sounds good. Wanna get going? I think we're done here."
"Lemme just call my Aunt to let her know I'm going to your house." Nick took out his cell phone.
---
"Ace, can I ask you something?" Laurna said as she clung onto Ace's arm.
"Yes? What is it?" Ace looked into her eyes.
"Why did you decide to join this tournament? Not to be rude or anything, but I'm just wondering. You're rich, a proven skilled Duelist, and more. What does a person like you, who has everything he wants, gain from winning a tournament like this?"
"You're wrong Laurna. I don't have everything. I don't have you." He kept staring deeply into her eyes.
Laurna kept blushing.
"I entered the tournament to find out what happened to my brother, Vance. About three years ago, when I was thirteen, some strange men came to my parents' mansion. They said they were there under orders of a man named Blackheart, who I later discovered to be Jeff Blackheart himself. The men threatened my parents, saying that if they didn't give in to their demands, they would kill me and Vance. My parents gave in and half of their fortune was transferred into the funds Blackheart used to build up his twisted organization. When they left, they look Vance with them. They said that once I came to work for them, I'd see Vance again."
"That's so... That's terrible!"
"I know. I would never want to work for that psychopath, but by winning the tournament, I'll get a shot at Blackheart myself. If I defeated him, I'd earn that honorary position at the Blackheart Corporation, meaning that I wouldn't actually have to work for him, but that would fulfil the requirements that those men gave me three years ago."
"You're not the only one with a noble cause, Ace."
"I know, Nick's gained a reason to fight through his brother. However, right now, just for awhile, can it just be about you and I?"
Laurna was speechless. They just kept on walking as Laurna held onto Ace's arm.
---
Nick and Tony sat on the couch, watching TV. Tony's dad sat on a big comfy chair.
"Oh, Tony, did I tell you that Principal Sheratt stopped by today?" he said.
"She did? What did she want?" Tony asked.
"She just wanted to drop off some kind of award for you. It's over there in that box. Go take a look."
Nick and Tony stared at the box. They knew that their principal was an Eliminator for Blackheart.
"What could be inside?" They thought.
"I'll open it. Step back Nick."
He peeked into the box, trying to get a glimpse at the contents. Then when he saw what was inside, he nearly tore off the top of the box.
"Look at this! It's a Student of the Month Award!" Tony exclaimed as he held up the plaque.
"Odd... Why would Tony get an award like that?"
---
Zander was outside of Laurna's house, peering in to check if anyone was at home.
Zander quietly spoke to himself... "Whatever Blackheart has planned, I sure hope my little side projects don't screw anything up...Otherwise this could be my last job..." Zander stepped towards the backdoor and started picking the lock.
As the door swung open, Zander looked at he interior of Laurna's home.
"This...reminds me of my old house..." He saw family portraits, memos, notes to each other, and other objects. "I don't know why Blackheart insists on us getting so involved with these people's families. It all seems so...wrong..." He frowned as he came upon a framed photograph of Laurna sitting a table. It was a photo of her tenth birthday, all her family was sitting around her, as Laurna blew the candles on the cake.
"She must've been happy that day..." He spoke quietly again. "Her mother. Her father. All of them. She has people who love her. This must be why Blackheart orders us to carry out such cruel actions. He wants everyone to feel what he's been through. That must be how he's been able to control me all these years. He is aware of all of our strengths and weaknesses. Our fears... MY obsession to fill the void within my heart..." Tears came to Zander's eyes, but he roughly wiped them off with his sleeve. "My family... Why won't Blackheart tell me the truth about what happened to them all those years ago...?"
He continued to mutter to himself as he walked through the empty house.
"I won't let Blackheart hurt another family... He can go ahead and play his games with that Nick, but I won't let another unsuspecting family be dragged into his...sick games..."
He set the box down on top of a table. "Whatever is inside this box, let it's wrath be unleashed upon me!" Zander flung open the boxes lid and closed his eyes.
"What? Nothing...?" He looked into the box. "So... Blackheart just wants to play games with them. As long as this does no harm to them... I suppose I could just find a place to leave it.."
Zander climbed the staircase and explored the second floor of the house.
---
At the same time...
Laurna was walking along quietly with Ace, still holding onto his arm. They had gotten to know each other better under these circumstances.
"Well...That's your house, right Laurna?" Ace said as they stopped in the walkway that lead to the front door.
"Yeah..." she was silent for a moment as she thought to herself.
They approached the doorstep. "I guess I'll just be saying good night then. I'll see you again later, okay?" Ace turned away as he began to leave.
"Wait Ace!" she blurted out.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Would you like to come in?" she asked. "My parents won't be home for a few hours...and I'd like to spend some more time getting to know you better..." she smiled.
"I don't see anything wrong with that." Laurna led Ace in as he took off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack. "This is a nice house... Aren't all the houses around here just like this one?"
"Yeah, they are. Although some of them have the stair case on the other side of the house, like with a reversed design." Laurna felt like this conversation wasn't going anywhere. "So..." she didn't know what to say next.
"Hmm? Yes, Laurna?"
"Wanna see my room?" She didn't wait for an answer as she took Ace's hand and guided him upstairs. "Here we are..." Laurna pushed open her door. "This is my room! Sorry about the mess..."
"It's...charming..." Ace said as he looked around the jumble of clothes, papers and books. "I'm sure that no matter how identical the houses in this area are... There's no way to duplicate someone like you..." He smiled.
"Now Ace... I'm sure you've had trouble relaxing ever since all these complicated matters began..." Laurna leaned in towards Ace.
"Just one question... Uh, before anything happens..." Ace said. "Is it okay that we're up here, alone?"
"Of course... I told you, my parents aren't going to-"
Ace interrupted her. "I mean, is it okay with you that we're up here, all alone?"
"There's not a doubt in my mind right now, Ace. Now just rela-" There was a sudden crashing noise, causing Laurna and Ace to jump up.
"What was that?" Ace asked.
"I dunno... It came from my sister's room."
"Could your sister be home?"
"I doubt she would, since she's doesn't live here anymore. I'll check it out..."
---
At Nick's house...
Jeff Blackheart stood outside the front door, holding the box. He thought to himself.
"Since his Aunt is home, how to go about business? Hm... Perhaps she'll prove to be useful to my purposes..."
He dwelled on his thoughts for a second, then raised his hand to knock on the door.
"Nick? Is that you? The door's open." A voice from inside said. Blackheart let himself in.
"I'm sorry, you sounded so inviting so I took the liberty of entering." He shut the door behind him.
"Oh...It's you... Blackheart..." She stood in the kitchen, staring at the man who has caused her family so much anguish and pain. "Get out of my house. Now."
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Deborah." Jeff kindly bowed his head to her. "I'm glad that this time, we have not met under such grim circumstances as the last time."
"What the hell are you talking about? We've never met!" She stepped slowly out of the kitchen, towards the living room, where Blackheart was.
"You mean you don't remember? The Poljacik memorial, twelve years ago, I believe? Such a tragedy... Both husband and wife losing their lives in the same night, leaving two children."
"I don't remember you being there, Blackheart. Now get out before I call the police."
"That won't do much. All the police officers in this city are my employees! Hahaha... As for the funeral, maybe I should refresh your memory. Does the Gilded Wings Children's Agency ring a bell?"
"That's the agency I had to talk to about the adoption..." She inched towards a small chest that lay on a table.
"I was only fifteen years old at the time. However, that agency was my home. My own family had met with some unfortunate circumstances of its own, and you had considered adopting me."
"You're the fifteen-year-old I had met... Before the accident..."
"I'm almost glad that I wasn't adopted by you, if it weren't for all the suffering I had to endure because I was cast aside!" Blackheart's eyes widened. "But if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have become the man that I am today! And for that..." He laughed. "I thank you."
"I-I'm sorry... I'm sure you know that the agency wouldn't let me adopt Nick, Duo, and you... It wasn't my choice..." She had a repentful expression. "But is that why you're doing all of this to us?"
"If I said yes, I'd only be telling part of the truth, my dear. If I had the time to explain further, I would, but I'm a busy man, and I just need to drop off a small present for Nick."
"We don't want anything from you except the information about where you're keeping Duo!"
"That's not why I'm here. This is just a simple gesture from the Blackheart Corporation." He set the box down on the coffee table.
Deborah reached inside a drawer, and made sure not to draw his attention.
"Get it out of here. You and your damn corporation has done enough."
"I'm insulted! It's only a friendly gift from us, and you refuse?"
Her hand emerged from the drawer, and she held a small handgun. "Get it out of here. Now!" She aimed the gun directly at Blackheart's chest.
"If you insist on shooting me, go ahead. This is the only chance you'll get. Maybe you'll think of yourself as some sort of hero for your family. Ending all the troubles I've caused you with a single bullet. I implore you, pierce my dead heart and end your family's suffering!" He extended his arms to his sides, as if submitting himself at gunpoint.
She breathed heavily, closed her eyes for a moment, and nodded to herself. She hesitated.
Blackheart closed his eyes and pointed his head to the ceiling. "Do it! Now! I await what the Darkness has in store for me! Do it! Now!!!"
Her hands shook as she aimed the gun at him. "I'm sorry..." Her arms dropped. "I can't take the life of another person..."
[DO IT. SHED MY BLOOD LIKE YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED.] A second voice came from Blackheart's mind.
Deborah lost control of her body, as if instincts took over. Her arms tensed up as the she found that once again the gun was pointed at him. "Duo..." she whispered.
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The gun fired.
---
Laurna slipped into the hallway, and inched towards her sister's room, still full of possessions that couldn't be taken along to college. She approached the doorway, and tried to peer inside. The sound of someone rifling through drawers could be heard coming from within. Ace stepped in front of Laurna, in case any danger lurked within.
"I'll go in and take care of it... I wouldn't want you to get hurt." Ace whispered. He cracked the door open silently and tried to see who was intruding. "There's some guy in there, about six feet tall, gray jacket, khaki pants..." He looked on. "Blackheart logo, dead center on his shirt... I think I've seen this guy hanging out with Blackheart's eliminators, he must be one of them.. What should we do?" Ace turned around, but Laurna wasn't there. "Laurna?! Where'd you go?"
Ace frantically looked around, but couldn't see where she had gone off too. Finally, he saw Laurna emerge from her room, Duel Disk on arm, marching towards her sister's door.
"This is something I have to do Ace, so please step back." Ace did as she said.
Laurna kicked open the door. The man wearing the gray jacket immediately turned around in response.
"Hey you! What do you think you're doing in my sister's room?"
"Hmm. You must be Laurna. Plucky little girl, now aren't we?" He mocked her.
"If you're one of Blackheart's Eliminator's, let's duel right now. Either that, or I call the police."
Ace creeped out of the hallway into the room and whispered to Laurna. "I hate to tell you this, but the police aren't exactly a good idea. They work for Blackheart too." He was extremely impressed at Laurna's show of courage to defend her home and family's privacy.
Laurna muttered several profanities under her breath.
"Now I find out about this..."
"Well, Laurna, I don't believe we've been properly introduced. My name is Zander Edmont, Jeff Blackheart's first Eliminator. Ah, and I believe behind you is Ace Sotras, who has been a great hindrance to us lately. You seem incredibly hasty tonight. Have I interrupted a romantic night between you and Ace?"
"That's not your concern! Let's duel..." Laurna briefly glanced at the floor and blushed.
Ace couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Alright then, Laurna. I accept your challenge. I assume that you want to win your final Decoder Device? I assure you, it will not be an easy task." Zander picked up the Duel Disk that lay on the bed, and strapped it onto his arm. "As you know Laurna, it's a very technological world that we live in today. I think it's time that you are finally shown the true power of technology!"
Laurna: 4000 Zander: 4000
---
"Okay then, ladies first, so take the first turn Laurna."
"Gladly. I draw, then summon my Thunder Nyan Nyan in attack mode. Two cards facedown, and I end my turn."
"I set one card, and summon my Drillago in attack mode! This monster has an ability that allows me to attack your lifepoints directly if your only face up monsters have an attack strength above 1600 points. Last time I checked, your monster has an attack power of 1900. This is going to hurt! Drillago, attack her lifepoints directly!"
"If that attack goes through, then Laurna will lose nearly half her lifepoints... I wouldn't counter her out yet, though." Ace was tense as he watched.
The robot composed of drills rushed towards Laurna, as her Thunder Nyan Nyan looked on. As, the machine raised its arms to strike her, three robed mages appeared, chanting a spell of protection upon Laurna.
"You won't be getting to my lifepoints that easily, Zander, I play Waboku to protect my lifepoints from damage!"
Laurna: 4000 Zander: 4000
"I'll end my turn without any further plays." Zander remained calm.
"I have a feeling that Drillago is going to cause me some trouble if it's on the field for any longer, so I'll send my Thunder Nyan Nyan to attack it!"
"A predictable move, Laurna. Time for my facedown card, Limiter Removal! It doubles my Drillago's attack power all the way up to 3200!"
"No, that means my monster is destroyed!"
"Not only that, but you lose 1300 lifepoints as well. It may have cost me a monster, as Limiter Removal will cause my Drillago to be destroyed at the end of this turn, but it was worth it to inflict damage."
Laurna: 2700 Zander: 4000
"I'll set a monster and end my turn."
"I'll do the same, one monster in facedown defense mode. One trap card facedown ends my turn."
"Whew, I was expecting him to bring out another machine monster. He still has that facedown monster, and I don't know what to expect. His deck must be full of machine types, which I don't know much about. I'll have to take my chances and attack. With his monsters being machines, Limiter Removal could end the game in one attack. If I don't give him the chance to retaliate with monsters, Limiter Removal will be useless!"
"I begin my turn with the magic card Pot of Greed, allowing me two new cards from my deck. I set this card facedown in my magic and trap zone, then flip summon Harpie Lady. Now, I'll use Elegant Egotist to summon Harpie Lady Sisters! My Harpie Lady attacks your facedown monster!"
"That was my Cyber Jar, and now for it's effect, destroying all monsters on the field. Next we pick up five cards from our decks."
"I picked up Thunder Nyan Nyan, Monster Reborn, another Thunder Nyan Nyan, Elegant Egotist, and Mystical Elf. Both my Nyan Nyan are summoned in attack mode, and Mystical Elf in defense."
Zander was smiling. "Take a look at what I picked up. X-Head Cannon, Z-Metal Caterpillar, Mechanical Chaser, Witch of the Black Forest, and Graceful Charity."
"I'm going to wipe the floor with that smile, Zander. It's still my Battle Phase, and I activate the trap I had facedown last turn, Gift of the Mystical Elf! I'll gain 300 lifepoints for each monster on the field! I count seven, giving a total of 2100 lifepoints!"
Laurna: 4800 Zander: 4000
"Now I'll have my Nyan Nyan attack your X-Head Cannon and Mechanical Chaser!"
Laurna: 4800 Zander: 3850
"I may not have done much damage to your lifepoints, but two monsters that were a potential threat to me are now destroyed. Not only that, but I'll activate Monster Reborn on X-Head Cannon, bringing it to my side of the field!"
"I'll counter with my facedown trap card, Call of the Haunted! Since you used your Monster Reborn on a monster in my grave, my Call of the Haunted brings that monster back to me, meaning you wasted that valuable card..." He snickered slightly.
"Fine. I end my turn."
"I play Graceful Charity." Zander drew three cards from his deck. "I'll discard my Seven Tools of the Bandit and Life Absorption Spell. And now, I summon a second X-Head Cannon in attack mode, and add this magic card, 7 Completed, raising its attack power by 700 points!"
"That means it's stronger than any one of my monsters on the field!" Laurna gasped.
"If that has you on edge, wait till I finish this next play! I'll remove my first X-Head Cannon and Z-Metal Caterpillar from play to summon XZ-Caterpillar Cannon! After that, I activate XZ-Caterpillar Cannon's effect, allowing me to destroy one facedown magic or trap card at the cost of discarding one card from my hand!"
The mechanical behemoth unleashed a ball of energy on Laurna's facedown card, removing it from the field, Laurna was worried, as her facedown card was Mirror Force, leaving her lifepoints protected only by her monsters.
"Ha, now to take out your last line of defenses! X-Head Cannon, attack her first Thunder Nyan Nyan!"
Laurna could only watch as her Nyan Nyan was gunned down by the cannon-wielding robot.
Laurna: 4200 Zander: 3850
"Now my XZ-Caterpillar Dragon attacks your second Nyan Nyan!"
Laurna: 3700 Zander: 3850
"That Mystical Elf is little threat to me, so it can stay for now. Make your move Laurna."
Laurna nervously drew a card from her deck. "I'll leave my Mystical Elf in defense mode, and set another monster in defense mode. One magic card facedown. That's all."
"I think it's about time to finish this Laurna. I summon Mechanical Chaser in attack mode, then play Limiter Removal! With only two monsters on the field, while I have four, one of my monsters will be allowed a direct attack, and you've got nothing on the field strong enough to defend you! A direct attack from any of my machines could end this!"
"Damn, he's right... His X-Head Cannon has an attack power of 5000, the XZ- Caterpillar Cannon has 4800, and the Mechanical Chaser could wipe me out with its 3700 attack power... Plus that Witch of the Black Forest is still there from Cyber Jar's effect a few turns back. Although my Mystical Elf won't be able to stand against their strength, my other monster may be able to save me this turn..."
"Just to make sure you won't be pulling anything on me, I'll discard this last card in my hand to destroy your facedown magic or trap card."
"Yes, he took the bait!"
"A wasted effort Zander... That was my Elegant Egotist magic card."
"Wasted? Doubtful. My machines have more than enough attack power to destroy you! Mechanical Chaser, attack Mystical Elf! Since she's out of the way, XZ-Caterpillar Cannon, attack her next monster!"
Laurna started laughing blatantly. "Hahahaha... Looks like this game isn't over yet Zander! My second facedown monster was the Unhappy Maiden, and since she was destroyed, your Battle Phase is automatically ended, preventing no further attacks!"
Zander was starting to lose his composure. "No! And all my machines will be destroyed at the end of the turn!"
"And with no cards in your hand and a weak monster on the field Zander, you're not in a very good position."
"Quiet, child. I end my turn."
Laurna: 3700 Zander: 3850
As his turn ended, the three machines on Zander's field self-destructed, leaving him with his Witch of the Black Forest in defense mode.
"Okay Zander, with only that one monster on the field, I'd say you're in some trouble. I use a Graceful Charity of my own." Laurna drew three cards from her deck and discarded two. "I'll use the magic card Change of Heart, and take control of Witch of the Black Forest, then I summon Gemini Elf. Both of them will attack you directly!"
Laurna: 3700 Zander: 850
"Don't think that you have this duel won Laurna. I just drew Pot of Greed, which I activate now. Witch of the Black Forest goes to defense mode, and I'll set two cards in my magic and trap zone."
"Okay, I'll have my Gemini Elf attack Witch of the Black Forest."
"I'll use my Witch's effect to take my last X-Head Cannon from my deck."
"I end my turn without any more plays."
"Well, I think that I'm back in this duel. I summon my X-Head Cannon and equip it with my facedown card, 7 Completed. I'll attack Gemini Elf!"
Laurna: 3100 Zander: 850
Laurna drew, and looked extremely displeased. "I don't have a playable monster, so I'll set this card facedown in my magic and trap zone and end my turn.
"So Laurna, it looks like I've taken the upperhand. X-Head Cannon, attack her lifepoints directly!"
Laurna: 600 Zander: 850
"I'll end my turn, and you'd better hope your next card is going to help you, because I can take you down next turn... right in front of your boyfriend. Haha!"
She ignored Zander's words and drew a card. "I'll set this monster in defense mode. I'm afraid that's all I can do."
"Then I'm afraid that you've lost Laurna. I'll summon Y-Dragon Head in attack mode, and I'll have it attack your monster. Then my X-Head Cannon will finish you off."
"Take a closer look at my monster Zander."
The metallic dragon breathed a steam of energy at the facedown card. A young, robed girl emerged from it.
"It was Princess of Tsurugi. And before she's destroyed, she does 500 points of direct damage to your lifepoints for every magic or trap card you have on yor side of the field!"
Before being evaporated by the energy stream, Princess of Tsurugi hurled two daggers at Zander, damaging his lifepoints.
Laurna: 600 Zander: 0000
"Looks like you lose." Laurna smiled.
The Duel Disks deactivated upon a winner being decided. Zander walked towards Laurna.
"Alright. I accept defeat. Here, your last Decoder Device." Zander handed her the small cartridge shaped device. "You're qualified for the finals now. I'll leave your home peacefully, Laurna. I'll show myself out. Oh, and by the way, I left a little gift on the table downstairs." Zander found his way back downstairs and left through the same way he came in.
"That was amazing Laurna. I've never seen you take charge like that." Ace said, showing that he was impressed.
Laurna fell to her knees. "Whew... That was one of the toughest duels I've ever had."
"Yeah, but you got through it. And plus, you're in the finals, just like me."
"Yup. Can you do me a favor? Can you get whatever Zander left downstairs and bring it up here? I have to do a little cleaning up here, because Zander left this place a big mess..."
"Sure." Ace went downstairs as Laurna cleaned up her sister's room a bit. Ace returned with a box in his hands.
"So...what's inside? Is it anything dangerous?"
"Well, I wouldn't worry about it." He reached in, producing a heart-shaped pillow from the box. "Looks like a plain pillow to me." He handed it to Laurna.
"There's a note at the bottom of the box. It says, 'This is a reward for your exceptional progress in my tournament.' It's signed from Blackheart."
"It must be an actual gift from him then. What's that you've got in your hand?"
"Oh it's some sort of information card that Zander dropped...It has his address and contact information... This is odd..." Laurna examined the pillow. "One side of it is red, while the other side is black... and look at this..."
Laurna showed the black side of the pillow to Ace. The embroidered letters spelled out the word, "Hope."
"That's odd. It must be part of some mind game... Don't let it get to you."
"I won't. Well, I'm done cleaning this mess up... " Laurna walked into her room, as Ace followed behind her. She set the pillow on her computer chair. Laurna closed the door and locked it. "Now I believe we were in the middle of something?"
---
Nick was making his way home from Tony's house, wondering why Tony had gotten that award. It didn't bother him much, just left him a bit unsettled. He was about a block away from his house, thinking about what may happen in the next few days. As he headed towards his house, he noticed the door was wide open. Immediately, he hastily rushed into his home. What he saw was shocking.
His aunt, sitting on the floor with her head leaned up against the wall, with a handgun a foot away from her. Jeff Blackheart, on the floor, facedown, bleeding profusely. He was lying in a puddle of blood that was so dark it was almost black.
"God... What happened here Auntie?" He ran over to her.
"He...intruded on our home...saying he wanted to give us a gift of some sort." She could barely speak. "I don't know what came over me...but I took out the gun and shot him..."
"How long ago did it happen...?"
"I don't know... about half an hour ago... I've just been sitting here trying to make sense of things and figure out what happens now..."
"Is he dead? If he has been laying there like that for that long..." Nick slowly approached the body. Carefully, he turned Blackheart on his back. "I can't believe it... taken down with a single bullet... and all those powers he had. I didn't think he'd be stopped so easily..."
"Nick... don't celebrate the death of a person... It makes you..." she couldn't continue.
"I know Auntie... but what do we do about him?" Nick stared at the cold, pale face of the man that was once his family's greatest enemy. There was no expression, no emotion left. Nick could do nothing but stare, as if he was paralyzed by fear, but relieved of a huge burden that he had been carrying on his shoulders.
"His blood..." Nick's attention diverted to the puddle that had been forming underneath Blackheart. "It's so unnatural... such a deep red, it's almost black."
"Dark Matter...?" Maybe it's mixed in his bloodstream...?" Nick thought.
In the corner of his eye, Nick caught some sort of movement in Blackheart's chest.
"Nick...did you see that too?" Deborah's expression instantly changed to a cautious one.
"He...he moved?" Nick took a step back. "How...?"
It happened again. This time his neck twitched. A disturbing cracking noise accompanied the movement.
"What's happening?" Nick backed further away.
Blackheart's eyes shot wide open, and he jumped to his feet, with his head in his hands, screaming out as if in pain, terror, or insanity...
"GRARRRRGGHHH!!!" he continued screaming, as if he were struggling with something internally that was trying to escape. "Finally... I have become one with the Darkness!" He screamed out again, but as if he was accepting what had been happening to him, like he was undergoing some sort of metamorphosis.
At that moment, huge, black, leathery wings had exploded out of Jeff's back. His head hung, as he looked at the floor. He looked up at Nick, his eyes glowing a deep ruby color. His face had a look of dementia.
"Did you miss me?" He spoke.
Nick fell down as he tried to distance himself from the creature that was standing before him.
"What... are you?" Nick looked incredibly disgusted at what he had just seen.
"I may have told you before that I'm as human as you, but now, it's obvious that I've become something more... Thanks to you Deborah."
"I don't understand..." She got up on her feet. "How...? What part did I have in this?"
"For years, within me has been an imbalance of Light and Darkness. I've been struggling to crush one side or the other... And now, the Darkness has complete control." He stood up straight now, in his usual arrogant posture. "When you shot me, you killed off any humanity I had left within me. Apparently, that part of my mind has a low tolerance for pain... You have liberated me of my weakness, my humanity. You have my greatest gratitude, Deborah, for the second time in your life, you have unleashed a monster on this city!"
"But...the blood... You should be dead!" She inched towards the gun again.
"Ah, but in some ways, I am. However, in another way, I have just been reborn into a higher form. And I wouldn't try to reach for that gun again. You don't want to know what I am capable of now. The Dark Lord has instilled great powers upon me in exchange for the resources I have available. A single bullet cannot stop thousands of years of ancient wisdom, evil and power. All you have done is fortify the Darkness within me. When the balance of Light and Darkness is thrown in a single direction, Chaos reigns, and I will make that Chaos a reality!"
Nick's Aunt picked up the gun and pointed it at Blackheart again.
"I won't let you."
"Have you learned nothing today? Don't waste my time." Blackheart extended his hand, then pointed his palm to the ceiling. He grasped his hand, as if clutching something, and instantly, the gun in Deborah's hands turned to dust. "I must go now, but I think that you'll be pleased with the gift I wished to give your family. As the day ends, another night begins, which means it's time for the creatures of the night to emerge once again..."
He simply walked out the front door. And used his new wings to fly into the night.
"Auntie... What did he mean... You unleashed a monster on this city for the second time...?"
Deborah was now standing by the box Blackheart left as a gift for them. "I'll explain it to you later... We both need to get some rest. I'm going to call Tony's dad because we can't stay here tonight... Not after all that's happened... Go upstairs and get a change of clothes and anything that you'll need over night... Hurry. I can't stand being in here for much longer or I'll go insane." She picked up the phone as Nick hurried upstairs.
Nick came back down with a backpack. He saw that she had taken the contents of the box out and laid them on the table.
"What was inside?"
"There were five cards..." she showed them to Nick.
"Duo's favorite cards...D-E-A-T-H...."
"Blackheart wanted to give our family the gift of DEATH..." She put the cards down. "I called over to Nicosia's, it's okay for us to spend the night there... Let's go... I seriously cannot be in this home right now."
Without another word, they left.