See, what'd I tell you? I'm back to frequent updates! I thought this chapter would be difficult to get through, but luckily I was wrong. Onward!
Moonjava: Thanks. It's nice to see a new reviewer!
John: Yeah, his effect does go with it better now.
Chapter 14: Proving Oneself
The trip back through the volcano was made in silence, as each of them was wrapped in their own thoughts. Despite that, they were all relieved to finally get out of the heated area. Well, except for one of them.
"It feels kind of strange to say this, but I liked being in there," Neo commented, looking back at it.
"You're a Fire Main-Type now, so it makes sense," Perseus stated.
"We'll have to adapt to many changes now," Will said.
"Yeah. Since my attacks are very different now, I'll have to handle battles differently, along with other matters." Neo grinned mischievously. "I can think of some things right off the top of my head…"
Will covered his eyes with his hands. "No, no, no. You are not even going ten feet near any kitchen now! I thought you were bad before, but now those minor explosions will be enough to engulf a whole house with your new power!"
"You don't honestly think I would do such a thing, do you?" Neo asked innocently.
"Actually, yes I do," Will said. "I think I'll move my hose into the house for two reasons. One, in case you start the kitchen on fire, and two, so I can spray you with it if I see you get too close."
"You're just as compassionate as ever," Neo grinned.
"If you call that compassion, what do you call hatred?" Claire inquired.
"I'd say hatred is what Will did to me when I messed with the stove," Neo said sheepishly.
"Don't even remind me of that," Will growled.
Claire recalled the expression Zack had had when he had mentioned that, and decided that dropping the subject would be wise. "It seems Flame and Moltan have already left."
"Moltan could fly, Flame probably hitched a ride on him," Neo shrugged. "If so, then it's perfectly reasonable that they're long gone. We, on the other hand, will have to take the ship."
"Don't fall into the water," Perseus advised as they went towards the edge of the island.
Neo winced. "I have done that a few times in the past, actually. Maybe this new form will bless me with some sort of grace?"
"I wouldn't hold my breath," Perseus replied.
"Thanks for that bit of confidence," Neo said sarcastically.
Will suddenly halted, staring ahead. Claire looked over at him, confused. "Why did we stop?"
"It seems we aren't done here yet," Will said, indicating to where he was looking.
Before them was The Child, holding onto his golden ball. Beside him stood Cyrus, who held his sword at his side.
"Something is wrong about this," Neo commented.
"The number of people," Will replied.
"Huh?" Neo asked. "Could you elaborate?"
"When have we seen The Child without Sarius? That's right-never," Will pointed out. "Yet he's here, alone except for Cyrus."
"Do you think it will be all right?" Claire asked.
"I don't know if I can say that Sarius and The Child are on our side, but they certainly seem to be supporting us more than Juno," Will stated. "I doubt he's intending to harm us. Let's see what he wants."
None of the others objected, so they went up to the two of them. The Child regarded them, and then softly said, "Konnichiwa."
"Hi to you as well," Will said. "Why are you here?"
The Child did not answer, but Cyrus was willing to explain. "Lord Tirran requested that we be the ones to test you."
"Hm? Test us?" Perseus inquired.
"Yes. Lord Tirran wishes to know how capable you are of going against the Mavericks, and then matters afterwards," Cyrus stated.
"What did you mean by 'we be the ones to test you'?" Will asked. "It sounds as though you had competitors for that position."
"We have allies that will be testing your friends as well," Cyrus said. "Do not worry; we are not fighting against you for death… yet. As long as they can stand up to the Mavericks, they will not be in any danger."
"I see. Do you care about which of us faces you?" Will asked.
"No," Cyrus answered.
Will glanced over at Claire. "So, do you want me to duel him?"
To his surprise, Claire shook her head. "I will."
"Really? Usually, you prefer not to be the one to duel unless necessary," Will said.
Claire looked down. "Yes… but for a while, I have felt as though I have not done much of anything. I've been… useless. I want to prove to myself that I can help. Also, you just dueled Flame. It isn't fair that you should have to fight twice in a row."
"If that is what you want," Will said, stepping aside. Neo followed him, while Perseus went to Claire's side.
"It seems we do not need to introduce ourselves, so shall we get to the heart of it?" Perseus suggested.
The Child nodded, and both the duelists activated their Duel Disks.
As Will watched them, he suddenly sensed something. He looked towards the golden ball in The Child's hands. It seemed to almost be glowing. But when he looked again, it didn't look any different than usual.
Was I just imagining things? Will wondered as they began.
Claire: 8000
Child: 8000
The Child pointed at himself.
"Sure, I don't mind who goes first," Claire shrugged.
He placed a monster in defense mode and two cards face down, and then indicated that his turn was over.
"I'll do as you did, by laying a monster in defense mode and a card face down. That's it," Claire said.
The Child flipped over his face down monster, revealing a White Ninja. (1500/800) It glanced at Claire's defense monster, and then threw several throwing stars at it, piercing through it instantly.
Claire stared as her Marshmallon (300/500) faded away. "What happened?"
"That is White Ninja's reverse effect," Cyrus explained. "He destroys one of your defense monsters."
The Child then summoned what Claire recognized to be a Swift Black Ninja. (1700/1200) After doing so, he played Angel's Gift, drawing three. After showing her two Twilight Zone Observation Machines, (800/1200) he slid them into the Cemetery. He then gestured to her, and the monsters leapt up, hurling their throwing stars at her.
"I activate Drain Shield on your Swift Black Ninja's attack!" Claire declared. "It negates the attack and lets me gain Life Points equal to the attack."
The Swift Black Ninja's throwing stars were absorbed into the Drain Shield, but the White Ninja's attack still went through, piercing into her.
Claire: 8200
Child: 8000
Claire thought for a moment. "Hm, two Twilight Zone Observation Machines… that means you can't bring out a Chaos monster, yet. If your White Ninja is destroyed though, that could cause a problem… I'll dispose of your Swift Black Ninja first! I summon Warrior of Zera! (1600/1600) Then I play a field magic card, Sanctuary of the Sky!"
The Child glanced around as the temple emerged amongst newly-formed clouds, but did not seem concerned.
"I will then sacrifice Warrior of Zera to special summon Archangel Zeraato!" (2800/2300)
This time, The Child activated a face down card. A rush of water came flying at the monsters. The Swift Black Ninja vanished right before the wave hit the White Ninja and Archangel Zeraato, destroying them instantly.
"Tidal Wave!" Claire groaned.
"But what happened to the Swift Black Ninja?" Perseus asked.
"By removing two Dark Main-Types from the Cemetery, Swift Black Ninja is removed from the game for this turn," Cyrus explained. "He will return to the field at the end phase. So the two Twilight Zone Observation Machines were removed for the requirements."
"I remember that now!" Claire said. "Xion used that ability against Will."
"Yeah, although his Deck Master allowed him to remove any Sub-Type," Will stated. "That duel was an interesting one."
"And a painful one," Neo winced.
"Recalling how it felt to smash into countless trees?" Will grinned.
"Unfortunately," Neo sighed.
"Anyway, I'm done, after I lay one card face down," Claire said.
As she said this, the Swift Black Ninja appeared, along with the two Twilight Zone Observation Machines.
"What? How…?" Claire trailed off as Cyrus answered her unfinished question.
"When Twilight Zone Observation Machine is removed from the game, it is special summoned to the field at the end phase of that turn."
The Child summoned Twilight Zone Survivor. (1800/200) Then he activated his other face down card. A ring of grenades surrounded the Twilight Zone Survivor, blasting it apart.
"Destruction Ring!" Claire realized. "You killed your own monster to deal damage to both of us? But you had an open attack. There's no reason you would do that, unless…"
Claire: 6400
Child: 6200
The Child proceeded to remove his Twilight Zone Survivor and White Ninja, and special summoned Chaos Soldier –Messenger of Creation-. (3000/2500)
"Bad situation," Neo winced.
"Don't make understatements," Will muttered.
Claire could barely bring herself to breathe. If he brings out Cyrus, he's won. It all depends on whether or not he's going to risk activating my trap card…
The Child paused for a minute, and then pointed at Claire. The monsters unleashed their attacks at once.
Claire: 100
Child: 6200
"Thank goodness…" Claire sighed. "I was afraid I was done for."
The Child looked at his hand, and then signaled the end of his turn.
"Now I have a chance to make a comeback," Claire said. "First, I play Jar of Greed… excellent! This works perfectly! Now I summon Mudora! (1500/1800) Its attack is raised by 200 for each Angel Sub-Type in my Cemetery, so due to my Marshmallon and Archangel Zeraato, its attack goes up by 400! (1900/1800) I also play Angel's Gift, to draw three and discard two! I choose to discard Kelbek and Zolga, which raises Mudora's attack by another 400 points! (2300/1800) Then I play Theft! This equip magic card allows me to take control of your Chaos Soldier. I attack your Swift Black Ninja with Mudora! Also, Perseus' Deck Master ability comes into play. I select one Angel Sub-Type monster, and it gains a trample ability. If it does damage to your Life Points, I draw a card." She did so, and then looked over at the Chaos Soldier. "Does he have an effect?"
"You can remove a monster from the game with his effect, and skip your battle phase," Cyrus stated. "Your other option is to attack twice."
"Then I know what I want!" Claire said. "I attack both Twilight Zone Observation Machines with Chaos Soldier!"
Claire: 100
Child: 1200
"Normally, when it is your standby phase, you'd get 1000 Life Points for Theft," Claire said. "I don't want that to happen though. I'm also wary of leaving Chaos Soldier on the field, when you could so easily get it back. Therefore, I'm going to activate a magic card, Mysterious Chinese Nabe! I sacrifice a monster on my side of the field, and choose attack or defense. In this case, I choose attack. I then gain Life Points equal to what I chose."
Claire: 3100
Child: 1200
"What a turn around!" Neo said.
"All we can hope is that The Child won't twist it back to his favor…" Will said.
The Child eyed her field, and then looked at his hand. He pondered for a moment, and then gestured to Cyrus. He obediently went onto the field, and then pointed his sword at Mudora. A black vortex emerged, swallowing up the monster.
He's still not going to gamble an attack… Claire realized. I have to finish this next turn though, or else he'll recover enough to finish me off.
Claire drew slowly, and sighed in relief as she saw what it was. "I have won."
"Nani?" The Child said, still in his quiet tone.
"That means what," Will translated at Claire's inquiring glance.
"Oh. Well, just watch. I activate my magic card, Stealing Goblin! This causes you to lose 500 Life Points, while I gain 500 Life Points."
Claire: 3600
Child: 700
"Then I lay one monster in defense mode, and activate my trap card, Ceasefire Treaty! It reveals all face down monsters, so my Kelbek is revealed. (1500/1800) Also, for each effect monster on the field, you lose 500 Life Points. Due to my Kelbek and Cyrus, you lose 1000 Life Points!"
Claire: 3600
Child: 0
"Omedeto," The Child said softly, shutting off his Duel Disk.
"Congratulations, I assume," Will stated.
"Thanks," Claire smiled. "I guess I am able to win a few, after all."
"Hai. Anata wa i," The Child replied.
"Don't look at me for that one," Will said.
"Yes, you are good," Cyrus interpreted.
"Oh. Thanks again," Claire said.
The Child nodded, and then went towards the volcano, Cyrus following.
"How are you going to get off this island?" Neo asked.
"Tirran-sama," The Child said simply. "Ja ne minna." He continued towards his destination, not looking back.
"He'll be fine," Perseus assured. "Let's take the ship to the hotel now. As it stands now, it will be dark before we get back. We don't want to be out much later than we have to be."
"Right," Will nodded. "We'll depart now."
…
The Child watched the ship depart from the island from his high perch on top of the volcano's crater. Then he looked at the golden ball in his hands, which pulsed with light for a few seconds. Then it faded away.
"Kare no dess," he said softly. "Kare shinzo sakebu e sore."
Cyrus glanced over at him. "Master?"
"Sore wa nanimo…" The Child trailed off, looking up to the sky.
They remained there, in a peaceful silence, until it was the dead of night. They watched the moon and stars, content in the tranquil darkness.
Suddenly, the quiet was broken by the flapping of wings. A large form flew towards them, descending rapidly.
They got up instantly, going over to where Raid had landed. He hissed gently, looking over at the two of them as Sarius leapt down.
"So, did they come?" Sarius asked.
"Hai."
"Which one fell to them?"
"Flame Buster," Cyrus answered.
"That makes sense…" Sarius stated. "And you faced them?"
"Hai."
"He dueled Claire. Will was the one to defeat Flame Buster," Cyrus said.
"I see. Did you win?"
"Ie."
"Same here," Sarius smiled. "I do not know how the others fared, but I am sure they will all be capable. Even those that lost this time will prevail on their second try. They will have to; they will not earn another from me, or from the Mavericks."
"Hai."
Sarius thought for a moment, and then took The Child around the waist and climbed onto Raid. Cyrus mounted him as well. "We will leave now, and report back to the church. Is that fine?"
"Hai." The Child gazed at the golden ball. "Tirran-sama…"
"If you have any more details, let's hear them when we get back, all right?" Sarius said.
"Hai…"
Sarius paused, and then smiled. "I'm glad to be reunited with you."
The Child smiled back at him. "Watashi mo."
Then Raid took off, flying away from the island, leaving it deserted.
…
"That was one long trip back!" Claire commented as they disembarked from the ship. It was already rather late, and it would still take them some time to walk to town.
"Well, we're nearly there," Will replied as they headed in the direction of the town.
They finally made it, and walked down the empty streets to the hotel. The silence was so absolute that it was eerie, so they were all secretly relieved when they finally saw the lights of the hotel.
As they entered, the woman at the desk looked up, examining them. "Welcome. Do you wish to stay the night?"
"Yes," Will said, pulling out some money.
After the fees were taken care of, they went towards the hall, but the woman suddenly stopped them. "Do you mind if I ask you something?"
"Sure," Neo responded. "What is it?"
"I heard the loudest of howls out there, and at this time of night!" the woman said in bewilderment. "I thought it might be a wild monster. Did you hear anything?"
Will blinked. "I'm sorry, but we just arrived here."
"Oh, ok. I was just wondering…" The woman stifled a yawn. "Then go on. Good night."
They glanced at each other as they went up the stairs, to the second floor. "A howl? Maybe Malon came to eat us in our sleep," Neo joked.
"It was probably nothing," Claire shrugged, stopping at her room. "See you in the morning, Will. Should we get up around eight?"
"Yes, that would work. Good night," he replied, heading into his own room.
To be continued…