Tournament of Tears

Chapter 42: Starlight Savior; Birth of the Space Hero

Ichigo had closed his eyes for a few seconds, as if he was listening to something. Then he opened his eyes and smiled wryly at Sestros. "You've got that wrong. Actually, there's no way you can win."

"What was that?" Sestros snarled angrily. "Even now you still speak nonsense?"

"It isn't nonsense at all." Ichigo pointed right at the Dark King's chest. "Your Immortality of the Night is a cancer that I intend to remove. But first…" He lifted his right arm up into the air. "Awaken, Soul of the Stars!"

Everything grew darker, including the red glow of the sky. Ichigo's body started to become surrounded by a faint dark blue glow. It grew brighter and stronger until he disappeared from sight within it. Then its form grew brighter and rounder, turning into a sphere of that same color light.

Erian's eyes bugged out of his head at the sound of those words. ("This feeling…it can't be…")

Sestros blinked in confusion. ("What is this feeling? This strange power…")

Everything became bathed in dark blue as that sphere exploded, spraying everything nearby in a healthy glow. Both Sestros and Erian threw their arms up instinctively, thinking the blast was an explosion. However after a few seconds they realized that nothing had happened and they opened their eyes to see that there was no one there anymore.

"Ichigo?" Erian stared at the space where his friend had been. "Ichigo?"

Sestros just started to laugh wildly. "The damn fool destroyed himself? It's fine though, because in just a minute or so this planet will be destroyed!"

Erian dropped to his knees in front of the empty space where Ichigo had disappeared again. "No…this beautiful planet can't be destroyed…Ichigo's worked too hard for its sake!" Jumping to his feet, he turned to glare at Sestros. "I'll face you, monster!" An earthquake rumbled the ground underneath them, the whole planet in its last dying throes.

"Hah! What exactly can you possibly do with less than a minute left, eh?" Snapping up his hand, the Dark King felt a build-up of power there. "I'll destroy you too, if just to spare you from the destruction of this planet!"

Erian didn't falter or flinch. "Like Ichigo wished, I will not let an evil like you do as you wish! Evil won't win!"

"That's right!" A voice rang out across the sky, and at that moment the rumbling of the earth stopped. The red sky pulsed and throbbed, and then started to fade back to grey. "This beautiful planet will not be destroyed by the ambitions of one person!"

"Who are you, bastard?" Sestros snapped his head around wildly trying to find who was speaking. ("They somehow stopped the planet from destroying itself. But that's impossible!") "Show yourself!"

"As you wish!" A single circle of light, like a spotlight's beam, appeared around the top of a pile of nearby rubble, lighting up that area and the speaker at the same time. It was a young man who couldn't have been older than twenty years old. He had long brown hair that went to his shoulders, a pair of peaceful blue eyes and a face that most girls would find beautiful. Around his body there was some kind of strange light blue bodysuit with pieces of dark blue armor covering his arm and leg segments, as well as his chest. A wind blew by, blowing his hair out behind him gently. "Darkness cannot win this battle, because I have arrived to deliver justice to those responsible for these horrible acts against humanity!"

Sestros felt a couple of veins bulging out of his head. "That doesn't tell us anything! I want your name! How were you able to stop this whole planet from blowing up…it's impossible!"

The young man snapped his right hand into the air, a single finger pointing to the heavens. "I am the hero of the heavens!" His hand snapped down, now set so his extended thumb was pointed at his chest. "In the name of justice and love, I will right the wrongs that have been committed by you, Dark King!" He struck a rather exaggerated heroic pose. "I am Starlight Savior!"

"Starlight…Savior?" Erian's eyes bugged out of his head, looking at the spot-lighted young man. ("It's one of the guardians of the Infinites…but what's he doing here?") He suddenly felt hope spark in his heart. ("This means we have a chance! The guardians were incredibly strong, so this guy'll be able to beat Sestros!")

Sestros nearly blushed at how absolutely stupid he felt even being part of this weirdo's little game. "Where do you get off spouting such idiotic nonsense? Die!" A blast of red and black energy exploded from his hand, powering towards the young man at incredible speeds.

Starlight Savior's eyes bugged out of his head at the sight of the approaching death-blaze. "Are you crazy?" Turning on one heel, he almost threw himself out of the way right before the blast could connect. As soon as he did so, the spotlight effect mysteriously vanished, while the ball of red and black death burned itself out into the ocean a few seconds later.

Erian sweat-dropped at the sight of the guardian, who currently had his head face-down in the dirt and was in the duck and cover position. ("…..we're doomed…")

Leaping to his feet, a now very dirty-faced Starlight Savior pointed at Sestros angrily. "What's the matter with you, throwing dangerous attacks off like that?"

A deep snarl left the Dark King's now tightened throat. "I was going to kill you for interfering; now I think I'll just do it because you piss me off, naïve fool!" He launched another ball of red and black demonic energy at the young man.

Erian just kept blushing and profusely sweating as he watched the 'guardian' run from each of the Dark King's attacks. ("Who's a hero of the heavens? This guy certainly isn't.")

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Meanwhile within the abandoned structure that served as the hiding place for the still collapsed duelists, Ryu slowly stood up and looked at the sky. ("The heavens are quiet…which means the disaster has been averted.") His energy was restored to usable levels, though he didn't want to risk getting in a fight if it was possible. "I doubt that is a problem though, because it seems like…"

"Can't we discuss this like adults?" An oddly familiar voice could be heard echoing from the distance, followed by a loud explosion that shook

("It seems like the battle isn't quite over yet.") The dragon demon tugged on his tie and loosened it gently. ("Once more into the fray.") Then he seemed to disappear into thin air.

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Sestros couldn't believe this fool's luck. ("I've missed him fifty out of fifty times. But that's impossible…my aim is impeccable!")

Starlight Savior had other things on his mind, like running to avoid being cooked alive.

The Dark King grasped the collar of his heavy cloak tightly with one mighty hand. "I grow weary of this. Since I cannot smite you, I'll tear you apart instead!" His hand tugged on his stiff-collared cloak and yanked it from around his neck to above his head. Tossing the heavy fabric aside, he cracked his knuckles and lifted his hand once more to aim at the still running annoyance. "Now die already!"

"Take your own advice, hypocrite." Someone spoke quietly behind him, and then he disappeared within an explosion of blazing hot golden flame.

Starlight Savior slid to a stop and spun around to see what had happened. It was clearly evident from his surprise that he wasn't the one who had attacked.

Ryu watched the pillar of golden fire calmly, waiting for Sestros to revive. "There is no way to kill you, but that doesn't mean I intend to let you chase innocents unmolested. As for you over there, hurry up and run!"

A deep laughter came from within the pillar. "Good, I was wondering where you were." The fire died out instantly to reveal Sestros looking unharmed. "I've already killed the Mutt, you're the only actual threat left." Glancing down at his arm, he frowned slightly. "Feel proud, lizard. Your attack obliterated my Duel Disk." Glancing behind him, he noticed that the pest was gone. ("No matter, I have eternity to hunt him down and kill him. Whatever he did to stop the end of the world needs to be undone before I leave…I refuse to let this planet continue on.")

Popping his neck a couple of times, Ryu brushed back the locks of his black hair. ("Rikuo, I will buy Ichigo time. I don't know where he is, but if he was dead then the world wouldn't be here right now.")

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("I thought I was going to die…") One hand resting against where his heart was in his chest, Starlight Savior took deep breathes to get air circulating through him again.

"Ummm…excuse me?" Someone poked the side of his head. "Mister Infinity Guardian?"

"Infinity Guardian?" The young man turned to look at the speaker, and smiled when he realized it was Erian. "Oh hey Erian."

"You know my name?" The multi-colored boy blinked in surprise.

Now it was Starlight Savior's turn to blink. "Why wouldn't I?"

"That's not what I meant. I mean…we've met before?"

"Did you get hit in the head or something?" Tilting his head to the side, Starlight Savior gave the boy a quizzical look. "Or is your memory absolutely horrible?"

("I only met one person in these last few hours…") Erian's gasped loudly in realization. "Ichigo?"

The young man patted his friend on the shoulder. "There you go! And here I thought you were broken or something. What was with that little lapse of memory?"

"You…you don't even realize you look different, do you?" Pulling a small hand mirror out of his pocket, Erian handed it to his friend.

Looking into the piece of reflective glass, Starlight Savior blinked a couple of times at himself. "Gah! I'm…I'm…" He suddenly flashed the mirror a winning smile. "…looking good!" Off to his side, Erian face-fell.

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Ryu felt pain running up and down his body as he back-handed another of the Dark King's balls of fire away. ("This is an impossible battle…Ichigo, hurry!") Then he could no longer breathe as Sestros was suddenly right in front of him, a hand squeezing his throat to the point that no pass could pass through it.

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Erian snatched the mirror from Ichigo's hand after he realized that his friend wasn't going to stop looking in it otherwise. "Knock it off! Don't you realize the world is supposed to end already?"

"Really?" Looking at his armored hand, Starlight Savior shook his head. "Nope, that shouldn't happen unless the Infinity Mind lied." He didn't hear Erian's sudden sharp intake of air when he said that. "It told me that it has the ability to influence time around a certain area. And since this will be ground zero for the when the world ends, just by slowing the flow of time in this area, it should stall off the end of the world for a few hours."

Erian stared at Starlight Savior in confusion. ("He has spoken with the Infinity Mind?") "Ichigo…where is the Infinity Mind right now?"

Tapping his chest-plate, the young man smiled wryly. "I guess since it's not on my finger anymore its part of me for now."

"…part…of you…" Erian's eyes widened slowly in understanding of something from his past.

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"Can you hear me, child?"

His eyes were closed as he slept in stasis, but Erian's mind awakened to the call of the thing that was protecting their ship while it went much farther than originally planned in an attempt to shake off the Blood Children. ("Yes…")

"I can no longer go on. This ship's auto-pilot will have to take over for me. Therefore, I wish to leave you with instructions."

("I understand…please continue…")

"As you know, I was meant to be used by a single being rather than as a power source. If and when this ship does land, I may wind up in the hands of someone other than you and your brothers and sisters. If that is the case, please make sure that person understands what they have. There is also the distinct chance that I may have bonded with them, so listen closely for my name to be mentioned. I trust you to instruct them properly on anything concerning the Blood Children, as well as the battle they may wind being sucked into."

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Starlight Savior waved his hand in front of Erian's blank face again. "Hello? You okay?"

Shaking his head to clear it of that frighteningly clear memory, the multi-colored boy nodded. "I'm fine. Anyway, you can't just sit here and do nothing! The Infinity Mind chose you for a reason, and now is the time to show what that reason is!"

After a few seconds of thought, Ichigo smiled. "You're right. I'll go help Ryu right now and…" Suddenly he disappeared from Erian's field of vision as the wall they were resting against exploded, sending a hunk of stone slamming into the side of the boy's head and knocking him unconscious.

Starlight Savior went into a wild roll as the explosive force of the destroyed wall tried to carry him with it. Finally his armored fingers managed to get a hold in the ground and he stopped sharply. That didn't stop him from having to squeeze his eyes shut because of the stinging storm of dust and grit that was cutting against his skin roughly. ("What was that powerful explosion from?")

"So this is where you were hiding." Sestros licked some more of that delicious dragon demon blood from his transformed claws. "I hope you enjoyed the short amount of time Jourgen bought you, pest. Because now I'll tear you to shreds with my claws, just to make sure you die."

Opening his eyes, the young man scanned the ground around the feet of the Dark King, who was standing where he had been originally. Then he spied what he was looking for, and immediately he brought his attention to Sestros to make sure he didn't give away what he was looking for. ("Good, Erian's okay…at least, he looked alive.") Standing up, he brushed some of the grit from his suit and smiled confidently at his objective. "I'm glad you came to me. You saved me the trouble of having to go find you myself."

"I think you're reading the wrong script to this little play, pest." Flexing his claws, the Dark King sneered. "I'm the one who will win, so drop the confidence bluff."

Taking a deep breath, Starlight Savior suddenly snapped his right hand up into the air, one finger pointing at the sky. "Let's try this again, and maybe this time it'll stick in your head!"

Sestros narrowed his eyes. "Again you just babble on and on about nothing."

"I am the hero of the heavens!" His hand snapped down, now set so his extended thumb was pointed at his chest. "In the name of justice and love, I will right the wrongs that have been committed by you, Dark King!" He struck a rather exaggerated heroic pose. "I am Starlight Savior! And this time remember it!"

Snarling, Sestros prepared to charge in and run this fool over. "And you should remember who I am." He struck a pose similar to the one Starlight Savior had assumed, mocking the young man's introduction. "In the name of death and pain, I am the Dark King of the Dark World!" Then he was charging at Starlight Savior rapidly, one claw cocked back to strike the blow that would cut out the annoyance's heart.

Bracing himself, Starlight Savior got ready to take the hit…

("No. Now is the time to unveil the second of your powers. Repeat after me.")

Sestros flinched slightly as he realized his opponent had dropped his guard. "So you intend to die without a fight then? What a shame!" He was just a few feet away from striking, his claw locked onto its target.

"Awaken Libra, Soul of Balance! I summon your power, and bring forth the Infinity Trial!"

Suddenly Sestros was hurled backwards by a powerful invisible force. His feet managed to lock to the ground and he skidded to a stop finally, now about twenty feet away from Starlight Savior. "So, you do have some power then?"

Lifting up his left arm, the young man ran one hand along the length of his forearm, and a duel disk made of the same dark blue armoring that covered his bodysuit appeared around it. "This is the power of the Soul of Libra. Welcome to your first Infinity Trial, Sestros." A deck appeared in the appropriate slot on the Duel Disk.

"I refuse." Snickering, Sestros pointed at the now stone-faced young man mockingly. "The only duel I will participate in is the last duel of the Game of the Gods. My opponent for that was Ichigo Pilkington, not you."

"Then let me tell you…" Starlight Savior snickered right back. "…when I invoke the power of the Soul of Libra and the Infinity Trial activates you and I cannot leave until we determine the winner. However, unlike a Darkness Game there is no negative penalty for the loser. I guess you could call it a 'safe' Darkness Game, more or less. However, I choose to rest the fate of the world upon this. If you win, I'll drop the power that is currently preventing the world from being destroyed."

"Is that so?" Closing his eyes, the Dark King started to laugh quietly. "Very well, I'll take you on instead of that boy Pilkington." Another rusted Duel Disk appeared on his forearm.

"Alright then, duel!" Starlight Savior looked down at his deck. ("This deck isn't my own, but I feel the power of the Infinity Mind within it. It's actually fitting this way though. I am Starlight Savior right now, so I'll save the world using the deck meant for him!")

Sestros suddenly lifted one arm to point up at the sky. "Pest, enjoy this duel. Because I'm about to do something I have yet to do since my inauguration as the King of the Dark World!" Lightning crashed down in the background; while a strange and beautiful structure made of light blue crystal appeared around them both, indicating the location of the Trial. "I will bare my soul to you!" A deck appeared in his Duel Disk's deck slot. But something was strange about it. The backs of the cards weren't the normal brown design, but were instead an ornate black and red design. "This is the soul deck of the King of Torture and Darkness. Please live long enough for me to enjoy using it, Starlight Savior!" The last words were spoken with venom behind them.

To be continued…