Chapter 28: Heartbreak by Betrayal
Another early morning in Chaotic. Sidney, Minnie and Robbie had just ported in, stretching out their muscles. "Well, we're here early. So, what should we do first after breakfast?" Minnie asked. "Maybe we could go on a scan quest. I'm wanting to get a scan of Blügon's Pickaxe." Sidney said. "What? Not Blügon himself?" Robbie asked, confused.
Just then, an Asian girl around their age wearing a red karate headband ran towards them. "Watch out!" She yelled. The 3 ducked as the girl leapt over them and slid down the banister. Just then, an entire crowd of players ran past them. "Hey guys!" Nika said as she and Gisele ran past them. "Gisele! Nika! What's going on?" Sidney called, stopping them. "That chick Lia's been thrashing through the Dromes. She's unbeatable!" Gisele said. "Lia the karate girl? She wasn't that good when I battled her last Tuesday." Minnie said in disbelief. "Well, she is now. Everybody wants to battle her." Nika said. "Later guys." Gisele said, running off with Nika. "Hey Sid. Didn't your parents deal with something like this before?" Robbie asked. "Yes. Drew the skate rat. He was unbeatable because his Hoton knew Allmageddon." Sidney said. "Looks like history's repeating itself again." Minnie said. "One way to find out. Come on!" Sidney said, running after the crowd.
The 3 joined the crowd, looking for Lia. Robbie saw something and nudged Sidney and Minnie. They turned to see. Lia was hiding under a table. Sidney then thought of an idea. "She's heading for Battledrome Chirrul!" She called. The crowd heard this and ran for the Drome. Sidney stopped Gisele and Nika before they could leave too. "What's the idea?!" Nika asked. Sidney shushed them. "You can come out now, Lia." She said. Lia peaked out, seeing that the coast was clear. "Thank you, Sidney-san. Things were getting very crazy fast." She said. "It's amazing how just 1 crazy rumor can turn Chaotic players into animals." Minnie said, glaring at Gisele and Nika, who were smiling sheepishly.
"Well, seeing as you saved my skin, how would you like to battle me as a reward? It's pretty much what everyone else wants." Lia said with disappointment. "Cool. Good chance to reprove that nobody is unbeatable." Sidney said. "Hey, I saved her. I should get to battle her first." Minnie argued. "I challenged her first." Sidney argued. "Hey, I spotted her hiding under that table." Robbie argued. "I saw her before you 3 did!" Nika argued. "I told you about her!" Gisele argued. "Please! Be at peace, friends. You'll all get your chance to battle me." Lia said. That perked the group up. "But believe me. You will not like it." Lia assured.
(Intro)
Later, the group were on their way to Battledrome Imthor to battle Lia. "I can't wait to get in their and take her on." Robbie said. "I've got my battle team all worked out." Nika said. "So do I." Minnie said. "Should I go with all OverWorlders, my Way of the Mipedian deck, or a mix deck?" Sidney asked. "Uh, you got plenty of time to think about it, girlfriend." Gisele said, seeing an unpleasant sight. There was a huge lineup of players at the Imthor Drome. "Okay. Now I know that this is just like when my parents went through the Allmageddon situation." Sidney said.
In the Drome, Lia was battling A.J. They were battling in the Runic Grove. A.J. was battling as Marquis Darini, while Lia was battling as an unknown Creature. It was female red-skinned elf Creature with goat horns, wearing an armored bra, combat pants and a hooded robe. Darini was equipped with a Plasma Pounder, firing balls of plasma at the elf. But the elf dodged with ease until she got backed into a corner. "So long, Mrs. Unbeatable." Darini said sinisterly, taking aim. The elf smiled and raised her hands. She fired both Torrent of Flame and Torrent of Water, hitting Darini with surprise and coding him.
A.J. ported back to the Drome, shocked and surprised at what happened. "The winner: Liamander." The Drome Master announced. Lia ported back, sighing with disappointment. "No way! There was no way you could win! Darini was too strong!" A.J. cussed in anger as Lia transformed back. "Codes do not lie." Lia said as A.J. took his scanner and left. She then sighed. "Next!" She called.
Her next opponent battled as Odu-Bathax, but got coded. "Next!" The next opponent battled as Ettala, but got coded too. "Next!" The next opponent battled as Takinom, but she got coded too. "Next!" The next opponent battled as Intress, but believe it or not, she got coded too.
Soon enough, it came down to Sidney's group. "Alright, Nika. Psyche yourself up." Sidney said. Nika cracked her neck and headed into the Drome. A while later, she came out in depression. "Well?" Sidney asked. Nika shook her head. "What happened?" Minnie asked. "I was all set with my Cyclance, but then she surprised me and finished me." Nika explained. "Well, I guess I'll go next." Robbie said. "Go get him, Rob." Minnie said. Another while later, Robbie came out. He shook his head. "She beat you too?" Gisele asked in shock. "Unfortunately." Robbie said. "I still say nobody's unbeatable." Sidney assured.
Another while later, Sidney came out. "Well, she's not unbeatable." She said. The gang cheered. "Unfortunately, I didn't beat her." Sidney said disappointedly. The gang ceased the celebration, feeling embarrassed. Another while later, Gisele came out, giving a thumb's down in defeat. "Well, looks like I'm the last hope." Minnie said. But then, Lia exited the Drome. "You leaving?" Nika asked. "Hai. I'm completely pooped. Battle back here tomorrow at 9:00?" Lia offered. "Sure. No biggie." Minnie said. "Thank you, Minnie-san. See you then." Lia said, leaving. "Okay. Since we've got some time, we need to figure out a plan." Sidney said.
At the Port Court, the gang looked over Sidney's match with Lia. Her Thar'lyn fired an Airize from his Kha'rall Chime Shard. But then the elf leapt up and fired Lavalanche. "Okay. This one Creature, Zaryna, is obviously the key here. She's the Creature Lia always wins with." Gisele said. "I've never seen a Creature like this Zaryna before." Minnie said. "Wait. Look at her horns." Sidney said, zooming in on Zaryna's horns. "They almost look like the ones on…Owis! She must be in relation to Owis!" She realized. "Owis has a village in an open field in Pouril Forest." Gisele said. "All we have to do is port there, find Owis, and we'll possibly get some answers." Robbie said. "Come on! We gotta get there before anyone else figures this out!" Sidney said.
The gang ported to Pouril Forest. They immediately found the village and walked into it. But for some reason, there was nobody in it. "You'd find more cheer in a graveyard." Minnie said. "Hello?!" Nika called. Just then, there was a sad sigh from nearby. They looked and saw Owis sitting on a rock looking sad. "Owis." Sidney said. Owis looked up and saw the group. "Oh. Hello Sidney and friends. Nice of you to visit." He said with sadness in his voice. "What's wrong, Owis? Why are you so down?" Gisele asked. Minnie took out her scanner and scanned Owis. "Whoa! His energy is very low. He couldn't even survive a Purifying Mud attack." She revealed. Sidney knelt down beside Owis. "Is something wrong, Owis? Did something happen to you?" She asked. Owis turned his head with shame. "Maybe he's in shock." Robbie guessed. "I'm afraid Owis' suffering is far worse." A voice said. Everyone gasped and turned around as the UnderWorld warrior, Lyssta, approached them. "Forgive me. I did not mean to cause a fright. I am Lyssta, Owis' wife." Lyssta introduced. "Can you tell us what's wrong with Owis? Why he's so sad?" Sidney asked. Lyssta looked at Owis, who nodded. "Yes. Come." Lyssta said, gesturing to them.
The group gathered around a campfire. "It was rather hard to remember how beautiful our life was. This village was a happy one. And Owis and I were blessed with our beloved daughter, Zaryna." Lyssta started to explain.
[Flashback]
"For many years, Owis and I lived happily in his home village here. We raised Zaryna to be a brave young woman." Lyssta narrated.
In the village, Owis and Zaryna brought to baskets of fruit to their village. The villagers cheered with rejoice. Lyssta smiled as she came up and kissed her husband. But then, they sensed something and turned to the entrance.
"But then, something happened."
UnderWorlders charged into the village, firing from their Flameblades.
"Chaor's forces raided our village."
Owis and Lyssta fought back as the villagers evacuated. Owis fired Riptide and Lyssta fired Steam Rage, knocking down several UnderWorlders. This caused the rest of them to retreat.
"We managed to drive them off. But they took our daughter."
There was a scream. Owis and Lyssta looked on and gasped. The UnderWorlders had taken Zaryan. Afterwards, Owis and Lyssta furiously growled, leaving the village.
"Owis and I were furious. We set off to the UnderWorld to rescue our daughter."
[Flashback End]
"We tracked them to their basecamp, just outside the outskirts on route to Gothos Tower." Lyssta continued. "Did you find Zaryna?" Gisele asked. Lyssta and Owis looked at each other. Lyssta took her husband's hand. "We did. But not the way we expected." Owis said, shedding a tear.
[Flashback]
Owis and Lyssta fought through the UnderWorld forces, making their way into the basecamp to rescue Zaryna.
"We tore through the defenses of the UnderWorlders. But when we got to the tent where they were keeping Zaryna." Owis narrated.
2 attacks hit the ground near Owis and Lyssta. The 2 turned and looked on with shock. Zaryna was standing with the 2 guards who took her. Lyssta looked on with disbelief. Zaryna blew Heat Rage from her mouth.
[Flashback End]
"Your own daughter betrayed you right there?" Nika asked. Owis stood up and walked away. "I'm afraid she was already in league with Chaor long before the raid." Lyssta revealed. The gang turned sad from this news.
Afterwards, Owis started picking blossoms from the roofs of the village huts. "So, Zaryna deceived her own parents by pledging secret allegiances to Chaor." Robbie said. "Yes. It was the one thing I've ever feared. That she would've inherited my past as an UnderWorld soldier." Lyssta said. "That's horrible. Poor Owis." Sidney said. "Owis was the most effected by these events. He loved Zaryna like he loved me. He's kept replaying her face over and over in his mind, barely having any desire eat or rest." Lyssta said. "No wonder his energy is so low." Gisele said. Just then, it started to rain. "I must go now, my friends." Lyssta said. "Is there anything we can do?" Sidney asked. "Tell our story to everyone who will listen, young Majors. And warn them of the fruits of betrayal." Lyssta said, walking back to the village.
The gang ported back to Chaotic. "Bloomin' heck. That was deep." Robbie said. "At least Minnie will know what hits her when her whole team gets coded by Lia and Zaryna tomorrow." Gisele said. "Zaryna maybe strong, but she's still just a Creature. And I think I have just the strategy Minnie can use to beat her. The same one my Uncle Peyton used to beat Drew and his Hoton." Sidney said. "Cool!" Minnie said.
The next day, Minnie and Lia prepared for their match in the Imthor Drome. "UnderQueen, Liamander, lock your decks." The Drome Master instructed. "Since you had to wait a whole day to battle me, I'll try to make this interesting for you, Minnie-san." Lia said, locking her deck. "Believe me. This will be interesting for both of us." Minnie said, locking her deck. Their teams were revealed on the board. Minnie had Mezzmarr, Princess Oézaeria, Aggroar, Rothar, Zaur and Spyder. Lia had Grook, Zaryna, Nauthilax, Swassa, Solvis and Magmon.
"Liamander will be the attacking player. Activate the Location Randomizer." The Drome Master instructed. Lia spun her randomizer, landing on the first Location. "The first Location, Crystal Cave." "Zaryna attacks Princess Oézaeria." Lia declared, tapping her Zaryna and transforming into the goat horn elf. Minnie transformed into Mudeenu's cousin, growling for battle as everything went white.
In the Crystal Cave, Oézaeria searched around for any sign of Zaryna. Just then, the young UnderWorlder leapt out and attacked. "Ember Swarm!" She shouted, firing a swarm of embers. But the Mipedian princess zipped to the side to dodge. "Hail Storm!" She fired Hail Storm from her hands. Zaryna dodged the attack and leapt from crystal to crystal, landing back in front of the princess. Oézaeria leapt back onto a crystal and fired Power Pulse, hitting Zaryna and pushing her deep into the cave. Oézaeria was about to go after her, but Zaryna leapt out, over the princess and landed behind her. Zaryna then unleashed Rock Wave, hitting the princess and coding her.
The gang watched from the Port Court. "Boy, Zaryna is pretty tough." Nika said. "Yeah? Well, so is Minnie." Sidney said, believing in her friend.
Minnie's attack. "Mezzmarr attacks Nauthilax!" At the Riverlands, Mezzmarr blasted Nauthilax with Sludge Gush, coding him.
Lia's attack. "Zaryna attacks Mezzmarr." At Steam Pillar, Mezzmarr leapt down from the pillar and charged towards Zaryna. But Zaryna fired Magmamite from her chest, hitting Mezzmarr and coding him.
Minnie's attack. "Aggroar attacks Grook!" Winner: Aggroar.
Lia's attack. "Swassa attacks Rothar!" At the UnderWorld Colosseum, Swassa was surrounded by Ring of Fire. Then she was hit by a Torrent of Flame and coded.
Minnie's attack. "Zaur attacks Solvis!" At Ravanaugh Ridge, Zaur roared at Solvis with Megaroar, blowing Solvis into the side of the mountain and coding him.
Lia's attack. "Magmon attacks Aggroar." Winner: Aggroar.
"Minnie's won 4 battles in a row. Lia's down to her last Creature." Gisele said. "Yeah. But it's Zaryna." Robbie said with worry. "Look! Minnie's attacking with Aggroar." Nika said, pointing at the screen. "Minnie can do it. She just has to stick to the strategy I gave her." Sidney said. Robbie wasn't convinced. "Minnie's gonna lose Aggroar." He said with worry. "Wait! She's casting Mugic!" Minnie cast one of Rothar's Mugicians to activate a Mugic. "Song of Futursight!" "Futuresight?! What the bloody-? Oh, look! She got coded anyway!" Robbie said. The girls however gave a thumb's up to each other.
"Bad Mugic move, Minnie-san. There's no way Futuresight could've saved you." Lia said. Her attack. "Zaryna attacks Zaur!" Winner: Zaryna. Minnie took a deep breath and spun her randomizer, landing on the next Location, Ice Pillar. "Rothar attacks Zaryna at Ice Pillar!" She declared.
"Minnie used Song of Futuresight to lock in her next Locations. See Robbie?" Sidney asked. "Yeah. Kinda." Robbie said.
Near Ice Pillar, Rothar treaded through the snowy ground. Just then, Zaryna leapt down from the pillar. "You put up a good battle, Minnie-san. But now it's over!" She said, preparing to attack. "Rock Wave!" Rothar shouted, slamming his fists into the ground and creating Rock Wave. Zaryna got hit and was pushed back into the pillar. "I'll admit, that was clever. But Zaryna has a better advantage here." She said. She fired Magmamight at Rothar. But instead of being coded, he survived the attack. He groaned as he got up, feeling the pain from the attack.
Robbie was shocked. "She survived! But how?" He asked. "Ice Pillar is located under Glacier Plains, remember? So, Ice Pillar shares the same properties as Glacier Plains. It lowers the power of almost any attack." Sidney said.
Rothar managed to recover and get back into the battle. "Inferno Gust!" He fired a typhoon of fire, surrounding Zaryna. "Okay, Flux Bauble. Let's do this." He held up his equipped BattleGear, a Flux Bauble, activating it. They fluxed to the Lava Pond. The Inferno Gust continued to surround Zaryna, lowering her energy faster with the boost from the Location. "Oh yeah! It's gonna be a hot one in the old town tonight!" Rothar said.
"It's genius! Minnie got energy back by fluxing to an UnderWorld Location, and her Inferno Gust is still raging!" Gisele said. "Now's she using her Song of Desperation Mugic." Nika said as Rothar activated said Mugic and got healed. "Yeah, but it won't give Minnie enough energy to survive another attack from Zaryna." Robbie said.
The Inferno Gust finally died down. "Huh. You got any other surprises for me?" Zaryna asked, dusting herself off. "Just one." Rothar said. Spyder appeared in between them, holding out his leg. A Mugician flew out.
"Minnie's sacrificing her Spyder to give Rothar an extra Mugician." Robbie said.
"Sweet move. If I didn't have the ability canceling Dirge of Disgrace!" Zaryna said, activating her Mugic. As the Mugic played in key, a dark blue light beamed on Spyder, canceling his ability and making him disappear. "Next!" Zaryna said, preparing her final attack. But Rothar held up his Flux Bauble, activating it again. They fluxed to a pool Location just as Zaryna fired her Torrent of Flame. And then, somebody was coded.
Everyone looked on, wondering who won. "The winner: UnderQueen." The Drome Master declared. That caught Lia by surprise. Sidney's gang and the other players cheered. "Minnie-san, how did you pull that off?!" Lia asked. "Simple. Before your attack got me, I used my Flux Bauble to flux us to Cordac Falls' Plungepool." Minnie explained. "Which deals 5 damage to every Creature that battles there! That's why you used Song of Futuresight! To rearrange your Location deck and flux around until Zaryna was weak enough to destroy!" Lia said, catching on. "You are AMAZING!" "I know, but my friends did help me with the strategy." Minnie said.
Afterwards, they headed for the exit. "So, you're not bummed you finally lost?" Minnie asked. "Nah. Winning's great. But it gets boring when your sure it's gonna happen every time." Lia said. As they exited, they found themselves surrounded by other players. Lia gestured them to Minnie and they praised her. Nearby, Sidney and the others watched. "Minnie's gonna be hard to live with now." Nika said. "Yeah. Until we beat her, of course." Robbie said. Gisele noticed Sidney looking sad. "What's wrong, Sid?" She asked. "I was just thinking about Owis and Lyssta. I hope they can get over the shock. Or get back what they lost." Sidney said.
Back in the village, Owis gazed out at the forest. Then he turned and saw Lyssta walk up with their other child. Owis smiled and walked over, bringing them into his embrace. Unknown to them, Zaryna watched them from afar. After a tear was shed, she turned to leave.
New Cards:
Creature: Zaryna
UnderWorld Warrior
Courage: 60
Power: 70
Wisdom: 45
Speed: 50
Elements: Fire, Water
Mugic: 2
Energy: 65
My mother was a fool to join the Tribal Alliance. But I will clean up her mess. -Zaryna
Mugic: Dirge of Disgrace
Tribal: UnderWorld
Cancels Sacrifice ability.
