Chapter 33: Curse of the Night

Minnie was not having a good morning. She was in a CodeMaster match with CodeMaster Tirasis. She was already down to her last Creature, Magmon. They were battling at the Carnival of Confusion. Minnie already managed to take out 2 of Tirasis' Creatures, but she already lost her toughest UnderWorlders to those 2.

Since they were battling at the Carnival of Confusion, Magmon's fire attacks were switched to air attacks. Magmon sat nearby the merry-go-round, tuckered out from all the pressure Tirasis' Creature was giving him. 'This is one tough Creature. I mean, the other 2 were pretty tough too. But I can't even get a scratch on him. I don't know if I can even win this match. But at least I'll go down fighting.' Minnie thought. Magmon formed an Entropy Modulator on his wrist and headed back out.

Meanwhile, Sidney and the others, along with Darwin, Lia and Cassandra, watched from the Port Court. "Man, Min's really getting her keister kicked." Gisele said. "Hai. Minnie-san was really looking forward to this CodeMaster match. I wonder what happened." Lia said. "It's probably the Curse of the Night." Sidney said. Everyone all looked at her. "The Curse of the Night? What's that?" Nika asked. "It's an old goth myth. Minnie's parents told me about it when my parents and I were at her house for dinner last week." Sidney explained. "Could you tell us?" Gisele asked. "Well, the curse happens to goths when they reach the age of 16. When they reach 16, the curse will be bestowed upon them." Sidney explained. "What happens when this curse is upon them, Miss Sidney?" Cassandra asked. "When affected by the curse, until the beginning of the 4th week from when it has taken hold, this curse will provide very terrible luck." Sidney explained.

"So, if that means what I think it means-" Robbie started. "Yes. Minnie will lose this CodeMaster match." Sidney said. Everyone looked up at the screen, worried for their friend.


(Intro)


Magmon slowly aimed left and right, waiting for the Creature to appear. When he saw something move through the shadows, he started firing a barrage of different air attacks. Airize, Fearocity, Lightning Burst, the more scary and powerful ones. But the Creature slowly crept up behind Magmon, forming an unknown BattleGear in its hand. Magmon just kept firing. 'Why isn't he fighting back? Everyone knows the CodeMasters aren't cowards. So, why is he just hiding?' Minnie thought until she realized. Magmon turned just as the Creature fired from its BattleGear. 'Oh no.' Minnie thought. The attack hit Magmon, coding him.

Afterwards, Minnie sat down with her friends and sighed. "You okay there, Min?" Sidney asked. "No. I couldn't concentrate on where Tirasis was coming at me from." Minnie said. "Has this anything to do with this 'curse' Sidney told us about?" Robbie said. Minnie was surprised to hear this. "You told them?" She asked, turning to Sidney. "Sorry. Did you want me to stay quiet?" Sidney asked. Minnie sighed. "No. I'm glad you did. I shouldn't have to keep secrets like that from my friends." She said.

"So, anyway, could you not concentrate because you're possibly affected by this gothic curse?" Gisele asked. "I suppose it has to be. I never took my parents' warnings of this curse seriously until today." Minnie said. "So, what're you gonna do?" Darwin asked. "I think I'm just gonna blow off some steam in the Beta Drome. Alone." Minnie said, getting up. "You don't want company?" Sidney asked. "Thanks, Sid. But I need some time to myself." Minnie said, walking away. "Wow. She's really down." Robbie said. "I should get going too. I promised Mommy I'd help with laundry today." Cassandra said. "And me and Darwin have to get ready for our date tonight." Gisele said. "I've got a match today too." Nika said. "I'm gonna head home too to help my dad fix up his car. See ya, guys." Robbie said.

After they left, Sidney and Lia just sat at the table. "There has to be something we can do to help Minnie. Even if the curse doesn't lift until next week, we should do something." Sidney said. Just then, Lia had an idea. "I think I know someone who can help Minnie-san." She said. "Who?" Sidney asked. "You'll see. Once Minnie's done in the Beta Drome, call her and tell her to meet us at the Transport Centre." Lia said, walking away.

Minnie played in the Beta Drome. She used Cyrenox, riding his Skeletal Steed through Ozrac Cavern. 'This curse. It's really affecting my game. It blew my CodeMaster match with CodeMaster Tirasis.' Minnie thought. Cyrenox leapt his Steed over a crevice as he continued to ride in the cavern. 'Maybe I should take some time off from battling in Chaotic and just stay at home. That way, I can't affect anything with my curse.' Minnie thought. Just then, Cyrenox saw a large cliff coming up. He tried to stop his Steed, but the Steed couldn't stop quick enough. They both fell over the cliff and into the abyss below. Cyrenox got coded as he hit the bottom.

Minnie sighed as she transported back to the Beta Drome. She was about to grab her scanner when it started to ring. She answered the call, seeing it was Sidney. "Hey, Sid. What's up?" She asked. "Well, Lia has someone she wants you to meet. Meet us at the Transport Centre." Sidney said. "Why? Who does she want me to meet?" Minnie asked. "She never said. She said just to meet us at the Transport Centre." Sidney said, ending the call. Minnie was confused, but decided to just go with it.

Minnie met up with Sidney and Lia at the Transport Centre. "Alright. What's going on here?" She asked. "We noticed you're still down on the curse affecting your CodeMaster match. So, I decided that you need some advice from an expert on how to deal with your curse." Lia said. "Advice? From who?" Minnie asked. "You'll see. You 2 got a scan of the Vore Cave?" Lia asked. "The Vore Cave?" Sidney asked in confusion. "It's an entire cave connected by an infinite series of tunnels that all connect up with each other." Minnie said. "I don't have a scan of the Vore Cave." Sidney said sadly. "Neither do I." Minnie said. "No biggie, Sidney-san. You have lots of scans of Everrain, yes?" Lia asked. "Yes." Sidney said. "Vore Cave is just a short distance in Everrain. I know the way there. Port to Everrain and I'll take you there." Lia said. Sidney and Minnie looked at each other and nodded.

As soon as the 3 got to Everrain, Lia led them straight to the Vore Cave. "Be careful. This cave is occupant with living fire twisters known as Flame Vores. They are very dangerous. And that's just one of the fun perks of battling in this particular Location." Lia explained. "I'll say. This Location will be a big boost when it comes to battling in the Dromes." Sidney said, taking her scanner and scanning the Location. "So, where is this expert you mentioned, Lia? And how is he gonna help me deal with my curse?" Minnie asked. "Don't worry, Minnie-san. They're just up ahead." Lia said. "But what about the Flame Vores? Shouldn't we be worried about them?" Sidney asked. "No. The Flame Vores are dormant in their main cavern in the cave around this time of day. So, we should be fine until we get to the main cavern. That's where we'll also find who we're looking for." Lia explained.

Soon enough, the group made it to the main cavern in the cave. There, the Flame Vores flew about the cavern freely. "Whoa! Now this is a Location!" Sidney said. "But who exactly are we looking for?" Minnie asked. Lia smiled. "They're right there." She said, pointing out to a smooth platform. There, Sidney and Minnie saw a couple of Creatures standing there, observing the Vores. "That's Kopond. He's one of the UnderWorld Muges. But who's the other Creature?" Minnie asked. "That, my friends, is Seeryn." Lia revealed. That shocked the other 2 girls. "SEERYN?! As in 'the Elemental Fire Servant' Seeryn?" Sidney asked. "Hai. The one and only." Lia said. Minnie couldn't believe it. One of the Elemental Servants was right before her very eyes.

Kopond and Seeryn, having noticed the girls, hovered over to them. "Young Lia, such a pleasure to see you again." Kopond said. "To you as well, Kopond-san. These are my friends, Sidney and Minnie." Lia said, introducing her friends. Seeryn stared at Sidney, who gulped at the way he was staring at her. "You remind me a lot of your father." Seeryn said. "You know my father?" Sidney asked. "Not officially. But my friends and I did see him and your mother and uncles outside our citadel. And I heard good things about him during my visits." Seeryn said. "Well, my uncle told me about you. Or what his friend told him." Sidney said. Seeryn nodded.

"So, why did you bring your friends here?" Kopond asked. "Well, actually, Minnie's got bit of a problem. And I was wondering if you and Seeryn would help her." Lia said. "A problem? Okay. Let's hear it." Kopond said.

Later, the 5 of them sat in a circle and Minnie explained her problem to Kopond and Seeryn. "I see. A curse that takes hold of you when you reach the proper age does tend to do unnatural things to a person. This is a serious issue." Kopond said. "So, can you help me?" Minnie asked. "I may just be able to." Kopond said. "Follow me." Kopond and Minnie stood up and walked away. Meanwhile, Sidney looked at Seeryn with a thought. 'Just to be in the presence of the Elemental Fire Servant, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I gotta scan him!' She thought, pulling out her scanner. Seeryn noticed this. Sidney froze and slowly lowered her scanner, trying to avoid suspicion. But then, Seeryn started laughing. "You don't have to hide your scanner. I've heard of your Chaotic game from the others. You may do as you wish, my friend." Seeryn said. "Really?! Oh, thank you, Seeryn!" Sidney said, scanning Seeryn.

Meanwhile, Minnie and Kopond stopped in a nearby tunnel. "So, what can you do to help me, Kopond?" Minnie asked. "Simple. You must accept that this curse is part of you." Kopond said. "WHAT?!" Minnie asked in shock. "I know that's a lot to take in. So, allow me to explain." Kopond said. Minnie took a deep breath and nodded. "You see this curse as a problem for your skills and abilities as a Chaotic player. I once saw that the same way when the UnderWorlders joined the Tribal Alliance. I actually feared that joining forces with the other Tribes would affect my abilities as an UnderWorlder." Kopond explained. "Did it?" Minnie asked. "In a way, yes. I first feared that these changes had changed me too much. But in time, with help from my friends, I learned to accept that the changes are a part of me now." Kopond said. He then walked up to Minnie and put his hand on her shoulder. "So, even if you see this curse as a problem, you need to accept that it is part of you." He advised. Minnie thought about this explanation.

The next day, Minnie had another match in the Tirasis Drome. She figured this could be her chance to work her way up to a rematch with CodeMaster Tirasis. Her opponent was CreatureConductor. "UnderQueen, CreatureConductor, assemble your teams." The Drome Master instructed. Minnie went through her Creatures. She put Skreeth up front and equipped him with a Torwegg. CreatureConductor went through his deck, putting Maglax up front. Minnie put up Ultadur. CreatureConductor put up another Creature. Minnie then selected her Locations, including UnderWorld City, Everrain, Rock River Canyon and Jade Pillar.

"Players, lock your decks." Minnie and CreatureConductor locked their decks and revealed their teams. Minnie had Skreeth, Dirtax, Rothar, Ultadur, Banshor and Kopond. She scanned him before she left. CreatureConductor had Tartawreck, Maglax, Intress, Drabe, Katarin and Dractyl. "UnderQueen, you will attack first. Activate the Location randomizer, please." Minnie spun her randomizer, landing on the first Location. "The first Location, Rock River Canyon." Minnie took a deep breath and decided on her attacking Creature and its target. "Skreeth attacks Intress!" She declared. She tapped her Skreeth and transformed into the purple demon with the boney tail. CreatureConductor tapped his Intress and transformed into Maxxor's fierce feline wife. "Let's get Chaotic." Minnie said as everything went white.

Sidney, Robbie, Gisele, Nika, Darwin, Cassandra and Lia watched from the Port Court. "Let's hope what Kopond said at the Vore Cave helps Minnie with this match." Nika said. "Do not worry, Nika-san. She will do fine." Lia said. 'Let's hope so.' Sidney thought.

At Rock River Canyon, Intress sniffed around the river for Skreeth. Just then, Skreeth popped out of the river. "Steam Rage!" He fired Steam Rage from his hands, hitting Intress and sending her into the canyon wall. "Nice move. Hail Storm!" Intress fought back with Hail Storm. Skreeth dived back under the water, dodging the attack. "You can swim, but you can't hide!" Intress yelled, firing Frostblight at the river, freezing it and seemingly trapping Skreeth. "Try to get out of that one, UnderQueen." Intress gloated. "Already did." Skreeth called from above. Intress looked up and saw Skreeth with his Torwegg. Apparently, Skreeth formed the Torwegg and shot out the river fast before Intress froze it. Intress shouted with Megaroar, but Skreeth dodged the attack with the boost from the Torwegg and fired with Inferno Gust, hitting Intress and coding her.

Sidney and the others cheered from their table. "Alright, Minnie!" Gisele cheered. "You got him! You got him!" Nika cheered. "Well, she seems to be doing okay so far." Robbie said.

Minnie smiled as she transformed back. "Yes! The UnderQueen's got her groove back!" She said. "For now, maybe. But I'll still be the winner of this symphony in the end." CreatureConductor said.

CreatureConductor's attack. "Tartawreck attacks Skreeth!" Winner: Tartawreck.

Minnie's attack. "Rothar attacks Tartawreck!" Winner: Rothar.

CreatureConductor's attack. "Maglax attacks Dirtax!" Winner: Dirtax.

Minnie's attack. "Rothar attacks Katarin!" Winner: Katarin.

Sidney and the others continued to watch from the Port Court. "This doesn't look good." Robbie said. "Don't worry, Robbie-san. Minnie-san will emerge in victory." Lia said.

CreatureConductor's attack. "Drabe attacks Dirtax!" Winner: Drabe.

Minnie's attack. "Banshor attacks Katarin!" Winner: Banshor.

CreatureConductor's attack. "Drabe attacks Ultadur!" Winner: Ultadur.

Minnie's attack. "Ultadur attacks Dractyl!" Winner: Dractyl.

CreatureConductor's attack. "Dractyl attacks Banshor!" Winner: Dractyl.

Sidney and the others were now getting worried. "That's not good! Minnie's only got 1 Creature left!" Nika said. "Let's hope Kopond can help her win this final battle." Sidney said.

CreatureConductor smiled gloatingly. "Looks like you're still a bit rusty, UnderQueen." He said. Minnie knew this was her last shot. But she knew what to do. She spun her randomizer, landing on the final Location. The Vore Cave. "Kopond attacks Dractyl!" She declared.

In the Vore Cave, Dractyl flew around the tunnels, looking for Kopond. Just then, a Torrent of Flame came from the other end of the tunnel and blasted Dractyl down. Dractyl shook off the flames and saw Kopond approaching him. "That was very clever. But cleverness won't be enough to defeat me." Dractyl said. "Oh, I know. So, how about this? Magmamight!" Kopond fired a magma fist from his chest. Dractyl flew up, dodging the attack. "Turbulent Funnel!" Dractyl fired a Turbulent Funnel, blowing Kopond down the tunnel.

"Oh no!" Nika cried. "Kopond's energy is down to 15!" Cassandra said. "Minnie-san can win this! I know it!" Lia said. "I guess we'll find out if you're right." Robbie said. 'Come on, Minnie.' Sidney thought.

Kopond recovered from the attack and saw that he was in the cave's main cavern. Dractyl descended upon him. "Well, it looks like this match is as good as mine. Too bad you couldn't rid yourself of that gothic curse of yours." Dractyl gloated. Kopond looked down at the ground in defeat. 'No. Kopond said that the curse is part of me. Instead of fighting against it, I need to embrace the power of the curse.' Minnie thought. Kopond stood up and glared at Dractyl. "That's the thing when it comes to curses. You must learn to embrace them or you wind up like me." He said. Dractyl was confused by this. "And now it's time for me to embrace my curse. Shadow Strike!" Kopond unleashed his shadow, attacking Dractyl and knocking him out of the air to the ground. Dractyl struggled to get up. "No, you don't. Lavalanche!" Kopond fired Lavalanche, striking Dractyl and coding him.

"YES! Minnie did it!" Gisele cheered. "Alright, Minnie!" Nika cried. "I told you she would win this." Lia said. "Have to admit, I was hoping she would win." Robbie said. Sidney smiled up at the screen as Minnie transformed back. 'I'm proud of you, Minnie. You embraced your curse and won the match. Kopond would be proud of you.' She thought.