Aurasoul: Hey everyone! Welcome to another chapter of Yugioh Zexal!
Lizzie: Already?
Aurasoul: I have pretty much the majority of chapters all set and done with help from 0713MM of course.
Koru: So how often will we see more chapters?
Aurasoul: Every few days or so given my schedule so I dont own Zexal only my OCs except Sirius and Antares who belong to Barian-chan who shares Lyra with me and Shane belongs to Shane Kor so without delay onto the chapter!
Chapter 20
"What on earth is going on? I can't believe Semimaru and Kurage were defeated!"
Heartland stood on a tower the sun setting in the sky as he turned to the other who was kneeling in front of him and chuckled lowly. "Don't worry, ka! As long as we, the pest brothers, are here, everything will be fine, ka!" He laughed.
"Although Yuma, Astral, Astrana, and Ryoga still bother me quite a bit, Kaito and Hotaru are still nowhere to be found." Heartland frowned.
"Does that bother you, ka? Perfect!" His companion replied enthusiastically. "I resent the gigantic monsters the most, ka!"
With that he disappeared as a mosquito flew away Heartland watching with a smirk. "I am counting on you, Kaninja." He replied.
"So how's Manami?"
III was communicating with IV, who was in the Shinori house, with his bracelet in bed night already out. IV gave a soft sigh leaning on the wall. "She's sleeping at the moment after what she saw back there made her collapse though with all that's happened it was bound to happen sooner or later." He replied. "Though the way she acted and she was even crying…"
"I know you're worried Nii-sama but I'm sure Manami will be fine." III assured gently.
"I hope so." IV frowned. "Now what about Astrana?"
"She's been doing well she comes and goes from her Key but otherwise stays out more often than before, which is something." III replied.
"Yet I feel there's more." IV stated.
III gave a small smile knowing IV would realize it. "It's still obvious that Astrana misses Darka the grief still fresh even though she puts on a brave face." He admitted, looking very worried.
"Do you think she'll be able to get a hold of herself?" IV questioned.
"We can only hope she does but I'm sure she will after all she is Darka's partner." III said.
Astrana floated around within the Empress's Key she checked the gears within the ship frowning deeply but the darkness that cling to them making the ship unable to move. This darkness isn't like Darka's her's always had a friendliness to it but this is almost threatening not dangerous but as if challenging. She thought with a frown. Why would the sage Nyx place this on the ships in the Empress's and Emperors Keys?
Astrana frowned deeply she knew they might not have much time left for Darka they had to figure out how to go to Astral World and quickly then she gasped. Wait surely Hotaru would have an idea on what to do her shadows are similar to darkness she could be able to help. She thought, but frowned again. But she hasn't been around lately… Now that I think about it neither has Kaito. Are those two working on something?
In an unknown location that blew harshly with snow stood Kaito, V, and Hotaru who wore a heavy coat and smoking. "It seems we made no mistake when selecting the target." Kaito remarked.
"As expected from the both of you. Kaito, Hotaru it's all thanks to you." V smiled.
"Though I wish we'd find it in a warmer location." Hotaru muttered, blowing smoke before putting out her cigarette.
"Yes I forgot you hate the cold." V smiled gently, holding her close. "Don't worry this storm won't last long."
"Hmph that's the least of our worries." She scoffed, but leaned on him with a content sigh.
"Whenever you two are done." Kaito scoffed.
"Oh don't worry Kaito once we get Darka back you'll be doing the same." Hotaru smirked, her smirk widened at Kaito's blush before she grew serious. "Are you really sure about this, Chris?"
Yes this experiment is extremely dangerous. We absolutely cannot let Astrana and the others be aware of this." V frowned.
"I see so they haven't been here."
"Sorry Astrana-chan."
Astrana shook her head in assurance to Haruto she was in Heartland Tower speaking with both Haruto and to see if they had seen Kaito and Hotaru to no avail. "We haven't seen Kaito and Hotaru ever since… Well…" Faker began sadly.
Astrana flinched knowing he meant of the day what happened to Darka she glanced at Haruto who looked down tearfully it tore her heart to see the boy so torn knowing how much he loved Darka. "Y-Yes I see so they went off after that?" She asked.
"A few days after really." Faker nodded.
So around the time III and I dueled Semimaru. Astrana thought, before she nodded. "Thank you anyway ."
"Of course Astrana if there's anything else I can help please let me know." He told her.
"Thank you." She nodded.
Astrana hugged Haruto tightly before she left the tower a thoughtful look on her face. So it was around the time between Darka being taken and the encounter with Heartland's first assassin then that could mean… She began to think.
"Astrana!"
Astrana gasped quickly seeing her friends running to her friends running to her Yuma hugging her tightly making her yelp. "Where have you been?!" Yuma demanded. "When lll and I woke up you were gone you had all of us freaking out!"
"I'm sorry I went for a walk, I thought I would be quick." Astrana apologized guilty.
"Next time leave a note for us so we won't worry." III said with a strained smile.
"Of course." Astrana nodded.
"So why were you at Heartland Tower?" Kotori asked curiously.
"I went to see and Haruto to see if they seen Hotaru and Kaito." Astrana frowned. "I wanted to talk with Hotaru but she hasn't been around lately."
They all had looks of realization at this. "Now that you mention it." Yuma began.
"There must be a good reason for this." Astral replied.
"I think that maybe those two might be working on a way to go to Astral World." Astrana stated.
They looked at her surprised but had understanding looks. "It makes sense with the ships not functioning." Sirius frowned.
"And this is Darka we're talking about no way Kaito would just do nothing if it involves her." Shane smirked.
"I wish I could help them." Astrana frowned, clenching her hands tightly. "Yet in the end I can't do anything for her in the end…"
"Astrana don't think like that." III said gently, wrapping an arm around her in comfort. "You're not useless."
"I can't help but think otherwise." Astrana sighed, leaning on III and then chuckled humorlessly. "Look at me I was originally an uncaring agent of Astral World now I'm actually feeling emotions and acting not like myself."
"That's where you're wrong."
Astrana looked up at Astral who floated to her with a gentle look. "I believe this is your true personality your true self and I believe it's an improvement." He smiled.
"Yeah! You and Astral changed for the better, ever since you guys came here and we all met." Yuma grinned.
"All thanks to you and Darka." Astral said with a smile.
"Personally I prefer you like this than an 'uncaring agent'." Sirius replied lightly before he smirked. "More humane."
"You're teasing me." Astrana scowled.
"See? Way better." Sirius chuckled.
"Astrana who you are is who we see and that is what's important." III smiled.
Astrana looked at III then at their friends who all smiled supportively at her she smiled touching III's hand. "Yes you're right I am me who has such wonderful friends and together we'll get Darka back and protect this world." She replied determined.
"We were waiting for those words Astrana."
They all turned surprised to see Kaito and Hotaru both smiling knowingly. "Hotaru, Kaito!" Lyra gasped.
"Where have you guys been?!" Yuma yelled.
"Busy now come on we got to go." Hotaru said.
"Eh? Go?" Astrana spoke confused.
"To get Darka of course." Kaito stated.
Strong winds suddenly blew from above making them gasp looking up shocked to see a large aircraft above them. "Woah!" Antares gaped.
"Get on we'll explain on the way." Hotaru smirked.
Yuma, Astral, Astrana, Kotori, Lizzie, and the Barian Guardians board the ship with Kaito and Hotaru as it flew a screen appearing in front of them. "So you two have been working on a way to get to Astral World?" Astral questioned.
"That's right when I told Kaito that the Astral Sage Nyx made both ships immobile we got to work on finding another way to get there." Hotaru explained.
Hotaru blinked seeing the surprised gazes on the others faces. "What?" She asked.
"You used Kaito's name." Yuma blinked.
Hotaru blinked in realization but then shrugged. "Yeah well when we both lost a person precious to us it makes one look from a different perspective." She replied.
"Right." Sirius sighed, getting a glare from Hotaru.
"Enough. Now remember what is the ultimate goal of this battle?" Kaito questioned.
"Ultimate goal?" Yuma asked.
"To find the Numeron Code." Astral answered.
"That's right now if I had to guess the original reason Astral and Astrana were sent to Earth was to find the Numeron Code and use it to destroy Barian World." Kaito said.
"What?!" The Barian Guardians yelled.
"But that isn't the case anymore, right?" Hotaru asked the two Astral Beings.
Both Astral and Astrana nodded to this. "Yes brother and I agreed that we cannot go through with that mission." Astrana replied. "We have too many friends and allies that are Barians we couldn't dare harm their planet."
"Which is why we agreed to find a more peaceful solution in ending this war and we believe the Numeron Code could hold that solution." Astral added.
"The Original Giver of Life did use the Numeron Code to create Barian World and if what those sages implied is true then Darka is also a key needed to find the Numeron Code too." Hotaru frowned, getting out a smoke.
"And if the Barians keep up their assault soon enough the Numbers will go to them along with the Numeron Code modifying it so both this world and Astral World will be destroyed." Kaito added.
"And once that happens it'll be utter discord." Hotaru frowned, blowing smoke. "Which is why us along with V managed to find a way to visit Astral World."
"But how can you do that?" Lizzie asked.
"The hints are in this coin!" Kaito said, holding out a Kings Coin.
"That's dad's coin I found in the ruins! Wait why do you have one?" Yuma questioned, getting out the others he had counting them. "One, two, three…! There's one missing! When did you?!"
"You should really keep a watchful eye on your pockets Yuma." Hotaru smirked playfully, taking back the coin from Kaito and tossing it to Yuma who caught it. "You're too easy to pickpocket."
"Hey!" Yuma scowled.
"Old habits die hard." Antares muttered with a strained smile, making Sirius sigh and Lyra weakly chuckle.
"And stop your rambling we only borrowed it." Kaito replied lightly. "Now back to the subject there are actually incredible secrets in that coin."
"Secrets?" Kotori wondered.
Hotaru smirked but then stiffened touching the back of her neck with a frown noticed by Lyra. "Is something wrong Hotaru-chan?" She asked.
"... No it's nothing." Hotaru answered, not noticing the mosquito flying away.
Yuma sneezed before they walked on the airline stunned. "You guys have been busy." Antares remarked.
"You have no idea." Hotaru replied, motioning to the machine in front of them. "Over there is a dimensional teleportation device."
"Hotaru, V, and I constructed it ourselves." Kaito replied.
"Dimensional Teleportation Device?!" Yuma gaped.
"Kaito-sama and the Firefly, welcome back!" Orbital spoke.
"He calls you that too?" Astrana asked Hotaru.
"He's more scared of Kaito and Darka besides it's my nickname and middle name so I don't mind." Hotaru shrugged. "Now Astral, Astrana your Different Dimension Spacecrafts are able to search the Numbers from the ruins. How is it possible?"
"Eh?" Astrana questioned surprised.
"We had a feeling that the coins Yuma's father left in the ruins might contain secrets so we investigated in that direction." Kaito explained. "As a result, those coins are actually the substances of the Astral World, Astrite."
"Astral Lights?!" Yuma questioned.
"Astrite!" Hotaru corrected with a sigh, blowing out smoke. "Think of it as the Astral World material counterpart to the Barian World's Baria Crystals. Their tiny pieces of enormous energy that the world doesn't have."
"By using the Astrite we'll be able to open a gate towards the Parallel Worlds that will take us to Astral World." Kaito explained.
"To think you three managed to create a machine like this to utilize our world's material." Astral began stunned.
"Impressive truly." Astrana admitted impressed.
"Kaito, Hotaru!"
They all turned to see V walking toward them with a frown. "V!" Yuma gasped.
"Why would you bring them here?" V demanded.
"Unlike you, I don't plan to coddle them." Kaito replied.
"And I can't really lie to them." Hotaru sighed.
"That isn't the problem here! We're going to forcefully open the gate towards different dimensions! And we have no idea what will happen after that!" V scowled.
"Of course we know that!" Kaito snapped.
"V why didn't you tell us about this?" Astrana demanded.
"The reason was because I knew you and the others would no doubt go after I informed you all about it." V answered.
"Of course we would! We have to get Darka back before what those sages said becomes true!" Sirius scowled. "It's our job as Darka's guardians to get her!"
"And Darka is our friend there's no way we can just leave her!" Yuma added.
"She is my partner I have to reach her!" Astrana yelled.
"I understand your feelings but you don't have any idea how dangerous this experiment is." V said grimly. "Even if you manage to enter Astral World by chance, that's a completely unknown world, one where we're not sure is safe for Barians. We won't know what happens next in the worst case scenario even with Astral and Astrana you all might not come back alive."
Kotori and Lizzie gasped in horror while the Barian Guardians stiffened at this knowing V had a point. "Originally the plan was for just the three of us to go get Darka in Astral World since Kaito wasn't going to standby." Hotaru replied.
"Of course I wasn't." Kaito scowled. "Darka is my girlfriend I'm not going to lose her! I am going no question."
"See." Hotaru stated.
"Well I'm sorry V though I appreciate your concerns I am going." Astrana frowned defiantly. "And you cannot stop me."
"Chris." Hotaru spoke gently, placing a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder. "I think we can agree that it wasn't a coincidence Kazuma-san left those coins for Yuma."
"What do you mean?" Lyra asked confused.
"It's a theory but if he had expected everything that has happened so far, then those seven coins must be a message to go to Astral World." Kaito explained.
"So wait you think Kazuma Tsukumo knew Darka was going to be taken?" Lizzie asked shocked.
"It's just a theory but that's where the evidence points to." Hotaru nodded.
"Even more reason for us to go then!" Yuma said.
"Please V allow us to go." Astral spoke.
"In order to get Darka back." Astrana said determined.
"We're begging too!" Kotori and Lizzie spoke up.
"Please V-san!" Lyra begged.
V looked at them all then sighed and nodded. "Alright then we have to discuss on who will go." He said.
"I'll go." Astrana and Kaito said together, the two looking at one another surprised but had knowing smiles.
"Count me and Astral in too." Yuma grinned, Astral nodding in agreement.
"And I'll be going too so it's a total of 5 of us." Hotaru nodded.
"But wait!" Antares began.
"Don't even think about it we don't know if Astral World is safe for Barians we can't the chance of you three coming." Hotaru scowled.
"As much as I hate to say it, she's right." Sirius frowned. "In that case get her back for us as well."
"We will." Astrana vowed.
"Although we have another person come with us." Hotaru replied lightly, looking to the side.
They looked at Hotaru confused following her gaze and were shocked to see Manami stepping out of her hiding spot. "Manami-chan!" Lyra gasped.
I thought she was still resting back at the house." Sirius frowned.
"I made a quick stop at home before coming to the ship and getting the others should've known she was following me." Hotaru admitted with a faint smirk.
"I'm going with you guys too." Manami frowned.
"Manami you're part Barian it won't be safe for you." V began.
"I'm also part human so I'll be fine." Manami countered.
"But what about Shark and Rio? Shouldn't you be with them?" Astrana asked gently.
Manami flinched looking away. "Shark… He needs to be alone for a bit and I need answers and the only way for me to get them is to go to Astral World and save Darka. That's the reason you're going too, right Hotaru?" Manami demanded.
Hotaru frowned slightly dropping her cigarette to the floor and crushing it with her foot with a sigh. "I want to get back our sister getting answers is just an added bonus." She answered.
"Figured you'd say that." Manami said with a strained smile, facing V. "I'm going."
V looked at them all and then sighed. "Very well I'll start the preparations-!"
Suddenly to their shock the lights and power suddenly went out. "Huh?!" Yuma gasped.
"A blackout now of all times?" Hotaru scowled.
"Orbital use your power!" Kaito ordered.
"My own!?" Orbital yelled shocked.
"Hurry up and do it!" Kaito snapped.
"We don't have time to argue Orbital." Hotaru frowned.
"Please Orbital!" Lyra and Lizzie begged.
"A-Affirmative." Orbital nodded. Orbital grabbed plug to the machine and plugging it in himself causing him to shriek with static.
"Orbital!" Kotori gasped.
"We insured the emergency electric power source for the device." Kaito remarked.
"But what caused the blackout?" Manami questioned.
Then suddenly they all heard a crackle echo around them they all looked to see Kaninja form in front of them. "Yuma Tsukumo, Astral, Astrana, Kaito, V, Hotaru and Manami, and even the Barian Guardians… How dare you try to visit Astral World!" He smirked. "You think yours truly will let that happen, ka?"
"You're… A Barian!" Kaito scowled.
"So then this blackout is your doing, correct?" V questioned.
Kaninja cackled wickedly making Yuma and Astrana scowl. "Why that guy!" Yuma snapped.
"Looks like we have no choice." Astrana frowned.
"Hold on you two."
The two gasped upon Hotaru's arm lifted to stop them as she smirked. "Kaito get the Dimensional Teleportation Device ready we'll need time for Orbital to charge it up so until then I'll blow off some steam with this guy." She smirked.
"I won't let you have all the fun my dear." V replied, walking to her side. "For we both will protect this place."
"V… Hotaru…" Yuma spoke stunned.
Astrana looked at them then looked at her Extra Deck she, Yuma, and Astral looked at one another and nodded. "How interesting. Then as you wish, I shall defeat you two first, ka!" Kaninja smirked.
Kaninja jumped and threw a ball toward the ground making them gasp as it exploded in the light of Barian. "Mosquito Style Ninja Art! Mosquito Ring Formation of Undead Corpses!" Kaninja yelled. "Inside this field, my Life will be doubled, and your Life will be halved!"
"So a handicapped duel, huh?" Hotaru smirked, flicking her hair back.
"Fine with me." V smirked.
I… Hate the gigantic things the most!" Kaninja yelled, glowing as he transformed into his real form. "Especially you two, the Duelists who control gigantic monsters, ka!"
"So that's his real form." Kaito frowned.
"V, take this!" Yuma yelled.
V looked up surprised as Astrana threw him a card which he caught and looked. "This card is…" He began.
"Please use that!" Yuma grinned, Astral nodding in agreement.
"And work with Hotaru to beat him." Astrana smiled.
"Yuma, Astral, Astrana, I will take good care of the feelings you sent to me!" V smiled, looking at Hotaru. "I never thought we'd get the chance to duel side by side like this Hotaru."
"Just don't hold me back or you might get accidentally burned darling." Hotaru smirked with a wink.
"I'll keep that in mind." He smiled, amused giving her hand a gentle squeeze which she returned before letting go.
"Now let's start." Hotaru smirked.
"Duel Disk, set!"
"D-Gazer, set!"
"We're playing by Battle Royal rules! Are you prepared, ka?!" Kaninja yelled.
"Duel!"
"Hey Hotaur's duel disk is different." Kotori remarked surprised.
"Her D-Gazer too." Lizzie added.
Hotaru had a new duel disk which was now a vermillion bird-like model with gold trim the touch pad white and green while her D-Gazer was red-gold with blue and black trim and white lens. "She got new ones?" Yuma said surprised.
"She built them herself said she needed a new change of pace." Orbital replied.
"Change of pace…" Sirius frowned.
"My turn, draw!" V yelled. "I Special Summon Deep Sea Cruiser Nine! This monster can be Special Summoned by sending one Machine Type monster from my hand to the graveyard!"
The large cruiser monster appeared on the field as V sent Planet Pathfinder to the graveyard.
Deep Sea Cruiser Nine
Level: 9
Attribute: LIGHT
Atk Points: 900
Def Points: 900
"Then I activate the magic card, Hologram Projection!" V yelled. "By targeting one monster on the field, this card is placed on the Monster Zone with the same level, attribute, attack, and defense power! I target Deep Space Cruiser Nine and Special Summon a Hologram Projection on the field!"
Hologram Projection
Level: 9
Attribute: LIGHT
Atk Points: 900
Def Points: 900
"Now he has two level 9 monsters." Astral remarked.
"Here it comes." Astrana smiled.
"I Overlay the Level 9 Deep Space Cruiser Nine and Hologram Projection!" V yelled, the two cards becoming yellow mists before going to the Overlay Network. "I build the Overlay Network with these two monsters! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Number 9! The fate that I carry, swallow the entire galaxy and descend as a gigantic Earth! Dyson Sphere the Canopy Star!"
The large Number then appeared onto the field opening its canopy.
Number 9: Dyson Sphere the Canopy Star
Rank: 9
Attribute: LIGHT
Atk Points: 2800
Def Points: 3000
"That monster is ridiculously huge!" Kaninja yelled.
"According to the rule for a Battle Royale, each player cannot attack during their very first turn. I end my turn with that!" V finished.
"My turn, draw!" Hotaru yelled. "I Special Summon Millennium Oracle! When there's an Xyz monster on the field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!"
A female Egyptian oracle appeared on the field with black hair and brown eyes wearing soft gold robes and a veil covering the bottom part of her face wielding a staff.
Millennium Oracle
Level: 4
Attribute: LIGHT
Atk Points: 2000
Def Points: 1500
"And Oracle's effect when she's used to Tribute Summon she can count as two Tributes." Hotaru smirked. "I now tribute my Oracle!"
Her Oracle closed her eyes as she disappeared in a burst of flames to then form a scythe which Hotaru grabbed and spun in her hand. "Appear almighty bird of the eternal flame, spread your burning wings and reduce all to ashes!" She chanted, throwing the scythe in the air.
The scythe slashed the wind before disappearing as a screeched echoed across the field. "Soar, now my familiar! Millennium Blazing Phoenix!"
Phoenix flew down from above behind Hotaru as she let out a loud screech.
Millennium Blazing Phoenix
Level: 8
Attribute: FIRE
Atk Points: 2800
Def Points: 3000
"And with that I end my turn." Hotaru finished.
"So they appeared right away, the Dyson Sphere and the Blazing Phoenix." Kaninja remarked. "Here I come, ka! My turn, draw! I Normal Summon Army Mosquito Blood Force!"
The mosquito monster appeared on the monster appeared onto the field.
Army Mosquito Blood Force
Level: 2
Attribute: WIND
Atk Points: 200
Def Points: 0
"When this card is Summoned successfully, I can add a new Army Mosquito Blood Force from my deck to my hand!" Kaninja said, as he added the card to his hand. "Then I activate a Magic Card, Mosquito School Ninja Secret Art of Army Mosquito March! I can Special Summon two Army Mosquito monsters from my hand! Come out, the new Blood Forces!"
From a cloud of smoke two more Blood Force appeared on the field with the first one. "Three level 2 monsters." Hotaru frowned.
"So then he'll also." V frowned.
"I Overlay the three level 2 Army Mosquito Blood Forces!" Kaninja yelled, as the three mosquito monsters became green mist going to the Overlay Network. "I use these three monsters to build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Number 2! The shadow that passes through the silence of the night! Shadow Mosquito Ninja of Science!"
Number 2: Shadow Mosquito Ninja of Science
Rank: 2
Attribute: WIND
Atk Points: 0
Def Points: 0
"It has 0 Atk points?!" V frowned.
"But where is it?" Hotaru questioned, looking around the field.
"We can't see the guy's monster!" Yuma frowned.
"But why?" Lizzie wondered.
"My monster is right in front of you." Kaninja told them. "Let me show you that largeness doesn't equal power, KA!"
Hotaru frowned but then felt her vision began to blur making her gasp clutching her head. Why do I feel dizzy all of a sudden? She thought.
"Hotaru, what's wrong?" V asked worried.
Hotaru shook her head. "It's nothing I'm fine." She answered.
V looked at her worried still while Kaninja snickered to himself. It's almost time, ka! He thought.
"He says it's right in front of us so…" Hotaru frowned, looking forward. Her eyes sharpened and she gasped. "I see it!"
"Wait you do?" Antares spoke surprised.
"It's right there above his left shoulder!" Hotaru told them, pointing.
They all followed her gaze and gasped upon seeing the tiny Number flying above Kaninja's shoulder. "Ah! I see it!" Yuma gaped.
"It's so small." Lyra said surprised.
"Almost miniscule." Kaito frowned.
"So you finally see it? This guy's Number 2: Shadow Mosquito the Ninja of Science!" Kaninja told them. "I set one card face-down and end my turn!"
"My turn, draw!" V yelled, looking at his card before placing it in his hand. A Number with 0 Atk points… It must have a frightening effect hidden away. But you won't know the tone of the bell until you ring it!
V raised his arm. "I use Dyson Sphere to attack Shadow Mosquito!" He yelled.
Dyson Sphere launched its lasers toward Kaninja in a large explosion. "He's gonna deal big damage!" Yuma grinned.
But they all heard cackling as the smoke cleared to show Kaninja unharmed. "Naive, so naive." Kaninja mocked. "I activated Shadow Mosquito's effect just now! By using one Overlay Unit, Shadow Mosquito can make all battle damage 0 and negate a monster's destruction!"
Then Kaninja thought wickedly. But Shadow Mosquito's true terror… Heh… Has only just begun!
So it has an effect that reduces battle damage to 0? No that can't possibly be all. Just what is he planning? V thought, taking two cards from his hand. "I set two cards face-down and end my turn."
"Kaito! What's the status to the energy being installed into the machine?" Hotaru called.
"It's only at 72% right now." Kaito frowned.
"Which means you still need time before you can go off, ka?" Kaninja cackled.
"Tch my turn draw!" Hotaru yelled.
But Hotaru suddenly gasped staggering for a moment making the others gasp. "Hotaru!" V yelled.
Hotaru shook her head as she stood straight. "I'm fine." She assured him.
Is the poison I injected into her finally working, ka? Kaninja thought wickedly.
Hotaru blinked back the dizziness from her vision feeling her head pounding. Shadow Mosquito is able to negate battle damage and its own destruction by using an Overlay Unit. She thought, clutching his fist tightly. "That just means I just have to take away the Overlay Units! I attack Shadow Mosquito with Blazing Phoenix! When Phoenix battles an Xyz monster not only are the effects negated but she absorbs the Overlay Units as well sending them to the graveyard!"
But she then noticed, to her shock, Phoenix didn't move let alone attacked. "Phoenix?! What's going on?!" She questioned.
"Stupid! Your phoenix has already been poisoned!" Kaninja yelled. "A poison called a Hallucination Counter!"
"Hallucination Counter?" Hotaru questioned shocked.
"When I used Shadow Mosquito's Overlay Unit during V's turn, I didn't just negate the battle damage from the attacking monster, it also places one Hallucination Counter on a monster on the field, ka!" Kaninja explained. "And Shadow Mosquito can't be destroyed in battle by a monster with a Hallucination Counter the battle damage is negated, with the opposing player taking the same damage instead! Since this Duel is of the Battle Royal rules, I can now damage either one of you as I see fit, ka!"
"After Phoenix battled with Shadow Mosquito the damage worth is 2800!" Yuma gasped.
"Which means that if either one takes that damage." Astral frowned.
"One of them will lose!" Lyra gasped.
"Dyson Sphere is a stupidly giant jerk, and I really can't stand that! So V, you'll be taking the damage!" Kaninja yelled.
Phoenix screeched under a dark blue aura burning in flames before flying toward him. "I activate the continuous trap, Micron Force!" V yelled. "It halves the original Attack points of all face up monsters on the field!"
The trap card launched a lightning bolt hitting Phoenix thus halving her attack power.
Millennium Blazing Phoenix
Atk Points: 2800 - 1400
Phoenix flew striking V in a blaze causing him to cry out as he was sent flying.
V's LPs: 2000 - 600
"V!" Yuma gasped.
"He's only down to 600 LPs." Manami paled.
"Tch!" Kaninja snapped.
V stood back up slightly staggered Hotaru looked at him worried. "Chris are you al-!"
Hotaru gasped swaying again her vision blurred even more so. H-Huh? My head… She thought.
She raised a shaking hand for two cards from her hand. "I set two cards face-down and… I end… My turn…" She choked.
Looks like the real poison I injected Hotaru with earlier on is working well! Kaninja thought gleefully.
"Hotaru what's wrong? You have to pull yourself together!" V told her. "This duel is no ordinary duel, as you know!"
"Stop telling me something I already know!" Hotaru snapped, weakly glaring at him.
"Then you know exactly who needs to be defeated, right, ka?"
Hotaru grew wide eyed her eyes becoming dimmed upon seeing Kaninja before smirking darkly. "Ah yes I do I'll defeat you and burn you to ash!" She yelled.
"You're going to defeat me, ka?" The Kaninja asked mockingly.
"Hotaru, what are you saying?!" V questioned shocked.
"If you think you can, go ahead and try, ka!" The Kaninja cackled.
"I won't have to try to burn you to Hell you mosquito!" Hotaru snapped.
"Hotaru…" V frowned shocked.
"Hotaru what are you?!" Manami gaped shocked.
"What's Hotaru going on about?" Yuma questioned confused.
"Why is suddenly going on about beating Chris?" Kaito frowned.
Pestering successful! The poison I injected Hotaru with has the ability to cause one to see 'Scientific Ninja Art: Dreamy Hallucination Technique'! Kaninja thought. "My turn draw, ka! I summon Army Mosquito Blood Commando!"
A buff mosquito monster appeared onto the field.
Army Mosquito Blood Commando
Level: 2
Attribute: WIND
Atk Points: 300
Def Points: 0
"And when Shadow Mosquito is on my field, I can send Blood Commando to the graveyard, and I can inject one of the opponent's monster's with a Hallucination Counter!" Kaninja said, as Blood Commando went to the graveyard. "Eat this, Dyson Sphere!"
Shadow Mosquito flew to launch a missile toward Dyson Sphere hitting it in a reddish glow. "Now your monster will do as I please, ka!" Kaninja cackled. "Now a Magic card from my hand! Mosquito School Ninja Art: Mosquito Flame Emission! This card deals 600 points of damage to each player controlling a monster infected by a Hallucination Counter, ka!"
Flames erupted from the trap hitting both V and Hotaru who looked as if completely unfazed. "Trap activate, Elastic Space!" V yelled. "When I take damage from a card effect, it negates the damage, and deals the inflicted damage to the opponent's LPs! So now you take your 1200 points of damage!"
The flames moved past the two swirling before being launched toward Kaninja, Hotaru looked up her vision blurring to show V instead of Kaninja in front of her and saw the flames heading for 'V'. "No Chris! Trap activate, Wind Absorption! It takes the effect damage and negates it by decreasing a Millennium monster on my field by the same amount!" Hotaru yelled.
The flames changed direction hitting Phoenix and she screeched as her attack power decreased.
Millennium Blazing Phoenix
Atk Points: 1400 - 200
"What?!" V gasped.
"Hotaru why would you do something like that?!" Sirius yelled.
"Whew, that sure was close! I owe you one, Kaito!" Kaninja replied relieved.
"Hotaru reduced Phoenix's attack power to help the enemy?!" Yuma gaped.
"Something isn't right here." Kaito frowned.
"Indeed Hotaru isn't acting like herself." Astrana nodded.
"Right, she's definitely acting weird!" Kaninja agreed mockingly. "Thanks to the poison I injected into her long before this match began!"
"Poison!?" Antares yelled shocked.
"But you didn't even have time to inject Hotaru with the poison!" V countered.
Lyra suddenly gasped. "No! He did, injected it! Back in the aircraft!" She said.
"Looks like she got it." Kaninja cackled. "That's right when you guys first came here, the trap had already been set, ka! Thanks to a harmless little insect bite!"
"So that's what was wrong back then." Antares gasped.
"It took you to notice! Girls won't like you if you don't pay attention!" Kaninja mocked.
Phoenix was meant to be the one key needed for us to win this duel. V thought with a frown, looking at Phoenix and Hotaru before closing his eyes. But Hotaru's been poisoned and now caught in a hallucination! I have to break her out of that hallucination!
Flashback…
V was walking in a tent to check on Hotaru when he saw her sitting on the makeshift futon wrapped in many blankets looking at a card as she shivered he gave a gentle smile walking to sit behind her and held her making her gasp before looking up and smiled lightly seeing it was him. "Hello to you too." She replied amused.
"Are you alright? I know you aren't too fond of the cold." He said with a gentle look.
She sighed rubbing his hand. "It'll all be worth it once we get Darka back." She said, before shivering slightly.
He gave a small smile before noticing the card in her hand. "Flames of the Mystic?" He read.
"Hmm? Oh yeah one of the four flames Phoenix uses mythical creatures mainly use this flame and symbolizes strength and loyalty." She explained.
"Really? Then it suits you despite the color." He smiled.
"Huh?" She said surprised.
"You're loyal to your family, to your friends, for us and use your strength for us all." He smiled. "It what makes you, you."
She looked at him surprised before giving a chuckle leaning back. "Cheesy. But my flames burn fiercely only because I have you guys with you I can never stray or be tricked." She said.
End of flashback…
In order to bring Hotaru back to her senses. V thought. "My turn, draw!"
He opened his eyes raising is arm. "I use Dyson Sphere to attack Millennium Blazing Phoenix!" He yelled.
"Wait now Chris is attacking Hotaru?!" Manami yelped.
"Phoenix has only 200 attack points so if it hits Hotaru will lose." Astral frowned.
"Why would he attack though?!" Yuma questioned, as Dyson Sphere glowed.
"What's wrong, V? Did you lose your mind when you ran out of ideas, ka?" Kaninja laughed. "Will this be your end Hotaru, ka?"
Allow it to burn, Hotaru! V thought. "Allow your flames to burn for the sake of others!"
Hotaru gasped her eyes glowing green a shockwave emanating from her making the others gasp shock as blue flames sprouted from her.
Flashback…
"Yes for your flames burn strongest and shine brighter than the sun that's when you truly show your will." V smiled, holding her hand.
"And that's all you need right?" She asked amused.
"Yes that's all I need." He smiled.
End of flashback…
"That's all I need." V smiled.
The blue flames surrounded Hotaru while her energy blew her hair as Dyson Sphere launched the lasers at Phoenix destroying her in a massive explosion. "Hotaru!" Sirius, Antares, and Lyra yelled.
"Did it go through, ka?!" Kaninja demanded cackling.
The smoke soon cleared to show Hotaru still standing much to Kaninja's shock and the others' relief.
Hotaru's LPs: 2000 - 400
"What?! By why?! Why does she still have LPs left?!" Kaninja yelled.
"It's because I activated my trap Mystic Phoenix. When Blazing Phoenix is on my field and is destroyed I can send a Millennium monster from my hand to the graveyard and reduce the damage equal to the monster's attack points. I sent Millennium Scarab to the graveyard who had 1000 attack points so the damage was reduced to 1000." Hotaru explained.
"Looks like Hotaru is back to her old self." Kaito smirked.
"How… Did you break through the Hallucination?!" Kaninja yelled shocked.
"You obviously haven't done your homework about me so let me enlighten you." Hotaru replied lightly. "You see I am half Astral Being that is able to control fire including multiple types."
She gently touched the blue flames that encircled her. "These flames are known as Mystic Flames mythical creatures use these flames and are able to burn away any types of poisons these flames are within me as such they burned away the poison in my body to nothing." She explained, as the bite on her neck disappeared and her eyes returned to gray the flames disappearing.
"Impossible! It's impossible!" Kaninja yelled defiantly.
"You dare had the gull and nerve to mock me in this duel! For that you shall burn in the harshest way possible!" Hotaru snapped. "Phoenix's effect activates! When she's destroyed I can send a card from my hand to the graveyard to resurrect her! Reborn from the ashes and return to battle Millennium Blazing Phoenix!"
A storm of ash blew on the field as a tornado before burning in flames and Phoenix reappeared with a proud screech. "And since she was reborn from the graveyard that Hallucination Counter is gone as well!" Hotaru yelled. "All your traps have been burned to dust!"
"Great! Now they'll be able to counter attack!" Antares grinned.
"Phew I was worried if she didn't manage to wake up." Yuma began relieved.
"There's no way that would have happened." V replied, much to Yuma's surprise. "Hotaru is a loyal guardian that I have known for so long that I knew that there was no way that attack wouldn't have woken her up. Besides."
V smiled at Hotaru. "She's too stubborn to allow something like that to use her. Right my dear?" He replied.
"Yeah, yeah and you're a total cheeseball." Hotaru scoffed, turning her head away to hide her blush.
Astrana gave a small smile watching the two. Those two are something else their love for one another forms a mutual bond of absolute trust. She thought.
She glanced at Kaito who also watched the two clutching his hand tightly. And he knows that too and has that as well. She thought.
"I set two cards face-down and end my turn." V finished.
"My turn draw!" Hotaru yelled. "I activate the additional effect of Mystic Phoenix from my graveyard! By removing it from play I can add Flames of the Mystic from my deck to my hand."
A card slid out from her deck as she took it. "And now I activate the Magic card Flames of the Mystic!" She yelled, as blue flames erupted onto the field. "With it I can Overlay it and Phoenix to Xyz Summon a monster from my Extra Deck!"
"What?!" Kaninja yelled shocked.
"This is just like with the Flames of the Underworld." Astral remarked.
"Which means!" Yuma gaped.
"I Overlay level 8 Phoenix with the Flames of the Mystic!" Hotaru yelled. "With these two cards I build the Overlay Network!"
The blue flames shot forward at Phoenix covering her in blue flames as she screeched becoming garnet colored mist and going to the Overlay Network. "Mighty phoenix bare your form while carrying your great curse of death." Hotaru chanted.
A sword appeared in Hotaru's hand making the others gasp Sirius grew wide eyed his face pale upon seeing the sword as Hotaru stabbed it to the ground. "Return to your form in the flames of the mystic wielding the sword of your knight! Xyz Summon! Millennium Mystic Flames Phoenix!"
The ground burst with blue flames and appearing on the field was the same women with tanned skin, forest green eyes, and vermillion hair but with strands of blue flames, wearing blue and gray knight like Egyptian armor, wielding a sword coated in blue flames, gray chains coated in blue flames wrapped around her neck and wrists, and gold wings.
Millennium Mystic Flamed Phoenix
Rank: 8
Attribute: LIGHT
Atk Points: 2500
Def Points: 2000
"So this is Phoenix's true form in the flames of mystic." Astrana frowned.
"She looks like a knight." Kotori remarked softly.
Sirius shook upon seeing the monster noticing her chains which made him choke with emotion. Oh Firefly… He thought sadly.
"Now Phoenix attack Shadow Mosquito!" Hotaru yelled, as Phoenix raised her sword. "And at this moment I activate Millennium Mystic Flamed Phoenix's effect! When she battles an Xyz monster I can use one Overlay Unit and banish both monsters!"
"What?! Banish them, ka?!" Kaninja yelled shocked.
Both Phoenix and Shadow Mosquito were then enveloped in blue flames and disappeared from the field. "With this Shadow Mosquito's Overlay Units are sent to the graveyard alone with Phoenix's." Hotaru smirked. "And the monsters banished by this effect return to the field after the battle!"
Once again from blue flames both Phoenix and Shadow Mosquito reappeared from the field. "And for every Overlay Unit sent to the graveyard Phoenix gains 500 attack points!" Hotaru continued. "A total of 3 Overlay Units were sent to the graveyard which means Phoenix gains an additional 1500 attack points!"
Phoenix raised her sword as the 3 Overlay Units flew up from the field and went into her sword allowing her power to increase.
Millennium Mystic Flamed Phoenix
Atk Points: 2500 - 4000
"So with an effect similar to Galaxy Eyes by taking advantage of its own Overlay Unit she is able to increase Phoenix's attack power." Astral remarked.
"With no Overlay Units that Shadow Mosquito is just a bug waiting to get squashed!" Hotaru smirked.
"You won't! Trap, activate! Mosquito School Ninja Art: Mosquito Repellent Flash!" Kaninja yelled. "This card activates by targeting an Xyz monster with no Overlay Units! It then banishes all the Army Mosquito monsters in my graveyard and raises its attack power by 1000 for each one!"
They gasped as mosquito shaped monsters appeared from out of the graveyard to the field. "I have a total of 4 Army Mosquito monsters in my graveyard!" Kaninja told them. "Thus, its attack power raises by 4000 points, ka!"
The mosquitos swarmed Shadow Mosquito causing it to grow large in size.
Number 2: Shadow Mosquito Ninja of Science
Atk Points: 0 - 4000
"So you really were hiding another trump card." V frowned.
"Hey you! I thought you hated gigantic monsters!" Kotori scowled.
"Yeah I sure do hate them! I despise them!" Kaninja confirmed. "And thats why I'll have the two of them disappear in an instant! I activate the other effect of Mosquito Repellent Flash! It banishes the monster targeted by this effect at the end of this turn, and deals its attack power as damage to the both of you! So as soon as this turn comes to an end, you two will meet your end, ka!"
"Hmph is that what you think?"
They all looked at Hotaru shocked as her eyes flashed green a wicked smirk on her face. "Remember what I said tiny mosquito that I would burn you in the harshest way possible." She replied.
"What are you babbling about?! Mosquito Repellent Flash already activated, with that your battle phase is already over! Your destiny is to be blown away miserably, ka!"
"Hmph seems you're trapped in your own hallucination." Hotaru mocked. "But don't worry I'll be giving you a flaming wake up call! I activate the continuous spell, Eternal Magic! This card takes upon the effect of one of the opponent's Continuous spells from their graveyard! And I choose Chris's Hologram Projection in his graveyard! With this Hologram Projection chooses a monster on the field and treats it as the same monster and I choose Phoenix!"
Another copy of Phoenix then appeared on the field next to the original.
Hologram Projection
Rank: 8
Attribute: LIGHT
Atk Points: 4000
Def Points: 2000
"Now Phoenix split in two!" Lizzie gasped.
"What's the point of using Hologram Projection to create a cheap imitation in the end! It can't be used for an attack and when it's targeted by an attack or a card effect, it's automatically destroyed, ka!" Kaninja yelled.
"That is exactly right." Hotaru smirked.
"Which is why we'll be using this!" V replied. "Trap, activate! Power Analyze! With this card, the attack of one Machine type monster on the field becomes equal to the attack power of one monster on the field! I make Dyson Sphere's attack power equal to Phoenix!"
Number 9: Dyson Sphere the Canopy Star
Atk Points: 2800 - 4000
"I then activate a trap! Paradox Synthesize!" V continued. "This card sends one Xyz monster I control and one level 5 or higher monster my opponent controls to the graveyard and gives their total attack points to one monster on the field!"
"You can't!" Kaninja yelled.
"I release Dyson Sphere and Hologram Projection!" V yelled. "This adds their total 8000 attack power to Phoenix!"
Both monsters disappeared in gold light that went to Phoenix allowing her flames to burn brighter and grow in size to make it look as if she had four large wings of blue fire as she wielded her sword.
Millennium Mystic Flamed Phoenix
Atk Points: 4000 - 12000
"She's actually got 12000 attack points?!" Kaninja yelled shocked. "Those flames are huge! B-But your battle phase already ended! Even if you raise her attack power, it's no use, ka!"
"Are you positive?" V smirked.
"What?!" Kaninja gasped.
"I activate the Magic Card Battle of the Millennium!" Hotaru yelled. "During the turn one of my Millennium monsters battled and didn't destroy the opponent's monster this card allows them to attack once more!"
"Wh-What did you say, ka?!" Kaninja yelled shocked, backing away.
"The burning pit of hell awaits you! Take the full force of this cursed blade!" Hotaru yelled. "Millennium Mystic Flamed Phoenix attack Shadow Mosquito! Cursed Flame Slash!"
Phoenix flew raising her sword to stab Shadow Mosquito in a massive explosion of blue flames which covered Kaninja causing him to scream as he was sent flying. "So this is how it ends, ka?!" He yelled, before disappearing.
Kaninja's LPs: 8000 - 0
Shadow Mosquito's card flew to Hotaru as she caught it to look at it. "They won!" Kotori, Lizzie, and Lyra cheered.
"Phew had us worried." Antares sighed relieved.
"You guys did it!" Yuma grinned.
"Nicely done." Astral nodded.
Hotaru sighed removing her D-Gazer looking up. "That was good planning on your part Chris you really had"-!
Hotaru yelped surprised to be suddenly hugged by V. "O-Oi Chris." She began.
But she was immediately silenced by V's kiss making her squeak her face flushed Yuma and Antares gaped surprised, Manami, Lizzie, Lyra, and Kotori covered their mouths surprised flushed, Astral and Astrana blinked surprised, and Kaito and Sirius quickly looked away embarrassed by the scene as V moved back Hotaru blinking up at him. "H-Huh here I thought I'd have to make the first move with that." She replied, her face still flushed.
"Is it wrong for me to be relieved you're alright? Although I knew you would wake up I was still worried." V admitted, kissing her temple.
"I'm not saying it's wrong!" Hotaru whined, blushing red. "Geez you're so cheesy!"
"Yet she loves him anyway." Manami grinned, making Lyra giggle.
"They're both hopeless." Kaito sighed.
"Like you're not like that with Darka." Yuma teased.
"You actually noticed?" Astrana asked surprised.
"It shows how far he's come." Astral spoke proudly.
"Hey wait a second!" Yuma yelled.
Kaito only sighed at them before glancing at the screen and smirked. "Chris, Hotaru! The energy installation is finally at 100%!" He called.
"That means!" Kotori gasped.
"Yes you all can now go to Astral World." V nodded.
They all nodded as Yuma, Astral, Astrana, Manami, Kaito, and Hotaru stepped into the machine Hotaru handing Kaito, Shadow Mosquito as they did. "Here you take it one Number is enough for me." She told him.
He looked at her and nodded taking the Number as V typed on the control panel for the group to be in a yellow sphere as it began to glow brightly the ground shaking. "Your journey begins here." V spoke.
"Go all of you and bring back Darka at all costs!" Sirius yelled.
"Don't need to tell us that." Kaito smirked.
"And come back alive you hear!" Antares added.
"Yeah!" Yuma grinned.
"You better come back!" Lizzie smiled.
They all nodded being enveloped in a blue light to shoot up in the sky to between dimensions the group flying in their colored mists. "We will bring back Darka, that's a promise!" Astrana spoke.
"Yeah we'll give it all of our Kattobingu!" Yuma yelled.
Aurasoul: And there man it really shouldn't have taken me this long to do this.
Astrana: You had work and school you can't really help it.
Aurasoul: Yeah I know so next time the group will be heading to Astral World while Shark learns who he really is so until then read and review!