Femme Fatale Flannigan

by Primal WolfBlood

It's the new turn at Duel Academy, and Blair is excited to officially enrol. But when rivalry leads to her being abandoned by nearly everyone she thought was a friend, her loneliness lends an opportunity to the malevolent Yubel.

3. Altar of the Devil

Femme Fatale Flannigan

Episode 3: Altar of the Devil

After the duel earlier, Blair was sat in the hideout, still crying. 'I'm not evil, why can't anybody see? I just want to be seen, I want someone to notice me. Even for a moment.' The spirit of Yubel then gently sat down next to her. 'Wipe your tears, I will always be here for you. Even if THEY refuse to be, I will. I'll never leave. We'll be together forever.'

At that exact moment, the Devil Arm adorning Blair's arm glowed blindingly, and the red skin started growing all the way up her arm and her neck. She stood up, and grinned, with she and Yubel having been bound together, her eyes now as dead as her sanity. 'We'll be together forever.'

Far away

Jaden and co were still desperately looking for any clues. 'It feels like we've been walking for hours.' 'That's because it probably has been hours Jaden. I told you we took a wrong turn when we wandered into the middle of the Sahara. Why did she have to take Jesse?'

'Because she wanted to split us up. Divide and conquer.' 'So we can be picked off one by one.' 'Correction – so everyone else can be picked off one by one. Because then she thinks you'll give her exactly what she wants.' 'Even though I wouldn't do that.' 'If I don't believe you, what chance is there of Yubel believing you?'

'With respect Zane, I don't care about being believed. All I care about is making up for what I've done.' 'You're going to have to be believed at sometime. We have no guarantee that simply defeating Yubel will do the job.' 'Why not – it always has before.' 'We've not dealt with a threat like this before.'

'Other than Sartorius.' 'That was a completely different threat. This one is personal.' 'They all say that' Jaden was then cut off by Zane, who had grown tired of his nonchalance. 'Listen to yourself. You want to help but you're not taking this seriously. Grow up.'

Suddenly, Atticus noticed something. 'Guys, there's some faint footprints. I can't tell whether they belong to Blair or Jesse or someone else though.' 'I'd say there's a decent chance it's one of them. I suggest we follow them. Unless anybody has any better suggestions.' In lieu of better suggestions, they followed the trail.

Further into the desert

Jesse was wandering the desert alone, equally as lost as his comrades. 'Gee, I wonder where everyone got to. I don't even remember how I got here, I remember being with J near the academy, and then, nothing.' He then started feeling the heat. 'I wonder if there's an oasis near here either. I'm absolutely parched.'

Soon enough, he reached an empty patch of water. But a hallucination made him believe it was full of cool, refreshing water. As he wandered over desperately to it however, it started to vanish in front of him. He lunged at it, grasping at the rapidly vanishing water, only to get a face full of sand.

As he spat the sand out, he looked around. 'Gee, this place is totally empty. Wonder if J's looking for me. What am I saying – of course he's looking for me.' Jesse stood up, and then continued trecking through the desert, mile after mile, hour after hour.

Eventually he was exhausted, parched, and giving up hope, as he slumped to his knees. 'I don't know how much longer I can do this for.' The spirit of Ruby Carbuncle then hopped onto his shoulder and nuzzled him. 'I appreciate the spirit Ruby, but I don't think either of us are getting out of here.'

A figure then loomed large over him. As he looked up, Blair was stood above him, having been completely consumed by Yubel. 'Jesse, it's me – Blair.' 'You're not Blair, I remember that much. You're being manipulated.' 'I'm not, I was saved. Wandering the desert for so many hours Jesse, you must be feeling so empty, so upset, so… alone.'

This finally struck a chord. 'I guess I was expecting Jaden to come and find me before now.' 'Jaden's not coming. He didn't come for me and he isn't coming for you.' Annoyed at the accusation, the usually placid Jesse struck back with venom. 'You know that isn't true! He'll be here.'

'Why would I lie to you? I only have your best interests at heart.' 'You do?' 'Of course.' As the knife was twisted, Blair's voice wavered due to Yubel's presence. 'Only I can help you get out of here. I am your only friend now. If you seek salvation, then kneel at my altar.'

Feeling he had no other choice, a hopeless Jesse knelt. 'Save me.' She responded by pressing her clawed hand over his face, and he screamed as a dark light engulfed him. As she released the pressure, his eyes were dead and soulless, and he grinned. 'Two for the price of one. Now let's go and pay Jaden a little visit shall we?'

Meanwhile Jaden had seen the light. 'That must have something to do with Yubel.' Jaden went to rush in, but Zane pulled him back sharply. 'If you go in alone we'll likely end up separated. And that's the last thing that we need. We have to act as a team.'

Before they could move anywhere though, a familiar yet warped voice cascaded from nearby. 'Well well well, if it isn't everyone's best friend. Always there no mater who needs him. Would never abandon anybody. Not even in the middle of the desert.'

As he emerged from a sandstorm, Jaden reacted with horror, more than he ever had before. And certainly more than during the reveal of Yubel's other puppet. 'Jesse, what's happened to you?' His eyes glistened gold, and he laughed. 'Me and Yubel have come to… an agreement. I gave her my soul, and in return, she gave me the power to destroy you!'

'But why would you want to do that? I've been looking for you Jesse.' He just laughed the idea off. 'Stop it Jaden, I've heard it all before. Face the facts – you left me for dead out here!' 'Is that what you want then – you want me to feel like you did?'

'No Jaden.' A mad grin then came across the face of the possessed. 'I can do much worse than that to you! Why just destroy you when I can make you feel the pain of your entire fan club being obliterated in front of your very eyes? So come on – who wants to be first to feel the pain?'

The brave volunteer on this occasion was Hassleberry, who immediately stepped forward. 'Now I don't know what your issue with the Sarge really is, and honestly I haven't got time to listen to you whinge about him not being there for you, because you know as well as I do that it's a pack of lies pure and simple.'

The controlled Jesse simply chuckled to himself, before giving a piercing look to Jaden. 'I accept your challenge. But I must warn you, it's going to be a very painful lesson.' 'Don't take me for granted soldier, I'm wiser than you think.' 'Oh I wouldn't worry about that. You're little more than a warm-up for me.'

Tyranno Hassleberry LP:4000 vs. Jesse Anderson LP:4000

Turn 1: Jesse: 'Since you challenged me, it's only right that I go first, I'm sure you'd agree.' 'It's your choice soldier.' 'You're funny. Beating you will be funnier still. I draw. I'll set three cards and end my turn.'

Hassleberry: 'You intend to pull rank? Well I'll stomp all over your behind. I draw. Gilasaurus, you're up soldier (Atk:1400). But I'm going to give him a promotion with a Big Evolution Pill. That allows me to dismiss him for Dark Driceratops (Atk:2400). Soldier, quick march!'

'That's not going to work at all. I activate a Wall of Revealing Light. I'll pay 3000 Life points so that you can't attack with anything which has less than 3000 Attack. I'm sure you can see what that includes.' 'Man, I thought I had you there. I end my turn.'

Jesse: 'I draw. And this will be your last turn ever. I activate Needlebug Nest. But why stick at one, when I can activate a second? This sends 10 cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard. Now I'll banish 7 Dark monsters from my graveyard in order to summon my Rainbow Dark Dragon (Atk:4000).'

As the corrupted Dragon hit the field, Hassleberry noticed something disturbing. 'Uh Jesse, it kind of looks like your monster's in pain - it doesn't look too hot.' 'It's more than fine. You on the other hand, are not. Not after I trigger Megamorph.' As the Dragon glowed black, his opponent could only look up in terror (Atk:4000-8000).

'Sam hill – it looks like I'm a goner.' He then looked back at Jaden. 'I'm sorry sarge, looks like this is my last battle. Dark Driceratops, let's give the enemy everything we've got!' 'You heard him. Dark Rainbow Refraction!' The dinosaur rampaged across the land, before leaping straight at the throat of Rainbow Dark Dragon, only to be eviscerated in mid-air, and the attack sucked out all the life from Hassleberry (Hassleberry LP:4000-0).

As the duel ended, Hassleberry wasn't moving a muscle. Meanwhile, Jesse just laughed. 'That was a nice warm-up. So who's next?' Jaden then stood up to him. 'Enough is enough! This has gone far enough. Just duel me.' Before he could however, a figure arrived on a black glider.

'Aster?' Aster looked back and smiled at them. 'How's it going?' He then saw Jesse. 'I'm going to hazard a guess that you're not getting on too well right now.' Jesse responded by exercising his sarcasm. 'Why, what gives you that idea?' 'Oh you know, the creepy look, the vacant gold eyes, the getup that makes you look like a'

Mercifully, Zane interrupted him. 'Aster, you've been in the air.' 'Well yeah, it's what my glider's supposed to do. I can't get these shoes dirty now, it would ruin my public image.' The cyber duellist momentarily rolled his eyes, before reaching his point.

'Have you seen Blair while you were up there?' 'Blair? Which one's that?' 'Short, purple hair, possibly crying, possibly looking like a murderous psychopath.' 'I mean, everyone looks like that to me.' 'Don't tell me you've gone colour-blind now. I always knew you had no taste in fashion, but'

'You're one to talk. But I actually meant the murderous psycho bit. What were the other details?' 'Purple hair.' 'Yep.' 'Short.' 'Yep.' 'Belt not quite straight.' It was the last clue that seemed to ring a bell. 'I think I've seen her.' 'Now we're getting somewhere. Any idea where?'

'Not too far from here. She was headed towards some old gates it looked like.' 'Thanks Aster.' 'She was headed West if that helps.' After this, Mr. Phoenix squared up to Jesse. 'So Jesse Anderson.' 'That's my name, don't wear it out.' Aster laughed at his bullishness.

'I've heard a lot about you. Like how you were chosen to wield the legendary Crystal Beasts, how you're one of the best duellists in the academy having just arrived, and how you can see duel spirits just like my friend Jaden here.' 'Yeah, something like that.'

Aster nodded. 'Did Jaden ever get chance to mention that I beat him?' 'Erm Aster, I hate to burst your bubble, but I beat you twice. Once with a new deck actually.' 'IT DOESN'T MATTER! Point is, if I can beat Jaden, then I'm sure I'll have quite enough to deal with you. So what do you say – duel me? Or are you scared of losing?'

Jesse responded by reshuffling his deck. 'I'm scared of nobody. Least of all a prima-donna like you.' 'I'm glad to hear it. You guys get going, I'll deal with him.' Jaden just nodded at him knowingly, understanding full well the danger Aster was putting himself in purely for the sake of assisting their cause. 'Understood.' As they ran off, Jesse watched on.

'Hey, keep focused on me, not them. I'm your opponent and I'll be quite enough for one day.' 'You think?' 'I don't think, I know. You ready then?' 'I'm more than ready to take another young life to a sweet halt.' 'It's funny, you're not the first person who's tried to do that to me. And if I could defeat The D, I can easily take care of you.' Aster then activated his duel disk. 'Let's duel!'

Jesse Anderson LP:4000 vs. Aster Phoenix LP:4000

Turn 1: Jesse: 'Since you made the challenge, I'll take first go. I'll set three cards, and end my turn.'

Aster: 'Your tricks might have worked against a moron like Hassleberry, but now you're against the real deal. I draw.' 'I activate Threatening Roar. So you won't be able to attack this turn even if you want to. I'll also activate two copies of Needlebug Nest, to mill 10 cards from the top of my deck.'

'Your tricks aren't going to work against me. I think I'll change the scenery a little – with my Clock Tower Prison.' Imposing, walled grounds swept onto the field, with two clock faces overlooking the duellists. 'Next since I can't attack, I'll summon Destiny Hero – Dunker (Atk:1200).'

'And by discarding Destiny Hero – Dreamer, your Life points are about to take a 500 point dunking.' The hero from Aster's hand turned into a bright orange light, which Dunker launched at Jesse, who laughed the damage off, his mind being twisted by the influence (Jesse LP:4000-3500).

'Try again, it might leave a mark this time.' 'I had no idea you were so desperate to be hurt Jesse. If I'd known, I would have made sure to wait before landing. Oh well, I suppose I can just smash you with Dunker again. I'll discard Destiny Hero – Dynatag and Destiny Hero – Malicious to deal you 1000 more damage. Enjoy the hurt.'

Two more lobs from Dunker were enough to annoy Jesse, who growled madly (Jesse LP:3500-2500). 'Congratulations, you finally left a mark. I'll be sure to remember this after I've dismantled you.' 'Before you make plans, I'd advise not looking past me. I end my turn.'

Jesse: 'I draw.' 'Not so fast. First, we need a time check.' As he stated that, the two clock towers awoke, and the hands turned straight to 3 o'clock. 'Very nice. But I think that I'll change the scene on my side, by activating the Field spell Advanced Dark.' While the walls remained, the scene darkened further as a purple ring surrounded the prison. A dark fog then rolled in above them, as the ominous feeling in the air escalated.

'Next I'll summon Advanced Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger (Atk:1600). And then I'll activate Ghost Crystal. This brings back one Crystal Beast from my graveyard, but strips it of all it's Attack points. Then you take 200 damage for every Level star it has. So how about Advanced Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat (Atk:1200-0).'

As the cat emerged, being choked in darkness, a miasma surged from her body due to the effect of Ghost Crystal, sucker-punching the Phoenix (Aster LP:4000-3400). 'Why stop there though, when I can also have Topaz Tiger attack your Dunker. Topaz Incisor Shred!' Topaz leapt into action, and ripped Dunker apart with sharp fangs, before scratching Aster for good measure (Aster LP:3400-2600).

As Aster winced in pain, all the possessed Jesse could do was smile. 'I hope you didn't have any plans for tomorrow Aster.' 'Oh yeah? And whys that?' Jesse closed his eyes, and laughed sadistically. 'Because you won't be seeing tomorrow!'

Elsewhere

Yubel was far ahead of Jaden and Zane by now, and reached the old gates that were her destination. She took a moment to take breath in her human shell, and then suddenly felt some resistance internally from Blair.

'What are you doing?' 'Stop this now, please. I wanted to get Jaden's attention, I didn't sign up to be a weapon.' 'You knew the consequences.' 'I didn't. This was all your idea, you're the one who took control. It's all just chaos and destruction and crying and I don't want it! Do what you like, but not in my name. So either stop or just let me go.'

Yubel was furious hearing about this. 'Never! I need this body! And besides, don't pretend you'll be thanked for resisting. I'm your only friend, remember?' 'But not like this! If you need to prove your point, then you don't have to hurt people, and you don't have to run away!'

Immediately, Yubel saw what she had to say. 'You're right little one. I shouldn't be running away. I should handle the issue face-to-face.' The devil arm glowed again, and Blair screamed in agony, as Yubel fully integrated herself into her new body. 'Now that nuisance is out of the way, I can get down to work. Starting with Jaden's little friends.'

Further down the mountain

Aster: 'I draw. I'll activate a favourite of mine – Destiny Draw. By discarding Destiny Hero – Departed, I can draw two new cards. Next I'll activate D-Spirit, which enables me to summon Destiny Hero – Celestial (Atk:1600). And I'll summon Destiny Hero – Diamond Dude (Atk:1400).'

'Now Diamond Dude has a neat trick. He can flip the top card of my deck, and if it's a Spell card, then I send it to my graveyard. Not to worry though, I can activate it next turn, bypassing any little conditions.' He flipped the top card, and smirked. 'The Beginning of the End. How apt. I'll save that for next turn then.'

'For now, I'll attack your Topaz Tiger with Destiny Hero – Celestial. Celestial Rising Slice.' Celestial charged in, but at the last moment, as Jesse smirked, Aster revealed his plan. 'I'll summon Destiny Hero – Dreamer from my graveyard, to protect Celestial (Atk:0). Also, I take no damage this battle.' He then heard Jesse laughing.

'Hey, what's so funny?' 'You're so convinced that you're going to beat me aren't you? It isn't going to happen. When Topaz is destroyed, he sits in my Spell and Trap card zone.' 'I know. It's not that I was after though – it's your Field spell. When Celestial battles, it can destroy Advanced Dark.'

'Yes, a nice try. But I activate Dark Sacrifice. All I have to do is send a Level 3 or lower Dark monster from my deck to the grave and I can negate your effect. One like Advanced Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle.' Celestial raised into the air, almost angelic in appearance, and shone, but Ruby's dark light from her tail neutered the effect.

'Diamond Dude still has his attack though. Attack his cat.' 'I end my turn with a face-down.'

Jesse: 'I draw.' 'Be careful – time waits for no man.' The clock hands then turned to 6. 'I activate Dark Hole, to destroy all monsters on the field.' 'I activate my face-down Magic Drain. This will stop the pull of your Dark Hole. Of course, you could negate it, if you have a Spell in your hand.' Jesse scowled listening to all of this. 'I'll take that to mean you don't have anything then.'

'Very funny. I summon Advanced Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus (Atk:1800). And with that, I can take Advanced Amber Mammoth, and place it in my Spell and Trap zone. Then I'll activate the Spell card Rare Value. By dismissing the Topaz Tiger in my back-row, I can draw two cards.'

'Sapphire Pegasus, attack his Celestial with Sapphire Dark Horn.' The corrupted pegasus rode in, and speared its horn straight through Celestial, causing Aster severe pain (Aster LP:2600-2400). 'I end my turn with a face-down.' Jesse then laughed again, but was irritated by Aster getting straight back up.

Aster: 'You can't keep a good guy down these days. I draw. During my Main Phase, I get the effect of the Beginning of the End that I flipped last turn, to draw three cards. And would you look at that – I just drew a Pot of Greed. So I'll take another two cards. Then I'll set two and activate Card Advance. This lets me look at the top 5 cards of my deck, and then put them back in any order.'

'After which, I'll use the effect of my Diamond Dude. I would like to build up tension, but even you know that I've just seen the top card of my deck. It's another Beginning of the End. So I'll save that for next turn, and then pass back to you.'

Jesse: 'I draw.' 'During your Standby phase, I'll activate Eternal Dread. This places two more counters on the Clock Tower Prison. Doesn't time fly when you're having fun?' As the clock hands hit 12, they started to sway, as if dipping in and out of the dimension. 'So don't even think you're going to do any more battle damage to me.'

'Fine, I'll just have to push through you. For now I'll set a monster, then set a card in my back-row and end my turn.'

Aster: 'I draw. I activate the effect of Beginning of the End again, to draw three cards. And now it's time to deliver some justice! I'll tribute my three monsters to summon Destiny Hero – Plasma (Atk:1900).' Jesse seemed more annoyed at this than anything, going as far as to state 'Are you trying to insult me?'

'You think Plasma is insulting? The ultimate Destiny Hero? The last card my father created?' Jesse then stung Aster with a nasty barb. 'Well your father.. was a loser!' Aster finally snapped listening to this, and let the darkness start to consume his heart. Enraged, he was no longer duelling logically. Instead, he was purely focused on revenge.

'You're going to regret saying that! Plasma, absorb his Pegasus.' Plasma shot out tendrils, which pulled the winged horse in, before it's head bulged slightly out of one of Plasma's wings (Atk:1900-2800). 'Plasma, attack his Life points directly with Vengeful Rain.'

'I'll activate my face-down Crystal Guard. By discarding one card, I can force a Crystal Beast from my deck to take the hit. I summon Advanced Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle (Atk:1400).' With no Crystal Beasts left to dismiss, Jesse had to take the brunt of the attack from the ultimate Destiny Hero (Jesse LP:2400-1000).

'Since it was destroyed, Cobalt Eagle crystallises in my Spell and Trap zone.' 'Like I care. I'll use Diamond Dude's effect once again, to flip the top card of my deck. It's another Spell – D-Soul Burst. Which means you have one turn left, because next turn, we're both taking half of Plasma's Attack as damage. I end my turn.'

Jesse: 'Who said I'm giving you a next turn? I draw. I'm going to make you feel all of this – all the pain, all the suffering, it's all for you. I'll banish seven Advanced Crystal Beasts from my graveyard to summon my Rainbow Dark Dragon (Atk:4000).'

As the corrupted Dragon flew around the field, Aster still looked confident. 'I'll beat it no sweat. In fact, I might not even have to.' 'Ah yes, your Prison. Well I can deal with that. I activate Crystal Raigeki. By destroying the Cobalt Eagle in my Spell and Trap zone, I can destroy your Clock Tower Prison.'

As the lightning struck, shattering the illusion of the prison, Aster laughed. 'Big mistake. When the prison is destroyed, the monster held captive in it can come out and play. Appear, Destiny Hero Dreadmaster (Atk:?). When Dreadmaster is summoned, he brings out Destiny Hero – Celestial from my graveyard (Atk:1600). Then Dreadmaster gains the Original Attack of all the Destiny Heroes on my field (Atk:?-4700).'

'I'll just summon Advanced Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle then (Atk:300). And when she's summoned, she wakes up the Cobalt Eagle in my Spell and Trap zone (Atk:1400). Now by banishing all the other Dark monsters from my field and graveyard, Rainbow Dark Dragon gains 500 Attack for each monster banished. I just banished a total of 9 monsters (Atk:4000-8500).'

Seeing the numbers fly up, Aster realised his fate. 'It can't be… now I can't survive with Damage Diet.' 'It's funny, because I could have sworn you said you were going to beat me. Oh well, I'm sure that someone will have mercy in the great beyond. It's just a shame you're not there yet. So how about I give you a first-class ticket? Attack Destiny Hero Plasma with Dark Rainbow Refraction!' The almighty dragon tore the mighty Plasma apart with a massive attack, and Aster screamed in agony, before going totally pale and falling face-first to the ground, without so much as a single muscle spasm (Aster LP:2400-0).

With Aster having been laid waste to, Jesse just stared at his corpse-like state, before bending down to him and whispering down his ear. 'You know, if you hadn't been so mean to me before, I could have helped you. I could have saved you. Oh well, live and learn… or just learn in your case.' He then walked off, leaving Aster lay there.

END OF EPISODE 3