Vile: Chapter 6 has made it, the Duel continues, and a new Number premiers here!
Yuma: What is it?
Vile: Just read it, Yuma! Quite a bit of the chapter involves it. Hopefully you guys and my viewers will be pleased!
Kotori: I know I will... *blushes*
Vile: Yeah. Disclaimer's on the first page for those who wanna see it. Otherwise, on with the fic!
39 & 13 means Love
Chapter 6
Yuma and Kotori were in a tough spot. They were staring down a 2800 Attack Point monster on Ariel's field with only a 2500 Attack Point Dragon and a 1900 Attack Point Winged Beast. Yuma grimaced. 'Oh man… My facedown can't help us here since we each only have one monster…'
"I activate Evigishki Soul Orge's special ability!" Ariel declared. "By sending a Gishki monster in my hand to the Graveyard, I can return one card my opponent controls to the Deck! So I send Gishki Chain to send Leviath Dragon back home to the Extra Deck!" Soul Ogre's mirror glowed before sending out a blue beam that struck Leviathan Dragon. The dragon roared in pain before curling back up into its sealed form and vanishing, its last Overlay Unit exploding.
"Leviath Dragon!" Yuma cried.
"Now I activate Call of the Haunted to bring Gishki Chain back to the field!" Ariel's new monster was a green serpent-like monster with fins on its head and arms, and a chain with a blade attached to the end.
Gishki Chain: Lv.4 WATER Sea Serpent ATK:1800/DEF:1000
"And I haven't Normal Summoned yet, I'm bringing out this! Gishki Shellfish, Shoukan!" This one appeared humanoid, but it has a seashell with a creepy face for a head, and carried two swords in its hands.
Gishki Shellfish: Lv.4 WATER Aqua ATK:1700/DEF:900
"Sorry Kotori, but I'm afraid you're done for." Ariel said, making Kotori flinch. "Magic Card, activate! Pounding Rain! Until the end of this turn, one monster on the field loses 300 Attack Points for every WATER monster on the field! I have three and Shark has one, so Twister Quail loses 1200 big ones!" From above the massive bird, a storm cloud formed and began swamping it with heavy rain, sending to the ground.
Twister Quail ATK:700
"Oh, no!" Kotori cried.
"Kotori!" Yuma exclaimed.
"Again, sorry, but it's game time! Gishki Chain, attack Twister Quail!" The green monster whipped its chain around furiously before lashing it towards the bird, piercing it and making it caw out in pain before it exploded, but its Overlay Unit will still there.
Kotori LP:2600
"Spring Bird's effect activates! One time only, I can bring it back to the field if it ever goes to the Graveyard!" The Overlay Unit reformed into the brown bird, bouncing with its wings crossed.
Spring Bird: Lv.3 EARTH Winged Beast ATK:600/DEF:400
Yuma noticed that Kotori had another monster. 'That's her second monster… *gasps* That's it!'
"Keep Summoning birds, Kotori. I'll keep clipping their wings! Shellfish, take out Spring Bird!" The humanoid monster tossed its swords around like a juggler before slicing the bird in an X pattern, destroying it. "Now… or the finishing touch! Evigishki Soul Ogre, attack Kotori directly!" The massive beast gathered energy in its mouth for an attack.
Kotori was scared. "Oh, no… I'm out of cards…" She whimpered. 'I let Yuma down…' She looked at Yuma, and was surprised to see him grinning. "Yuma?"
"What's so funny, Yuma?" Shark asked.
Yuma continued to grin. "Trap Card, activate!" His facedown flipped up. "Beacon of Hope!"
"A new card?" Kotori wondered.
"Yep! Since two monsters controlled by one person were destroyed by battle during the same turn, like Kotori's Twister Quail and Spring Bird, I can activate this card and use monsters from my hand and Graveyard to bring out you-know-who!"
"Nice!" Ryoga remarked.
"Didn't see that coming!" Ariel chipped in.
"Yuma…" Kotori breathed, blushing slightly.
Yuma looked at her and winked. "Now, with Beacon of Hope's effect, I take Gagaga Magician from my Graveyard and Gogogo Golem from my hand and Overlay them!" Both monsters appeared on the field, then Golem turned full orange while Magician turned fully purple again. The two monsters spiraled around each other as another galaxy portal formed in front of Yuma, which both monsters entered. "With these two monsters, I construct the Overlay Network! Xyz Shoukan! Arawareyo, Nanbazu Sanjuukyuu! Kibou Ou Hope! (Come forth, Number 39! Aspiring Emperor Hope!)"
The number "39" formed and flashed in red, and Hope's sealed form arose from another dark cloud. The gold and silver wings folded out and extended while the main body formed. Hope brandished his sword before docking it, and let out a cry of "HOPE!", its yellow Overlay Units circling it.
Number 39: Aspiring Emperor Hope: Lv.4 LIGHT Warrior/Xyz ATK:2500/DEF:2000 2 Overlay Units
"Now I activate Hope's effect! By using an Overlay Unit, Hope can negate any attack!" Hope absorbed one of its Overlay Units through its chest. "Hope, protect Kotori from Evigishki Soul Orge! Moon Barrier!" Hope quickly dashed in front of Kotori and whipped out a golden chain that layered upon itself, creating a shield that stopped the Evigishki's water jet attack. After the attack subsided, Hope retracted the chain and returned to Yuma's field.
Number 39: Aspiring Emperor Hope: 1 Overlay Unit
"Arigatou, Yuma!" Kotori called to him. Yuma gave a thumbs-up.
"Not bad, Yuma." Ariel remarked. "I'm good for now. Turn end."
"My turn. Draw!" Kotori said as she drew. She was still nervous. There wasn't much she could do against Evigishki Soul Ogre with 2800 Attack Points. One of her cards only increased Attack Points by 600, and it was only temporary. 'What can I do…?'
"Kotori…" A passive voice called to her.
"Huh…? Who's there…?" She asked quietly.
"Down here…" The voice said. Kotori followed the voice to her Extra Deck holder, and noticed that one of her cards was glowing. She grabbed it, only to find it was blank.
"Was that you?" Kotori asked.
"Yes… I felt your desire… I'm here to help you…" The voice said.
Yuma saw her staring at the card. "Uh… Kotori?" He asked her.
Kotori barely even heard him. "What are you…?"
"Before I answer you, answer me this, Kotori: what do you desire most…?"
The green-haired girl thought this was a familiar concept. "Wait… are you a-"
"Please, Kotori… answer me. What do you desire most…?"
"I… I…" The girl blushed. She really didn't want to say it in front of Yuma, Shark, or Ariel.
"You don't have to say it for everyone to hear…" The voice from the card cooed. "Just tell me…"
Kotori hesitated, then held the card close to her face and whispered to it. "…I love Yuma. I always want to be with him and never want to leave him. I want to help him through whatever I can."
A small giggle was heard from the voice. "That's it, Kotori… I'm proud of you…"
Yuma was still staring at her. "What is she doing with that card?"
"Yuma!" Astral warned.
"What, Astral?"
"I sensed something odd from her before… now I know what it is." He said. "…Numbers."
"N-Numbers? Kotori?" Yuma was dumbfounded.
"Yes, but something does not seem right. This one seems… benign. I sense no malicious intent at all."
Kotori still was not paying attention. "So you… you're a… Number?"
Another giggle was heard. "Yes, I am… The Number created from your desire." The blank appearance of the card slowly began to dissipate, revealing the card beneath: an Xyz Monster. Kotori gazed at the monster in the frame. It was female, but it resembled Number 39: Aspiring Emperor Hope… which Yuma had. The name was written in an odd language, but it slowly morphed into readable words. As it did, the card spoke again. "I am… Number 13: Devoted Empress Love."
"Devoted… Empress… Love…" Kotori said quietly.
"Now Kotori… let's help Yuma and Hope… and win this Duel." Number 13 told her.
Kotori smiled and nodded. "Mm-hmm!" Then she went back to the Duel. Looking at her hand, she had just the cards she needed. "Peridot Robin in Attack Mode, Shoukan!" This monster was a yellow bird, but the top of its head was made of a green jewel.
Peridot Robin: Lv.4 LIGHT Winged Beast ATK:1600/DEF:700
"Next, Magic Card, activate! Swallow's Nest! By releasing a Winged Beast-Type monster I control, I can Summon another one with the same Level from my Deck!" Peridot Robin's body became energy, which absorbed itself into the jewel that made up part of its head. "Now, Sacred Crane in Attack Mode, Special Shoukan!" This monster was a large white bird with a black head and neck, as well as a long red ponytail.
Sacred Crane: Lv.4 LIGHT Winged Beast ATK:1600/DEF:400
"When Sacred Crane is Special Summoned, I can draw one card." Kotori said as she drew. "Now Peridot Robin's effect activates. If it ever goes to the Graveyard by the effect of a Magic Card, I can Special Summon it!" Robin's body reformed from the green jewel. "Yes… it's ready!"
"Two Level 4 monsters?" Shark wondered.
"Here it comes!" Yuma said.
"I Overlay Peridot Robin and Sacred Crane!" Robin and Crane became fully green and yellow, respectively, before shooting up and spiraling around each other. A galaxy portal formed in front of her as the two monsters flew in.
"This portal!" Shark exclaimed. "No way!"
"With these two monsters, I construct the Overlay Network! Xyz Shoukan!" A determined look overtook her face. "Arawareyo, Nanbazu Juusan! Suki Joou Love! (Come forth, Number 13! Devoted Empress Love!)"
The number "13" formed and flashed in blue, and within a dark area, a shining object rose. It was shaped similar to that of a magician's staff, but the construction of it resembled Aspiring Emperor Hope: it was colored dark silver with light amethyst colored accents to it. An odd instrument similar to Hope's wings covered it, but a metallic white sheet coiled around it. Then, the instrument folded out to become a cape-like object. The white sheet uncoiled itself, but remained attached as the object began to change shape. Compartments changed and shifted around it. The middle area of the form shifted into a female-fitting cloak-like design with an open area on the chest, the cape attaching to the back. Individual pieces broke off and changed to look like boots, knee attachments, arm gauntlets, and elbow attachments. The shape with the white sheet attached to it formed with a shape that curved downward on both sides twice, one side inward, one side outward, and the sheet split into numerous strips resembling long hair. All of the form shone with the dark silver and light amethyst colors, the entire design resembling that of Aspiring Emperor Hope. Then, like magic, a female form began to fill in the empty space in the armor, donning the armaments, the cloak stopping just above the knees. The area over the eyes opened, revealing hazel-colored eyes with long lashes. A staff formed in her left hand as a blue 13 glowed on her right shoulder. The new monster spun her staff around before letting out a cry of "HEY-YAH!" and taking a battle stance, her staff to her left and her yellow Overlay Units circling her.
Number 13: Devoted Empress Love: Rank 4 LIGHT Spellcaster/Xyz ATK:2400/DEF:1600 2 Overlay Units
"Whoa… get a load of her!" Ariel said, impressed by Kotori's new Xyz Monster.
"Aw man, ANOTHER Number?" Shark mused in an impressed voice.
"Astral… are my eyes outta whack, or does that monster look a lot like Hope?" Yuma asked the spirit.
"You eyes are in working order, Yuma. That Number took a form resembling Number 39." Astral concluded. "The question is… why? Why would this Number take such a familiar form?" Even Hope seemed intrigued, as he himself examined the new Number. Empress Love then looked at Hope, their eyes locking. The two Numbers merely looked at each other, then Love smiled from behind the mouth guard. Hope would also be smiling if he had a visible face. Both monsters nodded and turned back to the Duel.
"Let's win, Kotori." The female Number said to her.
"Mm-hmm." Kotori responded. "Magic Card, activate! Shining Feathers!" Empress Love was showered with white glowing feathers, powering her up. "This gives any LIGHT monster or Winged Beast-monster, like Empress Love here, 600 Attack Points for one turn!"
Number 13: Devoted Empress Love ATK:3000
"Time to prove that 13 is no unlucky Number! Devoted Empress Love, attack Evigishki Soul Ogre!" Number 13 gathered energy in her staff while twirling it around. "Love Staff Blast!" Empress Love let out her battle cry, then pointed her staff at the large Ritual Monster, firing an amethyst colored magical attack. The magic covered the large beast, causing it to disintegrate within the purple light. The light dissipated, showing the monster was gone.
Ariel LP:3800
"No! Not my Soul Ogre!" Ariel complained.
"All right! Way to go, Kotori!" Yuma cheered. Kotori blushed while Number 13 smiled behind her mouth guard.
"All right, now this Duel's in high gear!" Shark chirped. "I'm psyched now! Bring it on!" Yuma grinned. It was on now.
"I place one card facedown! Turn end!" Kotori said.
Number 13: Devoted Empress Love ATK:2400
Off to the side, Tokunosuke and the blond girl next to him saw the Summoning the female Number and witnessed her power. "Ohhh… So Kotori had a hidden side to her power all along… this is interesting, Ura…" Tokunosuke mused.
Cathy, on the other hand, had a much different reaction. She was glaring at Kotori's new Number.
"How dare that wench pass herself off as an Empress?" A voice near Cathy growled. "Only I am fit to stand alongside Emperor Hope!"
"Just as I am the only one fit to be beside Yuma, not Greenie." Cathy hissed. "They are spiting us… but once we get the chance, the claws come out…" She let out a loud hiss, backed up by a louder hiss from the voice as a dark aura began to swirl around her...
Author-Made Cards
Peridot Robin
Level 4 LIGHT Winged Beast
ATK:1600/DEF:700
If this card on the field is sent to the Graveyard by the effect of a Spell Card, Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.
Number 13: Devoted Empress Love (US Name: Number 13: Paradise)
Rank 4 LIGHT Spellcaster/Xyz
ATK:2400/DEF:1600
2 Level 4 monsters
When the effect of a face-up "Number 39: Aspiring Emperor Hope" (or Utopia, if you prefer) on your side of the field activates: you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card instead. If a face-up "Number 39: Aspiring Emperor Hope" you control has no Xyz Materials: you can equip this card to that monster as an Equip Card. If this card has any Xyz Materials when you activate this effect: attach those Xyz Materials to the equipped monster. While the equipped monster is equipped with this card: its effects are negated, it cannot be destroyed by battle, and its control cannot switch.
Pounding Rain
Normal Spell Card
Select 1 monster your opponent controls. That monster loses 300 ATK for each face-up WATER monster on the field.
Shining Feathers
Normal Spell Card
Select 1 LIGHT monster or Winged Beast-Type monster you control. That monster gains 600 ATK until the End Phase.
Beacon of Hope
Normal Trap Card
Activate only if two or more monsters controlled by one player were destroyed by battle during the same Battle Phase. Special Summon 1 "Number 39: Aspiring Emperor Hope" from your Extra Deck and attach the appropriate monsters from your hand or Graveyard to that monster as Xyz Materials. (This Special Summon is treated as an Xyz Summon.) The monster Summoned by this effect cannot attack this turn.
Vile: Number 13 has already proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with! But Cathy and whoever that voice was don't seem too happy! What will happen?
Tokunosuke: I noticed that the amount of reviews for Chapter 5 weren't as plentiful as the others. I wonder why, Ura?
Vile: I wish I knew myself, Tokunosuke. I hope more people leave reviews, otherwise I may have to bribe people. *laughs* Just kidding, folks!
Tetsuo: But really, people, give Vile some reviews so he won't think people don't see this!
Vile: Thanks, Tetsuo. I'll try and see if I can wrap this Duel up next chapter. This isn't the only Duel in the fic, after all! See you next time, folks!
Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.