Today is my birthday so I have present for you guys, DOUBLE CHAPTER UPDATE ON ALL MY FICS! That's right everyone, I got six chapters done for day, two for each story. Enjoy a long reading session.
…
Shark sat his sister's side watching her vitals go across the screen again and again. He hadn't left her side only when he was forced out when visiting hours ended.
"Can we come in?"
Shark turned around to see who was at the door. He recognized them as Chie, Yukiko, and Rise. "Sure….come on in."
"We've brought flowers…" Rise said placing them in the vase, "How is she doing?"
"The same…no change."
"You think that spirit did something to her?" Chie asked.
"I bet he did…." Shark clenched his fists.
"But what exactly happened down there? Yosuke hasn't been able to tell us." Yukiko said.
Shark was honestly surprised, he was sort of expecting Yosuke to blab to everyone the story from the beginning but it seemed like there was truth behind Abyss' words that Yosuke couldn't tell anyone without his permission. He then realized that the three girls were still expecting an answer from them.
"Not now….I just want Rio back."
"If you insist…..you've got one more night at the Inn you can use. Have you thought of your long term accommodations?"
Oh yeah…..still haven't planned on that. Shark groaned to himself.
"I take that as a no…" Chie said, "Some of us have room at our places if you are interested."
"I'll get back to you on that….I want to see if I spend the night at the hospital this time."
"Don't know if they will let you…even if you are family…plus you won't sleep well." Rise said.
"Don't really care….what's Yuma up too?"
"Yu said that he's been a little down. Apparently he hasn't seen Astral since yesterday morning." Yukiko said.
"Since yesterday?" That was surprising to Shark, those two were inseparable at this point so was Astral now hiding?
Chie had turn on the TV and was checking the weather report, "Great….rain tonight…looks like we need stay up."
"Why does rain mean you have to stay up?" Shark was a bit curious.
"It's that Midnight Channel," Rise said with a bit of bitterness in her voice, "We've been trying to figure out who's been causing the murders and kidnappings that been going on since April. Our only clue about who is next is the Midnight Channel which only comes on at midnight on rainy days."
"So what do you do once you know who's next?"
"Try to prevent their kidnapping….that usually never happened." Chie sweat dropped. "It doesn't even take a day before they are thrown in the TV world."
"What makes you so sure that's when they end up in there?" Shark was now extremely interested.
"What you see on that program get's….weird." Yukiko said turning red. "It's the kind of thing you want to unsee."
"To sum it up it's the person's shadow self doing things you would rather not have the public see." Rise said also turning red.
"I see…I'll keep an eye out then."
….
Yuma drew circles on his paper, he had tuned out the teacher ages ago. Astral still hadn't turned up and what was bothering him was that the key felt unusually cold to touch. I hope you are not doing anything reckless Astral….Yuma thought to himself as he tried to bring himself to pay attention to the lecture, something about the creation myth of Japan. Instead he felt his eyelids go heavy and his head found comfort in his open workbook.
…..
"You know you really shouldn't be sleeping in class."
Yuma snapped at attention at hearing Igor's voice, "I thought you guys said you couldn't help me much."
"Nothing is stopping us from giving very vague hints." Margaret smiled.
"Okay…so why am I here?"
"Just another fortune reading…" Igor said as the cards spread across the table. He began flipping them over one by one, "Hmmmm…..very interesting indeed."
"What? What is it?" Yuma was curious.
Igor flicked his finger up making the cards float allowing Yuma to see them. "The cards indicate great trial…..for your friend." Igor pointed to a card that had an image of a winged messenger. Pointing to the next two, he continued, "The Hermit indicates guidance and self reflections while the Wheel of Fortune means a turning point or possibilities. But…." The next card was the Hanged Man followed by the Tower, "To see something from a new point of view could cause great sacrifice."
"Are you saying Astral is in danger?!"
"He could be…." Maragret said, "Will you do something about it?"
"I'm not going to sit back and do nothing! What's going to happen?!" Yuma demanded.
"We cannot reveal that to you but be warned and choose your actions carefully for there are two endings possible…." Igor held up the last two cards, The Star and The Death.
"Those…."
"Until next time our dear guest…."
…..
"Mr. Tsukumo!"
"Gah!" Yuma sat up.
"Care to explain why you chose to fall asleep in my class?" The teacher asked.
"Uhhhhh…..rough night?" Yuma gave the teacher doe eyes.
His teacher gave him a long look, "Do it again and it will be extra classroom duties for the next week."
"Yes ma'am…." Yuma went back to his notes. After school he was going to get some answers from Astral.
….
Heartland had to smile at his own genius. It had extraordinary simple to lie his way into the police department and they bought his fake documents. Now as a simple office worker he could go to and fro without drawing suspicion. With the evening drawing to a close and a majority of the workers heading home, he now had free reign in the office. One by one he searched each workspace for anything interesting. And if he came upon a locked drawer, he quickly picked the lock to reveal the treasure inside. The first while of his search didn't yield any juicy results but then he got to the desk of Ryutaro Dojima. He had to admit, this man was good. The detective had kept detailed notes on everything connected to the serial murders and disappearances. Taking out his own notebook, Heartland began to copy everything down. Everyone to the early suspects to the people who went missing for a few days, there was even information of Yuma's Tsukumo's kidnapping. Heartland had to repress a scowl at seeing the boy's name. At least Heartland had the foresight of giving a false name, it would be bad if Tsukumo blew his cover this early. But at least there was a description about the kidnapper in the file, that would be mighty handy. Placing everything back to where he found it, Heartland left the office. There was one thing for him to do that evening. The Midnight Channel was to come on this evening and he had a feeling that Vector would be interested as to who would be trapped in there.
...
Yu watched the rain pouring outside as he heard Yuma suppress a yawn. "How do you guys do this every time it rains?" He asked.
"You get used to it….you didn't have to stay up with me."
"Hey…..I'm part of the team so I have to do my part." Yuma said with a grin.
Yu gave smile back, "No word from Astral yet?"
Yuma sighed, "No….I have no idea how to get him out of the key. If he really wanted something he would drag me in."
"Wait…you've been inside your key before?"
"Oh yeah….nothing really impressive except for airship but then again I've only been there twice because there was an ongoing crisis so I really didn't have time to look around."
"Sounds cool though, wouldn't mind a trip myself." Yu admitted.
"Once Astral comes back out we can ask him…." Yuma yawned again, "Is it time yet?"
"Two more minutes." Yu shut off the light in preparation. "I hope nothing's there…"
"But if there is, we just have to go and save them." Yuma said with gusto.
"That's right…."
The sound of the seconds ticking by echoed as they waited for the moment. Yuma swallowed a lump in his throat, he was nervous. He was kind of worried for whoever might appear as it was a good sign that they will be in danger.
The clock struck midnight, the TV filled with static.
Yu steadied his breath as an image became clear, very clear in fact. Could someone already be inside the TV world? A slender figure came into view, hair combed and curled upwards, tattoos on his…wait a minute.
Yu shot a looked at Yuma who's eyes were wide with recognition. "A-Astral…." He hiccupped on his words.
The Astral on the screen turned to face them with a neutral expression.
Destroy.
"What…"
Destroy….that is my purpose. To destroy anything that stands in my way.
"Wh-what is he on about?" Yuma was getting scared.
But why? I've been questioning it lately. Destroy the darkness because it's evil. But even the night has its beauty. But I desire to destroy it….yet I enjoy it…
The onscreen Astral began to tremble with great force. He threw his head back and shouted.
Then I'll remake everything! No more questioning, no more following orders. I am my own master and I deem this world unfit. It's too chaotic, too many rules, too many illogical situations, I'll remake it all.
Astral looked at them with an uncharacteristic grin.
I'll judge you if you are worthy to join me in my new world. If you are unworthy, you face oblivion.
The TV shut off.
Yu and Yuma sat there for several moments in shock. Only the sounds of phones ringing broke them from their stupor. Yu answered his phone first.
Yu…that….that…..that was….Yosuke's shaking voice was on the other line.
"We saw…."
But….how?
"I don't know….we'll meet up tomorrow at Junes. We'll figure out our plan then."
Alright….see ya…. Yosuke hung up.
Yu went to text everyone else when beeping emerged from Yuma's pocket. It took him a moment to register the sound but he reached in and pulled out his Duel Gazer and answered.
Yuma….the hell was that?!
"Shark? How did you…"
I'm still at the hospital. The TV in Rio's room flickered on and I saw….Astral. That was that Midnight Channel wasn't it.
"Yeah….."
Is Astral in there?
"I'm afraid so…." Yu cut into the conversation. "Seeing something like that only means that someone is trapped in there."
How? Only a few of us can see Astral and if it's this murderer you're after…how the hell did he get Astral?
"That's a good question Shark. If you want to, we're going to meet up at the Junes foot court to discuss it after school. You're welcome to join us."
There was a pause before Shark answered. I'll be there….and Yuma.
"Y-yeah?"
….Keep your head up okay? You've gotten him back before….you can do it again.
Yuma was a little surprised by his encouraging words. "Th-thank you…"
I just don't want you doing anything stupid that's all…..see you tomorrow. Shark hung up after that.
"We should go to bed…." Yu nudged Yuma towards his bed. "We won't be able to do anything until we get everyone together."
Yuma just got under the covers silently as Yu turned off the lights. His mind was racing at full force. Why….why….WHY!? How?! How did he not notice that Astral was missing!? Tears formed in his eyes as he buried his face into his pillow bracing himself for a very sleepless night.
…..
OH NO! Cliffhanger! You must wait…naaah…double update just click next.