Vile: And here we are with the final chapter of Numbershot 37!
Yuma: So are you finally gonna get me *Ah-choo!* out of this?
Vile: Oh great, not you, too!
Kotori: Come on, Yuma. *drags a coughing Yuma away*
Vile: *sighs* Someone gets these guys some medicine! At any rate, disclaimer's on the first page, any bolded cards are mine. Enjoy!
Numbershot 37: Unhealthy Competition
Chapter 6
Kotori stood awed at the massive virus that floated before her, orbited by black Overlay Units. The AR read-out showed it was Summoned in Defense Mode.
Number 37: Zero Passion Pandemic: Rank 3 VIRUS Aqua/Xyz ATK:0/DEF:0 4 Overlay Units
"Zero points…?" Astral breathed. "But why?"
Haiga let out a low chuckle. "It's time your monsters knew what it is like to be truly sick! Zero Passion Pandemic no kouka hatsudo!" One of the black units was absorbed into the center bulb of plasma.
Number 34: 3 Overlay Units
Four bulbs of the plasma detached from the edge of the massive virus, quickly being replaced by new ones. "And its effect, you may be wondering? Geh heh heh heh… All monsters you control are tagged with a Pandemic Counter!" The bulbs quickly shot forward, three of them, latching onto the three germs on Kotori's field.
Love could handle react before the germ latched onto her stomach. Her body suddenly felt weak, and white blotches appeared on her skin. "N-Nanda…?" Then, she shook and began coughing rapidly. "A-Ah-choo!" She fell to the ground, dropping her staff in the process.
"Mweh heh heh heh heh. The power of the Pandemic Counters saps anyone with them of 500 of their Attack Points." Haiga said.
Leukemia Latcher x3 ATK:500 1 Pandemic Counter each
Love ATK:1900 1 Pandemic Counter
"And not only that, they can't attack or leave the field, and their precious effects are negated! It's the ultimate virus, so you stand no chance now! I place one card facedown! Turn end!"
"Ngh… Atashi no turn! Draw!" Kotori drew her card. A cough came from her. 'I can't get rid of that Number since Love can't attack.' She looked at her Number sadly, who was coughing harshly. 'And since Perilous Poison Virus is still in effect, I can't even Summon a monster in my hand without taking any damage. Looks like I have no choice.' "There's no moves I can make. Turn end."
"Now that three of your turns have passed since its activation, Perilous Poison Virus's effect now ends." Haiga stated, the cloud of pink particles blowing away from the field. "Also, Zero Passion Pandemic's effect activates, removing all Pandemic Counters from your monsters during the End Phase." The four while bulbs detached, splatting on the ground and jumping back into their virus spawner. The blotches on Love's skin vanished, but she didn't have the strength to get back up.
Leukemia Latcher x3 ATK:1000 0 Pandemic Counters
Love ATK:2400 0 Pandemic Counters
"And for every Pandemic Counter it removes by its effect, Zero Passion gains 500 Attack Points!" The plasma within the bulbs remerged with the germ, causing it to grow slightly larger.
Number 37 ATK:2000
"But your reprieve will not last long! Zero Passion Pandemic no kouka hatsudo! Tag her monsters with more Pandemic Counters!" Four more bulbs branched off and rushed forward, latching onto their targets. The white blotches stained Love's skin yet again.
Number 37: 2 Overlay Units
Leukemia Latcher x3 ATK:500 1 Pandemic Counter each
Love ATK:1900 1 Pandemic Counter
"Eh heh heh heh heh heh! Zero Passion Pandemic, unleash your new power! Attack one of those Leukemia Latchers!" Another Pandemic Counter bulged off of its host, but the plasma within turned red, and it began bubbling wildly. Then, it charged at one of Haiga's quadrupedal germs and impacting it, the plasma combusting in an explosion. The attacked germ, however, survived the explosion. "Yah hah hah hah!" Haiga unleashed another wave of Number 37's virus, this time knocking Kotori back.
"AAAAAAAHHHH!" She screamed, landing on the ground.
"Kotori-chan!" Cathy and Sei cried before the wave of sickening particles washed over them.
Kotori LP:950
Kotori struggled to get up, but her body began to feel weak. "…Ah-choo! Ah-choo!" She sneezed. She could hear Cathy and Sei also coughing and sneezing, though they sounded much worse off than her. The girl managed to get to her feet.
"Bakana. You should be out cold by now!" Haiga mused. He then remembered the Number she had. "Of course. Your Number must be undermining the sickening effect of Number 37. I'll have to rectify that ASAP. Turn end!"
Kotori wobbled, but steadied herself. "Atashi no turn… Draw!" She drew her card. 'Love Shield Spell. That'll come in handy.' "*cough cough* I place one card facedown… Turn end."
"Normally my Wicked Weakening Virus would end here, but I think not. Trap Card, Lingering Virus, hatsudo! This lets me choose one Virus Trap Card in my Graveyard, like my Wicked Weakening Virus, and have its effect stay active for one more round! And the Pandemic Counters are removed from your monsters, returning them to Zero Passion for 500 Attack Points per Counter!" The blotches retreated to their host, causing it to grow even larger.
Leukemia Latcher x3 ATK:1000 0 Pandemic Counters
Love ATK:2400 0 Pandemic Counters
Number 37 ATK:4000
"4000… Attack Points…" Sei choked out before passing out.
"Sei-chan…" Cathy coughed. "Kotori-chan… Take him… down…" She also passed.
Haiga simply scoffed at them. "Boku no-"
"Hold on… Haiga…"
The boy looked at her. "What now?"
Kotori steadied herself and gave him a deadest look. "Answer me… Why do you hate healthy *cough* people? Why won't you let anyone treat or cure you? Why do you want them to be sick too?"
Haiga's expression was unreadable. "You wanna *cough* know why…?" He breathed. "I'll tell you why… Because I will not suffer the helpless fate of so many others!"
"Nani…?"
"For centuries, those who are sick were looked down upon, ridiculed, left for dead with no care." The ill boy explained. "I know this because while I did stay in bed and accept treatment, I read books that depicted this. As times advanced, methods of curing diseases were dismal. Do you know what the main method of treating a disease was, even during times of war?" After a second of silence, Haiga made a slicing motion across his left shoulder with his hand. "Amputation! They said 'screw it' and merely sliced body parts from their owners as if it was some kind of miracle solution! It was appalling!" He clenched his fist. "Even to this day, with all of our 'advances' in medical technology, sick people are still looked down upon, seen as weak, avoided, and discriminated against, leading them to experience pathetic ends! Well, I, for one, refuse to accept an end such as this! I will not my illness control my life! I will prove to the world that I am strong despite my condition! And I will prove this to others who think themselves stronger than me by inflicting my illness to them, showing them who is truly strong!"
"You're wrong, Haiga!" Kotori gasped out. "It's true that attitudes were like that in the past… but everything has changed! Those who are sick have the concern of everyone who cares about them, even people who don't know them, and doctors tend to them every day, searching for ways to cure them! No one thinks of them as weak. *Ah-choo!* It's not their fault!"
Haiga's eyes were slightly wide, but he narrowed them again. "Regardless of how attitudes have changed… Mine shall not! Boku no turn! Draw!" He drew his card. "Zero Passion Pandemic, attack Number 13 and end this Duel!" Another Pandemic Counter pinched off, turned red, and dashed forward, burning into a fireball during its path.
"Continuous Trap… Love Shield Spell, hatsudo! This lets me *cough* use one of Love's Overlay Units… to negate your attack!" Love got the strength to stand up and grab her staff, absorbing one of her Overlay Units. She twirled her staff and formed an amethyst barrier, deflecting the burning germ.
Love: 1 Overlay Unit
Haiga's eye twitched. "I'm sick of this… Magic Card, Virus Twister, hatsudo! For every VIRUS monster I banish from my Graveyard, I can destroy one Magic or Trap Card you control!" Haiga removed Gobblegut Germ and Cancer Crusher, and germs emerged, devouring Love Shield Spell and one of Kotori's facedowns. "You are helpless now. Zero Passion Pandemic no kouka hatsudo!" More virus blobs fired toward Kotori's monsters.
"Trap Card, Disruption Gale, hatsudo! By banishing 1 Winged Beast *cough* monster from my Graveyard… I can negate the activation of a monster effect!" She banished her Amethyst Robin, and a gust of wind blew away the Pandemic Counters.
"Bakana… my Pandemic Counters have been blocked? Curse you… Turn end!"
"Kotori… are you all right?" Astral asked.
Kotori panted heavily. "I will be… but this is my last turn. Atashi no turn… Draw!" She drew her card. Upon seeing it, she smiled weakly. "I… did it…"
"Nani?" Haiga wondered, an eyebrow raised.
"Since the Pandemic Counters aren't here… I can use Haiga's monsters! Atashi wa Reberu San no Leukemia Latcher ni tai de… Obarei!" Two of the Leukemia Latchers turned fully black before spiraling into the air. A galaxy portal opened up, and both monsters sailed inside. "Ni tai no monsuta de… *cough cough* Obarei Netwaaku kochiku! Ekushiizu Shoukan!" A burst of light occurred.
The number "17" formed and flashed in yellow, and the monster's sealed form rose from a dark cloud. "Arawareyo… Nanbaazu Junana (Number 17): Revise Dragon!" The purple orb uncoiled itself to become its body and head, while the scythes around it became wings. The 17 on its horn glowed brightly as it let out a loud roar, its blue Overlay Units circling its head.
Number 17: Revise Dragon: Rank 3 WATER Dragon/Xyz ATK:2000/DEF:0 2 Overlay Units
"Another one?" Haiga wondered.
"Revise Dragon no kouka hatsudo! By using an Overlay Unit, it gains 500 Attack Points!" The dragon chomped down on one of its Overlay Units.
Revise Dragon ATK:2500
"Now… Magic Card, Riryoku, hatsudo!"
"Riryoku?" Haiga cried.
"Riryoku takes half of Zero Passion Pandemic's power and gives it to a monster I choose, like Revise Dragon!" A green aura covered the virus, causing it to shrink. The aura then transferred to the dragon, causing it to roar.
Number 37 ATK:2000
Number 17 ATK:4500
"Shimata!" Haiga yelled.
"Even Wicked Weakening Virus's effect won't save you here! Revise Dragon, attack Zero Passion Pandemic! Vice… STREAM!" The dragon's head reared back before it expelled a burst of blue and purple energy, tearing through the germ and incinerating its cytoplasm.
"N-N-No!" Haiga cried.
Haiga LP:1200
"Now… for the finish! Suki Joou Love, attack Haiga directly! Love… Staff… BLAST!" The mage twirled her staff before letting out a battle yell and firing the amethyst beam, impacting Haiga and sending him backwards.
"NWAAAAAAAHHHH!" He yelled before landing on the ground.
Kotori LP:950
Haiga LP:0 – LOSER
Kotori's face appeared with the word "WIN" as the buzzer sounded, and the Augmented Reality faded along with the monsters. Kotori let out a deep breath. "I did it…"
Astral extended his hand, and Haiga groaned before the card came out of him, the "37" flashing on his neck before vanishing. The card floated to Astral, who grabbed it. "A Number with the power to make people sick… How insidious." Then, the card glowed pink, as did Kotori, Cathy, and Sei, and streams of pink particles came out of them, absorbed into the card. Other streams of particles came from the school building, also being absorbed until all the particles were gone. "Nani?"
Kotori shook her head and blinked a couple times before trying to move. She sniffed through her nose and found it clear. "I'm… better?"
Then, Cathy and Sei groaned as they finally got up. She realized their condition and smiled. "I… I'm not sick anymore!" Cathy said.
"Me neither!" Sei chirped. "Kotori did it!"
Kotori giggled. "Wait, if we got better… the others must've recovered, too! Let's go see!"
"What about him?" Astral asked, pointing at the downed Haiga.
Kotori looked at the boy sadly. "We should take him with us."
*At the Infirmary*
The three girls and their passenger (carried by Cathy) entered the infirmary and were greeted with a good sight: Everyone had recovered from the sickness, and most of them were on their feet. Some of the kids were being checked by staff. Hikaya and Tokunosuke were hugging each other happily, and Yuma, Tetsuo, and Sachi were up and going. The three of them saw them and smiled, running over to them. "Way to go, Kotori!" Yuma chirped as the two of them hugged each other.
"I'm so glad you're all right, Yuma!" Kotori said.
"Haiga!" Eiko's voice rang out. Everyone turned and saw the nurse enter the room. Cathy handed her the sick boy. "Is… Is he all right?"
"He should be." Kotori said. "He was the one causing the sickness… but it was because he was controlled by a Number card. Get him to his bed and check on him." Eiko nodded.
*A Few Minutes Later*
Haiga was in his bed, some tests being run. His condition had not been accelerated in any way, so he would be fine. "He's a trooper… he didn't want his life controlled by his illness." Kotori said sadly. Eiko nodded in understanding.
Then, Haiga's eyes shook. A small drop of water came from one: A tear. His eyes opened, showing a sad look. "Haiga…?" Eiko asked.
"Eiko… Everyone... Gomen-nasai…" The boy said, closing his eyes. "I can't apologize enough for how rude I was to you..." He looked away sadly. "I saw how history treated us sickly people… I didn't want that to be me… But now I realize: Ways have changed. People would give their own lives to have some of us be cured. Some even resort to crime to get treatment for others. …I've been such an ass… I wouldn't be surprised if you held it against me."
"I couldn't hold it against you, Haiga." Eiko said.
"H-Huh…?" The boy asked, looking back at her with confusion.
"Anyone would want to be able to live their lives… Sick or not. I understand why you were rude. Why do you think I still stuck by you and tried to treat you?" Haiga blinked. "A nurse's duty is to protect and help their patient, regardless of the circumstances. I lost my little brother to your condition… So I decided I would not let you die from it. You remind me of him."
"I had no idea…" Haiga said, allowing himself a small smile. "Arigatou, Eiko… Arigatou for not giving up on me." Eiko smiled. Haiga then looked at Kotori and the others. "And arigatou to you… for getting that Number out of me, and showing me that I was wrong."
Kotori smiled. "You're welcome, Haiga. You should get some rest. You've had a rough day." The ill boy nodded before closing his eyes, allowing himself to sleep.
Astral watched from above. "Such an unfortunate victims of the Numbers… a plague worse than any virus."
*Elsewhere*
A figure walked away from the school, clutching his sunglasses in his hand. His piercing blue eyes twitched as he growled, inadvertently crushing his glasses. "That does it…"
Author-Made Cards (VIRUS monsters are DARK in OCG/TCG)
Number 37: Zero Passion Pandemic
Rank 3 VIRUS Aqua/Xyz
ATK:0/DEF:0
4 Level 3 monsters
Once per turn, detach 1 Xyz Material from this card: Place 1 Pandemic Counter on every face-up monster your opponent controls. You can only use this effect during your Main Phase 1. A monster with a Pandemic Counter loses 500 ATK, cannot attack or leave the field, and its effects are negated. This card cannot be destroyed while there is a Pandemic Counter(s) on the field. During your opponent's next End Phase: Remove all Pandemic Counters from the field. This card gains 500 ATK for each Pandemic Counter removed by this effect.
Virus Twister
Normal Spell Card
Banish any number of VIRUS monsters (OCG/TCG: Level 4 or lower DARK monsters with 1500 or less ATK) from your Graveyard. Destroy Spell and Trap Cards on the field for each banished monster.
Lingering Virus
Normal Trap Card
Activate only during your opponent's End Phase. Target 1 "Virus" Trap Card in your Graveyard whose effect would expire during the end of this turn: Its effect does not expire until the end of your opponent's next turn.
Love Shield Spell (Paradise Shield in TCG)
Continuous Trap Card
Activate only while you control a "Number 13: Devoted Empress Love". When any player's monster declares an attack: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from a monster you control; negate the attack.
Vile: And that finishes up another Numbershot!
Tokunosuke: *counting up something* Hey! That makes your tenth completed Numbershot, Ura!
Takashi: Really? Way to go, Vile!
Spade: You've definitely come far since you started in ZEXAL!
Vile: Man, I had no idea I was this far! This calls for a special treat for my viewers! My next work is a Numbershot that I've been looking forward to writing, so expect it to be one epic son of a Numbershot! (See what I did there? XD) If you guys liked this story, leave a review for me! Adios for now!
Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.