A/N: Yes, it's been a good week for updates, thank you slow work week. It's expected to pick up next week so you won't get several updates a week. Probably. So, another slightly longer chapter. Full of Yuma duelling. And trying to find a way to duel without going in on all out attacks. Fun. Thank you for reading, reviews are always nice and enjoy.
Yuma was staring at the monster on the opposite field. Miki's soul was trapped inside that monster and if it was destroyed they'd never save her. How was he supposed to let that happen? Even if Miki had lost her soul stealing others, she was in pain now. The High Priestess of Prophecy was crying. Her stole had been stolen. No one deserved that.
"High Priestess of the Prophecy attack Aspiring Emperor, Hope!" Fate called. "Moonlight Blast!"
The High Priestess threw her glowing crystal up into the air above her head and it's light turned silvery, shinning liking the moon before a blast shot out towards Hope. They had the same attack, but Hope could only be destroyed by a Number monsters. To win the duel, anyone would tell him to let the High Priestess be destroyed but it was someone's soul.
"I activate Hope's effect," Yuma called. "By removing one overlay unit, I can negate an attack. Moon Barrier!"
The attack was blocked by the shield and the jewel lowered into the High Priestess' hands once more. Yuma let out a sigh. It was a little break at least. He bought time. He had to figure out how to get passed the High Priestess without destroying Miki's soul.
"All as predicted," Fate murmured. "Now, I activate the spell Spellbook Library of the Crescent. When there are no Spellbook spell cards in my graveyard I can-"
"Yuma!"
Yuma, Kaito and Astral turned. Shark was approaching, adjusting his D-Gazer as he went. Miki was at his side. Yuma's eyes widened. Miki… What if he couldn't save her soul? What if she and Shark were there to watch her soul be destroyed forever? And why was Shark helping with shopping bags?
"And the last of our heroes finally shows," Fate laughed. "And with our villainous little princess in tow. How cute. Trying to save her are we? Do you not know, Ryoga? That little Tsukikage was hunting souls long before she lost hers."
Shark's eyes went wide and Miki took the bags from him silently. Yuma was about to call after her when Shark caught her arm. "Tsukikage?"
Yuma frowned. Shark didn't care about her stealing souls? Well, neither did Yuma, at least not while her own soul was on the line. But why did her name bother him? Miki gazed at him silently before sliding her wrist from his hand.
"Tsukikage Miki," she said.
Fate laughed. "You really didn't know? Then I suppose you didn't know that it was little Miki who took Hibiki's soul?"
"Hibiki's… soul?"
"Wait," Yuma called. "Wait, who's Hibiki? What's going on?"
"Hibiki is the girl Ryoga keeps seeing in his dreams," Kaito filled in. "Since he saw Miki. It would appear there's something of a connection between the pair."
"You were activating Spellbook Library of the Crescent," Miki said, looking straight at Fate.
"So I was," Fate laughed. Yuma glanced over at Miki. She wasn't wearing a D-Gazer, and there was no sign of a more natural one. How did she know? "I reveal three Spellbook spell cards from my deck." Three cards slid out. "Spellbook of Power, Spellbook of Eternity and Spellbook of Secrets." Three card backs appeared on the field. "Now, Yuma, let destiny choose. Pick which card I can add to my hand."
"Kamishiro," Miki said as she was walking away.
Shark turned to her and Yuma forced himself to focus on the duel. "The middle card!"
Fate smirked and a crescent moon appeared, its light moving across the field. Miki turned to Shark. "The question you asked earlier; the fuller the moon, the stronger the light, the more it reveals. Every folk law says so. The full moon can reveal everything if you're in the right place. I hope that helps your research."
The light moved across the field and Yuma frowned. He could only hope he picked the right cards. Miki was already walking away as Shark joined Kaito on his side of the field. The moonlight touched the High Priestess and there was a chilling scream. Yuma's eyes went wide. The Priestess smile was gone and instead she was just in pained tears, her hair taking a blonde tint and her eyes a blazing ruby colour.
"Help us!"
She was suffering. Us? There were others suffering too? The second the moonlight was gone, the normal smile was back and the tears faded. The moonlight settled on the middle card, and it glowed brightly, revealing Spellbook of Power. That didn't sound good.
"Yuma, you have to defeat the High Priestess," Astral said.
"I know, I know," Yuma said, nodding. "We just need to know how to get her out the way without sending her to the graveyard."
"Yuma-"
"I won't fall to that level, Astral!" he cried. "Destroying a soul is destroying a soul. Even if it's to win. I'd rather lose than hurt another duellist's soul!"
Fate laughed and shook his head. "Congratulations, boy, you're showing your stupidity. The two cards you didn't pick are shuffled back into my deck. Then I end my turn."
"Right!" Yuma called. "My turn. Draw!"
"Yuma," Shark called. Yuma turned quickly. "He's up to something."
"Huh?"
His voice was cold and harsh, like when he was trying to act tough when he was hurting inside. Yuma knew he wasn't the best at reading people, but he knew when Shark was hurting.
"High Priestess of Prophecy can banish a Spellbook spell card from the hand or graveyard and destroy a monster on the field," he explained. "Why wouldn't he use that effect?"
"He's trying to force us into battle," Astral said. "Hope can only negate attacks as long as there are overlay units. Soon we'll have no choice but to battle the High Priestess."
"That's not good," Yuma said, staring at the High Priestess. "We have to think fast, Astral."
"We need a new plan." He frowned and looked over his hand. "I got it! I summon Goblinbergh!" A small plane appeared and Fate smirked. 4/1400/0. "When Goblinbergh is normal summon, I can then summon a level four or lower monster from my hand. And I summon Gogogo Golem!"
The red plane tripled and they dropped a metal block on the field. Gogogo Golem burst out and Yuma grinned. 4/1800/1500. Yuma couldn't attack and destroy the High Priestess but he could find other ways.
"I use my level four Gogogo Golem and Goblinbergh to form an overlay network! XYZ summon! Gagaga Cowboy in defence."
"Defence, Yuma?" Astral said.
"Ah well, if I can't face the High Priestess, I'll have to go around her."
Fate's smirk disappeared for a moment and Yuma grinned as Gagaga Cowboy dropped to one knee. 4/1500/2400. Apparently this was something Fate hadn't expected. Finally. Even Yuma knew this was playing against his normal style. But if there was no other monster in the field he had to find another way or lose the duel.
"I activate Gagaga Cowboy's effect!" Yuma said. "By removing an overlay unit I can inflict 800 points of damage to my opponent!"
Gagaga Cowboy pulled out a pair of guns and the shots hit Fate square in the chest. He hissed and staggered back slightly before straightening up again. Yuma had finally got in a hit. That was better.
Yuma – 4000
Fate – 3200
"Very well done, Yuma," Fate said, clapping slowly. "But you can't dodge and play cheap tricks forever. Soon you'll have to face us head on."
"He's right," Shark muttered off to the side.
Yuma glanced over and Kaito nodded. "They need overlay units to activate their effects. And you can be sure that he'll have to card to make the most of the High Priestess being destroyed."
"It's like you two don't think I can do this," Yuma cried.
"Not even your friends believe in you," Fate chuckled. "How sad for you to lose like this."
Kaito and Shark glanced at each other before Shark spoke up. "We do believe in him."
"Yuma's done impossible things before," Kaito agreed. "He always manages somehow, even when all logic says he shouldn't."
"Shark… Kaito…" Yuma grinned and nodded. If Shark and Kaito believed in him then he could do anything! "Alright! Astral, let's win this!"
Astral smiled a little and nodded. "You've got everything you need, Yuma."
"Right! Hope, attack High Priestess of Prophecy!"
Fate laughed. "Finally decided to put little Tsukikage out of her misery?"
"Hope Sword Slash!" Yuma caught Shark looking concerned out the corner of his eyes but they trusted him, right? He wouldn't let Shark down and hurt Miki, especially when she was the answer to Shark's troubles. Hope raised his sword and Yuma grinned. "I activate Hope's effect, by removing an overlay unit I can negate the attack. Moon Barrier!"
The shield appeared and blocked Hopes sword and he returned to Yuma's side. Fate was laughed but it didn't bother Yuma knew what he was going. "All that for what, Yuma? To battle with my High Priestess next turn?"
"I activate the quick play spell, Double or Nothing!" Yuma called. "When an attack is negated, Hope's attack doubles and he can battle again."
"Oh?" Fate laughed. "Do you know, your Hope blazes like the sun. Isn't it interesting? The sun with illuminates all with warm rays but burns up those who stay in its presence for too long. Powerful and fiery. Compared to the High Priestess who's true form is never seen, who hides in darkness and is only seen by the light of something brighter."
"I activate my trap. Half Unbreak! With this, a monster on the field can't be destroyed this turn and all battle damage involving that monster is halved. And I use it on your High Priestess! Let's go, Hope!"
Hope's sword slashed across the High Priestess's chest and the golden flash pushed through into Fate, knocking him back to the floor. Even if it was only half the damage, it was something.
Yuma – 4000
Fate – 1950
"Interesting," Fate laughed. "But now you have no overlay units left."
"I set one card and end my turn."
Fate laughed and shook his head. "Very well. My turn. I draw!"
"Yuma, we need to be careful," Astral warned.
Yuma nodded. Fate had it all planned out apparently. And without overlay units he couldn't negate attacks directed at Hope through his own effect. Now the real battle started.
"I activate Double Summon," Fate said. "This allows me to normal summon twice in one turn. And I start by summoning Hermit of Prophecy."
An old man stepped out onto the field in long purple robes and a floppy magician's hat. He smiled and leant on his staff. 3/1200/700.
"And following him, Temperance of Prophecy." Yuma frowned as a hooded young woman appeared on the field with a pair of cups. 3/1000/1000. Both level three? Did that mean there was a XYZ monster coming? "Next I activate my Spellbook of Power. Using this card, one Spellcaster-type monster on my field gains 1000 ATK points until the end of the turn. And I chose my High Priestess!"
The High Priestess' jewel shone and transformed in fiery crystalline book. Fate sneered. Now the High Priestess was strong enough to inflict damage in battle against Hope. That wasn't good.
"When a Spellbook spell card, Hermit of Prophecy's level increases by two and his ATK increases by 300," Fate said as the Hermit's staff glowed. "And when a Spellbook has been activated, I can tribute Temperance of Prophecy to summon a LIGHT or DARK Spellcaster of level 5 or higher from my hand or deck." Yuma frowned. "So I send Temperance to the Graveyard and summon Emperor of Prophecy."
Temperance poured the water from her cups onto the floor and disappeared in the puddle. A tall man in black and purple robes formed from the water, golden armour, a helmet and a spectre appearing as his cold gaze turned on Yuma. 5/2300/2000. Two level five monsters? He was going for a rank five XYZ monster?
"Using my level five Hermit of Prophecy and Emperor of Prophecy to build an overlay network," Fate called. "XYZ summon! Empress of Prophecy!"
A tall imposing woman appeared in a pale green and white dress, pale green armour appearing over her shoulders and head, followed by a golden sceptre and a white jewelled shield. She gazed at Yuma and Hope for a moment before a stone throne appeared and she sat, watching the coldly. 5/2000/1700.
"But… she's not strong enough to take on Hope," Yuma said.
"My Empress gains 300 ATK for each overlay unit she has," Fate said. "Making her attack 2600."
"Oh."
"Now, Empress of Prophecy, attack Gagaga Cowboy! Elegant Destruction!"
The Empress stood from her throne, looking at Gagaga Cowboy for a moment before giving her spectre a twirl sending a bolt of white energy blasting through him. Yuma clenched his jaw. Defence meant no damage went through but it didn't mean he couldn't inflict damage via its effect next turn.
"It's not over yet!" Fate called. "High Priestess, attack Hope! Moonlight Power Blast!"
The High Priestess opened the Spellbook of Power and turned it to face Hope. A pale orange light tore from the book slammed into Hope. Hope's effect meant he couldn't be destroyed but the High Priestess's power boost meant the light flooded around Hope and engulfed Yuma.
Yuma – 3000
Fate – 1950
Yuma blinked as the white light faded. He wasn't on the field. He was in a field flooded with moonlight. He glanced around. What was happening?
"Yuma?" Astral called. He looked up. Astral was floating above him. "We were duelling…"
"Yeah," Yuma said, nodding slightly.
There was a laugh and his eyes were covered suddenly. He shook off the hands covering his hands and spun around to stare up at Miki. Her eyes were sparkling and full of life rather than dead. She tilted her head and put her hands on her hips.
"It's ok, you know," she said. "You can destroy the High Priestess."
"What?! No, it's your soul!" Yuma cried.
"And the Empress is Hibiki's soul, we know who everyone really wants to save anyway," Miki snapped. "You can't win, you can't beat her."
"Her?" Astral said.
Miki glanced at him. She tried to say something but nothing came out. Yuma frowned and Miki sighed. "She's in control, even now."
"Oi, Yuma!" Shark's voice snapped Yuma back to the duel and he turned in a circle slowly. "What's wrong with you?"
"I thought…" He glanced up at Astral. "I didn't imagine that, right?"
"No," Astral said. "It happened."
"Focus on the duel, boy," Fate snapped. He turned and gazed at Fate who smirked. "I end my turn."
"My turn then. Draw!" He frowned and glanced at the pair on the field. They were the souls of Miki and now Hibiki. His original plan was out of the window if he couldn't destroy the Empress. "Alright, I activate the spell XYZ Revenger! With this I can summon back and XYZ monster from my Graveyard and special summon it back to the field with this card as an overlay unit. So welcome back Gagaga Cowboy!" Gagaga Cowboy reappeared on the field, dropping back to one knee. 4/1500/2400. "And you remember that I can remove an overlay unit from my Gagaga Cowboy to inflict 800 point of damage!"
Gagaga Cowboy fired again and Fate staggered back, glowing slightly.
Yuma – 3000
Fate – 1150
"Tell me, Yuma," Fate said, dusting himself off. "Do you know about the meanings behind our cards?"
"What are you talking about now?" Shark snapped. "Get on with the duel."
"Quiet, boy," he said. He smiled at Yuma. "The Aspiring Emperor. The Emperor is representative of a man who carries all the burdens of others. He is strong, a man of action who people everywhere look into a trust. A man who thinks of consequences after he's acted."
"What's that got to do with anything?"
"Here we have it's partner," he continued. "The beautiful, elegant Empress. A woman of compassion, charm and tender, motherly care. As Hibiki was. A gently, caring girl who wanted to make everyone happy. But, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. While the Emperor must be seen to act and keep his own feelings inside until he can bare it no longer, the Empress must be seen to be soft until her power bursts forth in an overwhelming attack."
Yuma frowned and Fate smiled, glancing at his Priestess. Yuma didn't get where this was going. What did it matter about the meanings behind cards?
"The High Priestess is the guardian of secrets," Fate said. "She knows things of instinct and magic. She is so often at the Emperor's side, whispering the secrets of the world into his ear. While the Empress is a proper, strict lady who knows how to behave, the High Priestess is wild and exotic."
"What does that have to do with me?" Yuma snapped.
"It's what they say about you that matters," he continued. "The High Priestess is secrets, The Emperor and Empress are the mother and father figures. Missing your parents in mysterious circumstances by any chance?"
Yuma's eyes widened and his hands trembled. How could he… How could he know about his parents? Fate was laughing and Yuma's stomach churned.
"And behind us, the Tower?" Fate said. "A tragic disaster. Pain and sorrow and the destruction of everything you've worked so hard for. Yuma, a fall from grace. I wonder if that's you or them."
"Shut up!" Yuma yelled, closing his eyes. "Shut up! You don't know anything about them or me! Just stop it!"
"Yuma," Astral said moving in front of him. "Yuma, don't let him get to you. We have a chance, use it."
"But what if-"
"Your deck will give you what you need, doesn't it always?"
Yuma nodded and took a deep breath before he turned his gaze on Fate once more. "I activate XYZ Treasure. This lets me draw one card for every XYZ monster on the field. That's three."
"You're betting everything on this draw? How desperate."
Yuma closed his eyes as he pulled the cards from his deck. He had to get the right cards. He had to. Cracking one eye open, he glanced at the cards. His eyes widened. There they were. He'd drawn them! He'd got them!
"Yuma," Astral said.
"Right! Let's bring it to 'em!" Yuma cheered. "I activate Exchange Guard Robe." A flowing golden robe appeared on Hope. "With this, Hope attack goes up by 500."
"So you're going to destroy one of my monsters after all."
"I'd never hurt anyone's soul! I activate Guard Plus! So I tribute my Gagaga Cowboy and Hope gain's attack equal to Gagaga Cowboy's defence!"
"No matter what you do, you can't win without destroying a monster."
"You're wrong!" Yuma called as the cape began to glow. "When Hope's ATK points change, you take damage equal to the amount it changed by! And that's 2400! Let's go, Hope!"
Hope swung his sword a final time and light engulfed the field. Through the bright light, Yuma was sure he saw two blonde girls but they were gone in an instant as Fate was thrown to the ground.
Yuma – 3000
Fate – 0
Yuma ran over as Fate climbed to his feet and brushed himself off. He deactivated his duel disk and turned away as Shark and Kaito came running over. Yuma wasn't letting him go like that. Not with souls trapped in his deck.
"Let them go!" he demanded. "Let their souls go!"
Fate paused and smirked over his shoulder. "No."
"You lost the duel!" he yelled.
"Yuma," Kaito said, putting a hand on his shoulder. He glared up at Fate. "Why do you keep them trapped in your deck?"
"To keep them safe."
"Then you care about them," he said. "It must be hard to see them suffering. Why not let them go?"
"Next time we duel, we'll put souls on the line," Fate replied, walking away. "I won't go easy on you next time."
"Hey, wait!" Shark yelled, running over and grabbing his arm.
Fate turned and slammed Shark to wall of a building, leaning down to his ear. Shark's eyes went wide and he stopped fighting to get free. Yuma had never seen someone beat Shark. He was only fourteen, Yuma supposed there were adults capable of subduing him, but Yuma had never considered it before. And whatever he was saying to Shark, it was hurting him. He'd never seen Shark look so broken unless it involved Rio or talking about his disqualification.
After a moment looking over Shark and the damage he'd done, Fate stepped back. Without his support, Shark fell down the wall slightly, looking completely shell shocked. Yuma brushed Kaito's hand off his shoulder and ran over, shaking Shark's shoulder. Fate could go for now. He had to help Shark.
"Shark. Shark? What did he say, Shark?"
"Nothing," Shark said, pushing him away. "It doesn't matter. I should go find Rio. She's probably furious by now."
He walked away without a word and Yuma's heart wrenched. How was he supposed to help Shark is he had no idea what was going on? He glanced at Kaito, who at first glance seemed indifferent, but there was something in his eyes that said otherwise.
"He's going to release their souls, Yuma," Kaito said. "One way or another. Ryoga will be fine. You should go home and get some rest. It was a tough duel."
In the Next Chapter: Rio finds herself being appraised by Haruto and Kaito is helpless to save her. Puzzling over what he learnt from Fate, Ryoga goes on a mission to find out the whole story and ends up being dragged into a rebellion.
Family Matters
