Chapter 8
This plaza was one of Mezas favourite places in Paris. It always had such a modern flair around, you got to meet nice women and successful businessman and the wine served in his favourite bar here was most likely the best one in whole France. So he couldn't quite believe that he managed to get a house right at this place. However, there weren't many interested parties and none of them was the owner of a great-going clothing industry. Only Meza was, so it was almost clear that he got that house. And now, he really enjoyed strolling around his plaza. Sometimes he saw the homeless and the needy sitting around here and he always handed them a few Franc, because he had enough money, so he could.
But the reason he was out this day was a meeting. Officially, it was a business meeting, but in fact it was more of a friendly meeting with his old buddy Alain, who was also his companion in most of his industrial and financial matters. He also held 50% of his most profitable industry, the clothing.
When he arrived at the bar they decided on as meeting place and ordered a wine as drink, Alain arrived. However, this time, he had someone in company: He was dressed like most man around here, like Meza was dressed too, suit and silk hat, also that guy had black hair.
"Bonjour Meza," Alain greeted him. "This is Monsieur de Milles. He came to my house this afternoon and said he would have something to discuss with us."
"Bonjour Monsieur," Meza greeted the man, "I'm sure we can help you, with whatever your issue is, if that is the reason for your visit."
"I'm sorry to say, Messieurs, but I am here because of another reason," the man said, the sadness in his voice worrying Meza, "Is it true that most of your capital is kept at the 'New Bank of Southern Paris'?"
"Yes..." Alain answered, also worried. Whatever that guy had to say, it couldn't turn out good.
"Unfortunately, the chairman of the 'New Bank of Southern Paris' has stolen most of the money their customers had handed him and escaped to Germany. It is very unlikely that you will get your money back. I am very sorry to say that, but you are bankrupt."
This last word of the man hit Meza like a freight train, while he was desperately searching for a clue. "No. We can sell our factories. They are worth enough, that we could restart. We could move to smaller houses and drink less wine, we can manage to rebuild our wealth."
"Well, I wish you all luck in this world," Monsieur de Milles said and stood up, "Au revoir."
"Au revoir," both Alain and Meza said, when the man left them.
Suddenly everything went black again and Meza remembered something entirely different, Alain being a Numbers Guardian, him being an Emperor from the Barian World, where they had just lost a war. But at the same time, he had those memories he just re-lived once again. He had no idea what of these was true and couldn't decide on one either, because both fates weren't that great. But suddenly, Mezas mind drifted away again, to an entire different view than last time.
It was all gone. He just has been much too trustful. First the chairman of the bank had robbed him, then his best friend Alain has taken the money they earned from the sale of his factories and departed with it. And now, there was nothing left for Meza. He had to pay of all their creditors, so he had to sell his house and almost everything he owned.
And now he was here. During the first week, he tried to accumulate to his new living situation, trying to find places where he could get something to eat, places where he could sleep without having to fear for his life. Sometimes it did work, but he soon find out that he was much too nice for this kind of living. He continued to give food and money to other people, however, he needed it for himself very badly.
But now, during the fourth week, worse times came. It was raining now for the second consecutive day and Meza hasn't eaten anything for the last three days. It was soon to end. For three hours he was now lying here on the side-walk, watching the feet walking up and down in front of his eyes, none of them caring for him, everybody was eager to get home, out of the rain and the desperate people living on the streets. And then, everything went black and Meza knew, that it was his last time.
Mezas eyes snapped open. He panicked when he realized that he was lying on a stone floor, but then he felt the weight of his D-Pad on his arm.
Meza:
300 LP
Number 102: Infinite Giver / Rank 2 / Xyz / LIGHT / Psychic-Type / 0 ATK / 0 DEF
Spell / Trap Cards: 3 face-down
Alain:
11400 LP
Number 98: Attone of Greed / Rank 4 / Xyz / LIGHT / Fiend-Type / 1800 ATK / 2500 DEF / 1 Xyz Material
Spell / Trap Cards: Greed (face-up), Imperial Custom (face-up)
"It's about time you get back up," Alain said, "I was starting to worry about you, mon ami."
Listening to the last two words brought back all the things he saw while being blacked out. He had no idea whether anything of it was true or not, but this Number Guardian clearly knew about this visions, knew what happened there, so Meza just yelled at him: "Mon ami? Vous m'avez trahi! Vous êtes enfui avec tout notre argent, et vous me laissez mourir de faim!"
Once he realized what he said, he stopped. He spoke French and he spoke it fluently. Originally, he wanted to say the same in english: 'My friend? You betrayed me! You departed with all our money and left me to starve!'
Alain, however, being able to speak French, understood and answered reluctantly: "Bon. Now that you remember, its time to start your turn. Otherwise, I will claim a win, because you stalled for time."
Meza couldn't quite believe what he heard, but on the other hand, Alain was right. He had to win this duel now. And when Meza drew his card, his heart stopped dead. 'Rank-Up-Magic Barians Force'.
He stared at the card as if it had teeth, as he imagined all the cruel things he saw Astral Soldiers do with that kind of cards. He could win without using it. He knew. Everything was set up.
"I switch 'Number 102: Infinite Giver' to Attack Position!" Once Meza used the effects of his Number, Alains Life Points would fall to 300 and Giver would gain 11100 ATK. Enough to take out Attone of Greed and finish Alains Life Points the next turn.
However, his opponent intercepted: "I activate the effect of my lovely 'Effect Veiler'. This card negates the effect of your 'Infinite Giver' until the End of this turn." A young-looking angel flew down from the ceiling, towards Mezas Number, which was engulfed by a yellow light.
And with this move, Mezas whole strategy shattered. All Alain had to do was to draw a Monster with more than 300 ATK, or to use his Numbers effect again. Mezas face-down cards 'Battle Mania', 'Life Force' and 'Life Transfer' where rather useless in this situation, as was the card he kept in his hand last turn, 'Necromancy'. There was just one card left to use. As much as he hated it, but he had to do it. He needed the Legendary Number. And he knew, he would go as far as necessary to get it.
"I activate," Meza yelled while he inserted his card into his D-Pad, "'Rank-Up-Magic Barians Force'!" The galaxy-shaped protal reopened and 'Number 102: Infinite Giver' turned fully yellow before shooting into it.
"I Rank-Up 'Number 102: Infinite Giver'! Chaos Xyz Change, 'Number C102'! I spent my whole life giving, no it is time to take it back! 'Zero Giver'!" The portal exploded into particles of light, before another crystal emerged from it. However, this time it had a much darker color than the last, also, it now had two rings, one of them read '102', the other one read '0'. One yellow Xyz Material cycled it.
Number C102: Zero Giver / Rank 3 / Xyz / LIGHT / Psychic-Type / 0 ATK / 0 DEF / 1 Xyz Material
He did it. He ranked up his Number. He did what all those Astral Soldiers he hated that much did every day. And he liked it. And he knew he could win, right now.
"I activate the second effect of 'Rank-Up-Magic Barians Force'. I take the last Xyz Material from 'Number 98: Attone of Greed' and attach it to my new summoned Monster." The Xyz Material of his opponents ace broke orbit and settled next to the other Material attached to 'Zero Giver'.
Number 98: Attone of Greed: 1 Xyz Material → 0 Xyz Materials
Number C102: Zero Giver: 1 Xyz Material → 2 Xyz Materials
"Next," Meza continued, "I activate my face-down Trap Card 'Life Transfer'. You can send any four Monsters from your Deck to the Graveyard. Then you gain Life Points equal to the combined ATK of those Monsters."
Alain laughed at the Trap Cards effect: "You are still not giving up that lousy strategy of yours, mon ami? But, oh well, I think in this case, I will send 2 copies each, of 'Chainsaw Insect' and 'Saber Beetle'. Making a total gain of 9600 Life Points for me." As Alain inserted the four Monsters into his Graveyard, he waited for his Life Points count to rise, but it didn't. Confused, he turned to Meza, who just laughed at the shocked expression of his former friend.
"You know, 'mon ami', as long as 'Number C102: Zero Giver' has Xyz Materials, any effect that would raise your Life Points raises mine instead." He continued to laugh as waves of light from the crystal behind him engulfed him.
Meza: 300 LP → 9900 LP
"Now that we are almost even again, I will again be kind to you. I activate 'Necromancy'!" Meza inserted his last card into his D-Pad, before a layer of fog covered the stony ground. To a questioning look in Alains face, Meza explained: "Now, four random Monsters are Special Summoned to your side of the field in Defense Position. And since the only Monsters in your Graveyard are three 'Chainsaw Insects' and two 'Saber Beetle', three guesses at what Monsters will be Special Summoned." As he spoke, two 'Chainsaw Insect' and two 'Saber Beetle' appeared on Alains side of the effect.
Chainsaw Insect / Effect / Level 4 / EARTH / Insect-Type / 2400 ATK / 0 DEF
Chainsaw Insect / Effect / Level 4 / EARTH / Insect-Type / 2400 ATK / 0 DEF
Saber Beetle / Effect / Level 6 / EARTH / Insect-Type / 2400 ATK / 600 DEF
Saber Beetle / Effect / Level 6 / EARTH / Insect-Type / 2400 ATK / 600 DEF
"You have to run this by me again. The exact purpose of this move was..." Alain asked confused, as he now had a full row of Monster on his side of the field.
"You know, normally I use 'Necromancy' in conjunction with the second effect of my normal 'Infinite Giver' to raise my opponents Life Points. But in the case of 'Zero Giver', well, during your Standby Phase, I can detach an Xyz Material to unlock its effect. But instead of increasing your Life Points, my new Monster damages you, each time it battles, equal to the combined ATK of all face-up Monsters you control," Meza explained. If he counted it out right, one single hit would win his this duel.
However, Alain just chuckled: "Your great plan has just a tiny flaw: What if I just opt to not attack you, mon ami?"
"Well, then, this will be a very very long duel," Meza replied, "I end my turn."
"Then my turn starts," Alain said and drew his card, before adding, "I proceed to the Standby Phase, so I guess you..."
"...activate the effect of 'Number C102: Zero Giver'. I detach one of its Xyz Materials to do so." One of the crystals Xyz Materials was absorbed into its ring, before it gave up a threatening light.
Number C102: Zero Giver: 2 Xyz Materials → 1 Xyz Material
"Then," he continued, much to Alains shock and surprise, "I activate my second-to-last face-down card: 'Battle Mania'! This card forces all your Monsters to Attack Position and to attack during this turn. And since my Giver is the only viable target..."
"...I am close to losing," Alain finished. In shock he gazed at his last card: 'Morphing Jar'. A card he had no room for. So there was just one last thing to do, before he lost: Do some Damage.
"'Chainsaw Insect'!" he yelled, "Attack his Number and inflict Piercing Damage thanks to 'Saber Beetles' effect!" The insect darted forward, but Meza still had one card on his field, one last card to show Alain that this time, he had the undeniable upper hand and there was nothing Alain could do against that.
"I activate 'Life Force'!" Mezas card flipped up and when the insect crashed into the crystal, a pink barrier protected Meza from most of the Damage.
Meza: 9900 LP → 9500 LP
Simultaneously, 'Number C102: Zero Giver' fired a black wave of light, knocking Alain off his feet.
Alain: 11400 LP → 0 LP [LOSER]
"And Game." Meza concluded. After the Monsters had vanished from the field, he went over to his downed opponent, asking the one single question that was on his mind now: "This vision I had. Did it really happen."
Alain coughed, then spoke, sounding like he was in great pain: "Yes ... All what you saw ... happened. However …. I did not …. betray …. power … beware .. Thou …... sand." With this last words, he disappeared into light particles, leaving only 'Number 98: Attone of Greed' behind.
Author-made cards:
Number 102: Infinite Giver / Rank 2 / Xyz / LIGHT / Psychic-Type / 0 ATK / 0 DEF
2 Level 2 Monsters
Once per duel, during your Main Phase, if this card has no Xyz Materials: Your opponents Life Points become equal to your Life Points, then this card gains ATK equal to the Life Points your opponent lost (if any). During your opponents Standby Phase, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, then this card gains the following effects until the End Phase: ● This card cannot be destroyed by battle. If this card battles a Monster, your opponent gains Life Points equal to that Monsters ATK after the Damage Calculation. ● This card cannot be destroyed by card effects. If this card is targeted by a card effect, your opponent gains 2000 Life Points.
Number 98: Attone of Greed / Rank 4 / Xyz / LIGHT / Fiend-Type / 1800 ATK / 2500 DEF
2 Level 4 Monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle, except with a "Number" Monster. This card cannot attack. This cards effects can only be applied/resolved if this card is the only Monster you control. If this card is Special Summoned: Detach all Xyz Materials from all other face-up Xyz Monsters, then your opponent draws cards equal to the combined Ranks of all Monsters affected by this effect. During your Main Phase 2: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; Both players banish all cards in their hand, face-down. Then, both players draw 2 cards, and if they do, they banish 1 card from their hand, face-down.
Number C102: Zero Giver / Rank 3 / Xyz / LIGHT / Psychic-Type / 0 ATK / 0 DEF
3 Level 3 Monsters
Must be Special Summoned with a "Rank-Up-Magic" Spell Card that targeted a "Number 102: Infinte Giver" with no Xyz Materials, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. Cannot be destroyed by battle. While this card has Xyz Materials, if your opponent would gain Life Points, you gain the same amount of Life Points instead. During your opponents Standby Phase, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; Until the End Phase, if this card battles, inflict Damage to your opponents Life Points equal to the combined ATK of all face-up Monsters your opponent controls.
Life Transfer / Normal Trap Card
Your opponent sends 4 Monsters from their Deck to the Graveyard, then, your opponent gains Life Points equal to their combined ATK.
#LostinTranslation
Again, the Don Thousand game. If you can understand French, it will be oblivious who he is, this time. Also, Nanashi the Knight of the Sky was right last time, he was the man that gave Tosh to Saphon.
Legendary Numbers done: #48, #98
Legendary Numbers to come: #72, #37, #81, #4, #12
And the next one to try and duel, is Belle.