Apologies for the delay on this chapter, its been a very emotional time between this chapter and the last. But I have managed to use it to constructively do something in response to it, while also keeping the story alive. Bear with me for this chapter, its something I have to do. We will be back on course next chapter.
Chapter Eighteen - Homeward Bound - Revenge Of The Prime Evil, Birth Of An Angel
A few minutes after the duel, both Tara and I were back in our waiting room after the match, and Tara was pacing the floor wearing it out. I was stood waiting for her explosion, as I knew it was coming, and in the end she stopped and fixed me with a glare.
"Alright, what in Sin was all that about?!" She spat.
"We won didnt we?" I offered weakly.
"I dont care! You didnt give a flying fuck about anything I did in that duel!" She roared.
Stepping back in more fear than seeing Sephiroth, I hold my hands up.
"Im sorry... it wont happen again. I just saw and opening to win and took it is all..."
"Still..." She said relenting partially. "It wasnt fun. I dont care if it got us through, we are a partnership in this, and should work as such, understood?"
"Yea" I say weakley.
"Well then ill let you off... this time" She added.
Still sensing the tension in the air, I observe her for a moment before she turns to the screen.
"The next duel is up. Pity we cant watch it" She said.
Suddenly feeling tired, I find myself in the chair feeling rather sleepy.
"Im bushed already. I might just take a nap" I say
"Wake up in a better team spirit" She snapped
Gulping in response, I allow myself to close my eyes as sleep quickly took me.
Waking up, I rub the sleep from my eyes as I look around confused for a moment.
"Tara?" I say
It took me a few seconds to realise where I was, I was in my house. No longer on Spira. Looking round, I see the Playstation 2 is still there, not turned on, and just the way it had been before I had departed.
"It all must have been a dream" I say getting up from my chair.
Stretching I see that im still in the clothes I had on before Spira, and with a heavy sigh I sit back down
"Shame too, it was a good dream even if Sephiroth turned up... then again that pretty much explains it"
It was then I turned around as my phone rang on the table, picking it up I see its my Mum calling. Answering it, the next few minutes was a blur as I almost dropped the phone after what she had told me...
Betty-Sue had been put down...
I'd known she had been suffering a back problem for a few days, the vet had given her an injection to try and rectify the problem, but within the space of a week she had not gotten any better. Finally this morning my mum had took her back to the vet as she was paralyzed from the waist down. The only option was to put her down since she was now incontinent and would have no quality of life.
Not a good way to live for such a gentle soul...
Subconsciously I had reached for my chest to try and get her card from the others from the coat pocket I had worn on Spira, but of course they were not there. The next few hours flew by. I had held myself strong and not cry as I went straight down to my mums to send her on her way.
We had put her in the back of the car under a blanket of hers. I couldnt look over the back seat into the boot of the car at her, even if she was covered up I just couldnt do it. My mum was a wreck, I kept myself strong and despite my eyes almost being constantly welled up I couldnt cry infront of her if she was this sad. My step dad was the same, he loved her too. We all loved little Betty-Sue, such a kind and loving dog.
At the Pet Crematorium, I had been the one to carry her in. I had wanted to do it, holding her in my arms once last time. I chuckled in both grief and delight as Id forgotten how heavy she was. Placing her down, we all said our goodbyes to her. I had some time to myself with her as my mum and step dad sat in the car. Kissing her fondly on her neck for the last time, I left her...
And that was the last time I would ever see her...
A few weeks later I had settled back into my life, not letting grief take me. Infact I hadnt cried even in private... I found I couldnt. It was ironic too, for the house had welcomed two new members to the family. One of the dogs in Moosey's litter, Rico's sister Winter had returned home to us. Winter was a Rone, she had white fur but had brown spots with brown ears and the same snout. She had made herself right at home, being all boisterious and all. The person who bought her couldnt take care of her due to back issues, and showing he did infact care, he offered to let us take her back so she would have a home. My mum of course didnt refuse, and further, a puppy entered our home too.
We named him Gunner, he was the son of Rico, he had a litter of three dogs with a friends Spaniel. He was chocolate brown and was the spitting image of his Granddad Snoopy. Id gone down to see them all again this day. Everyone was doing better in the weeks since Betty-Sue had gone. To be honest we had some more love in the house. Winter and her mum Moosey had taken to fighting with each other, while Gunner being the baby was so cute. He had a penchant for chewing ears I soon found out as he chewed mine frequently. His dad Rico had been upset when he first appeared, mainly because he felt pushed out that my mum wouldnt baby him no more, but he soon got over it. Snoopy of course didnt care each way, but that was his way that I knew and loved.
Id sat with each dog and took loads of pictures on my phone with me and them. I wasnt prepared to miss anything after what happened with Betty-Sue and made sure I had lasting pictures of them. But I'd already made sure to have a keepsake of Betty-Sue too. The Crematorium had gathered some of her fur at my request for a keepsake, I'd asked for both her white and brown fur of her front paws, the ones that were always bushy. I bought a pendant specifically for them and wore it round my neck as soon as I got it.
After a while Id sat with my little brother Joji in his room as we watched a season and a half of Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal in japanese. Fortunately there were subbed but I knew enough anyway to get by even without them for the latest episodes. At the end of the evening I was escorted to the gate by the family and the Spaniel army as I said goodbye to everyone and set off up the street home.
"KAISER!" bellowed a voice.
The dogs all began to bark in unison as my blood froze at hearing a voice and a name I no longer went by. Turning around I gasped as I saw... Elan... tendrils of dark smoke emanating from his body as he walked towards me in an almost zombie like fashion. A sinister smile crept onto his face as he raised his arm... a duel disk on it.
"I owe you a death" He uttered.
"Your not real... you cant be..." I gasp.
"Oh but I am..." He snarled. "After you beat me... my soul went to a strange place... I met someone there... he told me that I had lost in an unclean way, and my rage had sent my soul... to the Barian World"
"Barian?!" I gasp.
"Yes Barian!" Another voice echoed.
As if his shadow took form, a dark whisp was taking a humanoid shape. It looked like a grey demon fit with black wings and a mouthless face. Dressed only in what looked like a black loincloth it was embedded with a few gemstones and a familiar looking symbol on its chest. It sniggered at me in the most horrifying way, despite having no mouth.
"Vector!" I snarl.
"Oh?" He replied. "So you know me? Well then you should know that what this boy said was true... your defeat of him led him into my hands where I decided to satisfy his rage, to train him for a new task of collecting the Numbers"
"Like you could ever beat Yuma or Astral with thier power of Zexal!" I cry back pointing at Vector.
"Well with the power he can gain from the hatred here he could... his soul was tainted with rage after your devestating attack that I could pull his soul to me for my own use... and since my physical body is shall we say... indisposed for now, I have time for other projects! Now its time to duel!" Vector shouted
Extending his wings, Vector made an extended jump as he landed neatly on one of the neighbouring houses to sit down and casually watch the duel. Raising his arm, Elan made a shout that made my blood freeze.
"BARIAN-PHOSE!"
In a blast of crimson light, his body began to contort and change shape, becoming almost like vector, but he was mainly green and yellow in colour with a pair of wings and now mouthless face. Elan then merely activated his duel disk. Raising my own arm in reflex I grit my teeth as I realise that I have no duel disk nor deck of my own, nor powers to even fight back.
"Dandy!" Came a voice.
Looking round quickly I catch something in my hand that Joji had thrown me and actually nearly step back in suprise when I see its his toy duel disk I had bought him a few years ago. Whats more, I saw the cards in it and just knew it was his deck.
"Now you can duel!" He says.
Squealing in delight from his rooftop perch, Vector spoke.
"How delicious! The mighty Kaiser dueling with a toy!"
Snarling in rage, I instantly put the duel disk on with its velcro arm strap and attached it the best I could. But I knew, even if this duel would be accepted, Elan would no doubt be using real monsters and would cripple me with thier strength...
"I see those pathetic creatures again" Elan said having noticed the dogs still barking. "More too" He sneers. "I dont see the ridiculous black one..." His eyes then glowed blood red as he looked towards me. "I see in your mind that means only one thing!" Elan laughs. "Its dead and gone to rot in the earth!"
I felt the rage instantly burn inside my chest... but I would not let it consume me, pointing my arm towards Elan, I merely smiled in response.
"You wont drag me down with my own grief Elan! Even if you use real monsters in this duel and I cant, ill show you for her memory that I can live and duel forever!"
As I said my last words, a blue and white energy ball errupted from my chest to consume my body engulphing me in holy fire. But I felt no pain, while Elan gasped and at such a development. A second later I could feel something forming in my hand and it finally took shape, it was my sword... my sword from Spira. Holding it to my face, I stare at the steel for a moment, feeling its cold touch on my face and thanking the very creators that it infact wasnt a dream, before I pointed it at Elan.
"Remember this day Elan! For you once more duel against a Champion of the Fayth! You duel against Kaiser the Dark Warrior of Spira!"
A moment later the sword shone brightly once again as I was consumed by the holy fire once again changing my form... to how I looked on Spira. My hair growing longer once again while wearing my dark clothes, but now they had changed. My dark shirt now had a silver design over my chest, in the form of the outline of Cyber End Dragon while my black coat and jeans now had blue stripes along my arms and legs and with a symbol on my back. Joji's duel disk had changed to the one I wore on Spira, but now it held a blue and white trim... like my soul monster.
"Interesting" Vector mused from his rooftop perch.
"Thats so cool!" Joji squealed on the side lines seeing his brothers transformation.
His mother however was transfixed in disbelief.
"Dark Warrior of Spira?" She muttered. "Why does that sound so familiar"
With satisfaction, I strike my sword down and embed it into ground before me and I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a fist full of cards, immediately I noticed there were new additions as I placed them in the deck, holding my arm high in the air.
"Its time Elan! You can loose once more to my Beast deck! Lets duel!"
"Beast deck?" Joji muttered on the sidelines. "Dandy always plays Cyber"
Elan 8000 Kaiser 8000
"Returning champion first" I declare drawing, holding a card in the air. "I once again summon Snoopy, The Mauling Brown Bear!"
I instantly glanced over at Snoopy at my gate and saw he began to yawn before he laid down on the ground, sleeping peacefully. It was at that moment that the pyreflies began to converge once again, creating an exact copy of him on my side of the field, who was again wagged his tail playfully as he appeared.
Snoopy, The Mauling Brown Bear 3000/3000
"Snoopy?" Kaiser's mother asked seeing the brown spaniel fall off to sleep.
"He's there mum!" Joji said. "He's fighting with Dandy!"
"So thats how it works" I think. "They arent copies at all! Summoning one of them forces thier bodies into sleep so that thier souls can join me in a duel... it really is my dogs" I think, before grabbing another card from my hand.
"Next I activate a spell card called Call of the Family! With Snoopy on the field I can now summon the rest of the family from my deck!"
Four cards immediately popped out of my deck as I grabbed them and placed them onto each monster zone.
"Im sure you know these first two! I summon Moosey! The Rampaging Beast and Rico! The Proud Son!"
The two blond spaniels followed the command of sleep as thier duel monster forms appeared on the field, already playing with each while Snoopy growled when they invaded his personal space.
Moosey, The Rampaging Beast 1/1
Rico, The Proud Son ?/?
"Now a new addition! Arise Winter! The Warm Princess!"
Winter now joined the rest in sleep as her monster form appeared on the field, she instantly sprang into the fight between her mother and brother in a three way brawl.
Winter, The Warm Princess 1000/1000
"Finally its time for some puppy power! I summon Gunner! Innocence Incarnate!"
Gunner yawned with a wide yawn and fell alseep in my mums arms as pyreflies began to form as he was now appearing in my right arm. Barking with a high pitched squeak, he made his prescence known.
Gunner, Innocence Incarnate 0/0
"Since its quite an overpowered card, I cannot attack on the turn they are summoned nor use thier effects this turn, and must pay one thousand life points for each monster I summon"
Elan 8000 Kaiser 4000
"I set four cards and end my turn" I smirk.
"I didnt think they would print cards of our dogs" Kaiser's mum said sounding confused.
"Does it matter?" Joji said. "With the Spans with him he cant loose!"
After, I placed Gunner down on the floor who sat inbetween my feet, curled up as if he was going to sleep peacefully... while looking cute enough to eat.
"I draw" Elan said calmly, before observing the field. His eyes once again began to glow red, as if he was peering into the depths of something...
"You wont trick me this time" He snarled. "This time I can see thier effects!"
"Then why dont you tell me?" I say, smirking.
"It appears that one has been upgraded" Elan said pointing to Moosey. "Her effect when the other yellow one is attacked also now includes that spotted new one" He sneered.
"Because its her daughter" I smirk.
"That spotted one again..." Elan said narrowing his eyes. "Negates targeted effects against herself and others of her kind by trading in five hundred points from whatever mode she is in. Further, she gains five hundred points for whichever mode she is in during your standby phase in order to refuel her effect"
"Thats because shes a sweet loving warm princess arent you Winter?" I say.
Winter immediately breaks off from the others to join me for a moment while I kiss her fondly on the head before she goes back to the fight.
"Hmph" He adds. "And that one" He said pointing to Gunner. "Its effect makes no sense"
"How so?" I reply
"It doesnt have a single attack point, so cannot attack, but oddly it can attack all monsters I control and when its attacked it ends the battle phase immediately, so why would I even attack it in the first place?"
"You wouldnt" I smile. "Because hes a sweet cute boy arent you?" I say kneeling down and stroking Gunner's belly. I laughed as It almost looked like he was smirking as I stroked him.
Elan did not say anything further, merely narrowing his eyes as he noticed my loaded back row.
"And no doubt you have those support cards you used last time, and new ones for the others that appeared... but then again... I have a different plan" He said taking a card from his hand.
"I activate Lullaby of Obedience and chain Level Code! The first lets me take level eight or higher monster from your deck and add it to my hand in exchange for one thousand life points, however since my choice will be lower than level seven my Level Code trades in another thousand points to allow it ... and I choose" He said pointing at me. "Betty-Sue The Clingy One!"
Elan 6000 Kaiser 4000
My blood froze in horror at his declaration as my deck then began to glow and a card came from near the centre, it flew out to land safely in Elan's hand.
"Your dead creature is now mine! So lets see if you dare attack her for I now summon her!"
"Dont you fucking dare Elan!" I shout out.
But it was too late, he had already put the card on his duel disk and what happened next almost tore my soul in half. Appearing on the field was Betty-Sue... but under the blanket, exactly as I had left her with at the Crematorium. My legs gave way as I fell on my knees, feeling my heart being torn out at such a sight. I looked over to my mum and brother, he was already crying his eyes out again while my mum was steadying herself against the wall, still holding onto the sleeping Gunner. Even my dogs on the field were reacting, they seemed to be almost wimpering at the sight. The only one that didnt was Gunner since he had next met Betty-Sue, but even he was feeling the pain from the others.
Betty-Sue The Clingy One 1000/2000
"How the mighty have fallen" Elan starts to laugh.
Gritting my teeth and feeling like my skin was about to burn, I stand to my feet and roar in pure rage at Elans tactics.
"I swear beyond everything in this world... Im going to slice you in half for this!"
"Go ahead and try" He sniggers. "I end my turn... so go ahead and attack me!"
"I draw" I say sneering looking at the card. "I set a card and end my turn" I declare, even as Winter had powered up more
Winter, The Warm Princess 1500/1000
Bursting into laughter, Elan nearly fell over from his own joke. Eventually he settled down enough to talk.
"So you really are afraid!" He laughs. "Want to know something even better? At the end of this duel win or loose, all your monsters that are in the graveyard will be lost forever!"
Gasping in horror, I knew now that was his aim. I have left my dogs on the field to be targetted by his attacks and effects, while he knew he had a shield on the field with... Betty-Sue.
"This was his own personal request..." Vector sniggered. "I would have liked to take credit for its such a marvelous plan!"
"How could he do such a thing?" Kaisers mother asked visibly shaken. "Why would he want to bring our dogs into it?"
"I dont know mum... Dandy must have really beat him bad"
"Your the worst person I've ever met Elan!" I retort. "Even Vector has more of a reason to do this! Yours is just petty revenge!"
"Maybe" Elan sniggers. "But it will do" He said drawing. "I know play a spell card called Barian Monster Formation! This lets me select one type of monster on the field, in this case Beast type, and special summon from my deck as many monsters that are the same level"
Grabbing his deck, He quickly searched out four cards and placed them on his duel disk.
"So I summon three Beserk Gorillas and Voltic Kong!"
As his various Gorilla's appeared on the field both howling and pouncing around in rage, I noticed thier stats drop.
Beserk Gorilla x 3 0/0
Voltic Kong 0/0
"Of course you notice that thier points become zero, thier effects are negated and they are destroyed in the end phase, however I will also play the Spell Known as Beast Cry, doubling the levels of all my Beast monsters on my field this turn" He adds.
"Then why summon them?" I question... until suddenly something clicked in my head. "They are all level eight! Dont tell me!"
"Yes!" Elan said throwing his arms in the air. "I now use my four level eight monsters in an Overlay!"
The four monsters roared before they were consumed into energy bolts rising into the air which formed a swirling vortex that looked like a galaxy.
"With my four monsters, I construct an Overlay Network! XZY Summon!"
"Oh crap" I realise, knowing whats coming.
"Yes!" Elan screams. "Beast of the great evils hear my call!"
Two massive clawed arms pierced the earth as it climbed out of the grounded vortex.
"Be reborn unto flesh to awaken in the world for you to conquer!"
Finding its ground with a mighty surge of strength it propelled itself into the air to land on the ground, cracking the earth around it with two massive clawed feet.
"May the heavens themself and all who dwell there feel your fury!"
With a gutteral roar, the massive bi-pedaled huge demon announced its prescence onto the field, swarming with four red energy streams around its body making up its Overlay Materials and making my dogs momentarily shrink back in fear at such a sight.
"Now rise! Numbers One Hundred And Eight! Diablo, The Dread Demonic Beast!"
Number 108: Diablo, The Dread Demonic Beast 3500/3500 OLU 5
"An over hundred Number?!" I gasp.
"Born from the Barian spirit in me you created Kaiser! So feel justified that you brought this on yourself! Now attack Diablo! Go for the smallest one! Prime Evil Blast!"
Diablo roared as it charged and electrical and firey merged energy stream in its hands that quickly fire in my direction at Gunner.
"You dont learn after all!" I cry out suddenly reaching down picking Gunner up. "I activate his effect! Now you have attacked him I end your battle phase! Innocence Call!"
Thrusting Gunner forward, he made a soft bark at Diablo, who faultered for a moment as his attack seemed to dissapate.
"It looks like I did!" Elan retorted. "I activate Diablo's effect! I detach one Overlay Unit, and this grants Diablo the ability to banish all your other monsters!"
"WHAT?!" I gasp
In pure horror my dogs vanished from the field in a shower of pyreflies, leaving only Gunner in my hands to be preyed upon by Diablo who smirked and licked its lips.
"Dont worry, they will return at the end of the turn, but Diablo likes to prey on the weak, and since your monster is now paralysed with fear, its effect is negated and Diablo gains one thousand attack points for each that were banished!"
Number 108: Diablo, The Dread Demonic Beast 7500/3500
"Thats unreal" I gasp.
"Now go Diablo! Destroy that thing!"
Roaring again, Diablo resumed his onslaught with evil intent at the now defenceless Gunner in my hands.
"Loving Owners Sacrifice!" I declare, as the trap pops up.
I instantly bring Gunner to my chest and turn my back to Diablo whos energy blast hits me square in the back. Crying out in pain, I gasp and fall to my knees, holding onto Gunner making sure he isnt hurt. After the attack subsides, I try to get up but cant, Gunner licking me on my cheek makes me smile as I finally rise to my feet.
Elan 6500 Kaiser 3000
"Dandy!" Joji shouted out.
"I thought these were supposed to be holograms on the TV" Kaiser's mum declared. "How can they hurt him?"
"How noble..." Vector chuckled. "Sacrificing himself for his animals... I will have so much use for you Kaiser"
"Why did my life points drop extra?!" I declare confused.
"Diablo is why" Elan states. "Any card effect you activate in his prescence that requires you to pay any type of cost is doubled!"
Gritting my teeth, I realise this is his plan. He had already seen through my strategy from last time and his Number monster had effects to counter that.
"Yes" Elan stated to my thoughts. "I already knew you would use the defensive card again, and found a way to make you suffer for it! So now I set three cards and end my turn, and now your creatures return" He says
Seconds later my dogs appeared on the field once again, while his monster weakened once again.
Number 108: Diablo, The Dread Demonic Beast 3500/3500
"You've made a mistake Elan! Hiding behind my own dog is one thing, but now you have given me a target! I will attack your monster!"
"Try it" He said. "Its far too strong for anything you have, and even worse, only another Number monster can destroy it, so your out of luck!"
"Lets see then! I draw!" I declare as Winter powered up again.
Winter, The Warm Princess 1500/1000
"Moosey! Attack his monster and use your effect!"
With a snort, Moosey charged the massive dark monster with a savage pounce, and began to glow as her effect activated.
"Not this time! Trap activate! Evil Force! I equip it to Diablo and once a turn, any monster that battles my Number monster has its effect negated and its points become zero!"
Moosey's aura seemed to fade as her pounce began to be intercepted by Diablo's massive right claw.
Moosey, The Rampaging Beast 0/0
"I activate Loving Owner's Sacrifice!"
As Diablo went to swipe at Moosey in mid flight I grabbed my sword and rushed onto the field and with mighty leap intercepted the strike and parried with my sword. The force of the impact threw me back but I twisted in mid air and caught Moosey with me and landed safely on the ground. Putting her down she licked my face fondly in thanks.
"How can he does this? I dont even see pole vaulters jump that high!" Kaiser's mum declares.
"Cause he's Dandy" Joji said smiling.
"And the way he protects then... even putting himself in harms way" His mother continued
Elan 7000 Kaiser 2000
"Predicatable plan" Elan sniggers.
"Actually it wasnt! Reveal Trap card! Familys Roar! Since Moosey would have took battle damage as well as my paid cost, I can now add those points to every single remaining monster and there points cannot change this turn by any other card effect!"
With a loud roar, the remaining Spaniel's gave a roar of approval as thier stats started to fly upwards.
Snoopy, The Mauling Brown Bear 7500/3000
Rico, The Proud Son 4500/?
Winter, The Warm Princess 5500/1000
Gunner, Innocence Incarnate 4500/0
"What in Sin?!" Elan gasps.
"Unfortunately I cant attack directly, then again it doesnt matter since I cant destroy your Number monster in battle, I can still deal you damage! So go everyone! Show that thing who's boss!"
As the three adult spaniels charged Diablo in various pounces trying to chew various parts of its body, I put Gunner down who bounded across the field making my heart melt with how cute he was as he started to chew on Diablo's massive clawed foot. The huge monster roared in frustration at such an attack as eventually the spaniels rejoined me on my side of the field, Gunner retreating to my arms and safety.
"Span mauling for the win!" Joji declared.
"Dont be so sure..." Vector said with a chuckle
Elan 1000 Kaiser 2000
"Your life points should be zero" I say confused.
"Should, but arent... because I have this trap" Elan decalares stood next to a card. "Its called Sin Heart, and since you gave me more than four thousand points of damage this turn, it means my life points cannot drop below one thousand."
"Nice trick" I say sarcastically.
"It gets better than I can now deal you four thousand points of damage!" He declared throwing an arm forward.
As he spoke, a massive blast of crimson light shot out of the card straight across the field directly for me...
"Not this time! I activate Princess's Warmth!"
... Winter seemed to howl as the energy ball diverted towards her to engulph her, but it dissappated quickly as she glowed a bright blue aura.
"This trap allows me to use your direct damage as a weapon! It now is negated and used to destroy a monster on the field with equal or less attack! So I destroy your Number!"
"WHAT?!" Elan gasps.
In seconds a icicle blast errupted from the trap card to pierce Diablo square in the chest, with a loud howl it fell down to the ground defeated before exploding into pyreflies.
"I set a card and end my turn" I say with a grin. "Your mighty Number monster is toppled, care to try again?"
Seeming to seethe with rage, Elan put a hand on his duel disk to draw, his body beginning to glow a purple fire as he did.
"Ill show you!" He said drawing.
His draw seemed to arc in a purple light as the air around us seemed to intensify in heat as the ground shook.
"BARIAN CHAOS DRAW!"
"Oh no..." I breathe, knowing what it means.
"I activate Rank-Up Magic! The Seventh One! With it, I special summon Diablo from my graveyard!" Elan retorted.
With a roar the earth tore apart as the form of the beast clawed its way back up from hell, with a vengeful sneer.
"Now its time! The second effect of The Seventh One allows me to instantly Rank-Up my special summoned monster! So I now use Diablo to reconstruct the Overlay Network! Chaos XYZ Change!"
Diablo roared as he was consumed in the fiery inferno that errupted from the very hole he had clawed out of. But it was clear the monster was not in pain... it was pleasure.
"By the power of the evil forces, come together to form a true Prime Evil! Death incarnate come from the void of hell and enact your vengance to bring all reality itself to destruction!"
In a massive green energy explosion the true form of Diablo started to emerge...
"Appear! Chaos Numbers One Hundred And Eight! Diablo, The Prime Evil Lord!"
Chaos Number 108: Diablo, The Prime Evil Lord 4000/4000 OLU 1
Diablo seemed to have undergone a fiery change, its body seemed double in size and having a total of six arms and hands, dwarfing the houses around it while it was covered in hell fire as it breathed fire from its nose.
"Diablo gains one thousand attack points when there is a monster on the field that is not a dark monster! Further, should you attack it with a light monster, its attack points double!"
Chaos Number 108: Diablo, The Prime Evil Lord 9000/4000 OLU 1
"Further, any cost effect card that is not from an XYZ monster cannot be activated! So you cannot hide behind your trap card!"
"This monster is just anti my beast deck!" I cry out.
"You brought this on yourself!" Elan shouted back "Attack the biggest brown one Diablo! Hell Inferno!"
Diablo formed an energy current in its hands once more, however this time it was coupled with electricity that licked its way across the field towards Snoopy...
"Trap card activate! Prideful Sneer!" I declare.
As the name of the trap indicated, Snoopy began to growl in response to the attack and it was met by an energy shield...
"Since you attacked Snoopy, I can now redirect any attack to a monster on my side of the field, so Gunner now takes the attack!"
Snatching Gunner off the ground I thrust him forward.
"I activate his effect! Since he is now attacked, I end the battle phase! Innocence Call!"
With a mild bark, Diablo faultered once more and its fire dissapated well before it could hit him. Diablo sneered in frustration at having being stopped.
"Tch, I end my turn" Elan said sneering.
"Then its my move!" I say putting my hand down to draw.
Instantly as I touch the card I feel a jolt of lighting run up my arm as I prepared to draw. I knew straight away what it was as I drew.
"Be prepared Elan! For Im going to defeat you the same way I did last time!"
"Your field is full! You have no zones!" Elan says knowing my meaning.
I almost dropped my card at the reveleation, in the midst of the duel I genuinely had forgotten that my zones had been full by the end of the first turn, and even though I had indeed drawn Kai, I could not summon him.
"Five level four monsters" a voice said
"What the hell?!" I say looking around.
"Overlay Network" Another voice said
I instantly inhale sharply at what I had just heard, and looking at my field I realise its a hint. The voices I had heard though, they were strangely familiar but I couldnt place who they were. However, I knew I had bigger fish to fry right now and I placed Kai in my hand.
"Elan! Your Number monster may have suprised me, but its not the only XYZ monster in existance!"
Elan's eyes widened at such a statement.
"Dont tell me!?" He gasped
"Yes! I now use my five level four monsters to construct an overlay network of my own! XYZ Summon!"
The five Spaniel's howled together as thier bodys became energy streams that entered a massive swirling vortex on the floor, a few seconds later it exploded outward as a new being was created.
"Power of the combined family! Combine your forms to become a creature of new life, a being of pure light, and one that will be by my side untill time itself ends!"
A massive creature was forming on the field. It was a massive Spaniel, easily the size of a large truck. But what was the strange thing was it having three heads! One head was brown, the other blond and finally a Rone colour, with its colours tracing backward down its body to have thier different colours along its body.
"Descend! Loving Light! Almighty Brown-Eyes Ultimate Spaniel!"
With a mighty roar from its three heads, Diablo looked uncertain at the face of this new enemy.
Brown-Eyes Ultimate Spaniel 0/0 Materials 5 OLU 5
Vector actually raised an eyebrow in suprise at such a massive monster.
"Hmmmmmm, I may have underestimated this one" He sniggered.
"That photo..." Kaiser's mother said shocked
"What mum?" Joji asked.
"It was three of the dogs doing thier usual tricks of eating one bone together... it looked sort of like that! He called it Brown-Eyes Ultimate Spaniel..."
"Brown-Eyes Ultimate Spaniel has no detaching effects, its effects are based upon the total Overlay Units it has! And for every material it gains one thousand points!"
With a massive roar from its three heads, the conjoined creatures stats began to shoot up rapidly.
Brown-Eyes Ultimate Spaniel 5000/5000 Materials 5
"Now I summon Kai! Beast of the Everlasting Sun!" I say without missing a beat.
It took Kai all of a second to appear on my side of the field once more, still with his own pair of my minature wings, however this time he was stood on my right shoulder. He gave me a friendly squeak at his own appearance.
Kai, Beast Of The Everlasting Sun 0/0
"Isnt that?" Joji asked.
"Kai..." Kaisers mother said. "But he's been gone so long..."
"Kai now gains triple the points of all other beast monsters on the field during the battle phase! And with your Numbers own effect negated during the battle phase, it outclasses it with his own effect!"
Kai, Beast Of The Everlasting Sun 27000/27000
"Now go Kai! Show him your power! Eternal Sunshine!"
Kai taking his orders straight away lept from my shoulder flapping his wings, clearly having learnt from before as he shot like a bullet straight for Diablo's chest in a massive strike.
"No you dont! Activate Trap! Realm of Terror!" Elan retorted.
The skys darkened immediately as everything to seemed to be consumed by darkness, with Diablo sniggering with malice now he was in his own element.
"What the?!" I gasp.
"I realised my mistake before" Elan continued. "Your monster only negates FACE UP card effects at the start of the battle phase! So this card can be used! Realm of Terror's effect activates since you attacked Diablo, and forces your monster to battle another on the field... I choose your Ultimate Spaniel!"
"What?!" I gasp once more.
"And incase you were wondering, monsters cannot be destroyed when I activate this but you take all the damage! So now be destroyed by your own creature!"
Kai seemed to change direction in mid flight as if he was confused in the darkness to head straight towards my tri-headed spaniel.
"I activate Loving Owner's Sacrifice!"
Instantly I leap foward and jump between my two monsters, catching Kai in my hands as he flew towards my Ultimate Spaniel, spinning round I land nimbly on the middle head of Ultimate Spaniel who flipped me back to my starting point. Putting back Kai on my shoulder, he whimpered at the development.
"Its alright Kai... we can still win!" I smile
Elan 1000 Kaiser 1500
"Your strongest monster is stopped! And your other monster cannot attack! So how can you win?" Elan retorts
"Because since Brown-Eyes Ultimate Spaniel has at least four Overlay Units, its own effects cannot be negated nor can it be stopped attacking! So I can still attack you!" I declare thrusting my arm forward.
Ultimate Spaniel's three heads roared as it charged Diablo and with a massive claw strike struck Diablo square in the chest to knock the vile Number creature to the earth where it writhed in pain.
Elan 500 Kaiser 1500
"You should be down!" I shout
"Not quite" Elan sniggers. "During the turn I activate Realm of Terror, any Battle Damage I take is halfed!"
"I end my turn" I declare, as Diablo once again got back to its feet.
"Hmph" Elan snorts. "You may have gotten out of your defeat since Diablo's effect was negated so you could use your trap card, but that only applies to the battle phase! Unlike this! I activate Diablo's effect!" Elan declares as Diablo grabbed hold of and consumed one of the energy streams around it "At the end phase of your turn by detaching one Overlay Unit, every monster that attacked this turn is banished!"
"Oh no!" I say in fear.
"Death of the heavens!" Elan declares.
With a roar, dark mist began to form around my two monsters, as they began to cough and splutter, slowly subcuming to the power of Diablo's power.
"Not this time Elan! I activate Glorious Sunshine! Since Kai is on the field, I return him and every other monster I control to my hand!"
"What good will that do?! Your field will be empty!"
"Not quite! Glorious Sunshine has another effect, as its the End Phase, I take control of a monster on your field!"
"No!" Elan gasps. "How dare you take my Diablo!"
"Diablo is not my target!" I declare. "I will take back Betty-Sue!"
A halo of light formed on Elan's field pushing back the darkness as it shined down on the covered body of Betty-Sue. As the light warmed her body, she slowly dissappeared to form on my side of the field, right infront of me.
"YOU. WILL. NOT. touch her Elan. This I promise you. I end my turn"
Laughing loudly, Elan was elated at the development.
"Dont you realise whats happened? You may have saved your rotting corpse and that little flying freak, but by sending your XYZ monster back to the Extra Deck, you have sent your monsters to the graveyard!"
"I know... but it wont be for long!" I reply defiantley.
"Then my draw!" Elan says. "I first equip Diable with the spell card known as Terror Strike! Now Diablo! Attack his monster!"
Charging its energy stream once again, Diablo fired it straight for the body of Betty-Sue.
"Activate Trap! Loving Heart! I send Loving Owners Sacrifice to the Graveyard to end the battle phase! Further, I can now send Brown Eyes Ultimate Spaniel to the graveyard to add all monsters in my graveyard to my hand during your next standby phase!"
"Maybe so! But Terror Strike activates! Each time Diablo declares an attack you take one thousand points of damage!"
Roaring in delight, Diablo ceased its energy attack and marched straight across the field slashing out with a massive clawed hand at me. I quickly bring my sword up to parry, but the sheer force of the attack jarred my sense and I was sent hurtling to the floor, my sword spinning in the air before impaling itself on the ground.
Elan 500 Kaiser 500
"I end my turn" Elan declares. "And just so you know, as its equipped with Terror Strike, during your turn, you can no longer negate my monsters effect! So dont even try!" He declares laughing as Diablo once again powered up.
Chaos Number 108: Diablo, The Prime Evil Lord 5000/4000
"My move" I declare weakly, getting back to my feet slowly.
Reaching down to draw my card, I suddenly feel the strength leave my body as I fell to my knees and slumped foward onto the ground...
"Kaiser" A voice said.
"Get up man!" Another echoed
Opening my eyes, I see that I'm no longer in my street... but in my soul room. Looking forward along the ground I see a figure stood there, with another floating alongside him. As I look up I see a teenage boy with a wild set of hair wearing a golden key around his neck, while the other figure seemed to be an almost translucent ghost. Pushing myself up, I was breating heavily.
"Astral... Yuma... Ive already failed... I cant save her... I cant save any of them" I breathe.
"Kaiser" Astral said gliding foward and offering an hand. "You still can... and bring her love back to earth once more."
"Too right!" Yuma echoed offering his hand up too. "You gotta show them your Kattobingu!... or even better! Your Kaiserbingu!"
"I cant" I say. "This isnt Spira... I cant do that here... im tapped out with how far ive already gone"
"Yes you can!" Yuma echoed. "Now get up and show us!"
"Kaiser... you have the power of the Chaos... use it to honour her one last time..."
I was back on my feet in the real world, and for a moment I couldnt hear anything, just see... thier words echoing in my mind.
"Chaos?" I say.
"What are you talking about now!" Elan shouted. "Hurry up and finish so I can send you and that useless corpse of yours you have into hell!"
"Dont you dare speak of her like that!" I roar in return "You dont know what its like to feel for anyone but yourself Elan! Everyone is suffering because she is gone, even if she was only an animal, we all cared for her! Even the dogs know she is gone! They suffer too missing her!" I shout while clenching a fist over the pendant.
Joji noticed it straight away, for he was looking at his brothers hand... it was starting to glow a faint golden colour.
"Is that?..." He breathed slowly.
"I feel pain at having missed out on such a gentle soul! Being robbed of seeing her and giving her a fuss every time I came round! Like the others but she was different! A soul of an angel! I almost want to reach up towards heaven to take her back! And to think you would use this duel to try and take her soul from us! And not just her! Them all! Which is why I will not loose this duel!"
As I flung my closed fist towards the sky ripping the pendant from my neck, it suddenly radiated a shining golden light brimming with power. Bringing it back down, I feel strength causing through my veins... my wings once again appearing as they were now surrounded by the same golden light... this was what they meant.
"Yuma... Astral... thank you" I breathe, getting ready to draw my card. "They say that in a duel between the strongest of the duelists, that certainty is inevitable! The duelists have the power to create even thier own draws! I now use that power!"
The drawn card was bathed in a golden colour within the same coloured arc of light as I drew directly overhead with a flourish.
"SHINING DRAW!"
Instantly I heard gasps as I had drawn while Elan had gone white once again. But I already knew, I was hovering in the air, suspended by my wings after such an energtic draw had sent me flying into the air.
"What?!" Vector gasped from his sitting position and standing up sharply. "How did this human manage to perform a Shining Draw?!"
"What happened?!... whats happened to him?!" Kaiser's mother stammered, still holding onto Gunner who was still sleeping along with the rest.
"Dandy did a Shining Draw!" Joji said jumping around
Turning the card over, I look at it and smile as I slowly descend and retouch the ground. Astral and Yuma were once again by my side as I descended to the ground, and nodding at them both I made my move.
"I have it Elan, a card born of my own desires! The power of my soul to grant my loved ones my power! I activate Rank-Up Magic! Soul Force!"
"This card" Astral continued extending his arm. "Selects a monster on the field, converts its level to rank, uses the monster and this card as Overlay materials and creates a new XYZ monster!"
"Like Sin!" Elan retorts. "Activate Dark Bribe! I negate and destroy it!"
But seconds later Elan gasps as his card re-set itself of its own accord!
"What happened?" He gasped.
"Soul Force has a special effect!" Yuma declares. "Cards and effects cannot be activated in response! Nor can you stop or chain to the XYZ summon in any way!"
Grunting in frustration, Elan turns red in anger, but I wasnt looking, I was looking at the covered body of Betty-Sue, feeling a tear roll down my face, I realised I could make my wish come true.
"The power to bring her back to earth is now mine Elan! I now use Betty-Sue as my only monster in a new XYZ summon!"
For a second, the covered body of Betty-Sue seemed to twitch as it slowly dissolved, as the energy turned into a ball that ascended towards the sky once again, but this time it looked like it was forming a galaxy shaped hole!
"Numbers!" Astral gasped
"Totally awesome!" Yuma cheered
"A new kind of Numbers Astral! Born from my very own Rank-Up! So with my one and only monster, I reconstruct the Overlay Network! XYZ Change!"
The galaxy vortex suddenly exploded outwards in the air as its power began to take shape.
"Legacy of the lost loved one!" I declare holding out the pendant. "Open your wings from on high..." I say reaching back my arm. "And descend back to earth to bring salvation to everyone who loves you!" I say throwing the pendant into the swirling vortex.
As the vortex opened, a shape was forming. It looked like the size of a great dane, but it looked like it had wings too.
"Now appear! Soul Numbers Six! Betty-Sue The Loving Angel!"
Betty-Sue had increased substantially in size, but still covered in her black and white fur. But the change that was most noticeable was the pair of magnificent white feathered wings flowing from her back, as she slowly touched the floor, she gave a meek bark.
Soul Number 6: Betty-Sue The Loving Angel 2000/3000 OLU 1
"This cant be real..." Kaisers mother stammered. "He... he cant do this... he cant bring the dead back like this..."
"It is her mum" Joji said between tears. "Look at her!... shes just gotten bigger... shes such a beautiful angel"
"He called her Soul Number Six... six years... thats how old she was when..."
"When Betty-Sue is XYZ summoned by Ranking her up with her base form as an XYZ material she adds from my graveyard and hand all my monsters as Overlay Materials and gains all attack points and effects of those materials! Activate Loving Inheritance!"
In a massive shower of pyreflies, ghostly images of the souls of my dogs, as well as Kai and Brown-Eyes appeared on the field, they all quickly turned into energy streams that seemed to form around the wings of Betty-Sue, who roared with a howl as her points shot up off the charts.
Soul Number 6: Betty-Sue The Loving Angel 280001/0 OLU 7
"Look at all those points!" Joji declared.
"She's so strong..." Kaiser mum declared. "And protecting the family she loves" She smiles.
The dogs then started to wake up one by one as Gunner yawned in my mums arms.
"There all awake!" She smiled.
"Its cause Dandy got them out of the Graveyard!" Joji says
"With all of the other monsters he used now attached to his Number monster, it has all the power and abilities needed to wipe out his Diablo ... truly despite being in the form of an angel, it is a vengeful one at that!" Vector chuckles.
"Now go Betty-Sue! Attack his monster!" I say as Betty-Sue bares her teeth
"Impossible! My monster will still gain double the attack of your monster! Your monster is still weaker than mine!"
"At this moment! Betty-Sue's effect activates! She negates her own attack and adds all of her attack points to the opposing monster!"
With a howl, all of the points Betty-Sue had were transferred to Diablo in a silver light, and despite Diablo looking confused at such development, it sniggered as its points rose
Chaos Number 108: Diablo, The Prime Evil Lord 38001/4000
Soul Number 6: Betty-Sue The Loving Angel 0/0 OLU 7
"What good will that do! Your just giving me the means to crush you further!"
"You forget Elan! Betty-Sue is an instigator, and in this instance she now commands your own monster to attack you directly!"
"IT WHAT?" Elan shouts in horror.
Turning around, Diablo's eyes glowed red as it licked it lips in glee, slashing out with its claw it hit Elan directly, sending him flying to the ground as he roared in pain.
Elan 0 Kaiser 500
Elans form quickly reverted back to his human form as the dark energy whisps escaped from his body. Lifting himself up slowly and gasping in pain, he sneered
"This... isnt over" He spat.
"Oh yes it is!" I declare as my eyes shone bright blue.
With a cry, the dark energy whisps turned on Elan, eveloping him in thier power as his body slowly dissolved while he screamed in terror. I then turn my attention to Vector, pointing at him.
"Go Betty-Sue! Show Vector who's boss!"
With a snarl, Betty-Sue flapped her wings and headed straight for Vector on his rooftop. Squealing in terror, Vector spoke
"Not today! Bye Bye!" He said as a portal opened and consumed him.
Betty-Sue flew past the place he had just been, missing him by about a second until she came to land back on the street. Satisfied that both Vector and Elan were now gone, I felt my duel disk deactivate as I was then greeted by the dogs around my legs as my mum and brother joined me in the road. We all were looking at one thing... Betty-Sue had not dissappeared. Even the dogs had now noticed and were gathered around her in various states of play, and despite being five times the size that she once was, she still acted the same around them all.
None of us knew what to do, but in the end I stepped forward towards her. She was looked at me perculiar, but as I put my hand out, her head came forward to meet it. Lunging forward I wrap my arms around her neck squeezing her tight, not wanting to let her go. I feel the same fur that I had kissed when I left her all those weeks ago. Other arms joined me as my mum and brother latched onto her too. My brother crying in joy at seeing her again. Letting go, I left her with my mum for a moment. My mum absolutely adored her, and I could tell that Betty-Sue knew that now with the way she let her cuddle her.
After a few minutes, I saw a light forming in the sky... it was time to go.
"Mum... we have to go now" I say
"We?" She asked confused, before realising in horror. "No you cant! I cant loose you too!"
"Your not, im going on a mission... ill come back"
"Will you Dandy?" Joji asked. "I want to see you duel again" He said.
"Of course you will, you can fly with me some day. I WILL be back" I say. "I promise"
"Why cant you both stay?" My mum asked. "I'll miss you both"
"Here I say" Giving my mum the pendant. "I have a reason to come back now"
Tears in her eyes, my mum embraced me for a moment before turning and hugging Betty-Sue, now crying her eyes out that she was going again. My little brother had stopped crying, because he just knew... that I was coming back. I stepped towards Betty-Sue as my wings emerged once again, the pair of us started to ascend towards the light in the sky. Waving down to my family I hold onto Betty-Sue as we move into the light.
"Thank you for saving me..."
"Yoooooohooooooo! Kaiser! Wake up!" Tara was echoing in my ear
Sitting back in my chair, I rub the sleep once more from my eyes as Tara is stood with her hands on her hips staring at me. I quickly smell the aroma of food on the table infront of me and notice there is quite a meal.
"Time to eat! You've been sleeping for like two hours!"
"I have?" I say.
Two hours sleep for a two week dream... or nightmare.
"Anyway, who said you could go shopping without me? You got your clothes changed pretty quick! I only went out at one point for like thirty minutes"
"Clothes?" I say confused.
Then I look down and freeze in horror, Im still wearing the clothes I had changed during my duel with Elan, and even my Duel Disk was still changed.
"Oh no" I whisper quietly.
Then on the table infront of me were two things that made my heart almost stop... It was two cards...
Rank-Up Magic Soul Force & Soul Number 6: Betty-Sue The Loving Angel
It hadnt been a dream, it was real. I reached forward to pick up the card and recoiled for a moment when I still see the pendant I had bought with her fur in was in my hand. Steadying myself I reach forward and pick the cards up.
Thats when it happened...
I felt a single tear roll down my face at first, then another... before I knew it I was crying my eyes out, cradling the pendant and the cards to my chest. Finally I was able to let my grief out after all those weeks after I had lost her. Tara didnt know what to do at first. She simply watched for a few moments before coming to my side and wrapping her arms around me, she did nothing else. Just cradled me as I cried. Several minutes later after I had let all my emotions out, I nodded for Tara to let me go as I placed the cards and pendant on the table.
"You ok?" She asked.
"Not really" I reply weakley.
Tara regarded the pendant on the table as well as the two cards and peered round to look at them. She took notice straight away of Betty-Sue.
"So this is one of them" She said with a smile. "Shes very beautiful... Hmmmm and an XYZ monster too, shes got a really strong effect"
I didnt say anything, I was simply staring at the card
"You dont want to talk about it..." She said trailing off. "I understand... we all do. Just let me know when your ready ok?"
"Its not that" I reply quickly. "Its just... she died recently"
"Oh Kaiser im so sorry" Tara said clasping a hand to her mouth.
"Its alright" I say standing up. "Because shes right here" I say picking up the cards
"Well thats good" She smiled. "Looks like our match is up. We will have to feast afterwards she smiled before heading to the door. "You coming partner?"
"Of course" I say. "Ill catch you up"
With a cheery smile, she turned to leave, however she turned back round marching right back up to me, before leaning forward and kissing me slowly on the cheek.
"What was that for?" I ask as she pulls away.
"You look like you needed it" She smiled before turning and walking away
I stand there for a moment and smile as I see her depart, then I turn around and place the two cards back on the table face up, along with the pendant.
"A battlefield is not place for an angel" I breathe slowly.
I kiss my fingers gently and touch all three of the objects and turn to leave, but as I make it to the door I freeze.
"Dont leave me Dandy"
I felt my heart stop as I turned around slowly to see... Betty-Sue, as she looked when she was still alive, sat on the edge of the table staring at me. Within half a second I had flung myself across the room to embrace her, who I felt lean into my hug. Pulling away, she licks me gently on the nose and between my tears I actually laugh, remembering what she was like.
"Ok I wont, sweet girl" I say picking back up the cards and putting the pendant around my neck.
As I pick up her card, she seems to slowly dissolve and turn into a single pyrefly that flies towards the card and enters it before dissappearing. The card glows a bright white light for a moment before it stops. Smiling I place it in my Extra Deck and my new Rank Up card in my main deck before walking from the room.
"Ill always be with you Dandy... dont ever forget me"
Smiling as I walk the corridors, I realise there is no longer any reason to be sad. She will always be where I need her, and even if I can no longer see her in a mortal sense, she will be where she can protect me most, in my deck.
"I miss you Betty... I'll never forget you"
So thats it, a loving tribute to my beloved Betty-Sue. Its a bittersweet honour to her, since I had always planned to implement Soul Number monsters into this fic well down the line. Its both grief, and a pleasure that it is because of this situation that I could do this.
I should state again that I dont own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or anything in relation to the Diablo series, since Diablo himself and the various cards were inspiried from the game.
Next chapter will be back on Spira with the main plot. Despite this chapter taking place on earth, it has set the ground for further plot developments in the future, but were always going to be in place, but have had to be sped up to arrive early in this instance. I have decided to move directly on in the Tag Tournament, but at least this way there is a duel in the interlude that I hoped everyone enjoyed.
So once again, be safe my beloved Betty-Sue, now at peace, and as a living memory as a Soul Number where you are forever.