It's been a few minutes since the duel between Athena and Nelson had begun, and the latter was already in a strong lead both in terms of Life Points (4000 to 2400) and monsters, including Number 83: Galaxy Queen, an XYZ Monster capable of making others invulnerable to being destroyed, she herself immortal thanks to the Spell Card Furious Max's Curse...
"You can't defeat The Sparrow!"
Athena growls a little at the overconfident proclamation, muttering,
"His method-acting's really gone to his head, and I know who's at particular fault for it..."
She of course, was speaking about Nelson's authoritatively-pressuring mother, who doubles as both his manager and an actress/producer of the TV series ESPer Star Sparrow, taking the job so seriously that she's neglected her own son's emotional state...
"Number 83 wouldn't be having such a strong grip over Nelson if it hadn't been for his mom's influence over his personal journey...Hm..."
Suddenly, an idea springs to Athena:
"That could help!"
She then makes a call through her duel gazer to Tiffany, who was currently sitting at her desk in her bedroom situated in the highest part of her family home, the building itself styled with an inspirational likeness to a greenhouse atop a small knoll. The girl was doing some homework at her large desk before bed, dressed in a lime green nightgown with a thin, colour-matching bathrobe overtop, when she sees Athena's name appear in her gazer along with the ring.
(Brrriiiiing, brrriiiing...)
"Hm?"
(Tap, bing)
"Addy? What's with the late call?"
"Tiff, listen, I need you and Jamal to do me a huge favour: Find Nelson's mom and bring her to the sea port studio."
"Huh? Who's Nelson?"
"Oh shoot, right, forgot that part. Okay, long story short, I'm dueling Nelson Andrews, aka The Sparrow at this very minute. You remember that tough-looking woman who produces and acts in the show as Galaxy Queen? That's his mom! I need you guys to find her and bring her to the sound stage; there's something important she needs to witness!"
Sensing the seriousness laced in her friend's tone between the speedy words, Tiffany nods and replies,
"Okay, Addy, you got it; I'll find her. I'll see you soon with Jamal."
With that, the girls hang up on one another, shifting Athena's focus back on the duel.
"Alright, that's done...Nelson, I know you're still in there. Just stay tough for me until this duel's done!"
"Athena."
She turns to Astral come his address, as he informs her,
"Star Sparrow can deal damage even if your monster is in Defense Mode this turn. If you want to survive that attack, you need Utopia."
"Easier said than done, Astral: Currently, I have just one Level Four monster in my hand, so the only way I can bring him forth is if I get lucky on my next draw..."
With that said, the girl with red irises twitches her fingers before making the move.
"May as well get it over with. My draw!"
And the monster she drew next, was the exact level she was looking for!
"Ha, yes! Okay, first, I summon Gagaga Magician! And that allows me to bring forth Kagetokage!"
Shortly after the spellcaster graces the field, another Level Four monster with the appearance of a giant gecko's shadow is summoned forth, with 1100 Attack Points.
"And since both are Level Four, I'm able to build the Overlay Network! I XYZ Summon Number 39: Utopia!"
Both monsters twirl and dive into the temporal vortex in twin jets of purple light, before the Number appears and forms onto the field in front of Athena ready to fight.
"I would advise you to use this moment to defeat at least one monster."
She pivots her head right to give Astral a look of annoyed obviousness:
"No duh, Sherlock, and I want my main target to be Galaxy Queen, but Furious Max's Curse is making her off-limits."
"Interesting..."
"What is?"
"You are not arguing with me tonight."
Athena snorts slightly and rolls her eyes with a headshake:
"Don't recall the world revolving around you, anyway...plus this duel's focus is on rescuing Nelson."
Astral's eyes turn to stare where the possessed boy was standing:
"I want to save him as well."
"Hm...Actually, come to think of it, you're acting a bit outside your usual attitude too...What gives?"
"...Nelson, is not only depressed, but lonely."
That wasn't an answer the girl expected to hear:
"Uh..."
"...I think I understand that feeling, so I want to help."
"You, feel lonely?"
"It would seem that you and I work well together when our goals are one in the same."
"Hmph...I dunno how you could possibly feel alone."
Astral looks at Athena with surprise for her comment, until she smiles slightly at him and adds,
"After all, much as we've been annoying the hell out of one another, we, have been talking to eachother more or just simply lingered in eachother's company...Also, even though my friends can't perceive you, they are slowly treating your presence like it's normal. Tell me how that's lonely."
"Uh...Athena..."
"Keh, (shakes head) but I've got time later to ramble. For now, let's focus on doin' this thing, alright?"
"(...Nod) Let us do it."
Shifting into a determined smirk, the red-eyed teen gets back to the duel:
"Okay, Utopia, you're up on deck! Attack Beast-Warrior Puma!"
"Not good enough, 'cause I play the Wings Of Unity Trap! And since I played it with ESPer Star Sparrow on my field, I can put a stop to your attack!"
Utopia's blade fades away in a mass of gold/green pixels...
"And furthermore, it allows me to summon Phoenix-Beast Gairuda to the field!"
On that note, said Level Six fire bird monster with 2500 Attack Points swoops onto Nelson's side of the field with a fierce screech! Athena curses,
"Damn...yet another strong monster to make trouble for me..."
...That's when something unusual began to ensue between the monsters the possessed child actor summoned, that being, they began acting more like the characters from the TV show they're based off of!
"Did someone say my name?
ESPer Star Sparrow grins up at Gairuda:
"Glad you could swing by."
"What took you so long, Gairuda?"
He replies to Puma,
"Ludwig captured the Sundorian Princess again."
Athena mutters to Astral with a weirded-out expression,
"Uuum...is it my imagination, or are these monsters behaving like their character counterparts?"
"Uh! How wonderful to see it being played out before my very eyes..."
Puma then asks Gairuda,
"You didn't abandon the princess, did you?"
"No! I defeated the troll, saved the girl and now I'm-What's this?"
Suddenly, the fire bird turned his gaze on Athena's form, before exclaiming with a gasp,
"Sundorian Princess Kumiko! What in the world are you doing here?!"
One can only imagine how majorly taken aback said addressee was:
"Hah?!"
Where the hell does he get off calling me a princess?!
The other two monsters turn to stare with gapes at Athena, and even Nelson began to eye her with a different air.
"Uh!...Can it, be possible, that this girl...is really Kumiko in disguise...?"
Clearing her throat, the girl with red irises tries to set the records straight, while also cooling down a mortified blush that had formed.
"Uhm, there must be some kind-of mistake! I'm not this, Kumiko person; I don't even have royal blood!"
"Perhaps not...but come to think of it..."
She whirls to her right to stare with disbelief at Astral as he ponders,
"Your appearance does bear some resemblance to the Sundorian Princess...The only main differences I can think of is species, obviously, your dress and mannerisms."
Athena notices that the being was eyeing her with a spark of teasing in his eyes and his tone, so she smirk-glares at him and retorts,
"Kuh, cheap-shots...and just be glad this is how I dress nowadays compared to a year ago when I used to look like the missing member of the Black Veil Brides."
(Note: I do not own that music reference!)
"That's, the name of one of those, music bands you listen to, correct?"
"Yep."
Moving forward, the monsters on Nelson's side of the dueling field shake themselves out of their stupors as ESPer Star Sparrow mutters,
"We shouldn't be distracted. For all we know, this might be a trick of the Dark Emperor's make..."
He looks up at his allies with a smile:
"Anyway, I'm glad you were able to come, Gairuda, and you too, Puma."
"Of course!" "Of course."
Their bodies are surrounded in an aura of sunny light in accordance to the deep friendship between the trio, and Athena comments with a tilt of her head,
"Huh...they certainly have a close bond..."
Astral places a hand over his chest and says more to himself,
"I don't know why, but there is a strange warmth filling my heart..."
...The two then click on what they said and looked at one another with wide eyes before focusing up front while Athena exclaims incredulously,
"What the heck are we doin' admiring them?! If anything, we need to be on our guard because there are four monsters at the ready on Nelson's side of the field!"
Meanwhile, Nelson finalizes his latest move:
"Now, with Phoenix-Beast Gairuda's ability, I am able to draw one card from my deck!"
His opponent curses under her breath and says while looking at her current hand,
"Now what? What can I use from this hand to prepare myself?"
"You have to get defensive. Go with the card on the right."
She looks at said card, which depicted a warrior prepping itself against an incoming charge from another beast, and asks Astral,
"...You're sure?"
"Positive."
"Alright...I place one card face-down and end my turn!"
"It's my turn! I Draw! I'm summoning another ally to join me."
"Aw geez, you're kidding!"
"When ESPer Star Sparrow, Beast-Warrior Puma and Phoenix-Beast Gairuda are untied on the field, I can summon their friend from my hand. Forged in the factory on the G-6 Asteroid, the hero of Kalos, Iron Hammer the Giant!"
The ground begins to shake as the ginormous robot monster emerges to the field from the ground under, making Athena wobble on the spot until she steadies herself with a hand on her knee, while ESPer Star Sparrow greets the arriving ally.
"Ah, Iron Hammer, you made it!"
Astral then breaks out a brief explanation about the new character thanks to his knowledge of the TV series.
"Iron Hammer was built by Doctor Implausible. The doctor almost tossed him into the lava pits of Kelsodor, because he did not have enough screws in his head, but The Sparrow swooped in and saved him."
We see that this monstrosity was Level Eight and packing a very strong 3500 Defense Points.
"Dauh, what do you need me to do, boss?"
Athena gapes slightly at the sight before her and mutters,
"Kind-a reminds me of a toy robot my brother Terry used to chase me around the backyard with when we were kids...only a hell of alot bigger..."
"Addy!"
"Hm?"
She turns behind her to the sound of Tiffany's voice, and sees her (now dressed in the same outfit she wore yesterday night) and Jamal (he wearing a dark blue ski-cap over his hair, a white t-shirt with a black vest overtop, pair of brown jeans and black skater shoes) standing at the doorway with Nelson's mother, all with their duel gazers on!
"We uh, found Mrs. Andrews!"
"Quick warning, she's not in a good mood...!"
Said adult looks around with a confused and stern eye:
"What is going on? What is the meaning of-"
She cuts herself off with a gasp when she spots her son:
"Nelson? Is that you?! What are you doing here; it's past your bedtime! How did you get past the guards?! Explain yourself, young man, right, now!"
The possessed boy turns his eyes to the woman with a frown and asks bluntly,
"Are you speaking to me?"
"I hardly think that's an appropriate tone to take with your mother!"
"My mother? I think you might be confused: My mother is right here!"
His hand was of course, gesturing to Number 83: Galaxy Queen, making Nelson's mother widen her eyes slightly.
"Uh! Nelson..."
"My name isn't Nelson! I am known as the one and only Sparrow!"
"I'm not playing around, Nelson."
"And neither is he!"
The woman's eyes turn to Athena (along with Tiffany's and Jamal's), who asks with a serious expression,
"You're of course aware of the business involving a mystery vigilante running around dressed as The Sparrow, right?"
"Yes..."
"Well wake up to reality: It was your son this whole time!"
"That is preposterous! (Shuts her eyes with a grimace) It can't be true!"
"It is. Thanks to your constant campaigns for him to focus on his career, Nelson can no longer separate himself from his character!"
Mrs. Andrews forms an expression of stunned disbelief, but Athena wasn't done.
"He's become the worst kind of method actor and lost his true identity! Yet another reason I think helicopter parenting needs to get hanged!"
Tiffany mutters to herself with a finger under her chin,
"Helicopter Parenting?" Jamal explains,
"Yeah, you know, when a kid's parent is pretty much hovering over their shoulders to help them succeed in life?"
"Oooh!...That doesn't sound like a good thing..."
"Eh, well, it's not a great method for every family..." Jamal smiles a bit sadly as he adds,
"My own dad tried that on me back in elementary school during a time when I wasn't doing great in class, but it wound up backfiring when I almost became unable to take a test or even do classwork without seeing him nearby outside the room...Since then, we've made the deal that I would work my ass off to the best of my ability, and he'd help only when I asked for it."
Tiffany nods in understanding, while Mrs. Andrews wasn't taking the news about her son very well.
"This can't be...Nelson...!"
It was then Galaxy Queen calls out,
"The Sparrow lives only to serve me! Ahahahahahahaha!"
"I do not cackle like that! I..."
Mrs. Andrews then makes a noise of frustration and calls to Nelson,
"You're in big trouble, young man! When we get back to the-"
"Oh will you shut up, woman?!"
She stops and turns to Athena, who was glaring at her with narrowed red irises:
"Honestly, it's parents like you that make my skin crawl...Right now, what you should be doing is keeping your mouth closed and eyes on the duel. See with a clear head what your negligence to your son's feelings and struggles have turned him into and how he sees you as a person."
Tiffany and Jamal shiver slightly from how cold-toned her friend sounded, and even Astral eyed her with some wariness and an eyebrow raised.
"Do you not believe you're being a little harsh towards the woman?"
"...Maybe...It's just..."
Athena focuses up front to the dueling field with a distant expression and mutters quietly,
"If there's one thing in this world I can't stand, it's when a parent neglects their own child."
Astral widens his eyes slightly at the change of mood in the girl, making him wonder what exactly had caused the shift...Nelson would bring attention back to the battle:
"Let us continue. I'm using an Overlay Unit to once again activate Galaxy Queen's ability! Just as before, the Galaxy Queen grants all my monsters immortality, and the ability to deal damage even if your monster is in Defense Mode this turn."
With a dark smile, said Number Monster does such with a wave of her scepter.
"Feel the power of Darkness flowing through you! Embrace this power; defeat those who would defy me!"
"Yes, my Queen! I activate Gairuda's ability, so now it gains 300 Attack Points!"
The fire bird readies to charge as its Attack Points rose to 2800...
"Go, Gairuda: Attack Utopia!" Astral urges,
"Athena."
"Right right, I'm on it! I use one Overlay Unit to activate Utopia's ability, Lightwing Shield, which makes Gairuda's attack totally useless!"
Utopia's wings block the incoming lunge of the fire bird monster, but Nelson retorts,
"Perhaps, but there's still plenty more where that came from! I am just getting started! ESPer Star Sparrow: Take out Utopia with Mega-Punch Surprise!"
"Tuh, 'fraid not, 'cause I can activate Lightwing Shield again!"
The XYZ Number protects itself once more...yet the possessed child star points out,
"But now Utopia has no Overlay Units! Meanwhile, I've still got some tricks up my sleeve. Allow me to show you by activating Iron Hammer's special ability! Since Iron Hammer is on my field, one of my other monsters can attack you directly."
The mechanical giant's form glows a dark aura, and holds a hand out for the other monster of choice for this ability, they being Beast-Warrior Puma! Athena winces and grumbles,
"Man, the universe is against me tonight..."
"Go, Puma, this is your moment! Go Dark Slash!"
The warrior's long blade cuts down against the girl, and she's thrown backwards hard from the impact as her Life Points drop to 800. Tiffany and Jamal call out,
"Addy!" "You alright?!"
...She pushes herself up on her feet with a grim smirk and chuckle, taunting,
"That's all the panther's got, eh? Funny, I expected more of a push back, but all I got were the fangs of a kitten."
Said monster heard that and narrows its eyes at her with a growl, while she just kept her smirk going and replied to her concerned friends,
"I'm okay, guys. No worries."
"I'm not."
"Hm?"
Athena then turns to Astral's direction, and widens her eyes when she sees his body beginning to fade in and out from sight!
Oh no!
He looks down at his hand and mutters a bit worriedly to himself,
"...I'm fading away."
"Astral..."
Focusing on Athena, who was eyeing him in concern, the being then urges,
"Athena, quickly, activate your Trap Card."
"Right now?"
"You have to trust me."
Noting how serious he looked, she nodded at Astral before following through his request.
"...Okay. I activate my Trap Card, Heartfelt Appeal!"
"(Nod) Because we took damage from his direct attack, we are able to take control of his monster with the highest Defense Points until our next turn."
On that note, Iron Hammer would shift his place from Nelson's side of the field to Athena's!
"That's better..."
"Iron Hammer! W-What is this?! You're turning against us?!"
"Dauh, I can't help it, boss. I just suddenly had the urge to protect the Sundorian Princess behind me."
Athena sweatdrops and cries out in exasperation,
"For the last time, I'm not Princess Kumiko!"
Such commentary would cause a small spurt of quiet laughter for Tiffany and Jamal, who whisper to one another,
"The monsters think she's-"
"I know, it's priceless!"
Meanwhile, Nelson became angered by this new turn of loyalty:
"You'll pay for this! But for now, I'll place one card face-down and end my turn!"
With that done, the spotlight shifts to Athena, who asks Astral,
"So, why exactly did we steal away Iron Hammer? I mean, he's not gonna stick around long enough to play shield for us, obviously..."
"It was a good move. Taking the giant was a necessary step towards defeating them."
"Yeah, I can hear your confidence, but since I'm the one actually able to call the plays, maybe some filling in on strategy would be nice?"
There's a split-second pause, and the girl turns her eyes away from the blue being with a hmph.
Aaand we're back to the usual...
"I know how things will unfold."
"Huh? How could you?"
"Because I saw the ending of the TV Show."
...Athena falls over in disbelief before jumping back to her feet and barks at Astral with glaring eyes,
"Do you mean to tell me that you've been basing your dueling strategy off of ESPer Star Sparrow this whole time?!"
One of these days, I tell ya, one of these days...!
Letting out a frustrated groan, she then exclaims a touch more calmly,
"...You know what, screw it. I'm moving on; I Draw!"
Setting the new card into her hand, the red-eyed girl thinks to herself,
Okay, think: What can I do in the meantime?
"...Mm, guess this'll have to do for now. From my hand, I activate the Spell, Atraffic Control: Because you have three or more monsters on your side, I can stop you from attacking!"
Several ribbons of neon yellow light intersect in front of Nelson's Monsters like a woven fence...
"Athena, that is it."
She glances up with narrowed eyes at Astral, still annoyed from a minute ago:
"It's what?"
"You did it. The pieces are all in place. We are going to win this."
"What? How?! With Furious Max's Curse still in play, Galaxy Queen's virtually untouchable, and her abilities prevent the other monsters from being destroyed too!"
"It is just like the show."
"You're kidding..."
"I saw this episode, trust me. Sparrow gathered his allies and transformed Iron Hammer into the Dimensional Iron Jet, and together they defeated the Torian Prince."
Athena facepalms with an irritated smile and mumbles,
"Geez, at the rate we're goin', I may as well have Tiff sign you up for the fanclub..."
"Listen: Play those two cards in your hand."
"Hm? Both, huh?"
Uncovering her face, she stares down at the cards in her hand, then glances at Astral...before sighing and muttering,
"I better not regret this...I place two cards face-down and end my turn!"
"You're trying to stall...but this ends now! I Draw! First, your Trap Card's effect wears off, so Iron Hammer returns to my field!"
Said gigantic robot shifts its position from Athena's side to Nelson's, and was a bit befuddled on its actions.
"Guh, what was I doing just now?"
Galaxy Queen then orders,
"You must put a stop to this threat!"
Both Nelson and his monster look-a-like reply with loyal smiles,
"I will do as you say, mother." "I will do as you say, mother."
It was then that his real mother tries to snap him out of it, becoming scared by this new level of dedication to his character.
"I don't like this. Nelson, listen to me! We're going back to the hotel, we'll get some, ice-cream. You don't have to be The Sparrow right now! You can just be your-"
Unfortunately, the Number had too firm of a grip on Nelson's heart, and he calls back angrily,
"That's enough! I have to be The Sparrow! Do you have any idea how many people are depending on me?!"
...It was those particular words, that made Mrs. Andrews feel especially ashamed for what she's put her son through that led up to this.
"...Nelson..."
He focuses back on Athena, and says to her,
"You think you've managed to cage me in with Atraffic Control, but I'm activating the Change to Jet Iron Trap Card! Once Sparrow and his allies are all gathered onto the field together, they can unite to form the Dimensional Iron Jet!"
Said monsters shift into pixels, and soar into the air to form said colossal machine, Level Ten with 8000 Attack Points, with ESPer Star Sparrow at the wheel!
"With twin titanium engines and duel sonic thrusters, Dimensional Iron packs enough power to defeat you and end this duel!"
Athena's eyes grew wide as she drank in the sight of the ginormous jet:
"Holy hell, that thing's got enough strength to take out a terracotta army!"
Astral calmly replies to her,
"Deep breath. Just play a Trap Card."
"Trap Card...right...Damn, I'm not sure which one to play first, though...!"
...Hm...Okay. I think it's time to shut the world out for a few seconds.
She then closes her eyes tight, and blocks out all her surroundings, all stressers, placing her free hand over where her pulsing organ was, focusing solely on having the sound engulf her ears.
There's nothing here, but the sound of my own heartbeat...
Recognizing the stance and behaviour, Tiffany quirks with an awkward smile,
"Hoh boy, another 'Shut the world down moment'. She must really need to concentrate..."
After about thirty seconds of self-induced quiet, Athena blows out a breath of air with a more determined expression.
"Alright, good to go! I activate the Trap Card, Fiery Fervor!"
A whirlwind of flames sprout out of the card flipped face-up to surround Utopia, as his Attack Points rose up to 5000!
"Sweet! Utopia's attack points doubled!"
Jamal would point out after Tiffany with a serious air,
"True, but that jet's still packin' heat at 8000!"
"It's okay, Jamal!"
"Huh?"
He and Tiffany focus on Athena, who gives them a reassuring smirk and says,
"That was just the start. Now, I activate my next Trap, Reserve Cyclone!"
That card flips face-up as Astral explains,
"This trap card activates because he took Iron Hammer the Giant back from you, and that is precisely why I wanted you to take control of it in the first place."
"I gotcha, Astral, easy on the ramble. Now, to get rid of Furious Max's Curse! Galaxy Queen, say sayonara to your accursed protection!"
A jet turbine appears overtop the Trap Card, and blows several gusts of wind against the Spell before it vanishes in a blast of pixels right before Nelson's eyes!
"What's this?!"
"Nooo!"
He looks up behind him, and sees the XYZ Number lose the dark aura over her...Astral comments,
"Now, there are no cards protecting the Galaxy Queen."
"Rgh, you may have broken through Furious Max's Curse, but now I'm gonna break you! Jet Iron, attack Number 39: Utopia! Go Iron Phoenix!"
Athena shifts her footing to a bracing stance as the jet becomes enveloped in a fierce inferno, and asks in a slightly unsure and quiet tone,
"...Astral...please tell me that we're still in this."
"We are. It is going to be fine. Remember, you still have one Trap Card on the field."
She lets out a breath of relief and nods:
"Okay, just had to check...You really knew your stuff this time, I'll give you that. Anyway, I activate my third Trap, Vector Change! This one allows me to shift your Jet Iron into Defense Mode!"
Said large flying machine does so, displaying no Defense Points of any kind as the fire is snuffed out, much to ESPer's worry.
"This is not good!"
"Gets worse, I'm afraid, 'cause now your other monster playing defense switches to offense!"
And just like that, Galaxy Queen had shifted to wearing a regal white gown while her 500 Attack Points became 500 Defense!
"Rgh, impossible! Now I, can't attack!"
Nelson's focus then shifts behind him to whom he was currently acknowledging as his mother, as she forms an expression of defeat while pulling back her scepter...
"Mother!...I have, let you down...R-Rgh, no! This isn't over yet! You're going to lose, Athena! (Places a card face-down) I end my turn!"
"Then it's my Draw!"
Jamal smiles in anticipation, seeing how everything was laid out now:
"Ha, yes! All Addy's gotta do is snipe out Galaxy Queen!"
Tiffany was just as excited:
"You can do it, Addy!"
Meanwhile, Mrs. Andrews held an expression of regret and sadness, the reality of her mistakes fully kicking in...Astral then says to Athena,
"Actually, there is still a risk factor: If that face-down is a card that counterattacks, he might win...and I might..."
"Hey, I'm feeling that weight too, believe me...Still, this is our one shot to save Nelson from himself..."
"I know..."
"...In that case, will you follow me in blocking out all distractions, serious and otherwise, to reach our goal?"
Red and mismatched gold and white meet, before Astral nods and focuses up front.
"Let us do it."
Athena smiles a bit, before smirking at Nelson and calling out,
"Hope your ready, 'Sparrow'! This will decide who takes the glory page in today's chapter! Utopia: Attack Galaxy Queen with Rising Sun Slash!"
Her monster brings out their tall, golden blades and prepares to attack, just as her opponent makes his own final move.
"Not so fast, Athena: I activate the Trap Card, Star Sparrow Forever!"
"What will that do, counterattack?"
"This card allows me to bring Star Sparrow out of my graveyard with 0 Attack Points, and like he always does, Sparrow jumps in to protect those being attacked!"
On that note, both ESPer Star Sparrows spread their arms in a protective stance for their queen, shocking Athena and Astral, as Utopia continues his trajectory to cut down on that monster instead, destroying him while the actor is thrown back hard in an outcry, his Life Points skydiving to zero! Mrs. Andrews watched with wide eyes as her son barreled backwards:
"Nelson, no!"
With the duel done, Athena is declared winner, much to her friend's delights:
"Alright, Addy!" "Way'da go!"
She meanwhile, removed her duel gazer with a bewildered expression directed towards how it all ended.
"...He, didn't use a Trap that would hurt me."
Unless...did he do it, because...Oh, Nelson.
Just as the girl came to a startling conclusion, Astral was still very confused.
"So what was the point? Bringing Star Sparrow back with 0 Attack Points had no strategic merit. Why would he do something that was pointless?"
"...Because it wasn't pointless at all. Not to him."
He looks down at Athena, as she gazes over at Nelson's unconscious form with saddened eyes.
"...He did this all for her. Whether as The Sparrow or Nelson Andrews, he was doing this all for his mom."
The blue being stares at the girl's form for a moment, before focusing on the task of extracting the defeated Number Card from Nelson, who whimpers slightly in his unconscious state as the card shape emerges from his torso, the numeral glow fading from the back of his palm.
...And as soon as Astral took hold of Galaxy Queen...
"Uh! This, memory is..."
"Finally, some good's gonna happen for those two."
He snaps away from his revived piece of memory to the sound of Athena's voice, and they watch as Mrs. Andrews approaches Nelson's form up on the throne platform to gently wake him.
"Nelson..."
Her fingertips touch his cheek, stirring him awake dazed and confused:
"Mmm...M-Mom?"
The boy sits up and mutters with a somewhat rattled tone,
"I dunno what happened to me..."
His mother replies sadly,
"Don't worry. It, it...it's over now. (Looks away) Nelson, I'm sorry I've been pushing you so hard."
He was thoroughly surprised by the apology and how meek she sounded, which prompted him to reassure her,
"...It's okay."
"I, want you to be you. (Small smile) I really do."
"(Smile) Thanks, mom."
Watching this scene made Athena's heart flutter with sentiment, she thinking of her own mother back during a much happier time...
(Flash)
The scene depicted is somewhere in one of the Heartland City parks, where sitting at the foot of a cherry blossom tree, was a woman with medium-length, feathered copper-red hair, red eyes and fair skin wearing a white tank-top with crystal-blue lacing at the neckline, her black leather jacket (back before Athena would obtain it), soft grey jeans and simple white sneakers.
She was reading a book held in one hand, while her other hand softly brushes back the hair of the little girl laying their head on her lap. The youth mirrored the woman's facial features and irises, her long black hair tied back into two braids and tipped with the woman's copper-red, wearing an outfit consisting of a white t-shirt, a light blue skirt overtop darker-shaded leggings, and white/black sneakers.
The younger of the two looks up with a bright smile and giggle in her breath, making the older smile just as jubilantly...
(Flash)
The memory closes, and Athena forms a small smile while wiping away a stray tear or two ready to stream down her cheeks.
"God...what the hell am I gettin' so sensitive for? That's not like me these days...Anyway, Nelson will definitely reach the bus out of Loneliness and Depression now that this is over..."
After sending her goodbyes to the young actor and his mother, she leaves the studio with Tiffany and Jamal...They were now crossing the main bridge back to the main city section as Athena asks,
"Say, you guys hungry? 'Cause I've suddenly got a craving for curry buns..."
Jamal replies with a little grin,
"I'm all for that plan," while Tiffany's mouth had formed a confused frown regarding recent events.
"So, how come you didn't tell me the full details about who was responsible for those oddball attacks while we were running around like maniacs last night?"
Athena replies simply,
"Because I knew that finding out your favourite superhero going berserk would make you upset."
"Ah...Aww, you care about my feelings that much?"
"Well duh, you are one of my best friends, Tiff...(Smirk) Well, that, and you can sometimes be really annoying when you're smile's gone Topsy-turvy."
That comment would not sit well with Tiffany, and she glares irritably at the other girl while retorting,
"Hey, since when have I ever been annoying when I'm sad?"
"Oh where do I begin? Hm, how 'bout in fifth grade when you gave the Turner Twins a valentine card and they both rejected you? You were bitchin' 'til St. Patrick's Day!"
The boy with dreadlocks then chimes with his own teasing grin,
"Or when you tried to get tickets to that pop diva concert a couple months ago? If I recall, you were so upset and pissed, you nearly threw a hissy fit in the middle of P.E. class."
That sent both teens into a spurt of laughter while Tiffany lets out a fumed huff of air.
"I swear, you two...!"
...Unbeknownst to either of the three, a familiar face had stopped their duel runner halfway across the road and locked his cobalt blue irises on the form of the girl with long black hair tipped copper red and red eyes, before turning his transportation around the other direction and speeding off...
Eventually, we would cast our eyes back within Athena's bedroom, as she and Astral watch the latest episode of the ESPer Star Sparrow series, the final scene depicting our young hero rising to his feet and struggling forward against Galaxy Queen's powers!
"How are you able to resist my scepter's power?!"
The Sparrow grits his teeth and shifts his footing, before letting out a determined cry and launches forward, wrapping his arms around the royal's torso! She's so surprised that she drops her scepter, and her body is enveloped in a golden yellow glow contrasting The Sparrow's icy blue...before the darkness corrupting her being fades away, replacing the colour of her dress to that beautiful white, her skin gaining a healthier peach pigment.
The young hero does not relax his hold...until he hears the Queen speak.
"Sparrow..."
"H-Huh?"
He looks up, and sees the Galaxy Queen smiling at him:
"...You did it."
"...Mother..."
The ending music sounds, and Athena, she dressed for bed in a soft v-neck t-shirt and shorts, lets out a content breath with a small smile before commenting,
"Not a bad end, just a little too sweet for my taste...I think I prefer the real chapter's end, with Nelson and his mom..."
She pivots her head right to the being sitting on the floor beside her:
"What about you? What's your take on this latest piece in the story?"
"...Observation Number 10: The bond between a human parent and a human child is strong...very strong."
Her eyes widen slightly, before relaxing into a smile of understanding and nods...There's a pause, before Athena then asks,
"So...what did Galaxy Queen, reveal to you?"
"...That memory...I was remembering the moment I was born."
Astral then goes on to describe a scene, involving a water-like substance within a galactic space with the according colours mentioned once before in his recollection of his home world, that released a single drop which slowly formed into the being we would know now...
More puzzling still, was the message that a wispy female voice ghosted through the atmosphere.
"Your name, is Astral, and you are being entrusted with the future of our world."
"The future, huh? Yipes, that's alot to spring on someone when they're just born..."
...After another moment of silence, Athena moves to turn off the TV for the evening, but then walks over and clicks her duel disk on to open a holographic file filled with various reading materials.
"Okay, gramps said that he doesn't wanna catch wind of any signs of the television being on all night, so I'm providing you a different kind of entertainment this round. I've got five books on here, two of them real lengthy that should keep you occupied. I also clicked on the audio command, so all you have to do is say the title of the book and it'll boot on, and 'turn the page' to...well, go to the next page. Once a book's done, it'll go back to the menu automatically...Got it?"
Astral nods, a bit surprised by the girl's care in terms of his inability to touch the tangible and lack of stimulation while she is asleep.
"I do...and, thank you."
"No prob..."
Just as Athena settles herself under the sheets of her bed, the blue being remembers something he had been meaning to ask the former.
"...Before you go to sleep, there is something I had wanted to ask you, regarding your, behaviour in recent days..."
"Um...okay, shoot, what is it?"
He floats over so he was hovering in a kneeling position over where the girl's legs were stretched out, before getting on with his question.
"The way you spoke in comparing Nelson's situation with your own experience, and how harshly you regarded his mother...Were you perhaps, thinking of your own parents at the time?"
Athena's red irises widen a little at the mismatched gold/white...before narrowing them and looking down at her duvet with a mix of emotions, the dominant being a distant kind of sadness.
"...Yeah...I guess I was thinking of them...Seeing how neglected Nelson was becoming before now, kind-of reminded me of how I'd sometimes feel neglected by my own folks..."
Her lips form a sad smile as she postulates,
"But...I know deep in my heart that they were never like that on purpose. They loved me and my brothers unconditionally...It's just, I don't think they were fully prepared for a quieter lifestyle."
"A quieter lifestyle?"
"Mhm, compared to the adventures they've had since graduating high-school. They used to almost never be in one place for too long at a time, just long enough to explore, discover and connect...They were of course overjoyed when they had my brothers, and then me, but that didn't stop them from continuing their explorations far from home. Wasn't for a lack of trying to stay home for a long period, but...hah, I dunno..."
Athena runs a hand over her face as she wonders with a slightly bitter undertone,
"Maybe the whole 'settling down and having a family' plan was too tame for mom and dad...I don't want them to lose that excitement either. That'd be selfish...but, I just, wish they could think of the people they've left behind a little more, that's all..."
Astral could almost feel the emotions - sadness, depression, an old and dying anger, a family love too strong to quit - radiating off the body in front of him, and he felt something in his own heart throb from hearing these bottled-up words...
He would then reach a hand out to ghost over her shoulder, making her look up in confusion.
"Hm? Astral?"
"I, have seen this action performed among humans when one is 'feeling down'..."
Hearing the observational tone mixed with the care made Athena's negative emotions fade back to make room for a smile and chuckle of light amusement, before she replies sincerely,
"And, you're using it right, no doubt...Thank you."
"You're welcome."
And they would stay in this position for a few moments longer...before settling into their own routines for the night, the girl laying down sideways in her bed to sleep, while the boy from beyond kept his wakeful mind busy by reading, while once in a while stealing a glance at the other form of life in the room, his expression being one that he himself, would be unable to identify...