"I see the end: You're kneeling before me, hehahaha! You're admitting defeat, and begging me to release your little friends!"
That would be Fortuno's latest boast come after his monster, Number 16: Shock Master, destroys Athena's Gogogo Golem, costing not only 500 of her 4000 Life Points, but some of the stone pillar's structure her friends Tiffany, Jamal, Caswell and Flip were stuck standing on to avoid falling into a merciless pit of magma...
She grits her teeth and glances at their image in the crystal ball, worry and frustration dancing in her red irises.
Everyone...Damn it, this just had to get more dire, didn't it?
She notices her female friend's lips mouth her name with scared eyes, the other three not looking any less afraid, making her soften her gaze slightly before calling,
"Hang in there, you guys...This won't be the end, for any of us. I promise!"
Caden, who was standing off to the side near some stairs leading up to the area where that familiar male figure sat, clasps his hands together and mutters,
"You can do it, Addy...I know you can win!"
Astral meanwhile, was focused on this new emotion that was overwhelming his heart.
This feeling I have, like I cannot move...I felt it for the first time during our duel with Kite.
(Shuts his eyes) I understand now that I am, afraid. This is Fear I am feeling.
So if this is being afraid, how do I make it stop?
"...Astral...Astral!"
"Uh!"
He snaps out of his daze to the sound of Athena's voice calling for him, and meets her eyes as she says to him with a serious frown,
"Kindly quit drifting off, would ya?! In case you forgot, we're in the middle of a duel."
Momentarily surprised by the lack of fear in her being, Astral hovers closer to the girl's side before replying,
"I know, but you have no monster cards in your hand. And due to Shock Master's special ability, you cannot use Traps. If you cannot pull out a monster card on this next draw...it is over."
"Keh, that's all I gotta do? No probs, 'cause I have faith in my deck! I Draw!"
And luck was on Athena's side, when she peers down to see a monster...However...
"Kurivolt?...Hm, I was kind-of hoping for someone stronger than him...unless."
Maybe he's another unexpected case like Baby Tiragon...
She pivots her head to look up at Astral:
"Is there a way we can use Kurivolt?"
"Yes. Get it on the field; you must trust me."
"Hm...okay, I'll trust you. (Faces her front) I summon Level One Kurivolt to the field!"
The monster that would pop up in front of Athena would have 300 Attack Points and the likeness of an electric-based sphere bomb.
"Good work. Now your Kurivolt can use any Overlay Units in play, so it can bring more Kurivolt Tokens to join it on your field. Right now, the only monster with Overlay Units, is Shock Master."
The girl smirks and replies to Astral,
"Aah, now I see: With Kurivolt's special ability, I can snag Shock Master's two Overlay Units, to summon two Kurivolt Tokens onto my field!"
Twin volts of electrical currents shoot out to grab hold of the two light orbs circling the Number.
"Ha; got 'em!"
They shift to briefly showcase the images of Orange and Green Shaman, before transforming into two more Kurivolts to stand on other side of the original!
"And just like that, I've got three little soldiers ready for action!"
"Ah, but why reply on such miserable creatures? Why not summon something stronger?...I see: You hold no other monsters in your hand! You had no choice but to rely on those pitiful creatures, did you?"
Noting the glowing of Shock Master's numeral on the back of Fortuno's hand, Athena starts to wonder,
Hm...I think I might know what's really going on here with this fortuneteller and his lucky guessing of my hands...
"What is it, Athena?"
She darts her eyes to meet Astral's and replies,
"I'm just thinking, that it might be the Number Card Fortuno has that's providing his psychic ability."
"Uh! So you believe his ability is not natural?"
"Nope...but either way, his luck of guesswork is startin' to get really annoying, so we better get this duel done ASAP."
She then reaches to grab her next card to play while retorting to Fortuno,
"I wouldn't be calling Kurivolt pitiful after this, weirdo! I play the Spell Card, Voltage Summon! This card allows me to tribute my Kurivolt Tokens for any monsters in my deck Level Four or below. This round, I tribute two, so I can bring Ganbara Knight and Kagetokage to the field!"
Both monsters arrive in front of the girl as she adds,
"The drawback is that the monsters summoned through Voltage Summon have no Attack or Defense...But that won't be a problem for long! I now Overlay Ganbara and Kagetokage, to XYZ Summon Number 39: Utopia!"
With that, Athena's signature Number rises from her Extra Deck to stand on the field ready for action.
For the second time, Astral found himself staring at her in surprise for her lack of nerves.
She was presented with an overwhelming situation, and yet, she was able to shake her fear and move forward.
I must ask her to teach me how to do that...
Fortuno stares up at Utopia with a smirk of anticipation rather than with wariness.
"Hehmhmhm, so that's the Number Card I'll be taking..."
"As if! Go, Utopia: Attack Shock Master with Rising Sun Slash!"
Utopia's blade cuts down on his opponent, destroying the other Number in a cluster of pixels, while their wielder shielded himself from the wave impact of power as his Life Points dropped to 3800.
"That was just part one: Now it's Kurivolt's turn to attack you directly! Zap 'im good, my friend!"
The little bomb monster heeds Athena and charges forward before releasing a torrent of electricity on the fortuneteller, making his Life Points drop again to 3500. The shift of targets for damage makes smiles of hope appear on the trapped four, which their rescuer would return.
"No worries, you guys: I'll get you out of there even if we have to use liquid nitrogen on the magma! Alright, freak, your mov-"
"Athena, wait: Place the two Traps in your hand."
She looks at Astral a touch confused:
"Hm? Both?"
"Yes. You cannot activate them yet, but, have them ready."
"Ah. Fair enough. Alright, editing my statement: I place two cards face-down and end my turn!"
All is not lost. We may have a chance...
But any rise of positivity within the celestial being would be tipped over like a stack of wood, when Fortuno suddenly starts belting out a laugh. Athena raises a brow and asks suspiciously,
"And just what the hell's so funny?"
"The fact that you still think you have a chance! It's my turn...I Draw! First things first, from my hand, I summon Rainbow Shaman! I should thank you, girl: By summoning an XYZ Monster and using it to clear my field, you enable me to call this monster forth!"
Level Seven with 0 Attack Points, this monster mirrored likeness to a very tall shaman with a rainbow-coloured headdress and carried a tall bongo drum.
"Oh great, another monster that 'looks' harmless but probably isn't..."
"I activate the XYZ Plant Spell Card! With it, I can choose one monster and my plant will transform into one with the same Level! So now I have two Rainbow Shaman on my field!"
Athena thinks to herself with a grit in her teeth,
...Crap. He must have another Number.
Astral mutters with worry,
"No," before Fortuno calls out,
"And with that done, I now Overlay both XYZ Plant and Rainbow Shaman!"
The Spell-made and regular shamans shift to form yellow and orange streams of light to dive into the accessed summoning vortex...
"With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network! I XYZ Summon, Number 11: Big Eye!"
Our view would then cast over the sight of that Number with the appearance of an upside-down cylinder cone surrounded by a gravity ring with one gigantic eye of dull gold once again, it Level Seven and with 2600 Attack Points!
"Fan-freakin'-tastic. First Shock Master, now this one."
Which btw, has the least creative name...
Astral notes in a more serious manner as opposed to Athena's afterthought,
"And it is powerful..."
Fortuno laughs, the numeral symbol of Big Eye glowing on his forehead, and jeers,
"Did you really think that I only had one Number Card at my disposal? Naïve fool: I have collected dozens of Number Cards for my Master Kite!"
Another beat of anxiety rushes through Astral as he takes in the fortuneteller's words, casting fearful eyes towards the Number Hunter's figure atop the throne...We zoom in briefly to where our entrapped four were forced to stand, as Flip begins to wonder,
"Can Athena, really beat this guy?" Caswell mutters skeptically,
"I really don't think so," causing Tiffany to scold both of them for losing their faith.
"Come on, you guys, buck up! It won't help the situation if you start to give up! This is Addy we're talking about: The girl who doesn't know the meaning of the word surrender!"
Looking to where she could see said topic of conversation, the girl with black bobbed hair smiles a bit and inquires,
"Tell me: Does that expression look like the one of a quitter?"
"Huh?"
The other three cast their vision to where she was looking...and could see no visible signs of doubt on Athena's facial features, causing them to relax their anxieties slightly.
Meanwhile, the dueling girl herself puffs out an exasperated breath from her opponent's laughter before calling over,
"Are ya done boasting yet, freakshow? I hate to burst your bubble, but, let's face it, (smirk) it'll give me great pleasure to tell you that Utopia's ability can negate any attacks heading his way. No matter what you do, he's basically a brick wall."
Fortuno's own smirk does not falter as he counters with a chuckle,
"Except I'm about to activate Big Eye's special ability! By using one Overlay Unit, Big Eye can cease control over one of your monsters!"
"What?!"
"I'm afraid that your precious Utopia will now become my little puppet! Big Eye, cease her monster! Go, Temptation Glance!"
A near-invisible ring of energy ripples from the Number's glowing red iris, and Utopia falls limp, before rising again with a new shadowy aura of purple surrounding his body as he shift positions to Fortuno's side of the field!
"No! Utopia!"
Astral comments nervously,
"This, changes the situation...Without our Number..."
"Utopia, you will do my bidding! Attack Kurivolt now!"
One symmetrical cut down the middle, and the little Level One monster was destroyed, leaving Athena and Astral to shield themselves from the after-impact as the former's Life Points drop to 1300, spelling bad news for the trapped quartet of teens, as their line between living and burning alive shrunk even more!
"Gah! We're all gonna faaaalllll!"
"Save us, Addyyyyy!"
Tiffany and Jamal grab hold of one another's hand and snatch up Caswell's and Flip's to steady themselves, thinking in a rare unison,
Come on: Addy for the win!
Once the field stopped rumbling from the impact of power, Fortuno wraps up his round of spelling doom for his opponent.
"Your fate will be delayed a bit more, for Big Eye cannot attack on the turn it uses its special ability. So for now, I place a face-down and end my turn."
Moving back onto her feet from her one-kneed kneel, Athena readies herself for her next turn.
"Rgh, my move! I Draw!"
She looks down and saw the card she drew was her Level Six Dododo Warrior!
Yes! Just what I need to start a new counter!
"(Chuckle) Dear girl, you haven't gone and forgotten that I can see all your cards, now have you?"
Darting her red irises up to meet Fortuno's jade green, she retorts almost dully,
"No. I'm just ignoring it. Besides, I'm almost positive that your so-called psychic tricks are because of one of the Numbers you possess...That, (sardonic smile) or you must've cut a sweet deal with Lady Luck to make up for your lack of confidence to face your opponents with your balls attached."
The fortuneteller felt the sting of the girl's insult hit him like a slap to the face, before calling back aggravatingly,
"Hmph! Believe what you will, but I see right through your hand...You just drew, a monster, which means it's the perfect time to activate my Freezing dance Trap Card!"
A sheet of ice forms on the battlefield, and Fortuno adds with another laugh,
"Beginning now, for the next two turns, neither of us can summon a monster!"
Flip exclaims from his stand near Tiffany's side,
"Without a monster, Addy's just Big Eye bait waiting to be obliterated!"
She in turn mutters with a determined frown,
"It's over yet...I won't believe it, and I know she won't either!"
I hope...
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the girl with long black hair tipped copper-red mutters,
"Alright...then I'll just end my turn here."
"How unfortunate. (Swipes up a card) Truly!"
Fortuno looks at his latest addition to his hand with a smirk, before jeering to his opponent,
"The end is near, my dear. Tumble into the depths of oblivion, along with your little friends! Big Eye: Attack her directly!"
Astral exclaims in warning,
"Athena, the Trap Card!"
"Right! Shock Master's ability wears off this turn...I activate the Trap, Nitwit Outwit! By sending a monster card in my hand to the Graveyard, my Trap reduces the damage I take equal the sacrificed monster's Attack Points! Dododo Warrior, lend me your strength!"
The axe-wielding warrior rises briefly to the field from the Graveyard to bravely take the hit from the Number Card, saving Athena from total annihilation as her Life Points settle down to 1000...Yet, Fotuno's humour remained strong:
"If you think you've managed to somehow avoid defeat, think agaaaain! Utopia, attack!"
"Now would be a good time to activate the other Trap...!"
"On it. I now activate the XYZ Wait Trap! Now Utopia, will lose 800 Attack Points for every Overlay Unit he has."
Sorry, big guy; hope you understand...
Chains manifest to wrap around the Number's torso as his Attack Points drop temporarily to 900, but his attack would not slow, and Athena's body would go flying alongside Astral's as they're thrown back by their own monster, the girl's Life Points dropping to a dangerously-low 100!
...At the same time the celestial being discovers his presence in this world was once again jeopardized, the stone pillar above the magma pit would weaken under Tiffany, causing her to fall!
"Aaaaiiieeee!"
(GRASP)
"I gotcha, Tiff!"
"J-Jamal!"
Caswell and Flip join the dark-skinned boy to help pull their friend back up so she was sitting on their safety point again...Meanwhile, Fortuno comments,
"It's impressive that you were able to survive two direct attacks, but now I've got a surprise for you!"
Lifting her head up, Athena asks back with a bite in her voice,
"What, now?"
"The Twilight Dance Spell Card! This spell prevents both of us from summoning monsters from our Graveyards!"
The girl curses while rubbing her eyes with her fingertips in fatigue, and the fortuneteller adds with a sardonic grin,
"You're all out of options now, girl: Your field is empty and I have two powerful monsters ready to do my bidding!"
To prove his point, Utopia's Attack Points rise back to their normal 2500...
"You cannot resist anymore. You don't need a fortuneteller to know that you don't have a chance! Hehahahaha! Your move!"
Athena's POV
Ugh, what I wouldn't give to rush forward and slug that bastard to kingdom come...
But I already wasted a bit of that energy against Astral, which, thinking now...was totally uncalled for.
As I struggled to rise up onto my knees, fatigue groping at my muscles, I hear Astral mumble in defeat,
"...This is, the end."
...No.
"I, w-won't, give in."
I add as I lift myself onto my feet stubbornly, the embers of my inner fire still burning.
"I, won't stop. Not, until my skin runs cold, with the shivers of Death."
I hear Astral mutter my name in surprise for my unwillingness to throw in the towel, while Fortuno's smirk flashes a bit of pity.
"Now now, we might not have to go that far...There is a way for you to save them. It's the only way."
I hiss,
"The frig are you talkin' about?"
"Surrender this Duel, Athena. Accept defeat, and relinquish your Number Card to me and my Master Kite."
What?
"Do so, and I shall let your little friends go."
...I admit, for a split second, a small part of me was tempted...but, the rest of me was on high alert, not trusting his words.
It's a bluff...It has to be a bluff.
"It's a good deal you're being offered here: If you give up one little lamb, you'll be able to save the entire flock."
His smug chuckle just made his so-called offer sound all the less favourable, and seeing the refusal reflected in the faces of my friends (trapped and otherwise), only fueled my desire to not take his deal seriously.
No way...I won't relinquish Utopia.
"(Laugh) Why would you even hesitate? Clearly, it's the best choice!"
"Yeah? Says who, the man responsible for pushing disaster into my corner? Hmph!"
I glare away from him, before finding myself staring up at Astral, who moved in front of my body to stare at me for a moment, before shifting his vision over to where Kite supposingly was...
"...Astral?"
"I told you that we should not have come here...We have no chance of defeating him. To keep dueling him would mean to doom your friends..."
There's a pause, before he says in a defeated voice,
"There's only thing you can do now, Athena..."
...No. Don't say-
"We have lost. Hand over the Number Card."
...Hearing him sound so absent of hope...it stirred up an ache in my heart, an emotional ache that made me very close to breaking down into an ugly sob right there.
"Astral...you, can't seriously want me to do that, knowing what it will mean for you..."
"You have to surrender your Number Card, Athena. In order to save your friends...you have to-"
I cut him off when the curtain representing my strong front was ripped away, and I released some fat tears from my eyes, hating the deadening tone in my...my friend's voice.
To sacrifice your life without any true care about what exactly you're giving up...
I've been there, and it's sickening to think about, let alone hear it in another's!
"Athena?"
My own voice comes out somewhat raw and emotional:
"Are you out of your mind?! I won't believe; I won't believe this is the only way!"
If he was surprised by my sudden change of moods, I certainly didn't see it through my blurred eyes.
"There is no other..."
Wiping away the tears furiously, I start thinking aloud with a watery smile as bitter as black coffee straight up,
"...My friends. It's a wonder they haven't ditched me yet, the broken girl who barely has her head above water...But, they've stuck by, no matter what. Good days, bad days, at least one of them would be there, ready when I needed them, and ever since I walked away from that other life, I made a vow to always be there for the people who still dare to call me their friend."
"I know. That is why I am saying you should-"
I interrupt him again as a small and slightly hysterical laugh bubbles from my tight throat.
"You really don't get it, huh?...Astral, I just said I'll always be there for a friend in need, and, (whirls to him) that includes you! You're my friend!"
"Uh...!"
A few more tears stream from my eyes as I add with a wobble in my tone,
"I refuse to sacrifice your life just to meet that madman's conditions! (Sniff) And, I know the others feel the same."
"Athena..."
Taking a few calming breaths to cool myself, I form a serious frown and direct a hand to where Caden was standing and the crystal ball with the images of Tiffany and the other boys.
"Look around at everyone except that creep Fortuno: Do you see any signs of anyone wanting to give up?"
Though still somewhat stunned from my proclamation, Astral does as I ask, and saw the same thing I did: All five of the faces also caught under this scheme held only the determination to life in their eyes, even nodding with me in comprehension to my words.
"U-Uh...!...Athena...everyone..."
Smiling a little, I chide more gently,
"You see it now, don't you, Astral? No one, least of all myself, wants to throw you under the bus. We all want to protect you, our friend."
"I..."
That was when that fortuneteller cuts in to steer us back on course with our battle, which he still believed to be over for me.
"Well? Stop muttering to yourself over there and tell me your decision!"
Drawing in a big breath, I shout back,
"If you think for a second that I'm gonna surrender 'cause of a couple handicaps, you're crazy! I fight to the bitter end!"
There's too much at stake here to just give up...
"Aah. (Grin) In that case, Master Kite is looking forward to watching me win and adding your soul to his collection!"
He breaks into another belt of laughter, while I glanced over at the figure atop the throne, still feeling that twitch of suspicion.
Something about this don't make sense: Based on what I saw during my duel with Kite, he doesn't seem like the type to suddenly switch gears and start relying on minions to cut the workload down for him.
He's neither cowardly nor lazy...Which must mean...!
An expression of enlightenment spreads onto my face, before I ask Fortuno with a small smirk,
"Hey, freakshow! Before we continue the fight, lemme ask you something...Just how dumb do you think I really am?"
"Hm?!"
I gesture a thumb to the shadowed face up top:
"You really expect me to believe that thing up there is Kite?"
"Eh?! W-What are you saying?! Of course it's Kite!"
Turns out I wasn't the only one smelling a rat, for it was then Caden exclaims in a narrowed voice,
"Oh yeah? Let's get a better look, shall we?!"
He then uses his cat-like agility to hop up the stairs to the seated figure, calling out with his hands poised like cat paws,
"Cats, pop out to pounce!"
(Scratch-scratch-scratch-scratch-scratch-SLICE)
...And just as I suspected, that figure was no more than a dummy shaped to look like Kite, its head bouncing down the stairs near me while also showing a fitted piece in the eye socket that likely was the source of that gleaming!
"Aha! I knew it; he's an it!" Astral mutters in surprise,
"So then, that was not Kite?"
Fortuno seemed quite shaken that his illusion of fear had been destroyed by the sharp nails of my feline-obsessed friend.
"What have you-do you realize what you've done?!"
It was my turn to let out a humoured laugh before saying,
"This explains why my bullcrap alarm kept egging at me, and it all makes perfect sense. Kite may be an asshat, but he's not one of those puppeteer-like crime bosses who needs able bodies to do the heavy lifting. He does just fine on his own...You on the other hand, Fortuno, (glaring frown) are nothing but a phony, a liar and a sadist!"
He doesn't make any moves to try and argue otherwise, still shocked that his tricks have been exposed...
Astral meanwhile, was feeling a new wave of clarity pass:
"I was afraid of something that wasn't even there..." I assure him,
"Heh, don't beat yourself up over it. You're not the first to be overwhelmed by Anxiety or Fear...I found the best way to cope with the negative, is to use it to fuel the more positive reasons we do what we do. Stare Fear in the eyes and say, 'Dude, I'm in charge here, not you; get off your high-horse.'. Get my drift, my friend?"
"Yes, I do. I realize now: Fear is not the only emotion I have grown to understand."
"Oh?"
"Watching you walk to confront obstacles and rise up to meet challenges...I think I have also learned what it means to...hope."
...Astral...
(Sheen)
Uh! Wha-?!
Suddenly, before I had time to fully understand what was going on, my key pendant shone a bright light, that shot from it to connect with Astral's torso! His body began to ring with an energy shaded a pigment or two lighter than his body, while I was struck with awe over what I was witnessing.
"What...the...heck...?"
...And it seems I wasn't the only one who could actually see this.
"Wha-What is that?!"
I dart my head to Fortuno's direction, and saw he was looking in Astral's direction with a new wave of nerves, which prompted me to turn my eyes towards the rest of my crew, finding their expressions set in amazement...
"...Athena."
Turning back to the subject of this strange development, which had settled down by this point, he says to me with a new confidence in his voice,
"Win this."
Curving my lips halfway between a smile and smirk, I reply,
"Consider it done, my friend. My turn; I Draw! (Looks at card) Uh! The Comeback Spell Card!"
"Use it, Athena, and get Utopia back!"
"Just what I was thinking! I activate the Spell, Comeback! This card allows me to regain control over a monster on your field you stole from mine!"
That dark ring of energy dissipates from my Number's body, and I gesture an arm over.
"Time to come back to the winner's circle, Utopia!"
Fortuno exclaims,
"No," but could do nothing to stop me from reclaiming my monster.
Much better...
"And now we can achieve victory!"
(Sheen)
"Auh!"
Next thing I knew, my extra deck began glowing a golden shine!
"The path has been made!"
"Wh-Whadda you mean? Path for what?"
Reaching into my deck holster, I pull out what looks like a new XYZ as Astral explains,
"For this: Chaos Number 39!"
A Chaos Number...?
"By combining Utopia with its Overlay Units, Utopia can further evolve itself. The time is now, Athena!"
Oooh, now I see!
Quickly meeting step with him, Astral and I then call out,
"Go, Chaos XYZ Evolution! Get ready for Chaos Number 39! I give you, Utopia Ray!"
The monster my vision would soon be taking in, was basically a more hyped-up version of the Utopia I've come to be familiar with (still Rank Four with 2500 Attack Points), including a very large long sword slung on his back!
A...Amazing...!
My friends seem to think the same based on their slack-jawed expressions, while Fortuno had more of a reason to jump to alert.
"I did not see this transpiring...! Nevertheless, my Big Eye is still more powerful!"
Smirking, I quirk,
Not for long, they won't.
"Not when Utopia Ray's special ability activates! By using an Overlay Unit, it gains 500 Attack Points!"
Astral and I decide to do a supercharge just as our monster readies his gigantic weapon.
"Right now, Utopia Ray has three Overlay Units, which are all about to be used! Go, Overlay Charge!"
On that note, our Number's strength rose to a strong 4000!
"No, no!"
"And for every Overlay Unit, your monster loses 1000 Attack Points!"
Big Eye's Attack Points skyrocketed downward to zero...
"That means-!"
"Hell yeah; you're finished, Fortuno!"
I stand sideways back-to-back with Astral as we make our winning move.
"Do it now, Utopia Ray: Attack Big Eye! Rising Sun Chaos Slash!"
Our Number rose to the occasion, using his two regular swords and his enormous long blade to hack and slash the enemy into six pieces before they explode into pixels, leaving that freak of a fortuneteller to go sliding hard to the ground as his Life Points drop to zero!
"Yes!"
I fist-pump in a cheer for the win, while Astral extracts the two Numbers from Fortuno...
With that done, we then turn to one another...and flash eachother a smile.
Never give up, and always have faith.
(Ka-chank)
"Hm?"
That's when a side door opens to reveal Tiffany, Jamal, Caswell and Flip, running over to our direction at the same time Caden comes rushing down the stairs from that Dummy Kite's throne.
They're all okay...
"Heh, hey all."
Though, what I didn't expect, was how animated my five friends would be in regards to my dueling partner.
"That, was, all kinds of awesome!"
"Incredible!"
"He totally saved us!"
Awoh brother...
I sweatdropped with an exasperated smile at their eagerness to praise Astral, he himself settling himself to floating by my right, his brow raised slightly as he watched their behaviour.
"They are, acting quite enthusiastically..."
Laughing a little, I shake my head and reply,
"Yeah, that's what happens when you're under the spotlight. It'll wear off quick enough, though...Astral?"
"Yes, Athena?"
My smile falters to foreshadow regret as I mutter,
"I'm, sorry about what I said to you before we came here, calling you a coward...That wasn't fair, especially since you managed to brave it out and came with me despite your fears. If anything, you showed true courage tonight."
"Uh! True courage..."
His eyes alight from my compliment, making me sideglance away with a soft smile...until I recalled another soul in this room who displayed the complete opposite of what my friend beside me did.
"On the other hand...Fortuno."
I turn to glare at the down-for-the-count fortuneteller, picking up on the faint sound of he stirring from unconscious, making something in me burn.
"He displayed everything that makes a despicable coward. Putting my friend's lives in danger, including yours...(knuckle crack) No way I'm letting that pass."
Astral's POV
Hearing the drop in Athena's tone to meet deadly expectations made me worry a little, but considering what I had observed so far in regards to the girl's behavioural patterns, I knew she wasn't about to do something of the upmost extreme.
At least, I hope not...
The crack in her knuckles stirred attention from the others, and we would all watch as she suddenly started to walk over to where Fortuno was laying, he on the verge of trying to sit up after stirring awake.
"U-Uuuuh...What on ear-"
"Fortuno!"
"Hm!?"
He looks up, and flinches upon seeing what must have been a rather frightening glare on Athena's face.
"There's something I owe you, even though you lost."
Owes him? What does she-
Jamal would provide the answer as he sucks some air through his teeth and mutters warily,
"Hoo boy, things are gonna get violent in a second, folks."
And right he was:
(...Whack, CLONK)
The six of us wince in unison as Athena lands two consecutive hits from her right fist against Fortuno's ribcage and the side of his face, she exclaiming straight afterward,
"That's for putting my friend's lives in jeopardy, you bastard!"
Oh my, that must have hurt...I must remember to be cautious in the future when Athena is particularly, 'ticked off'.
Letting out an aggravated breath, she began her walk (which fell more as a held-back stomp) out of this place, calling to everyone without looking back in an even tone,
"Let's blow this freak-house," to which all besides myself would reply to in quick unison,
"Don't have to tell us twice!"
I took a moment to pause and watch their interacting forms, as I noted,
Observation Number Thirteen: As long as you have friends...you have Hope.
...Sub-observation Thirteen-A: Athena...Tiffany, Jamal, Caswell, Flip, Caden...They are all my friends.
These dual thoughts, brought a small smile to my face...
"Hey, Astral, you comin'?!"
"Yeah, trust me, man, creepy joints like these ain't a good place to hang out at!"
"You still think this place is haunted, don't you, Jamal?"
"Oi! Don't judge me, Tiff!"
"After tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if Fortuno haunts this crazy house!"
"In the end, can we please change the subject?!"
"I agree with Caswell; just talking about this house makes me all the more anxious to go home and curl up with my cats, merow!"
Hearing the lighter tones in their voices only made my smile grow a touch, before I made the motion to follow them, also feeling ready to leave this place and not look back...
...However, just as I made my way to the top of the staircase to join in step (er, floating step) with the group, I felt this strange fleeting feeling...as if there was something I had forgotten back down below in that chamber.
Probably my imagination...I think.
Small Time Skip, No POV
Come about half an hour later after our group of teens and one celestial being exited Fortuno's place, we find him kneeling on the stairs leading to the throne where the fake Kite used to be, gazing over something he pulled out of a small treasure box while rubbing a large bruise going from the bottom of his left cheek to chin.
"Hmph! That ruffian child thinks she has taken all of my Number Cards...Fortunately, I was wise enough to store my most precious Number Card here..."
(...Step, step, step)
"Hm? (Looks up) Auh, it-it's you! Kite! It's really you!"
Yes: This time, Fortuno was witnessing the true Number Hunter with his own eyes, their figure shadowed and carrying a dangerous smirk that also reflected in his grey irises...
The fortuneteller's devotion would of course blind him from the signs:
"Master, I have been watching you: I think you are incredible! I would give you anything, and everything!"
"Good to know. In that case, I'll take that Number...and while we're at it, I'll take your soul."
"Hah?!"
...Creatures belonging to the aviary world would bolt from the front courtyard of the small manor when their animal instincts pick up on something unsettling, they being the extraction of Fortuno's last Number Card, along with his very being.
"I thank you for your loyalty."
Athena's POV
TGIF indeed. If this had gone on any longer, the parent squad would be blowin' up our gazers...
As soon as everyone and I had gotten as far as we could from that creep Fortuno's place, we'd settle in an area just opening into one of the small public commutes to collect ourselves...
Or rather, for the five stooges (whom I love to pieces; don't misunderstand) to prep themselves for what I had promised Caden before we had arrived at the mansion.
"U-Uh, Addy..."
"Alright, now with that mess taken care of...I can say this."
I whirl around to bark with a scolding expression,
"I can't believe you five acted like complete idiots today!"
They flinch back considerably in unison with nerved sounds, before I ask a touch less aggressively but seriously,
"Whose idea was it to form an investigation club for the Numbers without thinking to run any sort information by me and Astral?"
Cade and Flip were quick to pointing fingers:
"It was Caswell and Jamal's idea!"
They gasp, before taking a turn at shooting blame:
"Tiffany said to postpone presenting the findings!"
She makes an offended noise to being made the 'bad guy', before quickly defending,
"W-We just wanted to be sure of everything and that we got all-"
"Stop."
I hold a hand up to prevent anymore word stumbles, having heard all I need to.
"As far as I'm concerned, each one of you has to take credit for this mess. The pointing of fingers only makes you guys look more guilty..."
"We, didn't realize you'd be this angry with us..."
Smirking bitterly, I reply to Flip,
"Oh I've gone past angry, my friend: I'm downright furious that my buddies feel just because I've pulled some stupid-dangerous stunts in the past that it's suddenly okay for them to as well!"
"Uh...!"
Exhaling a frustrated breath, I run a hand over my face as I mutter,
"Just count your blessings most of my fury was directed at that fortuneteller, or there'd be a fifty-fifty chance of bumps on the head for all five of you...That being said."
I face them all alot more calmly than a minute ago, seriousness dominating my tone once again.
"While I do appreciate the fact you'd all go to so much trouble for me and Astral, for god's sake, you gotta be smarter about this. It ain't like using your grandparent's find-it books: Caution must be used. Stressed, to, a, T! Tonight's example proves that it won't just be Kite playing Number Hunter out there...If any information about this mission falls into the wrong ear, lives are gonna be put at risk, Astral's especially."
Said being who played a vital role in the topic folds his arms with a frown and nods in agreement.
"Quite so. What you had all done was rather reckless and irresponsible."
I gesture a hand to him and reply,
"Thank you! See, even Astral agrees with me. Now I want you all to promise the two of us that if you're gonna continue with this investigation club, be more conscientious of your actions and remember to tell us of anything, and I mean any little detail."
My five friends bow and reply in meek voices,
"We promise."
"Good, and please be especially careful with who you talk to."
I turn to look at the two who've had my back since childhood:
"Tiffany, Jamal, I expected a little more wariness from you two since you of all people should know a good amount on what to look for in terms of shady characters based on my oral accounts of the rough end of the city. What's the one thing I've warned you to never do?"
Jamal mutters while avoiding my eyes in one of those monotone voices of a student repeating a teacher's latest lesson plan,
"Trust a shifty stranger."
"And what did you do tonight?"
Tiffany replies in a more defeated tone while bending downward with a sweatdrop,
"Trust a shifty stranger..."
"Exactly. (Small smirk) So what are all of us, myself included, not going to be repeating after this fiasco?"
We all parrot together (even Astral),
"Trust a shifty stranger," and Flip quickly adds in a cheeky tone,
"Unless someone we know knows them first."
That earned a small whack to the back of his head by Tiffany, eyeing him with a puff of annoyance in her cheeks while he winces and asks,
"Whaaaat?"
I roll my eyes in amusement and mutter,
"That'll work," before directing everyone to follow me somewhere to kill more time before our curfews come to bite us in the ass.
"Now then, let's all go to a less stressful atmosphere and unwind before we have to head home."
"Huh?" "Where?" "Shouldn't we return to our homes now?"
They nonetheless meet my steps as I wave a casual hand and reply,
"Nah, if we go back home now while we're still comin' down from the duck-and-cover mindset, our folks are gonna belt us with questions. This way, we'll have a viable excuse for staying out late...Plus, I've been meaning to show you guys this neat hotspot for rock music coverage."
Small Time Skip
Our group of seven were soon sitting at two square tables shoved together inside a little bar-like cafe welcomed to pretty much anyone over thirteen (not that little kids couldn't come in; just not recommended) situated on the street that bordered the nicer and rugged neighbourhoods, acting as somewhat of a truce hut for everyone of all walks of life to wander in, sharing the same love for lattes, sodas and the edgier sounds of music...
"Huh. I've walked by this place a few times, but I never actually expected the atmosphere to be this, lively..."
Smirking a little at the awed Caswell, I reply,
"Yeah, the outside may look ugly, but the people inside are fairly friendly and know how to show others a good time. Just don't come in here during death metal night, haha, or you might end up seeing a rather frightening nightmare that's the harder sides of rock and roll."
"Uh, duly noted."
I glance up to watch as Astral kept hovering around the large room of black-washed hardwood, peering his eyes in wonder between the regular patriots (some of which wore outfits that screamed grunge, goth and/or simple music fandom), the island bar where you order your drinks and a couple choices of sweet confections, and of course, the awesome sound stage where bands of various backgrounds would set up to blow the speakers for all to hear.
Seeing the curiousity highlighted made me feel amused, his expressions reminding me of a younger me when I listened to my first rock CD.
I turn back to my friends at the table, seeing a mixed review of awe and hesitance in being here, which was what I expected. Based on past and present conversations, Tiffany and Caswell are more inclined to gentler styles of music, while Jamal and Flip liked to lean close to my tastes. As for Caden...he seems to be caught in the middle.
And then Astral just seems more fascinated with the whole concept of music...
Heh, though I'm not sure if genres like this are his cup of tea.
A moment ago, Medicine by The Pretty Reckless was being cover-played by an alternate rock all-girl band, which started a whole stir of questions from my friend from beyond until I explained some of the meanings behind the sentences. It didn't exactly make him feel less creeped out by the lyrics, but it did seem to help him take it in with a calmer air.
(Note: I own nothing related to the song nor the artist mentioned. Only said band attains such.)
"...Hey, Addy."
"Hm?"
I turned my head to meet Jamal's aqua irises with my red, who asks me with a hopeful smile,
"Any chance you might go up there and take a turn at the mic?"
Me?
My eyes go wide for a split second in surprise, before I inquire with a smirk,
"Well that depends: You got a track in mind?"
"Hoh-hoh, giving me control of your fate, eh? You sure you wanna take that highway to danger-town?"
The lot of us laugh at his joking, before I nod in confirmation, leaving him to start thinking while mocking that philosopher position, hand under the chin and whatever.
"Hmm, lemme see: What to choose, what to choose..."
Come about three minutes later, my best buy friend announces his choice for me.
"I got it! You're gonna go up and sing...Hope!"
I rose a brow at the title:
"Chad, Brownlee's Hope? Dude, you know I don't usually belt out country..."
(Note: I do not own the song nor any references to the lyrics. Such rights belong to the artist and no other.)
"No, but you could twist it into a rock cover, couldn't you?"
Hmming, I look over to see another band comprised of two late-teen boys and three men, whom I recall frequent here every now and again to bring the sounds of psychobilly and country rock to this shindig.
Well...it'll depend on if they know that song...but maybe.
"Maybe I could..."
"Could what?"
"Oh!"
I darted my eyes up to meet Astral's, not realizing 'til now that he had settled back to floating by me.
"Ah, well, Jamal just dared me to go up on that stage and sing Hope."
"Hope?"
"Uh-huh. It's a song from the realm of country, mind you, a genre I don't usually sing along to, but...given what we've all gone through tonight..."
I form a minuscule smile as I look over everybody and think aloud,
"I think the lyrics may be appropriate to the mood."
"How so?"
Getting up from my seat, I start making my way over to where that edgy hillbilly-inspired band was sitting while quirking mysteriously,
"You'll just have to wait and listen for the message to come bouncing with the melody..."
Astral's POV
Message in a melody? What does that mean?
I watch with a befuddled expression as my, friend, Athena makes her way to a group of five males of various ages wearing dark-shaded 'outdoors' clothing to chat with them for a moment...Based on the pleased grin on her face and the rise of excitement that was stirring steadily for the males, it seems that a positive outcome was reached in the conversation.
The six were soon standing up on the large platform known as a stage (or in the drummer's case, sitting), with Athena standing in the middle front with a device known as a microphone perched on its own metal stand.
"...You think Addy's gonna be able to pull a rock cover off?"
"We're about to find out, Tiff."
Rock cover? What do stones have to-Oh, wait, they mean the genre, not the object.
...And Athena said that the song she's about to do is originally country.
Does this mean that we will be hearing a different version?
Thirty seconds later, I would receive my answer in the form of a, guitar riff, streaming in for all to hear. It was loud, but not so much that the volume was unpleasant, merely made to gain attention. Another instrument, a bass guitar as Athena has told me about in the past, is soon heard in the background with the main stringed player, along with the hard beat of the drums.
...The lyrics came shortly afterward, sung by the girl before my eyes in such a way, it almost sounded as if the words were flowing from her mouth like a current of wind. Somehow, she managed to drop her tone to meet the qualities of a male, but kept a bit of her real voice to help with the higher notes. True, there were some hints of faltering in the correct pitch to match the tune, but they didn't hinder the quality.
And, the words themselves...Athena was correct: The meaning in this song fitted extraordinarily well with what we had been through this last while. It spoke of a powerful message, centering around, having hope for a great change that will benefit all.
To move past feelings like doubt, stop shying away from truths that need to be accepted...
Hope, is the answer.