Original Card made by yours truly: Zexal Weapon - Hoshi-no-Tama Staff
FIRE/Beast/Effect Monster, Level Five, 1000 ATK/1000 DEF
Target one 'Number' monster you control; equip this card from your hand to your target. It gains 1000 ATK and DEF Points. If the equipped monster battles an opponent's monster, the effects of a single Spell or Trap on their field is negated until the end of the Battle Phase. Cost: you must banish an Equip Spell from your Graveyard, and take 1000 Points of Damage.
What the hell's going on? What was I doing? What did Trey do?
What happened to Astral?!
These were the frantic thoughts running through Athena's mind, a mind which had just barely yanked itself back into the safety of reality after Trey attempted to shatter her mentality with the amplified power of his crest. With Astral previously incapacitated by a device that had the capability of trapping a being of his tangibility, it almost looked like the end of the young Fujina...But thanks to the valiant efforts of some brave friends, not only was Athena's psyche restored to what it was before, but Astral was also cut free of his bindings...
However, it came at the cost of Akira and Jamal injuring themselves in an effort to prevent the celestial being from being obliterated, and because he used the last of his strength, Astral was forced to let Adreus take him into the golden pendant to recover...leaving the poor girl alone and among several confused minds to come to grips with the shift in battle.
"A-Astral..."
"He's, gonna be okay, right?"
"He has to be!"
"Oh god...Akira, Jamal!"
Tiffany and Flip run over to where the two soul previously fell, and try to shake them awake.
"Come on, guys, wake up!"
"Say something!...Mph, no good. They're unconscious."
But at least they're not dead...
"What's going on, Tiff, Flip? Are they okay; what happened?"
They turn their hesitant eyes onto Athena, and confess,
"They...They jumped in the way of one of Trey's crests to protect Astral, and got shocked real bad."
"They're still alive, though, so that's something we can be happy about...But, they really pushed the limit to help."
The girl with ember irises turns to stare at the male companions with sadness and guilt.
Guys...
"I'm, (sniff) really glad you're okay too, Addy."
She snaps her eyes back on Tiffany, who mutters with a watery smile,
"I don't know what exactly Astral did, but...he sacrificed his strength, to wake you from whatever horrible nightmare you were trapped in."
"...He...He sacrificed..."
Astral...
Gritting her teeth and shaking away any possible threat of tears, Athena turns a seething glare on Trey, deeming him responsible for all the misgivings this duel presented.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Messing with me is one thing...but to allow all of this...How could you, Trey? How can you stand there and allow that many lives to be hurt? Did this new power you get completely rob you of a conscience?!"
"Hrgh!...I'm only doing what I have to, so that my family has nothing standing in their way."
"This is going too far and you know it!...And if Astral's life is on the brink because of you...I can, and will go far, far enough to hunt you down, and beat you within an inch of your life. (Knuckle crack) I'll make you regret the day you even faced me!"
All of the girl's allies shiver at the prospect, especially the ones who've previously seen her execute in moves similar to what she's suggesting.
"She's serious..."
"Trey's entered the hornet's nest,"
"And in the end, he'll be lucky if he doesn't get stun to death."
Kite feels Hart shift closer to him and mutter,
"Th-This is getting scary, Kite...Addy will win, right?"
"...She has to."
Meanwhile, even though he didn't feel that deeply obligated to help, Orbital knew that his master would have his head if he didn't do something useful.
"H-Hey! Bring those two friends of yours o-over here! I have the medical necessities to heal those f-fools!"
Though slightly bristled by the robot's comment, Tiffany and Flip nonetheless nod and hurry to cart Jamal and Akira back over there, though with some difficulty on the shorter boy's part considering the weight difference.
"Hrrgh...Man, Jamal needs to change his diet...!"
Still, hang in there, buddy.
Getting back to the appending fight between the two duelists, though Trey becomes a little wary of Athena's threat, he grins and retorts,
"We'll see about that!"
...
...
We briefly shift the scene to the inside of the mysterious golden pendant, and zoom in on a section of the giant metal airship to find Astral laying on a curved piece of the structure. Curled beside him is Baby Tiragon, another duel monster that apparently had their own spirit form...They whimper with worried eyes cast on the celestial being, and the latter opens his eyes slightly to try and reassure them,
"It is, alright, Tiragon. I will be fine."
I wonder how many of Athena's cards have the capacity to create their own form outside their cards?
...Athena...I wish I had the strength to be with you right now.
He watches Adreus make his way back to the outside world.
But, I suppose his presence will have to be enough...
Still, I need to gather enough power to allow her access to the Numbers, otherwise Trey might-
"It looks like we need to step in and help."
"Yes. Athena is in dire need...but are you sure we should be doing this?"
"Hm?"
With the small Xyz monster's help, Astral sits up...only to widen his eyes when he sees two people standing in front of the area where the Numbers were resting.
Who are...Wait. Their faces...I remember a photograph Athena showed me once.
...Uh! Could these two be-?!
"I understand why you're hesitant...but it's either now or never. I...I can't stand in the background anymore when I know I can do something now."
"I see...Then go ahead. Do it, Orion."
Before Astral could stop the strangers, the one named Orion raises their palm to where the Numbers rested...and reactivates the power of the twelve cards retaken by the former!
"Uh! How did he-!"
The celestial being suddenly drops to his knees, feeling an invigorating amount of power flow through him.
This, energy...!
"I hope this will help you reawaken, Astral."
"Who...Why are you-?!"
Before he could ask anymore questions, Astral passes out from the overwhelming sensations wracking his body. Baby Tiragon tries and fails to wake him up, then turns to growl at the ones he deemed responsible for 'hurting' his friend...
Back outside the key, Adreus had just reappeared back at his mistress's side.
"Uh!...Adreus..."
"Are you alright?"
"...No. No, I'm far from okay."
The girl shakes her head and once again fights another urge to cry.
"I'm, so confused, and angry and scared. I don't know what was going on before now, and I just found out some of my friends risked their lives to save me from, a nightmare. I don't get it!"
Placing a hand on Athena's shoulder, the monster chides,
"I understand. That boy crossed a line and nearly shattered your perception of reality...But you're free now, mistress. Free to take back this match and show Trey what happens when he messes with the wrong duelist."
"...And, Astral? Is he okay?"
"He's weak but will live...but you will need to carry the torch for him."
Wiping away the moisture from under her eyes, Athena mutters with a slight sniffle,
"Okay. That much I can do for him."
At least I know he's not dead...but if he's recovering, that probably means I can't use Numbers right now.
Her extra deck would beg to differ, suddenly emitting a soft amber glow...
"Or, maybe I can..."
Astral...
"Let's get the rest of this fight over with, shall we?!"
She snaps her eyes on Trey, who decides to throw down the gauntlet and get the last leg of the duel started.
"Using Chronomaly City Babylon's effect, I banish my Chronomaly Aztec Mask Golem from my Graveyard, so I can summon my Cabrera Trebuchet in Defense Mode!"
Watching the named Level Four monster rise back onto the field left a bitter taste in the girl's mouth.
Ugh, this thing again?
"And now, (sets a card face-down) I hand things over to you! I'll admit, I'm surprised you have 1950 Life Points left, but with my field, you have no chance of making a comeback, especially since you don't have Astral to help you."
"...Tch, just who the hell do you think you're talking to?"
A ghost of a smirk appears on Athena's face, and she further retorts,
"Before Astral came along, I was the girl who could walk the streets of Hell without flinching, and survive. Sure, half the time I was a shell of who I once was, but at least I was still among the living...Having Astral around has just made that feeling a little easier to deal with. He's been giving me a strong reason to never give in no matter what."
(Swipe)
"And I'll show exactly what happens to the people who dare to threaten the ones I hold dear!"
Even if he can't be beside me physically, I know he's still kickin' around in my heart.
...And he's even tried to prepare me for the unthinkable.
(Flash)
I believe that day in question was, about a day before the WDC got started, and a day after that tense encounter with Trilos...It was raining, and we took shelter under the roof of a bike lock area in the park...
"No matter what happens to me, your future is truly limitless."
"Hm? Where'd that come from?...Heh, and you really think I stand a chance of a future like that? Your hope's higher than mine..."
"You are merely dwelling on negative thoughts, something you have steered me away from before...Yet you seem to have a harder time taking your own advice."
Sighing, I sat down with my back against one of the poles holding the roof up and mutter,
"You're not wrong. Much as I try to tell everyone to avoid the negative, I end up being the biggest hypocrite in contrast...It feels like forever since I actually looked at tomorrow in a, positive light."
I take out my deck and muse,
"I thought that by using my dad's deck, I could invoke some old positivity...but now...I'm not so sure."
"If you do not feel assured by your own deck, perhaps it may be time to rethink your cards."
I looked up at Astral with mild surprise at his suggestion, and he goes on to say,
"I understand they may have, sentimental value, but neither the deck nor the strategy will work if you feel like an outsider in comparison...A similar notion can be said for your opponents."
"Huh?"
"You must know your opponent's strategy. Even your most powerful deck will be useless, if you allow your opponent to control how the duel plays out. Once you know an opponent's strategy, shut it down."
"Hm, (nod) right. That much of the basics I can get behind...And if I can't feel confident with these cards, how can I feel confident about outwitting my rival's?"
(Flash)
I feel better with this deck than I had before with my dad's.
Sure, I was able to pull some wins by the skin of my teeth...but, they didn't really feel like my victories, even when I added some of the Dueling Sanctuary's legendary deck. It felt like I was just playing for, someone else, and not in the way I'm meaning to for Astral.
...But now...Now I'm sure I can take my opponents down without feeling like a fraud.
Nodding firmly to herself, Athena looks down at her hand.
Alright. First things first, I need to get rid of that stupid Trebuchet again...
Hm...or do I? Actually...there is one Number I can think of that would work with my current hand.
"Do you have a plan?"
She turns to nod at Adreus,
"Yeah...I'm thinking of putting Sixty-One to work."
"Hm...Not a bad idea. It would certainly pin Trey back into a vulnerable corner."
"Exactly what I'm counting on."
With that, the girl begins her prep-work.
"Okay! First, since you have monsters on the field and I don't, I can normal-summon this bad boy without tributing. So come forth, Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn!"
Said Level Five monster soars onto the battlefield from a hex-shaped portal that opened in the sky, revealing themselves as a humanoid bird with a head of dark blue feathers, contrasting the black wings and tail, taloned five-digit hands, hawk-like feet, and wearing a spiderweb-designed collar. Their total Attack Points are 2000...
"Next, by discarding one card, I can special-summon The Tricky from my hand!"
Another strong Level Five with the same amount of Attack Points as Blackwing, the monster that rose to the field is what we recall to be a strange combination of a spellcaster and a jester with a question mark drawn on their face and chest. This one was easily recognized by the young Tenjo brother.
"Ah! I remember that one! That's the monster she summoned to try and duel that older guy."
But something tells me they aren't sticking around for as long as last time...
Trey seemed to sense that as well:
"Two Level Fives...Wait!"
"Heh, caught on, did ya?...I overlay both Blackwing and The Tricky, so I can Xyz Summon!"
Said monsters transform into purple and light green orbs of lights respectively, and go streaming into the awaiting vortex...
"I'm sure you must've heard about Utopia, but I have a couple more Numbers where that came from! For this duel, I'm introducing you to the powerhouse, Number Sixty-One: Volcasaurus!"
Rising to the field with an almighty roar, the Rank Five monster with lava-like skin and predatory dinosaur appearance was certainly a Number to be remembered with a respectable amount of fear. Tiffany certainly remembers it:
"Uh! Volcasaurus!...Haven't seen them for an age..."
Caswell comments,
"I almost expected her to summon Utopia...but then again, Athena's never been that predictable, has she?"
"No, not even close...and if I recall this beast's ability correctly, (slight smile) I think Addy may have outplayed Trey for good."
The girl herself was feeling just as hopeful, and couldn't help but smirk when she sees the gobsmacked expression on the boy's face.
"Gee, Trey, you're not lookin' half as smug as before. I wonder why?"
"Gh!...Exactly how many Numbers do you have?!"
"How many? Hm, let's see...Think I'm at eleven-no, wait, make that twelve. I just remembered; I picked up Lucky Straight not too long after I got Force Focus."
Thank god I did remember, otherwise I wouldn't hear the end of it...
Caswell calls warily,
"Is that really something you should be saying to your opponent, Addy?"
"Probably not, but hey, you only live once, heha!"
...All of her conscious allies nearly fall over in disbelief from the nonchalant humour, and Caden murmurs with an exasperated smile,
"Addy, I love you, but you're gonna be the death of us..."
Shrugging off the attitudes, Athena gets on with what will hopefully be her final turn.
"This is the end, Trey!...By using one Overlay Unit, Volcasaurus can target one face-up monster on your field, destroy it, and you take damage equal to that monster's original Attack Points!"
"What?!"
"Summoning back that Trebuchet was a big mistake. They can't help you here...Volcasaurus, take out Machu Mech!"
The girl's more animated friends cheer her and her Number on as the latter entity prepares to unleash their fire.
"Yes!"
"Do it, Volcasaurus!"
"There's no stopping Addy now!"
...But the opposing duelist wasn't about to let victory come so swiftly.
"Not so fast! I activate my Thunder Pot Trap card! Not only does it stop your Volcasaurus from destroying Machu Mech, but it also ends this battle!"
Athena curses as she watches her dinosaur-inspired Number get stopped by the blast of dragon-shaped lightning from the little clay pot.
Damn it all! So close; I was so, fucking, close!
Caden, Calli and Flip were thinking similarly.
"Oh come, on!"
"He just had to have another trick!"
"Addy had him, and then bam, nothing!"
Kite felt his eyes narrow as he thinks to himself,
Come on Athena. Don't let this arrogant whelp win! You have to have a better strategy...
Show me the real duelist you are, so I know that when the end of this tournament comes, I'll actually have an interesting battle to prepare for.
Adreus works to keep his wielder from blowing her temper.
"Calm down, mistress. He may have stopped you now, but you can still get the jump on him. Set both of your trap cards."
"Both of them?...You mean including Blazing Mirror Force?"
Hm...this one's kind-of a mixed bag. It allows me to destroy as many monsters as I can on my opponent's side, but then I take damage equal to half of those combined Attack Points...Yet so would my opponent...
Yeah. Okay, that could work. It won't fully guarantee the win, but should cripple Trey long enough for Volcasaurus to try again when it's my turn.
"Alright...I place two cards face-down and end my turn."
"You talk a good game, Athena, and if I hadn't used my trap, you might have seized the win...But now the torch is back in my hands, and there's no way your monster will survive a blow from Machu Mech!...I Dra-"
(Ba-bump, ba-bump)
Gh! No! Not now!...Vetrix warned me this might happen.
(Flash)
"You must understand: by acquiring the crest, you will gain incredible power to control and utilize Numbers like Thirty-Three: Machu Mech, and of course Number Six: Chronomoly Atlandis...However, there is a price to be paid for this power. The crest can be dangerous. It will drain away your physical and mental energy, more so thanks to our new benefactor's amplifier."
"Rrrrrh-rrrgh!...I don't care about that! I...I just wanna beat Athena...and make you proud of me...!"
"I'm confident you won't let me down. You're stronger than you know, Trey."
(Flash)
The boy stumbles slightly as a vermilion-violet light rings around his body, and he begins to have some honest doubts.
Hrh! Hh...If I'm so strong, I would've summoned Atlandis by now...
But I failed even that. And though I blocked her for a moment...she still has a chance.
...Was this all a mistake? Did I gain this power for nothing?
"Hey...Hey, Trey!"
He glances up and sees Athena staring at him with a confused and slightly concerned expression.
"What's going on? Are...Are you okay?"
...No. This weakness is the price I pay. Vetrix believes in me, and I'm not going to let him down now!
"I...I will not fail! You're, (swipe) finished, Athenaaa!"
The force of the boy whipping his head up to proclaim this threat sends his gladiator helmet flying off...allowing all eyes to see that his face has been overtaken by thorn-like markings the same colour as his original crest, though with the tips glowing a molten vermilion-violet!
"Gh! Holy cra-Trey! What happened?!...Wait, (narrows eyes) it's that new power you got before we met up, isn't it? It's overwhelming your body!"
He may have been acting shitty since he left home...but still...
"Trey, this has gone far enough! Let's just, stop the duel so you don't-"
"I refuse!"
"Huh?"
Everyone was taken aback by the pinkette's unwillingness to back down despite his growing problem...
"I won't, accept your help, Athena. I chose to take this path, understand?! It's the only way I can get the power I need!...What happens to me...It doesn't matter at all...as long as...as long as I can serve my family!"
"...Serve them, huh? So in other words, you're willing to remain forever detached from your family rather than reconnect with them."
Trey's heart skips a beat at such an accusation.
What...?
"That's exactly where you're heading, Trey. I didn't want to say it before, but I can see you're already too close to the point of no return...You think you'll save your family, but this plan is only going to push them further away, especially if you might not be alive afterward...If you really want to help them, don't push yourself closer to death's door. Talk to them! Help them understand that there's another way!"
On the sidelines, Hana comments in a murmur with Tiffany,
"She, still wants to help him, even after all of this..."
"I know. I'm also shocked...But, I remember Addy saying something once about how, destructive revenge is."
(Flash)
"Revenge is pointless?"
"It is at the end of the road. It's a lose-lose sitch like War and Violence; everybody feels bad about it later on, even the so-called victor..."
(Flash)
She might talk about wanting to deal payback for wrongdoings, but, even she knows that if you go too far, you'll become just as bad.
...Addy...
"Rgh!...It's already too late, and I'm too far in to turn back!"
Trey extends his arm in a commanding gesture to fulfill the beginning of his doomed destiny.
"First I'll destroy that Number of yours, and once they're out of the way, I can use my last Overlay Unit to finish you off! Machu Mech: blast apart Volcasaurus! Go, Infinity Cannon!"
The dozens of large firearms charge up and release, sending a wave of power straight towards the opposing Number...
"I activate my trap, Blazing Mirror Force!"
Athena's facedown flips up, revealing a fiery shield blocking a beam of power...
"Since you attacked, I can use this card to not only stop it, but also destroy as many monsters on your side as possible!...The cost is that I'm dealt damage equal to half of the combined total of those monsters' original Attack Points, (small smirk) but so are you."
A similar shield forms in front of Volcasaurus, and absorbs the cannon fire in preparation for what's to come...
"I choose to take out Machu Mech and Trebuchet, and while the latter has nothing to give, your Number's original 2400 will be enough. We're talkin' 1200 points of damage for each of us!"
Athena's audience is in awe by the play, and the boy with the bowl-cut of blue hair comments,
"That's quite a risky gamble. She's willing to hurt herself in order to hurt Trey."
The girl with the curly black/dark blue hair and caramel complexion reminds him,
"Still, it'll bring this duel closer to the end, and Addy will be in the lead...She'll be hanging by a thread, but it'll be a strong one."
"Hm..."
Zooming over to the girl in question, she folds her arms and inquires,
"What will you do now, Trey? It won't be long until the mirror reflects, and once it becomes my turn again, I'll be sending Volcasaurus to finish off whatever Life Points remain...I'm giving you one last chance: concede the duel while you still have some dignity."
The pinkette grits his teeth...and exclaims,
"No! Not yet!...I'll use-"
...He then pauses, recalling what his benefactor said about the card he's about to play.
(Flash)
"The ritual was a success, Trey. Now, as promised, here's the Number, along with a most sinister card."
"...Final Prophecy?...But Vetrix: isn't this the card that..."
"Think of it as a last resort, incase things don't go as well as you hope. If you do use the card, you will both suffer the consequences...Of course, I sincerely hope that you won't be forced to use it."
"But, what if-"
"You did say that you'd do whatever it takes to beat Athena, didn't you? You may have a chance to prove it."
(Flash)
...I did...and I do.
"Hmph...I activate the Trap, Final Prophecy!"
His face-down is revealed as a card with a scene depicting a giant hand pulling a bolt of energy from an ominous void...
Quick Note: I decided to change the effects of Final Prophecy a little, otherwise it wasn't gonna work for the rest of this duel...However, given the true nature of this Trap Card, I think we can allow a little leeway. Right?...Okay, back to the action!
"This card allows me to destroy an Equip Spell in my hand, so I can stop and destroy your Trap!"
At the same time we watch a copy of Power Pickaxe crumble to pieces in Trey's hand, Athena's Blazing Mirror Force is eliminated, meaning the shield protecting Volcasaurus is also gone...
"Fire again, Machu Mech!"
"Good thing I had this classic in reserve then! I activate my other Trap, Half Unbreak!"
A familiar bubble surrounds Volcasaurus's body...
"Now my monster can't be destroyed, and the damage you're trying to deal me is cut in half!"
In which case, only a few of the cannon blasts actually reach the ember-eyed teen, and she struggles to stay upright as her Life Points dwindle down slightly to 1600...Trey drops to his knees, hypocritically stupefied by the girl's lack of will to quit.
"No...How can you-"
(Ba-bump, ba-bump)
"Aaaagh!"
He's then hit with another surge of throbbing pain thanks to his amplified crest power, and barely stops himself from dropping completely...
"You're stubborn, I'll give you that."
He looks up to see Athena looking at him with a near-pitying expression.
"And usually people are saying that to me whenever I'm backed in a losing corner...Trey, just, stop. You're gonna kill yourself at this rate."
"Hrgh...and what if I say I don't care?"
"Hh!"
The boy summons every ounce of his remaining strength to stand back up, and he utters with pain and desperation coating his tone,
"You're in my family's way, in my way, so I'll beat you no matter what!"
"I never wanted to be your enemy to begin with! You're not like your brothers or your, boss, Trey, so stop trying to fill their shoes!...It's not too late to reach out and take my hand."
"Take your hand? Don't make me laugh!...I don't need a girl like you as my friend."
"You do more than you know; trust me. I mean, come on, (gesture) I got Kite and Hart to ditch the people that were pulling their strings. Why can't I do the same for you?"
"She's right."
"Hm?"
Eyes turn to the youngest audience member, and he bravely steps forward before stating,
"Sure, there's, still a part of me that's scared of what might happen if my big brother and I see Faker again...but being with Addy, her friends and family, (small smile) makes me feel better about the road ahead...I actually feel, happy for once, especially knowing that Kite and I don't have to hold the weight alone. We have people who actually care."
Tiffany softly murmurs Hart's name in awe, and though he was reluctant to admit it, the boy's older brother mutters while avoiding eyes,
"W-What he said. I'm still following my own agenda...but at least I'm not catering to second-rate minds anymore."
Athena rolls her eyes slightly, knowing that the blond meant a little differently. She then turns back to her opponent and says,
"There, you see? It's never too late to reach out. Just cut the crap and say 'help me'."
...Trey felt his emerald irises tear up.
I...I want...
"Th...Thank you, Athena...but I'm afraid, it's too late for both of us."
"What do you mean?...Wait, (widens eyes) your Trap. There's more?"
"Yes. There's more than what's already been done, and unfortunately for you and I, it means our demise...On my next turn, we'll both take 2000 points of damage, since the trap I destroyed was one that was meant to reflect damage. In other words, we'll both be destroyed."
To further punctuate his point, a red beam of light shoots out from Final Prophecy, reforming in the darkening skies above as a gigantic version of Trey's original crest...That crest then projects multiple beams of light to go blasting against the city backdrop, evaporating buildings almost instantly!
"Uh!"
"What's going on?!"
"The city...!"
"Aw no, don't tell me we're gonna play the parts of the poor townsfolk during the rise and fall of the empire!"
"Not a good time for history lessons, Hana!"
Athena was also becoming wary of the ascending turmoil.
What in the...
"I'm of course speaking much more literal than our contest."
The crest suddenly shrinks, and flies as a tiny orb of light to stop in the middle of Machu Mech's numeral symbol...
"This is going to be the last duel any of us ever has."
"Trey...!"
"I feel at peace, because I know there was no other way to save my family, and I'm sure Vetrix will be proud of me. (Sad smile) Someday soon, my family will return to normal."
The girl shivers slightly at how, broken her opponent sounded, and Adreus comments grimly,
"He's completely lost himself in his power, and with that, almost all of his cognitive reasoning. I'm afraid he may be beyond help, mistress."
"...No..."
On the sidelines, Calli comments nervously,
"Uhm, guys? The city's still evaporating...like, really fast!"
The girl with white-blond hair whimpers,
"Are we gonna be next?"
Caswell tries to reassure,
"Of course not! The trap can't hurt us since it's part of this virtual world. In the end, it really isn't there."
...But the second he pulls off his duel gazer to prove his point...
"Gah! No way! Even without my duel gazer, I can see Final Prophecy still zapping everything in sight!...This is real!"
Yes, there truly wasn't that much of a difference between the settings. Whether it be the AR Babylon or the unfinished highway over the sea, neither one was safe from the expanding creeping void as the surrounding structures continue to be eradicated!
"Oh my god!"
"Final Prophecy will destroy us all!"
"What'll we do?!"
Hart immediately clings to Kite and exclaims fearfully,
"Big brother, do something!"
But even the ruthless Number Hunter was helpless to do anything other than barely keep himself from shaking.
...No...
It would be up to Athena to try and make some sense out of the chaos, despite her own rising fears.
"...Oh fuck...Trey. Trey, what did you do?! What is this Trap doing?!"
"I...I'm not really, sure-Nh! (Looks around) It's from another dimension, I think...!"
"You think?! Seriously?! How can you be that unsure of a card like this?! This is going beyond the AR, man!"
"I don't-Urh!"
The ground begins to shake, and Trey turns to his Number to try and get a handle on the situation by using his crest...However, that counter would be rejected, and a ring of red energy recoils back against the one who dared to try and stop the trap, throwing them to the ground like they were a rag doll.
"Mrh...It's no use!"
(Flash)
"The Final Prophecy cannot be stopped."
(Flash)
"Not even my crest is powerful enough to hold it back..."
(Crrrick...CRACK)
The ground suddenly uproots from everyone's feet, causing the spectators to cry out as the one who started this destruction concludes with horror,
"Vetrix! Your card doesn't just eliminate the duelist: it destroys the whole world!"
...
...
Unbeknownst to this crowd, the doomed conclusion was being sensed from afar by the one who gave their duelist the trigger trap card.
"It appears that Trey used the card I gave him."
A quick gasp escapes Quinton, and he turns to inquire with a slightly startled tone,
"Uh! Vetrix! Don't tell me you gave Trey the Final Prophecy card...Even after what I showed you-"
"It's creating a portal to Barian World just as I foresaw! Once the portal fully opens, it can't be closed again!"
...
...
Back in the area where the ocean highway section/AR Babylon once was, the duelists and their audience begin their descent through a vortex made of red and violet hues...Colours that seemed to strike as vaguely familiar to Athena.
Hh!...This energy...It's like that freaky beast from my nightmares, and those attacks on Astral World...!
"Trey, be straight with us: where's this portal going?!"
"Our duel is opening a portal from this world to another dimension, and in a short time, everything around us is going to be swallowed up by it!"
The spectators gasp, and Flip exclaims in a panic,
"Please don't swallow meee! I swear I don't taste very good!"
He feels Caden whap the back of his head.
"Ouch!"
"Get it together, Flip! It's not over yet, (glance) right, Addy?"
"Uh...right."
Athena turns back to Trey and asks,
"Okay...I can tell that despite everything else, you never meant for things to go this far. Am I right?"
"Y-Yes. When I activated that card, I didn't realize that it would devour the whole world. Please...forgive me, Athena."
"You can earn my forgiveness by helping me end this battle!"
"Huh?"
The pinkette looks at the blackette in surprise...
"This portal's only active because of the card you played in our duel, so if I beat you, it should stop!"
"But...how can you hope to beat me now? The situation we're in is utterly hopeless."
"It will be if you keep using the Negative Nancy attitude! Don't forget: Volcasaurus still has one Overlay Unit left! I'm sure that'll be enough to beat Machu Mech as long as you don't use anymore tricks!"
But even so, will it be enough to counter all this negative power?
...Unless...
"Zexal."
"Hm? What's that?"
"It's a, power that Astral and I had awakened not too long ago...It might be overkill, but I don't see any other way of further guaranteeing Final Prophecy's demise...The only problem is that I don't know what Astral's condition is."
"Condition?...You mean, he's still alive?"
"Yes. Adreus told me himself."
Deciding to slide over the question regarding the girl's named Xyz Monster, Trey looks down at his gauntlet where his crest was glowing.
So even after all I've done, I can't completely sever those two...
I was fighting for my family...but I had to hurt a girl who was only trying to help me.
...Wait.
"Athena. Maybe there's a way you can bring Astral back."
"What? Whaddo you mean?"
"Even though that device was used to pin him, I had initially used my crest to temporarily cut your connection...If I can transfer the crest over to you..."
"It might trigger enough of a reaction for me to find Astral in the key?"
"Yes, but if you fail to gain control over the crest's power, then it will gain control of you."
"Well it's not like you're giving the power to me entirely. Just get it to shake my spirit...That's all I need."
"Mistress, wait."
She turns to see Adreus giving her an expression of worry and disapproval.
"Is this a wise idea? This boy's crest could do more to you than what you're hoping for."
"I know...but I can't get the pendant to pull me in on my own. There's too much interference...I have to do this, and I'm willing to risk whatever to get Astral back."
Though reluctant to allow his wielder to undergo the task...the Xyz monster nods and mutters,
"Very well. Do what you must."
But should the boy try anything, I will be the one to end him.
"Thanks. Meanwhile, make sure my unconscious body doesn't go flying into a void."
With that, Athena focuses back on Trey as he extends his hand out towards hers...and as soon as their palms touch...
(POW)
"Ah-hh!"
The marks on the pickette's face begin to travel from his skin and across Athena's, stopping just around the area where her pendant's rope chain began...
(BA-bump, ba-bump)
A strangled gasp emits from the blackette, her eyes flash vermilion-violet for a split second...before she passes out completely. Adreus barely catches the human's body in time, while Tiffany cries out her friend's name with worry.
"Athena!"
What now?
Athena's POV
"(...Blink) Uh!"
It would barely take half a minute, before I'd wake up inside the calmer atmosphere of my pendant...
Looks like it worked. Now, I better not waste any time.
I start floating over to the big airship, desperate to find my friend.
"Astral!...Astral, where are you?!"
Dammit, if I don't find him...this could be the end...
Just as I reach the underside of this big machine, my ears suddenly pick up on a familiar cry.
...Tiragon?
The little monster makes his appearance a second afterward, nearly barreling into my chest in excitement over seeing me.
"Whoa-whoa! Tiragon!...Wow, first Adreus, now you."
The Duel Monster world's a strange one...
"Wait...if you're here...does that mean you know where Astral is?"
Tiragon backs up a little to nod vigorously, before starting a fast lead deep inside the airship...We eventually reach the place he came from, which was the area that the Numbers rested when Astral and I didn't need to use them in a duel...And laying near the left side of the ninety-nine squares, is the friend I came for.
Astral...!
I hurry over to his side, dropping to my knees on his right...
No bruises or cuts. Good...Still, shouldn't he have gotten up by now?
"Astral...Astral, wake up."
I place my hand on his shoulder - shivering slightly over the fact that in this place, I can actually touch him - and start shaking him.
"Astral, wake up! C'mon, please; I need you! There's some bad-crazy shit going on outside, and as much as I don't wanna admit it, it's gonna take Zexal to bash the chaos on its head! Astral!...Astral!"
...My eyes start tearing up when he doesn't open his.
No...Adreus said you were okay, so show me you're okay!
Please; I can't take anymore suspense! Astral!
...
...
My prayers are answered by a slight cough, and I watch as those mysterious, yet...captivating silver-white/gold eyes (and that's the only time I'll admit that, okay?!) blink open to meet my fiery ember.
"Hh, hh, hh...Athena...?"
"...Astral..."
For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel joy flood into my body, which I express with a big smile and by hugging my friend tightly after helping him sit up.
"Astral!"
"Uh!"
"(Sniff) You're...You're okay. You're really okay! You're still here!"
Astral was understandably a little confused by my rather emotional behaviour, and I've really been all over the place today.
"Athena, what in the world-...Athena."
He gently guides me back a little so we're able to look eachother in the eyes, but still allowed us to maintain a grip eachother's arms, probably sensing my instability...All it took was a really short staring contest between us, and he understood my urgency...He smiles, and reaches his right hand up to wipe away the ribbons of moisture on my face.
"Oh Athena...it is alright. Dry your tears...I am fine, and not disappearing."
I sniffle and nod with a smaller upturn of mouth, feeling really touched by the gesture...
But just when I was beginning to settle and refocus on the real problem outside...something...or rather, someone else had to come and throw me in another loop.
"...Athena."
"Hm?"
I turn around...and nearly felt my eyes fall out of my skull when I see two very familiar faces I haven't seen in so long.
"Hh!...No...No way..."
...Dad...Mom...?
They hardly looked any different then when they left: that man with short, spiky black hair the same shade as mine and a balbo beard, grey eyes and fairly-tanned skin, standing beside that woman with medium-length, feathered copper-red hair that I've dyed the tip of my own to match (there; I revealed my secret), red eyes like my own and fair skin. They're wearing a more modernized set of explorer clothes, consisting of near-matching straight jeans, white button-up shirts and black hiking boots. The difference is that dad's wearing one of those Mexican serapes with the highland colours of black, gray and brown, while mom only has a plain blush pink scarf...
Now, I know what you're probably thinking, that I'm overjoyed to see my wayward parents.
...
...
Well, you'd be wrong. Like, way wrong. If anything...seeing their smiling faces after such a long absence, was stirring up something inside my heart. Something, ugly...beastly...I guess it must've shown on my face too, for their smiles falter into frowns of concern.
"Athena?"
"What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"...How dare you."
I get up to my feet, feeling a new glare of indignation form, which is really only hitting the tip of the ice-burg of doom that was my conflicting emotions.
"How, dare you both. How dare you show your faces to me. How dare you think you have the right to, after being away for so long! How dare you!"
They flinch from the weight of my anger, and I let out a humourless chuckle matching the tone of my smile, my hair shadowing over my eyes.
"Of course...there's a chance you're just another delusion...because there's no way that my parents, could be this stupid to choose now of all times to appear, and not during the time when I needed you most. Teh, there's just no way."
"Athena..."
"Athena, please, we-"
I shake my head, absolutely refusing to listen to any attempt of an apology.
"Save your excuses for someone who cares, because I sure don't...You being gone, has eroded away most of my love for you two. Maybe a shred of that former daughter still remains...but by not being there, and forcing myself to grow up during some cringe-worthy events..."
More tears fall as I finish with a catch in my throat,
"I've also grown to...to resent your memory. I hate that I only have these paper-thin happy memories of you, and lost the people attached!"
I could've said more, but I was spent, and could only cover my face with my hands as I sob over the turmoil in my heart. Maybe I'm being heartless...but wouldn't you react the same way to the people who've been out the door more often than coming in?
...Thankfully, someone else understood, and I would feel his hands on my shoulders as he says to these, familiar strangers,
"I think it would be best if you two leave. Your, daughter, has been through too much stress these last few hours, and we have an important matter to attend to outside."
"Uh...Yes, of course."
"It was good to meet you, Astral...and, Athena...we wish you well."
Wish me well, huh?...I guess that's the most neutral thing that can be said.
There's a flash of light...and when I uncovered my face, they were gone...Letting out a sigh, I turn to my friend and mutter,
"I'm...I'm sorry you had to see me like that. I just...I'm not-"
"I understand. You were far from prepared for, this encounter...as was I."
"Huh?"
"I am not sure what they did exactly, but somehow, they accessed the power of the Numbers, and basically accelerated my healing time."
So, they came to help?
Confusing this whole sitch may be, I remind myself of the reason for coming into my pendant.
"Gh!...You know what? Let's hash over this bull later. Right now, we gotta book it outside and stop Final Prophecy!"
"Final Prophecy?"
"Long story short, trap card with way too much power that's threatening to swallow the highway, ocean, us and anything else it can stretch to."
"What?!"
"We need to-mph, form Zexal and draw out something to help Volcasaurus. They do have one Overlay Unit left, but, I don't know if defeating Machu Mech will be enough to dispel all of the trap's power. This is going beyond the duel."
"...I can sense your hesitation to do so."
I look down with a little shame, but nod since there wasn't any point in trying to deny it...My chin's then dipped back up by a pair of smooth fingers, the owner of those digits giving me a smile of assurance.
"Remember, Athena: you are not the only one 'going through the motions'...We will execute this final blow together."
"Uh...mm."
Smiling, I take Astral's hand, and we turn to fly out of the key while prepping ourselves for the transformation to come.
Let's do this!
"(Both) Go, Zexal Morph!"
No POV
Back outside in the growing void, after what felt like too long...
(Gleam...)
The golden key around Athena's neck began to glow, the energy forcing away the markings from Trey's crest to fire back at him! He cries out in pain from the excessive power...but through his clenching eyelids, he witnesses what he perceives as his opponent's body splitting in two, and reforming into dual streams of red and blue light.
Uh!...Is that, Athena and Astral?
The other souls caught in the crossfire of this overpowered trap card were just as gobsmacked.
"What is-?!"
"Whoa!"
"Addy!?"
The only one who didn't react as strongly was Kite, he merely widen his eyes slightly as he watches the red and blue power swirl together and shift to a golden shade, before shooting back down to reform into the being he took on in the last leg of their most recent duel.
It's that power from before! What was it called?...Zexal...
And sure enough, we'd once again be paying view to the predominantly female being harboring both Athena and Astral's souls, their long golden hair with true red tips shining just as brightly as before against the flaming aura, their right eye carrying the human's ember red iris while the left is the celestial entity's gold, and of course the eccentric armoured-spandex suit of white and red...
"A-Addy? Is that, really you?"
Drawing out a calming breath, the two-in-one being turns to smile at Tiffany and answer with Athena's voice,
"Yeah, it's me, Tiff," then add with Astral's,
"And I as well. This is the power created when we combine our souls."
"Unreal..."
"Aaaaah!"
Attention suddenly turns back on Trey, and we watch as the pinkette is suddenly dragged backwards and pinned to the area of his Number monster where the numeral symbol is!
"Uh! Trey!"
"Mrph, forget me! Destroy, Machu Mech before it's too late!"
Muttering his name with a distant worry, Athena/Astral nod firmly before fulfilling his wish.
Are you ready, Athena?
Hell yeah. Let's finish this!
"(Swipe) Go, Shining Draw!...Appear, Zexal Weapon: Hoshi-no-Tama Staff!"
Materializing into the AR, the weapon in question is seen to be shaped like a large metal fox akin to the legendary kitsune, with the base colour of its fur being that of a fiery orange, and azure blue for their muzzle and paws. Tied around their tail is a rounded gem the shade of amber...
"I equip it to Volcasaurus!"
The creature weapon stretches itself so it was in the shape of a staff, the orb moving to sit at the tip of its nose, before the entire creation flies into the waiting hand of the Number monster...
"Thanks to Hoshi-no-Tama Staff, my Number is granted an additional 1000 Attack and Defense Points, and it cancels the power of a single active Spell or Trap on your field. The cost is that I must banish an Equip Spell from my Graveyard, and take 1000 Points of Damage."
We watch as a copy of Black Pendant is sent spiraling deeper into the Graveyard realm, then destroyed, the impact shooting back out through a small portal to whap against the one who invoked the destruction, they barely flinching as their Life Points drop to 600...Their audience is in awe:
"Oh wow..."
"Talk about a double-edged sword-er, staff..."
"But in the end, all our lives will be worth it."
"Do it, guys!"
The Zexal-morphed being then adds the final piece.
"Now, to end this...I use Volcasaurus's final Overlay Unit, and target Machu Mech, which means not only will they be destroyed, you will take damage equal to their original Attack Points!"
Number Sixty-One raises the Zexal Weapon into the air, and the orb at the top begins absorbing the excessive energies in the air, refining it so it reflects the stolen power like a lava lamp...
"Go, Kitsune Flame!"
(POW-FWOOOOM)
A beam of smoky blue and dark crimson fire shoots out of the amber orb, the flames swirling like a corkscrew as they travel to meet their bullseye, engulfing the floating city and burning it down to a crumbling husk...All that would remain after the destruction is Trey, who thinks to himself before flying backwards in defeat,
The bond between Athena and Astral is stronger than I realized...
A bond I was foolish to try and break to save my own.
...
...
Back at the suite complex, a stabbing throb passes through Vetrix.
"Uh!...It's Trey! He was, defeated...!"
He and Quinton watch as the storms near the ocean begin to slowly settle down, signalling the end of Final Prophecy and the duel.
"...What will happen to him now?"
The smaller male couldn't answer the taller, his mind still reeling with shock over the fact that his youngest agent had failed.
Trey...
...
...
Returning to the unfinished highway now, we see that the effects of the trap card had successfully been reversed, leaving the area as it was before...It was certainly a welcome sight to Athena's companions, shaking off any dizziness brought on by their drop down the vortex and focusing on the calmer sunset.
"Huh?"
"What...?"
"...Hey, look: it's the real world...and there's no sign of that freaky trap...!"
Caswell concludes after Flip,
"Then it can't devour us! In the end, we're all okay!"
They, Tiffany, Caden, Hana and Calli cheer in relief, and Hart jumps to hug his older brother with a smile of his own.
"They did it, Kite! Addy and Astral did it!"
The blond wraps an arm around the periwinkle bluenette, and watches as the former-mentioned sits up in her original form a small distance away.
Hmph...nice work, Athena.
She herself groans a little and holds the side of her head from a headache, muttering to herself,
"Man, the things I gotta do to avoid death..."
The girl then glances over at her friends, watching as the previously unconscious Jamal and Akira finally wake up, only to get tackled by the girl with the lemon yellow glasses out of tremendous relief.
"Guys! You're awake!"
"Agh, Tiff, easy!"
"Tiffany...choking, not breathing...!"
Athena smiles at the display, thinking to herself,
Still, totally worth it for moments like that...
"Athena."
"Hm?"
She looks up on her left, meeting eyes with the other half of the hero duo for the evening.
"You have saved your world."
"Astral...Hm, yeah I did, (stands up) but I couldn't have pulled it off without you. You deserve some hero credits too...Oh! Trey!"
Athena snaps her eyes forward, locking onto the pinkette's down form...She hurries to his side just as he rouses from unconsciousness, and helps him to his feet.
"How're you feeling, Trey; less power-crazy?"
"...I think I finally understand, Athena."
"Huh?"
"You accept me as I really am. I can see clearly now that you're the only true friend I have...Although..."
The boy turns to give the girl a guilty smile.
"I won't blame you if you can't see me as a friend, considering what I put you through...I don't know what exactly you saw, but I imagine it must've been terrifying."
Athena's lips curve into a straight line as she answers,
"Yeah, well, I'm still kind-of putting that part of my past together. I've only been recently remembering bits and pieces of, when I was kidnapped and, experimented on...What I do remember clearly, is the fear."
"Yes, I could see that..."
"...I'll be honest, Trey: were you some nameless asshat, I would've beaten the living hell out of you by now for making me go through that hazy nightmare...But, since I do know you..."
She sighs and forms a minuscule smirk.
"I'll just say that you better work overtime to repent. I'm not someone who forgives easy for dick moves like that."
"Uh!...Mm, (nods firmly) of course. I understand...Athena."
"Yes?"
"...I know I have no right to ask you this...but, would you do what you can to help save my family?"
Athena widens her eyes slightly at the request.
"Uh!...Me?"
"Yes...If you can conquer your own demons, I'm confident that you can defeat the ones that are conquering them."
"Trey...Hh!"
Suddenly, a portal opens from behind the pinkette, and his body de-materializes as he's pulled in...
"Goodbye for now, Athena...and I promise I'll make things up to you, next time we meet!"
"Trey!...Trey..."
All that would be left behind are the two Numbers previously wielded by the young Arclight, along with a single Heart Piece...The girl takes the gem shard after the celestial being absorbs the cards, the former thinking to herself,
...This just proves no one is save in this tourney...
"Addy!"
She turns around to see her friends approaching, with Caswell supporting Jamal and Caden acting the part of a crutch for Akira. Tiffany is the first to reach the girl with long, shaggy black hair, and asks,
"Where'd, Trey go?"
"...I'm not sure. Probably back to wherever he, his brothers and their boss are."
Athena holds out the Heart Piece:
"But he didn't leave me empty-handed. He left this, and two Number Cards for Astral to take."
"Two?...You mean, he had another one besides Machu Mech?"
The boy with the bowl-cut of hair hums,
"I wonder why he didn't use it, then," and Jamal guesses,
"He probably didn't get the right opportunity to...Still, kind-of generous to leave it behind."
Akira mutters to the cat enthusiast on the side,
"You guys have gotta fill us in on the rest of the duel, by the way."
"Heh, don't worry, we will."
Watching the girl snap her jewel heart complete, Kite would immediately comment on the lackluster expression she's carrying.
"...You're regretting the victory, aren't you?"
"Hah, a little...This whole battle was completely unnecessary. All he had to do was, talk to me...but his stubborn promise to help his corrupted family got in the way."
"You can't save everyone, Athena."
"I know...but it never hurts to try."
Turning her gaze to the settling hues of the sun, the girl silently vows with determination burning in her ember irises,
You might be right about not owing you anything, Trey...but I know you were crying for help.
I'll see what I can do...and if anything, I'll make sure your family understands how toxic they're becoming.
...
A few hours pass, and we find the boy in question laying under the covers of a bed in a spacious room within his family's complex suite, weak in body but with enough strength to speak with the one kneeling beside him.
"I failed you, Vetrix...Forgive me...But please, don't, blame..."
"Everything will be alright, Trey. I promise you."
The boy frowns sadly, knowing that the masked blond won't listen to any last attempts of reason...His eyes then widen, when he sees a familiar shadow fade into view at the foot of the bed.
Hh!...Is that...But why did he...?!
"Vetrix...will you, hold my hand?"
Not fully understanding the boy's sudden jump in fear, the blond nonetheless fulfills their request...
Remember my mistress's words, boy. She may be willing to forgive...but I am much more complicated to persuade.
And as for your family...they won't be shown mercy if they dare to interfere with her mentality like you did.
With that, the monstrous silhouette fades away, allowing Trey to slowly breathe out a sigh of relief through a broken smile.
I won't forget...and I understand...Keeper of Armageddon.
"Haah, that's much better. I think, I'll try to get some sleep now..."
And with watery eyes, Trey falls into slumber, leaving Vetrix to begin plotting revenge against the one he deemed responsible for the new turn.
Don't let your mind be troubled. Rest well, Trey.
Rest...until I settle things with the daughter of Orion and Sarina Fujina.
Athena's POV
After seeing my friends off to their respected homes (or most of them; Tiff and her gal pals are gonna sleep over together at her place, Akira's bunking with Jamal for the night, and Flip's crashing at Caswell's), Kite, Hart, Orbital and I return home to get some well-deserved rest after my grueling duel. According to what I remember reading on the website, now that the preliminaries are over and done with, those with a completed Heart should get something in the mail in the next day or so with instructions about how the next phase of the WDC will be played out...
However, while everyone else in the house was able to fall asleep right away...I wasn't so lucky. I actually gave up closing my eyes after about fifteen different tries, and ended up climbing through the window of the attic and pulled myself onto the roof...
It's probably a little past midnight now, and I could feel the night air beginning to chill...It was morbidly comforting.
This chill...It's probably one of the few reminders I have that this world I live in...is real...
"You are still awake?"
I turn to meet eyes with Astral, not surprised that he knows how unsettled I still am...I turn my view back on the stars and mutter,
"Yeah. Too wired for sleep..."
"I can sense there is more to this than simply having too much adrenaline...This has to do with the illusion Trey trapped you in, correct?"
"...Maybe..."
He floats down so he's 'sitting' on my left...and after a few minutes, I answer the question he patiently did not ask aloud.
"...You remember when I told you about, how I used to take Lithium to help cope with my depression?"
"Yes, but you were forced to stop when you began displaying some dramatic changes to your personality."
"...That was only part of the problem."
I run a hand over my face as I confess,
"The, pills were causing some other side effects. Some of them were kind-of already there before: confusion, random muscle weakness...But then, I guess, my blood started absorbing too much of the Lithium, to the point where it was becoming toxic."
"Uh! You mean, the medicine that was suppose to help you, was killing you?"
"Almost. Thankfully, my loved ones took me off it before it got too severe...but the damage was already done. I, began displaying symptoms for delirium, mostly the psychosis side."
A rueful smile forms on my face as I muse,
"Heh, but who knows? Maybe I already had the condition and just never noticed until I started and stopped the Lithium. (Frown) Still doesn't make those freaky little bastards less annoying and scary..."
"Yes, I, recall watching you yell at something that clearly was not there...What do these delusions look like?"
"(Shrug) Basically like your average parasite, only about the size of a cat. Sometimes they like to take a more humanoid form, and usually come in about two or three...Their favourite activity is whispering insults and telling me that this world, my current life, is only a dream, and I'm gonna eventually wake up to Hell."
"How, unsettling..."
"...It's strange, though."
A gentler smile forms on my face as I tell Astral,
"When you, first showed up, and the more you kept coming around, the less often those pests would stick around...Hmheh, this is probably gonna sound really childish...but, I think your presence may be scaring them away."
"Your delusions are, afraid of me?...How odd..."
I nod in agreement...and fight down a tremble as I recall earlier this evening.
"So when Trey made you, disappear...it, felt like I lost my only protection against my hazy nightmares...I know they aren't real...but, I wasn't strong enough to make those parasites go away, and I found myself revisiting an old question that still plagues me."
I look up at the sky again, willing myself to not break into a sob.
"I-Is the life I've been living since that day, real...or am I just wandering in a dream? Am I gonna wake up one day, and be back in a nightmare I'm in no way prepared for? (Sniff) I...I don't want to believe it, and I know my friends and family are constantly trying to convince me this is real...But sometimes...I dunno..."
The air grows quiet between us for a minute...until Astral breaks it by saying,
"Then perhaps, it is my turn to help convince you."
"How?"
He doesn't answer verbally, instead moving so he was floating in front of me, and holds a hand out...
I didn't understand what he was hinting at, not at first...
But then, the indication hits me like a ton of bricks.
"Uh! B-B-But...I thought-last time, we couldn't-"
"Trust me. I think you and I will be more successful this time."
...
...
With all the caution I could muster, I slowly reach a shaky hand towards his.
...
...
...
And instead of passing through him...
"Hh!"
...My hand was, able to grab his! I...I could actually hold his hand outside the pendant!
He...He's real...He's real!
I shot to my feet like a bottle rocket, keeping a firm grip on the appendage as I fought to scream in a flurry of emotions over this, new development.
"You...Y-You're not, going through me..."
I look into his eyes, and reach my free hand to touch the side of his face.
"You're...You're solid."
He nods, and mimics my gesture with his own free hand, softly running his fingers against my cheek while fighting his own excitement.
"Yes...I, suspect your parents may have done more than, accelerate my healing process...I think, they allowed me access to a more, tangible form."
"This...This is incredible...!"
"It is. It truly is...!"
I couldn't fight it anymore: my lips curved into a huge smile as I threw myself against Astral and began crying like no tomorrow, completely and beautifully overwhelmed. I murmur his name over and over again through my sobs in a mantra, he doing the same while guiding us into a kneel so we didn't fall off the roof...
After what felt like hours, my sobs die down into hiccups, and my tears slow to the point where only a few drops were releasing. I had my head buried into Astral's shoulder, my arms wrapped tightly around his upper and lower torso. He too had begun crying during our emotional embrace, something I didn't expect him to, but then again, this was also a pivotal moment for him after being unable to touch anything in my world since he first arrived. His sobs were much quieter and subdued than mine, likely in an attempt to remain the calmer out of the two of us. His arms had moved so he was holding me to him just as tightly, but while also using one hand to pet my hair in a soothing gesture...
"(Sniff) S-Say, Astral?"
"Yes, Athena?"
"...This might be asking alot...but can you promise me something?"
"Of course; ask me anything."
"...Never let me forget."
"Huh?"
I tighten my grip slightly as I practically beg,
"N-Never, let me forget, that this life...that you're real. Even, i-if you just hold my hand every once in a while...please don't let me forget that you're real, this life is real, and never let me believe I'm gonna one day wake up to a nightmare. I...I don't wanna go back. I don't wanna go back to a world my mind doesn't want to remember...!"
I couldn't say anything more, and just rest my face against this strange boy's shoulder...He murmurs my name in surprise...but then I feel his smile as he hugs me even closer to him, and whispers the words I needed to hear.
"Never. I will never allow you to forget that this is real, that I am real. I will remind you everyday if that is what it takes...You have my word, Athena."
I breathe out a thank you, smiling through my tears.
Thank you...Thank you, Astral.
Thank you a thousand times a million, for being real.