Renegades: A New Dawn

by Primal WolfBlood

In Part 3 of The Renegade Chronicles, follow the Renegades as they try and recover from the shocking end to The Renegade Revolution, and continue their lives with more action and suspense than ever before, as they learn who the true enemies are, and finally confront Segolia once and for all, to end their clash with each other.

13. Nightmare Before Christmas Part 2

Renegades: A New Dawn

Chapter XIII: The Nightmare Before Christmas Part 2: Ascendant Wings!

Duel in Progress: Icaron LP:2100 (Slifer the Sky Dragon Atk:3500, Obelisk the Tormentor Atk:4500, March of the Monarchs, 1 face-down) vs. Blair Flannigan (LP:4900, Gem-Knight Master Diamond Atk:3500, 1 face-down) and Rio Kastle (LP:1200, 2 face-downs)

Icaron: 'I would happily destroy you this turn, but I am disallowed from attacking as a result of using Soul Exchange. So I will end my turn with a face-down (Slifer Atk:3500-2500).'

Blair: 'Let's cut this thing down to size shall we? I draw.' 'Just in case you were planning on attacking Slifer, I activate Reckless Greed. This gives me two more cards, in exchange for forfeiting two Draw phases (Atk:2500-4500).'

'I'm not stupid enough to attack straight into it. I activate Magical Stone Excavation. By discarding two cards, I get a Spell back from the graveyard. I know the exact one I want back – Brilliant Fusion. I'll switch Master Diamond to Defence mode (Def.:2500), and end my turn with a face-down.'

Rio: 'I draw. I summon Blizzard Falcon (Atk:1500).' 'You just triggered Slifer's effect.' 'What effect?' 'When you summon a monster, Slifer reduces it's Attack and Defence by 2000. If it reduces them to 0, your monster is destroyed. Lightning Bullet!'

Slifer's smaller secondary head shot a ball of electricity at Blizzard Falcon, which reduced it's attack points (Atk:1500-0), before the god shot more lightning out, destroying the Falcon. 'I'll end my turn.'

Icaron: 'Due to Reckless Greed, my Draw is skipped. Slifer, destroy the scum once and for all!' 'I activate my face-down R: Blowback. We may not be able to use your cards, but we can use cards which were created without using your power. This card negates your attack, and then you take 100 damage for every card on your field. I'm counting four.'

Blowback created sound waves which repelled Slifer, and then slammed into Icaron, causing the slightest hint of a grimace (Icaron LP:2100-1700). 'Obelisk, punch her into the netherworld.' 'I activate the effect of Swift Scarecrow from my hand. By discarding it I can negate the attack.' 'You can't hang on forever. You will have to abandon your "friend" eventually, otherwise you will both fall.'

Blair: 'So be it then. I draw. I activate the Spell card Soul Mirror. This creates a Mirror Token, which is an exact duplicate of my monster, but it can't attack and is destroyed at the End phase (Atk:500).' 'What do you want a Token for?'

'This token is very special. Because unlike other tokens, I can use it to Xyz summon. I overlay my two Level 9 monsters to build the overlay network, and Xyz summon True king of All Calamities (Def.:3000).'

'How do you hope to win when I know everything you are capable of?' 'That's for me to know and you to find out.' 'Well thanks to Slifer, your monster will be weakened.' Slifer shot a fizzing ball of lightning at True King, dropping it's points (Def.:3000-1000). 'I'll end my turn.'

Rio: 'I draw. I activate Spell Divination. Thanks to this, I can predict the name of a Spell in my partner's hand. If I'm right, this card's effect becomes that card's effect without restriction. And I predict she has Brilliant Fusion.'

Blair then revealed Brilliant Fusion, before Rio's spell changed to become another copy. 'This allows me to fuse together Graydle Alligator and Blizzard Thunderbird to Fusion summon Mudragon of the Swamp (Def.:1600).'

'What are you doing playing around with weak monsters like those?' 'Simple – as long as Mudragon is on the field, you can't target any Water-attribute monsters with card effects. So Slifer's effect is defused.' 'And when you think of destroying it in battle, True King can detach an Xyz material and change it's attribute to stop your monster attacking.' 'I end my turn.'

Icaron: 'If you won't let me through, I'll have to burn you both out first. This is becoming quite a waste of my time however. Slifer, attack Mudragon.' 'I activate the effect of True King of All Calamities, detaching a material and changing it's Attribute to DIVINE. Which puts the breaks on both of your monsters.'

'A clever move if I may give you credit. Believe me it will be the last credit you EVER receive in your miserable little lives of sin. Because I will still destroy you. For now, my turn is at an end.' As the Renegade god looked on in annoyance, Rio went down to a knee again. 'I'm… I'm fine.' 'You're clearly not.' 'Just… give me time, ok?'

Blair: 'I draw.' As Blair looked at her card, she started formulating a plan. 'This could work. I'll activate the Trap card Ojama Trio. This fills your field up with three Ojama Tokens.' As the miserably week tokens locked out the field (Def.:1000)x3, the almighty god seemed confused.

'You have just given me all I need. But why?' 'Ojama Tokens can't be used for a tribute summon. So as long as these are out, you can't Tribute summon any god cards.' 'Yes, but I still have March of the Monarchs, making my monsters immune to card effects.'

'Yeah, I don't need to target your monsters with card effects thanks.' 'With what I've got planned, we won't need to. I activate Brilliant Fusion. This fuses together Gem-Knights Lapis, Sapphire, and Obsidian to Fusion summon Gem-Knight Lady Brilliant Diamond (Atk:0).'

'Because I used Lapis as a Fusion material, I can add Garnet to my hand. Now I activate the ability of Brilliant Diamond. By sending Master Diamond to my graveyard, I can summon a Gem-Knight from my Extra deck. I choose Gem-Knight Lady Lapis Lazuli (Atk:2400).'

'Lady Lapis Lazuli, I'm activating your special ability. By sending Gem-Knight Citrine from my Extra deck to the graveyard, I can deal you 500 damage for every Special summoned monster on the field. You have five, I have 3, and Rio has 1, so that's 4500 points of damage. Which equals your defeat. Hannah you're coming home!'

As Blair rejoiced, her celebrations were cut short. 'I activate the graveyard effect of Resilience of the Great Gods. By banishing it and one other Great Gods card from my graveyard, I can block your damage and then I gain Life points equal to the total Attack points of all the monsters on my field. That comes to 8000!'

As Blair despaired, all of the damage done to Icaron was instantly wiped out, as the cards came up from the grave and shone, ironically like a diamond (Icaron LP:1700-9700). Despondant, Blair silently ended her turn.

Rio: 'Blair, get a grip! If I'm not giving up why should you?' 'Because I failed. Everything I've done has made the situation worse. If I hadn't used that effect there' 'Then I would have fallen into the same trap and potentially screwed up even more. C'mon Blair, you're the greatest – that's why I'm teaming with you. On my own I couldn't win. But with you I can.'

'I screwed up Rio. Big time.' 'First time for everything right? We just need to chop him… her… it down again. I activate Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Blair, I kinda need to your help.' 'Anything to get over it.' Rio looked on concerned for a moment, before looking at Phil and Maddy.

'It's all on me. I activate Double Cyclone! This twisted foul wind will rip through our fields, and destroy one of your face-downs. But I have to give up one of my Spells and Traps. I choose my Brilliant Fusion.'

The vicious twister blasted across the battlefield, nearly blowing everyone over as Rio's eyes glowed pink, concerning Maddy. 'Dad, what's going on here?' 'I… I don't know. I wish I knew. Rio!' 'Trust me.' The twisted winds then destroyed Brilliant Fusion, before going straight for March of the Monarchs, eliminating them both.' 'I end my turn.'

Icaron: 'You will pay for using such cheap tactics against me. As the restriction from Reckless Greed has now worn off, I can draw again (Slifer Atk:3500-4500). For now I will happily destroy True King of All Calamities' 'I activate True King's ability. By detaching it's other material I can declare Divine and stop your monsters attacking.'

'Yes but you are now out of plans. I will end my turn there and wait another turn to destroy you. This torture… it's refreshing. The previous ones, they were over far too quick, they didn't provide nearly enough entertainment. Let this be indicative of how I have been displeased by bringing HIS puppet in.'

Phil then started shouting back. 'You think you're so clever because you've taken advantage of a pregnant woman? Guess what – we make puppets for a living! You're not special, you're no god, you're just some old man who's bitter that he never got what he wanted!'

'And you? If all I am is bitter about how I have been treated, how am I any different to you? The point is, I gave you all an opportunity. But no, you had to squander the opportunity by bringing in the enemy. No amount of denouncement will ever change that.'

Meanwhile, Rio was whispering in Blair's ear. 'You're the best in the world Blair, you're just too proud to say so.' 'I've not duelled that way.' 'Like I have? Without you I would have lost 40 minutes ago. Come on, all we can do is our best.'

Blair then rose back to her feet. 'What you thinking Blair?' 'I'm thinking that we've got a coward to give an ass-whoopin' to. I draw! I activate the effect of Brilliant Fusion. By discarding a Spell card, I can give Lady Brilliant Diamond her Attack points back.' 'It's momentary advantage.' 'I'll discard Gem-Knight Fusion (Atk:0-3400).'

'Next, I'll activate the effect of Gem-Knight Lady Lapis Lazuli to deal you 4500 damage.' 'I simply discard Great Revival to negate your effect.' 'Fine – I activate Gem Overclock. This gives my Lady Brilliant Diamond 2000 more Attack points (Atk:3400-5400).'

'Lady Brilliant Diamond, attack with all your might! Your target – Obelisk the Tormentor! Diamond Destroyer!' Lady Brilliant Diamond lifted her sword, and slammed it straight through the head of Obelisk, destroying it, and Icaron showed the first signs of actual discomfort (Icaron LP:9700-7700).

'I will just bring it back.' Not this time. Thanks to Gem Overclock, the monster destroyed is banished. Where you can't get it back. I figured out that you didn't expect me to be banishing it. So what are you going to do about it?'

'If only you knew what I will do. Soon, you will.' 'I'm sure that I will. That is, if you survive that long. Because let's face it, you're just some cool cards and nothing else. I used to think we worshipped you because you were some awesome god. Turns out that you're just a coward who hides behind other people instead of showing us your true face.'

Icaron looked at Blair with contempt. 'Those are words which you will regret. Believe me, you will.' 'I end my turn with a face-down. Rio, thanks.' Rio just looked at her, surprised. 'You got my head back.' The Idahoan smiled at her friend, and then took her turn.

Rio: 'I draw. I activate 5 Card Salute, so I can draw until my hand has 5 cards in it. One of the cards I drew is Guard Penguin (Atk:0). I'll also activate the Continuous Spell card Blizzard Vision. This summons a Normal monster clone of Guard Penguin (Atk:0). And I'll activate Star Inheritance. Because I have two monsters of the same Level on my field, I can banish a monster from my deck to give both my monsters another Level. I'll ditch 7 Coloured Fish (Level:4-5)x2.'

'I overlay my two Level 5 monsters to build the overlay network now. I Xyz summon Number 94 – Crystalzero (Atk:2200).' 'A new monster?' 'New, no. Just something I keep well hidden until I really need it. I activate her ability next. By detaching an Xyz material, I can halve Slifer's Attack points until the end of the turn. So I'll have double the fun, and detach both!'

Crystalzero used both of it's materials, and then shot a freezing five-point web at Slifer, crippling it and bringing it to the ground (Slifer Atk:4500-2250-1225). 'Crystalzero, attack Slifer the Sky Dragon. Crystal Javelin!' 'I activate my face-down Divinity Shield. I banish three monsters from my graveyard to negate your attack and end the Battle phase. Then I may add a card from my graveyard to my hand. I will banish Apprentice Illusion Magician, Scapeghost, and Obelisk's Footsoldier.'

As the three monsters were removed, a multi-coloured shield came up around Icaron's field, blocking the attack from Crystalzero. 'I'm done this turn.'

Icaron: 'It is my turn! (Atk:4500-5500).' The possessed Hannah then quietly chuckled, glowing orange. 'Soon, your demise will be completed! I activate Betrayal of the Great Gods. By foregoing my Battle phase, I can deal one of you with direct damage equal to half of the Attack points of the monsters which are upon my field. Turn your wretched wrath upon Blair.'

The Spell card glimmered, and Slifer shot lightning through it, turning the lightning black, before striking Blair down in a single hit as she collapsed to the ground (Blair LP:4900-2150). As she lay, breathing heavily, Phil went to run into the battlefield, only for Hannah to open her hand, and blast him back with a pink light.

'No. I will destroy both of these. And then I will destroy you! And how better to do it than using your own lover? The one who created this monstrosity along with you… no… the first sign that I could not trust you!'

Blair then shouted over. 'Hey, focus on us will ya, I'm getting bored of listening to you insulting him. Phil's trying to create something here, but you can't accept that! Once we beat you, you'll be forced to stop your idiotic plan. If you don't, we'll make you!'

Hannah then chuckled again, and the purple line under her right eye started glowing, and there was a shrill scream from her, before her eyes glowed again with a mad grin. 'I'll end my turn with two face-downs.'

Blair: 'I draw. All I can do is lay two face-downs and end my turn.' Blair, clearly, had a plan. [Right, so I can't beat him. But I can at least take him down with me. When he attacks, I'll activate Final Fusion. That will deal us both with damage equal to the combined Attack of our monsters. And Rio will be safe. And if he has removal, I'll just activate my Fake Trap. Sure it'll hurt, but we win as a team].'

Rio: 'My draw. I'll just hold firm for now by laying a face-down. That's all.'

Icaron: 'This is the beginning of the end! I draw. I'll start by tributing Crystalzero, Lapis Lazuli, and Brilliant Diamond to summon to Rio's field The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode (Atk:0).' 'Why are you giving me a monster?'

'You will see. Let's just say your time is limited. Not as limited as that of your friend, however (Slifer Atk:4500-3500). Especially as I trigger the power of Giant Trunade (Atk:3500-2500).' 'No… it can't be...' 'I am far stronger than you would ever give me credit for. This sends your face-downs back to your hands.'

As the cards returned, Icaron laughed again. 'I now activate my two face-downs. Two copies of the Trap Reckless Greed. I cannot draw for two turns after this, but I gain four cards (Slifer Atk:2500-6500).'

'This will be your end! Slifer the Sky Dragon, attack and destroy Blair with Thunderforce Blast!' Slifer loaded up a huge blast of lightning, before firing it out with incredible ground-shaking force, directly striking Blair as she as slammed against the wall, before she fell straight down to the ground, a battered and mangled mess (Blair LP:2150-0).

As Blair lay there, Rio ran over. 'Blair, speak to me!' 'I… I'm sorry. I'm sorry Rio. I let you down this time. I know you can still win. Phil, Maddy, forgive me… please. I tried, but I… I failed. I think... this is goodbye? No… there's a way.' Before she could say anymore, Blair vanished in an orange light, Rio holding her, crying. 'BLAIR!'

Icaron then laughed manically as he ended his turn. 'Another soul, another step closer to victory and a reset. That is all I desire. Once I have won, then this club will finally be rebuilt in my image! It will be how it should have been all along, I will be the ultimate ruler of this world and of any world! I will be all powerful, all conquering, all'

At that moment, he stopped, as Rio turned around, eyes glowing bright pink, as if she was possessed herself. 'Could this be?' Her voice sounded muffled, more like her Barian form. 'For your sins, you will PAY! MY NAME… MARIN!'

Rio/Marin: 'BARIAN'S CHAOS DRAW! I summon Blizzard Thunderbird (Atk:1600). By discarding a single card, I can summon from my hand another Thunderbird (Atk:1600), and from my grave, Guard Penguin (Atk:0), then return Thunderbird to my hand.'

'Now I overlay two Level 4 monsters to build the overlay network!' A black aura appeared around Rio, as her body contorted. 'I… AM… IN… CONTROL! I Xyz summon Number 103 – Ragnazero (Atk:2400). Next I activate Rank-up Magic Barian's Force. This rebuilds the overlay network. Chaos Xyz Evolution! I Xyz summon Chaos Number 103 – Ragnafinity (Atk:2800).'

'Where do you get this power from?' 'The power… righteousness! I activate Ragnafinity's ability. I detach an Xyz material, and banish Slifer, dealing damage equal to the difference between it's original and current Attack!' 'No… impossible!' Rio then screamed in pain and anguish as tears flowed from her glowing eyes, and the entire building started shaking. 'GUIDANCE… TO… PURGATORY!'

As she said the final word, Ragnafinity spun her scythe, which emitted a strange purple mist which engulfed Slifer and made it vanish, before swinging the scythe, and unleashing a powerful curve of purple light, which ripped the ground up as it travelled, and slammed into Icaron like a ton of bricks, knocking him backwards into a stone throne which broke upon impact, leaving the god a crumpled mess as his points plummeted (Icaron LP:7700-1200).

'Ragnafinity, attack directly!' 'I activate Storm Barrier. By discarding a single card, I can negate your attack.' 'I end my turn.' 'As you do, Ra's Sphere Mode returns to me.' As the golden globe appeared on Icaron's field, he/she grinned. 'The plan is almost complete!' Rio meanwhile, watched on, blood still streaming from her lip and below her eye, her face swollen out of shape.

Icaron: 'It is my turn! I activate the ability of Sphere Mode. By tributing it, I can summon a very special card from my hand. So special in fact, it needs to be unlocked.' As Icaron laughed, Rio looked over at Phil and Maddy, eyes back to normal, and yelled 'I've got this – you get your decks ready, just in case. You always told me to be prepared.' Phil looked at Maddy, concerned. 'She will win. But just in case.' 'Got it.'

As they backed off, Maddy questioned her father. 'What's he talking about when he said Ra needs "unlocking"?' 'The Winged Dragon of Ra is a very powerful monster. Rumour always had it that it was so powerful that it's true form was locked behind a special chant, and only those who know the chant could truly hope to control it's power. I thought it was a load of old nonsense, but apparently not.'

Icaron then began the chant. 'Almighty protector of the sun and sky, I beg of thee, please, hear my cry. Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight. Envelop the desert with your glow and turn your rage upon my foe. Unlock your powers held deep within so we may win. I beseech thee, grace our deadly game and appear as I call your name, The Winged Dragon of Ra (Atk:4000).'

'Ra, attack the evil Barian! Blaze Cannon!' 'I activate Mirror Force.' As the Blaze Cannon hit, it was bounced back by a mystical forcefield, which eviscerated Ra. 'That is a crucial mistake! When Ra is destroyed, I can summon it's ultimate form.' 'It has a more ultimate form?' 'It certainly does! Appear, The Winged Dragon of Ra – Immortal Phoenix (Atk:4000). And I activate Breakthrough Skill, to negate Immortal Phoenix's effect until I end my turn. I end my turn.'

Rio: 'I draw.' Rio then dropped to a knee, and took over four minutes, before Icaron got bored. 'Take your turn!' Rio closed her eyes, and then eventually, stood up again, before moving. 'I play a monster face-down and end my turn.' Just then, Phil and Maddy came back, having readied their weapons.'

Icaron: 'I draw. Immortal Phoenix, I enact your ability. By paying the sum of 1000 points (Icaron LP:1200-200), I can rid the field of your Trap card.' As the Trap vanished, he laughed. 'Any last words?' Rio just looked around at Phil and Maddy, and smiled. 'I've bought you some time.' 'What are you saying?'

'I can't win. I knew that for a while. So I took as long on my turn as I could. I bought you as much time as possible. I love you both. Don't let me down.' Phil's eyes watered, but he kept his cool. 'Do what you have to.' ' She then turned around to Icaron, and made a gutsy, indomitable last stand. 'My name is Rio Kastle and I'M NOT AFRAID OF DEATH! NOT ANYMORE! SO GIVE ME YOUR BEST SHOT!'

Icaron nodded. 'Your spirit… is commendable. Winged Dragon of Ra – Immortal Phoenix, send her out in a blaze of glory!' The phoenix soared into the air, and then flew overhead, before flying straight into Ragnafinity, who stabbed it with her scythe before exploding. A single large snowflake then fell towards the ground, surrounding Rio, and then binding and shocking her as she let out a short, exhausted scream, before she collapsed to the ground, a broken, and battered mess (Rio LP:1200-0).

As both Phil and Maddy ran over to Rio, Icaron's duel disk closed. Rio was rolled over, barely conscious, blood covering her entire face. 'Rio… Rio, you can survive.' 'Phil… forgive me. I… I tried my best.' By now both Phil and Maddy were crying. 'Maddy' 'What is it Rio?' 'You gave me life. Thank you. Look… after… him.' Rio then closed her eyes and stopped breathing, finally at peace, shortly before her body vanished, Phil and Maddy knelt over her fading flesh.

Phil then angrily squared up to Icaron. 'What is your problem?' 'I don't understand your question. I have no problem. I am simply returning things to the way they should be. The way they always should have been and were meant to be.'

'The way they always should have been? You told me that I was to complete the revolution no matter what. This was my revolution and you wanted to be a part of it. I decide the way that things should be, not you. You have no say.'

'I have ALL the say. It is with my power that you were able to start this revolution. It is with this power that you achieved anything. And most of all, it is with this power that you will kneel before me.'

'And why Hannah?' 'I need… I needed energy to return. I had to drain energy to return here. Or I could take over the body of one.' Maddy still seemed confused however, seeking clarification. 'But that doesn't explain it. You could have chosen anybody, any one of us. But you chose someone at their weakest.'

'She really didn't tell you ANYTHING did she? Well I suppose that since I am so… fair, I could show you the truth rather than telling you.' "Hannah"'s body then glowed gold, and the whole room appeared to be shifting.

They came to a room, a purely white room, with flowing curtains, and harp music playing. The room immediately seemed familiar to Maddy. 'This room… this is what Mam showed us.' 'Indeed, this is the vision that you witnessed.' 'Why are you showing us this again then?' 'There IS NO again. Rather, this is the… you may call it the director's cut. The part of the vision which you were not shown. Now silence.'

As the vision began, Hannah walked into the room. Stood there was a human figure, with orange and red skin, four arms, and what resembled a wrinkled human face, but instead of eyes, a black slit and a single red light darting from side to side, and a silver mist surrounding the extremely muscular body. Immediately, Hannah knelt.

'Icaron, you wished to see me?' 'Yes. You are aware of the fact that I see all from up here. My position allows me to see all.' 'Yes, so you… you can see that what happened to me was unfair, right? I didn't ask for that, I didn't expect it.'

'It was not your time, that I can confirm. But I cannot do anything about it. What will be will be.' 'Please, just make an exception for me. I don't ask for much I really don't but he needs me they all need me and I need them!'

'I thought you would be happy to be here – here you get to see all those you lost along the way.' 'Like, I'm really happy to see them of course I am, but… it's not the same. There's something missing.'

'And when you say something' 'Someone.' 'I do understand, and I do feel pity for your plight. However it is not a new plight. It is a story that has been written 1000 times by 1000 people in 1000 different circumstances. What makes you any different?'

'I'm not any different. I'm just another lost soul, asking for your help. But I'm a lost soul who dedicated their life to the service of you. I know I didn't serve under you for long, but that was not through a lack of dedication or a lack of courage. Please, just give me another chance.'

Icaron stood solemnly, before picking up a large white staff, and slamming it onto the ground. 'Judgement will now be passed upon you. You speak with conviction, you speak with a passion, but most importantly of all, you speak truth. You have served me very well.'

'As a result of this and the circumstances of your demise, I will offer you an opportunity.' 'An… opportunity?' 'Indeed, a chance to regain your mortal life once and for all. This offer cannot be on the table again, nor can it be cashed multiple times. This is your singular opportunity.'

'Anything, please, just tell me.' 'Here is the agreement. You will be revived upon the day of the Feast of Fools duelling tournament, and no sooner. That is where destiny awaits you. Upon this date you will have the choice of whether to reunite with your love or gain revenge on the hated.'

'And then?' 'You are a smart one – you see, my services do not come for free. A number of days later, if you choose love, I will take over your body, and then duel with your love 1 vs. 1. If he should win, then you may return permanently.'

'But… what do you stand to gain from this?' Icaron stared on impassively. 'That is nothing of your concern. All you need to be concerned about is the choices you have in the short time. Upon your re-spawn, your memories of this conversation will be wiped as will those of the circumstances of your return.'

'Now you have the choice – if you accept, you will be re-spawned within a human week. If you choose to reject, you will be admitted to Heaven immediately.' 'So this… this isn't heaven?' 'No. This is what you might call… limbo. It is the state between life and death, heaven and hell, it is an inner quadrant. Only the judges may reside here, for all others must eventually find their way.'

'How did Mum get here then?' 'All who enter Limbo are sent one who they were closest to – they will light the way, and keep emotions clear until Judgement Day. Marie was chosen to enlighten your path. It was the correct decision. Now you too, must choose. Choose to stay with the one you lost, or accept my second chance.'

Hannah knew her decision immediately. 'I choose to accept your deal.' 'Indeed. That was the decision I expected. You will be re-spawned within one human week. You will not be able to contact any of your compatriots until the day has dawned, however you will be able to watch them… indirectly.'

'So like on television?' 'Indeed. As long as you do not directly converse with them, you are safe.' 'If I do converse with them?' 'Then you will immediately vanish and the deal will be terminated immediately.'

'One question.' 'Of course, questions are natural.' 'This whole taking over my body stuff, why?' 'All the knowledge you require is that he must be tested. Tested to see if his will to keep you is as strong as your will to stay. It is a requirement.'

'But why?' 'Some rules are beyond even my jurisdiction. Some rules have reasons. Others just are.' 'Are...' 'Universal laws which must at all times be obeyed, even if it means that I must descend down from this place. It is not for you to question these rules as it is not for me to wonder why these rules are such. We all have our hand played by fate.'

'Thank you.' 'Save your thanks for after the trial is complete. After all, it is the toughest trial of them all. To be tested to the absolute limit, that is what is required and as such, that is what will happen.'

The vision then vanished, and came back, with Hannah in the room shown in the original vision shown by Hannah, with her mother sitting down as Hannah warped back into the room in a blinding light.

'So what was this meeting about.' 'Please don't take this the wrong way.' 'I have a feeling I know what you are about to say.' 'I spoke with the lord Icaron, and he has granted my request to be reborn. So long as Phil passes a test. Please don't hate me.'

Marie laughed. 'Hate you? Seeing my little girl grow up and have a family of her own, how would that make me hate you? You are not meant to be here, not now and not for a very long time yet. It is not your place. Your place is where it always was, on the mortal plain. We will always be able to communicate, all you need to do is wish. Wish hard enough and we can talk again.'

They then hugged as Hannah cried. 'You will have no tears left to cry soon enough. So how long do you have?' 'A week.' 'Well that will be time to talk about everything you experienced and everything you learned without me.'

'I thought… you witnessed it all.' 'Oh I did. But there's nothing better than hearing it from the person themselves.' 'Can I ask you… a strange question.' 'Of course. You will find nothing but truth here.'

'The car accident that killed you… were you in pain?' 'Oh no. The truth is, I was gone the moment the car rolled, I hit my head and that was the end. There was a fire afterwards which destroyed my mortal body, but I was already gone by then, I witnessed it purely as a spirit. You were lucky that you were saved that day.'

'I know. I can't believe I pushed Phil away for so long.' 'Well perhaps it was meant to be that way. Every argument, every rejection, it only really made your desires stronger. Without those rejections you would not have been brought to everything you achieved. Some things are meant to happen in that certain way and no other way will achieve the same results.'

'What results would we have got then?' 'I cannot see into alternate futures. All I can see is that you were in the correct future. The future which was meant to be all along, and the future which I prayed for you.'

As the vision ended, Phil was even more annoyed. 'Now do you understand? Your dear Hannah put herself in this situation.' 'You didn't tell her that you were planning on destroying the entire club.' 'I did what I had to. But now… I'm starting to enjoy this body. In fact, I think I might keep it… permanently.'

Maddy then activated her duel disk, the wolf head lighting up as she did. 'You're going to do nothing of the sort. Because you don't know who you're duelling with – I'm the president of this club, and I'll do whatever I have to to protect it. Whatever it takes.'

Phil then picked his duel disk up, and activated it, the flame design glowing as he did. 'After I'm done with you, you're going to regret ever hurting any of us. This is our ultimate stand and you aren't going to ever break it.'

Next time: Phil and Maddy make their ultimate stand, and Icaron unleashes his full power. Renegades: A New Dawn Chapter XIV: The Last Stand Part 1 (The Fear of God!)