Earthbound, Unbound
Disclaimer/Plot/Challenge Information/Author's Notes: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Recommended Reads: Yugioh GX: Emperor of Darkness and Yugioh GX: Celestial War by YugiohFreak54, Harry Potter and the Duel Academy and Harry Potter and the Tri-Academy Tournament by A Pair of New Shoes, Harry Potter and the Crimson Magic by Matarra, Different Dimension Duellist by The Mad Prince, Death's Gravekeeper by TheSilverboar, Harry Potter GX, Harry potter GX season 2, Harry potter GX season 3 and Harry potter GX season 4 by diamondholder and The darkness returns by craighorner88
Key Pairing: Harry/Bellatrix/Luna; Jack/Hermione
Other Pairings: To be determined
Normal Speech
'Thoughts'
'Spirit/Shadow Speech'
/Parseltongue/
{OC Card Descriptions}
Review Answers:
A10riddick: Cause he kept getting woken and moved to other beds: simplest answer often the right one, mate;
Doctor3027: Ah…well, you might just hate me a little for the choice I intend to make with this chapter, then, pal: but, to be fair, nothing in the rules of your challenge says who can and can't be on Harry's side, does it?
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, I, Luna Selene Lovegood, challenge you to a Duel! If I win, my Harry's ban is lifted and the noble Professor Potter can't ban him again until after Durmstrang and Beauxbatons go back to France and the Far North!"
"And what if Mister Weasley wins, Miss Lovegood?" asked James, the loathing and air of rage that laced his words when he said Ron's surname, emphasising his disappointment in the boy's apparent stupidity, was all too obvious to everyone there.
"Then I'll honour my earlier promise," said Harry, holding up his own M-Disk as he explained, "If Weasley can beat Luna, I, as I once promised you before Hogwarts had other ideas, Lord Potter. I will surrender my full arsenal to Weasley, making him a real duellist, and I will also leave my Luna and our friends in Ravenclaw, join Gryffindor and, as further proof of my honesty and loyalty, I will swear a Vassal's Oath to James Potter, putting him in charge of me for the rest of my life!"
"I accept!"
ARC 1: LOST AND FOUND
Chapter 9: That's All Folks
Ron: 3800/Luna: 4000
Ron's Field: Empty
Luna's Field: Toon Dark Magician (2500/2100) Highlight Reel Activated
As everyone watched Luna draw her next card, a sad, almost-disappointed-sounding sigh escaped her as she mused, "You know, since you were part of a family who I call friend and neighbour, as well as best buddies with the lovely Jackie over here, I'd hoped you would give me more of a challenge, Ronniekins!"
"You haven't won yet, Loony!" sneered Ron.
"That's all about to change, I'm afraid," argued Luna, lowering her hands, including all the cards she currently held in one of those hands, as she added, "Cause, to be honest, you're not even worth me making another move, Ron. Such a disappointment…I guess you're just as big a loser and a nuisance as…well, as one of my guys should they find themselves up against Kaiba…and he really hated Toons. Ah well, oh Dark Magician?"
The Toon mage steeled himself, his hat and robes now apparently fitting him perfectly, indicating he was free to attack.
"Go, Dark Magic Attack!"
Just like when Ron had made his stupid move on his turn, Toon Dark Magician once again stamped his staff on the ground, conjuring up his flock of black doves to attack the redhead, who let out a cry of disbelief, pain and alarm, as well as rage, when he found his world enveloped by blackness.
"There," said Luna, as the feathers enveloped Ron, "Maybe this will knock some sense into you, Ronnie; after all, the cartoon's not as fun to watch if it's over all too quickly, now, is it?"
EBUB
Ron's POV
Darkness…
That was what Ron saw as he felt the brunt of Toon Dark Magician's attack, though his whole world seemed to have become nothing, but pitch-black darkness, which flooded every fibre of the redhead's being, leaving him unable to tell his up from his down, his left from his right and his way forwards from his way back.
All he knew was Darkness, as well as pain, confusion, rage, sorrow, disbelief and no small amount of personally-fuelled shame, humiliation and anger as, over the encroaching darkness that became his whole world, he was aware of a sound; one that he knew all too well, because it seemed to plague his waking hours more and more, even after he'd chickened out of the Tag Match against Fred and George.
Laughter.
Loud, raucous, abusive and mockingly-derivative laughter, which seemed to echo all around him, making Ron's ears burn red, while his eyes watered with tears of rage and personal torture.
Again…they were laughing at him.
Again…he was being made to feel and look like a fool.
Again…he was mocked for being him.
It…it…Merlin's saggy ballsack and all that dripped out of it!
It just…it…
"It's not fair…is it?"
Suddenly, Ron's head snapped up when he heard a voice speak to him, but not the voice of his opponent, nor one of the people laughing their heads off and getting their rocks off of seeing him look like a fool.
Instead, this voice was cool, calm and collected; there was a cold, almost-icy hiss to it, which made the hairs on the back of Ron's neck prickle as he suddenly felt like there was something…someone there, but he couldn't see them. All he could see was the Darkness, and all that he could hear was the laughter, as well as the voice that spoke to him, their words so clear, they almost seemed to drown out the sound.
"Listen to them, Ronald Weasley: listen to how they mock and belittle you."
The laughter returned, almost like a swarm of locusts that proceeded to eat away at Ron's courage, as well as his Gryffindor heart.
At the same time, the redhead gasped when, from out of the darkness, he suddenly felt a hand brush against his cheek, wiping away tears that the redhead hadn't even noticed he'd been shedding. When that hand swatted his tears away, Ron actually felt a glimmer of some strange, ethereal grace take hold of him, but only momentarily, before that same feeling passed as quickly as it had hit him.
As the hand brushed against him, Ron heard the voice go on, "But I won't laugh at you, my little friend. Unlike these freaks and losers, I can sense the power burning up inside of you, like the fires of a dragon with the power to make the world burn with a single breath, should he choose it."
Ron felt his heart leap in his chest, "You…you think you can feel my power?"
"Oh, I don't think anything, young Ronald," argued the sibilant voice, their words edged by a dark whisper that, like a giant spider, seemed content to creep up over Ron's body and into his ear, where it burrowed its way very deeply into his psyche. "I know you have power; and a heck of a great deal more than people like your James Potter, or even the feckless sycophants in green, would dare to admit, if only because they are afraid of you and what you will be capable of with that power. But I don't fear you, my young duelling compadre; rather, I wish to help you feel that power…mould it…master it to your whims and, when the dust settles, you'll see that you are, easily, one of the most-powerful duellists since Yugi, Kaiba and even the Ancient Pharaoh Atem himself."
Ron's blue eyes widened in the darkness as he looked around, "I…I can…I could be as powerful as…as the King of Games?"
"Why, with your strength, you could be the King of Games…the Once and Future King, to use a magical term, dear Ronald," said the voice, a note of what sounded like amusement lacing their cold, distorted syllables as they went on. "And nobody would ever doubt your power again…but don't take my word for it; let me show you…"
"H…h…how?" asked Ron.
"Simples: all you have to do is allow my power to guide your hand in this duel," explained the stranger's voice, earning a surprised look from Ron, while the dark voice went on. "You won't prove anything duelling as you are, but, on my honour, I give you my word, my little friend. If you let me take the reins, so to speak; let me help you give them just a taste of what you can do and, come this duel's end, I guarantee you will understand…"
"Under…understand what?" asked Ron.
"Who you are," replied the voice, while Ron felt that hand now patting him on the back, like a friend supporting him, before the voice continued, "And what you have it within you to be…not a joke…not a weasel…not a fuck-up. But rather…a King…a Champion…a God!"
Ron's blue eyes suddenly glazed over, almost as though he was caught in a trance, before the cold voice went on.
"So, what do you say, my dear brother…can I take over for you?"
Ron nodded dumbly, but the voice quickly cut him off.
"I need to hear you say it, Ronald…"
Licking his lips, while his hands curled into fists, Ron let out a single, almost-ghostly whisper of a voice;
"Yes…"
The Darkness came for him once again…
EBUB
Duel POV
Ron: 1300/Luna: 4000
"Now, with my battle phase over and done with, I suppose I'll just place this little doodad face down and end my turn…so, are you ready to show me what you can do, Ronniekins?"
"Oh, I'm more than ready," whispered Ron, his voice tinged by something that might have sounded brave, were it not coming from somebody who was as unappreciated and invisible to many as he was.
EBUB
While a few titters rose up at the way that Ronald Weasley – aka the butt of many a joke, the underling whom people walked all over and whom was a spare part as far as the Golden Trio of Gryffindor, Potter, Granger and Weasley, were concerned – was trying to sound strong, confident and in possession of skills that would make them think twice before messing with him, only one person remained silent, even though she still smiled.
EBUB
Indeed, as Luna smiled, she flicked her gaze towards the back wall, where a pair of cool, focused emerald-green eyes looked back at his betrothed, right before he winked at her, his lips twitching in amusement as he looked from Luna to Ron.
Seeing the look, Luna's smile became Cheshire-Cat-like as she then turned back to Ron before she added, "All-righty then; this is going to be fun! Come on then, Won-Won-baby; as the Muggles would chant…come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!"
"As you wish," said Ron, drawing his card with a flourish, before he examined his hand with what looked like a curious, if not intrigued air.
As he did so, only Luna saw Ron's eyes flickering softly, switching between an almost-glazed look and a focused, steely expression, before the redhead cleared his throat as he looked up.
"So, you want me to give you a challenge, do you, Lovegood? Very well…let's start with this card: I activate the Field Spell Card, Goblintown!"
EBUB
Ron's POV
"You promise they'll regret thinking of me as a joke?"
"I promise, Ronald," said the cold voice, who, after acquiring his acolyte's permission to take over in the duel, had also been impressed by the fact that Ron's deck had the potential to be a powerhouse, if only the boy gave himself the chance to be that duellist and unlock the power within.
Both of which were things his shadowy benefactor could be and do for him.
"Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride…"
Even as Ron did as the voice asked, however, he didn't notice a small, shadowy black figure drop down from above his head, right before it began skittering its way around his body, leaving ghostly, Shadow-Realm-like trails in its path.
Irony of ironies?
Had Ron noticed the creature weaving its web around him, he would have probably found the strength to throw the darkness out, thanks to one fact.
He was more-terrified of the creature, the spider, crawling over him, than he was of the Darkness, or even the idea of losing.
But, thanks to his willingness to desire power, and allow his strange unseen friend to do the work, Ron just relaxed.
Allowing the darkness' spiders to spin their web around him, wrapping him in their silks as he observed the duel.
EBUB
Duel POV
"That's a new one," mused Luna, earning a scoff from 'Ron' as he revealed the spell, which showed a mass, underground city, or hive, filled with all manner of goblin-like creatures.
Once 'Ron' activated the Field Spell, however, the whole Hall transformed into this same hive-like look, with both Ron and Luna now standing on a feeble-looking rocky bridge that ran between the two sides of the chasm that made up what 'Ron' had revealed was known as Goblintown.
"Maybe I just didn't feel like showing you this card, Lovegood," argued 'Ron' with a cocky, but confident sneer, before he smirked slyly as he added, "But since there's so much at stake for me, I've decided that I want to do it now. So, thanks to my Field Spell, all Goblin Monsters gain 500 Attack and Defence points. But that's not all, Loony…"
EBUB
Luna's POV
'Go ahead and call me it if it sells it, beloved…I know this is all part of your plan,'
Out of the corner of Luna's eye, she saw her betrothed blow her a kiss.
EBUB
General POV
"…thanks to the power of my underground city, if the monster I summon happens to be a Goblin Monster, I don't need as many sacrifices to call them out! As I now prove by summoning out Goblin Sentinel (2000/2200) to the field in attack mode!"
(Goblintown: SPELL/FIELD: Reduce the summoning requirements of all Goblin Monsters in your hand by 1. Increase the ATK and DEF of all Goblin Monsters on your side of the field by 500 points. When a Goblin Monster is sent to the Graveyard, Special Summon one Goblin Guard Token to your side of the field.)
To the curiosity of the crowd, Ron's cry of battle-readiness was followed by what could only be described as the sound of war-drums, which seemed to echo from within the deepest, darkest corners of Goblintown. At the same time, one of Ron's Monster Card Zones lit up on the field, revealing a thickset, hulking goblin warrior with yellowish skin, tusks extending from his lower jaw and bright, silver-coloured armour that covered almost every inch of his body, save for his tusky mouth, as well as his hooked nose.
"Impressive," muttered Luna, earning a smirk from Ron.
"Oh…you haven't seen anything, Lovegood, because not only does my Sentinel gain 500 attack and defence points for battling on his class' own home-field advantage, but next, because I summoned my Goblin Sentinel: if he's the only monster on my field, I get to re-summon a Goblin Monster from my Grave: so come on back, Goblin Attack Force (2300/0) who also gets a boost. And, to finish, I activate the Equip Spell Card Arkenstone!"
(Goblin Sentinel: ATK: 2000/DEF: 2200/LEVEL: 6/EARTH/WARRIOR/EFFECT: When this card is Summoned, including Special Summon, if it is the only Monster Card on your side of the field, Special Summon one Monster with Goblin in its name from your Graveyard. When this card is attacked by an opponent's monster, switch it into Defence Mode and end the Battle Phase.)
Goblin Sentinel – 2000/2200 – 2500/2700
Goblin Attack Force – 2300/0 – 2800/500
While the horde of greenish-coloured goblins rose again to join the armoured warrior, so too did a new spell card also appear on the field, showing a tall, dark throne with a bright, white jewel fixed in the head, which seemed to fill the whole space, as well as Ron's field, with the same white light.
"Now, thanks to my spell," continued the amused-looking redhead, indicating his field as he explained, "Because I have two Goblin monsters with different power levels, I can raise my Goblin Attack Force's level to equal that of my Goblin Sentinel. Mind you, doing this does mean I can't attack this turn, but who said anything about attacking?"
(Arkenstone: SPELL/EQUIP: This card can only be equipped to a Goblin Monster. When there are two or more Goblin Monsters on the field, increase the level of the equipped card to equal the level of the highest-ranked monster on your side of the field. The controller of this card cannot conduct their Battle Phase during the turn this card is activated.)
EBUB
Jack's POV
"Ron's really different, all of a sudden," muttered Hermione, though she was impressed with how her friend had turned things around.
"I know," agreed Jack, looking now to Luna as he laughed, "Maybe it's like Luna said; that knock from her Toon Dark Magician must have knocked some sense into him, after all…let's just hope it's enough."
EBUB
Other POV
Unseen by Jack, a certain someone heard his remarks, and smiled amusingly as their eyes flicked to the back of the room.
Where a pair of emerald-green eyes watched the duel with curiosity and apparently-renewed interest.
EBUB
General POV
As the Arkenstone's light washed over the field, Goblin Attack Force pounded their chests and raised their weapons with a powerful war cry.
Goblin Attack Force – Level 4 – Level 6
"So, you now have two level 6 six monsters in play, I see?" asked Luna.
Suddenly, a collective gasp of awe rose up around the room, which, given one of their lessons over the past month in the art of Duelling, was actually understandable.
However, this was also the cue for more whispers and sniggers.
"He can't be thinking of trying that, can he?"
"Weasley can't even use a Ritual Card properly."
"He can't even count the difference between his green uglies and that weirdo mage."
"He won't do it!"
"He'll screw it up!"
"Ah well, at least it'll be funny…"
EBUB
Ron's POV
"They…they're still laughing at…at me…"
"Ssssshhhh…tame your storm, my brother," whispered the voice, stroking a hand through Ron's hair as they explained, "Just let their laughter wash over you…after all, soon, they will all know who you are…now, do you still want me in charge, or would you rather go back and face their laughter?"
"No…" said Ron, the glazed look in his eyes becoming more-pronounced while, unseen by him, the spiders that had woven their webs around him started to spin them over his hands, feet and even across his stomach, as Ron looked to where the voice was coming from.
"I…I trust you…just…just make them stop laughing…"
"With pleasure, dear friend…"
EBUB
Duel POV
"You think you know anything about me, you bunch of whimpering slimy snakes and Death Eaters?" asked 'Ron' hotly, sneering at the looks of mocking disbelief and amusement as he snapped, "You think just because my surname's Weasley, and I don't have money for bribes that you lot do, you know who I am? What I can do? Well, you're wrong and, since none of you will believe me, I'll just use Loony here to prove it!"
"Give it your best shot, Ronniekins!" sniggered Luna defiantly, earning a smirk from the redhead.
"All right, I will…now, like you noticed, Lovegood, I do have two Level 6 monsters in play; so, just like Professor Potter taught us, I can now overlay my Level 6 Goblin Sentinel, with my Level 6 Goblin Attack Force!"
To the amazement of the students, as well as the staff observing the duel, Ron's two monsters became two distinct bursts of coloured light; one yellow and one purple, both of which then flew into the air, while the redhead continued.
"With these cards, I build the Overlay Network, and XZ Summon out the almighty Grand Goblin King (2500/2100) to the field in attack mode!"
"He did it?" chorused over half the crowd.
"He did it," replied Luna, while, when 'Ron' looked over, he even saw Harry Black smiling at him and, when the Gryffindor boy met his Ravenclaw counterpart's gaze, the emerald-eyed scion gave him a thumbs-up, while the overlay summoning was completed.
In a bright flash of light, as well as more war drums and even grunts of chanting, a large, thickset-looking monster who seemed to be made up of mostly flesh and attire made from the skulls of his enemies dropped down onto the field with a mighty crash, which caused everyone around him, including Ron, to stagger and stumble in shock.
'Who would be so bold as to come armed into MY kingdom?' sneered the voice of the Grand Goblin King's duel spirit, earning an awestruck look from Luna as she then bowed her head.
"Sire…I am truly honoured…"
'Hmm…I like this one,' mused the larger monster, a note of amusement in his voice as he laughed, 'Almost seems a shame to have to smoosh her to bits…almost!'
"Well, before the smooshing begins, I think I'll activate my King's Special Ability," said Ron, before he snapped his fingers as he added, "Oh, and I almost forgot about Goblintown, which gives him a power boost…raising him all the way up to 3000!"
The war drums sounded again, though, this time, the Grand Goblin King seemed content to actually sing along to the noise with an almighty cry.
'Bones will be shattered, necks will be wrung! You'll be beaten and battered, from racks you'll be hung! You will die down here and never be found, down in the deep of Goblin Town!'
Grand Goblin King – 2500/2100 – 3000/2600
"And next," continued Ron, indicating the king as he explained, "I activate my Grand Goblin King's special ability: by using one Overlay Unit, I can call out a loyal servant to the king. Come forth, my Goblin Guard Token (1000/1000) in attack mode!"
While Ron made his announcement, the king grabbed one of the red-coloured orbs circling his large girth before he smashed it down onto the ground; from within the explosion that followed, a small, deformed goblin underling rose up, crying out unintelligibly before he stamped his club on the ground like a savage caveman.
"And," added Ron, indicating the large king again as he explained, "Although my King can't attack, and neither can my guard thanks to the effect of my Arkenstone, it doesn't stop my king passing on his might to his loyal guard thanks to his special ability, which now increases Goblin Guard's attack and defence by half of Grand Goblin King's."
"So…with three thousand attack points, and twenty-six hundred defence points…" said Luna, seemingly getting lost in the math as she looked down at her fingers, "Add the three, carry the two, divide by the doodah…and the whatsinmeface…um…I think…"
"Goblin Guard is now twenty-five hundred attack points strong, while his defence power goes all the way up to twenty-three hundred, Loony! Can't you even count that high or something?"
"Hey, it's been a long day…I need my sleep to wake my brain up, thanks…" replied Luna, winking at 'Ron' as she asked, "So, since neither of your superpowered monsters can attack, what next? A spell? A trap? Ending your turn?"
Goblin Guard Token – 1000/1000 – 2500/2300
(Grand Goblin King: ATK: 2500/DEF: 2100/RANK: 6/DARK/WARRIOR/XYZ: 2 Level 6 Monsters: Once per turn, the controller of this card can remove one XYZ Material Monster from this card: Special Summon one Goblin Guard Token. As long as this card is on the field, increase the ATK and DEF of the summoned monster by half of the ATK and DEF points of this card: any bonuses and/or deductions that are active on this card apply to the amount given when this effect is activated.)
"Just this," said Ron, laying a card at his feet, "I place one card face down and end my turn: so, what can you do against my all-powerful goblin horde, Loony? Especially since, by removing an Overlay Unit, it sent the Goblin Sentinel I used to the graveyard, which activates Goblintown's other ability, summoning out yet another Goblin Guard Token (1000/1000) in defence mode!"
"Ah…so that's your plan, is it?" asked Luna amusingly, even as another guard rose onto the field.
(Goblin Guard Token: ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000/Level: 2/DARK/TOKEN: This card can only be summoned by the effect of Goblintown or Grand Goblin King.)
"You'll have to beat me to find out," answered Ron, earning a smirk from Luna as she drew her card.
"Very well, Ronniekins, I shall! To start, I activate my Toon Dark Magician's special ability: because he's empowered by the Toon World-like power of Highlight Reel, my beautiful boy-mage's mystic might allows me to perform a little card trick. One that lets me add one Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand, just so long as it has Toon in its name!"
Several mystic seals rose up around Toon Dark Magician, before he threw them together, forming something akin to the linked rings trick, which hit Luna's deck, adding a card to her hand, much to her delight, "Thanks, sweetie-pie; now, you're looking a little lonely there, so how's about I give you some company by activating the spell card Premature Burial: now, at the cost of just 800 little life points, I can Special Summon a monster from my graveyard…like the little cutie I sent there to activate Highlight Reel: come out and play, little one…your big brother's waiting!"
Ron: 1300/Luna: 3200
"Big brother?" asked Ron, while everyone else actually leaned in close to the field, as Luna nodded excitably.
"Yup, she's the perfect wickle sis for a big boy like him…come out and play, Toon Dark Magician Girl (2000/1700) and, since good families always stick together, I think I'll help keep them that way with this: the Continuous Spell known as Toon Crossover!"
To many men's – including James and Sirius – delight, the little girl form of Dark Magician Girl herself rose onto the field, circling the equally-happy-looking Toon Dark Magician, while both sages slapped hands and even fist-bumped one another, before they shared a warm, childishly-delighted hug with each other as they took their places on the field.
'All right, DMG, let's cut this fat-ass down to size!'
'Aww, do we have to, big brother? He looks so big and fluffy; like a bouncy castle made of pillows!'
'I can hear you, you know?' asked the king, earning giggles from the young kids.
Seconds later, however, Toon Dark Magician and Toon Dark Magician Girl turned as Luna's Spell Card rose onto the field; it showed a card that looked like two different stages of Toon World – one-part Fiend, one-part the cartoony normal design – brought together.
"Now, thanks to Toon Crossover," continued Luna, indicating her two mages, "Since both of my monsters are Toons, and since you have no Toons in play, my Toon Dark Magician and Toon Dark Magician Girl can destroy every monster in play. Sure, you don't take any damage, but that's the fun of cartoons: all the splatter, none of the screams!"
"We'll see…"
(Toon Crossover: SPELL/CONTINUOUS: When your opponent has no Toon Monsters on their field, during your Battle Phase, if a Toon Monster attacks your opponent, destroy all monsters on the field. Neither you nor your opponent take no Battle Damage.)
"We will!" laughed Luna, indicating her field, "So, go, kiddies: playtime. Dark Magic and Dark Burning Attack!"
'I'm going to take down more!'
'I am!'
'Loser cleans up Blue Eyes dung for a month!'
"Hold up there!" argued Ron, though those nearest saw his lips twitch amusingly as the two mages charged towards him.
When he called out to them, however, the mages skidded to a halt, while Ron argued, "Now, I'd love to see your little comic books take me down, Lovegood, but, sadly, I'm going to have to stop you with this: the Trap Card known as Dragon's Sickness!"
"Oh no!" gasped Luna, genuinely sounding worried as Ron revealed a Trap showing a lost soul wandering through a mass hoard of treasure, while the shadow of a dragon loomed over both the lost soul and the treasure.
"I see you're familiar with this little beauty!" chuckled Ron, indicating his goblins, as well as the mages opposite, as he explained, "Now, thanks to the mind-numbing power of my Trap, your cartoon characters can't tell friend from foe. So, since you attacked, it's up to me who their target is: so, Dark Magician Girl? Attack Luna!"
"No, don't, lovely: friend…remember? Friend!" exclaimed Luna, before she cried out as a burst of pink fire flew from Toon Dark Magician Girl's staff, striking Luna fast and hard.
Ron: 1300/Luna: 1200
'Oops…sorry, Princess; I didn't mean to. It was an accident, I promise…pinkie swear, it was…'
"Dark Magician, take her down! Destroy Dark Magician Girl!"
'Sorry sis…'
'Brother, no…'
The chibi form of the cutest duel monster ever went up in a plume of feathers, while Luna fell to her knees, tears rolling down her cheeks as she watched her little friend go up in smoke and shadows.
Ron: 1300/Luna: 700
(Dragon Sickness: TRAP/COUNTER: Activate when a monster on your opponent's field targets a Goblin Monster on your side of the field. Until the End of the Battle Phase, the controller of this card can either attack an opponent's monster with the attacking monster or deal Direct Damage to your opponent.)
"You…you…you meanie!" screamed Luna, leaping to her feet as she thundered, "How dare you force my big brother to attack our little sister? Just for what you've done, I will show you no mercy!"
She even made a cut-throat gesture as she said this, earning a nervous look from Ron.
"Hey…remember…this…this is a…a battle, right…Luna?"
"This is no battle, Ronald," growled Luna, looking to Ron with an almost-deranged, if not possessed look as she shrieked, "This…is…WAR!"
Even Ron had to take a step back in alarm, if not fear, as he saw golden energy burning around Luna, indicating just one thing.
Something an old friend of his used to love saying over and over…
He should NOT have done that…
"B…B…But…but you…you can't a…a…attack anymore, Luna…you…you have to…to end your turn…"
"Oh," said Luna, while the golden aura around her vanished as quickly as it had appeared, her expression once again cutesy, innocent and even jokey as she giggled, "Okie-dokie then; guess I get to give you one chance at mercy, Won-Won…your go."
"Good," said Ron, drawing his card before he looked to Luna as he added, "And, trust me, I'll make it quick: Grand Goblin King, time to tell Toon Dark Magician that's all folks…attack with Bone-Crushing Bloodening!"
Letting out a roar of raw fury, Grand Goblin King charged towards Toon Dark Magician, whom gulped nervously before he gave a Wile-E-Coyote-like wave as the larger monster smashed him up, taking out more of Luna's life points in the process.
Ron: 1300/Luna: 200
"Phooey…guess it's over…sorry, beloved…"
"I'm sorry, too," said Ron, indicating Luna's field as he laughed, "This was fun, Luna; but all good things come to an end…Goblin Guard…you know; the souped-up one? End this!"
Drumming its club on the ground, the guard charged…
And fell headlong into a pitfall trap, earning a dumbfounded look from Ron, before Luna giggled again.
"HA! GOTCHA! Don't you watch cartoons, Won-Won? The cutie hero never gets taken out, and, to ensure it, I just had to activate my Toon Foes' Foiling Trap Card!"
A Trap Card showing a gang of villainous spirits plummeting into a trap that, judging by their shovels and mucky clothes, they'd dug themselves, rose onto the field.
"Now, thanks to my little friend, and your oh-so-generous move against me, namely slaying my poor, innocent Dark Magician, your next monster gets wiped out and then, for every one of his precious wickle attack points, you lose life points!"
"But…but my monster…"
"Was twenty-five hundred points strong," laughed Luna, before she cocked her head to one side as she added, "Or, to put it another way…be-deep, be-deep, be-deep…THAT'S AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL FOLKS!"
(Toon Foes' Foiling: TRAP/COUNTER: When a monster on your side of the field is destroyed as a result of battle, and your opponent has another attacking monster on the field, negate the next attack and destroy the attacking monster. Inflict Effect Damage to your opponent equal to the ATK of the attacking monster.)
Ron's monster exploded as soon as he hit the trap, sending Ron flying back to the end of the duel field, leaving a whole room speechless.
Save for one figure, who applauded, closely followed by his ex-sibling, the sibling's closest friend and even the Assistant Professor of Duelling.
Luna, meanwhile, raised a finger into the air, before she looked to the first applauder as she added, "And, as a nice bonus to this episode, you, my sweet princeling, now get to have your wicked way with these wusses all over again!"
"Thank you, Luna," laughed Harry, striding through the dumbfounded crowd before he hugged Luna, soon joined by Jack, Hermione and Sirius.
Ron, meanwhile, was looking up into the pissed-off eyes of James Potter, who sneered at the downed boy before, to the shock of the rest of the hall, his voice rang out through the Duel Hall.
"MERLIN'S BLOODY BALLS! IS THERE ONE SON OF MINE WHO WILL NOT FAIL ME?"
Chapter 9 and, wow, talk about a twist in the tale: Luna's overcome her own rage to make sure to bring her lover back to the field, but, in other bombshells, Ron Weasley…wait…James couldn't mean…could he?
Also, what is going to happen to Ron now that the spooky voice who took over for him has seen the duel end?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Jack and Harry face a family crisis, while Ron faces a moral, spiritual and destiny-based dilemma;
Please Read and Review
AN: Goblin Deck
Also, I hope you all liked the way I constructed a goblin-based deck for Ron;
Yes, before anyone asks, it was heavily inspired by The Hobbit, but, given Ron's knack for hand-me-downs, I thought it'd be fun for him to have a deck from his elder brother based around Bill's career – all right, I haven't actually revealed that yet, but it's coming, so…spoiler? Maybe?
Anyway, I do have an idea for Ron's own deck and, trust me, it's one that is going to change everything!
AN2: TDM Destroyed
Also, before any eagle-eyed reviewers ask, let me say I've changed the description of Highlight Reel, to remove the 'survive' clause at the end, so now, the card AND its summoned monster are destroyed at the same time.