Jack only just became the new embodiment for Akatosh, finally getting rid of Hermaeus Mora, his victory was short-lived as Evelyn appears on television declaring there are bombs everywhere in New-York she called out Jack and challenged him to her demented game.
8. Evelyn's Game - Part 1.
Jack arrived at The Blades headquarters, things had gone fast Jack had requested a faster Sector Security patrol car, while he was waiting on his new ride the van brought Ushiwaka and Rao back to their hotel where Susanoo was and their other two teammates, then the two officers brought Juliet straight to the Sector Security headquarters, she was Jack's contact person from there.
Jack knew that Drake and his team were out he had called them on his way to The Blades headquarters to immediately return there.
When Jack entered the building he was greeted by Kailyn.
'Jack what's happening?' She worriedly asked.
'No time to explain, where are Harkon and Lyla?'
Kailyn calmed down a bit now that Jack was back. 'They are in the penthouse, they're there with Bruce, Miranda and Jill.' Kailyn replied.
'That's good, tell them to stay there, have Lyla cast a protective ward over the penthouse just in case, then give Carl and Nisha a call tell them to lock the bar down.' Kailyn nodded as she rushed off.
Jack didn't know where the rest of his team was so he decided to stop by Ravin first, the doctors were just doing some of the regular checkups.
'Doctor, we have a really bad situation.' Jack calmly spoke: 'I'm working on a solution, but for now you cannot order any supplies from the hospital, too dangerous.'
The doctor looked up. 'We're good on supplies here, don't worry about us.' He replied.
Then Jack stopped on Leo's floor, the door to his room was open, he peeked through the door Leo and Serana were sitting on the couch close to each other. Leo was only wearing comfortable pants, Serana wore nothing more than some black underwear and a black loose fitting top, Serana had Leo's arm close to her mouth, this was an agreement between Leo and Serana every once in a while she could feed off from Leo, Leo was doing this in the hopes he could eventually get some form of magic affinity back from Serana.
'Leo.' Jack spoke as he pushed the door open, Leo looked up Serana didn't.
'I'm sorry to disturb you two, I know that this is very intimate to you.' Jack apologized.
'No need to apologize Jack, we saw it on the news, but this ritual of ours cannot simply be stopped, it needs to be done carefully if not Serana could accidentally turn me.' Leo explained.
'I know Leo, it's just I need you to stay here Evelyn called me out, anyone else shows up and New-York might just be reduced to ashes.'
After Jack had checked on Leo he went to Violet's floor, he found Violet and Rini in their bed Violet was wearing her black, leather pants and a blue crop top from Rini, she was reading a book on the history of Duel Monsters.
Rini was lying between Violet's legs her head resting on Violet's lap, Rini had a blanket around her her arms laid on her belly, her mouth was half open, Violet was gently stroking her hair.
'We saw the news.' Violet spoke softly as she put her book down. 'All that imagery gave Rini a panic attack, Kailyn used her magic to calm Rini down, she's asleep now as you can see, I'm here to keep her calm should she wake up.'
Jack nodded. 'That's good I wanted to suggest you two stayed here.' Jack turned around as he wanted to leave. 'What are you going to do?' Violet asked.
'It's Evelyn, she lost all purpose now that Tamamo no longer needs a host body, she's lost it. I'm going to end this before she can make any more victims.' Jack replied.
Abandoned amusement park.
Jack carefully entered the amusement park it was dark the moon was hidden behind thick clouds it wasn't raining yet, lightning flashed in the distance, no thunder the bad weather was a while away. The only things he had seen on his way there were Sector Security patrol cars and Evelyn's drones, no people, he had his detection spell out so that nobody could jump him. 'At least the warning to stay inside worked.' He muttered as he made his way past the fun house towards the roller coaster, suddenly his attention was caught he looked up through one of the windows of the fun house he saw a figure wearing a black dress with a corset over it, her face was soft, she had some piercings in her lip and nose her ears were heavily pierced, she wore blood-red lipstick she had black make-up around her eyes, her long, brown hair was tied into several small tails.
'Evelyn!' Jack shouted then he realized he couldn't sense her, before he could do something lightning flashed blinding him for a second, when his vision returned Evelyn was gone.
'Did I imagine? Is Evelyn playing tricks?' He muttered, the rest of his way he threaded carefully constantly looking around him.
After a few minutes he saw his destination, the roller coaster.
When he approached four giant lights turned on blinding Jack for a second, when his eyes got used to the lights he saw a circular, makeshift arena standing between him and the roller coaster, a large fence was placed around the roller coaster so the only way to get near was on the other side of the arena, a figure stood on the other end, Jack couldn't make out who it was.
The moment Jack walked through the gate it closed behind him, the gate behind the other person closed at the same time, as the figure came closer he saw it was the same man in the trench coat he encountered before, the man who took the files on Evelyn. 'Richard.' Jack spoke, the man lowered his hood.
Richard had shaved himself bald, he had bag under his eyes, he was a lot skinnier than he was before. 'Am I glad you came Jack.' Richard replied his voice was cold, devoid of all emotions, he had a Duel Disk and D-Gazer activated.
'You really want to do this now Richard?' Jack asked his former friend said nothing. 'I'll do everything to stop Sara.' The man replied.
'Not Sara Richard, Sara's dead still in the morgue over at Sector Security.' Jack said Richard threw the files at Jack's feet. 'Says it all here, faked her death, body in the morgue is a fake.' Jack didn't even look at the folder.
'Evelyn tricked you Richard. Evelyn idolized Sara, we're fighting a new thread by the name of Tamamo No Mae, you know her as Empress.'
Richard's demeanor changed for a second, Jack saw doubt on his face.
'Richard, Empress needed a host because her old host was dying, Sara was that host, Tamamo found Evelyn as a back-up in case something went wrong with Sara.'
More doubt appeared on Richard's face he was staring at the file in front of Jack. 'Tamamo killed Jurgen, our boss used his soul to become stronger she no longer needed a host body, she cast aside Evelyn, Tamamo held Evelyn back from taking revenge for Sara's death, now that Tamamo no longer needs a host she stopped holding Evelyn back and now she's on this rampage, she has nothing to live for except for killing Sara's killer.'
Richard looked at the roller coaster behind him then his cold eyes returned.
'I knew something was off.' He said: 'This is something Sara would do, but it's more sloppy, not that it changes anything.'
Slowly Richard opened his trench coat revealing a belt around his chest a wire from the belt went to his arm where Jack could see a needle in his arm, another wire went to his Duel Disk, before Jack could say anything he closed his coat. 'That needle has a sensor in it, as long as a liquid is flowing past it nothing happens, I pull it out and the bomb explodes, don't worry the bombs are just powerful enough to only kill me, now if I refuse to Duel Gizelle dies, the Duel Disk is connected to those drones Evelyn can see what I do, I throw Gizelle dies. If I Duel Gizelle's fate is in my hands, I will go free if I Duel but if I lose Gizelle dies.'
Richard stopped for a second as Jack saw he tried to held back his emotions.
'What if I refuse to Duel you Richard?' Jack asked: 'You know I can easily use my powers to break the door, Evelyn knows that as well, it appears she expects me to Duel, but I...' Before Jack could say ''refuse'' he was staring down the barrel of a pistol. 'Special bullets Jack little present from Evelyn.' Quickly Richard aimed at Jack's feet and fired once, Jack could feel the magic emanating from the bullet.
Jack said nothing as his Duel Disk activated, before Jack could activate his D-Gazer he felt a burning sensation around his left eye, slowly several black lined appeared around it forming the pattern of the scales of a lizard, his eye started to glow with a golden light.
'Good.' Richard replied as both Duel Disks showed the life points counter going active then a drone descended it started to hover around Jack the Blade could see there was a barrel of a gun attached to the underside.
'I win Jack that drone kills you, same bullets my gun is loaded with, destroy the drone and Gizelle dies.' Richard coldly explained.
'Richard I need you to stand down, I can force you if I need to, look at my eye, the pattern.' Jack spoke.
'I recognize it, some special individuals don't need a D-Gazer their powers allow them to see everything, they're associated with the supernatural, to see you with one doesn't surprise me.' Richard calmly replied.
'I see you won't move not even when you realize what power I now hold, fine let me say it differently. You took the same oath as Gizelle did and all other members of Sector Security. You might not follow that oath any longer, Gizelle does. That oath says you do everything in your power to protect civilians even if it will cost you your life.'
Richard looked away. 'Richard if Gizelle dies we both live guaranteed, we Duel if I lose I die if you lose Gizelle dies, in this situation you walk away guaranteed, I have a chance to walk away, I'm a civilian...'
With a shout Richard interrupted Jack: 'I don't want you to finish that! You won't allow Evelyn to kill Gizelle to save your life! You're a Blade risk of death is part of your job!'
Jack shook his head. 'The Blades are not an official organization of the government, we're a shadow organization of the Aware part of the government, we're not recognized by the Unaware government which is the ruling part of the government therefor I am involved here as a civilian.'
Richard spat on the ground he aimed his gun at Jack again.
'I'm saving Gizelle and I will stop Evelyn, now ready yourself.'
Jack drew his opening hand so did Richard. 'Duel!' Both shouted.
(Richard: 8000) - (Jack: 8000)
'My turn.' Richard stated as he took a card from his hand. 'I summon D Cubic.' From outside the arena leaped in a robotic dog, it was made of mostly black steel with red orbs were the limps connected to its body and some yellow details, on the visor on its head it had a red ''D'' painted. (0 ATK)
Quickly Richard played another card which appeared behind his monster.
'I end my turn.' He stated.
Jack drew his card. 'This is obviously a trap.' Jack noticed as he got information on D Cubic through his new Duel tattoo. 'I discard Junk Synchron so I can special summon The Tricky!' A puff of smoke appeared in the arena out of it spinning through the air leaped a jester-like man his suit was mostly yellow with black accents, he had no face and horns shaped like the hat of a jester, a red question mark decorated his head where his face would be and one more on his chest, a large blue cape was draped around his shoulders. (2000 ATK)
'Now Monster Reborn!' Jack shouted as he played the spell, the holy Ankh appeared on the field and underneath it appeared the orange robot that was Junk Synchron. (1300 ATK)
'Junk Synchron attack D Cubic!' The small robot charged forward, it ripped its cord to gain more speed before its fist punched a hole through the robotic dog.
(Richard: 8000- 6700) - (Jack: 8000)
'D Cubic is destroyed, this means I can send D-HERO Diabolicguy from my Deck to the Graveyard.' Richard calmly explained the automatic search function on his Duel Disk ejected the card from his Deck Richard took it and after showing it discarded it.
'Now The Tricky direct attack!' Jack continued his battle phase, the Spellcaster clasped his hands together a giant question mark appeared in front of Richard, before the ex Sector Security captain could react it exploded.
(Richard: 6700- 4700) - (Jack: 8000)
'Now I move to my second main phase.' Jack stated. 'I tune level three Junk Synchron to level five The tricky!'
The arena was bathed in a green light for a moment. 'Gathering stars light the way to my destiny, soul of the ancient dragon reborn! Synchro Summon! Shine, Stardust Dragon!' Jack chanted as quick as it came the green light disappeared making place for stardust falling out of the sky it shimmered in the light of the moon, the familiar roar of a dragon echoed over the amusement park, seconds later Jack's dragon flew over the makeshift arena before it landed behind its master. (2500 ATK)
'Your move Richard.' Jack coldly stated.
Richard drew his card. 'I banish Diabolicguy so that I can special summon one from my Deck.' As soon as Richard got the card he played it black smoke rose from the center, a haunting laugh echoed through the arena, a devilish man rose from the smoke being very muscular with a brown skin and black fur covering most of his arms and legs and his shoulders, on his head he had three horns, two red, demonic wings sprouted from his back the devil also had two small tails with a sharp stinger at the tip. (800 ATK)
'Now I normal summon D-HERO Defendguy.' Richard continued.
From over the makeshift walls of the arena leaped a warrior clad in heavy, grayish, brick-like armor the only thing you could see from him were his red eyes that glowed behind the visor in his horned helmet, this armor was as thick as a castle wall and probably as sturdy. (100 ATK)
'Jack I activate D-Fusion!' Richard shouted his trap turned itself face-up, the portal appeared behind him both his Destiny Heroes leaped in.
'Fire raging as an inferno, burn the wicked with your flames so that from the ashes you can rise again! Fusion summon D-Hero Destroy Phoenixguy!' Flames erupted throughout the arena they came together in the middle a creature leaped out wearing a black bodysuit with fire-red armor over it covering his chest, shoulders, lower arms and most of his legs, his hair was made of fire, the warrior had robotic wings covered in green feathers, his weapons were strapped around his wrists, large gauntlets with a nasty spike at the end, the left gauntlet resembled the mandibles of an insect while the right gauntlet had three nasty blades, the warrior had a long tail covered in sharp horns with a black, flame pattern running over the top half, slowly the warrior descended to the ground, when he touched the ground scorch marks appeared around him. (2500 ATK) The scorch marks spread out towards Jack's side until they touched Stardust Dragon. (2500- 2100 ATK)
'Your monsters lose two-hundred attack points for each HERO card in my Graveyard.' Richard explained.
'I activate the effect of Destroy Phoenixguy! I target him and Stardust Dragon for destruction!' Richard shouted.
'You know Stardust Dragon's effect!' Jack replied his dragon leaped into the sky there it dissolved in fine stardust that sprinkled all over the field.
'I know Jack, but this turn Destroy Phoenixguy is protected by D-Fusion and cannot be destroyed by card effects.' Richard chuckled. 'You were forced to tribute Stardust Dragon or else you would permanently lose it, this left you open for a direct attack!' With incredible speed Destroy Phoenixguy leaped forward, Jack felt the impact of the three blades entering his body, lucky for him the monsters weren't real.
(Richard: 4700) - (Jack: 8000- 5500)
'I end my turn.' Richard stated.
The stardust that was sprinkled around the field gathered behind Jack and reformed back into Stardust Dragon. (2500- 2100 ATK)
Jack drew his card.
'You know Jack.' Richard interrupted him: 'I can use the effect of Destroy Phoenixguy during either turn!' The Destiny Hero leaped at Stardust Dragon his mandibles ready. 'I tribute Stardust Dragon to destroy Destroy Phoenixguy!' Jack replied again his dragon disappeared the Destiny Hero erupted in flames and quickly burned to cinders.
'I set this.' Jack stated a face-down monster appeared on his side of the field. 'I end my turn and that means Stardust Dragon returns!' Once more the white dragon appeared behind its master. (2500 ATK)
'It's my standby phase, Destroy Phoenixguy was send to the Graveyard by a card effect which means I can special summon a D-HERO from my Graveyard!' The ashes left behind by Destroy Phoenixguy caught fire from the ashes the warrior rose once more. (Destroy Phoenixguy: 2500 ATK, Stardust Dragon: 2500- 2100 ATK)
'Now I normal summon D-HERO Denialguy!' This time a flashy man appeared he had shoulder-length black hair his eyes and nose were covered by a white mask, he wore a black shirt with a purple suit jacket over it he wore matching suit pants and black shoes, over his shoulders he wore a black, hooded cape, his weapon were two blades on a long chain, the chain was wrapped around his arms and legs. (1100 ATK)
'Denialguy attack the face-down monster!' Richard commanded the reversed card disappeared in its place appeared Junk Servant, the multicolored toy robot. (1000 DEF)
Denialguy swung his weapon around quickly it cut Junk Servant in half.
'Destroy Phoenixguy destroy Stardust Dragon!' Richard commanded the mighty warrior leaped at the dragon cutting the dragon to shreds with his mighty gauntlets.
(Richard: 4700) - (Jack: 5500- 5100)
Quietly Richard placed another card on his Duel Disk it appeared face-down behind Denialguy. 'I end my turn.' He then said.
Jack drew his card he felt Richard's pressure on the field, Richard was in control and hellbent on saving Gizelle.
The moment Jack drew his card Richard interrupted him. 'I activate Break the Destiny!' He shouted his trap opened up. 'I destroy Destroy Phoenixguy!' Once more the warrior went up in flames. 'You now skip your first main phase.' The ex Sector Security captain stated.
'In that case I go directly into my battle phase, and since I have no monsters I end that so I can go into my second main phase.' Jack said as he took three cards from his hand all three appeared face-down on the field as spells or traps.
Richard drew his card, from the ashes Destroy Phoenixguy rose once more. (2500 ATK)
'I activate Stardust Flash!' Jack shouted his trap opened up in a flash of light Stardust Dragon appeared behind him once more, this time it had wrapped its wings around itself. (2000 DEF)
'I activate De-Fusion.' Richard stated in a flash of light Destroy Phoenixguy disappeared in its place the devilish Diabolicguy (800 ATK) and the brick-like Defendguy appeared. (100 ATK)
'I banish Break the Destiny.' Richard stated he quickly retrieved the card. 'I can add a card to my hand that lists the name of a D-HERO, I choose D - Force.' Richard retrieved a spell from his Deck and added it to his hand, Jack's D-Gazer confirmed the card.
'Next I activate D - Force.' Richard continued the spell appeared face-up on the field. 'The activation of this card allows me to add Bloo-D to my hand.' He explained another card slipped from his Deck. 'I offer Defendguy, Diabolicguy and Denialguy!' A puddle of blood appeared before Richard. 'I special summon D-HERO Bloo-D!' Richard shouted, a devilish creature slowly rose out from the puddle of blood it stood on two legs, the demon had large wings that were wrapped half around it's body, it had a small head with three giant claws growing out of its back slightly over its head, its left arm was humanoid ending in long claws, its right arm however was a giant, gaping maw filled with sharp teeth, several screaming faces moved slowly throughout the wings. (1900- 2500 ATK)
'Thanks to D - Force Bloo-D gains one-hundred attack points for each monster in either Graveyard.' Richard explained when Jack looked closer he saw that the faces stuck in the wings were indeed the faces of the monsters that were in the Graveyard.
'Now Bloo-D Gravity Blood!' The Destiny Hero spread its wings small tentacles made of blood lashed out wrapping around Stardust Dragon, slowly the mighty beast was pulled into the wings, electricity appeared around Bloo-D as Jack's dragon got absorbed. (2500- 3650 ATK)
'Bloo-D direct attack! Bloody Fears!' The demonic beast leaped into the air it aimed its dragon arm at Jack spewing forth a stream of blood.
(Richard: 4700) - (Jack: 5100- 1450)
'You've fought well Jack, but thanks to D - Force Bloo-D can attack twice! Bloody Fears!' The Destiny Hero spewed another wave of blood at Jack.
'Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!' Jack shouted his trap opened up the blood got blocked by the scarecrow made of junk before it disappeared again.
'So close Richard.' Jack taunted his opponent while he drew his card.
'You have no hope Jack strong as you are my resolve is stronger I will save Gizelle, I owe that to her.'
Jack shook his head. 'I'm sorry Richard I cannot afford to lose here!' He took a card from his hand. 'I summon Junk Breaker!'
Before Jack appeared the warrior wearing the black cape he held his spiked club in his hands. (1800 ATK)
'Bloo-D negates the effects of monsters while they are on the field. I tribute Junk Breaker to activate his effect from the Graveyard!' In a flash of light his monster disappeared. 'Now the effects of Bloo-D are negated!'
Bloo-D became weaker as now it only got some power from the spell card. (3650- 2500 ATK)
'Jack.' Richard said Jack could hear the panic in his voice: 'If you win Gizelle dies.' He tried.
'Gizelle knew the dangers of joining Sector Security, Evelyn hopes I lose this so she can kill me, she hopes I cannot live with the thought that Gizelle's death is on me. I am willing to accept that if that means I can stop her and her former mistress, Evelyn won't get this satisfaction from me Richard.' Jack's eyes were cold.
'I activate Necroid Synchro! I banish The Tricky and Junk Synchro in order to summon Stardust Spark Dragon!'
A loud roar echoed through the arena, the younger-looking version of Stardust Dragon landed behind Jack. (Stardust Spark Dragon: 2500 ATK, Bloo-D: 2500- 2300 ATK)
'Attack Bloo-D!' Jack shouted a beam of light pierced the Destiny Hero completely evaporating it.
(Richard: 4700- 4500) - (Jack: 1450)
'Now I activate Call of the Haunted!' Jack roared his last trap opened itself, with a roar the real Stardust Dragon appeared next to the other one. (2500 ATK) 'Shooting Sonic!' Jack roared the dragon roared, a beam of light pierced Richard's chest.
(Richard: 4500- 2000) - (Jack: 1450)
Richard's eyes were widened, he looked at the two dragon's Jack controlled, his hand was empty, Richard's thoughts were racing through his head.
'You bore me.' A female voice suddenly spoke, Jack and Richard looked up on a platform outside the arena stood a figure dressed in a black dress and corset which was closed by several belts, she wore knee-high boots.
'So Evelyn you finally show yourself.' Jack spoke.
'Well.' The girl playfully said: 'I thought I made myself clear to Richard here.' Her playful tone quickly shifted to threatening as second platform rose next to her on it was Gizelle tied to a chair.
'Jack you weren't supposed to win!' She shouted: 'And no Richard.' She then interrupted Jack's opponent: 'You can't win with only one card in your hand Evelyn spoke as she reached for a pocket on the side of her dress she pulled a remote control out of it, before she could press the button Jack inhaled. 'Fus Ro Dah!' He shouted the drone that was circling around him got blasted away right as Evelyn pressed the button of the remote the bullets the drone fired disappeared somewhere into the sky.
'You keep defying me.' Evelyn hissed to Jack as she pulled a pistol from her other pocket she gracefully aimed it at Gizelle.
'This is what's going to happen, Richard here will shoot you through that thick skull of yours with the special ammo I gave him, and you Jack will accept the bullet gracefully. Any of you refuse and Gizelle's pretty brains will decorate the ground.'
Richard grabbed his pistol with both hands he aimed it at Jack's head, his eyes showed determination.
'A life for a life, so that's it?' Jack asked the determination in Richard's eyes disappeared for a second.
'I know it is not fair.' Evelyn interrupted: 'Jack dies Richard has to live with that murder and Gizelle has to live knowing that Jack died because of her, or Gizelle dies and you Jack need to live with that knowing that because of you she is dead.' She playfully said. 'But I know that Richard won't be bothered at all!' She hissed: 'Richard loves to shoot people! So Richard shoot!' She screamed.
With one fluid motion Richard took a small pouch from his pocket and lobbed it at Evelyn, when the pouch hit the metal platform Evelyn was standing on it exploded releasing some powder, in the moment Evelyn was blinded Jack inhaled. 'Zun Haal Viik!' Jack shouted Evelyn's pistol was flung out of her hands by an invisible force the girl could just roll from the platform as Richard's bullet barely missed her, without hesitation Richard pushed in the top of his Duel Disk his life points plummeted the holograms disappeared.
(Richard: Surrendered) - (Jack: 1450)
'Go, I'll make sure Gizelle gets out safely.' Jack said but Richard was already giving pursuit to Evelyn.
Richard had kicked open the gate quickly Jack made his way to the platforms, once they were lowered he quickly untied Gizelle.
'Jack you okay?' Gizelle asked Jack was surprised she was more concerned for him. 'I'll live, you had a rougher time, you hurt somewhere?'
Gizelle shook her head: 'No only my pride was.' She replied.
'So Evelyn, what happened?' Jack asked.
'We were at our headquarters trying to find a way to track the bombs and trying to get an overview of the situation, next thing I know Evelyn is inside taking out my men left and right, she threatened to kill them if I resisted so I didn't, she knocked me out and when I woke up I was here.'
After Jack had called in Sector Security and an ambulance he raised one of the platforms a bit so he and Gizelle could sit down.
'It doesn't make sense.' Jack muttered.
'What doesn't?' Gizelle replied.
'Evelyn's whole deal, why go through great lengths to get you here to lure Richard and me here, have us Duel then appear before the Duel even ended commanding Richard to kill me or else she'd kill you, while Evelyn knew that I would be able to disarm her.' Jack spoke his concerns.
'Who knows what she's thinking? The girl's mental she doesn't need a reason to act.' Gizelle replied to Jack's concern.
'No you're wrong there Gizelle she does things with a reason, she lured me and Richard here before, she gave Richard a fake file that made him believe Sara was alive, when Evelyn kidnapped you she spoke with Richard, and she made Richard believe she was Sara using you as leverage, I think this was all a distraction, two distractions even.'
Gizelle looked at the sky where several of Evelyn's drones zoomed by.
'Two distractions?' She repeated what Jack had said.
'Yes she wanted something, I can sense people through magic now comes with being an embodiment I guess, when I came in here I saw her behind a window for a brief second and I couldn't sense her, when she showed up at the end of the Duel I could.
Gizelle sighted: 'Another thing that doesn't add up.'
'It adds up.' Jack replied: 'Evelyn doesn't know I have that power, so she would have no reason to hide her presence, somehow the first time she appeared it was someone or something else that looked like her.' Jack spoke more to himself, he looked at Gizelle as if he wanted her to ask a question.
'So a clone of herself or something?' She asked not knowing what to say, this was way above what she knew of magic.
'I never considered Evelyn to be able to use magic, but the dead have no presence, with magic you could reanimate a body and control it like a puppet, my detection magic detects someone body heath, flowing blood, a heartbeat but it doesn't detect magic, so a reanimated body would slip through my detection spell.' Jack suddenly stood up.
'Evelyn used a necromancer spell to resurrect the bodies!' Jack shouted he sounded almost happy. 'Gizelle that reanimated body and my Duel against Richard were to distract me and Richard, she used you as bait for us and to cause panic within the Sector Security personnel, while we were Dueling she must have taken something from your headquarters.'
Gizelle stopped Jack: 'Wait necromancer spell? How?'
Jack's train of thoughts stopped. 'Sorry you don't have that knowledge I forgot, it is possible for non magic users to use spells if they have something that is enchanted with that magic, like a rune or a scroll it's a one-time use but as powerful as the real deal, criminals ask a lot of money for those, Evelyn must have gotten her hands on a necromancy scroll to resurrect the bodies.'
Suddenly it hit Gizelle quickly she took her work phone, after a few minutes of speaking to someone she turned pale.
'Sara's body is gone.' She confirmed what Jack had feared.
'No panic yet Gizelle.' Jack said as a patrol car drove up the terrain, the ambulance was right behind it.
'Gizelle Sara's body is protected by magic a simple scroll can't do a thing, even if the scroll is powerful Sara would be just a mindless zombie, one of the doctors kindly started to direct Gizelle towards the ambulance while a Sector Security officer started to command his men to secure the area, Jack walked with Gizelle and the doctor.
'So now what?' Gizelle asked as she entered the ambulance.
'I don't know, all I know is she wanted me and Richard separated, knowing that she has at least one puppet walking around she might use that to keep Richard busy, for all I know she's setting up a trap somewhere, I will contact my team see if they can use some camera's to try and find her.'
As the ambulance left more patrol cars showed up they fanned out around the area while Jack was waiting for his team to find out where Evelyn was his phone went off he put it on speaker. 'Richard, you found Evelyn yet?' He asked. 'No it's weird I was right on her tail, next moment she's gone vanished just like that, then she appears in this abandoned shop, I kick down the door gone again and she appears in the building across from me, I don't know what we're dealing with.' Jack heard Richard was running.
'I saw her too through a window lightning blinded me for a second when I looked again she was gone, couldn't sense her either at first I thought Evelyn used some necromancy to summon a zombie that looks like her, but I start to doubt that's the case, I will try to find out what's going on until that time be careful, this is something neither of us has dealt with before.'
After a few minutes another patrol car stopped next to him, Violet stepped out of the back.
'Am I glad to see you.' Jack said as he saw his friend.
'You okay Jack?' She asked Jack nodded: 'Waiting for the location of Evelyn, speaking of is Rini with you?'
Carefully Rini stepped out of the car she showed Jack a smile, when she took a step she nearly fell Violet caught her she placed Rini's arm around her neck to support her.
'Rini.' Jack spoke his voice sounded serious: 'Your studies were on culture over the entire world were they not?' He asked Rini nodded as confirmation.
'Was mythology included?' Jack asked Rini shook her head. 'No it wasn't but I did that as an unofficial side study, I never graduated for that and my knowledge might not be on par.' Jack stopped her.
'That's good enough for me, I need something of an idea we're dealing with here, there's two of Evelyn the one Richard went after and the other one we're trying to track down, the other Evelyn I couldn't sense with my magic which means she's not alive, I was thinking about necromancy but resurrecting a zombie doesn't make them look like someone else.'
Rini sat down on the platform Violet sat next to her she casually placed her arm around Rini, Rini crawled up to her. 'It's not a zombie Jack can't be.' Rini softly spoke her eyes were fixated on Violet.
'Zombies are literally the bodies of the undead, they can't be dissolved too much yet, zombies retain a semblance of who they were in life, if the magic that resurrected them is powerful they can even speak, but something is off about them though, their sentences are wrong if they can speak, they walk in a funny way and they are always angry.' Rini explained Jack shook his head. 'That's not what I saw.' He confirmed Rini's thoughts.
'I'm thinking a Doppelganger Jack.' Rini then spoke: 'Doppelgangers are old appearing everywhere in history and folklore, if you find someone who looks like you the name Doppelganger is jokingly used, in old times Doppelgangers were believed to be harbingers of misfortune, identical twins were always accused that one of them was a Doppelganger.'
Jack stood up. 'I've heard the term of course, but how much of those stories is true?' He asked. 'Well every folk tale has some truth, of course that with the identical twins in nonsense and more people have look-a-likes but in those cases there are differences, when dealing with a Doppelganger they are truly identical, they're spirits, malicious spirits originating in Europe several countries have different versions of them but they all do the same thing.' Rini explained.
'Wait spirit as in ghost?' Jack asked this made Rini laugh, she quickly stopped as she realized she was laughing at her boss she blushed Jack gave Violet a thumbs up who on her turn told Rini it was okay. 'Ghosts and spirits.' Rini continued as she tried not to laugh again: 'They aren't the same thing Jack, a ghost is just what remains of a person after they die and don't move on to the other world, over time they become angry and that's when the haunting begins, you simply spread salt over their bones and burn them, spirits can be anything something that people can't see or doesn't have a corporeal form is a spirit.' Rini continued like this was just a normal conversation topic for her Jack sat down again slightly confused. 'So a Doppelganger.' Rini continued: 'When coming into this world it appears as a white fog or mist, in order to be able to do something they need a form so they copy most of the times the first human that walks near or through their mist.' She took a quick glance at Jack to see if he was still listening before she turned her attention back to Violet again. 'If you're lucky you get a less malicious Doppelganger those feed on your misery, they stalk you, learn your routines then rob a jewelry store leave enough evidence to land you in jail, while you waste away there they become stronger from your misery, those Doppelgangers came here by accident and just want to get stronger to return to where they came from. If you're unlucky you get a malicious Doppelganger they simply want you dead and replace you.' Rini concluded.
'So Rini, if I understand you correctly Evelyn has a Doppelganger after her? But why did it show itself to me? Like it was stalking me and it seems Richard has encountered it too the Doppelganger is toying with him, that doesn't sound like anything you just told me Rini.'
Violet gently touched Rini's cheek as she saw her friend getting down a bit, Rini placed her head against Violet's chest. 'Jack?' Rini softly spoke: 'Does Evelyn have any magic?'
Jack shook his head: 'Don't know we have some reports of her from several psychiatrists she saw some were Aware they didn't report any sign of magical abilities, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have them, why do you ask?' Rini turned her head to look at Jack. 'There are binding spells for several supernatural beings, Doppelgangers being one of them, you want someone dead without leaving any evidence, you stick a Doppelganger on them, but if someone is powerful enough in theory they can summon a Doppelganger with a binding spell and then use their magic to control that Doppelganger, this way you can let the Doppelganger do whatever you want, have them change into someone you hate then have the Doppelganger kill another person you don't like, you send the Doppelganger away and the person the Doppelganger copied is suddenly charged with murder.'
Jack placed his hand on Rini's shoulder she recoiled a bit, Jack took his phone from the platform and put it away.
'Rini you did great, you're great Richard was still on the line he's heard everything, he knows what he's dealing with now so any way to kill a Doppelganger?' Jack asked.
Jack listened carefully to Rini, once she was done he texted a brief summary to Richard.
Violet helped Rini get into the card before she herself could get in Jack called her over. 'Is Rini okay?'
Violet sighted. 'It's Kailyn, she helps Rini to control her emotions, since Kailyn can't always be with us she created something to calm her down whenever she needs it, one of the side effects for the first few times is that you appear to be drunk.'
Jack saw Violet did her best not to laugh, suddenly she got serious.
'As long as she's distracted things are fine like when she got to explain you what you were facing, then when you told her you saw that Doppelganger and that didn't line up with what she told you, she got emotional.'
Jack looked Violet in her eyes. 'I'm sorry about that, I'm under a lot of stress right now but that isn't an excuse for my behavior, I should have considered her feelings.'
Violet shook her head. 'Don't Jack, that Earthbound God did a number on her, she needs things like this to get better, she improves by the day but it takes time and Jack, I'm glad you give us that time we need.'
Jack looked through the window Rini had fallen asleep her head against the window Jack smiled. 'That is what you hope to reach with the tournament right? Give her a huge confidence boost whether she wins or loses.'
Violet looked at the car a smile formed on her face when she saw Rini asleep. 'She knows she can't be with me during that time, that's why I asked Serana to keep an eye on her.'
'And Rini agreed?' Jack asked surprised.
'She did I've invited Serana a few times onto our floor to hang out, she and Rini get along well, I didn't know how Rini would react to a vampire but Rini even gave her a nickname: Miss Vampy, should have seen Serana's face when she first called her that it was priceless. You should feel honored if she gives you a nickname means she likes you.' Jack saw the pride in Violet's eyes.
Then Jack's phone went off it was a message. 'Got her.' Jack said.
Jack opened the car door. 'Officer?' He asked, the driver looked up.
'Can you drop me on this location?' He asked while the message.
'That where Evelyn is?' He asked.
'Seems so, my team has looked through every public camera they saw her enter that skyscraper, no way to tell if this is her destination or just a quick stop.' Jack sat down on the passenger seat Violet stepped into the back she pulled Rini close to her letting Rini's head rest on her chest.
'Vi.' Jack said: 'When I get to the skyscraper I want you and Rini to go to the hospital where Gizelle is, guard her, we don't know what Evelyn will try.' As they arrived near the skyscraper the first drops of rain started to fall.
Next time:
With Gizelle safe Evelyn has lost her leverage although this was part of her game, she separated Jack and Richard having Richard face off against a Doppelganger wearing her face while she lead Jack to a skyscraper. Both men are in for a fight of life and death.