Some more plot advancement, and then on to the next Duel!
Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Hope of Six
Chapter 67: Demon Arc – Part 5
Hiretsuna stood on the balcony just outside her throne room, gazing out over the corruptive kingdom she created. The evil demon couldn't believe it had been only a month since she made this world her personal play thing. It seemed so much longer than that. She took in the foul air from the atmosphere and relished it.
"Look, my maimed guest." She said without turning around. "The world you see is how I envision all of Earth to be once I've finally completed my mission."
"All I see… is the work of a… ugly nutjob with a twisted mind." Ai said in a weak but defiant voice.
Hiretsuna whirled around, snarling at him. "I would love nothing more than to erase you here and now."
"Then what's… stopping you?" Ai taunted.
The evil being growled. She very much wanted to end his annoying existence. Of course, she knew she couldn't. Not yet. So instead, she gave a wicked smile. "You are my only lead to the Numeron Code's current whereabouts. I can't afford to eliminate you so hastily. Now then, I think I'll head out to the courtyard to meet my new vanguard."
From a nearby hallway, Devil Kaiser stood exactly where the imprisoned Ignis could not see him. He was pleased Hiretsuna remembered the plan, which included keeping the prisoner alive until his purpose was fulfilled. All he and his partner had to do… was wait.
Ai groaned. He wished he could do something to get the hell out of this predicament, but knew he was going nowhere. As his captor strode past him, Ai had one thought on his mind. 'Yusaku… Playmaker… I sure could use your help right about now.'
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The Four, Astral, and Playmaker listened with rapt attention at every detail of Enna's story. She explained about Lightning forcing her to duel Masumi and her team, sending the "Demon Woman" to invade and corrupt the Astral World and most of it's population, Eliphas' death by the invader's hand and Enna managing to save the remaining survivors along with herself. The group was horrified by every detail, especially Astral. Enna then went on to tell of Ai's arrival and what he explained to her regarding Lightning before proceeding to have their Duel for the Numeron Code's location, with Ai winning and unlocking Enna's memory of the card being inside herself. She held her arms around herself when she got to the part where the creatures found their sanctuary.
"And that was when the beasts arrived, drawn to us by the Numeron Code's power. Ai then made the decision to give his escape program to me (she left out the part in which it was done via a kiss), telling me to use it to get me and my people out while he bought us the time we needed. As we waited for Ai's program to take us away, me and my people could only watch him fend off those dark creatures. He was being overwhelmed by them. Their numbers were endless. The last we saw of Ai before our escape was seeing those things piling on top of him. After that… we arrived here on Cyber World, where Ray Akaba and Daitokuji greeted us and took us in." She said, finishing her tale. The rest of the Astral World's people stood aside and gave the others listening room.
The group stood in stunned silence, having finally learned the exact circumstances of Ai's failure to return.
"Man, I can't believe Ai went that far." Yuma said, sadness in his voice.
"He was certainly a very brave individual." Astral added.
"Yeah, he was." Yusei said.
"It really sucked that he had no one helping him out of that." Judai said.
"Ai did what he felt he had to do." Yugi said.
"Yes, even at the cost of his life." Atem said.
Playmaker remained silent. All he did was shut his eyes and clench his fists tightly. Ray assumed he was struggling to accept that his partner was gone for good this time.
"Everyone, I cannot apologize enough for losing Ai." Enna said to the group. "There was nothing I could do to help him. I wish there were…" A tear ran down the blue woman's face as she said that.
"No one is blaming you, Enna." Ray said in a comforting tone.
Enna could not say another word, so she merely looked down and closed her eyes as well.
"I concur." Daitokuji said. "I think I speak for all of us when I say the one to blame is this "Demon Woman"."
"I couldn't agree more." Yugi said. "But who exactly is she?"
"And why does she want the Numeron Code?" Yuma questioned.
"Also, how is she connected to Lightning?" Yusei asked.
"Those are all very good questions." Ray said. "Astral and I only got a glimpse of her during our brief connection. Nothing more than that."
"I am sorry, but I do not have those answers." Enna said with regret.
"Actually, I think I can fill in those blanks." Everyone then turned to Judai, stunned.
"You can?" An extremely surprised Daitokuji inquired.
"Oh definitely." Said the former Osiris Red Duelist with certainty.
"How do you know what Lightning's plan is?" Ray asked, eager to know.
"I'll get to that in a bit, but I should tell all of you our big enemy's grand scheme first." Judai insisted.
"Then please, tell us what you know." Astral insisted.
After getting his thoughts together, Judai began to reveal what he knew. "Okay. Here's the deal. That bad demon boss lady is Hiretsuna, who shockingly is the daughter of dear old Zarc and E'Rah."
"Daughter?!" The guys shouted in shock.
"She's their… daughter?!" Ray exclaimed in horror. She couldn't possibly have imagined any kind of offspring from those two evil beings.
"Yeah, threw me for a heck of a loop too when I first heard it." Judai commented. "After what we just heard from Enna, I think it's safe to say Hiretsuna is no better than her parents. Anyways, she was sent by Lightning to get her hands on the Numeron Code for him. Apparently he needs it for some grand master plan that involves making him and several other bad guys all powerful and godlike."
"Somehow that does not surprise me." Yugi said.
"Nor me." Atem said in agreement.
"What is Lightning up to?" Yusei asked.
Just then, Playmaker heard another voice… one he started to think he'd never hear again.
'Yusaku… Playmaker… I sure could use your help right about now.'
"Ai?" Playmaker asked aloud, looking around him. The others stared at him, confused.
"Uh, you okay Playmaker?" Yuma asked.
Playmaker shook his head in confusion. "I… I heard Ai's voice just now." This surprised the group.
"You did?" Enna said with hope. Could it be?
"I didn't hear anything." Yugi said. "You guys?" The others all shook their heads. Apparently, no one else heard Ai speaking.
"You sure you're not just hearing things cause of what happened to him?" Judai questioned.
"I wasn't imagining it. I know Ai spoke to me." Playmaker insisted.
Ray pondered this for a moment. "I wonder…" She moved toward Playmaker, placed a hand on his forehead, and closed her eyes. "Playmaker, try talking to Ai." She instructed.
Having faith in Ray and her abilities, Playmaker did as he was told. "Ai… Can you hear me?" He only heard silence. "Ai? It's me, Playmaker. Are you there?" He tried again. Still nothing. He was starting to think maybe he was just imagining it after all…
"Playmaker… I hear ya."
"Ai!" Playmaker called out, relief in his voice. Once more, everyone was surprised.
"He really did hear Ai's voice?" Yuma said, startled by the miracle.
"Seems like it." Yusei replied. Ray held up her free hand to quiet everyone so she could continue to concentrate.
'Ai…' Enna thought joyfully as she held her hands over her heart and smiled.
"Ai… Is it really you?" Playmaker asked, hoping it was true.
"It's me alright. Still alive and kicking… well, can't really do any kicking since I got no legs." Ai replied with a weak chuckle and a groan. This concerned his human partner.
"What happened to you?" Playmaker asked.
"I got captured by these ugly monsters and they brought me before their demon mistress. Let me tell ya, she's a real piece of work. She tortured me for a good long while, but it did her no good. I kept my mouth shut about Enna and the Numeron Code the whole time. Well, I would if I had a mouth to keep shut, but you know what I mean. Heh heh." Ai coughed a little. "Enna, her people… how are they?"
"They're fine. They all made it to Cyberse World, thanks to you." Playmaker said with a smile.
"I'm really glad to hear it. I knew my escape program would do the job, with some help from the Numeron Code." Ai said, sounding pleased with himself. "How the heck are you talking to me anyway?"
"Somehow I was able to hear you calling me for help. It could be our connection as partners. I believe Ray is using her powers to strengthen that connection, allowing us to talk to one another." Playmaker said.
"She's just full of talents, isn't she?" Ai said with amusement.
"Indeed." Playmaker's smile then turned into a frown. "Ai, do you know where you are now?"
"I'm being hung up by my wrists in the demon woman's throne room, with a clear view of how messed up the Astral World looks. We're pretty high up from what I can tell." Ai sighed deeply. "Playmaker, listen. She's got to be stopped. Her plan is nuts. What she did to the Astral World was just the start. She's gonna… Ack!"
"Ai? AI?!" Playmaker shouted. He didn't hear the Dark Ignis' voice again after that.
After a moment, Ray opened her eyes and lowered her hand. "Playmaker, I'm sorry. Ai wasn't responding anymore. He was most likely rendered unconscious."
"You heard everything?" A shaken Playmaker asked. Ray nodded.
"All of it, and more. While my eyes were closed, I also saw what Ai was seeing. I saw the room he was talking about, and what he was seeing on the outside. When Ai was interrupted just now, everything I was seeing turned black. My guess is that Hiretsuna somehow learned about our communication and knocked out Ai to cut him off from us."
"Ai…" Playmaker clenched his fists again, worried for his friend and partner.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Hiretsuna grunted after knocking the Dark Ignis out cold from behind. "Whoever he was chatting with won't get any more out of him."
"How did you know he was talking to someone?" Devil Kaiser asked after stepping into the throne room.
Hiretsuna smirked. "I was about to walk out when I heard the little twerp muttering something. I thought he was just mumbling to himself, but when I stepped closer from behind him, I realized he was actually communicating to someone on the outside. I heard him say the name "Playmaker", probably the one who sent him to disrupt my mission. The fool must've thought I wouldn't be around to hear any of it. Pretty stupid of him."
"What did he say to his correspondent?" Devil Kaiser inquired.
"Not much, unfortunately. I still don't know the location of the Numeron Code or it's guardian, but I did hear him admit he helped her get away with some kind of "escape program" boosted by the Numeron Code's power, and that he mentioned a talented "she". Could be Enna, but I can't be sure. However, I did hear him about to spill the beans about my plans for Earth, so I had no choice but to silence him."
"Does this "Playmaker" know where to find him?" Devil Kaiser asked with a sinister grin.
"The prisoner described my throne room, so it's a pretty safe bet his pal does know."
"Which means it won't be long before a rescue party will arrive here to try to save your captive." Devil Kaiser said, still grinning. Hiretsuna grinned evilly herself with a wicked chuckle.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
After Playmaker relayed what Ai had said, Ray, Enna, Astral, and the protectors were more worried than ever regarding their friend.
"So, Ai's locked up in the stronghold of Zarc and E'Rah's daughter on the corrupted Astral World." Yugi said.
"Poor Ai." Atem commented.
"Definitely a bad spot to be in." Judai said.
"I'm amazed Ai lasted as long as he did, given what Hiretsuna did to him." Yusei added.
"Oh Ai…" Enna cried tears of worry. She wanted nothing more than to hold him again, comfort him. It pained her to learn that Ai was at the mercy of that vile monster, the same one that took nearly everything from her. Even though Enna had only known him a brief time, her feelings for the Dark Ignis were already strong. How strong, she did not yet know. She prayed she would have the chance to discover it.
Yuma then stomped his foot on the ground. "Well! That settles it!" He then turned to Astral with a look of strong determination. "Astral! We've got to go save Ai!"
"I completely agree, Yuma. With everything we have just learned, the time to act is now!" He replied, sounding just as determined. Not only to save Ai, but to save the Astral World itself from Hiretsuna's grasp.
"But do you guys have a way of getting to the Astral World?" Yugi asked.
"I could send you both there just like I did with Ai, but it would be too dangerous for just the two of you. You can't go there alone." Ray strongly advised.
"We won't." Yuma said. "When we get back home, we'll get our friends and travel to the Astral World together!"
"You sure? That place is seriously messed up now, even for you guys." Judai warned.
"We have to!" Yuma stated, his answer not changing. "We owe Ai for getting the Numeron Code here and saving Enna and her people! I'm sure everyone will feel the same! They'll come!"
"But do you have a way to get there?" Yusei asked.
"Kaito and his father, Dr. Faker, have been working on that for the past month. They must have made some significant progress at this point." Astral believed.
"I'll go with you." Playmaker insisted. "I can help get Ai back."
"Sorry Playmaker, but we still need you here to help us find Lightning." Ray told him with regret. "Besides, it's possible Hiretsuna could have a trap set for you. We can't risk losing you."
"But…" Playmaker started, but Yugi (now merged with Atem's spirit) placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Playmaker, I know how you feel. I truly do. But this is different. You are needed here, in this world. Trust in Yuma, Astral, and their friends. Believe in them."
Playmaker clearly struggled to accept Yugi's words. He then looked into the faces of Yuma and Astral. "You two agree?" He asked the duo.
"If Ray says she needs you here, then she needs you." Yuma replied simply.
"Rest assured Playmaker, you can entrust Ai's rescue to us. You have our word that we will bring him back alive." Astral said.
Reluctantly, Playmaker sighed and accepted the fact that he was sitting this one out. "Very well. I will hold you to your promise."
"You can count on us." Yuma said.
"Yes." Astral then turned to his partner. "Yuma, let us return to our world and get this mission underway."
Yuma nodded. "Got it! We'll be back once we get Ai and put the Astral World right!"
"Good luck." Yugi told them, as did everyone else.
With that, Yuma pressed the gold button on his disk again and he and Astral were gone.
"I will log out and bring the others up to speed. Please tell me when Ai is back here, safe and sound." Playmaker said to Ray, who nodded.
"I will." She said. Playmaker nodded in return before logging himself out of LINK VRAINS.
"Please, let them succeed." Enna said softly to herself, as did the rest of the Astral World survivors who heard everything.
Suddenly, Judai slapped himself on the forehead. "Oh man! We got so caught up on saving Ai that I hadn't gotten around to revealing Lightning's master plan! I wanted to tell everyone while we were all here! Darn it!"
"Don't worry about it Judai." Yusei said to him. "You can tell us after Yuma and Astral return with Ai, as well as Playmaker when he comes back."
"Yeah. Somehow I doubt Lightning will make his big move anytime soon." Ray said assuredly.
"I guess so." Judai said, not sounding so sure himself.
"Perhaps in the meantime, you can fill us in on how you came to hear of Lightning's plan." Daitokuji suggested. Judai smiled instantly.
"Oh, that I can do. Let me say, things had been pretty crazy lately for me and my gang back home. You guys wouldn't believe what we went through." Judai said.
"I was about to say the same thing." Yugi said.
"Me too." Yusei said.
"Sounds like all three of you have stories to tell." Ray said.
"I would like to hear them." Enna asked, curious to learn more about Yuma's new friends.
Judai nodded. "Alrighty then. Who wants to recap their crazy story first?"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Big brother! This is something you should have mentioned earlier! It's too important not to bring up!" Ruri berated, clearly upset and worried.
"And you Akari! If some sicko obsessed with vampires and holding one of those Numbers came after me, I would NEVER keep it to myself!" Mirai said, admonishing her daughter for not being completely honest.
Nobody was happy when they were told of the incident with Vlad and his Number during Shun and Akari's date the previous night.
"We're sorry for not telling any of you before. I felt it better to not discuss it until at a better time." Shun reasoned.
"Yeah. Sorry everyone. We didn't want to worry all of you. Plus, Shun and I are both fine, aren't we?" Akari said. This didn't make anyone feel better.
"Yes, we are glad you're both okay. But still, you mother is right, Akari. This isn't something to keep secret." Kazuma told her, also not pleased with the delayed revelation.
Akari sighed. "I know, Dad. I know."
"Shun and Akari are fine. Let's just all be grateful for that and move on, okay?" Kotori suggested. The rest of the group agreed with her and not pestered the duo further.
Kotori stopped by after Yuma and Astral left for Cyberse World. She was then told about Shun and Akari's date, including the part with Vlad going after Akari and dueled Shun with his Number. Kotori was also informed about the news regarding Ai. She didn't expect to get a double helping of bad news that morning. It was marking her feel worse about recent events.
"Also, I can't believe a little of my bracelet's power is inside you." Ruri said to her brother while gazing at her bracelet. "I never expected that to happen."
"Me neither." Shun admitted. "But I'm glad it did." His sister nodded in agreement.
Just then, a golden glow flashed before everyone as Yuma and Astral returned.
"Yuma! Astral! You're back!" Kotori exclaimed happily. The pair were pleased to see her.
"Hey Kotori. When did you get here?" Yuma asked.
"Oh, just a few minutes ago." She told him.
Yuma looked around, but he didn't see a certain absent friend. "Is Tetsuo not here too?" Kotori shook her head, a sad look on her face.
"No. He's… still not willing to come by yet." She said with regret.
"Oh…" Yuma could think of nothing else to say.
Kotori still wasn't ready to him about her and Tetsuo's new relationship status. Instead, she immediately changed the subject to something else. "I heard about how your sister's date with Shun went. It was pretty wild with that vampire guy trying to barge in on their night out." Seeing the stunned look on his face, she realized he didn't hear the whole story. "Wait, you didn't hear?"
"Uh… what vampire guy?" He questioned. Akari stepped in and told her little brother about Vlad and his Number, obviously stressing him out more. "What?! A Number holder came after you last night?! Why the heck didn't you tell us?!" He yelled.
"Concealing something like this was not a wise choice." Astral said, not any happier than anyone else was. "As was the fact that you have a portion of Ruri's bracelet energy within you, Shun."
"I know." Shun said with a sigh.
"Hey, we've already apologized to everybody, okay?" Akari said tiredly.
"These Number holders are becoming more of a problem with each encounter." Astral said grimly.
Yuma groaned. "Man! Just when I thought we had enough to worry about!" Yuma said.
"Meaning what? What did Ray tell you on Cyberse World?" Rio asked her boyfriend.
"It's definitely not good." Yuma said before he explained Ai's imprisonment on the Astral World and that he and Astral plan to save him.
"Ai… This is by far the worst situation he has found himself in." Earth said, not happy to learn this development.
"I heard about Ai being attacked, but I never expected it to be this bad." Kotori said, now very worried like everyone else.
"Nor did we." Rio added.
"So, I guess we have two things to decide then before we go marching off to another high stakes mission to save the day." Shark said with a sigh.
"Like what?" Yuma asked.
"First, who's going with you and Astral to save his home world and Ai? And second, how the hell are we even getting there?" Shark replied.
As the gang discussed both topics, another important event was taking place elsewhere. One that would complicate their situation even further.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Luna sat on her bed, staring down at the floor. Her eyes seemed unfocused, distant. Except for working in Dr. Faker's lab and using the bathroom, she spent all her time in her bedroom… alone. She even ate her meals in there, even though Kaito and his family insisted she ate with them. The girl's thoughts kept swirling around at the ones she had lost… especially the boy she loved. 'Ryoga…' Luna thought depressingly.
A whole month had gone by after arriving in this alternate version of her reality, and yet it didn't feel that long. Throughout that month, Luna had cut herself off from everyone on the outside, even Yuma, Astral, and Shark. Especially Shark. Thinking of him, trying to recall the good times with him only served to remind her of how she lost him… and everyone else. The ones she knew. The memories were just all too painful for the young woman.
'Sometimes, I just wish I could… forget everything. It would be such a blessing. To not remember all the pain, the suffering… the loss.' But she could never forget her past, her life. Or rather, her former life. That, and her emotional conversation with Droite also reminded her that possibly developing feelings for this world's version of Shark was not a good idea. She didn't want to take the chance of becoming too attached to someone who only looked like her old boyfriend. She was even thinking that giving him that kiss before had been a mistake. The two versions of Shark may have had a lot in common, but there were also differences. Even though she still wanted to hope that her reality would be restored, she just couldn't see how.
Thus, Luna resigned to be in near total isolation. She convinced herself that when, or even "if" a solution could be found, it would be best to stay away from everyone. The girl didn't want to be alone, but she just could not bring herself to socialize either. She ignored all the calls and messages from Shark, who no doubt wanted to check up on her.
Luna then held up her green pendent, which contained the power of the Four Elements of the Astral World. One of those Elements had chosen Shark as its vessel. The girl's eyes gazed at the stone with a hint of blue within. "Ryoga. What I hold in my hand… is all I have left of you. All I have of… anything." She clinched the jewelry in her hand and shut her eyes tight with emotion.
Luna was brought out of her despondent thoughts when she heard someone knocking on her bedroom door. "Hello? Luna?" The young woman got up and approached the door while putting on a smile. She knew who it was. She opened the door to reveal little Haruto.
"Hi Haruto." Luna said, trying to act cheerful. "What's on your mind?"
"Luna, do you know where my big brother is? I can't find him anywhere. I don't think he ever came back last night." Haruto told her, sounding worried. Luna sighed.
"Kaito did say he would be back soon. But that was yesterday. Maybe he just got delayed at… wherever he is and decided to stay the night instead of trying to come home so late." She said, not quite willing to tell the boy of what she suspected why Kaito had not returned yet. "I'm sure he'll be back sometime today."
Haruto didn't seem any calmer. "But I want him to come back now!" He cried. Luna knelt before him and patted his head.
"I can tell you're worried, but don't be. Kaito can take care of himself. He will be home and be alright, you'll see." She tried to reassure the little boy. Haruto still looked distressed.
"But I don't like big brother being gone! He should be here with me! I need him to be here with me now! He has to come back right now!" He shouted in a demanding tone.
Luna frowned. Something was wrong. Haruto was a very kind and gentle boy who cared deeply about others, especially his older brother. Now he was acting like a spoiled brat that complained when they didn't get what they want when they wanted it. That wasn't like him at all. "Why do you need to see your brother so badly?" Haruto now looked angry and annoyed, surprising her further as he swatted her hand away.
"None of your business! Tell me where he went, Luna!" He said rudely.
Now Luna knew something wasn't right. His disrespectful attitude was like that of someone else. "Why are you acting like this? This isn't you."
"Tell me where Kaito is! Tell me NOW!" He shouted louder that time, ignoring the question.
Luna narrowed her eyes at the boy. He stared back, not willing to back away. A tense moment passed before the young woman made a decision. "Haruto… I think we need to have a talk with your father about your poor attitude."
At this, Haruto lost it. "NO! I must find Kaito! I MUST! If you won't help me, then I'll take that and find him myself!" The angry boy lunged forward and tried to snatch Luna's pendant, intending to use it to teleport himself to Kaito's location.
However, upon touching it, a shocking truth was revealed. Quite literally, as blue energy from the green pendent seemed to electrocute Haruto, making him scream painfully.
As that was happening, Luna saw Haruto's appearance change. One moment he was a little boy in terrible pain, in the next… he became something else. Something… metallic. The two different appearances kept switching back and forth. Luna was incredibly shocked at what she was seeing. With one burst of energy, the pendant knocked Haruto to the floor. His appearances continued to shift a few more times before Haruto's human appearance settled back in. "You… you're not Haruto! You're a… robot!" Luna finally exclaimed.
The thing that impersonated Haruto Tenjo got back up and snarled at her. "Drat! You weren't supposed to know!" He complained, his voice now sounding more robotic.
Luna couldn't understand what was going on. How and when did Kaito's little brother get replaced by that machine before her eyes?! "Where is the real Haruto? What happened to him?" She demanded, angry to be deceived like that.
The Haruto robot growled as it got back on it's feet. "I'm not telling you anything! You need to go!" Suddenly, a Duel Disk popped out of it's left arm and became active. It had four extensions like wings that make up card slots. Also, a black and green D-Gazer appeared on the left eye. "I'll duel you for your pendent! After I eliminate you, I'll take it and go after Kaito!"
Luna steeled herself as she too slipped on her Duel Disk and D-Gazer before activating them. "I won't let you!" She declared, now intending to not let that mechanical impostor anywhere near Kaito.
"Duel Disk Set! D-Gazer Set!" The two opponents shouted in unison.
"AT Vision, Link Established." Once the digital field became active, the flesh and blood girl and mechanical boy began their battle.
"DUEL!"
(Luna: 4000) (Fake Haruto: 4000)
"I will make the first move! My turn! Draw!" Luna declared. 'If that machine is targeting Kaito, then it's Deck must be made to counter his. I have to be ready.' She would do just that. "I'll begin by Summoning Moon Magician!" (LIGHT; Level 4; ATK: 1800; DEF: 1200) A figure clad in black and white garb holding a scepter stood on the Field. "Then I activate a Field Magic card, Level Denial! While this card is in play, no Monster on either Field with a Level can attack! I then Set 2 cards facedown and end my turn."
"Your defenses are pathetic. I'll prove it! My turn! Draw!" Luna did not like the look Haruto's imposter had when it saw the cards it held. "Because I'm not controlling any Monsters, I can Special Summon Primitive Butterfly from my hand!" (WIND; Level 5; ATK: 1200; DEF: 900) A yellow and purple butterfly with six wings materialized before it's master. "Then I play a Magic card, Phantom Scales! This lets me Special Summon a copy of an "Insect" Monster I have on the Field from my Deck! I'm bringing out another Primitive Butterfly!" Now two copies of the same Monster are in play. "Now for the Effects of both my Monsters! For each copy of them I control, their Levels go up by 1! Two copies means both my Butterflies get 2 Levels!"
"Now both his Monsters are Level 7." Luna said to herself. She figured the machine was going to Xyz Summon. But not just yet.
"After that, I Normal Summon Moth Boy!" (FIRE; Level 4; ATK: 1400; DEF: 1000) A moth humanoid with flaming red wings and eyes emerged next.
'What does it plan to do with that? None of his Monsters can attack due to Level Denial.' Luna thought.
The robot grinned maliciously. "Luna! I'm getting out my big bug now! I Overlay both copies of my now Level 7 Primitive Butterfly! With these 2 Monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 28! The fiery insect that spreads its fiery poison to destroy everything it touches! Titanic Moth!" (FIRE; Rank 7; ATK: 2400; DEF: 2200) Replacing the two smaller butterflies was a big white, brown, and green humanoid moth with four wings. A dark purple "28" glowed on the robot's forehead.
If Luna was shocked upon learning that Kaito's little brother was mysteriously switched with an evil robotic double, she was near speechless with what she was seeing now. "A… Number?!" 'That's not possible! Astral has all the Numbers!' Luna freaked mentally.
The robot chuckled. "Surprised Luna? I hoped you would be!"
Once Luna got her voice back, she expressed her disbelief. "But… you can't have a Number! Only Astral has them! It has to be some kind of fake!"
Fake Haruto smirked. "Oh, that's no fake. What you see is the real deal! It was a gift from my master!"
"Master? You mean your creator? Who is it and what does he want with Kaito?" Luna demanded to know.
Fake Haruto snorted. "Like I said, I'm not telling! As I said, I'm planning to surprise the heck out of Kaito with this Number when I finally face him!"
"I told you, I won't let you near him!" Luna shouted defiantly. "Nor will I let you use that Number against me! Trap card open, Rank Drop! This destroys all Monsters you control that have Ranks! Your bug is squashed!" Unfortunately, instead of destroying Titanic Moth, a red flaming barrier erupted and shielded it from the blast from Luna's Trap. "What?!"
"Nice try, but Moth Boy doesn't seem to agree with you! While he's around, an "Insect" Xyz Monster I control cannot be destroyed by card effects! Not only that, but as a punishment for trying, any Level 4 or lower Monsters you control ends up biting the dust instead! Say goodbye to your Moon Magician!"
Luna cursed as her only Monster was destroyed. "Not good." She muttered frustratingly.
"Time for you to feel the burn! Battle! Titanic Moth, Direct Attack! Fire Tornado!" A swirling mass of flame spiraled forward before blasting Luna off her feet and smashed her hard against at a wall before sliding down to the floor.
(Luna: 4000 - 2400 = 1600)
"I'll bet that burned!" Fake Haruto taunted with glee.
Luna, to her bad luck, definitely felt burned by that assault. Angry red areas appeared throughout her body, which ached badly. "Ow. That damage… was real. This is bad."
"It's about to get worse! Titanic Moth's Monster Effect activates! When it successfully attacks directly, I can detach an Overlay Unit to inflict 500 more points of damage to you for each card in your hand! You hold 2 cards, so that's 1000 more points of burning pain!"
"Damn!" Luna cursed again before she got hit by another flaming blast, burning her more. She screamed painfully as she fell to her knees.
(500 x 2 = 1000)
(Luna: 1600 - 1000 = 600)
"Oh wow, I can't wait to see "big brother" Kaito go through this! I Set 2 cards facedown and end my turn."
Luna groaned and ached from the numerous burns she endured. She wasn't surprised. It was not the first time she tangled with a Number Monster. Still, despite her pain, she refused to call it quits. She would not, could not, let that maniacal tin can beat her. "It will take more than this to put me down! My turn! Draw!" She saw something that could help her fight back. "Since you have at least 2 Monsters in play, I can Special Summon Moon Gardna from my hand!" (LIGHT; Level 4; ATK: 100; DEF: 2000) A floating, legless being appeared wearing a helmet and wielding a shield with ancient runes on it. "After that, I Normal Summon Moon Girl!" (LIGHT; Level 4; ATK: 1600; DEF: 1500) A silver haired girl wearing a cloak with a moon crest on materialized next to Luna's other Monster. "Now I'm ready to take this seriously! I Overlay my Level 4 Moon Gardna and Moon Girl! The White Rabbit of Legend, descend from the Moon and be empowered by it's bright light! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Moon Rabbit Goddess!" (LIGHT; Rank 4; ATK: 2900; DEF: 2500) Luna's Ace, a humanoid white rabbit wearing a silver robe and a moon encrusted insignia on it, emerged to battle the enemy. 'That fake Haruto didn't use his Moth Boy to Xyz Summon that Number. It must need that Monster for something. Well I'm not going to wait to find out!' "Here goes! Battle! Moon Rabbit Goddess, attack Moth Boy! Moon Light Blaster!" Luna's Monster placed it's hands on the insignia on it's head and began charging up.
"That won't work! Thanks to Moth Boy's Effect, any opposing Monster can't attack it if I also have an "Insect" Xyz Monster! In other words, you can only attack my bigger moth!" Fake Haruto declared.
Luna grunted. "Okay then. I'll attack your Titanic Moth instead!" Once the light had charged up enough, a silvery beam shot out and struck the Number in the chest.
"Don't forget! Titanic Moth can't be destroyed in battle by a non-Number Monster like that!" Fake Haruto reminded the girl.
"I know, but at least I can deal some damage! By the way, because Moon Girl is being used as an Overlay Unit, my Xyz Monster's attack delivers double the damage!" Luna replied as Fake Haruto's Life Points took the hit.
(2900 - 2400 = 500; 500 x 2 = 1000)
(Fake Haruto: 4000 - 1000 = 3000)
"That didn't hurt, unlike what my Monster did you. And what it will do as it finishes you off." Fake Haruto taunted.
"I don't think so. I Set 1 card facedown and end my turn."
"Looks to me like you won't be able to stand much longer. I'll definitely knock you down permanently after this! My turn! Draw!" Fake Haruto snickered. The automaton was going to have fun with what it planned to do next. "I activate my facedown Moth Wings Equip Magic card! The "Insect" Monster Equipped with this will be unaffected by card effects! Now no Traps will work on my Titanic Moth!" The bug Number's wings glowed fiery red as a result.
'Is that machine worried that my facedown cards would target his Monster?' Luna thought. 'If so, it doesn't matter. My Monster can still keep his at bay.' What Fake Haruto did next proved her wrong.
"Time for things to get a little cloudy! Continuous Trap, Memory Oblivion! As long as this card is in play, all Monsters on the Field will be treated as not being on the Field!"
"It will what?!" Luna exclaimed in shock. Before her eyes, a cloud of mist rose up from the floor and removed Moon Rabbit Goddess from sight. It also covered up everything except for herself, the Haruto impersonator, and it's Number Monster.
"Now with your high and mighty rabbit considered to be not on the Field, your Life Points are so wide open! How do you like that?" Fake Haruto told her with a robotic evil laugh. Luna didn't respond, but she definitely did not look happy. "Anyways, thanks to my Equip card, Titanic Moth still stays put! Which means I'll finish you off now! Battle! Titanic Moth, Direct Attack! DESTROY HER! FIRE TORNADO!" The blazing attack came for Luna again. But this time, she was ready.
"Not yet, robot! Trap card open, Moon Banishment! By banishing a "Moon" Monster from my Graveyard, like my Moon Magician, I can end the Battle Phase!" The flaming vortex dissipated just before it could harm Luna again.
Fake Haruto grunted annoyingly. "No matter! I'll get you next time! I end my turn." Of course, what was about to occur to Luna would hopefully make her vulnerable and easier to beat on the robot's next turn.
'No you won't.' Luna thought determinedly. Before she could begin her next turn, something strange happened. All around her, people she knew appeared from the same mist that obscured her Monster. Yuma. Astral. Kaito. And Shark. They all now stood before her. "What? Why am I… seeing them?" Luna asked. She also noticed something odd about them. They all stared at her with blank, emotionless eyes.
"Luna… you want to forget about us?" Yuma asked, not quite sounding like himself.
"Are the memories too much for you to bear?" Astral added with the same tone as Yuma's.
"What a disappointment." Kaito said flatly.
"Looks like E'Rah really broke you if you truly want that." Shark said, not a trace of care in his words.
Luna looked at them, slowly shaking her head. "Ryoga… everyone… I…" She couldn't speak. What she heard was true. She really did want to forget everything… everything that was taken from her. She just didn't want to say it aloud.
"If you truly want to forget, then stop resisting." Astral advised.
"It will be so much easier for you." Yuma insisted.
"Clinging on to hope for a world you'll never see again is not worth the pain." Kaito told her.
"Just forget, Luna. Forget your past. Forget your old life. Forget… everything." Shark said.
"Forget everything? How…?" She asked in a begging tone.
"Open your mind. Allow it to be purged. Only then will you finally be free of your torment." Shark instructed.
Luna was letting their words sink in. Her inner strength was beginning to fade, allowing her insecurities to show on her face. She did want to not remember anything that would cause her to wake in the middle of the night, crying painful tears. The offer was so very tempting. Except… "But, what about… protecting Kaito? And finding… the real Haruto?"
"Another painful memory that you should not have." Yuma told her.
"You must allow this experience to be purged as well." Astral advised.
"To be truly at peace, you must lose all sources of your torment." Kaito added.
"You must do this, Luna. End your suffering. For your sanity… for your life." Shark said strongly.
Luna looked at them, one by one, before stopping at Shark. Her body was shaking, which didn't have anything to do with the injuries she had sustained. The young woman felt so tired, so weak. She was tired of how her life had been since arriving in this alternate world. Nothing was as Luna remembered. No one she knew was here. She was so out of place and could not see herself fitting in. She didn't belong here. She never did. "I want… I want to…" She began to mutter as her eyes also became blank… empty… near lifeless.
"Yes, Luna. You're almost there." All four individuals said in unison. Their eyes began glowing pale yellow and they all gave a sinister smile. "Allow yourself to become pure. Embrace the freedom of not knowing the hardships you have endured. Be free, Luna. Be free!"
The mist began to close in around Luna, from the floor up. She closed her eyes and did not resist. In a few moments, she would forget all her pain and suffering. It would all end now.
But that was not what fate had in mind for Luna. When the mist moved up to her neck, her pendent gave off a powerful blue glow that pushed it back. "What?!" The illusions shouted before the blue light expelled them. They were gone.
Luna then snapped her no longer blank eyes open, stunned by what just occurred. "What the?" She then saw yet another unbelievable sight. She saw four beings once more, but they were different. They weren't human. And yet… they were still somewhat familiar. Before Luna were blue beings similar to Astral, each with a different symbol on their chests. "Those symbols!" She also saw that each of their hairstyles were like that of Yuma, Kaito, Shark, and Kyoji Yagumo. Luna realized what they were as she looked at them closely. "Then, you are…"
"Yes. We are the Four Priests from the Astral World of your reality." The beings said. "We have the powers of Land, Sea, Air, and Light. We believed E'Rah would not stop after the destruction of your world and move on to the next. Therefore, we have transferred ourselves into your pendent to ensure our power is not lost. That is why you were sent here… Luna."
Luna stared at the beings in total shock. "What?! You were responsible for bringing me to this reality instead of my world's past?!"
"Correct." The Land Priest said.
"We knew our power would be needed here." Said the Sea Priest.
"For it is this world E'Rah wished to see destroyed next." The Air Priest said.
"You were our only chance of ensuring this world's survival." The Light Priest explained.
Luna clinched her fists, anger began surging up from within. "I am the only human to survive that apocalypse. The only one left. My friends… everyone… they all counted on me to save them! I was supposed to go back in time and help prevent E'Rah's return! That plan got messed up because of you! Did the survival of my world not mean anything to you at all?!" She shouted accusingly.
The Astral Priests stood silent for a moment. "Luna… your world is not lost." The Sea Priest replied.
"W-What?" Luna muttered, not quite believing what she heard. "But E'Rah…"
"You just said yourself that you are that reality's only surviving human. You, and you alone, hold the key to save it." Said the Land Priest.
I… I don't understand." Luna said.
"Your pendent, which is tied to your very life force, has the potential to do more than teleport you to another nearby location." The Air Priest said.
"With the right modifications, you can use it's power to send yourself back to your world's past… ensuring it's continuing existence." The Light Priest finished.
Luna held up her pendent, staring at it with newfound wonder. "My pendent… can really do that?" She asked, hope slowly beginning to return to her heart.
All four Priests nodded before saying: "It can… but only if you continue fighting, never give up, and keep those close to you in your heart. You must never forsake them, no matter where they are from." Luna looked back at them. "Will you fight for their sake until the battle is won… Luna?"
The young woman gripped her pendent tightly again, clenched her jaw, and said one word to the Astral Priests in a strong voice:
"Yes!"
With that loud declaration, the mist blew away completely, showing once again her room and her surprised looking opponent. "What the heck?! You were supposed to have given up and lost your memory by now! My Trap should have shown you how pointless…!"
"Enough!" Luna shouted at the Fake Haruto, silencing his complaining. "Nothing is pointless! There is still hope for all I love and I will not give up on it! Not ever! This Duel will not end the way you want it to and I will prove it! MY TURN! DRAW!" The card Luna just drew was what she needed to put down the enemy machine. "I need my Monster back, and my other facedown card can do that! Quick-Play Magic, New Moon Phase! Until the end of this turn, all card effects from your Magic and Trap cards are negated!"
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Fake Haruto shouted in disbelief.
"With your Memory Oblivion negated, your Moth Boy and my Moon Rabbit Goddess are considered back on the Field!" Luna declared as her Xyz Monster and her opponent's weaker Monster both returned. "Now I have what I need to beat you this turn!"
"I'm not buying your bluff! My Magic and Trap may have their Effects negated, but you still can't beat me this or any another turn!" Luna smiled confidently.
"This should prove you wrong! I play Rank-Up-Magic Moon Force! By using a LIGHT Xyz Monster I control as Material, I can Xyz Summon an Xyz Monster from my Extra Deck that is 2 Ranks higher than the Monster I use! I Overlay my Rank 4 Moon Rabbit Goddess!" Luna's Monster began to be enveloped by bright blue light. "The color of the moon changes with my heart! Become a true force of the night and shine bright! Rank Up Xyz Change! Appear! Blue Moon Rabbit Goddess!" (LIGHT; Rank 6; ATK: 3600; DEF: 2900) The new Monster was similar to old one, except it was taller, it's fur was light blue, and it wore dark blue armor.
"It… It still doesn't scare me!" Fake Haruto shouted, though the robot did sound nervous, which Luna noticed.
"Looks like it does, and it should! Blue Moon Rabbit Goddess' Monster Effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, as long as "Moon Rabbit Goddess" is not that Overlay Unit, my new Monster can attack all your Monsters once each this turn!" She declared before detaching Moon Girl from her upgraded Xyz Monster. "Also, any Effects your Monsters may have are negated during the Battle Phase!"
"I-IT CAN'T!" The imposter cried out, not willing to accept what was right in front of it's eyes.
"Yes it can! Battle! Blue Moon Rabbit Goddess, attack Moth Boy! Blue Moon Beam!" A pale blue beam fired from the full moon on it's chest and blasted Moth Boy to atoms.
(3600 - 1900 = 1700)
(Fake Haruto: 3000 - 1700 = 1300)
"Stop! Stop this! I'm supposed to beat Kaito! This wasn't meant to happen!" Fake Haruto begged, to no avail.
"Time to end this! Blue Moon Rabbit Goddess, attack Titanic Moth!" One more blast from Luna's new Monster and the Number was no more. The child impersonator was knocked off its feet and crashed onto the floor.
(Fake Haruto: 0)
The four Astral Priests, pleased with the Duel's outcome, vanished from Luna's sight and returned to the confines of her pendant.
As for Luna herself, she kept her eyes on the automaton, but it did not stir. "Looks like that thing's offline." She said while breathing hard. "At least, I hope it is… ow!" She then fell to her knees again, and groaned in agony as she felt her injuries. With the Duel over, the rush of adrenaline dissipated and the pain from her burns came back in full force.
It was just then that she heard running footsteps and turned to see Dr. Faker stop and stand just outside her bedroom. He took in the whole scene and flabbergasted. "Luna! What in the blazes… Wait! What happened to Haruto?!" He demanded, seeing what he thought was his youngest son badly hurt.
Even though she was hurt badly as well, Luna barely managed to get on her feet once more before turning to face him. "Dr. Faker… that's not your son."
"Not my son?! What are you talking about?! What's going on Luna?!" The older man demanded.
"That's some kind of robot made to look like him. The real Haruto was taken, but I don't know who did it or where he was taken. You need to lock that thing up in a secure room. Try to learn from it's memory. There may be a clue to what's going on."
"What about you? You look like you need immediate medical treatment." Dr. Faker said, noticing Luna's burns.
"Not yet. Right now, I must find Kaito. He needs to know… what happened." She told him before touching her pendent, vanishing in light green light.
To be continued.