Brother vs Brother; Duel Between the Stars

Over to the side, those captured looked on as Chaser’s undead knight swung his fencing blade before giving what appeared to be a salute at House. They watched as the two orbs orbited around it slowly while a feeling of dread and nervousness flowed through them.

“This is bad,” whispered Wallflower, her green hands gripping at the bars of her cage more tightly. “Really bad.”

“I know,” said Autumn, a brief shutter running through her body and not from the coldness of the water.

“I don’t get it,” said Star Chart, who tilted her head a bit to the side. “It’s only got 2000 attack points. It can’t beat over Hunter’s fusion and all of his little maids are in defense mode.”

“That’s true ma’am,” said Breaburn, a hint of nervousness in his voice. “But, see, attack points don’t mean much when it comes to effects. Take that there slasher. As long as it has material on it, Hunter’s monsters don’t mean a lick. It can sidestep them and attack Hunter directly as easy as spreading butter over hot out of the oven bread. An if Hunter uses any card effects, it can detach one its material ta snipe the gun right out of his hand.”

“And Hunter doesn’t have more than 2000 life points,” said Moondancer with a gulp. “Meaning, if this next attack hits, Hunter will lose.”

-Star Hunter’s Life Points: 1400-

-Star Chaser’s Life Points: 12700-

“Now Hunter, prepare for the end!” declared Chaser, his eyes wild once more. “I could just destroy you like this, but I want this to hurt you as much as possible. So I will build the overlay network once more to bring about one of the strongest of all XYZ monsters!” Hunter watched, stone faced, as the portal returned to the field. “Oh puny, useless little bug now caught in the web of a greater predator. Feel your life drain as you struggle in vain! Advanced XYZ summon! Rank 11! Number 84: Pain Gainer!” Crawling out of the portal with three materials orbiting around it was a mostly green spider with the number 84 tattooed on its rump. Pain Gainer’s (0/0) mandibles constantly twitched as its three red eyes stared at Hunter.

“Soon, this monster will become something even greater!” declared Chaser with a grin. “I bet those in the back row are wondering how someone as amazing as me could pull off such a feat. Well, Pain Gainer has an effect where this monster can be special summoned by overlaying onto a rank 8,9, or 10 dark monster with two or more materials attached to it. Once on the field, it gains all the material that was attached to that monster as well as gaining defense equal to the total rank of all XYZ monsters on the field times 200. Meaning its defense is 2200!

“Oh, but wait, there’s more! By removing two of its overlay units, I can destroy all monsters with a defense lower than its! So say goodbye to all of your monsters!” Grinning, Chaser removed two of the three cards from underneath his monster, causing Pain Gainer to devour its two overlay units. The spider’s mandibles stopped twitching for a moment, its jaw opening to unleash a spray of webbing that latched onto all of Hunter’s maids. Both Laundry and Nurse were covered from the neck down, struggling to get out while Parlor was webbed up along the waist in a manner as to allow her breasts to be pushed out more. Yet rather than be embarrassed or anything like that, the green haired maid began to chew at the webbing that ran from her to Pain Gainer, making a ‘nom, nom, nom’ sound as she went. However, it was no use and soon her jaw was webbed shut. As for House, she too had been wrapped up along the wait in another sexual manner before she and the others were dragged closer to Chaser’s monster. However, half way through, House cut through her biddings before leaping back to her spot in front of Hunter.

“Sorry Chaser, but you forgot about my spell card,” said Hunter in a solemn tone. “Dragonmaid Welcome raised the attack and defense of all my monsters. And while the others sadly came up short, House’s new defense allowed her to survive.”

“You think that matters?” demanded Chaser coldly as the other Dragonmaid were devoured by Pain Gainer, who made loud crunching noises as it ate them. He then chuckled darkly as his extra deck opened up. “Now that all those bitches are gone, I can attack you without worrying about that ugly hag’s effect. Now I will rebuild the overlay network and show all of you why I am the god of this world!” Another portal appeared on the field, only this one was placed behind Chaser. Large and imposing, Hunter could see into the darkness several long legs that were shaking madly while making a chittering sound that caused the hair on the back of his neck to raise. “Pride, lust, gluttony, greed, wrath, envy, and sloth! Bow before your master now and take on thy greatest form! Advanced XYZ summon! Rank 12! Number 77: The Seven Sins!” Both Hunter and House took a step back as a monster that filled the entire room behind Chaser appeared. The Seven Sins (4000/3000) was another spider, white this time with light blue blades at the end of each of its legs. Without seeming to care, it pierced Pain Gainer on one of those legs as it walked out. Like how Pain Gainer had devoured Hunter’s maids, The Seven Sins began to feast on the much smaller spider as it took its overlay units for itself.

“A pity for me that I can’t use its effect,” said Chaser with a grin. “Otherwise this duel would be over. Well, not like I’ll really need it. I attack that annoyingly ugly maid with The Seven Sins!” At the end of each of its legs, a red orb appeared before lights shot out of them. These lights moved about until they created a large seven pointed star pentagram. House Dragonmaid did nothing other than lower her head as the pentagram turned into a massive beam, destroying her in an instant. The force flung Hunter backwards and, despite still feeling the hands still holding him up, fell to the ground.

-Star Hunter’s Life Points: 400-

As pain flooded Hunter’s body once more he heard the sounds of the others being dropped into the water once more. Slowly, Hunter struggled to get up while shooting a glance over at them. To his horror, they were now all submerged all the way to their chin. Some like Autumn seemed to be bobbing a little, as if to keep themselves a float while their hands clung onto the bars. But all of their heads were now pressed onto the roofs of their cages, showing that if they fell anymore it would likely be the end for them.

“There’s nothing more you can do Hunter,” said Chaser smugly as Hunter slowly got back to his feet, feeling blood rolling down his chin. “Next turn, I will win. There is nothing in your deck that can compare to the might of this monster.”

Chaser watched his brother as he struggled to stand, that last attack doing a number on his pathetic body. He could see Hunter bleeding, panting away as he waited for his next turn. Oh, if only there was a way for Chaser to draw out his turn more in the hope that Hunter would pass out from the pain before he even got his next turn. To watch as he fell onto his knees as consciousness left his eyes while his last thoughts in that body were no doubt some retarded regret about failing everyone. Loser thoughts. Nothing more and nothing less. However, Chaser knew that was more than likely not going to happen. The timer on his turn was slowly counting down and, as much as he despised admitting it, he had no idea what the Shadows would do to him if he went past the timer. Would it just end his turn when time ran out or would the Shadows do something to him? But, more importantly, it would just be wasting his time.

Still, Chaser knew he had this in the bag. The Seven Sins had two effects; the most powerful being that he could detach two materials from it to banish all of Hunter’s special summoned monsters and then one of them would become material for his monster. The other being that if his monster would be destroyed, he could just remove an overlay unit to protect it. So even if Hunter managed to pump up one of his monsters with enough attack power, The Seven Sins would survive.

And, of course, there was that wonderful personal touch that Chaser could give to this duel making it all the easier for him.

“Alright Hunter, make your move,” said Chaser, grinning in a way that made Hunter’s stomach turn. Seeing Chaser flip flopping between his self superiority to his whinny freak outs would probably do that to anyone. Still, there was something that Hunter didn’t like about that grin. There was a sense of growing anxiety, like the kind you get before a particularly bad storm.

Doing his best to ignore it, Hunter looked at the card at the far end of his hand. The same card that had been there since the beginning of the duel. With it, Hunter felt sure he could win the duel…but he would rather have the other cards he wanted to pull off this particular combo. His eyes moved away from his hand while he slowly raised his duel disk slightly to look down at his deck. It would be unlikely for him to get the other cards needed, but there was a chance. If he didn’t he could always…

“You know, I have no idea why you’re trying so hard,” said Chaser, causing Hunter to look up briefly. Chaser stood there with a smug expression on his face as he looked over at him. “I mean, your life is so pathetic that I would have thought you’d love to switch with me. Maybe then, mom and dad might actually love you.”

At that, Hunter felt his throat suddenly dry up while his body stiffened. He could feel his hands tremble as his mind went back to that day when he stopped at his old house to find his parents were gone. People working to clean up the trash in the front yard and mow the grass. Removing the trash from the inside, getting the place ready to sell. Not a note, letter, or anything like that from them. They were just…gone.

“It must really suck to be you,” continued Chaser as Hunter felt a stinging sensation around his eyes. “The day you were born, they probably took one look at you and decided to try again. That’s why I was born, to have the child they wanted! A perfect son and not a screw-up like you! I’d say you were nothing more than an obsolete model, but that would imply that you had worth to begin with! You were nothing more than a fucking lemon from birth, a loser with no talent that everyone around you could see.”

“Shut up,” said Hunter through gritted teeth, fresh blood beginning to flow from his mouth. His body was trembling even more now as he felt his anger rising.

“Seriously, how could you ever hope to measure up to someone like me?” asked Chaser, his voice ringing in Hunter’s eyes now. “A great athlete since the day I could walk, a brilliant mind, a powerful duelist. Perfect made into reality! You could never measure up. And even though you were also their flesh and blood, they didn’t give a damn about you. I guess that’s why you tried so hard in that Crystal Prep exam. You probably got it in your head that if you could beat me once, then they might actually care about you. It’s so sad and pathetic that I’m not even surprised a retard like you thought it might work. Not even when you left, they didn’t give two flying fucks about you.”

“Stop it!” growled Hunter with more force, his vision slowly going red. He could feel the hands on him lessening, struggling to keep their hold on him as if his anger was pushing them away. But Hunter didn’t care, not as felt the rage fill him.

“You’ll never get them to be proud of your minor accomplishments,” said Chaser. “Nothing you do will ever be good enough for them. Not then and certainly not now. Or ever for that fact. Because, no matter how much you ‘learn’ or ‘improve’, it’ll never be enough in the eyes of people who matter. You will always be that little retard in my shadow. There’s no escaping it.”

“Shut up, shut up, SHU-”

“Hold on there partner!” came a voice, interrupting Hunter as he felt his anger fly. He stood there, panting and wide eyed, but silent as he listened to the voice of Breaburn. “Ah know Ah ain’t the first person ta tell ya this but ya shouldn’t let this here rattler get ta ya! Ya can’t let him corrupt you! Remember what ya said back then?”

Flashback

“Look,” said Hunter finally. “I’m not saying this because I forgive you…not completely anyways. And I would be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted so that our school could win. But I get where you’re coming from. My brother hurt you. Badly. I’m sure if you never met him, you would never have tried to hurt me like that. Because, that’s what corruption does to people. It just keeps eating away at them until they turn into something ugly. And then it spreads, infecting more people along the way. So let’s just end this here; admit we both made mistakes and walk away.”

End Flashback

“Chaser is trying ta corrupt you!” Breaburn continued to shout. “Ah did the same thing ta ya when we dueled! I kept hammering away at ya until the nail became all bent, turning ya into something ugly! An Ah’m sorry for that! But don’t be making the same mistake ya did back then! That’s what he wants! He’s just trying ta get ta ya! Trying to get ya ta lose your cool. But now…Now’s your time ta end it. Finish the duel and walk away!”

“He’s wrong Hunter!” came another voice, one that made Hunter break his gaze from Chaser. It was Moondancer, pressing her face against the bars so much that he thought she was trying to slide through them. He stared at her, her head the only thing above the water as she looked right back at him with firm determination. “The people who matter, the real ones who matter, have seen what you are made of! They know you’re not perfect and they like you the way you are!”

“Yeah, people like Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna,” shouted Pharynx. “They made you Captain of our team because they believe in what you can do. We all believe in it!”

“I’ve only ever seen you screw up once,” shouted Autumn. “That was at the team duel! That was your rainstorm. And when it was over, you tried to improve so that there could be a rainbow!

“We believe in you Hunter!” added Wallflower.

“Don’t give that asshole the pleasure of getting under your skin!” shouted Lightning. “Hit him where it hurts: his pride and then that tiny groin of his! Hit him there twice for me! No wait, make it three…just keep hitting him over and over and over again! I’ll tell you when to stop. Maybe.”

“Kiddo, you got this!” shouted Aunt Star Chart.

As they spoke, Hunter’s heavy breathing lessened as he closed his eyes slightly. Images began to appear in his mind, memories of what had been happening since he had come to Canterlot. Yes, he had experienced a bad time. From his rage at his parents already writing him off when they found out he would be dueling Chaser in the Crystal Prep exam to the realization that it was a set up for Chaser. From his parents claiming that it was his fault that Chaser got a lifetime ban, their breakdown at seeing their prized son go to jail, barely noticing him leaving, and finally when he found out they had left, leaving all their money problems in Aunt Star Charts lap.

But Hunter could also remember the good things, the people he’d met along the way. People like Moondancer, remembering the times they would just sit underneath the tree with her head resting on his shoulder. The way Moondancer’s parents and sister made him feel like part of their family, welcoming him and always saving a seat for him at their table. Seeing people looking through all of his cards, their eyes lighting up before thanking him for having the card they needed. The jabs Lightning sent his way. Standing in front of the two heads of Canterlot High as they named him Captain. His…Aunt who had always been there for him, encouraging him his entire life.

I don’t know who Chaser is talking about when he said ‘people who matter’, thought Hunter as he opened his eyes calmly. And…And maybe mom and dad…I can’t change how they see me. Not now. And maybe not ever. But, Chaser is wrong. There are people who see me and not your shadow. They believe in me! They matter to me!

Turn Eleven: Star Hunter

“I draw!” declared Hunter, drawing the card in a wide arcing fashion (hand: 7). When he looked at the card he had just drawn Hunter felt his eyes grow wide while also feeling the sting of tears. Then, slowly, he closed them. “Chaser-”

“Spare me retard,” interrupted Chaser, looking like he was about to gag. “I bet you want to say something pathetic, like how you wish you couldn’t have known what to say to prevent this. Or maybe some moronic friendship speech or some shit like that. Well that won’t work! The only thing that should be coming out of your mouth is begging for mercy, praising me like you should have from day one!”

“No Chaser,” said Hunter as he opened his eyes, a light blue glow emanating from them. “I was going to say that now we can finally finish the duel we started. And this time, no one will stop us.” Chaser looked back at Hunter, confusion in his eyes as Hunter inserted his card into the duel disk. “And it all starts with this! I activatethe spell card Pre-Preparation of Rite! You remember this card, right? It allows me to add one ritual spell card from my deck to my hand as well as one ritual monster whose name is listed on the card. I choose the spell card Red-Eyes Transmigration and the ritual monster Lord of the Red.”

“NO!” screamed Chaser, now looking fearful as he backed up. “Not that! Not again!”

“Good, you haven’t forgotten,” said Hunter as the two cards were added from his deck to his hand. Then, as the auto-shuffler went to work, Hunter placed the new spell card he had just acquired into the slot of his duel disk. “Now I activate the ritual spell I just added to my hand. By tributing my level eight Dragonmaid Lorpar from my hand, I am allowed to summon to the field the Lord of the Red in attack mode!” Appearing on Hunter’s side of the field was his green dragon, stretching out its wings as it let out a mighty roar before flying high into the air. Flames began to surround it, but the dragon did not seem worried. Nor did Hunter as his Dragonmaid circled around, shooting down to the water while he began to chant. “Great flames that burn bright red. Accept this offering to bring forth your champion! Ritual Summon LORD OF THE RED!” There was a sudden explosion right above the water that shot out in every direction, the force of which shook the entire tank as well as those captured. When the smoke cleared, a figure stood in front of Hunter. One that caused Chaser to shiver in utter fear. Lord of the Red (2400/2100) was a humanoid who was either wearing armor designed to look like a Red-Eyes Black Dragon or it was a more human looking Red-Eyes Black Dragon.

“Here’s another card that should look familiar: The Claw of Hermos,” said Hunter as he held out the card. The one that had been in his hand since the duel had begun “I’ll use it and the Chamber Dragonmaid in my hand to create a weapon powerful enough to take down The Seven Sins: Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword!” From his hand flew the dragon Hermos as well as Chamber Dragonmaid. Together they flew up before merging into one in a burst of light. Then, something fell to the ground landing next to Lord of the Red. It was the Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword (2400/2000), a wicked hooked black blade and a cross-guard shaped like the Red-Eyes head.

“Now I activate my sword’s effect and equip it to Lord of the Red,” said Hunter as his ritual monster picked up the blade. “Lord of the Red gains an additional 1000 attack points as well as an additional 500 attack and defense for every dragon on the field and in both graveyards. And, right now, I have more than enough to wipe out your monster.” Lord of the Red held the sword high above his head as his attack rose (2400 --> 3400). But that wasn’t the end. Ghostly images of fallen dragons began to appear on the field, seeming to lend their strength to the blade while Chaser began to scream ‘NO’ over and over again. Black Rose Moonlight Dragon soared around it, followed by Hope Harbinger, then Sheou, the Debris Dragon, Chamber Dragonmaid, Kitchen, Laundry, Nurse, Parlor, and then two House Dragonmaids. All this served to add power to the sword, raising that attack of the monster who wielded it even more (3400 --> 8900). After the last monster had given Lord of the Red a portion of their might, Hunter’s monster sank his sword into the ground before him and laid both hands on the pommel.

“You can’t do this! You have to be cheating!” wailed Chaser in a pathetic tone, sounding like wailing sob.

“Next up, I activate another card you should be familiar with,” said Hunter. “Dragonmaid Hospitality! With it I can bring back Nurse in defense mode! Then she’ll bring back Laundry!” Appearing on both sides of Lord of the Red were Nurse and Laundry, both of them looking a little worse for wear. Together they looked at Lord of the Red before nodding. “Then I will activate the effect of Dragonmaid Welcome, bringing Kitchen Dragonmaid to my hand before normal summoning her!” At the far end of the field appeared Kitchen, holding a frying pan in one hand and pointing it at Chaser with the same look as a baseball player making a decree that the next bat would be a homerun. “Lastly, I remove my other copy of Dragonmaid Tidying from the grave to bring back Parlor!” Unlike the other, Parlor popped out of the water looking a little water logged and taking a deep breath of water. It surprised Hunter to see that she still had webbing in her hair as she crawled out of the water, pushing up on it like it was solid ground. When she ‘stood’ on top of it, Parlor glared angrily at Chaser as she cracked her knuckles.

“Now for battle!” announced Hunter as his Dragonmaids transformed into their dragon forms. And thanks to the fact that Dragonmaid Welcome was still on the field, they all received a boost. Both Ernus and Nudyarl let out roars as their attacks rose (2600 --> 3000) while Lorpar and Tinkhec let out throaty growls, their eyes focused on Chaser as their attacks rose as well (2700 --> 3100). Then, of course, there was Lord of the Red who also gained the attack buff (8900 --> 9300).

“You think you can topple a god?!?” yelled Chaser, still sounding like he would break down crying any moment now.

“Lord of the Red, slay The Seven Sins!” shouted Hunter, ignoring his brother. Lord of the Red reacted by picking up his sword, dark energy swirling around it like mad. With one powerful swing he unleashed a blade of darkness that flew around the water. The darkness hit the Seven Sins, causing it to let out a shrill and inhuman cry as it cut right through the spider.

-Star Chaser’s Life Points: 7400-

Chaser let out a cry; one of rage, confusion, and most of all: pain. Lord of the Red’s attack hadn’t just cut through The Seven Sins, but a similar slash had appeared right over Chaser’s shirt. The crazed boy tumbled backwards as darkness cut his shirt, deep enough to draw blood as tears ran down his face. A hand went to cover what he could as Chaser slowly began to walk back to the front of the platform.

“I won’t allow this!” cried Chaser as he quickly removed a card from under his XYZ monster. “I-I detach one of its materials in order to prevent its destruct-” But Chaser’s words died in his throat as Lord of the Red flew across the field to imbed its fist into Chaser’s monster where it finally exploded.

“Lord of the Red’s effect lets me negate and destroy your monster,” said Hunter, Lord of the Red appearing next to Hunter so fast that he was almost a blur.

“No, this…this isn’t right!” cried Chaser as he looked at his empty field, four dragons looking down at him without mercy. “You can’t do this to me! Don’t you understand! Use that tiny brain of yours for once and maybe you’ll see that-” Hunter blinked as Chaser was suddenly silenced by Lorpar who now had Chaser’s head in her maw. She hadn’t bitten it off as Hunter could see Chaser’s fists pounding away at the dragon, legs kicking up a storm as he was lifted into the air. Her head then swung left and right, treating Chaser’s body as if it were nothing more than a rag doll before spitting him back into his spot.

-Star Chaser’s Life Points: 4300-

Hunter watched as Chaser gasped for air, head coated with saliva. “No,” cried Chaser while Lorpar began to gargle the water in the tank. “No, no, no, no!”

“Chaser, it’s over,” said Hunter. “Just admit you lost and-”

“NO!” screamed a teary eyed Chaser. “It’ll never be over! Even if you win this, I’ll just keep coming back until I crush you!” He then looked down at the lone card in his hand. “Change! I command you to change into something that will give me another turn! Change!”

“Chaser, just stop,” said Hunter as his three remaining dragons took to the sky. All three of them opened their jaws showing the multicolored energy forming within. It was so bright that even Chaser stopped in his screaming to look at it. Finally, all of them fired at once, creating a massive white light that whitewashed everything around it. So bright that it hurt Hunter’s eyes to look at it. The last thing he saw before turning away was the sight of Chaser, being enveloped in the light.

“But…I’m a god,” was the last thing he said before his life points hit zero, the light completely consuming him.

The world was nothing but bright white unending light, washing away the studio all around him. Yet all Chaser could do was stand there, his great mind still trying to process what was happening. He who had been born more special than anyone else in the world, he who was blessed with a superior mind, body, and magic, was losing! This…This had to be a nightmare of some kind. A sin against nature and the world itself! How else could one describe him ever losing to someone as mentally challenged as Hunter?!

Then there was darkness. The light was gone, taking with it the studio, the tank, and the morons leaving Chaser as the only figure in an endless dark void. From the left to the right, Chaser looked to see if there was anything around him. But there wasn’t. Looking down, he couldn’t see the floor but his feet felt like they were stepping on something. Was this an illusion of some kind? He could still see himself so that was something.

A giggle behind him caught his attention. Only there was something about it that felt…unnerving to him. He felt his body reacting as if it had just heard the rattle of a rattlesnake, on guard and ready to move away. He then caught movement behind him to which he turned trying to catch whoever or whatever it was. But there was nothing.

“Hello!” came a cheerful voice below him. Jumping and screaming, Chaser saw that it was the blue haired bitch that Hunter had been summoning. The one that was made to wash socks! She was just sitting there in front of him on bent knees, looking up at him with a cheerful smile.

“What the hell?” yelled Chaser as the maid just continued to watch him. “Get the fuck away from me!”

As the blue bitch’s face fell, another voice appeared off to the side. “Nudyarl, please move away from that filthy boy,” came another voice. Before Chaser could look to see who it was, the blue bitch was in the air, landing on HIS head and using it as a springboard. The force of this sent his head straight down, hitting the ‘ground’ with a loud thud. Growling, Chaser pushed himself up before looking behind him to see the blue bitch heading towards the pink dragon bitch who was holding a clipboard. Yet the pink, flat chested one didn’t seem to notice him at all. Her focus was on the blue one. “You know that Sheou told us we were to greet him together. You shouldn’t run off like that.”

“Oh dear,” came a new voice. Chaser didn’t have to turn his head to see the red bitch who, admittedly had large breasts, was walking towards them with her hands folded on top of each other in front of her. “Enrus, you know how Nudyarl gets sometimes.”

“Yeah, leave our little sis alone,” came another voice, one that sounded like it was munching on something. Walking behind the stacked red bitch, was the green bitch. She walked very casually, one hand holding what looked like homemade chocolate. “It’s just the way she is. The master never complained about it.”

“That’s no excuse!” said the pink one with a frown as she marched over to the green bitch. “After all these years, she needs to learn how to control herself. And what’s that in your hand? Sneaking into Tinkhec’s kitchen again? Well don’t come to me when you get another stomach ache!”

“Hey! I’ll have you know that I haven’t snuck in anywhere half-pint!” yelled the green one, pointing a finger at the smaller pink one.

“It’s true,” said the red head. “I was whipping up some desserts for tonight and I asked Lorpar to taste test the first batch.”

“Tinkhec, stop making excuses for her!” shouted the pink one, waving her arms around. “Besides, that food isn’t just for her! She needs to learn how to wait for dinner and supper like the rest of us!”

“Well it’s better than when she tries to sneak meat into her bed,” said the blue one, all eyes turning on her as her shoulders slumped. “Do any of you have any idea how hard it is to get the stains out? So much work for me.”

“Hey,” cried the green one, her cheeks puffing at that. “I’ll have you know I haven’t done that in a week! So get off my-” Her words were cut off by the sound of hands clapping followed by the sounds of footsteps. At once, all the bitches nodded as if confirming something between themselves before jumping high into the air. Chaser, with his superior eyes, managed to follow them and watched them as the landed in a row with a new coming in the middle. The fusion bitch.

“Greetings Star Chaser,” said the fusion bitch with a bow. Most of the others followed her example, save the green haired one who made a disgusted face before she appeared to brace herself as she followed the others example. “Please, forgive my younger sisters for their poor behavior in greeting you. I am Sheou, duel spirit and leader of the Dragonmaids.”

“You’re…duel spirits?’ echoed Chaser as he looked at them.

“Yes, that is correct,” said the fusion bitch with a smile and a nod. “We are the monster spirits that reside within Star Hunter’s deck, and only his deck.” At first, Chaser stared at the five bitches in front of him as his mind began to process what he had just heard. Then, slowly, he began to laugh wildly. Giddiness swept through him, almost making him want to dance with joy! That old fart back in jail told him about duel spirit, how they were a different form of magic or some shit like that. While he didn’t pay all that much attention to it since he didn’t have any, the what’s-his-name did bring up that they were like servants. And seeing that they were here, right in front of him, that could mean only one thing.

“This is perfect!” laughed Chaser, ignoring the confused looks of his maids. “No doubt during the duel you were able to recognize my superior skills and wish to become my duel spirits. That just goes to show that you all have more common sense than most. With all of you by my side, we shall-”

“Forgive me, but there is a slight misunderstanding,” said the fusion bitch, sounding like she was holding back a laugh. “We are not here to become your duel spirits.” The others were not doing as well, some even holding a hand up to their mouths as they giggled. What’s more, Chaser heard the sound of giggling behind him as well. One that sounded far more sinister, causing the hair on the back of his neck to stand on end. Quickly he turned around to see who was making that sound only to find nothing. Just a vast empty void.

“What?” whispered Chaser, more to himself than anything else, before rounding back onto the five in front of him. “But you just said…why else would you be here in front of me?!?”

“Again, I apologize,” said the head bitch with a slight bow of her head. “It was never my intention to confuse you. Rather, I believed a formal introduction would simply be courteous. As I said, we are the duel spirits of our Master, Star Hunter. This pledge is one we have held dear to our hearts for centuries. One not easily broken.”

“Grr, should have known,” spat Chaser as his eyes narrowed at the smiling face of the fusion bitch. “You were stupid enough to choose that brain addled loser as your master then you clearly aren’t smart enough to know a good opportunity when its standing right in front of your ugly face! Damn it! Just wait until I get my hands on Hunter! As soon as I get out of here, I’ll just kill him with my own hands and be done-”

“No, you won’t,” interrupted the fusion bitch. Chaser paused to eye her closely. She was still standing there, smiling with her eyes closed. It was enough to make him sneer of her.

“What did you say to me?” demanded Chaser as he lifted himself to his full height. “You think you-” He got no further as the head maid opened her eyes just a little. And, somehow, she felt very different. There was a coldness in her eyes, her pupils seeming to shrink a little as she continued to smile at him. His brain screamed at the top of its lungs for him to run. Run, and never ever look back for as long as he lived. But his legs felt like they were blocks of ice.

“As I said,” said the maid as she began to walk towards him, the other maids looking on with smug expressions. “I was merely being courteous. It would reflect poorly on the Master should I ever fail in such a duty, even to a beast such as yourself. But, now that the pleasantries are over, it is time for us to get to work. Starting with your magic.” By this time, the maid was standing right in front of Chaser. Now that she was so close, Chaser could see that she was a full head taller than he was yet still somehow cast a shadow over him. And the way she looked done at him, her eyes slightly narrowed with glowing pupils made him shrink ever so slightly. Words she said barely registered to him for all Chaser could think about was trying to get away.

Unfortunately, it was too late. The maid, in a single effortless motion, rammed her hand into his chest. The wind was knocked out of him, feeling like he had been punched instead of impaled. But, oddly, he didn’t feel any blood running down his body. He could, however, feel her hand moving along his insides deeper and deeper than he ever thought possible. The longer it took, the more his brain screamed for oxygen. His hands moved to grab her arm and try to push her off, but he could barely even shake it. It was only when his vision began to grow dark when she finally pulled out, Chaser falling to his knees on the spot as he began to inhale over and over again.

As he laid there, he managed to look up with blurry eyes. The maid, whatever her name was, was holding a small orb of red light no bigger than a key on a keyboard. Her eyes looked at the thing with loathing and disgust before her hand clenched into a fist.

“What?” breathed Chaser as the maid turned around. “Why are you-”

“I am ensuring that the wager between you and my Master is upheld,” replied the maid, not bothering to turn around. “Don’t you remember? If you lost, you were to stop.”

“Stop? Stop! I’ll never stop!” shouted Chaser as he sat upright on his knees. He then reached deep inside of him to pull out his magic, to bring forth a Shadow Game. Sure he didn’t have a deck, but his power should…wait, why was nothing happening? His magic! He couldn’t feel any of it! Slowly, Chaser began to realize the truth. That tiny, puny thing that that maid had held was his… “No. Not my magic.”

“Yes, but that is only the start,” said the head maid as she turned around, back in position leading the other maids. “You have proven yourself to be too dangerous, with or without this power you held in your unworthy body. I believe that more…drastic actions will need to be taken.”

“D-Drastic?” echoed Chaser, feeling more and more powerless.

“Yes,” said the maid with a nod. Then, she seemed to peer at something in the darkness behind Chaser. “Would you please come out from there and join the rest of us-”

“Surely I will,” said the voice of a southern belle from right behind Chaser. “But remember darling, don’t you ever, ever use my name in front of such a filthy little creature. I don’t particularly care for the likes of him to hear it. Right now the only ones who have the right to even hear it are your wonderful selves and, of course, the Master. Oh, I do miss the way he used to say my name.” Shaking, Chaser slowly turned around to look at the looming figure behind him. It was the maid dressed in black with blond hair. What was her name? She looked down at him, her lips morphing into nightmarish fangs while her hands turned into monstrous claws.

Chaser let out a single scream as the creature lunged down at him.

Back in the real world, Hunter fell to his knees as the dragons finished their attack, sending Chaser’s life points to zero. His breathing began to grow ragged as the holograms began to fade, the physical and emotional strain he had been put under coming back at full force. He could feel sweat forming on his brow, already beginning to drip down into the water while his stomach gave a powerful turn.

At the same time, Hunter watched as Chaser looked forward vacantly before tumbling to the ground. There he laid, face down with the grates of the platform pressing against his skin.

Then, without warning, the doors were knocked down. “FREEZE! POLICE!” came a loud voice followed by dozens of footsteps as they charged in. Hunter felt himself smile a little, glancing over at the cages still mostly submerged in the water. The police would be able to get them out. They would be safe.

“W-What have you done?” came Chaser’s voice, almost sobbing. Hunter turned to look at his brother once more, still lying there for some reason. He wasn’t moving, trying to drown anyone, over even trying to make an escape. He was motionless except for his lips. “I…I can’t move. What have you done to me?”