Chapter 19: Decisions
It had been three days since Amane went into her coma. The doctors could not tell if and when she would wake up. Hikari began spending every spare moment that she had by Amane’s bedside. She would stay until a little past the visiting hours at the infirmary had ended, at which point Yaya would come to get her. There was talk among the doctors about transferring Amane to an actual hospital off the island. Things were looking rather grim on the island, both for Hikari and for Jaden. Not only was one of Jaden’s strongest rivals in a coma, but also he had lost two of the Wicked Gods to the enemy. Plus Jaden was still concerned about Shizuma and Nagisa. He knew that there wasn’t much he could do to help with their relationship, but he wanted to do something.
Jaden was expert in love, though he was a little surprised that Yubel seemed to be, considering her previous twisted interpretation of what love was. One thing was clear to Jaden however, Nagisa was still in love with Shizuma, and Shizuma obviously had feelings for Nagisa. Whether those feelings were love, Jaden could only guess, but he believed that whatever they were, they were real. Shizuma just hadn’t fully dealt with them because she was still clinging to Kaori’s memory. Jaden hoped that had changed though. He had not run into Shizuma since the day that he had found that letter of Kaori’s, so he had no idea how the mysterious silver haired Etoile of Miator was doing. For Nagisa’s sake, Jaden hoped that Shizuma had figured out her fellings for the redhead.
That afternoon three days after the incident with Amane, Jaden walked down the stairs of the head mistress’ mansion preparing to go scout around for the last Wicked God card. Just as he was about to leave, Jaden glanced over and noticed Pegasus sitting in the main room of the mansion sipping a glass of red wine. A gloom expression was on the face of the card creator. Jaden decided to see what was troubling him.
“Hi Mr. Pegasus.” Jaden greeted as he walked into the room.
“Oh, hello Jaden my boy!” Pegasus greeted when he noticed Jaden enter the room. “I didn’t quite expect to see you today.”
“Well I was on my way out and I noticed that you looked a little down. So I came to ask what was bothering you.” Jaden explained.
“That’s very kind of you.” Pegasus replied. “Please, have a seat.”
Jaden sat down in the chair that was facing Pegasus.
“Since you asked, I’m troubled because I still haven’t been able to finish the card I’ve been working on to destroy the Wicked Gods.” Pegasus explained. “The riddle of that text on the stone tablet still eludes me, and I fear that I’ve run out of time now that enemy has two of the cards.”
“That’s my fault.” Jaden said glumly. “I should’ve tried harder to look for those cards.”
“Don’t blame yourself my dear boy.” Pegasus said reassuringly. “I’m starting to think that perhaps those cards don’t want us to find them.”
“Why do you say that?” Jaden asked sounding a little surprised.
“These aren’t exactly normal cards that we’re trying to find.” Pegasus answered. “They have a sort of evil will behind them. I wouldn’t be surprised if the cards were hiding themselves from us, only to let those who they would think would be good wielder for them find them.”
“So you’re saying that my search might’ve been pointless?” Jaden asked sounding surprised.
“I think that it might have been.” Pegasus replied glumly. “It could also be that the reason that we haven’t found the enemy who’s been after the cards is because they’ve simply been lying in wait for the ones who cards would choose to find them.”
“Does that mean that we have to wait for some innocent student to find the third card?” Jaden asked.
“I’m afraid so.” Pegasus replied. There was brief pause after that as Jaden soaked in Pegasus’ theory. After a moment, Pegasus spoke again. “Tell me, how is that girl who wielded The Wicked Dreadroot?”
“Still no change.” Jaden said sadly.
“I see…” Pegasus replied. “I’m sorry that she got caught up in all of this. She’s a friend of yours isn’t she?”
“Yeah,” Jaden replied, “and one of the best duelists I’ve ever met.”
* * *
Later that afternoon out in front of Miator, Nagisa was sitting on a bench in deep thought. Once again her mind was on Shizuma. Nagisa still loved the silver haired beauty, and it hurt that Shizuma didn’t love her back. There were many times that Nagisa wanted to go and find Shizuma, to talk to her, but she knew that it would only cause her more pain. It would do no good to chase after someone who would never love her. Nagisa’s thoughts were interrupted when Tamao arrived, and she was surprised to see that Miyuki was with her.
“We’ve been looking for you Ms. Aoi.” Miyuki said in her usual serious tone.
“Is there some kind of problem?” Nagisa asked sounding nervous.
“Ms. Miyuki has entered the two of us in the Etoile Tournament.” Tamao answered cheerfully.
“She what?” Nagisa asked as she stood up in surprise.
“I’m sorry for not asking for your permission, but I felt that it was necessary.” Miyuki answered. “Even with Amane Ohtori in a coma, there is still a good chance that Spica will win the tournament. You and Ms. Suzumi are the best hope that we have.”
“But… Tamao and are just friends.” Nagisa responded. “She and I can’t be the Etoile. We’re not a real couple.”
“We have no other choice.” Miyuki said sternly. “This year, both Shizuma and I will be graduating. As the student council president of Miator, it is my duty to make sure that our academy wins the tournament. I also wish to make certain that you are able to move on and put what happened with Shizuma behind you. To me this is the best option to do both.”
“I can’t.” Nagisa said as she shook her head. “It’s not right. I won’t do it!”
“Nagisa, this is a chance for you to start over.” Tamao said in an attempt to get the redhead to agree. “I know how miserable you’ve been since Shizuma more or less dumped you, and I think that Ms. Miyuki’s idea really is the best way for you to move on.”
“I don’t…” Nagisa began, but she could not finish her sentince.
“Why don’t we do this? We’ll duel to decide what you’ll do.” Tamao suggested. “If I win, you’ll agree to enter the tournament with me, and if you win, than we’ll both just drop out of it.”
“That sounds like a fair proposal.” Miyuki agreed.
Nagisa didn’t really like Tamao’s proposal, or that she and Miyuki were trying to force her into the tournament. Still, Nagisa was a duelist, and she couldn’t really turn down a challenge. She would just have to make sure that she won.
“All right, I except!” Nagisa said somewhat reluctantly as she activated her duel disk. Tamao activated her duel disk in response and the duel began.
“I’ll go first.” Tamao announced as she drew her first card. “I’ll set one monster on the field and one other card as well! I end my turn!”
Nagisa knew how powerful a duelist Tamao was. She had seen her duel and knew that Tamao wouldn’t be an easy opponent to beat. Nagisa wouldn’t let that stop her though.
“First I play Non-Spellcasting Area!” Nagisa announced. “As long as this card is on the field, Normal monsters can’t be affected by Spell cards! Next I summon Gemini Elf in Attack Mode!”
Two elf women appeared on Nagisa’s side of the field. One was blond, had fair skin, and was wearing a short blue dress with white trim. The other one, who was a bit taller than the first, had red hair, tan skin, and wore a short purple dress.
“Leave it to my Nagisa to have such a beautiful monster.” Tamao commented. It always Nagisa feel a little uncomfortable when Tamao called her “her Nagisa.” The redheaded duelist put it out of her mind though.
“Gemini Elf, attack Tamao’s monster!” Nagisa commanded. “Rose Petal Shower!”
The two elf women launched a flurry of rose petals at Tamao’s monster, which was revealed to be a hunchbacked old man with stringy hair and red armor. In his right hand he carried a green staff with a gemstone on top. The old creature was destroyed by the attack of the elves.
“I’m afraid that by destroying my Old Vindictive Magician, you’ve activated his effect to let me destroy one of my opponent’s monsters.” Tamao explained. “Of course the monster that I choose to destroy is Gemini Elf!”
The two elf women disappeared in a fiery explosion. Nagisa was left wide open to a direct attack.
“I’ll set one card on the field and end my turn!” Nagisa announced. Tamao drew her next card.
“First I summon Breaker the Magical Warrior in Attack Mode!” Tamao announced.
Appearing on Tamao’s side of the field was a light blue skinned warrior wearing red armor with gold trim and a red cape. He carried a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left. His helmet was like a pointed wizard’s hat that curved forward.
“When Breaker is summoned to the field, it gains a Spell Counter, which gives him 300 extra ATK points.” Tamao explained. Nagisa noticed that the large gemstone in the center of the crossguard of Breaker’s sword was glowing with a green light. “Now I activate Breaker’s effect! By removing a Spell Counter from him I can destroy one Spell or Trap card on my opponent’s side o the field, and I choose to destroy Non-Spellcasting Area!”
With one slash of his sword, Breaker sent forth a blade of green light that shattered Nagisa’s Spell card.
“I activate my Trap, Birthright!” Nagisa announced. “This lets me summon Gemini Elf from the Graveyard!”
The two elf women appeared back on the field.
“I guess you used Breaker’s effect on the wrong card, huh?” Nagisa said with a confident grin.
“I expected nothing less than a move like that from my Nagisa.” Tamao replied. Nagisa was starting to become a little irritated by Tamao’s little pet name for her. “I activate my Trap, Pitch-Black Power Stone!”
A small black orb started hovering on the field behind Breaker. On the side of the orb facing Nagisa was a yellow circle surrounded by three triangular shapes, which formed a larger upside-down triangle.
“When Pitch-Black Power Stone is activated, it gains three Spell Counters.” Tamao explained. “Also, once per turn I can move one Spell Counter from the stone to another card that I can place Spell Counters on. So I choose to put on Breaker!”
A gold beam of energy went from the black orb to the gem on Breaker’s sword. As soon as the energy disappeared, the yellow symbol on the orb grew a little dimmer.
“Now I remove the Spell Counter I just placed on Breaker to destroy Birthright!” Tamao announced.
With another slash of his sword, Breaker sent a blade of green energy at Nagisa’s Trap card, shattering it. The Gemini Elf shattered along with the Trap card, as the two elves needed it to stay on the field.
“It pains me to do this my Nagisa, but for our future I have no choice. Breaker, attack Nagisa directly!” Tamao commanded. “Sword of Magic!”
Breaker charged at Nagisa and slashed her across her chest with his sword. The strike reduced Nagisa’s 4000 life points to 2400.
“I end my turn!” Tamao announced.
Nagisa drew her next card. Tamao really had her on the ropes, but she wasn’t going to give up.
“I summon Gagagigo in Attack Mode!” Nagisa announced. A well-muscled humanoid lizard appeared on the field. “Gagagigo, attack Breaker! Gigo Slash!”
The lizard leapt forward and slashed Breaker to pieces. The attack had reduced Tamao’s life points from 4000 to 3750. Nagisa was a little frustrated because Tamao’s life points had been relatively untouched. Still, it was all that Nagisa could do at the moment.
“I set one card on the field and end my turn!” Nagisa announced.
“A monster with 1850 ATK, you do not disappoint me my Nagisa.” Tamao commented as she drew her next card. “I summon Maiden of Macabre in Attack Mode!”
Appearing on the field was a woman with pale blue skin in an ornate kimono. Several gold blades were sticking out of the woman’s hair, and in her right hand she held a scythe with small skulls carved into its handle.
“Next I move one Spell Counter from Pitch-Black Power Stone to Maiden of Macabre!” Tamao announced.
Another beam of gold energy flowed from the black orb into Tamao’s monster. Afterward the symbol on the orb grew darker.
“Maiden of Macabre gains 200 ATK for every Spell Counter on it, so her ATK just rose from 1700 to 1900.” Tamao explained. “Plus she gains another Spell Counter each time she destroys a monster.”
Nagisa knew that Tamao’s monster could become a real problem over time, but she wasn’t too worried about it.
“Maiden of Macabre, attack Gagagigo!” Tamao commanded. “Scythe of Shadows!”
The maiden of darkness sent a wave of dark energy at Nagisa’s lizard warrior. Nagisa took that moment to act.
“I activate my Trap, Justi-Break!” Nagisa announced. “When my opponent’s monster declares an attack against one of my Normal monsters, all Effect monsters on the field get destroyed!”
Gagagigo raised his right arm in the air, sending out a wave of energy that not only broke the wave of dark energy that was heading towards it, but also electrocuted the Maiden of Macabre until she exploded.
“It’s not going to be easy to beat me.” Nagisa proclaimed.
“I didn’t expect that it would be.” Tamao replied. “But I’ll win you over yet my Nagisa. You’ll see that it’s the best thing for both of us that we enter the Etoile Tournament. I end my turn!”
As Nagisa drew her next card, she realized how angry that she was starting to get at Tamao. She didn’t like how both Tamao and Miyuki were pressuring her to enter the tournament.
“I activate the Spell card, Ancient Rules!” Nagisa announced. “This lets me Special Summon a level five or higher Normal monster from my hand, so I summon Cyber-Tech Alligator!”
Appearing on the field next to Gagagigo was a large green bipedal dragon that had parts of it body, including its right wing, made out of red metal. Nagisa was confidant that she could win. Not only was Tamao’s field empty of monsters, but also her Cyber-Tech Alligator has 2500 ATK. That amount combined with Gagagigo’s ATK would be more than enough to finish Tamao off.
“Cyber-Tech Alligator attack Tamao directly!” Nagisa commanded. “Cyber Energy Ray!”
The cybernetic dragon opened its mouth and shot a beam of white energy at Tamao. The blue haired girl merely smiled however.
“I activate my Trap, Negate Attack!” Tamao announced. “This stops your monster’s attack and ends the Battle Phase!”
The beam sent by Cyber-Tech Alligator disappeared into a small vortex in front of Tamao.
“I… end my turn.” Nagisa said quite reluctantly.
“You came very close to beating me my Nagisa, but I’m afraid that it all ends here.” Tamao said as she drew her next card. “First I play Pot of Greed and draw two more cards! Next I play the Ritual Spell, Incandescent Ordeal! I tribute Cosmo Queen from my hand to summon Legendary Flame Lord!”
Appearing momentarily on the field was a woman with purple wearing dark purple robes and a large and ornate gold crown, but she soon disappeared into a burst of red flames. The flames soon vanished, revealing a well-muscled man with orange skin and long red hair. The magician wore a short-sleeved orange and brown robe, and a purple crown. In his right hand the flame lord carried a purple staff that had a red orb at the top.
“My Legendary Flame Lord gains a Spell Counter whenever a Spell card is played.” Tamao explained. “Next I play the Spell card, Card Destruction! Now we both have to discard our entire hand and draw a new one!”
As both Nagisa and Tamao sent their hands to the Graveyard, the orb on the flame lords staff started to glow.
“Next I play Graceful Charity!” Tamao announced. “I draw three cards and discard two from my hand!”
As soon as Tamao played her Spell card, the orb on the flame lord’s staff grew brighter.
“Now I move the last Spell Counter from Pitch-Black Power Stone to Legendary Flame Lord!” Tamao announced.
Another beam of golden light flowed from the black stone orb into the red orb on the flame lord’s staff. When the beam disappeared, the symbol on the black orb had vanished, and the black stone itself shattered.
“When Pitch-Black Power Stone has no more Spell Counters on it, it’s destroyed.” Tamao explained. “Now I activate Legendary Flame Lord’s ability! By removing three of his Spell Counters, all other monsters on the field are destroyed!”
With a wave of the flame lord’s staff, the battlefield turned into a sea of fire. When the flames finally vanished, both of Nagisa’s monsters were gone. The redhead was wide open for a direct attack, and what was worse was that Legendary Flame Lord had 2400 ATK, the exact amount of life points that Nagisa had left.
“Legendary Flame Lord, attack Nagisa directly!” Tamao commanded. “Fire Magic Blast!”
From his staff, the flame lord sent a tornado of fire that hit Nagisa and reduced her life points to zero. With the duel over, Tamao walked over to Nagisa.
“I know that you don’t want to enter the Tournament because we aren’t really a couple,” Tamao began, “but this is the best way for you to put what happened with Shizuma behind you and move on. Besides, you might find that this tournament will bring us closer, my Nagisa.”
Nagisa didn’t like the position that she had been put in, but she had no choice. She had more or less given her word that she would enter the tournament if she lost the duel with Tamao.
“Alright Ms. Miyuki. I’ll be in the tournament.” Nagisa said reluctantly.
“We shall begin your training immediately.” Miyuki replied.
* * *
Not to far away, Jaden had seen the entire duel, and also overheard the conversations from before and afterward. He did not at all like what had just happened.
“Well, that didn’t go too well.” Yubel commented as she appeared.
“I can’t believe that Tamao and Miyuki just forced Nagisa into the tournament.” Jaden replied. “I mean, I can understand why Tamao did, but why Miyuki enter the two of them in the tournament?”
“Maybe to keep Nagisa away from Shizuma.” Yubel theorized. “She did tell Nagisa that she didn’t approve of Shizuma’s relationship with her.”
“Yeah, but that was because she didn’t want Nagisa to get hurt.” Jaden said to the Duel Monster.
“Maybe.” Yubel responded. “Or maybe the real reason is because Miyuki see Shizuma as more than just a friend.”
“Wait, you think that Miyuki wants Shizuma for herself?” Jaden asked. Yubel shrugged.
“It’s just a theory, but you have to admit, I’ve been right about a lot of the stuff that’s been happening on this island.” Yubel replied.
“I don’t think it’s right.” Jaden said as he looked up at the grey cloud covered sky. “Tamao is trying to get Nagisa to fall in love with her by using the tournament. I’m not really sure if Tamao is really thinking about Nagisa’s feelings.”
“You’re right.” Yubel replied. “Tamao is mostly thinking about herself. She wants Nagisa to fall in love with her so badly that she’s willing to do just about anything to try and make that happen.”
“It won’t be real love though, will it?” Jaden asked.
“Probably not.” Yubel replied. “Not if Nagisa is being forced. In the end it’ll all just be a lie.”
* * *
About half an hour later, Shizuma was in her room wrapped up in her own thoughts. She felt that she had let go of Kaori, which wasn’t easy. Though the parting letter from Kaori helped quite a bit. Shizuma still felt empty though, like something was still missing from her life. Her thoughts were interrupted though when the door to her room opened. It was Miyuki.
“Something on your mind Miyuki?” Shizuma asked her old friend.
“I thought that you should know that I have entered Nagisa Aoi and Tamao Suzumi in the Etoile Tournament.” Miyuki replied. Shizuma seemed shocked by what her friend had told her, though she tried her best to hide it.
“I see…” Shizuma replied.
“You are okay with this, aren’t you?” Miyuki asked.
“…Of course.” Shizuma replied. “I’m sure that they’ll make a great team.”
“I’ve already started their training.” Miyuki continued. “It will take some work, but I’ll see to it that they’ll win the tournament. I’ll leave you alone now.”
With that, Miyuki left the room, closing the door behind her. Shizuma thought about what Miyuki had just told her, and she didn’t like it, not at all. She didn’t want Nagisa to enter the tournament with someone else. In a fit of rage, Shizuma began throwing things against the wall, tearing down curtains and tearing off bed sheets. She had made such a commotion that Miyuki had rushed back into the room. Miyuki found the room a mess, as if someone had broken into it. Shizuma was sitting on the floor with her back against the wall. A good-sized cut was on Shizuma’s right hand.
“What on earth happened?” Miyuki asked it a worried tone.
“It’s nothing.” Shizuma replied with a tear rolling down her cheek. “I just don’t know what got into me.”
* * *
Later that night in the Spica infirmary, Hikari was once again sitting by Amane’s bedside. It was once again almost time to leave, but Hikari didn’t want to go, not while Amane was still unconscious. Hikari suddenly began to quietly sing to herself. It wasn’t a special song, just one of the songs that she had practiced in choir earlier that day. Hikari had found that singing would often cheer her up a little when she was feeling sad. Hikari was so wrapped up in her singing that she did not notice Amane slowly opening her eyes.
“Hikari…” Amane called out weakly, greatly surprising the blond.
“Amane, you’re awake!” Hikari exclaimed with a tearful smile. “I was so worried that you would never wake up.”
“I… I remember some of the things that I did after I found that strange card.” Amane said as she tried to sit up a little. A sad expression was on her face. “I can’t believe that I was so terrible to you.”
“It’s okay.” Hikari said as she took Amane’s right hand with both of hers. “You weren’t yourself when you did those things. I don’t blame you for any of it.”
“Hikai…” Amane said with a smile and a tear in her eye. “I want you to know that… I love you.”
Hikari was greatly stunned and overjoyed by what Amane had just said. For a moment she thought that she was dreaming, but it felt real. She prayed to God that it was real.
“I’ve been in love with you for some time now.” Amane continued. “It took me awhile to realize it, but I’ve figured out that you’re what’s been missing from my life. You’re what I’ve been searching for all these years. I feel like I’m complete when I’m with you. I love you so much, and I want to show you and everyone that by entering the Etoile Tournament with you. Will you enter with me?”
Hikari was speechless for a moment, but she knew in an instant what her answer was.
“I love you too!” an overjoyed Hikari answered. “I will enter the Etoile Tournament with you!”
Amane tried to lean up to kiss Hikari. Hikari leaned down to meet Amane half way and the two entered a passionate kiss. It was at that exact moment that Jaden had entered the room. He had come to see if there had been any change to Amane’s condition, and clearly there was. Jaden smiled at the sight before him, and decided that he should leave the couple alone and turned to leave.
