Shadowchasers: Colors of Madness

by Scarlet Weather

Set ten years before Zero Reverse overloaded the Momentum engine. A strange spike in Shadow emigrations to the human realm prompts Jalal Dragonborn to dispatch the famed "Color Guard" as an information-gathering team to the vacation island of "Pleasureland". What they find there will challenge everything they know. What does it mean to be a hero in a world gone mad?

3. Chapter 3

Have you been paying attention? The second set of results for the Shout-Out drinking game!

Nicholas Hates Boats- No, it's not Nicholas's sea-sickness that's the shout-out here. The passage discussing it, on the other hand, is a pretty clear riff on the opening of the horror/adventure game classic, "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" and Harlan Ellison's very memorable text. The original passage discusses the supercomputer AM's hatred for all of humanity. Go check the opening out on youtube if you're interested in seeing Harlan Ellison's far superior way with words in action. (And yes, riffing on a horror game but placing the riff in a comedic context was an intentional start to the chapter)

Ellen's Scanner- Duel disk, set! D-Gazer, set!

"Beware of the Rabid Gigobyte"- How could I have missed this one? While technically in chapter one, this shout-out is to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. If you caught this, feel free to take an extra shot!

Thaddeus Kleig- While not technically my character (and thus, not really my shout-out), Thaddeus's abilities are inspired in part by the character Alexander Andersen from Hellsing, as is his fanatical attitude toward the Light and the Glorious One in general. His command phrase for invoking his light-based abilities is a reference to Saix from Kingdom Hearts II, who has a very similar shout which flags his use of a Berserker mode.

Ellen's Gear- Two references for the price of one! While the system is a reference to the magical girl genre in general, the specific use of the command "Set Up" is a reference to Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha and its related series. Ellen's use of a net-like capture weapon is a reference to the character Eva-Beatrice from Umineko No Naku Koro Ni- specifically her meta-world finisher in the doujin fighting game Ougon Musou Kyoku Cross.

Harley managed four shots of pure Wilderness Bunch sacred moonshine this time. How many did you earn the right to drink?

Corrections for the Last Chapter-

Nicholas's "Silver Storm"- The internal effect of the barrier is a slowed perception of time for the caster and targets, to avoid conflicting with Shadowchasers canon involving true time manipulation. In addition, I accidentally used "trio" to describe a barrier surrounding five people.

Unseelie Shaper's Monster Effect- Nicholas states that Unseelie Shaper can be tributed to summon a level four fairy type from the 'hand or graveyard'. This is incorrect- the card report at the end of the chapter contains the card's accurate text.

"Light everywhere!"- I managed to use the word 'light' way too many times during the summoning of Voltanis the Adjudicator. That's what I get for rushing out the end of the chapter.

Shadowchasers- Colors of Madness

Chapter Three: Colors of The Past

"There is no good, or evil. Only Power, and those too weak to seek it."

-Lord Voldemort, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Pain.

Pain lanced through his head, his arms, his entire body.

He couldn't quite remember what had happened. Ezekiel had come up to him earlier. Bought him a drink to celebrate his first semester. He remembered laughing and flirting. Maybe a little more of the second than the first. In his addled state, he vaguely remembered thinking that tonight might finally be the night he sealed the deal.

Pain.

He couldn't move his arms.

Pain.

He couldn't move his arms.

The thoughts began to echo over and over through his mind, the only two solid things he knew. As his senses slowly returned, he began to panic.

He couldn't see- had he been blinded?

He couldn't move- what was wrong with his legs?

He tried to scream and it was muffled.

This place stank. Wherever it was. Where was he?

Slowly he began to understand. He was bound, hand and foot, blindfolded, and gagged. And he hurt. He hurt everywhere.

"Awww, waking up already? Good. It's about time for us to get started anyway."

Rough hands grabbed his body, dragging him across a room. He struggled. He screamed.

They dropped him anyway, and kicked him in the stomach for good measure.

Pain.

He began to feel consciousness slipping away again. Someone pinched him on the cheek.

"Stay awake, Nicky. The ritual says the victim has to be conscious."

Conscious.

What the hell?

He redoubled his efforts to escape, but they were thwarted each time.

"Eh, this is no fun. Here, let me give you a hand."

A large hand grabbed him by his hair, roughly pulling him away from the ground, and a second one tore the blindfold from his face.

He shut his eyes against the glare of the light. When they adjusted, he had an idea of his surroundings. He was in a dim room, a large one- probably the interior of a warehouse somewhere downtown, he thought through the haze of pain and confusion. He had been dragged into the center of a circle of some sort- a wide circle, drawn on the ground in something red.

He didn't want to think about what that was.

He could see the corpses on the other side of the room. That explained some of the stench, he guessed. How did he get here? Had the police noticed him being kidnapped?

"Oh Nicky, it really stinks I have to do this to you so early in our relationship but... well, rules are rules. The ritual said seven offerings linked by blood, and really I don't think there's anyone else I know who qualifies, do you?" It was that voice. That voice from earlier. Nicholas wriggled, trying to get a good look at his captor- no good. It was hard enough to move around bound like this, all he could see was a pair of designer shoes, unfortunately stained a bit red. His head was pulsing. Whatever had been in the drink was interfering with his ability to think.

'Whatever had been in the drink.'

Where had that come from?

"Thanks a bunch for giving me your family name- do you know how many Mumfords there are in this state? If you hadn't shown me that photograph, I probably would have had a hard time tracking your brothers down. And man, if it wasn't a pain dragging them all here one at a time. I mean, don't get me wrong, nothing I couldn't handle but damn! If I wasn't about to get the ultimate letter of carte blanche, I don't think I'd be feeling this good about my little enterprise here.

That voice. That voice was familiar.

"Awww, Nicky, still haven't figured it out?"

A rough kick to his ribs. Nicholas's vison blurred as he was rolled over onto his back. He looked up, at the face of his captor.

The full, well-shaved face. That blonde, short-cut hair. Those eyes. That grin. That laugh.

"Hey, Nicky. I bet this wasn't the kind of getting laid you expected tonight, is it?" His captor howled with laughter.

As much as it turned his stomach to admit it, it had to be Ezekiel.

No other living being would have found a pun like that remotely amusing.

Which meant that Ezekiel had slipped him a drug and dragged him here against his will to participate in some kind of ritual. Which meant it was the man he had been dating for the past three months, who he was just beginning to grow comfortable with, who was currently standing over him holding a curved knife and licking the edge slowly, laughing at the terror in his eyes. Which meant that it was his boyfriend who had somehow tracked down his six brothers, taken them here, and-

Nicholas couldn't scream but he wanted to.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTT

"What. The hell. Was. That?" Nicholas gasped, clutching at his forehead. The entire right side hurt, and the pressure behind his skull was unbelievable.

Tara Rae's lips curled into a ruthless smirk. "It seems that your armor isn't impervious to the influence of the Light, Shadowchaser. What vision did the presence of Diabolos show you? A time of great pain? A moment of despair? For despair is all that is left for you now."

As she spoke, Lightray Diabolos reared up, roaring in agreement.

Nicholas, his hand shaking, pressed a button on his duel disk. "Counter trap card... Solemn Judgment." He forced the words out. Despite the certain turn-around this card represented, he couldn't help feeling like his actions were pointless. "By paying half my life points, I negate the summon of your monster and destroy it." (8000/2 = 4000)

As his life points fell, bolts of lightning lanced from the sky above, striking Diabolos over and over again. Even as her monster vanished, Tara Rae's grin continued. "Do you really think an emissary of the Glorious One will be dealt with so easily?"

"By the effect of Bountiful Artemis... since a counter trap resolved..." Nicholas found himself working, gasping out each phrase. "I draw one card."

Dully, he registered its identity, and the pressure in his head lessened slightly.

Tara Rae nodded, her grin wider than ever before as she placed another card on her duel disk. "I activate the spell card, Reverse of White! This quickplay spell can be activated at any time after one of my opponent's trap card resolves and destroys a monster. If that card was a light-attribute monster, it is returned to my hand and half its attack points are inflicted on your life points as damage!"

A brilliant white circle opened beneath Nicholas's feet, and he looked down. Below him, he could see the face of Lightray Diabolos- and the head of the dragon reared back as it charged a burst of energy. Nicholas brought up his arms to shield himself a moment too late as a pillar of light surrounded him. He screamed in pain as he fell to his knees, his body scorched. (LP: 4000-1400 = 2600)

No. Not scorched. The sensation passed. The game wouldn't allow the monsters to do permanent damage before a final attack could be reached. With effort, Nicholas forced himself to his feet.

"The summoning conditions are met again, and the Glorious One's emissary descends!" The pentagram of light that heralded the arrival of Diabolos traced itself anew in the air, and Nicholas could only watch as Tara Rae summoned it again. "Unfortunately... Reverse of White forbids me from summoning monsters other than the returned card this turn. Do not think yourself safe because of this, however." The spell card Tara Rae held above her head shone with a pale, silver light, and Nicholas winced as he saw its identity. "With this quickplay spell, Book of Moon, I force your Voltanis the Adjudicator into face-down defense position! You who would stand against the Glorious One, fade into nothingness and disappear!" Nicholas was forced to shield his eyes as the silver glow from the card enveloped his field and Voltanis. When it faded his monster, who had loomed over the field like a guardian angel up until this point, had been sealed away- nothing stood between him and Diabolos but Artemis and a horizontal card-back.

Tara Rae smirked. "I can see the fear in your eyes, Shadowchaser. Now, let me show you the true extent of Diabolos's power! Absolute Light Edict!"

Diabolos reared back his head and roared- an ear-shattering noise which caused Nicholas to clap hands to his ears. Veins of light ran across the dragon's body, pooling into a massive orb of light in its maw. "By banishing a Light-attribute monster such as my Judgment Dragon from the graveyard, Lightray Diabolos may check the identity of a set card, and return it to the top or bottom of your deck." Tara Rae snapped her fingers. "I can't be certain you have no remaining counter traps, and therefore... Diabolos! Hurl Voltanis into the depths of despair! Glorious Decree!"

Diabolos unleashed its attack, causing Voltanis's card to vanish from the field entirely. Nicholas felt his hands shake as the card floated of its own accord to the bottom of his deck. "God damn it," he choked, not sure what else he could say.

"Diabolos's attack isn't done yet." Tara Rae smiled sweetly, pointing at Nicholas's last line of defense. "You called your last attack... 'Shining Sublimation', was it not? You cannot understand what it really means to be lit with the eternal brilliance of the Glorious One. Diabolos, destroy his false angel! Sublimation of Glory!"

Nicholas had enough time to bring up his arms as a shield once more as Diabolos's attack struck his monster, obliterating Artemis entirely. (2800 Atk vs. 1600 Atk) (LP: 2600- 1200 = 1400)

Tara Rae smirked. "My turn ends here."

Nicholas swayed from side to side, falling to his knees, as his opponent laughed.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Wake up.

The black, misty shape in front of Nicholas glared down at him, its gleaming yellow eyes indifferent to his plight.

Nicholas struggled to his feet, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "Ugh..."

This is disgraceful. When I spared your life that night, I thought I had chosen a vessel who could wield my power appropriately. Was I wrong about you? Will you let yourself die here?

Nicholas clutched the side of his head, pain lancing through it. Unbidden, the memories began to swarm him once again.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Ezekiel threw back his head, laughing as he kicked Nicholas in the side, eliciting a groan of pain from his victim. "Oh god, Nicky, you should see yourself right now- I bet I know exactly what you're thinking. 'Oh God, it's my Ezekiel! Whatever shall I do? How could the man I love have done this to me? I'm dreaming, let me wake up soon!'"

Nicholas moaned but noise couldn't make it through his gag. What he'd actually been thinking at that moment was that he would have given anything to wrap his hands around that sick, condescending ass's throat.

"Don't worry about it, Nicky." Ezekiel lifted his knife, licking the edge again, and drove it into the ground next to his victim's head. "In a minute, I'm gonna make sure you don't have to worry about any of this ever again. I've got some power to achieve though. And to do that, I need to make a few... sacrifices. Don't worry, it's perfectly safe!" He paused for a minute. "For me!"

The more his tormentor howled in laughter, the more frustration Nicholas felt. He struggled against the ropes that bound him- in vain. There was nothing around he could use to cut them.

This was how it was going to end.

The moment that through crossed his mind, he redoubled his efforts.

Damned if he was going to let that happen.

Ezekiel, ignoring his struggles, had picked up a duel monsters card and carried it to the center of the circle. "Let's see... mark the face with the blood of all the sacrifices, and your own before your final loss, that's what the ritual says. So I just do this..." He bit down on his thumb, drawing a drop of blood, which he smeared over the card's surface. "Perfect! Now we're ready to begin. Comfortable, Nicky? I hope so, you won't be in a few minutes."

Nicholas panicked. Not now. He couldn't be ready now.

Ezekiel grabbed the base of the knife.

Darkness spilled from the card.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Ellen's scanner ticked away as she tried desperately to analyzed Nicholas's mental state. This made no sense.

Everything indicated he was conscious- he was after all, standing up again and glaring at Tara Rae- but that dulled look in his eyes, and that dark aura seeping from his body said otherwise.

That barrier was impenetrable, to make matters worse. No way in or out unless-

Impenetrable.

Ellen whirled and began scanning the perimeter barrier surrounding the island again. She had no choice but to trust Nicholas right now, regardless of whatever he was doing.

Besides, he had just provided her with a vital clue for escaping the island.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

A lance of light whistled through space where Gideon had stood moments before as the tiefling whirled on his heels, delivering a quick thrust in response. The cultist who had attacked him grunted in disgust as he skipped backward, barely avoiding a strike which would have easily ripped open his neck. Gideon shifted his stance, preparing for the next assault.

It had been a grueling battle so far. Fortunately, Sylvia's earlier attack had destroyed the focus his opponent had been using to summon projectile weapons, and his abilities seemed limited to the blades of light he now carried- albeit, he seemed to have the ability to shift those too into spears, and reclaimed them as soon as they were thrown. This placed Gideon in an uncomfortable position. The blades of light seemed capable of cutting through anything placed in their path, which ruled out the possibility of parries and any counter which did not begin with a dodge. Their variable length and infinite supply also required him to move in close instead of keeping his distance. Let the opponent move out too far, and he would be dead. Let the opponent get too close, and his weapon would be destroyed.

In short, Gideon thought as he tensed his body for his next attack and charged, the perfect handicap. The angle of his attack forced his opponent to twist his body and attempt to dodge rather than block with his own weapons. He wasn't fast enough to avoid Gideon's sword opening a long, red line along his arm. With a scream of pain, he hurled another lance of light. Gideon cursed himself mentally as he dropped prone and immediately rolled to the side to avoid the follow up attack, coming back to his feet a moment later.

Beside him, Sylvia lashed out again and again with her whip- her opponent always just managing to dodge the attack, and her just managing to pull her weapon back before he could grip it. The old man's hands gleamed with power, and the crater he had managed to burn into the ground simply by touching it was enough evidence that whatever he did grab wouldn't last long- whip or Sylvia.

Gideon gritted his teeth as he found himself back to back with his partner again. "My lady, it's been an honor fighting by your side," he announced with as much gravitas as he could muster. Sweat poured down his brow. If this kept up much longer, exhaustion was going to be a major factor in the outcome of the fight.

"Likewise." Sylvia kept her voice level only through years of practice. Her body had begun to change and flow again as she instinctively rearranged her muscle mass, reshaping it into the most apt formation required for the attack she next planned to execute. This constant shifting kept her from tiring physically as quickly, but even with most of the shaping being done on a sub-conscious level the mental gymnastics required were beginning to tire her mentally and she knew it.

The cultists advanced, both still looking fresh- as if the otherworldly powers both wielded were somehow granting them new strength with every step they took.

"We should probably finish them off." Sylvia broke the silence.

Gideon laughed- a harsh, barking sound compared to his usual. "I suppose Harley would approve."

The two prepared for another engagement when a foreign sound entered the battlefield.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

"Well done isolating these two rats Jacob, Corvin."

Thaddeus Kleig smirked at the two Shadowchasers as he raised his hands. "I had meant to avoid such base distractions, but the Light calls my colleagues to greater things- and the Glorious One would surely not wish for their efforts thus far to go wasted."

Gideon and Sylvia tensed as they were approached from three sides. Thaddeus stepped toward the two, a white cloak of energy slowly gathering around his body. To the side, both the sword-wielder and matter-destroyer made their advance.

CRACK.

As the old man who had destroyed the ground earlier fell to the ground with a short gasp, a booming voice rang out across the battlefield. "Starting the party without me? Not very nice, you two."

Gideon couldn't help groaning. "Harley Rowan. You are late."

"Can't help it. Bastard I was tailing didn't show up on time." Harley tossed another stone up and down in his palm, grinning, even as he held his free hand to the point on his abdomen which had been pierced earlier. "Anyway, Kleigsman or whatever your name was? You should really make sure you finish the job next time. I'm not letting you anywhere near that monster."

"Persistent nuisance," Thaddeus replied as he produced two bayonet-like weapons from his sleeves. "You had your chance to live. Why would you squander it?"

"Same question, asshole," Harley retorted as his throwing arm reared back and snapped outward. The stone he was carrying made a dull 'thud' as it hit the ground not a foot away from where his opponent had stood before, burying itself.

"Corvin!" Gideon's attention veered. The blade-wielding warrior- apparently Jacob- was now helping up the fighter Harley had downed earlier, supporting him on his shoulders. "Can you yet serve?"

"The Glorious One's power within me fades not. I must." Corvin's tone was grim as he lifted the palm of his hand, recovering. Gideon squared himself to face the two.

A whistling noise filled the air, and a dull 'shlick' noise caught Gideon's attention. He leaped back and turned to the side, trying to see what had happened without averting his eyes from his enemies.

Harley swayed a bit from side to side, two of Thaddeus's bayonets piercing him- one through his right shoulder, one through the palm of his right hand. "S-shit," Harley managed, ripping the shoulder-piercing weapon out with his left hand, "Giddy, step up your game. This is a battle royale, not a duel."

"You sacrificed yourself for me." The words seemed almost foreign as they came out of Gideon's mouth.

"Uh-huh. Took a bullet for you. Now stay sharp, don't think I have it in me to take too many more." Harley's breathing was haggard. The sacred properties of his drink could speed regeneration, but they did nothing for pain, and they were never meant to be taxed to this extent. Breaking through Thaddeus's column of light earlier had stressed them to near their breaking point.

Gideon readied his sword. "Harley Rowan, I misjudged you."

This was all he said before lunging forward and vaulting over Harley, landing and swinging his blade to knock another bayonet from the air. The strike would have been near impossible for anyone else. Gideon did it with a speed and fluidity which made it look effortless. His next few steps carried him within striking range of Thaddeus, and he did so, only for the cultist to make an equally effortless block with his own weapon. Thaddeus opened his mouth. "Light-"

Another whistling noise filled the air, and Thaddeus staggered backwards as one of his own bayonets buried itself in his shoulder. Harley grinned as he ripped free the one in his right palm, ignoring the pain. "Gotcha back, didn't I?"

Thaddeus had no time to respond before Gideon's sword pierced his second shoulder. The tiefling twisted the blade, and with a sharp 'pop' Thaddeus's right hand hung uselessly at his side. "Surrender," Gideon ordered.

"-Shine. DOWN!"

Harley swore, running forward and grabbing Gideon by his shirt collar, hurling the tiefling backward as he dived to the ground. The column of light surrounding Thaddeus practically crackled with energy, and when it dissipated the cultist stood in the center- his wounds completely healed and the earth around him scorched black. "Do not take me so lightly, demon-spawn."

Harley opened his mouth to curse when someone roughly shoved him to the side.

In the next instant, Gideon fell down beside him, his sword dropping to the ground as the tiefling reached up toward a hole which had just been burnt through his shoulder. The lance of light which had inflicted the wound vanished into nothingness. "Careful yourself, Harley Rowan," Gideon managed.

Behind him, Sylvia's whip snaked out, grabbing Corvin before the destroyer could follow up on his partner's attack. With a quick tug she hurled him off to the side, pulverizing the old man against a nearby tree trunk. He slumped to the ground, still.

Harley looked at the injured Gideon. He looked at the position of the wound. He looked at the sword on the ground.

In the next instant, Jacob felt a rough hand close over the back of his head. He tried to scream, but before he could Harley had driven him face first into the ground. There was a sharp, crunching noise as his nose broke. Harley tossed him to the side and began advancing towards Thaddeus. "If you touch him again I will rip you to pieces. I will chew you up, and nobody will ever find your body." There was a deep, guttural growl behind the words, as if Harley's vocal cords had begun to snap and change in his rage.

Thaddeus leered at his enemy. "Bold words. How will you back them up?" Two more bayonets appeared in his hands. He hurled them.

Harley swung his good arm and knocked both out of the air. "DieDIE DIE DIE DIE DIE-"

Sylvia shuddered. She had heard stories about oni bloodlust, but this was beyond her expectations. Harley's entire body almost seemed to be warping, his muscles spasming as they tried to reshape themselves into a more suitable physique. She had never been quite sure what to believe about the stories of humans slowly becoming youkai, but she could see them in him.

Harley had taken the species line and crossed it a long time ago. At this point calling him 'human' seemed inadequate.

Thaddeus simply laughed at the display. "Come, then."

Harley charged. In that same moment, Corvin leaped to his feet, attempting a surprise attack on Sylvia. She dodged behind him, sweeping under his legs and knocking him to the ground. He pulled himself to his feet and charged again. Harley dodged a bayonet and locked arms with Thaddeus, both men struggling with each other as muscles began to rip beneath Harley's grasp and Thaddeus opened his mouth once more. "Light-"

"ah."

The noise was soft, but forceful enough that all five of the conscious fighters turned to face its source.

A young girl, blonde-haired, stood in the shadow of a nearby tree. Her dress was muddied, and torn, but at one point it had been beautiful. Her feet were bare, and covered in dirt. Her face was a mess, small cuts ran along the back of one arm. She lurched forward.

Harley's rage calmed for a moment. Gideon's stomach threatened to turn.

Then the girl raised her eyes to Thaddeus.

"ah."

With careless abandon, Thaddeus hurled a bayonet at her.

It was intercepted by a massive, red tail.

Harley uttered a soft expletive. "Shit."

In the next moment the girl had gone, and a howling noise filled the air.

The creature was five feet tall.

The creature was twenty feet tall.

It had four legs.

It had two.

It had one, enormous fox-like head.

It had three.

It had nine.

It had none.

It had fur.

It had scales.

It had feathers.

Its skin was smooth.

It had no skin.

The fighters looked on, fascinated, as the shape of the monster in front of them changed, flowing from one form to the next as naturally as breathing. Only one thing stayed constant through each transformation.

Nine tails.

Nine beautiful, terrifying, fox-like tails.

Finally the creature's form settled, and the nine-tailed fox roared a challenge before racing away from the combat, back into the woods.

Thaddeus sneered. "Once again, Shadowchasers, consider yourselves lucky." Before Harley could attack, a column of light shot from the sky, blinding everyone.

When Harley's vision cleared, he saw that all three of the cultists had vanished. Gideon leaned against a tree, clutching his injured shoulder. Sylvia had slumped to her knees, exhausted.

As his battle-lust faded and his vision began to grow hazy, Harley fell to his knees as well, only one word occupying his thoughts.

Bastard.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTT

The stream of memories had finally abated, somewhat. Nicholas found himself again standing in the void, looking at his rescuer- the figure shrouded in mist. The pain in the back of his skull receded somewhat. "I see," he said, staring at the misty form looming over him. "I suppose I should thank you again. If you hadn't intervened back then, I might have died. In truth, I suppose it's possible the same could be said of this situation. I had almost given up hope."

A coward's words, The voice of the creature sneered. Only those without conviction or courage give up a fight when they possess the power to seize victory.

"This is true." Nicholas looked the creature in the eyes. "But I have not yet given up."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTT

"T-the hell? This wasn't supposed to happen yet!" Ezekiel dropped the card on the ground, black mist surging from it until it formed a rough outline- a creature who towered over both murderer and victim. "Nicky? Are you doing this?"

Nicholas writhed on the ground, finally succeeding in dislodging his gag. He took a deep breath and coughed, finally glaring at his attacker. "And how the hell would I have done that?" he managed.

But you did.

Nicholas and Ezekiel both looked into the eyes of the creature, which glowed a bright yellow through the mist emerging from the card. You called me into this world, bound one.

"The fuck?" Ezekiel exploded. "Don't you mean I did it? It was my ritual! That guy in the black hood told me this was the ritual I needed to complete to get power and wealth, right? I called you here, not him! He's supposed to be the sacrifice I trade for-"

Shut up. I have defeated countless beings whose deeds were recorded in legends and the annals of history, and taken their essence into myself as power. What need would I have of a paltry offering of souls and human flesh? No, your ritual was worth nothing to me, human. The voice of the summoned being rang out. I came here because in the instant you were about to carry out your worthless attempt to curry my favor, I felt a desire as deep as my own in the heart of this human being.

Before Nicholas could respond to this, Ezekiel grabbed him by the hair and hauled his head upright, causing him to cry out in pain. "Fine! I just cut his throat, and you drink that desire or whatever and follow through with the bargain! That's fine, right?" Ezekiel grabbed his knife's handle, tugging it out of the ground and preparing to strike.

Bound one. What is your name?

Nicholas thrashed as Ezekiel's blade touched his throat. "Nicholas!" He managed to shout back at the creature. "I'm Nicholas!"

The mist shifted- the creature seemed to smile. I see. Your heart is filled with a burning desire for power, is it not? To take revenge for your lost brothers, your broken heart, the unjust world you are part of. Such a desire amuses me. It has been too long since I have had a mortal bearer. Yes, Nicholas... I believe I shall grant this desire.

As Ezekiel prepared to strike a blow, a claw shot from the mist and impaled him. He gurgled and fell to the ground, bleeding out.

The ropes surrounding Nicholas went slack of their own accord as he pulled himself to his feet and walked to the card which was the source of the mist surrounding his savior. "I wish I had been the one to do that," he found himself saying.

You shall do more. I lack the power of true foresight the voice seemed almost annoyed by this limitation of its own abilities, but I see within you the seeds of greatness. You have a hunger within you which will take you far, and the abilities to supplement it. I will add one thing more to this.

"What's the catch?" Nicholas asked even as he reached for the card.

You can never reject power. You must spend your life moving forward, working bit by bit to seize more, to advance yourself. Should I ever feel your hunger has dulled, I will abandon you in that moment and crush you.

Nicholas picked the card up. Slowly the mist surrounding the creature began to fade back into it- and into Nicholas himself. "There is absolutely no danger of that."

He took in his surroundings. The bodies around him. The corpse of his lover and would-be murderer.

"I will never stop desiring power. Because I will always need power. The power to prevent this."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Nicholas reached out, forcing his hand into the mist and grabbing his partner's body, feeling cold scales against his hand. "I have not given up yet. I will not reject your power. No, if anything, I desire it more than ever right now. Look into my heart and feel my hunger."

Your heart is full of that 'friend' of yours.

"I will take my power," Nicholas replied, "and use it to ensure that I will not lose him as I lost those seven."

The creature nodded, the mist clearing.

Then wake up, Nicholas. We have business to finish. I will grant you my power once again.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Nicholas came to in time to hear the last few words of his opponent.

"You spineless, gutless Chaser! Fight or surrender! Make up your mind!"

"Final turn."

Tara Rae recoiled slightly. Something was different now.

Nicholas placed his fingertips on the top card of his deck, now smirking at Lightray Diabolos. "It seems this Glorious One of yours got his hands on a rather impressive power." He drew. "I'll be taking that away from you now."

Tara Rae threw back her head and laughed. "A human, taking the power of the Glorious One- as his own? Have you gone insane?"

"Spell card, Counter Revolution!" A burst of light filled the air. "When this card is activated, I can immediately transfer control of it to you!"

Tara Rae hissed as the card transferred itself to her side of the field. "What manner of trickery-"

Nicholas smirked. "And now the second effect- I can use the effects of Counter Trap cards in my graveyard in response to Counter Revolution, provided I pay their costs. I activate Solemn Judgment, paying half my life points once again!" As his life point counter fell, dark clouds bloomed, scouring across the battlefield between both players. (LP: 1400/2= 700)

A storm front appeared in the previously-clear sky of the island as Nicholas raised his next card into the air. "Counter Revolution was treated as if my opponent had activated it- and therefore, I can special summon this card from my hand. Come, partner! Let's finish this battle together! From the depths of the realm beneath, reach out and grasp supremacy. Come forth, Van'dalgyon the Dark Dragon Lord!"

The storm front parted, and Nicholas's new monster emerged, landing on the battlefield. The dragon lord's body was basically humanoid in shape, but little touches- the pointed, reptilian head, his clawed fingers, the aura of power and darkness he exuded- proved he was anything but. He spread the metallic wings which hung across his body like a cape, and roared a challenge.

Lightray Diabolos answered it, roaring back. Sparks of light flashed from its body, deflected instantly by a cloud of dark mist which rose and obscured Van'dalgyon's features. (2800/2500)

Tara Rae hissed. "A demon?"

"A spirit," Nicholas corrected. "A duel spirit who I have a standing contract with, hence my limited power over games like this. Now, let me demonstrate why you were a fool to ever think you or your 'Glorious One' could defeat us in such a challenge." He snapped his fingers. "Van'Dalgyon applies an effect instantly when he's summoned depending on the card my counter trap negated. Since that card was a spell card, you will immediately take one thousand, five hundred points of damage. Claws of the Dark Lord!"

The mist wrapping Van'Dalgyon vanished, wrapping itself around Tara Rae's body, choking her. (LP: 3600- 1500 = 2100)

She rose, choking. "The Glorious One's power won't be so easily taken-" the words were slower, less certain.

Nicholas held up a second card. "Equip spell- Megamorph." Shining runes carved themselves across Van'Dalgyon's body, and he grew again. "The equipped monster's attack points double, provided my life points are lower than my opponent's." Van'dalgyon was now twice the size of Lightray Diabolos. "For all your monster's glory- can you see now, the gap between you and me?" (5600 Atk)

Tara Rae had no time to utter a rejoinder as Van'dalgyon stepped forward. I need not be told to attack, it rumbled as its claws came down. Lightray Diabolos screamed as its body was rent apart. (5600 Atk vs. 2800 Atk) (LP: 2100 – 2800 = 0)

Tara Rae fell to her knees as images faded. In her mind's eye, Nicholas had grown into a titan. He reached forward, plucking Diabolos from her duel disk, appraising the card, and placing it in his own deck. "As the loser of this game, you are subject to a penalty. This rule is unavoidable." He leaned down, whispering it into her ear. "...And for your crimes, I sentence you to experience..." He paused for a moment in thought. "The loss of your faith."

Tara Rae's voice caught. "Wh-"

"You have fought this far because of your devotion to the Glorious One. It means more to you than anything else. I could kill you now, but if I killed you, you would not suffer. So instead, I'm going to take the most valuable thing I can from you- you will sleep, and when you awaken you will have never heard of the Glorious One, or the Light, or know why you are here. You will merely be a mortal, trapped on an island which is filled with monsters of your own making. And if they hunt you down and kill you, so much the better. This is my sentence, Tara Rae." Nicholas snapped his fingers. "This is absolute justice."

The cultist screamed as her entire world faded to black.

At the same moment, the shadow game faded away, and Nicholas stepped towards Ellen, who regarded him coolly. "I want an explanation," She said, pretending not to notice the prone body of Tara Rae behind him.

Nicholas shook his head. "It's none of your business-"

His voice was cut off by Ellen pointing her staff at his throat. "You just used unauthorized dark magic in my presence and revealed an undisclosed relationship with an entity of incredible power. Furthermore, you just flagrantly disobeyed Shadowchasers guidelines by scrubbing clean a portion of that woman's mind. I expect an explanation, Nicholas. Now."

Shadowchasers Personnel Profile

Gideon, "The Sword of the Lord"

Active Period- Begins twenty years before the events of "Colors of Madness"

Specialties- Speaks Infernal, Wizard of Swords, Man to Man Combat, Duel Theory and Applications

History With the Force- Gideon does not know much of his mother, beyond that he has an Infernal heritage through her. Instead, his memories throughout his childhood were dominated by his father- an orthodox Christian who loved his son and raised him within his own faith. Gideon's lack of a surname is not meant to show that he has cut ties with his family- rather, he cut off his name in order to make sure that nobody could connect his father with a tiefling son after he went into the ministry. As a child, Gideon was fascinated by stories of knights-errant and chivalry- joining the Shadowchasers was his first step toward achieving that goal.

However, before that point, he was rescued by them. Attacked by an angry lynch mob who smelled his Demon heritage on him, Gideon was saved by the intervention of Jalal himself. Vowing fealty, Gideon joined the Shadowchasers and dedicated himself to studying what he considered the 'twin arts' of the Chaser- the martial disciplines of swordplay and Duel Monsters. In the process, he unlocked a natural talent- a gift for using a blade which transcends words. While naturally right-handed, he's capable of wielding his blade in either hand due to an intense regimen of practice.

Keywords- Blade User, Partnership, Champion, Duelist

Moreso than any other member of the "Color Guard", Gideon treats the game of Duel Monsters with respect and décor, and is quicker to reach for his duel disk- or any non-violent solution- than his team members. When talking about the team, it's not an exaggeration to say that barring any supernatural intervention, Gideon is the most skilled duelist among them- his abilities at duel monsters could easily get him a job in the professional sphere, and it's well known that his one 'dirty secret' is practicing in underground arenas with slightly less than savory conditions- such as the long-forbidden "ante rule". His major role model as a duelist is Edo Phoenix, who he saw duel as a child and has a strong sense of admiration for- he's gone on record as saying he might trade a limb for a copy of "Destiny Hero Plasma".

Gideon's friendship with Nicholas is born of mutual admiration. While Gideon is staunchly loyal to Jalal, he finds his friend's commitment to justice admirable as well, and is willing to stand by him provided he isn't asked to pick sides. Nicholas was also the first Shadowchaser stationed with Gideon to see him as an ally and partner first, and not a potential liability or turncoat, which Gideon regarded as a refreshing change. He does not appear to have noticed Nicholas's deeper feelings for him, and thus it is impossible to gauge his response to them- beyond the fact that even if he did not reciprocate, it would be difficult to imagining him abandoning his friend.

Homebrew Card Report!

Counter Revolution

Normal Spell

After this card its played, transfer ownership of it to your opponent this turn (treat this card as if your opponent had activated it). Either player can respond to this card's activation with the effect of a Counter Trap in their graveyard (all activation costs must still be paid).