Well, this is obviously a bigger gap than usual. I did have writer's block for a bit, and then I just wasn't in the mood to right. It's like I've said before, I only do this for fun, hence the sporadic schedule on when to expect a new chapter. But I'm glad to have gotten this out, I find it was one of the funnest duels to write yet, and it may also be my longest chapter too! Hope you enjoy, leave your thoughts on it!
Chapter 9 – The New Gods
It was cold at the helipad, Chancellor Sheppard noted. He didn't know if it was the weather, or just the sombre mood that threatened to take over the Academy itself. It was odd that everyone on the island seemed to feel down, when only a select few people knew exactly what had happened.
Sheppard had entrusted seven people, compromising of his top students and some staff members, with Spirit Keys. There had been rumours of a group called The Shadow Riders making their way towards Duel Academy in order to obtain a power that could rival The Egyptian Gods (or so they said, because really, what COULD rival The God Cards?)
Uria, Lord of Searing Flames. Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder. Raviel, Lord of Phantasms. Collectively, they were known as The Sacred Beasts. And now they were lost, to a foe Sheppard didn't even know. But he had heard about the damage done. A single man, using the power of The Winged Dragon of Ra, had defeated all Spirit Key holders with ease, making even a monster as the legendary Five-Headed Dragon look like a joke. Part of Sheppard wished he had chosen to protect one of the keys, but he knew that would have been a fruitless endeavour; the man would have just beaten him too.
The sound of the helicopter interrupted his thoughts. As he looked over it, he pondered how serious Seto Kaiba felt the situation was if he was also bringing along Joey Wheeler and Yugi Moto. Sheppard had heard the stories. Everyone had. Of the countless times these three had worked to save the world, and how they always came out against the odds to be victorious. Sheppard didn't know if he believed all the tales he had been told, but in that moment, he had never wanted it to be truer.
The moment the chopper lander, and when its noise had quieted, the silence was the loudest sound Sheppard had ever heard. Seto Kaiba was the first to step out, followed by Yugi with Joey bringing up the rear. They wore unreadable faces, yet Sheppard could still feel the tone surrounding them. Nodding, he began his way back to his office, as the three visitors followed suit.
No words were spoken in the journey. It seemed to on for hours, as Sheppard waited for the dam to break, because surely it would. Surely, they would start yelling at him for being so foolish to trust students. He felt the guilt eating away at him. He had given kids a burden that no one should have to bear. So, once they had reached his office, once they were all seated, he waited for it to come.
But it never did.
"Tell us what happened," Kaiba spoke in a whisper, and it caught the Chancellor completely off guard to hear the school's owner sound so…defeated, that was the word. Seto Kaiba sounded like he was already close to giving up. "Everything you know, you tell us. Leave nothing out.
Sheppard nodded before he began to speak. "I entrusted five students, the school's top five, and two staff members with the Spirit Keys. The Spirit Keys guard the Sprit Gates, which are used to hold the Sacred Beast cards. One man, who each Spirit Key holder reported had the Winged Dragon of Ra in his possession, defeated each holder in a duel. When we checked the Spirit Gates, hey were open, without any sign of the Sacred Beasts. We have no idea where they are." Sheppard looked to the three for reactions. Kaiba had the same defeated look he had before, but it almost seemed like he was trying to force it away. Yugi looked deep in thought, as if he was running every single possibility through his mind, trying to figure out what their next move would be. Joey looked angry, and it was him that broke the silence. "So, it was Marik."
At that proclamation, Sheppard's eyebrows raised. "I'm sorry, Mr. Wheeler, but who on Earth is Marik?"
It was Yugi who spoke next. "Marik Ishtar, Chancellor Sheppard. Marik Ishtar is the man who defeated the Spirit Key holders."
Something about that name seemed familiar, it rang a distant bell in Sheppard's head. He pondered the name for a while, racking his brain for any faint memory of where exactly that name had come from. Suddenly, his eyes widened. "Marik Ishtar? Wasn't that the man who-?"
"The man who we fought during Battle City, yes," Yugi finished. "He's back, along with two other enemies we've faced before. They have control of the Egyptian God cards now, as well as the power of the Seal of Orichalcos. And as of now, they wield the Sacred Beasts."
"But that makes no sense," Kaiba muttered, as the three heads turned to face them. "When you have a power like that of the Egyptian Gods, and can combine it with the Orichalcos, then what more do you need?"
No one spoke, because no one had an answer. Could it just be greed for more power? Or was there something else in play, something they didn't know about? The possibilities seemed endless and overwhelming. The silence overtook the room, none of the four wanting to say anything just yet. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Yugi spoke again. "Can you show us where the Sacred Beasts were kept? That might be a good place to start."
Nodding, Sheppard stood up, silence again accompanying the walk down to the area.
Once they arrived, a chill was in the air. It was as if somebody, or even something, was watching them, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They didn't like it one bit. Sheppard led them over to wear the Sacred Beasts had been, but there was no need. They could feel the darkness left behind. It was clear that great power had been here.
Kaiba looked towards the Chancellor. "We need to talk to the key holders, see if we can piece together why Marik took the Sacred Beasts." And as Sheppard opened his mouth to answer, he was interrupted by a deep voice.
"Why bother asking them, gentlemen? I can answer this question."
As the four turned, they were met by a man of quite an impressive build. He had long hair that flowed down to his back, and on his arm, he wore a duel disk.
"Who on earth are you?" Sheppard asked furiously, looking towards the stranger with anger. "Whoever you are, you must understand that the Sacred Beasts are incredibly dange-"
"I assure you, I know exactly what the Sacred Beasts are capable of." The man said, cutting the chancellor off. "After all, you and I sat in your office and discussed their power."
At that news, Sheppard lost all the colour in his face. "Chairman Kagemaru?" He stuttered out.
Noticing the confusion on Joey and Yugi's faces, it was Kaiba's turn to speak. "He founded the school alongside me. But the Kagemaru I met was weaker and older. He certainly didn't look like this."
The chairman let out a loud laugh. "Right you are, Seto! But the power that comes with the great Sacred Beasts has restored me to full strength, just in time for me to take your souls." He looked to the King of Games. "So, what about it, Mr. Moto?" He asked, activating his duel disk. "Feel like experiencing the power of the Gods?"
Yugi walked forward, activating his own duel disk. "Trust me, Chairman. I have faced Gods before. Your cheap imitations won't get you anywhere."
Yugi: 8000
Kagemaru: 8000
"I'll go first." Yugi said, drawing his sixth card. 'Alright, I need to play it carefully here, or I'll get steamrolled. Let's start out simple.' Taking a card from his hand, he placed it on the duel disk. "I'll just set one monster for now." He said, as a brown-backed card appeared in front of him.
"Well, it seems that the Pharoah was the one with a backbone." Kagemaru said with a smirk, snatching a card off the top of his deck. "I shall place three face-down cards, and summon the Stygian Street Patrol (4/1600/1200) in attack mode!"
In front of three brown-backed cards appeared a grotesque monster in uniform riding a police motorcycle. It didn't even wait for Kagemaru's command before it charged at Yugi's set monster, revealing an odd wolf sort of being, which quickly exploded into pixels.
Kagemaru laughed darkly at seeing what Yugi's defense had been. "So, I see you decided on using your Gazelle (4/1500/1200)? Well, Mr. Moto, you should know that when my monster destroys another by battle, you take damage! 100 points for each level, and Gazelle was a Level 4!"
The fiend took out his gun and fired it at Yugi, grazing the man's arm.
Yugi: 7600
Kagemaru: 8000
Kagemaru smirked. "I think I'll end the pain there."
Yugi shook off the pain he felt as he drew his next card. Looking through his hand, he moved to take two cards from his hand. "I'll place my own face-down card and then summon Beta, the Magnet Warrior (4/1700/1600)!" Appearing on the field now was one of Yugi's most known monsters. "Attack Stygian Street Patrol!"
The magnetic warrior charged towards the fiendish cop, but Kagemaru moved quick, revealing his face-down card. "I activate Astral Barrier, which turns your attack into a direct one!"
"What?" Joey asked in confusion. "Why in the hell would he make a move like that?" However, the answer became clear as a forcefield generated itself around Kagemaru, courtesy of his other newly revealed trap. "Because, Mr. Wheeler, my Spirit Barrier trap card allows me to negate any damage as long as I control a monster."
"And with Astral Barrier, he has formed a powerful combination." Sheppard muttered. "That's too good."
That remark received a scoff, courtesy of Kaiba. "Please, any amateur duelist could use that combo. It won't last him long here."
Yugi frowned, eyeing his face down card. "I'll end my turn here."
"As you end your turn, I use the effect of my Solemn Wishes trap card!" Kagemaru said. As he drew his next card, he was suddenly rejuvenated even more by a faint glow.
Yugi: 7600
Kagemaru: 8500
"My Solemn Wishes grants me 500 more life points with each of my draws." Kagemaru said confidently. "Next I shall set another card face-down and activate the spell Banner of Courage! Now each of my monsters will gain an extra 200 attack points during my Battle Phase, allowing my monster to beat yours!"
The banner flared as the monster charged at Beta, increasing its speed (4/1600 + 200 = 1800/1200). The magnetic being was mowed down by the bike, and Yugi was hit again by the gun.
Yugi: 7100
Kagemaru: 8500
Kagemaru smirked. "I end my turn, Mr. Moto. Do try a little harder please."
Yugi panted as he drew another card, bringing his hand to a modest five. Surveying his hand, he finally decided on a course of action. "You want me to try harder? No problem. I activate the Spell Unexpected Dai! Since I control no monsters, I'm allowed to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my Deck, and I think I'll settle on my Queen's Knight (4/1500/1600), and I'll just continue how you know I will with the summoning of King's Knight (4/1600/1400), whose effect brings out my Jack's Knight (5/1900/1000)!"
Appearing in front of the King of Games were his three famous knights. Everyone around the world had seen Yugi use this combination before, so it was no surprise to Kagemaru, who merely shrugged. "With my life points the way they are, you cannot hurt me. No matter how many monsters you play."
Yugi shrugged, sliding another card into his deck. "Then let's make things interesting as I activate Mystical Space Typhoon in order to destroy Spirit Barrier!"
But as the typhoon moved towards the Trap, Kagemaru revealed his own card. "And I reveal my Imperial Customs, which protects my Continuous Trap cards from destruction." The typhoon suddenly dispersed, leaving the Chairman's field as strong as ever.
"He's got a plan for everything it seems." Kaiba noted, looking between the two fields. "Yugi certainly has his work cut out for him."
Joey shrugged. "It's Yugi…he'll make it out of this."
The duelist in question looked over his hand. "I'll play another face-down to end my turn."
When Kagemaru drew, he smirked darkly at his card. Meanwhile, his life points were increased again by the effect of his Trap card.
Yugi: 7100
Kagemaru: 9000
"And now, Mr. Moto, prepare to meet a God. I send Solemn Wishes, Astral Barrier, and Spirit Barrier to the Graveyard in order to Special Summon my Uria, Lord of Searing Flames (10/0/0)!"
The three Traps in question were enveloped by flames that shot into the sky, engulfing Kagemaru's side of the field. They seemed to have no end, until finally, the flames subsided and the monster within was revealed.
It looked like Slifer the Sky Dragon, but there was something much darker to it. It let out a tremendous roar as it stared down the three knights.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Kagemaru asked with a sickly grin. "And if you were wondering about his lack of attack points, he gains 1000 attack for each Continuous Trap in my Graveyard. And considering I just sent three…"
Uria gave a loud roar as it surged with power, growing stronger by the minute. (10/0 + 3000 = 3000/0). But the loud roar wasn't just for fear; it shattered one of Yugi's facedown cards, Mirror Force.
Seeing the incredulous look on Yugi's face only made the Chairman laugh more. "Once per turn, my Uria can destroy a face-down Spell or Trap of yours, and you can't even respond with it. Now, Uria (10/3000 + 200 = 3200/0), attack King's Knight! Stygian Street Patrol (4/1600 + 200 = 1800/1200), you go for Queen's Knight!"
First, the devil officer mowed down Queen's Knight, grazing Yugi's hip with another gun shot.
Yugi: 6400
Kagemaru: 9000
Next, Uria decimated King's Knight, the flames sending Yugi back a few feet.
Yugi: 4800
Kagemaru: 9000
Kagemaru laughed again. "Next up, I'll play – what in the world?" He stopped in confusion, for suddenly Yugi was standing alongside his monsters again, and that wasn't the only thing.
Yugi: 6100
Kagemaru: 9000
Yugi grinned as he saw the shock on his opponent's face. "I see you're surprised. This is all due to the use of my good old Mirage Ruler, which allowed me to bring back my monsters and restore my life points. It came at a cost of one thousand life points' but I'd say that's definitely worth it. You were saying?"
Kagemaru snarled. "I activate the Field Spell Fallen Paradise!" Between them appeared a decaying tree. Within the trunk, Yugi could have sworn he saw glowing eyes staring at him. Kagemaru continued with his move. "I use its effect. As I control one of the Sacred Beasts, I get to draw two cards." He drew the cards from his deck, putting his hand size back to two. "And I shall end my turn with a face-down."
Yugi let himself smile as he drew his next card. 'Ok, so we're dealing with one of the Sacred Beasts now. But no card is unbeatable, and I'm about to prove that right here.' Taking a card from his hand, he slid it into his duel disk. "I activate Polymerisation! This allows me to fuse my three knights together!"
A portal appeared in the sky, and the three warriors leapt into it. From the portal now emerged a huge knight dressed in black and gold armour. "Meet my Arkana Knight Joker (9/3800/2500), Kagemaru! And he's got more than enough to take out your so-called god! Arkana Knight Joker, destroy Uria, Lord of Searing Flames!"
The knight let out a triumphant yell as he launched himself forward. In one quick slash of his sword, the God lost its head, and soon the rest of it disappeared in an explosion of pixels.
Yugi: 6100
Kagemaru: 8200
Yugi grinned, placing the last card in his hand face-down. "I'll end my turn here."
Kagemaru growled as he revealed his own face-down. "I activate another Continuous Trap known as Uria's Roar! During the End Phase of a turn my monster is destroyed in battle, I get to discard another Continuous Trap, like my Wall of Revealing Light, in order to revive my Uria! And thanks to my discard, he comes back even stronger!" Again, Uria appeared, more powerful than ever before. (10/4000/0)
Yugi frowned, but made his move the moment Kagemaru drew. "During your Standby Phase, I activate my face-down De-Fusion, splitting my Arkana Knight Joker back into my three knights!" The large warrior disappeared, and in his place appeared the three monsters that had formed him.
"Smart." Joey noted. "He knew he stood no chance against Uria right now, so he built himself a defense."
Kagemaru shrugged. "I use the effect of my Fallen Paradise to draw two cards!" Once he had done so, he placed another card into his deck. "I activate the Continuous Spell Supply Squad! Now whenever one of my monster's is destroyed, I get to draw a card. Stygian Street Patrol, your target is Jack's Knight. Uria, go for the King!"
The monsters moved immediately, leaving behind the female knight as well as another shot fired at Yugi.
Yugi: 5600
Kagemaru: 8200
Kagemaru laughed. "I think that's enough for now. I end my turn."
Yugi frowned as he looked at the top of his deck. 'This is already proving to be one of my hardest battles yet. It seems that no matter what I throw at him, he comes back even stronger. I'll just have to put my faith in my deck again.' Taking a steady breath, he drew his card, immediately grinning at what he found. "And I'll activate my Card of Sanctity now, so we both draw until we hold six cards! Normally I'm not a fan of giving you more resources, but I'll do what I need to!" Yugi drew the full six while Kagemaru drew four. Seeing a plan in his hand, Yugi moved forward. "I activate Ancient Rules, which allows me to Special Summon one Level 5 or higher Normal Monster from my hand. And I can think of no better option than my Dark Magician (7/2500/2100)!"
Appearing onto the field was one of Yugi's most well known monsters. It twirled its staff as it glared at the Sacred Beast, seemingly unintimated by it. And Yugi clearly wasn't done. "And next I'll switch my Queen's Knight to attack mode and then I'll bring out my Breaker, the Magical Warrior (4/1600/1000)!"
Appearing next to the magician and the knight was a monster that looked like it could have been a combination of them both. It was covered in red and gold armour, with a sword and shield to match. Immediately, its sword began to glow. (4/1600 + 300 = 1900/1000)
Yugi grinned. "My Breaker gains a Spell Counter upon being Normal Summoned, which grants him a 300 attack point boost! And that's not all as I activate Pump Up, which, until the end phase, doubles the attack points of my Dark Magician!"
Suddenly, Yugi's signature mage doubled in size, now towering over the field (7/2500 * 2 = 5000/2100). At Yugi's gesture, he charged straight at Uria, destroying it with a blast from his sceptre. Kagemaru called out over the destruction. "I can use the effect of my Supply Squad once per turn, drawing a card!"
Yugi: 5600
Kagemaru: 7200
Next up, Breaker lunched itself at the fiendish officer, ending its wrath with a slash of the sword.
Yugi: 5600
Kagemaru: 6900
Finally, the female knight headed straight towards the Chairman, knocking him back a few feet with her shield.
Yugi: 5600
Kagemaru: 5400
Yugi's grin widened as he looked over the two cards in his hand. "Now I'll activate Breaker's effect. By removing that counter of his (4/1900 – 300 = 1600/1200), I get to destroy one of your Spell or Traps, and I pick Imperial Customs!" The trap in question shattered. "And now to clear the field and stop Uria from coming back, it's the all-powerful Dark Magic Attack! Since I control a Dark Magician, your entire backrow as well as your Field Spell goes boom!"
With a loud cry, Dark Magician raised his staff high sky, and soon waves began to burst from it. When it finally stopped, Kagemaru's entire field was bare. All that Yugi had to do was smirk. "I end my turn!"
Sheppard wasa flabbergasted. "He did it! He beat one of the Sacred Beasts!"
"Of course he did." Kaiba muttered. "It's Yugi. He can get out of anything by now." Meanwhile, Joey was cheering for his best friend's spectacularly executed strategy.
Kagemaru laughed as he drew. "I must admit that I am impressed, Mr. Moto. Not many could completely decimate my field like that. But you made your mistake when you used Card of Sanctity. With a hand size of eight, I have plenty of options. I activate three Continuous Spells! Stumbling, Gravekeeper's Servant, and Card Trader!"
Joey raised his eyebrows at the cards. "Ok…..that doesn't seem too intimidating. So what's the big deal?"
A gasp from Kaiba caused both the blonde duelist and Sheppard to look towards the CEO. "He sacrificed three Continuous Traps for Uria….there must be another Sacred Beast on the way!"
Kagemaru laughed darkly. "Right you are, Mr. Kaiba. I will now send my three cards to the Graveyard in order to summon my Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder (10/4000/4000)!"
Again, Kagemaru's cards disappeared in favour of a humongous creature. It looks like Ra in a way, as if it was the God's skeletal form. And yet, like Uria, it almost felt like a crooked version of the Egyptian God. In one fell swoop, it charged straight for the Dark Magician, enveloping it in a blast of lightning.
Yugi: 4100
Kagemaru: 5400
Kagemaru laughed more. "And now feel the strike of God directly! When my Hamon destroys a monster in battle, you lose 1000 Life Points. Suffer, Mr. Moto!"
Another lightning blast came from the sky, hitting Yugi with full power. The King of Games let out a scream of pain as he was struck by Hamon's wrath.
Yugi: 3100
Kagemaru: 5400
Kagemaru chuckled at his opponent's pain. "I think I'll end my turn there. Your move, Mr. Moto."
Yugi's hand trembled as it hovered above his deck. He looked to the lone card in his hand. Was it enough? Was any of this enough? Could he really beat them?
He couldn't think like that. He had come far. He had beaten Atem to signal the beginning of his own journey. And he wasn't about to let Kagemaru ruin it. "My move, Chairman." Snapping the card off the top of his deck, he immediately kept going. "I activate Graceful Charity, which allows me to draw three cards and then discard two!" Once he had drawn the required hand, he surveyed his options. Picking the two, he sent them to the Graveyard, leaving his hand at a miniscule 2. "One of the cards I discarded was my Archfiend of Gilfer. When it's sent to the Graveyard, I can equip him to one of your monsters and reduce it of 500 attack points!" From the ground emerged a grotesque fiend that immediately latched onto Hamon, making it roar out in pain (10/4000 – 500 = 3500/4000).
Yugi wasn't stopping there. "I sacrifice Queen's Knight and Breaker the Magical Warrior in order Summon Buster Blader (7/2600/2300)!" Replacing the two monsters now was the Dragon slayer seen used by Yugi plenty of times. When it saw Hamon, it didn't see a threat. It saw a challenge.
Yugi slid the final card in his hand into his duel disk. "And now for the final touch! I activate Excalibur! Now my monster's original attack is doubled, but I have to skip my Draw Phase as long as I have it!"
Suddenly, the sword from tales of King Arthur appeared in front of the swordsman. He replaced his own blade with Excalibur, feeling a surge of power (7/2600 * 2 = 5200/2300). Immediately it charged towards the lookalike of Ra, ending it with a single slice of the sword.
Yugi: 3100
Kagemaru: 3700
Yugi smiled as Buster Blader landed next to him again. "Two gods down, Chairman. Perhaps you're not so cut out for this after all."
Kagemaru was angry now. No…he was outraged. "I will not be beaten by some cheap imitation of the real King of Games!" He snarled as he drew his card. "I activate Pot of Greed!" He drew his two cards, bringing his hand size to a full six. He smirked sinisterly at his hand. "You stand no chance, Mr. Moto, and I will prove that now. I activate the effect of my Umbral Horror Ghost (2/200/200)! At the cost of my Normal Summon, I can Special Summon him as well as another Level 4 or lower Fiend-Type monster. So, joining my Ghost will be Umbral Horror Ghoul (4/1800/0)!"
Two dark fiends appeared before Kagemaru. They both looked like they were in Limbo, both there and not there at the same time. They were mere wisps of what was there before. "Next, I activate the effect of my Ghoul! By reducing his attack to 0 (4/1800 – 1800 = 0/0), I am permitted to summon another Umbral monster with 0 attack from my hand. I choose my Umbral Horror Unform (4/0/0)!"
Appearing next to the two monsters was one of a similar look. And seeing the three monsters on the field, Yugi, as well as the spectators, didn't have to question what was coming next. They vanished almost as quickly as they had appeared. "And now, I sacrifice my three Fiend monsters in order to summon the final and greatest Sacred Beast! Come forth, Raviel, Lord of Phantasms (10/4000/4000)!"
"Obelisk." Kaiba muttered, and he was right. Raviel resembled the Tormentor that Kaiba had used during Battle City. But like the other Sacred Beasts, it was almost like they were staring at a corrupted version. And worse….Kagemaru wasn't done. "I use the effect of the Stygian Street Patrol in my Graveyard. By banishing it, I can Special Summon one Fiend-Type monster from my hand, as long as it has 2000 or less attack points. I choose my other Stygian Street Patrol!"
The fiendish cop that had given Yugi trouble before was back, but then something peculiar happened. Raviel grabbed it, destroying it with a squeeze of its hand (10/4000 + 1600 = 5600/4000). "That would be Raviel's effect. By sacrificing one of my monsters, he gains its original attack!" He smirked as the Field Spell slot on his disk opened. "And now I combine the Beast with a tremendous power! I activate the Seal of Orichalcos!"
The ominous circle surrounded Yugi and Kagemaru, power flooding into Raviel again (10/5600 + 500 = 6100/4000). Immediately it leaped at Buster Blader, slamming down its fist and obliterating the warrior.
Yugi: 2200
Kagemaru: 3700
Kagemaru grinned. "Make your move, Mr. Moto (10/6100 – 2600 = 4500/4000)."
Yugi drew his card, and frowned at his draw. Not the best, but maybe he could work with it. "I summon Obnoxious Celtic Guardian in defense mode (4/1400/1200)." The elven warrior appeared, kneeling with his sword raised in a defensive stance. "And he can't be destroyed by monsters with more than 1900 attack, so you'll have to try something else."
Kagemaru laughed again. "By Normal Summoning a monster, you've activated another of Raviel's effects. I get a Phantasm token, and I'll place it in attack mode (1/1000 + 500 = 1500/1000)!" Appearing next to Raviel was a smaller version of him. Yugi said nothing, too shocked to think. "I end my turn."
Kagemaru laughed manically as he drew. "Do you see you can't win now? I activate Card of Burial Magic, which allows me to banish my Stumbling, Gravekeeper's Servant, and Card Trader in order to draw two cards!" Looking over his new cards, he immediately played one. "I activate Share the Pain. Now we both must sacrifice a monster. I choose my Phantasm token, and it's already obvious what you choose." The token and the elven warrior disappeared. "Raviel….destroy him!"
Yugi closed his eyes as the God approached. "I activate the effect of the other monster I discarded with Graceful Charity, Clear Kuriboh! By banishing him, I draw a card. If it is a monster, it is Special Summoned, and your attack is redirected towards it!"
Kagemaru smirked. "Then draw your pathetic card, Mr. Moto! Nothing can stand up to him!"
Yugi closed his eyes as he placed his hand on top of his deck. 'This is it. Now or never. I mess up this draw and I'm finished. I've put faith in this deck numerous times before and it has come through for me. All I ask is that it does it again.' He drew his card, and grinned. "I summon Palladium Oracle Mahad (7/2500/2100)!" Appearing before him was a mage. He wore gold armour, and his white cape flowed behind him. "And when he battles a Dark monster, his attack is doubled!" The mage twirled his staff and charged back at Raviel (7/2500 * 2 = 5000/2100). The Sacred Beast stood no chance, and was wiped out in an instant.
Yugi: 2200
Kagemaru: 3200
Kagemaru was breathing heavily as the mage returned to Yugi's side. A cheer from Joey broke the silence. "And that makes three! Knew you didn't stance a chance, old man!"
Kagemaru growled as his Graveyard lit up again. "I activate the effect of my second Stygian Street Patrol, banishing it in order to bring out the Dark Summoning Beast (5/0 + 500 = 500/0)."
A small fiend appeared on the field, but it was gone before Yugi could even look at it. "And now for its effect. I can't attack for the rest of the turn following his move, but that hardly matters since this my Battle Phase has passed. By sacrificing my Beast, the three Gods return to me now!"
Yugi's eyes widened as suddenly they were back. Raviel (10/4000 + 500 = 4500/4000), Uria (10/0 + 6000 + 500 = 6500), and Hamon (10/4000 + 500 = 4500/4000). Kagemaru smirked as he was surrounded by his trio of Sacred Beasts. "I end my turn."
Yugi frowned as he drew his card. "I switch my monster to defense mode and activate Foolish Burial, sending a card from my deck to the Graveyard!" Once he had found it and placed it in his Grave, he ended his turn with a nod to Kagemaru.
The chairman drew and immediately set his card. "It is time to lose, Mr. Moto! After I place this face-down, I will attack! Hamon, destroy his mage." The Ra imitation did so, hitting Yugi with a strike of thunder afterwards
Yugi: 1200
Kagemaru: 3200
Suddenly, Dark Magician was back. Yugi smiled at that. "When Mahad is destroyed, I get to bring back my Dark Magician. Sorry about that." His ace didn't stay for long though, as it was soon destroyed by Raviel.
"Fitting, isn't it? That you are finally beaten by Uria, who mirrors your first God card." Kagemaru said with a smirk. "Now die."
Uria launched forward a blast, but it was stopped before it could hit Yugi. "I activated the effect of the monster I sent with Foolish Burial. By banishing it, my Necro Gardna negates one attack!"
Kagemaru growled. "Again and again, you avoid death. But that was your last out, Yugi. You cannot win this time."
Yugi drew his card, smiling at what he found. "Actually? I can. I activate Card of Reversal. Since I had no other cards in my hand, and my field was empty, I now get to draw a card for each of your face-up cards. And with Raviel, Uria, Hamon, and the Seal, I count four!" Drawing his four cards, he grinned at Kagemaru. "It's over."
Kagemaru chuckled. "Bluffs won't get you anywhere, young man."
Yugi shrugged. "Who said I was bluffing? I activate Monster Reborn to bring back the one and only Dark Magician! And I'll immediately give him a 700 attack point boost with my Magic Formula!"
Appearing for the third time was Yugi's signature spellcaster (7/2500/2100), and it became even stronger as it read the book suddenly in front of it (7/2500 + 700 = 3200/2100). "And now I summon Kuriboh (1/300/200)."
The small furball that had saved Yugi numerous times. All of a sudden, it began to glow different colours, and Yugi already had an explanation for that. "My Rainbow Blessing can only be equipped to Kuriboh. And by sacrificing my buddy, I get to attack directly with the rest of my monsters. So, let's end this!"
Kuriboh leaped over Kagemaru's monsters, leaving a rainbow in its trail as it disappeared once it landed at Kagemaru's feet. Then, Dark Magician followed the same path, traveling along the volcano. It raised its staff at Kagemaru, ready to deal the finishing blow.
"I will not let it end here!" Kagemaru yelled, revealing his face down card. "I activate Contagion of Madness!"
Kaiba gasped as he saw the card. "Alistair used that card against me before. Kagemaru will still take the Battle Damage, but Yugi will take damage equal to half of Dark Magician's attack!"
Dark Magician struck Kagemaru at the same time the Spell absorbed some of the Spellcaster's magic, firing it directly at Yugi and knocking him onto his back.
Yugi: 0
Kagemaru: 0
The Seal of Orichalcos faded away along with the rest of the cards, as it had no soul to take when the duel ended in a draw. Kaiba, Joey, and Sheppard all ran towards Yugi, helping him to his feet. "You alright, Yuge?" Joey asked his best friend.
"I've been better, but I'll pull through." Yugi muttered through the pain. "Where's Kagemaru?" But as the smoke cleared, the chairman was nowhere to be found.
"All the strength he has made it easy for him to escape." Sheppard said angrily, looking to the trio of duelists. "I must apologise, gentlemen, I never expected it to be one of Duel Academy's own who would aid such evil men."
Kaiba shook his head, looking at where Kagemaru had last been. "There's no point in blaming everyone else for what happened. At least now we know who holds the Sacred Beasts." He turned to Sheppard, a firm look on his face. "As great as we are, the three of us cannot taken them on along, not when we're dealing with Dartz and the others. We're gonna need more duelists."
Sheppard nodded. "I'm sure many of my staff would like to help, and a few students would almost certainly want to assist with the situation."
Kaiba frowned. He didn't like the idea of bringing kids into this mess. But at this point, did they really have a choice? They were low on fighters, and the three of them would get demolished eventually if they tried to handle this all on their own. "Let's head back to your office and talk." He said after a few moments. "We can figure out the details there. Right now, Yugi needs to rest." Shepperd nodded, and lead them back to the infirmary, Joey and Kaiba both helping Yugi along the way.
