Chapter 11: Tempest Tossed: Maelstrom Arena
Ryu-Hikari entered the metal ring on the floor and stood opposite Storm. Though electricity jumped and crackled around both, neither seemed affected.
"I assume you want to know the rules of the Maelstrom Arena?" Storm asked. Ryu-Hikari merely nodded, wanting to share as few words with Storm as possible. "The Maelstrom Arena, also called the Maelstrom Stage, is quite different than the Inferno Stage. Whereas in that arena Fire's monsters were powered up, here instead your monsters have a chance to be destroyed." Storm paused for emphasis.
"Go on," was the only reply Ryu-Hikari would merit.
"Not much of a talker, eh?" Storm asked. "Oh well, you'll be screaming soon enough. As I was saying, every turn there is a chance one of your monsters will be destroyed. Each of your monsters will be numbered, one through five, and a die will be rolled. If the monster's number comes up, it is destroyed. If a six is rolled, however, you can choose to destroy one of my monsters instead. Not as unfair as Fire's playing field eh?"
"You speak cheerfully for someone who just lost a friend," Ryu-Hikari stated grimly.
"Fire? Oh he wasn't a friend, more of a business partner you could say. I always knew he'd go down in flames!" Storm paused, hoping someone would laugh at his sadistic joke: no one did. "Have a sense of humor! Anyway, side from that the only other rule you need to know about this arena is the penalty that befalls the loser. Above our heads are tanks of water, and as you can see, the walls are covered with exposed wires. The electric discharge will come close to us, but never touch us. When a player loses all of his life points, the water drenches you, and then it's time to get the shock of your life!" No laughs greeted this joke either.
"Let's begin," Ryu-Hikari said sternly. "I want to get through this and save those civilians." He activated his duel disk, watching as Storm did the same.
Storm 8000/Ryu-Hikari 8000
"I'll start off by setting one monster in defense mode," Storm said as the images of a large card appeared face down before him.
"My turn," Ryu-Hikari drew and smiled happily. "One of my favorite cards: Armed Dragon Level 3!" 1200/900. A small dragon with tan skin and wearing orange armor grunted as it was played. Immediately, a number "1" appeared above its head and a large holographic die spun rapidly before the dragon, coming up a 4. "My monster is fine this turn, and now it attacks your set monster!" The dragon jumped and punched with both its arms, destroying the set monster which was a spiky metal ball. "So much for your Mega Thunderball (750/600). Now I set a card and end my turn."
"What a pitiful card," Shadow muttered, "Mega Thunderball is worthless."
"Do not doubt his cards," Jack answered.
"Yes, every card a duelist chooses he or she chooses for a reason," Izumi stated. "He must have some use for the card to have used it, perhaps since it was so weak he did that to make us underestimate his dueling abilities."
"Quite possible," Raijouta said. "In fact once at a tournament I almost lost because my opponent made some very foolish opening plays, lulling me into the feeling he was a rookie. Luckily, I was able to overcome my overconfidence and win, but just barely. Storm is probably trying the same tactic, but it won't work on Ryu-Hikari."
"My move," Storm declared. "I discard my Thunder Dragon in order to add two Thunder Dragons to my hand from my deck," Storm did so, adding the cards to his hand, then quickly shuffling his deck and replacing it into the duel disk. "Now I play my Polymerization to fuse my two Thunder Dragons in order to create Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon!" 2800/2100. Lightning struck the field, and no one was sure whether it was a hologram or actual discharge from the walls that had come closer than expected. When the electricity dissipated, a wingless red dragon with purple horns and two large mouths stood before Storm. "I now play Premature Burial and pay 800 life points to revive my Mega Thunderball!" 750/600. The small metal spiked ball reappeared next to its larger dragon ally. "Now, since I have yet to make a normal summon this turn, I sacrifice my Mega Thunderball to summon Zaborg the Thunder Monarch!" 2400/1000. A mighty lord wearing silver plate armor and wielding streams of lightning appeared. As he towered over the field, a blast of lightning shot forth from his mighty presence, instantly destroying Armed Dragon Level 3. "Whenever Zaborg is tribute summoned successfully I can destroy one of your monsters, and now the field is clear, direct attack my monsters!" The two creatures of thunder fired blasts of electricity at Ryu-Hikari, the dragon from its mouth and Zaborg from his hands. Ryu-Hikari shuddered as the blast hit him, but he still managed to stand.
Storm 8000/Ryu-Hikari 2800
"What a hit," Raijouta mused. "Summoning two powerful monsters in one turn and devastating Ryu-Hikari's life points."
"Yes, this duel looks sealed," Shadow sighed. "I call the next one; I need to get to Ryu-Yami as quickly as I can."
"Ryu-Hikari is a very skilled duelist," Izumi said. "He won't lose just because his opponent has two strong monsters and more life points. Come on Ryu-Hikari!" The cheer was taken up by the others, save Shadow, and Ryu-Hikari smiled.
"My turn," Ryu-Hikari stated. "I set a monster in defense mode along with three cards." A number "1" appeared above the set monster, but the holographic die came up a "2". "I end my turn."
Storm smiled as he drew. "Well what do you know? I play Monster Reborn to revive my Mega Thunderball!" 750/600. Again the small metal ball floated beside its stronger counterparts. "Now I sacrifice it to summon Mobius the Frost Monarch!" 2400/1000. Another monarch, this one adorned in armor made of ice, stood erect beside Zaborg. As he was summoned, he shot up two pillars of ice, decimating two of Ryu-Hikari's three face down cards. "You can guess his special effect," is all Storm would offer, smiling sadistically.
"A second monarch? That's deadly," Jack muttered. "Ryu-Hikari better have a good plan to contend with this."
"Now for my Battle Phase," Storm said. "Mobius, attack his set monster!" The monarch of ice slammed the ground and a spire of ice skewered the monster, a small contingent of dragons, which as they were destroyed were replaced by another group in defense mode.
"My Troop Dragon (700/800) is replace by another Troop Dragon when it is destroyed," Ryu-Hikari smiled. "I won't be taking damage this turn at least."
Storm growled, but ordered Zaborg to attack the new Troop Dragon, and Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon to decimate the final Troop Dragon, leaving Ryu-Hikari wide open.
"My move," Ryu-Hikari said, "I set a card and a monster." A second set card appeared in the magic/trap zone with a sideways card before it to indicate the monster. A "1" appeared above the monster, and a die rolled, landing on a "1". Instantly, a bolt of lightning ripped from above and destroyed the set monster, a Dragon Dwelling in the Cave (1300/2000). Ryu-Hikari sighed, "I end my turn."
"Finally the field decimates one of your monsters!" Storm said drawing a card. "And now you have no chance of defeating me! Nice try, but sadly this is where the duel and your life ends, attack him directly my monsters!" As the Monarchs and the Twin-Headed Dragon readied for an attack, Ryu-Hikari flipped one of his set cards.
"My DNA Surgery turns all your monsters into dragons!" Ryu-Hikari declared, as several doctors appeared and began to operate on Storm's monsters, adding scaly wings and tails to them.
"That won't do anything! What a worthless move!" Storm laughed.
"Not yet, but now I chain it with Dragon Capture Jar!" A large golden urn with the face of a dragon on it stood in front of Ryu-Hikari. As it emerged, Storm's monsters all took defensive stances as they changed to defense mode. "Now all Dragons switch to defense mode, and thanks to my DNA Surgery, all your monsters fit the bill!"
"Great plan! Very well executed!" Jack cheered.
"I told you Ryu-Hikari wouldn't be out of the running yet," Raijouta said, nudging Shadow who merely began to mumble.
"Fine, I end my turn," Storm grumbled as Ryu-Hikari gave a thumbs up to the spectators.
"Now I'm safe from your attacks, at least as long as my traps remain active," Ryu-Hikari said, drawing a new card. "Now I activate my Snatch Steal to take control of your Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon." The gigantic red creature lumbered over to Ryu-Hikari's field as he played the card.
"He's in defense mode and must stay that way! All you will be doing is giving me 1000 free life points a turn!" Storm laughed pointing at Ryu-Hikari. "What a waste of a move!"
Ryu-Hikari cracked a smile. "Next I play Pot of Greed to draw two cards." His smile broadened as he looked at the cards. "Perfect. I play Cost Down and discard a card so that my Buster Blader only needs on sacrifice: your former Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon!" 2600/2300. The monster of Thunder was replaced by a warrior in blue armor tinged with gold wielding an enormous sword. As soon as he materialized, the surgeons attached a pair of wings to his back and he switched into a defensive stance, holding his sword as if ready to parry. A "1" appeared above the head of Buster Blader, but the die came up a "4". "Did I mention he gains another 1000 attack points for the two Dragons on your field (3600/2300). A pity that your Thunder Dragons in the graveyard are actually Thunder type, but no matter. Now I play Remove Trap to destroy my Dragon Capture Jar!" The jar shattered, and Storm's monsters changed to attack mode, as well as Buster Blader. "Now my Blader, attack Zaborg!" Buster Blader swung his sword, cleaving the Monarch's chest in half with a single slash.
Storm 6800/Ryu-Hikari 2800
"Sadly, for destroying a Dragon my Blader goes down to 3100 attack points." Ryu-Hikari said. "Now I set a card and end my turn."
Storm groaned and switched Mobius to defense mode and cursing as she saw what he drew. "No monsters, I have to end my turn here."
Ryu-Hikari again grinned. "I summon my Luster Dragon in attack mode!" 1900/1600. A shining purple dragon stood beside Buster Blader, who nodded in acknowledgement to his new companion. A "2" appeared above the dragon's head as the die rolled, and came up a "6". "Not your lucky day," Ryu-Hikari said, "there goes your Mobius!" The lightning crashed down and obliterated Mobius, leaving nothing but memories. "Again Buster Blader loses attack points (2600) but now he and my Luster Dragon can attack directly!" Storm cried out as he was blasted with shimmering flames and stabbed with a mighty blade.
Storm 2300/Ryu-Hikari 2800
"Wow Ryu-Hikari has really taken the lead!" Izumi giggled. "Told you we shouldn't have doubted him!" The others nodded in agreement and began to yell cheers of encouragement.
"Thanks guys," Ryu-Hikari smiled.
"My turn," Storm angrily looked over his hand, setting a single card in the magic/trap zone without saying a word.
"I take it that it's my turn," Ryu-Hikari drew. "I play my Spear Dragon!" 1900/0. A small blue dragon with a long spiked nose floated beside its allies. A "3" appeared above its head, and the die rolled, coming up a "2", causing lightning to strike down Luster Dragon. "Oh well, you win some you lose some," Ryu-Hikari said. "I at least have my Blader and Spear Dragon! Now go…"
"Are you sure?" Storm interrupted getting ready to press the button and activate his set card.
Ryu-Hikari shook his head with a sad smirk. "It's almost always a bluff when your opponent warns you. I will beat you, because I am dueling to save lives rather than end them. Attack my monsters!" Ramming him at once, Buster Blader and Spear Dragon won Ryu-Hikari the duel.
The holograms disappeared and the water above Storm emptied onto him. Electricity shot from the walls and sent currents through his body. His screams were horrid, and he fell to the floor, singed and killed.
"Great duel Ryu-Hikari!" Raijouta said giving a high-five to his friend.
"Thanks, it was tough but I stayed calm, one of the keys to winning a duel," Ryu-Hikari said. "Now let's get to the next floor, no time to waste."
"I second that," Shadow said, already opening the elevator door. The ride seemed shakier for the duelists this time, and when the door opened they were in a room much large than the first. The floor was lined with a layer of gravel, dirt, mud, and stones, and in the middle of the room was a large metal ring, as with the past two arenas.
"Welcome to the Mountain Stage!" A voice called out from the metal ring. Upon closer inspection, the duelists saw it was a short boy with a dark complexion, who was camouflaged against the surrounding soil. "I am Earth, and who wants to duel me?"
Jack jumped forward before anyone else could even move. "I've been a spectator too long, I want to duel."
"Perfect," Earth said as Jack entered the metal ring. "Time for me to explain the rules and then we can begin…"
HES: And so ends another awesome chapter of The Shadow Falls! I hope you all are enjoying it! The duels and action are getting more intense, and the enemies harder to defeat! How will our heroes fare against these odds? Well time to answer some reviews…
Tsabo-Tvoc Phyrexian-General: OK? JUST OK? Well you are entitled to your own opinions I suppose. You will see how Jack reacts to killing in the next chapter.
HES: Wait, again only one review? (cries) Come on people please review! It makes me happy to hear your input! Even if you say "this was bad, try doing this instead" or "this character is cool!" that is good enough for me!
Next time on The Shadow Falls: Earth and Jack, very different yet in some ways alike. Jack's anger against the organization for what they did to Mark surfaces, and his rage flows through his cards! Earth, however, is a skilled duelist, better even than Fire and Storm together! Can Jack manage to brave the Mountain Arena and achieve victory? Find out next time on The Shadow Falls!
HES: By the way, I would like to thank my Beta Reader, an author known on as Ryu-Crim for his help on this chapter. Two of the lines in this story he altered to fit better, and I want to give him credit! Thanks for the help! If any of you readers have time, check out his story, you won't regret it.
