I'm back with chapter 11 of The Fox Duellist. The final chapter of the Duellist Kingdom arc yay!
Oh and one a side note HAPPY POKESHIPPING DAY! Well from Australia at least! Shout out to all the pokeshipping fans!
I hope you all enjoyed last chapter, a thousand thank you's to all those who REVIEWED last chapter. You guys really make writing this worth it and it's very encouraging.
I'm hoping that'll get the same response this time! All your opinions mean a lot to me and I do appreciate it when you guys take the time out to leave one and I make it a priority answer every single one, it's the least I can do!
So please REVIEWS, I'd love to hear from all of you who read and get your valuable opinions.
You all know the drill!
Let's duel! Game on!
The Fox Duellist
Inner Strength
"I'm going to destroy you", said Konan simply.
"Talk is cheap", said Naruto as their life points appeared.
"I'm going first", she announced stoically.
"Be my guest, but get ready to relinquish my brother's soul", said Naruto.
Konan's LP 2000
Naruto's LP 2000
"Remember", said Konan as she drew. "This is a shadow game! The only reason we are duelling in a duelling arena is because neither of us have been to the shadow realm, until now at least", her necklace glowed a bright angry red.
"How do you have any control over anything here?" asked Naruto angered.
"Like I said, my father brought back the shadow games in card form. I've studied how they were played out right here in this coliseum 1000's of years ago as merely a game and a source of entertainment", her voice growing cold.
"The ancient Roman's played with people's lives, how is what I'm doing any different?" she asked her voice raising a little.
"How, because this time my little brother's soul is a stake you bitch!" he exclaimed.
"This is all utter bullshit you know", she said bitterly.
"Oh is that what this is" he said angrily "Because daddy didn't give you enough attention? Because your father lost his fucking mind and became a lunatic, who by the way has toyed with all of our lives!" he shouted.
"If I erase you and your brother, father won't have any reason to obsess over this stupid fantasy crap", she said becoming increasingly angry. "And that stupid prophecy will be irrelevant!" her voice raising.
"Answer me this then, why would you put my brother in danger, why play this game why deny what's as clear as day?" asked Naruto. "Short of having some horrific hallucination, how can you deny that any of this is real?!" he shouted angrily.
"He's right Konan, we're in the middle of an ancient Colosseum, surely that's proof enough", said Sasuke who still nursed his arm.
"You've read the prophecy, these ancient guardians are here to protect us, which is why I suspect they're letting this happen because they can't hurt one another or one of us", said Naruto with a sigh.
The sky turned black and red thunderbolts rained down on Colosseum.
"What are you doing!?" exclaimed Sasuke as he jumped back with Pluto to avoid his death.
A twister of black energy surrounded the arena, for a distance the Colosseum was enveloped in a black cloud that red lightning sparked through occasionally.
She held the card up holding Ren's soul. Her necklace glowed red again and in a bright light Ren appeared to the right side of them.
"Ren!" shouted Naruto. Ren's soul form landed on the sandy surface drawing Naruto's attention.
His brother's figure didn't say anything as he just stared into empty space.
In front of him a door slide open and the sand began funnelling down into the old passage.
"My shadow game, my rules", she said. "Every time you lose life points your brother takes a step toward his soul's end. At the bottom of that pit is an ancient torture chamber, if your brother's shell of a soul falls in, he'll be locked away forever.
Sasuke ran around the other side of duelling arena with Pluto galloping behind him. Once he reached him he moved his hand out to him. He was instantly thrown backward as he screamed in pain, thrown to the ground at Pluto's feet.
"Sasuke!" exclaimed Naruto in concern for his friend.
Sasuke held his arm to his chest, Pluto moved his head underneath his good arm and helped him to his feet.
Suddenly Naruto brought his arm to his chest and he began exasperating loudly.
"The hell?" he asked.
Konan chuckled in response.
"Your body isn't used to it so I wouldn't be exhausting to much of your energy, now where was I", she said returning to her stoic persona.
"I play Paper Flower (0/0) in attack mode and I'll place this card face down", she said.
"Why would you summon a monster with no attack or defence points?" asked Naruto in a strained voice.
"Why do you ask stupid questions, now make your move", he growled and drew a card. "Well it's a good thing that you've got money because you can buy yourself a husband, because your personality is a 2 at best", he mocked.
She didn't react, she merely narrowed her eyes.
Their duel spirits simply stood behind them and watched what transpired.
"I'll summon Fox Scout (1600/1250) and when he's normal his special ability activates and allows me to summon a monster with fox in its name from my deck to my hand", said Naruto as a card appeared in his hand via a bright yellow light. Fox Scout appeared with a serious look on his face. He was green in colour and he had one tail. He stood on his hind legs and had bow in his arms. On his back he had holder filled with arrows. He also wore some samurai-like armour.
"I'll end my turn by placing this card face down", he smiled. "Your move", he gestured forward and crossed his arms.
Konan's LP 2000
Naruto's LP 2000
She drew a card and let a tiny smile appear on her face.
"I play the magic card flower coffin", she said as the paper materialised on the field. And I'll place this card inside it", she said. "This card activates when I play a certain card in my deck and its one piece of a puzzle that when I complete, you'll be obliterated", she smiled.
"Also when Paper Coffin in on the field all monsters on my side of with paper in their name get 500 attack points", she smiled. "Now I'll activate Paper Flower's special ability it can by-pass your monster and attack your life points directly", she said as her flower grew teeth and launched itself at Naruto.
The flower bit into his shoulder making him grunt with pain as the monster sunk its serrated teeth into Naruto's shoulder.
Sasuke winced as he watched the flower remove its teeth from Naruto. Blood dripped from his wound as the flower exposed his entire arm when it ripped off the sleeve from his jacket.
Yami appeared next to him with a concerned expression.
"Naruto that's enough, you've put your body through enough, just let me take over now. My body is more durable than yours", he protested.
"You never told me the pain would be this bad", he grunted.
"Are you alright?" asked Mercury in a concerned tone.
"Yeah, I'm fine", said Naruto as he shook it off.
"Oh this is fun, I'm picking you apart literally", she said when he narrowed his eyes.
He drew a card.
"Alright then", said Naruto. "Don't get cocky because your about to feel the effects of this place as well", said Naruto.
"I'll have my Fox Scout attack your Paper Flower with hunter's bow", said Naruto as the fox retracted his bow and shot an arrow at Paper Flower", the flower was destroyed but then suddenly reappeared.
"Did I mention that Paper Flower can't be destroyed in battle", Konan said in a stoic tone.
"That's fine, I activate the magic card Suppression", he played the card face and ninja wire appeared on Fox Scout's bow and in a flash wrapped itself around the paper flower.
"If it can't be destroyed in battle then I'll just trap it", said Naruto.
"Good move Naruto", praised the Prince.
Konan felt her skin being constricted as small indents appeared around her body as if she was being squeezed by the wire like her monster.
"You're right this is painful", she chuckled.
"Are you hurt Konan?" asked Aquila.
She shook her head.
Konan's LP 2000
Naruto's LP 1500
"Hmm, that's annoying, perhaps you do have some skill but your little brother doesn't seem to be as enthusiastic about your small victory than you do", said Konan as Ren stared aimlessly down to the sharpened sea of old spears.
"Don't you remember what I said before about him taking a step after you lose life points", she reminded him as Ren's soul looked like it struggled to take a step forward.
"Poor child, if we do not rescue him soon he will not need to be impaled by a soul spear for his soul to perish", said Mercury in a worried tone.
"Ren", said Naruto as his vision of his brother blurred.
'This place is having more of an effect on me than I thought', Naruto inwardly grimaced. 'This isn't the time to be weak Naruto, I have to be strong like Yami', he thought as he willed his body to look up at Konan who struggled to draw a card.
"I'll summon, Paper Shuriken (1600/500)", said Konan as she shakily placed the monster on the field. "Attack his Fox Scout?" she said.
Both monsters were destroyed and leaving only Paper Shuriken on the field.
Naruto growled.
"These monsters are real, they feel pain and you just sacrificed two of them", he said angrily.
"Yes and now you're wide open", she said as she pointed forward.
"Paper Flower (500/0) attack his life points directly", she said.
"I don't think so", he said. "You've activated my trap card you spoiled brat, Toad Flame Bomb", he chuckled softly as the toad that had aided him in many duels appeared.
He ate the flower and spat it out reducing its attack points back to 0.
"Now watch and learn", he said weakly as he drew a card.
"I summon Fox Ronin (2000/1350", he smirked as his fox appeared.
"This guy is immune to effect of your monsters, attack", said Naruto as he pointed forward.
"Not so face, I activate the trap card Negate Attack", said Konan as Fox Ronin stopped his attack.
"Now your turn is over", said Konan.
Konan's LP 2000
Naruto's LP 1500
"I'll play the magic card Paper Angel Wings", said Konan as the Konan as a hurricane of wings appeared behind her coffin.
"Now you're finished, the last piece of my puzzle", she said. "Paper Flower, fuse with Paper Angel Wings and Flower Coffin", the hurricane of paper increased in size as she special summoned her monster.
Naruto and Sasuke covered their eyes.
"Now, Judgement Angel Eos (2500/2000) appear", she ordered as the monster made out of paper appeared. The angel had a very large wing span, she also carried a scale in one hand and a sword in the other.
"Eos destroy his Ronin with judgement saber", she commanded as Naruto's Fox's was destroyed. I'll place one card face down and that'll be all", she finished.
Naruto drew a card and then stared at his hand. His vision blurred and he shook it off.
'I can't give up', he thought as he bit his lip.
"I'll place one card face down and then, I summon Fox Cheerleader (1300/1000) in attack mode", he said as he struggled to get the cards on the pad. Fox Cheerleader appeared with a happy skip she was a yellow colour. She like Fox Scout stood on her hind legs with a pair of pom poms in her hands. She also wore a small a cheerleading outfit as her name sake suggests.
"Naruto", said Sasuke as he watched his friend struggle to keep up right. "Pluto why isn't Konan this badly hurt?" asked Sasuke.
"Naruto has been greatly injured due to the number of physical attacks inflicted on him", he sighed. "This also happens to be her shadow game as she possesses Ren's soul", he explained.
Konan's LP 2000
Naruto's LP 1500
"Is that all you've got?" she asked.
"I've got a lot more than you think, just make your move", he smirked tiredly.
"F-Fine", she said as she drew a card.
"Now here's where it gets interesting", she wheezed out and coughed.
"The two of them can't last much longer", said Sasuke as he started feeling the effects of this world as well.
"It is truly a test of whose will is greatest", commented Pluto.
"Eos' scale is her special ability, if she weighs in favour of the right side, every monster on your side of the field is destroyed and you take 500 points of damage for each, if it lands on the left she switches into defence mode for your battle phase", she said.
"Now, scale of fate activate!" she ordered.
The two sides to the scaled wrestled for a few moments before it landed on the right side, which weighed down heavily. This created a shockwave that destroyed Fox Cheerleader. She sighed and gripped the side of the duel station as she watched the attack unfold.
"Now finish him!" she shouted as her.
"Y-You wish, you've activated my trap, Four Corner Sealing, your monster can't attack now and it loses 900 attack points bringing it down to 1600", he chuckled as the pyramid barrier appeared around her strongest monster.
"I end my turn", she said begrudgingly.
"Seeing as you're done", he coughed. "I'll t-take over from here", he said.
Naruto's deck began to glow red.
"Kyuubi?" asked Naruto. "Y-You want to help me save Ren?" he smiled when he felt a warm breeze blew through the arena.
"It would seem that your duel spirit wishes to aid you", said Mercury appearing next to him.
Naruto shakily moved his hand to his deck but he couldn't reach it.
'Damn it I-
He gasped when he felt a weight on his hand.
"Together", said the Prince as he guided Naruto to his deck.
Mercury also put her hand over Naruto's and together they drew the card. When the 3 of them lifted the card and the field erupted in a circle of flames.
"F-First I play Tribute to Kaguya", he said with him from his friends he placed the card from his hand to the pad. He discarded one card to the graveyard.
"Come back, Fox Cheerleader (1300/1000)", he said as the cherry fox jumped up.
"Next I'll play Incinerating Flare", he said as the 3 of them placed the card down on the field. The flames grew larger in size and roared, Konan covered her eyes as some of her dress began to burn. She quickly put it out but her skin was singed.
"Okay my friend, help me out", he said as the 3 of them placed the Kyuubi (2700/2200) on the field. The flames all condensed into a ball and were then suddenly hurled into to the sky in an upward stream. The fire illuminated the darkness and destroyed the shadow power surrounding the Coliseum.
"When I special summoned him with Incinerating Flare, his attack points were increased by 600, giving him an attack strength of 3300", he smirked weakly.
"That's not all, Fox Cheerleader's special ability activates, every monster", he coughed. "On my side of the field that's attributed to the fox type gains 300 attack points", Kyuubi growled dangerously as his red aura increased in density around him.
"A-And lastly, to give him the strength to destroy this shadow game, I'll equip him with Majestic Armour Susanoo!" he cried as Naruto and his 2 friends slammed the last card.
Kyuubi was wrapped in golden armour and he stood up on his hind legs. He sprouted golden wings and sword in his right claw. This gave Kyuubi in total 4400 attack points.
"N-Now end this Kyuubi and illuminate the darkness with your infinity sword!" Kyuubi roared as fire spread around his weapon.
He pointed the sword upward as the sun shone down on them.
This made Sasuke and Pluto smile with happiness.
Konan stood at stand still. She dropped all her cards on the duelling station. Aquila stood impassively behind her, she was quite concerned for her companion's well-being although she didn't show it.
A stray tear ran down her face.
"It's okay my little flower, you don't have to cry mother's here", she heard a voice that made her bite her lip.
"It's over now sweetheart", she said as her voice echoed throughout the arena.
Kyuubi pulled his sword back and swung it forward. In one slash he obliterated her Judgment Angel Eos and the rest of her life points.
"I-I did it R-Ren", Naruto smiled weakly at his little brother's from. He could have sworn that the smallest smiles appeared on his face.
"N-No", he heard Konan rasp out. "No more, I-I've had enough of this!" she cried to the heavens.
Her necklace glowed red and a lightning bolt travelled up into the clear sky.
This created a shockwave of violent energy that had built up due to Konan's anger. She externalised her anger and the energy created a wave of energy that spread out in all directions.
Pluto and Sasuke ducked down to avoid it.
The shockwave travelled right through Ren and he remained still.
However, Naruto was much too weak to do anything about it.
Mercury tried as did the Prince to shield him but to no avail.
The shockwave hit Naruto right in the face as he was blown off the duel station and onto the sand with a thud. He hit his head first as he screamed out in pain clutching his bleeding face.
Yami raced next to him and held him up resting him on his knee.
"That's enough Naruto, just let me take over now", he said desperately. "I can't watch you get hurt anymore", he watched as Naruto clutched his face.
Sasuke also raced over to his friend. He stood next to Pluto as he looked down at his friend. He knelt down to see blood drip down from his face. He gripped it and the liquid dripped onto his hand.
"He's right, you must stop now", said Mercury.
He coughed and breathed out.
"You two must be out of your minds", he chuckled painfully. "I can't….give up, my little brother I have to save him before he falls", he gripped the sand as he removed his bloodied hand from his face.
Naruto pushed up onto his feet.
"Naruto stop", said Yami as he helped his descendent up.
He gently pushed him off.
"I have to prove to myself that I'm as strong and as brave as you", he staggered forward. "That I can stand on my own two feet", he took another step forward and Yami looked on with a pained look.
"Just stop Naruto, you've done enough", said Sasuke as he watched his friend shuffle toward the duel station.
"No", he said. "T-This is my battle, I'm Ren's older brother and I have to protect him", he coughed.
Ren took a step forward. The first half of his front foot stood over the edge.
Konan slammed her fist on the duel station as more red lightning rained down.
A stray tear rolled down her proclaim face.
"Konan, I understand that you are in pain. However, the source of your pain is your father and not Naruto, do you see now child?" asked Aquila.
"It's not fair", she said softly in anger.
A lightning bolt struck right next to Ren and because he was so close to the edge it created enough force to knock him.
"N-No Ren!" Naruto found strength he didn't know he had left. His bracelet glowed yellow as he took a few steps and jumped down into the pit.
He fell forward and extended his arm.
"NO!" exclaimed Yami.
Ren just fell down, unaware of where he was.
Sasuke yelled for his friend as he ran over as fast as he could to the edge of the pit.
Mercury's eyes glowed yellow as she spread her angel wings and flew above the pit.
"Ancient Weapons of Rome be gone!" she commanded as all the spears that threatened the Namikaze brother's souls disappeared in a yellow light.
Naruto finally reached Ren and grabbed his hand. He pulled him toward his chest.
"Naruto", he heard faintly.
"Little brother", he said weakly.
He angled his body down toward the floor so his little brother's soul wouldn't be damaged. However, he didn't have enough strength to fully turn his body around so he was facing the surface. The best his body would let him was to let him get on his side. He raced down to the now stone floor with his little brother's soul in his arms. The first thing to hit the ground was his left leg and an audible crack echoed through the cavern.
"I've got you little brother", he said weakly.
Mercury and the Prince jumped down to either side of the brothers.
"Naruto!" yelled Yami as he knelt down next to him.
However, Naruto had passed out from exhaustion and the pain.
"He's not in good shape", said Mercury.
"I should have stopped him!" Yami slammed his fist into the ground.
"He looks up to you Prince. This is not your fault", said Mercury. "Do not fret my Prince, he will be fine after he recovers", said Mercury in a kind tone.
The Fox Duellist
"This duel is over Konan, I sincerely hope that you have learnt from this experience", said Aquila. "Are you satisfied, you have endangered someone you once called brother, it pains me to watch you inflict so much agony when it is not in your nature", said the proud with a sad voice.
She slumped down as her cards scattered all over the duel station. More tears slipped out from her eyes.
"Mother, please…..I'm sorry", she cried.
The Fox Duellist
Naruto, Sasuke and Konan appeared back in Duellist Kingdom. The duel between Yugi and Pegasus had been concluded and Pegasus had released the 2 souls from the cards he possessed. Ren's soul had also been set free inadvertently wen Naruto touched his little brother's heart, releasing him from bondage.
The trio appeared both of them on either side of Naruto holding him up. All 3 of them looked like they had just been through a war. They landed in the courtyard of Duellist Kingdom to the shock of the Kaiba brother's, Yugi and his friends were also startled.
The three of them had a firm grip on each other's hands.
The Fox Duellist
Kushina sat next to Ren's bed with her husband Minato standing above her with a strong and comforting hand on her shoulder. Their son remained unresponsive for quite some time now. Minato had only just gotten back after receiving a call from his wife. Hearing that his youngest son had indeed lost his soul was a little farfetched but he had raced home nonetheless at Kushina's utter seriousness about the topic. Also the fact that his eldest son had entered some card tournament to retrieve it, however Minato knew that Kushina didn't joke when it came to their sons' safety and seeing Ren in the hospital in a coma was certainly enough to make him a believer.
Kushina grabbed Ren's hand.
"We have to have faith in Naruto sweetheart, that kid certainly got all your tenacity, he's never given up in anything since the day he was born", said Minato. "If anyone can save Ren it's our boy", he comforted.
A tear slid down Kushina's face and hit Ren's hand.
"Come back please Ren, come back to me", she cried as more tears fell.
"Why are you so upset mum?" she gasped when she say her son open his eyes.
"R-Ren!" she wrapped her arms around him and cried her heart out.
"D-Dad", said Ren when he saw his father standing over him. A small tear fell down Minato's face.
"Big brother, h-he saved me y'know", he said as he coughed. "I knew that he would, he said he would, I remember", he smiled.
"My baby boy", she cried as she hugged him close.
"M-Mum you have to be careful, otherwise you'll hurt the baby", said Ren with a chuckle.
"You should really be worrying about yourself mister! You had me so worried y'know!" she cried pulling him closer.
The Fox Duellist
Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, it brought a tear to my eye. That wraps up this arc and now we can start the new one! Yay!
So Naruto saved Ren, albeit the whole saving part was a bit hazardous to his health ahahaha. Did any of you ever doubt him? So if all you understand why there were 3 matches in the tournament, because well I never intended for Sasuke or Naruto to win the tournament.
New arc starting in chapter 12 and in this arc we'll focus on some relationship building stuff, I might reveal the pairing I might not be able to help myself.
The new card mentioned in the Chapter came from suggestions that I've received in Reviews so a big thank you to –
DragonPony022
And
Tempestuous God of Valour-77
Thank you reading and don't forget to leave a REVIEW.
