21. Call of the Haunted.

Death is a mysterious thing, when we defeated Belome at the Kero Sewers nobody could have guessed that the flood would take him and kill him, the same goes for Punchinello, who was killed by his own explosives.

Now deep in the night a voice calls out to me when I got to see what it is I have to face a warrior from Hell itself.

After Yaridovich fell apart Geno and the others reclaimed the Star Pieces.

Johnny walked up to them. 'Nicely done.' He said.

'Guys like him gives pirates a bad name, although I don't think he was a real pirate after all.' Johnny said.

'No he only was a power-hungry fool, who met his ill fate in the hands of the gods.' Geno replied, Johnny smiled, I've got the key to set the villagers free.

'Thank you.' Mario said, taking the key from Johnny.

'Well I'll be going now but before I go I want you to have this.' Johnny said, and he gave Mario The Tyrant Neptune he just got back from Yaridovich. 'I heard you need those cards.' Johnny said as he turned around and walked away.

Mario found the villagers locked up in a barn, an elder man introduced himself as the mayor.

That night they stayed at the mayor's house, he had offered Mario and the others a room and dinner to celebrate their victory over Yaridovich.

At midnight the mayor spoke to them: 'I am glad you came here, I can never repay you for what you did, is there anything I can do for you?'

Mario nodded. 'We want to enter Nimbus City, but we have no idea how.'

The mayor scratched his skin.

'You never heard the news?' He asked.

'News?' Mario asked.

'The King of Nimbus City is sick, now there is a group of rebels their leader is Valentina, now the Queen needs all her attention for Valentina's assault, she doesn't give the queen time to help her husband.'

Mallow looked the other way he had tears in his eyes.

'Unbelievable, their own son Mallow betrayed his parents, he opened the gates of Nimbus City so Valentina's army could enter the castle area, and that right after he returned, years he was missed then he suddenly returned and did this.'

Mallow wanted to say something but Geno stopped him.

'Missing you say?' Rozalin asked.

'Yes he was lost taken away by some bandits well that's what he said, I saw him on the news he was as fat as a nobleman, you can't trick me.' The mayor said.

'So Mallow tries to make Valentina ruler of Nimbus City, but how do we get in we have business there.' Rozalin said.

'I'd say we barge right in and take down that Valentina while we're at it!' Bowser shouted.

'Not so good plan.' The mayor replied. 'The city is locked tight nobody get in or out Valentina's army controls the gates now. Although there is a secret route through Monstero Town, it was once a great town but it decayed long ago, the only entrance is through a temple that was build there to honor the gods.' The mayor said.

'More things we should know?' Mario asked.

'The temple is bound to be guarded, but once you are through you can go in one streak, the entrance is well hidden so Monstero Town won't be guarded at least that is what I guess.'

The Mayor took something out of a drawer behind him. 'This map shows the entrance.' The mayor said.

'All right I have a plan.' Mallow said.

'We go through the temple then use the secret passage to sneak into Monstero Town there we find out how to enter Nimbus City, then we take it by storm overthrow Valentina before she can take full control and continue on our quest.'

That night Mallow didn't sleep well, nightmares kept him awake, in one he walked inside a dark temple when suddenly Valentina appeared before him she stabbed him with the Millennium Rod and then she disappeared, Mallow woke up before he really died.

The second one Mallow was running out of the same temple, a trail of blood behind him, a haunting laughter followed him.

The next day Mallow told the rest about his nightmares. 'Bad dreams Mallow, they make sure you're on your guard, now let's go.' Geno said.

Six hours later they made camp just outside a huge golden temple.

'Tomorrow we go.' Mario said. 'To set Nimbus City free.'

That night Mallow had a new nightmare he stood in the temple he was Dueling when suddenly a familiar voice called out to him, when Mallow opened his eyes he still heard the voice, when nobody else woke up he took his Deck and Duel Disk and entered the temple on his own.

Nimbus City.

Valentina and Johnson sat in her camp.

'When do we strike?' Johnson asked.

'Is our army assembled?' Valentina asked.

'Yes they stand ready, half of the guards are with us now, the castle is unguarded, our guards are inside the castle.'

Valentina smiled.

'Men to arms!' She shouted.

Five minutes later Valentina stood in the throne room.

'Queen of Nimbus you are overthrown, all your guards are defeated or with me, surrender and there shall be no more bloodshed.'

The queen had tears in her eyes.

'Please I surrender if you help my husband.'

Valentina chuckled. 'Of course not, I did all that to poison him, now I not gonna help him, in a few days he is dead, I promised no more bloodshed I never promised that nobody would die.' Valentina laughed.'

Two guards entered. 'We've found the king in the hospital wing he is transported to the prison.'

'Good.' Valentina said. 'Bring the queen there and completely lock down the city, then proceed to secure Monstero Town tomorrow we will own this land.' The guards saluted, took the queen and walked away.

Near Monstero Town.

Ten minutes after Mallow entered the temple Mario suddenly woke up from a scream. 'Mallow!' He shouted, the others woke up.

'I heard Mallow screaming and he is gone, it came from the temple.'

Less than two minutes later Mario and the others found Mallow, he was in a Duel his opponent stood in the shadows, Mallow had Cyber Harpie Lady on the field Equipped with Cyber Shield, Aero Nail and Rose Whip. (2900 ATK) Mallow also had Harpies' Hunting Ground, boosting the attack of Cyber Harpie Lady to 3100.

His opponent had Darklord Asmodeus on the field, (3000 ATK) and one facedown card.

(Mallow: 1800) - (?: 600)

'You think you are something now Snacky?' The robed figure asked.

'Snacky?' Mario asked.

'Mario! Guys! Get out!' Mallow shouted.

'Isn't that Belome?' Mario asked.

'Yes, he has returned from the death, after he cracked his skull in Kero Sewers.'

'Continue the Duel Snacky.' Belome said.

'Alright my Battle Phase! Cyber Harpie destroy that Asmodeus!' Cyber Harpie whipped the Darklord with her whip, Asmodeus disappeared but two smaller version appeared one was blue with black armor. (1300 DEF)

The other was red with black armor. (1200 DEF)

'These are Asmo and Deus Tokens, and now I activate my facedown Call of the Haunted!' A huge black creature appeared he wore a red cape and he held a huge sword in his hand. (2800 ATK)

It was Darklord Zerato.

(Mallow: 1800) - (Belome: 500)

'It is my turn.' Belome said, suddenly he laughed hysterically.

'Snacky it's time you meet my lord, the one who revived me from death.' Mallow started to sweat.

'You were guiding me through the Duel, you planned this every move.' Mallow said, Belome laughed.

'Just finish him.' Someone said and Grave appeared.

'All together, you are too late collecting all the Star Pieces, I know where the others are, one I already have the second is soon mine, Valentina shall help me getting it, I'll also take your Millennium Items and Legendary Planets, and maybe the God cards.'

'What are you rambling about Grave?' Mario asked.

'I am saying that you are my pawns, and I played you so that you are stuck now, Belome summon him!' Grave said.

'Don't think so! Mind Crush!' Mario shouted and his Puzzle glowed.

Suddenly the Millennium Ring appeared around Grave's neck.

'Shadow Game!' He shouted and the time between Mario and Grave froze.

'Now Snacky I release my three monsters!' Belome shouted and the Darklords disappeared.

'Come forth from the darkness of despair! I call upon your ancient power my Jashin, The Wicked...Dreadroot!' A huge dark creature rose behind Belome a cackling laughter escaped Belome's throat, it was a skeletal creature. (4000 ATK)

'My Dreadroot strikes fear in the hearts of my opponents, look at your Harpie Lady.' Belome said. (1550 ATK)

'Her power is halved and now it is time for Dreadroot to feed on fear consume them all!' Dreadroot came closer to Mallow he screamed.

(Mallow: 0) - (Belome: 500)

With a loud bang Grave was thrown against the wall.

'Leave now Grave, you cannot kill us with your Shadow Magic, it is too weak.

Thanks to that explosion Mallow regained his senses and ducked out-of-the-way Dreadroot missed him and withdrew himself.

'On a contrary, I won you will be discarded into the pits of this temple, there you will see the power of my Shadow Magic.'

Grave snapped with his fingers and five holes opened Mario and the others fell down.

'Too bad Snacky was freed from Dreadroot because of Mario's interference.' Belome said.

'Don't worry, my Shadow Magic shall kill all of them, and when that happens I take all their Star Pieces, Millennium Items and cards then I'll deal with Valentina and Smithy.

Mario slowly opened his eyes. 'Where am I?' He muttered and he stood up.

'What is this?' Mario gasped when he saw he stood in a huge stadium.

There were no people in the seats, suddenly Mario heard the noise of a motor and after that a pitch black motor stopped in front of him, the driver jumped off.

'Nice motor isn't it?' He asked, the driver wore a black motor suit with padded shoulders, elbows and legs, a black helmet covered his face.

'This is what they call a Duel Runner, I suppose you're familiar with them, although you are no Turbo Duelist, your Deck is focused on Cyber Dragons and the V-to-Z monsters, I also know you have one of the Legendary Planets in your Deck.'

'How do you know?' Mario asked.

When Mallow landed he felt no pain, he touched the ground only to find out the floor was soft, the room was white the walls, floor and ceiling padded with soft material, a heavy door locked Mallow in the room.

A cackling laughter filled the air. 'Nice place huh?' The cackling voice asked.

'I could stay here forever! Lucky for me that is also the case!'

'Show yourself!' Mallow shouted.

'It is yet to early, but since you insist.' The voice said and a figure appeared in the room, he wore a straitjacket, his sleeves were loose and covered his arms and hands.

'I-I know you...' Mallow gasped.

'O yes you do, but enough, it is time I slay your precious Harpie Lady's.' The stranger said.

Rozalin's head felt heavy, she lifted it only to found out she was put inside a wooden cage, a forest surrounded her.

'How do you feel?' A warm voice asked, Rozalin turned around she saw a young woman around her age, the woman wore a short bikini top and a loincloth around her waist, she wore feathers in her blond hair, a white veil covered her mouth, she held a blowpipe in her hand.

'You look like one of the Amazoness.' The woman said.

'You look like one as well.' Rozalin replied. 'Yes I know you use them, now sleep.' She said and she fired a sleeping dart in Rozalin's shoulder.

Geno was right on his guard. 'The air is charged with magical power.' Geno mumbled.

'And I'm glad it is.' A voice said and a robed figure appeared in front of Geno. 'I am the true Dark Magician master.' The stranger said, his cloak was red he wore a red hood that completely covered his face, the movements of the stranger were a bit stiff.

'I'll kill you in a Soul Duel.' The stranger said.

'The most violent type of Duel, it is not even classified as a Shadow Game and only three people know how to create one and two of them are dead, I am the third one, I don't know how but I feel the same magical power around you that I have.' Geno said.

'I cannot conceal anything, and you cannot conceal Obelisk for me.'

When Bowser woke up he notices he laid on a chandelier across of him another chandelier hung, a hideous creature stood on it, it had long red hair, its skin was more scales than real skin, he wore a long black coat and black pants, his eyes glowed fierce red.

'Not this again.' Bowser mumbled.

'Yes.' The creature hissed. 'This again, only this time I added a twist.'

Bowser looked down and he saw a pool of lava beneath him.

'Your dragons shall soon be extincted.' The creature laughed.

'You want a Turbo Duel then?' Mario asked and the Turbo Duelist laughed.

'You have no training or Sense, how would you want to beat me?'

'Simple, trial and error.' Mario replied.

'Well then here you can borrow my spare Duel Runner.' The stranger said and an exact copy of his Duel Runner appeared before Mario he stepped up and started it. 'You win by bringing my Life Points down to zero, by stopping my Duel Runner or be the first to drive three rounds around the track, of course those victory conditions goes for me as well.'

(?: 8000) - (Mario: 8000)

A signal sounded and Mario and the stranger drove off, the stranger gave full speed and took the first turn. 'I start!' He shouted.

'I start this off with X-Head Cannon!' The stranger shouted and Mario's famous blue cannon appeared,only this one was black and yellow instead of the normal colors. (1800 ATK)

'X-Head Cannon, you use V-to-Z?' Mario asked, but the stranger remained silent.

'Well then have it your way.' Mario said and he drew his card.

'I use the effect of Cyber Dragon to Special Summon him!' Mario shouted and the metal dragon appeared on the field. (2100 ATK)

'And I can normal summon so I normal summon Mechanicalchaser!' Mario shouted and the heavy armed sphere appeared on the field. (1850 ATK)

'Mechanicalchaser take down his X-Head Cannon!' Mechanicalchaser flew over to the X-Head Cannon and sliced it in half with his sword.

'Cyber Dragon!' Mario shouted Cyber Dragon fired his blast.

The stranger lost some speed but easily kept up with Mario a few seconds later, behind him was a black Cyber Dragon. (2100 ATK)

'How?' Mario asked.

'I had activated my facedown card Damage Condenser, before the impact.'

'You use exactly my Deck.' Mario said.

'And that has a reason.' The stranger said and he removed his visor, Mario looked at an evil reflection of himself.

(Shadow Mario: 5850) - (Mario: 8000)

'You gonna move or do you end your turn?' Shadow Mario asked.

'I end my turn.' Mario said.

'Good.' Shadow Mario said as he drew his card. 'I activate Polymerization, fusing the Cyber Dragon in my hand together with the one on my field.'

'A trap? You let me attack you directly?' Mario asked.

'You finally see it, too little too late!' Shadow Mario said as the huge twin headed Cyber Dragon rose behind him it was completely black. (2800 ATK) 'Time to speed up!' Shadow Mario shouted and he took the lead.

'Now you feel my Sense, my Cyber Twin Dragon attacks both your monsters!'

The two heads fired their attacks leaving Mario behind in a cloud of dust and smoke.

(Shadow Mario: 5850) - (Mario: 6350)

When the smoke cleared Mario's clothes were torn, his face was bleeding a bit, his Duel Runner was scratched.

'This is my Sense! With each hit you take actual damage, soon your Duel Runner will be nothing more than a pile of scrap parts! You can't even get to top speed anymore!' Shadow Mario shouted, Mario saw he was right.

'Looks like one lap down for me!' Shadow Mario said while he passed the line. 'Two laps left!'

Rozalin slowly opened her eyes, she was still in the wooden cage, but now she hung above a huge Duel Arena.

'So you're awake.' A female voice said and a young woman entered the arena, she had long blond hair, she wore a black leather mini-skirt and a black leather midriff jacket, under the jacket she wore a pink bikini, she also wore black knee-high boots and black leather fingerless gloves, she wore a black Duel Disk around her arm.

'Wait you just look like me.' Rozalin said.

'That is right my dear, and I shall take your place as soon as I defeated you.' The Shadow Rozalin said she pressed a button and the arena was activated the cage descended and opened Rozalin stepped out her Duel Disk and Deck laid on the floor she checked her Deck and when she saw it was alright she activated her Duel Disk.

'Duel!' They both shouted.

(Rozalin: 8000) - (Shadow Rozalin: 8000)

'I'll start this off.' Rozalin said drawing her card.

'I start with Marauding Captain!' Rozalin shouted and the famous warrior appeared on the field. (1200 ATK)

'Although the Amazoness shall never accept any man to fight for them, for now they do, so I use the effect of my Captain to summon Amazoness Blowpiper!' A fierce-looking woman with blue hair appeared, she wore a green bikini and she held a blowpipe in her hand. (1500 DEF)

'Your move.'

'I shall crush you.' Shadow Rozalin said. 'I activate a Field Spell Amazoness Arena!' Shadow Rozalin shouted and a huge metal cage appeared around them. 'Now we gain 600 Life Points.' Shadow Rozalin explained and a golden glow surrounded both players.

(Rozalin: 8600) - (Shadow Rozalin: 8600)

'Wait I don't have that Field Spell, if you're my doppelganger you must have the same Deck as I have.' Rozalin noticed.

'Quite right, and that is why I play this card, you've got it once before against that one bully remember?'

Suddenly Rozalin remembered, that kid was always cheating and taking the best cards of his opponents, when Rozalin challenged him she had lost and that bully took half her Deck, when her classmates became tired of it Rozalin had borrowed an Amazoness Deck from someone, that Field Spell she had drawn it but never used it.

'I see.' Rozalin said, her Shadow smirked. 'I use Double Summon, and I summon Amazoness Tiger and Paladin!' She shouted first a majestic white tiger appeared, it had jewelry around his legs. (1100 ATK)

Next to her Paladin appeared, but this one had black clothing, her eyes were red. (1700 ATK- 1900 ATK)

'Now my Tiger also gains some additional attack points.' Shadow Rozalin said and Tiger rose to a score of 1900.

'Next I activate The A. Forces!' Shadow Rozalin shouted and the attack of Paladin rose to 2100.

'Now I attack your Captain with my Paladin!' Shadow Rozalin shouted and Paladin charged in she slashed at the monster.

'I activate the effect of my Arena! By paying 100 Life-Points I can inflict 100 points of damage to you!' Shadow Rozalin shouted and her soul appeared above her head.

'I also activate that effect!' Rozalin shouted and her soul also appeared, the two charged at each other but they blocked each others punches.

'Now Tiger destroy her Blowpiper!' Shadow Rozalin shouted and the Tiger charged in Shadow Rozalin also charged in this time kicking Rozalin, but Rozalin countered and punched Shadow Rozalin in the face.

(Rozalin: 7300) - (Shadow Rozalin: 8200)

'I love this!' Shadow Rozalin shouted. 'Your move!'

Grave and Belome still stood in the room, Grave was sitting on one knee he was panting. 'That Mario...' He gasped.

'He really did a number on you did he?' Belome asked.

'Shut it.' Grave growled while he stood up.

'They have no chance, they might have escaped Dreadroot, but that attack knocked them out cold, now they are fighting in their mind against themselves, if they lose their twisted version will take over forever.' Grave laughed.

'How did you do it?' Belome asked.

'I used my Ring to separate their minds into a good and a bad side, if they win their mind will be fixed, not to say that shall happen.

Next Time:

Belome: The Duels are well on their way, Mario and Rozalin have started and they are losing.

Grave: But the most brutal battle must yet start.

Belome: We'll see the beginning of the death of Mario and Rozalin next time.

Mario & Rozalin: This doesn't look good.

Card details:

The Wicked Dreadroot (manga effect)

Type: Divine-Beast

Attribute: Divine

level: 10

ATK: 4000

DEF: 4000

This card cannot be Special Summoned. This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set except by Tributing 3 monsters. This card is unaffected by the effects of Trap Cards and any Effect Monster Cards other than Divine-Beast-Type monsters. The effects of Spell Cards can only affect this card for 1 turn. While this card is face-up on the field, control of this card cannot switch and it cannot be destroyed or removed from the field except as a result of battle. Halve the ATK and DEF of all monsters on the field, except this card.

Amazoness Arena

Field Spell card

When you activate this card, both players gain 600 Life Points. If a monster battles, each player can pay 100 Life Points to inflict 100 damage to their opponent.

Note: The above card was first used by Tania during Yu-Gi-Oh GX episode 37 Duel Distractions, Part 2 all credits goes to the creative writers of that episode.