Author's Note: Thanks to Anthony1, AniMes18 (Who reviewed twice), Silver Moon Phoenix, Depressed Pixie and Me-Ik's my Yami for reviewing, yes I'm back my Yami will not be doing any more Author Notes, first things first, to Mai and Hamagoki sorry to disappoint you girls but my Yami surprisingly has a girlfriend so I wouldn't hang around waiting for him to call you, and NO Téa will not be mortally or in anyway INJURED in this story ::Death Glares:: Be glad I'm on the other side of the planet from most of the people who read this or it would turn ugly fast, and you're not supposed to like my Yami, HE BLEW UP TIMES SQUARE HE'S EVIL AND HE'S ALREADY KILLED RAPTOR ONCE… I'm done.
Chapter 20 – The Mystery Duellist
Phoenix
Location: The Shadow Realm, Tokyo. Date: Void
The gang stood in between the wrecked lobby of the Yokohama Complex and the street, they all looked dejected, they thought they had finally won this war they were raging, they thought that they had found the real evil, Bandit Keith, but once again they were in the dark, they had no idea who was behind this, and they were no closer to finding out than when they'd been attack only a few days before, relatively speaking since in the Shadow Realm time has no meaning.
"Big brother you have to wake up, why won't you wake up." Serenity demanded not teary more like Kaiba than anything else which made the conscious group shudder.
"Téa, come on its ok, wake up." Yugi urged with Mai standing over him.
"No luck Serenity?" Kaiba asked only half caring, Serenity shook her head sadly, "No change, they've been like this since we cut them down, you don't think they're still trapped do you?" Serenity asked, her question was answered immediately hearing her brother groan.
He shot up startling Serenity, he looked around frantically to see Téa lying on the ground her eyes slowly opening, they were filled with indescribable fear and anguish she saw Joey and rushed into his arms sobbing, "Joey please, please forgive me, whatever I did I'm sorry please forgive me." She pleaded hanging onto his jacket for dear life, Joey's eyes were wide with shock, he wrapped his arms around Téa gently, "Téa its ok, I'm not forgiving ya because dere's nothing to forgive, you've done nothing wrong ok, I'm just glad you're ok." Joey said softly as the others took several steps back to give the two some privacy.
"They really messed with us didn't they?" Téa said realizing reality wasn't what she had assumed trapped in that hell.
"Yeah dey did, and I'm gonna get dem back for ya Téa, I promise." Joey said finally letting Téa out of his grip smiling, the group walked back over, they're shoes crunching on the ground that was still covered with glass.
Joey looked around to assess the situation when he saw something, "Yug, what da heck is that." Joey asked pointing into the distance, everyone looked up, in the distance several kilometres away was a large dome, but this dome was smaller than the one that encompassed Tokyo, it appeared to only encompass one block of the large city.
"Another Shadow Dome." Yugi surmised studying it intently.
"Do ya think dat's where dey're keeping Tristan?" Joey asked keeping his eyes on the dome as if trying to burn a hole through it with his glare.
"Maybe, who ever they are." Yugi agreed, Téa and Joey got up to face Yugi with the rest of the gang.
"We're going there aren't we?" Serenity asked, Yugi nodded, "I was afraid of that." She groaned.
"Shall we?" Téa said indicating to the road the group realized that they would have to walk since the Rare Hunters had wrecked all their vehicles.
The group began walking, for some reason the streets were completely devoid of people, in a city of twenty six million Yugi didn't think it was possible that every person could be hiding inside, but considering where they were Yugi could not blame them.
After several minutes Mai glanced at Yugi; he hadn't spoken to her since the duel with Bandit Keith, she didn't know what to say, but Mai knew she had to say something.
"Yugi, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I was just." Mai said but Yugi interrupted her.
"Mai its ok I understand, I don't care what you've done in the past, the important thing is you're here now with your friends and you want to make up for what you did." Yugi said patting Mai on the arm gently smiling.
"But how?" Mai asked but once again Yugi cut her off mid sentence.
"That's easy Mai, because I love you." He answered Mai sighed.
"If this continues any longer I am going to vomit." Serenity commented wryly, both Mai and Yugi blushed and became silent, Yugi's head shot up sharply his eyes scanning the area slowly.
"Yugi what's wrong?" Téa asked Yugi didn't respond.
'We're being watched, but whom, I can't see anyone but I know we're being watched.' Yugi thought.
As if in answer to his thoughts a being appeared out of nowhere his black cape billowing in the air as he landed.
"WHO ARE YOU!" Yugi demanded angrily.
"I am the person who's supposed to block you from continuing and take your rare Egyptian God Cards." The male voice answered with a hint of humour and an accent Yugi couldn't identify.
"If ya intent on blocking us I guess I'll just have to knock you down." Joey growled cracking his knuckles but the man held up his hand.
"I said supposed to block you, I really have no interest in that." The man stated.
"Ya not?" Joey questioned as the rest looked on surprised.
"No, I have no interest in seeing the people behind this win, I do not know who they are unfortunately but I know they are not good people." The man commented.
"Then why are you helping them?" Yugi questioned the man smiled.
"Because they can give me the thing I want most." He explained.
"What?" Kaiba questioned.
"Simple a duel with the world's greatest Duellist, you Yugi Motou." The man said pointing to Yugi.
"ME!" Yugi exclaimed.
"Yes, the King of Games, the winner of Battle City, the Champion of the Kaiba Corporation Grand Prix and the world's number one Duellist, I thought I would never get this day, I give you my word of honour win, lose or draw I will let you pass will you accept my challenge Yugi Motou." The Man asked.
"Like we're gonna…" Joey began but Yugi held out his hand and Joey fell silent.
Yugi grinned, "I accept." He said.
"YUGI!" The gang exclaimed.
"Yug how can we trust dis guy, he's already a member of da Rare Hunters." Joey protested.
"It's ok Joey, he's alright." Yugi assured.
"If ya say so Yug." Joey said unconvinced.
"LET'S GO." Yugi exclaimed the competitive fire burning in anticipation.
"Excellent, by the way, they call me Phoenix." Phoenix said his brown eyes glinting.
The coin toss went in Phoenix's favour.
Phoenix LP – 6000
Yugi LP – 6000
::Phoenix::
"I draw,
1. I play a card face down,
2. And summon Drillago (Machine/Effect ATK/1600 DEF/1100) in attack mode,
3. I equip Drillago with 7 Completed (Equip/Spell) this card will increase the attack or defence depending on what I choose of the equipped monster by 700 points and I increase its attack (ATK/2400),
4. That ends my turn."
::Yugi::
"I draw,
1. I play a card face down,
2. And I summon Skilled White Magician (Spellcaster/Effect ATK/1700 DEF/1900) in defence mode and end my turn."
::Phoenix::
"Thank you Yugi that's exactly what I wanted, I draw,
1. I summon the Red-Eyes Black Chick (Dragon/Effect ATK/800 DEF/500) to the field in defence mode,
2. Now I sacrifice it to special summon the Red-Eyes Black Dragon (Dragon ATK/2400 DEF/2000) to the field in attack mode,
3. Now first I attack you directly with Drillago,
4. Then I destroy your Skilled White Magician with the Red-Eyes Black Dragon ending my turn."
Drillago inflicted 2400 points of direct damage to the opponent's life points, Red-Eyes Black Dragon destroyed Skilled White Magician.
Phoenix – 6000
Yugi – 3600
"WAIT something's screwy I told ya dis creep couldn't be trusted." Joey yelled angrily.
"Nothing is as you phrased it 'screwy' just the effect of my Drillago, it can bypass any opponent's monster and attack directly as long as the opponent's monster has 1600 attack points or more." Phoenix explained.
Yugi growled under his breath, 'That was a gutsy gambit he was counting on the fact I didn't know the effect of Drillago, he was right but it was a risk because of my face down card.' Yugi mused before beginning his turn.
::Yugi::
"I draw,
1. I summon Celtic Guardian (Warrior ATK/1400 DEF/1200) in defence mode,
2. Next I play Ultimate Offering (Trap) at a cost of 800 life points per monster I can summon more than one monster per turn,
3. Now I play Cost Down (Spell) by discarding one card from my hand I can down grade all the cards in my hand by two levels,
4. Meaning that my Dark Magician now has five level stars instead of seven so I only have to sacrifice one monster to summon it,
5. I sacrifice my Celtic Guardian to summon the Dark Magician (Spellcaster ATK/2500 DEF/2100), (LP – 2800)
6. But that's not all, I activate my face down card, Dedication Through Light and Darkness (Quick Play/Spell) this card allows me to sacrifice my Dark Magician from the Field,
7. To summon the Dark Magician of Chaos (Spellcaster/Effect ATK/2800 DEF/2600) in attack mode,
8. NOW DARK MAGICIAN OF CHAOS ATTACK DRILLAGO?!"
Dark Magician of Chaos's attack destroyed Drillago.
Phoenix – 5600
Yugi – 2800
::Phoenix::
"Very Impressive Yugi Motou, all that I would have expected, I draw,
1. I play one card face down in defence mode,
2. and switch Red-Eyes Black Dragon in defence mode,
3. And I play one card face down to end my turn."
::Yugi::
"I draw,
1. I send one card from my hand to the graveyard in order to activate Wicked-Breaking Flamberge – Baou (Equip/Spell) and equip it to Dark Magician of Chaos increasing its attack points 500 (ATK/3300),
2. This allows me to summon Guardian Baou (Fiend/Effect ATK/800 DEF/400) in attack mode,
3. First I attack with Dark Magician of Chaos to destroy your Red-Eyes Black Dragon removing it from play due to my Chaos Mage's special ability,
4. Now I have my Guardian Baou destroy your face down monster,
5. My monster's special ability kicks in when he destroys your monster increasing Guardian Baou's attack 1000 points (ATK/1800),
6. That ends my turn."
Dark Magician of Chaos destroyed Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Guardian Baou's attack destroyed Pitch Dark Dragon (Dragon/Union ATK/900 DEF/500)
::Phoenix::
"I draw,
1. I play one card face down and end my turn."
::Yugi::
"I draw,
1. Since you have no monsters on the field I can attack you directly,
2. First with the Guardian Baou,
3. Then with Dark Magician of Chaos." Yugi said grinning knowing he'd just wiped 5100 points from Phoenix's Life Points.
But something strange happened, Phoenix began laughing, "THANK YOU MR. MOTOU, I've been waiting for this,
1. I ACTIVATE INFERNO TEMPEST AND SOUL ABSORPTION,
2. My first card Inferno Tempest activates when I take 3000 points or more damage in one attack, it removes every monster card in our decks and our Graveyards from play,
3. I remove seventy monsters from play." Phoenix said holding up a large cash of cards.
"I remove thirty three monsters from play." Yugi said, and Phoenix grinned wider.
4. That means a total of one hundred and five monsters have been removed from play,
5. Which brings me to my second card, Soul Absorption this card increases my life points five hundred for every card removed from play,
6. Which is one hundred and three for this turn not counting the two cards you destroyed, Drillago and Red-Eyes Black Dragon,
7. giving me once the damage is subtracted a total of 51,500 life points."
Dark Magician of Chaos and Guardian Baou inflicted a total of 5100 points of damage to the opponent's life points.
Phoenix – 51,500
Yugi – 2800
::Phoenix::
"I draw,
1. I play one card face down,
2. I summon Gren Maju Da Eiza (Fiend/Effect ATK/? DEF/?) in attack mode,
3. This card's special ability increases its attack and defence 400 points for every card removed from play on my side of the field (ATK/28000 DEF/28000),
4. I'll give you a free turn Yugi Motou, I end my turn."
Yugi was speechless, 'There's no way I, I can win.' He thought Yugi felt himself fall to his knees, he'd never faced a monster with 28,000 attack points, he had no idea how he'd defeat that kind of power.
Even Kaiba was speechless, this monster in front of him had more than nine times the attack strength of his Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
"Yugi stand up." A voice cut through the haze.
"Mai?" Yugi questioned.
"Get up Yugi you're not done yet, you can still win this I have faith." Mai said encouragingly.
"Ok Mai." Yugi agreed getting up, 'Mai's right, I'm going to win I know I will.' Yugi thought defiantly.
::Yugi::
"I draw,
1. I play the Swords of Revealing Light (Spell),
2. This card prevents you from attacking for three whole turns,
3. I end my turn by switching all my monsters into defence mode."
::Phoenix:: (Swords of Revealing Light Effect Turn – 1)
"Excellent, I like a challenge, I draw,
1. And I end my turn."
::Yugi::
"I draw, 'There's got to be a way to win, wait there is a card, but I don't have it in my deck, but Phoenix might.' Yugi thought.
1. I play one card face down,
2. And end my turn."
::Phoenix:: (Swords of Revealing Light Effect Turn – 2)
"I draw, and end my turn."
::Yugi::
"I draw, 'YES, this might work, it's a complex strategy but it just might work… I hope.'
1. I play one last card face down and end my turn."
::Phoenix:: (Swords of Revealing Light Effect Turn – 3)
I draw,
1. I end my turn."
::Yugi::
"I draw, and end my turn."
::Phoenix::
"I draw,
1. I attack Dark Magician of Chaos with Gren Maju Da Eiza,
2. And end my turn."
Gren Maju Da Eiza's attack destroyed Dark Magician of Chaos.
::Yugi::
"I draw and end my turn."
::Phoenix::
"I draw,
1. I attack Guardian Baou with Gren Maju Da Eiza,
2. That destroys your last defence Yugi Motou on my next turn I will destroy you."
::Yugi::
"I disagree, I draw,
1. Now watch and learn,
2. I activate Harpie's Feather Duster (Spell) to destroy all your cards on the field,
3. Next I play Dark Designator (Spell) this card allows me to select one card from your deck and add it to your hand,
4. And I select Return from a Different Dimension (Trap),
5. Now I activate Exchange (Spell) this allows us to take a card from our opponent's hand and add it to our own,
6. Yugi takes Return from a Different Dimension,
7. Phoenix takes Graceful Charity (Spell),
8. Next I play Return from a Different Dimension at a cost of half my remaining life points (LP – 1400) we can summon as many monsters as we can on our respective sides of the field,
9. I summon Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of Beginning (Warrior/Effect ATK/3000 DEF/2500),
10. I summon the Winged Dragon of Ra (Divine Beast ATK/???? DEF/????)
11. I summon Valkyrion the Magna Warrior (Rock/Effect ATK/3500 DEF/3850),
12. I summon the Dark Magician of Chaos (Spellcaster/Effect ATK/2800 DEF/2600),
13. Last I summon the Sorcerer of Dark Magic (Spellcaster/Effect ATK/3200 DEF/2800) all in Defence mode,
::Phoenix::
1. I summon Gren Maju Da Eiza (Fiend/Effect ATK/26400 DEF/26400),
2. I summon a second Gren Maju Da Eiza (Fiend/Effect ATK/26400 DEF/26400),
3. I summon Black Luster Soldier (Warrior/Ritual ATK/3000 DEF/2500),
4. I summon Invader of Darkness (Fiend/Effect ATK/2900 DEF/2500) all in attack mode,
::Yugi::
'Great, more bad news he has three of those monsters, this is going to make things more difficult.'
14. I play The Dark Door (Continuous/Spell) this allows us to attack with only one monster per turn,
15. Next I play Back to Square One and return Winged Dragon of Ra to the top of my deck,
16. Now I play Pot of Greed (Spell) allowing me to draw two more cards from my deck, 'If I don't draw the right card I'm finished…'
17. 'YES' I play Soul Exchange (Spell) Allowing me to sacrifice one of your monsters in place of my own,
18. NOW I SACRIFICE VALKYRION THE MAGNA WARRIOR, SORCERER OF DARK MAGIC AND ONE OF YOUR GREN MAJU DA EIZA'S TO SUMMON,
19. THE WINGED DRAGON OF RA (Divine Beast ATK/33100 DEF/33050) IN ATTACK MODE,
20. NOW I ATTACK BLACK LUSTER SOLDIER WITH WINGED DRAGON OF RA!"
Winged Dragon of Ra's attack destroyed Black Luster Soldier.
"WHAT?!" Kaiba exclaimed angrily.
"That's my boy." Mai said smirking, she was very proud of Yugi at this moment.
Phoenix – 21400
Yugi – 2800
::Phoenix::
"Impressive Yugi very impressive, I draw,
1. I switch all my remaining monsters into defence mode and end my turn."
::Yugi::
"Thanks Phoenix, I draw,
1. I play one card face down,
2. I switch my Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of Beginning from defence to attack mode,
3. Now I attack Gren Maju Da Eiza with the Winged Dragon of Ra."
Winged Dragon of Ra destroyed Gren Maju Da Eiza.
::Phoenix::
"You really think I would fall for that, what card do you have face down, Magic Cylinder?" Phoenix asked smiling.
Yugi shrugged grinning, "It was worth a try." He said.
"On anyone else that might have worked, I draw,
1. Your gone Yugi I play Zero Gravity (Trap),
2. But not before playing my Harpies Feather Duster,
3. Zero Gravity changes the Battle Position of all the monsters on the field,
4. SO NOW WHILE YOUR WINGED DRAGON OF RA IS IN DEFENCE MODE,
5. MY GREN MAJU DA EIZA IS IN ATTACK MODE AND CAN ATTACK YOUR DARK MAGICIAN OF CHAOS THAT'S IN ATTACK MODE,
6. NOW GREN MAJU DA EIZA DESTROY DARK MAGICIAN OF CHAOS!"
Mai closed her eyes knowing Yugi had lost, she had no idea what would happen next.
"NOT YET, I play Trap Jammer (Trap) this card destroys Zero Gravity switching all cards back into there original positions." Yugi said.
"I end my turn."
::Yugi::
"I draw,
1. I play Reverse Trap (Trap) this card changes the attack and defence Increases to Decreases,
2. Now I switch Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of Beginning to attack mode,
3. I attack Invader of Darkness with Black Luster Soldier,
4. Now I attack Gren Maju Da Eiza with Dark Magician of Chaos,
5. Finally I attack you directly with the Winged Dragon of Ra."
"…It's been an honour Yugi." Phoenix said looking up at the Winged Dragon poised for attack.
"Thank you Phoenix, NOW WINGED DRAGON, GOD BLAST CANNON!" Yugi ordered.
Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of Beginning's attack destroyed Invader of Darkness, Dark Magician of Chaos's attack destroyed Gren Maju Da Eiza, and Winged Dragon of Ra's attack inflicted 33100 points of direct damage to the opponent's life points.
Yugi – 2800
Phoenix – 0
Phoenix got up and bowed to Yugi, "As promised you may pass I wish you luck." Phoenix said but before he could speak further the Millennium Symbol appeared on his forehead, and angered voice spoke from the man's body.
"YOU HAVE FAILED AND BETRAYED THE RARE HUNTERS ONLY ONE PUNISHMENT IS SUITABLE FOR YOU BOY, THE SHADOW REALM!" The voice screamed before Phoenix's body collapsed to the ground, Yugi approached but the body rose again.
"Hello Yugi, we met again." The voice said.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" Yugi demanded.
"You will find out soon, and when we do meet Yugi Motou you will suffer." The voice said happily.
"WHERE'S TRISTAN YOU FREAK?" Joey yelled.
"Taylor, Taylor is gone." The voice answered.
"Where is he?" Yugi asked trying to keep his voice neutral.
"I don't know, tell me Pharaoh's Light, where does one go after losing a Shadow game?" The voice asked.
"YOU BASTARD LET HIM GO, THEY DID NOTHING WRONG WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!" Yugi demanded angrily grabbing the front of Phoenix's shirt.
The voice just laughed before the Millennium Symbol disappeared from his head and the man collapsed to the ground.
"Let's go." Yugi growled walking away.
Next – Back From the Dead