Persona Task Force: The Heart of the Watcher. Crystal Tokyo Arc.
Chapter 20: Cherry Blossom Hijinks! The Youma's a WHAT?
(New Intro: Overlap by Kimeru. YuGiOh Intro 5)
Kakusenai hodo mabayui hikari seijaku yaburi kono yo ni yomigaeru
Hageshiku yuragu kawaita daichi inochi o kakete hibana butsukeau
Mou ichido dake de ii kiseki okite yo
Kako ni nakushita kioku no peeji o torimodosu chikara o
Yami o tsuranuku shinjiru kokoro tamashii nemuru basho sagashite
Mabataki dekinai surudoi gankou o moyasu
Hikari to kage no futatsu no kokoro kurisutaru ni utsuru mirai e
Ima ugokidasu akaku minagiru eyes
(Enter Andrew's POV)
During my stay in Juuban, I learned that some things are best kept secret. However, since the festival was out, a LOT of stuff can happen. Trisha had invited Usagi and Mamoru (along with Makoto) to have a triple date at the festival. Ranma and Makoto were set up with each other (surprise, surprise), and I had the disdain of actually playing the games there.
"You need to lighten up," Trisha said. "You've been depressed after the incident with the Camera Youma. Why is that?"
"I nearly lost my heart, Trisha," I said. "If I didn't sacrifice myself, Endymion and Serenity would've lost theirs. And I fear that something was created from the remains of it."
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now, enjoy your time with me. You've always wanted to see them in bloom, remember?" That was true. But still, I couldn't help but worry. It may have been only a split-second, but it was all it needed to create a Nobody.
Either way, I was stunned at what Trisha was wearing (a pink kimono) and I was upset that I hadn't bought a tuxedo. Then again, I gave all my money to Tsunade and all I had was my Jounin Vest and Headband.
"Well, this is interesting," I heard someone say. I turned to see a camera flash in my face. "Sorry about that," she said. "I'm an artistic photographer, and I couldn't help but take a picture of this." She then handed me the photo.
"Looks like you're an actual skater boy in this one," Trisha said. "Thank you, Miss..."
"Wheeler. Serenity Wheeler." As in Joey's sister?
At that, Atem came. "Sorry I'm late, guys. Jaden was looking for someone." He then noticed Serenity. "You're Joey's sister, right?"
"You're the Pharoah my brother talked about?" Atem nodded. "Nice to meet you in person, although I'm surprised that you're alive in this time period."
"Dare I ask what you're doing here?"
"I'm helping my brother move here since our dad's an abusive drunk. Unfortunately, it isn't that easy since it's a singles apartment."
"I think we could help," Trisha said, to my surprise.
"I thought you wanted to enjoy the festival," I said.
"I wanted you to enjoy it. But since you have an interest in the Red Eyes Black Dragon..."
"Alright. I'd better call Mamoru and tell him that we're helping a friend's brother move." That's when it hit me. "Why do you need help, Serenity? A single's apartment is the closest thing to being homeless."
"Because I'm moving in with him," I heard a feminine voice say. I turned to see the Harpie Duelist herself, Mai Valentine. "Nice to meet the Pharoah in person."
"Nice to see that you've still got the Harpie deck," Atem said. "These two are my friends Andrew and Trisha. They're...tourists that were invited by a penpal of theirs." Nice cover.
"How come everyone knows about the Pharoah?" I asked Atem.
"Because of my duel with Yugi, remember?" Oh yeah. "Now, lead the way, you two." Both of them nodded.
Outside the apartment building, we noticed a moving truck and four friends standing there.
"Thanks for sticking with me," the blond-haired man said. "And I'll promise to write."
"You can write?" the brown-haired man said, jokingly.
"Tristan!"
"I'm only kidding."
"It's not going to be the same without you, Joey," the girl said.
"I hope Juuban can handle your attitude," the tri-colored man said.
"Trust me, Yuge," Joey said, "it would be a bit boring in a neighborhood without Kaiba to bug."
"Long time no see, Yugi," Atem said. Everyone turned to us, then Yugi broke the silence.
"Pharoah?" Yugi asked him. "What are you doing here?"
"Long story, but I brought some friends to help out."
I then walked up to Joey and said, "Nice to meet the Red Eyes duelist himself."
Joey then grinned. "Nice to meet a fan, but I forgot my pen." He then noticed Serenity and Mai. "Looks like you brought more than just help, ladies."
"It seems the past caught up with us," Mai said. "I'm just surprised Valon's not here to object to this."
"That's because I'm expecting a rematch with him," we heard. A guy on a motorcycle was looking at us. "After you move in, Joey, grab your deck and Duel Disk. This won't be like the match we had years ago."
"That, I'm looking forward to, Valon," Joey replied. "And since the Seal of Orichalcos and the Claw of Hellmos isn't with us, we're reduced to our basic cards."
"Fine with me. I don't want anything to do with the Leviathan anymore." Would it be a surprise to them that I hold an Atlantean mage within my being? "But since you're here, you can help, right?"
Valon smirked. "If it gets the duel started quicker, then fine."
Soon enough, we helped move his and Mai's stuff in the apartment, which was surprisingly cozy for a singles apartment.
"How did you get the money for an Internet connection?" I asked him.
"Serenity works at Kaiba Corp, much to my disdain," Joey replied. "But it has its perks. And Kaiba agreed if it was out of Domino City, much to our surprise."
"You do know about the Youma attacks, right?"
"Unfortunately." We then managed to get the Sofa in. "This good?"
"Perfect." I then recognized this place. "Nodoka lived here until yesterday. That's how you got it so fast."
"That's the only explanation I could think of. Now, we need to get the other stuff in."
"Hey, Joey," Trisan yelled, "where do you put the fridge?"
"Next to the stove that's already there."
After finishing the move-in, Joey and Valon got ready for their rematch, but it was interrupted by a Youma Attack.
"That's weird," Atem said. "Youma don't attack until three days from now."
"That's because it's not just a Youma," I said. "Look!" Everyone noticed the insignia on it. And the form resembled that of the Camera Youma I defeated.
"How's that even possible?" Trisha asked me.
"I don't know, but I think Beryl's using this as a back-up plan."
"Is there something I'm missing?" Valon asked Joey.
"I don't know either," Joey replied. "Atem?"
"It's the darkness created from the Youma's downfall," Atem said. "And it was created from the darkness of Beryl's heart."
"Then we'll just have to defeat it," I said, readying my Keyblade.
"I'm not losing you again," Trisha said, using her staff.
"Hang on, guys," we heard. Jaden raced into the battlefield. "Nice to see you again, Yugi."
Yugi smirked. "How's Winged Kuriboh doing?"
"Good. Just a little surprised that you're in the neighborhood, though." He then looked at it. "Looks like we're going to need more than just the Keyblade this time. Atem?"
"Understood." The Puzzle and Amulet activated, enhancing the Duel Disks of Yugi, Mai, Valon, and Joey.
"What just happened?" Valon asked them.
"That's the Pharoah's power at work," Joey said, "but how can the new guy have a Millennium Item?"
"It's not a Millennium Item," Jaden replied. "And you four are the only duelists in the city right now, so we need your help."
"Right." With that, all four of them went into battle. However, something blew everyone but me away.
"I see you like my new creation," we heard.
"I know that voice," Jaden said. "Nightshroud, come out!"
A man dressed up like a Red Eyes Darkness Dragon came out of the shadows. "I told you I would return, Jaden. But you're not my priority this time. I'm here...to duel the Watcher."
What? "But I'm not a duelist..." That's when my tattoos changed into a Duel Disk and a deck. Oh boy. "Alright, Heartless General. What are your terms?"
"No terms. Just a mere Shadow Game." WHAT? "WITHOUT the Pharoah and the Supreme King interfering. Now, let's start." The area then turned into a Shadow Dome and I was alone. "Now, the new guy starts."
(A: 4000)
(N: 4000)
I looked at my hand, and was surprised at the monsters in there. All of them...were those from my collection. "I play Pot of Greed in order to draw two extra cards." Alright. "I then play Obnoxious Celtic Guardian in defense mode."
What looked like a regular Celtic Guardian (only with a giant sword) came out in Defense mode.
Atk: 1400
Def: 1200
"I play two cards face-down and end my turn."
"Not too bad," he said, "but I summon Spirit Ryu in attack mode and play Card Destruction." Both of us discarded our hands and drew the number discarded. "And since three of them were dragons, my Spirit Ryu's attack points go up to 4000."
Oh crap.
"Spirit Ryu, attack his Obnoxious Celtic Guardian!" His blast destroyed the Obnoxious Celtic Guardian. "Now I play Second Attack. However, since Spirit Ryu already attacked, his life points go back down to 1000."
"Not so fast, Nightshroud." I then activated it. "I play A Hero Emerges. Which means you have to pick one card in my hand in order to proceed."
"I choose the one in the middle, in case you're wondering."
Good thing too. I had three monsters. "Looks like Gearfried the Iron Knight's coming out to play." A man in an iron outfit came out of the hologram. "However, because of his special ability, I can't use equip cards on him. Still, you rushed into this one, so Spirit Ryu's going Bye-bye."
(A: 4000)
(N: 3400)
Nightshroud growled. "I place one card face down, then I'll end my turn."
Alright. I then drew the card, surprising me. Lionheart? What's he doing in my deck? And his special ability...better save him for later. "I play a monster you're familiar with due to your mask. The Red Eyes Black Chick." An egg appeared, hatching into a baby version of his monster. "And his special ability lets me special summon the Red Eyes Black Dragon from my hand." Sure enough, the baby grew into the ferocious dragon I knew and loved.
Nightshroud smirked. "You idiotic fool. You played right into my trap. I play Enemy Controller!" Oh crap. And he's controlling the Red Eyes.
"Who said that was the only card I used?" He was surprised. "Due to this monster's special ability, I can summon this guy from my hand when a Dark Monster is taken under enemy control. Because of it, I play Avatar Hero-Lionheart the Divine Wind!"
With that, a windstorm had blown itself in, revealing the Head of the Avatar Council, Lionheart.
Card Data:
Avatar Hero-Lionheart the Divine Wind.
Element: Wind.
Level: 7.
Type: Beast-Warrior/Effect
Effect: This card is treated like a Union monster to any Warrior Monster when summoned. When a Dark Element Monster is either destroyed or turned to the enemy's side, you can special summon this card if it's the only card in your hand. It gains 300 attack points when given the equip cards "Gunblade-Sanctuary" and "Gunblade-Hikari." When Lionheart destroys a monster, the opponent loses the life points equal to that of its Attack Points.
Atk: 2400 Def: 2100
"However, I then use Release Restraint from Gearfried the Iron Knight to activate his full power as Gearfried the Swordmaster!" Gearfried shackles then broke loose, revealing the man inside.
"But you have no equip spells in your hand," Nightshroud said.
"No, but I have one on the field. An Avatar Hero can be counted as a Union Monster, and Lionheart's ability works on warriors of all types. Even the Elemental Heroes." Lionheart nodded, and gave Gearfried Sanctuary. "And because of this, I destroy my own Red Eyes because of the Swordmaster's Special Ability." Gearfried aimed, then fired at the Red Eyes, destroying it and Enemy Controller. "Any last words before we send you back?"
"Yeah. I play End Turn."
Oh crap. "Alright then."
He then drew a card. "Since you're new at this, I'm playing Card of Sanctity to bring back your hand."
Oh brother. I then drew six cards, some of which surprised me. What was Neos doing in my deck? And Rook as well?
"Now I summon Spear Dragon to attack your life points directly!" Spear Dragon was summoned, then it struck me in the heart.
(A: 2100)
(N: 3400)
"The hell is this?"
"A Shadow Game, remember? And because of that, I put Spear Dragon in Defense Mode and place two cards face-down."
Great. I then drew another card and was surprised at it. "I play Watapon in Defense mode." A white fluffball stood beside Lionheart.
"What's the point of that?"
"Nothing much. Just wanted you to know that I'm using it as a tribute to Avatar Hero-Larson the Fullmetal Glacier." At that, Watapon disappeared to reveal Jake Larson.
Card Data:
Avatar Hero-Larson the Fullmetal Glacier.
Element: Light.
Level: 5.
Type: Spellcaster/Effect
Effect: This card is treated like a Union Monster to any Spellcaster Monster when summoned. When a Light Element monster is either destroyed or turned to the enemy's side, you can special summon this card if it's the only card in your hand. Gains 300 attack points for every Spellcaster in the Graveyard and when the Philosipher's Stone is in play, you can revive one monster from the Graveyard as long as it has Avatar Hero in its name.
Atk: 1800.
Def: 2000.
"And due to your Card Destruction, it gains 300 attack points due to the Dark Magician Girl in my graveyard."
Larson was angry. REALLY angry at that. His arm then turned into a blade.
"Larson, destroy Spear Dragon!" Larson, in a fit of rage, attempted to destroy Spear Dragon only...
"Activate Trap!" Lionheart shouted. "Sacrificial Heart! This destroys the monster I have on my field before you can even attack it!" With that, Spear Dragon exploded.
"Why destroy your own monster?" I asked him.
"In order to use this Spell Card," he said. "Monster Reborn! And I use it to bring back my own Red Eyes!" Huh? "Card Destruction, remember?"
Larson froze, then went back. Lionheart was pissed. I sighed. "I'll throw down a couple face-downs and end my turn." God damn it.
"Looks like you're in for a surprise," he said, after drawing a card. "Let's up the stakes a little. If I win, I get your Avatar Heroes. If you win, you get my Red Eyes Darkness Dragon."
"I refuse. Even if you got the Avatar Heroes, they're useless to you."
"Well, I've possessed someone before, and I'll do it again, so you won't have a choice in the matter. Now I sacrifice my Red Eyes to summon my Red Eyes Darkness Dragon!" With that, the Red Eyes turned into an inferno of darkness to reveal the Red Eyes Darkness Dragon. "And since most of the cards in my graveyard are Dragon cards, his attack points go up 300 for every Dragon card in both mine and yours." Great. Six dragons in his deck. "That raises his attack power to 4800!" Oh shit. "And I'll start by destroying Gearfried!" However, before he could strike him...
"Activate Trap!" I yelled. "Shift! Now I switch Gearfried the Swordmaster in order to summon Avatar Hero-Rook the Wildfire Stampede! And I use the other trap, Skull Dice! Now, I get to reduce the number of your Darkness Dragon's attack points depending on the roll!"
Soon enough, Gearfried was replaced by Rook, and Lionheart got Sanctuary back. And Skull Dice rolled...into a 6.
Card Data:
Avatar Hero-Rook the Wildfire Stampede.
Element: Fire.
Level: 6.
Type: Warrior/Effect.
Effect: This card is treated like a Union Monster to any Machine Monster when summoned. When an Earth Element Monster is either destroyed or turned to the enemy's side, you can special summon this card if it's the only card in your hand. Gains 300 attack points if equipped with "Dual Saint's Arms" and every Machine Monster on the field. When Inferno Tempest is in play, discard this card to negate the attack on the players deck by sacrificing 500 Life Ponts.
Atk: 2100 Def: 1200
I smirked. "Looks like your Dragon lost his points."
"It'll be back by the end of the turn, gaki."
"Not really. You attacked Gearfried and I shifted to Rook. Now, Rook! Attack the dragon with Surprise Rifle!" Rook activated his metal arm and Destroyed the Red Eyes Darkness Dragon."
(A: 2100)
(N: 1300)
"I play a face-down and end my turn."
With that, I drew a card, and felt a familiarity in it. "Looks like you're in for a surprise." He looked up. "All this time, I had the Philosipher's Stone in my hand, and now I activate it in order to use Larson's special ability! The Avatar Hero's ressurection!"
Nightshroud flinched. "That can't be!"
"It is! One of the cards discarded in Card Destruction happens to be an Avatar Hero, and the Anti-thesis in your deck." With that, a coffin with the kanji for Avatar on it was held. "Say hello to Avatar Hero-Starforce the Thunder Hybrid!"
At that, the coffin broke to reveal Starforce in all his dragon-raccoon glory.
Card Data:
Avatar Hero-Starforce the Thunder Hybrid.
Element: Light.
Level: 7.
Type: Beast-Warrior/Effect.
Effect: This card is treated like a Union Monster to any Dragon Monster when summoned. When a Wind Element Monster is either destroyed or turned to the enemy's side, you can special summon this card if it's the only card in your hand. Gains 300 attack points if equipped with "Legacy of White-Excalibur" and every Dragon Monster on the field. This monster is treated like the Dragon Capture Jar when Dragons are in play.
Atk: 2600 Def: 2400
"There's no way!" Nightshroud yelled. "It's not possible!"
"It's possible," I said. "And with Four Avatar Heroes in play, I can use this card: CALL OF THE WATCHER!"
Card Data:
Call of the Watcher (Spell Card)
Type: Ritual.
Effect: When four five-star or higher Avatar Heroes are in play, you sacrifice them in order to summon Avatar Hero-Arthanos the Watcher. However, when said monster is summoned, he cannot attack.
At that, all four of them went into the shrine, and put their essence into it. With that, the coffin broke free to reveal the Chaos Mage himself, Arthanos.
Card Data:
Avatar Hero-Arthanos the Watcher.
Element: Light.
Level: 10.
Type: Spellcaster/Ritual/Effect.
Requirements: This card can only be used by sacrificing Four five-star or higher Avatar Heroes and Call of the Watcher.
Effect: This card gains 1000 points for every Avatar Hero and fellow Spellcaster in the graveyard. When this card is in play, you can special summon Avatar Hero-Shadow Blade the Fallen One from the deck. You can use two of the following effects afterward: You can Special Summon any Spellcaster Monster by sacrificing 1000 life points, or you can Special Summon any Avatar Hero by sacrificing 500 life points.
Atk: 2500.
Def: 2100.
"And with him in play, I summon his opposite, Avatar Hero-Shadow Blade the Fallen One from the deck."
With that, a black suit of armor with twin blades came out of the ground.
Card Data:
Avatar Hero-Shadow Blade the Fallen One.
Element: Dark.
Level: 9.
Type: Warrior/Effect.
Effect: This card is treated like a Union Monster to any Fiend Type monster when summoned, other than through Avatar Hero-Arthanos the Watcher's effect. When a Light Monster is either destroyed or controlled by the opponent, you can special summon this card if it's the only card in your hand. Otherwise, discard three cards in order to clear the field of all monsters on your opponent's side of the field. This monster gains 500 attack points if equipped with "Twin Blades-Maramusa and Downfall" and every Fiend Monster on the field.
Atk: 2400 Def: 2000
That's when Nightshroud smirked. "Light AND Darkness? You must be out of your mind! There's no way any of them can defeat me."
"Not right now," I said, "but due to Arthanos's special ability, he gains 1000 points due to the Dark Magician Girl's sacrifice, and since he's the founder of the Magician's Council, it's well worth the price." Nightshroud freaked. "But Arthanos can't attack due to the after-effects of the summon...but Shadow Blade can." At that, Shadow Blade got ready. "Attack!" I yelled. As Shadow Blade got in for the kill...
"I activate Negate Attack!" he yelled.
"Don't think so," I said. "Activate Seven Tools of the Bandit!" The tools activated, destroying the Negate Wall, and Shadow Blade finished off Nightshroud.
(A: 1100)
(N: 0)
At that, the Red Eyes Darkness Dragon flew over to me.
"You win this round, Watcher," Nightshroud said. "Take care of the Red Eyes Darkness Dragon for me. I will be back for it someday." He then faded into the portal, sacrificing Fujiwara again. I then appeared where Tyler destroyed the Camera Youma.
"What the heck happened?" Tyler asked me. "You look like you fought a ghost." He then noticed my arm. "Is that a..."
"Yes, it is," I said. "And I got my own heroes in the deck." I then noticed a seventh tattoo appear, but blurry. Arthanos?
"We'd better get back to the mansion," Trisha said. "At that, we'll look at your cards."
I nodded.
This day keeps getting weirder and weirder.
(To be continued...)