CARD TRIVIA RESULTS

The two monsters are Aqua Spirit, found in the artwork of Tuner Barrier, and Tune Warrior, found in the artwork of Synchro Boost, Discord Counter, Tuner's Mind and Rising Rush.

CHAPTER 28

Lloyd approached Koji, and took of the earphones he was wearing. The boy turned annoyed and a bit disturbed.

"Where did Rossler go to?" asked Lloyd.

"Huh, what?" asked Koji, turning to the teacher.

"Where's Rossler?" asked Lloyd again.

"How should I know? He went out about ten minutes ago, back to the stadium." answered the young duelist.

Lloyd grabbed his own duel disk, and loaded his deck into is. He knew something was up, just didn't knew how bad it would get. He left the room in a hurry, before either of the students could see him. Koji resumed his musical activity, but for the first time that evening, his senses were in alert.

The corridors leading to the stadium were much bigger than Lloyd had imagined them. The times they had walked through them, he had paid little attention to the layout, and even less to the ramifications.

There was sufficient lighting from the above neon tubes, but the former soldier didn't feel the least secure. There were many turns and corners, doors, and a maze of passages that crossed beneath the large stadium. He reached a crossroad, and read the above indicators. Great, where to now?

He looked around, and shouted.

"Cassius, are you in here?"

No response came, save then sound of the lights.

"If you're in here, come out. I need to talk to you!"

He was getting nowhere fast. Taking a few more steps, he noticed a shadow reflecting behind him.

"You're not allowed here Lloyd." said the other teacher in a low tone.

The head of the Slifer Dorm turned to face the man he had grown to hate trough the years. Not so much for what he did to him, but for what he did to all the students.

"Why did you come here, Rossler?"

"For survival. And ironically, I found my rival searching for the same."

Lloyd raised his duel disk, but Rossler motioned his hand to relax.

"Come now, such means are for the students, not for us. But surely you can trust me, right? So listen to me."

"I've listened to you enough! And there's little you can do or say that can make me a part of your loony world!"

"Not even if I were to tell you that this world is going to end?"

Lloyd wasn't sure he heard correctly.

"End how?"

"By way of man's hatred. And by the game we have come to take for granted."

He held up one of his cards.

"Despite your lack of style and character, you can be a part of my new utopia. Once the final destruction comes, your life shall be spared. And you will have your place in Andar."

"Andar?"

"You should ask Jason about that. He and his friends are more into this than they are willing to tell."

Lloyd was taken aback. No, they wouldn't lie. Not to me.

"I see you're beginning to see reality. Jason's not the little angel you thought him to be. He has powers. Ones that can secure the throne for us."

"You mean for you!"

Rossler laughed out loud.

"Yes. Seer has served his purpose. But when the battle of the two kings will begin, he shall deliver the rulership of this soon to be scorched planet into my hands. And once that happens, I will restore this world into a paradise for my kind."

"Your paradise fell in 1944! Your ideas have no place here! And for as long as there's breath in me, I will fight against you!"

"Why do you judge the son by the sin of the fathers?" asked Rossler in a sober tone.

"I judge by what you show me.

Rossler extended his fist showing the gold Shadow Ring, and Lloyd realized for the first time the danger he faced.

"This should show you all you need to see."

A jolt of energy from his Shadow Ring struck Lloyd in the chest, with the force of a sledgehammer. The flow of air to his lungs was for a few seconds cut, and the man fell on one side. With a swift move, Rossler held up a card, revealing Fiendish Chain. Black metal restraints burst from the ground, binding Lloyd tight, even around his mouth. The man picked up a second card, and threw it before him.

"This should keep you out of trouble."

Lloyd tried to shout something, but his mouth was sealed. Rossler raised his hand teasingly.

"Sieg Heil." he said in a satisfied tone, before vanishing into the depths of the stadium.

0 0 0 0 0 0

Irene felt her entire body burning, as she tried desperately to get back on her feet. Seer observed her every move, like a biologist ready to dissect a rabbit. Anger, betrail and sorrow flooded into her like waves against the storm breakers.

"What did you do with Carrie?" she demanded.

Seer laughed, walking next to her.

"Nothing. I only removed the restraints that kept her from showing the true nature she has."

"No! She's not like that! You corrupted her!"

James grabbed her by the neck, and threw her against the couch. The woman groaned in pain, trying to make herself as little as a threat as possible.

"Please, she's my responsibility. I acted as a mother for her, but she needs a father as well. I hoped you would be that one."

Seer's eyes had an eerie glare.

"We can be a family. I am the new Adam, and you will be my Eve. Together we will raise the world form the ashes, and give birth to a new race of supermen."

Irene's tear filled eyes meet with Seer's.

"What do you mean?"

He pointed to the clock on the wall.

"See that? From this point on, it will tick down the end of humanity. And once the second reaches zero, Carrie will be the implement of death. And I of rebirth."

"You're not making any sense!" shouted the woman.

Seer sat on the desk, and activated the monitor, the image showing the stadium.

"I have to thank you. Your gifts of coding have been most useful in bringing my plan in action. And with a little help from outside, man's greatest weapons will destroy them."

A map of the world appeared, with red and green points scattered over it.

"The card I gave Carrie contains a powerful computer virus, which once activated, will access the nuclear arsenal of the US, Europe and Russia. Upon activation, nuclear tipped missiles will be launched against targets all over the world. More than 60% of humanity will perish in the initial blasts, and the incoming winter will kill the rest."

Irene's eyes opened in horror. All the pain she felt in the last moments was meaningless compared to what she had heard. All the turmoil inside of her had build into one single question.

"Why us? Why did you want us to do this?"

"Because she is the perfect reflection of myself. Albeit in a reverse sort of way. Like me, she searches for death. Not her own, but the death of all humanity. Her desire to project her pain outwardly makes her the ideal goddess of destruction. And while she does not worship the one true Light, I can lead her to the right path."

Irene painfully got to her feet.

"You won't get away with it!" she shrieked.

Seer slapped her on the face, knocking her over. The door opened, and two guards walked in.

"Take her to block A and lock her up. I don't want any more trouble."

As each of the men grabbed one of her arms, Irene gave one last defiant look

"Carrie's not like you. You won't control her without me!"

"I don't need you for that. And come to think of it, I don't need you to be the new Eve either. She would make a far better lover, don't you agree?" he asked in a seductive tone.

0 0 0 0 0 0

The first rays of sunrise seemed like golden spears clashing against the transparent shield of the window. Jason had woken up an hour earlier, and spend the time in contemplation. So much had happened that changed his world. His new found powers, the story the Magi gave him, and all the things related to the tournament. So many things made no sense.

But many did make sense. His responsibility to his friends, and his love for the game. The simple days he had at Duel Academy. His first duel. So many things had changed, and the days he remembered were gone.

Taking his deck into his hand, he gave it one look. This could be the last tournament for him. What came next, only time knew.

A century in a hundred and one years.

Alison came into the dining room, and clapped her hands, to draw the attention of the four duelists.

"Excuse me, but the game will begin in half an hour. If you are ready, please follow me."

Oliver set down his fork, and got up. Marcus and Andora gave each other one final look of confidence.

"This is it. The big thing." said Oliver in one breath.

Each of them fixed their duel disks. Jason felt like he didn't want to be there.

"Are you okay?" asked Andora in a worried tone.

"I…listen. When this is over, I'm going to have to leave you."

All three looked in shock.

"Leave? What do you mean?"

Jason clenched his fist.

"Remember what the Magi told us? If what they say it's true, then I'm a danger to everyone here. If they are right about that duel, then I can't get you involved!"

"We're already involved pal. And it's a little late to back out."

"You don't understand. I have to face this alone. You've given me more support than I imagined, but I can't place your lives in danger. Not anymore."

Andora moved in front of him, her eyes fixed to the floor.

"Please, don't be like that. I want to remember you happy."

"No." she replied between tears. "This is how I want you to remember me."

In one move, she leaped in his arms and kissed his lips. They remained like this for about a minute, before breaking apart. Neither of them said a word. None were needed.

The day opened under a bright sun, and a gentle breeze. All fifty thousand seats had been filled, and dozens of cameras caught every angle. As the two teams walked in, the holo-projectors displayed an amazing show, representing the three God Cards, floating above a sea of glass, between them being two crowns. One had Team Vision and the other had Team Reinforcements written on it. Akhenberg was dressed in a sparkling purple suit, with a tall collar. He raised his hand, and the crowd cheered wildly.

"Ladies and gentlemen! As of today, the Finals of the Astra Gloria Tournament are about to begin! Please give a great welcome for our very own, Team Vision!"

Wave after wave of encouragement flowed, as the cameras caught glances of each of the four duelists. Jason observed Carrie's expression. She's fallen in herself. And she has no power to get back up alone.

"And from Duel Academy, a team that has surprised everyone, please welcome Team Reinforcements!" concluded Akhenberg.

Marcus waved to the audience, but without much enthusiasm. The cameras refocused to the terrace housing the team managers. Seer stood up and took a bow.

"My dear guests. Since this is the last match of the competition, I want to give a brief moment of memory for those who have failed. They may not have succeed, but they have been part of the game to end all games. I can safely tell you that this final match will go down in the memory of all nations. But I digress, it would be much better if I let the duelists speak for themselves."

The projectors activated once again, displaying six Harvest Angel of Wisdom blowing their horns in unison. Marcus felt his skin tingle, as he rose up.

"This is it. Wish Lloyd was hear." he said in a breath.

Andora too was puzzled.

"Come to think of it, he didn't show up for breakfeast, and I haven't seen him in the official stand either."

Jason didn't reply, but he did look worried. Their teacher was sometimes with his head in the clouds, but he did serve in the army. Missing like that wasn't in his nature.

Akhenberg's voice broke his concentration.

"Teams, please select your fist player."

Marcus turned to the remaining three duelists, and gave them one final thumbs up before going to the platform.

"We believe in you." shouted Andora. "Remember that."

How can I forget something like that. It's what I'm dueling for that's making me sweat.

From the opposite side, a muscular boy with a black Mohawk cut rose up, crackling his knuckles. The two duelists faced each other, duel disks activated. Marcus didn't like the feel of it at all.

"Quite a good turn up for a short duel." he laughed, drawing his sixth card.

Kyle 8000 – Marcus 8000

"The first turn is mine. And I begin with a monster in defense mode and one face-down."

Marcus drew as well, and was relieved. His own hand was well balanced. This is it. Make me proud guys.

"For my first move, I summon Blackwing – Bora the Spear!"

A humanoid bird, armed with a sharp lance dove from the sky with a strong shriek (1700/800). The boy pointed to the hidden monster.

"Attack his face-down!"

The bird literally seemed to split the sound barrier, as the lance pierced the hidden card, revealing a turtle hidden in a metallic shell (1400/1200). Kyle laughed.

"Bad move. Since UFO turtle was destroyed by battle, I can special summon any FIRE monster from my deck with 1500 ATK or less. And who better than my key card, Gattling Ogre!"

A bonfire erupted revealing a fiendish creature, with a gattling gun mounted on it's abdomen, and a handle on the side (800/800). Okay, walked right into that one.

"Then I'll just set one card and end my turn here."

Kyle 7500 – Marcus 8000

"It's my turn then. And I intend to make my defense indestructible. First, by combining my ogre with Heart of Clear Water. Since my monster has less than 1300 ATK, it can't be destroyed by battle or card effects."

No, then it means it's practically invincible.

"Next, two face-downs. And lastly, I use my monster's effect to destroy one of them, and thus deal 800 points of damage to you!"

The fiend began to rotate the handle on one side, and the machine gun struck Marcus with a six round volley, making him grasp his shoulder in pain.

"End turn." he concluded in a dry tone.

Marcus realized the situation he was in. Great, a stall and burn deck. Not the best match-up.

He checked the cards in his hand. Bora can deal piercing damage, and I should teal more than he can deal with his monster's effect. But first, I need to bring another monster in play.

"Since you don't intend to attack, I'll have to do it. Come on out, Blackwing – Shura the Blue Flame!"

A black and blue feathered creature, with long and sharp arms glided down gracefully (1800/1200). Marcus pressed a button on his duel disk.

"Activate trap: Guardian Wing! For this turn only, my Blackwings gain 1000 ATK. Your monster may be indestructible, but your life points aren't!"

Bora's ATK rose to 2700, and Shura's to 2800. The lance wielding creature attacked, but Kyle pressed a button on his duel disk.

"Activate trap: Spirit Force! As long as I have a monster in play, all battle damage to me becomes zero!"

"No, that means Marcus has no way to destroy that thing!" gasped Oliver.

Bora's lance bounced of the fiend's armor, and retreated to his owner's side of the field.

"My turn ends here." said Marcus bitterly.

Kyle 7500 – Marcus 7200

The muscular boy set one card, and pointed to his monster.

"You should remember what my monster does. I offer my hidden card to deal another shot of damage!"

The Gattling Gun shot another volley, shredding the edges of Marcus' shirt. God, I'm sick of that thing.

"That's all for me."

Marcus drew, whipping his brow. Okay, we have a problem here. Either that monster goes, or I'm done. He looked at the card he got, and his eyes flared up. Yes, I'm back in the game!

"Don't count me out of the game just yet." shouted the boy.

"My card can't be destroyed." replied Kyle with a grin.

"No card is indestructible. And here's the evidence. I offer both of my monsters, to summon Blackwing - Abroholos of the Megaquake!"

The two winged creatures vanished, and a creature landed from the sky, making the ground shake. It's head resembled an owl, and it's body was very muscular. He swung a large iron mace (2600/1800).

"Man, Marcus never ceases to amaze me." commented Oliver as he saw the new monster.

"Just hope that will be enough." replied Jason.

Kyle crossed his arms.

"No matter how powerful that thing may be my defense still stands."

Marcus simply pointed to the mechanical fiend, and the humanoid bird charged forward, striking it with his mace. The ogre moaned in pain, before vanishing, and reappearing in Kyle's hand.

"How did you do that?" asked the boy in shock.

"My monster can't destroy other creatures by battle. It simply returns them to the hand. And wouldn't you know it, it's the one thing your spell card can't counter."

The cheers from the audience helped Marcus regain his confidence. It was his battle. And it would be his victory.

"My turn ends here." concluded the duelist.

Kyle 7500 – Marcus 6400

The muscular duelist picked the next card from his deck, and merely waved his hand, ending his turn.

"That's it?" asked Marcus in wonder.

"That's it."

"Okay, if you know what you're doing. As for me, I intend to keep the winning streak coming. And because I have a Blackwing in play, I can summon Blackwing – Elphin the Raven."

A second winged creature, its' head resembling that of a wolf rose up (2200/1200).

"Direct attack!" he shouted.

The mace wielding warrior leaped, only to be blocked by a pile of dynamites. The fuses were lit, and a massive explosion followed, shaking the stadium.

"My graveyard is as dangerous as my field. By removing Dynamite Wall from my graveyard, your monster is removed from play, along with all other cards I have in play!"

Marcus hit the rail with his foot, angry by his mistake.

"Elphin, direct attack!"

The savage bird struck Kyle with it's sharp talons, with little effect. He simply brushed the wounds aside.

"I end my turn here." he said, somewhat more calm.

0 0 0 0 0 0

Andora removed the cell phone from her ear, and dialed once again. A minute later, the voice mail answered. She closed the device.

"Still no words from Lloyd?" asked Jason.

"Nothing. And I'm getting worried. He should have been here by now. Even if he isn't here, he should be somewhere seeing the duel. Did you try the hotel lobby?"

"I did. And they haven't seen them since last night."

Oliver looked worried.

"Maybe he's back in his room."

Jason shook his head.

"No, something's wrong. I'm going to have a look."

He took his duel disk, and turned to the gate. Andora grabbed his arm, holding so tight that it turned white.

"Please, take care of yourself." she said gently.

0 0 0 0 0 0

Kyle 5300 – Marcus 6400

The boy reached for his duel disk, and drew violently.

"I activate Hand Destruction. We each discard two cards and draw twice. Next, two face-downs will end my turn."

Marcus picked up his next card. Okay, clearly more traps. On the other hand, if this next move works, I should take out nearly half of his life points.

"I play Black Hurricane, allowing me to summon Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn to the field!"

Spreading it's wings, the armored human bird appeared on the field, taking a battle position (2000/900).

"Sirocco, attack!"

"Hold up, I activate my trap: Backattack Ambush! This trap ends your Battle Phase, and gives me an Ambush Token for each attack position monster you have in play."

Two small bonfires flared, each revealing a small wooden creature, carrying lit matches in each arm (100/100).

Marcus clung his fist in anger, and indicated he was ending his turn.

Kyle 5300 – Marcus 6400

The muscular boy drew, and picked a card from his hand.

"I activate the spell Bonfire, allowing me to add a second Gattling Ogre from my deck to my hand. Next, I'm summoning it!"

A metallic chatter was heard, as the fiend rose up, revving up it's gun (800/800).

"Next, since Full Armor Ogre is in my graveyard, I tribute Gattling Ogre, to special summon Big Cannon Ogre from my hand."

The creature exploded into shards, replaced by a larger fiend. It's skin was brown, and it wore a militaristic uniform. A cannon stood on each of it's shoulders, and a third one on it's back (2400/2400).

"Okay, this could be a problem." gulped Marcus.

"Attack Sirocco the Dawn!" he commanded.

The three cannons fired, sending three columns of smoke into the air.

"How did I loose 800 life points?" asked Marcus.

"Simple. Due to my monster's effect, you take double battle damage each time it battles."

"I still have one card left. Go, Crow Call! Since you destroyed my monster by battle, I can special summon a Blackwing Tuner from my deck. And I choose Blackwing – Mistral the Silver Shield."

A small bird, it's face covered by a silver mask appeared from a blue portal (100/1800).

Kyle spat on the ground, and set one card.

"I end my turn."

Marcus drew, and closed his eyes. He had eight stars worth of monsters. The problem was what to summon. One option was Silverwind the Ascendand. The other was…

He shook his head. No, I promised her.

**flashback**

The house was filled with men and women. Two back body bags were next to the wall, and several policemen were taking photos, or interviewing people. Neither of them seemed to notice the young boy on the top of the stairs. He gave one glare, and ran back to the room, where a small girl stood crying. He hugged her.

"I want mom and dad back." she whimpered.

The boy stroked her cheek, and held her hands.

"I love mom too. But she's not here right now."

She whipped her tears.

"Big brother, why did they do this?"

"I don't know. But I swear I'll find out."

He picked up his deck, and held it in his palm. The girl as well placed her hand over it. They stood thus for a few moments. The girl then walked to her closet, and took out a small cardboard box. Opening it, she handed him a card.

"What is this?" asked Marcus.

"It's my little gift. So whenever you use it, you can remember me."

Her face was one bright smile. Her eyes were the last thing he remembered from that night.

**end flashback**

Marcus looked to the two monsters, then at his opponent. This one's for you sis.

"Level 6 Elphin, level 2 Mistral the Silver Shield, tune now!"

Eight green stars ran trough the synchro portal.

Winds of darkness, blow the painful memories and bring back my happy times!

"Synchro summon! Take flight, Blackwing – Gregale the Night Wing! (1000/2000), (3500/2000)."

A graceful young girl, wearing a short skirt and armor make of black quills, with long dark wings on her shoulders descended on the field. Her wings spread, and Kyle's face-down card exploded.

"Due to my monster's effect, whenever she's summoned, all face-down spells and traps you have in play are destroyed. Furthermore, she gains 500 ATK for each Blackwing in my graveyard."

Andora looked attentively at the monster, then at Marcus.

"He's very close to that card." she told Oliver.

"How can you tell? I thought Armor Master was his favorite."

"It is. But this card is more special to him somehow…"

Marcus pointed to the cannon armed ogre before him.

"Attack now!" he commanded.

The girl spread her wings, and a storm of sharp feathers struck the fiend, shattering it. At the same time, a black flame burst from the ground, revealing a fiend wearing a commando-style outfit, it's arms being long rifles (1600/1600).

"When Big Cannon Ogre is destroyed, Full Armor Ogre is summoned from my graveyard." explained Kyle.

"That's of little importance. I end my turn here."

Kyle 4200 – Marcus 5600

They're almost close. Something's got to give." commented Oliver.

"Yes, but who's going to crack first?" pondered Andora.

Kyle drew, and pointed to his tokens.

"Due to my monster's effect, I can destroy them at any given time to inflict 500 points of damage for each one."

Each of the tokens threw their lit matches towards Marcus, setting the grass before his platform on fire for a few moments.

"Next, I set one card and change my monster to defense mode. That will be all."

The breeze flowing around Marcus' brow felt like the blessed banner of victory. His hand reached for his deck, and drew.

"I activate Cards for Black Feathers. By removing from play a Blackwing from my hand, I draw twice."

This should do it.

"Your monster's finished. I play Shield Crush."

A single jolt of energy slashed the fiend in half, shattering it. From the ashes, Gattling Ogre rose to the field.

"I'm not done so quickly." belched the muscular boy.

"Then my lady will. Attack now!"

The young winged girl raised her arms, showering the field with black quills. Kyle pointed to his face-down.

"Activate trap: No Entry! Take a bow girl."

A deafening alarm sounded, and the female shielded herself with her wings.

"My turn ends here." said Marcus bitterly.

Kyle 4200 – Marcus 4600

The muscular duelist made his draw, holding the card between his fingers.

"My victory comes here! I play the spell Ogre Promotion. Since I have an Ogre monster in play, I can special summon another one from my hand, as long as it has a higher level. And I choose Longbarrel Ogre!"

A slender fiend, wearing a horned top hat, and the uniform of a general appeared on the field, crouching under the weight of the giant cannon it carried on it's shoulder (2400/3000). The boy pointed to the winged girl.

"Time to remove the last obstacle. With my monster's effect, I can destroy any monster you have out, and you take damage equal to half your monster's ATK."

The creature took aim and fired. The winged creature screamed, falling on her back, a serene look on her face. Marcus looked mortified. No, not her.

"And I still have my regular attack!" exclaimed Kyle. "Fire at will!"

Longbarrel Ogre fired a single shot, briefly obscuring the platform in smoke. Marcus turned to his friends, his eyes calm and serene, before being struck in the chest by the volley from Gattling Ogre.

Kyle 4200 – Marcus 0

0 0 0 0 0 0

Marcus walked to Andora and Oliver, not daring to look at them.

"I failed." he said bitterly.

"And you're crying over that? Come on, you should know better than that. You're welcomed here, wether you win or loose." replied Oliver, handing him a tin of Cola.

"Thanks, I needed to hear that."

He opened the drink, and looked around.

"Where's Jason?"

"He…had somewhere to go."

Marcus cleaned his forehead.

"Hope he gets back in time. We're going to need his help."

0 0 0 0 0 0

Jason was running trough the maze of corridors below the stadium, attentive to every shadow or movement. He only had instinct to go by, and he hoped it would be enough. And though there was no sign of violence, the overwhelming sense of dread seemed to feel every pore of his skin.

He passed one of the corners, and a glitter on the floor caught his attention. He knelled, and picked up what seemed to be a badge. Upon closer inspection, it was one of the badges wore by the teachers at the academy. No.

He increased his speed, and a feint noise made it's way to his ears. Running past several piles of crates, he stopped, and almost wanted to run back in shock.

To be continued…

ORIGINAL CARDS CREATED

Ogre Promotion

Spell / Normal

If you control an Ogre monster, special summon 1 Ogre monster from your hand with a higher level.

Blackwing – Gregale the Night Wing

Winged Beast / Synchro / DARK / level 8 / ATK 1000 / DEF 2000

1 Blackwing Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters

When this card is synchro summoned, destroy all face-down spell and trap cards your opponent controls. This card gains 500 ATK for each Blackwing monster from your graveyard.

Crow Call

Trap / Normal

Activate if a Blackwing monster you control is destroyed. Special summon 1 Blackwing Tuner from your deck.

Black Hurricane

Spell / Quick-play

Activate if you control a Blackwing monster. Special summon 1 Blackwing monster from your hand.

The above cards are my own creation

0 0 0 0 0 0

CARD TRIVIA QUIZZ

This monster's Type is Fairy, yet it's artwork resembles an insect. Submit your answers by the time the next chapter is up.