29. Siren's Song.
Just when Mario had figured out the magic of the Nephilim and was ready to finish him off the Nephilim forced Mario into a draw using his magic.
Shortly after this an X-Naut drop-ship appeared dropping off the Shadow Sirens, Azrael, Grave and a bomb.
The Shadow Sirens now holding the bomb they locked the city it is up to Mallow and Luigi to stop them.
Mario and Goombella approached the gate of Creepy Steeple. 'Mario you sure this is the right thing to do? I mean you've seen what that shipped dropped!' Goombella replied.
'Yes but I'm not worried, the Shadow Sirens and that bomb Mallow and Luigi can deal with that one, Grave is probably here for the Nephilim, he won't be a threat to us, knowing Grave he will leave Luigi and Mallow alone, and Azrael is too hellbent on killing me, if anything he will come straight for me.'
Mario walked up to the doors, slowly he pushed them open.
The Nephilim was gazing upon Mario and Goombella from the shadows.
'Damn it, they are persistent, my magic isn't fully charged yet well only one thing to do, I need to hide!' The Nephilim silently opened one of the doors and stepped through it.
Mario and Goombella reached the attic room, there Mario saw the machine with the Crystal Star in it.
'Well there it is!' Goombella happily said she ran up to the machine.
'Wait!' Mario roared, Goombella was startled. 'This reeks of a trap.' Mario said, he slowly approached the machine then he hit an invisible barrier.
'Nothing deadly here, just an invisible barrier, seems the Nephilim is out and he protects his property, well nothing for us to gain here for now, let's go back.' Goombella followed Mario back to the forest.
The Nephilim was watching them leave. 'They will be back, but when they return my magic will be ready for them, and then Mario, then you're mine!' The Nephilim let out a cackling laugh.
Mario and Goombella were walking back to Twilight Town, they approached the ruined shack, Mario stopped. 'Just need to check it out.' Mario said, he looked in the shack but saw nothing. 'Okay it's safe.'
A few minutes later Mario and Goombella approached the gates to Twilight Town then Mario bumped into an invisible barrier.
'A barrier?' Goombella asked.
'Yes magical, it is familiar, Azrael did this.' Mario confirmed for himself.
'Don't try to break through it.' A familiar voice said, Mario turned around only to see Grave. 'The Shadow Sirens are in there fighting Luigi and Mallow.' Goombella tried to hide behind Mario.
'Why tell me this Grave?' Mario asked.
'Come on, not so hostile, we made a good team against Grubba, but now I'm here to warn you, I was ordered to kill you through a Duel, I'm also after the Nephilim, so you'd better stay out of my way because next time we meet it will be a fight.'
'Grave answer me one question.' Mario said: 'How did you get here, Twilight Town is protected by a barrier, if you look at it the only thing you see is a wasteland, only those who know where the door is can enter, yet you appear here with a ship!'
Grave chuckled: 'Simple enough, Azrael knows how to destroy magic, it is easier for him to make a small hole in a barrier to pass through.' Was Grave's answer then Grave leaped back then he disappeared through a portal.
Approximately one hour ago: Twilight Town.
Luigi and Mallow watched Mario and Goombella running off to face the Nephilim, they walked back to the house where Bow was resting, Luigi decided to check up on Bow while Mallow decided to patrol around the town a bit.
'Hey.' Luigi said as he entered Bow's room, Bow was sitting on her bed she was reading a book.
'Hey.' She replied Bow put her book away.
'How are you doing?' Luigi asked she sighted. 'I'm fine, just a bit tired.'
Luigi motioned Bow to make place, when she did Luigi took place next to her.
'Mario is fighting out there, he will make sure the Nephilim will go down.' Luigi said with pride in his voice.
'But I'm responsible for this town, I should be the one protecting it.' Bow sighted, then suddenly placed his arm around her he pulled Bow against him then slowly started to stroke her hair.
Bow did not object to this. 'You shouldn't worry.' Luigi whispered to her.
'Luigi...' Bow wanted to say more but Luigi shook his head.
'Bow, when I found you on the streets unconscious I was afraid you were dead, I was relieved when you opened your eyes, from that moment I knew I didn't want to live without you.'
Tears welled up in Bow's eyes. 'Why? Why do you say this?' Bow sobbed, she was clearly confused: 'You know what I am right?'
Then Luigi kissed her on her cheek. 'Yes I know you were a Nephilim, and I know you are cured now , but even if you weren't I couldn't care less.'
Tears were now flowing freely over Bow's face, she placed her arms around Luigi she was sobbing uncontrollably.
'Bow, you make me happy.' Luigi was crying as well. 'You are kind and that is what counts for me, not what you are.'
Then Luigi noticed someone watching him, he saw Mallow standing in the hallway, even Mallow had tears in his eyes, he gave a thumbs-up to Luigi then he walked away.
Some time later Bow was asleep she was still holding Luigi, the latter was looking through his Deck when suddenly a loud noise disrupted the silence, Bow woke up. 'Bow stay here, something is happening.'
Luigi rushed outside, Mallow was already there, they saw the X-Naut drop-ship. 'Look there.' Mallow said he pointed at the ship, the three Shadow Sirens were coming down carrying a large bomb-like object, it looked like a hand-grenade with an entire device behind it, they were dropped in the middle of the town.
'Mwee hee hee hee! This is our Superbombomb!' Beldam proudly said, she was looking at Mallow and Luigi. 'Azrael told us to wait until the sign was given, but I won't wait for that! This is goodbye!' Beldam pressed the button but nothing happened, then she rapidly started to press the button until smoke came out of the device. 'Vivian!' Beldam roared: 'This is your fault, you fix it!' Beldam bellowed.
'But Beldam, I never touched that thing, last one I saw with it was you.'
Beldam's eye twitched. 'So you imply that I Beldam broke it?!'
Vivian staggered a bit.
'I don't care who of you broke it down, I'm actually glad that happened.' Mallow said.
'You! Stay out of this!' Beldam roared.
'Sorry, but I won't, you want to destroy this village, that really concerns me.' Mallow replied.
'Vivian, you repair the Superbombomb right now, and it may better be ready when I finish off these two!' Marilyn took position next to Beldam.
'But Beldam, I don't know how this bomb works!' Vivian was nearly crying. 'I don't care, you broke it you fix it!'
Now Beldam turned her attention to Mallow and Luigi.
'Marilyn let's go, let's crush these two!'
Luigi and Mallow looked at each other their D-Gazer activated. 'AR vision - Link established.' The female computer voice said, around the left eyes of Marilyn and Beldam the pattern of their Tattoo appeared, four Duel Disks activated at the same time. 'Duel!' Beldam, Luigi and Mallow shouted, followed by a 'Guh!' From Marilyn.
(Luigi & Mallow: 8000) - (Marilyn & Beldam: 8000)
'I shall start this!' Luigi stated, he drew his opening hand. 'I activate Polymerization!' The Fusion vortex opened up, Burstinatrix and Avian stepped through the vortex and Flame Wingman leaped out of it. (2100 ATK) 'Turn end.'
'Guh!' Marilyn grunted, she took two cards from her hand both of the cards appeared in her Spell/Trap Zone. 'Guh huh.'
'I think she says it is your move Mallow.' Luigi whispered, Mallow also took two cards from his hand. 'First I summon Luster Dragon.' Mallow started, the sapphire dragon appeared on the Field. (1900 ATK)
'Next I set one card.' Behind Luster Dragon a reversed card appeared: 'Turn end.'
Beldam looked at her cards. 'I summon my Gene-Warped Warwolf!' A ferocious beasts appeared, it was humanoid in shape with four arms, white fur and a beast-like head. (2000 ATK) 'Next I set one card.' She continued, the card appeared in her Spell/Trap card Zone.
'Warwolf attack their Luster Dragon!' Beldam commanded, the ferocious beast leaped in and tore the dragon apart with its four arms.
(Luigi & Mallow: 7900) - (Marilyn & Beldam: 8000)
'My turn!' Luigi shouted, he drew his card. 'I summon Stratos!' The pilot Hero leaped upon the Field. (1800 ATK)
'Guh huh huh!' Marilyn growled, one of her Trap card spun around.
'Skill Drain!?' Mallow gasped as he saw the card.
(Luigi & Mallow: 7900) - (Marilyn & Beldam: 7000)
'Don't fret Luigi, I've got us covered! I activate my Trap card!' Mallow's card spun around. 'Typhoon!'
I don't think so!' Beldam cackled: 'Dark Bribe!' Beldam's Trap card spun around, Typhoon exploded, Mallow drew a card.
'In that case Flame Wingman attacks Gene-Warped Warwolf!' Luigi commanded. 'Guh!' Marilyn grunted, her second Trap spun around, it was Sakuretsu Armor Flame Wingman exploded in mid-air. 'Well done my lovely.' Beldam praised Marilyn. 'I must end my turn.' Luigi scoffed.
Marilyn silently drew her card, she placed two cards in her Duel Disk they appeared in her Spell/Trap card Zone, then she played another card, a weird monster appeared before her, it was a machine with a white round body, a head on top of it and several claws, hammers and drills sticking out of holes in its body, Mallow and Luigi saw that the machine was patched up by metal patches and tape. (2500 ATK)
'So that explains the Skill Drain.' Mallow muttered.
'Mallow, the hell are we looking at?' Luigi asked.
'That Luigi, is a Giant Kozaky.' Luigi noticed Mallow wasn't even a bit nervous about this powerful monster.
'Guh!' Marilyn grunted suddenly Giant Kozaky rolled forward it tore Stratos apart.
'Luigi.' Mallow whispered: 'Whatever you do let that Giant Kozaky on the Field, I might have an idea.' Luigi nodded.
(Luigi & Mallow: 7200) - (Marilyn & Beldam: 7000)
'Back to me then.' Mallow stated, he drew his card. 'I Set two cards.' He stated, one card appeared horizontally on the Field, a vertically placed card appeared behind it.
'Draw!' Beldam cackled. 'I don't fall for your tricks!' Beldam played a card from her hand. 'I activate Mystical Space Typhoon!' The Mirror Force Mallow had set last turn was swept away.
'Next I summon my servant, the Beast King Barbaros!' A creature appeared on the Field, it the lower body of a great lion, the upper body of a man, the head of a lion and a stinger at the tip of its tail, in its hands it held a lance and a shield, the creature roared. (3000 ATK)
'Now I Equip my Barbaros with Fairy Meteor Crush so it gains a Trampling Effect!' Beldam played the Spell card it appeared on her Field. 'Attack the defending monster!' Beldam cackled, Mallow's facedown card disappeared, Shield Wing appeared in its place. (900 DEF)
The lance pierced the small monster but it held its ground against the far bigger creature.
(Luigi & Mallow: 5100) - (Marilyn & Beldam: 7000)
'That took a huge chunk out of your Life Points! Now show me what else you have for pathetic monsters!'
'I'll show you what I can do!' Luigi roared, he drew his card.
'I activate Skyscraper!' The comic book city rose all around them.
'I activate Monster Reborn!' Luigi shouted, suddenly Flame Wingman appeared standing on top of the tallest building. (2100 ATK)
'Next I Summon Sparkman!' The electric charged Hero appeared on one of the smaller buildings. (1600 ATK)
'Flame Wingman attack Barbaros!' The Elemental Hero leaped down.
'Guh!' Marilyn growled, one of her cards spun around. 'Scrap-Iron Scarecrow?' Mallow gasped as the tiny scarecrow made out of scrap blocked the Hero, Flame Wingman leaped back to his building, the card appeared back in Marilyn's Spell/Trap card Zone.
'Sparkman, take down that Gene-Warped Warwolf!' Sparkman's power rose to 2600 because of Skyscraper, A bolt of lightning then struck the ferocious beast.
(Luigi & Mallow: 5100) - (Marilyn & Beldam: 6400)
'I'll end my turn there.' Luigi stated.
Marilyn drew her card, then she played one from her hand, a second Giant Kozaky appeared next to the first one. (2500 ATK)
Marilyn pointed at Flame Wingman.
'I won't allow it!' Luigi shouted: 'Go Negate Attack!' A barrier appeared before the Giant Kozaky, it tried to get through it but stopped its assault eventually. 'Guh.' Marilyn grunted, she sounded disappointed
'And I take it that means it's my turn.' Mallow said, he drew his card.
'I activate the Spell card Ancient Rules!' The card briefly appeared on the Field. 'This allows me to special summon Luster Dragon #2!' The bigger dragon made out of emerald appeared. (2400 ATK)
'Next I set one card.' He continued, the card appeared behind Luster Dragon 2. 'Since attacking is useless because of Scrap-Iron Scarecrow I'll just end my turn.'
'Mwee hee hee.' Beldam laughed, she quickly drew her card. 'Time to rain down punishment, I summon a second Barbaros!' With a loud roar another Barbaros appeared next to the first. (3000 ATK)
'Barbaros number one take down that Flame Wingman!' The Hero leaped down, Luigi saw that Mallow wanted to activate his card but he shook his head, Flame Wingman got skewered.
'Now Barbaros number took take down that Luster Dragon 2!'
'I activate Ego Boost!' Mallow shouted, his set card spun around, Luster Dragon 2 grabbed the lance out of Barbaros' hands then blew the beast apart with its emerald breath.
(Luigi & Mallow: 4200) - (Marilyn & Beldam: 6000)
'You think destroying my Barbaros will solve anything? Well tough luck, he simply returns to the Field!' Beldam played a card, it was Monster Reborn, Barbaros leaped back onto the Field it looked a bit annoyed. (3000 ATK) 'That ends my turn.'
'My turn again.' Luigi said, he drew his card.
'I change Sparkman to defense.' The Hero sat down on one knee, he defended himself with his arms. (1400 DEF)
'Turn end.'
Marilyn drew her card and immediately played it, the happy-looking Pot of Greed appeared, Marilyn drew two cards and the pot scattered, then Marilyn played one of the two cards and another Giant Kozaky appeared on the Field. (2500 ATK)
Then Marilyn played her second card, the Spell card Fissure appeared on the Field, the ground beneath Shield Wing broke open and the bird was dragged under. 'Guh guh huh!'
The first Giant Kozaky started to move, the other two followed quickly, the first one ran down Sparkman, the second one tore apart Luster Dragon 2 then the last one attacked both Mallow and Luigi with all its weapons, the two Duelists leaped backward to avoid the onslaught of the machine.
(Luigi & Mallow: 1600) - (Marilyn & Beldam: 6000)
'Mallow, what can we do?' Luigi sounded worried.
'I've got a plan, but their only facedown card worries me a bit.' He replied.
'At least I can stall a bit! Swords of Revealing Light!' The swords made out of light appeared all over the Field.
'Turn end.'
Beldam cackled as she drew her card. 'We don't need to attack to beat you! I activate Tremendous Fire!' A huge bonfire erupted all around the Duelists, all four were caught into it.
(Luigi & Mallow: 600) - (Marilyn & Beldam: 5500)
'Now it is only a matter of time, Marilyn has one in her Deck as well! And this is why I am the leader of the Shadow Sirens! My brilliance is matched only by the Shadow Queen!'
Mallow sighted. 'Just end your turn so we can get on with this.'
Beldam gave Mallow an angry glare. 'Fine, I'll end my turn.'
Luigi quickly drew his card. 'I set one card.' He stated, the card appeared in his Spell/Trap card Zone. 'Turn end.'
Then Marilyn drew her card, she shook her head. 'Guh!' She grunted.
'Seems she passed.' Mallow said, he drew his card.
'This is where I activate my facedown card!' Luigi stated.
'Mystical Space Typhoon!' The tornado whipped up, it started to move to Skill Drain. 'Guh huh!' Marilyn roared, her set card spun around, it was Magic Jammer, she discarded the only card in her hand, it was a Beast King Barbaros, Mystical Space Typhoon disappeared.
'Tough luck! You won't destroy our Skill Drain!' Beldam cackled.
'Oh but I don't need to destroy it!' Mallow shouted: 'I activate Giant Trunade!' Mallow played the card, a powerful storm blew over the Field, the comic book city slowly disappeared as Luigi retrieved the Spell card, then the Swords of Revealing Light disappeared and finally Skill Drain.
At that point the Giant Kozaky all started to smoke and shake like crazy.
'Got you.' Mallow said with a smile: 'Normally you need to control a weak monster named Kozaky in order to keep the Giant Kozaky around, with Skill Drain however they are 2500 Attack Point Level four beat-sticks.'
Now the Giant Kozaky all caught fire. 'However without Kozaky on the Field and without Skill Drain, they are set to self destruct and deal their Attack Points as damage to their controller!' Then all three of them exploded one after another, Beldam was knocked over, Marilyn landed on top of her.
(Luigi & Mallow: 600) - (Marilyn & Beldam: 0)
'Get off of me!' Beldam growled, with a bit of trouble Marilyn stood up, Beldam managed to stand but her back was aching.
'This is all your fault!' Beldam shouted pointing at Vivian.
'But sister, I did nothing!' Vivian replied.
'That is exactly the problem! If you had done anything that bomb would have worked, you could have helped us.'
Vivian looked away. 'Vivian, you stay here, fix the bomb then let it explode as soon as Azrael gives the sign, then when you return to the base punishment await!' Beldam disappeared into the shadows Marilyn followed her leaving a sobbing Vivian behind.
At that point the barrier disappeared and Mario and Goombella entered Twilight Town.
'Mallow what happened?' Mario asked, then Mario saw the bomb.
'Ehm, shouldn't we defuse it?' Goombella slowly said.
'Not really, apparently it broke down, now Vivian there must fix it yet she doesn't know how.' Luigi explained.
'You know I feel sorry for her, I really do.' Luigi sighted.
At that point Bow stepped outside, she immediately kissed Luigi.
'I'm glad you're okay.' She happily said, then she saw Mario with a huge smile on his face. 'Looks like you finally made your move Luigi.' Mario said.
'You knew my feelings for her?' Luigi gasped.
'Luigi I am your brother, I saw you felt something for her the moment we met her at Boggly Woods, I'm happy for you Luigi.'
Luigi started to blush.
'That being said Bow, I need to ask you something.' Mario turned his attention to her.
'Will you join us after this?' Bow nodded. 'I gladly do, I mean Twilight Town cannot be safe as long as that Shadow Queen is around, my duty is to protect Twilight Town so I will help you remove the bigger thread.' Bow replied.
Two figures were watching Mario from out of the shadows.
'So you warned Mario?' That was Azrael talking to Grave.
'And if I did? Attacking him in the back there is no honor in that, now he knows the danger, he will be on edge, that will be a more interesting Duel.' Grave replied, then they felt a huge power on the Twilight Trail, Grave and Azrael looked at each other. 'The hell is that? Doesn't feel like a Celestian nor a Nephilim.' Azrael noticed.
'I know that feeling Azrael, this guy I've met before he is powerful.
Grave prepared a portal to disappear. 'And where are you going?' Azrael asked. 'That guy is near and I don't want to face him.' With these words Grave disappeared.
Unknown location: X-Naut base.
Beldam and Marilyn appeared in Grodus' room.
'So why is Twilight Town still standing?' Grodus asked.
'Well, funny story, the bomb broke down, I left Vivian there to repair it.' Beldam explained.
'I figured this would happen, that is why I gave Azrael the mission to kill everyone once he has recovered the Crystal Star!'
'Everyone?' Beldam repeated.
'Yes only he and Grave return, so if you want your sister back, you better get her now, once Azrael is done nobody will live.'
Beldam shook her head. 'No need Sir Grodus, Vivian has let me down so many times, and her heart is not in our cause, we're better off without her.'
Next time:
Who is this person Grave told Azrael about?
Those who know War Against Smithy might have a general idea of who this person might be.
All I can tell now is that Mario and his allies prepare to launch the final assault on the Nephilim but Azrael will try to kill Mario. ''The Shadow's Guardian.'' Coming next.
