If anyone saw this coming, I applaud your amazing guessing skills. Hopefully, however, it will be a pleasant surprise to all.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Superior
Based on their previous trips to the Sky Temple, they were expecting to see a well-lit area. On the contrary, the building was eerily dark, making it difficult to see as they proceeded down the narrow hall.
As if afraid someone would overhear them, Larka whispered, "Why is it so dark?"
"No idea," Miles answered. "But I'm getting a bad feeling about this."
"We have to proceed cautiously," Gaston said. "Most of the Soul Monsters should be at the front, with Tenma and Kazel at the back."
"Yeah, an ambush isn't out of the question," Draken agreed.
When they emerged from the hallway, the main
room had not a speck of light. They looked around, trying to have
their vision adapt to the area, but only Hope actually turned her
gaze upwards. That was how she was able to see gleaming red eyes,
ones descending towards Max.
Without thinking, Hope shoved Max to
the side, causing him to hit the floor. Any reaction he would have
given was cut off by hearing Hope's cry of pain, and seeing blood
fly out of her left arm from Ritsuzen's slash, one that would have
killed Max if she had not interfered.
"Hope!" Max shouted, and that was enough of a distraction to turn everyone's attention to the Soul Monster. Thus, there was nobody to see a figure lunging from the shadows, with claws aimed straight for Larka's heart…
…Only to come to a stumbling halt as the claws vanished from his hands, leaving him to exclaim, "What?"
"Enough of this nonsense."
With this new voice came the sound of a card sliding in, and the area became filled with light. They all winced at the intensity of it momentarily, but were soon able to see.
The first person they saw was Kai, who looked completely stunned. His reaction became clear as the second one stepped to the front of the group. She looked to be around thirteen, and wore a short-sleeved, dark purple dress with gold trimming and black shoes. Her dark brown hair went to her shoulders in waves, framing her light blue eyes. What caught the group's attention was the item around her neck, a silver cross.
"Katrina?" Larka said in amazement. "Why are you here?"
"I would think the answer of that should be obvious," Katrina said, giving Kai an irritated glance. "These so-called Judges are trying to destroy Teknisk Wereld, and it is driving me crazy. You and your friends have done well so far in eliminating them, but now it's my turn to step in."
Hope, still clutching a hand to her wound, said, "Katrina? Are you really…?"
Katrina turned her gaze to her and smiled briefly. "It has been a long time, Hope." She nodded to Brandi. "And you, Brandi. I have seen Larka and Zack since our previous meetings, but not the two of you. As for Fell, I believe he is gone now. I wonder if he has grown up by now? If I had to venture a guess, I would say yes, but I have no way of knowing." She threw a cold glare at Max, who shrank back nervously. "Max and I are acquainted, and I am sure Miles knows who I am since he is an official, but you may wish to introduce your other friends."
Zack took the cue. "This is Katrina Bifrost. She is the leader of the officials, and the granddaughter of Sarov Yggdrasill."
There was a short silence at this, and then Rue said, "What the HELL?"
"You heard him, and everything he said is true," Katrina stated. She faced Kai again, saying, "You have caused more than enough trouble here. If you refuse to surrender, I will have to take measures to stop you. And you won't like those measures."
"Just try it," Kai spat, his anger overriding his previous shock. "I've already come far enough to have your precious world deleted! Once I kill the murderer of my brother… and the one who took the person I loved… I will have fulfilled my revenge!"
"What is he talking about?" Mana asked.
"He must mean… Ouka," Hope said softly. "She was obsessed with Max, remember? Maybe he thinks of Max as the one who led to her death."
Katrina's stare intensified, piercing Kai. "Your reasons are petty and selfish. If you think you will be able to destroy a world with those pathetic ideals being the only things to back them up, I have no fear of losing to you. Are you at least a brave enough man to duel a girl who is thirteen years old? I know your courage is low, but I must hope you can at least do that."
"Of course I can duel you, you spoiled brat!" Kai snarled. "And I'll defeat you and throw your corpse from the clouds, leaving all to see your downfall!"
"Has anyone noticed Kai is acting almost… insane?" Gaston said.
"Yes. He certainly is not as calm as he appeared before," Kazel concurred. "I wonder why?"
"A pretty image, although it is one that will not happen," Katrina said in an unimpressed tone. She put two fingers to her lips, letting out a shrill whistle, and then called, "Bast!"
Rue suddenly yelped, putting a hand to his arm, which now sported a long scratch. The cause became apparent when the cat leapt into Katrina's arms, purring.
"A Black Cat That Brings Unhappiness!" Hope said, stunned. "Then that means…"
"I have been a user in Teknisk Wereld for a very long time," Katrina said. She scratched the cat's ear, receiving pleasured meows in response. "That means I obtained my Soul Monster early as well. Her name is Bast, and she has been my eyes and ears in Teknisk Wereld when I have not been around." Katrina gave Rue an annoyed look, saying, "Next time, don't try to chop her in two, especially if you value your life. When Bast is angry, few are fortunate enough to tell of the results."
"Eep…" was all Rue could respond with.
"Young as she is, she's definitely a leader," Draken commented.
"Will, is this the girl you saw?" Kisara asked.
"In my vision? Yeah," Will answered.
"That's one mystery solved," Neo said.
"One more thing." Katrina inserted a card, and a green glow surrounded the group. When it faded, Hope's arm wound had scarred over and was not as severe as before, Will's injuries were non-existent, and Larka was able to breathe more easily. Max was the worst off, for his arm remained dislocated, but otherwise he had recovered. Kazel and Tenma had also healed, as she had apparently targeted Soul Monsters too.
"Sebek's Blessing," Katrina explained. "I'm sorry that I have nothing better, but it will have to do."
"That's great, thanks," Hope replied.
"Speaking of support cards, do you think the darkness of this temple was caused by one?" Darche remarked.
"I'd guess Dark Zone," Max said. "And Katrina probably used Shine Spark. Kai was trying to attack with Executioner Makyura's claws, but Katrina disarmed him… probably with Weapon Disposal." He put a hand to his shoulder and gave it a sharp jerk, resulting in a pained snarl but a fixed arm. Catching Hope's worried glance, he said, "It had to be done eventually."
"Either way, we're really lucky she came," Draken said. "Although I'm not sure I understand how she found us."
Hearing him, Katrina responded, "Bast watched the duel between Kai and Angela. I have been searching for Angela since the destruction of Teknisk Wereld began, so I went to where Bast said she was taken."
Larka flushed. "Oh no! If I had known that, I would have contacted you, but…"
"I was supposed to be the substitute for Angela," Katrina said. "Don't worry about that though. You were a good substitute for her. I suppose I must take some of the blame anyway, since I only told one person of the Guardian and that I was to be contacted if she was ever found." She sent another glare at Max, who now appeared very guilty. "That certain person I will be talking with later. At this moment, I have a madman to defeat. Ready?" she directed at Kai.
"I'm the one who's been waiting for you to quit blabbering!" Kai snapped. Ritsuzen appeared next to him. "Just start the duel!"
Bast hissed at him, her fur standing up. Katrina readjusted her grip so she could continue to hold Bast and use her Duel Disk at the same time. "All right. You had your chance to give up, so don't say I didn't warn you."
Katrina: 8000
Kai: 8000
"I'm going first!" Kai declared, drawing. "First, I-"
"Not so fast, Kai!" Katrina said.
"-ba!" Rue added to the end.
Will smacked him over the head with his book. "This is not the anime."
"I am going to use Bast's Deck Master ability!" Katrina held out her arms, and Bast leapt out. She ran over to Kai and jumped onto his head, causing him to yelp in shock.
"Okay Bast, what did he just draw?" Katrina asked.
Bast looked at the card and gave a disgusted meow.
"Holy Barrier-Mirror Force? That won't do. Tell him to send it to the bottom of his deck!" Katrina said.
Hissing at Kai, she smacked the side of his face with her claws. He made a furious grab for her, but Bast jumped off and went back to Katrina, where she smugly settled into her arms. Enraged, Kai demanded, "What did she just do?"
"Black cats are said to be bad luck, right? Bast is no exception," Katrina said. "Every time you draw a card in your draw phase, I get to hear what it is. Then I choose whether you keep it or place it at the bottom of your deck. When I choose the latter, you draw a new card to replace it, one that I am not allowed to use that effect on."
"Going to make a comment on another cheap Deck Master ability?" Miles asked Rue.
Rue shook his head. "She's the leader of the officials, right? Her Deck master ability deserves to be cheap."
Bast hissed at Rue, making him promptly fall silent. That gave Kai an opportunity to continue his turn. "I lay two cards down and end."
"Now we get to see what deck Katrina plays," Brandi remarked. "It's got to be something powerful."
Katrina looked over her hand and smiled. "This is certainly a good start. I summon Cat Ear Tribe!" (200/100)
"…Forget I said that," Brandi said, not impressed in the slightest by the three tiny kittens that appeared.
"You were right the first time," Max said, looking bitter at that. "Keep in mind that I've faced her before."
"Really? Did you win?" Hope asked.
"The exact opposite. She completely trashed me," Max answered, grimacing.
"Wow. In that case, I've got to see this!" Rue said.
"Your stupid kitties won't hurt me!" Kai said. "I activate Avatar of Apophis, who becomes a monster on my field!" (1600/1800)
"Bast has already told me you run a Trap deck," Katrina said. "So that is no surprise. I lay two cards down and end my turn. Oh, if you do not want Bast using your head as a platform again, you had best tell me what you draw."
Giving Bast a dirty glare, Kai said, "I drew Shotgun Shuffle."
"Fine, you can keep that," Katrina said.
"I attack with Avatar!" Kai announced.
"Big mistake," Katrina replied, smirking. "I activate an instant magic card, Charge! It increases my Cat Ear Tribe's attack by 700 for this turn." (900/100)
"That won't save them!" Kai said.
"Normally, no. But my Cat Ear Tribe has an effect," Katrina informed him. "In the damage step on the opponent's turn, the monster that battled Cat Ear Tribe has its base attack reduced to 200. That means my Cat Ear Tribe is strong enough to destroy your Avatar!"
The site of the three kittens pummeling the Avatar to death was perhaps one of the most amusing ones the spectators had witnessed in a duel yet. Kai did not agree with this though; he was flushed in a combination of embarrassment and anger.
Katrina: 8000
Kai: 7300
"That won't save you forever!" Kai said. "I play two permanent magic cards, Recycle and Shotgun Shuffle! Recycle allows me to pay 300 Life Points on my standby phase to choose a non-monster card and put it at the bottom of my deck. Shotgun Shuffle lets me pay 300 Life Points to shuffle my deck or the opponent's deck. Next turn I'll make use of both! For now, I'm done."
"I suppose that would be a useful combination for a Trap deck, but I am not very impressed," Katrina said. "I summon Cat-Mimic King (0/0) and attack with Cat Ear Tribe."
Kai snarled in fury at the kittens that clawed his legs with playful mews.
Katrina: 8000
Kai: 7100
"Your turn," Katrina said.
"Wow, she's got guts to be playing a monster with zero attack in attack mode," Neo said.
"Either that, or she has a trap ready," Draken said. "Guess we'll see soon enough."
"I drew Cyber Shadow Guardna," Kai stated.
"Keep it," Katrina responded.
"I activate Recycle to place Avatar of Apophis at the bottom of my deck, and Shotgun Shuffle to shuffle it!" Kai did so.
Katrina: 8000
Kai: 6500
"Now I'll destroy your pathetic kittens! I play Lightning Vortex, discarding Cyber Shadow Guardna to destroy all face-up monsters on your field!" Kai said.
Katrina watched both of her monsters perish, and said, "Fair enough. My turn."
"What are you talking about? I didn't say I ended!" Kai protested.
"When you destroy Cat-Mimic King with a magic, trap, or monster effect, your turn automatically ends," Katrina explained. "I summon Skull Dog Maron (1350/2000) and attack directly!"
Still in disbelief at what was happening, Kai was pulled out of his shock by a painful bite from the Skull Dog Maron.
Katrina: 8000
Kai: 5100
"I can't figure out what her theme is," Hope said. "Animal and Animal Warrior cards?"
"Just keep watching," Max advised.
"Your turn," Katrina said.
"I draw Artemis of Harvest," Kai reluctantly said.
"I don't have a problem with that," Katrina stated.
"Then I summon her (1600/1700) and attack!" Kai declared.
"I activate my trap card, Cattle Mutilation!" Katrina countered. "It allows me to take an Animal Sub-Type from my field and place it into my hand while replacing it with another Animal Sub-Type of the same level from my hand. I switch Skull Dog Maron with Mad Dog of Darkness!" (1900/1400)
"D-damn it… I halt the attack and end…" Kai said. It was obvious that he was highly nervous now.
"You ought to enjoy this play," Katrina said. "I summon Rescue Cat! (300/100) Her effect allows me to sacrifice her to special summon two level three or lower Animal Sub-Types from my deck. I do so to bring out Matatabi Cat (0/500) and Guard Dog! (1500/500) Normally, the two monsters I bring out would be destroyed at the end of my turn, but I'll get around that by playing Forced Ejection Machine! This returns Matatabi Cat to my hand. I lay a card down and attack Artemis with Mad Dog of Darkness! Guard Dog attacks directly!"
While not as humiliating as being assaulted by the kittens, the dogs were far more painful. They clawed and bit Kai without mercy.
Katrina: 8000
Kai: 3300
"I end my turn," Katrina said, and her Guard Dog vanished.
"I'm still not getting it," Rue complained. "Could you just tell us her theme already, Max?"
"I believe I know," Will interjected. "Although it is perhaps one of the oddest ones I have seen. Notice how the only monsters she have been using are cats and dogs?"
"You've got to be kidding," Miles said. "A Cats and Dogs deck? How the heck does that work?"
"I would say it works well, considering that she is completely tearing apart Kai," Will said dryly.
"He brings up a good point," Hope remarked.
Eyes flashing, Kai drew, and said, "I got Magic Drain."
Katrina frowned slightly. "Return that to the bottom of your deck and draw again."
"Fine. I play Emergency Rations, which allows me to send a magic or trap card on my field to the Cemetery for 1000 Life Points," Kai said. "I get rid of Recycle to do that."
Katrina: 8000
Kai: 4300
"I lay a card down and end," Kai concluded.
"I set a monster, lay a card down, and attack with Mad Dog of Darkness!" Katrina said.
"Not this time!" Kai said, flipping over his card. "I activate Metal Reflect Slime! This gives me a monster in defense mode, one you can't hope to get past!" (0/3000)
"For now, you are correct," Katrina admitted. "I call off the attack and end my turn."
"I've drawn… Destruction Ring…" Kai said, glaring at Katrina.
"As you have probably guessed, I will have you place that at the bottom of your deck," Katrina said.
"That won't matter! I summon Death Gremlin (1600/1800) and attack your defense monster!" Kai said.
Katrina considered that, and said, "May as well use this now. I activate Magic Cylinder to negate your attack and deal damage to you equal to your monster's attack."
"Hah! I have you now!" Kai said triumphantly. "I counter that with Trap Jammer! When in the battle phase, I can negate and destroy your trap! This also allows me to special summon Dark King Dragon Vandalgion! (2800/2500) Since he was special summoned due to negating a trap, I get to destroy one card on your field. I choose your remaining magic or trap card!"
"And I chain it," Katrina said calmly. "It is my Emissary of Harmony. You will do no damage to me for this turn."
"To hell with it, I attack anyway!" Kai snarled. "Reveal your monster!"
"Matatabi Cat is flipped over," Katrina said. "Done?"
"For now," Kai said reluctantly.
"Then allow me to destroy your Vandalgion," Katrina said. "I activate Matatabi's effect on him. Once per turn, I can choose a monster on your field and reduce its defense to zero. (2800/0) After that, I play Enemy Controller! This allows me to switch the position of a monster on your field, so I switch Vandalgion to defense mode! Finally, I sacrifice Matatabi Cat for Flame Kerberos! (2100/1800) Mad Dog of Darkness attacks Vandalgion, and Flame Kerberos attacks Death Gremlin!"
The three-headed dog ripped the Death Gremlin to shreds, inflicting damage on Kai as they did so. Yet it was the loss of his Vandalgion that hurt far more deeply to the doomed duelist.
Katrina: 8000
Kai: 3800
"Your strongest monster has fallen," Katrina stated. "You will not be able to recover from that."
"Silence!" Kai snapped, drawing. "I… I drew… The Coward's Way…"
"What a fitting card for you to use," Katrina remarked. "You may keep it, so that you know why it is that you lost so terribly." Coolly matching his murderous glare, she said, "I assume you cannot do anything? In that case, I play Cyclone on Metal Reflect Slime, destroying him. Mad Dog of Darkness attacks, and Flame Kerberos finishes you!"
Kai's scream of outrage was drowned out by the barking and howling of the dogs, who attacked him gleefully.
Katrina: 8000
Kai: 0
"That has to be a horrible way to lose," Mana said, snickering.
"Wow… you were completely right," Draken said to Max. "She is one darn good duelist."
"No… I can't lose… not like this!" Kai shouted.
Katrina stepped forward, Bast yowling at Kai from her arms. "It's over for you, Kai. No longer will you threaten this world with your twisted ideals. Now will you surrender? It is not too late to earn some dignity."
"I refuse!" Kai retorted, pushing a button on his Duel Disk. He logged out instantly.
"That cheater!" Rue snarled.
Katrina did not appear surprised by this action. She took out a cell phone from her pocket and hit a button on it. "Captain Roman, the target has left Teknisk Wereld. Please try to take him alive."
…
"Roger. We're going in." Captain Lapis Roman pressed the end button and slid her cell phone away. "It looks like we are needed after all, Helmer. Ready?"
"Of course, Captain." Helmer brought out his pistol, as did Lapis, and he opened the door they stood in front of. Once they were sure the coast was clear, they darted inside, closing it to prevent Kai from slipping out easily.
They had figured out that Kai had been using this warehouse as a hideout, and once they saw the interior, it became clear as to why he had chosen it. Clearly the place had been abandoned for several years, judging by the layers of dust and the grime that covered the windows, throwing everything into shadow. It was a huge area, and other than the ground area that had many abandoned boxes against the walls, there was a steel catwalk with the stairs leading to it towards the back.
None of these were what they were focused on though. The man in front of them had their full attention. Kai froze at seeing them enter, and then bolted towards the back.
"Cut him off!" Lapis ordered as she ran after him. Helmer attempted to do so, but was a few seconds too slow. By the time they reached the shadowy area near the stairs of the catwalk, there was no sign of him.
"What now?" Helmer asked, looking around warily.
"You take the stairs," Lapis said. "I'll check the ground level."
"Got it." Helmer swiftly ascended the stairs as Lapis began to examine the bottom area.
For a minute, there was nothing to be heard but the sound of her own breathing and her quiet footsteps. That abruptly changed when she suddenly felt cold metal at the base of her neck.
"One pull of this trigger and you die," she heard Kai say softly from behind her. "How does it feel, to be at the mercy of a murderer? A complete opposite from normal, wouldn't you agree?"
Lapis kept her gaze ahead as she calmly said, "Indeed I have killed. But my killings are to save the lives of others. Yours are made from malice and hatred. Slay me if you must. I am willing to die on the line of duty."
"You damned official!" Kai snarled, but that was all he was able to say before a gunshot rang through the air. Lapis felt the metal fall away from her neck, and a thud from behind her. She turned, and without looking at the bleeding wound from Kai's head, pulled his Soul Card from his pocket and tore it. An agonized screech came from a nearby wall, and then the Soul Monster was gone, vanquished with his master.
"Good shot, Helmer!" Lapis called up to him.
Helmer saluted with his pistol from on top of the catwalk. "Thank you, Captain." He descended from it and walked towards her. "Well, we tried."
"She will understand that there was no way to take him alive," Lapis replied, pulling out her cell phone. "Better that he be dead than leaving him to plague others."
"Agreed," Helmer said, falling silent as she began to speak into the phone.
…
"So, Kai is dead. I suppose it cannot be helped. Good work. Remove his corpse and wait for my return at the official headquarters." Katrina hung up. "I assume you all heard what I just said?"
"Yes," Will answered. "That means all of the Judges threatening Teknisk Wereld are gone?"
"Correct. Which means we can cover a few more important matters now." She turned to Max, who had an expression on his face that suggested he wished he would die, and walked towards him. The group instantly parted to allow her through. With another glare, she kicked Max in the shin, causing him to fall to the ground with a yelp.
"You complete imbecile!" Katrina scolded, with Bast making a noise that sounded like snickering. "Why didn't you contact me when you found Angela? I told you to inform me if you ever found the Guardian, but apparently you decided my orders were not important enough to remember!"
"That isn't it at all!" Max protested feebly. "It just… slipped my mind…"
"In other words, you forget, which means it was not important enough to remember!" Katrina pointed out. "My cat is a better informant than you are, and Soul Monster or not, that is not something you want me putting in your file!"
"I'm not following this at all," Rue said. "Is Max an official too?"
"Yes, he is," Katrina said. "Max came looking for a job, and when I saw him, I recognized his talents from what I had heard about your group. I requested he be my personal… servant, of sorts. He objected at first, saying he wanted a different job, so I dueled him."
"Needless to say, she whipped me," Max said sheepishly, rising. "So I agreed."
"Zack and I knew," Larka added. "We saw Max giving Katrina a report one day at work. He asked us to keep quiet about it though. Sorry."
"It's all right," Hope said. "We would have found out sooner or later."
"You could have at least told me, Max," Brandi shot towards him.
"Secrets are secrets," Max muttered.
Katrina abruptly turned towards the other door in the room. "Enough on that though. We have wasted enough time as is. Angela is still here, and it is safe to assume my grandfather is with her. I do not know how he will react, but I must try to stop him from killing Angela, and from destroying Teknisk Wereld."
"Definitely," Draken said. "We're all ready whenever you are."
"Then the time is now." Katrina went to the door and flung it open.
To be continued…
