0713MM: Hey guys! I welcome you to chapter 36! In this chapter, Crow duels one of the people that had a family member that Aura sent to the mines when she was living in Crash Town. I do not own Aura Fudo, nor do I own Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds. I just own this fanfic. Chapter start!
Chapter 36
"Ok everyone! It is time for us to intervene!" They all looked up at Toru in the garage, surprised.
"Now Bro, when you say intervene." Sect began.
"Yes; I mean Aura and Crow. They have gone from Yusei and Akiza bad to just plain bad." Toru sighed.
"... So it's finally come to that." Misaki frowned.
"Wait, a line was now crossed?" Akiza asked.
"Yes. Cause let's face facts, you guys were pretty bad too." Toru nodded. Akiza rolled her eyes at that.
"Yeah yeah whatever." Akiza retorted with slight irritation in her voice. "So what do you want us to do?"
"Well we gotta do something cause I am at the end of my patience here. I known Aura for years, yet I didn't think she was this dense." Toru groaned, rubbing his head.
"While Crow hasn't grown a spine yet." Sect muttered. Jack chuckled at Sect's reply.
"Haha; good one Sect." Jack grinned.
"Yusei, you and Aura have been having more brother/sister talks. Can you try to talk her about Crow?" Luna asked. Yusei glanced at the young girl and put a hand to chin, as if going into deep thought.
"... She won't suspect anything if it's you so long as you only ask how she feels." Misaki spoke lightly. Yusei glanced at Misaki and nodded.
"True." He agreed.
"You're our only hope Yusei." Toru sighed.
"Hey where are Aura and Crow anyway?" Leo suddenly asked. Toru sighed.
"They went off somewhere. Saying something along the lines of getting parts for the D-Wheels." He replied.
"Yup these parts will definitely help with our D-Wheels." Aura and Crow were heading back to the garage carrying small boxes that had D-Wheel parts inside.
"I can't believe you were able to get that shopkeeper to lower the price like that." Crow grinned.
"Haha. I've been doing stuff like that for years. It's really easy too, once you know how to mess with their heads." She smirked. Crow only shook his head in amusement as she smiled while they began to walk past someone. "I will soon have my revenge… So enjoy yourself while you can...murderer..." Aura gasped, feeling a sensation as she quickly turned to face the one who spoke, but the figure was gone. Her face lightly paled. Crow took notice of this and he glanced at Aura; concern present on his face.
"Aura?" Crow asked her. "Are you alright?" She jumped, facing Crow before shaking her head. "I'm fine Crow. I thought I heard something, that's all." She said quickly. "Come on, let's hurry back to the garage." She gave a chuckle. "Don't want the others to get the wrong idea now." She teased. Crow laughed sheepishly at that.
"Haha, yeah." Crow retorted. They then continued walking. Aura having a small frown on her face. That feeling...I know it anywhere… The Signer Dragon… It's here...
Yusei knocked on Aura's door, it was night time. The door opened to show Aura as she smiled.
"Hey brother. Come on in, I got everything set up." She said.
"Great." He smiled as he walked inside. After talking in the hospital, Yusei and Aura had come to a comprise of talking and getting to know one another by playing chess. As they did, it always calmed Aura's nerves, which they thought would make it easier for Aura to open up more. The two took their seats and began their game.
"I started the questions last time, so it's your turn." Aura told Yusei as she moved her piece.
"Alright. What do you think of Crow?" Yusei asked as he moved his piece.
"Eh?" She asked with a surprised expression on her face, looking up from the chess board so her eyes met Yusei's. "What do you mean?"
"Your thoughts on him I mean." Yusei elaborated. She blinked as she moved a piece, taking his pawn, she held the piece, thinking it over for a moment.
"Well… I'll admit he is a bit of a hot-head and easily provoked. Shown by all the little fights he gets in with Jack." She replied with a light chuckle. Then her smile became warmer. "Yet he's also a selfless guy who watches out for his friends and family. Especially the kids he takes care of. He's like a brother to them, and he did so well taking care of them. Despite being chased by Security at the time, he was trying to keep their hopes up for their future to show they can have a bright future. And I always feel so warm when I'm with him too. So free...Like a bird…" She gasped, flushing. When Yusei took notice of this, his lips mades a very tiny smile.
"Oh man, I feel so embarrassed now." She admitted sheepishly. Yusei released a light chuckle.
"Don't worry about it." Yusei told his sister. "You really like Crow, don't you?" She gave a faint smile as she set the piece down.
"I don't know how, but it just happened. And it's not like I'm dense or anything. It's just…" She began, uncertainty appearing in her voice at that given moment. Yusei's expression changed to that of concern.
"It's because of what happened at your life while in Crash Town, now re-named Satisfaction Town, isn't it?" Yusei inquired. She gave a faint smile once more.
"You can say that. I committed so many sins and spilled so much blood, even if you guys can look past that. Do I really deserve the happiness of loving another? Can I really see myself with a bright future with him? Do I even deserve that when I have taken the lives of others?" She wondered with a sad smile. Yusei nodded.
"Of course you deserve such a future." Yusei replied. "Everyone deserves a second chance." She looked at her brother, giving him a sad smile.
"You say that, yet it still claws at me now and then." She admitted. "Maybe it's a problem of the mind. I don't know but I just worry… That I'm no good for Crow." She held up her scarred arm. "I mean look at me. I'm so… Broken." She said with a soft chuckle. Yusei looked at her scarred arm and he frowned slightly.
"Aura." Yusei started. "It's not how you look on the outside that matters. It's what's within you that matters the most."
"And I'm a demon on the inside." She said with a bitter chuckle.
"No you're not. Not anymore." Yusei shot back.
"That's up for debation." She countered
"You already know how me and the others see you as." Yusei retorted. "Do not deem yourself a demon. You are not a demon."
"Oh? Do tell what I am then." She smirked. Yusei smirked slightly in response.
"Well for one, you're my sister." Yusei spoke. "As for the rest, you are kind, selfless, fun, and a great teacher."
"You've been talking with my students." She playfully accused. Yusei chuckled.
"Well, 3 of our friends go to the school you teach at, so yeah." Yusei admitted. "Plus the others say you're a wonderful teacher."
"Silly kids." She muttered with a smile.
"Well they're not wrong." Yusei replied with a smile.
"Hehe… But am I good enough for Crow?" She wondered with a small hum. "Cause let's be real. I'm a mess."
"You're not a mess just… Rough around the edges." Yusei replied. She blinked in surprise before she giggled.
"Rough around the edges? Haha. Ok fine, we'll go with that." She giggled.
"And if it makes you feel better, Crow definitely likes you back." He smiled.
"Huh?" She questioned in surprise. Now it was Yusei's turn to blink in surprise.
"Aura you do know Crow likes you back, right?" He asked. She blinked, moving her head to the side in clueless before shaking her head.
"Not really, no." Aura admitted. "I mean I tease him sure, but I never considered him liking me." Yusei looked at her, then sighed.
"Toru was right. You really are too dense." He spoke.
"Hey!" She pouted. Then she felt the same sensation before, making her shudder as the doorbell rang, making them look up.
"I'll get it." She said, standing up. She walked to the door, opening it to see a person there, but couldn't see their face because of their hood. Yet, she already felt it the blade of a knife pointing at her abdomen.
"Why hello, good to see you." She said with a smile, playing off the knife.
"Aura you know who's at the door?" Yusei asked, looking up.
"Ah yeah. An old friend that wants to talk alone." She replied, turning her head to face Yusei so he wouldn't see the knife. "Mind if I go with my friend outside so we can talk?" Yusei moved his head to the side, as if slightly confused/skeptical. After a moment or two, he shrugged.
"Fine by me." Yusei replied. "Just be careful Aura."
"Yes brother." She smiled, turning to face the stranger. "Let's go." The person didn't move for a moment, but stepped back to her let out as she closed the door, still pointing the knife at her as they walked outside. They walked for a while, until they stopped at a closed off space in the City.
"Here should be far enough." Aura hummed, facing the stranger. "So care to show me your face?" The stranger was silent for a few moments before speaking.
"Guess I should since Ill be the one who will bring justice upon you." Aura watched as the stranger pulled down their hood to show a young man, who coldly glared at her.
"Alright, so what do I owe you having a knife at me?" She asked. "Something tells me you know something about me."
"Indeed I do. My name is Jin, the younger brother to one of your victims, Teal Eyed Demon." He spoke in a cold mannerism. Aura grew wide eyed in shock at this.
"Brother?" She questioned.
"Yes. You may not remember my brother, but he was one of your many victims. He was a good man who went to that cursed town to earn money for our family. But you…" Jin began with a growl, clutching the knife tightly. "You killed him!" Aura flinched at this, as if he had hit her literally. "And seeing you living your life as if your crimes have no consequences... It makes me sick." He hissed, raising his knife. "That's why I'll pass judgement on you myself!" She was silent for a moment before speaking.
"You do realize that if you kill me, you'll no doubt be sent to the Facility. You realize this, yes?" She questioned lightly.
"I do. And I don't really care. I'll gladly accept my punishment if it means avenging my brother by killing his murderer." He told her coldly. She looked at him deep in his eyes to see he was in fact serious. She gave a small smile.
"Alright then, do as you wish." She spoke, moving her arms to the side. "I won't fight back. So what you must, but I would like a favor if you may, a final wish."
"What?" He frowned, not expecting this.
"By chance, do you have a Dragon-type Synchro monster?" She asked lightly. He looked at her, shocked.
"How could you possibly know that?" He demanded.
"Like I thought." She spoke softly. "I'll allow you to do what you wish, but in exchange, may you give that card to a man named Crow Hogan? That's all I ask out of this." He looked at her for a moment, as if trying to read her before reaching into his deck to get out a card.
"Why is this card that important you'd give your life for someone to have it?" He questioned. She gave a soft smile in response.
"Because it's important and will guarantee his safety." She replied. He scoffed as he put away the card.
"Words of a hypocrite, but fine. Since I know my brother would have done the same, I'll make sure Crow Hogan gets the card." He said.
"Thank you." She nodded, relaxing. "Now go on and strike." He walked towards her. She didn't move, watching him as he raised the knife. She closed her eyes, waiting for the hit when suddenly...
"AURA!" They gasped as Crow suddenly pushed Jin away from Aura, causing him to let go of the knife as he hit the ground.
"What the hell?!" Jin yelled angrily.
"Crow! What are you doing here?!" She gasped.
"Don't you change the subject! What were you thinking letting him stab you?!" Crow yelled at her.
"This isn't your problem Crow! This is me paying for my sins!" She scowled.
"And you think I'd let that happen?!" Crow shot back. "Sorry no chance!" Jin picked himself off the ground and glared daggers at Crow.
"Are you telling me you're willing to protect that woman when she is a murderer?" He demanded. Crow glanced over at Jin. After a few minutes or so, Crow replied.
"Yes I am." Crow replied. "Aura is not the murderer you seem to think she is. Not anymore at least. She's my friend, and I always defend them, even if they would rather not do such a thing!" Crow pointed his right index finger at Jin. "The only murderer I see before me is you." Jin clenched his fists and grit his teeth.
"Damn you…!" Jin growled.
"Crow you don't understand! He has every right! One of the people I had killed in the town was his older brother! I took him away from him! He has the right to do what he must!" She said sadly, clutching Crow's arm. "I appreciate you wanting to defend me, but I have to accept this!" Crow glanced at Aura. Despite what she said, Crow jerked out of her grip and turned back to face Jin.
"No you do not have to accept this." Crow retorted. "And I cannot either. If I stood by and do nothing, what Yusei think? What Jack, Leo, Luna, Akiza, and all the other people you've come to know as friends and family? What will they think?" Crow paused, then continued. "I'll tell you what I think. I think if you killed by this guy, everyone, including myself will be sad, yet at the same time, feel angered by this guy's actions and would want to get revenge for your death. Revenge is a path I'd rather not walk on, but if I might if this guy manages to kill you." Jin rolled his eyes at Crow's little speech. By this point, he had picked his knife off the ground and held it in his hand. His eyes narrowing further at Crow.
"I don't know how you, or anybody can have the heart to want to protect that murderer! She took the life of my brother! An innocent and kind man who only wanted to help his family! I bet she even killed others who had loved ones who mourn for them! And you're telling me she deserves to live?! Screw that!" He growled coldly, pointing his knife at Crow. Aura gasped, quickly moving to shield Crow.
"Don't! You can do what you want to me, but please don't hurt him!" She yelled.
"I will if he gets in my way!" Jin snapped. "Now stand aside! Or else you and Aura are both dead!" What happened next was so fast that Jin could not register what happened until he noticed his knife was not within his hand anymore. Crow had side-stepped the oncoming stab from Jin and managed to get the knife out of his hand. Jin looked down at the ground to see the knife. He was about to pick it up, but Crow kicked it away from him.
"Sorry." Crow told him. "But if you want to kill Aura, you'll have to get past me! And I don't me hand-to-hand combat!"
"Crow!" Aura yelled desperately. Jin glared at Crow, but understood what he had meant as he got out a duel disk.
"A duel huh? I get it. Fine. I'll duel you, and if I win, I'm killing that murderer." He vowed coldly. Crow crossed his arms before raising his left arm up, showing his own duel disk.
"Not like that'll happen." Crow replied. "But if I win, then I want you to leave Aura alone. It's either that, or I turn you over to Sector Security for attempted murder."
"I'll accept that." Jin nodded.
"Crow stop! I can't let you do this! Not when I brought this on myself!" She frowned. Crow glanced back at Aura.
"I already told you Aura, I'm not gonna sit back and let people like this guy kill whoever they want because they're angry at a specific person. Hell, I wouldn't sit back even if that wasn't the case here." Crow reminded Aura. "If any of my friends are in mortal danger, I, Crow Hogan, will help them out! That doesn't just include the other Signers. You yourself know that."
"Crow..." She whimpered.
"Wait, you're Crow Hogan?" Jin questioned with a scowl. Crow glanced back at Jin and gave a sly smile.
"Yup!" That's me!" Crow replied.
"So you're the one she wanted me to give the card to." Jin frowned.
"Eh?" Crow inquired. "What card?"
"Your Dragon Crow! Even now I sense it! He has your Signer Dragon!" She told him. Crow's facial expression turned from quizzical to that of surprise.
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhh?!" Crow gaped. As quickly as his surprised expression came, it vanished just as fast and his lips formed a sly smile. "So a bonus for me if I win." He added. Jin frowned.
"She wanted me to give you the card as her final wish, but if you think you can win it from me, I like to see you try." He told the orange-haired young man. Crow grinned.
"Of course I'm gonna win it from you." Crow retorted. "Besides, handing me a free card wouldn't really make sense, now would it? Nothing in this world is free. At least, that's what Martha told me, Jack, and Yusei as kids."
"That's why I agreed to her terms." Jin frowned. "The Teal Eyed Demon didn't hesitate on letting me take her life to give you the card; her life for the card. To me it's a sounded like a fair trade at the time." Crow's sheepish smile faded and his lips formed a scowl.
"Her life for a card? Fair trade? Don't make me laugh." Crow told him. "The life of a human being is more important than a card. Sure I want the Signer Dragon that you possess, but I still want to feel like I earned it. Now because you were told to give it me as some dying wish! That's stupid!" Jin sighed at that.
"Have it your way." Jin muttered. "You're only making things harder on yourself, but who am I to stop you? Now let's get this over with! The time for talk is over!" Jin activated his duel disk after that. Crow did the same.
"That's one thing we can agree on!" Crow spoke. The 2 young men drew their 5 card starting hands.
"DUEL!"
"I'll go first, Birdbrain!" Jin declared. "Draw!" (Jin's hand: 6 cards.) Jin observed his hand and he grinned in satisfaction. He pulled a card from his hand and set it, along with 2 cards. "I set 1 monster and 2 cards. Next up, I activate the field spell, Curse of the Shadow Prison. I end my turn there." (Jin's hand: 2 cards.) Jin gestured to Crow. "Now it's your turn. Let's see what you got." Crow just chuckled lightly.
"You want to see what I got?" So be it!" Crow declared. "I draw!" (Crow's hand, 6 cards.) Crow smiled at his hand. He pulled a card from his hand revealed it before playing it.
"I activate the continuous spell, Black Whirlwind!" Crow announced. "Now every time I Normal Summon a Blackwing monster, I can add 1 Blackwing from my Deck to my hand that has less ATK than the monster I Normal Summoned!"
"I see…" Jin mused. "So you use a Swarm tactic to get your Extra Deck monsters out. A very classic approach nowadays…" Crow shrugged it off and continued his turn.
"I Normal Summon Blackwing - Bora the Spear!" Crow declared. A hooded bird appeared onto Crow's field. It's sharp talons that also posed as hands had drills on them. (Blackwing - Bora the Spear, Level 4 DARK Winged-Beast-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1700/800.) As soon as Crow did so, his continuous spell card glowed.
"Thanks to Black Whirlwind, I can now add to my hand 1 Blackwing monster that less ATK than Bora." Crow continued. A card ejected itself out of his duel disk and he added it to his hand, but not before revealing it to Jin. It was Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind. Jin just stared at Crow as he continued. Crow grabbed 1 other cards from his hand, along with the Gale he added via his spell and slapped them onto his duel disk.
"Now since I control a Blackwing monster, I can Special Summon both Gale and Kris!" Crow announced. A blue-winged bird appeared onto Crow's field, next to a young bird with red eyes. (Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind, Level 3 DARK Winged-Beast-type Tuner monster, ATK/DEF: 1300/400. Blackwing - Kris the Crack of Dawn, Level 4 DARK Winged-Beast-type monster, ATK: 1900/300. Crow's hand: 3 cards.) Crow thrusted his right hand forward.
"Battle!" Crow declared. "Bora the Spear, attack his face-down monster!" Bora compiled to the order Crow gave him and charged towards Jin's face-down monster, drills spinning at a fast rate. The drills pierced right through the monster's defensive shell and iit flipped face-up. Jin chuckled at that as he took the 700 points of damage, leaving him with 3300 LP left.
"Thanks for that Crow." Jin remarked, a sly smile on his lips. "You've just sealed your fate." Crow rolled his eyes at that.
"Seriously? More "Destiny" nonsense?" Crow retorted in irritation.
"Fool! This has nothing to do with "Destiny", as you so put it!" Jin shot back. "You just activated my Shaddoll Squamata's effect!"
"Eeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhh?!" Crow gaped.
"When my Squamata is flipped, I can destroy 1 monster you control!" Jin continued. He pointed at Gale the Whirlwind. "I'm not sure why you did not Synchro Summon, but alas, say goodbye to your 1 and only Tuner monster present on your field!" The ghostly form of Squamata appeared and blasted Gale the Whirlwind in the chest; thus destroying it. Crow covered his face with his arms.
"Gale the Whirlwind!" Crow called out to his fallen monster. Once the dust settled, Crow lowered his arms from his face. He pointed his right index finger at Jin.
"Yeah well, you have no other defenses in regards to monsters, so Kris the Crack of Dawn, attack Jin directly!" Crow commanded. The dark-blue winged bird swooped upward, then proceeded to fly downward and towards Jin. As the monster came ever so closer, Jin chuckled at that. THis confused Crow a bit.
"You seriously think that's gonna work Crow?" Jin inquired. "The reason I took damage from your Bora's attack is because I allowed it. I could have easily put an end to your Summons if I so wanted to, but I did not."
"What do you mean?" Crow demanded.
"Crow! Shaddoll monsters are the punishers for swarm base decks!" Aura frowned. Jin thrusted his right hand forward.
"Aura is correct!" Jin agreed. "And now I activate the continuous trap, Shaddoll Core! Upon activation, it Special Summons itself to my field as a monster card." The trap revealed itself, then appeared on Jin's field in DEF mode. A several brown snake-like creatures appeared. (Shaddoll Core, Level 9 DARK Spellcaster-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1450/1950.) Crow clenched his teeth, then glanced at his hand again. He grabbed 2 cards from his hand and set them.
"I set 2 cards face-down and end my turn." Crow concluded. (Crow's hand: 1 card.) Jin placed his hand on top of his deck.
"Then it's my turn." Jin spoke. "Draw!" (Jin's hand: 3 cards.) Jin observed the card he drew and he grinned slyly before continuing. "Here Crow, I'll be generous and play Card of Sanctity! Now we each draw until we have 6 cards in our hands!"
"Fine by me!" Crow declared as both he and Jin drew cards from the top of their decks until they had 6 cards in their hands. Once Jin drew the last card, he observed his fresh hand. He smiled in satisfaction.
"Crow, you shall experience a lockdown." Jin mused as he pulled 2 cards from his hand. "I activate the Spell card, Shaddoll Fusion!" The spell card appeared onto the field. It had a darker color scheme to that of Polymerization, to an extent. "Thanks to this, I fuse my Shaddoll Core with my Shaddoll Hedgehog with my Shaddoll Squamata in my hand!" Both monsters went into the Graveyard. As did so, not only did Jin's field spell gain 2 counters, but the Fusion Portal appeared above Jin. "I Fusion Summon! Level 5! El Shaddoll Winda!" The Fusion Portal exploded and brought forth the purple and green dressed female spellcaster. (El Shaddoll Wind, Level 5 DARK Spellcaster-type Fusion monster, ATK/DEF: 2200/800. Curse of the Shadow Prison's Spellstone Counters: 2. Jin's hand: 3 cards.) Suddenly, his graveyard glowed a dark purple, as did his deck.
"What's going on?" Crow demanded.
"Since Squamata was sent to the Graveyard via an effect, I send Shaddoll Falco to the Graveyard. As for Hedgehog, he lets me get a Shaddoll monster from my Deck to my hand. I choose Shaddoll Beast." Once Jin had done such action, He grabbed Falco's card from his Graveyard and placed it face-down in a free Monster Zone. "Since Falco was sent to the Graveyard via an effect, I can Special Summon it face-down." Crow watched as Jin made his moves. Jin then grabbed another card from his hand.
"I Normal Summon Shaddoll Dragon." Jin continued. A dark dragon-like humanoid emerged onto his field. (Shaddoll Dragon, Level 4 DARK Spellcaster-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1900/0.) Crow tensed at this. Jin thrusted his right hand forward.
"Battle!" Jin declared. "Shaddoll Dragon, attack Blackwing - Bora the Spear!" The dark dragon-humanoid launched itself at the Winged-Beast-type monster, hoping to tear it to shreds. Crow grinned and thrusted his right hand forward.
"I activate the trap, Blackwing - Bombardment!" Crow announced. Now by tributing Kris, my Bora gains its ATK points until the End Phase!" Just as Krist vanished, Bora glowed and his ATK rose to 3600, which made it stronger than Shaddoll Dragon. Or so Crow thought. Jin's lips formed a dark smile at Crow's move.
"An interesting tactic Crow." Jin noted. "However, I had a feeling you'd do that! That's why I had this prepared!"
"What?"
"I activate Forbidden Lance from my hand!" Jin called out as he played the quick-play spell from his hand. "With this, your Bora loses 800 ATK, but is unaffected by Spell/Trap cards! That includes your own!"
"What?!" Crow gasped. Shaddoll Dragon pierced right through Bora; thus destroying it. The attack forced Crow to cover his face from debris of the attack. (Crow's LP: 4000 - 1000 = 3000.) Jin's smile did not falter as he glanced at Winda.
"I'm not done yet Crow!" Jin declared. "Winda, attack Crow directly!" Winda lifted her staff upward and shot out some dark energy from it directly at Crow. As the attack was nearing connection, Crow chuckled.
"Impressive, but I have this! Go Black Wing Revenge!" Crow announced. Said trap revealed itself to Jin. Jin scoffed.
"Fine. So what if you get 2 Blackwing Crest Tokens? I'll just destroy 1 of them now!" Jin shot back. Just as he did, Winda's attack redirected to one of the tokens; thus destroying it. Jin grabbed 2 cards from his hand and placed them into his duel disk.
"I place 2 cards face-down to end my turn." Jin concluded. (Jin's hand: 1 card. Crow's hand: 6 cards. Crow's LP: 3000. Jin's LP: 3300.) Crow placed his right hand on top of his deck.
"I cannot give up here." Crow muttered. His expression changed to that of determination. "My turn! I draw!" (Crow's hand: 7 cards.) Crow observed his hand to see if he could figure out a way to defeat Jin. Not this turn obviously. But some time within the future turns he would have.
Shaddoll is an archetype that focuses on canceling and punishing swarm decks. And the Blackwings are one of the biggest of swarm decks. Crow's at a disadvantage. Aura thought with a frown, clutching her arm tightly. Yet he's doing this just for my small life… Dammit!
"I Tribute my Token in order to Summon Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn." Crow began. The Crest Token vanished only to be replaced by the giant bird. (Blackwing - Sirocco the Dawn, Level 5 DARK Winged-Beast-type monster, ATK/DEF: 1800 (originally 2000)/900.) Jin stared at Crow and his monster; not saying a word. Black Whirlwind glowed, then Crow added another Blackwing monster from his Deck to his hand. Crow then grabbed another card from his hand.
"Since I control a Blackwing monster, I can Special Summon this! Come! Blackwing - Harmattan the Dust!" Crow declared. A black winged bird appeared onto Crow's field, it had red around the top of his head. (Blackwing - Harmattan the Dust, Level 2 DARK Winged-Beast-type Tuner monster, ATK/DEF: 600 (originally 800)/800.) Crow then raised his right hand upwards before continuing. "Now! I tune the Level 2 Harmattan the Dust and Level 5 Sirocco the Dawn!" However, the monsters did not turn into orange outlines, nor did their Levels turn into white stars. Crow glanced down at his duel disk, a question mark appeared above his head.
"What's going on?! Why won't they respond?!" Crow demanded. He glared at Jin with his eyes narrowed. "What did you do?!" At his response, Jin chuckled.
"Ha! You really are a birdbrain!" Jin shot back. "As long as my El Shaddoll Winda is face-up on the field, all players can only Special Summon monsters once per turn!"
"What?!" Crow clenched his fists in frustration. "No! My tactics have been shut down! My Extra Deck is useless this turn!"
"That's right." Jin replied. "I suggest you give up now. Otherwise you'll just be hurting yourself in this pointless duel."
"Crow please! Just stop! There's no need for you to do this! You're deck is at the biggest disadvantage against the Shaddolls! Please just let me do what needs to be done!" Aura begged sadly. Crow glanced back at Aura and he shook his head.
"No, I will not back down!" Crow reminded her. "I may not have access to my Extra Deck this turn, but that does not matter!"
"Hoh?" Jin wondered. "And how do you plan to do that?"
"Just watch me!" Crow shot back. "Battle! Go Sirocco! Attack El Shaddoll Winda!" The massive bird leapt forward towards the Fusion monster.
"Why attack when my monster is stronger?" Jin questioned.
"By the time you find out, it'll be too late!" Crow grinned. "During the damage calculation, I activate the effect of Blackwing - Kalut the Moon Shadow from my hand! By sending it to the graveyard, my Blackwing gains 1400 ATK!" Jin grunted, then thrusted his right hand forward.
"In that case, I activate the Trap, Purushaddoll Aeon!" Jin countered. "Now by sending my Shaddoll Beast to the Graveyard, my Fusion monsters gains 1000 ATK/DEF until this turn's End Phase! But at the End Phase, my monster will go into face-down DEF position. Not like that matters!"
"Oh no!" Crow gaped. "Now his monster's ATK is equal to mine! (Winda's ATK/DEF: 2200 + 1000 = 3200/800 + 1000 = 1800. Sirocco the Dawn's ATK: 1800 + 1400 = 3200.) Jin drew 1 card due to Shaddoll Beast being sent to the Graveyard via a card effect. Both monsters clashed several times before self destructing.
"Since El Shaddoll WInda was sent to the Graveyard, I add back my Shaddoll Fusion to my hand." Jin explained. But now look at you, you may be able to use your Extra Deck now that WInda is no longer on my field, but what good is a Tuner monster if you have nothing to tune it with?" Crow observed his hand before smiling.
"You're right non that." Crow agreed. "But with Winda gone, I can now Special Summon as many times as I want! Speaking of which, I Special Summon Blackwing - Gladius the Midnight Sun to my field since I control a Blackwing monster!" A light blue armored bird appeared next to Harmattan the Dust. (Blackwing - Gladius the Midnight Sun, Level 3 DARK Winged-Beast-type monster, ATK/DEF: 500 (originally 800)/1500. Crow's hand: 4 cards.) Crow then grabbed the card he added.
"I now Special Summon a 2nd Bora the Spear!" Crow declared. The drill-wielding bird appeared onto the field. It's ATK dropped to 1400 due to the effect of Jin's field spell, but that did not matter at this given moment. Crow had all the necessary requirements to bring out a Level 6, or Level 5 Synchro monster. Crow raised his right arm upwards.
"Now, I shall Synchro Summon for real this time!?" Crow grinned. Jin stared as Harmattan the Dust and Bora the Spear turned into orange outlines, each of their Levels began white stars. "I tune my Level 2 Harmattan the Dust with Level 4 Bora the Spear!" Jin watched without saying a word as Crow began to chant. "Pitch-dark power, lodge in its great wings and stir up the divine winds! Synchro Summon! Gust fiercely, Blackwing Armed Wing!" Jin eyed the black armored Blackwing Synchro monster. (Blackwing Armed Wing, Level 6 DARK Winged-Beast-type Synchro monster, ATK/DEF: 2000 (originally 2300)/1000.)
"At least Crow managed to Synchro Summon, but even so." Aura frowned with a worried expression on her face. Crow glanced over his hand again before grabbing 2 cards from his hand and placing them into his duel disk.
"I set 2 cards face-down to end my turn." Crow concluded. (Crow/Jin's hand: 1 card.) Jin chuckled.
"Not bad Crow." Jin noted. "However...I have this! I activate my face-down, El Shaddoll Fusion! Now I take Shaddoll Dragon in my hand with my Core! Oh, and my Core is treated as any attribute! I choose WIND!" Both monsters flew into the Fusion Portal. "Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 6! El Shaddoll Wendigo!" Once the Fusion Portal exploded, the spellcaster appeared onto the field, with what appeared to be a whale behind her. (El Shaddoll Wendigo, Level 6 WIND Psychic-type Fusion monster, ATK/DEF: 200/2800. Jin's hand: 2 cards.) "Since Core was sent to the Graveyard via a card effect, I add back El Shaddoll Fusion to my hand after it's used. Also, since Shaddoll Dragon was sent to the Graveyard via a card effect, not only does my field spell gain another counter, but now 1 of your Spell/Trap cards are gone!" Crow gasped as his Black Wing Trap card shattered. Jin placed his right hand a top of his deck.
"Now that's 1 less card to deal with." Jin muttered. "My turn, draw!" (Jin's hand: 3 cards.) Jin observed the card he drew and he grinned. "Now then, I flip my Shaddoll Falco face-up. When I do that, I Special Summon Winda back onto my field in face-down DEF position. And now that I have, I activate Shaddoll Fusion! Since you control a monster that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I fuse monsters from my Deck!"
"From your Deck?!" Crow gaped.
"Yes!" Jin smirked. "I fuse Shaddoll Dragon with my The Light - Hex-Sealed Fusion from my Deck! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 8! El Shaddoll Construct!" A light and purple dressed fairy emerged onto Jin's field. (El Shaddoll Construct, Level 8 LIGHT Fairy-type Fusion monster, ATK/DEF: 2800/2500.)Jin pulled another monster his Deck and sent it to the Graveyard. "Due to my Construct's effect, I get to sent another Shaddoll monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. Such as my Hedgehog. And when he's sent there, I add another copy of Shaddoll Squamata to my hand. But that's not all, your other set card is destroyed!" (Curse of the Shadow Prison's Counters: 6.) Crow watched as his 2nd face-down was destroyed. Jin then raised his right hand upwards before continuing. "Now, I tune my Level 2 Shaddoll Falco with my Level 6 El Shaddoll Wendigo!" Both monsters went into the Synchro Summon Portal, both monsters became orange highlights and their Levels became a total of 8 white stars. Crow widened his eyes.
"Now way!" Crow gasped.
"Yes way!" Jin smirked. "Darkened whirlwind, reveal hidden wishes on your wings! Synchro Summon! Descend! Level 8! Black-Winged Dragon!" Appearing onto Jin's field was none other than Black-Winged Dragon, Crows' Signer Dragon. Aura covered her mouth in horror and shock as the black and red dragon roared at Crow. (Black-Winged Dragon, Level 8 DARK Dragon-type Synchro monster, ATK/DEF: 2800/1600.) Jin thrusted his right hand forward.
"I activate my trap, Shaddoll Black Magic!" Jin announced. "Now by tributing my face-down Winda, your monster loses ATK equal to that tributed monsters ATK!"
"No! Now my Armed Wing will only have 100 ATK!" Crow realized.
"Correct!" Jin grinned. "But that's not all, by paying half my LP after I attack with a Shaddoll monster, I can destroy that monster, then let 1 other monster I control gain that monster's ATK!" Jin thrusted his right hand forward. "Battle! El Shaddoll Construct, attack that weakened Synchro monster!" The light and purple dressed fairy waved its hand and blasted energy waves at the Synchro monster; thus destroying it. The blast from the attack made Crow slide backwards several feet. (Crow's LP: 3000 - 2700 = 300.) Jin grinned in satisfaction.
"Now then...any last words before your Synchro monster sends you to the depths of despair?" Jin smirked as hs Construct shattered and his LP got zapped in half; thus Black-Winged Dragon gained El Shaddoll Construct's ATK. (Black-Winged Dragon's ATK: 2800 * 2 = 5600. Jin's LP: 3300/2 = 1650.) Jin thrusted his right hand forward. Crow had not said anything after Jin asked his question.
"Hoh? Nothing to say? Heh...such lame last words…" Jin mused. "Oh well… This is the end! Battle! Black-Winged Dragon, attack Crow directly with Shadow Squall!" The dragon roared, then prepared its attack. Once that finished, the dragon blasted a reddish-black beam from its mouth; directly at Crow. Aura looked away sadly.
"I just knew I should've stopped this..." She murmured sadly.
"Don't think like that Aura!" Aura gasped, looking up with a shocked expression on her face.
"What do you mean Crow?" Aura questioned. "You have 300 LP and no monsters to defend you. You can't win! If you hadn't stepped in, only my life would be forfeit! Why are you so insistent on doing this?!" Crow turned to face Aura and he gave her a sly smile.
"Did Yusei tell you what I think of you?" Crow questioned. "If he has, you should've known from the start why I was doing all this."
"Eh?" She gaped in surprise, but then she remembered.
"And if it makes you feel better, Crow definitely likes you back." She grew wide eyed, looking at Crow, stunned.
"Crow." She whispered tearfully.
"Aww! How cute!" Jin moved a finger towards his eye to make it seem like he was crying, even though he was not. "Good thing you 2 can be lovebirds in the afterlife! Vanish from my sight Crow! You lose!" At that, Crow smiled.
"Actually Jin, it is you that loses! Crow shot back. "Thanks for destroying my 2 Traps! Because I now can use the full power of my Black Wing Trap card!"
"What do you mean?" Jin questioned.
"I mean this!" Crow grinned. "I banish this trap and another copy of it from my Graveyard in order to destroy Black-Winged Dragon!"
"What?!" Jin gaped.
"But that's not all!" Crow continued. "Upon it being destroyed this way, you take damage equal to its ATK!"
"WHAT?!" Jin's face turned white. Black-Winged Dragon's attack stopped mere inches from Crow's body; thus shattering, as did the dragon. The wave of energy from Black-Winged Dragon blasted Jin several feet before he landed on his back. (Jin's LP: 1650 - 5600 = 0.)
"He won..." Aura whispered, stunned Jin winced as he slowly got on his hands and knees.
"I lost? No I can't… She can't be forgiven for what she did to brother..." He winced. Aura frowned, slowly walking towards Jin so that was standing in front of him.
"Your brother… His name was Ryder, wasn't it?" She asked. Jin grew wide eyed and looked at Aura, shocked as she gave a sad smile. "I thought so. I knew him a while before our duel. He was a regular in the casino bar. Everyone loved him. He was a riot." She said with a small chuckle. "He would go on about his family. His saint-like mother with a gentle touch, his sweet little sister who loves animals, and…" She kneeled down to face Jin. "His dear younger brother who he was so proud of." Jin began tearing up as Aura sadly sighed. "Ryder came to the town for the money. For you guys and he were doing so well… Too well that Malcolm saw him as a threat and gave me the order to take him out. I didn't want to. But if I didn't do it, my Grandpa would've died. Ryder knew this. And even when he was dragged to the mines… He didn't look at me with anger...he actually looked at me with assurance and understanding..." Aura chuckled with a pause, letting a tear fall.
"Your brother was an amazing guy. The first one to have understood my situation and didn't hate me for it. It made me want to hate myself, but something told me he wouldn't have want me to do that." She said with a sad smile. "You know that better than anyone, right?" Jin looked at Aura, shocked as tears began to fall, feeling himself sob. Aura held him, allowing him to cry as he clutched onto her tightly. Crow had begun walking towards them after Aura approached Jin, first watching with a soft look.
OC Featured Card(s):
Shaddoll Black Magic, type: Normal Trap. Effect: Tribute 1 "Shaddoll" monster on your field, and if you do, 1 monster your monster controls loses ATK equal to that tributed monster's ATK. If a "Shaddoll" attacked during the same turn this card was activated: You can destroy 1 "Shaddoll" monster you control and pay half your LP, and if you do, 1 monster on your field gains ATK equal to the monster destroyed by this card's effect. You can only activate 1 "Shaddoll Black Magic" per turn.
0713MM: Well! That was an interesting chapter was it not?