Joey
Fireworks burst delightfully in the night sky, lighting up the mountains, the trees, and the glassy black waters of the Singing Sea below the cliffs where the town of Mutoport was nestled. Lively music from the bands playing on stages on the edge of the cliffs filled the night. This night, the folk were celebrating their independence from a horrible, hungry giant from the mountains that once forced the people to offer their livestock and children to him as a tribute to keep him from smashing the town with his bommy-knocker. He would take his offerings to the mountains and eat them until one day Yugi and his friends slew him and brought his hoard of gold and silver to the people, making the town obscenely rich.
Yu-Jo Day, they would call this merry holiday. Naturally, since Joey and the others were the heroes, they ate all they wanted to eat for free. He was filling his glass tankard with pumpkin ale from the faucet of a barrel. He heard whistling and laughing along with the jingle of coins coming from not too far away. He looked up and saw Serenity dancing atop a table in a wench's outfit. She lifted the hem of her dress to her thighs to tease her audience with a bit of skin. Her hair was decorated with little white ribbons. A few men sitting down around the table were playing instruments to keep her dancing. Flutes, drums, even spoons.
The jingle Joey heard was the sound of coins being tossed her way as a reward for her show. From where Joey stood, he could see coins stacked in piles, short and tall. Silver coins, copper pennies, gold coins, even a few gold Star Chips and a diamond and a chipped garnet. Some even tossed ultra-rare cards for her to keep on dancing. Mai was by the table clapping her hands to cheer Serenity on.
"Dibs!" Joey called, running for the table. "Dibs! Dibs! Dibs!"
He checked the cards to see what was offered for Serenity. Gaia the Fierce Knight. Noble Knight Artorigas. Celtic Guardian. Summoned Skull, and a Kanan the Swordmistress.
"Hey, keep it up, Serenity," said Joey. "And your dress, too, for da love of da conqueror."
Serenity laughed and gave a twirl. "Aww, but, Joey, if I show more, I make more."
"Yer doin' no such thang!" Joey scolded her. "If I catch ya showing off more dan ya should, I'm draggin' ya back to da castle and it's off to bed."
'Booo!' howled the crowd.
"Any of y'all so much as pulls a hair off 'a my sista, I'm choppin' yer hands off," Joey threatened before walked towards a table by a fence overlooking the dark seas below the cliffs.
Duke, Tristan, and Ser Damien were helping themselves to some bread, cheese, and grapes by the light of a lantern. Meanwhile, Téa was telling stories to some children. She told the tale of how she and her companions fought off the evil giant from the mountain overlooking the town. The children gasped and jumped whenever she described their encounters with the ghosts and zombies living in the bogs at the foot of his mountain.
"I aint scared of giants," said Tristan. "That big lummox was no match for us."
Duke scoffed, twirling a lock of hair around his finger. "When last I checked, you hid under the giant's table while Serenity blasted him with magic."
"At least I was there," Tristan retorted. "I had the balls to go up that mountain."
"Someone had to stay behind and guard the townsfolk against all those Wood Remains," Duke reminded him. "I sure impressed a lot of girls for that feat of bravery. I tell ya, I got laid that night."
"You weren't scared?" Joey asked. "I fought off Wood Remains before, and man, was it a headache. It took Yugi and me hours to finally fight them off."
"Nah," Duke chuckled. "There's only one creature in this whole world that I'm afraid of. That's Mai Valentine when she's pissed off."
The three knights laughed. Joey slammed his hand against the table multiple times. "Hey, what about you Ser Damien?"
"Huh?" Ser Damien asked, turning his gaze away from the sea where his Luster Dragon was circling over the water hunting pilot whales to eat. "What I'm scared of?"
"Earth to Ser Damien!" called Tristan. "Come on. Get your head out of the clouds and join us. We're swapping our best monster stories. Now it's your turn. What was the scariest monster you ever fought."
Ser Damien brushed his golden blond locks off his face. "Well, there is one thing in this world that scares me."
"Yeah? Let me have a guess," said Joey.
"You can have three," Ser Damien said, holding up three fingers.
"All right," said Joey, putting on his thinking cap. "How about...a dragon!"
"I ride a dragon, Ser Joey," Ser Damien replied with a drop of his head. He jerked his thumb towards his Luster Dragon.
"Yeah, I forgot about that. Uh...how about...Nyeh. I give up."
"Really? You still have two guesses to go. Very well. The one thing in the world that fear more than anything is a witch."
Tristan laughed. "A witch? Right. I was expecting a scary monster or something."
Ser Damien smiled. "Have you ever seen a witch before, Ser Tristan? They are almost impossible to find. They live in huts or cabins deep in the bogs, swamps, and dark forests of the world Or they live in caves. Some can be ugly, hideous hags with ill-begotten faces so repulsive you'll puke just looking at them. Others can have the appearance of beautiful raven-haired maidens. I've heard tales that they ride their broomsticks in the night, naked to lure you to your doom with their beauty. Those who are amorous enough to follow them are never seen again. But ugly or beautiful, it doesn't matter. They have been known to practice a horrible art fouler than all the dark powers of Anubis."
"Yeah?" Joey asked, feeling intrigued.
"Yes," Ser Damien replied. "They sneak into your rooms and steal your cocks while you sleep."
"NYEAH!" Joey, Tristan, and Duke cringed.
"And that's not the worst part," chuckled Ser Damien. "They bring it back to their lairs and make it come alive so that they can keep it as their own personal pet. They feed it with oats to nourish it."
"Oh, Goddesses have mercy!" shouted Duke. He felt the need to lock his windows and door of his room.
"Lock up very tightly, boys," Ser Damien said, laughing cruelly. "It's almost October. The month where the witches fly looking for victims or new prospects for pets."
"No big deal," said Tristan. "One swipe of my sword and they're history."
Ser Damien laughed. "As arrogant as ever. Yeah, they're not much in a fight if you catch them but that's nearly impossible. They are one with the darkness. You'll never see them coming until it's too late."
A few boys heard Ser Damien's story. They screamed and ran away, screaming back to their houses. Téa looked back at Ser Damien; her eyes were narrowed and her lips pouted in irritation.
"Nice, Ser Damien, do you mind keeping it down when talking about such things?"
Three men came riding out of the dark road leading out of the forest on custom Duel Runners. The three riders slid to a stop and removed their helmet, revealing a trio of Eldoris; one with a squared chin and short brown hair; the second a skinny chap with electric yellow hair; and the last was a boy with goggles over his orange hair with red zig-zagged patterns.
The man with the squared chin pointed towards Joey. "Are you Ser Joey the Black Dragon Knight?" he shouted.
Yeah," Joey responded. "What's it to ya?"
The young boy spoke. "We're here seeking Yugi Muto and claim the bounty placed on him by Prince Hector of House Delgado."
Téa frowned. "Now what's that twerp up to?" she groaned, rubbing circles around her temples with her fingertips.
"Dueling bounty hunters," said Ser Damien. "I've heard of these crackpots. If there's a Duelist out there someone doesn't like, they send for these mercenary dogs to go after them. Obviously, there's no Duelist out there with a bigger bounty than Yugi Muto."
"Three hundred billion in gold," said Téa with a wink. "If Yugi is defeated, I hope its somebody we know."
"These two have come for Yugi anyway," said the man with the square chin. "I've traveled all the way from the town of Korbanshire searching for the best Duelists in Termnnia. Recently, I've been sent by Lord Weevil of House Underwood to defeat you. My sources have led me here to this quaint little abode. I've come this way to Duel you and claim your Red-Eyes Black Dragon. The rare one that was given to you by Prince Marcel of Akuuda. Weevil has offered quite the bounty to whoever completes this task."
Joey laughed and stood out of his chair, holding up his wrist, which was already mounted by his Battle City Duel Disk. "I'll Duel ya, but Yugi, I'm afraid, will be no pleasure. See, he's in Akuuda right now to speak with the prince who gave me this Red-Eyes card."
"Lame!" said the boy. "Very well, there's a hefty bounty for your defeat, too!"
Joey laughed obnoxiously. "Don't expect to be taking my dragon. Be sure to tell that Weevil jerk his days are numbered. Who are you, might I ask?"
"How foolish of me," said the man. "I am Ser Gustavon of House Burrows." He showed off the Stag Beetle sigil on the banner hanging from his bike. "We are vassals to House Underwood. And Lord Weevil is not pleased with the horrible defeat you bestowed upon him three years ago in the Battle City Tournament. May I be so bold as to start first?"
"Go ahead," said Joey, turning on his Duel Disk. "Not that it matters."
The prospect of a Duel brought many of the children back. They sat on the grass atop a hill overlooking the playing field. They munched on sausages, cheese slices, apples, and other treats to watch the game.
The game started. Like any vassal of House Underwood, Ser Gustavon played well with an insect deck. Using his Cocoon of Ultra Evolution combo, he was able to summon a Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth to the field without the need of evolving a Larvae Moth in the Cocoon of Evolution for three turns.
"No biggie," Joey said, sliding his finger across this nostrils. "I Link Summon Darkness Metal, the Darksteel Dragon!
Darkness Metal, the Darksteel Dragon
ATK/2800
LINK-4
"Link Summoning!" cried Ser Gustavon.
"Damn right," said Joey. "Now I Overlay my two Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragons to Xyz Summon, Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon!"
"I think not!" said Ser Gustavon. "I reveal my Trap Card! Solemn Warning. By paying fifteen-hundred of my Life Points, I can negate the summoning of your monster and destroy it."
"Is that all ya got?" Joey sneered. "I summon The Black Stone of Legend! Now watch as it hatches up my Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"
Slowly, the Black Stone of Legend began to crack. It exploded with a bright flash. From the light emerged the Red-Eyes Black Dragon that was gifted to Joey by Marcel.
Yer Highness, thanks a million!
"Now I activate my Darksteel Dragon's effect, and Special Summon a Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon from my Graveyard in Defense Mode. But dere's more!" Joey wagged his finger. "You thought you could get rid of my Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon? Well, he aint goin' anywhere. I Overlay my Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon to Xyz Summon, Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon! Then I'll remove an Xyz Material from him to use his effect, allowing me to Special Summon Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"
"Your Red-Eyes Black Dragons are impressive, but my Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth is still stronger than all of them!"
"Not for long," Joey chuckled. " Now I activate, Skull Dice. Your monster's attack will lower your monster's attack dependin' on the roll of the die."
A mischievous black fairy appeared over the field, holding onto a blood red dice. He cackled and tossed the dice. It rolled across the ground. Everyone held the breath. Joey and the others prayed it didn't land on a one. If it did, the moth wouldn't lose that many points."
"And we got ourselves as five!" Joey cheered.
Ser Gustav was not worried. "No matter! My moth is still stronger at three-thousand attack points!"
"I aint done yet! Here comes Graceful Dice. This card will increase my monster's attack points depending on what I roll. Come on, baby! Daddy needs a three or higher!"
The little fairy rolled its blue dice. The dice clipped and clopped on the ground. The results came.
"YES!" Joey said, pumping his fist. "A six! More than I could ask for! Now my Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon's attack increases to thirty-four hundred points! Now I've got more than enough power to wipe out your Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth, and your Life Points!"
The three dragons flew into the night sky. The blue neon trim on Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon's body stood out in the blackness. The dragons combined their attack and pummeled Ser Gustavon's Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth and his Life Points."
Ser Damien clapped his hands. "Well played, Ser Joey. You've got to thank Prince Marcel for that display."
"You bet I do," Joey said, as his next opponent got ready. Joey looked at the alternate art Red-Eyes Black Dragon. "Marcel, I can't thank ya enough for all your doing. Wherever you are, man, I hope you're doing good. See you at school next year."
Constantine
Having smelled the food from the other side of the hills, Constantine couldn't help but stop at the town, sneak into the festival and take a few baked goods for the road. He peered through the trees at the down below a steep slope. The fireworks launching into the air from the ramparts of the castle, the paper lanterns hanging over the streets and the music was just so inviting to pass up.
He sniffed the air picking up the sweet smells of pies, cakes, and candied bacon. Perched on a clifftop and supported with stilts along the rocks was a quaint little inn. The walls were painted white, the roof tiles blue, and a brick chimney smoked in the moonlight. Three floors with windows lit up with an inviting orange glow and shadowed by shutters and curtains. Outside by a fountain, a few wenches were showing off their curves hoping to seduce potential customers for business.
"Now, that's what I'm talking about," Constantine said. "Food, drink, and a nice tavern wench for the night massaging my aching back and feet." He laughed, nudging Tartarus in the stomach with his elbow. "That's not all they're going to be massaging, eh, big guy?"
Tartarus snorted in disgust.
"Aw, come on, man. Lighten up a bit. If you ever find a foxy dragoness in the future, you'll know what I mean. All right, it's time for me to go down into town and mingle." Tartarus wagged his tail Constantine looked at him blankly and wagged his finger. "No, no, no, Tartarus. This is a town full of simple folk. Not to mention dragons haven't been seen in these parts for thousands of years. And let's face it, buddy, you're not exactly the friendliest-looking dragon in Termnnia. I mean, does Infernal Dragon ring the bell?"
Poor Tartarus whined. He started to snarl, disapproving Constantine's decision to leave him behind. He snapped his jaws and swiped his tail to the left, knocking down a tree.
"No! No! No!" Constantine shouted again, waving his hands. "You. Stay. HERE! Got it!?"
Tartarus snarled, turned, and walked into the dark forest, pushing trees out of the way. Constantine placed six of his fingers over his lips, blew Tartarus a kiss, and stuck both middle fingers up before he made his descent down the slope to the town. Even from where he was, he could see Castle Muto's power generators in a cave on the side of the cliff. This relieved him, for he guessed no one would care too much for his attire. He saw a Duel going on in the field just outside the town. A Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon blasted a Mist Valley Thunderlord into oblivion.
"Nice!" He thought. He could use a little Duel Monsters right about now. He wanted to proceed towards the match, but his stomach rumbled and his mouth watered when his nose was smacked by the smell of food, no more potent than when he was standing on the hill. He walked up the path toward the town when he spotted a familiar face strolling through an alley between two apartment buildings. It was Trish!
Constantine hurried after her. His gear clinked and jingled. He finally caught up with her. She was leaning against a brick was, biting down into a pastry. She looked at Constantine and smiled.
"Well, well, well," she said. "The Great Bug Destroyer is back again. Is this is a coincidence or do I have myself a stalker?"
"Hey, now, I was just strolling down the road when I spotted this quaint little town. Not bad in my book. A tad traditionalist with a touch of modern from my Eredas. I think I can settle here for the night. Or maybe a few days. So what about you? Why are you here?"
"I have my reasons," Trish replied, finishing her pastry. She chewed before she continued talking. "But as for you, well, I think it just makes coming here a little more worth it. See, there's a little someone I know that could use your services. Someone with a lot of money, power, and good looks to boot."
Constantine leaned against the wall. "I'm listening." At least, he thought he was until he saw Serenity dancing on the table not too far ahead. Constantine raised his eyebrows up and down when he saw her. "Well, who is this adorable little morsel?"
Trish turned to look at Serenity. "Stay away from here, Constantine, she's nothing but trouble. She's guarded by two dumbass knights who are infatuated with her, and her brother -also a knight- who doesn't take kindly to those who perve against his baby sister. Speaking of which, she's my client's 'Baby Bird.' "
She heard Constantine walk past her, straightening his jacket and sword belt.
"What are you doing!?" she shouted.
"I just want to talk to her is all. She's really cute. I need her digits in my phone, pronto."
"You'll get a sword to the gut if you go any further. Constantine! Constantine! Ugh. Men!"
Constantine approached the table, making his way through the throng of men ogling at the girl. He threw a silver shield at her feet. She looked down at him as she spun and lifted her dress to show him her diamond encrusted garter around her thigh. He threw her a Star Chip, hoping that she would reveal a little more. Nevertheless, he was hypnotized by the diamonds glittering around her thigh.
"How did you get that?" he asked. "It looks like it cost a fortune? Are they real?"
"As real as me," Serenity replied with a twirl. "Enjoying the show so far?"
"So far," Constantine replied. "How much would it take for you to show off more than your garter?"
Serenity giggled. "A king's ransom in diamonds and in gold," she replied, briefly throwing her skirt up to wow the drooling men. She had them wrapped around her little finger, earning enough coin to aid her and her companions in traveling from here to Domino without spending a haypenny from their own coffers.
"You're an expensive little creature, aren't you?" Constantine said. "But that doesn't appear to be a ransom one can pay at the moment to see you. There must be something in this town you'd want in exchange for showing us that buttermilk body of yours."
Serenity laughed. "You aren't going to leave without seeing me, aren't you?"
"I'm not the only one, I'd wager," Constantine chuckled. Many of the men howled, raising their tankards up and cheering.
"I don't think that's going to be happening," Mai said, standing up from her seat. "Serenity. Come on, my little baby bird. I think these men have had their fill of you tonight."
Constantine whistled at Mai. "Well, I sure have stumbled into a town full of beauty haven't I?"
Meanwhile, down in the fields summoned his mightiest monster. "I tribute these three monsters to summon Legendary Maju Garzette!" he shouted, summoning the fiend. He attacked Joey's defensive Rocket Warrior. But Joey's Life Points weren't safe, for Legendary Maju Garzette had the ability to inflict Piercing Damage, meaning Joey lost a good chunk of his Life Points anyway from the attack. Legendary Maju Garzette dissolved Rocket Warrior with a stomach-churning sludge attack from its mouth.
"Ey!" Joey shouted. "Didn't anybody teach ya to say it not spray it!? Some manners." He drew. "Hey, dat's what I'm talking about! I sacrifice Little Winguard, Swordsman of Landstar, and Battle Warrior to summon Gilford the Lightning! Now he destroys all your monsters on the field, leaving you wide open for an attack!"
Gilford the Lightning, raised his massive sword in the air, conjuring a lightning storm that formed over the town. How fitting that the reason these lands were called the Storm Coasts was that somewhere out there, the blade of the real Gilford the Lightning, a mighty warrior from the Age of Legends, was resting. Some say it because of that sword that the lightning storms never cease. Legendary Maju Garzette was destroyed as were the rest of the boy's Life Points.
"Aw, nuts!" the boy grunted, falling on one knee, groveling in defeat.
Joey flexed his arm muscle. "Yeah, dey don't call me Joey Wheeler, Duelist Extraordinaire fer nothin'. Huh?" He noticed the commotion coming from the center of the town where Serenity was dancing. He saw Constantine, rub his hand up and down Serenity's leg, much to Mai's disapproval. She started yelling at him, but he did not care!
"What the hell's goin' on?" Joey shouted, drawing his sword. He charged up the hill. Duke, Tristan, and Ser Damien followed him. He raised his sword at Constantine. "Just what in the hell do ya think yer doin' touchin' my sista like dat!?" he shouted. "Explain yerself b'fore I gut ya right here, right now!"
"Joey, will you calm down!" Serenity said, jumping off the table.
"Calm down!? How can I calm down when yer lettin' slimy, pathetic, sleazeballs like dis jerk put dere hands on ya?"
"She let me, sir," Constantine said. He backflipped away and drew his own sword. He held up high in a falcon guard, ready to intercept Joey if he intended to strike. "I am not guilty of touching her without her consent."
"I don't care!" Joey shouted. Duke, Tristan, and Ser Damien drew their own swords and stood behind Joey. Joey looked at his sister furiously. "I expected better from ya, sis. Only stupid whores let men touch dem however dey want! Is dat what you are?"
Serenity shook her head. "No, Joey! How can you say that?"
Suddenly, a roar shook the entire town. Tartarus flew down from the hills and landed behind Ser Damien. He spread his wings and raised his tail, brandishing the weapon at the end of its tail.
"DRAGON!" someone shouted.
But before, Tartarus could make a move, something massive landed behind him. Something with a body made of the purest of emerald. Ser Damien's Luster Dragon. It stood higher than Tartarus, completely dwarfing him. It roared at him, Tartarus roared back. Though he was smaller than Luster Dragon, he was not going to let anyone hurt his best friend.
"NO! NO! NO!" cried Constantine. "It's okay! It's okay! He's with me!"
Ser Damien whistled. "Luster Dragon! Stand down! Stand down! I take it our friend here has some explaining to do about this dragon."
"Please. He's my friend!" Constantine shouted, backing himself closer to Tartarus. He swallowed, hoping not to get too emotional. "And he's the only one I got."
Mai scoffed. "So, a handsey type of guy with a dragon for a friend. Just who in the hell are you?"
"My Lady! My Lady!" Trish called, rushing towards her. "He's Constantine Belotserkovsky. The Sword of Dawn."
The crowd began to murmur amongst one another. Joey lowered his weapon. "Da Sword of Dawn? Ya mean yer da one hunting down Witch Hunters."
"That can't be!" Mai exploded. "I was told The Sword of Dawn was a gallant knight. Not some pervert looking for tail at every town. This must be some mistake."
"There is no mistake, My Lady!" said Trish, trying to calm her. "I've seen this boy in battle and his combat skills are the best I've ever seen."
"Hey, thanks," said Constantine.
"Shut up!" Trish snapped immediately.
Mai looked at Constantine with a puzzled look. "If you say so," she said. She looked around and clapped her hands. "Okay, folks, show's over."
The townsfolk, though shaken from seeing two dragons almost fight, calmly went back to their homes. Joey and the others sheathed their swords back in their scabbards. Mai walked toward Constantine to inspect him. "So," she said, "you're the one slaying those bloodthirsty psychopaths from the Church Militant. Well, I've got to say I'm impressed. The name's Mai of House Valentine."
"Mai?" Constantine stammered. "Mai Valentine? Termnnia's Delight?"
"And I'm Serenity Wheeler," Serenity introduced herself.
Constantine felt like even more of a fool. "Wh-Wh-Wheeler? That must mean that you..."
"Yeah, dat's right, I'm Ser Joey Wheeler, Da Black Dragon Knight."
"My apologies," Constantine said, rubbing the back of his head. "Oh, man. This was a huge mistake. Damn, Trish, why didn't you say so?"
"I did say so!" Trish cried. "You were so tranced by Serenity's looks that you were deaf to my warning."
Constantine looked at the Heroes of Rasaay one by one. "Oh, Goddesses. I am so sorry. I have made a huge mistake."
"Don't worry about it," said Mai. "The reason I sent Trish out into the field was so she could find someone to accompany our new Summoner of Dragons to her first temple when she arrives in Termnnia."
"You guys know where she is?" Constantine asked in excitement.
"We know where she is," Mai responded, smiling. "We're also paying for her training. She's almost ready to begin her journey but recent developments have complicated things. Our ongoing war with Naralia and the sudden rebellion going on in Southern Emboldor have made the roads unsafe for our girl. She's going to need someone with a bit of skill to see her through her quest to find the temples of Safaani and acquire their dragons. So long as you learn to keep your hands to yourself, you got the job."
"I am honored," Constantine said, bowing. Tartarus roared in agreement.
"Good," said Mai. "Y'all rest up. It's going to be a long and dangerous journey to North Point." She felt a tap on her shoulder. Mai turned and gasped when she saw a girl hooded and cloaked standing behind her.
"Excuse me," the hooded girl said timidly. "But by chance do you know Master Yugi Muto? I have been told by him to come here and seek his companions."
"And just who might you be, honey?" Mai asked.
The girl removed her hood. Long, flaming orange hair with neon red highlights flowed down to her waist. Her eyes lit up like lime-green flames in the glow of the paper lanterns above her head.
"Phoenix!" Téa cried, running up the road to the town. "Phoenix is that you?"
"Oh!" Phoenix cried. "Master Téa!" She ran to her old teacher and hugged her.
"Master?" Duke asked. "Téa just who in the world is she?"
"This is Phoenix Lockheart," Téa answered, rubbing the back of Phoenix's head. She kissed the top of it. "She was my brightest student when I taught White Magic in the Citadel a few summers ago."
She let Phoenix go and took a step back to examine her. "Look at you! Look how much you've grown. You're so beautiful, Phoenix. So, how's the archmage doing?"
"Sad, knowing that he lost his best pupil in the Citadel. Honestly, he believed his son would get the job as, but I showed enough promise to get Master Yu-Gi-Oh to notice me."
"Wow, talk about power," said Duke. "Your skills in healing magic must be at their peak."
Téa laughed. "Oh, my girl may know how to heal a wound, but she knows how to inflict them as well. She's quite possibly the only mage in hundreds of years to master both elemental magic and healing magic. Hands down, you're looking at the best Pyromancer in the land. It's for that reason that Yugi and Pegasus chose her to be Yuri's Court Magician."
"Oh, very impressive," said Mai.
"I can't think of anyone better for the job," said Téa. "It's great to see you again, honey. I've missed you so much!"
"And I missed you," said Phoenix. She turned and covered her mouth with her hands. "Oh, forgive me for not introducing myself to you all. It's just that I'm starstruck. I mean...it's you. It's really you. Yugi Muto's friends. The Heroes of Rasaay! You're the legends I've admired since I was a little girl."
"Aw, shucks, it's nothing," laughed Joey.
Phoenix looked at the dragons standing over the town. "What's going on here?" she asked.
Ser Damien laughed. "Forgive me," he said. "That glittering green one right there is mine. He's a Luster Dragon. And I am its rider. My name is Ser Damien. The Knight of Kisses."
"Why do they call you that?" Constantine asked. "It's nice to meet you, by the way, Phoenix. I'm Constantine. The Sword of Dawn."
"Ah, you're the one the Witch Hunters have been very cautious about," said Phoenix. She bowed. "It's an honor Sword of Dawn." She looked at Ser Damien. "But why do they call you the Knight of Kisses, Ser Damien?"
"Because I've made it my mission to kiss all the beautiful girls in Termnnia." He placed both his hands on hers. "And you, my dear, are beautiful. Would you allow me the honor of blessing you with a kiss from Termnnia's most sought after knight?"
"A smoothie," said Joey with a roll of his eyes. "We've got us a smoothie."
"I would if I could," said Phoenix. "But, I am not interested in being kissed by men."
"Oh!" everyone cried out.
"Hey, hey, hey!" said Mai. "It's no big deal."
"Ah," said Ser Damien. "You are a lover of flowers. Very well, a kiss to your hand, then?"
"I shall allow it, Ser Damien," Phoenix said, letting him kiss her hand.
"So, why did Yugi bring you all the way down here so soon, honey?" Mai asked. "Yuri won't be back for many months."
Phoenix bowed when she was spoken to by Mai; for she was a huge role model for her. "Since it will be a while before Prince Daveed returns to Termnnia, he asked me to accompany the Summoner of Dragons on her quest."
"Not bad," said Trish. "I could use some help dealing with this guy."
"Wow," said Constantine. "I'm going on a journey with two beautiful girls to seek the Summoner of Dragons, another beautiful girl. I've died and gone to paradise."
"What about you, Ser Damien?" Serenity asked. "Will you be joining them?"
"I will not, sadly," Ser Damien responded with a sigh. "I am needed in the Emerald Marches. Seems King Forrest has made his move upon the Ebony Kingdom. Luster Dragon and I are called to the front lines. Hopefully, I can join the Summoner of Dragons one day. I heard her beauty is unlike anything this world has ever seen. Some say she rivals you in looks, Lady Mai. Maybe even surpasses you."
"Ha!" laughed Mai. "I'll believe it when I see it." She clapped her hands. "All right, boys and girls. The storms are coming back to us. Let's get back inside before it starts raining. We've got a lot of work to do in the morning."
Talion
King Forrest smiled hungrily as a man robed in black, wearing a black masquerade mask poured wine into his goblet. He sat on a red velvet couch naked as the day he was born with only his jeweled chain of office around his neck as his choice of clothing. He sipped the wine, his worm-colored lips formed a sickening smile as he held onto a leash attached to a collar that was fastened around Prince Talion's neck. Talion, naked from the waist up, was tied to two wooden posts. Below him, five girls dressed in small, glittery loincloths and masquerade masks crawled around and purred like cats. The licked the back of their hands and rubbed their bodies along his legs and purred as though they were cats.
Talion breathed heavily, wondering what plane of the Shadow Realm he had been condemned to. He was in some sort of dark chamber, probably hundreds of feet underground. It was made of brick and the air was cold. Talion saw women wearing nothing but their masks walk around the chamber serving drinks, food, or themselves to hungry-looking men. Some were in the corner in a massive orgy. These men, Talion thought. They looked like gentlemen of the highest society. They were dressed in their best, all the while wearing masks to cover their faces. There were monks draped in black muttering a dark and ancient hymn as a priest draped in blood red robes stood on an altar where four elf girls were laid on their bellies on black slabs of cold stone. Their bodies were marked in ominous runes. The priest in red was rambling on about who-knew-what.
He held out his arms as twelve naked men wearing masks walked up the altar and circled around the slabs, eyeing the girls hungrily as they stroked themselves. At the red priest's command, they began to make love to the elf girls. As they did, the priest in red splashed wine on them and muttered dark prayers. He chewed on grapes, devoured a slice of a peach, and then he joined in, grabbing the elf girl he desired, sticking his fingers into her while she was pleasuring her man with her mouth.
It must have been a dark and secret society of the Church. Much to Talion's dismay, he realized that was still alive. His body was covered in scars, welts, and burns. Some of his toes and fingers were missing or broken. The amputated fingers, no doubt, were going to be sent to his sister for her birthday, which was only a few days away.
"I can't imagine what must be going through your mind," King Forrest said, grabbing a serving girl and sitting her on his lap. He slapped her rump playfully and kissed her back. He poured wine down her shoulder and started licking it. "What must it feel like for a eunuch like yourself to never feel the desire for a woman's flesh again? Do you feel anything? Or can you imagine that you're feeling it, eh? An 'itch' if you will?" He looked at Talion. "So, tell me, boy? As those girls play around you like that, do you feel anything? I know you like them. Their tender breasts. Their round little asses. Their pink lips all moistened for you. I know I've got a hard-on for that."
The Fat King showed no shame in showing Talion what he meant. Talion looked away. "You will all suffer for this," he muttered.
The girls heard his threat and laughed at him, as did King Forrest. "Suffer?" laughed King Forrest. "At your hand? And tell me, boy, just what are you going to do? Are you going to conjure up some Duel Monster to destroy us and save you? By all means, do so." Nothing happened. "I'm waiting," said Forrest. Still, nothing happened. "There you see. You're all talk. You are in the heart of my kingdom, boy. You are miles away from your friends. And your dearest sister, who will soon be joining us here in the Shadow Club. Like it? It's a society I created of my own design."
"Not at all surprises me," Talion groaned. Just talking took a lot of effort. "Only a man like you would be callous enough to create something so disgusting. Why build something like this anyway? What is the purpose? Why have you brought me here?"
"To treat you, my dear boy," said Forrest.
A woman rolled a cart his way at Forrest's command. The cart was full of plates full of freshly cooked food. Forrest gave the serving girl a slap to her butt, commanding her to go before he stood up. He walked to the cart. "Let's see what we have here," he said. "Ah, wonderful. We got king crab. Swordfish. Potato salad. Dates. Grapes. Honey-coated hen. Come, boy, it's all you can eat. I have arranged this all for you."
"What are you getting at?" Talion asked, trying to be tough, but he could not deny his hunger. After almost two weeks of cold and bitter gruel, the food in front of him was a welcoming sight.
"It's all for you, Talion," said King Forrest. "Please, stop this foolishness. Tell your father to surrender the kingdom, and your sister; and the food will be all yours."
Talion tried to laugh. "You think I will tell my father to surrender the kingdom for a bit of food?"
"Of course not," said Forrest. "Order your father to surrender the kingdom, and I promise you that I'll order you out of the dungeons at once. I will move you to a room of great comfort. A hearth to keep you warm. Warm, silk sheets. Room service at your command. I will treat you as my guest. And you are. What do you say, hmm? Let us put all this behind us and come together in bringing our homelands together. Not to mention, all the women you could want. Or men, if that is your desire."
"What would be the point?" Talion coughed. He jerked his head toward his hand. "Look. You've ruined me. I can no longer raise a sword. No longer lead troops into battle. I can no longer Duel."
"My dear boy, you don't need fingers to Duel. We here at the Shadow Club have devised a new way to enjoy the game of Duel Monsters, without the need of that foul magic the Church so highly condemns."
"How?" Talion asked. "How can you Duel and please the Covenant at the same time?"
"I'm very glad you asked," Forrest said. He turned and clapped his hands at the men in dark robes. "Assemble!" he cried out happily. "It's time for games."
Two men in white robes stood at opposite ends of a deep pit full of sand. They carried golden staves. Forrest looked at Talion. "You see, we have developed a way to summon monsters without the need of cards, Mana Crystals, and Duel Disks. My mages were hard at work conjuring up ways to summon monsters using powerful magic. Of course, we don't tell the Hierarch that." Forrest chuckled.
"Let us battle!" said one of the white-robed men, holding up his staff. "By the power of Yeyu, I command that the holy energies of the earth come to me and bring forth these beasts to do battle!"
The monks in black began to chant. "Magic powers, heed my cry! Release the monsters trapped inside! Magic powers, heed my cry! Release the monster's trapped inside! Magic powers, heed my cry! Release the monsters trapped inside!"
Talion gasped when an orb of light rose out of a golden cauldron. It hovered over the sand pit and turned into a Duel Monster known as Grappler. It looked like a ghost standing in the pit, for its body was glowing and see-through.
The second man in white raised his staff and ordered the summoning of a winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1. Talion stared in awe as a white orb slithered out of the cauldron and turned into the dragon, hovering over the pit. Despite the beast snarling and flapping its massive wings, the serving girls still strutted around serving their drinks and food. The man commanded his Winged Dragon to attack and destroy Grappler!
Winged Dragon Guardian of the Fortress #1 launched a massive fireball at the lizard creature, creating a terrific explosion that rocked the foundation of the chambers.
"Impressive beast!" said the defeated conjurer. "But watch as I summon something stronger! Come forth, La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp!"
The monks chanted and La Jinn appeared. "Hmm! Hmm! Hmm!" He chuckled.
The other man laughed. "Your La Jinn is strong, but did you think I would not come prepared!?" He summoned a Fairy Dragon to the field. "I will combine my two dragons into a more powerful beast."
"Make two be one! Make two be one! Make to be one! Make two be one!" the monks chanted.
Winged Dragon Guardian of the Fortress #1 and Fairy Dragon combined into Kaiser Dragon!"
"Why are you doing this?" Talion asked while hissing in pain. He waited for the blast from the Kaiser Dragon's attack to subside before speaking. "Why do you do the things you do? You're a man of the Covenant, but yet you sin against them."
Forrest sighed. Wrapping his hand tighter around Talion's leash. "I love this world, Talion. I've been everywhere. I've seen everything Termnnia has to offer. As a boy, I remember romping through the meadows outside the city pretending I was Norman the Conqueror, Gilford the Lightning, or a Black Luster Soldier of the Spire of the Kings. I love the mountains, Talion. The forests - so green and beautiful. The lakes so calm and so clear; reflecting the skies and their surroundings like a giant mirror of great beauty." Forrest tapped his finger against the cart. "And as you can guess, I love women, too. But most of all. I love Duel Monsters! Ever since I was a little lad, I dreamed to play like the legendary Duelists of old."
"So why do you side with the Covenant?" Talion breathed. "They want to take it all away from you."
Forrest sighed again. He looked at Talion with tears of hurt twinkling in his glazed eyes. "I told you before, Talion. I love this world, you understand that? And if I have to side with radical religious zealots to save it, then so be it. I'm not sure if you've heard, Talion, but Orcs are gathering in number in the Black Continent. Many stragglers from the past war have been seen sailing out to sea chanting Anubis' name triumphantly. Something tells me Yuri isn't the hero we think he is."
Talion coughed. "Orcs? Gathering in numbers? Forrest, don't you think we should be uniting Termnnia? Not dividing it with this pointless civil war?"
"I have tried everything to rally support, young Talion. None would listen to me. They said I was a fool. That the Song from the Divines was going to protect us from them. How could he do that if he was still just baby living in another world!? I did not want to wait that long, nor was I just going to sit around and let some boy who has no experience in Termnnian politics take the Diamond Throne. God Cards or not, he will not last very long on the throne."
"And you believe you can, Forrest?"
"I know I can. That civil war in Balodrum may have driven a huge influx of refugees into our beloved homeland, but I viewed it as a blessing in disguise."
"You let them take over the whole country?" said Talion. "So they could help you become High King."
"I had to, Talion. Know this. I hate every second I spend in this cursed religion. They don't let me drink. They don't let me eat. They don't let me fuck! Worse of all, they don't let me Duel because Duel Monsters is played with foul magic that the Covenant condemns. I can take it no more, boy. Despite their backward religion, the Covenant has access to advanced technology which they stole from Eredas thousands and thousands of years ago. They trade with the markets of other dimensions and have access to powerful weapons. Weapons that could help me take control of the kingdoms with ease. And I have done just that. Once I take control of the Diamond Throne and become High King, I promise you, boy, that the Covenant and all its practices will be restricted; if not banned."
"The Diamond Throne is for Yuri," said Talion. "The God Cards chose, Yuri."
"It is people's faith in Yuri that will doom us to the Orcs," said Forrest. "The boy will be the downfall of the entire continent; mark my words. Fighting amongst princesses looking for his hand in marriage has started. Somewhere in the southwest, Yuri's cousin, Prince Hector, has started a rebellion to turn all of Emboldor against him. And now, Master Yu-Gi-Oh calls upon a dragon summoning girl to come down here and wreak her vengeance on us. Another child that Yugi uses as a tool for war against me."
"Forrest, you can't win this!" Talion pleaded. "You are going against forces that are beyond the Covenant, politics, even Master Yugi himself. Please. Stop this. The Covenant is doing Termnnia no good. Somehow, some way, they will find a way to turn against you. Don't wait until it's too late. Join Master Yugi and his friends. Have your son join the great alliance he constructs. Together, we can push back the Covenant and the Orcs. This world can be saved, and you can still enjoy it."
A tear rolled down Forrest's cheek. "You're right," he said. He shook his head. "I was such a fool. But, I'm sorry to say that it's far too late for that."
"It's never too late!" said Talion. "You can be a changed man!"
"I've done a lot of bad things, boy. And look at what I've done to you. There is no reversing the damage I have done. I'm sorry." He waddled back to his couch. "I'm sorry you had to go through this." He started to sob. He snorted sorrowfully. "I'm sorry for everything!"
Two men in black armored robes came out from behind Talion. One of them yanked a black sack over his head. Talion's cries were muffled by the thick fabric. He squirmed around, trying to figure out a way to get Forrest to hear him. But his pleas were replaced by screams as the men sliced off his hands from their bindings. Talion fell to the ground, writing and screaming in agony.
"Prepare him for the journey home," Forrest commanded. "We march upon Elleria next week."