48. Queen's Bodyguard.

With the defeat of Skell and Nephilim we can finally enter the real Shadow Realm, with the factory only a short distance away we need to cross a few small islands, with Azrael's help we managed to survive yet he is still out to get us.

'Lord Nephilim!' Skell shouted.

'Please respond!' Skell almost panicked.

'He won't respond.' A mysterious voice spoke.

'Where are you!' Skell shouted.

'I am here.' The voice spoke and a mysterious man appeared in front of Skell.

The man was dressed in a white suit with a red hight standing collar, he also wore white gloves, a white top-hat, a monocle covered his left eye, he also wore a staff topped with a crystal.

'I shall take over now, the Nephilim race finally under my control Bleh heh heh heh Bleck!'

Skell slowly stood up. 'What do you mean under your control?'

'Count Bleck, that is my name.' The stranger spoke.

'I couldn't care less.' Skell replied.

'The one you called Nephilim.' Count Bleck started. 'He claimed the position as the leader of the Nephilim, I am as much a Nephilim as you are, but the position of leader belonged to me, your Lord knew and he sealed me away, with his death I broke free.'

Skell took a fighting stance he created two orbs of darkness in his hands,

Count Bleck smiled he pointed his staff and Skell was send flying.

'You stand no chance against Count Bleck.'

Skell quickly got to his feet.

'I have my rightful place but my faithful followers are gone.'

Skell thought for a moment.

'And where are they?' Skell asked.

'The first one Dimentio is caught by the curse of the Trinity, his servants Mimi and O'Chunks were my servants as well but they started to follow Dimentio when I was sealed, last time I saw them they were fighting inside those two realms you created.'

Skell scratched his chin. 'I don't know who fights inside these realms I create, but if they fell of the track they must be lost.'

'They are Nephilim.' Count Bleck replied.

'Then they are merely lost not dead.' Skell mumbled.

'And then there is Nastasia who holds the Dark prognosticus both lost.'

'I am not lost.' A female voice said and a woman appeared next to Count Bleck, she also wore a white suit, black pants and a pair of glasses, she had shoulder-length pink hair.

'Ah Nastasia you kept Count Bleck waiting.' The Count said.

'I came as soon as I noticed your return, there is only a slight problem.'

Count Bleck looked at the woman.

'Dimentio holds the Dark prognosticus.

Count Bleck grabbed the brim of his hat and pulled it down. 'Bleh heh heh Bleck.' He laughed.

'No problem at all, let Dimentio have his fun with the Trinity, I shall not interfere with him by the time he is done he will be back to me.'

'If you say so Count, if you say so.' Nastasia sighted.

Count Bleck suddenly turned his attention toward Skell.

'Now what do we do with you?' Count Bleck wondered.

'I could join you.' Skell said.

'Glad you said it, I would have asked you that question if you refused Nastasia here should have used her hypnotic powers to persuade you.'

Skell looked unsure. 'So.' Count Bleck started.

'You and Nephilim were close right?' Skell nodded.

'He let you do your own thing, if he gave you a mission you could choose the approach you liked, he never forced you?'

'Indeed.' Skell replied.

'Count Bleck likes that, yes you can join me, under the same rules as you worked for your former Lord, if you had your own territory or area's under your control you can keep those.' Count Bleck said.

Mario and the others reached the small islands.

'Stop.' Merlon said, they all stopped.

'We don't need the Duel Runners anymore, there is supposed to be a bridge here that leads to the factory.'

They all walked down the small path it branched to the different islands.

'Don't stray from the path.' Merlon warned.

'A good advice.' A familiar voice said and twenty or so black-robed men appeared, they stood in two long rows on both sides of the road, they all wore hoods and had their arms crossed in front of their chest.

'An ambush!' Bowser shouted.

The group formed a circle.

'Futile attempt.' The voice spoke and suddenly Grave appeared in front of them, Azrael behind them.

'We advice you to come quietly.' Azrael said and Grave lead the group Azrael closed the group.

After a few minutes walking they reached a small island, a big altar stood in the center, on the altar stood a huge crystal it pulsed with an evil-looking red light.

In front of the altar stood a man, his head was a bit too round, he stood with his arms spread.

'Finally you're here.' The man spoke, he slowly turned around.

He wore black robes. 'So you are Mario.' The man said, Mario felt the evil coming from him.

'I hope my X-Nauts weren't to rough.' The man said, Mario remained silent.

'Sir Grodus.' Grave said and he stepped to the front.

'I can confirm they have the Legendary Planets.'

'Gaack ack ack ack.' The man cackled. 'Then all the Planets are here.' He continued, Sir Grodus held up a card it was The Supremacy Sun.

'The time draws near, the revival of our precious leader.' Azrael said.

'Azrael, Grave stand back.' Sir Grodus said and he stepped to the front he activated an evil looking Duel Disk.

'Mario its you and me.' Sir Grodus said.

'I don't think so.' Mario replied.

'It was no question, I demanded it.'

'You cannot force me!'

'O on the contrary.' Grodus softly said and he snapped his finger.

Dimentio appeared in the air.

'And so I appear as a stroke of lightning on a peaceful summer day.' The jester said and he snapped with his fingers Mario's friends got locked up inside magical barriers.

'Mario I say it again we Duel, if not well Dimentio show him.'

Dimentio laughed and he snapped his fingers the barrier Caedis was in exploded, Caedis was gone.

'Now that old man isn't dead, he merely returned to Star Heaven.' Grodus said. 'But your other friends...'

'Alright!' Mario shouted and he activated his Duel Disk.

(Mario: 8000) - (Sir Grodus: 8000)

'Present your Deck Master.' Sir Grodus stated.

'This will be my Deck Master.' Mario said and The Big Saturn appeared behind him.

Grodus chuckled. 'Well them if we play it like that this will be my Deck Master.'

Behind Sir Grodus a legless monster appeared, it was covered with black and yellow armor a bright light and intense heat radiated from the monster.

'Gaack ack ack ack this is the strongest of the Legendary Planets! The Supremacy Sun!'

'I'll start!' Mario shouted and he drew his card.

'I use my Deck Master effect!' Mario shouted and a shield formed around The Big Saturn then the Deck Master appeared on the Field. (2800 ATK)

'That ends my turn.' Mario said.

Grodus slowly drew his card.

'I also summon my Deck Master.' Sir Grodus stated and his Deck Master also appeared on the front. (3000 ATK)

'Take him out!' Sir Grodus commanded and The Supremacy Sun created a blast of heat The Big Saturn tried to fight it but he was losing.

(Mario: 7800) - (Sir Grodus: 8000)

'Grodus! You've fell for it! My Deck Master is protected by his own effect! You've destroyed him by battle and so he goes to the Graveyard meaning his effect is activated!' When the smoke cleared The Big Saturn was still on the Field.

'Let me explain.' Mario said.

'My Deck Master's effect protects one monster on the Field from destruction if the monster is destroyed it returns to the position it was one turn ago, in case of The Big Saturn next to me as a Deck Master, also the destruction of the monster wasn't done by your monster, no my monster destroyed itself before your Deck Master could, meaning the effect of The Big Saturn kicks in!'

Grodus looked curiously at the two monsters.

'My Big Saturn destroys your Supremacy Sun and so I win the Duel!'

Mario shouted and The Big Saturn launched his attack he blew The Supremacy Sun to pieces then it returned to Mario's side as a Deck Master.

(Mario: 5000) - (Sir Grodus: 5200)

'This is not over yet.' Sir Grodus stated.

'My Deck Master also protects me from losing. Grodus said.

'In that case I set this card and I end my turn.' Mario stated and a reversed card appeared on his Field.

Grodus drew his card. 'I discard my card and The Supremacy Sun rises!'

The huge Fiend appeared behind Grodus.

Suddenly the crystal started to pulse even harder, then a bright red light started to shine.

Sir Grodus deactivated his Duel Disk.

'It is time. Dimentio!' Sir Grodus said, he let the barriers disappear and with a snap of his finger the Legendary Planets appeared in front of him, then the cards flew to Sir Grodus he then took the cards and place them on a stone tablet.

'Arise Shadow Queen!' Grodus shouted and the red light faded, purple smoke started to rose from the ground.

'At last!' A cold womans voice said.

Azrael and Grave looked at each other.

The purple smoke started to take form, it took the shape of a legless woman, her skin was deep purple, her eyes glowed with an unholy light, she had long arms ending in hands with unnaturally long fingers.

'My Queen finally!' Grodus shouted, the demonic ruler looked at Sir Grodus.

'And you are?' The Shadow Queen asked with her cold voice.

'My name is Sir Grodus leader of the X-Nauts, I believe these two are your henchmen?' Grodus asked he pointed at Azrael and Grave.

'We were her companions the Shadow Queen was the leader of the Trinity, the Trinity the three of us formed.' Azrael said.

'Those were good times.' Grave said.

'And who is that?' The Shadow Queen asked pointing at Dimentio.

'That my liege is Dimentio he fills in your place in a new Trinity, you see after your defeat both Grave and I were forced to flee when we were defeated, disbanding the Trinity curse, many years later we were selected as the new Trinity.' Azrael explained.

'Azrael, Grave you both stayed loyal to me, but I cannot return yet I am still too weak.' The Shadow Queen spoke.

'I did all I could to get you here.' Sir Grodus said he sounded annoyed.

'Yes you did, but I don't have any power or a vessel.'

Grodus thought for a moment.

'My Queen are you familiar with Duel Monsters?' Sir Grodus asked, the Shadow Queen nodded.

'Good I can make it so you can take the power of the one in front of you.'

The Shadow Queen looked at Mario.

'For power this one is okay but hardly enough.'

'You want me Shadow Queen?' Geno suddenly stepped to the front.

'Geno!' The Shadow Queen growled.

'O how did I longed for this, my chance to take you down, you've ruined my life I'll ruin your death!'

The Shadow Queen let out a cold laugh.

'After I regained some power from my sacrifice, I'll take you.' The Shadow Queen said looking at Mario.

'Then I'll take that girl as a vessel!' The Queen continued looking at Rozalin.

'Geno won't get a chance against you, I will end it!' Mario shouted, the Shadow Queen had an amused smile on her face.

'Present your Deck Master.' Shadow Queen said.

'My Deck Master is Cyber Dragon.' Mario said and the mechanical dragon appeared next to him.

'And here is my Deck Master, well Deck Masters, Swarm of Locusts!'

The sound of many creatures reached Mario's ears, within a few minutes the field became swarmed with locusts, they covered the body of Cyber Dragon.

'What is the meaning of this?' Mario shouted.

'I only want a fair fight, no interfere from outside, so my Deck Master cancels out the effect of my opponent's Deck Master, including the rule you can summon him to the Field.'

'So it will be a Duel without a Deck Master then? Fine with me.' Mario said.

(Mario: 8000) - (Shadow Queen: 8000)

'I'll start Shadow Queen!' Mario shouted and he drew his card.

'As you wish, it won't matter.' The Shadow Queen replied, a dark fog covered the surroundings.

'I cannot do it.' Mario muttered.

'No this is all wrong.' Merlon muttered.

'What is wrong?' Rozalin asked.

'The Shadow Queen possesses Shadow Power like nobody else, what Mario faced up till now was child-play, the Shadow Queen can implant fear into someone Mario can better overcome this.'

Mario started to tremble.

'I say I can defeat you before you can even touch me.' The Shadow Queen sneered.

'I can do this.' Mario whispered to himself.

'I set two cards facedown turn over.' Mario stated and a reversed monster appeared behind it another card appeared in Mario's Spell/Trap Zone.

'My draw.' The Shadow Queen said and she drew her card.

'Come forth Mezuki!' The Shadow Queen said in a demanding voice and a creature appeared, it was humanoid in shape with the head and legs of a horse, the zombie carried a huge axe in both of his hands. (1700 ATK)

'Attack.' The Shadow Queen commanded, Mezuki heaved his axe and charged in.

'Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!' Mario shouted and Mezuki's axe bounced off the scarecrow.

'I see, you think you can hide behind that scarecrow? Amusing.' The Shadow Queen sneered, she placed a card in her Duel Disk and it appeared behind Mezuki.

Mario's hand shook as he drew his card.

'Let's see what I can do, I tribute my reversed Ancient Gear Cannon for Ancient gear Beast!' A sable-tooth tiger made of scrap metal and gears appeared. (2000 ATK)

'I activate my Trap card.' The Shadow Queen stated and the card spun around. 'Spellbinding Circle!' The pentagram appeared around Ancient gear Beast the creature was trapped inside of it.

'I end my turn.' Mario muttered.

Shadow Queen drew her card she looked over her hand.

'I sacrifice Mezuki.' She said and the zombie disappeared.

'Come forth Great Dezard!' A stern looking Egyptian man appeared, clad in white robes his face protected by fancy white armor. (1900 ATK)

'O no this means trouble.' Merlon mumbled.

'Why? That monster cannot handle Ancient gear Beast!' Bowser replied.

'I set a card and my turn is over.' The Shadow Queen said and a reversed card appeared behind her monster.

Mario's hand shook, he had no more control over it.

'Fear strikes from within, when you least expect it, Mario how many enemies have you faced? Countless! You have faced the Wicked Gods, Egyptian Gods! You freed this world from Valentina! You stood up against Smithy's Gang! This is just another enemy on your path to glory!' Everybody looked at Bowser in disbelieve.

'You're right Bowser!' Mario shouted he drew his card.

'I have people to protect, I need to save a world! But I stand not alone, I have friends! Something you don't have.' Mario pointed at the Shadow Queen.

The evil Queen laughed her cold laugh.

'By all means let friendship stop the shadows.' The Shadow Queen sneered.

'Enough.' Mario growled. 'I summon Ancient Gear Statue!' The head of Ancient Gear Golem appeared on the Field, it immediately started to float and the body of Ancient Gear Golem appeared under it. (3000 ATK)

'Go Trap card!' Shadow Queen shouted. 'Shadow Spell!'

Chains shot out of the ground covering Ancient Gear Golem in black chains, its attack dropped. (2300 ATK)

The Shadow Queen drew her card.

'I activate Pot of Greed!' Shadow Queen stated and she drew two cards.

'First I get rid of your Scrap-Iron Scarecrow with Mystical Space Typhoon!' A storm of pure darkness raged over the Field destroying Mario's set card.

'The next card I play is Double Attack!' Shadow Queen stated and she played the card.

'I discard Despair from the Dark and so my Dezard can attack twice.' Shadow Queen explained.

'Dezard take Ego Boost and attack both monsters!' Shadow Queen commanded, Great Dezard gained a power boost first, it's attack points rose to 2900, then he charged a spell blowing apart both Ancient Gear Beast and Ancient Gear Golem.

(Mario: 6500) - (Shadow Queen: 8000)

'I go to my Main Phase Two.' Shadow Queen explained.

'My Great Dezard has destroyed two monsters, so I can sacrifice it!' A black mist surrounded Great Dezard when the mist disappeared a hideous creature stood on the Field, it was a skeletal zombie covered with black rotten flesh and muscles, it had two horns stuck out of its head, a red cape covered half of its body, it carried a wooden scythe in his hands. (2600 ATK)

'This is Fushioh Richie and thanks to his effect I can set this card.' Shadow Queen explained, the monster disappeared and a reversed card appeared in it's place.

Mario slowly drew his card.

'I special summon Cyber Dragon in defense.' Mario stated and the mechanical dragon appeared on the Field. (1600 DEF)

'Next I'll add more defense.' Mario continued and a reversed monster appeared next to Cyber Dragon 'Turn end.'

Shadow Queen slightly smiled, chills run down Mario's spine.

'I flip summon Richie.' The Shadow Queen stated and the zombie reappeared on the Field.

'Since he is flip summoned I get to special summon a zombie from my Graveyard, come forth Despair From the Dark!'

From out of the shadows two large purple claws appeared, two yellow eyes and a mouth were also visible the rest remained hidden. (2800 ATK)

'Next a spell card Surprise Attack from beyond.' The Shadow Queen stated and she played the Spell card.

'Richie, Despair take out his monsters!' The Shadow Queen commanded both Cyber Dragon and Mario's hidden Gear Golem the Moving Fortress blew up.

'Turn end and that means a second Battle Phase.' The Shadow Queen said, Mario covered his face as the relentless attacks of Richie and Despair raged over Mario his screams filled the air.

(Mario: 1100) - (Shadow Queen: 8000)

Mario trembled all over, he was bleeding from several wounds.

'I won't let you take me.' He mumbled.

'Fear only exists inside my mind, I am not afraid!' Mario shouted drawing his card.

'Cyber Dragon defense mode!' A second mechanical dragon appeared. (1600 DEF)

'One card facedown turn over.' Mario stated and his facedown card appeared.

'That won't stop me.' The Shadow Queen said.

'I'll take you out, Richie attack Cyber Dragon!' The Shadow Queen commanded.

'Negate Attack!' Mario shouted and his Trap card spun around blocking Richie.

'I see you're stalling, perfect I set Richie.' Shadow Queen said and the zombie disappeared again.

'Next Dark Designator.' The Shadow Queen played the Spell card.

'Now I declare a card name, if the card is in your Deck you take it in your hand and I declare Slifer the Sky Dragon.'

Mario was shocked as the card slipped from his Deck, he took it.

'Now you wonder why I let you take such a powerful card? Well let me show you I play a second card Exchange!' The Shadow Queen played the second card she appeared in front of Mario, we exchange one card.' She said.

Mario saw the cards of the Shadow Queen he took Overpowering Eye, the Shadow Queen took Slifer from Mario's hand, then she returned to her own side of the Field.

'Make your move.'

Mario started to tremble again, tears welled up in Rozalin's eyes, she knew what was coming.

'I set a monster.' Mario said his voice trembled and a defending monster appeared on the Field.

Shadow Queen quickly drew her card.

'I use Card of Sanctity.' The Shadow Queen exclaimed and both players drew until they held six card.

'Next I flip summon Richie.' The Shadow Queen continued and the zombie appeared again. (2600 ATK)

'With his effect I summon Mezuki!' The horse-faced zombie also reappeared. (1700 ATK)

'Now I set you free my monsters go!' Lightning struck the three monsters of the Shadow Queen.

'Arise!' She shouted and the huge form of a dragon appeared behind her. 'Slifer the Sky Dragon!' The huge Egyptian God let out a loud roar! (5000 ATK)

'Face your nightmare Mario! I banish Mezuki and with his effect I summon Despair From the Dark!' The frightful monster reappeared on the Field. (2800 ATK)

'Go my monster show him the wrath of God! Take out his defense!' Slifer shot lightning from his maw Cyber Dragon exploded, Despair dragged the hidden Ancient Gear Soldier under.

Mario now trembled all over his body.

'Don't look, please don't look.' Merlon whispered to Rozalin who broke.

Mario sank to his knees his cards fell around him.

'There you are kneeling into the dust, where you belong, now I shall reunite you with that same dust!'

Shadow Queen drew her card, Slifer's attack rose to 6000.

'Slifer the Sky Dragon kill him!' The Shadow Queen shouted.

Mario closed his eyes but the attack never hit him.

When Mario slowly opened his eyes he saw Azrael's back, smoke came from his shoulders.

'Azrael?' The Shadow Queen asked.

'I'm sorry my Queen, but I cannot let you take him, you have his energy.' Azrael said, Mario felt weak, he fell on his back.

'Mario has been chosen to oppose the Trinity, you aren't chosen by us to deal with him, I couldn't let you kill him.'

'I understand.' The Shadow Queen spoke Slifer and Despair slowly disappeared.

'Well you are in luck Mario Azrael spared your life, but the attack would have hit so you lost the Duel.

(Mario: 0) - (Shadow Queen: 8000)

'I won the Duel, I have proven I can use God, this means Slifer belongs to me now.'

'Unbelievable! Ha ha! The Shadow Queen! She won! Without losing a single Life Point!' Grave shouted he had a glance of madness in his eyes.

'Stand down Grave.' The Shadow Queen said.

Grave relaxed a bit.

'Mario you may live now but I still take your power.' Mario didn't hear her he was knocked senseless.

'Shadow Queen!' Geno suddenly shouted and he stepped to the front.

'I'll take you on!' He shouted.


Next time:

Geno: It's on Shadow Queen!

Shadow Queen: So it seems.

Azrael: Shadow Queen my liege I shall remove the restrictions that protects Geno by the Trinity.

Shadow Queen: I am free to kill this time.

Geno: This becomes a problem.


Deck Master Details:

Deck Master: The Big Saturn

Owner: Mario

Effect Name: Planetary Barrier

This Deck Master's effect is also active when the Deck Master is on the Field. Once per turn select a monster you control, it cannot be destroyed by battle, when the selected monster is attacked destroy it before damage calculation with the effect of this Deck Master. When the selected monster is send to the Graveyard return it to the Deck or Extra Deck (if this effect is used on this Deck Master return it to his Deck Master spot, it loses all it's effects).


Deck Master: The Supremacy Sun

Owner: Sir Grodus

Effect Name: Sunset Shadow

When this card is not on the Field you cannot lose the Duel. When this Deck Master is destroyed and isn't returned to the Field during your next turn you lose the Duel.


Deck Master: Cyber Dragon

Owner: Mario

Effect Name: -

Effect unknown.


Deck Master: Swarm of Locusts

Owner: Shadow Queen

Effect Name: Locust Plague

Negate the effects of all Deck Masters except this one. Deck Masters cannot be summoned to the Field.