YuGiOh 5D's: Konami/Kazuki Takahashi

Beta Reader: Yami Zelgadis

CFGX: "I'm so sorry about the long wait, readers. I was just having a bit of trouble trying to bring this chapter out. Out of all the chapters I made so far, I'm sure that this and the next will be the cream of the crop in Jason's saga of this story. I just want this to be just right. Now after a long wait, here's the next chapter."


YuGiOh 5D's

Reverse of Arcadia

Ride 42: Blackened Innocence

Part 1: Death's Abyss


Jason and his party were seen in yet another ruined city, racing toward the next backup generator. Jason was thinking over everything that happened since he returned here. He had literally woken up in a war to stop the Dark Signers and save this world. During his mission to activate the five back-up generators, he had met people from his past, even if the past was only a few weeks at most.

One of them was the singer Sonya Harpe; it had all started when they met as competitors at the Fortune Cup. He remembered how everyone favored a teen idol over a rat from the Satellite...

Flashback...

"Just what's wrong with you people!" The crowd instantly silenced as they heard the sound of Sonya's voice. "I don't know if you forgotten, but Jason Hutchins isn't someone you should look down on!"

The audience murmured, wondering what she was talking about.

"Sure he's a Satellite, but so what? He's a good duelist too. So why? And why do you cheer on me as much as you abused him? Is that because I'm some sort of celebrity?"

The crowds silenced and waited and listened to Sonya's speech.

"The whole reason I became a singer in the first place is to send a message with my words. ...but I guess the message didn't reach out as much as I hoped. I wanted people to get along with each other, not because of who they are or what they do," Sonya place a hand over her heart, "It's who they are on the inside that matters. Just because I'm famous doesn't mean I can't live a normal life too. But it seems everyone else doesn't see the world like that. So let today's match teach you that this world isn't all black and white, but shades of grey," and with that, Sonya walked away, off the arena.

...End Flashback.

He saw something special in that girl when she defended him against that crowd with that voice of hers. He thought he wouldn't see her again so soon...

Flashback...

Jason and Sonya walked out from an alleyway wearing different sets of clothes; Sonya's hair was down and she was wearing a crimson sundress, as well as sandals and a white sunhat. Jason, however, had ruffled his hair so nobody would notice him. He wore a black t-shirt over a violet blazer, with pants of the same color.

"So, what should we do today?" Jason asked.

Sonya playfully thought a bit, "Well, I never got the chance to tell you this, but, I was thinking we had a little rematch."

"A rematch?"

"That's right! None of the other duelist I faced always let me win during my concerts! You were the first person to take me seriously! So it would be great to if I faced you again!"

"Oh! Is that so!" Jason's day brightened; between the Dark Signer invasion and the Great Fanboy/Mob Escape, a duel was just what he needs to calm his nerves, "Then I accept your challenge!"

"That's great! Let's go!" the teen idol grabbed Jason's hand and practically dragged him with her. Somehow Jason liked it when he was held like that. His heart skipped a beat at the touch.

...End Flashback.

It felt like a long time since Jason had a duel that did not involve his life on the line or total embarrassment. And when he defeated her the second time, he received a surprise he did not expect...

Flashback...

"Colossal Fighter! Ground those Harpies and end this duel now! Go, Colossus Comet!" Colossal Fighter shot up into the air, and surprisingly multiplied himself into five. The team of titans then rocketed down to the avians and crashed through the ground, resulting in a giant explosion. When the smoked cleared, Jason could see Sonya on her knees, her face hidden behind her wild crimson hair. Feathers raining down on her frail body. The holograms all disappeared.

Jason: 500

Sonya: 0

Worried that he might have hurt Sonya, Jason ran over to assist her. He was careful not to be rough with her as he helped the girl to her feet. Time appeared to be a standstill as Jason's sapphire pupils entranced Sonya's sparkling emeralds...

And that was all it took. Sonya's head struck forward like a cobra and pressed her lips hard against Jason's own. The Satellite was completely captured by the sudden turn of events, especially finding his air supply completely cut off. And just as swift, Sonya tore her lips away with and audible smack. She was just as surprised as Jason was as her cheeks were once again ignited.

...End Flashback.

It was since then he felt a spark between them. But he would never have guessed that she would take place in this war, especially as one of the Dark Signers...

Flashback...

"You can't hide anymore, so why don't you show us who you really are!"

The Dark Signer gave a small gasp. Jason had managed to discover her secret. She was hoping she would get through this match without having to show her face to her opponent. But it seemed this was unavoidable from the start. So she decided to remove her hood. Her identity left everyone overwhelmed, except for Jason and David; that being the only one who was abased was Kenichi. The Dark Signer revealed her long hot-pink hair, and green eyes that were plague by darkness.

Jason signed, "Good to see you again, Sonya."

"Sonya Harpe?" Ken gasped, "You mean the superstar?"

"But how did you know it was me?" Sonya wondered.

"So far you swarmed your field with weaker monsters and tried to protect them with stronger ones. You also seemed to care deeply about your monsters, which would wouldn't exactly be likely to a Dark Signer. I add all that so someone who used a Harpie deck and I could think of one person,,," Jason paused before asking, "Which is why I'm stumped, how could you make a deal like this?"

Sonya looked away, not being able to look at those dark eyes. She had never seen so much emotion in the so-called, 'windows-of-the-soul,' in her life.

"You wouldn't understand." she murmured, gripping a bit of her black clothing.

...End Flashback.

Sonya did not have a choice. She became one of many pawns in the Herald's twisted game. Whatever she done to Sonya, she became terribly domesticated...

Flashback...

"Why do you not give up, Jason?" Sonya wondered, "No matter what monster you play, they will only betray you and align with me. And your spells and traps will have no effect on her, as your monsters will give their lives to protect her. Just end this farce already. I have no desire to hurt you."

"Then why don't you just forfeit the duel already? You know what you're doing is wrong!"

In shame, Sonya looked away, "...Because that is my mistress' command, to defeat you and turn you into one of us," she then looked at him with a pleading look in her eyes, "Gabriella may look human, but she may as well be a goddess. When you're aligned with her, you relinquish all rights and free thought. And even if I do manage to escape, she will eventually find me, and punish me. I'm her eternal slave."

...End Flashback.

Jason made a tighter grip on the handles when Gabriella's name came to mind. She was the reason Sonya had to suffer like she did. She was just not the same woman as when they first met. That kind and caring angel who took him in had became a deviant, manipulative devil...

Flashback...

Jason left the building and walked out towards the playground at the back at the orphanage the figure was sitting on one of the swings at the back. "Fun these used to be, just like the past itself, before our worlds turn upside down due to the flow of fate. Wouldn't you agree Jason?"

"Who are you?"

"Me? Someone who wished to be standing by your side, but cannot." The figure slowly removed their hood, revealing the last person Jason wanted to see underneath it. That wintergreen hair, those frozen silver eyes, Jason could see past it all as he saw the guise of Gabriella Cheshire. The Dark Signer giggled as Jason tried to step away as she walked closer to him. Eventually he tripped and fell hard on his back and before Jason knew it, Gabriella was straddled on top of him.

"I know just what you were about to say, Jay-Jay," she chirped, "'What on earth happened to you, Gabriella?' 'Why are you a Dark Signer, Gabriella?' 'Oh Gabriella, this is all my fault! If only I hadn't left you, Gabriella!' I'll be completely honest with you. I'm glad things have come to this. That way I know you wouldn't stop chasing me until you finally manage to get me back home, safely in your arms." Gabriella placed her hands gently over Jason's cheeks, letting her frigid touch creep across his skin. She then closed the distance between them so he couldn't escape the icy stare freezing his soul in place, "I just gotta know, does it eat you up inside? Do you ever sleep at night without wondering what would've happened if you have had stayed with Kitty and me instead of running away to some high-voltage cage fight?" her eyes glistened in mock-sadness, "I was so lonely, Jason. It was so scary all by myself. So I revealed my true colors in hopes I could flush you out; and here you are..." finally, Gabriella placed her lips tightly against Jason's; the Signer suddenly found his internal body heat being sucked away on contact. He began to shiver violently from his skin his muscle, even his bones. His heart began to freeze over, threatened to stop beating and end his life. But before the curtains could close on him, Gabriella suddenly separated from him and the fire returned to him. The Dark Signer giggled like a schoolgirl at Jason's frightened expression, "Aw come on. Did you really think I would turn you over to the dark side this early on? Oh no no no. I wanna wait until just the perfect moment. Just be patient for me, okay?" she smiled and then dismounted her paralyzed prey. Jason stood into a sitting position and watched her walk away into the fog, "Hope you have a good night's sleep, Jason!" her voice echoed, "I want you to be in tip-top shape for our playtime tomorrow!" and just like that, her presence was gone. Still shaken up from Gabriella's advances, Jason slowly lift his hand and placed it over his mouth; he was shivered as he felt his breath still cold from Gabriella's touch...

...End Flashback.

Looking in her eyes he felt like a cornered mouse, waiting to be devoured. And no matter how hard he tried, he could not overcome that woman's influence. Jason felt more guilty by the moment. If what Gabriella had said to him that night was true, she could have been safe if he stayed by her side instead of leaving her. Nevertheless, Jason could not help but think, would Gabriella be the same angel she was if she kept a better eye on her? Is it really his fault everyone he was close to is involved in this war to begin with?

"I don't know, is it?"

Jason's hands clutched the brakes and his runner skid to a halt, standing in the middle of the highway. His breath began to break like the road under him. His heart pounded like boulders against the ground. He was becoming frightened; he knew she was close, very close by. He shivered as he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist from behind.

"Good afternoon, Jason. I just knew you'd want to see me again. So here I am." the Dark Signer felt her prey tremble as she snuggled against him, "Hm? Aw, you're shivering. Am I that cold-hearted to you? I'm vexed. Here, let me give you a chance to warm up a bit, okay?" Gabriella removed herself from Jason and dismounted from the back of his duel-runner. She stalked around his bike and leaned against the front. "Wanna hear a secret? I came across a certain lighthearted little brunette. Hint: rhymes with Katherine."

Even through the fear, Jason found the strength to speak, slamming his hands on the dashboard his eyes widened at the sudden realization. "No, please, don't tell me you got Kat involved in this mess? Are you really so blinded by insanity that you would drag your own little sister in all of this?"

Gabriella laughed lightly at Jason's rather stupid question. "Well duh, of course I did. After all, she is my darling little sister; and all good sisters stick together. After all, I only made it so she wouldn't suffer through all of this; waiting to see the true ending of this war, how losing you and me would be too much for her."

A lump formed in Jason's throat, all of this was hard to swallow it had never been easy to accept what Gabriella had been doing but this was just too much. "Y-you can't be serious!? Are you saying that you would get your own sister involved in something this dangerous, just so you can go about and pretend you're the good sister?"

"That and so much more. But then again, I'm sure knowing you, you'll try and do the heroic thing. You know, try and save us 'damsels-in-distress'. Oh, but then again, maybe you can't do that. After all, you always need the support of others, like the hotshot wannabe and the cold-hearted Guardian Security with you. Seriously, I don't see why you try, and see the best in people especially those two."

"Maybe because I've not become heartless like you!" Jason finally snapped back, his anger for his once friend had never been this deep before. "Everything that has lead up to this, even the events of this war. They were all twisted by you and the other Dark Signers, you showed no remorse you even tampered with nature by bring the dead back to life. You aren't the Gabriella I knew in fact even if you are, I'm sick of seeing you!" his outburst was interrupted by a rustle in the bulge of Jason's jacket before the small kitten popped from inside. Her cuddling against him had somehow managed to calm him down, "How can you do this...?"

Gabriella's face turned into a frown but soon changed back. "I'm the heartless one, am I? What about you? You left me and Katherine behind, you never considered what you were doing was right, or our feelings in the matter. You even seemed to care more for others than the people who had saved your worthless hind, even when we figured out you weren't even a real person you never took it into account that we stood behind you. So I don't think you can speak."

Jason stayed quiet, she had a very good point. At times he had neglected them but it had never been intentional. "I never wished for any of that to happen. I admit that I wish I had been more careful, but I'm only human as well. We can't always do everything, I may be limited in ability but so is every human on this planet. I wish I could turn back time and correct what I did, but right now I just have to get rid of the evil that is facing me."

"Oh how noble," the small feline squirmed out of Jason's jacket and, to his surprise, into Gabriella's waiting arms, "Of course, I expected no less from you. But I got bad news for you, I'm afraid I'll make you stand by my side, whether you like it or not. Follow me if you wish to face your next challenge." Gabriella coaxed the young duelist as she walked across the city making Jason follow her.

"Where exactly are we going? This isn't the way to the next generator."

"Oh I know Jay-Jay. Truth be told, your next challenge isn't even there. In fact, it will be in this very city. And as for the generator, well, your two friends could handle it. That is, if they don't lose their sanity to the darkness." Gabriella chuckled as they continued to walk.

"What do you mean?" Jason asked his fear growing every step he took in this barren wasteland.

"Oh you won't need to worry about that, it's their problem not yours. Oh here we are." Gabriella stopped outside an old abandoned theater, it was clear that in its prime it was quite the building. The structure was still very strong despite being worn down due to the explosion of the reactor, the sign above was broken but through the damaged lettering it was called the Ritz theater. "Welcome to my 'Black Theater', Jason; I hope you enjoy the show!"


Meanwhile...

David and Kenichi had reached passed the limits of the city and just made it to the generator; once again it loomed over them showing the dominance of the Dark Signer threat, though as they stopped Kenichi made a sudden realization. "Um Dave, we have a problem!"

"What is it?" David asked impatiently.

"Well I don't know if you noticed, but Jason has disappeared on us!" At that David's eyes widened as he turned to look at Kenichi for the first time and then around to notice that what Kenichi had said was indeed true.

"Oh for the love of...where the hell did Jason go to now!? This is hardly the best place for him to abandon his so-called duty!" David growled lowly at this sudden turn of events, this entire ideal had not been the best for him or anyone but now he was close to boiling point.

"I'm not sure but we better go look for him. He could be in trouble," Kenichi suggested though David didn't look pleased with the idea. "Hey, what's with the look?"

"I'm sick and tired of all this nonsense! Do you honestly believe this war was worth fighting for? We all lost something important and for what: To save the world? To stop these Dark Signers? What does it even matter? After all, you heard from Goodwin; he said five-thousand years ago it happened and now it happened again. So even if we delay it by beating them it will just repeat itself. This is the flaw like in everything in history. It will just be repeated because no one learns from their mistakes." David gritted his teeth viciously whilst talking he was clearly fed up with this entire conflict and would practically just wish to stop it.

"So what do you think would be best then?" Ken asked as he looked around the area, "Are you planning on turning your back on the world?"

"No, I never said that. Besides, I have a promise to keep to someone. But I'm beginning to doubt there's an end to this war; by the sounds of it, the only way to get rid of this loop is to destroy both sides."

Kenichi looked horrified. "You don't mean you will now go after both Signers and Dark Signers, now are you?"

David smirked "I think that would be a good choice, sadly I found a flaw with that already. Notice that something is wrong here?" Kenichi simply looked at David clueless by his words. "Jason mysteriously disappears and there is no Dark Signer at this generator to greet us. Either someone beat us to the punch, or it's all some kind of trap..."

"...I may have to agree with you on that. Look over here." Kenichi lead David to the back of the generator and gasped at what he saw...


Meanwhile...

The wooden stairs creaked as Jason and Gabriella walked down the narrow corridor and down the stairs to the main auditorium as the stone door was opened by the latter. The main room came into view. Though it was not what Jason had expected, in comparison to the exterior the interior was almost stunning. Everything looked new, the room itself was coated in various different drapes mostly black and red, and candles flickered giving the little light of the room. Above was a huge chandelier made completely of glass swinging viciously overhead, almost like someone was swinging on it. The room had a real theater feel to it, almost like if they were going to do a real life performance of Phantom of the Opera.

"Well, you people sure know how to create some atmosphere." Jason said sarcastically.

"Oh very good, Jason. But I'm afraid this ballroom will be the last thing you will ever see. So you better get a good look around, as this will be the last thing you will see before you perish." Gabriella replied half-heartedly.

"So what are we waiting for? The sooner I beat you the sooner this nightmare is over and the sooner I can get Kat away from here."

"Oh that's right, you came here to save her? Well, I'm afraid to say that I've not been entirely truthful with you, Jason. You see I'm not your opponent."

"What?"

"Oh, Kat sweetie! Will you come here a second?" Gabriella said with what could only be called as unsettling sickly kindness. however, instead of the little girl another person walked out from the was a young woman no older than Gabriella was. Her long raven hair swayed from her hair and her black lolita dress snugged against her curves as she walked towards the middle of the room, stopping next to Gabriella.

"What are you trying to pull this time?" Jason demanded, "Where's Katherine?!"

"You mean you haven't figured it out? You're looking at her!" Jason was still confused, as Gabriella moved behind her, "You surprised? You shouldn't; I'm the herald of the Dark Signer's, after all. It's simple really: I just reconstructed her body to any form I see fit," Gabriella wrapped her arms around the woman's waist, "That's right, I molded her flesh into this beautiful work of art you see now. Believe it or not, it was Kat who picked it out for me."

"You're lying," Jason muttered, "Katherine would never agree to this. You just warped her mind!"

"Think of it what you will. I think I'll leave Katherine to decide." Gabriella removed herself and walked away before I'm sure you won't mind. She is you opponent, after all. Bye now..." blowing a very taunting kiss Gabriella left.

"Wait!" Jason tried to catch her but Katherine stood in the way, "Kat, don't do this."

"Gabe's right, Jason," the woman named 'Katherine' said, in an apologetic tone, "I was the one who asked for this. Don't you see, this is the only way we can be together..." a Dark Signer duel-disk appeared on her left arm. "And I'm afraid you don't have a choice."

"...Then if it's a duel you want, fine!" both duelists activated their disks and drew their starting hand.

Jason: 8000

Katherine: 8000 (35)

"I'll make the first move..." Katherine drew her first card, "And I'll start by activating the contunuous-spell Neko-Penalty; followed by Neko-Girl whom I'll play in DEF mode," Katherine's teenager counterpart appeared in defensive position (ATK: 1500), "Finally, I'll place two cards face-down. It's your turn."

'Kat started with that same move the last time we played,' Jason wondered, 'But it'll have the same result!' "It's my move!" he drew his sixth card, "I activate the spell Reinforcements of the Army! This allows me to add a level-4-or-lower monster from my deck to my hand! Next, I remove Reinforcements of the Army in my graveyard from play in order to special-summon (1) Spell Striker(3/ATK: 600/DEF: 200) that's in my hand!" a small boy in a viking warrior outfit and red cape appeared (ATK: 600), "Next I'll follow up by summoning Marauding Captain, and use his special-ability to summon Torapart from my hand!" the war-torn warrior appeared (ATK: 1200), followed by bizarre jester-like statue (ATK: 600), "Now I tune Marauding Captain and Spell Striker with Torapart to synchro-summon Colossal Fighter!" the three monsters aligned as Jason chanted:

"Divested stars form a timid soul, discovered in the darkest reaches! Unlock the gates to remove the shadows, and create the titan it will become, on its long-forgotten journey! Synchro Summon! Colossal Fighter, Accelerate!"

Jason's signature white titan appeared (ATK: 2800), "You may already know this, but Colossal Fighter gains 100 ATK points for every warrior in the graveyard! And with Spell Striker, Marauding Captain and Torapart all warrior monsters, Colossal Fighter gains 300 ATK points (ATK: 3100). Finally I end my turn with 2 face-downs!" two reverse-cards appeared. 'I'll have to hold back until I can finish this quickly. I can't risk falling for the same tactics.'

"It's my turn," Katherine drew her next card, "I set one monster on the field face-down," a reversed monster appeared, "That ends my turn."

"Then it's my turn!" Jason drew his next card, "I summon the Royal Arms Squire union-monster and equip him onto Colossal Fighter!" the golden winged knight appeared and transferred itself on Colossal Fighter's right arm as a bladed shield, "Colossal Fighter! Attack Neko-Girl!" the titan charged in for an attack, "Now I activate the trap Swift Strike! Now when Colossal Fighter attacks, he gains 700 ATK for this turn, as well as the ability to deal damage through a defending monster (ATK: 3800)! Colossal Fighter, attack with Royal Arms Slash!" the titan destroyed the monster with a single slash.

Jason: 8000

Katherine: 5700

"You just triggered the effect of Neko Penalty," Katherine said, removing the top three cards from her deck, "So during your next turn, you're not allowed to attack. And while we're at it, since I discarded from my deck, I get to play the trap card, Frolicking Meadows," the trap card revealed four small children wearing sandy-tan cloaks with cat ears, their faces behind black masks, parading in the meadow, "This card summons a special monster known as a Kaka Token(2/ATK: 300/DEF: 300) to each empty monster zone on your side of the field in DEF position," four of the same depicted monsters appeared on Jason's field, "And one more thing, they cannot be sacrificed or be attacked by monsters with 'Neko' in their card name."

"Next I activate my second trap, Lineage of Destruction! When a level-8 monster like Colossal Fighter has destroyed a monster in DEF mode, he can attack one more time! Now attack her face-down, Colossal Fighter!" the set card revealed itself as Angel's Kitty, before it met the same fate with Colossal Fighter's assault.

Jason: 8000

Katherine: 2200 (30)

"When Angel's Kitty is flipped face-up, "I can add a level-4-or-lower 'Neko' monster from my deck," Katherine added Neko-Cleric to her hand, "And what's more, I'm able to draw one more card."

"Let's not forget Royal Arms Squire's special-ability: when its equipped monster destroys a monster, I get to draw a card for each one!" Jason drew two cards. "Finally I place 1 card face-down! Katherine you don't have to do this! We can forget about this and find Gabriella!"

Katherine shook her head, "You still don't understand, do you? I want to do this. I want to reunite with you through dueling, the only way powerful duelists like you can communicate. So now I'll speak to you in your language..." she then drew her next card, "First I summon Neko Cleric to the field," the cat-eared nurse appeared (ATK: 0), "Next I activate the spell Foolish Burial. This allows me to send one card from my deck to the graveyard. And since I did that, I can summon that same card to the field; from the graveyard I resurrect the (2) Dark Tuner-Shadowcat(9/ATK: 0/DEF: 500)!" from out of the darkness the same cat that accompanied Jason for so long leap into Katherine's arms. It took moments for Jason to realize that it was part of her deck, and that took him by surprise (ATK: 0), "And let us not forget Neko-Cleric's special-ability; 300 points are added to my life-points since I activated a spell card this turn."

Jason: 8000

Katherine: 2500 (26)

"And now, I combine Neko-Cleric with Shadowcat for a Dark Synchro-Summon," the cap glowed and turned into a cluster of nine stars that began to swirl around the Neko-Cleric, who then screamed in agony as they sink into her body. She was reduced to a framework containing two more stars, and four of the stars collided, shattering to nothing. As darkness poured forth, the seven stars left burst from the Dark Synchro Summon as coal-black orbs of negative energy that orbited over Katherine, "I have always admired you, Jason. That's why I'm gonna do everything in my power to bring you in to the darkness," a pillar of darkness erupted around her. The sight after the darkness dispersed gave Jason a greater sense of disarray. She had short violet hair with long strands on each side of her face that curl up and around in spirals to match the black witch's hat she wore, which was also coiled around at the end. Her new attire consisted of a black-blue dress that showed off her shoulders and wrapped around her neck, long sleeves that revealed her hands and shoulders, a short skirt with a white frill and long high-heeled boots that curled upwards at the toes. Her most peculiar feature was a black, whip-like tail that swayed around her side.

"What on earth happened to you?" Jason wondered aloud, 'This is just how Divine combined with Hyper Psychic Blaster...'

"Do you like my new look?" Katherine asked as she looked over herself, "I picked up this little trick when I dueled against Divine. Did you know I faced him a second time, at the Arcadia Movement building?"

"What?"

"I was knocked unconscious and then dragged to one of their testing fields. And I lost to him, again! I didn't stand a chance!"

"Katherine...I'm sorry, if only I had been there sooner-"

"But you weren't!" Katherine snapped with a pained looked in her eyes, "Where were you when I had to watch my monster get wiped out one by one? Where were you when I was blasted in point-blank range?!" tears began to welt in her eyes, "I was staring down a barrel of a gun! You never came! I screamed your name as he hurt me but you never came!"

Jason felt more weight of guilt bear on him when Katherine had raised her voice at her. He actually felt her rage because she had always looked up to him, but he was unable to protect her when she needed him the most...

After she calmed and collected herself, she gave a dark glare and an ominous smile, "But he won't get away with it. With this new gift of mine, there will be no place for Divine to hide. I'll teach him not to do bad things to people like me... Moving on now. When Shadowcat was used for a synchro-summon, I can activate her special-ability from the graveyard, forcing you to send five cards from the top of your deck to the graveyard."

Jason did as instructed and discarded his five cards. But soon after the fifth card was removed, he felt a burning sensation in his body, as if his life-force was being sucked away.

Jason: 6500 (25)

Katherine: 2500 (26)

"What the heck was that?!"

"Oh, did I forget to mention..." Katherine replied, as she revealed an open trap card, "I played this soon after I summoned my Dark-Synchro monster. This Skull Invitation trap card takes away 300 life-points for each card removed to its owner's graveyard. And by the way, the name of my new monster is (3) Dark Neko Magician(-7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2100), which is treated as the original Neko Magician synchro-monster in many ways, especially in the case of spell-counters, meaning I can activate the Spell Power Grasp card, giving me one spell-counter. In addition, I can also add another Spell Power Grasp straight to my hand."

"Let's not forget, that Skull Invitation trap works both ways, so each card sent to your graveyard deals you damage!" Jason said as a red aura briefly appeared around Katherine.

Jason: 6500 (25)

Katherine: 2200 (25)

"It's worth the pain," Katherine replied, "Because after a spell card is activated, Dark Neko Magician special-ability grants me another spell-counter (CTR: 2), "Next, I activate the spell Neko-Magic Staff!" a pink scepter with a jade cat's head on the end appeared in Katherine's right hand (ATK: 3300), "And with another spell card gives me another spell-counter (CTR: 3), "Next I activate its special-effect: by sending cards in my hand to the graveyard, I gain a spell-counter per card. And, since I discarded my last 2 cards, since I get a total of five counters, the real fun begins!"

"What are you talking about?"

"I get to activate one of Dark Neko Magician special-abilities, just by removing all five spell-counters on her! And I think I'll use the ability that enables me to destroy every monster on your field!" Katherine then lift her staff over her head and twirled its head-piece around. She muttered a strange yet simple incantation that Jason could half-understand, "Pum-Pum, Pumkin-Pumkin... Halloween Cannon!" the moment she brought her staff back down a surge of citrus-orange energy came bursting from the jade tip, soon taking form of a giant jack-o-lantern and with no hesitation came rushing towards Jason's army of monsters.

Upon contact it exploded and released its destructive power and engulfed every monster in a giant explosion. Jason shielded himself against the the flying dust blown past him. When the dust settled only Colossal Fighter remained, "You may not know this, but when a monster equipped with a union would be destroyed, I can just remove that union-monster to protect the equipped monster. So Colossal Fighter is safe. And since tokens aren't exactly actual monsters, they can't go to the graveyard so I only take 300 points of damage."

"My tokens may not be sent to the grave but they still can activate their special-ability. That means your deck loses 3 cards for each token destroyed. So you might want to check your math, because you just lost thirteen more cards!" More of Jason's life-force was drained away as his deck was drained as well.

Jason: 2600 (12)

Katherine: 1600 (25)

Jason felt his energy leak away as he stumbled to his knees. As his sight hazed the sound of giggling pricked his ears. He looked up from the cold floor to see Katherine looking down on him, the candlelight flickering against her dark amber eyes. Her smile was no different from a looming predator ready to finish off her prey.

"And look at that, you're down to a dozen cards and less that three-hundred life-points! Now I finally know how it felt all the time you, and Gabe, and Divine and all the other duelists closed in on absolute victory! The way you just fell to your knees, I just couldn't resist the desperate look in those eyes of yours! Oh, the feeling is excellent!" she shuddered as she hugged herself as if to protect herself from her own freezing aura, "But don't worry, I'll make all that pain go away. And while Gabe take care of the new world, I'm gonna take good care you, Jason Hutchins. Just wait, we'll be together forever, until the end of time."

"N-E-K-O, that spells Eternity."

TO BE CONTINUED...


DUEL-MON DATABASE

(1) Spell Striker

Stats: [Warrior/Effect] Level 3 ATK/600 DEF/200

Attribute: EARTH

Description:

(2) Dark Tuner-Shadowcat

Stats: [Beast/Effect] Level 9 ATK/0 DEF/500

Attribute: DARK

Description: When this card is sent to the graveyard from your deck, you can special-summon this card. When this monster is used as a synchro-material monster, both players discard 5 cards from their deck. Each time you activate a spell card, add 1 Spell Counter to this card (max: 5). By removing 5 counters from this card, you can execute one of the following effects; this card cannot attack if you activate these effects:

Destroy all monsters your opponent controls.

Destroy all spell and trap cards your opponent controls.

Special-Summon 1 monster from your graveyard.

Draw 3 cards.

(3) Dark Neko Magician

Stats: [Spellcaster/Effect] Level -7 ATK/2500 DEF/2100

Attribute: DARK

Description: This card can only be Synchro Summoned by subtracting the Level of a Dark Tuner monster from the Level of 1 non-Tuner monster you control to equal the Level of this card. This card's name is treated as 'Neko-Magician'.

Jason: "The girl who I claim to protect is now in league with the Dark Signers. Now I must risk my heart, mind and soul to bring her back. Even if I have to take her place I'll bring her back. That's a promise I'm gonna carry till the end. Next time on Reverse of Arcadia: Blackened Innocence. It's time to Accelerate!"


DUEL-MON TRIVIA-

Hey duelists! Did you know:

Just as Neko-Magician was modeled after Zoe Hanson from the Tokyo Mew-Mew franchise, Dark Neko Magician is based on the cat monster Blair from the Soul Eater series.


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