The day of Halloween was a rainy one. Tristan's zoo had a horrible smell filling the area around it, the lake in the valley below rose nearly flooding the windmills and the river valley flooded far away behind the mountains. The sea serpents sometimes crawled out of the water letting the students pet them.
The Blue-Eyes White Dragon students had to walk through underwater tunnels to get to the school. Waves crashed into the cliffs, the wind howled so loud it felt like it was alive. Far in the distance trees crashed into the ground. Inside the school, however, the students were nice and warm helping themselves to candy, apples, and barbecue at the annual Halloween Masquerade Ball in which the students who attended dressed in colorful costumes.
A band of skeleton violinists played cheerful ballads. Chumley felt like he was in heaven. He was dressed in a giant koala outfit, scarfing down on fries.
In the center of the ballroom, Prince Michael teamed up with Mindy against Ser Kevin and Jasmine in a special Halloween duel.
Michael already had a scary-themed deck, for his main monsters were Archfiends. Ser Kevin was now using a Dark World deck and he had Goldd Wu-Lord of Darkworld on the field against Michael's Archfiend Commander.
Jasmine and Mindy were using Halloween-themed decks. Jasmine had a spooky Ghostrick deck and Mindy had a Frightfur deck.
Alexis suddenly walked away from the feast. When Yuri asked her what was wrong she said "Nothing" but she was obviously lying, for tears glittered in her beautiful eyes as she walked into the dark hallway.
"The feast reminds her of her brother," said Alexandra, arriving in a dress that parted to reveal her legs and her corset showed off her shoulders.
Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley went red in the face.
"Oh, princess," Jaden said, clad in a tuxedo. He had a mask shaped to look like one of his elemental heroes called Necroid Shaman.
"Her brother?" Yuri asked. "She never said a word about her brother."
"Yeah," Alexandra said, with false sympathy. "Atticus Rhodes was his name. The rightful heir to the Aqua Throne of Lorin. He disappeared three years ago, on an expedition to a Celtran ruin in the Iron Mountains of Emboldor. The Rassay Guard gave up the search for him and classified Atticus dead. Alexis hardly smiled since then."
"Poor thing," said Phoenix, clad in a fiery red dress with bright orange sashes and a brooch in the shape of a Phoenix. Her Mavelus was perched on her shoulder. She had on a ruby-encrusted beaked mask with bright-red plumes over her eyes, which she removed upon hearing the news of Alexis's missing brother.
"It was a heavy blow to her family," said Alexandra. "I only hope she finds comfort one day. Care for a dance, your majesty?"
"Well, alright," said Yuri.
He took her hand. It was as cold as winter's chill and her skin soft like silk. Lightning flashed as they made their way to the floor to dance.
"Ever attended a ball before?" she asked.
"I went to prom once," said Yuri.
"So I see," said Alexandra. "Have a girl back home?"
"A friend," said Yuri, taking a whiff of her sweet perfume. "My best friend."
"Isn't that sweet. Does she...you know, hold a special place in your heart?"
"I view her as a sister," said Yuri. "Her heart, I'm afraid, has been claimed by some rich brat. She was going to marry him at the end of the summer next year, but he turned tail and vanished after my friend, Nick, demolished him in a tournament."
"That must be hard for you, I imagine."
"Yeah, she deserves better."
"And by better you mean you?"
"No, of course not," said Yuri. "I love her, no doubt about it, but our relationship has no place for romance I'm afraid. If she had someone better, I'd be content with just that. But the man she was going to marrying is a bit of a brute. I'm glad he's gone."
"And do you plan of visiting her when you get the throne?"
"I probably won't tell her about it. Besides, I can't really speak to her of our world, now, can I?"
"So, you're saying that you mean to abandon her?"
"There's nothing I can do, princess," Yuri said, trying to ignore Dancer thrusting himself back and forth, a crude gesture, telling Yuri to 'bang' her.
Yuri glared and barred his teeth. Dancer blew him a kiss. Jaden was dying of laughter behind him. "Uh..." he returned to the conversation, "my family will take care of her though. They love her very much."
"I'm so sorry," said Alexandra. "For being taken away from her like this."
The smug look on her face clearly told Yuri she wasn't, but he was in no mood to answer her. There was something about her that Yuri did not like. Her whole aura just suddenly reeked from with vibes and he could almost hear his Black Tyranno and all the other dinosaurs roaring in his deck with disapproval as if telling Yuri to get away from her.
The Pendant of the Kings was burning over his chest. Perhaps Alexandra was not worth marrying after all. But he could not change his decision. They had been together for a while now, and he was getting used to her, and he needed to go through with the marriage, otherwise, he would lose a great number of soldiers from his fighting force, which was needed now more than ever with Hector gaining momentum in Emboldor.
Black Tyranno and Norman the Conqueror's spirit weren't the only ones who disapproved of the dance Yuri was having with the princess.
Evelyn Alteria was standing by the rain-washed glass walls of the ballroom wearing a black dress that a zombie Duel Monster called The Lady in Wight wore in her card. Her hair was fashioned into the same style as the monster and had a fake spider pinned on it. Dancer approached her, handing her a fresh glass of wine. He was wearing elegant robes with the theme of the Lord of Dragons' armor. He even wore a dragon-shaped mask, which he removed to talk to Evelyn.
"Don't worry princess," he said placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't want anything to do with him anyway," Ezra said drinking punch. She was dressed in an outfit worn by a Synchro monster called Tempest Magician. The scythe which she used for her cosplay was hovering over her back with magic.
"What about your mother?" Antoine asked. "She meant business."
"I'm not worried," said Evelyn. "Sera can kiss my ass."
"Princess!" said Ezra.
"I can take care of you," said Dancer.
"I know you will, my love. I've decided."
"Decided what?" Antoine asked.
Evelyn turned to look at Dancer. "After the semester is over and we go on our Summer Holiday, I'm getting off the harbor with you. Prince Michael says he owns a holiday castle in the Jade Hills near the Eredashi border. We can live there."
"Evelyn," Dancer whispered, putting his hand on her cheek.
"This is nuts," said Antoine. "What will your mother and father say?"
"I don't care what they have to say. You heard what my mother said. If I go back without Yuri as my husband-to-be they'll kill me. From this night forward, I denounce my throne. I am no longer the princess of Elleria."
"Evelyn, you can't do that!" said Ezra.
"Well, she did," said Dancer. "We will find a way to make this work, my love. Don't worry."
"You two think you can just run from the king and queen and live happily ever after?" asked Ezra. "Damnit, they will search for Evelyn with their entire army. The Ebony Knights are the best warriors in the East."
"I know that all too well," said Ser Kevin. "But I am Lady Evelyn's champion. I will stand by your side."
"I guess that goes for me too," said Antoine. "We are in this together, no matter what."
"Oh dear," said Ezra. "I will be in the Citrus Islands though,"
"Having a fun-filled holiday with Lady Phoenix?" Ser Kevin asked.
"Well, yes," said Ezra. "But not just me. Yuri will be going there on his honeymoon with Alexandra after their wedding at the end of the semester. The princes will be joining them. Phoenix asked me to go. The Citrus Islands. How can I refuse?"
"You two make a wonderful couple, Ezra," said Evelyn. "My congratulations on your marriage."
"Thank you," said Ezra.
"My, my," said Dancer. "Your future wife is going to be one of the most powerful women in the world. A Knight of the Royal Termnnian Table, and the Court Magician of the High King."
"I know," said Ezra. "What if she's too busy to be with me?"
"It'll make the little time she has with you more romantic," said Evelyn with a light chuckle. "Remember, Ezra, absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Meanwhile, Yuri and the others sat in leather recliners worrying about Alexis.
"Oh well, she's missing one heck of a party," said Chumley.
"Someone should talk to her," said Yuri getting up but Zane put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.
"No, it's best to leave her be. She'll calm down."
Yuri spotted Serenity walk to Yami and whispered something in his ear. Because of his worried face, Yuri knew it was bad news. Yami looked like he was telling her to calm down. He didn't want to worry about his friends so the next hour Yuri said nothing.
Suddenly Crowler, Mokuba, and Duke ran into the cafeteria.
"Run, run, run!" cried Mokuba.
"Save us, save us!" shrieked Crowler.
"YUGI, IT'S IN THE SCHOOL! IT'S IN THE SCHOOL!" cried Mai as she ran in with two Harpie Ladies.
"What is?" asked Yami.
"PUMPKING THE KING OF GHOSTS THAT'S WHAT!" shouted Crowler. "He whacked away the Infernal Blast Hounds, and Guard Dogs and now he walks the halls. WE'RE DOOMED!"
Students dropped their treats into the tables (Chumley tried his best to collect some) as they ran panic-stricken to the doors.
"Okay, Dorm Supervisors!" shouted Serenity. "Take the students to their dorms."
Yuri was confused and scared. "What's going on?" he asked Marcel.
"A Pumpking The King of Ghosts entered the school."
"What are they?"
"A zombie type monster with eighteen hundred attack and two thousand defense," said Phoenix. "It's weak in the game but ―
"Weak in the game?" said Michael. "That thing powers up your zombies by three hundred for the next four turns you have it on the field."
"Well I don't have zombies so the creature is absolutely useless to me, anyways in real life; what it really does is suck out your soul."
"Eessh." went Yuri. "Does Alexis know?"
"Oh no," said Jaden. "She left the feast. I'll send her an E-mail...Got it she should be on her way back to her dorm right now."
"You have mail." said Alexis' PDA...hidden under a pile of dirty clothes in her room.
Alexis was sitting by the great fountain in front of the school crying while looking at a picture of her brother Atticus. She kissed the picture and put it in her pocket. Once she wiped a tear from her eye she walked back to the cafeteria. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw that it was dark and empty.
Back safe in their dorm Yuri and his friends were playing a game up in the tower Ryon invented.
It was Jaeyoung's turn when suddenly he got a call on his PDA.
"Hello …Oh, hi Mindy…No, I haven't seen Alexis anywhere, she's not at the dorm? Jaden sent her an E-mail…HER PDA WAS IN HER ROOM!"
The friends suddenly paused. "Uh-oh."
"Alexis is down there and this THING is crawling around?" Jon said in shock. "Guys we've gotta go down and save her."
"I'm going," said Yuri. "I can summon monsters. My Black Tyranno can take him on."
"Me too," said Michael.
"Hey count me in," said Jaden.
"And I as well," said Jon. "My Gearfried thirsts for battle."
Yuri nodded.
He, Jon, Michael, and Jaden grabbed their cards and rushed down to the halls to find Alexis. There were no teachers around. The academy was empty. All of the lights in the school have been shut off.
"Hey, do you smell that?" Yuri asked.
There was a horrible smell in the air like a pile of rotten vegetables alongside thousands of decaying corpses. Yuri and his friends rose the zippers all the way up to their noses and tightened the hoods of their coats with their strings. They grew nervous when they heard something slimy crawl towards them. The noise sounded like something wet being dragged.
Yuri told his friends to hide behind the wall. Every second the smell got worse and worse. It was so horrible Yuri wanted to faint. He couldn't take the odor anymore but because of the shadow on the floor he had to fight to remain awake. The creature did something Yuri wish it didn't do. It paused in the middle of the hallway making slimy growling. Yuri was blackening out when finally, it continued its way down the hall. It passed by them and Yuri almost threw up at the sight of the hideous creature.
A twenty-foot, one-eyed pumpkin that made its way around with eight green, wet tentacles. It had a small red crown on its head and made roars that sounded like it was belching. Yuri waited until the creature was gone to gag. The friends freed their noses and mouths from their coats and breathed heavily to get fresh air.
The smell still lingered but it wasn't as strong.
"Did you see that?" coughed Jaden. "I've never seen anything so gross."
"We saw it Jaden," groaned Michael.
"I could only smell it," said Jon waving his hand in front of his face to fan the smell.
"It's going into the glass pyramid," whispered Yuri.
"I'm glad Alexis got out in time," said Michael.
Alexis was still in the glass pyramid wondering what happened to everyone. She grew scared when she saw the empty, dark, pyramid. The flashes of lightning lit up the hall for a few seconds.
She began to cough and held her nose when a terrific smell filled her small nostrils. She covered her nose wandering the dark hallway. The rivers made her feel a little relaxed. They always led out to the academy. She might have to toughen out the storm but it was better than wandering in the darkness of the glass pyramid. She ran into something.
"Huh? Who's there?" she asked. A spider web of lightning exploded in the sky revealing to her the Pumpking. It crawled to her and raised its tentacles. Alexis screamed.
"Did you hear that?" said Jaden.
"Yeah, it came from the glass pyramid!" said Michael. He suddenly got a chilling sickness in his stomach.
"Alexis!" they shouted and ran to the pyramid. They burst through the doors and found Pumpking holding Alexis. Six of his tentacles were wrapped all over her body while the other was in her mouth soaking wet with her saliva. The tentacle was glowing a greenish-blue color. Yuri knew it was her life force being sucked away.
"PUT HER DOWN YOU SICK FIEND!" shouted Jaden.
Alexis slowly turned her head. She had tears in her eyes. Pumpking did not tolerate the intrusion and swatted Jaden with one of its tentacles into the hall. Jaden crashed into suites of armor.
"We better do something," said Jon. "Or else Alexis is a goner."
Michael held out a card.
"It's been forever since I've done this!"
He summoned Terror King Archfiend.
"Sweet!" Jaden cried out. "You're a Summoner! Well, have I got a treat for you! Go Elemental Hero Flamewingman!"
"You can Summon, too?" Michael asked.
"It's a gift," said Jaden. "Didn't' have to learn any magic to do it."
"Well, how fortuitous that I am as well," said Jon. "GO GEARFRIED THE IRON KNIGHT!"
Jon's Gearfried joined Terror King Archfiend.
"Black Tyranno, go!" shouted Yuri.
Terror King Archfiend raised his sword then cursed it to make it longer and wider. When it reached its maximum size, he thrust himself towards the King of Ghosts but a tentacle grabbed his leg and threw Terror King Archfiend into a table knocking food and plates all over the floor.
Pumpking lost his grip on Alexis and dropped her. Jaden ran to get her followed by Flamewingman.
Flamewingman blew fire from his dragon arm at any tentacle that tried to reach Jaden.
Jaden made a baseball slide and quickly picked up Alexis in a fireman's lift. Flamewing man was thrown across the pyramid and fell in the river. Pumpking roared and dashed after Jaden throwing the monsters everywhere. Terror King tried to attack again but was thrown into a waterfall. Black Tyranno charged but was picked up and tossed into a gap above the river and got stuck. Gearfried swooped from the ceiling and slashed off nineteen of Pumpking's tentacles. Thirty-eight more spawned out.
"Okay, we need a new plan," said Michael. "Probably one that requires a little less tentacle slicing if you please,"
"Sorry," said Jon dodging a tentacle that tried to grab him. Jaden set Alexis down on a red bench. She was cold and white but was alive. Jaden wiped some drool from her mouth with his shirt and ran back to fight Pumpking. He summoned another monster called Elemental Hero Captain Gold. Jaden's new monster gave Pumpking a punch that shook the building sending him crashing into more tables.
Elemental Hero Flamewingman was pulling on Black Tyranno's tail to get him out of the gap.
Terror King Archfiend and Elemental Hero Captain Gold made a combo attack on the Pumpking. It made him madder. Pumpking lashed its tentacles everywhere. It grabbed everyone and their monsters. Pumpking gave a belching sort of laugh. Tentacles began to slowly slither to their faces. Yuri kept his mouth shut, ducking his head left and right to avoid the tentacle.
"HELP!" shouted Jaden.
A Cyber Blader jumped from the hall and kicked Pumpking hard in the face. Pumpking dropped his prisoners and rubbed his bloody eye yelping pathetically.
Alexis was leaning weakly on the doorway. She could summon monsters, too.
"NOW, JADEN, NOW!" shouted Yuri.
"FLAMEWINGMAN GET HIM!" Jaden commanded.
Flamewingman stuck his dragon arm into Pumpking's mouth and rapidly shot fireballs inside. Pumpking's eye closed for good.
There was a dust cloud around the dead monster's body and its tentacles were laid everywhere. Yuri and his friends released themselves from the coils of the tentacles and walked towards Pumpking in disbelief.
"We did it!" said Jon.
The lights in the pyramid turned on with a loud pop.
Yami, Kaiba, Téa, Mai, Serenity, Joey, Tristan, and Duke ran inside.
Téa was speechless ―and furious.
"What happened here?" she babbled furiously. "Ex-ex-explain yourselves all of you,"
Eyes widened and mouth open Mai walked in and surveyed the damage. Serenity had her hand clasped against her mouth. Crowler walked in moments later.
"Well, what on Duel Island is…HOLY COW! WHAT THE SAM HILL HAPPENED HERE!"
"Well, sir we…" began Yuri.
"EXPLAIN, SPEAK ALL OF YOU! You all were supposed to be at the dorms while we took care of this."
"Well we were in our dorms," said Yuri, "but Alexis…"
"Don't you dare blame this on my students, you pest. Alexis would never behave as rash as you."
Alexis peered from behind Mai.
"No, sir, that is the truth," she said sadly.
"Why, whatever do you mean, my dear?" Crowler said with a smile.
"The feast reminded me of the times I had with my brother. I got sad and left and didn't know a thing about the Pumpking until it got me. If Yuri and the others didn't rescue me, I don't know what could've happened. Pumpking was in the middle of sucking out my soul."
"So that explains why you're so pale," Mai said placing her hand on Alexis' forehead.
Crowler's mouth fell wide open as quick as a cash register. He frowned and folded his arms.
"Well I for one am shocked to hear about this, especially from you Yuri! I thought you'd be a good student not a damn rule breaker like your father. You're going to make a pretty pathetic king the way I see it. And I'm very disappointed with you as well Miss Rhodes, you of all people."
Alexis hung her head in shame.
"You all will be expelled!"
"There will be no need for that," said Yami, watching the remains of the Pumpking. "We wanted Pumpking to be destroyed and so he has. Not only did Yuri and his brave companions, here, save Princess Rhodes, but the entire student body here in the academy." He put one arm on Yuri and one on Michael. "I honestly think it would be complete dishonor expelling a group of…heroes."
"Really?" asked Jon.
"Yes, and as a reward how about two days off from school."
"That'll be sweet," said Jaden.
Yuri's ribs ached, trying to hold back the laughter he had from looking at Crowler's shocked face.
"Headmaster, they broke campus rules."
"Did they?" Yami asked.
"Yes, why just a few weeks ago, they sneaked into the Blue-Eyes White Dragon girls dorm."
"Yuri is this true?" Yami asked.
"You sneaky dog you," Joey said with a laugh.
"Yes, sir, it's true, but tell me Dr. Crowler how do you possibly know about that incident?"
Crowler babbled then went speechless.
"That must've been a plan he cooked up to expel ya," said Joey
"Plan?" Jaden asked.
"Yeah, every time Vellion gets a hair up his ass about a student, he plans ways to get them outta school."
"And I am shocked that this time it is Yuri, what did he do that made you so mad?" Yami asked.
"I think I know," said Michael. "Back in the Duel Dome Yuri beat him."
"You got pissed off with Yuri because he beat you in an exam duel?" Mai asked.
Crowler pulled out his pink handkerchief and savagely pulled it with his teeth.
"So you're the one who sent Syrus that love note," said Alexis.
Crowler never looked so ridiculous. He could not believe that one of his favorite students was pointing fingers at him. Yami gave Crowler a warning and let Yuri and his friends leave.
"Wait, there's something I want to know," said Jaden. "How the heck did Pumpking get into the school?"
"Pumpking's are really rare and unpredictable creatures," said Yami. "My guess is that he got washed into the island from some foul place or he lived around these parts and wandered into the school, other than that I don't know."
"Sir, Yuri is here," said Alexis. "Do you think someone sent that Pumpking to…you know…kill him?"
"Perhaps but it's a matter you shouldn't worry about, princess," said Téa. "Leave it to us. We'll take care of you."
"Thank you, professor," said Alexis.
They watched their professors leave and then walked out with Alexis.
"I am sorry about your brother," said Yuri.
"Thanks," said Alexis. "And I'm sorry I put you guys through all that trouble."
"No worries," said Jon. "For a moment, I was having fun."
"You guys really are a brave bunch aren't you?" Alexis asked with a smile.
"Well we couldn't just leave you up there in the monster's clutches," said Michael. "I saw enough hentai to know where that was going."
"Har, har," said Alexis, punching him in the arm. "Thank you all for saving my life."
"You're welcome," said Yuri. "Come on, guys, let's escort Alexis back to the ferry."
Ally
Scratch and Creep wailed in desperation as Ally looked down at them with fury in her beautiful pink eyes.
"You assured me the Pumpking you guys summoned would end Yuri. Well, it looks like Yuri is the one who did all the killing."
"Please, Ally, give us another chance!" cried Creep.
"You have failed me for the last time," Ally said, summoning the shadows to take the two ghosts back into the Shadow Realm.
"As I feared," said Ally. "It looks like I have to take matters into my own hands. Pitiful."
She looked up at the moons.
"Ah, the moons are almost aligned. Now all I have to do is battle Yuri and get this night, and my meager existence over with."
She took out her scythe and took off into the night with a powerful leap.
Yuri
"What's that!" cried Jaden, pointing at the moon.
Yuri looked up and saw a shadowy missile dive right towards them. By the time they could react the object dove into them.
Ally kicked Yuri hard in the stomach knocking him into a ticket booth for the ferries.
His back stung with a sharp pain and his gut felt like it was on fire.
"Who the hell are you!" shouted Jon.
Ally sniggered and pointed her scythe at him. "Not one of you move now," she said gleefully. "It's Prince Yuri that I want."
"Who are you?" Yuri coughed.
"I am Ally Wyn, of the Sisterhood."
"What!" cried Jon. "Assassins!"
"Indeed," said Ally. "And we have waited countless years for this night. Your Pendant of the Kings is what keep you safe from us. Norman the Conqueror. I should have known you would have returned to keep the Song from the Divines safe."
"Norman the Conqueror?" said Jaden. "That can't be."
"You mean, Norman the Conqueror is inside this pendant?" Yuri asked.
"And now that the moons have aligned this night, it doesn't matter. The strength of a dark true dragon now courses through my veins and it will be all I need to destroy you and the Star of Might."
Jon shouted for Yuri to run.
"Come on, Yuri!" shouted Jaden. He grabbed Yuri by the arm and led him into the jungle. Michael followed. Ally cackled like witch before she started after them, but Jon grabbed her by the leg to keep her from flying towards his friends.
She attacked him with her scythe, but the hit was intercepted by the magical steel of Gearfried the Iron Knight's shield arm.
She held out her hand and blasted the both of them with a powerful pulse that knocked them backward and smashing into a cabin wall. The cabin could no longer sustain itself and collapsed on top of them.
Ally then dashed into the jungle, slashing trees to get at Yuri and the others. Michael summoned Vilepawn Archfiend in an attempt to hold her back, but the beast was no match for her. She cut him down in ten seconds flat.
She corned Yuri and his friends at the foot of the mountains after a long chase. Michael and Jaden made valiant attempts to hold her back with monsters, but the young assassin reeked of fell and supernatural power that she decimated every beast the two Summoners sent her way until they grew weary and their mana low.
She raised her scythe and declared that it was the end for Yuri.
The young prince braced himself for the killing blow. He could hear Michael and Jaden's pleas for her to show mercy, but the girl was far too evil to care for mercy.
She lunged at him with a powerful slash. Yuri held his arm up to his face in an otiose effort to safeguard himself from the attack. He shut his eyes and prayed.
PANG!
Ally's scythe hit something metallic and harder than diamond. Yuri opened his eyes and saw a gauntlet of platinum had suddenly adorned his arm.
"What?" Yuri gasped.
"NORMAN!" shouted Ally.
"Wow," said Jaden. "Look at that."
Yuri's body began to glow as a thunderous voice told him to let him take control. He had no choice but to surrender his body to the spirit of the pendant.
Yuri and Jaden ran from Yuri as armor, divine, powerful, and beautiful to behold suddenly encased him like a cocoon of platinum. A white cape began to flow from the gorget.
Ally's face went beet red and she smiled evilly. "It matters not!" she declared. Her uniform morphed into shadow and became the armored black coat of the Sisterhood. The coat then transformed into a colossal set of armor as black as the night and asymmetrical with spires, towers, and torches buried deep in her pauldrons and greaves.
A helmet concealed her pretty face.
"You are finished Supreme King. You and your Song!"
She struck the knight of platinum and light with the staff, but the knight grabbed the evil weapon with his one armored hand. He crushed it to dust without effort and punched Ally halfway across the island. She tumbled to a stop in the fields, bouncing wildly each time to hit the ground.
The platinum knight flew towards her like a golden comet and grabbed her head, smashing her repeatedly on the ground and tossing her into the mountains which exploded from the tremendous force.
The knight stood in the fields triumphantly. Suddenly, Ally zoomed towards him at supersonic speed and rammed into his chest. The knight dug his greaves into the ground creating a long and deep skid mark with dust flying into the night air.
The knight punched her away with a tremendous strike. Ally flew across the fields, made a flip in midflight, and dug her feet into the ground to stop.
"You are Horakhty's strongest Star," Ally said, ripping her helmet off her head. "But I was born from the dark power of Zorc Necrophades. Not even you, or your Ancient Beasts, could defeat him, Conqueror. He held more power in his one finger, than you did in your entire body. And I am that finger, Conqueror! Behold the power of the Shadow Realm!"
Ally got on all fours and started to quake as she was being transformed into something awful. Black skeletal wings sprouted from her back and she gave a hideous roar.
When the transformation was complete, she turned into a Duel Monster called Berserk Dragon.
The knight was not impressed. He held out his hand, pointing towards the stars. The north star twinkled and then a sword flew down from the heavens and landed by his feet.
He pulled out his sword from the ground and shouldered it confidently.
Ally was far too overzealous with her shadowy power. The Stars of Horakhty were gods. They fought for roughly twenty minutes before the knight cleaved his sword into the belly of the dragon.
It began to wither away like smoke as it fell to the ground. The knight's work was done, but so great was his strength, that the Pendant of the Kings shattered. His armor fell off releasing Yuri from its confines.
He fell to his knees, exhausted and naked.
"YURI!" Yami shouted, running towards him with Joey, Tristan, Tèa, Serenity, Mai, Duke, and Bakura.
Yami took off his cape and placed it around Yuri's shoulders.
"What happened?" Yami asked. "What did this?"
Yuri was too weak to speak, but he handed Yami the shattered pieces of what was once the Pendant of the Kings.
"Oh no!" cried Serenity. "Yuri's pendant!"
"What's dat!" shouted Joey.
Something moved from inside the withering dragon. It was Ally. She was naked and covered in black grime.
"She's from the Sisterhood!" said Mai. "An assassin working for Denethon the Black."
Joey took out his sword and walked to her. He pointed his weapon at her neck.
"Tell me what happened, and I might put you outta yer misery!" he growled.
"Damn it, Denethon," Ally said, sobbing. "He promised I would find a new life."
"Who are you!" Joey demanded. "Talk! What do you want?"
"To exist," Ally wept.
"What do you mean by that?"
"He lied to me. Nothing could stop the power inside of the Pendant of the Kings. But at least I destroyed the only vessel that kept Norman the Conqueror in the World of Men. Maybe my sisters have a chance of doing what I could not."
"Nothin' can stop my pal, Yuri!" shouted Joey. "Yer sisters won't be so fortunate, I can assure you."
Ally sobbed with fear and agony as her body withered into shadows. Joey could see the look of terror on her face as she desperately clung to her existence. She wailed sorrowfully and vanished.
"Poor kid," said Joey.
Yuri woke seven days later in the academy infirmary. His skull felt like it was on fire and his body was sore and stiff. He slowly turned his aching head to the left after a loud "He's waking up" thundered loudly beside him. The noise blasted his brain sending him more discomfort. He sobbed from the burning anguish that greeted him.
"Quiet!" said the booming voice of Yami. Yuri's weary eyes could make out Yami with the whole gang standing behind him.
"When can I duel?" Yuri asked being brave.
"When can I duel he says," Yami said with a chuckle. "Are you all right, son?"
"Remind me to thank Denethon the Black for a lovely weekend," Yuri attempted at a joke.
"Man, you gave us quite a scare," said Joey. "Nurse Fontaine says she lost your pulse at least five times since we brought you here. Someone out there is looking out for ya, pal."
"That or he's the toughest kid I've ever seen," said Tristan. "He's killed two assassins from the Sisterhood. Call me impressed, Your Grace."
"No one has even killed one witch from that horrid order," said Mai. "First you kill Anubis, then summon all three Divine Beasts and destroy an army, and all while a baby. Now you kill two assassins from a guild so legendary and feared the world thought them myths. Goddesses, Yuri, what are you?"
"The Pendant!" cried Serenity. "Now that the Pendant of the Kings is destroyed, Norman the Conqueror won't be around to protect him."
"This is true," said Yami. "Which is why we've decided to name you High King as soon as you finish the semester."
"Huh, so soon?" Yuri asked.
"These are desperate times, Yuri," said Yami. "Southern Emboldor readies for war and now The Summoner of Dragons has gone missing."
"Avi!"
"We're gonna hafta pull ya outta school sooner den we thought, Yuri," said Joey.
"But, can I come back when I'm king?"
"No," said Yami. "You've already proven yourself a capable duelist. And let's be honest, with the Divine Beasts in your deck, one would have to be a complete fool to challenge you for the throne. As far as anyone is concerned, your days at the academy are over."
Ren
Two Months Later
"You want me to explain again?" Ren asked little Jocelia while they sat under a red tent in the sands of the beach in the Bay of Kings. The Spire of the Kings dominated them from its perch in Rassay.
"Please, Ren?" Jocelia asked, dripping wet and covered in sand from her swim. She was dressed in an orange swimsuit with pink flowers. She was looking down at the coffee table littered with Termnnia's currency, then back up Ren to admire her new tactical armor a mix of Western-style with the modern gear of the East. The nightingale of the Emboldorian Secret Service emblazoned on the large shoulder pads in holographic ornaments. His assault rifle, forged in Termnnia, hung to a powerful anti-gravity device on his back so it could hover comfortably behind him.
"Your armor is so pretty," said Jocelia. "I love all those lights and hologram thingies. Isn't it beautiful, Tiberius."
"I am rather jealous, I must admit," said the old knight. "I heard it costs fifty gold stars to get just one."
"Oh, right, back to the coins!" said Jocelia.
"Do I have to?"
"Please! Pretty please!"
"Okay, okay," Ren said, "but this is the last time. To make a gold Star Chip you need twenty-five silver swords, which are these coins," he held them up for her to see. The large silver sword was big enough to fit in his palm. The coin bore the winged sword of House Taylor. "Okay?" he asked.
"Right," Jocelia said with glee. She loved learning new things
"Very good," said Ren. "You're a smart girl." He ruffled her hair.
"Ah," Pegasus said, joining them. "I see the two of you are getting along."
"She just won't leave his side, My Lord," said Tiberius, Jocelia's knight-champion.
"Now, now, love, I told you not to bother this young man."
"Oh, but papa, we've learned so much about Termnnia's coins."
"I figured I teach her how to use the currency of the land, My Lord," said Ren. "She tried to buy a structure deck that costed five gold star chips with one thousand silver swords."
"Hah!" laughed Pegasus. "With one hundred silver swords, she could have bought two-score more structure decks. Thank you, Renny-boy, I appreciate it."
"When are Prince Yuri and Princess Alexandra going to get married, papa?" said Jocelia.
"She's really excited about the wedding," said Ren.
"I'll say," said Tiberius, sipping wine from a gold chalice. "It's all she talked about since we left the castle."
"Are we going to the wedding, too, papa?"
"Of course we are," said Pegasus. "I am the High Chancellor of Termnnia, I must go. And you can too."
"Will there be cake?" Jocelia asked, jumping into her father's arms. "And ice cream? And games? And jesters? And…"
"Yes, yes," Pegasus laughed, holding her close. "There's going to be all that and more, my love."
"I can't wait!" said Jocelia. "I've never been to a royal wedding before."
Pegasus kissed her on the cheek before setting her down. "Ser Tiberius," he said, "would you take my daughter back to the spire? I wish to speak with Ren alone."
"As you command, My Lord," said Tiberius. "Come, Jocelia."
Jocelia squeaked as she took Tiberius' hand. She turned to get one last look at Ren. "Goodbye, Mr. Ren. See you again soon."
"Goodbye," Ren said, waving his hand.
"Such a sweet little creature," Pegasus said sadly. "When I see her, she reminds me so much of her mother."
"I am sorry for your loss, sir. My mother knew Cecelia well. She was a good woman."
"Thank you, Renny-boy," said Pegasus. "Your father has served me well since the passing of High King Antar and the loss of the golden eggs. Now, it is time you went to the field on your first mission. Understand, what is ask may be quite disturbing."
"What is going on, My Lord?"
"The Royal Dragon Brigade of Lorin spotted soldiers from a black-ops mercenary force called Shadow Company encamped in a castle near the Gray Hills were Lady Avi was said to disappear."
"Shadow Company. That can't be."
"I'm afraid so," Pegasus said, staring sadly at the horizon. "If Lady Avi really is there in White Tree, I fear our friends from the Church have betrayed us, for that is the stronghold of Guy de la Tierra Sainte and his Templars, who are said to have aligned with King Hector the Lord of the Coasts.
"We should send an army!" said Ren. "If Lady Avi really is being held captive, we must save her!"
"We cannot," said Pegasus. "Hector's forces are a short ride away from the fortress and our alliance, though strong, bears a weak fighting force. Yami has sent messengers all over Termnnia to come together and help us defeat the boy king, but they all said they wished to speak to Yuri, who is done with his semester. After he marries with Alexandra von Klause, it had been decided that Yuri must be coronated."
"What?" said Ren. "But he has another year to go."
"There are more important things now, Ren," said Pegasus. "Our kingdom is broken. Hector is to wed with Princess Rose and gain total control of Southern Emboldor. Orcs are singing about war in the Black Continent. We need a High King now more than ever."
"What will you have us agents do?"
"I sense a chain of events that will alter the course of history, Ren," Pegasus said sadly. "And I fear a dark shadow has loomed over my House. If anything happens to me, my daughter is to rule Duelist Kingdom. Should the war reach our doorstep, do me a favor and get Jocelia as far away from Emboldor as you possibly can."
"My Lord?"
"The Ancients Beasts are stirring, Ren. I fear there is only one who can stop them, and even he is in great danger."
Princess Rose
After a long and humiliating wedding ceremony, Rose followed her young husband outside to the castle's second structure to watch the tourney to celebrate their marriage. For hours, Rose watched as honorable knights fought to the death in bloody gladiatorial battles for the boy-king's amusement. He clapped with glee when his cousin Ser Javier del Castillo knocked Ser Howard the Bronze Knight off the bridge to his death in the streets below with his mighty hammer shaped like the head of a dinosaur Duel Monster called Mad-Sword Beast.
He laughed so hard seeing men die like a child would laugh when they saw their favorite cartoon characters on television. Rose whimpered and brought a handkerchief to her mouth as she looked away from the sight of two guards dragging the dead knight's corpse away leaving a sticky trail of blood.
Francine grinned and applauded in her red sofa while the assassin from the Sisterhood bit into an apple, standing above her.
Ser Mero the Monstrous and Ser Baxter stood by Hector's side while he sat atop a throne of iron with two flagpoles bearing the colors of his paternal House and his newly formed House. From the day forward he was known as King Hector of the House Ironclaw. His flag was crimson and bore the three Ancient Beasts roaring from a golden crown.
"My Lord," Rex Raptor approached and bowed before the young king. "I present to you Lord Ethan of House Morris. He's the one who captured Solomon."
Ethan bowed at Hector, clad in armor of gold with chainmail of blackened mithril, a cloth-of-gold cape colored white with the emblem of Hector's newly formed House emblazoned in shiny gold designs. He was living handsomely with the bounty Hector gave him for the capture of Solomon Muto. He had a castle by the sea, cards of gold, a legion of knights, and all the women he could fuck. But deep down, he wanted more.
"Your Grace," said Ethan.
"My man, Ethan!" said Hector. "Welcome, welcome. Thank you for coming to our wedding day."
"Congratulations, My Lord."
"Oh no," said Hector. "This day could not be possible without you. That is why I have called you here in good faith. I have heard there is something you desire. Name it my friend, and I shall grant it."
Ethan bowed again. "Thank you, Your Grace. There is but a couple of things I desire. That is revenge against Prince Yuri and my so-called friends. And...I want her."
"Her who?" Francine asked, interested in Lord Ethan's list of demands.
"I want Princess Evelyn Alteria as my wife."
"Ah," said Ser Baxter. "And how pray-tell do you intend to do that, young man? They're all in Rassay which is many leagues from here. Not to mention guarded by a hundred thousand of the strongest warrior-type Duel Monsters including Black Luster Soldier and Buster Blader and Ser Yusei and the Knights of the Crimson Dragon."
"I think I know just how," said Hector. "Once the Dragonhearts have everything set in motion, I will talk to you about your revenge, and your princess. Have no worries, My Lord. I always look after my friends. Enjoy the party. Get a drink, grab a whore; Goddesses know there's many around here."
"Thank you, Your Grace," said Ethan.
Hector took Rose's hand and kissed it. "Are you enjoying the games, love?"
"They're wonderful, dearheart," Rose said with little to no emotion. "Your cousin is to be crowned High King next week. What do you say to that?"
"Let him pretend while he can," said Hector. "Avi is dying. Solomon will have no choice but to start singing."
"Do you think he just won't let Avi die for the sake of the Ancient Beasts?"
"Naw, I don't think so." He took a large gulp of wine. "He's a self-righteous old fool. I don't think he will bear the guilt of being the cause of death of the Summoner of Dragons.
"Ah, King Hector!" said a young boy of thirteen. He was a fat fellow named Basil Hordrum the King of the Dragon's Fingers, a piece of land in the southernmost coast of Emboldor which took the form of a dragon's claw.
He was clad in baby blue dress robes with gold designs and trim and black buckled slippers. His face was round and dotted with freckles and his hair was as red as the blood that stained the streets below the combat bridge. His wife and Hector's youngest sister, Francesca Delgado, a girl of twelve, did curtsy when she gazed upon her older brother, who had no gathered so much power in Southern Emboldor they named him king.
Hector got up from his throne to greet his little friend and his sister.
"Your Grace," Francesca said. "Is this your wife?"
"Rose," said Hector. "Meet my sister, Francesca."
"It's a pleasure, princess," said Rose, doing her best to smile.
"Well done," said King Basil. "I congratulate you on your success and thank you for letting me join your alliance."
"I must thank him too," said a young lordling of thirteen years as well. He was Hugo of House MacDonald and Earl of Hollow Brook. He arrived with seven other lordlings.
They introduced themselves as Lord Jordyn Culpepper of Glenbrook; Timmothy of House Banks, Lord of Fairbanks; Peter of House Cunningham, Lord of Tokenshire; the golden-haired angel-faced Jack of House Gannon, Lord of the Yellow Road. They were from Rhuldon, a country the encased Rassay. And then the twins Carlos and Diego of House Ollanta from Feldia.
"Welcome to you all," said Hector.
"This is going to be quite the alliance, I must say."
"And how," said King Basil. "We are going to make history here gentlemen, as the youngest rulers in all Termnnia."
"Si, I agree," said Lord Carlos. "For the longest time when men our age took a seat of power, the elders would say, just sit there and let the grown ups do the work. A la mierda con ellos, yo digo!"
"Si, hermano, but it is not this day!" said Hector. "This is our time!"
"Cheers to that."
"Que viva King Hector carajo!" said Carlos. His beady green eyes widened when he spotted Rose still standing by the throne in her revealing, white, flowery dress. "Your Grace, is that your wife?"
"Oh, that thing? Yeah, for the time being."
"Wow," said Carlos. "She's an angel!"
"I can't wait to carry her off to bed during your bedding ceremony!" said King Basil.
"Oh, you all are so horrible!" said Francesca.
"Didn't you have one, dear sister?" Hector asked.
"No," said King Basil. "The stubborn knight Hassleberry of House Kenzan wouldn't let anyone touch her. I banished him for good when he refused to cut off the hands of a thief-girl who stole bread from the baker."
"She didn't steal it," said Francesca. "The baker gave it to her because she was hungry. Our people are starving all because of that foolish war you started with the Centaurs of the Blue Mountains."
"That matters not," said Basil. "There will be no freeloading in my kingdom. Anyway, last I heard Ser Hassleberry makes way for Rassay to serve under Yuri."
"He is of House Kenzan," said Hector. "They are a cadet branch of my paternal House. They were given the task of Stewards of the King of the Fossil Throne. And since technically Yuri is the oldest male in the Delgado lineage it's only natural Hassleberry seeks him out. They were not too pleased with my rule."
"Hang the Kenzans," said Lord Jordyn. "You have us now. And House Raptor is more than capable of being Stewards to the Delgados."
"Whatever man," said Carlos. "Politics aside, your wife is one hot...puta madre! Don't you have any sisters, Your Grace."
"Yeah," said Hector, "nine of them. The oldest ones, Paloma and Esperanza, are in the keep speaking with my uncle, Salazar the Head of my House. And no, I will not marry them off to you. They've already been engaged to the Dinosaur Lords of the swamp kingdoms."
"Man, such a shame," said Carlos. "I got married to Pepita de La Monta, the daughter of General Karpov. She is not a pretty girl I tell you. Not suitable for a lord like me."
"When I am king," said Hector, "All the beautiful women of the world will be ours. You can have anyone you want."
"Oh, I hope for Mai Valentine," drooled Carlos. "Or Princess Alexis Rhodes of Lorin or Alexandra von Klaus."
"My dream wife is the White Mage, Serenity Wheeler," said Lord Peter of House Cunningham. "My uncle said he paid her a visit in the House of Flowers in Naralia and she did anything he wanted her to do. I hope she gives such favor to me. Mai Valentine would be a good wife."
"Don't get your hopes up, kid," laughed Jack of House Gannon. "Mai Valentine is mine. And Alexandra will be married to Yuri soon, so she's out."
"Yeah, but after Hector claims the Diamond Throne and throws Yuri out of power, Alexandra will be all mine!"
"I want the Summoner of Dragons," said Lord Timothy. "A beautiful Norman girl and a Summoner who can call upon True Dragons would make for a fine wife."
"She won't be Summoner of Dragons for long," said Hector. "If Solomon doesn't spill the beans, she loses her gift.
Rose had never felt so helpless in her life. Here was this villain plotting against the High King and all she could do was nothing.
"Oh, Your Grace," said Princess Paloma with her older sister Esperanza.
Both of them had the famous jet-black hair and brown eyes of the Delgados. Esperanza had a big red bow on the back of her hair.
"Congratulations on your wedding day, Queen of the Coasts," said she.
"You do not look too happy, Your Grace," said Paloma. Her hair tied into a black bun with swirled bangs going down her face. Her left eye was green.
"How can she be?" Esperanza grinned. "She is marrying our cousin, Hector."
"Are you the true heirs of the House?" Rose asked with a sniffle.
"We are the last children of Salazar," said Paloma. "So yes, by right the Fossil Throne's new heir should be Esperanza."
Her sister scoffed.
"The Delgados want only men to take the House," said Esperanza. "After master Yu-Gi-Oh denied our father's claim to get Daveed back, he went right back to work into getting a male heir. As you can see by the two of us standing here, it never worked. The heir who should be taking the Fossil Throne was our deceased older brother Gabriel and our nephew, Daveed. But Daveed has been labeled a bastard by our father. Well, the egg is on his face; for now, he takes an even higher seat of power."
Rose grimaced. She swallowed and then asked, "Do you two support Yuri's claim."
"Yes, he deserves it," said Paloma.
"More than any many living," added Esperanza.
"Do you truly feel that way?" Rose asked.
"We do," said Esperanza. "Your Grace, what is the matter?"
"We must speak, but not here."
"Of course," said Paloma. "Let us go to your chambers."
"No!" Rose said urgently. "The walls of this castle have eyes and ears." She gave a nervous look to Francine who was talking with the assassin from the Sisterhood.
"Then where should we speak?" asked Esperanza.
Rose led them both into an old cave. It was located on the beaches below the castle. Nobody, not even Francine or her late father new of this place. This was where she wanted to be when he played with her three frog monsters.
"So what is going on?" asked Esperanza. "What plot lurks about the halls of the castle that you'd have us meet here."
"Hector...he...he's a monster."
"You don't have to tell us that," said Paloma. "We heard about what he did to your father. You have our condolences."
"Never mind that now," said Rose. "My father is at peace in the Gardens. But it's not what Hector has done. It's what he's about to do."
"What?" said Paloma.
"Hector has kidnapped both Solomon Muto and Lady Avellana, The Summoner of Dragons."
Paloma and Esperanza went quiet and looked at each other.
"You are sure of this?" Esperanza asked. "Your Grace, if what you say about Hector is true, the High King is liable to go to war with him."
"I speak the truth," said Rose. "Those new monsters on his sigil..."
"We know," said Paloma. "The Ancient Beasts. We know he intends to use them to battle Yuri, but what do they have to do with this?"
"Solomon Muto is one of the few who can decipher ancient Celtran codex. The maps that lead to the location of these ancient monsters are written in said codex. But Master Solomon is a strong man who is loyal to High King Yuri, who is his student. He will never talk, but that's where Avi comes in."
"Go on," Esperanza said folding her arms.
"They are using her to break Solomon. She goes through unimaginable torture in front of Solomon's eyes. Goddesses know how she is after being there for two months."
"That's terrible," gasped Paloma. "Esperanza, we must tell father."
"No," said Esperanza. "Father and that man Antilles were the ones who put Hector up to the task of finding those Ancient Beasts. It is more than likely he knows about Avi and Master Solomon."
"What about the Church?" Paloma asked. "Is Avi not to be married to King Stefan."
"King Stefan was part of this plot," said Rose. "He sent Avi to an empty temple and hired foreign mercenaries to capture her."
"Oh, By the Goddesses," said Esperanza squeezing her cheeks. "This is horrible. I knew El Igelsia couldn't be trusted.
"I knew all along they could never be trusted," said Paloma. "What can we do?"
"I've written a letter for High King Yuri," Rose said, reaching into a hidden compartment in the elongated sleeve of her dress. "Please send this to him when you have the chance. And here..."
She handed them three silver swords. "Payment for the task."
"There is no need," said Esperanza.
"Take it," Rose urgently shoved it towards them. "At least pay a messenger boy along the way back to Feldia. Anything, but please, make sure no one of the wrong hands gets this letter. It is a matter of life and death."
"Well, I could use the silver for some new shoes," said Paloma.
"Always thinking about yourself!" said Esperanza, taking the silver coins from Rose. "Even during times like this. You're so stupid, Paloma."
Paloma shot a nasty look at her sister.
"Puta!" she said.
"Puta!" Esperanza shot back. She rolled her eyes. "We will do what we can, Queen Rose. Hector may be family, but this is a crime too great to be ignored."
"You realize if Yuri gets this letter he will march to the fortress with the entire alliance," said Paloma. "The three of us could be starting a long and costly war right here."
"If anyone has caused a war it is Hector," said Rose. "It began the moment he took Solomon and Avi.'