Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing Naruto, Rin, and Téa continuing their search for more duelists to challenge only to end up encountering a previous enemy, along with Rin getting some payback. So, without further ado.
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After having finished their breakfast, Naruto, Rin, and Téa had set out again to continue exploring the island to search for more duelists to face and win more Star Chips from. But knowing that the tournament is likely closing into the finals, since Naruto has six Star Chips and Rin has four. Knowing that anyone left has likely gotten just as many, if not more, Star Chips and will be tough opponents.
Though suddenly the three stopped, as they spotted a familiar figure just up a head of them, at least familiar to Naruto and Rin.
"You!" Rin growled while glaring at the Ventriloquist of the Dead, angry to see the bastard that first tried kidnapping her.
"Yes, it is I once again. I would say it is a pleasure to see you two again, Ms. Tohsaka and Mr. Uzumaki, but I would be lying!" Said the Ventriloquist, glaring at the two that had defeated and humiliated him in front of his master.
"Naruto, Rin, who is this guy?" Téa asked, wary of who this could be.
"He calls himself the Ventriloquist of the Dead, he's an Eliminator that Pegasus hired to take out duelists. He also tried kidnapping Rin, not long after we first arrived on the island, but I stopped him." Answered Naruto.
"The bastard also admitted Pegasus kidnapped Mokuba! And you made a mistake showing your face to me again, cause now I'm going to beat some answers out of you!" Said Rin as she was ready for the Ventriloquist this time around, and wouldn't let herself be taken off guard.
"Ah, ah, ah, have your forgotten that your in a tournament. The only way you can get answers from me, is my beating me in a duel. But this time, neither of you will be so lucky thanks to my new deck!" The Ventriloquist said while holding up his new deck, having traded in his puppet deck for a more powerful one, in order to get his revenge.
"Use whatever deck you want; cause I only need one to crush you with!" Rin retorted, stepping forward, eager for the chance to get some payback.
"Hmhmhmhm, we'll see who does the crushing. But in the event, you somehow defeat me, then you will get my four Star Chips. Which I believe means that you'll just need two more to save your brothers." Said the Ventriloquist, as Rin froze when he said brothers rather than brother.
"Seto? What did Pegasus do to Seto and Mokuba?!" Demanded Rin, angry and worried that Seto was now here as well and is likely walking into a trap.
"You'll have to duel me to find out." The Ventriloquist taunted, making the girl growl but knew she didn't have a choice, as the three followed the Eliminator to a Duel Arena.
"Rin, don't let him mess with you; he wants make you angry and end up losing the duel. I know you can beat him, but you need to stay calm and focused." Said Naruto, with Rin rounding on him, about to snap at the whiskered blonde like she did after learning Mokuba was kidnapped, but stopped and calmed down.
"You're…you're right. Thank you, Naruto." Rin said, knowing he was right and that she needed to stay focused if she wanted to beat the Ventriloquist.
"You've got this Rin, you're a great duelist and won't lose to some clown in a mask." Said Téa, smiling at her friend, which Rin returned and nodded.
"Thanks Téa, and yeah, I'm not going to let this freak beat me." Rin said, determined to win and make sure her brothers are safe.
They soon arrived at a Duel Arena, with both Rin and the Ventriloquist stepping up the blue and red sides respectively, before setting their decks as the arena come on.
"DUEL!"
Rin-2000
Ventriloquist-2000
"I'll start things off. And I'll start by summoning Beast of Talwar!" Said the Ventriloquist as he summoned his monster to the field.
Beast of Talwar
Attribute: Dark
Level: 6
Card Type: Normal Monster.
Monster Type: Fiend
Card Text: Only the master of the sword among the Fiend-Type monsters is permitted to hold the Talwar. (This card is always treated as an "Archfiend" card.)
ATK/2400 DEF/2150
"Then I equip him with Axe of Despair, giving my Beast an extra thousand ATK points!" The Ventriloquist said, as Beast of Talwar grabbed the wicked looking axe when it appeared while it grew stronger.
Axe of Despair
Card Type: Equip Spell
Effect: (This card is always treated as an "Archfiend" card.) The equipped monster gains 1000 ATK. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard: You can Tribute 1 monster; place this card on the top of your Deck.
Beast of Talwar: ATK/2400 DEF/2150 – ATK/3400 DEF/2150
"Then I place one card facedown and end my turn." Said the Ventriloquist, while putting a card on the field with a smirk.
"Then it's my move." Rin stated, drawing a card and adding it to her hand.
"And I'll start by playing the Spell Card, Heart of the Underdog." Said Rin while playing her spell card.
Heart of the Underdog
Card Type: Continuous Spell
Effect: During your Draw Phase, when you draw a Normal Monster(s): You can reveal it; draw 1 more card.
"Next I summon Hyozanryu in Defense Mode." Rin said, while summoning her large diamond covered dragon.
Hyozanryu
Attribute: Light
Level: 7
Card Type: Normal Monster.
Monster Type: Dragon
Card Text: A dragon created from a massive diamond that sparkles with blinding light.
ATK/2100 DEF/2800
"Then I place two cards facedown and end my turn." Rin said, while placing two cards down.
"Hmph, I draw then." Said the Ventriloquist, drawing a card before smiling darkly behind his mask at he had.
"I summon Skilled Red Magician!" The Ventriloquist said, summoning his red robed magician to the field.
Skilled Red Magician
Attribute: Dark
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Spellcaster
Effect: Each time a Spell Card is activated, place 1 Spell Counter on this card when that Spell Card resolves (max. 3). You can Tribute this card with 3 Spell Counters on it; Special Summon 1 "Archfiend" monster from your hand, Deck, or Graveyard. You can banish this card from your Graveyard, then target 1 card you control that you can place a Spell Counter on; place 1 Spell Counter on it.
ATK/1600 DEF/1600
"Then I play the spell, Allure of Darkness! Allowing me to draw two cards, but at the coast of banishing a Dark monster I have." Said the Ventriloquist, drawing two cards before banishing a Dark monster.
Allure of Darkness
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Draw 2 cards, then banish 1 DARK monster from your hand, or, if you do not have any in your hand, send your entire hand to the GY.
"And because a spell was activated, my Red Magician gets a Spell Counter." The Ventriloquist said as one of the orbs on Skilled Red Magician lit up.
Skilled Red Magician: 1
"Now Beast of Talwar, destroy her dragon!" Ordered the Ventriloquist, as his Beast charged forward bringing its axe down on Hyozanryu, destroying it, with Rin's life points being safe thanks to it being Defense Mode.
"I'm activating one of my facedowns, Exchange of Night and Day!" Rin said, revealing one of her cards.
Exchange of Night and Day
Card Type: Continuous Trap
Effect: You can only use 1 "Exchange of Night and Day" effect per turn, and only once that turn. You can activate 1 of these effects.
● Send 1 LIGHT Warrior-Type monster from your hand to the Graveyard, then add 1 DARK Warrior-Type monster from your Deck to your hand, with the same Level the sent monster had in your hand.
● Send 1 DARK Warrior-Type monster from your hand to the Graveyard, then add 1 LIGHT Warrior-Type monster from your Deck to your hand, with the same Level the sent monster had in your hand.
"And I'll be using one of its effects, by sending one Light Warrior monster from hand to the graveyard, I can add one Dark Warrior monster of the same level to my hand." Said Rin, discarding one Light monster and drawing a Dark monster.
"Draw all the cards you like; it won't do you any good. I end my turn." The Ventriloquist said.
"My draw then. And would you look at that, it's a Normal Monster, so I get to draw again." Said Rin smirking as she revealed the card before drawing again, adding both cards to her hand.
"Then I play the Spell Card, Monster Reborn! Bringing back the monster I discarded, Gaia, the Mid-Knight Sun!" Said Rin, playing her spell while a white armored Gaia riding a black horse appeared on the field.
Monster Reborn
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Target 1 monster in either GY; Special Summon it.
Gaia, the Mid-Knight Sun
Attribute: Light
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Warrior
Effect: You can only use each effect of "Gaia, the Mid-Knight Sun" once per turn.
● You can Tribute 1 other LIGHT monster you control; add 1 Level 4 DARK Warrior-Type monster from your Deck to your hand, then send 1 card from your hand to the Graveyard.
● You can banish 1 DARK monster from your Graveyard, then target 1 monster on the field; it loses 500 ATK, until the end of your opponent's turn.
ATK/1600 DEF/1200
"And my Red Magician gains another counter." The Ventriloquist stated, while smirking wickedly as another orb lit up on Red Magician.
Skilled Red Magician: 2
"Then I'm summoning out Gaia, the Polar Knight!" Said Rin, summoning a second Gaia, this one wearing black armor and riding a white horse.
Gaia, the Polar Knight
Attribute: Dark
Level: 4
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Warrior
Effect: You can only use each effect of "Gaia, the Polar Knight" once per turn.
● You can Tribute 1 other DARK monster; add 1 Level 4 LIGHT Warrior-Type monster from your Deck to your hand, then send 1 card from your hand to the Graveyard.
● You can banish 1 LIGHT monster from your Graveyard, then target 1 monster you control; it gains 500 ATK until the end of your opponent's turn.
ATK/1600 DEF/1200
"Next I play Graceful Charity to draw three cards, but discard two of them." Said Rin, drawing three cards before discarding two of them.
Graceful Charity
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Draw 3 cards, then discard 2 cards.
"And that's counter number three." The Ventriloquist said as the third orb lit up on his Red Magician.
Skilled Red Magician: 3
"Like it'll do you any good. Now I activate the effect of Gaia, the Mid-Knight Sun, by banishing a Dark monster from my graveyard, I can lower the ATK of one of your monsters by five hundred. And I choose Beast of Talwar!" Rin said, discarding a Dark monster while her Mid-Knight Sun charged forward and pierced Beast of Talwar.
While not destroying it, it did leave a glowing white hole in its chest.
Beast of Talwar: ATK/3400 DEF/2150 – ATK/2900 DEF/2150
"Now I'll play my second facedown, Escape from the Dark Dimension! Allowing me to bring back the Dark monster I just banished, return now Dark Blade!" Said Rin as she brought back Dark Blade back to the field.
Escape from the Dark Dimension
Card Type: Continuous Trap
Effect: Target 1 of your banished DARK monsters; Special Summon that target. When this card leaves the field, destroy that target, and if you do, banish it. When that target is destroyed, destroy this card.
Dark Blade
Attribute: Dark
Level: 4
Card Type: Normal Monster.
Monster Type: Warrior
Card Text: They say he is a dragon-manipulating warrior from the dark world. His attack is tremendous, using his great swords with vicious power.
ATK/1800 DEF/1500
"And I'll equip him with Sword of Dragon Soul, boosting ATK by seven hundred." Said Rin, as Dark Blade grabbed the new sword, when it appeared.
Sword of Dragon Soul
Card Type: Equip Spell
Effect: This card can only be equipped to a Warrior-Type monster. A monster equipped with this card increases its ATK by 700 points. A Dragon-Type monster that battles with the monster equipped with this card is destroyed at the end of the Battle Phase. (Damage calculation is applied normally.)
Dark Blade: ATK/1800 DEF/1500 – ATK/2500 DEF/1500
"Finally I activate the effect of Gaia, the Polar Knight, by discarding Hyozanryu, I can increase one of my monsters ATK by five hundred. And guess who's getting even more powerful." Said Rin smirking, as the Ventriloquists eyes widened as Dark Blade's ATK went even higher.
Dark Blade: ATK/2500 DEF/1500 – ATK/3000 DEF/1500
"Now Dark Blade, attack and destroy Beast of Talwar!" Rin said, as Dark Blade rushed forward and slashed Beast of Talwar with his blades, destroying the monster and lowering the Ventriloquists life points.
Ventriloquist-2000 – 100 = 1900
"Hope you weren't too attached to your Beast." Taunted Rin with a smirk, pleased she took down what she believed to be the Eliminators strongest monster, only to pause when she heard the Ventriloquist chuckling darkly before he began laughing madly.
"Stupid girl, you've just activated my trap card, Call of the Archfiend!" Said the Ventriloquist activating his face-down.
Call of the Archfiend
Card Type: Continuous Trap
Effect: You can target 1 Level 5 or higher Fiend monster in your GY; discard 1 Fiend monster, and if you do, Special Summon the targeted monster. You can only use this effect of "Call of the Archfiend" once per turn.
"Now by discarding one Fiend monster, I can bring my Beast back to the field! Rise once more, Beast of Talwar!" Said the Ventriloquist, discarding a card while Beast of Talwar reappeared, making Rin scowl at seeing the monster she just destroyed return.
"Tsk, I put one card facedown and end my turn." Rin said putting one card facedown.
"And it will be your last!" The Ventriloquist said drawing a card.
"Now that my Skilled Red Magician as three counters on him, I can activate his ability to Special Summon an Archfiend monster from my hand, deck, or graveyard and I have the perfect monster. From my deck I summon the Summoned Skull!" Said the Ventriloquist, much to Rin, Naruto, and Téa's shock, as Red Skilled Magician began glowing with dark energy before it was struck by lightning and in its place was Summoned Skull.
Summoned Skull
Attribute: Dark
Level: 6
Card Type: Normal Monster.
Monster Type: Fiend
Card Text: A fiend with dark powers for confusing the enemy. Among the Fiend-Type monsters, this monster boasts considerable force. (This card is always treated as an "Archfiend" card.)
ATK/2500 DEF/1200
"Oh shit." Muttered Rin, shocked at seeing such a powerful monster.
"That's right and that's not all I have! Now I play the Spell Card, Contract with the Abyss!" Said the Ventriloquist playing his spell, as a large pit appeared on the field releasing dark energy and blue flames.
Contract with the Abyss
Card Type: Ritual Spell
Effect: This card can be used to Ritual Summon any DARK Ritual Monster. You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels exactly equal the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon.
"And thanks to the ability of Ritual Raven, since I'm Ritual Summoning a Dark monster, I can use it as the entire tribute. Now go Ritual Raven and come forth, Archfiend's Awakening!" The Ventriloquist said, as Ritual Raven flew into the pit making it glow bright before a blast of blue lightning erupted from it, followed by a dark and evil screech, before from the pit a monster that looked similar to Summoned Skull emerged with blue lightning surrounding it.
Archfiend's Awakening
Attribute: Dark
Level: 6
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Fiend/Ritual
Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card with "Contract with the Abyss". This card's name becomes "Summoned Skull" on the field, but is still treated as an "Archfiend" card. Cannot be destroyed by battle, except by battle with a Ritual Monster, and cannot be destroyed by monster effects, except those of Ritual Monsters. If this Ritual Summoned card you control is sent to your GY by an opponent's card: You can Special Summon 1 "Summoned Skull" from your hand, Deck, or GY.
ATK/2500 DEF/1200
Rin could only look in shock as she stood against three power Fiend monsters.
"Now go Summoned Skull, destroy the Mid-Knight Sun! Lightning Strike!" Ordered the Ventriloquist, as Summoned Skull raised its arms before firing a blast of lightning at Mid-Knight Sun, destroying him and damaging Rin's life points.
Rin-2000 – 900 = 1100
"Archfiend's Awakening destroy the Polar Knight now, with Demon Lightning!" The Ventriloquist said, with Archfiend's Awakening firing a blast of blue lightning at Polar Knight, destroying it and damaging Rin's life points further.
Rin-1100 – 900 = 200
Rin gritted her teeth as two of her monsters were destroyed, leaving her with barely any life points left, while the Ventriloquist laughed wickedly as he was so close to having his revenge.
"It won't be long now! Soon you'll be crushed and broken as I take you to Pegasus, to suffer the same fate as your precious brothers! I end my turn, go on and draw your last card, not that it will do you any good!" Laughed the Ventriloquist, making the girl scowl, but couldn't help but look at her hand in worry, since she hardly had anything that could really turn things around, unless she drew something incredibly useful, along with Dark Blade's ATK dropping with Polar Knight's effect ending.
Dark Blade: ATK/3000 DEF/1500 – ATK/2500 DEF/1500
While he couldn't attack her directly, Rin couldn't stay on the defensive forever, and even if she managed to destroy one of his monsters, he still had two powerful ones left to attack her with. Not to mention, Call of the Archfiend which could just bring his monsters back right after she destroys them. And if she made a single mistake, then she'll lose the duel, as well as her chance at saving Mokuba and Seto.
"Don't give up Rin, you can still beat this guy!" Said Téa, cheering for her friend.
"Yeah! Show him what you can do!" Naruto said, with Rin looking at her friends before smiling and nodding.
"Right, I draw!" Said Rin drawing a card, only to be surprised at she drew before she smirked.
"First I'm activating my facedown Common Charity, letting me draw two more cards as long as I banish a Normal Monster from my hand." Said Rin, drawing two more cards while banishing a Normal Monster.
Common Charity
Card Type: Normal Trap
Effect: Draw 2 cards, then banish 1 Normal Monster from your hand, or, if you have none, send your entire hand to the GY.
"Then I'll play the spell card, Dian Keto the Cure Master, giving me back a thousand life points." Rin said, playing her spell as she regained some points.
Dian Keto the Cure Master
Card Type: Normal Spell
Effect: Increase your Life Points by 1000 points.
Rin-200 + 1000 = 1200
"Though I'll have to lose some as now I play another spell, Premature Burial and I'll use it to bring back Gaia, the Polar Knight!" Said Rin, while bringing her Polar Knight back to the field.
Premature Burial
Card Type: Equip Spell
Effect: Activate this card by paying 800 LP, then target 1 monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target in Attack Position and equip it with this card. When this card is destroyed, destroy the equipped monster.
Rin-1200 – 800 = 400
"Stupid girl, I already destroyed that monster, now I'll simply destroy it again! But this time, when it goes, so do the rest of your life points!" The Ventriloquist said wickedly, only to see Rin smirking at him.
"Sorry, but this is where the duel ends. As next I summon Luster Dragon #2!" Said Rin, summoning her emerald covered dragon.
Luster Dragon #2
Attribute: Wind
Level: 6
Card Type: Normal Monster.
Monster Type: Dragon
Card Text: This dragon feeds on emerald. Enchanted by this monster even when attacked, few people live to tell of its beauty.
ATK/2400 DEF/1400
"And now I play the Ritual Card, Cycle of the World!" Said Rin as a glowing yellow symbol appeared on the field.
Cycle of the World
Card Type: Ritual Spell
Effect: This card is used to Ritual Summon "Ruin, Queen of Oblivion" or "Demise, King of Armageddon". You must also Tribute monsters from your field whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon. During your Main Phase, except the turn this card was sent to the GY: You can shuffle this card into the Deck; add 1 "End of the World" from your Deck to your hand, then, you can add 1 "Ruin, Queen of Oblivion" or "Demise, King of Armageddon" from your GY to your hand.
"And I'm offering up Gaia, the Polar Knight and Luster Dragon #2 in order to summon, Ruin, Supreme Queen of Oblivion!" Rin declared as both monsters went into the circle symbol as it glowed brightly, before rising from it was Ruin, Supreme Queen of Oblivion.
Ruin, Supreme Queen of Oblivion
Attribute: Dark
Level: 10
Card Type: Effect Monster.
Monster Type: Fairy/Ritual
Effect: You can Ritual Summon this card with "Cycle of the World". This card's name becomes "Ruin, Queen of Oblivion" while in the hand or on the field. While this Ritual Summoned card is on the field, Ritual Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects. If all monsters used to Ritual Summon this card were Ritual Monsters, it can make a second attack during each Battle Phase. If this card destroys a monster by battle: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to that destroyed monster's original ATK.
ATK/2900 DEF/3000
"Now go Ruin, destroy Archfiend's Awakening!" Said Rin, with Ruin leaping into the air and driving her spear through Archfiend's Awakening, destroying the monster and damaging the Ventriloquist's life points.
Ventriloquist-1900 – 400 = 1500
"And that's not all, whenever Ruin destroys a monster, you take damage equal to its original Attack Points. You do the math pal." Said Rin, with the Ventriloquists eyes widening in realization before Ruin aimed her spear at him, firing a blast of blue lightning at the Eliminator, making him cry out in pain and wiping out the last of his life points.
Ventriloquist-1500 – 2500 = -1000
"I'll be taking those Star Chips now." Rin said, exiting the Duel Arena, as the Ventriloquist shook with anger at losing a second time.
"You want them, then go find them yourself!" Shouted the Ventriloquist, grabbing the Star Chips and was about to throw them off into the distance, making the trios eyes widened before they rushed to stop him.
Only to stop, when the Eliminator cried and began glowing before falling off the arena, with Naruto, Rin, and Téa running over to see what happened. With the three being shocked when they saw that instead of seeing the Ventriloquist, they only saw a puppet that looked like him.
"Wh-what just happened?" Téa asked, shocked at what just happened.
"He's been struck by a Penalty Game, forever trapping him in the form of a puppet, unless the caster of the Penalty Game ever decides to lift it. Forever trapped inside the body of an inanimate object, unable to interact with the world around him. Truly, a fate worse than death." Nero said gravely upon seeing what happened, which Naruto told to Rin and Téa surprising the girls.
"If that's the case, it's likely that Pegasus was the one that initiated it. Given the Ventriloquist already lost once, he wasn't going to let him fail again without being punished." Rin said, grabbing the Star Chips and putting them in her gauntlet, giving her a total of eight Star Chips, leaving only two to go.
"We're almost there, just a few more Star Chips." Said Naruto, glad that they were close to their goal, with the girls nodding in agreement before they headed off to search for more duelists.
*Later*
As the group explored the island, searching for duelists, Naruto began noticing Téa's worried expression.
"Is something wrong Téa?" Naruto asked, getting Téa's attention, along with Rin and Nero's as they took notice of Téa's expression as well.
"Huh? Oh, no, nothing's wrong. I'm just…I'm worried about the others; they don't know I'm safe or what happened to me. Not to mention that evil Bakura, who could go after them as well." Said Téa, worried about their other friends, knowing they must be worried about what happened and were trying to find her, which would end up distracting Yugi and Joey from the tournament.
The last thing she wanted, was for them to lose the chance to save Yugi's grandfather and for Joey be unable to get the money to pay for his sister's surgery. The brunette wishing there was a way they could let them know she's alright.
Though Téa looked at Naruto, when he put a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her.
"Don't worry, Yugi and Joey can handle that spirit in the Millennium Ring. As for trying to find you, I know they would be trying to find you and if they haven't found you yet, it's only because they've had their own problems to worry about. But I'm sure that we will see them again in the finals, and they'll see you're alright." Naruto assured, making Téa smile slightly with Rin nodding in agreement.
"Naruto's right, we may even run into them before that, so they can see for themselves that all of us are safe." Added Rin, with Téa nodding in agreement.
"Besides, if they saw how you took down Bakura, they'd know you're definitely more than capable of taking care of yourself. In fact, they'd probably be more worried for anyone dumb enough to mess with you." Naruto stated while smirking, with his words making Téa giggle lightly before smiling at Naruto.
"Thank you, I really needed to hear that. And yeah, we'll see them again in the finals, so they can see we're safe." Téa said.
"Anytime, I'm always here if you need help. And the same goes for you Rin." Replied Naruto, smiling at both girls, which they returned.
"Praetor is correct! We shall crush all who stand before us or seek to harm our brides, umu!" Nero declared, making the three look at her only for their eyes to widen as what she said registered.
"Br-br-brides?!" Said Rin and Téa, blushing at being called Naruto's brides.
"D-di-did yo-you s-say ou-ours?" Naruto stuttered blushing, with his question making Téa and Rin's blushes intensify at realizing he was right, and Nero did say "our brides".
"Of course, you have seen them fully as they are, so they are now your brides for you to take responsibility. And as I am your Emperor and you my Praetor, they are to be my brides as well, just as I am to be yours." Stated Nero as if she was stating a fact, with the three blushing brightly at the reminder of what happened this morning and her words.
"N-Nero pl-please st-stop messing w-with us." Naruto said pleadingly, not sure how much more embarrassment he can handle for the day, with Nero tilting her head curiously at him.
"Umu? Who said I was messing with you Praetor? You all clearly hold desire for each other, and I hold desire for you all as well. It is only naturally that we are to be your brides, just as Rin and Téa are to be mine as well." Nero said, making the three look at her with wide eyes, honestly not sure if she was messing with them or not.
"Le-let's just go!" Naruto said quickly, not wanting to think about it, with Rin and Téa nodding in agreement.
Though neither girl could deny that Nero's words did sound rather…interesting for them to think over and consider. Along with Naruto taking responsibility for what he saw this morning as well.
While Nero watched the three go, gaining a large grin on her face and began floating after them.
'Sorry Praetor, but it's simply too fun to tease you three. Oooh, the fun I'd have if I had a real body.' Nero thought, mentally giggling at what she'd do with a real body, more specifically who she would do as she looked at Naruto, Rin, and Téa.
*Later*
"I can't believe it! We've been searching this island for hours and we haven't come across a single duelist!" Naruto said as he and Téa sat down in the forest, the three having decided to take a short break in their search for duelists, with Rin having volunteered to go and collect some water, since they'd run out.
"I guess that just means more duelists have started being eliminated, leaving only those that will make it to the finals." Said Téa, knowing if that's true then it'll make it even more difficult to find other duelists to challenge, along with the duels themselves being even more difficult, with Naruto nodding in agreement.
Téa then looked at Naruto, having wanted to ask him something for a while now, but didn't have a chance with everything happening.
"Hey Naruto, would you…would you be able to tell me about your sister?" Téa asked, having been curious to know more about Shio, with Naruto looking at her in surprise before looking downwards with sad frown as he thought about his sister.
"Shio is…she's a really energetic girl, who is never able to sit still for very long before she goes off to do something. Though she also has a temper, that she inherited from our Kaa-san. You wouldn't think she could hurt a fly if you meet her, but you'd be wrong, she could hurt something a lot bigger than a fly. She also became a fan of Duel Monsters, after I told her more about it, with her wanting to even learn how to play it. I actually plan to teach her how to duel, once I got better at the game myself." Naruto said with a light and solemn smile, with Téa smiling as well.
"She sounds amazing. I can't wait to meet her in person" Téa stated.
"I'm sure she'd like you and Rin, especially after learning how strong you both are as duelists." Naruto replied, knowing Shio would get attached to Téa and Rin immediately, after meeting them.
Though he then looked down, remembering that Shio's soul is currently being held captive by Pegasus. Before the whiskered blonde looked at Téa, when she placed her hand over his.
"We'll get her back, Shio, Yugi's grandpa, and Mokuba. We'll get them back and stop Pegasus." Said Téa in determination, making Naruto smile and nod at her.
The two then looked when they heard Rin approaching, making them stand up and face the girl.
"Hey, I managed to find a river not too far from here. Maybe we could follow it, and see if any other duelists are near it, that we can challenge." Rin suggested, while handing them their water bottles, with the two nodding in agreement.
"Good idea, I'm sure the remaining duelists would stay close to a source of water." Replied Naruto, hoping for the chance to get the remaining Star Chips they need.
"Excuse me."
The sudden voice made the three tense, before looking to where it came from. Before narrowing their eyes, when they saw someone wearing a black hooded cloak with a purple Eye of Wdjat on the front of the hood.
"You're an Eliminator, aren't you?" Téa demanded, figuring the guy was an Eliminator just by the way he was dressed.
"No, I am not an Eliminator. I am, however, a resident of this island who has worked for Pegasus for many years. No one knows this island and its secrets better than me, and I couldn't help but overhear you mention your sister, Shio was it." Said the stranger, making Naruto scowl and clench his fists.
"What about her?!" Naruto demanded, angry that this guy brought up his sister and worked for Pegasus, with the stranger holding up his hands.
"I have no wish to fight and I do not agree with what Pegasus has done, or his goals for this tournament. Nor do I wish to see innocent people hurt. So, I will take you to where you may find the souls of those you have lost." The stranger said, making their eyes widen.
"You know where they are?" Said Rin, the stranger nodding.
"I do, and I can take you to them. I'm sure you believe this may be a trap, but it's not. I only wish to make it so that innocent lives are no longer at stake in this tournament. You may follow me if you wish, or you may not, the choice is entirely up to you." The stranger said, before turning around and walking away, leaving them to make the decision to follow or not.
Which they did after a few moments, not wanting to risk the chance he's telling the truth and not taking it. Though Nero was skeptical of the strangers claims, but couldn't tell if he was really lying or not.
"Praetor, make contact with Rin and Téa." Said Nero, making Naruto glance at her before nodding and grabbing Rin's hand, making her look at him, with the Uzumaki glance at his ring for a moment, with Rin understanding and grabbing Téa's hand.
"I am unsure if this stranger is telling the truth or not, but this all seems rather convenient that he happens to show up, after overhearing Praetor speaking of his sister. And just happening to know where their souls are being kept. While he may be truthful and honest, be on guard should it turn out to be a trap." Warned Nero, making the three nod grateful for the warning, since this did seem too good to be true.
And if it does turn out to be a trap, they'll be ready for whatever this guy is planning.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see the trio encounter the Ventriloquist of the Dead, with Rin stepping up to duel this time and getting some payback against him, though almost losing against his new Fiend deck, but manages to come out on top. With the Ventriloquist then being hit with a Penalty Game from Pegasus, who didn't tolerate him losing again, while Rin now has eight Star Chips. Then we see some moments between Naruto, and Rin, Téa, and Nero, along with telling Téa more about Shio. Before we see them approached by the Rare Hunter, under the guise of a resident of the island who can take them to where Shio and the others are being kept, with the group going with him but are ready in the event it's a trap. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out