Hey hey! Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Here's the Gravekeepers AND some foreshadowing for the Sequel.
The spring break came to a end, much to the disappointment of many students. As they headed back to the school, the unofficial first year king of the school, Jaden was currently talking with his spirits that had remained behind. They reported that they had found the location where the Sacred Beasts lay and more disturbingly, gateway ruins. That alarmed Jaden and Yubel.
Gateways were once used by the Spirits to traverse to the real world, but they fell in disuse and disrepair after Atlantis fell over fifteen thousand years ago. It was an attempt to keep the Great Leviathan at bay and it worked. But if there were ruins on the island...where did they lead to?
Jaden watched Duel Academy grow as the ship approached, plans and ideas swirling around his head. Something told him that he would get his answer in time.
EODGX
Two weeks had passed and Jaden was currently in Alchemy class with Banner. The man was explaining that just like dueling, combining certain compounds would create something astounding. He poured an orange liquid into a green one. Once the tube was nearly empty, he gently shook the other.
The entire island shook from the reaction. Everyone gave out gasps and ducked, Jaden watching with wide eyes.
"Oh...and...quite devastating too." Banner coughed out, his entire body blackened.
The bell rang at that, many of the students getting up to go. Before they could leave, Banner stopped them. He explained that he had arranged a field trip to the recently excavated ruins on the island. The science team stationed there wanted to get some core samples and believed it was a perfect time for the kids to get some hands on work for their history course. Here, Jaden narrowed his eyes.
Ruins huh? Ten to one its the gateway. Jaden thought, half listening to Banner, giving out the day and time.
Syrus and Chumley both approached the king.
"You gonna sign up, Jay?" Syrus asked, rousing the golden eyed teen from his thoughts.
"Yeah, it may help with my other project too. I don't consider them linked, but every lead helps, even if it is a dead end." Jaden explained.
Alexis, Jasmine and Mindy all overheard, looked at each other and nodded.
EODGX
The days passed and soon it was Saturday. Jaden was already up and at the school, all of his decks with him. Something told him he would need it. He spotted Alexis, Jasmine, and Mindy all talking in hushed tones.
"Good morning ladies." Jaden said, making the three look up.
"Hey Jay."
The four chatted a bit, mostly about what Miss Fontaine had told them two weeks ago. They agreed to let her date Jaden once he was of age making him roll his eyes. He stated that he was his own person but thanks for looking out for his well-being. The four looked up to see Syrus and Chumley come up.
"Hey everyone." Syrus said.
"Syrus. Chumley. What, Chazz chicken out?" Mindy asked.
Chumley shook his head, explaining that Chazz was currently sick. They had heard him in the bathroom and it didn't sound too good. The four grimaced, it had to have been that flu bug going around. Banner walked up, looking at the six in shock.
"Only six? I thought there'd be more."
They all explained that many of the students had other projects for other classes going on or were sick like Chazz which made Banner smack his head. How could he have forgotten?! He sighed, stating that six was better then none at all. Everyone pulled out their PDAs, Banner explaining that the ruins were home to what looked to be an ancient tomb and could give way at a moment's notice. That made Jaden frown.
A tomb...one of Haou's old guards? Jaden thought, now nervous.
The guards of the Supreme King. Ancient Duel Monsters. They protected the King with their dying breath and even then, there were methods to revive them. They were no slouches to fights either. One guard alone could take on an army. No doubt the tomb had means to revive the guard inside in order to stave off intruders from the supposed riches within the chambers.
No one knew what the riches were, not even the Supreme King. Putting it in the back of his mind, the king hiked off with the other six.
EODGX
After several hours and listening to Chumley's vast complaints, they finally arrived at the ruins. Banner began to rattle off the many aspects of the ruins, Chumley, Syrus, Mindy, Alexis, and Jasmine all gasping. They began to walk the ruins some, Jaden holding back, sweat dropping off his brow.
No doubt about it! This energy...its definitely a gateway. Even dormant, it hums. The king thought, not daring to step on it, lest he wake the Ancient Spirit within. Alexis caught the nervous look on Jaden's face and hurried over.
"Jaden? What's wrong?"
"Alexis, these are no mere ruins...they are from THAT time." Jaden said.
He explained that in the past life, Duel spirits had methods to arrive here on Earth called Webways, though the local humans called them Gates. They would travel freely from their dimension to theirs, trading, sightseeing, or alerting that world to a conflict.
Then came the Seal of Orichalcos. Atlantis, which was real, was cast into the ocean by it. After they beaten it and fearing the power of the Seal would return, the spirits destroyed the webways so it wouldn't affect them. What they stood on was a webway.
"But there's more." Jaden said, Alexis staring.
He told her about several guardians of Haou, his past self. They were among the best of the best of the Duel Spirits. Reason he brought that up was because of what Banner had said.
"The tomb?" Alexis gasped, her eyes wide.
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure its one of Haou's guards of old. That's why I'm...hesitant to step onto the ruins." Jaden said, looking at the group, now sitting down to eat. "I might wake them up."
Alexis nodded at that, understanding. With the other five and herself included, he didn't dare trigger the tomb. They'd be caught in the crossfire. They heard the argument about the pizza, Jaden groaning at Syrus and Chum's antics.
A beam of green light shot out and Jaden's eyes went wide.
"Oh shit! Guys! RUN! NOW!" He roared, charging toward them, Alexis following behind.
"Run?" Jasmine asked.
"Like why? It's amazing!" Mindy squealed.
A loud crack of thunder made everyone jump. That made all of them break out into a run. Yubel warned Jaden that it was gaining and fast. They group all hurried to a large hole, Banner saying something about it. The actual word was lost in the din. Jaden stopped, looking back and sensing the energy of the gate. Grunting, he turned to the hiding group.
"Stay there! It's me that thing wants!" Jaden shouted, taking off in a dead sprint.
They all called for him to come back, but Jaden ignored it, his gold eyes narrowed. He managed to outpace the energy, but it soon overtook him, bathing the world in light.
EODGX
Jaden snapped awake, sitting up. He looked around wildly, seeing a massive pyramid before him. Yubel appeared at his side, same with Winged Kuriboh. They helped him up, the king scowling.
"This world..."
"Yes, Judai, its one of the Spirit Dimensions." Yubel said, looking around.
Jaden nodded, looking as well. He saw the three suns and frowned, searching his memories of his past. While he was doing this, someone stepped up behind him. The figure was a woman, dressed in a black set of robes. She had black hair, three bangs falling over a headband and dark brown eyes. Jaden turned around and saw the woman, instantly on guard.
"Who are you?" The King demanded.
The woman seemed to freeze at seeing the golden eyes. Shaking her head, she stepped closer.
"You are trespassing on sacred grounds!" She said, her voice stern.
Jaden told her that didn't answer his question of who she was. The girl said she was named Yasmin, Jaden frowning at that. He told her he was not here by choice, but an Ancient Webway had been activated. He and several others were placed her by the out of control gate. Yasmin frowned.
"A likely story...now you must leave unless you wish to end up like the others and incur the Chief's wrath." Yasmin said, revealing his backpack.
She was expecting him to leave. What she got was him grabbing her robe and forcing her against the wall, his arm on her throat. She gasped in fear, seeing the fires of anger burning hotly in his golden eyes.
"WHERE. ARE. THEY?" Jaden snarled, his Duel Aura begging to be let loose.
She gasped out that they were caught trespassing in the Gravekeeper Chief's sacred room. They were due to be punished for their transgression. Jaden applied more pressure, his aura leaking out, making him become shrouded in darkness in the shape of Haou's armor. Yasmin entire body froze, choking on the pressure he was applying.
"You will find them...you will save them or I bathe this entire pyramid in hellfire." He said in a calm, smooth voice.
He let go of Yasmin, making her fall to her knees, gasping. She told him that he would need to hide in the alcove nearby while she searched. The king nodded, walking into the alcove. She took off. Yubel looked at Jaden.
"You know she is with them right?" Yubel asked concerned.
Jaden nodded, telling Yubel he was counting on that woman to tell her chief. Yubel saw his anger, placing a gentle hand.
"You will get them back...all of them." She whispered soothingly.
All Jaden did was gain a dark look.
If so much as a hair on their heads is harmed, this Chief will learn that crossing the Supreme King is the quickest way to a painful death. Jaden thought, sitting down.
EODGX
Hours had passed and Jaden was getting more and more pissed off. His Duel Aura was like a caged beast, pacing back and forth, agitated. He clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to keep calm.
It was a losing battle.
"SOMEONE! HELP!" A familiar voice cried out.
Jaden snapped up, quickly going and climbing to a hole in the wall. Looking down, he saw Syrus, Chumley, Banner, Pharoah the cat, Alexis, Jasmine, and Mindy tied up like mummies, all in coffins and levitating over a massive hole.
"ALEXIS! EVERYONE!" He roared, listening to them crying out in fear.
He felt something poke his back and someone telling him to get down. Enraged, he dropped down. Turning around, he saw a massive group, armed with spears. Among them was a man with white ceremonial robes. Narrowing his eyes, Jaden let loose his Aura.
The spearmen and others were flung back into the walls, the man in the white robes grunting in shock at the power. Jaden's whites bled into black, making the gold eyes glow brighter.
"You have my friends. Release them. NOW." Jaden commanded, the air thick and heavy.
The Chief got back to his feet and refused, stating that they were interlopers and that they must be punished. That only seemed to piss Jaden off even more. He demanded to challenge the charge of trespassing. The Webway had been reactivated by mistake, they had no intention of coming to the Spirit world. That made the Chief's eyes narrow.
"You know much of our ways and customs." He spoke in that regal voice. "But very well."
He brought out a deck of cards, Jaden leaning down and rifling through his backpack. He grabbed his Forbidden deck, Yubel's eyes widening in shock. Not his Evil Heroes? Jaden caught the look and smirked.
"This low dog does not deserve the might of my Heroes, Yubel. He only deserves to see the might of the Forbidden One."
Jaden pulled out his duel disk, slotting the deck in. The Chief seemed angered, which made Jaden smile all the wider. The man accepted, provided that he would be buried along with his friends if he lost. Jaden accepted the terms, stating that a full pardon for all of them was worth the price.
EODGX
Both Jaden and the Gravekeeper's chief were at the top of the pyramid, standing on two stone platforms jutting out. Below, the six watched on, afraid.
"Jaden, we are all cheering for you, very much so!" Banner called out.
The rest all agreed, cheering Jaden on. Jaden nodded, still keeping his black and gold eyes. He drew his hand, the Chief doing the same.
"Get set to duel, Gravekeeper." Jaden snarled, drawing first.
He looked at his hand, nodding. He revealed Card Destruction, forcing them to send all cards in their hands to the grave. Both discarded, Jaden smirking. He had sent all five sealed pieces to the grave. Now he just needed Ritual and everything would be set. He summoned Jar Turtle in defense mode.
(Jar Turtle – LV/****, Attribute/WATER, ATK/200, DEF/2100, Type/Reptile/Effect.
Each time "Jar of Greed" is activated, draw 1 card.)
The massive turtle rose up, groaning. The sight of the monster made the captive's eyes widen.
"He's not using his Evil HEROes?!" Syrus exclaimed in a panic.
"Those are his most powerful cards! Why wouldn't he play them!?" Chumley said.
"He might know something we don't. Stay cool guys. He's got this." Jasmine said.
The six watched on, Jaden setting three more cards, leaving him with only one. He ended his turn.
"My draw!" The chief roared.
He looked at the card and smirked.
"Your discard tactic has helped me rather then hinder. I play the Field spell card, Necrovalley!"
(Necrovalley – Type/Spell/Field.
All "Gravekeeper's" monsters gain 500 ATK and DEF. Cards in the Graveyard cannot be banished. Negate any card effect that would move a card in the Graveyard to a different place. Negate any card effect that changes Types or Attributes in the Graveyard.)
Around them, a jagged canyon rose up. Jaden didn't look too concerned, in fact, he was looking smug. The Chief then played a monster called Gravekeeper's Assailant. Jaden countered that, activating two copies of Jar of Greed. He drew four cards, stating that thanks to Jar Turtle, he drew an extra card for each Jar of Greed played.
(Gravekeeper's Assailant – LV/****, Attribute/DARK, ATK/1500 → 2000, DEF/1500 → 2000, Type/Spellcaster/Effect. When this card declares an attack while "Necrovalley" is on the field: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; change that target's battle position.)
A cloaked figure appeared, holding a knife in a reverse grip. Jaden frowned, knowing what was coming. Chief declared an attack, using Assailant's effect to switch Jar to attack mode. Jaden responded with a facedown trap.
"I play Power Wall! Now I send cards from my deck to the grave and reduce the damage I take by a hundred points for each card I send. I'll send eighteen cards."
Jaden discarded the top eighteen cards of his deck, smirking as he saw a particular spell go into it. The attack struck, but Jaden took no damage. The Chief played a card facedown and ended his turn, scoffing.
"My draw." Jaden said, drawing a card. "Now, I know your Valley here negates any spells, traps, and monster effects from affecting my grave...but that only works if they're on the field right?"
The Chief scowled, looking at Jaden.
"Where are you going with this?"
"Tell me, if an effect activated in the grave, would your valley negate it?"
That made the Chief's eyes go wide. A glow came out of Jaden's graveyard, Jaden explaining that he was activating the effect of Ritual of the Ultimate Forbidden Lord. The spell card returned all pieces of Exodia to the deck. Gracekeeper's Chief snarled, knowing that the spell was unaffected by Necrovalley due to it being used while in the grave.
Nearly all of the cards Jaden had discarded returned and from his deck came Exodius, The Ultimate Forbidden Gravekeepers backed up a bit, the six below cheering in delight. Jaden smirked, revealing another spell card.
"Painful choice. This card forces you to select one from five. I then send the rest to the grave."
The cards that showed up were NOT Exodia. Jaden explained that these were the sealed pieces of Exodia, a sub-archtype. The Chief chose Exodia the Sealed one, Jaden sending the other four to the grave.
Exodius – ATK/0 → 4000
"What?! How?!"
Jaden smirked, explaining that the Sealed pieces' names were treated as the original while in the grave or on the field, IE, the Sealed Right arm became Right Arm of the Forbidden one. Exodius gained power for each piece in the grave, a thousand points each. That made both spirits nervous. Jaden then summoned the monster he had been given, only for it vanish.
"I tributed Exodia the Sealed One to play The Legendary Exodia!"
The massive monster appeared, roaring its own power skyrocketing as well.
The Legendary Exodia – ATK/ 0 → 5000
Exodius – ATK/4000 → 5000
Jaden then played Card of Sanctity, allowing them both to draw until they had six cards in their hands. Jaden smirked, seeing the final monster and the spell needed. He took the spell and placed it in his disk.
"I play Contract with Exodia. Thanks to the Sealed Pieces acting as the five pieces, I can summon forth Exodia Necross in attack mode!"
(Contract with Exodia – Type/Spell/Normal.
If you have all 5 of "Exodia the Forbidden One", "Right Arm of the Forbidden One", "Left Arm of the Forbidden One", "Right Leg of the Forbidden One", and "Left Leg of the Forbidden One" in your Graveyard: Special Summon 1 "Exodia Necross" from your hand.)
(Exodia Necross – Level/****, Attribute/DARK, ATK/1800, DEF/0, Type/Spellcaster/Effect.
Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned with "Contract with Exodia", and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. Cannot be destroyed by battle or Spell/Trap effect. Once per turn, during your Standby Phase: This card gains 500 ATK. Destroy this card unless all 5 of these cards are in your Graveyard - "Exodia the Forbidden One", "Right Arm of the Forbidden One", "Left Arm of the Forbidden One", "Right Leg of the Forbidden One" and "Left Leg of the Forbidden One".)
The black stone guardian appeared, roaring as it stood alongside its siblings. The Chief was terrified; this duelist had managed to find and then summon all the forms of the Forbidden one! Jaden caught the terrified look and smirked.
"Surprised I have these monsters?" Jaden asked, crossing his arms. "You'd be surprised what one can accomplish. Now, I'll-"
"Stop right there. I activate the trap, Threatening Roar! This prevents you from doing battle this turn." Chief stated.
The loud roar made the three Exodias all cringe. Jaden took another two cards and play them in his S/T zone. He ended his turn.
The Chief drew, summoning Gravekeeper's Curse, dealing out five hundred points to Jaden.
Chief: 8000/Jaden: 7500
Jaden didn't even flinch from the pain, his training in the shadows helping him. Chief then declared an attack with the Assailant. Thanks to her effect, he was switching Exoidus to defense mode. The monster groaned, falling to a knee. He looked at Jaden, shrugging. All Jaden did was smirk, giving a wink to the monster. Neither of the Gravekeeper's caught the wink. Assailant's form vanish and Jaden struck.
"I activate the trap card, Final attack orders! Thanks to this trap, all monsters must be in attack mode!"
The assailant's face was one of shock as Exodius stood up, blocking the knife and grabbing her. She let out a scream of pain, the Chief roaring in shock. She vanished in a blast of smoke, her body falling at Jaden's feet. Her hood was gone revealing-.
"Yasmin." Jaden said, looking down at her.
"Y-you are cr-cruel..." Yasmin coughed up blood.
Chief:5000/Jaden:7500
Jaden simply ignored her, looking at the man. He placed two cards facedown and ended. Jaden began his turn, a sinister aura springing up around Necross.
Exodia Necross – ATK/1800 → 2300
The king ordered an attack on the Curse by Exodius. Thanks to his effect, Jaden discarded another Sealed piece into his grave.
Exodius – ATK/5000 → 6000
Legendary Exodia – ATK/5000 → 6000
The Chief used Monster Recovery, taking back his curse, only to replay it in defense mode. Jaden barely grunted, scowling at the chief. The Curse then rose into attack mode, making the Chief demand what was he doing.
Jaden:7000
Jaden smirked, reminding Chief of Final Attack in play. The Forbidden lord was about to smash right through Curse, leaving his field bare. But the Chief activated his second trap.
"I play Draining Shield! This takes your monster's attack points and adds it to my life points!"
A barrier jumped up and consumed the blast, making the Chief smirk.
Chief:11,000/Jaden: 7000
"So what? I still have Legendary Exodia and Exodia Necross! Before the Legendary lands his blow though, I play the Quick spell I played facedown, Turn Jump!"
All around, time distorted and warped, Jaden explaining that six turns were now passing. During Jaden's standby phases, Necross grew in power.
Exodia Necross – ATK/ 2300 → 2800 (Turn 1) → 3300 (Turn 2) → 3800 (Final turn)
Chief scowled at the power boost, the golden stone massive monster striking at him. The man went down hard, feeling the rage behind the blow. The Forbidden monster were Duel Spirits? But why did they chose this boy? They were sworn to the Supreme King! The Legendary Exodia blasted through the Curse, making him scream in pain.
Chief: 5800/Jaden:7000
"I'll sic Necross on you next!"
The zombie Exodia charged, slamming into the Chief and making him fall again.
Chief:2000/Jaden:7000
"I'll set another card and end my turn." Jaden said coldly, looking down at his friends and teacher.
They were all smiles, Mindy even bouncing a bit. The young king blushed when his eyes strayed to her chest and quickly returned to the duel. Jasmine caught the look and smirked.
"Min, I know you're excited, but keep your struggles to a minimum. Jay just looked at your chest."
That made the Black haired girl stop and laugh nervously. Alexis smiled, watching the three monsters tear the Gravekeeper a new one.
The chief ignored the antics, looking at his hand, desperate to summon a monster, ANY monster. Sadly, all he had were too weak to even deal with the Forbidden monsters before him. He placed one facedown monster, following that with three cards facedown. He ended his turn, ready for the strike.
Jaden drew his card, looking at it. Necross gained more power, roaring in delight.
Exodia Necross – ATK/3800 → 4300
The king looked at the chief, knowing that the man had a plan. Still, the best way to disarm a trap was to spring it. He ordered Exodius to attack, sending another Sealed piece to the grave.
Exodius – ATK/6000 → 7000
Legendary Exodia – ATK/6000 → 7000
The facedown flipped over to reveal a Guardsman. Yubel cursed. That monster would return one of the Exodias! Given how easy it was to summon Exodius and Legendary, there was only one. The Cheif explained what his Guardsman did, targeting Necross and using the trap Waboku, he prevented any damage. Jaden scowled, returning Necross to his hand. Syrus panicked, saying that with the spell card in the grave, Jaden couldn't summon Necross again.
"I'm not out of it yet! I activate my facedown, Contract with Exodia! Rise once more Necross!" Jaden roared.
The stone monster reappeared, roaring. The Chief scowled, knowing his Guardsman's effect was used up and he didn't have another one. Jaden placed a card and ended his turn. The Chief started his own, tributing his Guardsman for himself, The Gravekeeper's Chief.
(Gravekeeper's Chief – LV/*****, Attribute/DARK, ATK/1900 → 2400, DEF/1200 → 1700, Type/Spellcaster/effect.
You can only control 1 face-up "Gravekeeper's Chief". Your GY is unaffected by "Necrovalley". When this card is Tribute Summoned: You can target 1 "Gravekeeper's" monster in your GY; Special Summon that target.)
"Now thanks to my own effect, I summon from my graveyard, Gravekeeper's Curse!"
The man reappeared, cackling. Jaden's life points dropped, but he did not show any emotion.
Jaden: 6500
"I now play my trap card, Rite of Spirit! I will use it to bring back my Gravekeeper's Assailant!"
Yasmin returned to the Chief's side, but Jaden could tell she was disturbed. He did not blame her. A mere boy was besting their chief like he was a novice. The four stared down the Three Exodia's. The chief and Assailant could attack Necross, dealing damage, but that left the other two wide open. With Final Attack in play, even the Assailant's effect was no good. He had no other choice.
"I reveal my facedown, Ultimate Offering! By paying five hundred of my life points, I can summon once more this turn!"
Chief:1500
"I tribute my Guardsman to play Gravekeeper's Visionary!"
(Gravekeeper's Visionary – LV/********, Attribute/DARK, ATK/2000 → 2500 → 2700 (Guardsman) DEF/1800 → 2300, Type/Spellcaster/Effect.
You can Normal Summon this card by Tributing 1 "Gravekeeper's" monster. This card gains 200 ATK for each "Gravekeeper's" monster in your Graveyard. If this face-up card on the field would be destroyed, you can discard 1 "Gravekeeper's" monster instead. )
A man wearing an Anubis mask rose next to the Chief. He looked at the field, frowning hard. He bowed his head, sending a telepathic message to Jaden.
Forgive us, Sire. Ahmed has been...well, has gotten fanatical about his duty as Chief.
Jaden nodded, knowing that many spirits tended to do that when given a duty. He listened to the Chief explain that Visionary gained two hundred additional points for each Gravekeeper in the graveyard. The man payed another five and summoned a second Visionary, tributing Curse.
Chief:1000
Visionary #1 – ATK/2700 → 2900
Visionary #2 – ATK/2000 → 2500 (Valley) → 2900 (Curse & Guardsman)
"Now my Visionaries attack your Necross! Dealing you a total of twenty-two hundred!"
The men charged, striking hard at Necross who stood his ground, thanks to his immortality. But energy slices charged past, striking Jaden. The boy grimaced, feeling the pain of the attacks.
Chief:1000/Jaden: 4300
It was then that Jaden heard his friends and past wives cry out. Looking down, he saw the coffin lids covering half the group. Now understanding what would happen if he lost, Jaden glared at the Chief.
"Are you quite done?"
"Not quite, I play Royal Tribute, forcing us to discard our monster cards." The Chief said, smug as he three away another three Gravekeepers.
Visionaries – ATK/2900 → 3500
"Idiot...you just had me throw away another four pieces of the Sealed one." Jaden muttered, his Exodius and Legendary growing in power.
Exodius – ATK/7000 → 11,000
Legendary – ATK/7000 → 11,000
Realizing his error too late, the Chief snarled. He ended his turn, knowing his final facedown was all that protected him...if the boy attacked. Jaden drew his card, looking at it. Seeing it, he smirked.
"I know you have a trap planned, but I have a means to take it out! First, My Necross gained another five hundred."
Necross – ATK/1800 → 2300
"Now I play the spell card, Cold Wave! Now any set cards cannot be activated until my next turn." Jaden said, smirking. "But as you know...with my Legendary and Exodius, that's not going to happen. Legendary! Obliterate!"
The massive guardian nodded, raising its hands. The Chief could only roar in anger and fury at his loss. The monster gathered energy all around him, condensing it into a ball. The giant monster gave the Chief a sadistic looking grin, even more so then usual before launching the attack. The massive energy blast tore across the air, consuming all the monsters in its wake. The explosion rocked the entire pyramid to its roots. Jaden looked at the dust cloud that sprang up, eyes narrowed.
"Game over."
Chief: 0/Jaden: 4300
EODGX
After the Chief was confirmed to still be awake and alive after that blast, the five were released, Mindy, Jasmine, and Alexis staying close to Jaden. He knew way; the peril they were in had triggered the night again. Yasmin handed over an amulet to Jaden, stating that he had won it for beating their chief. The second his hands wrapped around it, he hissed. The group of Keepers and his own watched him glare at the amulet.
"This is half of it...where is the other half?" He demanded, suddenly vicious.
"Jay..." Jasmine whispered.
He heard, turning to her, his eyes still holding that vicious look.
"It's one of the items crafted from the forbidden dorm. I can sense the souls of the trapped children within." He spat out, turning back to Yasmin. "Where is the other half?! WHERE!?"
The chief explained that the amulet was fractured by him. He had been beaten a man in a black mask in the shape of a dragon's face. The Chief had not liked the sense of foreboding coming off of the man, fearing that the full power of the amulet would make him too dangerous. Yasmin said that if found, to give the masked man a message.
"Tell him, Yasmin still waits." Yasmin said. "As the winner of the duel, you are free to leave."
Jaden nodded, turning around with his group. They were about to walk down, but were stopped. Several Spearmen and Guardsmen were standing, brandishing their weapons. Yasmin and the chief scowled, stating that they were free to go. All that did was make them angrier.
"These outsiders must be punished, either by you or by us!" One of the spearmen snarled.
They advanced, chanting. Jaden merely scowled, feeling the three stir. Seems he wasn't the only one pissed off.
One of the Spearmen lunged, aiming its weapon at Banner. Banner screamed in fear, seeing the point descending. Yubel appeared, covering the man with her wings. The blade broke against the tough skin, the Spearman landing. He snarled, his brothers all readying their weapons to charge.
Then all hell broke loose.
From Jaden's deck came a stream of fire. It cut through the first line of men, making them scream in agony. The fires rose up, taking on a shape. Twin red eyes glowed as the fires morphed into-
"The Black God of Erasement!?" A spearman cried out in fear.
The Wicked Eraser roared, flaring its wings. A second wave came, only to be consumed as well, this time by another wave of fire. It too rose into the air, morphing and changing. When formed, Yasmin gasped.
"The Black God of Dread?!"
Now many of the guards were scared. Two of the Wicked Gods stood before them, glaring down and protecting the group. Several men, unafraid of the two, took to the stairs, leaping off of them, spears raised. As they descended on the others, a black hole opened before them, their cries dying as they fell into the void. The black hole rose upward, eclipsing the three lights. The third arrival finally made the enraged guards quiver and shake. Even the Chief was shocked.
"The Black God of Reflections?!"
The black hole began to shape and twist, until a hybrid version of Dreadroot and Eraser stood before them. The top half was Dreadroot, including the wings. The lower half was the long tail of the Eraser, swishing back and forth. Without a word, the Avatar reached down, offering its hand to Jaden. Dreadroot did the same with Banner, Chumley and Syrus. Eraser lowered its head, gesturing for the three girls to join.
Jaden did not hesitate, climbing into the Avatar's massive hand. Seeing Jaden get on, the rest soon followed. The three Wicked Gods stood up, looking down at the Keepers.
"Two of you have kept to your duties. The Rest...not so much. Yasmin and Ahmed, take comfort that you have witness the return of the Supreme King and his queens of old." The three said in one voice, making the chief gasp.
"His majesty?!" Chief said, shocked.
The three did not reply, taking flight to the entrance point. Chumley looked down, amazed.
"Whoa...this is amazing..."
"Thank you, young one"
The portly red jumped a tad at that, nearly falling off. But the appearance of a massive koala grabbing him prevented that. Chumley looked at the spirit in shock.
"Des Koala?!"
The three arrived at the gate, setting their passengers down. They all looked to the skies, seeing the three suns becoming one. The Wicked Gods returned to their cards, just as the portal glowed brightly.
EODGX
Jaden came to, groaning slightly. His eyes opened, only to snap close. The sunlight hurt, a lot. Finally, he managed to reopen them, looking around. He saw the gateway in ruins again. He was leaning against a tree with several weights on him. Looking down, he saw Alexis napping on his chest, Jasmine holding his left arm and Mindy holding his right. He looked to see Chumley and Syrus napping nearby and Banner sprawled out, his cat on his face. Jaden smiled softly at the group, looking down. The amulet still sat around his neck, shimmering in the light. He frowned.
"Just hang in there everyone...I'll bring you back." Jaden said.
"Jaden...you know that this means that the Beasts are tied in." Yubel said, appearing next to him.
Jaden nodded. A storm was coming...and they were going to be at the heart of it.
And now we get to the meat of the story. The Seven Stars AKA Shadowriders. Now, that doesn't mean we're not gonna have a few more filler chapters here and there! In fact, an old annoyance from the Original Yu-Gi-Oh! is gonna be making a guest apperance. Hope you enjoyed and I'll see ya next time. Happy Holidays!