Act 2: A Dragon's Tale.
5. The Shadow Thief.
When we were at war with Smithy a small guild got in our way, they had five members but we only met four of them, Simon Croco who once kidnapped the Duel Spirits of my Harpie Ladies, then there was Fawful the mad scientist and their leader Ruby Mowz, in the shadows worked their true leader Faust, the man who called the curse of the Trinity, he was defeated by Caedis one of the Celestians and Faust was taken to Star heaven, Simon Croco is also in jail so three members remain and all three are in Rogue Port, we hear rumors of a so-called Shadow Thief could it be a member of the Spirit Summon Guild? I'm going to investigate.
Mario and the others sat in Professor Frankly's house, it was a little cramped in there, Luigi had just woken up. 'So Crystal Stars.' Frankly suddenly said. 'You said Hooktail's Castle.' Mario replied he looked at the professor. 'I know of Hooktail's Castle.' Goombella then spoke: 'Hooktail's Castle belonged to a dragon, a very long time ago the name of the dragon was Hooktail, it terrorized a small village nearby.' Goombella paused for a moment. 'The dragon wanted a sacrifice each year or else it would destroy the village, one day a knight showed up, a knight of Clan Koopa a mysterious clan of knights who hunted monsters all over the world, though the name of the knight remained unknown he did slay the dragon.'
Frankly in the meantime had taken a map of Rogueport.
'Look here.' The professor spoke Mario saw he had drawn a red line on the map. 'You take the eastern exit then you just follow the plains until you see a castle in the distance, at that point you will be on a crossroad, facing the castle you go right follow the path until you see a sign that says Petalburg, there you have to go.' Frankly explained.
Mario stood up. 'Thank you professor, when we are done there we shall come back here.' Mario said, Luigi and Mallow also stood up.
'I'm coming as well.' Goombella then said.
'I knew you would.' Professor Frankly said. 'You are old enough to decide these things, I won't stop you but please be careful.'
After some time the party reached the plains Frankly described, Goombella inhaled the fresh air, there was a soft breeze, the lush fields were filled with all kinds of flowers and trees, water calmly splashed through the creeks that run up with the fields.
'It's really beautiful.' Goombella gasped, Mallow and Luigi were clearly on edge Mario was seemingly calm.
'Goombella, you never been here before?' Mario asked.
'No.' She replied. 'I'm not from here I'm from a small village on the main island, I'm just here to investigate the Crystal Stars together with Professor Frankly.' She explained at that moment Mallow ran up to Mario: 'Look there a castle.' He said. 'Must be Hooktail's Castle.' Mario replied then a loud roar was heard over the peaceful plains, Goombella grabbed Mario who immediately calmed her down, Luigi was looking left and right.
Luigi was scanning the sky, suddenly he let out a weak scream.
'Cover now!' Mario yelled Mallow and Luigi took cover behind a rock Goombella hid behind a tree Mario was almost blown off his feet as a fierce wind swept over the plains, the terrible roar was closer this time, Mario looked in the sky to see his most terrifying foe yet.
A dragon the size of nearly three houses, it had red scales covering its body, its belly and neck had beige flesh, the dragon landed in front of Mario it stood on four legs, its head was covered with three horns, the dragon had one large tail, with its tail the dragon crushed a rock, it roared again, Mario saw its gigantic teeth, the dragon folded its wings.
Mario smelled something weird coming from the dragon's mouth it smelled like gasoline, suddenly the dragon breathed fire a few trees caught fire half of the field started to burn down. Again the dragon let out a terrible roar. Suddenly the dragon took a few steps forward, Mario heard something creaking the dragon tried to bite Mario but Mario dodged away.
'Get away vile beast!' An unknown male voice suddenly yelled, from behind the dragon a man showed up, he wore a light-blue sweatshirt, dark blue jeans and white shoes, in his hand he held a sword.
The dragon turned around, it rose its front leg meaning to crush the stranger, but the unknown man stuck his sword in the leg of the dragon, the beast roared unfolded its wings and flew off away to the castle.
'Quickly come with me.' The man said, Mallow and the others came out of hiding they started to run.
After five minutes they reached a small and lively town, the people there were talking to each other while doing their gardens, Mario saw a huge gate blocking the back exit of the town. 'Welcome to Petalburg.' The stranger said. 'My name is Koops, I am the mayor here.' The unknown man spoke, Mario and the others introduced themselves.
Some time later they sat in Koops' house they all had coffee. 'We don't get many visitors here, not anymore at least.' The mayor started. 'Dragon?' Mallow asked, Koops nodded. 'That dragon its name is Hooktail.' Koops said. 'Like in the ancient tale?' Goombella asked. 'I'm afraid it is true, Hooktail is back, my ancestor killed the beast that is why I am the only one who can drive it back, and that is why the people here made me mayor.' Koops quickly explained the situation.
Mario drunk from his coffee. 'Maybe we can form a permanent solution to your problem.' Mario said, he was all serious now.
Koops' eyes narrowed a bit. 'You actually want to go there?' Koops gasped.
'We have business there yes, we want to go tomorrow, it's getting dark now, you have somewhere we can stay?' Mario asked.
Koops stood up he gave Mario a piece of paper. 'There is an inn at the other end of the Town show the paper I gave you to the owner and she will give you free rooms.'
Mario and the others thanked the major. 'One more thing.' Koops then said. 'Hooktail's Castle is locked with two keys, these keys are hidden in Shhwonk Fortress, it is beyond the great gates.' Koops said.
'Why is that gate locked anyway?' Luigi asked. 'A spirit lives there, they say it is sealed in a rock.' Koops took another piece of paper out of his pocked. 'This is the spirit I went there to see if it was a thread, it is only a thread if you want the keys.'
Mario took a look at the photo, Luigi and Mallow did as well.
'Mario, you see that?' Mallow whispered. 'Looks like a Nephilim.' Mario replied. 'Exactly.' Luigi added.
'Koops, we can also deal with that spirit for you we need these keys anyway.' Mario quickly decided.
Koops scratched his chin. 'Well you want to deal with the spirit and the dragon, there is one more thing a thief seems to be active here recently, can you maybe look into that?'
Mario shook his head. 'Sorry can't do, but if we run into him we will defeat him for you.'
A little while later in a room in the Inn. 'Something weird is going on in Petalburg.' Luigi sighted. 'Yeah I have to agree on that.' Mario said. 'I mean a Nephilim trapped in a fortress, only a gate is keeping him out, but that Hooktail, I smelled like gasoline and the dragon creaked a bit I want to investigate that.' Then suddenly they heard a woman scream, they rushed to the hallway there they saw the manager. 'It's that thief again!' She yelled, Mallow didn't think but gave chase to the thief.
Mallow was out of breath he ran into a dead-alley. 'Got you now.' He panted, carefully Mallow looked around if he could find the mysterious man. 'Come out!' He shouted. 'Hee hee hee!' Someone cackled Mallow ducked forward just in time he quickly turned around he saw the moonlight bouncing off a small knife.
'Don't think you are smart because you got me cornered see.' The stranger spoke. 'Why don't you come out of the shadows and show yourself.' Mallow replied.
'Don't think you can impress me with tough talk see. This isn't my first time on the battlefield see.' Mallow saw an orange light lighting up in the dark. 'A D-Gazer!' Mallow was surprised at first but then activated his own Duel Disk and D-Gazer. 'AR vision - link established.' The computer voice said.
'You think you though because you fought Smithy, but that don't impress me see.' The man said, Mallow's breath stocked for a second. How did he know? Mallow thought. 'You probably wonder how I know that right? Well I know because I am a lot smarter then anyone thinks I am see?'
Finally the man stepped out of the shadows he wore a light-purple sweater with dark-purple stripes, under it he wore black, baggy pants and black combat boots for the rest he wore white gloves and he had a black cap on his head, a purple mask covered his eyes, Mallow saw his D-Gazer was build into the mask, he put the large bag he carried on the ground then he activated his Duel Disk. 'The name is Popple, of the Spirit Summon Guild, I am the Shadow Thief see.'
'So my suspicion was correct.' Mallow coolly said. 'You know I met with Simon Croco during the war with Smithy, he stole my Duel Spirits once.' Mallow's Harpie Ladies appeared behind him.'
'Fool! They are not Duel Spirits, they are a manifestation of your own Ener-D see!' Popple laughed. 'That is why Faust was after them see, strong Ener-D he needed, but Faust disappeared and Simon Croco was arrested see.' Popple ranted.
'I know what happened.' Mallow replied.
'That is why I am here see? Ruby might not want to join me, she has her own agenda see? But I for one want to break Simon out see, that is why I had requested a transfer to Rogue Port see, I once broke out of that place see?' Then Popple's expression changed. 'But enough talk, here is where you shall fall see?'
(Popple: 8000) - (Mallow: 8000)
'Hee hee hee my turn.' Popple said, Mallow notices Popple's feet were constantly moving, he looked nervous. 'I set three cards.' Popple stated, the three cards appeared facedown in his Spell/Trap card Zone.
'Turn end.' The Shadow Thief stated.
Hmm something is wrong here, three Spell or Trap cards, no monsters, a worthless hand? Or is there something else in play? 'My turn, draw.' Mallow said he looked over his hand.
'I activate the Spell card Ancient Rules.' Mallow waited till the Spell card briefly appeared on the Field. 'I Special Summon Luster Dragon 2 in attack mode.' In front of Mallow a huge dragon appeared sitting on its hindquarters, it was completely made of emerald. (2400 ATK)
'Now I Normal Summon the regular Luster Dragon.' Mallow continued, next to the big dragon a smaller dragon appeared, this one was made of sapphire. (1900 ATK)
Popple smirked, Mallow noticed. 'Yeah like I thought you laid a trap, but I won't fall for that!' Mallow played another Spell card a huge wind suddenly stirred. 'Giant Trunade!' Mallow yelled, Popple's three set cards were blown from the Field, he returned them to his hand.
'My monsters direct attack!' Mallow shouted, his two dragons breathed fire in the same color as their body.
(Popple: 3700) - (Mallow: 8000)
Popple laid on his back, the area around him was still burning, smoke came from his clothes. 'Turn end.' Mallow stated he was on his guard.
Popple stood up he drew his card. 'I set three cards again see.' Again three cards appeared in front of him. 'Turn end see.'
What is his deal? Does the strategy of this guy is build around set cards? Does he has monsters? Is this a trick? Well I can take a risk. 'I draw.' Mallow stated.
'Luster Dragon direct attack!' Mallow shouted. 'I waited for that see!' Popple shouted. 'From my hand I Special Summon Artifact Vajra!' Mallow gasped as two huge weapons appeared in front of him, they resembled short sticks with a crown-like orb on top of them, then a blue spirit with long hair tied in a tail appeared holding them. (1800 ATK)
'When Artifact Vajra is Special Summoned during my opponent's turn I destroy all my Spell and Trap cards see!' Popple said, the spirit turned its attention to all three the facedown cards, then it destroyed them.
'These cards were also Artifact Monster cards, which means I get to Special Summon all of them see?'
So that what it was all about Artifacts, can't say I have heard of them before, the description says they can be played as Spell cards. 'Watch me!' Popple shouted breaking Mallow's thoughts. 'The first is Artifact Moralltach, in mid-air a huge brown sword with a blue blade appeared it was hold by a spirit with wild, short hair. (2100 ATK)
'When this one is Special Summoned I get to destroy one of your cards.' Popple explained, blue lightning struck Luster Dragon 2, the dragon fell apart and scattered.
'The second is Artifact Achilleshield!' This time a fancy-looking shield appeared held by a spirit resembling a fierce warrior. (1500 ATK)
'This turn you cannot target Artifact monsters for an attack see.' Popple explained. The last one that appeared was a huge double-bladed battle axe, held by a pink female spirit. (2300 ATK)
'In that case I activate Swords of Revealing Light!' Mallow shouted, Popple sighted as the four swords descended on him.
'I end my turn with one facedown card.' Mallow stated the card appeared behind his monster.
'My turn.' Popple said with a smirk. 'Draw!' He yelled.
'Time for a double Xyz Summon see!' Two portals opened in front of Popple. 'I create two Overlay Networks with these four monsters see!'
Two monsters disappeared in the left portal two in the right.
'I call upon light and dark see! Come forth angel and devil see!'
Out of the first portal came a fiendish creature, he had a white face, he had large black wings, he had long black hair that reached to the ground, in his hand he held a small red dagger. (2600 ATK)
Out of the second portal came the opposite, a stern elderly man, with long silver hair, he wore armor had large wings made of gold in his hands he held a shield and sword. (2600 ATK)
'These are Adreus, Keeper of Armageddon and Tiras, Keeper of Genesis see!'
Mallow took a few steps back he felt a mixture of peace and war coming from the two monsters. 'Duel Spirits?' Mallow wondered. 'No that can't be it.' Mallow continued his muttering. 'These are manifestations of Ener-D see?' Popple explained. 'They are like Duel Spirits, but they have no soul, their attacks are real see.' Popple continued.
'Now this could be trouble, but I have seen worse, anyway you cannot attack.' Mallow taunted.
'I Detach one card from Adreus see.' Popple removed one card from under his monster. 'I can destroy one face-up card on the Field see.' Adreus spread his wings and took the air, multiple streams of darkness covered the Swords of Revealing Light, then Adreus lunged himself at the Luster Dragon.'
'I activate my Trap card Widespread Ruin!' Mallow shouted his Trap card spun around. 'Now the monster with the highest attack is destroyed. Since both monsters have equal attack points I target Tiras, an explosion erupted around Tiras when the smoke cleared the monster was still there.
'Should have checked the description see! Tiras cannot be destroyed by card effects as long as he has Xyz Materials see!' Popple laughed.
Adreus struck Luster Dragon, the monster cracked and fell on the ground in pieces. 'Tiras direct attack!' The Fairy charged in and struck Mallow in the chest, Mallow fell to the ground with a throbbing pain where the monster hit him.
(Popple: 3700) - (Mallow: 4700)
'First Tiras' effect activate see? During my End Phase Tiras loses one Material.' Popple removed one card from under Tiras.
'Then I set one card see? Turn end.' The card appeared behind Adreus.
Mallow in the meantime managed to stand up, he drew his card.
'I play Pot of Greed!' Mallow shouted, the green famous pot appeared on the Field, Mallow drew his two cards the pot disappeared.
'Let's see.' Mallow mumbled. 'First I use Monster Reborn!' The holy Ankh appeared and Luster Dragon reappeared on the Field. (1900 ATK)
'Then I Banish Luster Dragon 2 from my Graveyard to Special Summon Garuda the Wind Spirit!' A creature fell from the sky, the body of a man the wings and head of an eagle, the monster braced itself for it's landing. (1600 ATK)
'Now I release both of the monsters!' Mallow shouted, a twister started to surround both monsters. 'Descent! Simorgh, Bird of Ancestry!'
Mallow's monsters disappeared and from the sky came crashing a huge bird covered with gold feathers it had four arms ending in claws and two huge wings, the beast let out a terrible cry. (2900 ATK)
'Popple! I summoned Simorgh by Tributing Wind monsters only, that means I send two monsters back to your Deck!'
The two Xyz Monsters braced themselves but the wind was too strong.
'Simorgh direct attack!' Mallow yelled. 'No! Stop!' Popple screamed but he was blown off his feet.
(Popple: 800) - (Mallow: 4700)
'My turn see.' Popple said he drew his card. 'I activate my Spell card, Dark Hole!' A huge black hole opened in the sky. 'No way.' Mallow gasped, Simorgh was sucked into the void then it closed.
'Next I summon Grinder Golem to your side of the Field see, in exchange I get two Grinder Tokens see.' Popple explained, two small mechanical creatures appeared on Popple's side of the Field, they had wrench-like hands and a circle-saw as head. (0 ATK x2) Then a gigantic version of the same monster appeared on Mallow's side of the Field. (3000 ATK)
'What are you trying? You want to lose?' Mallow taunted.
'On the contrary.' Popple replied. 'I use Earthquake to put all monsters in defense see!' Popple played his Spell card, the ground started to shake first the two Tokens changed to defense. (0 DEF x2) Next the Grinder Golem knelt down. (300 DEF)
Popple took two cards from his hand. 'I activate Black Illusion Ritual see!' As Popple played the card an eerie vase covered with horns and with the Eye of Wdjat standing on a green pillow appeared left and right of the vase two blue cups covered in spikes appeared.
'I now Tribute one of my Tokens see.' Popple said, his Grinder Token was sucked inside the vase then a purple mist shot out of the vase inside the cups then all but the Eye of Wdjat disappeared and the blue doll covered in white muscle appeared it had no legs but hovered above the ground, its head was only the Eye of Wdjat on a stilt it had two arms ending in hands with sharp claws, two shield-like wings covered its back. (0 ATK)
'Hee hee hee, now you lose see?' Popple laughed. 'I use Relinquished's effect to take your Grinder Golem see!' The stomach of Relinquished opened, Grinder Golem was sucked in, Relinquished placed its shields in front of it, in the left wing was Grinder Golem stuck. (0- 3000 ATK)
'Hee hee hee I now have your monster and your attack points! Relinquished attack!' The stomach of Relinquished opened again, a lot of dirty green and brown slime shot out of it.
'I activate my facedown card see!' Popple shouted. 'Ego Boost!' Relinquished became even stronger as its power rose to 4000, the stomach goo from Relinquished completely covered Mallow.
(Popple: 800) - (Mallow: 700)
'I shall end my turn see.' Mallow swept the goo from his head.
'Mallow!' A familiar voice then shouted breaking the silence.
'Mario!' Mallow replied, Mario came running. 'So he the Shadow Thief?' Mario asked. 'Yeah, his name is Popple, this one is a member from the Spirit Summon Guild, he's rather good, I see no hope right now, as my hand is empty I don't see any way how I can win this.'
Popple laughed. 'That's right! Just give up see!' Popple taunted.
'Mallow, Luigi didn't gave up when his Duel against Exodus looked bleak remember?' Mallow stood up, he nodded. 'Yeah you're right Mario.' Mallow closed his eyes. 'Grandpa, I might not use your Harpy Ladies now, but I keep then all close to my heart, your strength runs through these cards.' Mallow felt the top card from his Deck then a blinding light shone from his Duel Disk. 'Draw.' Mallow said.
'You made one mistake Popple.' Mallow calmly stated. 'Whut?' Popple stammered. 'You control two monsters with the same Attribute, Dark.' Mallow spoke. 'So what?' Popple replied who quickly recovered himself.
'I can Special Summon Alector, Sovereign of Birds!' Mallow shouted, from out of the sky came a terrible screech and soon a man-sized bird completely covered in metal armor appeared except for its red wings. (2400 ATK)
'I see no problem.' Popple said he wiped some sweat of his brow. 'My Relinquished is still stronger see. And my Token is in defense see.' Popple nervously laughed. 'Yeah but Alector comes with an effect. once per turn I can Target one card and card loses it's effects.' Mallow explained, Relinquished looked at Popple confused as suddenly its shield retracted and it's attack points dropped. (3000- 0 ATK)
'Alector attack!' Mallow yelled, Popple looked away and spat on the ground when his Relinquished got crushed.
(Popple: 0) - (Mallow: 700)
When Mallow's D-Gazer and Duel Disk deactivated he saw Popple was gone together with the bag of stolen goods Mario was also gone.
Mario was right behind Popple. 'You guys really annoy me see!' Popple then yelled and he threw a smoke bomb, when the smoke was gone Popple was also gone. 'Darn it, almost had him there, he could be everywhere.' Mario muttered, he looked around then he headed for the village entrance.
Popple looked behind him and saw he lost Mario. 'Hee hee hee! Lost them!' Then Popple bumped into someone, when he looked up he saw Mario, Popple drew a gun from his pocked but Mario stomped Popple in his stomach, Popple dropped his gun and Mario picked it up aiming it at Popple, the Shadow Thief sighted he held up his hands and Mario tied him up.
Popple sat in the back of a police car, two motorcycles drove left and right of the car. 'So petty thievery ey?' The officer who drove said meaning Popple. 'I don't think so.' His partner who sat next to him replied. 'This one is a big one, remember when we transported that Simon Croco some time ago?' The co-driver said. 'Yeah I remember some loudmouth he was, so what with him?' The driver asked. 'This one.' The co-driver said and he pointed at Popple. 'He is in with them, you know that Spirit Summon Guild they have two members we caught, means we have three left.'
Suddenly the motorcycle on the left of the car went behind the car lining up behind the first one, he signed at the driver of the car, the car sped up and the two motorcycles started to drive behind the car. 'What's going on?' The co-driver said into a pager. 'Some weird vehicle approaching fast, we hailed it to slow down and change lane, no response.' One of the bikers answered.
The driver looked in the rear mirror there he saw a strange vehicle, it looked mostly like a green chair with several thrusters under it, the thing floated above the highway, the driver wasn't visible he was hidden behind dark glass. 'He won't back down, we engage.' The bikers said they dropped speed.
The driver of the weird vehicle saw the two bikers slow down, he pressed a button and hologram projectors came out of his vehicle.
'You want to play with me? Fine, I shall have my FURY.' The driver cackled. The two cops saw what happened. 'We're not equipped for Turbo-Dueling.' One of the two said. 'Doesn't matter! We take him anyway!' The other replied.
Ten minutes later a cartoon version of Blue-Eyes White Dragon flew over the highway, it unleashed its attack blowing away the two police officers.
(?: 5500) - (Cop1: 0) - (Cop 2: 0)
The weird vehicle tried to burst through the two bikers, but they blocked him. Suddenly six hatches opened up from the vehicle six metal legs came out, the vehicle started to walk, it tried to crush the police motors they evaded the attack, then two more hatches at the front opened two long metal arms ending in scissors came out in one move the machine swooped the motorcycles off the highway and threw them aside their drivers screamed as they hit the asphalt and their motorcycles crashed on top of them.
The co-driver in the police car picked the pager as he saw what happened.
'We need assistance! This a patrol car 011, we carry a code red! We are chased by a weird machine! It already took out the motorcycles! I saw an explosion the officers driving them have to be considered dead...' Then he was cut short as one of the metal legs crushed him, one of the scissors smashed away half of the car killing the driver, while the second scissor had changed into a claw it held the back part of the car.
Popple looked up and the cabin opened. 'Fawful my man!' Popple yelled. 'I knew you would come!'
Fawful who wore a green and red cloak looked down on Popple. 'It was the man in red wasn't it?' Fawful asked, Popple saw the look in Fawful's face he knew not to reply. 'Fawful will have his FURY! On the Fink-Rat!'
Fawful helped Popple in the vehicle Popple held up his cuffed hands and Fawful cut through them with a pair of scissors which he probably always held around, then the metal legs retracted and the vehicle flew off.
Next time:
Mario and Goombella go to Shhwonk Ruins to find the keys needed to open Hooktail Castle while Mallow and Luigi scout out Hooktail's Castle. Will Mario's suspicion be confirmed whether Shhwonk is a Nephilim or not? Find out next time! 'Rock Hard.' Coming soon.
