6. Rock Hard.
After meeting the mayor of Petalburg: Koops we needed a plan of action, the village is terrorized by a dragon named Hooktail, the mayor also told us that a spirit is trapped inside some ruins behind the village and the village was plagued by a thief, now the thief: Popple Mallow has dealt with. That spirit could be a Nephilim so Goombella and I go to investigate.
Mario and Mallow walked back to the Inn they had Popple's bag full of stolen stuff, Mario had called the mayor to meet at the Inn, when they arrived the people were cheering for them. 'Mayor Koops there was indeed a thief his name was Popple but Mallow defeated him that Shadow Thief is arrested he would be in prison by now.' Mario said as he put the bag on the ground. 'This is all he had with him.' The people searched through the bag until they had found all their stolen goods.
The next day:
Mario, Mallow and Goombella sat in front of the Inn enjoying their breakfast, it was a pleasant day the sun was shining, a nice summer day with a pleasant breeze. 'So what next?' Mallow asked. 'I need to check something at Hooktail Castle, I'll be right back.'
An hour later Mario returned. 'And what did you find?' Goombella asked.
'I tried to get entrance to that castle but it seems we need two keys a sun-shaped one and a moon-shaped one.'
At that moment Koops came walking in. 'The Sun Key and Moon Key.' He said. 'They were last seen in Shhwonk's Ruins behind this village.' Mario stood up. 'That is where that spirit is imprisoned, we need to go there.' Mario looked at Goombella as he said that. 'Mallow can you stay here? Try to find information about Hooktail.' Mallow nodded. 'Come on Goombella.' Mario said Goombella stood up. 'Mario.' Koops then spoke. 'If you find Shhwonk can you put an end to him?' Mario nodded. 'I can't promise anything.' He replied. 'O yeah a few days ago an archaeologist came through here in search of the ruins, he never came back.' Mario looked at Koops. 'I shall look out for him but again no promise.'
As Mario and Goombella walked to the gate at the end of the village they came across a card shop. 'Goombella I need some cards give me a few minutes.' A few minutes later Mario returned with three cards in his hand he put them in his pocket. 'I got what I needed now we can really go.'
The moment Mario and Goombella stepped through the gate their surroundings changed the pleasant summer breeze made place for a cold autumn wind, Goombella shivered from the cold, Mario took her closer to him to make her warm, the trees were mostly dead and the once that weren't dead only had empty branches, there were no flowers and the water seemed polluted, dark clouds packed the sky. 'Yeah this definitely the work of a Nephilim and a very powerful one.' Goombella looked worried. 'Now don't you worry the curse of a Nephilim holds until he dies, this curse must have been casted the moment the Nephilim landed here.
The moment Goombella and Mario left the room they bumped into someone, the man dropped a sun-shaped rock, Goombella realized it was one of the two keys they needed to open up Hooktail's Castle, she quickly tried to grab it but the stranger was faster. 'Tsk, tsk finders keepers.' He said, Mario and Goombella took a good look at the man, he wore a plain brown shirt and matching shorts and combat boots, he was especially hairy it was all over his arms and legs, his head was covered with a bush of wild yellow hair.
'And you are?' Mario asked mildly annoyed. 'You mean you have never heard of me? I am Professor Fuzzy, archaeologist.
'He clearly isn't one.' Goombella whispered to Mario. 'I know.' He replied.
'I see you are so impressed by my appearance that you don't know what to say.' Fuzzy boasted. 'No we were actually dumbstruck that we first thought we were assaulted by a hairy beast.' Goombella sarcastically said, Fuzzy started to laugh and scratched the back of his head, then he realized Goombella had insulted him.
'Hey! That is not a nice thing to say!' He yelled. 'Neither is it nice to call yourself an archaeologist, I know your kind you are just a regular thief dressed as what seems to be an archaeologist.' Fuzzy seemed to be at a loss for words. 'You push your luck girl.' Fuzzy sounded a lot less nice now.
'Anyway...' Mario came in-between. 'You sir have something I need.'
Fuzzy turned his attention to Mario. 'And that might be? My awesome clothes? My irresistible look?' Mario sighted and shook his head. 'No the sun-shaped rock you dropped.
'You sure you want that thing? Not my clothes?' Fuzzy asked.
'You perverted...' Goombella started but Mario stopped her.
'You know what Fuzzy? I see you are a Duelist, you and I we Duel, if I win I get your rock, if you win you get a date with this girl here.' Mario casually said, Goombella wanted to protest but Fuzzy got really exited.
'You mean a date as in we get to make you know...' Goombella pushed Fuzzy aside before he could finish. 'Mario!' She yelled. 'Shh don't worry, I won't lose, not to this guy.'
A few minutes later both had sorted out their Decks and equipped their Duel Disk and D-Gazers, Fuzzy was wearing a standard issued D-Gazer.
'AR vision - Link established.' The computer voice said, their Duel Disks activated. 'Duel!' They both shouted.
(Mario: 8000) - (Fuzzy: 8000)
'I shall start this Duel.' Mario stated. Mario looked over his hand.
'I summon Heroic Challenger - Double Lance in attack mode.' Mario started, the man clad in heavy white and blue armor appeared, he carried two lances. (1700 ATK) 'And when I summon him I get to summon another from my hand in defense mode.' Mario continued and a second Double Lance appeared next to the first one, only this was kneeling and holding his lances crossed. (900 DEF) 'Turn end.'
Fuzzy wiggled his fingers a few times before he drew his card. 'You control a monster now so you can attack directly, meaning I must defend.' He muttered. 'I activate a Spell card Piri Reis Map.' A half-burned map appeared on the Field. 'I move a monster with no attack to my hand.' Fuzzy explained, he searched his Deck for a card when he found it he took it in his hand. 'And now I summon it! Crystal Skull in attack mode!'
Suddenly Fuzzy got a huge shock.
(Mario: 8000) - (Fuzzy: 4000)
'Oh no! No no no! I forgot when I summon that monster I got with Piri Reis my Life Points are halved!' Then a skull made of crystal appeared on his side of the Field. (0 ATK) Then Fuzzy got another shock.
(Mario: 8000) - (Fuzzy: 3000)
'Argh!' Fuzzy cried. 'Forgot that one as well! When Crystal Skull is summoned I take more damage!'
Mario shook his head he had it difficult not to laugh.
'I activate Double Summon so I can summon again.' Fuzzy quickly continued, the Spell card briefly appeared on the Field, Fuzzy played another card it appeared facedown in his monster card Zone.
'I set one facedown card and end my turn.' Fuzzy concluded it appeared behind his monsters.
Mario quickly drew his card. 'I move my Double Lancer to attack mode.' He said, the second Lancer stood up. (1700 ATK)
'Attack his Crystal Skull!' Mario commanded. 'I activate my Trap card!' Fuzzy interrupted. 'Negate Attack!' Mario's monsters slammed against an invisible barrier as the Trap card spun around.
'Since my attack got canceled I shall end my turn.'
Fuzzy snickered as he drew his card. 'I flip my Ashoka Pillar to attack mode!' He shouted, a black pillar with decorations on top appeared in the place of the facedown card. (0 ATK)
'And I normal summon Cabrera Stone!' Next to the other three a new treasure appeared, it was a blueish rock shaped like a comma with a difficult pattern made of white lines over it. (0 ATK)
'I set a facedown card and end my turn.' Fuzzy stated.
'Say Fuzzy.' Mario then said. 'When did you learn to Duel?' Mario asked and Fuzzy looked funny at him. 'Few days ago, why?' Mario drew his card. 'Why play these monsters in attack mode?' Mario then asked. 'So that I have monsters and if I have monsters you cannot attack me directly.' Fuzzy replied. 'Right, true but if I destroy your zero attack monsters you also lose Life Points.' Mario said.
'Well you won't attack me because I activate Threatening Roar!' Fuzzy shouted his Trap card spun around a loud roar bellowed over the Field Mario's monsters drew back.
'But I do not need to attack, when Ashoka Pillar and Cabrera Stone are destroyed you lose 2000 Life Points for each of them and I just have the card to destroy them! Dark Hole!' Mario played the Spell card a huge black hole opened up above the monsters they were all sucked in, Fuzzy was struck by lightning twice, he fell to his knees.
(Mario: 8000) - (Fuzzy: 0)
'Argh! This rock was my breakthrough!' Fuzzy then howled. 'Darn it! Take it already a deal is a deal! But you will regret it! I swear!' Fuzzy threw the stone sun on the ground and then he ran off, Mario took the key.
Goombella and Mario descended deeper into the ruins, water seeped through small holes in the ceiling, Goombella grabbed Mario's hand, for one second Mario froze Goombella didn't noticed. 'It's kinda creepy here.' She whispered Mario said nothing instead he softly rubbed her hand.
'Goombella the picture Koops showed, you saw that man right?' Mario asked. 'Yes I did.' She replied. 'That man is probably a Nephilim, they are the worst.' Goombella stopped Mario she took his face in her hands.
'You won't die right?' Mario heard she was worried.
'Goombella I stood face-to-face with Princess Shroob, she is one of the worst Nephilim, I survived that Duel, with the help of Grave mind you but I survived.' Goombella let go of his face and she started to walk again, Mario followed. 'This Nephilim.' Mario continued: 'He has been stuck here who knows how long, he must be weakened, this Nephilim won't be a thread if he is a Nephilim to begin with.' Mario stopped as they reached a broken stairs.
'How do we get down from here?' Goombella wondered, Mario threw a rock down after three seconds it reached the ground. 'Too dark to see a thing but this staircase isn't deep.' To show Goombella he jumped down. 'Okay Goombella jump I'll catch you.' Goombella hesitated for a second then she jumped Mario caught her.
'Now we must be careful.' Mario whispered as he pointed to the end of the new hallway there was some light probably some torches.
Carefully Mario and Goombella entered the room at the end of the hallway, it was rather spacious, the room was covered by rocks the back part of the room was caved in, in the middle of the room stood a small pedestal on that pedestal laid a moon-shaped rock.
'The second key.' Goombella wanted to grab it but Mario stopped her.
'Careful there is some presence here.' Mario whispered.
Suddenly they heard a mysterious voice: 'More people who came to gawk at poor old Shhwonk?' Goombella looked all over the place, Mario just looked at the rocks in the room and slowly a form started to appear.
It was an old man who was trapped in the rocks with his legs, he was naked small rocks were stuck in his skin, his skin-color was a bit grayish.
His face was covered with scars he had glowing red eyes, long pointed teeth and pointy ears. Goombella yelped as he saw the man.
'Yeah what I thought a Nephilim.' Mario confirmed.
Shhwonk turned his attention to Mario. 'You know Nephilim.' He sniffed the air. 'You reek of the Shroobs. So you went face-to-face with them and survived impressive.' Shhwonk said. 'So you have seen Shhwonk now leave.' The Nephilim said. 'Actually I want that stone.' Mario replied. 'NO!' Shhwonk hissed. 'That stone is dangerous!'
Goombella looked at the Nephilim and the stone she hesitated to grab it Shhwonk saw it then a circle of rocks erupted around her, Goombella now stood in an arena together with Shhwonk.
'I got the fly in my trap!' Shhwonk laughed. 'You girl will be my way out!' Goombella looked at Shhwonk. 'How can I be your way out?' She asked.
'I defeat you in a Duel then I take your body while I seal your soul in the cold rocks that were my prison!'
'I see.' Mario then said. 'That stone key keeps you here, if the stone is removed your soul will be released from this world, in the Nephilim world that means you end up dead.' Shhwonk chuckled. 'You cannot stop me.' The Nephilim said. 'Maybe Mario not, but I will.' Goombella had her Duel Disk and D-Gazer activated. 'AR vision - Link established.' The computer voice said. around Shhwonk's left eye appeared a yellow circle with spikes covering all of his face.
(Goombella: 8000) - (Shhwonk: 8000)
'You may start.' Shhwonk said, Goombella took two cards from her hand without objecting. 'I set one monster and one facedown card turn end.' Goombella played her card and one appeared horizontally the other vertically. Shhwonk hesitated for a moment before he drew his first card.
'I activate the Field Spell Chorus of Sanctuary.' Shhwonk started, he played his Field Spell card a huge wall appeared around Goombella and Shhwonk, the ruins disappeared and were replaced with a huge field full of roses, Mario was nowhere to be seen. 'Now we are rid of that partner of yours.' Shhwonk taunted. 'I set another card on the Field.' Shhwonk quickly continued and a reversed monster appeared on his side of the Field. 'And I end my turn with the Continuous Spell card Stumbling, which means any monster summoned is changed to defense mode.' Shhwonk explained his Spell card appeared behind his monster.
Goombella drew her card. 'You know I rather set another card and end my turn.' Goombella said she played another monster it appeared facedown next to her first one. 'One field full of set monsters.' Shhwonk was now singing, he looked at his cards, then he looked at his Deck. 'No the card I need is not in my hand and it is not on the top of Deck either.' Shhwonk thought. 'Time I draw my card.' The Nephilim said a black mist came of his Deck one second before he drew his card. 'Got the card I needed, my Shadow Swap ability never fails me, I can draw any card I want at any time as long as my opponent don't notice.' Shhwonk took two cards from his hand. 'First I set one monster.' He said and a second card appeared next to his first one. 'Then I activate Continuous Destruction Punch.' Another Continuous Spell appeared. 'Now when the defense of my monster is higher your attacking monster is destroyed.' Shhwonk explained. 'Turn end.'
Goombella drew her card. 'I summon Ojama Green in attack mode, then I Flip Summon Ojama Yellow and Black!' Goombella placed the card on her Duel Disk and Ojama Green appeared followed by Yellow and Black they started to glow as did Stumbling all three monsters changed to defense. (1000- 1500 DEF x3) 'I end my turn there.' Goombella said.
Shhwonk looked at his Deck again. 'My turn. I draw!' He sung in a high-pitched voice, Goombella got distracted by his singing. 'Shadow Swap.' He thought black mist came from his Deck before he drew his card. 'I set another monster and a facedown card.' Shhwonk said the two cards appeared on his side of the Field one vertical one horizontal.
Goombella looked over the Field before she drew her card.
'I activate a Trap card.' Shhwonk then said. 'Go Battle Mania!'
The three Ojama's stood up. (0 ATK x3)
'Now they have to battle.' Goombella muttered. 'I make them stronger with Ojama Country!' Suddenly mushroom houses popped up all over the Sanctuary, the Ojama's flexed their muscles. (0 1000 ATK x3)
'Ojama's each of you attack one of the defending monsters!' Goombella commanded.
The three hidden monsters of Shhwonk disappeared three Golems appeared in their place they all looked the same, they had missiles on their backs and a mine as head. (1900- 1000- 1500 DEF x3)
The three Ojama's bumped into the three Mine Golems, the Ojama's fell to the ground then they exploded in pixels because of Continuous Destruction Punch.
(Goombella: 6500) - (Shhwonk: 8000)
'Now I activate another Trap card! Minefield Eruption!' Shhwonk yelled. 'You take 1000 damage from each Mine Golem but they will be destroyed. the three Mine Golems ran up to Goombella then the three exploded, Goombella tried to cover herself but with explosions coming from three directions she was thrown to the ground the three Mine Golems left three huge craters around Goombella.
(Goombella: 3500) - (Shhwonk: 8000)
'I have a Spell card that will help me.' Goombella said more to herself, she managed to stand up her clothes were full of holes and covered with dust, she knew this was only the visuals of her D-Gazer. 'First I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Stumbling!' Goombella played the Spell card, a storm whipped up and swept away Stumbling.
'Next I activate Ojamandala!' The Spell card briefly appeared on the Field. 'I pay 1000 Life Points in order to summon Ojama Black, Yellow and Green from my Graveyard!' The three critters appeared again butt-first they were covered with bandages. (0 - 1000 ATK x3)
'Triple direct attack!' Goombella yelled the three Ojama's charged in they poked Shhwonk the Nephilim swatted them away.
(Goombella: 2500) - (Shhwonk: 5000)
'Anything else but those annoying things?' Shhwonk sneered.
'I end my turn.' Goombella said ignoring the Nephilim.
'And then my turn is here.' Shhwonk sang. 'Shadow Swap.' Shhwonk drew his card. 'Pot of Greed.' He stated the happy pot appeared on the Field. 'Draw more cards I shall do!' Shhwonk continued his singing completely distracting Goombella. 'Double Shadow Swap.' Shhwonk drew two new cards.
'You set that Trap card of yours but never activated it I won't risk a Mirror Force, I shall blow it away Heavy Storm!' Shhwonk played his Spell card a more fierce storm than Mystical Space Typhoon swept away all cards on the Field, including Goombella's set Mirror Force, the Sanctuary and Ojama houses disappeared the attack of the Ojama's returned to normal. (1000- 0 ATK x3) Suddenly they stood in the ruins again, Goombella looked at Mario who was standing next to Shhwonk, it seemed Mario had climbed over Shhwonk's rocks. 'Why were you standing next to me?' Shhwonk snapped. 'No reason.' Mario shrugged and he walked back to his place behind Goombella. 'Anyway.' The Nephilim continued. 'I Banish the three Mine Golems from my Graveyard.' Shhwonk said the cards slipped from his Graveyard he took them and dropped them on the ground.
'I summon Megarock Dragon!' Shhwonk yelled a dragon filling the entire ruins appeared, it stood on four legs its tail was curled around it, the dragon was completely made of rocks, it roared. 'The attack and defense of Megarock Dragon are 700 for each Rock Type I Banished.' Shhwonk explained, the dragon roared again. (?- 2100 ATK)
'Destroy that yellow thing!' Shhwonk commanded, the dragon spat a huge boulder at Ojama Yellow, the monster yelped before it got crushed by the boulder.
(Goombella: 400) - (Shhwonk: 5000)
'Goombella listen.' Mario said. 'Before you draw you must realize Shhwonk cheated.' Mario said he was all serious, Shhwonk hissed. 'How?' He snarled. 'Simple because of the new D-Gazer you didn't saw me inside the Field Spell, I observed you Shhwonk each time you started to sing you distracted Goombella, then you used some magic to alter the card you drew so you got exactly what you needed.' Mario said.
'Curse you, well then since you discovered me I cannot use my Shadow Swap any longer, not that it matters your girlfriend is near-dead anyway.' The Nephilim hissed. 'Don't count her out yet since you cheated I call Goombella the winner.' Mario said pointing his finger at Shhwonk, the Nephilim chuckled. 'This might work in tournaments but this ain't a tournament.' Shhwonk replied. 'Then I help Goombella myself.' Mario took three cards from his pocket. 'For your Extra Deck.' Mario said and he threw the cards at Goombella she caught them looked them over and put them in her Extra Deck. 'These are the cards I bought this morning.' Mario said.
'Thank you Mario.' Goombella said then she turned her attention to Shhwonk. 'I draw!' She shouted. 'I create the Overlay Network with my two monsters!' Ojama Green and Black changed into orbs of light the black portal opened. 'Come forth Armored Kappa!' Out of the portal a creature rose, it was a kappa like the name suggested clad in thick armor. (400 ATK)
'Next I activate my own Pot of Greed!' Goombella continued the happy pot appeared again she drew two cards. 'And Burden of the Mighty!' She continued the Spell card appeared and Megarock Dragon became weaker. (2100- 1400 ATK) 'And I have one more Spell card Shield & Sword!' The attack or Armored Kappa changed. (400- 1000 ATK) The attack of Megarock Dragon stayed the same.
'Shhwonk I activate the monster effect of Armored Kappa, by Detaching one monster it gains 1000 attack or defense!' She explained, the attack of Armored Kappa rose again. (1000- 2000 ATK)
'Destroy Megarock Dragon!' Goombella shouted, her monster charged in it clawed at the dragon who tried to knock the creature off but it had no use, the dragon slowly crumbled into dust.
(Goombella: 400) - (Shhwonk: 4400)
'Turn end.' Goombella said the attack of Kappa changed again. (2000- 1400 ATK) Shhwonk drew his card. 'I activate Spellbook Inside the Pot!' Shhwonk played another Spell card Pot of Greed reappeared on the Field again, this time it spat out three books. 'Now we all draw three cards.' Shhwonk explained, he and Goombella drew three times. 'Now I use my own Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Burden of the Mighty.' Again a storm whipped over the Field destroying the Spell card.
'Now I summon Gogogo Golem!' A giant appeared on the Field towering above Goombella, it was a massive block with one optical eye, and enormous limbs. 'Gogogo.' It said with a metallic voice. (1800 ATK)
'I attack your Armored Kappa! I win!' Shhwonk yelled. 'Not yet! I activate the effect of Armored Kappa! Once per Duel I can discard one card!' Goombella shouted, she discarded one of her cards. 'Now my monsters cannot be destroyed by battle and I take no damage this turn.'
Gogogo Golem punched Armored Kappa but the creature withstood the attack. 'I end my turn.' The Nephilim said.
Goombella drew her card. 'I activate Polymerization!' She shouted. 'I fuse the Ojama Black and Yellow in my hand!' The vortex appeared on the Field, the Ojama's disappeared into it. 'Descent First of the Dragons!' A terrible roar deafened everyone in the room, suddenly the head of an enormous dragon broke through the wall, the rest of its serpentine body was wrapped around the ruins. (2700 ATK)
'And I activate the effect of Armored Kappa once again.' Goombella Detached the other monster and the attack of Armored Kappa rose again. (1400- 2400 ATK) 'And I have one more card to play.' She said showing it to Shhwonk it was Ego Boost Goombella played the card and the attack of First of the Dragons rose to 3700 ATK. 'Wipe him out!' Goombella shouted.
(Goombella: 400) - (Shhwonk: 0)
Shhwonk hung half on the rocks he was trapped in. 'Damn, my only chance to get out of here.' Shhwonk cried he rose up from the rocks he snapped with his fingers and the rocks surrounding him and Goombella disappeared. 'Now I'll take our prize.' Mario said and he approached the pedestal with the Moon Key on it. 'Mario wait, he said it was dangerous.' Mario put his hand on Goombella's shoulder. 'He said that to safe his own life, he did say the stone was dangerous, he never said to who it was dangerous.' Goombella smiled. 'I guess you are right Mario, Let's take the key.' She said with a devious smile. 'No wait!' Shhwonk cried. 'We can negotiate!' Shhwonk tried. 'Shhwonk I don't negotiate.' Mario replied and he grabbed the Moon Key.
A black mist came from the rocks. 'You released me from my prison!' The Nephilim screamed. 'Mario you freed him, but he seems scared why?' Goombella asked. 'Well his soul was trapped here, his body must be destroyed so he can't return to his own realm meaning he is dead.'
Goombella looked at Mario. 'So we killed him?' She softly asked.
'Sometimes killing is a necessary evil.' Mario replied he hugged Goombella. Then Shhwonk let out a terrible scream as his soul finally left this world his scream was heard over Petalburg City.
Some people were enjoying their afternoon on small terraces sipping from a cup of thee when all of a sudden an ice cold scream disturbed their rest everyone was on edge then dark clouds packed above Petalburg, Koops and a few villagers ran up to the gate leading to Shhwonk's Ruins. 'Look at the sky.' Koops said now that the dark clouds were packing above Petalburg they were gone from the cursed part, then the clouds above Petalburg dissolved, the cold air made place for the summer breeze.
'Look!' One of the villagers then yelled everyone came rushing to see what was going on, then they saw Mario and Goombella approaching the city the setting sun behind them with every step they took flowers started to grow and bloom and life came back into the trees. 'That Mario' One of the villagers said. 'I'm sure he is to bring down that Hooktail.'
Next time:
As Mario and his friends go to Hooktail's Castle to face the dragon and find the Crystal Star, we go back to the unknown location were Rozalin is held, she will make an attempt to escape but will she succeed? Find out next time. 'The Great Escape?' Coming soon.
Card details:
Crystal Skull
Type: Rock/Effect
Attribute: Water
Level: 1
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
When this card is Summoned, its controller takes 1000 damage.
Cabrera Stone
Type: Rock/Effect
Attribute: Earth
Level: 1
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
If this card is in face-up Defense Position on the field, destroy this card. When this card is destroyed, take 2000 points of damage.
Ashoka Pillar
Type: Rock/Effect
Attribute: Earth
Level: 3
ATK: 0
DEF: 2200
When this card is destroyed, takes 2000 points of damage.
Piri Reis Map
Normal Spell card
Add 1 monster with 0 ATK from your Deck to your hand. If you Summon it this turn, halve your Life Points.
Note: All the above cards were first used by Tenzen Yanagi and later on by Yusei Fudo during the Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's anime, all credits goes to the creative writers of these episodes.
