23. Rock the Arena.
The tournament draws to a close, Mario has only a few opponents left.
But Mario is challenged by Gonzales who now has a new trick up his sleeve.
Can Mario overcome Gonzales or will his tournament days end here?
Mario stepped into the arena, he was ranked number six. 'Only a few more Duels.' He said to himself, his opponent was already there, a man dressed in blue robes, wearing a pointy hat decorated with stars, this man was known as the Magic Master.
Forty-five minutes later the Magic Master sat defeated on the ground, this opponent actually was brutal, he used a Dark Magician based Deck with all the right support cards.
'Mario officially entered the top five!' Grubba shouted, the crowd roared.
Mario returned to the locker room, there his D-Gazer went off, Mario turned it on, it was X. 'Congratulations, you're now one of the top tier in the tournament. But the hardest part comes now, the Nephilim knows it is exposed, it will make its move tonight, you need to be fast, I hope you have figured out a way to get past Rawk Hawk, last time with Harry I could expose him with his illegal Deck, now we all know Rawk Hawk's Deck in illegal but it is registered as legal, well you're smart you figure it out.' With these words X hung up.
'And now the number five enters the arena!' Grubba roared: 'Give it up for MARIO!' The crowd started to roar and yell like crazy, Mario's opponent was already there this woman was dressed in a red harem outfit, decorated with flames, this woman's name was Flare, in her Duel she used a Burn and Stall Deck with many Spell cards like Tremendous Fire, her ace monster was a Lava Golem, with more Spell and Traps she locked Mario down, but the moment Mario managed to break through the lock the Duel was in his pocket.
Mario returned to the locker room again, there his D-Gazer went off, Mario answered it but the screen only showed static with a dark figure standing in it. 'I've got you in my sight.' The voice of the stranger sounded dark and heavy, it sounded like three voices were talking together. 'You're the Nephilim.' Mario confirmed. 'Indeed I am, I must say it was quite fun seeing you struggle, but you are too late! One way or another tonight this will all end.' With these words the screen went black.
A few minutes later Jolene came rushing in reacting to Mario's call.
'You spoke to that Nephilim?' She said out of breath. 'Yes he said that this would end tonight, Jolene I need you to put this place on lock-down, nobody goes in or out, my friends and I will solve this, but please try not to cause panic.' Jolene nodded then she ran off.
Mario entered the arena, he would face the number three next, a guy who called himself Craw-Daddy the Dark Gatekeeper.
Mario was looking around the arena as did Grubba, there was no sign of Craw-Daddy. 'The number three won't arrive, I bought him off, I'm taking his place.' A man wearing purple bathrobes stepped inside the arena, slowly he removed the bathrobes revealing himself to be Gonzales, only this time he wore a purple and black Luchador mask, for the rest he wore a black halter-top it showed his six-pack and muscled arms, he also wore purple sweatpants and black combat boots.
People started to cheer as they saw who Mario's opponent was.
'And you are?' Mario demanded.
'My name is Gonzales, at one point I was a contestant, but I dropped out but here I am announcing my return! And what is better than to defeat the current favorite of the crowd?' Gonzales pointed dramatically at Mario before he activated his Duel Disk.
(Gonzales: 8000) - (Mario: 8000)
'Challenger gets the first turn this time.' Gonzales stated as he drew his opening hand. 'You must be wondering why I challenged you now.' Gonzales said, Mario remained silent. 'You want to overcome Rawk Hawk, I'd say that is suicide, well I MIGHT know a way, but my price isn't cheap... beat me and I might give it for free.'
'Seems you leave me not much of a choice then.' Mario sighted.
Gonzales looked over his hand. 'You know, I have a bad hand here, I shall pass this turn.'
Mario scratched his head, he drew his hand. 'I summon Spartan in attack mode.' Mario stated, the warrior holding the spear and shield appeared. (1600 ATK) 'Attack him directly!' Mario shouted, Spartan drove the spear through Gonzales' guts, the latter didn't as much as flinch.
(Gonzales: 6400) - (Mario: 8000)
Gonzales chuckled. 'That is what I want in an opponent, ferocious taking any chance to attack.' Then he took a card from his hand. 'You see when I take Battle Damage I get to special summon this monster.' Gonzales played the card a man appeared in front of him, the monster wore a black skintight suit, a red chest piece and leg protectors, he had two shields attached to wrist protectors, a white mask covered his face. (0 ATK)
'And now that Battlin' Boxer Veil is on the Field I regain the Life Points I just lost.' Gonzales said, he was enveloped by a glowing light.
(Gonzales: 8000) - (Mario: 8000)
'I'll end my turn.' Mario said.
Gonzales drew his card, Mario suddenly got weird feeling in his stomach.
'I summon Battlin' Boxer Switchitter.' The boxer with the metal limbs appeared on the Field next to Veil. (1500 ATK)
'I create the Overlay Network with my two monsters.' Gonzales said, the vortex opened above the Field, the two monsters changed into two red orbs, Gonzales was smiling, Mario felt a chill go up his spine.
Mario felt a strange surge of energy the eyes of Gonzales turned white, a bright light shot out of his hands. 'Numbers!' Mario gasped.
Gonzales chuckled. 'I Xyz Summon Number 79: Battlin' Boxer Nova Kaiser!'
Mario took a step back, the crowd gasped, Grubba narrowed his eyes, out of the vortex a monster dropped, it started to hover in mid-air, the monster was clad in heavy, red armor on his back he had two gigantic jet-like wings covered in heavy spikes, he threw a few punches Mario could see his knuckle dusters, the numbers ''79'' were displayed on the side of his armor. (2300- 2500 ATK: 2 ORU)
'Instead of Detaching monsters I can Attach monsters to Nova Kaiser, then Nova Kaiser gains 100 ATK equal to the monsters Attached to it.' Gonzales explained, then he took a card from his hand, another red orb started to circle around Nova Kaiser. (2500- 2600 ATK : 3 ORU)
'Why do you have Numbers?' Mario stammered.
'I don't know why, but they came to me you see, I came from a poor family, we lived in the slumps, as a kid I was the strongest Duelist on the block, until we were bullied by the richer kids, me and all my friends stood no chance at their high-class Decks.'
The crowd went silent. 'I quit Dueling and a started to train, I was scouted by a man, that man would make a pro wrestler out of me. I trained many years, and eventually I became pro, with the money I earned I gave my parents a rich place to live, but something was bugging me.'
Gonzales wiped some tears from his eyes: 'All the fame got to me, I forgot those who were close to me, my friends, I retired to return to the slums, my friends were happy to see me though, but one of them rich kids managed to become mayor, now he was terrorizing the slums, the people there knew no rest so I decided to start Dueling again, in a few weeks I gathered my Battlin' Boxer Deck, I faced the mayor in an official Duel, but he had more money and thus better cards, when I lost that Duel I made a wish to the stars, I wished that I would never be weak again.'
Gonzales paused for a second, Mario saw him smiling. 'The next day the major came, he wanted to add insult to injury, he challenged me to a Duel if I would win he would step down as mayor, but if I lost I would be his slave for the rest of my life, with my new Numbers I completely destroyed him.'
'Mario this I why I shall not lose, not even if you have Numbers! Now Nova Kaiser attack with Blazing Knuckle!'
The fist of Nova Kaiser got engulfed by flames, Spartan heaved his shield to protect himself but it got completely destroyed, Spartan was flung against the wall before he scattered into million pieces.
(Gonzales: 8000) - (Mario: 7000)
'I'll end my turn here Mario.' Gonzales said.
'How is Mario gonna respond to this?' Grubba bellowed.
'Like this.' Mario said as he drew his card: 'I summon Double Lance!' Mario shouted the warrior holding the two lances appeared. (1700 ATK)
'With his effect I summon a second one!' Mario continued, the twin of the first warrior appeared kneeling in defense mode. (900 DEF)
'Time to create the Overlay Network.' Mario's two monsters changed into orbs of light, his hand started to shine as the number ''39'' appeared on it.
'Descent from the plains of Heaven! Number 39: Utopia!' The warrior clad in white armor appeared in a beam of light. (2500 ATK: 2 ORU)
'Another Numbers?' Grubba roared, the crowd started to cheer.
Gonzales chuckled. 'So this is your answer, makes me wonder why you have a Numbers.'
'Gonzales that is a long story and the less you know of that story the better it is.' Mario replied. 'Now I Equip Utopia with Magnum Shield which increases his attack by his defense.' Mario played the card, Utopia started to glow. (2500- 4500 ATK)
'Utopia attack Nova Kaiser with Hope Sword Slash!' Utopia leaped through the air, he drew his swords from his back with a quick strike he dealt a crushing blow to Nova Kaiser who sank to his knees and exploded.
(Gonzales: 6100) - (Mario: 7000)
'I'd hoped you would do that.' Gonzales calmly said: 'When Nova Kaiser is destroyed I get to special summon monsters from my Graveyard equal to the Materials Nova Kaiser had, in this case three.'
First Veil appeared, (0 ATK) followed by Switchitter (1500 ATK) and finally Battlin' Boxer Shadow. (1800 ATK)
'You set me up?' Mario gasped, Gonzales simply replied with a chuckle. 'You gonna do anything?' He asked.
'Yeah I set a facedown card and end my turn.' Mario stated as the reversed card appeared vertically behind Utopia.
'That card you just played, I'd guess it is Divine Wrath.' Mario's face showed nothing, Gonzales then took a card from his hand it was Mystical Space Typhoon, the typhoon sucked up Mario's facedown card which was indeed Divine Wrath. 'I've seen your Duels Mario, I probably know your entire Deck, then Gonzales spread his arms, his hand started to glow again. 'This time I create the Overlay Network with my three monsters!' He bellowed, the Battlin' Boxers changed into three red orbs before flying off into the vortex.
'Come down and defend the weak against the strong! Xyz Summon! Rock the arena with your power Number 105: Battlin' Boxer Star Cestus!'
The arena started to tremble as a warrior dropped down from the vortex smashing his fists into the ground, he wore blue with yellow armor, had two shield-like wings attached to his shoulders, the number ''105'' was displayed on his right shoulder. (2500 ATK: 3 ORU)
'This people will the main event!' Gonzales roared pumping his fist in the air the crowd started to cheer and roar like crazy.
'Now Star Cestus attack Utopia with Stardust Impact!' Gonzales' monster took a fighting stance. 'I Detach one of the monsters.' Gonzales removed one of the cards from under the monster. 'Now my Star Cestus can't be destroyed in battle and you take all the damage!' (3- 2 ORU)
'Then I Detach one of my monsters as well!' Mario reacted. (2- 1 ORU)
'Moon Barrier negates your attack!' Utopia shielded himself with his wings, but one punch from Star Cestus scattered them, then Utopia was send flying by a second punch.
(Gonzales: 6100) - (Mario: 5000)
'Heh, did I forgot to mention that when I use the effect of Star Cestus the attack cannot be negated anymore?' Gonzales sneered.
'Well I shall end my turn with two facedown cards.' The cards appeared behind Star Cestus.
Mario quickly drew his card. 'I summon Assault Halberd!' Mario shouted, the warrior clad in blue armor holding the halberd in his hand appeared, he smashed the halberd in the ground. (1800 ATK)
'Utopia attack Star Cestus! Hope Sword Slash!'
'I reveal my Trap card!' Gonzales shouted. 'Dust Tornado!' A lot of dust whipped up around Magnum Shield, when the dust settled the card was ripped to shreds, the attack of Utopia dropped. (4500- 2500 ATK)
'My attack still continues!' Mario shouted, Utopia drew his sword, he stabbed Star Cestus through the chest, with his last power the Battlin' Boxer gave one last mighty punch to Utopia, both monsters stood like that for a few seconds when suddenly they dropped to the ground and disappeared. 'Assault Halberd direct attack!' Gonzales braced himself for the impact, but still he was pushed back by a bit.
(Gonzales: 4300) - (Mario: 5000)
'I use my Monster Reborn!' Mario shouted, the holy Ankh appeared on the Field, then a beam of light shot from the ground and Utopia stepped out of it. (2500 ATK: 0 ORU)
'I set a card and end my turn! Your move again Gonzales.' Mario said, the card appeared in his Spell/Trap Zone, his opponent silently drew his card. 'I activate Call of the Haunted!' The Trap spun around, the ground broke open and Star Cestus leaped back onto the Field. (2500 ATK)
'I activate my Spell card! Rank-Up Magic Barian's Force!'
A black aura surrounded Star Cestus. 'With this card I take one Xyz monster then I get to summon another one with one Rank higher, all the Materials of the former monster including the monster itself become Materials!'
Suddenly Star Cestus started to change he grew a bit in size, the blue of his armor became black and the yellow became purple, the shields on his shoulders changed into four claw-like protrusions. (2800 ATK: 1 ORU)
'This is Number C105: Battlin' Boxer Comet Cestus!' Gonzales proudly said: 'This is the reason I won't lose this Duel, Comet Cestus attack Assault Halberd with Comet Explosion!'
Comet Cestus slammed his knuckles together then he charged in, the moment Comet Cestus hit Assault Halberd an explosion send the monster flying against Mario, Mario on his turn was knocked on his back. 'Now you lose Life Points equal to the original attack points your monster.' Gonzales explained.
(Gonzales: 4300) - (Mario: 2200)
'I activate the effect of my monster, by Detaching one card from it.' Gonzales removed the card, one of the protrusions started to glow as one of the red orbs disappeared into it. 'With this effect I can destroy one monster on the Field, then you lose Life Points equal to the attack points of your monster, Mario you lost!' Comet Cestus leaped into the air, then crashed down on Utopia fist-first.
'I did it! This victory marks my return in this tournament...' Gonzales was stopped short as the smoke cleared Mario was sitting on one knee, he was smiling.
(Gonzales: 4300) - (Mario: 950)
'How did you?' Gonzales cursed, then he saw that Mario's facedown card was face-up. 'Shrink?! You used Shrink to halve your monster's attack?!'
Mario slowly stood up: 'Yes that is exactly what I did.'
Gonzales' expression changed into anger. 'So you won yourself an extra turn, enjoy it as it will be your last!'
Mario looked at his hand then he drew his card. 'You actually gave me the opportunity to win this Duel.' Mario took a card from his hand. 'I activate Premature Burial!' Mario lost some Life Points then the ground broke open and Utopia leaped from the ground once again. (2500 ATK- 0 ORU)
(Gonzales: 4300) - (Mario: 150)
'Now that my Life Points are less than thousand I get to do this!' The ''39'' on Mario's hand changed to black Utopia changed. 'Number C39: Utopia Ray!' Mario shouted. (2500 ATK: 1 ORU)
'Now I normal summon Double Lance from my hand!' The warrior leaped onto the Field. (1700 ATK) 'Then I summon a second one from my Graveyard!' A second warrior appeared next to the first one. (900 DEF)
'I create the Overlay Network with these two monsters!' Mario shouted, the two Double Lances changed into orbs of light. 'Xyz Summon Excalibur!'
The crowd started to cheer as their favorite monster entered the Field. (2000 ATK) 'I Detach the monsters from Excalibur to double his attack!' The sword of Excalibur started to glow. (2000- 4000 ATK)
'Next I Detach my monster from Utopia Ray!' Mario removed the card from under his monster. 'Utopia gains 500 attack while your Comet Cestus loses 1000!' Mario shouted. (Utopia Ray: 2500- 3000 ATK: 0 ORU), (Comet Cestus: 2800- 1800 ATK)
'Utopia Ray attack!' Mario's monster drew his sword and quickly drove it through the guts of Comet Cestus.
(Gonzales: 3100) - (Mario: 150)
'Excalibur end it!' Mario's words were lost in the cheers and roars of the crowd, Gonzales was thrown backwards.
(Gonzales: 0) - (Mario: 150)
The numbers disappeared from Gonzales' hand, the crowd didn't notice but Gonzales wiped some tears from his eyes.
'Mario did it, he entered the top three of the tournament ranking! The only one left for him to face is the number two Koopinator!' Grubba roared but Mario and Gonzales already had left the building.
'So you got some information for me?' Mario asked, but to his surprise Gonzales shook his head, he removed his Luchador mask.
'No all you need to know you already know, he is near invincible only Prince Mush knows a way to beat him, I said I had information so you would accept my Duel.' Gonzales sighted.
'You could have asked, I would have Dueled you, but why challenge me?' Mario wondered. 'Simple if I had beaten you I would be the new number three, I would have faced Rawk Hawk, with my Numbers I would have won.'
'Gonzales, you think that is honorable? Only Numbers can beat Numbers, if you had used them Rawk Hawk didn't stood a chance, would that give you a good feeling?' Mario asked. 'No I guess not.' Gonzales sighted.
thirty minutes later Mario stood in the arena again, before him stood Koopinator his head hung a bit, his Deck was completely wrecked by Mario. 'And this concludes it!' But Grubba was interrupted as Rawk Hawk entered the arena. 'Har har har! You think you are something punk? Listen to the Hawk! I hereby challenge YOU to a Duel! Tonight we will duke it out to see who is the real champion!' With these words Rawk Hawk walked away. 'That is clear, Mario cannot refuse a challenge from the champion! Tonight will be the champion Duel!'
Grave was waiting for Mario just outside the tournament building, for preparations the building was closed until tonight. 'You did it!' Grave shouted, Mario nodded: 'Yes I defeated Koopinator I am the number two now.'
'Good that means Rawk Hawk is left...' Mario stopped Grave.
'I've spoken with the Nephilim this morning, he contacted me through my D-Gazer, it was static and a shadow with an unrecognizable voice, it said that things would end tonight.'
Grave started to laugh: 'This means he fears you, and my suspicion that Rawk Hawk is the Nephilim is strengthened by the fact he came out into the arena and challenged you in the open.'
Mario started to walk, Grave followed him. 'So you did what I asked you to do?' Mario broke the silence. 'Yeah I did, Mallow is posting in the Watering Hole, Luigi is posting around the hotel and casino district and Goombella is watching Jolene, now it is your job to fight Rawk Hawk and my job to find that Nephilim.'
Mario suddenly stopped: 'I just figured out where there cards are hidden.'
Grave looked dumbfounded at Mario: 'You mean the cards Prince Mush hid somewhere?'
'Exactly and it all starts with the man-eating toilet, one of the seven wonders.' Mario started.
'Just hit me with your knowledge.' Grave sneered.
'It is a rumor, most rumors are slightly altered, truth is sometimes Prince Mush was completely gone, what if there was a hidden area? The man-eating toilet could be a door or something.'
Grave scratched his chin. 'Could be, but where could...' Grave stopped .
'The abandoned locker rooms!' Grave and Mario both shouted.
'Yes, the locker rooms were closed after Prince Mush disappeared, the toilet must be in the old Major League locker room.' Mario rambled.
'That room is locked right?' Grave said: 'Yes locked and well guarded by camera's you can't be kicking the door in.' Mario replied killing Grave's enthusiasm, at that moment Mario took a Deck from his pocket and gave it to Grave, Grave leaved through it then he gave it back.
'Judging the Deck you build there I know what cards Prince Mush has hidden.'
'Yes but don't say it out loud, you never know who is listening.' Mario replied.
Next time:
Rawk Hawk challenged Mario in the open to a Duel.
Now Mario has less than five hours left to find out where the man-eating toilet is and thus where Prince Mush has hidden the cards Mario needs to beat Rawk Hawk. ''Rawk the Hawk'' Coming next.
Card details:
Number 105: Battlin' Boxer Star Cestus (anime)
Type: Warrior/Xyz/Effect
Attribute: Fire
Rank: 4
ATK: 2500
DEF: 1600
3 Level 4 monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle except with "Number" monsters. When this card attacks an opponent's monster with higher ATK than this card: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; the attack of this battle cannot be negated, also this card cannot be destroyed by this battle, and your opponent takes any battle damage you would have taken from this battle instead.
Number C105: Battlin' Boxer Comet Cestus (anime)
Type: Warrior/Xyz/Effect
Attribute: Fire
Rank: 5
ATK: 2800
DEF: 2000
4 Level 5 monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle except with "Number" monsters. When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard: Inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster's ATK on the field. If this card is Xyz Summoned by Ranking Up "Number 105: Battlin' Boxer Star Cestus", it gains this effect.
● Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy it, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster's ATK on the field.
