28. Unknown Adversary.
Bow fought an unknown Nephilim but was defeated.
Mario and the others meanwhile need to find the entrance to Twilight Town, when they do they find Bow laying in the street surrounded by pigs, Mario goes out to confront the Nephilim.
Mario and the others were sitting in Frankly's office.
'So Twilight town it is.' The professor muttered more to himself, he removed some books from the back of his room, a full map of Rogueport.
'Twilight Town is a village that doesn't exist, but the magical map showed it anyway.' Frankly turned around to face away from the map.
'Well we met a girl named Bow in Boggly Woods, she said she was the founder of that place.'
Frankly looked at the map, then he pointed to a place directly behind Rogueport itself. 'Of course we have legends around here, rumor has it that Twilight Town is placed in a different dimension and that it lies parallel to Rogueport, the entrance is rumored to be in Rogueport but it is invisible.' Frankly put the books back. 'You know I only believed in science but with everything that is going on now I'm willing to believe anything.'
When Mario stepped outside a young-looking girl was waiting for them, she had short, brown hair partly covered by a gray hood, she wore ragged and old-looking clothes, Mario could barely see her face. 'I am Darkly.' The girl spoke: 'When I saw you coming out of the sewers I had a feeling I needed you.'
Mario said nothing. 'I'm sorry that I eavesdropped on you but I know how you can enter Twilight Town.'
'And why would you know that?' Goombella asked.
'Well I live there, but an evil man is terrorizing us, our leader Bow went out to fight him, but she never returned.'
'Show us the way.' Mario said, Darkly started to run Mario and the others followed her.
After a minute or two they were standing in a back alley it was a dead-end.
'I see nothing here.' Mallow said: 'I find this suspicious.' He added, Darkly ignored the comment, she placed his hands on the back-wall, she closed her eyes and started to chant something, the wall started to glow and slowly a gate appeared.
'This is the entrance.' Darkly said: 'Twilight Town was a direct neighbor of Rogueport, but when it changed into a ghost town due to the Nephilim, Bow created a barrier around it, for people the place became a wasteland when they looked at it, while for us it became a safe haven, then Bow hid the entrance, it became a solid wall only people from Twilight Town can reveal it, and that is where I come in, you can say I am the gatekeeper.'
Mario and the rest stepped through the gate, they stood inside Twilight Town already, the gate behind them closed, the first thing Mario noticed were a lot of pigs outside, the second thing he noticed was Bow laying on the ground.
Mario knelt next to Bow. 'Please stay down.' Mario said in a demanding way, Bow did as she was told. 'I need to check something.' Mario continued, he carefully placed his hands on Bow one on her forehead and one on her belly. 'I do not feel any negative energy, whatever that Nephilim did to you it has no permanent damage.'
Mario stood up, Bow also wanted to stand up but Luigi lifted her from the ground, she started to blush but made no objections.
A few minutes later Bow was laying on a bed, the rest sat around the bed.
'So Bow what is going on here?' Mario asked.
'It is that unknown Nephilim, he plants to change everyone here into pigs, he has a Crystal Star connected to the bell of Creepy Steeple, an old church at the end of the forest, he said we have twelve hours to stop him.'
Mario scratched his chin. 'Sounds like his magic spreads through sound, I imagine the bell can be heard all over town?' He concluded.
'Exactly, the same conclusion I drawn.' Bow replied.
'But how did you end up in the middle of the town?' Luigi then asked.
'I Dueled the Nephilim, when he defeated me I tried to kill it with a knife, but he teleported me away.' Bow explained.
'What about his powers and his Deck?' Mallow then asked.
Bow thought for a second. 'His power obviously comes from him being anonymous, I can't find anything about his name, for his Deck he used a weird Field Spell his entire Deck was build around that, but he had it in his opening hand, when I was about to win I couldn't draw the good cards I needed.' Bow said.
'That makes me think that he can manipulate his and his opponent's Deck.' Mario said. 'A dangerous opponent indeed.' Mario stood up: 'Goombella, do you want to come with me? I'm gonna look for that Nephilim, I plan to end this right now.' Goombella stood up. 'Mallow, I need you to watch over the town, if anything happens you must try to solve it, Luigi I need you to guard Bow.'
A few minutes later Mario and Goombella took the barren path until they reached the old shack. 'Just hold it right there slick.' A threatening voice then said, the sheet-wearing Nephilim appeared on the roof of the shack, he looked really menacing with the full moon behind him.
'So you're the Nephilim?' Mario asked.
'You're right slick, I am the Nephilim.' He leaped down from the roof, he was half Mario's size, yet his ridiculous appearance Mario knew this one was dangerous.
Mario stared the Nephilim in the eyes, the Nephilim gazed back without blinking, that made Mario nervous.
'You really want to fight me slick?' The Nephilim said in a mocking tone.
'First I want you to tell me your name.' Mario replied.
'I'd prefer not too slick.' The Nephilim replied.
'So you're name is Rumpelstiltskin, named after the fairytale and you're too ashamed to tell me your name, don't worry Rumpelstiltskin I keep it a secret.' Mario said with a serious tone in his voice.
The right eye of the Nephilim started to twitch. 'You serious slick?' The Nephilim sounded irritated. 'My name is not Rumpelstiltskin...' Then he saw Mario and Goombella laughing.
'Damn you! I shall teach you slick!' Slowly the moon turned red, shadows started to creep in, Mario's expression turned serious.
Mario looked at the Nephilim, the moon was now completely red making the Nephilim even more threatening, more darkness appeared all around them, the left eye of the Nephilim started to glow golden, Mario smiled. 'So you want a Shadow Game?' A difficult pattern of black lines appeared around Mario's left eye, his eye also started to glow golden, then Mario activated his Duel Disk, the Nephilim did the same. 'Duel!' They shouted.
(?: 8000) - (Shadow Mario: 8000)
'And I shall take the first turn slick.' The Nephilim stated, he drew his opening hand, meanwhile shadow armor appeared around Mario, when the armor had fully appeared he drew his opening hand.
'I activate the Field of Mirrors!' The Nephilim shouted, he placed the card in his Field Spell Zone, the five mirrors appeared before the Nephilim, then he was lifted from the ground by the big mirror, more mirrors appeared all around the Duelists.
'Too bad I drew this card, this will spell your end slick, now because of Field of Mirrors I place one Mirror Counter on it.' Black mist appeared in the big mirror. 'That is enough for now, your turn slick.'
'Bow told me about this card, his entire Deck is based on it, Bow also mentioned that when she was about to win her luck became terrible, I can feel the dark powers of this Nephilim lick at me the entire time, he must have suppressed Bow this way, well that won't work on me, now I only need a way to beat his Deck.'
The Nephilim on his turn was focused on Mario. 'What is that power I feel from him? It comes from his Extra Deck, a powerful monster rests there.' The Nephilim's left eye lighted up a bit. 'Numbers?' In his mind the Nephilim saw Mario's Numbers he set his sights on Utopia. 'Gotcha, my key to victory.' The Nephilim grinned, Mario didn't notice it.
Mario drew his card. 'Let's see what you have Nephilim, I summon Double Lance!' Before Mario the warrior clad in white and blue armor appeared, he drew his two lances from his back. (1700 ATK)
'This activates the Effect of my Field of Mirrors!' The Nephilim said, the mirror before Double Lance broke, a similar warrior stepped out of it, instead of white of blue his armor was mostly black with red aspects, its armor was covered with sharp edges and its two lances had a demonic appearance. (1700 ATK)
Mario took another card from his hand. 'Through the Effect of Double Lance, I summon another one.' Next Mario's first one a second Double Lance appeared, it was kneeling in defense. (900 DEF)
The mirror across of it broke and a second Mirror Double Lance stepped out. (1700 ATK)
'With my two monsters I create the Overlay Network!' Mario shouted, his Double Lances changed into glowing orbs, the vortex opened. 'Xyz Summon Excalibur!' The mighty warrior holding the legendary sword appeared, the mirror in front of it broke open, a warrior clad in black armor stepped out of it, the sword Mirror Excalibur carried was fiendish in appearance a black mist poured out of the warrior's empty eye-sockets. (2000 ATK)
'I Detach the two Materials from my Excalibur to double his attack!' The two glowing orbs circling around the warrior disappeared the sword started to glow with power. (2000- 4000 ATK) 'Excalibur attack the Mirror Excalibur!' The two warriors clashed their swords. 'I use my Mirror Counter slick, this means that my monster survives!' Suddenly Mirror Excalibur leaped back so that the real Excalibur lost its footing, one slash from the Mirror Excalibur cut down Excalibur, the mist from the big mirror disappeared.
(?: 6000) - (Shadow Mario: 8000)
'Now I've got you slick.' The Nephilim taunted, he drew his card.
The black mist reappeared in the big mirror.
'I can also create the Overlay Network!' The vortex started to open black mist sipped out of it. 'I've seen your Numbers slick, well two can play at that game! I sacrifice Mirror Excalibur so that I can transform him!'
Excalibur was lifted inside the vortex. 'Xyz Summon, Mirror Number 39: Dystopia!' Out of the vortex a new monster dropped, completely clad in black armor, it had red edges, the number ''39'' was glowing red on his right shoulder, Mario noticed the numbers were in mirror, the eyes of the warrior glowed red, from his back he drew two wicked-looking swords. (2500 ATK: 2 ORU)
'You see now slick? I just turned your own power against you! Now Dystopia attacks Excalibur!' Dystopia readied his swords. 'I use Dystopia's Effect, by Detaching one monster I can destroy the the monster he battles and attack again!' (Dystopia: 2-1 ORU) Dystopia threw his swords away one disappeared through Excalibur's neck the second one pierced his chest, then Dystopia kicked Excalibur down yanking out his swords at the same time, then the warrior looked at Mario only to leap into the air thrusting his swords down into Mario's shoulders, the dark armor protected Mario, but the shoulder pieces scattered after the attack.
(?: 6000) - (Shadow Mario: 5500)
Mario could feel his energy fading away. 'You getting tired slick?' The Nephilim taunted. 'That is one of my powers, when I fight someone who uses dark magic like I do, I can drain their power slick!'
Mario knew he was in real trouble now, he needed to keep his dark magic up in order to resist the Nephilim's powers it used to beat Bow.
'In that case I will need to end this Duel fast.' Mario said, he quickly drew his card.
'His Dystopia can destroy any attack target, so attacking Dystopia as long as it has a Material.' Mario looked at his hand. 'I summon Ambush Soldier!' The warrior clad in camouflage appeared. (0 ATK)
The mirror across of the soldier broke, a more demonic version of Ambush Soldier stepped out of it, instead of green camouflage he had gray camouflage, the soldier knelt and shielded himself with a combat knife. (0 DEF) 'Next I set one card.' Mario continued, a reversed card appeared behind Ambush Soldier. 'And I end my turn with Swords of Revealing Light!' The swords descended all around the Field.
'Now you're stalling slick.' The Nephilim taunted, he drew his card.
'Since you have given me a Mirror Ambush Soldier, which Effect I cannot use, I simply sacrifice it.' Runes appeared around the Mirror Ambush Soldier. 'I summon Warlock of the Mirror!' With a scream the Mirror Ambush Soldier disappeared a new figure stepped out of the mirror, clearly a woman, her long black hair was visible from under a white hood, her face was hidden except for her glowing red eyes, for the rest she wore matching robes revealing her feminine figure, in her hands she held a staff. (2000 ATK)
'Warlock has a useful Effect, I can remove the Mirror Counter to deal 1000 points of damage to you slick.'
Warlock started to chant, the black mist came out of the mirror, it was absorbed into her staff, then with a graceful movement she aimed the staff at Mario.
Mario braced himself as a beam of darkness hit him square in the chest, his armor caught most of the blast, but it cracked open, Mario was launched backwards on his back, there his armor also cracked.
(?: 6000) - (Shadow Mario: 4500)
Slowly Mario stood up. 'Had enough yet slick?' The Nephilim taunted, Mario growled some unheard curse. 'Now I bet that wasn't nice.' His opponent replied. 'Anyway, I shall end my turn now slick.'
Mario looked at his hand, then he drew his card.
'Time to strike back.' Mario growled through his teeth. 'I use the Effect of Ambush Soldier! By sacrificing it I get to Summon two monsters from my Graveyard!' Ambush Soldier grinned then he disappeared, in his place the two Double Lances reappeared. (1700 ATK x2)
The Nephilim merely laughed as two Mirror version of Double Lance stepped out of two mirrors, they both crouched in defense. (600 DEF x2)
'Now I Summon Spartan in attack mode!' Before Mario the ancient warrior holding the shield and spear appeared. (1600 ATK)
Out of the mirror crawled a skeleton wearing the same armor and weapons, black mist came out of its nose, mouth and eye-sockets. (1600 ATK)
'You!' Mario shouted addressing the Nephilim.' The Nephilim looked back. 'Looks like I got you, your Field is full!' The Nephilim gasped, he looked at the Mirror Warlock, the two Mirror Double Lances, the Mirror Spartan and his Dystopia. 'Now I create the Overlay Network!' Mario shouted, the vortex opened, his two Double Lances changed into glowing orbs. 'I'll show you a real Number!' Mario's hand started to glow as the number ''39'' appeared on it. 'Come on down Utopia!'
A beam of light shot out of the portal, the real Utopia landed behind Mario. (2500 ATK)
'Gah! My Monster Zones are full!' The Nephilim panicked. 'Exactly.' Mario replied. 'No fair slick!'
'Says the one who uses dark magic to draw Field of Mirrors and uses his magic to decide which cards I draw.' Mario replied, the Nephilim placed his hands on his head. 'You knew?' He gasped, what Mario couldn't see was that the Nephilim was calm from the inside. 'So you can tell my powers slick? What you don't know is that you are already affected by my powers, the moment Dystopia struck you, you're mine now Mario.'
Mario pressed a button on his Duel Disk. 'I activate my Trap card, Meteorain!' The Trap card spun around. 'This turn all attacks do Piercing Damage, but first Utopia destroys Warlock!'
The woman tried to duck for cover but Utopia was far too fast for her.
'Now Spartan destroy one of the Double Lances!' This time Mario send some Dark Magic the to aid Spartan, the spear first of the warrior first pierced the Mirror Double Lance, then Spartan threw his spear at the Nephilim, the impact knocked the Nephilim off his mirror, with a sickening smack he landed on his back.
(?: 4500) - (Shadow Mario: 4500)
The Nephilim stood up, he groaned a bit. 'That was harsh slick.' Mario said nothing, the Nephilim looked up at his mirror. 'No use to crawl back up that thing.' He drew his card, the black mist reappeared inside the mirror.
'Since I do have empty Spell and Trap card Zones I play Mystical Space Typhoon!' The storm swept away the Swords of Revealing Light.
'Next I change my Mirror Double Lance to attack mode.' The Nephilim continued, the warrior stood up. (1700 ATK)
'Mirror Spartan attacks Spartan, and through the Mirror Counter my Mirror Spartan survives!' The spear of Mario's Spartan was aimed right at the hart of the Mirror Spartan but since it was a skeleton the spear only damaged the armor, then Mirror Spartan returned the favor by piercing the real Spartan through the heart.
Black mist was forming around Mario. 'Dystopia attacks Utopia!' Mario crossed his arms. 'I use Dystopia's Effect to destroy Utopia!' Mario showed no effort of stopping the attack with Utopia's Effect, the two swords of Dystopia violently cut apart Utopia. (Dystopia: 1-0 ORU)
'Double Lance! Direct attack!' The Nephilim shouted without hesitation, the first lance smashed away the darkness protecting Mario, the second strike send Mario flying, he landed on his back. 'Dystopia can attack again through its Effect!' The Nephilim roared, Dystopia leaped into the air then struck Mario twice, the first hit completely destroyed Mario's remaining armor, the second strike smashed Mario against one of the mirrors.
(?: 4500) - (Shadow Mario: 300)
Mario's hand twitched a bit, then slowly he managed to get up. 'You've got to be kidding me! What does it takes to kill you slick!?'
Mario decided to remain silent. 'Doesn't matter slick, I use a Spell card Mirror Plasma!' The Spell card appeared on the Field. 'This fills my remaining two Monster Zones with Mirror Plasma Tokens!' The Nephilim explained, the glass in the mirrors cracked and some blue goo started to come out. (0 DEF x2) 'That ends my turn slick.'
Mario slowly drew his card, his body felt heavy and broken, while his opponent still stood straight Mario saw him breathing hard.
'If I don't end it he'll really kills me.' Mario looked at his hand.
'I set two cards.' He stated, the cards appeared in Mario's Spell/Trap Zone.
'Next I use Monster Reborn.' The holy Ankh appeared on the Field and with a bright light Utopia appeared under it. (2500 ATK)
'Now Dystopia has no more Materials, Utopia attacks!' The Nephilim was blown backwards by the fierce impact of the two Numbers clashing, in the end they struck each other through the chest, they exploded in light and darkness.
'Now you're plainly annoying slick!' The Nephilim muttered, he drew his card. 'I activate Call of the Haunted!' Mario shouted, his left Trap card spun around, Excalibur leaped back onto the Field. (2000 ATK)
Out of the mirror across of it the Mirror version of Excalibur crawled out. (2000 ATK)
'Now the Effect of my Mirror Plasma kicks in slick, either I pay half of my Life Points or I destroy Field of Mirrors!' The Nephilim started to cackle, Mario was covered by glass of the exploding mirrors around him, the Mirror Monsters all screamed when they got destroyed.
'Since Field of Mirrors got destroyed, I lose 500 Life Points for each Mirror Monster destroyed slick.' A shower of glass rained down on the Nephilim, he seemed to enjoy it.
(?: 2000) - (Shadow Mario: 300)
'Then I Summon Dark Master of the Mirror, with 1000 Attack Points for each Mirror Monster destroyed!'
Mario took a few steps back as the gigantic suit of armor appeared behind the Nephilim, its demonic red eyes stared at Mario, the Dark master drew its axe and mirror shield. (5000 ATK)
'So this is what defeated Bow.' Mario gasped.
'Dark Master end this!' The Nephilim bellowed.
'I use my Trap card! Heroic Retribution Sword!' Mario's Trap card spun around. 'I Equip it to Excalibur!' The sword of Excalibur started to glow with a red light, Excalibur blocked the mighty axe. 'Thanks to Heroic Retribution Sword we both take the Battle Damage.' Mario explained he sounded tired. 'Say what now slick!' The Nephilim gasped but then Dark master and Excalibur pushed each other back, Excalibur landed on Mario and Dark master landed on the Nephilim.
(?: 0) - (Shadow Mario: 0)
Mario stared at the Nephilim, the latter stared back.
Mario took a step forwards, the Nephilim took one step back.
'Well, seems you got a choice to make here slick.' The Nephilim then broke the silence. Mario looked back at Twilight Town, he saw an airship landing, he could see the Shadow Sirens and Azrael standing on top of it. when Mario looked back the Nephilim was gone. 'He ran into the forest.' Goombella said.
'Leave him be, we know where he is heading, Creepy Steeple, an X-Naut drop-ship just dropped off the Shadow Sirens at Twilight Town and it looked like they carried something big.'
The Nephilim ran through the forest. 'Damn that Mario!' He muttered through his breath. 'I could use my magic to make him drew the cards needed for a draw, but he is strong.' Meanwhile the Nephilim reached Creepy Steeple. 'But I've got him now, he came into contact with my magic, the moment he steps in my room I'll use the Crystal Star together with my magic to bring him to his knees!'
Two people were standing on top of the airship, they were watching how the Shadow Sirens dragged the heavy object with them.
'So you gonna execute your orders Grave?' This was Azrael talking.
'I do not intent to.' Grave replied.
'You know I don't think the bomb the Shadow Sirens have will kill this Nephilim, I'm making that Nephilim my priority.' Azrael sighted. 'I knew you would say that Grave and this time I agree with you, that Nephilim has priority.'
Grave looked at Azrael. 'So I will take down Mario myself!' Azrael laughed, then he leaped down from the airship.
Next time:
While Mario and Goombella are out fighting the Nephilim, the Shadow Sirens appear with a bomb meant to wipe out Twilight Town.
It is up to Luigi and Mallow to stop the Shadow Sirens.
''Siren's Song.'' Coming next.
Card details:
Warlock of the Mirror
Type: Spellcaster/Effect
Attribute: Dark
Level: 5
ATK: 2000
DEF: 2300
When this card is Summoned destroy the Mirror Spell in the same column. During your turn you can remove a Mirror Counter from a ''Field of Mirrors'' you control, deal 1000 points of damage to your opponent.
Mirror Number 39: Dystopia
Type: Warrior/Xyz/Effect
Attribute: Dark
Rank: 4
ATK: 2500
DEF: 2000
2 Level 4 Monsters.
When this card is Summoned you must Tribute 1 Mirror Xyz Monster.
This card cannot be destroyed by Battle except with a ''Number'' Monster. When this monster Battles you can Detach 1 Monster from this card then destroy the Monster it Battles, when it is your turn this card can attack again.
Mirror Plasma
Normal Spell card
When you control ''Field of Mirrors'' fill all remaining Monster Card Zones with Mirror Plasma Tokens. (Aqua-Type/WATER/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) in DEF. During your next Standby Phase pay half your LP, if you do not destroy ''Field of Mirrors''.
Note: The above 3 cards were created by me, nobody is allowed to use these cards.
Mirror Monsters
Note: Mirror Monsters created through the Effects of Field of Mirrors are no actual cards, so if they have Effects that activate from the Graveyard these Effects cannot be used, all Mirror Versions are equal to the original only they are Dark Attribute, some Effects might have a slight change.
Mirror Heroic Challenger - Double Lance
Same as the regular one but its Effect for being Normal Summoned cannot be used.
Mirror Heroic Champion - Excalibur
Effect cannot be used, when a Mirror Xyz Monster is Summoned it does not have Materials.
Mirror Heroic Champion - Ambush Soldier
Effect cannot be used, Mirror Heroic Challengers cannot be in the Nephilim's hand, because they are not actual cards, and when destroyed they do not go to the Graveyard.
