36. Ambush.

Mario returns to Rogueport to get the location of the next treasure, but a nasty surprise in the form of Bowser awaits Mario at the Thousand-Year Door.

Mario opened his eyes, he looked around him then realized he was laying in Bow's bed, Mallow and Luigi stood over him, Goombella sat next to his bed and Bow sat in a corner of the room.

When Luigi saw his brother awake he gave a broad smile.

Goombella leaped onto the bed and hugged Mario.

'Mario.' Mallow said his voice all serious: 'Doopliss got away, we couldn't give chase I'm afraid we lost him.'

Mario now sat up straight Goombella sitting on his lap.

'That doesn't matter, we know his name now all his power is gone, the worst thing he can do now is creating a Shadow Game and we can handle that.' Mario replied.

Ten minutes later they all sat in the restaurant for their last meal in Twilight Town, now that the curse of Doopliss was broken the protective barrier wasn't needed any longer Bow still made sure it would be eternal night because most people preferred it that way, suddenly the doors quietly opened and Culex walked in, Mario and the rest didn't notice him until he stood at their table, they all greeted Culex.

'I feel the Ancient One's power fading fast, when I came here I felt a shift in dimensions.' He spoke.

'We defeated Doopliss, we found out his secret, but he managed to get away but in any case we have the Crystal Star.'

Then Mario reached in his pocket and he took out a card. 'I need to return this card to you Culex, your Shroud of Darkness Field Spell helped us to break Doopliss' Mirror Deck.' Culex took the card and put it in his pocket. 'That was the reason I came here, I'd figured I saved you the effort of finding me.' Culex turned around and walked toward the exit: 'Mario, your journey is far from over, remember the Nephilim one day you need to deal with them, we shall meet again in the future.'

When Culex was gone Bow stood up: 'Mario I want to ask you something.' She said: 'Now that Twilight Town is safe I want to join your team.' Mario also stood up. 'You know the dangers Bow?' She nodded.

'Yes I know the dangers but you did so much for me, and I really want to see Doopliss gone, no doubt you will face him again and when that happens I want to be the one to beat him.'

Just as Mario wanted to welcome Bow to the team they heard someone roaring Mario's name outside, then the doors were kicked open and Grave stomped inside, he dragged Vivian in with him.

Luigi, Mallow, Goombella and Bow all activated their Duel Disks at the same time. 'Stand down guys.' Mario said.

'Mario!' Grave shouted: 'You forget something! I found this girl outside the door afraid to enter on her own.' Grave turned around: 'I actually stayed here to see things unfold, you did a good job.' With these words Grave walked away.

Vivian just stood there in the middle of the Inn.

'Vivian, come join us.' Mario kindly said he sat down again Vivian slowly approached them looking at everyone one by one. 'You don't have to be afraid Vivian.' Mallow said, he stood up to get another chair, Vivian sat down. 'Vivian I need to thank you, it is all thanks to you we defeated Doopliss.' Mario said, Vivian blushed.

'Mario, I, I wanted to ask you if, if, if...' Mario placed his arm around Vivian. 'Calm down Vivian, you are safe here.'

The Shadow Siren looked down at the floor. 'I want to join you, I'm not safe alone anymore, I abandoned my sisters and Beldam don't look kindly on traitors and I am scared of Azrael.'

Mario nodded: 'So today we greet two new members Bow and Vivian!'

A few minutes later Mario and the rest left Twilight Town behind, what they didn't see was Lord Crump approaching with a small army of X-Naut Soldiers and from the other side Bowser and Kammy.

X-Naut Base: Unknown location.

Azrael was standing against the wall next to the door to Grodus' office his arms crossed and eyes closed, suddenly Beldam and Marilyn appeared through the floor, Azrael opened one eye.

'So any news on the traitor?' Azrael asked.

'No, I have no idea where the traitor is.' Beldam replied, she sounded irritated, at that moment Vivian entered the room. 'There she is!' Azrael bellowed. 'Then all of a sudden Vivian disappeared and Doopliss appeared in her place. 'Heh heh heh, got you slick.' Azrael stepped to the front. 'You better explain yourself right now, before I kill you.'

Doopliss leaped back. 'The name is Doopliss, I had Mario on the ropes in Twilight Town but he and that Vivian found out my secret and managed to beat me.' The Ancient One quickly explained.

'So Vivian is with Mario now?' Beldam hissed.

'hate the message not the messenger slick.' Beldam glared at Doopliss.

'What do you want?' Azrael interfered. 'I hate Mario, you want him dead, as you can see I changed myself into Vivian and I managed to sneak in here, I'd say these skills are quite handy to have slick.'

Beldam scratched her chin: 'Yes that is quite handy to have, Doopliss you can join me and my sister your skills can be quite useful for us.'

Doopliss wanted to say something but at that point Grave came walking down the hallway, Doopliss caught eye of Grave: 'YOU!' Both Grave and Doopliss roared.

'What is all the commotion outside?' They heard a stern voice, the doors opened and Grodus stepped outside his room.

Grave looked at Doopliss then at Grodus. 'Sir Grodus, this creep-in-a-sheet is the reason Mario lives.' Grave then bluntly said.

'Care to explain yourself?' Grodus said with a threatening tone.

'It is really simple, this Ancient One named Doopliss here found it funny to disguise himself as Mario taking over his identity, at one point I came across Doopliss disguised as Mario since he knew me I thought I was dealing with the real Mario, I won that Duel then this creep here slipped away, when I found out he wasn't the real Mario I started to look for the real one, when I found Mario he already had defeated Doopliss, got the Crystal Star, found two new companions, if I wanted to get Mario I had to fight my way through five of his friends, even a highly skilled Duelist can't beat five skilled opponents at the same time.'

Sir Grodus looked down on Doopliss: 'So you hindered one of my men in his duty, you had a Crystal Star which you lost to Mario and you dare to show up on my doorstep?' The calm voice of Grodus send chills up Azrael's and Grave's spine. 'Yes I do Sir Grodus, but I am here with a reason, the brief moment I possessed Mario's identity I learned most of his secrets, my skills can be useful to you, let me demonstrate slick.' Doopliss gave a thorough look at Grodus, then he started to glow, a few seconds later an exact copy of Grodus stood on the place where Doopliss first stood.

'As you can see an exact copy slick, voice and all, now if I were to defeat you in a Duel I could steal your identity and left you as a shadow of your former self slick.' Sir Grodus started to glow then changed back into Doopliss.

'I see, since you took Mario's identity that means you must have bested him, I give you the benefit of the doubt.' Sir Grodus turned around: 'But Doopliss, remember this if you fail or try to betray me I will have your sheet on a spike.'

Grave's room: X-Naut Base.

Grave opened the door to his room, the first thing he saw was Rozalin doing Pandora's hair.

'So brother any news?' Pandora asked.

'Well Mario has another Crystal Star he made two new allies and one new enemy, that enemy is currently here inside the base.'

Rozalin was done doing Pandora's hair, Pandora stood up: 'Grave can I take him out?' Grave shook his head. 'No Pandora you cannot, he is under protection of Grodus and Beldam supervises him, there is no way you can get near him.'

At that point Rozalin stood up. 'At least I can warn Mario about that, Grave can you bring me to TEC? I need to send that message.'

Rogueport.

Mario and the others came back in Rogueport, Goombella wanted to see Professor Frankly but Mario thought it was a better idea to go to the sewers first, underway to the sewers Mario got a message.

'It is Rozalin.' Mario said, quickly he read the short message.

'Now we definitely need to hurry.' He muttered: 'It seems like Beldam doesn't like the fact Vivian joined us, the X-Nauts hired Doopliss as Vivian's replacements.'

A short time later they entered the sewers. 'Vivian I wanted to ask you something.' Mario suddenly broke the silence, they were nearing the Thousand-Year Door. 'Can you tell us where the X-Naut base is?'

Vivian shook her head. 'I'm sorry, but I can't tell, Grodus is very secretive about who knows the location, there are no windows so I'd say it is underground or in a mountain, only Beldam, Grave, Azrael, Grodus, Crump and probably Doopliss know the location.' Vivian continued her story as they descended the marble stairs: 'Every time soldiers need to enter or exit it goes either through portals or airships with no windows in the cargo bay, when Beldam, Marilyn and I needed to travel Beldam always used a portal to enter and exit, Beldam herself knows how to stay quite, Azrael actually placed a curse on him and Grave so they cannot speak of the base without suffering extreme pains, Grodus seldom leaves the base and Crump is scared to death of Azrael and Grodus, he rather takes torture over talking, since Doopliss joined the X-Nauts I'd say he had to follow someone to the base so he will be our best bet to learn the location.'

They reached the end of the stairs, they were now in the small hallway leading to the Thousand-Year Door.

'No I won't go after them to find the entrance would have been useful to know, but they have a Crystal Star there it will show up on the map eventually.'

At that point they reached the door, there were two people already there.

'Bowser!' Mario shouted, slowly the red-haired man turned around. 'Bwa ha ha, we meet again Mario.' Bowser immediately activated his Duel Disk and D-Gazer. 'Today I will finally beat you down, then you hand over the Crystal Stars to me! Today will be the day I will finally find great power! Nobody will be able to stop me!' Mallow stepped to the front: 'Mario you are still recovering from your fight against Doopliss, I will take Bowser on.' Mallow activated his Duel Disk: 'Bowser, if you beat me in a fair Duel, you get the Crystal Stars.' Bowser nodded that he agreed to the deal.

'Duel!' Mallow and Bowser both shouted.

(Mallow: 8000) - (Bowser: 8000)

'Mallow please be careful, you have seen what Bowser can do!' Luigi shouted, Mallow looked back he smiled.

'Mallow got this.' Mario calmly said: 'I can see it in his eyes.'

Mallow gave Mario a thumbs-up: 'I made good use of those cards you got me back in Twilight Town, I even got back to that store when you were dealing with Doopliss, the store owner was so happy we were dealing with the Doopliss problem he helped me build this Deck and that all for free.'

Mallow drew his first five cards.

Bowser crossed his arms: 'I feel generous today, you can have the first turn, see it as a thank-you gift for the Crystal Stars you will give to me at the end of this Duel.'

'Don't count your victory just yet.' Mallow growled, he took two cards from his hand. 'I Set the Pendulum Scale with my Scale 2 Majespecter Fox - Kyubi and Scale seven Archfiend Eccentrick!' Two columns of light appeared next to Mallow, in the left column appeared a small, yellow fox with black paws, it wore a red mantle around its neck and it had nine tails, in the other column appeared a devious-looking woman with purple skin she wore a black dress and whit boots and gloves, she held a small staff in her hand for the rest she wore a skull-like helmet her long hair flowed from under the helmet.

'Now I can Special Summon Monster between Level three and six! The winds of victory blow in favor, swing the pendulum of destiny! Pendulum Summon! Come on out my Monsters!' A pendulum appeared between the two columns, it started to swing, then a gate appeared in the sky between then a streak of green and blue light came down from the gate.

'I Special Summon Majespecter Unicorn - Kirin and Majespecter Crow - Yata!' First a majestic beast appeared a white horse with black armor around its neck and legs, it wore a mantle similar to the one Kyubi had its mane and tails seem to be made of golden hair, for the rest it had a sharp-looking horn on the top of its head. (2000 ATK)

Next to the unicorn a purple crow appeared, it wore a black harness and a red mantle. (1000 ATK)

Bowser looked at Kammy. 'What is the meaning of this?' He roared.

'Calm down Bowser.' Kammy replied: 'This is the new Pendulum Summon, Industrial Illusions released the new Pendulum cards as first prize of a tournament a few days ago, also on that day they released for public, since you were so busy finding the Crystal Stars this must have gone under your radar.'

Bowser turned his attention back to Mallow: 'I don't care what Summon method you use, I still beat you down!'

'We shall see Bowser, my turn isn't done yet! I activate the Effect of Yata, when it is Special Summoned I can add one Majespecter Spell card to my hand.' A card slipped from Mallow's Deck he took the card in his hand: 'I add Majespecter Cyclone to my hand.' The card appeared in a small screen above Mallow's head. 'Next I Set two cards and I end my turn.' Two reversed cards appeared vertically on the Field.

'It is my turn.' Bowser said, he drew his card: 'So Pendulum Summon? Looks annoying, but it left Mallow with no cards in his hand, once I deal with those Majespecters he has no cards left in his hand, this will be my easiest victory yet.'

Bowser took a card from his hand: 'I reveal Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand, now I can Special Summon Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon!' A loud roar sounded through the area, a dragon strongly looking like Blue-Eyes White Dragon appeared. (3000 ATK)

'I activate the Effect of Kirin!' Mallow shouted: 'Once per turn I can Target one Pendulum Monster in my Monster Zone and an opponent's Monster and send them both back to their hands.' Mallow quickly explained, a strong wind appeared around Yata, it disappeared then a strong gust appeared around Bowser's dragon blowing it away.

'Fine, if I cannot beat you down one way I will find another way to beat you down.' Bowser took a card from his hand: 'I activate the Ritual Spell card Chaos Form!' Suddenly the ceiling was covered by a thick purple substance, a black hole appeared in the purple substance. 'I send Blue-Eyes Alternative Dragon from my hand to the Graveyard!' The dragon appeared on the Field then was sucked through the black hole. 'I Ritual Summon Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon!' Suddenly a mighty dragon dropped out of the portal, it landed on its two legs, it resembled Blue-Eyes White Dragon only this one was covered with thick scales. (4000 ATK)

'You see now, this is why we defeated Smithy! I always find a way to Summon my strongest Monsters! And that Mallow is why you won't beat me!' Mallow cleared his throat: 'As far as I remember it you and Rozalin were defeated by Smithy, Mario finished his Duel against him in a draw and it was me who truly defeated Smithy when Azrael messed with his mind.' This remark left Bowser silent for a few seconds: 'Anyway.' Mallow continued: 'I activate the Quick-Play Spell card: Majespecter Cyclone! This card allows me to Tribute a Majespecter to destroy one Monster on the Field!' Kirin disappeared and a tornado arrived in its place. 'Since a Pendulum Monster left the Field it goes to the Extra Deck instead of the Graveyard.' Mallow quickly explained, in the meanwhile the tornado approached Bowser's Dragon, when the tornado disappeared Chaos MAX Dragon was still there.

'Bwa ha ha ha, Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon cannot be targeted or destroyed by your cards and Effects.' Mallow took a few steps back.

'Since you went and clear your own Field for me! Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon direct attack!' Mallow braced for the impact but was blown away by the sheer force nonetheless.

(Mallow: 4000) - (Bowser: 8000)

Mallow slowly stood up. 'That thing hits like a truck.' He groaned.

'Next time it shall end you Mallow, your hand is empty except for that Majespecter Monster, your Monsters are all gone.' Bowser chuckled.

'Then you underestimate me.' Mallow grinned, he slowly drew his card.

'Swing again the pendulum of destiny!' The portal opened up between Mallow's Pendulum Monsters. 'I can Pendulum Summon faceup Pendulum Monsters from my Extra Deck! Come on out Yata, Kirin and Majespecter Toad - Ogama!' Mallow played the two cards from his hand and the one he retrieved from the Extra Deck, a red, blue and green beam shot out from the portal, first Yata appeared, (1000 ATK) followed by Kirin (2000 ATK) and finally a new Monster appeared, it was a green frog with black armor around its neck, on its back and around its legs, it also wore the red mantel. (1300 ATK)

'Next I activate the Effect of Yata to add another Majespecter Cyclone to my hand.' Mallow took the card from his Deck.

'Then the Effect of Ogama activates, this allows me to Set a Majespecter Spell or Trap card directly from my Deck.' Another card slipped from Mallow's Deck he took it and played it immediately, the card appeared behind Kirin.

'Next I activate one of my facedown cards!' Mallow continued, a Spell card appeared on his side of the Field: 'Majespecter Sonics! This doubles the Attack Points of a Majespecter I control!' Suddenly Kirin started to glow, lightning struck the beasts horn. (2000- 4000 ATK)

'Kirin attacks Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon!' Kirin created a small tornado with its horn, however Bowser's dragon fired its lightning, the attacks intertwined then reflected back to their owners destroying both of the Monsters. 'Of course Kirin goes to my Extra Deck.' Mallow reminded Bowser as he placed the card in his Extra Deck Zone. 'Now Yata and Ogama direct attack!' First Ogama leaped through the air, the frog knocked Bowser over then jumped on his chest while Yata started to peck his face, Bowser swapped aside Yata then kicked Ogama from his chest.

(Mallow: 4000) - (Bowser: 5700)

'Finally I Set this card from my hand and I end my turn.' Mallow stated, since it was the only card left in his hand Bowser knew it was Majespecter Cyclone.

Bowser looked at his hand then at the Field. 'Damn, I underestimated Mallow, but at least I have a good idea on how Pendulum works, he can recycle the Monsters in his Extra Deck, downside is I know exactly what he's gonna play point is those Majespecters are weak, Kirin is the strongest he showed but their Effects are quite annoying.' Slowly Bowser drew his card. 'Look at that Lord of D. I don't have The Flute of Summoning Dragon, but maybe I can trick Mallow.'

Bowser grinned then he took two cards from his hand.

'First I Summon Lord of D.!' A man appeared before Bowser, he wore some armor, had a dragon skull as a helmet and wore a blue cape. (1200 ATK)

'I won't let you Bowser! I know what the next card in your hand is!'

'He has at least one Blue-Eyes White Dragon in his hand, if he uses The Flute of Summoning Dragon he can Special Summon his Blue-Eyes and thanks to Lord of D. it cannot be targeted.' Mallow looked at his Duel Disk: 'I activate my Trap card Majespecter Tornado!' One of Mallow's facedown cards spun around. 'I Release Yata and Banish Lord of D.' A black portal opened behind the Lord of D. Yata flapped its wings creating a small storm, Lord of D. was blown through the portal then it closed, Yata disappeared afterwards.

'I should have expected that.' Bowser growled: 'Any way.' Bowser showed Mallow a card, it was a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. 'I Special Summon Blue-Eyes Alternative Dragon!' In a flash of light the Blue-Eyes White Dragon look-a-like appeared.

'I activate my Spell card Majespecter Cyclone!' Mallow's other card opened up: 'I release Ogama to Destroy Blue-Eyes Alternative Dragon!' Ogama croaked, the dragon drew back because of the noise it exploded in pixels, then Ogama disappeared.

'Bwa ha ha ha ha, you walked right into my trap! I never had The Flute of Summoning Dragon in my hand, Lord of D. was bait, just like Blue-Eyes Alternative Dragon!' Bowser played the second card in his hand. 'Next I activate the Spell card Trade-In!' Bowser stated, the Spell card appeared on the Field. 'Now I discard my Blue-Eyes White Dragon and I draw two new cards.' Bowser showed the Blue-Eyes and placed it in the Graveyard then he drew two new cards. 'Got it! I activate the Spell card Silver's Cry!' Yet another Spell card appeared on the Field. 'This card allows me to Special Summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Graveyard!'

With a loud roar the real Blue-Eyes White Dragon appeared on the Field. (3000 ATK)

Mallow stared the dragon in its eyes, Bowser was laughing like crazy. 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon attacks Mallow directly! White Lightning!' Mallow braced himself for impact but still he was launched across the room.

(Mallow: 1000) - (Bowser: 5700)

'And to end my turn I play Stamping Destruction, I figured out your Monsters in the Pendulum Scale are Spell cards. Because of the card's color, so my Stamping Destruction can destroy it and deal damage to you!' Blue-Eyes White Dragon launched itself forwards through Archfiend Eccentrick then it kicked Mallow in the chest.

(Mallow: 500) - (Bowser: 5700)

'Now it is really over Mallow, your on the brink of defeat and I broke your Pendulum Scale! There is nothing you can do now!'

'We shall see Bowser.' Mallow chuckled, then he drew his card.

'I just drew my second Archfiend Eccentrick and I use it to reset the Pendulum Scale!' The fiendish woman reappeared inside the column.

'And once again the pendulum of destiny swings!' For the third time the portal opened. 'Come on out my Monsters!' Mallow roared, this time four beams of colored lights shot out from the portal, first Kirin appeared, (2000 ATK) then Ogama, (1300 ATK) followed by Yata (1000 ATK) and finally the Archfiend Eccentrick Bowser had destroyed last turn. (800 ATK)

'First Ogama's Effect, I Set a Majespecter Spell or Trap card from my Deck.' Mallow retrieved the card and played it. 'Yata's Effect I add Majespecter Storm to my hand.' Mallow retrieved another card from his Deck.

'Next I use Archfiend Eccentrick's Effect, I release Eccentrick to destroy Blue-Eyes White Dragon!' Mallow shouted, Archfiend Eccentrick pointed her want at the dragon a small explosion erupted around the Field destroying both Monsters.

'Now the rest of you attack Bowser directly!' Mallow roared, first a powerful blast of wind coming from Kirin knocked Bowser over, then Ogama landed on top of him and Yata pecked at his face, angrily Bowser Bowser shook the Monsters of off him.

(Mallow: 500) - (Bowser: 1400)

Bowser's eye was twitching, Kammy noticed that and she quietly left the room, Mario and the others let her go.

'I draw!' Bowser roared: 'I activate Card of Demise, this let me draw five new cards!' Bowser took the five cards in one draw.

'First I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Archfiend Eccentrick!' This time the entire column shattered. 'Then I activate Ancient Rules and Special Summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon!' With an angry roar the dragon reappeared on the Field. (3000 ATK)

'Then I activate Kirin's Effect!' Mallow shouted, on his side of the Field Yata disappeared, Mallow retrieved the card, Bowser retrieved his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. 'In that case I Special Summon Blue-Eyes Alternative Dragon!' Bowser continued, the Blue-Eyes look-a-like appeared on the Field once more. (3000 ATK)

'Attack Ogama! This is the end Mallow!' The dragon unleashed its attack, Mallow pressed a button on his Duel Disk. 'I activate Majespecter Sonics to double the Attack Points of Ogama!' The facedown card opened up, Ogama became stronger. (1300- 2600 ATK) Then it got destroyed by the dragon's ferocious attack.

(Mallow: 100) - (Bowser: 1400)

'You make me mad! I Set one card and end my turn!' Bowser roared, the card appeared behind his dragon.

'My turn.' Mallow said: 'I Normal Summon Yata!' The crow appeared on the Field again. (1000 ATK)

'Then I send it back to my hand through Kirin's Effect!' Both the crow and the dragon disappeared. 'Kirin attack Bowser directly!' Mallow roared.

'Got you this time Mallow! I activate Mirror Force!' Bowser's Trap card spun around, the barrier appeared. 'Majespecter Monsters cannot be Destroyed by my opponent's card Effects!' The unicorn shot a blast of wind from its horn shattering the Mirror Force, then it trampled over Bowser.

(Mallow: 100) - (Bowser: 0)

Bowser stood up. 'Kammy!' Bowser roared.

'She already left Bowser.' Mario replied.

'In that case you got lucky punk, but you won't escape me, I now know where The Thousand-Year Door is!' Bowser turned around and started to walk away, Luigi and Vivian wanted to go after him but Mario stopped them. 'Let him go, we can take him whenever we need to.'

Then Mario proceeded to stand on the pedestal he held the map above his head it briefly glowed.

Professor Frankly's house.

'So the professor said: 'Keelhaul Key? A desolate island only reachable by boat, no boats departing from Rogueport go there, they say the island is cursed and that the spirit of the pirate lord Cortez rests there.'

The professor scratched his head. 'There must be a way to go there.' Goombella muttered.

'Well while you were busy in Twilight Town a rather fancy ship docked in Rogueport, I haven't seen the captain yet but a few sailors all wearing the same uniform constantly go on and off the ship, I'd say check the Inn the captain is probably there.'

'Thank you for the help Professor then we go there first.' Mario said and he shook the man's hand.


Next time:

Mario and his gang need to go to Keelhaul Key, but first they need a boat.

When Mario checks out the Inn he is in for a pleasant surprise. ''Act 6. A Pirates Life for Me: The Haunted Captain.'' Coming next.