40. The Invincible Cortez.

When Mario and his friends found Cortez it was Bow who challenged the pirate, after a short Duel Bow won the Duel but her victory was short-lived as the pirate king simply regenerated all his Life Points, Bow lost the Duel and Jonathan took over.

Meanwhile Mario went out to find the source of the curse.

Jonathan looked at Cortez. 'The Invincible Cortez, aye this will be a problem.' He muttered, Cortez had a Duel against Bow earlier after Bow won Cortez simply got back up, regained his 8000 Life Points upgraded his Field, his Umi became A Legendary Ocean and the Legendary Fisherman he controlled became The Legendary Fisherman II (2200- 2400 ATK) then he Normal Summoned Mermaid Knight, (1500- 1700 ATK) and he finished off Bow in one attack, at that point Jonathan jumped in to take on the pirate.

(Jonathan: 8000) - (Cortez: 8000)

Jonathan drew his five cards, a quick glance over his cards gave him a good idea for a strategy. 'Cortez, you facing me now, I am the Celestian Jonathan Jones tasked by taking you: Cortez out so hereby you will the judgment of Star Heaven, through me.'

Cortez let his jaw hang for a moment before he burst out in a loud laughter. 'So now I have to be what? Afraid amigo, you cannot kill me when I am done with you amigo, that Star Heaven of your's will have to do it with one more corpse!'

Jonathan ignored Cortez. 'I Summon Gazer Shark.' He stated, a small fin-less shark appeared on the Field, it was mechanical in appearance with steam pouring out of several holes in its body. (1000- 1200 ATK)

'Next I Set a card.' Jonathan continued, a reversed card appeared behind his Monster. 'I end my turn.'

A spectral card appeared before Cortez. 'I Summon Deepsea Warrior!' A man-like creature leaped on the Field it wore a blue tunic and a helmet, the creature's skin was covered in green scales and it held a trident in its hands. (1600 ATK)

'Time to end this amigo, Deepsea Warrior destroy Gazer Shark!'

Jonathan chuckled: 'I activate Dust Tornado!' He roared, his Trap card revealed itself, a gigantic tornado appeared sucking up all the water, as the Field Spell disappeared they were back in the cabin, Cortez's Monsters became weaker as did Gazer Shark. (Gazer Shark: 1200- 1000 ATK, Mermaid Knight 1700- 1500 ATK, Fisherman: 2400- 2200 ATK)

Deepsea Warrior then heaved its trident and stabbed the small Gazer Shark. 'Mermaid Knight, Fisherman direct attack!' Jonathan braced himself, first he got shield-bashed by Mermaid Knight and finally an arrow from the Fisherman's crossbow through his shoulder.

(Jonathan: 3700) - (Cortez: 8000)

'So you managed to survive by sheer luck amigo, but luck won't always protect you.' Cortez said.

'No luck Cortez, experience.' Jonathan said as he drew his card.

'Since you control two Monsters I Normal Summon the Level five Eagle Shark without Releasing a Monster.' Jonathan played his card a creature with the body of a shark appeared, it had the head of an eagle with six wings attached to its head. (1000 ATK)

'Now that I control Eagle Shark I can Special Summon Panther Shark from my hand.' Jonathan stated, he played another card, next to the bird and fish hybrid appeared a yellow shark-like creature it had purple fins and a purple head. (1100 ATK)

'Now I create the Overlay Network with Level five Panther Shark and Level five Eagle Shark.' The two Monsters changed into two blue orbs, a black portal opened and the two orbs disappeared into it. 'From the dark abyss of the seven seas, the guardian arrives!' Suddenly Jonathan's hand started to glow the number ''73'' appeared on his hand. 'Xyz Summon Rank five, Number 73: Abyss Splash!' Inside the cabin appeared a fierce warrior wearing blue armor, it had yellow shoulder pats, several yellow decals on its helmet and it held a staff in its hands, its number was visible on its right upper leg. (2400 ATK)

'I can Detach a Monster from Abyss Splash to double it's Attack Points.' Jonathan explained, the two orbs circling the Monster disappeared into it's staff, sparks of electricity appeared briefly around it. (2400- 4800- 9600 ATK)

'Now that Eagle Shark and Panther Shark are in the Graveyard, I use the Effect of Gazer Shark, by Banishing it I can Special Summon those two Monsters, then I Xyz Summon with them.' Before Jonathan Eagle Shark and Panther Shark reappeared immediately changed into the two blue orbs, the black portal opened again. 'Aye, it's time to get me a real ship in here, I Xyz Summon, Rank five! Shark Fortress!' Outside of the cabin the huge mechanical shark surfaced, Jonathan ran outside the cabin he leaped onto the Shark Fortress, Cortez's bone pile expanded to reach outside as well. (2400 ATK, ORU: 2)

'Now I Detach one Monster from Shark Fortress.' Jonathan retrieved one card from under the Monster card and placed it in his Graveyard: 'This means that Abyss Splash can attack twice now.' Jonathan moved his arm forward, Abyss Splash first leaped at the Fisherman, knocked it off his fish, then impaled the warrior with his own crossbow. 'When Bow defeated Cortez The Legendary Fisherman changed into The Legendary Fisherman II, now there is no Legendary Fisherman on the Field anymore.' Jonathan said to Mario's friends, then Abyss Splash crushed Deepsea Warrior with the body of the dead fish the Fisherman rode.

(Jonathan: 3700) - (Cortez: 0)

Again Cortez fell down, this time the entire body scattered and the bones broke.

Aboveground Mario: Right halfway Jonathan's and Cortez's Duel.

Mario looked at Flavio. 'You won't take this from me Mario, the treasure is mine!' Flavio yelled.

'No this treasure is the cause of all that happened on this island, Cortez the pirate lord is cursed and this Skull Gem in the source, I will destroy it.' Flavio's eye started to twitch. 'No, no you won't take this from me! This Skull Gem is my future!' Flavio took a fighting stance. 'Bring it Mario.' He growled through his teeth.

Mario readied his fists then with a quick motion Flavio drew a sword from his belt, Flavio charged at Mario the latter blocked the sword using the side of his Duel Disk, Mario cleansed his fist a black mist formed around it, Flavio slashed at Mario again this time he caught the sword.

'How? Your hand should be cut open!' Flavio stammered.

'Villains ain't the only ones who can command the Shadows Flavio.' Mario easily yanked the sword out of Flavio's hand and he threw the weapon into a small river nearby.

Mario relaxed his stance a bit, the shadows around his hand disappeared, Flavio charged in again this time with his bare fists, Mario blocked the flurry of punches until Flavio was tired out one quick kick in Flavio's stomach made him bent forward, Mario saw his chance and gave a quick and strong jab against the lower jaw of Flavio, the pupils of the sea captain turned away and he collapsed on the ground.

Mario quickly checked Flavio's pulse to see if he was still alive, when Mario confirmed Flavio was alive he picked up the Skull Gem from the pedestal, with brute force Mario threw the Skull Gem against the rock-wall where it scattered.

Mario heard a loud screeching sound as the Skull Gem scattered into many pieces, a dark-purple mist erupted from the small pieces for a few seconds the mist formed a skull and cross-bones in the air before it disappeared.

After a short time Mario arrived on Jonathan's ship, Flavio started to groan, Mario placed him on the couch.

'You.' Flavio growled as he saw Mario, he wanted to draw his sword, then remembered that Mario had thrown his sword away he grabbed his head instead as he felt a headache.

'Why did you do it Mario, you ruined my dreams.' Flavio was nearly crying, Mario sat down on a chair. 'Listen, I had to destroy the Skull Gem we need to free Cortez, he guards a Crystal Star, if I don't get those Crystal Stars the world is doomed, I promise you this Flavio, once the matter with Cortez is resolved I will get you that money.'

Flavio sat straight up: 'How? You don't have the money.'

'I don't, but Cortez has, when Cortez is defeated and the curse is broken, if he stays alive me might strike a deal with him, a reward for saving him, if he dies after the curse breaks, the money is there to grab.'

Mario saw a gleam in Flavio's eyes.

The Black Skull.

Cortez started to laugh, Jonathan readied himself again, knowing it was not over yet, quickly he put a card in his Duel Disk, it materialized on the Field. 'You give me a real headache amigo!' The head of Cortez burst out of the pile of broken bones, six spectral cards appeared before him.

(Jonathan: 3700) - (Cortez: 8000)

'This time I will kill you amigo!' Cortez roared, one of the spectral cards disappeared, the Spell card Monster Reborn appeared and with it appeared the Legendary Fisherman. (1850 ATK)

Next another of the spectral cards disappeared and A Legendary Ocean activated, the cabin of the ship disappeared, all of them stood on an invisible platform, the pile of bones that once was Cortez laid on the island. 'Aye, Jonathan now I will end your miserable life, be prepared for the end amigo.' A spectral card disappeared: 'I Release The Legendary Fisherman for The Legendary Fisherman III!' The young warrior grew older, his spear got replaced by a harpoon gun, the fish he rode upon became gigantic, it had blood-red eyes and a gem on the middle of its head, the Fisherman stood on the back of the fish. (2500 ATK)

'When I Special Summon The Legendary Fisherman III I can Banish all Monsters my opponent controls.' Cortez explained, suddenly the Fisherman grabbed a gigantic fishing net and caught Abyss Splash and Shark fortress, the monsters were dragged away.

'Now let me Normal Summon Mermaid Knight.' Cortez continued and for the third time the mermaid crawled onto the rock. (1500- 1700 ATK)

'You see amigo, when the Effect of the Fisherman activates he cannot attack, however I can return all the Banished Monsters back to your Graveyard and the first Damage I deal this turn is doubled.' Jonathan took three cards from his pocket and returned them to his Graveyard.

'I control a Legendary Ocean which counts as Umi so Mermaid Knight can attack twice!' The Monster dived under water. 'I activate Damage Diet!' Jonathan roared, Cortez merely chuckled as Mermaid Knight slammed Jonathan with her shield then she slashed him with the sword.

(Jonathan: 1150) - (Cortez: 8000)

'Cortez, I will win this round, I can see your end.' Jonathan drew his card.

'First I Set a Monster.' Jonathan said, the reversed card appeared before him. 'And this Cortez is where you made a mistake by putting Gazer Shark back into my Graveyard I can banish it to Special Summon Eagle Shark and Panther Shark!' Jonathan pocketed his card then the colorful and weird sharks surfaced, immediately they changed into two blue orbs. 'I create the Overlay Network with Eagle Shark and Panther Shark.' The black portal opened up once again. 'This Cortez is your second mistake, thanks to A Legendary Ocean my two Level five Monsters are now Level four, Xyz Summon! Rank four!' Jonathan's hand started to glow again as the Number ''37'' appeared. 'Number 37: Hope Woven Dragon Spider Shark!' A gigantic, monstrosity rose out of the water, it was a sea creature with a light-blue, armor-like skin with eight red eyes placed around its neck and head, it had six claw-like horns sticking out of its back and two gigantic claws growing out of its small body, the number ''37'' was displaced on the right claw, the lower body of the creature was hidden in the water. (2600- 2800: 2 ORU)

'Spider Shark attacks Fisherman III!' Jonathan roared: 'And when Spider Shark attacks I can Detach a Monster and all Monsters my opponent control lose 1000 Attack Points!' Jonathan explained. (Fisherman III: 2500- 1500 ATK, Mermaid: 1700- 700 ATK, Spider Shark: 2- 1 ORU)

The two claws of the Spider Shark tried to grab the Fisherman but they only managed to scratch him. 'My Fisherman cannot be Destroyed by Battle, you tried Jonathan, but now it is over amigo.'

'I Set this and end my turn.' Jonathan stated, a reversed card appeared behind his Set Monster.

(Jonathan: 350) - (Cortez: 6700)

At that point just when Cortez had gotten another card Mario entered the Duel Field, Jonathan looked at his friend, Mario gave a slight nod he showed a small piece of the Skull Gem. 'Come on Cortez, show me, I activate Threatening Roar!' Jonathan's Trap card opened up, Spider Shark let out a terrifying roar, the Fisherman and Mermaid Knight drew back in fear. 'You can't stall forever amigo, I'll release my Legendary Fisherman for Levia-Dragon Daedalus!' A gigantic blue-scaled sea-snake with multiple arms appeared. (2600 ATK)

'Next I send my own Legendary Ocean to the Graveyard and Destroy all other cards on the Field!' The sea suddenly became wild, a huge tidal wave washed away everything except the sea dragon, then the surroundings changed back into the ship's cabin.

Jonathan merely chuckled.

'What are you laughing at amigo? You're mind finally snapped?'

Jonathan shook his head: 'The moment you played Umi I knew you would eventually Summon Daedalus, now you simply walked into my trap, you see during the End Phase when my Spider Shark is Destroyed I can Special Summon as many Monsters that were destroyed during this turn except the Spider Shark, now you destroyed a Set Monster, which was Double Fin Shark, since the Overlay Units were send to the Graveyard and not destroyed, they won't be Special Summoned.' Before Jonathan a small shark with a purplish skin and two big fins on its back and four smaller fins on its belly appeared. (1000 ATK)

'Now this is important, since the Attack Points of your Daedalus are at least double the amount of Attack Points my Double Fin Shark has I can Special Summon Hope Woven Dragon Spider Shark!' The number ''37'' appeared on Jonathan's right hand as the fearsome creature also reappeared. (2600 ATK)

'Now that Spider Shark is Special Summoned this way I can also Special Summon Abyss Splash from the Graveyard!' Next to the Spider Shark the fearsome warrior clad in blue armor appeared, the number ''73'' appeared on Jonathan's left hand. (2400 ATK)

Cortez drew back a bit, Jonathan casually drew his card. 'I activate Premature Burial!' Jonathan shouted, his Life Points decreased a bit and outside the ship appeared Shark Fortress. (2400 ATK)

'Next I use Overlay Regen on Shark Fortress and immediately Detach it so it can attack twice!' Jonathan pointed at Cortez. 'Attack!' He roared, first Dragon Spider charged forward, tearing apart Levia-Dragon Daedalus, then two shark-shaped missiles launched by Shark Fortress exploded around Cortez forcing him back and finally the skull got slammed down by Abyss Splash.

With a mighty sound the skull crashed into the pile of gold.

(Jonathan: 350) - (Cortez: 0)

'You know I'll simply return amigo!' Cortez roared, his eyes started to glow, but nothing happened. 'Cortez.' Mario then said: 'I saw the wooden pedestal on your table, it had the shape of the jaw of a skull, I realized thanks to Flavio the Krystal Skull was placed there once, I also realized that Skull Gem had to be the source of the curse, I found the Krystal Skull and destroyed it, when Jonathan just defeated you, the curse broke.

Cortez wanted to say something but suddenly he started to glow.

Cortez's skull quickly started to shrink, the moment it was a normal size bones from the pile started to form a human skeleton, when the skeleton was done organs appeared, then muscles, followed by veins, then flesh and finally clothes, a navy-blue waistcoat, it was unbuttoned, Cortez wore no shirt, ragged brown pants, black combat boots, several pieces of gold around his wrists, he wore an eye-patch which functioned as his D-Gazer and the black pirate hat with the skull on it, Cortez had blue eyes and long, black hair was untidy and dirty.

Cortez looked at his hands, he moved his fingers one-by-one. 'Finally, a real body.' He took a knife that was stuck to the wall behind him, with one quick slash he cut his hand. 'I can feel pain again, the curse is really broken.' He grabbed a bit of his gold. 'To feel my treasure again, I must thank you amigos.' He said looking at Mario and Jonathan: 'Please take my treasure.' The pirate lord said handing over a bunch of gold and some gems to Mario, Mario refused. 'No Cortez, these treasures are yours.'

Cortez shook his head. 'I'm gonna use some of these treasures to buy one of those cargo ships, I want to get back on the seas I can't take these treasures with me.

'I have an idea.' Jonathan then said, he motioned Bobbery and Flavio to come closer. 'Cortez, what if you bring your treasures to an appraiser get some money, then Flavio can use that money to but a company and a ship then Cortez and Bobbery can become captain of said ship.' Cortez nodded: 'Yes that is an idea amigo.' The pirate lord replied, then Bobbery shook his head. 'I have an better idea, Flavio can buy his company, I want a part of that company to start a ferry service between Keelhaul Key and Rogueport, I want to make a resort of this island.' Then Flavio suddenly clapped his hands. 'I like it! Maybe I can find a manager and I can go with Cortez! All this talk of going out to sea makes me want to get out there as well!' Jonathan smiled as he saw the enthusiasm getting back into Flavio.

'But.' Cortez then broke the silence: 'Mario, amigo there must be something you want?' Mario pointed at the blue Crystal Star. 'I only came for that.' He said, Cortez then picked up the Sapphire Star and handed it over to Mario.

'So Cortez how did all of this happen?' Mario wondered.

'Aye a long story amigo, well it started in the golden age of pirates around the year 1688, I had a lot of treasure around that time and I was one of the most wanted pirates, at one point I had some problems with my ship and I was fixing her on Keelhaul Key, just when I wanted to depart again, I got cornered by a group of pirate hunters, I fought valiantly, managed to kill and wound several of them sank three of their ships then they got to me, a sword through my guts and a few cannonballs through my ship, thanks to the flow of water I was dragged into this cave, the cannonballs created a cave-in, since the pirate hunters were contend with killing me they didn't get after my treasures it was in the cave where I died, but something kept my spirit alive, probably that Crystal Star I took, over the centuries the skull-shaped rock started to grow on the middle of this island, by every inch the rock grew my power over this island became stronger, yet I was trapped in darkness until...'

Cortez scanned the grotto, he could clearly hear the slogging footsteps of two people over the wet rocks, however he could not get a grasp on who were walking through his cave, every time Cortez tried to see the intruders something seemed to block his vision. Suddenly he heard the creaking of the wood of his own ship, then the door to the cabin opened.

'Look at all that gold.' One of the two spoke.

'Focus Exodus.' The second one hissed.

'Sorry Azrael, but look at that, the Crystal Star.' The one called Exodus walked over to the pile of gold. 'Exodus, don't unless you wish to die, see that skull-shaped gem on the table? That gem has magical properties, it communicates with the Crystal Star touch the star and you get stricken by the curse.' Exodus drew back. 'And that Exodus is why you are here, that pile of bones in the corner Cortez, he is already cursed you Exodus summon him, he'll give us the Crystal Star.'

Cortez heard Exodus chanting some words, slowly the darkness disappeared, a gigantic skull rose up from the pile of bones blue lights appeared in the sockets. 'Why are you on my ship amigo?' Cortez asked.

'I only want that Crystal Star you have there.' Azrael stated.

'No, you won't get it that treasure keeps my soul here, I will find a way to return to this world!'

'What if I give you a body?' Azrael asked: 'You give me the Crystal Star and I give you life.'

'No deal amigo. That Crystal Star is mine and it will stay my treasure!'

Azrael sighted: 'Well then have it your way, Exodus, give him his life back, make sure he stays in this cursed form unable to truly live, unable to die, for eternity he will guards his beloved treasure for if I cannot have that Crystal Star nobody will have it!' With these words Azrael turned around, Exodus shouted some words in an unknown language, the skull of Cortez was pulled back into the pile of bones and the snake-like creature with four arms appeared out of it. 'Get out!' Cortez roared blinded with rage, Exodus' laughter filled the grotto as he left.

When Cortez was done with his story a loud explosion sounded over the island, the rocks that blocked the exit were splintered by a cannonball, a huge metal ship loaded with cannons laid at anchor in front of the cave, several X's were visible on the ship, then a hatch opened on the bridge of the ship and a small platform came out of the hatch, Mario saw the short man wearing the purple viking helmet standing on the platform.

'Buh buh huh huh huh!' Lord Crump laughed: 'I've got you now Mario! Hand over all your Crystal Stars unless you want me to blow you all to smithereens!'


Next time:

With the curse on Cortez broken, the pirate king is back to his human form.

Now Mario has five of the Crystal Stars.

But before Mario and his friends can leave Lord Crump attacks. ''The Captain Lord.'' Coming next.


Card details:

Number 73: Abyss Splash (anime effect)

Type: Warrior/Xyz/Effect

Attribute: Water

Rank: 5

ATK: 2400

DEF: 1400

2 Level 5 monsters

Cannot be destroyed by battle except with "Number" monsters. During either player's turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; double this card's ATK until the end of the Battle Phase.


Number 37: Hope Woven Dragon Spider Shark (manga effect)

Type: Sea Serpent/Xyz/Effect

Attribute: Water

Rank: 4

ATK: 2600

DEF: 2100

2 Level 4 monsters

Cannot be destroyed by battle except with "Number" monsters. During either player's turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; all monsters your opponent currently controls lose 1000 ATK. During the End Phase, if this card is in the Graveyard because it was destroyed and sent there this turn: You can Special Summon as many monsters from your Graveyard as possible that were destroyed during this turn, except this card. If the total ATK of all monsters your opponent controls is at least double the total ATK of all monsters you control: You can Special Summon this card from the Graveyard. If Summoned this way: Target 1 "Number" monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it.