44. Sirens on the Train - Part 1.

With the semifinal Crystal Star in sight it is a race between us and Exodus.

The journey to Poshley Heights can only be taken by train that takes three days, Exodus in the meantime is already there, he now has three days to find the Crystal Star, but of course now that Exodus has free reign from Azrael to kill us the journey won't be easy.

Mario and Goombella stepped into their room, it was small yet luxurious, there was a small chandelier hanging from the ceiling, a small, wooden table there were some magazines placed on the table, there was a two-person bed, a small couch, red curtains in front of the window, a small television hang on the wall and a plant in the corner of the room, the others were staying in similar rooms all in the same railcar.

After Mario and Goombella had settled they heard the intercom: 'Ladies and gentlemen, this is your train driver speaking, first of all welcome aboard, you are free to roam the train, this will be a direct route to Poshley Heights, if you have any questions there will be personnel who can help you.' Then came a list of rules and other important things, after the messages the whistle of the train sounded three times and the train departed.

Mario was just placing the five Crystal Stars he had on the bed. 'With a bit of luck we have the sixth Crystal Star soon, then we can use the pedestal and the map to see the location of the last Crystal Star which is in the X-Naut base.'

Goombella picked up one of the Crystal Stars. 'Then we can finally free Rozalin and hopefully...' Goombella couldn't finish as suddenly it became dark outside.

Mario quickly gathered the Crystal Stars then he proceeded to open the window to see what was going on, the moment Mario stuck his head outside he could see Exodus hovering in mid-air.

'Mario, did you think I would let you come to me so easily?' The masked stranger taunted.

'Why don't you come down here? Then we can end this!'

Exodus merely chuckled: 'No there is no fun to be had in that, I have given the mayor of Poshley Heights a three day ultimatum, if I don't have the Crystal Star by then Poshley Heights is history, I will tear it down if I need to.'

Mario scratched his chin. 'You won't Exodus, we both know you want to kill me, this is your chance to do so, even if you have the Crystal Star you won't leave.'

'In that you are right Mario, that is why I'll add a new rule, three of my people are aboard your train, they have three days to take you out if they succeed all deals are off, I take your Crystal Stars and I destroy Poshley Heights, you only need to survive my game.'

Exodus spread his arms, a black fog appeared around him, Mario felt a shift in magic around him. 'This is my realm Mario! I transported the entire train there, the passengers who have nothing to do with this won't notice a thing, can't have them interfere, this is a game between me, my people, you and your friends.' With these words Exodus got swallowed by the black mist and then he disappeared, Mario knew that this was a magical projection of Exodus and not the real one.

A few minutes after Exodus had shown up everyone gathered in the wagon. 'So what did Exodus do?' Mallow asked, Mario shrugged: 'I don't know what he did but I don't like...' Mario started but he went quiet as a group of Duel Monsters passed by, mostly small Fairies and a Kuriboh.

'Well that's a thing.' Mario sighted not being surprised in the slightest.

'So Exodus has transported the entire train and it's track to the Spirit World.' Bow concluded as even more Duel Monsters passed by.

Suddenly they heard a scream from one of the rooms near them, immediately Mario rushed to the door and kicked it down, in the room sat a rich-looking man wearing an expensive tuxedo against the wall of his room, he was shaking in front of him stood an insect-like creature with brown skin, sharp claws, sharp teeth and two horns on it's head.

'Damn, Man-Eater Bug!' Luigi shrieked, he activated his Duel Disk and played a card, his Elemental Hero Avian appeared in the room, the moment the Hero saw the bug he leaped at the Man-Eater Bug and killed it with one mighty punch, Luigi removed the card from his Duel Disk and Avian disappeared.

The man in the meantime had passed out, Mario quickly checked his pulse. 'He is alive and he will be okay, he might have nightmares for a few days though.'

Mario closed the door to the room again after they had laid the man on his bed. 'So we have hostile Duel Monsters running around here.' Mallow sighted.

'We need to hurry, it didn't seem that man could see that Man-Eater Bug and if they can't see them they can't beat them and not everyone on board here is a Duelist.' Mario added.

'I've seen this before.' Bow said: 'these are deadly games where Traps can actually kill people and the Monster attacks deal real damage, there are even cards like the Man-Eater Bug you saw who can instantly kill a player, normally the slaves of strong Nephilim are thrown into an arena they have to fight to survive, the winner often gains tremendous power.'

'What happens when you lose?' Mario asked, fearing the answer.

'Well they don't die instantly, the soul of a defeated slave goes to the master of the slave who defeated the other slave, that master decides what happens, mostly those who are captured hope they get executed.'

A few minutes later Mario and Vivian were roaming the train, they were underway to the train driver to see if anything was off, Mario was moving slowly and carefully while Vivian covered his back, as Bow had told them Trap and Spell cards could now be used to attack a player, falling in a Trap Hole Trap card could mean death, also Mario was careful as Bow had told them in this situation their Life Points couldn't be replenished.

'Vivian.' Mario broke the silence.

'What is it Mario?' The Nephilim replied.

'Tell me what are you gonna do with your sisters?'

Vivian sighted, she knew this question would come eventually. 'I don't want anything to do with them, Beldam is pure evil and she dragged Marilyn with her, Beldam needs to die she won't give up and in her rage she might kill all of us however if Beldam goes away we might be able to save Marilyn, I don't want anything to do with her anymore but that doesn't mean I wish for her to die.'

The moment Mario and Vivian entered the next wagon Mario got a call on his D-Gazer, it was Mallow. 'Mario, Luigi and I went to the back of the train, the baggage car is locked and the conductor lost the key, I'd say Exodus' people are holed up in there.' Mallow explained.

'That is a problem, Mallow for now just be careful and make finding that key top priority.' The moment Mario stopped the call a screeching sound filled the wagon. 'Mario!' Vivian yelled.

'Mario turned around but a barrier stood now between him and Vivian.

'Mirror Force.' Mario growled as he slammed his fist against the barrier, at that moment one of the doors opened up and Marilyn entered the wagon on the side Vivian was on.

'Guh!' Marilyn grunted, Vivian took a few steps forward immediately behind her out of the shadows appeared a hideous creature, it had green slimy skin, stood on four legs had two long arms ending in sharp claws and it had numerous red, eye-like orbs all over its body. (1600 ATK)

Mario yelled a warning, Vivian saw the claw of the Shadow Ghoul approaching, she blocked it with her Duel Disk then rolled out of the way, quickly Vivian drew a card. 'Dragon come help me!' Vivian yelled, before her appeared a warrior with small scales as skin, he had two small horns on his head and he wore green armor with a light-blue suit under the armor. (1800 ATK)

(Vivian: 6400) - (Marilyn: 7450)

Vivian's Brotherhood of the Fire Fist - Dragon turned around but the Shadow Ghoul disappeared into the shadows.

Vivian's eyes scanned the room, then Mario noticed something. 'Vivian, Marilyn is missing some Life Points, the amount she misses matches the difference between Avian and Man-Eater Bug.'

Vivian glared at her sister. 'So it was you? Why try to kill an innocent man?'

Marilyn replied with some grunts.

'That is low even for you, if Beldam put you up to this tell me where she is and I might let you go.' Mario could hear Vivian was full of anger, he himself was disgusted as well, this showed that Beldam was even crueler than he had thought.

'Marilyn surrender please.' Vivian begged, but her sister shook her head, Shadow Ghoul dropped out of the shadows again, this time Dragon moved to intercept the Zombie, Shadow Ghoul disappeared back into the shadows before Dragon could kill it.

'You can't escape me, Dragon attack!' Vivian shouted, the warrior started to punch the air wildly, every time he punched a small dragonhead made of fire appeared, after two dozen of the heads floated around the warrior, with one war-cry the heads dispersed all around the wagon, illuminating everything, now that there were no more shadows to hide in Shadow Ghoul became visible, Dragon jumped forward pulling back his fist, when he punched the Shadow Ghoul a flaming dragon appeared out of his fist completely incinerating the Shadow Ghoul, Marilyn shrieked as the flaming dragon wrapped around her.

(Vivian: 6400) - (Marilyn: 5450)

The flames slowly died out, Marilyn was still standing, smoke came from her clothes, yet she was smirking.

'Vivian!' Mario yelled, as the upper-body of Shadow Ghoul appeared out of the floor of the wagon, it was slightly changed as the creature now had a small head, it's maw was filled four rather long fangs. (1600 ATK)

Dragon rushed to the aid of Vivian, yet the Shadow Ghoul crossed it's arms and it disappeared into the floor, the warrior smashed fist-first into the wall.

(Vivian: 5200) - (Marilyn: 5450)

'Vivian, that thing is Wall Shadow, it might have the same attack power as Shadow Ghoul but it's defense is three-thousand, basically the entire wagon is now Marilyn's Monsters!'

Vivian nodded.

'Guh!' Marilyn grunted angrily she held up a Spell card it was Tribute to the Doomed, Dragon was wrapped in bandages then Wall Shadow appeared from the ceiling and dragged the warrior through the ceiling, then seconds later Wall Shadow came out of the wall left of Vivian and clawed at her, though Vivian managed to evade most of the claws, she was cut across her arm.

(Vivian: 3600) - (Marilyn: 5450)

Vivian looked around her, suddenly Wall Shadow appeared behind her again, this time she dodged the attack, immediately Vivian took a card from her Deck. 'Come out Bear!' She shouted, another warrior appeared, this one was a very muscular man wearing heavy, black armor, the appearance of the armor somewhat resembled a gorilla. (1600 ATK)

'When the Monster is in the walls, I should just burn them DOWN!' As Vivian yelled the last word, Gorilla let out a war-cry, a huge gorilla made of flames appeared behind her, the beast started to slam the walls, ground and ceiling, as the wagon caught fire the flames slowly turned black, Wall Shadow fell on the ground crying and screaming, slowly the flames died out and the creature stopped squirming, Marilyn wanted to say something but Gorilla walloped her, Marilyn crashed against one of the door, the door fell out of the hinges and she landed on the floor.

(Vivian: 3600) - (Marilyn: 3850)

Marilyn wanted to stand up but she was in serious pain, she looked Vivian in the eyes, Vivian wanted to summon yet another Monster ready to finish off her sister then Marilyn grunted and she disappeared through the floor, at that moment the Mirror Force fell into pieces.

'Vivian you okay?' Mario asked, he was standing in the half burned down wagon, pieces of the ceiling and the wall fell on the ground around him.

'Yes I'm fine but Marilyn escaped.' Vivian replied.

'Doesn't matter, we will get her next time.' Mario said, he then used his D-Gazer to call the others.

A couple of minutes later everyone had gathered in Mario's room, at first Mario had checked in with the train driver, everything was okay there, he even brought a conductor to the burned down wagon but the man saw nothing strange, the others had checked the other wagons and found no Duel Monsters going crazy.

The next evening.

Mario and the others had been patrolling the train but no more incidents occurred, they decided to get something to eat in the dining room, it was then that all of a sudden the electricity in the wagon shut down, Mario looked at the window only to see Beldam standing there, a few seconds later she was gone. 'It's Beldam. Mallow, Luigi come with me the rest of you check the train see if anything is wrong.' Mario said as he stood up, his brother and Mallow followed him.

As Mario, mallow and Luigi ran down the hallways they could see Beldam's shadow always in front of them always just out of sight and her taunting cackle sounded through the hallways.

The moment they entered the wagon before the machine room Beldam stopped, she only laughed, then they heard the same laughter coming from behind, when Mario turned around there was a second Beldam, Mario looked at the two Beldams, the one who entered from behind quickly moved to the other Beldam and passed her entering the machine room, the moment the second Beldam passed through two creatures appeared before the Beldam that stayed behind, the two creatures were two robots, instead of legs they had a spinning top instead, they used electro-magnetic waves to hover above the floor, the right arm of the creatures ended in a mini-gun while the left arm ended in a sword. (1600 ATK x2)

'So Sergeant Electro, I'd take it those are the ones who caused the black-out?' Mario asked.

'Maybe they did, maybe they did not, but this time I will take you down Mario!' The mini-gun on one of the Sergeants started to spin, Mario quickly played his own Mirror Force, the barrier appeared between him and the rain of bullets.

'Mario leave this one to me.' Luigi stated.

(Luigi: 8000) - (Beldam: 8000)

The two Electro stood before Luigi, electricity was surging through through their swords, then two blasts of lightning shot at Luigi, Mario's brother quickly used a card and Clayman appeared before him. (2000 DEF)

The electricity hit the Elemental Hero but it didn't hurt him at all.

(Luigi: 8000) - (Beldam: 7200)

'So you use earth to absorb my electricity? That won't save you though.' Luigi felt something tingling in his neck the moment Luigi turned around he saw a bird made of pure electricity. (1900 ATK)

Luigi recognized the Monster as Lightning Chidori an Xyz Monster that Mallow had in his Deck as well, before Clayman could react Luigi got struck down by lightning, the electricity shot through to Clayman, one of the Sergeants started up it's mini-gun, the combination of the electricity and the rain of bullets was too much for the Hero, with one scream it exploded, the second Sergeant charged forward with it's sword, Luigi barely managed to deflect the weapon using his Duel Disk.

(Luigi: 4500) - (Beldam: 7200)

Beldam laughed as the two Sergeants took their places next to her and the Lightning Chidori above her, Mario now also knew it was the lightning bird who had created the blackout.

'My turn.' Luigi growled through his teeth.

'Are you sure?' Beldam replied, she pointed at Luigi, her three Monsters started to charge their attacks again. 'Finish him off!' She yelled.

Luigi looked at the three Monsters looming over him. 'Come Bubbleman!' The man wearing blue armor appeared, the water tanks on his back were filled. (800 ATK)

'You must be getting desperate.' Beldam said.

'Sergeant Electro deal with that pest!' The mini-gun of one of the Sergeants started to spin. 'Now Bubbleman!' Luigi shouted, at the moment the rain of bullets left the mini-gun Bubbleman turned around, the first bullets pierced the water tanks, the contraption exploded spraying water all over the place.

(Luigi: 3700) - (Beldam: 7200)

'Got you.' Luigi grinned, the two Sergeants were drenched, Lightning Chidori was worse, black smoke and sparks came from the creature.

'Your Lightning Chidori is pure electricity, it isn't grounded or anything.' Luigi said, Beldam looked at the Lightning Chidori it screeched one more time before it exploded, a jolt of electricity struck Beldam.

(Luigi: 3700) - (Beldam: 5300)

The two Sergeants looked at each other waiting for orders.

'I won't attack with them if I were you Beldam, they both are drenched if they use the slightest spark of electricity they will electrocute themselves.' Luigi said with a grin.

Beldam gritted her teeth, Luigi saw she was thinking of something. 'Well time to fight fire with fire, or electricity with electricity!' Luigi shouted as his Elemental HERO Sparkman appeared on the Field, he was standing on a dry piece of the floor. (1600 ATK)

'Do it Sparkman!' Luigi said, Sparkman placed his hands on the floor, sparks shot out of his fingertips the two Sergeants looked at each other as the electricity shot through them, they started to smoke, then they caught fire and finally exploded, Beldam leaped away to the back of the wagon to avoid damage, yet it wasn't enough as Sparkman leaped at her and fired another shot of electricity at her, this blew Beldam against the wall.

(Luigi: 3700) - (Beldam: 3700)

Beldam sank to her knees, slowly she started to change.

'Doopliss.' Mario groaned as he saw his old adversary.

'Seems you got me slick.' Doopliss said as he stood up.

'Well this should do it, I was only here to buy Beldam some time, well no more reasons for me to stay here, see ya later slick.' With these words Doopliss started to run for the door, Luigi wanted to give chase but Mario stopped him.

'Let him go Luigi, you did enough to him, he lost more than half of his life.'

Luigi turned around. 'But I might be able to finish him off.' He protested.

'I know Luigi, but Beldam is more important right now, besides he could have changed into anyone on the train, we simply don't have the time to search for him.

The moment Mario entered the machine room he noticed something was wrong, Beldam was clearly tampering with some of the machines, she stopped for a brief second when she heard the door open but then she continued. 'Be careful.' Mario whispered as soon as he said it the ground in front of him disappeared, revealing a gigantic hole filled with acid.

'Like I thought this Acid Trap Hole would have killed us.' Mario growled.

'I knew Doopliss was too weak to stop you.' Beldam then spoke without looking up, she kept tampering with the machine.

'Excalibur!' Mario shouted, the ferocious warrior appeared mere seconds later. (2000 ATK)

'Stop her!' Mario commanded, the warrior drew his sword out of the sheath and he leaped over the hole filled with acid, Beldam turned her head around, she was smiling, as the warrior approached her Beldam leaped out of the way to avoid the attack but Excalibur foresaw it he wanted to grab her out of mid-air but Beldam disappeared through the shadows, the moment she disappeared so did the Acid Trap Hole.

Mario checked the machine she was tampering with. 'Looks like she tried to disable the breaks, that would have been a disaster.' Mario said.

The next day.

Mario, Mallow, Bow and Ruby had spend the majority of the night patrolling the train, there was no more sign of the Shadow Sirens, the next morning they met in the diner room, when they got there they found the cook in a panic, he was searching all over the place.

'What's wrong?' Mario asked, the cook looked up.

'Well my cooking pot went missing together with a couple of spoons and other kitchen tools.' The cook replied.

'Now why would someone steal that stuff?' Mallow pondered, at that point another man walked up to them.

'I couldn't help but overhear you, my briefcase got stolen, yesterday before I went to bed I still had it, I woke up this morning and gone it was.' The man wanted to walk away, then he stopped. 'You don't happen to be some detective?' He then asked Mario.

'Not really but I can always keep my eyes open, what does it look like?' Mario replied.

'Well it is a brown-leather briefcase, it has a danger sign on it as well.' The described the briefcase. 'O one more thing, the briefcase contains papers that I need to deliver in Poshley Heights, something for a chemical company, in the wrong hands the components can make a bomb.' He sighted, Mario looked worried.

'Is it possible to make the bomb with materials you can get easily and with the help of kitchen tools?' Mario asked, the man looked puzzled: 'Well technically speaking yes you could.'

Mario and the others just wanted to leave the dining room then a third man entered, this was yet another rich man.

'I heard what you were saying and I might help you.' The rich man handed a paper over to Mario, it looked like the page from a chemistry book.

'That looks like one of the papers from my briefcase!' The man quickly pulled the paper out of Mario's hands to see if it was one of his papers, one look on the papers and he said it was indeed one of the pages.

'Good, I found it in room 35 next to my room, I've heard sounds coming from that room last night, this morning I could hear at least two people leaving, I decided to check if someone was there to complain because they made a lot of noise last night, however there was nobody there but the door was open, I checked inside it was quite a mess like someone decided to make some food but their kitchen exploded, only thing I could find in that room was the piece of paper.

A few moments later Mario was standing outside. 'So Beldam has stolen all the stuff she needs to make that bomb, they tried to make it in the room, failed and they fled, they took all the stuff but forgot the page, my guess is they are hiding out in the baggage wagon.' Mario muttered more to himself then the others, then suddenly they felt the train slowing down.

'Ladies and gentlemen.' The voice of the train driver sounded through the intercom. 'There are some technical difficulties, we need to make a stop on the abandoned station for some emergency checks and possible repairs, we will arrive there in about fifteen minutes the repairs will take at least two hours.'


Next time:

The game of Exodus has only just begun, with the train forced to make an emergency stop Beldam's plan can finally kick off.

Will Mario be able to survive or will this be his final stop? Find that out next time.