55. The Shadow Queen's Pet.
With King Boo out of commission Geno thought he had a shot at Syn, the Fallen Celestian however had one more surprise waiting for Mario and the others.
Mario looked at the locked door at the end of the small bridge, the simple, iron key to the door laid on top of his hand it was just that, a key nothing fancy.
'Funny that all things see so grand in here, yet this key is so basic.' Mario pondered.
'Earth to Mario, we have a potential world-destroying entity to take out.' Geno said.
'I know it's just with all this death and mystical beings something as simple as this key here is quite astounding.' Slowly Mario started to walk towards the door.
Mario stepped through the door he stepped into another huge chamber, this one was circular and completely empty except for some thick, black mist covering about half of the chamber, Mario looked up he couldn't see the ceiling, a walkway going around the room seemed to be the only decoration.
A low rumbling sound spread through the room, Geno held everyone back.
'I can feel something sinister here.' He said Geno had not said it or countless purple lights lit up all around the room, as soon as they did the mist disappeared revealing that what made the rumbling sound, it was a huge dragon the body was mostly covered in black scales except for cheeks, the throat and the belly that showed the dragon's original white skin on the back the dragon had yellow spikes and the creature had small wings with these the creature wasn't able to fly the tail was split up in three parts and slightly curled up, the beast's red eyes gazed upon Mario.
'Hooktail?' Mario gasped remembering the mechanical dragon that had terrorized Petalburg though that mechanical dragon was only modeled after Hooktail, Mario was sure that this dragon was no machine.
The dragon narrowed his eyes: 'Hooktail?' The spoke, his voice was low completely different then Hooktail's voice was: 'I see you met my sister.' The dragon slowly spoke: 'The fact I haven't heard from her in a while and the fact that you stand before me means that you are the ones responsible for killing her.'
Mario looked at Geno and Ruby, Luigi stood motionless near the door he was clearly frightened.
'Hooktail was already dead when I encountered her, her soul lingered on she possessed the mayor of Petalburg had him build a mechanical body, I only stopped her soul from possessing the mayor I didn't kill her.'
The black dragon let out a roar fuming purple flames as he did.
'Does it looks like I care?' The dragon roared: 'You were the last one to see Hooktail alive, with a body or not, thanks to you my sister didn't get her body, to me that means you might as well have killed her!'
Mario shook his head as there was no reasoning with this beast.
'When my sister never returned I vowed to kill the ones who killed her, now quake in fear for I am Gloomtail!'
Mario stood face-to-face with the gigantic, black dragon, the creature hissed and smoke came out of it's nostrils.
'Mario, let me have this one.' Ruby suddenly broke the silence: 'You need to spare your energy for the battle ahead.'
As Mario took a step back Gloomtail took a step forward.
'Killer of my sister, I shall not allow you to leave.' The dragon spoke.
'Then you want me as well, I helped Mario kill your sister.'
Mario knew that this of course wasn't true but Gloomtail didn't know besides Ruby stared the dragon directly in the eyes without even blinking.
'If that's so.' Gloomtail growled: 'Then you are my appetizer!' He roared, purple flames came out of his maw forming a circle of flames around the two.
(Gloomtail: 8000) - (Ruby: 8000)
'I start the slaughter.' Gloomtail growled, five giant cards appeared in front of him.
'Talk about rude, never heard of ladies go first?' Ruby asked while she pouted.
'Your stupid human rules don't apply here.' The monstrosity replied, Ruby said nothing instead she drew her opening hand.
'I Send a Red-Eyes Black Dragon to the Graveyard in order to Special Summon Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon.' Gloomtail spoke, two cards in front of him disappeared, before the black dragon appeared another black dragon, this one resembled the classic Red-Eyes Black Dragon only a bit more dinosaur-like with a sleeker body, shorter arms, more bulkier legs, a longer tail and a smaller head. (2400 ATK)
'Now I Set a card.' The dragon stated yet another card in front of him disappeared a smaller version of the card appeared facedown behind his Monster.
'My turn ends.'
Ruby looked at the Monster she shook her head: 'Not very original don't you agree?' She asked in a mocking tone, Gloomtail let out a deafening howl Ruby smiled as she drew her card.
'You know Ruby you might not want to anger to dragon.' Mario advised her.
'Come on Mario, let me have some fun.' She replied with a wink.
Quickly her playful behavior became more serious: 'I know what's at stake Mario, don't worry I'll come through for you.' When turned her head to look at Mario again she gave him another wink.
'Gloomy watch me, I Summon Gem-Knight Alexandrite.' As Ruby played the card her Monster clad in medieval armor appeared. (1800 ATK)
'I use Alexandrite's Effect by using it as a Tribute I get to Special Summon Gem-Knight Crystal from my Deck.' She explained, Gloomtail chuckled.
'It doesn't matter what you summon, your death is inevitable.'
Ruby said nothing, Alexandrite disappeared in his place appeared another man clad in medieval armor this one was a head taller, his long hair showed through a hole in the back of his helmet, his armor was decorated with crystals. (2450 ATK)
'Here I come Gloomy! Crystal attack the dragon!' Ruby shouted, the knight held up his hand a sword materialized in his hand then he charged in and plunged the sword through the skull of the Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon.
(Gloomtail: 7950) - (Ruby: 8000)
'I must thank you.' Gloomtail laughed: 'First I activate Red-Eyes Burn, then the Effect of Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon.' The dragon spoke.
First his reversed card opened up. 'When a Red-Eyes Monster is destroyed both players take Damage equal to the Original Attack Points of that Monster.'
Two balls of fire suddenly appeared out of nowhere one hit Ruby, Gloomtail swapped his away leaving only a scorch mark on his tail.
When the smoke cleared Ruby was unharmed she stood in the middle of a barrier which Geno quickly had created.
(Gloomtail: 5550) - (Ruby: 5600)
'Now for the Effect of my Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon.' Gloomtail stated: 'When Destroyed I can Special Summon a Level 7 or lower Red-Eyes Monster.'
Before Gloomtail a bonfire of black flames erupted out of it came the original Red-Eyes Black Dragon, red sparks of electricity surrounded the creature.
'When a Red-Eyes Black Dragon is Special Summoned through the Effect it's Attack Power is doubled!' Gloomtail roared, followed by a roar of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon. (2400- 4800 ATK)
'So you managed to get a strong dragon out? Won't intimidate me.' Ruby stated, Mario could see she was calm, he knew she had a plan.
'I trust you Ruby, but please be careful!' Mario shouted.
'Got it.' Ruby replied showing a thumbs-up, she then took two cards from her hand and placed them in her Duel Disk both appeared behind Gem-Knight Crystal. 'I end my turn.'
'My turn.' Gloomtail stated, a new card appeared before him.
'First I activate Ancient Rules to Special Summon a Red-Eyes Black Dragon.' He stated, one of his cards disappeared the Spell card appeared before him, black flames gathered on the Field again and quickly a second Red-Eyes Black Dragon stepped out. (2400 ATK)
'Next I Normal Summon Black Dragon's Chick.' In between the bulky dragons appeared a red egg, cracks appeared on the top then a small dragon showed it's head, it was a baby version of Red-Eyes Black Dragon. (800 ATK)
'I use Black Dragon's Chick to Special Summon Red-Eyes Black Dragon!' The egg and the dragon started to glow, the egg then completely broke as the small dragon rapidly started to grow into it's adult form. (2400 ATK)
'My strongest dragon attack Crystal!' Gloomtail bellowed, Ruby quickly pressed a button on her Duel Disk before the fireball could hit: 'Gem-Enhancement, I send Crystal to my Graveyard and Special Summon a Gem-Knight from my Graveyard.' She quickly explained, in a flash of light Crystal disappeared and in it's place Alexandrite appeared this time sitting on one knee. (1200 DEF)
'The attack continues.' Gloomtail said with a growl.
The giant fireball completely obliterated the Gem-Knight.
'I activate Brilliant Spark!' Ruby shouted, her second Trap card opened up: 'You Destroyed my Gem-Knight now you take damage equal to it's Original Attack!' She explained, lightning struck Gloomtail right on it's head the dragon angrily roared.
(Gloomtail: 3750) - (Ruby: 5600)
'My patience wears thin.' Gloomtail said with a growl: 'My Red-Eyes Black Dragons direct attack!' The black dragon roared, Ruby braced herself as two fireball rapidly approached, the first one hit her on her arms she felt like they were on fire before she could scream the second fireball hit her for a second she flew through the air, her skin burning then she landed on the ground hard, all this time Geno had been casting spells and it was due to him she was still breathing.
(Gloomtail: 3750) - (Ruby: 800)
Slowly Ruby stood up her body hurting all over, she looked at her skin and let out a sigh of relieve as she saw it wasn't burned.
'I activate Absorb Fusion.' She calmly said the Spell card briefly appeared on the Field.
'This allows me to add a Gem-Knight Monster to my hand, then Fusion Summon one by Banishing Monsters from my Field or hand.'
Ruby took her Deck when she found her Monster she showed it, the Monster was Gem-Knight Obsidian.
'Now I Banish Garnet, Obsidian and Emerald all from my hand.'
On the Field appeared the warrior clad in red armor Garnet, his hands flaming, next to him appeared Obsidian, the warrior clad in black and finally Emerald the warrior clad in green each of them started to glow: 'I Fusion Summon Gem-Knight Master Diamond from my Extra Deck.'
Master Diamond appeared in a flash of light, his silver armor shone from the light of the purple candles, he carried his heavy claymore over his shoulder. (2900- 3100 ATK)
'Now I activate the Spell card Extra-Foolish Burial.' Ruby stated as the card appeared on her Field: 'By paying half my Life Points I can send a Monster from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard.'
Ruby closed her eyes as a red light surrounded her briefly.
(Gloomtail: 3750) - (Ruby: 400)
'Now I send Gem-Knight Topaz to my Graveyard.' Ruby said as she retrieved the card and discarded it.
'Now I use the Effect of Master Diamond I Banish Topaz so Master Diamond gains it's Effects.' Master Diamond struck his claymore into the floor there the topaz edged to the blade started to glow.
'Now Master Diamond can attack twice and when he destroys a Monster Damage is dealt equal to the Original Attack Points of the destroyed Monster.'
Gloomtail's eyes opened wide Master Diamond took the claymore in both his hands, then with great speed he charged in, the first Red-Eyes Black Dragon stood no chance as it was beheaded by one swing, the second one tried to fry the warrior but the flames bounced off of the armor, with a second swing the second Red-Eyes Black Dragon also fell, then Master Diamond leaped into the air and jammed his claymore through the skull of Gloomtail.
(Gloomtail: 0) - (Ruby: 400)
Gloomtail let out a deafening roar, Master Diamond disappeared, the black dragon threw his head back, black flames spewed from it's maw, Ruby took a few steps back then abruptly Gloomtail fell silent slowly the huge beast toppled over, the dragon laid on his back not moving any more.
'Is he dead?' Luigi stammered.
'I feel no more life force from him.' Geno confirmed.
'That was relatively easy, you'd expect more from a creature like that.' Ruby gloated.
'You did great Ruby.' Mario complimented his teammate: 'But I want you and Luigi to retreat outside all that is left now are: Grave, Syn, Grodus and the Shadow Queen, things will get dangerous from here on, the magical powers those people have only Geno and I stand a chance against that.'
Luigi nodded that he understood, Mario had expected Ruby to object but she agreed to Mario's demand.
'Luigi before you go, can I borrow your Deck?' Mario asked, Luigi was surprised by this: 'You don't like your own Deck any longer?' He jokingly asked.
'It's not that, I have to face Grave next, that guy knows my Deck if I want any chance of beating him now I need a new Deck just to get a bit of an edge over him, I am familiar with Hero Decks that is why I need your Deck I don't have the time to learn a completely new archetype.'
After Luigi handed over his Deck both he and Ruby left the chamber now it was only Mario and Geno left: 'Mario.' The latter broke the silence: 'I've got some cards from Star Haven they fit perfectly in a Hero Deck.'
Mario took the cards from his friend: 'Luigi would have been able to use those cards, but against Grave I need them more how selfish this may sound I'd rather not have the Shadow Queen plunge the world in eternal darkness.' Mario sighted.
'You will not live to see that happen.' An all too familiar voice spoke.
'Hooktail.' Mario growled as he saw the malicious spirit.
'Unbelievable you managed to take down my brother, well I have one more trick to play.' Before Mario could do anything the soul of Hooktail disappeared into the body of Gloomtail.
Mario took a step back then an explosion of magic tore through the chamber, Gloomtail's eyes opened wide then his pupils disappeared, slowly his skin disappeared showing the dragon's bones, then the scales fell off and the skin underneath it disappeared, what remained was the skeleton of the once black dragon, the creature roared.
'The name is Bonetail, the guardian of the Palace of Shadows.' The voice of the dragon sounded rough and broken: 'I was to keep the prisoners in this place, but the Shadow Queen opened my eyes, now I keep intruders out.' Mario activated his Duel Disk.
'Mario I can take this if you want.' Geno spoke but Mario shook his head: 'I want to test out those cards you gave me.' Mario replied.
'This Palace of Shadows will be your tomb.' The skeletal dragon spoke, Mario shook his head: 'I won't count on it Bonetail, I will cast you back into the pit you crawled out of.'
(Mario: 8000) - (Bonetail: 8000)
Bonetail roared a card appeared before him it was the Spell card Future Fusion.
'Now I activate the normal Polymerization.' Bonetail continued, the Fusion Vortex opened behind him: 'I Fuse Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Summoned Skull.' First the black appeared followed by the large fiend with purple skin and an exoskeleton.
'I Fusion Summon Black Skull Dragon!' Out of the portal stepped a dragon it looked like the Red-Eyes Black Dragon with reddish skin, a demonic head sharp claws on both it's hand and feet, it's ribcage was outside of it's body, the fiendish dragon had huge, red wings the top half was on fire. (3200 ATK)
'This is only the beginning.' Bonetail laughed: 'For now I end my turn.'
Mario quickly drew a card from his Deck: 'You know Bonetail, two can play your game, I also activate Future Fusion.' Mario calmly said, the same Spell card on Bonetail's Field also appeared on Mario's side.
'Now I Summon Neo-Spacian Grand Mole.' Mario continued, a small creature appeared in front of him, it was a mole with brown fur standing on two legs, it wore a piece of armor around it's upper torso with two drills attached to the shoulder parts. (900 ATK)
'Grand Mole attacks Archfiend Black Skull Dragon!' The small mole removed the drills from it's shoulder pads it now wore them as gloves, the moment the drills turns on it charged at the huge dragon.
'Grand Mole's Effect sends it and the attack target to the hand before Damage Calculation.'
Bonetail chuckled: 'And my Archfiend Black Skull Dragon prevents any Effect from activating.' Bonetail laughed, his dragon spewed forth a ball of flames, Mario's Neo-Spacian stood no chance.
(Mario: 5700) - (Bonetail: 8000)
'That worked well.' Mario sighted.
'I activate Polymerization.' Mario quickly played his Spell card: 'I Fuse Bubbleman and Avian!' First the green hero appeared next to Avian appeared the smaller hero wearing blue, the water cannons on his wrists both aimed at Bonetail, the two heroes nodded at each other before they stepped into the vortex: 'I Fusion Summon Elemental Hero Mariner!'
Out of the portal leaped the tough-looking, wild man he used the anchors that were normally around his wrists as a shield. (1000 DEF)
'I end my turn.' Mario stated.
A card appeared before Bonetail, the dragon chuckled.
'First the Effect of Future Fusion activates, I will show you Meteor Black Dragon.' The dragon said, the card appeared above his head: 'Now I send Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Meteor Dragon from my Deck to the Graveyard.' The two cards appeared left and right of Bonetail after a few seconds they disappeared.
'Now I activate Fusion Recovery.' The dragon said his Spell card appeared before him. 'I retrieve my Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Polymerization from my Graveyard.' He stated, the two cards appeared before him.
'Now I activate Polymerization to Fusion Summon Black Skull Dragon!'
Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Summoned Skull once again disappeared into a Fusion Vortex, out of it came a dragon resembling Red-Eyes Black Dragon stepped out of the portal, the dragon had purple skin, the same color as Summoned Skull had, almost the entire body of the dragon was covered in bones creating a powerful armor, the head of the dragon resembled that of Summoned Skull. (3200 ATK)
'Archfiend Black Skull Dragon attacks Mariner!' Bonetail commanded, his Monster spread it's arms lightning struck the water-based hero.
'This time I use the other effect of my Archfiend, when Damage Calculation is performed I Target a Red-Eyes Monster in my Graveyard then deal Damage equal to it's Attack Points then shuffling it into the Deck.' The soul of the black dragon appeared behind the Archfiend the the demonic beast unleashed a fireball at Mario, Mario quickly conjured a shield to protect himself from the most physical damage.
(Mario: 3300) - (Bonetail: 8000)
Black Skull Dragon direct attack!' Bonetail howled, Geno saw that Mario's shield wouldn't hold so he quickly conjured one to protect his friend.
'Thanks Geno.' Mario said as the flames around him subsided.
(Mario: 100) - (Bonetail: 8000)
'Come on Mario, show me what Star Haven's Deck is capable of.' Geno muttered.
'Bonetail.' Mario said as he drew his card: 'My Future Fusion activates.' Mario took a card out of his Extra Deck it was called: Elemental Hero Divine Neos.
'Now I send: Elemental Hero Neos, Neo-Spacian Dark Panther, Elemental Hero Burstinatrix, Elemental Hero Neos Alius and Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird to my Graveyard.' Mario stated as he retrieved the cards then discarded them one-by-one.
'Next I Set two facedown and I end my turn.' Before Mario materialized a defending Monster and a reversed Spell or Trap card behind it.
'A single Monster? That one cannot survive the onslaught of my Monsters.'
Behind Bonetail the Fusion Vortex opened up: 'Through the Effect of Future Fusion I Summon Meteor Black Dragon!' Another dragon flew out of the vortex the beast had purple scales and yellowish skin, it stood on two, muscular legs ending in sharp claws, it's muscular arms ended in claws with sharp nails, the creature snarled at Mario. (3500 ATK)
'I activate Spellbinding Circle!' Mario shouted, his Trap card opened up, a pentagram appeared underneath Archfiend Black Skull Dragon binding the beast in place.
'Now your dragon can't attack so it can't negate my card Effects.'
Bonetail let out a low, growling sound: 'That changes nothing, I still have two Monsters that can attack and you have only one Monster and no other Set cards, now Meteor Black Dragon attack!'
The giant dragon threw it's head back before unleashing a devastating ball of flames, Mario's hidden Monster showed itself it was a alien, humanoid creature made out of a goo-like substance, it stood bent over, it had no mouth, ears or nose only two empty holes where it's eyes would have been. (900 DEF)
The strange creature rose it's three-fingered hand the fireball stopped in mid-air.
'Neo-Spacian Glow Moss!' Geno gasped, Mario slightly nodded: 'It sure is, I'm gonna let this Duel ride on a gamble.' Mario turned to Bonetail: 'You now draw a card, if it is a Spell the Attack of Glow Moss becomes a direct attack which is useless, when you draw a Trap card Glow Moss goes into Defense Mode, also useless, but if you draw a Monster the Battle Phase ends.' Mario explained.
Bonetail would have narrowed his eyes if he had any: 'So you really want to gamble? I had expected better from you.' Bonetail growled, slowly a card appeared before the dragon, Mario and Geno held their breaths slowly the card turned around and was revealed to be: Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning.
Glow Moss made a wave motion and the fireball disappeared instantly.
Mario and Geno released their breath, Bonetail roared out of frustration. 'Now it is my turn.' Mario said, behind him the Fusion Vortex opened: 'I Summon Elemental Hero Divine Neos!' Mario roared, a radiant light lit up the room, behind Mario appeared a divine figure a muscular man with a complete white skin, there were red lines running over his stomach, the warrior wore golden armor with a lot of feather-like, sharp decorations, he wore a golden helmet, armor that covered his chest, shoulder pads, armor around his waist, gloves and boots. (2500 ATK)
'Next I activate Pot of Avarice.' Mario continued his Spell card appeared Mario showed: Air Hummingbird, Dark Panther, Grand Mole, Neos Alius and Neos he shuffled the cards in his Deck then drew two.
'I activate Miracle Fusion!' Mario shouted and yet another Spell card appeared: 'I Banish Avian and Burstinatrix in order to Summon Flame Wingman!' In another flash of light Luigi's ace Monster appeared before his brother. (2100 ATK)
'Finally I Equip Flame Wingman with H - Heated Heart which gives it 500 Attack Points.' The Hero let out a war cry. (2100- 2600 ATK)
Mario and Bonetail looked at each other.
'I activate the Effect of Divine Neos! I Banish Mariner from my Graveyard!' The soul of the Monster appeared behind Divine Neos before disappearing into his partner. (2500- 3000 ATK)
'Not only does this give Divine Neos extra Attack Points but also the Effect of the Banished Monster, which now allows Divine Neos to attack directly if there is a Set card in my Spell or Trap Zone.' Mario explained, he then showed Bonetail the semi-last card in his hand which was Call of the Haunted slowly he placed it in his Duel Disk, the moment it appeared Divine Neos spread his arms three rays of light struck Bonetail.
(Mario: 100) - (Bonetail: 5000)
'Flame Wingman attack Meteor Black Dragon!' Mario shouted, the hero leaped forward charging fire in his monster arm.
'Now I discard Honest Neos to give Flame Wingman 2500 extra Attack Points!' Mario roared, two angel-like wings grew out of Flame Wingman's back as his Attack Points skyrocketed. (2600- 5100 ATK)
The stream of flames burned Bonetail's dragon to a crisp.
(Mario: 100) - (Bonetail: 3400)
The flames continued on to Bonetail enveloping the dragon.
(Mario: 100) - (Bonetail: 0)
When the flames disappeared the bone dragon collapsed on the ground, a black mist pouring out of the empty eye sockets slowly the bones changed into dust finally putting the ancient creature to rest.
The divine light casted by Divine Neos disappeared Mario and Geno stood in silence, then the sound of clapping broke the silence as Mario looked up Grave leaped down from a ledge onto the ground.
'Quite the show Mario.' Grave spoke: 'I never expected Bonetail to appear, I shudder with the thought of how easily you dispatched this beast.' Grave turned around and walked to the other end of the room.
'No need for words Grave, we both know why you are here.' Mario said.
'It has been called, a Duel to the Death by order of the Shadow Queen.' Grave said a black mist appeared in the room.
'No holds barred Mario, you and me one last time.' Silently Mario put all the cards back in his Deck and reshuffled before drawing five.
'I can't change your mind Grave so I won't try, it pains me but my duty is to stop the Shadow Queen if that means I need to kill you so be it.'
Grave chuckled: 'Promise me one thing Mario, whatever happens if you remain standing will you watch my sister?'
Mario simply nodded: 'I promise that Grave.'
Grave let out a sigh of relieve then he drew his opening hand.
'Duel!' Both shouted.
Next time:
With Gloomtail out of the way there are only a couple of targets left: Grave, Syn, Sir Grodus and the Shadow Queen.
While Geno prepares for his match against Syn it is Mario who finally has his final showdown against Grave. ''Duel to the Death'' Coming next.
