62. Alien Invasion.

Mario and Geno managed to reach the Shadow Queen Kali, after they defeated her they tried to use the Crystal Stars to trap her but Grodus broke one of the Crystal Stars rendering the trap useless.

It was then revealed that Rozalin wasn't the true host of Kali, it was a trap from Grodus so he could control the Shadow Queen, this plan ultimately backfired, Grodus struggled hard in his attempt to stop Kali, but ended up killing himself by summoning the Creator God Holactie, with Grodus' attempt failed only Mario and Geno are left to stop Kali who now possesses the right host Grave's sister Pandora.

But all is not lost as reinforcements are on the way.

Grave was running through the halls of the Palace of Shadows, he was close to the exit, by the second the ominous presence he felt became weaker. 'Why am I running away?' He panted he slowed down a bit as the door came into view.

Minutes later Grave came back above ground, the streets were littered with the bodies of knocked out X-Naut soldiers, Don Pianta's men were celebrating between the rest of the people but not all battles were over.

Grave casually walked through the celebrating people when he reached the town square he saw Mario's friends finishing off a bunch of X-Nauts, it was Goombella who pointed at Grave Mario and Luigi took the front their Duel Disks ready then Merlon stopped them.

Grave was on his guard as he approached the group, then a new group of X-Nauts barged in from the docks quickly they were surrounded.

'Well would you look at that, these are the guys Sir Grodus warned us about.' An X-Naut clad in black spoke clearly he was acting as the leader of this group. 'We could all get a promotion if we take these guys out!' He laughed the other soldiers started to cheer.

Several Duel Disks on both sides activated then all of a sudden the black X-Naut reached for his communicator, after a few seconds he lowered his arms and turned around. 'Sir Grodus has fallen at the hands of Mario!' He roared: 'Lord Crump is killed in action!'

Seconds passed as more and more X-Naut soldiers gathered around them.

Mallow carefully observed the group of soldiers they were slowly backing off, the sound of helicopters filled the air. 'Those are...' Merlon gasped as he saw the vehicles approaching. 'Nimbus City's helicopters.' Mallow proudly said: 'My parents came through, it'll all be okay now.' Then a giant tremor hit the island.

'It's not over yet.' Merlon spoke: 'For the X-Nauts it is but the Shadow Queen is still down there and by the tremors it seems Mario and Geno have found her.

Grave grabbed Merlon's shoulder. 'You've got to send me back down there.' Merlon shook his head. 'Too dangerous Grave Mario saved your life going back in there is suicide.'

Grave grabbed Merlon's other shoulder and moved his face close to Merlon's. 'I'm serious Merlon.' He hissed: 'That tremor was only a sample, I can handle the Shadow Queen.' Grave let go of Merlon.

'I see you've made up your mind Grave, I can stop you but I won't.' Merlon snapped his fingers a portal opened. 'Go Grave but once you step through I won't be able to pull you out.

As Grave stepped through the portal the first of many helicopters landed in the middle of Rogueport, another one landed near the dock entrance, a third landed at the docks while a fourth landed on top of the casino, the rest kept circling around.

A few minutes later armed men stormed the square, they were soldier carrying heavy weapons and armor, the man in front walked towards Mallow, it was clear he was the man in charge once Mallow looked at him the soldier saluted. 'Prince.' He stated.

'Robert, good to see you here.' Mallow greeted the soldier: 'At ease.' He then added, meanwhile the other soldiers rounded up the X-Nauts bringing them to the helicopters once one was full another landed in it's place.

'Good job on rounding up those soldiers, any other thread we need to know about?' Robert asked.

'Well yes there is, but me and my friends have that under control.' Mallow replied.

'Prince, I know that magic is real, this thread you're talking about?'

Mallow nodded. 'We got two experts taking care of that and a third expert is on his way as backup.' Mallow spoke.

George looked at his men leading away the soldiers. 'At least you managed to take care of a thread we can handle, you have my thanks and those of your parents.'

Grave exited the portal he stood in the same chamber where Mario had beaten Grodus and the possessed Bowser, Grave felt a powerful surge of energy the air rippled, the man took a step back, then a portal opened and Bowser dropped out.

Without saying anything Bowser stood up, his eyes were glowing with an unholy light, when he looked up he saw Grave. 'You.' He hissed.

'Princess Shroob.' Grave calmly replied: 'You live, I knew sealing you in the Cobalt Star would be a bad idea.'

Bowser dusted off his clothes he said nothing.

'It seems you encountered Mario and Geno, they couldn't kill you so Geno locked you up in a pocket dimension.' Grave confirmed for himself.

'They couldn't kill me, nobody can kill me!' Bowser howled.

'I can.' Grave coldly replied Bowser broke out in laughter. 'You?' He laughed.

Grave's expression changed. 'You are a Nephilim, a powerful one I agree but still a Nephilim. Hunting your kind is my job.'

Bowser scratched his chin: 'You don't have time for this your friends are battling someone much more powerful than me, they might die without you.' Bowser spoke his voice sounded more like that of Princess Shroob.

'They might, but I have faith they won't, Mario and Geno sealed you away because they were in a hurry, they wanted to finish you off later, Geno's spell was hasty that's why you could break out, I will correct their mistake.'

Grave said without a doubt in his voice.

'I can't wait to see them fail because you weren't there to help them.' Princess Shroob said with a sneer in her voice.

'They won't and if they do I'll deal with the Shadow Queen.' Grave coldly replied.

Princess Shroob laughed: 'And you want to stop me? You lost to Mario time and time again, how many Decks did you try? And then your Gravekeeper's Deck? That was the Deck that had to beat Mario and still you lost, what can you do against me?'

Grave said nothing, slowly he took a Deck out of it's Deck holder: 'Mario taught me something, he fought for the entire world, while I only fought for a cause I didn't believe in, now I am free from that cause.' Grave activated his Duel Disk.

'This Deck. Mario's Heroes and Neo Spacians gave me inspiration and you Shroob, will be my test subject.'

Princess Shroob started to laugh uncontrollably: 'You know pest, once I'm done with you I'm going to wear you as my new suit.'

Grave closed his eyes and let out a chuckle. 'You'll never be able to touch me Nephilim, this won't take me more than five turns.' Grave calmly stated.

(Princess Shroob: 8000) - (Grave: 8000)

Princess Shroob drew her opening hand Grave followed her example then he crossed his arms. 'So you want me to start?' The Shroob princess asked: 'Seems there is some decency left in you, as they say ladies go first.'

Grave chuckled: 'You? A lady? Far from it.'

Princess Shroob narrowed her eyes a devilish grin formed on Bowser's face. 'That smug attitude will soon vanish.' She took a card from her hand.

'I call upon my servant: Alien Shocktrooper!'

Princess Shroob smiled before her appeared a monstrous beast it was a humanoid amphibian-like beast standing on four legs, the legs were covered in green, slimy scales and ended in flat feet with webbing between the three toes, it had a slimy tail dragging behind it, the torso was humanoid and covered with scales, black armor around the waist and chest protected the warrior, blue orbs were etched in the chest and shoulders, it's head was that of a reptile with long, black horns growing out of the back, in it's right hand the beast held a nasty sword. (1900 ATK)

'The vanguard of my assault.' Princess Shroob proudly commented: 'Let's see how you deal with that, I shall end my turn.'

Grave drew his card, carefully he looked over his hand he already saw a winning strategy. 'I start by Special Summoning Evil HERO Infernal Prodigy since I have no Monsters on my Field.'

Black smoke rose around Grave's Field out of the smoke stepped a warrior, he looked like the Elemental Heroes only more sinister, a tall fiendish warrior wearing an organic-looking armor which resembled red and golden muscles, it had a thin tail, red wings and two wing-like horns on it's head. (300 ATK)

'Now since you control a Monster I can Normal Summon my next Monster with only one Tribute!' Black smoke pierced through Infernal Prodigy a much more sinister Monster started to appear. 'I Advance Summon Evil HERO Malicious Edge!' Grave shouted, the smoke disappeared the evil version of Elemental HERO Bladedge stood on the Field, completely clad in black armor, it wore spiked belt all over it's body, arms and legs, two spikes grew out of it's shoulders and back, it had blue, spiky hair the Fiend crossed his arms blades grew out of it's knuckled. (2600 ATK)

'Attack the Alien Shocktrooper!' Grave commanded, the Evil HERO dashed forward with incredible speed using it's blades to cut the reptile to shreds.

(Princess Shroob: 7300) - (Grave: 8000)

'I drew first blood, feels good fighting for my own, no Trinity.' He muttered to himself then he looked Bowser in his eyes, behind them he could see the purple mist that was Princess Shroob: 'I end my turn since I used Infernal Prodigy as a Tribute this turn I get to draw a card.' Grave explained quickly he drew it.

'My turn.' Princess Shroob stated, she took a card: 'I Set a Monster.' She stated, the reversed card appeared on her side of the Field.

'That fool Grave, I lulled him into a false sense of security, next turn he'll be in for a big surprise.' Bowser's face was a blank slate Grave was carefully observing his opponent.

'You know Princess Shroob? Whatever you try to do it won't work.' He said while he drew his card.

'First I shall Normal Summon Elemental HERO Sparkman.' Grave stated.

The electric hero normally clad in yellow armor with a blue, rubber bodysuit under it appeared in a flash of lightning, only this one looked more sinister the yellow armor was now red while the blue bodysuit was yellow. (1600 ATK)

'Now Malicious Edge attacks the defending Monster.' Grave commanded the black clad warrior dashed forward the card disappeared in it's place appeared a ferocious, beast it had grayish skin with a white armor covering most of it, it stood on two legs using it's giant claws as a shield. (1000 DEF) Malicious Edge slightly moved his arm whilst dashing past the Alien, the creature staggered backwards as it's armor started to crack, it tried to turn around but it's legs gave way and the ferocious creature collapsed. 'Malicious Edge does Piercing Damage as well.' Grave said with a smirk the Evil Hero landed before Bowser before he could react the hero gave him an uppercut.

(Princess Shroob: 5700) - (Grave: 8000)

'You fell for it.' Princess Shroob said with a chuckle in her voice: 'Your Monster destroyed my Alien Warrior so it gained two A-Counters.' Grave looked at his Monster two gross, purple blob-like creatures were stuck on it's back, their skin was slimy with several parasites growing out of the purple mass, it was latched onto the warrior's clothes by using it's small, tubular mouth. 'Whatever will I do now?' Grave sarcastically replied: 'Right you have no defenses left! Sparkman!' He yelled the Elemental Hero crossed his arms lightning struck Bowser.

(Princess Shroob: 4100) - (Grave: 8000)

'I depleted almost half your Life Points, you have nothing left on the Field and the only thing you managed to do was give two A-Counters to my Monster? This is pathetic.' Grave looked Princess Shroob in her eyes then smiled. 'I'll finish this next turn.'

The Shroob princess drew her card. 'Your arrogance won't stand.' She hissed. 'I Summon Alien Hunter.' A beast similar to Alien Warrior appeared, it's skin was covered with sickly green scales, it's armor was black instead of white, it had a tail that was capable of dealing devastating blows, it's claws were smaller than those of Alien Warrior it held a trident-like weapon. (1600 ATK)

'I Summoned an Alien which means I can Special Summon Alien Dog.' Princess Shroob continued, a loud barking sounded through the room a purple-skinned dog leaped onto the Field it's body and head were covered with white armor, the dog held a bone in it's mouth. (1500 ATK)

'Now two A-Counters are placed on Sparkman.' Two of the hideous blobs latched themselves onto Sparkman's skin.

'Next I activate the Field Spell: Otherworld - the ''A'' Zone!' The room disappeared, Grave found himself standing on a meteorite, Princess Shroob was seemingly hovering in space, several mixed colors formed the rest of space, the colors were all swirling together, it gave Grave an headache.

'Alien Hunter attacks Malicious Edge.' Princess Shroob calmly stated she quickly took a card from her hand. 'I activate Shrink.' She stated the Spell card appeared on the Field and Malicious Edge shrunk to half his size. (2600- 1300 ATK) 'Thanks to my Field Spell your Monsters lose another 300 Attack Points during Damage Calculation.' She explained then the Alien Hunter took a leap bringing the trident down on the Evil Hero as it landed.

(Princess Shroob: 4100) - (Grave: 7400)

'Since Alien Hunter Destroyed a Monster with A-Counters it can attack again.' Quickly the Hunter pulled his trident out of the remains of Malicious Edge, then it leaped at Sparkman the Hunter trust the spear through the Hero's stomach.

(Princess Shroob: 4100) - (Grave: 7100)

'Alien Dog attacks directly!' Princess Shroob calmly said Grave was more annoyed than anything as the dog bit him in the leg.

(Princess Shroob: 4100) - (Grave: 5600)

'Now look at you Grave, you have no cards on the Field, I don't think you can end me next turn.' Shroob said with a wide grin.

'But just in case I Set this facedown card.' The card materialized behind Alien Dog.

'Let's end this charade shall we?' Grave spoke as he drew his card.

'I activate Dark Fusion!' Grave quickly played a Spell card: 'This card acts as Polymerization for a specific group of Fusion Monsters.' Grave explained then he took two cards from his hand: 'I Fuse Elemental Heroes Avian and Burstinatrix!' Two figures leaped out of the shadows the first one was an evil version of Avian instead of green feathers his body was covered in black feathers, his usual wings were crow-like, it's skin was grayish. Next to the evil Avian appeared a wicked version of Burstinatrix

she had gray skin, red eyes and demonic horns growing out of the sides of her head, they were slightly curved downwards, two bat-like wings with spikes on the edges, her waist and chest were covered in purple flames, more purple flames formed boots.

The two Heroes looked at each other before they leaped through the black portal that appeared behind them.

'Corrupted souls bathed in the light of evil. Purge this realm with the flames of the underworld! Dark fusion appear! Evil HERO Inferno Wing!' Grave chanted, a dark figure nimbly leaped out of the portal, she was a fiendish creature with a grayish skin and long, spiky hair, she wore a red top leaving her belly bare, matching red shorts and a flowing red cape, yellowish horns grew out of her shoulders, two mechanical wings sprout from her back, instead of hands she had large claws. Her eyes were covered by a black visor. (2100 ATK)

'Now I activate Miracle Fusion!' Grave played another Spell card. 'This time I Banish Avian and Burstinatrix so I can Fusion Summon an Elemental Hero!' Again the two Warriors on the Field this time in spirit form suddenly they were swallowed by a vortex.

'Corrupted souls bathed in the light of judgment. Be reborn from the ashes of the doomed! Show yourself, Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer!' Grave chanted this time a less evil-looking Warrior appeared, it had a black body with a red flame pattern on the chest, arms and the majority of it's legs, it had a long tail, two mechanical, green wings and three mean-looking claws growing out of it's wrist. (2100 ATK)

'Now I Normal Summon Evil HERO Adusted Gold.' Grave calmly continued, another Warrior appeared this time a man clad in golden armor, the armor had sharp edges everywhere horn-like parts stuck out of the sides of his waist and shoulders, two horns stuck out of his helmet, a large, red, tattered cape flowed behind him. (2100 ATK)

'Inferno Wing attacks Alien Hunter!' Grave commanded the female Fiend leaped into the air using her wings to stay airborne. 'When Inferno Wings destroys a Monster she deals damage to your Life Points equal to the Attack or Defense of the destroyed Monster whichever is higher.'

Princess Shroob started to laugh: 'I activate Planet Pollutant Virus!' The Trap card opened up: 'This Destroys all Monsters you control without A-Counters, I only need to Tribute an Alien to activate it.' She cackled.

'Hate to brake it to you.' Grave calmly replied, he held a Spell card in his hand. 'I activate My Body as a Shield! By paying 1500 Life Points your Trap card's activation is negated and Destroyed!'

(Princess Shroob: 4100) - (Grave: 4100)

Inferno Wing dove down at the Alien Hunter she lost 300 Attack Points the moment her claws pierced through the chest of the Monster, slowly she pushed the dead Alien from her claws then with incredible speed she leaped at Bowser striking his chest with her other claw.

(Princess Shroob: 2300) - (Grave: 4100)

'Phoenix Enforcer attacks Alien Dog!' Grave shouted the Elemental Hero leaped at the dog, it also lost a bit of power when it pierced the Alien Dog on the blades on it's wrist.

(Princess Shroob: 2000) - (Grave: 4100)

'Adusted Gold!' Grave roared the Warrior stretched his arm a wicked sword appeared in it, he then leaped a Bowser slicing him across the chest.

(Princess Shroob: 0) - (Grave: 4100)

Grave's Monsters disappeared as he deactivated his Duel Disk, Bowser's eyes slowly glazed over, he was swaying on his feet.

'Now to drive out this Nephilim.' Grave muttered he closed his eyes and started to chant, Bowser unleashed an unholy scream purple smoke burst out of his nose and mouth, above Bowser's head it started to swirl into a demonic face with glowing yellow eyes, a bit of smoke stayed connected to Bowser, slowly it tried to get back into the host.

'I don't think so Princess Shroob.' Grave growled he clasped his hands together then shouted a few words, flames erupted around Bowser, the soul of Princess Shroob howled with rage as the flames licked at her, cursing the mist slowly dissolved, black ashed rained down.

Grave looked at the ash. 'It's finally over.' He said with a sigh then Bowser collapsed Grave quickly checked the pulse. 'He'll live, might wake up with a headache, nothing he won't survive.' Grave stood back up he took another look at the ashes. 'Killing a powerful Nephilim like her? Feels good, I've missed this.'


Next time:

The final battle against Kali starts when Grave joins the fray.

The power of the Shadow Queen is relentless and there is little hope of stopping her without the Crystal Stars, but not all is lost. ''Deluge of Darkness'' coming next.