【50 - A New Hero of the Islands!? Lieutenants Strike! The New Villains of the Islands!】


Luck truly wasn't on Meilani's side.

She was surrounded by an enemy tribe, the warriors had red paint on their tall and narrow bodies. They wore loincloths and had bone piercings and jewelry - some of it human. Their faces were hollow. These were true savages and undoubtedly the tribe who worshipped the murderous jungle deity that Kanoa once met on their beaches. Their spears looked sharp. Meilani's frightened eyes darted around, looking for an opening but she could find none. Her heartbeat increased.

A few men parted to reveal their leader, a man with dark skin and monochrome crimson eyes. He was burly, with long feathers adorning the straps around his torso.

"You're not the one we want. Where did Kanoa go?"

"I'll never betray my love!" Meilani shouted, her fists shaking.

"Clearly he doesn't feel the same. Otherwise why would he leave you?" The lieutenant turned to scan the surrounding jungle. "Hear that, Kanoa!? Do you really plan to leave her with us while you escape?" There was no response. He looked back to his men. "He'll come back for her. Take her to the south beach and hand her over to the Captain." At his order Meilani's arms were seized, she panicked but stilled herself, knowing it was no use. The lieutenant took a spear and Meilani flinched as he severed a lock of her hair.

He held it up and smirked, then trudged off into the jungle.


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Hours earlier, Kanoa left his hutt before dawn. He'd done his morning meditation and ate his bowl of oats, quietly to not wake anyone. Then he left to fill pails with water once more, and carry it for the elder villagers who lived on the outskirts. It took multiple trips but the work kept him strong, and as the outsider saying goes: hard work is good for the soul. He finished by pouring his last pail-full into the pot at Grandma Kaleo's door. The chimes and hangings stirred, the birds only beginning to wake. Kanoa lifted the carrying stick over his shoulders and trudged back. He admired the rock carvings of gods and the sheer cliff faces with their hanging vines and mosses. Dawn was a yellow band against a dark sky, like the edge of paper caught alight. It made his everyday world mystical, a time where you could feel the ancestor spirits more clearly.

Voices caught Kanoa's attention, and normally he'd ignore a private conversation but he was sure he heard his name. He stepped closer to a hutt.

"...Luano is the one who will lead us. He should have Jupiter..."

"...it's been a month since their pilgrimage and Jupiter still won't bless our land. We have to toil again..."

"...if Luano becomes the new chosen we might get back the abundance we lost..."

He didn't want to hear anymore. Kanoa continued on, dropping off the carrying implements at the well. It was awful to know people were saying what he was thinking. They didn't want to question Jupiter, who they'd begun to revere alongside their island gods. However the truth couldn't be denied. Jupiter wanted Kanoa to leave. If he didn't leave on his own the tribe might excommunicate him. As much as he didn't want to imagine the overwhelming shame of millions knowing he'd lost his position as a chosen, at least he could give Jupiter away to make his tribe prosperous again. If that were possible, which it wasn't. If Jupiter did let himself change hands he would still want to leave. The outside world was dangerous, foreign, unknown. Could he truly sacrifice his home and family for Jupiter's will?

Is it time to hand Jupiter over to another? He'd be shamed but Kanoa could remain here safely with Meilani. Someone else could be the nature chosen, after all what was it about Kanoa that made him so special?

Before breakfast Kanoa was found by a tribemate and summoned by Chief Tenakato. He was taken before a dying mango tree and asked to perform one of his miracles while the stern leader waited with hands behind his back. Kanoa gulped and raised his hand. Tapping into his connection with the phoenix, he felt his raw power flood him. A green aura coated his body and wafted from his outstretched hand. The hanging mangoes swelled and the trunk began to recover. Suddenly Jupiter felt his power leaking and Kanoa saw screeching in his mind's eye. The power sucked back, the mangoes shrivelling and rotting, the tree ended up looking deader than it had before. Kanoa turned to the chief who shook his head and left without speaking.

Kanoa didn't join his tribemates at breakfast.

Once more he needed to be alone. Meilani's company would ease his troubles, but he needed to be by himself to think. When it was the two of them it was like the outside world no longer existed and everything would be alright. But everything wouldn't be alright, so he needed another good hard think. Kanoa's bare feet stepped over ferns and white sand. He plucked a small fruit and ate, juice running down his chin. After a few bites he dropped the pit to the dirt and ants. Soon the nature cleared and there was the ocean, cyan and green. Before him were isles, mini-islands separated by water. Kanoa ducked down to put his deck in the zip-lock bag tied at his ankle. Then he ran at the water and dived, swimming with powerful strokes. He went beyond the first isle and the second, stopping at the third when the bank got too shallow. He walked up a white sand bar, six metres long and peanut-shaped. The surrounding water was emerald and nearby dolphins arced out and spat water. Kanoa breathed under the hot sun, cool water trailing down his body. He walked to the centre then sat cross-legged to think.

Gathering the other chosens with Heidi would be dangerous. But he'd never be able to convince Meilani to stay, and he'd never be able to betray her by sneaking off. He knew it immediately. Instead he was imagining the Chief and elders, whether they'd insist Jupiter remain behind. Whether they'd all hate him if Heidi, Meilani and him took the boat and sailed off in the night. Would Dominic and Malo come along too? Something caught Kanoa's eye and disrupted his thinking.

A lone canoe skimming across the ocean to his location. Kanoa stood. For some reason it made him nervous. Was it more island trespessers?

When the ship was close enough for Kanoa to make out the lone man holding the sail he recognized Luano. The ship skidded against the shallows and the strong teen jumped off. Instead of the usual arrogance he looked determined.

"Yes?" Kanoa began. "Shouldn't you be hunting?"

"Shouldn't you have sorted out your problem with Jupiter by now?" He retorted. "Time's up. For the good of the tribe, your phoenix is now mine."

Kanoa clenched his fists and held firm. He was waiting for the moment I'd go off alone, Kanoa realised. Inside he was afraid, but that made him realise that facing Luano was something he should do. If he truly wasn't worthy this would prove it.

Luano held out his hand "give me Jupiter."

"It doesn't belong to you."

"Then for the good of the tribe, I'll take it from you." He crouched down to the zip-lock bag at his ankle. Kanoa was surprised but crouched down as well. They both straightened with their decks, green glows burned at their hands and tables appeared. They walked over shuffling then set their cards down. The canoe creaked where it rested, ten shields sprang forth and reflected the sun's bright glare.

"This has been a long time coming." Luano wore a malicious grin. He charged mana and passed his turn, light-darkness fluctuating over his table.

"Duels are meant to bring members of the tribe together. Do you really believe someone who abuses them to settle a grudge deserves to be chief one day?" Kanoa charged and passed the turn right back.

"My birthright is divinely given. The fact your allegiance to Jupiter is failing is proof the title Hero of the Islands was meant for someone greater! It was meant for me!" His eyes shone with ambition. "I charge nature. Now I cast Faerie Life and boost Rising Sun, Holy Evil Elemental! Done."

"You're wrong…"

"You're scared. I can see it on your face!" Luano pointed and Kanoa betrayed his shock at the truth. "This situation is what you've feared from the very beginning! Me defeating you like this and stripping your title and your phoenix!"

"No…"

"Admit it!"

"You're wrong!" Kanoa shouted before returning to his stoic self. "You think I enjoyed the fame? You think I asked for this? Maybe you're right, I don't deserve this-"

"Too right you don't-!"

"But neither do you!" Kanoa shouted again. "Because to me being the Hero of the Islands meant sharing Jupiter's power to make life easier for others! It meant staying loyal to the tribe that raised me! I let myself be venerated because it was what the islanders wanted! Not me!"

Luano narrowed his eyes. Kanoa charged and passed his turn.

"...all the more reason for you to give up your hero status to someone who knows how to handle authority." He charged darkness mana and waited on his opponent.

"I summon Nam=Daeddo, Bronze Style. Mana Arms 3, I boost Treasure Map!" The 3000 power green spearman aimed his weapon. "You don't deserve my hero status. Not the way you are now."

"I summon Wired, Spirit Knight Right God!" Blue electricity crackled and swirled the sand. A six-armed machine deity rose up on 5000. "Say hello to my God Link! It can connect to any other centre or left God," Luano laughed. "I don't care what you think, Kanoa! I'm taking your status, and there's not a thing you can do to stop me!"


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"Come on out, Marinyan Dragon Edge!" The pink-haired cat-girl raised her paw, summoning electric chains that whipped around their battle. "I equip her with Jurapil Egg Hammer!" The dragheart weapon was caught. "Nam=Daeddo, shield break!" With a warcry the beast folk speared a shield. "I'm done." Kanoa's chest was rising with his breaths.

"I summon Loud Park, True Flashing Right God!" A purple serpentine monster appeared, a darkness God alongside his light. "I mill three cards from my deck and return a God Nova OMG to my hand. I'm done."

Kanoa stared. His God Links are both right sides so he couldn't combine them yet, but when he does I'll be in trouble… He drew and smiled "I play Sasoris, Dragon Edge and equip him with Boaroaxe Evil Tomohawk! Now I can summon a second Marinyan from my mana zone and she brings out Euru=Bucca Mystery Gathering Ruins!" At the green squirrel's arrival another cat-girl and two draghearts joined play, the spiky temple landed heavily behind Kanoa and tossed up water and sand. "First Marinyan, shield break!" Glass flew and cut Luano's arms, making him grunt. "Bronze Style, attack!"

"Loud Park blocks!" The slithering God sprung to intercept the fighter, wrapping and squeezing so both ruptured. "Dueling fast is unlike you. I suppose you're desperate to end this quickly?"

"I end my turn and Egg Hammer dragsolutions into Le=Piraju, Birth Mystery." A second more colourful temple crashed behind Kanoa. "Now I boost mana whenever one of my nature creatures attacks. Go."

"I bring out Lollapolooza, Spirit Knight Left God! God Link!" Blue lightning connected the pair and they joined like a Hindu being of gold and jewels. "It now has 8000 power and taps Sasoris. I attack him! Boaroaxe returns to Hyperspace!" A blinding bolt vaporized the critter, his weapon getting sucked back into a portal. "Done."

"Mystery Gathering Ruins dragsolutions into Rejiru=Euru=Bucca, Mystery Ruinskind!" The temple became a 5000 Jurassic dragon with a reverberating roar. "I activate Euru=Bucca, Antique Dragon Ruins! Mana Arms 5 sends your creature to the mana zone!"

"I choose to send Lollapolooza. Wired Stays!" The Gods separated, one getting eaten by moss.

"I attack it with Marinyan and destroy them both!" A cat-girl pounced, both creatures exploded on impact. Marinyan two, attack! Ruinskind, attack!" Another two shields were cleared before a trigger assembled.

Luano seized it "Curse of Resurrection and Clash revives Wired, Spirit Knight Right God!"

"I'm done."

"My move! I summon Max, Rage Crystal and God Link!" A platinum sword was seized by the multi-armed being, energy blowing off in waves. "I regain a shield! Attack Ruinskind!" Another hit made Kanoa grunt and waver, but he still had board advantage and that gave him hope.

"I cast another Euru=Bucca Antique Dragon Ruins!"

"I remove Wired…"

"I summon another Marinyan, Dragon Edge and bring out Mystery Gathering Ruins once more! First Marinyan, shield break!" After the attack went through Kanoa had no choice but to end his turn. He'd cleared out his hand, and because of the compulsory mana boosting from his dragheart fortress he was getting through his deck as well. But if he held on he'd have his win and put his fears to rest.

"Spice Queens, Inga's Holy Evil!" Luano called forth a light-dark 3000 blocker. "My God Nova OMG's cost 1 less to summon! So next I'll play Omega, Oracle Jewel and God Link!" Another lightning-show whipped up plumes of sand. "I regain a shield and now whenever I break one I can untap this blocker God." A platinum shield combined with the platinum sword to create a 15000 linked God that could block and break 3 shields.

"Damn... Euru=Bucca dragsolutions into Mystery Ruinskind! I summon another Sasoris to bring out Boaroaxe once more! I bring out Kabra Katabra and add another Sasoris to my hand!" With the addition of three new frightening nature creatures he began. "Marinyan, attack!"

"Omega and Max blocks." The deity wiped out the attacker before she could cross battle-zones.

"Marinyan two, attack!" A shield was clawed through and the linked God immediately untapped, lighting back up and levitating higher. Kanoa saw his legendary phoenix get boosted to his mana. "I end my turn and Boaroaxe dragsolutions into Boarapogas, Evil Emperor Ruins." Next step is my strongest creature... the 15000 Verokiboaros, Ga Ga Ga.

"I summon God Izumo, Lawless Godkind!" A 12000 triple-breaker appeared. "I regain a shield then triple God Link between Max and Omega!" Its power climbed to 27000 and Kanoa stepped back, eyes widening. Blue lit up their surroundings and pulsed with energy. "You can no longer play spells that cost 5 or less. Attack Marinyan!" The winged boy lowered his sword and the Marinyan was vanquished in a fiery rapture. Sand blasted up high overhead. "Done."

Kanoa stared, slowly drawing before prizing his eyes away. "I summon Kabra Katabra! I add from my mana zone to my hand Supernova Jupiter King Empire!" At the wild veggie's appearance Kanoa became completely encased in green energy, the edges twisting like roots and branches. This would be his true test of heroism. "I can summon Dandy Eggplant from my mana. I'll fuse it with my two Kabras for Galaxy Vortex evolution! Answer my call phoenix, I summon you!" The green light intensified, like it was gushing from cracks to the Earth's core. There was a howling cry as thick roots tore up the ground and surrounded them in a ring of nature. White pollen filled the air, drifting among the blanketing green energy. The 14000 Jupiter lowered its grass blades, gold helmet glinting as it stared down its opponent.

"Jupiter makes a more impressive entrance." Luano admitted. "But nothing can beat God Izumo once he's perfectly linked to Max and Omega. The ultimate sword and ultimate shield in the hands of the ultimate God!" His creature had a permanently bored expression on his pre-pubescent face, six wings slowly flapping. Shimmering in platinum armor.

Kanoa was quiet but forced himself to continue "The Marinyan in my mana comes out. I bring out Reddull, Dragon Soul Castle to make her a speed attacker!" A fiery eastern temple fell beside Boaropagos and Le=Piraju. "Jupiter, triple break!" The phoenix carried its palpable gravity as it floated forth.

"Spice Queens blocks!" Luano twisted a card. His weak fairy blocker was whacked by a grass sabre, the earth opening to swallow her.

"Meteorburn! Dandy Eggplant returns and so I add a Ragmal, Spirit Knight to my mana. Marinyan break a shield, ike!" Glass burst and then a wall of energy rattled everyone as God Izumo untapped. "Sasoris, shield break!" The green critter wasn't blocked, but if Kanoa attacked again he was sure to be. The fact Jupiter hasn't retreated must mean he prefers me to Luano, at least. I have to win! He ended his turn.

"I play another Spice Queens, Inga's Holy Evil. I play Big Day Out, Holy Evil Demon!" A 7000 shadow elemental followed his fairy blocker. Another God Nova OMG. "I use its effect to tap Euru=Bucca and... destroy Jupiter!" Ghostly light streamed from its sword and green flashed before his phoenix's presence was gone, the roots sinking back underground. He was wiped out by an effect. "Now God Izumo obliterates Euru=Bucca, Mystery Ruinskind!" There was an explosion and Kanoa flew off his feet.

He grimaced, crawling back to his table and pushing himself up. "I... I summon Sasoris and bring out Ragmal, Spirit Knight. I return it to my mana to disrupt your God link."

"Hehe. I choose God Izumo." There was a sharp fizzle and nothing happened, not a good sign. "To answer your confusion, since God Izumo is linked as three cards, now linked Gods never leave the battle zone."

"Oh no... I summon Yattar Wan and evolve it into Huckle Kirin Sawyer, Jungle Governer! Dandy Eggplant attacks!"

"Izumo blocks." The impact made Kanoa wobble but he held onto his table.

"Huckle Kirin, shield break!" A gold sword was spun by the giraffe, slashing a shield and everything quaked as God Izumo untapped himself.

"Marinyan, ike!" The attack got through. There were no shields left and even though it was pointless Kanoa felt he had to attack. It was as far as he'd managed to come. "Sasoris todomedaaa!"

"Ninja Strike 4, Lightfang Ninja comes out and makes Big Day Out a blocker! Block!" Luano's other creatures were just witnesses to his trump card's power, but the other God used its soul sword to stop Sasoris, the squirrel yelped as it died. When Kanoa saw he had nothing else to attack with his arms hung loose.

"Time to see what's in your shields. I summon Loud Park, True Flashing Right God! And I summon Rising Sun, Holy Evil Elemental and God Link! I regain two shields. Now all my creatures with God Nova OMG race have shield trigger! Big Day Out, double break!" The sword swung and Kanoa made sure to duck under his table. Glass flew and he received no triggers. "God Izumo, triple break!" Even though he was still crouched down the attack threw him into the air and he crashed flat on his stomach. The cards...

No triggers.

Kanoa stood and waded back to his table. To see Luano's victorious grin.

"I win! Now I want you to kneel and swear loyalty to your future chief!" The arrogant teen pointed.

"...You will never be my chief."

Luano's eyes spiked with rage. He put his hand on the other linked God. Kanoa gave no reaction and Luano calmed before he could issue the fatal blow.

"No... that would be too easy for you. If you took your own life your legacy would be ruined, so you wanted me to do it for you? And ruin my own chance of being Chief too, right? Well that won't happen. And you will have to live the remainder of your days with the shame of once being so great, now rejected by your own phoenix and replaced by me. Everyone in the islands will know your shame! The duel's over, Kanoa. I win."

The creatures faded and Kanoa fell to his knees despite himself. Luano approached the defeated chosen. His feet came to a stop before him and Kanoa looked up to see an outstretched hand.

"Give me Jupiter," Luano instructed.

Kanoa's hand tightened around his phoenix before he met his rival's gaze "do you understand the real reason Jupiter has rejected me? It's because I've not left the tribe, left the islands and helped Heidi track down the other chosens. Even if Jupiter chooses you, eventually the same thing will happen all over again!"

"I don't believe you. Give it here." His hand shook, insistent.

"You won't help Heidi. You won't help anyone but yourself!"

"Bastard!" Luano slogged him across the face. Then he jumped on top, wrestling for that card. "I defeated you! Now hand it over!"

"That's enough!" Someone shouted.

The boys stopped and parted, kneeling up to see a second canoe beside the first. Partially hidden with the sun behind her head was Meilani.

"This doesn't concern you." Luano spat.

"You attacked my Soul Flame. Of course it does! Did you think nobody would notice you taking one of the canoes by yourself? The sheer arrogance of you!"

"When my father hears about this-!"

"He'll be furious with you!" Meilani cut him off. "So long as you keep your mouth shut about this, we will too!"

Luano was on his feet. He cast a look at Kanoa's bruised face and bleeding lip. He cursed then hurried off to his canoe, pushing it off into the water. Meilani ran to her lover and crouched down, taking his face in her hands. Kanoa slowly put his deck back together.

"Love, are you alright?" Her low voice was scared.

"It's done..."

"What's done?"

"It's time for me to hand over Jupiter. I failed. To Luano of all people." When Meilani went to argue Kanoa stopped her with such weary certainty that she didn't protest. "This has been coming for a long time. I can't leave my people, but I can't be their hero anymore. It's time to hand Jupiter over to someone else."

Meilani was saddened but she nodded in understanding. After Kanoa's deck was back together and safely zipped in his ankle-bag she helped him to his feet. They stepped to the canoe but Meilani stopped, wide eyes on the horizon. Before Kanoa could ask he saw it too.

"What in the world... is that doing here?"

A ship was sailing in from the South. A pirate ship, no doubt about it. It was an extravagant wooden vessel, unmistakable with its black sails marked by a white skull over crossed cutlasses. It was so bizarre it had them transfixed. In this era pirates tried to hide and blend in, after all what sail boat could outrun the modern-day submarines used by the military? Kanoa remembered his deadly duel with a pirate almost two months ago. Were they under attack?

Words replayed in his mind: The General did it to send a message to Aurellia. His period of grace is over. Now ya all got to join us, or ya die.

A boom made them jump. A cannon had fired on Luano's canoe and he'd dived off before it ruptured into splinters. He was too far out for them to see if he was okay.

"We have to go! Let's sail the canoe into land!" Kanoa tugged Meilani into the water.

"Hold on, they'll see us!"

"They might've seen us anyway. We have to warn the tribe!"

With determination they went into action and aimed the sail. After it was pushed free Kanoa swung himself up. He pulled the strings and guided them masterfully through the water, dodging the shallow parts until the boat's underside thudded as they ran against shore. The Polynesian couple jumped off and ran. Meilani looked back through her billowing hair and saw a rowboat full of shaggy-dressed pirates. The two escaped into the jungle.

Bushes and leaves whipped by. Kanoa could hear their breathing as they ran. He glimpsed something: red paint and a dark foot. Someone running alongside them, hidden by the jungle. Meilani gripped his arm, staring the other way.

"Love!"

"Keep running!"

Something was wrong. The pirates hadn't landed yet, right? Who was chasing them? Kanoa glimpsed it again and was sure enough he wasn't imagining things. A lean body, a bone necklace and red warpaint. The ferns ahead parted and they skidded to a stop before a man. They stared at his hollow eyes and empty face. A face that had seen blood sacrifice and savagery. His fellows were creeping around them, long limbs and faces slipping out silently from behind trees.

"Anemeons. Here?" Kanoa gasped. "Our forefathers forbid you from entering our territory a thousand years ago!"

The man before him didn't speak, only stared with a deeply empty face. This tribe was from a far-off island that used to invade others long ago before they were stopped and relegated to their small home. They were left alone under the promise to never bother any of the other islands again. Unlike most villages they fully rejected any involvement with outsiders. They were truly savage, raising their children in customary death matches and eating the hearts and flesh of those they killed. How are so many of them all the way out here? Then Kanoa realised it: these were the people chosen by the murderous deity he'd seen that day in the shimmering silk kimono.

Kanoa grabbed Meilani's wrist and bolted for an opening. Something whizzed over his shoulder - a blowdart. They panted desperately as they pushed through plants and vines. Paralyzing darts were firing out randomly, whipping through leaves and bark. One dart rebounded against a boulder, the barb lodged into Kanoa's forearm. He cursed and pulled it out, his legs already growing heavy.

"My love!" Meilani cried. He tried to tell her to run but couldn't move his mouth. His arms were holding him up against the rockface without him registering the fall. Meilani's voice was in his ears but he couldn't make out the words. Run! He so desperately wanted to tell her. She took him around a corner and laid him down in the shrubbery. His vision was foggy but he could see her, making sure the ferns would shield him from view before running off alone.

Blackness.

Kanoa didn't wake for hours after that. When he did he sat bolt upright, out from the ferns. The sunlight burned evening-orange against the jungle. Could she have escaped on her own? Not from all those men. They had her, his Soul Flame. Meilani...


AN: The lieutenants have arrived and we're back on track! I have just finished Chapter 50, we are 50% of the way through nature arc and 50% of the way through the entire story. That's right folks, now we're only halfway there! (Echoes) halfway there... halfway there... I think that was from a Catdog episode, or maybe it was SpongeBob. Either way, who in the hell thought I'd ever get this far? Especially since half the Duel Masters writers have transitioned to Digimon. But I did want to finish this and how could I abandon something already over 200,000 words? Well pretty easily probs, but here's hoping that doesn't happen!