Chapter IX: Duel Unorthodox! Brothers Para-Dox!
The Labyrinth Cave, Ranma noted, lived up to it's name. With more twists, turns and bends than Carter has pills. Gemin, however, seemed to know where he was going, so he didn't complain much. Instead he looked about the maze walls, all the sides made of carved stone.
"It's amazing that anyone could have made such a large maze underground."
"Yes. It is said by my father and uncle that these passages were made by our family for over thirty generations. These walls have stood well over a millennia."
"Incredible."
---
"Are we there yet?"
Hotaru wearily followed her guide along the maze. She wasn't tired yet, but the place seemed to go on forever.
"Patience my friend. It is not far."
Hotaru sighed and kicked a stone into another tunnel as to the left. She watched it for a moment before several blades popped out of the walls, slicing the stone into three different pieces.
"And death is no farther if one walks the wrong way."
Shaken from the deadly display she quickly decided to continue following Nai.
---
Inside her room a young woman plotted. She chuckled in an evil manner as she adjusted and readjusted her device. Yes, it would work perfectly! It was a way to bind any man to a bed so they could NOT get away.
Chuckling Brianna Diggers made her plans to bed that cute Asian guy. Now all she had to do was find him.
Let it be know the person of Asian decent mentioned was a walking mountain that was often called P-Chan. Some people also called him Ryoga. And fate loved to play with him in a not-so-kind manner. Case in point, after the resulting explosion at the experimental spacecraft Ryoga was once more a human missile. Combined with the lost curse he was a warhead that could land anywhere on (and in theory off) the earth. Toss in Murphy's Law and Ryoga was going to land in the worst possible place in his view of the world.
And that is why the R-Bomb, Ryoga Hibiki crashed through the roof of the Digger's Mansion. More specifically right into the room of the winner of the Miss I-Can't-Get-Enough Pageant, Brianna Diggers.
Brianna basically blinked for a few moments until she saw her 'guest'. She then activated her device, which striped the still out-like-a- light Lost Boy and bound his limbs in materials an Ogre on steroids would be unable to break, but leave certain 'parts' exposed.
Ryoga was going to have the largest test of endurance since the Breaking Point Training.
---
Hotaru noted that the maze ended when they reached a large double door. It looked to be made of marble, stood three stories high and looked very heavy and intimating. She kept looking at them, not noticing the two who joined her and her guide.
"Hey, Hotaru-Chan!"
Turning around, her face lit up into a big smile. "Ranma!" She ran over and hugged the duelist close.
"You alright Hotaru-Chan?"
"I'm fine Ranma, thanks."
Letting go the two turned to the cousins as the stood in front of the doors. They stood on either end of the door.
"Your courage and skills passed this test."
"But the final one you cannot best."
"Unless you overcome what is in the way."
"Enter past these doors, for the next challenge of the day!"
The large doors then seemed to open on their own revealing a long passage way and another door.
Exchanging a quick glance Ranma and Hotaru walked towards the next door.
---
At the table sat three beings. Each related, but vastly different.
Theodore Diggers, Arch-Mage and master of magic.
Julia Diggers, Arms-Master of Jade and a seasoned warrior.
And lastly their adopted daughter Brittany Diggers, last of the Were- Cheetah Clan and currently devouring a Tuna fish sandwich.
And all of them listening to the moans of pleasure and occasional scream from Brianna's room.
"Theo dear," Julia began. "Didn't Gina soundproof her room?"
"Yes she did."
"... Glad we did soundproof it, we might be hard of hearing by now."
The next sounds was that of tearing metal, a person running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, then of said person descending down the stairs. The three turned towards the stairs, but only Brittany and her superior speed saw the boy holding his pack in front of his package jump through the window and ran like hell itself was on his heels.
"Come Back Here You Super-Stud!"
Supporting the claim that hell was on his heels, Brianna ran after him wearing a mixture of a dominatrix style outfit with that of a devil.
Brittany blinked several times before saying anything. "Damn, he's faster than last time."
---
"Well, I guess this is it."
Hotaru and Ranma now stood in front of the second set of doors. While smaller than the last ones they were still very impressive.
"Ranma, why are we being 'tested'?"
"I don't know Hotaru-Chan, but we may find out soon."
Pushing the doors open they stepped inside. The room was large and made of fine stone. Banners littered the walls and the floor was mostly covered in red carpet. Upon stepping further into the room the doors closed by themselves. Startled the two comrades looked around.
"What is going on here?"
A loud cry was heard from the two corners of the room. As Hotaru and Ranma turned to look they saw two more monks, one in yellow robes, the other in green. They were completely bald and they had a different symbol on their foreheads.
"This is a test for those foretold."
"A test for those that are bold."
"For an item of a quest you seek to find."
"If our skills do not force you in a bind."
"Prepare for a duel unorthodox!"
"You face the brothers..."
"PARA-DOX!"
As they took a pose Ranma and Hotaru sweat-dropped as they looked at the monks.
"Ranma... Who are they?"
"I'm not sure Hotaru-Chan." Turning to address the monks his puzzle glowed for a moment. "Why have you sent us into your maze? Why these tests?"
"To tell you now would be foolish."
"To learn the answer face us as duelists."
Looking at the two with a wary eye Ranma stepped forward. "Very well. I will face you."
"To beat us alone you must dream."
"Your only chance is as a team."
Nodding Ranma knew the answer. "Two on Two. What do you say Hotaru- Chan? Ready to help me face them down."
Stepping beside him the smaller girl nodded. "Anytime you are Ranma."
As the monks, Ranma and Hotaru took positions on the four corners of the carpet they shuffled their decks. Then a cry lit up.
"Let's Duel!"
Each of the four players drew five cards and the arena and podiums arose. The yellow monk, Para, smiled.
"I shall go first, and I play Labyrinth Wall in defense mode!" (0/3000)
Ranma blinked, wondering what the point of that was as the arena shook.
"Hey!" Hotaru cried out. "Something coming up from the floor!"
On further inspection it looked as if several stone walls were lifting from the ground. Within moments they took the shape of a maze with large tiles, similar to a board game.
"Now it is your move."
Ranma looked at the maze in wonder. "As interesting as this is, I don't know how this... maze field works, or tag-team dueling either.
"Then my brother and I shall explain the rules."
"We each being with two thousand life points, as in other duels."
------------ Ranma: 2000 Para: 2000 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 2000 Dox: 2000 ------------
"But if one duelist should lose... His or her partner shall as well."
Hotaru looked at the monks and then at Ranma. 'We would BOTH lose? I gotta be careful, Ranma is putting a lot of trust in me here.'
"The turns," Dox continued, "Are as such. By brother Para moves first, Ranma is next."
"Dox third, Hotaru forth then back to me and my monster's test."
"The maze is just as simple. The tiles act as spaces."
"Each level for a monster is the number of paces..."
"That they can move into our maze."
"But any trap may cause a real daze!"
'These two act odd,' Ranma thought, 'But past experience tells me that they are more than what they seem.'
"I will being my turn with Witty Phantom in attack mode." (1400/1300)
At the start of the maze the well-dressed monster arose. "Move four paces into the maze."
The purple clad monster moved forward, ignoring the first intersection and turning at the corner.
"My turn is over."
"And so shall be the Phantom." Dox began holding up two cards. I shall play Shadow Ghoul and merge it into the Labyrinth Wall by the magic card Mystical Labyrinth to form the Wall Shadow!"
Ranma and Hotaru looked on as what looked to be a mass of black traveled along the wall. As it neared Witty Phantom a form burst from the mass as a green beast with many eyes. (1600/3000)
"Reaping Claw SLASH!"
With a massive swipe of it's claw the beast tore Witty Phantom in half.
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 2000 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 2000 Dox: 2000 ------------
After it's attack was finished the beast melted back into the wall.
"Rather... Deadly..." Ranma admitted.
"IT MOVED TOO MANY SPACES!" Was Hotaru's kind comment.
"To correct your claim, Wall Shadow never moves a pace."
"It moves along the wall, it's one big space!"
Ranma frowned at the implications. 'That means it can attack from anywhere, at anytime...'
Hotaru looked at her hand in thought. 'I can't attack that thing head on, I can't see or find it. That mean I'd need... A trap? Or...' She looked at a card and nodded to herself. 'Or I need to trick them into attacking.'
"Karate Man, in attack mode!"
Hotaru's monster was a man in a yellow Gi with a moustache and Afro. (1000/1000)
"Karate Man, three paces into the maze."
Standing tall, the unarmed master walked confidently into the maze.
'Why Karate Man?' Ranma wondered. 'She must have an idea or something.'
"Foolish idea girl." Para began. "When my brother's turn comes around Karate Man will die. For now I play Garnecia Elephant in attack mode and send him seven paces into the maze." (2400/2000)
Para's monster, a large elephant on it's back legs holding two sword, arose and stomped into the maze.
"Ranma must now move."
Drawing a card Ranma played a monster. "Reaper of the Cards (1380/1930) in attack mode."
Summoning a black robed ghost with a scythe and a bandoleer of cards Ranma nodded. "Five paces into the maze Reaper."
Floating over to it's space ahead of the Karate Man Ranma made a nod to Hotaru. "I know you knew what you were doing when you summoned it Hotaru-Chan."
Hotaru smiled back. 'These mazes are a little warm...'
"Or maybe she is a fool!" Dox said as he pointed towards the martial arts monster, arms crossed over it's chest. "Attack Wall Shadow!"
Once more the beast came out of the wall. But Hotaru was ready.
"Karate Man, Kamikaze Blast!"
Summoning it's energy the Karate Man fired a blast at the Wall Shadow. Dox grinned as his monster prepared to break through the attack.
Then he nearly had a heart attack as Wall Shadow was destroyed by the same attack.
"Impossible! Karate Man was too weak!"
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 2000 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 2000 Dox: 1600 ------------
"Not quite. I used Karate Man's ability, Kamikaze Blast. It doubles his attack power for a turn. But he destroys himself after the attack."
As announced Karate Man doubled over and shattered like glass.
"Well done Hotaru-Chan." 'I knew she had something up her sleeve. I know she can keep it up."
"Para, these two we must try and halt!"
"Why are you telling me Dox? It's not my fault!"
Hotaru tried not to face-fault. "They even rhyme while arguing..."
Looking at her hand she considered her next move. 'So far all me and Ranma have out is Reaper of the Cards. But with the elephant monster in the maze we need a bolstered force.' Drawing a new card she nodded to herself. "Flame Swordsmen, in attack mode. Five steps into the maze."
The summoned warrior of fire moved forward to join the Reaper at the fifth space.
"I'll also set a card face down on the field. That's all."
"Then I, Para, shall move. I will have Garnecia Elephant take seven more steps into the maze."
Hotaru looked at where the large beast stopped. "It's almost in striking range."
Ranma also noted this. 'Not exactly a large maze, but it still slows the pace down.'
"I will also play another card face down." 'Heh Heh. Jirai Gumo shall bury itself into the maze. It will find a place to lay a trap. Those foolish enough to step on it will learn why it is called the Land Mine Spider!' "My turn is over."
Ranma drew a card and smiled at it. "The Dark Magician, and I will have him move five spaces, to join our forces together. (2500/2100) And a card face down will end my turn."
The magician rose from the ground and joined the Reaper and the fire warrior in the maze. "My turn is over."
Seeing the Dark Magician Dox frowned for a moment. After he drew his card he smiled. "I will place a card face down to the field in defence mode, Sanga of The Thunder."
Upon placing the monster a Chinese box rose up with a yellow symbol on it.
'A box?' Ranma thought. 'What is going on here?'
"I will also play Guardian of the Throne Room and move him four paces into the maze." (1650/1600)
The monster that rose looked like a golem on tracks. It drove into the maze seven paces.
Hotaru drew a new card and frowned for a moment. 'I've drawn my Judge Man, but he won't get in front of their elephant monster soon enough, let alone take it out. I need to hold it off so it doesn't get to Ranma's Reaper.'
"Judge Man in attack mode! (2200/1500) I'll move him six paces in to the maze." As Judge Man appeared and began moving she announced her next move. "I also send Flame Swordsmen two steps into the maze."
Flame Swordsmen began his move, but as he reached the final tile the ground began to crack beneath him. To her horror a large spider jumped up and grabbed her swordsmen sinking it's fangs into the warrior's neck. (2100/100)
"No! My swordsmen!" The fire warrior was shattered from the force of the attack, and sent to the graveyard.
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 2000 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 1600 ------------
Para began to laugh, but as he did he noticed his spider swaying. Looking a little confused he saw it collapse and shatter.
"What is this?"
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 1700 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 1600 ------------
"My trap card." Hotaru said, keeping her wits. "Share the Pain also makes the attack you used on me affects you and your monster. And your life points."
"Nice one Hotaru-Chan."
"Indeed, now it is my turn." He smiled as saw what he had, and placed it to the field.
"I place Suijin of Water in defence mode."
Like before a box rose to the field, this one with a blue seal.
"And I also move Garnecia Elephant ahead two paces, so it may attack Judge Man."
The large beast stepped in front of the robed warrior and lifted it sword.
"Garnecia Elephant, Attack!"
"Trap Card, Activate!" Para blinked as Ranma flipped over his face down card. As the trap took effect Garnecia Elephant exploded in a giant fireball, leaving Judge Man unharmed
"What has happed to my beast?"
"I used my down card, the Widespread Ruin. It will automatically destroy a monster as it attacks."
"Clever move I must admit. Now make your move Ranma."
Drawing a card his Ranma nearly gasped at what he drew. 'I never thought I draw this card so early in my quest. It is very powerful. I may need it later.' "One card face down to the field, one monster face down in defence mode and I will move my Dark Magician seven paces into the maze."
Floating off the ground the magician floated past the Judge Man to his new spot.
"My turn is over. Dox, make your move."
Dox drew is card and added it to his hand with a neutral face. "I shall revert my Guardian of the Throne Room into defence mode. That shall end my turn."
As her turn came up Hotaru drew a card. She let out a smile as she saw it. "I'll use the Invigoration Magic Card on Judge Man to boost his attack power. (2600/1500) It will also double his movement for this turn, allowing me to move him a total of twelve paces, in front of your Guardian."
As the Judge Man passed the Dark Magician and stopped in front of the Guardian of the throne room Hotaru held up another card. "I can also use this card, Fairy's Meteor Crush, on Judge Man, allowing him to do damage your life points, even if your monster is in defence mode."
"WHAT!?"
"Judge Man, Heavy Club Bash!"
Hefting it's club up high the warrior brought it down on the Guardian with absolute force, devastating Dox's life points.
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 1700 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 600 ------------
"It is my move now." Para frowned at how close Judge Man was to his end of the maze. 'She is too close. I must find someway to hold her off.' Drawing a card he nodded. 'Yes. This card shall buy me the time I need.' "Hyozanryu, in defence mode." (2100/2800)
Para smiled with pride at his silver dragon with gold horns bowed down in a defensive posture. "He will guard our end of the maze. My turn is over."
Ranma drew a new card and looked at it. 'Summoned Skull. Not useful now, but maybe in a bit.' "I will play the Summoned Skull in Attack Mode, (2500/1200) but I shall not move him into the maze. I will, however, move Dark Magician seven paces towards the end of the maze." When his magician arrived to it's spot Ranma nodded. "My turn is over."
Dox drew a new card and nodded. "I will use the Magic Card Reliable Guardian to increase the defence of my brother's dragon. (2100/3500) I, however, have no more moves."
Hotaru drew her new card. 'My Red Eyes Black Dragon. It would take him too long to go all the way over to the end, but I can use him to reinforce Summoned Skull on our end of the field in case they get a monster past Judge Man, Dark Magician and the Reaper.' "The Red Eyes Black Dragon (2400/2000) in face up attack mode."
As the fearsome dragon rose to the field, she made her next command. "I'll also move Judge Man three spaces. But since your dragon has too high a defence, I can't get past it. But he'll be ready to move against anything else you have." She looked to her right and saw Ranma smile at his. 'I guess I haven't screwed up yet, always a good thing.'
Seeing his move come around again Para drew a card. 'It is not what I seek. To win I must find the final piece of the Trinity. But this will do fine for now.' "I shall play a card called Delinquent Duo. While I must sacrifice five hundred of my life points it has a powerful effect. And I chose to use it against Ranma's hand."
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 1200 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 600 ------------
Once Para played his card two small demons, with the numbers 'One' and 'Two' on their foreheads. The demon labelled One snatched a card from his hand. Demon Two floated in front of him.
"Delinquent Duo removes cards from your hand to the grave, one at random. The second is your choice however."
Ranma looked into his hand of two cards. He held up one card and the demon called Two took it.
"I have no more moves this turn."
Ranma looked at his remaining card and drew a new one. "For my move I will first play Polymerization to merge my Summoned Skull with Hotaru's Dragon."
As he played the card the two monsters began to glow with a dark light and began shattering into dark pieces. The began to merge together and as the light faded a new monster was born.
"Arise... Black Skull Dragon!" (3200/2500)
The new monster roared as Hotaru, Para and Dox took in the sight of the new monster. It was black and dark grey with deep red eyes. It had a pointed mouth with sharp teeth and horns from the side of it's head similar to that of the Summoned Skull's. On it's chest was a large skull-like breastplate. Large arms and legs with huge dagger like claws finished the look.
"Next I will move Dark Magician four paces to the end of the maze."
Para laughed as the magician calmly approached his dragon. "You forget, it's defensive power is too great."
"It's defence is great, but not it's offence. Which is why I flip my face down monster into face up to reveal... Bite Shoes!"
Arising into existence came the Bite Shoes, or Shoe. The monster was a slipper but with teeth and eyes. "Bite Shoes, use your effect on Hyozanryu."
The deadly slipper leapt up and transported itself to Hyozanryu. When it arrived it was on the Dragon's feet, it's teeth sinking into the Dragon's flesh. As soon as that happened the Dragon rose up to it's full height.
"Bite Shoes can force an attack monster into defense mode AND do the opposite, move a defense monster to attack mode."
"Oh No!"
"Dark Magic Attack!"
The burst of magic was enough to send the silver dragon into the graveyard.
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 800 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 600 ------------
Para regained his wits and turned to his brother. "Dox, The Trinity we must unite!"
Dox with a grim face drew a new card. He smiled as he saw it. "Para, I drew the card to win the fight!"
Para joined his brother with his own smile. "Then this shall be our night!"
Hotaru looked back over to Ranma. He had a worried look etched on his face.
She gulped and decided this couldn't be good.
"I will play... Kazejin! God of Wind!"
Once more a box arose, this one with a green seal. As it appeared the other boxes began to react. All three began to shake, then soon the maze with it.
As one the brother shouted to the sky. "The Trinity is complete!"
Hotaru quickly turned to Ranma. "Ranma! What's the Trinity!?
He looked at her with a face of severe seriousness.
"It's currently the most powerful monster in all of the Shadow Games, a Union of Sanga of the Thunder, Suijin of Water and Kazejin, God of the Wind. Separated they are powerful. United it is said to be unstoppable."
Hotaru turned back to the boxes as they exploded in a burst of green, blue and yellow light. Soon the three colours swirled around each other forming a pillar of light. After a few moments it began to fade with a giant figure standing in the middle.
"He is power beyond all description."
"Your graves shall be marked by his inscription."
"Wind, Water and Thunder united as one!"
"With greater power than even the sun!"
"The Trinity has risen once again!"
"He is the monster called Gate Guardian!"
As the light faded and Ranma and Hotaru could see clearly they saw the new monster, comprised of three parts.
Forming the hips and legs was the Water God Suijin, blue like the oceans. It's 'head' was really the hips of the Gate Guardian, a seal resting on it's forehead.
Resting on top of it was the green monster Kazejin, God of Wind. It's entire body was a head with small arms and a seal on it's forehead. He made up the lower torso of the monster.
Lastly forming the upper torso and arms was Sanga of the Thunder. The yellow God rested on top of Kazejin, the seal rather than being on it's forehead was Sanga's face.
The monster stood above Dark Magician, letting out a feral roar. Ranma could feel his own sweat at the sight of the impressive monster known simply as Gate Guardian. (3750/3400)
"Gate Guardian attack the Dark Magician! Triple... God... BLAST!"
The three seals glowed their respective colors as Gate Guardian held his hands in front of himself. He gathered a rainbow colored energy in his hands as Ranma and Hotaru looked on. With a roar he fired the energy into the magician, obliterating it with incredible force.
------------ Ranma: 550 Para: 800 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 600 ------------
"My turn is over, but our Gate Guardian is far stronger than even your Black Skull Dragon."
Ranma looked at his card and considered the situation. 'They are right, Gate Guardian is stronger than anything else. I CAN use my Black Pendant card to boost it, but it won't be enough.' He turned to look at Hotaru as she drew her next card looking a little scared. 'It's your move Hotaru. What you do this turn will effect the outcome of the entire duel.'
Hotaru looked into her hand and took stock of what she had. 'Judge Man CAN'T beat that thing. I need to get him the HELL out of there.' Looking at her new card she made her decision. "I play a card face down. And I will move Judge Man six paces, AWAY from your monster." Once Judge Man arrived at his new spot she ended her turn.
"Now it is my move." Para drew a new card and smiled. "And I draw Riyoku! A rare card that will deplete both your life points by half and add their total to Gate Guardian!"
As he played it he watched as a dark hand rose descended above. Hotaru then grabbed a card she set several turns ago.
"I counter with the Fairy's Hand Mirror!"
"The What?"
"Fairy's Hand Mirror lets me choose the targets for any magic card you just played. And I'll use it to take control of Riyoku and target you and your brother's life points! I can then add them to the Black Skull Dragon!"
Instantly the hand moved towards Para and Dox's end of the field. As it touched the brother's life points decreased.
------------ Ranma: 550 Para: 400 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 300 ------------
At the same time the attack of the Dragon rose. (3900/2500)
"Oh No! My card has backfired... I will STILL defeat your Judge Man! Gate Guardian has a total level of eleven, allowing him greater movement than your warrior. Gate Guardian, move nine paces into the maze and destroy Judge Man!"
Taking huge steps the mighty monster approached Judge Man, each step shaking the field. It stopped in front of the bearded warrior, it's sheer size overwhelming it.
"Triple God Blast!"
Once more the monster charged it's shot. As it flew into the air Hotaru flipped her second down card.
"Activate... Negate Attack!"
A portal appeared in front of the blast, transporting it elsewhere.
As Para began to curse at the unfairness of it all Hotaru sighed.
'Way too close. I may have cost us the duel if I let that hit. But I wonder... where did the attack go?'
---
"RANMA! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
Nova Scotia was a beautiful part of Canada, full of rocky coasts and ocean views.
But for one lost boy it was terrible.
Somehow, someway he was on a rope bridge. Never mind how he got there, he just stopped to catch his breath from running away from that... woman and he was on a rope bridge. On either end of the bridge was a cliff. Underneath the bridge and between the rocky cliffs was the Atlantic Ocean, a very LARGE body of cold water.
For the victim of the Spring of Drowned Pig... this was very bad.
Add in the fact that the bridge was rickety and in ill repair and you had a situation that Murphy's Law would LOVE to make worse. And it did just that.
Ryoga looked to the right as a portal opened up. His senses alerted him to a huge amount of power coming from the portal. The next thing he knew a huge multi-coloured blast flew out of it. He closed his eyes and hoped against hope he would not be hit. Even if he was the toughest boy in town he did NOT want to take anything that made a nuclear blast seem nice. When he opened his eyes he sighed seeing the blast passed by without harming him.
Looking down, however, he screamed.
The blast, while missing him vaporized a good portion of the bridge. Gravity looked up, saw the bridge, slapped it down so it would smash against the cliff face. Gravity looked up again and saw Ryoga. Gravity then said 'Get down here boy!' and pulled Ryoga to him.
In-between Ryoga and Gravity sat the Ocean who really didn't have anything better to do than help Murphy along.
Ryoga wanted to say it was Ranma's fault, but pigs never could speak a human language. That fact increases when the pig is in a cold body of water and being smashed against rocks.
---
"And now," Ranma declared. "It is my turn."
Drawing from his deck he saw the Giant Solider of Stone. 'I can send Black Skull Dragon into the maze, but it would take TOO long. By the time I have a clear shot they can boost the Gate Guardian's attack power. Hotaru was able to stop that THIS time, but not the next... if only the Labyrinth Wall... THAT'S IT!'
"Hotaru-Chan, I have a plan!" Seeing he had her attention he continued on. "I'll need to sacrifice your Judge Man for it to work. But doing so I can summon a special monster. I will need you to boost the new monster with a magic card when your turn comes around."
Hotaru took a moment to thought then gave a nod. "I trust you Ranma. Do it."
"First I will use Black Pendant to bolster the Black Skull Dragon. (4400/2500) Next I activate my down card..."
Flipping over his down card created a Pair of unlit torches and a large stone tablet lying on the ground.
"To activate the Black Luster Ritual Card I must offer two monsters, my Reaper of the Cards, and Hotaru's Judge Man." As he spoke both the Reaper and the warrior glowed blue. They were then sucked through the maze into the torches. "The offer is accepted, and a new monster shall descend!"
The tablet created a pillar of light that went up into the room's ceiling. A figure began to float down, surrounded by the pillar of light. He wore black armour with golden outlines, carried a saber in one hand a shield in the other. His face was concealed by his helmet, but long dark hair spilled out from it.
"He is the Warrior of Chaos, and the Champion of a Goddess... Black Luster Soldier!" (3000/2500)
The Soldier eventually landed on the ground and stood next to the powerful dragon.
"My turn is over."
Dox drew a new card and looked at the new arrival. 'An impressive monster, but Gate Guardian could easily crush it. But he maybe using it as a lure, to make us bring Gate Guardian closer so the Dragon can attack.' "I will have the Gate Guardian move back to our end of the maze. That will end my turn."
Seeing her turn was here Hotaru drew a card. 'Boost the Black Luster Solider. This should do it.' "I'll boost Black Luster Solider with Malevolent Nuzzler. (3700/2500) I now end my turn."
Para nodded as he drew a card as well. He let out a sigh. "I have no move for the turn. Ranma, your move."
Ranma gave out a smile. "And the last move too. It's time to destroy Gate Guardian."
Para blinked. Dox scoffed. "Your Dragon IS strong enough to defeat Gate Guardian, but it has no line of sight to do so!"
"It will in a moment. I attack, with the Black Luster Solider."
Para had his turn to shot down Ranma's tactics. "You Soldier isn't powerful enough and has no way to hit Gate Guardian anyway.
Hotaru looked at the field and caught on. "I see."
"Para... Dox... I'm not aiming for your Guardian. What am I attacking is... the Maze itself!"
"WHAT?"
"Remember? Your Labyrinth Wall STILL counts as a monster card (0/3000) and it has it's own defense stat as well. And now that Black Luster Soldier has surpassed it (3700) I can destroy the Maze. Black Luster Soldier attack the Labyrinth Wall! Chaos Sword Strike!"
The Knight swung it sword into the ground causing a sphere of power to be shot at the wall. As soon as it hit the Maze's walls began to tumble down kicking up dust and debris. As the dust settled all that was left between the two sides was rubble.
"With the Maze destroyed our Black Skull Dragon now has a line of sight and can destroy your Guardian."
As the Dragon roared both Hotaru and Ranma pointed at the Gate Guardian, and commanded the Dragon as one.
"Black Skull Dragon, destroy the Gate Guardian! Molten Fireball Attack!"
The dragon began to gather it's power in it's mouth and fired a steady stream of flames at the opposing monster. Nothing was left of the Gate Guardian. And once more Ranma and Hotaru spoke in unison.
"Gate Guardian is no more!"
Looking towards his friend he saw Hotaru flash him a victory sign. Ranma gave a thumbs-up as well to his friend and partner.
------------ Ranma: 550 Para: 0 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 0 ------------
The arena disappeared and the decks returned to their owners. Ranma stepped foreword once more. "All right Para and Dox, we overcame your 'tests'. What are you up to?"
Both Para and Dox bowed before answering. Para was the one who spoke.
"I believe your pendant, an item know as the 'Millennium Puzzle' led you here, am I correct?"
Ranma blinked but nodded. "Yes. How did you know that?"
"Because," Dox continued for his brother. "Our family for generations has guarded an item of such importance... that we ourselves have NEVER laid eyes upon it."
"The only person to have seen the item was our ancestor, known only as 'Chaos'."
"We have been guarding it until the bearer of the Puzzle came. According to our family's law and legend 'He would travel with another. As he enters the domain of mazes he must be tested for skill, once alone, once with the one he travels with. Should they succeed they are privy to see and take the item we have guarded for so long."
"Follow us please."
Para and Dox lead Ranma to the end of the room, Hotaru beside him the whole time.
Para and Dox each took a key from their sleeves and placed them into two holes. Part of the wall moves upward, reveling a space wide enough for a hand to go into.
The brothers stood to either side as Ranma reached in.
"What's in there Ranma?" Hotaru asked.
"It's... a card." As he pulled out the card and looked at it he nearly had a heart attack. "Incredible!" He nearly leapt for joy as he remembered a part of the Exodia Legend Yami told him.
---
"Thus Exodia sealed most of his power inside five magical cards. Each card representing an arm, leg or the body of Exodia."
---
"Ranma, what wrong?"
"Hotaru... this is... PERFECT!"
Even Para and Dox jumped at the outburst.
"Wha-What do you mean?"
"The card... is Exodia's Left Arm!"
Para and Dox looked at the card in awe.
"Exodia? The creator of the Shadow Games? The being second only to Kami- Sama himself in power? Such a card..."
"It is said there is four other such cards with Exodia's sealed powers... Should one person unite them, the Entity of Oblivion would return to restore balance to another world..."
"Ranma... the quest..." Hotaru began. "The god your were told to help... it's Exodia isn't it?"
"Yes it is Hotaru-Chan." Ranma smiled at his Exodia piece, then to his companion. "Yes it is."
No one saw the card glow for a brief moment.
---
Across time and space Sailor Pluto felt a sharp spike of Chaos energies. She had yet to correct the future or even find Hotaru so she considered this spike an incredible threat. Using her focus and the still reeling Time Gate she peered pasts the mists. What she saw confused her.
A single card, it's face towards her, but the picture was pure black. She could make no real marks that could tell her what it was.
"Why is the Gate showing me this? Why is it a threat?"
---
Duellist Profiles
Name: Para and Dox Labyrinth (Also Known As The Para-Dox Brothers)
Deck Style: Maze Confusion Deck
Favourite/Best Monster: Gate Guardian
Other Monsters: Garnecia Elephant, Jirai Gumo, Wall Shadow
Info: For generations the descendants of the brothers Para and Dox have guarded an item of extreme importance. So important was the item only one descendant, Chaos, knew what the item was, Exodia's Left Arm. They always play in Tag-Team Duels, and have the pieces to summon Gate Guardian.
Author's Note: Sorry it took so long, Writer's Block sucks. Ranma and Hotaru have their first piece of Exodia! This should help, right? Anyway, on the bit about Wall Shadow, that is kinda how you summon it in the real game (Save the Shadow Ghoul bit) and as for Invigoration doubling a monster's movement... well, why not? As for Delinquent Duo, you have to sacrifice 1000 LP in the real game, but I figured I'd give Para a little break. And as for 'Carter has pills' from the start of the fic... my mom always says that. And for a little FYI, the Karate Man looks A LOT like Dragon Ball Z's Hericule. Weird. Comments and suggestion would be nice. Fan Art would be nicer, because I couldn't draw my way out of a paper bag. (How DOES one draw their way out of a paper bag?)
Next Chapter: Exodia speaks. And Hotaru learns of the Silver Millennium's past with the Shadow Games.
The Labyrinth Cave, Ranma noted, lived up to it's name. With more twists, turns and bends than Carter has pills. Gemin, however, seemed to know where he was going, so he didn't complain much. Instead he looked about the maze walls, all the sides made of carved stone.
"It's amazing that anyone could have made such a large maze underground."
"Yes. It is said by my father and uncle that these passages were made by our family for over thirty generations. These walls have stood well over a millennia."
"Incredible."
---
"Are we there yet?"
Hotaru wearily followed her guide along the maze. She wasn't tired yet, but the place seemed to go on forever.
"Patience my friend. It is not far."
Hotaru sighed and kicked a stone into another tunnel as to the left. She watched it for a moment before several blades popped out of the walls, slicing the stone into three different pieces.
"And death is no farther if one walks the wrong way."
Shaken from the deadly display she quickly decided to continue following Nai.
---
Inside her room a young woman plotted. She chuckled in an evil manner as she adjusted and readjusted her device. Yes, it would work perfectly! It was a way to bind any man to a bed so they could NOT get away.
Chuckling Brianna Diggers made her plans to bed that cute Asian guy. Now all she had to do was find him.
Let it be know the person of Asian decent mentioned was a walking mountain that was often called P-Chan. Some people also called him Ryoga. And fate loved to play with him in a not-so-kind manner. Case in point, after the resulting explosion at the experimental spacecraft Ryoga was once more a human missile. Combined with the lost curse he was a warhead that could land anywhere on (and in theory off) the earth. Toss in Murphy's Law and Ryoga was going to land in the worst possible place in his view of the world.
And that is why the R-Bomb, Ryoga Hibiki crashed through the roof of the Digger's Mansion. More specifically right into the room of the winner of the Miss I-Can't-Get-Enough Pageant, Brianna Diggers.
Brianna basically blinked for a few moments until she saw her 'guest'. She then activated her device, which striped the still out-like-a- light Lost Boy and bound his limbs in materials an Ogre on steroids would be unable to break, but leave certain 'parts' exposed.
Ryoga was going to have the largest test of endurance since the Breaking Point Training.
---
Hotaru noted that the maze ended when they reached a large double door. It looked to be made of marble, stood three stories high and looked very heavy and intimating. She kept looking at them, not noticing the two who joined her and her guide.
"Hey, Hotaru-Chan!"
Turning around, her face lit up into a big smile. "Ranma!" She ran over and hugged the duelist close.
"You alright Hotaru-Chan?"
"I'm fine Ranma, thanks."
Letting go the two turned to the cousins as the stood in front of the doors. They stood on either end of the door.
"Your courage and skills passed this test."
"But the final one you cannot best."
"Unless you overcome what is in the way."
"Enter past these doors, for the next challenge of the day!"
The large doors then seemed to open on their own revealing a long passage way and another door.
Exchanging a quick glance Ranma and Hotaru walked towards the next door.
---
At the table sat three beings. Each related, but vastly different.
Theodore Diggers, Arch-Mage and master of magic.
Julia Diggers, Arms-Master of Jade and a seasoned warrior.
And lastly their adopted daughter Brittany Diggers, last of the Were- Cheetah Clan and currently devouring a Tuna fish sandwich.
And all of them listening to the moans of pleasure and occasional scream from Brianna's room.
"Theo dear," Julia began. "Didn't Gina soundproof her room?"
"Yes she did."
"... Glad we did soundproof it, we might be hard of hearing by now."
The next sounds was that of tearing metal, a person running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, then of said person descending down the stairs. The three turned towards the stairs, but only Brittany and her superior speed saw the boy holding his pack in front of his package jump through the window and ran like hell itself was on his heels.
"Come Back Here You Super-Stud!"
Supporting the claim that hell was on his heels, Brianna ran after him wearing a mixture of a dominatrix style outfit with that of a devil.
Brittany blinked several times before saying anything. "Damn, he's faster than last time."
---
"Well, I guess this is it."
Hotaru and Ranma now stood in front of the second set of doors. While smaller than the last ones they were still very impressive.
"Ranma, why are we being 'tested'?"
"I don't know Hotaru-Chan, but we may find out soon."
Pushing the doors open they stepped inside. The room was large and made of fine stone. Banners littered the walls and the floor was mostly covered in red carpet. Upon stepping further into the room the doors closed by themselves. Startled the two comrades looked around.
"What is going on here?"
A loud cry was heard from the two corners of the room. As Hotaru and Ranma turned to look they saw two more monks, one in yellow robes, the other in green. They were completely bald and they had a different symbol on their foreheads.
"This is a test for those foretold."
"A test for those that are bold."
"For an item of a quest you seek to find."
"If our skills do not force you in a bind."
"Prepare for a duel unorthodox!"
"You face the brothers..."
"PARA-DOX!"
As they took a pose Ranma and Hotaru sweat-dropped as they looked at the monks.
"Ranma... Who are they?"
"I'm not sure Hotaru-Chan." Turning to address the monks his puzzle glowed for a moment. "Why have you sent us into your maze? Why these tests?"
"To tell you now would be foolish."
"To learn the answer face us as duelists."
Looking at the two with a wary eye Ranma stepped forward. "Very well. I will face you."
"To beat us alone you must dream."
"Your only chance is as a team."
Nodding Ranma knew the answer. "Two on Two. What do you say Hotaru- Chan? Ready to help me face them down."
Stepping beside him the smaller girl nodded. "Anytime you are Ranma."
As the monks, Ranma and Hotaru took positions on the four corners of the carpet they shuffled their decks. Then a cry lit up.
"Let's Duel!"
Each of the four players drew five cards and the arena and podiums arose. The yellow monk, Para, smiled.
"I shall go first, and I play Labyrinth Wall in defense mode!" (0/3000)
Ranma blinked, wondering what the point of that was as the arena shook.
"Hey!" Hotaru cried out. "Something coming up from the floor!"
On further inspection it looked as if several stone walls were lifting from the ground. Within moments they took the shape of a maze with large tiles, similar to a board game.
"Now it is your move."
Ranma looked at the maze in wonder. "As interesting as this is, I don't know how this... maze field works, or tag-team dueling either.
"Then my brother and I shall explain the rules."
"We each being with two thousand life points, as in other duels."
------------ Ranma: 2000 Para: 2000 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 2000 Dox: 2000 ------------
"But if one duelist should lose... His or her partner shall as well."
Hotaru looked at the monks and then at Ranma. 'We would BOTH lose? I gotta be careful, Ranma is putting a lot of trust in me here.'
"The turns," Dox continued, "Are as such. By brother Para moves first, Ranma is next."
"Dox third, Hotaru forth then back to me and my monster's test."
"The maze is just as simple. The tiles act as spaces."
"Each level for a monster is the number of paces..."
"That they can move into our maze."
"But any trap may cause a real daze!"
'These two act odd,' Ranma thought, 'But past experience tells me that they are more than what they seem.'
"I will being my turn with Witty Phantom in attack mode." (1400/1300)
At the start of the maze the well-dressed monster arose. "Move four paces into the maze."
The purple clad monster moved forward, ignoring the first intersection and turning at the corner.
"My turn is over."
"And so shall be the Phantom." Dox began holding up two cards. I shall play Shadow Ghoul and merge it into the Labyrinth Wall by the magic card Mystical Labyrinth to form the Wall Shadow!"
Ranma and Hotaru looked on as what looked to be a mass of black traveled along the wall. As it neared Witty Phantom a form burst from the mass as a green beast with many eyes. (1600/3000)
"Reaping Claw SLASH!"
With a massive swipe of it's claw the beast tore Witty Phantom in half.
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 2000 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 2000 Dox: 2000 ------------
After it's attack was finished the beast melted back into the wall.
"Rather... Deadly..." Ranma admitted.
"IT MOVED TOO MANY SPACES!" Was Hotaru's kind comment.
"To correct your claim, Wall Shadow never moves a pace."
"It moves along the wall, it's one big space!"
Ranma frowned at the implications. 'That means it can attack from anywhere, at anytime...'
Hotaru looked at her hand in thought. 'I can't attack that thing head on, I can't see or find it. That mean I'd need... A trap? Or...' She looked at a card and nodded to herself. 'Or I need to trick them into attacking.'
"Karate Man, in attack mode!"
Hotaru's monster was a man in a yellow Gi with a moustache and Afro. (1000/1000)
"Karate Man, three paces into the maze."
Standing tall, the unarmed master walked confidently into the maze.
'Why Karate Man?' Ranma wondered. 'She must have an idea or something.'
"Foolish idea girl." Para began. "When my brother's turn comes around Karate Man will die. For now I play Garnecia Elephant in attack mode and send him seven paces into the maze." (2400/2000)
Para's monster, a large elephant on it's back legs holding two sword, arose and stomped into the maze.
"Ranma must now move."
Drawing a card Ranma played a monster. "Reaper of the Cards (1380/1930) in attack mode."
Summoning a black robed ghost with a scythe and a bandoleer of cards Ranma nodded. "Five paces into the maze Reaper."
Floating over to it's space ahead of the Karate Man Ranma made a nod to Hotaru. "I know you knew what you were doing when you summoned it Hotaru-Chan."
Hotaru smiled back. 'These mazes are a little warm...'
"Or maybe she is a fool!" Dox said as he pointed towards the martial arts monster, arms crossed over it's chest. "Attack Wall Shadow!"
Once more the beast came out of the wall. But Hotaru was ready.
"Karate Man, Kamikaze Blast!"
Summoning it's energy the Karate Man fired a blast at the Wall Shadow. Dox grinned as his monster prepared to break through the attack.
Then he nearly had a heart attack as Wall Shadow was destroyed by the same attack.
"Impossible! Karate Man was too weak!"
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 2000 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 2000 Dox: 1600 ------------
"Not quite. I used Karate Man's ability, Kamikaze Blast. It doubles his attack power for a turn. But he destroys himself after the attack."
As announced Karate Man doubled over and shattered like glass.
"Well done Hotaru-Chan." 'I knew she had something up her sleeve. I know she can keep it up."
"Para, these two we must try and halt!"
"Why are you telling me Dox? It's not my fault!"
Hotaru tried not to face-fault. "They even rhyme while arguing..."
Looking at her hand she considered her next move. 'So far all me and Ranma have out is Reaper of the Cards. But with the elephant monster in the maze we need a bolstered force.' Drawing a new card she nodded to herself. "Flame Swordsmen, in attack mode. Five steps into the maze."
The summoned warrior of fire moved forward to join the Reaper at the fifth space.
"I'll also set a card face down on the field. That's all."
"Then I, Para, shall move. I will have Garnecia Elephant take seven more steps into the maze."
Hotaru looked at where the large beast stopped. "It's almost in striking range."
Ranma also noted this. 'Not exactly a large maze, but it still slows the pace down.'
"I will also play another card face down." 'Heh Heh. Jirai Gumo shall bury itself into the maze. It will find a place to lay a trap. Those foolish enough to step on it will learn why it is called the Land Mine Spider!' "My turn is over."
Ranma drew a card and smiled at it. "The Dark Magician, and I will have him move five spaces, to join our forces together. (2500/2100) And a card face down will end my turn."
The magician rose from the ground and joined the Reaper and the fire warrior in the maze. "My turn is over."
Seeing the Dark Magician Dox frowned for a moment. After he drew his card he smiled. "I will place a card face down to the field in defence mode, Sanga of The Thunder."
Upon placing the monster a Chinese box rose up with a yellow symbol on it.
'A box?' Ranma thought. 'What is going on here?'
"I will also play Guardian of the Throne Room and move him four paces into the maze." (1650/1600)
The monster that rose looked like a golem on tracks. It drove into the maze seven paces.
Hotaru drew a new card and frowned for a moment. 'I've drawn my Judge Man, but he won't get in front of their elephant monster soon enough, let alone take it out. I need to hold it off so it doesn't get to Ranma's Reaper.'
"Judge Man in attack mode! (2200/1500) I'll move him six paces in to the maze." As Judge Man appeared and began moving she announced her next move. "I also send Flame Swordsmen two steps into the maze."
Flame Swordsmen began his move, but as he reached the final tile the ground began to crack beneath him. To her horror a large spider jumped up and grabbed her swordsmen sinking it's fangs into the warrior's neck. (2100/100)
"No! My swordsmen!" The fire warrior was shattered from the force of the attack, and sent to the graveyard.
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 2000 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 1600 ------------
Para began to laugh, but as he did he noticed his spider swaying. Looking a little confused he saw it collapse and shatter.
"What is this?"
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 1700 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 1600 ------------
"My trap card." Hotaru said, keeping her wits. "Share the Pain also makes the attack you used on me affects you and your monster. And your life points."
"Nice one Hotaru-Chan."
"Indeed, now it is my turn." He smiled as saw what he had, and placed it to the field.
"I place Suijin of Water in defence mode."
Like before a box rose to the field, this one with a blue seal.
"And I also move Garnecia Elephant ahead two paces, so it may attack Judge Man."
The large beast stepped in front of the robed warrior and lifted it sword.
"Garnecia Elephant, Attack!"
"Trap Card, Activate!" Para blinked as Ranma flipped over his face down card. As the trap took effect Garnecia Elephant exploded in a giant fireball, leaving Judge Man unharmed
"What has happed to my beast?"
"I used my down card, the Widespread Ruin. It will automatically destroy a monster as it attacks."
"Clever move I must admit. Now make your move Ranma."
Drawing a card his Ranma nearly gasped at what he drew. 'I never thought I draw this card so early in my quest. It is very powerful. I may need it later.' "One card face down to the field, one monster face down in defence mode and I will move my Dark Magician seven paces into the maze."
Floating off the ground the magician floated past the Judge Man to his new spot.
"My turn is over. Dox, make your move."
Dox drew is card and added it to his hand with a neutral face. "I shall revert my Guardian of the Throne Room into defence mode. That shall end my turn."
As her turn came up Hotaru drew a card. She let out a smile as she saw it. "I'll use the Invigoration Magic Card on Judge Man to boost his attack power. (2600/1500) It will also double his movement for this turn, allowing me to move him a total of twelve paces, in front of your Guardian."
As the Judge Man passed the Dark Magician and stopped in front of the Guardian of the throne room Hotaru held up another card. "I can also use this card, Fairy's Meteor Crush, on Judge Man, allowing him to do damage your life points, even if your monster is in defence mode."
"WHAT!?"
"Judge Man, Heavy Club Bash!"
Hefting it's club up high the warrior brought it down on the Guardian with absolute force, devastating Dox's life points.
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 1700 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 600 ------------
"It is my move now." Para frowned at how close Judge Man was to his end of the maze. 'She is too close. I must find someway to hold her off.' Drawing a card he nodded. 'Yes. This card shall buy me the time I need.' "Hyozanryu, in defence mode." (2100/2800)
Para smiled with pride at his silver dragon with gold horns bowed down in a defensive posture. "He will guard our end of the maze. My turn is over."
Ranma drew a new card and looked at it. 'Summoned Skull. Not useful now, but maybe in a bit.' "I will play the Summoned Skull in Attack Mode, (2500/1200) but I shall not move him into the maze. I will, however, move Dark Magician seven paces towards the end of the maze." When his magician arrived to it's spot Ranma nodded. "My turn is over."
Dox drew a new card and nodded. "I will use the Magic Card Reliable Guardian to increase the defence of my brother's dragon. (2100/3500) I, however, have no more moves."
Hotaru drew her new card. 'My Red Eyes Black Dragon. It would take him too long to go all the way over to the end, but I can use him to reinforce Summoned Skull on our end of the field in case they get a monster past Judge Man, Dark Magician and the Reaper.' "The Red Eyes Black Dragon (2400/2000) in face up attack mode."
As the fearsome dragon rose to the field, she made her next command. "I'll also move Judge Man three spaces. But since your dragon has too high a defence, I can't get past it. But he'll be ready to move against anything else you have." She looked to her right and saw Ranma smile at his. 'I guess I haven't screwed up yet, always a good thing.'
Seeing his move come around again Para drew a card. 'It is not what I seek. To win I must find the final piece of the Trinity. But this will do fine for now.' "I shall play a card called Delinquent Duo. While I must sacrifice five hundred of my life points it has a powerful effect. And I chose to use it against Ranma's hand."
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 1200 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 600 ------------
Once Para played his card two small demons, with the numbers 'One' and 'Two' on their foreheads. The demon labelled One snatched a card from his hand. Demon Two floated in front of him.
"Delinquent Duo removes cards from your hand to the grave, one at random. The second is your choice however."
Ranma looked into his hand of two cards. He held up one card and the demon called Two took it.
"I have no more moves this turn."
Ranma looked at his remaining card and drew a new one. "For my move I will first play Polymerization to merge my Summoned Skull with Hotaru's Dragon."
As he played the card the two monsters began to glow with a dark light and began shattering into dark pieces. The began to merge together and as the light faded a new monster was born.
"Arise... Black Skull Dragon!" (3200/2500)
The new monster roared as Hotaru, Para and Dox took in the sight of the new monster. It was black and dark grey with deep red eyes. It had a pointed mouth with sharp teeth and horns from the side of it's head similar to that of the Summoned Skull's. On it's chest was a large skull-like breastplate. Large arms and legs with huge dagger like claws finished the look.
"Next I will move Dark Magician four paces to the end of the maze."
Para laughed as the magician calmly approached his dragon. "You forget, it's defensive power is too great."
"It's defence is great, but not it's offence. Which is why I flip my face down monster into face up to reveal... Bite Shoes!"
Arising into existence came the Bite Shoes, or Shoe. The monster was a slipper but with teeth and eyes. "Bite Shoes, use your effect on Hyozanryu."
The deadly slipper leapt up and transported itself to Hyozanryu. When it arrived it was on the Dragon's feet, it's teeth sinking into the Dragon's flesh. As soon as that happened the Dragon rose up to it's full height.
"Bite Shoes can force an attack monster into defense mode AND do the opposite, move a defense monster to attack mode."
"Oh No!"
"Dark Magic Attack!"
The burst of magic was enough to send the silver dragon into the graveyard.
------------ Ranma: 1800 Para: 800 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 600 ------------
Para regained his wits and turned to his brother. "Dox, The Trinity we must unite!"
Dox with a grim face drew a new card. He smiled as he saw it. "Para, I drew the card to win the fight!"
Para joined his brother with his own smile. "Then this shall be our night!"
Hotaru looked back over to Ranma. He had a worried look etched on his face.
She gulped and decided this couldn't be good.
"I will play... Kazejin! God of Wind!"
Once more a box arose, this one with a green seal. As it appeared the other boxes began to react. All three began to shake, then soon the maze with it.
As one the brother shouted to the sky. "The Trinity is complete!"
Hotaru quickly turned to Ranma. "Ranma! What's the Trinity!?
He looked at her with a face of severe seriousness.
"It's currently the most powerful monster in all of the Shadow Games, a Union of Sanga of the Thunder, Suijin of Water and Kazejin, God of the Wind. Separated they are powerful. United it is said to be unstoppable."
Hotaru turned back to the boxes as they exploded in a burst of green, blue and yellow light. Soon the three colours swirled around each other forming a pillar of light. After a few moments it began to fade with a giant figure standing in the middle.
"He is power beyond all description."
"Your graves shall be marked by his inscription."
"Wind, Water and Thunder united as one!"
"With greater power than even the sun!"
"The Trinity has risen once again!"
"He is the monster called Gate Guardian!"
As the light faded and Ranma and Hotaru could see clearly they saw the new monster, comprised of three parts.
Forming the hips and legs was the Water God Suijin, blue like the oceans. It's 'head' was really the hips of the Gate Guardian, a seal resting on it's forehead.
Resting on top of it was the green monster Kazejin, God of Wind. It's entire body was a head with small arms and a seal on it's forehead. He made up the lower torso of the monster.
Lastly forming the upper torso and arms was Sanga of the Thunder. The yellow God rested on top of Kazejin, the seal rather than being on it's forehead was Sanga's face.
The monster stood above Dark Magician, letting out a feral roar. Ranma could feel his own sweat at the sight of the impressive monster known simply as Gate Guardian. (3750/3400)
"Gate Guardian attack the Dark Magician! Triple... God... BLAST!"
The three seals glowed their respective colors as Gate Guardian held his hands in front of himself. He gathered a rainbow colored energy in his hands as Ranma and Hotaru looked on. With a roar he fired the energy into the magician, obliterating it with incredible force.
------------ Ranma: 550 Para: 800 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 600 ------------
"My turn is over, but our Gate Guardian is far stronger than even your Black Skull Dragon."
Ranma looked at his card and considered the situation. 'They are right, Gate Guardian is stronger than anything else. I CAN use my Black Pendant card to boost it, but it won't be enough.' He turned to look at Hotaru as she drew her next card looking a little scared. 'It's your move Hotaru. What you do this turn will effect the outcome of the entire duel.'
Hotaru looked into her hand and took stock of what she had. 'Judge Man CAN'T beat that thing. I need to get him the HELL out of there.' Looking at her new card she made her decision. "I play a card face down. And I will move Judge Man six paces, AWAY from your monster." Once Judge Man arrived at his new spot she ended her turn.
"Now it is my move." Para drew a new card and smiled. "And I draw Riyoku! A rare card that will deplete both your life points by half and add their total to Gate Guardian!"
As he played it he watched as a dark hand rose descended above. Hotaru then grabbed a card she set several turns ago.
"I counter with the Fairy's Hand Mirror!"
"The What?"
"Fairy's Hand Mirror lets me choose the targets for any magic card you just played. And I'll use it to take control of Riyoku and target you and your brother's life points! I can then add them to the Black Skull Dragon!"
Instantly the hand moved towards Para and Dox's end of the field. As it touched the brother's life points decreased.
------------ Ranma: 550 Para: 400 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 300 ------------
At the same time the attack of the Dragon rose. (3900/2500)
"Oh No! My card has backfired... I will STILL defeat your Judge Man! Gate Guardian has a total level of eleven, allowing him greater movement than your warrior. Gate Guardian, move nine paces into the maze and destroy Judge Man!"
Taking huge steps the mighty monster approached Judge Man, each step shaking the field. It stopped in front of the bearded warrior, it's sheer size overwhelming it.
"Triple God Blast!"
Once more the monster charged it's shot. As it flew into the air Hotaru flipped her second down card.
"Activate... Negate Attack!"
A portal appeared in front of the blast, transporting it elsewhere.
As Para began to curse at the unfairness of it all Hotaru sighed.
'Way too close. I may have cost us the duel if I let that hit. But I wonder... where did the attack go?'
---
"RANMA! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
Nova Scotia was a beautiful part of Canada, full of rocky coasts and ocean views.
But for one lost boy it was terrible.
Somehow, someway he was on a rope bridge. Never mind how he got there, he just stopped to catch his breath from running away from that... woman and he was on a rope bridge. On either end of the bridge was a cliff. Underneath the bridge and between the rocky cliffs was the Atlantic Ocean, a very LARGE body of cold water.
For the victim of the Spring of Drowned Pig... this was very bad.
Add in the fact that the bridge was rickety and in ill repair and you had a situation that Murphy's Law would LOVE to make worse. And it did just that.
Ryoga looked to the right as a portal opened up. His senses alerted him to a huge amount of power coming from the portal. The next thing he knew a huge multi-coloured blast flew out of it. He closed his eyes and hoped against hope he would not be hit. Even if he was the toughest boy in town he did NOT want to take anything that made a nuclear blast seem nice. When he opened his eyes he sighed seeing the blast passed by without harming him.
Looking down, however, he screamed.
The blast, while missing him vaporized a good portion of the bridge. Gravity looked up, saw the bridge, slapped it down so it would smash against the cliff face. Gravity looked up again and saw Ryoga. Gravity then said 'Get down here boy!' and pulled Ryoga to him.
In-between Ryoga and Gravity sat the Ocean who really didn't have anything better to do than help Murphy along.
Ryoga wanted to say it was Ranma's fault, but pigs never could speak a human language. That fact increases when the pig is in a cold body of water and being smashed against rocks.
---
"And now," Ranma declared. "It is my turn."
Drawing from his deck he saw the Giant Solider of Stone. 'I can send Black Skull Dragon into the maze, but it would take TOO long. By the time I have a clear shot they can boost the Gate Guardian's attack power. Hotaru was able to stop that THIS time, but not the next... if only the Labyrinth Wall... THAT'S IT!'
"Hotaru-Chan, I have a plan!" Seeing he had her attention he continued on. "I'll need to sacrifice your Judge Man for it to work. But doing so I can summon a special monster. I will need you to boost the new monster with a magic card when your turn comes around."
Hotaru took a moment to thought then gave a nod. "I trust you Ranma. Do it."
"First I will use Black Pendant to bolster the Black Skull Dragon. (4400/2500) Next I activate my down card..."
Flipping over his down card created a Pair of unlit torches and a large stone tablet lying on the ground.
"To activate the Black Luster Ritual Card I must offer two monsters, my Reaper of the Cards, and Hotaru's Judge Man." As he spoke both the Reaper and the warrior glowed blue. They were then sucked through the maze into the torches. "The offer is accepted, and a new monster shall descend!"
The tablet created a pillar of light that went up into the room's ceiling. A figure began to float down, surrounded by the pillar of light. He wore black armour with golden outlines, carried a saber in one hand a shield in the other. His face was concealed by his helmet, but long dark hair spilled out from it.
"He is the Warrior of Chaos, and the Champion of a Goddess... Black Luster Soldier!" (3000/2500)
The Soldier eventually landed on the ground and stood next to the powerful dragon.
"My turn is over."
Dox drew a new card and looked at the new arrival. 'An impressive monster, but Gate Guardian could easily crush it. But he maybe using it as a lure, to make us bring Gate Guardian closer so the Dragon can attack.' "I will have the Gate Guardian move back to our end of the maze. That will end my turn."
Seeing her turn was here Hotaru drew a card. 'Boost the Black Luster Solider. This should do it.' "I'll boost Black Luster Solider with Malevolent Nuzzler. (3700/2500) I now end my turn."
Para nodded as he drew a card as well. He let out a sigh. "I have no move for the turn. Ranma, your move."
Ranma gave out a smile. "And the last move too. It's time to destroy Gate Guardian."
Para blinked. Dox scoffed. "Your Dragon IS strong enough to defeat Gate Guardian, but it has no line of sight to do so!"
"It will in a moment. I attack, with the Black Luster Solider."
Para had his turn to shot down Ranma's tactics. "You Soldier isn't powerful enough and has no way to hit Gate Guardian anyway.
Hotaru looked at the field and caught on. "I see."
"Para... Dox... I'm not aiming for your Guardian. What am I attacking is... the Maze itself!"
"WHAT?"
"Remember? Your Labyrinth Wall STILL counts as a monster card (0/3000) and it has it's own defense stat as well. And now that Black Luster Soldier has surpassed it (3700) I can destroy the Maze. Black Luster Soldier attack the Labyrinth Wall! Chaos Sword Strike!"
The Knight swung it sword into the ground causing a sphere of power to be shot at the wall. As soon as it hit the Maze's walls began to tumble down kicking up dust and debris. As the dust settled all that was left between the two sides was rubble.
"With the Maze destroyed our Black Skull Dragon now has a line of sight and can destroy your Guardian."
As the Dragon roared both Hotaru and Ranma pointed at the Gate Guardian, and commanded the Dragon as one.
"Black Skull Dragon, destroy the Gate Guardian! Molten Fireball Attack!"
The dragon began to gather it's power in it's mouth and fired a steady stream of flames at the opposing monster. Nothing was left of the Gate Guardian. And once more Ranma and Hotaru spoke in unison.
"Gate Guardian is no more!"
Looking towards his friend he saw Hotaru flash him a victory sign. Ranma gave a thumbs-up as well to his friend and partner.
------------ Ranma: 550 Para: 0 ------------ ------------ Hotaru: 1700 Dox: 0 ------------
The arena disappeared and the decks returned to their owners. Ranma stepped foreword once more. "All right Para and Dox, we overcame your 'tests'. What are you up to?"
Both Para and Dox bowed before answering. Para was the one who spoke.
"I believe your pendant, an item know as the 'Millennium Puzzle' led you here, am I correct?"
Ranma blinked but nodded. "Yes. How did you know that?"
"Because," Dox continued for his brother. "Our family for generations has guarded an item of such importance... that we ourselves have NEVER laid eyes upon it."
"The only person to have seen the item was our ancestor, known only as 'Chaos'."
"We have been guarding it until the bearer of the Puzzle came. According to our family's law and legend 'He would travel with another. As he enters the domain of mazes he must be tested for skill, once alone, once with the one he travels with. Should they succeed they are privy to see and take the item we have guarded for so long."
"Follow us please."
Para and Dox lead Ranma to the end of the room, Hotaru beside him the whole time.
Para and Dox each took a key from their sleeves and placed them into two holes. Part of the wall moves upward, reveling a space wide enough for a hand to go into.
The brothers stood to either side as Ranma reached in.
"What's in there Ranma?" Hotaru asked.
"It's... a card." As he pulled out the card and looked at it he nearly had a heart attack. "Incredible!" He nearly leapt for joy as he remembered a part of the Exodia Legend Yami told him.
---
"Thus Exodia sealed most of his power inside five magical cards. Each card representing an arm, leg or the body of Exodia."
---
"Ranma, what wrong?"
"Hotaru... this is... PERFECT!"
Even Para and Dox jumped at the outburst.
"Wha-What do you mean?"
"The card... is Exodia's Left Arm!"
Para and Dox looked at the card in awe.
"Exodia? The creator of the Shadow Games? The being second only to Kami- Sama himself in power? Such a card..."
"It is said there is four other such cards with Exodia's sealed powers... Should one person unite them, the Entity of Oblivion would return to restore balance to another world..."
"Ranma... the quest..." Hotaru began. "The god your were told to help... it's Exodia isn't it?"
"Yes it is Hotaru-Chan." Ranma smiled at his Exodia piece, then to his companion. "Yes it is."
No one saw the card glow for a brief moment.
---
Across time and space Sailor Pluto felt a sharp spike of Chaos energies. She had yet to correct the future or even find Hotaru so she considered this spike an incredible threat. Using her focus and the still reeling Time Gate she peered pasts the mists. What she saw confused her.
A single card, it's face towards her, but the picture was pure black. She could make no real marks that could tell her what it was.
"Why is the Gate showing me this? Why is it a threat?"
---
Duellist Profiles
Name: Para and Dox Labyrinth (Also Known As The Para-Dox Brothers)
Deck Style: Maze Confusion Deck
Favourite/Best Monster: Gate Guardian
Other Monsters: Garnecia Elephant, Jirai Gumo, Wall Shadow
Info: For generations the descendants of the brothers Para and Dox have guarded an item of extreme importance. So important was the item only one descendant, Chaos, knew what the item was, Exodia's Left Arm. They always play in Tag-Team Duels, and have the pieces to summon Gate Guardian.
Author's Note: Sorry it took so long, Writer's Block sucks. Ranma and Hotaru have their first piece of Exodia! This should help, right? Anyway, on the bit about Wall Shadow, that is kinda how you summon it in the real game (Save the Shadow Ghoul bit) and as for Invigoration doubling a monster's movement... well, why not? As for Delinquent Duo, you have to sacrifice 1000 LP in the real game, but I figured I'd give Para a little break. And as for 'Carter has pills' from the start of the fic... my mom always says that. And for a little FYI, the Karate Man looks A LOT like Dragon Ball Z's Hericule. Weird. Comments and suggestion would be nice. Fan Art would be nicer, because I couldn't draw my way out of a paper bag. (How DOES one draw their way out of a paper bag?)
Next Chapter: Exodia speaks. And Hotaru learns of the Silver Millennium's past with the Shadow Games.
