Chapter Eighteen: Power of Nature
Jason emerged from the huge steel door. He looked down at the floor as he walked towards the others.
"Jason..." said Laurna, "you did your best... Don't be disappointed. At least you made it this far... Plus, you're not definitely out of the game yet, since someone could place after you... Come on, cheer up!"
Jason tried to look up at her but immediately returned his eyes to the floor.
"...the was nothing I could do..." he said. He was very melancholy. Slowly, he just walked towards a chair and slumped down in it.
"Jason..." Laurna was about to go to him again.
"Laurna," Ace stopped her. "Let him handle his loss how he wants. Give him a little time."
"Hey man, what happened?" Tony was already questioning Jason. "It looked like you was doing so well... Then, BAM! Whipped by a Blue-Eyes... What a way to go..."
"Damn Tony, you sure know how to be sensitive... Don't worry about it Jason. You tried your best."
"...if you only knew..." Jason kept his eyes down. The others had no idea that the screen had been displaying altered data while Jason was off with the hackers.
Everyone had taken a seat. They waited for Blackheart to come back to decide the next participant. No one had said anything for a few minutes...
"Say Jason... I got a question... How come you don't use your Deck Commander ability in the trial, man? Would've saved you some lifepoints..."
Jason's eyes went wide. After a few moments, he put his head in his hands and leaned forward with his elbows on his thighs. He had just remembered, then wished he had chosen a different monster to be his Deck Commander.
Cloudy mist filled the room, and then Blackheart appeared once again.
"It looks like Jason suffered a crushing defeat... But defeat is necessary to learn ones weaknesses." He shot a dead glare at Jason, who had looked up for just a moment. He hadn't forgotten about his involvement. "You may stay here, however, you may leave at your own leisure."
Blackheart pointed behind them, where an exit door had appeared.
"You can stay if you wish to support your friends through this time. Feel free to leave whenever you want Jason."
Jason sensed that it may be a trap. There must have been someone or something waiting for him once he left the Virtual World.
"That's good to know, but I'll just stay here for now."
"Okay. Then the exit will disappear unless you decide to leave. And now, the moment of reckoning has come for one of you..." A wicked smile spread over his face. It was insanely scary, since he was Vampire Lord... "Now who will it be?"
The table re-appeared, and Jeff placed the four remaining cards facedown.
"Now to choose..." He picked one up blindly. "Ah, perhaps this will be amusing... The card is Sword Hunter. Ace, I assume this one is yours?"
"That's right, Blackheart. It's mine. So let me pick the area I'm going to." Ace stepped up without fear.
"Quite the eager one, aren't we? Here, make your decision." Jeff placed the Area Selection cards down.
Ace examined the backs of the cards for any differences. After seeing nothing distinguishable, he just picked the first one on the right.
"Looks like I'm going to the Forest Area." said Ace.
"You can probably guess who designed that area... Dianah Vanderlaan. And my guess is that she isn't happy after a certain pet of hers exploded... By fault of none other than you, Ace."
"She claims to love nature, yet she creates a monster like that. It's amazing how hypocritical some people are these days." Laurna said.
"Well Laurna, my dear, I'm sure you can discuss that with your friends while Ace is off in his trial... You can also tell them about the night you spent with Ace... Or what you did while you two were alone in the library... Remember that while you're in my world, your minds are all open books to me. Don't try to cross me, or you'll know the true meaning of my family name."
Jeff disappeared in the cloudy mist that filled the room.
Nick, Tony, and Jason all were staring at Laurna. Manny was asleep in his chair from exhaustion.
"So... night with Ace, huh?" Tony asked.
"Well...Laurna... I'm glad you found someone..." Nick looked pretty serious.
"Although it was pretty obvious you both had a thing for each other." said Jason. "Right Ace?"
They all turned around, but Ace was already gone. Laurna's eyes were shifting about.
"Uh, well..." Laurna was blushing heavily.
---
"Whew, that was a close one..." Ace said as he stepped out of the Loading Area. "That would've been REALLY awkward..."
Ace checked his surroundings. He was within a small clearing with several tree stumps. Ahead were several paths which lead into the forest. All he could see were trees. The paths seems to just lead into more trees. The forest was extremely thick, and Ace was unsure how he would be able to find his way around, even with the paths.
"Okay... So...hello? What do I do?"
Ace had left so quickly that the whole area hadn't loaded yet. He watched as the distant trees which seemed to be the forest's edge expanded and moved further.
"Aw, damn it... Looks like I'll have even more room to get lost.
[Welcome to the Sacred Forest Area. You have 50 minutes to complete your task. Aid King Tiger Wanghu defend the forest from the invaders. They plan to cut down the forest so that they may use the wood for fuel and to claim the area as their own. Consult King Tiger Wanghu for details.]
"Okay... King Tiger Wanghu... Where are you? We got some work to do now..."
He walked towards the center path, looking around for any sign of King Tiger Wanghu. The trees held many animals and insects, and suddenly Ace noticed in one of the trees there was a squirrel... A Nimble Momonga.
"Hey there little friend... Wanna come down and tell me where Wanghu is?" Ace had always had a thing for squirrels. He wasn't sure why, he just did.
He caught the squirrel's attention. It looked right at him.
"Come on, I need a little help here..." Ace said. "Wait... Why am I talking to a squirrel?" He was about to turn around to go wander around more, when the Momonga jumped down in front of him.
"Oh, so you'll help me?"
The Nimble Momonga nodded, then ran off.
"I guess I'll follow you then." he ran after the little guy.
Ace followed the Momonga as closely as he could. It hopped from the ground to the trees and back again, but generally followed the paths drawn out through the forest. Ace noticed the other animals were running in the opposite direction. Suddenly, the Momonga came to a screeching halt.
"Huh? What's wrong?" he said.
The Momonga jumped in front of him and pointed to a small clearing that was ahead. Ace rushed in that direction.
"Look at me... Following directions from a squirrel..." He smiled. "Just like I've always wanted. Ha ha..."
He dashed quickly into the clearing, where he saw a Rabid Horseman had cornered an innocent Dark Zebra.
"Hey don't worry, I'll help you! Summon Gearfried the Iron Knight!"
-900
Ace: 7100
"Activate Deck Commander ability! Summon Dark Blade!"
Two warriors in black armor materialized in front of Ace.
"Activate Fusion Sword Murasame! Increase Gearfried's attack power!"
The Rabid Horseman turned around and noticed Ace. It began to trott towards Ace, positioning its axe to strike. Ace, however, had his counterattack prepared.
"Gearfried, now!" Ace called to the trees.
Gearfried dropped from a tree and onto the Rabid Horseman's back. Before the Horseman had any chance to respond, Gearfried had plunged the Fusion Sword deep into the body of the Horseman, destroying it. Gearfried landed on his feet.
+1000
Ace: 8100
"Hm, this isn't so hard." Ace said as he drew a card from his deck.
"Thank you, young one, for helping the residents of my forest..." An echoing voice said. A blue tiger-shaped aura appeared in front of the Dark Zebra. "I do my best to defend those who live here in my forest..."
"Uhh...?" Ace looked at his help screen, which displayed:
[Soul Tiger:
Attribute: Earth
Type: Beast
Level: 4
0/2100]
"Soul Tiger? Right...?"
"Yes..." The voice echoed. "But your kindness has awakened my true form..."
The aura began glowing brightly... It moved toward the center of the clearing. The Momonga jumped on Ace's shoulder as they both watched. The tiger-like aura took a solid shape. Before them stood a tiger with plated armor on its body.
"It is I, King Tiger Wanghu, Guardian Spirit of the Sacred Forest..."
---
The sun was beginning to set on the Sacred Forest. Ace was sitting on a log with the Nimble Momonga still resting on his shoulder. He had taken a few minutes to speak with King Tiger Wanghu to have him explain the situation.
"Ace, young one, the Sacred Forest is in a perilous situation. A vicious army of monsters is trying to take away our home. The Rabid Horseman you easily slayed was merely a scout for their troops. The army is being led by a powerful woman whom we've no idea how to defeat. It is impossible to fight these enemies on our own. We had sent a messenger to the Marshes to ask the Beastking of the Swamps for his aid, but in was too late; they had already passed through the area, destroying all that stood in their way. You are our last hope, young one."
Ace breathed deeply. "I'll do my best to protect your home. As long as Ace is here, they won't step foot in this forest!"
"And we shall do our part to defend against them as well. They plan to attack us at midnight, according to a sentry I sent to their camp. Under the cover of night, they wish to invade. We will be prepared, thanks to you. I must warn you, however, young one... They possess a beast that defies the laws of nature. A terrible monster with immense power that has defeated many of my colleagues in far lands. The name of this vile beast is Agrorasaba."
Night fell upon the Sacred Forest. Ace was sitting by a small fire he built in the middle of a clearing. King Tiger Wanghu stood guard at the forest's entrance. Midnight would come soon.
Ace sat by the fire and thought. "I've gotten this far... I'm here in this Virtual World, yet it seems as if I must fight for my life, and for the lives of these creatures, even though they aren't real at all. Though there is one real purpose... Vance... I hope you can sense me, because I'm coming to rescue you." He took a deep breath.
"The fire's nice and warm... Too bad we can't sit here relaxing all night. This place would be great to go to for a vacation... It's a shame this technology isn't used for stuff like that..."
The Nimble Momonga that he had become friends with was sitting on a log across from him. It just sat there staring at him.
"Heh. As if you can understand what I'm saying, little squirrel dude..."
From out of the trees came King Tiger Wanghu. "They approach. Young one, prepare for battle."
Ace turned to Gearfried and Dark Blade, who were both sitting on the same log.
"Let's go guys, time for combat..."
"Yes master." Gearfried picked up the Fusion Sword Murasame, which laid in the fire.
"At your command." Dark Blade said.
They reached the edge of the forest, following King Tiger Wanghu very carefully.
Current Status:
Ace Sotras
Deck Commander: Marauding Captain
Current Lifepoints: 8100
Time Remaining: 22:15
Ace, Wanghu, and various other forest inhabitants, along with Ace's warriors stood at the edge of the forest. They were prepared to hold their ground. The enemies silhouettes appeared in the shadows of distant campfires.
"Be cautious, young one. They are very dangerous. I will be able to destroy many of the weaker ones who come too close, but I cannot handle the more powerful monsters. That is why I asked help of you." King Tiger Wanghu took a position at the frontline.
"You can count on me. Here comes the first wave!" Ace called.
"Look closely, you can see what monsters they sent."
Ace squinted and tried to see what was coming toward them. He could see several Battle Ox, Battle Steer, Panther Warrior, and Hitotsu-me Giants.
"As I said before, I will handle the weaker monsters. Once they step foot on this hallowed ground, their malicious heart will fall to the call of the Wilderness."
"Good, because it looks like there are more Hitotsu-Me Giants than any other monster in this group. I won't have much problem with this first wave, because I have something I can use..."
-1150
Ace: 6950
"Goblin Attack Force! And since my ability allows me to summon another Warrior-Type monster, I summon another Goblin Attack Force!"
A horde of nearly two dozen goblins appeared before Ace.
"Okay, form a line, and wait for them to come. Remember, home field advantage is important in war!"
The monsters came closer and closer. They could see faint glimmers of their weapons in the moonlight. The axes of the Battle Ox, the lances of the Battle Steer, and the huge swords held by Panther Warriors. It seemed to take forever for them to attack once they began closing the gap between the two opposing armies. Once they were several yards away, the tension mounted. They could see one another in the moonlight.
"Young one, wait for their first move... It is foolish to rush into a deciding battle."
Ace nodded. The Nimble Momonga on Ace's shoulder squeaked.
With that single sound, war broke out. The opposing monsters rushed towards the forest inhabitants and Ace's forces. Weapons clashed, and cries of pain and suffering filled the air.
King Tiger Wanghu let out a huge roar. "Activate special ability, Call of the Wilderness!" He roared again.
The Hitotsu-Me Giants nearby all fell to the ground and dissolved into the earth. This cleared about three quarters of the attackers.
Ace, equipped with two Murasame swords, joined the fighting himself. His Dark Blade was destroyed by a Panther Warrior, but Gearfried made short work of it. Ace's Goblin Attack Forces broke huge holes in their forces, leaving nothing. The first attack was soon over. The Goblin Attack Forces fell asleep.
Ace: 12250
He was breathing heavily. "Whew... That was... a good stress release. Good job guys." Ace looked over to his Gearfried and Goblins, which were resting from battle.
"This next group doesn't look so easy to contend with..."
"Already?" Ace said. "Well, never know until you try."
The next wave of enemies contained Lava and Swamp Battleguards. They stood strong, as they strengthened each other.
"I've got an idea. You see... in a normal battle the forces that start the battle are meant to weaken the frontlines as well as they can, and they are expendable... But sometimes they are best saved for a later battle, where their help is more crucial. Summon Exiled Force, the Initiate Troops!
-500
Ace: 11750
"Now, Exiled Force, go destroy as many of those Battleguards as you can!"
The group of poorly armored soldiers rushed towards the approaching enemies. They could see a huge cloud of smoke in the distance. They heard the battlecry of the Initiate Troops. The dust settled, and they could see a hole that was left within their enemy lines.
"See what I mean?"
"An excellent idea, young one, but we may not be able to overpower the rest of them."
"That's why I use this! Warrior Returning Alive! Watch them come back!"
As quickly as they rushed off, the Exiled Force's soldiers were rushing back to Ace.
"Now go and destroy some more of those Battleguards!"
The soldiers rushed off again. Their battlecry filled the air.... again. They took down many of the remaining troops with them. This time, when the dust settled, they could see two figures standing there.
"Who's there?!" Ace called out as he waited for the smoke to clear.
The two who remained standing were Sengenjin, the Milennium Neanderthal, and a nurse wielding a huge syringe... Angel Injection Lily.
---
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Ace." Dianah sneered. Her green hair replaced Angel Injection Lily's red hair, and she filled out the nurse's uniform quite nicely. Ace was trying not to stare... too much.
"You too, Miss Vanderlaan. I see you have another pet there. Too bad your plant died because you mistreated it... It must've died of loneliness."
"Idiotic, as usual, Ace. You may have wiped out my last forces, but you still have to deal with me, and my friend Sengenjin here." She smiled a wicked smile.
Sengenjin lurched forward. "Me... crush... you." It managed to spit out few words.
"You know Ace, I prepared to face anyone of you here... You just got lucky that your deck would work better in a war-type situation, like this... But I do have a card that can put your monsters out of commission... Activate Warrior Elimination!" Dianah threw the card into the sky.
"What...? No, all my Warrior monsters!"
"While it can't destroy you as a Deck Commander, it rids all of your monsters from the area!"
Ace watched as all his monsters went up in smoke.
"Sengenjin, see if he can get past you... Attack Ace!"
"Ha, with my two Murasame blades, my own attack power is at 2800! Stronger than Sengenjin!"
Ace rushed towards the behemoth and slashed at him with both swords, right across the chest. He grunted and jumped back.
-2800
Sengenjin: ????
"You're kidding me... He has his own lifepoints?!?"
"And according to my calculations Ace, you've summoned almost all the monster cards in your deck... Without destroying a monster, you won't be able to draw a card! And thanks to Angel Injection Lily's effect, you won't be able to destroy Sengenjin as long as I keep increasing his lifepoints!"
"You're increasing his lifepoints?!"
"Yes, thanks to this, Body Strengthening Supplement Z! And you won't be able to reach me because Sengenjin stands in your way!"
Ace was eyeing the cards in his hand... "Hmph... Fine. I'll attack him again!"
-2800
Sengenjin: ????
"Stop being foolish Ace, it won't work!" Dianah yelled.
Ace kept attacking him.
-2800
Sengenjin: ????
Again...
-2800
Sengenjin: ????
Again...
-2800
Sengenjin: ????
And again...
-2800
Sengenjin: ????
"Young one! Stop!" King Tiger Wanghu called to Ace.
Sengenjin just stood there. All the attacks Ace made had no effect whatsoever.
"Young one, come, I have something to tell you."
Ace angrily stomped back to where Wanghu stood. Dianah gave them an odd look. She didn't expect him to listen.
"Ace," Wanghu whispered, "you must calm yourself. Allow the enemy to defeat itself."
"How will I do that...? I have to destroy whatever stands between me and my brother!" Ace took a second look at the cards in his hand. "I've got it!"
Ace walked towards Sengenjin. Instead of attacking, he sheathed his swords. He began staring Sengenjin in the eye.
"What are you doing Ace?"
"Well Dianah, there's no point in attacking him. You said it yourself. I'm not going to tire myself out."
The Nimble Momonga who befriended Ace earlier jumped onto his shoulder and started staring at Sengenjin as well.
Sengenjin started to look irritated. "Stop... Looking... at ME!" He held his club in both hands. "Giga....CRUSH!!!!"
"No, don't attack him! It's a trap!" Dianah tried to stop Sengenjin.
Sengenjin raised his club to strike, but suddenly, his body burst from within. His limbs flew off and the rest of his body simply disappeared.
"What happened!?"
Ace stood there and smiled. "Just as you said... It was a trap. I activated Sakuretsu Armor. Too bad your barbarian buddy couldn't control his temper..."
"You know what? Neither can I!! Summon Blood Orochis!"
-850
Dianah: 7150
A huge tree with vampire fangs appeared in front of her
"Now, summon my Death Dendol thanks to my Blood Orochis! I'll union them."
Little sprouts appeared on the branches and roots of the Blood Orochis.
"Huh? Why summon a weaker monster? I'll destroy both of them!"
Ace unsheathed his swords once again, and lunged at the tree.
"Blood Orochis, defend!"
Ace attacked the bloodthirsty tree, and the little sprouts withered up and died.
"Since Death Dendol was unioned, it is destroyed instead!"
"But... You have done nothing to stop me from attacking Blood Orochis again!"
Ace's second attack cut Blood Orochis in half, but Dianah suffered no lifepoint loss.
"Anything before I attack you directly Dianah? Nope, didn't think so..."
"Actually Ace... maybe you should say hello to an old friend!"
The ground began to rumble. Ace looked around cautiously. Beneath him, the earth started to split, so he retreated back toward the forest creatures.
Ace looked back, and saw that the Momonga resting on his shoulder was now on the ground, trying to get away from the tremors. Right beneath it, the ground split again, and it swallowed the tiny squirrel.
"Nooo!" Ace couldn't stand to lose his little animal friend he had this whole time.
"Hahaha! Now behold my ultimate creature, my pet! Come to the surface, Black Thorned Mantrap, Agrorasaba!"
A huge black plant began to rise from the largest fissure in the earth. Tentacle-like vines emerged from the various holes, and began to swing about. What appeared to be the head opened up to reveal the entrance to its digestive tract. The opening was lined with teeth-like spines.
Ace's eyes widened. "That... thing..."
"Does it look familiar Ace? My pet lives on immortally in the world of Duel Monsters! Hadn't you been so cruel to destroy it, it would still be alive in the real world!"
"Nothing like that has a place in our world. Or should I say my world, since we obviously come from different places, you come from a world where it's okay to have a tyrant rule over your life!"
"You will never understand, Ace. My family is at risk, so I must work for Blackheart."
"Blackheart has had my brother captive for years, and I still haven't stopped fighting, because as long as I still have hope... I won't give in to the Darkness!"
"You're young. You're young, and you're foolish! Now my pet, take away all of the forest animals! Drag them into the ground!"
The mutated plant started using its vines to pull all of the innocent animals into the earth...
"Stop this now Dianah!"
"Ha! Make me!"
"You, you used to love nature and its beauty. Jeff has corrupted and poisoned you and your mind. You think that something as horrific as Agrorasaba is beautiful, while the petals of a rose now disgust you... It's... sickening."
"Shut up! I don't need to hear this! Agrorasaba, don't stop until they're all gone!" Dianah laughed. "Attack Ace with your vines too!"
Before Ace could respond, a huge vine was wrapped around him. Instead of being pulled into the ground, it was pulling Ace toward its mouth. The vine was squeezing tighter on him.
-2900
Ace: 8850
"Ugh... can't... move!" Ace opened his eyes, and in front of him was the plant's digestive tract. It released a black sludgy substance which burned Ace.
"Agggh!" he screamed as if being burned by acid.
-2900
Ace: 5950
"No... If I can't get out... Vance..." Ace closed his eyes and waited for the end.
---
"Release the young one!" King Tiger Wanghu attacked Dianah from behind.
-1700
Dianah: 5450
"Stupid tiger... Activate Deck Commander ability!"
-2000
Dianah: 3450
Dianah stabbed King Tiger Wanghu with her syringe, which was now even more ridiculously oversized. She pulled out the needle, and Wanghu was destroyed.
"No..." Ace squinted in pain, but saw what happened. He was starting to lose consciousness. He lost feeling in his limbs and started feeling hopeless.
A glowing light came from one of the cracks in the ground...
"What's this?!" Dianah said.
The Nimble Momonga that had fallen previously flew up out of the ground. It emitted the light.
"I... I am the Guardian Spirit of the Plains..." A thunderous voice came from it. "You fight to invade this Sacred Forest, and here, on the border of this territory, where the forest and plains unite, I will stop you from proceeding!"
"And how do you plan to do that, little squirrel?"
"I was trapped in this body by one of your troops, but now, I have the strength to break free. I saw that someone was willing to give himself in order to save others. That someone is you, Ace. And that is why my true form is released."
The Nimble Momonga's body began changing... Its arms and legs lengthened... a long tail came from its behind, and a majestic mane came from its head. Its true form was that of Super War-Lion.
"I will end this madness here." He said.
"Ha! You're not even strong enough to do anything to my Agrorasaba!"
"I may not be, but once I activate my special ability, I will! Activate Wild Burst!" Super War-Lion roared. "This adds the defensive strength of Beast-Types to their attack power! That brings me to 4400 attack power!"
Super War-Lion slashed at the vines of Agrorasaba, severing them from its body. The vine carrying Ace dropped him to the ground.
-1500
Dianah: 1950
"I discard a card from my hand to prevent the destruction of my pet! It won't happen again!"
"What the hell is going on here? I didn't program any of this!"
Another voice entered her mind.
"Ace must enter the Finals of the tournament... It is the wish of my master... So you must lose! And you all that your punishment would be your soul being a meal for my master! Ha ha..."
"I understand Blackheart... I must lose... But I've already defeated myself..."I sided with you, Blackheart!" Dianah had finally seen the mistake she made.
"..." Dianah began looking down at the broken earth.
Ace had just started to recover and get up on his feet. "Had I been able to move earlier, I would've used this card... Which gives me somewhat of a sense of deja vü... Ring of Destruction! Destroy Agrorasaba!"
The ring of grenades wrapped around the plant, and detonated almost immediately.
-2900
Dianah: 0000
-2900
Ace: 3050
Dianah fell to her knees and started crying.
Ace looked at her and didn't know what to say. "I didn't realize you take losing so badly..."
"You won't understand... I've lost much more..." Dianah's body started to dissolve into sparkles.
Ace was confused. He didn't understand.
"Hmm... Well looks like I'm done here."
Everything went dark, and Ace was back in the loading area again.
[Trial III Complete.]
[Result: Win ]
[Time Remaining: 7:29 ]
[LP: 3050]
[Current Status: 1st Place]