Episode #42- Double Duels, Part 4
Both swordsman and assassin were ready to fight, and a Duel in soul was dangerous enough. "Might we take a different setting for our Duel?" Miran suggested, but confident to hide her fear.
"Nonsense, I'd like to see Miranda squirm in your defeat." Yami Marik replied, "You are so transparent, Mirandragon. There shouldn't be any reason for me to Duel you. I can sense your fear."
"I'm not afraid of you." Miran made a deadly leer and tapped her deck.
"Don't lie. You withdrew from Marik before the Finals began and left Miranda to take any hit he had. If you were afraid of him, then surely you'd be heart-struck with fear of me." He said with an evil grin smeared on his face. "You're nothing like Miranda or Kikaita. They stood against any challenge and Miranda could stand anyone, including me."
"Cut this monologue and let's Duel."
"As you wish, but there are going to be some twists in this one." Yami Marik proclaimed as the room darkened further until there was nothing.
I felt the chill and brought myself out of sleep. I got to my knees and saw the familiar dark, thick atmosphere of the Shadow Realm. I rolled my head back and sighed, "Great, he's back."
"Miranda." Miran caught my attention.
"Good you're awake." Yami Marik followed with his arms folded. I looked to his with a gloomily look.
"Something tells me I should be surprised to see you in my soul again, but I'm not." I said with the same impression.
"You should be, because it was your cousin that released me."
"Ashley? She released you? But how?" I asked accusingly.
Yami Marik still had his arms crossed, "I won't bore you with detail, my dear, but Ashley had a Duel with the Spirit of the Millennium Ring. He brought me back because we didn't want a deal go to waste." He then pointed to me sternly, "But you tried to break the deal. However, you will not meddle with our plans this time." He took attention off me for a second and glanced at Miran. She had her sword ready, but the trembling blade was hinted with nervousness.
"She...has nothing to do with this."
"Your fear is showing, Mirandragon." Yami Marik snickered.
"So, what if it is?" Miran asked. I noticed myself beginning to sink in height. I looked down and saw that I sunk in to ankle-deep of the Shadow Realm's ground.
"You're kidding..." I sighed and caught Miran's attention towards me.
"Miranda." She saw me slowing sinking and turned right around back to him, "What are you doing to her?!"
"It's not my doing. Our Duel will be the Test of Fear. Throughout our Duel, the Shadow Realm will forever be alert of your fear. Even just thinking about how horrifying I am will drag Miranda further into the Darkness." Yami Marik explained, which sent a twist into my own heart. "The Duel will be over when one of us drops to zero or when Miranda has been consumed completely in the Shadow Realm. In that case, I will win automatically." I stopped when I was consumed halfway up the shins. "Well, shall we get started? We haven't even begun and already the Shadow Realm is sensing your fear. Why don't you go first, it'd be a shame for Miranda to sink like a rock on the first turn."
"Fine by me." Miran sheathed her sword and made her draw as her Life Points jumped to 8000. She made a review of her hand, one that was quite unknown to her. I could barely see her hand, but one of the cards was recognizable, Zodiac Sacred Grounds.
'What? I thought I was playing Miranda's Dragon Deck.' Miran thought, 'But what can I do with Zodiac Sacred Grounds? It doesn't matter, I have to play with this deck.'
"What's the matter, displeased at your hand? Looks like it'll cost you." Yami Marik took another look at me. I began to sink again and stopped at the knees.
"I play Zodiac Sacred Grounds." Miran declared as the light ring circled around them at ground level. "I'm not sure what this can do, but at least it being my field magic card, I'll have the advantage."
'That's what you think. That's the same card Kikaita played in our Duel and she fared no better.' Yami Marik thought grimly. 'Though I'm impressed of her Sirius Wing Dragon and Hades Core Dragon, I doubt you even have those cards in your deck.'
"I also play Scorpio in attack mode!" Miran continued her turn. The ring spun around until the Scorpio symbol was near her. The symbol lit up in blue light and projected a monster resembling much of a giant scorpion.
"Smooth move, Scorpio's attack is raised to 2500 thanks to Zodiac Sacred Grounds." I informed.
"You stay out of this." Yami Marik demanded of me.
"That'll end my turn." Miran finished.
"About time." Yami Marik commented and drew his six cards. "I'll play Drillago in attack mode." He announced and the familiar drilling machine appeared. Drillago, attack her Life Points directly!" Yami Marik commanded as Drillago leaped over Scorpio.
"How can you do that?!" Miran demanded as Drillago dived for her.
"When you have monsters with over 1600 attack, Drillago can attack your Life Points directly." Yami Marik replied and Drillago hit head on, dropping Miran to 6400. "I would have struck you with more power, but why spoil both of your suffering. I'll also play Mage Power and a card faced down, which will increase Drillago's attack by 500 for every card I set down. That will end my turn." Yami Marik finished.
'No, I can't allow him to win.' Miran drew her next card, what resembled two powerful monsters of water. 'What is this? Pisces – Tri of Water Guardian?' Miran's mind raced. I sensed it as I began to sink in again and stopped at the hips. 'Miran can't be this afraid if she knew this guy before!' I sort of panicked as well and saw nearly half my body disappear.
'Mirandragon's courage is useless here. But that just brings up the question: How could this coward defeat the immortal demon Seideigo? And with one of the most powerful attacks known to the Zodiacs?' Yami Marik bothered himself. 'I'll get to those answers sooner or later. Right now I have a soul to claim.' Yami Marik came from his thoughts, "Well, what are you going to do? The more you stall, the more Miranda fades into the Shadow Realm." There was no kidding on that remark.
"I'll play the Gemini Warriors in attack mode." Miran announced her next monster as two male warriors took their stand over the Gemini sign. "And according to this monster, I can destroy one of your magic or trap cards."
"I know what the Gemini Warriors can do. Kikaita used that same card in my last Duel." Yami Marik provoked thought and memory. "Kikaita took the same challenge to save Miranda and she failed miserably. You're playing her deck, and you'll fall just the same."
"He's right, my mom also tried to save me, and she lost." I admitted behind Miran while looking at my legs already eaten away by the Shadow Realm. Miran's fear turned to sympathy quickly, enough to spare most of me.
"Gemini Warriors, destroy his Mage Power!" Miran commanded, the warrior with the chained blade-boomerang jumped and chucked his weapon. It stuck fast to Yami Marik's card and when he jerked it away, the card shattered.
"Not bad." Yami Marik mumbled.
"Scorpio, attack Drillago with Guillotine Crusher!" Miran declared. The giant scorpion swung both claws out and was ready to drive them into the machine.
"Really, you should have destroyed my trap card instead. I play Mirror Force!" Yami Marik countered as a reflective surface protected him and his drilling monster. "Mirror Force sends your attack right back at all of your monsters, destroying both Scorpio and Gemini.
"I still won't lose. So I'll play one card faced down and end my turn." Miran finished.
'Pull as much courage now as you want, Mirandragon. You can't escape your fear.' Yami Marik thought evilly.
The Duel appeared at a standstill after Kaiba pulled his Command Silencer. Slifer was still at an overwhelming 5000 attack points while Obelisk maintained its 4000. "I forgot to mention Yugi, my Command Silencer also gives me one card from my deck." Kaiba briefed as he drew a card out of his turn. "And don't forget, I have a card faced down."
'That has to be the Life Shaver trap card.' Yugi pointed out. Yami kept cool about it.
"I'll place two cards faced down and end my turn." Yami announced with his card set.
"What are you doing decreasing Slifer's attack to 3000?!" Kaiba shocked again.
"I'll tell you why, he snapped." Kathy answered.
"Kath's probably not kidding, the pressure's got to him!" Tristan agreed with Joey backing him up.
"Yugi, don't lose your grip, man!" Joey followed. Everyone but Ashley seemed to be on the cheer with Yugi. Ashley stood quietly with thoughts rolling. She lifted the Millennium Ring from her body and looked at the eye in the middle of the item.
Yami Bakura appeared in her senses. 'What's the matter, I thought you'd like to own a Millennium Item. Just look now you have two in one day.' He spoke up.
'Don't rub it in.' Ashley tried to shoo Yami Bakura away like a housefly. Didn't work. She turned around and was heading out of the tower. 'I'm having enough trouble with you pestering me. Why didn't you tell me about that?'
'Don't be naïve and stupid. Why would I tell you about Miranda's prize, I wanted to present it in the most inhumane way possible.' Yami Bakura snickered, 'So why not watch the Duel? We all know Miranda's going to be out for a while.'
'You just back off.' Ashley demanded.
'Can't take what Miranda's going through? You have much to learn about your cousin. Even if you have been with her for as long as you had, three years is quite a time to change.' Yami Bakura continued taunting as Ashley paced away from the top of the tower and took the elevator down.
Back on the platform, Kaiba made his draw to mark his turn but Yami quickly changed the move Kaiba had in his hand with one of his faced-down cards.
"I play Card Destruction, this removes the cards in our hands and draws a fresh hand." Yami declared.
"Like that'll help you, Slifer will still only have 3000 points of attack power." Kaiba remarked and resumed his turn but was stopped again.
"I now play Disgraceful Charity, this trap allows me to bring back the cards I just discarded to my hand, bringing my hand a total of six cards." Yami revealed his second card and the three cards he discarded were returned to his hand.
"And that jumps Slifer's attack to 6000!" Tea cheered on.
"Hm, impressive, but it's going to take more than that, Yugi." Kaiba continued his turn. "I now play the magic card, Thirst of Compensation, which allows me to summon two monsters to the field: Blade Knight and Sword of Soul."
Yami chuckled in Kaiba's negligence for his God Card's effect. "Kaiba, Slifer can destroy both of those monsters with ease because of his second ability. Slifer, attack!" Slifer opened its top set of jaws and began to charge up a massive bolt of lightning. The instant Yami gave the command, the God fired with full force.
"That's where your wrong, Yugi. Reveal face-down card: Card Guard. By discarding two cards, I protect both of my monsters from being destroyed." Kaiba countered. He unveiled a shield with four face-down cards. Though small, the shield was strong enough to hold out Slifer's attack. "Now as I was going to do, I'll sacrifice Blade Knight and Sword of Soul to Obelisk. This will increase his power enough to destroy Slifer and your Life Points!" Kaiba proclaimed as Obelisk absorbed both of Kaiba's monsters.
"I better get off before I'm dust!" Kathy cowered in several seconds before making a dash through the coliseum hologram and ducked under the platform.
"Obelisk, Soul Energy MAX!" Kaiba declared the attack. Yami quickly slipped a card into his Graveyard from his hand before the attack.
Raikoukou's master was still unconscious with little movement. Marik and Mai stood distant from each other and Kevin waited with silent agony on one of the chairs with the swordsman's blue coat thrown on the arm.
Through the time, Raikoukou refused to move from her beside as the physician was in with Mokuba. "Well, is anything wrong?" Mokuba asked the doctor after he tested the pulse.
"Her pulse is fine, and so is her breathing. But it's odd, despite she's in a comatose, her brainwaves are erratic." He replied, "If anything, she'll be just fine."
"But she's in the Final round, will she wake up by then?" Mai continued the questions.
"That's something I can't say. Only time will tell." He said and left the room. Marik looked up after undisturbed thought.
"She'll be up by then. He may not be able to say, but I will. That body snatcher won't be late for any appointments, no matter what situation he's in." Marik answered up. A brilliant flash lit the windows in the room, distracting everyone but Raikoukou.
"What is going on up there?" Kevin jumped.
"It's a Clash of Obelisk and Slifer." Ashley's voice entered the room. Her face was grim with depression and didn't even dare to look at her unconscious cousin. "Anything new?"
"Nothing," was Kevin's simple answer, giving Ashley a deep sigh.
"It's my fault." She said, startling everyone but the ignoring fox. "My Duel with Bakura's second spirit. That's how I got the Millennium Ring, but that's how Miranda wound up getting that third-eyed psycho back. Honestly, I didn't know if that was going to happen." She burst in volume. "If I would have known that, I would have declined or forfeit."
'What an act.' Yami Bakura commented to himself.
"Don't blame yourself if you didn't know." Marik tried to assure the Bowler.
"I just have to." Ashley fell to a whisper, "and Miranda will know it sooner or later, she'll never forgive me."
"I'll make sure she will when she wakes up." Marik replied and glanced over his friend's daughter. 'Kikaita, help her.'
"You're finished, Yugi!" Kaiba cheered for himself as Obelisk came in to the attack like an incoming meteor. The arena unveiled a blinding light of another assault.
"Yugi!" Joey cried in the flash. The light dimmed with smoke traveling off from Yami's side, hiding the result. The smoke was soon to fade, and Yami still stood with his 4000 Life Points intact.
"Hey, he's still in!" Serenity cried and gave everyone the news.
"How?! How can you still be standing?!" Kaiba objected severely.
"Before Obelisk attacked, I discarded my Kuriboh to protect my Life Points." Yami answered simply. 'Kuriboh, thank you.'
'I will not be foiled by some living fur ball!' Kaiba was bitter about it; his one-turn-victory turned out to a failure.
It was still Miran's turn, but I was already halfway into the Shadow Realm. Despite all odds, I hoped for better. This was the first time in a long while I had someone fight my battles for me on their will; if I mean by 'their will' I mean forced to deal with them and push me aside.
Though I figured I could handle Yami Marik again. It's like the only way to contain him was to infuse his soul with mine. All I could say, it worked a lot better than Odion trying to hold off Yami Marik when he was in Marik's body.
"I end my turn with a card faced down." Miran announced and a card appeared before.
"And here you end your ties with Miranda." Yami Marik stated and made his draw with another evil grin. "I'll sacrifice Drillago for a terrifying monster known as The Legendary Fiend." He declared as Drillago was replaced with a muscle-large, light blue, four-armed fiend with two of the hands replaced with smaller heads.
"Boy, I've seen scarier things in my Zodiac picture books when I was a little girl." I sarcastically muttered, but it looked like Miran was stiff in her feet, not a good sign. I began to sink again up to my waist. "Hey Miran, this guy is no Boogey Man!"
"You can't be serious, this guy's the Grim Reaper!" Miran cried back in a panic. It like the floor dropped below my feet as I sunk until I only had everything above my right shoulder visible. I could only use my right arm to stay afloat.
"Miranda's right, I've seen scarier things as well. I have more surprises for you, and you won't be around long enough to see them. Another one like that and I'll win the Duel for sure. As for now, I'll play Monster Reborn to bring back Drillago and end my turn." He finished with his sacrificed monster returning to the field
Miran continued to not believe him, but at least telepathy still worked as I heard her thoughts clearly as I slowly began to sink in. 'I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid. I...I am afraid.' I stopped sinking into the Shadow Realm as I still heard her. 'I am afraid, but that doesn't mean I can't fight back.'
"I activate the trap card, Thunder of Ruler. This card will prevent you from attacking me this turn. But I guess I only used it because I will have no use for further in this Duel." Yami Marik cocked.
Miran grew serious and made her draw. "I'm about to turn the tables. First I play my face-down card, Zodiac Reincarnation. It allows me to summon back Scorpio in attack mode, but I'm going to sacrifice it to summon Cancer of Tsunamis!" On the Zodiac Ring, the sign of Scorpio made a connection to the Cancer sign. Cancer shined blue with more intensity then Scorpio. Out of Cancer's sign, a giant blue crab took position in front of Miran.
"Cancer?" Yami Marik questioned.
"And by Zodiac Sacred Grounds, Cancer's attack power is increased to 2900." If you have anything planned I suggest doing it by your turn, otherwise it's game over." Miran made a smirk of her own. "I end my turn." Miran appeared to have a moment of bravery, I began to find it easier to hold myself up out of the Shadow Realm, at least up to my waist again, but my left arm was still under.
"So you've gained some power. However, so will I. My Legendary Fiend gain 700 attack points for each of my turns." Yami Marik stated as his monster's attack power climbed to 2200. "But aside from that, I believe I can make my attack. Dirllago, attack her Life Points directly!" Yami Marik commanded and again Drillago bypassed Miran's monsters to her and sent another attack over, dropping her Life Points to 4800 as well as send her to the ground.
I thought I was gong to go under completely after that attack. But the irony was Miran kept herself from her fear this time. "I, will not fail Miranda." Miran breathed her words as she recovered. "Blood is thicker than spirit right now. And as an ancestor I will defend her."
"Then make your move." Yami Marik taunted with the two monsters he had on the field.
"With pleasure." Miran drew her next card, free to attack this turn. "Cancer, destroy his Drillago! Tsunami Crash!" She instantly called attack. The crab threw both pincers to the air as the thunders of the ocean waves were growing louder. Out of nowhere, a sudden burst of water crashed on Yami Marik and Drillago, missing his fiend entirely. For the first time in this Duel, Yami Marik's Life Points were inflicted, down by 1300 points.
The tidal ceased and relieved Yami Marik from the surge. But he was short a monster while Cancer returned position on the field. I felt Miran's confidence returning when I was able to pull my left hand out.
'No, Miranda shouldn't be able to crawl out of the Shadow Realm. Mirandragon should be frozen with fear!' Yami Marik thought bitterly in disbelief to the turn-around of the Duel. 'Well, if they want to play it that way, I'll be sure to pin them both with the images of fear far beyond their nightmares.'
"What's the matter?" Miran questioned with the same teasing as Yami Marik earlier, "Can't take my pressure? I'll end my turn."
"You'll regret that." Yami Marik promised and made his draw, making an impression of his own victory. "Now, not only is my Legendary Fiend increased to 2900, but I'll also summon another powerful monster by using this card, Contract with the Dark Master." He briefed.
"That can't be good." I commented and began to sink sluggishly again. Miran was trying to hold on to her bravery as the Duel continued.
"I'll offer the Lava Golem in my hand to summon a fiend known only has Dark Master – Zorc." He continued as a stream of darkness shot like a geyser next to the Legendary Fiend. The geyser vanished and was replaced with a fiend that boasted about as much power as the Legendary Fiend.
"Now I'll give you the true experience first-hand of the Dark Master's intimidation." Yami Marik opened a palm as a die as big as a basketball floated near him. "Zorc's power of striking fear will be determined by one roll of this die. If it lands as a 1 or 2, I can destroy all monsters your side of the field. If it comes as a 3, 4, or 5, I can destroy one of your monsters. Either way my odds are pretty good, right?" Yami Marik asked rhetorically and burst into his insane laughter that seemed to echo in the realm.
"And what if you roll a six?" Miran kept her cool under the 1 in 6 chance to decide the Duel.
"Then all of my monsters are destroyed. But what's the likelihood of that happening?" Yami Marik answered, "Now let the die roll!" At that command, the die jumped from midair and began to roll in a dizzying topple. The heart-pulsed seconds ended the roll in a 4.
"Oh, not good." Miran's fear outweighed her emotional balance and I began to sink again.
"That's enough. Cancer is, how would Miranda say it, scared to death!" Yami Marik made the unnecessary pun as Cancer withdrew, leaving Miran wide open to finish her Life Points, or finish me. "Maybe you should take one last look at Miranda before I finish the both of you." Yami Marik pointed out as the Shadow Realm was up to my shoulders with only my right arm spared again.
Miran took her look and still had the fearful eyes, which was reminded of my predicament. I began to sink again as I struggled to at least keep my head up but to no avail. "Miranda..." Miran mumbled.
"Ha! Legendary Fiend, attack Mirandragon's Life Points directly!" Yami Marik commanded and his beast prepared to make the attack. Miran only looked back to Yami Marik to get slammed by Legendary Fiend's Dark Thunder attack, careening her Life Points to a small 1900.
I felt Miran's fear to lose and I suddenly lost sight of the Duel. Only my right hand remained in visual to them. I began to lose breath and practically suffocate in the fixated Shadow Realm. "Miranda!" I heard Miran but I could reply. I was on the brink of consciousness. My hand fell at the wrist and stayed still.
"Fufufu, looks like I won this Duel. You've failed the Test of Fear." Yami Marik boasted, "Now that our bargain proclaimed, you must remain inside the Millennium Sword while I have rites to Miranda's soul." Miran looked up and tried to look resentful, but ended up being a look of pure fear. "Now that's what I was looking for, but you can't just fake that sort of thing. Begone!" Miran responded quickly and vanished before him.
He then looked behind her last position. My hand twitched slightly, signaling I was still alive. Yami Marik grabbed my wrist and uprooted me like a garden vegetable to my waist. I gasped and fell forward, weak from the undergrounds of the Shadow Realm, and continued breathing laboriously. He let my hand fall to the ground as I helped myself from the pit. "Well, it's plain obvious who one that Duel."
"Yeah, even a bat could see." I still gasped for air like a fish out of water, but had the spunk to be witty about it.
"Now to defeat the Pharaoh." Yami Marik set his sights on his next objective already.
To be continued...
New cards played
Zodiac Sacred Grounds: Field Magic. All Zodiac Monsters have their ATK and DEF increased by 700 points.
Scorpio: Water/Aqua. Monster/Zodiac, 4/1800/1500. This effect can only be activated if "Zodiac Sacred Grounds" exists on the field. When this card attacks with an ATK higher than the DEF of your opponent's Defense Position Monster, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent's Life Points.
Gemini Warriors:
Zodiac Reincarnation: Trap. Special Summon one Zodiac Monster from your Graveyard, that monster cannot attack this turn.
Cancer of Tsunamis: Water/Aqua. Monster/Zodiac, 6/2200/1500. This monster can only be Special Summoned from your hand by offering "Scorpio" as a Tribute on your side of the field. When this monster attacks, you may pay 500 Life Points per card to destroy all of your opponent's faced-down cards (Monster, Spell, and Trap cards). This effect can only be activated if "Zodiac Sacred Grounds" exists on the field.
Both swordsman and assassin were ready to fight, and a Duel in soul was dangerous enough. "Might we take a different setting for our Duel?" Miran suggested, but confident to hide her fear.
"Nonsense, I'd like to see Miranda squirm in your defeat." Yami Marik replied, "You are so transparent, Mirandragon. There shouldn't be any reason for me to Duel you. I can sense your fear."
"I'm not afraid of you." Miran made a deadly leer and tapped her deck.
"Don't lie. You withdrew from Marik before the Finals began and left Miranda to take any hit he had. If you were afraid of him, then surely you'd be heart-struck with fear of me." He said with an evil grin smeared on his face. "You're nothing like Miranda or Kikaita. They stood against any challenge and Miranda could stand anyone, including me."
"Cut this monologue and let's Duel."
"As you wish, but there are going to be some twists in this one." Yami Marik proclaimed as the room darkened further until there was nothing.
I felt the chill and brought myself out of sleep. I got to my knees and saw the familiar dark, thick atmosphere of the Shadow Realm. I rolled my head back and sighed, "Great, he's back."
"Miranda." Miran caught my attention.
"Good you're awake." Yami Marik followed with his arms folded. I looked to his with a gloomily look.
"Something tells me I should be surprised to see you in my soul again, but I'm not." I said with the same impression.
"You should be, because it was your cousin that released me."
"Ashley? She released you? But how?" I asked accusingly.
Yami Marik still had his arms crossed, "I won't bore you with detail, my dear, but Ashley had a Duel with the Spirit of the Millennium Ring. He brought me back because we didn't want a deal go to waste." He then pointed to me sternly, "But you tried to break the deal. However, you will not meddle with our plans this time." He took attention off me for a second and glanced at Miran. She had her sword ready, but the trembling blade was hinted with nervousness.
"She...has nothing to do with this."
"Your fear is showing, Mirandragon." Yami Marik snickered.
"So, what if it is?" Miran asked. I noticed myself beginning to sink in height. I looked down and saw that I sunk in to ankle-deep of the Shadow Realm's ground.
"You're kidding..." I sighed and caught Miran's attention towards me.
"Miranda." She saw me slowing sinking and turned right around back to him, "What are you doing to her?!"
"It's not my doing. Our Duel will be the Test of Fear. Throughout our Duel, the Shadow Realm will forever be alert of your fear. Even just thinking about how horrifying I am will drag Miranda further into the Darkness." Yami Marik explained, which sent a twist into my own heart. "The Duel will be over when one of us drops to zero or when Miranda has been consumed completely in the Shadow Realm. In that case, I will win automatically." I stopped when I was consumed halfway up the shins. "Well, shall we get started? We haven't even begun and already the Shadow Realm is sensing your fear. Why don't you go first, it'd be a shame for Miranda to sink like a rock on the first turn."
"Fine by me." Miran sheathed her sword and made her draw as her Life Points jumped to 8000. She made a review of her hand, one that was quite unknown to her. I could barely see her hand, but one of the cards was recognizable, Zodiac Sacred Grounds.
'What? I thought I was playing Miranda's Dragon Deck.' Miran thought, 'But what can I do with Zodiac Sacred Grounds? It doesn't matter, I have to play with this deck.'
"What's the matter, displeased at your hand? Looks like it'll cost you." Yami Marik took another look at me. I began to sink again and stopped at the knees.
"I play Zodiac Sacred Grounds." Miran declared as the light ring circled around them at ground level. "I'm not sure what this can do, but at least it being my field magic card, I'll have the advantage."
'That's what you think. That's the same card Kikaita played in our Duel and she fared no better.' Yami Marik thought grimly. 'Though I'm impressed of her Sirius Wing Dragon and Hades Core Dragon, I doubt you even have those cards in your deck.'
"I also play Scorpio in attack mode!" Miran continued her turn. The ring spun around until the Scorpio symbol was near her. The symbol lit up in blue light and projected a monster resembling much of a giant scorpion.
"Smooth move, Scorpio's attack is raised to 2500 thanks to Zodiac Sacred Grounds." I informed.
"You stay out of this." Yami Marik demanded of me.
"That'll end my turn." Miran finished.
"About time." Yami Marik commented and drew his six cards. "I'll play Drillago in attack mode." He announced and the familiar drilling machine appeared. Drillago, attack her Life Points directly!" Yami Marik commanded as Drillago leaped over Scorpio.
"How can you do that?!" Miran demanded as Drillago dived for her.
"When you have monsters with over 1600 attack, Drillago can attack your Life Points directly." Yami Marik replied and Drillago hit head on, dropping Miran to 6400. "I would have struck you with more power, but why spoil both of your suffering. I'll also play Mage Power and a card faced down, which will increase Drillago's attack by 500 for every card I set down. That will end my turn." Yami Marik finished.
'No, I can't allow him to win.' Miran drew her next card, what resembled two powerful monsters of water. 'What is this? Pisces – Tri of Water Guardian?' Miran's mind raced. I sensed it as I began to sink in again and stopped at the hips. 'Miran can't be this afraid if she knew this guy before!' I sort of panicked as well and saw nearly half my body disappear.
'Mirandragon's courage is useless here. But that just brings up the question: How could this coward defeat the immortal demon Seideigo? And with one of the most powerful attacks known to the Zodiacs?' Yami Marik bothered himself. 'I'll get to those answers sooner or later. Right now I have a soul to claim.' Yami Marik came from his thoughts, "Well, what are you going to do? The more you stall, the more Miranda fades into the Shadow Realm." There was no kidding on that remark.
"I'll play the Gemini Warriors in attack mode." Miran announced her next monster as two male warriors took their stand over the Gemini sign. "And according to this monster, I can destroy one of your magic or trap cards."
"I know what the Gemini Warriors can do. Kikaita used that same card in my last Duel." Yami Marik provoked thought and memory. "Kikaita took the same challenge to save Miranda and she failed miserably. You're playing her deck, and you'll fall just the same."
"He's right, my mom also tried to save me, and she lost." I admitted behind Miran while looking at my legs already eaten away by the Shadow Realm. Miran's fear turned to sympathy quickly, enough to spare most of me.
"Gemini Warriors, destroy his Mage Power!" Miran commanded, the warrior with the chained blade-boomerang jumped and chucked his weapon. It stuck fast to Yami Marik's card and when he jerked it away, the card shattered.
"Not bad." Yami Marik mumbled.
"Scorpio, attack Drillago with Guillotine Crusher!" Miran declared. The giant scorpion swung both claws out and was ready to drive them into the machine.
"Really, you should have destroyed my trap card instead. I play Mirror Force!" Yami Marik countered as a reflective surface protected him and his drilling monster. "Mirror Force sends your attack right back at all of your monsters, destroying both Scorpio and Gemini.
"I still won't lose. So I'll play one card faced down and end my turn." Miran finished.
'Pull as much courage now as you want, Mirandragon. You can't escape your fear.' Yami Marik thought evilly.
The Duel appeared at a standstill after Kaiba pulled his Command Silencer. Slifer was still at an overwhelming 5000 attack points while Obelisk maintained its 4000. "I forgot to mention Yugi, my Command Silencer also gives me one card from my deck." Kaiba briefed as he drew a card out of his turn. "And don't forget, I have a card faced down."
'That has to be the Life Shaver trap card.' Yugi pointed out. Yami kept cool about it.
"I'll place two cards faced down and end my turn." Yami announced with his card set.
"What are you doing decreasing Slifer's attack to 3000?!" Kaiba shocked again.
"I'll tell you why, he snapped." Kathy answered.
"Kath's probably not kidding, the pressure's got to him!" Tristan agreed with Joey backing him up.
"Yugi, don't lose your grip, man!" Joey followed. Everyone but Ashley seemed to be on the cheer with Yugi. Ashley stood quietly with thoughts rolling. She lifted the Millennium Ring from her body and looked at the eye in the middle of the item.
Yami Bakura appeared in her senses. 'What's the matter, I thought you'd like to own a Millennium Item. Just look now you have two in one day.' He spoke up.
'Don't rub it in.' Ashley tried to shoo Yami Bakura away like a housefly. Didn't work. She turned around and was heading out of the tower. 'I'm having enough trouble with you pestering me. Why didn't you tell me about that?'
'Don't be naïve and stupid. Why would I tell you about Miranda's prize, I wanted to present it in the most inhumane way possible.' Yami Bakura snickered, 'So why not watch the Duel? We all know Miranda's going to be out for a while.'
'You just back off.' Ashley demanded.
'Can't take what Miranda's going through? You have much to learn about your cousin. Even if you have been with her for as long as you had, three years is quite a time to change.' Yami Bakura continued taunting as Ashley paced away from the top of the tower and took the elevator down.
Back on the platform, Kaiba made his draw to mark his turn but Yami quickly changed the move Kaiba had in his hand with one of his faced-down cards.
"I play Card Destruction, this removes the cards in our hands and draws a fresh hand." Yami declared.
"Like that'll help you, Slifer will still only have 3000 points of attack power." Kaiba remarked and resumed his turn but was stopped again.
"I now play Disgraceful Charity, this trap allows me to bring back the cards I just discarded to my hand, bringing my hand a total of six cards." Yami revealed his second card and the three cards he discarded were returned to his hand.
"And that jumps Slifer's attack to 6000!" Tea cheered on.
"Hm, impressive, but it's going to take more than that, Yugi." Kaiba continued his turn. "I now play the magic card, Thirst of Compensation, which allows me to summon two monsters to the field: Blade Knight and Sword of Soul."
Yami chuckled in Kaiba's negligence for his God Card's effect. "Kaiba, Slifer can destroy both of those monsters with ease because of his second ability. Slifer, attack!" Slifer opened its top set of jaws and began to charge up a massive bolt of lightning. The instant Yami gave the command, the God fired with full force.
"That's where your wrong, Yugi. Reveal face-down card: Card Guard. By discarding two cards, I protect both of my monsters from being destroyed." Kaiba countered. He unveiled a shield with four face-down cards. Though small, the shield was strong enough to hold out Slifer's attack. "Now as I was going to do, I'll sacrifice Blade Knight and Sword of Soul to Obelisk. This will increase his power enough to destroy Slifer and your Life Points!" Kaiba proclaimed as Obelisk absorbed both of Kaiba's monsters.
"I better get off before I'm dust!" Kathy cowered in several seconds before making a dash through the coliseum hologram and ducked under the platform.
"Obelisk, Soul Energy MAX!" Kaiba declared the attack. Yami quickly slipped a card into his Graveyard from his hand before the attack.
Raikoukou's master was still unconscious with little movement. Marik and Mai stood distant from each other and Kevin waited with silent agony on one of the chairs with the swordsman's blue coat thrown on the arm.
Through the time, Raikoukou refused to move from her beside as the physician was in with Mokuba. "Well, is anything wrong?" Mokuba asked the doctor after he tested the pulse.
"Her pulse is fine, and so is her breathing. But it's odd, despite she's in a comatose, her brainwaves are erratic." He replied, "If anything, she'll be just fine."
"But she's in the Final round, will she wake up by then?" Mai continued the questions.
"That's something I can't say. Only time will tell." He said and left the room. Marik looked up after undisturbed thought.
"She'll be up by then. He may not be able to say, but I will. That body snatcher won't be late for any appointments, no matter what situation he's in." Marik answered up. A brilliant flash lit the windows in the room, distracting everyone but Raikoukou.
"What is going on up there?" Kevin jumped.
"It's a Clash of Obelisk and Slifer." Ashley's voice entered the room. Her face was grim with depression and didn't even dare to look at her unconscious cousin. "Anything new?"
"Nothing," was Kevin's simple answer, giving Ashley a deep sigh.
"It's my fault." She said, startling everyone but the ignoring fox. "My Duel with Bakura's second spirit. That's how I got the Millennium Ring, but that's how Miranda wound up getting that third-eyed psycho back. Honestly, I didn't know if that was going to happen." She burst in volume. "If I would have known that, I would have declined or forfeit."
'What an act.' Yami Bakura commented to himself.
"Don't blame yourself if you didn't know." Marik tried to assure the Bowler.
"I just have to." Ashley fell to a whisper, "and Miranda will know it sooner or later, she'll never forgive me."
"I'll make sure she will when she wakes up." Marik replied and glanced over his friend's daughter. 'Kikaita, help her.'
"You're finished, Yugi!" Kaiba cheered for himself as Obelisk came in to the attack like an incoming meteor. The arena unveiled a blinding light of another assault.
"Yugi!" Joey cried in the flash. The light dimmed with smoke traveling off from Yami's side, hiding the result. The smoke was soon to fade, and Yami still stood with his 4000 Life Points intact.
"Hey, he's still in!" Serenity cried and gave everyone the news.
"How?! How can you still be standing?!" Kaiba objected severely.
"Before Obelisk attacked, I discarded my Kuriboh to protect my Life Points." Yami answered simply. 'Kuriboh, thank you.'
'I will not be foiled by some living fur ball!' Kaiba was bitter about it; his one-turn-victory turned out to a failure.
It was still Miran's turn, but I was already halfway into the Shadow Realm. Despite all odds, I hoped for better. This was the first time in a long while I had someone fight my battles for me on their will; if I mean by 'their will' I mean forced to deal with them and push me aside.
Though I figured I could handle Yami Marik again. It's like the only way to contain him was to infuse his soul with mine. All I could say, it worked a lot better than Odion trying to hold off Yami Marik when he was in Marik's body.
"I end my turn with a card faced down." Miran announced and a card appeared before.
"And here you end your ties with Miranda." Yami Marik stated and made his draw with another evil grin. "I'll sacrifice Drillago for a terrifying monster known as The Legendary Fiend." He declared as Drillago was replaced with a muscle-large, light blue, four-armed fiend with two of the hands replaced with smaller heads.
"Boy, I've seen scarier things in my Zodiac picture books when I was a little girl." I sarcastically muttered, but it looked like Miran was stiff in her feet, not a good sign. I began to sink again up to my waist. "Hey Miran, this guy is no Boogey Man!"
"You can't be serious, this guy's the Grim Reaper!" Miran cried back in a panic. It like the floor dropped below my feet as I sunk until I only had everything above my right shoulder visible. I could only use my right arm to stay afloat.
"Miranda's right, I've seen scarier things as well. I have more surprises for you, and you won't be around long enough to see them. Another one like that and I'll win the Duel for sure. As for now, I'll play Monster Reborn to bring back Drillago and end my turn." He finished with his sacrificed monster returning to the field
Miran continued to not believe him, but at least telepathy still worked as I heard her thoughts clearly as I slowly began to sink in. 'I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid. I...I am afraid.' I stopped sinking into the Shadow Realm as I still heard her. 'I am afraid, but that doesn't mean I can't fight back.'
"I activate the trap card, Thunder of Ruler. This card will prevent you from attacking me this turn. But I guess I only used it because I will have no use for further in this Duel." Yami Marik cocked.
Miran grew serious and made her draw. "I'm about to turn the tables. First I play my face-down card, Zodiac Reincarnation. It allows me to summon back Scorpio in attack mode, but I'm going to sacrifice it to summon Cancer of Tsunamis!" On the Zodiac Ring, the sign of Scorpio made a connection to the Cancer sign. Cancer shined blue with more intensity then Scorpio. Out of Cancer's sign, a giant blue crab took position in front of Miran.
"Cancer?" Yami Marik questioned.
"And by Zodiac Sacred Grounds, Cancer's attack power is increased to 2900." If you have anything planned I suggest doing it by your turn, otherwise it's game over." Miran made a smirk of her own. "I end my turn." Miran appeared to have a moment of bravery, I began to find it easier to hold myself up out of the Shadow Realm, at least up to my waist again, but my left arm was still under.
"So you've gained some power. However, so will I. My Legendary Fiend gain 700 attack points for each of my turns." Yami Marik stated as his monster's attack power climbed to 2200. "But aside from that, I believe I can make my attack. Dirllago, attack her Life Points directly!" Yami Marik commanded and again Drillago bypassed Miran's monsters to her and sent another attack over, dropping her Life Points to 4800 as well as send her to the ground.
I thought I was gong to go under completely after that attack. But the irony was Miran kept herself from her fear this time. "I, will not fail Miranda." Miran breathed her words as she recovered. "Blood is thicker than spirit right now. And as an ancestor I will defend her."
"Then make your move." Yami Marik taunted with the two monsters he had on the field.
"With pleasure." Miran drew her next card, free to attack this turn. "Cancer, destroy his Drillago! Tsunami Crash!" She instantly called attack. The crab threw both pincers to the air as the thunders of the ocean waves were growing louder. Out of nowhere, a sudden burst of water crashed on Yami Marik and Drillago, missing his fiend entirely. For the first time in this Duel, Yami Marik's Life Points were inflicted, down by 1300 points.
The tidal ceased and relieved Yami Marik from the surge. But he was short a monster while Cancer returned position on the field. I felt Miran's confidence returning when I was able to pull my left hand out.
'No, Miranda shouldn't be able to crawl out of the Shadow Realm. Mirandragon should be frozen with fear!' Yami Marik thought bitterly in disbelief to the turn-around of the Duel. 'Well, if they want to play it that way, I'll be sure to pin them both with the images of fear far beyond their nightmares.'
"What's the matter?" Miran questioned with the same teasing as Yami Marik earlier, "Can't take my pressure? I'll end my turn."
"You'll regret that." Yami Marik promised and made his draw, making an impression of his own victory. "Now, not only is my Legendary Fiend increased to 2900, but I'll also summon another powerful monster by using this card, Contract with the Dark Master." He briefed.
"That can't be good." I commented and began to sink sluggishly again. Miran was trying to hold on to her bravery as the Duel continued.
"I'll offer the Lava Golem in my hand to summon a fiend known only has Dark Master – Zorc." He continued as a stream of darkness shot like a geyser next to the Legendary Fiend. The geyser vanished and was replaced with a fiend that boasted about as much power as the Legendary Fiend.
"Now I'll give you the true experience first-hand of the Dark Master's intimidation." Yami Marik opened a palm as a die as big as a basketball floated near him. "Zorc's power of striking fear will be determined by one roll of this die. If it lands as a 1 or 2, I can destroy all monsters your side of the field. If it comes as a 3, 4, or 5, I can destroy one of your monsters. Either way my odds are pretty good, right?" Yami Marik asked rhetorically and burst into his insane laughter that seemed to echo in the realm.
"And what if you roll a six?" Miran kept her cool under the 1 in 6 chance to decide the Duel.
"Then all of my monsters are destroyed. But what's the likelihood of that happening?" Yami Marik answered, "Now let the die roll!" At that command, the die jumped from midair and began to roll in a dizzying topple. The heart-pulsed seconds ended the roll in a 4.
"Oh, not good." Miran's fear outweighed her emotional balance and I began to sink again.
"That's enough. Cancer is, how would Miranda say it, scared to death!" Yami Marik made the unnecessary pun as Cancer withdrew, leaving Miran wide open to finish her Life Points, or finish me. "Maybe you should take one last look at Miranda before I finish the both of you." Yami Marik pointed out as the Shadow Realm was up to my shoulders with only my right arm spared again.
Miran took her look and still had the fearful eyes, which was reminded of my predicament. I began to sink again as I struggled to at least keep my head up but to no avail. "Miranda..." Miran mumbled.
"Ha! Legendary Fiend, attack Mirandragon's Life Points directly!" Yami Marik commanded and his beast prepared to make the attack. Miran only looked back to Yami Marik to get slammed by Legendary Fiend's Dark Thunder attack, careening her Life Points to a small 1900.
I felt Miran's fear to lose and I suddenly lost sight of the Duel. Only my right hand remained in visual to them. I began to lose breath and practically suffocate in the fixated Shadow Realm. "Miranda!" I heard Miran but I could reply. I was on the brink of consciousness. My hand fell at the wrist and stayed still.
"Fufufu, looks like I won this Duel. You've failed the Test of Fear." Yami Marik boasted, "Now that our bargain proclaimed, you must remain inside the Millennium Sword while I have rites to Miranda's soul." Miran looked up and tried to look resentful, but ended up being a look of pure fear. "Now that's what I was looking for, but you can't just fake that sort of thing. Begone!" Miran responded quickly and vanished before him.
He then looked behind her last position. My hand twitched slightly, signaling I was still alive. Yami Marik grabbed my wrist and uprooted me like a garden vegetable to my waist. I gasped and fell forward, weak from the undergrounds of the Shadow Realm, and continued breathing laboriously. He let my hand fall to the ground as I helped myself from the pit. "Well, it's plain obvious who one that Duel."
"Yeah, even a bat could see." I still gasped for air like a fish out of water, but had the spunk to be witty about it.
"Now to defeat the Pharaoh." Yami Marik set his sights on his next objective already.
To be continued...
New cards played
Zodiac Sacred Grounds: Field Magic. All Zodiac Monsters have their ATK and DEF increased by 700 points.
Scorpio: Water/Aqua. Monster/Zodiac, 4/1800/1500. This effect can only be activated if "Zodiac Sacred Grounds" exists on the field. When this card attacks with an ATK higher than the DEF of your opponent's Defense Position Monster, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent's Life Points.
Gemini Warriors:
Zodiac Reincarnation: Trap. Special Summon one Zodiac Monster from your Graveyard, that monster cannot attack this turn.
Cancer of Tsunamis: Water/Aqua. Monster/Zodiac, 6/2200/1500. This monster can only be Special Summoned from your hand by offering "Scorpio" as a Tribute on your side of the field. When this monster attacks, you may pay 500 Life Points per card to destroy all of your opponent's faced-down cards (Monster, Spell, and Trap cards). This effect can only be activated if "Zodiac Sacred Grounds" exists on the field.