Rise of Destiny

Chapter 18

Jounouchi VS Auros: Revenge

Jounouchi Katsuya threw open the doors to the final tower; Auros's tower. Inside this tower was his next Destined Duel...

"Where's Auros!" Jounouchi asked as the doors flew open. Jounouchi stared at the hundreds of cloaked guards lined around the wall of the circular lobby. The flames on the Sword of Dark Anger burned brighter then ever before.

The cloaked guards looked surprised. "Who the hell d'you---" One of the guards, a tall, fat one, started to say when a dazed look came over his eyes. "Go right ahead. Master Auros is waiting." The guard said in a British-accented voice.

Auros chuckled. He always loved that trick; hypnotizing weak-minded fools. Now, Jounouchi would play right into his hands.

Jounouchi walked past the guards to the doorway leading to the next room. Two guards blocked his way.

"Let's have some fun with this one, eh?" A tall, thin one said.

"I like the way you think." A short, stout one replied.

Jounouchi closed his eyes and scoffed, then with one swipe of his sword, both of the guards were lying in a pool of blood on the ground, losing consciousness fast.

Jounouchi stepped on them as he walked by, staining his shoes with blood. He walked through the door...

Kaiba and Mokuba exited the elevator, only to find Atem and Anzu waiting.

"Kaiba." Atem said solemnly. "Jounouchi has been taken by darkness. He is possessed by rage. We must stop him before he is in danger."

"Feh," Kaiba said nonchalantly. "I've got my little brother back, and that's all that I care about. I'm going home, Pharoah. See you around."

"Kaiba!" Atem shouted. "You've come so far! How can you possibly desert us now?"

"I can do whatever I please." Kaiba said shortly as he walked away. Mokuba looked remorseful, but he too turned and left.

"Kaiba!" Atem shouted. He started to move, when Anzu grabbed his shoulder.

"No, Pharoah." She said calmly. "They're not worth it. Let's find Jounouchi and Honda, fast."

"You're right."

Jounouchi entered the next room. He found a large room that looked like a church. Benches were lined up around the room. At the far end of the room, a large cross was tacked to the wall. A platform decorated with religious symbols was in the center of the floor. Suddenly, the a door opened from nowhere, and a tall man with long dark hair wearing a blue trench coat walked out.

"Auros!" Jounouchi shouted angrily. "I'm gonna pay you back for what you did to my sister!"

"Katsuya!" Shizuka shouted. "I'm right here! Can't you see me?"

"Nobody can see you now, little girl." Auros said telepathically to Shizuka. "You are dead to Jounouchi, and because of the effects of my Spell, you remain hidden as if you were never there. Scream all you like; it'll do no good."

"No! That can't be! Katsuya! Please hear me!" Shizuka shouted.

"Jounouchi," Auros said. "Let's battle. Let's battle right here on my grand field! I challenge you to a Duel!"

"Fine, then." Jounouchi replied. "Let's go. After I beat you I'll drive my sword through your heart. I want to see you bleed!"

"Open Soul Cards!" Auros shouted. Three cards appeared behind him. Jounouchi did the same, and Flame Swordsman and Red Eyes Black Dragon appeared behind the angry duellist.

DUEL START

Jounouchi: I activate the Spell card Scapegoat and summon my Panther Warrior!

Four small, furry goats appear on the field. Then, a tall animal resembling a giant panther with a sword appears on the field.

Jounouchi: I end my turn for now.

Auros: Let me tell you a story, Jounouchi. In the early 1330s, there was a deadly plague that killed many people. It was known as the Black Death Plague, and it was one of the most disastrous recorded disease strikes in history. Now, I have captured the effect of Black Death into a card. I play the Spell card Black Death Plague!

Black dust showers the field, and Panther Warrior clutches it's throat and shatters into pieces.

Jounouchi: No! What happened?

Auros: Laughs This is my Virus deck. The effect of Black Death Plague destroys every monster on the field with over 1500 ATK points. That means over half of your deck is useless!

Jounouchi: That means I can only play weaker monsters. This duel is gonna be tough!

Auros: I'll end my turn by setting a monster in DEF mode.

Jounouchi: Draws. I summon Axe Raider(1700/1150)!

Black dust rains down from the sky, and Axe Raider is destroyed immediately.

Jounouchi: Damn...I can't think straight...I'm too angry to make any good moves...gotta...clear...my...head! I end my turn.

Auros: Draws Now, I'll play another Virus card! Dark Snake Syndrome! It's a card that engraves a deadly black snake onto both of our bodies. Each turn, we will lose Life Points until we both die in a matter of turns.

Black snake tatoos writhe up Jounouchi's body, and burn into his skin. The same thing happens to Auros. Jounouchi screams as the tatoo glows red and his Life Points drop.

Jounouchi/3800 Auros/3800

Auros: Laughs Each turn, the damage the Snake Tatoos do to our Life Points will double until we die. But I have protection ready! Activate Trap card Super Virus Protection Serum!

A Trap card appears on the field. It's picture shows a gleaming needle radiating with power. It's filled with black liquid.

Auros: It negates the effect of the Snake tatoo for me. However, you will die painfully by my virus, Jounouchi. The Dark Snake Syndrome has sealed your fate!

Shizuka: Katsuya! Don't die!

The black snake tatoo burns, and Jounouchi's Life Points drop.

Jounouchi/3400 Auros/3800

Jounouchi: Now...I summon Wyvern Warrior(1500/1200), and equip him with Furious Attacker!

A green, lizardlike being holding a sword appeared on the field. A Spell card bearing a picture of a barbarian attacking a dragon appears on the field.

Jounouchi: Furious Attacker allows my Wyvern Warrior to attack twice this turn! Meaning that you lose your monster and also 1500 of your Life Points! Attack him, Wyvern!

Wyvern Warrior slashes his sword, bringing it down on Auros's face down card. It flips up...

Auros: You flipped my face-down card, Plague Bringer!

An Effect Monster card flips up. It's picture shows a disease-ridden corpse holding his hands out to you.

Auros: Plague Bringer allows me to put it in your deck face up. When you draw it, your monster's ATK points will go down to 0 for one turn. So take this card, Jounouchi.

Jounouchi, scowling, takes the card and shuffles it into his deck.

Jounouchi: Now, Wyvern Warrior, attack his Life Points!

Wyvern Warrior starts to attack again when it is immediately shattered into pieces.

Auros: Laughs I activate Mirror Force! Destroying your monster immediately. I think I'll just set two more cards face down and end my turn.

Jounouchi: Damn you...

Auros: You're not playing very strategically. You attacked right into my trap. Are you sure you want to continue duelling as you are now?

Jounouchi: Shut the hell up. It's my move. I draw!

He draws, and the black snake tatoo burns. Jounouchi's Life Points drop again.

Jounouchi/2600 Auros/3800

Jounouchi First, I play Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Black Death Plague! And I'll activate Monster Reborn to bring back Panther Warrior!

Panther Warrior appears on the field again, brandishing it's sword and growling fiercely.

Jounouchi: Next, I'll activate Stray Lambs, giving me two tokens automatically.

Two furry goat tokens appear on the field.

Jounouchi: And I sacrafice them to bring out Red Eyes Black Dragon(2400/2000)!

Both tokens disappear, and in their place a huge black dragon with blazing red eyes appears.

Jounouchi: Red Eyes, attack his Life Points directly! Dark Mega Flare!

Red Eyes fires a fireball out of it's mouth. Two cylinders appear on Auros's field, absorb the attack, and fire it right back at Jounouchi. He screams in pain as the attack sends him flying across the room.

Jounouchi/200 Auros/3800

Jounouchi: What? What happened?

Auros: I activated my Magical Cylinder trap card and redirected the attack to your Life Points. For fun, I think I'll play Dust Tornado on my own Dark Snake Syndrome card. I'll set one more card face down and end my turn.

A tornado appears and sweeps away the Dark Snake Syndrome card. The black snake tatoo disappears on Jounouchi's body.

Jounouchi: Now, Red Eyes, attack him again! Dark Mega Flare!

Red Eyes rears up for another attack, when it shatters immediately.

Jounouchi: Grrrr...what now?

Auros: I activate Soul Overdrive!

A Spell card appears on the field. It's picture shows a man standing in front of a giant blue ball of light. He's clutching his head and screaming in pain.

Auros: There is only one copy of this extremely rare card in the world. And I have it. It destroys all cards on the field and in both players' decks and hands. And the winner of the duel is determined by whoever's soul is stronger.

Jounouchi: That's a cheap way to win!

Auros: Don't worry, Jounouchi, you'll be able to see Shizuka again after I win this duel. Laughs

Jounouchi: Shut the hell up! I'm not gonna let you beat me! I'll avenge my sister! Aaagh!

The flames on the Sword of Dark Anger flames out in every direction, and burns as bright as the sun.

Auros: Soul Overdrive! Judge the duel now!

The whole field disappears, leaving only Auros and Jounouchi standing in the middle of a bright white surrounding. Auros closes his eyes and waits. Suddenly, Jounouchi falls to his knees. The white surrounding shatters for Jounouchi, leaving only pitch darkness. The flames of the Sword is the only thing letting Jounouchi see. He suddenly notices his Soul Cards behind him. Flame Swordsman shatters, and Jounouchi screams in pain. Suddenly, the room shifts back to the church.

DUEL END

Jounouchi's Red Eyes disappears too, and he falls to his hands and knees. Auros laughs, a deep belly laugh that only a true evildoer could muster.

"Jounouchi," Auros said. "It's time to reveal the truth."

Jounouchi watched in awe and horror as Shizuka appeared, tightly bound to the cross at the far end of the room, behind Auros. The last piece of the puzzle fell into place.

"Oh, Katsuya!" Shizuka said quietly. "I tried as hard as I could to warn you..."

Auros! Jounouchi thought. He must've used some kind of mind trick to get me to think she wasn't here. And she watched me lose! She watched me die!

"Katsuya!" Shizuka shouted, tears streaming down her face. "Brother!"

"Shizuka...I'm sorry...I'm so, so, sorry..." Jounouchi muttered, the darkness leaving his eyes. A single tear dropped from his eye as he fell to the floor. His soul was gone, now. The Sword of Dark Anger's flames went out.

"Katsuya!" Shizuka screamed again. Her face was red from crying. Auros closed his eyes.

"I pay my last respects. Amen." He said solemnly as he walked out of the room.

Atem and Anzu stood in front of the door to the last tower.

"Let's go in." Atem said, his face determined. Anzu nodded. She took his arm, and they walked in...

To Be Continued

NEXT: Illusion of Avarice