Chapter 33: Struggle

Glaca laughed as Freezing Beast curled into a ball. It rolled at the set monster, which was revealed as a Cat of Ill Omen. The Black Cat was destroyed.

"Now that you are unprotected, Mobius, attack her!"

Mobius punched her with his massive right fist, throwing Migome against the Seal.

"Migome!" Bann yelled as he pounded on the Seal. "Get up! You have to win."

Overhead, Timaeus, Critias, and Hermos continued to fly above, launching their attacks on the Seal.

'Pesky dragons. They don't let up. There is no way I can take those things. But maybe…' "On no!"

"Good," Bann said as he looked up. A huge crack had just appeared in the Seal, following Timaeus' last attack. "Soon the Seal will break."

'But this can't be. The Seal is supposed to be unbreakable. What the hell are they? I better finish this duel fast.' "Wake up little girl."

"Uhhhh… I… I win?"

"Far from, my dear. In fact, next turn, you'll lose."

Migome slowly got to her feet. She now remembered where she was. Bann stood behind her, still pounding on the Seal.

"Oh yeah, that's right. It's my turn. I activate Kitty Cat Calling, allowing me to Special Summon a kitty that was destroyed earlier. So come back to me, Rescue Cat. Next, I can activate her special ability again, allowing me to summon the All-Seeing White Tiger and Shield Lion, and thanks to my Kitty Cat Calling still being in effect, I can summon another cat monster since my Rescue Cat is gone, so I summon the Cat of Ill Omen. Now, with three cats on the field, I can activate my War Lion Ritual, sacrificing all three to summon Super War Lion."

The three cats fused together into a spirit that formed into a beastly lion. The Super War Lion letting out a tremendous roar.

"Now, to finish my turn, I'm going to set the Trap my Cat of Ill Omen just gave me along with another trap."

"Foolish girl. Your Super War Lion isn't strong enough to beat me. Plus, by saying that you have laid that trap, you have sealed your fate. I activate Trap Glacier, freezing the play of all traps during this turn. Now Mobius, attack Super War Lion and end this duel!"

"That's what you think. I activate Wild Plan!"

"I sealed your trap play."

"Yes, but Wild Plan isn't a trap, it's a spell. Now, by sacrificing the trap that Cat of Ill Omen gave me, I can activate it's effect, allowing me to activate any one Spell that I've used previously in the duel, but that's not all. I also activate Serial Spell, allowing me to use the Spell twice, so say hello to a double dosage of Wild Nature's Release!"

A huge aura surrounded Super War Lion as he tripled in size. His muscles bulged and he unleashed a terrifying roar that stopped Mobius in his tracks. He then grabbed Mobius with both arms, tearing him in half like a rag doll. The huge recoil of the attack dropped the last amount of life that Glaca had to nothing. Timaeus, Critias and Hermos shot the Seal, which shattered. Both women flew out of the Seal as it vanished.

"I… I'm okay. But I lost. My soul should be gone."

"I guess we saved you, Glaca. Consider it a good deed."

"But… I can't go back now. I lost, which means my soul should be taken."

She lifted the green gem into the air.

"What are you doing!"

Zakei ran to stop her, but it was too late. A green light fell from the sky and struck her. The stone in her hand shattered as she fell to her knees and collapsed.

Bann just stared, shocked that she would readily give up her soul.

"Glac… Glaca? You… you drove her to madness!"

"Huh?"

The Bashers turned to see a fiery haired Reckah standing on the cliffs above.

"You will pay. You will suffer and pay!"

He jumped off the cliff and threw the stone into the ground. It began to pulsate.

"And I think I'm going to start with you, little girl."

"Migome, look out!" Bann yelled as he pushed her out of the way. The Seal appeared on the ground, trapping Bann and the mysterious man inside.

"Well, not who I was hoping for, but I'll duel her in time, once I take your soul."

"I'm sorry, but that's not going to happen."

"I'll make sure it happens. Prepare to feel that wrath of a thousand fires, as they slowly burn away your life, turning your body into nothing but ash."

"Only if you can keep with me. I summon Dark Blade. Then I cast two Spells. Your turn, Reckah."

"That's Blaze, and I'm more than ready to go. I'll start with Hinotama."

He snapped both of his fingers, igniting two fireballs in his hands. He then proceeded to hurl them at Bann.

"I am the master of fire, Meteor of Destruction."

He then lifted both hands into the air, creating a humungous fireball in his hands, which he flung at Bann, who took the hit.

"Now, to finish this, I summon Darkfire Soldier #2. Attack his Dark Blade."

The fiery samurai attacked Dark Blade. The Seal enhanced his powers.

"Activate Draining Shield!"

Dark Blade defended, converting the force of Darkfire's attack straight into Bann's own life force.

"I'll cast a Spell. Go."

"I sacrifice Dark Blade to summon Kiryu. Then I activate Knight's Rebirth to bring Dark Blade back. Now, combine!"

Dark Blade jumped onto the red dragon's back, enhancing his own power as he took to the skies.

"Dark Blade, attack!"

Dark Blade and Kiryu destroyed Darkfire Soldier.

"I cast my own Spell. Your turn."

"I summon Flame Slayer. Now, I attack your Unified Monsters. Slayer Shot!"

The warrior let out a burst of flames, incinerating Kiryu. He then jumped into the air, unsheathing his sword, and struck the falling Dark Blade.

"Your monster won't be around too long. I activate the Warrior Returning Alive and Polymerization, fusing Dark Blade and Pitch-Dark Dragon, summoning Dark Blade the Dragon Knight! Now, attack his Flame Slayer!"

Dark Blade swooped down again, cutting the slayer in half and enacting his revenge.

"So much for him. Now, I activate Dark Blade's effect, allowing me to remove every monster I've destroyed so far from play."

"I'll counter that with Big Burn!"

Flames surrounded both duelists, destroying the souls of every monster that was destroyed so far.

"I'll end this turn by summoning my Round Knight Percivale. By giving up the power to attack this turn, I can summon him without a tribute."

"I summon Blue Flame Swordsman." 'Since his attack is equal to Percivale's from the Seal, I will instead choose to…' "Attack Dark Blade!"

The Swordsman leapt into the air, chopping off Pitch-Dark Dragon's head. The entire body ignited in deep blue flames. Dark Blade, with nowhere to go, was engulfed in the flames, dying from the burn before he hit the ground.

"I activate Soul Rope. By giving up some of my life, I can Special Summon a new monster to the field. Go, Gold Knight!"

The Golden Knight hit the field.

'Nice to see you again, old friend, and I have a few new tricks to show with you.' "I activate White Winged Dragon."

A bluish dragon with golden eyes flew onto the field. Gold Knight jumped into the air and landed on the dragon's back.

"Now, I equip my newly formed Paladin of White Dragon with Ritual Weapon."

A crossbow-like weapon appeared on the Paladin's left arm.

"Now, Paladin, attack Blue Flame Swordsman with your Aero Shot!"

Paladin shot an arrow of light from the crossbow, aimed at Blue Flame Swordsman. It struck its target, destroying the blue warrior.

"Now, I'll atta…" but Bann stopped.

From the center of the field, a tower of red flames exploded. The original Flame Swordsman appeared.

"I pay some of my life to summon Round Knight Lamorak and end my turn."

"Good, because this is the real end for you. I activate Tremendous Fire!"

A huge fiery explosion filled the Seal. When the smoke cleared, both were in pain from deep burns, but Bann continued to burn after Blaze used Final Flame.

"Feeling it yet? Feel the burn? Good, because it doesn't stop there. I Special Summon Spirit of the Flames by removing Blue Flame Swordsman from play. Then, I sacrifice my two Fire Monsters to summon Infernal Flame Emperor."

A gigantic beast made of fire appeared behind Blaze. He looked upon Paladin's arm, which immediately ignited, destroying the Ritual Weapon and leaving a bad burn scar. He then attacked the Paladin of White Dragon, inflicting a large amount of damage to Bann, who was already writhing in agony.

"My… turn… I sacrifice King and Queen's Knights to Summon Round Knight Galahad. Then I activate Bond of Brothers to summon Round Knight Gareth and Round Knight Launcelot."

Another three Round Knights took the field.

"Now that I have all five of my Round Knights, I cast two Spells and activate Round Knight Martyr Attack!"

All five knights lifted their swords and crossed them.

"Next, I activate the A. Forces, giving each of my Knights a well deserved boost! Now, attack Infernal Flame Emperor!"

"I activate Infernal Chain Armor!"

Each of the Round Knights attacked. The Chain Armor stopped Infernal Flame Emperor from being destroyed, but it didn't stop the Knights from inflicting a nice amount of damage. Finally, all six creatures on the field exploded.

"Well… that just leaves you and me, and without any protection, next turn I will destroy you!"

"Not exactly. Now I Special Summon Round Knight Arthur."

"I'll finish this right now. I summon Gaia Soul the Combustible Collective. Then I sacrifice Spirit of Flames and Infernal Flame Emperor to summon two Infernos. Then, I sacrifice them to increase Gaia Soul's attack! Now, destroy Round Knight Arthur."

"I sacrifice Jack's Knight in order to increase the attack of Round Knight Arthur."

"He's still not strong enough to beat my Gaia Soul!"

"I know, but at least my life won't take as much of a hit."

Gaia exploded, destroying Round Knight Arthur.

"I cast two Spells. Then I end my turn."

"Good… I activate Return of the Round Table. At the cost of almost all of my remaining life, I can Special Summon Queen's Knight, King's Knight, and Jack's Knight. However, they can't attack this turn or be offered as tributes…"

"Then they're basically useless, which is good because now I'm gonna waste you with this last Spell!"

"I'm not done yet."

"What? What can you possibly do with a bunch of useless Knights?"

"While it may be true that I can't sacrifice them normally, I can sacrifice them for a specific spell. Now, I activate Royal Straight."

All three knights vanished in a flash of light.

"Feel like a game of poker? I do, and there is no way you can beat my Royal Flush!"

A knight in extravagant armor, wearing a white mask, appeared in place of the three knight's places.

"Wha… what are you going to do with that?"

"I'm going to attack you directly."

"Oh yeah? Well get past this! I activate Embodiment of Flame!"

A spirit made of fire appeared. It circled Blaze.

"You can destroy him if you like, but you will take all the damage. Since we both have little life left, whoever takes damage will lose. If you decide not to attack, I'll just destroy you next turn with my Ookazi Spell. If you do attack, you take all the damage. It's a lose/lose situation for you."

"I choose…"

'Come on Bann.'

'You can do it!'

"We've got your back. You can beat this clown."

"Ha ha, without Timaeus, you really are pathetic."

"I choose to beat you. I activate the special ability of Royal Flush, transferring the power of Brave Knight, Knight Champion, Familiar Knight, Command Knight, and Curse of Dragon to Royal Flush's sword. Now, attack with Royal Burst!"

Royal Flush lifted his huge sword, which now glowed in a bright light from the power of the five monsters whose souls were infused into it. He struck the ground and slashed, releasing a stream of light that shot over the ground, destroying Embodiment of Flame and the other Spell that Blaze cast.

"What just happened?"

"When I send monsters whose levels go from one to five to Royal Flush's sword, I can destroy everything on your side of the field, and since you now have nothing to protect yourself with…"

"No, no, not that!"

"Since you were so willing to take my soul, you should be more than ready to give yours up. Royal Flush, attack him now!"

Royal Flush lifted his sword again, charging at Blaze and swinging his blade down on Blaze, reducing his life to nothing. The Seal closed in around Blaze, sucking his soul into the green light.

"I don't need Timaeus to win my battles."

"Alright Bann! That was sick!"

"Heh heh," Bann laughed.

"Those fools. They have no idea what they are getting themselves into. Every step they take, I get a little closer to my revenge. Ah, so you have awakened," Darsus said without turning to look as a boy entered his chamber.

The boy walked closer, rubbing his eyes.

Finally, he asked, "What the heck do you want with me?"

"I want nothing with you, but we share a common interest. You see, I wish to enact my revenge on the Anims, and you want your revenge on that Basher."

"I see. Well, I stick to my guns. I'll take him out this time."

"You may want this," replied Darsus. He pulled a small green stone from his cloak.

"What is it?" asked the boy.

"A gift. Use it and I guarantee your revenge."

The boy took the stone. He stared down it and began to smile wickedly. The Seal of Orichalcos appeared on his forehead and his eyes turned red. "Ha…ha ha… ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Next time on City of Fire: The Return of the Prince