Disclaimer: You know how it works.
Alright, last chapter gave rise to a very important chain of events. First off, Hiei revealed his plans to bring New Paradigm to its knees by force. Secondly, the return of DOOM is unveiled to Yami, along with a challenge to duel by two of members of the dreaded Band of Seven. Next we have Kaiba, who is caught again in a duel set up by Pegasus against poison master Mukotsu. Joey finally defeated Jin, and Yusuke was encountered by Sensui. Finally, Inuyasha had to confront his own fears and desperation.
Chapter 44 brings Enzeru into his first duel against one of Hiei's deadliest assassin duelists, while Yami and Kagome do battle with Jakotsu and Renkotsu. Kaiba also faces a member of the Band of Seven, Mukotsu, as Yusuke faces Shinobu Sensui in the rematch of the century. Joey, meanwhile, must enter another variant duel, and without Yugi's help, and Tea and Inuyasha give talk of what has happened.
Let's start the show!
Chapter 43: An Ode to Chaos! Battle with the Band
Yusuke vs. Sensui
"Since it was your ancestor that defeated me last time, Yusuke, I'll begin the duel!"
With one motion, Sensui drew out his entire starting hand and fanned it out. Even with a passing glance he could tell he had struck gold.
"I'll keep things simple for the moment by summoning Templar Axewielder in attack mode and placing two cards face down on the field." Sensui's first monster was indeed of the class of Templar, the holy knights mandated to protect pilgrims during the time of the Crusades. This particular soldier was massively built, almost too much so for his chain mail and bassinet helm to contain. Covering said armor was a finely woven beige smock with a blood red crucifix painted on, and in each hand was held a heavy axe. (1700/1400) "Your move, Yusuke."
"You'll regret coming back! I draw!" Not a bad way to start things off. "I'll start by summoning Yata Garasu to the field in attack mode, and then I'll play the Continuous Magic card known as Homage of Chi! This card's effect can only be used on a Spirit monster with under 1500 attack points, and it allows the monster to increase it's attack by the strength of any monster I attack, so you know what's coming."
Once again was Yusuke's rarest monster summoned, looking skittish as ever as the raven jumped about the place. (200/100) However, this was not to last, for directly behind him emerged an ancient altar carved of stone, seemingly Chinese in origin, and from the altar wafted a stream of vanilla-scented incense which gave the crow power. (1900/100)
"Yata Garasu, destroy his Templar Axewielder!"
With a cracked screech the spectral crow set forth, beak full ready to gouge out the Templar's soul.
"I'm afraid that your heathen spirits won't beat me this time! Reveal face down card, Guard of Card, which allows me to discard one card from my hand to negate any kind of destruction levied against my monster!" And just before Yata Garasu's attack struck, a heavy card-studded shield rose to intercept the blow.
"Damn. Alright, I'll place a card face down to end my turn." With that, Yusuke's spirit was cast back into his hand.
"My move again!" Another card drawn. Well, it's not the card I was hoping for, but it shall serve my purposes for the moment. "I'll start this turn by activating the Cost Down Magic card, which lets me discard a card from my hand to lower the level of the monsters in my hand by two during this turn. Next, I'll activate the face down card from last turn, Call of the Haunted, to resurrect the monster I just discarded, Templar Sword Master! Finally, I will normal summon Templar Cavalier to the field in attack mode!"
Never had Yusuke seen such a move played out before in his dueling life, for before his eyes Sensui had managed to flawlessly summon two high powered monsters in one turn. And so he witnessed the calling of the dominating warlords of Christ, one being a lightly built warrior with a lengthy broadsword, and the other a mounted warrior with an oak-shafted lance. Both were garbed in a similar fashion to the Axewielder, with some minor variations in chain mail density to account for each warrior's weaponry skill. (2500/2200) (2200/2000)
"It appears that this duel will be over quicker than I expected; once again you've fallen short. Now my monsters, attack him directly!"
"Who said that I fell short? Remember, my Homage of Chi card is still in play, and because of that I can change the position of your monsters if they attack me directly and at least two are of the same monster class. And since all three are warriors, I think you know what's gonna happen."
At that moment, the charge for God was haphazardly interrupted by a sudden gust of cream-colored smoke emerging from the altar which left the three Templars in a haze upon the ground. It was indeed one of the most pathetic sights ever seen by man.
"Not bad. I end my turn." So he did pick up a few skills from the old hag after all. Still, within a few more turns all the skills on Earth won't save him.
"Wow, only the second turn and already your monsters are backed into a corner. Looks to me like they should lay off the sauce."Sensui, having never really been connected with his cards as Yusuke was, only snorted in contempt.
"A loudmouth through and through, Yusuke. However, that won't be enough. I've changed since our last meeting; as with you, death has only made me stronger."
"Oh yeah? Try dying twice and then we'll talk. Anyway, it's my move, so I'll place a monster in defense mode and another card face down. Take it away."
"Please don't tell me that's all you have planned." Another draw. "Once again, Yusuke, you underestimate me. I'll place this card face down, and switch my Sword Master into attack mode. I shall then mount an attack on your face down monster. However, this next assault of mine has an ulterior intent behind it, namely the Quick-Play Magic card I'm about to activate, a card known as Hidden Motive! You see, by attacking with a Templar monster, I can activate this card and draw six others!"
With another flick of the wrist, Sensui's hand was refreshed. Damn it, I still don't have the card. However, my monster will still prove to be more than a match for his face down beast.
It was indeed going to be a bloodbath; it did not take a genius to tell that the Templar had earned his title of sword master. Even in a running position, the swordsman was able to maintain his sword at a perfect balance, and his transition into a backhanded slash was flawless.However, the monster did not spill any blood. In fact, as the Templar cleaved into the card, it was strangely devoid of any reaction at all.
"What's going on! Why is there no monster there?"
Sensui did not believe what he was seeing. Either the holograms were malfunctioning, or he had just walked directly into a trap.
"You had better explain what's going on, Yusuke. Unlike the others you've faced, I have no patience for cheap tricks."
"This is no trick; you oughta know by now that this isn't a regular match."
"Then start explaining."
"Not really that hard to understand. You just attacked Shikigami, a spirit dummy with no attack or defense. However, when he's attacked, he automatically returns to my hand at the end of the turn, regardless of destruction. Now, I think there's a term for this… Oh right, a lock!"
"WHAT? NO ONE CAN LOCK MY ATTACKS!"
"Then what did I just do?"
After a moment, Sensui managed to regain his composure. He was annoyed, but he had dealt with much worse in his first duel with Dartz. "Fine. I'll place a monster in defense mode and one card face down. Your move."
As soon as he said this, the monster, a squat little man that was made of paper, leapt up from behind Yusuke's leg and jumped back into his hand.
You won't get away with making a mockery of true dueling, Yusuke…
"Well, now that that's over, my move!" Alright, I've got him on the ropes right now, but it won't take long for him to get past this defense. I'm gonna have to go on the offense, and I have just the card to do that.
"First off, I activate the card I just drew, Shikikami Multiplicity, which lets me summon up to three Spirit Doll Tokens to the field in defense mode when Homage of Chi is on the field." A third type of smoke, a faint yet heady peach incense, spread around the shrine, and from said smoke emerged three other Shikikami, identical to the original, save for the fact that they were half his size. (0/500 x3) "Of course, that's not the only effect that Shikikami Multiplicity has. When the original Shikikami monster is in my hand, I can pay 500 life points to reduce the level of any monster in my hand by 2, so I'll go ahead and do that." (Yusuke: 3500/ Sensui: 4000)
"I see what's going on here. You intend to sacrifice a shikikami to summon what once was a high level monster, and you'll then use the other tokens as a shield."
"You catch on pretty quick for a crazed ex-detective. Anyway, I sacrifice one of the Spirit Dolls to summon Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi in attack mode!"
In a flash of embers, the shikikami was instantly lit afire, and unlike many sacrificed monsters, the doll began running wildly about in an astounding desertion of dignity. However, the laughable hex was soon replaced by a towering pillar of flames that formed into the ancient warrior that Yusuke had won in his last duel. (2800/2900)
"Next, I activate the Equip Magic card, Inferno Guandoa, which can only be equipped to a Spirit monster while there are at least two monsters in play. It increases the monster's attack by 800 points and prevents him from returning to my hand; however, as long as it is in play I must set all my monsters before summoning them."
A second, much smaller inferno tower appeared to Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi's left, and when the deity reached into the pillar it changed into a lengthy stave weapon known as a guandoa. It was little different than that used in ancient times, with the notable exception of the fact that the bladed component was on fire. (3600/2900)
"I hope you don't expect that heathen to defeat me, Yusuke."
"I do, and it will. Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi, attack his Templar Sword Master!"
With the orders given, the fire spirit took to the air, feet becoming engulfed in his element as he swept towards the holy warrior with murder in his eyes. The gap was closing at a phenomenal speed, and at that rate it was doubtful that even a Templar could survive an attack like that.
Sensui, however, knew otherwise.
"Your desperate attempts hold no sway over me! I activate the special effect of Templar Sword Master, discarding a card from my hand to cut your monster's attack strength in half!"
After paying for said effect, Sensui stepped back and grinned sickeningly as his Templar shifted positions, setting his blade before him and bracing it with his other hand. This did not seem to be too impressive, and indeed the fire apparition followed through with his strike, lifting the guandoa over his head and swinging it down against the blade.
And amazingly, the sword held. (1800/2900)
"A valiant effort, but a wasted one. Templar Sword Master, eliminate his Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi!"
He did not need to hear the command twice. With a single forceful shove the Templar was able to push the spirit off of him, a move which was followed up by a swift uppercut of the sword which sliced the deity in half. (Yusuke: 2800/Sensui: 4000)
Shit! I walked right into his trap!"Fine, then. I'll place one card face down to end my turn."
"If that's the best you can muster, then you may as well just surrender! My move, and I'll use it to activate Monster Recovery! This Magic card allows me to shuffle my hand and one monster on the field into my deck, and in this case, I will shuffle my face down monster." The holographic card vanished just as quickly as Sensui had picked it up, and in mere moments he had drawn out his fresh hand.
It was as he drew the last card that Yusuke's heart began to race in fear.
Ok, Hiei's holograms may be realistic, but I don't think this is part of them. That is, unless the sick bastard's got some kind of sadomasochistic streak…
But he knew. Somehow he knew that the resulting fear had not stemmed from the Duel Gauntlet, but rather the card Sensui had just drawn. And the slowly widening smirk upon his features did not ease that knowledge."Well, I think I have everything I need right here in my hand. But first, I need to activate a Field Magic card, a card that shall change this entire duel. I call now upon the power of Atlantis itself! I call down from the heavens the dread might that shall cast all of humanity and its evil into the depths of Hell! I call from my hand…the Seal of Orichalcos!"
Yami and Kagome's Hotel Room
"Can you please attempt to have some self-control? This isn't some kind of demolition run, it's a duel."
"It reeks out here! Besides, you're not exactly Mr. Subtlety yourself."
In all of his years, the Pharaoh Atem had seen many alliances of darkness; few were of a trusting manner, and many were out for their own gain upon making the coalition. However, never had he seen seen any cohesive attack with the same template as, well, as sibling rivalry.
It did not diminish the seriousness of the circumstances, but it was sickeningly consoling.
"At any rate, now that my less intelligent compatriot has made the opening introductions, I'll handle the formalities."
After a moment, the dust from the breaking down of the door cleared, revealing the two assailant duelists to be very strangely outfitted indeed, but then there wasn't any kind of outfit that would shock him now.
The first, a man and clearly the leader of the pair, was outfitted in what looked like a mix of Japanese brigadier and pirate clothing, and in spite of the bandanna upon his head Yami was fairly sure he was bald. However, that did not really concern him so much, for the cool, collected, and quite insane look on his face and the triad of purple marks were more than enough to bother him.
And as for the companion, he now understood why he had sounded so feminine. Were it not for the fact that the duelist had called himself a man, he could have sworn he was a woman. He had even gone so far as to apply lipstick. But then, from the sadomasochistic look in his eyes and the massive scimitar he held in his left hand, Yami decided not to pursue the matter.
"So, who has sent you against us, Hiei or Naraku? Even from here I can sense the darkness of the latter, but I doubt he would be as intrusive as this."
"You would be surprised, Atem, how intrusive Naraku can be. In any case, we do work for Hiei, and just to save you the trouble of figuring that out, so does the rest of the Band of Seven. And from the look on Higurashi's face, that is not news you wanted to hear. But more to the point, I am Renkotsu, and although I am inferior to my leader in rank, I am an infinitely better strategist. The cross dresser next to me is Jakotsu."
The last part of this statement was dripping with a heavy aftertaste of revulsion, mostly because Renkotsu was well aware of what was going to happen.
Yami did not, and so was rather horrified when a glint of lust began to develop in Jakotsu's eyes.
"Oh, you're so much cuter than Inuyasha!"
It was going to be one of those bad days.
"Good God, here we go again. Please try to keep it in your pants, Jakotsu."
"I'm just saying what I'm thinking; there's nothing wrong with that, now is there, Yami?"
With a sort of perverted grace rarely found in modern society, Jakotsu sauntered over to where the Pharaoh was lying, and instantly began leering at him whilst a lecherous grin spread across his face. "Oh, I'm going to have fun with you. I mean, Inuyasha was cute and everything, but you have both looks and substance, a winning combination. So why don't you ditch the bimbo and come with us?"
In the background, Renkotsu put his head in his left hand, mumbling something to the effect of "damnation". However, this was unsurprisingly lost in the chaos that ensued.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM, YOU TRANSVESTITE BITCH!"
With a scream that was quite outside of her normal damsel in distress façade, Kagome jumped up from behind Yami with murder in her eyes. Yes, quite a strange display, but not quite as strange as what she did next, for in an instant the miko reborn started to do the unthinkable by slapping the perverse Jakotsu about, open-palmed and with great ferocity.
"YOU CAN NEVER HAVE HIM!"
The impacts did not draw blood, of course, but that was not really the intent behind it anyway. No, the intent was a combination of fear and humiliating assault, and that was more than enough to draw out Jakotsu's ire.
And so he reached out the hand that was not holding the blade and caught both of her wrists, effectively ending the assault.
"And everyone wonders why I'm such a chauvinist."
"Jealous?"
"You wish. Besides, I have men going after me all the time. I guess they like the idea of a girl with something extra…"
"EW! That's just sick!"
A slip of wrists later, and Kagome was back at Yami's side, looking somewhat wiser for the wear.
"Ooh, bit of a sensitive stomach, huh? Oh well, I guess that's life for ya. Now, where were we, Yami?"
The Pharaoh also stepped forward, but in his eyes was a bonfire of cool logic and confidence of victory.
"I believe I was about destroy you. After all, we cannot have oversexed servants of the dark running about, now can we?"
With this, Atem slid his deck into the Duel Gauntlet once more, feeling a slight twinge of pain in the process. This was not going to be easy; the color of his opponent's Gauntlets were almost as pale as that of Yami no Marik, so he could tell that they were highly skilled. And there was also the matter of who exactly these men were, for apart from the fact that both would be formidable opponents, there was also the very serious problem that Renkotsu and Jakotsu both had similar life aura wavelengths to Kikyo. In fact, were Yami more unperceptive he would have thought the patterns exactly alike.
He was unsure of how or why, but he could tell they were of the living dead.
"Well, Jakotsu, do you accept my challenge, or are you merely going to lust after me like a little school girl?"
"Don't think you can scare me off; to be honest, I like it rough."
However, before Jakotsu could begin, his superior took a rather large step forward.
"Don't even bother facing this pathetic excuse for a duelist, Jakotsu. I will dispose of him myself; after all, I have been anxious to use my new dueling deck on someone, and who better to use it on than the Game King?"
"WHAT! No fucking way, Renkotsu! He is mine!"
"Oh, right, I forgot about that. Well then, why not duel the wench? She seems an interesting enough challenge, and it will prove your love, if you can call it that, to Yami. I, in the meantime, shall hammer the point home by defeating him."
Jakotsu pouted for a moment, arms crossed with a dour look on his face as he weighed his options rather carefully before making up his mind.
"Alright, but after I've dismantled her I get Yami, correct?"
"Indeed."
At this, the more erratic of the mercenaries gave a contented nod. This would work out well enough indeed. And as he thought of who his opponent was his already twisted grin became even more unbearable.
"You ready to lose, princess?"
"I won't lose to you. I just survived a Darkness Game, didn't I?"
Yami, of course, said nothing. He knew she could win, and also knew that she wouldn't give a damn either way.
He did make one statement as she readied herself, however.
"Take him down, and show him the soul."
Kagome did not even give any indication of response to this, but her eyes said everything which needed to be said as she and Jakotsu began moving towards the hallway.
Purple locked with chestnut, confidence with sadness, as she prepared to duel again. With any luck she would take the victory; besting Yami no Marik was no mean feat. But he could not completely dispel some inset feeling of concern for her safety.
He knew she could win, so why did he feel as though he simply wanted to hold her close and protect her from the world?
The connection lasted for quite a while, up until Kagome drew the door shut behind her. And with that, Yami's attention became solely focused on the duel that was about to start.
In Kagome's stead was now the deranged Renkotsu, hand drawn and fingers twitching in anticipation. Yami also drew out his cards, knowing it was time to return to the arena.
"I'm quite familiar with your past duels, Pharaoh, and I've been carefully studying your deck type ever since you came here. In fact, I designed this new dueling deck just for this match."
"Oh really? Well, if that is the case, then let's duel!" (Yami: 4000/Renkotsu: 4000)
"I'll start this match, if you don't mind." The first card of Renkotsu was drawn, and already a formula was concocting itself. "I'll start by placing one card face down, followed by the activation of the Hinotama Magic card, which I don't need to explain to you. After all, this isn't the first time you've experienced this card, is it?"
If nothing else, that statement caught his attention. It was true what he said, for he had endured the wrath of three such cards in his compulsory duel with Joey back in Battle City.
So he has been researching me and my previous battles, meaning that this deck was built to counteract my own…
Whatever other thoughts that would occur to him were quite rudely interrupted by the familiar impact of the orb of flames which crashed into his chest. It was as he was knocked backwards that he fully realized the scale of his arena. Luckily he was able to regain his footing before colliding into the table. (Yami: 3500/ Renkotsu: 4000)
"I'll wrap my turn up by placing a monster in defense mode. Your move, Pharaoh."
"From the way you spoke of your deck I would have expected a slightly more interesting opening. I draw!"
It was not a bad opening hand at all, but he was not entirely certain how to use it. He had never dueled Renkotsu, who seemingly knew his deck quite well, so this ploy could have been set up to intercept him.
Still, he would have to try his hand.
"I'll begin by placing a card face down as well, and summoning Blood Magician of Purgatory to the field in attack mode!" Yami's first monster looked somewhat similar to his Breaker, but instead of armor the creature was draped in robes whose colors were akin to blood. And in place of a sword, the creature held a long and intimidating stave with a scythe-like blade atop it. (1400/1700) "Of course, this is merely the opening strike. I'll follow that up with the Dimension Magic card, which allows me to sacrifice a monster if there is a Spellcaster on my side of the field and special summon another Spellcaster. Also, it lets me destroy one of your monsters at the same time. So I'll tribute the Blood Magician to summon Chaos Command Magician to the field!"
Within the Magic zone emerged a large golden chamber that seemed to bear similarities to the iron maiden torture device, suspended by four chains in a light steel frame. After understanding what was going on, the mage split open the case and slid into it, and was absorbed deep into its internal darkness.
At this, two thing happened simulataneously. Firstly, a beam of bright golden light shot forward and skewered Renkotsu's face down beast. Secondly, the stated mage, a fairly tall specimen dressed in golden and black robes and armed with a short staff, was summoned forth from the dimensional chamber. (2400/1900)
"I'm not done yet. I activate the Magic card, Convenant of the Sages, which allows me to discard a monster from my hand. By doing this, I can summon a Spellcaster from my hand whose level is equal to that of a specially summoned monster on my field. So in this case, I'll select the Ivory Mage!"
Upon discarding, Yami summoned his next monster, a svelte spellcaster clad in bone white armor and robes, and wielding for a weapon a pair of daggers hewn of blood-soaked ivory. (2250/1200) "Now, because this monster was summoned alongside a Light magician, it gains 500 extra attack points, and also lets me set a level four or lower Light monster from my hand onto the field face down." (2950/1200) The pale mage, at this, pulled out a set of ox horns, and hurled them onto the ground in a flare of golden-white flames which created a face down monster.
"Hm. Not too bad, Pharaoh. But it's actually quite the moot point. I activate my face down card, Revulsive Pyre! By removing a Pyro monster in my graveyard from play, I can prevent any and all attacks during this turn."
Before either mage could step forward, a massive and greasy bonfire roared up to dissuade them. Within it floated hundreds, if not thousands, of human and demon bones, and the flames were streaked with human fat. The reek was overpowering, and it caused both mages to vomit all over the floor.
"Alright then. That shall end my turn."
"Indeed. I draw!" As the card slipped off the top of the deck, another result followed. In the spot which had held the face down monster was now a triad of glowing coals, each surrounded by a pentagram of twigs.
"I see from the perplexed look on your face that you have noted my latest summoning. You see, the monster you destroyed was a creature known as Igneous Firebrand, and when he is destroyed by a card effect he summons three monsters in his wake during my draw phase, a trio of Charcoal Tokens, each with 500 attack and defense. However, they serve their purpose; during the end phase every turn of mine in which they are not alone on their field, my pieces of coal will deal you 100 points of damage per each remaining token. And it only gets worse. I move into my main phase, in which I'll activate the Magic card, Tremendous Fire, inflicting 1000 points of damage to you and 500 to me. But it's worth the price just to watch you squirm."
With this activation, another burn strike was initiated, this one a much grander display of a hailstorm of sulfur which scorched the field, searing both Yami and Renkotsu with its blaze. (Yami: 2500/Renkotsu: 3500)
"Looks to me like this will be over faster than I thought. At any rate, I'll place a monster in defense mode, and one card face down, and that shall end my turn."
And as per their effect, the 3 chunks of coal each sent out a jet of fire into Yami's eyes. (Yami: 2200/Renkotsu: 3500)
"I'm not defeated yet. I draw, and activate the Potion of Rebound Magic card, which allows me to draw three cards so long as my life points are lower than yours. Next, I'll play two of the Magic cards I drew, Token Call and Mage's Chain Breaker!"
With this, both of the mages summoned to them what looked like a platinum sledgehammer in their free hand, while the three Charcoal Tokens suddenly began to levitate in midair.
"I'm afraid that this duel is over, Renkotsu. The effect of Token Call switches every token with the same name into attack position, while Mage's Chain Breaker prevents any chaining during this turn if at least two magicians are on the field, so in essence I could end this in one blow right now."
But at this, Renkotsu grinned knowingly. He knew exactly what needed to be done.
"Is that so? Well, I'd rearrange that plan of yours, because I'm about to dismantle it! I activate the face down card, Gravity Bind!"
Outside the Seedy Restaurant
Enzeru did not know what to call it.
By stretches of fate and manipulations of the timeline that most would consider completely impossible, a city whose inhabitants had lost all memories of their past was now being slowly ripped to shreds by four lunatics, each with the political and martial bluster to conquer it all. However, none were taking any real action, just moving the pieces of their plans about like a perverted game of human chess, so it made them almost impossible to pinpoint exactly.
Luckily, he had worked under far worse circumstances in the past, but it didn't get much worse than this. The real issue was how to approach them all at once and still save the city from desolation. It was delicate beyond belief, and Enzeru was not sure if even the power of Time could stop them.
However, he would have to attempt it. Hiei, Vera, Dartz, and Naraku were all too dangerous to be allowed free rein of New Paradigm, given the dark secrets buried deep within it that the Citadel knew so very little about. It would not shock him terribly if there were other megadeii concealed therein, nor would it be a surprise to find that his opponents thought the same way, especially the psychotic journalist.
So then what was to be done until Hiei attempted to find him? Well, not much, apparently. He could perhaps go after a few more grunts, but there was only so much of an effect that could have. If he wanted to attract Hiei's attention, he would need to do something rather drastic, and a lack of knowledge regarding the enemy ruled out any such approach.
He would have to wait, and though he had quite a bit more patience than most, he could only sit on his hands for so long.
The sunlight was growing ever dimmer as Enzeru watched the skies. That it was not sunset already was an environmental factor in these high altitudes, but eventually, the sun would set. There was no way to avoid the setting, and even those at the very pinnacle of the city knew it.
Father always compared the rise and setting of the sun to the life and death of all living things, calling it the natural order of light and dark. Life is born, traverses existence, and then returns to nothing, only to give rise to new life. And whenever he spoke of it, he would gain a strange emptiness in his eyes, as though he knew that his time was coming to a close…
The Guardians of the Citadel were considered to be the most longevous of all mortals, the oldest wise men often exceeding five hundred years. However, each member of the Citadel also knew that they would eventually return to the soil, and whether and to what extent they accepted it varied with the Guardian. His father in particular was concerned with what was to become of him and his family, as was oft demonstrated as he watched the stars and moon go through their paths in the night.It was always ironic, in Enzeru's eyes, that the masters of Time should fear the end. For was not control of time the antithesis of death, the mastery of eternity, and the dominance over aging?
I had only ever asked the question once, of mother when I was five. She cried for the remainder, and I didn't understand why, until later in life, when I saw true death-absolute death- for the first time…
Just thinking about Akuren and his betrayal made Enzeru sick to his stomach. His evil transcended the sins of humans and demons, becoming darkness of itself, and all for power that would only destroy him. But then, they should have expected it, for as moral as he once was Akuren had still been a demon, and was thusly bound to his devilish roots.Each detail of that first encounter was emgrained in his memory: the bloody, shattered being whose face was an abomination of God, arms swinging aimlessly as he let fly screams of pain that breached the castle walls. Living shadows pumped their way out of his wounds and slowly ate him alive.
It was likely he would have died…had Enzeru's family not taken him into their arms and treated him as an equal. Soon afterwards he revealed his name to be Hogosha, a demon of pure heart who was cursed with the power of the dark by witches, and thus needed to find salvation.
Enzeru's grandfather had been more than willing to oblige, and after two years Hogosha was officially inducted into the Citadel.
It was unsure what had caused Hogosha's descent into madness; although most believed he had delved far too deep into the forbidden texts which housed the secrets of evil itself, Enzeru was convinced that it had been part of his plan the entire time. What was known for certain was that a few weeks after Enzeru had been declared a member of the Guardians, Hogosha, or Akuren as he now called himself, had gone mad with corrupted power. Using his demon aura and combining it with the dark magic he had found he slipped betwixt the enchanted walls with unnatural speed and agility, and from the safety of the walls he had slaughtered them all.
Luckily, Enzeru and several of the other Guardians had been in training that day, so Akuren had not been able to locate them. But when they had returned, there was a single message, spelled out in bones, blood, and entrails upon the door.
The Time of Man has come to an end, and the reign of the Six Points of Anubis has begun.
Even now, years after the mindless butchering of his family and friends, Enzeru had never been able to understand that gruesome prophecy. Nowhere in the archives of his family were there any references to anything called the Six Points of Anubis, and the few remaining members of his clan had assumed it was a hoax created by Akuren; he was a ninja, after all, a master of illusions and deceit. But he had doubted this was the case.
About a month before he went insane, Akuren had spoken at great length to some of the Guardians about a discovery he had made, and though Enzeru had heard little of it, he understood one thing of the conversations. From what he knew, Akuren had apparently found evidence of an ancient temple, hidden miles beneath the sands of Egypt, and that he had actually entered it.
What Akuren had not told anyone was what he found therein, and thusly did he suspect that the temple housed the secret of the Six Points. But what that secret was, and what Akuren now believed, was still a mystery to him, one he would have to solve…
But now was not the time for that. Akuren and his sociopathy was only one relatively minor component of a massive and overwhelming machine that was mere inches away from steamrolling the world, and in spite of the grudge he held he could not let that get in the way of his real duties.
He learned a long time ago that vendettas only made problems worse, and they prevented true justice from being exacted.
With that in mind, Enzeru decided to head outwards, and with any luck he would find what he was looking for. This was ironic, since to find it he would need the darkness to find him first.
As he moved forward, Enzeru began to pick up on a hostile presence only a few yards away from him. It might have been one of Hiei's grunts, but he could not be entirely sure on that.
However, one thing was certain: the approaching enemy was a duelist, and certainly an impressive one. If it was not Hiei or a soldier of his, then it clearly had been sent by a higher power in the city. At the least it would be a chance to try out his deck and execute its powers.
After a moment, the presence himself came within visual range, and despite having seen many strange and bizarrely dressed warriors, Enzeru had to admit this one took the cake. He was a relatively tall human, which was rather strange noting that Jagenshi and Naraku both detested humans with a passion, dressed in white clothing from the Feudal Era with an intricately decorated armor plate on the left shoulder. Upon his head was what seemed to be a four-pointed blue star, just below his black hair tied back into a lengthy topknot. But even that was not as peculiar as the weapon he had draped across his back, a massive halberd covered with a fabric sheath.
And in spite of the rather brainless expression on his face, his Duel Gauntlet was gleaming with the mark of skill.
"So, you're Enzeru, right? Figures a Guardian would try and interfere with my fun." The soldier's voice was indicative of a mind lacking, but he doubted this was the case.
"Not with yours, specifically. I'm after the head of your pathetic master, whomever he may be."
"You're not gonna find him looking around here, I can tell you that much. But since he did send me after you, I think it's time we have ourselves a little fun. Normally, I'd just lop off your head, but I'm itching to duel."
"Oh really? You had better prepare yourself, then. I do not intend to show you any mercy…Bankotsu of the Band of Seven."
"So you do know me? I'm flattered."
"Don't be. I know what you and Suikotsu did to my kin when you were still alive. And although I won't let my personal vendettas get involved, it will be a good thing to settle this feud once and for all."
"So then let's stop talking and get to the real action!" (Enzeru: 4000/Bankotsu: 4000)
Brigade District
Joey Wheeler may have been a man of less than extraordinary mental capacities, but there was one thing he knew for certain: there was no relaxation to be found in a procession of empty lots lining the streets near a mall. He also knew that wandering halfway across a flying city run by four psychotics with unholy powers was the epitome of idiocy; oftentimes knowledge does not go hand in hand with wisdom.
His original plan had been to have a few duels, grab a quick bite, and then meet up with Yugi at the designated time. However, since he was only one duel away from the finals and he honestly had no idea where the hotel was anyway, that plan seemed to lose credibility. Besides, two new cards in his deck were begging for usage, and he would not deny them that…especially if it meant kicking ass in the process.
However, finding other duelists, especially in neighborhoods such as this, was not going to be easy. Most of the competitors of the Hellfire Tournament were prone to stay near the city center, since it was rather detached from the horrific cluster areas of criminal activity that New Paradigm's incompetent movements had formed. Only the bravest or most insane could be found here, and if history was any witness they were the most powerful as well, which proved very much to be a double-edged sword most of the time.
So I guess the question is, where do I find the last match? Most of the small fries were probably weeded out by now, meaning the only people left are even stronger. It's like Duelist Kingdom again; only difference is I'm top of da heap.
Yes, even by himself Joey was an egomaniac.His steps fell silent upon the asphalt as he moved along. No one else was here, except perhaps the residential shutins that made up the bulk of the population. For the most part he was absolutely isolated, and this resulted in something of an eerie calm. He was not sure why or how, but the hair on his arms was standing upon end.
Eh, it's probably nothing to worry about.
Indeed, there was nothing he could see that would indicate any danger, apart from the setting sun, whose absence would bring forth the real psychotics, but it was not something he was unused to. Life had always been thus where he grew up, after all, and he knew how to handle it. However, one thing he didn't know how to handle was this tournament…It wasn't the duels that unnerved him; hanging around with Yugi Mouto almost guaranteed being sucked into crazy and quite supernatural matches. No, it was a much deeper set fear than that, a sort of foreboding of events to pass that made Joey feel like this was the last. For whatever reason, he felt like this tournament, these duels, were the most important of all, as if everything they had worked for came down to this. He couldn't begin to understand how this battle was more important than Duelist Kingdom or Battle City, and yet somehow…he knew.
The whole thing did not come out to any pretty sum, and they were all caught in the bad calculations.
Time seemed to fall into a sort of rut whilst Joey kept walking, and by now boredom was starting to creep in. The sound of his footsteps was like the dripping of a faucet, a faucet he had always loathed. Boredom always treated him such, but in this hellhole the effect was magnified. So then what was to be done?
It would not be too long after that Joey laughed at the question.
A good distance away from him, the thug turned duelist heard the roar of a small motorcycle, which was actually pretty interesting because heavy traffic was expressively forbidden in the city. He didn't know what to make of it, but he supposed weirder things had happened, here and elsewhere, and with a slight breach in monotony he continued.
However, so did the motorcycle.
He didn't really think much of it, as was his way. Odds are it was just some rich stiff who could get away with it, and if someone was after his head he would be a lot less subtle than that. And so he moved forward.
Joey did not give the vehicle much thought after that, until he felt his skin crawl ever so slightly. His nerves instantly rose to greet the confrontation he knew was coming, and on a subconscious level his inner duelist geared for the opposition. It was an eerie sensation, but one he had learned to trust in his conflicts with the Shadow Realm and other, darker, entities, and he was pretty sure this fit into the second category.
However, as he turned to face this opponent, he suddenly felt a second chill run down his spine, from at least two different directions. It was a rare feeling nowadays, but he had known it quite well in his old gang and the fights they would take partin.
Three duelists at once, huh? This should be fun.
It was then that he heard the footsteps to his right and left behind him. The ones coming from his left were fairly soft, like those of an assassin ready to strike, while the ones from his right were heavy, as though the man was wearing armor.
The freak show had quite clearly come to town.
"You must be the idiot they call Wheeler." Opening the floor to the duel was a chilling voice, a horrific combination of war veteran and mental patient personas. "He certainly looks dumb enough, doesn't he?"
"Looks can be deceiving, Suikotsu." The other voice was deep and rather garbled, as though the enemy was speaking through a piece of metal. "However, you do make a valid point. I doubt this will be any more difficult than our last few duels."
"Now wait just a minute! I did not hear you just diss my…skills…"
Joey made two rather large mistakes at that moment: igniting into a fit of rage, and turning around altogether.
Before his very eyes now stood two of the most terrifying warriors he had ever laid eyes upon. The first, apparently the man who had sounded deranged, was a hulking figure of a warrior garbed in clothing and armor of varying shades of black, blue, and green, with what seemed to be green warpaint on his face. His greasy black hair stood on end in a way that was all too similar to Yami no Marik's for comfort, and his bloodshot eyes did not indicate he had any more mercy than that wicked spirit. The man's weapons of choice, razor sharp claws which he held with the skill of a master, did nothing to dispel Joey's fear.
The second of the pair was no less intimidating, but for different reasons altogether. Clad completely in massive armor which seemed to be a contemporary version of that worn by samurai, he towered over the first at a height of nine feet and had what might have been a massive axe strapped to his back. Even with the armor one could tell he had trained himself long and hard, but nothing else could be determined of him. His helm completely disguised his face, creating an enigmatic quality that was just as frightening as the assassin's madness.
Both men had Duel Gauntlets, and both were at a level of skill that made Weevil's Gauntlet look like ashes.
"So who are you goons? A pair of Hiei's boys, right?"
"In a manner of speaking," rumbled the giant. "We're more like his exterminators, sent by one of his flunkies to weed out the weak and pathetic. Granted, this particular assignment wasn't from the top, but the fact remains."
"Whaddya mean it wasn't from the top! And what's this whole 'weak and pathetic' shtick!"
"Apparently this job was from our go-between to Hiei. We'd rather keep names to ourselves, but you must have annoyed him somehow. However, since we are being paid a rather hefty bounty for the job anyway, Suikotsu and I decided to go along with it."
"Well, if you think this is gonna be easy money, you're dead wrong! I finished second at Duelist Kingdom…"
"…and fourth in Battle City. Yes, Wheeler, we're rather familiar with your dueling history, and don't expect us to be frightened of it. You slay enough people, you start to see through empty threats." The assassin, Suikotsu, unlike the "samurai", seemed to be a bit more anxious to duel. "I can name at least ten people off the top of my head that gave me the same speech before I scooped out their hearts, so don't try to pull it on me."
Joey was not making any such attempt, of course, but it did not make a damn bit of difference.
"Oh yeah? Then let's see you back it up, greaser. You and me, right 'ere in da street!"
Suikotsu's beady eyes flared at this, and activated his Gauntlet. "Alright, Wheeler, if you're going to insist on making a fool of yourself, go right ahead. However, you have to comply with one request of mine."
"Just name it."
"It's simple enough: you're going to have to duel Bui as well."
"Duel who?"
And at that question, the titan in armor, presumably Bui, stepped forth.
"Since you're so confident in your skills, we've decided to make things a bit more balanced. This will be a two on one match, winner takes all, and I do mean all."
"So in other words…dis is a life or death duel…"
"Kid isn't as dumb as I thought, is he? Now, let's begin, and if you have any intent on running away from this, I shall personally dissect you."
It was all too clear that Suikotsu was serious, and as this dawned on Joey, he felt his blood move in the opposite direction. But then, it wasn't as though this sort of thing hadn't happened before…
He knew it was a horrible idea, likely the worst he had ever had. And yet, that was Joey, prideful to the bitter end.
"Ok, you've got yourselves a two on one!"
In the back of his head, Joey's small but influential logic was screeching a number of obscenities at the majority, focuses ranging from the skill of his opponents to the fact that he was alone. Yet it did not make any difference. It would all come together, as it had in the past.
Fate seemed to give little regard to logic in general as well, and within the following seconds this was proven .
"So, are you two clowns ready to get your asses kicked?"
Joey had already slipped his deck into the slot; it was obvious that the astronomical odds against his victory had not occurred to him just yet, but that would not last long.
"I'd start making your final wishes before making final threats, Wheeler."
Suikotsu and Bui, having also loaded their Gauntlets, stood at the ready. The tension was unbearable, for not only was Joey's entrance to the finals on the line, but so was his life.
It is under these circumstances that men often consider the most trivial things, which was why Joey suddenly realized that the motorcycle had finally stopped a few feet behind him.
"Hey, if it isn't Joey Wheeler! I was just looking for ya."
He would recognize that voice anywhere, thanks to a series of rather unpleasant circumstances he would just as soon forgot. And looking behind him proved once again to confirm the worst
"Varon! What the hell are you doin' here!"
The brown-haired felon stepped into Joey's immediate sight, bearing as always that smug egotism on his visage; the only major variation on his person was the shift in dueling gear from a DOOM Duel Disk to a white Duel Gauntlet.
"Eh, I've been around. Figured since we were both in the biggest dueling tournament ever held in a floating city, I'd try to find you. And since we never did finish our duel back in America…"
"You're kidding me, right? Last I checked, I crushed you and your sorry ass armor, and as far as I know our grudge match is settled."
"Not even close, Wheeler. If you thought I'd stop trying to beat you after one duel, than you're just as stupid as I always thought."
"Watch yourself, tin man, or I'll whip you all over again…"
It was no idle threat. After the hell Varon had put him through previously, Joey would have no problem with humilating him a second time.
"Alright, if that's the way you want it, I'm game. In fact, let's make this real interesting. You two are part of Hiei's gang, right? Well, as it happens I'm after his head, too."
Bui, understanding the proposition exactly and fully aware of who Varon himself worked for, nodded slightly.
"Very well, then, Varon, you've got a deal. Suikotsu, it seems we're going to be having a split team assault duel instead."
"I've handled worse."
"Then it's settled." Varon could not help but grin to himself at the thought. Three victories in one duel; it wasn't too often he could pull that one off. "So are you ready, Wheeler? Knowing you, this is the first time that you've played this…"
"I saw one once. We both duel each other, along with Suikotsu and Bui as a team, right?"
"Good to see you're with us. But knowing what to do is only half the battle; you're about to see that playing such a game is an entirely different story!" (Joey: 4000/ Varon: 4000 (Bui: 4000/ Suikotsu: 4000))
Hallway outside Yami's Hotel Room
"What is it with you, bitch? That's two men you took from me, and you don't even know me that well. And I'll be frank, you aren't exactly a prize, even as far as women go in general, so it doesn't really add up. Why are you such a hot ticket item?"
"Hot ticket item!"
"But then, it's not horribly shocking, seeing as you tramp around dressed like some slutty schoolgirl all day. Guys always want something like that."
Kagome had been called a lot of things in her life she did not appreciate, most of them extraordinarily vulgar, but being called a whore was not one she was going to take lying down.
"You'd better take that back, Jakotsu!"
The transvestite sneered in disdain at this. He was obviously not impressed.
"Kagome, I've died twice already. A third time won't bug me too much. Besides, there's not much you can do to me in the first place. You're just a damsel in distress who got lucky with a Duel Monsters deck; you can't beat me. That's gonna be Yami's job."
Another perverse grin crossed his features as he slipped his deck into the Gauntlet, and Kagome felt her blood begin to boil. He was trying to annoy her, and it was working like a charm.
"You can't have him; he's mine now, and you won't take him from my arms."
"Possessive much? Jeez, no wonder he wants Kikyo so badly; it's amazing he didn't just send you to that Shadow Realm Bankotsu's always going on about."
Now, in all honesty Jakotsu was not a particularly bright man, which many accredit to his perpetual lustiness and lack of formal education. So it is no great shock that he would often cross lines he shouldn't cross.
This just happened to be the biggest one of all.
"What…did…you…just…say?"
"Again with the jealousy, huh?"
"I swear to God, Jakotsu, if you EVER say that again, I'll make it so that not even the Shikon no Tama can ressurrect you."
Even from that distance, the mercenary could see the change in Kagome's entire persona. Where once was adolescent covetousness now stood raw and unerring hatred-a cold fury that was all too often released upon the poor fool who had released it in the first place. At the least, it would make things more interesting, but Jakotsu knew that he might have put himself in more danger than he could handle.
Nah, it's just some teenage prostitute throwing a tantrum because I'm moving in on her meal ticket. I'll whip her easy, and then, it's on to my beloved Pharaoh!
One could almost see stars in his eyes as he considered what he would do, the entirety of which is far too disgusting for words. However, this much can be said: experimentalism was a rather prevalent theme.
"So then, are you ready to duel for him, Kagome?"
"I would die for him, Jakotsu, more than you would do." (Kagome: 4000/Jakotsu: 4000)
"Since I'm being challenged here, I'll open the duel!" Having drawn her cards, Kagome could see this would be slightly easier than her duel with the spirit, but not by any great margin. "I'll start by placing a card face down, and then I'll summon Pluto, the Angel of Prosperity, in attack mode!" The first monster summoned was a smallish angel with periwinkle flesh, golden-colored eyes, wings, and robes, and copper-colored hair, who was apparently sitting on top of a pair of brass scales. (1500/700) "That should be enough for the moment, so I'll end my turn."
"You know, you're not an angel. But I guess I'm gonna have to prove it to you. My move!" Hey, not too bad. This should make the bitch squirm for a while. "I summon Axe Raider to the field in attack mode!" Jakotsu's first monster was surprisingly weak for an opening move, but the image that creature invoked was impressive enough. Towering over Kagome's angel was a massive, red-armored soldier with a two-bladed hatchet in his left hand. (1700/1150) "Sadly, he's all but useless, so as is the way of many, I'll just have to trade him in for a better man, which is exactly what this card lets me do! I play Tribute Doll, which lets me sacrifice a monster on my side of the field to summon a level seven monster from my hand. So bye-bye Axe Raider, hello Scythe Master Arikotsu!"
As he said this, the soldier of the axe instantly vanished from the field, and in his stead emerged a second warrior, this time a thin, almost wraith-like figure draped in form-fitting grey samurai armor, equipped with a medium-sized scythe in each hand. (1900/2100) "You're probably wondering why such a high-leveled monster is so weak, but I won't go into that at the moment. So I'll place a card face down, and end my turn." Damn Tribute Doll effect…
"My move again, Jakotsu, and I'll use Pluto's effect to draw an extra card this turn. Next, I'll use his other special ability, to special summon an Angel monster from my hand if Pluto is alone on the field, so in this case I'll summon Yuki-Judge of Spirit, in attack mode!" With a one-handed motion from Pluto, Kagome was easily able to summon her next monster, a seemingly kind-hearted red-headed angel in mauve robes, with similarly colored pinions. (2200/2500) "Finally, I'll summon Yuken-Judge of Mortality in attack mode!" The next monster was far different from the other angels, for unlike his seraphin bretheren this angel was dressed in blue denim jeans and a black tee-shirt, with ratty sneakers and slightly greasy green hair that hung loosely over one eye. In fact, there were only two things that would separate him from any other normal person: the fact that he had a pair of dullish white wings on his back, and the rather contemplative look in the eye that was visible. (1800/1800)"I'm not even close to done yet. Next, I'll equip Yuki with Cestus of Dagla, increasing her attack by 500 points and increasing my life points by the amount you would lose in battle!" Where once were empty hands now stood arc-shaped blades of ethereal gold, enhancing the already impressive force Yuki controlled. (2700/2500) "And now, it's time to put you in your place! Yuki, destroy his Scythe Master!"
In a delicate combination of grace and power did the Judge of Spirit charge her opponent, cestus' swirling in a dance of power not often seen in this modern day. It was an eerily beautiful testament to days long gone, where strength and art were bound together. But with any luck, such times were back on the rise.
Jakotsu, an avid believer in such concepts, would not be struck down by them.
"Sorry, princess, but that's not gonna work on me! Reveal face down card, Kiss of the Fallen! In exchange for removing a Warrior monster in my graveyard, I can negate the attack of any monsters whose attack is higher than the removed monster!"
"You know, you've got one sick mind…"
"It's the sickos that get the most action, I like to think."
In what was considered to be the bizarre hologram involving warriors in the entire game, the master of the sickle stood before the charging angel, weapons at the ready…but instead of stopping the attack with his own, he instead blew a kiss to his opponent, causing the devout one to reel back in disgust.
"Luckily for me, the only monster unaffected by the card is a monster who can't attack me anyway, so that works out. Anything else for the moment?"
Beneath her breath, Kagome let out a small growl of frustration. Normally this wouldn't happen to her, so then why was this the case now?
"Fine, I'll place one card face down, and switch Pluto into defense mode. That will end my turn."
As she said thus, Pluto cringed slightly behind her scales, and a holographic card materialized behind her.
"Please don't tell me that's all you've got. Anyway, I draw, and activate the Magic card, United We Stand, to increase the attack and defense of my Scythe Master by 800 points for every monster on my side of the field." (2700/2900) "Next, I'll summon Warrior Dai Grepher to the field in attack mode, thus giving Arikotsu an extra 800 points!" To Arikotsu's right now was called a second warrior, a thickly sinewed swordsman dressed in a bizarre leather outfit. (1700/1600) At the same time, Arikotsu's power increased thanks to the power of unity. (3500/3700) "And now, I'm afraid it's time I ended this duel, Kagome. You see, there's a reason my monster has only 1900 attack points at start, and a very good reason it is: all I have to do is pay 1000 life points, and my monster, so long as it is the only monster that can attack this turn, can attack every single one of your monsters at once!" (Kagome: 4000/ Jakotsu: 3000)
Kagome's hands went chalk pale as she ran through the numbers. Even with her poor mathematical skills, she could tell it would be more than enough to finish her off.
"Wow, you really aren't good at this game, are you? Arikotsu, strike her down!"
With one thought in mind, Arikotsu lifted both scythes, and hurled them in opposite directions, each one moving in its own arc, but both set into paths that would behead Kagome's monsters…
Kaiba vs. Mukotsu
"Well, this is certainly going to be a treat. Usually I never get to duel anyone with real skill, but it seems that my toxic talents will be put to use on a most impressive specimen. And since I am making the challenge, I shall begin." Ah, a fortuitous opening hand, one that would make Bankotsu himself tremble. Let us see if Kaiba can withstand it.
"I shall start by placing three cards face down, and a monster in defense mode. That shall end my turn."After only a minute of looking at the poison master's attack plan, it was all Kaiba could do not to laugh.
"Surely you jest, Mukotsu. Is this what you call an opening move, some measly defenses and a line of traps? Don't insult me with this drivel."
"Then what are you waiting for, Kaiba? If you are so sure of yourself, then why not attack?"
"I'm confident, not stupid. My move!" Kaiba once again drew out his hand, and out of habit took a quick scan of it. As much as he had scorned the poison wielder, he also knew that running headlong into Mukotsu's lines would be suicide; it had happened before. So he would have to take a different approach, and luckily, he had one such option at hand.
"You'd better start praying, Mukotsu, presuming you have a deity to begin with! I summon Vorse Raider to the field in attack mode, and then I play the Magic card, Heavy Storm, which shall demolish every single Magic and Trap card on the field!"
At this, a massive tempest emerged from out of nowhere, knocking bottles of rather expensive liquor all over the place and upturning chairs. Even Pegasus had to admit this was a bit much. The card did have its usefulness, though, such as the demolition of all of Mukotsu's face down cards.
By a stroke of poor luck, however, this was exactly what Mukotsu had desired.
"My gratitude knows no bounds, Kaiba. By destroying my face down cards, you've allowed me to activate their effects. Firstly is a card known as Limpet Nerve Gas; when it's sent from the field to the graveyard, I can deal you 1000 life points of direct damage. Second, you destroyed two cards known as Statue of the Wicked Trap cards, and when they are destroyed I can summon a Wicked Token to the field for each one."
Once the winds had cleared, Kaiba noticed that all three cards had indeed activated, and in place of the cards were now two living statues of heathen gods, along with what looked to be a crystal land mine, which released a stream of toxic gas into his mouth. Even as a hologram it tasted bitter. (Kaiba: 3000/ Mukotsu: 4000) (1000/1000) x2
"Not too bad. It seems you're better at this game than I thought, but it still makes no difference to me. Next, I activate the Magic card, Double Attack, discarding a monster with a higher level than my Vorse Raider to give him the power to attack twice during this turn, so I'll discard my Kaiser Glider to do the job! And I still have one more move to make: I activate Monster Reborn to revive Kaiser Glider!"
Once again did the sign of life emerge, drawing from itself the golden dragon of the sky. (2400/2200) "And now it's time to show you the fear of God! Vorse Raider, eliminate his statues, and Kaiser Glider, go after his face down monster!"
The bloodthirsty monstrosity jumped into the air and lighted next to the first statue, impaling and shattering it with his main weapon, whereupon he hurled his axe into the skull of the other monster. At the same time, the gryphon let fly a solid orb of flame into the heart of the final monster, revealed to be an ancient Arabian jar with a venom green cobra inside. The pot was shattered into oblivion, but the serpent remained.
"Again, I give you my utmost thanks. Your monster has just destroyed Cobra Jar, whose effect lets me summon another token, a Poisonous Snake Token, in attack or defense mode, and when it is destroyed you will lose 500 life points!" (1200/1200)
"Well, that certainly won't make much of a difference, will it? I've faced Burn decks before, Mukotsu, and against me they generally don't last long. So I'll place one card face down to end my turn."
Mukotsu, at this, gave out a rather unnerving chuckle as he drew.
"That's where you're wrong, Kaiba. I do not have a Burn deck; that is my brother Renkotsu's skill. My deck is far worse, and I'm about to show you! I activate the Magic card, Pot of Greed, to draw two cards from my deck. Next, I'll play one of the cards I drew known as Poison of the Old Man, which allows me to either inflict 800 points of damage to you, or gain 1200 points, and I think you know my plan this time!"
Before Mukotsu appeared two vials, one with a green potion, and the other with a purple chemical. In this case, he hurled the first one directly at Kaiba, searing his flesh in an illusory way. (Kaiba: 2200/ Mukotsu: 4000) "Next, I'll summon Poison Soldier to the field in attack mode!" Mukotsu's next monster was indeed a warrior of some effect, a deep purple, humanoid demon clad in a haz-mat suit and armed with a tranquilizer gun. (1900/200) "And because my Poison Soldier was summoned in the same turn as Poison of the Old Man was played, you lose 200 life points!" The marksman of Mukotsu's field leveled his rifle against Kaiba and fired, inflicting a small wound into which toxins poured. (Kaiba: 2000/ Mukotsu: 4000) "That seems to be enough punishment for you at the moment, so I'll place one card face down to end my turn."
By this point, the normally calm and collected businessman was beginning to panic. It was far too early into the duel for him to have lost half of his life points; whoever he was, he had learned from the best of the best. However, he also knew that such decks were often fraught with weakness, and he would have to find one soon if he was going to survive.
"I'm far from done yet! I activate the Magic card, Fissure, which lets me destroy one of your monsters with the lowest attack, and since your Poisonous Snake Token's effect only activates as a result of battle, I won't lose any life points!" The ground beneath the token gave way, sending it into oblivion. "Next, I activate the Card of Sanctity Magic card, allowing us each to draw until we both have six cards in our hands. From this, I activate Rejuvenating Draught, which allows me to increase my life points by an amount equal to half of what I lost last turn, plus an extra 300, for a grand total of 800 new life points!"
In Kaiba's left hand was a single flask made out of a gossamer crystal thread, which contained a rich, full-bodied mead which he partook of, revitalizing his body and soul. (Kaiba: 2800/ Mukotsu: 4000) "And don't think even for an instant that my turn is done. Next, I'll sacrifice Vorse Raider to summon Emerald Dragon to the field in attack mode!"
Kaiba's man beast, as was the fate of all such monsters, was sent into the void, in exchange for a new creature, a grandiose dragon which seemed to be hewn of the emeralds of the mountains. (2400/1500)
"Now I'll activate Dark Core, discarding a card from my hand to remove your last monster from play, and finally, I'll play Completion of the Arc, which lets me revive any monster discarded for an effect, which is in this case my Cybernetic Brigadier, with an attack and defense increase of 400!"
In that one move, two separate events took place, the first being the poisonous hunter being extracted from the game, and the second being an arch of electricity drawing out Kaiba's discarded monster, what looked like a tall human draped in a copper and diamond mechanical suit, armed with a rocket launcher and five grenades. (2750/2200)
"Of course, thanks to Completion of the Arc, I cannot enter my battle phase, so I'll just place my last card face down and end my turn."
It was indeed an impressive duel, from what Pegasus and Botan could see; it was only a few turns into it, and both were opening up everything they had.
"Rip him to shreds, baby!"
Botan's cheers had by this point begun to annoy the older man, and thusly did he order another scotch. But in the grand scheme of things, it didn't matter.
Once Mukotsu draws out the card I slipped into his deck, Kaiba-boy will be done for good…
Alleyway where we left Inuyasha
"Tea…what was that thing I played? I mean, I activated the Seal, and the next thing I know I blacked out…"
Honestly, Tea could not tell him, for she did not really know herself what the Orichalcos truly was. She knew vaguely that it was a substance formed purely of the darkness of human hearts, but beyond that was a mystery, as it was to all save Dartz; what little she could tell him would not likely be of any use.
"I don't know. I guess it, well, I guess you could say, uh…"
She couldn't bring herself to say it. For whatever reason, she didn't want to tell him what the Seal did to people. Especially what it did to half-demons.
Inuyasha, of course, didn't understand what was going on in the first place, and normally would have pursued the matter further, but due to his current exhaustion he did not force the point. Besides, the less he heard about the Seal, the better."Where'd that bastard go? We have to end this…"
With what would under the circumstances be considered a valiant attempt, Inuyasha attempted to get up from his position against the wall, but a sharp, widespread pain wracked his limbs and forced him back onto the ground. Clearly Raphael had done a number on him; even as a human his injuries had never hurt this much.
"Try not to move, alright, Inuyasha? You're badly hurt, too much to do anything too stressful right now." Unfortunately, there wasn't much she could do for him with the supplies at hand; at present, the best she could accomplish was to keep him comfortable until she could figure out a true course of action.
Without much choice in the matter, the hanyou consented. He couldn't move enough anyway, and he could almost feel the life drain out of him when he tried to.
However, that did leave one question unanswered, one he hoped she would have the answer to.
"You were crying, weren't you?"
"Huh? No, I wasn't…"
"Don't lie to me, Tea. What happened in that duel?"
"I…I…I don't want to talk about it."
"Tea…"
"I SAID I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!"
Inuyasha had been yelled at before, under varying circumstances and in many ways. But not once had anyone shrieked at him in the same manner as Tea did at that moment. In place of anger, annoyance, or delusion was now a deep-set fear, as though she was scared of what would happen if she told him.
She had seen his demon side.
"Tea, I'm sorry. That thing, that monster that dueled Raphael, that wasn't me."
"I know. It's just that…I've never seen that side of you before. The things you said and did…I thought you were actually going to kill me. I was so scared, trapped under the Seal, and I was absolutely sure…"
Tears were beginning to form again in her eyes as her lower lip trembled. Even the socially maladjusted demon knew what to do now. With what little strength he could muster he drew Tea close to him, desperate to never let her go. He knew that she was the only one he had left, the only one in the entire world who could keep him from slitting his own wrists at that very moment, and for all the demon power in the universe he would not release her warm body from his.
"I'll never let you out of my sight again."
It was almost surreal for Tea; in spite of the overbearing stench of blood and the still reverberating fear of his inner darkness, she could not help but feel enchanted by his touch. She knew that beneath the heart of the monstrous full demon was this person, this caring and brave, albeit obnoxious, person, whom she had fallen for without warning or logic.
But then, when did love ever announce or explain itself? It was like a storm in many ways; as a storm, love was violent at times, full of pain and misery, and yet at the same time it gave way to happiness and joy to those who could weather the worst of it. And this was clearly one of those moments to survive.
"Inuyasha, promise me something. Promise me that you will never use the Seal of Orichalcos again for as long as you live."
The demon did not have to give the decision a second thought.
"If giving up the Seal and its powers means that you're safe, I'll gladly surrender it."
"Thanks. In fact, let's make it official."
"Huh? You mean, like contract it out in blood or with a ritual sacrifice?"
At this dated response, Tea giggled, and then transitioned into a very sexy smile.
"No, silly. We have a saying in my family: when you want to make something official…"
And as she spoke, the dancer pressed her lips against his, letting the tip of her toungue dance across his for only an instant before she broke from him.
"…all you have to do is seal it with a kiss."
To Be Continued
I apologize for any length problems. But hey, an update's an update, right?
Anyway, next chapter continues the duels of Yusuke, Kagome, Yami, Kaiba, Joey, and Enzeru, while Inuyasha tries to find Raphael. Also, Roger and Angel mull over the fate of Paradigm.
Now, onto originals. All the original angels besides Pluto (White Mage's) belong to Time Mage. Renkotsu, Jakotsu, Mukotsu, Yami, Yusuke, and Kaiba all have original cards belonging to yours truly, and Sensui's original cards are supplied by Time Mage.
Anyway, on to Remix and Apocalypse! See ya then, and read/review!