Aaron and V were left in the hands of the Doc, while the others watched from afar.
"He's gone through a lot in just a few short weeks." Jordan said.
"But it looks like he gave V a run for his money, he's out cold." Josh said, looking at the guy lying on the bed.
"Well, its time to call it a night, but those 2 will have to stay over night to recover, anyone willing to stay the night and watch over them?" Chuck asked.
"I will, I technically got them into this mess." Sarah volunteered.
"Me too, I got to get out of this clown suit anyway." Dalin said.
"I've got night watch anyway so I'm staying." Kuro spoke up.
"And so will I." Nick stated, as he came down the hall.
"Alright, good night." Jacob said, as the rest headed downstairs to catch the Zephyr Express home.
Kuro turned to Nick, "Hey why are you staying?"
"I got an uneasy feeling, keep an eye out, I'm going to check the grounds." Nick replied, as he headed out.
"I wonder what's up with him?" Sarah spoke up.
"Who knows? Come on, let's get something to eat." Dalin said, as the 3 left the infirmary.
However in the shadows, a pair of green eyes glowed in the dark.
Nick stepped out onto the Promenade, walked up to the Fountain, a saw his reflection in the water shinning from the star light.
He stood 5.9, 130 lbs, and was roughly 15, his hair was short dirty blonde, his bluish green eyes behind glasses, he wore blue jeans, a Red Buccaneers Jacket, and a blue Tampa Bay Lightning T-shirt.
"I know this kid is a seer, but how could he do that?" He said, remembering Aaron's finishing move.
I've seen the Dark Paladin many times from the others dueling, but when he used it, it was like he was putting his trust in the monster, and it reacted with the same feelings he had. I wonder if there's something more to this, but I've got bigger problems.
He turned around, and saw a strange claw marks on the stone walkway.
"It looks like we've got ourselves a small guest." He said, upon examination of the claw marks, which were no bigger that that off a dog's.
Back down in the infirmary, V had woken up, and was staring at the unconscious Aaron next to him.
Back in the bed again? If he keeps this up he'll be dueling strapped to a gurney. But I honesty didn't think he had the strength to pull that shot off.
He reached over and picked up Aaron's Duel Brace, and looked into the Graveyard, seeing as all his cards were there from the dueling.
He skimmed through and found Gearfried and the Shrink Magic card, He thought back to the moment after Aaron attacked him
Flash Back Begins
The Dark Paladin dove forward with blinding speed, and held the blade over his head for a slash.
V focused a massive pulse of Rema in to his right hand, and formed a giant shield.
The Swordsman brought his weapon down on the shield with incredible force, enough to cause the barrier to ripple and tear. LP. 900
But Just then, Gearfried snuck under the Paladin!
"Psych." Aaron said, as he slipped in a card, Shrink.
Gearfried shrank to half his size, an even 900 atk points.
The half-pint metal warrior swung its metal arm back, and smacked V in the gut, and sent him flying back into the wall. LP 0
Flash Back Ends
He didn't have to do that, and I'm surprised he did, after all the direct damage I gave him, he didn't inflict more pain than he needed.
He put the cards together and shuffled, then put them back in the Brace, "For next time, sleep tight." He said.
Down in the cafeteria, Dalin had gotten out of his clown suit, and switched to cargo pants and jeans, a regular shirt and a red overshirt, and was now stuffing his face, and his cheeks were as puffy as a squirrel's.
"Disgusting." Sarah said
"Preach it sister." Kuro agreed.
"Stay clear or he'll swallow you guys too." Nick said, as he stepped inside.
"Hey, how was your inspection of the grounds?" Kuro asked.
"I found small claw marks on the Promenade, they aren't very large, but sharp, I've got the computer making a match." He said.
"An intruder? It's been a while since we had anyone that suicidal." Sarah said.
BOOM!
The whole room shook, causing plates to fall off the tables and smash!
"That does it! Nobody messes with my Castle!" Kuro stormed out of her chair and made a mad dash for the security station.
Dalin's face was coated in lasagna, "And nobody messes with my Food!"
"Well at least we know what makes his brain tick." Nick said.
Just then, Something blew up one of the windows above them!
It was a small monster with a rocket strapped to his back!
"Rocket Jumper!" Dalin called out.
"SPIRIT MERGE!" Nick called out, his Twin Headed Behemoth brace flashed with light, and he was swept up in energy, his muscles bluged, his outfit changed to a black and red out fit, a eye patch covering his right eye, hair grew and turned a dark purple, a string of bullets swung over his chest, and at his sides were a pair of sidearms and large knives. And finally, a black tattoo of a scorpion appeared on his right arm.
He emerged, "DON ZALOOG!"
He pulled out one of his guns, and fired, the rocket exploded in the air.
"Kuro, what's the situation?" Dalin called in to his duel brace.
"Trouble, I've got Castle defenses responding, but the Rocket Jumpers are coming in volleys and I'm detecting 3 monsters heading straight for you!"
Dalin and Sarah's braces flashed, "SPIRIT MERGE!"
Dalin's form was swallowed in light, but immediately changed drastically in size, turning smaller and wider!
Sarah's form also became smaller, but not as much, her form remained humanoid, but all the more different.
Dalin emerged as the trio of kitten warriors, "CAT'S EAR TRIBE!"
Sarah also emerged as another familiar monster, "ANCIENT ELF!"
As the 5 monsters stood together, 3 monsters broke through the busted window, a trio of different monsters that all resembled each other in design.
One was the slimmest of the group, arms and legs were poles, its body was solid metal, it face was a rim of metal with blue and red ends, it carried a heavy shield in its left arm, and a sword in his right.
The next looked like a giant yellow block, with hose arms and legs, with small pointy feet and orbs with magnets sticking out for hands. And the head of this creature mirrored its hands, save for being a lot bigger two beady eyes.
And the final creature was a pretty much a ball that could fly, its body was mostly a bright pink, with metal angel like wings, it had hands and pointy feet attacked via hoses, and its head was a vertical block with a screen which showed its small yellow eyes, and on it's chest was a large S.
Together they were Alpha, Beta, and Gamma.
"MAGNET WARRIORS!" Dalin called out.
"Get them away from each other, or they'll transform into Valkyrion!" Nick shouted as he dove after Alpha.
The magnets spilt in different directions, Beta and Gamma dove after Dalin and Sarah.
Don pulled out his sabers and tried to slash Alpha's weak arms, but the rock warrior blocked with its equally strong blade and parried.
Beta's hands began to spin and spark with electricity, then started to blast lightning at the Cats like a mini gun. The tribe split into different directions and started to run around the room!
Gamma dove straight at Sarah, both of its fists ready to pound her face in.
"Big mistake." She said, as a she bounced up into the air, with her staff held back like a base ball bat.
The Pink Magnet warrior reared its fist back for a swing, But the elf was faster, and she swung and smacked the pink ball body with a mighty thrust! The magnet was sent careening backwards.
Meanwhile in the control booth, Kuro's hands were flying right across the controls.
"Sentinel Cannons, Fire!" She commanded.
Giant machine guns popped out of the corner posts of the castle walls, and roared with bullets as they intercepted more of the Rocket Jumpers, and lit the sky with fire!
Kuro looked at the screen, and saw more volleys heading her way, "Where the hell are they all coming from?"
Beta continued to spin in a circle, trying to keep up with the trio of kittens.
"Delta Strike Slice!" The 3 cats called out in unison as they jumped into the air, and slashed the magnet warrior to ribbons.
Ancient Elf, held her staff up, and the bat headpiece glowed with red light, "Soul Scepter Flare!" She shouted, as she swung her weapon, and a red hot wave of energy flew forward and sliced Gamma in half!
Alpha soon realized it was out numbered, and made a break for a retreat.
"I got him!" Don said, as he jumped through the room after it.
Kuro in the control room was loosing her patience, "DIE!"
Suddenly, a squad of Catapult Turtles appeared in front of the castle gates with Blast Spheres loaded for deployment.
"Lock on and FIRE!"
The catapults released and sent the flying bombs straight into the fray, wiping out the remaining rockets.
Don outside the castle walls was in hot pursuit of the renegade Alpha, "Hey! Slow down. Don't you run out of batteries or some thing?"
He pulled out his gun, and took a shot, but it bounced off the stony body of the magnet.
"Damn, I thought my problems would be depth related, not bullet proof." He commented.
Just then, Alpha Turned and slashed at him, Don back flipped and countered with a blade, "I guess I chipped the paint." He muttered as the rock was gaining leverage.
Ok, this fridge door freak is getting on my nerves.
Don pulled, and then shoved with all his muscle bound might and forced the magnet off!
Alpha tried to get back on its feet, but Don was too quick, "Stick around."
The next thing the rock knew, it had a 6 inch blade sticking hilt deep in it.
"Well that was fun, but it still doesn't explain why the attack." He said to himself, as he pulled the blade out, and the monster dispersed into dust.
This has distraction spelled all over it, but what's the deal? The only clue I have is the intruder, a monster with small size and sharp claws. If the attack was to delay us to allow its escape, they should have directed their assault to one place, but they attacked the castle indiscriminately, save for the magnets, and...wait a sec. The Rocket Jumpers, the Magnet Warriors, there all rock monsters.
Don looked around, and thought for a second, I remember a Duelist in the tournament in Chicago a few months ago, a tough contender who ran a lot of earth monsters but specialized in rock monsters. He went missing soon afterwards, reports said he was last seen at his house, but all they could find out of place at the scene was a stray Duel monsters card.
Nick, inside Don, was scratching his head, but what was it? It was something that didn't make sense, it wasn't a card he would use at all, it was something stupid it was...it was...
Just then, he froze, Don's single eye saw a Card imbedded in a tree, a monster card, one that most duelists would call a double edge, a risk not worth taking, a joke, but in select circles of the dueling community, a calling card to defeat.
Time Wizard.
DAN!
Don immediately spun around to try and get back; however, the ground shook and rumbled as a wall of bricks 40 feet high surged out of the Earth to block his path.
"Oh I think not Nick. I'm afraid you won't be escaping me." Said a very deep voice.
Don didn't take the hint, and attempted to leap over the wall.
However, a very strong and muscled arm smashed him against the wall, and sent him falling back down.
Don's form couldn't remain stable from the blow and fizzled away, leaving Nick on the ground, staring at his opponent. A man of green muscle, with burly hair and red eyes, he wore a karate uniform, and was ready to wipe the floor with him.
The monstrous figure before Nick vanished, leaving behind a human being. He was dressed in black pants, with brown work boots, a blue long shelve shirt, and his face was a sturdy as granite.
"Rocky Quarry." Nick spat, as he pulled himself up.
"I see my reputation precedes me, and I know about you as well Nick, a champion till that last tournament, I wonder, do you still have nightmares?"
Nick shook off the comment, "That is behind me, and I'm afraid your in my way. So step aside or face my wrath."
"I'm sorry Nikolas, but I'm afraid I promised Dan your absence. So I'm afraid if you want to get through, you're going to have to defeat me in a duel, and you know you don't stand a chance." Rocky stated, his duel brace glowing.
Nick's duel brace unfolded and said, "Well then, you're in for a disappointment, cuz I'm going to rock your block off Rocko."
"Fine then, let the crushing begin." He said, as the duel was on.