Chapter 41: Know Thyself
Chazz and Jaden were still sitting around the void. What else could they do while waiting for Chumley and Syrus to wake up? About two days have passed, and those two were still out cold. Based off what Different Dimension Survivor, it would be about one more day before they became conscious again.
"So...wanna duel to pass the time?" Jaden asked.
"I'm too pissed off for that right now." Chazz answered.
"You said that yesterday and the day before." Jaden pointed out.
"Yeah. And until we get out of this place, that's not gonna change."
Jaden groaned. He took a look at the Duel Spirits. Des Koala barely ever moved, still standing watch over the unconscious Chumley. Winged Kuriboh tried to make conversation with Ojama Yellow, but for some reason, the Ojama preferred to not get close to Jaden's spirit monster. Hairballs withs eyes seemed to be unnerving to the Ojama.
"Man, even when Syrus and Chumley wake up, how are we supposed to get out of here?" Jaden asked.
"D.D Survivor said that we could enter some place called the Different Dimension from here, right?" Chazz asked.
Ojama Yellow floated up next to Chazz. "That place wouldn't help you get back home boss! Even Duel Spirits get trapped in that place!"
"So we just don't have any options?" Jaden asked.
Chazz clenched his fist. "How are we supposed to get out of here then?!"
A few minutes passed, before Des Koala's ears perked up. The monster turned it's head and pointed at the direction. "Huh? What's up Des Koala?" Jaden asked.
Jaden and Chazz then started to hear something. A motorcycle engine. "Boss, do you hear-?" Ojama Yellow began to ask.
"Yeah." From the distance, they began to see a red motorcycle come towards them. Riding the motorcycle was a green-skinned demonic creature wearing metal shoulder plates, and red straps all over his body. "I can hear you breathin'.I can see you comin'. I can feel the wind. It's blowing. Me around." The monster sang.
"Another Duel Spirit." Jaden pointed out.
The monster seemed to notice the two humans, as it began to come to a stop. "Whoa. There really are humans here. Not every day you see them in the Different Dimension."
"We didn't exactly come by choice." Chazz told him.
"Who are you by the way?" Jaden asked.
"The name's Gustaph. The Chaosrider." The monster answered. He then took a look at the Duel Spirits. "Looks like you two know have already met some Duel Spirits.
"I'm Jaden. The other guy is Chazz. And these are our partners."
Winged Kuriboh floated next to Jaden. "Kuri, kuri, kuri!"
"D.D Survivor sent you here?" Gustaph asked.
"You know him?" Chazz asked.
"Not personally, but I heard a lot about him from D.D Master."
"D.D Master?" Jaden repeated.
"Yeah. He's basically my boss. He wants me to bring you guys to him."
Chazz was immediately suspicious. "What for?"
"So he can decide whether or not you guys return to your home."
"And after Bastion's duel with Tania, we found out that apparently, a Duel Spirit is responsible for Jaden, Syrus, Chumley, and Chazz's disappearance. So you're the only one left who can see Duel Spirits, Belowski." Damian explained. He, Adrian, and the remaining Key Keepers were all on the school roof. They were talking with a short Obelisk Blue boy with messy dark hair an unbuttoned Obelisk jacket, a torn t-shirt.
"Ok dudes. I think I understand the sitch'." The boy, Belowski, answered. He seemed to have a constant laid back attitude. "So this is why Crowler let me out of my dorm room."
Adrian and Scott were both fairly dumbfounded. If they were told a few weeks ago that they would be freeing a student who was essentially kept in a prison hidden in the chicken coop because he drained people of energy when he duels...actually, under what scenario would anybody tell them that until today?
"So, do you think you can find the Duel Spirit who caused them to disappear?" Bastion asked.
"Well, I'll be able to see the Duel Spirit for sure, but I dunno if I'll be able to find them, man. Duel Spirits aren't like stationary trees. They're free creatures. They roam around the world as they please, unburdened by the oppressive chains of the establishment." Belowski answered.
"So basically, you'll just have to wander around the island and hope you see the duel spirit?" Adrian asked.
"But we don't even know what the Duel Spirit we're looking for even is." Alexis pointed out.
"So what, we're at a dead end?" Scott asked.
Ghassan thought for a few seconds. "Not necessarily. Hey Damian, you remember the episode where Chazz gets the other Ojamas?"
Damian realized what his brother was hinting at. "Oh yeah. The well. Maybe we can get some info from there."
"Umm...what are you two talking about?" Scott asked.
"Somewhere in the forest is a well where a bunch of cards were thrown into by students who viewed them as weak or useless. Several of them were Duel Spirits." Damian explained. "In one of the episodes of your show, Chazz needed to make a deck filled with weak monsters, so he went there to build it."
"Wait, show?" Belowski asked.
Alexis facepalmed. "You know, you could have kept that part a secret Damian."
Damian shrugged. "Basically Belowski-"
"No need to explain. Let me guess. You and your big bro are from a dimension where our lives are just a form of entertainment for you." Belowski stated.
"Same applies for me, but...yeah. That was surprisingly accurate." Scott answered.
"No big dealio. I just took how The Man sees us and took it to a different scale."
"Um...ok then." Alexis answered. She and Bastion didn't really take note of it when they first met Belowski considering how they were in a daze when Jaden was dueling him, but Belowski was quite the strange individual.
"Anyway, if we find the well, Belowski can ask the Duel Spirits there if they saw anything weird recently." Ghassan said.
"Works for me, man." Belowski stood up. "Alright. Let's get crackin' on getting to that well."
Ghassan turned to Damian. "Aren't you still under house arrest though?"
"Sheppard temporarily lifted that restriction so that I can help with the search."
"Meaning that you two can possibly get Damian alone." The Light of Destruction said in the heads of Ghassan and Scott.
"So, should we split up and cover more ground?" Scott suggested.
Ghassan knew what Scott had in mind. "Yeah, we split into groups of two, and whichever group finds the well calls everyone else on the PDA."
Damian mentally prepared himself. This was it. Ghassan and Scott were finally going to ambush him for The Light.
"No need for that man. My bud Mokey Mokey already knows where it is." Belowski responded.
"Excellent! Now we don't have to split up and aimlessly search!" Bastion exclaimed.
"...Awesome." Ghassan and Scott said.
"So, you guys sure you don't wanna just hop onto my motorcycle? We'll get to the boss quicker." Gustaph asked.
Jaden was carrying the unconscious Syrus on his back as he walked/floated. "I can't just abandon Syrus and Chumley." Des Koala was carrying Chumley on it's back as it travelled with them.
"So, where is this D.D Master guy anyway?" Chazz asked.
"Yeah. The quicker we get out of this freaky place, the better." Ojama Yellow said.
"Hey, remember. He hasn't decided on whether or not he'll let you guys out yet." Gustaph reminded them. "He might let you go without any questions. He might keep you trapped. He might make you pass some test first."
"Um...this test doesn't happen to be written, does it?" Jaden asked, somewhat worried.
Before Gustaph could answer, all of them began to hear something. "Do you guys hear a rumbling?" Chazz asked.
"The boss is here." Gustaph answered.
Soon, a platform made out of gray stone rose up in front of the group from below. On top of it was a figure with a man who was covered in a dark cloak with brown straps on it. Strapped to the back of the cloak was what appeared to be a blue generator. "So that's Different Dimension Master." Ojama Yellow said.
"Gustaph, I thought I told you to leave behind the boy with Winged Kuriboh." D.D Master said.
"Wait, what?" Jaden asked.
"Yeah, but for all I know, the other guy would have refused to come if I didn't allow his buddy." Gustaph replied.
"Yeah, you didn't have to worry about that." Chazz told Gustaph.
"Wow. Harsh." Jaden reacted. He then turned to D.D Master. "But why was I supposed to be left behind?"
"Because you're too much of a risk to the dimensions." D.D Master answered.
"Huh?! What are you talking about?!" Jaden demanded.
"Yeah, I'm not eager to be returning with him, but this slacker is about as dangerous as a gerbil." Chazz said.
"You two have heard of the Invader of Darkness, correct?" D.D Master asked.
Chazz and Jaden widened their eyes. "You know him?" Jaden asked.
"Yes. The ruler of the Different Dimension. And it was his powers that sent you to this void."
"So that D.D Survivor guy borrowed his powers or something?" Chazz asked.
"Pretty much." Gustaph replied.
D.D Master turned to Chazz. "Apparently, you saw your friend Damian Abunura have his inner darkness drawn out by that duel spirit. Is this correct?" D.D Master asked.
"Yeah. He stuck his hand inside Damian, and after some Shadow Rider tried to brainwash him, he went insane." Chazz answered. "Not really a friend though. I just hang out with him because there's nothing better to do."
"Then that just confirms my reasoning. Jaden Yuki can't be allowed out of here until The Invader of Darkness is dealt with. If your inner darkness is drawn out, it would lead to destruction far greater than whatever The Invader of Darkness can cause."
"Kuri kuri kuri!" Winged Kuriboh protested.
"Listen, I know you're his partner, but the boss knows what he's talking about." Gustaph said to Winged Kuriboh.
"So, what does this Invader of Darkness guy want anyway?" Chazz asked.
"With the exception of this void, all of the Different Dimension is his domain."
"Wait, why did he never take control of this place then if it's part of the Different Dimension?" Jaden asked.
Gustaph let out a laugh. "You say that as if he didn't try. But the boss has complete understanding and control over the Different Dimension. If he wanted to, he could take all of Invader's territory for himself. But the boss prefers watching what's going on in dimensions. Sometimes he'll indirectly guide people to other dimensions to stop threats, but for the most part, he just sits back and watches."
"Anyway, the Different Dimension is just one of many worlds that serve as homes for Duel Spirits. Invader of Darkness wishes to expand his territory and conquer all of the dimensions." D.D Master said.
Chazz widened his eyes. "I get it now. D.D Survivor said something about finding a way for Duel Spirits to have a physical form in our world. The Invader of Darkness wants to take control over our world, doesn't he?"
D.D Master nodded.
"Then that's all the more reason to send me and Chazz back home! We're the only ones who can tell the others about him!" Jaden argued.
"I told you. If your inner darkness gets drawn out, the destruction would be far worse than what Invader of Darkness would do."
"I still don't get what you're talking about though." Jaden told D.D Master.
"Yeah, how about you explain what's going on?" Chazz asked.
"Jaden Yuki, within you sleeps a malicious entity known as The Supreme King."
"The Supreme King?" Jaden repeated.
D.D Master nodded. "Despite his desires, the Invader of Darkness is simply a strong Duel Spirit. The Supreme King however is a conqueror who threatens all dimensions. His awakening would lead to the creation of Super Polymerization. With that, all of the dimensions will be merged together in one, allowing The Supreme King to devastate them all." D.D Master then turned to Chazz. "This also makes you problematic as well. You're the one most likely to be corrupted by The Light of Destruction."
Jaden shuddered at the name. Why? Why did it sound so familiar to him? In fact, this Supreme King stuff was beginning to ring a bell too.
"Are you just gonna throw fancy words around, or are you gonna actually explain what they mean?" Chazz asked.
"The Light of Destruction is an entity that existed since the dawn of creation. For millions of years, it's presence has caused tragedies to planets that it influenced. Wars, dictatorships, natural disasters. However, it aims to cause far more damage than the Invader of Darkness, or even The Supreme King. The destruction of all the universe. And if the dimensions are all merged while The Light of Destruction still exists-"
"That would mean every single dimension would get destroyed..." Jaden realized.
This took Chazz aback. "Wait, hold on. So, including the Shadow Riders, there's three more bad guys who threaten the world?" Chazz asked.
"The Shadow Riders?" D.D Master asked. From his tone, he seemed to genuinely have no idea who they were.
Gustaph waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about them boss. The worst they'd do is cause the end of dueling for the human dimension. They don't threaten the dimensions."
D.D Master nodded. "Thank you Gustaph." This didn't put Jaden and Chazz at ease. Apparently, these new threats made the Shadow Riders look like small potatoes. And evidently, despite watching over dimensions, this D.D Master guy wasn't all-knowing.
"Hold on, so why am I the one most likely to be possessed by this Light of Destriction thing?" Chazz asked.
"Because it's happened before." D.D Master answered.
"What do you mean it's happened before?" Jaden asked.
"Just as there's many dimensions for spirit worlds, you humans have countless dimensions as well. The Different Dimension is the sole constant between all timelines."
Jaden and Chazz didn't think they could be more confused. They were wrong. "Hey, boss? Maybe it would be easier to show him." Gustaph suggested.
D.D Master nodded. "I suppose that would be the best option." D.D Master began to walk towards Jaden. As he walked, more and more stone platforms rose up to form a path. "Gustaph. Take the two unconscious boys back to their home dimension. You have my permission to use the gate."
"You got it boss." Gustaph took the unconscious Syrus, and hauled him on Gustaph's bike. Gustaph then turned to Des Koala. "You can carry that koala-looking guy, right?" Des Koala nodded. "Good." Gustaph started up his motorcycle and drove off, Des Koala running after him.
"So, Syrus and Chumley get to go free?" Jaden asked, relieved.
D.D Master nodded. "Now, brace yourselves." He waved his hands around before a bright light engulfed Jaden, Chazz, and their Duel Spirits.
Belowski climbed up the ropeladder, leaving the well. "Thanks again little dudes!" He yelled out.
"So, what did they say?" Scott asked.
"Apparently, there are two spirits there who are looking for their little brother." Belowski answered.
Damian and Ghassan knew that was about the Ojamas. "That's not what we're looking for though." Ghassan pointed out.
"Yeah, I know. But I wanted to let the voices of the little guys be heard."
Adrian was getting annoyed at this. If they couldn't get Jaden, he wouldn't be able to take his Gentle Darkness. "Are you going to tell us anything useful?"
Surprisingly, Belowski nodded. "Yeah. Couple of the Duel Spirits in the well saw a new one a couple days ago. D.D Survivor. Apparently he came around the well to ask some questions about the island."
"Well...I suppose that answers the Duel Spirit we're looking for." Bastion asked.
"But how are we going to find him?" Alexis wondered.
Belowski cracked his neck. "If it helps you guys, I can look around the island for a few days, and give you a heads up if I ever spot him."
"I guess that's the best thing we can do right now." Adrian said.
Soon, a light flashed. Two Slifers suddenly teleported in front of the well, unconscious. "Syrus! Chumley!" Bastion exclaimed.
Alexis walked up to them and put a finger over each of their necks, sighing in relief later. "They're ok. Unconscious, but breathing."
"But...what was that about?" Ghassan asked.
"And what about Jaden and Chazz?" Scott asked.
"Whoa, whoa! You can't leave without giving an answer!" Belowski said. "What's this all about?"
"Umm...what?" Ghassan asked Belowski.
"Uh huh. Yeah? Oh, ok. Thanks bro!" Belowski turned to the others.
"Were you talking with D.D Survivor just then?" Bastion asked.
"Nah. Totally different Duel Spirit. Chaosrider Gustaph. And I got good news and bad news."
"What's the good news?" Damian asked.
"The good news is that I know where the missing guys were sent to. Some void that's the entrance to a Spirit World. And Gustaph over here is able to bring them back!"
"That's great!" Alexis exclaimed.
"But you said there was bad news too." Adrian pointed out.
Belowski nodded. "The bad news is kinda a bummer. If those two don't pass some test, Gustaph's boss is keeping them trapped forever."
Chazz was in a bright white void, looking at various different visions. He was stunned by what he was seeing. He was dressed in a white version of the Obelisk Blue jacket, constantly praising The Light and some guy called Sartorius or whatever. He defeated countless different students and convincing them to worshipping 'The Light' as well, including Alexis and Bastion (who oddly, was still in his Ra Yellow jacket rather than an Obelisk Blue jacket).
'No way...this happened before?' Chazz asked.
Chaz was seeing more and more visions. He was back in the Obelisk Blue dorm, albeit it was painted white. But best of all, he was respected. People were carrying chairs that he sat on, chanting his name.
'Maybe...maybe this future isn't-' Chazz stopped himself from finishing that thought. He remembered what D.D Master said. The Light was aiming for the destruction of the universe.
"Do you honestly believe that, Chazz?" A voice asked.
"What the..." Chazz asked. Next to him was a gentleman with long blue hair wearing a Duel Academy jacket similar to Zane's. White with blue stripes and collar. "Who are you?"
"I am Sartorius. I'm the manager for the Pro Duelist, Aster Phoenix."
"Aster Phoenix?" Chazz asked. He heard that name. A recent pro duelist who's about the same age as Chazz.
"I can tell there's potential in you, Princeton. You've shown such in multiple different timelines."
Chazz widened his eyes. "Wait...so when that D.D Master said this stuff has happened before...?"
"He was partially telling the truth yes. There are many dimensions where you've taken a variety of different actions. However, The Light isn't something to fear. It leads to salvation and prosperity."
"Prosperity...?" Chazz asked.
"You saw the visions. Accepting The Light will lead you to glory. It might even give you the power to save your friend, Damian.
"Friend's a strong word. I just tolerate him the most out of all the losers at Duel Academy."
The man, Sartorius snapped his fingers. In front of him materialized a table, and behind him, a chair. He sat down in it. "How about this? Would you like to duel me?"
"A duel?"
Sartorius nodded. "Agree, and I'll free you from this dimensional void, win or lose. But if you impress me, I can personally recommend you to the Pro Leagues."
Chazz raised an eyebrow. "Huh. That's some nice icing on the cake." Chazz put on his Duel Disk. "You're on!"
Ojama Yellow popped up next to Chazz. "I don't know boss. I have a bad feeling about this."
"Shut it." Chazz told his Duel Spirit.
Sartorius nodded. "Then let's begin."
(Chazz 4000/Sartorius 4000)
"I'll go first." Sartorius said as he drew a card and put it on the table.
Chazz noticed something. Sartorius wasn't looking at his hand. He was laying them all facedown on the table. "Hey! You gonna actually look at your cards?"
"No need. I forsee them." He answered. He put his hands over a different card. "I can tell...there's many people in your life who you harbor strong feelings for. For several, envy. For some, fear. But there's one person in particular who you wish to obtain the affection of above all else."
Chazz immediately thought of Alexis. "What are you talking about?" Chazz asked.
Sartorius flipped the card. "I summon Arcana Force III - The Empress (1300/1300) in attack mode." A grey alien-like creature wearing a silk cape appeared. Immediately after it was summoned, a holographic display of her card appeared, beginning to slowly spin.
"What is this?" Chazz asked.
"My Arcana Force monsters have different effects depending on what position they land when you say 'stop'. For The Empress, if it's upright, I get to Normal Summon an Arcana Force monster whenever you Normal Summon or Set a monster. If it lands in reverse, then everytime you Normal Summon or Set a monster, I send a card from my hand to the graveyard."
"Feh. Dumb gimmick." Chazz said. "Ok, stop!"
Despite Chazz thinking he timed it to be upside down, the card continued to rotate until it stopped upright. Looks like Chazz couldn't rig it in his favor.
"Destiny has spoken. I set a card facedown and end my turn." Sartorius said. He then turned to his monster. "The Empress is a caring figure that represents motherhood. The one you have affections for must be a kind individual."
Chazz drew a card, ignoring Sartorius. "I discard my Infernity Avenger to summon my Infernity Wildcat!" (1400/0) A bright red demonic cat appeared in front of Chazz. It had glowing red eyes, and was wearing golden headgear. "Let me guess, you were planning on tribute summoning your weaker monster for a stronger one thanks to Empress' effect, right? Well too bad! Infernity Wildcat's effect lets me Special Summon it, so you won't be summoning a second monster. Go Wildcat! Infernal Pounce!"
The monster lept towards the Arcana Force monster, and cleanly slashed through it. (Sartorius 4000-3900) Sartorius smiled. "Now you can have another glimpse."
"Huh?" Chazz reacted. Suddenly, more visions flew through his mind.
He was dueling her in an attempt to go on a date with her, holding all the Spirit Keys to ensure she duels him. The scene flashed to him losing. And then flashed again to three dangerous looking monsters rising up from the island. It was all his fault. Chazz cause the Sacred Beasts to awaken.
"What...what was...?"
"It was a path you walked on in a previous life. Your desire for the Empress nearly led to calamity. Will you walk on the same path in this life?"
"Shut up! I activate my quickplay spell, Quick Summon to Normal Summon a monster. I summon Infernity Archfiend!" (1800/1200) The spiky-haird demon appeared in front of Chazz. "And the best part it is, we're still in the Battle Phase! Attack directly Infernity Archfiend! Infernal Pressure!"
A pink alchemic circle appeared above Sartorius before a spiritual hand shot out of it, striking him from above. (Sartorius 3900-2100) "Clever move."
"I set two cards and end my turn." Chazz said.
"You're indeed quite skilled. But there's somebody who you're worried is more skilled than you. A resourceful and intelligent young man."
Chazz imediately thought of Bastion.
Sartorius drew a card, and immediately played it on his table. "I summon Arcana Force I - The Magician (1100/1100) in attack mode." A strange blob-like creature wearing a jester's clothing appeared. Once again, the image of a card displayed, beginning to rotate. "Once again, say stop. If it lands upright, The Magician's attack points will become double it's original attack points when a Spell Card is activated until the End Phase. But if it lands upside down, you gain 500 life points whenever a spell is activated."
"This again?"
"Yes. And I also activate my continuous trap card, Lucky Chance. If I call the outcome correctly for my monster's effect, I get to draw a card. I declare that it will land upright."
"Fine, stop!"
The card stopped spinning. It landed rightside up. "Destiny has spoken."
"As if there's such a thign as destiny. 1,000 yen says you're rigging it."
Sartorius chuckled as he drew a card. "I activate the continuous spell card Second Coin Toss. And since a spell was activated, The Magician's attack points double." (Arcana Force I - The Magician 1100-2200/1100) "Then I activate the spell card Suit of Sword X." A display of the card started spinning again. "If it lands upright, all monsters you control are destroyed. If it lands upside down, all monsters I control are destroyed."
Chazz was getting sick of this. "Ok, stop!"
The card stopped spinning. It landed upside down. "Heh. Looks like your lucky streak is over!"
"Is it?" Sartorius asked. The card started to spin again.
"Wh-what the?!"
"Second Coin Toss' effect. Once per turn, it allows the wheels of fate to spin once again."
Chazz gritted his teeth. "Stop!"
The card stopped spinning. This time it was upright. Sartorius grinned. "All monsters you control are destroyed."
Swords started to rain from the sky, destroying Chazz's monsters,. "Grr."
"Now, The Magician! Attack directly!" Sartorius' monster built up an orb of green energy before hurling it at Chazz. (Chazz 4000-1800)
Once again, images flew through Chazz's head.
It was announced that he was going to duel Bastion, where he'd swap dorm rooms with him if he lost. Chazz broke into Bastion's dorm room, stole his deck, and threw it into the ocean. But as it turned out, Bastion had multiple decks. They dueled each other, and Bastion won. Chazz decided to flee from Duel Academy due to the humiliation he suffered.
"You stole, you lied, you cheated, you lost. You deserve to be demoted." Bastion told him. Jaden, Syrus, and Alexis were all cheering at Bastion's victory. He never felt so alone.
"Urgh...again?" Chazz asked.
"I set two cards facedown and end my turn. Now, The Magician's attack points go back to normal." (Arcana Force I - The Magician 2200-1100/1100)
"Good! Because I activate Call of the Haunted! This lets me special summon a monster from my graveyard, like my Infernity Archfiend!" The Infernity returned to Chazz's side of the field. "And that's not all. When Infernity Archfiend is special summoned while I have no cards in my hand, I get to add an Infernity card from my deck to my hand. I add my Infernity Destroyer!" Chazz added the card to his hand. 'If Infernity Destroyer destroys his monster, he'll take 1600 damage. Add that with the battle damage he'll take, and I win the duel.'
"Intending to end things next turn I take it." Sartorius said.
"Now, it's my turn!" Chazz drew a card.
"And with that, I activate my continuous trap card, Tour of Doom." A display of the card began to rotate. "If it lands upside down, I can't Normal Summon, Special Summon or Set any monsters on my next turn."
"But if it's rightside up,then I can't summon any monsters this turn, right?" Chazz asked.
Sartorius nodded. "With Lucky Chance, I declare that it will land rightside up."
"Stop!"
The card landed rightside up. "As destiny fortells." Sartorius drew a card thanks to Lucky Chance. "So unfortunately, you can't tribute summon the monster you added to your hand."
"Enough of this destiny talk! There's no such thing. We decide what happens by our own hands! Infernity Archfiend, destroy his monster!" Chazz ordered. Infernity Archfiend charged at the Arcana Force and slashed through it. (Sartorius 2100-1400) "I set a card face down and end my turn."
Sartorius drew a card, and immediately played it. "Now I activate my field sepll, Light Barrier!" A barrier of light, similar to what Giga Gagagigo made against Damian, encircled the two duelists. "You say that we control the future by our own hands? Well, this field spell takes those words to heart. Now, I can immediately declare which effect of my Arcana Force monsters will apply. With Light Barrier, I control destiny!"
Sartorius placed a hand on a card on the table. "I can tell that there's numerous people that you envy. The carefree Fool. The resourceful Magician. The fearful Moon. But there's one in particular where your envy grows to hatred. A symbol of authority. Leadership. A level of status that you pray to obtain."
The image of Adrian Gecko popped up into Chazz's head. "Get on with it already!"
"I summon Arcana Force IV - The Emperor (1400/1400)!" A legless metallic creature with red orbs and mechanical claws all around it's body appeared. A display of the card began to rotate. "I choose to apply The Emperor's right side up effect. When The Emperor is rightside up, all Arcana Force monsters I control gain 500 attack points." (Arcana Force IV - The Emperor 1400-1900/1400)
The mechanical claws shot towards Chazz's infernity, and began to crush it. (Chazz 1800-1700) "Not again..." Chazz said as visions flashed through his mind.
He was dueling Adrian Gecko, two helicopters with platforms attached to them suspending the two over the Obelisk Blue lake. Chazz was telling Adrian about the hell he went through. The inferiority complex he developed. And how he fought his way out of his suffering. That's why a pampered rich kid like Adrian made him sick. He never truly knew what it was like to suffer.
"I see. So that's what you thought." Adrian said. "You faced setbacks from the crowd, acquired your complex, and felt your face on the ground, right? But your talk about your setbacks and complex. That's just the prattle of a spoiled rich kid."
"What was that?!" Chazz asked.
"Do you know what it's like to be abandoned by your parents? To be abandoned by society? Thinking that all you can do is stare at the sky and wait for your death?" Adrian asked. "I thought all I could do was sit there and wait to die. Then I was saved by the Gecko corporation's CEO. If I wasn't taken in by them, I wouldn't be here today."
"You...?" Chazz began to ask.
Adrian continued the duel, and won with some monster, Cloudian Eye of the Typhoon, blasting Chazz into the lake. Chazz rose up to the surfave and glared at Adrian from below.
"You're not special. Learn that there's countless people in the world who suffered more than you. And that they have nothing to lose." Adrian said.
Chazz flashed back to reality as he witnessed Infernity Archfiend get destroyed. "You see what happened when you decided to stay stagnant, correct? Can you truly say you were more satisfied with those moments than your fate when you accept salvation? With Light Barrier, when a monster destorys another monster by battle, the controller gains life point equal to the destroyed monster's attack points. (Sartorius 1400-3200)
"I activate my trap card Infernity Reflector! When an Infernity that I control is destroyed, I discard my hand and inflict 1000 points of damage to you! I also get to special summon the destroyed Infernity!" Chazz discarded the card in his hand before Infernity Archfiend returned, throwing a fireball at Sartorius. (3200-2200)
"That's not all! Since I have no cards in my hand, I can special summon Infernity Avenger from my graveyard!"
"Sorry. But due to Light Barrier the effects of all monsters except Arcana Force monsters are negated. I place a card facedown and end my turn."
Chazz gritted his teeth and put a hand on his deck. He'd have to draw the correct card. "My turn!" Chazz drew a card.
"Don't forget Tour of Doom." Sartorius said. "I declare that it will land upside down." It began to rotate before landing upside down. "I choose not to activate Second Coin Toss." Sartorius said as he drew a card.
"Heh! About time your luck ran out!" Chazz gloated. 'Still, this isn't looking good. With the effects of all my monster's negated, I need to get rid of that Light Barrier card, fast.' "I activate Pot of Greed to draw two cards!"
Chazz drew two cards from his deck. As he looked at one of them, he was utterly confused. "What the...?"
One of the two cards he drew was a card called White Veil. 'I don't remember putting this in my deck. But it'll let me destroy all the spells and trap cards he controls? This will let my monsters have their effects again!'
D.D Master stood alone in the entrance to the Different Dimension. He was looking at a portal that displayed the duel between Chazz, and the fake Sartorius D.D Master created. "Looks like he drew the surprise card I put in there."
Chaosrider Gustaph rode up next to D.D Master. "Guess we'll see if he passes the test or not. How's the other kid doing by the way?"
D.D Master had another portal open up that displayed Jaden. "Jaden Yuki isn't simply in an illusion like the other boy. Even if he passes the test, he might lose his life."
"Just like what you wanted, right?" Gustaph asked. D.D Master said nothng. "Look, I appreciate you giving me a home and protecting me from Invader of Darkness, but let me ask something. Why do you talk about maintaining the stability of the dimensions if you're just going to send a dimension he's not native from?"
"There's a big difference between transporting a threat to a different dimension, and risking all of the dimensions being destroyed. There have been dozens of dimensions where the Light of Destruction has been stopped, with or without Jaden Yuki. There's been very few times where The Supreme King has been stopped however. The less timelines where he awakens, the better. Besides" D.D Master looked into the void. "With Invader of Darkness taking an interest in the human world, we need to keep The Supreme King as far away from him as possible."
Jaden couldn't believe his eyes. He was standing in a destroyed village, bodies scattered everywhere. All around him were various Duel Monsters. Skull Knight, Chaos Sorcerer, Skilled White Magician, Skilled Dark Magician, and Guardian Baou. But what was shocking him most was the person standing in front of him. Dressed in spiked black and gold armor was a duelist. A duelist who's face looked exactly like Jaden.
"Looks like the King has a copycat." Skull Knight said.
"We appreciate your devotion to The Supreme King kid, but you'll need to do more than that if you want to be part of the Duelist of Deaths." Guardian Baou told Jaden.
"Why...why did you do this?" Jaden asked his lookalike.
The Supreme King said nothing.
"Isn't it obvious, boy?" Chaos Sorcerer asked. "They opposed The Supreme King. So, we put them in their place."
"If you're scared by a bit of blood, then you'll never be fit to join our army." Skilled Dark Magician said.
Jaden ignored the monsters, and glared at The Supreme King. "How could you do something like this?!"
"Do you wish to duel me?" The Supreme King asked.
Jaden slapped on his Duel Disk, and activated it. 'There's no way...this guy is supposed to be me?' "I won't let you get away with this!"
The monsters started chuckling. "Despite looking like The Supreme King, he's no different than the other fools who challenged him." Skull Knight said.
The Supreme King got out a Duel Disk as well, colored jet-black. "Very well. I accept your challenge."
(Jaden 4000/Supreme King 4000)
Jaden drew first. "I summon Elemental Hero Clayman (800/2000) in defense mode!" The stone golem appeared in front of Jaden.
"You aren't satisfied with copying our King's looks, but also his deck?" Chaos Sorcerer asked.
"Rather odd for someone who wishes to oppose him." Guardian Baou said.
Jaden didn't respond. 'So he uses an Elemental Hero deck too?' "I set two cards face down and end my turn."
The Supreme King drew. "I activate Dark Fusion to fuse my Elemental Hero Avian and my Elemental Hero Burstinatrix." A sinister blue and black vortex appeared behind The Supreme King, the two monsters merging in it. "I fusion summon Evil Hero Infernal Wing!" (2100/1200) A woman dressed in red with green wings and claws descended. A counteprart to Jaden's Flame Wingman.
"Evil Hero?" Jaden asked. In a lighter situation, he'd probably point out the contradiction in the title.
"Infernal Wing, destroy Clayman! Infernal Blast!" Infernal Wing generated a blue fireball before hurling it at Jaden.
"I activate my trap card, Magic Cylinder! This negates the attack of your monster and deals damage to you equal to it's attack points!" Jaden said.
"It's useless. Monsters summoned by Dark Fusion can't be targeted by card effects the turn they're summoned." The Supreme King replied.
Jaden gasped as the fireball landed, burning Clayman to nothing. (Jaden 4000-3900) "Ugh..."
"Infernal Wing does piercing damage. In addition, when it destroys a monster by battle, it deals damage to you equal to either the attack or defense of the destroyed monster. Whicever one is higher."
"What?!" Jaden asked. That was a superior version of Flame Wingman's effect. Infernal Wing flew up to Jaden and summoned a wave of flames, burning him. "Aughhhhh!" (Jaden 3900-1900) Just like his duel against Nightshroud, the damage he was feeling was real. "I...I activate my trap card, Hero Signal! This lets me special summon an Elemental Hero that's level 4 or lower. I special summon my Elemental Hero Sparkman!" (1600/1400)
"I end my turn." The Supreme King said.
Jaden drew. "I activate Polymerization to fuse the Sparkman on my field with the Bladedge in my hand!" A blue and orange vortex appeared behind Jaden, his two monsters swirling together in it. "Come on out, Elemental Hero Plasma Vice!" (2800/2300) A flash occured before the monster appeared in front of Jaden. "I activate Plasma Vice's effect. I discard a card to target a monster you control and destroy it!" Electricity built up in Plasma Vice's hands before hurling it at Infernal Wing. "You said so yourself! Dark Fusion only protects your monsters from being targeted the turn it's summoned!"
"Clever." The Supreme King complimented."I activate my trap card Destruct Potion. I destroy a monster I control and gain life points equal to it's attack points." A sinister purple energy shrouded Infernal Wing. She gave out a scream of pain before shattering into pieces. (Supreme King 4000-6100)
"Grr. Fine then. Plasma Vice! Attack him directly!" The monster jumped into the air before slashing The Supreme King with it's edges. The Supreme King took the attack without flinching. (Suprme King 6100-3300) "I set a card facedown and end my turn."
The Supreme King drew. "I activate Graceful Charity to draw three cards and discard two." The Supreme King did exactly that. "I remove from play my Evil Hero Sinister Necrom in my graveyard to activate it's effect. I can special summon an Evil Hero from my deck or graveyard." The Supreme King ejected the card from his Duel Disk. "From my deck, I special summon Evil Hero Malicious Edge." (2600/1800) A blue demon with spiked collars over it's arms and legs appeared. Attached to it's knuckles were razor thin claws.
"It's...it's like they're warped versions of Necroshade and Bladedge." Jaden said. "Still, your monster has less attack points than my Plasma Vice." Jaden pointed out.
"True. But that won't be the case for long. I activate the field spell Supreme King's Castle."
Jaden felt a rumbling. "Wh-what's going on?!" Jaden asked. The area around them began to morph. Pieces of the ground crumbled away until Jaden and The Supreme King were standing on a narrow walkway. Below was a moat of lava. Rising behind The Supreme King was a pointed mountain, an entrance inside it.
"This is my domain." The Supreme King said.
"It's nice that we can feel at home even when we're busy slaughtering." Skull Knight said.
"Malicious Edge, attack Plasma Vice!" The Supreme King ordered. The Evil Hero jumped into the air. "With Supreme King's Castle, I can send an Evil Hero monster from my deck or Extra Deck to my graveyard. Then, a Fiend monster that's battling an opponent's monster gains 200 attack points for each level that the sent monster had until the end of the battle."
Jaden gasped.
"I send my level 8 Evil Hero Dark Gaia to the graveyard to increase Malicious Edge's attack points by 1600." (Evil Hero Malicious Edge 2600-4200/1800) The Supreme King said. "Needle Burst!" Malicious Edge aimed it's claws at Plasma Vice and shot out a stream of needles. The needles pierced through Plasma Vice's body, destroying it. (Jaden 1900-500)
"I end my turn." The Supreme King said. (Evil Hero Malicious Edge 4200-2600/1800)
Jaden panted in exhaustion. "It's...it's my turn. Draw!" Jaden drew from his deck. "I activate my own Graceful Charity to draw three cards and discard two." Jaden drew three from his deck and discarded two that were in his hand. "Then I activate my trap card, Disgraceful Charity. This lets both of us add the cards we discarded for a spell card this turn."
"But since I used Graceful Charity last turn, it doesn't apply for me." Supreme King said.
Jaden added the discarded cards back in his hand. "I summon my Elemental Hero Bubbleman (800/1200) in attack mode. And since he's the only card on my field, I get to draw two more cards." Jaden drew two more cards from his deck.
"Maybe this kid is more than just a copycat. He managed to draw six cards essentially for free." Skilled White Magician said.
"He's still far from reaching the level of our king though." Skilled Dark Magician replied.
Jaden took a look at the four cards in his hand. "Alright Bubbleman, attack Malicious Edge! Bubble Blast" Bubbleman shot out a torrent of bubbles at the Evil Hero.
This took The Supreme King by surprise. "What?!"
The Duelists of Death all started laughing. "Has the fear driven you mad, boy?" Guardian Baou asked.
"Don't count me out yet. I activate my trap card Mirror Gate! This card lets us switch control of our monsters and then continues the battle."
"But you can't activate a trap card from your hand." The Supreme King said.
Jaden smirked. "I've heard that before. I activate my quickplay spell Bubble Illusion! If I control Bubbleman, I can activate a trap card from my hand!"
The monsters were all taken aback. Bubbleman and Malicious Edge switched places on the field, before Malicious Edge shot out a stream of needles, destroying Bubbleman. (Supreme King 3300-1500)
"Normally, you'd get back control over you monster in the End Phase. Which is why I activate my quickplay spell card, Mystik Wok. I sacrifice Malicious Edge and gain life points equal to it's attack points!" Jaden declared. A large cooking pot appeared, Malicious Edge going into it before dissolving away. (Jaden 500-3100)
"Impossible! He turned things around with such a weak monster?!" Chaos Sorcerer asked.
"I throw down a facedown and end my turn." Jaden said.
The Supreme King said nothing for a while. "You're an interesting one. You're not my first opponent who had a warrior's spirit. But you're certainly the most unpredictable one." The Supreme King drew a card, put it in his hand, and got out another one. "I activate Dark Calling! This lets me fusion summon and Evil Hero by removing from play monsters in my graveyard. I remove from play my Elemental Hero Avian and my Elemental Hero Wildheart. Come forth, Evil Hero Wild Cyclone!" (1900/2300)
A gust of wind shot out before a tribal man in a red mask appeared. He had razor sharp claws, and green wings. ""If it's anything like my Wild Wingman, then it must be able to destroy Spells and Traps." Jaden guessed.
"When it inflicts Battle Damage, yes. However, when Wild Cyclone attacks, you're unable to activate spells or trap cards until the end of the Damage Step." The Supreme King replied. "Battle Phase! Wild Cyclone, attack directly! Cyclone Slash!" Wild Cyclone flapped it's wings before shooting out razor sharp gales of wind at Jaden. The gales cut through his clothes and skin, causing him to bleed. (Jaden 3300-1400) Afterwards, the set card Jaden had shattered into pieces. "I set one card facedown and end my turn."
"Urghh...it's my turn." Jaden drew. "I activate Card of Sanctity allowing both of us to draw until we hae 6 cards in our hand."
The Supreme King nodded as they both drew from their decks.
Jaden looked at one of the cards he drew, confused. 'Super Polymerization?' Jaden thought to himself.
"Will you continue your turn?" The Supreme King asked.
Jaden snapped back to reality. "I activate Miracle Fusion. This lets me fusion summon an Elemental Hero by banishing it's materials from my graveyard. I banish my Sparkman and my Clayman to summon Elemental Hero Thunder Giant!" (2400/1500) Storm clouds formed from above before Thunder Giant descended from the,. "Thunder Giant's effect! When he's fusion summoned, I can destroy a monster you control who's original attack points are lower than Thunder Giant's!"
"And if he declares a direct attack, he'll win." Guardian Baou observed. "He really is more than just a copycat."
"Still. Our king hasn't used his trump card yet." Skull Knight reminded Baou.
"Go Thunder Giant! Static Blast!" Thunder Giant built up electricity in his hands.
"I activate my quickplay spell card. Super Polymerization!" The Supreme King declared.
Jaden widened his eyes. That's the same card as the one that was suddenly put in his deck. A huge vortex opened up behind The Supreme King, the sheer force blasting Jaden with wind. "What...what is this?!"
"By discarding a card, I can fusion summon a monster using monsters either of us control as materials." The Supreme King said. Before Thunder Giant could destroy Wild Cyclone, it was dragged into the vortex, forcibly merging with The Supreme King's Evil Hero.
"A fusion summon with the opponent's monster?!" Jaden asked
Emerging from the vortex was a demonic humanoid with dark purple armor and a long spiked tail. Blades grew from his arms, shoulders, and back, spikes growing from his legs. From his right wirst grew out claws of a massive size. And behind him billowed a cape that was seemingly made out of dark energy. "I fusion summon Evil Hero Malicious Bane!" (3000/3000)
You know, I finished this chapter way quicker than I expected. That might be an odd thing to say since it's been nearly two months since the last chapter, but due to online lessons and working on my other story, I only really started working on this chapter about a week ago. Guess I didn't want you guys to wait for much longer, lol.
When I was planning this chapter out a few months ago, I went through some massive back and forth in regards to what D.D Master's test would be for them. Ideas ranged from him having Jaden and Chazz duel each other, to having one of them duel Chaosrider Gustaph while the other would duel Diskblade Rider, to having both of them duel D.D Master himself. I also originally intended for both duels to be seperated and one chapter each (this chapter detailing Chazz's duel with the Sartorius illusions, while the next one would show Jaden's duel with The Supreme King) but I decided to go with this instead.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter? Will Chazz and Jaden with their duels? And even if they win their duels, would they even succeed in passing their tests? Hopefully it will all be answered next chapter.
