Chapter 44: A Hard Day's Bite
When Jaden and his friends returned to consciousness, they found themselves in a dark, grim castle's foyer. Confused, they searched the room for any information, only to come up empty handed.
"Where are we?"
"Last thing I remember, Jaden and I had beaten those creeps."
"Ah, it seems we have guests!"
Looking towards the grand staircase, they saw two bats swoop down from above, before landing and taking their true forms: Vampire Lord and Vampire Lady.
"Indeed, my love. Our masters will be pleased by our catch."
"Your masters? Why have you brought us here?!"
"Simple. Our masters are seeking strong duelists, and you fit the bill perfectly!"
"Once they return, you'll make the perfect specimen! And to make sure you won't resist, we'll duel you and drain your lifeforce!"
"As if we'd let you! We'll kick your butts and get out of here!"
"A bold statement, but we shall see! Dino man, scrawny boy, you're our first victims!"
Seeing that they had no other choice, Syrus and Hassleberry raised their duel disks for battle.
"Be careful, Hassleberry. Something tells me they're serious."
"Ten four, little buddy."
GAME ON!
Syrus/Hassleberry: 8000
Vampire Lord/Lady: 8000
"Scrawny boy shall go first, not that it'll matter in the end."
"Gee, thanks. Let's see...I'll summon Gyroid in defense mode, and set two cards face down. Your move."
"A pathetic start, if I've ever seen one. I'll begin with Call of the Mummy, and bring out myself in attack mode (2000/1500). Next, I summon Dragon Zombie in attack mode as well. Now my monsters, take out his toy helicopter!"
"I activate Supercharge! Now since you declared an attack while I only have Machine type Roid monsters, I get to draw two cards."
Syrus took two cards from his deck while the two zombies smashed his Gyroid to bits.
"Next, I activate Time Machine, brining Gyroid right back where he belongs."
"Grr, I end my turn with one card face down."
Hassleberry practically tore the card out of his duel disk. When he saw what it was, he grinned maniacally.
"Syrus, mind if I borrow Gyroid?"
"He's all yours!"
"Thanks! But first, I activate Earthquake! This forces all monsters into defense mode. Next, I'll dismiss Gyroid to bring out Dark Driceratops to the front lines! Take out his Dragon Zombie!"
The giant dinosaur headbutted the decayed dragon, causing his masters to flinch as their life points dropped.
Vampire Lord/Lady: 5600
"Next, I'll set one card face down and end my turn. Your move, freaky bat lady."
"You'll pay for this subordination! I'll tribute Vampire Lord in order to summon Lich Lord, King of the Underworld (2400/1200) in attack mode! Next, I'll activate my partner's set Call of the Haunted to bring back my beloved."
"So what? Neither of them can take down my dino."
"That is true, unless I activate my Big Bang Shot! Now my Lich Lord has more than enough attack points to finish off your dino. Attack!"
The Lich raised his staff and released a wave of dark energy, which washed over and overwhelmed the monster.
Syrus/Hassleberry: 7600
"Now my Vampire Lord will attack you directly!"
Syrus screamed in pain as the vampire bit his neck, gasping for air as the monster leapt back to his side of the field.
Syrus/Hassleberry: 5600
"Syrus, are you alright?"
"Yeah, but that attack...it felt so real. Is this..."
"A shadow game? Yes, and its about to get much worse. Since Vampire Lord dealt you damage, you must send one card of my choosing from your deck to the graveyard. I choose monster!"
Hassleberry growled, sending his selected card to the grave.
"You may as well give up now. I promise it'll be much easier for you."
"Fat chance! We're in this till the end, right Syrus?"
"Right!"
"Hmm, as you wish. Its glasses turn."
Syrus grinned when he saw what card he had drawn. He was about to turn this duel around.
"Alright, get ready! First, I activate Monster Reborn, to revive the Ultimate Tyranno Hassleberry sent there last turn. Next, I summon Steamroid in attack mode. Ultimate Tyranno, attack their monsters!"
Vampire Lord/Lady: 5600-5400-4400
"Now Steamroid, attack them directly!"
The two undead royalty raised their arms to shield themselves as Steamroid pushed them back.
Vampire Lord/Lady: 2600
"I'll end my turn with one card face down."
Vampire Lord scowled at his draw, having gotten nothing that could save him. Still he could at least hope to do some damage.
"I summon another one of myself through Call of the Mummy. Next, I activate Overpowering Eye to allow him to attack you directly."
The vampiric doppelganger slashed Syrus across the chest once more, although it didn't hurt as much.
Syrus/Hassleberry: 3600
"I summon Spirit Reaper in defense mode and end my turn."
"Then I guess this duel is over, because I activate Shield Crush! Now my Ultimate Tyranno, attack Vampire Lord!"
Vampire Lord/Lady: 1600
"Now Steamroid, attack them directly!"
Once more the undead couple were ran over, this time the impacts sent them flying into a wall, their bodies shattering on impact.
Vampire Lord/Lady: 0000
Syrus collapsed to his knees, the battle taking its toll on him while his friends helped him to his feet.
"Sy, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I just...didn't expect it to take so much out of me."
"You rest up, buddy. Soon as you're ready, we're getting out of here."
"You're not going anywhere!"
Coming down the stairs was Mobius the Frost Monarch, ready for battle.
"I had hoped my underlings could handle you lot, but it seems I shall have to do things myself!"
"Ha, bring it on! Where's your partner?"
Mobius smirked as a loud screech was heard from upstairs. Leaping down from the second floor was a tall, muscular hulk of a beast. Eria gasped when she saw who it was.
"Gigobyte?"
