Disclaimer: No I do not own Yugioh. I do own Temarocia though.

Gansaku chuckled as he watched Don Karot prepare to attack. "This is the pivotal turning point, the moment where our mighty lord destroys this insolent little boy."

"He's taking too long!" Bronzo jogged by, having decided he was going to run some laps to pass the time.

"It won't be much longer mon." Revlis rested his elbows on the railing overlooking the casino floor. "The Don's about to show that guy why you don't be messin' with a man that lived through a fight with the Warlord of Hell."

Song of Temarocia; Rainbow Flower Arc

Chapter 22: Sacrifices…

"That's where you are incorrect." Don Karot smiled. "She is mine…in both body and mind. She cannot run from me, or she will die. Do you still wish to take her away?" If the look in the Grafter's eye told him anything then he knew what to expect for his answer. "Very well, then let me show you why I'm far stronger than anything you've experienced up to this point!"

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From their hiding place in the ruined remains of the café Saika clasped her hands together and prayed with all her might. ("This has to be a dream. This has to be a nightmare…") If it wasn't then Jason was dead. Once he had gotten into a fight with Don Karot his fate was decided. There was nothing he could do except struggle now. ("He's too powerful, even if Jason apparently has some kind of super power.")

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King placed his fork down on his plate and stood up, wiping his mouth a handkerchief. "Alright, let's be off. Now that we've finished with our dinner we can go see what's going on."

"You're a waste of time, fishbowl." Flair started walking away until he sensed someone about to attack him and turned just in time to block an extremely heavy foot with his sword blade. "You wish to battle?"

A vein bulging out of his forehead, King glared at the samurai. "Anytime, bathrobe."

A loud crack noise echoed across the restaurant and the two of them were suddenly planted face-first on the ground, twitching with huge lumps on their heads. Standing over them was a very angry-looking Alita. "Let's just go see what's going on!"

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"Well then," Don Karot removed his gold boa and tossed it to the side. "I am a man of a great many skills, Jason-kun. Tell me, have you ever heard of the Warlord of Hell?"

"You mean Kyris?" The Grafter shrugged. "I've never seen the guy, but…"

"No, I'm speaking of Kyris' father." The lord stretched his boa-holding arm up and the long piece of golden fuzz started glowing. "He was a man amongst the greatest of men, a beast that was said to slay even the mightiest monsters in his spare time. And I was one of his four most trusted assistants, the master of all of his parties and ceremonies."

"So you were a party planner?" Jason rubbed the back of his head, a disbelieving look on his face. "If you're trying to intimidate me then give it a rest. There's no way I'm going to be afraid of a guy that planned parties for a guy that was really ferocious. That just sounds stupid."

"I suppose you're right, but if you underestimate me just based on my class then you'll find yourself dead very quickly! I activate Golden Whip!" The golden boa shimmered and turned molten, becoming a pulsing whip of golden heat. "This item boosts my power by 100 points for every 1000 Tem's worth of riches or property I am surrounded by within a hundred foot radius, as long as it is owned by me of course." (Converted Wealth in range: 600,000,000 Tem Total600000 attack point bonus) (600300/700)

"GOOD LORD!" Jason leapt out of the way just before the molten whip tore the Blackjack table behind him in half. ("I can't possibly block that as Stonequill!") He ran full speed away from the Warlord, eyes wide in instinctive fear and self-preservation.

"I set two Contingencies and end my turn." Don Karot proceeded after the Grafter at a leisurely pace. "I've already made sure that the heavy gates are in place at the only exit, which means that you have no way to escape this place. As long as we're here my wealth is far greater than anything you can possibly bring out to match it."

("He's right!") Jason racked his brain for something he could do with any of his Grafts. ("I could use the Epic…") That idea was shot down fast. ("It would beat this guy, but the risk is way too great.") That left Stonequill, Curse-Eater, Subzero Shark, and Burst Fox. Burst Fox was the strongest out of the four because he knew its command word, with the second best being Subzero Shark, then Curse-Eater, and then Stonequill.

Tapping the top of his deck, Jason growled and was swallowed up in a burst of water. "Graft Metamorphosis!" He emerged from it in his Subzero Shark Graft, the blue and white bodysuit glistening in the neon lights of the casino. Tapping his deck once to draw a card for the effect of Graft Metamorphosis, the Grafter prepared to attack. "I activate Cold Poison Bullet, allowing me to attack at range during this turn. Also, I may attack an additional time!" (1600/900)

Don Karot laughed as he saw a pair of glowing balls of white light hurtling towards him. "Oh, you have multiple Grafts? Interesting…but futile!" His arm snapped into the pocket of his suit and he removed a pair of coins. "My Contingency activates, and it is a technique called Finger Bomb Shot! I can sacrifice 200 magic points and 200 Tem to counter any long-range single-target attack during this turn!"

Using his thumb and index finger he fired the two coins off in succession and they collided with the balls, creating an explosion of cool air as the two pieces of currency became encased in blocks of ice.

(1600/900) Jason- 3800/5000

(Current Wealth: 599,999,600) (600200/700) Karot- 8000/8000

("I need to bankrupt this nutball!") Jason turned and kept running. ("I'm not as fast while in Subzero Shark but the ability to create ice will help me counter this guy's whip.")

Don Karot touched the top of his deck and then fished a pair of coins out of his pockets. "I activate another Finger Bomb Shot!" Then he flicked the two coins off in succession, the pieces of money hurtling across the distance between the two of them.

("Crap, it's too fast!") Jason tried to block but only managed to stop the two pieces of currency from blowing holes in his heart instead of simply tearing through his chest violently and throwing him head over heels into a Poker table.

"When used as an attack my Finger Bomb Shot cannot deal more than 1000 points of damage, luckily for you Jason-kun." The Warlord continued his leisurely approach towards the destroyed Poker table.

(1600/900) Jason- 2800/5000

(Current Wealth: 599,999,200) (600200/700) Karot- 8000/7800

The splintered remains of the table shuddered and Jason stood up from it, blood dripping down his chest slowly. "Draw." Tapping the top of his deck, he grew a slight smile at what card it was. "Come and get me. I set one Contingency and end my turn."

Tapping the top of his deck, Don Karot chuckled. "You're trying to set me up for a trap, or else you would still be running." Removing a small jeweled monocle from his pocket, he placed it over his right eye. "I activate the item card True Sight Monocle, allowing me to look at your hand and all Contingencies set on your field." With that done he pocketed the piece of eyewear and cracked his whip a couple of times. "That's it? And here I thought it was something I couldn't counter."

"Ack, he saw through my cleverly hidden trap!" Jason stiffened and slapped his own face. "Why I am telling him he saw through my cleverly hidden trap?"

"Perhaps because it wasn't cleverly hidden?" The Warlord walked up to the Grafter slowly, a strange icy glyph at his feet melting as soon as he was within range of it. "I activate the effect of Bribery. This spell card lets me negate any Contingency at the cost of 3000 Tem and 400 magic points."

(1600/900) Jason- 2800/5000

(Current Wealth: 599,996,200) (599900/700) Karot- 8000/7400

"Crap!" Jason leapt backwards while the Golden Whip barely missed his face, searing a little cut into his cheek. ("This is really bad. At this rate he's going to hit me with that and when that happens I'll be done.")

"Wouldn't it be wiser for you to surrender, Jason-kun?" Don Karot cracked his whip against the ground, leaving a pair of smoldering cuts in the earth. "You have yet to injure me, and all it will take from me is one hit to end this duel."

"Then hurry up and hit me, because I'm not giving up!" The Grafter turned and ran again, tapping the top of his deck. ("It's another Graft Metamorphosis. If I use it then which Graft should I switch to? It's either Curse-Eater or Stonequill, and while the former is immune to fire it doesn't seem to have any special powers beyond that. If he uses that one stupid coin trick while I'm in that form I'll be blown in half.") "End turn!"

The Warlord touched the top of his deck, calmly waiting for Jason to run into one of the many dead ends the casino lead to. "Eventually you'll run out of places to go, Jason-kun. Why not stand and fight before that time comes to pass so at least those who witnessed your last fight could say that you fought with some honor, instead of like a frightened child?"

"Because this fight isn't over yet!" There was no answer in sight, but Jason wasn't going to stop fighting just because he didn't have an answer immediately. ("Something will come in time; I just have to wait this guy out.")

"Revlis!" Don Karot tilted his head up to the balcony overlooking his current position. "Bring dear little Saika to me, if you please."

"You got it boss." The head of security headed off in the opposite direction the two fighters were moving.

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King walked amongst the demolished remains of the area Jason and Don Karot had battled earlier casually, his cigarette hanging out of the side of his mouth as he took in all of the devastation. "It seems that we missed the party."

"This isn't the time to joke!" Alita motioned deeper into the casino. "They're down that way; we have to go help Jason!"

"It's suicide." Flair frowned, able to easily feel the waves of sickening energy emitting from the air around them. "In this place that Don Karot is far too powerful to be defeated. He is a War Merchant, a deadly class that becomes stronger when surrounded by their own wealth. And considering the nature of this place…"

"His power is way above anything that Jason can cook up." King sighed sadly. "That poor dope is going to get himself killed at this rate. We have to find Saika and get an escape route ready. This isn't a fight we can win."

"I thought as much." A voice from behind them said. They all turned at once to meet eyes with Revlis, who was wearing a pair of mirrored sunglasses that matched the pairs worn by the black-suited guards who stood in a half-circle behind and around him. "You three are accomplices of the Grafter?"

"That would be correct." Flair had no more intention to run or pretend he was something he wasn't. "I am Flair Tsukimaru, guardian of the Mudeian princess Alita Meijer."

"I am Alita Meijer." The blond-haired magician snapped her staff up, the green crystal at the end glowing with energy. "We're taking Saika with us."

"I'm afraid that ain't gonna be happenin', mon." Revlis removed his sunglasses and clicked them closed before shoving them into his coat pocket. "I'm gonna beat the lot of ya down before that happens."

"We win!" King grinned, already standing next to Saika and Ari inside the café. "Sorry Marley, but we're taking her with us and there isn't a thing you can do to stop us."

"Is that so?" Gansaku lifted up his handgun slowly and aimed it at Saika's head, which wasn't hard considering he was standing right next to her.

("When did he…") King started to turn to slam his foot up the gunner's nose…

"Cyclone Spinner!" An explosion of spinning air slammed into the fake Frenchman from behind and hurled him through wall after wall of the café and then of the casino.

"Very nicely done Bronzo." Gansaku lifted up the rainbow-haired girl's chin with his pistol gently, smirking at the terrified look in her eyes. "And through it all you continue to smile…I suppose it makes sense though, since you're trying to fight off the fear that is threatening to overwhelm you."

Saika squeezed her eyes shut. ("Why won't they just give up on me and run?")

"Hurry up and let's get this other with!" The bronze-coated man grimaced angrily down at Saika. "Oh, he wanted this one again? Isn't he busy fighting though? Why would he want to torture her now?"

Ari narrowed her eyes and stood up, crossing her arms across her chest defiantly. "I won't let you do this, Gansaku!"

"Excuse my rudeness, but I don't think there is much you can do to stop us Head of Staff." The hunter bowed slightly. "And this is a direct order from Don Karot, we would be fools to let your order stop us."

"That's right!" Bronzo yanked Saika to her feet. "Come on, slow girl, we're taking you to see the Don. He's got a couple of things he wants to talk to you about."

"I said you're not taking her!" Ari grabbed a nearby chair and broke it over the bronze-coated man's back.

Shaking off the hit, Bronzo flicked his fingers and the woman was hurled backwards through the air by an unseen force. "Why are you standing up for this girl anyway, Ari? It ain't like she owes you money or anything." Then he started heading towards the location where the most noise was coming from, Saika in tow and the rainbow-haired girl offering little resistance.

"Hold it!" Flair was about to intervene but he was forced back as a pair of booted feet nearly took his head off.

"Hang on there, mon." Revlis landed in between the samurai and the other two subordinates. "Ya gotta play with me and my Kick-Fu first."

("Another foot expert huh?") Sheathing his katana, Flair prepared to flash through the annoyance and stop this before it got out of hand. ("If Don Karot uses her as a hostage then the dog will surely let himself get killed. I can't let that happen!")

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Jason gasped out in surprise and barely avoided another slashed from the Golden Whip. ("I'm running out of room!") He was running low on avenues of escape. There was only so much more room to move around in now and Don Karot's attacks were too quick to avoid while moving around the Warlord. ("He's boxing me in and I can't do anything about it!")

"I think that is enough, Jason-kun." Don Karot reeled in his whip as he heard a trio of approaching footsteps. "Ah yes, here is Saika-chan now. You wanted to take her with you, correct?"

Lowering his guard ever so slightly, the Grafter nodded. "Yeah. What do you want out of it?"

"I simply want a little something that I know she has." The Warlord smiled cheerfully as both Gansaku and Bronzo came up from behind him with the weakly-smiling Saika. "My dear Saika-chan, this is the chance you've been waiting for. You know I have no use for you other than your mediocre skills as a waitress, so this is your big chance to leave. All you have to tell me is where the Prize Card of the Mirror Wildcat is and you're…"

"I'm sorry," The girl muttered out through her smiling lips. "I can't tell you where it is, Don Karot-sama."

"I see." The Warlord's eyes were shadowed, though the veins bulging out of his bald forehead could easily tell what his mood currently was. "Then it seems I have no choice. I'm going to kill your friend in front of your eyes." His boa started to glow molten again. "It seems that she values the money she could make from the monster's Prize Card more than she values your life, Jason-kun."

The Grafter was silent…and then he was swallowed up in a burst of water. When it cleared he was back to normal. His expression was rather relaxed, as if nothing was wrong. "Is whatever this is important to you, Sai?"

A strange silence held over the casino, even the clinking of the machines that were somehow still active growing quiet.

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"Damn mon, you suck." Revlis kicked the unmoving body of Flair a couple of times. "There ain't no way you're ever gonna beat me if that's the best you can do." He looked over at the unconscious form of Alita. "How many of you boys did she manage to take down?"

"About half of the five dozen we had in reserve…" The guard speaking clutched his right elbow, which was streaming blood because of a wound she had inflicted on him.

"Take 'em both to the jail room. We'll let the Don decide what to do with 'em." Turning away, he walked over to the hole that had been made by King's body. "As for you, Mr. King, it seems that your time as a gentleman is over. As for your buddy…" He snickered and thumbed towards the other end of the casino. "Well we'll just see where it goes, huh?"

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"Why did he turn off his Graft?" Feather nearly launched forwards and out of the hiding place that currently rendered her and Wing completely undetectable through any means. "Without it his less than one percent chance of victory…"

"It's zero." The man adjusted his hat and sighed. "Before you go charging in there like a madwoman though, let me ask you whether or not this is what you would expect of a the guy who is the son of the one man who ever managed to sway your heart away from the path of justice, even if it was just for a moment."

"…" The armored woman stepped back against the wall again, eyes closed. "Wing, will everything be alright? Will he really win?"

"He'd better, or else…"

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Tears streaming down her face, the girl nodded weakly while still somehow managing to smile. "Yes…I made a promise…"

Jason smiled back, though his actually seemed realistic compared to hers. "That's cool."

Saika's eyes widened slightly in confusion at that smile, her tears starting to stem. ("He's got a plan…he's got a way to get us out…")

"Later." Jason's smile faded as Don Karot's Golden Whip exploded straight through his chest, burning a hole in his heart. His body stumbled slightly, and then collapsed to the ground lifelessly. The only sound coming from it was the sound of the smoldering leather of his tunic around the hole in his back…that and the smell of charred flesh which permeated the air left no doubt in the minds of anyone watching. That attack had ended it.

(1600/900) Jason- 0/0

(Current Wealth: 599,996,200) (599900/700) Karot- 8000/7400

"Ja…" Saika's eyes slowly closed and she bit her lower lip as hard as she could, drawing a line of blood from it.

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"No…" Feather's eyes were trembling, and her mouth was having trouble remaining still. "That…that can't be how it ends…"

Wing was silent, his hat over his eyes. ("It's over then. I guess we either had the wrong guy, or if we had the right guy then he didn't have what it took.") A low sigh left his lips. "I suppose we should leave…"

"You're kidding me!" She turned and glared at him, hand on the hilt of the sword hanging at her side. "Drop the cover; I'm going to kill that golden freak of…"

"Sorry." Wing tipped his hat a little lower to hide the tears sliding down his face. "I can't do that…"

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"Hurry up and transport…" Revlis turned when some of the guards gasped, a similar look of disbelief on his face. "What in the…"

Flair was standing, his arms shakily holding the hilt of his katana.

"It seems I gotta beat some more sense into ya!" The silver-coated man launched forwards, preparing to strike the real finishing blow.

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She felt it. She felt his heart stop…she felt his energy fade…and there was nothing she could do about it. ("Again,") Alita Meijer thought through her tears as she lay collapsed on the ground. ("I can't protect those I care about…")

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"Au revoir, mon meilleur ami." King whispered this out as he started to climb out of the hole his body had created, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. "Pas l'inquiétude, je donnerai un coup de pied leurs ânes dans votre place. See you on the other side…"

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Don Karot started chuckling at the look on Saika's face. "Even now you still manage to smile? It's fine though," He smirked. "I'll just start chopping down those employees here who have treated you well? How does that sound?"

"I'm sorry, Don Karot-sama…" The rainbow-haired girl whimpered out, still managing to smile despite the breaking of her voice. "I can't tell you where it is…"

To be continued…