Foreword: Sorry for the long delay. I finally found the time and motivation to continue on with my story. Hope I didn't disappoint, and sorry/thank you to all those who have been waiting for this chapter!
Touhou Duel Masters Café
Chapter 37 – Anima
Michael huffed in exasperation as he skimmed through the contents of the Baki Duel Masters Chronicle Deck, flipping through the fresh cards. Tossing away the 4 copies of Naturatrue Trap on his bed, he opted to just retain Stegorokaiser, and returned the rest into the deck box before flopping onto the sheets. Turning his head, he saw the other 3 tuning their decks as well.
The team had rented a large room for the 4 of them to stay the night. Nekohana suggested finding somewhere more confortable, at least for this day, and after punishing a few thugs and burglars, they managed to scrape enough cash together. According to Jonathan, killing them as a no-no, and that earned an eye-roll from Demon Subaru, who broke the arms of those they confronted before emptying their pockets. Time shifts towards midnight, as they prepare to face the Silver Key cult once more, determined to take them out once and for all. Demon Subaru was the most enthusiastic, mulling over how he would torture Muspel for all the trouble he caused him. Losing his own world, and now working for another youkai while bound to a geass… he would have never dreamed of this day back when he ruled over all. Alas, this was his current situation, and the most he could do is to make the most out of it. Like Michael, he obtained a couple of the new Chronicle Decks, albeit the Invasion one, looking to further enhance his deck's offensive and defensive capabilities. So far, he seemed quite satisfied with settling on an Ana version of it, with his longtime servant Hellvorof added in. He peered towards Nekohana, who was thinking of some new additions to her deck as well to keep up with the times. The game was getting very fast recently, after all, leaving little room to breath between turns.
"Well, how's it going?" Demon Subaru tossed the lioness a question, aiming to break the silence. He didn't really want to know, he told himself, he just wanted to break this tension between the all of them as the final battle nears.
"Not very nice, if I were to say." Nekohana huffed. "A lot of the recent cards don't fit my deck. Even worse when I'm feeling this deck is slow compared to the new sets."
"Heh." A scoff was the reply. "That means you're not good enough to control the flow."
Nekohana gave him an annoyed glare, before turning to Jonathan for some advice, who had just finished putting together his deck and was happy to aid her. Demon clicked his tongue and leaned back on his bed, staring at the 5 cards of All Over The World. As he expected, no response came back from them. No pulse, no energy. He could probably materialize them in duels, but like his other cards, they had no conscience, no true creature energy pulsating from them. His link to the creature world in his universe was cut off entirely. The only unexplained exception was Hellvorof. Slight annoyance swirled in his mind, but no matter. He would eventually take back everything he lost once his deal with Yukari is done, and he will no longer be burdened by this geass or any obligation to another individual. He swiped away the thoughts that plagued him, and turned over on his back.
Michael, bored of observing the others, returned to double-sleeving the cards to put into his deck. The Chronicle Deck wasn't up to standard…but it was better than nothing. It would be able to deal with more modern threats easier than before. Or he hoped so, at least. Packing away his deck, he pulled the covers over himself and tried to get some much needed rest.
Faint sunlight shimmered through the gaps between the curtains, provoking the group's biological alarm clock. Michael grunted in reluctance, throwing off the blanket and pulled himself up, finding the others waking up from their dreams as well. Demon, however, didn't seem to have slept for the whole night, but was revitalized to a certain extent. Not willing to probe how he did, Michael proceeded on to his morning shower.
Jonathan pulled back the curtains, and a gray and fuzzy sky filled his sight. It was definitely not what you'd call good weather, and an eerie, indescribable atmosphere lingered in the air, as if an omen of something to come. Peering into the distance, he could make out a distorting space in the far horizon, almost too small for one to notice if they hadn't stared long enough.
"I guess we really need to get this done soon." Jonathan concluded as he turned back to the team. "Space and time seems to be warping, and that's most probably a sign of Yog=Sototh descending upon this world. We find Muspel, stop his cult magic, and get the hell out of this godforsaken world."
"Whatever. Just leave Muspel to me. I have a score to settle with him. Or several." Demon snarled, baring his fangs. "I'll be sure to get him this time…and he'll know the consequences of messing with me."
Nekohana yawned as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "You'd better. Would be awful if you lost twice in a row to the same cultist."
"Keh…you'll see. My deck is now different from before, and I will best him."
Nekohana shrugged, getting out of bed to pack her belongings scattered over her bedsheets. Jonathan couldn't help but wonder once again how she was able to fit that many stuff within the bag of hers.
"We'll use an hour to get ourselves ready. Then we'll find the Silver Key Cult again, and put a stop to their madness." Jonathan told the pair. "Whatever it takes."
With the youkai masking their smell and traits, it was easy for them to blend in the crowd, especially when "normal" humans made up the majority of the population in this world. Normal, however, didn't include the cultists aiming for the advent of a cosmic deity that is space and time itself. They had to be careful of those sniffing around for them, especially when Nekohana made a large hole in their hideout during their last visit.
Keeping a low profile, they slowly made their way through the hustle and bustle of city, the people not having a slightest thought about the fate that might befall the world they reside in. Alas, ignorance is bliss, and the group had no intention of spreading the news of a coming apocalypse. They didn't need more confused people running around, nor did they want to be called madmen. Demon Subaru smiled as he thought of Muspel's face twisted in fear and horror when he would sink his fangs into his heart and lungs, and maybe eyeballs as well. Heheh… Fear from a magician would certainly be a fulfilling meal. Nekohana just shook her head at his malicious grin that attracted confused and mocking gazes from passersby.
"Cut it out, you're attracting unwanted attention." The lioness scolded, and Demon just clicked his tongue as he stopped indulging in his fantasies.
"Nothing wrong with enjoying the foreseeable future." He retorted.
"You'd better not get too ahead of yourself unless you want to end up like last time." Nekohana reminded Demon. "Your status as Prince of the Twilight Kingdom means nothing here, or anywhere else now for that matter."
"Chi…." Demon turned his head away, eyeing the far horizon of the sky. His youkai senses were tingling. They told him of the foreboding threat that loomed over them. And should they fail, it'd be one hell of a mess to clean up. "I'm sick of staying in this world. Let's get to their hideout fast and see to it that we settle this matter."
"Wow, you said something smart, for a change." Michael smirked, earning the hard glare from Demon. "For once I agree with you. Let's get a move on."
Keeping their low profile, they picked up their footsteps, and within another 15 minutes, they arrived near the entrance of the hideout. Two burly men guarded the stairs leading down to the basement, and the large hole Nekohana had installed last night was now covered by a large piece of cloth, bordered by warning signs and tape. Little paid attention the damage done to shady part of the town, and even fewer came near this region.
"You'd think they'd cover up that miss a little more diligently." Jonathan remarked.
"Not that it's something to worry about if they're calling upon their father soon." His long time friend replied. "What's the plan?"
"Plan A. We barge in, massacre the whole lot of them. I get my fun and revenge; you stop this dimension meddling or whatever it is. End of problem." Demon brandished his claws.
"And Plan B?" Jonathan raised an eyebrow.
"There isn't one."
"Sounds good to me." Nekohana nodded. The other 2 shrugged. Apparently they thought that was the best idea at the moment as well.
"Good… Let's go."
The guards never saw it coming. The next moment they knew, Demon was licking the blood from his claws from their ripped throats as they crumpled onto the ground helplessly. "That's one problem taken care of."
"Knock knock!" Taking out a card, Michael blasted open the barricaded doors. "I don't suppose there's tea right now?"
"Ah, welcome. Lady and gentlemen." Muspel turned towards them with a grin. Behind him, a large ritual circle was being drawn, and several hooded cultists were busy with the preparation of the rites. Several more stood behind him, decks ready. "I don't suppose you're here to join us, seeing that noisy entrance."
"I'm just here to take your life and enjoy it while I do." Demon snarled, taking out his own deck. "You'll regret with meddling in my affairs."
Muspel shrugged, unfazed by the threat. "Alas, that's what I thought. Perhaps it would've been better to do this at Stonehenge, but I guess I'll have to make do with what I have."
Snapping his fingers, a duel field expanded, enveloping the 8 of them. "It would be fairer this way, no? You won't be able to interfere with our ritual while duels are taking place."
"Tsk. Careful of you." Demon growled. "Prepare yourself…I will grant you a slow and painful death once I beat that deck of yours."
"Oh, I'm flattered, your highness. But I don't think that'll happen." Muspel chuckled, his demeanor getting on Demon's nerves. "
Everyone else now had their decks ready, standing amidst swirling stars that circled around them in this cosmic space.
"Duel!"
BGM: Tonight Stars an Easygoing Egoist (Touhou 15.5 ~ Antinomy of Common Flowers)
"I cast Faerie Shower!" Michael brandished the multicolor spell, and taking Dolzwei into his hand, he tossed Kernel into his mana zone tapped.
"Heh. You think that kind of deck would square up to my Molt NEXT?" Smirking, his opponent, who finally took off his robe to reveal his short black hair, drew his card. "I cast Duelist Charger. I look at the top 3 cards of my deck… and I add Bolshack Dogiragon to my hand, and the rest to the bottom of my deck. Duelist Charger goes to my mana. Turn End."
"We'll see about that. I'll settle this score by making it a 2 to 1. Draw!" Michael declared. "I cast Intense Showering Now. I boost the top 2 cards of my deck to my mana tapped, and I return Stegoro Kaiser to my hand from my mana. Turn End."
"Draw! I charge Batocross Battle to my mana. Then I cast Scramble Change!"
"Kuh…." Michael knew what was coming, feeling a trail of cold sweat down his spine.
"Scramble Change allows me to summon my next dragon for 5 cost less." Tapping his remaining 2 mana, Michael's opponent summoned his ace card. "I summon Molt NEXT! I take off 1 seal of Dormoageddon, the one that destroys creatures with power 1111 or less. With Molt NEXT's Mana Arms 5, I equip him with Batogai Heart!"
Calling upon the Dragheart Weapon, Molt NEXT was enveloped in a fiery power as his summoner prepared for the assault.
"Batogai Heart gives NEXT Speed Attacker! Go! Molt NEXT, attack! With Batogai Heart's effect, I reveal the top card of my deck. Tsk. Shishiou Kaiser. I bring that out since it's a dragon. With Shishiou Kaiser's effect I boost 1 mana."
"Not Dragsolutioning yet?" Michael taunted.
"Not after my next attack. Molt NEXT, Double Break!"
Michael shielded himself from the impact, gritting his teeth as the force almost blew him off his feet. "If you have another attack that is! Shield Trigger! Kernel! I summon him and stop Molt NEXT from attacking or blocking until the start of my next turn."
"Tsh. Molt NEXT untaps with his Dragon Mana Arms 5. Turn End."
"My turn!" Michael started his counteroffensive. Charging Forever Princess and tapping his 7 available mana, he summoned the new card he opted to import from the Chronicle Deck. "I summon Stegorokaiser!"
"That is…" His opponent narrowed his eyes at the Hunter Jurassic Command Dragon modeled like a Stegosaur.
"Stegorokaiser has Mach Fighter, allowing him to attack creatures the turn he's put into the battle zone." Michael explained. "Battle! I attack Molt NEXT with Stegorokaiser…and I declare Puchohenza's Rev Change from my hand!"
"Puchohenza…what a pest."
"Not a lot sound more pleasing to my ears than someone scorning the power of my cards. I resolve Stegorokaiser's effect first and boost 1 mana, then Rev Change! Puchohenza! With his Final Rev effect I send all other creatures with lower power than Puchohenza to their owners' mana!" A large roar resonated around the duel space from the lion, sending Kernel, Shishiou Kaiser and Molt NEXT to the mana as they disappeared into green particles.
"Chi…!"
"Now all your creatures that cost 8 or less are put into the battle zone tapped." Michael smirked. "Turn End."
"Don't get too ahead of yourself. My turn!" The cultist drew a card. "I cast Mendelsohn, and Bolshack Dragon and Ryusei the Earth go into my mana! …Turn End."
"Quite the anticlimactic turn despite your big mouth. My turn! I charge a mana and cast another Faerie Shower. I add Pixie Life to my mana. I end my turn."
"My turn." The cultist clicked his tongue in annoyance at the existence of Puchohenza in the battle zone. Although he wasn't very fond of this solution, it was the only one had now. "I summon Batocross Battle! I remove Dormageddon's 2nd seal which gives Batocross Slayer, and I battle him with Puchohenza!" Both of the creatures charged at each other, and Batocross was pierced by an arrow, before taking down Puchohenza as well in the ensuing explosion.
BGM: Idola Deus (Touhou 17 ~ Enrusting the World to Idols Arrange)
"You won't be having anymore Slayer protection from Shinobis now. I'll finish it this turn!" Michael declared as he drew his card with a fierce glow in his hand. "Mana Charge! I summon Zenith of Certain Victory, Baki!"
The Zenith Hunter materialized, his form looming over the cultist as his four arms crossed together, releasing an oppressive aura over the entire battlefield.
"Hmph… He's just a vanilla if you're not gonna win Gachinko Judges!" Michael's opponent retorted, quickly regaining his composure after a slight hesitation at seeing the Dragon.
"Oh, we'll see about that. You ready Baki?" Michael looked at his ace in proudly. One of his long time partners, and even a part of him like his other avatars, his confidence in his card meant confidence in himself at the same time.
"Whenever you are!" The creature nodded back.
"Since you have 5 shields, we play Gachinko Judge 5 times!"
Both duelists revealed their top card of their deck.
Faerie Life against Mendelssohn.
"1 for me!"
Faerie Shower against Mitsurugi Boost.
"Ha, that's 1 for me!"
Kuromame Danshaku against Eternal Ryuusei Kaiser.
"That's 2 for me!" Michael declared, as Baki gathered energy in front of his chest, a small galaxy rotating inside.
Cobalt Kaiser against Molt NEXT.
"3!" The cultist's palms began to sweat as he eyed Forever Princess and Meteorite Ryuusei in Michael's mana zone.
Faerie Life against Molt Head.
"Thrice is good enough to settle the score!" Michael summoned 3 Hunters from his mana and hand. "Come on! Forever Princess! Meteorite Ryuusei! Diehard Ryuusei!"
Upon command, the 3 Hunters descended on battle field, ready to bring the duel to an end.
"No Shinobi or trigger is gonna save you since you have 2 seals left! Nor will any Bolshack Dogiragon in your hand! Battle! Baki! Triple Break, and Diehard burns one shield of yours!"
"Gah!" 4 of the cultists shields disappeared instantly as Diehard burned one of them to his grave, and Baki swiping away 3 with his Hunter Blade. "Kuh…Shield Trigger, Shishiou Kaiser… I remove a seal from Dormageddon and boost a mana."
"Not that it does any good. Forever Princess sends that to your mana. Diehard, burn that last shield and Direct Attack!"
The cultists, realizing his inevitable defeat, hung his head in resentment and anger. Boshack Dogiragon would be unable to save him since he had no targeting removal large enough to remove Forever Princess from the field. Blown back by the force of dragon's attack, he was rendered unconscious and riddled with cuts and bruises.
"Ha..Ha…" Michael panted as the duel ended, giving Baki a thumbs up as he disappeared while giving the same gesture. Uttering a silent prayer to his Lord for the great luck he had during the duel, he turned to see the other duels wrapping up as well.
BGM: Placido's Theme (YGO 5Ds OST)
Demon snarled as he cast Faerie Life, boosting Dead Damned into his mana tapped. Muspel raised an eyebrow at the deck change.
"So changing tactics, your highness?" The magician charged a Rinnevenus and signaled the end of his turn.
"You won't be getting very far with 1 copy of Buster now." Demon snarled.
"Quick to know about news, aren't we?"
"Tsk. My turn, draw! I charge Hellvorof, then I summon Deaddam!" The multicolored Invader Sonic Command came into play in front of Demon's shields. "With his effect I look at the top 3 cards of my deck, and I add one to my hand, send Deaddamned to my grave and charge Team Tech Destruction Go into my mana. Turn End."
"Heheh. My turn." The Magician charged Aquan Mercator. "I cast Brain Touch. I discard one card from your hand and draw a card." A surge of energy zapped a card from Demon's hand, revealing it to be Hayabusamaru as it dropped to the grave.
"Not a problem. My turn, draw." Demon started his turn, unfazed by the discard. "I cast Revive Hole to recover Hayabusamaru, and bring out Victorious Ryuusei Kaiser! Now all your cards go into your mana tapped." Demon licked his fangs. Now's not the time to attack yet… "Turn end."
"You think that would be enough to stop me, Shishima? I'll show you one weakness of your deck." Drawing a card nonchalantly, Muspel made his next move. "I charge a mana, then with 3 mana I summon Dolgan Churis!"
"Heh, if you dare to hit a few triggers than I'm all open."
"We'll see about that. Dolgan Churis attacks! Then Rev Change! Shin Gaiginga!"
The armored mouse bounced back into Muspel's hand, and taking his place Shin Gaiginga leapt onto the battlefield, charging towards Demon's shields. The prince clicked his tongue in annoyance and he eyed the Gaial Command Dragon.
"Shin Gaiginga has the same effect as his Dragheart counterpart." Muspel kindly explained, annoying Demon even more when he knew his effect. "I get an extra turn if you choose him. Your invasions are all forced to activate their effect upon entering the battle zone, and none of them best Shin Gaiginga in battle, so that should stop your advances for a while. Now, Shin Gaiginga, Double Break!"
Demon caught the broken shields as the crystalline shards formed back into cards. "…No Trigger."
"Very well, your turn then."
"My turn!" Demon snarled. Muspel was right. He had little means of taking out Shin Gaiginga without activating his effect. The most he could do was stall his attacks using Falconer as of now. "…I charge Verde into my mana, and I summon Hellvorof!"
The wolf plushie bounded out onto the battlefield. "Hey you!" He snarled at Muspel. "You better get ready to get your assed kicked by Master this time!"
Muspel only shrugged, his smile still on his face.
"Grrr…." Hellvorof felt the same annoyance as his master did. This magician's demeanor definitely ticked him off.
"With Hellvorof's effect I mill two cards… and then bring out Welcome Hell. With Welcome Hell's effect I bring out Black Psycho from my grave, using Hellvorof as bait!" The wolf plushie transformed into the Demon Command Invader wielding a mace and shield. "Black Psycho's effect! I discard two cards from your hand!" With a swing of his weapon, Black Psycho landed Dolgan Churis and Evil Heat from Muspel's hand to his grave.
"Battle!" Demon ordered, baring his claws and fangs. "Black Psycho, Double Break!"
"No trigger."
"Ryuusei Kaiser! Double Break!"
"Oh, jackpot. I cast Team Tech Destruction Go to get rid of Ryuusei Kaiser."
"Not bouncing Wellcome Hell and Deaddam… Fine, I'll see what's in store for me. Deaddam, final break!"
"No trigger, your highness."
"Turn End."
BGM: Pure Furies ~ Whereabouts of the Heart (Touhou 15 – Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom)
Muspel drew his turn draw. "Now that the mana tap-in is out of the way, let's see how far we can go then. I charge Demon Castle of Betrayal. Then I cast Revive Hole to salvage Evil Heat and bring out Victorious Gaial Kaiser!"
"Here it comes, master!" "Shut up, I know!"
"Battle! Victorious Gaial Kaiser attacks… and Rev Change! Dogiragon Buster!" The Hunter Dragon tagged with the Revolutionary, who swung down his sword in his jaws as he called upon Rafululu in Muspel's mana zone. The cost trampled Angel Dragon sprung out of a green crystal and joined the other dragons on Muspel's battle zone. "Now your spells don't work for this turn. Dogiragon Buster, Triple Break!"
The remainder of Demon's shields splintered as he cowered from the impact, nearly thrown off of his feat. Grunting, he caught the shields, one of which was Team Tech Destruction Go. "No trigger."
"Is that so? Then Shin Gaiginga, direct attack!" The Gaial Command Dragon charged, poised to deliver the final blow.
"Ninja Strike! Hayabusamaru! I turn it into a blocker and block the attack!" The Guardian Shinobi stopped Shin Gaiginga's attack with its soundwaves, but disappeared in an explosion as Shin Gaiginga retaliated with a swing of his sword.
"I guess it's the end of the road then, prince." Muspel raised his arm to signal the final attack. "Rafululu, direct attack!"
"No you don't this time." A sly grin crept on Demon's face as he brandished another card. "Ninja Strike! Hanzou!"
"What…!?" Surprise replaced the easy smile Muspel had. "Another Shinobi!?"
"Guess you didn't see that coming." Demon smirked. "Hanzou gives Rafululu -6000 power, and that destroys it!" The toad ninja performed a shadow clone jutsu, slicing the dragon in quarters with its clone.
"Kuh….Turn End."
"Heheh…." Demon took delight. However, it was weird. He couldn't sense any terror from this magician. Did he not know fear? It almost baffled him. How could a human not know that emotion, especially in the face of imminent defeat? But whatever, he'll have time to probe into that later. "My turn!"
"I don't suppose you have enough Shinobis to stop my creatures." He grinned. "I cast Lost Mind, just to be extra sure!"
"…" The spell revealed Muspel's hand, and it contained no spells or any ninjas to stop Demon's creatures from delivering the final blow.
"Then eat this! You'll know true fear later on! Black Psycho, direct attack!"
With a hard blow, Black Psycho knocked Muspel out of consciousness, ending the duel between the two.
Decks:
Michael: 4c Baki （刃鬼）
Cultist: Molt NEXT （モルネク）
Demon Subaru: Ana SSS Hellvorof （SSSヘルボロフ）
Muspel: 5c Dogiragon （5cバスター）