So! We have returned with another chapter! Now, in here, and spoiler alert, I may have skipped the duel against the Admiral, mainly because that duel posed no importance whatsoever in the arc (much). But! What I do have in this original chapter here is one that will definitely surprise you people! For better or for worse! Some may be confused, but I assure you, you will still love what I have in here!
Normal dialogue
Life Points/Monster stats
*LOCATION CHANGE/ CHANGE IN P.O.V*
Attacks/Effects
'thoughts'
Language other than Japanese (this is English sub after all)
*OPENING*
Roar out through the high heavens,
(Opening starts with a red silhouette of a monster)
Wrapped in undulating emotion;
(Silhouette changed into a different monster in blue)
The truest of tones can be found here at this very spot…
(Silhouette changed once more into a yellow monster. Scene changed to Samejima's office, the man looking out the window at the sky above)
(Instrumental)
(Camera looks up at the dark sky. Title appears. After several seconds, flames extinguished it, changing the scene)
The trembling signal of pain in my heart,
(Kohaku was practicing some stunts when she sensed something and looked behind her)
Broke through many a night,
(Scene changed to Bella doing some ninja training when she also sensed something and looked at a distance)
As I searched for you – it's enough to drive me insane…
(Scene changed again to Alex running from something before he summoned Freakstar Dragon and rode on his back, flying out of the Abandoned Dorm as it exploded behind them)
Within the elegant, dreamlike sounds that float upon a double-edged warmth,
(Elie, Jacko, Tiffany, Seth, Shou and Hayato looked at a distance, watching their friends facing off against the Shadow Riders)
Entrusted tears roam throughout the sky
(Camera zoomed in to Arkham and a Rider in a black cloak. Kohaku and Kazato stares at them. The unknown rider walks away and Kohaku grabbed the cloak and pulled it off)
The more I seek this radiant melody,
(Scene changed as Judai summoned his Heroes and declared an attack)
All that's projected is more illusions.
(Asuka summoned her monsters and also declared an attack)
But the moment we know as "now" will always be what forms the miracle of tomorrow…
(Scene changed to Ryo and his Cybers, to Misawa and his 'Magnet Warriors', to Manjoume and his dragons, to various other characters and their monsters)
So I want to sing for your sake!
(Scene changed to where the Mythic Demon cards are sealed, the three monster spirits circling around the Spirit Gates)
Let everything be set free
(Darkness and Camula had their monsters battle Judai, Chronos, Ryo and Kazato's monsters)
If you have a dream for the future that you believe
(Another cloaked duelist was dueling against Bella and her ninjas)
Our resounding hearts are unstoppable!
(Misawa and Manjoume battled Tania and Don Zaloog. Alex and Asuka dueled against Abidos III and Titan)
Let's go (together), joining hands (no matter how far)!
(Arkham and the earlier cloaked duelist have a full field of monsters on their side, facing off against Kohaku. Kohaku and her 'Circus Freak' and 'Relic' monsters leapt from floating rock to rock over to them)
I won't ever let go of that smile!
(They all prepared their strongest attack and fired. Scene paused with a close-up image of Kohaku and the earlier cloaked duelist facing off)
It was the middle of the night. In a certain cave, a certain group gathered, talking amongst themselves, mainly about who should go out and pursue the keys they sought.
"I'm telling you guys, let me go back out there," Arkham spoke. "I'm all healed up, now. And I'm definitely going to get those keys from them, no sweat!"
"Let someone else have a chance here," a masked figure spoke. "If anything, I find it rude that I am not out and about yet. After all, if I were dueling out there, those keys would already be ours."
"However, it is best to first secure a route of some kind first," said another figure. "At the very least, allow me to take a turn. My team has already blended in well with everyone in that academy."
"You truly think your strategy is sufficient enough to get the gates open? You are nothing more than a fool," came a male, cloaked individual.
"All right, that's enough," came the card creator's voice. "I'll go out."
"You? A girl?" the masked figure questioned.
"This 'girl' has been creating cards that is to make your decks stronger. However, as things are now, even if I were to give you the cards, it won't make much of a difference. Not if your opponent is him."
"And you think you can do what the previous riders failed to?" Arkham challenged.
"I don't think; I know. Besides, it's about time I go out anyway. It's been a while since I last dueled, and I rather not get rusty."
"You have my permission," came their leader's voice, to the boys' shock. "As you said, one of those protectors in particular has been a thorn to my side for long enough. I trust you to get the job done."
"Of course." With that, the card creator took her leave.
"In that case, allow me to accompany her," the cloaked individual requested. "At the very least, as a gatekeeper of sort."
The leader simply nodded his head, allowing the other member to leave as well.
Meanwhile, in Duel Academia, late at night, Kazato was busy grading some tests. Specifically a surprise quiz on Action Duels, as well as writing down some notes on the papers to each student about their progress in that sort of dueling and advice as to how they may improve in their skills.
As he was writing down more notes, a message came into his phone. Kazato placed his pen down and looked at the message.
"Come to the cave near the beach in the next hour, alone, unless if you wish to risk the lives of those you love. And remember to bring the key, or you will regret it," it said. There was no name as to who sent it, but Kazato knew who it was from.
He looked into the bed room, where his wife was sleeping in bed. He knew after what happened last time, she wouldn't forgive him if he were to go out on his own again. However, he was a Spirit Key Protector, a father, a professor, and a husband. As such, it was his job to keep his family safe. Equipped with his deck, he went to the designated spot.
It took half an hour to get to the beach from the teacher's lounge, and another few minutes to reach the designated cave. There, Kazato saw a cloaked individual standing by the entrance, arms crossed, and simply looking out at sea.
"Are you the one who summoned me?" he asked.
The cloaked individual gave no answer; simply pointing his thumb to the inside of the cave. This simply raised confusion for Kazato, as he unsurely walked inside.
"Here I thought you weren't going to show up," came a voice from within. Once Kazato walked a good distance in, he saw another cloaked figure there, sitting on a rock and looking over her deck.
"I came alone as you asked," he spoke. "I will say this now. Are you sure you want to duel me? Well, it's not that I mind dueling, but I do mind what you are dueling for. To duel is to have fun; it is never to make anyone's life miserable in any way, nor is it a way to reach some grand goal that may as well destroy our world. If you reconsider this, I will forgive you, and the rest of the Shadow Riders."
The card creator was silent at those words. Kazato thought she was the more reasonable one of the riders and was glad for it. "... I see some things have not changed at all since then." The joy he had was immediately replaced with confusion at those words. "'To duel is to have fun'? That's quite funny, especially considering what dueling has brought me all this time. I suppose the time has come for me to show you what true dueling is."
Kazato narrowed his eyes in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Instead of answering him, the card creator simply let down her hood, revealing her face to him. Once she did, Kazato couldn't believe his eyes.
"Y-... You're..."
The next day, it was a school day. While things were quite normal, there were a couple of differences. For one thing, Judai wasn't in class. No, it wasn't because he slept in. The other day, a submarine docked at the Duel Academia's port and the owner placed a challenge for the Three Mythic Demons. This time, Judai challenged the guy to a duel, with the rest of the Spirit Key Protectors of his age joining for support. The funny part to this? Anacis, the submarine owner, is not a Shadow Rider. He and his crew were bonafide ordinary people who wish to make a Duel Academia of his own under the sea, though that part may just be the owner's dream, and he wants the Three Mythic Demons to be a sort of symbol to the academy. Judai defeated him... but even though the others got to leave, Judai stayed behind. Two days had passed since then and he has yet to return.
The other difference was during the Action Duel class. For some reason, Kate was teaching the lesson. The reason being that Kazato got sick and had to skip out on teaching for today. Of course, that was what she and a certain group of people had told the oblivious students.
Truth be told, last night, Kazato had left a message stating that he left to meet a possible Shadow Rider in a cave by the beach. Kate had informed the Spirit Key Protectors of it, but as they were in school at the time, they couldn't leave early even if it was to find their missing professor. Kohaku, especially, was worried, but she knew her father better than the others. Besides, he defeated the previous two Shadow Riders; he should be able to defeat this one as well. ... Assuming he wasn't dueling against Arkham, that is...
The bell rung, signaling the end of class, as everyone got up to leave. For the Spirit Key Protectors, they met up with Kate in Samejima's office, hoping for some good news about Kazato.
"He still hasn't returned?!" Kohaku gasped.
"No," Kate answered. "I'm getting worried now... The last time this happened-"
"Arkham... He must've returned," Bella said.
Kohaku trembled at the mention of his name, in which Alex noticed and asked, "What are we going to do? Last time one of us dueled him..." He stopped himself, not wanting to bring back the bad memories to his friend.
"It's dangerous for us to duel this guy, any of us. And that's coming from me," Manjoume stated.
"But we can't just leave the professor with him," Asuka said.
"She's right. We have to do something to help," Misawa told them.
Just then, a beep was heard, causing everyone to jump.
"That's mine," Kohaku said, taking out her phone. Once she saw the message in it, her face paled up, in which everyone else noticed.
"What's wrong- nya?" Daitokuji asked.
Not wanting to read the message out loud, she passed the phone to the person closest to her.
"'If you want your father, you better come to the cave by the beach. Your friends can come as well, but we meet alone,'" Ryo read.
Everyone was silent at this. "This is obviously a trap," Bella said. "You cannot meet with him!"
"How did he even get your number?!" Alex asked.
"But he has my dad!" Kohaku exclaimed. "Look, I know! I know dueling this guy is and should be the last thing I should do, but he has my dad. And I dueled him once before. I'm ready for Arkham this time. I will definitely beat him, and we will be free of him. Besides..." She looked down at her hand, recalling the duel she had with the guy. "... I'm not who I was back then. I'll show him the true joy of dueling!"
At those words, everyone saw it; the determination in her eyes. No, more than that... It was the look she had back in the aftermath of her father's duel against Camilla, and back when Seth's dad came to take his son away. Kohaku was serious- no, more than serious. She truly believed she can change Arkham's perspective about dueling.
"It doesn't look like we can change your mind about this," Asuka sighed.
"Nope!" Kohaku confirmed strongly.
"If you are going to duel against that dangerous man, I won't stop you. However, I will ask you kids to be careful," Samejima warned.
"We will, Principal," the students all answered.
After the meeting, the Spirit Key Protectors and former protectors ran to the beach, where their opponent and missing teacher would be. Once they arrived, they found a cloaked individual standing before them. One look at the person, and they were all put on their guard.
The cloaked figure looked back at them all and simply raised an arm, pointing at one certain duelist amongst them. "Your opponent awaits you," he said to Kohaku.
"You're not Arkham?" Alex asked.
"He has recovered, though not enough to duel her with all he has," the figure informed, thus putting them all in a state of confusion. If Arkham wasn't the one who issued the challenge, then who did? "Only she can pass. Everyone else stays."
"What's that suppose to mean exactly?" Bella asked. "What's the point in allowing us to tag along if Kohaku's the only one dueling?"
"I never said that." The cloaked figure raised an arm and activated a duel disk. "The rest of you can join your friend... after you've defeated me."
That got them all tensed up, for none of them were sure about dueling this person. Despite what they saw in Kazato's dueling, none of them were sure if their Duel of Light is strong enough against the rest of the Shadow Riders. Judai had faced off against one of them and practically barely survived it. Chronos and Ryo? They got beaten horribly and paid the price for it, the latter not as much as the former, as did Misawa, though not as bad as the former pair, besides a broken heart. Can they do what their professor had done?
It was then, Kohaku walked forward.
"Kohaku?!" Asuka gasped.
"Hey! You're not thinking about actually going, are you?" Alex asked.
"Whoever is in that cave specifically asked for me. And my dad is most likely in there with them. I have to go," Kohaku reasoned. "Don't worry, though. If worse comes to worst, I'll help you guys out in cleansing this guy after I deal with my requested opponent."
Hearing that slightly annoyed half the group.
"Who said we need your help?!" Manjoume questioned.
"Yeah, we'll catch up with you and help you out!" Alex added.
A smile formed on the girl's face, as she continued onwards. "So my opponent and my dad are in that cave there?" she asked the cloaked figure.
"Correct," he confirmed. "Good luck; you'll desperately be needing it."
Though uncertain with those words, Kohaku walked into the cave.
Once she was out of sight, the figure stared back at the rest of the group. "As for you... prepare to meet your fate," he growled.
"That's my line to you!" Manjoume exclaimed.
"Wait, maybe I should face him," Alex said.
"It's first come, first serve! You might as well wait your turn!"
"I never said I wanted to duel against you in general," the figure said, much to their confusion. "I wish to have the same duel our card creator will be having with your duelist. As such, you girl, are my opponent." He pointed at Bella when he said that.
"Me? For what reason?" she asked.
"I just gave you my reason. Now duel me."
Knowing that there wasn't a way to change this guy's mind, the rest of the protectors stepped back and let the pair have their duel.
"DUEL!"
Bella: 4000 LP
?: 4000 LP
"I hope you don't mind I start first! Draw!" Bella drew her sixth card.
'I don't know how this guy duels or what deck he uses. I best be careful here,' she thought.
"First I summon Konohagakure Shinobi Team 8, Kiba!" Appearing on her field now was a ninja with red marks on his cheeks, wearing a sweater with a furry hood.
Konohagakure Shinobi Team 8, Kiba: Level 4/EARTH/Warrior/1800 ATK/500 DEF
"And when he's on the field, from my hand, I activate Konohagakure Shinobi Team 8, Akamaru's effect! I equip him to Kiba and he gains 1000 ATK!" A white dog appeared on the field right by Kiba's side.
Konohagakure Shinobi Team 8, Akamaru: Level 2/EARTH/Beast/500 ATK/700 DEF
Konohagakure Shinobi Team 8, Kiba: 1800 + 1000 = 2800 ATK
"All right! Our duo on the first turn!" Kiba cheered, with Akamaru barking in agreement.
"I set one card face-down and end my turn!" Bella ended. "I'm counting on you, Kiba! Akamaru!"
"Yeah! Leave it to us!"
"Yes! That's a nice start!" Alex cheered.
"With an attack that high, there's nothing that guy can do against her!" Manjoume claimed.
"I wonder about that," Ryo said, noticing how Bella's opponent is simply staring at Bella's play.
"Hey! It's your turn now!" Bella called.
"... How weak," the Shadow Rider said at last, much to everyone's shock and confusion. "Let me show you what a strong move is. My turn. Draw!" He drew his sixth card. "If there is a Beast or a Beast-Warrior-type monster on my opponent's field, I Special Summon Disney Villain, Cruella de Vil!" Appearing on the field was a woman in a white, fur coat.
Disney Villain, Cruella de Vil: Level 6/DARK/Spellcaster/2000 ATK/1000 DEF
(Disney Villain, Cruella de Vil: Effect Monster: If your opponent controls a Beast or Beast-Warrior-type monster, you may Special Summon this card from your hand. Once per turn, you may discard one card; take control of all Beast or Beast-Warrior-type monster your opponent controls until the End Phase. Monsters you control through this effect have their original ATK reduced to 100 and this card cannot attack the turn it use this effect)
"Next, since a Level 5 or higher monster was Special Summoned, I Special Summon Disney Villain, Ursula!" Appearing next was a sort of pudgy woman, whose lower body was comprised of tentacles.
Disney Villain, Ursula: Level 6/WATER/Aqua/2400 ATK/1300 DEF
(Disney Villain, Ursula: Effect Monster: If a monster was Special Summoned on the field, you may Special Summon this card from your hand. During the Battle Phase, this card can make additional attacks equal to the number of times a monster(s) was Special Summoned during your Main Phase 1. Each time this card inflicts additional Battle Damage through this effect, the damage inflicted to your opponent is halved.)
"Now, when my opponent controls a Level 4 or lower monster and I have two Level 6 or higher 'Disney Villain' monsters on my field, I Special Summon Disney Villain, Maleficent!" Next to appear was a green-skinned woman in black clothes.
Disney Villain, Maleficent: Level 7/DARK/Spellcaster/2500 ATK/2000 DEF
(Disney Villain, Maleficent: Effect Monster: If your opponent controls a Level 4 or lower monster and you control two or more Level 6 or higher 'Disney Villain' monsters, you may Special Summon this card from your hand. When this card attacks a Warrior-type monster, during the damage step, you can destroy that monster.)
"He summoned three monsters by taking advantage of Bella's field?!" Misawa gasped, never seeing a play like that before.
"Not only that, but they're all monsters of high levels," Asuka added.
"And something tells me he's still not done," Manjoume grimaced.
While they were more focused on the duel, Alex and Ryo noticed something off about Bella.
"I activate Cruella's effect! By discarding one card from my hand, I can take control of all my opponent's Beast or Beast-Warrior monsters!" The duelists watching gasped in shock as the Shadow Rider sent one of his remaining cards in his hand to the Graveyard, and the first monster he summoned blew out green smoke at Kiba.
"Huh? What the heck is this?" he asked, as he and Akamaru tried to fan or blow the smoke away. It was useless, however, as the smoke got to him, and made him change side.
Konohagakure Shinobi Team 8, Kiba: 2800 -} 1100 ATK
"This is bad- nya! Bella's now wide open- nya!" Daitokuji exclaimed in fright.
"More importantly, why isn't she doing anything to stop it- na no ne?!" Chronos questioned, for the girl was just still.
"You should be happy. The monsters under my control by this effect have their original ATK reduced to 100, and Cruella cannot attack the turn she use this effect," the Shadow Rider informed. "However, that doesn't matter when my other two monsters are more than enough to beat you. Battle! I attack directly with Maleficent! Wicked Blaze!" The newly summoned monster charged at Bella, who was still unmoving.
"Bella! Do something!" Alex shouted.
His shout finally snapped the girl out of her trance, as she quickly activated her set card. "Trap card, Drain Shield, activate! This negates a monster's attack and increases my Life Points by its ATK points!" she countered, as a barrier appeared and protected her from the heavy damage.
Bella: 6500 LP
?: 4000 LP
The Shadow Rider clicked his tongue at this move. "So you saved yourself. But that's not enough! I attack directly with Ursula! And with her effect, each time a monster is Special Summoned before my Battle Phase, she can attack an additional time! Tentacle Strike!" His Aqua monster slammed one of her tentacles down at the female duelist, who brought her arms up in a feeble attempt to protect herself... only to get slammed by the attack and get knocked back several feet.
Bella: 4100 LP
?: 4000 LP
"Bella!" Alex cried out in worry.
"Again! Tentacle Strike 2!" The monster slammed another one of her tentacles at her.
Bella: 2900 LP
?: 4000 LP
"Each time Ursula makes an additional attack during the Battle Phase, the damage is halved. Not that it matters! Tentacle Strike 3!" Another slammed on her.
Bella: 2300 LP
?: 4000 LP
"And now, Tentacle Strike 4!" Another one slammed against her, bringing her Life Points down even further.
Bella: 2000 LP
?: 4000 LP
"And let's not forget your monster. He may be weaker, but he is still able to attack. And though his original ATK is reduced to 100, he still has the boost from the other monster's effect. Kiba! Attack directly!" Controlled, the 'Shinobi' monster did as ordered and charged at Bella.
The girl looked up and saw her pair of monsters charged at her in a form of a tornado. Having no other option, she put her arms up again and was struck by the blow.
Bella: 900 LP
?: 4000 LP
"Bella!" her comrades all cried out in worry.
"I set one card face-down and end my turn. At this time, your monster is returned to you," the Shadow Rider ended.
Konohagakure Shinobi Team 8, Kiba: 1100 -} 2800 ATK
The smoke entangling Kiba dissipated, and the ninja and his dog looked around. "What the-?! Why am I-?!" He stopped himself, as he saw his duelist kneeling in pain. "Bella! What happened?!" he asked.
"It's okay. Don't worry about it," she assured him.
"Meow goodness! This is only the second turn, and even with Bella's trap, her Life Points has been reduced to more than half- nya!" Daitokuji exclaimed in worry.
"That guy really is no joke!" Manjoume growled. "At this rate, Bella's going to lose horribly!"
"She can't lose! This duel is way too important to lose! Go for it, Bella!" Alex cheered.
As the Obelisk Blue female looked back to her opponent, the uncertain look she had returned. "Those cards... He has to be..." Bella slowly got back to her feet and began her turn. "My turn. Draw! I summon Konohagakure Shinobi Team 10, Ino!" Her blonde, female ninja appeared on the field.
Konohagakure Shinobi Team 10, Ino: Level 4/WATER/Warrior/1000 ATK/800 DEF
"Next, I use her effect! By discarding one card from my hand, I am able to take control of one monster my opponent controls! With her effect, I will take control of Maleficent!"
"Continuous Trap, Queens of Darkness Barrier!" the Shadow Rider countered, flipping his face-down card face-up. "This card can only be activated if I control three 'Disney Villain' monsters! Monsters in my possession cannot be targeted by my opponent's card effects!"
That shocked everyone, as a barrier appeared before his monsters, protecting them from Ino's effect.
(Queens of Darkness Barrier: Continuous Trap: This card can only be activated if you control exactly three 'Disney Villain' monsters. Monsters you control cannot be targeted by your opponent's card effects, so long as you control three or more monsters.)
"Damn it! And she was close!" Alex grimaced.
"It doesn't help that Bella already Normal Summoned," Misawa added. "Even if she does get rid of one of those monsters, unless if she has a way to protect herself, she'll lose next turn."
"Battle! I attack Cruella with Kiba! Fang Passing Fang!" Bella declared.
"Payback for controlling me like that! Let's go, Akamaru!" Kiba said, as Akamaru turned into his partner and both spun at high speed, slamming into Cruella and destroying her.
Bella: 900 LP
?: 3200 LP
"I set one card face-down and end my turn," she ended.
"My turn. Draw," the Shadow Rider drew his next card. "Your plays are so weak, it's pitiful. But..." A smirk was seen from underneath his hood. "I am getting excited from this duel. Especially when you have that look on your face."
Hearing that brought everyone on edge.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Ryo asked.
The Shadow Rider chuckled. "Well, since she figured out who I am, there's no need in concealing my identity any more. Though I must say, I am surprised you don't remember me at all, Marufuji. Or did our many duels never matter to you? Oh, I am so hurt~!" Before Ryo could ask, or even demand what he meant, the Shadow Rider removed his cloak and revealed his identity.
The rider had short, messy red hair and blue eyes. He had on a black t-shirt and, to the teens and professors' shock, an Obelisk Blue student uniform. No... What was more shocking for the teachers' and Ryo himself was his face.
"Duncan-kun?!" Daitokuji gasped.
"But how is that possible- na no ne?!" Chronos asked.
"Duncan?!" Ryo gasped.
This got everyone's attention as they turned to the pair.
"You guys know him!?" Asuka asked.
"Of course I do- no ne! How can I not know promising Obelisk Blue students in my dorm- na no ne?!" Chronos answered. "He is a promising student of the Academia, at least on the same level as Marufuji Ryo-kun- no ne! But then one day, he suddenly disappear along with other students at the abandoned dorm- na no ne!"
Bella trembled slightly upon seeing his face. "I knew it..." she uttered out. "There couldn't be any one else who is able to use those cards but you... cousin."
That last word puzzled the group even more. Duncan, on the other hand, simply laughed. No... Not just laugh; he cackled. "Oh that face... That face! On all your faces! Those are the faces I want to see! The disbelief, the conflict, the reluctance! All those expressions are just so delicious~!"
While they were disturbed by this side to him, none were more alarmed than Bella. "What happened to you...? This is not like you at all!" she shouted. "The Duncan I know is a nice and caring guy! He was always there for me when I need him most, and is extremely generous! Who are you and what did you do to my cousin?!"
'Duncan' chuckled at the question. "Who am I? Well, isn't it obvious, dear cousin~?"
"Don't lie to me! I don't know who you are, but I want my cousin back!"
"Then just try it! From my hand, I activate Disney Villain, Scroop's effect! If I have a Level 7 or higher 'Disney Villain' monster on my field, I can discard this card and destroy a monster my opponent controls with a level lower than that monster's!" Just as he sent a card from his hand to the Graveyard, an insect-like monster, seemingly an arachnid of sort with pincers, appeared on the field and charged at Kiba, grabbing him by the throat.
"Kiba!" Bella cried out, as did Ino, while Akamaru barked at the monster to let his friend go. Instead, however, Scroop grabbed him with the other pincer and destroyed them both.
"Next I draw cards equal to the difference in the two monsters' levels." Duncan continued, as he drew three more cards.
(Disney Villain, Scroop: Effect Monster: If you have a Level 7 or higher 'Disney Villain' monster on your field, you may discard this card from your hand and destroy one monster your opponent controls whose Level is less than that monster's. Then, draw cards equal to the difference in the two monster's levels.)
"And when he's added to my hand through a card effect, I am able to Special Summon out Disney Villain, Horned King!" Appearing next was a skeletal creature in a red robe with rotten flesh and two horns on his head.
Disney Villain, Horned King: Level 4/DARK/Zombie/1500 ATK/1200 DEF
(Disney Villain, Horned King: Effect Monster: When this card is added to your hand by a card effect, you may Special Summon this card.)
"Next from my Graveyard, I activate Disney Villain, Ratigan's effect, whom I discarded to use Cruella's effect! When a 'Disney Villain' monster is Special Summoned to my field, I Special Summon him!" As he said that, a large rat in black clothes appeared on the field.
Disney Villain, Ratigan: Level 4/EARTH/Beast/1900 ATK/700 DEF
(Disney Villain, Ratigan: Effect Monster: When a 'Disney Villain' monster is Special Summoned to your field while this card is in your Graveyard, except 'Disney Villain, Ratigan', you may Special Summon this card.)
"And when a 'Disney Villain' monster is summoned from my Graveyard, I Special Summon Disney Villain, Oogie Boogie!" The fifth and last monster to appear was a large sack-like monster.
Disney Villain, Oogie Boogie: Level 6/DARK/Zombie/2000 ATK/1000 DEF
(Disney Villain, Oogie Boogie: Effect Monster: When a 'Disney Villain' monster is Special Summoned from your Graveyard, you may Special Summon this card. Once per turn, you may banish one monster from your Graveyard; equip one face-up monster your opponent controls whose level is less than the banished monster's. This card gains 100 ATK and DEF times the total level of monsters equipped to this card. If this card is to be destroyed by card effect while equipped with a card(s) by this effect, you may destroy one of the equipped cards instead.)
Everyone was in shock at Duncan's now-full field of monsters.
"How... is that possible?" Ryo spoke. "He was good, but not this good. This... is on a whole new level. What happened to him in the past year? Him and... Fubuki."
"Duncan... Don't do this..." Bella said. "Please. I'm your cousin! If this is the Duel of Darkness-"
"Then what?" Duncan asked. "What if this is the Duel of Darkness? Don't tell me the great Spirit Key Protectors is scared of the dark. Or is it that the only true protector is that professor of yours? He took down two of our own, even have them change sides. Well, Tanya is a literal beast, so she's the exception. But Camula? She's a vampire, with an intense grudge against humans because of what they did to her kind. And yet, after that one duel against him, she had a change of heart. More than that, she is attending your school as a normal, human student. If that is not the act of a true Duelist of Light, then I don't know what is."
Hearing those words come out of his mouth, the remaining protectors looked down on themselves in shame, knowing how true that was. Out of everyone of them, besides Judai, Kazato defeated two of their members. And despite the difficulties, he made it look so easy.
"Now that I think about it, I never did say it, did I?" Duncan asked. "What would happen if you people lose. I mean, you didn't think you losing only means no entry to the cave, did you? So, let me think here... If I were to win... Well, I would definitely want my cousin back. But I don't know about the rest of you, and it wouldn't be fair if my cousin has a different punishment than the rest of you." He paced a bit, a finger playfully on his chin, as he thought about the punishment for them. "Oh! Now that I think about it, by the time we Shadow Riders succeed in our plan, no one will be around. You all will die, as will everyone else, and Duel Monsters... They won't exist. So! Should I win, and I know for sure I will, you are to be my live puppet."
"A puppet?!" Manjoume repeated.
"Not like Camula's dolls, of course. You guys will be a part of our Shadow Rider family. You will dedicate yourself to our leader, and you will have no say whatsoever against him. Sounds fitting, wouldn't you say?"
Bella shook her head in denial. "No... Duncan, you can't be serious!"
"I now activate Oogie Boogie's effect! By banishing a monster in my Graveyard, I can equip a monster my opponent controls of a lower level than the monster I banished with his effect! Now say good bye to your last monster!" At Duncan's words, he banished the only monster in his Graveyard, thus allowing Oogie Boogie to strongly inhale some air, sucking Ino in him.
Disney Villain, Oogie Boogie: 2000 + 100 x 4 = 2000 x 400 = 2400 ATK
"Ino!" Bella cried out.
"Bella's field is wide open!" Misawa gasped.
"Unless if she does something to protect herself, she'll-!" Asuka spoke.
"Nowhere to run now! Battle! Maleficent! End her! Wicked Blast!" Maleficent called forth a large, green fireball and shot it at Bella.
Watching the flame get close to her extremely worried the other protectors and former. "Bella!"
"From my Graveyard, I activate the Trap Card, Protective Seal Spiritual Swords of Light! By banishing this card from my Graveyard, this turn my opponent's monsters cannot attack directly!" she defended, as light swords appeared and blocked Maleficent's path. Not just her, all of Duncan's monsters became trapped in swords of light.
This move caused everyone to let out a sigh in relief.
"That was a close one- nya," Daitokuji said.
"I'll say. She just managed to save herself there," Alex agreed.
"She saved herself, but is she able to finish this duel?" Ryo questioned, causing everyone to hesitate.
"All we can do is hope," Asuka said.
Duncan clicked his tongue at this. "So you managed to defend yourself. But you only brought yourself one last turn. I set two cards face-down and end my turn!"
Bella had a saddened look on her face, as she witnessed for herself how serious he was in finishing this Duel of Darkness. "Duncan... I'll get you back to normal. That I promise you. My turn!" She drew her next card.
"Continuous Trap, Chernabog's Endurance!" Duncan interrupted. "Thanks to this card, damage dealt to me while I control a 'Disney Villain' monster is halved!" A demon of sort appeared from the card and casted a barrier over its duelist's field. "So, my cousin... You were saying?"
(Chernabog's Endurance: Continuous Trap: While you control a 'Disney Villain' monster, damage dealt to you is halved. If you have 'Disney Villain, Chernabog' on the field, 'Disney Villain' monsters you control cannot be destroyed once per turn.)
"I activate Pot of Greed to draw two cards!" Bella added more cards to her hand. However, one look at the pair of cards she drew, she grimaced slightly. And it didn't help that the last card she has in her hand wasn't going to help her out much either. All she could do... was play and pray. "I will... summon Jinchuuriki Shinobi, Fu in Defense Mode. I set one card face-down. I end my turn." Appearing on her field with her arms crossed was a tan-skinned kunoichi with mint green hair.
Takigakure Shinobi, Fu: Level 4/WIND/Warrior/1700 ATK/1700 DEF
Those words and moves worried her friends and brought down hopes for some of them.
"It's all over. She's completely lost this duel!" Manjoume exclaimed with a face-palm.
"No... There's no way that can be true!" Alex said.
"Bella..." Asuka weakly called.
Duncan simply smirked. "So this is the end, huh? Gotta say, cousin. I am very disappointed. But don't worry. Everything will be over, and things will be back to the way they are soon enough. Draw." He drew his next card.
"I activate Fu's effect!" Bella intervened. "Once per turn, during either player's turn, by discarding one WIND monster from my hand, I am able to negate the effects of all monsters my opponent controls! The card I will be sending to the Graveyard is Naruto!" Upon sending her last card to the Graveyard, Naruto and his clones appeared and latched themselves on Duncan's monsters.
"There's no way we're letting you have your way!" he claimed.
"Nice one, Naruto!" Fu cheered.
"You may have stopped me from taking away your monster, but that doesn't mean you've stopped me from attacking. But, just for good measure, I activate my face-down card, Twin Twister! By discarding one card from my hand to the Graveyard, I am able to destroy two Magic and/or trap cards on the field! Say goodbye to your cards!" As Duncan said that, the remaining set card on his field was flipped face-up, and a pair of twisters came and obliterated Bella's two sets.
"Before it gets destroyed, I will activate the Trap card, Daunting Stance's effect!" she called out. "A monster on my field has its DEF doubled! Please, Fu!"
"Just leave it to me!" the monster assured, as her DEF increased.
Takigakure Shinobi, Fu: 1700 x 2 = 3400 DEF
"Whew... She managed to protect herself there- no ne!" Chronos said in relief.
Duncan, on the other hand, clicked his tongue at the defensive play. "Looks like you managed to save yourself there. However, from my Graveyard, I activate Disney Villain, Scar's effect, whom I sent to the Graveyard to activate Twin Twisters! I target a 'Disney Villain' monster I control of the highest level and inflict 100 points of damage to my opponent times its level! Take 700 points of damage! Cursed Roar!" As he said that, a ghostly spirit of a lion of sort appeared behind him and unleashed a ferocious roar, one that Bella struggled to stand against.
Bella: 200 LP
Duncan: 3200 LP
"I end my turn." The moment he ended his turn, Naruto and his clones all disappeared. Not only that...
Takigakure Shinobi, Fu: 3400 -} 0 DEF
"Why did Fu's DEF drop to zero?!" Alex asked.
"It's Daunting Stance's side effect," Ryo answered. "In exchange for doubling a monster's DEF for one turn, at the end of it, the DEF gets reduced to zero."
"That can't be!"
"My turn!" Bella drew her next card. Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of the card she drew. "I... end my turn..." Upon hearing the tone she used and the lack of plays, her friends just got even more worried.
Duncan, on the other hand, commenced his turn. "My draw! Now then, my monsters... End her!" All five of Duncan's monsters charged at Bella. Maleficent went first as she fired a green fireball at Fu, which bursted in a wall of green flames upon contact, surrounding Bella, as the other four monsters charged in through.
Screams and beatings were heard from within, causing Spirit Key Protectors to jump in fright for her.
"Bella!" Asuka and Alex called, as both charged right at the flames. Once they made contact, however, they were suddenly forced back.
"A forcefield?!" Misawa gasped in shock.
"That's not good- nya!" Daitokuji exclaimed.
"Hey, Duncan! That is enough!" Ryo shouted. "That's your cousin in there!"
"This coming from the guy who doesn't know how to be nice to his own brother? You have no right to speak about family," Duncan retorted. "This duel is-" Before he could finish that sentence, for some reason, all his monsters were forced out of the flames.
This brought everyone's attention back to Bella's field. The flames were beginning to part, and revealed Fuu on her field.
"What the-?! How?!" Duncan demanded.
"From my Graveyard, I activated Daunting Stance's second effect," Bella explained. "By banishing it, my opponent's monsters cannot attack this turn, unless if it is to attack the monster I made a target for them." To Fu, she then said, "Thank you for your help, Fu."
"No problem," she assured, as she finally disappeared to the Graveyard.
"So you managed to save yourself yet another turn, huh. In that case, I activate the Magic Card, Facilier's Wicked Draw. With this card's effect, for each DARK 'Disney Villain' monster I control, I draw one card. There are three DARK 'Disney Villain' monsters on my field, so I draw three cards!" He drew three more cards.
(Facilier's Wicked Draw: Normal Magic: Activate this card only if this is the only card in your hand. Draw cards equal to the number of DARK 'Disney Villain' monsters you control.)
"I set two cards face-down and end my turn!" the Shadow Rider ended at last.
"My turn." Bella drew her next card. "I activate the Magic Card, Card of Sanctity. With this, we both draw until we have six cards in our hands."
"That's fine with me," Duncan allowed, as both drew until they got a whole hand. Once they got their hand, Duncan smirked, in which the key protectors and former all noticed. "Continuous Trap, A Monster's Downfall! By discarding a monster card from my hand to the Graveyard, this turn, my opponent cannot summon monsters of that type! The monster I'm discarding is Disney Villain, Captain Hook! A Warrior-type monster!" That made everyone flinch, as a large gap suddenly appeared on Bella's field, right where her monsters were to be summoned.
(A Monster's Downfall: Continuous Trap: Discard one monster card from your hand. Your opponent cannot summon monsters of that monster's type while this card is on the field.)
(Disney Villain, Captain Hook: Effect Monster: When this card attacks an opponent's monster, this card gains 500 ATK until the end of Damage Step.)
This shocked the group to the core.
"Bella's monsters... are all Warrior-types..." Alex spoke.
"But, it should still be fine- na no ne!" Chronos exclaimed. "After all, she still has those '-Tailed Beast' monsters of her's- no ne! If she activates the Magic Card-"
"Who is to say that face-down card won't prevent her from activating it, though?" Misawa pointed out. "I'm not saying this to bring anyone's hope down, but there is a possibility. Especially with how the field is now. Who is to say that remaining face-down or the cards he drew will prevent her from summoning a non-Warrior monster?" That made everyone silent, for as far as they knew, Misawa may be right about that. Besides, Bella couldn't stay on the defense for long.
"From my hand, I activate the Magic card, Cost Down. By discarding a card in my hand, all monsters in my hand have their level reduced by two," Bella simply said, as she played one of the six cards in her hand, and discarded another card.
"Still trying to duel? What's the point? Just accept your defeat already!" Duncan shouted. "I know your deck like the back of my hand! There's nothing in there that can ever help you our of this situation!"
"I won't," she replied strongly. "No matter what, so long as I still have cards to play, I won't give up!"
Her cousin had an unamused look on his face at the claim. "And give me one reason why you won't. As far as I can see, there's nothing you can do to survive this turn."
"That's what they all said to them. And yet in the end, they proved them all wrong," she said, to their confusion. "No matter how difficult the duel got, neither of them gave up. Those two kept dueling, until the very end, and won. More than that... They dueled and ensured that everyone enjoyed it at the end, even if they are Shadow Riders." It didn't take long for the other Spirit Key Protectors to realize who she was talking about. "That's why I as well. I'll duel with all I have, and make sure even you will smile at the end, Duncan! With his level now reduced to four, I Normal Summon Psycho Shocker from my hand!"
The name of the monster being summoned shocked the Shadow Rider. "What was that?!" He wasn't the only one who was surprised; everyone else was as well. After all, never was there ever a 'Psycho Shocker' card of any kind in her deck before! As if it wasn't surprising enough, they witnessed the monster himself appear on her field.
Psycho Shocker: Level 6 - 2 = 4/DARK/Machine/2400 ATK/1500 DEF
"Psycho Shocker?! How is that possible?! You've never had that card in your deck before!" Duncan recalled.
"'Before' I didn't, you're right about that. However, things happened since we last saw each other. And like you, Psycho Shocker also had done some wrong. The wrong that he will right!"
"Don't think just because you're my duelist means that I won't have my revenge, one way or another," the newly summoned monster threatened.
"And thanks to Psycho Shocker's effect, none of your trap cards can work!" Bella added, ignoring the threat.
"Don't you dare ignore me, girl!"
"True as that may be, you seemed to have forgotten something. Your monster is way to weak against my army! What can he do alone?!" Duncan pointed out.
"That is where you are wrong. Psycho Shocker is not alone! Instant Magic, Tailed-Beast Changer activate!" Bella continued her turn. "With this card, I Special Summon out a '-Tailed' monster from my Extra Deck by banishing the required monster from my Graveyard! The monster I will be banishing is Fu!"
As she said that, the spirit of the declared monster appeared by her side. "Okay! Let's do this, Chomei!" She slapped her hands together and glowed, unleashing the true monster that resided within her.
Seven-Tailed Beast, Chomei: Level 7/WIND/Insect/2700 ATK/2000 DEF
Duncan gritted his teeth at this. He had set the perfect card to use in case if Bella had somehow summoned out one of those '-Tailed' monsters, but because of Psycho Shocker, the card was useless. And it didn't help that he didn't draw into anything that can stop what was to come.
"And I activate Chomei's effect! By discarding cards in my hand to the Graveyard equal to or less than the number of monsters my opponent controls, Dust Counters are placed on their monsters! Monsters with Dust Counters cannot use their effects and their ATK is halved!"
"So for good measure, keep your grubby hands to yourself!" the not-beast type monster exclaimed, spreading out what seemed like spores from his tail to the monsters before him. Once the spores made contact, all of Duncan's monsters became weakened.
Disney Villain, Ursula: 2400 / 2 = 1200 ATK
Disney Villain, Maleficent: 2500 / 2 = 1250 ATK
Disney Villain, Horned King: 1500 / 2 = 750 ATK
Disney Villain, Ratigan: 1900 / 2 = 950 ATK
Disney Villain, Oogie Boogie: 2400 / 2 = 1200 ATK
"You said you know my deck like the back of your hand... But the same can be said for me to you! I know you don't have a card in your deck that can be activated from the hand during your opponent's Battle Phase!" Bella said, causing Duncan to scowl at the fact. "Here we go! Battle! I attack Maleficent with Chomei! Spear Attack Shining Horn!" At her declaration, her 'Tailed Beast' monster charged at Duncan's monster horn-first. Maleficent tried to fight back with her green flames, but it was futile against her opponent, as she was then crushed by the horn.
Bella: 200 LP
Duncan: 1750 LP
"Even so, even if you do attack my weakest monster with Psycho Shocker, I will still have but 100 Life Points left! This duel is mine next turn!" the Shadow Rider pointed out.
"There won't be a next turn!" Bella retorted. "Psycho Shocker! Attack Oogie Boogie! Cyber Energy Shock!"
"I'll only listen to you just this once, girl!" the lone Machine-type monster said, as he prepared his attack.
"And from my Graveyard, I activate the Trap Card, Skill Successor! By banishing this card from my Graveyard, a monster I control gains 800 ATK!" Everyone was surprised to hear those words. "Psycho Shocker may have locked down Trap Cards on the field, but it's a different story in the Graveyard!"
Psycho Shocker: 2400 + 800 = 3200 ATK
"This... This can't be...!" Duncan gasped in shock.
"Wake up, Duncan!" Bella cried out, as Psycho Shocker unleashed his power onto his target. The move went past Oogie Boogie, and struck Duncan, defeating the Shadow Rider and ended the duel.
Bella: 200 LP
Duncan: 0000 LP
WINNER: BELLA!
Bella rushed over to the fallen Shadow Rider, a worried look on her face. "Duncan!" She knelt by his side and lifted his head up. As she did so, she heard the sound of metal hitting rock and looked down to see what seemed like a pocket watch of sort on the ground, one that had a familiar eye-looking mark on it.
The sound of a groan traveled through her ears, and she looked down to see her cousin regaining conscious.
"Uh... Bella...? Where... am I? And why does my body hurt like hell?" he asked.
Relieved to hear and know that the man she dueled was not the real Duncan, tears formed in her eyes. "Don't worry too much about it, Duncan. Everything's okay," she told him, as she helped the guy up to his feet.
"Duncan!" Ryo called, as the rest of the group met up with them.
"Ryo? Wait, I know the professors, but who are the rest?" he asked.
"You mean to say you don't remember what happened earlier?" Manjoume questioned.
"Earlier? All I remember was going into a dorm. After that... What happened after that?" Duncan rubbed his head as he tried to recall what happened that made him change.
"All that matters is that you're back with us- nya," Daitokuji said.
"He's right- no ne," Chronos agreed.
"But now we have to go to Kohaku," Alex said. "I don't know about you guys, but what Duncan said concerns me. Something about having the same duel?"
"He's right. And it doesn't sound like he just meant as a Duel of Darkness," Misawa added.
Duncan raised a brow at those words. Specifically the name used. "'Kohaku'? As in Fiore Kohaku?!"
Everyone turned to him in shock and confusion.
"How do you know her name?" Asuka asked.
Rather than answering, Duncan held his head in slight pain. "Kohaku... That's right... In that cave..." he uttered out. "You have to help your friend. Now!"
The second he said that, an explosion occurred in the very cave the girl was in. This put everyone on alert as they, with Bella and Ryo helping Duncan up, rushed to the source. There, they saw ripples by the water, most likely from some rocks that got blown out, and smoke coming out of the hole. A figure slowly walked out.
"Hey... I know this isn't all you got," she said. "Stop holding back... and duel, you damn coward!"
Once the smoke cleared, everyone got a good look at the figure's appearance. The figure was a definite female, with long black hair. She had on black, torn up clothes, consisting of a shirt, a jacket, knee-length skirt, leggings, and boots, and a black cloak over it. What was extremely shocking for them, however, was her face.
"Kohaku?"