Damn, it's been too long everyone. As much as I worked on this, Dragon Quest XI got too good! At least I'm almost finished with all the post-game content. But for now, I'll continue the story. This was originally going to be added to last chapter, and I did want to use different monster cards, but thought to keep it as is with some differences. Plus, with the additions to Neos, I thought to add those. But I'll get to them next time Jaden duels! Let's go!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX or the rest of the franchise or any music in this story, I own Claudio Osbourne and the Jukebox Hero Archetype, aside from a select few made by all the authors/readers who submitted them. And all other OCs and cards submitted © original creators.
Chapter 12: Messengers
We now return to underground arena in the Abandoned Dorm where Jaden and Claudio revealed the identities of the fake Obelisks impersonating Yusuke Fujiwara and Rayna Mikuro, showing the cards they held up.
"We know who you two are," Jaden announced as he held up the card known as Honest.
"So just show us and quit impersonating your duelists," Claudio added as he held up the card known as Paradigm Paragon.
Atticus, Lily, Kenji, Jeremy, Alex, Chazz, Syrus, Hassleberry, Masaki, Reyna, Melody, and Allyson looked at the 'Obelisks' with wonder as they couldn't believe what they were hearing.
Seeing no way to refute, 'Yusuke' started to grow white wings out of his back and started to rise. 'Rayna' then raised her hand and materialized a white bow and then turned it clockwise in front of her. Both started to glow before changing shape and attire, showing them their true selves.
'Yusuke' was now a grown man with a grass circlet holding up his golden hair which was flowing down his back and shoulders, a single bang down the middle of his face. He was wearing a blue shirt with a golden necklace, orange sash around his waist, and white boots over his feet. This was the Monster, Honest.
'Rayna' was now a young woman wearing a revealing form-fitting dress of white, reddish-pink, and gold consisting of a white top and skirt being connected by pink sections on the front and back, cut-out sides at the waist. She also wears pink and black thigh-high leggings, and purple ankle boots. This was the Monster, Paradigm Paragon.
"You are correct," Honest announced to Jaden and Claudio.
"This is our true selves," Paradigm Paragon stated to the group.
"Hold on," Chazz shouted. "Duel Spirits can't take physical form!"
"Yeah, this isn't like the other dimensions!" Hassleberry shouted.
"Stop talking and get the Hell outta here!" Claudio shouted back.
"He's right," Jaden said as he saw the Duel Spirits still glaring at Atticus and Lily. "These guys are serious. Get Atticus and Lily out of here."
"Right," Alexis and Kenji nodded as they helped up Atticus.
"Yeah, we got it," Jeremy replied as he and Alex helped up Lily.
"We won't let you escape after you killed our Masters!" Honest shouted as he launched feathers from his wings like arrows.
Kenji quickly took of his blazer and used it to snatch up the feathers before they reached Atticus. He then used them as his kunai and threw them back at Honest. The Duel Spirit swiftly blocked with his wings and absorbed his own feathers back...
"AAAHH!"
However, Honest screamed when two of Kenji's own kunai stabbed his wings. The Ninja Duelist then dealt a flying kick to the Duel Spirit, sending him crashing into the wall.
"That was for burning those cards..." Kenji said as he went back to Alexis and Atticus.
All the while, Paradigm Paragon was now firing arrows at Jeremy and Alex who were trying to keep Lily from harm.
"Stop running and give me the girl!" Paragon shouted as she took three arrows and aimed them at three. But she was quickly stopped by Claudio tackling her, making her miss once more.
"Claudio!" Melody shouted.
"Just go... Now!" the J-Hero Duelist shouted to the Magician Duelist. "I'll see you outside!" Melody looked conflicted before nodded and ran after everyone else. But before he could join her, Claudio was roughly pushed down as Paragon got back up. Seeing her poised to attack once more, Claudio rolled out of the way and joined Jaden as he stood by his side.
"You okay," Jaden asked his friend.
"Yeah," Claudio nodded.
They soon saw Honest recovering from Kenji's attack and join his partner, both looking angry.
"If we're going to succeed, we need to take them down," Honest told his partner, to which she nodded.
"Then we don't have to hold back on you," Jaden stated as he and Claudio activated their duel disks. "So bring it on!"
"We have no intention of dueling with the ones who are helping murderers!" Paragon shouted as she and Honest launched their respective attacks. The arrow heading for Claudio and sharp feathers at Jaden.
*BANG!*
*BANG!*
Soon, the arrow was cut in half by a bullet and the arrows were intercepted by cards that took the force, leaving them to fall on the ground.
Outside the arena were Axel and Seth, firing their respective weapons of a duel disk gun and pistol.
"Axel! Seth!" Claudio shouted.
"Fidel! Now!" Axel called out.
Honest and Paragon turned to their new attackers, only to be struck from behind by Fidel with chops to their necks.
"Sleep well, amigos." The Metal Gear Duelist grinned.
"Alright, let's get outside," Seth stated. "This place is wired to blow."
"WHAT!?" Jaden and Claudio gasped.
"Don't worry, we have authorization," the Blackwing Duelist placated them. "Now let's move!"
Hearing his tone, Jaden and Claudio just rolled with it and ran with the Dueling Mercenaries out of the arena.
Watching from their dimensional barriers were several clones of Trueman and Amelie, just now seeing Atticus and Lily being carried out by their friends.
"This is turning out to be quite the spectacle!" Amelie 1 giggled.
"Shouldn't we finish them all simultaneously?" Trueman 1 wondered.
"No, let's wait a while longer," Trueman 2 stated.
"Oh, I get it!" Amelie 2 figured. "It's what we're doing by teaming up..."
Trueman 3 nodded, "If those Duel Spirits can take out Jaden Yuki and Claudio Osbourne..."
"Nothing will be in our way in our inevitable war," Amelie 3 finished.
Back to the students, everyone was looking worried at the Abandoned Dorm.
"Jaden and Claudio are still in there!" Allyson gasped.
"They're still fighting those two Spirits," Syrus figured.
"Yeah, but they're out for blood," Masaki stated. "I don't think they want to duel for lives on the line."
"I agree," Kenji noted. "They had killer intent in their eyes when I fought off Honest." He then turned to the weakened Atticus and Lily. "They really want to kill these two."
"Only because they were last seen with them," Alex grumbled. "They wouldn't kill anyone."
"Or they might suspect that Nightshroud and Brightveil tried something while they were watching our duel," Jeremy realized.
"Everyone!"
The students turned away from the dorm to see Etna Belmonte running up to them.
"What's going on here!?" Etna shouted.
"Jaden and Claudio are currently in a fight with some Duel Spirits," Alexis stated.
"Give it a rest, Alexis," Chazz sighed, "She won't believe a story like this..."
"Actually, I do," Etna replied.
"WHAT!?" Chazz, Masaki, Allyson, Reyna, Atticus, Lily, Syrus and Jeremy shouted as they stared at the Vice-Chancellor.
"I know this since I was confided by President Pegasus, Mr. Kaiba, and several other figures," Etna stated. "But enough about that..." She pointed to the dorm. "So, they're fighting the threat now?"
*KABOOM!*
Suddenly, the dorm exploded and collapsed all over the area.
"JADEN!" Allyson cried.
"CLAUDIO!" Melody shouted in horror.
However, their worst fears were erased when they saw several ropes latched on to some stable pillars, pulling out Axel, Fidel, Seth, Jaden, and Claudio. While the mercenaries landed on knee, Jaden and Claudio fell flat on their stomachs as they were carried out.
"They're okay!" Syrus said as Allyson and Melody quickly ran to their significant others.
"No time for relief!" Axel shouted.
"They're still coming!" Fidel added.
Everyone gasped as they saw that Honest flew out of the dorm ruins while Paradigm Paragon hung on to his back before jumping off.
"There's nowhere to run!" Honest proclaimed.
"Surrender the two murderers!" Paragon shouted.
"Stop it, you two!" Jaden shouted back. "All of this trouble won't bring Yusuke or Reyna back!"
"Slience!" the flying spirit glared. "My Master would have corrected all abnormalities in this world and the Duel Monsters World."
"But those two killed our Masters!" Paragon shouted as she pointed to Atticus and Lily. "We'll avenge their deaths here and now!"
"We didn't kill them!" Atticus stated with a glare. "It's no one's fault that Nightshroud took Yusuke! He was a slave to the curiosity that comes with a genius."
"And Rayna wanted to help him escape that loneliness!" Lily added. "They chose their paths and we wanted to help her!"
"ENOUGH!" the Duel Spirits shouted as they poised to attack.
Axel and Seth prepared to fire their weapons...
*CLICK!*
*CLICK!*
But found out they were out of ammo!
"Oh damn..." Fidel cursed.
Seeing their chance, Honest and Paragon fired their feathers and arrows at the entire group. No one could stop all of the oncoming attacks without someone else dying in the crossfire.
That's when Jaden and Claudio acted as it was their only hope.
Both of their eyes turned heterochromatic while they activated their duel disk and pulled out one of their cards.
"YUBEL!"
"TRAGOEDIA!"
They shouted as both of their childhood Monsters appeared in front of their partners to the surprise of most of the group. Yubel intercepted the attacks by making them hit her body which unaffected her due her scales.
"WHAT!?" Honest and Paragon gasped.
Soon, they were quickly held to the ground as Tragoedia pinned them.
"Yubel and Tragoedia!?" Syrus gasped.
"How are these guys here!?" Chazz shouted. "And in physical form!?"
"Then it's like they said a few nights back..." Reyna figured. "They're controlling them now!
Honest and Paragon then realized what was going on and stared at the two Hero Duelists. "You two..."
"Yeah," Jaden nodded. "We can make this happen because Yubel exists in my soul..."
"And Tragoedia's remains exists in mine..." Claudio added. "That's how we gained these powers!"
Everyone except Etna gasped at the realization. The Laval Duelist smiled as the Hero Duelist made their declaration.
"If what Kagemaru and Sartorius said," Jaden continued, "Claudio and I have played a role in causing this."
"Then we'll have to stop it using our powers!" Claudio added as they stared deep into the eyes of the Duel Spirits. Yubel was still ready to protect her partner's friends even with the shell of Tragoedia still pinning the attackers.
"Believe us, Honest, Paragon," the E-Hero Duelist stated.
The Duel Spirits looked to each other and nodded before looking to the group. "We will not harm you anymore." Honest stated.
"We'll talk," Paragon nodded.
Soon, Claudio turned off his Duel Disk letting Tragoedia fade away and letting the Duel Spirits stand up.
"Please tell us," Claudio asked. "What are the world's abnormalities?"
"Two forces have appeared in other dimensions and gradually swallow the world of Duel Monsters," Honest stated.
"Is that what Nightshroud and Brightveil are?" Jaden asked.
"Originally, the dark world was small," Paragon stated. "They existed in the boundary between various worlds. But they suddenly expanded when this Dark Light came and tampered with it, causing a struggle. Both forces when out of control and began to expand to the other dimensions."
"The Duel Monsters cards are doors that connect the spirit world to this one," Honest continued as the duelist looked at their respective decks. "They connect a duelist's soul to those of the duel monsters. The more feeling a duelist invest in their cards, the stronger the bond."
Pretty soon, Jaden and Claudio could see various flowing strings connecting themselves to many of the monsters in their decks. Including Elemental Hero Neos, Flame Wingman, Yubel, Winged Kuriboh, Jukebox Hero Roadie Riggs, Coheed Cambria, and Tragoedia.
"But..." Everyone turned to see Paradigm Paragon's sad expression. "The cards that aren't blessed by a duelist's feelings become stained by darkness."
Axel stepped up, "And so, the cards that didn't react with the duel disks..."
"Are ones that are tainted with darkness." Fidel finished.
"And their the result of Nightshroud and Brightveil fighting for control," Seth mused.
The Duel Spirits nodded.
"And it's going to continue because of the many duelists disrespecting their cards," Etna sighed. "It must be the people who were demoted or trying to rebel against me for my work." She then looked around to the current group. "Lucky there's you all and your friends who continue look past winning and losing and respecting everything in the game."
"We wanted to inform our Masters of the dangers," Honest stated.
In the dimensional boundaries, Trueman and Amelie were disappointed in the events before them.
"It seems our hope for Jaden Yuki and Claudio Osbourne to be eliminated by the Duel Spirits were unfounded," Trueman 1 stated.
"Which means we'll have to bury them ourselves," Amelie 1 replied.
"And with our combined partnership..." Amelie 2 announced...
"They'll fall at our feet before they perish..." Trueman 2 nodded.
Pretty soon, several more Trueman and Amelies appeared and all merged into a single Trueman and Amelie. Both beings created a powerful orb that pierced through the dimensions...
...And Jaden, Claudio and the others were now seeing it happen before their very eyes.
"It's them..." Jaden growled.
"Damn..." Claudio cursed. "And everyone's around to see it, too..."
Finding out that the orb was intended for the Hero Duelists, Honest and Paradigm Paragon pushed them out of the way! Seeing this, Yubel caught them both before she too realized that the orb was now crushing the Duel Spirits.
"Honest!" Jaden shouted.
"Paragon!" Claudio shouted.
Both spirits were now heavily damaged as now Trueman and Amelie floated from the dimensional barrier and stood near the weakened spirits. When they touched down, a dome of grey energy surrounded everyone in the area.
"What is this!?" Axel stated as he and the others look around.
"We cannot let you leave this place." Trueman announced.
"All of you just got too nosy," Amelie stated with a tsk.
"Who are these two?" Syrus wondered.
"Yeah, they came out of thin air!" Melody gasped.
"She's the one who battled Claudio," Kenji shouted, pointing to Amelie.
"What!?" Allyson and Alexis gasped.
"They're not human, be careful," Chazz stated.
"The little group of Jaden Yuki and Claudio Osbourne," Trueman smirked. "Pleased to make your acquaintance; I am Trueman."
"And you can call me Amelie," Amelie giggled, "I'd say the same thing, but I don't mean it very much…"
"You two are the messengers of Nightshroud and Brightveil?" Jaden deduced.
"Guilty as charged!" the woman of Dark Light grinned.
"D-Damn you..." Honest growled as he tried to stand up.
"You'll... pay…" Paragon grunted as she was still prone on the ground.
"Spirits coming into the human world exhausts a lot of power on their part," Trueman stated. "And frown how you two are faring... You two are now lacking the power to stay alive.
"Honest! Paragon!" Jaden and Claudio shouted as they ran to the weakened spirits with Yubel vanishing.
"We wanted to save the world..." Honest stated. "But we were very wrong..."
"What do you mean?" Claudio asked.
"Our Masters abandoned us long ago..." Paragon replied. "We were taken out of their decks."
"We just didn't want to acknowledge how pathetic we are..." Honest stated, leaking tears of sorrow.
"Don't be like that," Jaden smiled at Honest. "I found your card among the things Yusuke left behind."
"Yeah, and Alex said he found your card with Rayna's favorite doll," Claudio smiled at Paragon. "They wanted you two to be safe."
"Really?" the spirits gasped.
"They didn't want to involve you in the research of Nightshroud and Brightveil," Jaden deduced with Atticus and Lily smiling as well.
Paragon smiled, "You two are very special... We can die happily knowing that you can bind the spirit and human worlds together, saving them both."
"No, you two are going to keep living," Claudio stated.
"Yeah," Jaden replied. "You can keep living with us... Within us!"
Honest and Paragon smiled, "Thank you..."
Jaden took Honest's hand while Claudio took Paragon's. The spirits glowed brightly before being absorbed into the Hero Duelists. Everyone watched in awe as that happened. Finally, Jaden and Claudio shuffled Honest's and Paradigm Paragon's cards into their decks.
Trueman and Amelie clapped at the scene with smirks.
"Is the heartwarming story over?" Trueman stated. "I was actually very moved."
"Really?" Amelie yawned. "Quite frankly if you've seen one tragic scene, you've seen them all. That was boring to me..." The Hero Duelists glared at the two Messengers. "Oh no... I made them angry!" She said in a faux fear voice.
"You two are going to pay!" Jaden shouted.
"Fine, fine," Trueman said as he transformed his arm into a duel disk. "We have to settle things with you, anyway."
"And let's kill two birds with one stone with a Tag Duel," Amelie stated as her veil surrounded her arm and created a duel disk.
"You two are working together now," Claudio asked as both he and Jaden activated their Duel Disks.
"Of course," Trueman shrugged. "Both of you are in the way of our war. There is no saving the world for what's to come."
"You two are simply going to die here," Amelie grinned.
The Duelists drew their opening hands.
DUEL!
Trueman/Amelie: 8000
Jaden/Claudio: 8000
"I'll begin," Trueman announced, drawing his sixth card. "I activate the Continuous Spell Future Fusion! This allows me to send Fusion Material Monsters from my deck to my Graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon on my second Standby Phase after this cards activation. He then took out his deck and fanned out five Monster cards from his deck. "I will send these 5 Dragons to my Graveyard!"
Everyone gasped in horror, but none so more than Lily when she saw four of them and shouted.
"The Dragon Rulers!" Lily shouted as she saw Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos, Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls, Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms, and Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders, along with another Dragon that looked to be representing a Dragon Ruler of darkness.
"Not only that, the monsters he's sending..." Reyna growled.
Trueman grinned, "You're very smart! Yes, the monster I plan to summon is the deadly, Five-Headed Dragon!"
Claudio groaned, "Man, we're going to keep seeing this thing!"
"But he'll have to do it on the fifth turn of the duel," Jaden stated, "We'll get them before that turn."
Trueman laughed once more, "Sorry, but I detest waiting. Especially since all of you are insistent on seeing this monster." He then played his next card. "I play the Spell, Dragon's Mirror! With this I can Banish the five Dragons I've sent to the graveyard and perform a Fusion Summon." He then showed the five Dragon Rulers he sent to the graveyard and removed them from his 'disk'. "Now despair and meet my servant! Come, Five-Headed Dragon!"
The Spirits of the Dragon Rulers were absorbed into a giant mirror that had the colors of Polymerization. The mirror's glass then shattered and released the massive, five-headed beast that roared a shockwave across the field. (12/5000/5000)
"Hello again..." the J-Hero Duelist sighed.
"That's not the half of it," the E-Hero Duelist added with a frown.
Trueman laughed again, "That's right, I have to resolve the effects of my Dragon Rulers! Each of them lets me take a Dragon of their respective attribute from my deck and add them to my hand. So, I'll add Tyrant Dragon, White Night Dragon, Dodger Dragon, Des Volsgapth, and Gandora X the Dragon of Demolition!" He then added those Dragons into his hand.
"Add in more problems in the future..." Atticus stated.
"I set three cards facedown and then activate the Continuous Spell Altar of Mist." Trueman concluded as he placed the rest of his hand, aside from the five dragons he obtained, into his disk. "It's your turn, Jaden."
Jaden clutched his fists, "Well, I always wanted to take this thing on..." He then eyed Claudio, "After all, Zane got rid of his before you could..."
"Now's your chance..." Claudio stated, gesturing to the dragon.
"My move," Jaden announced, drawing his sixth card. "I summon Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin!" He announced, bringing out the humanoid dolphin of Neo Space. (3/600/800) "I then activate its effect! I discard one card from my hand and then check my opponent's hand. I can then destroy that card deal 500 points of damage!" He then discarded one of his cards. Aqua Dolphin then used his sonar waves to see let Jaden see the five Dragons in Trueman's hand. "I destroy Gandora X!"
Trueman grunted as the named card exploded, causing his team to lose points.
Trueman/Amelie: 7500
Jaden/Claudio: 8000
"Next, I activate the Spell Card Mask Change II!" Jaden continued. "I discard one more card to send a Monster of mine to the graveyard and then Special Summon a Masked Hero of the same attribute!" He discarded another card and had Aqua Dolphin don a Mask. "Masked Hero of the burning water! Unleash your power upon the field! Transformation Summon! Come out! Masked Hero Acid!"
In place of Aqua Dolphin was the Masked Hero of water, leveling his gun at the Messengers. (8/2600/2100)
"Acid's effect activates! When Special Summoned, I can destroy all Spell and Trap cards on my opponent's side of the field and drain your monster's ATK by 300!"
"Nice!" Alex cheered. "He can stop another Five-Headed Dragon from coming!"
Trueman smirked, "Not so fast! I reveal a facedown card, Breakthrough Skill!"
"No!" Jaden shouted as Acid groaned as a red aura surrounded him.
"For this round, your Monster's effects are negated," the messenger of darkness stated. "Sadly, it's Monster effect activates when it's summoned, isn't it?"
Jaden growled.
"Damn, I bet Jaden had a bigger plan to take down that Dragon with it 300 points weaker..." Kenji stated.
"I place two cards facedown and end my turn." Jaden concluded.
Amelie giggled as she took her place, "Falling apart on the first turn, huh, Jaden?" She then drew her sixth card and surveyed the field. "Trueman has some nice tastes when it comes to cards, but I still prefer my own. I activate the Spell One for One! By discarding one card from my hand, I can Special Summon a Level 1 Monster from my Deck! I send Djinn Releaser of Rituals from my hand to the graveyard, and Special Summon Worm Ugly!"
A glimpse of a red, two-headed bug-like Worm appeared before vanishing. Soon after, a floating blue slime ball appeared with eyes and a lamprey mouth appeared. (1/100/100)
"Yuck!" Allyson cringed.
"And the nastiness continued as I sacrifice this Worm for my Worm Warlord!" Amelie continued as Ugly disappeared and brought out a giant, red, muscular Worm with a lopsided body. It's eyes were on both sides of the mouth, which was turned vertical, and the legs were on the sides while the arms and fists were on top and underneath the body. (6/2350/1800) "Also, since I sacrificed my Worm Ugly for another Reptile-type Worm monster, it gets Special Summoned to your field!"
Jaden gasped as he saw the slime-covered Worm appear on his field. (1/100/100)
"And since I can be a nice girl, I'll get rid of it for you!" She grinned, "But first, I'll have my partner's dragon destroy your Acid!"
The Dragon launched its five breaths at the Masked Hero...
"I activate my facedown card," Jaden announced as he revealed one of his cards, "I activate Hero Shield! This Continuous Trap Card equips onto a Hero Monster and prevents it from being destroyed in battle!"
Acid created a shield of water, blocking attack from his body. However, Jaden screamed his felt the backlash of damage.
Trueman/Amelie: 7500
Jaden/Claudio: 5600
Jaden then continued, "Also, for every 1000 points of damage, I draw a card. Since that attack dealt 2400 points of damage, I draw two cards." He drew out his cards.
Amelie growled, "Damn... Worm Warlord, attack Worm Ugly!" The Warlord ran savagely at the weak Monster, preparing to pummel the creature...
"I activate another Trap Card," Jaden countered, "Masked Reuse! This let's me Banish a Change Spell card from my graveyard and use the effects without the cost! I banish Mask Change II!"
A card shined onto the Worm's body and morphed it into humanoid body...
"Masked Warrior of Light! Dash forward and extinguish your foes! Transformation Summon! Come out! Masked Hero Koga!"
In Worm Ugly's place, Koga appeared onto the field. (8/2500-3500/1800)
"And as Trueman remembers, Koga gains 500 ATK for each monster on your side of the field." Jaden stated.
"Also, with Koga's other effect," Reyna smiled, "He can weaken the Five-Headed Dragon by removing another Hero monster from his graveyard. Jaden and Claudio are safe!"
"Not to mention, it's a LIGHT Monster," Alexis continued. "The only attribute that can defeat a Five-Headed Dragon aside from the Egyptian Gods' DIVINE attribute!"
Amelie smirked hearing this as she set a card into her disk. "It's your move, Claudio."
"My move," Claudio announced, drawing his next card. 'On the next turn, Trueman will get another Five-Headed Dragon on the field. Need to get rid of it now... Lucky Pegasus' new card will help me build up to it.' He then played his next card. "I activate Polymerization! I fuse Jukebox Heroes Wild Ford and Wild Jett from my hand!"
Along with Wild Ford, another woman with black, messy hair down to her chin clad in a red leather jacket over a black halter with red leather jeans appeared with a microphone in hand.
"The woman who leads the vocals! Join with the woman who rocks the sound and form the band young rock and roll! Fusion Summon! Run Wild! Jukebox Hero Runaways!"
The two women jumped out the fusion vortex, now having new silver microphone and electric guitars. (8/2750/2000)
"Wow, he's got more female musicians," Melody noted. "And a Fusion, no less!"
"The Runaways' effect activates!" Claudio announced, "When Summoned, since I have another Hero Monster on the field, I gain a Runaway Token. Since there's three, I can do three Tokens. However, with only two spaces left, I'll make do."
Appearing in the empty spaces, were two more women in shadows having a bass guitar and drums respectively. (6/2000/2000) x2
"How is this going to help against my Five-Headed Dragon?" Trueman stated with intrigue, "All you have is a wall, and it won't take long to knock down."
"Then I'll tell you that the Runaways gain 800 ATK for each Runaway Token on the field," Claudio stated as the women on his field, powered up. (6/2750-4350/2000)
"It's not strong enough to destroy the 5000 ATK dragon!"
"Then I'll get rid of the Worm Warlord!" Claudio shouted as he commanded his girls to play. Immediately, Wild Jett called for the band to play 'Cherry Bomb', causing many explosions to erupt around Worm Warlord, splattering him to slime...
Trueman/Amelie: 5500
Jaden/Claudio: 5600
"With Warlord gone, Koga gets weaker," Claudio stated as he saw his partner's monster get ready. (8/3500-3000/1800) "But by using his Quick-Effect while he attacks, I can remove Wild Ford to decrease your dragon's ATK by her 2500!"
The Spirit of Wild Ford zoomed out of Koga's aura, zapped the Five-Headed Dragon and weakened the Fusion Monster. (12/5000-2500/5000)
"Yes!" the Spectators cheered.
"I activate the Trap Card!" Amelie shouted, "I chain DNA Transplant! For now, all Monsters will now have DARK attribute!"
Everyone gasped as Koga slashed into Five-Headed Dragon's body, causing it to roar in pain.
Trueman/Amelie: 5000
Jaden/Claudio: 5600
However, the dragon easily smacked it right back to Jaden and Claudio's side.
"Now, nothing can defeat the dragons!" Amelie laughed.
"Crap, the next dragon's coming!" Alex growled.
Claudio sighed as he inserted a card facedown with Acid going into defense mode, "I set a card facedown and switch Acid to defense mode. I end my turn!"
"My move," Trueman announced, drawing his next card. "Now that the two Standby Phases have passed, I can now summon my next Dragon!"
In a giant storm, another Five-Headed Dragon appeared! (12/5000/5000)
"Damn!" Atticus cursed. "With DNA Transplant on the field, they can't get rid of it!"
"It also gets worse," Trueman announced, "I activate one of my facedown cards, the Spell Left Arm Offering! With this, I can send my hand of two or more cards to the graveyard. In exchange, I gain a Spell Card and unable to Set Spell and Traps for the duration of my turn."
Once he discarded his Dragons, his deck pushed out his chosen spell. Everyone watched as he shoved that card on the left side of his arm. "I activate the Field Spell, Mound of the Bound Creator!"
Everyone gasped as they saw four stone pillars erupt from the corners of the dome, connected by chains.
"With this, all Monsters Level 10 and higher cannot be targeted or be destroyed by card effects!" Trueman continued. "So that means, my monsters cannot be destroyed by anything. So now, you cannot use Koga's effect to weaken my dragon. Although, it can only work once every turn."
"That means they're monsters can't hold on for these attacks!" Lily shouted with fright.
Trueman and Amelie looked to each other and smirked before the former announced. "I end my turn."
"WHAT!?" Axel gasped. "They're letting them live?"
"Yeah, they could have damaged them with major Life Points gone." Fidel added.
"It's my turn," Jaden announced, drawing his next card. "I place one card facedown and switch all Monsters to defense mode to end my turn."
Amelie laughed, "Yes, now it's all over! My move!" She then drew her next card. "Remember, Trueman's card? Altar of Mist will now activate since three of our teams' Standby Phases will activate! I'll send it to the graveyard to add Dragon Revival Ritual from my deck to my hand!"
"Convenient since it couldn't be destroyed while face up," Etna sighed. "Unfortunately to Ritual Users, this card is not that easily obtainable."
"But something else can..." Axel pointed out as Jaden activated his facedown card.
"I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Future Fusion!" Jaden announced.
"I activate Book of Eclipse!" Amelie countered as she activated her Quick-Play Spell. "All Monsters are now Set except your Tokens!"
As the windstorm started to tear apart Future Fusion all Monsters were quickly replaced with Set Monster cards.
"Damn," Fidel sighed. "Future Fusion's target isn't connected, so they couldn't destroy one of those cards."
"Next, I activate Trap Booster! I discard one card to activate Ceasefire!" Amelie continued. "All Set Monsters are now Flipped face-up and then you two lose 500 Life Points for each Effect Monster!"
All the monsters that vanished now reappeared, defending their bodies in some way. However, all of them glowed red as they resonated with Jaden and Claudio, delivering more pain.
Trueman/Amelie: 5000
Jaden/Claudio: 3100
"Now the stage is set for my ultimate card!" the woman of Dark Light shouted. "I activate the Ritual Spell, Dragon Revival Ritual!"
Etna growled, "This is not good! She's planning on summoning the original Five-Headed Dragon!"
Lily gasped, "There was a Ritual version of that monster!?"
"Wait a second," Atticus stated, "If that's true, then there must be a catch. It should be no different to all the high-level Ritual Monsters in the game."
"Smart boy," Amelie cooed, "It's true. I need 5 Monsters, all with a different attribute. I don't need any LIGHT or DIVINE monsters..."
"But you only have DARK monsters on the field," Jeremy stated. "You also sure as hell don't have the other four attributes on the field!"
"Thanks to the card I discarded, I can!" She grinned as she revealed it, "I use the effect of the Trap Card known as Nihilistic Ritual Technique! It allows me to Banish the monsters from my graveyard to Ritual Summon!"
"That's why Trueman used Left Arm Offering!" Etna gasped as she saw Tyrant Dragon, White Night Dragon, Dodger Dragon, and Des Volsgapth, slide out of Trueman's graveyard along with Amelie taking out a card of her own.
"And also, I use Djinn Releaser of Rituals as an offering!" Amelie giggled as the five Monster Cards flew into the air in a star formation. "Now I can summon forth the first form of the Five-Headed Dragon! I give you the Mythic Dragon!"
In a void of Dark Light, a third Five-Headed Dragon appeared onto the field! (12/5000/5000)
"Oh no, three dragons with 5000 ATK!" Atticus gasped.
"And that's not the worst of it!" Amelie said in a sing-song voice, "When it's summoned, I can destroy all of your monsters! In exchange, this Monster cannot attack!" Everyone watched in horror as cataclysmic force from the dome of darkness vaporized all of Jaden and Claudio's Monster cards. "But it doesn't matter as I switch the Five-Headed Dragon in Defense Mode to Attack mode!"
"They're wide open!" Allyson shouted in horror as the second dragon uncurled its wings and roared loudly.
"This is goodbye now!" Amelie cackled loudly. "Destroy him, Dragons!"
Both Five-Headed Dragons launched their flames at the boys, with everyone looking away from the sudden blast...
"Trap activate!" Jaden shouted.
"What!?"
"Negate Attack!"
A swirling shield appeared in front of the boys, causing both attacks to be absorbed into the vortex.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's good that Jaden had that card," Etna stated. "I know in the past, he's used Hero Barrier, but Negate Attack is more effective. Especially in these circumstances."
"I end my turn." Amelie grinned. "But don't think you can get out of this one."
"My turn," Claudio announced, drawing his next card. He gasped as he saw the card he drew. But then he nodded as he placed it on his disk, prompting a Set Monster Card to appear on his field along with a set card behind it. "I end my turn."
Trueman laughed loudly, "All that for a Set Monster!? It's time to die." He drew his next card. "With three Dragons with 5000 ATK against your lowly monster, our victory is assured! All of you won't be around to hinder the upcoming war. I'll have my partner's Mythic Dragon attack it!"
The Ritual Dragon breathed its flames, blasting the Set card to pixels before it was revealed.
"Mound of the Bound Creator activates, dealing 400 points of damage!" Trueman continued as a red aura burned Claudio's body, making him grunt in pain.
Trueman/Amelie: 5000
Jaden/Claudio: 2700
"Now die!" He continued as both his Five-Headed Dragons attacked once more.
"JADEN!"
"CLAUDIO!"
Everyone cried out as the five-elemental breaths reached the boys...
Only for a dome of light to envelop them, protecting them from the battle.
"WHAT!?" Trueman gasped.
"They should be dead now!" Amelie snapped.
Claudio smiled as his heart shined, revealing Paradigm Paragon emitted the light from her hands. She was maintaining the barrier.
"Paradigm Paragon!" Alex smirked. "That was the Monster Card that Trueman destroyed!"
"What does she do?" Melody asked.
"When destroyed and sent to the graveyard, the player has to select battle damage or effect damage," the Gemini Duelist explained. "Whatever's selected, that damage is negated for the rest of the turn."
Seth nodded and smiled, "Meaning Claudio chose Battle Damage. They're safe from the last Dragon's attack."
"It still means Jaden needs to end it on his turn," Etna pointed out. "And he has to be careful. His opponent still has Skill Successor in the graveyard. Trueman can use it to negate a Monster Effect."
Jaden looked at his deck, "Let's go, my friends..." He then drew his next card. "I use Necroshade's effect in the graveyard, allowing me to Normal Summon Elemental Hero Neos in my hand without a sacrifice!"
In a flash, the Hero from Neos Space appeared. (7/2500/2000)
"Next, I activate the Equip Spell Neos Force! Giving him 800 ATK!" He continued as Neos raised his fist, surrounding it in blue aura. (7/2500-3300/2000) "Now I attack!"
Amelie laughed, "He's gone mad!"
"Next, I activate Claudio's Trap Card!" Jaden continued, revealing his facedown card. "Dust Tornado! Destroy DNA Transplant!"
A silver tornado erupted underneath the named Trap, destroying it to pixels.
"It makes no difference!" Trueman shrugged.
"At Damage Step, I send Honest in my hand to the graveyard to activate his effect!" The E-Hero Duelist continued, revealing his last card. Yusuke's Spirit Partner! "Now a LIGHT Monster that battles can gain ATK equal to the opposing monster!"
Soon, Neos sprouted the wings of Honest that absorbed Five-Headed Dragon's power. (7/3300-8300/2000)
"8300 ATK!?" Trueman and Amelie shouted.
"Attack!" Jaden called out as it chopped the first Five-Headed Dragon down the middle, making it roar in pain and shattered to pixels.
Trueman/Amelie: 1700
Jaden/Claudio: 2700
"Also, Neos Force will deal damage equal to the destroyed monster's ATK!" Jaden continued. "With 5000 ATK, it's over!"
The Messengers gasped in horror as they saw Neos illuminate bright light. Amplified by Honest's wings, it blasted the remaining dragons and vaporizing them into nothing. Trueman and Amelie screamed in pain as they were torn apart.
Trueman/Amelie: 0
Jaden/Claudio: 2700, Winner
Jaden and Claudio nodded to each other at their victory. "Honest, Paragon... We've done it."
"Alright!" Alex cheered.
"They took down the Five-Headed Dragon!" Lily smiled.
But before the grey dome fully disappeared, everyone heard the voices of Trueman and Amelie.
"Jaden Yuki! Claudio Osbourne!" Trueman shouted. "Those who have stood before you were merely a kernel of the truth."
"More Darkness and more Dark Light will soon fall onto this world," Amelie shouted. "We will battle again..."
Jaden and Claudio grumbled knowing that their friends heard the two Messengers made their declarations, making them part of the problem as well.
"So, were Jaden and Claudio really trying to avoid us?" Alexis asked. "I mean, they did want to leave the island."
Etna looked to the group, "They wanted to quickly end this fight without anyone getting dragged into it."
"Sooner it ends, the sooner they can have fun again," Axel figured.
"I can't blame them," Fidel stated. "After everything we and the other Academy duelists went through."
"Not to mention," Syrus figured. "They have Duel Spirits combined with their souls."
"And I think that's the real reason they avoided us, too," Allyson noted.
"Then they should really talk with Jethro again," Melody stated. "He had Duel Spirits combined with his to save his life."
"Still," Kenji stated, "We're all a part of this now. We're going to fight!"
"Plus, we all have a stake in protecting this Academy," Alex continued. "After all the stuff we went through and all the truths, you know they'll especially come after Atticus, Lily, Jeremy and me."
"So we need to get stronger," Jeremy said. "We have a head start, but it's not going to be enough."
Etna smiled and nodded, "Meaning you had better take your classes to heart..."
Jaden and Claudio smiled sadly at their friends, even seeing Allyson and Melody walked up to them.
"At least you're not going to leave us," the Spirit Duelist noted. "Because we have gotten stronger since crossing the dimensions."
"And we want to protect you as much as you two are protecting us." The Magician Duelist added.
It was then the sun started shining over the island, signaling the new day for the duelists.
Woo, I took too long to finish this short chapter! Damn you Dragon Quest! Too compelling on the side-quests!
Paradigm Paragon
LIGHT
Level 2
400/400
Spellcaster/Effect
You can only control up to 3 "Paradigm" Monsters. When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard: Select either Battle Damage or Effect Damage. For the rest of the turn, negate all damage of the selected type.
(Created by Digidramon and debuted in the story "The L Game." Creative credit goes to him and property goes to Square Enix for the character.)
Jukebox Hero Wild Jett
FIRE
Level 3
1600/500
Warrior/Effect
When this card is Summoned: Add one "Jukebox Hero Wild Ford" from your Deck to your hand. You cannot Special Summon that card this turn.
Jukebox Hero Runaways
FIRE
Level 8
2750/2000
Warrior/Fusion/Effect
When this card is Fusion Summoned: Special Summon 1 Runaway Token (6/2000/2000/Warrior/EARTH) for each Hero Monster on your side of the field.
Next Time: We take a look at the struggle in one of the last villages of the dimensions being overrun by the Darkness and the Light of Destruction. It's up to two saviors among them to save the survivors.
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