Shadowchasers: Conspiracy

by 0ccam's Razor

A fanfic of the Shadowchasers by Cyber Commander. Odd things are happening, and Shadowchasers all over the world are encountering criminals with strange and peculiar goals. Is a conspiracy afoot, or is some deeper plot in the works?

40. King of Wishful Thinking

Hello everyone! I'm not dead - yet - but this chapter was delayed a little due to having my computer updated and backed up, work, distractions, family business, and the fact that it was so damn long!

Anyway, I'd like to thank Mei1104, Metal Overlord 2.0, and 7th Librarian, who have all been a big help, especially the third, who helped design - or did design - the Tortured cards.

So, onward!

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If there was one thing Eden did not have to be told about, it's how slippery the Memory Crystals were. She had been pursuing them longer than Philip even knew about the Determined. Indeed, far more than him, she knew what it was like to be inches away from your goal, to be closer than you ever have been, only for success to snatched away, for the house of cards you have labored on so long to collapse.

And far more than Philip, she knew that her recent burst of good fortune was coming due to her abandonment of a very long policy, refusing to accept help from others.

So now, as Francis lunged towards his foe, her choices were much like Philip's, she could either A) grab the object she had been searching for so long and run, or B) stay and fight, and risk losing it.

Unfortunately, unlike Philip, she only had a few seconds to decide.

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Chapter Thirty-Nine

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The King of Wishful Thinking

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"You want this?" goaded Oswald. He lifted Memory Crystal Delta, mocking Francis with it like it was some puppet. "Come and get it!"

Unfortunately for him, that's exactly what the berserk Shadowchaser did.

Francis was at the height of his rage, so much that the cavern shook as he tackled Oswald, and the first punch thrown was so fierce even Eden felt it, so intense that even she was shaken. She was shaken even more when he received a blow from Oswald, who was just as angry.

Of course, Oswald dropped Memory Crystal Delta causing it to roll right towards her.

It was right in her grasp!

She looked up at the violent struggle as she picked it up. Then she turned slightly and saw the exit close by a doorway into a dark hall – and she could just make out stairs going up.

Wait, I have to… I can't… she thought.

"Eden, GO!" screamed Francis.

She was stunned, both by his command, but by his voice, which seemed almost feral and bestial now.

"What are you waiting for?" he shouted. "RUN! Get that thing to Karl!"

She needed no further encouragement, even if she did have to dodge to avoid the two brawlers as Oswald bull-rushed his foe, slamming Francis against the wall. She tumbled as she dodged, holding it to her chest, and sprang to her feet, then dashed to the doorway, clutching it under her arm. She ran through the doorway and up the stone stairs, three at a time.

Keep going, Eden, don't look back, she thought, as she rushed through another doorway, and you'll be home –

Her thought was interrupted as she heard the noise of a shotgun firing, accompanied by sharp pain to her chest.

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Sofia woke up.

It was cloudy today, but she could tell from the morning air that it was almost six o clock.

"Philip?" she said.

He was gone. She looked around. So were his clothes.

"DAMMIT!" she shouted.

The flowers he had brought were all put in vases with water, the dishes had been cleared, and the entire mess had been cleaned up, but he was gone.

"Dammit," she sobbed. She hit the pillow with her fist.

Probably for the best, she finally thought. She sat up, then got out of bed, picking up her robe from the bedpost. Just saves me more trouble…

As she tied the cord around her waist, her thoughts started to turn violent. Well, that's enough. Next call I get from him, I'm hanging up. She opened the door to her room. No, better yet, I'll call up Edgar and Ace and tell them to go beat the shit out of him. She started to walk down the stairs towards the kitchen. No, even better, I'll ask them to come help me beat the shit out him. Right, they can hold him down while I beat the shit out of him! Then I'll –

She froze.

Bacon was cooking.

Very, very slowly, she walked down the rest of the stairs, then looked around the corner into the kitchen… "Philip?" she said, softly.

"Morning," he said, cheerily.

It wasn't just bacon, but bacon and French toast. "You okay?" he asked.

"Uh, yeah…" said his dumbfounded lover. She giggled a little. "I'm going to get fat if you keep this up, you know?" Her smile came back as she sat down.

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The gautiere had lived ages in a realm that was outright hostile to most life other than demons. They had adjusted to live in such a harsh place, their former dedication to purpose turning into one fierce devotion to one goal – survival. They had become thick-skinned, literally and figuratively, and their toughened flesh was harder and denser than leather.

As a result, Bonnie's shotgun blast likely wouldn't have hurt Eden even if she'd loaded it with live ammo; it had "only" been loaded with rock salt this time. Still, the surprise ambush and shot to her chest stunned her a little and knocked her over.

Memory Crystal Delta dropped and rolled towards Bonnie, who halted it with her foot as Bonnie sat up.

"Huh, seems the stories were all true," she said. "You are pretty tough."

Eden rubbed her chest. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that was a compliment," she replied. "Either all the times Beatrice called me 'some whore who was too dumb to quit' were lies, or her original offer still stands. So what's she offering you now?"

"You think I'm some rookie like Mathmatica?" giggled Bonnie, again with the innocent girl look. "I'm –"

"I know who you are," interrupted Eden. "You're one of the folks who was summoned six years ago to test the Device. You were the only 'keeper' because you adjusted in less than a day. Of course, there was a different Damned Magician Girl back then." The expression on Bonnie faded and Eden leaned against the wall. "More sensible than Beatrice, she followed the safety guidelines when summoning and handling such artifacts, specifically avoiding using it in ways that risked ripping the fabric of reality apart. Belle could have –"

"They managed to get it working again," said Bonnie, her tone smug but stale. She seemed to get a little irked by the mention of the name "Belle" right there. "Not thanks to you. And we can make due without upgrading it."

Eden let out a brief laugh. "Really? You know a lot of folks say you can't learn anything working at a fast food place, but you do pick up a few things. There was a special sandwich at some place a while back, with a two-part container, so the beef stayed hot and the lettuce and tomatoes stayed crisp and fresh. Was popular for a while until someone suddenly realized, 'Hey! Isn't that how hamburgers are supposed to be?' Guess they wanted folks to think this burger was 'special' because it didn't get cold and soggy quickly, like the other substandard crap they sold. Seems these days everyone is willing to settle for mediocracy."

"You're pushing your luck, kid," said Bonnie. "And I really don't care about the business between you and Belle. See this?" Her face shifting back to the "innocent girl" expression, and she lifted her red cloak slightly. There was a patch sewn on the inseam, sort of shaped like a badge.

Eden gave a frustrated huff. "Figures. You're the new hench-wench in training, huh?"

"Call it whatever you want," said Bonnie. "Pays more than fifteen dollars an hour, you know. This badge here makes the holder worth double, you have four more to go in this little contest you're in, and you want to get it done quickly."

Eden couldn't deny that, and it was likely the only reason the ambush with the shotgun hadn't started a brutal and bloody fight that resulted in one of them dead and the other claiming the Memory Crystal. Anyone with that badge was worth double, like some "hidden boss" of a video game. (Indeed, comparing this whole thing to some parlor game made her sick, but it was her only option.)

She stopped and listened. She couldn't hear a thing from down the stairs behind her, where she had left.

"Let's get this done with," she said.

Two Duel Disks snapped into activated position, and two D-Gazers flashed…

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"So how did you say this was going to work again?" asked Karl.

As the sun started to rise behind him, his goal was closer. The digital map showed his bike nearing city limits.

"I didn't, but I'll explain now," replied Rayearth. "We're using the technique discovered by the Scratcher."

"Oh, brother," said Karl, and with good reason. The Scratcher was a sociopath currently locked up in the max-MAX-security penitentiary in Norway, one of the few mortal beings held there. He was judged to be irrevocably and criminally insane and was kept there in an iron straightjacket. He had been convicted of eleven murders, a number that likely would have doubled if they had found them all.

"A portal network consists of two points, an access and an egress," continued the Incantifer. "In theory, this technique will draw the access portal to your location and forcibly draw everything inside it."

"Like a tractor beam," mumbled Karl.

"Think more along the lines of a black hole." said Rayearth. "Concentrate hard on where you want to go. Failing to do so will more than likely result in a painful death. Or transportation to a universe more than happy to give you a painful death.

The numbers 3:00 lit up on his dashboard.

"Do pay attention to the clock. It may be the last three minutes you ever have."

"I think I liked you better when you were just a rumor" Karl grumbled. The countdown started.

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"Let's see how tough you are now," said Bonnie. "Game on."

(Eden: 8,000) - - - - - - - - - - (Bonnie: 8,000)

"To start off," she said, making a pivot-turn as she drew, "I'll summon the Vile Specter."

There was a clatter as a ghostly phantom stepped out of the wall behind her, a corpse in tarnished, rusted armor with a sword in a condition that was just as bad. The flesh on its face, what was left of it, was pulled taunt over sunken eyes. (1,600 ATK)

"Ick," said Eden.

"Not very handsome, I know, but he has uses," said Bonnie. She played two more cards, creating a set one and a Continuous Spell. "I set one card facedown and activate Dark Repose. Now you."

Eden didn't waste time, her hand having already been waiting to draw her card, and she played one quickly too. "I'll summon Tortured Clown," she announced.

As she played the card there was a low, hearty chuckle as a figure tumbled forward, only to fall flat and stop laughing with a hacking cough. It was Saggi the Dark Clown, but he was in as bad shape as the other monsters Eden had summoned, his costume torn, dirty, and in some places, stained with unidentifiable substances.

He coughed again as he stood up, then giggled again, grinning through a smile of chipped teeth, missing one in the front. (500 ATK)

"Pssh, clowns," said Bonnie. Still, she watched careful, eyeing Eden as she placed a reverse card behind the Spellcaster.

"I'll use Tortured Clown's effect," said Eden, "and reduce his Defense Score by 500 points to take Tortured Infection from my deck."

Tortured Clown guffawed and tipped his hat, then yanked a card from it, tossing it over his shoulder. Eden caught it out of the air.

"I'm done for now."

Bonnie drew a card, and then pointed at the Clown. "Specter, wipe that smile off his face! Attack!"

The revenant lifted its weapon with a moan, and started to lurch towards the jester with a jerky gain.

"I activate the Trap Card, Adversity," said Eden. As the card lifted, Tortured Clown's smile only got creepier. "Because your monster is stronger than mine, he can step up his act to the tune of 1,000 more points."

Cackling, Tortured Clown fell backwards, landing on his hands, and made an upward kick as he did so, knocking Vile Specter in the chest and knocking it apart, causing armor and bones to fall to the ground with a clatter.

(E: 8,000) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 7,900)

"Nice counter," said the assassin, "but, when Vile Specter is defeated, I get to use something even more Vile."

There was a loud SNAP! SNAP! and two vicious little beasts emerged from a card, like two spheres the size of softballs that had no features except mouths full of needle-sharp teeth.

"What is that?" shouted Eden.

Bonnie didn't answer, but the two things flew at Tortured Clown, snapping their teeth hungrily. He tried to shield himself, and then clamped their teeth into his wrists; then an iron chain appeared, boning one of them to the other, like a fiendish pair of handcuffs. (0 ATK)

"Tortured Shackles is a monster that works like a special Equip Spell," said Bonnie, "equipping to your monster and reducing its Attack Score to zero. So now it's your move."

"Oh, you bet I'll move," said Eden. She made a draw, then stopped, as if she rethought the action she was about to take. She resumed fast, using a Continuous Spell, Pleasured Pain.

Then she tapped her Disk where Clown's card was. "His Defense Score is still 1,000, so I'll lower it a second time to gain a second Tortured Infection. The Spell Card I just used also increases my Life Points by as much. Then I'll sacrifice him for Tortured Baphomet."

Clown guffawed again, and went into a spin, vanishing in a cloud of smoke, causing the small critters to fall to the ground and shatter. The injured and haggard version of Berfomet rose in his place. (1,400 ATK)

"Clever," said Bonnie, "but those Shackles have another trick, which I can use when you destroy them."

The Shackles appeared again, with the chain still linking them, a little quieter now, in front of Bonnie. (0 DEF)

"Hmmph!" said Bonnie. "Baphomet's effect summons Tortured Wolf!"

With a howl and hacking cough, a disheveled, thin, but no-less-fierce Silver Fang plodded beside Baphomet. (1,200 ATK)

"Now I'll reduce his Defense Score to double his Attack Score!"

(2,400 ATK)

Wolf snarled with saliva dripping from its teeth. "Patience boy," said Eden, "just gotta handle one thing."

Fire spouted from Baphomet's jowls, reducing the Shackles to dust. "Now you can get her!"

"Hate to do this, but," said Bonnie. "Well, not really. I activate Unsafe Sanctum!"

The Trap lifted up, and she took a Monster Card from her hand, slinging it at Wolf as the Beast lunged. A creature that looked like a very large rib cage with a long ram's skull affixed to the top flew out of the card. Wolf yelped in surprise and the device rushed it, knocking him down with the ribs embedding into the floor, holding the Beast inside the ribcage like an actual cage would. (400 DEF)

"The Vile Cage forces the mutt into Defense Mode and keeps him there," said Bonnie. "But nice try."

(E: 8,900) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 7,900)

"Okay, maybe you did pick up a few tricks from Beatrice," answered Eden.

"Trust me," answered Bonnie, "you ain't seen nothing yet…"

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"No way!" exclaimed Sofia. "This Viola woman is in Department 7?"

"Was," answered Philip. "We're not sure if she retired, resigned, or was kicked out for some reason. More orange juice?"

Sofia nodded, and he poured from the carton as he continued to talk. "It's not wise to just ask a lady who can kill an urban wendigo with her bare hands. But yeah, just like James Bond. Well, minus all the risqué stuff."

"I assume you never asked her about that either," asked Sofia. She smiled a little, then chewed her food quietly for a minute. "So, are you just going to stay and pamper me until the big guy gives the word that I can be on duty again?"

"And if I am?" he asked.

"I could live with that," she said. Then her tone and expression changed. "How do I know it's just a nice way of saying I'm on house arrest for my own good and you're a guard?"

"Sofia, I –" he started. Then he caught himself.

She was right, at least partially, and he was about to lie to her face. Again. He changed his mind.

"Would that make a difference?"

She put her fork down and her expression turned a little softer. "Well… I guess I could live with that too."

They kissed each other.

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"It's my move," said Bonnie. "Now, that Cage does more than keeps your monster occupied. Having at least one in my Spell Zone lets me Special Summon this one, the Vile Wheel!"

The monster was a wheel, yes, a spoked wheel made of bones, ringed with sharp spurs and three of those same inhuman skulls at the hub. (1,000 ATK)

"Now let's see how it looks on Tortured Baphomet!"

The device rolled from the card and spun through the air at Baphomet, the skulls biting his wrists and ankles and fastening to them like clamps, holding him upright in a spread-eagle position.

"You think that scares me?" asked Eden.

"Probably not, but I've got someone here who's job is to scare people. With two of your monsters equipped with Vile monsters, I can summon this one with no sacrifice. The Vile Interrogator!"

Eden caught hold of a rancid smell like bad body odor superimposed with that of rotting meat. The monster that stood up was a tall, lean demon with a ram-like head, with sores and boils covering that and his shirtless torso. It wore a leather apron that was smeared with blood and other disgusting fluids, and a belt holding some nasty tools, including an awl, clamp, pliers, and worse. It also held a severed human hand. (2,200 ATK)

"In case it didn't sink in," asked Bonnie, viewing her opponent's reaction, "I meant 'scare' as to intimidate. Useful in getting a stubborn prisoner to talk."

"He's not scary," replied Eden. "Nauseating, maybe."

"Oh, queasy now?" asked Bonnie. "This will help." Vile Interrogator looked at Eden, then disappeared into the darkness behind Bonnie. "Because that Cage also lets him attack directly, so long as I cut his Attack Score in half."

Of course, Bonnie was a little startled, and turned to her left quickly; a mistake, as the Fiend appeared to her right, grabbing her arm with his left hand and turned her around forcibly to face him. Then she screamed…

(E: 7,800) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 7,900)

"Stabbed me," she cursed, holding her abdomen. "That bastard stabbed me!"

She looked at Bonnie and saw the thing next to her, holding what he had obviously used, a serrated dagger. Bonnie grinned, again showing those perfect white teeth.

"I'll set one card and let this guy take five," she said. "That means your Wolf's Score returns to normal. And it didn't even manage one attack. Tough break, huh? By the way, when you start your turn, you lose 600 Life Points from the Wheel."

Eden drew a card, grunting a little in pain as the wound in her stomach burned. She but set a card and used another, bringing Tortured Phantom King to her side. (1,500 ATK)

"I'll lower this one's Defense Score to half in order to increase its Attack Score to 2,100."

"Ooh, almost enough," said Bonnie.

"And while I'm at it, I'll discard this Tortured Infection, which lowers the Scores of your monsters by the amount I reduced it."

"Okay, now you're getting somewhere," said Bonnie. Vile Interrogator's Attack Score lowered to 1,600, but it only sniffed a little and rubbed its upper lip while watching. "Of course, you can't attack this turn because you just did that."

"Then, I'll use Wolf's effect again," said Eden, "and because that leaves him with zero Defense, Baphomet can help, lowering his Defense by 900 points to raise Wolf's to its base Score."

Baphomet sweat and moaned through the pain from the device, but the effect still worked.

"By the way, all the points I'm deducing from their Scores is being added to my Life Points due to Pleasured Pain. I'll end my turn there."

(E: 9,700) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 7,900)

She's planning something, thought Bonnie. She looked at Vile Interrogator, who was wiping the blade of its knife with an old rag, his Score returning to 2,200. That all seemed kind of pointless.

"Suit yourself," she said. "This may be the right time to mention, whenever you end a turn with Vile monsters equipped to any of your monsters, my Dark Repose card gets one Shackle Counter per monster. So I'll draw, and then I'll get rid of two of those counters to use one of its effects. I'd avert your eyes if this sort of thing makes you squeamish."

The ribs on the Vile Cage started to contract, and tighten around Tortured Wolf, like some horrid vice. It howled loudly, and the device simply crushed it, the Cage itself falling apart in the process.

However, Eden hadn't taken her eyes off it, angry as they looked now.

"Eh, had to be done, the poor thing was sick. And because Cage was destroyed, it's also summoned here." She pointed down, and the now inert and empty Vile Cage appeared in front of her. (0 DEF) "And since this worked so well the last time –"

The Cage leapt to life again, lunging at Tortured Phantom King, grappling it and trapping it inside like it had with Wolf. (600 DEF)

Vile Inquisitor took his knife again and started to fade into darkness like before, but –

"I activate the Trap Card, Punishing Thunder!" yelled Eden.

As the card lifted, lightning flashed, and Vile Inquisitor was violently thrown out from its shadowy cover. The lightning itself, however, hit Bonnie.

"This Trap Card not only blocks your attack; it deals 300 points of damage per card on your field. You got a little full of yourself there, and as Belle would have told you –"

"Ooh, Belle said this, Belle said that," said B.B. Hood, annoyed. "Yap, yap, yap, I get it! I'm sick of hearing about her! If she was so great, how did she get –"

She stopped when she saw the expression of pure, concentrated hate on Eden.

"Uh, yeah, forget I said anything," she said, shyly, in her cute and childish tone again.

"You get to draw once…" hissed Eden, through her teeth.

Bonnie drew a card, then continued, her voice softer. "You still have two monsters equipped with mine, so I can Special Summon Vile-at-Arms in Defense Mode."

The Fiend that appeared this time looked like the same species as Interrogator, but short, stout, and rather fat, with four arms, wearing a leather kilt. It knelt and crossed both sets of limbs. (2,200 DEF)

(E: 9,700) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 6,400)

Dames like this are so annoying, she thought, especially when they're right.

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In Liverpool, the other side of the city from the hospital, a garbage can smashed through the front window of a department store. The burglar alarm went off, of course, but this early in the morning it would be about five minutes or so before the police investigated. Terra was marginally familiar with such things.

Her night hadn't been all-too restful. After all, she had slept in a back alley after breaking out of that hospital, after realizing she had no money, no means of transportation or communication, and was wearing nothing except a dirty and torn set of hospital scrubs. She could pass as some vagrant to the average joe and had been in much tougher situations, but it was humiliating.

So her first order of business was finding clothing. She paid no heed to style or fashion, finding a sweat-suit that she estimated would fit her larger-than-average frame, and split. By the time the police came, there was little to differentiate her from anyone else.

For a few brief minutes, she considered going back to Copek, finding Addams, and pulling his intestines out through his nostrils. Then she shook her head.

Better find Jerry, she thought. Maybe I can go after them and get paid for it.

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Bonnie's hand was now composed of a Level 2 monster and a Trap. She set both on her Disk, then nodded to Eden. "There you go."

Again, Eden groaned as she drew and sharp pain from Vile Wheel cut into her, but recovered fast. "I summon Tortured Imp!"

There was a squeal as the ragged and scarred Feral Imp leapt onto the field. (1,300 ATK)

"Then I'll reduce its Defense Score. Imp, rescue Tortured Phantom King!"

The Imp squeaked again and bore its claws, slashing through the Vile Cage, tearing it apart along with the Equip Spell. Phantom King leapt out and roared. Then, Vile-at-Arms wheezed and claw marks appeared on its ample belly. (1,500 DEF) Vile Interrogator was just as upset, holding its shoulder. (1,600 ATK)

"Those Tortured Infection cards can be such a pain, huh?"

"Here's another pain," said Bonnie. "Vile-at-Arms has an effect that activates when a Vile monster is destroyed, equipping it to another monster."

The Cage flew at Imp this time, snapping it up and jailing it like the others. (600 DEF)

"I use Fusion Substitute!" announced Eden, as if nothing had happened. "Now Phantom King and Baphomet will –"

" – fall flat on their faces and do nothing," said Bonnie, finishing the sentence. "I use Chained Body and Soul."

Her Trap opened, and two more chains fired from the card, darting into the enlarged Fusion Substitute and smashing it to bits.

"I'm afraid Fusions are not an option for Baphomet this turn, nor are Synchros, Xyzs, or Tributes."

"In that case," said Eden. Tortured Phantom King stoop up, moving to Attack Mode, then his Defense Score fell as his Attack Score rose to 2,100 again.

"Now I can use Baphomet again, and reduce his Defense Score to zero to raise Phantom King to his base Score. Then – eviscerate Vile-at-Arms!"

Phantom King pounced at the fat demon, who braced itself, clenching every muscle; even so, it let out a loud "OOF!" and was knocked over, but somehow survived.

"Vile-at-Arms has another effect!" announced Bonnie. "By destroying Vile Wheel, he gets to stick around."

Baphomet finally wrenched his arms free of the evil device, which fell apart, only to appear on Bonnie's side of the field. (0 DEF) He rubbed his wrists for a second, then looked at the Vile Wheel, then blew flames at it. Bonnie closed her eyes, looking unimpressed as the dust and ashes settled where it had been.

"That was pointless," she said. "Now we're back where we started."

"Everything I have to put up with from you folks is pointless," said Eden. "I'd say the hell with it if I could. I'm done for now, and because Baphomet has no Defense Points –" The demon moaned sadly, then shattered into triangles. "Don't forget, because I reduced Imp's Defense by 600 and Baphomet's by 900, I gain 1,500 Life Points from Pleasured Pain."

(E: 11,200) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 6,400)

"It also means I can take any Tortured monster from my deck. So let's see."

The Disk hummed, and images of about ten or so orange-bordered cards appeared in front of Eden. She looked them over quickly and found Tortured Ox.

There you are, she thought. She touched it, and the card solidified as the others disappeared. A lot of Hood's cards have zero Defense Points, summoning this guy could end this duel in a hurry.

"So it's my turn," said Bonnie. She drew a card, and considered the three for a minute. "Hmm. All right, I'm using another effect of Dark Repose. With three Counters on it, I can send it to the Graveyard to draw twice."

She plucked the two cards, causing the Continuous Spell to be consumed by the darkness. She briefly overlooked the new cards, a Level 1 monster that looked like a badly decaying undead bird perched on a skull, and a Trap Card. Then she continued. "I'll Flip Summon the Vile Albino," she said.

The set monster flipping upright caused a dirty, ugly, hunched over man with pale white skin, pink eyes, and long, uncut fingernails to emerge from it. (0 ATK)

"By doing that, I can take Wheel, Cage, and Shackles back from my Graveyard, so long as I discard a card." She chose a discard right away, the bird-like monster, tossing it as she took the three. "Now let's summon a couple of them! First, I'll sacrifice Albino to summon Wheel to the field."

The hunchback moaned, and a large, shadowy claw grabbed him, dragging him away. The spinning breaking wheel appeared again. (1,000 ATK) Bonnie pointed at Imp, and it tore across the field and latched onto Imp.

Then, she took Cage and Shackles from her hand, and flipped them onto her Disk, the torture devices appearing drawn from the Wheel. (500 ATK), (200 ATK)

However, as she used one of the recovered cards, Eden discarded one of hers. "I send Maxx 'C' to the Graveyard!" she shouted.

How the hell can she afford cards like that working at some hamburger place? thought Bonnie.

Then she shrugged and snapped her fingers, and Cage flew towards Phantom Beast, grabbing him again.

"Like I care,' said Eden.

"Oh, you should," said Bonnie. "Did you forget how my Level 5s work? I Special Summon Vile Harlequin!"

This time the laugh was both evil and annoying. The floor cracked, and a skeletal hand poked through, and the monster, a skeletal corpse with a bare skull for a head dressed in a jester outfit complete with a foolscap dragged its way to the surface. It casually produced four skulls and started to juggle them. (1,600 ATK)

"Oh yeah, like that's less creepy than my clown," said Eden. She drew a third time.

"Well, by summoning him this way, I can use an effect that I can activate once," answered Bonnie. "I'll discard one card to destroy every monster equipped with a Vile monster!"

The fiend's laugh turned into a horrid din, and two screaming, fanged skulls flew at Phantom King and Imp. This time, Eden did look away, and didn't have to see the horrid way they were blown to gibbets.

When she looked again, the Harlequin had resumed its juggling, and Vile Interrogator had drawn a new blade, this one hooked.

"By the way," continued Bonnie, "in case you were thinking that would summon Wheel and Cage to my field, giving you more cards, guess again. The effect sends them to my hand this time."

"I have enough," replied Eden.

"Well, my Interrogator can show you just where to put them. And guess what? He doesn't have to cut his Score this time!"

The Fiend didn't turn himself invisible either as he charged Eden…

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Below, in the room where Francis had struck the final blow against the Custodian (or rather what was left of it) he was still grappling with Oswald. The Shadowchaser roared, and slugged his foe in the teeth, then gave a powerful shove that slammed him against the wall.

As he lifted his fist to hit him again, he heard Eden's scream from the brutal direct attack.

Through his rage-fogged mind, it was hard for Francis to concentrate on anything but the fight. Berserk was very different than regular anger, in that mood and emotion played very little in it; magic fueled the rage, and it was known to bring a man to nearly the savagery of a beast.

Nearly, that is. The human side of him was what heard Eden's scream, and his fearless state was tinged with worry.

"Whatsa matter tough guy?" asked Oswald. "Run out of steam?"

Breaking from the pin, the crook punched back hard, in the teeth, then in the chin, following with a haymaker. Still, Francis didn't go down.

"Damn it, how many times do I gotta smash you?" cursed Oswald. He hit him again, harder. "You guys just don't know when to –"

"BACK OFF!" ordered Francis. Before Oswald could strike again, his right hand caught the fist in mid swing.

"Ugh," grunted Oswald. He tried to pull free. "Let go! ARG!"

Francis grasped harder, crushing his enemy's fist, then used the whole arm like a fulcrum, slamming him to the floor. His next strike was an attempt to stomp his face, but Oswald rolled out of the way.

"Fucking son of a bitch," growled Oswald. He stood up, shaking his hurt hand to get the feeling back. "When I'm done with you I'm gonna pluck your eyes out their sockets and take a whiz in them!"

"I'd like to see you try it…" dared Francis.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"That hurt? Good."

"I've been through worse," said Eden. Of course, she was holding her stomach and sweat was pouring down her forehead.

"Humph," said Bonnie. Harlequin stopped juggling the skulls, and they turned green and fiery, blasting at Eden as it outstretched its palms. Eden was able to keep standing as the first two hit her, but was knocked over by the third, and hit by the fourth on the way down.

(E: 7,400) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 6,400)

"Okay, you've had enough," she said. "This turn. I'll end with a face-down card."

Eden drew and looked at the Bonnie's monsters. Then, as she had intended, she fit Tortured Ox's card on her Disk, and he snorted steam from his nostrils in anger as he rushed to her side. (1,700 ATK)

"You're damn right I've had enough," said Eden. "I'll deduct 600 points from his Defense Score, and this turn, he gains 600 points. But I don't need to pay anything for his other ability. Talk to the axe, baby."

Ox lifted his axe, and chopped downward, bisecting Vile-At-Arms down the middle. The two pieces slid away from each other before they both shattered.

"Talk about an axe to grind," sighed Eden. "It's your move."

"There you go again," muttered Bonnie, "always with the laughing in the face of danger. Does it really work? I think it just sounds silly."

"This from a woman dressed like Little Red Riding Hood," said Eden.

"Uhm," said Bonnie. "Uh, touché." She drew, then discarded Vile Wheel from her hand. "Remember that Trap Card I used? Well, by getting rid of this, I can take it from my Graveyard and set it again."

A haunting laughter came from two ghostly skulls floating out of the ground, turning into another set card. But Bonnie wasn't done. She took Vile Albino and another monster card from her discard pile and pocketed both. "Then, by banishing Vile Raven and another Vile monster, I can summon Vile Wheel again."

Eden knew what was coming next, of course, anticipating her plans for Tortured Ox and the Vile Wheel. It was summoned (1,000 ATK) and again, the cruel device spun towards Eden's side, and latched itself to the Beast Warrior. He and his master barely cared.

"Now, Foolish Revival. I'm not finished with that Phantom King of yours yet." The Trap lifted, and the haggard Beast emerged from in front of Eden, looking exhausted and spent. (1,200 DEF) He hardly had time to catch his breath before the Cage appeared on the field (500 ATK) flew at him and locked him up yet again.

Then, Interrogator lifted his knife again, his score falling to 1,100 as he leapt. Eden stood straight and firm, even as she felt it buried in her chest…

(E: 6,900) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 6,300)

She was sweating harder; not that she didn't stink already from working the deep fryer yesterday. Still, Bonnie wasn't done, placing a reversed monster in her Disk.

Bonnie next moved Harlequin's card, and the unholy jester stopped juggling, kneeling in Defense Mode as the skulls fell with a plop. (1,800 DEF) She nodded to Eden.

Eden drew a card. It was Damned Magician Girl's card. She frowned a little and put it aside, then cringed as the stabbing pain from Vile Wheel hit her again.

This is it! she thought.

"I activate Star Blaster!" she yelled briskly. "I'll pay a whopping 1,500 Life Points and reduce the Level of this big guy from 7 to 4!"

She briefly turned the card around before a geyser of flames announced Tortured Black Dragon, who screeched menacingly at the Fiends. (2,400 ATK)

"By combining Tortured Ox's piercing ability with his ability to attack all your monsters while raising his points to 3,000, you're finished, Hood-Girl! Attack with Purgatory Inferno Blast!"

The Black Dragon's Defense lowered to 1,000, and powerful fire shot at Tortured Jester, blowing him to bloody chunks.

"Ugh," said Bonnie. Then she yelled even louder as the second blast hit Interrogator.

"Boy, that felt good," said Eden. "Next?"

The flames made a burning arc towards the facedown monster, and a robotic drone appeared on it briefly. Bonnie screamed and fell on her behind.

(E: 6,400) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 1,800)

"That was my Absorbing Jar," she hissed. Five cards – Vile Cage, Vile Wheel, her two set cards, and Eden's Pleasured Pain – were all blown to fragments. "Now each player draws one card for each of her cards that was trashed."

"It also means Cage and Wheel are sent back to your side of the field," said Eden. She smiled and drew once, watching the two monsters appear, each with no Defense Scores to speak of. "And that means you lose!"

Two huge fireballs honed in on the small monsters, blowing them out of existence and lighting up the room with hellish glow.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Karl carefully watched the timer as it fell to fifteen seconds, then ten. His eyes shot to the road ahead, and he saw the portal materialize, like a circle being drawn in midair.

"Hang on tight, flyboy," said SAL.

They sped through it.

It was like he was falling. Falling through a glass tube through the ether, his bike waving and swerving at random as he did. He held the handlebars tight, narrowly avoiding crashing into the side. He heard SAL's voice, but couldn't quite make out her words, it was like listening through gauze.

He reached the other side, breaking through some sort of magical barrier with a sound that combined glass shattering with electric sparks.

The emergency brakes activated, and they skid to a halt. They were in the same cave Francis had arrived in, still pitch black.

"I do not want to do that again!" he gasped.

"It wasn't a bowl of cherries for me either, Karl," said SAL, "but we have other problems."

Karl removed his helmet and dismounted, and the headlight of the D-Wheel switched to floodlight intensity. "Yeah, if Karl's ride is here but he isn't we may have avoided the worst case scenario."

"But the best case scenario is just as unlikely."

"SAL, I've got to find a program to upgrade your optimism. See if you can scan for nearby lifeforms and find them."

SAL hummed a little, her special audial sensors reading the vibrations around them at incredibly high speed, measuring every pitch and tone in an attempt to isolate the sounds of humanoid vital signs, such as heartbeat and breathing, along with thermal and olfactory sensing to detect minute changes in temperature and odor. After blocking out the signals from common cave-dwelling animals like bats and insects, something pinged as she noticed an abnormality. She focused on it…

"Good news bad news, Karl," she said. "I've found Francis and someone who is most likely Eden about two-thirds of a kilometer upwards and north. Bad news, there are two other humans, one of which I think is Oswald."

Karl wiped his brow. "Then Let's Get Dangerous!"

He charged up the tunnel, barely hearing a slight groan from SAL.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"What's the matter, Eden? Were you expecting me to go somewhere?"

Not only did Bonnie seem awfully chipper for someone who had just been nailed for two 3,000-point attacks, she actually seemed more energetic than before.

(E: 6,400) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 4,800)

"Not that I don't admire a duelist so fond of wanton destruction. You destroyed Chained Body and Soul, but the second set card that went with it was a special Trap called Pain Surge. Because I had less than half the Life Points you did when you made the first attack and would have lost had I taken the damage, I gained twice the Life Points I would have lost for that one battle right before your attack hit.."

"At least you're out of monsters," said Eden. "I'll set two, and then activate the Continuous Spell, Damnation."

Let's just hope I don't have to use it, she thought.

"Go on."

Bonnie looked a little nervous now as she drew a card. She had heard of the Spell Card Eden had just played, and the illustration – a horrific scene with Damned Magician Girl being burned alive in a pyre while held with chains, laughing madly – but the second-hand description hadn't quite given the shock value the actual card did. Then there was the bigger concern, which Eden had so conveniently reminded her of. All her monsters had been crushed, and she had none she could summon. But she did have –

"Swords of Revealing Light!"

The old-fashioned but still reliable card appeared and energy blades shot from it, falling around Eden and embedding into the floor.

I hate this card, thought Eden.

"Your move, tough stuff," said Bonnie.

"If you think I'm waiting three turns, you're out of your mind," answered Eden. "I draw once, then I use Fusion Reserve." She pointed to one of the two set cards, activating it.

"Okay, not familiar with that one," said Bonnie.

"Then I'll…talk… slowly," said Eden. "Okay, seriously. I choose one Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, like this one." A large Solid Vision copy of Tortured Chimera appeared over her. "Then, because this card –" she pointed left, and Baphomet's card appeared there. " – is material for it, I get to take it from my deck, along with this card –" she pointed right, and Fusion Substitute appeared there. "– from the Graveyard."

"So, you can finally summon Chimera," said Bonnie. "Big deal. What good will he do you?"

"I never said I was summoning him," answered Eden. "Now that I have Fusion Substitute, I can use it to fuse Tortured Black Dragon and Tortured Skull…"

Bonnie silently reminded herself – again – that she would have to stop tempting fate. She watched Tortured Black Dragon's hide thicken and harden, its face twist and contort, and muscles all over it bulge. Its claws lengthened, and its eyes burned.

It was Tortured Skull Dragon now. (3,400 ATK) Eden tapped the card, its Defense Score fell from 2,500 to 1,600 and the light swords around it and Eden broke into pieces.

"Ah-heh," said Bonnie, nervously. "You, you can't attack this turn because of that."

"True," said Eden, concurring, "so I'll compensate by playing, this, Ritual of Blood! And I'll sacrifice Baphomet and Ox to Ritual Summon the Tortured Dragon Champion!"

As the Ritual Spell came into being along with Baphomet, spouts of gory, vicious blood poured from the ground like thick, slimy pseudopods, gushing around and enveloping the two monsters with a sickening, slurping noise.

Then the blood started to work itself into a more coherent shape, large, winged, and with a draconic head. Eventually, the blood fell away, and grim knight with battered, broken armor holding two lances, mounted on a gaunt and scarred version of Curse of Dragon, revealed itself. (2,600 ATK)

"Not pretty, is it?" she asked. "It's your move."

Bonnie was a mess, and Eden could tell it. Her hand was quivering as she drew; Eden almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

No choice, thought Bonnie. Then she spoke out loud. "I use the Spell Card, Necromancy!"

Eden had heard of this before, a rare card used by the King of Games himself, not that she had ever expected to see it. The ground in front of her churned and stirred, and the Tortured Imp and Tortured Baphomet both appeared on either end of her field, both in Defense Mode. (1,200 DEF, 1,800 DEF)

"You're probably wondering why I would summon your monsters to your side of the field. Well, I'll get to that, once I spend 1,000 Life Points to summon the Vile Cangue."

The card that appeared on the Disk was both frightening and bizarre. It looked like a demon's skull with a jaw WAY too wide, with blunt, square teeth, and two long, skeletal arms with claws. (1,000 ATK)

(E: 6,400) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 3,800)

It flew at Tortured Baphomet and faded away, right before the demon roared. The jaws clamped arounds its neck, like some horrid yoke, while the two claws grabbed its upper limbs.

"That will keep him from attacking, but it has another effect; you make one draw, but I get to equip Cage and Shackles to your two weakest monsters."

"Again, and again, and again," said Eden, with a sigh. Still, it was better than getting them on her toughest ones, so she took the two restraints appearing again with a grain of salt, and drew.

"Don't worry, this time it's temporary," said Bonnie. "First, now that there's more than one Vile card, I can summon Vile Enforcer."

The card appeared, and a demon with a muscular, shirtless torso, a ram's head, goat-like legs, and bat-like wings appeared, hovering a few inches off the ground, and holding a pole-axe. (1,700 ATK)

"Then by sacrificing three monsters that are equipped with Vile monsters, I can use this one, the Cursed Dragon of Xeen!"

She flipped the card forward, a Level 10 monster, and a Dragon, or rather, a rotting, decayed, horrific, truly revolting undead remnant of a Dragon floated over the field, barely translucent, hovering on broken and torn remains of wings. The two Fiends and one Beast screamed, and started to decay rapidly collapsing into bones that turned to dust as the three Vile monsters shattered, reappearing again on Bonnie's side.

Then the Cursed Dragon flew towards Dragon Champion and into his chest. He dropped his two lances with a gagging, retching noise. (0 ATK)

"What did you do?" screamed Eden.

"Simple," replied Bonnie. "Cursed Dragon of Xeen may be hard to use, not to mention hard to look at, but it's much deadlier than the others. It can also be used as an Equip Spell, and the monster equipped with it – that would be Tortured Dragon Champion – is not only powerless and stuck in Attack Mode, but in three of my turns, he's toast, and you lose Life Points equal to his base Score of 2,600.

"Of course, you could prevent that by destroying Cursed Dragon's card, but that may not be a better option, because if you do that, Cursed Dragon will actually be summoned, and its Attack Score, well, it's far more than those Vile cards, I'll tell you that much.

"So… I'll set one more card, and then it's your move."

Bonnie made a draw, and then lurched forward.

Burning up, she thought. She clenched her stomach. An unpleasant memory came to her of time was lost and hungry in a wastrel-infested part of the Outlands and, against her better judgment, killed and cooked an animal she couldn't identify. (It looked like a big lizard with an armadillo's shell.) It was risky, but it was that or starve, and she was violently ill for days. Well, this feeling in her gut brought back that painful memory of nausea, cramp, and fever quite well.

"This time, you take 800 points of damage per turn," said Bonnie.

(E: 5,600) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 3,800)

"Yeah, yeah," replied Eden. She used a Spell Card. "Sorry it had to come this, but…because Tortured Dragon Champion still has Defense Points and Ritual of Blood is in my Graveyard, I can reduce them to zero to reclaim it.

"So I can use the effect of Damnation, and destroy it –" The Continuous Spell caught fire, and started to burn with hazy, smoky flames. "This reduces the Defense Scores of both my Tortured monsters to zero and then destroys them."

The flames spread to Tortured Skull Dragon and Tortured Dragon Champion, and they started to burn like bonfires, strangely not flinching of even moving. Eden played a card, and a figure strode from the flames, lifting her arms high as the two monsters collapsed into ashes.

It was her. Damned Magician Girl. But she looked very different than how either duelist had seen before… (2,000 ATK)

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

What's happening? thought Francis.

He could feel something going on up there. Something evil.

"C'mon, big guy!" taunted Oswald. "You gonna fight or you gonna kiss my –"

"Enough," scowled Francis. He grabbed Oswald by the face, and pushed him against the wall hard with a powerful slam.

Oswald fell, sprawled on the floor, with spittle dripping from his mouth, mumbling something about a low bridge. Francis turned towards the stairs and made for them.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"Okay, she looks pissed," said Bonnie.

"You have no idea," said Eden. "Usually I'm reluctant to use her card, but not this time."

"You know what happens to you if she gets gibbed, right?" asked Bonnie. "You lose. And I don't mean the duel, I mean you lose the deal, all 96 of your victories are rendered void."

"True, but should I win," added Eden, "this duel counts double. And your badge has already doubled it once, meaning it will count for four. You know what that means, I'm sure."

Yeah, I know what it means, thought Bonnie, and it's the reason a Hunter never uses her last bullet on a prey. She perked up a little. "Uh, By the way, when you destroyed your Dragon Champion, my card went with it, and like I said –"

Black smoke the odor of thick soot rose from in front of Bonnie, and the Cursed Dragon of Xeen, now solid and whole, crawled out of it, now unable to fly and dragging its decaying, deformed body with painful effort. (3,200 ATK)

"Yeah, and it is hard to look at," said Eden. "But as for losing, that's something I will not be doing. First, because my Graveyard has at least three Tortured monsters, Damned Magician Girl's points go up a little." (2,300 ATK)

"Now, before she struts her stuff, I'll get to it once I use the second effect of Fusion Substitute."

She took that card and Tortured Skull Dragon, depositing the former in a pocket and the latter in the pouch where her Extra Deck was held. Then she made one draw.

"Well, this will do. I'll summon Tortured Horseman."

With the new card, a dirty, wounded Mystic Horseman stumbled to the forefront. (1,300 ATK) Damned Magician Girl looked at him with an evil smirk, and he looked away, slightly disgusted. Then her Call of the Haunted Trap opened, and a coffin rose next to it. Two fists smashed through the lid and it was shoved off. Baphomet stood up and brushed himself off, no worse for wear. (1,400 ATK)

"Then with the Ritual Card I recovered, I'll banish Tortured Imp and Tortured Ox from my Graveyard to Ritual Summon Damned Magician of Chaos!"

This time, the fountain of gore was ringed with an unholy pentagram, and as the geyser subsided, a tall, slim, and dark man, dressed in a blood-red version of that powerful Spellcaster that Yugi used to strike down Thousand Eyes Restrict, surfaced, his powerful look fixated on Bonnie. (2,600 ATK)

"Ah, heh," said Bonnie.

"By reducing Tortured Horseman's Defense Score by 700," continued Eden, "his effect, which increases Baphomet's Defense Score by half its Defense Score comes into play." (2,700 DEF)

"Then I'll activate, the Quickplay Spell, Revelry in Screams!" She used the card, and Damned Magician Girl's eyes smoldered with red hellfire. "It increases her Attack Score by the amount I deducted from Tortured Horseman, while reducing her Defense to zero."

(3,000 ATK)

"Mmm," said Bonnie. "Almost, but not quite."

"Forget about tall, dark, and packing lethal chaos magic there?" asked Bonnie. "When his effect is activated, I can reduce his Defense by 1,000, which prevents all Tortured and Damned monsters from being destroyed this turn. And by combining that with the Trap Card Negative Existence –" her other set card activated, "Damned Magician Girl gains the same amount offensively as he lost defensively!"

Damned Magician Girl let out a scream of pain, hate, and pure rage mixed together… (4,000 ATK)

"Chaos Burn Strike!" ordered Eden. A mighty blast from Damned Magician Girl's scepter shot through the undead beast, eradicating it. Then, an even stronger blast plowed into Vile Enforcer, blowing him to little bits.

Eden didn't stop; Tortured Horseman's hooves crushed the Vile Wheel underfoot, while Baphomet's flaming breath made short work of the Cage.

(E: 5,600) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 2,100)

Eden stopped for a moment. Sweat poured from her tired face. "Every time she crushes a monster, she can summon a Tortured monster from my Graveyard in Defense Mode, and then gain 500 Attack Points." She pointed with her scepter at the space in her Monster Zone between her and Horseman, and Tortured Phantom King appeared, sitting on its hindquarters. (1,200 DEF) "Which means now, as I end my turn, she has a few more than she started with." (2,800 ATK) "It also means a couple of things happen. First, because Damned Magician Girl's Defense is now zero, she drains it from one of the Tortured monsters."

The Spellcaster looked over at the three suddenly-nervous Tortured monsters, then made her decision, pointing her scepter at Baphomet causing him to whimper. The sorceress made a look that seemed like pretend compassion, and stroked him on the head gently. Her Defense Score went up to 2,700, while the Fiend's went down to zero.

"Oh, and because her Defense rose after it was decreased by Revelry in Screams, well here you go."

Damned Magician Girl pointed at Vile Cangue next, and it was dissolved into vapor.

"Now, the effects of that card usually mean she dies now, and Baphomet would be next, seeing as he has zero Defense Points."

" – but both are protected by your Chaos Magician's effect," added Bonnie. "Clever. I suppose Belle taught you that."

"Yes," replied Eden., "as a matter of fact, she did. Your move."

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Down below, Karl was carefully walking over the bridge above the lava flow, not liking the lack of guardrail any more than Eden did.

"Karl!" shouted SAL, causing him to stumble and trip, landing on the other side.

"WHAT?" he shouted. "What is it?"

"Sorry," she said. "We'd better hustle, something new is happening up there."

"What?" he asked, his tone far more concerned now than angry.

"I can't waste time, RUN. I'll explain on the way."

This had to be important, so he dashed through the opening, paying no heed to the giant fungus in the next room. This had to be big.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"I activate The Beginning of the End," said Bonnie.

She took Inquisitor, Enforcer, Cangue, Cage, and At-Arms, and stuffed all five into her shirt, then made three draws. Her expression changed to a smarmy smirk. Then one of her facedown cards lifted, Escape from the Dark Dimension. A dark portal opened, and Vile Enforcer flew out, slowly beating its wings. (1,700 ATK)

"Still paying attention?" she asked. Eden didn't answer, so Bonnie went on, using another Spell Card. Recurring Nightmare.

Eden groaned a little, as she certainly recognized this card; seemed like she would have to deal with the Shackles and Cage again, something that was getting pretty boring.

"Problem?" asked Bonnie. As Eden expected, she used the Shackles, and they flew towards Damned Magician of Chaos. Hhe tried to struggle, but was tied up quickly, her boosted Attack Score falling to nothing.

"You're getting predictable, Bonnie," said Eden.

"Oh, izzat so?" laughed Bonnie. "Well how's this for new? I pay another 800 Life Points to Special Summon the Vile Cross!"

It didn't appear in front of her this time. The first indication that a monster had appeared was a holler from Damned Magician Girl as metal tendrils reached up and grabbed her by the wrists and ankles. Eden stepped back in shock as a tall column stabbed out of the ground.

The well-named monster was a cross, not made of bone, but of iron, and Damned Magician Girl had been bound to it. Her limbs were held to it by the same sharp metal tendrils that looked uncomfortably like barbed wire, which also crossed her torso.

"Satyr and Circe!" she gasped.

"Yeah, it's not a nice card," said Bonnie, "but then, I'm not a nice person. That keeps her from attacking or using her effect. Now for that Spellcaster of yours."

Vile Enforcer flew at Damned Chaos Magician, spear-first. He stabbed into his chest, but he withstood it, even though Eden seemed to be hurt badly.

(E: 3,900) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 1,300)

"Well, seems he can use that effect of his during my turn too, huh?" asked Bonnie. "Well, looks like it's more of a hindrance than a help this time. Just to warn you, when Enforcer attacks a monster that has a Vile monster equipped to it, not only does it pierce, but I can shift that monster to either Battle Position.

"So, I set another facedown card, and end my turn."

As Eden drew, she felt the violent cramps again, and this time they came with a stabbing pain. And by that, she actually felt like something was stabbing her from inside.

(E: 2,900) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 1,300)

Of course, she didn't mention that I can't use that effect again, she thought. But at least Horseman can defend.

She took a card, and slipped it set onto her Spell Zone. Then Horseman sat on his hindquarters. (1,550 DEF)

She stabbed her thumb down, and Baphomet, its Defense still zero, exploded.

"Too easy," laughed Bonnie. She drew a card, then pointed at Damned Magician of Chaos. "Get 'im."

Vile Enforcer pointed and flew at Chaos Magician again, but strangely, he changed his mind mid-flight, and pointed his spear at Tortured Horseman, hurling his weapon and shattering the Beast-Warrior.

"What?" said Bonnie.

"Staunch Defender, old chum," said Eden. She waved towards her activated Trap. "He had nothing equipped, so no piercing. Now for his effect."

There was a hoarse cry, and Tortured Luster Dragon crawled out to the front to replace Horseman. (1,900 ATK)

"Aye-yi-yi, and to think," said Bonnie, "I thought they went overboard on the number of Evil Heroes. In that case, I'll set one more card, then use this now and save time." Her Trap Card activated and a dark portal much like the one she had activated last turn appeared. "It's called Different Dimension Encounter, and it's kind of like The Shallow Grave, except the monsters we each set are banished ones."

It was very hard for Eden to hide her shock – and delight – upon hearing this, but didn't quite lose her poker face. She slowly, very slowly, took Tortured Imp from the pocket where she had put it, then placed it on her Monster Zone.

Then she looked very closely at Bonnie's set monster, and the reversed one she was setting behind it. The monster was probably Inquisitor, while the Trap was something to let it dodge an attack.

Fat chance of that happening, she thought.

"I draw!" she shouted. She felt the horrible pain from Vile Cross' effect again, but was able to ignore it now. Tortured Imp flipped into Attack Mode quickly, and made an angry screech at Bonnie and her monster. (1,300 ATK) Then his Defense Score fell to 600, and the Vile Cross shattered. Damned Magician Girl laughed, and stretched her arms as the feeling came back to them.

(E: 1,900) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 1,300)

"Oh, poo…" said Bonnie. Still, the Vile Cross materialized in front of her like the others did. (1,500 ATK)

"You'd better believe it, sister," said Eden. Phantom King stood up in Attack Mode (1,500 ATK) but he would have to wait his turn. Damned Magician Girl's Chaos Burning Surge crashed towards the set monster which was, indeed, Vile Inquisitor.

"You're through!" yelled Eden. "And in case you think you're going to use those Traps to stop Luster Dragon's attack, I'm using his effect and reducing his Defense to zero to make sure you don't. Destroy Vile Enforcer!"

The Dragon's lightning breath incinerated the Fiend… Bonnie shrieked…

(E: 1,900) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 1,100)

…but then, the shriek turned into a hideous, cackling laugh. Her eyes peered through the smoke rising through the charred remains of Enforcer, as if it was the funniest thing ever.

"I activate the Spell Card, Revenge Sacrifice!" she laughed.

"No…" gasped Eden. A mass of red, ropy cords shot out of the activated Quickplay Spell, seizing Tortured Luster Dragon. It struggled a little but was quickly drawn in.

"Thanks!" laughed Bonnie. "Now I can use it to summon the Vile Overseer."

She threw the last of her cards on her Disk, and a tall man with a muscular torso with chalk-white skin, wearing black leather pants, no shoes or shirt, and a tattered cape with a hood that completely obscured his face. He held a weapon that looked uncomfortably like a meat hook.

"And his Attack Points are 400 times the Level of your highest Level monster with a Vile monster bonded to it." (3,200 ATK) "So how's that?"

"Just get on with it," growled Eden.

"Whatever you say," replied Bonnie, as she drew a card and reverted to her cutesy girlish voice. "Wee! I activate Emphatic Revival!" she played her card, an actual Equip Spell. "Good news for your Chaos Magician! This card lets me revive a Vile monster from my Graveyard, but I have to take those shackles off him and put them on the monster I summon."

Inquisitor appeared again, and as she said, the Shackles let go of Damned Magician of Chaos, the tiny Fiends flying at the torturer and chomping at his wrists, reducing his Attack Score to zero.

"But that's a good thing, see," she giggled. "I build the Overlay Network, yay!" The dark portal opened, and Vile Cross, Vile Enforcer, Vile Inquisitor, and Vile Shackles were sucked in and consumed by it.

"When I Overlay a monster to summon this special Xyz," she continued, "any Vile monster equipped to it also becomes an Overlay Unit. So say hello to Vladicov von Vile, Executioner of Xeen!"

Her voice switched to serious as she said the name, and with good reason. With a loud, thunderous roar, a behemoth landed in front of Bonnie with a crash. This huge ogre had no shirt and his muscles were exaggerated, with scars all over its torso that seemed to be made from wounds that were hastily stitched. Iron spikes had been jabbed into his shoulders and back. He wore a frayed, bloodstained apron, and a metal brace over his bald head, that seemed to be holding it together; his actual face seemed to be rotting, with pared-back lips and a missing nose making his hairless head suggest that of a living corpse fixed in a permanent snarl. The weapon he carried wasn't an axe, but a maul, a huge, iron hammer, with small spikes covering the head, making it look uncomfortably like a giant meat tenderizer. (3,400 ATK)

"So, now what do ya think?"

"Looks like he fell off the ugly tree and hit every ugly branch on the way down," answered Eden.

"Ah, yes, the old 'defiant to the end', attitude," sighed Bonnie. She took Cross, Shackles, Inquisitor, and Enforcer from underneath the card, and discarded all four. "I hear it so often. Kind of lost its shock value."

Tortured Phantom King, Damned Magician of Chaos, Eden's set card, and finally, Damned Magician Girl, all exploded into triangles.

"For every Overlay Unit I toss, he deep-sixes one of your cards," she continued. The executioner lifted his weapon. "But they're getting off easy compared to what he has planned for you."

The hammer fell. Of course, Bonnie was only partially right. Eden barely felt the blow physically. Nor would it cause any psychological pain, mental anguish, or loss of self-respect.

The injury it would cause to her pride, on the other hand, was a lethal blow.

(E: 0) - - - - - - - - - - (B: 1,100)

"Got to admit, that was satisfying," said Bonnie, not to anyone in particular, because Eden was out cold.

She looked at Memory Crystal Delta, then used her foot to flip it up and catch it. Then she bent over Eden to feel for a pulse. Not something she was used to doing, as it was rare she let a victim live, but necessary now.

"Anyway, you know the rule, you used Damned Magician Girl, she was destroyed, and you lost. That means Game Over."

Eden was still out, so Bonnie lifted her off the floor by the waist, grunting a little under the weight.

"Commendable," said a voice in her ear. "Take her to Last Stop for now."

"Right," she replied. There was a shimmer in the air as her portal network started to open again. "Got this thing as a bonus! Two for the price of one!"

"Indeed," said the voice, "but do finish the assigned task first."

"Right, right," sighed Bonnie. She started to pull Eden towards the portal. "Ugh, so much easier when all they want is a corpse. What a drag." She giggled. "What a drag! Ah, I wish someone could have heard that."

"Wish granted. Let her go!"

Bonnie looked up. "YOU?" she shouted. "I forgot all about you guys –"

Of course, Francis had not forgotten about what was going on up here. "I said let her go!" he demanded.

Bonnie was about to draw her weapon, when she realized that was a problem. She was holding the Crystal with her left hand and Eden with her entire right arm.

As the still hulked-out Shadowchaser rushed for her, she dropped the Crystal and drew the weapon from her hip firing twice, not an easy feat, seeing as she was right handed, but both bullets hit.

She screamed; despite two rounds to the chest, he was still coming!

"I'm gonna turn you to –" said Francis. Then he stopped. "No –" He fell on one knee. "Eden, sorry," he gasped, his voice starting to lose the gruffness.

He collapsed. The sun was fully eclipsed and all his rage had been spent.

Bonnie lifted her weapon again, aiming for his head this time. Then she heard something from the corridor where he had come. She changed her mind quickly, dropping the gun and using both arms this time to drag Eden through the portal, making it through just as Karl ran into the room.

"STOP!" he shouted. But it was too late. It snapped shut.

Karl turned to his college, who was unconscious and bleeding from two gunshot wounds. "Hold on, Francis, the emergency squad should be here soon. It's been a bad night, but we can keep it from getting worse."

He turned and addressed Memory Crystal Delta. "I have no idea what big answer to the mysteries of life you've got in there, but given all you've put us through, it had better be something Sherlock Holmes would have missed…"

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Jemorille: Hold fast, curious ones, for an interlude is due before my pen rests for the day. Continue on.

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REVENGE SACRIFICE (Spell Card)

Quickplay Spell

Image: A frightened woman in a green dress fleeing from two ghostly hands; strange red cords are around her torso.

Effect: Activate when a monster you control is destroyed by battle with an opposing monster; Tribute the monster that destroyed your monster, and select from your hand, 1 monster that can be Tribute Summoned. If the Tributed monster can satisfy the conditions for the selected monster to be Tribute Summoned, Special Summon the selected monster.

"Revenge Sacrifice" first appeared in Yu-Gi-Oh episode 103.

NECOROMANCY (Spell Card)

Normal Spell

Image: A robed figure chanting on a hill in a cemetery, with lurching zombies in the foreground.

Effect: Select up to 4 random monsters from your opponent's Graveyard, and Special Summon them in face-up Defense Position on your opponent's side of the field. If a monster(s) Special Summoned by this effect is destroyed, all face-up monsters your opponent controls lose 600 ATK for each of these monsters until the End Phase.

"Necromancy" first appeared in Yu-Gi-Oh episode 131.

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ADVERSITY (Trap Card)

Normal Trap

Image: A tough looking youth, seen from behind, raising his fists and challenging a group of young toughs in an alley. It's night, raining, and the whole scene is shown behind a chain link fence.

Effect: When a monster you control is targeted for an attack, if it has less ATK than the attacking monster: That monster cannot be destroyed by this battle, you take no battle damage from this battle, also it gains 1000 ATK.

"Adversity" first appeared in Yu-Gi-Oh Arc V episode 034.

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PAIN SURGE (Trap Card)

Normal Trap

Image: A disturbing picture of Damned Magician Girl in a dark place, her costume ripped, her eyes blackened, and fresh scars on exposed skin, crouched on one knee in a fighting pose, and holding a knife with her free hand, a shadow in front of her and a smug smile on her face.

Effect: Activate the following effect on a turn when this card is destroyed and your Life Points is lower than twice the Life Points of your opponent; if the damage you would take from an attack is equal to or more than your current Life Points, you gain Life Points equal to double the ATK of the attacking monster before Damage Calculation.

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TORTURED CLOWN (Monster Card)

Spellcaster/Dark/Effect/Lvl3/500/1,500

Effect: Once per turn,you may reduce the DEF of this card by 500. If you do, add 1 "Tortured Infection" from your deck or Graveyard to your hand. If this card's DEF is zero during an End Phase, select and add 1 "Tortured" monster from your deck or Graveyard to your hand and then destroy this card.

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DAMNED MAGICIAN GIRL (Monster Card)

Spellcaster/Dark/Effect/Lvl6/2,000/1,700

Effect: If you have 3 or more "Tortured" and/or "Damned" monsters in your Graveyard, increase the ATK and DEF of this card by 300. Once per turn, if this card destroys a monster as a result of battle, decrease its DEF by 1,000 (or to zero, if less than 1,000). Then, select 1 Level 4 or lower "Tortured" monster from your Graveyard and summon it in face-up Defense Position with its DEF reduced to zero. Each time a monster is summoned via this effect, increase this card's ATK by 500. If this card's DEF is zero during the End Phase, reduce the DEF of a face-up "Tortured" monster you control (if any) to zero and increase the DEF of this card by the amount reduced.

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DAMNATION (Spell Card)

Continuous Spell

Image: Damned Magician Girl held by her wrists by shackles, inside a flame; her expression suggests an insane laugh.

Effect: When a "Tortured" monster you control is destroyed via its own effect, add 1 "Damned" monster from your deck to your hand. You may destroy this card to reduce the DEF of all face-up "Tortured" monsters you control to zero and destroy them; if you do, Special Summon "Damned" monsters from your hand who's combined ATK is equal to or less than the combined base ATK of monsters destroyed by this effect. You can only activate this effect during your first Main Phase.

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NEGATIVE EXISTENCE (Trap Card)

Normal Trap

Image: Damned Magician Girl looking at her reflection in a cracked mirror, holding her forehead in pain, her clothing ripped and torn, her hair undone, with a black eye and blood dribbling from her mouth.

Effect: Activate only when a "Damned" monster's DEF is decreased via its own effect. Target 1 "Damned" or "Tortured" monster and increase its ATK by the same amount until the End Phase of the turn. Then, destroy the targeted monster.

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REVELRY IN SCREAMS (Spell Card)

Quickplay Spell

Image: A surreal picture of Damned Magician Girl at the bow of a galley where, rather than human slaves, skeletons are rowing. The gothic-looking ship has caged torches, skulls hanging from the mast, and there are threatening storm clouds overhead.

Effect: Activate when a "Tortured" monster has its DEF reduced via its own effect and you control a face-up "Damned" monster. Reduce the DEF of 1 "Damned" monster you control to zero; during this turn, if the selected "Damned" monster's DEF increases, you may destroy 1 card on the field. If the destroyed card is a "Tortured" monster, gain Life Points equal to the destroyed monster's base DEF.

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RITUAL OF BLOOD (Spell Card)

Ritual Spell

Image: Guardian of the Labyrinth and Protector of the Throne chanting and holding their weapons high in a dungeon torture chamber where a pentagram has been scratched into the floor, a dark, feminine-looking shadow rising from it.

Effect: This card can be used to summon any Ritual "Tortured" or "Damned" monster. Tribute monsters from your Hand, Field and/or banish "Tortured" Monsters from your Graveyard whose combined levels equal the level of the monster you are attempting to Ritual Summon. Once per turn (except the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard) If you control a face-up "Tortured" monster, you may reduce that monster's DEF to zero. Add this card from your Graveyard to your

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TORTURED DRAGON CHAMPION (Monster Card)

Dragon/Dark/Ritual/Effect/Lvl9/2,600/2,100

Effect: Must first be Ritual Summoned by "Ritual of Blood". This card deals piercing damage. You may reduce this card's DEF by 700; if you do, then during that turn, your opponent may not activate Spell or Trap effects in response to this card's attack. Also, this card may attack up to two monsters during the Battle Phase. If this card's defense is 0 during the End Phase, destroy this card and add one "Tortured" or "Damned" Ritual Monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your Hand.

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DAMNED CHAOS MAGICIAN (Monster Card)

Spellcaster/Dark/Ritual/Effect/Lvl8/2,800/2,600

Effect: Once per turn, during either player's turn, you may reduce this card's DEF by 1000. During the turn you activate this effect, face-up "Tortured" or "Damned" monsters you control cannot be destroyed or banished. If this card's DEF is 0 during the End Phase, destroy this card and add one "Tortured" or "Damned" Ritual Monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your Hand.

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PUNISHING THUNDER (Trap Card)

Normal Trap

Image: Warrior De Grepher being thrown backwards, his sword in two pieces, from Emperor of Thunder, who is pointing at him with an outstretched palm.

Effect: Activate when your opponent declares an attack; negate the attack, then inflict damage on your opponent equal to 300x the number of monsters he controls. You opponent may draw 1 card.

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UNSAFE SANCTUM (Trap Card)

Normal Trap

Image: Protector of the Throne on the Vile Wheel, guarded by Vile Inquisitor and Vile Interrogator with Guardian of the Labyrinth leaping at the two fiends with her sword drawn; in the foreground, Damned Magician Girl is hiding behind a pillar preparing to ambush.

Effect: Activate when you are attacked directly; select 1 Rock-Type "Vile" monster from your hand that is Level 4 or less and equip it to the attacking monster.

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CHAINED BODY AND SOUL (Trap Card)

Normal Trap

Image: Damned Magician Girl holding Guardian of the Labyrinth by the collar with a threatening look, his hands bound by the Vile Shackles; in the background, Protector of the Throne is watching sadly, her hands also chained with cuffs.

Effect: A scene that follows the one on "Unsafe Sanctum"; Until the End Phase of the turn this card is activated, monsters equipped with "Vile" monsters may not be Tributed or used as Synchro, Fusion or Xyz Material. When this card is in your Graveyard and was not previously activated during the turn, you may send one "Vile" card you control to the Graveyard to set this card; you may then activate it that turn

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DARK REPOSE (Spell Card)

Continuous Spell

Image: A scene that follows the one on "Chained Body and Soul"; Guardian of the Labyrinth is unconscious on the floor, bound by the Vile Shackles; Protector of the Throne was been freed from the Wheel, and is being held and comforted by Damned Magician Girl, her foot pressed down on Guardian's shield.

Effect: During your opponent's End Phase, place one "Shackle Counter" on this card for each monster they control that is equipped with a "Vile Monster". During your Main Phase, you may remove "Shackle Counters" to activate the following effects: 1: Shuffle one card in your hand into your deck, add one "Vile" card from your deck to your hand 2: Target one monster equipped with a "Vile" monster and destroy it. 3: Draw 2 cards; then, send this card to the Graveyard.

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EMPHATIC REBIRTH (Trap Card)

Normal Trap

Image: A scene that follows the one on "Dark Repose"; Damned Magician Girl and Protector of the Throne in a dungeon corridor, the former hugging the latter gently; Protector's hands are cuffed, but her expression is mellow.

Effect: Special Summon 1 Level 5 monster from your Graveyard in Attack Position (its effects are negated). Then, select 1 "Vile" monster that is equipped to one of your opponents' monsters and equip it to the Special Summoned monster.

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VILE SHACKLES (Spell Card)

Rock/Dark/Effect/Lvl3/200/0

Effect: If your opponent controls a monster equipped with a "Vile" monster, you may Special Summon this card from your hand. Once per turn, you may equip this face-up card to an opponent's monster as an Equip Spell Card. The ATK of a monster equipped with this card is reduced to zero. If this card is sent to the Graveyard while equipped to an opposing monster, Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.

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VILE CAGE (Monster Card)

Rock/Dark/Effect/Lvl4/500/0

Effect: If your opponent controls a monster equipped with a "Vile" card, you may Special Summon this card from your hand. Once per turn, you may equip this face-up card to an opponent's monster as an Equip Spell Card. Move the equipped monster to face-up Defense Position; it cannot change its battle position. If this card is sent to the Graveyard while equipped to an opposing monster, Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.

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VILE WHEEL (Monster Card)

Rock/Dark/Effect/Lvl5/1,000/0

Effect: If your opponent controls a monster equipped with a "Vile" card, you may Special Summon this card from your hand. Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you may equip this face-up card to an opponent's monster as an Equip Spell Card. The equipped monster cannot attack, and its controller takes 600 points of damage during each of his Standby Phases. If this card is sent to the Graveyard while equipped to an opponent's monster, Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.

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VILE CANGUE (Monster Card)

Rock/Dark/Effect/Lvl5/1,500/0

Effect: If you controls no monsters, you may pay 1,000 Life Points to Special Summon this card from your hand. Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you may equip this face-up card to an opponent's monster as an Equip Spell Card. The equipped monster cannot attack. You may pay 1,000 Life Points to select 2 "Vile" monsters in your Graveyard and Special Summon them; if you do, your opponent draws 1 card. If this card is sent to the Graveyard while equipped to an opponent monster, Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.

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VILE CROSS (Monster Card)

Rock/Dark/Effect/Lvl5/1,500/0

Effect: If your opponent controls a monster equipped with a "Vile" card, you may Special Summon this card from your hand. Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you may equip this face-up card to an opponent's monster as an Equip Spell Card. The equipped monster cannot attack, and during each of its controller's Standby Phases, loses 1,000 Attack Points. If the equipped monster's ATK is reduced to zero via this effect, it is destroyed and its controller loses Life Points equal to the equipped monster's base ATK. If this card is sent to the Graveyard while equipped to an opponent monster, Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.

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VILE INQUISITOR (Monster Card)

Fiend/Dark/Effect/Lvl5/0/1,500

Effect: Cannot be Special Summoned from the deck. If you control no monsters and your opponent controls a monster equipped with a "Vile" monster, you my Normal Summon this card without Tributing. Increase the ATK of this card by 800x the number of "Vile" monsters you control that are acting as Equip Spells.

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VILE INTERROGATOR (Monster Card)

Fiend/Dark/Effect/Lvl5/2,200/1,200

Effect: Cannot be Special Summoned from the deck. If you control no monsters and your opponent controls a monster equipped with a "Vile" monster, you my Normal Summon this card without Tributing. If the only monsters your opponent controls are face-up and equipped with "Vile" Equip Spells, this card may attack directly. If this card attacks directly using its effect, its ATK is halved for damage calculation only.

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VILE ENFORCER (Monster Card)

Fiend/Dark/Effect/Lvl5/1,700/1,000

Effect: Cannot be Special Summoned from the deck. If you control no monsters and your opponent controls a monster equipped with a "Vile" monster, you my Normal Summon this card without Tributing. This card inflicts piercing damage. When this card attacks an opposing monster equipped with a "Vile" monster as an Equip Spell, you may change the Battle Position of the attack target.

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VILE-AT-ARMS (Monster Card)

Fiend/Dark/Effect/Lvl5/0/2,200

Effect: Cannot be Special Summoned from the deck. If you control no monsters and your opponent controls a monster equipped with a "Vile" monster, you my Normal Summon this card without Tributing Once per turn, if a "Vile" card equipped to a monster your opponent controls is destroyed, you can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls – equip the destroyed monster to that target. If this card would be destroyed, you may destroy one "Vile" card equipped to an opponent's monster instead.

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VILE HARLEQUIN (Monster Card)

Fiend/Dark/Effect/Lvl5/1,500/1,400

Effect: Cannot be Special Summoned from the deck. If you control no monsters and your opponent controls a monster equipped with a "Vile" monster, you my Normal Summon this card without Tributing. When this card is Summoned, destroy all monsters equipped with "Vile" monsters and return those "Vile" monsters to your hand.

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VILE SPECTER (Monster Card)

Fiend/Dark/Effect/Lvl4/1,400/1,200

Effect: Cannot be Special Summoned. When this card is destroyed by battle, you may select 1 Rock-Type "Vile" monster from your deck and equip it to a monster on the field. If you do so and cannot meet the conditions for that Equip Spell, banish the selected monster.

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VILE ALBINO (Monster Card)

Fiend/Dark/Effect/Lvl4/0/200

Effect: FLIP: When you control no monsters other than this card other than this card, you may Tribute this card, you may add up to 3 Rock-Type "Vile" monsters from your Graveyard to your hand and reveal them to your opponent.

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VILE RAVEN (Monster Card)

Fiend/Dark/Effect/Lvl1/0/100

Effect: If this card is in your Graveyard, you may banish it along with 1 other "Vile" monster; then, you may Special Summon a Level 4 or lower DARK Fiend-Type monster from your Graveyard.

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VLADICOV VON VILE, EXECUTIONER OF XEEN (Monster Card)

Fiend/Dark/Xyz/Effect/Rank5/3400/1,000

3 Level 5 Fiend-Type monsters

Effect: If a monster used to Xyz summon this card is equipped with a "Vile" monster, that "Vile" monster becomes an Xyz material for this card. Once per turn, you can send three cards from the top of your deck to the Graveyard; then select three "Vile" cards in your Graveyard and attach them to this card as Xyz Material. If you activate this effect, you may not conduct your Battle Phase this turn. Once per turn, detach any number of Xyz Material from this card. Destroy cards your opponent controls equal to the number of detached Xyz Material.

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CURSED DRAGON OF XEEN (Monster Card)

Fiend/Dark/Effect/Lvl8/3,000/1,500

Effect: Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Cannot be Special Summoned except via its own effect and cannot be Summoned any other ways. You may Tribute 3 monsters on your opponent's side of the field that are equipped with "Vile" monsters to equip this card to a monster on your opponent's side of the field as an Equip Spell Card. While equipped to a monster by this card's effect, the equipped monster's ATK is reduced to 0, and cannot attack or change its battle position. The controller of a monster equipped with this card takes 800 points of effect damage during each of his/her Standby Phases; on your third Standby Phase after equipping this card to a monster, destroy the equipped monster; your opponent then takes damage equal to the destroyed monster's base ATK. If this card is destroyed before this effect concludes, Special Summon this card on your side of the field.

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Interlude

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Francis woke up with a shock and a gasp.

He was in a bed. A bed in what looked like a hospice. "Ow," he said. "Dammit." His stomach where he had taken two gunshot wounds had been bandaged and healed, likely by magic.

"Where?" he said. "What time is it?"

"To answer your second question, thirty hours since they dragged you out of that cave," said a very stern, very familiar voice. "It's two in the afternoon, Greenwich Mean Time. I think that answers your second question too."

Mr. Z was sitting on a couch nearby, his arm in a sling and looking rather annoyed. Not that Francis blamed him.

"Eden," he groaned. "Z, I –"

"Look, if you're going to blame yourself, I'll let you do it later," ordered Z. "The good news is, the mission wasn't a complete disaster. Get dressed. The chief wants us in the conference room in ten minutes."

His head was swimming, but Francis managed to sit up. "What's been happening?"

"Loads. Seems he wants to see quite a few folks there."

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"Hiya, guys!" laughed Jennifer.

Seeing a happy chipper face would usually be considered a good thing for Francis, but it was kind of hard to see a positive side now. Z closed the door to the conference room and latched it shut behind them – seems this was going to be rather important.

An understatement.

Karl was typing at a keyboard wired to larger cabinets that accessed the larger mainframes of HQ, and SAL was plugged into it via ports, searching through files at incredible speed. Jalal was hovering over his shoulder while Wells and Voltaire were watching from further behind. Fanciullo was quietly standing on a corner, clearly not happy.

"What's going on?" asked Francis. "Eden is –"

"Eden is on our agenda, but we have something more important first," answered Jalal. "We think we may have pieced together some valuable information about the guys behind this."

"Really?"

Karl stopped typing, and stretched out his tired fingers. "Why don't you explain, SAL? You did most of this, after all."

"Ahem," said the AI, clearing her nonexistent throat. "Well, throughout the duel with Joka I was trying to hack his memory drives with several decoding methods, with only partial success. When I discovered a duel in progress in the caves using undocumented cards, I tried to identify their manufacturer using the limited information I gained from Joka and what I could compare from my own hard drive.

"When one particular card was summoned, I pinpointed both, much to my chagrin."

"In other words, you found out who made them," said Voltaire.

"Well, these were not conventional cards, and there were many similarities between the magi-tech energies in them and those in the cards created via rush job by Obligatum XXV seven years ago."

"Obligatum XXV?" asked Jennifer. "Wait. Rebecca mentioned that name once."

"Yeah, I remember that kook," said Z. "He was some malfunctioning robot from another dimension, what are they called –"

"Platonics," said Wells. He rubbed his chin. "Yes, if I remember correctly, the incident she speaks of occurred right after the, ahem, Earthbound Gods appeared in Neo Domino City. This platonic felt it had to help the Dark Signers, because it thought those demons had been victims of some contract breach."

"Well, technically they had," added Jalal. "But it seemed to care more for this breech of contract than what might have happened had the Dark Signers triumphed. It had malfunctioned and become a misguided platonic due to the corruption of the Earthbound Gods."

"And I do believe the cards used in the duel were crafted the same way his deck was," said SAL. "By another misguided platonic. Likely a more powerful one."

"Please tell me you have to recheck your facts," said Francis, a quiver of worry in his voice.

Voltaire stood up. "Regrettably, it makes perfect sense," he said. "Clockwork beasts, illegal use of axiomatic magic, a cover-up by the usually-impeccable bureaucracy of Mechanus, nanomachines, manipulation of laws and societal perceptions, it all seems like something that would be devised by a corrupted steward of Celestial Law. And unfortunately, the machinations of a rogue platonics can be more dangerous than men like Vladimir Bloodletter. At least he was somewhat predictable."

"How often does this happen?" asked Jennifer. "I mean, you'd think they could keep themselves from going haywire."

"Not too often Jenn, but you'd be surprised," said Karl. He started to type again. "Incidents of misguided platonics starting projects that hurt more people than they help tend to happen as the laws governing man, nature, and even the gods change. It's often because one model lacks an important upgrade. Here's something that happened in 1815."

"The Year Without a Summer," mumbled Fanciullo. "I've heard of that."

"Indeed," replied Jalal. "A year the eruption of Mount Tambora caused global climate abnormalities."

"Causing crops to fail, leading to food shortages, leading to plagues and famines," added Karl. "Paris didn't exactly need a serial killer striking their hostels during the crisis."

That raised some eyebrows in the room, and Karl quickly explained. "Backtracking a little, four-hundred years previous, a law was made by the King of France forbidding magic within cities and towns, on penalty of death. Now, nobody knows why; he was likely an Aware who was afraid of it or had some magic-using enemies, and this law was forgotten soon after his death. But, it was never officially taken off the books, and the edict was still in the oldest records of the courthouses four-hundred years later.

"Now, while magic was used occasionally before this with nobody noticing, the famine required squads of healers and other volunteers, some of them with access to divine magic. Unfortunately, this sudden increase in spellcasting caused a platonic to notice, and it saw the actions as repeated violations of a law that was going unpunished."

"Ouch," said Francis.

"Some lunatic likely tipped them off," grumbled Fanciullo.

"The thought did cross our minds a few times," said Jalal. "Several murders were committed before we found a way to make it leave. We had to convince the current king to publically issue a pardon to those committing the 'crime', and it didn't go over well, especially among those who knew nothing of magic."

"Mmm, yes, but it did leave, I assume?" answered Voltaire. "Hopefully its colleges would shut it down afterwards."

Karl swung his swivel chair around and continued. "The problem is, it wasn't the last time. Look at this."

"I know that," said Wells. "Project Harmony in Chile, an irrigation plan that's been going on ten years now."

"Yeah, well it got a slow start at the beginning," said Karl. "A special platonic called an anhydrut felt making a desert bloom was as much a violation of nature as intentionally burning a forest down."

"Why can't those guys ever show up to get rid of poachers?" exclaimed Jennifer. "Or guys who do chop forests down?"

"Sometimes they do," replied Karl. "But they'd really be upset if a government actually approved of such a thing. Of course, other platonics would side with the government, and that's the whole problem. Platonics don't view every angle before acting. You see, platonics, and most inhabitants of Mechanus can't distinguish Good from Evil. They can only make judgments based on a very black and white view of their interpretation of Law. There's no such thing as 'extenuating circumstances' when you're a being forged of Ultimate Law.

"But, getting back to the subject, it seems we have another misguided platonic on our hands, or even more than one. And for some unknown reason, it's target is the Earth as a whole."

"One thing at a time," said Jalal. "We have additional problems."

"Eden," sighed Z. "That bounty hunter I fought said something about a town in the Grey Waste. If she's been taken there –"

Everyone had sad looks for a few seconds. "Sorry," said Karl, "one trip there is enough for me."

"Actually, maybe, maybe not," said SAL. "I did manage to learn a few things from Joka's memory chips when he was chasing us. Recent downloads included frequent mentions of the term Cordon sanitaire."

"HUH?" said Jenn.

"It's kind of the opposite of a quarantine, Jenn," said Karl. "A place is isolated to keep a plague out, like in Masque of the Red Death.

"Or Pacific Rim," muttered Voltaire, rubbing his chin.

"There was no plague in –" started Z. "Oh yeah, I get what you say! A settlement in the Waste would have to be well fortified to keep fiendish armies out! It would have prearranged cordon sanitaire procedures."

Karl started to type again. "Have them? They'd be second to none!"

"You know, I heard B.B. Hood say something about a Last Stop," said Francis.

"Wait –" said Karl. "Last Stop –"

"Way ahead of you," she said. "I do believe this may be it…"

"Yep," Karl. "That's the Last Stop all right."

Karl turned the screen slightly so everyone could see it, showing a virtual image of fortress-like building surrounded by misty clouds in a void.

"What is that?" asked Wells, sitting straighter to see.

"It's a prison, Wells," answered Karl, "built by the inhabitants of Animon."

"Animon…" muttered Jalal. "Adrian mentioned that place. Isn't that some alternate world where everybody has at least some skill in wizardry?"

"Yes," replied Karl. "So much that magic is their technology. Their technological level is equal to our world in most areas, but with magic replacing science. Anyway, Last Stop was a prison they built in the Astral Plane, and it was definitely not the type of place they sent shoplifters or embezzlers. Some of the worst killers, rapists, and terrorists were there. In fact, that's why it was called Last Stop, it was for lifers only. An inmate there was probably never going to leave."

"You keep using past tense because…" asked Jennifer.

"It's no longer in use," replied Karl, as he typed. "The Animonians built a more secure and updated facility and closed Last Stop a decade ago. They didn't tear the place down because, well, you never know when you'll need a fortress in the Astral, I guess. But so far they haven't."

"What better place to keep a hostage than an old prison?" asked Francis.

"An abandoned prison?" asked Wells. "Seriously, they must have shut the power down and cleared everything out when they left."

"Most of it, maybe," said Karl, as he continued to type, "but they couldn't have taken this…" Another virtual image came up, showing a large cluster of white crystals on a pedestal. "This core of tighmaevril crystal was grown on that spot, and couldn't have been moved without breaking it."

"Huh? Tighmaevril?" asked Jennifer.

"You know, one of those weird rocks," answered Wells. "Like unobtainum, hardtofindium? It's that sort of thing."

Oh please don't remind me of that damn film," Voltaire sighed pinching the bridge of his nose.

"The environmental message was about as subtle as a rock upside the head."

"Yes, well," continued Karl. He adjusted his glasses. "This cluster of, uh, 'hardtofindium' was a magi-tech generator that powered the whole complex. They probably 'yanked the cord', so to speak, but theoretically a powerful surge of magic could 'jump start' it and make the place functional, temporarily."

"Meaning Last Stop would indeed be an ideal place to hold a prisoner," muttered Voltaire, "at least for a short time."

"If Eden is still there we need to get her out, fast," said Jalal "We have no idea how long this closing of their real facility will be."

"Well, I can probably get there," said Karl. "I just need an hour or two to plot the shortest path the Astral and then we can use the equipment we have here. But I'll Francis for that, seeing as this is the Astral."

"I'm coming," said Francis, rather straightforward. "I owe her."

"Be careful this time," ordered Jalal. "It was hard enough getting you two out of that cave. Getting an ambulance there would be a bigger problem."

He unlocked the door out, and Karl rolled his eyes. Full of laughs, that guy…

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Jemorille: Ah, the Astral Plane, a place where thoughts, dreams, and ideas are born, and where they – and often, things envisioned by them – go to die. Hope was not lost yet, and with Memory Crystal – Beta recovered, recovering from the "disaster" might be easier.

Francis and Karl were, at this time, adopting a new strategy, which was simply, "anything can happen now, so expect the worst and hope for the best." They didn't know how right they would be. Or the fight they were in for.

"Eye of the Tiger" is the only name deserving to be the title of the next chapter. Be here.

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Shadowchaser Files

The Scratcher

The Ego. The part of a person's mind concerned with, well, himself. There are people with big egos, and have a great deal of self-confidence, self-respect, and pride. There are those with overinflated egos, who rant and brag about their talents (whom the big ego types find pretty annoying). There are the narcissists, who literally believe they are God's gift to the opposite sex, or God's gift to the world. (Who most everyone else regards as selfish jerks who need to be taken down a peg.)

Then there's lunatics like the Scratcher, who those guys all try to run from as fast as possible. While some say the limits of human ego have yet to be reached, this man has reached a point where he believes he is the universe, literally. A powerful wizard of exceptional skill, his madness has turned him into a remorseless killer and a dangerous fugitive. For years, he had been seen in popular places that were popular among American and European counterculture, like the East Village of New York and San Francisco, but he has always seemed out of place there.

He hardly seems threatening at first. Wearing a long, white robe, sandals, and a gold medallion, his head shaved, he can easily pass for some street preacher. His one offsetting feature are his fingernails, which are longer than normal, sharp, and stained black.

Often a friendly type if not provoked, he enjoys philosophical and religious discussions with anyone who will talk to him when he's in a lucid mood (many who know who he is are too afraid to ask him to leave) but his attitudes can shift quickly, and then he becomes deadly.

His odd belief does not mean he believes himself to be God or that he is the center of the universe or the ruler of it. He believes he is the universe, that planets, moons, stars, cities, and beings are as much a part of his body as his arms and legs. As such, he would often "groom" himself by destroying buildings he doesn't like with Lightning Bolts and killing animals that annoy him with Flaming Hands. He usually tolerates people, considering them the way most humans view their fingers and toes, but when someone insults him or tries to become violent, then he breaks out Chain Lightning, Cloud-Kill, and Fireball, often causing a great deal of collateral damage in the process.

Unfortunately, it's hard to say what will set him off. He's been known to turn his rage on new buildings as often as he does slums, and to assault men in suits or women in office attire as much as he does vagrants. (He does, however, seem to dislike anything with bright colors.)

What makes him truly deadly is something he is able to do that, for a while, seemed unique to him. The "scratching', which is how he got his name, is an ability to move the openings of portals, vortices, and magical gates to his own location. He simply traces a circle in the air with one of his long fingernails, which brings the entrance in front of him, then opening it, and then creating some form of energy that sucks the intended victim through it. As a result, the fate of many victims is unknown and likely wasn't pleasant, as such an ability could be used to send someone to the Elemental Plane of Fire or Water to be incinerated or drowned, or even into the center of an infernal battlefield.

How this power was gained and how he lost his sanity is a mystery, although some believe he was once a patient of Dr. Tyler Cole before said doctor became too seriousabout his research into increasing human lifespan. (Of course, this may be wishful thinking by anyone who would love to pin something on Cole, seeing as his research has nothing to do with planar travel.)

When the Shadowchasers first showed up to apprehend him, he proved smarter than most rampaging madmen, able to use these portals himself to escape if truly in danger. Eventually, Jalal was able to procure blueprints to one of the infamous "teleport traps" used by outer-planner mages. The trap was able to "bounce" him when he tried to make a teleport jump by activating a second one, transporting him to a magic-proof cell he couldn't get out of. Since then he's been under heavy watch and sedation, with a specially made iron straightjacket. As of now, the Shadowchasers are trying to figure out a way to safely neutralize his powers so he can stand trial, figure out how he gained them, and possibly get him to talk about where his victims were sent (the possibility of them being found and recovered alive has not yet been abandoned). Most of all, priority is keeping him detained.

Story Ideas: The Scratcher was apprehended four months before the start of Conspiracy, meaning he's a perfect addition for stories that take place during the 5Ds era. Unlike most villains that are labeled insane, like Marik and Saiou, the Scratcher may fit the label closer, as he clearly does not know right from wrong. He can often be like Deadpool, although more focused on perceived imperfection rather than earning money as an assassin. In his world, talking to people is the same as talking to yourself, and he finds that normal and interesting. What this means is, nothing he does makes sense, and he could exhibit his obsession in any way, literally. Unfortunately, his powers make him very dangerous.

Of course, if he had to use those powers on a protagonist, it could become interesting to say the least, switching the playing field of the encounter to the Beastlands, the Abyss, or even some unknown demiplane. This makes him valuable if the plot requires such an accidental and unwilling shift.

Then there are folks who might want to find out just how the power works. The ability to cast a foe into elemental fire or even into Hell itself could make a villain far more dangerous than anything the world has seen. The Scratcher would likely be unwilling to share that info (if even he knows) but there are ways to obtain this information. This sort of plot device can even be used during a time period when he's in prison.

Deck: If pressed to duel, the most bizarre and complicated cards could be utilized. Worms, Infernoids, Aliens, Qliphort (in Arc V era) , or anything a duelist would find unpleasant to deal with. More than likely, however, he'd have something special.