Since this might have confused some people, I'll provide two translations. Withering Potion is Paralyzing Potion, an equip magic card that stops any monster (besides a Machine Sub-Type) from attacking. Angel's Blood is Soul of the Pure, a magic card that heals 800 Life Points. Also, the Bow had a good reason to be there. Many of Crucio's monsters operated by attacking directly, and all but the Samurai had more than 1000 attack.
Chapter Nine: Desire
The six Judges met in an abandoned building in the city, as planned. It was about the only part of their plan that had gone right.
"I can't believe it," Seiryu said. "How did they know where to find Obsidian and Crucio?" The two Judges were supposed to have reported an hour ago. Since they still had not, it was assumed that they were dead.
"They are not to be underestimated," Kai replied coolly.
"It's all your fault, Kasmaru!" Alamaru said to his brother, who glared back at him.
"So that strategy failed," Ouka assumed.
Pariah, as silent as ever, nodded.
"Time to come up with a new one," Seiryu stated.
"How about my plan? Will you let me set that in motion?" Ouka requested.
Seiryu considered her words, and then nodded. "All right, I give you permission. The rest of you, call it a day. We'll decide what to do tomorrow." He walked outside.
"It's your turn to pay for food," Alamaru told Kasmaru as they went to the door.
"According to you, it's always my turn," Kasmaru retorted before they were outside. Pariah quietly went after them.
Ouka was about to take her leave when she heard Kai say, "Ouka. Hold on a second, would you?"
She turned to him. "Yes?"
"This person you are about to go after… he is not to be underestimated," Kai said. "Be careful."
"You have nothing to worry about," Ouka replied. "But thanks for your concern anyway." She exited the building.
"…Hm," was all Kai said before he left.
…
"And Blue Eyes White Dragon attacks, making that the fifth win I've gotten against you," Draken said to Rue.
"Dang it! I can never win unless I'm fighting for my life!" Rue complained, gathering his cards and shuffling them.
"That's weird, isn't it? Let's call it the Rue Curse," Draken suggested.
"Well, yeah, seeing as I'm the only one it happens to," Rue pointed out.
"Nah, I'm sure some poor sap will suffer the same infliction later," Miles commented. "That means your name will be remembered even after you die, as the guy who first suffered the dreaded curse and named it after himself."
"Like that'll happen," Rue snorted.
Kazel was sunbathing a short distance away. "No sign of them yet?" she asked as Neo came over.
"None," he answered, crossing his arms. "I'm starting to get worried. It's been at least two hours."
"The sun will set soon," Will remarked from where he sat with his book open.
Kisara was leaning against Kazel's body from her sitting position. "We cannot leave until they return."
"I wasn't saying we would." Will turned a page. "It was an observation, that's all."
"Yeah. We have to go home soon to feed the owls," Neo explained.
"Owls?" Rue asked, looking up.
"That's right. You see, Will sometimes has odd sleeping habits," Neo told them. "He likes to stay up at night and then sleep throughout the day, as if he's nocturnal or something. Occasionally these three owls will stop by when he does."
"And you feed them?" Miles said.
"Yep," Neo confirmed.
"Ask them how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop," Rue joked.
"I tried. The first two licked it once, and the third one crunched it up. I assume that meant three," Neo said.
Draken blinked. "Wow. That's… interesting."
"Also, the owls like to try and debate with each other," Neo recalled. "The first one, a white owl, hoots first. Then the brown one hoots back. The white hoots, the brown hoots, they continue doing it until the grey one hoots at the end. So I named them Orly, Yarly, and Nowai."
"Fitting," Miles remarked.
"I thought it was," Neo agreed.
"What's your opinion on them?" Rue asked Will.
"No comment," he answered, turning another page.
"Fine, don't engage in friendly conversation," Rue muttered.
Kazel lifted her head, sniffing the air. "Wait. Someone is coming."
They all fell silent and watched the path hopefully. It could be an enemy or one of the returning groups; the question was which.
Angela emerged from the path. "All clear. Safe to proceed."
"Whoo! Group number one has returned!" Rue said.
"The question is, triumphant or not?" Draken wondered.
"I'd call that triumphant!" Miles said as Zack and Larka appeared as well. Larka seemed to be holding onto Zack's arm for support, but had otherwise recovered from the physical effects of the Withering Potion.
"Welcome back," Will said to them, looking up from his book briefly.
"Thank you," Larka replied with a smile.
"So how did it go?" Draken asked.
"Crucio is dead," Zack said shortly. "Not much else to say."
"Wow. I heard it mentioned, but I'm amazed at how you haven't changed appearance-wise," Miles said to Larka. "Good to see you again."
Larka nodded. "You too."
"Are you hurt?" Kisara inquired.
"No, I'm fine, thanks," Larka answered. Her grip on Zack's arm tightened a bit as she said this, but nobody seemed to notice.
"It seems the others have not returned yet," Zack observed.
"Not yet. They did have farther to travel though," Gen pointed out.
"True." Zack leaned against one of the rock walls with Larka next to him. Angela stayed by the path entrance, watching it vigilantly.
"Hey, whatever happened to Malon?" Neo asked.
Zack looked at his pocket guiltily. "Ack. I forgot I had him with me…" He brought out the Soul Card and handed it to Larka. "Sorry."
"It's okay, he probably would have had problems with the mountain anyway." Larka brought out Malon, who instantly began barking happily, jumping at her, and licking furiously. "Malon! Down!"
"Someone's happy," Miles laughed.
"And that person isn't Rue," Draken commented, shuffling his deck. "Want to play again?"
"I'll pass. The others should be back soon," Rue said.
As if to confirm his words, Angela said, "They approach." She stepped out of the way.
The reason why she moved became clear as Tenma bounded up. He stopped in front of the group, examining them, and then went to the side to let his companions up.
"Two for two! We're winners!" Miles exclaimed when they emerged.
"Larka!" Brandi ran up to her friend and embraced her. "Larka, are you all right?"
"Yes, what about you?" Larka asked anxiously.
"Nothing I couldn't handle," Brandi assured, letting go of her. She was not quite satisfied with Larka's answer, seeing as Larka still seemed to be keeping a grip on Zack akin to a magnet on a refrigerator, but she let it slide.
"So we're all here," Max stated. "Now what?"
"I think this would be a good time to talk about what we are facing," Will said, slipping a bookmark into his novel and shutting it.
"Yeah. Let's sit down," Draken suggested, doing so. "This might take a while."
Everyone else got into a rough circle, except for Tenma and Kazel, who remained outside of it. Angela also did not; she continued to stand by the path.
"Angela, why not join us? We might need to ask you something," Larka said.
"As you wish." Angela went next to her but continued to stand.
"Um… you can sit down," Larka offered, feeling a bit awkward for having to suggest it. Angela obeyed her without comment.
"That proves one of the points I wanted to bring up," Will said when he saw that they were all seated. "Angela takes things literally. We have to be careful with how we phrase things around her. Without the freedom of thought, she might interpret her commands differently than we intend, which could lead to disaster."
"Yikes," Rue said with a shudder. "It's kinda disturbing, having this power available to us."
"No kidding," Miles grumbled. "You weren't the one who got seized by her!"
"I must concur," Gen said dryly.
"Now, our enemeis." Will looked at Hope, Max, and Zack. "I assume there were some duels with the ones you met?"
"I fought Obsidian," Max confirmed.
"Yes, I was against Crucio," Zack answered.
"How did they operate?" Will asked.
"Obsidian was brutal," Max said in disgust. "He used emotions to his advantage, but overall, he was a coward."
"Crucio… he knew the human mind well," Zack replied. "And how to use it to his advantage. I would call him intelligent… except that he made some truly foolish errors."
"Duel wise?" Will continued.
"Decent," Max said with a shrug. "Nothing worse than what I've faced before."
"He was all right, but I would say the circumstances of the duel were in his favor," Zack stated.
"Okay, keep that in mind," Will said. "Now look at Lunacy. He used words, and intentionally or not, they could throw off any opponent he has. Do you see what I am getting at?"
"All of the Judges play off emotions," Kazel concluded. "Except Heinskitz."
"Heinskitz doesn't count," Rue said, his eye twitching.
"What was wrong with Heinskitz?" Hope asked.
"I'm not even going to get started," Rue told her. "Let's just say he died after I beat him in a duel, and there was much rejoicing."
"Either way, Kazel hit the point I was circling around," Will said. "This is not a random group of psychos like some of us might call the Generals of Hell or Commanders of Heaven…"
"Draken can testify for that," Rue joked.
"Oh yeah, I'm really psychotic," Draken sighed. "Watch out kids, I might come after you with a butcher knife."
"Ahhh! He admitted it!" Rue and Miles chorused as they instantly leapt away and hid behind Kazel.
"I am not a meat shield!" Kazel said in annoyance, slapping them back towards the circle with her tail.
"If I may continue…" Will waited for them to settle before saying, "They know our weaknesses and will play off them. Their goal was to capture our friends to make us surrender. If we are split up like that again, it may be the end for us."
"Who are they, anyway?" Draken wondered. "We don't even know what they call themselves."
"Seiryu-that's their leader-spoke to us before we were captured," Brandi said. "He said they were the Judges."
"Judges… did they say why they were called that?" Gaston asked.
"Yes. Something about passing judgment on others," Mana shrugged. "They've been after Teknisk Wereld for a while, or so he claimed. Someone hired them."
"And they knew about Angela," Larka added. "Seiryu called her the Guardian."
"That all but confirms their involvement with the deletion," Gen said.
"The point is, we have to be careful," Will stated. "We should plan out our next move before actually doing it."
"How about tomorrow? It is getting late," Hope suggested.
"The Judges probably know that we are here," Darche agreed. "We should not take any chances by remaining here."
"All right. We can meet tomorrow morning to discuss what to do next," Will decided. "Any particular place?"
"The hotel?" Miles offered. "Not like anyone will be in there."
"That will do. Let's meet at nine Eastern time." Will stood. "Anything else we need to do?"
"What about Angela?" Larka said worriedly, looking at her.
"I will go to the meeting locale and wait for your return," Angela stated.
"But you might get attacked!" Larka exclaimed. "There has to be another way!"
"I am also capable of leaving Teknisk Wereld in appropriate situations," Angela said. "If you wish for me to, I shall."
"You can? Where would you appear?" Larka asked.
"In the same location as the person I hold on to," Angela replied.
"Well then…" Larka glanced at Zack. "Is it all right if she stays with us?"
"Of course," Zack answered.
"Then that takes care of that. See you guys later." Miles vanished with Gen.
"Goodbye," Kisara said softly before leaving as well. Kazel, Draken, and Darche followed.
"Hm… never did meet up with Claire," Rue commented. "She probably logged out when Keith made that announcement. Let's go, Ruecian." Then they were gone.
"Amy must have left too," Hope thought out loud.
"Chasity's probably going to throw a fit when she learns about this, huh?" Brandi commented to Max.
"Most likely," Max answered. "At least she will have more time for homework."
Brandi laughed at that. "Yeah, unfortunately for her. Until tomorrow!" She and Mana left.
"Time to feed the owls!" Neo said happily before vanishing. Will sighed and reluctantly followed.
Larka held out her arm to Angela, who placed her hands on Larka's Duel Disk. "See you tomorrow." Larka, Zack, Angela, and Malon disappeared.
"And then there were four," Gaston said. "Ready to go, Hope?"
"Yes." She smiled at Max. "Goodbye."
"Right…" Max nodded, looking a bit absent-minded.
"Is something wrong?" Hope asked, concerned.
"Huh? No, nothing. Just thinking about what's happened," Max assured.
"If you say so…" Hope and Gaston left after that.
Max and Tenma were the only ones left. Tenma waited for a moment to make sure they were alone before he said to Max, "Master, why did you not tell the Mistress that you are dying?"
Despite how abrupt this question was, Max gave a calm answer. "It isn't fair to concern her over my well-being, especially after today." He put his hand on his Duel Disk. "This will be my death sentence… at least I got to see her again."
Before he could log out, a burst of white light suddenly appeared in front of him. A scroll dropped into his hand.
"Scroll of Illusions?" Max quickly looked around the area, but nobody was there. Curious as to who could have activated it, he unrolled the parchment and read the short message.
Meet me in the Coliseum now.
"It might be a trap, Master," Tenma said after Max read him the sole sentence.
"Maybe. But I still want to check it out. Not like I have much to lose at this point anyway." He rolled the scroll up again, causing it to vanish. "Let's walk there."
…
When Larka opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Angela standing over her.
"It worked?" Larka inferred as she sat up.
"There were no problems," Angela stated.
"Good to hear," Zack said as he came over to them and Malon leapt into Larka's arms. He glanced around the living room before saying, "We have a guest room you could stay in, Angela."
"I have no need for sleep," Angela responded.
"Oh. In that case… is there anything you could do to relax?" Zack asked.
"I have no need for relaxation," Angela said.
"Um… you could act as a guard for intruders, I suppose," Larka offered.
"Very well, I shall act as a guard." Angela walked away to presumably learn what the layout was.
"Well, I tried," Larka said.
"It should keep her preoccupied for the night," Zack replied. "At least we won't have to worry while resting."
"Yeah…" Larka rubbed her eyes wearily as Malon yawned.
"It's been a long day," Zack said as he led Larka to their room. She merely nodded in reply.
Zack had been without a home when the group had first split up. Luckily for him, Matt had been willing to help. By talking with the condo landlords (who he was good friends with), Matt had managed to provide a place for Zack to live in the same condo that he, Lilian, and the Drigers lived in. Zack had spent the rest of the three years preparing it for when Larka returned, since he had not needed much for himself.
Nevertheless, neither of them had many accessories. Their bedroom contained a nightstand, dresser, and bed; that was about it. It was not a big concern to them though. They did not frequently remain at home anyway.
Malon leapt onto the bed and curled up at the foot of it while the other two leaned against the headboard, not bothering with the covers. "So we're meeting at nine… we should get up at about eight then…" Zack hit a button on his wrist. "There."
"Good night then…" Larka murmured, closing her eyes and slumping against him.
A bit concerned that she would wake up stiff from sleeping like that, Zack took her into his arms in a more comfortable position. Another reason was that Larka had once told him that she preferred to be as close by as possible, due to nightmares that occurred when alone. He was not sure just what those were like, but her expression had been enough to convince him that she feared them.
Since both Larka and Malon were asleep, Zack was about to shut himself off when he heard the door softly open. He looked up to see Angela enter and close it.
"Is something wrong?" Zack asked quietly.
Noticing his change of voice, Angela kept hers low as well. "No. It would be easier to act as a guard if I am in the same room."
Zack understood what she meant. "Ah. Feel free to stay then."
They were silent as Zack considered what to say next. Then he asked, "Angela, do you have any emotional attachment to the Creator?"
"No. He made me, that is all," Angela replied.
"Have you ever met him?" Zack continued.
"No."
Zack gazed at Larka, who had a small smile in her restful sleep. "What about Larka? Do you feel anything for her?"
"My orders are to keep the substitute safe," Angela recited. "I do not feel anything for her otherwise."
"…I see. Well then… good night," he said.
"Good night," Angela echoed. Her tone caused those two human words to sound utterly devoid of the meaning behind them. Yet Zack thought it interesting that she had even said them. Was it to respond to him, or act more human to put others at ease?
Either way, he would not get his answer tonight. Zack pressed another button and was instantly out.
…
It was night by the time Max and Tenma arrived at the Coliseum. Max opened the doors and led the way to the ring.
Once they walked into the ring, they instantly caught sight of a woman and a Soul Monster. The Soul Monster was a humanoid, but his blue skin and claw-like, purple fingernails gave away any guise he might have hoped for. He wore a dark-blue robe of sorts with cream-colored pants and tight purple shoes. A round hat that matched his robe was on his head, and a white talisman with a red symbol covered his face. A thin, black, strand of hair went to his waist, and that was about all Max could see.
"You were the one to call me here, weren't you?" Max queried.
The woman nodded. "Yes. My name is Ouka."
"Are you one of the Judges?" Max demanded.
"Yes," Ouka answered. "But I am calling you here for reasons of my own. As you can see, none of my fellow members are here."
She spoke the truth. Tenma sniffed the air but could pick up no other immediate scents from any that might have been hiding.
"What are your reasons?" Max asked.
"I merely wish to know who is stronger." Ouka held up her Duel Disk. "Let us duel. If you win, you go free. If not, I take you."
"So, you're trying to cut me apart from the group." Max turned on his own. "Fine, I'll accept. Better than being dragged off without a fight."
Max: 8000
Ouka: 8000
"Since I challenged you, you may go first," Ouka offered.
"All right, I will. I summon Element Devil (1500/1200) and lay a card down," Max said.
"I'll begin by summoning Giant Rat. (1400/1450) I place a card and end my turn," Ouka stated.
"Time to begin attacking," Max decided. "I summon Goblin Elite Force." (2200/1500)
"In response to your summoning, I activate my trap card, Sticky Pit Trap." The Goblins went falling into the pit and emerged slowly, covered with slime. "That cuts your monster's attack in half." (1100/1500)
"Fine. I attack your Giant Rat with Element Devil," Max said.
As the Element Devil went to claw the Giant Rat apart, Max was surprised to see it lash out viciously at the Element Devil. It managed to get in a few scratches before fading.
"That was my Deck Master ability at work," Ouka said. "My Soul Monster is Master Kyonshi, Kyonshi for short. He cuts battle damage against a monster in half, and we each take the damage. So instead of me losing 100 Life Points, we each lose 50."
"Fine," Max said, seeming unfazed. "Goblin Elite Force attacks you directly."
"Hold on. My Giant Rat lets me special summon an Earth Main-Type in attack mode from my deck when he is destroyed in battle," Ouka told him.
"Normally, yes," Max agreed. "However, when there is an Earth Main-Type on my field, Element Devil negates the effects of monsters he destroys."
"Ah. Then I cannot stop you," Ouka said as the Goblins attacked.
Max: 7950
Ouka: 6850
"Now it is my turn," Ouka stated. "I summon Monk Fighter. (1300/1000) Then I equip him with Giant Growth. If I have lower Life Points than you, his attack is doubled. If mine are higher, his attack is split in half. The benefits go to me in this case. (2600/1000) I also equip my Monk Fighter with Mist Body. He attacks your Element Devil, and that is all."
One swift punch tore through Max's monster. He watched the Element Devil fade away.
Max: 7050
Ouka: 6850
"I can still destroy your Monk Fighter," Max said. "I sacrifice Goblin Elite Force for Great Demon Gaazetto! (0/0) His attack is twice the base attack of the sacrificed monster, so your Sticky Pit Trap did not hamper him. (4400/0) He attacks Monk Fighter!"
The Gaazetto slashed forward, but the Monk Fighter turned into mist, causing the attack to swipe through harmlessly.
"Mist Body prevents my monster from being destroyed," Ouka explained. "Normally I would take battle damage, but Monk Fighter reduces it to zero. Done?"
"…Yes," Max said reluctantly.
"Now to dispose of your Gaazetto," Ouka said. "I play a magic card, Godhand Smash. Any Monk Fighters, Master Monks, or Hand-to-Hand Rat Chuusukes I have out destroy any monster they battle. Monk Fighter attacks Gaazetto."
The Monk Fighter punched a hole through the Gaazetto, causing it to vanish with a roar.
"Your turn," Ouka concluded.
Max knew that he was not going to get very far with the Monk Fighter on the field, so he said, "I play Enemy Controller, switching your Monk Fighter to defense. Then I activate Shield Crush, to destroy a monster in defense mode. Your Monk Fighter dies. I summon Demon Soldier (1900/1500) and attack directly! That is it."
One slash was inflicted on Ouka, but she did not seem to mind the blow.
Max: 7050
Ouka: 4950
"Not bad. I lay a monster in defense mode and end my turn," Ouka said.
"I summon Newt (1900/400) and attack your monster with him," Max stated.
"You attacked a Giant Rat. I get my final one," Ouka decided.
"Fine, Demon Soldier kills that one." Max watched the Giant Rat get in a few scratches and bites before being slashed apart.
Max: 6800
Ouka: 4700
"I special summon another Monk Fighter," Ouka said. "My turn?"
"Yes, go ahead." Max was in the lead, yet he had an uneasy feeling about this. Ouka was acting far too calm for his liking.
…
Hope sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the wall opposite of her as she clenched her fist, opened it, closed it again, and continued to do that.
"Something wrong?" Gaston asked as he seated himself next to her.
"Yeah. I'm restless," Hope admitted. "We finally saw everyone again, after so long. Yet…"
"Yet?" Gaston pressed.
"It's like nothing has changed," Hope said. "We are adults now, Gaston, we grew up. Despite that, we still act like we used to."
"Is that bad?" Gaston inquired.
"No… I am happy, actually. Rue was right; distance strengthened our friendship, rather than weakening it," Hope said thoughtfully. Then she looked downwards. "But… I wanted to live with them in peace. Again, we are fighting for peoples' lives, for our lives, and for each other… just as before. It is as if that has not changed either."
"You don't like that, I take it," Gaston assumed.
"I don't know," Hope confessed. "I feel like I was exposed to real life at an age that would often be considered too young. I adapted… somehow. But from that year… and all of the joy we experienced, the losses we suffered, the agony that we endured together… perhaps I was an adult in all but physical standards."
Gaston slowly nodded. "…Maybe so… maybe they all were as well. Rue, Max, Will, and Kisara were linked to you, but you still changed their lives. And everyone else's. I do not think of that as bad either. Do you?"
"…Well… we would have had to face life eventually anyway." Hope managed to smile. "At least, this way, we were able to do it together."
"Good way to put it." Gaston gazed at her curiously. "You still seem anxious."
"After being gone from Teknisk Wereld for so long… I want to see it again," Hope admitted.
"How about we go in for a few minutes? I know the Judges are a concern, but even they have to rest," Gaston stated.
"Yeah," Hope agreed. "All right, let's go. How about to the Coliseum? We never got to see the rest of it."
"Indeed. That seems to be the only new area in Teknisk Wereld, so why not?" Gaston said.
Hope pulled out her Duel Disk and Envoyant Machine in response. "Let's get going then."
…
As Ouka drew, she said, "Tell me something, Max. What is it that makes you strong?"
Max was taken a bit off guard by the question, but he replied, "I wish to protect the people I care about. That gives me my strength."
"Hm… same as what was said before." Ouka thought for a moment, and then said, "Monk cards are what my deck is mainly based on. And I can now bring out my strongest one. I sacrifice Monk Fighter to special summon Master Monk! (1900/1000) He can only be brought out as a special summon, and only by sacrificing Monk Fighter. Then I summon Hand-to-Hand Rat Chuusuke." (1200/0)
"Neither of them are strong enough to defeat my monsters," Max stated.
"That is why I am going to play a field magic card, Gaia Power," Ouka continued. "It raises all Earth Main-Types' attack by 500 and lowers their defense by 400. (2400/600) (1700/0) Master Monk attacks Demon Soldier. His effect lets him attack twice per battle, so he also attacks Newt."
"Newt's effect causes him to lose 500 attack points," Max said as the Master Monk defeated both of his monsters in a flurry of blows. (1900/600)
"That is fine," Ouka said. "Chuusuke attacks directly, and that ends my turn."
The Chuusuke dealt a hard blow to Max, causing him to stagger back.
Max: 4100
Ouka: 4700
Once Max regained his footing, he drew. "I set a monster and end my turn."
"Master Monk attacks it," Ouka said.
"My Twilight Zone Trainer," Max announced. (100/2000)
Max: 4100
Ouka: 4600
"Very well. I lay one card down," Ouka finished.
"I summon my second Newt and play Shrink on Master Monk!" Max declared. "That cuts his attack in half! (950/600) Newt attacks him!"
"How ironic," Ouka commented. "I activate my own Shrink, which I laid down last turn. Your Newt's attack also decreases." (950/400)
The two monsters fought for a moment, punching and clawing at each other, and then simultaneously vanished. Max looked at the one card he had in his hand and said, "I am done."
"I can still win easily enough without my Master Monk," Ouka told him. "I summon Karate Man. (1500/600) Then I activate his effect. His base attack doubles, and in exchange, he dies at the end of my turn. (2500/600) He destroys Twilight Zone Trainer. Then Chuusuke attacks you directly."
The second blow was just as punishing as the first. Max had to struggle to regain his posture.
Max: 2400
Ouka: 4600
"You may go," Ouka offered as her Karate Man vanished.
"I summon Deathcalibur Knight (1900/1800) and attack Chuusuke," Max said, having little better to do.
Max: 2300
Ouka: 4500
Ouka placed a monster on her field. "Easy enough to handle. I summon Master Kyonshi (2250/0) and destroy Deathcalibur Knight."
Max: 1950
Ouka: 4500
Max looked at the card he drew tensely, and then sighed in submission. "All I can do is lay a monster down…"
"Then it is over. I bring forth my Deck Master, Kyonshi. (2250/0) My monster attacks yours."
"Dweller of Darkness Shadowkiller…" (1400/200)
"And Kyonshi finishes it." Her Soul Monster brought forth a curved sword and sliced into Max.
Max: 0
Ouka: 4500
Max fell to his knees, weakened from the blows. "Damn it…"
"You know the conditions," Ouka said as she turned off her Duel Disk.
"Yeah…" Max held out his Soul Card. Tenma returned to it without complaint. After Max put it back, he waited as Ouka walked over to him.
Her punch came without warning. The solid blow to his stomach instantly caused him to drop, unconscious.
"Forgive me," Ouka murmured as she took off his Duel Disk. She inserted a magic card into her own, causing another Scroll of Illusions to appear in her hand. Once it was attached to Max's Duel Disk, she set the Duel Disk in the center of the ring. Ouka hoisted Max's body over her shoulder without much effort. Without a word, she left, Kyonshi following her.
…
It was not until Brandi had exited the shower and was putting on her clothes that she began to wonder where Mana had gone. She figured that Hime had to know, which was why she was not immensely concerned. Still, she wanted to know where her Soul Monster had gone.
"Hm… Matt and Lilian are out working anyway," Brandi mused. "Maybe I can find someone at home that would like to come with me to get dinner." The day after the banning had occurred, Brandi had moved in with Matt and Lilian. This had not been much of a problem, seeing as they lived practically next door.
Brandi knocked when she reached her destination, but nobody answered. She tried again with the same result. Puzzled, she brought out her house key and let herself in.
"Hello?" Brandi called. No response came to her. "This is bizarre… where is everyone?"
When she reached the living room, she was surprised to see Max was lying there with his Envoyant Machine on. But what horrified her was his condition. He looked pale and sickly, so pale and sickly that Brandi thought it might be to the point of dying.
"Max!" Brandi exclaimed. "What happened to you?" But of course, he could not answer that question.
"I have to talk to him right away!" Brandi ran back to Matt's place, grabbed her Duel Disk and Envoyant Machine, and ran back. She lay down in the living room and went to Teknisk Wereld at once.
…
"This is pretty impressive," Gaston commented as they emerged into the ring. "I can see why it's popular."
"Yeah…" Hope's reply trailed off as she looked at the center of the ring. "What is that?"
Gaston eyed the object with interest. "A Duel Disk?"
"But why would it be here?" Hope went over and picked it up. "Hey… there's a scroll attached to it."
"What does it say?" Gaston asked as he joined her.
Hope handed Gaston the Duel Disk and unrolled it, reading. Her eyes widened at the message.
"I know who is reading this. Come to the place where you achieved your first victory if you wish to save your loved one."
To be continued…