Irony at its finest. I thought summer would result in more updates, yet I went through it with hardly any. Combine a trip to Spain with breaking a tooth and other miscellaneous things. School starts in one more day (Monday while this is late Saturday). Nevertheless, I have finally got through this annoying chapter and am glad to be back on track.
Chapter Fifteen: Shoreline
"A key," Miles guessed.
"There, you got it." Draken gestured towards him. "Go ahead and think of something."
"At least you come up with good ones, unlike a certain axe-man with a funky hat," Miles said, rolling his eyes. "I mean, did you really think we were going to guess your left sock?"
"Nope. That's why I picked it," Rue said with a grin.
"I hope they return soon," Max commented. "So that we don't have to listen to those three much longer."
"And so that I don't have to continue to restrain Malon," Gaston said dryly as the puppy wriggled in his grasp.
Zack glanced at the closed door for what must have been at least the tenth time since they left. "It's been an hour…"
"Angela never said how long it would take her to find the Judge," Will pointed out, not looking up from his book. "We should not jump to conclusions."
"You're right," Zack said. "I suppose I am being paranoid."
"Can't be called paranoia when everyone really is out to get us!" Miles called back cheerfully. Then he said, "No, it's not a tea kettle."
"TAY!" a voice yelled from outside.
"…Don't ask," Miles said before anyone could inquire upon that.
"Then it has to be a coffee maker," Mana said from behind him.
"Yep, that's right-WHOA!" Miles leapt up in shock as everyone else looked to see what the commotion was about. "How'd you get here?"
"Teleportation of course," Mana said, grinning. "I've recovered enough of my strength to be able to use it again." She was careful to not mention that it was the location that had provided her with this energy.
The doors slid open, allowing the rest of the group besides Kazel to enter; she remained outside due to her size. Brandi shook her head at Mana's antics. "Sorry, but she went before I could stop her."
Malon tore himself from Gaston's grip and jumped over to Larka, barking happily. She lifted him and tried to calm him down while the rest of the group got up and went to the doorway.
"You made it back," Zack said, relief evident in his voice.
"Yes," Larka said, smiling. Then she looked away, sadly saying, "We were attacked though…"
"What happened?" Max asked tensely.
"A woman named Harva dueled Larka," Hope said. "Larka won, and Harva died as a result."
"Another Judge gone," Neo commented.
"Did Angela succeed in finding one?" Darche inquired.
"Yes," Brandi answered. "In the snow lands."
"Great," Max muttered. "Seems nothing good ever happens there."
"Nevertheless, that is where we must go," Draken said. "Let's head over now."
Max had to return Tenma to his Soul Card momentarily to get him outside, but other than that, there were no problems. They set off for the lake, Rue remarking, "So we're going to take a ship?"
"I've got one," Miles said. "Don't see why we shouldn't use it."
Larka glanced at Angela. "Angela, do you know anything about this Judge besides the location?" Catching herself, she hastily said, "Er, I mean, about them as a person. Nothing technical."
"No," Angela stated.
"What did you mean by nothing technical?" Rue asked.
"Knowing her, she probably would have told us everything from the Judge being a human to their exact pulse rate," Will said dryly.
"Ah. Good thing she changed her wording," Gen said with a nod.
Brandi sighed. "I'm just glad we have some time to recuperate. We won't find our next enemy until the snow lands, after all."
"Don't be so sure," Miles warned. "We're probably going to be ambushed at least three times before getting there."
"Huh?" Brandi said, blinking. "What do you mean?"
"Come on, it's obvious," Miles said. "We think everything is safe, that there's time to relax, then BAM! An opponent jumps out and assaults us! It always happens."
"Sure it does," Draken said, rolling his eyes.
"Hey, we're clearly the heroes of an adventure group," Miles told him. "So by unwritten law, every difficulty possible must come against us."
"Are you saying we're characters from a story?" Mana said doubtfully.
"Well, we could be," Miles said, shrugging. "Maybe some crazy author decided one day that boredom sucked and countered it by developing us as a party to save a nonexistent world from an invented band of lunatics."
Will smacked him over the head with his book, causing a yelp of pain. "Quit breaking the fourth wall."
"Fourth wall?" Larka whispered to Hope.
"Who knows," Hope murmured back. "I'm not going to ask."
"Good thing Miles' theory is too stupid for even Rue to believe," Draken commented.
"You mean it isn't true?" Rue said. Then he corrected himself by saying, "Er, I mean, who'd believe that moronic idea?"
"Kind of a pity it isn't, or there'd be a lot of readers who would join in with us to laugh at our trio of jokers," Mana said to Brandi softly, causing her to clap a hand over her mouth to prevent laughter.
By this time, they had arrived just before the lake shore. To their surprise, there appeared to be a figure on the dock, too far back to see accurately.
"What'd I tell you?" Miles said.
"We don't know if that is an enemy yet, although we should assume it is for safety," Will said. "He or she must have seen us already anyway, so let's approach."
They descended the slope leading to the dock cautiously. The figure made no movement as they got closer. Halting in front of the dock, they could see that it was a young woman. She wore a light green robe with thin, brown designs stitched on. Her dark brown hair went to her waist, and her green eyes were fixed on them.
"So you have come, beings of this world," the woman stated. "I am afraid I will allow you to go no further though."
At her words, branches suddenly sprang from the ground around the group. Before they could do anything else, Angela's hair whipped out and coiled around them all, effectively stopping them.
"Attack halted," she said. "Preparing to block follow-up attacks."
"I told you guys we'd be assaulted!" Miles said.
"Oh shut up," Rue muttered. "We have bigger problems now."
"That should be enough to prevent the Guardian from instantly killing me," the woman said. "So let us get started. I am Terra, a Judge."
A Soul Monster walked to her side, and at first glance they knew she was responsible for the assault. She wore a dark pink dress with a tiara of light red leaves. Long, pointed ears emerged from her bright red hair, while her matching eyes were slanted narrowly. Her left hand was made of wood while her other seemed normal.
"And this is Jorah, my Soul Monster," Terra said. "No need to drag this out. If you want to move on, one of you must duel me and win. I do not care who."
"Anyone want to volunteer?" Neo asked.
To their surprise, Kisara put a hand to her heart. "I will."
"Kisara? Are you sure?" Draken said worriedly.
"I have been of little help so far," she explained. "Everyone else has dueled, so let me."
"You forgot that I haven't yet," Draken pointed out. "Want me to?"
"Thanks, but it's okay," Kisara said, stepping forward. Kazel went to her side.
"Then we shall start," Terra said. "So you know, Jorah is still capable of attacking. I advise you have the Guardian remain ready to counter that."
Rue eyed the way Angela's hair had secured all of the branches. "That has got to be a pain of a position to stay in."
"Incorrect," Angela stated. "There is no pain at all from doing this."
"Geez, you can't even make figures of speech around her," Miles remarked.
"She will not interfere," Kazel assured. "Go ahead and start playing."
"This will be a death duel," Terra said. "I will take care of the method of how we die. Agreed?"
Kisara nodded and drew five cards. Terra followed suit.
Kisara: 8000
Terra: 8000
"I will go first. After all, I am not native to this game," Terra said. "I summon Giant Rat (1400/1450) and play a magic card, Deep Freeze. Neither of us may play magic or trap cards until my next turn. Go."
Kisara looked at her hand thoughtfully. "I summon Sapphire Dragon (1900/1600) and attack."
The Sapphire Dragon effortlessly tore apart the Giant Rat with his teeth and claws.
Kisara: 8000
Terra: 7500
To their surprise, thorn branches burst out from the ground and began to wrap around Terra's ankles. Blood came out from where they dug into her.
"This is how our penalty will be carried out," Terra stated. "Now, when my Giant Rat is destroyed in battle, I am allowed to special summon an Earth Main-Type from my deck that has 1500 attack or less. I bring out Barrier Statue of Drought." (1000/1000)
"I cannot do anything else," Kisara said, eyeing the branches nervously.
"I lay two cards face down and remove my Giant Rat to special summon Spirit of Rock: Titan." A heavily-muscled, armored man appeared, carrying a huge axe. "The only way he can be brought out is by removing an Earth Main-Type in my Cemetery from the game. That ends my turn." (1700/1000)
"I summon Dark Dragon Hatchling. (800/500) Then I sacrifice him from my field to special summon Red Eyes Black Dragon from my hand-"
"No, you do not," Terra cut off. "While my Barrier Statue of Drought is on the field, only Earth Main-Types may be special summoned."
"Then I have Sapphire Dragon attack your Statue," Kisara said.
"I activate my trap card, Shift Change," Terra said. "It allows me to take an attack, magic, or trap effect aimed at one of my monsters and target another. I will have Sapphire Dragon attack my Titan."
As the Sapphire Dragon changed courses to charge the Titan, he whipped out his axe, cleaving through the Sapphire Dragon completely.
"When it is my opponent's battle phase, Titan gains 300 attack points," Terra explained.
Kisara: 7900
Terra: 7500
Kisara winced as thorn branches came out of the ground and pierced into her skin. Although they were not even wrapped around her ankles yet, the thorns that had made contact still hurt. She quickly recovered from it and said, "I lay a card down and end."
"I activate my trap card, Rock-Throwing Attack," Terra said. She took a card from her deck and inserted it. A maze appeared before condensing into a boulder and slamming into Kisara. The thorns began to tighten around her ankles as Terra said, "By taking a Rock Sub-Type from my deck and discarding it, you take 500 damage. So I chose Labyrinth Wall."
Kisara: 7400
Terra: 7500
"Then I remove it for Gigantes." A giant appeared, roaring. (1900/1500) "My three monsters attack."
Kisara was first smashed into by the Barrier Statue of Drought, then sliced by Titan's axe, and finally smashed by the club Gigantes wielded.
Kiara: 3600
Terra: 7500
The thorn branches shot up at an alarming rate, wrapping around her body until stopping just beyond her waist. She cried out as she was pierced, blood running down the branches from the many punctures.
"Kisara!" Draken exclaimed. Then he said furiously to Terra, "Not native? I don't know what you mean by that! You're playing well enough to be winning!"
"I do not enjoy this game," Terra said. "Nor do I like this world. Not at all. So many people are abandoning the real world for this fake thing. I will destroy it, so that the true world will not be neglected.
"This is a world too!" Hope protested. "It may be a virtual one, but that doesn't mean it's fake!"
Terra shook her head. "You speak foolishly. I will remind you of why Earth is so much more important… by overpowering you with your own pathetic game. My deck is based around Earth Main-Types. Perhaps it will clear things up for you. Now go."
Kisara shakily drew. "I summon Lord of Dragons-Dragon Ruler. (1200/1100) He attacks your Barrier Statue of Drought…"
One swift punch caused the Barrier Statue of Drought to crumble.
Kisara: 3600
Terra: 7300
Terra hardly seemed affected as the branches rose up her legs a bit. "Is that all?"
"No… I play Dragon Calling Horn," Kisara continued. "When Lord of Dragons is on the field, I am allowed to special summon two Dragon Sub-Types from my hand. I bring out two Red Eyes Black Dragons." (2400/2000)
"Impressive," Terra said. "But not good enough. I play Gaia Power. This field magic card increases all Earth Main-Types' attack by 500 and lowers their defense by 400." (2100/600) (2400/1100) "Gigantes attacks your Lord of Dragons."
The Lord of Dragons did not stand a chance against the Gigantes' huge club. He was flattened instantly.
Kisara: 2400
Terra: 7300
Kisara managed to not cry out this time, reducing it to a mere whimper as the thorns dug into her chest. Terra finished by saying, "I lay one card down."
"Damn… I should have been the one to duel…" Draken said worriedly.
"She's not done yet," Brandi said. "Just watch."
Kisara took a moment to calm herself before drawing. "I lay a monster in defense…"
"And I activate Acid Pit Trap," Terra said. "If your monster has 2000 defense or less, it is destroyed."
"Doublecoston…" (1700/1650) The monster fell into the pit, perishing.
"Now what?" Terra inquired.
"Your Gigantes… does he have an effect?" Kisara asked.
"Yes, actually. Besides only being able to be special summoned by removing an Earth Main-Type, when destroyed in battle, he destroys all magic and trap cards," Terra said.
"Then I activate… Metal Conversion-Magic Reflex Armor," Kisara said, flipping over a trap card. Her Red Eyes Black Dragon became covered in shiny metal. "Then I sacrifice him to special summon… Red Eyes Black Metal Dragon from my deck."
With a flash of light, the Red Eyes Black Metal Dragon stood before her, completely transformed. (2800/2400)
"He attacks Gigantes…"
The Red Eyes Black Metal Dragon spat out a huge, black fireball that caused the Gigantes to explode. The nature scene given from Gaia Power burned away with him.
"Then Red Eyes Black Dragon destroys your Titan…"
With a screech, another fireball was loosened, this one red. The Titan was wiped away in the flames.
Kisara: 2400
Terra: 6500
Terra bit her lip as thorns wrapped around her legs. "I… I pass…"
"My dragons attack again," Kisara said, gaining strength from the knowledge that she had the advantage. The two fireballs hit heavily.
Kisara: 2400
Terra: 1300
This time, Terra could not help but cry out as the thorns covered her chest and part of her arms. She clenched her free hand tightly and drew with the other one. "I special summon Fleet-Footed Gilazaurus. (1400/400) And I special summon another. When I choose to special summon them, you get to bring one monster from your Cemetery for each and special summon them."
"I take Sapphire Dragon and Doublecoston," Kisara decided.
"It doesn't really matter. I sacrifice both of my monsters for Ultimate Tyranno," Terra said.
A snarling beast emerged, covered in black scales and spikes. Standing at least three stories tall, it was a fearsome sight. (3000/2200)
"When entering my battle phase, Ultimate Tyranno is forced to attack all of your monsters before I do anything else," Terra said. "So I go in this order: Metal Dragon, Black Dragon, Sapphire Dragon, Doublecoston."
The Ultimate Tyranno swiftly and savagely ripped through his victims with his teeth.
Kisara: 1600
Terra: 1300
Kisara flinched from the thorns digging into her arms. Drawing her next card caused pain to flare through her body, making it difficult to concentrate. "I lay a monster down and end…"
Terra seemed far more confident now. "I summon Charging Swordhorn Beast. (1400/1200) Ultimate Tyranno destroys your monster."
"Lord of Dragons…" Kisara said.
"Charging Swordhorn Beast attacks directly." The dinosaur crashed into Kisara, jarring the agonizing branches.
Kisara: 200
Terra: 1300
The branches were up to Kisara's neck by now. Every time she breathed, agony flared through her. With her arms and hands covered, it was immensely difficult to move them. When she tried, tears of pain sprang to her eyes.
"Kisara, hang in there!" Draken encouraged, despite his concern. "You're not defeated yet!"
His words had a beneficial effect. Kisara forced herself to draw and place the card in her Duel Disk. She tried to speak, but only succeeded in a small noise that sounded like a drowned-out cry.
"She is done," Kazel supplied, her tail waving through the air anxiously.
"Fine. I summon Sabersaurus. (1900/500) Then I attack with Ultimate Tyranno."
Kisara hurriedly flipped over Emissary of Harmony.
"Oh well. I suppose I will finish by activating Jorah's Deck Master ability," Terra concluded. "By sacrificing Charging Swordhorn Beast and Sabersaurus, my Life Points increases by their combined attack. I can only do this with two monsters and once per duel, but it is helpful."
The thorns reduced down to her lower waist as a soft, healing light appeared from the two sacrificed monsters.
Kisara: 200
Terra: 4600
"Not good," Gaston said. "She needs to draw something good this turn."
The rest of the group was silent, but their expressions told that they agreed with him.
Kisara winced as she drew, and then inserted the card and placed two more on her Duel Disk. One was a Red Eyes Black Dragon while the other was a black sphere with wiggling red tentacles coming out of it.
"She is using Fusion," Kazel said, looking relieved. "Using Red Eyes Black Dragon and Fusion Sealed Life Form-Dark, which acts as a substitute. She is bringing out…"
A dragon appeared, one that Will and Neo recognized from their dealings with Flame Buster. Will said, "Meteor Black Dragon…" (3500/2000)
"Whoo! Kisara's got her now!" Neo said happily.
The Meteor Black Dragon's fireball engulfed the Ultimate Tyranno, leaving nothing behind.
Kisara: 200
Terra: 4100
Kisara laid a card down as Terra grimaced from the thorns. Seeing her give a small nod, Kazel said, "Your move."
Terra had no hand, but the card she drew was one she instantly put down. "Now it will end-"
Kisara activated her face down card. The Cyclone swept away Terra's card.
"My… my Rock-Throwing Attack…" Terra closed her eyes. "I'm finished…"
"You are," Kazel said, stepping onto the field. (2400/2000) "Unlike you, we will not draw out your suffering."
The last thing Terra saw in her life was two fireballs; while the first was bigger and more powerful, the second burned her far deeper.
Kisara: 200
Terra: 0
The branches moved up to end around Terra's head and tightened around her whole body. Then they disappeared, leaving her corpse to hit the ground. Another bunch of branches sprang out and swiftly pierced Jorah, causing her to vanish. The ones Angela had been holding back left too, as did the ones Kisara had been caught in. Without their support, she fell back.
Luckily, Draken was swift enough to catch her before she hit the ground. Helping her lay down gently, he brought out some Red Potion cards and inserted them. "Just hold on, you'll be all right in a moment…"
"Talk about a close one," Gaston said.
"She did well though. We should be able to move on," Will said.
"I can't believe he still denies they're in love," Rue commented as he watched Draken assist Kisara in drinking the Red Potions.
"Does anyone else think it's funny that she wiped out a dinosaur with Meteor Black Dragon?" Miles said. "Seems like the dinosaurs really did get killed off by them."
Rue's eye twitched. "You should be shot for that."
"Things that should be so often aren't," Miles said with a grin.
"Unfortunately," Brandi muttered.
By this time, Kisara's wounds were healed completely. Draken helped her up, saying, "How do you feel now?"
"Fine, thank you," Kisara said, smiling reassuringly.
"Then we're good!" Miles took out a card, and a Skull Red Pirate Ship appeared. Pulling a gallant pose, he said, "Onwards, Defrosted Tuna Team!" Before anyone could react, he leapt onboard.
"…Defrosted Tuna Team?" Draken said, echoing all of their thoughts.
"I'm going to take a leaf from his book and say: don't ask," Gen said dryly.
To be continued…