Chapter 9: An Unexpected Ally: The Creeping Shadow
The week until Ryu-Yami's challenged went by quickly. Ryu-Hikari, Raijouta, Izumi, and Jack all spent hours perfecting their decks, practicing strategies, and purchasing new cards. Their search for a fifth duelist was fruitless: many duelists were among the civilians captured by Ryu-Yami, and many other, upon hearing the situation, were too frightened to join their cause.
It appeared the group would have no choice but to head to the Level Tower as only four. The massive spire jutted up over the Business District, a massive jet black spear piercing the serene Domino skyline. As they neared it, the four all had their own thoughts and fears.
"Ryu-Yami won't make the dueling so simple," Ryu-Hikari pointed out. "Judging by the way he has acted in the past, he will obviously try and pull something."
Izumi nodded in agreement. "We just have to be careful, people's lives are on the line, and these may be the most important duels ever!"
"Ha ha! You all speak so righteously!" A sinister voice broke from behind them as they stood before the level tower. "Trying to take down that maniac Ryu-Yami?"
The four turned to see a man in a black cloak with a duel disk on his left arm.
"We don't have time for a duel," Raijouta said sternly.
"This I know, which is why I would request that I can come with you," the figure responded. "Call me…Shadow."
Raijouta snorted, "I thought your look had some familiarity, didn't my cousin Nikki duel you at Ryu-Yami's tournament a year ago?"
"Perhaps, I dueled many then," Shadow answered. "Either way, I have watched you all the past week, unbeknownst to you all of course, and I couldn't help overhearing your plight; I will be your fifth member!"
"And why do you want to help us?" Jack asked coldly.
"Let's just say I have several reasons to hold a grudge against him," Shadow said. "He even sent one of his goons to destroy my deck! No need to worry though, I have constructed a new and better one which will teach him and his lackeys a lesson!"
Ryu-Hikari turned to Jack, Izumi, and Raijouta and began to whisper. "I'm not sure we can trust him, but at the same time we may not have another alternative. To beat Ryu-Yami we may have to play at his own game, and for some reason I feel this guy isn't lying to us."
"There is a possibility he is a spy from Ryu-Yami sent to infiltrate our group for one reason or another," Jack said.
"Possible, yes, probable, no," Ryu-Hikari responded. "Ryu-Yami will most likely have his most trusted employees already inside the tower, whether to duel us or make preparations."
"Fine, but I don't have to trust him," Jack muttered.
"Shadow, your offer is accepted," Ryu-Hikari said, motioning for Shadow to follow them towards the Level Tower.
The Level Tower boasted a set of double doors made of tinted Plexiglas. On either side of them stood a guard wearing a blue suit with a dark green tie. Caps of the same green hue and blue brims adorned their heads, and pistols were visible in holsters at their sides, as well as machine guns strapped to their backs.
"We have been expecting you!" The guards spoke simultaneously. "Enter Ryu-Hikari, Raijouta, Izumi, Jack and Shadow!" The guards stretched out their arms and pushed the doors wide open. The group stepped through, as the doors closed behind them and a loud clang was heard. The group was not sure what type of room they stood in, for everything around them was pitch black and nothing could be seen.
"Now you're locked in!" A voice seemed to come from all around the group. Suddenly, two lights illuminated on a nearby wall to reveal a television which turned on, showing the face of Ryu-Yami. "Welcome Duelists to the Level Tower! I am your host, Ryu-Yami!"
"Quit with the act!" Shadow yelled.
"Shadow? You're still dueling? Didn't Zho teach you anything?" Ryu-Yami laughed.
"Is there a camera in here or something," Jack mused looking around.
"Yes Jack, though you won't find it!" Ryu-Yami laughed. "And before you ask how I knew who you were, or how my guards did, let's just say I did some research. Now, shall I get on to the rules?"
"Fine, go ahead," Ryu-Hikari said.
"All right then! I shall begin my explanations!" Ryu-Yami chimed. "This is the Level Tower, so as you may or may not assume it is divided into Levels. Each Level, or floor if you prefer to call it that, has on type of dueling stage or arena. Now, the stage depends upon who you are dueling, and each of my duelists has his or her own stage. Each stage is a duel of death."
"Duel of death? I thought you weren't going to kill the hostages if we came!" Raijouta yelled.
"No, of course not, that is if you don't all leave! So long as you stay, the hostages are fine, and they will all be released after you have won, or as is more likely, be defeated. Now I've gotten off on a tangent, so back to these Duels of Death. Each stage also will kill you in some way upon losing, but no pressure. This rule applies to my duelists as well!"
"You'd kill your own allies?" Izumi cried out. "That's sick!"
"My dear girl, the chances of my duelists losing to you all is slim to none," Ryu-Yami snickered. "Continuing on! As you can guess, I am at the top floor, and defeating me will cause the release of the prisoners, a special prize, and the promise I won't bother you ever again."
"How can we trust you promise?" Ryu-Hikari asked. "You aren't the most trustworthy guy."
"Ah, but this time, I am," Ryu-Yami sighed. "It makes me sad you can't trust me. I will be wagering my life as well. Now, to be able to reach me, you must beat the duelist on each Level. Once you have beaten him or her, you will be able to use the elevator to go up to the next floor, where you will face another duelist. Now, as you can guess, it may take more than one of you to beat a single duelist, but that isn't advised as you can guess."
"How many Levels are there?" Raijouta asked.
"I can't tell you that, it would spoil the fun!" Ryu-Yami smiled. "Now, without further ado I will introduce your first opponent! Get reading for the Flaming Fellow with the Sizzling Soul, Fire!"
The room was immediately illuminated by torches lining the walls and Fire stood before the group, his fiery red and orange duel disk adorning his left arm. He stood at the far end of a steel ring that was attached to the floor.
"So who wants to duel me?" Fire asked.
Raijouta looked sternly at him, activated his duel disk and stepped into the circle. "I do."
HES: Well readers, this is the climax! As you can guess, the Level Tower is the final part of this story! I hope you all enjoy the coming (and closing) chapters. Do not fear, there are going to be a fair number of them. I apologize for this chapter being short and not having a duel, but the coming chapters will have duels and be far longer, I promise. Now to answer my reviews!
Tsabo-Tvoc Phyrexian-General: Sorry that I didn't have Jack use the card, but I'm glad you at least enjoyed the duel! Jack will use it in a future one, don't fear!
Phoenix of the Sea: Thanks for all those reviews! Sorry this chapter was late in coming, but I promise I will continue my story until it ends! I have already planned out the order of the coming duels, but with school around the corner I hope I can try to squeeze them in.
Now…
Next time on The Shadow Falls: Things start to heat up as Raijouta and Fire duel! With the Inferno Stage, things are getting hot for Raijouta! Can he take the heat? Find out next time on The Shadow Falls!