Merry Christmas everyone! Christmas Eve was pretty cool. I went and saw my grandmother and grandfather, who was home from the hospital. My mom and sister were in too (they came Sunday). We had a great time and a good dinner, and afterwards opened presents. My grandmother was very touched by the presents, and she received a few from mom and my sister who did the shopping for our grandfather. Like we all agreed, he's still here, and are all very thankful for that. After that, we took some presents into grandpa, who opened them. Lol, he didn't like the color of the shirt I got him, but changed his tune and said he did. Anyways, mom had him give granny a present she had picked up for him to granny, who was very happy with it. She got a card, but didn't read it due that she didn't think she could with us there. He also signed her card, and wrote her name on a present. Needless to say, it was emotional for her today, lol. Once we got home, me and my mate opened our presents, with her being rather happy with her gifts. Christmas Eve has been fun, and I look forward to the rest of Christmas.
Story wise, me and ardee are hammering out details still for MtM. Things are moving along, with us planning out duels and the plot. Also, Another is still slowly moving forward. Things are going great with my stories, although I'd love to write more than I do. (/Sighs\) Life just gets in the way though. Oh well.
Last time, Illidan concluded his duel with Yugi, winning the card that was entrusted to him. Now Illidan prepares to face his toughest challenge yet, one that maybe even insurmountable to him. Can he end the swaft of destruction that Legato has begun, or will Illidan lose his life saving Marie?
Alright, now let's move on! That's right, review time!
x-knight20: Thanks. Lol, no problem for the postal problem. (/Slaps you on back hard, knocking you through five walls.\) (/Innocently says "Oops, don't know my own strength."\) Oh yeah, sorry for not answering your review last time. I somehow overlooked it, although I'm unsure how.
Knives91: Thanks for the review.
DuelistBlake1852: Yeah, Yugi lost his duel, but Illidan had to win in order to have a shot at beating Legato. Perhaps his loss is helpful? I know, they're your favorites, but favorites lose sometimes… Lol, a long list of favs, sounds like fun. I did base Illidan and Marie a bit off of myself and my mate, although they get along better, lol. Kidding of course though, for me and my mate get along fine. If I ever get through the stack of fics I have to read, I'll try to read yours. Lol, I have one fic that I'm like 20 or 30 chapters behind on. I'm hoping to catch up someday… maybe, lol. Thanks for the review!
pink-kiss-candy: Lol, don't worry, we'll get those arms put back in. (/Puts 2 sticks in in place of your old hands.\) Snowman hands are very handy, lol. Good question there Ryon. Thanks for the review.
Ok, that's it this time for reviews. Thanks everyone for your reviews. They're much appreciated. I hope everyone enjoys this bonus Christmas chapter. From both me and my mate, have a Merry Christmas everyone. Till tomorrow, enjoy!
Chapter 71
Slowly walking back to his home upon receiving his new card, Illidan lightly sighed and glanced up at the cliffs facing the sea. Looking there, he saw Jaden sitting on them, seemingly fixated on the sea.
Adjusting his direction, Illidan came up beside of Jaden and took a seat, asking "Something interesting out there?"
Lightly smiling, Jaden shook his head and said "Nah, I just wanted to sit and think."
"Yeah, I know the feeling. I've done a lot of that recently." Illidan admitted.
A small bit of silence came over the pair. After a few moments, Illidan decided to break the awkward silence and seriously said "Jaden, I want you to promise me something."
Hearing the seriousness in Illidan's voice, Jaden turned to Illidan and asked "What?"
Letting out a long breath that he had held for a moment, Illidan calmly said "Jaden, if something happens to me, I …"
"Nothing is going to happen to you." Jaden sternly said.
Sadly smiling, Illidan continued on, saying "Jaden, if something does, I want you to …"
"No, nothing is going to happen to you!" Jaden reiterated with increasing sternness in his voice.
Sighing, Illidan looked away from Jaden's serious face. "We don't know that for sure." he murmured.
Softening his expression, Jaden soothingly said "Illidan, you have to believe that you can do this. Think back to all the great battles you've been in. Did you ever think like this?"
Taking a moment to ponder Jaden's words, Illidan finally shook his head, saying "No, I never did I guess. I've always had hope and knew that no matter what, I couldn't give up, and that I had to win to save the people I cared about."
"Then do that in this fight. To save Marie, you have to have that kind of hope! So please, don't say things like if something happens to you. You never just said you never did before, so don't start now."
Sighing, Illidan softly smiled and replied "Thank you, I needed that. I guess I've been thinking too much about Marie's dream that I forgot the future isn't set. There is no fate but what we create."
"That's right Illidan. So, how about we go and get Marie back then?"
Smiling, Illidan stood up and said "Yes, let's go get her back."
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"It is time to take what my Legendary Demons need from the Egyptian Gods." Legato coolly said aloud.
Appearing beside of Legato in spirit form, Zell asked "Master, shall I be the one to take them for you?"
Sneering, Legato calmly replied "No, for I have no need for you anymore."
Shocked, the spirit form stepped back from Legato, exclaiming "WHAT!? But Master…"
"But nothing! You have failed me too many times, and I have all that I want from you." Legato calmly remarked. Raising his hand, Legato turned it towards Zell's spirit form and evilly smirked.
"Now, be gone!"
Screaming out in pain, Zell's spiritual form began vanishing bit by bit. Small wisps of smoke began pouring off of his body till finally he vanished completely.
Laughing manically, Legato coolly said "So much for that fool. Now I won't be bothered by him again. It is time to end this game with Illidan."
Going to the back where Marie was held, Legato sneered at her quiet form. "Completely helpless I see." he commented.
Lifting her head lightly, Marie glared daggers at Legato. Laughing at this, Legato pulled her off the wall and threw her over his shoulder. Grabbing Pharaoh as well, and a box that he had laid near the door that was locked, Legato left the cave.
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Upon getting the others up and ready, the group of four began walking towards where the Sacred Beasts had appeared the year before. Silence hung over the group like a dark cloud.
Finally breaking the silence, Alexis asked "Is this the battle to end it all, one way or another?"
"More than likely." Illidan calmly replied.
"Too bad. We'll have to do homework again once this is over." Chazz remarked.
The group all laughed at the comment, breaking the anxiousness.
"Just don't expect me to make the final tests easy on you guys." Illidan comically added.
Sighing, Jaden replied "But they're hard enough already!"
Laughing once more as a group, they looked ahead, only to stop laughing. There at the spot where the Sacred Beasts had rose up the year before was a person.
Moving closer, the group figured out the person standing there was Zell, although he looked different.
"Zell, I see you made it." Illidan coolly said.
Sneering, the person replied "I am no longer Zell. Only I, Legato, remain in this body."
"I see. Heh, I didn't figure you'd keep him forever. Besides, what was the deal? You give him power and then take his body?" Illidan mused.
Darkly chuckling, Legato remarked "Something like that. After all, I couldn't give someone like that loose cannon power and expect anything out of him. You see, when I first met Zell, I knew then and there he'd be troublesome. So, I decided to test him by sending him to battle you. Instead, he fought Set and Yami, who showed they were together stronger than Zell."
Smirking, Legato continued on, saying "I needed a body, but to get that, I needed Zell. So, I promised him my power. Over the last five millennia, I gave it to him, but secretly, I was making sure I would be strong enough to take his body for my own. Today, I finally achieved my goal. I have fully vanquished Zell from this body, making it my own."
"Doubtful. Each and every spirit I have known that have tried to fully vanquish the soul of the person whose body they inhabited were never fully successful. The original soul of the person cannot fully be extinguished." Illidan countered.
Once more smirking, Legato coolly replied "Perhaps, but Zell is not strong enough to get rid of me now. He will forever be my vessel."
"What have you done with Marie?" Illidan pointed asked.
"Ah, so you wish to get down to business? Well, take a look for yourself." Legato remarked while pointing at the obelisk that suddenly came shooting out of the ground.
Looking at the obelisk, Illidan saw Marie tied to it, along with Pharaoh. "Marie!"
Starting to run off towards her, Illidan was stopped immediately by a barrier. Turning to Legato, Illidan coldly said "Let her go now! This fight is between me and you!"
When he didn't receive a response, Illidan's Shadow Powers began to flare up. Clenching his right hand, he hunched over and began gathering energy within his left hand, making sparks of Shadow Magic lick the palm of his hand.
"Ah, that technique again. Shadow Blade, wasn't it? I'm impressed that you learned such a difficult technique. I bet you picked it up from a descendant of the Kirin clan." Legato stated.
Somewhat shocked at Legato's claim, Illidan lost his focus and powered down his Shadow Powers. "You knew they were Kirin descendants?"
Sneering, Legato replied "Of course I did. After all, I was alive when the clans still existed."
Illidan's thoughts turned inwards, trying to remember what Squall had once told him. "While living with the nomads, I remember Squall telling me about the heritage of the nomads, how they once served as guardians for Egypt. That was till one member of a different clan destroyed everything by betraying Egypt. Once he had, the clans were forced to go into hiding, thus becoming nomads. But which clan was that one clan member from? I know the answer, but it's not in my mind at the moment."
"I'm sure you don't know of me, but I was of the Bluesummers clan, and last of the guardians that protected Egypt." Legato stated, breaking Illidan out of his thoughts.
Glowering at Legato, Illidan coldly remarked "I see. You're the one that ruined everything for all the clans."
Laughing, Legato smirked and asked "Ruined? Surely you jest. I freed us from the oppression of the pharaoh of that time. I only realized that the weak should not rule the strong. That is why I wish to continue what I began back then."
"By destroying everything and everyone!?" Illidan yelled with anger in his voice.
Sneering, Legato simply remarked "The weak shall not rule any longer. Once you hand over the Egyptian God Cards to me, the Legendary Demons shall be complete, and I shall fix this world."
"Who said I was going to just hand them over?" Illidan asked in a challenging voice.
"If you wish to save your wife, you will do it." Legato coldly replied.
Boldly, Illidan remarked "I have a better proposition for you. You hand over the antidote for Marie, along with the Sacred Beast Cards, and release everyone you've sent to the Shadow Realm and leave while you still can."
"Interesting proposition, but no. I will have your Egyptian God Cards, along with Marie." Legato countered.
Bristling up with anger, Illidan growled out "You will not have Marie!"
"We'll see. After all, we are the only two of mighty clans left. It only figures that we come together to form a new clan." Legato coolly replied.
Frowning, Illidan asked "What do you mean the only two of mighty clans left? Marie isn't from a clan."
"Ah, but she has the blood of a Kirin within her. Haven't you pondered why she is so strong when her hidden strength emerges? That power is from her Kirin heritage. Of course, her blood is so muddied up that she cannot maintain it, but children from a coupling of me and her would be extremely strong."
"She would rather die that be with you!" Illidan snapped out.
Sneering, Legato remarked "That will happen if she fails to agree. I hate to waste such loveliness, but I will if she refuses me."
Pausing for a moment, Legato stared at Illidan, saying "I give you this one and only opportunity Illidan. Join me in bringing about a new world order. Even though you are not strong as me and Marie, your power would be welcomed."
"Don't do it Illidan!" Jaden called out, calling attention to the group of three students.
"He'll just use you!" Alexis added in.
"Yeah, and then we'll have a real mess." Chazz muttered darkly.
Glancing over his shoulder at the group, Illidan smiled and said "Don't worry."
Turning his attention back to Legato, he calmly replied "No thanks. Me and Marie won't be helping you, so cut her loose now."
Shrugging, Legato coolly replied "I figured you'd say that. Well then, I have no choice but to destroy you."
"I have a better idea. You want these Egyptian God Cards badly, right?"
Smirking, Legato nodded, saying "I do, and I think I know what you have planned, so allow me to finish. We duel for the cards. How about it, me and you…"
"And me!" Jaden added while running up to Illidan's side.
Turning to Jaden quickly, Illidan began to say something, but Legato was quick to say "Very well then, it shall be two on one. I shall take both of you on at once."
"Wait, Legato, no…" Illidan began.
"No, I want to help Illidan! Marie needs help, so I want to help. Please, let me do this with you." Jaden remarked with confidence in his eyes.
Sighing, Illidan looked towards Marie's direction and finally said "Very well, but be careful."
"Right." Jaden acknowledged.
"I believe I shall make the rules simple. The two of you will have 4000 life points each, while I have 8000 to start off with. Also, during your two's first turn, neither of you can attack. Finally, the turns shall go Illidan, followed by Jaden, and finally myself. Sound reasonable?" Legato mocked.
Both Illidan and Jaden nodded in response, allowing Legato to continue. "Oh yes, one other thing. Only one of you may have an Egyptian God Card in your deck. I don't care which Egyptian God Card you use either. The other three though, they shall be kept in this."
Holding up a small lock box with a set of life point counters on it, Legato placed it onto the middle of the field.
"I shall place the cure to the poison in Marie's body within the box, so long as you two place the three Egyptian God Cards within it as well."
Looking to Chazz and Alexis, Illidan asked "Will you two agree to place your Egyptian God Cards in there?"
"For a chance to save Marie, of course." Alexis kindly said.
Grumbling, Chazz said "Fine, but don't lose."
After a moment the two pulled out their Egyptian God Cards. Jaden already had his in hand even before the two did. Collecting all three, Illidan walked over to where Legato stood with the box. Opening the box, the three cards were placed within, as well as a small vile filled with some liquid. Once the lid as closed, the two life point counters activated, each reading 8000 points.
"Why does the box say 8000 points for each counter?" Jaden asked, unsure of what the two counters really meant for.
"Each counter is set to our life points. When one counter hits zero, the box shall open once more. That will happen when I take both of you down that is." Legato smoothly said.
Lightly growling, Illidan remarked "I wouldn't count on it. When we win, we'll get Marie's cure, the Sacred Beasts, and you'll release the souls you took."
Chuckling, Legato quickly countered with "And when you two lose, I shall inherit the Egyptian God Cards, making my dream of destroying this world a reality."
"We shall see." Illidan coolly responded.
Glancing at Marie once more, Illidan silently said in his mind "Hang on a little longer Marie. I promise, I'll get you out of this mess, or I'll go down fighting to. Please, just hold on."
"I'd pay attention to me if I were you." Legato remarked, breaking Illidan's thought patterns and forcing him to look back at Legato.
Growling softly, Illidan calmly said "You will pay for what you've done to her. I swear it, she will be free of your control soon enough."
"Really. Then show me." Legato replied, holding out his arm and powering up his Duel Disk.
Both Illidan and Jaden did the same, with Illidan glancing at Jaden, asking "Ready for this?"
Returning his answer with a nod, Jaden remarked "I'm more than ready. Let's put an end to this guy."
Smirking at Jaden's remark, Illidan looked at his deck, hoping it would give him what he needed. Calling on his Shadow Powers, he closed his eyes and began to seek out the Duel Spirits of his most faithful monsters.
In his mind, the mage in black tight fitting armor, along with the black ebony armored warrior, the powerful black dragon with an orange mane, and the purple skinned mage in black leather armor all four appeared before him.
Smiling at the four, Illidan calmly said "Guys, this battle will be one of the most grueling we've had."
Taking the initiative for the group, the mage in black tight fitting armor kindly said "Master Illidan, we are always with you, and we will help you defeat this person. He has threatened the ones you love, not to mention one of the people we swore to always help you protect. You have our full support."
"Thank you. I promise, we will defeat Legato!" Illidan remarked.
Opening his eyes once more, Illidan said "Jaden, let's do this together. I know as a team, we can win."
"Right on Illidan. Let's do it!" Jaden quickly replied.
Summoning up his Shadow Powers, Legato darkened the field, saying "Let this Shadow Game commence!"
Each drew their first five cards, saying "Game on!"
Drawing his sixth card, Illidan calmly said "I'll start by summoning my Luster Dragon (1900/1600) in attack mode."
A sapphire dragon with bone like wings, powerful clawed hands and feet, a strong tail, and sharp fanged teeth appeared onto the field with a low growl.
"I'll place two cards face down to end my move." (Illidan 4000, Jaden 4000; Legato 8000)
Picking up his sixth card, Jaden smirked, saying "I'll start things out by summoning my Elemental Hero Bubbleman (800/1200)."
In a spray of bubbles, a man in a blue costume outfit with a long white cape, light blue boots, gloves, shoulder pads, and a helmet that covered all but his mouth. On his right wrist was a small gun attached that looked like the end of a water hose, and on his back was a set of water tanks.
"Since Bubbleman is all alone on my field, his effect lets me draw two cards. So, let's see what else I've got for you."
Grabbing two cards, Jaden finally said "I'll throw down a few face downs myself, and call it a turn." (Illidan 4000, Jaden 4000; Legato 8000)
"Not a bad start." Alexis remarked to Chazz.
Nodding in response, Chazz calmly said "I only hope this works out."
"It has to, for Professor Marie's sake." Alexis commented back.
On the field, Legato drew his next card and smirked evilly. "You two should never have challenged me. I'll enjoy tearing both of you apart in this Shadow Game."
"Bring it on." Illidan challengingly said.
Chuckling darkly, Legato remarked "Oh, I shall. I start by playing the field spell Fallen Paradise."
Holding his Duel Disk vertical, Legato tapped the end of his Duel Disk, which opened. Placing a card within the slot, the slot closed and the field instantly began to change. Bit by bit, the once luscious ground and trees that surrounded the area became a wasteland, barren of all life.
"Thanks to this field spell, once per a turn, I can draw two extra cards."
Picking up two cards, Legato smirked evilly, saying "Next, I place one card face down, and then I activate the spell Giant Trunade, which forces all spell and trap cards on the field back to their owners' hand. Say farewell to whatever you two had planned this turn!"
Without warning, a large wind suddenly blew up. Instantly, the wasteland vanished, along with the four face down card images on Illidan and Jaden's field.
"That's not good." Jaden remarked.
"Yeah, it's definitely not good." Illidan lamely commented.
Sneering at the two, Legato continued on, saying "Oh yes, I forgot to mention, the card I just set, it activated when I played my Giant Trunade. The card is a trap known as Treasure Map, which allows me to draw two new cards, but I must discard one once I'm done."
Picking up another two cards, Legato examined them before picking one and placing it into his Graveyard Slot. Smirking once more, he said "I next play my field spell once more, so rise up again Fallen Paradise!"
Once more, the field transformed into the wasteland with no life whatsoever.
"Now I may pick up two more cards due to Fallen Paradise's effect."
"Great, he drew six cards in one turn." Chazz grumbled.
Smirking at his two new cards, Legato called out "I summon this, my Chaos Core (0/0) to the field."
Materializing slowly onto the field was a strange looking winged creature with a white sphere center, and some kind of strange smoke underneath of it's body.
"Next, I play the spell Quick Summon, letting me summon another monster, so I pick this, my Phantom of Chaos (0/0)."
Appearing onto the field was a simple black sphere made up of some type of fog.
"My monster may not look like much, but I assure you, it has plenty of strength. To end my turn, I place these five cards face down. Good luck with your moves." (Illidan 4000, Jaden 4000; Legato 8000)
Drawing his next card, Illidan pondered upon Legato's previous turn. "Hmm, he didn't summon a single Sacred Beast, not to mention, he played two monsters that have zero attack points. Worst of all, I have never seen the monsters he played before. I wonder what kind of effects they have. Attacking them maybe the only way to find out about them. It might be risky, but as Squall so frequently told me in the past, nothing ventured, nothing gained."
"Alright, I'll start things off this turn by summoning my Silent Magician LV4 (1000/1000)."
A young, child like mage in white and blue robes, with a blue kind of body suit, a strange mage's hate, holding a strange looking scepter, and long silver hair emerged onto the field.
"Silent Magician, attack his Phantom of Chaos with Silent Scepter Blast!"
Aiming his scepter at the weaker black sphere, the young mage released a small white blast of magical energy.
Before the energy blast made it halfway across the field, Legato smirked evilly, saying "I was prepared for this. I activate the trap known as Shift, which let's me transfer your attack from one monster to another. Your new target shall be Chaos Core."
With that said, the strange winged creature instantly leapt in front of the black sphere creature, seemingly taking on the attack.
Sneering, Legato added "Oh yes, I forgot to mention about Chaos Core's effect. When attacked, I can send from my deck or hand to the Graveyard three specific monsters."
Pulling his deck out, Legato searched through it and picked out three cards. Once finished, he shuffled his deck and replaced it within it's slot. Turning the three cards towards Illidan and Jaden, both lightly gasped at the sight of the cards.
"I send these three, my Legendary Demons, to the Graveyard." Legato smugly said.
Once all three monster cards were pulled into his Graveyard Slot, Legato sneered once more, saying "By doing this, my Chaos Core gains three Phantom Counters. When I remove a counter, I can reduce all Battle Damage to my monster to zero."
The blast of white energy immediately hit the winged creature upon Legato finishing his words. Smoke billowed from the strike, but as it vanished, it became apparent that the weaker creature survived, and Legato had taken no damage to his life points.
"But why give up three of your most powerful monsters!?" Jaden asked with full confusion.
Smirking, Legato nonchalantly replied "The Legendary Demons are powerful, even within my Graveyard. You shall soon see what I mean."
"In the mean time, it's still my turn, so Luster Dragon, show his Phantom of Chaos your Ruby Blaster!" Illidan declared.
Opening it's jaws, the sapphire dragon spat a ruby colored fireball at the black sphere.
"I was hoping you'd do that." Legato coolly said. "I activate another trap, this one known as Chaos Form. This trap now acts like an equip card, which I equip to my Phantom of Chaos. When targeted for an attack, a random monster from my Graveyard is chosen and that monster's attack and defense points become Phantom's points."
"That means…" Illidan started while a sweat drop slid down the side of his face.
"My monster isn't defenseless. So, which of the Legendary Demons shall be equipped, hmm?" Legato slyly replied.
After a moment, a monster card image appeared in front of the sphere creature. The card showed the form of a large blue and purple monster.
"Looks like Raviel, Lord of Phantasm (4000/4000) has been chosen. I believe you're about to lose a massive amount of life points Illidan." Legato icily said.