Hey everyone! Sorry for this being a bit late. I went out earlier today and didn't get back till late, so oh well. This past weekend wasn't too bad. Saw my grandfather Friday, in which he was doing good. Hmm, other than that, not much else really happened I suppose. Oh yeah, I didn't hear from my dad for 3 days, which is new. It kind of shocked me really. He usually calls every night, so I was a bit surprised. I figured he was either that mad at me or something. I went over today, and he was in a decent mood. I talked with my step mom, and she said when he got angry at me last week, he was angry at everyone, not just me, lol. Anyways, he didn't call due that one night he was asleep, another they weren't home, and the last he just plain forgot, lol. Also, she sided with me on my statement that the word 'might' means I will possibly be there or not. At any rate, we put a building of his together today, and I told him I might be back tomorrow too, but only if it's not frigidly cold or snowing. I guess things are patched up now though with him.
Writing wise, I got a bit done on MtM, and a bit on Another. I'm hoping to start posting Another before the end of the month. That's the plan, but whether it'll happen or not, we'll see, hehe.
Last time, Illidan and Jaden continued their battle with Legato, with Legato finally summoning his three Legendary Demons to the field. The question now is, can the team of Illidan and Jaden overcome the Sacred Beasts, or will they fall at their hands?
Ok, moving on, time for reviews!
x-knight20: Thanks. Yeah, CN has really gone down hill big time. I only watch Naruto and Adult Swim anymore, although AS has really been sucking too… The newer shows just aren't funny, and the newer episodes of Family Guy just aren't that funny either, although the animes they have are reeling me in, hehe. I did watch One Piece till they switched the voices. For crying out loud, those new voices suck! It's like they took DBZ characters and put them in for One Pieces characters, and it just rather sucks… Yes, I did catch a few of the Gemini and Gladiator Beasts coming out. I actually bought three packs of the last set to come out, which isn't too bad. I wouldn't count on the Evil Heroes for Jaden's deck in this story. After all, he's not evil… yet, lol. Thanks for the review.
Ultimate Legendary Master: Thanks. It's been cool about not reviewing during the holidays. It happens, much like life, lol. Yes, I did use some of the cards Marcel used in season 3 of GX for Legato. After all, they do help compliment the power of the Sacred Beasts really. I know that it sucks that all of season 3 hasn't aired in the U.S., but oh well. I could watch it in Japanese with subtitles, but eh, I'll wait. Besides, I've read what happens, so no biggie, which does suck cause I get to complain about the English version totally sucking due that they cut out important stuff, like Viper falling to his death, his son dying due to being hit by a car, etc. It just bites that 4kids does that crap… Thanks for the Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Again, thanks for the review!
Metal Overlord 2.0: LOL! Yes, I just posted 4 chapters especially due that you weren't around, hehe. But yes, the final battle thus far has been back and forth, with no true outcome seemingly within sight. The question is, who can win this back and forth battle? Yep, Legato is using the support cards for the Sacred Beasts thus far, making it harder for Illidan and Jaden to keep up. Still, there is some hope I figure with those two working as a real team. Glad you really liked this duel thus far. Ah, a new fic, eh? That's good to hear. I look forward to it. Thanks for the review!
DuelistBlake1852: So true, Illidan nearly had Legato with Mirage Knight, but close don't count in Duel Monsters. He could lose still yet, but we'll see. Btw, on the Apprentice Magician's effect, it does happen. I researched that one. Even though it's a flip effect, when it's flipped up due to battle, it's adding a spell counter effect does kick in. I've had a judge explain that one to me before… well, a friend, who I fought tooth and nail over it, lol. But he proved me wrong with a judge. Spell Speeds are so complicated within this game. I usually just ignore them within my stories, unless it's something I know would absolutely not work, regardless of the rules or not. Cute comment on zeroes. Eh, flamers haven't been a problem really due that I did talk it out with them. Heh, actually, I pretty much said how I would do things. I had made comments about Tea early on in ToP that offended people, but I said something important: don't let the opinions of the writer offend you. If you like the story, but hate the writer, ignore the commentary and read the story. That's the easiest thing to always do. Since then, we worked things out, so it was all good. Thanks for the review!
Nathan: Lol, yeah, it was a long holiday week and I thought I'd update a good bit. Yes, the Sacred Beasts are a great way to do an end game. True, avoiding their true summoning conditions sucks, but it happens, lol. It's alright to mention my card/rule inconsistencies. When I do it, usually it is due that I couldn't work under the actual rules, or I just chose to ignore them, or just forgot, lol. Thanks for the review!
Knives91: Thank you. I'm glad you like the duel thus far.
Alright, that's all of the reviews. These seem to get longer and longer with time, but that's all good. I like writing out the reviews. It's always fun and interesting to do. At any rate, I hope everyone has a Happy New Year! Enjoy!
Chapter 74
Glancing at Illidan while drawing his next card, Jaden encouragingly said "Don't get bummed out Illidan, because I have a strategy to take him down a few pegs this turn."
"I'd like to see you try boy." Legato smartly remarked.
Smiling, Jaden held up a card from his hand, saying "With pleasure. I'll kick things off this turn by sacrificing Bubbleman and Clayman to summon Elemental Hero Neos (2500/2000)!"
Both the blue warrior with a cape and the large round grey warrior vanished into a flash of light. Above the field, a flash of light appeared, and suddenly a powerful white warrior with a slicked back horn on his head and spikes coming out from his elbow joints appeared. He had a bit of red lining on his body, along with a bit of blue as well. On his chest was a blue circle.
"Now Neos, merge with Flare Scarab to create Elemental Hero Flare Neos (2500/2000)!"
Both the white warrior and the bug-man leapt into the air, with the bug-man hovering over top of the white warrior. Slowly, the two moved closer to one another and till a blinding white light filled the field. When the light died down, both warriors were gone, but a new one was left in their wake. This new one had mostly black armor, with some blotches of orange. His body looked similar to the bug-man, but not quite. On his back was a pair of bug shell like wings, and his head had a beetle like pinchers for a helmet.
"Thanks to Flare Neos's special ability, he gains 400 attack points per a spell and trap on the field. Right now, you have one and Illidan has one, meaning Flare Neos gains 800 attack points (2500 + 400 2 3300/2000)."
Flames began surrounding the black and orange creature, seemingly licking at his body while his strength increased.
"But I'm not done yet, for I have a card to add to his. I play the field spell Skyscraper!"
Tapping the end slot on his Duel Disk, Jaden placed the card into the slot, which instantly caused the ground to begin changing. Blacktop formed on the ground, along with large buildings shooting up into the sky. The sky darkened till a moon shown above with all the large buildings surrounding everyone.
"In here, when an Elemental Hero is weaker than it's target, they gain 1000 attack points. Plus, since I just added another spell card, Flare Neos gets stronger again (3300 + 400 3700/2000)."
The black and orange warrior was once more surrounded by flames as his body increased in strength.
"Next, I switch Sparkman back to attack mode."
Standing up, the blue and gold warrior took up an offensive stance, seemingly ready to do battle once more.
"Sparkman, take out his Phantasm Token with Static Shockwave!"
Turning his palm towards the weaker version of the large blue and purple monster, the blue and gold warrior released a streak of white lightning straight at the creature. The small blue and purple creature was instantly struck, exploding upon impact.
"Flare Neos, attack Raviel with Flare Blaze (3700 + 1000 4700/2000)!"
Jumping into the air, the black and orange warrior formed a sphere of flames in between his two palms. After a moment of powering up the sphere, the warrior threw it in the direction of the large blue and purple creature. The blast hit the large creature hard, making it immediately burst into flames. There was a tremendous explosion, leaving a large plume of smoke in the air.
Upon his monster returning to his field, Jaden called out "I'm not done battling you yet, for I have another card! I activate the spell Contact Out. This let's me split apart my Elemental Hero Flare Neos back into Elemental Hero Neos (2500/2000) and Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab (500/500)!"
Glowing with a white aura, the black and orange warrior suddenly split apart, revealing the white warrior and the bug-man that had been on the field the turn before.
Glancing towards Illidan with a look of needing help, Illidan nodded, saying "I activate a spell card called Rush Recklessly. This grants Jaden's Neos 700 more attack points for this turn alone (2500 + 700 3200/2000)."
Glowing lightly with a white aura, the white warrior's strength increased a bit more, making him even more formidable.
"Thanks Illidan." Jaden said with a smile. "Neos, take down Hamon with Cosmic Crush (3200 + 1000 4200/2000)!"
Leaping into the air, the white warrior went sailing straight into the large dull yellow creature. Seconds later, the white warrior came sailing straight through the back of the large creature, which howled out in great pain before exploding, sending out yet another huge plume of smoke.
Not waiting for the smoke to clear, Jaden called out "Flare Scarab, attack his Phantom of Chaos now with Flaming Arrow!"
Soaring into the air, the bug-man formed a sphere of hot flames and sent it sailing towards the black sphere. The black sphere was struck head on, with absolutely nowhere to go. In a small tower of flames, the creature vanished, leaving nothing behind on Legato's field other than his trap card.
"Total sweetness, we cleared out his field." Jaden exclaimed.
Smiling at Jaden, Illidan nodded, saying "Well done."
"Thanks, but I couldn't have done it alone." Jaden commented back. Turning his attention to Legato, Jaden continued on, saying "I end my move, so let's see what you've got." (Illidan 500, Jaden 3000; Legato 1500)
Chuckling a bit, Legato stared at the two in front of him. "Impressive, the two of you managed to take down my Legendary Demons." he calmly said.
Becoming more serious, he continued on, saying "But my Legendary Demons aren't done with this duel yet. Not by a long shot."
Picking up his new card, Legato sneered, saying "And here is why it's not over yet! I play the spell Silent Doom, which lets me special summon one monster from my Graveyard to the field in defense mode. I choose my Dark Summons God (0/0)."
Slowly rising up onto the field in a crouching position was the strange looking creature that had large red wings with grey in them and a strange head.
Both Illidan and Jaden had a small sweat drop roll down the side of their faces. "You know what that means." Illidan muttered to Jaden.
"Yeah, he's about to bring them back again." Jaden responded.
Evilly smirking, Legato smugly said "Exactly. I send Dark Summons God to the Graveyard, allowing me to bring back my three Legendary Demons! Rise up again Hamon (4000/4000), Raviel (4000/4000), and Uria (6000/6000)!"
Without warning, a tremendous lightning burst struck the field behind Legato. At the same time, a large purple cloud formed beside of the strike, and finally, a tower of flames appeared to the other side of the lightning.
From the lightning, the large dull yellow creature reformed. On it's left, the large blue and purple creature appeared, and to the right of the dull yellow creature, the large red dragon like creature appeared. All three roared loudly, sending out shockwaves to the field.
"Of course, I can't attack this turn, but no need to. Fools, soon you shall feel the wrath of my Legendary Demons!" (Illidan 500, Jaden 3000; Legato 1500)
Gazing at the three creatures before him, Illidan pondered on what to do. "Those things are so hard to destroy. And with only 500 life points, I have to be extremely careful. I have to figure out a way to take those things down, but how?"
Staring at his deck, Illidan thought for a moment what to do. "I have to have faith that me and Jaden can win this. We have to, or Marie's fate is sealed, as well as the world's. No, I won't give up, not now!"
Looking up confidently, he drew his card and examined it before saying "Alright, to start things off, I activate Royal Magical Library's special ability. Since Jaden played two spell cards last turn, and you activated one too, my Library gained enough Spell Counters to activate it's effect. I'll remove all three counters, allowing me to draw one card."
Picking up a new card, Illidan continued on, saying "I activate the spell Graceful Charity, allowing me to draw three new cards, but I have to discard two when I'm finished."
Drawing three new cards, he looked over them for a moment before saying "I discard my Dark Magician of Chaos and Magical Blast."
Placing the two cards into his Graveyard Slot, Illidan lightly smirked. "Time I activated this card, my spell Monster Reborn. With this, I can bring back Dark Magician of Chaos (2800/2600)!"
A flaming pentagram instantly formed onto the field with smoke coming out of the middle of it. Rising slowly in the middle of the pentagram was a mage with black tight fitting armor, wearing a strange mage's hat, and held a long black staff in his right hand. His skin color was blue, and he had some black markings. While rising up, his eyes remained closed. Finally fully on the field, the mage opened his eyes, revealing yellow corneas with red irises. Upon opening his eyes, the flames extinguished, seemingly showing his strength.
"Sweetness, you summoned your Dark Magician of Chaos!" Jaden happily commented.
Staring at the mage, Marie lightly gasped. "He actually managed to reclaim his Dark Magician of Chaos. That means he actually defeated Anubis. Maybe this is just what Illidan needed to win this duel."
Smiling at his mage in front of him, Illidan called out "Thanks to me bringing my mage back, his special ability activates. I can now transfer one spell card from my Graveyard to my hand. My choice is Pot of Greed."
Slowly, the spell card slid out of the Graveyard Slot and into Illidan's waiting hand. Picking it up, Illidan showed it to Legato, saying "I activate Pot of Greed now, so two new cards for me."
Picking up two cards, Illidan once more called out "Next, I activate Royal Magical Library's effect. I've played three spells this turn, meaning it has three Spell Counters. I remove all of it's counters, and get another card."
Drawing one more card, he smiled, saying "I play the spell Mirage of Nightmare. Thanks to this, during your Standby Phase, I can draw till I hold four cards, but on my Standby Phase, I have to discard the same number of cards I drew. To end my turn, I'll place these three remaining cards face down. That'll just about do it for me." (Illidan 500, Jaden 3000; Legato 1500)
"Nice moves Illidan." Jaden curtly commented. Drawing his card, he continued, saying "I'll switch all my monsters to defense, and throw down a face down. That'll be it for me." (Illidan 500, Jaden 3000; Legato 1500)
"You two are pathetic." Legato snipped as he drew his card. Examining it, he smirked evilly, saying "It's time I finished you off Illidan…"
Cutting in, Illidan called out "Not before my Mirage of Nightmare kicks in. Thanks to it's effect, I can now draw four cards."
While Illidan picked them up, Legato only chuckled, saying "They won't help you, for this is the end! Uria, destroy his pathetic Dark Magician of Chaos with Hyper Blaze and end him!"
Roaring loudly, the red snake like dragon opened it's jaws, allowing flames to lick the insides of hit's mouth.
Before the flames could be released though, Illidan pointed at a face down card, saying "Not happening Legato, thanks to this spell card! Go Magical Hats, protect and conceal my monsters!"
Materializing onto the field above the black armor clad magician was a black top hat with a checker pattern above the brim and a big yellow question mark on it. Slowly, the hat slid down to the field and covered the mage. The hat then slid out, creating copies of itself and concealing the other three monsters. The four hats slid back together, and once more flexed out to four hats again.
Growling irritably, Legato angrily spat "Fine Illidan, hide like a coward! Uria, destroy the hat on the far left with Hyper Blaze!"
Swinging it's head towards the far hat, the large red snake like dragon released a blazing hot stream of flames at the solitary hat. The flames struck that hat hard, incinerating it within moments. Once the hat had burned off, the old man with purple hair and a white trench coat appeared, but vanished within the flames.
"So much for Magical Scientist." Illidan mused.
Lightly growling with frustration, Legato pointed at another hat, yelling "Raviel, cleave up that far right hat with Shimmering Slash!"
Claws glowing with a brilliant light blue color, the large blue and purple creature stepped forward with his right hand pulled back. With a single sweep, the monster slashed one of the top hats with his claws, instantly shattering the hat and revealing the weaker purple armored mage with a large gash on it's body, which instantly exploded.
"Sorry, but wrong monster again." Illidan smugly said. "Not to mention, you just took out my Apprentice Magician, meaning I can special summon one new level two or lower Spellcaster Type monster from my deck."
Pulling his deck out, Illidan examined it before picking a monster and slapping it horizontally onto his Duel Disk. "This one should do."
Grinding his teeth lightly, Legato began to snap at Illidan, but stopped and smirked. Lightly chuckling, he calmly said "This little game has been amusing Illidan, but I'm afraid it's over."
"How so?" Illidan questioned.
"Whatever monster Hamon strikes will end this duel. I could search for that ridiculous mage again, or I could just destroy your new monster." Legato coolly stated. Shrugging, he simply said "Really, I don't feel like searching for that mage, so I have decided to just finish you for good. Hamon, destroy his new monster with Cerulean Sky Fire!"
Spreading it's wings, the dull yellow creature roared loudly and lifted it's head towards the sky as blue lightning could be seen crackling within it's open jaws. Lowering it's head, the monster shot out a stream of blue lightning at the lone card image. The blast shattered the face down card image, instantly revealing a young female mage with long pink hair up in a pony tail, wearing purple and pink robes with a yellow cord belt, holding a long golden staff with a crescent moon at the top of the staff. The blast quickly destroyed her, leaving nothing behind.
"Thanks for flipping my face down monster Legato. You just brought out my Magician of Faith (300/400), whose flip effect let's me return one spell card from my Grave to my hand. I pick my Pot of Greed." Illidan calmly said.
While Illidan took the card sliding out of his Graveyard into his waiting hand, Legato chuckled darkly, saying "You are truly a fool. Have you forgotten that Hamon's special ability now takes a 1000 of your life points when he destroys one of your monsters? Well, let me remind you now!"
Letting out a massive roar, the dull yellow dragon released a stream of blue lightning into the sky. Darkening a bit, the sky around the city began to fill with lightning. Thunder boomed as the strikes got closer and closer, seemingly hunting Illidan.
Without warning, lightning poured from the sky down straight at Illidan. Seeing this, both Illidan and Jaden at the same moment tapped a button on both their Duel Disks. The lightning struck the field, making everyone shield their eyes from the intense flash.
"Game over Illidan. Farewell you fool." Legato coolly said.
Slowly, the flash faded, but instead of revealing Illidan on the ground, it revealed him still standing with a pink spongy like barrier surrounding him.
"WHAT!?" Legato bellowed with great anger. "HOW DID YOU SURVIVE!?"
Smirking, Jaden called out "I had a little to do with it. When Hamon's effect was about to strike Illidan, I activated a trap known as Cocoon Veil. This handy trap reduced all the damage Illidan was about to receive to zero due that I got rid of my Chrysalis Birdy for it. Oh yeah, since I did that, I can now special summon from my deck the evolved form of Chrysalis Birdy, better known as Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird (800/600) in defense mode."
Immediately upon saying that, the pink barrier around Illidan vanished while on Jaden's field, a red bird warrior with white wings on his back, a long bill, and talon like hands appeared in a crouching stance with his arms crossed.
"Oh yeah, Legato, I also had a hand in this save also. You see, when you attacked, I activated my face down spell card, Emergency Provisions. Thanks to it, I gained a 1000 life points by sacrificing my Mirage of Nightmare card, meaning even without Jaden's help, I'd have made it. Tough luck I'm afraid." Illidan slyly said with a grin.
Growling with frustration, Legato jammed a card into his spell/trap card zone, saying "I place this face down and end!" (Illidan 1500, Jaden 3000; Legato 1500)
"Thanks for the save Jaden." Illidan kindly said with a nod.
Smiling back at Illidan, Jaden gave a thumb up, saying "No problem Illidan. Like I said earlier, we've got to stick together to win."
"Right." Illidan said, returning the smile too.
Staring at the field, Chazz mused "Those two are a good team."
"I'll say. Nothing Legato throws at them seems to slow them down." Alexis commented. Frowning, she added "I just hope it stays this way."
Tied to the obelisk, Marie softly smiled, although grimaced in pain immediately. "Those two are taking care of one another and acting like a true team. I only hope Illidan and Jaden can hang on and win this duel."
Without warning, a small flashback of her dream from earlier in the year came to her. It was the dream she had had of Illidan losing his duel with someone who looked like Legato, and Illidan had had Anubis on the field. She had been unable to move, and only able to watch.
The flashback quickly wore off as her mind was quickly troubled. "No, it can't happen now. Please, tell me that wasn't a vision! But all the facts point to it now that it was. Please let me be wrong! Let him survive!"
On the field, Illidan glanced at his deck and pondered on it for a moment. "We've managed to stall for more time, but that's all so far. Each turn, Legato keeps coming back with a new assault, and each turn we fight him back, but we're going nowhere. What I need now is the cards to end this."
Drawing his card, Illidan examined it and smirked. "Perfect, exactly what I needed."
"I kick things off this turn by playing Pot of Greed once more, drawing two new cards."
Picking up two cards, Illidan continued on, saying "Next, it's time to change the scenery. Sorry Jaden, I know the city is your kind of thing, but it's gonna have to go."
"It's all good. Go for it." Jaden commented.
Nodding, Illidan held his Duel Disk vertical and tapped the end, causing a slot to shoot out. "I activate the field spell Chaos Control!"
With gentleness, Illidan placed the card within the slot, which immediately shut. The sky above the field immediately clouded in, with stormy clouds appearing. The large buildings and the blacktop immediately vanished, only to be replaced by a desert wasteland with a cave near Illidan. The storm above the group seemed to grow more and more fierce by the moment, with lightning flashing and thunder booming.
"Thanks to this field spell, I can special summon a monster with the word 'Chaos' or 'Envoy' in it's name once per a turn from my deck, hand, Graveyard, or removed from play pile. The major drawback is that I can't move to my Draw Phase, but I won't need it. I'll kick things off by bringing my Dark Magician of Chaos out of hiding, meaning Magical Hats are gone."
Both top hats remaining slowly vanished, revealing the black armored mage and the octagon building, with the mage ready to strike.
"Next, I'll use the power of Chaos Control to bring out from my hand the beginning of your end, Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning (3000/2500)!"
The intensity of the storm grew much fiercer while the cave on the field glowed lightly within. Without warning, lightning struck the field to the left of the black armored mage. From the lightning strike came a warrior clad in black ebony armor with a powerful sword and shield in hand.
"Now it is time to meet the end of the beginning, so I remove from play both my Apprentice Magician and Magician of Faith, allowing me to special summon my Chaos Emperor Dragon – Envoy of the End (3000/2500)!"
Rapidly appearing onto the field, a large black dragon with an orange mane, powerful clawed hands and feet, and a large set of black wings materialized. Letting out a mighty roar, the dragon showed it's true strength was much more than it seemed.
Smirking lightly, Illidan called out "Since I have three of my Chaos monsters out, Chaos Control's special ability kicks in. By sending it to the Graveyard, I can destroy all monsters on your field."
The storm grew even more fierce as lightning began to make a path towards the large creatures on Legato's field. After a moment of striking near them, the lightning struck all three of the creatures, making each howl in pain before exploding at long last.
"By the way, there is one other effect of Chaos Control you should know of. When it goes to the Graveyard due to it's own effect, all three of my Chaos monsters are allowed to direct attack you in the same turn! It's over Legato! Direct attack with Chaos Slash, Chaos Scepter Blast, and Chaos Blaster!"
All three of the monsters nodded back towards Illidan and launched into the air. Pulling his sword in front of himself, the warrior sent energy flaring up the blade before sending out a blade of energy from the sword. Twirling his staff, the black armored mage fired a black sphere of magical energy straight for Legato. Last to fire it's blast, the large black dragon launched a black sphere of flames.
Darkly chuckling at the oncoming blasts, Legato pointed a finger at Illidan, saying "You are a fool. Do you honestly think you can stop me with those monsters!? Watch and learn what true power is! I reveal my trap, Call of the Haunted, returning to my field Uria, Lord of Searing Flames (6000/6000)!"
A tower of flames instantly shot up onto the field. Coming from the tower of flames was the large snake like red dragon, which let out a massive roar, instantly quelling the flames.
"Why bother Legato? I'm direct attacking due to the effect of Chaos Control, so playing a monster doesn't help." Illidan calmly asked.
Sneering, Legato nodded and said "True, but did you forget my trap card, Spirit Barrier? So long as it's on the field, and I have a monster, my life points are untouchable!"
Eyes growing wide, Illidan watched in horror as the golden barrier materialized in front of Legato. The blasts were easily absorbed by the barrier, which held strong and didn't even crack.
Grumbling in frustration, Illidan called out "I end my turn." (Illidan 1500, Jaden 3000; Legato 1500)
Picking up a card, Jaden examined it before saying "I'll throw down a face down, and that's it for me." (Illidan 1500, Jaden 3000; Legato 1500)