…
…for years…
…for years I've lived on this planet of ours.
I've seen many horrible things, how humans treated each other, and I too am a victim of our cruel world.
Chances are, these two have probably felt a tiny sting of what this world can do to people…too bad, that isn't even five percent of the worse that could happen…
I guess, since my duelists have failed me, I should take these two idiots down with my own two hands.
I will show them a world without pain, a world without suffering…
…a world of the void…
//-/-/--/-/-//--/-//-//-/
Chapter 27
Voided Challenge
/-//--/-//-/-//-/
"Care for some last words whippersnapper?" Daigo asked fitting the card into his duel disk, forcing the large Triad-Cyber Hydra to separate into the three original Cyber Hydras (2100/1500 x3) all of them roaring at Natalie.
"Umm…I think your beard is cute?" Natalie tried with an innocent smile and sparkling eyes.
"…nice try," Daigo replied with a mischievous grin on his face as all three of the Cyber Hydras began to lower their heads to Natalie's height. "…but thanks for the compliment! Cyber Hydras! Attack with Hydro Bursts!"
Back in the stands, Kurro couldn't help but smirk as he watched all three of the powerful attacks crash into Natalie…creating a smooth yet surging blue light that bathed the entire arena. "…finally…now I can have a chance…"
Five minutes later…
"…I see that you still have a little skill left…" Kurro coughed covering his mouth with his hand as he stood in front of Daigo.
"What did you just say?" Daigo growled narrowing his eyes at the older duelist.
"Oh nothing, just the ramblings of my old age," Kurro chuckled finger his cane with his free hand. "Anyway…I have to say that yours and your student's skills are impressive…at least in the blue dorm from what I've seen."
"Then how do you explain Ashton losing to that red student?" Daigo retorted wagging his finger at Kurro.
"Currently, I'm considering that as luck," Kurro sighed sitting down at the seat where he was standing before. "Just like I considered the fact that a certain short guy managed to defeat a certain pop hero duelist a few months ago."
Meanwhile…
"ACHOO!"
"Talk about a sneeze, brother," Ami giggled as her smaller brother rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Ah, someone's talking bad about you, shorty," Garu chuckled rubbing the top of Cain's head, creating a large blood vessel appearing on his head.
"KNOCK IT OFF!" Cain snarled slamming his elbow into Garu's neck sending the Ninja duelist sprawling back. "Learn to keep your hands to yourself, monkey boy!"
"What the hell's your problem!?!" Garu shouted reaching for Cain's neck.
"Don't even try it!" Cain shouted grabbing Garu by his neck with his left hand.
As the two student duelists began fighting each other intently, the rest of the students took a few seats away from the fight so that they wouldn't get involved.
"So…what happens now?" Taylor asked scratching the back of Rox's ears, making the small wolf cub pant in joy.
"…well, since the duels are three to one, I would assume that Daigo won his little bet with Kurro," Vergil replied rubbing his chin. '…of course, I highly doubt someone like Kurro would fall without a small fight…'
With a loud sigh, Yae shook her head at Cain and Garu fighting. "Geez…what the hell is up with these two?"
"Eh, they'll tire themselves out," Ami chuckled with shrug on her shoulders. "If not…I'll be able to break it up."
"…ya know, sometimes you scare me Ami," Kazica admitted as Daigo slowly came up to the group of duelists via the stairs.
Taking a deep breath, Daigo crossed his arms at his duelists with a slightly grim look on his face. However, his attention was immediately drawn to Cain and Garu fighting. "…do I dare ask what those two are fighting about?"
"Nah, you're better off not asking," Yae sighed lowering her head while a large sweatdrop rolled down the side of Daigo's head.
"…well…that won't be good at all…" Daigo moaned with a large depressed look on his face.
"Are you okay sir?" Vergil asked tilting his head to the side with his arms crossing his chest.
"…to be honest…" Daigo replied looking back to Cain and Garu, both of them throwing fists at each other. "…I've got my doubts."
"You're going to have to be a bit clearer, sir," Yae stated.
"…very well…" Daigo gulped raising his hand. "The last four duels were mainly to show that the duelists here were competent on the duel field."
"…well that was a cheap shot," Yae sighed poking her fingers together.
"Oh, sorry," Daigo chuckled nervously scratching the back of his head at insulting the young girl. "Anyway, Kurro's last challenge is a two on one duel against two students he selected. And, by the looks of it…"
Daigo pointed towards Cain and Garu, a dark aura appearing around the former principal's head. "…the two selected duelists are Cain Sonryu, and Garu Honzou…"
At that moment, everyone's eyes widened and craned over to see Cain and Garu slowly stop fighting. Garu was being held down by Cain's right hand and was about to be punched by the left fist, but when their names were called, Cain stopped to turn towards Daigo. "…someone say my name?"
"What about me?" Garu asked leaning his head back.
"…we're doomed," Vergil sighed shaking his head.
"At least we'll get a few laughs," Yae remarked.
"And we've got an hour to at least prepare them," Daigo pointed out as a sweatdrop rolled down the side of his head again.
/-//--//-//-/-/-//
"So…who's going to duel against those two punks?" Tao asked with a large smile on his face as he followed Kurro and the rest of Team Legendz towards Kurro's office, his ego being inflated as being the only successful duelist of Team Legendz that managed to win. "May I suggest…"
"Save it Tao!" Chinto, Natalie and Zaku shouted turning around making the gravity challenged duelist fall backwards.
"…don't be so loud you three," Kurro chuckled keeping up a decent pace despite his age. "…I've already selected who will duel in the final match…"
"And who would that be?" Zaku asked tilting his head slightly when the group finally the two doors that lead into Kurro's office.
Spinning on his heel, Kurro lifted his arms up in a dramatic matter as the doors opened up behind him. "You see the duelist before you…I plan to face those two snot nosed brats…"
"WHAT!?!?!" Chinto, Zaku, Natalie and Tao shouted at the same time, making Kurro cover his ears in pain.
"What did I say about being loud?" Kurro sighed walking into his office.
"Sir, are you sure that you're up for that?" Chinto asked as all four of the younger duelists followed. "I mean, with your old age…"
"Age has nothing to do with dueling," Kurro interrupted heading to his desk. "I would think that duel that happened only minutes ago would be proof of that…"
"Please don't rub salt in the wound," Natalie sighed rubbing her right arm slightly with a blush appearing on her face.
"Apologies," Kurro chuckled falling into his seat. "Now then…if you don't mind, I have a little announcement to make. I expect all of you at the duel arena in less than an hour…I shall triumph when all of you have failed."
"Hey! I didn't fail!" Tao protested flailing his arms.
"Oh please, you only won because of your opponent," Chinto pointed out as the four began to exit the room immediately.
As soon as he was alone in the room, Kurro reached for the PA system to deliver his announcement to the student body. "…attention young duelists…"
//-/--//-/-/-/-///
"…attention young duelists, I know all of you are in class at the moment and I apologize for the interruption."
"But, I digress; I have announced that there is a mandatory assembly located in the main duel arena of the school. In less than forty-five minutes, a duel that will involve the best duelist on the island…"
"Geez…and here I thought Fomalhaut had an ego…"
After the small meeting was over, Densui and Talo had retreated back to the Red dorms…more specifically the cafeteria to enjoy a late lunch.
"True my friend," Talo admitted lowering his cup of tea to the table while the rest of the announcement began to ring through the air…although it was ignored by the two. "But, for him to actually come up with a plan was actually pretty ingenious…"
"Eh, he's an old fart," Densui chuckled sitting backwards to slam his feet onto the table while lifting his gourd up to his lips. "Nothing more than the ramblings of a dumbass."
"Quite an interesting vocabulary you've developed Densui," Talo laughed slightly adjusting his collar.
"D-Densui!?!"
"Huh?" Densui and Talo questioned at the same time turning to the end of there table…
…and Densui couldn't help but smirk at the sight of Ayame stepping away from the table backwards with a tray in her arms. "Well, well, well…what's it been, little lady? Two…three months?"
"Densui, is this another one of your…" Talo sighed lifting up his cup of tea as Densui stood up from his seat, his smirk widening on his face.
"Nah…not yet anyway," Densui replied with a slight slur to his voice as he approached Ayame with his hand up. "Now then, where were we the last time we met?"
"You not getting the hint," Ayame answered trying to walk away only to have Densui slide to her side, scaring her slightly.
"Aw, don't be like that," Densui chuckled wrapping his arm around Ayame's shoulders. "How about I show you a good time?"
"Miss, please duck."
Densui blinked as Ayame ducked down, and just as Densui was about to turn towards Talo… a large splash of hot tea flew into the drunken duelist's face. "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
With the hot tea causing first degree burns to his face, Densui flailed backwards till he ran into the table behind him, causing the drunken duelist to fall backwards on the table. And as Densui stumbled to the ground, rolling to get the hot liquid off, Ayame blinked a few times standing up.
"I must apologize," Talo sighed walking up to Ayame with an innocent look on his face as he held up his hand towards Ayame. "First off, my acquaintance here should never act that way to a lady. It's just not gentlemanly to do so."
Ayame could feel her face slightly reddening as Talo starred at her with the icy blue orbs that were his eyes. "Uh…y-yeah."
"Second," Talo continued somewhat unfazed by Ayame's blush. "I never introduced myself properly, I am Talo Krys…and it would appear that you know Densui Iwa. We're both transfer students from the Atlantic Duel academy near America. And even though Densui said your name…it would be a pleasure to hear it from your beautiful lips…"
"Uh…w-well," Ayame gulped holding the tray close to her body. "A-Ayame Hayate…"
"What a name," Talo chuckled with a handsome, yet slightly chilling smile appearing on his face. "Well, once again I must apologize for our behavior and I must thank you for talking with such a beauty."
"Oh, um, d-don't worry about it," Ayame stuttered before heading back towards the kitchen.
"…what a nice girl," Talo admitted after Ayame disappeared into the Slifer Red's kitchen.
"Talo…"
Turning his head back, Talo was met with an enraged Densui with an enraged look on his face, tea dripping off his slightly burned face. "…what the hell was that about!?!"
"You were acting like a hot head," Talo replied combing his hair with his hand. "So, I decided to cool you down with a drink…"
"THEN YOU SHOULDN'T USE HOT TEA!" Densui shouted slamming his fist into the nearby table. The force of his fist had created small spider webbed cracks that began to race from the impact of his fist and into the table. "For cripes' sake, what the hell were you thinking?!?"
"…how to inflict the most pain to you without trying to look like a jerk," Talo answered making Densui punch the table once more, this time sending a few splinters to the ground.
"Well you did a great fricken' job!" Densui snarled glaring daggers at Talo.
"Anyway, as to what we were discussing earlier," Talo sighed sitting back down in the seat as if nothing just happened. "…are we going to that duel?"
"…I really don't see the need," Densui snarled jumping back into his seat, immediately lifting his feet up onto the table again. "Especially since Lucian is going to be there, watching when the old fart ends his duel…"
"True enough," Talo admitted clasping his hands together in deep thought. "…however, I wish that it wouldn't be such a gruesome end if you ask me…"
"Its Lucian was told," Densui replied closing his eyes. "Ya know…here's something I always found interesting…how come we never met Lucian's boss?"
"…it just never occurred to me before," Talo answered lowering his head to the table. "And honestly…I could care less. As long as we get our justified ends…"
"Finally, we agree on something," Densui chuckled before shooting a dark glare towards Talo. "…but still…I'm going to get you back for throwing that damn tea on me!"
"Wouldn't have it any other way my friend," Talo snickered.
/-/-/-////-/--/-/-/
"…Alright, explain this to me again," Cain requested leaning forward from his seat towards Daigo.
After Daigo had stated that Cain and Garu were to duel each other, the former principal had pulled the two duelists into a separate room from the others. "I don't think it's that hard to grasp the situation."
"Yeah, but what I don't understand…" Cain growled with a blood vessel pulsing on the side of his head. "Is why I'm forced to be paired up with this stupid monkey!"
"I'm sitting right here," Garu pointed out, a cold sweat falling from his head.
"Hence why I said it," Cain retorted with his eyes closed.
"Why you little…" Garu growled narrowing his eyes at Cain (who currently was having his blood vessel pulsing even faster.
"That's enough!" Daigo shouted getting both Cain and Garu to turn towards him. "…the reason as to why you two are forced to be a team is beyond me…but, that doesn't matter! Geez, I thought that you Mr. Sonryu had taken Garu as an apprentice…"
"…against my will," Cain finished for Daigo. "Look, I'm more than willing to duel again…but why does it have to be a tag duel?"
"Beats me," Daigo replied shaking his head. "I don't even know what duelist Kurro has lined up."
"…well, it shouldn't be a problem at all!" Garu shouted jumping to his feet. "Think about it…the shorty here was able to win his match no hands down, and I was able to tie with Ashton…what sort of problems would we have with who we're dueling next?"
"Underestimating your opponent before you see them?" Cain asked with a dueled look on his face. "…wise choice."
//-/-//-///-////-/
The remainder of the hour had disappeared, while the remainder of the student body had appeared into the main duel arena's stands…
"…and that was going on while we were in class?" Takashi asked taking his seat next to Yae.
"Pretty much," Yae replied in a dull tone.
"I'm kinda surprised that no one told us about this," Takashi stated with a sweatdrop rolling down the side of his head. "I thought this was going to determine the fate of this place."
"It does," Yae answered rubbing her chin before all the lights in the arena dimmed. "Huh?"
A single light lit up over the duelist platform, showing that Kurro was standing in the middle of the platform, his cane in his left hand and a microphone in his right. "I'd like to thank you all for coming to this school duel. As I am sure that many of you are unaware of…this past morning, four duels were held to decide if this duel was going to occur…"
"Now…a majority of you are probably wondering why even bothering to continue this duel and make you all watch this. Well, your former principal Daigo and I made a wager on this duel; should the two student duelists be triumphant…the school shall go back under Daigo's ownership…"
With that last sentence, the students in the stands began to shout out that this duel was outlandish to decide the fate of the school and students. But Kurro didn't seem to care at all. "Now then…I think you should all meet your two representatives…from the Obelisk Blue Dorm, the shorty duelist, Cain Sonryu!"
Another spotlight lit up over the southwestern entrance of the duel arena, showing a pissed off Cain who slowly walked towards the platform. His deck of duel monster cards in his hands, slowly being shuffled. "And the underdog of the Slifer Red dorm, the knuckle head duelist, Garu Honzou!"
A third spotlight had activated over the southeastern entrance, revealing a slightly annoyed Garu running up to the duelist platform.
And as soon as Cain and Garu were standing on top of the platform, Kurro smirked widely to continue his little speech. "Looks like this will be a very interesting match…oh, that's right, I forgot to introduce the duelist that will face against them…the master of the void, hear it for…"
All the lights went out for a few seconds, making everyone in the arena murmur loudly until all of the lights suddenly lit up. Standing across from Cain and Garu…
…was just Kurro wearing a duel disk and a dark mask that covered his eyes and mouth… "Kuchin!"
…
"…what the hell?" Cain questioned raising an eyebrow at Kurro shuffling a rather large deck of cards.
"…I know I'm not that smart," Garu muttered with a large sweatdrop rolling off his head. "…but even I can tell that it's still the old frail man we know…"
"Frail?" Kuchin asked slowly taking his duel disk off. "Please…don't insult me…"
After placing his disk onto the platform, Kuchin immediately pulled his long shirt off, throwing it and his cane into the air. Needless to say, Kuchin's physique was quite surprising. His chest and abs were ripped, covered with a tight black muscle shirt that exposed his chiseled body. "Especially since I've got a much better looking body than either of you two, young punks."
"Somehow, that's just creepy Kurro," Cain muttered shaking his head as Kuchin bent down to grab his duel disk once more.
As soon as Kuchin slipped his duel disk back onto his arm, the device immediately hummed to life and lit up the life point counter. "Its Kuchin! Get it right!" (KLP: 8000)
"…no thanks," Cain sighed shaking his head pulling his five card hand. "I've had my fill of idiots with aliases last year. I don't need another one this year." (CLP: 8000)
"Yeah, it's going to be too confusing to remember those names," Garu stated rubbing his chin before snapping his fingers with a smile. "I got it! We'll call you Kurochin!" (GLP: 8000)
"…I'm good with that," Cain added shaking his head.
"I'M NOT!" Kuchin shouted slamming his foot into the ground. "Its Kurro…I mean, Kuchin! Get it right!"
"Why don't you try getting it right first?" Garu suggested wagging his finger.
With a slight cough, Kuchin raised his duel disk as if it was a shield to face the two duelists. "Anyway…since Kurro is gone, I'll explain how this duel will go down."
"But Kurochin, you are Kurro," Garu pointed out only to get a boot to his forehead courtesy of Kuchin, sending the ninja duelist falling backwards. "ACK!"
"Shut up runt!" Kuchin snarled crossing his arms over his chest while Garu jumped to his feet.
"What the hell!?! Did you just hit me with a boot?!?" Garu shouted waving his fist towards Kuchin.
Before anyone could continue, Cain immediately slapped Garu upside the head with his magic haisen, now becoming the target of Garu's glare. "If you want to take your anger out on Kurochin…then strike him down in the duel!"
"…right," Garu replied turning back to Kuchin to draw his five cards. "So? What are you waiting for Kurochin?"
"About time you'd let me explain the rules," Kuchin chuckled shaking his head at the two duelists' behaviors. "But, I'll overlook that little detail for now…the duel shall proceed as if it was a three way duel, only you two will be able to gang up on me. Simple, no?"
"I wish most of the lectures I got were as short as that one," Garu muttered as Kuchin immediately pulled his sixth card from his deck.
"True…oh, so true," Kuchin snickered fingering his cards slightly. "But now then, since I'm technically the challenged, I can go first…"
A spell card immediately materialized in front of Kuchin, making Cain narrowing his eyes at the familiar spell card. "…Great…Soul Absorption…"
"I see you know what I'm planning on doing," Kuchin chuckled fitting two more cards into his duel disk, creating the back of the cards next to the Soul Absorption card. "But…how I'm planning on doing it is obviously a different matter, so I'll end my turn so you can see how I plan on doing that…"
"Sweet," Garu remarked with a grin on his face while noticing that Kurro had nothing useful on his field. "Alright shorty, once you take your turn, I can get us an early lead!"
"…who said I was going next?" Cain asked narrowing his eyes. "I'll be the one who gets the first attack in, so make your move monkey boy."
"What!?!" Garu shouted waving his arms in the air. "Come on! You…"
"Stop it right there," Kuchin interrupted raising his hand up. "Unfortunately, neither of you will be able to attack. When in a three way duel, only after each player's end phase can any of them attack…so I'd be the one who gets the first attack."
"WHAT!?!" Garu protested narrowing his eyes at Kuchin. "That's not fair Kurochin!"
"…no, he's right," Cain growled snapping his sixth card into his hand. "And if that's the case, then we have no choice in the matter. Kurochin will have the first attack, but we'll just have to counter whatever he's got."
"Heh…thank you," Kuchin chuckled before a blood vessel appeared over his head. "However…my name's not Kurochin! It's Kuchin!"
"Whatever you old coot," Cain muttered looking at his hand. 'Crap…why is it today I'm getting nothing decent? Oh well…this might actually help him, but until I get a grasp on what he's planning, I don't have a choice.'
Silently, Cain slapped his first card onto his duel disk, forming into a gray haired man with a golden mask covering his eyes and nose. Drawn on the forehead of the mask was a blue transmutation circle. His black jumpsuit has the edge of the cloak attached to the waist that flowed in an invisible wind (1500/1300). "Sync Alchemist will be able to handle this first turn."
"Sync? What does Sync mean?" Garu asked tilting his head to the right slightly.
"Look up you idiot," Cain growled fitting a card into his duel disk, making it materialize behind his monster. "Turn end."
"Yeesh, no need to bite my head off," Garu replied. "Draw!"
As soon as it did so, Garu immediately placed his card onto his duel disk, creating a large cloud of smoke. Leaping from the smoke, the familiar Feral Ninja (1200/0) landed on the ground snarling loudly. "With my good friend Feral Ninja summoned, I can summon another from my deck!"
Immediately leaping from the ceiling a second Feral Ninja landed next to the original, joining in snarling towards Kuchin. "…and as much as I would like to attack…your rules prevent me from doing so."
A single set card appeared behind the set of Feral Ninja. "But, they can't stop me from setting this little trinket…your move Kurochin…"
"…I'll teach you two brats some manners," Kuchin growled slowly pulling his next card from his deck. At the mere sight it…A sense of relief seemed to appear around Kuchin's body while he lifted his duel disk up a little higher and to the side. "…and what better way…than to force you to step into my parlor?"
With his field card zone opening, Kuchin immediately fitted his newly drawn card into his duel disk. For a second, nothing happened.
Drip…drip…drip…
…until a black liquid began to seep from Kuchin's duel disk, falling to the duelist platform. Slowly at first, only into a small puddle…then, the liquid began to pour from his disk, covering the duelist platform immediately. "Now, my home field advantage, Complete Nothingness…and thanks to it, all of my spell and trap cards will be removed from play…"
"Big deal," Garu questioned tilting his head slightly. "What will that do?"
"…you really are an idiot," Cain sighed slapping his head. "Remember this well…Soul Absorption will increase his life points by five hundred per card that gets removed from play. Now, he'll be able to gain more life points than we can damage him."
"So? It's not like he'll be able to get the chance, as long as he doesn't have a monster out…" Garu chuckled.
"I summon Void Brawler!" Kuchin shouted as a large blob of transparent energy began to rise up from the darkness. The blob began to mold itself into a medium sized, tangible man with a pair of glowing eyes and having no other features other than the spiky hair outline he had (0/0).
"…huh?" Garu questioned as the tangible man began to flex his muscles. "What kind of monster is that?"
"Why tell you?" Kuchin chuckled taking one of the remaining two cards in his hand to slip into his duel disk. "Anyway…turn end."
'Void? This is new to me,' Cain thought slowly picking his next card off his duel disk. 'And…since he's got a monster out with zero attack points…who knows what he's planning…'
'But if it's a trap…then I'll have to run straight into it!'
"Sync Alchemist! Attack his Void Brawler!" Cain shouted as the Sync Alchemist leapt towards the voided monster.
With a spin in the air, the Sync Alchemist slammed his foot into the blob like man's head, splattering the monster all over the place. The remains flew into the air…
"Void Brawler! Counter attack!" Kuchin shouted as the many materials began to flow over the surprised Sync Alchemist's body. When the remains had covered all of the Sync Alchemist's body, the dark ooze compressed into nothing. "…too bad shorty…" (KLP: 9000)
"How in the…" Cain questioned as Kuchin wagged his finger at the short duelist.
"Tsk, tsk, I thought that you were smarter than that," Kuchin sighed shaking his head. "You see, my Brawler negates all battle damage involving it…but when destroyed in battle, I can remove your monster from play. And naturally, my monster removes itself from my graveyard all on its own."
"Hmm…I wondered why it was called Void for a reason…" Cain chuckled pulling his next card from his hand. "In that case, I'll set one card face down and leave it to the knucklehead."
"…do you mind not insulting me?" Garu asked pulling his next card from his head. "Besides, with what I've got planned…I've got this in the bag! Activate face down card! Ninjas for Hire!"
Garu's face down card flipped up as he threw all five of the cards in his hand into his graveyard slot, the spell card revealed itself showing three ninjas accepting a scroll from a civilian. "For the cost of all five cards in my hand, I can special summon three level four or lower Ninja from my deck immediately!"
Three clouds of smoke erupted onto Garu's side of the field, immediately dissipating to reveal Ryu -Kitsune Ninja (1400/900 500/0), Uzamaki – Tech Ninja (1300/600 500/0), and Demon Wind Ninja (1400/900 500/0), all of them raising their weapons up in a powerful manner. "Oh, and did I forget to mention that my three monsters gain five hundred attack points each?"
"…I don't believe it…he set up a one turn kill," Cain muttered looking all five of the ninjas that were on Garu's side of the field. "However…it's a risky one…he sent all five of his cards to his graveyard and Kurochin has three face down cards…"
"Now then…since my Uzamaki can attack twice, when all five of my monsters attack," Garu announced raising his fist up…immediately turning it down to give Kuchin a thumbs down. "You'll be taking ninety-eight hundred points of damage Kurochin!"
"Not a bad rush kiddo," Kuchin admitted shaking his head. "But don't think that I don't know what your little spell card is capable of…"
"It won't matter in a few seconds!" Garu shouted throwing his fist towards Kuchin. "Ninja Squad! Attack Kurochin directly and end this duel!"
Then in many blurs, all five of Garu's ninjas leapt towards Kuchin, their weapons ready to strike down the terror immediately. But just as all of the ninjas' weapons were about to clash into Kuchin's body…
"Trap card activate!"
A large amount of dark energy began to warp around Kuchin's body as he immediately snapped the top six cards from his deck. The dark energy immediately pushed the many ninjas backwards off of the transparent duelist field. (KLP: 12000)
"B-But…" Garu stuttered as all five of his ninjas slowly crawled back onto the duelist platform.
"But nothing…I activated my trap card, Void Barrier," Kuchin explained pointing towards one of the cards that had lifted up, showing a young monk meditating while a group of bandits charge towards him, only to be stopped by a dark barrier. "You see, whenever you declare an attack against me, all I have to do is remove one card off the top of my deck to negate it. And since you had six attacks, I just simply removed the top six cards from my deck."
"Also, don't forget about my Soul Absorption spell card. Since I removed six cards from play, I gained three thousand life points…at this rate I'll be untouchable."
"Yeah, you're nothing but hot air, Kurochin," Garu replied shaking his head.
"I call it wisdom," Kuchin growled, shaking off the fact that Garu kept calling him by that mess of a name. "And besides, it's a lot better than being clueless. Since you have nothing in your hand Ninja boy, you have to end your turn. And thanks to your spell card, you lose all of the monsters on your side of the field!"
And it was just as Kuchin had stated, in five clouds of smoke, all of the ninjas that Garu had gathered disappeared from the field, leaving him bare and open for attack. "Uh…wait a second!"
"Too late!" Kuchin shouted pulling his next card off of his duel disk. "Now then, during my standby phase, in order for me to keep Void Barrier, I have to pay five hundred life points…but what's five hundred compared to over ten thousand?" (KLP: 11500)
"Next, I'll activate the powerful spell card, Dark Core Infusion!"
Instead of the spell card appearing in front of the void duelist, a large dark portal appeared over Kuchin's head. (KLP: 10500)
"I don't like the sound of that," Cain muttered as Kuchin pulled out the rather large deck of cards that he head.
"You won't like what it's capable of," Kuchin replied lifting three cards from his deck. "You see, this spell card allows me after I pay one thousand life points, to fuse a dark attribute fusion monster by removing the three cards that make it up from play. The only thing is, the fusion monster has to have less than fifteen hundred attack points…"
Appearing on the transparent field, was nothing more than three transparent foxes, each of them with glowing white eyes. "And by removing my three Void Fox cards from play in order to fusion summon this!"
Leaping into the vortex, all three of the Void Foxes were fused into one single entity that crashed into the tangible duelist platform. The entity was quite large, and resembled that of a nine tailed, tangible fox with a pair of glowing white eyes and fangs that had stood out from the rest of the monster (0/0 3600/3600). "HEY! I thought your monster had to have…"
"Quiet you little loudmouth," Kuchin silenced Garu wagging his finger. "I still have some explaining to do. First of all, my Void Kitsune that I just summoned has originally zero attack and defense points. Due to her effect, she gains three hundred points for each card removed from play…"
At that very moment, many lights began to rain down on Kuchin's body, creating a barrier of light around his body. "Next, since I just removed four cards from play, I gain two thousand life points!" (KLP: 12500)
"And to wrap up this turn…" Raising his hand into the air, Kuchin forced his Void Kitsune to jump high into the air. "Void Kitsune! Attack that knuckle head with Flames of the Void!"
With a loud growl, the Void Kitsune began to spin at a fast rate, creating many black flames to appear around her body. Before Garu could react, the many flames crashed down into the ninja duelist's body, wrapping around to singe him slightly. (GLP: 4400)
"That was for trying to take me down last turn," Kuchin chuckled crossing his arms while looking at the last card in his hand. "Of course…that's only the start…"
"Oh, shut up Kurochin," Garu spat out dusting off his ripped uniform while Void Kitsune gracefully landed before Kuchin.
"Leave it to a knucklehead to fall behind," Cain muttered pulling his next card up. 'Finally! I'll be able to destroy his strategy with this!'
"I summon, Flame Alchemist!"
In a great explosion, the familiar black haired alchemist appeared with a gleaming smile on his face (1600/1400). "And when he's summoned, I can blast away two spell or trap cards on the field! So why not blow away Soul Absorption and Void Barrier!"
Just as the Flame Alchemist raised his hand up to snap his fingers, a powerful strike of electricity struck down from the ceiling making the alchemist become a small pile of ash. Cain was having a hard time replying to what just happened. "But…I…how did…"
"You talk big for a little guy," Kuchin chuckled wagging his finger placing two cards into his pocket for his removed from play pile…and because of that, his Void Kitsune began to increase in size (3600/3600 600/600). "But, my trap card, Divine Wrath negates your monster's effect and destroys it. And just so you're wondering, I discarded a spell card so along with my trap so both get removed from play." (KLP: 13500)
"Nice move shorty," Garu chuckled getting a glare from Cain.
"Ah shut up!" Cain snarled towards Garu narrowing his eyes. "At least I didn't lose almost half of my life points because of stupidity!"
"My, my, my, fighting with your teammate?" Kuchin chuckled as a card popped into his hand. "Especially since I still have more damage to cause…the spell card I discarded was known as Void Agreement. When this spell card is removed from play, I can add another spell card from my removed from play pile to my hand. However, I forced to not activate it during my next turn…"
"Are you done?" Cain asked crossing his arms. "I don't really give a crap about what you're planning…and monkey! You better not mess this up!"
"Don't tell me twice!" Garu shouted drawing his next card. Shaking his head, Garu immediately slapped the card onto his duel disk. "I can only set a monster face down…and that's it."
"Hmm…quite sad how two duelists have to resort to defense," Kuchin chuckled gracefully pulling his next card from his deck. His Void Barrier remained on his field as his life points lowered slightly. "But then again, with no real cards in your hands…I can understand that. I have one card that can't be used this turn and a situational spell card…" (KLP: 13000)
"…but lucky for me…this is the right situation for Chaos Greed!"
As soon as Kuchin drew his next two cards thanks to his spell card, a powerful white aura appeared over his body thanks to Soul Absorption…however Kuchin just shook his head in disgust. "Oh…nothing of use again…oh well…" (KLP: 13500)
"Oh just cut the banter," Cain sighed lowering his head. "That's what's really killing us…"
"Spoil sport," Kuchin sighed raising his hand towards the Void Kitsune. "Now then, Void Kitsune…be a dear and destroy the shorty's face down monster with Flames of the Void."
With a loud howl, the Void Kitsune's nine tails had spread out with many black flames appearing at the tips. Then, with a mighty whip of her nine tails, the powerful flames crashed into the face down monster immediately, burning the card to a small crisp. "Must not have been a decent card…"
"…heh…you fell for it!" Cain laughed lifting the very card that had been destroyed. "You see, the monster that you destroyed had a flip effect. And the monster was known as Noble Alchemist (1000/800). Thanks to it, I can special summon one level four or lower Alchemist from my removed from play pile or graveyard…all I have to do is pay two hundred life points times the level of the monster." (CLP: 7200)
Lifting his duel disk up, Cain allowed a powerful flame to erupt on the field, revealing the Flame Alchemist with a vengeful look on his face. "And since you interrupted him last time…let's give Flame Alchemist another chance! Destroy Soul Absorption and Void Barrier!"
With a snap of his fingers, the Flame Alchemist fired a pair of flames that engulfed both of the selected spell and trap cards on Kuchin's side of the field, incinerating them in a matter of seconds. "But…but…"
"Looks like the tables turned!" Garu laughed loudly as Cain threw his hand over his face down card, making it flip up.
"But I'm not done yet!" Cain shouted while his face down card fully flipped up, showing an ancient statue with tears coming from her eyes. "Since you destroyed my Noble Alchemist, my trap card, Alchemy – Tears of Hyanthe activates! In response, I can remove one of your monsters from play, and since you only have one monster…"
"NO!" Kuchin shouted as his Void Kitsune shattered into many glass like shards.
"Awesome!" Garu shouted in awe of the shorty's performance. "Now that Kurochin's best monster is nothing again, we've got this in the…"
"Enough!" Kuchin shouted slamming his foot into the ground. "To start off, that monster wasn't my best…I've got a load of tricks for you two idiots! Next, my name is not Kurochin! It's Kuchin, you monstrosity of matter!"
Fitting the two cards he had drawn earlier into his duel disk, Kuchin created a second Soul Absorption card in front of him while a second face down card appeared. "And to end my turn…well…I think it's obvious."
"Great…back where we started," Cain sighed shaking his head while pulling his next card from his deck. Then with a small smirk, Cain spun the card he had drawn immediately. "Now then, I think its time to bring out a familiar face! I summon Wandering Alchemist to the field!"
Jumping onto the transparent platform, the short, blonde alchemist ran onto the field, his red overcoat flowing behind him (1500/1300). "And now, thanks to my alchemist…"
"I know what your card can do," Kuchin interrupted while a single card shot out of Cain's deck. "Not that your selected card will work for you…"
"We'll see…" Cain stated immediately fitting the card he selected into his duel disk. "But now then…I think its time for some Alchemic Fusion!"
A large transmutation circle appeared underneath both the Flame and Wandering Alchemists, basking the two alchemic warriors in red light. Kuchin was also basking in light, but this was from his Soul Absorption. "Nice, but your little tactic allows me gain even more life points…" (KLP: 14500)
Cain was silent as a powerful eruption of flames appeared before him, and then was pushed away to reveal that the two alchemists had merged into one. Lifting his arms up, the new Alchemist was standing before Cain was a taller version of the Wandering Alchemist; his overcoat covered with multiple flame decals on it. His blonde hair had black highlights in it making him somewhat more rugged than the original (2400/1600). "Steel Flame Alchemist! Attack Kuchin directly!"
With a clap of his hands, the Steel Flame Alchemist slapped both of his hands into the ground, creating a powerful wave of flames. Kuchin merely looked up as the flames crashed into him, making him step back as the flames passed around him. "URK!" (KLP: 12100)
"And that…is my turn!" Cain announced as Garu drew his next card immediately. 'Please…don't screw this up!'
"Draw!" Garu replied spinning the card he had in his fingers. "Just what I needed! I activate the spell card, Pot of Greed!"
When the green and blue grinning pot appeared on the field with a loud laugh, Garu immediately pulled the two cards from his deck. "Alright, I sacrifice my face down monster in order to summon Ninja – Ken Shinobi!"
The face down card disappeared into a cloud of smoke, and when the smoke flowed into the air, a new ninja had graced the field. Standing proud, the scarred older ninja with a black cloth covering his mouth and samurai like ninja clothes with a dark colors on it, glared at Kuchin. His face (or what's showing) had multiple scars allow his dark gray hair tied back to float in a small ponytail going down his back. In his right hand was a small sword that looks somewhat like a katana (2200/1800). "Now then…Ninja – Ken Shinobi! Attack Kurochin!"
"My name is Ku…" Kuchin started before the Ninja – Ken Shinobi appeared before him, quickly stabbing the dagger into Kuchin's gut. "URGH!" (KLP: 9900)
"It may be small…but we're definitely getting somewhere!" Garu chuckled as his ninja reappeared in front of him while a card appeared behind the ninja. "Especially, since we've got two powerhouses here!"
"W-Well then…" Kuchin coughed throwing his arm to the side. "I activate my trap card, Solemn Wishes! So your troubles have just begun!"
"…why?" Garu asked tilting his head slightly.
"Cause, you idiot," Cain growled slapping his forehead. "Now, every time he draws a card, he'll gain life points each time he draws a card."
"Oh," Garu chuckled slightly rubbing the back of his head. "Can ya blame me? I've never seen the card before."
While Cain and Garu were having their little discussion, Kuchin drew his next card with many lights raining down over his body. (KLP: 10400)
"I think its time I took control back in this duel," Kuchin snickered lifting up a familiar card. "I activate the spell card, Dark Core Infusion! I don't think I need to explain what my little spell is capable of doing…" (KLP: 9400)
Once again, a large dark vortex appeared over Kuchin's head, but instead of three Void Foxes appearing before him…
…Three small, tangible hawks appeared before Kuchin, each of them with glowing white eyes. Then, with a snap of his fingers, all three of the hawks were pulled into the vortex. "Now then, I'll fuse all three of the Void Hawks in my deck…"
The vortex shattered again, this time releasing an extremely large six winged, black, tangible phoenix with a pair of glowing white eyes with many white flames floating around its body. Screeching loudly, the mysterious bird slowly landed on the tangible duelist platform (0/0). "…into my Void Phoenix!"
"And let's not forget about Soul Absorption, shall we?" (KLP: 11400)
"Damn it…and this monster we'll probably even stronger than the Void Kitsune…" Cain growled as the Void Phoenix scoffed to the side.
"Please…don't be so droll," Kuchin chuckled lifting his right hand towards his Void Phoenix. "But, allow me to show you what my Phoenix is capable of! Attack the Steel Flame Alchemist, Feathers of the Void!"
Flapping its many wings, the Void Phoenix fired many different feathers towards the Steel Flame Alchemist. In response, the alchemist clapped his hands again, this time creating a powerful wall of flames that seemed to block all of the feathers. 'I don't like this one bit…why would he…'
That's when all of the feathers flew through the flames and sliced through Cain's torso. "D-Damn it!" (CLP: 4800)
"Unfortunately," Kuchin chuckled as the flames died down to show that the Void Phoenix was peck under one of its six wings. "My Phoenix can't be destroyed in battle. And any battle damage that it is involved in is automatically transferred to you."
"Great…just what we need," Cain sighed shaking his head.
"Wait, wasn't there a monster that couldn't be…" Garu muttered rubbing his chin with a light bulb appearing in his head. "…Hey, Cain…"
"Not now!" Cain growled narrowing his eyes at Garu. "I'm trying to think here…"
"…fine…" Garu scoffed.
"Hello? Can I finish my turn?" Kuchin asked wagging his last card in his hand up and down. "In which case, I activate the spell card, Graceful Charity. You're both experience enough to know what this card can do…but with my field spell it gets removed to give me more life points!" (KLP: 12400)
After grabbing the three cards from his deck, the aura appeared around Kuchin, both from Solemn Wishes and Soul Absorption. Of course, sending two of the cards from his hand into his removed from play pile, the Soul Absorption card glowed even brighter. "I of course discard two of my spell cards…one of which is my Void Agreement. So, since that's the case, I automatically get my Dark Core Infusion!" (KLP: 13400)
"Great…so in two more rounds we'll get another pain in the ass monster," Cain moaned slapping his forehead.
"Well, maybe we could…" Garu started to suggest.
"Just shut up!" Cain shouted making Garu narrow his eyes in annoyance.
"This is too easy," Kuchin chuckled fitting another card into his duel disk. "So please…do keep it up."
"…bastard," Cain growled pulling his next card. Waving his arm into the air, the Steel Flame Alchemist knelt down with his card appearing horizontal underneath him. "I switch my Alchemist to defense mode, and set a pair of cards face down. Turn end."
"Heh…back on the defensive? How sad," Kuchin sighed shaking his head while rubbing his chin in deep thought. "Well, are you going to go defensive as well you little knuckle head?"
"Nah, I'll keep my Ninja – Ken Shinobi in attack mode," Garu replied lifting his next card up.
"What?" Cain and Kuchin questioned at the same time.
Even the entire student body was silent at Garu's response…
"…are you stupid?" Cain asked tilting his head slightly.
"Just shut up and watch shorty!" Garu chuckled snapping his fingers over his face down card, showing a familiar spell card. "I activate the spell card, Ninjutsu Art – Black Dragon! This spell card allows me to increase the attack points of any monster on the field by one thousand points!"
"Heh, even more attack points will do you more harm than good," Kuchin pointed out as many tattoos that resembled that of back dragons appeared…
…only on the Void Phoenix (0/0 1000/0), making the large void monster to squawk in pain. Then, in a powerful flame, the Void Phoenix shattered into shards that scattered into the arena. Kuchin's eyes nearly popped out from behind his mask as his monster's remains disappeared into the recesses of the arena. "But…how did you know…" (KLP: 13900)
"Wait…how'd that happen?" Cain asked with a few question marks appearing over his head.
"Well," Garu started crossing his arms while his eyes looked towards the corner. "During one of our tutoring sessions, Kara told me about a monster known as Spirit Reaper, it couldn't be destroyed in battle…but if its targeted at all by a card effect, it self-destructs…I just thought that the same applied to all monsters like that, except Ryu of course…"
Everyone in the arena sweatdropped at Garu's explanation…
…the guy was just lucky!
"Uh…I guess if dumb luck works…" Cain muttered shaking his head.
"…well…anything's possible I suppose…" Kuchin sighed adjusting his mask.
"Damn it! Stop insulting me!" Garu shouted with a large blood vessel appearing on his head. "I summon Shinobi Kan!"
In a black cloud of smoke, the dark ninja appeared before Garu with his red leering eyes (1600/1200). "And since you've got nothing out…Shinobi Kan! Ninja – Ken Shinobi! Attack Kurochin!"
"I keep telling you, it's Kuc…" Kuchin started until both blades sliced through his body. "HHHHIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!" (KLP: 10000)
"Ha! Take that Kurochin!" Garu laughed as his two shinobi leapt back to his side of the field. "How do you like that?"
"I thought I told you…" Kuchin growled drawing his next cards as his Solemn Wishes activated once more. "My name is Kuchin!" (KLP: 10500)
"I activate the spell card, Card of Sanctity!"
In a great flash of light, many coins began to rain down from the sky above the three duelists. "Now, all three of us draw, till we all hold six cards…but since I'm drawing again and my spell gets removed, I get a little bonus!" (KLP: 11500)
As soon as all three duelists drew their cards, the large flash of light had disappeared into the void. Cain couldn't help but scowl at his hand. "You know that helps us more than you…"
While Garu on the other hand, he couldn't help but having his eyes sparkle.
"Of course, but that'll soon be beside the point," Kuchin chuckled lifting a card up, this one a familiar spell card. "Now then…I'll activate the spell card Dark Core Infusion!" (KLP: 10500)
"Wait a second!" Garu protested throwing his fist into the air. "You can't play that card this turn…"
"True…but, I drew my second Dark Core Infusion," Kuchin chuckled lifting three cards from his deck. "Prepare yourselves you little runts…"
"I'm going to teach you two a lesson in pain…old school style!"
To be continued…
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Card Stats
Void Agreement / Spell / Effect: When this card is removed from play, you may add one spell card from your removed from play pile and add it to your hand. The selected spell card cannot be activated until your next turn.
Image: A scroll being ripped in two.
Sync Alchemist / Wind / LV. 4 / ATK: 1500 / DEF: 1300 / Warrior/Effect: When this card is destroyed as a result of battle, remove this card from your graveyard to send the monster that destroyed this card, to the graveyard.
Description: A gray haired man with a golden mask covering his eyes and nose. On the forehead of the mask is a blue transmutation circle. His black jumpsuit has the edge of the cloak attached to the waist.
Noble Alchemist / Wind / LV. 3 / ATK: 1000 / DEF: 800 / Spellcaster/Effect: [Flip: When this card is flipped up, you may special summon one level four or monster with 'Alchemist' in it's name from your removed from play pile or deck. After the selected monster is special summoned, inflict 200 points of damage to your life points times the level of the special summoned monster.
Description: A blonde haired man wearing fancy green clothes with a book in his hand.
Alchemy - The Tears of Hyanthe / Trap / Effect: This card can only be activated when a monster on your side of the field is destroyed. Remove from play one of your opponent's monsters.
Image: An ancient Statue with tears coming from her eyes.
Steel Flame Alchemist / Dark / LV. 6 / ATK: 2400 / DEF: 1600 / Warrior/Fusion/Effect: [Wandering Alchemist Flame Alchemist This card can be Fusion summoned by removing from play the above monsters from your side of the field. When this card destroys a monster as a result of battle and sends it to the graveyard, inflict 1000 points of damage to your opponent's life points. When this card is face up on the field, this card's name is considered to be 'Wandering Alchemist'.
Description: a taller version of the Wandering Alchemist; his overcoat covered with multiple flame decals on it. His blonde hair has black highlights in it making him somewhat more rugged
Void Fox / Dark / LV. 3 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / Beast/Effect: When this card is sent to the graveyard, you may remove this card from play. When this is done, you may special summon all 'Void Fox' cards from your hand or deck to your side of the field.
Description: A small black, tangible fox with a pair of glowing white eyes and three tails.
Void Hawk / Dark / LV. 3 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / Winged-Beast/Effect: When this card is sent to the graveyard, you may remove this card from play. When this is done, you may special summon all 'Void Hawk' cards from your hand or deck to your side of the field.
Description: A small black, tangible hawk with a pair of glowing white eyes.
Void Brawler / Dark / LV. 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / Warrior/Effect: When this card is sent to the graveyard, you may remove this card from play. Negate any damage calculation involving this card. When this card is destroyed as a result of battle, remove from play the card that destroyed this card.
Description: A medium sized, black, tangible man with a pair of glowing eyes and no other features other than the spiky hair.
Void Kitsune / Dark / LV. 8 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / Beast/Fusion/Effect: [Void Fox Void Fox Void Fox When this card is sent to the graveyard, you may remove this card from play. For each 'Void' card in your removed from play pile, increase the attack and defense of this card by 300 points per card.
Description: An extremely large nine tailed, black, tangible fox with a pair of glowing white eyes and fangs
Void Phoenix / Dark / LV. 8 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / Winged-Beast/Fusion/Effect: [Void Hawk Void Hawk Void Hawk When this card is sent to the graveyard, you may remove this card from play. This monster cannot be destroyed as a result of battle. When this card is specifically designated as a target of the effect of a Magic, Trap, or Effect Monster Card, this card is immediately destroyed. Your opponent takes all Battle Calculation to this card's controller that he/she would take from a battle involving this card.
Description: An extremely large six winged, black, tangible phoenix with a pair of glowing white eyes with many white flames floating around its body.
Dark Core Infusion / Spell / Effect: Pay 1000 life points. When this card is activated, select one DARK attribute fusion monster with fifteen hundred attack points or less. Remove from play all listed fusion material monsters written on the card from your deck and special summon the selected fusion monster (this is considered to be a fusion summon).
Image: Many monsters being engulfed into a dark core
Complete Nothingness / Field Spell / Effect: As long as this card is on the field, all of your spell and trap cards that are sent to the graveyard, are removed from play.
Image: A dark void with many monsters floating in the zone
Void Barrier / Continuous Trap / Effect: When ever your opponent declares an attack against you, remove the top card from your deck from play to negate this attack. During your standby phase, pay 500 life points. If you cannot, then destroy and remove this card from play.
Image: A young man meditating while a group of bandits charge towards him, only to be stopped by a dark barrier.
Ninjas for Hire / Spell / Effect: Discard your entire hand to activate this card's effect. Special summon three level four or lower monsters from your deck with 'Ninja' in their names and 1500 attack or less. Increase the attack of all monsters special summoned by 500 points. During end of the turn this card was activated, destroy all monster cards on your side of the field.
Image: Three ninjas accepting a scroll from a civilian.
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Cain: Damn, no matter how many times we knock him down…he keeps getting back up!
Garu: Hey, at least I'm managing to pull awesome moves.
Cain: …its still dumb luck.
Garu: Hey!
Kurochin: Not even all the luck in the world will help you with what I've got planned for you two…
Deeper than darkness…lesser than light… Enter into… Chapter 28: Past A Void
Kuchin: Wait a second! That damn author called me Kurochin! Change it now!
Vyser: I'm so evil…