What is a man worth in this world?
Is there a monetary value?
Sentimental?
Or Emotional?
I say…all of the above…
A man should be worth what he says, what he does, and how he does both. But, actions speak louder than words and even though the man I'm looking at is the same as the last time I met him, he is totally a different person.
…when people interact with others, depending on how that interaction goes, both people leave with a piece of the other's persona with their own. In a sense, this is related to the peer pressure that plagues a number of teenagers in high school, trying to find their click.
It's a virus really…
…and the best way to find a cure is to find the source…
…and then, the one that I knew from those ago…
…shall reawaken!
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Chapter 39
Gluttony
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
The library…only a few hours ago was it the host to the intense duel between Hito and Rae. At night, the library was simply a ghost town, devoid of all life and sound, save for the occasional cricket chirp from outside the windows…
…but ever since the Saints of Sin had finally gained their final member, life had been spliced back into the library night life. All seven of the Saints stood around the main table, candles lit all around the table.
"Damn it Lucian! When are we going to get to the action around here?" Fomalhaut growled slamming his foot on the table, nearly knocking off several of the candles on it. "I'm getting bored with only dealing with idiots here!"
"Yeah! There's only a point that sake drinking contests can pass the time!" Densui announced waving the gourd he usually carried up in the air. "At this rate, my liver's going to dissolve into nothing!"
"I think we may be past that point Densui," Talo sighed shaking his head. "But I do have to agree with the two of the brutes."
"BRUTES!?"
"Oh, ho ho! You do have to admit," Kazuki laughed loudly from the side of Lucian. "You two are quite brutish!"
Both Densui and Fomalhaut stood up, enraged looks on their faces before a loud laugh echoed through the library, "HA! Now here I thought that I was the Saint of Wrath?" Sitting from his perch atop of the bookcase, Hito stared down at the other six members of the Saints of Sin. "Maybe one of you should switch with me…I wouldn't mind becoming the Saint of Pride…"
"That's no surprise," Madoka replied looking up from her horror novel to leer at the Saint of Wrath that sat overhead. "Pride is considered to be the root of all the sins…but considering that our current Saint of Pride is Fomalhaut, it fits…"
"Damn straight!" Fomalhaut shouted with a slap to his chest. "You can't help but stare at my awesome power!"
"Enough!"
Everyone went silent and quietly turned towards the source of the yell, seeing Lucian seated at the head of the table, a business envelope sitting in front of him. "If you six can get along for at least three minutes, then we can actually get to the reason why we're here…"
"Yeah, why are we here?" Hito yawned rather loudly leaning back to lay down atop of the bookcase, his right leg dangling over the side like a pendulum. "I'll go out on a limb and guess that it's not to enjoy each other's company."
"And you're absolutely correct," Lucian stated holding up the envelope in front of his face. "Our reason is this…our boss man ordered us to read this when we finally confirmed the power of the Saint of Wrath…I can say without a doubt that Wrath here is more than capable of holding his own…wouldn't you all agree?"
Everyone else just nodded back to Lucian, allowing the Saint of Greed to finger the envelope in his hands. "Well then…shall we see what the boss wants?"
With a loud rip, Lucian shredded through the flimsy envelope, turning it upside down to allow a single sheet of paper, along with several card packs tumbling onto the table. Each of the card packs was a different color and had a pair of words written on the cards…
…all of them starting with the word 'Sin'…
"Sweet packs…" Fomalhaut chuckled grabbing the packs that read 'Pride'. "I can assume that this is for me."
"You know what they say when you assume, Fomalhaut," Talo chuckled pulling up the pact with 'Lust' written on it.
"You're assuming yourself, you know!" Fomalhaut growled rather loudly with his eyes narrowed.
"No one touch the packs yet!" Lucian sighed with a slap to his forehead. "After I read the letter, feel free to rip through them. Ahem…now let's see what we've got here…'
Saints of Sin,
With the very fact you're holding this letter you've either gotten a suitable Saint of Wrath or ripped this open without permission. Either way, I don't care…
…but what I do care about is the fact that you're going to do this mission and you should be able to do this rather well…and if not, well, I won't be burdened with paying your checks…
"…we're getting paid for this?" Madoka asked blinking a few times.
"Hush!" Lucian growled before retuning to reading the letter.
…by now, someone probably made a comment about being paid for this work. Well, don't worry, I've made preparations for all of you to be compensated for your hard work…should you succeed.
Your mission is simple, on this island exist some ancient ruins known as the Ruins of the Seven Pacific Knights. You see the connection? In the ruins are seven statues, each with a ruin on them. At the end of this list, I've had my science expert comprise a comparison of which Saint is aligned with each statue.
Lucian…I permit you to use that D. MAN Project to its fullest level, and I unleash the limit on all duels…you all may duel to your hearts' contents with all your strength…
…up until you feel satisfied to deliver your power to the statues that are marked with your appropriate title…don't screw up.
Later Dayz,
Big Boss
"Oh ho ho ho!" Densui laughed pulling the Sloth pack, ripping it open looking at the cards in front of him. Fanning the cards in front of him, Densui laughed even louder. "This is awesome! Does this mean we can go nuts now?!"
"You're already nuts," Talo stated as Hito leapt from the top from book case, snatching the Wrath pack in his hands as he walked off into the shadow covered library. "But, I suppose you don't mind answering who this Big Boss is?"
"Sorry, but I've sworn to secrecy," Lucian replied slipping the pack into his hands. "But now…our fun can really begin…"
"Heh! Then I'm going to start at the Obelisk Blue Girls' dorm tonight!" Densui laughed sliding all but one of the cards he had gotten into his deck. "I'm going to rock and roll their worlds into submission…"
BAM!
What's when a large book slammed into the side of Densui's head, making him stumble backwards till he fumbled to the ground. "OOF!"
As she lowered her arm down, Madoka merely pocketed the cards into her jacket's pocket. "Don't even think about it Densui. There's a party going on and I'm not going to have a dead drunk crash a party that I got personally invited to you idiot!"
"Urk…f-fine," Densui growled rubbing the bump on his head as he crawled back on top of the table. "Then I guess I'll take a hit on the Ra Yellow Girls…"
"Sorry, but I already call dibs on them," Kazuki replied before walking off in the shadows. "And I plan to start this little venture in the morning…I need my beauty sleep."
'Especially two specifically…'
As soon as Kazuki had disappeared into the shadows, Densui growled loudly pulling his hair. "Alright! Is there anyone else who called dibs on anything?!"
"…Actually, I have a request," Fomalhaut stated standing up straight. "I'm sending a warning to the rest of you…I'm taking down this academy's so called Kaiser."
"You certainly are Pride," Madoka commented as she lifted her book from the ground. "I have a few targets in mind, thanks to Lucian here…so, I don't mind if you take on the top dog here…"
"Not just him, I've got a few other targets in mind," Fomalhaut chuckled as thoughts of Vergil Redgrave and a certain shorty appeared in his head before he began to walk away. "I've got a few to do before that comes to pass…"
"Man, why's everyone so fancy now-a-days?" Densui yawned.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"So, let me get this straight," Cain muttered rubbing his eyes. "You two are actual reporters for the Academy's Newspaper."
"Pretty much," Kyouya replied crossing his arms. "We're actually here to get information on the so called phantom of the school."
"Yeah, and thanks to you," Chisame stated taking a seat on the bed in Cain's room, flipping through a few of the she stole from Kyouya. "This idiot now has a name to go by. Lucian Walker."
After meeting the two journalistic students, Cain had made a deal to the two for not attacking them when they insulted him. That deal entailed to have the two of them, along with Cain, to tail Lucian.
…and thanks to the duel that occurred with 'Hito' and Rae, Cain was able to gather the small facts including what had happened the previous night…for some reason, Garu now called himself Hito, and had gone through one-eighty flip on personality, crew, and choice of cards.
Another reason for why Cain hated the monkey acting duelist.
This day was tiring, but having the two journalists sitting before him, discussing what had happened only a few hours ago. Cain just had to wonder what it all meant…
"Hey, shorty?" Chisame piped up with a snap of her fingers, getting the alchemic duelist's attention. "Are we done here yet? Cause I have a party to get to tonight at the Girl's dorm, and I'd rather not miss it…"
"Huh? Yeah, you can leave," Cain muttered before the two other blues slowly began to head for the door. "…thanks for the information…"
"Hey, no worries dude!" Kyouya laughed standing in the frame of the open door, being left behind by Chisame. "Just remember that you'd let me get that interview with you since there are quite a few rumors floating around your head."
"Sure, whatever," Cain replied before the door closed behind Kyouya.
Finally alone, Cain walked over to the computer that sat on his desk that had lit up the dark room through out the entire discussion. It was late, but despite the curse of being tired, Cain had some research of his own to conduct…
"…Mad Demons…" Cain muttered to himself as he typed the name into the computer and entered search. "…what exactly are you?"
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
The Ra Yellow dorm, home to Takashi and the T-Team, now-a-days it was rather quiet. With two of the louder members of this dorm having gone up to Obelisk Blue in the year before, the students were enjoying their breakfast in peace…
Especially two Ra Yellow girls locked in conversation, "So, Kazica, you seem to be looking good these days."
The naturally red haired Ra Yellow couldn't help but smile back at the silver haired girl who sat across from her, "Well Ami, things just keep getting better and better for me. Though, I still wonder…"
"Ah, are you worrying about Little Big Brother?" Ami giggled at the blush that crept on Kazica's face. "Sure you two are busy, but you're both trying to secure your futures…dad tells me that happens a lot with couples."
"C-C-Couples?" Kazica sputtered with steam literally lifting off of her head. "M-M-M-Me and Cain aren't a c-c-c-c-couple!"
The grin on Ami's face just continued to grow larger and large with each second, "Aw, you're denying it…how cute…"
"S-Stop it Ami," Kazica sighed slamming her head into the table. "I didn't realize you were evil…"
"Well, I wouldn't say evil really…" Ami giggled winking at Kazica.
"Sly is a better term really."
Both Ami and Kazica turned to the side to see none other than Kazuki standing at the end of the table, sparkles and all floating around his entire body. "Ladies…"
"Hey, it's the freak my brother dueled!" Ami announced as a sweatdrop appeared down the side of Kazuki's head.
"F-Freak?!" Kazuki coughed out, combing his hair back with his hand to hide his embarrassment. "I-I assure you that I am not a freak, ladies…"
"Oh yeah, Cain told me about when you dueled him," Kazica admitted rubbing her chin slightly. "So, what can we do for you freak?"
With a few beads of sweat rolling down the side of his head now, Kazuki tried his hardest to smile at the girls, "P-Please don't call me a freak…A-A-Anyway, I was just walking around, hoping to find some decent breakfast, when I couldn't help but overhear your little conversation about a certain little man…"
Meanwhile at the Blue Dorm…
"Zzzzzzzz…ACHOOO!"
Back at the yellow dorm…
"…And I thought I might as well join in this little conversation," Kazuki finished by jumping into the empty seat at the end of the table. An awkward silence floated over the table as the two girls stared at the sparkling young man who crossed his arms. "…well?"
"Uh, its nice to see you again, freak," Ami chuckled with a sweatdrop rolling down the side of her head. "But, uh, we need to get to our…"
"I hate to interrupt this thrilling conversation…"
This time Ami and Kazica leapt up in their seats thanks to the chilling voice of a familiar black cloaked young man who stood behind Kazuki. "…but perhaps you two fine ladies can help me…"
"Ah! Hey there Lucian," Kazuki laughed loudly turning his head back at the Saint of Greed. "What brings you here…"
"…I'm looking for a certain Ra Yellow girl," Lucian continued, almost as if he was ignoring Kazuki. "A girl named Kazica, if I'm correct…"
'Am I a freak magnet or something?' Kazica sweatdropped as she lifted her hand up slightly. "I think you're looking for me…"
"Walker, Lucian Walker," Lucian stated walking towards Kazica with a card held up in his fingers to the Ra Yellow girl. "I represent the PDLA, I've been going over some records and stumbled across yours."
"The PDLA?" Kazica and Ami questioned at the same time, making both Kazuki and Lucian sweatdrop.
"Uh, it's the Professional Duelist League Association," Lucian coughed, still earning himself a weird look from both of the confused girls. "…It's what duelists want to go to when they graduate this academy!"
Still nothing. "Uh, it's where the best duelists get to duel each other and get paid to do so…"
"Yeah, we already got the idea," Kazica stated rolling her eyes with a sweatdrop rolling down the side of her head.
"…then why did I have to explain that in so many formats?" Lucian asked narrowing his eyes.
"I was expecting a reason as to someone like you would be interested in me," Kazica replied moving slightly away from the two weirdly dressed men. "I'm well aware that my dueling record isn't what one would call impressive…"
"I don't just look for impressive duelists, Miss Kazica," Lucian coughed crossing his arms over his chest. "I look for potential…and I see potential in you Miss Kazica…" Lucian's eyes trailed over to Ami. "…the same applies to you Miss Sonryu…if you hold the same abilities as your brother, I'm very interested in both of you…"
"Cain? How do you know Cain?" Ami asked raising an eyebrow at the cloaked manager.
"As a duelist sponsor, I find it a civic duty of mine to watch tournaments even the rookie level tournaments," Lucian explained as Kazuki yawned rather loudly. "And when I saw his performance at last year's Arch Isle's Tournament, I saw the raw power he possessed…and logic would state that a younger sibling would hold the same power…"
"Then why do you want me?" Kazica stated.
"…an excellent question, Miss Kazica," Lucian stated walking around the table. "You see, when I noticed some of the other recorded duels involving Mr. Sonryu, I noticed a certain person…you…were at almost every match, or had an effect. His true strength seemed to awaken. In a sense, you might be an amplifier for his strength…so, who wouldn't be curious?"
"And what can we help you with, Mr. Walker?" Ami asked in the same tone that Lucian had been talking in.
"…Simple…I wish to observe this power," Lucian replied turning to Kazuki. "And as for you…"
"Kazuki you idiot…"
"Me?" Kazuki stated with his eyes widening slightly.
"What now?"
"I'm interested in seeing how you duel as well…I heard you managed an interesting strategy against Mr. Sonryu the other day," Lucian chuckled with an innocent smile on his face.
"Kazuki, the others have yet to begin their ventures…so I'm giving you a kick start… so don't screw it up…"
"Really?" Kazuki questioned with a large bright smile. "Well, I'm honored…"
"Me screw up? Please…I'm more than ready to beat this girl into the ground."
Clapping his hands, the bright smile reappeared on Lucian's face, "So, may I propose a duel between Miss Kazica and Mr. Kazuki? I merely wish to see how your skills are different and interact with each other. Even if one of you loses, best case scenario, I can represent both of you in the leagues…"
"What do you say?"
"Well…I don't know," Kazica muttered before Ami ran next to her.
"Are you kidding Kazica?!" Ami shouted with a great smile on her face. "This is too big of a chance to pass up! Think of it like this, if you can make it in the pro leagues, Cain might be more willing to spend more time with you!"
"R-Really?" Kazica had a small blush appear on her face. "Alright Mr. Walker! I'll do it!"
Kazuki and Lucian's eyes turned towards each other, a crooked smile appearing behind the large collar on Lucian's cloak.
"…and remember Kazuki…you're allowed to use the full potential of the D. MAN Project…"
"That's just perfect for me Lucian…truly perfect…"
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Now standing outside the of the large Ra Dorm, Kazuki and Kazica stood across from each other both, duel disks already strapped onto their wrists. From the sidelines Lucian couldn't help but notice that Ami was dialing a number on her cell phone as the two duelists slowly began to shuffle their decks. "…who are you calling?"
"Oh, I'm getting my brother to come here," Ami stated looking away from her phone. "I'm sure he'd love to see Kazica duel again."
Lucian's eyes widened slightly at this prospect, apparently this wasn't a part of his original plan…or he didn't think that this would happen. 'Kazuki…you better finish this quickly…'
"I hope you're ready, little Red and yellow," Kazuki stated referring to both Kazica's hair and uniform color as he drew his five cards. (KULP: 8000)
"I'm sure I'm more than ready," Kazica gulped looking down at her deck and five card hand. 'I just hope that this deck is up to whatever he's got…' (KILP: 8000)
"I'll even be a gentleman," Kazuki chuckled shaking his head, sending several sparkles flying into the air. "And let you go first…"
"Gee, thanks," Kazica muttered pulling the top card from her deck. 'Hey! Not a bad draw!'
Slipping the card into her duel disk, the spell card appeared before her, "I activate the continuous spell card, Frontline Base! Now, once per turn I can special summon one Union monster from my hand…but before that, I summon V-Tiger Jet in attack mode!"
As soon as Kazica slapped the card onto her duel disk, a large metallic yellow tiger landed on the ground with a loud roar, the metallic green armor around its torso sparking with electricity (1600/1800). "Next I'll activate Frontline Base's special ability! Allowing me to special summon W-Wing Catapult in attack mode!"
Flying down from the sky, an extremely large blue jet like machine flew overhead until it floated over the V-Tiger Jet (1300/1500). "And thanks to its special ability, I can equip it to my V-Tiger Jet with the union ability!"
The large metallic tiger leapt high into the air, allowing the W-Wing Catapult to fly underneath it, sparks flying in between the two machines as they slowly became one large combination of the machine (1600/1800 + 400/400). "To end my turn, I'll set one card face down…"
Kazuki simply yawned loudly as he pulled the top card from his deck. 'Let's see…if she's running a deck like that, its more than likely she's using the bare minimum of cards to find her cards easily.
'Thirty-four…'
"You could at least try to act interested in the duel," Kazica sighed lowering her head.
"Hmm?" Kazuki shook his head as he looked at his hand. "Oh, my apologies…I'm just not really thinking this morning…I've got a lot of things on my mind. Oddly enough though…"
Four set cards appeared directly in front of Kazuki, all of them glowing brightly thanks to the many sparkles floating around the cards. "…they're all about a certain person. Anyway, I set one monster card face down and end my turn…"
"And its time for the fun to really begin…"
"Dang it Cain," Ami muttered as the ringing continued from her cell phone. "I know you don't like answering your phone, but I know you have it on! So pick up!"
Meanwhile at the Obelisk Blue dorm…
With his head down on the keyboard, Cain snored loudly with the scene that read 'Mad Demon: Three Results Found'. Spending the entire night by searching and researching on an idiot's new cards, wasn't the best idea, especially if you had sleep deprivation for the past few days.
Not even the annoying buzz of the cell phone right next to him could awaken him.
Back at the duel…
"Draw!" Kazica announced while Ami started to leave a message on her phone for her older brother.
"…thirty-three…"
"Now then, I activate W-Wing Catapult's ability! Turning him into a monster!" Kazica announced with the two machines separating once more (2000/2200 – 400/400) (1300/1500). "Alright…I could attack him, but with all those face down cards…at least one of them has to be a trap…"
"…but, if that was the case, why would he set them all in the first turn?'
"If I knew this was going to take so long," Kazuki yawned cracking his neck a few times. "I would've brought a magazine."
"Fine you don't want to be bored?" Kazica huffed narrowing her eyes at Kazuki. "Fine then! If that's the case, V-Tiger Jet! Attack that face down card!"
With a loud roar, the large tiger leapt forward, its steal claws slicing through the face down card like it was nothing. As the card shattered, a small gray pot with a large eye being seen from the mouth of the jar (700/600), only it shattered immediately. "Oh…too bad little girl…but that was my Morphing Jar, now, since it was flipped, we both toss our cards and draw five new cards…so since I had only one card left…thanks."
Kazica grimaced as she slid the remainder of her hand into her duel disk's graveyard slot, and immediately snapped the five cards from her deck while Kazuki did the same. 'Well…at least I can do some more damage this turn.'
'…twenty-eight…'
"W-Wing Catapult! Direct attack!" Kazica announced before the blue jet unleashed several rockets that bombarded all over Kazuki's body, sending a large amount of debris up into the air.
"Urk…not bad girl," Kazuki growled looking down at his duel disk, with his life point counter flashing a few times. (KULP: 6700)
"And it's still my turn!" Kazica announced holding up one of the new five cards she had drawn. "I now normal summon X-Head Cannon!"
Slapping the card onto her duel disk, the famous blue and yellow cannon mounted machine appeared on the field (1800/1500) in a flurry of sparks. "And don't think I'm done! I've still got my Frontline Base out! So, I special summon from my hand, Y-Dragon Head!"
In a burst of red electricity, a large red metallic dragon roared onto the field next to the four other machines (1500/1600). 'And I just have what I need already in my hand already…I just need to wait next turn…'
"Are you done?" Kazuki asked with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Huh? Sure…" Kazica muttered blinking a few times at Kazuki's words.
"Then…draw!" Kazuki announced lifting his hand up towards his duel disk. "And, I think I'll activate the face down card I had last turn…go! Gryphon's Feather Duster!"
A powerful storm appeared around Kazuki's body, whipping the many sparkles around his body still getting swept up into the air. "Now, all spell and trap cards on my field are instantly destroyed, and for each one, I can increase my life points by five hundred…and since I've got three, that's fifteen hundred points back to me!"
The storm swept the remaining cards on Kazuki's field, shattering all three of the cards into millions of shards that just became millions of sparkles around his body. (KULP: 8200)
"Now then…you may be wondering," Kazuki chuckled fitting the four cards into his graveyard. "Sure, he may have gained life points, but why did this handsome young devil do that to his own face down cards?"
'Well, that was a question on my mind…' Kazica thought as a sweatdrop rolled down the side of her head. '…but you're no handsome devil…'
"Well, allow me to show you!" Kazuki laughed loudly as three large crescent moons appeared over his head, sparkles popping around all three of them. "You see, all three of those face down cards were known as the Eclipsed Crescent Blades! When destroyed, these three cards can force you to discard the top two cards from your deck…but if they were destroyed by your card effect, you'd have to discard three cards instead…"
"…but that's not the case this time…Fire!"
All three of the crescent blades began to spin at a high momentum, sending a powerful storm of air that crashed at Kazica's feet, making her step back slightly due to the force of the attacks. Slowly, Kazica pulled the top six cards from her deck, fitting them into her duel disk's graveyard.
However, as every card was slipped into her graveyard, a chill fell down Kazica's spine, 'Urk…I think it's a safe bet he runs deck destruction…in which case, I'll have to end this before he gets into his tempo!'
'…Twenty-Two…'
"Don't think that I'm done…not just yet! I activate the spell card, Foolish Burial!" Kazuki announced as his deck popped out of his duel disk's holster. "This spell allows me to send one monster card from my deck to the graveyard…and I'll choose Hammer Fist Golem!"
'Hammer Fist Golem? Does that have a deck destruction effect?' Kazica thought as Kazuki shuffled his deck, and snapped it back into his duel disk.
"Next, I activate the magical charms of Monster Reborn! Allowing me to special summon the very monster I just sent to the graveyard!" Kazuki shouted as a bright light appeared overhead. "So…arise Hammer Fist Golem!"
From the light overhead, a large dark rock golem, in a crude human shape, crashed onto the ground, its fists replaced with a pair of large maces (1000/1600). "And now, since it was special summoned, I can now activate this little number, Inferno Reckless Summon! Now, I can special summon all copies of the Hammer Fist Golem from my hand, deck or graveyard! But, you can special summon all copies of your W-Wing Catapult if you want…"
"…I only have one of those in my deck," Kazica admitted lowering her head as two more Hammer Fist Golems crashed into the ground next to the original (1000/1600).
"As expected," Kazuki chuckled wagging his finger. "But now here's the kicker…my golems all gain four hundred attack points for every other monster on the field with the same name other than itself…and that's eight hundred points each!"
All three of the Hammer Fist Golems seemed to roar as a powerful dark aura pulsed over their bodies (1000/1600 + 800/0 x3). "And remember, I didn't normal summon yet…so I'll summon Mirror Golem!"
Slapping the card onto his duel disk, a large gate like golem appeared behind the other three Hammer Fist Golems (0/0). As the gate opened, a large mirror was revealed, reflecting one of the Hammer Fist Golems (1800/1600 + 400/0 x3).
"What the?! How'd his golems get stronger?" Ami asked as the large golems all raised their hands up.
"…Kazuki played a monster with Mirror in its name," Lucian stated with his arms crossed over his chest. "It would stand to reason it has a power that goes with its name, like copying the name of one monster on the field. And since Hammer Fist Golems gain strength in groups, another just makes them more deadly…"
"Hammer Fist Golems!" Kazuki shouted as all three of the golems lumbered forward, spinning the maces as they charged at three of the machines, slamming into the X-Head Cannon, V-Tiger Jet and W-Wing Catapult, making them all explode in one shot.
That chill slipped up Kazica's spine again as her life points lowered slightly…only this time it was colder. (KALP: 5900)
"Finally, to end, I'll set up a little insurance," Kazuki announced as he fitted two of the remaining cards in his hand face down, making them appear before him. "Turn end."
'Alright…I thought I had this duel in the bag…' Kazica thought as she drew her next card, the chill swept through her spine once more. 'I…I didn't think it was that cold here…'
'…Twenty-one…'
"Alright, you've had your fun!" Kazica announced holding up one of the other cards she held. "I activate the continuous spell card, Soul Release! Now when a card is removed from play, I gain five hundred life points!"
"A handy card in the deck strategy you're running," Lucian muttered under his breath. '…its too bad that Kazuki doesn't run that kind of deck…a deck that relies on strength, but rather, the life blood…and with the D MAN effect now in play…that might just have an effect on our little fair maiden…'
"Now I activate the spell card, Soul Release!" Kazica announced as three cards popped out of her graveyard slot. "Normally, this card removes up to five cards, but I'll just remove three familiar cards…so now I gain life points!" (KALP: 7400)
Kazica lifted another card up, fitting it into her duel disk, "But they won't last for long! I activate another spell card! Dimension Fusion! At the cost of two thousand life points, we both special summon as many as possible monsters from our removed from play pile…but you don't have any at the moment!" (KALP: 5400)
"No…No I do not," Kazuki chuckled fingering a button on his duel disk, pressing it immediately allowing a large bronze cash register to appear in front of him, immediately turning into a demonic version of itself with fangs and a long tongue. "…but I can still use this to my advantage. By paying a thousand life points, I activate the continuous trap card, Monster Register!" (KULP: 7100)
Lucian's eyes widened for a brief second, 'That card…he didn't have that in his deck before…that must've been one of the cards Big Boss sent us…looks like it might work well for his deck…'
"And how unfortunately for you, my dear," Kazuki chuckled with a bright smile appearing on his face. "You still have to special summon all three of those monsters…"
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing," Ami muttered under her breath looking at her cell phone…still no answer from Cain.
"…it is…" Lucian commented crossing his arms.
"Huh?" Ami questioned.
"If that's what you want…then fine!" Kazica announced as she slapped all three cards onto her duel disk, making all three of the machines that were just destroyed reappear in three vortexes (1800/1500) (1600/1800) (1300/1500). "And now…"
That's when the cash register dinged loudly, allowing a large tongue to snap out of the register wrapping around Kazica's duel disk. "What the?!"
"Monster Register is a rare card…and rather dangerous too," Kazuki announced as he wagged his finger. "You see, each time one of us summons a monster, we're forced to discard the top cards of our deck equal to the level of the summoned monsters…so that means, you lose the top twelve cards of your deck!"
"WHAT?!" Kazica gasped as the tongue began to snap off cards from her deck.
'…heh…only nine to go…'
A large blast of cold wind crawled down Kazica's spine, this time making her rub her hands on her bare arms. What was even weirder, was the fact that her breath was actually being seen by everyone, including herself. 'Wha-what's going on?'
'…I'll make you pay…I'll make you pay for how you changed him!' Kazuki thought as a sadistic smirk crossed his face, his eyes glowing a bright orange.
0-0-0-0-0-0
"Ah…Ah…ACHOOO!"
With that last sneeze, Cain snapped his head up, rubbing his nose slightly. "Dang it…someone's talking about me…"
Stretching his arms up in the air, a loud crack echoed through the room, making Cain's eyes widen slightly before he became completely got into a relaxed position in his seat. That's when his eyes trailed over to the screen, taking note of what the screen said. 'Damn it…that's right I didn't find a damn thing about these Mad Demons…And who knows what else is going on in this academy that I don't know about…'
'…sometimes I wish Mustang would get all this crap instead of me…'
Cain's eyes slowly trailed over to his cell phone, noticing that the tiny device was flashing a few times, showing that there was a voice mail. '…great…just what I needed this morning, another digit added to my phone bill…'
Snapping the phone open and placing it up to his ear, Cain pushed the button allowing the message to play in his ear…
…
…
Clack!
Eyes widened, jaw dropped, and his hand twitching, Cain immediately swept up his uniform's coat and wrapped it over his shoulders. Not even the door stood a chance in his way as he slammed his foot into it, sending it slamming open into the hall, scaring whatever Obelisk Blues were unlucky to stand outside in the hall.
'Damn it!'
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
'Damn it! He's got me locked! I can't use my combo like this!' Kazica thought looking at the remainder of her hand. 'But…the same applies to him, although, I doubt he's really caring if he at this point about summoning…'
'…but that's where he'll be greatly surprised!'
"Once again…I wish I had brought a magazine," Kazuki sighed rolling his eyes slightly.
"Come on Kazica!" Ami cheered loudly throwing her fist into the air. "Show this sparkling freak how we do things in the Ra Dorm!"
"…S-Sparkling freak?!" Kazuki snarled with a blood vessel appearing on both his forehead and on all of his sparkles. 'That does it! You're next! After all, you're part of the reason why he's acting this way, too!'
"Alright Sparkles!" Kazica announced holding up another card from her hand, immediately fitting the card into her duel disk. "If I can't use one strategy, I'll just have to use my back up plan! I activate the spell, Limiter Removal!"
Many sparks began to fly among the four machines that rested on Kazica's field, empowering the X-Head Cannon (1800/1500 + 1800/0), Y-Dragon Head (1500/1600 + 1500/0), W-Wing Catapult (1300/1500 + 1300/0), and V-Tiger Jet (1600/1800 + 1600/0) making all four of the machines to sound off. "More than enough to finish you off!"
Kazuki merely crossed his arms over his chest, lifting his duel disk to cover his face. "…if you want to…feel free to try…"
"X-Head Cannon!" Kazica shouted throwing her hand up into the air towards the blue machine. "Attack Mirror Gol…"
"Sorry, to stop you there," Kazuki coughed. "But due to my Mirror Golem's effect, he cannot be targeted for an attack as long as I have another monster on the field. And I've got three."
"Well, if that's the case," Kazica stated with a sweatdrop rolling down the side of her head. "X-Head Cannon! Attack one of the Hammer Fist Golems!"
Just as the dual cannoned machine took aim at the golems, many diamonds shot out from the ground around all four of the golems. "Sorry once more dear! But I activate my trap card, Erosion Shield!"
"Erosion Shield?" Kazica and Ami questioned as all four of the rock monsters exploded into shards of rock and dust.
"This trap card can only be activated when you declare an attack when I have two or more rock type monsters on the field," Kazuki stated fitting the four monster cards into his graveyard. "It automatically ends the battle phase, and then destroys all monsters on my field."
"How does that help you?" Kazica asked tilting her head slightly.
"Simple, cause after all that," Kazuki chuckled holding his hand up to his deck, allowing a card to pop out of his deck. "I can take a monster from my deck, a rock monster with zero attack points, and place it in my hand. Of course, you can do the same…but I doubt you have much left in that deck of ours, let alone a rock monster with zero attack points."
"Uh, you're right," Kazica stated placing another card onto her duel disk making it appear face down on her field. "All I can do is set a monster face down and end my turn…"
"And of course, all monsters affected by Limiter Removal," Kazuki chuckled as all four of the machines erupted into four bursts of fiery metal. "Are destroyed…too bad for you…"
Kazuki simply pulled the top card from his deck, holding up towards Kazica, "Now then, I'll activate the magical charms of Graceful Charity. No need for explanations here."
With three loud snaps, Kazuki fanned the three cards up in font of him, 'Hmm…now how do I want to destroy her? I could use Monster Register to deck her out…or I could wipe out her life points…decisions, decisions, decisions…'
"I discard Full Moon Golem and Dark Megarock from my hand," Kazuki continued fitting the two cards into his graveyard slot before he held up another card. "Next, I'll summon Cutter Golem in attack mode!"
Erupting from the ground, a large steel golem stood tall revealing the countless blades that jutted from its body (1700/1200). And with a ding the Monster Register popped to life, wrapping a tongue around Kazuki's duel disk. "Of course, by summoning a monster like this, I take the effect of my own trap card. So, four cards get sent from the top of my deck to the graveyard…"
Kazica couldn't help but notice that all four of the cards that Kazuki discarded were monster cards, 'What is it you're planning?'
"Next, I'd rather not have to deal with that face down monster," Kazuki sighed fitting one of the remaining cards into his duel disk. "I activate the spell card, Boulder Crush! You see, I need only to discard one rock type monster from my deck to the graveyard…"
The moment that Kazuki fanned his thinning deck out, the sparkled duelist plucked a single card from the deck and placed it into his graveyard. "…and it's curtains for your only defense."
"What?!" Kazica yelped before a large boulder crashed into her face down card, almost appearing out of thin air. "No!"
"Yes!" Kazuki laughed loudly as his graveyard slot began to glow brightly. "Now watch! This turn will spell your doom! I activate the effect of a monster card in my hand. You see, I can special summon this little number from my hand all by simply removing one rock type monster from my graveyard…or more if I so choose…"
The ground began to rumble greatly at the two duelists' feet, making both Ami and Kazica fall over while Lucian and Kazuki didn't seemed affected at all. The ground pulled open to allow several golem like creatures to leap into the air (including the three Hammer Fist Golems, the Morphing Jar, and the Mirror Golem), shattering into millions upon millions of diamond sparkles.
Holding up the selected card into the air, Kazuki's face curved into a creepy smile, "I remove twelve monsters from my graveyard! Now then, absorb their strength my great beast of the earth!"
"MEGAROCK DRAGON!"
The shockwaves of the summon rocked almost the entire island, making a familiar short blue student stop running and try to keep his balance. "What the?!"
Looking up towards the Ra Yellow dorm where he was going, Cain's eyes widened at the sight of the large stone dragon that slowly arose from the opened ground, its jagged body creaking as it slammed its jagged arms into the ground (8400/8400).
"That's quite the beast," Cain muttered under his breath, regaining his composure.
That's when it hit him.
"ACK! What am I doing here!?" Cain shouted pulling his hair a few times before he ran off towards the yellow dorm. 'For all I know, that could be the very monster that…'
Before Cain could take three steps, the large dragon pulled its head back, unleashing a large amount of mud to crash into the ground. "…no…"
"NO!"
Back at the yellow dorm, mud covered the entire ground in front of Kazuki, having knocked out all of the students that were nearby with the force of the attack…
…save for three…
Kazuki himself.
Lucian.
…and one scared Ra Yellow girl that now sat on the ground in front of him. (KALP: 0)
'Wha…what just happened?!' Kazica screamed in her head, taking note of the damage that the attack had done, even knocking out Ami due to the force of it. 'This…this is just like last year!'
"…did you have to be so messy?" Lucian growled wiping some of the mud off of his cloak.
Unscathed by his own attack, Kazuki chuckled as his dragon disappeared along with his Cutter Golem. "Oh please, that's why you wear the cloak right? Its certainly not for fashion's sake."
"…one of these days I'm going to kill you," Lucian stated as both he and Kazuki turned their eyes on Kazica. "Now then, get on with what you need to do…"
Lifting his hand up in front of his face, Kazuki slowly walked towards Kazica, his right hand now glowing a bright orange, only growing stronger with each passing step he took towards her. "…Don't need to tell me twice…I just want to savor this moment…"
Kazica wanted to run…she knew that she had to run…but, her legs wouldn't move…
Before she knew it, Kazuki stood right above her, his hand now burning passionately with sparkles all around it. "Now then…any last words girl?"
Kazica opened her mouth to speak…
"TOO LATE! BWA HA HA HA HA!"
Slamming his hand directly into Kazica's abdomen, sending all the air from her lungs and making her eyes fade greatly, Kazuki pushed his had into Kazica's chest. Through her veins, the very same orange aura that had surrounded Kazuki's hand had erupted around Kazica's entire body.
Then, in one swift movement, Kazuki pulled his hand from Kazica's chest, holding a small glowing red orb that had a pair of sad glowing yellow eyes peering from it. Kazuki squeezed it a few times, allowing a small squeak to fill the air. "It's done…so, what exactly is this thing?"
"…Idiot…" Lucian sighed shaking his head. "Never mind, well then…I suppose it can't be helped, you've never seen what makes up a person's mind…Memories, personality, or whatever is precious to a person…From the look of what you've got…that might be the memories of that girl…"
"Anyway, that orb you're holding needs to be processed…the D. MAN Project only grants us the ability to acquire whatever is precious to the victim, the power it projects is like a diamond in the rough, and needs to be perfected…"
"And how the hell do I go about doing that?" Kazuki asked squeezing the soul a few more times. "Heh…kinda squishy…"
"Simple, you condense it in your own body…" Lucian answered crossing his arms at the surprised Kazuki, the sparkles all falling to the ground. "…what's the matter now…?"
"How do you expect me to put this in my body exactly," Kazuki sniffed the soul a few times.
"…how do feed yourself?" Lucian muttered walking away.
"Whatever…" Kazuki muttered before turning to Kazica, taking note that she was still breathing, but her eyes had lost the spark of life. A large smirk grew on the golem duelist's face. "…I'm just glad that she's like this now…that only leaves only a handful of more targets for me to face before he'll be back to his true form…heh!"
A few minutes later, with both Kazuki and Lucian gone from the area, Cain ran to the former duelist battle field, taking note of both the mud and the fact that several students were slowly standing to their feet from the shockwave that had erupted from before. With his eyes turning left and right, Cain searched for…
"Brother!"
There was Ami, standing at the wall that had Kazica sitting up against the wall, her arms wrapped around her legs. Slowly, Cain approached the two Ra Yellow girls, his usual harsh look melting away. "…Ami…what happened here?"
"…brother…" Ami stated rubbing her arm as she turned towards Kazica. "…I…I don't know, but something's wrong with Kazica…"
"Kazica…what's wrong?" Cain stated kneeling slightly towards the Ra Yellow girl.
"…I want to go home…"
Cain blinked a few times in confusion, but then he heard Kazica repeat herself, "…I want to go home…"
"…Ami…tell me…what happened here," Cain growled clamping his right fist tightly, a small clank sound echoing slightly through the air.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Monster Register / Continuous Trap / Effect: Pay 1000 life points to activate this card. Whenever a player Normal Summon or Special Summons a monster, that player must send the top cards of their deck to the graveyard equal to the level of the summoned monster.
Image: A large old time register with a demonic face on it
This card was used by X in Yugioh GX.
Hammer Fist Golem / Dark / LV. 4 / ATK: 1000 / DEF: 1600 / Rock/Effect: For each other 'Hammer Golem' monster on your side of the field, increase this card's attack points by 400 points. If this card attacks your opponent directly, cut the damage in half.
Description: extremely large, crude man-shaped statue that had its arms replaced with a pair of maces
Mirror Golem / Dark / LV. 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / Rock/Effect: This card cannot be targeted for an attack as long as you have a face up 'Golem' monster other than this card. When this card summoned, select one face up monster on the field. Treat this card's name as the selected card's name as long as this card remains face up.
Description: A large gate like golem with a large mirror in its gate.
Cutter Golem / Dark / LV. 4 / ATK: 1700 / DEF: 1200 / Rock/Effect: When this card successfully destroys a monster as a result of battle, you may increase this monster's attack points by 200.
Description: a very large steel golem with several blades jutting from its arms, shoulders and back.
Erosion Shield / Trap / Effect: This card can only be activated when you have two or more Rock type monsters on your side of the field and your opponent declares an attack. End the battle phase. After this card's resolve, destroy all Rock monsters on your side of the field. If more than three monsters are destroyed with this card's effect, you and your opponent may add one Rock monster from your deck with 0 attack points. If your opponent adds a card to their hand with this effect, they must show you what it is.
Image: Many diamonds erupting from the ground around many statues.
Boulder Crush / Normal Spell / Effect: Discard one Rock-Type monster from your deck. Then, destroy one face down card on the field.
Image: A large boulder crashing into a small village.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Fomalhaut: Heh…fools…they have no idea of my power!
This duel was nothing! I'll show my strength and power! I'm not called Pride for nothing!
The Onslaught continues, the power of Pride growing in strength with person that falls to the Star Duelist's feet! Is victory even possible against this opponent?
But…didn't he lose to Ami?
Next time! Chapter 40: Impossible Odds
Fomalhaut: That duel didn't count!
And I'll more than make up for it!