A/N: This chapter is going to be different compared to the previous five.
-Coppelia Ein-
The Ojamajos made haste in getting back to the Magic Research Center. Doremi held off the Verz cards her fiends once had and she, on Onpu's suggestion, had decided to let Majo Heart and Majo Toron analyze them for clues. They also had to tell them what they had found out.
It had taken longer than they wanted, but they made it there. They quickly entered, alerting the four occupants to their arrival.
"Minna-san!" Doremi called, "We're back! And they're no longer controlled by the Verz!"
Majorin looked at the group, tears nearly streaming from her eyes. "You…You did it!" she gasped, "You…You really did it!"
Pop gave a slightly smug look. "Onee-chan had a little help."
Majorin looked at them both. "When this is over-?"
"Gomennasai, Majorin-san," Majo Heart interrupted, "Now isn't the time to celebrate."
Doremi's eyes shot open as she remembered the cards. "Minna-san? These were in their decks when they were corrupted!" The pink Ojmajao took six cards out of her pocket Verz Salamandra, Verz-o'-Wisp, Verz Castor, Verz Kaitos, Verz Kerykeion, and Verz Hraes. She placed them on a nearby table. "I have one too…" She took out her own Vylon Disigma and, to all seven Ojamajos' surprise, discovered she could let the card go without incident. Does it really…?
Majo Heart quickly went over to the cards and used her magic to scan them. "You have got to be kidding me," she muttered, "These seven cards…they carry the virus itself…even though this one isn't even a Verz card!"
"We know," Onpu replied, "Those cards seemed to be the focus for our Verz corruptions. And something stopped us from releasing them…"
"But Mama was able to get them away from us!" Hana added, "She held Machu Mach to do it, but she did it anyway!"
Majo Heart raised an eyebrow. "Shall I scan you seven again?" she inquired.
The Ojamajo nodded in agreement. Majo Heart approached the seven girls and prepared her magic. Instead of taking them one by one, she scanned them all at once. Her expression turned to dismay after she scanned them all other than Doremi. But then she scanned the pink Ojamajo…and her expression changed to abject shock.
"D-D-Doremi-chan?!" the Witch doctor burst out.
"Nani nani?" Doremi replied.
Majorin touched the Witch doctor's shoulder and attempted to calm her down. "I've never seen her this shocked before," the red-violet Witch remarked, "I'll have to take her someplace more or less private for a bit before she explains anything. Until then, Majo Toron will see to you girls."
And with that, Majorin withdrew outside, taking Majo Heart with her.
The Ojamajos watched as the two Witches left, taking note of her reaction to the results of Doremi's scanning. Many of them began fearing a number of things, depending on the girl in question.
"Majo Toron-san?" Doremi spoke up.
Majo Toron looked at the Ojamajos carefully. "Hai, Doremi-chan?"
"Is it…is it possible that we're…still infected?"
The inventive Witch looked over the seven girls again. She clutched her chin in thought, figuring out whether or not there was anything to point out in the pink Ojamajo's question. At the same time, she didn't want to make the girls worry, so she had to say something.
"There is that possibility," Majo Toron finally replied, 'But-."
She was interrupted by Majo Isabelle chuckling. "Oh, spare them the false hope," she said indignantly, "Perhaps Majo Heart left for fear of being infected herself? By you seven, of all people?"
The Ojamajos glared daggers at the Spanish Witch. But before they could –at least- try to chew her out, Majorin and Majo Heart re-entered the room. The latter was very much calm now but still had a grave expression.
"I have good news and bad news," Majo Heart explained, "The bad news is, unfortunately, all seven of you are still infected."
The girls' eyes shot open. It wasn't the answer they were hoping for…and they knew it.
"So then…We're still gonna-?" Pop began.
"We're still not free of the Verz then…" Onpu said, sadly.
"If we're going to be corrupted again, then at least we're in it together," Momoko said, looking at Aiko.
Majo Heart shook her head. "The good news is that the infection seems to have stalled," she said with a light smile. It faded quickly. "However, I fear I cannot say the same for Doremi-chan." Doremi gasped at the Witch doctor's statement. "What's worse is…I fear that hers has only advanced…much further than she was yesterday."
"But…that can't be right…!" Hazuki cried, "Doremi-chan…her infection…it doesn't even seem to be affecting her!"
"She resisted the Verz where we failed!" Onpu added.
Majo Toron stepped forward. "If I may?" she began. The others stopped talking and gave her the go ahead. "Arigatou. I think I can make resonances visible. Shall I give it a shot?" The others nodded in agreement, prompting the inventive Witch to channel her magic and conjure a wave. When it washed over everyone, their decks glowed. Each of their decks had a specific card that glowed brighter than all others. "I think this should do it."
Each of the Ojamajos took out their decks. She looked through each one until the brightest one was found: Number 33: OOPArts Super Weapon – Machu Mach for Doremi, Daigusta Sphered for Hazuki, Evolkaiser Laggia for Aiko, Stardust Dragon/Buster for Onpu, Queen Madolche Tiaramisu, Haze Beast Basilicock for Pop, and Sacred Ptolemys Messier 7 for Hana. Each card glowed with the theme colors of their respective owners. Doremi's card, however, had traces of the other six in addition to its pink glow.
"I have a theory," Majo Toron said, anticipating the questions that would've been asked, "Since you all got Machu Mach for Doremi-chan and pooled everything together just to get the pack that contained that card…I think it doesn't just resonate with Doremi-chan…but all of you!"
"EH?!" the Ojamajos gasped.
Majorin's eyes went wide in shock. "Are you serious?"
Majo Toron nodded her head. "It's a hunch…but I think the resonance allows more than just easy manipulation of ones draws," she explained, "I believe that it also confers other things to Doremi-chan. more specifically, the collective willpower of all seven of you!"
"Are you insane, Bruja Toron?" Majo Isabelle retorted. Bebe, who was still in her cage, face-palmed.
"No, I am not!" Majo Toron fumed at the Spanish Witch. The others gestured for her not to let Majo Isabelle get to her, calming the inventive witch down. She cleared her throat. "Think about it: No single one of you was able to resist the Verz's influence by yourselves. But your collective willpower allowed Doremi-chan to withstand it where you failed and allow her to free you from its control!"
The Ojamajos stared in abject shock. This theory was starting to sound farfetched, tempting them to actually agree with Majo Isabelle. But the more they thought about it, the more it started to make sense. Doremi's infection was far more advanced than theirs were when they were freed, yet the pink Ojamajo was still the pink Ojamajo, right down to her vast compassion.
Majo Heart looked over at the Verz cards again. "I would like to scan those cards again," she said. She went over to the table where the cards were and applied her spell again. Her expression changed to slight confusion when she made it to Vylon Disigma. "Strange…The other cards show anger and hate…yet Disigma seems calm, and…complacent." The Witch doctor turned to Doremi. "Doremi-chan? Have you-?"
Doremi nodded. "Hai, Majo Heart-san," she replied, "I've used Vylon Disigma in every duel I had against my friends when freeing them." She went over to the card and picked it up. "Machu Mach seems to be keeping watch over it. But…!"
Majo Heart shook her head. "It may be different compared to the others, but I suggest not using that card and leaving it alone until this crisis ends."
"But it-!"
"No buts!"
Vylon Disigma's card withdrew its dark aura. A screeching sound came from it, making all but Doremi cover their ears. It was short, but those who shielded their ears considered it an eternity.
"Disigma?" Doremi asked. The card seemed to reply with a screech of its own followed by a grinding noise from Machu Mach's card. "Machu Mach?" The pink Ojamajo nodded as the two cards seemed to hold a conversation with her. When the two cards ceased "talking", Doremi turned back to the others…and frowned when they seemed deafened. "Uhh…gomennasai?"
"Ow…~" The Ojamajos groaned.
"DAMMIT, DOREMI!" Majo Isabelle shouted.
"You deserved it, Majo Isabelle!" Majorin retorted, "After everything you've put everyone through in your history!"
"Was…were those two cards…talking?" Majo Heart asked.
"Hai," Doremi replied, "Disigma was trying to tell you it no longer meant any harm. Machu Mach was trying to get to talk about why the Verz was doing this. Disigma explained."
"Then can you fill us in?" Majo Toron asked.
Doremi nodded. "Just bear in mind that, even though I've grown used to using Disigma in a duel, even though I don't trust it quite yet." Disigma's card gave a quieter screech at that, making Doremi sweat-drop. "Gomen ne, Disigma-san."
"Disigma…san?" Pop deadpanned.
Doremi shook it off and continued. "Machu Mach added to Disigma's explanation. All of the cards oour magic has been resonating with…they've become sentient. And it was Jou-sama who brought who brought the Verz to life." She looked at both of her cards. "But Disigma says that she considered them to be the plague they were in the Duel Terminal storyline and treated them as such…"
Onpu raised her hand. Doremi nodded. "Come to think of it, I think I remember Jou-sama vowing to banish every Verz monster from her graveyard," she said, "At the same time, Verz Bahamut seemed shocked when Jou-sama ordered it to suicide against Evil Rin's monster."
"So that's what Disigma means then?" Majo Heart inquired, "That Jou-sama mistreated the very monsters she brought to life?"
Doremi nodded. "That's what Disigma said," she continued, "The Verz aren't being the plague they were written as in that storyline because created for that. They're being that plague because they're lashing out at Jou-sama and the entire world out of anger and betrayal." She looked at the Verz cards over on the table. "They're more like children than some horrible plague. And they consider themselves to have been betrayed and abused by the one who brought them to life."
Majorin gave a surprised look at Doremi. "So you think the reason Disigma isn't trying to control you is because you've been treating it well? Like a companion instead of some monster?" she inquired, "It would seem all the Verz cards really wanted was to be treated as any other monster and not as some evil force of corruption."
"So Reina naturally considered them to be as evil as they were dark, right?" Majo Isabelle inquired, chuckling, "How naïve. But who could blame her? Black Queen and those Shadows have all but ensured she would view dark as evil."
"Then she will have to make amends before the Verz can be truly stopped," Doremi muttered, "Otherwise, this will all just happen again and again and again…until we fail to stop it once and for all."
The entire group sighed.
"I guess this means we have to find and confront Jou-sama then," Aiko said glumly.
"And make sure it's this card game than an actual…battle," Momoko added, gulping.
"But we don't even know where she is!" Pop replied.
Disigma's card screeched again. "Kaga Kai?" Doremi replied," And we have to fight them too?"
"Nani?" Majorin replied, "She's still there?"
"Yes. But Black Queen, Evil Rin, and the Shadow Ojamajos are corrupted and must be defeated before we can take it to her."
Majorin closed her eyes in thought. "We'll leave tomorrow morning." She turned to Majo Heart. "You must make sure those six cards are in a safe location."
"But what about Vylon Disigma?" Majo Heart protested, "It's still dangerous even if it's willing to help!"
"I trust in Doremi-chan's ability to control it." Majorin got up. "The girls expanded a lot of energy today, so some rest is in order."
"It isn't even noon," Pop retorted, "And none of us even had breakfast!"
"And school has already started," Hazuki added, glumly, "And our parents will be so worried when they notice we're gone!"
"I think we can use Magical Stage to cover that," Onpu replied, "We can go back in time and catch up. But right now, none of us can leave, not even Doremi-chan."
"But I'm the one who's resisted the corruption the longest!" Doremi griped, "Why can't I-?!"
"Control or no control, the Verz is still contagious," Majo Heart warned, "Minna-san? How many of you can see the dark auras around the Verz cards?"
"Don't look at me," Majo Isabelle retorted, "All I see are six cards with nothing special about them."
"And neither me nor Majo Toron see any auras around them," Majorin replied.
"But we can see them perfectly," Onpu stated. The other Ojamajos nodded.
Majo Heart frowned. "I…I can see their auras too," she said gravely, "And I'm not even using my spell to reveal them." Everyone else in the room gasped. "I believe only those who are infected can see the auras…which means I'm probably infected now. If anything, this proves just how easily spread this virus is. And how urgent it is to stop it now."
"You mean-?" Hazuki sputtered. Majo Heart nodded. 'Usou…!"
"I do not know if I'll remain myself or not. I could turn against you at any moment. As such, I am no longer qualified to continue the research…"
"On the contrary," Majo Isabelle replied, "This could be a boon on our part." The other Witches in the room shot the Spanish Witch a series of glares. "You have a firsthand experience with this virus, Bruja Heart. Therefore, you're even more perfect for researching the virus than ever!"
Majorin eyed Majo Isabelle with suspicion. "What are you trying to pull?"
Majo Isabelle just smirked and went over to Bebe's cage.
"In any case," Majo Heart began, "You girls need to get to Kage Kai and free Jou-sama as soon as possible…before the Verz consumes everyone and everything."
The girls looked at Doremi. "Nani yo?" the pink Ojamajo retorted, "I'm still ready to go!" To emphasize her point, she took a step forward…and immediately fell to the floor. "Stiiiillllll reeeeaaaaaadddyyyy….."
And with that, she was out cold; asleep.
The remaining Ojamajos frowned. "I guess we're goin' tomorrow, then," Aiko surmised. The nods she received only confirmed her question. "Then what?"
The rest of the day went by without incident. Doremi woke back up at roughly a quarter past three o'clock. She was hungry, of course, so the girls went over to get a meal…at least, they tried, but Majorin barred them, warning them against spreading the Verz any further than it already had. Instead, she asked them what they wanted and the Ojamajos told her. The red-violet Witch returned with their morsels, allowing them their first meal in the entire day.
Later on, the Ojamajos discovered that roughly half of Majo Kai was infected…and it was their fault. It had also explained why they weren't in a hurry to get to Ningen Kai. Indeed, they could easily have made it there in minutes.
Hana couldn't show her face around the Kindergarten. Even though Doremi and Pop found out otherwise, the white Ojamajo feared the toddlers, as well as Majo Pi and Majo Pon, all hated her for getting them infected.
Regardless, all of them were pretty down about the revelation. They didn't like feeling responsible, but what happened had happened…and trying to go back in time and make it right would only cause problem with the time stream. Onpu's earlier suggestion of using time travel to make up for the missed days in school only applied to them being in Ningen Kai while their past selves were in Majo Kai and/or Kage Kai to prevent a devastating paradox.
When the day finally ended, the girls returned to the very tents they slept in the previous night. It had been a relatively normal-length day, but it still felt difficult and depressing. Majo Heart, Majo Toron, and Majo Isabelle were the only ones present at the Magic Research Center.
They opted not to say too much and turned in for the night…
Morning came at a snail's pace. Doremi turned over in her sleep…and fell to the floor. She landed with an audible *thud*, waking her up prematurely. She gave an annoyed yawn.
"Ugghhhh…why me…?" Doremi groaned, "Five more minutes…"
"WAKE UP!" a voice shouted.
Doremi recognized that voice as being that of Pop's. Groaning, she reluctantly got up. Despite her annoyance, she still felt relieved. Pop was clearly in control of herself this time.
"Hai hai," Doremi replied.
Both girls left the tent and found Majorin outside. The others had awakened as well and seemed to have been waiting for a while.
"Same old Doremi-chan," Onpu teased. She smiled sweetly. "That's good."
"Well you don't have to be so blunt about it," Doremi retorted. She puffed up her cheeks. "Fuu, Fuunu, FUU!"
"We don't have too much time, minna-san," Majorin interrupted, "If we are to save Jou-sama, then we have to go. Now!"
Majo Toron stepped forward. "I have refilled all of your porons," she said, "You must use your magic more carefully this time. Once you run out, that'll be it."
"We will," Aiko assured, "Minna-san?"
The other Ojamajos nodded.
"Pirika Pirilala Nobiyakani!" Doremi chanted.
"Paipai Ponpoi Shinyakani!" Hazuki chanted.
"Pameruku Laluku Takarakani!" Aiko chanted.
"Pururun Purun Suzuyakani!" Onpu chanted.
"Peruton Petton Sawayakani!" Momoko chanted.
"Pippito Purito Hogarakani!" Pop chanted.
"Pororin Pyuarin HanaHana Pii!" Hana chanted.
Majorin, Majo Toron, and Majo Heart contributed magic to the spell. Majo Isabelle simply watched in disinterest.
"Magical Stage!" the Ojamajos shouted, "Take us and Majorin-san to Kage Kai!"
The energies of all involved coalesced into one form. The giant jewel descended, engulfing the seven Ojamajos and the red-violet Witch in bright light. When it faded, a portal to the world of the Shadows appeared. The group bid farewell to the other Witches and entered. Once through, the portal vanished.
"Good luck…everyone," Majo Heart said.
"Although, I have to disagree," Majo Isabelle replied, menacingly, "I've found a way to rule Majo Kai now…and all worlds with it!"
This drew the attention from both Witches. "Nani yo?!" Majo Toron replied, "How? You don't have your magic!"
Majo Isabelle smirked. "Think so?" She fired a beam of magic right at the two Witches, catching them off guard. They were able to defend themselves, but they were horrified nonetheless. "I certainly have my magic, wouldn't you agree?"
"But…after all the steps we took…!?" Majo Heart muttered, "How is that possible?!"
Bebe appeared as Majo Isabelle grunted in frustration. "Let's just say I now have a massive hate for cabinets and the color verde!" she fumed, "But no matter…Nothing can stop me from taking this world!"
"With what?!" Majo Heart shouted, "You have nothing!"
"The Verz! Reina rejected them and they wanted someone to accept them. By being that person, I will rule with their power!"
Majo Heart gathered her magic together only for Majo Toron to ward her off. "I'll handle this," she said. Majo Isabelle went back inside the Magic Research Center. "Leave her to me!"
Inside the Center, Majo Isabelle had retrieved the six Verz cards and laid them out on the table. She had just begun to extract the corruption from them as Majo Toron entered. By the time she could launch an attack of her own, the Spanish Witch had already tore the darkness free from the cards and placed it in a syringe, liquefying it.
The attack knocked the syringe out of Majo Isabelle's magic grip, setting off her anger. Bebe retaliated in her mistress's stead, but Majo Heart, who had decided to come in and help, ambushed and pinned her to the wall. It was taking a lot of her strength just to keep the fairy down.
"Neither of you can beat me," Majo Isabelle boasted, "So I suggest a children's card game!"
Majo Toron shot an opportunistic look at the Spanish Witch. She's in her 'genius' again, she thought, If she's like this, then maybe I might have a chance! She turned to Majo Heart. "Shall I?"
Majo Heart frowned. "I don't play the card game," she warned, "I didn't think you actually played either…" She shook her head. "You have to win this duel!
And allow me to weaken her with the Resonance! Majo Toron gulped. She snapped her fingers and conjured a Duel Disk. She then summoned her own deck and inserted it into the slot. "Are you getting ready?"
"I though you would never ask!" Majo Isabelle shouted. She conjured a Duel Disk herself and summoned her own deck. She inserted it into its slot. "Are you certain you can win?!"
Bebe shot a frustrated look at Majo Isabelle. She wanted to say "Oh come ON!" followed by "Give me a break!"
Majo Toron and Majo Isabelle drew their opening hands as their Life Point meters raced to 8000.
"Duel!" both witches shouted.
The Ojamajos and Majorin emerged from the portal without incident. And to their fortune, they were present on the outskirts of the Kage Kai Castle's grounds. But things didn't seem right.
"Minna-san?" Doremi began, "Where are the Guards?"
Aiko touched the pink Ojamajo's shoulder. "We took out half of them and I think Jou-sama may have finished the job," she mused, "Maybe she ultimately wants us to enter?"
"Wouldn't that be a trap?" Onpu asked, "I've seen that in several of the movies I've played in alone!"
"We may have to fall for it regardless," Pop warned, "If it means getting closer to Jou-sama."
The group nodded at Pop's statement. They wasted no more time and began heading for the entrance to the Castle…
"I will take the first move!" Majo Isabelle declared. She drew her card "First, I summon Machina Gearframe!" At once, a small machine appeared. It unfolded into a rough humanoid shape, though its limbs would seem to let it integrate into machines easily (1800/0). "Normal summoning it activates its ability, which lets me add any other Machina monster to my hand! " Majo Isabelle took a card from her deck and placed it amid her cards. "Next, I activate Trade-In! By discarding any Lv8 mosnter, I can draw two cards!"
Majo Isabelle discarded her monster and took two more cards from her deck.
"And by discarding Machine-type monsters whose total levels are eight or higher, I can special summon THIS from either my hand or graveyard!" Majo Isabelle discarded one card. Moments later, something resembling a fortress appeared. It readied its cannon at the inventive Witch (2500/1600). "Here it is, Machina Fortress!"
"Two Machine-type monsters…" Majo Heart muttered, "Majo Toron…please know what you're doing!"
"And since my Gearframe happens to be a Union monster, I can equip it to one of my others! Now join with Fortress!" Majo Isabelle commanded. Gearframe leapt onto Fortress, integrating itself into its structure and making it more resilient. Two reversed cards appeared behind the large machine. "I set two cards. And that will end my turn!"
Majo Toron looked at her hand. This is going to take a while, she thought, "Watshi no Turn! Draw!" The inventive Witch took her new card and viewed it thoroughly. "First, I activate Reinforcement, so I can move any Lv4 or below Warrior-type monster to my hand! " She added her card. "Then, I use Reinforcements of Light! By sending three cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard, I can add any Lv4 or below Lightlord to my hand!"
Majo Toron milled three cards. She followed by adding another new card to her hand. She reviewed her graveyard…and smiled a bit at its contents.
"And now, since you have a monster and I control none, I can special summon Tech Genus Striker!" At once, a small warrior outfitted with future technologies appeared (800/0). "And when a Lv4 monster is specila summoned to my field, I can special summon Tech Genus Werewolf from my hand!" A howling was heard…followed by the appearance of a clearly half-machine humanoid wolf (1200/0). "Next, I summon Junk Synchron! And his ability allows me to revive any Lv2 or below monster from my graveyard!"
Junk Synchron appeared (1300/500). He opened a portal, allowing Lightlord Hunter, Raiko (200/100) to emerge. Majo Isabelle glared at the freshly revived monster.
"Tch! Luck," Majo Isabelle muttered.
"And now…I tune Lv2 Raiko with Lv3 Junk Synchron!" The two monsters jumped into the air…only to crash through the ceiling. "Damn it."
"Oh that is just too bad!" Majo Isabelle replied in faux concern, "I guess this place will have to be trashed!"
Junk Synchron and Raiko descended through the holes they made. They looked more than a little dismayed at their actions.
"It's okay, you two," Majo Toron said, "Don't worry about it. I'll repair it eventually."
Junk Synchron and Raiko nodded but did not jump into the air. Instead, Junk Synchron transformed into three green rings that Raiko charged through.
"Lv5 knowledge, appear! Power 2400! Armor 1800! All clear! Synchro Summon! Awareru, Tech Genus Hyper Libririan!" In a flash of light, the not-so-clearly half-machine master of knowledge appeared (2400/1800). "Next, I will tune Lv3 Werewolf with Lv2 Striker!" Striker and Werewolf followed Junk Synchron and Raiko's example. The former transformed into two green rings that Wereworlf rushed through, creating a second flash of light. "Lv5 magic, appear! Power 1900! Armor nil! All clear! Synchro Summon! Awareru, Tech Genus Wonder Magician!"
At once, the flash of light faded, allowing another spellcaster-type monster to appear. She wore heavy robes and had what seemed to be metal wings extending from her back (1900/0).
"Wonder Magician no kouka hatsudou!" Majo Toron shouted, "When she's Synchro Summoned, Wonder Magician instantly destroys any spell or trap on the field! I target that one!" Wonder Magician fired a bolt of lightning at the specified card, revealing it as Negate Attack and disintegrating it. "And Hyper Librarian allows me to draw one card should a Synchro Summon happen!"
Majo Toron drew her card as Majo Isabelle winced at Wonder Magician's effect. She had lost a vital defense, but she needed to win this duel due to the fear of the Resonance.
"Now, I activate One for One! By discarding any monster from my hand, I can special summon any Lv1 monster from my deck!" She discarded her card and brought out another spellcaster. He bore only a slight resemblance to Wonder Magician, but was seemed to be a younger man (0/0). "Dandylion no kouka hatsudou! Whenever he's sent to the graveyard, I special summon two Fluff Tokens to my field!"
Two seeds, one smiling happily and the other frowning, appeared (0/0). They were curled slightly, obviously defending themselves.
"Now, I tune a Lv1 Fluff Token with my Lv1 Cyber Magician!" Cyber Magician began to leap into the air, but Wonder Magician and Hyper Librarian gestured him to stop and pointed upward. He got the message and simply transformed into a lone green ring that the Token then drifted through. "Lv2 rapid support, appear! Power 300! Armor 300! All clear! Synchro Summon! Awareru, Tech Genus Reciproco Dragon Fly!"
At once, the light faded, revealing a nearly mechanical dragonfly (300/300).
"And once again, Hyper librarian lets me draw a card!" Majo Toron shouted, drawing her card.
Bebe shook her head. She disdained the sheer amount of time this turn was taking up.
Wonder Magician looked at one another and nodded. They then looked at Majo Toron, who also nodded.
"And now, I tune Lv5 Hyper Librarian with Lv5 wonder Magician!" the inventive Witch shouted. At once, the Magician transformed into five green rings while the latter passed through them. "Lv10 greater being, appear! Power 3300! Armor 2200! All clear! Accel Synchro Summon!" she chanted, 'Awareru, Tech Genus Blade Gunner!"
And with that, a burst of light even greater than previous Synchro Summons erupted. A gust of wind much like a speeding motorcycle burst forth as well, tearing down the entire wall behind the incentive Witch. Finally, a towering figure clad in sleek green armor descended (3300/2200).
Majo Isabelle stood there, angry. "How the hell could you pull this off?!" she demanded, "You cannot use two Synchro monsters in a Synchro Summon lie this!"
"Wonder Magician isn't just a Synchro monster," Majo Torn explained, "She is also a Tuner! A Synchro Tuner! And the key to getting this powerful monster!" Reciproco Dragon Fly stared up at the strong monster. Both of them nodded. "But I'm not finished yet. I use Reciproco Dragon Fly's ability! By sending another Tech Genus Synchro Monster I control to my graveyard, I can revive the monsters used for his Synchro Summon!"
Reciproco Dragon Fly let out a number of waves. It seemed to disrupt Blade Gunner, but he didn't mind. Calmly, he returned back to being two monsters, first by releasing five green rings and reverting to Hyper Librarian. The green rings then reverted back to Wonder Magician.
"And the point of that was…?" Majo Isabelle half-demanded, sarcastically.
"I needed a powerful monster in my graveyard," Majo Toron replied. Wonder Magician, Hyper Librarian, and Reciproco Dragon Fly turned to one another and then back to their mistress. "Now, I tune Lv2 Reciproco Dragon Fly and Lv5 Hyper Librarian with Lv5 Wonder Magician!" At once, Wonder Magician transformed back into the five green rings. This time, Hyper Librarian and Reciproco Dragon Fly passed through them. A flash of light, followed by an even more massive wind gust, came into being. "LvMAX Ultimate being, appear! Power 4000! Armor 4000! All clear! Delta Accel Synchro Summon!"
Her chant was followed by the appearance of an even more powerful being than Blade Gunner. He carried a massive cannon on his shoulder and his armor appeared far stronger (4000/4000). Is mere presence alone destroyed what was left of the Center, forcing Majo Heat to redouble her efforts and pin Bebe to the ground.
"Awareru, Tech Genus Halberd Cannon!" Majo Toron shouted. She grit her teeth and winced. "I'm going to have a heart attack…"
Majo Isabelle looked up at Halberd Cannon in abject terror…and then her expression softened. Her lips curled into a smirk, beginning to laugh just moments later.
"You amateur!" the Spanish Witch shouted, "You could've made Shooting Quasar Dragon with that combo!" She laughed even more maliciously. "Hahahaha! Instead, you had to make its inferior counterpart! What an idiot! Ahahahahahaha!"
Halberd Cannon hung his head low. Majo Isabelle's words clearly stung him, making him feel like giving up. Majo Toorn glared at the Spanish Witch.
"Don't put Halberd Cannon down!" Majo Toron shouted.
"Why not? Shooting Quasar Dragon can usually attack twice or more per turn, can negate and destroy spells, traps, and card effects, and can bring in a Shooting Star Dragon upon leaving…which can stop any destruction effect and banish itself to negate an attack!" Majo Isabelle chuckled. "And what can Halberd Cannon do? Negate summons? Quasar can stop non-inherents only, but it's still stopping special summons! And upon being sent from the field to the graveyard, he, I don't know, revives a Tech Genus monster? One that's actually lackluster compared to Shooting Star Dragon!"
Majo Toron clenched her fist. "I don't have Shooting Quasar Dragon…but Halberd Cannon has done well in each duel where I managed to bring him out!" Halberd Cannon seemed to look toward Majo Toron. He nodded at her and quickly regained his dedication. "Halberd Cannon! Attack Machiners Fortress! "
Halberd Cannon aimed it massive weapon at Fortress. Fortress did the same with its cannon. Both fired at the same time and impacted. But Halberd Cannon's power was easily the superior of the two, splitting the blast apart and impacting with the rolling Fortress. Gearframe detached in time and took the blow, being reduced to scrap metal in the process.
The remnants of the blast got through to Majo Isabelle, throwing her into the only remaining wall and reducing her to 6500 Life Points.
Majo Isabelle got back up and chuckled. "You know, if you had Quasar Dragon and actually used it, you would have been able to destroy my Fortress without fear of it killing any of your monsters due to its omni-negate!" she mocked, "Instead, you simply cost me a Gearframe…and those are really quite expandable!" She chuckled again. "And you know what? You're a Witch, are you not? Couldn't you have simply made a lot of money and bought a copy? I mean, that boy that glasses-wearing shy girl -Hazuki was it?- crushes on has two of them!"
"How could you possibly know if that's true?" Majo Torn retorted, "You've never even-!"
Majo Isabelle laughed malevolently again. "You didn't think I spend all of my time plotting schemes and inventing new weapons, did you?" she inquired mockingly, "Evil geniuses and future empresses of Mundial de la Bruja need something to get their minds off of work, you know!"
Bebe sighed, annoyed.
"So you're one of the nerds then?" Majo Heart inquired, "And a really disturbing one at that…"
Majo Toron grit her teeth at Majo Isabelle's confession. She had gone to tournaments and even one of them. She was disguised, of course, but she herself also needed a break from working all day and this game was currently the most convenient thing to get into. But she didn't reveal it out loud, for she didn't want another thing that could compare her to this psychopath.
She ultimately just growled in response. "I set one card." She inserted a card into a slot, causing a reversed card to appear behind Halberd Cannon. "Turn end."
"Really don't know when to give, do you?" Majo Isabelle scoffed. She took her next card and eyed it carefully. "First, I activate Limiter Removal! With this, I can double the ATK of all Machine-type monsters I control!" At once, Machina Fortress began running on overtime. Its parts began to loosen as it overclocked its systems (2500-5000/1600). "Now attack and destroy that weak excuse of a Lv12 monster!"
Machina Fortress took aim at Halberd Cannon and fired. The powerful Synchro Monster fired its own cannon, but it was now on the receiving end of the blast. He knew he couldn't be revived unless Majo Toron used a card that could return him to the Extra Deck.
"Reverse card, open!" Majo Toron shouted, "Holy Barrier -Mirror Force- hatsudou!" The inventive Witch's set card revealed itself…and a barrier appeared before Halberd Cannon just before Machina Fortress's attack could connect. It hit the barrier and was reflected right back at it, blowing its already-failing body to pieces. "Your ace monster is gone!"
Majo Isabelle chuckled in response. "You think Machina Fortress is my only out to your monster?" she inquired, "You have no idea what you've just allowed me to unleash! When a monster I control is destroyed by a card effect and sent to the graveyard, I can special summon THIS from my hand!"
Majo Isabelle placed a card on her Duel Disk. Immediately, five silver-colored machines appeared. The shield-like one split in half and formed a hand. The snake-like one withdrew its tail and now resembled a head. The double-cylinder-like piece extended a member and split open at each point. The other piece extended its on area and now seemed to have a blade at the end. The final part opened up, revealing an atom-like core. All of the others machines connected to it, forming a more intimidating monster than before (2500/2500).
"This is it! Your doom! Machine Emperor Wisel ∞!" Majo Isabelle shouted.
"You forget Halberd Cannon's ability!" Majo Toron countered, "Close Sum-!"
"Um, excuse?" Majo Isabelle waved her finger in a "tsk tsk" manner at Majo Toron. "Wisel's summon was brought about by a trigger effect that activates in the hand and starts a chain. And you can't activate anything while a card effect is still resolving, now can you?" She smirked. "By the time you could possibly activate a summon negation effect, Wisel has already established itself!"
Majo Toron grit her teeth. She was well aware of the Machine Emperor's synchro-eating abilities, but it couldn't be helped now. She had no way to stop it.
"Wisel!" Majo Isabelle called out, "Absorb that Halberd Cannon!" At once, the core unit of the Machine Emperor opened up, glowing with a slight greenish hue. Tentacles made of energy emerged from it and shot forward, wrapping around Halberd Cannons limbs and torso before dragging him into the core. Once has vanished inside, it shut…and Wisel seemed to adapt to the new surged of energy it now had (2500-6500/2500). "Wisel gains ATK equal to the ATK of all Synchro monsters absorbed his ability! I set one card." A reversed card appeared behind the Machine Emperor. "Back to you, Bruja Tech!"
Majo Toron glared daggers at Majo Isabelle. He best monster had been absorbed and would soon be used to defeat her with. She knew she had to do something, but she was well out of range of using DESTINY DRAW…and she had a few ways to ward off Wisel's attacks for the time being.
""Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Majo Torn shouted. She took her card and eyed it carefully. "I activate the spell Cyclone! With this, I can destroy any spell or trap you control!" At once, a whirlwind kicked up. It quickly began spiraling right for Wiesel. "And the card I choose…is Halberd Cannon!"
"You don't even know what this thing can do, do you?" Majo Isabelle taunted, "Wisel's final ability activates! Once per turn, I can stop any spell card you try activating…such as Mystical Space Typhoon!" At once, Wisel extended a beam from its left hand. It gave one furious slash, cutting the air and somehow cleaving the whirlwind in two, forcing it to disperse. "You weren't planning to use Halberd Cannon's death throes to retrieve your Blade Gunner, were you?"
"Tch!" Majo Toron muttered, "I set one monster." A concealed monster appeared by the final Fluff Token. "Turn end."
"Come on, Majo Toron," Majo Heart said to herself, "Don't let this psychopath win!"
"I guess that's your only move then?" Majo Isabelle taunted. She drew her newest card. "I reveal my face-down card: Enemy Controller! And I will use it to switch your Fluff Token to Attack Position!" And just like that, what seemed to be a massive videogame controller appeared. Majo Isabelle punched in a combo…and the Fluff Token was forcibly switched to Attack Position. "Next, I activate Resuscitation Idiot! With this, I can force a monster in your graveyard to come back to your field…such as Blade Gunner? You were hoping to revive him, weren't you?"
Dark energy flowed from the now-revealed trap card and into the ground by Majo Toron's feet. Suddenly, Blade Gunner was forced back to the surface. He didn't seem very comfortable, but was ready to fight nonetheless.
"And you haven't forgotten Wisel's powers, correct?" Majo Isabelle taunted. Majo Toron took a step back, horrified. Her foe smirked insanely as Wisel once again brought out its energy tentacles and used them to drag Blade Gunner into its core unit. And just like last time, a massive surge of energy rocked the Machine Emperor's body (6500-9800/2500). "It was fun toying with you, Bruja Toron, but all good things must come to an end. So tell me this: What were you saying about Halberd Cannon? That it did well each time you brought it out?" The Spanish witch could hardly hold back her laughter. "Ahahahaha! It certainly did do well…for me! Wisel! Attack that Token…and finish this weak excuse for a Witch off!"
Wisel gathered energy into its left hand and once again extended it into a thick blade. It swung hard, launching a crescent-shaped burst of energy right at the Token. It sliced it in half with no effort whatsoever and continued onwards until it struck Majo Toron. The inventive Witch raised a barrier made from her own magic, but it did little to soften the blow.
The force of the impact sent Majo Toron flying right out of the remains of the Magic Research Center, dropping her to 0 Life Points in the process.
Majo Isabelle is the winner…
"Now then, where was I?" Majo Isabelle began.
Majo Heart channeled a burst of magic, slamming Bebe against the ground and knocking the fairy out cold. "I won't let you have those cards!" the Witch doctor shouted.
"It's not the cards I want," Majo Isabelle replied, "But what I have already extracted from them!" She used her magic to recall the syringe. Majo Heart launched a beam of magic, but the Spanish Witch responded with a barrier. Now in relative safety, she held out her arm and injected the extracted Verz directly into her bloodstream. She began laughing maniacally as her body showed immediate signs of Verz corruption. "Come to me…Serve me well, and I will accept you!"
A thick and black aura comparable to oil surrounded the Spanish Witch. Majo Toron had managed to reach the ruins just as it happened…and for Majo Isabelle to turn and face the inventive Witch. She gathered an orb of thoroughly corrupted magic into her hand.
"I take it you're doing well now?" Majo Isabelle asked, "You can do even better BY DYING!" And with that, she threw her attack…only to be struck from the side by another beam, causing her aim to fail miserably. She looked at who had thrown the magic's equivalent to a sucker-punch. "Who dares-!?"
Majo Isabelle was interrupted by another beam of magic. This time, she was knocked to the floor and pinned there. The source? Majo Heart.
"Majo Toron-san! You must get to Kage Kai and warn the others!" Majo Heat shouted, "I can't hold her back for long!"
"Understood!" Majo Toron replied. She snapped her fingers and vanished, reappearing at another part of Majo Kai. In the distance, she could see the ruins of the Magic Research Center…and the occasional beam of magic. "I can't get to Kage Kai on my own…!"
"Then it's a good thing you're nominally on your side," came a familiar voice. Majo Toron turned and saw Kada and Skaj. "Ya wanna go to Kage Kai or what?"
Majo Toron kept her guard up. She had heard of these two from Majorin and what they've been doing as of late. And even though they aided somewhat, the Shadow had said they were "nominally" on heroes' side.
The Ojamajos had made it inside the Castle. It was easy enough. Too easy, in fact… It left them unnerved at best and downright frightened at worst.
"Majo Rika, Majo Rika, Majo Rika…" Hazuki mumbled.
"Keep it together, everyone," Aiko advised, "We can't let them ambush us."
The group walked forward, heading for the stairs that dominated the other side of the entrance hall. Suddenly, the entire floor glowed, revealing a massive glyph. The Ojamajo had only a moment to register surprise before they were teleported off. Only Majorin was still in the room, even as the glyph faded.
"Minna-san!" Majorin called, "Minna-san! MINNA-SAN!"
A cloud of corrupted magic appeared before her. Moments later, it began coalescing into a dark form, finally becoming a door. Majorin cautiously approached it, stopping when its knob was within reach.
"Do you not want to come, Majorin…?" A voice, recognizable as Jou-sama's sounded, "You disappoint me…!"
Majorin grit her teeth. She knew it had to be a trap. It may be Jou-sama waiting behind that door, but in her current state, the red-violet Witch would never be able to win. Not to mention convincing her to make amends to the Verz!
Doremi woke up by herself. She hadn't actually been sleeping, but it had felt that way. To that end, she got to her feet and surveyed her surroundings. It appeared to be the roof of the Castle. More specifically, she was on top of a tower.
"You need to make your slumber a little more…silent!" a voice shouted.
Stunned, Doremi spun around to face the source. "Shadow Doremi?!" she shouted.
Momoko stared at her Verz-corrupted Shadow. She had looked down before, but the corruption had all but exaggerated it. Dark circles under her eyes, black marks covering whatever skin was naturally exposed and giving the impression of bruises, and her hair being in shambles.
"Shadow Momoko…" Momoko muttered. She now greatly pitied the Shadow. "What happened to you…?"
"She will devour all…" Shadow Momoko said, distantly.
Momoko felt a sudden chill from the room she and her Shadow stood in. The room in question may have been Shadow Momoko's own bedroom, but its coziness was lost amid the unnatural cold that now permeated the place.
Aiko and Shadow Aiko were within the limits of the very hall she had met them in earlier. It brought back memories, but those couldn't be dwelled upon at the moment.
"What are you talking about?!" Aiko demanded.
Shadow Aiko smirked. "Isn't it obvious?" the blue Shadow replied, "We serve Her now. And it isn't even our damn choice!"
Aiko grit her teeth. She had little choice but to face facts. Disigma had been correct: The shadows were under Verz control…though some seemed to keep their minds and personalities.
Hana stared in horror at her Shadow. To have forced her enemy-turned-close friend into something like this was unforgivable! But for now, she had to fight and free her. In the dungeon of all areas, albeit in a deep chamber she never entered.
"Hana-chan won't rest until you've been saved, Shadow Hana-chan!" Hana declared.
"It's too late for me, Hana-chan," Shadow Hana replied, "I only wish you had avoided the trap. Her will is for me to defeat and return you to our side!"
Toward to other end, a massive barrier stood. Within it floated a lone being. She seemed unconscious, but was somehow observing the confrontation that took place before her. She smirked with a clear level of amusement.
"Can't you see the Verz is using you!?" Onpu shouted, "Can't you see what you're doing?!"
The purple Ojamajo glared at her Shadow from across the room…which may as well have been the mess hall.
"I can see clearly, Light Onpu," Shadow Onpu replied, her voice a cold monotone, "You will be re-corrupted. And when that moment comes, you will serve Her will!"
"KYAH!" Hazuki screamed, "Majo Rika! Majo Rika! Majo Rika! Majo Rika! Majo Rika!"
The orange Ojamajo ran around the room -the library- in a panic. Her Shadow stood a small distance away, face-palming.
"This is why you are such a weakling," Shadow Hazuki deadpanned, "I'm not surprised Her will dominated you so easily…" Hazuki seemed to stop at that comment. "How am I supposed to bring you back to our side if you can't duel?"
Hazuki looked at her Shadow in near-abject terror.
"Then I guess it's time to get even," Pop said, "This is the art where I win!"
Shadow Pop, who stood on the opposite end of the common room, smirked.
"Correction, Light Pop," the red Shadow replied, "I will have you back on our side and ensure your loyalty never falters!"
Six of the Shadow Ojamajos inserted their porons into their bracelets shot out their Duel Anchors, snagging and trapping their Light Halves. The six Ojamajos, seeing as they had no choice now, inserted their porons into their bracelets, transforming them into their Duel Disks.
Hana and Shadow Hana simply conjured their Duel Disks without incident.
All fourteen of them inserted their decks into their Duel Disks' proper slot and auto shuffled them. Each Ojamajo and Shadow Ojamajo drew their opening hands as their Life Point meters all raced to 8000.
"Duel!" All fourteen girls shouted.
Featured duel: Majo Toron vs. Majo Isabelle
Majo Toron LP (8000) – Majo Isabelle LP (8000)
Majo Isabelle's turn:
Majo Isabelle has Machina Gearframe, Meklord Emperor Wisel, Limiter Removal, Trade-In, and Foolish Revival as her opening hand. She draws Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon.
Majo Isabelle normal summons Machina Gearframe; since she normal summoned it, she can add any Machina monster to her hand; she chooses Machina Fortress. She then activates Trade-In, discarding Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon and draws Machina Cannon and Negate Attack. She then discards Machina Cannon to special summon Machina Fortress. She follows by equipping Gearframe to Fortress.
She sets Negate Attack and Foolish Revival and ends.
Majo Toron's turn:
Majo Toron has T.G. Warwolf, Junk Synchron, Dandylion, Charge of the Light Brigade, and One for One as her opening hand. She draws Reinforcement of the Army.
Majo Toron activates Reinforcement of the Army and uses it to add T.G. Striker to her hand. She follows by activating Charge of the Light Brigade, milling Ryko, Lightsworm Hunter, T.G. Cyber Magician, and TG1-EM1 and adding Ryko to her hand.
Since she controls no monsters and Majo Isabelle has one, Majo Toron can special summon Striker from her hand. And since she special summoned a Lv4 or below monster, she can special summon Warwolf from her hand. She then normal summons Junk Synchron and uses its effect to revive Ryko.
Majo Toron tunes Lv2 Ryko with Lv3 Junk Synchron to Synchro Summon T.G. Hyper Librarian. She then tunes Lv3 Warwolf with Lv2 Striker to Synchro Summon T.G. Wonder Magician; since a Synchro Summon occurred, Majo Toron can draw a card as per Hyper Librarian's effect; she draws Mirror Force. And since Wonder Magician was Synchro Summoned, she has to destroy a spell or trap card; she choose Majo Majo Isabelle's set Negate Attack.
Majo Toron activates One for One, discarding Dandylion and special summoning T.G. Cyber Magician; Dandylion special summons two Fluff tokens in Defsnese Position since it was sent to the graveyard. She then tunes a Lv1 Token with Lv1 Cyber Magician to Synchro Summon T.G. Reciproco Dragonfly; she draws T.G. Rush Rhino. Majo Toron then tunes Lv5 Hyper Librarian with Lv5 Wonder Magician to Synchro Summon T.G. Blade Blaster. She follows by activating Reciproco Dragonfly's effect, sending Blade Blaster to the graveyard and reviving Hyper Librarian and Wonder Magician. She then tunes Lv5 Hyper Libraian and Lv2 Reciproco Dragonfly with Lv5 Wonder Magician to Synchro Summon T.G. Halberd Cannon.
Majo Toron attacks Machina Fortress with Halberd Cannon. Gearframe is destroyed instead of Fortress.
Majo Toron sets Mirror Force and ends.
Majo Toron LP (8000) – Majo Isabelle LP (6500)
Majo Isabelle's turn:
Majo Isabelle draws Enemy Controller.
Majo Isabelle activates Limiter Removal, doubling Machina Fortress's ATK.
Majo Isabelle attacks Halberd Cannon with Fortress. Majo Toron activates Mirror Force, destroying Machina Fortress. Since a monster was destroyed by a card effect and sent to the graveyard, Majo Isabelle can special summon Meklord Emperor Wisel.
Majo Isabelle activates Wisel's effect, targeting and equipping Halberd Cannon to it. She sets enemy Controller and ends.
Majo Toron's turn:
Majo Toron draws Mystical Space Typhoon.
Majo Toron activates Mystical Space Typhoon and targets Halberd Cannon, but Majo Isabelle negates it with Wisel's effect. She sets T.G. Warwolf and ends.
Majo Toron LP (8000) – Majo Isabelle LP (6500)
Majo Isabelle's turn:
Majo Isabelle draws Remove Brainwashing.
Majo Isabelle activates Enemy Controller, targeting and forcing the Token to Attack Position. She then activates Foolish Revival, reviving T.G. Blade Blaster on Majo Toron's field. She follows with Wisel's effect, targeting and equipping Blade Blaster to it.
Majo Isabelle attacks the Token with Meklord Emperor Wisel.
Majo Toron LP (0) – Majo Isabelle LP (6500)
Majo Isabelle is the winner!
This is it. The time where we must storm the Castle of Kage Kai. It won't be easy, and have the real chance of getting killed…or worse! But I'm the only one able to fight this guardian…and I can't look bad in front of Onee-chan. I must win…no matter what it takes.
!ssap lliw eno oN
O'Lantern Zwei has begun its approach…
A/N: With the latest lists looming on the horizon and confirmed, I think I can actually splurge and make the epilogue chapter take place after the format changes. It'll be a good way to see how the characters react when they realize their decks need to be rebuilt…