A/N: Back with another edition of Neos United. While Chaos Magician Girl and her Heralds set to find the next Jewel, our Neos heroes are left preoccupied with some crazy mind-controlled Duel Monsters to subdue. Can they go without killing some Duel Monsters? We'll see. And what Jewel will be sought for next? All this and more in the chapter.
Since the last update, I've uploaded another story that's part of the New Era project I have going. It introduced brand new original characters (and a return of my Lance Canebrook character), The West Coasters. Hope you liked it. Seems first impressions have been good. I'll keep it up. I still intend to rotate between TWC and this story between each update.
First, a few things I need to address. I've noticed a lot of you are mentioning the Infinity Gems/Stones, Thanos and Avengers: Age of Ultron. I understand the parallels and the coincidental timing of this story's release with that movie's May weekend debut. But, that was not intentional. I wanted to release it months before, around March, but circumstances and D-Reaper's Fury kept me from working on it.
Furthermore, yes, the Jewels of this story, the Jewels of Eternity, are loosely based on the Infinity Gems/Stones. But, this story's plot was outlined long before either me or my collaborator/beta-reader LazerWulf saw Avengers: AOU. Neos United was first conceived as far back as 2011 and the story's plot was finalized last year. There has been long-term planning with this and TWC respectively.
Second, this goes to Generic Review: Could you not bring your feelings on DoC's finale every chance you get in reviews? It's beating a dead horse at this point. I get it. And while I appreciate you reminding me of those particular Gaiden requests, I'd rather you not, or I'll lose the urge to want to do them. I'd like to do them, but that all depends on timing and interest. I don't want to force myself to do things to appease others if I'm not enjoying them. I make the final decisions at the end of the day.
This also goes out to the rest of you. Please for now don't send me anymore requests to do particular entries for my Gaiden. I'll keep whatever ideas I've been given in mind, but that doesn't guarantee I'll get to them. I don't want to burn myself out since I have other stories I'm already doing and others down the road. Thanks for understanding, but if you can't respect that, I don't have nothing more to say.
Now, enough of that. We return your regularly scheduled fic!
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Domino City/Outside Industrial Illusions Building/5:00 PM
Chaos Magician Girl and her four Heralds (Buster Blader, Amazoness Swordswoman, Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon, and Dark Magician) arrived on location near their intended location. Industrial Illusions, Maximillion Pegasus' foundation, stood prominently above every building near it.
Holding the Mind Jewel up, Chaos Magician Girl watched it glowing. A beam of light then shot out of the Jewel and pointed directly to the building.
"Yes, then the next Jewel is beyond the doors of this building?" Chaos Magician Girl deduced.
'One of the Jewels of Eternity lie beyond the doors of the tower.'
The dark mage smirked, conversing with the voice in the Mind Jewel. Oh, Jewels of Eternity? Has a nice ring to it.
'With your slaves keeping those distractions occupied, nothing stands in your and our Heralds way. Now, go forth! There's no time to spare!'
"Sheesh, ok, ok, don't need to rush me! I know what I'm doing!" She growled as she turned to the Heralds behind her. "All right, Heralds, we have our orders. Let's raid this facility and take what we need."
"As you wish!" The four Heralds declared.
Forging a mass of black magic in her fingertips, Chaos Magician Girl fired a beam that easily blew down the front doors. This immediately caused panic as people near the vicinity fled.
"Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon, you're too big to fit. So I have a job for you."
"I'm listening, my mistress," the black -schemed draconian beast replied.
"Yes, you stand guard outside the front and keep anyone from getting inside!"
Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon complied. "As you wish, mistress."
The dark female mage beckoned the others. "And you three come with me!" With that, she and the three other Heralds bolted inside the facility.
Meanwhile, Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon turned around and was greeted by the presence of police officers. Even the police realized their guns weren't going to do jack squat to a massive dragon with protective armored skin.
"Might want to call in the army for this one," a officer half-joked, knowing the futility he and his squad's efforts would have against a dragon.
Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon bellowed and stomped his feet, kicking a police car away. He quickly expelled black fire toward police and a SWAT team. The authorities evaded the black flames the best they could, preventing from getting immolated.
"Screw that! Fighting a giant dragon a job of our big damn heroes!" A younger officer yelled out. "Someone contact Legend Headquarters!"
xxxxx
Industrial Illusions Building/Egypt Museum Wing/5:05 PM
(Cue Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin OST – Jail of Jewels)
Chaos Magician Girl and her Heralds passed through a hallway. Many people watched them walking by them. Before the people had a chance to flee, Chaos Magician Girl summoned her magic staff and invoked a sleep spell to put ever spectator to sleep.
"I'm so not in the mood for any panic screaming," Chaos Magician Girl grumbled as she and her Heralds approached the Ancient Egypt hall. As they turned to their right, they sighted one particular object that resembled a golden staff with Egyptian hieroglyphics on it.
The three entered the Egyptian section and scoured around. Suddenly, the Mind Jewel once again came to life and glowed immensely. This bright glow garnered Chaos Magician Girl's attention.
"The Jewel's glowing again," she stated. "Then, the other Jewel we're looking for is in here!"
The voice then interjected in hers and the Herald's minds. 'Yes, it's in the golden staff in plain sight view.'
"That one!" Dark Magician pointed to the golden staff, which on its display case was identified as 'Staff of Apophis'.
"Staff of Apophis?" The dark female mage scanned the display.
'Yes, the Staff of Apophis. It's the exact weapon that Apophis himself used. As one of his loyal devotees back then, I was there to witness it all. Apophis was a rival to the great Ra. Legends foretell long before humans inherited the planet, Ra and Apophis warred for ages. What was on the line? The Jewels of Eternity. Ra scattered the Jewels and sealed the Power Jewel in the staff.'
"Which explains why the Mind Jewel I have seems to be reacting to the Staff," Chaos Magician Girl concluded. "There's a jewel inside that Staff."
'Precisely why we must take the Staff. We'll have two in our possession and just four left to procure!'
"In that case..." Chaos Magician Girl blasted the casing with her magic staff. This triggered the security alarm. Ignoring the alarms, she walked over to grab it. "The Staff of Apophis is ours along with the Power Jewel in it!"
"HEY!" Shouted a woman's voice behind the thieves.
(End theme)
Alarmed, Chaos Magician Girl whirled around and nearly dropped the Staff. She caught it and looked ahead to see Lyn Stromberg heading them off. Maximillion Pegasus was seen behind Lyn, looking in awe at the thieves; all of them consisted of his many thousand of monster designs.
'Fool, you almost dropped the Staff! We require what's inside it. So be watchful how you hold it!'
Ok, ok! Don't yell at me! These two startled me, that's all! Chaos Magician Girl glared intently toward Lyn and Pegasus.
"My goodness, Duel Monsters are stealing the Staff of Apophis, Ms. Stromberg!" Pegasus yelled out, albeit delightfully as he laid his eyes thick on the Duel Monsters. Naturally being their creator, he became enthralled. "Ah, yes, look at them. Buster Blader, Amazoness Swordswoman... even the Dark Magician! And is that the Chaos Magician Girl? One of my latest creations from several years back. I made her as a counterpart to the Dark Magician Girl."
"No offense, Pegasus, but I doubt they care," Lyn shifted her eyes toward Pegasus. She then turned her attention back to the monsters.
"Creator? You made us?" Chaos Magician Girl scoffed, shooting a glare to Pegasus. "Oh yeah, I know all about you, Maximillion Pegasus. Or, should we call you father? Even if you are, we've evolved past being your simple creations. We have independent free wills, and I've chosen to be a thief!"
"Enough!" Lyn interjected. "Put the Staff down or deal with me!"
"What are you going to do to me, human?" The dark female mage called out on Lyn's 'bluff'.
Lyn paused as she recognized Amazoness Swordswoman and Buster Blader. Wait, aren't they the same ones I've seen help fight alongside us against enemies?! "Are you controlling these monsters?!"
"Why yes, with this?" Chaos Magician Girl showed off the Mind Jewel.
"A jewel?!"
"I control their minds with this and they're faithfully serving me! Now, outta the way or perish!"
As Amazoness Swordswoman, Buster Blader, and Dark Magician prepared to confront Lyn, the blue-haired woman eyed the Staff.
"I won't let you make off with that Staff!" Lyn declared, folding both arms over her chest as a golden aura imbued her body. She then activated her Spirit Fusion power-up, utilizing the Staff's power in her.
(Cue Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin OST – Bad Situation)
Chaos Magician Girl gasped. "What the hell's going on?!" She noticed the Staff glowing on its own. The Staff's giving off the same gold light as this woman!
'Hmmm, it would seem she's somehow received the Staff, and by extension the Power Jewel, to use its mystic power to grant her the ability to transform.'
Into...?
'Into one of you, a human taking on Duel Monster form.'
"Getting suited up for battle, I see," Pegasus smirked as a similar golden light covered him, too. "Hope you don't mind me joining in!"
"Him, too?!" The female mage yelled out in shock.
The voice chortled in Chaos Magician Girl's thoughts. 'Seems we have an assortment of humans that've received power from the Staff. This should prove interesting.'
As the golden light faded off them, Lyn became a D.D. Warrior Lady with faded blue hair. In place of Pegasus was Toon Alligator.
"Crap, he just became a toon monster..." Chaos Magician Girl cursed under her breath. Oh, but I got a way around that thanks to one of the spells I stole from Witchenly. She smirked devilishly, concocting a counteract on Pegasus.
Lyn looked to Pegasus and chuckled. "Aw, shucks, and I didn't become Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon."
"I bet Kaiba-boy hates you for that, Lyn dear."
"He's learned to deal with it," Lyn shifted her focus on the monsters.
Buster Blader, Swordswoman, and Dark Magician bumrushed toward Lyn and Pegasus.
"Hold them off, Heralds!" Chaos Magician Girl shouted. "Make sure they don't get their hands on the Staff!"
Lyn and Pegasus hastily lured the three Heralds out of the Egyptian exhibit.
"Sorry, but that's museum property!" Lyn rebuked, quickly clashing swords with Swordswoman. "And you will be putting that back because I don't want to lose my job over it!" She tucked her head from one of Swordswoman's sword swings. She jumped back, widening some space between her and the large Amazon. "Are we clear?"
Chaos Magician Girl chuckled. "You amuse me, human woman. Finish them off, Heralds. Take no prisoners!"
(End theme)
xxxxx
Chapter 2
Hunt for the Power Jewel
xxxxx
Azabu-Juuban District/5:05 PM
(Cue Teen Titans: Unreleased OST – Slade's Minions)
Taking to the air, Sailor Sedna spun around with her trident, unleashing ice shards that paralyzed a Blue Flame Swordsman. She swooped down and bombarded the Swordsman with ice beams from her trident, sealing him in ice.
"Now, let my ice purge the evil out of you," Sedna commanded as the ice started absorbing black energies out of the warrior. She looked up watching Dimitri evading a Cursed Dragon's blasts. "Remember, don't kill it, Dimitri! We just need to remove the impurities out of them and send them back to their world!"
"Should've said so sooner!" Dimitri yelled out, gut punching the heck out of the Cursed Dragon and knocking it out. He descended with the Cursed Dragon and let Sedna use her ice magic to try removing the Mind Jewel's power from it. "Think this will work?"
"Sailor Moon didn't grant each of us healing magic to remove darkness out of a victim for nothing," Sedna said, focusing on healing the two Duel Monsters. "She figured if she can heal victims, why not the rest of us have that power?"
Nodding, Dimitri replied. "Not a bad idea." He turned to see Faith the MagnaAngemon neutralizing several Man-Eater Bugs, but not delivering any lethal blows.
Sailor Eris jumped up and lassoed a Harpie Lady Sister. She then activated her rope's healing magic, slowly filtering out the creature's body.
Larry tackled a Feral Imp and knocked it out with a headbutt. He then let Sailor Eris hog-tie it.
"Doesn't it feel like we're in a rodeo show?" Larry asked the Texan.
Eris beamed, nodding. "Yep! Takes me back." She pinned the Feral Imp with her boot and watched as her lasso siphoned the Mind Jewel's power out of it.
Sailor Quaoar had a similar idea, but instead of relying on a lasso, she used vines to ensnare a couple of bird-type Duel Monsters. Roses sprouted from these vines and these roses then attached themselves to the monsters, sucking the darkness energy out of them.
Sailor Ixion neutralized several insect and reptile Duel Monsters with poison darts. The poisons doubled as antidotes to remove the Mind Jewel energies from the monsters.
"I think it's working, guys!" Ixion called out to everyone.
Sailor Varuna swung her battle axe, sweeping a Summoned Skull off its feet. She then produced a ball of light and shoved it into the demon's back, purging the dark energies out of him.
Varuna observed. "Glad we have enhanced healing magic. Definitely helps. Right, Quaoar?"
"Yes, very helpful!" Quaoar chimed in.
Sailor Orcus ensnared a few Duel Monster warriors in dark rings. These rings helped remove the Mind Jewel's powers out of the monsters.
Athena and Pegacormon took down several Flying Kamakiri and Man-Eater Bugs.
"Karin, Dimitri! These monsters are gonna need to be healed!" Athena called to Sedna and Dimitri.
"We're coming!" Sedna replied, but as she, Dimitri, and Faith went to convene with Athena and Pegacormon...
Bam!
The sound of bone crunching punches resounded throughout the vicinity. Everyone turned to see Tsukuyomimon clobbering numerous brainwashed Duel Monsters, sending a bunch flying into the air. The wails of numerous Duel Monsters echoed all over the place.
"Come one and come all for an ass kicking!" Tsukuyomimon howled, raising his arms into the air.
(End theme)
Veedramon, Shoutmon, CyberBeelzemon, and Titaniamon could only watch Tsukuyomimon with heads held high. They were already used to Kensuke's penchant for over the top fighting. However, Tsukuyomimon made sure his blows didn't inflict fatal blows and left all the Duel Monsters laying unconscious.
Orcus watched in awe, cheering Tsukuyomimon on. "Booyah, baby! Way to send 'em flying!"
Varuna witnessed Tsukuyomimon's feat and rolled her eyes. "Oh please, I can do better blindfolded if I wanted." Yeah, dream on, Tyra. She thought to herself.
CyberBeelzemon stifled a small chuckle. "Show off."
Veedramon pumped his fist up and roared. "Oh yeah, you show 'em, Ken!"
Titaniamon shook her head. "Bet you fools are having second thoughts?" She shot a glare to Pumpking, Saggi, Archfiend, Cannon Soldier, and Serpent Night Dragon. "You messed with the wrong guy now."
The five Duel Monsters shuddered upon seeing Tsukuyomimon's no nonsense demeanor. Needless to say, they were getting discouraged from getting their hands dirty. It didn't help with the majority of their forces being neutralized.
After finishing up on the monsters Athena and Pegacormon defeated, Sedna raced over to Tsukuyomimon. Dimitri, Faith, and Orcus joined her.
"You certainly got them scared, Ken!" Orcus said, noticing the five Duel Monsters backing away. "Yeah, you don't know who you're messing with, are you?!"
Sedna looked around. "With most of your warriors defeated, I'm not liking your chances. Surrender now, unless you want to face consequences."
Tsukuyomimon cracked his knuckles. "I could bust a few more heads."
"You can tell us the location of this Chaos Magician Girl once you surrender," Dimitri demanded.
Pumpking shuddered. "...damn, this isn't good for us."
Saggi panicked from their enemy's threats. "What the heck is taking our mistress so long?!"
xxxxx
Domino City/Three Blocks from Industrial Illusions/5:08 PM
Meanwhile, the Neo Duelists were still fighting off hordes upon hordes of brainwashed Duel Monsters. Jaden flew around punching and blasting away Duel Monsters. Syrus, Chazz, and Aster engaged ground-based monsters. As more monsters seemed to pour out, the Neo Duelists found themselves greatly overwhelmed.
(Cue ShadyVox – Stronger)
"They just keep coming, Jay!" Syrus shouted, trying his hardest to shake off the Giant Rats piling on top of him.
"Bring it! The Chazz will wreck them all!" Chazz boasted, leaping up and landing an uppercut to Earthquake Giant's jaw.
As the monster's mouth got cracked, Chazz was quickly ambushed by another Earthquake Giant. Chazz got punched several feet back.
"Chazz!" Aster shouted whilst dodging blasts from aerial Duel Monsters, including some dragons.
As for Jaden, he flew around a Great Moth and a Kumori Dragon. He glided up to the Kumori Dragon and caught it straight in the face with a Neos Force punch. Energy resonated through Jaden's fist, packing enough brute force to send the dragon plunging to the ground. He then neutralized the Great Moth with discharged energy blasts. Great Moth, too, fell hard.
'Jaden, our powers can neutralize the dark power that's controlling these monsters. It's also best we send them back to their realm.' Yubel telepathically spoke to Jaden.
"The Digital World, I got it," Jaden said, delving into his and Yubel's powers. He combined their powers, invoking Yubel's ability to manipulate energies.
Just then, the Neo Duelists saw more monsters emerging from a portal above them.
"Just how many Duel Monsters did this new enemy put under their dark control?!" Jaden grimaced as several monsters converged on him. "Don't let up, guys! Take down as many as you can!" He became imbued with a green aura while both his eyes changed colors. "With Yubel's power, I'll remove the dark powers controlling them!"
'And get down to finding the source manipulating these monsters. I'm sensing a strange power emanating not too far... it could be linked to these Duel Monsters being mind controlled.'
And what could it be, Yubel?
'The source feels archaic. Perhaps as old as me, or older. We must find whoever's using this power and stop him.'
"Jay, heads up!" Syrus interjected Jaden from his mental conversation with Yubel.
Before Jaden could heed Syrus' warning, projectiles shot from above headed toward him. Jaden barely turned around and was hit with repeated beams, sending him crashing through a barricade.
"Jaden!" Aster and Syrus shouted to him.
"Ugh... idiot, don't ever turn your back on enemies," Chazz grunted, struggling to stand up.
As Jaden recovered, he sighted his attackers in the form of Dragunity Darkspear and Garuda the Wind Spirit monsters.
"Cheapshot, yo!" Jaden spat out, imbuing energy in his fists. "Have some of this!"
Before he could retaliate, Aster flew up and attacked a few of these monsters. Then, a Cyber Blader jumped up and kicked a Garuda square in the face. Jaden quickly recognized the monster.
"Whoa, Alexis! You're here?!"
Cyber Blader turned around, revealing Alexis' face to Jaden. She smiled to him.
"Need a hand, Jaden?" Alexis winked before beckoning a couple of her own monsters to help her fight off the Garudas and Darkspears. Cyber Gymnast, Cyber Petit Angel, Cyber Prima, and Cyber Tutu engaged the mind-controlled monsters.
"Alexis! We're so glad to see ya here!" Syrus cried out, relieved.
Chazz shook his head. "Better late than never, I guess."
"I just left teaching some students. And on my way home, I see a bunch of Duel Monsters on the loose... so much for the rest of the day relaxing..." Alexis sighed, shifting her focus on the enemy monsters.
"The more help, the merrier," Jaden smiled to Alexis. Clenching his fists, he readied for more action. "If Hassleberry and Blair were here, I'd say the gang is back together, but this is good enough for me! Since you have your Bladers, why don't I bring out my Elemental Heroes?!" With that, he summoned Elemental Hero Avian, Elemental Hero Burstinatrix, Elemental Hero Wildheart, and Elemental Hero Necroshade to engage the Darkspears.
Taking out a Neo-Spacian card, Jaden used his Spirit Fusion powers to merge himself with the monster card he's drawn out.
"All right, Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird! Combine with Elemental Hero Neos with me as the base!" He took out a Polymerization card. As the Polymerization combined me with Air Hummingbird, Jaden became a crimson-armored hero with metallic white wings. He became the Elemental Hero Air Neos. "Ok, let's go!" He propelled toward a Darkspear and punched it with an energy-imbued punch.
"How about I even those odds?" Aster said, summoning Destiny Hero – Captain Tenacious, Destiny Hero – Defender, Destiny Hero – Diamond Dude, and Destiny Hero – Dreadmaster.
The Neo-Duelists fought off and lured the brainwashed Duel Monsters from civilians. All the while, they were still unaware of Chaos Magician Girl and her Heralds infiltrating Industrial Illusions.
(End theme)
Speaking of which...
xxxxx
Industrial Illusions Building/Hallways/5:10 PM
(Cue Teen Titans – Mad Mod World)
Back in the I2 facility, the Heralds proved to be more than Lyn and Pegasus could handle on their own. Though, considering it was three Heralds against two Spirit-Fused Duelists, it was no surprise they lacked the numbers to counter three high-tier monsters. Nonetheless, Lyn and Pegasus adamantly defended their museum and fought to take back the Staff of Apophis.
Pegasus used his Toon Alligator's nimble size to dodge Dark Magician and Buster Blader's attacks. He jumped up out of their reach and invoked his Spirit Fusion powers, shifting from Toon Alligator to Magna Ryu-Ran.
"Hahaha, missed me, boys!" Pegasus blew smoke from his nostrils, blinding Dark Magician and Buster Blader. He slipped behind the smoke screen and attacked the monsters.
"Where is he?!" Buster Blader sliced through the smoke with his sword.
Dark Magician scoffed and raised his magical scepter. He unleashed his Dark Magic Attack to blow away the smoke, unveiling Pegasus' location.
"...whoops?" Pegasus squeaked.
"Pegasus!" Lyn shouted, clashing swords with Swordswoman.
"Where are you looking?!" Swordswoman hollered, swinging her scimitar and knocking Lyn's blade. She tried cutting Lyn down, but the blue-haired woman narrowly evaded Swordswoman's strike.
Lyn jumped up and utilized her Spirit Fusion powers to transform into a blue-haired Lady Ninja Yae. As Swordswoman bumrushed her brandishing her scimitar, she swung said weapon down and unleashed a projectile that would've split Lyn in two. But, Lyn used her new found ninja agility and dodged, quickly scaling a wall. Swordswoman jumped up and swung her sword down, tearing down the wall Lyn clung on. Lyn jumped down and kicked the Amazon's face.
Swordswoman rubbed her face and grunted. "You're not the first ninja I've fought. Don't think your ninja techniques will do you any good!"
"Come and get me," Lyn beckoned her, subsequently utilizing hand signs in rapid succession. She created ninja clones to throw the Amazon off.
Swordswoman simply bumrushed the ninja clones and slashed through two. The clones exploded into dust. She then turned to her right and saw Lyn striking her with a kodachi. Swordswoman turned her scimitar and blocked Lyn's strike.
Swordswoman smirked evilly. "See? Ninja techniques are useless against me!" She channeled Ki in her right hand and punched the air, sending an immense shockwave that swept Lyn back.
Lyn hit the wall and cringed in pain as her back slammed against concrete.
"Pegasus..." Lyn gritted, glancing over to her right as she watched Chaos Magician Girl using her own magic to neutralize Pegasus, turning him back to normal.
Chaos Magician Girl giggled fiendishly while her fingers glowed with purple magical light. She pressed her foot on Pegasus' head, standing over her creator dominantly.
"Now, Pegasus, be prepared to kiss my feet, because I'm going to become queen of two worlds!" The evil mage boasted, gripping the Mind Jewel in her fingers.
Pegasus noticed the jewel in her hand. "What is that jewel?"
"The key to my ascension as ruler of the Digital World. The power in this jewel will determine whether you're worthy to serve me..." Before Chaos Magician Girl could use it, Lyn tossed a ninja star at her, but Buster Blader caught the projectile.
Lyn cursed. "Damn it!" Desperate to take away the Staff, Lyn dashed forward and transformed into Lady of D. "You're not taking the Staff! Over my dead body you're getting away!" She conjured mystic blasts, blasting Buster Blader and Dark Magician. "Now, your turn!" She launched a mystic blast toward Chaos Magician Girl.
"Damn!" Chaos Magician Girl panicked, preparing to counter with her own magic blast, but the Staff, manipulated by the Mind Jewel, hovered in front of the evil mage and formed a protective barrier. "Whoa, close call!"
'That's the last I'm saving you, woman! Hurry it up and find the other Jewels! End this skirmish!'
Lyn ran up to Chaos Magician Girl and prepared to snatch the Staff back. But, then Lyn felt a clubbing blow strike the back of her head. He blow came from Swordswoman, who landed an elbow to Lyn's head. Lyn fell unconscious and transformed back to normal.
(End theme)
"Thanks, Amazon," Chaos Magician Girl sighed with relief. She wiped nervous sweat from her left brow. "Whew, we've secured two Jewels." She looked at the Staff and shook it. "Ok, what now?"
Suddenly, golden light imbued the Staff as it started changing shape.
"What's happening? The Staff's changing shape?!" The evil mage was taken aback by the Staff altering its shape.
The Mind Jewel, being in close proximity of the Staff, caused the artifact to alter its shape into what appeared to be its "true form". The Staff stretched outward, unlocking six openings; one of these slots contained an orange jewel with a similar shape to the Mind Jewel.
'The Power Jewel remains in its rightful slot. Excellent, there are five empty slots. Place the Mind Jewel in one of these five slots.' The voice commanded Chaos Magician Girl.
Complying with the voice, Chaos Magician Girl placed the Mind Jewel in a slot. The Staff's glowed with immense golden light. She felt immense mystic powers coursing through the artifact.
"Oh yes... YES! SO MUCH POWER!" Chaos Magician Girl laughed exuberantly. "And these are just two Jewels. Just imagine when we finally secure the other four Jewels!"
"Shall we go find the next Jewel, mistress?" Buster Blader inquired.
"Of course," Chaos Magician Girl smirked evilly. "But, let's leave this facility." With that, she and the Heralds stormed out of Industrial Illusions.
Pegasus slowly came to and barely saw the Duel Monsters making off with the Staff.
"No... they've got the staff... but that jewel she used..." Pegasus muttered as he crawled over to wake Lyn up. "...what could it be?"
xxxxx
(Cue Teen Titans: Unreleased OST – Fight for the Portal)
On their way out, Chaos Magician Girl and the three Heralds reconvened with the Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon. However, the black draconian beast was caught in a skirmish with the Sailor Quartet. Sailor Ceres was seen blasting Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon square in the chest. Sailor Pallas, Sailor Juno, and Sailor Vesta used magic ropes to bind the behemoth.
"Crap, you couldn't have stopped them?!" Chaos Magician Girl snapped as she fired magical beams that cut through the Quartet's ropes. "Get on him, Heralds! We're making a quick getaway!"
With that, Chaos Magician Girl and the Heralds mounted Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon's back. Opening up his wings, Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon flapped both wings and flew into the air. She raised the Staff as golden light surged out of it.
The Sailor Quartet amassed and watched the dragon fly off with his partners-in-crime.
"What the hell was that all about?!" Sailor Vesta spat out.
Sailor Pallas whined. "Aww, I wanted to tame us a Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon!"
Sailor Juno turned to her leader, Ceres. "So, what do you think? I saw them running off with some gold staff thingy."
Sailor Ceres deduced. "Wasn't that the Staff that gave Yugi Muto and his friends mystic powers? In the hands of the enemy, that Staff will prove to be troublesome." She took out a communicator. "I'll contact our Princess and the others to let them know what's up. They can help us track these Duel Monster thieves down."
xxxxx
Three Blocks from Industrial Illusions/5:15 PM
As the Neo-Duelists managed to subdue the brainwashed Duel Monsters, Jaden used Yubel's power to remove the Mind Jewel's powers from them.
"Now, let's get to work sending these guys back through that portal!" Jaden commanded his friends.
While Jaden's friends sent each Duel Monster through the portal, Jaden noticed black smoke coming from Industrial Illusions.
"Whoa, something's going on at Industrial Illusions, gang!" Jaden pointed toward the obvious direction.
"Another Duel Monster attack, you think?" Syrus wondered.
"Don't know, but I'm heading over there. Once you finish things here, meet met at Industrial Illusions!" Jaden said, gliding toward the building. He turned to his right and noticed Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon flying off in an opposite direction. "What?! A Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon?! That can't be Atticus, or he'd come to help us. In any case, that dragon was coming from Industrial Illusions!" He jetted off to the building and saw police barricading people from getting through. "Holy crap."
(End theme)
He descended and saw the Sailor Quartet helping with crowd control.
"No surprise a Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon would do some major damage," Jaden saw the damaged front entrance. "But, what would it want from Industrial Illusions?" He wondered. "Hey, you four!"
The Sailor Quartet turned and saw Jaden running over to them.
"Ooo, another Duel Monster!" Sailor Pallas got starstruck by Jaden's Elemental Hero Air Neos form.
"Heheh, sorry to disappoint, but it's me, Jaden Yuki. I'm just in Spirit Monster form," the Neo-Duelist chuckled modestly as Sailor Pallas, the curious one she is, poked him all over.
"Ah, Jaden Yuki. We heard all about you," Sailor Ceres nodded.
"Some fight went down here?"
"Yes, we were actively engaging that black dragon and a couple of Duel Monsters fled from the facility with some golden object. Looks like a staff..." Ceres described the Staff of Apophis, but not at great detail.
"Wait, golden staff? They stole the Staff of Apophis!" The Neo-Duelists exclaimed.
"That's what it's called? Sometimes I always forget the name," Sailor Juno shrugged.
"We need to get that Staff pronto!" Jaden exclaimed. "Who knows what damage they'll do with that Staff!"
"I'm contacting Sailor Neo Moon and her friends to come here. So, we should be seeing them here sooner than later. I'm also contacting Sedna and her team just in case," Ceres informed Jaden. "We'll pursue our suspects once we have the team together."
"Good and hopefully these guys didn't get too far," Jaden turned to the direction that Chaos Magician Girl's entourage went.
"Shouldn't we go inside and check to see if there's anyone inside?" Sailor Juno asked, pointing to the entrance.
"Yes, let's," Ceres nodded. "Jaden, care to join us?"
"Sure, but I was waiting for my friends to meet me here. But, I can help get people out," Jaden replied.
(Cue Young Justice OST – Star City)
Jaden and the Quartet quickly stormed into Industrial Illusions searching for people. To their surprise, they saw the people laying around unconscious. The Quartet hurried over to tend to the people and used their Sailor magic to undo Chaos Magician Girl's spell on them.
"These people were put under some spell, but good thing our power can reverse the effects," Ceres said, waking a couple up with her magic.
"Whoa, I see Pegasus! And Lyn... Max and Sam's older sister!" Jaden bolted over to check on Pegasus and Lyn. "Man, whoever took the Staff did a real number on these two."
While the Quartet started filing people out of the facility, Jaden saw Pegasus stirring next to Lyn. He turned Pegasus over. The man looked up at Jaden's face.
"Ah... you're Jaden Yuki?"
"Yep, you're looking well, Mr. Pegasus. Well, as well as a guy recovering from an attack should be," Jaden said, instinctively powering down to his normal civilian form. "There, you can see me clearly."
"Miss Stromberg... Lyn, she's out of it. I don't know how badly they attacked her, but they left her unconscious and I tried waking her up.'
Nodding, Jaden crouched beside Lyn and shook her lightly.
"Hey, Miss Stromberg! Lyn, wake up!" Jaden shook her hard.
"JADEN!" A group of voices called out from inside the facility.
Looking over his shoulder, Jaden sighted Syrus, Chazz, Aster, and Alexis running over to him.
"Glad you guys can make it."
"Oh, the recent Duel Academy graduates," Pegasus smiled. "I'm glad you're all looking well."
"Whoa, it's Mr. Pegasus!" Syrus exclaimed. He put an arm over the Duel Monster creator. "Here, sir, I've got you."
"Many thanks, young lad."
"Hey, isn't that Lyn?!" Alexis gasped, eyeing the blue-haired woman's body laying motionless on the floor. "Max and Sam's sister. Is she ok?"
"Yeah, she's just unconscious..." Jaden said, shaking Lyn some more. After shaking her a few more times, he heard low groaning coming from Lyn. "Good, she's finally coming to, guys!"
(End theme)
Lyn stirred and opened her eyes. She saw Jaden, Aster, and Alexis looking down at her.
"Jaden Yuki?" Lyn was taken aback seeing familiar faces. "Aster Phoenix? Alexis Rhodes? Where..." She let out a gasp and looked around frantically. "Where did they go?! They took the Apophis Staff!"
Aster tried calming her down. "Whoa, hey, relax! We just got here!"
"Someone took the Apophis Staff?!" Alexis asked.
"I saw Amazoness Swordswoman, Dark Magician, and Buster Blader. They along with some evil, twisted-looking Dark Magician Girl in some weird S&M get-up raided this place and took the Apophis Staff. I was knocked unconscious and..." Lyn grabbed Jaden and shook him. "We've got to find them!"
"Ok, we will! We just got here and found you with Pegasus!" Jaden replied. "And those Sailor Quartet girls are helping people out of this place. I heard they're contacting their friends to help us."
"Meaning Usa and her friends. Last I checked my brothers were with them. Good, we at least have a chance to beat those monsters and grab the Apophis Staff before they do something bad with it."
"How bad are we talking?" Aster inquired.
"Well, the Staff granted us the power to turn into Duel Monsters willfully and summon Duel Monsters. I don't want to imagine what they intend to do with the Staff, but nothing good."
Alexis furrowed her brows. "Meaning very bad."
"Right, I remember our trip back in Ancient Egypt and our fight with Apophis," Jaden recounted their extraordinary journey several thousand years into the past. "And being given powers from the Staff to become Duel Monsters? I wouldn't want to give that up!"
Lyn nodded. "Yes, now we've gotta take action." She tried standing, but still felt dazed from getting knocked unconscious. Alexis helped catch her fall. "Ugh, but I took a pretty stiff blow to the back."
"Don't overdo it. We'll take care of this and get the Staff back for ya!" Jaden reassured the blue-haired woman. He faced his friends with resolve in his eyes. "Isn't that right? We just took down a whole Duel Monster gang out there!"
"You said, Jay. Nothing we can't handle," concurred an equally confident Syrus.
Aster, however, thought otherwise. "I don't know. If this Chaos Magician Girl has the Staff, she'll be more trouble than she's worth. We better approach this cautiously."
"And considering how you've approach things lately, Jaden," Chazz addressed his rival. "Just don't rushing in this blind."
"Hey, ever since Yubel became one with me, I've taken things more seriously," Jaden replied. "Stopping Darkness was no easy feat."
"Hopefully the others can respond to the distress and get here quickly," Lyn said.
xxxxx
Azabu-Juuban District/5:20 PM
(Cue Megaman X7 OST – Radio Tower)
After making short work of the brainwashed Duel Monsters, the Kuiper Senshi and their colleagues turned their attention to Chaos Magician Girl's five henchmen. But, Tsukuyomimon helped save them some trouble beating up these five Duel Monsters.
Tsukuyomimon pulled Saggi the Clown forward and punched him several times in the face. By the time Tsukuyomimon was finished, Saggi's poor face resembled mush.
"There! Now there's a face only a mom would like... if you had a mom. I doubt she'd like it," Tsukuyomimon gave a smart quip, tossing Saggi around and slamming him down hard.
Sedna covered Athena's eyes. "Is it over?"
"Yeah, I think she's good to see now," Tsukuyomimon approved, kicking Saggi onto top of Archfiend Cavalry, and Cannon Soldier.
Sailor Orcus helped seal Serpent Night Dragon, by using Shadow Steal, allowing her to absorb his shadow.
"So, sorry, but you're not going anywhere!" Orcus winked to the defeated Serpent.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Dimitri and Larry cut the other Kuiper Senshi loose from Pumpking's vines. Faith swooped down and grabbed other loose vines, spinning around Pumpking and tying down the giant jack-o-lantern monster. As he got binded by his own vines, the Kuipers retaliated with an all-out assault. Sailor Quaoar summoned her own vines and used them to entangle Pumpking, leading to Varuna to slashing him lightning fast axe strikes. Forming a gigantic flower in her hands, Sailor Ixion shot up the torn up vines with her Toxic Flower Cannon, melting away the vines that seemed ready to grab them again. Sailor Eris raced around Pumpking so fast she formed a tornado and swept him up with her Tornado Spin.
"That's for tying us up with those disgusting vines!" Sailor Ixion spat out.
Varuna scoffed, swinging her battle axe down. "The last thing I ever wanted to be is some freak's tentacle fetish."
"At least he didn't go too far," Quaoar said. "Thanks to Dimitri, Faith, and Larry."
Orcus veered over, watching Tsukuyomimon stomp on Saggi's gut. "Having fun, Ken?"
"Maybe a little!" Tsukuyomimon replied to Orcus, who was giving him a thumbs up and seemingly cringing with his brutal methods.
(End theme)
"Looks like we're about done here," Dimitri turned to the Kuipers. "You girls work your healing magic on these guys."
"Kinda don't want to," Varuna reproved.
"Then, the rest of us will," Sedna said as she, Ixion, Eris, Orcus, and Quaoar healed the five Duel Monsters, purging the Mind Jewel's powers influencing them.
Suddenly, Sedna's communicator watch went off, prompting her to answer.
"Sailor Sedna here," the Ice Senshi answered the call from Sailor Ceres. "Sailor Ceres? Yeah, we've just finished dispatching with some rogue Duel Monsters. Yeah, we're ok. Nothing we can't handle."
"We need you over here in Domino City. There was an attack on Industrial Illusions by some Duel Monsters. Apparently, they made off with the Staff of Apophis!"
"That's just great," Sedna sighed. "Ok, we're on our way. Stay where your team is at."
"We'll stay put. Besides, we have Jaden and his friends helping us getting people out of the facility. We'll be contacting the princess and her team to convene here."
"Sounds good. Me and my team are coming your way. Sedna over and out," the Kuiper leader replied, turning off her communicator. She beckoned everyone over.
"Was that Sailor Ceres? What did she want?" asked Ixion.
"We'll be heading out to Domino City. The Sailor Quartet and Neo-Duelists are waiting for us," Sedna called to everyone's attention. "Is everyone ready to go?"
"Um, mom, what do we do about them?" Athena pointed to the five Duel Monsters. "Can we just leave them?"
"And let them run loose. Who knows if they were even good or bad to begin with?" Quaoar added.
"Hmm..."
'Allow us.' The voice of Knut telepathed with Sedna.
(Cue Megaman X5 OST – Dr. Light Theme)
Suddenly, the Kuipers watched spiritual essences flow out of their bodies. These essences formed into familiar animal-like shapes. Sedna saw Knut the Polar Bear appearing before her. Zephyr the Falcon materialized on Eris' left shoulder. Bane the Cobra appeared on Ixion's right shoulder. Flora the Maned Wolf materialized next to Quaoar. Razor the Bat appeared on Orcus' head. Flash the Rabbit appeared in Varuna's hands.
'We'll combine our energies and seal them inside an impenetrable seal.' Flora offered.
'Spirit Animals, combine our powers and contain these troublemakers.' Zephyr commanded.
With that, the Kuiper's spirit animals formed a circle over the defeated Duel Monsters. They then converged their spiritual energies, forming an energy box to seal them within.
Razor cackled. 'That should do it! Hope you five like your jail food!'
Flash sighed in exasperation. 'They're not going to jail, Razor.'
'After seeing them give our girls trouble, they should.'
(End theme)
"All right, we're good to go then," Sedna said as she and the Kuipers recalled their spirit animals. "We'll worry about these guys later. We have more important matters at Domino. An attack happened at Industrial Illusions..."
"Whoa, what?! That's where Lyn works now!" Varuna realized, yelling out in alarm. "You bet your asses we're going now!"
Tsukuyomimon recalled his Digimon, except Veemon, back to his Digivice. "I call first dibs on breaking Chaos Magician Girl's face."
"Maybe you'll get your chance," Dimitri added, giving him more incentive to beat her up as badly as her minions.
Wasting no time, the group headed straight for Domino and left the beaten Duel Monsters contained. It wouldn't be long until Digimon and Duel Monsters, sent by the Royal Knights/Dra-Warriors/Amazons/Witchenly, came to collect them.
xxxxx
Azabu-Juuban District/Lazer Mayhem/5:35 PM
Usa and her friends were still in the middle of a laser tag game against the Neo-Spirit Detectives. Usa and RJ hid behind a barricade while Yui and Aoshi scoured around for them.
"Having fun, Usa?"
"Yep," the pink-haired princess nodded, holding her laser gun up. She took a chance and hastily dash and fired a shot at Yui.
Relying on her keen senses, Yui instinctively dodged the shot. She turned and barely caught Usa running behind a barricade.
"Nice try, Usa! But, you should know my reflexes are still sharp as ever!" Yui boasted.
RJ and Aoshi faced each other off, waiting for the other to fire their first shot.
Elsewhere, Cammy and Shingo hid inside a tunnel while Daiki walked by not noticing them.
Sam came out into the open and shot Umi, eliminating her. The vest she wore had small red lights that lit up that confirmed her elimination.
"Aw, man!" Umi cried out.
Sam smirked, twirling his laser gun. "Sorry, Umi, but I'm a pro at this."
"Oh yes?" Ryuuhi was heard behind Sam.
Before Sam had a chance to react, Ryuuhi shot him from behind.
"Ah, you got me!" Sam yelled out.
Ryuuhi scoffed. "This is mere child's play."
Suddenly, Ryuuhi felt a jolt in his vest and saw the lights flaring up on it.
"What?!"
"Lesson one, brother," Koori was heard behind Ryuuhi. "Never turn your back on the opponent."
"Clever and you got me while concealing your presence."
"Father taught me well," Koori plainly said. She approached Sam and kissed him. "Thanks for distracting him."
"Sure, no problem."
Ryuuhi rolled his eyes. "Oh please."
Umi gave a heartfelt laugh and patted Ryuuhi's back. "Now, now, there's always next time, Ryuuhi."
Suddenly, Usa paused as her communicator watch went off. She quickly called a time-out to everyone and answered the distress call.
"Usa here. What is it, Sailor Ceres?"
"Your highness. We have a situation in Domino. Some monsters attacked Industrial Illusions and took the Staff of Apophis..." Sailor Ceres further explained what happened. "We'll need you and the Neo Senshi to convene with us here."
"We have Yui Tsubasa and the Neo-Spirit Detectives with us as well," Usa responded. "We'll all meet you there right away." She turned off her communicator and assembled everyone.
"We have trouble?" Yui asked.
"Yeah, in Domino City. Sailor Ceres and her team are waiting for us there. Sorry we have to cut our day-off short."
"It's ok. Let's just get to work," Yui said.
RJ shook his head. "We got a job to do."
"Yeah, apparently there was an attack on Industrial Illusions," Usa confirmed, to which alarmed Max and Sam.
"Industrial Illusions?!" Max spat out worryingly. "Our sister's supposed to be there working today!"
"No, what if she got caught up in that attack...?!" Sam exclaimed.
Amaya and Koori walked over to calm Max and Sam down.
"That's why we're going over there to check," Amaya whispered to Max.
Koori grasped Sam's hand and hugged him. "I'm sure she's ok, Sam."
Diana hopped over to Usa. "Let's get out of here so you can transform."
"Ok!" Usa and the Neo Senshi declared.
"Spirit Detectives, it's hunting time!" Yui declared.
xxxxx
Domino City District/Industrial Illusions/Hallways/5:55 PM
Meanwhile, it didn't take long for the Kuiper Senshi and their cohorts to show up. Shortly after they arrival, the Neo Senshi and Neo-Spirit Detectives subsequently dropped in.
"LYN!" Varuna shouted.
"SIS!" Max and Sam cried out together.
As Lyn stood up favoring her head, she saw Varuna, Max, and Sam gather around her.
"Guys, you're all here..." Lyn was relieved to see her brothers and best friend.
"Damn, whoever did this roughed you up," Varuna said, checking over Lyn for possible injuries.
"I'm just shaken up, Tyra. Thanks," Lyn reassured her.
(Cue Justice League Unlimited OST – Fatal Intentions and the Truth (0:00-0:58))
Sailor Neo Moon, Sailor Sedna, and Yui approached Lyn, demanding answers about today's attack.
"So, you're all that's available? Well, can't complain," Lyn shook her head. "I just called Mokuba. He and Seto are on their way here. Knowing Seto, he'll want to get here as he possibly can and turn into Blue-Eyes mode just to come see me."
"Maybe he can help us totally wreck those monsters that did this you, sis," Sam half-joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"So, about these Duel Monsters? Can you tell us who they are?" Sedna asked the blue-haired woman.
"It's going to sound crazy, but I saw Amazoness Swordswoman... but, she looks like she got a makeover because she's recolored."
Yui was taken aback hearing this. "Is this the same Swordswoman from the Digi-Amazon clan?"
"I don't know, but she was strong enough to take me down," Lyn replied, sitting down with Varuna. "She was also with a Buster Blader, a Dark Magician, and some kind of new Dark Magician Girl. Her name is Chaos Magician Girl... and she's the one who stole the Staff of Apophis."
"Chaos Magician Girl? Some Duel Monsters we encountered mentioned her," Sedna revealed. She then looked around as her team scoured the facility. "I have no idea what she wants with it, but no doubt no good. Lyn, did she claim where she and her cohorts were leaving?"
"Nah, she just left, but they could still be in the city somewhere," Lyn assumed.
"Actually, I've been picking up on evil power activity," Adam spoke up. "Ryuuhi, Koori, Yui, Aoshi, and Cammy can agree with me."
"Yeah, I'm sensing mystic powers clustered together," Yui addressed.
"It's got to be the Staff. That Chaos Magician Girl character had some jewel," Pegasus pointed out. "When I barely came to, I saw the Staff of Apophis later its shape and in it... to my shock was another jewel. That would explain what gives the Staff its power."
"A jewel?" Neo Moon wondered out loud.
"Yes, and these slots popped out to fit the jewels in," the Duel Monsters creator further explained.
Jaden unfolded his arms and started toward the entrance.
"Jaden, you're leaving now?" Syrus asked.
"Better than sitting here and letting the bad guys get away," Jaden replied, looking over to the others. "Anyone wants to come with me?"
"We were always planning to go after these guys," Sedna answered. "Neo Moon? Yui? Are you ready to go?"
"Let's go and get this over with," Yui nodded.
"Hold on. Do we even know where we can find them?" Sailor Cyber Mercury asked as she pulled up a virtual map of the whole city. "I will try and isolate any mystic energy beacons I can locate."
"Do that and determine their location," Sedna instructed Cyber Mercury.
Nodding, Cyber Mercury scanned her map with Daiki's assistance.
"Hope they find them soon," Sailor Summoner Venus said. "I'm already inching for some action."
"You and me both, Venus," Sailor Battle Jupiter concurred.
(Theme fades)
Suddenly, a portal materialized and opened up inside the museum. Everyone stood up alarmed by the sudden disturbance and waited for what could pop out.
"A portal?!" Larry exclaimed.
"But, who'd be opening a portal now?" Sailor Eris wondered.
"It's coming from the Digital World," Cyber Mercury confirmed, scanning the source of the portal.
Then to everyone's surprise, Bastion, Tania, Yasmin, and Amazoness Queen emerged from this portal. The Neo-Duelists, most of all, were shocked to see familiar faces, including an old friend.
"No way, is that really...?!" Syrus sputtered out. "B-Bastion?!"
"Whoa, Bastion?!" Jaden's face lit up as he ran up to his friend. "BASTION! Oh man, you're right a sight for sore eye's man!"
"Jaden, Syrus, Alexis..." Bastion acknowledged his old friends. "It's been a while, my friends."
"AW, MAN! We've missed you!" Syrus hysterically cried out, hugging his old academy friend.
After Syrus pulled away from Bastion, Jaden walked over and shook Bastion's hand firmly.
"You could've called?" Jaden joked.
"Sorry, but it wasn't that long ago since we last saw each other," Bastion replied with a smirk. "But, you are looking well."
"Bastion!" Alexis called out to him. She walked over and hugged him. "Didn't expect you to show up."
"Well, don't call it a comeback, Alexis."
Just then, Tania put her hands on Jaden and shook him hard.
"Yeah, you're looking very well, Jaden!" Tania giggled, shaking Jaden so hard she almost tossed him around like a rag doll.
"Whoa! Good to see you, too, Tania!" Jaden wailed while being thrown around by the large and muscular Amazon.
The Neo-Duelists watched awkwardly while Tania tossing Jaden around.
"Um, Tania, would you mind putting him down?" Bastion chuckled nervously, his words minced with his big girlfriend's over-the-top mindset. He watched Tania put Jaden down. "I do apologize for that, Jaden."
"Hahah, it's cool!" Jaden laughed, dusting himself off. "Nope you haven't changed, Tania."
"Yasmin! What brings you here?" Alexis asked her.
"Atticus is not with you?" Yasmin noticed the absence of her lover.
"No, but we can contact him so we'll have all the help we can get," Alexis replied to Yasmin's concern.
"Friends of yours?" Sedna asked Jaden as she looked over Tania and Yasmin.
"Can we dispense with the reunions? We have important business to conduct," Amazoness Queen addressed. "I'm here by Lady Athenamon's request."
(Fatal Intentions and the Truth resumes (1:00-2:28))
"Lady Athenamon sent you?" Sedna asked Queen.
"Another Amazon?" Chazz blanched at Queen.
Athena tugged on Dimitri's hand. "Dad, are you seeing all these Duel Monsters? Isn't this so cool?!"
"Yeah, but nothing that I haven't seen before."
PinkPatamon scanned over the Duel Monsters present. "They seem friendly unlike those other monsters that attacked us."
"Let's be fair, PinkPatamon," Veemon chimed in. "They were mind controlled, right, Ken?"
Tsukuyomimon turned back to Kensuke. He nodded in response to his Digimon. "Yeah, except for this Dark Magician Girl. She's the true troublemaker."
"They were sent by Lady Athenamon?" DarkGabumon overheard Queen mention the Digi-Amazon Queen.
"Yeah, obviously to come bring Swordswoman back," Yui said.
"Think we can save her?" Shingo turned to Cammy, who nodded with a serious look.
"When we find her and the others that this Chaos Magician Girl captured," Cammy answered him.
"Incredible," Pegasus glanced toward Queen. "Amazoness Queen. You must be here looking for your friend, Swordswoman?"
"My sister was here?!" Queen overheard Pegasus. "Did she come with a Buster Blader, a Dark Magician, and some fiend named that looks like an evil Dark Magician Girl?"
"Those names definitely fit the profiles of our suspects," Lyn answered Queen.
"Not just them," Sailor Ceres interjected, walking forward with her Quartet team.
"Ceres?" Neo Moon turned to Ceres and the Quartet. "There's another suspect that got away?"
"A big black dragon," Sailor Juno described Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon. "He had red eyes and a nasty attitude. He nearly scorched our sorry butts!"
"Yeah, yeah, I wanted to tame him!" Sailor Pallas chimed in.
Deedee chortled as she whispered into Adam's ear. "Oh yeah, I can just imagine ol' blueberry trying to tame a big dragon."
"Heheh, don't underestimate her. Pallas might be nuts, but she's very daring," Adam chuckled under his breath.
"Excuse me," Lyn addressed Queen. "Pegasus called that evil Dark Magician Girl another name. Chaos Magician Girl. Did she carry some jewel with her?"
"Yes and she used it to control those four Duel Monsters, including my sister Swordswoman. We came here seeking help to stop Chaos Magician Girl and severe her control over our colleagues. Furthermore, we must prevent her from finding similar jewels if there are any more."
"Looks like we're after the same prize," Yui proclaimed.
Sedna amassed her friends and colleagues together. She turned to each to them, addressing their mission. "And with us together, we'll find them, but I honestly expect them to come to us. But, let's keep vigilant everyone. If there are more of these jewels, it'll be our job to intercept them from getting these things."
Sailor Eris pivoted to Larry. "Hey, don't you think you should contact your team?"
Larry replied, nodding. "Oh, yeah, good call. I'll see who's available." He pulled out his cell to call up his Chimera teammates.
"Don't worry, sis," Kensuke reassured Sedna. "When I see her, I'll take those jewels but not before breaking her hands."
"Well, maybe not so much the hand breakage, but good enough," Sedna chuckled modestly. "But, the point stands, we either find her once Cyber Mercury pinpoints their location or she comes right back to us. Either way, this conflict has to be resolved before there's greater repercussions."
Everyone nodded in unison and resolved to stop Chaos Magician Girl's ambition to fulfill a disembodied voice's desire.
(End theme)
xxxxx
Somewhere in Domino City/6:15 PM
Chaos Magician Girl and the Heralds gathered on a rooftop. They distanced themselves from the heroes and utilized the time to prepare for their next assault.
"Mistress, those warriors are managing to undo the Mind Jewel's control on our subordinates," Buster Blader stated his grievances.
"Yes, it's quite the annoyance, huh?" sighed an exasperated Chaos Magician Girl. "No matter once we have all the jewels, we'll regain control over our lackeys!"
The evil female mage held the Staff of Apophis and meticulously eyed the two jewels.
"Yes, I can feel the power of these jewels coursing through the Staff," Chaos Magician Girl chuckled, feeling invigorated by the empowered Staff. "Can't believe we managed to secure two jewels! And it was all pitifully easy!"
'Correction, you had trouble dealing with those two humans who can use the Power Jewel's powers. You're lucky our Heralds aided you. Had it not been for them, you would've failed.'
"Hey, we got the job done and have two jewels. That's all that matters," Chaos Magician Girl retorted lowly, careful as to not incur the voice's wrath.
The voice grunted. 'You best watch who you're talking to.'
"All right, what now? Do we find the next jewel?"
'First, how about using the Power Jewel?'
"Ok, but for what?"
'Use it to augment our Heralds' strengths. Our enemies have strength in numbers and even our Heralds will be greatly outmatched. However, the Power Jewel should augment their strength ten times over.'
Glancing over the four Heralds, Chaos Magician Girl shifted her eyes over the Staff. She looked back at the Heralds and narrowed her eyes.
"I'll take your word for it."
'Do you not feel the power you wield in the Staff? The Power Jewel alone is enough to make a difference in powering up an individual. The Power Jewel can turn a novice into a gladiator in warfare. Our Heralds will divine while empowered by the jewel.'
Nodding, Chaos Magician Girl replied. "All right, let's do this. Heralds, receive divine power bestowed by the Power Jewel."
"Yes, mistress," the Heralds complied and bowed their heads.
(Cue Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 OST – Nemesis T-Type's Theme)
Lifting the staff overhead, Chaos Magician Girl witnessed golden light pouring out of the staff and splashing over the Heralds. Buster Blader, Swordswoman, Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon, and Dark Magician witnessed rings of golden light enveloping their bodies. Buster Blader witnessed his armor turning divine gold. Swordswoman watched her regular attire torn away and replaced with gold armor; the hilt of her scimitar became pearl. Dark Magician's body turned crimson red and his face became dark blue. Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon gained silver armor, horns, and sharper claws.
All four Heralds' bodies were bathed in brilliant golden light. They each felt mystic energies coursing through them and empowering them.
"Incredible! All this from a jewel?" Buster Blader was flabbergasted with his new armor accessories.
Dark Magician examined and waved around his new magical scepter. "Yes, I've never felt more powerful!"
Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon roared excitedly over his new enhancement.
Swordswoman clenched her fist and looked over her new armor. "I feel I can take on an army!"
Lowering the Staff, Chaos Magician Girl was pleased with the results. "Don't squander these new powers you've been bestowed with. Our master wishes to see you use them well."
The Heralds nodded in response and watched the Staff glow again.
The voice once again interjected. 'It would seem we won't have to search hard for the third jewel. I have confirmed its whereabouts. It's in a close vicinity.'
"The third jewel already found? Where can we find it?!" Chaos Magician Girl gaped in shock upon hearing this revelation. To her surprise, she saw the two jewels fired projectiles, pointing to the direction where Industrial Illusions was located.
'It's in someone's possession and back at that facility you departed from.'
"Back over there, huh? Wonder who has it?"
'It matters not. Return to that facility and secure that third jewel... from what I can discern.'
"Heralds, follow me," Chaos Magician Girl beckoned her four cohorts as they advanced back to Industrial Illusions. "We're off to find the next jewel! Follow me!"
"Yes, mistress!" The Heralds responded obediently and followed her.
(End theme)
xxxxx
Shibuya District/Shibuya Park/6:20 PM
"Phillipe, glad you can make it!" Kotori called out, hugging her cousin, Phillipe, tight.
Phillipe jerked away, chuckling a bit. "I don't know why you'd want me to come all the way here. We do live under the same roof."
"I know, but I wanted to tell you first before I tell your mom and dad," she smiled, hiding something behind her back. "I've got good news."
Jaguarmon poked her head behind Phillipe's back and hopped on his head. "What's so secretive you want to tell us?"
Seadramon widened his smile. "Wait 'til you hear this, Jaguarmon."
"Remember when I signed up for police tryouts?" Kotori smirked. "Well, I passed! I'll be going in for academy training before I pass and get to join the force!"
Upon hearing this, Phillipe's eyes lit up. "Whoa! Congratulations, cousin! I knew you could do it! I'm so proud of you!"
The feline, however, thought otherwise. "So, how much of your Valkyrie strength did you have to use just to pass the fitness test?"
"I'll have you know, I had to really hold back and not show off my real strength, furball!" Kotori spat out. "Not my fault I had to refrain from hurting fragile people! My best would kill a full grown guy!"
"Yes, but you've learned to hold back when necessary," Seadramon said.
"I feel sorry for whoever has to train with you," Jaguarmon snickered.
"Now you're pushing your luck, furball."
"Please, last time we fought, I became Artemismon Lunar Mode and kicked your sorry Valkyrie butt," Jaguarmon reminded them of their heated engagement during the Valmarmon siege.
"That doesn't count, I was brainwashed and used by Necromon."
"A win is a win in my book," Jaguarmon smirked a cat's smile, further inciting Kotori.
Phillipe realized he was getting caught in another heated exchange between his Digimon and his cousin. "Please, you two. Not now!" He caressed Jaguarmon's head to calm her down, which made her purr, and beckoned Kotori off.
Seadramon helped with pulling Kotori away from Jaguarmon.
Sighing, the teen boy offered. "We should celebrate your qualification into the police academy. You're following in your dad's footsteps, huh?"
"Yeah," Kotori smiled. "I hope he's proud of me."
"I'm sure he is."
Suddenly, Jaguarmon's ears perked and tail shot up. Seadramon's eyes instinctively became feral. Kotori, too, sensed an irregularity close by.
"Phillipe, Kotori, I feel something about to materialize..." Before Jaguarmon could finish, a portal opened up, similar to the one Bastion and company used, and watched someone floating out of it. "Someone's coming!"
"Let's brace ourselves, Phillipe," Kotori protectively near him.
"I can use my speed force just in case..." Phillipe eyed the figure. When he saw who it was, he let out a deep sigh of relief. "Oh, relax, guys! It's Witchmon!"
Kotori scoffed, remembering the disaster Witchmon brought on her and Himura. "Oh terrific." She said with a tinge of sarcasm in her tone.
"It's just you, Witchmon," sighed Seadramon.
Witchmon floated over to the group and greeted them. "Hey, it's been a while! Hiya Seadramon and Kotori!" She waved to them, much to Seadramon's irritation.
"What brings you here, Witchmon?" Jaguarmon asked the sorceress.
"Well, first..." Witchmon pointed over to the Phillipe. "Phillipe, you're looking hot as ever."
"Um, thank you...? I try?" Phillipe modestly shrugged.
"Ok, no need to compliment my cousin on his dashing good looks and sexy body," Kotori beckoned Witchmon off and folded her arms. "Get to the point, sorceress. Don't think I've forgotten when you turned me to a raven."
"And I came this close to murdering you, Witchmon," Seadramon hissed.
"That was a long time ago! And you two still remember that?"
"Of course, I do, idiot," Kotori said spitefully.
"Well, the reason I'm here is because I need help. Witchenly actually needs help!" Witchmon exclaimed as she explained what had happened to Dark Magician. She made sure to entail them about Chaos Magician Girl as well. "...and he left under that terrible witch's control! I was going to tell Wisemon, but I went to you first, because you and your Tamers are partnered with my Elemental Charmer students."
"Ah, so you want to talk to Wynn," Phillipe said, whipping out his DDM-Gattai. He turned it on and Wynn appeared on the Digivice screen. "Did you want to see Witchmon, Wynn?"
Wynn nodded. "Yes, and since Dark Magician has been put under Chaos Magician Girl's control by some gem, then we need to band my friends together!"
"A jewel that mind controls people, huh? Well, I know full well what it's like being controlled against your will," Kotori said. "Ain't no way I'm getting controlled."
"Then, you'll help us?" Witchmon asked Kotori.
"Yes, but only because I don't want some mage running around and turning mind-controlled monsters on my city!" Kotori declared.
"You can count on my cousin to help others. I'm in, too," Phillipe stated. He then let Wynn out of his Digivice. "Let me contact the other Victory Tamers and tell them to meet us at a location."
Witchmon bowed. "Thank you, Phillipe."
"Won't it be good to see how much we've improved, Lady Witchmon?" Wynn asked her professor.
"You bet I'm excited to see how far you kids have come along!"
"Together we'll save Headmaster Dark Magician!" The green-haired Charmer boldly stated.
Jaguarmon whispered to Phillipe. "So much for celebrating Kotori's academy initiation."
"We can save it for another time. This is more important," he said. "Sorry this had to come at a bad time, cousin."
(Cue Megaman X7 OST – Lazy Mind)
However, Kotori wasn't the least bit bothered. She instead had a psychotic grin on her face. "No problem. That's just more incentive to pound this Chaos Magician bitch and bring back the Duel Monster leaders to their senses." She turned to Phillipe. "Tell them to meet us in a location of our choosing. And you, Witchmon, use whatever magic ball to locate Dark Magician."
"Already located him," Witchmon said in a sing-a-long voice, winking. "My orb has a lock on his mystic aura... and whoa, his power is through the roof right now!"
"You work very fast, Witchmon," Seadramon said. "That's the best I can say about you."
"Where is he?" Phillipe asked.
"Domino City."
Kotori widened her smirk and popped her knuckles. "Then that's where we're going to rumble."
"Next stop, Domino City!" The Victory Tamer declared their new destination.
(End theme)
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Next chapter: Domino City Mayhem
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A/N: Chaos Magician Girl's secured two jewels and four left to go. Wonder what the third jewel might be? You won't have to wait long to find out.
Just a few notes: A reminder, Duelists imbued with the Staff of Apophis' powers (by extension the Power Jewel) can both transform into a Duel Monster from their deck of their choosing and can summon monsters to life as support. Just as the Neo-Duelists demonstrated.
The Power Jewel grants users powers beyond their natural limits. For the Duelists, it gives them the aforementioned abilities. For the Heralds, it's enhanced their strengths several times (tenfold/twenty-fold, whatever), and with their augmented strengths they'll be plenty strong enough to tangle with groups. Ex. A PJ-powered Swordswoman could possibly take on a group of Dai-Valkyrie Senshi now.
The origin on the Staff: Yes, the same (Winged Dragon of) Ra was Apophis' greatest nemesis. At the time the Duelists went back to the past in DoC, Ra scattered the other 5 jewels to the wind and kept the Power Jewel, which was sealed in the Staff. The Staff now doubles as a vessel for these jewels. More on Ra and Apophis' back story could be fleshed out.
Minor stuff: Kotori qualifying for police academy training and Alexis becoming a duel instructor shows some characters have/are pursuing careers outside their hero duties.
Next chapter, the Chimeras and Victory Tamers enter the conflict. And the battle with the Heralds commences. See which groups fight an individual Herald. Meanwhile, our neighborhood annoyance, Chaos Magician Girl, seeks the third jewel.
Until the next chapter, send a review and stay gold, friends! :D