Chapter Eleven
Where Has the Occult Gone Wrong?
It had almost been a month since Manjoume had left Duel Academy. During that time, Jaden's room was about done, though that was just for the room itself and not the bathhouse. The bathhouse construction wouldn't start until after the room was finished, but with it being winter, the process was once again postponed for a few days to give the workers their much needed time off.
Though Jaden didn't exactly mind seeing as with winter there's winter vacation, during which most of the students went back home. The island was practically a ghost town due to the majority of the students that were gone. For those who haven't left, the place was an awesome environment where one can duel whenever and wherever as much as they wanted, as stated by Jaden herself.
Aside from that and back to the point where Jaden's tolerance on her postponed room construction, with an almost empty dorm save for her, Shou, Hayato, and Daitokuji, who needed a room when you could sleep anywhere you want in the dining hall? Not them, that's who! And what better way to use the Twilight manga volume that Jaden had received from her father than as marshmallow fire (1) to make s'mores…or just toast them to their preferences!
The suggestion of the alternate use of the book came from Daitokuji after hearing her shriek and seeing her practically throw the book across the room moments after she received the package from her father, which was most likely done as a joke. However, since they happened to have lacked marshmallows and the condiments to make s'mores, they had to wait until the tomorrow when Tome opened the store. Either way, as long as Jaden got rid of that book, she was good. The last thing she needed was a reminder of how vampires were sparkling in the sun when they were supposed to burn…like how the book would be doing in fire tomorrow.
Anyways…at this current moment, it was nighttime and it had just begin snowing outside. Within the dining room, tables were pushed aside to make room for Jaden and Shou's current duel. Meanwhile by the grill, Hayato and Daitokuji were grilling mochi rice cakes while Pharaoh watched curiously as the rice cakes puffed up from the heat.
A/N I looked up what they were cooking and what seemed to resemble the most were rice cakes, so yeah…don't question me and my will to research things before I type them! It's a quirk that makes me somewhat of a perfectionist since I have to make sure it's correct!
Jaden held up a card as it was now her turn and she was about ready to summon her golem-like Elemental Hero.
"I summon Clayman in attack mode!" said Jaden.
Clayman appeared on Jaden's side of the field, crouching slightly to avoid hitting the ceiling. Shou smiled as he stood on the opposite side of the field with Cycroid and Gyroid out in attack mode. Hayato and Daitokuji watched the Osiris Reds duel as they held a small plate in one hand and a pair of chopsticks in the other. Pharaoh meowed as the rice cake on the grill was left unattended to. As a result from the heat, it puffed up and popped, startling Pharaoh as his fur bristled up while he let out a yowl.
"I use Clayman to attack!" said Jaden.
Meanwhile in the forest,
An Obelisk Blue student with shoulder-length brown hair and square-lensed glasses ran through the dark forest as fast as he can away from something. He was beyond exhaustion, yet he continued to run. As he continued doing so, he realized that he was close to reaching his limits, much to his horror. Taking a deep breath, he yelled out as loud as he can.
"Help me!" he yelled loudly.
The boy's voice echoed through the forest.
Back in the Dining Hall,
Hayato tossed the rice cake he had just finished taking off the grill in his hands as he tried to cool it off.
"Hot, hot, hot, hot…" said Hayato.
Meanwhile outside, the Obelisk Blue student began to near the Osiris Red dorms. Back inside, Hayato ripped the rice cake he finished cooling off in half and placed one of the halves in his mouth and started chewing. Daitokuji used his chopsticks to eat his grilled rice cake while Pharaoh watched curiously him and meowed.
Back outside once more, the Obelisk Blue student slowed his pace, unable to run anymore. He was breathing heavily as he tried to reach for the dining hall door.
"S-Someone…" he managed to gasp out before collapsing and crashing into the dining hall.
CRASH!
Jaden and Shou gasped and stared wide-eyed at the Obelisk Blue who had just finished crashing through the door, creaking glass. Daitokuji and Hayato, having heard the Osiris Red duo gasp and of course heard the crash, looked over at the Obelisk Blue student on the floor.
"W-What the—!" said Shou.
Jaden blinked and walked over to the student by Shou.
"What the heck?" Jaden asked. "What happened?"
The Obelisk Blue student opened his eyes slightly as he carefully looked up at Jaden to avoid the sharp glass from pricking him. His body shook from exhaustion as he tried to keep his head up.
"P-Psycho Shocker's…" the Obelisk Blue managed to say.
Jaden blinked as the Obelisk Blue trailed off.
"What about Psycho Shocker?" she asked.
The Obelisk Blue managed to push himself off the ground a bit while avoiding the pieces of sharp glass.
"H-He's after me!" said the Obelisk Blue.
Jaden blinked and looked at Shou, perplexed as Hayato, Daitokuji, and Pharaoh walked over to them.
"Huh?" said Jaden. "What gibberish is he talking about?"
Daitokuji looked at the Obelisk Blue student, finding the boy familiar.
"You're Takadera-kun from Obelisk Blue, aren't you-nya?" asked Daitokuji.
Takadera looked at Daitokuji, somewhat relieved, though yet, still frightened. He carefully crawled over to the professor and latched onto his legs with his hands.
"Daitokuji-sensei!" exclaimed Takadera. "A professor that…that researches Duel Spirits like you, Daitokuji-sensei, would understand, wouldn't you?"
Hayato, Shou, and Jaden all diverted their eyes on Daitokuji.
"Duel Spirits?" questioned Jaden.
Daitokuji knelt down and placed his hands on Takadera's shoulders.
"Please, calm down-nya, Takadera-kun," said Daitokuji. "Tell us everything from the beginning-nya."
Takadera nodded.
"Y-Yes," he said, remembering the past events. "It happened a while before winter vacation started. We Takadera Occult Brothers—"
Jaden blinked owlishly and looked at Takadera.
"Takadera Occult Brothers?" she said questioningly.
"It's a group that I, Mukouda, and Isaka, all of us being Obelisk Blues, made to research aspects of occult dueling," explained Takadera. "In particular, we researched what you'd call the origins of dueling: spirits. And, on that day, we decided to put what we'd researched to the test and contacted a spirit using an Ouija Board."
Memories of Takadera, Mukouda, and Isaka placing their hands on the Ouija Board's planchette popped up in Takadera's mind. The voices of their chanting echoed in his head.
"O Psycho Shocker!" Takadera, Mukouda, and Isaka chanted. "Please heed our call!"
Takadera trembled as he remembered what happened next. Some books falling off of the shelves in the library he, Mukouda, and Isaka were in before the planchette on the Ouija Board moved over to a letter as it began to spell out its message.
"'Offer me three sacrifices'," Takadera said, remembering the message. "'If you do, I will be reborn,' his message read."
Daitokuji looked at Takadera with a somber expression.
"How awful…" Daitokuji said, "You shouldn't have gone into researching both Duel Spirits and phenomena-nya…"
Shou looked questioningly at Takadera.
"Hey, how did you and the others answer, Takadera-kun?" asked Shou.
Takadera looked at Shou and answered, "'We understand'."
Shou's eyes widened as he exclaimed.
"Huh?" exclaimed Shou.
"We thought he meant sacrificing cards!" Takadera said, looking down afterwards. "And yet…"
Shou looked at Takadera perplexed.
"Huh?" said Shou. "You don't mean…"
"The next day, one of our members, Mukouda, vanished without a trace," said Takadera. "And the day after, Isaka… Both of them were offered as sacrifices!"
Shou fell back onto the floor rear-first and whimpered in fright. He looked over at Jaden, whom caught his look and said, "Touch me and the glasses are mine."
Whether she said that to ease the tension or meant that, either way, it didn't matter. Jaden and Hayato looked at each other before turning back to Takadera.
"You sure they didn't just go home for winter vacation?" asked Jaden.
"I called both of their houses, but I was told they hadn't returned…" Takadera replied as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face. "I became afraid, so I planned to leave on today's ferry. When I did…"
Takadera told them about the man in the trench coat he saw on the ferry.
"That had to be…Psycho Shocker!" said Takadera.
Daitokuji placed his hand on his chin as Takadera began to hyperventilate. Jaden stared at Takadera in thought.
"Psycho Shocker's spirit…" thought Jaden.
Suddenly, the lights went out, scaring the crap out of Shou, Hayato, and Pharaoh. As always in terror, both Hayato and Shou resorted to clinging onto female roommate, not minding whatsoever of how she felt about it. Jaden clenched her teeth as her roommates were practically crushing her.
"Shou, Hayato, let go of me, or I'll get crushed!" said Jaden. "Get off—gyaah!"
Jaden shrieked as she felt something press against her chest. This in turned, startled Pharaoh and caused the cat to let out a frightened yowl, which scared Hayato and Shou. Hayato and Shou screamed and tightened their grip on Jaden. Unbeknownst to Shou and Hayato when they clung onto their female roommate, their arms had managed to press against the area where Hayato's usual somewhat brotherly-like teasing was aimed at. And since they tightened their hold on Jaden, this caused her to shriek out again.
"Gyaah!" shrieked Jaden.
Daitokuji, having been the only adult in the situation, tried to calm down his students. He wondered why Jaden was acting differently. Had the lights been on, he would've known why by the blush that tainted her cheeks.
"Please, calm down-nya!" said Daitokuji.
"How the hell am I supposed to calm down?" snapped Jaden.
The fact that her friends clung onto her tightly was one, but involving her poorly-endowed chest was where it crossed the line. Jaden didn't care if was on accident! Insulting it was one matter that she'd learn to ignore or just snap back at, but touching it was a whole different matter since this was physical.
"Who the hell is touching my chest!" yelled Jaden.
Apparently, this got Shou and Hayato's attention as they both let go of their female roommate. As Jaden was about to recover from her flustered state her friends accidentally caused her, a sudden tall figure clad in a trench coat and hat appeared in front of the group. Jaden's moment of relief was cut short as Shou and Hayato clung onto her again in the same manner they had done earlier. Jaden shrieked and blushed as her friends screamed.
"Quit doing that!" shrieked Jaden.
Jaden's reaction startled Pharaoh, causing his fur to puff out and bristled in fright. The tabby cat screeched and jumped into Daitokuji's arms. Despite the current situation, Daitokuji was someone who stuck with his job when it involved his only female Osiris Red student. Having been told by Samejima himself to keep an eye on Jaden, Daitokuji decided to remind Hayato and Shou that their roommate was still female.
"Maeda-kun!" said Daitokuji. "Marufuji-kun! Stop sexually harassing your roommate!"
Both Hayato and Shou reacted negatively to this outburst and immediately let go of Jaden, their faces burning red with embarrassment. It was bad enough that they were just reminded of their roommate's gender, but having it pointed out by Daitokuji in a misunderstanding remark just made the situation even more awkward. Jaden distanced herself slightly away from her roommates and covered her chest with her arms.
"Please don't do that again," said Jaden.
Jaden blinked and snapped back into reality as she and the group remembered the current situation. They turned their gaze back on the figure in the trench coat, who had been watching the group's reaction to his presence followed by the 'supposed' harassment on the gender-mistaken girl in amusement. The group all looked at the figure in the trench coat. The figure was male due to his stature and build, though that didn't matter since he had Takadera!
"Y-You're—" Jaden stuttered, trailing off.
"P-Psycho Shocker!" finished Shou.
The man in the trench coat turned and ran away from the group with Takadera. Jaden blinked and ran after man as he made his way towards the forest.
"Hold it!" yelled Jaden.
Shou called out to Jaden as he trailed after her.
"W-Wait, Aniki!" shouted Shou.
Hayato, Daitokuji, and Pharaoh followed Shou and Jaden.
"Jaden!" yelled Hayato.
"Jaden-kun!" yelled Daitokuji.
Jaden picked up the pace as the man entered the forest.
"Hold it!" Jaden yelled as she entered the forest.
Jaden continued to chase after the man in the trench coat.
"That black coat…" she thought. "He couldn't really be—"
"Aniki!" Shou called out, interrupting Jaden's thoughts.
Jaden blinked and stopped as Shou, Hayato, Daitokuji, and Pharaoh ran up to her.
"Where'd he go?" asked Shou.
Jaden looked around and blinked.
"I lost him…" Jaden said as she wondered where the man and Takadera were.
Shou closed his eyes and let out a sigh in dismay.
"Weren't you just running after him?" asked Hayato.
Jaden closed her eyes and rubbed the back of her head.
"Well…" she said.
Pharaoh's sudden hissing caught Daitokuji's attention as he looked down at the tabby cat. The tabby cat's fur was puffed up and bristled as he continued to hiss and yowl at something.
"What's wrong-nya, Pharaoh?" asked Daitokuji.
Pharaoh bared his teeth as he continued his strange behavior. Hayato, Shou, and Jaden looked at the cat, perplexed.
"Pharaoh's whiskers, they're…" said Shou.
Jaden blinked and turned her head.
"Over there!" Jaden said, breaking into yet another run.
Hayato, Shou, Daitokuji, and Pharaoh ran after Jaden as she ran deeper into the forest. A few moments later, the group reached a fenced area surrounded with what seemed to be generators. They stopped and looked around their surroundings.
"Where are we?' asked Shou.
"Be careful-nya," said Daitokuji. "This is the power supply for the entire island's electricity-nya."
Jaden ran forward into the power supply station (I call it a station, live with it!).
"There's a high-voltage current!" warned Daitokuji.
Jaden stopped in her tracks and gasped when she spotted Takadera on the ground, unconscious.
"Takadera!" she exclaimed.
Jaden ran towards Takadera, but as said by Daitokuji, a high-voltage current blocked her from getting any closer to the Obelisk Blue. The gender-mistaken girl shielded herself with her arm, the electrical energy being somewhat too bright for her. Suddenly, the man they were chasing after appeared within the electrical energy.
Without the trench coat, hat, and scarf combo (that happened to resemble the attire of the Invisible Man), the man was without a doubt, Psycho Shocker. With this confirmed and his sudden appearance, Pharaoh jumped onto Daitokuji and sunk his claws into his owner's shirt. Daitokuji held onto Pharaoh as the tabby cat meowed loudly.
Shou and Hayato looked at Daitokuji.
"Sensei, don't you teach about spirits being real?" asked Shou.
Daitokuji's expression went nervous as he stammered.
"Well, uh…t-this is the first time I've seen one-nya!" Daitokuji confessed nervously.
Jaden stared at Psycho Shocker.
"Hey, Psycho Shocker!" said Jaden. "Let Takadera and the others go!"
Psycho Shocker just stared at Jaden, silent.
"If you want to be reborn so badly, take me as a sacrifice!" said Jaden.
Hayato, Shou, and Daitokuji looked at Jaden, shocked.
"Jaden!" said Hayato.
"Aniki!" said Shou.
Daitokuji just stayed silent, though his expression was concerned. There was no changing Jaden's mind once she had made her decision. He, Shou, and Hayato had learned first-hand about that during the past couple of months they had spent with Jaden.
A/N I believe that October is the month where Duel Academy starts its new school year since it was stated by Shou in the first episode of season 2. And if it is October, then I'd say it's been only a couple of months since it's now winter…yeah…well, back to story!
After a moment of silence, Psycho Shocker responded to Jaden's offer.
"I see…" he said. "I wonder if the power and waves being emitted from you are average…"
The fact that Psycho Shocker could talk had shocked both Hayato and Shou.
"Huh?" said Shou. "He talked!"
"You might just be more worthy of being my third sacrifice…" said Psycho Shocker.
Jaden glared at Psycho Shocker.
"Hey!" snapped Jaden. "I don't belong to anyone!"
"Not yet, that is…" said Psycho Shocker.
Jaden stared blankly at Psycho Shocker, only moving when a shiver went up her spine. That just sounded very creepy, what, with herself on the line for the resurrection of a Duel Spirit. Speaking of resurrections…that reminded her…
"Hold it!" said Jaden. "I'm not giving up that easily! To take me as a sacrifice, there's one condition you need to fulfill…you'll have to duel me! If you win, I'll become your sacrifice, but…"
Jaden tightened her fist and stared at Psycho Shocker with a serious expression.
"If I win, you'll let Takadera and the other two go!" said Jaden.
"Fine," Psycho Shocker said, amused with Jaden's proposition. "Sounds interesting. I will use you as a sacrifice for my summoning!"
Static electricity crackled from the generators as Psycho Shocker continued on.
"There's no longer any escape for you, my sacrifice!" said Psycho Shocker.
Jaden held up her left arm where her duel disk resided as she scowled at Psycho Shocker.
"I'm not a sacrifice!" snapped Jaden. "And I don't belong to you or anyone for the matter! I'm Jaden from Osiris Red!"
A light flashed from where the power supply station was as both Jaden and Psycho Shocker began their duel.
"Duel!" they both said.
Jaden:
LP
4000
Psycho Shocker:
LP
4000
Jaden drew her first five cards as Psycho Shocker used the electric power surrounding him to manifest cards for himself.
"I will take the first move," said Psycho Shocker. "Draw!"
A card appeared in front of the cards Psycho Shocker had manifested.
"I summon Killer Doll of Malice in attack mode!" said Psycho Shocker.
A demented, evil-looking doll-like monster appeared on the field holding an axe in his hands.
ATK 1600
"From my hand, I activate the Permanent Magic, Ectoplasmer!" said Psycho Shocker. "During the End Phase of their turns, both players can sacrifice a monster on their field…to deal half of its ATK as damage to the opponent."
Killer Doll of Malice yelped and hunched over as a white, spirit-like essence emanated from him and floated over to where Jaden was. Jaden shielded herself as the spirit-like essence flew around her once, leaving her with a rather pained feeling.
Jaden:
LP
3200
Killer Doll of Malice disappeared from the field as Shou, Hayato, and Daitokuji looked at Jaden concerned.
"A-Aniki already took damage!" said Shou.
Jaden clenched her teeth and stared at Psycho Shocker.
"His Permanent Magic…" thought Jaden. "With more monsters on the field, it'll give you an advantage!"
"I end my turn," said Psycho Shocker.
Jaden looked at her deck and reached for it.
"My turn!" Jaden said, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Jaden glanced at her card and looked at her hand, cursing mentally.
"I've only got one monster!" Jaden thought before looking up and playing a card. "I'll summon Elemental Hero Avian in attack mode!"
Elemental Hero Avian appeared on the field as Jaden set four cards face-down from her hand.
ATK 1000
"I set four cards face-down…" Jaden said as she smiled and held up the only card in her hand that was left. "And next, from my hand, I'm activating a Permanent Magic of my own! I activate Mirage of Nightmare! During my opponent's Standby Phase, this lets me draw until my hand's at four. And on my next Standby Phase, I have to randomly discard as many cards as I drew from my hand."
Jaden looked at Psycho Shocker and smiled.
"Next up's my attack!" she said as she directed Avian at Psycho Shocker. "I use Avian to attack the player directly! Feather Break!"
Avian charged at Psycho Shocker and punched through the Duel Spirit with intense force.
Psycho Shocker:
LP
3000
Psycho Shocker's life points took another toll as Jaden used Ectoplasmer's effect and sacrificed Avian to deal the Duel Spirit an attack that dealt half the amount of damage equal to half of the Elemental Hero's ATK. Psycho Shocker grunted as Avian's spirit-like essence punched him.
Psycho Shocker:
LP
2500
"Great work, Aniki!" Shou complimented Jaden. "You hit him with 1500 damage right off the bat!"
Jaden grinned and brought down her fist once before keeping it up.
"Aw, yeah!" said Jaden. "Things are goin' great!"
Despite her current lead, Daitokuji was still concerned about Jaden.
"No, this is a soul-risking battle with a Duel Spirit…" said Daitokuji. "A Shadow Game, so to speak. Jaden-kun, don't let your guard down."
Jaden ceased her grin and stared at Psycho Shocker.
"It's my turn," said Psycho Shocker. "Draw!"
A card appeared in front of Psycho Shocker.
"The Killer Doll Of Malice that is in my Graveyard because of my Permanent Magic's effect is reborn during my Standby Phase," he explained as the Killer Doll of Malice appeared on his field.
Jaden smiled and reached for her deck.
"I'll also activate Mirage of Nightmare's effect!" Jaden said as she drew four cards. "I draw four cards!"
Jaden glanced at the four cards she drew and mentally cheered in her thoughts.
"I got 'em, I got 'em!" thought Jaden. "I got some Monster cards!"
Jaden looked up and activated one of her face-down cards.
"And from my field, I activate Emergency Provisions!" said Jaden. "I'll send Mirage of Nightmare to the Graveyard to regain 1000 of my life points!"
Jaden:
LP
4200
Hayato smiled and held up his fist.
"Whoa, that was a good move!" said Hayato. "She restored her life points and won't have to discard any cards!"
Psycho Shocker kept his calm disposition as he continued his turn.
"I summon Emissary of the Underworld in attack mode!" said Psycho Shocker.
An eerie, reaper-like monster with a scythe in its hands appeared on the field. The reaper-like monster laughed menacingly.
ATK 1600
Both Hayato and Shou gasped.
"That's not good at all!" said Hayato. "Jaden has no monsters on her field!"
Jaden clenched her teeth and glared at Hayato.
"Shut it, Koala-man!" snapped Jaden.
Hayato jolted and smiled nervously at Jaden as he clamped up. Jaden nodded her head in approval as she focused her gaze back on her opponent. Psycho Shocker pointed at her.
"Emissary of the Underworld, attack that player directly!" said Psycho Shocker. "Soul Hunt!"
Emissary of the Underworld charged at Jaden as it swung its scythe up, ready to strike. Jaden intervened in the monster's attack.
"Reversed card, open!" said Jaden. "A Hero Emerges!"
Jaden smiled as she held up her hand.
"Now, pick a card," she said. "If it's a Monster card, I can special-summon it!"
Psycho Shocker pointed his finger at one of the cards in Jaden's hand. Static electricity crackled on the card of the Duel Spirit's choice. Jaden glanced at her card and looked up.
"Awright!" said Jaden. "It's a Monster card!"
Jaden picked out the card Psycho Shocker had chosen and held it out.
"I special-summon Elemental Hero Sparkman in attack mode!" she said as said Elemental Hero appeared on her field.
ATK 1600
With Sparkman on the field and Emissary of the Underworld ready to attack, it was only natural for the Elemental Hero to fend off the attacking monster. Since both monsters had the same ATK, both were destroyed from attacking each other. Had this been in a different situation and Jaden thought differently, she would've counted Sparkman's sacrifice to protect her as any other monster would on her field sweet or, dare I say it, heroic (A/N Bleh, bad pun…).
However, that would never happen since this was Jaden…the girl who'd actually threw a Twilight manga book across a room, shrieking. Said girl who was also the one to immediately perk up to using said book as combustible material. To some, this would sound rather weird or wrong, to others…meh, typical reaction from a person who understands the meaning of REAL true vampire fiction and myths. Sparkling vampires indeed…what complete utter nonsense, much like this exact sentence you're reading. (2)
"By sending Emissary of the Underworld to the Graveyard, its effect activates!" said Psycho Shocker. "We both now add one Level-3 or lower Normal Monster from our decks to our hands. I choose Wicked Thousand-Eyed God!"
Jaden looked through her deck and picked out her card of choice before holding it up.
"Then, I'll go with Elemental Hero Burstinatrix!" said Jaden.
"My Battle Phase hasn't ended yet," said Psycho Shocker. "I use Killer Doll of Malice to attack the player directly! Grudge Axe!"
Killer Doll of Malice threw his axe directly at Jaden. Jaden clenched her teeth and winced in pain from the attack as her life points decreased.
Jaden:
LP
2600
"That's not all!" said Psycho Shocker.
Once again, Ectoplasmer proved its potency to Jaden's life points as Killer Doll of Malice's spirit-like essence flew around her. Jaden grunted and held her chest as she felt the attack's pained feeling.
Jaden:
LP
1800
"I end my turn," said Psycho Shocker.
Jaden clenched her teeth and stared at Psycho Shocker with one eye opened as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face.
"If I don't do something about that Ectoplasmer…" Jaden thought before she gasped.
Jaden's eyes widened at the strange sensation she was feeling. It was like something was beginning to disappear from her.
"A-Aniki!" exclaimed Shou.
Jaden diverted her eyes on Shou and noticed his shocked expression.
"Your body!" he said.
Jaden blinked and looked down at herself, her eyes immediately widening in shock. The lower half of her body which consisted from the knee down was transparent.
"What is this?" she exclaimed.
Psycho Shocker laughed in amusement to Jaden's reaction.
"Your life points are at 1800, so half your body has essentially become a sacrifice for my resurrection!" he explained.
Jaden stuttered as she looked herself, her gaze focused on the transparent part of her body. She looked up and glared at Psycho Shocker as she held up her fist.
"Quit messing around!" snapped Jaden. "That's no sacrifice!"
Jaden reached for her deck.
"My turn!" she said, drawing a card. "Draw! I summon Elemental Hero Clayman in attack mode!"
The golem-like Elemental Hero appeared on the field.
ATK 800
"And I equip Clayman with the Equip Magic, Clay Wrap, that's on my field!" Jaden said as she flipped over one of the face-down cards on her field.
A transparent wrap of some sort enveloped Clayman, doing absolutely nothing in effect…yet, that is. Jaden continued her turn with a Magic card on her field.
"Next, from my field, I activate Polymerization!" Jaden said, picking out a card in her hand and holding it up. "I fuse Clayman with Elemental Hero Burstinatrix to summon Rampart Gunner in attack mode!"
Burstinatrix and Clayman leaped into the air as Polymerization worked its fusion effect on both Elemental Heroes, forming the fusion-monster that appeared on the field.
ATK 2000
"And Clayman was sent to the Graveyard as Fusion-Material," Jaden said, smiling. "But, when the Clay Wrap equipped to Clayman was sent to the Graveyard, I activated its effect!"
Jaden looked at her duel disk as a light gleamed from it. She grinned and looked back up at her opponent.
"It destroys one Magic or Trap card on my opponent's field!" she explained before pointing at Ectoplasmer.
Ectoplasmer was destroyed, much to the relief of Jaden and her friends.
"With this, Ectoplasmer's direct damage-inflicting effect is gone!" said Hayato.
"Here goes!" said Jaden. "I use Rampart Gunner to attack the player directly! Rampart Shot!"
Rampart Gunner launched her missile-like bullets at Psycho Shocker. Psycho Shocker grunted in pain from the attack as the smoke from the explosions began to clear.
Psycho Shocker:
LP
500
"Alright, Aniki!" said Shou.
"That's the way, Jaden!" said Hayato.
Jaden stared darkly at Psycho Shocker.
"Do you really think I'll let myself be sacrificed?" Jaden asked, picking out a card from her hand. "I set one card face-down, finishing my turn!"
"It's my turn!" said Psycho Shocker. "Draw!"
Another card appeared in front of Psycho Shocker. The Duel Spirit looked at his card and laughed menacingly.
"It seems the time has come!" said Psycho Shocker. "Soon, the ritual for my resurrection will now begin!"
Jaden looked at Psycho Shocker perplexed.
"What?" she exclaimed.
"I activate Killer Doll of Malice's effect!" said Psycho Shocker. "I sacrifice Killer Doll of Malice…to summon Psycho Shocker in attack mode!"
Killer Doll of Malice disappeared from the field as the card Psycho Shocker just finished drawing, turned around. Psycho Shocker vanished as electrical energy crackled in the air before sending a bolt down on the Duel Spirit's card. A few moments later, smoke circled around where the card once was before Psycho Shocker reappeared, laughing menacingly.
ATK 2400
Jaden stared at Psycho Shocker, who was no longer transparent.
"I-It's finally out, huh?" said Jaden.
Hayato and Shou started in shock at Psycho Shocker.
"At last…" said Hayato.
"Psycho Shocker's spirit was…" Shou said before trailing off.
"…resurrected!" finished Hayato.
Daitokuji shook his head.
"No…" said Daitokuji. "Jaden-kun hasn't been sacrificed yet, so his complete resurrection is still…"
"That's right," said Psycho Shocker. "Jaden, once I defeat you, my resurrection will be complete!"
Jaden scowled at the Duel Spirit.
"You think I'll let it?" yelled Jaden. "Mark my words, I'll stop you!"
"A futile struggle!" Psycho Shocker remarked as a small sphere of energy appeared in his hand. "I use myself to attack Rampart Gunner! Cyber Energy Shock!"
Psycho Shocker sent the sphere of energy at Rampart Gunner. Static electricity enveloped the Elemental Hero and shocked her full on, causing her to yell out in pain. Jaden shielded herself as Rampart Gunner was destroyed.
Jaden:
LP
1400
"I end my turn," said Psycho Shocker.
Jaden glared at Psycho Shocker before diverting her chocolate brown eyes at Hayato and Shou. From the waist down, she was transparent and the last thing she needed was for someone to remind her of Psycho Shocker's effect on Trap cards.
"Nobody…say…a word," said Jaden. "I already know his effect prevents Trap cards from activating!"
Both Hayato and Shou clamped up and stayed silent. Apparently, when Jaden's body was on the line in a duel and began to disappear, stating the obvious or prolonging a duel had a tendency to make her snap. Though, it does seem like a reasonable response in a situation like this…that, or she was trying to hide her anxiety…maybe even both.
A/N But the authoress digresses and continues on with the story.
"My turn!" Jaden said, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Jaden looked at her card and hand before switching it out with a different card.
"I summon Friendog in defense mode!" said Jaden.
A black, machine-like dog appeared on Jaden's side of the field.
DEF 1200
"I finish my turn!" said Jaden.
Hayato looked at Friendog, memories of the card's effect popping up in mind as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face.
"When that card's destroyed, she can add an 'Elemental Hero' card and Polymerization from her Graveyard to her hand!" explained Hayato.
Shou looked at Jaden in wonder as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face.
"What Hero is Aniki going to bring out?" Shou wondered aloud.
"It's my turn," said Psycho Shocker. "Draw!"
A card appeared in front of Psycho Shocker.
"I summon Soul Caller in attack mode!" said Psycho Shocker.
A rather frail-looking man in a cloak appeared on the field.
ATK 1000
Jaden clenched her teeth as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face.
"Bring it!" she thought.
Psycho Shocker charged up another sphere of energy in his hand.
"And I use myself to attack Friendog!" said Psycho Shocker. "Cyber Energy Shock!"
The sphere of energy in Psycho Shocker's hand crackled with static and glowed pink before it was thrown at Friendog. Friendog was destroyed by Psycho Shocker's attack, which was just as Jaden planned that would happen.
Jaden smiled and drew two cards.
"And now, I'm adding Clayman and Polymerization to my hand!" Jaden said as she held up said two cards.
"But all your monsters on the field are gone," remarked Psycho Shocker. "I use Soul Caller to attack the player directly! Gloomy Fang!"
Soul Caller's eyes glowed red and his teeth were now razor-sharp. He opened his mouth very wide and let out intense sound waves at Jaden. Jaden yelled out and clenched her teeth as her life points decreased.
Jaden:
LP
400
Hayato and Shou stared at their roommate in shock as more of Jaden's body became transparent, from the shoulder down, in compensation to her current life points.
"She's got 400 life points!" exclaimed Hayato.
"Aniki!" Shou said anxiously.
Jaden ignored her roommates and stayed quiet, not currently in the mood to snap back. Psycho Shocker continued his turn.
"And, I equip myself with the Equip Magic, Electric Amplifier, from my hand!" Psycho Shocker said as a helmet (I call it a helmet, deal with it!) appeared on his head. "With this, I won't be affected by Psycho Shocker's effect, and I can activate Trap cards. I set one card face-down, ending my turn."
Jaden's roommates and Daitokuji were now worried and concerned. Their gender-mistaken friend was down to 400 life points left, had no monsters on her field, and now, she was the only one who couldn't activate Trap cards. Having learned from previous experience, both Hayato and Shou stayed quiet as Jaden drew a card.
"My turn!" said Jaden. "Draw!"
Jaden looked at the card she drew and held it out.
"I activate Pot of Greed!" Jaden said, drawing two cards from her deck. "I summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman in attack mode!"
The blue-clad, white-caped Elemental Hero appeared on the field.
ATK 800
"And I activate the Equip Magic, Bubble Shot, from my hand!" said Jaden. "I'll equip it to Bubbleman! This ups Bubbleman's ATK by 800!"
A rocket-launcher-like weapon appeared in Bubbleman's possession as his ATK increased.
ATK: Previously, 800
Now…1600!
"Here goes!" said Jaden. "I use Bubbleman to attack Soul Caller! Bubble Shoot!"
Bubbleman launched a large bubble from his rocket-launcher-like weapon at Soul Caller, destroying the monster. (3)
"At this moment, I activate the Permanent Trap, Spirit Barrier!" said Psycho Shocker.
A spirit-like essence wrapped around Psycho Shocker and was absorbed by the Duel Spirit (A/N I know he's not a spirit right now, but deal with it! It's a habit!).
"As long as I have a monster on the field, any Battle Damage to me becomes zero!" said Psycho Shocker.
Jaden kept her calm, though slightly anxious composure as she reached for her hand.
"I activate the Magic card, Fairy of the Spring, from my hand!" Jaden said as she picked out a card from her hand.
A fairy-like being made out of what seemed to be water with pale, pink-colored wings appeared on the field holding two different colored swords in her hands.
"This adds one Equip Magic card from my Graveyard to my hand!" explained Jaden. "I choose Clay Wrap!"
Hayato and Shou stared agape at the card Jaden held up.
"That's from before!" exclaimed Shou.
Hayato nodded, remembering the card's effect from earlier.
"It's a card with an effect that takes a Magic or Trap card with it to the Graveyard!" said Hayato.
"I set one card face-down, finishing my turn," Jaden said as she placed a card face-down.
"It's my turn!" Psycho Shocker said, drawing a card. "I use myself to attack Bubbleman! Cyber Energy Shock!"
Psycho Shocker sent yet another sphere of energy at Jaden's monster for his attack. Bubbleman shielded himself from the attack using his rocket-launcher-like weapon as a shield. Jaden smiled and held up her fist.
"Heh, by destroying the equipped Bubble Shot…" explained Jaden. "Bubbleman's safe from Battle Damage and destruction!"
Psycho Shocker kept his composure despite having wasted his attack.
"I place one card face-down, ending my turn," said Psycho Shocker.
Jaden reached for her deck.
"My turn!" she said, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Jaden looked at the card she drew and her slight anxiousness disappeared as she stared at her partner's card. Wing Kuriboh gave a small 'kuri kuri' in greeting.
"Winged Kuriboh!" thought Jaden.
Winged Kuriboh appeared by Jaden and flew over to his partner's shoulder. Jaden smiled at the winged-furball, quite happy with his sudden appearance.
"I get it!" thought Jaden. "You're cheering me on!"
"Kuri kuri!" Winged Kuriboh answered before perching himself on Jaden's shoulder. As he glared at Psycho Shocker, he couldn't help but think. "Kuri kuri…" (4)
Psycho Shocker stared at Winged Kuriboh questioningly.
"A spirit?" questioned Psycho Shocker.
Jaden stared at Psycho Shocker with a serious expression as Winged Kuriboh flew over her head, his stern (yet adorable) gaze still focused on his partner's opponent.
"That's right!" said Jaden. "This is my Partner! He doesn't need any sacrifices like you do! As long as our hearts are linked, we can meet anytime!"
Jaden smiled and picked out a card from her hand.
"I summon Clayman in attack mode!" she said, playing the card.
Clayman took his position once more on the field as Jaden reached for another card in her hand.
ATK 800
"And, from my hand, I activate the Equip Magic, Clay Wrap!" Jaden said as Clayman was enveloped in a transparent wrap. "From my hand, I activate Polymerization! Fuse Bubbleman with Clayman!"
Psycho Shocker gasped as Clayman and Bubbleman fused together. Jaden held up a card.
"I summon Elemental Hero Mudballman in attack mode!" said Jaden.
Polymerization's effects on Clayman and Bubbleman formed the giant Fusion-Monster that was Mudballman.
ATK 1900
"I activate the effect of the Clay Wrap that was sent to the Graveyard!" said Jaden. "Destroy that Electric Amplifier Magic card!"
Jaden pointed at the card on Psycho Shocker's field and it was destroyed. The Duel Spirit gasped as the helmet on his head began to crackle with electricity before it shattered. Shou and Hayato smiled ecstatically at the sudden turn of events while Daitokuji just sighed in relief. Honestly, with a student like Jaden, you'd think he'd get a break…
"That's right!" said Hayato. "When Electric Amplifier is sent to the Graveyard, the equipped monster is destroyed!"
"All right, Aniki!" said Shou.
Jaden grinned and held up her fist as Psycho Shocker was destroyed.
"Aw, yeah!" she said.
"We're not done yet!" yelled Psycho Shocker.
Jaden ceased her grin and looked perplexed at her opponent, who seemed to be lacking a visible form.
"I will be resurrected, and I won't let you interfere!" said Psycho Shocker.
Jaden looked around and froze when she saw Takadera move. Takadera got up from the ground, groaning slightly.
"Takadera!" said Jaden.
Takadera turned around and held out his hand as his eyes glowed red.
"Reverse card, open!" said Takadera. "Cry of the Living Dead! From my Graveyard, I resurrect Psycho Shocker, and—"
Jaden scowled and held up her fist. Okay, being bargained as a sacrifice for the wellbeing of someone was one where she did that on her own accord, but possessing said someone was where it crossed the line.
"I won't let you!" Jaden interrupted the currently possessed Takadera. "From my field, I activate Declaration of God!"
A/N As much as I like the name Solemn Judgment, I feel rather spiteful against 4kids at the moment to do so.
Lightning flashed in the sky before striking down on the field. A man with long, white hair and a beard appeared on the field accompanied by with two women as Jaden explained the card's effect.
"By paying half my life points, your Trap's activation is negated, and the card's destroyed!" Jaden explained, smiling as she held up her fist.
Jaden:
LP
200
"Now, go!" said Jaden.
The card on Psycho Shocker's field was destroyed in compensation to the 200 life points out of 400 Jaden gave up. The currently possessed Takadera gasped.
"What?" he exclaimed.
"I use Mudballman to attack the player directly!" said Jaden. "Now, die, Psycho Shocker! Mud Stomp!"
Mudballman jumped into the air, electricity crackling in his hands slightly before he cupped them, sending a wave of red energy at Takadera. Takadera yelled as the attack hit him, depleting the last of Psycho Shocker's life points.
Psycho Shocker:
LP
0
Takadera was enveloped in a red, energy sphere. A bright light began to shine, catching everyone off guard. Winged Kuriboh disappeared with a small 'kuri kuri' as his partner and her friends stared at the bright light, perplexed.
"What's this?" exclaimed Daitokuji.
The light began to grow brighter and soon spread at a rapid rate, enveloping the whole area. Shou, Hayato, Daitokuji, and Jaden yelled as the light enveloped them before everything when black for them.
The sound of her duel disk deactivating roused Jaden from her unconscious state. Jaden grunted as her eyes blinked a few times, trying to get accustomed to the sudden brightness that was the sunlight. Slow and drowsy at first, memories from the events before she black out popped up in mind and had her wide awake and alert. Jaden pushed herself off from the ground and looked around.
To one side of her surroundings, were Shou, Hayato, and Daitokuji with Pharaoh in his arms, all of them unconscious, though unharmed. The four regained consciousness and looked at the gender-mistaken girl.
"Aniki!" said Shou.
"Huh?" said Hayato. "It's already morning?"
Jaden closed her eyes and grinned, laughing before she stopped at the sound of nearby snoring. With curious eyes, she turned to the source of the snoring and found three Obelisk Blue students a few feet away from where she was, all three of them sleeping together. Jaden, Hayato, Shou, and Daitokuji walked over to the three and spotted Takadera within the sleeping group.
"It would seem they're all right-nya," said Daitokuji.
Shou looked at Jaden.
"So that wasn't a dream, huh?" Shou asked Jaden.
Jaden blinked and looked at the three Obelisk Blue students.
"That was no dream…Duel Spirits really exist," she thought, blinking a few times before she looked at her friends. "I don't really get why, but I had fun!"
Shou, Hayato, and Daitokuji stared at Jaden in exasperation as Pharaoh meowed in a slightly aggravated tone. Leave it to Jaden to find a life-threatening situation fun. Shou glared at Jaden, wondering how in the world was going on in his Aniki's mind.
Jaden laughed at the looks her friends gave her as a breeze began to pick up.
A/N End of chapter, there's still one more left and you know the drill! But just in case! Flames are never welcomed, but constructive criticism is and reviews are up to your choice. Some of you guys may have noticed, but just in case!
I am no longer KairiDestiny, but KlonoaDreams! I've changed my name, why? Pfft, just for originality sake…that, and I LOVE Klonoa. Either way, I still have the same initials, so just because my name is different doesn't mean I'm not KD anymore! Remember, I'll always be KD! And where was that watermelon I asked for? I'm lucky I now have watermelon in the house and a lot more thanks to a generous donation, if you want me to say toolshed, pay up in a review like heartlessneko did!
(1) On my 15th birthday when I went to a Bak-Anime convention, a while later during the Masquerade, Kami-sama (that's me in Haruhi Suzumiya cosplay) and my fellow cosplayer friends, took the chance to look over at the empty room over for things we wanted to buy. We came upon the manga shelves and one of my friends found Twilight manga. At first, we were appalled until one of us suggested to look for Jacob Black. Since we couldn't find him seeing as he was the only one we actually liked out of Twilight, we went back to hating the existence that was the Twilight manga. Now it was either me or one of my friends who suggested we buy the book only so we can burn it. We agreed to that idea and I came up with the idea to use it as marshmallow fire, to which all my friends agreed to. I think it was my friend who was crossplaying as BB from Death Note or the lady selling the manga who warned us not to get glitter on our marshmallows. We ended up not buying the book seeing as we wanted to look through the fan art and such…
Sorry if Jaden sounded OOC right there, but I really wanted to let that moment out.
(2) Gotcha there, didn't I? Heh, it was something out of my opinion on Twilight, which isn't that really bad of a book, but it's just that Bella's obsession with Edward and the sparkling vampires…ugh! As my friend and minion master who gave me the title Minion #13 and my friend MoMo08 Minion #1, shadowscarlet once said, "Vampires don't sparkle! They're supposed to burn!"
Those who wish to help take control of the planet when it all goes to hell, go to shadowscarlet if you want to be her minion, I don't how many minions she has now, but all I know it's close to being 40! As MoMo08 said on her profile!
French word!
Vive la Resistance!
Fire!
Yup, exactly what she said…heh, I'm advertising for a friend, so yeah…back to the little notes!
(3) I'm starting to wonder how bubbles can hurt someone, let alone destroy them, but then I remember the attacks in Pokémon. So yeah…
(4) Translation: "Actually, I was just here to check up on you, but whatever makes you happy!"
Ah, Winged Kuriboh…there to check up on Jaden when she's in trouble before cheering her on. What a good partner…
On to the next chapter!