Boss Rush
VII: Fairy Guardian
"Finally," Cheryl groaned as her feet touched the solid ground at Neo Domino Harbour. "We're here."
"Quite," Kiyomi answered, tucking a lock of white hair behind his ear. "Try not to attract attention to yourself, remember. If Shimotsuki catches you, even I can do nothing."
"My deck's changed since then!" Cheryl bristled, but took it to heart anyway. "You just figure out who else is here. I'll track down Ryuusei and hit him with a geas. He'll be mine by sundown."
Kiyomi merely stared after her as she left, his gaze speculating. "Well, I tried..."
"And I want those shoes," Cheryl finished rattling off her list to the proprietor of the first shop she came to in the Puzzle Street of Neo Domino. Although the skyscraper-castle structure of the headquarters of the Arcadia Movement loomed in the distance, Cheryl was betting on leaving before the owner realised it.
Quickly enough, Cheryl left wearing the DA Queens' Obelisk Blue uniform. Although officially she was no student of DA, she had been in North Academia before her ignoble defeat and subsequent arrest at the hands of Shimotsuki. It felt fitting to wear the uniform once more, even though the crown of Queens mocked her when she had to wear the badge with it.
She left quickly once the tags were taken off, before the owner realised she had not paid. Her feet carried her down the Puzzle Street to buy a small meal. Kiyomi was a lot of things, but at least he had thought to supply some pocket change. Good man...
She hid as a shadow passed overhead, scowling at the sight of a blond student astride a flying horse. Even though no one looked up, sights like these were common as the range of powers available to psychics grew each day. Cheryl was savvy enough to recognise one of the world's top psychics when she saw him.
Again, she wondered where to hunt down Ryuusei. She paused as she consulted a flyer hanging by the pavement from the wall... Duel tournament... Kaiba Dome...
She smiled. It was a chance.
Ryuusei was, quite frankly, exhausted.
Even though he had yet to Duel, Rex and Chase were already being run ragged by the switching strategies even if he did not take the field, and by extension he was run ragged keeping Carpe Jugulum and The Throne in top condition. It didn't require much, but the effort invested was cumulative on his mechanic skills.
Still, Team Black Knights were taking the finals, and Rex was already well invested... that is, he had charged through straight ahead and won the first two Duellists. Now was Chase...
"Go, Infernity Destroyer!" came the cry as Chase dealt the finishing blow.
"The WRGP format is murder," he told Rex as Chase wheeled in.
"Tell me about it," Chase panted. "But this is necessary practice."
"Mmm," Rex growled. "But, Team Night Sky isn't here..."
"What is with you and them?" Chase irritably asked. "Shimotsuki's busy too. Besides, if the two of us could take them, Shimotsuki would wipe the floor with them."
"We don't know any strategies they might have for the Stygian Dirge," Ryuusei groaned. "And Shimotsuki is as good at formulating strategies as I am."
"More investigation," Chase groaned as the announcer's voice echoed their win. "Team Black Knights vs Team Night Sky and the Ladies of Queens."
"Not enough sleep?" Rex asked Ryuusei as they began to wheel out the D-Wheels.
"I'm fine," Ryuusei answered. "You have double-duty this week, right? Go already, or Zora-san will be complaining."
Rex looked doubtful, but left anyway.
"Chase!" Their friend, Misawa Nowaki a.k.a. Youkai was ambushing his other friend in a spluttering hug. That is, Chase was spluttering. "I missed you!"
"Get off me, I can't breathe!"
"Sempai, please don't kill him," Ryuusei dead-panned as Youkai released his grip.
"How are you, Ryuusei?" Youkai's crimson gaze seemed to pierce through even darkness. The Sylph of the Arcadia Movement specialised in night movement, after all. "The winds are rushing around you, you know."
"I'll take that under advisement," Ryuusei neutrally answered. "Have fun on your date."
"It's not!" Chase was spluttering as Ryuusei kick-started the Meteor Stream out.
Sempai...
Ryuusei scowled at the memory of his last stalker, frozen into a picture of adoring supplication at his feet by something of Shimotsuki. It was at moments like this that he almost envied his friend's more-or-less constant dating relationship. Even Shimotsuki got more action when Jimmy Cook came over... too bad he left for Australia once more.
So distracted he was that he almost hit the girl. As it were, he swerved just in time. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, yes," the girl answered. She was slightly muscular, with light violet eyes and long green hair braided together down her front, with the Obelisk uniform of Queens. Somehow, her gaze seemed compelling, but Ryuusei was far too distracted. "Yes, I'm fine."
"I'm very sorry," he sincerely said as he dismounted to help her up. "Did you drop anything? Oh, here." he picked up the shopping bag and gave it to her.
"T- thank you," she replied, still gazing unblinkingly at him.
Ryuusei looked back. "Are you alright? Do you need a doctor?"
"No, I'm fine," she automatically answered.
Puzzled, Ryuusei drove off.
Cheryl could only give a sigh as the red-streaked D-Wheel drove off. Fudo Ryuusei was handsome, especially in the flesh. Even his unusual hairstyle could not detract from the power of those soulful blue eyes and that face... and that he was basically perfect, as far as she could judge. But, his biggest asset was also her weakness; he had strong psychic power, enough to completely ignore her geas.
This was going to be hard.
Finding a D-Wheel was easy enough, just by ordering a random mook to give her his D-Wheel. She used it to get to the Puzzle Area, where Kiyomi had directed her.
The light from a flaming barrel of steel was the only illumination as she entered the decrepit room, the bodies of injured gang members scattered around. Kiyomi himself was draped over the biggest couch in the large room like it was a throne, staring at her unblinkingly that she had to look away. "It's sundown."
"He's too powerful," Cheryl scowled. "We'll have to do it the old-fashioned way."
"And, you fail," Kiyomi chuckled.
"Shut up!" Cheryl scowled, staring at the three others stationed with Kiyomi. "What's with the three bitches?"
"Oi!" the tanned red-haired girl scowled. Her dark red hair was kept in a high ponytail that still reached long enough to sit on, and her silver eyes flashed. She wore some make-up, and a blue cropped strapless top with a black ballet skirt over ballet pink tights and black ballet flats.
"Sandra Torolini, the girl who replied," Kiyomi indicated as Sandra hugged a blonde girl who sniffed. "She's hugging Krissy Leola, and the last one is Shinonome Kisaragi."
Kisaragi was a slightly slender man with a vacant expression, but something gave Cheryl pause. Maybe it was with the bored, disaffected air that he wore, that indicated impatience and a willingness to kill.
"Erm, Lulta will come later," Sandra told Kiyomi.
"So I realise," Kiyomi informed her. "As you know, the 'seeds' granted by Marguerite are not infinite in power. Fortunately, Neo Domino is a hot stomping ground for such spirits. However, you have to be careful not to be caught, otherwise Setsuka Shimotsuki will get wise to us."
"Why is that bad?" Sandra asked.
"If she does, we can all disappear off the face of the earth," Cheryl scowled. "She's smart, cold and ruthless. It's not surprising if she kills us first because we're out to kill her."
Krissy shifted uncomfortably. "I... I just want to find my father... Setsuka Shimotsuki might have killed him."
"I'm with her," Sandra indicated.
"And you?" Cheryl turned to Kisaragi.
Kisaragi yawned. "Well, Marguerite said that whoever can win against Shimotsuki would be the Summer monarch. The Summer monarch has power, doesn't he? And I want that power."
Cheryl shuddered. A kindred spirit...
Something crashed.
"Argh, why now...?" Kiyomi groaned.
"I'll deal with it," Cheryl huffed as she got up.
It was a while away that she came face to face with a ridiculously tall man.
He was ridiculously taller than the average Japanese, with fair skin, short red and gold hair waved up in the front, and a long scar over his left arm. He wore a fitted red sleeveless t-shirt, a red vest with orange trim, red fingerless gloves, light blue jeans, a black belt, and red sneakers. Flaming, so to speak. Amber eyes gleamed from sharpened features that never as he looked at her. "Yes?"
Cheryl switched on her power. "Leave."
His body stiffened under her power, before relaxing. "Well, I haven't been hit by such a geas for a while..."
Cheryl's eyes widened as she activated her DuelDisk. "Y- You know!"
"You're making a very big mistake," he answered. "You're here to kill Shimotsuki right?"
"I can't let you leave," she automatically answered. "Slit your own throat."
He laughed. "That sort of geas isn't going to work on me. Well?"
"You're not getting answers from me without a fight," she scowled.
"Of course," he nodded. "I'm Shinamori Satoshi, by the way. What's yours?"
"Cheryl," she simply answered.
"Duel!"
Satoshi: LP 8000
Cheryl: LP 8000
"Draw!" Satoshi called. "I'll set a monster and three cards. Turn end."
"Draw!" Cheryl declared. "I summon Alien Warrior [1800/1000] to the field in attack mode! Now, I'll special summon Alien Dog [1500/1000] from my hand! Warrior, attack the set card!"
"You hit UFO Turtle, funnily enough," Satoshi answered. "So, I'll search out an Flamvell Poun [200/200]! Chain trap, Backfire! You take five hundred damage!"
"Attack that Poun, Alien Dog!" Cheryl ordered.
Satoshi: LP 8000 → LP 6700
Cheryl: LP 8000 → LP 7000
"Activate the effect of Poun to special summon Flamvell Firedog [1900/200] to the field," Satoshi called as he touched his tender ribs where the impact had struck. "Great..."
"I'll set a card and play the Continuous Spell, Code A Ancient Ruins. Turn end," Cheryl decided.
"So, tell me, why is a psychic hiding out here?" Satoshi conversationally remarked. "I draw! I'll summon Flamvell Grunika [1700/200]! Now, battle! Grunika attack Alien Dog! Firedog, sic the Alien Warrior!"
Cheryl: LP 7000 → LP 6800 → LP 6700
Satoshi: LP 6700
"Trap card, Snake Whistle!" Cheryl called. "I'll special summon an Alien Telepath [1600/1000] in defence mode!"
"Well, the effect of Firedog activates, so I'll special summon the tuner monster, Laval Forest Sprite [300/200]!" Satoshi barked. "Activate trap, Urgent Tuning! Tuning, level four Grunika to level two Sprite! In blackest day, in brightest night, beware your fears made into light. Let those who try to stop what's right, burn like my power, the rage of right! Synchro summon! Come, Flamvell Uruquizas!"
The monster roared as it pounded on the field [2100/400].
"Attack, Uruquizas!" Satoshi called.
"Trap card, Planet Pollutant Virus!" Cheryl called. "I'll tribute Alien Telepath, in exchange for destroying all your monsters without A-Counters!"
Satoshi debated. "Tempting... but I know what comes after. Activate Counter trap, Flamvell Counter. I'll banish the Flamvell Poun to negate and destroy that effect. A replay occurs, without anything, so... Uruquizas, direct attack!"
Cheryl: LP 6700 → LP 4600
Satoshi: LP 6700
"And, Uruquizas gains an attack boost when he inflicts battle damage [2100/400 → 2400/400]," Satoshi added. "I set a card. Turn end."
"Draw!" Cheryl bellowed. "When Dog and Warrior were destroyed, Code A Ancient Ruins gains an A-Counter per destroyed Alien. I remove two counters to special summon Alien Warrior [1800/1000] to the field. Now, I summon the tuner monster, Alien Ammonite [500/200], and use its effect to special summon Alien Telepath. Tuning, level four Telepath to level one Ammonite. Otherworldly beings pollute the land! Be that stronghold which exterminates races! Synchro Summon! Infect, Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar!"
A being that could only be described as chitinous appeared [2600/1800]. It was beyond descriptive powers of anything to describe, it was huge, and Satoshi could only stare. "That... is one effing ugly monster."
"Once per turn, I can bounce back any number of face-up Spells and Traps on the field and distribute a number of A-Counters equal to the bounced cards amongst monster on the field." Cheryl explained. "So, I'll bounce my Ancient Ruins and your Backfire."
"...I think I know where this is going," Satoshi muttered.
"Now, the second effect of Gol'gar," Cheryl continued. "I remove two A-Counters from anywhere on the field to destroy one card you control, once per turn. I'll remove two counters to destroy your Uruquizas."
"...Yep, I know where this is going," Satoshi stated. "So, here's one of my favourite cards. Spiritual Fire Art – Kurenai!"
Uruquizas went up in flames as Cheryl staggered back.
Cheryl: LP 4600 → LP 3550
Satoshi: LP 6700
Cheryl snarled. "Gol'gar, attack his Firedog! Warrior, direct attack!"
Satoshi: LP 6700 → LP 6000 → LP 4200
Cheryl: LP 3550
"Ow..." Satoshi groaned. "Kai was right... this does hurt."
"Turn end," Cheryl scowled.
"Draw!" Satoshi groaned. "Yes! I activate the Spell, Angel Baton! Now I draw two cards and send one. With that, meet the Spell, Rekindling!"
Cheryl blanched immediately as the Forest Sprite, Firedog, Grunika and a Magician [1400/200] appeared at the same time as a brilliant red fox with a white ruff [1500/200] appeared.
"And Kai pulls through once more," Satoshi muttered. "The fox is Inaribi, by the way. Because Flamvell Magician is a Spellcaster Type monster, he's special summoned from my hand. Kaido will murder me, but I think it's almost cute. Tuning, level four Inaribi to level four Magician! In brightest day, in darkest night, behold the core of the true might. To those who worship oppressive might, beware my power of fire-light. Synchro summon! The soul of fire, Blazeus – Dragon of the Roaring Flames!"
"What?" Cheryl yelped as the fiery dragon monster appeared. Its head, torso, wings, forearms, lower legs, claws, and the point of his tail look like it was wearing molten rock armour burning blue-white with heat, while the rest of his body looks like basic red dragon scales [3200/2700].
"When Blazeus is summoned, you take five hundred damage," Satoshi was almost smiling. "And I should really see about getting that Pyrorex, but it's tough work."
Cheryl: LP 3550 → LP 3050
Satoshi: LP 4200
"Now, tuning, level two Forest Sprite to level four Grunika," Satoshi called. "For hearts long lost and full of fright, for those alone in blackest night. Hear them ring and join the fight, step forth, the stars burn bright! Synchro summon, fire-soarer, Lavalval Dragun!"
In a roar of rage, the dragon [2500/1200] appeared.
"How many times do you intend to abuse that chant!" Cheryl groaned.
"No point in wasting a good one," Satoshi pointed out. "Now, Blazeus, roast that Gol'gar extra crispy. Firedog, get the Warrior. And, Dragun, hit'em directly!"
Cheryl: LP 3050 → LP 2550 → LP 2450 → LP 0
Satoshi: LP 4200
"Dammit!" Cheryl snarled as she lashed out, her power throwing Satoshi into a wall as she ran off.
"Wait!" Satoshi called, giving chase. Barely had he moved when an alien reappeared to grab him.
Cheryl's expression was twisted in hate. "Just die."
Satoshi swallowed, before he blinked, looking behind her. "Er, not going to happen."
"Huh?" Cheryl blinked, right before she was hit behind by a fireball and the alien was incinerated.
Kaido placed his newly polished spectacles back on his face. "You're late, Shinamori. Why are you getting targeted?"
"It's not my fault!" Satoshi complained.
"Right," Kaido barely glanced as the Strength of Prophecy he summoned picked Cheryl's smoking formed up. "Cheryl Madison. Wanted by Interpol for the suspected induced suicide of Olive Lee and six other girls."
"Induced suicide?"
"Mind control, you idiot."
"Cheryl glared at him. "Let me go!"
Kaido frowned, wincing as he massaged his temples. "Boy, that's some geas. Now we should drag her to Boss."
"You suck!" Cheryl screamed under the iron grip of the Spellcaster. "Unhand me! Now!"
Satoshi was also clutching at his head. "You got anything to restrain her?"
"Fiendish Chain!" Kaido growled as he slapped the card onto his DuelDisk. The chains snapped out to bind over Cheryl, muffling her screams into mumbles.
The winds blew, and Kaido swore as the chains begun to dissolve. "What the..."
Cheryl recovered her breath as Kisaragi plainly studied the two men. "Ariyashi Kaido, the Spirit of the Books. Honoured to meet you."
"...same here," Kaido offered. "So, you're with her? How should I address you?"
"Shinonome Kisaragi," he answered. "You are one of four who holds the Treasures of Erinn."
Kaido frowned. "Lia Fáil, Claiomh Solais, the cauldron of the Dagda and the spear of Lug?"
"Coire Dagdae," Kisaragi acknowledged. "As expected, you have Fianna Fáil with you. This Geas," he pointed to Cheryl, "Is still maturing. Do let her off."
"...you're one of the 'seeds'," Kaido realised. "So, which are you?"
"That I cannot answer," Kisaragi shrugged. "Go, Geas. The Fragarach still has need of you before the Morrigan realises it."
Cheryl scowled but backed away. "Right. I'm not thankful for this."
"If you know me, you must also know the others," Kaido reasoned. "You've already revealed that you know what Satoshi and I hold, and that on your side is the Answerer and the obligation, plus that you know the whereabouts of the Phantom Queen."
"As expected ofRuadh Rofhessa, the Mighty One of All Knowledge," Kisaragi nodded. "Goodbye."
"Wait!" Fire raged again as Kaido threw his hand out, but Kisaragi danced out of the way, flinging a shot of red that had the psychic cringing back as he made his escape.
Satoshi checked the angry red wound that was caused. "What was that?"
"Something like your powers, Satoshi," Kaido groaned. "Bloody hurts."
"What, you mean Blazeus?" Satoshi asked, examining the wound. "Looks bad. Let's get that checked out."
Kaido wrenched his arm back. "Right. I'll do that."
"You can go to the hospital," Satoshi patiently pointed out as Kaido headed north-east towards the skyscraper.
"...Satoshi, I'd rather we get to the Movement," Kaido reasoned. "I hear things about Celtic mythology that has things nothing can cure."
"Fine," Satoshi reluctantly relented. "Let's go."
For the second time in a row, Tsugare was thrown out of the Arcadia Movement. "Why me...?" he was complaining again as he plodded along to the Ace of Spades. "Honey-trap my foot, she's just out to get me..."
"Hey!"
Tsugare ignored the predatory looks with the ease of long practice to make it to the counter of the club. "Rally. The Dark and Stormy."
"Wow, you're really in a bad mood," Rally muttered as he began mixing. "The boss hit you again?"
"You ever been told that your number one value is in being bait for a honey-trap?" Tsugare asked rhetorically. "I mean, it's dangerous espionage, but she could soften the blow! It brings home the fact that I look like a girl!"
"You do look like a girl," Rally answered as he served up the dark, frothy beverage.
"She didn't need to rub it in," Tsugare moaned. "And shut up, Rally. I know you get more propositions than me."
Rally blushed. "You don't have to say it out loud! At least, you're better off than him."
Tsugare looked to see a man with shaggy blue hair downing his own drink with a weighty thump. "Hey, do I know- Yes, I do."
The man glanced at him. Tsugare shrank back. "Right now we're just drinkers at a bar. Kapeesh?"
"Gotcha," Tsugare nodded, turning to Rally.
"Relationship problems," Rally diagnosed. "It's on-off for over a decade, apparently."
"Lucky him," Tsugare grumbled as he took a fortifying gulp. "I can't keep a relationship together for longer than a month." He turned to the other. "So, on or off?"
The older man glanced at him. "Not interested."
"'Course not," Tsugare nodded. "So, your partner?" In a world where homosexual relationships were becoming more prevalent, it was best to watch one's language. Tsugare had had that lesson beaten into him well.
Another gulp. "Three years younger. Irritating as hell. Doesn't stock Japanese drinks in the house. Can't mix a decent Ginza Mary for his life, but his Margaritas are superb. Martinis as well. Can mix almost any drink except for the ones that matter, you know? Highly talented. Won't bloody leave no matter what. Where did I go wrong...?"
Tsugare coughed. "He's faithful, I'd give that."
"No, he's a human burr that doesn't let go," the older Duellist groaned, clearly having imbibed enough. "I fly to Trinidad, he's there on a tournament. I run to London, he's just come back from whatever opening he's graced with his presence. I come back to Japan for the first time, poof, there he is. We make a bet. Sooner or later I end up in bed. He's playing with me, I can tell."
Bartender and customer glanced at him. "You have it bad."
"Is it bad to want stability for him?" the duellist groaned. "I'm dying. I wouldn't mind dying. Maybe it'd drive it in that he should find another partner who can give him that thing I can't give."
The main speaker glanced at Tsugare's and Rally's frozen expressions. "He's behind me, isn't he?"
"And what, pray tell, is that thing?" the sweet masculine voice answered. "Thank you, gentlemen. I'll take it from here."
The next order came after the two saw one famous Destiny Duellist haul the Hell Kaiser out of the bar. "Screwdriver."
Tsugare turned, looked at the light green eyes, ice blue surfer length hair, fair skin, a runner's build, and how uncannily approachable the man was. "Why, good evening."
Koichi Yamamoto turned, and saw an uncannily tall, fair-skinned person with shoulder-length dark purple hair with black streaks, a fairly long bang covering the left side of his face. The visible right eye was golden amber. The person's attire seems to consist of a Gothic style; black shirt, black cargo pants, and a silver chain hanging from the left pocket, black fingerless gloves and shoes, and a black choker with an amber crystal and an amber earring piercing on his left ear. This person was also uncannily beautiful. "Hello, miss."
Glass shattered as Rally doubled over, his shoulders silently shaking with stifled mirth.
"I'll kill you, Rally!"
Blazeus - Dragon of the Roaring Flames
Level 8
FIRE/Dragon/Synchro/Effect
1 Tuner + 1 or more FIRE non-Tuner Monsters
ATK: 3200/DEF: 2700
Effect: When this card is Synchro Summoned, your opponent takes 500 points of damage. Once per turn, you can send one FIRE monster from your field or hand to the Graveyard to inflict damage to your opponent equal to half that monster's original ATK. Blazeus cannot attack the same turn you use this effect. If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to the Graveyard, your opponent takes 300 points of damage.
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