【60 - Conclusion to the Epic Saga of Nature!】
YouTube: D&D Ambience | Inside A Volcano | Magma, Searing Fire, Lava
There on a giant rock moving down a river of lava stood two duellists. It was the hunter and the hunted. After believing Heidi to be dead the last lieutenant on the island was preparing to eliminate Kanoa just as planned. Then if he could safely get off this rock and carry the boy's dripping corpse with him, he'd use his longest machete on Kanoa then go back to Heidi and take her severed head too. General Urobach would come back for him, and then on his return home he'd get both his trophies set on wall plaques beside all the other beasts he'd hunted. Kanoa was furious and determined, looking demented as well. The challenger was being met head-on and their tables soon faded to view between them.
Kanoa charged nature and Denaris charged water-light. Meilani had died going up against a deck she didn't know, and Kanoa wasn't going to let the knowledge she uncovered go to waste. Another nature then light charge and Kanoa summoned on his third turn.
"I summon Nam=Daeddo Bronze Style and boost mana!" The stoic green spearman sprang forward, there was added determination most likely stemming from the rage of his master. His mana arms 3 caused Supernova Jupiter King Empire to flip off the deck and be charged.
"I charge light and end."
"I summon Marinyan, Dragon Edge and bring out Euru=Bucca, Mystery Gathering Ruins!" The pink-haired cat-girl looked serious too, pouting with her paws clenched. Chains whipped up from the lava around them, spinning to open a portal and out fell the green ruins shaped like a dinosaur's head. It landed behind Kanoa and the rock beneath them shook. Denaris looked panicked but Kanoa was too focused on revenge to worry about his own life. "Go."
"I summon Babylenra, Strange Stone!" The twinpact shone yellow and he put it down. It looked like a spinning top with crystal blades jutting out. 3500 power and whenever it attacked he could cast its spell side for free, meaning a non-evolution card that costs 6 or less would be made into a shield. "End!"
"Dragsolution! Since I have 2 nature creatures I call out Rejiru=Euru=Bucca, Mystery Ruinskind!" The temple had been following them down the molten river. It flashed green and then jumped between them as a Jurassic dragon formed from landscape. The rock shuddered from the extra weight. It dragged then bumped against the edge, getting stuck. The players wobbled but stayed standing. "My creatures cost 2 less. No charge, I summon Aragoto Musubi for 2 mana!" A rice triangle fighter took a karate stance. "With his Marshall Touch effect I return Marinyan to my hand to boost mana!" Another Marinyan flew from the deck and landed upside-down on his table. "Then I tap my remaining 4 mana to summon Sasoris, Dragon Edge!"
The green squirrel landed next, glaring through his mask. A ring of chains whipped up and a second one extended a moment later in preparation for what was to come "Boaroaxe! I bring out Marinyan and she brings out a second Euru=Bucca, Mystery Ruins!" The tomahawk fell into the marsupial's hands, a second later Marinyan jumped out and a second after that green ruins fell behind Kanoa once more, splashing up lava.
Below them Tsukumo had arrived, running over and staring up at the two battling in such a precarious situation. "Woah… this is crazy."
Kanoa shouted "as I end my turn the total mana cost of my creatures is 24! So Boaroaxe dragsolutions into Boaropagos, Evil Emperor Ruins!" A second fortress landed heavily beside the first and the partially-beached slab of mountain turned, Kanoa's end swinging downstream. Five dinosaur statues leaked different colours from their mouths.
The lieutenant grit his teeth and both players tried to remain steady atop the unpredictable surface.
+ Mad Max: Fury Road | Claw Trucks
"I cast Now or Never to bring out Kirazeus Savark! I send Sasoris to your shields and burn him off so it stays!" The gold dragon was the biggest creature in play, spreading wings that blew back little Sasoris. He flattened into a gold hieroglyph before disintegrating off into dust.
"My go! Dragsolution! I bring out a second Mystery Ruinskind and now my creatures cost 4 less to summon! I mana evolve Huckle Kirin Sawyer off Yatar Wan!" The giraffe landed and swung his twin blades. "Then I bring out the Marinyan I just charged and with her comes Whitey, Dragon Soul Church!" An ornate golden church fell to where his ruins just left. "Kirazeus Savark taps and won't untap next turn!" It shone bright white and the enemy dragon shrank down. "Then I summon Sasoris, Dragon Edge and equip him with Proto Gigaheart, Invincible Sword!" The long blue blade gave him some removal resistance.
"Light and fire draghearts, I see the chosens are finally branching away from their roots." Denaris scathed.
"You won't live to see it! For Sasoris's summon I bring out Baron Gouyama from my mana zone!" A green bean emerged with a wide brim hat. "I get to search through my deck and put a card in my mana zone. I choose Kabra Katabra!" He slammed his deck back down after finding the card. "Next I send a mana card to the graveyard to put a wild veggie into play, so I choose Kabra Katabra!" The leafed fighter joined his growing army of creatures, much to Denaris's frustration. "This then activates Kabra's effect, letting me return a mana card to my hand. I choose Supernova Jupiter King Empire!"
"No!"
"And then with only 1 mana…" a single card turned and a full-body aura of green coated him. "I evolve Jupiter onto Kabra Katabra, Aragoto Musubi and Baron Gouyama!" The three veggies were all he needed. They each jumped with a cheer, combing in green light and then roots tore from the rock they stood on, gouging into the ground and lifting them up. From below Tsukumo backed away cautiously. Trees and nature sprouted all around Kanoa and for a second Denaris wondered if he should jump and get away, but they were too high.
Jupiter gave an ancient roar, spreading wings and grass blades. Green energy swallowed everything and pollen drifted down. Tsukumo raised a hand as a piece of white landed there, he blew and it scattered into seedlings.
The blonde looked up "this is much stronger than when I saw Heidi play Mars back then… Kanoa must be a really strong chosen…" He pressed his ear-piece and called Engyo. "Hey, I found Kanoa but he's dueling someone right now. Probably a lieutenant."
"Well hopefully he wins." Engyo said back. "That enemy tribe attacked us but they've been dealt with now. We outnumbered them. At any rate, we don't have time for you to make it back, so M-006 is just going to have to make two stops."
"Let's hope this works…" Tsukumo lowered his hand, eyes still glued to the battle taking place above.
Kanoa splayed his hand "Jupiter triple break and meteorburn! Kabra Katabra comes out and I take Antique Dragon Ruins to my hand!" The big phoenix was now fully cooperative, and their connection strong. The tiger head on its lower body snarled, as it swung a leaf-blade there was a gust of power. Glass shattered and an abundance of lilies and clovers sprouted up the side of Denaris's table.
He crossed his arms and shouted as glass cut his arms with the speed of bullets. A yellow trigger floated by his hands and he grabbed it "Shield trigger! Rosia, Final Dragon Edge!" The gold draguner landed and raised his arm, electric chains whizzing far from the ground upward. One jangled by the ground near Tsukumo as it swayed. Denaris considered bringing out Javeleon so he had a shot at Leo the World, but having just seen what that card could do Kanoa would never let it dragsolution. He'd wait until next turn and use his Antique Ruins spell to send Rosia to his mana zone instead. Denaris's brow twitched and he made another call "I bring out Perfect, Immortal Lance! Now if Rosia would go anywhere other than the graveyard it stays in play instead!" The gold, winged weapon fell into the draguner's grip. It looked heavy but it was swung around with ease.
Kanoa continued "Huckle Kirin, shield break!" The giraffe lobbed a sword that flew through a panel then sailed back around to him. "Mystery Ruinskind, shield break!" It charged, stomping through the final panel which also had no trigger. Kanoa clenched his fist "Second Mystery Ruinskind, todomeda!"
"Revolution Zero Trigger!" It was just like with Meilani. He revealed a card from his deck and it was a light creature. "Miracle Miradante blocks the attack!" The angelic serpent-dragon swept forth, its tail long and undulating behind it. The Jurassic dragon was torn apart by the 14,500 giant.
"Marinyan, todomeda!" One of the cat-girls jumped across the battle zone with a reow and hiss.
"Revolution Zero Trigger!" He was holding another copy and once more turned over a light creature. "A second Miracle Miradante comes out and blocks!" It happened again, another giant slithering through the air beside its twin. A gold claw caught Marinyan and tossed her into the jungle where she crashed through trees and died.
Kanoa blinked at his field. If he'd had his second Marinyan call out Reddull instead of Whitey he'd have another attacker, but as it was he didn't. He put his two hands out and leaned against his table "…I'm done."
"Then it's time for me to end this hunt!" An evil grin crossed his features, those monochrome eyes brightening. "I cast Heaven De Endorsa and send Jupiter to your shield zone!" The twinpact spell shone and Kanoa's phoenix burned away into yellow. Kanoa gained 3 new shields and the green energy enveloping their game receded. The strong roots holding them up began to crack and they tilted dangerously. "First Miracle Miradante attacks Mystery Ruinskind! Second Miracle Miradante attacks Huckle Kirin!" They spun down like giant, floating ribbons and stomped the creatures out. The ground between buckled. "Babylenra, Strange Stone attacks!" His crystal top spun dangerously and flew across zones "I use its twinpact spell side, Super Eternal Spark! I choose itself!" Before the attack could hit it flashed yellow and bounced back, becoming a lone shield before the lieutenant. He exhaled "I end here."
"So that's the gamble you went for… still trying to win…" Kanoa didn't look up and tears fell onto his cards. He knew that killing this man wouldn't bring Meilani back, so what was the point? It would be better if he just died… however he'd made a promise to Jupiter. He had to save Aurellia, and Meilani would want him to go on. Wind breezed by from their height. Denaris watched, sweat running down his temple. Suddenly Kanoa broke the reverie and drew. With only 2 mana left he just charged the spell instead "Kabra Katabra shield break!" the veggie sprang, dropping down with its arm out.
"Rosia block!" The soldier leapt up and tore the arm right off, kicking it from their raised dueling platform.
"Marinyan, shield break!" She pounced and glass pieces spun before coming back together.
Denaris laughed madly "Super Eternal Spark! Sasoris goes to your shield zone!"
"Dragsolution. When Sasoris would leave the battle zone from your spell effect Proto Gigaheart becomes Ohginga Zero, Strongest Dragon and untaps instead." At Kanoa's cold voice Denaris's wide grin froze in place. An orange and blue giant rose up behind him. Kanoa considered which creature to attack with before making up his mind "Sasoris, todomeda!" The squirrel pushed off and with a furry green knuckle punched the lieutenant, breaking his jaw and collarbone. He flew back and fell down, falling far before his back hit the ground. He died on impact.
Once the duel was over the Kaijudo energy stopped supporting their structure and it immediately broke into pieces. Kanoa fell and clung to his table. His chunk of rock bounced against a winding root and then he fell against his side on the grass. Dust settled around him and he coughed painfully.
"We're out of time!" Engyo was yelling through the receiver. "I've called M-006 and told him we've got to go!"
Tsukumo ran and crouched by Kanoa's side "I got him! He won the duel! Let's get out of here!"
Back at the cave the Carmen's Comet lifted off its boulder, spun and produced its EMP cannon. The purple shots couldn't fry any circuitry, but they had enough propulsion force to knock away the loosest segment of roof just as M-006 calculated. After several seconds of focused rounds it gave way, toppling in 3 then 4 chunks. Wasting no more time the ship weaved through the opening and sped across the landscape. The tips of the jungle swayed beneath it. M-006 steered around the taller palm trees.
Engyo was found by his tracker and the islanders looked overhead as the bronze flying saucer turned and descended. Its door and ramp opened. The old ex-principal was sitting on a rock, rubbing his elbow where he'd fallen during a life-or-death struggle. Now the fighting was over, the injured were receiving as much aid as they could and their dead were being gathered as well.
Engyo stood as Tenakoto and the others drew near "the capacity of the ship is 30. We can take children and your injured."
"You may be shot down the minute you get away from the island. Thank you, but my tribe stays together." He said.
"Is that a...?" Heidi blinked at the gleaming ship.
"We'll help you up." Dominic slung one of her arms over his big shoulder.
"Sorry things didn't work out between us, Heidi. Maybe in another life huh?" Sione took her other arm. He was able to put some false cheeriness into his voice despite everything. Still with that confidence she admired. Both guys looked injured but had survived, they helped her up and into a gleaming metal interior.
Engyo's head peered up from the opening "to one of the chairs there, she'll have to be strapped in."
"Suppose you're staying with the tribe." Heidi said to Dominic as they set her down.
"They're my family now." he said simply. "But I'm glad we could meet and sort things out. I saved you, you saved me. I stopped a lieutenant. You just make sure you stop that General guy, okay?"
Heidi was still weary as they strapped her in and then turned to leave. Once the boys were off Engyo gave the tribe one last look as they gathered around him.
"Thank you all..." At his words Kaleo lifted her hand in farewell and the chief gave a nod.
He turned then and the ramp closed up, Engyo ran to the controls and strapped in. No sooner had he sat did the ship tilt upward and take off once more. Heidi just stared at the window-band, blinking as things flew by and trying to process. Their pilot directed them to Tsukumo's signal and found them between streams of lava. The ship was set down and Engyo's feet rattled against the floor as he ran.
"You lost the turbo runner? You're absolutely filthy, Tsukumo."
"I know, I know. That's a crappy island for ya. Help me get him to his chair." The other chosen was set down and he looked as terrible as Heidi felt.
Beep "Hold onto your bowel motions. We're going up and bracing for intense evasive maneuvers." the robot said as the other two passengers strapped in.
It was time to say goodbye to the island. They leaned back and their engines blasted, burning the grass below as they shot up like a shooting star.
Across the ocean Urobach had stopped with his hand over the big red button, taking a breath to savor the moment. Nobody else was as excited, merely following orders no matter what. Exactly as they'd been told to since their training began. Thinking was for superiors and obeying was for troops.
Urobach reached with a gloved finger-
"We're detecting an aircraft moving off the island!" Someone yelled and all eyes turned to his screen. "It's... the unidentified saucer."
"Shoot it down..." Urobach said in a shockingly quiet voice. "FIRE EVERYTHING!" And then he thumbed the button for emphasis.
Even tons of nuclear material couldn't do anything to a tectonic plate by itself, and the added pressure from the deepest part of the ocean would prevent it from causing so much as a burp at the surface. But it did trigger a weak point as detected by their sensors. Nature did the rest. The vertical displacement from the shifting ocean floor made them shake and the lights flicker. Then the water rippled outward in slow-motion like the ocean was just the surface of a pond. The beaches swept over the jungle and tore up trees as they went. The fires were put out and streams of lava covered up. The mountains were left but the jagged waves marched across the horizon blue, unrelenting.
Kanoa blinked tiredly and from the other seat Heidi lost consciousness again.
So much tragedy would unfold in the next minutes then hour as island upon island would be struck. The resort at Kua Kuano would probably be wiped out in just under 20 minutes, and their capital city another 10 minutes after that. Waves of almost 100 feet blasting by skyscrapers and sweeping over everyone who'd not evacuated in time.
"Oh brother..." M-006 commented anxiously in his chipper voice. The growing smoke appeared to be a series of missiles shooting their way from all sides.
Kanoa's head and body was forced back as they launched upward at a bewildering velocity.
Every missile arced up in pursuit as they raced to the clouds. Kanoa felt like he was losing oxygen, like his blood was pooling against gravity. Everything started to blur. The saucer decelerated and out popped the EMP cannon, firing purple bolts at the missiles as they all flew together. When one exploded it triggered them all in a wide death cloud. The bronze saucer then blasted off longways. A few flyers at the perimeter tried to give chase but didn't have a hope in catching the advanced aircraft. It went full-throttle once more, blasting high and across Aurellia's atmosphere. Soon they were out of Urobach's reach.
。
The next day, black fire emerged in his throne room and Urobach stepped out. He spied the mirror behind the stalagmite and considered the lieutenants who recently lost their lives. Kaizoku Hook, Hikiko Grey and Denaris Ryoshi. A pirate, a hermit and a hunter. Before them he'd similarly lost underlings in the coal province incident. Genjin Bartos, Kurushi Glimmer and Magris Slade: a magician, a Lolita and a guy with ridiculously-styled anime hair. Then before that there were those lost during his attack on the capital city where he destroyed the DMA, their enemy's first line of resistance. Urusai Torcan, Dojo Iarumas and Kaido Felgrass. He remembered them as the annoying girl with a bow-tie, the samurai and the top-hat wearing freak. Was Urobach the only one from their asteroid civilization who didn't become hyper-fixated on new interests just because they left the uniformity of their old life to come here, where there's all kinds of different people and hobbies and things?
His battalion had only consisted of 13 subordinates. Due to his recklessness, he was now only down to 4. It didn't matter because soon he'd have his army, and there was also their newest ally. He couldn't make up his mind about whether he was happy with her.
Urobach raised a gloved hand and it caught black fire. Before him an ornate table was transported, resting atop the smooth glassy floor. On it were various charts and documents that mapped out his plans. He began looking over them again and considering what changes would need to be made. In the end it was up to him to decide how to do his job. The infrequent contact with Gatekeeper Pluto was as disturbing as it was strange. It was unheard of for a Gatekeeper to involve themselves in planetary warfare. Typically it was all up to the General to manage the whys and hows of everything. After all Aurellia was just a weak timeline, the Generals sent to stronger places can have as many as 30 lieutenants gifted to be under their command. While Pluto didn't call on him often he did want updates on the chosens, for whatever reason Urobach couldn't fathom. A sudden noise in the silence broke his train of thought, it was like a quick gust. He spun around.
"You know, you're actually not as furious about those two getting away as I thought you'd be…" the intruder said.
"How did you get in here?" The general demanded. "This is my pocket dimension."
"Uh, I've been here before?" The figure shrugged, then combed a hand through her neat bang.
He glared at her. A month ago she looked raggedy with purpled eyes and stitched-up clothing. Now she was dressed stylishly. A faux-leather zipper jacket, a purple pleated skirt and knee-length combat boots. Her hair was tied back except for the bangs that framed her face, it looked washed and glossy. She even wore makeup now, black winged eyeliner. Even with her new abilities she shouldn't be able to enter his pocket dimension. But instead of pressing the point he turned back to his tabletop.
"So…" the girl continued to pester him. "Why aren't you mad?"
"Why should I be? Just because Heidi and Kanoa didn't die like I planned doesn't mean I failed the mission."
"Let's see… you killed less than 300,000 people with that stunt. That's what the news stations are estimating. Isn't that a downgrade from last time?"
"Deaths are just the tip of the iceberg. I've sunk multiple cities and towns, caused millions of dollars worth of damage to infrastructure, made countless more people homeless. While less frightening in its implications, this attack has caused the most widespread damage."
"I see, I see."
"At any rate, with you on our side the chosens will never be able to unite. So they have no chance at beating me. I'm sort of glad those two didn't die… it means they'll be around to see what I have next in store."
"…I wouldn't underestimate them." The girl said quietly, looking aside.
"Well good thing I didn't ask for your opinion!" Urobach raged and flung himself around.
Her surprise gave way to a growing smile. Seeing it made his fury burn in his gut like red-hot coals. "You're actually… very mad at me. The others said that since I also have these powers we're equals, so you can't really boss me around."
"We still have a job to do!" Urobach took a step forward, his voice still louder than he'd like. Her smile only grew. Then she went up in black flames and was gone in the space of a second. Teleporting faster than he'd thought possible. He didn't even know where she was until she spoke again.
"Or maybe that's not the reason you're so angry at me." She was sitting on his throne, side-on with her legs kicking lazily over the arm-rest. "Maybe you're mad because I'm actually better at controlling the Gatekeepers' powers than you are."
"Get down from there!" He yelled at her and in a blink she was gone.
Black flames danced across the room as she effortlessly teleported in various positions around him, circling and facing him while he turned "…I mean compared to you, I'm a prodigy."
"Get out of here!" He yelled to hide his shock, and an inkling of fear. "Go back to your post and do your job! When we need to speak I'll call you!"
"Alright, alright." She crossed her arms. Maybe she knew she'd overstepped a boundary, but that newfound confidence the power had given her was obnoxious. "See you later then, I guess." Black fire trailed up and she was gone.
General Urobach lowered his shoulders and unclenched his fists. He ran a hand through his short hair. Letting out a breath he turned back to his work. He decided then that he'd made up his mind – he was not happy with her working with them. When Pluto tested her to see if she was a conduit part of him was hoping she'd explode. But that didn't happen and now he was stuck with her.
"Damn you, Amira…"
。
To be sure they weren't being tracked they would have to spend a week flying over the ocean before it was time to visit their secure base. Both chosens were further traumatised by the events that took place during their last 2 days on the island, most of which had happened within just 24 hours. Kanoa and Heidi slept in the cubicle-sized bedrooms, not saying much to each other or anyone in the days that followed. At one point Kanoa stopped in the hall and saw Heidi's door open, she was lying there on her side. Their eyes met and neither turned away for a long moment.
"Well, we left together." Kanoa began. "Think we have a chance of winning this war?"
"I don't know." Heidi said back. "I'm sorry about Meilani."
He looked grim, eyes agonized as he gave a small nod "...I'm sorry about Malo."
"I don't know what's going to happen now. This is the first time I have a chosen with me on this. It took so much to get here. And I remember saying before that I don't care anymore, but now I just don't know what I'm feeling."
"That's how I feel." Kanoa said to her. "I think they call this shock."
They didn't say anything for a minute and Heidi blinked at the wall "...Urobach said something to us. And Pluto said something similar too. They said, we were already one chosen down. Does that mean the darkness or light chosen... did something happen to one of them?"
"I'm not sure..."
"Either way we're pretty screwed." Heidi adjusted herself so she was facing up. "I didn't even remember until the day after we left. I got rid of Mars. He wasn't obeying me in a duel, so I just threw him away. He's probably at the bottom of the ocean now. I can't be a chosen without my phoenix. Our connection is just, gone. You must've noticed..."
Kanoa didn't say anything for a long time and then Heidi finally turned to look at him. He was frowning at his feet "...I don't think you should say anything about it to them yet."
"They're going to find out eventually."
"I know... but we should let things settle first. Find out where they're going to take us."
Heidi looked back at the roof and she expected Kanoa to leave her with her thoughts. Instead he lingered "Heidi... I'm sorry I didn't leave with you when you came."
"If I'd grown up in your tribe I might not have left either. Maybe instead of cartoons, superhero comics and action movies... I would've been influenced by some tight-knit community that was all about togetherness. I get it, Kanoa." She didn't get a reply so continued "I was this close to giving up anyway, even before the lieutenants attacked. It would've been nice to live on that island with you. Being a part of that culture and with everyone depending on everyone else. Nobody worked too hard, apart from you. And the food was great." Heidi sighed and faced the wall "...suppose it was never an option though."
"Get some more rest, Heidi." he said. "You still need to heal up, and so do I."
She felt him leave and a thought weaved its way through her mind. One that would in time mirror another chosen's line of thinking.
Where do you run when the world becomes your enemy?
...Someplace safe.
『AN: If I had told you guys that the second half of Nature Arc would take place within 24 hours, would you have believed me? WOULD YOU? Anyways here we have it. Oh my gosh! In other good news a few hours ago it was midnight and the university results were released. I passed my semester! So did my best friend, so relief and celebration all around. I will defs be taking another break before the next arc and you can bet it will receive another level-up in both game play and effort and style. I won't start it until some time next year. Either way it will introduce the final chosen we have yet to see, if you count the water chosen's mysterious involvement as an introduction. Thanks to Acuma for the reviews and also helping me to make this arc awesome. Thanks also to Sergiu for duels, and everyone involved in the roleplay who have helped me develop my skills in Duel Masters. I've come a long way!』
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