"Onitime, I summon End Jaouga, Oniga Emperor Devil with 6 mana instead of 12!" A tall oni with two kanabos attached to his feet, his head sharp and his entire body engulfed in hellfire appeared in the battle zone by Shishima's side, shining in the darkness of the cosmos. "Oniend, since I have no shields, I gain an extra turn!"
"You what?!" Koushishi exclaimed in shock.
"But all of my creatures are destroyed at the end of that extra turn. Regardless, let's see how your defense will fare against two consecutive turns, mother! Ninjariban, attack and Welcome Hell revives a second Ninjariban who brings out Reddull, Dragon Soul Castle which grants him speed attacker!" A third blue ninja plushie appeared, this one bringing out a red Japanese styled castle with flaming swords coming out of its edges, after which another jumped through of the opposing shields.
"Oshiokimoon, Hades destroys End Jaouga!" The flame-engulfed oni got hacked down by two blades and vanished in an explosion of epic proportions.
"I attack with my second Ninjariban and Welcome Hell revives Tsuruhashi Doji." A small blue oni wielding a pickaxe reappeared, sending Bone Dance Charger, Hellborof, Supreme Dragon Edge and Hayabusamaru, Lightfang Ninja from the top of his owner's deck into his graveyard. "I'll recover End Jaouga and break another shield with Ninjariban!"
"Oshiokimoon, Hades destroys your untapped Ninjariban!" The third ninja plushie was also hacked into pieces.
"Gokensai, double break her shields!" The oni in samurai armor rushed ahead and punched the shields with the dragon skulls attached to his arms.
"Oshiokimoon, Hades destroys your equipped Ninjariban and Gokensai!"
"Not this time, mother! 2D dragsolution - Migawari flips to Karakurigaeshi, Ninja Mansion and Ninjariban stays. I discard Hellborof to keep Gokensai as now..." Shishima smirked while looking straightforward at his opponent. "My extra turn begins!" He untapped all cards and drew again. "I cast Assault, Onifuda Kingdom! Since Onitime is activated, I use both of its effects, so I destroy the untapped Satan and Angel and revive Borof, Final Dragon Edge!"
"Finally, I've been waiting to join this since you've started the duel, milord!" the excited plushie shouted as he jumped off his master's shoulder and grew in size while joining the battle zone. He made the top card of Shishima's deck go into his graveyard, that being Rousseau Montes / Monte Scale Sign, after which Hayabusamaru, Lightfang Ninja was recovered.
"I equip Borof with Gaiheart, Galaxy Greatsword which grants him speed attacker!" Shishima announced and the wolf plushie raised his gloved hand above and grabbed a blue sword with images of galaxies painted on its blade. "I attack with Borof and Welcome Hell revives another Tsuruhashi Doji." A second blue oni with a pickaxe appeared, causing two more Rousseau Montes / Monte Scale Sign and a Balad Vi Na Shura to land in his owner's graveyard from the top of his deck. "I'll recover Balad Vi Na Shura. Borof, break her shield!" The wolf plushie flew ahead and hacked away another shield with his sword.
"Oshiokimoon, Hades destroys another Ninjariban!" The angel-demon hybrid in purple armor slashed another blue ninja plushie into pieces.
"Since another Darkness creature of mine was destroyed, 3D dragsolution - Karakurigaeshi flips to Utsusemihenge, Blame Demon Dragon!" A black plushie dragon with a red shuriken on its chest and a black katana hung on his back appeared alongside the large roster of creatures Shishima had.
"I also got a shield trigger, I cast Mujun! Gekko MAX and since I have both a Light and Darkness creature in the battle zone, I get to use both of its effects. I add a new shield, then I destroy Borof and return a shield to my hand. Oshiokimoon, Hades destroys your last Ninjariban as well!"
"Gokensai, break her final shield!" The oni in samurai armor jumped headfirst and went through the remaining opposing shield.
"Oshiokimoon, Hades destroys Gokensai!"
"I discard End Jaouga to save him."
Koushishi smirked, confidence once more reappearing on her face. "Shield trigger, I cast Heaven's Gate and bring out Welkius, Assault Gate Elemental and Kaiserbarra, War Dragon Elemental!" A winged mechanical angel wielding two purple laser swords and a golden armored angelic dragon wielding a blue sword and being decorated with a large blue rose appeared by the queen's side. "With the effect of Welkius I draw a card and bring out a second Hades, the New Moon that Rules the Underworld." Another six armed angel-demon hybrid donning a purple armor and holding a weapon in each of his hands joined the other two creatures. "Then with Kaiserbarra's effect I draw a card and bring out Waltz, Almost Transparent." A pale-skinned angel-demon hybrid wielding a metal staff and donning black skinny jeans and a short gray and orange leather jacket arose among the army of mainly angelic creatures. "That was your last attack. Your extra turn is finished. There is no amount of defense that can save you from my upcoming assault. It's over, my son. I won!"
"Kehehehehe, that's where you're wrong, mother!" Shishima ominously laughed back at her. "I end my extra turn and with End Jaouga's effect, I destroy all of my creatures. I return four cards from my graveyard to the bottom of my deck to save Utsusemihenge. However, this time I won't discard anything and allow Gokensai to be destroyed." With the exception of the dragon plushie, all of his creatures vanished in an infernal explosion. "Since three or more creatures were destroyed this turn, I link the Ceremony of Destruction! When this Ceremony is linked, I can recover a Darkness card from my graveyard, so I'll recover End Jaouga. And since this was the final Ceremony to link - Zeron Birth!"
The red ritualistic circles beneath them shined brightly as the floating white egg cracked open and a shadowy creature emerged from it. The being grew in size, easily towering over everyone present. It was quite possibly one of the greatest titans they had ever witnessed. When the darkness around it dissipated, they saw it was a pale blue and purple dragon, its body made of nebulae and other cosmic matter, its horned head with sharp fangs and many glowing red eyes. Koushishi backed down, for the very first time in her life being openly stunned with fear. It was as if she was staring into the Abyss and it was finally staring back at her, cold and unforgiving. One by one, each of her creatures were engulfed in a black cloud of smoke and got devoured immediately.
"When Zeron is birthed, all of your creatures have their power reduced to 0 until the end of the turn!" Shishima announced, delighting in his mother's suffering. "You threw me into the Abyss so that I could gain its power, master it, become one with it. You hoped I would become your greatest weapon and you would be able to wield the Abyss against your enemies, didn't you? Well then, dearest mother, I bring you exactly what you wanted!"
"Don't you dare mock me! If you think I will lose everything I've fought for because you got a flashy new finisher, you are terribly wrong! I cast Heaven's Gate and bring out Emeralda, Pitch Dragon Elemental and Moon, Destruction Satan and Angel!" An angelic dragon wielding a musical staff appeared alongside the leader of the Gekko Kingdom. "With Emeralda's effect, I put a card from my hand as a new shield. Satan and Angel also grants me two new shields. I end my turn and Satan and Angel breaks one of my shields."
"This is where you're wrong, mother! You've already lost in the moment you chose to lock me up in your dungeons instead of executing me!" Shishima snidely reminded her. "Onitime - I summon End Jaouga again for 6 mana and Oniend - I gain another extra turn!" The oni covered in hellfire appeared once more and rushed ahead. "End Jaouga, break her final shields!" He jumped and kicked both opposing shields with the kanabo on his feet.
"Shield trigger, I cast Mujun! Gekko MAX to destroy End Jaouga and gain a new shield!"
"Utsusemihenge, break her final shield!"
"Satan and Angel, block the attack!"
"I send four cards from my graveyard to the bottom of my deck and Utsusemihenge stays. Zeron, break her final shield!" The abyssal creature reached one of its arms forward and used its claws made of cosmic matter to shatter the remaining shield, leaving a wave of sheer cold in its wake. Koushishi remained silent as she received no shield trigger. "My extra turn begins, I cast Assault, Onifuda Kingdom! Since Onitime is activated, I destroy your Emeralda and revive Borof, Final Dragon Edge whom I equip with Gaiheart, Galaxy Greatsword which grants him speed attacker!" Shishima's loyal minion reappeared in the battle zone, giggling with excitement as the blue sword with galaxies painted on its blade reappeared in his hand. "I self mill Balad Vi Na Shura and recover it. Now, Borof, it's time to finish this once and for all! Todomeda!"
The wolf plushie sprung forward, sword at ready, and angrily shouted at the despot, "This is for everything you've done to my dear master, you rotten excuse of a mother!" With a single swing of his weapon, Koushishi fell backward and crashed unconscious against the floor, thus marking Shishima's victory. Their cosmic surroundings faded as the familiar ones of the throne room reappeared. The only creature which remained was Borof, who shrank back to his regular size.
It took a few moments for the queen's defeat to sink in. Both oni raised their fists in the air and hailed Shishima's name. Nekohana discreetly wiped a tear, relieved that at last their nightmare was over. Hyouma regarded Koushishi, her former protector, and deep inside wondered what her ultimate fate would be. Ever the serious one, Fukurokuju flew to Shishima and said, "As you are aware, your mother was the only being in the Twilight Kingdom who could escape my omniscient perception. However, now that you've knocked her unconscious, whatever wards were around her mind and spirit are finally gone." He widened his eyes, peering deep into Koushishi's consciousness. "I... finally understand."
"What is it?" Shishima asked as he also cast a glance at his defeated mother.
"She took regular baths in the very Abyss she had me throw you all those thousands of years ago. I could never perceive her because she was literally 'nothing'. This is how she managed to scheme behind my back. This also explains why my mind's vision is slightly blurry whenever I try to read your own future, my prince. You have spent your first century as a cub in the very depths of the Abyss, and somehow your presence is still partly shrouded from the rest of existence."
"If someone else were to achieve this feat, the Twilight Kingdom would once again be in grave danger. We need to get back to the surface and seal that gateway to the Abyss!"
"Rest assured, I've already entered Sazansho's mind now that Koushishi is no longer shrouding him. I will reverse the spell right now!"
Fukurokuju clasped his wings together and focused his magic on the symbols and signs the sealing corps carved around on the walls of each level. Upon activating them, the entire palace shook and slowly rose out of the ground until its tallest tower was once more reaching the sky. The moon's red light filled the hallways as all youkai cheered what seemed to have been their greatest victory.
But upstairs there was still no time for celebrations. Shishima and Fukurokuju dashed out the window, heading into the palace gardens to deal with the Abyss gateway. After they departed, Hyouma assumed command of their group. After taking the crown from between Koushishi's horns, she ordered the two oni to tie her up and take her to the southwestern dungeons to await her trial. Left alone with Nekohana, she turned to the other feline who was sharing her enthusiasm and asked, still in disbelief, "We really did it, didn't we?"
"We sure did! At last, it's all over..."
"It's not fully over yet, I'm afraid."
"What do you mean, Hyouma?"
"Koushishi is still queen. As such, she still has supreme authority over the Twilight Kingdom's law magic. If we wish to bring about changes, Shishima and I need to succeed her immediately." She approached Nekohana and grabbed her hands, looking at her with pleading eyes. "Please, I need your help. We have to begin organizing the wedding and coronation ceremony. Once both vows are made, she will have truly lost her powers and title."
"You know how I feel about this. I'm not sure if I would be happy living a sheltered life in the shadows while you two are out in public ruling everyone..."
"I get what you mean, but what choice do we have? If Koushishi wakes up, there's the chance she may abuse her powers to break out and seek vengeance on us all."
Nekohana clenched her fist, deep inside protesting fate's cruel intentions of keeping her in the Twilight Kingdom despite her best efforts to help the good cause. As much as she feared that the throne's powers may have corrupted Shishima's attitude once again, in the end she chose to trust him and bit her lip on the matter.
"Alright, I'll start looking for decorations, you spread around the good news."
"Thank you, I knew I could count on you!" The overjoyed Hyouma get her a quick hug, which took both by surprise, and then were on their separate ways. Perhaps a friendship had been born between them after the great adventure they had been in.
When all was said and done, the early hours of the morning had arrived. After having locked up whatever few supporters Koushishi's regime still had and having convinced the daiyoukai politicians and nobles to accept their new rulers, the time had finally come. The throne room was filled with high-ranking members of all youkai races and all sat patiently on their chairs, watching Shishima and Hyouma walk down a red carpet and stop in front of their future thrones. Courtesy of Nekohana, the rarest and most colorful flowers were hung above the windows and on the chandeliers. A soothing melody was being played in the background by a small orchestra. In front of the noble couple, Fukurokuju held two golden crowns and regarded them with great pride.
"Always with the passage of time, views change, problems change, youkai change. Our proud kingdom has had a great number of rulers throughout its history. Regardless of how they achieved the throne, what truly mattered was the impact they left upon us all. This is the legacy that new generations look upon during history class, during work, during everyday life. Just as our ancestors left behind the shackles of Hell to pursue a better future, so should you leave behind your own shackles, whether envy, prejudice or pride. From now on, you should strive to be the leaders our kingdom deserves. As I pass down these crowns to a new generation, I hereby declare you: King Shishima and Queen Hyouma!" Fukurokuju placed both crowns on their heads and in that precise moment the cousins felt a strange wave of energy pulsate through their bodies. "Power over the Twilight Kingdom's law magic is now being transferred to you. In order to seal your reign... I will ask you to please kiss the queen, my king."
Shishima regarded Hyouma. In those short moments he recalled her struggles to get to the point where they were, this was what they had both been raised for. How ironic was it that he went from dismissing her as a desperate nobody to fully trusting her as an ally and being concerned for her own well-being. From the few genuine discussions they shared, he was pleased to see that their worldviews shared quite a few similarities. Perhaps with time they could even grow to love one another. Polyamory was nothing uncommon in the libertine Twilight Kingdom. It was the main reason why most daiyoukai had harems, since they officially could have only one partner, everyone else needed a place as well - a really odd and somehow efficient system. With a little smile on his face, he leaned in and pressed his lips on hers, concluding both ceremonies and marking the beginning of a new reign.
The gathering erupted in cheers and applause. Hyouma's parents wept with joy at seeing the daughter they had raised for thousands of years finally become part of the royal family. At long last, they could advance at the topmost echelons of society. The only ones who did not seem too happy were Nekohana and Borof. The wolf plushie, who had moved to resting on her shoulder when the wedding began, flew up to her ear and asked, "What do you think will happen to us now that the master has achieved his goals, woman?"
"I wish I knew. Most likely it seems we will be shoved to the sidelines so that Shishima will be able to focus on his new duties in peace." Nekohana looked down at her knees and suppressed a sob. "I just hope he remembers to visit us from time to time..."
The new royal couple sat down on their thrones and regarded the large gathering. Shishima could not help but smile. At long last, everything he had ever wanted had come to pass. Or had it? Under the tutelage of his parents and mentor, he was supposed to serve the Twilight Kingdom. But during his self-imposed exile he could act under his own will. While his intentions back then were to achieve godhood in order to take his vengeance on Koushishi, in the end he managed to achieve it without any greater powers. The bigger question was: did he truly wish to rule the Twilight Kingdom? Or was this goal something brought to him by his parents, his mentor, his... own genes? It was then that he recalled Akushishi's pained expression as he succumbed to the wounds inflicted by Metatron. His father had felt alone deep inside because of the great responsibilities he had to shoulder. It was then that he understood the former king's decision: he would have given the throne to Shishima only if he needed that power to protect a loved one. Otherwise that power would have either corrupted him or ultimately brought his demise. In the end, his father loved him more than he knew. That was the true reason he chose to return: to repay that love by avenging his memory and fixing the damage his mother had done.
Shishima's expression grew more serious as he spoke, "Youkai of the Twilight Kingdom, it is a great honor to be able to serve you at last." His body got enveloped by a golden aura as he tapped into the kingdom's law magic. "My first act as king is to reappoint Fukurokuju as the sole royal advisor! He is the only founder of the Twilight Kingdom still alive to this day. His wisdom is invaluable for our future. My second act is to cease all hostilities against the Dawn Kingdom starting from this very moment! Any attempt to disturb the peace between these two realms will be viewed as high treason. We must focus on rebuilding what he have at home, both in our buildings and in our hearts. My third act is to reinstate the Twilight Kingdom's Senate, but with the stipulation that representative senators will be vetted so that we will not have anybody buy their way into politics. My fourth act is to punish those who have led the Twilight Kingdom into ruin!" He stomped the floor and opened portals to three cells where everyone saw a crippled wolf, a sobbing salamander and an unconscious purple lioness. "General Rufu will be stripped of his entire military power and is condemned to one hundred thousand years of prison for his war crimes! Senator Sazansho will be stripped both of his political position and power over the Sealing Corps. Since he did contribute to society, he will not be condemned to prison, but instead... he will become the new royal jester!" Laughter among Sazansho's former colleagues ensued. "As for your former queen, her powers over the gates of Hell have now passed on to us. Due to her actions which led to the degradation of us as a species, I hereby condemn Koushishi to spend her eternity locked inside a luxury suite where all commoners will see her shame!" Death would have been too easy of a punishment after she made him suffer for a great portion of his existence. Physical torture would have made him no different from her. But eternal humiliation was a most fitting end. Everything he had dictated was recorded in the realm's law magic and would be contested only by those who had access to it. With Fukurokuju once more in his advisor role, there was no way Hyouma would have been tempted to change any of Shishima's edicts. "And now for my fifth act..." He got up from his throne and took off the crown from between his horns, the golden aura around his body vanishing, "...I hereby renounce my position as king of the Twilight Kingdom and relinquish the title's powers and duties solely to Queen Hyouma!"
There were gasps of shock among everyone gathered, with the exception of the omniscient Fukurokuju, who had foreseen such an outcome and was smiling under his beak.
"Shishima, what are you doing?!" the shocked Hyouma asked.
"All my life I believed this was what I truly wanted. But now I've come to realize that... I want something else from my life. What I've done now was avenge my father, honor his legacy and help you achieve your own goals to show my gratitude for everything you've done." Shishima placed a hand on Hyouma's and looked her in the eye warmly. "I know you will be a great ruler. Should you have any doubts, Fukurokuju will certainly help you."
"I-I'm not sure I can handle all this responsibility by myself..."
"You will, because it's what you've prepared for your entire life." He leaned in and whispered, "Should you ever want something more from life, my invitation remains open. I will gladly welcome you on Earth." With those parting words said, he walked away from the throne, leaving behind a confused Hyouma who was still in disbelief of what had just transpired.
"Shishima, you've fought so hard to regain your birth right! Why throw it away now?" the Oni King asked from the crowd.
"I have others I need to rule." He regarded Nekohana and Borof, both shedding tears of happiness. "After everything they have done for me, I would choose them over power any day." He walked up to Nekohana and kissed her in front of everyone, once more shocking the gathering with the audacity of a daiyoukai openly confessing his love to a commoner, and to top it off, one of a mixed breed. "She is the only queen I want in my life!"
Murmurs spread among the daiyoukai, some fearing their king may have been bewitched while others wondering if he had ever intended to become their leader in the first place. As they silently debated, the Oni King continued, "Then, old friend, what will you do now that you've left Hyouma to rule us all on her own?"
"There is another kingdom out there waiting for us. And this is something I intend to share only with her," Shishima explained as he opened a circular portal above himself and Nekohana, wherein they could only see grayed purple clouds spinning in an endless spiral.
"Don't become a stranger now! You know our score has ended in a tie and I want to break that tie the next time we duel!" Akamaru shouted.
"Worry not, I will make sure you lose our next duel," Shishima replied with a smirk and then turned to look at Fukurokuju one last time, the wise old owl gracing him with a fatherly nod and a proud smile. He nodded back and took Nekohana's hand, whispering to her, "My beloved, let's head back and make Earth our new home."
She squeezed his hand and whispered back, "Lead the way, my king."
Borof held on tight to Nekohana's fur, expecting another bumpy ride. The two lovers jumped into the portal which immediately closed, fully leaving their past behind and thus beginning a new chapter in their eternal lives.