Chapter 15: The Siphon

The entire land started shaking like there was an earthquake. The shaking reached all the way to the Five Paths Studio, down into the temple. Kimora was trimming a bonsai tree in his garden until he felt the shaking, making him gasp. Nigel was in his arch when the shaking reached him. During the shaking, a chunk of rock hit his summoned creature, Spyweb Scurrier. But he caught it in his hand, showing no emotion for it or the shaking. Jaha was making herbal tea in her cavern until she felt the shaking, making her gasp. Nadia was studying Light Civilization tablets in her lab until the shaking reached her, making her gasp. Hector was meditating in his cavern when Nadia entered. "Hector? Hector, it is time. If you wait much longer…" She started to say. "I'm ready." Hector said, opening his eyes.

(Intro)

Meanwhile, upstairs, Ray, Jen, and their friends were practicing special kata poses with the Kazamas supervising them. "My arm's starting to get a cramp." Terry groaned. "Don't stop. Focus on your endurance." Sakura said. "Um, how long are we supposed to do this emergency mana drawing pose?" Gabe asked. "Til' Master Kimora says to stop." Allie groaned. "That may take a while." Ray groaned before noticing Hector, Nadia and Kimora outside.

Kimora opened the trunk of their van and started loading duffle bags as Nadia helped Hector to the van. "Master C? You don't look so good." Ray said as he and the gang ran out. "Is something wrong with you?" Jen asked. "Master Chavez has been undergoing a purification process, fasting and meditating in preparation for-" Kimora tried to say. "I'm fine. Continue your kata." Hector said. "Hector." Nadia scolded. "Preparation for what?" Gabe asked. "Masters, where are you going?" Ray asked. Hector, Nadia and Kimora looked at each other and nodded, knowing that the kids had to know. "We're not supposed to say. It is sacred." Nadia said. "Yes. But since you've joined us, so much is changing. Really. Because of you." Kimora said. "Yes. A lot is changing for the better. Perhaps we could use your help. But there is not enough room in our van for all of you." Hector said. Just then, Landslide, Particle and Brakeline pulled up in front of the dojo. "Not a problem. We called our personal Ubers." Jen said.

As the 4 vehicles drove off, Alakshmi and Saanvi were waiting by a streetlight. Alakshmi called the Choten as they passed by. "They're right on schedule, just as you predicted, Lord Choten." She reported. "Glasses, Morticia, Mr. Heller and Mrs. Calypso? Of course." She ended the called. "The master's sending those 4 to back us up?" Saanvi asked. "I know. Why doesn't he send us a bunch of blind, one-armed monkeys to help us? They'd be more useful." Alakshmi said. "Well then, it's a good thing I'm here." A familiar voice said. Alakshmi and Saanvi turned to see Silver walking up to them. "Silver." Saanvi said. "Pleasured to see you again, girls." Silver greeted. "Don't get me wrong, Silver. You may be one of Lord Choten's best minions, but I'm still his second-in-command." Alakshmi said clearly. "And I wouldn't have it any other way." Silver said. Alakshmi nodded before walking off with Saanvi following. "For now." Silver muttered before following them.

Meanwhile, the team drove into the mountains. "While we appreciate the help, you must stay out of the way. This journey can be very dangerous." Hector said. "But where are we journeying to and what are we going to do there?" Ray asked. "Master Chavez is going to perform the Siphon. The most important undertaking for a Duel Master." Kimora started to explain. "The original Masters siphoned mana from the 5 Creature Kings to force them into hibernation and to create the Veil. Over time, their mana is replenished. If it is not drained, they will awaken. And that would be catastrophic." "We use the mana we siphon from the Creature Kings' enormous stores to shore up the Veil. Since this is a Siphon of the Fire Civilization King, only Hector can perform the ritual. And failure could mean death." Nadia explained. "Once the Master completes the process, he is vulnerable and unable to duel. It takes all his will and concentration just to contain the mana within himself. The Master must return quickly to the Kaijudo temple alter and discharge the mana energy, thereby replenishing the Veil." Kimora explained. "The longer a Master must contain all that mana, the greater the chance that it will escape his control and explode out." Nadia finished. "Doesn't sound like fun for Master Chavez." Gabe said with fear. "No worry. I'll be incinerated instantly. Along with anyone and anything within 4 square miles." Hector said. "Right." Allie chuckled, thinking it was a joke. "Allison." Nadia scolded. "Oh. You're serious." Allie said.

Later, after a long while of driving, they parked in an open area. "You know the drill. I'll call you if we need you, guys." Ray said quietly. "You got it, Ray." Particle said. Hector silently watched as Ray talked to the 3 vehicles with suspicion. The group started walking on a mountain pathway. As they walked, Gabe, getting tired from the walk, noticed an abandoned shack nearby. "Huh. Geothermal wellhead. Probably use it for heating and cooking. Maybe run a generator." He deduced. "Fascinating. Let me know when it powers an escalator." Allie said. Unknown to the group, 2 robed figures were following them from up on the mountain.

After a while of walking, the group had arrived at a sealed door. Donning his gauntlet, Hector approached the door. A secret compartment opened, showing the Fire Civilization symbol with a hole in the center. Hector reached up, pulled a stone key out of the wall and inserted it into the hole. The symbol unlocked the door and opened it, revealing a secret cave. Hector walked in. "Good luck, Master Chavez." Ray said. "It's all a lie." Heatfroster said. "Huh? What do you mean, Heatfroster?" Ray asked. "This Siphon thing, it's just a lie to keep our Kings in their hibernation." Heatfroster said with a hint of anger in his tone. Just then, Kimora was trying to call Nigel. "Hello? Hello? Master Brightmore?" But he couldn't get a signal at their location. "No. Signal. We will go to the van. Stay here. Wait for Master Chavez." He said. "Actually, I should stay with the children. I cannot leave Hector." Nadia said. Kimora nodded, knowing how Nadia felt before leaving.

As they waited, the kids took time to do their own thing. Allie took a nap, Gabe played on his phone, Terry and Greta played cards, Portia filed her nails, and Maribel tossing rocks over the edge. The Kazamas decided to get a workout in as they waited, doing pushups, sit-ups, etc. Ray and Jen waited with Nadia by the door, which re-sealed itself after Hector went into the cave. "Master, why did you decide to stay with us?" Ray asked. "And why did you say you couldn't leave Master Chavez?" Jen asked. "I never told anyone this, but Hector and I…we have a special bond with each other. The same that your parents had." Nadia explained. "It was unlikely for Hector and me to keep our feelings a secret from the others. The only ones who knew about it were your parents, Master Kimora and Master Jaha. We kept it secret from Master Brightmore, knowing that he would not accept love between 2 Masters in the temple." Ray and Jen looked at each other, feeling sad for Nadia. Unknown to them, the 2 figures were watching them from the top of the mountain.

Meanwhile, as Kimora walked into the forest, the earth started shaking again. Just then, his phone beeped, getting a full signal. He dialed in Nigel and called him. "Master Brightmore, the Siphon had begun." He said. "Hmm. Then our timing is good." Alakshmi's voice said. Kimora turned to see her, Saanvi, Silver, Glasses, Morticia, Heller and Calypso, who recovered from her temporary blindness. "Rapids Lurker Wwhhshril, ruin him!" Alakshmi exclaimed, controlling Rapids Lurker. Kimora readied his gauntlet, but Rapids Lurker smacked him with its tail, zapping him and knocking him down.

Kimora quickly recovered and prepared to summon his creature. The villains readied their creatures for combat. Saanvi had Issyl of the Frozen Wastes, a Tsunami Dragon. Silver had a Stampeding Longhorn, a Tusker. Glasses had a Saucer-Head Shark, a Trench Hunter. Morticia had a Waterspout Gargoyle, an Aquan. Heller had a Gigastand, aka Horrorsmash, a Chimera. And Calypso had a Drooling Worm, a Rot Worm. "Mighty Shouter!" Kimora called, summoning Shouter. As Glasses stared in shock, Shouter attacked Saucer-Head Shark with his club, making it disappear. "Waterspout Gargoyle, attack!" Morticia exclaimed, controlling Gargoyle to attack. But Kimora reacted quickly and Shouter spun around, striking Gargoyle with his club, making him disappear. "Horrorsmash, charge!" Heller exclaimed. Horrorsmash bashed into Shouter hard, making him disappear. "Kenina the Ignitor!" Kimora called, summoning Kenina. She fired a fireball at Horrorsmash. "Quickly! Warn them!" Kimora exclaimed. Kenina took off to find the others.

Meanwhile, the kids, Kazamas and Nadia were still waiting for Hector. "Think about how many natural phenomena may actually be Creature Kings yawning or rolling over." Gabe said. "Or having a bad dream." Allie said. "Do you always have to be so down on everything we talk about?" Greta asked. Allie shrugged. Just then, Hector walked out of the cave, his body glowing with mana. Ray tried to help, but as he touched Hector, his burned his hands. "Argh! He's like lava-hot from all that mana." He said, blowing his hands to cool down. "We must get him to the van now." Nadia said. "Uh, he can barely move." Gabe said. "Yeah, how are we gonna move him?" Portia asked. "Jen and I know how to move him." Ray said. "If it's okay with you, Master Nadia." Jen said. "You need no permission from me. Do what you have to." Nadia said. "Tatsurion the Unchained!" Ray called, summoning Bob. "Skarvos the Assassin!" Jen called, summoning Weave. "Hmm. What's with him?" Bob asked, seeing Hector with all the mana within his body. "Yeah. What's with the mana glow?" Weave asked. "It's a long story, guys." Jen said. "Master, Bob and Weave can carry you to the van without getting burned by your mana." Ray said. Hector nodded, knowing that it was the only way.

Meanwhile, Kimora blocked Horrorsmash and Stampeding Longhorn with his mana shield. But then, Rapids Lurker prepared to attack. Suddenly, Particle appeared and drove in between Kimora and Rapids Lurker. "Get in quick!" She exclaimed. Kimora rushed over to her passenger side. But when he opened the door, he saw that there was no driver. "What?! No driver?!" He said in shock. "I'll explain later. Now get in!" Particle exclaimed. Kimora got in and Particle drove off, leaving the villains in a dust cloud.

Meanwhile, back at the sealed cave, Bob picked up Hector as the group was preparing to leave. "Ray. I was wondering. Why were you talking with those 3 vehicles that came with us?" Hector asked. "The…drivers are good friends of my mom." Ray lied. Hector looked at him with suspicion. "Um, Master, if I may?" Ray asked, holding up the Azurite. Hector understood what Ray wanted and nodded. Ray held up the Azurite as it glowed. Just then, Kenina flew over to them, tired from flying so much. "Kenina? What're you doing here?" Jen asked as she caught her. Kenina started chirping in a panic. "She said Master Kimora was ambushed by the Choten's goons." Ray said. "Uh, you can understand her?" Allie asked. "Yeah. Me and Jen learned to understand Kenina's chirps." Ray said. "It was part of a special lesson Master Hector taught us." Jen said.

Meanwhile, as the dust cloud cleared up, the villains were about to go after Kimora and Particle. "No. Let them go. Chavez is our real target." Alakshmi said. "Especially with those kids with him and Lobachevsky supervising." Saanvi said.

Meanwhile, the group was walking back down the path. Kenina rested on Nadia's shoulder. "Stay together. Be prepared. Summon your creatures." Hector said. "Right." Allie said as she and the others put on their gloves. "Scaradorable of Gloom Hollow!" She called, summoning Squeaky and bringing her into a hug. "I'm happy to see you too, Squeaky. But we may have trouble. So, let's be careful." "Reef Prince Glu-urrgle!" Gabe called, summoning Gargle. "G-Abriel! What up, dude?" Gargle greeted. "No time for small-talk, Gargle." Gabe said. "Ah. Big-talk only?" Gargle asked. "Chief Thorn-Bringer!" Terry called, summoning Thorn. "Ah, young Terrence. What do I owe this calling?" Thorn asked. "There might be trouble ahead, Thorn. Be ready for a fight." Terry said. "Of course. I'm always ready for a fight." Thorn said. "Terradragon Regarion Doom!" Greta called, summoning Terradragon. "Glad you could make it, big boy. Be ready for a fight." She said as Terradragon nuzzled her hand. "Eye of the Tides!" Portia called, summoning Eye. "Skull Cutter!" Maribel called, summoning Skull Cutter. "Grove Protector!" Sakura called, summoning Grove Protector. "Citizen Tokori!" Kaito called, summoning Citizen Tokori. "Haven's Elite!" Miku called, summoning Haven's Elite. "Sakura. What's going on?" Grove Protector asked. "We might have trouble, Grove. We need to be ready." Sakura said. "You can count on us." Grove said. "Maybe so. But we might need some extra firepower. Everyone, we're going Guardian." Ray said, getting his K-Tector. Jen, Allie, Gabe, Terry, Greta and Portia got out their K-Tectors and followed Ray's lead. "Execute! Guardian Spirit Evolution!" They called as their K-Tectors activated and transformed them into their Guardian Spirits.

Meanwhile, the villains were preparing to head out. "You 4, scout ahead on the trail and see where the other duelists went. We're going to check in with the Choten." Alakshmi said, dialing her phone. "You're not my boss, little girl." Heller argued. Alakshmi turned around to glare at him. Saanvi and Silver backed away, knowing how she gets. "Lord Choten knows my abilities well enough. Shall I demonstrate them for you?" She dared, readying her gauntlet. Heller glared, but kept quiet before leaving with Glasses, Morticia and Calypso. Alakshmi smiled sinisterly.

Meanwhile, the group continued down the path, coming up to the old cabin they passed earlier. "You know, this would be an awesome hike. I mean, if we didn't think the Choten's forces were after us, and if Master Chavez wasn't a human nitro-bottle." Allie's voice said. "Agreed. But we must be ready for when these villains do attack." Araqiel said. Suddenly, a boulder was flung at the group. Heller and Calypso were controlling Horrorsmash and Drooling Worm to fling boulders at them. "Little girl thinks she can tell us what to do?! There's gotta be a new number one around here." Heller cussed. "You know it, baby." Calypso said. "Oh, you couldn't hit the broadside of a barn!" Heller exclaimed as their boulders missed. "Well, I believe now's a good as any to get ready." Lunaressa said. "Don't start the party without us! Splinterclaw Wasp!" Glasses exclaimed, summoning Splinterclaw Wasp. "You want a party? I'll give you a party. Scourge Lord!" Morticia called, summoning a big skeletal Shadow Champion called Scourge Lord.

"Bob, Weave, you 2 get the Masters out of here." Heatfroster ordered. "No. Set me down." Hector said. "With all due respect, but you're weak. You need to focus on containing all that mana." Heatfroster said. "I can still advise you, Heatfroster. Now work as a team. Hit them at the same time." Hector said. Bob set Hector down. "I'll watch over him. Go." Nadia said. Heatfroster nodded before he, Bob and Weave went to rejoin their friends. "We need to coordinate our attacks." Heatfroster said. Gedum and Gargle headed towards the shack. "Gargle, think you can do something with that wellhead?" Gedum asked. "Wellhead? Will do. Well done." Gargle said. When they reached the wellhead, Gedum turned the valve to shut it down while Gargle looked through various pieces. "Access elemental, elementary. Rhumba, yep. Ooh." "Let us stop this pebble pusher, Squeaky." Araqiel said. Horrorsmash charged towards them, but then Squeaky gave it her cuteness face, stopping it in its tracks. Araqiel fueled herself with light and bashed into Horrorsmash, making him disappear. Suddenly, Drooling Worm leapt out of the ground and prepared to swallow Araqiel. But then, it froze in a time sphere. "Thanks, Thozotz." Araqiel said. Thozotz nodded as she held out her hands. Terradragon fired thorns from his tail at Drooling Worm, making him disappear.

Suddenly, Squeaky was about struck by stingers. "Look out!" Segmos exclaimed, blocking the stingers with his club. "That's right. You better watch out for the nasty insects." Glasses taunted. "But also keep your eyes on the giant skeleton." Morticia said with a sinister grin. Just then, Scourge Lord leapt down and swiped at the group with his rapier. But Weave grabbed the blade with his hands. "You will not harm my friends." He said as he glared at the Shadow Champion. Lunaressa leapt up and fired a moonbeam from her spear, hitting Scourge Lord and making him disappear. Just then, Gargle was firing bubbles from his newly created weapon. "Heatfroster! Those bubbles are filled with hydrogen sulfide! Extremely explosive!" Gedum called. "Then you know what to do, Gedum! Everyone, get clear!" Heatfroster ordered. As the bubbles surrounded Splinterclaw, everyone got clear as Heatfroster threw a fireball at the bubbles, blowing them up and making Splinterclaw disappear.

Just then, Alakshmi, Saanvi and Silver ran over with their creatures. "I told you 4 to wait for us!" Alakshmi scolded. "We had the jump on them!" Heller argued. "Clearly. Well done." Alakshmi said with sarcasm. With the villains distracted, Tatsurion lassoed his chain around Rapids Lurker's neck. Squeaky then fired her scream attack, making Rapids Lurker disappear. Issyl fired ice spears from its mouth, but Diaspro blocked it with her crystal shield. Thorn motioned his hands and summoned roots, ensnaring Issyl. Haven's Elite leapt in and slashed Issyl with his sword, making it disappear. Stampeding Longhorn charged in, but Citizen Tokori fired a net from his arm cannon, capturing it. "Get free, you stupid beast!" Silver exclaimed. But Eye fired a psionic attack, giving the villains splitting headaches. With them distracted, Grove Protector picked up Skull Cutter and gave him a toss. Skull Cutter struck Longhorn with his dagger blade, making it disappear. The villains stared at the glaring heroes. Gedum and Gargle fired one more bubble. "Retreat!" Alakshmi ordered. As the villains retreated, Gedum threw a thunderbolt at the bubble, causing the explosion to send the villains flying. "Yeah, that's right! You run on back to Mama Choten!" Maribel called.

Meanwhile, as the villains retreated to a safe position ahead of the team, Alakshmi and Saanvi activated their gauntlets and tore open the Veil. "Razorkinder!" Alakshmi called, pulling Razorkinder through. "Jackalax!" Saanvi called, pulling Jackalax through. "Now we change tactics. Now we use the terrain to our advantage. Now we attack intelligently. Together." Alakshmi explained. "Now, I think I take over the planning committee." Heller said. But then, Razorkinder dangled behind him, threatening him with his claws. "Or not. You should still be the boss." He said, fearfully changing his mind. "An excellent plan." Saanvi said. "Summon some creatures you can actually duel with." Alakshmi said. Glasses, Morticia, Heller and Calypso activated their gauntlets. "Stonesaur!" Heller called. "Fear Fang!" Glasses called. "Grudge Weaver!" Morticia called. "Zephyr Keeper!" Calypso called.

Meanwhile, after bringing Kimora back to the open area, the Autocons waited for Ray to call. "Hopefully, we get a call from Ray soon. I'm starting to get antsy." Brakeline said. "I know. Me too." Particle said. Kimora continued looking at them, still shocked that they had no drivers and could even talk.

Meanwhile, as the group continued down the path, Hector sensed the villains coming. "They're coming. Put me down." He said. Bob set him down as the group got ready. Just then, Alakshmi, Saanvi, Razorkinder, Jackalax, Heller and Silver blocked them in front. Heatfroster, Bob and Lunaressa turned around, seeing Glasses, Fear Fang, Morticia, Grudge Weaver, Calypso and Zephyr Keeper behind them, trapping the whole group. "Stonesaur, bury them!" Heller ordered. Above the group, Stonesaur fired rock shards from its mouth. But Diaspro motioned her arms and created a crystal dome, surrounding the entire team. The shards deflected off the dome. "Figured they'd try this. Luckily, I came prepared." Silver said as he stepped forth. His summoned creature, a Moonhowler Hunter followed. He motioned his hand and Moonhowler unleashed a powerful howl attack, causing the crystal dome to shatter like glass in an opera house. "My dome! That's impossible!" Diaspro exclaimed in shock. "Fear Fang, tear them to pieces!" Glasses ordered. "Grudge Weaver, dinner time!" Morticia exclaimed. "Razorkinder, slice and dice." Alakshmi said, motioning her hands. Razorkinder slashed his claws at Araqiel. But even though she blocked the attack with her light shield, she got knocked back. "My mana. It's slowly running out." She said. "Our continued transformation must be slowly reducing our mana." Diaspro deduced as she held back Grudge Weaver. As Squeaky rushed to help Araqiel, Fear Fang slashed her, making her disappear. "We gotta do something!" Maribel exclaimed as she blocked incoming fire from Zephyr Keeper with her mana shield. But then, Jackalax charged at her from behind and swatted her and Skull Cutter with his wings, making Skull Cutter disappear. "Gargle, stay down!" Gedum exclaimed as Razorkinder was about to attack him and Gargle. Bob started to climb up to the ledge Stonesaur was standing on. Suddenly, Fear Fang leapt at Segmos and Gargle and slashed at them, making Gargle disappear.

Grove Protector tried to whack Moonhowler, but Moonhowler dodged each attack and speared him, making him disappear. "It's no good! We're too low on mana to put up a fight!" Thozotz exclaimed as Razorkinder slashed Haven's Elite nearby, making him disappear. Terradragon fired his thorns from his tail, but Grudge Weaver dodged them and struck him in the throat, making him disappear. One by one, the remaining creatures were beaten and made disappear, leaving only Bob and Weave. As the Guardian Spirits were grouped up with Maribel and the Kazamas, their mana completely ran out. "Our…mana…gone." Heatfroster groaned before transforming back into Ray. The other Guardian Spirits transformed back into the kids too. "Well, this is infuriating." Portia said. Just then, Heller motioned his hand and Stonesaur dropped a boulder on top of the kids and Kazamas, seemingly crushing them. "NO!" Ray and Jen cried. Nadia gasped in horror. She was about to help, but Silver snuck up behind her and hit her with a rock, knocking her out. Bob leapt down as he and Weave tried to pull the boulder off. But the villains surrounded them. "Drive them over the edge!" Alakshmi ordered. The villains' creatures surrounded them. Stonesaur fired more rock shards from his mouth and broke off a piece of the cliff, sending Ray, Jen, Bob and Weave off the edge. Just then, the villains noticed that the mana within Hector was growing more powerful. "Stonesaur, get over here." Heller ordered.

Unknown to them, Bob and Weave managed to save Ray and Jen as they fell to the bottom. But as they released the twins from their grasps, they disappeared from the damage they endured. Ray and Jen recovered and looked up, seeing how far they dropped.

Meanwhile, the villains were taking their prisoners to rendezvous with the Choten. Stonesaur was carrying Hector on its back while Morticia had Nadia tied up with a rope. Alakshmi dialed the Choten on her phone. "We have the target and are proceeding to the rendezvous point. I think you'll be pleased with how much mana you'll siphon from him." She said as the Choten was heading towards the rendezvous point in his personal tiltrotor.

Meanwhile, the kids and the Kazamas, still alive, managed to crawl out from under the boulder. "Ray? Jen?" Sakura called out as she and the others looked over the edge of the cliff. Just then, Ray and Jen climbed up the cliff. "Ray! Jen!" Allie cried in relief as they helped their friends up. "Oh, thank goodness." Ray said as he hugged Allie in relief. "We thought you guys were all history." Jen said. "Ah, nothing can keep us down for long." Terry said. "Well, we're glad you 2 aren't past tense either." Gabe said. "Okay, I passed tense a while ago. No mana left, our K-Tectors are depleted, the baddies have Chavez and Nadia, game over man!" Allie exclaimed. "She's right. It's over." Portia said. "Maybe not." Ray said. "We still got an ace in the hole." Jen said.

Later, the kids and Kazamas returned to the sealed door. Jen was talking to the Autocons on her phone, telling them what happened. "We understand. We just intercepted a phone call Alakshmi made to the Choten. We know where they're going. Sending you coordinates." Landslide said. "Thanks, Landslide. We'll meet you and the others there." Jen said, ending the call. Ray placed the key inside the symbol and unlocked the sealed door. "You can't go in there! You 2 aren't Masters. It's too dangerous." Allie protested. "You heard Master Kimora. Do this wrong and you 2 are toast." Gabe said with worry. "They're right. We can't let you 2 do this." Sakura said. "We only need enough mana to duel and save Master Chavez and Master Nadia." Ray said. The kids and Kazamas looked at each other, knowing they would never reconsider the consequences. "I'll stay here and guard the entrance." Gabe said. "No. We're going with Ray and Jen." Allie said. "No. This is our risk." Ray said. "No sense in putting the rest of you in danger." Jen said. "Nice try. We stick together." Terry said. "No matter what." Greta said. "Besides, you're both loopy if you think we don't wanna see this thing." Portia said. "No, really. I don't. I'm fine out here." Gabe said. But then, Kaito and Miku grabbed his arms. "Oh, okay." He said, admitting defeat.

Later, the kids and Kazamas walked into the cave and saw what looked like a sleeping eye. "Is that what I think it is?" Maribel asked. "That is its eye." Ray said. "Yes. And I think that keeping this giant Kaiju asleep is a very wise plan." Gabe said. "I second that thought." Terry said. "Yeah. Ray, Jen, whatever you do, don't wake it up." Allie said. Ray and Jen walked up to the sleeping creature, slowly reached out their hands and placed them on the eye. As they siphoned the creature's mana, they were shown a vision.

[Vision]

The 5 Creature Kings stood before the 5 original Masters as they were siphoning their mana. "We gave ourselves willingly…to save both our worlds. Why…have you…betrayed us?" The Fire King asked as he turned into the very mountain he hibernates in.

The vision switched to a large shadowy figure, possessing all 5 of the Civilizations' relics. It let out a powerful shriek, unleashing its power as it empowered the relics.

[Vision End]

Ray and Jen, fueled with mana, were stunned by what they saw. As the kids and Kazamas turned around to walk out, the Creature King's eye slowly opened. "What happened? Are you 2 okay?" Allie asked, worriedly. "We're…fine." Ray said. "We're…alright." Jen said. "Uh, Ray? Jen? Your gauntlets." Gabe said, noticing something on Ray and Jen's gauntlets. They were starting to evolve somehow. "What the what, dude? Your gauntlets are…growing." Allie said. Ray's gauntlet evolved into a golden metal gauntlet with dragon scales growing up his arm. Jen's gauntlet evolved into a dark purple metal gauntlet with hot pink spikes. "How are they doing that?" Miku asked. "The evincing fusion of mana must be evolving them." Gabe deduced. "Do they hurt?" Greta asked. "They feel amazing." Ray said. "Like more mana power than we thought we had." Jen said. "Tatsurion the Unchained!" Ray called. "Skarvos the Assassin!" Jen called. Bob and Weave stumbled through the doors and collapsed, still feeling weak from the drop. Ray and Jen touched them, healing them with their mana. Bob and Weave, feeling their strength return, both gave a great roar. "I feel a great fire within me!" Bob exclaimed. "And I feel like a great tide has just washed through my very veins!" Weave exclaimed. "How did you 2 do this?" Bob asked. "We'll explain later." Ray said. "He's right. We have to save Master Chavez and Master Nadia." Jen said. "And here's how we're going to do it." Ray said, explaining his plan.

Meanwhile, at the rendezvous point, the Choten's minions attached cables from the tiltrotor to Chavez. Nadia struggled against her restraints, worried for her lover. Suddenly, boulders were thrown at the villains. They looked up and saw Heatfroster, Bob, Lunaressa and Weave. "Man, those kids just don't quit." Heller said. "I know. That really annoys me." Morticia said. "Low on mana and they're gonna take on us with 2 beat-up creatures and 2 beat-up Guardian Spirits?" Glasses asked. "Very determined, very foolish." Alakshmi said. "Then let's show them what determination gets them." Silver suggested. "Fear Fang!" Glasses exclaimed as the villains and their creatures charged towards the 4 heroes. Fear Fang leapt for them, but Bob headbutted it into Stonesaur with his fiery horns, knocking them down. Zephyr Keeper flew towards them, but Weave grabbed it and tossed it at Grudge Weaver, knocking them down. Suddenly, as Razorkinder was about to attack, Hissy appeared and rolled into the Evil Toy, making it disappear. "Where'd they get the mana to summon 3 of those monsters?!" Glasses asked in shock. "Try 5." Calypso said with worry as she pointed up. Just then, Sunspout and Shaw K'Naw flew in from above. "Oh no, that bird hates us." Heller said, remembering Shaw K'Naw. Just then, as Jackalax was about to take off and darkness beam struck him, making him disappear. Morticia gasped as she saw Death Liger leap into the fight too, growling directly at her. "Oh no. Not you again!" She said with worry. Shaw K'Naw fired his light blast at Heller, Glasses and Calypso, knocking them down. He then fired another blast at Fear Fang, making him disappear.

Just then, as the tiltrotor was about to start draining Hector's mana, the Autocons drove in and transformed, revealing themselves. Nadia and the minions were shocked by this. "Brakeline, Particle, you 2 help backup Ray and Jen. I'll help Chavez." Landslide said before he rushed over to Hector. Brakeline and Particle rushed to help Ray and Jen. "Who are you?" Hector asked. "We're friends of your students." Landslide said as he ripped the cables off the tiltrotor. As the minions tried to run, Hissy rolled towards them and bowled into them. Zephyr Keeper started blasting with its lasers, but Brakeline blocked the blasts. "Is that the best you got?" Brakeline asked. "Head's up!" Particle called as she leapt up and kicked Zephyr Keeper hard, making it disappear. The Choten looked out the window and saw the battle going on. The kids and the Kazamas helped Hector and Nadia. "Master C, Master N, are you okay?" Allie asked. "We're fine, Allison." Nadia said. "Thanks to your friend here." Hector said, gesturing to Landslide. "It was no trouble, Master Chavez." Landslide assured.

Sunspout swooped down and blasted Grudge Weaver with her light beam, making it disappear. Brakeline grabbed Stonesaur and threw it towards Hissy and Liger, who crushed it under their paws, making it disappear. Moonhowler threw its spear at Lunaressa, but she caught it. She waved her finger before she fired her moonbeam at Moonhowler, making it disappear. The villains were shocked by all this. Glasses, Morticia, Heller and Calypso turned to run away. "Get back here, cowards!" Alakshmi ordered. But then, they were blasted and knocked out by Bob's rockets and Weave's night blasts. "And then there was one." Heatfroster said, glaring up at the tiltrotor. He summoned the Sword of Fiery Cataclysm and fired a stream of fire at the tiltrotor, blasting off the right propeller. The tiltrotor fell from the sky and crashed down. The Choten recovered from the crash, climbed out of the tiltrotor and looked around at the damages.

Later, as everyone returned to the temple, Hector sat in front of the alter, releasing the mana into it. Afterwards, he nearly collapsed, but Nadia caught him. The alter glowed as the Veil was replenished. Outside, the kids, Kazamas, Autocons, Hector, Nadia and Kimora stared at a beautiful red aurora that lit up the night sky. "Thank you all for your help today. And for introducing us to your robot friends." Kimora said. "We were honored to help, Master Kimora." Particle said. "Know that you 3 are welcome here anytime." Nadia said. "Thank you, Master Nadia." Brakeline said. "Now back to your kata." Kimora said. The kids grumbled at that. "Really? Now? Seriously?" Allie mumbled. As the kids and Kazamas walked back inside the dojo, Hector stopped Ray and Jen. "Ray, Jen, what were you 2 thinking? You could've been killed." He said. "We knew the dangers. But we had to do it. For you." Ray said. "And the Creature King, he told us-" Jen started to say. "He spoke to you?" Nadia asked in shock. "He told us…everything." Jen said. "They were our partners. They willingly sacrificed their mana to create the Veil." Ray explained. "That…that can't be right." Hector said. "You are sure?" Nadia asked. "We saw it as clear as we see that aurora, Master. It confirms what Heatfroster told Ray earlier." Jen said. "The original Duel Masters have betrayed them by keeping them asleep all this time. That everything you were told was a lie." Ray said. Hector, Nadia and Kimora looked at each other in shock. Everything that they had believed in…was all a lie.

Meanwhile, back at the tiltrotor's crash site, the 2 robed figures stared at the remains of the tiltrotor. "They've definitely grown stronger." The first figure said. "I know. You thinking what I'm thinking?" The second figure said. The first figure nodded, pulled out his phone and dialed in a number, calling someone. "Yes, Headmistress. We've been watching them as you requested. We think it's time for them to receive their exchange." He said. The person on the other end of the line said something. "Yes, Headmistress. If they continue doing what they're doing, our beloved Creature Kings will reawaken and our worlds will reunite once more." The first figure said.

Meanwhile, back in the sealed cave, the Creature King closed his eye, drifting back into his hibernation.

Man, things really got intense, right? Ray and Jen's group accompany Hector, Nadia and Kimora up into the mountains to perform the most important undertaking of a Duel Master, the Siphon, where the Duel Master absorbs the mana from the hibernating Creature King and uses it to replenish the Veil. But as always, the Choten's forces were not far behind. After Hector was captured, Ray and Jen performed their own Siphon, evolving their dueling gauntlets and experiencing a vision of the truth. After rescuing Hector, revealing their Autocon friends and replenishing the Veil, Ray and Jen revealed the truth. But who were the 2 figures watching them? Will the Creature Kings awaken? Will the Duel Masters consider changing their ways? Leave a review if you'd like.