Chapter 25: Grave Risk Part 1
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry about the wait but I wanted to nail this one. I'm happy to say this story has over 700 followers and favorites! Thank you all so much for your support! I'd like to thank masters123lfm for helping me make this duel more exciting and I have a huge surprise at the end.
It was late at night at the Slifer Red dorm, as Jaden and Chumley were fast asleep Syrus was climbing out of bed.
"Ugh I gotta stop drinking so much water before bed." Syrus yawns going downstairs and opening a door. "Wait this isn't the bathroom." He said rubbing his eyes.
Peeking inside, he saw Prof. Banner talking to someone on his computer.
"You are not here to ask why, you are here to obey." A male voice said.
"But Jaden and Takeru are some of our best students. They could be buried alive or worse." Banner said.
"Worse?" Syrus whispers.
"If the tomb shall be the end of those boys then so be it, but their true potential must be tested." The voice said.
Slowly closing the door, Syrus steps back terrified.
'Tested? In a tomb? Where they could be buried alive or worse? Something tells me this isn't a midterms test.' Syrus gulps.
The next day in Prof. Banner's class, Prof. Banner was doing an experiment.
"As you can see we can learn a great deal about dueling from alchemy. Just as you combine 2 monsters to create another you can combine to compounds to create something equally impressive." Banner said pouring the mixture but when he did it exploded in his face startling everyone.
"And equally devasting." Banner groans dropping to the ground as the bell rang.
"Morning everyone, learn anything good?" Jaden asks.
"We learned how to duck." Syrus said.
"Prof. Banner almost blew himself up again." Takeru recovers.
"Oh I almost forgot." Banner said standing up. "I'm planning a little field trip."
"Great, to where? Circus? Carnival?" Jaden asks.
"Better. We're taking a 10 mile hike to the ancient excavation grounds to get geologic core samples. It'll be Saturday at 7am. Don't be late." Banner said much to everyone's disappointment.
On the day of the trip, Banner saw the only ones to show up were Jaden, Takeru, Syrus, Chumley, Madison, Alexis, Seika, Mindy and Chazz.
"Only 9? Where's everyone else?" Banner asks.
"Probably asleep." Syrus said.
"Where I would have been if you slackers hadn't pulled me out." Chazz glared.
"Come on Chazz, since you're our new dormmate we should hang out." Jaden said.
"I was surprised you three wanted to come." Alexis said looking to the girls.
"Hey a long walk with Takeru could be nice." Mindy smiles.
"I did it because I thought it was mandatory and was worried I'd fail if I said no." Seika admits.
"I just didn't have anything better to do." Madison shrugs.
"You know I heard these ruins we're going to used to host the Shadow Games." Alexis said.
"Wow, maybe you'll find some clues about your brother there." Takeru said.
"I hope so." Alexis nods.
"Now we have to be careful when we get to the ruins because inside is an ancient tomb." Banner warns.
'A tomb?' Syrus gulps remembering what he overheard. "Jaden, Takeru I need to tell you both something." Syrus said pulling them away.
"What's up Syrus?" Takeru asks.
"Listen I overheard Banner saying something about putting you two in a tomb and burying you in it." Syrus whispers.
"Because I fell asleep in class?" Jaden assumes.
"Aren't you exaggerating a little?" Takeru asks.
"I mean it." Syrus said.
"Are you sure it wasn't just a nightmare Sy? I mean Prof. Banner bury us alive?" Jaden asks.
"If it was Dr. Crowler I might believe you but Banner?" Takeru admits.
"All right everyone, time to go." Banner said getting their attention.
Soon they begin their hike to the ruins but unfortunately for them Chumley complained the whole way.
"Are we almost there?"
"My feet really hurt."
"Can we take a break?"
"I hate climbing.
"I hate crawling."
"I hate hiking."
"And I hate hearing you talk! So do us all a favor and shut up before I make you!" Chazz snaps.
"Oh look we're here." Banner said getting their attention. "Isn't it amazing?"
Looking ahead they saw all the ancient ruins including a huge stone arch at the front.
"Wow, look at them." Takeru said amazed.
"They kinda look old." Jaden said.
"Yeah that's why they're called ruins." Madison smirks.
"I don't know about you boys but I could use a sit down break." Mindy groans.
"Same." Seika said as both girls sat down.
"Yeah and maybe a chow down break?" Jaden suggests.
"I don't see why not. A short break to eat and then we can go exploring." Banner smiles at the thought.
As they sat down for lunch, Dark Magician's spirt was looking at the ruins and narrowed his eyes.
"I can't wait for the special lunch Ms. Dorothy made me." Banner said.
"What? Dorothy made you lunch? Can I have some?" Jaden asks.
"I don't have enough to share." Banner said reaching inside only to reveal Pharoah with food crumbs all over his face. "My lunch!"
"Ha! Nice one." Chazz laughs.
"Can one of you share your lunch with me?" Banner asks.
"I don't think we have enough to share." Jaden mocks using his own words.
"Ouch." Takeru said.
"Don't mess with Jaden when it comes to food." Syrus said.
"Aw please." Banner begs.
Climbing out of his bag, Pharoah looks around when he spots a stone amulet in the dirt.
Pawing at it, Pharoah causes the amulet to glow.
Screeching Pharoah alerts everyone as green pillars shot out of the ground around.
"What the?!" Mindy gasps.
"What's going on here?" Madison panics.
As the light shines, they look to see a strange light fill the sky kinda like an aurora.
"Look at that." Takeru points as the sun split into 3.
"Is anyone else seeing triplicate?" Banner asks.
"Unfortunately." Chazz gulps.
Appearing behind them the spirits of Dark Magician, Winged Kuriboh, Ojama Yellow and Nimble Momonga appeared.
"Takeru run." Dark Magician said.
"Yeah what he said boss." Ojama yellow said.
"Run from light? Are you that dumb?" Chazz asks.
"Now." Dark Magician orders.
Not needing to be told again they chose to run when suddenly thunder roared.
"Quickly! Find shelter!" Banner yells as everyone but Jaden, Madison and Takeru ran into it.
"Takeru, over there." Madison points to another structure.
Turning Takeru ran to it when suddenly the ground under him glowed.
"What the?" Looking down Takeru saw a strange magic circle appear under him before breaking causing him to scream.
"Takeru!" Mindy yells as Takeru fell through the hole.
"Come on Madison we gotta move!" Jaden said grabbing her hand.
Both tried to get out but it was too late, a bright light engulfed all of them even Takeru who was laying in the hole unconscious.
When the light died down, Jaden was lying on the ground.
Groaning Jaden opens his eyes to see Madison laying next to him.
"Madison, hey Madison wake up." Jaden shook her.
"Ugh five more minutes." Madison groans.
"Madison you need to see this." Jaden said.
"What?" Madison wakes up.
When she did they saw the arch was brand new and they were looking up at a giant stone building.
"Uh was that there before?" Madison asks.
"I don't think we're at the ruins anymore." Jaden gulps when Winged Kuriboh squeaks near them getting their attention. "Winged Kuriboh? What are you doing here? And how can I see you this clearly?"
"Wait your monster is real?" Madison said equally surprised as Jaden holds him.
"Wow I can even touch him. Madison feel this." Jaden smiles when they heard someone clear their throat.
Turning around they saw a woman in black robes and long black hair. This was Yasmin.
"This is sacred grounds you must leave immediately. You two are in very grave danger." Yasmin warns.
"Danger? What's going on?" Jaden asks when Kuriboh cries out hearing something.
Gasping the woman grabs the two of them and pushes them against the wall.
"Keep your voice down. Or you will share the others fate." Yasmin whispers.
"What others?" Jaden asks but she shushes them.
Holding their breath they saw men in black robes wielding spears going up the nearby stairs narrowly missing them.
"What is with this crazy place?" Madison asks as Yasmin lets go.
"I speak of the strangers who share your dress. They have been captured by the Gravekeeper Chief and his Commandant as punishment for entering his sacred tomb." She explains.
"Punished?! Not on my watch lady. Take me to them right now." Jaden orders.
"As you wish, don't say I didn't warn you." Yasmin said handing him their bags before leading them in.
"I don't trust this girl. She's hiding something." Madison whispers.
"Yeah well right now she knows what's going on. And we need to find the others." Jaden said.
"Tell me strangers how did you get here?" Yasmin asks.
"I'm Jaden and this is Madison. As for how we got here, I'm not really sure." Jaden admits.
"Don't suppose you'll tell us your name?" Madison asks.
"It's Yasmin." She said leading them into a small room. "Wait here while I find your friends."
"What? No we can't stay here." Jaden said.
"Believe me if you two are walking about you'll be of no use to them." Yasmin warns. "I'll be back."
"Fine." Jaden narrows his eyes as Yasmin walks out.
Putting their bags down, Jaden and Madison sat against the wall.
"So we're just supposed to wait here and hope she finds our friends?" Madison asks.
"Afraid so." Jaden pauses. "You know I don't think you and I have actually talked since we dueled each other."
"What do you mean? We talk all the time." Madison said.
"Yeah but just us. It's kinda nice being able to hang out with you now that you're not bullying me." Jaden smiles.
"I guess so." Madison admits noticing Winged Kuriboh in his lap. "So what's the deal with Winged Kuriboh?"
"Oh he's uh…a duel spirit. He's kinda been my little buddy since the term started." Jaden smiles petting him making Kuriboh smiles.
"A duel spirit? That is nuts." Madison said in disbelief.
"Here see for yourself." Jaden puts Winged Kuriboh in her hands.
Looking down at the little fella Madison sees Winged Kuriboh coo and his eyes move up meaning he was smiling.
Smiling Madison couldn't resist the cuteness that is Kuriboh.
"Nice to meet you too." Madison said.
"Someone help us!" Alexis calls out getting their attention.
"Alexis!" Jaden gasps.
Standing up they climbed up and saw through the window Alexis, Syrus, Banner, Chumley, Mindy, Seika, Chazz, Prof. Banner and Pharoah all tied up in coffins.
"Get us outta here!" Chazz yells when from the tomb a strange magic grabbed Seika, Chazz and Mindy bringing them inside.
"What's happening?! We're moving!" Mindy screams.
"What is this place?" Madison pancis.
"Wait a minute…where's Takeru?" Jaden asks when they were suddenly poked by something.
"Get down." A voice orders.
"Hey watch where you point that." Madison snaps as they climbed down and immediately they both found themselves surrounded as multiple men pointed spears at them.
Yelping Madison clung to Jaden in fear.
Behind the spear soldiers, they saw two men. One was as man in black robes and a black jackal mask on the top half of his face and the other was a man in white robes.
Popping her head out around back Yasmin saw this situation and quickly snuck away.
"Uh pardon our manners. I'm Jaden Yuki and this my friend Madison. Who are you?" Jaden gulps.
"I am the Gravekeeper Chief and this is my Commandant." The man in white gestures.
"You two are trespassing on the sacred tomb we are sworn to protect." Gravekeeper Commandant glares.
"Oh well this is an easy fix. We'll just go get our friends and then we'll leave. You can forget we were ever here." Jaden said.
"That is not possible." Gravekeeper Chief said.
"Why not?" Jaden asks.
"Because fool you trespassed and must be punished." Gravekeeper Chief said.
"Can't you just give us a warning or something?" Madison asks.
"No we cannot." Commandant said.
"Then you can't point your spears at us." Jaden said but they didn't budge.
"I like your spirit, stranger. I will let you and your friends pass if you can beat me and my Commandant in a challenge." Chief said.
"Well what's the challenge?" Jaden asks.
Grinning both the Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant took out duel monster decks.
"A duel? Now you're talking. If I win you pardon me and all my friends." Jaden said.
"So be it, if you can beat both of us." Commandant smirks.
"Hold on." Madison steps forward. "2 against 1 is unfair so let me even the odds."
"Madison?" Jaden said surprised.
"We can take'em." Madison said.
"Hmm what do you say Commandant?" Chief asks.
"Sounds good, save some time." Commandant nods.
"But know this if you both lose you two will buried alive alongside your friends." Chief declares shocking them.
"Buried alive?!" Jaden and Madison panic.
"Oh man, where's Takeru when you need him?" Jaden gulps as he and Madison get their duel disks.
Laying against a wall, Takeru was still unconscious from his fall when a shadow appeared over him.
Looking down at him, Dark Magician narrowed his eyes.
"I'm sorry I didn't expect us to come here but now that we are, it's come to this." Dark Magician said picking Takeru up and carrying him to the tomb.
Outside, Jaden and Madison faced off against the Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant with Alexis, Syrus, Chumley and Banner watching from their coffins below.
"Jaden, Madison we are all rooting for you. Very, VERY much so!" Banner said.
"Jaden!" Syrus said.
"Save us!" Chumley said.
"That's what we plan to do." Madison said.
"Don't worry you'll all be fine. As soon as we beat these guys." Jaden said.
Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant: 8000
Jaden and Madison: 8000
"Get your game on!" Jaden declares.
"Get my game on? What is this game of which you speak?" Chief asks.
"Geez it's jus a figure of speech. You know slang." Jaden clarifies.
"Slang?! How dare you address the chief with such a disrespectful tongue!" Commandant snaps.
"You shall pay." Chief drew. "I play a monster in defense mode and end my turn."
"My move." Jaden drew when Winged Kuriboh came to his side. "Hey Kuriboh. It's good to see you bud. Now watch this, I summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman in attack mode!" Appearing on his field the blue water hero appeared.
Bubbleman: 800/1200
"And as long as he's on the field alone I can draw two more cards." Jaden drew seeing it was Burstinatrix and Avian causing him to grin. "Next I'll place one card facedown and end my turn."
"My turn." Commandant drew. "I also play a monster facedown in defense mode and one card facedown. That will do for now."
"You guys talk a big game but I have yet to see it." Madison drew. "I summon my Junk Blader in attack mode."
On her field her mechanical warrior appeared.
Junk Blader: 1800/ 1000
"Next I play the spell card Tuning. By sending the top card of my deck to the graveyard I can add any monster with the name Synchron to my hand." Madison said sending Quillbolt to the graveyard she added her Junk Synchron.
"For your sake it better be worth it." Commandant said.
"My turn." Chief drew. "I summon Gravekeeper Spear Soldier in attack mode."
Gravekeeper Spear Soldier: 1500/ 1000
"I hope your Bubbleman gave you some good draws because he is outmatched and soon to be outnumbered. I flip summon my Gravekeeper Guard!" Chief said flipping over the monster he set.
Gravekeeper Guard: 1000/1900
"And when he's flip summoned I can return one monster to your hand. Like your Bubbleman!" Chief points as Gravekeeper guard creates a red light blasting Bubbleman.
"Ooh red light." Chumley said.
"No, Chumley that is not a good thing." Syrus gulps.
"And now that you're unguarded Jaden, I'll attack you directly! Go Gravekeeper's Guard attack with Blazing Blade Strike!" Chief orders.
Charging in Gravekeeper's guard slashes Jaden with his spear making him scream in pain.
Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant: 8000
Jaden and Madison: 7000
"Jaden are you okay?" Madison asks concerned.
"I-I felt that. This is real." Jaden cringed holding his shoulder.
"Felt it? But this is just a duel." Madison said confused.
Down below the coffins began to close.
"No joke it's real!" banner yells.
"And now Gravekeeper's Spear Solider attack Jaden directly!" Chief orders.
"I activate Scrap Iron Scarecrow!" Madison said revealing her favorite trap. "This'll stop your attack!"
"I don't think so!" Commandant said revealing his trap. "Go Seven Tools of the Bandit. By paying 1000 lifepoints I can negate your trap and destroy it."
"What?" Madison gasps as her scarecrow was destroyed.
"And with that out of the way I can continue my attack!" Chief said as Spear Soldier stabbed Jaden making him drop to his knees.
Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant: 7000
Jaden and Madison: 5500
"Okay I think I'm getting it now. This duel isn't just about lifepoints, it's about our lives." Jaden realized.
"Yes and theirs." Commandant points down to reveal the coffins closing again.
"So every time we lose lifepoints not only do we feel it but they get sealed up." Madison realized.
"Well then we better step up our game." Jaden drew. "I play Polymerization and fuse Avian and Burstinatrix to create the Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!"
Fusing his two heroes Jaden created his favorite fusion.
Flame Wingman: 2100/ 1200
"You asked if Bubbleman gave me some good cards? Well see for yourself because from both of them came him! Attack Gravekeeper's Spear soldier!" Jaden orders.
Aiming his dragon arm, Flame Wingman blasted him with a fire attack destroying him.
Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant: 6400
Jaden and Madison: 5500
"And don't think you're done because you now take damage equal to your monster's attack points!" Jaden said as Flame Wingman blasts both of them.
Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant: 4900
Jaden and Madison: 5500
"And now I play Wroughtweiler in defense mode and call it a turn." Jaden said summoining his mutt.
Wroughtweiler: 800/ 1200
"Good job Jaden." Chumley cheers.
"Way to play." Syrus cheers.
"If we're gonna get out of this Sy, that's how those will have to play. Because if they make too mistakes we're done for." Alexis said.
"My turn." Commandant drew. "First I flip my monster Gravekeeper's Spy."
Rising up a Gravekeeper in black clothes and shadows covering it appeared.
Gravekeeper's Spy: 1200/ 2000
"And thanks to his special ability I can summon another Gravekeeper from my deck that has less than 1500 attack points. Like my Gravekeeper Cannonholder!" Commandant said as a gravekeeper holding a portable cannon appeared.
Gravekeeper Cannonholder: 1400/ 1200
"How do these things keep raising their numbers?" Jaden asks.
"I don't know but luckily none of them come close our monsters." Madison said.
"Attack wise but I have Block Attack! This changes your monster from attack to defense mode." Commandant said as Junk Blader took a knee.
"Oh no, Junk Blader." Madison gasps seeing he was in defense mode.
"And now I can destroy it. Gravekeeper's Spy attack Junk Blader!" Disappearing into the shadows, Gravekeeper's spy appeared behind Junk Blader and stabbed it destroying it. "And now Cannon Holder attack her with directly with Ballistic Barrage!"
Aiming its cannon Gravekeeper Cannonholder blasts Madison making him scream in pain.
"Madison!" Jaden gasps seeing her cringe in pain.
Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant: 4900
Jaden and Madison: 4100
"I'm fine it's a hurt a little but I'm fine." Madison said.
"Not for long. I activate my Cannon Holder's special ability. By sacrificing my Gravekeeper's Spy I can deal 700 points of damage!" Commandant declares.
Gravekeeper's spy turns to energy and enters the cannon allowing Cannon Holder to fire again knocking Madison to the ground.
Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant: 4900
Jaden and Madison: 3400
"Low blow." Madison groans in pain.
"I place one monster facedown in defense mode and one card facedown and end my turn." Commandant said as two facedown cards appeared.
Down below the coffins closed more than halfway.
"Come on Madison! I'm claustrophobic!" Syrus said.
"Me too." Chumley said as she got up.
"Are you okay?" Jaden asks.
"I'll live, but now I'm am ready to take them down." Madison said determined.
"Then let him have it." Jaden said.
"With pleasure." Madison drew. "Since I don't have any monsters I can special summon Junk Forward in defense mode from my hand."
Racing out Junk Forward lands in front of her taking a defensive stance.
Junk Forward: 900/ 1500
I summon the tuner monster Junk Synchron!"
Appearing on her field Madison's orange tuner monster appeared.
Junk Synchron: 1300/ 500
"And thanks to his special ability I can summon Quillbolt Hedgehog from my graveyard." Madison said as Quillbolt Hedgehog appeared at her side.
Quillbolt Hedgehog: 800/ 800
"To answer your question I did get a handy card, because I'm gonna tune my level 3 Junk Synchron with my level 2 Quillbolt Hedgehog in order to Synchro Summon, Junk Warrior!" Madison declares as her monsters tuned together to synchro summon one of her go to Synchro cards.
Junk Warrior: 2300/ 1300
"Now take out his Cannon Holder with Scrap fist!" Madison yells as Junk Warrior flew in and nailed Gravekeeper's Cannon Holder in the gut destroying it.
Gravekeeper's Chief and Commandant: 4000
Jaden and Madison: 3400
"Oh yeah Synchro and Fusion monsters working together to bring the pain." Jaden grins.
"They may be different at first glance but both can be very devastating." Madison grins.
"Make your move, Chief. The quicker you move the quicker we save our friends." Jaden said.
"Or the quicker you fall to your doom." Chief drew. "I switch Gravekeeper's Guard to defense mode and place a monster facedown in defense mode as well."
"Guess you don't know the old saying. The best defense is a great offense." Jaden drew. "And there's no better offense than Flame Wingman! Infernal Rage!"
Shooting a fireball at him, Wingman destroys Gravekeeper's guard and inflicts damage to the Chief.
Gravekeeper's Chief and Commandant: 3000
Jaden and Madison: 3400
"My turn." Commandant drew. "I place another monster in defense mode and that's it."
"I'm not letting this go to waste." Madison drew. "And to give my Junk Warrior a boost I equip him with Junk Barrage." Madison said as Junk Warrior's fist glowed.
"Junk Warrior attack his defense monster!" Flying in Junk Warrior attacks the face down revealing a man in robes before he was destroyed.
"You destroyed my Gravekeeper's Nobleman, this allows me to take another Gravekeeper and place it on the field in defense mode." Commandant said playing another Gravekeeper.
"Even so, thanks to Junk Barrage you take damage equal to half your monster's attack points. That's 500 points of damage right there." Madison said as Junk Warrior blasts the Commandant.
Gravekeeper's Chief and Commandant: 2500
Jaden and Madison: 3400
"We've got them on the ropes." Jaden said.
"Yep and this facedown will make sure we stay that way." Madison said setting a card.
"My move." Chief drew. "I play Pot of Greed, this lets me draw 2 new cards. "I play Gravekeeper's Assailant!"
Appearing on the field was a woman dressed in robes that covered her face and body.
Gravekeeper's Assailant: 1500/ 1500
"And joining her is my Gravekeeper's Curse." Flip summoning his monster the Gravekeeper's Chief reveals a mystical warrior.
Gravekeeper's Curse: 800/ 800
"And thanks to his effect you lose 500 lifepoints." Chief said as Gravekeeper's curse held out his staff causing Jaden and Madison to cringe.
Gravekeeper's Chief and Commandant: 2500
Jaden and Madison: 2900
"That didn't even tickle." Madison growls.
"But this might sting. I play the field spell Necrovalley!" Inserting a field spell the scenery changed to a dark scary canyon.
"And with it each Gravekeeper Monster gains 500 attack and defense points." Chief said as both his monsters glowed.
Gravekeeper's Assailant: 2000/ 2000
Gravekeeper's Curse: 1300/ 1300
"And since I have the same deck it applies to my monsters too." Commandant grins.
"Now Gravekeeper's Assailant attack the Flame Wingman!" Chief orders.
"Do you have sand in your eyes? My Wingman is much stronger than your monster." Jaden said.
"Yes but my Assilant has a special ability one that can change your monster from attack to defense mode." Chief said as the Assailant slices Flame Wingman in half.
"Now Gravekeeper's Curse attack his mutt!" Gravekeeper's Curse blasts Wroughtweiler to smithereens.
"Sorry but my monster has a special ability too." Jaden said.
"Check again." Commandant said. "Thanks to Necrovalley his effect is useless and so are your cards."
"What?" Madison gasps.
"It is true. All magic, spells, and monster effects involving the graveyard are negated." Chief declares making them gasp.
"You two set us up." Jaden realized.
"Yes and now you two will be buried under our gravekeepers." Commandant grins.
"Oh no this isn't good, Jaden and Madison need their graveyards for some of their moves." Syrus gulps.
"They can still win, they just need to stay away from the Graveyard." Chumley said.
"Easier said than done." Alexis said.
"Jaden if you got any ideas, I'm open to them." Madison said.
"I'll try." Jaden drew and saw it was Winged Kuriboh.
Smiling the spirit looks to Jaden.
"I always can count on you to have my back. Or in this case the front. I summon Winged Kuriboh in defense mode." Jaden said as Winged Kuriboh flew to the field in defense mode.
Winged Kuriboh: 300/ 200
"You call that a defense? When we're done with it it'll be pounded into the rocks." Commandant mocks.
"Hey, he's my friend." Jaden said setting a facedown. 'And soon you'll see why."
"My move." Commandant drew. "First I flip my Gravekeeper's Ambusher!"
Leaping out a Gravekeeper with a cloak covering the upper part of his face appeared.
Gravekeeper's Ambusher: 1700/ 000
"And to assist him I summon Gravekeeper's Priestess!" Appearing on his field a woman in white clothing and an Egyptian staff appeared.
Gravekeeper's Priestess: 1000/ 1500
"And thanks to Necrovalley they both get 500 points stronger." Chief said.
"Plus my Priestess adds another 200 points to our monsters." Commandant grins.
Gravekeeper's Ambusher: 2400/ 700
Gravekeeper's Priestess: 1700/ 2200
Gravekeepeer's Assailant: 2200/ 2200
Gravekeeper's Curse: 1500/ 1500
"But I'm not done. I play Necrovalley Throne! Which lets me summon one more Gravekeeper…myself!" Commandant declares.
"You can't summon yourself." Madison gasps.
"Then what is this?" Playing his card, Commandant leaps out ontot he field. "And thanks to my Priestess and Necorvalley I grow stronger."
Gravekeeper's Commandant: 2300/ 2200
"Now Ambusher attack Junk Warrior!" Charging in Ambusher destroys Junk Warrior.
Gravekeeper's Chief and Commandant: 2500
Jaden and Madison: 2800
"And now my Priestess will attack your Junk Forward!" Gravekeeper's Priestess aims her staff destroying it.
"And now it's my turn." Drawing his sword, Commandant leaps at her.
"Winged Kuriboh protect her!" Flying in front of her Winged Kuriboh took the attack.
"Winged Kuriboh." Madison gasps while Kuriboh coos.
"He wont stop me." Commandant said.
"Yes he will. I activate Transcendent Wings!" Jaden declares revealing his facedown. "By sending two cards from my hand to the graveyard. This evolves my Winged Kuriboh to level 10." Sending Silent Doom and one effect monster to the grave Jaden evolves his monster.
"As foolhardy as it was predictable. I knew you would do that. Which is why I have this, Gravekeper's Watcher!" Sending a card to the Graveyard Winged Kuriboh returned to normal.
"What happened?" Jaden gasps.
"By sending the Gravekeeper's Watcher to the graveyard I negated your level up. Now Commandant can continue." Chief grins.
Swinging his sword, Commandant slashes Winged Kuriboh destroying it.
"Thanks Winged Kuriboh you saved me." Madison said as Commandant jumps back.
"But now neither of you have any monsters to protect you. On our next turn you're all ours." Commandant grins.
Madison drew and looked at her hand. "Wait a minute…I activate Quillbolt Hedgehog's ability!"
"What? But Necrovalley!" Chief reminds.
"That only works on cards going into the graveyard not going out. So I can summon him to defend me." Madison said calling back her monster.
"Way to think outside the box." Jaden grins.
Blushing Madison turns to them. "We're not done yet. I play Pot of Greed which lets me draw two new cards. And I play Junk Gardna in defense mode."
Junk Gardna: 000/ 1800
"And I'll end my turn with these." Madison said setting two cards facedown.
"My move. And now I sacrifice Gravekeeper's Curse in order to summon myself!" Chief declares.
"You too!" Jaden gasps as Chief steps to the field.
Gravekeeper's Chief: 1900/ 1200
"And thanks to Priestess and Necrovalley I get event stronger!" Chief declares.
Gravekeeper's Chief: 2600/ 1900
"And as long as I'm on the field my graveyard isn't effected by Necrovalley. Meaning I can use spells, traps and monster effects, but that's not all, once per turn I can summon one more Gravekeeper from my Graveyard. Rise Gravekeeper Spear Soldier!"
From his Graveyard the spear gravekeeper appeared.
Spear Soldier: 2200/ 1700
"Now I activate the trap Rite of Spirit which let's me summon one more Gravekeeper. Gravekeeper's Curse!" Chief said as the Curse returns to the field.
Gravekeeper's Curse: 1500/ 1500
"And thanks to his ability you both get hit again." Commandant said as both Jaden and Madison scream in agony feeling the attack.
Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant: 2500
Jaden and Madison: 1900
Groaning both fell to their knees.
"Behold the power of the Shadow Game." Chief smirks.
"Shadow Game? Is that what this is?" Jaden asks.
"Yes, in the Shadow Game you feel every hit and as your lifepoints are dropped so is your actual life. But don't worry it's almost over." Commandant grins.
"Now attack Jaden directly!" Chief points.
"I activate the trap Scrubbed Raid!" Madison said revealing her facedown. "By sending one card from my field to the graveyard I can end the battle phase." Madison said sending her other facedown to the grave saving Jaden from the attack.
"Grr. Next turn you won't be so lucky." Chief said.
"As long as I can keep sending cards to the grave we will." Madison said.
"I owe you big time Madison." Jaden said.
"We make it through this duel you can pay me back." Madison said.
"My move." Jaden drew. "I play Pot of Greed which lets me draw two more cards and then I summon Dark Catapluter in defense mode."
Dark Catapulter: 1000/ 1500
"Now I play the spell Mirage of Nightmare. When I have less than 4 cards if it's your turn I can draw until I have 4. And to make sure I do, I play 3 cards facedown." Jaden said ending his turn.
"This is pathetic, all you two have done is play defensively. Well that won't be for long." Commandant drew.
"Thanks. Now Mirage's effect activates allowing me to draw until I'm holding 4 cards." Jaden drew.
"Too bad you won't get to use them. I summon Gravekeeper's Recruiter in attack mode!"
Appearing next to him was a robed Gravekeeper with tribal marks.
Gravekeeper's Recruiter: 1200/ 1500
"And just like the other Gravekeeper's he gets stronger too." Commandant said.
Recrutier: 1900/ 2200
"Now Ambusher attack!" Commandant orders.
"Jaden do you mind?" Adison asks.
"Go for it." Jaden nods.
"By sending Jaden's Mirage of Nightmare to the grave I end the battle phase." Madison said stopping the attack.
"You two can't hide behind that card forever. We'll break through it soon." Chief said.
'As much as I hate to admit it he's right. Jaden and I can't hold on much longer.' Madison cringed.
'We gotta figure out a way to break through.' Jaden thought looking at his cards.
"My move." Madison drew. "I summon Junk Breaker in defense mode."
Taking a knee Junk Breaker readied itself.
"And I end my turn." Madison said.
"Pathetic." Chief drew and grinned. "Now I play Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Scrubbed Raid."
"No!" Madison gasps.
"Your last defense is gone!" Chief said as it was about to be destroyed.
"I activate Emergency Provisions! By sending one facedown and Madison's Scrubbed Raid to the grave we gain 2000 lifepoints." Jaden said revealing his facedown.
Gravekeeper's Chief and Commandant: 2500
Jaden and Madison: 3900
"Cursed spell it should have worked faster." Chief growls.
"Don't blame your cards for your screwups pal. This was all you." Jaden points.
"Well these cards won't disappoint! I play Monster Reborn and bring back my Gravekeeper's Guard." Chief said as his guard returned and was powered up.
Guard: 1700/ 2600
"Assailant attack his Catapulter!" Chief points.
Switching Catapulter to attack mode she slices him in half.
Gravekeeper's Chief and Commandant: 2500
Jaden and Madison: 2700
"Now it's my turn." Chief said readying his attack.
"Oh no you don't! Go Draining Shield!" Jaden said revealing his last facedown card. "Now we gain lifepoints equal to your attack points! All 2600 of them!"
Gravekeeper's Chief and Commandant: 2500
Jaden and Madison: 6300
"Spear Solider attack!" Chief orders.
"Gardna protect Jaden!" Madison said her monster took the attack.
"When my Spear Soldier attacks a monster in defense mode you still take damage." Chief said as she felt the attack.
Jaden and Madison: 5900
"Gravekeeper's Guard!" Chief said as his guard struck her Quillbolt Hedgehog.
"Now Gravekeeper's Curse attack them directly." Zapping them with a curse Jaden screams in agony before dropping to the ground.
Jaden and Madison: 4400
"And now I play the spell Magical Blast! With it you two get blasted for 200 points for every spellcaster we have. And together we have 10 so that's 2000 points of damage."
Raining down on them Jaden and Madison are blasted by magical attacks from all the Gravekeepers.
Gravekeeper's Chief and Commandant: 2500
Jaden and Madison: 2400
"And now I end my turn." Chief grins. 'Even if they somehow manage to avoid destruction from Commandant I can add Magical Blast to my hand next turn and we'll finish them off.'
Down below the coffins were close to shutting and needless to say it was making them nervous.
"So this is what being in a Shadow Game is like." Madison pants. "I don't like it."
"You two are proving to be less of a challenge than we thought. Come on, fight back this is barely fun anymore." Chief smirks when Jaden started to laugh.
"Speak for yourself because I'm having a blast." Jaden smiles surprising them.
"A blast? You two have no monsters? Your lifepoints are holding on by a thread and your friends are in mortal peril, but you're having fun?" Commandant asks in disbelief.
"You bet I am." Jaden grins. "Because no way I'm going down without a fight."
"Jaden you are something else." Madison smiles.
"You bet I am." Jaden drew. "I play the spell Fusion Sage!" Jaden said playing a spell. "This card allows me to take one Polymerization and add it from my deck to my hand."
"And now I summon the Elemental Hero Bladedge!" Jaden said summoning one of his best cards.
Bladedge: 2600/ 1800
"How did you? I never sent that card to the Graveyard." Chief gasps.
"No, I did when I used my Transcendent wings on Winged Kuriboh. You were so focused on taking down the mosnters on our frield you didn't notice the ones we had in our hands." Jaden smirks. "It's like Maddison said. Necrovalley doesn't work on cards going out of the graveyard so I used one of my own. His name is Elemental Hero Necroshade and his ability lets me summon a powerful monster without sacrificing one time and one time is all I need."
"Big deal, even if you attack our monsters we'll still have points left." Commandant said.
"Even so you won't have much. Bladege attack Gravekeeper's Preistess with Slice and Dice attack!" Charging in Bladeege slices Priestess destroying her.
Gravekeeper's Chief and Commandant: 1700
Jaden and Madison: 2400
"And with her gone your monster get weaker." Jaden said.
Gravekeeper Chief: 2400
Gravekeeper Commandant: 2100
Gravekeeper Assailant: 2000
Gravekeeper Ambusher: 2200
Gravekeeper Curse: 1300
Gravekeeper Spear Soldier: 2000
Gravekeeper Guard: 1500
Gravekeeper Recruiter: 1700
"A valiant effort but you're all out of moves." Commandant said.
"Oh no I'm not. I still have my Polymerization! By fusing Bladege and Bubbleman I can summon Elemental Hero Absolute Zero!"
Fusing the two heroes, the freezing ice hero appeared.
Absolute Zero: 2500/ 2000
"This is the card that'll win us this duel." Jaden grins.
"Win the duel? I think your timing is off." Commandant drew. "I activate the Wave Motion Cannon!"
Appearing next to him and the Chief was a large green glowing cannon.
"On every one of our turns the cannon will gain one counter and for each counter we can deal 1000 points of damage." Commandant said.
"And on my turn I bring back my Magical Blast to deal more damage." Chief adds.
"So Magical Blast can deal 1800 points of damage and 1000 points from Wave Motion Cannon." Banner adds.
"That means on their next turn Jaden and Madison are finished." Syrus gasps.
"I don't wanna be buried alive." Chumley whines.
"And with that I end my turn." Commandant said. "You two were interesting challenges but in the end you failed."
"Not quite it's Madison's move now." Jaden said turning to her. "You can do it. I left everything you need."
Nodding Madison drew, when she did, she smiled.
"I activate Level Lifter by sending my level 5 Quickdraw Synchron I can change another monster on the field to its level. So Absolute Zero is now a Level 5 monster." Madison said.
"Level 5 or 8 it makes no difference." The Chief said.
"Not for long. I summon Nitro Synchron!" Madison said summoning a new tuner monster.
Nitro Synchron: 200/ 100
"Oh yeah are you about to do what I think you are?" Jaden grins.
"Do you mind?" Madison asks.
"All yours." Jaden said
"I tune my level 2 Nitro Synchron with the now Level 5 Absolute Zero in order to synchro summon Nitro Warrior!" Madison declares summoning a powerful green warrior.
Nitro Warrior: 2800/ 1800
"And now for the best part. Take it away Jaden." Madison said.
"When Absolute Zero leaves the field he can destroy every monster on your side of the field." Jaden declares.
"What?!" Commandant gasps.
"Our army!" Chief gasps.
"Are about go bye-bye!" Jaden said as a blizzard blew away all their monsters leaving the Chief and Commandant back in the duelist spots. "And now there's nothing left to save you."
"Because when my Nitro Warrior attacks, if I activated a spell this turn he gets 1000 points." Madison grins as Nitro Warrior glowed.
Nitro Warrior: 3800
"More than enough to wipe you out!" Jaden yells.
"Nitro Warrior end this duel! Dynamite Knuckle!" Madison yells as Nitro Warrior flew in and nailed both of them with a double Lariat.
Gravekeeper Chief and Commandant: 0000
Jaden and Madison: 2400
"That's game." Jaden declares doing his signature pose.
"W-We did it? We won." Madison smiles.
"Madison that was awesome." Jaden said running to her.
"Tha—" Before Madison could finish Jaden gave her a big hug and laughed surprising her.
"We totally crushed those guys. You and I make an awesome team. You're the best." Jaden smiles.
Turning bright red Madison nervously stutters. "Uh yeah…w-we did pretty good."
"Chief! Chief!" On the other side they saw all the Gravekeepers running to the Chief and Commandant.
"Hey are you guys okay?" Jaden runs to them but Gravekeeper's Guard, Spearholder, Curse, Ambusher, and Recruit were ready to stop him.
"Stand down soldiers!" Commandant orders.
"He lives. He was a most impressive opponent." Chief said standing up with Commandant on his shoulder for support.
"Thanks that was a pretty sweet duel. Let's do it again sometime." Jaden smiles.
"Again? You want to compete in our shadow game again?" Chief asks confused.
"Yeah it was quite the duel. You two make a fierce team, but maybe next time no trying to seal our friends in coffins." Jaden smiles.
"As much as I hate to admit it, you all gave us quite the challenge." Madison admits walking over.
"Only one other person has ever passed this trial. For overcoming it and helping to lead your partner to victory I bequeath to you this Mystic Medallion." Chief reached under his robes and half of a medallion was pulled out.
"Really for me?" Jaden smiles.
"What? He gets a medallion but not me?" Madison asks when they see it was only half. "Oh nevermind."
"Some gift. There's only half" Jaden said.
"Because the other half belongs to the one who beat Chief before." Commandant said.
"Hopefully when the time comes to battle in another shadow game this medallion will serve you well." Chief said.
"Thanks." Jaden said putting it around his neck. "How do I look?"
"Not so bad." Madison smiles.
"Your friends will be freed at once." Commandant said.
Down below the coffin lids opened up.
"We're free!" Syrus cheers.
"Whoa turn down the lights." Chumley winced.
"I love light! Light is my friend!" Banner cheers.
"Wow, Jaden and Madison really saved us." Alexis smiles.
"Wait what about the rest of our friends?" Jaden asks.
"Rest of them?" Commandant asks confused.
"Yeah in that group my friend Takeru wasn't with them." Jaden said.
"And we saw three of our friends be taken into the tomb by some magic. Wasn't that you guys?" Madison asks causing the Chief to pause.
"Then this is not good, that part of the tomb is forbidden for entry by even. Only one group is allowed into that part." Gravekeeper Chief said.
"If they were brought there odds are your other is about to take the other trial." Commandant said.
"Other trial?" Madison gulps not liking this.
"But if you guys aren't allowed in there what is this special group?" Jaden asks.
"Magicians." Assailant declares.
Meanwhile in a dark tunnel part of the tomb, Takeru was leaning against the wall as he groans slowly waking up.
"Ugh. What happened?" Takeru groans.
"You fell down a hole as we were brought to another dimension and I carried you here." A familiar voice said.
"Huh?" Opening his eyes, Takeru saw Dark Magician standing in front of him.
"Dark Magician." Takeru said surprised.
"Follow me and stay close. You don't want to fall behind." Dark Magician said helping him up and leading him through the tunnels.
"Wait how can I touch you?" Takeru asks.
"It's the magic sealed in this place." Dark Magician said.
"What is this place?" Takeru asks looking around.
"This is the tomb that the Gravekeepers guard. They've been sworn to guard this place at all costs." Dark Magician said leading him expertly down the path.
"How do you know this so well? And who's tomb is it?" Takeru asks.
"Mine." Dark Magician declares getting his attention.
"What?" Takeru looks to see a golden light envelop Dark Magician before he shot ahead and entered a gold sarcophagus.
Entering it a blue light entered it causing a purple and red light to glow alongside it.
Making his way to it, he saw the lid begin to open.
Gulping in fear, Takeru steps back only to see a man with long brown hair, Egyptian white robes and gold armor step out of the coffin.
"I've been waiting a long time to meet you face to face like this Takeru." He said walking down to him only to see a shocked look on Takeru's face. "What surprised to see me without a big hat on my head?"
"D-Dark Magician?" Takeru asks shocked.
"Close. My true name is Palladium Oracle Mahad. And I'm the original Dark Magician." He declares snapping his fingers and the entire tomb lit up with torch lights. "Prepare yourself Takeru Nensho for the ground we stand on is sacred to all magicians who enter. For generations, the greatest magicians in all of Egypt were trained and tested in this sanctuary and now it is your turn." Holding out his hand Mahad summons a golden magical staff. "Time to see Takeru, if you truly are worthy of the title, Master of Magicians!"