Chapter 26: Grave Risk Part 2
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. I'm glad to see my surprise ending blew you all away. And I am thrilled to say this story now has 800 followers! Thank you all so much for all your support! You guys rock! I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
Standing across from Mahad in the large tomb, Takeru was speechless.
"I don't believe it, you were a real human this whole time? And why did you bring me here? I have so many questions." Takeru said.
"I wasn't always a Duel Monster's card Takeru. I used to be a normal human just like you. But one day, a dark evil attacked my home and in order to make sure I was there to protect those I cared about I fused my soul with a monster and became the monster you know as Dark Magician." Mahad held out his hand and three spheres appeared in front of them.
Looking at them Takeru's eyes widen seeing the King of Games, Yugi Muto himself with his purple Dark Magician in one, his father Arkayna and his red Dark Magician in the other and the last one had him when he was a kid and first got his blue Dark Magician.
"What is this?" Takeru said blown away.
"When Pegasus created the Dark Magician card, my soul was split into three pieces. The one Yugi Muto had contained my loyalty which allowed me to continue my mission, the one your father had contained my ambition which can be corrupted allowing it to turn evil, and then there's you." Mahad said looking to the last one.
"That was my first big tournament. Pegasus said he had other rare cards in that case, but for some reason he gave me the cards containing you and the Dark Magician Girl." Takeru recalls seeing Pegasus give him the cards in the memory.
"Yes, when I saw you duel I could see it, the drive, the passion and love of magic. You were someone I wanted I pass my knowledge onto. The term magician may have changed since I carried the title but you clearly had the talent to be a magician." Mahad explains.
"So that's why you called out to me." Takeru realized. "Why you helped guide me through everything."
"That card contains my wisdom. My desire to teach." Mahad nods.
"I am both honored and freaking out right now." Takeru said before shaking it off. "But why are you here now? What's going on?"
"You see Takeru, I had to bring you here for a reason. This tomb around us is where magicians are tested, but the reason is that there is a powerful treasure here. One that only a user gifted in the magic arts can unlock." Mahad said.
"Wait I have to duel you?" Takeru asks as Mahad turned around and walked a good distance away.
"Yes, and I don't intend on making this duel easy." Mahad raised his arm and a light shined revealing a duel disk on his arm.
"But I can't duel you. You're my friend." Takeru said.
"Unfortunately you don't have a choice." Mahad said as the floor around them opened up.
Scrambling Takeru ran to the narrow passage Mahad was standing on as 3 coffins were under them containing Mindy, Seika, Chazz and Ojama Yellow.
"Somebody help us!" Mindy yells.
"What's happening?!" Seika yells.
"Seika, Mindy!" Takeru gasps.
"Someone please get me out! I don't wanna die!" Ojama yellow screams.
"Oh shut up!" Chazz yells before noticing Takeru. "Hey Magic Boy get us out of here!"
"If you three want to be free then Takeru must beat me in a duel." Mahad said.
"What?" Takeru said shocked.
"Come on Takeru you can do it." Mindy assures.
Takeru however wasn't so sure. I mean if what Mahad was saying was true then Takeru would have to beat his favorite monster.
"Alright Mahad. Let's Duel!" Takeru said putting on his duel disk.
"Or as we say in Egypt, Diaha!" Mahad declares.
Mahad: 4000
Takeru: 4000
"I'll go first." Mahad drew. "And I'll start with Hand Destruction. Now we both must discard 2 cards from our hands and draw two new ones to replace them."
"Discarding so early in the duel?" Takeru said surprised.
"He's trying to mess with him. He just got his starting hand and this guy is already making Magic Boy stumped." Chazz said.
"On the first turn?" Mindy asks.
"These cards can mean the difference between winning or losing." Seika said as Mahad and Takeru sent their cards to the graveyard.
"Next I play a monster facedown. Your move." Mahad said.
'I don't have Hand Destruction in my deck, Mahad must have his own deck.' Takeru thought.
"You're hesitating. Are you forgetting what is at stake?" Mahad asks.
'Well if he's a spellcaster duelist like me then that means his deck is full spell cards.' Takeru realized. "My turn." Takeru drew. "I summon Defender the Magical Knight in attack mode!"
Defender: 1600/ 2000
"I'd like to see you get past him." Takeru said.
"Not bad, but even the strongest defenses have weak points." Mahad said crossing his arms.
"Well let's see if its enough for this. Attack his defense monster!" Takeru points.
Charging in Defender attacks revealing Mahad's monster to be Witch of the Black Forest resulting in her being destroyed.
"You destroyed my Witch of the Black Forest. When she's sent to the grave I can search my deck for a monster with 1500 defense points or less and add it to my hand." Mahad said taking a card from his deck and reshuffling.
"I end my turn with one card facedown." Takeru said.
"My turn." Mahad drew. "I activate the spell Graceful Charity which lets me draw 3 cards so long as I send 2 to the grave." Mahad said drawing and discarding.
"Again with the redrawing? What's he up to?" Chazz asks.
"I have no idea." Seika equally confused.
"Now I activate the spell Tribute to the Doomed. By sending one card from my hand to the graveyard I can destroy a monster on your field like Defender." Mahad points.
"By activating Defender's ability, I can prevent him from being destroyed once per turn." Takeru said as Defender's shield was destroyed.
"Maybe so but now you have no protection. I activate Call of the Haunted to bring back the card I just discarded. Come forth Shadow Ghoul!" Mahad said as a green monster appeared from the shadows.
Shadow Ghoul: 1600/ 1300
"That is no magician." Mindy said a little scared of it.
"A magician always has some new tricks up his sleeve. I taught you that. And for every monster in my grave Shadow Ghoul gains 100 attack points. And I have 4." Mahad said as darkness surrounded him.
Shadow Ghoul: 2000/ 1300
"So that's why you kept discarding and redrawing." Takeru said.
'You're only half right Takeru.' Mahad thought as Shadow Ghoul disappeared into the shadows.
"Where'd it go?" Takeru said as Shadow Ghoul leaped out of the ceiling surprising everyone.
"Now Shadow Ghoul Ambush Attack!" Mahad said as Shadow Ghoul slashes Defender destroying it making Takeru cringe in pain.
Mahad: 4000
Takeru: 3600
"Takeru!" Seika gasps as he dropped to his knees.
"That hurt." Takeru said.
"Of course, every duel in this realm is a Shadow Game." Mahad said.
"What? You put in a Shadow Game?" Takeru gasps remembering the duel against Dark Necrophere. "I thought you were my friend."
"Not in this duel. Right now I am your enemy and I plan on coming at you with every intent on winning. If you want to win you will show me the same respect and duel me like you want to win. Or maybe I was wrong to choose you." Mahad glares.
Suddenly the three coffins began to close.
"What's happening now?" Ojama asks.
"As Takeru loses life points the coffins will begin to close. When they hit zero you three will be buried alive." Mahad explains revealing them to be the same rules as they were with the Gravekeepers.
"What?!" Seika said horrified.
"I don't wanna die like this!" Mindy panics.
"Hey Takeru pull yourself together and win this duel!" Chazz snaps.
As Takeru stood up he shook off the pain.
"Don't look at me like I'm your former card. Look at me like you would your fellow duelist." Mahad said.
"Alright Mahad. Let's do this." Takeru glares.
"I'll end my turn by summoning the monster Royal Magical Library in defense mode." Mahad said as a large library shelf appeared behind him.
Royal Magical Library: 0/2000
"A library?" Takeru said not expecting that.
"Knowledge can be more powerful than any weapon Takeru. It all depends on who uses it." Mahad said.
"My turn." Takeru drew. 'If I go for his Library that Shadow Ghoul will just get stronger. I gotta get rid of that thing.'
Looking at his face, Takeru saw Mahad was watching him determined.
"Alright Mahad time to show you my magic. I Summon Chocolate Magician Girl in attack mode!" Takeru said as his blue-haired magician girl appeared.
Chocolate Magician Girl: 1600/ 1000
"And now I boost her with the spell card Wonder Wand which boosts her attack points by 500 points." Takeru said as the staff appeared in her hand.
Chocolate Magician Girl: 2100
As if on cue, one of the books in Mahad's library began to glow.
"Now attack his Shadow Ghoul!" Takeru said as his magician girl fired a beam of light destroying Shadow Ghoul.
Mahad: 3900
Takeru: 3600
"And with that I end my turn." Takeru smirks.
"Clever." Mahad drew. "I play Pot of Greed which lets me draw two more cards from my deck." Mahad said as a second book glowed.
"What's with that library?" Mindy asks.
"It must be spell counters, just like Takeru's monsters." Seika realized.
"And now I summon the spirit Tsukuyomi in attack mode!" Mahad said as the silver-haired goddess appeared at his side.
Tsukuyomi: 1100/1400
"And thanks to her ability I can change one of your monsters into facedown defense mode. Like your Magician Girl." Mahad points.
"Oh no, I lose my Wonder Wand!" Takeru gasps.
"You'll lose a lot more than just your wand. I activate the spell Shield Crush. Now your facedown Magician Girl is going right to the graveyard." Mahad said as a powerful beam was fired destroying Taker's monster.
"Oh no, now Takeru's wide open." Mindy gasps.
"And Mahad has a monster out." Chazz gulps as a third book glowed in the Library.
"I activate my Royal Magical Library's ability. By removing 3 spell counters I can draw a new card from my deck." Mahad drew. "Now Tsukoyomi attack Takeru directly!"
Holding up her staff, Tsukuyomi blasts Takeru making him scream in pain.
Mahad: 3900
Takeru: 2500
Gulping the others watched as the lids closed up halfway.
"Come on Magic Boy stop fooling around and win this!" Chazz said.
"What do you think I'm trying to do?" Takeru pants. "I activate my trap Damage Condensor, by sending a card to the grave this card lets me summon a monster with an attack less than or equal to the amount of damage I just took and I pick my Lemon Magician Girl!"
Appearing from the trap a female magician in yellow clothes appeared.
Lemon Magician Girl: 800/ 600
"I place one card facedown and end my turn and since I'm ending my turn my Tsukuyomi returns to my hand." Mahad said as his monster returned.
"This is crazy, how am I losing so badly?" Takeru asks.
"Simple, because I know you." Mahad declares. "I've been a part of that deck for years. I know every combo you have in it."
Hearing this Takeru gulps stepping back in fear.
"That's no fair. If he knows Takeru's deck he's gonna win." Mindy said.
"I think that's the point. He's gonna wipe the floor with him." Chazz said.
Groaning Takeru was still feeling the attack.
"I thought I had prepared you better, guess I was wrong." Mahad closes his eyes.
Cringing Takeru couldn't help but feel a little doubt hearing that.
"Come on Takeru!" Seika yells getting his attention. "Don't listen to him he's just trying to get inside your head. You can beat him. We know you can."
"Yeah you're only a little behind you can still recover." Mindy agrees.
"If you blow this I will haunt you for the rest of your life." Chazz said doing a different kind of encouragement.
Hearing this he managed to shake off the nervousness. "Don't count me out just yet." Takeru drew. "Time for the second half of my magic show. First I summon Blast Magician in Attack mode!"
Appearing at his side was the red-robed magician.
Blast Magician: 1400/1700
"Next I activate Pot of Greed which lets me draw 2 cards from my deck." As Takeru drew both his magician and Mahad's library glowed. "And now I activate Blast Magician's ability, by removing on Spell Counter I can destroy any monster with an attack of 700 or less."
"My library." Mahad gasps.
"Is about to be torn down!" Takeru points as Blast Magician created a magic circle and fired demolishing the library.
"And now Mahad is wide open." Seika smiles.
"Get him Takeru!" Mindy cheers.
"With pleasure! Blast Magician attack Mahad directly." Takeru points as Blast Magician sets off a magical explosion making Mahad cringe.
Mahad: 2500
Takeru: 2500
"And now Lemon Magician Girl it's your turn!" Holding out her staff, Lemon Magician Girl blasts Mahad with a glowing yellow light.
Mahad: 1700
Takeru: 2500
"And now that I'm in the lead I'll place two cards facedown." Takeru said setting his facedowns. "Knowing my cards are one thing Mahad but beating them is another."
"True, but like you said this duel isn't over yet." Mahad drew. "First I activate Spell Absorption. Now whenever one of us activates a spell card I gain 500 lifepoints and between you and I there are a lot of them."
"Of course, spells are magician's bread and butter." Takeru growls.
"And now I will use them to make myself even stronger than before Illusion Magician come forth!" Mahad said summoning a monster that bared a strong resemblance to Dark Magician but with shadows covering his eyes.
Illusion Magician: 1400/ 1800
"I've never seen that card before." Takeru gasps.
"He was my trusted ally before I became the Dark Magician and when I fought he was always at my side. Now he will grant me victory once again with the spell Bound Wand which raises my Magician's attack by 100 times his level and since my Illusion Magician is level 4 he gains 400 attack points." Mahad said as a glowing red wand appeared.
Illusion Magician: 1900
"And thanks to Spell Absorption my lifepoints go up as well." Mahad explains as his spell kicked in.
Mahad: 2200
Takeru: 2500
"Now Magician attack his Blast Magician!" Mahad orders.
"I activate my facedown card Magic Cylinder! Now it sends your attack right back at you!" Takeru said as two giant cylinders appeared.
"I don't think so, I chain that with Trap Jammer. My attack continues through." Mahad counters as Illusion Magician blasts through the cylinders and destroys Blast Magician.
Mahad: 2200
Takeru: 2000
"You'll have to do better than that." Mahad said.
"My turn." Takeru drew. "I switch my Lemon Magician Girl to defense mode and next I play my Mystical Elf in defense mode."
As his magician girl took a knee, his elf monster appeared.
Mystical Elf: 800/ 2000
"And with that I end my turn." Takeru said.
"My turn. I sacrifice Illusion Magician in order to summon my Dark Magician!" Mahad declares.
"You have one too?!" Takeru gasps as the purple-suited Dark Magician appeared on his field.
Dark Magician: 2500/ 2100
"Hey he can't do that! Dark Magician is a 7-star monster you need 2 sacrifices to make that work." Chazz said.
"If he's used to summon Dark Magician my Illusion Magician counts as 2 sacrifices." Mahad clarifies.
"I like Dark Magician a lot better when he's on my side." Takeru gulps.
"Well then you're going to hate this. I activate Dark Magic Veil!" Mahad said as magical portal appeared in front of him. "By paying 1000 lifepoints. I can summon another Dark Magician monster. But thanks to my Spell Absorption I can 500."
Mahad: 1700
Takeru: 2000
Emerging from the curtain Takeru saw his father's Red Dark Magician appear.
"Two Dark Magicians? One's bad enough!" Ojama yellow panics.
"Hey Takeru's battled a Dark Magician before." Mindy said.
"Yeah one, has he ever battled two?" Chazz asks.
"I activate Threatening Roar so now your magicians can't attack me this turn." Takeru said revealing his trap.
"Hmm you better use this chance while you have it." Mahad said.
"I will." Takeru drew. "Now I sacrifice Mystical Elf and Lemon Magician Girl in order to summon Buster Blader!" Leaping out onto the field Takeru's warrior appeared.
Buster Blader: 2600/ 2300
"And I'm not done yet. I play Monster Reborn which allows me to bring back one of the cards I sent to the grave at the beginning of this duel. Come on out Dark Magician Girl!"
Appearing at Buster Blader's side was the female Dark Magician.
Dark Magician Girl: 2000/ 1700
'Hmph ironic, my old apprentice helping my new apprentice. I wonder what you've been up to Mana.' Mahad smiles seeing a girl in Dark Magician Girl's place. "Thank you for that Takeru. You just increased my lifepoints again."
Mahad: 2200
"Fine with me. I boost Dark Magician Girl with Mage Power giving her 500 points for every spell and trap on my field. Like this one." Takeru said setting a facedown.
Mahad: 2700
Dark Magician Girl: 3000
"Now Buster Blader attack his Purple Dark Magician!" Takeru points.
Leaping high into the air Buster Blader slashes Dark Magician destroying him.
Mahad: 2600
Takeru: 2000
"And since you have a Dark Magician in your graveyard my Magician Girl gains 300 more attack points." Takeru said as his magician's attack points went up.
Dark Magician Girl: 3300
"Dark Burning attack!" Takeru said as Dark Magician Girl spun her staff and blasts the Red Dark Magician making Mahad cringe and skid back.
Mahad: 1800
Takeru: 2000
"And since another Dark Magician is in the grave she gets even stronger." Takeru said.
Dark Magician Girl: 3600
"And with that, I'll end my turn." Takeru smiles proudly. "Sorry Mahad but looks like I'll be walking out of this with all my friends, even Chazz."
"Hey!" Chazz said offended.
"Really? You're criticizing the man who's keeping us from being buried alive?" Seika asks.
"She's got a point boss." Ojama Yellow said.
"If I could move my arms I would squash you." Chazz growls.
"You shouldn't count your victory just yet. It's like your father would say. A magician always saves the best for last." Mahad drew. "I play Card of Sanctity. Not only will it boost my life points by another 500 it lets us draw until we're both holding 6 cards."
Mahad: 2300
As Takeru drew 4 cards he saw his blue Dark Magician in it.
'My Dark Magician, this is how Mahad and I met. I bet that'll be a big help winning this duel.' Takeru thought.
As Mahad drew his cards he smiled seeing one. "I drew Palladium Oracle Mahad." Mahad declares flipping a card over to reveal himself on it.
"You have your own card?" Takeru gasps.
"Yes and when you brought your Dark Magician here I had enough power to unlock my full power and earn this card. And now you will see me at my strongest. By revealing this card to you when I've drawn it I can summon myself to the field instantly!" As Mahad puts the card on his duel disk he leaps out onto the field.
Palladium Oracle Mahad: 2500/ 2100
"Okay that's not so bad, both of his monsters are stronger than him. Right?" Mindy said nervously.
"If Takeru has taught us anything it's that you shouldn't underestimate spellcasters." Seika said.
"I activate Offerings to the Doomed. While I may not be able to draw on my next turn I can destroy a monster on your field. Like your Buster Blader." Mahad said as dark magic engulfs Buster Blader destroying it and Spell Absorption increased his lifepoints.
Mahad: 2800
"Now I attack your Dark Magician Girl." Mahad said surprising him.
"What? But you don't near enough attack points to beat her." Takeru said confused.
"Wrong. You see when I battle a dark-type creature my attack points are doubled!" Mahad said as gold energy surrounds him.
Palladium Oracle Mahad: 5000
"5000 attack points?!" Takeru gasps as Mahad's staff appeared in his hands.
"Witness a true Magician's power!" Mahad declares spinning his staff and blasting Dark Magician Girl destroying her and sending Takeru flying backwards and hitting the ground hard.
Mahad: 2800
Takeru: 400
"With Buster Blader gone your most powerful monsters are all Dark Types. So every time you attack me my points will double." Mahad said as the coffins closed to the point Mindy, Seika and Chazz could barely see any light.
"Well Boss if I'm gonna be buried alive at least I'll be at your side." Ojama Yellow said.
"Oh please someone kill me now." Chazz said hating that more than anything.
"Mindy if this is it I got something to get off my chest." Seika said getting her attention. "I kinda had the hots for your boyfriend."
"Wait what?" Mindy said.
"I hated that you got to him first because I wanted to ask him out and I'm sorry I would flirt or mess with him." Seika said.
"Seika if we get out of this, you and are gonna have a talk." Mindy said.
Groaning Takeru struggled to get back up.
"That…that really hurt Mahad. You really are powerful." Takeru groans in pain as he was on his knees.
"When a magician is at his lowest he realizes his true purpose. In this very tomb, I realized my purpose and even though I knew the danger and the consequences I did was best for the world, for my friends, for my Pharoah." Mahad declares as some light from him crept towards Takeru.
Looking down, Takeru saw the light touch him and suddenly he saw a memory.
In it, he saw Mahad in the same position he was in facing down a man with wild white hair and a large monster with a snake tail as giant swinging blades were moving back and forth.
"I'll give you a choice Mahad. Give me the Millenium Ring and I'll spare you." The man offers.
"I will never give into you." Mahad said standing up.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." The man said as his monster prepared to attack.
"Bakura it must be difficult for someone like you to understand loyalty, but I have taken a vow to protect my King." Mahad said.
"Then you are a fool." Bakura said.
"Maybe to you." Narrowing his eyes Mahad moves towards the blades.
"What are you doing?" Bakura said as Mahad put his fingers to his head.
"Pharaoh…my soul will be your new eternal servant!" Mahad declares as his DiaDhank was destroyed seconds later a blade flew at Mahad cleaving him and sending his Millennium Ring flying towards Bakura.
"So he chose to commit suicide." Bakura mocks.
"Bakura." Gasping Bakura saw the Dark Magician glaring him down. "Impossible? You've merged with your monster?!"
"Bakura for the safety of all and for the good of this world. You will fall." Dark Magician said readying his staff.
"Diabound attack!" Bakura yells as his monster created a powerful beam attack.
"Dark Magic Attack!" Dark Magician said defeating Diabound engulfing Bakura in a bright light as the whole tomb came down on them.
Zooming out of the memory Takeru panted heavily.
"Y-You gave up everything. Even your own life to protect those you cared about." Takeru realized.
"Yes, even though my body was destroyed I continued to protect my King and everyone I cared about as a monster." Mahad nods.
"Mahad I'll admit you're an amazing magician, more amazing than I ever thought. But I'm not leaving anyone to die in this tomb. Not me, not my friends, not even you." Takeru said standing tall.
"Then prove it, show me your power!" Mahad orders.
"With pleasure." Takeru drew and for a brief second a flash of light appeared making Mahad's eyes widen for a second. "I Play Mystical Space Typhoon to get rid of your Spell Absorption."
"I still get its effect one more time." Mahad said as it was destroyed.
Mahad: 3300
"Still not enough after I'm done. I play Emblem of Dragon Destroyer to bring back my Buster Blader!" Takeru said as his warrior appeared back in his hand. "But I know he's not strong enough to bring you down on his own, but luckily I know just the monster to help him." Takeru flips a card around revealing Dark Magician.
"Dark Magician." Mahad said knowing that card very well.
"And now I play Polymerization to fuse my Buster Blader and my Dark Magician!" Takeru said as a vortex appeared in the sky.
"Such power." Mahad said as feeling the magic pool together from the two monsters.
"Buster Blade was the past, Dark Magician was the present now merge them together to create a new monster! Come forth the ultimate magical swordsman! Rise Dark Paladin!" Takeru declares as from the bright light his all-powerful fusion monster appeared.
Dark Paladin: 2900/ 2400
"This is it Mahad. This is the moment I surpass you." Takeru said.
"Yes, that's more than enough to win." Ojama Yellow smiles.
"No it isn't. Aren't you forgetting Mahad's ability? His attack points are doubled when he battles a dark type. And his Paladin is one." Chazz points out.
"5000 attack points." Mindy gulps.
"Please Takeru you gotta have one more trick left. Please." Seika begs.
"A valiant effort Takeru but not enough." Mahad said.
"I'm not done. I activate Riryoku! This drains half of your attack points and adds them to my monster!" Raising his weapon, Dark Paladin zaps Mahad draining his power.
Palladium Oracle Mahad: 1250
Dark Paladin: 4150
"Now even when your points are doubled it won't be enough." Takeru said as Dark Paladin readied his weapon.
Growling Mahad readied his staff as his points wen to 2500.
"Attack the Palladium Oracle!" Charging in Dark Paladin slams his weapon down on Mahad who tries to block with his staff but it was split in half creating an explosion.
Mahad: 1650
Takeru: 400
When the smoke cleared, Mahad was back in the duelist spot and on his field, the purple dark magician had returned.
"The Dark Magician? How is that possible?" Mindy asks.
"When Palladium Oracle Mahad is destroyed I can summon a Dark Magician from my hand, deck, or graveyard. Sorry Takeru but this duel isn't over yet." Mahad said catching his breath.
"Dang it, how can one card be that powerful?" Chazz asks.
"Mahad you are an amazing magician. My Paladin is strong but I bet with a Dark Magician on your field you could easily find a way to overcome it." Takeru smiles.
"Correct." Mahad nods gesturing to the 4 cards still in his hand.
"But…I'm not done with my grand finale." Takeru smiles.
While Mahad, Chazz, Ojama Yellow, and Seika gasped surprised Mindy smiled widely.
"I love him so much right now." Mindy smiles.
"It's like you said every magician saves the best trick for last. Your final trick is good but mine is better. I activate my facedown card De-Fusion!" Takeru said revealing the card he set for Mage Power. "This separates my Paladin into the monsters that made him!" Takeru said as his blue Dark Magician and Buster Blader appeared.
Dark Magician: 2500/ 2100
Buster Blader: 2600/ 2300
"Buster Blader attack Dark Magician!" Takeru points as Buster Blader leaps in the air and slashes Dark Magician destroying it.
Mahad: 1550
Takeru: 400
"No, my Dark Magician." Mahad gasps seeing he was defenseless.
Looking across he saw Takeru and the Blue Dark Magician glaring at him.
"Game over Mahad. You have nothing left." Takeru said.
"It's kinda fitting that you would finish me off with that card." Mahad smiles softly.
"Mahad you were more than just my best Monster. You helped me become a better duelist and a better magician. You're my friend and I thank you." Takeru smiles.
Holding out his arms, Mahad readied himself.
"You know what to do." Mahad said.
"Dark Magician attack Mahad directly! Dark Magic Attack!" Spinning his staff, Dark Magician fires a powerful blast of darkness.
Mahad: 0000
Takeru: 400
As Mahad drops to his knees, Takeru ran to him.
"Mahad, are you okay?" Takeru asks but Mahad smiles.
"You were amazing." Mahad chuckles standing up. "I had my doubts at first but you really amazed me today Takeru. I made the right choice choosing you."
"You did not make it easy that's for sure." Takeru chuckles.
"Even so you completed this challenge." Mahad raises his hand and suddenly a pedestal rose behind him. "And as such you earned a reward."
Looking at it, Takeru saw a gold bangle with Egyptian carvings on it but to his confusion, there was only half of it.
"Hey wait, where's the other one?" Takeru asks.
"It appears someone else gifted in the magic arts took this challenge and won." Mahad said.
Walking up to the pedestal, Takeru took the bangle and put it on his right arm.
"How do I look?" Takeru asks.
"Like a magician." Mahad said.
"Uh not to interrupt whatever moment you're having but can you let us out?!" Seika said.
Looking down, they saw Chazz, Mindy and Seika were still tied up.
"Please hurry I really need to go to the bathroom!" Ojama Yellow said.
"Don't even think about it! I will squash you into paste!" Chazz yells.
"Oh right." Mahad snaps his fingers and the coffins opened up. "You better get them out of here."
"What about you?" Takeru asks.
"I need to do one thing real fast." Mahad said walking away.
Making his way to the back, Mahad runs his hand along his sarcophagus.
At the very end, Mahad saw a carving a man with wild spiky hair making Mahad smile.
'My King it was an honor to fight at your side. Hope you won't mind if I help someone else for a while.' Mahad thought.
Making their way out, Takeru, Seika, Chazz and Mindy saw Jaden's group and smiled.
"Jaden over here!" Takeru waves getting their attention.
"You're okay!" Jaden smiles as they ran over.
"You would not believe what I went through." Takeru said.
"I could say the same to you." Jaden said noticing the bangle on his arm. "Whoa cool bling."
"Yeah there's apparently another half out there." Takeru said when he saw Jaden's half amulet. "I see you got something too."
"Great job you two. I knew you would pass these tests." Banner said.
"Wait what do you mean tests?" Takeru asks.
"Yeah these were challenges." Jaden said confused.
"Uh test, challenges, same thing." Banner said nervously.
"I guess." Takeru said.
"Now it is time for you and your friends to go." Gravekeeper Chief said as he, Commandant and Assailant approached them.
"Sounds good to me, but how?" Jaden asks.
"Go to the gate of the tomb. Just as the three lights combine into one the radiant aurora will open a way back." Chief said.
"But you must hurry there isn't much time." Commandant said when an army of Gravekeeper Spear Soldier and guards approached them.
"Punish! Punish!" They chanted.
"Fools, what are you doing?" Chief asks.
"They must be punished, either by you or by us." A Spear Soldier said.
"This is not good." Madison said.
"Stop, they have paid for their misdeeds and won the challenges." Chief said.
"They've all earned their freedom." Commandant said.
However that didn't stop the army from advancing.
"Jaden look out!" Madison yells as one advanced towards Jaden when Gravekeeper Assailant leaps out and slashes them away, but in doing so her hood fell off revealing her face to be Yasmin.
"Hey it's you." Jaden gasps.
"Yes I am the Gravekeeper's Assailant. I am sorry I attacked you both but I had to obey my chief." Yasmin said.
"It's cool." Jaden said.
"Speak for yourself." Madison said.
"Whoa wait, how you know a girl like that?" Chazz asks checking her out.
"Long story." Jaden said.
"I have a message for you to give to the owner of the other half. Tell him Yasmin is still in the other world and that she hopes that one day we will meet again." She declares.
"Oh boyfriend." Jaden said.
"Of course." Syrus sighs.
"The good ones are always taken." Chazz sighs.
As the army advanced a guard was about to attack Takeru when a staff was banged on the ground causing the entire army to freeze up.
"When you threaten my friends you threaten me as well." Mahad declares emerging from the tomb.
"Mahad." Takeru smiles.
"The great Magician." Chief gasps as Mahad walked towards them.
"I thank you all for protecting my tomb but I will take it from here." Mahad said as both bowed their heads in respect. "Anyone want to try and get through me?"
Instantly the army parted giving them a path.
"Thanks Mahad." Takeru smiles.
"You didn't think you were done with me did you?" Mahad asks.
"So how do we get out?" Takeru asks.
"Oh I think some friends and I can help with that." Mahad said as Winged Kuriboh, Nimble Momonga and Ojama Yellow appeared out Jaden, Chazz and Mindy's deck.
"Hurry!" Yasmin said.
"Don't need to tell me twice!" Chazz said as they all made a run for it.
"Thanks Yasmin!" Jaden yells.
"Good luck." Yasmin said.
Running as fast as they could through the ruins they saw the three suns were getting closer.
"We gotta hurry we don't have much time!" Seika said when Chumley trips and falls.
"Chumley!" Takeru gasps.
"Come on you gotta get up!" Syrus said but Chumley held his knee in pain.
"I can't." He winced. "Just go without me."
"We're not leaving you behind." Jaden said.
"If you don't you'll be stuck here too." Chumley said when a light shined from his backpack.
Bursting out was none other than Chumley's monster Des Koala.
"Chumley has a Duel Spirit too?" Takeru said not expecting that.
"You'd be amazed the kind of spirits that stick around." Mahad said.
Carrying Chumley on his back Des Koala ran ahead with everyone right behind him.
"I love running!" Chumley cheers.
"It's now or never guys! Let's make tracks!" Jaden said as the lights combined making the arch glow.
Running as fast as they could all of them ran into the arch causing a bright light to engulf them.
When the light dies down, Takeru slowly opened his eyes to see Alexis and Mindy leaning against his shoulders with Seika on his lap.
Looking around he saw Jaden leaning against a pillar with Madison on his shoulder and his Winged Kuriboh card by his feet. Chazz, Chumley, Syrus, Banner and Pharaoh were sleeping as well with Ojama Yellow and Des Koala cards on the ground.
'Was it all a dream?' Takeru thought when he noticed the bangle on his arm and at his feet was the Palladium Oracle Mahad card. 'It wasn't a dream.' Takeru gasps picking up the card.