Hello, everyone. No, I'm not dead. I'm really sorry for the lack of updates over the last couple of months. Remember that depression I mentioned? It struck me out of nowhere back in August and it took me quite a while to get through it. I was getting over it, only for some RL stuff to happen that sent me back in. Couple with the bane of every writer, Writer's block and motivation to write, it took me a while to hammer out this chapter. But I'm getting better now. I thank you all for your patience.
Now onwards.
The night before the semi-finals was a tense one. The duelists were up late, making some last minute adjustments to their decks. In the Slifer Red dorm, Syrus had been working far harder then Jaden, remaking his Techno deck from the ground up. Pegasus had given him several new cards for doing so well in the tournament with them. He fell in love with them right away and began making this new deck. He knew Sartorius was going to be expecting either Technos or Cyberdarks, but this? He wouldn't be expecting this.
He added the last card, DMG and frowned. He thought of his opponent.
Sartorius was going to play head games with him.
He was rattled from his duel with Zane and Sartorius was going to capitalize on that. The man figured out what made them tick and tried to make himself out as some kind of savior. Come to save them from their flaws and failings.
Syrus growled low. He was no savior. He was just a man being used by some kind of parasite for its own sick amusement.
Crawling into bed, Syrus placed his glasses down, determination filling him. He wouldn't best Sartorius, but he sure would give that monster a fight.
EODGX
The next day was cloudy and overcast. A sign of things to come? That was what everyone in the Empire of Darkness thought as they trickled into the arena. Jaden and Syrus were already standing there, Sartorius and Aster walking up. The four ignored the gossip and sneers from either side. They stood waiting for Sheppard.
The usually jovial man stood from his seat. His face was stony but that soon changed and gained a large smile.
"The semi-finals of the GenX tournament. Hard to think that just three months ago, the tournament was going full steam. The four that stand before you overcame all odds and obtained their place as elites. Now, I think I bored you all enough so will Jaden and Aster please leave the arena?" Sheppard asked.
The King and Prince nodded, Jaden giving a soft reassuring smile to Syrus.
"Do not go quietly into that night." The King said, Syrus nodding.
"I don't plan on it."
Once the pair were off the arena, Sartorius and Syrus took up their respective corners. The Ref came out, looking at the pair. As one, they walked to the center and handed over one another's decks. They began to shuffle, Syrus scowling as he felt the cards of Sartorius. They felt oily, sinister, and just...wrong! He handed the cards back, Sartorius doing the same.
Both walked back to their corners, the ref lifting his flags.
"Blue Corner, are you ready?!"
"Ready to serve Fate's grand design." Sartorius said, slotting his deck and activating his disk.
Ignoring what he had said, the ref turned.
"Red Corner, are you ready?!"
"YES!" Syrus roared, slotting his deck.
"Then...DUEL!"
Sartorius: 8000/Syrus: 8000
Both drew their opening hand, opening it up. Sartorius looked over his hand, frowning slightly. His opening hand wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. He chose a monster and revealed it to be The Empress. He summoned it in defense mode.
Syrus watched the alien like monster appear, the card doing the same. It started to spin around slowly. Syrus watched it intently, waiting for the right moment. When the card was right side up, he bit his lower lip.
Once the card tilted, Syrus lips moved.
"STOP!"
The card slowed...and stopped.
Upside-down.
Sartorius and the SoL were shell-shocked. Syrus had done the supposedly impossible! He had gotten one of the Arcana Force cards upside down! Syrus smirked, knowing what that meant. Sartorius played Cup of Ace, the card slowly turning.
The card landed right face up after a shout of 'stop' allowing the man to draw two cards. He placed both facedown right away, ending his turn. Syrus drew, looking at his own hand.
He smiled at seeing his hand. He picked a card.
"I first summon to the field in attack mode, Techno-Mage Nova!"
(Techno-Mage Nova – LV/****, Attribute/FIRE, ATK/1800, DEF/1200, Type/Spellcaster/Effect.
This card is also treated as a Machine-Type while on the field or in the GY. Add 1 Spell Counter to this card for each Spell card activated. At the End Phase of each turn, inflict 200 points of damage times the number of Spell Counters on this card. Remove all Spell Counters during your Standby Phase.)
Nova was a red and white armor wearing human with a pair of cyber legs. In his hands were a pair of short staffs with orbs of amber on them. The monster landed, glaring. Sartorius' monster turned to him, taking a card and sliding it into his GY, making the man hiss.
He had lost The World. But the duel was still young.
"Not done yet! I play Techno-Tome Velocity and bring out Techno-Mage Lunaris via its effect!"
Nova Spell counter: 1
An orb on Nova lit up. Syrus wasn't done though. He played Pot of Greed, drawing another two cards and gaining another Spell counter on Nova. He revealed one of the cards.
Nova Spell counter: 2
"I play Techno-Tome Heat Wave!"
(Techno-Tome Heat Wave – Type/Spell/Normal.
Select 1 "Techno-Mage" monster in play. Inflict half of its ATK as damage. The selected monster cannot attack this turn.)
Nova Spell counter: 3
"I chose Lunaris!"
Sartorius hissed, the air around him warming fast.
Sartorius: 6750
"Nova, attack his Empress! Take her out!"
Nova nodded, charging forward. He blasted the Empress with fireballs from his staff, making Sartorius snarl. Syrus smirked, placing a card facedown.
"Once I end my turn, Nova's effect kicks in. For each spell counter he's got on him, he inflicts two hundred points of damage to you, Sartorius! I count three!"
Tiny embers struck the psychic, making him cry out.
Sartorius: 6150
"A clever move...but futile." Sartorius said, drawing his card. "I activate The Material Lord and discard my Strength to gain insight into the Spirits."
"Not so fast! I use my Seven Tools of the Bandit counter trap!"
(Seven Tools of the Bandit – Type/Trap/Counter.
When a Trap Card is activated: Pay 1000 LP; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it.)
Syrus: 7000
"I would be worried...if I did not have my own counter of the same name." Sartorius stated.
Syrus growled, seeing the counter flip up.
Sartorius: 5150
The trap on Syrus side exploded. Syrus grimaced, seeing Sartorius continue the effect of The Material Lord. He gained the next trap, adding it to his hand. Syrus watched as he shuffled his hand around, making the boy flinch. He had lost sight of the card. Sartorius placed two cards facedown and summoned a monster in facedown defense mode, ending his turn.
Syrus drew, seeing it was DMG. He frowned, looking over his hand. He didn't have the means to get her out, but needed to hold on for now. He took a card, playing it. Appearing next to Lunaris was Avis. Syrus smirked.
"I tune my level three Avis to Lunaris! The powers of sun and moon merge to create a new power! I synchro summon Techno-Mage Eclipse!"
(Techno-Mage Eclipse – LV/***********, Attribute/DARK, ATK/3500, DEF/3000, Type/Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect.
1 "Techno-Mage" Tuner Monster + 1+ Non-Tuner Monster
This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Synchro Summon. This card's name is treated as 'Magician of Black Chaos' only in the GY. This card's type is also treated as Machine-Type while on the field OR in the GY. When this card is summoned, add 1 spell card from your GY to your hand. Whenever this card destroys a monster in battle, inflict half of the destroyed monster's ATK.)
Eclipse looked like Magician of Black Chaos, at least armor wise. The armor was a black with yellow trimming, no doubt to represent a Solar Eclipse. Both eyes were cybernetic with purple eyes in them. A card slid out of Syrus Graveyard. He revealed it to be Heat Wave. He then used Velocity's power.
"I use its power to bring out a good friend of mine. Dark Magician Girl!"
The female magician appeared, giving a wink and a kiss to Syrus. But the boy didn't blush like normal. He was too focused.
DMG – ATK/2000 → 2300
"Why summon that mage?" Sartorius asked, confused.
"You'll see. For now, I'll have her attack your facedown monster!"
The woman aimed her scepter at the facedown, a pink orb shooting out of it. The card flipped up to reveal The Fool. Syrus cursed, knowing why Sartorius chose it. The attack struck, but the monster remained in place. Syrus clicked his teeth, setting another two cards facedown and ending.
Sartorius drew, activating the Spiritual Lord and discarding The Fiend. Syrus got ready, seeing him add the final card needed for that monster. Sartorius revealed it, The Sky Lord.
The three lights converged. It changed into a bright white light, morphing into The Light Ruler. Sartorius cackled at the presence of his mightest beast. The card rotated above it, Syrus calling out the word 'stop'.
The card landed right-side up.
"Now I will gain a card from my grave whenever my Light Ruler destroys a monster. Speaking of...attack his DMG!"
But the monster refused. Syrus smirked, revealing a trap.
"Sorry, but I chained your monster's effect with my Threatening Roar trap. No battle phase for you!"
Sartorius snarled, placing a card facedown and ending. What else could he do? Syrus drew his card, looking at it. Seeing what it was, he smirked. He looked at the facedown, frowning. Could he chance it? What if it was a trap to stop what he needed?
The tiny blueette shook his head clear of the doubts. He needed to take this chance! Even if the trap was something to stop him, he had to at least try! He held the card high.
"I use Polymerization! With powers of sun, moon, and eclipse combined, I reveal a power divine! I fusion summon! Dark Magician Sorceress!"
Both DMG and Eclipse became red and blue energy, merging in a vortex. With a bright flash of light, a new monster was revealed.
The monster was female, wearing a black magician's hat on her head, eerily similar to Magician's Valkyria. Her outfit, while similar in design to DMG's, was fully body armor. A staff was in both of her hands, her green eyes glowing with power.
(Dark Magician Sorceress – LV/*********, Attribute/DARK, ATK/3000, DEF/2500, Type/Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect.
"Dark Magician Girl" + 1 LV 5 or HIGHER Spellcaster-Type Monster
This card can only be summoned by Fusion Summon. This card gains 400 ATK for each "Dark Magician", "Magician of Black Chaos", and/or "Dark Magician of Chaos" in the GY. Once per turn, you can send 1 Spellcaster-Type monster to the GY; add 1 Spell card from your GY to your hand. When a monster is destroyed by this monster, Special Summon 1 Spellcaster-Type Monster from your Deck or GY.)
"I equip my Sorceress with my Wonder Wand card!" Syrus stated, revealing the other facedown he had played.
(Wonder Wand – Type/Spell/Equip. Equip only to a Spellcaster monster. It gains 500 ATK. If you control the equipped monster and this card: You can send both to the GY; draw 2 cards.)
A small wand appeared in her belt. It glowed dimly, the same glow appearing around her.
DMS – ATK/3000 → 3500
"Still not powerful enough, Mister Truesdale. Unlike your brother. He at least knew how to use his cards properly." Sartorius taunted.
Syrus grit his teeth, but ignored the man's taunting. He used the effect of his Sorceress. He sent a card to the GY and regained his Techno-Tome Velocity spell. After that, he double checked his graveyard. He saw he had Lunaris, Shadow (sent via Sorceress' own effect), and Eclipse. That made him smirk. Everyone had assumed Lunaris was the only monster to be treated as Dark Magician. They were wrong. Those three made Dark Magician Sorceress stronger.
"DMS! Attack with Black Spiral Magic!"
"What a fool!" Aster cried out, laughing. "His little witch is weaker then The Light Ruler!"
Syrus just smirked. From her scepter, a black spiral wave of magic came out. It soared through the air, crashing into The Light Ruler. The Light Ruler held firm...for about five seconds. The monster began to crack and crumble before the blast tore right through it. Syrus smirked.
"Oh, I must have forgot to mention this. She allows me to send a spellcaster to the grave to gain back a spell card of mine AND gains four hundred extra attack points for each 'Dark Magician', 'Black Magician of Chaos', or 'Dark Magician of Chaos' that's in my grave. I sent Techno-Mage Shadow to the GY for her effect and his name is treated as Dark Magician of Chaos while in the grave. Couple with Lunaris and Eclipse...well, she gained twelve hundred points."
DMS – ATK/3500 → 4700
Sartorius: 4450
"Awesome! Sy took out Satroius's biggest monster!" Maurice cheered, everyone doing the same.
"But don't count Sartorius out yet." Salome warned. "He's no doubt going to be pissed beyond hell that The Light Ruler was destroyed."
She was right. Sartorius' face was contorted in pure rage. Syrus stared back, returning the scowl.
"Whenever DMS destroys a monster, I'm allowed to bring back a Spellcaster." Syrus explained.
A card slid out from his GY slot and he grabbed it. Placing it on an MZ, it was revealed to be DMG.
DMG – ATK/2000 + 900 → 2900
He grabbed a card from his hand, placing it facedown.
"I end." Syrus said.
Sartorius wordlessly drew his card. He looked at it and then revealed it. It was a spell card called Court of Justice. All around the pair was a court of solid gold, a halo above. Syrus frowned; what was this madman planning? The man didn't say another word. He revealed his facedown card. It was a Trap called Arcana Burial.
(Arcana Burial – Type/Trap/Normal. Send 1 "Arcana Force" Monster from your Deck to the GY.)
A card slid out and was played into the Grave. Sartorius revealed another spell card. Pot of Avarice.
(Court of Justice – Type/Spell/Continuous.
During your Main Phase: You can Special Summon 1 Fairy monster from your hand. You must control a Level 1 Fairy monster to activate and to resolve this effect. You can only use this effect of "Court of Justice" once per turn.)
(Pot of Avarice – Type/Spell/Normal.
Target 5 monsters in your GY; shuffle all 5 into the Deck, then draw 2 cards.)
"I return the Fiend, The Light Ruler, The Empress, The Strength, and finally, The World to my deck." Sartorius spoke, Syrus going ramrod straight in fear.
His voice! It sounded so...twisted and vile! He gulped. Thanks to Avarice, the cards were re-shuffled in. He drew two cards, looking at them. He smirked.
"I activate the field spell card, Light Barrier."
(Light Barrier – Type/Spell/Field.
During your Standby Phase, toss a coin. If the result is Tails, the following effects are negated until your next Standby Phase:
●When you Summon an "Arcana Force" monster, choose which effect to apply without tossing a coin. If an "Arcana Force" monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you gain Life Points equal to the destroyed monster's original ATK.)
"Now thanks to my Court, I use its power to bring forth...Arcana Force Fifteen – The Fiend!"
(Arcana Force XV – The Fiend – LV/*******, Attribute/LIGHT, ATK/2500, DEF/2500, Type/Fairy/Effect.
You can discard this card; add 1 "Light Barrier" from your Deck or GY to your hand. If this card is Summoned: Toss a coin and gain the appropriate effect.
● Heads: When an attack is declared involving this card: You can target 1 monster on the field; destroy it, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to its controller.
● Tails: When an attack is declared involving this card: Destroy all monsters on the field.)
The long spindly arms of the monster appeared, the claws gleaming in the light. All three eyes of the monster opened up, flashing purple. The card appeared. Syrus was ready to call stop but it spun around once. It stayed face-up.
"What the-?" Maurice said, shocked.
"It's Light Barrier's effect. As long as its in play, Sartorius can chose the card effect." Alexis stated, scowling.
"Then that means..." Ronald whispered.
Sartorius attacked with the Fiend. DMS cracked before exploding. Syrus covered his face, looking at Sartorius. The man placed a card facedown and ended his turn.
Syrus: 6500
Syrus drew, looking over his hand. He had a feeling that the facedown was a trap, but he had a chance to knock Sartorius out. He looked at DMG who nodded. Syrus looked at The Fiend.
"DMG, attack the Fiend! Black Scepter blast!"
DMG let out a cry, an orb of pink energy flying forward. Sartorius revealed his face down.
"I reveal my trap, Altered Destiny!"
(Altered Destiny – Type/Trap/Normal.
When this card is played, negate an attack. A hologram of this card will appear and spin. Your opponent is to yell 'STOP'. Depending the cards placement determines its effect;
Right Side up: Destroy a monster on the field. Inflict twice the damage of its original ATK to the controller.
Upside Down: Destroy all monsters in play. Inflict 500 points of damage to both players.)
The card's artwork revealed a third path between a path of light and a path of darkness. The card began to slowly spin. Seeing this, Syrus began to sweat. He never heard of this card nor he knew its effect. He waited until the right moment and shouted.
"STOP!"
The card slowly came to a stop. The sound of it turning echoed each time in everyone's ears. They watched it slowly become-
Right.
Side.
Up.
"Okay...so what does that do?" Syrus asked.
His answer was DMG screaming as she blew up. Syrus saw the pink orb coming at him and skidded back from the strike.
Syrus: 3100
"Whoa, what?!" Chazz yelped.
"How did that happen?!" Bastion bellowed.
"Altered Destiny not only negates an attack, but if it lands right side up, it allows me to destroy a monster and inflict damage of its original attack times two. Now...do you end your turn?"
"Not quite. I use my facedown trap! Spellcaster Coffin!"
(Spellcaster Coffin – Type/Trap/Normal. Select up to 2 Spellcaster-Type monster in your GY. Special Summon 1 to your opponent's side of the field and the other to yours. Select 1 Spellcaster summoned by this effect; Destroy a monster whose level is higher then the selected monster(s).)
Two boxes appeared, opening up. One revealed DMG, the other revealed Avis. Avis joined Sartorius's side while DMG joined his own. The Fiend then blew up making Sartorius snarl.
"Let's try this again! DMG, attack!"
"I discard Temperance to negate any damage I would take." Sartoris sneered.
Avis was destroyed, but Sartorius' life points remained. Syrus ended his turn, frowning. He gave it his all. Destroyed Sartorius' best monster...and still came up short. Sartorius drew. The Light Barrier card spun around, Syrus calling out stop. It landed right side up much to Syrus' sorrow. Sartorius ignored it. He looked at the card he had drawn and revealed it.
"I play Arcana Rebirth."
(Arcana Rebirth – Type/Spell/Quick-play.
Select 1 "Arcana Force" Monster summoned this duel. Special Summon it, ignoring any summoning conditions.)
Everyone watched as The Light Ruler returned. The card reappeared spinning around until it was right side up. Syrus grunted, getting ready. Sartorius revealed a final card in his hand.
"I play the spell card, Enlightenment!"
(Enlightenment – Type/Spell/Normal.
Target 1 LIGHT monster in play. It gains 1000 ATK until your opponent's End Phase.)
The Light Ruler – ATK/4000 + 1000 → 5000
"Light Ruler! Attack! DESTROY DMG!"
The monster bellowed, two orbs of light appearing in the mouths of the dragon. The two lights shot forward, becoming one. DMG screamed as she was consumed in the white fire.
Syrus: 1000
A single card slid out of Sartorius grave. He revealed it. Everyone groaned. It was Pot of Avarice. Five monsters were returned to the deck, shuffled and then drew two more cards. Sartorius revealed one of them.
"Mischief of the Time Goddess. Light Ruler! End this!"
Once more, the twin lights were launched and became one. Syrus was consumed in the blast. Despite the explosion, the smoke and dust cleared to show him still standing.
Syrus: 0
"Well...I can take comfort in the fact I took down your best." Syrus commented, glaring at the man. "But your acolyte is gonna fall again."
Syrus jumped down, walking back to his side who were congratulating him. Everyone turned to see Sartorius return to the SOL, allowing both Jaden and Aster to take the stage.
This was going to be one hell of a duel.
Syrus did not quietly in this duel. He took out the Light Ruler AND made Sartorius lose his cool. Something only Jaden has ever done. I've gotten some flak about not revealing the other Wicked HEROes, but rest assured, they will be revealed in the duel with Aster!
Please, leave a review and I will try not to go radio silent again for months on end.