Author's note.
This is most likely the final part of the duel between Jaden and Welma. We'll also get to see what Welma was before she came to Academy Island. So, leave a review, sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Chapter 37
The Battle Beast part 4
"Gladi-what?" Asked Syrus.
"Gladiatrix", answered Ms. Dorothy. "That's the title that female gladiators were given".
"I didn't even know that there WERE female Gladiators" added Damon.
"Now, Andabata!", shouted Welma. "Attack Jaden directly!". Andabata charged forward and struck Jaden.
Jaden: 2600 - 1500 = 1100
"Jaden's almost out of points" said Chumley in worry.
"I'll place this facedown and I'll activate the effects of Nerokius and Andabata, I return them to my extra deck", said Welma as her monsters returned to her extra deck. "I can now summon two 'Gladiator Beast' monsters for each one".
"Each one?!" Asked ShiiShii in shock.
"So that's four monsters!" Added Cherri.
"From Nerokius", said Welma. "I summon Gladiator Beasts Hoplomus and Sagittarii!". Sagittarii returned to her field. Her new monster was an anthropomorphic Rhino wearing thick, beige armour with shields floating around him.
Gladiator Beast Hoplomus
Level: 4
Attribute: Earth
Type: Rock
ATK: 700
DEF: 2400
"And from Andabata", said Welma. "I summon Gladiator Beasts Dimacari and Equeste!". Her monsters returned to her field.
"With 4 more special summons", said Syrus. "That's 4 more counters".
Colosseum the Cage of The Gladiator Beasts
Counters: 5 4 = 9
Gladiator Beast Hoplomus
ATK: 700 900 = 1600
DEF: 2400 900 = 3300
Gladiator Beast Sagittarii
ATK: 1400 900 = 2300
DEF: 1000 900 = 1900
Gladiator Beast Equeste
ATK: 1600 900 = 2500
DEF: 1200 900 = 2100
Gladiator Beast Dimacari
ATK: 1600 900 = 2500
DEF: 1200 900 = 2100
"I'll end my turn" said Welma.
"Alright, my turn", said Jaden drawing the top card of his deck. "I activate Fusion Recovery. Now, I can add one monster listed on a fusion monster and Polymerisation from my deck to my hand. And the monster I choose, is Sparkman. Now, I'll play Polymerisation. I'll use it to fuse Avian, Bubbleman and Sparkman, to fusion summon! Elemental Hero Tempest!". Jaden's new monster looked like a literal combination of his three monsters.
Elemental Hero Tempest
Level: 8
Attribute: Wind
Type: Warrior
ATK: 2800
DEF: 2800
"Sweet, he got a strong monster on the field" cheered Syrus.
"Now, Tempest!", shouted Jaden. "Attack Dimacari with Storm Shot!". Tempest then fired a laser from his cannon arm and destroyed Dimacari.
Welma: 3700 - 300 = 3400
"Next, I play the spell, Fusion Arrow", said Jaden. "If I attacked with a fusion summoned monster, I can gain one additional attack this turn. So, Tempest, attack Sagittarii!". Tempest then destroyed Sagittarii.
Welma: 3400 - 500 = 2900
"Now, I'll set these three cards facedown and end my turn" said Jaden.
"Finally, I can strike the final blow", growled Welma drawing the top card of her deck. "And I can be free of you fuckers!". Welma saw what she drew, and gave a toothy smirk.
"I activate the Spell card, Report to the arena", said Welma. "Now, I get to special summon one 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my deck and treat it as if it was special summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast' monster. The monster I choose to summon, is Gladiator Beast Darius!". Her new monster was an anthropomorphic, brown horse wearing orange armour with silver trim and carried a whip.
Gladiator Beast Darius
Level: 4
Attribute: Earth
Type: Beast-Warrior
ATK: 1700
DEF: 300
Colosseum the cage of the Gladiator Beast
Counters: 9 1 = 10
Gladiator Beast Darius
ATK: 1700 1000 = 2700
DEF: 300 1000 = 1300
Gladiator Beast Hoplomus
ATK: 1600 100 = 1700
DEF: 3300 100 = 3400
Gladiator Beast Dimacari
ATK: 2500 100 = 2600
DEF: 2100 100 = 2200
"Darius' effect now activates", said Welma. "I can now special summon one 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my graveyard, and I choose Gladiator Beast Octavius". Her new monster was an anthropomorphic bald eagle wearing light-green armour with silver trim and orange orbs.
Gladiator Beast Octavius
Level: 7
Attribute: Light
Type: Winged-Beast
ATK: 2500 1000 = 3500
DEF: 1200 1000 = 2200
"Next, I play the spell, Exchange of Authority", said Welma. "Now, I can return one 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my field to my hand to special summon another 'Gladiator Beast' monster that's the same level. So, I return Octavius from my field to my hand". Octavius then returned to her hand.
"Now, I can special summon a level 7 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my hand", said Welma. "Make way for Gladiator Beast Vespasius!". Her new monster was an anthropomorphic, two-tone blue crocodile wearing deep-blue armour with gold trim and yellow orbs. He was also decked out in fins and carried a sword.
Gladiator Beast Vespasius
Level: 7
Attribute: Water
Type: Sea-Serpent
ATK: 2300 1000 = 3300
DEF: 0 1000 = 1000
"Why would she switch those monsters out?", asked Syrus. "Octavius had more attack points than Ves? Vesbar? Uh?".
"Vespasius" corrected ShiiShii.
"Now, I shuffle Vespasius, Darius and Hoplomus back into my deck", said Welma performing the summon. "Now, I think it's time to show you a champion of the battle field! I fusion summon! Gladiator Beast Domitianus!". Her new monster was a teal, anthropomorphic sea-serpent wearing various armour pieces of other Gladiator Beast monsters.
Gladiator Beast Domitianus
Level: 10
Attribute: Water
Type: Sea-Serpent
ATK: 3500 1000 = 4500
DEF: 1200 1000 = 2200
"Next, I'll play the spell card, Cost Down", said Welma. "Now, the level of all the monsters in my hand are reduced by two. So, I don't need to tribute a monster to summon, Gladiator Beast Spartacus!". Her new monster was an anthropomorphic T-Rex wearing brown armour with beige trim, green orbs, bone detailing and carried an axe.
Gladiator Beast Spartacus
Level: 6 - 2 = 4
Attribute: Earth
Type: Dinosaur
ATK: 2200 1000 = 3200
DEF: 1600 1000 = 2600
"Next, I shuffle Spartacus and Dimacari back into my deck", said Welma performing the summon. "So, I fusion summon! Gladiator Beast Gaiodiaz!". Her new monster was an anthropomorphic T-Rex wearing armour that was a much more advanced version of Spartacus' armour.
Gladiator Beast Gaiodiaz
Level: 7
Attribute: Dark
Type: Dinosaur
ATK: 2600 1000 = 3600
DEF: 1500 1000 = 2500
"Two monsters with over 3000 attack points" said Damon in worry.
"That's not good" said Octo.
"Now, you hero is outnumbered", said Welma. "Two to one".
"If either of those monsters attack", said Cherri. "He'll lose".
(Dr. Crowler wearing his duel vest with Ancient Gear Golem behind him): Monmusu.
(Manako wearing a Duel Disk and hiding her face behind a hand of cards while Relinquished is behind her): Monmusu.
"Now, Gaiodiaz!", shouted Welma. "Attack Elemental Hero Tempest!". Gaiodiaz swung his axe.
"I activate my trap, hero barrier!", shouted Jaden. "Now, I can negate your attack if I control a 'Hero' monster". An invisible barrier protected Tempest. Jaden's friends sighed with relief. Welma growled at this.
"I'M NOT GOING BACK INTO THAT CAGE!", shouted Welma. "And my trap is gonna keep it that way, Gladiator Naumachia! Now, not only must your monsters attack me if they can, but, I get to shuffle one 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my hand or graveyard back into my deck, and one 'Gladiator Beast' monster on my field gets a tasty treat; the Defence of that monster. And I choose Attorix, 2000 Defence points. So, Domitianus, take the soul of Octavius and grow in strength!".
Gladiator Beast Domitianus
ATK: 4500 2000 = 6500
"6500!" Shouted Jaden and her friends in worry.
"Now, attack Tempest!" Shouted Welma. Domitianus charged forward, swung his sword.
"Jaden! No!" Shouted Syrus. Tempest was then destroyed, causing a cloud of smoke. Welma was about to give a thumbs down, when-.
"Not so fast". The smoke faded and Jaden was still standing.
"H-H-How?", asked Welma. "How did you survive?".
"Thanks to my trap, Nutrient Z", said Jaden. "Since your attack able to do more 2000 points of damage, I received and extra 4000 life points".
Jaden: 1100 4000 - 3700 = 1400
Gladiator Beast Domitianus
ATK: 6500 - 2000 = 4500
"I end my turn", said Welma. "You might as well give up. My monsters will destroy any monster you summon. You've lost".
"It's not over until it's over", said Jaden drawing the top card of his deck. "I play the spell card, Miracle Fusion! Now, I can banish 'Elemental Hero' monsters from my graveyard. So, I'll Banish Clayman and Sparkman!". Storm clouds rolled in, lightning flashed and thunder crashed.
"I fusion summon!", shouted Jaden. "Elemental Hero! Lightning Colossus!". Jaden's new monster was a muscular man wearing Yellow armour decked out in white lightning decals, a visor over his eyes and thunder orbs on his body.
Elemental Hero Lightning Colossus
Level: 6
Attribute: Earth
Type: Warrior
ATK: 2400
DEF: 1500
"That's a new one" said Cherri.
"Remember what Bastion said?", asked ShiiShii. "When you fuse 'Elemental Hero' monsters, there's a fusion monster for each attribute".
"Now, I activate Lightning Colossus' special ability", said Jaden. "When he's summoned, I can destroy one card you control and inflict you with 1000 points of damage. So, I choose Domitianus! Go! Lightning Blast!". Domitianus was then destroyed by a flash at lightning.
Welma: 2900 - 1000 = 1900
"Now, I activate the field spell, Skyscraper!" Said Jaden. The area then changed into a modern city setting.
"No! My Colosseum!" Shouted Welma.
Gladiator Beast Gaiodiaz
ATK: 3600 - 1000 = 2600
DEF: 2500 - 1000 = 1500
"Now, I play the spell, spell reproduction", said Jaden. "Now, I can discard 2 spell cards, in order to bring back one, and I choose, Fusion Arrow. Now, a fusion monster I control can attack once again in a row".
"Your monster still has to attack mine, remember?" Asked Welma.
"Oh, I know, and I plan to attack anyway" answered Jaden.
"Huh?" Asked Welma.
"You see, with Skyscraper out", said Jaden. "'Elemental Hero' monsters that are battling monsters with higher attack, it's attack points go up by a grand total of, 1000".
Elemental Hero Lightning Colossus
ATK: 2400 1000 = 3400
"Now, attack Gladiator Beast Gaiodiaz!", shouted Jaden. "Lightning Uppercut!". Lightning Colossus then punched Gaiodiaz in the jaw with a lightning covered fist, destroying him.
Welma: 1900 - 800 = 1100
"And don't forget, he still has his extra attack", said Jaden. "Go!". Lightning Colossus then fired a beam of lightning at Welma. The blast knocked her off her feet.
Welma: 1100 - 3400 = 0
"And that's game" said Jaden. The holograms disappeared. Jaden then walked over to Welma.
"Hey, uh, you okay?" Asked Jaden. He heard Welma growl before grumbling.
"Huh?" Asked Jaden. Welma raised her heard, growled and lunged at Jaden.
"I'M NOT GOING BACK!".
The sound of a gun was heard and Welma fell to the floor. Jaden was worried, thinking that she was dead. However, he was relieved to find a tranquilliser dart in her back.
"Where did that come from?" Asked Damon.
"From us". They then saw Zombina, Manako, Tio and Doppel were there, decked out in their M.O.N uniforms, with Manako holding a sniper rifle.
"When and how did you find us?" Asked Moskii.
"Ms. Dorothy called us" answered Zombina. Jaden and his friends then looked at Ms. Dorothy.
"Guilty as charged" said Ms. Dorothy.
"Then why didn't you shoot her FROM THE START?!" Shouted Syrus.
"We wanted to see who won" answered Doppel.
"Anyway", said Jaden as he picked up Welma. "Let's get her to the nurse's office".
They soon arrived at the Nurse's office. Ms. Fontaine was there, given her medical job.
"How's she doing?" Asked Octo.
"I'm not sure", answered Ms. Fontaine. "I'm not that knowledgeable of Liminal medical practices. But, she doesn't appear to have any broken bones. If only we could get those shackles off her". Jaden then had an idea. He grabbed one of Ms. Fontaine's hair pins and fiddles with it in the keyhole.
Easy now" said Jaden.
Click.
"Got it" said Jaden. The shackle opened up and the shackle fell off. He then unlocked the other three.
"Uh, guys", said Jaden. "I think she losing fur?". Zombina then took a look. He was right, there were bald patches on Welma's body.
"He's right" said Zombina.
"Why would she lose fur?" Asked Alexis.
"Zane said that animals can lose hair due to stress" added Syrus.
"Look at this", said Ms. Fontaine looking at Welma's body. "There are marks on her body. And it looks like she was, wearing something tight". Welma groaned as she started to wake up. When she opened her eyes, Jaden was the first thing she saw.
"Uh, hi" said Jaden nervously. Welma then lunged at Jaden, and pinned him to the ground. Everyone panicked and Manako held up her rifle.
"Wait, Welma", said Jaden, still panicking and trying to sound calm. "Wait. Please". Welma eventually stopped.
"It's alright", said Jaden trying to remain calm. "You're safe". Welma then calmed down, her expression practically fading. She then stood up to her full height. Even with with her canine-like legs, she was at taller than Zane, probably by about a head and a half, at least.
"There's nothing to fear" said Ms. Dorothy. Welma tried to move forward, but, she stumbled, only for Jaden to catch her. Welma only pushed him off and she landed on one of the beds.
"Where, where am I?" Growled Welma.
"You're at the nurse's office at duel academy" answered Jaden.
"So, I'm not on the mainland?" Asked Welma.
"No, you're not", answered Jaden. "But-".
"Why are you here?" Asked Ms. Fontaine.
"And why were you stealing from us?" Asked Ms. Dorothy.
"I got on the wrong boat", answered Welma. "When I escaped, I got onto a ship that I thought would take me to Domino City. I should've read the manifest".
"Escaped?", asked ShiiShii. "From what?".
"The. The Pits" answered Welma. This left everyone confused.
"The Pits?" Asked Chumley.
"Ever heard of the ULDL?" Asked Welma. She didn't get an answer. Until-.
"Uh, no", answered Chumley. "No, I don't think we have. Can you tell us?". Welma only hung her head.
"I. I'm not ready to speak", said Welma as she laid down. "Ask me tomorrow". Welma then fell asleep.
"I'll keep an eye on her", said Ms. Fontaine. "I'll also notify the other staff about this".
The next day.
Jaden was sitting at the lunch table as he, Syrus, Chumley, Alexis, Moskii, ShiiShii, Cherri and Octo were filling Bastion, Simon and Augustus in.
"So, you fought a werewolf?" Asked Bastion.
"That's right" answered Jaden.
"She kept referring to Jaden as 'Tamer'" said Syrus.
"Tamer?" Asked Bastion.
"Hey, J.J". They then saw Zombina walk up to the table where Jaden sat.
"Oh, hi Zombina", said Jaden. "So, what brings you here?".
"We did some tests on Welma's blood", answered Zombina. "And we, found something".
"What did you find?" Asked Jaden.
"Some kind of, artificial adrenaline hormone", answered Zombina. "That would explain several things". Bastion then thought of something.
"You said that Welma was aggressive as hell?" Asked Bastion.
"Yeah" answered Jaden.
"I think she was like that because she still had that hormone in her" continued Bastion.
"Is she, welcoming visitors?" Asked Jaden.
"She's allowing you guys to visit", said Zombina. "And only you".
"Thanks" said Jaden.
Later on, Jaden and his friends arrived at the nurse's office and saw Welma sitting on one of the beds with her legs curled up to her chest and her arms crossed.
"Hey, Welma" said Jaden.
"Hello, Jaden" said Welma.
"Well, it's tomorrow", said Jaden. "So, care to give us the details?". Welma sighed.
"When the interspecies bill passed", said Welma. "I thought it would be a chance at freedom. Little did I know, I had signed up for a fake one".
"A fake interspecies bill sign up?" Asked Jaden.
"Exactly", answered Jaden. "Well, they took us to the arena and….well, actually, it was more like a pit, or a hell hole. We did learn duel monster though. They forced us to wear garb and outfits to make us look like fighters".
"Hence the markings I found" said Ms. Fontaine.
"They drugged us up on artificial adrenaline until we were crazy enough to fight anyone", continued Welma. "They even had shackles and tasers to restrain and control us. Eventually, a fire was started and the arena burnt down. Thankfully, we all escaped and well, you know the rest. But, it was better then the alternative".
"What alternative?" Asked Simon.
"Think", said Welma. "What happens to dogs who disobey their masters?".
"Wh-what happens?" Asked Syrus.
"They get the needle" answered Welma. They then heard a loud slam; Jaden had slammed his fist on the table.
"Those fuckers", Jaden growled. "I take it that ULDL stands for Underground Liminal Duelling League?".
"Yeah", sighed Welma. "Yeah. So, when am I gonna get locked up?". This left everyone confused.
"What do you mean?" Asked Jaden. Welma only looked at him and sniffed.
"Where else can I go?" Asked Welma. Jaden walked up to her.
"Why not stay here?", asked Jaden. "You're a great duelist and I'm pretty sure you can become a champion. A champion that everyone could love, and you can make you're own terms".
"You mean, I-I won't get locked up?" Asked Welma.
"Of course not", answered Jaden. "You're free from that place". The sound of sniffing was heard, Welma then hugged Jaden as she started to cry. Jaden did the only thing he could do; return it.
Unbeknownst to him, Chancellor Shepherd was watching this and smiled.
'Well, Jaden', thought Chancellor Shepherd. 'I guess that you are going to change the world. If not in through duelling, then perhaps through your compassion'.
