Ra Dorm: Kai's Room, Night…
Kai sat within the now barren room he's called home for over a month now. While he was at the beach with everyone, the movers had already taken his things to the blue dorm. Professor Sartyr had told him he'd be moving there tomorrow.
The man even held a feast to celebrate the occasion. Despite Dimitri having to move to the red dorm tomorrow, he was celebrating as though he'd gotten a promotion instead. It just made Kai glad to see his friend was back to normal.
The heroic user smiled as he looked out the window at the night covered island. "I've achieved the first of the stipulations Zane gave me, and on the road to that I finally got my deck settled to the point it feels like mine. Whatever happens now, I'll be ready."
Slifer Dorm
Jaden, Syrus, Chumley, and Greg sat together in the dorm's cafeteria by the light of a single candle. That night, the boys had decided to tell scary stories. The way each told their story was determined by drawing from a deck full of different monsters.
The level of the monster you pulled dictated how frightening your story had to be. So far, some stories were scary while others weren't. Syrus had just finished telling a story about a card in the water. When he reached for it, he was pulled in.
"Hm, water's not that scary." Jaden commented with a smile.
"Maybe not to you." Greg grinned as he pointed to Chumley who'd retreated several seats and looked downright terrified. "You alright there?"
Chumley chuckled nervously. "Just happened to drop something is all."
"Anyways, looks like it's my turn." Jaden put his hand on the deck. "Hope I get a good one." Much to his disappointment, it was the level one, Sinister Serpent. "Oh…"
"Aw, you lucked out." Syrus stated as Chumley retook his seat. "You hardly have to scare us."
"Alright, well I think I've got a story that will do the trick." Jaden rested his head in his hands. "Well…it's more like a memory."
He proceeded to tell his dormmates about strange voices and sounds he used to hear as a child. Every night, he would get out of bed, but when he went into the next room, he found only his own cards.
Understandably, Syrus and Chumley were less than impressed. "That's it?"
Jaden chuckled before memories of the past month ran through his mind. "Do you want to know something strange? Lately, I've been hearing them again."
"What are these voices like?" Greg asked, genuinely curious.
"I don't know how to explain it." Jaden responded. "It's just, sometimes when I look at my cards, I hear them. Like they're as close as you and I."
"HAHAHAHAHA!" A voice laughed. "Hey, I want to join in on the fright fest!"
The boys screamed, snapping around to find Professor Banner standing with Pharoh in his arms.
"You just did!" Syrus cried.
"I'll say." Greg added.
Chumley had even retreated once again because of that.
"Hey, since you're here teach, why don't you draw a card?" Jaden offered. "The higher the level, the scarier the story you got to tell."
"Oh, that seems easy enough." The professor knelt and picked the top card. "Let's see here."
He revealed it to be the level twelve, Five-Headed Dragon.
"Wow, that's a top-level monster." Jaden gasped.
"I think I'm going to go to bed now." Syrus squeaked.
Once again, Banner began to laugh. "Don't you want to hear about the abandoned dorm at the end of the island?"
Outside the Slifer Dorm
Dr. Crowler peered into the cafeteria from the window. He listened in as Banner told the four slackers about the abandoned dorm. Crowler was aware of the mystery surrounding the building. Two years prior, several Obelisk Blue students had disappeared.
Rumors had it the disappearances had something to do with the shadow games, but who would believe that bull? The academy had tried to keep the matter under the table, but there were still a few who knew of the occurrence.
The dorm itself was supposedly haunted and since then, the academy had deemed it off-limits to students. Anyone caught near or in it were to be expelled. Why they didn't just knock down the thing down was beyond Crowler.
He snapped out of it when he heard the door to the cafeteria slide open. Crowler had to quickly hide in the shadows as Banner left. Only once he heard Banner's door close did the good doctor relax and continue to eavesdrop.
Slifer Dorm
"You know, there is this creepy building I saw in the forest once." Syrus voiced.
"Aw sweet, then you'll lead the way for us tomorrow night." Jaden declared.
"Wait a sec, what do you mean us?" Chumley asked.
"C'mon guys, it'll be fun!" Jaden declared, almost cinching this is what they'd do tomorrow.
Outside the Slifer Dorm
Crowler had heard enough as a wicked, toothy grin spread over his lips. It seemed Banner had neglected to mention the dorm was forbidden. This was the perfect opportunity to scare the daylights out of the upstart Slifer who had embarrassed him.
"I think it's time the 'shadow games' made a comeback." He giggled to himself, dark thoughts dancing through his devious mind as he left the dorm.
Slifer Dorm
"Look, I'm not opposed to this Jaden; however, I think we should at least put it off until Saturday." Greg voiced. "That way we'll have a full day to recover from being out at night rather than having to go to school the next day."
"I suppose." Jaden's eagerness faltered a bit, but he would like to do this with all his Slifer dormmates. "Alright, we'll hold off until Saturday night."
While Jaden wanted to see this abandoned dorm sooner, he supposed they could wait. Realistically, what would be the difference between going tomorrow night or days later?
City Alleyway
Two men were dueling within an alleyway, and one of them was losing badly.
"Take anything you want. Just, don't hurt me!"
"What I want…" The man who dominated this duel wore a fedora, mask, and trench coat. "...Is your soul."
He held up what looked like an artifact before it glowed brightly.
"No, please! Show some mercy!"
"Some mercy…" The shady man smirked. "What is that?" His opponent screamed before collapsing to the ground, motionless. "Rest in peace within the Shadow Realm." As he approached, his phone rang. "Speak…Duel Academy tomorrow night? I'll be there."
Obelisk Blue Dorm: Next Morning…
Kai made his way to the blue dorm, wearing his new blue blazer, where he was personally greeted by Crowler. With him was a male student with long brown hair and glasses. The heroic user got the sense Crowler didn't do this sort of thing often.
Over the past month, he's gotten a true read on his new dorm head. He seemed the farthest from Sartyr anyone could be. Crowler played favorites, and after his prior 'dog' Chazz took one too many losses…Well, it was evident the man was attempting to have Kai take his place.
Even if the heroic user wanted that, he had far too many friends outside the dorm to just ignore them like Crowler would want. No matter how high Kai rose, he'd already resolved to never forget the people who were true to him all this time.
Eventually, Kai was left in the male student's, Torrey's, hands. Torrey took Kai around the male dorm which was honestly something to behold. The common room, private library, indoor swimming pool, gym, and huge 'cafeteria'. Beyond the scenery, Torrey was a nice guy.
Nothing like the Obelisk males the heroic user has met up to this point. The final stop on the tour was Kai's new dorm room. It was twice as big as the one in the yellow dorm. A flat screen TV, sofa, bed, bathroom, a mini cooking area, and a mahogany deck with a matching book case.
It was one heck of a room. While Kai recognized he should probably get unpacking, one negative aspect to this promotion, he decided it could wait. Right now, he wanted to look at the dorm himself. Get a feel for it without a guide, though Torrey had been great.
As Kai walked along the halls, he ended up spotting a rather peeved looking Chazz who was alone. It was understandable why Topher wasn't with him anymore, given what happened, but it seems Conklin had abandoned ship as well.
"You're that former Ra I saw on day one." Chazz voiced upon seeing him.
For the record, Kai doubted the guy would have remembered him if not for Topher. From what he's heard around the academy, the dragon user had been up in a tizzy all month after their duel.
"That's right." Kai nodded. "Can I help you?"
"No, but I can help you." The way he smirked gave Kai the indication he would attempt to utilize him in the same vein as Crowler. "You must be feeling a little out of place among us elites. If you want, I can take you under my wing and show you the ropes."
"Given how you've presented yourself to me in the past, I think I'd do better make my own way." Kai retorted without even having to think about it.
Chazz's smile dropped to a frown. "This is a one-time offer I won't make again."
"It's funny Chazz." Kai brushed passed him. "The people you look upon as Slackers and Rejects one day may be the people you need the next. While some could be inclined to take your offer, a majority will remember who you were."
He stopped and looked back at the Obelisk. "You perceive Slackers and Rejects as worthless, but they've stood by me regardless of the blazer I wear." He looked away from him. "Now, I have better things to do with my time than entertain you."
"You'll end up regretting this." Chazz retorted angrily.
Kai was done and simply walked away.
Duel Academy Docks: Late Evening…
Crowler was hiding near the lighthouse, waiting for his surprise guest to show.
Hearing footsteps approaching, the ancient gear user turned and grinned. "So, you're the one they call the 'Shadow Duelist!'" The man who cornered the duelist last night walked out of smoke. "Oh my, very impressive effects. You'll do nicely."
"What's the job?" The man questioned bluntly.
Clearing his throat, Dr. Crowler gave the assignment. "I want you to frighten someone to the point he leaves this academy and never returns. Up for the challenge?"
"Consider it done." The man told him. "The shadows will eagerly accept another sacrifice."
He retreated into the smoke, leaving Crowler alone.
Slifer Dorm: Greg's Room, Night…
Greg tapped his pencil on his desk and cast his gaze to the door with a sigh of worry. He'd been told by Professor Banner yesterday Dimitri would be moving into his room, and the guy's stuff was already here. The only problem was the guy himself hadn't shown up all day.
It's not as though Greg had been waiting on him all day, that was a byproduct of the fact he'd decided to stay in and study. Get a bit of a jump start to ensure he kept his grades up. The result of this is he would have known if Dimitri showed up.
"He can be a lot like Jaden, so I suppose it's not out of the question he'd be running late." Greg looked to the door once more. "Maybe he's decided to stay with Bastion at the Ra dorm for one more night."
Outside the Abandoned Dorm
Alexis arrived outside the abandoned dorm with a red rose in hand. Her journey didn't take her far from the Girl's Dormitory since the abandoned dorm was near the center of the forest. This was the place where she knew her brother had disappeared.
Since the beginning of the school year, she made it a weekly ritual to come to the forbidden building and lay a single rose at its gate in respect for her brother. Tonight was no different. Just last year, a good dozen students had vanished overnight. No trace to be found.
The building itself had fallen into rapid disrepair in the time it's been left abandoned. Windows were shattered, the grand double doors were off their hinges, and the gate was rusted. Pushing down the sadness that clawed at her heart, Alexis laid down the red rose.
"I hope wherever you are, you're at peace." Suddenly, there was the snapping of a twig which saw Alexis whirl around. "Who's there?"
"It's me, Dimitri." It was him, now dressed in a red blazer, smiling sheepishly. "This is kind of embarrassing, but I ended up wanting to go on a walk before heading to the Slifer Red dorm. I saw this path and ended up taking it before eventually ending up here."
"Well, whatever path you took to get here was the wrong one." Alexis retorted. "This place is forbidden. If you get caught, you'll be expelled on the spot."
"Oh." Dimitri looked at the building. "I wasn't aware of anything like that here, but if that's the case, why are you here?"
"I have my reasons." Alexis replied coldly.
This was a contrast to the person Dimitri has seen the few times the whole group gets together. "Okay, I'm sorry I asked."
Alexis sighed as she realized he was just confused. "No, I'm sorry." She sighed. "Look, you should get to the red dorm and forget this whole route. Your curiosity isn't worth something bad happening to you."
Alexis attempted to leave, but Dimitri rushed forward and managed to rest a hand on her shoulder. "Hold on." She stopped. "Look, this place seems to bring about a negative reaction from you. Maybe I'm not the best person for this, but if you want to talk, I'd listen."
Before Alexis could speak, there was a loud popping sound followed by smoke which enveloped the pair. Said smoke burned the pair's throat as they breathed it in and threw the pair into a coughing fit.
"GAH!" Dimitri cried out.
Alexis looked that way and caught the outline of a larger man vanishing into the smoke as Dimitri's body crumpled to the ground. Thankfully, she could hear him groaning. Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind and placed a funny smelling cloth over her mouth and nose.
"Sleep now." The voice of the stranger cooed into her ear. "You both will make the perfect bait."
Alexis tried to scream, but it was useless with the cloth over her mouth. She attempted to struggle free, but her efforts slowly faded. Ultimately, everything went dark.
Obelisk Dorm: Morning…
After putting on his uniform, Kai made his way down to breakfast and ended up catching Crowler coming up the stairs. Despite his opinion of the man, Kai was still intent on being civil; however, the greeting he was going to give caught in his throat upon truly seeing him.
In the month he's observed Crowler, the good doctor kept an air of confidence about him, but today was different. The ancient gear users' shoulders were slumped, and there were bags under his eyes. He, by all accounts, seemed worried. Crowler said nothing as he briskly walked by.
"Hm, I didn't realize how unsettling that could be until I saw it." Kai suddenly had an uneasy feeling about today.
Duel Academy: Classroom, Later…
Things didn't become any more normal from there. Alexis wasn't in class, and the fact Mindy and Jasmine were worried led Kai to the conclusion this wasn't a matter of sickness. Additionally, he noted Greg seemed worried like the Obelisk girls were.
That made Kai worry something had happened to Dimitri and saw his unease grow. Really, the only normal thing about today had been the glares most Obelisk shot his way for taking his prior seat next to Bastion. Something…Something was wrong.
Lunch Time…
Before they could leave for lunch, Kai practically sprinted down to the Slifer Quartet. Even though he hadn't talked about it with Bastion, the Ra ended up rushing down with him given something was off. It seemed Jasmine and Mindy had a similar idea as they came down to.
Before Kai could speak, Greg beat him to it. "Good, you came down." All four Slifers were visibly worried. "Dimitri never came to the room we now share last night. I was…"
"Wait, he didn't go to the Slifer dorm last night?" Bastion inquired. "That…That should be the case. He left my dorm room in the evening with the express intention of heading that way."
"Is he not with either of you?" Greg asked.
That was a greater cause for concern, and it would only be compounded.
"Alexis is also missing." Mindy informed causing everyone to turn and look at them. "Every week, at the same time, she leaves the dorm only to return at the same time."
"We don't intrude since it seems personal." Jasmine added. "We simply see her the next day; however, she didn't join us like she normally would. Upon going to her room, it was empty."
"What do we do?" Syrus asked.
Kai's mind turned to Crowler's state that morning. "Hold off on doing anything because I need to check something." To his knowledge, at this time of day, Crowler should be in his office. "It might be a longshot, but perhaps I can get something that will help us."
"What are you going to do?" Jasmine asked.
"Just head to the courtyard and wait for me." Kai walked off before they could protest. "I just need to check something before we go about doing anything."
Hallway
As Kai made his way to Crowler's office, he could hear the muffled sounds of the man shouting at someone. Rather than his initial plan of marching into the office, the heroics user slowed. He silently reached the door and put his ear to it.
"Look, you'll get your money." Crowler's voice was loud yet pleading. "Just return the students."
Kai's eyes widened upon hearing that.
"The deal was I'm here for one night before then being paid in full." It was a deep voice which answered. "I'm keeping these two as insurance until the money is in my account."
"You didn't even do your job!" Crowler shouted. "According to you, Jaden didn't show up!"
"The next time you hire a hit, you should ensure the setup is proper." The voice returned.
"Look, I'm a man of my word." Crowler returned. "You will be paid. just release the students." He then sounded protectively angry. "If any harm comes to them, I…"
"Your threats mean nothing as I hold all the cards." The voice retorted. "I want my money, and you have until midnight to provide it. If I do not receive it, your students will be sent to the shadows for all eternity."
"No, please…" Crowler murmured helplessly before Kai then heard what sounded like the man slumping into his chair and assumed communication had been cut off. "What have I done?"
Kai growled as he threw open the door. "Yes, what have you done!?"
"Mr. Delmar, I did not…" Crowler tried.
"Save it." Kai walked in, slamming the door closed, and marched up to the man's desk. "I heard everything, and you are no better than Ryuga. How you even got this job is beyond me. Honestly, you're supposed to be an adult, yet you're acting no better than a petty teenager.
Heck, I know several teenagers who are more mature than you. I can only imagine this is over Jaden Yuki beating you. Where do you get off going this far? You're a teacher, not a pro duelist in the leagues. Even if you were, you'd be labeled a petty man child.
Even now, you're sitting in this office whining to the man you hired rather than using the skills you have so much pride in to do something about it." He turned on his heels and marched to the door, only to stop short of opening it. "You know Crowler, my opinion of you was low.
At the end of the day, I never once thought you'd sink as low as Ryuga. At the very least, there was that barrier of separation, but it seems he would have fit in right alongside you." He three open the door. "Would you even be reacting this way if it were Jaden in their shoes?"
On that question, Kai stormed out of the room leaving a thoroughly talked down Crowler in his wake. The ancient gear user couldn't form even a single word to argue anything Kai said because he was right. He had no doubt more children were about to be at risk because of him.
"I can't…" Crowler shook his head and stood as he gained a determined look. "I won't let any more children pay for my mistake."
He snagged his duel vest and rushed from the room while hastily moving to put it on. Having managed to catch sight of Kai, he'd been heading towards the front entrance. To ensure he had the best shot of arriving at the Abandoned Dorm first, he would take the back exit.
Outside Duel Academy
Kai, Jaden, Syrus, and Greg set out from the academy while Bastion, Jasmine, Mindy, and Chumley rushed back into the building. The former four were rushing to the abandoned dorm while the latter four were looking for all the teachers they could find.
The only exception was Crowler. Kai had filled everyone in on what he found out before they settled on this path. Was it risky for the four of them to head to the abandoned dorm? Most certainly. Ultimately, no one knew if this mercenary would keep his word.
Abandoned Dorm
Crowler had already arrived at and entered the dorm. The inside was just the same as its exterior. Broken and littered. The remnants of furniture lay smothered in dust, making the air hard to breathe. The wallpaper was rotting from rainwater.
The common room he entered was in no better shape than the rest of the place; however, the ancient gear user did note the carvings on the back wall. Ancient symbols and images of the seven Millennium Items were all etched into the very being of a door.
Crowler's gaze went from that to a photograph hung on the wall. It was the image of a handsome teen with brown hair that went down to his neck. He wore a color-inverted variation of the Obelisk uniform.
"Atticus Rhodes…" Crowler would recognize the second-best student duelist, two years in a row, anywhere.
Though seeing this did make him realize he's never given much thought to the dozen who disappeared until now. If he did not act, two or more students stood to be taken all the same due to his actions. Crowler was determined that would not happen.
After a minute of walking, he made it to the tunnel which let underground. Wooden scaffolding prevented tons of rocks and rubble from caving in. Eventually, after traversing along it for a while, the head of Obelisk reached a large stone chamber.
Across the chamber, Crowler spotted Alexis and Dimitri, unconscious, within separate coffins. With the students he came for in sight, Crowler rushed over only to stop as the familiar smoke spread out from the center of the chamber.
"Alexis! Dimitri!" Crowler called out.
"They can't hear you." Titan laughed. "They're locked away within the shadow realm."
"Show yourself Titan!" Crowler demanded.
From the smoke arose the trench coat-wearing mercenary, his gaze on the ancient gear user. "I assume you've brought my money."
"No, I am here to retrieve my students by dueling you." Crowler voiced firmly.
"Winning against me is a way to free them, though I admit this is surprising." Titan voiced. "I did not think you would subject yourself to a shadow game given how you've presented yourself."
"I may not understand everything about Shadow Games; however, I've had time to learn enough." Crowler retorted. "What you do is no Shadow Game because they are not real."
Titan merely laughed. "Others have chosen not to believe, but they were soon convinced."
"We shall see." Crowler retorted.
He activated his duel vest while Titan activated his duel disk, and they took their respective places across from one another.
"Duel!"
(Crowler 4000/Titan 4000)
"Prepare to enter the shadows," Titan smirked as he drew from the apparatus attached to his coat. "I activate the effect of Archfiend General in my hand. By discarding it, I can add the field spell Pandemonium to my hand. I'll then activate that very card."
The center of the chamber began to bubble with magma while architecture made from bone spread out under their feet and scaled the walls. Above, the skulls of ram-like creatures looked down on the duelists with empty eye sockets.
"With the stage set, the terror can truly begin." Titan stated.
"I'd hardly call archfiends terrifying." Crowler retorted.
"You must not know what you are up against." Titan shook his head. "Thanks to my field spell, I will no longer pay the cost to keep any monster. Additionally, if you destroy one of my archfiends outside of battle, I can add a new one of a lower level to my hand.
Ah, before I forget…" He reached into his coat and produced a charm attached to a rope. "By the power of my Millennium Pendant, I call upon the shadows to grace this game. Let your powers take hold!"
The light grew stronger, almost blinding, and the sound of scraping bones filled Crowler's ears. Straining his eyes, the teacher could see the coffins holding Alexis and Dimitri close before large, talon-like bones burst from the ground and pulled them in.
"What have you done to them?" Crowler asked.
"The same thing I will do to you." Titan retorted.
"To honestly believe someone as educated as I would still be fooled by his show?" Crowler scoffed. "I'll let him believe in his own farce for now and utilize it later to resolve this."
"It is still my turn." Titan declared. "I now summon Warrior of Zera(LV 4/1600/1600)." A man in green armor appeared.
"Given this field spell of yours, that's hardly the kind of card I'd expect you to play." Crowler commented.
"I don't blame such an assumption; however, the Warrior of Zera is quite the special card for being a mere normal monster." Titan informed. "Allow me, if you would, to elaborate in the form of a lesson. As a teacher, I'm certain you'd appreciate it.
Zera here can take four paths to power, some share overlap by nature of his choice. One of my personal favorites is tied to Pandemonium. Through finding this place, he ceases his journey to accept their power and becomes Archfiend General."
"The card you discarded to acquire your field spell." Crowler recognized.
"Good, you're paying attention." Titan chuckled. "Through making a name for himself, he grows in power. I now tribute Warrior of Zera to special summon Mazera DeVille(LV 8/2800/2300)." A demonic looking Zera with long green wings appeared.
"Someone seems to be overextending." Crowler voiced. "Especially for a first turn where you cannot attack."
"I would say the number of cards expended is warranted." Titan chuckled. "Especially as with Pandemonium on my side of the field, I can force you to discard three cards from your hand upon his special summon."
Crowler looked at his hand. "That is certainly a strategy befitting someone like this; however, it's not as devastating given my deck." He selected the three cards required of him and sent them off. "Alright, it's done."
"With that, I shall end my turn." Titan declared.
"My turn!" Crowler drew. "I believe it is time for a lesson on why one much be careful in just what cards you send to the grave. I summon my Ancient Gear Tanker(LV 4/1300/1300)." A human sized golem driving an encased bike appeared.
"That monster is supposed to teach me your lesson?" Titan asked mockingly.
"Looks like you also need a lesson on the potential of effects." Crowler called out. "Allow me to instruct you. Whenever Tanker is summoned, I can special summon any 1 Ancient Gear from my hand, except another Tanker, ignoring their summoning conditions."
"Oh, you're really going to leave yourself with one card in hand?" Titan asked.
"If you'd quiet down Mr. Titan, I'll give you the rest of the problem you now face and need to find an answer for." Crowler retorted. "If Tanker is summoned to the field while you control a monster of your own, he can instead root around in my grave."
"What!?" Titan exclaimed.
"You really must clean those ears of yours." Crowler smiled. "Thanks to you, I can now bring out my Ancient Gear Golem(LV 8/3000/3000)." The huge, rusty mechanized golem with a red eye appeared. "Now, Golem will destroy your monster. Go, Mechanized Melee!"
The Golem punched Mazara, shattering him (Crowler 4000/Titan 3800). Titan cried out as though in pain; however, nothing was happening.
"Part of me gets swallowed by shadows, yet there is no reaction from you?" Titan questioned.
At this point, Kai, Jaden, Syrus, and Greg had arrived.
"I believe this farce has gone on long enough." Crowler sighed. "At this point, I can't believe I was ever intimidated by a charlatan such as yourself."
"Farce? Charlatan?" Titan cried. "My powers are real." Dimitri and Alexis' coffins remerged and opened. "See, they still sleep and will not wake until I allow them."
"You told me I had to win." Crowler countered.
Titan growled as he took a step back, all his machinations coming undone. "I…Uh…"
"Er, what are you doing here?" Kai questioned.
Crowler glanced at the student who prompted him to do this. "Correcting my mistake, Mr. Delmar."
Kai raised an eyebrow at that while the three Slifers with him exchanged looks. They hadn't doubted the Obelisk's claim before, but Crowler had confirmed it now by that response. Still, the man was dueling the one responsible for this. Right now, they wouldn't make a move.
Crowler now turned his attention back to Titan. "You're whole thing is nothing but smoke and mirrors."
"It is not!" Titan retorted. "I have power, real power! Years ago, I trained under Master Marik in the Rare Hunters! I know all about the shadow games!"
"All farcical." Crowler retorted.
Titan now knew he was now outnumbered, and with his tricks revealed, he no longer had confidence in his victory. "Enough of this!" He reached into his coat and produced a small pellet. "I don't have to explain anything!"
He threw the pellet which generated a smoke screen to obscure himself, and the holograms began to fade.
"Students, get the two from the coffin." Crowler quickly stated, not willing to let anything be unresolved from his mistake, as he ran forward. "Titan, you're not going anywhere!"
As the teacher ran, the eyes of the carved snakes in the wall began to glow. The floor came alive as the giant glowing symbol of the Eye of Wdjat appeared on the floor. Both Crowler and Titan stopped as the very ground began to shake.
"Whoa, Crowler mentioned some tricks before, but how is this guy achieving this?" Jaden questioned.
Titan could only stare dumbly at the floor. "I'm not."
A purple orb, sparking with electricity, appeared in the center of the room. It then expanded to consume Crowler and Titan with the four students looking on in shock.
"I don't think what's happening now could be achieved with smoke and mirrors." Greg commented.
Jaden heard his Winged Kuriboh who then appeared transparently from his deck. "Winged Kuriboh?" He noticed his little buddy seemed worried as he looked towards the sphere. "Can't say I like what Crowler did, but if you can help him, go for it."
Kuriboh did his usual sounds before flying at and entering the sphere. No one else there could see or hear Kuriboh; however, they also had to recognized Jaden didn't seem unhinged. Not to mention two of them remembered that story from last night.
Kai was the first to speak. "Let's just focus for now on getting Alexis and Dimitri."
The other three agreed, and all of them moved towards the coffins while avoiding the sphere in the center of the room.
Shadow Realm
Purple, formless clouds swirled around Crowler to the point it was hard to breathe. He looked around, but he couldn't see any of his students. It was even difficult to move his arm. Crowler had to wonder, was this the dorm or was Titan lying when he said this wasn't him?
The masked man was standing away from him, looking around in shock. "What is this place! Where am I?"
"You're not doing this?" Crowler asked.
"I only studied the dark ways under the rare hunters!" Titan exclaimed. "I don't know how to conjure them!"
Before either could say anything more, black and grey blobs of slime began to rain down from above. Each one had eyes and a mouth filled with razor-sharp fangs. As they fell, some swerved to assault Titan and smother his body.
"No! Stay away!" Titan screamed.
Opening his mouth was a mistake as several of the creatures took the opportunity to launch themselves at the open crevice and enter his body. This made Crowler queasy, yet he only had a moment to process before those creatures were heading for him.
"Kuri Kuri!"
There was suddenly a high-pitched cry as Winged Kuriboh flew into the darkness, now corporeal, and laded atop Crowler's head.
"That's the fuzzball which stopped Jaden from losing back in the practical exam." Crowler recognized.
The ancient gear user didn't have much time to focus on that as the creatures were closing in. He freaked out before Winged Kuriboh flew down to where the balls of slime were amassing and began to growl. The slime monsters were terrified and scattered as far away as they could get.
"Uh, thank you." Crowler was stunned to see this.
Titan gave a muffled cry, once again snapping Crowler's attention to him. The man seemed to be choking as all the creatures around him began to flow into his mouth, going straight down his throat. The man slumped slightly as the creatures stopped swarming.
A low moan left his mouth before he looked up at Crowler, the lenses of his mask now glowing a scarlet red. "Vellian Crowler, let us continue this duel as a true shadow game."
His voice was now two-toned, one his normal voice and the other much deeper and darker.
"Wait, could this be what was responsible for the abduction of the dozen students last year?" Crowler contemplated.
"Now that the dark game has been activated, only one of us shall leave this place." Titan continued, not waiting for Crowler to respond.
The slime creatures began to move out of the way, forming a large ring around the two duelists. Titan's field remained empty while Crowler's Ancient Gear Tanker and Golem reappeared.
"If I don't do this, you'll go after those six students, won't you?" Crowler asked.
"That is correct." Titan answered. "They will be next after you."
"It's still my turn." Crowler had no other choice but to proceed. "Ancient Gear Tanker will launch a direct attack."
Tanker sped forward, and this time something did happen. Rather than Tanker harmlessly passing through Titan's body, it smashed into the man and flung him back before black smoke was expelled from his mouth (Crowler 4000/Titian 2500).
"This really is a shadow game." Crowler realized.
He'd learned about them; however, believing they were real had been foolish nonsense to him. There were bound to be countless explanations as to what had been happening over ten years ago, and the same could be said for the events one year ago. Now, Crowler couldn't deny it.
"Is that all?" Titan asked, rising back to his feet.
"Yes, that is all I can play." Crowler retorted, knowing he had to grasp this truth now or risk those kids more than he already had.
"It's my draw." Titan declared. "I shall begin by activating Fissure which destroys the monster on your field with the lowest ATK." The ground beneath Tanker ripped open, sending him falling before it snapped shut to destroy him.
"Then, I activate the equip spell Falling Down. At the cost of 800 life points during each of your Standby Phases, this will allow me to make any one monster you control mine until such time as this equip is destroyed."
"My Ancient Gear Golem!" Crowler exclaimed as one his best cards switched fields. "I don't have anything to defend with. If he summons something with 1000 or more ATK, I'm done for!"
"I know what you're thinking." Titan stated. "For whatever sense of ease it brings you, know I do not have a monster in my hand with 1000 or more ATK; however, I am not without a monster. I summon Infernalqueen Archfiend(LV 4/900/1500)." A fiendish queen appeared.
"Between those 2 monsters, you have 3900ATK!" Crowler exclaimed.
"This much damage dealt in one go, it's rare anyone can make another move." Titan laughed. Ancient Gear Golem and Infernalqueen, attack directly."
Crowler screamed as he was attacked by both monsters which kicked up the darkness around him (Crowler 100/Titan 2500). Winged Kuriboh flew into the darkness and radiated light. Titan growled as Crowler's figure slowly managed to rise to a one kneed position.
As the darkness receded, Crowler was panting and clearly injured; however, he was still very much conscious. Even though his whole body was suddenly racked with pain and exhaustion, Winged Kuriboh was enabling him to continue.
"Why struggle?" Tian asked. "You have no chance of winning. Would it not be easier to give in?"
"I will not!" Crowler cried defiantly. "It's my fault all these kids have been dragged into this."
"Will you really persist when a human life is at stake?" Titan asked. "If you win, this vessel will be cast into the shadows for all eternity. Can you willingly win this game knowing you will be condemning this life to it?"
"You already made the terms clear, and I'm more than aware of what a Shadow Game is." Crowler voiced firmly. "You can spin this however you like, but I know the real stakes. It's either Titan is cast to the shadows, or you will work to cast those six and others beyond there."
"If you have that conviction, let's see it mortal." The thing controlling Titan pushed. "I set this last card in my hand, so it's your move."
"My turn!" Crowler drew.
"During each Standby Phase, I can increase the ATK of any 1 Archfiend I control by 1000 through Infernalqueen's effect, and she's the only one I control."
Infernalqueen Archfiend(LV 4/1900/1500 effect)
"As it's my Standby Phase, you take 800 life points for that equip of yours." Crowler reminded.
(Crowler 100/Titan 1700)
"That is hardly anything, especially with your life points as low as they are." Titan retorted.
"100 life points is all I need." Crowler voiced. "I activate Ancient Gear Factory. Firstly, I reveal to you any Level 5 or higher Ancient Gear in my hand. Here's Ancient Gear Golem – Ultimate Pound."
"A Level 8 monster, do you even have enough levels in the grave?" Titan asked.
"Due to you destroying tanker, coupled with the two other monsters discarded through Titan's Mazera, I have just enough." Crowler responded. "Ancient Gear Tanker(LV 4), Ancient Gear Frame(LV 4), and a second Ancient Gear Golem(LV 8)." The three cards appeared.
"Between these three monsters, that's 16 levels I'll be banishing which allows me to normal summon the monster I revealed without tributing. Come forth, Ancient Gear Golem – Ultimate Pound(LV 8/3000/3000)." An ancient gear golem with different hands appeared.
"What a pathetic series of plays." Titan growled. "After all that, you got a monster out who merely equals the strength of the Ancient Gear Golem I already took from you."
"Getting this monster on the field is only the first step." Crowler declared. "Allow me to show you the remainder of my work before you deem this the wrong solution. I now activate Ancient Gear Fusion.
This works like Polymerization; however, if I intend to use an original or the Ultimate Pound variation of Ancient Gear Golem I control, I'm allowed to use any number of materials I wish from my deck."
"You can do what!?" Titan exclaimed in shock.
Crowler pressed on, not dignifying him with a response. "I fuse my Ultimate Pound on the field with Ancient Gears Hunting Hound, Gadget, and Box. I call upon a tremendous born from the mass of chaos.
Come forth, the ancients ultimate form for destruction. Fusion summon Chaos Ancient Gear Giant(LV 10/4500/3000)." A colossal blue machine with massive canons down its arms appeared, effortlessly eclipsing everything within this shadow realm.
"I activate my set quick-play spell Berserk Scales." Titan declared. "I can target any monster I control at any time, other than attacking directly, and bestow upon them 1000 more ATK. I target Infernalqueen Archfiend(LV 4/2900/1500 effect).
The only down side is my monster will lose 2000 ATK come the end of this turn, but I'd say that's more than worth the price. Especially since it means you can no longer end this duel on your turn!"
"Wrong!" Crowler took a deep breath as he slowly rose to his feet. "Chaos Ancient Gear Giant can attack every monster you control once each! End this Chaos Double Mechanized Mele!"
The giant punched down on the two monsters Titan controlled, decimating them. The force of the attack strong enough to hurl the mercenary's body back (Crowler 100/Titan 0). As the monsters faded from, Titan's eyes stopped glowing.
He had no time to enjoy having control back as the shadow creatures quickly began to swarm him, attacking at all angles and dragging him into the miasma. "No! Please, stop! Help me! Help me, Master Marik! Please!"
Crowler's stomach sank. Despite what Titan had done, as well as the fact he made his own choices, those had been made because of him hiring this man. He found himself wanting to help Titan, but his body refused to move. It was likely the shadow games kept him there.
After Titan vanished, Winged Kuriboh came into the good doctor's eyesight. "Kuri?"
Crowler took a deep breath as despite recognizing his fault in this, he also recognized this could have gone no other way. If he had lost, there's no telling how far whatever was possessing Titan would have gone.
"Winged Kuriboh." Crowler looked to the fuzzball. "You got in here, so I'm assuming you can lead me out, right?"
"Kuri!" Winged Kuriboh cooed before turning, and there was the sound of scratching which resulted in a sliver of light breaking apart the shadow. "Kuri!"
Figuring this was it, Crowler walked towards the light as fast as his battered body would allow. Winged Kuriboh had allowed him to rise and keep dueling; however, he could not fully repair the good doctor. Still, he was able to slowly but surely approach the way out.
Abandoned Dorm
Crowler came tumbling out of the sphere and ended up flat on his back while Winged Kuriboh, transparent once more, gave a tired coo. By nature of them being out, only Jaden could see and hear him now. The monster returned to his deck.
"You're back!" Syrus called out.
He rushed over with Jaden and Greg while Kai stuck back with the two unconscious. Just as they reached Crowler, the purple sphere began to crack and spark with electricity before it started to shrink. This created a sucking wind which threatened to take those closest in.
Seeing this gave Crowler enough strength for one burst as he lunged at the three children nearest to him. "Get down!"
Having felt the sphere sucking them in, the three Slifers held Crowler down as he laid atop them. Kai brought Alexis and Dimitri's bodies in close to his own and both groups stayed like that until the sphere completely disappeared, causing the sucking wind to stop.
"I…I think it's over." Syrus stated tentatively.
Crowler slowly got up, mostly due to his battle-weary body, allowing the Slifers to rise. At this point, Kai felt fine leaving the unconscious where they were as he approached. Just as they got to their feet, Crowler suddenly wobbled. He'd expended any energy he had left for movement.
Just as the good doctor was about to fall, Syrus and Greg caught him on either side. "Thank you."
"I think you have a lot to tell us." Kai stated firmly. "You will as we leave this place with the unconscious in tow."
"I'll tell you everything." Crowler assured.
It was arranged Syrus and Greg would help Crowler, Jaden would carry Alexis out, and Kai got Dimitri. As they slowly made their way out of the dorm, Crowler explained absolutely everything about this specific instance.
Duel Academy Island
They got away from the abandoned dorm and set the unconscious down alongside the good doctor, who by this time had informed the conscious of everything. Before any of them could talk, Alexis and Dimitri came too.
"Where am I?" Alexis/Dimitri groaned.
Once again, before anyone could answer, they heard what sounded like multiple approaching people. Upon turning, they saw Sheppard, Mokuba, the school security and disciplinary squad, Sartyr, Banner, Fonda, and pretty much every other professor at the academy running their way.
"Before they get here, even if it won't mean much, I am genuinely sorry for everything." Crowler voiced genuinely. "There is more to tell on what I've done to some of you, and I will not embellish a thing in the questioning we will endure."
The six students primarily involved looked at one another while Crowler was ready to answer for everything. No matter what it took, he'd do his best to ensure nothing fell on the children. Perhaps the fact four of them willingly entered the abandoned dorm could even be overlooked.
With every Gx story I've read, I've never seen a time where someone would have Crowler take responsibility for bringing Titan to the island and duel him during these events. As such, I thought it'd be a unique angle to take that route myself. Personally, as much as Crowler improves later, someone needed to give this man a dose of the harsh truth given what he did here.
Vital Info: This is ten years out; I can imagine Seto would have mellowed out quite a bit in that. Especially if you end up giving him a wife and daughter. I also think that by the end of duel monsters, he was starting to accept the world they live in. I mean, he's now speaking to what is presumably a walking, talking suit of armor. I think he'll be just fine taking things in. As for progression, how's this chapter for ya?
The Duelist of Dawn: It was fun for me to write as well with those two. Oh yeah, a Utopia deck is nothing to mess with...unless you're utalizing an even stronger meta deck, but this is the anime world. People don't go full meta. Sure, you'll have meta defining cards in some people's decks, but no one's running their decks to the absolute peak meta. Still, Yugi's deck here is running a lot of his retrains and updated support. Not to mention he is the King of Games. Then yeah, that's intercut by the academy group just have a generally fun day.