Duel Spirit voice
Thought voice
Chapter 18
Satellite, Ener-D Reactor
Rudger stood motionless, as his emotionless eyes stare at the Reactor.
His mind racing through possible obstacles to his plans of resurrecting the god of the Underworld. Besides the Signers, one particular individual was proving to be quite troublesome…
"Strega." Rudger thought to himself. "Despite being one of us, you continue to aid the Signers. Worse, you now possess the power of three Earthbounds-"
As he delved deeper into his thoughts, the silence was broken by the sound of footsteps approaching. Knowing who it was, Rugder turns to address said individual
"Sayer, you have returned." Rudger noted, on seeing his fellow Dark Signer. "Where is the boy?"
"Dead." Sayer said, as he approached Rudger. "Chacu Challhua made sure of that."
"Yet his body is not with you." Rudger said
"That annoying Crimson Dragon prevented me from searching for it." Sayer growled
"Still, I doubt it would have mattered, since the boy is still alive."
"What?!" Sayer asked in shock. "What do you mean he is still alive?!"
"I am capable of telling when a Dark Signer perishes." Rudger began. "And right now, Strega is very much alive." He said, as Sayer seemed to get angrier at his statement
"Damn you Strega." Sayer muttered under his breath
"It seems a direct approach is needed against this foe." Rudger said, as Sayer and himself noticed Rex approaching the duo, alongside some officers. "It's good to again brother."
"Likewise big brother." Rex said. "Though I wish it was under better circumstances."
Meanwhile…
"Isn't it obvious, I'm here for you." Nightshroud said, as Ben and Ren, stood beside Yusei and the gang
"Nice of you to join us." Jack said to the duo. "What took you so long?"
"Traffic." Ren said dryly, as he observed the beaten form of Yusei, Jack and Kiryu. "He really did a number on you huh?"
"Jack managed to destroy his Earthbound god, but then he summoned that thing." Yusei said, trying to catch his breath
"You don't say." Ren said, as he observed Darkness Neosphere
"What do you want from me?" Ben asked, while glaring at Nightshroud
"Now where is the fun in me just telling you?" Nightshroud asked. "Regardless, I am not against you dueling me for answers."
"I don't know if you've noticed, but you're already in a duel." Ren pointed out
"You are both free to join in on this duel." Nightshroud said, shocking Ren slightly
"I don't know, five vs one hardly seems fair." Ren said
"Your friends thought so as well, but look at them now." Nightshroud said, gesturing to their unconscious allies
"What did you do to them?" Ben growled, as he looked at the unmoving form of Misty
"For now, they are all still alive." Nightshroud said. "But if this duel is lost, you can consider their lives forfeited."
"Ren?" Ben turned to the Blue Eyes Duelist
"Let's get this over with." Ren said, as he activated his Duel Disk. "So, do you like, gain extra life points since we're joining?"
"As a show of good sportsmanship, I will not receive any life points." Nightshroud said
"Let's duel then." Ben said, activating his Disk as well, while also drawing five cards, alongside Ren
Yusei: 30
Jack: 1
Kiryu: 200
Ren: 4000
Ben: 4000
Vs
Nightshroud: 7200
"Now, since it's my turn, I'll activate the spell card, Luna light fusion." Nightshroud said
"Wait, am I about to lose a duel without even playing a card?" Ren asked, not liking the odds of this duel
"Is that card really that bad?" Kiryu asked
"It is." Ben said grimly
"Since you possess a monster from your extra deck, I will be sending Panther from my extra deck, with two Luna light monsters from my hand to fusion summon, Lunalight Leo Dancer." Nightshroud said
"Well shit." Ren muttered, as the Lunalight Ace monster appeared
Lunalight Leo D. (3500Atk/3000Def/Lvl10/Dark/BeastWarrior)
"Since Red Fox was sent to my graveyard with an effect, I can target one of your Monster and reduce it's attack points to zero." Nightshroud said. "And I'll be choosing Stardust Dragon."
"No." Yusei muttered, as Stardust Dragon's attack was reduced to zero."
"Now Leo Dancer, destroy Stardust Dragon." Nightshroud ordered as his monster prepared to attack
"Now would be a very good time to use Scrap metal Scarecrow to-"
"It won't work." Ben said, cutting Kiryu off. "Leo Dancer can't be targeted by card effect."
"You can't be serious." Jack muttered
"In that case, I'll activate, Defensive draw." Yusei said. "This card let's me draw one card, while reducing what ever damage I receive to zero." Just as he said that, Leo Dancer destroy Stardust Dragon, sending it to the graveyard
"It doesn't matter, as Leo Dancer has two special effect." Nightshroud said. "Once she battles, I can destroy all special summoned monsters on your field."
"What?! Yusei, Jack and Kiryu muttered in unison, as Leo Dancer destroyed Infernity Dragon and Jacks face down Majestic Dragon on their field with her effect.
"Leo Dancer can also make a second attack." Nightshroud said. "Now Leo Dancer, attack Yusei directly."
"I activate my trap, Zero Gravitation." Kiryu suddenly said, before Leo Dancer could attack. "With this card, I'll switch your monsters attack from Yusei, to me."
"Kiryu no!" Yusei yelled, but it was already too late, as Leo Dancer reduced Kiryu's life points to zero.
Kiryu: 0
"Aahhhhhh!" Kiryu screamed, as he was knocked to the ground by said attack
"Kiryu." Yusei whispered
"Don't let him win." Kiryu muttered, before falling unconscious
"Quite the friend you have there." Nightshroud said, bringing Yusei's attention back to him. "But I still have Neosphere, so I have one question to ask you all. Who do you want me to attack?"
"We don't have time for your games." Ben said
"In that case, Neosphere attack Strega directly." Nightshroud said
"I'll special Summon Battle Fader from my hand, to end your battle phase." Ben said, summoning said monster in defense mode
Battle Fader (0Atk/0Def/Lvl1/Dark/Fiend)
"That was a close one." Ren signed
"In that case, I'll place one facedown and end my turn." Nightshroud said. "Your move."
Turn: 13
"I'll draw." Ren said, before smiling at the card he drew. "I'll activate Chaos Max, so I can Ritual Summon, Blue Eyes Chaos Max Dragon."
Blue Eyes Chaos M. (4000Atk/0Def/Lvl8/Dark/Dragon)
"I'll now special Summon Blue Eyes Alternative White Dragon, by revealing a Blue Eyes from my hand." Ren said
Blue Eyes A. White Dragon (3000Atk/2500Def/Lvl8/Light/Dragon)
"Now I'll activate it's effect, to destroy your Neosphere." Ren said, as his Dragon got ready to destroy Neosphere
"I'll activate my counter trap, Dark Illusion, to negate and destroy your monster." Nightshroud said, as a hooded figure restrained Ren's Dragon, before destroying it
"Tch. I'll summon Dandylion in defense mode." Ren said
Dandylion (300Atk/300Def/Lvl3/Earth/Plant)
"I'll now banish, Abyss Dragon from my graveyard to increase the attack of my Dragon monsters by one thousand." Ren said, as Nightshroud stared down his opponent
Blue Eyes Chaos M. (5000Atk/0Def/Lvl8/Dark/Dragon)
"Chaos Max, destroy Leo Dancer." Ren ordered, as his monster attacked, knocking back Nightshroud slightly
Nightshroud: 5700
"I'll end my turn." Ren said
Turn: 14
"I'll draw." Nightshroud said. "Now I'll pay one thousand life points to Special summon the Dark Tuner monster, Dark Goddess Witaka."
Nightshroud: 4700
Dark Goddess Witaka (0Atk/0Def/Lvl3/Spellcaster/Dark)
"I'll now release Neosphere and Witaka." Nightshroud said, as dark clouds from above circled into the air as Nightshroud revealed his card "I summon, Earthbound Immortal Cusillu."
Earthbound Immortal Cusillu (2800Atk/2500Def/Lvl10/Beast/Dark)
"So that's where you've been." Ren said, as he started at the giant Monkey.
"Tch, another one of these things." Jack muttered under his breath
"Another one?" Ben asked, having heard Jack. "What do-"
"Cusillu attack Ren directly." Nightshroud suddenly said, as his monster knocked the Kaiba a few feet back
Ren: 1200
"This is what a Shadow duel feel like huh." Ren muttered, as he steadied himself
"I'll now activate my trap card, Shadow dance to inflict one thousand damage directly to your life points." Nightshroud said, as a beam suddenly struck Ren, making him fall on one knee
Ren: 200
"I'll place two face downs, and end my turn." Nightshroud said
Turn: 15
"You alright?" Yusei asked, as he helped Ren up
"Yeah." Ren said. "Something seems off though."
"What's that?" Jack asked
"His Signer Mark doesn't correspond with his Earthbound." Ben answered, causing Ren to nod. "Makes you wonder if he's hiding his Ace?"
"Probably." Ren said
"Well his funeral." Ben said, before drawing. "I'll activate Dark World Call and send Grapha to my graveyard. Since Grapha was discarded, I can destroy one card on your field."
"Which will it be then?" Nightshroud asked, as Ben weighed his options
"I choose to destroy your Earthbound." Ben said, as Grapha's effect activated
"I activate Dark Illusion, to negate your effect." Nightshroud said, protecting his monster. "Tell me, is that your best?"
"Hardly." Ben said. "I activate the ritual spell, Black Illusion Ritual. So by tributing Battle Fader, I can summon Relinquished."
Relinquished (0Atk/0Def/Lvl1/Spellcaster/Dark)
"How long have you had that thing in your Deck?" Ren asked, as gazed at the Eldritch Horror
"Not long I'm afraid." Ben said. "Needed something for Fader, besides his defense. Now I'll activate Relinquished effect, letting me take control of your monster." He added, as Dark substances, started to engulf Cusillu
Relinquished (2800Atk/2500Def/Lvl1/Spellcaster/Dark)
"Attack his Life Points directly." Ben said, as a beam was fired at Nightshroud, staggering him slightly
Nightshroud: 1900
"I'll place two face downs, and end my turn." Ben said
Turn:16
"I'll draw." Nightshroud said, before looking at his hand for a while
"You bricked?" Ren joked
"Humor will not save you from what is to come." Nightshroud said, before sending a Monster from his extra deck to the graveyard. "By sending Cyber End Dragon to my graveyard, I will Special summon Malefic Cyber End Dragon."
"What?! Ben and Ren said in unison, as the corrupted Machine appeared
Malefic Cyber End Dragon (4000Atk/2800Def/Lvl10/Machine/Dark)
"How is this possible?" Ren thought. "How does he have that card?"
"Things aren't looking good Boss." Fader said
"Not entirely." Resonator said. "If he attacks Relinquished, he loses the duel."
"Destroy Dandylion." Nightshroud ordered, as said Monster was destroyed
"It's effect let me summon two plant tokens." Ren said
Plant Token (0Atk/0Def/Lvl1/Plant/Water)
"I place two face downs and end my turn." Nightshroud said
Turn:17
"I'll draw." Yusei said. "I'll Special summon, QuickDraw Synchron, by discarding a card."
QuickDraw Synchron (700Atk/1400Def/Lvl5/Wind/Machine)
"I'll now tune QuickDraw with the plant tokens to Synchro Summon Junk Archer." Yusei said summoning his warrior
Junk Archer (2300Atk/2000Def/Lvl7/Earth/Warrior)
"I'll now activate, Call of the Haunted, letting summon Infernity Doom Dragon from my graveyard."
Infernity Doom Dragon (3000Atk/2500Def/Lvl8/Dragon/Dark)
"Since I don't have any cards in my hand, I'll use Infernity Dragon's effect to destroy your monster." Yusei said, using Kiryu's ace to destroy Malefic Cyber End Dragon
"Big mistake." Nightshroud said, as the ground suddenly began to shake. "With Malefic Cyber Dragon destroyed, I can now Special summon a new Malefic monster from my hand."
As the earthquake continued, Rally shook his head with wide eyes, with Martha looking just as shocked at the monster Infront of them
"Behold, Malefic Truth Dragon." Nightshroud announced
Malefic Truth Dragon (5000Atk/5000Def/Lvl12/Dragon/Dark)
"We're not giving up. I'll now activate Junk Archer effect and remove your Dragon from play until the end phase." Yusei said
"I'll use Passion of Baimasse, to negate your monster's effect and destroy it." Nightshroud said, destroying Junk Archer
"I'll end my turn." Yusei muttered
Turn: 18
"I draw. Truth Dragon, destroy his Infernity Dragon." Nightshroud said
"I'll activate my trap, enhance counter." Ben said. "This will negate your attack, while also increasing Doom Dragon's attack till the end phase."
"Then I'll end my turn." Nightshroud said
Turn: 19
"I draw." Jack said. "I'll play monster reborn, to summon Red Dragon Archfiend. Next, I'll play Half straight, halving my attack, so my monster can attack you directly"
Red Dragon Archfiend (1500Atk/2000Def/Lvl8/Dragon/Dark)
"Now, attack." Jack said
"I activate Crimson Fire." Nightshroud said. "I believe you're familiar with this card, Atlas?"
"I activate Life Exchange." Ben said, directing the effect damage to himself
Ben: 1000
"Strega?" Jack called
"I'm fine." Ben said, waving the former King off. "This guy doesn't seem to like you very much."
"If you're done talking, you can end your turn." Nightshroud said
"Whatever." Jack grunted. "I end my turn."
Ener-D Reactor
Rudger: 1700
Vs
Rex: 0
As Rex falls dead from defeat, Sayer, who had witnessed the entire duel, began approaching Rudger.
"That was entertaining." Sayer said
"I glad you find my brother's demise entertaining." Rudger said, while glaring at Sayer. "Regardless, I sense we shall be reunited in death."
"Tch. I should be out there killing Strega right now." Sayer said
"Patience Sayer." Rudger said. "We still need him to activate the Reactor."
"I'm quite certain he wouldn't just freely power the Reactor with Dark energy." Sayer said, before an idea popped up in his head. "Unless someone close to him was used as bait." Sayer say grinning
"And who would that be?" Rudger asked
"Akiza."
Meanwhile…
Turn: 20
Yusei: 30
Jack: 1
Ren: 200
Ben: 1000
Vs
Nightshroud: 1900
"I draw. I summon Kiterod in attack position." Nightshroud said. "I'll place one facedown and end my turn."
"That's it?" Jack asked
"I grow tired of these games." Nightshroud said
Turn: 21
"I don't like where this is going." Ren said, as he drew a card
"He's planning something." Ben said dreadfully
"I activate my Continuous trap, Loop of Destruction." Nightshroud suddenly said, making the team widen their eyes
"Please tell me that last facedown is good." Ren almost begged
"That depends." Ben said
"I activate twin vortex." Nightshroud said. "By destroying Kiterod, I will also be destroying Relinquished." He said, as both monster were suddenly destroyed
"This is gonna hurt." Ren muttered
"With our monsters destroyed, my continues trap activates, inflicting 500 damage to all of us." Nightshroud said
"I also activate my trap, Cemetery Bomb." Ben said. "Which inflicts 100 damage for each card in your graveyard. Judging by the number of cards in your graveyard, we win."
"In that case, I reveal my last facedown." Nightshroud said. "Chain Strike."
"That means-" Jack didn't finish, as a massive fireball struck all the duelist, knocking them to the ground, including Nightshroud
Yusei: 0
Jack: 0
Ren: 0
Ben: 0
Vs
Nightshroud: 0
DRAW
With the duel over, the barrier holding Martha and the Orphans vanish. While the unconscious Duelist began to slowly stir
"Boss, you alright?" Fader asked, as Ben slowly struggled to his feet
"Barely." Ben said
"This was unexpected." Nightshroud said, struggling to his feet as well. "Regardless you did not lose, so your allies still live…for now."
True to his words, Rua, Ruka, Tetsu, Mikage, Crow, Akiza, Misty and Kiryu, were now conscious, though they all look worn up
"We will meet again." Nightshroud said, before opening a portal
"I'm going to be sleeping for an entire month by the time we're done with all of this." Ren said, as he massaged his forehead, after Nightshroud walked though his portal
Ignoring the pains he was feeling, Ben walk over to Misty's side, helping her up. "Are you alri-" he was cut off, from what ever he was about to say, as he was suddenly enveloped into a Bear hug by Misty
"You're alive." She sobbed. "I thought you were dead. I thought-"
"I'm fine-" He said, trying to comfort her, but Ben was completely interrupted as Ben full on kissed him on the lips, not only surprising him, but the rest of the team, especially Tetsu, whose jaw dropped comically.
What made her do it, Misty didn't know nor care, as she just wanted to taste the Signer, with the intention of not letting go. And quite honesty, Ben didn't complain as he went along with the kiss. The passion that flowed between them was that of two people in love…
Cough*
Misty suddenly pulled back, from the sound of Akiza coughing, blushing from ear to ear, with Ben also in a similar predicament
"Sorry for ruining the mood, but we still have an Ener-D Reactor to deal with." Mikage said
"That might be true, but you all haven't fully recovered from your duel." Martha said
"A full recovery is the least of our problems." Jack said. "You saw what those Dark Signers did to the Orphanage. "
"Jack is right." Yusei spoke next. "We've already wasted enough time here."
"Martha, you should take the children far away from here." Kiryu said
Before his surrogate mother could say anything, the massive Geo glyph of a Whale suddenly engulfed the entire field. Making most of the Orphans to jumped back in fear.
"What now?" Rally asked
"Look!" Rua pointed to a direction. There was a figuring, standing on the manifested Chacu Challhua. "Someone's over there."
"Sayer." Ben growled
"Come on!" Kiryu began gathering the children. "Let's get the kids out of here."
"Everyone, help Martha take the kids to safety!" Jack ordered. "Yusei, Ren, Ben and I will deal with this."
"I'm coming too." Akiza said.
"I as well." Misty said, stepping beside Akiza. "This is personal for us."
"Fine, but the rest of you help Kiryu and Martha with the kids." Jack said
"Come on!" Yusei began to run, with Jack, Ren, Ben, Akiza and Misty, right behind him. As they got closer to the area, the Signers started to feel slight pain on their arms.
"Strega!" Sayer greeted mockingly, as the group approached him
"You're the one who destroyed the Orphanage?" Jack asked, as Sayer leaped off his Earthbound
"Indeed." Sayer confirmed
"I'm going to enjoy pummeling you." Jack said, getting ready to fight.
"The only one getting pummeled here, would be you." Sayer said
"Sayer, how could you?" Akiza asked
"It pains me that you sided with these people Akiza." Sayer said. "But don't worry, I'll help you unleashed your full potential." He smiled evily, causing Ben's eyes to widen
"Akiza, get out of-"
"The entrance to the Netherworld is on the witch's island". Sayer suddenly said.
After saying that, Akiza's eyes suddenly became Dark, as she emits a powerful wind around her, that knocked the others back.
"Akiza." Misty called to the girl, but was met with silence
"Akiza, snap out of it." Ben said
"She can't here you Strega." Sayer said, before standing beside Akiza. "If you don't want her to attack those children, then I advise you follow me to the Ener-D Reactor."
"It's obviously a trap." Ren said
"Akiza, attack Atlas." Sayer said
The Black Rose snapped. "I will crush you! Feel the fury of my Black Rose Dragon." Black Rose said, before summoning her Dragon.
The dragon pulled its head back before spitting out a stream of purple flames mixed with rose petals that engulfed engulfed Jack.
"Ahhhhh." Jack screamed, before falling to his knee
"If you even think of attacking me, all hell will break lose." Sayer said, causing Ben to grit his teeth in frustration
"Fine." Ben said reluctantly
"Good." Sayer said, before summoning Chacu Challhua again. Without warning, Chacu Challhua snatched Ben, before it started heading towards the Reactor, right after Sayer leaped on it. The group tried to go after Sayer's Earthbound, but the Black Rose stood Infront of them
"If you wish to pass, you will have to Duel me." Black Rose said, before activating her Duel Disk
"This rest of you go after Ben." Misty said, before standing face to face with Black Rose. "I'll deal with her."
"That won't be happening." Black Rose said, as large vines suddenly shot out from the ground, restraining Ren, Yusei and Jack. "With your allies out of the way, let's Duel."