Duel Spirit voice
Thought voice
Chapter 20
Satellite, Old Reactor
"This can't be happening." Ren thought to himself as he continued to stare at the now destroyed reactor. Silently glancing over his shoulder, he took notice of the grim expressions everyone had, with Misty and Akiza clearly having it worse
Tears welled into Akiza's eyes as she placed a comforting hand on the weeping form of Misty, whose eyes were fixed on the empty plain that once held a Reactor.
Signing to himself, Jack decided to silently approach Yusei and Ren
"We need to go, now." Jack said in a low but serious tone
"What about Akiza and Miss Lola?" Yusei asked
"It's better we leave them be." Jack said. "They'll only slow us down."
"Jack." Yusei growled at his friends insensitivity. "How can you say something like that?"
"Oh quit your whining Yusei." Jack shot back. "They're clearly in no condition to help us right now."
"Why you-"
"He's right Yusei." Ren said cutting him off. "As much as I hate to agree with him we can't have them accompany us. The longer we wait for them to recover, the quicker it takes for that thing to destroy the city." He said while pointing at the monster that is flying towards the direction of a condor Geo glyph
"Tch, fine." Yusei said before glancing one last time at the distressed female Duelists. "What's the plan then?"
"First things first, we better find a way to New Domino fast." Jack said
"Without our runners, that's easier said than done." Yusei said
"Well, we could always ride one of my dragons to get there." Ren suggested
"Seriously?" Jack asked. "Is that even safe?"
"You've got a better idea?" Ren asked
"No."
"Then it's decided, we're flying my dragon."
"We're coming with you." The trio turned to see Misty and Akiza approaching them. The shock seemed to have worn off and tears flowed freely from her wet eyes.
"I don't think that's-"
"We've made up our mind." Misty said stopping Ren. "We can't keep sulking forever when the fate of the world is on the line. Ben wouldn't want that."
"You too Akiza?" Yusei asked, causing his fellow signer to nod. "Then it's decided then."
"We're going to kick that thing back to the underworld, for Ben's sake." Jack announced, just before he grasped his arm in pain. Yusei and Akiza did the same as well, their marks glowing together in a fire as the stormy clouds were torn apart. Like a meteor, the Crimson Dragon swooped into the sky, roaring and looking at the group with its sun-gold eyes.
Jack gave a rough and pained look. "That's the-"
"-Crimson Dragon." Yusei finished
"It's about high time that overgrown Lizard showed up." Ren said just as dragon blasted an energy wave at them. Everyone cried out as they were taken into some sort of light, their eyes opening at the same time as they found themselves gliding over a road of light. The stars collected in the sky looked familiar to the special four.
"Are we inside the Crimson Dragon like before?" Akiza asked.
"Yep, and I think we're going somewhere, where it really needs us!" Yusei confirmed.
"Looks like our stop's here right now!" Akiza said, everyone yelled as they were thrown out of the edge of existence. Everyone landed on their feet and stood still, making sure they weren't moving anywhere else.
"Yusei!" The turbo duelist turned to notice Kiryu, Crow, Rua, Ruka, Tetsu and Mikage rushing towards them
"I take it the crimson Dragon brought you here as well?" Jack asked Kiryu once he was within earshot
"Yeah." Kiryu answered. "Where are we anyway?"
"Where's Ben?" Rua asked causing Misty to look away
"He's…gone." Yusei answered grimly
"What do you mean gone?" Tetsu demanded as he walked up to Yusei
"It's exactly what you think." Jack said
"This can't be happening right now." Kiryu said in disbelief
"Now isn't the time to mourn, we have bigger problems." Jack said
Crow looked around, bewilderment written all over his face. "Where are we?!"
The whole island of a home had been destroyed by the large tower that reached into the sky like a long arm, made of rustic and ancient stone that looked ready to fall apart.
"Isn't this the temple that was underneath goodwin's mansion?" Jack asked
"So this is where that condor was coming from." Akiza said
"Wait. So then. The king of the netherworld Is heading here but what for?" Crow asked
"I don't know." Yusei said
"Allow me to explain." Rex answered, everyone huddling together as his voice echoed throughout the courtyard of the once amazing mansion. "For you see, you may have succeeded in defeating the Dark Signers. . ." From the very top of the temple, Rex Goodwin waltzed out of the opening, smiling calmly at the startled individuals. "But not fast enough to stop the gate of the Netherworld from opening." He sighed, mocking his disappointment.
"So tell us what's going on!" Yusei shouted. "Did we fail? Is the world going to end? And just why the Hell is that thing heading here?!" he demanded.
"For the ritual!" Goodwin laughed, the bizarre sound making Yusei flinch.
"What?!" Yusei asked. "What ritual?" His question was overthrown by a horrible and mutilated bellow, Rex gazing away from him and looking ahead.
"The ritual that has been carried out at this temple for many, many years." He explained, watching as the terrible monster crossed the waters that separated the Satellite and New Domino, layers of mud peeling away from it and gliding across it's fire-red eyes.
Yusei turned away from the creature crawling to their location, wanting his answers before it made it there.
"OK, so what happens now?" He waved his arms around the area with little movement. "At this ritual, I mean."
Goodwin raised his own arm, calm and collectively. "It all depends, this time, it's something that has never happened before." He said with a laugh.
Jack was getting tired of the dodgy questions. "What, exactly?"
Rex laughed briskly. "So eager to know, are we not, Jack? But let us start at the beginning- With this!" From behind him, he whipped out a glass container holding a severed arm in a green liquid, a red mark flashing open it.
The Signers cried out an held their heads as a sharp sound blasted into their eardrums, the sizzling pain taking over their marked arms and their brands glowing as well.
"Our marks!" Ruka cried.
"That's the final mark," Yusei confirmed as he saw the red outline of the dragon's head, before he threw a glare at the director. "But why do you want it?" he demanded.
"To use it! Why do you think I wear a prophetic?" Asked the grey-haired man tauntingly.
"What's one thing have to do with the other?!" Jack asked, his hand tightly grasping his burning arm. Goodwin laughed at him, shaking his head and stirring anger from the former King.
"Just what are you after, Goodwin?" Yusei asked. Grinning widly, the director turned his back to them as something drew itself upon his back, glowing past his clothes. The turning lines and speckle spots turned into the form of a bird flying across the sky, the style and light recognizable to everyone.
Yusei's jaw dropped, his eyes turning wide. "That can't be. . . That's a-"
"Dark Signer's mark," Rex chortled, his voice curdling into a monstrous voice for a second. "Correct!" The mark of the Condor illuminated the temple and tore Goodwin's dress shirt and tuxedo jacket to shreds, his back etched with the mark, the tips of the wings reaching his biceps. "Meaning that I will have the power of the Light and the Darkness!" He turned to them as his hair grew longer and his body mass enlarged, purple lines appearing across his skin, his grey eyes sinking into pools of black. He was a full-fledged Dark Signer.
"Oh no!' Rua exclaimed.
"He can't-!" Mikage shouted, astonished.
Tetsu growled, "He won't!"
Goodwin picked up the capsule, snickering as those of the Light looked at him in mixed reactions of fear and immortal will, all of them mentally preparing themselves. It was so pathetic in his eyes. So completely useless.
"And just who's going to stop me? You?!" He laughed, pulling open the capsule and smoke falling out of it. He took a hold of his metal arm, crushing it with his flesh-covered one with sparks flying. He dunked his stumped arm into the capsule, green liquid splashing as a crack of energy shot from the arm. A purple light took over the director and he laughed as he proudly displayed the arm he now owned, the Crimson Dragon's head baring it's teeth. "With the prophetic I used, I am able to transport the power of the Crimson Dragon's from this arm into my very being!" He revealed.
"What are you planning to do with it?!" Yusei asked, looking vicious. "I don't understand! Give me a straight answer!"
"Why? Ha," Rex looked down at him like a roach. "To become all-powerful, of course! And to rule the world! And now, with the my Dark Sign and the power my brother entrusted to me, I shall!" He shouted as his marks brightened together, the power surging deep-within the earth and launching the temple into the sky.
"We need to take cover " Jack shouted, triggering everyone to make a run for their Runners(which was transported there by the Crimson Dragon), as the tower it rose into the sky and shook the entire place.
The land around them broke apart, falling into the ocean as they raced down the highway that connected the island to the city. They all stopped when they reached the ports of the city and looked up as the temple loomed over the city and the Satellite
"Behold the purge of my reign to come!" Boomed Rex's voice, a sort of stone table rising from the ground with smaller machines following it. "But first, let us begin the ancient ritual for the kind of the Netherworld! We will Duel on the Crest of the Condor! There I will crush you Signers, and send you all to the Netherworld!" He declared, his voice reaching the ears of his enemies. "And in turn, the King shall do my bidding and then, my ultimate plan will reach it's time!" He crackled, the Condor's wings behind him flapping once.
"You're completely insane!" Yusei shouted angrily. "How could you do such a thing?!"
"Yeah!" Crow agreed, gritting his teeth. "You asked Yusei to take the Dark Signers down, not the other way around!"
"I have my reasons. Now," The dark being spread his arms out, grinning wickedly at them. "Shall we partake in this Duel?" He hissed, his shadow turning into the form of the King of the Netherworld's before it morphed back into himself.
"You should already know the answer to that!" Yusei shouted.. "I'm ready to end this! Once and for all!"
"Very well!" Rex said. "But be warned! You are destined to fall! None of you shall come out of this alive!"
"Bring it on!" Crow said. "No one here is afraid of you, goodwin!"
"That's right! So you got yourself some bulging biceps. So what." Jack said before flexing his muscles. "Take a look at these bad boys. Built for speed and power, Just like the legendary man himself."
"That's right. We'll soar as high as he did in this duel." Yusei announced
"You should get ready for a whole world of pain Goodwin!" Kiryu said. "Because Crow, Jack, and Yusei are all set to rev it up!"
"Go, guys! Beat him! Yeah!" Rua yelled
"You can do it!" Ruka yelled
"That's right! Be strong!" Ren said
"And be careful!" Misty said as all three of them had pulled up in front of the temple, setting their Decks and looking up at the transformed Goodwin as he set his own.
"Since there are three of you going against me, you will each be given four-thousand Life-Points, while I am giving triple the amount. None of us may attack on the first turn either," His Deck went through a shuffle and he looked at the three ex-members of Team Satisfaction expectantly. "Any questions?"
"None here!" Crow shouted.
Crow: 4000 (SC:0)
"I'm ready when these two are!" Jack decreed.
Jack: 4000 (SC:0)
"I'm good. So let's rev it up!" Yusei shouted, the three Runners powering up and racing up the temple on the road of light granted to them, everyone's Life-Points falling into place.
Yusei: 4000 (SC:0)
"Now, signers, prepare to enter Into a world of stealth, A world where every move counts. Prepare to enter speed world." Rex announces as they all activate the 'Speed World Spell'
Dark Signer Rex: 12000 (SC:0)
"DUEL!"
"And you prepare to enter a world of hurt, goodwin! I'll take the first move!" Crow said
Turn 1
"I draw." Crow announced. "First I'll summon "Blackwing - Mistral the Silver Shield" in Attack Position."
Blackwing - Mistral the Silver Shield (100Atk/1800Def/Lvl2/Dark/WingedBeast)
"And when a Blackwing's out, I can summon something else from my hand-Something that's gonna really give me a serious edge, And a sharp edge at that. I summon Blackwing-Bora the Spear!
Blackwing - Bora the Spear (1700Atk/800Def/Lvl4/Dark/WingedBeast)
"I then place one card facedown and end my turn."
Turn: 2
(Crow SC: 0 1) (Jack SC: 0 1)
(Yusei SC: 0 1) (Rex SC: 0 1)
"Which means you get to deal with me now." Jack said while drawing. "And I'll start by calling out Mad archfiend."
Mad Archfiend (1800Atk/0Def/Lvl4/Dark/Fiend)
"Next I'll throw a facedown and call it a turn." Jack said. "And you're about to go down 'Cause guess what. Whatever you're planning ain't gonna be happening."
"Oh, yes, it will." Rex said. "It's been in the makings for years, Not that I knew it back then. You see, before my brother roman released the power of Ener-D, He gave me the mark of the Dragon head And explained that every , years, the Crimson Dragon And the king of the netherworld do battle…"
"Light versus darkness. And this time, my brother's body was the battleground. Two marks-one symbolizing each Embedded themselves in his flesh. But the dark signer mark soon began to take control Of my brother. Soon he was swallowed by its power, But not entirely. Roman still l understood the importance of the darkness being kept In check by the light so he went to great lengths to expunge the light from his system and give it to someone he could trust me."
"He unleashed the power of the Ener-D reactor." Rex continued. "Soon after, I did as my brother asked and prepared to fight the darkness By gathering you signers. And then, as he so charged, I challenged him to a duel, The light against the dark, The good against the wicked. And do you know what happened?"
"You lost." Ren said
"Indeed." Rex said. "And so doing was reborn as a Dark Signer. So now you finally understand. With the power I've been given as a dark signer, I'll have the king of the netherworld lay waste To all that there is! Then with the power of the light, I can have the crimson dragon rebuild the world In my image for me to rule! You've lost it."
"Wait a second. Lay waste to all that there is?" Ruka asked. "So then you're planning on destroying Everyone and everything on earth?"
"Sorry, Mr. Would-be world dominator, but we're not gonna let that happen!" Crow said
"That's right, Goodwin!" Yusei said. "You may have the power of light and darkness on your side, But we've got something even stronger, And it's something you can't just take!"
"Ha. And tell me, what might that be?" Rex mockingly asked
"It's the power you get for fighting for what's right!" Yusei added before drawing
Turn: 3
(Crow SC: 1 2) (Jack SC: 1 2)
(Yusei SC: 1 2) (Rex SC: 1 2)
"Now, then I'm summoning Max Warrior in attack mode!"
Max Warrior (1800Atk/800Def/Lvl4/Wind/Warrior)
"Then I'll throw a facedown and end my turn." Yusei said
Turn: 4
(Crow SC: 2 3) (Jack SC: 2 3)
(Yusei SC: 2 3) (Rex SC: 2 3)
"Finally, then it's time to show you the power of both light and dark." Rex said. "First, since there are monsters on your field but none on mine, I'm allowed to summon forth Oracle of the Sun onto the field."
Oracle of the Sun (1000Atk/2000Def/Lvl5/Light/Spellcaster)
"And then I'll follow that by summoning the tuner monster Fire Ant Ascator!"
Fire Ant Ascator (700Atk/1300Def/Lvl3/Earth/Insect)
"A tuner monster?" Yusei asked. "Not good!"
"Yes, you know what's coming, don't you?" Rex laughed. "Next, my level three Fire Ant Ascator tunes with my level five Oracle of the Sun to synchro summon the one, the only-The beginning of the end for you peons-The sun dragon inti!"
Sun Dragon Inti (3000Atk/2800Def/Lvl8/Light/Dragon)
"I don't know. That thing doesn't look so tough." Jack said
"Don't you worry. There's much more." Rex said. "Next, by removing the tuner monster Fire Ant Ascator from play, I can summon Weeping Idol."
Weeping Idol (0Atk/500Def/Lvl2/Dark/Rock)
"Then by lowering my life points by I can summon the dark tuner Dark Goddess Witaka from my hand!"
Rex: 12000 11000
Dark Goddess Witaka (0Atk/0Def/Lvl3/Dark/Spellcaster)
"And now I'll activate Witaka's ability!" Rex announced. "With it, I'm allowed to make her level equal to the level of one synchro monster that's out on the field. So since Sun Dragon Inti's level is eight Witaka's level now becomes as well."
Dark Goddess Witaka (0Atk/0Def/Lvl8/Dark/Spellcaster)
"And now that she's packing more heat, I'll have her dark tune with the level two Weeping idol." Rex said. "So you see, just as I have both the power of light and dark, My field will have it as well. First there was the sun dragon, and now there is the Moon Dragon Quilla!."
Moon Dragon Quilla (2500Atk/2000Def/Lvl6/Dark/Dragon)
"But I'm afraid Quilla won't be around for long." Rex said as the Dragon suddenly destroyed itself. "You see, due to my Moon Dragon's special ability, It is destroyed during the end phase of my turn"
"So then why make such a production out of him coming out?" Jack asked. "You really do have a few screws loose, don't you?"
"Oh, well. This'll be over soon enough!" Crow said. "'Cause this next round, we're puttin' the hurt on you. Big-time!"
"Yes. This upcoming round should be quite interesting indeed." Rex smiled
Turn: 5
(Crow SC: 3 4) (Jack SC: 3 4)
(Yusei SC: 3 4) (Rex SC: 3 4)
"I don't like the sound of that." Crow thinks before drawing. "All right, Goodwin. Time to take you down. First things first. I play the speed spell tune-up."
"Thanks to this, I get to roll a die, and then Blackwing's level increases Depending on what number I roll." In that moment a giant dice materializes before rolling two
"All right." Crow said. "Blackwing's level increases by one. And now I'll use this blackwing to tune my other one-Blackwing Bora the Spear! And I think you know what happens next."
"A synchro summon!" Rex mutters
"That brings out Blackwing Armor Master." Crow announces as the monster appeared
Blackwing Armor Master (2500Atk/1500Def/Lvl7/Dark/WingedBeast)
"And did I mention when a Blackwing is face up on my field, I'm allowed to summon the following monster without any penalty." Crow said. "That's right. Blackwing Elphin the Raven, You can come on out!"
Blackwing Elphin the Raven (2200Atk/1200Def/Lvl6/Dark/WingedBeast)
"Now, Blackwing Armor Master, Attack that sun dragon inti!" Crow announced. "Soaring shadow strike."
"Fool. Your Blackwing doesn't have enough attack points to win this battle." Rex said as Inti knocked Armor Master back
"You see, Blackwing Armor Master can't be destroyed in battle." Crow said. "And any battle damage that occurred becomes zero! But wait. There's more. Whatever monster Blackwing attacked Is tagged with a wedge counter. And once it wedges its way inside, that monster's attack and defense points become zero for the turn."
"Meaning my other blackwing-Elphin the Raven can't miss." Crow said as his monster destroyed Inti
Rex: 8800
"I'm afraid that's where you're wrong, Crow." Goodwin chuckled. "There's no such thing as "can't miss. Not for you and not for the so-called legendary man you've modeled your life after. Believe me, I know."
"What are you talking about?" Crow asked
"Hold on. Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Yusei asked with widen eyes. "That you're...you're him? The one who built the bridge from satellite?"
"Back to the duel and to your Elphin the Raven. Because any monster that destroys sun dragon inti Is also destroyed and then you take damage equal to its attack points." Rex said causing Elphin to explode
"Aah!" Crow screamed as his runner lost control for a moment.
Crow: 1800
"Additionally, When Sun Dragon Inti is destroyed, I'm allowed to summon Moon Dragon Quilla from my graveyard." Rex said. "You see, Crow, even when you can't miss, you can still be destroyed. That's a lesson I learned the hard way. Yes, I am the one who tried to build that bridge from satellite. I thought i, too, couldn't miss, but I was wrong and now I know that if you really want something, you must do whatever is necessary to get it!"
"Not if it means hurting people." Yusei said. "And that's why we're going to stop you right here and right now." Suddenly Goodwin began chuckling sinisterly as the Signer marks began to fade away from his oppositions bodies."
"Ohh!" Jack gasped as he looked at his arm
"No way! Our marks!" Yusei muttered
"They're gone!" Ruka said
Unknown Area
Everything was quiet. The blood on his fingers was being washed away by the tears on his cheeks which were dripping down on Misty's motionless face. At first he couldn't breathe, but then he was suddenly breathing way too quickly.
"Misty?" Ben whispered. His voice was weak and so were his trembling hands. "Misty?" He shook Misty's head, but she didn't respond. She was still warm, she couldn't be dead, she couldn't. "Misty!" Ben cried and when she stayed still, he let out a sob.
He quickly looked around and saw several of his allies, lying all around him. Yusei, Kiryu, Jack, Akiza, Crow, Rua, Ruka, Tetsu and Mikage were all dead, but he couldn't remember what had happened. He didn't even want to remember, all that mattered was that he had failed. He had failed to protect Misty, and this? This was all his fault.
"No!" Ben sobbed and pulled Misty close, holding her shoulder with his chin as he cried and couldn't stop. Nothing mattered anymore. His life was... meaningless. All that power in him, and he yet couldn't protect her
"No!"
XXX
Ben gasped as he slowly opened his eyes to his surroundings. He noticed that he was in a desert for some reason with the sky been blood red.
"What happened?" he moaned as he brought a hand to his head, only to realize that his hands were cuffed together by a purple chain. Before he could question his predicament, a voice suddenly caught his attention
"You're finally awake." Nightshroud said as he casually strolled towards Ben
"You." Ben tried to stand up but a sudden electric shock ran through his body and he fell to his knees with a groan. Struggling with the pain, he then realized that the shock was coming from the collar on his neck
"Try to move again, and you'll be receiving something far worse than a shock therapy." Nightshroud said before making the collar's electric discharge stop
"Wh…what do you what from me?" Ben groaned as struggled to keep his eyes on Nightshroud
"Nothing much." Nightshroud said. "I just need you to get me out of this hellhole you sent us."
"What do you mean?" Ben asked as took a better look at his surroundings. Judging by the crater on the ground, he assumed something or someone dropped a nuke on the area. "Where are we?"
"The Underworld or Netherworld, depending on what you want to call it." Nightshroud said causing Ben's eyes to widen in shock.