In another part of the Main Building, far from the confrontation occurring at the Occult Club, Chairwoman Hudson grimaced while replaying the recording she'd taken of Konami. The bug Yuma placed on his bags had monitored every word he'd said since returning, including those he'd exchanged with Bastion and Jasmine while they were at Ra Yellow. Now, those same words were being relayed in the Chancellor's office. Far from being concerned, however, Chancellor Sheppard took them in with a frown.
"When I told you to create Holactie Force, my intention wasn't for you to bug students," he sighed. "On the contrary, I signed off on the missive to protect them better. Not harass them."
"This does protect them," Hudson protested. "And this recording clearly has merit! We now know the Kodo boy has no intention of changing how he thinks or acts, and even worse, it sounds like he has vital information about future threats! I request permission to bring him in for questioning."
"Permission denied. Stand down," he said.
"What?! But sir!"
"Your recording has merit? Is that what you believe, Chairwoman?" Chancellor Sheppard leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but firm. "From what I heard, it sounds like Konami's only trying to figure things out. Take responsibility for his past behavior. He's not plotting against us. If anything, it sounds like he's caught up in something bigger than even he knows."
Chairwoman Hudson's eyes narrowed, and she started chewing her cheek in frustration. "Bigger than he knows? Sir, that's precisely why we should bring the boy in! If there's something happening in the North he's aware of, then we have a right to know what! And you heard the recording! It sounds like he's involved with several duplicitous factions. The Fujiwara Clan, Umi no Corp, and he still blames his actions on 'spirits!' What if this escalates? Can we really afford to let his behavior keep sliding, Chancellor?"
Sheppard sighed, meeting her gaze while tapping his fingers across his desk. "Hudson, you're looking at this the wrong way. This recording isn't submittable proof. Even if it was, from what you've shown, it seems we should focus more on this 'Mackenzie.'"
He picked up the recording device from the desk, turning it as if studying its components. He set it back down and slid it towards her. "There's nothing here that condemns Konami. Speculation and suspicion aren't enough to drag Academy students in for questioning, especially one who's gained as much popularity as he has in the past couple of weeks."
"Popularity?" Hudson shot back, her voice betraying her frustration. "What popularity?! Konami's been a magnet for trouble since the day he set foot here! You know how many fights, Duels, and mysterious 'accidents' have occurred around him! And now he's making alliances with big corporations known for illegal behavior! This isn't just a hunch anymore, Chancellor! This recording is evidence!"
"But not enough. You and I both know Duel Academy isn't a police state. We're here to train Duelists, not monitor our students' lives like they're convicted felons. We give them room to learn, to make mistakes, and yes, sometimes they fall…" He shook his head. "But that doesn't mean I'll let you use Holactie Force as your army."
Hudson clenched her fists, trying and failing to rein in her growing anger. "So you're saying we just let Konami run free, putting all of our students at risk?"
"I'm saying," Sheppard replied, "that until you've given me something more concrete, you leave him be. If there's any real danger, then the faculty and I will deal with it. But not like this. Not based on paranoia. Nor these illegal bugs."
Hudson stood up from her chair, her frustration now clearly shown on her face. "This is a mistake, Sheppard. Mark my words—Konami Kodo's up to no good! And when his actions blow up in our faces, you'll wish you'd let me bring him in while we could."
Sheppard's eyes softened, but he stood his ground. "You're entitled to your opinion, Chairwoman. But as long as I'm here, we'll handle these matters properly. And by the book. You may have authority over Holactie Force, but Duel Academy is still mine. You will do as I say… or I'll start looking for someone who will."
For a long, tense moment, neither spoke as Hudson's eyes narrowed in outrage. But instead of lashing out, she grabbed the recording and slid it back into her pocket.
"Very well, Sheppard," she said through gritted teeth, "Just don't say I didn't warn you."
Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the Chancellor's office, leaving him sitting alone behind his desk. He watched her leave with a sigh.
"Well, Chancellor," another voice said, emitting from his laptop's speakers, "What happened to the plan of, 'talking her down?' It sounds like you riled her up!"
Sheppard frowned at the voice and turned his eyes back toward the computer, sighing again as his gaze met that of the legendary Maximillian Pegasus.
"It's not her fault. Chairwoman Hudson has always been a believer in discipline. She's good at her job, but these circumstances go beyond what classify as her duties," he explained. "I'd rather she not get involved in this matter… for her own safety if nothing else. We both know how dangerous Duel Spirits can be. I'd like to minimize any danger."
"Oh? So it's not a matter of trust," noted Pegasus. "It's fear."
Sheppard nodded, "Jinzo, Judge Man… The spirits on the island are active, and based on reports from the other Academies, the same can be said for them, too. Something's riling the spirits. And coupled with this 'recording' from Chairwoman Hudson…"
"You believe it has to do with Principal Mackenzie?" asked Pegasus.
"It confirms our suspicions," Sheppard said. He opened his drawer, retrieving a classified document labeled Mackenzie. Inside was a detailed profile listing everything they knew of the man.
It wasn't much.
He appeared out of nowhere, shooting through the ranks of the North before becoming its head. The only reason they even knew as much as they did was because he'd once applied for Sheppard's position! And more than that…
Had once worked for Pegasus as a card designer at I2.
"I was quite surprised to hear he had taken up a post as an Academy Instructor," said Pegasus. "He never seemed interested in teaching before. Didn't have the talent for it, either."
"Then it appears things changed when he left your employment, especially if these rumors are true. Many on the School Board are whispering about injuries occurring among the North's students. If we link those rumors with Konami's behavior, it does paint a rather dark picture."
Pegasus grimaced and looked over his own copy of Mackenzie's profile. "I'll admit it was a mistake not to monitor his change. He'd always loved card designing. But after that expedition he took to Egypt, it was as if he became someone different. I don't like what that implies, Sheppard." He touched his left eye socket grimly. "That country is home to many dark forces that can change a person for the worse. If Mackenzie stumbled upon one somehow, it would explain his shift in ideology."
Sheppard nodded. "Given his attempt to gain my position as Chancellor, it's not a stretch to think they're involved. We should prepare for the worst."
Pegasus smiled at that. "Then we're to proceed with the plan as intended?"
"Yes," Sheppard said. "I'll make the announcement to the students tomorrow at assembly. Operation: Blank Card is in play. We'll lure this threat out of hiding."
"I'll make the arrangements. Good luck, Sheppard. At this rate, we're going to need it."
TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: TWISTING THE TALE
LESSON FIVE
DARK BURNING!
Ten minutes prior…
"Last time on Dark Magician Girl Shine, our beautiful witches came face-to-face with the Dragon of Destruction… Gandora! Will they be able to overcome his wrath and save Kiwi's mom from the dragontaint, or will they lose and be subjected to the same foul fate as the Dragon Core Hexer?! It's time to find out… THIS time on Dark Magician Girl Shine!"
The television's volume rose as Torrey hurried back toward the couch, the TV's speakers humming with the fanciful tunes of the Magician Girl's theme song.
"She's got a staff, she's got a spell!"
He hummed along happily with each and every verse, planting himself by Isaka while setting the bowl of popcorn between them. He had only just gotten comfortable when the song finally reached its end, finishing off with a dramatic, "Yeah, they shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!"
"Sweet!" Torrey said. "You've gotten a lot better at singing the first verse, Isaka! But I wonder what'll happen in this episode?"
"Yeah, me too!" said Isaka. "The last one was pretty intense. Had me feelin' some kinda way. Poor Kiwi… Her life's so hard! I sure hope Dark's able to help her!"
Torrey agreed with a nod and stuffed his hand into the bowl of popcorn. His eyes locked onto the television screen as he stuffed his face with the kernels.
"Inherited Soul! Black Chaos! Whaddya mean, 'Two Darks?!'" it cried.
"Yosh, this is gonna be great!" he said, clenching his butt cheeks. He shifted in place to get more comfortable. He couldn't wait to see this episode—!
BANG!
But before the first scene even came into view, the door to the club room crashed inward. Torrey screamed, ducking behind the couch with Isaka to gaze at the intruder. As they hid, the room was flooded with light from the hallway outside. And there, standing in the middle of the entrance, was a glaring Konami Kodo.
"Wha-? Konami?! You're back already?!" Torrey squeaked, flinching at his gaze. "I-I mean… Good to see you again!"
"That's all you have to say?" he growled.
Torrey and Isaka gulped as Konami stormed into the club room, his eyes glowing with rage as he grabbed a chair and threw it toward them.
"You idiots nearly got all of us killed!" he roared.
"HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!" they screamed, ducking as the chair soared over their heads and shattered against the far wall.
"I-It's not our fault!" cried Isaka. "It's Mukouda's! He summoned Jinzo!"
"And you two idiots helped him do it! Now you're in here watching cartoons?!"
"It's not a cartoon, it's an anime! And we were just trying to have a good laugh!" Torrey cried. "We didn't know Jinzo would try to kill us! We just thought he'd give you a scare!"
One of Konami's eyes twitched in annoyance.
"Oh, he scared me alright," he grunted. He stepped closer, grabbing his own blazer. "And I have the scars to prove it!"
He ripped his shirt open, revealing the Lichtenberg scars scattered across his chest. They traveled down his skin in a fern-like pattern, pulsing with malevolent energy.
"W-Whoa, dude," Isaka stammered, taking in their red hue. "Those are… kinda cool, y'know? You're all battle-hardened… like a warrior!"
For a split second, there was a brief silence.
And then—
"Cool?" growled Konami. "You think these scars are cool, Isaka? Do you think this is some kind of joke?!"
He balled his fists, glaring at the boy while taking another step forward. The look in his eyes made the two boys flinch—Isaka dove behind the couch!
"W-Wait! I didn't mean it like that!" he screeched, crawling away. "Stop! D-Don't come any closer! HIIIIIIIIIIIIE, s-somebody save me!"
"Whenever someone cries out to be saved, I'll ALWAYS be there to help them!"
The TV glowed, bathing the room in a bright, blinding blue light! Konami grunted and shielded his eyes as Torrey and Isaka crawled backward, getting as much distance between them as they could as the TV screen swirled like a portal.
"What the-?!"
"What's happening?!"
Their eyes all stared at the TV. Then, as if emerging from within—
"Dark the Dark Magician Girl appears!" she cheered.
Her blue and pink robes fluttered around her as she emerged from the television screen. She gave a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with joy as she struck a cute pose.
Dark Magician Girl - LV6 - DARK - Spellcaster - (2000/1700)
"Don't worry, you two! This big bad wolf won't hurt you as long as I'm here!" she winked.
"D-D-D-DARK MAGICIAN GIRL?!" Torrey sputtered, his jaw dropping open. "B-B-But how is this possible?!"
Isaka was far less composed. His face went completely white, and he collapsed in a heap with a dramatic groan. Konami sneered at the boy and turned, facing the blonde girl directly.
"You again? You're seriously going to throw your lot in with these two? I haven't thanked you for saving me and Jasmine, but don't think that'll spare you my wrath."
"Saving you?" Dark Magician Girl asked, tapping her chin in wonder. "Sorry pal, but you have me confused with some other Dark Magician Girl spirit!" Her eyes widened. "Oh, I know! You're talking about Senpai Dark Magician Girl! Now that you mention it, she warned me about you Yellow Shirts before she left to go back to Yugi!"
"Warned you?" he inquired.
"Yeah! She said you're all thieves and edgelords! Said that some of you smell funny, too! Like, pee-yew! Take a bath!"
"What?!"
Konami's face whirled with disbelief as the Dark Magician Girl hovered before him, her playful demeanor completely at odds with the tension circulating the room.
"Take… a bath?" he repeated, his fists still clenched while he glared at her figure. "Is… this some kind of joke to you?!"
"Not at all! Baths are serious business!" she winked. She hovered in place, nodding while raising a finger as if to explain. "It's not funny if somebody's smell starts stinking up the workplace, you know? And you don't want to fight while smelling like you've been rolling around in a swamp, now do you?"
Torrey, still huddled behind the couch, was unable to believe what he was seeing. "D-Dark Magician Girl came out our TV… just to talk about hygiene?"
Konami's eyes narrowed at her floating figure, ignoring Torrey's words completely. "I see. Well, if you aren't your Senpai… then that means I don't owe you anything. And if you think I'll let these two idiots off because you showed up, think again."
Dark Magician Girl's eyes flashed at that, betraying a small hint of seriousness. Even so, her smile never wavered. "No one's getting 'let off!' But as a magical girl, it's my duty to make sure the baddies get beat! And between you three, it's clear which side is the bad one! Newsflash: it's yours! So, why don't you take a nice, deep breath and calm down before you get hurt? I might not look it, but I've got a lot of power packed behind this beautiful face!"
Torrey scrambled to his feet, emboldened by the Dark Magician Girl's presence. "Y-Yeah! Just scram, Konami! She's not gonna let you attack us!"
Konami shot him a withering glare. "You think this spirit can save you? Maybe if she'd shown up before my suspension, but now? I'm a new man."
Torrey gulped, his confidence evaporating beneath Konami's cold words. But before the Ra could take so much as a step, Dark Magician Girl stepped in between them.
"Hey, calm down! We're all friends here. We don't have to settle things with violence!"
Konami laughed. "Friends? Ha! Don't you lecture me, spirit! I've dealt with several of your kind by now, and like them, you don't belong here!"
"You've got that wrong!" Dark Magician Girl said, her voice becoming a bit more firm. "I do belong here! This island's my home! And this room… is where I was born!"
"...Eh?"
"...Huh?"
"Whaaa…?" Isaka groaned, briefly raising his head. He saw the Dark Magician Girl hovering before him, then promptly passed out again. Not seeing his plight, or perhaps ignoring it, Dark the Dark Magician Girl continued.
"It's my home," Dark explained. "This club, I mean… It's what made me real! Do you know how much heart, body, and soul Isaka and Torrey poured into this? They used nearly all their allowance to buy things for me so they could pray harder!"
"Pray?" Konami asked incredulously. He'd known they were Magician Girl fans, but they'd never prayed while he'd been there before. Had they saved that for after he'd left? "Hmph. Ridiculous!"
Now that he looked around the club room though, it made sense. Dark Magician Girl's posters adorned all the walls, and their shrine of her was now thrice the size! It wasn't as much an Occult Club now as it was a Dark Magician Girl Goon Room!
He shivered at the thought.
'Oh great. As if I needed that picture in my head,' he thought, cringing.
"It's not ridiculous! It's what happened!" Dark cried. "I'm here thanks to them! And that's why I won't let you hurt them. No matter what they might've done!"
"Is that so?" Konami's eyes narrowed, their deeds still fresh in his mind. "Jinzo nearly killed me, you know. You think I'll back off 'cause you're here? I'm getting my payback one way or another, so why don't you get out of my way?"
Dark Magician Girl adjusted her hat, her expression softening slightly. "I'm not saying you have to forgive them, but attacking them isn't right! That's not what dueling is about, and you know it! There's a better way to handle this… Duel me!"
For a moment, Konami was silent, letting the surprise show on his face. But as he glanced from Dark to Torrey and Isaka, that surprise gave way to a smirk.
"I see," he chuckled. "So you want to duel? Fine. I'll take you on. If I have to cut a path through you to get them, so be it! It's your funeral."
She pouted angrily.
"No one's dying! And you're not cutting through anything!" she spun on her heel, and with a flick of her staff, summoned an Academy Duel Disk. At the sight of the device, Konami grimaced and quickly activated his own. The two of them stared at each other fiercely as Torrey watched from the sidelines.
"Good luck, Dark Magician Girl!" he cheered. "I… I know you can win!"
"DUEL!"
"It's my turn!" Konami said, reaching for his cards. "I—"
"STOP!"
He stumbled in place, grimacing as Torrey's words interrupted his movement. A sharp glare at the boy made him flinch, but the Obelisk stood his ground.
"S-Since this is my club and all, I'll decide who goes first!" he said. "And I choose… the Dark Magician Girl!"
"Wow! Thanks, cutie!" she winked.
Konami scowled. "You know, Torrey, you're only digging your hole deeper. But if you want your little girlfriend to go first, fine! It won't change the outcome one bit!"
"I wouldn't say that," Dark Magician Girl said. "This just gave me a HUGE morale boost! And with the help of my friends, you'll find I'm more than ready to take you down! It's my turn! I DRAW!"
She swung her hand in an arc, a golden light following the card she pulled from her deck as she smiled.
"And speaking of friends, it's only right for you to say hello to one of my best! I summon the adorable Berry Magician Girl in Attack Position!"
A glowing pink light emerged in front of the card's hologram as she placed it, giving birth to a small brown-haired fairy clad in a tiny pink robe. A similar version of the Dark Magician's hat sat adorably on her head, which itself was nearly obscured by the green pacifier in her mouth.
Berry Magician Girl - LV1 - EARTH - Spellcaster - (400/400)
"And if she's summoned, she gets to add another friend to my hand!" Dark explained. "Well, a 'Magician Girl' friend that is! I'm choosing my bestie, Apple!"
She revealed the Apple Magician Girl card and added it to her hand, smiling as she reached for another that she then slid quickly into her Duel Disk.
"I'll set one card and end my turn. Guess that makes it your move!"
"Oh, great. You mean I have to deal with more of you magical girls? As if one wasn't bad enough already," Konami glowered. "My turn. Draw!"
His lips twitched as he eyed his new card.
"Hmph. How ironic. Fine. If you're summoning magical girls, then I guess it's fair I do, too! Come on out, Lady of D.! Rise and serve your master!"
A pitch-black mist swirled through the club room as he flung the card onto his Duel Disk, giving rise to a beautiful blonde clad in blue and gold armor.
Lady of D. - LV4 - DARK - Spellcaster - (1500/1100)
Dark's eyes widened as she stared at the blonde. "That's… the Lady of Dragons!"
"That's right, and her strength will put you and your pathetic Magician Girls in their place!" growled Konami. "Lady of D., attack Berry Magician Girl with Dark Echo!"
The dragon protector nodded her head and raised her palms to the ceiling, manifesting a large black sphere that she promptly hurled at the mascot.
"Not so fast!" Dark Magician Girl cried, "you just activated Berry's effect!"
"What?"
"If she's attacked, she can change her Battle Position and ask one of her friends for help!" she explained.
"Friends?" Konami inquired.
"She means another 'Magician Girl' Monster," said Torrey. "If she's attacked, she can Special Summon one straight from Dark Magician Girl's deck!"
"Wow! That's exactly right, cutie!" Dark confirmed with a wink. Torrey swooned at the praise as she twirled, "I call out… Lemon Magician Girl!"
A golden sparkle filled the air, disintegrating the approaching sphere of darkness. Berry sighed as it vanished from view, then gazed upward to her savior. Manifesting in the open space, a new Magician Girl appeared. Clad in all yellow, she winked at Berry and twirled her own staff in her hands.
Lemon Magician Girl - LV2 - LIGHT - Spellcaster - (800/600)
"Lemon Magician Girl…" Konami glowered, recalling his Duel with Dimitri. 'She's not a Monster I can simply attack… if I do, she'll halve our Attack Points!' His fists clenched. 'But that doesn't matter, because Berry's still on the field!'
"With a new Monster out, I get a replay! Lady, strike Berry again!"
The sorceress nodded obediently and raised both her hands once more. Berry reared back in fright, watching as a second sphere formed in the room. But instead of looking disturbed by the act, the Dark Magician Girl smiled.
"Sorry, hun, but if you're attacking, then I'll be choosing the target!" she said. She threw out her hand, revealing her face-down card, "I activate Shift! This Trap card will change your attack so that it targets Lemon instead! And I hope you're ready to be wow'd, pal, 'cause she's got an awesome effect!"
Lemon winked and teleported in front of Berry as Lady attacked, directing her staff at the approaching sphere of darkness with a cute grin.
"No!" Konami gasped, already knowing precisely what was about to happen.
"I activate Lemon's effect!" Dark said. "She summons another Magician Girl! And once this one appears from my hand, your attack will be shifted to her! And that's not all… because your Monster's Attack Points will get halved, too!"
'Damn it…' Konami grimaced, tightening his grip on his cards. 'That's exactly what I was afraid of!'
"I play Apple Magician Girl! Come on out, bestie! Let's show that sorceress some real magic!" Dark Magician Girl placed the card face-up, and a flaming pillar cut through the sphere!
Konami grimaced and shielded his eyes as the red Magician Girl materialized, flapping bright pink wings that cut through the darkness of Lady's attack.
Apple Magician Girl - LV3 - FIRE - Spellcaster - (1200/800)
"Since Apple was summoned, Lemon's effect now cuts Lady's Attack Points in half!" Torrey shouted. As if cursed by his words, Lady of D. suddenly winced and grabbed her chest in pain.
Lady of D. - LV4 - DARK - Spellcaster - (750/1100)
"Alright, Apple!" Dark Magician Girl sang. "Show Lady of D. your magic! Counterattack! Flame Burning!"
Apple winked and flipped in the air. With a fierce cry, she spread out her palms and shot her own flaming sphere, sending it hurtling across the field toward the fatigued Lady of D.
"You're not the only one who can use effects!" Konami shouted as it closed in. "By discarding a Dragon-type card from my hand, my Lady of D. won't be killed!"
He quickly slid a card into his Graveyard as Lady of D. raised her hands, creating a massive barrier of light just as the flaming sphere landed. A loud crack filled the air as Konami shielded his eyes and grimaced.
"Nice move," Dark Magician Girl winked. "But sorry! You still take the damage!"
DARK MAGICIAN GIRL - 4000 LP
KONAMI - 3550 LP
"Alright!" Torrey cheered. "With this, you've taken the lead, Dark Magician Girl! Keep this up, and you'll have Konami packing his bags in no time!"
She giggled at that, "Yup! Just sit tight and watch me win this!"
"Don't make me laugh!" Konami interrupted. "You aren't winning anything, witch!"
"Huh?"
"During my Main Phase Two, I'm activating my Burning Dragon's effect!" he growled. "Since you control two or more Monsters, I can Special Summon him from my hand!"
He grabbed the card and nonchalantly slapped it onto his Duel Disk by Lady. A fierce rumble filled the air as all of the Magician Girls reared back.
"Appear now, flaming servant! Burning Dragon, rise!"
"W-Wha-?!" Dark Magician Girl gasped as the floor of the clubroom split open. From its depths, a serpentine figure slithered onto the field, its body steaming from the molten-hot rocks that made up its scales and skin. Taking its place beside Lady of D., it lifted its head and roared, sending shockwaves through the clubroom and making Torrey stumble back.
Burning Dragon - LV8 - FIRE - Dragon - (2500/2100)
"Oh boy…" Dark Magician Girl said, a bead of sweat dripping from her brow. "T-That's a pretty big beast…"
"Kukuku… Scared? Don't worry," Konami replied, grinning smugly at her nervousness. "Since I summoned him during Main Phase Two, he can't attack you this turn. So I'll settle for placing two cards face-down and ending my move. Do your worst."
"Sorry! But I'd rather do my best! Draw!" Dark Magician Girl yelled. Her eyes narrowed as she eyed her drawn card: A trap.
'I'll save that for later,' she thought. 'But for now…'
"I'll summon Chocolate Magician Girl in Attack Mode!" she shouted, flinging yet another Magician Girl card face-up onto her Duel Disk.
A jet of water burst from her card hologram as she appeared, dousing the Dark Magician Girl's side of the field as if to cool her from Burning Dragon's heat. Shortly after, a long-haired beauty manifested on top of the card, winking at the Burning Dragon with a giggle and spinning on her heel happily.
Chocolate Magician Girl - LV4 - WATER - Spellcaster - (1600/1000)
"Oh, great. Another one?" Konami glowered, glaring at the girl.
"And there's more where she came from," Dark giggled, "because I've only just gotten started! And I'll continue by using Kiwi Magician Girl's effect from my hand!" the card glowed as she revealed it to Konami before sliding it into her Graveyard. "By discarding her, she'll increase the Attack and Defense Points of ALL my Magician Girls, giving them an extra three hundred for each unique name on the field… AND Graveyard!"
"Name?" Konami inquired.
"She's talking about her Magician Girls' names!" Torrey said. "And with Kiwi Magician Girl now in her Grave, that's five different names she can use!" He pumped his fist, recalling a verse of the theme song he loved so much. "There's Lemon! Apple! Chocolate! And Kiwi! Berry leads the way to protect our Unity! And when the battle's done, you're all smiles and cheer! Dark Magician Girl, with your friends there's no fear!"
The Magician Girls smiled sheepishly and waved as the Dark Magician Girl nodded at him.
"Yep! That's right, cutie!" she winked. "My five friends empower each other! And through Kiwi's boost, they'll all gain an additional fifteen hundred Attack Points!"
"Hold it!" Konami snapped, immediately throwing out his hand to stop her. "I can't allow that! I'm activating my face-down Trap card, Burst Breath!"
"Burst Breath?!" Dark Magician Girl gasped. "Oh no!"
There was a pause.
"Um, what's it do?" she wondered.
"Hn. I'm glad you asked," he replied. "First, it makes me Tribute a Dragon-type Monster I have on the field, and then, it destroys all Monsters on the field who have less Defense Points than it has Attack Points!"
"Defense Points?" she gasped. "But wait, the only Dragon you have is your Burning Dragon! And it has twenty-five hundred Attack Points! The Magician Girls can't counter that!"
"That's the point," he mocked, smirking as the dragon sucked in a deep breath. "Against his might, all your Magician Girl friends will soon meet their end." He threw out his hand once more, striking an imperial pose, "Go, Burning! Destroy that clumsy squad of cheerleaders! Unleash the mighty Burst Breath!"
With a deafening roar, Burning Dragon unleashed its raging inferno, exhaling violently into a fiery stream that quickly filled the entire clubroom! The flames curled and twisted as they went, crackling the air with their heat. The monstrous wave made Torrey gasp and take cover as it obliterated all in its path. The resulting blast enveloped the entire field in a blazing explosion, sending a shockwave through the room as smoke and debris went flying everywhere!
Konami chuckled at the sight, even as his Lady of D. was consumed by the blast. Burning Dragon faded away shortly after, its flames consuming even itself.
"Where's your friendship now?" Konami wondered, gazing into the ash.
But as the smoke faded, his eyes went wide.
The Magician Girls were untouched!
"What?!" he gasped. "What's the meaning of this?! Your Monsters should have been destroyed!"
"And they would have been," Dark Magician Girl said, "if I hadn't used my Quick-Play Spell Card!"
"Quick-Play Spell?" he glanced her field. "Spell Card 'Monster Reborn'?!"
"It revived the Kiwi I sent to the Graveyard, allowing me to use her effect!"
"But you can't!" he shouted. "I know the Spell Card 'Monster Reborn' has a restriction! During the turn you revive a Monster with it, you can't activate their effect!"
Dark Magician Girl winked at him cutely. "Then it's a good thing I don't have to! Kiwi comes with a Continuous Effect that's always active while she's on the field! If she is, then Spellcasters I control can't be destroyed by card effects!"
The last of the smoke parted, revealing the stunning, long-haired beauty. She stood at the back of the Magician Girls, smirking as she held up a protective barrier.
"And don't forget," Dark Magician Girl added, "I still used her discard effect! And that means that she, and all my other Magicians, gain fifteen hundred Attack Points!"
Konami took a step back, sweating as he gazed upon the five Magician Girls. Their assorted colors swirled around vibrantly, creating a sparkling aura of stars and hearts.
Berry Magician Girl - LV1 - EARTH - Spellcaster - (1900/1900)
Lemon Magician Girl - LV2 - LIGHT - Spellcaster - (2300/2100)
Apple Magician Girl - LV3 - FIRE - Spellcaster - (2700/2300)
Chocolate Magician Girl - LV4 - WATER - Spellcaster - (3100/2500)
Kiwi Magician Girl - LV5 - WIND - Spellcaster - (3300/2700)
"W-Whoa…" Torrey murmured, taking off his glasses to rub at his eyes. He put them back on and gasped in astonishment. "They're… They're all really here…! Berry, Lemon, Apple, Chocolate, Kiwi, and Dark Magician Girl! This… This is everything I wanted…! Tell me it's not a dream!"
"You're not dreaming," the Dark Magician Girl winked. "We're here to save the day, like always!" She turned to Konami, frowning once more. "And you just made it much easier! Thanks to your Burst Breath's effect, you destroyed the only Monster you had protecting you! And now that you're wide open, it's time for the Magician Girls to end this Duel!"
A bright light emanated from the field as the Magician Girls united in purpose, forming a circle on their side of the field to summon the power of friendship!
"Berry!" Berry cried, raising her wand into the air.
"Lemon!" Lemon added.
"Apple!" Apple sang.
"Chocolate!" Chocolate cried.
"Kiwi..." the last of them sighed.
With each name, the respective member joined their staff with the others, increasing the glow of the light around them as a familiar tune filled the air.
"Dark Magician Girl, Shine! Dark Magician Girls, Shine! Dark Magician Girls Shine! Yeah, they shiiiiiiiiiiiiiine~!"
The second verse of their theme song played, growing louder and louder as the light grew brighter, increasing their power output.
"I… I don't believe it!" Torrey gasped, shaking Isaka. "Isaka! Isaka, wake up! It's their signature attack! You'll miss it!"
The boy groaned, opening his eyes as the Magician Girls pooled their magic. Fire, water, wind, earth, and light magic joined together, creating a colorful sphere of power that swirled in place between them. Lightning crackled around it, electrifying the very air itself. Isaka took one look at the attack and promptly passed out again.
Ignorant to his plight, the Magician Girls continued to surge in strength, their song reaching its peak as they prepared to unleash their devastating attack!
"With our friends by our side, we'll never stray! Bringing magic to the Duel so the bad guys pay! With our trusty wands and a giggle, you'll see! We're the cutest magicians in history! But don't let our charm fool you, no, not at all! Because we've got the strength to make Monsters fall!"
"Their spellbook's open!" Torrey sang.
"We're ready to cast!" Berry cried.
"BLACK BURNING MAGIC!"
"NOT SO FAAAAST!" Konami yelled, interrupting their song.
The girls gasped as the swirling sphere left their cojoined wands, spiraling towards him violently as he flipped open his reverse card.
"You just activated my face-down Trap! I play DROWNING MIRROR FORCE!"
"Mirror Force?!" Dark Magician Girl gasped. "Wait, but that card won't work!"
Konami smirked, knowing otherwise as a water barrier was erected between them. It caught the approaching blast, swallowing it whole as the room quaked and shivered.
"That's what you think!" he shouted, "But I'm sure Drowning Mirror Force will be quite effective."
"No, it won't! Because Kiwi prevents you from destroying my Monsters, remember?!" she asked.
"Precisely. And that's just the thing: This card doesn't destroy your Monsters."
"What?!"
Konami smirked. "You heard me. This card doesn't destroy your Monsters. Instead, it shuffles them into your deck, removing them from my sight all the same!"
"No!" Dark Magician Girl gasped, watching wide-eyed as their attack was absorbed. And then, with a blinding flash, Drowning Mirror Force shot it back at them!
As the reflection of the swirling torrent loomed over Dark Magician Girl's field, the Magician Girls braced themselves, their eyes wide with fear as they fought back once more. They pooled their magic together one last time to try and resist the assault, but the power of the Drowning Mirror Force was too overwhelming for them to control. In an instant, the reflection descended upon them like a tidal wave, washing over the field and making them all cry out in pain!
"No!" Dark Magician Girl cried out, stretching her hand toward her friends. "Berry! Lemon! Apple! Chocolate! Kiwi! Hang on!"
But in the rush of water, the Black Magician Girls found themselves completely engulfed. Their forms shimmered and dissolved into the current, returning to Dark Magician Girl's deck.
"NOOOOOOO!" Torrey screamed, falling to his knees in despair. "They're… they're gone! Konami… What have you done?!"
Silence fell over the room, leaving only the disheartened sobs of the Occult Club. Dark Magician Girl glared at Konami, the weight of the loss heavy in her chest.
"You… You'll pay for that!" she humphed, stamping her foot. "I won't forgive you for hurting my friends!"
Konami's laugh broke through the stillness.
"Won't forgive? That doesn't sound like something a magical girl should say," he taunted. "Aren't your kind all about forgiveness and letting bygones be bygones or something?" He shook his head. "Looks like your true self comes out when your friends aren't around. Now it's just you and me. And you're the one left wide open."
Dark Magician Girl clenched her fists, her resolve hardening at his words.
"That's what you think. But I'm not out yet, and my turn's still not finished! You might've returned my friends to my deck, but there's still one more card I can play! I activate…" she revealed it. "Magicians' Souls!"
"Oh?" Konami inquired, narrowing his eyes as he studied the card.
"It lets me send a Level Six Spellcaster Monster from my deck to the Graveyard," she explained. "Then, I can send Magicians' Souls to the Graveyard, and the fun can begin!"
"Fun?" he asked. "What's so fun about sending Monsters to the Graveyard? They won't give you any field presence."
"Actually, they will," she winked. "Or should I say, I will?"
"What?"
"The card I'm sending from my deck to the Grave is this: Dark Magician Girl!" she revealed. "But I won't be there long, because by sending the Magicians' Souls in my hand to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Dark Magician' or 'Dark Magician Girl' in my Grave! Come on out, Dark Magician Girl! Or, I mean, myself!"
Instead of summoning a Monster as she placed her card on the field, she stepped forward, grinning as she raised staff and prepared to fight.
Dark Magician Girl - LV6 - DARK - Spellcaster - (2000/1700)
"Next, I'll place one card face-down. It's your move, bucko!" she said.
Konami chuckled to himself. "Hmhmhmhmhm… Hahahahaha! Summoning yourself to the field, huh…? Sorry, but that won't impress me! If you think I'm gonna hold back just because the Duelist is now in the crosshairs, then I'm sorry to tell you, you're very mistaken. After all… two can play that game! DRAW!"
A sharp wind tore through the room as Konami drew his next card, prompting both Dark Magician Girl and Torrey to shield their eyes.
"What the-?" Dark Magician Girl asked. "Hey… What… are you?"
Konami chuckled again, almost amused by her strange question.
"Are you ready now?" he asked, eying the card he just drew from the deck.
"Ready…?" Torrey asked, just as stunned.
Konami spared him a smirk.
"To witness a power not seen for thousands of years?"
Dark Magician Girl stumbled. "Thousands of years? Hang on a second! Wait, you're not saying—"
"I activate my Background Dragon's effect while he's in the Graveyard!" he said. "If my field's empty, I can summon him and Level Four or lower Dragon still in my hand! I choose this!" he revealed Knight Armed Dragon, the Armored Knight Dragon. "Come forth, my loyal beasts! Pave the way for your Master!"
He placed both cards on his Duel Disk, smirking as two shining lights filled his field. From their depths, two distinct dragons took form and emerged. One, a massive behemoth with crimson claws clad in dark orange steel. The other, a scaly reptilian armed with a blade crackling with electricity.
Background Dragon - LV5 - DARK - Dragon - (1600/1800)
Knight Armed Dragon, the Armored Knight Dragon - LV3 - WIND - Dragon - (1400/1900)
"Two Monsters…" Torrey murmured. "But neither has the stats to beat Dark Magician Girl!"
"They don't need to. They're just the appetizer for the thing that does," smirked Konami.
Dark Magician Girl tensed. She knew what those words meant.
"A Tribute Summon…"
"Stand proud. You're the first to see this card since I got back," he chuckled. "You summoned yourself to the field… so now, I'll summon my soul as well!"
He grabbed the last card from his hand, raising it high into the sky.
"I... sacrifice my Background and Knight Armed Dragon! Come forth, my pride and soul!" he took a deep breath. "TYRANT DRAGON!"
The room erupted with a violent tremor as Konami slammed the card on his Duel Disk. A gust of wind swept through the clubroom, rattling its very walls. The air charged with energy, swirling around him as the temperature increased, and from the ground beneath him, pillars of flame coalesced into a massive shape. The fire loomed ominously as it took the shape of a dragon, wreathing itself in glimmering scales that shone a menacing orange hue. It unfurled its massive wings, casting a shadow over the entire room, swallowing what little light remained from outside.
Konami smirked at its form.
Tyrant Dragon - LV8 - FIRE - Dragon - (2900/2500)
"Tyrant… Dragon…" Dark Magician Girl breathed.
"Don't be shocked yet," Konami said. "I haven't even told you the good part. Since Knight Armed Dragon was sent to the Grave, I can activate his effect! It lets me target a Dragon I control, and give it a thousand Attack Points!"
"W-What?! That's not fair!" Torrey shouted, clenching his fist.
But whether it was fair or not didn't matter as Tyrant Dragon reared back, its body shimmering with an emerald haze bestowed upon it by its lesser.
Tyrant Dragon - LV8 - FIRE - Dragon - (3900/2500)
Dark Magician Girl stared in shock, eyes wide as she took in its figure. "N-No… You can't be serious! That… That's a Ka!"
Tyrant Dragon fixed its gaze on her, a low growl emanating from its throat. Its presence was overwhelming, and the blonde felt a sudden chill run down her spine. She took a step back, steadying herself against the wave of dread that washed over her. A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek. This had gotten much more dangerous.
"You… How did a human like you get this kind of power?" she asked. "It's dangerous! You have no idea what kind of harm you could cause!"
"I know exactly what harm it can cause!" he snapped. "That's why I need it! To protect myself from spirits like you! Beings who don't belong in this world!"
"Nnn…!" she grimaced, tightening her grip on her staff. "I… can't take it. It's too much!"
'But I still have my face-down card, so… I can survive!'
"Now, my Tyrant Dragon!" Konami commanded, swinging his fist. "Attack the Dark Magician Girl! Show her what it means to despair!"
With a slow motion, Tyrant Dragon breathed in the air around it, flames dancing along its body as its chest swelled with raw power.
"Prepare yourself!" Konami shouted as if relishing the moment. "Your friends are gone, and now, you'll have to face the consequences alone!"
An instant later, a massive flame erupted from his beast's jaws, illuminating the room in a blinding flash of hot crimson light. Dark Magician Girl stood her ground as the blazing wave surged toward her, her heart pounding as she quickly reached down and flipped open her reverse card.
"I activate Black Illusion!" she cried, calling upon her magic. She waved her staff just in time, conjuring a magical shield to protect her! "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Her girlish scream filled as the flames hit their mark, blasting her and her shield with the full force of the Dragon's Attack! Torrey screamed her name, rushing forward as if to protect her, only to stop the moment he got close.
'The flames!' he gasped. 'They're real?!'
He stumbled backward, feeling the heat nip at his skin like a serpent. He shielded his face with his arms, the scorching air igniting his instinct to flee.
"No! Dark Magician Girl!" he shouted, his voice filled with desperation. The reality of the situation crashed over him.
Konami had summoned a Monster. That's what had Dark Magician Girl worried. This wasn't just a game anymore! Konami had summoned a real creature! One that could kill—one like Jinzo!
The room trembled as the firestorm roared, painting the walls orange with flame. Torrey's heart raced in his chest as he watched, panic clawing at his insides.
"D-Dark Magician Girl!" he yelled, fighting the urge to retreat. He needed to help her somehow, remind her of the strength he still believed she had. And as the fire engulfed her, he could see her struggling to maintain her shield against the blaze.
"Stay strong!" he shouted, his voice barely cutting through the roar of flames. "You can do this! I believe in you! You… YOU CAN STILL SHINE!"
For a moment, it appeared as though his words had some kind of effect. He could see her determination radiating through the flames, igniting her resolve to fight back. She gritted her teeth as the flames clawed at her shield, but she held her ground! Finally… the flames lessened, and her Duel Disks chimes filled the air.
DARK MAGICIAN GIRL - 2100 LP
KONAMI - 3550 LP
"She… She did it…" Torrey breathed. "She… managed to survive."
"It's…" she took a deep breath. "My Black… Illusion's… effect! It protects me from destruction by… battle! But I… lose my effects for this turn! Not that it… matters!" she let out a wry laugh. "Master's not here to save me…"
"And neither will your little boyfriend here, because doing that was a mistake!" Konami roared.
"What?!" Torrey breathed. "Whaddya mean?! Of course, it wasn't a mistake! Dark Magician Girl survived your attack! She'll stage a comeback her next turn!"
"If she has the strength to, perhaps!" Konami said with an eerie scowl. "Because Tyrant Dragon has a special effect! One I can only use thanks to her!"
"Huh?!"
Konami grinned at her. "If you still control a Monster after his first attack, guess what? He gets to attack you a second time in a row!"
"A second time?!" Dark Magician Girl breathed, wincing as she stared at the dragon. It towered above her menacingly, exhaling a cloud of hot smoke.
"Heh… Heh Heh Heh…" she cringed. "This isn't good."
The dragon itself must've thought otherwise, for its lips curled into a grin.
-GX-
Chairwoman Hudson stormed down the hallway, her thoughts consumed with frustration. Sheppard's reluctance to act in everyone's interest grated on her nerves. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Konami Kodo was dangerous to the students. She could feel it in her gut, and she'd seen enough in her years running the Action Squad to trust that instinct.
"Permission denied…" she muttered under her breath, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. "He's making a mistake!"
She stopped, gathering herself at the end of the corridor. After glancing around to ensure she was alone, she quietly pulled out her phone. If the Chancellor wouldn't let her bring Konami in, she'd have to resort to more… discreet measures.
She typed out a message:
Miyata. You have permission to continue surveillance. Don't let his inner circle know that we know. We can't afford to slip up.
There was a brief pause, then a reply.
Understand, ma'am. I'll watch him!
She frowned. At least she could trust in one person. She'd convince the Chancellor later. She pocketed her phone and prepared to resume her patrol when a boom rocked the hallway. Her eyes widened.
'What the hell was that? It sounded like it came from the first floor!'
But there shouldn't be anyone down there right now, except for…
"The Occult Club!" she cursed.
-GX-
"Turn End."
Dark Magician Girl stirred as the world faded into view. The once vibrant Occult Club was now a disaster zone, charred by the flames. Smoke and ash lingered in the air, dancing at the edge of her vision. She groaned and rolled over, her body feeling as if it had been hit by a truck.
"Ugh… what… happened?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
Glancing around, she examined the room to take stock of her remaining surroundings. The remnants of her once joyful fan club were now nothing more than a pile of ruins, filled with nothing but the smell of scorched wood and the burnt paper of her posters.
"What…?"
A soft chime made her look at her Duel Disk. Her heart sank when she noticed the numbers flashing on its centerpiece.
KONAMI - 3550 LP
DARK MAGICIAN GIRL - 200 LP
"What?" she gasped, her heart racing. "Two hundred Life Points?! How…?"
The answer came in a flood of memories: the fierce battle, Tyrant Dragon, and worst of all, the feeling of helplessness she'd seen on her rescuee's face. A pang of despair gripped her as she recalled how hard Torrey had worked for her sake. With a single attack, a single Ka, it was all gone. Reduced to ash.
Suddenly, she spotted Torrey and Isaka cowering in the corner, huddling beside one another as Konami towered over them with a dark scowl.
"W… Wait…" she murmured, reaching her hand out toward them.
But it was no use.
Konami either didn't hear her or didn't care.
"Do you get it now?" he asked instead, addressing the cowering teens. "This is what you put me and Jasmine through. That hopelessness. That fear. What you're experiencing now is nothing compared to what we faced with Jinzo. So you're going to pay it back in spades, and you can start by deciphering this."
He reached into his coat pocket, extracting a piece of cloth from its depths.
'No… That's no cloth…' Dark Magician Girl thought, gritting her teeth. 'I can sense its power from over here… And it reeks of THEM… It's dangerous!'
"St… Stop…!" she murmured. "Leave… them alone…!"
"D-Dark Magician Girl?" Torrey stammered, looking at her with wide, frightened eyes.
"S-So I wasn't dreaming… this… is really happening!" cried Isaka.
"Hn?" Konami hummed to himself, finally turning toward her. "So, you're still alive, huh? You should run away while you still can. I have no use for a Spirit like you… Unless you're gonna answer my questions?"
"I'm… not telling you anything…!" she groaned, fighting to regain her strength. She wobbled slightly as she pushed herself up. "Not now… that I know you're… dangerous!"
"Hmph," Konami set a hand on his hip and tightened his grip on the map. "Dangerous, huh? A lot of people could say the same about you. You spirits aren't a part of our natural order and are known for bringing disaster. The less of you there are in this world, the better. You're lucky I'm letting you off."
She gritted her teeth. "Letting… me… off?"
She had to admit, she was tempted to run. But that would mean abandoning Isaka and Torrey. Mean leaving them alone with this… Monster.
"Sorry… but I… have no intention of leaving…!" she coughed. "I promised… that I'd protect those two… and I… won't go back on my word…!"
"Dark Magician Girl!" Torrey cried, immediately pushing past Konami. Isaka soon followed, the two taking cover behind her as they sobbed in joy. "I knew I was right to depend on you! Please, you've gotta save us!"
"Yeah! It wasn't our fault, I swear! We were just… just tagging along!" cried Isaka.
Tyrant Dragon roared at that, reminding the foolish pair of its presence. Konami clucked his tongue in annoyance.
'Damn. Shouldn't have let them get past me,' he thought.
"Listen," he said. "As much as I'd like to grind those two into dust, that's not why I'm here. Those two may have the information I need. That's all."
"Information…?" Torrey wondered.
"About this Academy's history. As a member of the Occult Club, I know there are many secrets swirling in your heads." Konami paused, unrolling the cloth to reveal the map in his hands. "What I have here is a map of old leylines covering Academy Island. I need to know where they intersect according to the island's modern appearance. I already tried looking through several books, but none of them have what I need. I figured if anyone would, it'd be you two dumbasses. How about it?"
Isaka grimaced and stuck out his tongue. "We're not telling you anything, jerk!"
"Hold on, Isaka!" Torrey interjected. "We should hear him out if he'll leave!"
"What? Torrey!"
"You saw what he can do! He's even stronger than Jinzo!" Torrey said. "And Dark Magician Girl only has two hundred Life Points left! If she gets hit again, she might die!"
"Torrey…" Dark Magician Girl frowned, hearing the concern in his voice.
"If it's leylines you're asking about… then yeah! I know a few things!" he continued. "But… I'll only tell you about 'em if you promise to leave us alone!"
"I mean, sure. That was the idea," Konami said with a shrug. "I had no intention of mingling with you losers. I have way better things I could do."
"Alright then." Torrey nodded. "I… I'll tell you—"
"No, you can't!" Dark Magician Girl said, blocking him to glare at Konami. "It's too dangerous! I know that map… and what you're trying to do with it! I came here to try and protect these two… but what you're doing is dangerous! It could spell the end of all Duel Monsters Spirits! I can't let you keep it! So, give it!"
"Give it? Give it? So you know something about it!" Konami rolled the map up and put it away. "You've just become useful, Spirit."
"Think again, 'cause there's no way I'm telling you anything that I know!" she yelled. "And I'm definitely not going to help someone trying to revive the three Sacred Beasts!"
"Sacred Beasts?" Torrey inquired, glancing at her in confusion.
"They're three powerful creatures whose powers rival the Egyptian Gods!" she explained. "But they're far more dangerous because, unlike them, the Sacred Beasts want to cause chaos! If they're awoken and used on the surface, the world will be wreathed in evil! Chaos will cover everything, and the darkness in human hearts will be released!"
"Darkness?" Konami muttered angrily. "The world's already dyed in darkness! People lie, steal, and betray! What do you call that but evil?"
Dark Magician Girl winced. "I know you're right… Humanity has fallen far… But people still love! They still help one another! That means there's still hope for this world! Releasing the Beasts means ending that hope. Snuffing out the rest of its light! I…! I can't let you do it! Not for Torrey, or even myself!"
Konami chuckled. "Can't let me do it? And how do you plan on stopping me? You can barely stand, and in case you've forgotten, you only have two hundred Life Points! You may still have yourself on the field, but your card has two thousand Attack Points. My Tyrant Dragon has thirty-nine hundred! On my next turn, you'll be through!"
Tyrant Dragon huffed loudly, releasing another plume of smoke through the room. Torrey and Isaka gulped at the sight and tightened their grip on the Dark Magician Girl.
"Ugh…!" she winced, squeezing her staff as she stared up at the monstrous beast. Its menacing shadow loomed over her, its envious eyes coveting all her knowledge. "Even so…"
Her heart beat louder.
"Even so, I won't do it!" she yelled. "I might be down to my last Life Points, but I'll never abandon my duty! That's what it means to be a magical girl… to give hope to those who have none!"
Her words resonated in the air, fueling her spirit as she drew a deep breath. She could feel the energy surging within her, bolstering her strength and resolve.
'That's right,' she thought, squaring her shoulders as she tightened her grip on her staff. 'Just like Senpai… I'll fight 'till the end!'
UNTIL THE VERY LAST CARD IS PLAYED!
"It's my turn. I… DRAW!"
A golden arc followed the card. Torrey and Isaka watched with bated breath, hope rekindling within them. And as she glanced at the drawn card's name, she felt it inside her, too.
"I activate Megamorph!" she declared, "And I'll equip it to myself!"
"WHAT?! MEGAMORPH?! NOT THAT CARD!" Konami gasped, eyes going wide.
"Yes!" Torrey cheered. "That's the perfect card! It's exactly what you need right now!"
Dark Magician Girl nodded her head. "Yep! Looks like I'm still in this! Megamorph doubles the equipped Monster's Attack Points if my Life Points are lower, and thanks to that massive damage last turn, mine are as low as can be! So, come on, Megamorph! I… Choose You!"
She raised her staff to the sky as lightning rained down from the blackened ceiling. It surged into her staff, imbuing her body with a Spell that doubled her strength. Immediately, the Dark Magician Girl felt her lost energy return! She flexed her fingers, smiling as the fatigue left, replaced by pure power!
Dark Magician Girl - LV6 - DARK - Spellcaster - (4000/1700)
"F-Four thousand Attack Points…" Konami grimaced, taking a step back.
"One hundred more than Tyrant Dragon," she confirmed with a nod of her head. A beautiful purple aura started radiating off her body, showering her surroundings in a rosy hue that restored that which they thought lost. Slowly, the damage done by Tyrant Dragon's assault receded, reviving the many posters and figurines Torrey and Isaka had purchased.
"T-The clubroom, it's…" Isaka breathed in surprise.
"It's the Dark Magician Girl!" Torrey exclaimed. "She's healing the room AND herself!"
"It's the least I can do," she said, looking back at the pair with a smile. "You two have done so much for me all this time… so let me help you for once!" she turned her gaze back to the towering dragon. "Just wait. I'll finish this quick!"
"Y-Yeah! You can do it!" Torrey cheered. "Dark Magician Girl, Shine!"
"Yeah! We believe in you, Dark Magician Girl! So, go take Konami down!" yelled Isaka.
"Thank you. I will!" she promised, her power reaching its peak. "Because… as long as you're by my side, there's no reason for me to hide! And no matter the Duel…"
She swung her staff up, channeling her power into it.
"No matter the fight…!"
A fierce pink glow began to emit from its tip.
"I believe…!" she growled, feeling the strain of her awesome power.
"That my… Magic…!" she grunted, watching Tyrant Dragon take a deep breath.
"WILL MAKE THINGS RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!" she screamed, unleashing her deadly technique as the dragon breathed flame.
"DARK BURNING ATTACK!"
A sphere of radiant energy erupted from Dark Magician Girl's wand, hurtling toward Tyrant Dragon's own intense flames of destruction. The room lit up with an explosive burst as the attacks collided in midair, sending arcs of energy crackling through the room like lightning. The sheer force of their confrontation caused the floor to tremble beneath them, and Isaka squeezed his eyes shut, praying for the Dark Magician Girl's victory.
"Gah!" Konami grunted, feeling the heat of the explosion from his position. He gritted his teeth, his confidence wavering for the briefest moment as the two clashed. "Damn it! Tyrant Dragon!" he cried as he heard its ear-splitting roar.
Its flame attack surged outward, threatening to engulf Dark Magician Girl entirely, but her Dark Burning scorched the crimson flames, fighting back with equal ferocity! Sparks flew, painting their world in a fiery red and pink hue. Each color threatened to overwhelm the other, pushing the boundaries of magic and strength.
Then, in a brilliant flash, the Dark Burning Attack swiveled, cutting through the rest of Tyrant Dragon's flames and crashing into the beast's chest! The flaming behemoth staggered, taking a step back as it was hit. It wobbled in place, and for a moment, it appeared as though it might resume fighting. Then, with one last defiant, ear-piercing roar, its eyes went white. Its arms fell limp and it fell to the ground…
…Right on top of Konami.
"NO!"
The ensuing shower of smoke and debris scattered through the Occult Club, prompting Isaka and Torrey to shield their eyes as they heard Duel Disks chime. But there was no need. The Dark Magician Girl hovered before them protectively, her own barrier protecting them from the worst of the ensuing blast.
DARK MAGICIAN GIRL - 200 LP
KONAMI - 3450 LP
"Y-You did it!" Torrey praised. "You really beat that Tyrant Dragon!"
"I promised you I would, didn't I?" she winked.
"Oh, man! Oh, man!" swooned Isaka. "She really is the Dark Magician Girl! I don't believe it, Torrey! To think we'd actually get to talk to her like this… and see her stick it to Konami!"
She giggled, smiling comfortingly at him before turning back to the smokescreen. She knew that while Tyrant Dragon was beaten, Konami was anything but. She pursed her lips, eyeing her Duel Disk in preparation for whatever came next. Despite her enormous Attack, she'd only taken a hundred of his Life Points just now! There was no way this Duel was over.
An angry growl from the smoke proved it.
"Damn it…" Konami glowered, rubbing some sweat from his brow as he glared at the group. "Don't think for a second we're finished! I'm not done with you yet, you bastards! It's my Turn! I draw!"
But as he drew his card, his eyes widened.
"—Ugh?!" he gasped, coughing up blood as he fell to his knees.
A sharp pain lanced through his chest, doubling him over in pain. He gasped, clutching at his heart while confusion swirled in his mind. "What's… What's happening to me?!" he grunted, quivering in place.
The Dark Magician Girl cautiously lowered her staff, furrowing her brow.
"You… You don't know?" she asked. "But it's… it's your Ka."
"My Ka…?" he inquired angrily. "You… You mean Tyrant Dragon?!"
"You and it are intrinsically linked. You can't survive without each other," she explained. "If you feel pain, so does it. And if it feels pain… so do you."
"What did you say…?! I have to feel what it does?" 'Damn it, Wisteria! How kind of you to leave THAT part out! Was this also a part of your plan?!'
"You wouldn't have felt anything had you played your Ka Monster as a mere card," she added, "but we both know you didn't make that wise choice. It's what happens when people get reckless! Konami, do you understand now? What you're doing is dangerous! You have to stand down. For everyone's sake!"
Konami chuckled at the thought. He coughed shortly after, each breath he took sending more pain through his chest. It was as if his lungs and heart were on fire, pounding desperately for release.
"Stand… down? As if!" he coughed, tightening his grip on his chest. "No one else is going to stand down… and what you told me fills the gaps! If these 'Symbols of Power' she wants are the Sacred Beast cards, it makes sense!" He chuckled grimly. "And from what you said, these cards can control the whole world."
The Dark Magician Girl frowned, biting her cheek at his nonchalant tone.
"Konami, the Ka you have is already a dangerous creature! But the Sacred Beasts… they're even worse! They can really destroy all Duel Spirits!"
"All the more reason to take them then. Your kind don't belong in this world!"
Dark Magician Girl winced. "It's not always our fault that we're used for evil, you know…? We get called here by humans always trying to pay us tribute!"
"Tribute!? You steal men's souls and make them your slaves!"
"Yeah? Well, the same can be said for all adorable Duel Monsters characters!" she huffed.
"Your words are as empty as your soul," he growled. "I'm done listening to all your nonsense! I'll take those cards whether you like it or not! And I'll keep them out of their grasp."
"Their?" the sorceress wondered. "Does… someone else want these cards?"
"Quite a few people it seems," he chuckled, squeezing his hand into a fist. "It's one of the reasons I want them first. To keep them out of their hands."
'And…' he thought, 'to ensure Wisteria doesn't ever lie to me again!'
"Mmmm," the Dark Magician Girl hummed, pouting angrily as she watched him.
"D-Don't listen to him!" Torrey cried, grabbing her cape from behind. "Konami's not after anything but more power! He's been like this since we first met!"
"Yeah!" Isaka agreed. "We used to think he was an okay guy, too! But then he did all that stuff to Dimitri, and… Well, you saw it! Anyone with a Monster that dangerous has to be up to no good! Don't be lured in by anything he says! He's… He's just too dangerous!"
Dark Magician Girl furrowed her brow. "The Sacred Beast cards are dangerous. I can't let them fall into anyone's hands, no matter what their reasons might be! If someone's really after them, Konami, then you can tell me all about it! We can come up with a solution together that doesn't involve risking anyone's lives!" She brought her own hand to her chest. "Please… can't we just get along? I mean, sure, you're a jerk, but you're still a member of Duel Academy's Occult Club!"
"Me? The Occult Club?" Konami scoffed as pain flared in his chest. "Don't make me laugh. I've never been part of anything but my own ambition!"
She shook her head, undeterred. "And will that ambition truly keep you safe? Ambition leads to destruction, Konami. You're going down a dark path! I don't want to see anyone hurt. Not these two… or you!" she approached him freely, closing the distance between them with a kind smile.
"Dark Magician Girl?!"
"What are you doing?!"
She leaned down to offer her hand. "There's a way out for both of us, you know? You just have to take my hand." She winked.
Konami glared at her, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "Take your hand? Hahahahaha! Now I know you're a spirit! That childish naivety may work in your world, but it has no place here in mine! All that matters is strength and control! If you don't have that, you're nothing!"
His rage was met by another sharp sting, and he gritted his teeth in more pain.
"Then I guess that means you're nothing, huh?!" Torrey snapped, having enough. "After all, your so-called 'pride and soul' got destroyed by the Dark Magician Girl! By your own rules, doesn't that mean that she's the strongest one here?!"
"That's a good point…" Konami exhaled. "So I guess I'll take her for myself!"
"What?!"
The Dark Magician Girl gasped as Konami threw down his last card, his pained expression giving way to an arrogant grin as if he had won.
"Our Duel never ended, Dark Magician Girl, and in case you forgot, it's my move! And with this card, I'll get answers from you, one way or another! I cast…" he slid the card in, its green border shining brightly. "Brain Control!"
Torrey and Isaka both widened their eyes in shock.
"Brain Control?! No way, he still has that card in his deck?!" gasped Isaka.
"There's bigger problems!" Torrey gasped. "Dark Magician Girl, you've gotta watch out!"
His warning was too little, too late.
With a blinding flash, the card appeared on the field, its eerie and sinister artwork a mere foreshadowing of what was to come.
"To activate Brain Control, I have to pay eight hundred of my Life Points. Then…" Konami sneered, "I can take control of a single Monster on the field."
"What?!" Dark Magician Girl gasped, stepping back. "But I'm the only one on the field!"
"Precisely," he sneered. "Which means, like it or not, you're now mine to command!"
The air around them grew thick with tension as the card suddenly flared to life, emitting a series of sound waves that pierced through Dark Magician Girl like a lance. She staggered back, instinctively raising her staff to try and defend herself, but the foe she faced was not a physical threat: it was invisible and far more intrusive.
"No. No! Dark Magician Girl!" Torrey shouted, reaching toward her. But before she could so much as ask him for help, her thoughts descended into chaos. A dark, invasive force penetrated deep into the depths of her mind, locking her will away in a cage that demanded absolute obedience.
She dropped her staff, grabbing her head in pain as her eyes bulged with fear, realizing what was about to happen.
"No… I don't want this!" she screamed.
But it was no use. As the shadows at the edge of her vision swallowed her whole, the last thing she saw was Konami's lips parting, telling her to wage an attack.
KONAMI - 2650 LP
DARK MAGICIAN GIRL - 0 LP
"D-Dark Magician Girl…" Torrey breathed, falling to his knees. "No… It can't be… She… She lost."
"Hmhmhmhmhmhm… Hahahahahaha… AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Konami laughed. His chilling voice echoed through the clubroom, surrounding Torrey and Isaka. "I did it… I actually did it! I really beat a spirit by myself! Without Bastion… Without Jasmine… Yes. Just me and my Ka!"
The Dark Magician Girl's arms lay limp, dangling uselessly by her side. Her eyes were glazed, completely vacant as if to show there was no one at home.
"KOOOOOOOOONAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! Let her go! You've already won the Duel!" Torrey shouted.
"Hey, that's right! Brain Control should've worn off by now! What gives, Kodo?!" yelled Isaka.
"What gives? What do you mean, 'what gives?'" Konami asked, sporting a smirk. "It's obvious if you read the card's effect."
"Its effect?" Torrey inquired.
Konami shook his head and sighed. "And here I thought you two losers were Obelisks! Fine, since you don't know the card, I'll read it to you word-for-word." His eyes lazily skimmed the text. "Pay eight hundred Life Points, then target one face-up monster your opponent controls that can be Normal Summoned/Set; take control of that target until the End Phase."
"The End Phase…?" Isaka wondered. "Wait… Oh no!"
"Now you get it," Konami chuckled. "We never reached the End Phase. The last time I checked, my Duel with her ended during my last Battle Phase. Ordinarily, that wouldn't mean anything. After all, these are just cards. But she didn't summon a copy of herself. She summoned herself to the field! That means whatever's affecting her card, affects her. Including Spells like Brain Control! Ahahahahaha!"
"No… That can't be right!" Torrey said, grabbing her by the shoulders. "Dark Magician Girl! Dark Magician Girl...! Please, you've gotta wake up!"
"It's no use," scoffed Konami, watching as the spirit remained unresponsive. "She only has eyes for one person now… and sorry, but it's not you. Dark Magician Girl, from this point on, you're going to answer my questions! About Ka Monsters, the Sacred Beasts, and where I'll be able to find them!"
"...Yes…" she replied, her red glint slowly forming in her eyes. She raised her head, meeting his gaze with a smirk. "Whatever you say... Master."
"Dark Magician Girl! Dark Magician Girl, stop!" Torrey cried as she walked forward. "You can't go with him!"
"Yeah, that's right! You're our mascot! We need you here!" Isaka whined.
"Enough, you two!" Konami yelled, glaring at them through cold eyes. "You're lucky I haven't torn you fools apart after the part you played in summoning Jinzo! But now that I think about it, it would be stupid to leave you around. The last thing I need is you causing more trouble. Magician Girl, deal with them."
"W-What?" the two boys sputtered, raising their hands as she turned. "Wait… Dark Magician Girl, no!"
She smiled evilly.
"MIND CRUSH!"
-GX-
"Alright, what's going on in here!" the Chairwoman roared as she entered, opening the door to the clubroom only to find…!
Everything in place.
The gaudy decorations of the Dark Magician Girl lined the walls like usual, accompanying the many, many figurines on the shelves and drawers. On the far wall, a television playing a jubilant tune sat untouched, and watching it…
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!"
...were two boys who flinched as she stepped in.
She wrinkled her nose. Nothing seemed out of place. She eyed them directly. "What's going on in here?! What's with the loud noise?!"
"What do you mean?! It's Occult Club night!" Torrey squealed into Isaka's arms. "I mean, Dark Magician Girl Club Night!"
"Hn. Likely story!" she scanned the room once more, grimacing but finding nothing out of place. "Tch."
'Lousy brats. Probably turned the volume up too high!'
"It's getting late. Don't forget, curfew is at ten o'clock! Don't let me catch you out after that! If I do, it'll be a detention!"
Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the clubroom, leaving the pair to their devices… or rather, their television.
"What was that about?" Isaka asked, frowning as he glanced at Torrey.
"I dunno, dude. But if she's not after us, then I'm not gonna complain!" he grinned.
The two boys shared a fist bump and quietly turned back to the TV. On its screen, the Dark Magician Girl show continued to play.
Neither they nor the Chairman remembered or knew of the events that just happened.
And all of them missed the broken chair, lying quietly in the corner.
TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: TWISTING THE TALE
LESSON FIVE
END
Yep. That happened. Turns out Konami's still a real prick, ain't he? And now that he's got Spirit Powers, AND his newly brainwashed Dark Magician Girl, odds are that he won't get better. Nope, he'll get even worse! Between him, Wisteria, and all the others converging on Duel Academy, here's hoping the REAL hero can step up and save the day! Maybe with Sheppard's upcoming announcement, he'll finally get his chance!
Next time on Twisting the Tale! Lesson Six! GX!
-END-
Dark Magician Girl, Shine!
Dark Magician Girls, Shine!
Dark Magician Girls Shine!
Yeah, they shine!
SHINE!
She's got a staff, she's got a spell!
With a wink, she'll send you straight to hell!
Yeah, Dark Magician Girl, she's ready to fight!
Clad in blue regalia, she'll unleash her might!
Summoned to the field with a flick of the wrist,
Taught by Dark Magician, you know she won't miss!
With a heart so strong and a spirit so true,
You know she'll save the day and rescue you!
Dark Magician Girl, you're a shooting star!
Casting awesome spells, you'll make it far!
With a sparkle in your eyes, you're leading the way!
Fighting for truth and love every day!
Dark Magician Girl, you're our magical guide!
With you by our side, there's no need to hide!
Through every Duel, and through every fight!
We believe Your Magic will make things right!
Lemon! Apple! Chocolate! And Kiwi!
Berry leads the way to protect our Unity!
And when the battle's done, you're all smiles and cheer!
Dark Magician Girl, with your friends there's no fear!
With friendship on their side, they'll never stray!
Bringing magic to the Duel so the bad guys pay!
With their trusty wands and a giggle, you'll see,
They're the cutest magicians in history!
But don't let their charm fool you, no, not at all!
Because they've got the strength to make Monsters fall!
Their spellbook's open! They're ready to cast!
"DARK BURNING ATTACK!" "Not so fast!"
"I cast Brain Control! Now, your Dark Magician Girl is mine!"
"What?! OH NO!"
"Now, destroy your friends! Dark Magician Girl, Attack!"
"Wait, NOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Dark Magician Girl, you're no shooting star!
Even with your spells, you won't make it far!
With no sparkles in your eyes, you no longer fly free!
Because from now on, you will fight for me!
Dark Magician Girl, please stop this fight!
Come to your senses, you know what's right!
But with an evil grin, she swings her wand down!
Attacking her friends in Dark Magician TOWN!
[Instrumental Interlude]
Dark Magician Girl, you're now evil's star!
And under its command, you'll still make it far!
But with a red glint in your eyes, you don't want to be free!
Fighting for your new Master, Konami!
Dark Magician Girl, you were once our world's pride!
But with you by his side, there is now need to hide!
Because in his Dark Duels, and despite his cruel fights!
Your magic still serves the villain's MIGHT!
But with one bright flash, I play Owner's Seal!
The Spell frees your mind, you're no longer the heel!
With a wink and grin, you launch your attack!
Sending the bad guys flying back!
Dark Magician Girl, you're a shooting star!
Casting awesome spells, you'll make it far!
With a sparkle in your eyes, you're leading the way!
Fighting for truth and love every day!
Dark Magician Girl, you're our magical guide!
With you by our side, there's no need to hide!
Through every Duel, and through every fight!
We believe! Your Magic Will make things right!
So strap yourselves in for one good show!
Right out of Pegasus's brand-new chateau!
It's starting right now in three-two-one!
So Come On In,
Take a Seat...
...and Have FUNNNNNNN!