The Phantom Duelists
Chapter 6: Escape the Island
[~[~]
The chill of the throne room seemed to seep into the very bones of the scientist standing before Professor Leo Akaba. His posture was rigid, shoulders hunched, eyes fixed on the polished marble floor rather than the man seated upon the dais. The Professor's gaze was a glacial blue, piercing and utterly devoid of warmth.
"Report," he commanded, the single word echoing through the vast, silent chamber.
The scientist swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously. "Professor Akaba, our sensors have detected… a dimensional corridor."
A flicker of something unreadable crossed the Professor's face. "A dimensional corridor? Explain."
"Initially, we believed the readings were erroneous," the scientist stammered. "We recalibrated the sensors immediately. Twice, in fact, to ensure accuracy. However, the readings persisted. The same energy signature, emanating from the same location."
"And that location?" The Professor's voice remained level, betraying nothing of his inner thoughts.
The scientist dared to lift his gaze, just for a fleeting moment, before dropping it again. "An old Academia island resort, sir." He tapped a control panel on a nearby console, and a holographic image shimmered into existence.
The image depicted a scene of utter devastation. The once-lush resort, a haven of leisure and learning, was now a skeletal ruin. Buildings were charred and crumbling, their windows dark, empty sockets staring out at a desolate landscape. The once vibrant gardens were now choked with weeds, the stone pathways cracked and broken. The air in the image seemed to vibrate with the echoes of some long-past tragedy. It looked as though a war had been waged there, a brutal and decisive conflict. The Professor's expression remained unchanged, but a muscle twitched subtly in his jaw. He didn't need to voice the thought that hung heavy in the air. That resort… that was where the Rebellion had made their last stand. A rebellion that Academia had crushed, utterly and without mercy, years ago.
With a curt nod, Professor Akaba dismissed the scientist. "See to it," he commanded, his voice clipped and brooking no argument. "Summon the Obelisk Force to me immediately."
The scientist bowed stiffly and retreated, leaving the Professor alone in the oppressive silence of his throne room. The holographic image of the ruined resort still hung in the air, a stark reminder of the past. His gaze was fixed on it, his mind churning with possibilities, all of them unwelcome.
A dimensional corridor… at that location? The coincidence was too glaring to ignore. His thoughts drifted back to the reports he had received years ago, to the frantic scramble to secure the old Rebel base. The one piece of technology they hadn't been able to dismantle, the thorn in their side: the dimensional transporter.
The very idea rankled him. Those insurgents, those traitors, had developed dimensional travel technology before Academia. And they'd used it. They'd sent teams to the other three dimensions, whispering their lies, attempting to sabotage the ARC Area Project before it could even begin. A futile attempt, of course. The Xyz Dimension had fallen swiftly, a testament to Academia's superior might.
They hadn't been able to remove the transporter. Those cunning Rebels had designed it to be indestructible, impossible to disassemble without risking a catastrophic dimensional implosion. They had left it, a dormant relic of a failed rebellion, confident that no Rebel would dare return, let alone know how to activate it.
But if a dimensional corridor had opened… That could only mean one thing. The transporter had been used. And if it had been used, that meant… survivors. Rebels who had escaped Academia's purge, Rebels who still clung to their misguided ideals, Rebels who knew only a fraction of the true purpose of the ARC Area Project.
The thought was a sliver of ice in his heart. Paranoia? Perhaps. But Professor Akaba did not take chances. He could not afford to leave such a loose end untied. The potential ramifications were too significant. Which was precisely why he had summoned the Obelisk Force. His most elite Duel Soldiers, the perfect instruments of his will. They would find these remnants of the Rebellion, and they would silence them. Permanently.
The sound of the doors opening announced their arrival. One by one, the members of the Obelisk Force materialized in the throne room, their movements precise and synchronized. Each soldier was clad in the distinctive blue uniform of Academia's elite, their helmets stylized to be the very embodiment of their unwavering loyalty and crushing power. The crystalline adornments on their helmets, glowing in shades of red, yellow, and green, shimmered under the room's ambient light, adding an almost otherworldly aura to their already imposing presence. They stood at attention, their posture rigid, faces hidden behind the impassive masks of their helmets, awaiting their orders. The Professor's gaze swept over them, a flicker of something akin to satisfaction in his eyes. He steepled his fingers, the silence in the room amplifying the weight of his next words.
"I have a mission for you…" he said, the words hanging in the air with an ominous weight.
[~]
The air in the dilapidated control room on the 37th floor of the old Rebel base crackled with tension. Ren, Johan, Austin, and Jim huddled around a flickering monitor, their faces grim. They had found them. The civilians who had somehow stumbled into the Fusion Dimension – Ren's friends. Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sumire. Relief that they were alive warred with a dawning horror. Their presence here, in this war-torn ruin, was dangerous. And it was about to get infinitely worse.
Suddenly, Jim, who was monitoring the external cameras, gasped. He pointed a trembling finger towards the window. "Obelisk Force," he breathed, his voice barely a whisper.
The others rushed to the window, their blood running cold. Descending from the sky, like predatory birds of prey, were figures clad in the telltale blue uniforms and menacing helmets. The Obelisk Force. Academia's most elite Duel Soldiers, land on the island via hang gliders, their arrival a silent promise of violence. The sight of them sent a wave of dread through the Rebels. Their mission to evacuate Ren's friends had just become exponentially more difficult, perhaps even impossible.
"They must have detected the transporter's activation," Austin muttered, his eyes still fixed on the descending Obelisk Force. "They wouldn't send their best for anything less."
A wave of panicked whispers rippled through the group. What were they going to do? How could they possibly escape with the Obelisk Force swarming the island?
"Obelisk Force?" Haru asked, her voice trembling slightly. "What are they?"
Ren's expression darkened. "Academia's elite Duel Soldiers," he explained grimly. "Like the one that was chasing me back in Tokyo. And like that Duel Soldier… they're equipped with Human Sealing Technology."
"Human Sealing Technology?" Futaba's brow furrowed. "What's that?"
Ren took a deep breath. "It's exactly what it sounds like. Technology that seals humans… into cards."
Jim elaborated, his voice tight. "To use it, the user usually has to defeat their target in a Duel. But if the target can't Duel, they can seal them right away. The user activates the function on their Duel Disk, and it emits a purple light, a beam, that engulfs the victim. Their body dissolves, and a blank card containing their soul is ejected from the Duel Disk. The card then displays an image of the victim, their last pose before being sealed, like a photo." He paused, his gaze heavy. "They can seal multiple people at once. And the user can even seal themselves if they lose a Duel."
Austin added, his voice laced with dread, "Back when they were developing the tech, there was only a twenty-five percent success rate. If it failed…" He trailed off, unable to articulate the horror.
Ren picked up the thread, his eyes meeting those of his friends, his fellow Phantom Thieves. "Did you see anything… grisly… before you came here?" he asked softly. "At the Youth Detention Center, for example?"
The Phantom Thieves exchanged uneasy glances. The memories resurfaced, unbidden. The cards bearing the images of inmates… and the other cells, the ones where the victims hadn't been sealed neatly into cards, the ones where they had met… far more gruesome fates. The implications of Austin's unfinished sentence hung heavy in the air. The Obelisk Force wasn't just a threat; they were a nightmare made real.
"What kind of sick bastard would invent something like that?!" Ryuji exploded, his voice a raw mix of anger and disgust.
"We don't have time for that now," Austin snapped, his eyes darting around the room. "We need to move. Johan, did the Obelisk Force spot the sub?"
Johan, peering through binoculars, the lenses glowing with night vision, lowered them slightly. "Not yet," he replied, his voice tight. "They're focused on the building, investigating. But it's only a matter of time before they find it."
Austin swore under his breath, his mind racing, desperately trying to find a way out of this impossible situation. Ren shared his frustration, his concern for his friends etched on his face. He and the other Rebels could handle the Obelisk Force, they were seasoned duelists. But his friends… they were civilians. They didn't have Duel Disks. The thought of them being sealed into cards, becoming mere fuel for the Professor's twisted agenda, ignited a white-hot rage within him. He wouldn't let that happen. He couldn't.
Just then, all eyes turned to Yusuke, who had dropped his bag. As he scrambled to gather his scattered belongings, Ren noticed the collection of masks spilling out.
"Artistic inspiration," Yusuke explained, a slight blush creeping up his neck.
But as Ren looked at the masks, an idea sparked in his mind. It was nighttime… this place had a history… there were masks… and a group of unsuspecting victims. He turned to the other Rebels, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Remember that prank I pulled on that Halloween?" he asked, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. "The one where we convinced the faculty that the school was haunted?"
Understanding dawned on their faces. Jim grinned. "Ah, Ren's pranks. I missed those."
Johan's eyes gleamed with excitement. "This is going to be good."
Even Austin cracked a smile. "They're going to get the scare of their lives." He turned to Jim and Johan. "Grab a mask. You're helping me give the Obelisk Force a night they won't soon forget." He paused, then added, "And Jim, don't forget Karen." A low growl from Jim's crocodile confirmed that Karen was ready for action. Austin then turned to Ren, his expression turning serious. "You stick with the civilians. Their safety is your responsibility. You know them better than we do, you'll be able to keep them safe. Your priority is to get them to the submarine. Once everyone is aboard, we'll join you. Then we're home free."
Ren nodded, his expression hardening with resolve. This was no longer a game; their lives, his friends' lives, depended on his decisions. He turned to the Phantom Thieves, his voice low and serious. "Stay close to me," he instructed, his gaze sweeping over them. "At all times. Think of this as one of our infiltrations. But this time," he emphasized, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "we cannot be caught."
His friends, taken aback by his sudden shift in demeanor, simply nodded. They knew Ren. They trusted him. They had faced down gods and changed hearts together. They would follow him, even into this nightmare.
Ren scanned the group, a frown creasing his brow. "Where's Futaba?"
He spotted her then, hunched over one of the computer monitors, her fingers flying across the keyboard. "Futaba!" he called out.
She glanced up, a distracted look on her face. "Coming!" she chirped, grabbing a thumb drive from the console and hurrying over to join the group.
"What were you doing?" Ren asked Futaba, his voice laced with concern.
"Just grabbing something for the road," she replied, a quick smile flashing across her face.
Ren decided to table the question of what exactly she had downloaded onto the thumb drive for the moment. "Just stay with the group, Futaba," he instructed, his gaze firm.
"Got it," she replied, nodding seriously. She understood the gravity of the situation. She wouldn't stray. She wouldn't leave the party.
"What was that about your Halloween prank?" Makoto asked, her brow furrowed with curiosity.
Ren winced slightly, remembering Makoto's aversion to ghost stories and anything spooky. He gave her a gentle smile. "Sorry, Makoto," he apologized. "Just… a little something to distract the Obelisk Force. Just bear with us until we get to the sub, okay? Yusuke, can you help us out."
[~]
The trio of Obelisk Force soldiers advanced through the ruined resort, their boots crunching on shattered glass and crumbling concrete. The moonlight cast long, eerie shadows that danced and shifted around them, playing tricks on their eyes. Even through their emotionless helmets, a sense of unease permeated the group. The silence, broken only by the whisper of the wind whistling through broken windows, was unnerving.
"This place gives me the creeps," one of them muttered, his voice distorted slightly by the vocoder in his helmet.
"Tell me about it," another replied. "I heard this was some old Rebel base. The Professor sent us to a dump."
The first soldier chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "Yeah, I heard some stories too. Some Rebel fools tried to fight against the ARC Area Project right from the start. Tried to warn the other dimensions or something like that." He scoffed. "Look where that got them. Crushed. Just like all the other traitors."
They shared a grim laugh, a sound that echoed strangely in the desolate landscape. Suddenly, a metallic clang echoed from the shadows ahead. The laughter died in their throats. All three froze, their hands instinctively moving towards the Duel Disks attached to their arms.
"What was that?" one of them whispered, his voice tight. He shifted nervously, his gaze darting between the darkened buildings. "Do you think… do you think this place is haunted?"
"Don't be ridiculous," another snapped, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his bravado. "There's no such thing as ghosts."
A low growl, guttural and menacing, ripped through the silence, amplifying their already frayed nerves. The Obelisk Force soldiers whirled around, their eyes scanning the darkness, searching for the source of the unsettling sound. They caught fleeting glimpses of movement in the shadows, just at the edge of their vision, but couldn't pinpoint anything concrete.
"Stop that noise!" one of them barked, his voice trembling slightly.
"Maybe it's just someone's stomach," another suggested weakly, trying to rationalize the fear creeping into their hearts.
"It wasn't me," each of them declared in turn, their voices rising in pitch.
Then, a new voice, chilling and ethereal, cut through the night. "Or maybe… it was me."
The voice came from behind them. The Obelisk Force soldiers spun around, their backs hitting against each other, their screams echoing through the ruined resort, high-pitched and decidedly un-soldierly. Standing before them, bathed in the pale moonlight, was Jim. He was wearing a grotesque mask, his face hidden behind a pale, ghoulish visage. He was draped in tattered cloth, designed to resemble the vengeful spirit of a Rebel Duel Soldier, returned from the grave. What they didn't know was that the growling emanated from Karen, Jim's crocodile companion, who was lurking nearby, adding to the growing sense of dread.
"With fury and vengeance," Jim intoned, his voice echoing eerily through the mask, "I have more Academia Duel Soldiers to feed to my pet!"
As if on cue, Karen, momentarily revealed from the shadows, added to the horrifying spectacle. She had been adorned with makeshift "zombie" makeup, enhancing her already fearsome appearance. And behind her, barely visible in the dim light, was a collection of skulls. Unknown to the terrified Obelisk Force soldiers, these were merely model skeletons, props from some forgotten Halloween decoration. But in their fear-addled state, the Obelisk Force soldiers were convinced they were real, human skulls, trophies of some gruesome ritual.
Jim tilted his masked head, the effect chilling in the dim light. "You will live," he hissed, his voice distorted and menacing, "if you defeat me in a Duel. You win… you live. You lose…" He paused, letting the implication hang in the air, his gaze dropping to Karen, who growled menacingly. "Then you will be another meal for my pet."
The Obelisk Force soldiers, their bravado completely evaporated, exchanged terrified glances. The choice was clear: face this spectral apparition and his monstrous pet in a Duel or become their next meal. It wasn't much of a choice at all. With trembling hands, they activated their Duel Disks, the devices humming to life and emitting a faint glow in the darkness. They shakily assumed their dueling stances, their eyes darting nervously between Jim and the lurking crocodile, ready to fight for their lives.
"DUEL!"
(James Crocodile Cook: 4000) (Obelisk Force: 4000 each)
Turn 1
(Obelisk Force Red: 4000)
Hand x 5
"I'll take the first turn!" Obelisk Force Red declared, his voice still shaky despite his attempt to sound confident. He drew his card, his eyes scanning it before slamming it onto his Duel Disk. "I summon Antique Gear Hound Dog!"
A mechanical canine, constructed of gears and cogs, materialized on the field with a metallic clang. Its eyes glowed an eerie red, and its jaws were pulled back in a menacing snarl.
Antique Gear Hound Dog
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Effect
Level: 3
ATK/DEF: 1000/1000
The Hound Dog let out a mechanical growl, its presence adding a strange counterpoint to the eerie atmosphere.
Obelisk Force Red, trying to project an air of confidence he didn't feel, placed a card face down in his Spell & Trap Zone with a snap. "Your move," he said, his voice a little too high-pitched, the bravado ringing hollow in the night.
Turn 2
(James Crocodile Cook: 4000)
Jim, inwardly seething at the Obelisk Force's use of Instructor Chronos's beloved Antique Gear monsters – they were tarnishing his legacy – simply observed the field. Same old Antique Gear Hound Dog, he thought, a flicker of annoyance crossing his masked face. Every single one of them uses the same deck. He noted that with no monsters on his side of the field, the Hound Dog's effect was useless. Knowing how the Professor's Attack Dogs decks work, he's probably going to buy time with that facedown.
"Draw!" Jim drew his card, his eyes scanning the image as he formulated his strategy. Before he could make a play, however, Obelisk Force Red, seizing the opportunity, slapped his face-down card onto his Duel Disk. "Fusion Trench!" he announced.
A shimmering field of energy erupted between the duelists, creating a visible barrier. "Monsters cannot attack," Obelisk Force Red explained, a hint of smugness returning to his voice, "except Fusion Monsters." He smirked. This would buy them some time, give them a chance to regroup, and hopefully, find a way out of this terrifying situation.
Little did Obelisk Force Red know, that his reprieve was fleeting. Very fleeting. Jim, a slow smile spreading beneath his mask, reached for a card in his hand. "I activate Specimen Inspection!" he announced. "Once per turn, by revealing one 'Fossil Fusion' in my hand, I can send one monster from my hand to the Graveyard and declare a Type and a Level. Then, you look at your hand and Deck and send one monster with the declared Type and Level from either your hand or your Deck to the Graveyard."
He paused, his gaze locking onto Obelisk Force Red. "The Type I declare is… Machine. And the Level is… 8."
Jim was betting on his knowledge of Obelisk Force decks. They mimicked Instructor Chronos, which meant they would have his ace monster. And sure enough, a flicker of panic crossed Obelisk Force Red's face. With a groan of frustration, he was forced to send his Antique Gear Golem to the Graveyard. Jim's gamble had paid off.
"Now," Jim declared, a predatory gleam in his masked eyes, "I activate Fossil Fusion!"
Obelisk Force Red's eyes widened in disbelief. "But… but that's my Golem!" he stammered.
Jim ignored him, his focus entirely on his Duel Disk. "This card allows me to Fusion Summon one 'Fossil' Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck by banishing Fusion Materials mentioned on it from any Graveyard… except for materials with a specific Graveyard requirement." He gestured dramatically. "And for this Fusion Summon, I banish… my Sentry Soldier of Stone from my Graveyard… and your Antique Gear Golem!"
The banished monsters materialized briefly on the field, their forms shimmering before dissolving into motes of light. As the fusion began, Jim chanted, his voice echoing through the night, resonating with an almost primal power:
"From the depths of time, where stone and steel intertwine! Awaken, ancient warrior, fueled by the spirits of the fallen! I Fusion Summon! Level 8! Paleozoic Fossil Dragon Skullgios!"
A monstrous creature erupted onto the field. Its form was a skeletal dragon that looked more like a tyrannosaurus rex wreathed in an aura of primordial energy. Its jaws, lined with razor-sharp teeth, opened in a silent roar.
Paleozoic Fossil Dragon Skullgios
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Rock/Fusion/Effect
Level: 8
ATK/DEF: 3500/0
Obelisk Force Red swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the monstrous Skullgios. 3500 ATK… He knew he was in trouble.
"Battle Phase!" Jim announced, his voice dripping with menace. "Paleozoic Fossil Dragon Skullgios, attack Antique Gear Hound Dog!"
The skeletal dragon lunged forward, its jaws agape, ready to tear the mechanical hound to shreds. But just as Skullgios was about to sink its fangs into the Hound Dog, Jim snapped his fingers. "Wait!"
The dragon froze mid-attack, suspended in time as if Jim had paused reality itself. He turned to Obelisk Force Red, a predatory gleam in his masked eyes. "If this Fusion Summoned card battles an opponent's monster," he explained, his voice low and menacing, "any battle damage it inflicts to your opponent is doubled."
Obelisk Force Red's eyes widened in horror as he did the mental calculations. 1000 ATK… doubled… that was… 5000 damage!
Jim snapped his fingers again. "Resume attack!"
The dragon's jaws closed around the Antique Gear Hound Dog, the attack a blur of fangs and snapping bone. "Dragon Fang!" Jim roared, the name of the attack echoing through the night.
(Obelisk Force Red: 4000 – 5000 = 0)
The Antique Gear Hound Dog exploded into a shower of pixels, the force of the attack sending Obelisk Force Red staggering backward. He barely had time to register his defeat, the crushing weight of the doubled damage, before a new terror emerged from the shadows. Karen, the zombified crocodile, lunged forward, her jaws snapping shut around Obelisk Force Red's legs. His screams pierced the night as the monstrous reptile dragged him into the darkness, his terrified teammates watching in horrified silence. The reality of their situation crashed down on them. This wasn't going to be the simple mop-up operation they had anticipated. This was a trap.
Jim turned his attention to Obelisk Force Yellow, his masked face impassive. "Your turn," he said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.
[~]
A different trio of Obelisk Force soldiers, their blue uniforms now smudged with dirt and sweat, scrambled through the ruins, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Flaming cards, imbued with some strange, otherworldly energy, whizzed past them, leaving trails of scorching air in their wake. They ducked and weaved, their movements clumsy with fear, trying desperately to avoid the fiery projectiles.
"Move it!" one of them yelled, his voice strained with panic.
"It's right behind us!" another shrieked, his eyes wide with terror.
They sprinted blindly, their heavy boots pounding on the cracked pavement, adrenaline fueling their flight. But their escape route was cut short. They slammed to a halt, their backs hitting a cold, unforgiving wall. A dead end.
A figure emerged from the shadows, slowly approaching from the only way out. It was Austin, his form wreathed in flickering flames, his face hidden behind a skeletal mask that seemed to glow from within. He raised a hand, pointing a bony finger at the trapped Obelisk Force soldiers.
"Soldiers of Academia," he boomed, his voice amplified by some unseen force, "there is only one way out of this. Duel… or die." He activated his Duel Disk with a flourish, the device snapping into place on his arm with a metallic click.
The Obelisk Force soldiers, their backs pressed against the wall, exchanged terrified glances. "Get it together!" one of them hissed, his voice tight with fear. "We have to duel our way out of this!" With trembling hands, they activated their own Duel Disks, steeling themselves for the fight ahead.
"DUEL!"
(Austin O'Brien: 4000) (Obelisk Force: 4000 each)
Turn 1
(Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000)
Hand x 5
"I'll make the first move!" Obelisk Force Yellow declared, his voice trembling slightly as he reached for a card in his hand. "I activate Fusion!"
A swirling vortex of energy materialized on the field. "This card allows me to Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster, using monsters in my hand or on my side of the field as Fusion Materials," he explained, his gaze darting nervously towards Austin. He held up two cards. "I fuse two Antique Gear Hound Dogs!"
The two mechanical canines shimmered briefly before merging, their forms intertwining and reforming into a larger, more menacing creature.
"Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits," Obelisk Force Yellow chanted, his voice gaining a little strength as the fusion progressed, "flock together and become one with new power! Fusion Summon! Appear now! Level 5! Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog!"
A two-headed mechanical hound, its body bristling with gears and weaponry, landed on the field with a heavy thud. It snarled, its two sets of jaws snapping menacingly.
Antique Gear Double Bite Hound
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Fusion/Effect
Level: 5
ATK/DEF: 1400/1000
Obelisk Force Yellow ended his turn with a flourish, a thin veneer of confidence masking his underlying fear. He knew he had to make this look convincing.
Turn 2
(Austin O'Brien: 4000)
Hand x 5
Austin, observing the field, inwardly chuckled. Predictable, he thought. The Double Bite Hound Dog wasn't a threat because of its attack-prevention effect. That was easily countered. Its low ATK wasn't much to worry about either. The real danger lay in its other ability. Once per turn, during either player's turn, if a monster is Normal or Special Summoned to your opponent's side of the field: Obelisk Force Yellow can place 1 Gear Acid Counter on that monster. And then, the real kicker: At the start of the Damage Step, if a monster with a Gear Acid Counter battles: Obelisk Force Yellow can destroy that monster. That was the trap. He had to be careful.
"My turn," Austin announced, drawing a card from his deck. He wasted no time in making his first move. "I send one 'Blaze Cannon' from my deck to the Graveyard to activate the Continuous Magic Card, Volcanic Blaze Cannon!"
A fiery aura surrounded the field as the magic card took effect. "And now," Austin continued, "I activate one of Volcanic Blaze Cannon's effects. During my Main Phase, I can Special Summon one 'Volcanic' monster from my hand." He held up a card. "I Special Summon Volcanic Trooper to the field in Attack Position!"
A hulking figure clad in volcanic rock and molten metal materialized on the field, its form radiating intense heat. In its hand, it held a powerful hand cannon.
Volcanic Trooper
Attribute: FIRE
Type: Pyro/Effect
Level: 3
ATK/DEF: 1000/1000
As soon as Volcanic Trooper appeared on the field, Obelisk Force Yellow seized the opportunity. "I activate Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog's effect!" he declared. "Once per turn, during either player's turn, if a monster is Normal or Special Summoned to your side of the field, I can place one Gear Acid Counter on that monster." He pointed at the Volcanic Trooper. "Gear Acid Counter, placed!"
Austin knew the clock was ticking. He had to act fast. Obelisk Force Yellow's monster wouldn't survive another turn. "I activate the second effect of Volcanic Blaze Cannon!" he announced. "Once per turn, I can target one face-up monster you control; by sending one Level 1 Pyro monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, I can destroy that monster." He pointed directly at the Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog. "My target is your Double Bite Hound Dog!"
Obelisk Force Yellow could only watch in dismay as Austin sent a card from his deck to the Graveyard. A burst of intense heat erupted from the Volcanic Blaze Cannon, engulfing the mechanical hound. The Double Bite Hound Dog let out a final, mechanical whine before exploding into a shower of sparks and pixels.
With the Double Bite Hound Dog dispatched, Austin pressed his advantage. "I activate Volcanic Trooper's effect!" he declared. "Once per turn, by discarding one card, I can Special Summon one 'Bomb Token' to your side of the field." He discarded a card from his hand, and a small, ticking bomb materialized on Obelisk Force Yellow's field.
Bomb Token
Attribute: FIRE
Type: Pyro
Level: 1
ATK/DEF: 1000/1000
"Each time one of these is destroyed," Austin added, a hint of menace in his voice, "its controller takes damage."
Austin, his strategy meticulously planned, now moved for the kill. "With everything in place," he announced, a triumphant glint in his eyes, "I'm bringing out the big guns." He gestured dramatically. "I banish three Pyro monsters from my field and/or Graveyard, face-up. I banish Volcanic Trooper from my field, along with Volcanic Bullet and Inferno from my Graveyard… to Special Summon from my hand… Volcanic Emperor!"
A colossal figure erupted onto the field, wreathed in flames and radiating an aura of overwhelming power. Volcanic Emperor, a being of pure volcanic energy, stood tall and imposing, the remaining Bomb Token.
Volcanic Emperor
Attribute: FIRE
Type: Pyro
Level: 8
ATK/DEF: 3100/2400
Obelisk Force Yellow visibly gulped, his eyes wide with fear as he stared up at the towering Volcanic Emperor. 3100 ATK… he knew he was cornered.
But Austin wasn't finished. "Since I Special Summoned Volcanic Emperor this way," he announced, his voice echoing with power, "I can inflict 500 damage to you for each banished Pyro monster. And then… I can set one 'Volcanic' Trap directly from my Deck." He paused, his gaze locking onto Obelisk Force Yellow. "Three Pyro monsters were banished. Prepare for… Eruption Blast!"
A wave of intense heat washed over Obelisk Force Yellow as energy surged from the Volcanic Emperor. 1500 points of damage slammed into him, sending him staggering back.
(Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000 – 1500 = 2500)
"Battle Phase," Austin declared, his voice ringing with finality. "Volcanic Emperor, attack the Bomb Token! Inferno Strike!"
Volcanic Emperor roared a guttural sound that echoed through the ruined alleyway. The colossal figure lunged forward, its massive fist wreathed in flames. With a devastating blow, it smashed the Bomb Token, the small explosive device disintegrating in a shower of sparks.
The resulting explosion engulfed Obelisk Force Yellow. He cried out in pain as the force of the blast ripped through him, the heat searing his armor and flesh. He stumbled backward, clutching at his smoking uniform, the taste of ash and defeat bitter on his tongue.
(Obelisk Force Yellow: 2500 – 2100 = 400)
Austin watched as the smoke cleared, revealing the charred and shaken Obelisk Force Yellow. "And now," he said, his voice cold and clinical, "you take damage from the effect of the Bomb Token."
The remaining energy from the destroyed Bomb Token surged outwards, striking Obelisk Force Yellow. He cried out, his body convulsing as the final blow connected. He slumped to the ground, defeated and knocked out by the blast.
(Obelisk Force Yellow: 400 – 500 = 0)
Austin surveyed the scene, the flames licking at the edges of his skeletal mask. "Who's next?" he asked, his voice echoing through the night.
One of the remaining Obelisk Force soldiers, his fear overriding any semblance of discipline, broke and ran. He didn't get far. A searing blast of energy shot from Volcanic Blaze Cannon, striking him squarely in the back. He crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain.
Austin turned his attention to the last remaining member of the Obelisk Force. "It's just you now," he said, his voice devoid of any emotion.
[~]
In a different part of the ruined resort, another trio of Obelisk Force soldiers found themselves facing a different kind of nightmare. Johan Anderson, his face hidden behind a grotesque clown mask, pranced and giggled before them, his movements erratic and unsettling. The dim moonlight glinted off the various trinkets and baubles attached to his costume, creating a macabre, carnival-like atmosphere.
Johan tilted his masked head, his laughter echoing through the ruins. "I want to duel you!" he chirped, his voice high-pitched and unsettling. "Hurry up and bring out your Duel Disks! Let's duel! Let's duel!"
The Obelisk Force soldiers exchanged nervous glances. They were reluctant. Their primary objective was to search the ruins for any Rebels, not engage in unnecessary duels against monsters. "We need to get out of here," one of them whispered.
"The Professor will seal us in a card if we fail!" another hissed, his eyes darting around nervously.
The third soldier, trying to rally his comrades, straightened his posture. "We are Obelisk Force!" he declared, though his voice lacked conviction. "The best of the best of Academia's Duel Soldiers! We are not going to let some freaky clown scare us!"
Seeing them finally readying their Duel Disks, Johan's clown mask seemed to widen into a manic grin. "Oh, goody!" he squealed, his voice dripping with false enthusiasm. He eagerly activated his own Duel Disk, the device snapping into place on his arm.
"DUEL!"
(Johan Anderson: 4000) (Obelisk Force: 4000 each)
Turn 1
(Obelisk Force Red: 4000)
Hand x 5
"My turn!" Obelisk Force Red announced, drawing a card and quickly assessing his options. He needed to make this quick. "I summon Antique Gear Hound Dog in Attack Position!" The familiar mechanical canine appeared on the field, snarling and ready for action.
Antique Gear Hound Dog
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Effect
Level: 3
ATK/DEF: 1000/1000
He then set a card face-down in his Spell & Trap Zone. "I end my turn."
Turn 2
(Johan Anderson: 4000)
Hand x5
Johan skipped a little jig as he drew his card. "My turn! Draw!" he chirped, his voice echoing with false cheer. "I activate Painful Choice!"
He fanned out five cards from his deck, his eyes twinkling mischievously behind the clown mask. "I select these five cards," he announced, "and you get to choose one for me!" He thrust the cards towards Obelisk Force Red, his tone dripping with mock generosity. "Go on! Pick one! It's so exciting, choosing what I get!"
Obelisk Force Red, bewildered by the clown's antics, cautiously selected the card he perceived to be the weakest of the five. Johan, feigning disappointment, added the chosen card to his hand and discarded the rest to the Graveyard. "Aw, you picked that one?" he whined playfully. "Oh well! I set one monster face-down and end my turn!"
Turn 3
(Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000)
Hand x 5
"My turn!" Obelisk Force Yellow declared, trying to regain control of the duel. He summoned his own Antique Gear Hound Dog in attack mode.
Antique Gear Hound Dog
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Effect
Level: 3
ATK/DEF: 1000/1000
"And now," he continued, "I activate Hound Dog's effect! Once per turn, if you control a monster, I can inflict 600 damage on you!"
The energy blast from the Antique Gear Hound Dog struck Johan, but instead of recoiling in pain, he threw his head back and let out a cackle. "Oh, that tickles!" he shrieked, his voice filled with mock delight. He staggered dramatically, clutching his chest as if the attack had barely grazed him. His act was so over-the-top that it was almost unsettling.
(Johan Anderson: 4000 – 600 = 3400)
"Battle Phase!" Obelisk Force Yellow declared, seizing the initiative. "Antique Gear Hound Dog, attack Johan's face-down monster!"
The mechanical hound lunged forward, its metallic claws extended, ready to tear into Johan's set card. The face-down monster flipped up, revealing itself to be… Gem-Beast Emerald Turtle! Its emerald shell shimmered under the moonlight, revealing its impressive 2000 DEF.
Gem-Beast Emerald Turtle
Attribute: WATER
Type: Aqua/Effect
Level: 3
ATK/DEF: 600/2000
The Antique Gear Hound Dog's attack slammed into the Emerald Turtle's shimmering shell, but the turtle remained unfazed. The attack bounced harmlessly off its tough exterior. Not only was the Emerald Turtle not destroyed, but the difference in attack and defense meant that Obelisk Force Yellow himself took damage, a fact that registered on his face with a mixture of surprise and annoyance.
(Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000 – 1000 = 3000)
Johan clucked his tongue. "Too bad," he said, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "My Gem-Beast Emerald Turtle has a much higher defense, you see." He giggled, a high-pitched, unsettling sound.
Obelisk Force Yellow gritted his teeth. He was forced to end his turn, the frustration evident in his posture. Still, he told himself, it wasn't a complete loss. The pieces were falling into place. All they had to do was hold out until his comrades' next turn, and then… they would unleash their combined power.
Turn 3
(Johan Anderson: 3400)
Hand x 4
Johan drew his card, a wide grin spreading across his masked face. "Ooooh, I like this one!" he chirped, his voice filled with childish glee. He examined the card for a moment, then shrugged theatrically. "Well, I think I'll just set another monster face-down and end my turn!" He placed the card face-down on his Duel Disk with a flourish, his movements exaggerated and playful.
Turn 4
(Obelisk Force Green: 4000)
Hand x 5
"My turn!" Obelisk Force Green declared, his eyes narrowed as he studied Johan. "What card did you draw that made you so happy?" He quickly dismissed the thought. It didn't matter. They were going to win, regardless of Johan's tricks. "I summon Antique Gear Hound Dog!" he announced, bringing out the familiar mechanical canine.
Antique Gear Hound Dog
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Effect
Level: 3
ATK/DEF: 1000/1000
"And I activate its effect! Once per turn, if you control a monster, I can inflict 600 damage on you!"
(Johan Anderson: 3400 – 600 = 2800)
Johan took the blast of energy from the Antique Gear Hound Dog, but instead of showing any signs of pain, he erupted in another fit of laughter. "Ha ha! Is that all you've got?" he shrieked, his voice echoing unnervingly through the night.
Obelisk Force Green, ignoring Johan's theatrics, pressed on with his plan. "I activate Antique Gear Hound Dog's effect!" he announced. "If there's another Antique Gear monster on the field, I can Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Materials! And since this is a Battle Royale… I can even use my fellow Obelisk Force members' monsters as material!" He pointed at the two Antique Gear Hound Dogs on the field. "I fuse these two Antique Gear Hound Dogs!"
The two mechanical hounds shimmered and merged, their forms combining into a larger, more powerful creature. "Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits!" Obelisk Force Green chanted, his voice rising in power. "Flock together and become one with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog!"
A three-headed mechanical hound, bristling with weaponry and radiating an aura of raw power, materialized on the field. Its three heads snarled in unison, their eyes glowing an ominous red.
Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Effect
Level: 7
ATK/DEF: 1800/1000
"With all those materials... for such a weak monster?" Johan commented, tilting his head with mock curiosity. "How disappointing."
Obelisk Force Green ignored him, a grim determination etched on his face. "I'm not done yet!" he declared. "I activate the Magic Card, Fusion!" He held up another card. "I fuse my Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog with another Antique Gear Hound Dog in my hand!"
The three-headed hound on the field merged with the card in his hand, their forms swirling together in a vortex of energy. "Come forth!" Obelisk Force Green roared, his voice filled with power. "Level 9! Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog!"
A colossal, mechanical monstrosity materialized on Obelisk Force Green's side of the field. The Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog was a significantly upgraded version of its predecessor, its form even more heavily armored and bristling with a dizzying array of weaponry. It dwarfed the Emerald Turtle and radiated an aura of overwhelming power.
Ultimate Antique Gear Hunting Hound Dog
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Effect
Level: 9
ATK/DEF: 2800/2000
"And now," Obelisk Force Green announced, a triumphant smirk spreading across his face, "I activate Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog's effect! Upon being Fusion Summoned… your Life Points are cut in half!"
(Johan Anderson: 2800/2 = 1400)
Johan merely chuckled, seemingly unconcerned about his dwindling Life Points. "Is that all?" he taunted.
Obelisk Force Green's smirk widened. "Not even close! My Ultimate Hound Dog can also attack three times per Battle Phase!" He pointed at the Emerald Turtle. "Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog, attack Gem-Beast Emerald Turtle! Ultimate Gear Bite!"
The mechanical monstrosity lunged forward, its jaws agape, ready to tear the turtle to shreds. But just as its teeth were about to sink into the Emerald Turtle, Johan sprang into action. "Not so fast!" he cried, activating a card in his hand. "When an attack is declared involving a 'Crystal Beast' monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!"
A blinding rainbow light engulfed the field as a magnificent creature materialized. "Ultimate Gem-Beast Rainbow Dragon!" Johan announced triumphantly.
Ultimate Gem Beast Rainbow Dragon
Attribute: LIGHT
Type: Dragon/Effect
Level: 8
ATK/DEF: 3000/0
The Ultimate Gem-Beast Rainbow Dragon hovered on the field with a resounding thud, its scales shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. It was a majestic and intimidating creature, its very presence radiating power.
Johan clapped his hands together in delight. "Oh, I've always wanted to play this card!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine excitement.
Obelisk Force Green, momentarily stunned by the appearance of a monster even more powerful than his own, quickly recovered. He snarled, his frustration growing. "Fine," he growled. "I'll just destroy two of your monsters instead!" He directed his Ultimate Hound Dog to attack Johan's Gem-Beast Emerald Turtle and his face-down monster.
The Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog unleashed a devastating blast of energy, targeting both the Gem-Beast Emerald Turtle and Johan's face-down monster. The two Gem-Beast monsters, the Emerald Turtle and the Ruby Carbuncle were unable to withstand the combined assault and were obliterated, exploding into showers of glittering particles.
To Obelisk Force Green's surprise, the Gem-Beast monsters didn't disappear as he expected. Instead, where the Emerald Turtle and Ruby Carbuncle had stood, two large, unrefined gems now sat glowing softly.
Johan, seemingly unconcerned by the destruction of his monsters, giggled. "Oh, dear," he said, his voice dripping with mock sorrow. "Did you think they were gone?" He pointed at the two gems. "Whenever a Gem-Beast is destroyed, they're not sent to the Graveyard, you see. They're placed face-up in my Spell & Trap Zone as Continuous Spells!"
Obelisk Force Green growled in frustration. "This is ridiculous!" he muttered. Just as he was about to end his turn, Obelisk Force Yellow spoke up.
"I activate Fusion Trench!" he declared, playing the card from his hand. "Now, only Fusion Monsters can attack!" He smirked, confident that they had finally found a way to neutralize Johan's powerful dragon.
Turn 5
(Johan Anderson: 1400)
Hand x 4
Johan, however, remained unfazed by the Fusion Trench. A wide, almost manic grin spread across his masked face. "My turn!" he chirped, drawing his card. "And now… with seven different 'Crystal Beast' cards with different names on my field and/or in my Graveyard…" He gestured dramatically, "I can Special Summon… Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Dragon!"
Ultimate Gem God – Rainbow Dragon
Attribute: LIGHT
Type: Dragon/Effect
Level: 10
ATK/DEF: 4000/0
A colossal, even more majestic dragon descended onto the field. Its scales shimmered with an otherworldly brilliance, radiating power far beyond the already impressive Ultimate Gem-Beast Rainbow Dragon. "That's… that's even stronger than the last one!" one of the Obelisk Force members stammered, his voice trembling. Another, clinging to the hope that they weren't completely doomed, added, "But… but Fusion Trench! He can't attack! And he can't Fusion Summon like that! He needs a Fusion card!"
Johan simply chuckled, his laughter echoing through the ruins. "Don't tempt fate, my dear soldiers," he warned, his voice laced with a chilling amusement. "I tribute my Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Dragon…" The majestic dragon shimmered and dissolved into motes of light, its energy coalescing into a swirling vortex. "...to Special Summon from my Extra Deck… the true apex predator!"
The Obelisk Force members stared in disbelief. "But… but that's a Fusion Monster!" one of them exclaimed. "You can't just summon it like that!"
"Oh, but I can," Johan replied, his voice dripping with theatrical flair. "And I will! For this magnificent creature… allows it!" He spread his arms wide as the vortex of energy intensified. "From the heart of the rainbow, the ultimate power awakens! I Special Summon! Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Over Dragon!"
Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Over Dragon
Attribute: LIGHT
Type: Dragon/Fusion/Effect
Level: 12
ATK/DEF: 4000/0
Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Over Dragon descended onto the field, its form radiating an almost divine aura. It was a more heavenly version of the already impressive Rainbow Dragon, its scales shimmering with an ethereal light.
Johan surveyed the field, a playful glint in his eyes. "Now, now," he mused, tapping a finger to his masked chin. "Whatever shall I do? I have a Fusion Monster now, you see. Should I attack one of those poor soldiers who have no monsters on the field, leaving them wide open to a direct attack? Or…" He turned his gaze to the Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog. "Should I take revenge for the… temporary demise of my Gem-Beasts?"
He paused, drawing out the suspense, the anticipation hanging heavy in the air, the silence amplifying the frantic beating of the Obelisk Force soldiers' hearts. Finally, a decision was made. "Hmmmm…" Johan drawled, before snapping his fingers. "I activate Cyclone!"
A swirling vortex of wind erupted from Johan's Duel Disk, tearing through the air and obliterating Fusion Trench in an instant. The Obelisk Force soldiers gasped in horror as their last line of defense vanished.
"Oh, dear," Johan said, a wide, almost manic grin spreading across his masked face. "It seems that all my Monsters can attack now, doesn't it?"
The Obelisk Force soldiers stood frozen, their faces pale with terror as they realized they were utterly defenseless.
"Ultimate Gem God - Rainbow Over Dragon," Johan announced, his voice ringing with triumph, "attack that soldier! Over the Rainbow Refraction!"
The divine dragon unleashed a devastating blast of rainbow energy, striking the Obelisk Force soldier who had no monster to protect him. The attack slammed into him with overwhelming force, reducing his Life Points to zero in an instant. He crumpled to the ground, defeated.
Johan then turned his attention to Obelisk Force Yellow, who was still reeling from the destruction of Fusion Trench. "And now," he chirped, his voice filled with mock pity, "Ultimate Gem-Beast Rainbow Dragon… finish him off! Rainbow Ray!"
The majestic dragon unleashed a concentrated beam of rainbow light, striking Obelisk Force Yellow with pinpoint accuracy. His measly 3000 Life Points vanished in a flash, and he joined his fallen comrade on the ground, defeated and groaning.
(Obelisk Force Red: 4000 – 4000 = 0)
(Obelisk Force Yellow: 3000 – 3000 = 0)
Obelisk Force Green stood alone, the last man standing. He watched in horror as his comrades fell, their defeats swift and decisive. Johan, his clown mask leering in the dim light, turned his attention to him.
"Well, well," Johan chirped, his voice laced with a chilling amusement. "Looks like it's just you now. Make your next turn count, my dear soldier. It may be your last."
Obelisk Force Green's mind raced. He knew he was outmatched. Johan's power was overwhelming, his tactics unpredictable. Ren… he thought desperately. Has Ren gotten everybody to safety yet? That was all that mattered now. His survival was secondary. He had to buy them time.
[~]
Meanwhile, in another part of the ruined resort, Ren moved stealthily through the shadows, his senses on high alert. He led a small group of his fellow Rebels, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and determination. They moved as quietly as possible, trying to avoid detection, their footsteps muffled by the debris-strewn ground. In the distance, they could hear the sounds of duels – the clash of cards, the roar of monsters, the desperate cries of the fallen. Ren knew they were in a race against time. Every moment counted. He had to get his friends to safety.
Ren paused, glancing over his shoulder. "Everybody still with me?" he whispered, his voice barely audible above the distant sounds of battle. Morgana, perched on his shoulder, gave a soft meow in confirmation.
"Yeah, I'm here," Ryuji murmured, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger.
"Me too," Ann replied, her voice tight with anxiety.
"Present," Yusuke whispered, his eyes scanning their surroundings.
"I'm with you," Makoto affirmed, her expression determined.
"Still here," Futaba chirped softly, her fingers tapping nervously on the strap of her backpack.
"Yes," Haru whispered, her grip tightening on hers.
"I'm right behind you," Sumire whispered, her voice barely a breath.
Ren breathed a sigh of relief. Good. They were all still together. They pressed on, their movements cautious and deliberate, navigating the treacherous ruins. The sounds of duels and the screams of the fallen grew closer, a constant reminder of the danger they were in.
"Ren," Sumire whispered, her voice filled with worry, "do you think the others will be alright?"
Ren gave her a reassuring nod. "They will be," he said, his voice firm. "I've known them for a long time. They'll give the Obelisk Force hell before they even lose."
Ryuji, overhearing their conversation, frowned. "What do you mean, you've known them for a long time?" he asked, his voice low.
Ren smiled faintly. "I'll explain later," he promised. "When we get to Sanctuary."
He then turned to Yusuke. "And I wanted to thank you again, Yusuke," he said. "These costumes and effects are… remarkably convincing."
Yusuke, ever the artist, puffed out his chest with pride. "It was a challenge," he admitted, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "But I believe I have created a masterpiece… from old costumes and makeup kits, no less."
Ren also received Yusuke's artistic touch, his face now a convincing shade of grey, with strategically placed smears of "blood" and darkened circles around his eyes, giving him the appearance of a freshly risen zombie.
"Everything is ready, Makoto," Haru whispered, offering her a reassuring smile.
Makoto took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "I'm… I'm alright," she replied, though her voice wavered slightly. She was barely holding it together. The screams and the clash of duels were taking their toll.
Ren, glancing at his convincingly monstrous "undead" self, couldn't help but wonder. "Are we doing too good a job of haunting the Obelisk Force?" he murmured, a hint of concern in his voice. He didn't want to traumatize them too much… well, not more than necessary.
Ren, pressing forward, activated the communicator function on his Duel Disk. "Nimbus, this is Joker," he whispered, keeping his voice low. "We're approaching the sub."
Amon's voice crackled through the comm. "Roger that, Ace. Standing by to receive you."
Ren felt a surge of relief. They were almost there. But the relief was short-lived. As they rounded a corner, Ren's eyes widened in alarm. Standing at the docks, their blue uniforms gleaming in the moonlight, was another trio of Obelisk Force soldiers.
"Shit!" Ren hissed, quickly ushering his friends behind a pile of rubble. "Hide! Don't let them see you!" He pressed the comm button again. "Ace, we have a problem. Obelisk Force at the docks."
Amon's frustrated voice filled his earpiece. "Damn it! Ace, can you—"
The comm cut out abruptly. Ren snapped off the comm just as one of the Obelisk Force soldiers turned in their direction. They'd been spotted. It was only a matter of time before they were surrounded. "Listen up!" he hissed to his friends, his voice low and urgent. "You have to go. Now."
"But Ren—" Ann began to protest.
"No arguments!" Ren cut her off, his voice firm. "I'll lead them away. You get to the sub. Don't stop. Don't look back. Just go!"
"We can't leave you!" Ryuji protested, his voice laced with worry.
"I can't risk it," Ren said, his gaze sweeping over them. "You don't have Duel Disks. You can't help me here, not like in the Metaverse. And the others are busy. I'm the only one who can take them on." He knew it was a gamble, but it was the only way to ensure their safety. He couldn't risk them becoming cards in the crossfire.
His friends looked at him, their faces etched with worry and reluctance. They knew he was right, but it didn't make it any easier to leave him behind.
"Ren…" Sumire whispered, her eyes filled with tears. "Promise me you'll come back. Promise me you'll be safe."
Ren met her gaze, his expression determined. "I give you my word," he said. "I'll be back."
Ren slipped away from his friends, moving swiftly and silently through the shadows until he reached a different section of the ruins. He needed to draw the Obelisk Force away from the docks and give his friends a chance to escape. When he was sure he was in a position to be seen, Ren slowed his pace, adopting a shuffling gait. He hunched his shoulders, letting his arms dangle loosely at his sides, and began to groan, a low, guttural sound that echoed through the night. "Dueeel…" he moaned, his voice a chilling imitation of a zombie's hunger.
The Obelisk Force soldiers, their nerves already frayed by the eerie atmosphere and the earlier encounters with the "undead," spotted Ren's approaching figure. His shambling gait, the low groans, the convincingly gruesome makeup… it was enough to send a fresh wave of panic through their ranks. They exchanged terrified glances, their hands instinctively reaching for their Duel Disks.
Ren shuffled closer, his groans growing louder. "Dueeel…" he moaned again, his outstretched hands twitching as if eager to grasp at them.
The Obelisk Force soldiers exchanged increasingly panicked glances. "It wants to duel us!" one of them exclaimed, his voice trembling.
"What if we lose?" another whispered, his eyes wide with fear. "Will we… will we turn into that?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" a third soldier snapped, trying to project an air of confidence, though his voice betrayed his fear. "That's just… makeup. It's just a trick." But even as he spoke the words, he wasn't entirely convinced. The whole situation was too surreal, too unsettling.
They hesitated for a moment, weighing their options. The thought of facing the grotesque figure in a duel was terrifying, but the alternative… the possibility of becoming one of them… That was even worse.
"Alright," one of them said, finally breaking the silence. "We'll duel him. Just… just to be safe." They activated their Duel Disks, their hands shaking as they prepared to face the groaning "zombie."
"DUEL!"
(Ren Amamiya: 4000) (Obelisk Force: 4000 each)
Turn 1
(Obelisk Force Red: 4000)
Hand x 5
"My turn!" Obelisk Force Red declared, trying to project an air of bravado despite the tremor in his voice. He drew his card and quickly made his play. "I summon Antique Gear Hound Dog!"
Antique Gear Hound Dog
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Effect
Level: 3
ATK/DEF: 1000/1000
The familiar mechanical canine appeared on the field, its gears whirring and its jaws snapping. He hoped the familiar sight would give him some measure of comfort, some semblance of control in this bizarre duel.
"I end my turn," Obelisk Force Red announced, setting a card face-down in his Spell & Trap Zone. He eyed the "zombie" warily, wondering what kind of horrifying strategy it would employ.
Turn 2
(Ren Amamiya: 4000)
Hand x 5
Ren drew his card, his mind racing. Could they try to be original for once? He thought, his gaze fixed on the Obelisk Force soldiers. Probably not. Fusion Trench, I'd bet. They'll try to force me into Fusion Summons, then hit me with those damn Hound Dogs. He knew their strategy inside and out. As soon as he put a monster on the field, they'd be taking damage.
He risked a glance behind the Obelisk Force soldiers. Relief washed over him as he saw Morgana leading Ryuji and Ann towards the docks. They were almost there. But his heart skipped a beat as Ryuji stumbled, nearly giving them away. Damn it! Ren had to act fast.
Keeping up his zombie act, he groaned softly, shuffling his feet. "Dueeel…" he moaned, then with lightning quickness, he discarded a card and activated his magic card. "Joker's Straight!" he announced, his voice still a guttural moan. "By discarding one card, I can Special Summon one Queen's Knight from my Deck, add one King's Knight or Jack's Knight from my Deck to my hand, and then… immediately after this effect resolves, I can Normal Summon one monster!"
He shuffled dramatically as if his zombie brain was struggling to remember what to do. "Queen's Knight… come…" he groaned, Special Summoning the card.
Queen's Knight
Attribute: LIGHT
Type: Warrior/Normal
Level: 4
ATK/DEF: ATK/1500 DEF/1600
Then, without missing a beat, he Normal Summoned. "King's Knight… join…"
King's Knight
Attribute: LIGHT
Type: Warrior/Effect
ATK/DEF: 1600/1400
The moment King's Knight appeared on the field, its effect activated. "When Normal Summoned while I control a Queen's Knight… I can Special Summon from my Deck… our loyal servant… Jack's Knight!"
Jack's Knight
Attribute: LIGHT
Type: Warrior/Normal
ATK/DEF: 1900/1000
With a final, drawn-out groan, Ren completed the courtroom. "Court… assemble…" he muttered, his zombie act masking the strategic brilliance of his play.
Just as Ren anticipated, Obelisk Force Red sprang his trap. "I activate Fusion Trench!" he declared triumphantly. "Now, only Fusion Monsters can attack!" He smirked, confident he had Ren cornered.
Ren, still maintaining his zombie act, tilted his head as if confused, then groaned and shuffled his feet. "Fusion… Trench…" he mumbled as if struggling to understand. Then, with surprising speed, he activated a card from his hand. "Fusion!" he announced, his voice still a guttural moan. "I fuse Queen's Knight, Jack's Knight, and King's Knight…" The three knights shimmered and merged, their forms combining into a single, powerful warrior. "Three cards of face, combine your powers to give rise to the defender of the imperial throne!" Ren chanted, his voice rising in power. "Come forth! Level 9! Arcana Knight Joker!"
Arcana Knight Joker
Attribute: LIGHT
Type: Warrior/Fusion/Effect
Level 9
ATK/DEF: 3800/2500
"Battle Phase," Ren groaned, his zombie act momentarily forgotten as he focused on the duel. "Arcana Knight Joker, attack Antique Gear Hound Dog! Royal Flush!"
Arcana Knight Joker, wielding his glowing blade, lunged forward, striking the Antique Gear Hound Dog with a swift, decisive blow. The mechanical hound exploded in a shower of sparks and scrap metal. Obelisk Force Red cried out as he was struck by the backlash, his Life Points taking a hit.
(Obelisk Force Red: 4000 – 2800 = 1200)
Ren set a card face-down in his Spell & Trap Zone, ending his turn. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Amon safely ushering Morgana, Ryuji, and Ann into the waiting submarine. Amon gave him a brief, silent nod of encouragement. Ren allowed himself a small, internal sigh of relief before refocusing his attention on the duel. He still had Obelisk Force soldiers to deal with.
Turn 3
(Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000)
Hand x 5
Obelisk Force Yellow drew his card, his brow furrowed in concentration. He hesitated, clearly struggling to formulate a plan. Finally, a glimmer of an idea sparked in his eyes. "I activate the Magic Card, Mechanical Night - Clockwork Night!" he declared. "All face-up monsters on the field become Machine monsters! And, Machine monsters we control gain 500 ATK/DEF, while Machine monsters you control lose 500 ATK/DEF!"
The magical energy from Clockwork Night washed over the field, and Arcana Knight Joker, previously a warrior of the court, was now transformed into a Machine-type monster. His ATK and DEF values flickered, dropping by 500 points.
Arcana Knight Jokers ATK/DEF: 3800/2500 – 500/500 = 3300/2500
"Since you control monsters than we, I special summon Antique Gear Statue!" Obelisk Force Yellow announced, bringing a bust of an Antique Gear Golem onto the field.
Antique Gear Statue
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Effect
Level 2
ATK/DEF: 500/800
Obelisk Force Yellow glanced at the Antique Gear Statue, seemingly unconcerned about the ATK/DEF boost it received from Clockwork Night. "I tribute my Antique Gear Statue," he announced, "to Special Summon from my Deck… Antique Gear Golem!"
Antique Gear Golem
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Effect
Level 8
ATK/DEF: 3000/3000
The massive Antique Gear Golem lumbered onto the field, its gears grinding and its form radiating an aura of brute strength. Ren felt a surge of anger. To see one of Instructor Chronos' prized monsters, a symbol of the Duel Academy's true purpose, being used and tarnished by the likes of the Obelisk Force… was infuriating. He clenched his fist, his resolve hardening. He would make them pay for this.
"I activate Antique Gear Fusion!" Obelisk Force Yellow declared, holding up the magic card. "I can Fusion Summon one 'Antique Gear' Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Material. But… if I'm using an 'Antique Gear Golem' on the field as Fusion Material, I can also use monsters from my Deck as material!"
Ren, though still maintaining his zombie act, couldn't help but mentally acknowledge the new card. That's new, he thought, his mind already strategizing how to counter it.
Obelisk Force Yellow grinned. "I fuse my Antique Gear Golem with two monsters from my Deck!" The massive Golem on the field began to glow, its form merging with the unseen monsters from the deck. "Ancient gears, combine your might! Become an unstoppable force of destruction! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 8! Antique Gear Megaton Golem!"
A monstrous machine, a four-legged, six-armed version of the Antique Gear Golem, stomped onto the field. It radiated an aura of raw power, dwarfing even Arcana Knight Joker.
Antique Gear Megaton Golem
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Effect
Level: 9
ATK/DEF: 3300/3300
Obelisk Force Yellow smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. He hadn't forgotten the effect of Clockwork Night. His Antique Gear Megaton Golem, now a Machine-type monster, received the ATK/DEF boost, making it even more formidable.
Antique Gear Megaton Golem's ATK/DEF: 3300/3300 500/500 = 3800/3800
"Battle!" Obelisk Force Yellow roared, his voice filled with triumph. "Antique Gear Megaton Golem, attack Arcana Knight Joker! Megaton Crush!"
The colossal machine lunged forward, its six massive fists slamming into Arcana Knight Joker with devastating force. Ren's monster, weakened by Clockwork Night, couldn't withstand the onslaught. It shattered into fragments of light, and Ren cried out as he was thrown backward by the impact, his Life Points plummeting.
(Ren Amamiya: 4000 – 500 = 3500)
Ren slowly pushed himself back to his feet, ignoring the throbbing pain in his chest and the ringing in his ears. He maintained his zombie act, groaning and swaying slightly, as if the attack had truly taken its toll. As he rose, he caught sight of Yusuke and Makoto peeking from behind a crumbling wall. He met their eyes and mouthed the word "Go." They hesitated for a moment, then nodded and slipped back into the shadows.
Ren drew his card, his mind racing. He had to keep the Obelisk Force occupied and give his friends enough time to escape. "My turn…" he groaned, shuffling his feet and letting out a low, guttural moan.
Turn 4
(Ren Amamiya: 3500)
Hand x 3
Ren drew his card, his mind already formulating a plan. "My turn…" he groaned, his voice still a chilling imitation of a zombie. He shuffled his feet, feigning weakness, then activated his face-down Trap Card. "Bond of Face Cards!" he announced, his voice still a guttural moan. "I activate its second effect! I can banish up to one each of 'Queen's Knight', 'King's Knight', and/or 'Jack's Knight' from my hand and/or Graveyard… and draw the same number of cards I banished!"
Ren banished the necessary cards, drawing a fresh hand. "Unexpected… Guy…" he moaned, activating another spell card. "Since I control no monsters… I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower monster from my Deck!" He paused dramatically as if struggling to remember which card to choose. "Queen's… Knight… come…" Another Queen's Knight materialized on the field. "And… from my hand… Normal Summon… King's… Knight…" He placed the card on his Duel Disk. The King's Knight appeared, and its effect was immediately activated. "When Normal Summoned while I control a Queen's Knight… I can Special Summon… Jack's… Knight…" The final piece of the courtroom was assembled.
Obelisk Force Yellow opened his mouth, about to remind Ren of the Clockwork Night's effect, but one of the other soldiers waved him off. "We know, we know," he said, his voice laced with annoyance. "That's what the Duel Disks are for." They were growing impatient with the "zombie's" slow, deliberate plays, but they were also wary of his unpredictable tactics.
The three knights, now Machine-type monsters and weakened by Clockwork Night, shimmered briefly. "My… court…" Ren groaned, then with a dramatic flourish, he sent the three cards to the Graveyard. "Returns… to the shadows… but from the shadows… a new power… arises!" He gestured dramatically. "I Special Summon… from my hand… Arcana Triumph Joker!"
A figure, resembling an upgraded, more powerful version of the Queen's Knight, materialized on the field. Arcana Triumph Joker radiated an aura of regal authority.
Arcana Triumph Joker
Attribute: LIGHT
Type: Warrior/Effect
Level 10
ATK/DEF: ?/2500
"Arcana Triumph Joker's… power… activates…" Ren groaned, his voice laced with a chilling amusement. "By discarding one card… I can destroy all face-up cards my opponent controls with the same type as the discarded card!" He held up a Trap Card. "Farewell… Fusion Trench! Royal Decree!" The Fusion Trench shattered, its magic nullified.
Then, he held up a Magic Card. "And… say goodbye… Clockwork Night! Royal Decree!" The field shimmered as Clockwork Night's influence vanished, and Arcana Triumph Joker regained its original type and stats. The same can be said for Antique Gear Megaton Golem.
Antique Gear Megaton Golem's ATK/DEF: 3800/3800 – 500/500 = 3300/3300
Obelisk Force Yellow, though visibly shaken by the destruction of his Continuous cards, tried to maintain a semblance of composure. "Even without those cards," he sneered, "your monster is no match for my Antique Gear Megaton Golem!"
Ren simply chuckled, a low, menacing sound that sent shivers down the spines of the Obelisk Force soldiers. "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that," he said, his voice still laced with the chilling amusement of his "zombie" persona. "Arcana Triumph Joker's… true power… awakens! She gains 500 ATK points… for each card… in both players' hands!" He paused dramatically, counting the cards. "Let's see… four in my hand, three in his, two in yours, five in his… that's fourteen total. Therefore… her ATK becomes… 7000!"
Arcana Triumph Joker's ATK: 14 x 500 = 7000)
The Obelisk Force soldiers gasped, their eyes widening in disbelief as Arcana Triumph Joker's ATK soared to a staggering 7000 points. "No… that's impossible!" Obelisk Force Yellow stammered, his confidence crumbling.
"Battle!" Ren declared, his voice resonating with power. "Arcana Triumph Joker, attack Antique Gear Megaton Golem! Triumphant Strike!"
Arcana Triumph Joker, her blade glowing with a blinding light, charged forward. She struck the Megaton Golem with a single, devastating blow, cleaving through its armor and shattering its form. The colossal machine exploded in a shower of sparks and debris, and Obelisk Force Yellow cried out as he was engulfed in the blast. His Life Points took a tremendous hit.
(Obelisk Force Yellow: 4000 – 3700 = 300)
Ren placed another card face-down on his Duel Disk, ending his turn. He risked another glance towards the docks. He saw Yusuke and Makoto safely aboard the submarine. A wave of relief washed over him. They were safe.
Turn 5
(Obelisk Force Green: 4000)
Hand x 5
"My turn!" Obelisk Force Green declared, his voice trembling slightly but filled with a desperate determination. He drew his card, his eyes fixed on Ren. "I will put an end to this… this zombie menace!" He held up a card. "I activate Antique Gear Scrap Fusion! I can Fusion Summon one 'Antique Gear' Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, using monsters from me and my fellows' Graveyards as Fusion Materials, but its effects are negated!"
"I fuse Antique Gear Golem, Antique Gear Hunting Hound, and Antique Gear Megaton Golem!" Obelisk Force Green chanted, his voice echoing through the ruins. "From the scrap heap of forgotten machines, a new terror arises! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 10! Antique Gear Ultimate Golem!"
Antique Gear Ultimate Golem
Attribute: EARTH
Type: Machine/Fusion/Effect
Level: 10
ATK/DEF: 4400/3400
Ren felt a chill run down his spine as Obelisk Force Green completed his summon. He'd faced this monster before, back in Tokyo, during his desperate flight from his pursuer. Seeing it again brought back a flood of unpleasant memories.
A colossal machine, resembling a centaur version of the Antique Gear Golem, stomped onto the field. It was even larger and more imposing than the Megaton Golem, radiating an aura of sheer destructive power. The sight of it filled Ren with a sense of dread. This was going to be a difficult fight.
Obelisk Force Green stared at the towering Antique Gear Ultimate Golem, his expression grim. "I know… I know it's not enough," he muttered, his gaze flickering to Arcana Triumph Joker's imposing form. "But… I have one last resort!" He held up a card, his hand trembling slightly. "I activate the Quick-Play Magic Card… Limiter Removal!"
Ren's blood ran cold. "Limiter Removal!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with horror. He knew what that card meant. It was a staple in Machine-type decks, a desperate gamble that could turn the tide of a duel in an instant. It doubled the ATK of all Machine monsters the player controlled until the end of the turn… but at the cost of destroying those monsters afterward. It was a double-edged sword, a desperate measure for a desperate situation.
Antique Gear Ultimate Golem's ATK: 4400 x 2 = 8800
"Battle Phase!" Obelisk Force Green roared, his voice filled with a manic desperation. "Antique Gear Ultimate Golem, attack Arcana Triumph Joker! Ultimate Annihilation Pound!"
The colossal machine charged forward and pounds Arcana Triumph Joker, the sheer power of the attack overwhelming her defenses. The powerful warrior was obliterated, reduced to shimmering fragments of light. The force of the attack sent Ren flying backward, his Life Points plummeting dangerously low.
(Ren Amamiya: 3500 – 2800 = 700)
Obelisk Force Green ended his turn, the effect of Limiter Removal immediately kicking in. The mighty Antique Gear Ultimate Golem, having served its purpose, crumbled into a pile of scrap metal. Obelisk Force Green, though momentarily disappointed by the loss of his strongest monster, quickly shrugged it off. "A small price to pay," he muttered to himself. "Just one more turn… and we'll finish this zombie off. Maybe even card him, just to be safe."
Suddenly, a horrified cry pierced the air. "Ren!"
Obelisk Force Green whirled around, his eyes widening in surprise. Standing at the edge of the ruins, her face etched with terror was Sumire. She had been helping Futaba and Haru get to the submarine when she witnessed Ren being brutally attacked by the Antique Gear Ultimate Golem.
Obelisk Force Green's eyes gleamed with cruel delight. "Well, well," he chuckled. "Looks like we have another one! Fresh prey!"
Ren, hearing Sumire's cry and seeing the Obelisk Force soldiers' predatory expressions, abandoned his zombie act completely. His eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "My turn!" he declared, his voice ringing with a newfound resolve. This was it. The final turn. He wouldn't let them hurt Sumire. He wouldn't let them hurt any of his friends.
Turn
(Ren Amamiya: 700)
Hand x 2
Ren drew his card, his mind working furiously. "My turn!" he announced, his voice ringing with determination. He glanced at Sumire, offering her a brief, reassuring nod before turning his attention back to the Obelisk Force soldiers. "I activate the first effect of Bond of Face Cards! Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon one of the 'Face Cards' from my Graveyard!" He gestured. "Queen's Knight, return!" The Queen's Knight reappeared on the field.
"And now," Ren continued, his voice hardening, "I activate Face Card Fusion! I can Fusion Summon one LIGHT Warrior Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Material. But… if I control any of my three 'Face Cards', I can also use one monster from my Deck as Fusion Material!" He held up his hand, revealing the Jack's Knight. "I fuse my Queen's Knight on the field… with my Jack's Knight in my hand… and my King's Knight in my Deck!"
The three knights merged once more, their forms combining into a powerful warrior. "Come forth!" Ren cried, his voice filled with power. "My loyal servant, once again! Arcana Knight Joker!" A second Arcana Knight Joker materialized on the field, identical to the first. It always helps to have another copy of your favorite monster, Ren thought grimly.
"Arcana Knight Joker, attack Obelisk Force Green directly!" Ren commanded, his voice ringing with fury. "Royal Flush!"
The Arcana Knight Joker lunged forward, his blades flashing. Obelisk Force Green could only watch in terror as the attack slammed into him, the force of the blow sending him reeling. His Life Points plummeted, leaving him teetering on the brink of defeat.
(Obelisk Force Green: 4000 – 3800 = 200)
But Ren wasn't finished. He pointed at his face-down card. "Tell me," he said, his voice laced with a chilling calm. "Does Academia still teach their Duel Soldiers to use this?" He flipped up the card. "Fusion Cancel!" he announced. "By returning Arcana Knight Joker to the Extra Deck… I can Special Summon all the monsters that were used for its Fusion Summon… from my Graveyard!"
The three knights, Queen's Knight, King's Knight, and Jack's Knight, reappeared on Ren's field, standing ready for battle. Ren surveyed the field, his gaze sweeping over the three remaining Obelisk Force soldiers, their faces pale and etched with fear.
"It seems," Ren said, his voice laced with a chilling calm, "that I have one monster… for each of you." The Obelisk Force members exchanged terrified glances, the realization of their impending doom sinking in.
"Battle Phase," Ren declared. "Queen's Knight, attack Obelisk Force Red!"
The Queen's Knight charged forward, her blade flashing.
(Obelisk Force Red: 1200 – 1500 = 0)
"King's Knight, attack Obelisk Force Yellow!"
The King's Knight followed close behind, his sword raised high.
(Obelisk Force Yellow: 300 – 1600 = 0)
"Jack's Knight," Ren commanded, his voice ringing with finality. "Finish this! Attack Obelisk Force Green!"
Jack's Knight, the loyal servant, dashed forward, his weapon aimed at the last remaining Obelisk Force soldier.
(Obelisk Force Green: 200 – 1900 = 0)
The three knights struck with swift and merciless precision. The Obelisk Force soldiers, their Life Points already critically low, were no match for the coordinated assault. They cried out as the attacks landed, each blow draining the last vestiges of their strength. One by one, they fell, defeated and groaning.
Ren watched as the last Obelisk Force soldier crumpled to the ground. He took a deep breath, the tension finally leaving his body. "The show's over," he murmured, almost to himself, subconsciously tugging on his left glove. Then, the adrenaline began to wear off, and the pain from the injuries he had sustained during the duel crashed down on him. He swayed his vision blurring. Just as he was about to collapse, strong feminine arms caught him.
"Ren!" Sumire cried, her voice filled with worry. She held him tightly, preventing him from falling. "Are you alright?"
Ren managed a weak smile, his voice laced with a touch of his usual dry humor. "Oh, yeah," he said, wincing slightly. "Just been beaten within an inch of my life… in a duel involving Solid Vision with Mass, of course, I, 'm alright."
Sumire, though confused by Ren's cryptic comment about Solid Vision with Mass, simply shook her head. "Don't joke about your injuries," she scolded gently, as she helped him towards the docks.
As they made their way through the ruins, they heard the sound of running feet. Sumire tensed, bracing herself for another confrontation, but her fear quickly subsided as she recognized the approaching figures. It was Jim, Austin, and Johan, still in their monster disguises, with Karen following close behind.
Johan, his mask leering in the moonlight, grinned. "Oh, it's the best night for a scare!" he exclaimed gleefully. He then noticed Ren's condition. "Ren! Are you alright?" he asked, his tone shifting to concern.
Ren gave him a wry look. "Do I look alright?" he retorted.
Jim chuckled. "Not," he said, his laughter echoing through the ruins.
Austin, his expression serious, stepped forward. "Did the civilians get to the sub safely?" he asked.
"Yes," Ren confirmed.
"Good," Austin replied. "Then let's get out of here."
The group, relieved to be reunited, made their way quickly and quietly to the waiting submarine. Sumire, supporting Ren's weight, helped him carefully down the gangplank and into the vessel. Once everyone was safely onboard, the submarine's engines hummed to life, and it silently slipped away from the docks, leaving the ruins of the old Rebel HQ and the harrowing events that had transpired there behind them.
[~[~]
Greetings and Bienvenue Readers!
It's been a while, hasn't it? My sincerest apologies for the extended delay in updating "The Phantom Duelists." Life, as it often does, decided to throw a few curveballs my way. But I'm finally back, and I hope this chapter makes up for the wait!
Our heroes have faced the Obelisk Force… and triumphed! They've not only won their duels but also successfully escaped the island! It was so much fun writing them dueling as monsters to scare the Obelisk Force. Those jerks had it coming! Seeing them squirm was a delight.
With that in mind, I wanted to mention that this chapter marks the last appearance of Ren's Arcana Joker Deck. Yes, I know, it's a jank deck, but it served its purpose! It was fun while it lasted.
Thank you all so much for reading. I truly appreciate your patience and support. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the thrilling escape from the island.
Until next time!