bopdog111: Sorry for the wait everyone, we wanted to make sure we didn't mess anything up.
Ulrich362: Exactly, but we're back now to see how Mitsuru reacts to dueling her dead friend Shinjiro.
bopdog111: More specifically a piece of his soul.
Ulrich362: True, but how did Pegasus get a hold of that?
bopdog111: Only one way to find out right?
Ulrich362: Agreed, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own Persona 3 or Yu-Gi-Oh! All we own are the OCs.
(New Dueling Theme: What Have You Done by Within Temptation)
Mitsuru: 3100
Hand: 3
Field: Arctic Empire - Snow Horseman (Attack Position), Two Set Cards
Ventriloquist of the Dead: 3400
Hand: 2
Field: Hierophant Persona Castor (Attack Position), Suppressor Omen (face-up)
Let the duel continue!
Back on where we left off, the Ventriloquist had just happened Castor by summoning it like how Mitsuru, and there comrades summoned there Personas using an Evoker like they did using the Shinjiro to do so. Right now he has two cards in his hand with Castor, and Omen on his field with Castor staring ahead.
(Attack Position)
Hierophant Persona Castor
DARK
Level 7
Warrior/Effect
ATK: 2500
DEF: 1100
(This card is treated as a "Thunder Boxer" & "Suppressor" card.)
Cannot be destroyed by card effects. During your Standby Phase: Gain 500 LP. If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: This card gains 500 ATK. Once per turn, you can target 1 monster your opponent controls: Halve it's ATK/DEF, then if that monster is destroyed by battle; you can Special Summon 1 "Thunder Boxer" or 1 "Suppressor" monster from your GY, except "Hierophant Persona Castor" in Attack Position, then if that Special Summoned monster is "Emperor Persona Polydeuces" you can have the Special Summoned monster gain 1000 ATK/DEF until the next End Phase.
(face-up)
Suppressor Omen
Continuous Spell Card
During your Standby Phase, pay 300 LP, also destroy 1 face-up card you control: Destroy 1 card your opponent controls. If this card is destroyed by the effect of a "Suppressor" card: You can draw 2 cards, then gain 300 LP for every card in your GY. You can only activate each effect of "Suppressor Omen" per turn.
Meanwhile Mitsuru has 3 cards in her hand, and two set cards on the field with only Arctic Empire - Snow Horseman as her monster from a failed attempt to weaken the Ventriloquist's defense which allowed him to summon Castor.
(Attack Position)
Arctic Empire - Snow Horseman
WATER
Level 4
Aqua/Effect
ATK: 1300
DEF: 1550
When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can target one set Spell & Trap your opponent controls, shuffle it into the deck.
"That... how is that possible?" Ken questioned in shock.
"That... Aragaki..." Mitsuru whispered as she stared at Castor before looking at the person she was dueling. "Explain yourself."
"Still don't believe me Mitsuru?" the Shinjiro Puppet spoken over with closed eyes that the Ventriloquist is using to talk with again before opening it's eyes over to her. "Fine maybe if you listen ahead why I'm here, you will then decide to believe me."
Mitsuru frowned. "I'm waiting."
The truth was she was definitely shaken having seen Shinjiro but at the same time she could tell this wasn't her friend who was killed back in her senior year of high school... though the question was who or what was in front of her with his Persona?
"See the thing is, what you see in front of you is merely a piece of me." the Shinjiro puppet explained over to her. "A piece of my soul that was brought back from the afterlife by Mr. Pegasus."
"Back from... how is that possible?" Fuuka asked in shock. "He can bring back the dead?"
"Not completely otherwise I wouldn't need the Ventriloquist to assist me in making my move." the Shinjiro puppet told them over gesturing to the Ventriloquist of the Dead who stared ahead. "He has powers over the darkness, and the Shadows, were he can preform the most powerful of dark magics with the help of the Millennium Eye allowing him to see the truth of all, and where even the dead can be returned back to full form. He brought me back as I desire just one wish... vengeance."
"Vengeance? You mean against Takaya?" Ken asked. "But... he died a long time ago."
"No... against you." the Shinjiro puppet pointed one of it's hands at him which made the boy blinked shocked. Then the puppet turned over to Mitsuru. "No actually... all of S.E.E.S."
"What?" Mitsuru questioned in shock hearing that.
"After his mother was killed, and I was a murderer, I forsaken my power never to pick up an Evoker again... but instead of letting me go on my own terms, you, and Aki forced me to return back to it by using the kid to your opportunity." the Shinjiro puppet spoken coldly to her. "You were that desperate to get me back into the team even after the circumstances that I am a killer, and nothing will change that I have blood on my hands, and then instead of passing peacefully died by protecting that brat. You all are the reason why I am here seeking revenge on you all."
"That... no, that isn't true!" Ken argued. "I mean... when you... and I..."
"Face it, I was going to die on my terms, and you all stepped in, and forced me to be back in a battle I wanted no part of again." the Shinjiro puppet stated over with a glare made. "And now I will have you all regret it here by having Castor join your mother in death!" It swipe it's arm as it said that staring ahead at Mitsuru. "Starting with you Mitsuru."
"Your own terms, you mean allowing Amada to kill you correct?" Mitsuru asked looking at the puppet of Shinjiro. "That confirms it, you're not Shinjiro Aragaki... and as such, you'll regret impersonating my friend. Prepare to be executed!"
The Shinjiro puppet tched from this before closing it's eyes. "Denial all the way to the very end... very well then if you will not listen then maybe Castor will get the message clear," then opening them staring coldly ahead. "once he executes you the same way that his mother was brought on! It's still your turn however so it won't start quite yet."
"I can't do anything this turn so I'll simply end my move for now." Mitsuru frowned.
Mitsuru's Hand: 3/Field: Arctic Empire - Snow Horesman (Attack Position), Two Set Cards
Mitsuru: 3100
Hand: 3
Field: Arctic Empire - Snow Horseman (Attack Position), Two Set Cards
Ventriloquist of the Dead: 3400
Hand: 2
Field: Hierophant Persona Castor (Attack Position), Suppressor Omen (face-up)
Ventriloquist 3rd Turn:
"Then my turn," the Shinjiro puppet drew over before gesturing to Castor. "and now one of Castor's abilities activates! During the Standby Phase, I regain 500 life points." At that the glow over that Shinjiro usually gets to heal for Castor's powerful abilities went around him. (Ventriloquist: 3900/Hand: 3)
Mitsuru frowned seeing that but closed her eyes calmly.
"And next during the Standby Phase, the effect of Suppressor Savior in my graveyard activates." the Ventriloquist takes a card from the graveyard while the Shinjiro puppet spoken up. "As there is a Suppressor on my field, I can summon this card back from the graveyard!"
At that raising up was a blacked warriors having a black cape with broken armor with only a spear readying.
(Attack Position)
(Banished when leaves the field)
Suppressor Savior
DARK
Level 8
Warrior/Effect
ATK: 2600
DEF: 1250
During the Main Phase, you can pay 300 LP, also banish 1 card from your GY: Target 1 card in your opponent's GY; shuffle it into the Deck. If this card is sent to the GY by the effect of a "Suppressor" card; add 1 "Suppressor" card from your Deck to your hand. During your Standby Phase, if this card is in your GY while you control a "Suppressor" monster, except "Suppressor Savior"; Special Summon this card from your GY, but banish it when it leaves the field. You can only activate each effect of "Suppressor Savior" per turn.
"And next the effect of Suppressor Omen." the Shinjiro puppet gestured to it's continuous spell that glowed as a card vanished from the hand. (Ventriloquist: 3600/Hand: 2) "During the Standby Phase, I pay 300 points, and destroy a card on my field to destroy a card on yours."
Savior groaned destroyed as the destroyed pieces shot over at Mitsuru's left face-down. The card shattered as Mitsuru frowned. "I assume you'll attack next?"
"Now, I'll use another spell." the Ventriloquist placed a card down which shows of Savior discussing something with cloaked figures, and one of them was the King of Yamimakai as if referencing Shinjiro's time dealing with Strega
Suppressor Deal
Quick-Play Spell Card
Pay 300 LP, also banish 1 card from your GY, target 1 banished "Suppressor" monster in your GY; place it back in the GY, then activate it's effect as it was sent to the GY by a "Suppressor" card. If a "Suppressor" monster on your field should be destroyed by battle, you can banish this card instead. You can only activate 1 "Suppressor Deal" per turn.
"I pay 300 points, and banish a card from the graveyard to add Savior back to the graveyard." the Shinjiro puppet said as the Ventriloquist places Savior's card in the graveyard. "That allows me to use Savior's effect to add another card." (Ventriloquist: 3300/Hand: 1) The Ventriloquist takes the card before then the Shinjiro puppet added over. "And next is Castor's other effect! Until the end of this turn, Snow Horseman's points are cut in half!"
Snow Horseman seemed to melt slightly from that.
Arctic Empire - Snow Horseman: (ATK: 1300/2 = 650)
"And now battle!" the Shinjiro puppet declared over ahead. "Hierophant Persona Castor! Attack Snow Horseman with Fatal End!" Castor moved over charging ahead attacking the Snow Horseman.
Mitsuru's monster shattered as she braced herself from the attack.
(Mitsuru: 1250/Hand: 2)
"Mitsuru-senpai!" Minako cried worried for her seeing this.
"It's too early to relax!" the Shinjiro puppet added over while a graveyard portal opened. "As Castor destroyed the monster that it weakened, I summon a Suppressor back from the graveyard!" At that Savior rose back on the field readying it's spear.
Suppressor Savior: (Attack Position)
Mitsuru's eyes widened slightly. "What?"
"Savior attack!" the Shinjiro puppet called as Savior readied over charging with it's spear on Mitsuru.
"I activate Blizzard Barrier!" Mitsuru called.
Blizzard Barrier
Counter Trap Card
(This card is always treated as an "Arctic Empire" card.)
When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate the attack, then end the Battle Phase. If a "Arctic Empire" monster would be destroyed in battle or by card effect: You can banish this card from your GY instead.
"This targets your monster and negates the attack, then it ends the battle."
Savior thrust it's spear which was blocked by a barrier that the Shinjiro puppet tched over while Ken identified the card's original form. "Negate Attack."
"Anything else?" Mitsuru asked coldly as she glared at the puppet.
"Not much else." the Shinjiro puppet closed it's eyes annoyed over. "You escaped that one Mitsuru, but you can't escape my wrath forever."
Ventriloquist's Hand: 1/Field: Hierophant Persona Castor (Attack Position), Suppressor Savior (Attack Position), Suppressor Omen (face-up)
Mitsuru 2nd Turn:
Mitsuru drew her card before looking at it only to close her eyes. "I summon Lord of Ice."
A blue-skinned man in icy draconic armor appeared.
(Attack Position)
Lord of Ice
WATER
Level 4
Aqua/Effect
ATK: 1200
DEF: 1100
Neither player can target Aqua monsters on the field with card effects. During your opponent's Battle Phase, if you control a Level 5 or higher "Arctic Empire" monster: You can banish this card from your GY: You can target 1 monster opponent controls; only that monster can declare an attack for the rest of this turn. You ca only activate this effect of "Lord of Ice" per turn.
"Lord of D..." Ken trailed off staring a it.
"Now, I activate the spell card Persona Evolution." Mitsuru continued as a card depicting a figure surrounded by a blue glow revealed itself.
Persona Evolution
Ritual Spell Card
This card can be used to Ritual Summon any "Persona" Ritual Monster. You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster you Ritual Summon. Then, if you Tributed a "Persona" monster, you can halve your opponent's LP.
"By sending Lord of Ice on my field and Empress Persona Penthesilea to the graveyard I can summon a new monster."
She drew her evoker and held it to her temple as Lord of Ice rose up alongside a small woman holding a rapier and they began to glow. In Pegasus's Castle, and Kaiba's underground chamber they both were seeing as Mitsuru took out her own evoker and placed it at her temple. "Come, Artemisia!"
She pulled the trigger as a woman wearing a red mask and holding a whip appeared above Mitsuru.
(Attack Position)
Empress Persona Artemsia
WATER
Level 7
Aqua/Ritual/Effect
ATK: 2800
DEF: 2400
(This card is always treated as a "Arctic Empire" card.)
You can Ritual Summon this card with "Persona Evolution". When this card is Ritual Summoned: Destroy all Spell & Traps on the field. Once per turn, you can banish 1 WATER monster from your GY; take control of one monster your opponent controls until the End Phase. (Other Effects to be revealed.)
"Is that... Artemsia?" Minako asked staring at it in awe from the power she is feeling from it.
"Yeah, it is." Ken smiled only to notice Artemisia glowing blue.
"If I tribute a Persona when I activate Persona Evolution your life points are cut in half." Mitsuru told the puppet coldly as Artemesia struck him with her whip.
The puppet, and Ventriloquist stepped back from this. (Ventriloquist: 1650/Hand: 1) The Shinjiro puppet glared over towards her. "What does it matter, you can't stop Suppressor Savior, and you don't have the strength to take out Castor."
"I banish Arctic Empire - Snow Horseman to activate Artemisia's ability, Marin Karin!" Mitsuru called as her frozen version of Seto Kaiba's monster appeared and turned into a blue heart that turned pink and flew towards Castor.
It smacked Castor which stunned it a bit before then turning over jumping onto Mitsuru's field hearts around it's head.
"That skill that barely works carried over?" the Shinjiro puppet asked staring over from this.
"It did, now Artemisia attack Suppression Savior!" Mitsuru called. "Diamond Dust!"
Artemesia snapped her whip as an ice storm snapped over at Savior striking it several times but it lasted the attack stepping back while the Shinjiro puppet raised it's arm. (Ventriloquist: 1450/Hand: 1)
"What, how did it survive?" Ken asked.
"I banished Suppressor Deal from the graveyard." the Shinjiro puppet explained as they remembered the card that he had used to bring Savior back in the graveyard for Castor to revive it. "When a Suppressor on my field should be destroyed in battle, I can banish the spell in order to keep it from being destroyed. You won't get rid of it that easily, you should've used Castor's ability to weaken Savior to actually get a chance."
"I attack Suppression Savior with Hierophant Persona Castor, and at this moment the additional effect of Artemisia activates. If the monster affected by Marin Karin battles this turn, its attack points are doubled." Mitsuru revealed.
Castor charged in ahead as it's power glowed.
Castor: (ATK: 2500 x 2 = 5000)
"What!?" the Shinjiro puppet cried shocked before growling. "No, I won't be taken out that easily! I activate the effect of Suppressor Angel in my hand!" The Ventriloquist revealed the last card in his hand. "When a Suppressor battles, I discard this card, and destroy Savior to end the battle!" (Ventriloquist: 1150/Hand: 0) Savior glowed bright self-detonated forcing Castor to stop. "And as Savior was sent to the graveyard by the effect of a Suppressor, I add another Suppressor to my hand!" The Ventriloquist added a card.
Mitsuru frowned at that as she looked at her hand. "I end my turn."
From that it was time for Castor to be forced back on the Ventriloquist's field but it shook a bit resisting to move which they all noticed.
"What's going on?" the Shinjiro puppet questioned.
"Mit... suru..." Castor spoke suddenly in a familiar voice as it's head turned over towards her.
Her eyes widened. "That... Aragaki?"
"You... must... destroy Castor... it's how... I can be free..." Castor spoke in Shinjiro's voice over to her. "Please... destroy Castor..."
Mitsuru's eyes widened hearing that. "Aragaki... I understand."
"Thank you..." Castor moved back to the field of the puppet where they witnessed in shock Suppressor Savior smacked the back of it's head on the Ventriloquist's orders.
"What?" Ken cried in shock.
"Castor, I am your master, don't you dare defy me!" the Shinjiro puppet snapped over at Castor. From seeing what Castor had done, the Ventriloquist angered figured to punish Castor for doing so. "I am the one who brought you here, you listen to my command you hear me!?"
Castor groaned at that.
"How dare you!" the Shinjiro puppet, and Ventriloquist looked over to Minako glared over at them. "You have no right to treat him like that! Let him go!"
Mitsuru's Hand: 1/Field: Empress Persona Arimesia (Attack Position), Hierophant Persona Castor (Attack Position)
Mitsuru: 1250
Hand: 1
Field: Empress Persona Arimesia (Attack Position), Hierophant Persona Castor (Attack Position)
Ventriloquist of the Dead: 1150
Hand: 0
Field: Hierophant Persona Castor (Attack Position), Suppressor Savior (Attack Position)
Ventriloquist 3rd Turn:
"Be quiet little girl." the Shinjiro puppet glared over before turning. "Now, no more distractions, I draw!" the Ventriloquist drew adding it to the hand. "And now Castor's effect activates!" Like before the Ventriloquist glowed over. (Ventriloquist: 1650/Hand: 1) "And now Castor, don't defy me again, and weaken Artemesia!" Against it's will Castor activated it's effect over at Artemesia.
Artemisia groaned from that as she knelt down weakened.
Empress Persona Artemisia: (ATK: 2800/2 = 1400)
"And now battle! Maybe seeing Artemesia down for the count will make Castor think twice before disobeying me!" the Shinjiro called before then pointing over. "Castor attack!"
"I banish Blizzard Barrier, it prevents Artemisia from being destroyed." Mitsuru revealed.
"What?"
Castor moved in slashing down on Artemesia which triggers pain over Mitsuru's body.
She cried out bracing herself as she collapsed to her knees.
(Mitsuru: 0150/Hand: 1)
"Mitsuru-senpai!" Minako, and Fuuka cried shocked seeing that from never seeing this before while Ken widen his eyes looking worried.
"What just happened to her!?" Minako asked shocked.
"When a Persona is damaged, so is the persona-user." Aigis answered. "Artemisia and Mitsuru-san are one and the same."
In his underground Bunker Kaiba saw that as he frowned clenching his fists. "Mitsuru..." He sees her slowly getting up taking some deep breaths placing a hand on her head to try steadying herself. Kaiba stared at the screen before frowning. "Pegasus... I swear you'll pay for this."
"Weren't you listening? She said only that monster could attack." Ken told the puppet.
That made the Ventriloquist remember that before Castor attacked she banishes Lord of Ice from the graveyard to have only Castor able to attack. The Shinjiro puppet growled over. "Well fine, next time for sure this will end! I end my turn!"
Ventriloquist's Hand: 1/Field: Hierophant Persona Castor (Attack Position), Suppressor Savior (Attack Position)
"It seems she survived, but how will she turn things around?" Pegasus inquired watching with a smirk as he took a sip of wine.
"It looked as though like that maybe if she destroys Castor, or takes control of it like before, it can be that." Kemo suggested over as they watched. "But it looks like the Ventriloquist will expect that from the card in his hand."
"Yes, Suppressor Spy. By taking it to the graveyard, it negates an effect that targets a monster on his field." Pegasus agreed as they stared over. "So Mitsuru, I like to see how you can deal with this."
Kemo just nodded watching the match with Pegasus.
Mitsuru 3rd Turn:
Mitsuru drew checking over staring ahead before closing her eyes. "I activate the Equip Spell, Ice Energy Generator!" A pod having Artemesia inside it was on the card giving her power.
(Equipped to Empress Persona Artemesia)
Ice Energy Generator
Equip Spell Card
Equip only to the only "Artic Empire" monster you control. It gains 1000 ATK, also it is unaffected to other Spell & Trap effects. If the equipped monster battles an opponent's monster, the effects of the monster it is battling are negated until the end of the Battle Phase. If you control another monster other then the equipped monster: Destroy this card.
Empress Persona Artemesia: (Equipped with Ice Energy Generator)
"With this your Spell or Trap cards cannot do anything on Artemesia, and she gains 1000 points!" Artemesia powered up in a orange glow.
Artemesia: (ATK: 2800 + 1000 = 3800)
"I'll only have 50 points left, that was a waste."
"Not a waste cause I'll be attacking Castor!"
"Hmph." the Shinjiro puppet scoffed from this. "Don't play coy with me, you wouldn't do that." Then the Ventriloquist paused seeing Artemesia powering up. "Hold up! If you destroy Castor, you'll destroy me too!"
"That's the point." Mitusuru glared.
"Do you not care for your old friend, Mitsuru!?" the Shinjiro puppet yelled over trying to avoid Castor getting attacked.
"I do, that's why I'm doing this." Mitsuru answered.
"Get him Mitsuru-senpai!" Minako cheered over seeing the road up ahead.
"No!" the Shinjiro puppet yelled unable to act.
"Artemesia destroy him with Bufudyne!" Artemesia charged up as Castor is trapped in a block of ice that shattered destroying Castor, and the shockwave pushed the Ventriloquist off the platform as he screamed out falling off, and landing on the ground.
Mitsuru: 0150
Hand: 1
Field: Empress Persona Artimesia (Attack Position/ATK: 3800/Equipped with Ice Energy Generator), Ice Energy Generator (Equipped to Empress Persona Artimesia)
Ventriloquist of the Dead: 0000
Hand: 1
Field: Suppressor Savior (Attack Position)
Mitsuru wins!
"She did it!" Fuuka smiled proud with tears in her eyes.
The Ventriloquist groaned slowly sitting up painfully hearing some footsteps as he lifted the Shinjiro puppet. "This... this isn't over! I will-!"
SLICE!
After a few seconds the head of the puppet fell off cut off that the Ventriloquist blinked before something stabbed through the puppet's body, and pulled it off his hand as he looked seeing Minako glaring with a naganita in her hands pulling the puppet off, and tossed it aside before moving it up to his neck that he sweated nervously raising his hands.
"What are you doing!?" Fuuka cried in shock seeing that.
"Don't worry, I'm not planning to kill him. His life isn't mine to take. I was merely getting rid of that monstrosity on his hand." Minako assured over not taking her glaring eyes off of the Ventriloquist. "Now then Mitsuru-senpai, what do you want to do with him?" As she asked Mitsuru walked over.
"...Let him go." Mitsuru answered.
Minako turned over to her hearing that. "Didn't you say your gonna execute him?" She figured Mitsuru meant that in the literal sense as she hasn't been around her for long.
Mitsuru only glared at the Ventriloquist as she drew her evoker. "I did."
There was a scream before revealing he had been encased in a block of solid ice as the Shadow Operatives and Minako walked off with Ken holding Castor's card... which no longer had a spirit tied to it. Ken stared at the card before then he slowly starts trembling dropping to his knees staring at the card. Seeing that Fuuka and Minako gently embraced him.
Ulrich362: Talk about painful memories... but it's over now, and that makes... five star chips for Mitsuru?
bopdog111: That sounds about right. Though next we should see the Ventriloquist's anime counterpart at work against Yugi.
Ulrich362: True, it'll be interesting. See you in the next chapter. Oh, and for the record the Ventriloquist isn't dead... he's just going to be frozen for a while.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!