Return of the Orichalcos (Finishing/PG-13/IC)

[Merci]

[color=gray]"I'm very happy to know that I am out of date."[/color] Protheus said sarcastically, before taking the deck of Major Arcana from her.

[color=gray]"I once met this fortune-teller person who could see the future, whose name I believe was Char. Her partner was some demon called Nox who stole my body for a couple centuries, but she herself wasn't of any threat to me."[/color] He began to explain, in front of nobody in particular.

Then, he threw them all into the air, muttered a single Egyptian word, and the entirety of the Pelican was cast within an illusion. Or perhaps a hallucination. The scenery faded out into that of a nighttime sky, and the ground felt like sand, not so different from the red sands of Egypt's desert. If one were to focus, they could still make out the Pelican's shape, but for now they were within this illusion with the Egyptian sorcerer himself. The cards fluttered down slowly, with [i]Judgement[/i] being the first. To his amusement, it landed on his head.

[color=gray]"As usual, I am Judgement."[/color] He remarked with a chuckle.

The [i]High Priestess[/i] fluttered down next, landing on top of Idris, signifying that she was apparently the High Priestess. [i]Temperance[/i] came afterwards, floating towards Pandora. After that was the [i]Sun[/i], which fell towards Yuuto, [i]the Chariot[/i] which went at Arta, the [i]Star[/i] falling for Kurai, and the [i]Moon[/i] which was trying to make its way towards Yuri. The [i]Tower[/i] landed on top of Cynthia. The rest of the cards fell to the ground, as the people who represented them were not present.

That is, except for the [i]Fool[/i] and the [i]Wheel of Fortune[/i], both of which were trying to reach Natsu, but kept getting in each other's way. In the end, Protheus had to click his fingers, and the illusion dropped. Both cards then fluttered to the ground, scattered along with the rest of them.

The rest was a mess of cards all over the dropship. But it had helped Protheus in identifying the personalities of everyone currently present.

[Love of Ghibli]

Lucas was impressed that the robot answered his questions...and what was this she followed up with her own inquiry. Ah this should be fun but no matter the magic field spell seems to be glowing. So either Arche has decided that it would be simple to start nuking cities to make a statement or the more probable someones coming this way. Funny how his card is only a detector for people unless he thinks really hard about it. The robots intrigue about a soul is interesting in his profession he often discovered what lost civilizations thought about the soul and its purpose so maybe Lucas would finally get the chance to be of some assistance around here.

"[color=#ff8c00]Well lets see....Ms....never got your name but we'll do that later. Think of the soul as a the human's intangible, emotional, and mental battery. If you take all the physical aspects of human organs, tissues and body parts you see that its the intangible things that makes human's different from other animals. Our soul is the culmination of those intangible aspects. Our memories, our pain, our joy, our emotions, our drive and motivation all of that combines into our soul. Some civilizations believed that if you could inherit the souls of your ancestors. I guess its logical seeing as an intangible force with no tangible body could simply pass down through generations and take form as..I don't know anything[/color] he chuckled. [color=#ff8c00]The interesting thing is that we have..well...a card....[/color]he pulls out his shining Orichalcos card and looks at it as he talks....[color=#ff8c00]that can take something totally intangible like the soul and make it fully for something massively tangible like a meteor. Gotta love those Atlanteans. [/color]

Lucas just kept chuckling as he heard himself ramble.

[color=#ff8c00]Well I seem to have lost my thought there...if you are here to observe then do you have in desire to progress and try to get one of those special pendants and whatnot. Also I keep forgetting, being old and whatnot. I am Lucas Matthews and who might you be?[/color]

[galesonic]

Kori walked his way into the destroyed city of what was once Detroit. He saw all the destruction Archetype cause by her little earthquake. People sitting on the sidewalk crying for their lost loved ones while waiting for rescue officials to find them. It was sad to say the least. Just one person given the power of the Orichalcos did this? What else could she do that she didn't reveal to the Cult? Was this why she wanted all those souls? To spread all this death and destruction.

Kori shook the thoughts out of his head. He had to get to the Cult headquarters. The trains obviously would be shut down but he could still use the route to get over there. He moved through the debris that was once the station he used to always take as a kid to the tournaments he always attended. He followed the rails in hopes of getting to the castle and finding any member of the cult left.

[Kingdom Xathers]

[i]"... hey... ... can you hear me...? Get up...."[/i]

Stirring at the sound of the voice, Russell's eyes fluttered open, allowing him to see nothing but darkness around him. Slowly getting to his feet and looking around, Russell tried to locate the source of the voice... until a realization hit him. [color=#000080]"Wait... did... did I just say that...?"[/color]

"No... and yes," said the voice, this time coming from right behind Russell. Russell turned to meet the source face-to-face... ... and was dumbstruck to find that [url="http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c175/KingdomHeartsKeeper/SCAN0028.jpg"]the speaker was none other than himself[/url]. Or, at least, the speaker [i]looked[/i] like Russell--he was just dressed differently, and his hair was dyed differently... ... ... still, it was like looking in a mirror.

[color=#000080]"Wh... who are you...?"[/color]

[color=#0000cd]"Well, for lack of a better term, I am you,"[/color] said the other Russell. [color=#0000cd]"And no, I'm not "what you will become". I'm just... another you. From another existence."[/color]

[color=#000080]"... I... don't get it...,"[/color] Russell muttered, slowing shaking his head.

[color=#0000cd]"Neither do I,"[/color] said the other Russell. [color=#0000cd]"I always figured that there was just one me, but... heh... guess it's not the first time that thought has been proven wrong."[/color] He took a step forward, getting a closer look at Russell. [color=#0000cd]"... curious... it's like... like what I would be if I was... "normal"."[/color] The other Russell then leaned in a little closer, examining Russell's left eye. [color=#0000cd]"Funny... it always seems to be the left eye that gets the scar...."[/color]

At this point, Russell was growing uncomfortable. He stumbled back, away from the other Russell. [color=#000080]"What is it with these dreams lately...?"[/color] he said mainly to himself. [color=#000080]"I mean... this [/color][i][color=#000080]is[/color][/i][color=#000080] a dream... right...? First that dog kid, and now you--uh, me... dammit, my head hurts...."[/color]

[color=#0000cd]"Huh... so, that's what Kingdom meant,"[/color] the other Russell mused to himself.

Now Russell was getting really irritable. [color=#000080]"Hey! Just what the hell are you even doing here??"[/color]

[color=#0000cd]"Good question,"[/color] admitted the other Russell, his face clearly showing confusion and curiosity. He then looked off toward something to his left, then slowly said, [color=#0000cd]"... you really should wake up."[/color]

[color=#000080]"Huh? What's that supposed to mean? I'm awake right now, aren't I?"[/color]

[color=#0000cd]"No, you were correct before,"[/color] said the other Russell, urgency now more evident in his voice. [color=#0000cd]"You are still asleep, and so am I, but right now I'm not the important factor here."[/color]

[color=#000080]"Well, out with it!"[/color] Russell shouted at the other him.

[color=#0000cd]"You're still stuck,"[/color] said the other Russell, [color=#0000cd]"and unless you do something, your friend could die."[/color]

At these words, Russell froze up, a slow, dreadful realization beginning to well within his core. [color=#000080]"Gabriel...?"[/color]



Russell's eyes immediately shot open, having now been frightened out of his dream. He found himself lying face-down, inside a large pit under the surface of the earth. He slowly began to move his body, pain shooting all throughout as he attempted to get up onto his knees. As he moved, Russell felt a slight tug on his right wrist. The dread returning to the pit of his stomach, Russell slowly looked down to see Gabriel's hand clutched around his wrist, but the lion-masked luchador was unconscious, mouth slightly agape, his breathing shallow and ragged.

[color=#000080]“Gabe...?”[/color] Russell whimpered, fear taking hold of him as he tried to nudge Gabriel awake. [color=#000080] “Gabe... Gabby, wake up, c'mon. C'mon, Gabby, don't do this....”[/color] At this point, Russell eyes began to water, fearful of losing his friend. [color=#000080]“Gabriel, c'mon, you gotta wake up! Please...! Dammit, Gabriel, DON'T YOU F*CKING DIE ON ME!!!”[/color]

[Aesirson]

The plane landed on a patch of landed, surprisingly untouched by the catastrophic turmoil that had just occured. Viktor, who was dying to get back on the ground, quickly made his way off the plane and looked around. In the distance he could see the ruins of the once proud city of Detroit, and he let out a disappointed "Ugh."

"I expected more from the great United States of the Americas." He said in his typical Russian accent. He had figured that someone would come and meet him, but as far as he was concerned he was alone at the spot.

[Merci]

By now, Viktor must have already arrived at the headquarters of the Orichalcos cult, or at least its surface. Even so, Archetype Earth was taking her time returning from the Duel Arcadia Tower, merely striding by the ruins and letting people think for themselves what to make of a green woman levitating over an earthquake site. However, when she would arrive, chances are she wouldn't be met by Viktor, but by Kori.

Taking an unnecessary deep breath, she continued on.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Pandora blinked at the card, which hovered near her for a few moments before disappearing back into the cargo bay, then flicked some switches. [color=#a9a9a9]"Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our final approach." [/color]The Pelican was now over a large manufacturing plant, several miles from Detroit. The place where the old Ford sign used to be was still visible, but they proceeded past that part to what seemed like an abandoned factory section. Pandora stopped the Pelican over a large tower, and the center of the roof opened up to allow for the Pelican to descend straight down onto a landing platform, which it settled down on. Just as Pandora was turning things off, the platform suddenly started heading down, passing by two other Pelicans in their docks, the first dock with a sign saying "1" and the second with a "2" sign. The platform stopped at an empty dock with a "3" sign, and slid inside before clamps locked the platform in position. The cargo bay opened up, showing the rest of the platform, and a smaller platform waiting to go down. Natsu took Caledfwlch's handlebars in her hands, and started pushing the bike towards the smaller platform. Pandora, on the other hand, flipped a switch, and the magnetic clamps holding the Duelhog up in the rear disengaged, and the vehicle dropped down. She then hopped into the Duelhog, fired it up, and drove it onto the platform, leaving enough room for everyone else.

[Merci]

[color=gray]"And thus, ladies and gentlemen, this will be our base and headquarters for the Resistance of the Orichalcos Cult, or the Knights of Solace, or the Duelists, or whatever you guys prefer to call yourselves."[/color] Protheus informed them. [color=gray]"Please do not leave any belongings within the 'Pelican', and remember to respectfully return the Tarot cards to Idris if you were planning on stealing them."[/color]

Although he knew pretty much next to nothing about this place, he was being as best a leader as he could to them, since that's what they probably viewed him as. He had a slight feeling of nausea as he looked around the former Ford facility for no particular reason.

[color=gray]"Pandora, I assume the information you downloaded into your mind about this place isn't affecting your mentality?"[/color] He then asked her, half in a fatherly tone and half in a stoic, uncaring tone.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Pandora idly drummed the steering wheel of the Duelhog as Protheus came over to her, and she replied. [color=#a9a9a9]"I don't know anything about this place. The doors just opened on their own."[/color]
[color=#FF69B4]"That would be thanks to yours truly."[/color] A familiar voice piped up from inside of the Duelhog.
A display screen popped up to reveal a chibi anime version of Ringmistress' head on it. [color=#FF69B4]"Sorry about that. It took a while for me to seed my nodes after my original self destroyed herself. I now have remote control over all 4 Pelicans, as well as this vehicle and this facility. By the way, welcome to Hellcat Motors Assembly Plant. Hellcat Motors is a top Duel Runner manufacturer owned by one of Itsu's daughters, Cassandra Fudo. However, she's off-world right now, thanks to this whole 'Orichalcos comet here to destroy the world' thing. I bet she wouldn't mind us using her factory for our own purposes."[/color]

[Merci]

[color=gray]"Cassandra...?"[/color] Protheus asked himself for a moment in confusion. [color=gray]"So there's Pandora, that Atsuko kid earlier mentioned, that Aqua girl - Mizu, was it? - and now Cassandra. Just how many daughters does Itsu Solace have?"[/color]

Although he was slightly annoyed, he wasn't exactly one to talk, having one son (the Tao King), one daughter (Pandora Maximus), an adopted daughter (Isamy Entropia), and a clone son (Meus - he's dead now). In its own way, the name 'Cassandra' meant something to Protheus, but it definitely wasn't the same one he was thinking of, if nothing else.

[color=gray]"And so we have our factory. Great."[/color] He said, looking around, before crossing his arms and looking for an ordinary exit, like a door or something. [color=gray]"I will go solo to recruit more duelists for our cause, while the rest of you can remain on standby. I shall depend upon you kids to take care of yourselves, and not get drunk. Please do not let the cultist escape, although you must also treat her with respect, got it? If anyone wants to accompany me, just say so. Thank you."[/color]

[a bad post]

"Hmm, classy," Cynthia said stepping out of the Pelican, with her bag, and heard Protheus mutter something about Itsu's 4 daughters. [i]Well someone has been busy,[/i] Cynthia thought. "Protheus, before you leave I have one request before you leave, I want to make sure that your weakest member is up to par, because if he can't beat me he probably won't be able to beat most of the other cultists," Cynthia started," your weakest member is the Sun it is pretty obvious aswell, because he is first off the youngest among you, which means less expeirence dueling, and also he unlike the rest of you seems to have no "special" quality about himself," Cynthia stated as she began pulling her duel disk out of her bag,"so Protheus after you give me my deck back, without the Seal obviously, Sun prepare yourself for I am the Tower, symbol of Chaos and destruction, and I'm coming for you."

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Pandora blinked a few times before disagreeing and hugging him tightly. "No...Daddy...please don't leave...let's at least get settled in here first." Pandora didn't just seem like she didn't want her father to leave her. She was terrified about that possibility. It was clear by the look in her eyes.

Ringmistress told Protheus from her display screen in the Duelhog. "Before you go, Mister Maximus, I need to tell you all some things that my original was not able to tell you. She intentionally kept things from you all because she didn't trust you yet. Now that we need to trust each other, I am more than willing to answer any questions you may have."

Natsu countered Cynthia, stepping into the conversation. "Have him duel me. I'm the only one here who hasn't yet dueled before. If he wishes to prove his strength, it should be against me."

[Merci]

Protheus couldn't but laugh a bit at Cynthia's statement. Both of them, in fact.

[color=gray]"Well, the Seal will return to you anyway."[/color] He stated, handing over her deck as well as her Seal. [color=gray]"However, you should keep your Seal in your pocket, as I'll be forced to terminate you if you steal Yuuto's soul,"[/color] he was amused, [color=gray]"Which will never happen. Prince Atem blessed his family after they aided his spirit return to the afterlife. You could hypothetically place him inside a battlefield and he'll still survive."[/color] He smiled a bit, still amused. [color=gray]"Oh, and he has the ability to see spirits. That's something you nor anyone else here but me possesses the ability to."[/color]

After that, as he tried to make his leave, he was stopped by both Pandora and the Ringmistress.

[color=gray]"My daughter, while I'm sure that's what you'd want, I'm a little busier-"[/color] Then he turned to the Ringmistress, with a more serious expression. [color=gray]"It's your original's fault we're in this mess in the first place. I believe you may already know my questions, so please do explain to me before I take my leave."[/color]

[TotalObelisk]

Idris watched with mild interest as Protheus performed his spell, her reaction being less than unimpressed by the illusion as she'd seen the other members of her family do similar things dozens of times, even if she herself wasn't able to. She plucked the card that zoned in on her out of the air and looking at it, her eyebrows raising slightly in both surprise, interst and confusion as she identified it as the high priestess. She wasn't able to tell what most of the other people in the cargo bay got and she doubted most of them would even understand them. She didn't have long to diliberate these events however as Pandora soon announced their arrival at wherever the hell they where going.

[b]"Finally,"[/b] she muttered, finally standing up off the floor and giving her back and arms a brief stretch [b]"I need some space."[/b]

Before exiting the Pelican she held out both arms, palms facing upwards and muttered something in egyptian, the markings on her face and the back of her hands glowing slightly and her voice echoing, the Tarot cards lifted themselves up as if caught in a breeze and all gently flew into a neat deck on Idris' open palm. After she'd finished she put the deck away and stepped out onto the platform with the others.

[b]"We might as well call ourselves the three stooges for all the difference it makes,"[/b] she commented [b]"Might as well get to know the place since we're stuck here for the moment though."[/b]

****

Syria listened intently to the human's answer her attention never falting for a moment, she didn't even blink. It wasn't until he had finished his rather long and detailed explanation that she finally showed some signs of life.

[b]"Well...Thankyou,"[/b] she replied [b]"I think I understand a bit better, but it is still somewhat difficult for me to comprehend."[/b]

She paused for a moment, her eyes going blank for a second before returning to normal.

[b]"I am known as Syria, my full name is significantly longer but I have shortened it for the sake of convenience,"[/b] she explained [b]"However, I am unaware of these pendants you speak of, they are, I assume, a symbol of rank or power within this organization?"[/b]

[Thranduil]

Arta looked at Cynthia. He wanted to see her duel, he wanted to see the extent of her abilities. Just before the duel began he spoke to Cynthia. [color=#008000]"Arta, my name is Arta. Also I would hope you remeber me. I saved you from a falling building... though that did not go as well as I had hoped. You said your name was Cynthia correct?"[/color] Arta smiled at her. [color=#008000]"Well Cynthia please dont let me inturupt you, I would like to see how good you are as a duelist. So please go ahead."[/color] Arta turned to look at Yuuto. [color=#008000]"You said you were a decended of Yugi Moto correct? Then I expect you to be better than I think you are."[/color] Arta sat down on the floor cross legged and proceded to stare at the two preparing for the duel. He did not want to miss anything. Arta failed to notice the cuts in his clothes and the now obvious blood stains that covered his once perfectly white outfit.

[a bad post]

Cynthia's eyes widened with shock for only a moment, though anyone watching her closely would have noticed it. Cynthia toke a deep breath before responding "Well, what an intresting development, I must apologize to you little one which brings me to something else, if any of you are even remotely normal raise your hand, furthermore I am sorry Protheus dear that I do not know everything about the Orichalcos, and as much as would love to wipe you out I know when I'm out classed," Cynthia then turned to Arta," I'm also sorry that I don't remeber you, but my memory of that event is quite fuzzy, so here now is formal thank you to you, and as much as I would like to put on a show for you it seem's Itsu's look alike wishes to duel intsead and her theory for dueling is much better than mine, but if you wish I could duel you, unless that is Miss look alike decides not to duel."

[Thranduil]

Arta looked suprised by this. He was hoping to see her talents as a duelist but he had not dared to wish for the chance to test her himself. [color=#008000]"Well if Natsu does not care, then by all means let's get this started... oh wait hold on a second."[/color] Arta reached into his pocket and pulled out an MP3 player. [color=#008000]"Sorry, but when I really get serious I tend to listen to music. That is not a problem is it?"[/color] Arta asked her as he put his headphones in. [color=#008000]"Now then where were we." [/color]Arta pulled out his duel disk. Fortuenately during the earthquake nothing had happened to damage it. [color=#008000]"Shall we check the bottom card or should I just let you go first? You know what, I will be the gentleman and let you go first" [/color]Arta smiled warmly at Cynthia.

[a bad post]

Cynthia raised an eyebrow at him, "Well if Natsu wishes to handle the young Muto then I will gladly duel you, being a gentlemen is foolish so I will take the first move you foolish young man," Cynthia called him foolish she could feel the power he had, " No I do not mind your listening to music, so long as you can here me, wouldn't want it to interfere would we.

"I'll make the first move," Cynthia said as she activated her duel disk, and drew her cards,"now I will start by activating Call of the Mummy and I will summon with it's effect Vampyre Beauty," a young woman appeared in front of Cynthia with long white hair, and a black and red dress. "Now I will normal summon Vampyre Fledgling," a small appeared next to Vampyre Beauty in a long white dress and red shroud with cryptic writing sewed into it. "Two cards face down will end my turn and avtivate my Vampyre Beauty's effect which causes all monsters on the field to lose 500 ATK, but thanks to it's effect my Vampyre Fledgling is unaffected by this effect, your move."

[u]Cynthia:[/u]
Field: Vampyre Beauty ATK:1900->1400 DEF:1000 Zombie/DARK
Vampyre Fledgling ATK:1300 DEF:1000 Zombie/DARK
2 set Spell/Trap Cards
Life Points:4000

[Thranduil]

Arta activated his own duel disk and drew his six cards. In his hand were cards he had never seen in his deck before. [color=#008000][i]Where did you come from friend? Oh well I guess your mine now, let's show this girl what we can do.[/i] "First I activae the card Laws of Lycurgus. With this card i can draw an equivliant ammount of cards that I currently hold in my hand. I then discard three. The down side is that I can not draw for the next two turns."[/color] Arta drew five cards from his deck and then discarded three. [color=#008000]"Now I activae the spell card Memories of Ozymandias. Each time a Tyrant monster is removed from the game I can place one counter on this card. I can send this card with any number of counters to draw that many cards. Next I activate the field spell Sparta. Once per turn during my main phase I can replace one missing counter on all my Spartan monsters. Now then, I actiave the spell card Suit Up. I special summon one Perioikoi Hoplites from my hand. I then tribute that monster to summon one Spartan Hoplite. Spartan hoplite is automaticly switched to defense postion and gains two counters. If he would be destoryed by battle I can remove a counter instead. Next I set one card and discard my Helot Javelineers to destroy one face up attack position monster you control. I choose your Vampyre Beauty. Sadly using this effect negates my ablility to attack this turn. I End."[/color]

Arta
Field: Spartan Hoplite: 2300/2800
S/T: 2
LP: 4000

[url="http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/288131-it-is-time-for-the-rebirth-of-sparta-ros/"]http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/288131-it-is-time-for-the-rebirth-of-sparta-ros/[/url]

[Kingdom Xathers]

[color=#FFF0F0]"[/color][color=#FFECEC].[/color][color=#FFE8E8].[/color][color=#FFE4E4].[/color][color=#FFE0E0] [/color][color=#FFDCDC]a[/color][color=#FFD8D8]w[/color][color=#FFD4D4]a[/color][color=#FFD0D0]k[/color][color=#FFCCCC]e[/color][color=#FFC8C8]n[/color][color=#FFC4C4].[/color][color=#FFC0C0].[/color][color=#FFBCBC].[/color][color=#FFB8B8] [/color][color=#FFB4B4]b[/color][color=#FFB0B0]r[/color][color=#FFADAD]a[/color][color=#FFA9A9]v[/color][color=#FFA5A5]e[/color][color=#FFA1A1] [/color][color=#FF9D9D]o[/color][color=#FF9999]n[/color][color=#FF9595]e[/color][color=#FF9191].[/color][color=#FF8D8D].[/color][color=#FF8989].[/color][color=#FF8585] [/color][color=#FF8181].[/color][color=#FF7D7D].[/color][color=#FF7979].[/color][color=#FF7575].[/color][color=#FF7171]"[/color]


Gabriel's eyes slowly began to open, stirred by the words of a mysterious voice. He found himself staring down upon a magnificent-looking castle, surrounded by lush forests. The light of the sun shown brightly throughout the clear, blue skies.

It took Gabriel a moment to realize that he was actually floating in the air. Momentarily, he became frantic as he tried to keep himself upright, though it only served to cause him to tumble about. Eventually, he pacified himself, though a new thought occurred to him. [color=#b22222]"Wait... this can't be... this isn't Heaven is it? Am I... ... dead...?"[/color]

[color=#ff3333]"I assure you, Brave One, that you have yet to shuffle off your mortal coil."[/color]

Gabriel gasped as he turned to see the source of the voice. [color=#b22222]"Who is there...?!"[/color] he called out. [color=#b22222]"Russell?"[/color] It then dawned on him that Russell was not with him.

[color=#ff3333]"Guide yourself to the castle's balcony,"[/color] spoke the voice.[color=#FF3333] "We shall speak more there...."[/color]

Uncertain of what to make of this situation, Gabriel was at first hesitant, not only about the voice, but about his control over his levitation. Taking a deep breath, Gabriel then tried his best to move, first by trying to take a step forward, though this lead to him swerving out of control once more.

[color=#ff3333]"Try not to use so much force. A simple thought can be stronger than any physical strength."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"... well, you do have a point, Mr. Voice-in-my-head. Seriously, I feel like I'm in a video game tutorial,"[/color] Gabriel muttered to no one in particular, his view of the world now upside-down. [color=#b22222][i]"... let's try getting myself upright...."[/i][/color] As that thought crossed his mind, Gabriel found himself slowly but surely returning to an upright position. [color=#b22222]"Well... that was easy."[/color]

Eventually, Gabriel levitated toward the highest tower of the castle, planting his feet firmly on the floor once he reached the balcony.

[color=#ff3333]"I'm glad that you've made it [s]after about a thousand years[/s]."[/color] said the voice in a deadpan manner.

Gabriel gave a light scoff at the comment. [color=#b22222]"So, you wish to speak with me?"[/color] he said, looking around the dimly-lit room inside the tower, trying to find the person or thing that was speaking. [color=#b22222]"I'd like to know that there is a face to the voice with which I am conversing. You wouldn't want me to have any nightmares later, right?"[/color]

[color=#ff3333]"Ha-ha... fair enough."[/color] The sound of metallic footsteps suddenly reached Gabriel's ears, growing steadily louder as the mysterious individual approached him. The luchador was finally able to get a look at the figure as it stepped out onto the balcony with him; it was a masculine form, as far as he could tell (certainly matched the voice's tone, though), covered from head to toe in crimson-colored armor, save for his face. Only the bottom half of the face was shown, with the rest covered by an ornate visor stylized like a dragon, save for his yellow eyes.

Gabriel couldn't quite place it, but the parts of the face that he could see seemed... oddly familiar. Shaking off his suspicions, Gabriel spoke up: [color=#b22222]"Who are you?"[/color]

The armored figure took a short bow as he introduced himself: [color=#ff3333]"My name is Hermos, also known as one of the three Legendary Knights of Atlantis."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"... Atlantis...?"[/color] Gabriel mused aloud. [color=#b22222]"As in, [b]THE[/b] Atlantis? The ancient civilization that was once the most advanced in our world, which was swallowed up by the ocean (supposedly)? [u]That[/u] Atlantis?[/color]

[color=#ff3333]"... you sound as if you do not believe me."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"I, uh... well, not to come off as offensive,"[/color] Gabriel admitted, [color=#b22222]"but you were rather... strongly forthcoming with your introduction."[/color]

Hermos nodded. [color=#ff3333]"My apologies, then."[/color] He stepped closer toward the balcony, leaning against the stone guard rail. [color=#ff3333]"Brave One--"[/color]

[color=#b22222]"My name is Gabriel,"[/color] said the luchador. [color=#b22222]"Gabriel Guerra. I'm sorry for interrupting you, but I felt that you should at least know my name. After all, you did introduce yourself; I thought it was only polite to do the same."[/color]

Hermos gave Gabriel a thoughtful smile. [color=#ff3333]"Very well, Gabriel,"[/color] he said, [color=#ff3333]"yet I was already aware of your name."[/color] He then added, in response to Gabriel's confused face, [color=#ff3333]"I have been watching you for quite some time now. Well, not you in particular, actually; I, along with my brethren, have been watching your human world from here, in the Dominion of the Beasts. It is just that... well, recently, it seems that you have captured my attention, personally."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"For what?"[/color] Gabriel asked. [color=#b22222]"Why are you watching the Earth?"[/color]

Hermos looked off over the balcony, beyond the forests, toward the horizon where the ocean and sky met. [color=#ff3333]"You are aware of the Orichalcos, correct?"[/color]

Upon hearing the word "Orichalcos", Gabriel felt a terrible sensation growing in the pit of his stomach. "You mean... as in that Cult that has been--"

Gabriel was cut off with just a simple nod of Hermos' head. [color=#ff3333]"Indeed, the Cult is connected to the Orichalcos, as well as the comet known as "Faust" that currently hovering above this "Detroit" city that you are in."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"Detroit...?"[/color] Gabriel uttered almost breathlessly, the images of the earthquake flashing through his mind. [color=#b22222]"Don't tell me... were they responsible for the earthquake as well?!"[/color]

[color=#ff3333]"Well, not exactly,"[/color] Hermos replied. [color=#ff3333]"The earthquake itself was caused by only one individual from that cult: its leader, the creature who refers to herself as "Archetype Earth". It was only due to a fit of rage, combined with power obtained from an Ener-D Reactor within Detroit."[/color] Hermos then turned to face Gabriel, whose face was still dumbstruck, trying to register all of this information. [color=#ff3333]"Otherwise, the whole event was not premeditated. Even Archetype Earth could not have known the magnitude of what she had unleashed until it was over.[/color]

Hermos turned once again to look over the balcony.[color=#ff3333] "Never had any of us dreamed that this would happen again."[/color]

[color=#b22222]""Again"? This... has happened before?"[/color] Gabriel asked, now out of his stupor.

[color=#ff3333]"Indeed,"[/color] Hermos replied with a nod. [color=#ff3333]"A similar event had occurred over 25 years ago...."[/color]

[a bad post]

Cynthia grimanced at the imprisive combo Arta had just made, that grimance soon faded after she drew her card, [i]Just what I needed,[/i] she thought.

"Well color me suprised I wasn't expecting a combo that good your first turn, but to bad your luck runs out now, activate spell card Book of Moon," Cynthia started her move," I'll use my Book's effect to flip your Spartan face down, next with none of your Spartan's counters to protect it I activate the field spell Transylvania, with this card on the field my monsters are unaffected by the effects of Vampyre monsters, also all Vampyre monsters on the field gain 500 ATK. Now come forth Gentlemanly Vampyre!" Cynthia called forth a stately looking man, with a sword, who tipped his top hat to Arta,"This will end my turn, but no targets my Gentelemanly Vampyre's effect does no good."

[u]Cynthia:[/u]
Field: Gentlemanly Vampyre ATK:1600->2100 DEF:1200 Zombie/DARK
Vampyre Fledgling ATK: 1300->1800 DEF: 1000 Zombie/DARK
S/T: 2
Life Points: 4000

[Thranduil]

Arta smiled at Cynthia, he knew it was time to end it. So with the song United We Stand Divided We Fall playing in his head he started to finish the duel. [color=#008000]"You are good girly, but you have reacted too slowly. I activate my face down Reckless Greed."[/color] Arta drew two more cards from his deck.

H: 2

[color=#008000]"Next I will actiave the spell card 'People of the Tyrant'. This card serves no other purpose than to replace 'City of the Tyrants', it gains none of it's namesakes effects. Now I will speical summon my Tyrant Queen from my hand. Her effect allows me to speical summon one Tyrant King from my deck. Now rise, and serve me once more Tyrant King."[/color] As Arta spoke a man in a golden throne joined the high-class woman from Ancient Greece.

M: Tyrant Queen 1100/800, Tyrant King 2300/1800

[color=#008000]"The effect of my Tyrant King allows me to draw five cards and add one to my hand. The rest are banished."[/color] Arta proceeded to draw five cards from his deck. He added one and banished the rest.

H:1

[color=#008000]"Just incase you were wondering, I banished four monsters, that increases my Tyrant Kings attack by 400. Next I will send my Memories of Ozymandias to the grave to draw three cards." [/color]Arta drew another three cards from his deck making his hand a grand total of 4. [color=#008000]"I activate the spell card Heavy Storm. Next I will set one card. Now I flip summon my Spartan Hoplite, I am sure you remeber his effect, with him out once again I can special summon from my hand Spartan Skiritai. It has the same effect as my Spartan Hoplite except it only gets one counter."[/color]

M: Tyrant Queen 1100/800, Tyrant King 2700/1800, Spartan Hoplite 2300/2800, Spartan Skiritai 2300/2400

Arta smirked, he could see victory was close. [color=#008000]"Let's end this, I attack your Gentlemanly Vampyre with Tyrant Queen, I know what your thinking, Tyrant Queen is weaker. That may be but her effect makes up for that weakness. She destroys your monster before damage calculation." [/color]As the Queen attacked both monsters exploded upon contact with each other [color=#008000]"Now then my Spartan Skiritai will attack your Vampyre Fledgling..." [/color]The Skiritai put up its shield and charged right for Fledgling. The two monsters met in combat and the Skiritai speared the Fledging through the heart.[color=#008000] "now, Tyrant King, Spartan Hoplite, end this!" [/color]The Spartan Hoplite pulled off the same manuver as the Skiritai, the King however stood up from his throne and picked up a sword that had been leaning against his throne and threw it at Cynthia. As Arta watched Cynthia's lifepoints drop it occured to him that he had fought a little too hard. [color=#008000]"Oh, damn it, I never ment to win, I just got so into it. I am sorry, I really wanted to see what you could do." [/color]Arta smiled and walked over to Cynthia holding out his hand. [color=#008000]"Good game none the less."[/color] Arta let out a hearty laugh.

[a bad post]

"You don't think that was a little to easy for you to win the duel, beacause you may want to look at my face down cards," Cynthia said revealing it to be a Mirror Force trap card, "to be honest I was gauging your streangth during our duel, and because I saw those wonderful combos I saw no reason to continue, also for this reason aswell," she also flipped her hand so he could see the last remaining card in her hand, which was the Seal of Orichalcos.

"Somehow it was able to make its way into my deck even though I had certainly remebered placing it in my pocket, in a few turns the cards power would have overwelmed me and would not have been able to control it, so I ended the duel and allowed you to win," Cynthia stated,"now I would like to ask you to catch me as I am about to faint as the Seal has put extreme duress on my body." With that Cynthia fainted no longer able to keep concious.

[Kingdom Xathers]

After hearing Hermos' not-so-brief history lesson of Atlantis, the Orichalcos, and the Heroes of Domino City, Gabriel's head was left buzzing, partly from all of the details he had learned, and partly from the questions that he still wanted to ask.

[color=#b22222]"... but then,"[/color] Gabriel finally spoke once more, [color=#b22222]"how do I fit in this picture? Are you saying that--?"[/color]

[color=#ff3333]"--that you have been chosen,"[/color] Hermos said, [color=#ff3333]"nay, [b]destined[/b], along with others, to lead my brethren and I into battle once more."[/color]

Gabriel hung his head, suddenly feeling uneasy. [color=#b22222]""Destined"? But... what on earth can I do? I'm just a normal person...."[/color]

Hermos gave a slight sigh as he approached Gabriel, resting a hand on his shoulder. [color=#ff3333]"It may seem that way, Gabriel. However, normal people have the power to set grand events into motion everyday, with even the smallest of gestures."[/color] Hermos then placed his remaining hand on Gabriel's other shoulder. [color=#ff3333]"Think back, Gabriel, to all the things you have done, to all the lives you have changed... and know that what I speak is the truth."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"... ... ..."[/color]

Hermos looked into Gabriel's face as the luchador went silent with thought.[color=#ff3333] "Consider, for a moment, your friend, Russell Oxford. Against the pressure of your peers, you protected his mother from that street gang, long before you and Russell had met. Had you not, his life, as well as yours, would be vastly different from what they are now."[/color] Hermos then gave Gabriel a gentle, reassuring shake. [color=#ff3333]"And just a few moments ago, during the earthquake... you could have saved yourself, got yourself to higher ground... and yet you didn't... did you?"[/color]

Gabriel suddenly snapped out of his thoughts.

Hermos smiled as he saw that his words were getting through to Gabriel. [color=#ff3333]"You possess great strength and bravery, much like the mighty lion that you wear upon your face,"[/color] he said, [color=#ff3333]"and yet you would not be the man you are today without your compassion, your kindness. It is these qualities that you possess... that have proven to me your worth."[/color] Hermos then reached for the sword mounted on his belt, and held it, sheath and all, before Gabriel. [color=#ff3333]"That is why I have chosen you to be my bearer. From this moment forth, I shall be your sword, with which you shall carve the path to a brighter future."[/color] He then looked straight into Gabriel's eyes, deeply into his soul. [color=#ff3333]"However, we cannot accomplish this if there is to be doubt in your heart. Brave One... Gabriel... ... do you accept this duty?"[/color]

Gabriel returned Hermos gaze for a few seconds, yet it seemed like minutes. After those few seconds of eternity, in which Gabriel could see the burning spirit through the eyes of the Legendary Knight, the same eyes that looked into his soul and saw potential, hope, the masked duelist reached up and wrapped his grip around the handle of Hermos' sword. [color=#b22222]"Hermos... I accept."[/color]

Once more, Gabriel could see Hermos' mouth extend in a smile, and could not help but to return one of his own.

[i][color=#000080]“Gabe... Gabby, wake up, c'mon...."[/color][/i]

The voice was faint, and yet it rang throughout Gabriel's head. All of a sudden, he was starting to feel lightheaded, the vision around him beginning to distort and fade away. [color=#b22222]"Russell...?"[/color] Gabriel's legs now seemed to fail him; he began to fall, but the floor never met him. He simply continued to fall, slowly... slowly... slowly....




[color=#000080]“Gabriel, c'mon, you gotta wake up! Please...! Dammit, Gabriel, DON'T YOU F*CKING DIE ON ME!!!”[/color] Russell's body was now shaking violently, unable to keep himself from sobbing. [color=#000080]"Please... I can't lose someone else... don't leave... ...."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"... now... why would I leave...?"[/color] Gabriel's eyes had finally opened, the first thing he saw being Russell, practically reduced to a sobbing mess. Seeing this was also beginning to make Gabriel cry, but in spite of himself, he smiled. [color=#b22222]"That's... not a good look for you."[/color]

[color=#000080]"Gabby...!"[/color] Unable to hold himself back, Russell pulled Gabriel up into a tightly held hug. Somewhat caught off-guard, a stunned Gabriel returned the hug.

[color=#b22222]"... you know,"[/color] Gabriel said after a whole minute of hugging, [color=#b22222]"isn't there... some kind of "Man Rule" about how long a hug like this can be held...?"[/color]

[color=#000080]"... screw the rules,"[/color] Russell blurted out with a slight chuckle before releasing the hug. [color=#000080]"Dude, I'm just glad you're okay."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"Define "okay","[/color] Gabriel laughed. [color=#b22222]"The two of us fell down a frikkin' hole [i]God knows[/i] how deep, we may have suffered some serious damage of some sort, and we might run out of air down here. If this is what being "okay" is supposed to be like, sign me up![/color]

[color=#b22222]"No, but seriously,"[/color] Gabriel said, his laughter put to an abrupt end, [color=#b22222]"I'm glad you're alright, too, but we've got to find some way out of here."[/color] He attempted to get up on his own, but as soon as he put his weight onto his right foot, a sharp pain ran up the whole length of his leg, forcing him to sit back down. [color=#b22222]"[i]Mierda[/i]...."[/color]

[color=#000080]"Hang on, I'll try to call for help,"[/color] Russell said as he reached into his jeans pocket for his Android phone. What he pulled out was one-half of a broken mess. [color=#000080]"Great... like we'd be able to get a signal all the way down here, anyway,"[/color] he groaned as he tossed away his ruined phone.

[Thranduil]

Arta caught her and picked her up. [color=#008000]"Hahaha, I should have known. Ah well, I am sure we will ge another chance to duel after this is over." [/color]Arta smiled boadly at the now unconcious girl in his arms. He carried her over to an area to sit. As Arta sat down he placed her head on his lap and watched the other duel taking place between Natsu and Yuuto. He shouted over to Yuuto, [color=#008000]"Hey kid, I expect you to win. If you are who you say you are then you will get just what you need right when you need it." [/color]Arta looked at Natsu and thought [color=#008000][i]Push him to his limmits, we need to see how much he can take before he breaks.[/i][/color] Natsu did not respond simply nodded. Arta looked down at the now sleeping girl, and wondered, [color=#008000][i]I hope she will give up on this foolish venture with the Cult. They are bad enough, but to tempt people who give into their weakenesses when they are at their lowest. That is just harsh.[/i][/color] Arta reached into Cynthia's hand which was still clutching the Orichalcos card and pull it out of her grip. He placed the card in his pocket and lightly patted the girls head. Arta softly spoke into her ear [color=#008000]"Sleep well child, dream of beautiful things, and awake with a new sense of wonder to the world."[/color]