Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: The Final Light (Return from hiatus! Now at Chapter 12: Return of Obelisk White)

[The Oncoming Storm]

Here's my other fanfic, The Final Light. This originally belonged to Phantom Roxas, and was an epilogue to GX as a whole, tying up a major loose end in the form of the Light of Destruction, as well as a return from Nightshroud.

 

Again, this originally belonged to Phantom Roxas. Later I became a co-writer, and I eventually took it over. This will be a complete re-vamp, writing-wise and content wise. I'll be combining aspects of the original Japanese anime, so it'll be darker than the 4Kids dub. 

 

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 1: Return to Duel Academy

 

It was nighttime. Jaden was stuck in the middle of the desert. He was going to start a new adventure, but he had no idea where to begin. The spirit of Yubel appeared next to him.

 

"So Jaden, where are you going to start your adventure?" Jaden was tired, and knew he had no idea where to go first. "I don't know, but I think we should find a way back to Duel Academy, but how do we do that?" The spirit of Winged Kuriboh appeared next to Jaden. It purred and flew away. Jaden got up and chased after his partner with Yubel and Pharoah, who was also with him, following him. Eventually, a blinding light surrounded all of them, and Jaden was back inside the room where Yugi's deck was being held, with the King of Games himself still standing in the shadows.

 

"So, did you enjoy the duel?" Yugi asked, apparently aware that Jaden just dueled him in the past. Jaden was very confused. "Yeah, but how did that happen anyway?" Yugi smiled and took his deck out of his pocket. "Winged Kuriboh is a spirit with hidden power. Perhaps he will have the answer." Jaden and Winged Kuriboh looked at each other, then back at Yugi, who was leaving. "Wait, aren't you gonna stay? I'm sure everyone would love to meet you. Actually, 'love' might be a bit of an understatement, because you're a gaming legend, dude." Yugi didn't turn around, but answered Jaden's question. "Well, if you say so. After all, you are the best duelist in the Academy."  Jaden was a bit surprised to hear such praise from the King of Games, but smiled back. He is right about that, he thought to himself. Man, not only did I get to duel my idol, but he called me the best duelist in the Academy! How awesome is that? "You okay, Jaden?" Yugi asked, sounding somewhat amused. Jaden snapped back to reality; he must've looked stupid, starting into space with a huge grin on his face. Yugi finally stepped out of the shadows, revealing his face, and together they set off.

 

At the Obelisk Blue Dorm, everyone was enjoying the party. Suddenly, the door burst open. Jaden and Yugi were standing at the entrance. "Hey, Jaden's back!" called out Syrus. "And - holy cow - you won't believe who's with him!" Everyone was very surprised to see Yugi Muto at Duel Academy. Jaden walked over to his friends. Alexis was smiling. "I'm glad you're here, I thought you'd never come." Jaden smiled back. Jaden noticed Alexis' suit. "I like your outfit, it's very nice." Alexis blushed. Meanwhile, Chazz and Syrus were at Yugi's feet, moving their arms up and down in a "praise" motion. "We're not worthy, we're not worthy!" Yugi was surprised by their behavior, and laughed out of surprised confusion. "Well - I certainly wasn't expecting this." Jaden laughed as well. "I did tell ya, didn't I?" Jaden asked rhetorically. Most of the students we're trampling each other trying to duel Yugi.

 

After a couple hours, every student lost to Yugi except for Jaden, Alexis, Atticus, (both of whom were back in their school uniforms), Jesse, and Yusuke, all of whom decided not to duel. Chazz had Armed Dragon LV 10 and had 1400 life points left and Yugi had his Dark Magician in defense mode, with only 1000 life points left. Fortunately, it was Yugi's turn. 

 

"My draw." He drew his card and looked at it, and a smile came over his face. "Perfect. I'll activate Polymerization and fuse Dark Magician with my Buster Blader in order in to summon the mighty Dark Paladin!" Yugi's new monster certainly looked imposing, but Chazz just laughed. "Come on, you really think that wizard can take down my Armed Dragon?"

 

Yugi nodded. "I know he'll be able to take down your Armed Dragon, Chazz. You forget, Dark Paladin's special ability means that he gains 500 ATK for every Dragon you control and in your graveyard, and that includes all four of your Armed Dragons!" The smile quickly faded from Chazz's face as Dark Paladin's ATK rose to 4900 quickly. "Oh, man! I forgot about that!" Chazz cried. "Now, Dark Paladin, attack Chazz's Armed Dragon with Arcane Energy Slash!" Dark Paladin destroyed Armed Dragon, dropping Chazz down to zero.

 

After Chazz had lost, Syrus said "Hey, Jay, you should duel Yugi!" Someone else then called out, "Yeah, Jaden versus Yugi!" After a moment, everyone was clamouring for Yugi and Jaden to duel each other. Jaden was surprised at all the people telling him to duel Yugi. Jaden walked over to Yugi and asked him, "So, Yugi...you down for a rematch?" Yugi smiled and nodded. Someone must have seen him, because they called out, "He said yes! They're gonna duel!" As they cleared a space in the middle for the room for them to duel, the window on top of the room suddenly shattered as all the shards fell to the ground. Five people were standing on the roof looking down into the room.

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 2: Enter the Celestial Warriors

Everyone in the room looked up at the five duelists in white cloaks standing on the roof. Jaden turned on his duel disk.

"Who are you guys?" Jaden asked. "And what are you doing here?" The five mysterious duelists jumped into the room. The one in the middle, who must've been the leader, spoke first. "We are the Celestial Warriors. We serve the Light of Destruction and have been given orders to defeat you, Jaden Yuki."

The sudden mention of the Light of Destruction shocked Jaden. "So it is still alive?" he asked. Jaden remembered that it was his destiny to defeat the Light of Destruction, and Yubel was to guard him until then. He looked at his duel disk and then at the Celestial Warriors.

"Yes, it is very much alive, and once we defeat you, it will be restored to full power, and the entire world will see the light!" The leader proclaimed.

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Jaden proclaimed. "Which one of you is first?" . Alexis walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "Jaden, you don't know how strong these guys might be." Jaden simply walked forward and put up his duel disk. "Don't worry Alexis, I'll win."

One of the Celestial Warriors turned to the leader. "Sire, may I go first?" His voice was old and gruff, and he seemed to have a British accent. "Yes you may, Marcus. Make sure you end this quickly."

Marcus shook his head. "No, I will make sure he suffers much pain, then I will finish him." The leader chuckled. "Of course, how could I have forgotten." He turned to the other three before continuing. "Well, we must go. Do not fail, Marcus." The rest of the Celestial Warriors disappeared in a veil of white light.

Marcus stepped forward and pulled up the sleeve of his robe and revealed a silver duel disk with a golden trim. He then pulled his hood down, revealing the face of an old man with several scars. "You must be pretty shocked." Marcus said, noticing a suprised look on Jaden's face. "I was once a torturer in my life, during a period that I believe you people refer to as the 'Middle Ages' now."

"The Middle Ages?!" exclaimed Jaden. Marcus smirked. "Yes, the Middle Ages. I served King Richard during the Third Crusade. I tortured Saracean prisoners at Acre." Jaden still look surprised."But...wouldn't that make you several thousand years old, or something?!" 

 

"Several thousand years, give or take a few." replied Marcus, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But my age is not important. What is important is that I defeat you in a duel, right here, right now."

"Not on your life, Grandpa! It's me who's gonna beat you!" Jaden exclaimed, but Marcus laughed. "You've never faced a duelist like me before." Jaden rolled his eyes. "If I had a nickel for every time someone told me that, I'd be a millionaire. But I never back down from a challenge. So get your game on!" Marcus nodded. "As you wish. Let the game begin."

Jaden and Marcus drew their cards. "I'll start!" Jaden shouted as he drew his card. "I'll summon Elemental Hero Sparkman (1600 / 1400) in attack mode!" Sparkman materialized on the field in a fighter's stance. "Then I'll throw down a face-down. That's all for now." Marcus laughed as he drew his card. "Perfect. I'll activate Torture Dungeon!" The field changed to a dark room with many torture devices around. Jaden looked around. "What does this do?"

"You will see very soon." Marcus replied. "Now, I'll summon Big Shield Guardna in defense mode(100 / 2600)." A warrior with spiky black hair materialized in front of Marcus, crouching behind a huge shield. "Then I'll activate the spell card Dark Room of Nightmare!" A hologram of the card materialized on the field. "This card inflicts 300 points of damage to you whenever you receive damage outside of battle. Next, I'll also play a card face-down, and that concludes my turn." Jaden drew his card, but suddenly felt a horrible wave flow through him as his life points dropped to 3200. "Ugh, what just happened?" Jaden asked, unaware of where the damage came from.

"That, Jaden, is the effect of my Torture Dungeon." Marcus answered. "At the start of one's turn, they take damage equal to half of the total Attack of every monster on their side of the field. But that's not all, now my Dark Room activates." A beam of red energy shot out from the hologram, hitting Jaden as his life points dropped to 2900.

"If you're done, I'll go." Jaden began as he drew. "I summon Elemental Hero Neos Alius! (1900 / 1300)" What looked like a miniature version of Elemental Hero Neos materialized on the field, right next to Sparkman, who gave a nod to Neos Alius when he took place beside him. "Now, attack his Big Shield Guardna with Cosmic Charge!" Neos Alius began charging at Big Shield Guardna.

"Why?" Marcus asked. "My Big Shield Guardna's Defense is much higher than your Neos Alius' Attack." Jaden simply smirked. "That's true, but your Big Shield switches to attack mode when it survives an attack." Marcus smirked. "Well, I'm glad you've done your homework, Jaden, but you should've been more careful about my face-down card! Go, Nightmare Wheel!" A large wheel appeared behind Neos Alius and strapped him to it. "As long as my Nightmare Wheel is in play, your Neos Alius can't attack and you'll take 500 points of damage at the beginning of your turn!"

Jaden growled at Marcus' annoying strategy. "Fine, I'll end my turn with the spell card Mystic Wok, so I can tribute my Sparkman and get 1600 life points back." Jaden's Sparkman vanished in a burst of fire as his life points rose up to 4600.

Marcus drew his card. "First, I take damage from Torture Dungeon." Marcus' life points dropped to 3950, so it didn't do much. "Now my Nightmare Wheel activates, giving you 500 Points of damage!" The Nightmare Wheel glowed with red energy as its effect activated, and the same glow surrounded Jaden, reducing his life points to 4100. "Next, you'll get hit with more damage from my Dark Room of Nightmare!" Jaden's life points fell to 3800.

"Hmm...next I'll play Misfortune." A man dressed in black with a cape and top hat materialized on the field. "This card lets me deal damage to your life points equal to half of one of your monster's attack points." The man in black fired a beam of energy directly at Jaden. "Now my Dark Room activates once again." Jaden's life points continued to drop to 2550. Man, why can't I catch a break? Jaden thought desperately. Marcus grinned, looking at Jaden like a cat who was about to catch the mouse. "I think I'll end my turn."

That's the best thing I've heard all day. His strategy is annoying. Jaden drew his card as his turn began. "Now, you'll take damage from Torture Dungeon!" Marcus reminded Jaden unnecessarily. "And, now, you'll take more damage from my Dark Room of Nightmare!" Jaden fell from all the damage as his life points dropped all the way to 1300. Marcus laughed. "I was told that you'd actually be a challenge, Jaden! But at this rate, I'll finish you off next turn!"

Jaden quickly got up. "You know, Methuselah, there's one theory I've lived by during my entire time here at the Academy, and that a duel is never finished until the last card is played. And last I checked, I still have plenty of cards to play!" Marcus looked skeptical.

"I can see you don't believe me, so let me prove it to you. I'll start my turn by summoning Neos Alius again!" Marcus looked confused at Jaden's statement. "What do you mean by 'summon him again?' He's already on the field!" Jaden laughed. "Yes, but Alius has the ability to be "Gemini Summoned", so now he can be treated as the original Neos."

On the Nightmare Wheel, Alius' appearance changed to Elemental Hero Neos'. "Next I'll play R-Righteous Justice! This nifty spell card that lets me destroy any number of spell or trap cards equal to the number of Elemental Heroes I have! I just have one, but for now, that's all I'll need! Say goodbye to your Dark Room of Nightmare!" A beam of energy shot forth from the hologram of the card, striking Marcus' Dark Room of Nightmare and shattering it into pixels.

"So you've destroyed my Dark Room, big deal." scoffed Marcus. Jaden smirked. "I'm not done with my turn yet, old timer. I'm activating another nifty spell card! It's called Common Soul, and it lets me bring out Neo-Spacian Glow Moss! (300 / 900)" Jaden's Neo-Spacian materialized on the field. Marcus laughed. "Is that pitiful excuse for a monster supposed to scare me?"

"It should, especially when I contact fuse him with Neos Alius!" The two monsters joined together, and, in a burst of light, created a new monster. "And here he is: Elemental Hero Glow Neos! (2500 / 2000)" Marcus still looked skeptical.

"Still not impressed? Well, maybe Glow Neos' special ability will change that! It allows me to destroy any card you have out, and I choose your Torture Dungeon!" Glow Neos gathered energy in his hand and released it, throwing it at the hologram of the Torture Dungeon card destroying it. However, a warrior heavily armored in white carrying a large axe appeared. Marcus laughed sadistically. "Behold, Jaden, my secret weapon: White Knight Axewielder!"(2800 / 2500)

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 3: The New Threat

Jaden was facing Marcus, a Celestial Warrior. Jaden had Elemental Hero Glow Neos on the field and was at 1300 life points. Marcus had Big Shield Gardna in defense mode and 3950 life points. Marcus had just summoned White Knight Axewielder.

“I must thank you Jaden.” Marcus began. “White Knight Axewielder is my strongest card, and when he is summoned when Torture Dungeon is destroyed, I can deal 1000 points of direct damage to you!” Marcus' Axewielder raised his axe as it lit up with radiant energy. He then fired it at Jaden, which struck him and reduced his life points to 300. Marcus laughed sadistically. "You're down to your last 300 life points, Jaden! It's the end of the line for you!"

"Did you not hear what I said earlier? A duel is never over until the last card is played!" Jaden said, a big smile on his face. "And, again, I still have plenty of cards to play! And, it's still my turn!" Jaden looked through his hand. "Alright, I'll equip Glow Neos with the equip spell card Instant Neo Space!" Glow Neos became surrounded by a glow of rainbow-colored energy.

"Now, normally, at the end of my turn, I'd lose Glow Neos. But thanks to this card, he stays on the field." Jaden explained. "And another thing: Glow Neos has a bonus effect: because used his first effect to destroy a spell card, he can attack you directly!" Glow Neos fired a burst of enegy at Marcus, reducing his life points to 1450. “Now I’ll end my turn by throwin' down a face-down.”

Marcus drew his card. “Well, with all your talk of a duel not being over until the last card is played, it seems that you, Jaden, have played your last card. White Knight Axewielder, destroy his Glow Neos with Luminous Axe! End this duel!” Marcus' Axewielder was surrounded by a glow of radiant energy and began charging towards Glow Neos.

"Not so fast!" Jaden shouted. "I activate the spell card Contact Out, so I can split Glow Neos back into Neos and Glow Moss." Just as the Axewielder's attack was about to hit, in a burst of light, Neos and Glow Moss reappeared as singular monsters.

Marcus laughed. “So you've bought yourself one turn. It doesn’t matter. On my next turn, I'll easily destroy your Neos, and thanks to my Axewielder’s special effect, you'll take damage equal to your monster’s Attack. The next turn will be your last, so it best be worth it!”

As much as I hate to admit it, he's right, Jaden thought desperately. If I don't draw something good now, this duel will be over next turn. C'mon deck, don't let me down now! Jaden drew his card and looked at it hopefully. “Perfect! I'll summon Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird!" Jaden's new Neo-Spacian materialized on the field, looking ready for battle. "But that's not all I'm doing this turn! I'll contact fuse Hummingbird with Neos to bring out Elemental Hero Air Neos!"

Jaden's Air Neos appeared on the field, looking ready for battle just like Air Hummingbird had moments before. Marcus still looked skeptical. “Disappointing. Are you done?”

Jaden laughed. “Not really. I still have my Air Neos' special ability! And what an awesome ability it is: if my life points are lower than yours - and last I checked, they were - Air Neos gains the difference as attack points!" Marcus looked startled as Air Neos’s Attack raised to 3850.

"But, I'm still not done! I'm gonna play the spell card H-Heated Heart, which boosts Air Neos' attack strength by 500 more points!” Air Neos further raised to 4350. Marcus looked thunderstruck. “Now, Air Neos finish off his White Knight Axewielder with Silverwing Surge!” Air Neos beat its wings, sending waves of white energy at White Knight Axewielder, destroying it and shattering it into pixels, dropping Marcus’s life points to 0. Jaden walked over to Marcus, who fell to his knees.

"Impressive, Jaden. Most impressive. " Marcus said, a smile on his face. "It seems I underestimated you. You are good." Jaden kept a stern face when he spoke.

"Thanks for the compliment. Now, tell me: how do you and your buddies plan to bring back the Light of Destruction?" Marcus shook his head. "I don't know. Our leader said that if we defeat you, the Light would return, and we would be allowed to keep our reward." Jaden raised an eyebrow. "Reward?"

"Yes, our leader gave us a gift for allying with him. Mine was the gift of life."

"What do you mean, 'gift of life'?" asked Jaden, though he had a hunch he knew what Marcus meant.

"During the Crusades, I served under William de Montferrat, the Liege Lord of Acre. One day, when William was on the frontlines away from Acre, Saladin's forces assaulted the city. I worked and lived in William's fortress. They attacked the fortress....and a soldier stabbed me in the chest. I thought it was the end....but no. I was surrounded by a radiant light. And a voice...a voice spoke in my head."

"The Light of Destruction?" asked Jaden.

"Yes." replied Marcus. "He told me I had potential, and I would be allowed to live if I became his servant. So....I agreed. And...I felt life in me again. And I found myself in this time. And then he - our leader - gave me a deck and a duel disk. And if I were to defeat you, I would live. But alas, since I failed, I am not one for this world." Marcus was surrounded by a glow of white energy, but Jaden had one last quesiton.

"Wait! Who's your leader?" Jaden asked in desperation. Marcus shook his head. "I don't know his name, but he said he had a score to settle with one of your friends. Aster, I think his name was. Now, I bid you farewell." Marcus was glowing completely, then in a burst of light, he vanished, and in his place was a pile of dust. Jaden looked shocked, sifting his hand through the pile of dust. "Where'd Marcus go?" asked Syrus. Jaden shook his head. "I think this is Marcus...or what's left of him. He said he was from the Middle Ages, and that his gift was returning to life, but he was 'not one for this world' because he failed....so this happened." Jaden shook his head. "I know he was working for the Light of Destruction, but I can't help but feel a bit sorry for him." Jaden stood up. "Well...what's done is done. We gotta find the rest of these Celestial Warriors. And so far, our only clue is that their leader has some kind of connection to Aster Phoenix. But we need more information. The nine million dollar question is: where do we get it from?"

"I think I can help you with that." a voice spoke. Everyone turned and saw Aster on the stairs. "So The D is up to his old tricks again." he continued as he walked down the stairs. "It doen't really surprise me, since he was under the control of the Light."

Jaden walked up to Aster. "Hey Aster. What are you doing here?" Aster chuckled. "Are you kidding me, how could I miss your guys' graduation?" Jaden smiled. "Thanks. It's good to see you. So, you know who the guy leading the Celestial Warriors is?"

"I think so." replied Aster. "If my hunch is correct, their leader is a man named Kyle Jables, better known as The D. No doubt he's here for revenge, just like the Light of Destruction." Jaden nodded. There seemed to be a lot of history between Aster and The D. "That makes sense, but Aster, what do you know about him?" Aster scowled. "More than you think."

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 4: The Wrath of the Wicked One

 

On the southern coast of Duel Academy, a boat had pulled up, and a young man stepped out of it. This man appeared to be in his late teens or early twenties. He had dark brown hair, cold, steely eyes, and was wearing a black trench coat. Around his neck was a necklace, looking very similar to Jaden Yuki's Shadow Charm Pendant, but with several ornate symbols carved around the edge.

 

His name was David Mitchell, and he was the protégé of Nightshroud. He was on a mission, to neutralize the Celestial Warriors and resurrect his master. 

 

Another target of his, Jaden Yuki, the only one known to be able to destroy the Light of Destruction and who had fought Nightshroud only days before, was on the island as well. Young Jaden will either be an asset or a threat, David thought. And then there's Yugi Muto... For he had also found out that Yugi Muto, the most well known person in the Duel Monsters world, had somehow arrived on the island. How he will factor into this remains to be seen.

 

"Who's there?" someone had shouted. David spun around. What appeared to be one of the school's students stood there, wearing what looked an Obelisk Blue blazer, but it was white. "Who are you?" asked the student. "My name is David Mitchell." replied David. "Why do you want to know?"

 

"My name is Brian, and I’m a messenger for the Celestial Warriors" said the student. "They know you are here." David smirked. "Oh, they do, do they?" he asked Brian. "It just so happens I’m looking for the Celestial Warriors, too."

 

Brian's face was suspicious."What do you want from them?" David's face was impassive. "I see no reason to tell you." Brian smirked. "Well, maybe I should force it out of you." He began beating his fists together, as if he were planning to beat up on David. David just laughed. "So the mighty servants of the Light send a glorified thug to assault me. I was expecting something that would actually be a challenge." 

 

Brian glared, but quickly reconfigured his face into a smirk. "Okay, tough guy. How about this: you and I duel - " he held up his duel disk - " and if you lose, which you will, you get off island." David nodded, accepting the terms. "Fine with me, but if I win, you let go about my business."

 

"Yeah, whatever." scoffed Brian. "You're not gonna be able to win anyway."  David smirked. Oh, I'll win. And I'll  leave you a broken man when this is all over, you pathetic fool.....

 

"I'll start things off, shall I?" asked Brian. "I summon my Marauding Captain (1200/400) in attack mode. And, since I normal summoned him, his special ability means I can summon warrior from my hand, so I’ll also summon Exiled Force in attack mode (1000/1000)." Both of Brian's warriors looked ready for battle. "I end my turn with a face-down card."

 

"My turn." said David. "I'll summon Gil Garth in attack mode (1800/1200)." A mechanical soldier wielding a giant katana materialized on the field. "I'll also activate a spell card: Pot of Greed, which lets me draw two new cards." He drew the cards. "Now, Gil Garth, attack his Marauding Captain with Shadow Slash!" The mechanical warrior began charging towards Brian's Marauding Captain. Brian was laughing however.

 

"Man, dude, you're as predictable as you are brainless." taunted Brian. "I activate my trap card: Negate Attack! This card blocks my Captain from your attack and-"

 

"-and ends the battle phase, yeah, yeah, yeah." said David, sounding slightly annoyed as his Gil Garth vanished into a swirling portal before reappearing on his side of the field. Oh, well. No matter. That's only a minor setback. I will still win, he thought . "That's ok. I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn." 

 

"That's fine with me." said Brian. "It's the second turn and I can already tell you're a pathetic duelist." You'll regret those words, thought David. "I'll start my turn by summoning Freed the Brave Wanderer in attack mode (1700/1200). Next, I’ll equip Freed with Axe of Despair, raising his attack strength to 2700!" As he said this, a sinister looking ae materialized in Freed's hand. "Now, Freed, attack David's Gil Garth with Axe of Despair!" David watched as Brian's warrior destroyed his Gil Garth. This guy is better than I thought, but he will still lose, David thought as his life points dropped to 3100. "Now, I will end my turn." 

 

David smirked. "Fine. I draw." David looked at the card he drew, realizing that he'd drawn his Sanctuary in the Shadows. Excellent. Now it won't matter what he plays, from this moment onward. This duel will now become a true Shadow Game! "I'll begin my turn by playing the field spell The Sanctuary in the Shadows!" Shadows covered the entire field, and a huge, black castle loomed behind David. 

 

"Tell me, Brian, are you afraid of the dark? You should be, especially if you knew of the horrors my Sanctuary was hiding.This field spell raises the Attack and Defense of my Fiend-type monsters by 300! If only you knew what was in store for you...even the strongest of men quake in fear before the power of the shadows..."

 

Brian was very annoyed by now. Does this guy EVER stop flappin' his gums? he thought. "Buddy, if you think some shadows and a glorified haunted house will win you this duel, you're sadly mistaken!" David smirked. "On the contrary, Brian, these shadows will win me this duel." Brian scoffed. "You're deluded."

 

"Deluded, am I? We'll see about that. I'll summon Grave Squirmer in defense mode. (0/0)" A muscular-looking mummy materialized on the field, gave a grunt, and crouched in defense mode in front of David. "My Sanctuary raises his Attack and Defense to 300 each. And I think I'll go ahead and end my turn." David maintained his smirk. He'll be in for a nasty surprise when he attacks my Grave Squirmer....

 

"All that talk and all you can summon is a crappy little mummy?" Brian asked, clearly not taking the move seriously. "You're even stupider than I thought you were, but I guess it's your funeral, dude." He drew his card, and smirked. "I play the equip spell Divine Sword - Phoenix Blade, and equip it to Freed the Brave Wanderer!" The sword materialized in Freed's other hand. "This brings his attack strength up to 3000! Now Freed, attack Grave Squirmer!" The warrior charged towards Grave Squirmer, destroying it easily. "Looks like Freed cut your mummy down to size. Why don't you give me something that can actually fight back?" 

 

David, however, was laughing. "There's a big difference between destroyed and sacrificed." Brian's look of victory changed to one of confusion. "I wanted you to destroy my Grave Squirmer, you fool, so I could activate my face-down: the Crush Card Virus! This card, as I'm sure you might know, infects your entire deck, rendering every monster of yours that has 1500 or more attack points useless!" Even as he said it, Brian's Freed the Brave Wanderer had raised his hands to his throat as if he was choking, he began to writhe in pain, and a second later, he was destroyed. "No, not the Crush Card!" shouted Brian, looking startled. "Yes, the Crush Card." said David, a sinister smile on his face. "And that also goes for any cards in your hand as well." Brian glared, then discarded Goblin Elite Attack Force, Gearfried the Iron Knight, and Blade Knight to the graveyard. 

 

"Hold on." said Brian, after a few seconds. "That Crush Card is only in effect for three turns." David smirked again. "I know, Brian, but by then, I’ll have won this duel. I set two cards face-down to end my turn."

 

"Fine, I’ll go." said Brian. Some turn this'll probably be, he thought desperately. With that Crush Card Virus out, all my monsters with 1500 attack points automatically go to the graveyard. C'mon deck, show me some love! Brian drew his card, and he got his wish. "First, I’ll switch all my monsters to defense mode, then I play the spell card Exchange! I take it you know how it works? We both take a card from each other's hands!" David nodded, and then both duelists walked across the field and showed each other their hands, which both had seven cards. David's hand included, in order, Dark Grepher, Dark Crusader, Hate Buster, Pot of Avarice, Fires of Doomsday, Phantom Skyblaster, and Fiendish Engine Omega. "Hmmm...I select your Fiendish Engine Omega!" He took the card.

 

Brian's hand included, in order, Marauding Captain, Dimensional Prison, Sakuretsu Armor, Big Shield Guardna, Goblin Black Ops, and Sacrificial Judgment. "I'll choose your Sacrificial Judgment." said David, and he took the card. They both went to their respective sides of the field. I wonder why he took my Fiendish Engine? David thought. My Virus is still contaminating his deck. He must be waiting until it lifts. David lifted his face and looked at Brian, who resumed dueling. "I'll activate the spell card Pot of Greed so I can draw two more cards." He drew the cards, and smirked at one of them. "And I think I'll activate one of them: the spell card Yellow Luster Shield, which increases the defense of all my monsters by 300, which makes Exiled Force's defense 1300 and Marauding Captain's defense 700." As Brian was explaining the card effect, a yellow barrier of energy surrounded his side of the field.  "I know even with the Yellow Luster Shield in effect, neither of my monsters have much defense power, but hey, they'll keep me safe for the time being. I'll end my turn with a face-down."

 

"Very well." After he drew his card, he said, "I summon another Gil Garth!" Brian looked annoyed as he saw the second Gil Garth materialize on the field. "And let me remind you, thanks to my Sanctuary, he gains 300 Attack and Defense!" Brian continued to glare as Gil Garth's Attack increased to 2100. "But I'm not done yet! I'll equip Gil Garth with Sword of Dark Rites, which further boosts his Attack by 400!" A jagged-looking sword materialized in Gil Garth's hand, replacing his usual katana, and a shadowy glow surrounded him as his Attack rose to 2500. "Now, I'll have him attack your Marauding Captain! Crush his pathetic excuse for a monster with Shadow Slash!" Gil Garth began charging towards Brian's Captain. 

 

"Man, you really are stupid, aren't you? I guess you forgot about my face-down!" Brian proclaimed triumphantly. "And now, I'm gonna activate it: Threatening Roar!" The card materialized on the field as waves of sound came from it, stopping David's Gil Garth dead in its tracks. "This card prevents you from attacking at all this turn, so it looks like you powering up your little robo-soldier was all for nothing!"

 

David didn't even seem fazed by Brian's counter. "Another minor setback. It matters not. I'll conclude my turn by setting a card face-down." Brian continued to glare at him. Man, I've clearly had the upper-hand for this entire duel, and it doesn't seem to bother him. Yeah, his Crush Card has certainly slowed me down, but I've still managed to do relatively well even without using my more powerful monsters, Brian thought, unnerved by David's calm behavior. Something isn't right here.... 

 

David took sadistic pleasure watching Brian ponder what the problem was. That fool. He doesn't even realize that this is a Shadow Game, and this duel has been mine from the very beginning.....

 

Noticing David watching him, Brian wiped the look of frustration and confusion off his face and resumed dueling. "Okay, I draw." He drew his card to signify the beginning of his turn. "I summon Big Shield Guardna in defense mode (100/2600), and thanks to Yellow Luster Shield, his defense power becomes 2900! Last, but not least, I activate the spell card Swords of Revealing Light!" Half a dozen swords made of light surrounded David's entire side of the field. "It's about time we had some light to snuff out some of your shadows! Now you can't attack for three full turns!"

 

"So you've bought yourself three more turns. All you're doing is delaying the inevitable." said David, unfazed by Brian's spell card. "You will still lose."

 

"Okay, then, I’ll go ahead and end my turn, if you’re so confident." said Brian. "Don't forget, at the end of your next turn, your Virus lifts!"

 

"I haven't forgotten, Brian." said David. "In fact, I think I'll pass my turn." he told Brian after he drew his card. 

 

That idiot, why'd he pass his turn? Hmmm...he's probably realized there's no way he can win! At the same time, though, Brian's sense of unease returned. "So..." said Brian. ”I guess you've finally realized you can't win, huh? I'm glad, 'cause it’s true! Now that your Crush Card Virus has expired, I can play high-powered monsters now! So I’ll sacrifice Marauding Captain and Exiled Force to summon the card I got from you: Fiendish Engine Omega! (2800/2000)" Both Marauding Captain and Exiled Force disappeared in flashes of light, and a monster that looked like a larger and more sinister vesion of Cannon Soldier, minus the cannon, materialized on the field and made a noise that sounded like a cross between an animal's growl and the revving of a car engine. "But I'm not done! Now, I’ll use the spell card Raigeki to wipe your field clean!" David remained unfazed as his Gil Garth was struck by lightning and destroyed.

 

"Now you're wide open for a direct attack!" declared Brian triumphantly. "Omega, attack David directly with Maximum Overdrive!" 

 

"You don't get off that easily, Brian." said David. "I activate the trap card Shadow Explosion! Now, by discarding a card from my hand, I won't just get nailed by that attack, but you will too!" Both David and Brian dropped to their knees as they both felt waves of pain due to Shadow Explosion's effect. David's life points dropped to 300, while Brian's dropped to 1200.

 

What the hell - ? I actually felt pain from that attack....what's going on here? Though he was still clearly in pain, he managed to force himself up."You idiot, I still have more life points than you, and now you're down to your last 300!" he blustered. 

 

"That's not all." David continued. "Shadow Explosion has a bonus effect: if the card I discarded to activate it was a monster card, and it's attribute was DARK, you can't attack on your next turn - that is, if you even had a next turn, but it always helps to have insurance. And my discarded monster, you ask?" He took a card from his graveyard, and revealed-"...the Shadowpriestess of Ohm, whose attribute is very clearly DARK!" Brian glared angrily at David. 

 

"I'll take your silence as a sign that you end your turn." said David snidely. Even with the pain he felt from his own attack impacting on him, he is unaware that his very soul is on the line. I'm surprised that he's lasted this long without breaking. I shall savor breaking him. "I draw, and I think it's time for me to start ending this duel. First, I'll summon Double Coston in attack mode (1700/1650). Next, I’ll play the spell card Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Swords of Revealing Light!" A gust of wind spiraled around his side of the field as the swords of light were destroyed. "Now, I’ll play another spell card, the one I got from you: Sacrifical Judgment!"

 

"Since it's your card, I suppose you know how it works: If I have a high-level monster in my hand, I can automatically summon it by tributing one monster. So I sacrifice my Double Coston to summon Gaap the Divine Soldier! (2200/2000)" A swirling vortex of shadow materialized on the ground, and up from it rose a sinister-looking creature. It had an almost insectoid look to it, looking like a cross between a beetle and an Archfiend.

 

"So what? Your overgrown mutant beetle won't beat me." jeered Brian. David raised his eyebrows. "Oh, really?" he sneered. Brian's grin faded.

 

"My Divine Soldier has a few special abilities that will win me this duel." David continued to sneer. "So I’ll activate the first: switching all monsters to attack mode, including your Big Shield Guardna!" Brian looked worried as his Guardna switched into attack mode, leaving him vulnerable. "And now, I activate Gaap's second effect: by revealing one or more Fiend monsters in my hand, my Divine Soldier gains 300 attack points! I currently have six cards in my hand, and four of them are fiends!"

 

"You're bluffing." said Brian. "Don't believe me?" asked David. "I'll prove it." He took four cards from his hand and revealed them: Phantom Skyblaster, Snipe Hunter, Doomsday Horror, and a third Gil Garth. This is bad...., thought Brian.

 

"With those 1200 extra points, my Divine Soldier now has a grand total of 3400 attack points!" Though his feeling of dread continued to mount, Brian still believed that he could stay in this duel, mostly relying on his last face-down card.

 

"But I don't just want to beat you, Brian. I want to destroy you." said David, a sadistic, maniacal grin on his face. Brian's feeling of dread that increased when he heard David say "destroy you" and saw his face light up with an insane, almost demonic happiness; it was a chill that seemed to creep into his bones, into his heart, into his very soul.....

 

This motherf***er isn't human, Brian thought to himself as his terror mounted. I have no clue what he really is, but he isn't human. 

 

"And to do that, I think I'll take back what you took from me. So, I'll play the spell card Change of Heart to take control of Fiendish Engine Omega!" Brian could only watch as the Fiendish Engine returned to David's side of the field. "And now to destroy you once and for all! Go, Fiendish Engine Omega! Attack Brian's Guardna with Maximum Overdrive!" David watched his monster charge at Brian's Guardna with a triumphant air.

 

"I don't think so!" shouted Brian. "I activate my trap card, and my ace in the hole: Magic Cylinder! Now, your own attack is blasted right back at you!" Brian attempted to smile as Omega's attack started to rebound on David, but David just sneered. 

 

"Typical. You place what little hope you have left in one card." Brian's smile faltered. "I have one last face-down too! And now I'll activate it: Trap Jammer, which allows me to negate and destroy your Magic Cylinder!"

Brian's grin faded completely as his Cylinder left the field. His face turned an ashen gray color as his last shred of hope vanished. 

 

"Has it finally sunk in?" David taunted. "You were never going to defeat me...because in the Shadow Game, I reign supreme. You're one mistake in this duel was challenging me." Brian seemed frozen in a trance, unable to respond.

 

"Now, it is time for this duel to end. Divine Soldier, attack Big Shield Guardna with Nightmare's Blade!" Brian remained frozen as his Guardna was destroyed, and as his life point counter reached zero. The shadows and the holograms vanished as the duel ended.

 

David smirked yet again as he walked over to Brian, who has slumped to the ground in a kneeling position. "You are beaten." sneered David. Brian looked back up at him. "You...you're not human..." David smirked. "Oh, I'm quite human, just extraordinarily gifted. Now, as part of the terms for our duel: you will tell me where I can find the Celestial Warriors."

 

"Well," said Brian, in a weak voice, "I don't really know where they are. Me and the others have been receiving our marching orders via PDA. The last place they told me they were was at the Obelisk Blue Dorm, where one of them had just challenged Jaden Yuki to a duel."

 

"Ahhh...so I’ll start looking for answers at the Obelisk dorm...and find Jaden Yuki as well." He turned his gaze to Brian, who looked back with eyes full of fright. "Thanks for the information, Brian, but you have outlived your usefulness. And now to send you to the Shadow Realm!" The jewel in the middle of David's Shadow Charm pendant suddenly blazed with a brilliant bright red light, which enveloped both David and Brian. Brian let out an agonizing scream of anguish, and a second later, the light was gone. 

 

Brian lay on the ground, sprawled on his back, his eyes blank and empty. "Rest in peace, you fool." David sneered. 

 

"Another good duel, David." said a voice. David turned around. His duel spirit partner had appeared next to him, the Invader of Darkness.

 

"Thank you, Invader." replied David, a sadistic smile on his face. "He will be the first of many." He maintained the almost demonic smile as he started up the forest path in front of him. And now I am one step closer to bringing back Nightshroud, and eradicating the Light of Destruction once and for all... 

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 5: Shadow of the Night

"The D used to be possessed by the Light of Destruction." Aster began. "I'll bet you anything that he's under complete control of the Light now."

"So, how bad is he?" Jaden asked. Aster took a card from his deck and showed it to Jaden. It was Destiny Hero - Plasma. "He used to have this. The Light originally possessed him from this card."

"So, the Light possessed a card?" asked Jaden. Aster nodded. Jaden gasped for a moment. "Wait a minute - does this have to do with your dad?" Aster nodded solemnly.

"He killed my dad, then stole this card. That's how he stayed Pro League champ for so long." Aster sounded like he was holding back tears. "I thought I'd finally defeated him during that whole Light fiasco we were all involved in two years ago. But I guess not."

Jaden placed his hand on Aster's shoulder. "Look, bro, no one - and I mean no one - deserves to grow up without a dad. Whatever I can do to help you stop this psycho, you can bet I will do it."

Yugi stepped forward. "As will I." Aster looked up at them all. "And I'll help you guys track down these Celestial Warriors." Jaden looked around. "So....are you guys ready?"

Syrus asked, "Now, Jaden? Bit late, don't you think?" Jaden laughed. "I guess, but there's no time like the present. And anyways, I don't think any of us seem to be that tired."

Syrus was about to respond, but then another, unknown voice was heard. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

They all turned around. Standing in the open doorway was a young man dressed in a long black trench coat. He appeared to be in his early twenties. Nobody seemed to recognize him.

"Uh, no...come on in." Jaden heard somebody say. The stranger walked in and took off his trench coat. Beneth the trench coat was a dark suit.

"Hey, man, I don't wanna sound rude, but.....who are you?" Jaden asked the stranger . The stranger gave an oddly chilling smirk. "Oh no, forgive me, it's me who's being rude...My name's David. David Mitchell." He offered his hand to Jaden. Jaden shook it. "And you would be Jaden, correct?" Jaden nodded. "Yeah, I am, but how do you know my name?" David sat down. "Give me a moment; I've come a long way."

As he sat down, Jaden looked at the others. They all looked confused at his sudden arrival, but Atticus and Yusuke were looking at him with identical odd looks: it looked like shock.

He walked over to the others. "So....you guys don't know who he is either, huh?" There was a general murmur of agreement. Yugi was looking at him with a peculiar look as well. "Something wrong, Yugi?" Yugi shook his head. "I'm not sure...I'm just getting a bad feeling from him."

"Yeah, he's a little too calm, he wears too much black and he came out of no where, but I don't think that guy is dangerous." Jaden told them all. "You sure?" asked Alexis. "He might be a Celestial Warrior." Jaden looked back over at him. "I don't think so. He's wearing too much black to be a Warrior....but then again, I dunno. Just calm down, okay guys?" Alexis nodded. "Just be careful." Jaden nodded, and then approached David.

"Uh, David, was it?" asked Jaden. "Again, I don't wanna sound rude, but...what exactly are you doing here?"

"The same reason you are still here." replied David. Jaden wasn't sure how to reply; David seemed to be able to tell, because he continued. "All of you have graduated, have you not?" David asked all the students as a whole. Chazz's voice came from the crowd. "Not all of us, but quite a few of us, but why does that matter to you?"

"Because there's not really much reason for you to stay here, is there, for those of you who are, technically, no longer students here." David continued. He then faced Jaden again. "What I'm trying to say is that I'm here to fight the Celestial Warriors too. I'm on a quest to prevent the Light of Destruction from being restored to full power."

"Really?" Jaden asked. David nodded. "I've done some research on you, Jaden. From what I've been able to tell, you're this school's top duelist, and it's your destiny to destroy the Light. I've had my own personal problems with the followers of the Light of Destruction. And, while I consider myself a good duelist, even with my skills, I couldn't take them all down on my own."

Jaden thought he knew was coming. "I've come to ask for a partnership." said David. "You and me. Together, neither the Light of Destruction nor the Celestial Warriors could stand a chance. So, what do you say?" He held out his hand, asking for another handshake. Man, we could use all the help we can get to fight these guys. Jaden almost accepted his proposal, but he heard a warbling in his ear. It was Winged Kuriboh, and he seemed a little worried.

"Hey, what's up, Winged Kuriboh? Is something wrong?" asked Jaden. Winged Kuriboh warbled again and pointed at David. "This guy is dangerous? But he seems harmless enough." He turned back to David, who seemed to notice Winged Kuriboh. "Is that Kuriboh your spirit partner?" Jaden was startled. "You can see him?" David nodded. "I also can see duel spirits. I understand that not a lot of people can."

David adjusted his position in the chair, and as he did so, something fell out from under his suit. It seemed to have been tucked in. It was some kind of necklace. It was a dusty gold color and had a red jewel in the middle, and around the edge were carved the phrases obscurum victoria and oderint dum metuant.

"Hey, that necklace!" Jaden suddenly blurted out. "Where'd you get it? I have one exactly just like it!" It looks exactly like the Shadow Charm that the Gravekeeper's Chief gave me....

"This?" David asked. "It's what you call a Shadow Charm." Jaden nodded. "I know that." David smirked that same chilling smirk. "I came across it many years ago during a trip to the spirit world. I won it, from he who calls himself the Gravekeeper's Chief."

"No way! That's how I got mine! I defeated the Gravekeeper's Chief!" Jaden said, startled. David chuckled. "I guess the Chief just has bad luck when it comes to us humans. Anyway, this charm gave me command over the darkness itself, over the Shadow Realm. Now, I use it's powers to punish those would go against it."

Jaden was shocked. He uses the power of the Shadow Realm? This guy is bad news. Now he knew why Winged Kuriboh had warned him, and why Atticus and Yusuke looked startled, and why Yugi seemed to get a "bad vibe" from him. Both of them had been controlled by an evil entity, and must've somehow sensed some kind of darkness around David. And Yugi's track record against evil spoke for itself. However, he had a feeling David wasn't being entirely truthful. "So, anyway, Jaden, will you work with me? If you and I were to work together, the Celestial Warriors wouldn't stand a chance!"

"No." Jaden said firmly. "Look, David, I want the Light gone as much as anyone, but resorting to using the power of the Shadow Realm is going too far. I think you've overstayed your welcome."

David got up, a look of annoyance on his face. "Very well." he finally said. "But mark my words, Jaden. You and I will meet again. Do not underestimate me."

David started towards the door. Jaden walked over back to his friends. "Just what we need. Another evil guy threatening the fate of the world." Winged Kuriboh appeared by him again, warbled and pointed to Atticus, who was still standing next to Yusuke.

"Jaden, there's something more going on with him..." Atticus said, sounding worried. Jaden looked back at David, who was engaging in a brief exchage with another student. "What do you think, Atticus?"

"Listen, when I was possessed by Nightshroud, both my mind and my spirit were fighting for control. My own, personal consciousness, and Nightshroud's. It got to a point when I could sense when I was in control of my mind, and when he was in control. Kind of like my duel against Zane during the Genex Tournament two years ago, when he briefly took control of me during the duel."

"Me too." agreed Yusuke. "I agree with Atticus. The same thing happened to me." Jaden asked, "So, what, you're saying David's associated with Nightshroud?"

"Unfortunately, that's exactly what I'm saying. Because he took control of me for such an extended period of time, it left a kind of imprint on me. And believe me, I can sense that same powerful dark energy radiating off of David." Jaden looked after David, who was arguing with another student. No. Not again. He is not coming back to mess with my friends again.....

"Just a minute there, David." Jaden called out to him. "I'm only going to tell you once: get off this island and never come back. If you're working for Nightshroud, there's no way I'm letting you near my friends."

David stopped dead, just inches before the door. He could be heard chuckling under his breath, then it got louder: he was laughing - a cold, cruel, merciless laugh - and he turned around, and maintained his chilling smirk, but something had changed in his face. Maybe it was because he'd figured out he was working for Nightshroud, but his face had a much more demonic quality to it.

"So you figured it out, huh?" he asked Jaden rhetorically, looking over at Atticus and Yusuke, who were both staring at David with hatred burning in their eyes. "I guess so, with help from those two. Yes, Nightshroud is my master. I didn't think you'd figure that out until much later." Now, for some reason, he seemed almost amused.

"I'm not going to leave the island. I still have business to take care of here. You see, those foolish servants of the Light are the only thing that stands in the way of my master being restored to full power. And that's why I will be the one to vanquish them and I will be the one who destroy the Light....with or without your help, Jaden."

Jaden activated his duel disk once again. "I'll duel you, right here, right now." David laughed. "Oh, believe me, we will duel. Now that you've rejected my generous offer, yes, that will indeed happen. But not now. I need to take down the Warriors first."

"What are you, scared? Your master isn't here. I made sure of that." Jaden challenged. The smile faded away from David's face, and his eyes flashed a deep crimson for a moment. In that same moment, Jaden felt a sharp jolt of pain, right near his heart, like a blow from an iron fist directly to his heart. It caused him to cry out and go to his knees. "Jaden, are you okay?" asked Alexis. She and Syrus helped him up. He was clutching his chest. "Jay, what happened?" Syrus asked. Jaden's voice souded strained. "I dunno - but, he did it - some kind of - blow - to my heart - "

"You've got some nerve saying that to me. Did you not hear me? My master empowered me with much of his own power. I have the power of the darkness at my disposal." David turned his gaze to Syrus. "What I just did to you? I can do to any of them as well, but ten times worse." Suddenly, Syrus cried out in anguish, and also clutched at his chest.

"It's like - he's crushing - my - heart - I - I can't - breathe - I - Jaden - " said Syrus in the same strained voice, as he fell to his knees as well. However, Jaden stood up again.

"Leave. Them. Alone." he spoke, in a dangerous growl of a voice that was quite unlike him. Suddenly, David gave a yelp as he was abruptly lifted into the air and thrown across the room. He stood up, looking thunderstruck, and saw Jaden, his normal eyes replaced with the eyes of Yubel. "Nobody threatens my friends."

David stared back at Jaden, rage and hatred etched into every line of his face. "So it's true. You do have the power I've heard of. That means, for the time being, my work here is done. When next we meet, Jaden...I will not be so merciful." He grabbed his trench coat, pulled it on, and started towards the door. A couple of students - the same two who were arguing with him earlier - tried to stop him, but David said, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." And they immediately backed down as he walked off into the night.

Jaden started after him. "Get back here, you cowardly - !" But once again, he clutched his chest and fell to the ground. Alexis put a hand to her mouth in shock. "Check him. Is he - ? Don't tell me - ?"

Yugi, Syrus, and Bastion went over to check him. "He's okay. I detected a pulse." Yugi told them.

"We gotta get him somewhere safe." Bastion said. Syrus stood up. "I know where we can take him. Follow me."

...........................................

The four remaining Celestial Warriors were in an undisclosed location. They were watching a viewscreen and had just watched the events that had transpired at the Obelisk dorm.

"So, he serves Nightshroud?" one voice asked.

"It would seem so." another, much younger voice answered. "One of our watchers encountered him when he first arrived down by the southern beachead."

"Milord, what do you wish for us to do?" a third one, speaking with the slightest hint of a Russian acccent, answered.

The leader stared at the viewscreen as he watched David head in the direction of what appeared to be the Abandoned Dorm. "Jaden is our number one priority. For now, we leave David alone." This answer was greeted with surprise by the others.

"Did you not see his powers? He could come after us next!" the second Warrior shouted.

"You dare question my orders, Zathan?" he questioned with a dark tone his voice. His eyes, which were a burning red, stared at Zathan, who knew that he had gotten on his master's bad side, as usual. Zathan turned his head and looked away. "My apologies, sir."

"Yes, I saw his powers. David is a danger to us, but the Light is and always will be a much stronger force than the darkness." The leader paused before resuming speaking. "Jaden is a greater danger, as he is the only obstacle in our way from making the entire world at long last see the light."

He turned to face his three disciples. "You all know the plan. Return to your posts. Check in when you're supposed to. Sometime tomorrow, Jaden will try to seek us out. Which of you volunteer to duel him?"

"I will." replied the first warrior, laughing sadistically. "I'll crush him like a bug in the dust."

"Good. You are dismissed." All three of them nodded and started to leave.

"Zathan, wait a moment." The one called Zathan stopped. The leader walked towards him.

"You have proven yourself a failure time and again. I suggest you control yourself this time. If you fail as disgracefully as Marcus, you will suffer a far more worse fate than his own."

Zathan nodded and turned to leave, but his master wasn't finished. "All the years of my training have paid off for you, however, and you are the most promising duelist among us, besides myself, of course. You will have your opportunity to face Jaden, and most likely some of his friends as well. If you can achieve victory, that will make up for all of your past failures."

Zathan nodded. "I will not fail you, master." And he too, left without another word.

The remaining Warrior stayed in the room, watching Syrus and Bastion carry Jaden to the Slifer dorm. Yugi, Aster, and Alexis walked alongside them, all talking to each other. The Warrior froze the video footage, focusing on Aster.

"Aster, before this is over, I will have my revenge." He removed his hood, revealing the face of none other than Kyle Jables - The D. In his hand was a Duel Monsters card, but it was glowing very brightly so that it's features could not be seen.

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 6: The Pharaoh

 

While he was unconscious, Jaden had a very strange dream. He dreamed that he was following Winged Kuriboh to the Abandoned Dorm, but when he walked in, he was surrounded by a blinding light, and the dorm instantly changed into a rough stone corridor lit with flaming torches and lined with stone tablets. Jaden continued to look around. 

 

"Hello, Jaden." said a deep voice behind him. Jaden turned around - and saw Yugi standing there, though he certainly looked different. He seemed older, and his skin was darker, as if he'd suddenly gotten a tan overnight. He was also wearing some strange clothes - the royal garb of some kind of monarch.

 

"Y-Yugi?" Jaden asked uncertainly.

 

"I'm not Yugi. Well, not exactly him. My name is Atem, and for a long period of time, Yugi and I shared the same body, through this: the Millenium Puzzle." And he held up the puzzle, which Jaden didn't notice until he pointed it out.

 

"Yeah, I heard about that, but Yugi got rid of the Puzzle, during that Ceremonial Battle he had in Egypt." Jaden said, confused.

 

"True." replied Atem. "But this is your dream. Now come, walk with me."

 

Jaden had a thousand more questions for Atem, but decided not to ask any of them. He turned to Winged Kuriboh and asked, "So, what do ya think, Kuriboh? Think I should just go with it?" Kuriboh nodded and smiled. Jaden shrugged as he followed Atem. 

 

Jaden looked around, still unsure as to where they were. "Uhh..Mr. Atem?" asked Jaden. "Where are we?" 

 

Atem replied, "We're in an Ancient Egyptian temple." Jaden nodded, understanding. "And what are all of these tablets?" 

 

"These are what the Ancient Egyptians used to play Duel Monsters five millenia ago." replied Atem. "Didn't you know that the game of Duel Monsters originated from an ancient game almost exactly like Duel Monsters played in Ancient Egypt?" Jaden thought for a moment. "Yeah...I think so. Professor Banner taught us that back in my first year." 

 

"Did someone say my name?" said a voice, and as if it were an echo of his thoughts, the spirit of Lyman Banner appeared next to Atem. "Professor?" asked Jaden, startled. "How did you get here?" Professor Banner smiled. "Well, Atem already said it: this is your dream. And I'm glad you've remembered your lessons....which honestly surprises me, since you seemed to sleep through most of them. It is true that Duel Monsters originated from Ancient Egypt. But that is not why Atem and I have come to talk to you." The four finally left the hallway and emerged at a large stone door engraved in Egyptian hieroglyphics, with a triangle-shaped hole set in the middle. Atem muttered in Ancient Egyptian for a minute, then the Millenium Puzzle glowed with yellow energy. He then set it into the triangle-shaped hole, which caused the door to open, revealing a chamber, where at the far end of the chamber was a sarcoughagus-like stone where the other Millenium Items were laid in. Atem walked over to the stone and placed the Millenium Puzzle in it.

 

"Now, I suppose you're wondering why we're here, in your dream." Atem asked Jaden.

 

"Yeah, kinda...I just wanna know why I'm having this deam in the first place." Jaden asked sheepishly.

 

"Well, it's about these two new dangers you've encountered tonight." answered Banner. 

 

"This Light of Destruction...I have a bad feeling about it." said Atem. "There's a very sinister kind of power surrouding it; very similar to the Pyramid of Light, and the resurection of Anubis."

 

"So, what does that mean?" asked Jaden. "Are you saying Anubis and the Light are connected?" 

 

"No." replied Atem. "I am saying it's similar. Like an entity that is steadily gaining power to return to its proper body, at the same time, sending ripples of energy outwards to anyone who can feel it." Jaden gasped. "Then that must mean the Light is already growing more powerful! We need to find the rest of the Warriors and defeat them before they get us...because I'm not so sure if they can still find a way of reviving the Light to full power before defeating me. If the Light returns, it's bad news for everyone."

 

"Whatever it is, it's not good." said Banner. "Something tells me that it'll take more to finish the Light, and it's servants, off, than it did last time. These Celestial Warriors are much more powerful than Sartorius and the Society of Light were. Sartorius and the members of the Society were being brainwashed. These guys are acting completely of their own will, which makes them all the more dangerous."

 

"Yeah, but's there's something else that worries me." Jaden said. "David. If he's working for Nightshroud and wants to bring him back, then that is not good at all. Nightshroud is very dangerous."

 

A spasm of unease passed across Atem's face. "The energy I sense around him feels similar to The Seal of Orichalcos. There's more to him than what you experienced back at the dorm. I fear that his power is far greater than he let on."

 

"Really?" asked Jaden. "If he can do worse things that what he did at the blue dorm, then we're in even more danger than I thought."

 

"I agree." replied Atem. "There is something a lot more sinister at work going on here, and I don't like it." 

 

"Neither do I." He turned to face Jaden. "Jaden, what I suggest you do is avoid David at all costs. From what he said, he'll probably do the same thing too, because he'll try to vanquish the Warriors first. Hopefully, they'll do the same to him before he becomes more of a threat to you. Your top priority should be to eradicate the Celestial Warriors. If you can defeat them, the Light of Destruction will never be a problem ever again. Do you understand?" Jaden nodded. 

 

"I need to go now, but remember, I will always be around if you need me....or if Pharaoh decides to let me out." Jaden laughed. "Alright, see ya, Professor!" Banner smiled, and vanished. 

 

Now Atem and Jaden were alone in the chamber, with Winged Kuriboh hovering over Jaden's shoulder. Atem placed a hand on Jaden's soldier. "Dark and difficult times lie ahead, Jaden. Soon you must make a choice between what is right and what is easy...all of you. But remember, your friends will stay at your side, no matter what. I have a feeling that you won't be able to do this alone, and you won't be. And you'll also have Yugi with you. He is one of the bravest people I have ever known. Just believe in your friends....and believe in the Heart of the Cards." Jaden couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Atem." And all of a sudden, Atem vanished...and so did the chamber. 

 

Jaden woke up, realizing he was in his old bunk at the Slifer Red Dorm. It was pitch dark outside. He glanced at his watch. It was three in the morning. 

 

Was that a dream? It seemed so real. Jaden thought to himself. He rolled over and felt something hard press against his chest. He reached down....and pulled his Shadow Charm out from under him. Jaden notoced it was glowing slightly. Smirking to himself, Jaden figured that his dream might've been real after all...which meant Atem was right. Dark and difficult times did lie ahead, and he needed to be ready for them when the time came.

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 7: Into the Forest

 

"You do realize, David, that Jaden's refusal to join with us, though not unexpected, changes everything?" the Invader of Darkness asked David. 

 

It was six in the morning, the crack of dawn. David was at the Abandoned Dorm, which he decided to use as his base during his tenure on Duel Academy Island. He specifically chose the dorm because it could technically be considered as Nightshroud's beginning on the island.

 

"I do. I expected Jaden to refuse my offer. That boy is so pure-hearted he'd never even consider allying with someone he may think is even a little evil - though I had no idea he faced the Gravekeeper's Chief as well." David replied snidely, thinking back to his recent trip to the spirit world, where he faced the chief in order to locate the whereabouts of Atticus Rhodes, who previously owned the other Shadow Charm when Nightshroud controlled him. "A lot like his new friend Yugi Muto. That will make it more fun to break him when I claim my ultimate victory when we duel."

 

David picked up his briefcase as he and his spirit partner entered the forest. "This forest is large enough for us to start executing Phase 2 of the plan without being found."

 

"You are confident we won't be found, then, are you David?" asked the Invader. David smirked. "I am. Most of the other students are leaving the island, as are most of the faculty and staff. Jaden and his friends, as well as the Celestial Warriors and their watchers will be the only ones still on the island." 

 

They came to a clearing in the forest. David sat down and opened his briefcase, taking out a laptop computer, turning the computer on.

 

"Now, there are some people who will remain on the island for a few weeks that could potentially sabotage our plans. I will deal with them personally. In addition, I have an extremely powerful computer virus that can stop all of this island's communications. They'll be dead in the water. Jaden and his friends will be too preocupied with the Celestial Warriors to do anything to stop us." David opened up the program for his computer virus and began uploading it to the Duel Academy computer mainframe.

 

"It'll finish on its own." he said, and he closed his laptop and placed it back in his briefcase. He then stood up. 

 

"And now, Invader....it begins." said David, a sinister smile on his face. With his mind set on his target, he set off once again, towards the heart of the forest.

...........................................

 

Jaden was finally woken up by a meowing noise. He groggily turned around and saw Syrus and Alexis sitting there. Pharaoh was in Syrus' arms. 

 

"Jaden...you're awake!" Syrus cried. Jaden yawned. "Yeah...what time is it?" 

 

"A little bit after 9 AM." replied Alexis, as Pharaoh purred. "How are you feeling?"

 

"Much better." replied Jaden. "Have you guys been watching me all night?"

 

"Only for the first few hours. We fell asleep ourselves afterwards." Syrus stood up, causing Pharaoh to jump off. "We should let the others know you're alright." They then both left the room. 

 

Jaden, who was still slightly groggy, climbed out of his bunk and opened the door. Syrus and Alexis were talking to Yugi, Chazz, Bastion, and Aster. "Jaden, you're alright!" Bastion exclaimed. 

 

"Yeah, I am." Jaden repeated. "You gave us a right scare last night, mate, after whatever that David bloke did to you. What exactly did he do to you?"

 

"I'm not entirely sure." replied Jaden. "Like I said last night, it was like a blow to my heart. And I have reason to believe that he do much worse things to that."

 

"Well, as long as you're all right, that's all that matters." said Aster.

 

"So, are we going after the Celestial Warriors today?" asked Chazz.

 

"Yeah, we are. But first....Yugi, I need to talk to you. Uhh, privately." said Jaden. Yugi looked a bit confused before entering the room. Jaden closed the door.

 

"So, Jaden, what do want to talk to me about?" Yugi asked. 

 

"Well, listen, I had a kind of dream last night." Jaden went on. "And, uh, you were in it. Well, not exactly you, but Atem."

 

Yugi's eyes opened wider slightly. "Atem? He was the spirit of my Millenium Puzzle."

 

"Yeah, I think I knew that." he replied. "Anyway, he warned me that both the Celestial Warriors and David are more dangerous than they appear."

 

"Indeed." replied Yugi, a worried look on his face. "And both of them definitely seemed dangerous enough. But before we do anything else, there are a few things you need to fill me in about. Like the Light of Destruction and Nightshroud. You seem to have prior experience with both of those entities. What are they?"

 

"Oooh." replied Jaden. "Those are both two very long stories. So I'll do my best to summarize both of them to the best of my ability."

 

"The Light of Destruction is this alien entity that wants to put an end to this 'age of darkness' by taking over the world and making people see the light. Now, I know that sounds fine and dandy, but the truth is, there is a delicate balance of light and darkness, and the balance must be maintained or else chaos would ensue. Does all of this make sense so far?"

 

Yugi nodded. "Please continue."

 

"A couple of years ago, the Light possessed this guy named Sartorius. He infiltrated Duel Academy and formed this cult called the Society of Light, brainwashing students to join and eventually gaining control of this satellite that could brainwash the entire planet. Thankfully, I managed to beat him in a duel and stop that from happening."

 

Yugi nodded again. "And what about Nightshroud?"

 

Jaden sighed. "He's on the other side of the coin, and, if you ask me, is much worse than the Light of Destruction. He's like a living embodiment of all the darkness that supposedly exists within everyone, and wanted to pull everyone into the Shadow Realm where they, according to him, would ultimately give up on their own lives, because while there, they would be constantly tortured by visions of failure and stuff like that. Then they'd fade into nothingness. And furthermore, he claimed his actions were justified in that, with no more individuality, humanity's suffering will finally end." Yugi remained speechless.

 

"He almost succeded in doing that. But I was able to beat him in a duel."

 

"Wow." replied Yugi. "That is quite a lot."

 

"Yeah, it is. And I thought I'd never have to deal with either of them ever again. But obviously, I was wrong. But, defeating the Light of Destruction is my destiny...and someone's gotta do it."

 

"You know, Jaden," began Yugi, "you are showing great bravery for showing your willingness to fight both these evils yet again."

 

"Well, thanks. I try." replied Jaden sheepishly. Yugi smiled. "I will help you in any way I can."

 

"Thanks. Something tells me we'll need all the help we can to fight these guys." Jaden replied. "And you're no stranger to saving the world." Yugi laughed. "True. Neither are you, from what you've told me." Jaden smiled back. "I guess that rematch of ours will have to wait. So," he held his hand out to Yugi, "you ready to save the world?"

 

Yugi took it, in a high-five/handshake hybrid. "I am. Let's go."

 

---------------------------------

 

Thirty minutes later, Yugi and Jaden emerged from Jaden's room, and immedaitely noticed the small crowd standing in front of the red dorm. Syrus, Alexis, Pharaoh, Chazz, Aster, and Bastion were there, but also there were Hassleberry, Atticus, Yusuke, Jesse, Jim, Axel, and Blair.

 

"Hey, here comes the Sarge!" Hassleberry called out. Jaden strolled down to the crowd.

 

"Alright guys, listen up." Jaden started announcing to everyone. "I know most of you guys were at the Obelisk Dorm last night when those Celestial Warriors crashed the party. I have reason to believe they're still on the island. These robe-wearing freaks are the servants of the Light of Destruction, and they wanna take me out, because they believe that, if they succeed in doing that, the Light of Destruction will come back. I think we all had enough of the Light two years ago! Am I right?"

 

"Heck yeah, you're right!" agreed Chazz. "They brainwashed us!

 

"They did! And they made me have that ridiculous bleached white hair!" Bastion cried. 

 

"That's right. We're not gonna let them do what they did two years ago again. So, we're gonna take the last remnants of the Light's servants out once and for all! And, Aster - " Jaden turned to Aster - "maybe you can finally get justice for your dad."

 

"Yeah! For my dad! I'm with you all the way Jaden!" Aster announced. 

 

"We're all with you too, Sarge!" Hassleberry called out. "If those white robe-wearing misfits wanna take you out, there gonna have to go through me and my dinos first!"

 

"And me!" agreed Syrus.

 

"And me!" agreed Alexis.

 

Soon, everyone else was clamouring the same thing. Jaden beamed at all of them. "You guys are awesome. You really are my second family." Jaden walked through the crowd, beginning to start off looking for the Warriors, until he literally bumped into someone he hadn't seen in years: Chumley Huffington.

 

"Chumley?!"asked Jaden. His former roommate was currently working at Industrial Illusions as a card designer. The last time they spoke was during the Genex Tournament, when he and Pegasus flew in to apprehend fellow card designer Franz, who'd stolen a copy of The Winged Dragon of Ra. He was wearing the same clothes he was wearing that day: a navy blue three-piece suit.

 

"What're you doing here, bro?" Chumley laughed. "Duh, I came to see you guys' graduation. How could I miss that?" Jaden laughed, and the two hugged. 

 

"So, you're just gonna have to tag along with us!" Chumley laughed again. "Just like old times, huh?" Jaden nodded. 

 

"Alright guys...let's hunt some Celestial Warriors!"

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 8: The Hunt for the Celestial Warriors

(Author's Note: I know in the show, the Obelisk Blue and Obelisk White Dorm are the same dorm, but for story purposes, they'll be treated as two separate dorms.)

 

 

"Okay guys," began Jaden, talking to the crowd, "any ideas where these goons might be hiding?"

 

"Well," began Bastion, "since the old Obelisk White Dorm was the Society of Light's HQ two years ago, they might be there."

 

"Yeah, that kinda makes sense." replied Jaden, laughing. "Let's go!" And the crowd began heading in the direction of Obelisk White.

 

While they were walking, Chumley asked Jaden, "Uh, Jaden, you're gonna have to fill me in here. What's going on?"

 

"Well, it's like this, Chum." began Jaden. "You remember when you and Pegasus came to the Genex Tournament two years ago?"

 

"Yeah, what about it?" asked Chumley.

 

"Well, around that same exact time, this evil alien entity called the Light of Destruction brainwashed this guy named Sartorius, who infiltrated Duel Academy and brainwashed a bunch of students into this cult. He then hijacked this satellite and tired to brainwash the entire world."

 

"So, nothing's changed here, I see." replied Chumley, a hint of amusement in his voice. 

 

Everyone else continued to talk amongst themselves, mostly discussing theories about the Celestial Warriors. After about ten minutes, they finally reached the White Dorm.

 

"Uggh, never thought I'd see that eyesore ever again." grumbled Chazz. 

 

"Spead out, guys. Look around for some clues to suggest if someone's been here or not." Jaden told the group.

 

Everyone spread out and began looking for indications of someone else's presence here. After ten minutes, no one had found anything. 

 

"Maybe you should try searching inside the dorm?" Yugi suggested to Jaden. 

 

"Maybe...." replied Jaden. It's too quiet out here....

 

"Hey you!" an unknown voice called.

 

Everyone turned in the direction of the voice. It belonged to a young man in a white cloak, brandishing a silver duel disk. He appeared to be several years older than Jaden, with short brown hair and a generally angry look about him. 

 

"Let me guess: you're a Celestial Warrior, right?" asked Jaden.

 

"You'd be correct." replied the stranger. "My name is Jonathan Pye, and I've been given orders to defeat you in a duel."

 

"Defeat me? That's not gonna happen, bro." Jaden responded, a big smile on his face. "I've already defeated one of you guys, if you've noticed." Jonathan laughed. "Marcus was an old fool. The rest of us were surprised that old fossil actually figured out how to work a duel disk, let alone duel as well as he managed to duel. I won't be as easy an opponent as he was."

 

Man, and Marcus wasn't an easy opponent at all. "If you want to duel, then'll I'll give ya a duel, for two reasons: 1) I love dueling and never back down from a challenge, and 2) I'm not gonna let the Light of Destruction come back!"

 

"Listen to you." Jonathan sneered. "You sound like you actually have a chance of winning! You don't. The Light of Destruction will come back, and all that needs to be done is for me to defeat you, and the entire world will see the light!"

 

"Care to put your cards where your mouth is?" challenged Jaden. Jonathan glared. "You have some nerve saying that to me." Jaden activated his duel disk. "I'm just saying, if you're as good as you say you are, prove it and get your game on!"

 

"Be careful what you wish for, Jaden...because you just might get it." growled Jonathan. The others gathered off to the side as the duel got underway.

 

"Let's duel!" they both exclaimed. 

 

I fixed up my deck with some brand new Hero cards before we left. I hope I get a chance to play some of them. Jaden drew his card. "I'll start things off with this: my Elemental Hero Wildheart! (1500 / 1600) " The muscular form of Wildheart materialized on the field in a battle stance. "Next, I'll throwdown a face-down, and that'll do it for me this turn."

 

"Pathetic." Jonathan sneered, as he drew his card. "Now, watch a real move! I summon Gladiator Beast Andal! (1900 / 1500)" A large bear in battle armor materialized on the field. 

 

Gladiator Beast? Where have I heard that before....thought Jaden. "Wait a minute, isn't that card part of that hot new series that was announced by Industrial Illusions not too long ago?"

 

On the sidelines, Chumley gasped. "How did he get that? The Gladiator Beasts haven't even been released yet!" 

 

Everyone turned to face Chumley. "How much do you know about them, Chum?" asked Syrus.

 

"I didn't work on the Gladiator Beasts as much as I have on other cards." replied Chumley. "But they're apart of a new series of cards based on the Roman Empire. One thing I can tell you is that, if this guy has more of them in his deck, it's certainly not lischus for Jaden."

 

Jonathan seemed to overhear Chumley, and laughed. "No, it's not lischus for Jaden at all! Andal, attack Wildheart with Iron Claw!" The bear gave a mighty roar and began charging towards Jaden's Wildheart. 

 

"I don't think so!" declared Jaden. "I have a trap: Negate Attack! This stops your attack - "

 

" - and ends the battle phase. I know what Negate Attack does, thank you very much." replied Jonathan, sounding slightly annoyed. "I'll lay a card face-down, then I guess I'll end my turn."

 

Jaden drew his next card. Sweet! It's one of my new Heroes! Time for him to make his Duel Academy debut! "I summon Elemental Hero Ocean (1500 / 1200) in attack mode!" A monster that looked like a smaller, blue version of Elemental Hero Neos with a spear materialized on the field. 

 

"Wow, I haven't seen Jaden play that hero before!" exclaimed Syrus. Jaden smiled. "I recently added some new Elemental Heroes to my deck, Sy, and I think, with The Great Celestial Warrior Hunt ahead of us, now would be a good time to break 'em in!"

 

Jonathan laughed sadistically. "You can have a million new Heroes in your deck, Jaden, for all I care, because every single one of them pales in comparison to the might of my Gladiator Beasts!"

 

Jaden raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? You might wanna think again after I play this: the spell card H-Heated Heart! This increases my Elemental Hero Ocean's Attack by 500 (Elemental Hero Ocean - 2000 ATK) making him just strong enough to take down your Gladiator Beast! Now, Ocean, attack Gladiator Beast Andal with Spear of the Solar Ocean!" Ocean twirled his spear and lit up with blue energy, darting across the field and stabbing Andal with the spear, causing him to explode into pixels, reducing Jonathan's life points to 3900.

 

"With that, I'll throwdown another face-down and call it a turn." said Jaden, a big smile on his face. 

 

"So you've managed to take out one of my Gladiator Beasts." sneered Jonathan. "If you think that, because you managed to destroy one, you'll win this duel, then you are gravely mistaken indeed." He drew his card. "I summon Gladiator Beast Hoplomus (700 / 2100) in attack mode!" A large rhino with massive fists materialized on the field and gave a roar. 

 

"Next, I'll activate the spell card Gladiator's Armory! This card lets me switch the Attack and Defense of a Gladiator Beast on my side of the field. So, Hoplomus' Attack becomes 2100! And now to put those new attack points to work! Hoplomus, attack Elemental Hero Ocean with Sandstone Crusher!" Hoplomus began charging towards Jaden's side of the field.

 

"Think again!" Jaden declared. "I activate Mirror Gate! This card switches our monsters! So now, I get Hoplomus and you get Ocean!" 

 

"No, I don't." replied Jonathan. "Because I activate a trap of my own! It's called Parry, and it lets me negate and destroy your Mirror Gate! All I have to do is add a Gladiator Beast in my hand back to my deck!" Jonathan maintained his smirk as he took a card and put it back in his deck.

 

"Now, where was I? Oh yes...I was destroying your Hero Ocean!" Hoplomus charged at Ocean and crushed him, shattering him into pixels and reducing Jaden's life points to 3400. 

 

"Oh, and now I'll activate Hoplomus' effect: since I attacked with him this turn, I can now shuffle him back into my deck, and special summon a brand new one!" Hoplomus vanished as Jonathan looked through his deck. "I summon Gladiator Beast Equeste! (1600 / 1200)" A centaur in battle armor materialized on the field. 

 

On the sidelines, Bastion looked hard at the new monster. "Wait...I think I remember reading about that effect in the press release about the Gladiator Beasts. Almost all of them can return to the deck after they are involved in a battle, and immediately a new one can be summoned to the field. I believe it is referred to as 'tagging out'."

 

Alexis looked worried. "So, basically, he can pick and choose any monster he wants? That hardly seems fair." 

 

"Hey, don't count the Sarge out yet." said Hassleberry. "It is only the fourth turn, after all." 

 

Jonathan laughed. "I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn."

 

"That means it's my turn once again!" Jaden drew his card. Alexis is right, he thought. That effect of his Gladiator Beasts does kinda give him an unfair advantage. But, that doesn't mean he'll beat me. My deck has never let me down before, and I don't think it will any time in the near future. "First, I'll switch my Hero Wildheart into defense mode." Wildheart crouched down into defense mode. "Next, I'll summon Elemental Hero Sparkman (1600 / 1400) in attack mode!" Sparkman materialized on the field in a burst of electricity, and nodded at Wildheart, who nodded back. There's not much else I can do at the moment, so I might as well end my turn. "I guess I'll end my turn."

 

"Not much else you can do, is there? How pathetic." Jonathan drew his card, and a twisted smile came across his face. "I think it's time for a change of scenery, don't you?" he asked, and he placed a card in the Field Spell slot of his duel disk. 

 

Suddenly, Jaden heard a loud rumbling. He looked around for the source, and immediately noticed some kind of rock formations rising up from the ground. As the formations rose, they were revealed to be part of some kind of ruins. After a few more minutes, they finally finished rising, forming what appeared to be some kind of ancient arena, crossed by blue lines of what appeared to be energy. 

 

"Welcome, Jaden," bellowed Jonathan, "to Colosseum - Cage of the Gladiator Beasts!"

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 9: Battle in the Colosseum

(Author's Note: I edited the effect of Hero's Guard for story purposes so that it also ends the battle phase.)

"In the days of the Roman Empire, the gladiators that fought for Julius Caesar fought in arenas like this one all the time." boasted Jonathan. "So my Gladiator Beasts will be right at home in this Colosseum. More so than being a change of scenery, this card gains a counter every time either of us special summons a monster. For every counter on it, all my Gladiator Beasts gain 100 attack and defense points!"

"Yikes!" exclaimed Jesse on the sidelines. "And since those Gladiator Beasts' effects revolve around special summons, that could spell trouble for Jaden real quick!"

Meanwhile, Jonathan continued his turn. "I summon Gladiator Beast Darius (1700 / 300) in attack mode!" A warrior in battle armor with the head of a horse and the muscular body of a man materialized on the field and gave a beastly whinny.

"Now, Darius, attack Elemental Hero Sparkman with Lightning Lash!" Darius gave another whinny as he unfurled a whip lit up with electricity and ran towards Sparkman, lashing him with the whip. Sparkman gave a cry of pain as he exploded into pixels, reducing Jaden's life points to 3300.

"I'll end my turn." Jonathan said snidely. "Had enough yet?"

"Had enough? This duel is just getting good!" Jaden exclaimed, and he drew a card to start his turn. "Sweet! I activate Polymerization! Now I can fuse my Wildheart with the Elemental Hero Necroshade in my hand...." Jaden's Hero Necroshade appeared on the field, and merged with his Wildheart in a swirling vortex of energy.

"...to bring out Elemental Hero Necroid Shaman! (1900 / 1800)" What appeared to be a slightly taller version of Elemental Hero Wildheart, wearing a white mask, sporting a long mane of red hair, and wielding some kind of staff materialized on the field.

Jonathan scoffed. "I hope you don't expect me to be afraid of that lame witch doctor. You forget, a fusion summon counts as a special summon, which means my Colosseum gains a counter, and all my Gladiator Beasts gain a power boost!" (Gladiator Beast Equeste - 1700 / 1300) (Gladiator Beast Darius - 1800 / 400)

"Will you let me finish? There's more." continued Jaden. "When Necroid Shaman is summoned, his special effect lets me automatically destroy one of your monsters! And I choose your Gladiator Beast Darius!" Necroid Shaman became surrounded by a dark glow, then twirled his staff and fired a stream of dark energy at Gladiator Beast Darius, shattering him into pixels. "Unfortunately, there's a catch - you're also allowed to bring back a monster from your graveyard." Jonathan's Gladiator Beast Andal returned to the field and gave a roar.

Jonathan laughed. "You must be stupider than you look, Jaden - which is saying something, because you look stupid enough to begin with. Andal is stronger than Darius, and since that's another special summon, that means another counter for my Colosseum, and more power to my Gladiator Beasts! (Gladiator Beast Equeste - 1800 / 1400) (Gladiator Beast Andal - 2000 / 1600) Which makes Andal stronger than your Necroid Shaman!"

"Just a minute there, bro; you're not the only one who can power up your monsters!" Jaden declared. "You see, I'm gonna equip Necroid Shaman with Fusion Weapon!" As he said it, a red trident-like object materialized on Necroid Shaman's left arm, replacing the arm entirely from the elbow down. "This gives him a whopping 1500 extra attack and defense points! (Elemental Hero Necroid Shaman - 3400 / 3300) And since your giant bear over there doesn't have a special effect, I think I'll attack him! Necroid Shaman, attack Gladiator Beast Andal with Trident Blast!" Necroid Shaman's new weapon on his arm lit up with energy, which he then fired at Gladiator Beast Andal.

"Good show, mate; since that Andal doesn't have an effect, Jonathan won't be able to tag him out!" Jim said, a smile on his face. Axel smirked. "Yeah, and not to mention - it'll burn away quite a few of his life points as well." The others began cheering, but Yugi didn't. If that's the case, why is Jonathan still smiling?

"You think I didn't see that coming, Jaden? I activate my my face-down: Defensive Tactics! Now for the remainder of the round, my Gladiator Beasts are immune to battles and battle damage!" A barrier formed around Jonathan's side of the field, as Necroid Shaman's attack bounced off of it.

"Well, then...I guess I'll throwdown a pair of face-downs and call it a turn." Okay, I've got both Hero Signal and De-Fusion down if he plans to de-power my Necroid Shaman and attack next turn, and I've got a feeling that exactly what he's gonna do....

"That makes it my turn once again." Jonathan said unnecessarily, drawing his card. "And here's someone you may recognize: my Gladiator Beast Hoplomus!" Hoplomus re-materialized on the field. "And next, it's time I took this duel to the next level! I understand you use what's known as Contact Fusion to create your infamous Neo-Space fusions. It's time I did a little contact fusion of my own! Gladiator Beasts Andal and Equeste, merge!" Jonathan shuffled the cards back into his deck as his two monsters merged in a burst of energy.

"And now, emerge.....Gladiator Beast Essedarii! (2500 / 1400)" Jonathan's new monster was a massive humanoid gorilla in burnt orange battle armor. It was riding some kind of chariot and in its hand was a massive morning star. It gave a ferocious roar.

"Man, that critter certainly doesn't look friendly!" observed Jesse, attempting to make a joke to defuse the tension. He wasn't successful. "What tipped you off, Jesse?" asked Syrus. "The giant spiked club in his hand, or the fact that he's staring at Jaden's Necroid Shaman like he's his next meal?!" Chumley looked over at Syrus. "Calm down, Sy. Jaden's Necroid Shaman is still stronger."

"Impressive, isn't he?" Jonathan asked rhetorically. "And since that was a special summon, you know what that means: another counter for my Colosseum, and another power boost for my beasts!" (Gladiator Beast Essedarii - 2600 / 1500) (Gladiator Beast Hoplomus - 800 / 2200)

"Next, I think I'll power up Essedarii even more, by equipping him with Gladiator Beast's Battle Gladius!" A broadsword glowing with energy materialized in Essedarii's other hand. "This broadsword boosts my beast's attack strength by another 300 points!" (Gladiator Beast Essedarii - 2900 ATK)

"Yeah, Jonathan, that's impressive and all, but my Necroid Shaman is still stronger." Jonathan smirked. "Not for much longer, he won't be. Because I have another spell card: Mystic of the Gladiator Beasts!" A aged-looking monkey wearing a robe and holding a wooden staff materialized on the field. "All I have to do is return a Gladiator Beast in my hand back to my deck, and I can destroy any number of your spell and/or trap cards equal to the number of Gladiator Beasts I have out. I have two, so say goodbye to your Fusion Weapon and one of your face-downs!" The monkey fired a stream of magic from the staff at Jaden's side of the field, destroying the Fusion Weapon, and his face-down on the left. Man, he got my De-Fusion. So I'm gonna lose Necroid Shaman. At least I still have Hero Signal....

"I'm guessing from the look on his face that he needed that face-down he lost." Alexis observed. "This doesn't look good for Jaden." Bastion shook his head solemnly. "I agree. Jonathan has just about taken control of the field. But that's not to say Jaden can't come back. It is Jaden after all."

Jaden overheard them, and it was comforting to know that his friends were still behind him....not that he was expecting them to suddenly not. He braced himself, as he knew he was about to take a beating.

"Now, Gladiator Beast Essedarii, attack Elemental Hero Necroid Shaman with Morning Star Smash!" The mighty gorilla gave a roar and charged towards Jaden's side of the field, taking an almighty swing at Necroid Shaman with his morning star, knocking him down and shattering him into pixels, reducing Jaden's life points to 2300.

"It's your turn, Hoplomus! Attack Jaden directly with Sandstone Crusher!" The massive rhino charged toward Jaden and brought his fist down in front of him, knocking Jaden down, reducing his life points to 1500. Jonathan laughed. "Come on, get back up, Jaden...it only gets worse from here on out!" Jaden was making some kind of noise while still down, almost sounding like crying. Jonathan sneered. "But, if it's too much for you to handle, then you're perfectly free to surrender. The famous Jaden Yuki, and I've left you snivelling in the dirt - "

"Are you done?" Jaden shot at Jonathan. "I'm not crying, bro - I'm laughing! I can't remember the last duel I had that was so intense! You really know how to play those Gladiator Beasts!"

Jonathan stared back, completely nonplussed. "I'm in a duel to destroy you and resurrect the Light of Destruction, and you compliment me?"

Jaden laughed. "Yeah, why not? Yeah, I can't let you beat me, and I want the Light of Destruction gone, but you're still a pretty good duelist, and you clearly know how to use those Gladiator Beast cards."

He should be begging for mercy, not complimenting me, thought Jonathan. What an idiot. "Well, let's see how impressive you think they are, because my turn is still not over! Since Gladiator Beast Hoplomus attacked this turn, you know what means: I can tag him out and bring out a brand new Gladiator Beast from my deck!" Hoplomus vanished as a burst of energy pulled him back into the deck. Jonathan looked through his deck, and smirked as he found a card. "Allow me to introduce one of my strongest Gladiator Beasts: Gladiator Beast Spartacus! (2200 / 1600)" A massive humanoid dinosaur, with brown battle armor (with spikes made out of bone on the shoulders) and a massive battle axe materialized on the field and gave a ferocious roar.

"Whoa!" exclaimed Hassleberry. "I know a tough dino when I see one, and that's one tough dino!" Yugi looked at Hassleberry. "A tough dino indeed. The question is: can Jaden take it down?"

Hassleberry smiled. "I ain't too worried about that. If Jaden can do anything, it's beat this guy." Yugi smiled. From how Jaden's been playing, I don't doubt his ability...especially since I know about his ability from experience. What worries me is that Jonathan has also been playing nearly flawlessly, and I have a feeling that we've only seen a fraction of what these Gladiator Beasts can do.....

"And since that's another special summon, you know what happens next! Another counter for my Colosseum, and more power for my Gladiator Beasts!" (Gladiator Beast Essedarii - 3000 / 1600) (Gladiator Beast Spartacus - 2300 / 1700)

"Maybe so, but since you destroyed a monster of mine, I can activate my remaining face-down: Hero Signal!" A beam of light came from the hologram of the card, showing the jagged H symbol of the Elemental Heroes in the sky. "Now I get to summon a Level 4 or lower Elemental Hero from my deck!" Jaden looked through his deck. "And I choose this one: Elemental Hero Avian!" (1000 / 1000) The familiar form of Elemental Hero Avian materialized on the field in a swirling vortex of wind.

"Heh, summon all the Heroes you want, because that was a special summon, so my Colosseum gains yet another counter, and my monsters gain even more power!" (Gladiator Beast Essedarii - 3100 / 1700) (Gladiator Beast Spartacus - 2400 / 1800)

At this rate, his Gladiator Beasts will soon be powerful enough to be able to destroy anything I throw at him! Jaden thought desperately. "I'll set a card face-down, then I'll go ahead and end my turn." Jonathan said. "Make your move."

"Don't mind if I do." replied Jaden. "And I'll kick off my turn by summoning Elemental Hero Stratos (1800 / 300) in attack mode!" The new hero appeared on the field in vortex of wind, looking like a cross between Elemental Hero Ocean and Elemental Hero Heat. "And this guy's special ability lets me destroy a number of spell and trap cards equal to the number of Elemental Heroes I have out, and I count two!" Jaden's Hero Stratos started firing a blast of wind-like energy at Jonathan's Colosseum and one of his face-down cards. And not only that, I have Fusion Recovery in my hand! I can recover Polymerization from my graveyard, then fuse my Hero Stratos with my Elemental Hero Avian, so I bring out one of my newest fusions: Elemental Hero Great Tornado! That card will be able to halve the Attack and Defense of all his monsters! That just might get me back in this duel!

"Look at Jaden!" exclaimed Jesse. "He's got a big grin on his face; I guess he's got something big planned! Jonathan better look out, because he's about to get his butt handed to him!" The others began to cheer, but Yugi still remained silent. Jonathan is still too calm for someone supposedly staring down an attack like that, especially if what Jesse said was true, in that he's preparing something big.

Jonathan began laughing at Jesse. "I don't care if Jaden is planning something big, because whatever it is, I can wipe it out anyway! I activate one of my face-down cards: Gladiator Beast War Chariot! This card lets me negate your Hero Stratos' effect and destroy him!" A chariot, looking similar to the one Essedarii was riding on, except with a miniature catapult mounted on the front, materialized on the field. Spartacus climbed into it and fired a rock from the catapult at Stratos, which shattered him into pixels.

Well, so much for getting to summon Elemental Hero Great Tornado. So far he's countered nearly everything I've managed to throw at him so far. Jaden thought desperately, looking through his hand. But I'm still standing, and I'm not gonna back down. "You might have managed to take down my Hero Stratos before he got to use his effect on you....but I'm still standing! I activate a spell card: Double Summon! As the name suggests, this card lets me summon another monster this turn! So I think I'm gonna bring out Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird (800 / 600) in defense mode! "

"That's still not good enough!" declared Jonathan. "Both my monsters are still stronger, and on my next turn, I'll destroy your overgrown space chicken and wipe out the rest of your life points!"

"I don't plan on losing this duel." replied Jaden. "Which is part of the reason why I brought out my Air Hummingbird. His special ability lets me regain 500 life points for each card in your hand. You have two cards, so I get 1000 life points!" Jaden smirked as holograms of giant pink flowers materialized on the field, and Jaden's Air Hummingbird began flitting between them as if he were sucking honey out of them. As he looked on, his life points rose to 3300.

"Whatever." scoffed Jonathan. "It won't take long for me to reduce your life points to 0, so your little parakeet's special abiity won't mean jack s***!"

"You just keep thinking that." replied Jaden. "I'll go ahead and call it a turn." Elemental Hero Avian might need to take one for the team, but if I'm gonna win this duel, it's a sacrifice I might need to make.

Jonathan drew his card. So far, Jaden only has those two pathetic monsters out. Both of my Gladiator Beasts are far and away more powerful than both of them, and if I destroy his Avian, I'll take a big chunk out of his life points...but he'll just increase his life points with his Air Hummingbird's special ability next turn. And anyway, why finish this now when I can drag it out? Why just defeat him when I can humiliate him and prove my superiority? I should wait until I have five powerful Gladiator Beasts and have them crush him all at once! I may not even need to use Heraklinos....which is a shame, because he is my favorite, but I guess as long as I defeat Jaden, that's all that matters.

"Hey, are you gonna take your turn, or what?" Jaden asked, laughing. "This duel is awesome! I hate for you to zone out just as this duel is heating up!" Jonathan scowled. He is clearly losing this duel, and he still focuses soley on having fun, rather than what's at stake. He doesn't take anything seriously; that's why he will lose, and the Light will return.

"Well, if you really want your demise to occur sooner instead of later, then I'll certainly oblige!" Jonathan replied smugly. "And this card I just drew will certainly help me to do that: the spell card Gladiator Beast's Respite! This card requires me to shuffle two Gladiator Beasts back into my deck." Jonathan took two cards and placed them into his deck, then shuffled his deck. "And now, I can draw three new cards!" Jonathan drew the cards. "Next, I'll summon Gladiator Beast Retiari (1200/800) in attack mode!" A large humanoid alligator in black-and-gold battle armor, a cape, and wielding a large trident materialized on the field, giving a ferocious roar and staring down Jaden's two monsters with a hungry look in his eye.

"I'm not done yet, however. Next, I'll special summon Test Tiger! (600/300)" A normal-sized tiger with blood red eyes and orange-and-blue battle armor of his own materialized on the field and gave a roar.

"Wait...you special summoned him? How?" Jaden asked, confused. Jonathan laughed. "Test Tiger's special ability allows him to be special summoned if I have a Gladiator Beast also on the field - and last I checked, I have three. And, since Test Tiger's summoning was a special summon, that means my Colosseum gains another counter, and my Gladiator Beasts gain more power!" (Gladiator Beast Essedarii - 3200 / 1800) (Gladiator Beast Spartacus - 2500 / 1900) (Gladiator Beast Retiari - 1300/800)

"Now I have three Gladiator Beasts on the field, and all of them are ready, willing, and able to destroy you and end this duel once and for all! First, I'll attack your Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird! Gladiator Beast Retiari, attack his Air Hummingbird with Gladial Trident!" Retiari lept into the air and brought his trident down on Jaden's Air Hummingbird, shattering him into pixels.

"Now, Gladiator Beast Essedarii, attack Elemental Hero Avian with Morning Star Smash!" The giant gorilla warrior gave another roar and began charging towards Jaden's Hero Avian, smashing him with his morning star. When the smoke cleared, however, Avian was still present on the field, and Jaden's life points were at 2200.

"Your Hero Avian is still here, and you only lost half of the life points you should have." Jonathan observed, confused. "What's the deal?" Jaden smirked. "I activated the trap card Hero's Guard! It activates when you declare an attack on me. My Hero becomes immune to battle, and, by removing another Elemental Hero in my graveyard from play, the battle damage I would have normally taken is cut in half! Also, the battle phase ends right here, right now!"

"You got lucky this turn, Jaden." said Jonathan, an annoyed look on his face. "Don't expect that to happen again in this duel, because I will defeat you. And remember, since Gladiator Beast Retiari attacked this turn, I can tag him out!" Jonathan's Retiari vanished in a beam of energy as it was pulled back into his deck. He looked through his deck, found a card, and placed in on his deck. A vortex of water-like energy appeared on the field, and up from it came a blue fish with two water cannons, one on each side.

"Behold, Gladiator Beast Murmillo! (800/400) And he has a nice special ability: when he's special summoned because of the effect of another Gladiator Beast, I can automatically destroy one of your monsters! So, say goodbye to your Hero Avian!" Each of Murmillo's cannons produced a ball of water-like energy and fired them at Jaden's Hero Avian, destroying it.

Jonathan smirked again. "Not the way I originally intended to destroy your Hero Avian, but effective nevertheless. But there's even more! I activate my other face-down card: Double Tag Team! If I just special summoned a Gladiator Beast, I can special summon another one!" Jonathan placed a card on his duel disk, and a vortex of wind appeared on the field, and up from it came a large green humanoid bird; its battle armor was the same color as it was, with white trim, and what appeared to be two miniature crossbows were mounted on its wrists.

"I give you, Gladiator Beast Bestiari! (1500/800) However, since his summoning was the result of a trap card, and not a Gladiator Beast, I can't activate his primary special effect. But, since I've special summoned twice now, two more counters are added to my Colosseum, which means all my monsters are 200 points stronger! (Gladiator Beast Essedarii - 3400 / 2000) (Gladiator Beast Spartacus - 2700 / 2100) (Gladiator Beast Murmillo - 1000/600) (Gladiator Beast Bestiari - 1700/1000) I think I've done enough this turn, so I'll turn it over to you." Jonathan maintained his smug smirk as Jaden began his turn. This duel will not last much longer. I have complete control of the field, and I know that, at this point, there's not much he can do to take it from me.

"Look at that guy." observed Axel. "That smug motherf***er is so sure that he can defeat Jaden. He isn't even hiding that he thinks he's got this duel won." Bastion turned to face Axel. "He's got good reason to think so. I mean, he's ahead of Jaden in terms of life points, monsters, and overall fire power. He pretty much has control of the field." Alexis looked as Bastion. "Bastion," she said reproachfully, "we gotta believe Jaden can beat this guy. You know what's at stake here." Bastion nodded. "I'm not doubting Jaden's ability in the slightest. I'm just being realistic. I know very well that Jaden can still win. He's been backed into a corner; now he just needs to fight out of it." Chazz sneered. "If it were me dueling that punk, I would've already beaten him five turns ago!" Syrus looked at Chazz. "Well, Chazz, it's not you, so keep your opinion to yourself, okay?" Chazz continued to grumble under his breath, saying something that sounded like "....just saying...."

They're right, thought Jaden. He has backed me into a corner. But a duel is never over until the last card is played, and I still have some cards to play. I just hope they're the ones that can get me outta this mess. Jaden drew his card and looked at it hopefully. Alright! Now, I think I can get back into this.

"Alright, Jonathan! It's time for me get back into this duel!" Jonathan laughed, which caused Jaden to raise his eyebrow. "Don't believe me? Okay then, lemme prove it to you and activate the card I just drew: the spell card Fake Hero! This card lets me special summon an Elemental Hero from my hand! So, come on out, Elemental Hero Neos! (2500/2000)" Jaden's signature monster materialized on the field in a burst of white energy, looking quite impressive in its battle stance.

"However, because of Fake Hero, Neos can't attack, and automatically comes back to my hand at the end of this turn." Jonathan laughed again. "So what was the point of summoning him then?"

"Because there's quite a bit more I can do with him, other than attack." Jaden explained. "Since I still have a normal summon for this turn, I'll also summon Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab (500/500) in attack mode!" The large insectoid Neo-Spacian materialized on the field in a burst of fire, nodding at Elemental Hero Neos as he took place beside him, who nodded back. Jonathan growled. I knew it. He's bringing out one of his Neo-Space fusions.

"Now, lemme show you one of my contact fusions! Elemental Hero Neos and Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab, combine!" The two lept into the air and merged in a radiant burst of energy, and, in another burst of fire, a singular monster decended back onto Jaden's side of the field. It had the body of Neos, but colored black and orange, and the wings and head of Flare Scarab. "And here he is: Elemental Hero Flare Neos!" (2500/2000)

"And to make sure he sticks around, I'll equip him with Instant Neo Space!" A rainbow-colored aura surrounded Flare Neos.

Jonathan laughed again, not appearing to take Flare Neos seriously. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Jaden, but your Flare Neos' stats are the exact same as your regular Neos was! And he's still weaker than my Gladiator Beasts! Even more so now, because those two special summons give my Colosseum two more counters, which means more power to my beasts!"(Gladiator Beast Essedarii - 3600 / 2200) (Gladiator Beast Spartacus - 2900 / 2300) (Gladiator Beast Murmillo - 1200/800) (Gladiator Beast Bestiari - 1900/1200)

Jaden raised his eyebrow again. "You ever hear of a special ability? Well, Flare Neos has got a pretty sweet one! He gains 400 attack points for every spell and trap card on the field! So, that's 400 for Instant Neo Space, and 800 for your Colosseum and the Battle Gladius equipped to your Gladiator Beast Essedarii! Which means that he gains 1200 more points (Elemental Hero Flare Neos - 3700 ATK) making him stronger than your Gladiator Beast Essedarii!" A fiery glow surrounded Flare Neos as he powered up.

"What?!" Jonathan exclaimed. Jaden smiled. "Yup. He's about to burn that big gorilla of yours to a crisp! Flare Neos, attack Gladiator Beast Essedarii with Celestial Firestorm!" Flare Neos formed an orb of fiery energy in his hands and fired it at Gladiator Beast Essedarii. The gorilla warrior gave a final cry of pain before shattering into pixels. Jonathan looked shocked that one of his most powerful monsters was so easily destroyed, as his life points dropped to 3800.

The others on the sidelines began cheering. "Alright, good on ya, Jaden!" cried Jim. "Well done, Sarge!" Hassleberry joined in, giving Jaden a salute. Jaden returned the salute with a smile and a thumbs-up. Yugi smiled too. "Excellant - Jaden's back in this duel!" Syrus smiled at Yugi. "Yeah, and he'll have this Light-worshipping creep defeated in no time!"

Jonathan stared angrily at Jaden's friends. Look at those morons, making idiots of themselves by cheering that stupid boy. I will not let this peon defeat me! Jaden, you may have gotten this far, but your luck has run out, and my Gladiator Beasts will finish you off once and for all.....

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 10: Crossroads

Jonathan quickly reconfigured his look of shock into a mocking smirk. "Well done, Jaden." he said in a voice sagging with sarcasm. "Gladiator Beast Essedarii is one of my strongest monsters; not very many people have managed to take him down. But don't get too excited; it only gets tougher for you from here on out. I have many more powerful Gladiator Beasts in my deck, and it's highly unlikely that you'll take any of them down."

"If you say so, bro. I'll throwdown a couple of face-downs and end my turn. But because there's two more spell/ trap cards on the field, Flare Neos gains 800 more attack points! (Elemental Hero Flare Neos - 4500 ATK)

Jonathan drew his card. His powered-up Flare Neos is too strong for me to destroy outright right now, he thought desperately. But I can't let this fool defeat me. There's one card in my deck that will help me destroy his Flare Neos. But first, I should probably beef up my ranks. Losing Essedarii was a bad loss, but not a critical one. "I'll begin my turn by activating the special ability of my Test Tiger: I can sacrifice him to choose a Gladiator Beast I have on my side of the field and shuffle it back into my deck." Jonathan took the card and put in back into his deck as a beam of energy pulled Gladiator Beast Murmillo back into the deck. Test Tiger then dissolved.

"I can now special summon a new Gladiator Beast from my deck, and treat it as if it were summoned by another Gladiator Beast!" Jonathan looked through his and smirked as he found a card. "And I'll choose this one: Gladiator Beast Secutor! (400/300)" A lizard-like creature, in blue battle armor and armed with claw-like talons, somewhat smaller than some of the other Gladiator Beasts, materialized on the field. "And since his summining is a special summoning, the Colosseum gains another counter!" (Gladiator Beast Spartacus - 3000/2400) (Gladiator Beast Bestiari - 2000/1300) (Gladiator Beast Secutor - 500/400)

"And next, I'll play the spell card Gladiator Taming! When I have a Gladiator Beast on the field, I can choose one of two effects, and I think I'll go with effect number one: changing your Flare Neos to defense mode!" Jaden could only watch as his Flare Neos crouched down into defense mode. Now, since his Spartacus is the strongest monster on the field, I'll bet anything Jonathan will send him in to destroy my Flare Neos.

"Now, I think I'll attack your Flare Neos....with Gladiator Beast Secutor! Attack Elemental Hero Flare Neos with Furious Claw Swipe!" The lizard charged towards Jaden's Hero Neos and swiped at it. The attack had no effect, but the talon-like claws were now broken. The lizard returned to Jonathan's side of the field as his life points dropped to 2400.

"What was the point of that?" asked Jaden. "My Flare Neos' Defense is much higher than Secutor's Attack."

Jonathan laughed. "Because now, I can activate Secutor's special ability!"

"So, you're gonna tag him out?" asked Jaden.

Jonathan laughed again. "Not exactly. Secutor's effect is even better than that; he stays on the field, and I can special summon two new Gladiator Beasts!" Jonathan looked through his deck, found two cards, and placed them on his duel disk.

"I use Secutor's effect to summon Gladiator Beasts Laquari (1800/400) and Dimacari (1600/1200)!" A humanoid tiger in red battle armor materialized on the field in a burst of fire, and next to it materialized a large bull-like creature with light armor and fists similar to those of Gladiator Beast Hoplomus.

"Since I summoned Gladiator Beast Laquari via the effect of another Gladiator Beast, his Attack goes up by 300 points! (Gladiator Beast Laquari - 2100 ATK) And since I performed two special summons this turn, two more counters get placed on my Colosseum! (Gladiator Beast Spartacus - 3200/2600) (Gladiator Beast Bestiari - 2200/1500) (Gladiator Beast Secutor - 700/500) (Gladiator Beast Laquari - 2300/600) (Gladiator Beast Dimacari - 1800/1400) And since I summoned Dimacari because of a Gladiator Beast's effect, he gets two attacks per turn instead of one! And on my next turn, I'll unleash all five of them on you and snuff out the rest of your life points in an all-out blitzkrieg! I'll end my turn!" Jonathan laughed sadistically. "I knew you could never beat me. No one can withstand the might of the Gladiator Beasts, and no one can resist the power of the Light!"

"Don't listen to him, Jaden!" Yugi yelled to Jaden. "You can still win! Believe in the Heart of the Cards!" Jaden smiled. "I know he can't win. Thanks for reminding me!"

Jaden looked at his hand. Easier said than done, he thought. He will wipe me out next turn if I don't draw a card that can get me out of this mess. Yugi's right; Heart of the Cards, don't fail me now. Jaden drew his card and looked at him. Hey..., and he looked at another card in his hand. Now I could use these two cards in a combo that might just allow me to stay in this duel.

"First, I'll summon Elemental Hero Woodsman (1000/2000) in defense mode." A humanoid creature that appeared to be half-man, half-tree materialized on the field in defense mode. "Now, I'll throwdown a face-down, and I guess that'll do it for me."

Jonathan smiled, as he drew his next card. "I originally wanted to use all five of my monsters to attack you, but I've come up with a much better idea - I'll unveil another Gladiator Beast fusion! So I'll combine Gladiator Beasts Bestiari and Dimacari!" Jonathan shuffled the cards back into his deck as the two monsters lept into the air and, in a burst of wind-like energy, became a singular monster. A monster that looked almost exactly like Gladiator Beast Bestiari emerged on the field, except its armor looked much more ornate and its wings were slightly larger."

"Behold - Gladiator Beast Gyzarus! (2400/1500) First, my Colosseum gains another counter. (Gladiator Beast Spartacus - 3300/2700) (Gladiator Beast Secutor - 800/600) (Gladiator Beast Laquari - 2300/600) (Gladiator Beast Gyzarus - 2500/1600) Next, Gyzarus' special ability lets me destroy any two cards on the field I want, and I choose two of your face-downs!" Gyzarus fired a blast of wind energy at two of Jaden's face-downs, blowing them away.
"And now, it's the end of the line for you, Jaden!" Jonathan declared. "Gladiator Beast Laquari, attack Elemental Hero Flare Neos with Flaming Fury!" A fiery glow surrounded Laquari as he charged towards Jaden's side of the field and swiped at Flare Neos, causing him to explode into pixels.

"Your turn, Gyzarus! Attack Elemental Hero Woodsman with Raging Cyclone!" Gyzarus raised his fists and fired two blasts of wind-like energy at Woodsman.

"Sorry, but I have one last face-down, and now I'm gonna activate it! Go, Hero Ring!" A red shield materialized in front of Woodsman, blocking the attack. "When I activate this card, it works like an equip spell card for the rest of the duel. I can only equip him to a monster with 1500 or less attack points, and Woodsman certainly qualifies for that. Now, any of your monsters that have 1900 or more attack points can no longer attack Woodsman!"

"Arrgh!" exclaimed Jonathan, shocked. "That means none of my monsters can attack him!"

On the sidelines, Bastion smiled at the move. "That was quite an ingenious move on Jaden's part. All but one of Jonathan's monsters can no longer attack him, with the exception of his Gladiator Beast Secutor, which is a moot point anyway, as his attack strength is too low to even scratch Jaden's Hero Woodsman. Which means that, for the time being, Jaden's life points are safe."

That's bought me a little time, Jaden thought. But his attack force is still way too strong. I need to find a way to take those Gladiator Beasts down...and I have an idea that might work if I can draw the right cards on my next turn.

"You get lucky again, Jaden." said Jonathan, sounding angry. "But you need to realize that luck will not save you. You're just delaying the inevitable. I will win this duel!

...........................................

Zane Truesdale suddenly awoke. It took him a moment to remember where he was, but then he realized: he was in a hospital room at Domino City General. He slowly sat up and felt his chest. The sharp pains were gone, so that must've meant the surgery was a success.

Several weeks ago, he faced Makoto Inotsume, a Psycho-Style duelist, on Duel Academy Island. Halfway through the duel, Zane's heart, ravaged by his reckless use of electrodes, almost gave out. His younger brother, Syrus, took over the duel from there. His memory was blurry of everything that happened afterwards - though he vaguely remembered being airlifted away from Duel Academy Island, then being brought to Domino City General. The final thing he remembered was being strapped to an operating table, and hearing various doctors saying something about "emergency surgery" - obviously referring to him. Zane had no clue of the extent of the surgery that was performed on him, but whatever they did, it worked, because he certainly felt renewed and refreshed.

Suddenly, his door opened, and a man with salt and pepper gray hair and beard and glasses and a doctor's uniform entered. The man was Dr. Barry Andrews, the man who'd been the Truesdale family's doctor for as long as he could remember. He held a clipboard in his hand.

"Zane, you're awake!" Dr. Andrews proclaimed. "How're you feeling?"

"Much better." replied Zane. "My memories are a bit blurry; what exactly did you guys do?"

"I'm still surprised at all the turn of events myself." replied Dr. Andrews, sounding somewhat flustered. "All I can say, Zane, is that you are lucky to be alive. You've been here for three-and-a-half weeks; when you first got here, your heart was on the verge of giving out completely - I was filled in on your Underground Dueling history, nasty business, that - but anyway, we ended up having to perform three separate surgeries on you."

"Three separate surgeries?" asked Zane, somewhat surprised.

"Yeah." replied Dr. Andrews. "The damage done to your heart was very extensive - most of us, myself included, were surprised that you were still alive even at that point, because it is next to impossible to still be alive if your heart has suffered that much damage - like I said, you're lucky to be alive. We had to perform two separate double bypass surgeries, and also had to implant a pacemaker in your heart - ironic, considering most of that damage was caused by electrodes, but this pacemaker is a special type of pacemaker, in that it specifically counters the type of harmful electrodes that you were frequently exposed to. It was designed by a special team of experts sent from KaibaCorp."

Zane's mind was reeling; had it really been that bad? "Well, whatever you did, it sure helped - I feel better than I have in quite a while."

"I can see that." replied Dr. Andrews with a smile. "I'm surprised you've recovered this quickly; it's quite astonishing. Actually, you seem to be in good enough shape to leave." Zane nodded. 'Thanks, Doc." Dr. Andrews nodded back, and left the room.

Thirty minutes later, Zane was out in the bright sunshine, feeling better than he had - both physically and mentally - in a long time. An accurate comparison could be like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes. It all stemmed from a self-destructive downward spiral he'd been going on for nearly a year, not long after he dueled Syrus during the Genex Tournament. Up to and after that point, he had been unbeaten for nearly a hundred duels, so he managed to gain KaibaCorp as his sponsor and earned a place in the Japanese National Championship. But, because he was in such a psychotic state of mind and cared more about winning and hurting people than anything else, both critics and fans began turning on him, and even his sponsors were cold towards him as people began to see was a truly cold-hearted and sadistic person he was. It all came to a head in the finals of the Japanese National Championship. He won the duel, but his opponent's shock collar overloaded and sent him into a comatose state - in fact, the EMTs who tended to him right then and there initially declared him to be dead; it was only when he arrived at the nearest medical facility that it was determined that he was still breathing (and to Zane's knowledge, he was still in that coma.) But in that moment, it appeared as though Zane had killed his opponent, and moments afterward, Zane laughed and insulted his opponent for being too weak. The horror-struck official then famously declared, "It was you who deserved to die, not him." Every fan in the arena booed him and threw trash at him, and KaibaCorp dropped their sponsorship of him. No one else wanted to sponsor him either, and nobody - critics and fans alike - wanted anything to do with him - because all they saw was a cold-blooded murdering psychopath. He was even blacklisted from participating in official Duel Monsters events, and even his own parents distanced themselves from him.

It was then that he had to take a long look at himself and realize the person he was turning into. He had become a monster. So he dropped off the grid, vanished from the public eye, and decided to re-evaluate himself, both as a person, and as a Duelist. He returned to Domino City and decided to re-train with one of the most famous trainers in the world. That was when the heart pains began. Not long after that, all the chaos involving the Spirit World happened, and the duel with Inotsume - most of the other parts in-between were a blur.

Now, he was putting all of that behind him. He was a new man, and had a new outlook, so it was time to start over.

Zane strolled up the street to Kame Game Shop. The place had gained a measure of fame within the Duel Monsters community for being the place where the King of Games himself, Yugi Muto, officially got his start in Duel Monsters, having been trained by his grandfather, Dr. Solomon Muto, who was nearly as famous as his grandson was. And it was Solomon Zane wanted to see.

At 92 years old, Solomon had, for the most part, retired from the public eye, like his grandson had, and primarily focused on maintaining the shop, but when Zane approached him on helping him re-train himself, he accepted immediately. With the things he'd seen in his life, the old man saw that Zane desperately wanted a second chance. So he gave it to him.

The door to the game shop was sligtly ajar. Zane knocked on the door, and voice from within said, "Come in." Zane walked in.

The old man was wiping down the front counter. He turned to face Zane, and a smile came over his face. "Zane, m'boy. You're looking better already."

"Yeah, and I'm feeling better too." replied Zane with a smile himself. "I haven't felt this good in a long time."

On the television mounted on the nearest wall, Zane heard something on the local news that intrigued him, "....in other news, Domino City Dueling Champ, Dane 'The Rock' Jackson has issued an open challenge to any and every duelist in Domino City to face him at the KaibaDome....."

Solomon saw Zane starting at the TV, an interested look on his face. "Something interesting on the news, Zane?"

Zane nodded. "I think it's high time I made my return to the Dueling scene."
...........................................

At the KaibaDome, the packed crowd was cheering as the champion of Domino City, Dane Jackson, took the center of the arena, a microphone in his hand.

"Finally......The Rock has come back to Domino City!" Jackson declared. "Ever since The Rock became the city champion, he has dueled with the best of them. But today, The Rock is feeling generous, so he's issuing an open challenge to anyone who thinks they can lay-eth the smack-eth down on the People's Champion!"

"I'll duel you." came a voice. Everyone turned in the direction of the voice. Standing in the east entrance, accompanied by Solomon Muto, was Zane Truesdale.

Everyone in the KaibaDome began booing, because of Zane's past. Zane hadn't dueled since the Japanese National Championship. Hopefully, this would give him the chance he needed to redeem himself.

Jackson turned to face Zane, a sour look on his face. It was clear that he didn't take kindly to being interrupted. The crowd began chanting "Truesdale sucks."

"Yeah, that's right, Jackson, I'm answering your challenge." The "Truesdale sucks" chants continued as Jackson looked on.

"How dare you have the nerve to call the Rock out, you little jabroni, and not even have the courtesy to introduce yourself." Jackson continued. "What is your name?"

"Uh, my name is - " Zane began.

"It doesn't matter what your name is!" Jackson interrupted. "The Rock knows who you are, Truesdale. This is an open challenge, and The Rock is a man of his word, so he will let you go one on one with the Great One! Though the Rock hopes you don't intend to put him in a coma."

"No." replied Zane. "My shock collar days are behind me. This'll be a fair and honorable duel."

Jackson laughed. "Did the Rock just hear you say you were going to play an honorable duel? I thought you were incapable of playing a honorable duel anymore! Well, there is one guaren-damn-tee: as soon as the Rock beats your candy ass, he's gonna take your duel disk, shine it up real nice, turn that sumb**** sideways, and stick it straight up your candy ass!"

"Could you stop talking like that? You sound like a lame knock-off of Dwayne Johnson." replied Zane, sounding annoyed. "Let's just duel." The two of them got on two sides of the arena and began the duel.

"The Rock will go first." said Jackson. "Okay, jabroni, the Rock summons Mine Golem (1000/1900) in defense mode." A sand-colored stone behemoth rose up from the ground and crouched in front of Jackson in defense mode.

"Next, the Rock will activate a spell card: Guidance to Ore! This card allows the Rock to special summon a Rock-type monster from his deck whenever one on his side of the field is destroyed, just so long as it has the same name of the one destroyed. Next, the Rock places a card face-down and ends his turn." A card materialized on the field.

"That makes it my turn." Zane said, drawing his card. "I summon Cyber Dragon (2100/1600) in attack mode." The silver snake-like dragon emerged on the field and gave a mechanical roar. "In case you're wondering how I managed to summon a Level 5 monster without having to sacrifice any monsters, my dragon's special ability allows me to special summon him from my hand if you have a monster and I don't."

"The Rock knows Cyber Dragon's special ability; he's no rookie." Jackson snapped back.

"Well, then you must also know that you that, since that was a special summon, I still have a normal summon for this turn, so I'll also summon Cyber Esper (1200/1800) in attack mode." A red, humanoid-like robot with wing-like blades on its back materialized on the field next to Zane's Cyber Dragon.

"Cyber Esper's special ability means that I can now see every card you draw as long as he remains in attack mode." Zane explained. "But let's save that for later. Cyber Dragon, attack his Mine Golem with Strident Blast!" The dragon fired a blast of energy at Mine Golem, easily destroying him. However, as soon as he left the field, Zane's life points dropped to 3500.

"I guess the Rock forgot to tell you." Jackson explained smugly. "Mine Golem's special ability means you automatically lose 500 life points whenever he goes to the graveyard. Plus, the Rock's Guidance to Ore activates, giving me another Mine Golem in his place!" A second sand-colored behemoth materialized on the field where the other Mine Golem had been moments before. "A real shame too," he added sarcastically, "because, had the Rock not had Guidance to Ore on the field, you would have been able to strike the Rock's life points directly with your Cyber Esper."

"Whatever." replied Zane. "I'll set two cards face-down, and that concludes my turn."

"Now, know your role and shut your mouth as the Rock begins his turn." Jackson drew his next card. "Since your Cyber Esper is still on the field, the Rock has to show you what he just drew." He revealed the card he just drew as the spell card Reload.

"The Rock will summon someone who you might recognize: another Mine Golem!" A third sand-colored behemoth materialized on the field.

"However, the Rock isn't done. He'll activate another spell card: Premature Burial! At the cost of 800 of the People's Life Points, the Rock is allowed to resurrect his first Mine Golem from the graveyard!" Jackson's life points dropped to 3200 as the first Mine Golem returned to the field.

"Now, the Rock will activate his face-down card: Minefield Eruption. It'll cost the Rock all three of his Mine Golems afterwards, but it'll be worth it, as for each one of 'em, you'll lose 1000 life points!"

"I don't think so, for I have a trap of my own! Go, Trap Jammer!" declared Zane. "This card negates and destroys your Minefield Erupton! Which means your Mine Golems will be sticking around for a while longer, but I get to keep my life points."

Jackson looked annoyed as the hologram of his trap was destroyed. "It doesn't matter. The Rock has plenty more fight left in him. The Rock shall set a card face-down and end his turn. Make your move, jabroni."

"Fine, I will." Zane drew his card. "And I'll begin my turn by activating the spell card Different Dimension Capsule." A hologram of a sarcoughagus with a clock on it materialized on the field.

"This card lets me find a card in my deck and remove it from the game. However, in two turns, that card will automatically go into my hand." Zane searched through his deck and found a card. As he did, a hologram of a card deposited itself into the capsule. As it did so, the capsule sank back into the ground.

"Next, I'll summon Proto-Cyber Dragon (1100/600) in attack mode." A second mechanical dragon, looking nearly identical to Zane's other Cyber Dragon, but slightly smaller and colored dull grey with orange power cables plugged into it, materialized on the field.

"Proto-Cyber Dragon has a useful special ability in that it counts as another Cyber Dragon while it's face-up on the field. An effect like that comes in handy when I want to play a card like this: my Photon Generator Unit!" As he said it, a device that looked like an over-sized car engine, with red, green, and blue lights, appeared on the field.

"This card requires that I give up two Cyber Dragons in order to bring out an even stronger creature!" The three lights lit up, and absorbed the two mechanical dragons in a flurry of energy. "So, come on out, Cyber Laser Dragon! (2400/1800)"

A new dragon, also nearly identical to Cyber Dragon, with the exception that it had an electric blue trim and some kind of laser on the end of its tail, materialized on the field.

"Now, Cyber Laser Dragon, attack the Mine Golem in the middle with Blue Lightning Blast!" The dragon fired a blast of electric blue energy at the center Mine Golem. Jackson was smiling however.

"You walked into another trap, Truesdale: Ordeal of a Traveler!" Behind Jackson rose a large sphinx with glowing red eyes.

"Whenever you declare an attack on the Rock or one of the Rock's monsters, this card forces you to randomly choose a card from the Rock's hand, and guess whether it's a monster, a trap, or a spell. If you call it right, your attack goes through, but if you call it wrong, your monster goes right back into your hand." Zane's Cyber Laser Dragon stopped its attack, and Jackson then held his hand up. "Well, go on. Pick a card, Truesdale."

"Okay....I'm gonna guess that the card on the far left is a spell card." Jackson laughed. "Wrong choice!" He revealed the card: it was the monster card Gigantes. "Which means your Cyber Laser Dragon goes back into your hand. Looks like you gave up your Cyber Dragons for nothing, huh?" Zane look annoyed as the eyes of the Sphinx glowed red and fired a blast of red energy at the dragon, then the dragon vanished from the field, and he put the card back in his hand.

"My Cyber Dragons won't stay gone for long. That's a guarentee. I set two cards face-down, and then I guess I'll call it a turn." Zane looked at his face-down. Those cards could help me out next turn....

"That makes it the Rock's turn once again!" He drew his card. "And since your Cyber Esper is still on the field, the Rock has to show you this card." He showed it to Zane, revealing it to be the monster card Great Spirit.

"Next, the Rock is gonna activate the field spell Wasteland!" The entire field changed to a barren wasteland. "This card increases the Attack and Defense of all Dinosaur, Zombie, and Rock-type monsters by 200. The Rock has no Dinosaurs or Zombies, but the last time the Rock checked, his three Mine Golems were Rock-types." (Mine Golem - 1200/2100) (Mine Golem - 1200/2100) (Mine Golem - 1200/2100)

"However, the Rock has more to do, if you smell what the Rock is cookin'. The Rock will sacrifice one of his Mine Golems to summon Granmarg the Rock Monarch! (2400/1000)" One of his Mine Golems dissolved and was replaced by a larger golem.

"And don't forget, because the Rock played Wasteland, Granmarg gains a 200 point power boost! (Granmarg the Rock Monarch - 2600/1200) Plus, when he's tribute summoned, the Rock can destroy one card you've set on the field, so the Rock chooses one of you face-downs!" Zane could only watch as one of his face-down cards shattered into pixels. Damn. He got my Sakuretsu Armor. Well, I still have my other card.....

"Now, Granmarg, attack Cyber Esper with Seismic Smash! Lay the smackdown on that roody-poo candy ass!" The rock monarch lifted its fists and crushed Zane's monster into pixels and reducing his life points to 2100.

"Your attack activated my trap card: Damage Condenser!" A device with a capsule in the middle appeared on the field. "This card allows me to special summon a monster with attack strength equal to or less than the amount of damage I just took." The capsule in the middle lit up with electricity, and then it opened up, and a dull grey mechanical dragon with orange power cables attached to it emerged from it.

"Behold, my second Proto-Cyber Dragon!" Zane declared.

"You can summon a million Cyber Dragons, for all the good it will do you." Jackson said arrogantly. "The Rock's Monarch is still stronger. But, for the time being, the Rock will end his turn."

"That makes it my turn, and now, since it's been two full turns since I activated my Different Dimension Capsule, the card I place inside of it comes to my hand!" The capsule reappeared, and the hologram of a card rose up out of it, and deposited itself as a card into Zane's hand.

"Next, I'll activate Monster Reborn to bring back my first Cyber Dragon from my graveyard." The sleek silver dragon re-materialized on the field next to its prototype counterpart.

"I still have a normal summon for this turn, so I'll summon Cyber Dragon Core! (400/1500)" Another mechanical creature, the same color as Proto-Cyber Dragon (with matching orange power cables) but much smaller, resembling a mechanical snake, materialized on the field.

"One of Cyber Dragon Core's special abilities means that while's it's on the field or in my graveyard, it's also treated as Cyber Dragon - kinda like Proto-Cyber Dragon." Zane explained with a smile.

"So you have a bunch of mechanical dragons on the field. Big deal." scoffed Jackson, who clearly wasn't impressed. "They're all still weaker than the Rock's Monarch."

"True....but I still have one more card to play. I never showed you the card I placed into my Different Dimension Capsule." Still smiling, Zane took the card the card out of his hand and revealed it.

It was Power Bond.

"Wait a minute....are you about to do what the Rock thinks you're gonna do?" asked Jackson, his cocky attitude gone.

"If you mean win this duel, then yes. Since my Proto-Cyber Dragon and my Cyber Dragon Core are both considered Cyber Dragons while they're on the field, that means all three of them can be merged together! So I'll use Power Bond to do just that!" Zane slammed the card down onto his duel disk. As soon as he did so, a radiant burst of light consumed all three dragons. From the burst of light emerged a new dragon, much larger, with three different heads. It beared down on Jackson and his Monarch.

"Behold - Cyber End Dragon! (4000/2800) And since I summoned him using Power Bond, his attack strength is doubled! (Cyber End Dragon - 8000 ATK) Time for me to end this duel! Cyber End Dragon, attack Granmarg the Rock Monarch with Super Strident Blaze!" The massive dragon fired the triple blast at Jackson's Monarch, destroying it immediately and reducing his life points to 0.

The crowd was cheering - but not just for Jackson. For the first time in a long time, they were cheering Zane's name again. It was an amazing feeling for Zane; he had finally gotten his redemption. Solomon walked up to him. "You did fantastic, Zane. I'm proud of you."

Zane strolled over to Jackson, who was also still smiling. "Well, Truesdale - looks like your proved both the Rock - and the People - wrong. You did duel honorably, and it was the Rock's honor to face you today." And he shook Zane's hand.

"Likewise." Zane replied. "It feels good to be back."

[The Oncoming Storm]

Does anyone seem interested?

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 11: The Call to Arms

(Author's Note: I modified Heraklinos' ability to destroy spell and trap cards to only work once per turn for story purposes.)

 

Okay, I've got my Hero Woodsman on guard, with my Hero Ring giving me extra protection, Jaden thought, surveying the field. I'm still safe, but Jonathan's still pretty much got control of the field. There's only one way for me to regain control of the field.

 

"Man, look at Jaden." observed Alexis. "I think this duel is starting to wear on him. That look on his face - he looks like he's running out of options."

 

"Yeah." agreed Bastion. "Something tells me that this duel will  end soon. Whether the victor will be Jaden or Jonathan remains to be seen, but, somehow, I can feel it in my bones that this match won't last much longer."

 

"Go on, give it up, will you?" Jonathan taunted arrogantly. "Everyone here knows you're gonna lose, and deep down, you agree with them. I can see it in your eyes; you've finally realized that you can't beat me."

 

Jaden drew his card, and began laughing. 

 

"I guess I missed the joke. I bet you're laughing because you're in denial about losing, right? I can't say I blame you." boasted Jonathan.

 

"Look, 'denial' is just some river in Egypt....though I sure wouldn't mind going for a swim right now. I'm laughing because I just pulled the card that can help me take down all your Gladiator Beasts during this turn!" 

 

"Really?" asked Jonathan sarcastically. "You really think you can tame my Gladiator Beasts with just one card?"

 

"Well, three cards, not just one! Including this one!" Jaden revealed the card he just drew - it was Elemental Hero Bladedge (2600 / 1800).

 

"I summon Elemental Hero Bladedge in attack mode!" declared Jaden as he placed the card on his duel disk, and the tall warrior in gold-plated armor materialized on the field, gave a noise that clearly said, "ready to go" and assumed a battle stance.

 

"Wait a minute, what - ?" asked Jonathan, confused. "Your Hero Bladedge is a 7 star monster, he needs two sacrifices to be summoned!"

 

"Under normal circumstances, he would, but I still happen to have my Elemental Hero Necroshade in my graveyard. His special effrect means that, if he's in the graveyard, I can summon a powerful monster without having to sacrifice!" Jonathan glared. "Now, I'll activate the spell card Fusion Recovery! This card lets me regain Polymerization and my Hero Wildheart from my graveyard." He took the cards from his graveyard. 

 

"Now, I think I'll go ahead and use the Polymerization card I just recovered from the graveyard to fuse my Heroes Wildheart and Bladedge!" Wildheart briefly appeared on the field and merged with Bladedge in a swirling vortex of energy.

 

"Now, allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite Heroes: Elemental Hero Wildedge! (2600 / 2300)" A new monster, looking like an even more muscular version of Wildheart wearing pieces of Bladedge's armor, materialized on the field and brandished a huge sword.

 

"Whoa, lischus!" exclaimed Chumley. "That's what Jaden meant when he said he'd be able to take out all of Jonathan's Gladiator Beasts in one turn, because Wildedge's special ability lets him attack every monster Jonathan has out!"

 

"A useful special ability." Yugi observed. "But Wildedge's attack power is too low at the moment; Jaden will need to strengthen him somehow."

 

Jaden overheard his friends. "I have the perfect way to do that, with one of my other face-downs: a handy little trap called Soul Union! It lets me choose an Elemental Hero in my grave and increase Wildedge's attack points by the same amount of the Hero I chose in my graveyard! So, I think I'll choose Elemental Hero Avian!" A ghostly version of Jaden's Hero Avian appeared on the field, then dissolved into energy, which was then absorbed by Hero Wildedge. (Elemental Hero Wildedge - 3600 ATK)

 

"Don't forget, that's a special summon, so my Colosseum gains a count - "

 

"Yeah, yeah, yeah - your Colosseum gains a counter and your monsters gain a power boost. You've told me a million times. (Gladiator Beast Spartacus - 3400 / 2700) (Gladiator Beast Secutor - 900 / 700) (Gladiator Beast Laquari - 2400 / 700) (Gladiator Beast Gyzarus - 2600 / 1700) My Hero Wildedge is still stronger!"

 

"Now, Hero Wildedge, attack and destroy all of his Gladiator Beasts! Scimitar Slash!" Jaden's Hero Wildedge lept into the air and gave a wide slashing sweep through all of Jonathan's monsters. When Wildedge returned, Jonathan's monsters remained for a second more before all shattering into pixels and reducing Jonathan's life points to 1400. 

 

Jonathan looked thunderstruck. No one has ever been able to destroy my most powerful monsters in one move before. Maybe this Jaden punk is better than I gave him credit for. But that doesn't mean he's better than me. Because no one is. Especially when I bring forth my ultimate beast.....

 

"That move was another shot of pure luck." Jonathan sneered. "And quite frankly, Jaden, I'm getting sick of it. You can't keep relying on luck forever."

 

"Whatever." replied Jaden. "I'll throwdown a face-down then call it a turn."

 

Jonathan drew his next card. In order to summon Heraklinos, I need Laquari and two more Gladiator Beasts present on the field; it doesn't matter which two they are. "I'll begin my turn by activating the spell card Gladiator's Return! This card lets me take three Gladiator Beasts that have been laid to rest in the graveyard and shuffle them back into my deck." Ghostly looking images of Gladiator Beasts Laquari, Darius, and Secutor briefly appeared on the field and deposited themselves into Jonathan's hand. He then placed them into his deck and shuffled. "I am then allowed to draw a card from my deck." He drew a card. 

 

"Next, I'll summon Gladiator Beast Samnite (1600 / 1200) in attack mode." A warrior resembling a saber-toothed tiger, in forest green battle armor and wielding a sword resembling the Battle Gladius that Jonathan played eariler and a large tower shield materialized on the field. "And I think I'll equip him with Gladiator Beast's Battle Archfiend Shield!" The warrior's tower shield was replaced with a shield made of a dull steel gray material, with a gold trim and a skull mounted at the top. 

 

Jaden looked at the shield now in Samnite's hand. That new shield didn't even give him a power boost. But I bet it does something else that I should be worried about, or else he wouldn't have played it.....

 

"Next, I'll set one card face-down and end my turn." Jonathan maintained a strange smirk on his face. Come on, attack me Jaden.....

 

"Okay, I'll start my turn by attacking Gladiator Beast Samnite with my Elemental Hero Wildedge! Scimitar Slash!" Wildedge charged towards Samnite and brought his sword down onto the beast. However, Samnite raised his new shield to block the attack. The shield itself shattered into pixels, but the Samnite remained unharmed. 

 

"I guess now you've seen why I played Gladiator Beast's Battle Archfiend Shield: whenever a Gladiator Beast equipped with it is attacked, it absorbs the attack, while the beast itself is unharmed." Jonathan explained smugly. "Plus now, I can activate one of my face-down trap cards: Brute Squad! This card allows me to activate my Gladiator Beast Samnite's tagging out ability without having to return him to my deck!" Jonathan looked through his deck, found a card, and placed it on his duel disk. "So, please welcome back - Gladiator Beast Laquari!" The tiger warrior materiaized on the field. "And since I special summoned him via another Gladiator Beast's effect, his Attack jumps up immediately to 2100!" The fiery glow surrounded him as he powered up. "Plus, since another special summon was made, another counter goes on my Colosseum." (Gladiator Beast Laquari - 2200 / 500) (Gladiator Beast Samnite - 1700 / 1300)

 

"But it's still the battle phase, bro, and since my Hero Wildedge can attack every monster you have out, your Laquari is about to become mincemeat! Wildedge, attack Gladiator Beast Laquari!" Wildedge began running towards Laquari.

 

"Now, I activate my other down card: Brothers in Arms!" As Wildedge was about to strike, a semi-translucent image of Gladiator Beast Murmillo, surrounded by an aura of yellow energy, absorbed the attack instead.

"This card blocks your attack; all I need to do is remove a Gladiator Beast in my deck from the game." Jonathan smirked. "If I were you, I would end my turn here and now, because there's nothing else you can do at the moment."

 

He's right. There isn't really much else I can do at the moment. "Fine, I end my turn." he said, sounding frustrated. 

 

Jonathan drew his next card, and began laughing. "Jaden - it is the beginning of the end for you! I summon...Gladiator Beast Lanista! (1800 / 1200)" A humanoid eagle, in green battle armor and wielding a polearm with what looked like a large arrowhead at the end that looked more like  a spear than anything else, materialized on the field.

 

"And now....I will merge my three beasts together! Laquari, Lanista, Samnite....combine!" The three monster lept into the air and merged in a radiant explosion of fire-like energy. 

 

"Now, I unveil my ultimate beast: Gladiator Beast Heraklinos! (3000 / 2800)" The energy faded away, revealing a towering creature in incredibly ornate battle armor, a huge battle axe in one hand, and an ornate shield in the other. It appeared to be a version of Laquari, with a long mane of brown hair. It had a fiery glow surrounding it and gave an almighty roar. 

 

"Bow down to the mightiest Gladiator Beast there is!" bellowed Jonathan. "Jaden, I applaud you for making it this far, but every one else - and I mean every one - who has ever attempted to fell the mighty Heraklinos has failed to do so, and you will be no different! And, because his summoning is a special summon, he gains even more power from my Colosseum! (Gladiator Beast Heraklinos - 3100 / 2900)"

 

"No one's been able to destroy that thing?!" exclaimed Hassleberry. "How's the Sarge gonna be able to do it?!"

 

"Your 'ultimate beast' is pretty awesome and all," began Jaden. "but he's weaker than my Hero Wildedge!"

 

"Not for much longer, he won't be, because I have a remedy for that! I play the spell card Indomitable Gladiator Beast! This raises Heraklinos' attack strength by 500 for the remainder of this turn!" (Gladiator Beast Heraklinos - 3600 ATK)

 

"But, now's their Attack is just equal." observed Aster. "If Heraklinos attacks Wildedge, they'll both destroy each other. There's got to be more to it than that."

 

"Next," continued Jonathan, "I'll equip Heraklinos with Gladiator Beast's Battle Manica!" A steel armguard made out of some heavy armor materialized around Heraklinos' left arm. "This card prevents him from being destroyed in battle as long as he is equipped with it. So, when he attacks your Hero Wildedge, thought you may not lose life points - "

 

" - I'll lose Wildedge, but Heraklinos will remain unharmed." Jaden finished for Jonathan, who laughed. 

 

"Looks like you are smarter than you look. Gladiator Beast Heraklinos, attack Elemental Hero Wildedge with Rage of the Gladiators!" The towering creature charged towards Jaden's Hero Wildedge. 

 

"I don't think so!" declared Jaden. "I activate: Hero Barrier! This card lets me negate an attack from you as long as I have an Elemental Hero on the field."

 

Jonathan just kept smiling as the barrier appeared in front of Wildedge. However, Heraklinos smashed through, swinging his battle axe directly into Wildedge's chest. He gave a pained cry before exploding into pixels. 

 

"But - ? How did your Gladiator Beast stop my trap? My Hero Barrier should've worked!"

 

"Heraklinos' special ability lets me discard a card from my hand to negate and destroy the activation of any spell or trap card once per turn." Jonathan explained. "I already told you: no one had ever taken down Heraklinos, and no one ever will. So, I'll call it a turn for now. And since it's the end of my turn, Heraklinos' Attack returns to 3100."

 

His Heraklinos' special ability can only be activated once per turn. Maybe I can use that to my advantage....Jaden drew his next card. "I'll throwdown a face-down, and that'll do for this turn."

 

"Finally decided to give up, eh? That's the smartest thing you've done this entire duel." Jonathan drew his next card. "And this card all but ensures my victory: Gladiator Beast's Battle Cestus!" A metal-looking glove materialized on Heraklinos' right hand. "This card allows me to inflict piercing damage to you, so not even your defending Woodsman can protect you any longer!"

 

"Well, then I guess it's too bad you still can't attack him then!" countered Jaden. "Remember, my Hero Woodsman is still equipped with Hero Ring!" 

 

"My Battle Cestus happens to have a second effect. Whenver a monster equipped with Gladiator Beast's Battle Cestus attacks a monster that has any kind of equip card, that equip card becomes useless! But in order for me to finish you off for good, there's one more thing I need to do, and that's give Heraklinos a little more power himself, by playing the spell card Gladiator's Fury!"

 

"This card allows a Gladiator Beast on my side of the field to gain 500 extra attack points for every Gladiator Beast in my hand that I remove from play! I currently have three, so I banish all three of them to give Heraklinos 1500 extra attack points!" (Gladiator Beast Heraklinos - 4600 ATK)

 

"And now, it's time I end this duel! Heraklinos, attack Elemental Hero Woodsman with Rage of the Gladiators!" A fiery glow surrounded Heraklinos as he charged towards the defending Woodsman, battle axe raised. 

 

"I activate, Hero Spirit!" Jaden declared. "This card reduces all the damage caused by Heraklinos to 0 for the duration of this turn!"

 

"You don't listen very well, do you?" taunted Jonathan. "Heraklinos' special ability cancels out your card!" Jonathan discarded a card, and the hologram of Hero Spirit shattered. Heraklinos arrived at the defending Hero Woodsman and brought his axe down on him, creating a fiery holographic explosion. Everyone on the sidelines gasped. 

 

"Yes! This duel is mine!" proclaimed Jonathan. However, when the smoke cleared, Jaden was still standing, his life points at 700. 

 

"What?! How are you still in this duel?!" Jonathan demanded. "That last attack should have been the killing blow! Your life points should be at 0!"

 

"Because, Jonathan, I found a loophole in your fiery tiger's special ability and activated Elemental Recharge at the last second!" Jaden explained, a smirk on his face. "Heraklinos' ability to destroy spell and trap cards is handy, but you can only use it once per turn. That Hero Spirit trap was a decoy for my real trap, which gave me an extra 1000 life points just before your attack hit!"

 

"How dare you play me for a fool!" Jonathan screamed, totally losing his cool. 

 

"You played yourself for a fool, bro; you didn't realize I'd figure a way around Heraklinos' special ability." 

 

"Ugghhh...I end my turn." Jonathan growled. If he's found the loophole he's definitely going to use it again, so there's no point in using Heraklinos' effect to negate him during his turn. It doesn't matter anyway; I've researched his deck and I know that he doesn't have a monster that comes even close to being as powerful as Heraklinos is right now, and it is extremely unlikely that he'll draw one that has even a remote chance of coming close. 

 

"Sweet!" Jaden exclaimed, and drew his next card. "First, I'll summon Elemental Hero Burstinatrix (1200 / 800) in attack mode!" Burstinatrix appeared on the field in a burst of fire, making a "Hyaa!" sound. 

 

"Next, I'll activate the spell card O-Oversoul to bring back Elemental Hero Neos from my graveyard!" Neos materialized on the field next to Burstinatrix, giving her a nod, who nodded back. 

 

"And now, I'll activate Miracle Fusion! With this card, not only can I fuse cards on the field, but in my graveyard too, but instead of them going to the graveyard, they're removed from play instead. So I'll banish Heroes Ocean and Woodsman to summon my newest fusion!" Both Heroes Ocean and Woodsman appeared on the field briefly before joining together in a swirling vortex of energy, but this time, the jagged H of the Elemental Heroes was in the middle. After the energy vanished, the new singular monster in its place was a monster who resembled Elemental Hero Neos somewhat, but with a more human-looking head, a red jewel in his chest, and blue jewels on his shoulders and the crown on his head. 

 

"Meet the Guardian of Planet Earth, Elemental Hero Terra Firma! (2500 / 2000) And if you think this spaceman is awesome, wait until you see his special ability: he has the ability to absorb the attack strength of any other Elemental Hero I have out for the entire turn! Neos is gonna need to take one for the team - " Jaden looked at Neos, who nodded back, acknowledging what needed to be done. " - but sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do! So I'll sacrifice one spaceman to power up the other one!" Neos dissolved into white energy, which was absorbed by Terra Firma' the same energy formed around Terra Firma as he powered up. (Elemental Hero Terra Firma - 5000 ATK) Jonathan looked completely thunderstruck, so shocked he couldn't even speak. But...how...how is this possible? I was so sure I could beat him! How - why - he - ?!?!

 

"There's one more little detail I need to take care of - your two equip cards! So, I think I'll use R - Righteous Justice to destroy them!" A beam of energy fired out from the hologram of the card, destroying both the equip cards on Heraklinos. 

 

"Now, Elemental Hero Terra Firma, attack Gladiator Beast Heraklinos with Solar Shockwave!" Terra Firma raised his hands and fired a stream of white energy at Heraklinos, who gave a final cry of pain as he exploded into pixels, reducing Jonathan's life points to 1000. 

 

"Now Burstinatrix, attack him directly with Flare Storm!" Burstinatrix fired a stream of fire at Jonathan. It knocked him down, reducing his life points to 0.

 

"He won!" Syrus exclaimed. Several others cheered too. "Always knew you could!" Chumley chimed in. 

 

"I lost!" Jonathan growled angrily, still on the ground, beating his fists in the dirt. "How could I lose to a punk like him?!"

 

Jaden walked over to Jonathan, and the others gathered behind him. "Okay, Jonathan, tell me where I can find the rest of you guys."

 

Jonathan slowly stood up. It seemed he was going to tell Jaden, but suddenly he punched Jaden in the face. "I'm not telling you jack s***." he snarled. And he tackled Jaden. 

 

The next few moments were chaos; Jonathan was on top of him on the ground and trying to pin him down; however, several of his friends tried to pull him off. He tried shoving several of them out of the way - it sounded like Chazz was one of them - but Hassleberry and Axel finally managed to restrain him. Jaden finally stood up; they both held Jonathan by both his arms. 

 

"Sarge, you alright?" asked Hassleberry. 

 

"Yeah...I'm fine." replied Jaden. He then looked at Jonathan. "Now, let's try this again...where are the rest of you guys?"

 

"Kiss. My. Ass." he growled.

 

Yugi then came forward and grabbed Jonathan by the collar of his shirt. "That wasn't the answer to his question. Answer Jaden now." 

 

Being grabbed by the King of Games seemed to be all the motivation Jonathan needed. "We began spreading out last night. The other three are at separate posts all over the island. I don't know where they are though, you'll be on your own to find them."

 

Yugi let him go, and as soon as he did, Axel and Hassleberry did so as well, dropping him back on the ground. 

 

"Okay...." Jaden told the group. "If these guys have split up now, I think it would be a wise idea for us to do the same thing. Yugi, Aster, Syrus, and Chumley, you guys come with me and we'll head through the western part of the forest. Alexis, how about you take Chazz, Bastion, Yusuke, and Atticus, and head back in the direction of the main building. Hassleberry, you take Jesse, Axel, Jim and Blair and head east." Everyone all murmured agreements. 

 

"Jaden," said Jonathan, still talking in a growl, "you got lucky in your duel against me. But I guarantee you, you will not win against the others."

 

"Right, and how about you give your boss a message from me: I'm coming for him." Jaden said, looking straight at him. His eyes briefly flashed a dark yellow for a brief moment - the eyes of the Supreme King - as he stared Jonathan down for the last time. Jonathan remained silent, but glared angrily at Jaden. 

 

"Okay guys - let's go."

 

...........................................

 

In the abandoned lab that had formerly been the hideout of Professor Thelonius Viper, Kyle Jables watched the events that had just unfolded at Obelisk White. Such a shame, he thought to himself. Jonathan was such a talented duelist; he really took to those Gladiator Beast cards in such a short time. I almost feel bad for not being able to return his parents to him. But, I am a man of my word, and I have don't have a place for failures in my group. 

 

"My lord?' came a voice from his PDA. The D picked it up. It was Zathan. "Yes Zathan, what is it?"

 

"We've found the Watcher who encountered David last night at the south beachhead. And, sir...this is something you porbably should see."

 

"Bring him here." The D ordered. "I'll inspect him personally."

 

"Yes sir." Zathan replied, and the transmission ended. 

 

Suddenly, a flash of light filled the room, and Zathan and Viktor were there. Over Viktor's shoulder was what was definitely a body. Viktor laid him down on the nearby couch. 

 

"Here he is, sire. Brian, I think his name is?" Jables wandered over. The boy was in some kind of comatose state; his eyes were wide open, and there was a look of abject terror on his face; his eyes were strangely empty. 

 

"We found him just lying there." Viktor explained. "His duel disk was turned on and his cards were scattered everywhere - obviously he dueled David."

 

"He's not dead." Zathan further explained. "He's still breathing and his heart is still beating - though it is beating very slowly. He just in some sort of coma. I really have no explanation, sir. I apologize."

 

"No apology is needed, Zathan." The D told his subordinate. "This is something you've never seen before. But I have. His soul has been sent to the Shadow Realm."

 

"The Shadow Realm?" both of them exclaimed.

 

"Man...and I thought that was just a myth." said Viktor. Zathan, however, looked unusually grave, and for some reason, his face looked strangely ashen. 

 

"David must be a very high-ranking servant of Nightshroud if he has the ability to send people to the Shadow Realm. To my knowledge, leaders of those types of darkness-oriented groups never let their subordinates have those kinds of powers."  

 

The D returned to the viewscreen and shook his head. "It matters not. We can't worry about David right now; thankfully, he doesn't know our induvidual identities. Jaden is the main threat; we need to stay focused."

 

Suddenly, they heard a beeping noise coming from Brian. Viktor went over and looked through his jacket; it was his PDA. Apparently, someone was sending him a message. 

 

"Sir, should we answer it?" asked Viktor. The D shook his head. "It's probably one of his school friends. It means nothing to us."

 

Viktor was about to put it down when the PDA went to voicemail.

 

"This is a message for the remaining members of the Celestial Warriors. As I am sure you know, my name is David Mitchell, and if you are listening to this message, then you've discovered your messenger, Brian. If you're wondering what happened to him, I've banished his feeble soul to the Shadow Realm. Very soon, I'll be doing the same thing to all of you. I hope you don't continue to harbor the delusion that the power of the light is stronger than the power of the shadows. Because it's not, and it never will be. And you, Mr. Jables...I look forward to meeting you again."

 

So he did know. That meant they couldn't waste any more time. A ripple of fear passed through him, but only for a moment; he would not give way to such weakness. But what did he mean by meet me 'again'? They'd never met before....unless....no, it can't be....He pushed it out of his mind.

 

"We need to keep moving." he told his subordinates. "You two need to marshall our Watchers; time for them to do more than watching. If David knows who we are, then it is highly likely he knows where we're hiding too."

 

"I thought you said he wasn't a threat?" questioned Zathan.

 

"I said he wasn't a priority, not that he wasn't a threat. Yes, he is very much as threat, and has been since he stepped on this island; I'd be a fool to think he wasn't. Jaden is still the top priority, but David should not get farther than he's already gotten. Whether it be one of you, or one of the Watchers, I don't care, but someone needs to take him out. You have your orders. Now go."

 

Both of them bowed their heads and vanished in a flash of light, though Zathan lingered for a little longer, starting at the PDA that David's message played from, a far away look in his eye, before leaving as well. 

 

The D returned to the viewer, watching as Jaden and his friends began splitting up. He then picked up a Duel Monsters card that was glowing with a bright light; most of its features were obscured, although the outline of what appereared to be some kind of dragon could be seen. 

 

That fool thinks the darkness is stronger than the light? He's the one with delusions. The light is the strongest force in this, and every, universe. And soon - so very soon - they all will see it. The Age of Darkness will finally end, and a new age will dawn for Planet Earth....the Age of Light.

[The Oncoming Storm]

Chapter 12: Return of Obelisk White

 

It had been nearly thirty minutes after his duel with Jonathan ended. Jaden, Yugi, Aster, Syrus, and Chumley were still wandering along the western path through the forest. So far, they'd seen no one.

 

"I highly doubt they'd be hiding in the forest, Jaden." Syrus mentioned in what he tried to pass off as a casual voice, but he was very clearly sounding nervous. "They don't really seem like people who'd stalk around a forest, but that's just me."

 

"Well, whoever these weirdos are, I hope we find them soon." said Chumley, who also sounded nervous. "By the way, do any of you guys feel like we're being watched?"

 

"I feel it too, Chumley." replied Jaden. "I dunno if it's the Celestial Warriors - or David - but I've got the feeling we're being watched too."

"Yeah. I wonder if the others have had more luck than we've had." mused Aster, sounding somewhat annoyed.

 

"I doubt it." replied Jaden. "If they had, we'd have heard from them."

 

"They may not seem like people who'd hide in a forest," mused Yugi, "but this forest seems big enough that they'd probably be able to hide in here and it might take months to find them."

 

"It's not gonna come to that, Yugi." Jaden told Yugi reassuredly. "I've lived here for four years; I know this forest like the back of my hand!"

"Jaden..." corrected Syrus. "Nearly every time you've been in this forest, you've gotten lost." Jaden smirked sheepishly. "That may be true, but I guess I get an A+ for attempting to diffuse the tension, don't I?"

 

After a few more minutes, they came to a clearing in the woods. Jaden panted. "Alright, let's say we take five, okay guys?" They all sat down, and Jaden took his backpack off, handing out cold bottles of water. "I figured that we'd been out here for most of the day, so I brought these along."

"Thank you, Jaden." said Yugi gratefully. "All that hiking did make me thirsty." He opened the bottle of water and drank some of it thirstily.

"Me too. Hey, you got any grilled cheese in there?" asked Chumley hopefully.

 

"I don't. I wish I had though; that duel against Jonathan was so intense, I worked up quite an appetite." As he said it, his stomach gave a loud rumble, which caused the others to laugh.

 

"Hey, it's them!" called another, unknown voice from somewhere nearby. "Grab them, go now!"

 

The next few minutes could only be described as chaos. Someone launched themself onto Jaden and tried to pin him to the ground - similar to what Jonathan tried to do not too long ago - and from the sudden cries from the others - tried to do the same to them too. Jaden heard Aster say "Take that" and also heard Yugi give another cry, and Chumley and Syrus voices' sounded muffled. The person trying to pin Jaden down was suddenly lifted away, and a jumble of voices and the sounds of more struggling could be heard. Someone said, "Get off me!" and another voice - it sounded like Aster again but Jaden couldn't be sure - said "Get out of here!". They could hear what sounded like cloth being ripped apart, something being thrown on the ground and several sets of footsteps running away.

 

Jaden finally got up - Yugi and Aster were doing the same; they looked pretty banged up - Yugi had a bleeding cut on his cheek, and Aster's jacket had been ripped up pretty badly, as if someone had literally tried to rip it off his back. Syrus and Chumley were missing though, and the backpack lay on its side on the ground, the remaining bottles of water on the ground as well.

 

Standing there was a kid who appeared to be the same age as Jaden - in fact, he was positive he was also a student here - who had dark brown hair in a buzzcut. He was wearing something that Jaden had not seen in a very long time: an Obelisk White blazer.

 

"Who are you?" Jaden demanded. "And what the hell have you done with Syrus and Chumley?"

"My name is James, and I am a member of the Obelisk White Brigade." the kid said with a sinister smirk on his face. "And as for the fatty and the midget, I'm afraid they've been called as special guests of our superiors, the Celestial Warriors."

 

This guy works for the Celestial Warriors? Jaden thought. I bet that's why they call themselves the Obelisk White Brigade - they're the remnants of the Society of Light that were based out of the White Dorm two years ago.

 

"Look, dude, it's stupid enough for you to let yourself be a lackey of the Celestial Warriors," Aster said hotly, "but it's another thing altogether to beat us up and take our friends. You've just walked into a world of hurt."

 

James only laughed. "It's you guys who've walked into a world of hurt. A generous bounty's been offered to the one who can defeat Jaden Yuki in a duel and can bring him to Kamarov, Lotthal or The D. And it's me who intends to claim that bounty. So, whaddaya say, tough guy? You gonna put up your dukes, or what? It's the only way you're find your two loser friends."

 

Kamarov and Lotthal must be the other two Warriors. If I beat this guy, maybe he can give me a lead on where to find them. "My friends are a lot of things, but they aren't losers. So let's throwdown!" He activated his duel disk, but before the duel could begin, Yugi stepped forward and put a hand on Jaden's shoulder.

 

"Jaden, let me duel him. You just got finished with a duel, so you'll need to be fresh for whenever you duel the next Celestial Warrior." Jaden turned around. "You sure Yugi?"

 

Yugi nodded. "I may not duel professionally anymore, but I'd be lying if I were saying that my dueling skills have diminished...not to sound arrogant or anything."

 

"No, not at all, man! You proved that you still got game with all those duels you won last night! So, if you think you can beat him, then by all means, get your game on!" Yugi smiled and stepped forward, activating his own duel disk. Jaden and Aster got off to the side.

 

"Well, I wasn't expecting the King of Games, but no biggie. I'll beat you, then I'll beat Jaden...and just to go for the royal cleansweep, maybe I'll take you on too, Phoenix!"

 

"Hey, watch it, buster, you couldn't beat me on your best day, just like you won't beat Yugi or Jaden!" Aster countered. This guy sure has a lot of confidence that he can win. Kinda like Jaden...except not nearly as annoying or conceited. More like Chazz.

 

"If you're so convinced you can win, then by all means, duel me." Yugi challenged. "I will allow no harm to come to Jaden or any of his friends."

 

"Blah, blah, blah....I already know I can beat you, so are we gonna duel or just stand around talking?"

 

"LET'S DUEL!" both of them declared, and the game was on.

 

Here we go...., thought Jaden.

 

"I'll let you make the first move." Yugi told James.

 

"Big mistake, but if you wanna lose faster, be my guest!" James drew his first card. "I summon The Six Samurai - Yariza (1000 / 500) in attack mode! Let's see how you can handle him!" A samurai in futuristic-looking deep blue armor materialized on the field. In his hand was a spear, whose blade was also glowing blue, but much brighter - as though it were made of pure energy.

 

"A Six Samurai deck?" Aster mused. "If my memory serves me correctly, those can be bad news if he gets too many of them on the field."

"Yeah, but I'm sure Yugi can figure out a way to beat them." Jaden said enthusiastically. "He is the King of Games, after all."

 

I vaguely remember Grandpa mentioning something about the Six Samurai cards, but aside from that, I know next to nothing about them. Yugi thought. I'm extremely out of the loop when it comes to the goings-on of the pro circuit. For the time being, I just need to play it safe, and maintain my belief in the Heart of the Cards.

 

"I'll set a card face-down and end my turn." James smirked as his turn ended.

 

"My move." Yugi drew his card. "I'll summon Queen's Knight (1500 / 1600) in attack mode!" An attractive blonde woman in red battle armor and wielding a broadsword and a diamond-shaped shield materialized on the field.

 

"Now, Queen's Knight, attack The Six Samurai - Yariza with Majestic Sword Swipe!" Yugi's Queen's Knight began dashing towards James' samurai, her sword raised.

 

"You just walked into a trap, Muto! I activate Sakuretsu Armor!" Right before Queen's Knight was about to raise her blade to deliver the killing blow to James' samurai, she turned a sickly gray color, before shattering into pixels.

 

"This trap card automatically destroys any monster that declares an attack on my side of the field, which your Queen's Knight found out the hard way." he said smugly.

 

Yugi looked annoyed. "I'll set one card face-down, then end my turn."

 

James still looked smug as he drew his card to begin his next turn. "I'll summon The Six Samurai - Yaichi (1300 / 800) in attack mode." Another samurai, this time with black armor and wielding a large bow and arrow, materialized on the field next to Yariza.

 

"Now that I have two Six Samurai monsters on the field, I can activate both of their special abilities! I'll start with Yariza's special ability, which lets him attack you directly! Samurai Spear!" Yariza dashed across the field and slashed Yugi with his spear, reducing his life points to 2700.

"And now, Yaichi's special ability lets me destroy one of your face-down spell or trap cards, and since you only have one, I bet you can guess which one will be going!" Yaichi placed an arrow in his bow and fired it at Yugi's face-down card. As soon as the arrow hit, the card shattered into pixels.

 

No. He destroyed my Soul Rope. Yugi thought desperately. That would've come in handy later in the duel.

 

"I think that's enough for one turn." James said snidely. "I'll set a card face-down, then end it here."

 

Yugi drew his next card. "I'll summon King's Knight (1600 / 1400) in attack mode!" A warrior that greatly resembled the king on a solitaire card, with a sword that looked like Queen's Knight's sword, materialized on the field, his sword raised.

 

"Next, I'll play the spell card Monster Reborn! Since I only have one monster in my graveyard, you can guess who will be coming back!" The female knight returned to the field, taking place next to King's Knight.

 

"Now that King's Knight and Queen's Knight are on the field together, the special ability of King's Knight activates, allowing me to summon Jack's Knight! (1900 / 1000)" A third knight, with blonde hair and blue armor, materialized in-between King's Knight and Queen's Knight.

"Now, all three of my knights are on the field, and will soon lay waste to your Samurai!" James snickered. "Are those knights supposed to scare me? Please, my samurai soldiers will cut your knights down to size. But, first, I'm gonna activate my Thunder of Ruler trap! Now, your battle phase has just been canceled!"

 

Great. So far, he's been able to outmaneuver me at every turn. Maybe I'm a little rustier than I thought I was...."I'll set one card face-down, and end my turn."

 

"Pathetic." James sneered, as he drew his next card. "I summon The Six Samurai - Nisashi (1400 / 700) in attack mode!" A third samurai, this one in green armor (that appeared to be slightly heavier than the armor of his comrades) and wielding two katanas - both with blades that, like Yariza's spear, appeared to be made out of pure energy - materialized in between Yariza and Yaichi.

 

"Yeah, yeah, I know what you're probably thinking - my latest samurai is pretty badass! He is....and so's the horse he rode in on! I equip Nisashi with Legendary Ebon Steed!" A large black warhorse materialized beneath the green-armored samurai, giving a whinny.

 

"This stallion boosts Nisashi's Attack and Defense by 200! (The Six Samurai - Nisashi - 1600 / 900) But, why stop there? I'll give Nisashi another power boost, in the form of Katana of the Shogun!" Nisashi's two swords vanished, replaced by a larger steel katana, the blade emblazoned with the logo of a red dragon.

 

"This sword raises Nisashi's attack strength by another 300 points! (The Six Samurai - Nisashi - 1900 ATK) And, now I think I'll have him attack your Queen's Knight!" The warhorse gave a whinny as the warrior galloped towards Yugi's side of the field. Once he reached Yugi's knight, he stabbed her with his katana. She gave a cry of pain before exploding into pixels, and Yugi's life points dropped to 2300.

 

"And did I mention Nisashi's special ability? Since I have another Six Samurai on the field, he's allowed to attack again! Nisashi, attack King's Knight!" The samurai once again charged towards Yugi's side of the field, stabbing King's Knight in the chest. The knight gave a cry of pain before exploding into pixels, just like Queen's Knight had moments before, and Yugi's life points dropped again, to 2000.

 

James laughed. "And you're the King of Games? We're only a few turns in, and I've already cut your life points in half! And these aren't even my strongest monsters! I guess that means I'll have the distinct honor of putting you out to pasture once and for all!"

 

"Don't listen to him, bro!" Jaden called from the sidelines. "You earned that title by beating much tougher duelists than this chump! I know you can beat him!"

 

"Yeah!" Aster agreed. "You'll kick this guy's butt, and we'll be that much closer to finding Syrus and Chumley and taking down the Light of Destruction for good!"

 

Yugi smiled at their encouragement. They're right, I can still win. The Heart of the Cards has never deserted me before, and I don't think it will any time soon. Rusty or not, I'll defeat this guy. The fate of the world depends on it!

 

...........................................

 

Zane and Solomon strolled down the sidewalk a short way from the KaibaDome, heading in the direction of Kame Game Shop.

 

"You did well out there today, Zane." Solomon said. "I'm proud at how far you've come in reinventing yourself."

 

"I'm proud of myself." Zane admitted. "I'm in a much better place, both physically and mentally. But lemme tell you, that duel worked up quite an appetite. Let's go get something to eat."

 

Solomon nodded in agreement. However, at that very moment, there was a flash of radiant light in front of them, and from it, a kid who looked a few years younger than Zane appeared in front of them. He was wearing some strange clothes: a long white cloak, and strapped to his wrist was a silver duel disk with a golden trim.

 

"What the - ? Who are you, and how did you get here?" asked Solomon, utterly surprised.

 

"Hey, get outta my way, pops!" the kid shouted in Solomon's face.

 

"Hey, that's no way to talk to your elders." Zane snapped at him. "What are you even doing here, kid?"

 

"Hey, wait a minute....you're Zane Truesdale!" the kid exclaimed. "My name's Jonathan Pye, and I serve the Light of Destruction...or, at least I did."

Light of Destruction?! "You serve the Light of Destruction? But how? I was told that the Society of Light had been disbanded."

 

"I'm not a member of the Society of Light. I was a member of the Celestial Wariors, the five greatest duelists and champions of the Light that have ever existed. Our mission was to defeat Jaden Yuki, so the Light could be restored to full power. I dueled him....but somehow he beat me." Jonathan suddenly looked up. "And why the hell am I even telling you any of this? What's it matter to you?"

 

Solomon looked hard at Jonathan. He had a strange feeling he'd seen him somewhere before. And then suddenly, it hit him: a memory from two years that he'd blocked from his mind because of how horrible it had been. A horrible car crash that had happened right in front of his shop - ambulences, police cars, and news reporters arrived in droves; a drunk driver had collided headlong with a SUV containing a family of three. Everyone in that SUV was killed, except a skinny, scared teenager who stayed the night in the game shop....the same skinny teenager who was now standing in front of him.

 

Both Solomon and Jonathan met each other's eyes for a brief moment, and he could tell Jonathan recognized him as well - and those same eyes filled with anger, rage, and hurt...and tears.

 

Jonathan wiped away the tears, then balled up his fists. "It doesn't matter anymore." he said, speaking in the voice of someone who had given up. "Light, dark....why should I even give a sheet anymore? We're all just gonna die anyway. Thanks for wasting my time!" He then turned and ran into a nearby alley.

 

Both Solomon and Zane looked after him. Both of them felt pity for Jonathan - Solomon more so than Zane, because he knew why.

 

"I wonder what his problem was?" Zane asked in a somber voice.

 

Solomon sighed, then said quietly. "Some hurts just cut too deep."

 

Zane shook his head, then looked at Solomon. "Look, if what that kid said was true, there's something going down on Duel Academy Island. My little brother still goes there, and he may be in danger."

 

The phrase "Duel Academy Island" jarred another memory, this one more recent - yesterday, Yugi told him that he was going to Duel Academy Island; he didn't tell him why, he just said that it was "where he needed to be" and left it at that. In all likelihood, Yugi was still there, and he knew he could take care of himself, but he still wanted to make sure his grandson was okay.

 

"If you're going to the island, Zane, then I'm coming with you." Solomon announced.

 

"Why is that?" asked Zane, somewhat perplexed. "If something bad is really happening over there, I don't wanna put you in harm's way either."

"Because I believe that my grandson is there too." Solomon replied. "He mentioned to me yesterday evening that he was heading out there, and had he come back, I would have heard from him by now. I know he can take care of himself - but call me old-fashioned, because I want to see that for myself."

 

Zane smirked at the old man's enthusiasm. Despite being in his early-ninties, Solomon still had the energy of a much younger man - which was more than most men his age had.

 

"Well, then, if you're sure you feel up to it. The next boat to Duel Academy Island heads out in about 45 minutes." And with that, the two men turned on their heel towards the Domino City Docks.

 

Neither of them noticed that a large, muscular man with long dark brown hair, scrubbed-looking beard, dressed in stereotypical biker gear, sunglasses, a long black trench coat, and a bandana was staring after them. In his hand was a Duel Monsters card that was surrounded by a smoky-looking glow of shadow energy. In the center of the card, where normally a picture of a Duel Monster would be, was instead the terrified-looking face of Jonathan Pye.

...........................................

 

"Man, I was expecting more from the so-called King of Games." taunted James. "I've only used five cards in this entire duel so far, and it's pretty clear that I'm gonna kick your ass. Maybe you should change your name to the King of Lame."

 

Yugi rolled his eyes. As if I haven't heard that one before.

 

"Since I'm such a nice guy, I'll go ahead and end my turn with two face-down cards. So, go ahead and make your move." He maintained his smug attitude.

 

"Hey, don't go dissing duelists who are better than you, bro." Jaden said to James, who glared angrily at him. "Did I ask you, punk? No, I don't think I did. So shut your mouth before I go over there and shut it for you."

 

 

James turned his attention back to Yugi. "Did you hear me? I told you to make your move."

 

"As you wish." Yugi replied and he drew his next card. "I summon Magician's Valkyria (1600 / 1800) in attack mode!" A female magician, looking very similar to Dark Magician Girl, with the expection of having brown hair and different armor and staff, materialized on the field.

"Next, I'll play two more spell cards: Book of Secret Arts and Mage Power! I'll equip Book of Secret Arts to Magician's Valkyria, raising her Attack and Defense by 300! (Magician's Valkyria - 1900 / 2100) Next, I'll equip Mage Power to my Jack's Knight, raising his Attack and Defense by 500 for every Spell or Trap card I control. That's two, so my knight gains a grand total of 1000 points each! (Jack's Knight - 2900 / 2000)

 

"All right!" Jaden exclaimed. "Yugi's Jack's Knight is now the strongest monster on the field! He'll be able to chop his Samurai Nisashi down to size!"

 

"Too right I will." Yugi agreed with a smirk. "Jack's Knight, attack The Six Samurai - Nisashi with Diamond Blade Strike!" He began charging towards James' monster. James was smiling, however.

 

"Man, you've walked into my traps three times in a row!" he taunted. "You really are all washed up! I activate Rivalry of Warlords!" The hologram of the card revealed itself, and as soon as it did, Yugi's Valkyria dissolved.

 

"What - ?!" Yugi exclaimed, confused. "What happened to my Magician's Valkyria?"

 

"My Rivalry of Warlords is a continuous trap that allows me to select one type of monster, and for the rest of the duel, neither of us can control any other type of monster other than the one I chose. I chose Warriors, which means your Magician's Valkyria was sent packing! Of course, your attack still goes through; since your Jack's Knight is a Warrior-type, he sticks around, but since your Book of Secret Arts also went to the graveyard as well, 500 points are docked from his attack strength!" (Jack's Knight - 2400 ATK) Jack's Knight’s attack indeed still went through, slicing his sword through Nisashi, who gave a cry of pain before exploding into pixels. James looked unfazed as his life points dropped to 3500.

 

"My deck is kinda like a hydra - you cut off one head, and two more take its place. Because I activate my other trap card: Shien's Scheme! When one of my Six Samurai monsters is destroyed, I can summon two more! So, I'll bring out Chamberlain of the Six Samurai (200 / 2000) in defense mode, and Hand of the Six Samurai (1600 / 100) in attack mode!" Two other Warriors, one a heavily-scarred warrior with robotic arms and legs and a robotic eye, and the other a woman in a purple and gold kimono and a small dagger, materialized on the field.

 

"And as if that weren't enough, since there's another Six Samurai monster on the field, I can activate Hand of the Six Samurai's special ability; by ditching one, I can automatically destroy your Jack's Knight!" As his Chamberlain dissolved into pixels, the woman raised her dagger, which lit up with yellow energy. She then threw it at Jack's Knight, who gave a pained cry as soon as the dagger hit him before he shattered into pixels.

 

Oh, no! Now I have no monsters on the field, and he's got three! Yugi thought desperately. This doesn't look good.

 

"I was afraid of this." Aster said worriedly. "Those Six Samurai monsters are incredibly dangerous the more of them he has on the field. The duel just barely started, and Yugi's been backed into a corner."

 

"No kidding. But like I said; I think he'll be able to fight his way out." Jaden responded.

 

Yugi quickly scanned his hand. Ah! That card might help. I'd need to wait another turn to play it though, and it might all end next turn if he attacks me with all those monsters. "There are no more cards I can play at the moment, so I end my turn."

 

Jaden looked at Yugi. Man, I guess he wasn't kidding...he must not be able to play anything. Who can blame him? He's in a tough jam. But then he noticed that Yugi was seemingly staring at a specific card in his hand. But wait....maybe he can play something, just not now. He's gonna need a miracle, because it'll all be over if James hits him with everything at once next turn.

 

James drew his next card. "I'll play the field spell Shien's Castle of Mist!" The entire field became shrouded in a shadowy fog, and behind James stood a castle that looked like it came from Imperial Japan. "Now, thanks to this card, whenever you would attack one of my Samurai soldiers, your monsters will instantly lose 500 attack points!"

 

"Jeez, he's locking out all of Yugi's options!" Jaden observed. "Hang in there, Yugi, you can still beat him!"

 

James laughed derisively. "Yeah, right! The so-called King of Games is done!" He turned back to look at the field. This has almost been too easy. If I attack him this turn, this duel will already be over....but that wouldn't be satisfying at all. Let's drag this out. "I think I'll let you off easy this turn. Why defeat you now when I could drag this out? So, I'll go ahead and end my turn now without attacking. Now go ahead and take your turn, because I guarantee you this, it'll be the final nail in your coffin once and for all."

 

Suddenly, Yugi began laughing. James looked confused. "Why the hell are you laughing, Muto? You're losing; I wouldn't be laughing if I were you."

"But that's exactly why I'm laughing, James, because you're just like many others I've dueled in the past; so blindingly arrogant that you spend your time belittling your opponents, instead of playing with honor."

 

"Hey, you watch your mouth, you punk!" James replied hotly.

 

"Your arrogance has proven to be your undoing." Yugi explained. "If you had attacked me during your last turn, you would have won the duel; it would have been a guarantee. But now, the stage is set for me to make a comeback in this duel."

 

James started laughing derisively again. "Are you serious? I have three monsters on the field, plus I have my Rivalry of Warlords trap still out, so you can't have any monster out that isn't a Warrior, and even if you did, because of my Castle of Mist, any monster you attacked with would instantly lose 500 attack points! I've locked out all your options; you can't possibly come back from this!"

 

"Oh, really?" Yugi questioned. "There exists a phrase that Jaden here frequently says that rings very true, especially in a duel - in that it's never over until the final card is played."

 

"Yeah!" Jaden agreed. "Way to follow my advice, Yugi! And it's the truth!"

 

Yugi smirked and nodded at Jaden. "I have a card in my hard that will allow me to get another chance to defeat you! And I think I'll activate it: Swords of Revealing Light!" James' look of smugness turned to one of surprise as half a dozen swords of light rained down on his side of the field.

 

"Swords of Revealing Light prevents you from attacking me at all for three full turns. So, I can mount a counterattack against you!"

 

"You're just delaying the inevitable, you know?" James fired back at him. "You think just because you drew a card that's letting you stall for three turns means you'll win? I don't think so. Remember, thanks to Rivalry of Warlords, you can only control Warrior-type monsters, and if I know your deck like I think I know your deck – and everybody who’s anybody knows your deck – you barely have any!"

 

"That may be true, but the ones I do have will keep me safe until I can destroy your Rivalry of Warlords card. Like this one: Big Shield Gardna (100 / 2600) in defense mode!” The warrior with spiky black hair materialized on the field, crouching behind his huge shield and providing Yugi with decent protection.

 

“That’s a smart move.” Jaden observed. “With 2600 defense points, James would need to bring out a pretty strong monster to smash through that Gardna’s shield. And since it’s a Warrior-type, it’s immune to Rivalry of Warlords.”

 

“I’ll go ahead and end my turn.” Yugi said. “Make your move.”

 

James groaned as he began his turn. As much as I hate to admit it, that Jaden punk is right, he thought to himself. None of my monsters are strong enough to destroy his Big Shield Gardna…which is a moot point anyway, since I can’t attack because of his Swords. James quickly thought about his now-limited options. I can’t use Yariza’s effect to attack him directly, and Yaichi’s effect is useless since he doesn’t have any down cards. I could still use Hand of the Six Samurai’s effect to destroy his Gardna, but then I’d have to give up either Yariza or Yaichi, and as useless as they are right now, if they’re still on the field by the time his Swords vanish – which they probably will be – they’d be useful to remain on the field once I can use them again. I’d do better to switch them into defense mode if Yugi does manage to bring out a strong warrior monster.

 

 

“I’ll switch all three of my monsters into defense mode.” James said grudgingly, as all three of them crouched. “Then I guess I'll end my turn.”

“I draw.” Yugi declared to begin his turn. Since I don't have any Warriors in my hand right now, I can't summon another monster. “And I'll set a card face-down, then I guess I'll end my turn.”

 

James drew a card to begin his turn, and smiled at the card he drew. I may not be able to attack, but there are certainly other things I can do. “I'll set a card face-down, then I guess I'll end my turn.” he said aloud. Two turns before his Swords expire......

 

Yugi drew a card to signify his turn beginning, then looked at the card he drew. Great! Another Warrior! “I summon Obnoxious Celtic Guard (1400 / 1200) in attack mode!” The tall elven warrior clad in green materialized on the field next to Big Shield Gardna, brandishing his sword.

“Now, Celtic Guard, attack his Samurai Yariza with Silver Blade Slash!” Yugi's monster began charging towards the blue-armored samurai, his sword raised. James, however, was smirking. “Activate trap: Fiendish Chain!” Out of nowhere, heavy steel chains bound Yugi's Celtic Guard. The elven swordsman struggled with all his might, but he couldn't get loose.

 

“What have you done to my Obnoxious Celtic Guard?' Yugi demanded.

 

James laughed. “When you attacked, you set off my trap card, Fiendish Chain. These chains completely immobilize your monster, rendering him unable to attack or use his special abilities! So much for your lame elf!”

 

 

Yugi remained silent. Again I walk right into one of his traps. He thought, frustrated.

 

 

“You may have disabled my ability to attack you with your Swords of Revealing Light,” James said arrogantly, “but I can still use traps...which you've walked into nearly every single time in this duel! I'll end my turn for now, and there's only one more turn until your swords are gone!'

 

He's right, and I still have yet to draw a card that might help me strike back against him. Yugi thought as he drew to begin his turn. He looked at the card he drew, seeing he'd drawn the Dark Magician. If only I could summon him, the Dark Magician would be perfect in helping me get back in this duel. He looked at another two cards in his hand. These two cards could come in handy if I get a chance to use them. “There's nothing I can do this turn, so I'll turn it over to you.”

 

“Whatever.” James said as he began his turn. As he drew his card, he smiled. “I'll remove my Chamberlain of the Six Samurai and my Samurai Nisashi from play, so I can special summon Enishi, Shien's Chancellor! (2200 / 1200)” James' three other monsters moved out of the way as another monster materialized on the field. This new warrior was slightly taller than his comrades, had black and gray hair and beard, was wielding a katana, and was wearing similar garb to Hand of the Six Samurai, except instead of a purple-and-gold kimono, he wore purple robes and a green vest.

 

“Enishi has a very useful special ability.” James explained smugly. “Once per turn, I'm allowed to automatically destroy one of your face-up monsters! And I'll choose your Big Shield Gardna!” Enishi unsheathed his katana and charged towards Yugi's defending Gardna, slashing it, causing it to shatter into pixels. “The only drawback is that Enishi can't attack the turn he uses this ability, but it doesn't matter since I can't attack anyway!”

 

“Oh, no!” exclaimed Aster. “That Gardna was Yugi's only defense against James' attack force. Now there will be nothing protecting Yugi when his Swords disappear!”

 

 

“No, there won't.” James agreed. “And the last thing I'll do before ending my turn is switching my other monsters back into attack mode!” As the other samurai soldiers switched from defense to offense, the swords of light finally faded away from James' side of the field. “Face it, Muto: it's all over for you!”

 

Come on, Heart of the Cards. I need you to come through for me! Yugi drew his next card and looked at it hopefully. “I activate the spell card Pot of Greed! This card lets me draw two new cards from my deck!” Yugi drew the cards.

 

“Oh, please.” James said in a voice sagging with sarcasm. “What possible good could that do?”

 

Yugi was smiling at the two cards he just drew. “All the good I could possibly want. The Heart of the Cards has come through for me, giving me the two cards I need to mount a comeback in this duel!”

 

“No, you haven't. You're gonna lose next turn.” James said, refusing to believe it. “Stop bluffing.”

 

“I'm not bluffing.” said Yugi. “The cards I just drew are the spell cards Dark Hole and Heavy Storm!”

 

 

“Now I know you're bluffing!” James said in a disbelieving tone. “There is no way anyone can be that lucky!”

 

Yugi smirked as he showed James the cards; they were indeed Heavy Storm ad Dark Hole.

 

 

“I now activate my two spell cards! Now, essentially, every card on the field is destroyed!” As he said the words, a massive cyclone surrounded the field, destroying James' Castle of Mist. Fiendish Chain, and Rivalry of Warlords. Next, a black hole materialized in the middle of the field and pulled Yugi's chained-up Obnoxious Celtic Guard, as well as all of James' samurai warriors, inside it. James looked livid.

 

 

“You punk!” James shouted angrily. “You've completely wiped the field clean!”

 

“Correct.” Yugi said with a confident smile. “And now that I've done that, it's a brand new duel! And, it's still my turn!”

 

“All right!” Jaden cried gleefully. “What an awesome move! Now Yugi's back in the game!”

 

“Too right he is.” Aster agreed. “We're one step closer to finding Syrus and Chumley.”

 

Yugi smiled at Aster and Jaden cheering him on before resuming his turn. “I'll activate a third spell card: Monster Reincarnation! Now, by discarding a card from my hand, I can add a monster in my graveyard back to my hand!” Yugi discarded a card, then took one from the graveyard. “And now that your Rivalry of Warlords trap is gone, I can bring back someone you may recognize: Magician's Valkyria!” The female magician re-materialized on the field, looking ready for battle.

 

 

“Sweet!” exclaimed Jaden, turning to face Aster again. “And the good thing about that is, since James has nothing on the field to protect himself, he's wide open for a direct attack!”

 

“Valkyria, attack James directly with Mystic Scepter Blast!” The Valkyria fired a stream of magical energy at James, who gave a cry of shock as he was struck by the attack, his life points dropping to 1900.

 

How dare that punk do that to me! James thought angrily. He's gonna pay for that. I didn't think I was gonna have to do it, but now it looks like I'm gonna need to bring out the big guns. After all, I was promised a place in Paradise if I could prove my loyalty to the Light of Destruction, and if I defeat these guys, I'll do just that!