Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 31; Saints of Death! The Attack of Man ( Chapter 31 )

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who's reviewed…

 

Note: By now most of you will probably have heard about the devastating bush fires in Victoria, while I do live several hundred kilometres from the locations mentioned it affects all Australians. Therefore I will donate five dollars from every review this chapter receives to the Bush Fire appeal out of my next pay check, so please make it count.

 

Battle Stage 31: Saints of Death! The Attack of Man

 

“The following contest is the third round of the King of Duellists Tournament, introducing first from Osaka, Japan representing Team Mutou, Mai Kujyaku!”

 

As Mai approached the arena to All That I'm Living For by Evanescence, she could hear a smattering of boos intermixed with wolf whistles and cat calls. Mai threw back her hair and smirked wiggling her hips at them.

 

“Introducing her opponent from Tokyo, Japan representing the Saints of Death, Ryuuji Otogi!”

 

Mai's head, not unlike Kaiba's earlier snapped back in shock as the name was announced over the speakers. A deep scowl settled on Mai's face, Ryuuji Otogi was not the groups favourite person. Shortly after the Ceremonial Battle Ryuuji had been caught plying Serenity with alcohol in an attempt to seduce the young red-head. An unimpressed Jyoonouchi almost came to blows with Ryuuji until Yuugi and Honda restrained him, unfortunately Yuugi then had to restrain Honda. Ryuuji left the city the next day after a failed attempt to explain himself to Yuugi who had secretly considered taking up Yami's suggestion of a Shadow Game.

 

Ryuuji smirked entering the arena, “Didn't think I'd ever see you again, how's Serenity?”

 

“She's better for not having you in her life.” Mai spat bitterly.

 

“You wound me Mai, I have a great affection for Serenity I just wanted to express it.” Ryuuji responded. Mai growled, “You're a disgusting asshole Ryuuji, let's get on with this.”

 

“The Bets are in, the standard match is about to begin. Mai Kujyaku has won the toss LET”S DUEL!”

 

Mai Kujyaku Life Points: 8000

Ryuuji Otogi Life Points: 8000

 

::Mai::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Amazoness Paladin (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1700 DEF/300) in attack mode;

 

2. I end my turn with a card face down.”

 

::Ryuuji::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Gemini Elf (Dark/Spellcaster/4 ATK/1900 DEF/900) in attack mode;

 

2. I play one card face down;

 

3. I play Quick Attack (Spell) to override normal match rules allowing me to attack this turn;

 

4. Elf attack!”

 

“I activate Amazon Archers (Trap) your monsters attack decreases five hundred points for the duration of the time its on the field (ATK/1400).”

 

Gemini Elf's attack failed; Gemini Elf is destroyed.

 

Mai Kujyaku LP: 8000

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 7700

 

::Mai::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Cyber Harpy (Wind/Winged Beast/Effect/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1300) in attack mode;

 

2. I play two cards face down;

 

3. Cyber Harpy, Amazoness Paladin attack!”

 

“I activate Sakuretsu Armour (Trap) to destroy Cyber Harpy.”

 

Amazoness Paladin's attack inflicted 1700 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Mai Kujyaku LP: 8000

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 6000

 

::Ryuuji::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Pot of Greed (Spell) to draw two cards into my hand;

 

2. Monster Reborn (Spell);

 

3. Revives Gemini Elf (Earth/Spellcaster/4 ATK/1900 DEF/900) in attack mode;

 

4. I play three cards face down;

 

5. Gemini Elf attack!”

 

“I activate Dramatic Rescue (Trap) when one of my Amazon monsters is targeted by one of your cards Dramatic Rescue returns my monster to my hand and summons another in its place;

 

1. I summon The Unfriendly Amazon (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/2000 DEF/1000) in attack mode!”

 

Gemini Elf's attack failed; Gemini Elf is destroyed.

 

Mai Kujyaku LP: 8000

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 5900

 

::Mai::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Since I can't fulfil the card requirements Unfriendly Amazon is destroyed;

 

2. But that's ok because I summon Amazoness Paladin (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1700 DEF/300) back to field in attack mode.”

 

“I activate Hidden Soldiers (Trap) when you summon a monster I can summon a level four or lower monster from my hand;

 

1. I summon Skilled Dark Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1700) in attack mode.”

 

Mai smiled, “When you summon a monster Amazoness Paladin's effect activates halving the attack of your monster (ATK/950).”

 

“Shit!” Ryuuji swore a contemptible glare crossing his face.

 

3. “Amazoness Paladin attack!”

 

Amazoness Paladin's attack destroyed Skilled Dark Magician.

 

Mai Kujyaku LP: 8000

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 5150

 

::Ryuuji::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Royal Magic Library (Light/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/0 DEF/2000) in defence mode;

 

2. I play two cards face down.”

 

::Mai::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Winged Sage Falcos (Wind/Winged Beast/Effect/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1200) in attack mode;

 

2. I add Gust Fan (Equip/Spell) to increase Winged Sage Falcos's attack four hundred and decrease its defence two hundred points (ATK/2100 DEF/1000);

 

3. Winged Sage Falcos attack Royal Magic Library;

 

4. Amazoness Paladin attack!”

 

“I activate Mirror Force (Trap) to destroy all your face-up attack position monsters!”

 

“Damn it.” Mai swore placing her monsters in the graveyard.

 

“I'm back in control, oh I should mention, everytime you activate a Spell card a Spell counter is added to Royal Magic Library, but don't way baby, I'll go easy on you.”

 

“Shove your baby up your ass Ryuuji and take your turn.”

 

::Ryuuji::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Just for that I activate Tower of Babel (Continuous/Trap) but I'll get back to this card later;

 

2. I summon Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1800 DEF/700) in attack mode;

 

3. I play Terraforming (Spell) to add a Field Spell card to my hand;

 

4. I play Mystic Plasma Zone (Field/Spell) to increase the attack of all my DARK monsters five hundred points and decrease their defence four hundred points;

 

5. Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer (ATK/2300 DEF/300);

 

6. This adds a second Spell counter to Tower of Babel;

 

7. Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer attack!”

 

Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer's attack inflicted 2300 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Mai Kujyaku LP: 5700

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 5150

 

::Mai::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Amazoness Swordswoman (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1500 DEF/1600) in defence mode;

 

2. I play Feather of a Phoenix (Spell) by discarding one card from my hand I can play a card from my graveyard on top of my deck;

 

3. Finally I play Pot of Greed (Spell) to draw two cards from my deck;

 

4. That ends my turn.”

 

“Your Spell cards activate Royal Magicial Library's special ability placing two more Spell counters on it activating its special ability to draw one card from my deck. It also activates Tower of Babel's special ability inflicting three thousand points of direct damage to you!”

 

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 5150

Mai Kujyaku LP: 2700

 

::Ryuuji::

 

Ryuuji smiled, `One more card, then she'll have no choice…' “I draw;

 

1. I play one card face down;

 

2. Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer attack!”

 

Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer's attack destroyed Amazoness Swordswoman.

 

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 4350

Mai Kujyaku LP: 2700

 

“Hey, what the hell is going on!”

 

Mai laughed, “You should pay attention to the duel instead of my breasts, Amazoness Swordswoman's special ability inflicts damage on the opponent when it's destroyed.”

 

::Mai::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Monster Reborn (Spell) to revive Amazoness Paladin from my graveyard;

 

2. I summon Hand of Nephthys (Wind/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/600 DEF/600) in attack mode;

 

3. I activate Hand of Nephthys's special ability and sacrifice Hand of Nephthys and Amazoness Paladin;

 

4. To special summon Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys (Fire/Winged Beast/Effect/8 ATK/2400 DEF/1600) in attack mode;

 

5. I play one card face down;

 

6. Sacred Phoenix attack!”

 

Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys's attack destroyed Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer.

 

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 4250

Mai: Kujyaku LP: 2700

 

In the locker room everyone but Kaiba were out of their seats, Jou was grinning ear to ear, “I knew Mai would whoop his ass, he's finished!”

 

Seto frowned, “I would like to agree with you mutt, but you should watch the monitor.”

 

Katsuya threw Kaiba a quick glare before turning his attention back to the monitor and growled, “He doesn't even look bothered…” Kaiba nodded, “Quite, I believe the real battle is about to begin.”

 

::Ryuuji::

 

“You think you've won, you're wrong as I am about to demonstrate, I draw;

 

1. I play Black Illusion Ritual (Ritual/Spell);

 

2. By sending Mystic Lamp (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/1 ATK/400 DEF/300) to the graveyard;

 

3. I can summon Relinquished (Dark/Spellcaster/Ritual/Effect/1 ATK/0 DEF/0) in attack mode…”

 

“No!” Jyoonouchi yelled stumbling backwards, Kaiba growned his teeth staring at his blonde rival, “Mutt, I demand to know what that monster is?!”

 

“That's Pegasus's trump card, he played it against Yuugi in the final of Duellist Kingdom Yuugi was able to beat it, but only just.” Katsuya responded ignoring Kaiba's insults for the moment.

 

“Then… how will Mai beat it?” Serenity asked looking between the two men.

 

Back in the arena Mai scowled, “Yuugi told me about Relinquished, how did you get your hands on it?”

 

Ryuuji grinned, “Pegasus made it a gift to mew after the close of a business deal, he said he had no further use for it.”

 

4. “Now I activate Relinquished's special ability to absorb Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys and it's attack and defence points (ATK/2400 DEF/1600);

 

5. Mystic Plasma Zone also activates (ATK/2900 DEF/1200);

 

6. Relinquished attack!”

 

“You wish, I activate Hysteric Party (Continuous/Trap) by discarding one card from my hand I summon Cyber Harpy from my Graveyard in attack mode.”

 

Relinquished's attack destroyed Cyber Harpy.

 

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 4250

Mai Kujyaku LP: 2100

 

“Before we continue, I have a proposition for you.” Ryuuji offered.

 

“Oh?”

 

“I'll let you off the hook, if you become my slave.”

 

Mai blinked, “You've got to be kidding.”

 

“I'm not, I've faced plenty of women, they've been pleased to serve my every whim after facing my deck, it's fun outcome for all.”

 

“You perverted shit, I'd rather be cut into small pieces than sleep with you.” Mai responded a disgusted scowl crossing her lips.

 

Ryuuji smirked, “You don't know what you're missing…”

 

“I'm prepared to live without, it's my move.”

 

::Mai::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I activate Phoenix Wing Wind Blast (Trap) by discarding one card from my hand I can send Relinquished back to the top of your deck;

 

2. Which returns Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys to my side of the field;

 

3. Sacred Phoenix attack!”

 

Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys's attack inflicted 2400 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Mai Kujyaku LP: 2100

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 1850

 

::Ryuuji::

 

“I draw;

 

1. You may have won the battle, but I'm about to win the war, I activate Contract with Exodia (Spell);

 

2. By sending all the pieces of Exodia in my hand to the graveyard;

 

3. I can summon Exodia Necross (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1800 DEF/0) in attack mode;

 

4. I add United We Stand (Equip/Spell) to increase Exodi Necross's attack and defence eight hundred points (ATK/2600 DEF/800);

 

5. Mystic Plasma Zone (ATK/3100 DEF/400);

 

6. Necrosi OBLITERATE!”

 

Exodia Necross's attack destroyed Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys.

 

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 1850

Mai Kujyaku LP: 1400

 

“It can't be!” Kaiba yelled staggering backwards. Jyou stared in awe, “A, level beyond Exodia… She's doomed…”

 

“Quiet Katsuya, it's not over yet.” Serenity scolded.

 

::Mai::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Birdface (Wind/Winged Beast/Effect/4 ATK/1600 DEF/1600) in defence mode;

 

2. I end my turn.”

 

::Ryuuji::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Premature Burial (Equip/Spell) to return Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer to the field in attack mode;

 

2. United We Stand's effect activates (ATK/3900 DEF/1200);

 

3. Mystic Plasma Zone's effect activates (ATK/2300 DEF/300);

 

4. Exodia Necross obliterate;

 

5. Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer attack!”

 

“I activate Hysteric Party (Continuous/Trap) and discard a card from my hand to summon Cyber Harpy from my graveyard!”

 

Exodia Necross's attack destroyed Birdface; Birdface's effect activates; Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer destroys Cyber Harpy.

 

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 1850

Mai Kujyaku LP: 900

 

Mai's body shook her breathing laboured, `I can't do that again… I don't want to lose…' Ryuuji smirked, “Reconsidering my offer Mai?”

 

Mai dropped her head, “Yes, one more draw, if I don't get what I need, I'll surrender…”

 

Ryuuji laughed, “Oh yeah, I'll have you screaming my name yet Mai.”

 

::Mai::

 

Mai pulled the top card from her deck and smiled, “I doubt it, let's play;

 

1. I play Harpy's Feather Duster (Spell)!”

 

“Oh shit, you bitch!” Ryuuji screamed.

 

“Ha, scream all you like, Harpy's Feather Duster destroys all your Spell and Trap cards. Which means United We Stand, Premature Burial and Mystic Plasma Zone are destroyed;

 

2. I play Double Spell (Spell) and by discard Harpy's Hunting Ground (Field/Spell) to the graveyard I can activate Monster Reborn (Spell) from your graveyard to summon Exodia the Forbidden One (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/3 ATK/1000 DEF/1000) in attack mode!”

 

“It can't be!” Ryuuji yelled watching his monster disintegrate before him.

 

3. “Now to take care of Royal Magic Library, I play Stop Defence (Spell) to switch it to attack mode;

 

4. Finally I discard a card from my hand to activate Hysteric Party (Continuous/Trap) again returning Cyber Harpy to the field in attack mode;

 

5. Cyber Harpy;

 

6. Exodia Obliterate!”

 

Cyber Harpy's attack destroyed Royal Magic Library; Exodia the Forbidden One's attack inflicted 1000 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Mai Kujyaku LP: 900

Ryuuji Otogi LP: 0

 

Ryuuji dropped to his knees in an open mouthed gape as Mai's hand was raised in victory, “Your winner, Mai Kujyaku!”

 

The astounded crowd stood in silence as Mai trotted off the stage, slowly the crowd began applauding until the stadium was filled with cheering and chanting Mai's name all the way to the locker room.

 

In the locker room Mai stood amongst her friends breathing deeply. After a few moments she exhaled, “That, was difficult.”

 

Jyoonouchi mouthed words before getting his lips around a few, “Where have you been hiding that talent Mai…”

 

Mai smirked, “Where you'll never get to see Katsuya.” She responded swaggering over to straddle Kaiba. A deviant expression crossed Jyoonouchi's face as he watched them.

 

A minute or two later Anzu entered the locker room a bemused expression dancing around her Azure eyes, “I thought I was going insane, I heard the crowd chanting Mai's name.

 

The group looked to one another grinning silently as the realization dawned on Anzu's tender features, “I wasn't imaging that?!”

 

“Nope, Mai obliterated Otogi, it was unbelievable!” Jou responded grinning.

 

Anzu blinked then shivered, “Otogi's here, yuck he's gross.” Anzu stated whispering the last part of the sentence.

 

Jou gave Anzu a gentle reassuring look rubbing her arm with his hand, “Don't worry, I won't let that creep anywhere near you.”

 

Anzu smiled taking Jou's hand in hers, “Thanks Jyoonouchi, you can be a really sweet guy sometimes, even if you're a dope the rest of the time.”

 

Jyoonouchi face faulted glaring at Anzu who went to sit between Amy and Serenity, “That wasn't funny Anzu.” He responded, Anzu grinned sticking her tongue out at him.

 

The moment of fun was broken by a knock at the door, the woman from the sign-in desk entered frowning. Serenity looked up from playing with her shirt to the woman, “Is something wrong?”

 

“Possibly, we are preparing for the final match of the tournament as we speak, but it appears your team leader is still unconscious.”

 

“Is there anything we can do?” Anzu asked.

 

“The only two options are substitution by someone who has yet to duel, or forfeit.” The woman responded.

 

Amy made to step forward, but someone else beat her to the punch, “I'll do it.” Anzu agreed stepping forward.

 

Jou blinked while Kaiba scowled at the pronouncement. Mai stood letting him up, Kaiba approached the secretary, “Can you allow us five minutes?” He asked.

 

“Take ten I will be waiting.” She responded before leaving the room.

 

Once she was gone Kaiba turned to Anzu, “Have you lost your mind?”

 

Anzu growled, “I'm thinking clearly actually.”

 

“That's up for debate.” Jyoonouchi mused, Anzu turned her head, “I seem to remember cleaning your clock regularly in the day Katsuya.”

 

“That day was three years ago, a lot has changed.” Jyoonouchi responded, Anzu nodded, “I know that Jyoonouchi, I've changed too.”

 

“Don't be ridiculous Anzu, you'll only lose!” Kaiba yelled, Anzu turned away, “If Yuugi were here he'd believe in me and that's the only thing that matters.” Anzu responded. Without waiting for another argument Anzu opened the door and stepped out, “I'm ready let's go.”

 

“Anzu!” The others exclaimed running after their one woman fire storm.

 

Meanwhile, Yuugi lay in the medical ward his eyes squeezed tight lost deep in his mind. In his subconscious, Yuugi wandered in the darkness, he could hear whispers, like a conversation just out of earshot.

 

Yuugi stopped, turning in a circle he examined the area, “Hello, is anyone out there?”

 

Silence was Yuugi's response, he ventured forward a short distance before being stopped by a small voice he couldn't make out the words but he recognised the voice in seconds, “Anzu!” He yelled running after the voice, as he ran the voice got louder, but the words remained just out of earshot.

 

Yuugi ran and ran his legs screaming in pain the further he went, just as the voice became clear a white light engulfed him. Stumbling to a halt, Yuugi found himself on the steps of a clay stone temple, below him a crowd stretching a mile in every direction he could see chanting in an Egyptian dilect. Above him priests in ceremonial robes stood around an empty stone alter. One of the priests in blue silk robes stepped forwards and spoke raising an Ankh in the air to the roar of the crowd.

 

Yuugi waited on the steps confused and unsure if they could see him. Out from the temple beyond the alter stepped a striking brunette in beige robes, Yuugi's went wide a saucers as a name escaped his lips in fear, “Anzu…”

 

The said brunette was presented to the crowd before being laid on the alter, a hooded bare chested man stepped from the temple, his dagger glinted in the sunlight as he stepped towards the alter. The hooded man grabbed the top of Anzu's robe ripping it away revealing her bare breasts to the crowd and Yuugi. He wanted to both look away and stare at the same time, Anzu turned her head towards him, tears hitting the alter.

 

The hooded man raised the blade into the air, the hood falling back to reveal his spiky tri-colour hair. Yuugi screamed lunging forward as the blade was plunged into Anzu's chest, blood splattering out from her chest hitting Yuugi's screaming flesh as he was torn from his coma.

 

Yuugi sat in the bed, tears hitting the sheet covering him. Wiping the tears from his face, Yuugi looked around the room to find himself alone although he had the lingering sense of another person being in the room for some time. Yuugi looked over to the door hearing movement and exited mummering from behind it. Pulling the sheet off him Yuugi wandered to the door in only his boxers opening it a crack, the voices muttered about the final match before the intercom sputtered to life.

 

“The final match in the King of Duellists tournament is about to begin, introducing first representing team Mutou, Anzu Mazaki!”

 

Yuugi's head shot up, the blood draining from his face, throwing his clothes on Yuugi grabbed his deck, but discovered his black duel disk was gone. Cursing under his breath Yuugi sprinted from the room as fast as his battered body would carry him.

 

In the stadium Anzu stormed to the ring to the sound of wolf whistles and obscene suggestions under When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls. Anzu stepped into the arena closing her eyes she forced out everything but a vision of Yuugi in her mind, whatever came next that was the one thing she intended to hold on to, to her dying breath.

 

“Her opponent, the Leader of the Saints of Death, the reigning World and Intercontinental Champions James “Phoenix” Carlstrom!”

 

Out of the smoke and Disposible Teens by Marilyn Manson came Ryuuji Otogi, “Bandit” Keith Howard, Ryou Bakura and lastly James “Phoenix” Carlstom the Saints of Death of Underground Duelling. They advanced on the arena but only Phoenix entered holding a microphone, “I was promised a match against Yuugi Mutou, yet he sends a girl to take the hit, now that's…”

 

Before Phoenix could finish the music began again this time Stronger by Kanye West heralded the arrival of Yuugi Mutou. In the locker room the group were on their feet as Yuugi ran to the arena. Within seconds the locker room was clear, the group running to the stadium.

 

In the arena Anzu caught Yuugi as he stumbled up the stairs, Yuugi pushed her away, “Stop the match.”

 

Phoenix grinned, “To late Anzu has stepped into the arena she can not leave without duelling unless…”

 

Yuugi scowled, behind him the group rushed to the stage, “Fine, let her go, I'll give you what you want, I'll duel you in a death match!”

 

To Be Continued…