Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 36: Confrontation! The Marionette of Hell ( Chapter 36 )

Author's Note: Thanks to Anime-Ruthless, DJ Rodriguez and PrincessofHeartsNYP for reviewing.

 

Note: Before you start saying I'm using too many ellipses you should check the Manga this is the way the character spoke, it's no fun on my end either…

 

Battle Stage 36: Confrontation! Marionette of Hell

 

Yuugi stood over the corpse of what once was `Bandit' Keith Howard his gun arm hung limply at his side. His eyes drifted painfully back to the still body of his crush, he slipped the gun in a belt loop and walked back to Anzu. He knelt beside her body removing his blood stained jacket, he wrapped the top half of her body.

 

“I'm sorry Anzu, I can't take you home right now… I need to finish this, make them answer for what they've done. When it's over I'll come back, I promise.” Yuugi explained kissing Anzu on the lips before covering her head with the jacket. He stood activating his duel disk, “Dark Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/7 ATK/2500 DEF/2100) make a hole please…”

 

Dark Magician appeared before the two lowering his staff carving a six foot hole into the ground. Yuugi instructed his mage and Dark Magician obeyed lowering Anzu into the ground gently. Yuugi turned to the others, Mai cradled a weeping Serenity in her arms tears running down her cheeks. Jyoonouchi had squatted beside Kaiba crying, uncharacteristically Kaiba had rested his hand on Jou's shoulder, his eyes hidden by his bangs.

 

Dark Magician replaced the dirt covering Anzu's precious body. When Dark Magician was finished Yuugi took a stake driving it into the ground above Anzu's body carving her name into the wood. He knelt at the foot of the grave shedding no tears, he was past tears now, all he had left was his hate. Yuugi rose turning to his friends, “Wipe your tears, we're moving out.” Yuugi announced coldly.

 

“Yuugi…”Jyoonouchi began rising to his feet, “We're in the crater of a volcano, Anzu's dead and you expect us to move out just like that?”

 

“Yes, just like that.” Yuugi responded, Jyoonouchi stared him down, “Without the gun?” Yuugi leered pulling the gun from the belt loop, “Oh no, I'm keeping this until we confront whoever is responsible for her death.” Yuugi responded stroking the gun. Mai kept Serenity close to her as she spoke, “Then what?”

 

Yuugi snorted, “What do you think, he dies.”

 

Mai frowned, “Yes, of course.”

 

Yuugi pulled his bloodstained shirt off throwing it to the ground pulling another from his pack, a short sleeved leather shirt. Slipping it on he pulled his black jacket from his pack and stood, “Are we ready?”

 

The group gathered at the foot of Anzu's grave taking a moment to consider their fallen friend, then silence was piercing, the wind kicking up around their feet. No one spoke; no one could find the words to express how they felt. Even Kaiba, in death he found a new respect for Anzu, surrendering her life for someone she believed in.

 

The group turned to Yuugi and began following him away from Anzu's grave. Walking under the darkened skies the group fought their way through the thickening mist until they had to stop, the mist had become so thick it had become difficult to see each other.

 

They gathered around and even at such close quarters their faces were still obscured by the mist. “Well, what now?” Jou asked.

 

“Keh, keh, keh, now you die!” A high voice screamed a dagger plunging into the centre of the group. The teens scattered, as the mist cleared they found themselves amongst the Victorian era buildings of Erebus. Jyoonouchi stumbled on the cobbled stones, his eyes darted from one side of the alley to the other looking for the dagger thrower.

 

“Jyoonouchi watch out!” Mai yelled shoving Jyoonouchi out of the way as a second dagger impaled the cobbled stone where he had been moments before.

 

“Mai!” Kaiba screamed running to her side as she lay on the ground, Mai rolled onto her back sitting up grasping Kaiba's arm, “I'm ok, it just cut through my jacket.”

 

“Get out here, if you want to kill us do it like a man, face to face!” Jou yelled into the darkened alley.

 

“Kee, kee, kee, why play face to face when watching you grope madly… i-i-in the darkness is so much… fun!” The voice responded from above.

 

Jyoonouchi spun around, his eyes caught something moving at the top of the wall, scouting the area Jyoonouchi cursed, “What the hell, a player killer here?”

 

“Keh, keh, keh, a player… killer, yes, the Ventriloquist!” He announced throwing his cape back dramatically. The Ventriloquist's spiky blonde hair poked out from under his pointed and half bent witches hat, his cape half hid his slender black suited frame, his mouth and nose were covered by a mask with a picture of a shushing finger over the front.

 

“Who is this?” Kaiba demanded his eyes glued to the figure on the wall, Yuugi un-crossed his arms and answered, “He's a player killer from Duellist Kingdom he used a dummy of you and your stolen deck to challenge for my… for Yami's star chips, Yami defeated him and punished him with a penalty game locking him in an illusion where he was the dummy. Yami is still in this reality so why aren't you still trapped there?”

 

“I was freed to be apart of the new world order, if I can defeat you I have been promised Texas.” The Ventriloquist cackled.

 

“Bring it on!” Jou yelled stepping forward of the group, the Ventriloquist sneered, “I know you Katsuya Jyoonouchi, I have already foretold your fate, above.”

 

The group looked over the Ventriloquist's head to a cross beam above. The outline of a rope was just visible hanging from the beam; an object was suspended from the rope. Fishing the torch from her bag Serenity switched it on, directing it upwards she gasped. Hanged from the rope was a mannequin of Jyoonouchi, its eyes snapped open a demonic laugh escaping it's mouth, “Your fate is death!” It cackled.

 

“No way, I won't die, I challenge you to a duel!” Jou yelled pulling his duel disk from the bag throwing it aside.

 

The Ventriloquist's eyes lit up, “Your challenge… is accepted!”

 

The Mannequin dropped to the ground standing after a moment swaying as a duel disk appeared on its arm, “I shall duel… you.”

 

Jou glared up at the Ventriloquist before speaking, “Fine, have it your way.”

 

Ventriloquist Life Points: 8000

Katsuya Jyooonouchi Life Points: 8000

 

::Ventriloquist::

 

“Keh, keh, keh, Ι draw;

 

1. Masked Dragon (Fire/Dragon/Effect/4 ATK/1400 DEF/1100) attack mode;

 

2. Two cards… face down.”

 

::Jou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Axe Raider (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1150) in attack mode;

 

2. I play two cards face down and end my turn.”

 

::Ventriloquist::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Luster Dragon (Wind/Dragon/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1600) attack mode;

 

2. Attack… Luster Dragon;

 

3. Attack… Masked Dragon.”

 

Luster Dragon's attack destroyed Axe Raider; Masked Dragon's attack inflicted 1400 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Ventriloquist LP: 8000

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 6600

 

::Jou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Dark Blade (Dark/Warrior/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

2. I add Pitch Black Dragon (Dark/Dragon/Union/3 ATK/900 DEF/900) to Dark Blade to increase its attack and defence four hundred points (ATK/2200 DEF/1900);

 

3. Dark Blade attack Masked Dragon!”

 

“Masked Dragon's effect activates… Divine Dragon… of Ragnarok attack mode.”

 

Ventriloquist LP: 7200

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 6600

 

::Ventriloquist::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I sacrifice Divine Dragon… of Ragnarok to summon Armed Dragon LV5 (Wind/Dragon/Effect/5 ATK/2400 DEF/1700) attack mode;

 

2. Armed Dragon LV5… attack;

 

3. Luster Dragon… attack.”

 

Armed Dragon LV5's attack destroyed Pitch Black Dragon; Luster Dragon destroyed Dark Blade.

 

Ventriloquist LP: 7200

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 6300

 

Kaiba's eyes narrowed as he watched the duel, “Something's familiar about these cards…”

 

Yuugi nodded, “Yes, it almost seems like Jou's playing against your deck… when the Ventriloquist duelled Yami in Duellist Kingdom he used your stolen deck maybe he's using a copy of your deck.”

 

“A copy of Kaiba's deck, terrific…” Jou mumbled under Kaiba's low growl.

 

::Jou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Warrior Dai Grepher (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1600) in defence mode;

 

2. I play a card face down and end my turn.”

 

::Ventriloquist::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Dragon's Rage (Continuous/Trap) Dragon monsters with attack higher than the defence… of your monsters will inflict… the difference as… battle damage;

 

2. Armed Dragon LV5… attack;

 

3. Luster Dragon… attack.”

 

“I activate Ordeal of a Traveller (Continuous/Trap) when you attack the effect activates, you select a card from my hand and call the type, if you call wrong the attacking monster returns to your hand, first up Armed Dragon LV5.”

 

“Second from… the left… Spell.”

 

“Ha! You're wrong it's a Monster card, Armed Dragon LV5 returns to your hand!”

 

“Far left, monster.”

 

Jou frowned, “Damn it…”

 

Luster Dragon's attack destroyed Warrior Dai Grepher; Dragon Rage's effect activates.

 

Ventriloquist LP: 7200

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 6000

 

::Jou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Incandescent Ordeal (Ritual/Spell);

 

2. By sending Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of End (Dark/Dragon/Effect/8 ATK/3000 DEF/2500) from my hand to the graveyard;

 

3. I can summon Legendary Flame Lord (Fire/Spellcaster/Effect/7 ATK/2400 DEF/2000) in attack mode;

 

4. Legendary Flame Lord attack!”

 

Legendary Flame Lord's attack destroyed Luster Dragon.

 

Ventriloquist LP: 6700

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 6000

 

::Ventriloquist::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Lord of Dragons (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1200 DEF/1100) attack mode;

 

2. Dragon Mirror (Spell) sends Lord of Dragons… from my field;

 

3. Divine Dragon… of Ragnarok from my… graveyard;

 

4. Summoning King Dragun (Dark/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/7 ATK/2400 DEF/1100) attack mode;

 

5. Card face down.”

 

::Jou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I think I'll add Salamandra (Equip/Spell) to Legendary Flame Lord to increase its attack seven hundred points (ATK/3100);

 

2. Legendary Flame Lord attack!”

 

“No… Negate Attack (Trap)… cancels attack.”

 

“Damn.” Jou cursed under his breath.

 

::Ventriloquist::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Activating… King Dragun's ability summong… Devil King Dragon - Vanalgion (Dark/Dragon/Effect/8 ATK/2800 DEF/2500)…”

 

“Not, Bottomless Trap Hole (Trap) can be activated when you summon a monster with fifteen hundred attack points or more, your monster is destroyed and removed from play.”

 

2. “Twin-Headed Behemoth (Wind/Dragon/Effect/4 ATK/1500 DEF/1200) defence mode;

 

3. One card… face down.”

 

::Jou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Legendary Flame Lord attack!”

 

Legendary Flame Lord's attack destroyed King Dragun.

 

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 6000

Ventriloquist LP: 5900

 

::Ventriloquist::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Kaiser Sea Horse (Light/Sea Serpent/Effect/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1650) defence mode;

 

2. Monster Reincarnation (Spell) discard one card… return one monster to hand;

 

3. End turn.”

 

::Jou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play one card face down;

 

2. I summon Darkfire Soldier #1 (Fire/Pyro/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1150) in attack mode;

 

3. Darkfire Soldier #1 attack;

 

4. Legendary Flame Lord attack!”

 

Darkfire Soldier #1's attack destroyed Twin Headed Behemoth; Legendary Flame Lord's attack destroyed Kaiser Sea Horse; Twin-Headed Behemoth's effect activates returning it to the field. (ATK/1000 DEF/1000)

 

::Ventriloquist::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Level Turning (Spell) you draw two cards… LV monster from… my graveyard to the field Armed Dragon LV10 (Wind/Dragon/Effect/10 ATK/3000 DEF/2000) attack mode… cannot attack… activate effect this turn;

 

3. Add Dragon's Treasure (Equip/Spell) to Armed Dragon LV10… increase attack, defence three hundred (ATK/3300 DEF/2300);

 

3. End turn.”

 

::Jou::

 

“Nuts, I draw;

 

1. Legendary Flame Lord attack;

 

2. One card face down.”

 

Legendary Flame Lord's attack destroyed Twin Headed Behemoth.

 

::Ventriloquist::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Armed Dragon LV10… special ability discard one card… destroy all monsters on your side of the field;

 

2. Armed Dragon LV10… attack!”

 

Armed Dragon LV10's attack inflicted 3300 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

Ventriloquist LP: 5900

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 2700

 

::Jou::

 

“Not bad, I draw;

 

1. I summon Masaki the Legendary Swordsman (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1100 DEF/1100) in defence mode;

 

2. I end my turn.”

 

::Ventriloquist::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Armed Dragon LV10's special ability… activates;

 

2. End duel… attack!”

 

“It's not the end yet, activate Scapegoat (Quick Play/Spell) these fuzz balls will take the heat for now (Earth/Beast/1 ATK/0 DEF/0) x4.”

 

Armed Dragon LV10's attack destroyed Sheep Token.

 

::Jou::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Red-Eyes Black Chick (Dark/Dragon/Effect/1 ATK/800 DEF/500) in attack mode;

 

2. By sending it to the graveyard I can activate Red-Eyes Black Chick's special ability summoning Red-Eyes Black Dragon (Dark/Dragon/7 ATK/2400 DEF/2000) to the field from my hand in attack mode;

 

3. Now I can activate Inferno Fire Blast (Spell) by selecting Red-Eyes Black Dragon I can inflict battle damage equal to its original attack (LP: 3600) the trade off being Red-Eyes Black Dragon cannot attack this turn;

 

4. But that's ok because I play Polymerization (Spell);

 

5. To fuse Meteor Black Dragon (Fire/Dragon/5 ATK/2000 DEF/2500) from my hand;

 

6. With Red-Eyes Black Dragon on the field;

 

7. To summon Meteor Black Dragon (Fire/Dragon/Fusion/9 ATK/3500 DEF/2000) in attack mode;

 

8. Finally I add Megamorph (Equip/Spell) to double its attack points since my life points are lower than yours (ATK/7000);

 

9. Meteor Black Dragon attack!”

 

Meteor Black Dragon's attack destroyed Armed Dragon LV10.

 

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 2700

Ventriloquist LP: 0

 

Meteor Black Dragon's attack subsided leaving the burnt cinder of what had been the Jyoonouchi marionette. The Ventriloquist's eyes filled with fear, “No, no, I did everything you asked, don't, no, do…” The Ventriloquist screamed falling from the roof creating a puff of dust as he hit the ground.

 

The gang looked between each other in silent debate about who would check the body before Yuugi ended the discussion approaching the Ventriloquist. Kneeling down Yuugi frowned, “Another body… how many more will it take?” He asked bitterly rising to his feet, “He's dead, broken neck.”

 

In another place Malik sat at a chess board considering his next move. His opponent sat smirking, “Well?”

 

“Don't…” Malik began moving his knight to take a pawn, “Rush me.”

 

“Huh, you need to study more.” His opponent replied taking the King, “Now, we need to talk…”

 

Malik shook his head, “Don't make me… please…”

 

“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…” His opponent replied, a golden glow illuminating his sharp features.

 

In the town the group wandered the featureless streets, neither finding the central fountain or the gate to the wasteland outside. They'd stopped exhausted in an alleyway, Yuugi crossed his arms looking into the sky, Jou looked over, “What's wrong?”

 

“Nothing, I'm just waiting for the rain to stop… oh look its stopping…” Yuugi responded cryptically, before anyone could respond they were rushed by a cloud bank.

 

The cloud bank subsided to, well, “My blimp!” Kaiba spat viciously, they had been taken from Erebus to the Battle City Blimp's duelling deck. The group was silent when Mai began gasping hard backing away towards the railing.

 

Sinister laughter flooded the air drawing their attention, “No, it can't be…” Serenity whispered her eyes meeting the twisted vision of an old enemy.

 

“Welcome to my palour said the spider to the flies.” Marik cackled standing on the duelling platform, “Shall we play?”

 

To Be Continued…