~Chapter Eight: X Marks the Spot~
OpeningThe tournament had been going on now for several hours and the streets of Neo Domino were filled with duel monsters from one corner to the next in almost every block. Streets had been closed and people had skipped their jobs to witness the massive event. One of the duelists who had been having a lot of success in the short time the tournament had started was Janembo. He had already gathered six locator cards by defeating four duelists and taking one of their locator cards and their rarest card. It seemed as if Janembo was on a roll, and nobody was going to stop him.
Janembo found himself standing tall in front of a kid who was in tears.
Kid: (sad) Please champ, don't take my rarest card! You've no use for it!
Janembo had just defeated him and took the kid's locator card and Heavy Storm. As he stood above him people gathered around were talking of how Janembo defeated the kid in only two turns, and how great Janembo was. Janembo ignored the kid's pleading and turned to Atem.
Janembo: Another heavy storm for my collection and my seventh locator card, it seems like I'll be finishing this tournament faster than I expected.
Kid: Please champ!
Atem: Get away kid before I report you to sector securities for attempting to break a tournament rule!
Janembo placed the heavy storm card in his pocket and added his seventh locator card to the graveyard slot in his duel disk. He had a confident look to his face as he smiled. He began walking away from the kid when suddenly there was a loud explosion-like noise. Everyone ducked slight in their positions from the unexpected noise. The sound came from somewhere nearby as Janembo's ears were ringing from how loud the noise was.
Janembo: What the hell was that?
Atem: Perhaps some sort of terrorist attack? We'd better get out of here..
Janembo: Agreed.
A crowd began gathering near the place where the explosion had gone off, but Janembo and Atem walked away from the crowd. Among the crowd was Det, Flo, xcross, and Catgirl. xcross being the shortest jumped around trying to see what had happened. The crowd was too large for any of them to see anything, but they could hear gasps of horror from the front of the crowd. Suddenly an ambulance showed up with paramedics rushing out of it as it parked. They made their way through the crowd with a stretcher and the crowd moved out of their way as they made their way back. This time the Det and the rest had a better view of what was going on when suddenly all their faces went pale.
The Detonator: (Shock)It's WilliamBerlin!
CatGirl covered her mouth as she saw William being rolled out on a stretcher. William was a young underground duelist int he Satellite who made the trip on the boat. He was not the best duelist in the world, and like many he hoped this tournament would be his ticket out of the satellite. However he now found himself passed out on a stretcher, his body covered with a white sheet-like cloth covered with crimson stains. It was obvious that William was in critical condition.
CatGirl: My God..
Flodian: Who would do such a thing?! He's just a kid!
xcross21: I have a bad feeling guys... we'd better stick together at all times.
The noise had been heard all over the city and it caused some commotion. On the other side of Neo Domino near the park was the rest of the Dark Signers minus DJD. They had all heard the noise as well and were all looking in the direction it had come from.
]OptimusYale: Jeez that was loud, what in the world is going on over there?
Carly: I doubt it was a duel..
Devak continued walking on because he knew what had happened. William tried to take off his duel disk and set off the bomb within. Devak was the only one of the dark signer's who knew about the explosive device and was told not to tell anyone.
Devak: It's none of our concern. We've wasted enough time, we need to find the signers.
The rest of the Dark Signers followed Devak agreeing with him.
Supreme_King: How exactly are we supposed to know who are signers or not?
Devak: Just like you, they have a mark somewhere in their body. The mark of the Crimson Dragon.
OptimusYale: So... you expect us to check everyone's entire bodies? I mean my mark happens to be in my arm, but DJD's was in his chest so how are we supposed to know if the Signer's have their marks in their arms?
Carly looked back at the sector securities building towering over the rest of the buildings in Neo Domino. They were about two miles away from it and yet it was still visible in the skyline. Carly stopped and turned around.
Carly: I'm going to go take care of some business as well. You guys can hang out looking for these signers all day if you want, but I'm growing tired of it.
Carly began walking in the direction she had come from leaving the rest behind; they were looking at her as she walked away. Optimus stepped forward seemingly ready to follow her.
Carly: Don't!
Optimus stopped with a sad look in his face then turned to the rest of the Dark Signers.
Supreme_King: She's right.. we're on a wild goose chase.
Nhant: (Soft Spoken Voice) We were told we would duel for Goodwin, and that's what we should do...
Nhant separated from the group and began walking off heading west from the direction the rest of the Dark Signers were. Optimus stared at Nhant walking away and put his arms behind his head
OptimusYale: (annoyed) Look who's mister I have to keep saying cool stuff now..
Devak: Perhaps splitting up is not such a bad idea.
Supreme_King: Good, now I can get to duel some of these noobs.
OptimusYale: Wait so who I'm I going to talk to now?!
Devak: You're not here to talk, you're here to duel.
Devak and Supreme_King began walking off in different directions leaving Optimus in the spot they had first stopped all alone. Optimus looked a bit sad, but then decided to go look for DJD as he was the only person who he could actually talk to. He didn't know where DJD was so he headed off into a random direction hoping he'd find him. Meanwhile the area was clearing off where the explosion had taken place, and xcross was eager to get out of there as soon as possible. The group began walking off when suddenly a familiar voice stopped them in their tracks.
MercerBond: Well well well.. if it isn't the satellite trash and their cowardly puppy!
The group stopped, and xcross stood behind everyone. Flodian being the hot head that he is spoke first.
Flodian: I'm gonna teach you a lesson this time!
MercerBond: I guess you'll have to do. Although I was hoping to get at the little puppy, I bet he's too scared to even duel at all. I'd finish him off in one turn! OTK all the way!
The Detonator: Oh please kid, cross would wipe the floor with you.. seriously who do you think you are? Just because you're from here it doesn't mean you're better.
MercerBond: Is that so? Why doesn't your little chihuahua prove it?
The Detonator: Alright then, go kick make him eat his words Cross!
Det grabbed xcross from behind him and pushed him forward.
xcross21: But Det!
The Detonator: No buts, you're gonna kick this guy's butt.
MercerBond: Come on kid, don't be scared. I won't bite! I'll just take your locator cards!
xcross21: Cards..?
MercerBond: If you're going to duel me you'll have to wager both your cards!
xcross21: No way! If I lose I'll be eliminated!
CatGirl: That's why you're not going to lose, we believe in you.
xcross stared at CatGirl who was smiling back at him and got a quick flashback of his mom's smile. Xcross got a determined look in his face as he thought about his mom back home, he was going to duel and win this tournament so he could have enough money to bring his mom to Neo Domino with him. Xcross turned to MercerBond, and he was ready to put it all on the line
xcross21: Alright then! You want a duel?! You got yourself one!
MercerBond smiled, and turned his duel disk on. The top blade met the bottom blade and his disk lit up mometarily. Xcross duel disk turned on and slid open it also lit up momentarily.
xcross21: Let's Duel!
MercerBond: Let's Duel!
xcross21:8000 LP MercerBond:8000 LP
xcross21: Alright let's rock! Draw!I'll start off with 2 cards face down, and a monster face down in defense mode!
Three face down cards appeared before xcross as he ended his turn.
MercerBond: Draw!
Mercer looked at his hand and smiled.
MercerBond: Looks like this is going to be easier than I thought! First I activate the spell Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen!
Pillars began rising from the ground, and at the center of the structure there was a throne made out of stone. Behind it there were scarlet red curtains, and before the throne was some steps covered in a red carpet that matched the color of the curtains. Mercer stood in front of the stairs that led to the throne.
- Spoiler:
As the throne was getting set people realized a duel was going on and soon a crowd began gathering around xcross and Mercer.
MercerBond: This here is going to be the throne of your demise!
xcross21: It's pretty, but your fancy throne room won't be a match for me!
MercerBond: This is much more than a throne room puppy, as long as this spell remains on the field I can special summon one fairy type monster from my hand to the field!
xcross21: Not good..
The Detonator: This is going to get ugly..
MercerBond: Now I special summon Athena! (2800/800)
A fairy with a wand and a shield appeared before Mercer, she was wearing all white and there was a silver glow radiating from her.
MercerBond: I'm not done yet! Since there are no monsters in my graveyard I can special summon Guardian Eatos! (2500/2000)
Another fairy appeared infront of Mercer this one had wings, and a hat in the shape of an eagle, she was wielding a bow and it was aimed at xcross.
xcross21: This will hurt..
Flodian: Don't let him psyche you out with his girly fairies Cross!!
MercerBond: Heh.. these fairies are far more powerful than you think! I'll summon Boutiful Artemis now in attack mode! (1600/1700) but I'm not done yet! Since I now have two LIGHT monsters on my side of the field I can special summon my favorite card! Guradian of Order! (2500/1200)
A bright light radiated from the ground and from it emerged a warrior in a white armor with gold trim around it. A bright gold light was radiating from it and xcross knew he was in trouble. Mercer had just summoned four monsters in his first turn and three of them had 2500 attack or more!
MercerBond: Looks like your locator cards are as good as mine! Now my monsters attack!
Artemis attacked xcross' face down card and a monster with three claws was revealed shortly, but soon was shattered.
xcross21: No! My Airbellum!
The other three monsters all attacked xcross at once, Guardian Eatos shot an arrow from her bow and successfully hit xcross, Athena waved her staff and a burst of light struck xcross at the same time GE's arrow struck, and Guardian of Order simply charged xcross and hit him with a right uppercut as soon as the other two attacks landed. The crowd cheered.
xcross21:200 LP MercerBond:8000 LP
xcross dropped to his knees after the three strikes hit, and didn't get up for a while.
MercerBond: I ended my turn kid! or are you giving up to save yourself some dignity?
xcross didn't reply, his spirit had been broken. He had never faced someone with a deck that could swarm so fast, and he knew only a handful of cards in his deck could stand up to those monsters, and they wren't in his hand. Xcross was ready to place his hand above his deck as a sign of surrender when Flodian called out to him
Flodian: Don't you dare quit Cross! You can still win this!
xcross looked over at Flodian with watery eyes
xcross21: How?! There is nothing in my deck that can stand up to his monsters! You guys are always saying we can do these things but we can't!! We are just low life satellite junk scavengers and we need to accept it!
CatGirl walked up to xcross and kneeled in front of him, and to everyone's shock she slapped him across the face.
CatGirl: Don't ever put yourself down again! I won't allow you to! Now get up and show that guy what you can do!
xcross' spirit seemed to have pulled itself together and he once again found the will to duel on. He got up from his knees and stared at Mercer. Mercer was staring back in disgust.
MercerBond: (Annoyed) You guys done?
xcross had his hand in his face, but then placed it on the top of his deck and drew. xcross looked at his card and began thinking.
xcross21: (Thinking)It's a long shot.. but this card should buy me some time.. (Outloud) Alright! I summon Card Trooper! (400/400)
A little red and blue robot appeared in front of xcross, and it seemed more like a toy than a duel monster.
MercerBond: Heh... and here I thought you wanted to keep your dignity.
xcross21: Don't underestimate my little friend here! He has a special effect! I can send the top three cards from my deck to the grave to have its attack raised by 500 for each one! (1900/400) Now my trooper attack his Atemis!
Cart trooper began steaming up and from its eyes it shot a laser beam which destroyed Mercer's monster on impact.
xcross21:200 LP MercerBond:7700 LP
xcross21: Take that! I set one card face down and end my turn.
MercerBond: It'll be your last! I draw! Hmm.. nothing.. well I still got my three monsters and they're about to finish you off! Attack!
xcross21: Not so fast! I activate Threatening Roar!
A huge lion appeared before xcross and let out a thunderous roar which stopped Mercer's monsters in their tracks.
MercerBond: Heh.. it seems you bought yourself a turn, no matter though. You're just delaying the inevitable.
xcross21: Alright my turn! Draw!
xcross looked at his hand and his face did not seem to cheer up, he knew he was in a tight spot and it would take a miracle for him to get out of it.
xcross21: First I'll activate my troopers effect. Then I'll summon X-Saber Raggigura! (200/1000)
A small chameleon with a red cape appeared before xcross and it was wielding two daggers.
xcross21: First I get to use its effect which allows me to get one X-Saber from my grave to my hand, and I pick XX-Saber Fullhelm Knight! Next I'll chain his summon to this! TORRENTIAL TRIBUTE!
Blue explosions began taking over the field destroying every monster in their path. Mercer covered his eyes and could only watch helplessly as his monsters were being destroyed.
CatGirl: Alright cross!
Flodian: (confused) Why didn't he use that earlier..?
The Detonator: He probably drew it last turn.
Flodian: (confused) Then why didn't he use threatening earlier?!
Det stared at Flodian with a confused look; he realized Flodian had a point.
xcross21: Since my trooper was destroyed, I get to draw one card! (Draws) Alright! I activate the spell card Double summon! This card allows me to normal summon an additional time this turn, and I'll summon XX-Saber Fullhelm Knight! (1300/1000)
A small golden haired warrior was summoned on xcross' side of the field, it was wearing a silver armor and a red cape. He was wielding a long sword, and he was staring down Mercer.
xcross21: Now my knight attack his life points directly! LIGHTNING BLADE ATTACK!
fullhelmknight's sword began breaking apart into several chunks, however all of the chunks were connected by a lightning current that ran through his sword which allowed fullhelmknight's long sword to be used as a whip. He charged towards Mercer and whipped him with his lightning blade.
xcross21:200 LP MercerBond:6400 LP
MercerBond: Grr.. you're starting to annoy me.
xcross21: Annoying people is my specialty! I end my turn!
MercerBond: My turn! Draw! (draws and looks at card) Looks like it's all over for you kid! Since Valhala is still on my side of the field I can special summon Airknight Parshath! (1900/1400)
A fairy with a blue armor was summoned, it had a halo over its head and white plumage on its armor it was wielding a short sword and a shield.
MercerBond: Now Parshath finish him off!
Parshath charged Fullhelmknight and a big explosion took place created everywhere as soon as the blow was delivered. Mercer laughed hysterically has he had defeated xcross... or so he thought. The smoke was clearing up and xcross and fullhelm knight stood tall with his lifepoints intact.
MercerBond: What the hell!? My attack should have wiped your life points you dirt bag!
xcross21: First of all I'm not a dirtbag! My name is xcross so start using it! And the reason I'm still standing is because of my knight's special ability! Whenever a monster attacks it I can negate one attack so for now my life points are safe!
MercerBond: You're starting to become a pest! I'll have to end my turn
xcross21: Alright my turn! Draw! I summon X-Saber Airbellum! (1600/200)
A humanoid beast with black and gold hair was summoned on xcross' side of the field, the beast had three enormous claws on its hands.
xcross21: Since there are two X-Sabers on my side of the field I can now special summon XX-Saber Faultroll! (2400/1800)
A warrior with a red armor was summoned, and it wielded a giant sword that looked sharp enough to slice through anything.
CatGirl: Way to go!
Flodian: This jerk is about to get what's coming to him
The Detonator:Looks like xcross is gonna pull through
xcross21: This guy has a very special effect, you see once per turn it allows me to special summon one level 4 or lower x-saber from my graveyard, and I choose to summon the card I milled earlier with my trooper X-Saber Urz! (1600/100) He won't be sticking around for long though.. cause I'll use him and airbellum to synchro summon my best card! X-Saber Urbellum! (2200/1300)
X-Saber Airbellum began glowing as he jumped into the air and then disintegrated into three green circles of light that made a patter one after the other, soon after x-saber urz jumped through the three circles and as he made his way past all of them a bright light began radiating from the monster and X-Saber Urbellum emerged. He was a tall monster with a white skull for a head with black horns coming out of it, he wielded two giant swords on its back, it was wearing a black armor and a red raggedy cape
- Spoiler:
MercerBond: How in the world can a dirtbag like you get his hands on a synchro monster?!
xcross21: I told you my name was xcross! Faultroll attack his parshath!
Faultrol charged parshath with its giant blade and cut him in half instantly, it then shattered into the graveyard immediatelly.
xcross21: Now fullhelm attack his life points directly!
Fullhelmknight's sword began falling appart again as Fullhelmknight charged and as he made his way to Mercer the blade turned into its whip mode. Fullhelm successfully landed a hit on MercerBond, and Mercer could do nothing about it but hope that he'd draw another athena in his next turn to special summon it with Valhala.
xcross21: Now urbellum attack him!
Urbellum grabbed both swords from his back and drew them displaying the monsters strength as he wielded each of the heavy swords with a single hand. He then charged at Mercer and struck him directly with both swords. Mercer dropped to his knee, but quickly got up.
xcross21:200 LP MercerBond:2400 LP
MercerBond: There's still a lot of fight in me scumbag! There's no way I'm letting you win, my next card will surely be your doom!
xcross21: Hmm.. maybe, but it's too bad you won't get to draw it. You see my urbellum has a special effect, whenever he inflicts damage to my opponent and my opponent has four or more cards in his hand I can put one of his cards back in the top of his deck!
MercerBond: What?!
xcross21: That's right! Whatever you were hoping for ain't coming... dirt bag.
The crowd cheered as MercerBond, a famous duelist was about to go down to a nobody from the Satellite. Det, Flo, and CatGirl all looked on with a proud look in their faces, however, mercer wasn't about to lose he got up and tried to make a run for it, but before he could get any further he was stopped by the crowd.
MercerBond: Let me through! Do you know who I am?! I'm MercerBond!
xcross21: Are you ashamed that you just lost to a junk scavenger?! If you have no more moves left hand over your locator cards!
The crowd pushed mercer back into the duel, and mercer had no choice but to finish. He put a card back in his deck then drew it again as his turn started, Mercer did not say anything, and he tried to bluff xcross by setting three m/t, but xcross knew if they were anything good he would have set them a long time ago.
xcross21: What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? I assume you're ending your turn? Alright then let me finish this duel! Urbellum finish him!
Urbellum charged at Mercer again, and as he hit him mercer let out a grunt. Behind Mercer his hall of the fallen began falling apart, and with it the rest of Mercer's life points.
xcross21:200 LP MercerBond:0 LP
CatGirl: Alright Cross!
Flodian: I knew you could do it!
The Detonator: Told you you'd kick his butt!
xcross walked over to Mercer, who was on his knees his with a broken spirit. His deck had scattered all over the floor in front of him and his locator cards were among his deck. Xcross keeled down and picked up both locator cards bringing his total up to four, he then searched through the scattered cards in Mercer's deck and picked up his Guardian Eatos. He began walking away towards his friends, but made a quick stop to yell out
xcross21: My name is xcross! All you Neo Domino people better remember it!
Xcross began making his way back to his friends as the crowd cheered for their new Satellite hero. Among the crowd was Janembo who had been looking on since MercerBond was one of his former opponents, and thought he'd win.
Janembo: Those satellite monkeys sure have no manners... at least the kid's good. It should make for an interesting turn of events if a satellite monkey makes it to the final.
Xcross joined his friends and they all had smiles in their faces. The crowd began to scatter as Janembo stood with Atem staring at xcross and his friends with a look of disgust in their faces. As the crowd scattered Atem noticed a hooded figure standing still a few feet away from xcross and his friends, and it seemed to be staring at them .
Atem: Hmm.. a hooded man, I wonder if he's one of those people that supposedly emerged from the sector security building.
Janembo: Hmm.. perhaps who cares though. I've had enough entertainment, it's time for me to get the three locator cards I need to advance.
Janembo, and Atem began walking away, but a scream from a familiar voice halted them. The hooded figure was DJD, and he was out for blood.
DJD: Janembo!
Janembo's face turned pale, he turned around and saw DJD walking towards him. Atem's face also turned pale, he looked at Janembo with a terrified look to his face. They had heard DJD died, and it was as if they had seen a ghost. They began stepping away from DJD as he got closer. However, DJD snapped his fingers and out of nowhere two police officers grabbed Janembo and Atem.
Janembo: What is the meaning of this?!
Atem: Do you know who you are grabbing?! That is the duel monsters world champion! Release us at once!
OfficerSorry, but that man over there outranks us.
They were of course referring to DJD who continued to walk towards Janembo. Det, and the rest looked on confused as to what was going on. They did not recognize DJD since he was wearing his hood. As DJD got closer his duel disk activated. The dragon head opened and revealed his deck, then blade then expanded and lit up momentarily. He finally made his way to Janembo, and took off his hood revealing his face. Flodian, Det, and CatGirl were shocked to see DJD as they heard he had disappeared in a hospital in the Satellite.
DJD: Seems you've done good for yourself Janembo.. world champion, fame, money... unfortunately it seems I've outdone you when it comes to power! Release them!
DJD snapped his fingers and the officers released Janembo and Atem, but stayed close enough to make sure they wouldn't run away. Janembo was nervous, and still pale.
Janembo: DJD... I thought you were...
DJD: Dead?! You're partly right...
Janembo looked even more confused, he was terrified by the color DJD's eyes had taken, he really wondered if DJD was telling the truth by saying he was dead. A small crowd had gathered with all the commotion among them Det, Flo, CatGirl, and xcross. They were all confused as to why Janembo, the arrogant world champion, was so scared of DJD.
DJD: Unfortunately for you Janembo.. I've come back from the dead.. just to get my revenge on you.
Chapter 8 End.