Okay,here's the next chapter. A few things though: If I make any poor judgements on Slifer's attack,I apologize. It was REALLY hard to keep track of the cards in Machus' hand,so I may have messed up a bit. Second,this will probably be the last chapter I post on this thread: As I said before,I'm planning on starting a revised thread with better chapters than these. I'll still keep this thread up when I post the new thread,but I'll probably request that this thread be closed when that happens. Okay,enough of that. Enjoy!
Yu-Gi-Oh Jr.: Sister of Anansi
A Yu-Gi-Oh fanfic-crossover fanfic by .hack//BELLOSSOM
Chapter 35: Dragon's Rage

JADE: “This has taken a dangerous turn."
- Mandate of Heaven, "Dramatic Rescue"

The auditorium began to fill like soda filling a Big Gulp cup half an hour before the fabled event. Every camper in the camp who could attend came. Not a single soul wanted to miss what would be the final and most exciting duel in the camp tournament. Fortunately, Lilith had arranged for plenty of entertainment, having the performers from the last three days return for an encore. Each did an encore performance, and in the scant minutes between shows, the generators put on a display of Duel Monsters flying, dancing, or doing stunts.
"Peanuts! Popcorn! Get your refreshments here!" said a vendor, coming down the aisle.
"Everything for us!" cried Kate, waving her hand rapidly in the air. The vendor came down and served them their orders, and the supporters of D.G.B. were soon munching away on snacks and sipping soda in fancy plastic bottles shaped like Duel Monsters.
"So," said Ralph. "What do you think the headmaster plays?"
"I have no idea," said Jeff, shaking his head. "Even though he runs the place, nobody's seen his deck. We have no idea in the Harpy's Hunting Ground what he has. It could be anything."
"Well, if he was the former New Zealand Duelist Champ," said John, filing his nails. "I'd say that could have any deck he pleases. But if I can guess, I'd say it'd be a Burn deck."
"Or a Beatdown," said Peter. "Those seem to be the most popular deck types used these days."
"I'm sure it'll have lots of traps and magic cards, and powerful monsters," said Kate. "Diane's got her work cut out for her."
"I hope she pulls through well, she seemed pretty nervous a while back," said Ralph. "I mean, come on, who would skip the most important meal of the day to practice dueling?"
"I thought breakfast was the most important meal," said Jeff.
Ralph rolled hsi eyes. "Whatever!"
~~+~~
Diane was getting nervous as she checked her deck over and over again. Gwen came up with Bethany. "You ready to go, champ?" she said.
"Ready as I'll ever be," sighed Diane. "I'm dueling the person who runs this place! He's gotta be good. I just hope I don't make a fool out of myself out there."
"We're right there behind you, in our hearts," grinned Bethany. "You really matured over the months. You're not as cocky as before."
"Well, you're not as timid or bookish as before," teased Diane, punching her in the arm.
Twilight approached. "Are you ready to go, Diane?"
"Yep, wish me luck," sighed Diane.
Twilight smiled softly and nodded. "Diane, a word of warning. You are about to face a formidable foe. You must have faith in yourself and your deck. If you keep faith in your cards, they will come to you. And remember, we are all behind you." She knelt down and hugged Diane.
Diane felt a tear on her shoulder. "Twilight...are you...?"
Twilight got up and wiped her cheek dry. "Go and do your best."
Diane nodded. "I will!"
The fireworks and music started. It was time.
"Knock 'em dead, Di!" cried Gwen. "we'll hurry up to the VIP booth and cheer you on!"
"Yeah!" said Bethany. "D.G.B. is in the house!" She shot up a fist.
Twilight sighed. Good luck, Diane...you will NEED it.
~~+~~
Ares nodded. "So, it begins."
"And ends," grinned Doppler. "If she beats our pawn, she is the one."
"And if she loses...her soul is forfeit," said Ares softly. He hung his head a little.
Circe and Pisaro were also watching. "This is it, the moment of truth," said Pisaro, his attention solely on the orb. "Whether Diane wins or not shall determine her fate."
"Oh come on, don't be so serious!" teased Circe. "Relax. Soon, Yugi Jr. will fall before us."
Pisaro was silent.
Fine, ignore me, thought Circe in a huff. She crossed her arms. Just for THAT, I won't tell you about my plan until I've started phase one! "Hmph."
~~+~~
Diane entered the stage and got up on it. From the other side, Machus approached and climbed up the stairs to the other side. Cheers erupted from the campers as Lilith entered.
"Good afternoon, ladies and germs," laughed Lilith. "I hope you are all present, because this is the thrilling conclusion to the grand Camp of Duels tournament! Our Duelist Camp champion, Diane Arachne herself, facing off against none other than our headmaster in what will prove to be the most exciting exhibition match I've ever seen!"
The crowd grew louder in their accolades.
"As you know, Diane's deck is called 'Divine Protection.' And our headmaster, Machus, has named his deck with an interest title - 'Heralds of the Sun!' Whatever that means, beats me!"
Heralds of the Sun? Weird name, thought Diane.
"Welcome, Diane," said Machus with a muted smile. "You have come far, very far, defeating every enemy with your cards. Now is the deciding moment of truth, will you stand stronger than a former champion, or will you fall to my power?"
"I'm not about to lose, especially to someone who's been out of the dueling circuit for years," said Diane, grinning wickedly. She took out her deck.
Machus removed his deck and smiled. "My dear, you have much to learn. I may not duel as much as I used to, but I'm not as rusty as you claim. As you know, if you defeat me in a duel, you are entitled to anything your heart desires, any dream you wish will be granted. But..." He lowered his voice so only Diane could hear. "There may be a dire drawback to being defeated here."
"Eh?" asked Diane, confused. "What are you saying?"
Machus chuckled and spoke loudly again. "Let the duel begin."
Lilith got up and turned to her roulette. "Okay, folks, let's see where the final duel will take place. Let's hope it's a grand setting!" She spun the wheel and, after a while, the wheel stopped on a golden slot. "Ah, excellent! The PERFECT location for a duel of this scale..." She pressed the button and the change was spectacular.
The entire stage exploded into golden radiance which expanded to engulf the entire building! Everyone covered their eyes for a moment, then they looked up and gasped in awe. The stage and seats were in the center of a giant plaza of golden buildings and silver roads. Rainbows criss-crossed the cerulean skies and clouds lazily drifted overhead as a cotton blanket as birds flew by, chirping the sweetest songs.
"I present...THE RAINBOW EMPIRE!" cried Lilith, smiling broadly. "The greatest setting of all!" The throne behind her was transformed into fine gold with silver cushions and two men in golden armor flanked the throne.
Everyone was in awe and gasped and oohed. "Wow, pretty," said Kate, her eyes lit up like stars.
"Too gaudy, if you ask me," said John, brushing his long hair. "I'm a more sophisticated man."
Kate looked at him and backed across two seats away from him, cringing.
"Now, time to call it," said Lilith, holding up the Card of Plenty.
"Diane, you have the honors," said Machus, waving his hand.
"Fine," said Diane as the card was inserted into the gyroscope and spun. "Heads!"
The card landed blank-side up.
"Rats," sighed Diane, snapping her fingers.
"I will go first," said Machus, smirking.
"Okay, then shuffle and cut your opponent's decks," said Lilith. The two did so.
Machus felt a strange energy in the deck. That's odd, why is her deck so odd?
Diane gulped as she cut the deck. I feel some strange energies in the cards Machus has. One of them is familiar, and one is not. I hope this isn't trouble.
The two handed back the decks and took their places, plugging in their duel disks.
"Let's see if you are worthy of being the first Queen of Games, Diane," said Machus as he inserted his deck into the disk and activated it. His life meter rose to 8000.
"Don't think I'm a pushover, sir," said Diane, doing the same. Her life meter reset to 8000.
"Now...Machus...Diane..." Lilith raised her hands and then slammed them down. "ALLEZ JUENE!"
The two drew their hands. So, it begins... thought Machus with a pained sigh under his breath. I never wanted to harm this girl. Her sister will never forgive me... His eyes turned to Lina, smiling as she watched. And Lina, I gave her the job of watching her before she had to come. If only she had never come!
He drew a card. "To start, I play two continuous magic cards."
"Huh?" asked Diane.
"First, Infinite Cards, which will allow me to have as many cards as I want in my hand." The card appeared on his left side. "Then, I shall play Goddess of the Greedy Goblins." A card appeared, showing a wicked goblin queen seated on a stone throne, surrounded by treasure. "This card is similar to Treasures of the Guardian Goddess in that I can draw two cards each turn from now on as long as I don't send any monster to the graveyard."
"I knew it," said Jeff. "Only one deck uses Infinite Cards."
"What?" asked Kate.
"He's got a deck focused on Muka Muka and Enraged Muka Muka," said Jeff. "Those monsters are weak to begin with, but gain attack power with each card in your hand. If you have a big enough hand, you will be able to have an unstoppable monster! Diane's really in trouble if he summons them."
"And to end, I'll summon King's Knight to the field." He placed his card.
The card exploded into light, revealing a powerful warrior. He was a muscular, armored man in fancy, golden armor that shimmered in the sunlight above. He wore a crown-like helmet that covered the right eye of his bearded face and a blue cape that fluttered in the wind. His golden sword was sleek and his shield was a round coat of arms bearing a black spade symbol. (1600/1400)
"Whoa," said Bethany.
Gwen paused. I think I recall this monster. Yugi Sr. had it, and it has a special ability. I hope that Di can handle it.
Diane drew a card. Drat, nothing I have can defeat that thing without equipping a Guardian Weapon. Oh well, at least I'll keep him at bay. She put the card in her hand and removed two cards, sliding them in. "Here's my move, headmaster! Mystical Elf in defense mode!"
The beautiful elf maiden appeared in a prayer position. (800/2000)
"And I equip her with Rod of Silence, increasing her defense by five hundred!" Diane watched the mother-of-pearl rod appear in the elf's hands, raising her defense to 2500. "Let's see you try to crack that defensive wall, Machus!"
"I'll do more than try, girl," said Machus, drawing two cards, thanks to his magic card. He put it on his deck. "I summon Queen's Knight, in defense mode."
Another warrior appeared from the card that had been revealed. She was a beautiful woman with flowing blonde hair down to her knees, decked in ruby red armor with a crested helmet. Her triangular shield was another coat-of-arms bearing a red heart symbol, and her sleek sword glimmered silver in the light. She bent down on one knee, shield out. (1500/1600)
"And now witness the power of my Knights," said Machus. "whenever King's Knight and Queen's Knight are brought to the field..." He removed his deck and pulled a card out. "I can summon the third of my trinity from my deck or hand immediately! Behold..." He shuffled and replaced his deck and then placed the card down. "Jack's Knight...in attack mode!"
A third Warrior appeared in a flash of light. He was handsome with blonde hair, and his sapphire armor, blue crown-shaped helmet, steel sword, and crested blue shield with the black club symbol all glimmered like gems in the sunlight. (1900/1000)
"Next turn, you will witness sheer pain," chuckled Machus.
Twilight paled. He going to summon it! No!
Diane drew a card. Whatever he's got in the wings for me must be strong! I'd better do something before he summons it. She looked at her hand. Well, this might not stop him from summoning that big monster of his, but at least he'll have a hard time destroying my life points! "First, I'll equip Mystical Elf with Butterfly Dagger." The dagger appeared in the elf's other hand. (1100/2500) "And since the dagger is on the field, I'll summon its Guardian to the field, Guardian Elma!" The red-haired fairy woman appeared. (1300/800)
Machus chuckled. "You expect that woman to stand against my knights?"
"She will, once I equip her with this! Wicked-Breaking Flamberge!" The card was slid into the slot and the blade appeared in Elma's hands. "This raises Elma's attack by 500 at the cost of a single card from my hand." She discarded a card and her Guardian's attack rose to 1800. "Now...I think I'll take out King's Knight! Blade of Execution!"
The fairy warrior leapt, blade up.
"Activate Negate Attack!" shouted Machus, flipping up his card. Elma's blade bounced off a glimmering shield and she fell back. "Nice try, but you won't be destroying my monsters soon."
"No..." whispered Twilight in wide-eyed horror. "It's coming..."
"What's coming, Twi?" asked Lina, confused.
Twilight sighed and hung her head sadly. Poor Diane...
Machus drew another pair of cards and smirked. Not what I want, but maybe I can win this duel without using my accursed cards. "I activate the magic card, Eternal Rest!"
Diane shrieked. "NO!"
"Well, this is interesting," said Lilith as the card appeared.
Machus chuckled. "You see, Diane, I know all about your deck. It revolves around equipping your monsters with cards. But that is a very foolish move when your opponent uses Eternal Rest, because all monsters equipped with cards are automatically destroyed! My Knights are safe, but your two monsters are finished!"
The card disgorged the evil ghosts which circled around Mystical Elf and Guardian Elma. The females moaned as they crumpled to the floor and shattered.
Diane grimaced as her life points dropped to 7050.
"And now I'll shift Queen's Knight to attack mode and attack you directly!" shouted Machus. The female knight stood up and all three brandished their swords, which glimmered.
This...is gonna hurt, winced Diane, bracing herself.
The three warriors charged and plowed into her, slicing and dicing her body. When they were done, she had a huge gash in her stomach, one on her left cheek, and a third on her right leg. Blood pooled up under her feet in a grostesque puddle as her life points dropped to 1050.
"Oh my God..." whispered Lina in horror.
"NOOOOOOOO!!!!" cried Bethany. "One of those creeps can finish her off!"
"Yeah, another direct attack and she's done for," said Gwen sadly.
Donald and Jake glared at Machus. "Come on, Diane sweetie!" cried Donald. "Don't let this blowhard executive get the best of you!"
"He's pretty clever, I admit that," said Jake sourly.
"You know, if you want, you can forfeit now," said Machus with a smirk. "As I told you, my dueling skills are much better than you had thought." He slid two cards into his disk and they appeared face-down on the field. "I set two cards and end my turn."
Diane cursed. I relied so much on my weapons, I allowed him to wipe me out with a single card, and then swarm me with his trio of goons! I shouldn't have equipped the Rod of Silence on Mystical Elf. Now, any monster I summon will be cut down and one of his knights will take out the rest of my life points. She slowly took a card from her deck with her blood-soaked hand and looked at it. "I play Card of Sanctity, allowing us both to draw cards until we have six." She drew five cards and Machus drew four. She then grinned. "And now, I'll play the magic card, Change of Heart!" She slapped the card down.
"Yes!" said Gwen in triumph.
"It seems your Queen's Knight is about to undergo a serious moral issue," grinned Diane as the spirit of the card possessed Machus' female warrior and she leapt over to Diane's side.
"You fool, you should have taken control of Jack's Knight," said Machus.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of HIM soon enough," giggled Diane, wiping the blood from her face, even though she knew it wasn't real. "For I sacrifice your Queen's Knight to summon Dark Magician Girl!" The knight melted into light and was replaced with the sorceress. (2000/1700)
"Yeah, that's the good stuff!" laughed Donald.
"And since one of your monsters is now in the graveyard, your Goddess of the Greedy Goblins card is negated and destroyed!" said Diane. The magic card exploded. "You won't be drawing any more double sets for the rest of this duel!"
Machus sighed heavily and looked at his hand. Oh well...when I summon my ultimate beast, I don't want to wipe out Diane TOO easily.
Dark Magician Girl looked at Diane and gasped in horror. She turned to Machus with a scowl on her face and the two remaining knights backed up a bit, intimidated.
"She's so ticked off that you did this to me, Machus, hurting me like a monster," said Diane with a sly grin. "Well, it's payback time! I equip Dark Magician Girl with Malevolent Nuzzler, increase her attack and defense by 700!" The sorceress glowed a neon green as her eyes flickered with green fire. (2700/2400) "And since you used up your Eternal Rest, she's safe."
"Wow," said Shanna. "Bloody good show."
"But that's not all," said Diane wickedly as she pulled a card from her hand and put it in her magic/trap tray. "I activate the magic card, Lightning Vortex!" She discarded another card.
A card showing bolts of lightning striking something emerged. The lightning shot from the card and blasted both Knights to atoms! Machus' life points dropped to 7125.
"What the...?" cried Gwen. "That's just like my Raigeki!"
"This card acts similar to Raigeki, but comes with limits," said Diane. "I had to discard another card to activate it, and the card only destroys all face-up monsters on your field. Luckily, both of your knights were in face-up mode."
"Oh dear," said Machus.
"And now," said Diane, pointing. "Dark Magician Girl, attack him directly!"
The sorceress aimed and fired a beam of green energy that slammed into Machus, sending him backpedaling into the wall of a nearby building! He collapsed, then slowly got up as his life points dropped further, to a total of 4425.
Cheers filled the arena as the campers cried and clapped in joy. "In a brilliant move, our champion has gotten rid of all of Machus' monsters and done some hefty damage! But I doubt he'll stand there and take it for long."
Machus grinned. "I salute you, Diane." He saluted. "Your strategies are pretty brilliant. Now you have me on the defensive. However, I'm not about to lose quite yet." He drew a card. "Excellent! I activate my two face-down cards, Jar of Greed and Mirage of Nightmare!" The two cards rose up. "And then I'll chain them with my Emergency Provisions, sending them both to the graveyard and regaining two thousand life points." His life meter rose to 6425. "But those cards aren't destroyed until they resolve their effects, allowing me to draw five more cards." He drew thecards and frowned. My ultimate beast in my hand now, but I'll have to wait to summon it because she destroyed my Knights. Oh well, at least I can get rid of her sorceress.
He drew a card from his hand. "I play the magic card, Soul Exchange!"
"No!" said Brandon. "That allows him to sacrifice one of Lina's monsters for one of his own!"
"She's toast," said Lina sadly, shaking her head. "Well, she tried..."
"Not yet," said Arnold. "Even though he'll summon a kick-butt monster that will most likely cream her dead, he can't strike with it until next turn, because of Soul Exchange's effect."
"Oh! Right!" said Lina.
Dark Magician Girl was enveloped in a wave of energy that came from the card and screamed as she vanished. "And now..." Machus placed a card. "I sacrifice your Dark Magician Girl to play..."
Diane braced herself for the end.
"Temple of Tao, in defense mode!" Machus watched as a giant golden idol of a grinning pot-bellied oriental being rose up. (0/2500)
"Uh...that was...intriguing," said Lilith, adjusting her glasses.
"You just sacrificed my monster for a defensive monster?" cried Diane. She giggled. "You're losing it, Machus. Once I get the right cards in my hands, your temple will fall. No disrespect to the creator of Taoism."
"Maybe so, but for now, you have no monsters that you can summon which can destroy my Temple," said Machus with a smirk. "So, I end my turn."
"And I begin mine," said Diane, drawing a card. She looked at Machus' hand of cards. His hand is pretty big so far. Something tells me he's waiting for something big! I'd better be ready for it. She looked at the card she drew. This should keep my life points safe. "I summon Obnoxious Celtic Guardian, in attack mode!" The elf warrior emerged with a grunt. (1400/1200)
"My card!" gasped Bethany. "The card I gave to her!"
"I'm afraid that's not good enough, dear," said Machus, rubbing his beard.
"No, but you know that my Obnoxious Celtic Guardian can't be destroyed by monsters with 1900 or more attack," said Diane. "And once I get the next cards in my hand, I'll wipe your Temple out. For now, I'll just place a card face-down and end my turn." The card appeared before her.
"That's IF you can destroy it," said Machus, drawing a card. "First, my Temple will grant me 400 life points, because of its special ability to grant me 400 life points for each monster of light on my field." His life points rose to 4825. "And next, I'll equip Ring of Magnetism to my Temple of Tao!" The ring of electricity formed around the statue. (0/2000) "At the cost of 500 defense, the Temple becomes a honing beacon for any of your monsters, forcing them to attack it instead of my other monsters."
Diane sighed softly.
"And I'll summon Shining Fairy in attack mode," said Machus. The angel emerged and unfolded his wings. (1400/1000) "And my Temple will grant it 500 attack points, because it is a creature of light." Shining Fairy's attack rose to 1900. "That ends my turn."
Diane drew a card, then smirked. "I play Card of Demise!" The card appeared, showing a man sticking his hand into a guillotine to grab a deck of cards. "This magic card is powerful, but risky." She drew five cards. "I get to draw five cards from my deck, but..." The card she drew caught on fire, blue flames flickering on the edges. "If I don't play them in five turns, I must discard the remainder." She looked at her hand. "And I'll reduce the amount by one!" She took a flaming card and played it. "Celtic Swordgirl in attack mode!"
The elfish maiden emerged from her card. (1000/800)
"Not only does she gain protection from attack from her big brother," grinned Diane. "But she also inspires him to fight and raises his attack power by 400!" The elf warrior raised his blade up and his attack rose to 1800.
"Unfortunately, your monsters are not strong enough to handle my monsters," said Machus.
"Fine, I end my turn," said Diane.
Machus chuckled. "Just one more turn, Diane."
Twilight sweated bullets. It will come soon, I know it.
"Are you okay, Twi?" asked Lina, concerned.
"Y-Yes, I am fine," mumbled Twilight softly.
Machus drew a card and his life points rose to 5625, thanks to both of his monsters being creatures of light. "I play Shining Abyss in attack mode." The strange winged robot with a ball for the lower half of its body appeared. (1600/1800) Its attack rose to 2100 thanks to the power of the Temple. "And I end my turn."
"Man, this is getting boring," yawned Lilith. "If I had known this duel would take all afternoon, I would have brought a magazine to read."
Diane drew a card and grimaced. Nothing good. At least I can summon another Guardian to take out his monsters. She played the card she had drawn. "I equip Celtic Swordgirl with Bow of Shooting Stars." The bow appeared in the elfling's hands. (0/800) "Even though it nukes her attack score, I can now play Guardian Ceal in defense mode!"
The reptilian archer emerged with a growl and crouched in defense position. (1700/1000)
"I'll have to end my turn," sighed Diane. "But once I draw my trump card, you're finished!"
Machus let out a heavy sigh as he drew his card. He paled and sweated heavily.
"You okay?" asked Diane, concerned.
"Yes, but you will not be," said Machus. And now, the charade ends... "This duel is as good as over, Diane, I've won."
"What are you saying?" asked Diane, worried.
"I've drawn the card that will lead to your demise, girl," said Machus, looking at her sadly. "As you know, if you had defeated me, then any wish would have been yours. But...you are about to lose, and the consequences for that defeat will be most devastating."
The crowd was murmuring in confusion. "What's up with you, Machus?" asked Lilith, scratching her head. "You're acting all cryptic."
"Forgive me, Lilith," sighed Machus as he removed a card from his hand.
Twilight shook in fear. "No..."
"I now sacrifice all three of my monsters!" cried Machus.
"WHAT?!" cried Arnold. "He's tributing THREE monsters?! Does he have a Moisture Creature or Gilford the Lightning in his hand?"
Machus held up the card. "Diane, you DO remember how that man, Magus, had summoned a powerful beast that had almost defeated your friend, Bethany."
"Yeah, Obelisk the Torme--" Diane's eyes grew wide. "You cuoldn't...you WOULDN'T!"
"Indeed, I do," said Machus, playing the card. "I sacrifice Temple of Tao, Shining Fairy, and Shining Abyss..." The cards exploded into fireworks which were swept into the sky. The sky suddenly grew cloudy, the rainbows vanished, and thunder and lightning crashed.
Diane backed up in fear.
"To summon...the Egyptian God Monster...SLIFER THE SKY DRAGON!"
Unholy music began to play. A shadowy serpent slithered out of the clouds and down into the streets of the city. Its giant red coils slithered through the streets, taking up most of the city. It coiled its body seven times around the bleachers and its head came down inches within Diane, who screamed bloody murder as the creature's two tooth-filled mouths roared at her, and its yellow pupiless eyes gleamed wickedly.
"Oh my god," said Lina, paling. "That thing..."
Twilight shrieked and fainted.
"Twi? TWI!" cried Lina, ignoring the danger and running across the stagge, under Slifer's massive neck, and picked her fellow counselor up, shaking her. "Speak to me!"
Lilith got up, anger in her face. "MACHUS! I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION!"
Machus turned sadly to her.
"HOW...DID...YOU...GET...THAT?!" hissed Lilith, pointing at Slifer. "From what I know, Pegasus had forbidden ANYONE to use the Egyptian God Cards!"
"I'm sorry," said Machus, turning his head away.
"Don't ignore me, answer my question!" ordered Lilith. "OOH!"
Gwen then noticed the monster's stats. (8000/8000) "Holy heavens! That creature's attack is off the charts! If it destroys her monsters..."
"She's doomed!" wept Bethany, flinging herself into Jake's chest and sobbing.
Diane was horrified. "How...?"
"Yes, you were wondering why Slifer has such an impressive attack," said Machus as the beast's head hung nearby, hot drool dripping from its jaws. "Count the cards in my hand."
Diane did so. "You have eight cards."
"Correct, and Slifer's first effect is to gain 1000 attack and defense points for each card that is in my hand, a similar effect to the Muka Muka cards." Machus removed a card from his hand and Slifer's stats dropped to 7000 each. "I play a card, reducing Slifer's attack, but it will be partially restored. As I said, the consequences for losing are fatal."
"Why?" asked Diane.
"Because of this field card I am going to play," said Machus. He opened his field slot.
Arnold had seen enough. He climbed onto the stage. "I'm ending this duel right now!"
"I play the Seal of Orichalcos!" cried Machus, sliding the card in.
Gwen gasped. "Oh no, this is like what happened in the mines!"
Arnold was suddenly flung back by a green light and thrown off the stage. Brandon caught him on the way down as the wicked glyph formed on the stage around Diane and Machus. But not even it could contain all of Slifer the Sky Dragon, only the head and neck.
The symbol appeared on Machus' brow. "And, as you know," he said, his voice becoming deep and filled with evil as his eyes shimmered red. "This card grants 500 attack points to my monsters."
Slifer's forehead was branded with the Seal and its eyes turned a sick red. (7500/7000)
"Oh no..." said Diane in horror.
to be continued