Yu-Gi-Oh! Terminal Havoc (Started/Accepting in OOC)

[Reinforce]

Renee deactivated her duel disk at the conclusion of the duel and watched her two monsters fade away from sight. Walking forward past Silver, she whispered "Thanks" before continuing to pass through. Looking back to see that the other two with her were still a way behind, she quietly took a card out of her deck and activated it, and with it managed to heal her injuries before replacing the card, the trap card Nutrient Z back into her deck. Continuing on with the other two, she emerged out into the grass plain before Hero City. Looking at the city, she and the others saw the smoke rising from it, and said,

"I think you might be right Kazuki. It does look like the city is under attack. There is no use waiting around here then though, we may as well go help the HERO's out to fight off whoever is attacking the city."

Looking through her deck, she picked out a couple of cards and placed one on her disk, leaving the others, two of the Monarchs, Gachi Gachi Gantetsu and Ronintoadin, in her hand for when they got to the city. In front of her, Light and Darkness Dragon rose out of a portal giving a massive roar, and as she climbed on it's back she asked,

"You guys coming then?"

[Not-so-Radiant Arin]

Rujo watched as the number of fires increased in the distance. Flares within the city were spontaneous and bright, and hinted at a new threat, and it was one that Krus had been warning Rujo about the entire time she started following him around.

[i]"Ahead of us is Hero City. It is where the E-Heroes reside. It used to be a paradise but now..."[/i]

Renee, the Duelist from before, pulled out a few cards from her Deck. Of them, a dragon appeared from out of a portal, with one side colored white and the other black. Rujo hinted that this was "[color=#ff8c00]Light and Darkness Dragon[/color]". Renee climbed up on the dragon's back and turned towards Kazuki and Rujo, expression stern.

[color=#008000]"Do you really have to ask us? We have to do what we have to do to save whoever we can. I may not know everything about what's going on, but I got a hunch that things are going to get rough from here on. And trust me, my hunches are always correct!"[/color]

Krus sighed at Rujo's optimistic attitude, while Rujo was climbing up the back of Light and Darkness Dragon. Rujo hoped this time that his "hunch" wouldn't land him into big trouble...

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

[color=#FF8C00]"Huh, so much for stealth operation,"[/color][color=#000000] The Magician noted, as the whole Arcana Force had the Steelswarms' attention, [/color][color=#FF8C00]"My bad,"[/color]

[color=#008080]"Please, like that approach was going to work either way," [/color][color=#000000]The Fool muttered.[/color]

[color=#FF8C00]"You moron, have you not [i]seen[/i] the Tactical Espionage Expert?!"[/color][color=#000000] The Magician asked, intending to argue with The Fool.[/color]

[color=#008080]"Well yeah, half of it contradicts the very essence of reality!"[/color][color=#000000] The Fool shouted back.[/color]

[color=#800000]"Enough!"[/color][color=#000000] The World scolded, [/color][color=#800000]"We don't have the time for such petty quarrels! The Steelswarm are gathering forces as we speak, and they may [i]well[/i] send everyone they have against us. Which reminds me, we must make haste. Even if that human [i]isn't[/i] possessed now, it'll only be a matter of time before such an event take place."[/color]

[color=#000000]The World then proceeded to charge up his main attack, the crystal glowing brightly and his hands surrounded by an orange aura. Some of the other Arcana Force members moved up beside him, ready to protect him in case the Steelswarms were to respond to the attack. Ella, however, retreated back to where The Moon was, hoping to stay away from the conflict.[/color]

[color=#800000]"Die, curs," [/color][color=#000000]The World fired a pair of gargantuan orange beams of energy straight at the centre of the outpost, which exploded on contact with the ground and expanded close to the force, and out a little more towards the hive itself. Those that were unable to evade the explosion would be vaporized instantly, allowing the Arcana Force to press onwards.[/color]

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Had the Arcana Force proceeded down the tunnels peacefully, the Steelswarm would have had no reason to attack. They were willing to be peaceful if the Arcana Force were willing to be peaceful as well, and use their new emissary to negotiate. Sadly, that was not the case, because, like the Lavals, as soon as the Steelswarm in the outpost sent information to their hive mind, the hive mind determined that the Arcana Force were a threat to be eliminated, so the Steelswarm started responding in kind by descending on the attackers. They swarmed the ancient ones in droves, gaining ground with each wave lost, though they were only attacking from the direction the Arcana Force had come, forcing the fairies deeper into the sewers, towards that human signature that was growing fainter and fainter...

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

[color=#000000]Of course, The World never trusted such evil entities as the Steelswarm. Perhaps they [i]were[/i] only intending to let the Arcana Force pass. However, The World believed his own action in destroying the outpost was much safer than to walk onwards and allow the Steelswarm to issue a report to the hive. The Steelswarm, however, seemed keen to retaliate.[/color]

[color=#000000]Ella screamed and ran as fast as her body would allow her to get the hell out of there. Concerned that she could fall into a trap, The Magician bolted after her. The Fool followed suit, if only since he saw an opportunity to evade combat in its entirety. But the World, neither being as overprotective as The Magician nor anywhere [i]near[/i] as cowardly as The Fool, had ordered everyone else of the Arcana Force to fight back against the Steelswarm. As they fought on though, the Steelswarm proved capable of recovering their warriors faster than even The World could destroy them. True, he could vanquish entire waves each time he launched his attacks, but by the time he could recharge, everyone would be attacked and damaged by whatever other waves were there to jump into the fray at the time. Attempting to hold the Steelswarm back any more than the Arcana Force already had was beyond impossible, as was any attempt to maintain the grounds in which they stood.[/color]

[color=#800000]"Grr, it appears as though I have no choice in the matter,"[/color][color=#000000] The World muttered to himself, before giving his next order, [/color][color=#800000]"Everyone, cease this struggle and go forth! Press the attack on the hive!"[/color]

[color=#000000]Everyone did as was told and began to retreat, but not before The World fired one more pair of beams at the sewer ceilings. In an instant, the path that the Steelswarm were coming from had caved in in its entirety, flattening any Steelswarm units that were foolish enough to attempt to pursue the Arcana Force. They survived, but the war was beginning to take its tolls.[/color]

[color=#000000]***[/color]

[color=#000000]Ella cried violently as she realized what could've happened; she could've died! And for what? Just for some mystical adventure? [/color]

[color=#000000]No, it wasn't worth it, she was sure of it. Ella always feared for her own life and those of her friends, but this was starting to turn into a real-life nightmare. Eventually, both The Magician and The Fool had caught up to her, only to see her in [i]this[/i] miserable state.[/color]

[color=#ff8c00]"Ella..."[/color][color=#000000] The Magician sighed, [/color][color=#ff8c00]"I'm sure you must be scared, but I need you to stay strong,"[/color]

[color=#800080]"HOW THE HELL CAN I??!!"[/color][color=#000000] Ella screamed, [/color][color=#800080]"I've never been so scared in my entire life! We could've all [i]died[/i] in this hell-hole! You, me, The Fool... I... I don't wanna lose any of you guys... not even The World..."[/color]

[color=#008080]"The World?!"[/color][color=#000000] The Fool interjected, [/color][color=#008080]"He defeated three Blue-Eyes White Dragons single-handedly! What makes anyone in their right mind think that these Steelswarm things could stop someone like [i]him[/i]?!"[/color]

[color=#800000]"If you were there, you'd know yourself,"[/color][color=#000000] Everyone there turned round to see a badly damaged Arcana Force. Of those, only The World was still capable of fighting if need be, everyone else was barely able to maintain any form of dexterity.[/color]

[color=#008080]"My apologies, boss, but um..."[/color][color=#000000] The Fool gulped initially, thinking of an excuse, [/color][color=#008080]"You know how bad I am at fighting! Even The Magician's a better combatant than I am, and all [i]he[/i] does is flippity-flobby-foo!"[/color]

[color=#ff8c00]"I heard that!"[/color][color=#000000] The Magician shouted.[/color]

[color=#800000]"It matters not,"[/color][color=#000000] The World said after a brief sigh, [/color][color=#800000]"What matters now is that the hive is just ahead, and the Steelswarm are unable to follow us. The human presence is fading, which can only mean one thing..."[/color]

[color=#800080]"We've lost him,"[/color][color=#000000] Ella stated through her tears, [/color][color=#800080]"...or her,"[/color]

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

A group of Steelswarm approached Ella and her group, but the main portions, two lines of small dwarf-sized Steelswarm, each with an oversized eye emitting a laser, turned to stand at attention, creating a clear path in the process, while the other two, one with mantis-like blades, the other with wings similar to a Moth, approached. The Moth stood in front of the quartet, while the Mantis was to the rear, sharpening his blades as if to encourage them to move forward. It was clear the Steelswarm had won against the aggressor, The World, and were now displaying their victory by having a parody of a military escort march Ella, The Magician, The Fool, and The World deeper into the sewers, towards that faint life sign that now seemed to simply be weak, but constant, as if she was just barely alive.

[evilfusion]

Marcus lowered himself down the ladder, rung by rung, trying not to wince at the gritty feel of the steel rungs, coated with rust and other things that Marcus was doing his best not to reflect on. Arma-san was riding on his shoulder, a bit of an uncomfortable weight on one side, but nothing he couldn't handle.

[color=#ffa500]"Are you sure we should be coming down here without telling anyone first?"[/color] the Armed Dragon wondered, almost in a whine.

"Tell who?" Marcus shot back, dropping the last foot to the sewer ground. At the moment, all seemed deserted, but he was sure that those black creatures had come this way, and it was the only thing he had to go on. "There was no one around, and even if we found someone, how could we explain anything in time to get back?"

[color=#ffa500]"But, but..."[/color] Arma-san protested.

Marcus shook his head violently, nearly dislodging the orange dragon from him. "I'm not taking the risk of missing the chance. I don't even know Tori that well, but it's just not right to leave her behind without making an effort."

[color=#ffa500]"You read a lot, don't you?"[/color] Arma-san accused. Marcus blinked at him, and the dragon grinned, puffing out his chest. [color=#ffa500]"You want to be a hero and save a girl from evil, even if you totally ignore the fact there's probably some epic war we could be a part of..."[/color]

"You know, you're giving a mixed message of approval and disappointment now," Marcus noted, carefully walking through the pipe-like cavern. Now and then, he saw traces of slime, similar to the type Arma-san had drawn during his brief clash with the black wave. "We came to the city to figure out what part of the message you missed. Without a better option, I think we can go out on this suicidally reckless mission."

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Eventually, the ladder reached a small tunnel that ran for a few hundred feet before opening at the top of a large circular chamber covered in pulsating sacs that had Steelswarm Cells. As soon as Marcus entered the room, the sacs started to hatch out Cells, as well as a few floating black pinecone-like creatures about the size of a person, but the Cells ignored him and Arma, like they did before. In the middle of the room was a huge organic-looking structure that appeared to be made out of brain tissue, but with the occasional bit of dark insectoid plating crisscrossing the glowing-red pink goo. At the bottom of the column were two pods, one enormous, about 15 feet tall, and the other approximately the size of a young woman. Near the entrance to the tunnel was a ladder going down to the bottom of the chamber, where the pods were.

[evilfusion]

As Marcus stared out at the transformed chamber, one thought happened to enter his mind at this time: "This city has some insane sewer space."

[color=#ffa500]"Actually, it probably was much smaller than this,"[/color] Arma-san noted, dropping down beside the human's foot and flexing his fists. [color=#ffa500]"It's a crappy city,"[/color] he added, with the tone of a comedian delivering a punchline. Marcus said nothing. [color=#ffa500]"Nothing?"[/color] Arma-san whined. [color=#ffa500]"Come on, that was gold!"[/color]

"Not the time," Marcus said flatly. His eyes caught sight of the smaller pod, sizing it up in his mind. Now that he was here, he was aware of how hard his heart was thudding. Even if she was there, what would he see? The remains of the creatures' most recent meal? He shuddered at the thought, taking a deep breath to steel himself and moved towards the ladder. "Cover me."

[color=#ffa500]"On it!"[/color] Arma-san said, saluting and watching the nearest Cells suspiciously as the human descended the ladder.

[Super Chaos Sonic]

=Meanwhile, back in the City near the Council Building=

[color=#FF0000]"Give them another Dark Wave, Escuaridao!" [/color]Dante yelled, commanding Escuaridao to attack the next wave of Steelswarm Cells. The Dark Wave was used one right after another, but it seemed like they wouldn't stop and the dark hero was starting to loose steam in the attacks. [color=#FF0000][i]This isn't a good at all...Escuaridao is needing some major help! [/i][/color]he thought, as he searched through his deck once again. Dante pulled out a Miracle Fusion spell and smirked. [color=#FF0000]"First, summon up E-HERO Ocean and then...activate Miracle Fusion!"[/color]

He watched as Ocean disappeared and fused with Heat in the graveyard. The two of them disappeared and Dante smirked some.

[color=#FF0000]"Cold as ice, HERO of winter, cover this place in ice! Freeze those who oppose us! COME FORTH! E-HERO Absolute Zero!" [/color]Dante chanted, as his second HERO, Absolute Zero, appeared next to Escuaridao. [color=#FF0000]"Now Zero, help out Escuaridao with Ice Shard Melee!!" [/color]he said, snapping his fingers, watching the ice hero send out the the ice shards to strike the Steelswarm Cells, while Escuaridao used Dark Wave.

[color=#696969][i]Alright Boss!! That's showing 'em! [/i][/color]Neos Alius said, as he kicked a few Cells away, helping out at least.

[ParadoxCaller]

[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3]Kazuki was not sure he wanted to go into the city, even if it was supposedly under attack.[/size][/font]
[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif] [/font]
[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3][color=#0000cd]You afraid?[/color][/size][/font]
[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif] [/font]
[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3][color=#808080]No, its just that, I-[/color][/size][/font]
[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif] [/font]
[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3][color=#0000cd]I understand if you are, I know the struggle you're going threw.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3]Kazuki looked from Atlas, to Renee and Rujo, and to Hero City. He [/size][/font][font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3]clenched his fists. He was such a coward. All his life he had done nothing but running from his problem, or just ignoring them. But not know, there's no shame in a honourable death as they say.[/size][/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3][color=#808080]Oh screw it.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3]He activated his Duel Disk and pulled out the top six cards of the deck.[/size][/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3][color=#808080]Come forth, Mother Grizzly! Reese the Ice Mistress![/color][/size][/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3]Kazuki slapped two cards from his hand onto the Duel Disk, and right before him two creatures appeared: one in the shape of a black grizzly bear and the other being a young woman wearing a tight fitting bodysuit, with a matching skirt and veils, holding what looked like a rifle. Kazuki climbed the bears back.[/size][/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3][color=#808080]Lets do this.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif][size=3]The dragon took to the skies as the bear charged forward on all four, followed closely by the other creatures the trio had summoned. Destination: Hero City.[/size][/font]

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

The Cells, like the ones the Arcana Force encountered, simply glanced occasionally at the duo as they descended down the ladder. Any Cells nearby scurried around the human and his dragon, as if trying to avoid an invisible bubble surrounding them. Eventually, they reached the bottom floor, which was now coated in the same dark webbing as the rest of the chamber and the cocoons. The larger cocoon looked relatively fresh and wet, while the smaller was rather dry, as if it was ready to open. In fact, a small seam could be seen running down the middle of the cocoon. Though Marcus could hear movement coming from one of the tunnels on the bottom floor. If he was to do anything, it would have to be quick...

[evilfusion]

"It's really quite gross down here," Marcus mused. It was mostly just empty talk to keep his mind focused and not let the unnerving situation get the best of him. Almost all the sound in the area was like bugs skittering around and he shivered again. "Arma-san, get down here," he said.

[color=#ffa500]"Why?"[/color]

"Because I need you to do something," the boy answered, more irritably than he probably intended, but the Armed Dragon didn't object further, soon catching up to the human and peering around.

[color=#ffa500]"That?"[/color] he wondered, pointing a claw at the visible seam. [color=#ffa500]"Aww, I just washed these..."[/color] he complained, walking right up to the cocoon with absolutely no trace of fear of what might happen when he attacked the cocoon.

"Hurry, please," Marcus urged, shooting a glance down the chamber. There was something so unnerving about how everything seemed to be ignoring them, and the bug-like sounds reminded him of a hive, filled to the brim with insects that could emerge in hoards at the slightest disturbing of the nest.

[color=#ffa500]"Okay, okay!"[/color] Arma-san said, touching the seam with his claw, then slashing it with what Marcus assumed was all his strength. The claw dug into the seam and tore it violently.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

The cocoon violently burst open, showering Arma in a torrent of black goo that didn't seem to affect him as a figure rested in the cocoon. It was Tori, sound asleep, yet it wasn't entirely her at the same time. Her pale skin was now even more deathly pale, making her look like a corpse if not for the dark chitinous plates covering her body. Save for a V-shaped part going down her navel, her body was covered in the insectoid plates, which seemed to be interlocking, yet clung to her figure. The V-shaped area was bordered by a light-grey fuzz that also circled her wrists and ankles, like a moth's or a butterfly's. Her head was almost completely encased in the plates, save for her face, though her eyes were surrounded by a chitinous eyemask. Her hair had been tucked back underneath a cap of plates, as well as two purple compound eyes over her ears, though these were about the same size and placement as hair buns. Atop her head was a pair of long antennae with fine hairs that descended to her digitigrade feet. Finally, on her left arm was an odd beetle-shaped shield, while on her right was another beetle-like weapon, but with two sharp, serrated pincers. It also appeared as had a black, red, and purple cape behind her that was limp. She slowly opened her eyes, revealing her sclera to be black instead of the normal white, and looked sleepily at the human, addled from her slumber.

[evilfusion]

Marcus recoiled, both at the goo explosion, but also at the sight that awaited him. At first, he honestly did think his fear of her being dead and consumed had come true, but Arma-san's more alarmed reaction told him something else, possibly worse, had happened. She looked scarcely anything like a person anymore, but what she was...he couldn't really describe. Mutated insect came to mind, and that wasn't even remotely reassuring.

Yet as he stared, trying to process what had happened, she stirred and her eyes, now black, opened.

Marcus twitched uncomfortably. "Tori?" he ventured nervously.

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

[color=#000000]As defiant as The World normally [i]was[/i], he somehow [i]knew[/i] it would be in the Arcana Force's best interests to play along with the façade of defeat. Unbeknownst to the Steelswarm warriors, The World actually had one more technique up his sleeve, but that would take an immense amount of energy, more than he could muster for the moment, and even enough to prevent him from casting his main attack for a long time. But at least the others could deal extensive damage to the hive this way.[/color]

[color=#800000]"Temperance, start healing our warriors,"[/color][color=#000000] he ordered in the meantime, not in his usual defiant tone, but in a more defeatist manner, [/color][color=#800000]"The rest of you maintain this lack of aggression... for the moment,"[/color]

[color=#000000]Ella on the other hand, unaware that this was merely a façade devised by The World, was still crying over the whole ordeal... this time for a new reason. She refused to believe such an event would ever happened to her [i]or[/i] the Arcana Force for a long time and now... she didn't know what to believe. She wasn't even so sure they'd all make it out alive. Even The Magician had his doubts as he examined the gargantuan cocoon the minute the Arcana Force had arrived at the hive.[/color]

[color=#ff8c00]"I've seen a lot of monstrosities in my time,"[/color][color=#000000] he admitted, [/color][color=#ff8c00]"But whatever's in there will [i]definitely[/i] take the cake."[/color]

[color=#008080]"And probably eat it, too,"[/color][color=#000000] The Fool added on a small side note.[/color]

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Tori smiled dreamily as she stretched, her cape rippling as bit as she examined her new body. [color=#800080]"Mmm...hello; Marcus. You're a pleasant surprise." [/color]She steps out of the cocoon, revealing that she had somehow aged a few years in the cocoon, now appearing to be in her late teens. [color=#800080]"I was worried about you, with the Lavals attacking our territory and everything." [/color]She gave him a hug with her armored form, though her skin felt ice-cold, and her armor had somewhat uncomfortable spines on it, while the plates themselves felt...wrong...
She then let go and turned to see Ella and the Arcana Force arrive. [color=#800080]"Welcome, honored guests, to our hive. I am Victoria, Emissary for the Steelswarm, as we are called. The hive has decided to give me the honor of being their voice for the rest of the population of the Spirit World, as the rest of my kind cannot speak normally. What we wish is simply for our sovereign territory, these lands, to be recognized."[/color]
[color=#800080]"Hundreds of years ago, we were forced into exile in these lands, and quite literally went underground into a series of tunnels and caves extending far beneath the surface of this city. We ruled our world beneath yours for ages, until your city's pollution started seeping through to our kingdom. We could not stand for this violation of our territory, so we emerged, adapted ourselves using what you called the "Inzektors", who had the immense honor of becoming this command node we are currently within, and started reclaiming the portion of the surface that is rightfully ours. It is unfortunate that the Lavals also decided to attack our territory, but we are currently repelling them successfully. Once they are routed, we will resume reclamation of our territory. If you do not believe us, consult the Vylons, the ones who exiled us to this part of the Spirit World so long ago."[/color]
[color=#800080]"Any questions?"[/color]

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

[color=#000000]In an act of new-found rage, Ella stomped her way right up to the possessed Tori and slapped her across the cheek with the back of her hand, with all the dexterity and might she could muster. Considering that chitinous plating across her face, that probably wasn't the wisest idea, but she didn't care any more. Why should she? The Steelswarm likely thought nothing of the Elemental Heroes that built the city above from the ground up, unaware that such evil entities existed beneath there feet.[/color]

[color=#800080]"Yeah, I have a few choicest words!"[/color][color=#000000] Ella spat in rage, [/color][color=#800080]"You don't [/color][color=#800080][i]deserve[/i][/color][color=#800080] these lands! In fact, you can haul your ass straight back to whatever hell you [/color][color=#800080][i]came[/i][/color][color=#800080] from! I'm not gonna stand for you [/color][color=#800080][i]or[/i]​[/color][color=#800080] your blood-lust OR your desire to rob innocent people and spirits of their lives! As long as we all can breathe a single breath, you'll never win!"[/color]

[color=#000000]Her Duel Disk was armed and at the ready. Despite this next duel being the [i]second[/i] duel she'd ever have in her life, she couldn't ever have been more confident in herself, or more determined to kick this demoness' butt right out of the ball park. A new fire had lit up in Ella's eyes, and [i]that[/i] wasn't going to be snuffed out any time soon.[/color]

[evilfusion]

Marcus did his best not to flinch when Tori hugged him, although that was an incredible challenge. He listened to the explanation that the "Steelswarm" wanted to give him and some other girl that he had never heard before. Dozens of questions whirled in his mind, but before he could voice any of them at the appropriate prompting, the second girl stepped forward and slapped Tori.

"Hey!" he protested, whirling to face the other girl and glaring slightly. He couldn't quite place the source of his indignation, considering Tori was...brainwashed, that being the best term he could think of to describe her situation. Words of protest failed him, but his glare did not. Arma-san, taking the cue from Marcus, growled at Ella, all but forgetting that [i]technically[/i] they were focusing on Tori mere moments ago.

"What is your problem?" Marcus managed finally.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Victoria held Marcus back, slightly turning her head back to allow one of her eyes to gaze into his glare. Her darkened orbs, now devoid of the warmth they possessed a moment before, sent a scary, almost intimidating aura to the boy and his dragon, like Marcus and Arma were crossing someone who shouldn't be crossed. [color=#800080]"This is a matter for me to deal with, and the very reason I was given this position." [/color]She turned back to Ella, the shield-beetle on her left arm transforming somewhat. Its shell parted to reveal a strange eye, while 5 wings shot out of one side, while grooves opened up on the shell plates for a Graveyard and a Banished Zone. Finally, the beetle spat half of a deck out of its mouth, completing its transformation into a Duel Disk. [color=#800080]"What are your terms, human?"[/color]

[evilfusion]

"But..." Marcus began, but then sighed and stood back. Arma-san continued growling for another second or two before realizing Marcus had backed down. The dragon blinked, then shrugged and walked over to Marcus' leg to observe what was going on. Marcus didn't like the situation, but at this point he had no idea what he could or should do about it. All he could do then was observe this Duel and figure out what the options were afterwards. Whatever it was the other girl wanted or planned, he hoped that everything would turn out all right

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

[color=#800080]"My terms?"[/color][color=#000000] Ella asked as she paused to take a breather, [/color][color=#800080]"Well... you win, you can do whatever you damn well please, but if [i]I[/i] win, this hive is gonna be completely destroyed, along with any outposts you may still [i]have[/i] out here! And what's more, you're not to retaliate to our assault upon [i]my[/i] victory, nor are you to respond to any other tribes that decide to attack."[/color]

[color=#000000]Of course, no-one in their right mind would agree to such one-sided terms, unless of course one was certain he or she was going to win the duel anyway, or if he or she were threatened into such terms.[/color]

[color=#000000]Meanwhile, The Magician and The Fool were contemplating whether to take concern in Ella's sudden change of personality or worry about the massive cocoon. At a whopping 15' tall, the cocoon could be hiding anything, even a vastly immense swarm of Steelswarm Cells or the mighty Steelswarm Hercules. One can only dread about the latter...[/color]

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Victoria actually smiled and said. [color=#800080]"I accept." [/color]However, the rage-fueled young girl had neglected several points. The Steelswarms were willing to destroy this hive...once they had extracted the precious command node. With the command node, they could place it in another section of the city, and continue as planned, especially since the girl had not included a clause to go back where they came, just to destroy this one hive and any small outposts in the sewers. Ella furthermore did not add that the Steelswarms could rebuild their destroyed structures once the structures were destroyed.
And assuming the girl had meant to destroy the entire city, well, then, the humans would be enacted a rather poor "scorched earth" policy, destroying an entire city that had suffered only very minimal damage upon its conversion into the new Steelswarm capitol and making it a rubble pile. Victoria was also certain that she would win the day with her tactics, and even if she lost, Ella's incredibly vague terms were only a temporary setback.

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

[color=#800080]"Huh, you've signed your own death warrant!"[/color][color=#000000] [/color][color=#000000]Ella goaded, unaware of how little an impact her victory would've made, [/color][color=#800080]"DRAW!!"[/color]

[color=#000000]The first card she drew just so happened to be... a DARK monster? Strange, Ella could've sworn such cards had never existed in her Deck before. Maybe The Magician had replaced or added it by mistake, or perhaps it was a sign of some sort. Whatever the case, Ella was too far enraged to request a side deck change or even declare a Mulligan. Instead, she added it to her hand like any other card, and proceeded with her simple first turn. Perhaps it would be too simple.[/color]

[color=#800080]"I place one card face-down and end my turn,"[/color][color=#000000] Ella declared, [/color][color=#800080]"Do your worst!"[/color]

[color=#000000][spoiler=Ella's Status]LP: 4000[/color]
[color=#000000]Cards in Deck: 34[/color]
[color=#000000]Cards in Hand: 5[/color]
[color=#000000]Cards on Field: 1 S/T[/color]
[color=#000000]Cards in Graveyard: N/A[/color]
[color=#000000]Banished Cards: N/A[/spoiler][/color]

[color=#000000]***[/color]

[color=#000000]Meanwhile, a fair bit back, The Magician still couldn't help but feel something was wrong with Ella, although he couldn't quite put his finger on it. She was never this angry before, and now he was beginning to think she'd gone insane. He turned to The World, in hopes that he didn't turn out to be paranoid or anything.[/color]

[color=#ff8c00]"Um, boss?"[/color][color=#000000] The Magician asked, [/color][color=#ff8c00]"I think something's wrong with Ella. Can you do a quick scan on her?"[/color]

[color=#800000]"Hmm..." [/color][color=#000000]The World mused, [/color][color=#800000]"Now that you mention it, I [i]do[/i] sense a dark force inside of the human in question. If you value her life, I suggest you start praying that this force doesn't consume her."[/color]

[Reinforce]

Renee flew in towards the city on Light and Darkness Dragon, quickly outpacing the Mother Grizzly that was following them. Once they reached the city, Renee saw a lone man fighting with three duel monsters, Dante with his three Elemental Heroes, against the waves of steelswarm. Flying down towards them, Light and Darkness Dragon let out a burst of crimson light that destroyed a whole wave of the Steelswarm Cells in one hit. Coming in to land behind Dante, Renee's Dragon allowed Renee and Rujo to get off her back, before flying back up into the sky to continue fighting.

"I'm Renee and this is Rujo. We're here to help fight whatever those are that are attacking Hero City. There should be a guy coming along in a few seconds on the back of a bear. In the meantime, Gachi Gachi Gantetsu, Ronintoadin, Zaborg the Thunder Monarch, Caius the Shadow Monarch, come on out and start helping to drive back these bugs."

In front of Renee the grey, muscular duel spirit from before appeared with several balls of multicoloured light flying around him. Next to it was a little frog crouching and wielding a miniture samurai sword. Flanking the grey duel spirit of them was a black demonic man with red claws and white horns who threw a black ball of energy into a Steelswarm Mantis as he appeared, causing the Mantis to vanish completely. On the other side, a fishlike man with lightning sparking around him appeared, causing a bolt of energy to erupt from the lightning around him into a Steelswarm Moth, electricuting it to kill it.