Chapter 78 - 78

Chapter 78: Chapter 78

"I have been meaning to talk with you."

Mai started, whipping around before shooting a cool look in Brom Bones' direction. The American duelist was hovering near the door of her room, hands clasped together in front of him. He lightly drummed his fingertips of his right hand against the back of his left, a bemused little smile on his lips as he stared at her. Mai though didn't find any of that comforting; she knew how the Rare Hunters were and had been ready for them to attempt revenge on Edwin through her.

'And they'll be in for a rude awakening,' she thought as she glared at the man. "What are you doing in my room?" she demanded.

"I'm not technically in your room," Brom pointed out. "I'm in the hall."

"You opened the door."

"The door opened," he said.

Mai frowned, not bothering to say anything about that as she could smell a technicality argument coming right at her and she wasn't in the mood for it. "Well, I want some privacy."

"Privacy is a good thing," the tall man said. "There are a lot of people who don't understand just how important it truly is." He gave a casual shrug. "There are people in this world who think that the only way to fill the void in their lives is to surround themselves with others. They seek out parties and festivals and all sorts of places where one finds happy people and then that being around them will make them happy. But... peace of mind isn't the chicken pox. You can't be infected by it. Happiness is a plant. It must be nurtured... or it withers."

Mai scoffed. "This is all fun and interesting but I'm doing great so if you could..." she made a 'scooch, scooch' motion with her hands.

But Brom didn't move. "Are you?" he asked.

She let out a huff at that. "Oh, are we doing the 'count my blessings' thing now? Sure, let's go with that. I am an amazing duelist. One of the Top 5 in the world before this tournament and I will be the Number 1 duelist when I defeat my boyfriend in the final round... and most likely make a side bet that he has to give me footrubs for a year." She tilted her head. "Wait... no. I don't have to make that bet because my boyfriend is amazing and actually loves to do things like that for me. And even though I have an amazing body and killer looks he likes me dressed down and casual because he actually loves me for my wit. And before you think it is one sided he makes me want to take care of him too. I have loyal friends who would burn cities to the ground for me and I would do the same for them. So please, tell me why I shouldn't be happy? Because from where I am standing I VERY much am!"

Brom just stared at her.

"Well?" she asked.

"It is hard to be happy with all you have when you know a fickle goddess could cast it all away."

Mai rolled her eyes skyward. "Well, there is that." Leaving it to the shrink to make her situation sound so utterly bland and casual. 'Honestly, the way he makes it sound its like-'

She snapped her head quickly back in Brom's direction as what he had said truly sunk in.

"Wait... who told you about that?" She doubted Edwin had let it slip... unless he had sought the man out for advice. 'Which is possible but why not lead with that? Why not tell me that Edwin had sought him out instead of playing whatever game he might be involved in?'

Brom though shook his head. "No one told me."

"Then how did you know?" Mai asked.

"I saw the signs."

"Because dealing with a deranged goddess is something you have experience in?" Mai snapped.

Brom though merely smirked. "Yes."

"...wait, what?"

But before she could press him further the intercom system flared to life.

"Attention Duelists! The next match has been determined! Joey Wheeler will face Brom Bones! Both duelists have 10 minutes to head to the arena or forfeit the match."

"Well," the therapist said, giving Mai a half bow, "it seems we are delayed again. Still, I suppose we'll have plenty of time to go over all this soon enough."

And with that he turned, leaving Mai with only questions.

~MC~MC~MC~

On CCN the graphics for Battle City appeared for several moments before Marc Jeice's face appeared on the screen.

"Welcome back to the Battle City finals!" the Australian man declared. "We had a ripper of a duel an hour ago as Edwin Chaos defeated his protégée, Mokuba Kaiba, in a thrilling battle of monsters and magic."

"That's right, Marc!" Scott Burter said. "While Mokuba showed us that dueling runs in the KaibaCorp bloodline it wasn't enough to overcome Edwin Chaos, who has proven in his short time dueling competitively that he is not someone to be trifled with."

"Wonder if that is how he got Mai Valentine's attention in the first place," Marc teased.

"He certainly surrounds himself with skilled duelists. The King of Games, the Former #1's little brother, the European Champion, and the best female duelist in the world."

The camera shifted over to show a graphic depicting Joey Wheeler and Brom Bones staring intently at each other.

"But with Edwin and Mokuba's duel done it is time to move on to our next battle and it looks like it could easily top the barn burner we just had."

"That's right, Marc!" Scott declared as the camera switched to him, revealing the image of Joey Wheeler. "First up we have one of the finalists in Duelist Kingdom: Joey Wheeler! Best friend to the King of Games Yugi Muto, Joey has managed to impress in his rookie year even when the likes of Yugi Muto and Edwin Chaos to be measured against."

"Joey has been using a Red-Eyes Deck," Marc stated, "designed to overcome his opponent with a variety of fusion monsters and burn damage. But what people might not remember is that Joey has a second deck he gained during Battle City. In the very first battle of Battle City Joey took on Ogden Winniehammer, betting his deck against Ogden's Zombie Deck."

"Which interestingly enough had a Red-Eyes Necro Zombie Dragon as the key card," Scott said. "If Joey does decide to go with that deck he will have many options when it comes to what monsters to call out. Zombie Decks have many different monsters, both original and zombified, that can easily overwhelm their foes."

"And Joey will need them as he takes on Brom Bones," Marc stated, the graphic changing to Brom's image. "Known as the Cerebral Assassin, Brom is a cunning duelist who took out all comers to claim the title of North American Champion."

Scott nodded. "While in his day to day life he works as a psychologist Brom has no problems using those skills in defeating his foes. More than one duelist has found themselves utterly flummoxed by his quick wit and deep dives into their psyches. In fact there are several duelists who have stated that they are waiting to return to the American dueling scene until Brom is defeated, fearing taking him on!"

"And now we'll see if Joey Wheeler has what it takes to defeat Brom as the next round of Battle City begins now!"

~MC~MC~MC~

Joey frowned as he looked over his decks. 'My Red-Eyes Deck has been serving me well in the tournament. With it I've managed to take on so many strong duelists. And with the ante rule I've added new spells and traps ta help boost my deck's power.' He paused, his mind flashing to the dock. 'But... it was this deck that almost got Mr. Muto killed. I know it wasn't the Red-Eyes Black Dragon's fault but I can't be sure I won't freeze up when I see it again.'

His hand went to the deck that Yugi's grandpa had given him, the Poker Knights deck.

'This is a really powerful deck... and I have some experience with it.' He frowned. 'But... I haven't really had a chance to study it all that much and figure out all the combos. I get the sense that Gramps wants me to discover 'em for myself and I will... but I don't think Battle City is the place ta do that! And certainly not in the finals!'

At last his hand went to his new Zombie Deck.

'But I've been lookin' over this deck since I got it. And I know how Zombie duelists battle.' He thought to Bonz trapping him in that underground cave and sending his zombies at him. His mind traveled to the very first duel of Battle City and the Rare Hunter that had taken his Red-Eyes Black Dragon. 'If I can't use my normal Red-Eyes Deck then this might be my best bet. If I can win with this I'll feel better about using my normal Red-Eyes deck again. And after I beat this guy I'll be able to look over Gramp's deck and understand how ta use that!'

Having finally decided Joey took out his deck and began to shuffle it, Brom doing the same with his own.

"You like to gamble, don't you Mr. Wheeler?" Brom asked politely. "I studied up on all the duelists in Duelist Kingdom. Yugi Muto likes to build up his monsters and set complex traps. Mai Valentine preferred using spells to deflect or empower. Edwin Chaos relied upon his spell cards, not just for their power but what they gave him to help his monsters. And you... you gamble. You set up some plans but for the most part you live on the razor's edge... or the deck's edge, I suppose." He chuckled at that and Joey didn't get the joke. "I wonder if you've changed since then."

"Eh, why don't we stop with the yakkin' and find out in a duel?" Joey said, drawing his cards. He had been given the right to start and thus held up his first card. "I'll begin by playin' Allure of Darkness, which allows me ta draw two cards but I have ta banish one Dark Monster from my hand afterwards or lose my entire hand!" Joey drew. 'Luckily I already had a couple dark monsters in my hand so there was never any risk... but what with all his talk about me gamblin' I ain't gonna let him know that!' Joey smiled as he banished his Mad Mauler. "And now I'm gonna summon my Gozuki to da field!" He didn't get why the bipedal bull man was a zombie as he looked pretty alive and well to him, but Joey figured it didn't matter so long as it helped him win the duel. "And now I'll use his special effect! See, I can send one Zombie Monster from my deck directly ta my graveyard... and I know just which one I'm gonna go for!" He took out his deck till he found the right card. "Its my Necroworld Banshee... and she ain't stayin' in the graveyard for long!"

On the field the ghostly female appeared, looking about with a forlorn expression... before throwing back her head and letting out a scream that caused the entire field to ripple and distort. The sky grew dark and corpse-eating plants began to grow and bones formed around Joey.

"Oh, I don't think I like Joey's new deck at all!" Tea complained.

"See, by banishin' my Necroworld Zombie I am able ta activate directly from my deck my Zombie World field spell!" He grinned, running his thumb along the tip of his nose. "And this field is a doozy of a one." Mentally he added, 'I don't know what kind of deck Brom is runnin' but whatever it is he's gonna be in for a world of trouble when I begin turnin' his monsters inta zombies! That will disrupt a lot of his combos, makin' it easier for me to overwhelm him!'

Brom drew his own cards. "I'll set one monster facedown and end my turn."

Joey chuckled. "Afraid of what I got on my side of the field? Well, I don't blame ya, pal! I would be too! Course ya don't have a choice when I begin attackin' your monsters! But before I do that let me have Gozuki use his affect again, sending this time my Alghoul Mazera from my deck to the graveyard!" he retrieved the card from his deck and slotted it into the graveyard section of his duel disc. 'That will be helpful later on,' Joey thought. 'How's that for only gamblin', huh? I can set things up just like Yugi or Ed!' He paused. 'Though I think now I'm in the mood ta destroy some monsters! Let's see what his monster is lookin' like all rotted!' Outloud Joey said, "And now Gozuki, attack his downface monster!" The bull man nodded before lifting up his hammer, easily hefting it up before bringing it down on the downface card...

...revealing a little skeleton boy.

It was almost comical how the bony child's skull went popping out and his jaw opened wide before he shattered into pieces. But Brom didn't seem that concerned at all, merely shrugging before he took out his deck.

"You destroyed my Wightprince," Brom stated. "And when he is sent to the graveyard I am able to send from my deck my Lady in Wight... and my Skull Servant."

He held up the cards, both of which were skeleton people.

Joey's eyes slowly widened as he realized what that meant.

'Aw man! He's usin' a zombie deck too! That means that my Zombie World Field Spell ain't gonna do anything to him!'

"And now," Brom said, reaching into his long black coat and pulling out his white skull half mask and putting it on, "I believe it is my turn to show you the power of Death."

~MC~MC~MC~

"And Brom Bones has just made Joey's Zombie World tactic obsolete!" Marc declared.

"That's right," Scott said. "For those that don't know the Skull Servant/Wight subtype or skeletal zombie monsters all focused on- Oh! Brom is already making a move!"

"I activate Foolish Burial, which allows me to send one monster from my deck to the graveyard. I'll select... this one." Brom pulled out the card, putting it in his graveyard without revealing what it was.

"That's classic Brom Bones tactics," Marc stated. "Many of his duel opponents have complained that he hates to reveal information, leaving them in the dark until he springs his traps on them."

"Nothing wrong with that, Marc," Scott said. "Many duelists are too quick to offer up information they don't need too. Sometimes keeping things secret is a strong strategy."

Brom held up another spell card. "And now I activate Dark Eruption, which allows me to blast from the graveyard one monster with 1500 or less attack back to my hand." Before Brom the field rumbled and began to rise up before there was a mighty blast, a card popping out of his duel disc which he took right back. "And now I can summon the monster that I just sent to my graveyard, only to return!"

"A great move by Brom!" marc said. "Using two cards he was able to search out a monster from his deck and get it into position for summoning! Let's see what it is... though I think anyone who has dueled Brom before knows what is coming!"

Brom's mouth twisting into a massive dark grin, so large and wide it seemed like he suddenly had far too many teeth in his mouth. "I now summon forth The King of the Skull Servants!"

The ground began to crack and buckle again... before a simple purple robed skeleton appeared on the field.

~MC~MC~MC~

It wasn't even that big. Nor was its skeleton some kind of demonic looking thing, like Yugi's Summoned Skull. The robes it wore were pathetic tattered things, like what one would see a poor beggar wear in a fantasy movie.

He couldn't help it... Joey began to laugh.

"That's what ya did all that for? That?" He pointed at the King of the Skull Servants, nearly doubling over as he brayed. "Look at it! I've seen Halloween decorations that were scarier than that! Heck, I think I've seen Christmas Decorations scarier than that little guy!" Joey gasped for air, settling himself... only to break down into mad giggles once more as he looked again upon the monster. "I mean... come on man! That ain't nothing! I mean sure, most people's skeletons don't walk around but that ain't nothin'!"

Brom merely watched him.

"...what kind of fucking life has Joey been leading that he thinks SOME people's skeletons walk around?" Ed asked.

Mai looked at him, "Technically everyone's skeletons walk around."

Joey finally wiped a tear away. "Alright pal... how about ya show me what the real threat is, would ya? Because that monster and its..." he blinked as the Atk/Def graphic popped up on the screen, "Zero attack points?" Joey didn't begin laughing at that though it was struggle all the same. "Okay... okay... that monster and its zero attack points ain't a threat so ya must have something else planned!"

Brom considered Joey for a long moment. "Have you ever taken the time to read the flavor text on Normal Monsters?"

The monster that appeared on the field was long in every sense of the word. Overly long arms and legs. Long wings. A long neck with a long head on top with a long pointed chin. Its scales were black, like the worst of rotting flesh, and covering those scales was yellowed bone. A pale blue tongue darted out as it settled on the field, snarling as it looked at the King of the Skull Servants.

"Now then, because I don't trust that King ta remain in the graveyard if I send'em there I'm gonna just rid myself of him! I activate Felgrand's special ability, which allows him to banish one monster from your field or graveyard when he is summoned. Skeletal Dragon Felgrand, banish that so-called King!"

The dragon flared out its wings before giving them several flaps, causing the King of the Skull Servants to rather comically scramble to remain on his perch. But it was a doomed affair and within moments he was blown away and out of the game.

"That's it Joey!" Koyo called out. "Way to get right back into the game!"

"Thanks man!" Joey called out before turning to Brom. "And I ain't done yet. See, when my Glow-Up Bloom's in the graveyard I can banish him as well and add one Level 5 or higher zombie from my deck to my hand." Joey paused. "Or at least, that would be what I'd do if I didn't have Zombie World on the field. With that in play I can just summon my monster right out! So say hello to the Doomking Balerdroch!"

A large black zombie serpent creature appeared on the field, its own face a skeletal mask . The blue flames of Zombie World burned around it and its chestplate was made from a Red-Eyes Black Dragon's skull. In its hands it held a staff made from bone with the crystalline eye of the Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon in the center. It cackled as it settled onto the field.

"Now see there? THAT is a king!" Joey smirked as he cracked his neck. "And let me show ya how he rules! Doomking Balerdroch and Skeletal Dragon Felgrand? Attack directly and end this here duel!"

"Joey's gonna win!" Mokuba exclaimed.

"I don't think so," I said softly, eyes only on Brom's facedown.

And sure enough... he activated it.

"Reveal my face down: Wight Force!"

The trap card looked similar to Mirror Force at a glance but a closer look showed that the barrier had a definitely skull-like appearance.

"For each Wight monster I sent from my deck to the graveyard I can destroy one attack position monster on the field. So I another Wightprince along with my Wightmare go the graveyard to destroy your two monsters!"

"No, my monsters!" Joey exclaimed as his Skeletal Dragon Felgrand and Doomking Balerdroch were shattered by the ghostly wave of energy that smashed into them.

"And because I sent a Wightprince to the graveyard I can once again send two more Wight monsters from my deck to the graveyard. So I send another Skull Servant and another Lady in Wight there."

"Oh no!" Tea exclaimed. "This isn't good at all! Joey's field is wide open!"

Tristan nodded as it seemed to all of us that Brom had grown giant in size, looming over the field, a dark aura behind him as Joey stood against him. "And if Brom is able to summon another monster like that King of the Skull Servants then Joey is gonna be done for!"

~MC~MC~MC~

Chaosverse Omake

Earth 16

Paris

"You know, everyone talks about how amazing it would be if unicorns were real," Kid Flash complained as he raced along the battlefield, dodging bolts of magic. "But I don't think 7 foot tall Minotaur-Unicorns with fire axes were what every little girl was hoping for when they blew out their candles!"

"What little girl wastes a birthday wish on unicorns?" Artemis asked as she fired an arrow at one of the monstrous unicorns, the beast catching it with her bare hand and snapping it easily... only for the thing to explode, sending her toppling. "I used to wish for cash."

"I didn't need to wish for that," Robin said with a smirk as he threw a few batarangs. "Batman always gives cash." He flung himself in the air, spinning as he avoided a swing from a fire axe, planting his hands on the shoulders of one of the unicorn monsters and using it as a springboard to flip himself away from harm. "Not just for birthdays either. Christmas, New Years... one day he gave me a stack of fifties for Arbor Day."

"Wanna swap?" Wally asked.

"I look forward to trying out these 'birthday wishes',' Miss Martin said as she phased to avoid a blast. "I will wish for world peace."

"Sounds like a scam to me," Superboy said as he grabbed a tree and flung it right at two of the unicorn monsters.

"It isn't," Zatanna commented. "Its belief magic. Of course that's why you have to keep your wishes small... or abstract."

"World peace is an abstract," Miss Martin pointed out.

"We need to focus," Aqualad stated. "If we don't these unicorn women will overwhelm us. We still don't know who summoned them. The Justice League is dealing with the hydra that was summoned but we need to determine the source of this madness."

"Oh," a familiar voice called out, "that would be me."

"Klarion," Artemis said turning and firing in the direction of the Chaos user. She knew it was hopeless, as Dr. Fate had drilled it into all their heads that a Lord of Chaos couldn't actually be defeated, but that didn't mean couldn't hold out a touch of hope that, just once, she'd catch the little jerk off guard.

But no, Klarion easily vaporized the arrow and the Team turned to face him... only for them all to frown as they took in his appearance.

"Get a haircut?" Kid Flash said, staring at Klarion.

"I thought I'd try something different," Klarion said. He was older, looking to be maybe in his late teens to early 20s, with dark blonde hair and a beard that framed his mouth. He reached up and formed a pair of glasses, adjusting them. "Won't change the fact that I am going to destroy you. This is just the start... I've come up with a whole menagerie of beasts to-"

Klarion froze as, from seemingly out of no where, a hand appeared and picked him up back the back of his jacket, hefting him into the air like one would scruff a cat.

"What... do you think you are doing?" a voice asked and slowly the light of the fire axes and the shadows of the buildings around them twisted together to form... another blonde haired man. Only this one stood nearly 8 feet tall, towering over them all as he glared at the Witch Boy.

"L-Lord Terach," Klarion stammered (and that had the Team tense; Klarion was NEVER nervous or startled), "I just thought-"

"That you would parade around with my face?" Lord Terach asked, cutting off Klarion. "Make it so when I appeared to the heroes of this realm they instantly distrusted me?" He narrowed his eyes before waving his hand and all but one two of the unicorn monsters disappeared. And those two suddenly twisted and shrank, their bodies becoming far more pony-like as their coats turned to white and purple.

"Darling I just had the weirdest dream," the white one said.

Terach chuckled. "Tell Lord Discord to keep a better watch on his realm." He snapped his fingers and the two ponies disappeared.

"Who are you?" Aqualad asked.

"Lord Terach."

"Another Lord of Chaos," Robin commented.

That though made Terach shake his head. "No... the ONLY Lord of Chaos."

"What?" Klarion asked, startled by that.

The giant of a man chuckled at his surprise. "Oh, you haven't been around... I've decided that we needed to reorganize. Streamline. As such there has been some... changes in management. Namely... you're all fired."

"F-fired?" Klarion asked. "What do you mean, 'fired'?"

"Um, how else can I say it? "You're being let go." "Your department's being downsized." "You're part of an outplacement." "We're going in a different direction." "We're not picking up your option." Take your pick."

Klarion swallowed before declaring in a shrill voice, "You can't get rid of the Lords of Chaos!"

"Oh... I very much can. And already have. You were the last. I sparred you since you are still technically a youth but... well..." His eyes went from normal steely blue to black and white, entire universes held within his sockets, "you decided to try and screw me over."

Lord Terach thrust out his hand and the entirety of the Justice League appeared before him, all in mid fighting poses. Wonder Woman toppled as her punch hit nothing, Superman slammed into the ground, and Green Arrow yelped when Green Lantern's boxing glove construct hit his own boxing glove arrow. It would have been rather comical if not for the sheer power the Lord of Chaos was tossing about.

"Right," Terach said, walking towards them, "let's get this over with. There is a change in management. The Lords of Chaos are gone, never to return. Things are going back to the way they should. Speaking of..."

Doctor Fate let out a cry as he was suddenly dragged over to the Lord of Chaos, unable to even fire a single spell at the being.

"Really?" he said, glaring at the Justice League. "Its bad enough you are creating child soldiers... but allowing a kidnapper who forced his spirit into an innocent man after threatening two children to be on your team? And people say I'm twisted."

"You do not scare me, Lord of Chaos," Doctor Fate stated.

"Nabu, Nabu, Nabu... you really haven't cottoned on, have you?" He leaned in. "I didn't just eliminate the Lords of Chaos."

"...no."

"Oh! NOW you felt it!" He chuckled before looking over his shoulder. "The Lords of Order are gone too."

"What did you do?" Superman asked, getting up from where he'd fallen.

"Chaos... Order... they are the same coin, just different sides. All I'm doing is righting things. This stupid war between the two... well, its done. Over. Without Chaos the world would grow stagnant. Without Order the world would never have a chance to build and develop. There needs to be a harmony... and I'm the one to do it."

"You... you can't!" Doctor Fate roared.

"Have, done, wrote a book about it. I am the Lord of Chaos and Order. But don't worry, Nabu... there is a place for you in all this."

And with that he ripped the Helmet of Fate off of the hero's head and jammed it onto Klarion's skull.

At once the Witch Boy fell, hands grasping at the helm... but only for a moment. Then he froze, body turning to stone.

"...pity, I was hoping that they'd learn to work together. Oh well." He looked at the smartly dressed man hovering in the air. "Giovanni Zatara... go hug your daughter." With that he sent Zatara over to Zatanna, who sniffed, tears in her eyes before launching herself at her dad, weeping. "Well, I think that's about it..."

"You expect to just walk away?" Batman said, eyes narrowed. "You killed Doctor Fate."

"I destroyed Nabu, a foul little spirit who believed it was okay to mind rape people and take over bodies in the name of the Greater Good. A demon does that and you exorcise them, yes?" He shook his head and called out, "Okay, I'm all done!"

"Good," A tall british woman said, dressed in a red and white hero outfit stated, stepping out from behind the trees, "I was wondering when you'd finish."

"Holly, be nice," a man in a blue and white outfit said, joining her. "Hi," he said cheerfully, waving to the confused heroes. "Don Hall. This is Holly Granger."

"Secret identities, Donnie!" a man in a similar outfit to Holly declared.

"Come on Hank, they'll figure it out! It's the Justice League," a final woman, in another blue and white outfit stated with a grin. "Dawn Granger. Holly's sister and Hank's girlfriend. Holly is dating Don. It's a thing."

"We'll take care of Terach," Don stated.

Aquaman frowned. "You can defeat him?"

"Noooo," Holly said slowly. "We do that we lose our powers. We just keep him occupied." She motioned to the tall man. "Come on, we have pizza ordered and Downton Abbey in the dvd player."

"Regular or the version I made where Matthew doesn't die?"

"Both."

"Sweet," Terach said before all five disappeared.

"...what the fuck?!" Wally exclaimed.

"LANGAUGE!"

"Sorry Uncle Barry."

Introducing Lord Terach, the Lord of Chaos and Orde