A Spirit Summoned

It was Winter break at the Academy and most of the students had gone home including the Shiba siblings, who were visiting their brother Tyson. The ones that stayed behind were already at their dorms or hanging out with each other. There was one other individual still at the Academy, but he wasn't exactly having a good time.

"Help! HELP!"

He was running like his life depended on it.

At the Slifer Red dorm, Jaden, Syrus and Chumley were hanging out with Professor Banner.

"I can still hardly believe almost everyone else is gone for winter break." Jaden said. "The island feels so… empty."

"At least we're all here together." Syrus piped up.

"Yeah, and that means more dueling for us." Jaden pitched in. He and Syrus were currently in the middle of a duel with the shorter boy having a slight advantage.

"And that means more cafeteria food for us." Chumley added.

Banner was sitting in front of a small barbecue grill with a few marshmallows cooking. "You know Chumley, now that you mentioned that, I can't help but wonder why all we're eating right now are marshmallows."

"Because we already ate all the grilled cheeses."

"We?" Banner replied with a questioning eyebrow.

They all turned their attention towards the duel as Jaden summoned his Clayman. Pharaoh watched the marshmallows expand and expand. Suddenly, they exploded and sent bits of white goo mostly in his face, causing him to meow loudly. They were interrupted by the sounds of something crashing through the door.

Or rather, someone. A boy from the Obelisk Blue dorm lay down on the floor among shattered pieces of wood and glass. Everyone stopped what they were doing and diverted their attention towards him. The boy in question had brown hair that dropped down to shoulder level and wore glasses.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." Jaden commented.

The boy raised his head, his face painted with a fearful expression.

"I… I have." He muttered.

"Um, Professor Banner, I think you might want to call the school nurse."

"I know you," Banner said as he looked at him closer. "You're Torrey. You were in my Para-Dueling class."

Torrey looked at the teacher. "That's right." He dropped to his knees, grabbed Banner's legs and his voice took on a pleading tone. "The lecture you gave about duel spirits being real… it's all true. We even brought one to life!"

"Forget about the nurse, he needs the school psychologist. And fast." Jaden said.

Banner knelt down to his level and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down Torrey. Tell us everything that happened, from the very beginning."

"Yes professor. A while back, I talked to some of my friends about your class and that under certain conditions duel spirits could come to life. Well, after that we started trying to create those conditions… even though we knew the academy forbids it. We tried it out more than once, but nothing special ever happened… until a few days ago. It might have been because we were using our bed sheets as cloaks, or that we took Dr. Crowler's bath candles. Whatever the reason, that time something was different."

He took a second to catch his breath and continued. "We all put our hands on a Ouija board, said the chant… and it happened. 'From vapor to flesh, from wind to aurore come Jinzo from the land of yore'. Then the board spelled out, 'Give me three and I shall be free'."

"Three what?" Jaden asked.

"We thought that it meant three cards."

"Oh dear me, no." Banner said. "Jinzo could not possibly be satisfied with mere cards. This is just terrible."

"So what did the three mean then?" Syrus wondered up.

He looked at the short Slifer with a grim expression as he answered. "It meant people."

"People!"

"Yes and unfortunately we had agreed… before we knew any better."

"So… your friends?"

"They're both gone. I've looked everywhere, but it's like they just vanished into thin air. First it was one, then the other and I know it's going to be me next!"

Everyone looked at each other. Surprise marred their faces at hearing this startling news.

"I'd hoped that they had, but I called their parents and they didn't know where they were either. I doubt they could've made it off the island anyway. After all, I tried to leave myself, but couldn't. When I got to the ferry, he was already there, waiting for me. I've been hiding from him since then, but he's going to catch up with me sooner or later."

"Well, we seem to be safe here." No sooner than Jaden had said this, that the lights went off.

"What was that?" Syrus asked, panicked a little.

"Easy Syrus, it was probably just a fuse." Banner suggested.

"Or maybe a bulb." Chumley added.

"Or maybe, it was me." They all turned in the direction of the new voice and saw a man in a black trench coat holding an unconscious Torrey in one arm. He wore a wide black hat, but even with all that, they could guess that it was Jinzo.

"Let im go." Jaden said defiantly.

"Sorry, but we have a deal." and then he ran off.

"Oh no you don't!" They all took off running after him. They chased after the kidnapper until Jaden lost sight of him. "Okay, where'd he go?"

"Don't tell me I ran all that way for nothing." Chumley moaned.

"Pharaoh? What's wrong?" Banner said as he saw his cat with its back raised and growling at a direction.

"Pharaoh must be able to sense Jinzo." Syrus realized. The headmaster's pet led the students and his master through the forest until they reached a power station. "What is this place?"

"This must be the central power station for the entire island." Banner explained. "But I don't see any sign of Jinzo around here."

"Well I see Torrey." The Obelisk student in question was lying down on the other side of the station. "You're safe." As Jaden approached him, the complex came to life with electricity.

A brief moment later, and they could all see what looked like a blurry hologram of Jinzo. "None of you are safe."

"What's going on Professor?" Syrus asked. "How is it that he's appearing before us?"

"It's the electricity. He's using the current to power himself up."

"If you need a third sacrifice, then take me instead," Jaden jumped in.

"You do seem to posses more vitality than this pathetic human. Hmm… I'lll take you up on your offer."

"Fine, but on one condition only. You and I duel. If you win, you'll get my life energy, but I win and you give back the other two you already took."

"A duel? Very well then. I should be able to be sustained to this electrical limbo long enough for a match. First I'll defeat you, then I'll consume you."

Electricity sparkled around them, separating Jaden from the others.

"Don't you worry guys, I'll beat this creepy figure in no time. Now get your game on Jinzo." Jaden started his disk and drew his starting hand. For Jinzo, holographic images of the back of his cards appeared in front of him.

Jaden: 4000

Jinzo: 4000

"First, I summon Malice Doll of Demise in attack mode." A creepy wooden doll with pointy teeth and holding an axe with a glowing blade in its hands appeared on the field.

Malice Doll of Demise: 1600/1700

"Next I'll activate the spell card Ectoplasmer. This fiendish spell forces each played to sacrifice one monster on their field at the end of their turn. Then, half that monster's attack points are dealt to the opponent as damage." A ghostly spirit rose from the doll's body and flew towards Jaden, whirling around him as it caused damage.

Jaden : 4000-3200

"Oh no, Jaden's already falling behind." Syrus said. "And his turn hasn't even started yet."

"Alright spooky, here I come." Jaden looked over at his hand, before deciding on his options. "I summon Elemental Hero Avian in attack mode." The winged green hero rose in front of the Slifer student.

Elemental Hero Avian: 1000/1000

"Next, I'm throwing down four face-downs and playing a continuous spell of my own, Mirage of Nightmare. And when your turn comes around, I get to draw until I have four cards, but during mine, I have to ditch as many as I drew. But before that happens, Avian attack with Windstorm Strike." The hero of air flew towards the spirit and landed a punch that passed through it.

Jinzo: 4000-3000

"But that's not all. Because I'm using your Ectoplasmer to sacrifice Avian and deal 500 damage to your life-points." Avian's spirit rose from his body and punched Jinzo before fading away.

Jinzo: 3000-2500

"That's the spirit!" Syrus cheered. "I mean, that's how you beat a spirit! I mean, you know what I mean."

"Now we got a game going!"

"A game you'll soon lose," Jinzo replied to his opponent. "After all, since Malice Doll of Demise was sent to the grave due to Extoplasmer's effect, it automatically resurrects." The evil looking doll returned to the field. (1600)

"Speaking of spells, Mirage of Nightmare now activates, meaning I get to draw four cards. Then I play Emergency Provisions. And by giving up Mirage, I gain 1000 life-points."

Jaden: 3200-4200

"Wicked move!" Chumley applauded his friend. "I mean, not only did he get more points, but now he doesn't have to get rid of any cards."

"I summon Emissary of the Afterlife in attack mode." A reaper with a brown cloak and a glowing scythe appeared beside the creepy doll. (1600)

"On second thought, maybe it would've been a better idea to play a little defense."

"And since you have no monsters, I can attack you directly. Sickle Slasher." The newest monster dashed at Jaden as it pulled back its scythe.

"Not so fast. I play A Hero Emerges. Now you have to pick a card from my hand, and if it's a monster, I can summon it."

"Far right." Electricity crackled around the card Jinzo pointed at.

"Nice pick. For me at least. Say hello to Elemental Hero Sparkman." The golden armored hero appeared in front of Jaden. (1600) It was just in time to receive the incoming monster's weapon, but not before delivering a punch to his enemy.

"Fool! When Emissary is sent to the grave, we both get to add a normal monster from our decks to our hands as long as it's a level three or below. And I choose United Resistance."

"And I'll take good old Burstinatrix."

"It doesn't matter. Because once again you have no monsters to defend yourself with. Malice Doll, go, Cleaver Heaver." The only monster hurled its axe at Jaden. It spun in the aire before hitting his duel disk.

Jaden: 2600

"I'll place this card face-down and activate Ectoplasmer." The Doll's spirit circled around Jaden once more.

Jaden: 1800

"Having this duel was an excellent idea. It's much better to enjoy something slowly rather than taking it all at once."

"Jaden, your legs!" Syrus said in surprise. "You're fading!"

"What's going on?"

"I'm collecting on our deal." Jinzo explained to his to the dueling Slifer. "Since you've just lost over half your life-points, I'm taking half your life-force. And I must say, it feels good."

"You're not gonna get me that easy. I'll duel until it ends. I play Polymerization, to fuse Elemental Hero Clayman and Burstinatrix to create, The Elemental Hero Rampart Blaster in attack mode." The two heroes swirled around each other and finished as the armored feminine monster.

Elemental Hero Rampart Blaster: 2000/2500

"And now, Rampart Blaster, attack with Rampart Barrage." The named monster shot a series of rockets from her right arm that landed around the spirit.

Jinzo: 500

"My draw." Another card appeared in front of the spirit. "And I couldn't have asked for a better one. With this card, my resurrection will be all but complete."

"What're you talking about?"

"You'll see. First, Malice Doll returns to the field." The evil looking doll returned from the graveyard for the second time. (1600) "And now I sacrifice it so I can summon…" The spirit let out an evil laugh as the card in front of it spun about. "… myself, Jinzo." The station's electricity crackled as Jinzo disappeared. It then struck the named card and the monster in question took its place.

Jinzo: 2400/1500

"Oh come on. I mean, you can't draw yourself."

"I just did. And know, I can attack you personally. Cyber Energy Shock." A ball of energy gathered in his palm which he short out at the Rampart Blaster.

"Aw man, Rampart Blaster's gone. And with Jinzo really on the field, Jaden won't be able to use his traps," Syrus moaned.

"I summon Wroughtweiler in defense mode." A metal dog with a visor crouched down on Jaden's field.

Wroughtweiler: 800/1200

"And there's a reason he's called man's best friend. Cause if he's destroyed in battle, I get back Polymerization and one elemental hero from the graveyard."

"Ready for more pain mortal? I summon United Resistance in attack mode." A band of three men wearing ragged clothing and wielding short bows appeared beside the spirit monster.

United Resistance: 1000/400

*'Here it comes.'* Jaden thought to himself.

"And then I'll attack your mechanical dog with Cyber Energy Shock." The ball of energy that Jinzo shot out from his palm vaporized Jaden's Wroughtweiler.

"Now Polymerization and Clayman come back to my hand."

"But not the field. Which means I can attack you directly. Go, United Resistance." The three armed men short arrows at Jaden from their bows.

"Finally, I equip myself with Amplifer. With this, my own ability doesn't affect my trap cards." A small metal cap with little electronical spikes materialized on Jinzo's head. "And I'm sure you can guess what this face-down might be. Your demise is at hand."

"I summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman in attack mode." Jaden's blue water hero stood straight in front of him.

Elemental Hero Bubbleman: 800/1200

"And I'll boost his power with Bubble Blaster. This spell gives him 800 extra attack points." Bubbleman aimed his newfound bazooka like weapon at Jinzo's field.

"Now attack, with Bombarding Bubble Barrage." The hero in question shot a large bubble at the three armed men on the opposing field that burst on contact.

"I activate Spirit Barrier. And as long as this card's in play and I have one monster on the field, I don't take any damage from battle. And in case you've forgotten already, there is, me."

"You're still just a phantom to me. I'll play one card face-down and end my turn."

"That was pathetic. Almost as pathetic as I'm going to make your Bubbleman look." The enemy spirit monster shot a blast of energy at Jaden's hero, though he put his blaster in front of himself to block.

"Guess I didn't mention it before, but when Bubbleman is equipped with Bubble Blaster, he doesn't burst, his weapon does."

"One turn, that's all it buys you." He said as another face-down card appeared in front of him.

"And hopefully, that's all I'll need. I Play Pot of Greed to draw two cards." Winged Kuriboh appeared besides Jaden's head as he took his two cards.

"A spirit." Jinzo looked almost puzzled.

"He's a friend first and spirit second. Which is probably why he doesn't have to snack on human souls to chill out here in the land of the living."

"Now back to business. I summon Elemental Hero Clayman." The stone warrior rose beside his water counterpart.

Elemental Hero Clayman: 800/2000

"And I'm gonna equip him with the spell Claywrap." Clayman was surrounded by a coating of transparent mud. "But it isn't over just yet. Next I'm gonna play Polymerization to fuse him with Bubbleman. Now say hello to Elemental Hero Mudballman." The larger fusion hero emerged opposite the spirit monster.

Elemental Hero Mudballman: 1900/3000

"And since Claywrap was sent to the graveyard, I can use it to destroy that Amplifier." Jinzo's metal cap shattered.

"Lishus!"

"Way to play Jay."

"You go man!"

Jinzo cried out as he exploded in a cloud of smoke. "No! I'm too close, I won't let it end here! I refuse!"

Torrey shakily stood up, his eyes glowing red.

"Torrey, are you okay?" Jaden asked.

"I'm not Torrey, I'm Jinzo. And I raise myself from the dead with Call of the Haunted."

"No you don't! I activate the trap card Solemn Judgement. It may cost me half my life-points, but its all good, cause it negates and destroy the card you were about to play."

Jaden: 200

"Noooo!"

"Now Mudballman, finish him. Fire Shockwave." The large hero jumped in the air and thrust his hands at the possessed Obelisk student, sending out a red waves at him.

Jinzo: 0

A bright white light emerged from the attack, illuminating the station and causing all the students and Banner to lose consciousness.

When they opened their eyes, they were still at the power station, but the morning sun had risen.

"Did we miss out on breakfast?" Syrus asked. Chumley's stomach growled a bit as if to answer.

They took note of the fact that Torrey was back to the same condition that he was before, along with the two other Obelisk boys.

"They're all back, safe and sound." Banner said relieved.

"You think they'll remember what happened?" Syrus asked.
*'It'd probably be better if they didn't.'* Jaden thought to himself. *'I won't forget though… Duel spirits are real, but some of them are dangerous too.'*

"You know what'd be good? A grilled marshmallow sandwich," Chumley suggested.
"You mean we haven't run out already?" Syrus piped up.

"I'm not running anywhere!" The others all laughed at Chumley's words.