Yu-Gi-Oh! DF Extended, Yu-Gi-Oh! DA/DE Crossover Special COMPLETED! + News of Stuff to Come *UPDATED 12/21/13*!

[legendhiro]

Introduction:

3000 years ago in the prosperous and magical land of Egypt there lived a powerful and noble nomad, acquaintance to the legendary Pharaoh Atemu. When this man's dark side took form, he sealed the darkness away, at the same time cursing himself to be forgotten by history, sealing his life force away in the twelve Duelist's Souls until the day that he returned to this earth and his dark side could finally be destroyed.

Travel back to the early days of Yu-Gi-Oh!, before Duel Academy, Synchro Monsters, Turbo Duels, Xyz Monsters, and weird-looking kids wearing scouters. Experience the same world, and era, inhabited by Yugi Muto and his friends from the perspective of a new group of heroes.

Yu-Gi-Oh! DF Extended is, in essence, a repost of my original fic, Yu-Gi-Oh! DF, but with some new and interesting surprises added here and there. I hope that new readers will enjoy reading this story from the beginning for the first time, and that old readers will enjoy spotting the differences and guessing how they might affect my future works, but more than anything, I hope that everyone will just enjoy.
[spoiler=Book One, Gather the Duel Force]
[Spoiler=Chapter One]

Gather the Duel Force

It was a Friday morning in Checker Township, Ohio, the suburbs of Cincinnati, in the northeastern United States. I was sitting at one of Old Man Wilson's card tables in his game shop, just down the street from my house. Across from me sat an older and larger boy. We were competing in a game of the Trading Card Game Duel Monsters to decide which of us would be allowed to buy Wilson’s last pack until Monday. Old Man Wilson stood behind the counter, watching our duel and scratching his nearly-bald head. I was behind, but Wilson, who had seen me duel many times, knew exactly what was coming.

My opponent had seventeen hundred Life Points and three cards in his hand. On the field he had ‘Armed Samurai - Ben Kei’ equipped with three Equip Spell Cards (Attack Mode, ATK: 2600), and one ‘Sheep Token’ (Defense Mode, DEF: 0). I had four hundred fifty Life Points, four cards in my hand, and nothing left on the field at all.

“Well,” I said, sighing, “looks like this duel is over.”

“Oh yeah!” said my opponent. “I knew I’d win, wimp!”

“Hold on buddy,” I said, a bit condescendingly, “I said the duel was over, not that I was giving up.”

I sighed, annoyed and frustrated almost to the point of anger, Amateurs. They always underestimate me. Every time.

I took a deep breath and sighed again, letting my anger abate.

“Since you have two more monsters on the field than I do, I can Special Summon my favorite card, ‘The Fiend Megacyber’ (ATK: 2200). And I'll also activate the Spell card ‘Darkness Approaches’, discarding two cards to flip your monster face-down into face-down attack position. Since it is face-down, all of your Equip Spells equipped to him are destroyed (ATK: 2600-2100=500). Now I attack ‘Ben-Kei’ with ‘Fiend Megacyber’ and take all of your Life Points (LP: 1700+500-2200=0).

“What? That’s impossible!” said the kid, holding his ragged blond hair in his hands as I picked up my cards and walked away.

I walked over to the counter to buy my pack, “Just because you didn’t see my move coming doesn’t make me a cheater.”

My opponent, however, didn’t listen, crying out, "Don't sell my pack to that cheater!"

“Actually,” Mr. Wilson said, trying his damnedest to prevent an altercation, “every one of Johnnyboy’s moves was completely legal.” He chuckled and squinted his eyes behind his inch thick eyeglasses.

I picked up my booster pack and handed Wilson the money for it. Then I slid the pack into my Deck Box, pocketed it, and turned toward the door, only to find the larger boy blocking my path, his hands clenched into fists.

“I think you have something of mine,” the kid said. “Are you gonna give it to me, or do I gotta take it from ya?!”

“You don’t wanna do that pal,” said Mr. Wilson, sounding a bit desperate now.

“Shut up old man!” the larger kid yelled. He took a step toward me and took a swing at my head. I ducked underneath and stepped back, taking my hands out of my pockets.

“Here it is,” said Wilson, frustrated, burying his face in his hands as the kid took another swing at me. I caught his wrist, thrust my palm upward, listening to the welcome sound of popping ligaments in his elbow, and then pinned his arm against his back.

“Ow ow owowowow!! Fine! Keep the pack. Just let me go!” I let go of the kid’s arm and he shot out the door at warp speed.

“So, John,” Mr. Wilson asked with a laugh, “how is it that a relatively quiet fifteen-year-old kid like you gets into more fights in my store than punks like him?”

“Must be my charming disposition,” I said with a smirk, and Mr. Wilson laughed again, a wheezing sound. “See ya later, Will,” I said, waving back at my friend with a laugh of my own. “And be happy that I didn't accidentally flip this one onto one of your tables like last time.”

That's how I was though. Trouble seemed to follow me around, like something dangerous was creeping up on me, just out of sight. I had always wondered what it could be. I'm not going to lie. I get mad pretty easily, but I’ve got that under control. I don’t go looking for jerks to beat up anymore. There was something else, and I never would have guessed back then just how close I was to finding out what it was.

From Mr. Wilson’s shop I walked home. My house is pretty nice, but I never really think about it. I only use it to sleep and store my cards and, well, I can sleep anywhere, and all of my cards would fit in my big duffel bag. I guess the best thing about my house is that I live pretty close to all of my friends. My best friend lives about ten minutes away walking, and my three cousins (two from my mom’s older sister, and one from my mom’s younger sister) live ten minutes away driving, or twenty-five to thirty minutes away by bus. Not to mention that I live pretty close to the mall.

Once I was home I sat down on my bed, laying out the cards in my deck. I had been asked by mail the week before to assemble a team of four for an exhibition match of a new form of dueling at the opening of the mall’s new Game Center the next day. I was almost ready to go and gather my team for one last practice before the match. I just wanted to check my deck one more time first. I ran my fingers through my unruly brown hair and looked over my cards carefully. They were mostly Dark monsters of the Fiend, Machine, and Warrior types, with some monsters from the Light family thrown in for support. My Spell and Trap cards were carefully chosen to give my monsters the advantage even in the most hopeless situations (I shine in hopeless situations). I had been tweaking this deck since the age of eight, a year after I’d started playing the game. Before that I’d used a different deck that I still have in a box in my closet. I don’t know why, but that old deck feels too important to take apart.

Everything looks good, I thought, flipping through my spare cards. Oh, wait, I remembered, I almost forgot to open my new pack!

I reached into my Deck Box and removed the pack. I pulled it open and removed the nine cards inside. As I flipped through the cards, I only saw cards that didn't fit with the theme of my deck, until I came across a monster with zero Attack and Defense Points. Even though it seemed weak at first glance, I could feel that there was a strange power within it. Without even reading its effect, I made a choice.

I don’t know why, I thought, looking down at the card, but I’m putting you in my deck.


Tucker


The next part of the story will be told from my point of view. I’m Tucker, John’s best bud. I have red hair and green eyes. People are always telling John to keep away from me because he is sane, and I, arguably, am not. You see, I have a fixation with fire. I'm not some pyromaniac arsonist, and I don’t, like, get my jollies from it or anything. I just think fire is the coolest thing ever. Period. This is why I always carry a lighter, even though I don't smoke (anything, despite what you may be thinking).

At about this point in the story I was at the local park sitting down on one of the old running trails, dueling a kid for some of his spare Fire cards. John, who taught me to play Duel Monsters, says that I tend to be a little hotheaded, but that I am very good.

“My ‘Goblin Attack Force’ kills your ‘Inferno’ card,” my opponent said, “and then goes to Defense mode (my Life Points: 1700-1300=400; my opponent’s Life Points: 1900; ‘Goblin’’s DEF: 0).”

“Then I summon my ‘Gaia Soul the Combustible Collective’ (ATK: 2000) and attack ‘Goblin Attack Force’. And since my ‘Gaia Soul’ is a Piercing monster I deal you battle damage even though ‘Goblin’ is in Defense mode (1900+0-2000=0).”

“Crap!” my opponent said, running his hand through his longish blond hair. “Then I guess these are yours.” He handed me the cards, got up, and walked away.


When John showed up I was still sitting in the same place, busy fitting the new cards into my deck. I finished just as he reached me.

“Hey Tuck,” he said. “How ya doin’?”

“Awesome,” I replied over my shoulder, “I just won a whole load of sweet stuff! Take a look.”

I handed John my newly modified deck, and he flipped through my cards. “Excellent,” he said, “Team Beatdown doesn't stand a chance!”


John


From the park, Tucker and I walked the short distance back to my house to get my sister, Sarah, a tomboyish eleven-year-old girl with sandy blond hair and blue eyes who plays many kinds of sports. Her favorite is soccer, where she usually plays Full Back or Goalie. Sarah is the third member of my team. From there we took the next bus to nearby Newtown to my cousins' house. The fourth member of my team is my cousin Jen. She's a twelve-year-old (almost thirteen), tall, with dark brown eyes and long brown hair, though right now she has her bangs died purple and black. She’s a little goth. She’s also the oldest of two sisters. Her younger sister, Kris, is just learning how to play Duel Monsters.

Sarah, Tucker and I arrived at Jen’s where her mom, my aunt, let us inside. We walked downstairs into Jen’s basement game room/family room and piled onto the two couches.

“So,” I asked, “is everyone ready for tomorrow?”

“I definitely am,” said Jen. “I just finished putting together a few new combinations.”

“I’m ready,” said Tucker.

“So am I,” said Sarah.

“I’m ready too,” I said, “but I think it can never hurt to practice your game.” So we hung out in Jen’s basement for a few hours and ran dueling drills and played practice games until we were all as comfortable about our team mates’ strategies as we were about our own.

“Well, time to sleep,” I finally said in the random way that I sometimes do to be weird, “gotta go.”

Tucker, Sarah and I were about to leave (my aunt had agreed to drive us home) when Jen asked, “By the way, what's the name of our team?”

I smiled at her in the mischievous way that I sometimes do and said, “Someday our team will be famous, and everyone will know our name. We are the Duel Force!”[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Two]

Team Match;
Team Duel Force vs. Team Beatdown


The next day, my team and I met at the local mall, making our way to the location of the long awaited Game Center. A man that I am pretty sure was the Game Center's new manager had just finished wheeling a portable podium out in front of the large entrance, which was blocked off by a thick black curtain. Duelists of varying ages had gathered all around the podium, and above the podium hung a large flat-screen video monitor.

It was only a few minutes after we arrived that the manager stepped up to the podium to speak. “Welcome,” he said, “to the Grand Opening of the seventeenth Industrial Illusions Game Center, the first to open here in Ohio-” His speech continued, but I didn’t really pay too much attention.

“John,” Tucker asked, “you know this Christopher Johnson guy, the one that they got to captain Team Beatdown? Is he really as good as everyone says?”

“From what I’ve heard he is,” I said. “I read up on him on the internet. He’s just as careful not to let anything get posted online about his deck as anyone else, but people have posted plenty about Christopher himself. He's never lost a duel. He was chosen as one of two team captains because of his history as the long reining regional champion. I was chosen randomly off of a list on some database.”

“You think we’ll win?” Sarah asked.

“Not a chance,” I said. “Now be quiet. I think this guy’s about to say something important.”

“Now everyone,” the manager said, stepping aside as the screen above his head lowered into position, “I give you the sponsor of this establishment, Maxamillion Pegasus!”

Everyone in the crowd clapped, though the recording of the Duel Monsters creator could not hear them. I watched, eagerly, as the face of the legendary figure appeared on the screen. “Greetings Duelists,” the recording said in a sing-song voice that just struck me as odd, “and welcome to the grand opening of my newest Game Center. Like with all of my Centers I consider this, the first Game Center to open in the grand state of Ohio, to be a special project. I spared no expense in equipping it with the latest technology, including Duel Disks and Holomats, all available for rent. You will also find a full Duel Disk arena, a store, and a restaurant, ensuring that your experience here will be the best it possibly can be. And now, if I am correct, it is nine-o-clock, time to open the doors and begin the exhibition match, featuring regional champion Christopher Johnson!”

There was an uproar from the crowd all around me. Everyone knew who Christopher was. I heard people talking to their friends, saying things like “...king of swift attacks...” and “...able to win in a single turn, no problem!”

The screen rose back up to the ceiling, and the manager returned to his previous place behind the podium and cried out, “Now, ladies and gentlemen, Duelists of all ages, welcome to the Game Center!”

The curtain behind him parted, and the crowd around me poured inside. I stood and watched them with my team. When the crowd thinned enough for me to make out who was walking and who was standing still, I noticed a group of four standing to my left. Three of them were unremarkable. Normal kids. One was tall, about 6’ 1”, with long brown hair. The other two were about my height. One had brown hair, and the other had light blond hair. They didn’t stand out. They didn't look too weak, or too strong. They were absolutely average.

It was the fourth one who caught my attention. Christopher was sixteen, one year older than me, with light brown hair and almost yellow-brown eyes. He wore dark blue jeans, and a jean jacket over a faded black t-shirt, and he had a Duel Disk strapped to his left arm. He was watching me too. Our eyes met, competitive aggression passing between us, and I could tell two things about him. One, he wasn’t a bad guy. In fact he was someone who you would be glad to have watching your back. And two, he had absolutely no doubt in his mind that me and my team would lose.

I know I told Sarah that we didn’t stand a chance against these guys, but right there, in that moment, Christopher’s confidence triggered my own arrogance, a trait that I try to keep to myself. I decided in that moment that, despite my chances, I would win.

After the rest of the crowd had gone inside, my team and Team Beatdown were led by the manager into a large area alongside the actual Game Center where the management offices were located.

“Is everyone on both teams clear on how this is gonna work,” the manager asked.

“Yes,” Christopher replied, speaking for his team.

“Team Duel Force?” the manager asked, addressing me.

“Yes,” I answered confidently. Maybe overconfidently.

“Okay, good,” the manager turned and led us to a large door leading to the interior, “remember that you can’t deviate from the pre-submitted order or the whole team will be disqualified.”

“Right,” I nodded as another man led Team Beatdown out onto the floor. I could hear cheering and applause.

“Your turn Duel Force,” the manager said, “good luck.” And we made our ways out to face our opponents.


As my team and I entered the main room we were met by applause. I looked around to check the place out. The front half of the large round room was nothing but booths lining walls, snack machines, tables, and the restaurant. The back half was arcade games (only some of which were Duel Monsters themed), and stadium style seats around a large raised platform. My team was led to one end of the platform. Team Beatdown was led to the other. All around us, sitting at the tables and the seats, were at least two hundred Duelists. The ceiling was dome-shaped, like a stadium. The room was lit by dozens of rows of fluorescent lights.

“Now,” said the manager, “it’s time to begin. Will the first two Duelists please step up onto the arena floor?”

The crowd cheered as the first member of Team Beatdown, the taller kid, stepped up onto the platform. Some staff guys brought my team and I our new Duel Disks (which I was told we were allowed to keep, awesome!), and our first Duelist, my cousin Jen, stepped up across from her opponent.

“Whaaat!?” the tall kid cried. “I have to fight a little girl? I’m James, of Team Beatdown! Some little girl won't even be a snack for my deck!”

“We'll see,” I said from my place below, trying not to sound as hostile as I felt toward this guy who would so casually insult my friend. “Jen’s no pushover.”

“I go first,” said Jen (LP: 2000). “Draw, and activate ‘Pot of Greed’. With this card’s effect, I can draw two more cards.”

Jen drew, and selected a new card, “I set a monster in face-down defense position, and set two cards face-down.”

“Ah ha,” said James, obviously mistaking strategy for weakness, “You’re already running scared! I’ll have to make this quick and put you out of your misery. I summon my ‘Gilasaurus’ as a Special Summon, which means I can summon a second ‘Gilasaurus’ as well, also as a Special Summon! And finally I summon my ‘Uraby’, and I attack!”

James’ monsters, two small brown dinosaurs about six feet tall, and a larger dinosaur, fifteen feet tall, so dark brown that it was almost black, stood poised to attack Jen. ‘Uraby’ took two steps forward and slashed at the hologram of Jen's face-down monster with his long claws. Just before the monster was destroyed it was revealed as a large, green grasshopper.

“Alright!” said James. “Attack her, my two ‘Gilasaurus’! Finish her off (Total ATK: 2800)!" The two dinosaurs roared and started forward.

“Activate,” said Jen, “the effect of my ‘Pinch Hopper’. When it goes to the Graveyard I can summon any Insect card from my hand. I choose to summon the ‘Empress Mantis’.”

Between Jen and the attacking monsters appeared a giant praying mantis wearing a frilly white collar (DEF: 1400). James’ dinosaurs leaped at her, but she repelled them with her blade-like arms.

“Now I activate the Trap card ‘Zero Gravity’, changing the battle positions of every monster on the field (‘Mantis’’s ATK: 2200/‘Gilasaurus’’s DEF: 400/‘Uraby’’s DEF: 800). And since a monster you control was changed to defense mode, I can activate the Trap card ‘Tragedy’, destroying every defense position monster that you control.”

James stared, shocked, as his one-turn army of monsters disappeared before his beady little eyes.

“Now I move again,” said Jen, drawing a new card. “I attack you with my ‘Mantis’ and finish you off.” Throughout the entire duel, through all of the goading, Jen had remained calm and collected, as I’d known she would. And it had paid off. As the ‘Mantis’ struck (James’ LP: 2000-2200=0) the crowd fell silent. As it turned out, a newbie could beat a pro after all.

Jen stood at her end of the platform and placed another card face-down. She held the remaining two cards close to her, and ended her turn. James stepped down and Jen’s next opponent, the other brown haired boy, took his place. “Hi,” he said, “I’m Jason, and I’m the one who’s going to defeat you.”[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Three]

A Rivalry is Born


“Since you have cards in play and more wins than me,” Jason announced, “I get to make the next move, no contest. I start with the Spell card ‘Painful Choice’. I choose five cards from my deck and show them to you. You choose one to add to my hand, and I discard the rest.”

Jason fanned out his deck and looked through, choosing five cards. He placed them on the five Monster Card Zones of his Duel Disk, and holograms of the five cards appeared in the air above his head. Three ‘Berserk Gorillas’ and two ‘Voltech Kongs’.

“Add ‘Voltech Kong’ to your hand,” Jen said, and Jason did as he was told, sending the remaining cards to the Graveyard.

“I summon,” Jason declared, “my ‘Bazoo the Soul-Eater’ in attack mode!”

Between Jason and Jen’s insect appeared a large baboon-like monster, purple, with a gray belly and horns. “My monster,” Jason explained, “can eat three souls per turn to increase his attack points by three hundred per soul until my next turn. So I remove ‘Voltech Kong’ and two ‘Berserk Gorillas’ from play to raise his attack power to twenty-five hundred.

“Now,” Jason declared, “I play ‘Wild Nature’s Release’, raising ‘Bazoo’’s attack by an amount equal to his defense (2500+900=3400). I also activate two more Spell cards, ‘Mystical Space Typhoon’ to destroy your face-down card, and ‘Poison Fang’, a card that increases the damage a Beast monster can deal to my opponent by five hundred.” a burst of wind cut through Jen’s card and destroyed it. “Attack with ‘Bazoo’ to destroy the ‘Mantis’.” ‘Bazoo’ reached out and crushed the giant bug with his right hand (LP: 2000 +2200-3400-500=300). “Now I end my turn with a face-down card, and my ‘Bazoo’ is destroyed by the effect of ‘Wild Nature’s Release’.” ‘Bazoo’ disappeared.

Jen drew her next card, finally beginning to look distressed. She only had four cards left in her hand, and nothing in play.

“I summon my ‘Neo Bug’ in attack mode,” Jen declared, a large, dark green mantis with blades for forearms appearing at her side (ATK: 1800), “and attack you directly to even up the score.”

‘Neo Bug’ lunged at Jason, its blades raised, but Jason was one step ahead. “Reveal,” he said, “the Trap card ‘Call of the Haunted’, summoning my ‘Berserk Gorilla’ from the Graveyard.” A large orange/brown gorilla appeared and beat its chest (ATK: 2000). I glanced up at Jen’s hand. She had lost.

“I stop my attack,” said Jen, “and, based on page seven of the Team Duel Rulebook, I forfeit two thirds of my remaining Life Points to the next Duelist, Tucker.” Jen’s Life Points dropped to zero, and she and Tucker traded places (Tucker’s Life Points: 2000+200=2200).

“Watch out,” Jen told Tucker as she passed him, “this guy is pretty good.”

“Shush,” Tucker replied proudly, “I got this.”

Addressing his opponent he said, “Since you have cards in play, I go first.” A grin spread wide across his face, “I play ‘Graceful Charity’, which lets me draw three cards, as long as I discard two afterward. I discard the Fire monsters ‘Hinotama Soul’ and ‘Tyhone #2’ and remove them from play to Special Summon ‘Inferno’ and ‘Spirit of Flames’.”

Tucker’s monsters appeared. ‘Inferno’ was a floating face made up of raging flames (ATK: 1100), and ‘Spirit of Flames’ was a muscular humanoid figure with red skin and two curved horns on his head (ATK: 1700).

“Next,” said Tucker, “since both of these monsters were summoned by Special Summon, I can Normal Summon ‘Gaia Soul the Combustible Collective’. Wait ’til ya see his ability!”

A large mass of heat, fire, and flesh appeared, floating in the air. It absorbed Tucker’s other two monsters into itself to raise its own attack power (ATK: 2000+1000 +1000=4000).

“‘Combustible Collective’ attack!” Tucker commanded, and the monster fired itself at ‘Berserk Gorilla’ like a living meteor. It exploded, taking the Beast monster with it. Jason threw his arms up to protect his face from the smoke and flames that washed over him (2000+2000-4000=0). Jason stepped down and was replaced by the third Beatdown member, the blond-haired one.

“So who are you?” Tucker asked.

“I’m Mike,” he answered, sounding annoyed, “and I go first (LP: 2000). I draw, and I summon my ‘Warrior Dai Grepher’.”

A tall, muscular warrior appeared, wearing black leather padded armor and carrying a longsword (ATK: 1700). He slashed Tucker with his blade (2200-1700=500).

“Next,” said Mike, “I lay two cards face-down, and I end my turn.”

Tucker drew, frowning, and threw his hands up in frustration. “All I’ve got is a lot of nothin’, so I’ll just set a defensive monster and end my turn.”

“Then I draw,” said Mike, “and play ‘Polymerization’, fusing my ‘Warrior Dai Grepher’ with my ‘Spirit Ryu’.” ‘Warrior Dai Grepher’’s sword morphed into a double-ended blade, and purple dragon armor formed over his head and torso, “forming ‘Ryu Senshi’ (ATK: 2000). Next I summon ‘Dark Blade’,” a warrior clad entirely in black armor, carrying a long, menacing curved blade it each hand appeared (ATK: 1800).

“‘Dark Blade’ attacks,” commanded Mike, “killing your face-down monster-.”

“And activating my monster’s effect,” Tucker cut in, his Tucker-smirk growing even wider.

‘Dark Blade’ slashed, just as the monster was revealed as a smoldering shadow. The monster was cut in half.

“That,” Tucker explained, “was ‘The Thing in the Crater’. When this monster is destroyed by battle, I can Special Summon any Pyro monster I want from my hand.

“Using my ‘Thing in the Crater’’s effect, I Special Summon ‘Twin-Headed Fire Dragon’.” A large red dragon appeared, its two necks connected to a large round mass, as if it had once been two dragons that were forced to combine together in some kind of accident (ATK: 2200).

“Attack,” commanded Mike, “and I activate my ‘Dragon Burst’ card, raising the attack power of my ‘Ryu Senshi’ by eight hundred points (2000+800=2800)!” ‘Ryu Senshi’ swung his sword, cleaving the dragon in half, destroying it (500+2200-2800 =0).

“Looks like the score is equal now, two and two,” said a kid in the audience.

“Yeah,” another kid replied, “but Christopher hasn’t gone yet.”

My sister, Sarah, stepped up next. She didn’t look all too tough, but she was good. Really good. Her deck was one that reflected her qualities and skills in real life: determination, quick, fluid thinking, and directed fury. Duel Monsters wasn’t her favorite thing in the world, but that didn’t mean she took the game any less seriously than the rest of us.

“My turn,” said Sarah, “and I start out by summoning my ‘Water Magician’ in attack mode.”

Sarah’s monster, a woman in a blue cap and cape appeared, carrying a jeweled staff (ATK: 1400).

“Next,” said Sarah, “I equip my ‘Water Magician’ with two Spell cards, the magical trident ‘Power of Kaishin’, and the metal-plated ‘Steel Shell’.” The trident weapons appeared in the female monster’s free left hand, and the shell appeared on her back (1400+300+400=2100).

“‘Water Magician’,” Sarah commanded, “attack ‘Ryu Senshi’, Aqua Magic Attack!” ‘Aqua Magician’ crossed her trident and her staff, and summoned a stream of water that poured over ‘Ryu Senshi’, drowning him (2000+2000-2100=1900).

“I end my turn,” said Sarah, “with a face-down card.”

Mike drew his next card, but paid it very little thought. Whatever his strategy was, he already had it planned out. “I begin my turn with the Spell card ‘Draconic Attack’,” he began. “This card equips to the Warrior monster ‘Dark Blade’, giving him the fury of a dragon (1800+500=2300). My ‘Dark Blade’ attacks and destroys your ‘Water Magician’ with Draconic Burst!”

‘Dark Blade’ became wreathed in an aura of blue flames. The flames spread out, becoming fiery wings. ‘Dark Blade’ rose up into the air above ‘Water Magician’. He crossed his swords and a stream for blue flames in the shape of a serpentine dragon burst from the point where the swords met. ‘Water Magician’ crossed her weapons as well, releasing her water stream attack, but the Draconic Burst dispersed it and burned the ‘Water Magician’ to ashes (2000+2100-2300=1800).

Sarah scowled. She wasn’t mad so much as she was frustrated that she would have to summon another monster. That’s just how she is.

“My move,” said Sarah. “I’ll begin with a defense monster, my ‘Hyosube’.” A tall amphibian man with brown hair, blue skin, and a turtle’s shell appeared, crouched down into a defensive position. (DEF: 900).

“Now,” Sarah continued, “I’ll finish up with two face-down cards. End turn.”

“My move,” said Mike, drawing again, and again disregarding the newest to his hand. “I summon my ‘Pitch-Dark Dragon’.”

Beside ‘Dark Blade’ appeared a large black dragon, letting out a loud roar (ATK: 900). “‘Pitch-Dark Dragon’ is a Union monster that can give my ‘Dark Blade’ a piercing ability and another four hundred attack points. As I’m sure you know, that will make my monster’s attack power twenty-seven hundred, and twenty-seven hundred minus nine hundred is eighteen hundred exactly. Looks like you lose this turn water Duelist.”

“Not quite,” said Sarah, “because I have a Trap card, ‘Torrential Tribute’. The waters of ‘Torrential Tribute’ flow when a monster is summoned and destroy every monster on the field.”

As Sarah explained the effect of her card, the card hologram flipped up, and water poured from it, washing all three monsters away.

“Anything else you wanna try?” Sarah asked. “No? Then at the end of your turn I activate another Trap, ‘Soul Resurrection’, reviving my ‘Water Magician’ in defense mode,” ‘Water Magician’ reappeared, assuming a defensive stance. “Now, as my turn begins I change ‘Water Magician’ to attack mode, and remove ‘Hyosube’ in my Graveyard from play to Special Summon my favorite monster, ‘Aqua Spirit’, and attack with both monsters for the win.”

‘Aqua Spirit’, a young, blue-skinned water sprite in a blue dress appeared in a spray of foamy bubbles (ATK: 1600), discharging a stream of water alongside ‘Water Magician’ (1900-1400-1600=0). Finally the grunts had been defeated, and it was Christopher Johnson’s turn.

Christopher, an image of grace and confidence, traded places with his fallen teammate. He stood to face Sarah for either the tie or the win. “Looks like I get to make the first move,” said Christopher, and the game was underway (LP: 2000).

“I begin my move,” said Christopher, “with one of my favorite cards, ‘Burning Beast’,” a beast made of magma appeared on Christopher’s field (ATK: 1500).

“My ‘Burning Beast’, however, is weak on his own,” Christopher explained, “so I’ll increase my advantage with ‘Frontline Base’, a Continuous Spell card that allows me to summon my ‘Freezing Beast’ as well.” Beside ‘Burning Beast’ appeared a second beast, this time made of ice (ATK: 1500). I knew immediately what was going on. “Finally,” said Christopher, “I play ‘Banner of Courage’, raising the strength of my monsters during my Battle Phase, and I unionize my monsters into the mighty and massive ‘Freezing Burning Beast’ (ATK: 1500)!”

Christopher was good, I could see that, but I had already noticed two details which stood out as flaws in his strategy. First, he had played enough cards in one turn that his hand was almost empty. Second, he had just merged two monsters into one, giving up one attack, to create a monster with the same attack points. To me, this move made very little sense.

“Now I attack your ‘Water Magician’,” said Christopher, “with my ‘Beast’’s Burning Ice Attack (ATK: 1500+200=1700)!” ‘Freezing Burning Beast’ opened its mouth, and a stream of burning snow poured forth, burning the ‘Water Magician’ to ash (1800+1400-1700=1500).

“I follow up my attack,” said Christopher, “with a Spell card, ‘Combination Attack’. This card de-Unionizes my ‘Beast’, returning him to his original state as two monsters,” the ‘Beast’ split into ‘Burning Beast’ and ‘Freezing Beast’. “Now I attack you with Burning Attack and Freezing Attack!”

‘Burning Beast’ blasted ‘Aqua Spirit’ with an incinerating blast (1500+1600-1700=1400), and ‘Freezing Beast’ showered Sarah with icy breath, reducing her Life Points to zero.

“Now I end my turn with one more card,” said Christopher, “the Spell card ‘Card of Sanctity’, letting me rebuild my hand by drawing until I hold six cards.”

The crowd all around us cheered, reacting to the brilliance of Christopher’s play. With only two Spell cards he had managed to tie up every hole in his strategy. He really was a genius. I stepped up to face him. I knew that I was strong, but I also understood that I stood very little chance of winning.

“Hello, Christopher,” I said, “I’m John. It’s an honor (LP: 2000).”

“Likewise,” Christopher replied. “I’ve heard you’re good. I’m looking forward to testing your strength for myself.”

I drew my hand and examined it, looked up to examine the state of the field. I looked Christopher in the eyes, competitive sparks passing between us. He still had the lava creature ‘Burning Beast’, the icy creature, ‘Freezing Beast’, and the Spell cards ‘Banner of Courage’ and ‘Frontline Base’. I smiled, “You want to see my strength? Then I’ll start with my best, my favorite monster, ‘The Fiend Megacyber’!” The yellow-armored warrior appeared, his fists charged with energy (ATK: 2200). He was ready for a fight!

“I’ll attack your ‘Burning Beast’ with my ‘Megacyber’,” I declared, “Megacyber Impact!” The spectators fell silent as my ‘Fiend Megacyber’ struck the magma beast with a glowing fist. The creature blew apart, reduced to chunks of smoldering rock that broke down into pixels. As Christopher’s Life Points fell (2000+1500-2200=1300), his fans began to see that their idol was only human.

“I end my move,” I said, “with a face-down card.” My card’s hologram appeared at my feet, and my opponent’s turn began.

“I draw,” said Christopher, “and I summon one of my favorite cards, ‘Blazing Warrior Lady’ (ATK: 2200).” A beautiful female warrior appeared, drawing a katana which was surrounded by flames.

“And to complete my strategy for this turn,” Christopher continued, “I play ‘Deadly Ice Field’ which allows me to destroy your face-down card, and in exchange the effects of all of my face-up Spell and Trap cards are negated until the end of the turn.” Ice crept up over Christopher’s two cards, and ice spikes burst up out of the ground beneath my Trap card, ‘Sakuretsu Armor’, destroying it.

“Now I attack your ‘Fiend Megacyber’ with ‘Blazing Warrior Lady’, destroying them both.” The two monsters’ attacks met, and the resulting energy wave vaporized both of them completely.

“Now,” Christopher concluded, “I attack directly with my ‘Freezing Beast’ (2000-1500=500).

“Not bad,” I said, drawing my next card as the ice over Christopher’s cards receded, “but if that’s all you’ve got, I’m a little disappointed.”

I tried to feign confidence, but truth was I was scared. I didn’t have any cards in my hand that could defeat Christopher’s ‘Beast’.

“I activate the Spell card ‘Graceful Charity’. I draw three cards, and then discard two cards. Next I play ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two more cards.”

I looked over the cards in my almost entirely new hand. I’d drawn some good stuff. I had ‘Monster Reborn’, which could be used to call ‘Fiend Megacyber’ back from the dead. But if I did, Christopher would survive the turn, and chances were he would be able to overcome my monster and deplete my last five hundred Life Points before I could counterattack.

I have to end this Duel now, I thought, or admit defeat, but even if I summon my ‘Summoned Skull’, the strongest card in my hand, I will only deal Christopher one thousand damage!

And then I noticed another card that I’d just drawn, my newest card, and I smiled a wicked smile as a plan began to form.

“I think it’s about time we ended this Duel,” I said, grinning with confidence. “I’ll begin my comeback with the Spell Card ‘Monster Reborn’ to return my ‘Fiend Megacyber’ to the field!”

My warrior appeared again, fists charged and ready. But he was no longer my trump card. “I sacrifice my ‘Fiend Megacyber’,” I announced, “to summon ‘Great Maju Garzett’!”

The crowd fell silent as ‘Fiend Megacyber’ became wisps of black smoke. The smoke reformed into a tall, brown, skeletal demon with a crystal in his forehead. “The ‘Great Maju Garzett’’s Attack power,” I explained, my whole body tingling with pride, “becomes two times the Attack of the sacrificed monster (ATK: 2200x2=4400).”

Several people in the audience gasped as they realized what this meant. With no face-down cards and only thirteen hundred Life Points, Christopher could not survive my ‘Great Maju’’s attack. “‘Great Maju Garzett’,” I commanded, “finish him off with Vile Energy Blast!” ‘Great Maju’ thrust with his palm, discharging a burst of black energy that incinerated Christopher’s monster and ended Christopher’s reign all at once.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Four]

Invitations;
Journey to the Duelist Kingdom!


I stepped down from the arena platform, the crowd cheering so loudly that I almost couldn’t believe it, and made my way toward Christopher. But before I could reach him, before I had even a second to really come to terms with the fact that I had done the impossible and defeated a champion, I was pulled to the side by the Game Center manager.

“What was that?” the suited man demanded angrily under his breath.

“What was what?” I asked, having absolutely no idea why he was so upset.

“The last card you played,” the manager replied.

“That was my new trump card,” I answered proudly, “‘Great Maju Garzett’.”

The manager flipped through some papers that he had been carrying since he’d re-emerged from the office area at the end of the duel. He looked busy, so I waited patiently, which is to say I tapped my foot anxiously. My friends, particularly Tucker, were basking in the glory of our unexpected victory, and I was anxious to join them. I was about to say something up when the manager finally spoke up.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “but I can’t credit you for your win today against Christopher.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because you played a card that was not listed as part of your deck when you applied for the spot as Team Beatdown’s opponent for the exhibition match.”

“Yeah,” I said harshly, “so what?”

“So,” the manager answered, sounding both condescending and annoyed, “the exhibition match rules clearly stated that you had to duel using the same cards that you registered with”

“No,” I stated firmly, “they didn’t.”

“Are you saying that you know more about my job than I do?” the manager demanded.

“No,” I answered, my voice aggressive, and my face stern, “I’m saying that I have a great memory, and I read the rules several times, and I never saw that rule anywhere!”

“Neither did I.”

I turned toward the direction of this newest speaker and saw Christopher standing nearby, hands in his pockets, “That rule is news to me too.”

“Either way it doesn’t matter,” the manager told me, “I can’t credit you officially as the winner of this duel. The best I can do is list you as the current Game Center Guy to Beat, but your status and ranking will remain the same. Same goes for every member of your team.”

“That’s a bunch of bull,” Christopher said, walking over to stand by my side. “You’re just trying to cover your ass in case someone finds out that you didn’t include Maxamillion Pegasus’ entire list of rules in the papers you gave up. You’ll be hearing from my manager about this.”

Christopher turned to me and said, “John, forget this, I’m gonna make you my rival. Promise me that you’ll get as strong as you can, and next time we meet, we’ll show everyone which one of us is stronger, once and for all.” He held his hand out to me.

“You’re on,” I said, and I shook Christopher’s hand. Just like that, a life-long rivalry was born, one that I’ve never regretted.


We didn’t see the Game Center manager again. Ever. I’m pretty sure he got fired that same day. I can’t say I felt too bad about that. My team and I spent the next several hours hanging out at the Game Center before we headed home. By the time I arrived, I was completely exhausted. I stumbled to my mess of a room, fell into bed, and fell asleep. All night I dreamed about Duel Monsters, and shadows, and powerful creatures battling across the sky, and an evil face rising up from nowhere. Or maybe from inside me. I tossed and turned all night, and when I woke up the next morning, I felt unsettled.

I showered and dressed. I was still feeling uneasy, so I decided to go and walk around awhile, maybe take the bus to the mall or something. I was on my way out the door when Sarah stopped me.

“Hey John,” I heard her call from the living room, where she was playing a football sim, “we got a package this morning. It's addressed to the two of us.”

“Open it yourself,” I told her, “I’m heading out.”

“No way,” said Sarah, “it says on the package to open it together. It’s from Industrial Illusions.”

Now that got my attention. Industrial Illusions, or I2, as I said before, is the company that makes Duel Monsters. It is, of course, headed by master gamer and genius game creator Maxamillion Pegasus, creator of the Duel Monsters game. “Why didn’t you say so,” I said. I hurried into the living room and opened the package that my sister held out to me. I sat down on the couch, and the two of us examined the contents.

Inside the package, wrapped up securely, was a strange allotment of items. There was a video tape and two Spell cards, both completely devoid of text, one depicting a crescent moon wrapping around a small, twinkling star, and the other depicting a droplet of water. The first of the two, the one with the moon, had an image that was predominantly a sort of black-light violet, except for the star, which was white, reminding me of an old saying, that darkness cannot exist without even a little bit of light. The image on the second was a rich cerulean blue.

“The tape isn’t labeled,” I said, examining it, “but it looks like there’s something recorded on it. The tape isn’t wound all the way to the beginning.”

“Should we play it?” Sarah asked, her game all but forgotten.

“Yeah,” I answered, “duh.”

I stood up and walked over to the TV and the VCR (yes, I have a VCR). I switched to TV from the AV tuner to the regular one, turned on the VCR, and inserted the tape, hitting “play”. The screen flashed blue. I stepped back and sat down on the couch next to Sarah, and just in time, because as soon as I sat down, the image on the screen changed.

On the screen appeared a face that every Duelist knew, the face from the video at the Game Center grand opening the day before. The face of Maxamillion Pegasus, his characteristic long white hair hanging down over and covering the left side of his face.

“Greetings John and Sarah of the Duel Force,” Pegasus said. “I monitored your duel yesterday and based on what I saw, I would like to extend to the two of you an invitation to my island, the Duelist Kingdom. You see, this world is in danger, and I believe that you and your team mates may be our only hope for salvation. If you decide to answer my call, be at the Checker Township area airport, gate 16, tomorrow morning, by 8:00 AM. My private jet will be waiting for you there. The other two members of your team have also been invited. This is an invitation for the Duel Force. Come together or not at all. But don’t make this decision lightly. Your lives and the lives of everyone you care about may depend on how you answer my challenge.”

Pegasus’ image disappeared from the screen, and the screen flashed blue for a few seconds before the tape stopped and rewound itself. Sarah looked over at me, “Is this guy serious?”

I shook my head, “I honestly can’t tell.”


It was another hour before we were all together. We met at the mall, at our favorite table in the food court and discussed the situation.

“The question that we really need to answer,” Jen said, ever thoughtful, “is how serious can this guy be? Is the world really in danger?”

“There’s no way he was serious,” said Sarah. “Pegasus is a gamer. A gamer! He was challenging us to a game, that’s all! Imagine playing a game at the legendary site of the Duelist Kingdom Tournament. Just think of it!”

Of course I couldn’t pass up a chance like that. I couldn’t think of a single gamer on Earth that could pass up a chance like that. “I say we do it,” I said. “I mean, it’s the weekend, so we don’t have school or anything to worry about, and the trip’s free. This is our chance to play the greatest game of our lives on the very same ground as Yugi Muto, the very same ground as the legendary Duelist Kingdom Tournament four years ago!”

“Yeah,” said Tucker, “we may never get a chance like this again. I vote we go too. I just wish he’d invited us next week, when we’re off for Break.”

“I vote we go, too,” said Sarah.

“Yeah,” said Jen, “I’m in too.”

“Then it’s settled,” I said excitedly, standing up and clapping my hands together. “Tomorrow we leave for the greatest game ever!”


That night at home Sarah and I sat and convinced my mom to let us go, and then called to make sure that Jen would be allowed as well (Tucker didn’t even need to ask since his dad doesn’t pay the slightest bit of attention to him). It was one of the few times that I was glad my dad had disappeared when I was three. From what Jen tells me, it’s a lot easier to convince one parent of something than it is to convince two.

Afterwards I sat down, and for the fourth time this week I went back through my strategy, deciding that it was fine (as I usually do). By now it was late, nearly ten. My team and I would need to get up early to catch the bus to the airport the next morning, so I decided to turn in and get some rest. Good thing, too, because tomorrow would be the most important day of my life, in more ways than I could imagine.


The next day at 7:00 AM, my mom saw me and my sister off to the airport. I met my team, and we made our way to gate 16 where we were greeted by an airport staff member who led us outside and pointed us toward a large jet baring the I2 insignia. We walked to the plane and were met by a man in a pilot’s uniform. He checked our four cards, my moon, Sarah’s droplet, Jen’s card depicting a green tree, and Tucker’s card, depicting a red flame, treating them like I.D. cards. Finally, once he was satisfied, he led us onboard, and our journey to our destiny began.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Five]

The Challenge is Set!


On the plane, we found ourselves in probably the most fun place we had ever seen, save an amusement park. There were two compartments, a forward compartment with standard seats, and an aft compartment with two tables, a curved cushion for sitting, and a flat screen TV. The contents of the plane told me a lot about the otherwise elusive Pegasus. They told me that he was someone who was not afraid to be himself. I couldn’t help but respect that.

“Check this place out!” said Tucker, incredibly excited (as usual). “There’s a DVD cabinet, and a fridge over here with snacks. This is awesome!”

“Don’t get too excited,” said Jen. “We have to buckle up for takeoff and stuff before we do anything else.”

“Right,” said Tucker, trying desperately to hide his embarrassment, “I knew that.”

Jen, Tucker, Sarah and I each sat down in a different window seat and buckled up at the word of the pilot. We stared in awe out of our windows as the plane rose up into the air, and finally rose above the clouds. Once the pilot announced that it was safe, we all unbuckled our seatbelts and made our way into the aft compartment.

Tucker and I headed straight for the snacks, pulling out armfuls of food, while Sarah and Jen took seats at one of the tables and played a practice duel. I made my way over to the DVD cabinet. Inside I found several comedy movies, and all three seasons of the old Funny Bunny cartoon. I selected a movie, played it, and joined Tucker on the cushion seat. We sat through the movie plus a couple others before the pilot made his next announcement.

“This is your pilot speaking,” the pilot announced in a southern drawl. “I suggest you kids get some sleep. We will be arriving at Duelist Kingdom around 6:00 tomorrow morning.”

The others did as the pilot had suggested and went back to their seats to sleep. I, however, found myself unable to sleep, troubling thoughts running continuously through my mind.

What if Pegasus was serious about what he said in the video? I thought. What if this isn’t a game? If Pegasus is serious, then it could be up to us to save the world! I don’t want that kind of responsibility.

Maybe I was thinking too much. Or maybe I just wanted to avoid a recurrence of the nightmares from the previous night, but I just couldn’t help but wonder. Pegasus hadn’t sounded truly playful or truly sincere in his message, and of course I don’t know him, but he felt serious, and that bothered me somehow.


After about an hour I finally managed to doze off and ended up sleeping through most of the night. I had more dreams, but they were no worse than before. I was awoken the next morning by the pilot’s voice over the speakers announcing our descent over Duelist Kingdom.

“This is it,” said Tucker, “it’s time to take the ride of our lives!”

The plane moved in for a landing.

“I think we need to keep an open mind here,” I said. “We still don’t know for sure that this isn’t all for real.”

“Oh lighten up, boss,” said Jen. “We’re the Duel Force! Whatever this is, we can handle it!”

“Yeah,” I surrendered, not wanting to press my friends too hard, but still unconvinced, “maybe you’re right.”

The plane landed and we were unloaded through a side door down a collapsible staircase. I struggled with my bag, which carried my new Duel Disk (which is heavier than it looks). “This path here will lead ya right up to the castle,” said the pilot, pointing to a forest path several yards away.

“Thanks,” I said, as I slung my bag over my shoulder and I ran toward the path, motioning for the others to follow. Once we were within the trees we slowed down and took the path at a more leisurely pace. It was only a few moments before the castle came into view. The castle, the famous sight of the Duelist Kingdom final round. The four of us walked for about a half hour before we arrived at the stairs leading up to the castle. We traveled the long staircase to the large metallic double doors. Set up along the door’s locking mechanism were four slots that looked like the key card slots that you might find on a hotel door.

“You thinking what I’m thinking guys?” I asked, and my team mates nodded. We took out the special cards that Pegasus had sent us and I counted, “One, two, three.”

On three we inserted our cards into the four slots and pulled them back out. A green light flashed, and the lock clicked. The door slid open, and we walked inside, into a long, well-lit corridor. We followed the corridor straight ahead until we found ourselves facing a set of tall wooden double doors. The doors swung open, and we stepped into the room beyond.

The room was very high-ceilinged, like a warehouse, lit by stadium-style lights. The only accessible floor was a wide walkway, leading out over a lower floor far below. Making up the center of the walkway was an old style Duel Arena.

“Welcome to the Duelist Kingdom final stage, Duel Force,” came Pegasus’ voice. We followed the sound with our gaze and found Pegasus standing on a balcony overhead, to our right.

“Is this it,” Tucker asked, “the sight of our game?”

“Game?” Pegasus asked in disbelief. “My dear Tucker-boy. I assure you this is very real.”

“You mean that we are needed to save the whole world?” Jen asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “How?”

“I will make everything clear,” Pegasus said, “but first you must prove yourselves. I am looking for four Duelists, and even though you four are the most likely candidates so far, I must be sure.”

“Okay, huddle,” said Tucker anxiously. We formed a tight circle and leaned in to hear what he had to say, “This guy is so obviously off his rocker. Let’s get out of here before he locks us up for stealing his straight jacket or something!”

“I don’t think we can, bro,” I said, “I sat up all night thinking about this. If he is telling the truth, if something bad is about to happen, and only we can stop it, then we have to help. Because if he’s telling the truth, we may be the only ones who can protect the people we care about. That’s too big for us to dismiss. Let’s take his test, and then if things still look fishy we’ll get outta here.”

Tucker looked angrily at me for a second and then looked away. “Fine,” he said, “but if something bad happens, I’m blaming you.”

The four of us stepped back out of our huddle and looked up at Pegasus. “We’ll take your test,” I said.

“Excellent,” said Pegasus, clapping his hands together. “The test will consist of four duels, one for each of you. You will face a Kaiba Corp Duel Robot programmed with four specific decks designed to test for specific traits that the four Duelists are said to possess. Only the four that I am searching for will be able to overcome all of the tests.

“The first Duel will be for the Fire Duelist, Tucker-boy. Please step up and meet your opponent!”

Tucker walked up to one end of the holoarena, still fuming, and plugged his Duel Disk into the arena’s data port, allowing the cards placed on his Duel Disk to appear in the arena itself. As he did, a disk-shaped machine with a duel field attached to the bottom descended into place at the opposite side. The four displays at the corners of the arena exterior flashed to life, displaying beginning Life Point scores of eight thousand.

“Kaiba Corporation MK 1 Dueling Robot online,” The robot announced. “Deck number one loaded. I will go first. Draw one card. Summon ‘Armored Lizard’ in attack mode.” A monster, a reptilian creature in blue armor, appeared on the computer’s field (ATK: 1500). “End turn.”

The robot’s move was simple, but that simplicity itself felt like something more, and I got the feeling that this mechanized foe was not to be taken lightly.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Six]

Tucker vs. Final Four Deck One;
Out of Luck!


“Is that all you’ve got?” Tucker asked, sounding very confident. “Your monster may be fairly strong, but I have a ton of stronger Level four monsters in my deck.”

Tucker drew his opening hand with a smile on his face, but when he looked down at his cards, his smile disappeared. I glanced up at his hand and saw why. Despite all of the powerful four star monsters that Tucker had in his deck, Tucker had drawn only monsters that were as strong as or weaker than the robot’s ‘Armored Lizard’. The remaining cards were ‘Gift of the Martyr’ and a few higher level monsters.

“Well this sucks,” said Tucker, “but I’m not gonna give up! I summon ‘Flame Ruler’ in attack mode.”

Tucker’s monster appeared, a muscular man with dark skin and blue hair, his visible flesh covered by tribal tattoos, wearing a red jacket and jeans (ATK: 1500). He couldn’t beat the ‘Armored Lizard’, but he could hopefully hold off any of the ‘Lizard’’s attacks for at least a turn.

“Next,” said Tucker, “I lay a face-down card and end my turn.”

“Draw card,” said the robot. “Activate ‘Graceful Dice’, rolling one dice and targeting my monster.”

A small winged fairy in pink appeared, carrying a large blue dice. It tossed the dice, which landed on a three.

“Effect resolves,” the robot declared. “Increase the strength of ‘Armored Lizard’ by one hundred times the number rolled (1500+(100x3)=1800) until the end of the turn. Summon monster, ‘Panther Warrior’,” A humanoid black panther appeared, wearing purple armor and a green cape, carrying a shield and sword (ATK: 2000).

“Attack ‘Flame Ruler’ with ‘Armored Lizard’,” the robot commanded, and the ‘Lizard’ slashed Tucker’s monster to ribbons with its claws (LP: 8000+1500-1800 =7700). “Sacrifice ‘Armored Lizard’ to attack directly with ‘Panther Warrior’,” ‘Armored Lizard’ disappeared, and ‘Panther Warrior’ slashed across Tucker’s chest with his sword (7700-2000=5700). “End turn.”

Tucker drew, frustrated by his early run of bad luck, and the robot’s early run of good luck. He had finally drawn a decent card, but he was already pretty far behind. If he didn’t play this just right, it could be too late for him to bounce back.

“I summon,” said Tucker, “my ‘Fireyarou’ in attack mode.” Tucker’s monster, a young man wearing a pair of baggy maroon pants, appeared at his side. He flexed his muscles and a roaring fire sprang up around him (ATK: 1300). “Next I end my turn with a face-down card.”

Watching from below Jen saw which card Tucker had set face-down and asked me, “Was that ‘Rush Recklessly’?”

“Yeah,” I answered. “He’s gonna use it when the robot attacks with a new four star monster next turn, destroying that monster, so the robot won’t have a tribute for ‘Panther Warrior’.”

“Will it work?” Sarah asked.

“It should,” answered Jen, the eternal strategist, “unless him opponent tributes the ‘Panther’ for a stronger monster, which I don’t think it will. But his opponent is a machine, and a pretty lucky one at that, so there’s no way to be sure about anything.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I mean,” Jen replied, “that we have no way to know what special programming this robot might have received to give it the advantage.”

“Begin turn,” said the robot. “Draw card. Summon ‘Mad Sword Beast’, attack mode.” A dinosaur with brown skin, a turtle shell, and a blade-like horn appeared on the robot’s field (ATK: 1400).

“Activate Spell card ‘Block Attack’,” the robot declared, “changing ‘Fireyarou’ to defense mode.”

“No way!” Tucker cried out, looking up at Pegasus. “How did your robot know about my face-down card!”

Before Pegasus could respond I said, “I don’t think it did. I think it just realized that it could combine ‘Block Attack’ with ‘Mad Sword Beast’’s piercing effect to deal more damage.”

“What? A piercing effect!?”

“‘Mad Sword Beast’ attacks ‘Fireyarou’,” the robot declared, and the ‘Beast’ struck, slicing ‘Fireyarou’ apart, dealing damage even though Tuck’s monster was de-fending (5700+1000-1400=5300).

“Sacrifice ‘Mad Sword Beast’ to attack with ‘Panther Warrior’,” the robot said, and the dinosaur disappeared as the Panther swung its blade (5300-2000=3300). “End turn with one face-down card.”

“My move again then,” said Tucker. “I may be a little down on my luck so far, but I’m not gonna give in.” He drew, and smiled confidently.

“Finally,” said Tucker, “some good luck! I play the Spell card ‘Monster Reborn’ to revive my fallen ‘Flame Ruler’.” Tucker’s monster returned to the field, as good as new.

“When ‘Flame Ruler’ is sacrificed to summon a level seven or higher Fire monster,” Tucker explained, “he counts as both sacrifices. On that note, I sacrifice my ‘Flame Ruler’ to summon one of my heaviest heavy hitters, ‘Ryu-Ran’!”

On Tucker’s field appeared a large spotted egg. In the bottom half of the egg were three holes, two for the legs of the creature inside, and one for its tail. The top half of the egg shattered and fell away, revealing the body, head, and wings of a large red dragon, a piece of eggshell still resting atop its head (ATK: 2200).

“My ‘Ryu Ran’ is one of the most powerful Fire monster monsters in the game, and it’s much more powerful than your ‘Panther’. I attack your ‘Panther’,” Tucker commanded, “with Nostril Blaze!”

‘Ryu-Ran’ inhaled, and exhaled sharply through his nose, expelling a stream of flames. The flames hit ‘Panther Warrior’’s shield, threatening to incinerate him.

“Reveal,” the robot countered, “‘Skull Dice’ Trap card. Decrease opposing monster’s Attack power by one hundred times the number rolled.” Another dice carrier appeared, this time a small devil in black carrying a red dice. He rolled the dice, which landed on five (2200-(100x5)=1700). ‘Panther Warrior’ pushed through the flames, meaning to counterattack, but was forced to stop abruptly when Tucker’s dragon threw his wings open, flinging the panther away.

“I reveal my face-down ‘Rush Recklessly’,” said Tucker, “raising the Attack power of my ‘Ryu-Ran’ by seven hundred until the end of the turn!” ‘Ryu-Ran’ rushed forward, catching several lingering flames from his previous attack, and slammed into the still-stunned ‘Panther Warrior’ (1700+700=2400). The ‘Panther’ broke apart into pixels, and the robot took its first hit (8000+2000-2400=7600).

“I may still be behind,” said Tucker, “but now I control the field. This is a whole new duel!”

“Begin turn,” said the robot. “Draw card. Activate ‘Pot of Greed’. Draw two more cards. One face-down card. Summon ‘Baby Dragon’ in defense mode.” A small orange dragon the size of a large dog appeared between Tucker and his robotic foe (DEF: 700). “End turn.”

“Running scared?” Tucker asked. “Draw-.”

“Reveal,” the robot cut in, “Spell card ‘Scapegoat’, Special Summoning four ‘Sheep Tokens’ in defense mode.” Four small sheep appeared, one orange, one pink, one red, and one blue, each with the same curved goat horns (DEF: 0 (each)). The robot thought it was well defended, but by wasting its last move setting up such an extensive defense, it may have just given Tucker the opening he needed. He just needed to draw the right card.

Tucker smiled and announced, “Activate ‘Card Destruction! We throw out our hands and draw the same number of cards. And with these cards I throw out my bad luck, and pick up some good!” Tucker tossed his hand of three and drew three new cards. The robot discarded two cards and drew two. Tucker’s smile widened. “Next,” he continued, “I play my own ‘Pot of Greed’ card to draw two cards, and I remove ‘Flame Ruler’ in my Graveyard from play to summon my ‘Inferno’.”

A spark appeared in the air, and the living flame that was ‘Inferno’ sprung forth from it (ATK: 1100). I was pretty sure what my friend was planning.

“Next up,” said Tucker, “I sacrifice ‘Inferno’ to summon my favorite card, ‘Mr. Volcano’,” a suave gentleman wearing a white shirt and a green vest with blazing red hair appeared (ATK: 2100).

“Finally,” said Tucker, “I equip my ‘Mr. Volcano’ with ‘Big Bang Shot’ giving my monster four hundred Attack points and Piercing (2100+400=2500). I also reveal my ‘Gift of the Martyr’, sacrificing my ‘Ryu-Ran’ to raise the Attack of my ‘Mr. Volcano’ by another twenty-two hundred until the end of the turn.” ‘Ryu-Ran’ disappeared, and fire rose up all around ‘Mr. Volcano’ (2500+2200=4700).

“And from my hand I activate ‘Inferno Life’,” Tucker continued. “This Spell card chains to the tail end of a Spell or Trap card effect that has me sacrifice a Fire monster, and gives another Fire monster I control five hundred Attack times the level of the sacrificed monster. ‘Ryu-Ran’ was a level seven monster, so that’s another thirty-five hundred Attack (4700+3500=8200)!”

The fire surrounding ‘Mr. Volcano’ flared up even more. “‘Mr. Volcano,” Tucker commanded, “attack ‘Sheep Token’ with Volcano Burst Flame!”

‘Mr. Volcano’ became completely surrounded by an intense white-hot blaze. He snapped his fingers, and the flames exploded forth, engulfing the ‘Token’ and continued through, hitting the robot directly. I felt a dull heat wash over me, the holographic arena’s attempt to simulate a heat that probably would have cooked me alive if it has been real. By the time the heat had passed, the robot’s field was empty, and its Life Points were zero. Tucker had won.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Seven]

Jen vs. Final Four Deck Two;
Blown Away


“Congratulations,” said Pegasus as Tucker unplugged his Duel Disk and stepped down, “you could have given up when things weren’t going your way. In fact, many Duelists would have given up had they taken forty-seven hundred damage before even dealing their opponent one point! But your fighting spirit burned strong and you came out on top!”

“Yeah yeah,” said Tucker, still refusing to hear what Pegasus had to say, “whatever. Who’s next?”

“Up next will be Jenifer, the Forest Duelist,” said Pegasus.

Jen shot him a look of coy mock-confusion, “Who, me?”

She stepped up to the arena and connected her Duel Disk, plugging it into the arena port. Life Point counters set at eight thousand apiece. The robot randomly chose itself to go first again, which immediately struck me as odd.

“I hope this thing isn’t using the same deck again,” Jen mumbled under her breath. “I already have a dozen tactics to beat it. It won’t be any fun.”

“Begin turn,” the robot said. “Summon monster card, ‘Cyber Harpie Lady’ in attack mode.”

“Didn’t see that monster in the other deck,” said Jen, her mind obviously racing.

On the robot’s field appeared a woman with long red hair, long green feathers running down her arms, and talons for hands and feet, wearing a purple metallic breastplate and carrying an energized whip (ATK: 1800). “Place two cards face-down. End turn.”

“Good,” said Jen. “Now what do you say we take this thing outside? I begin my turn with the Field Spell card ‘Forest’. In this dark, woodland wasteland, all Insect, Beast, and Plant-type monsters gain two hundred Attack and Defense! And I follow up with one of my strongest cards, my ‘Pinch Hopper’, in attack mode.”

All around Jen and the robot, on and even a bit around the arena, huge trees appeared. Among the trees appeared Jen’s monster, the giant grasshopper, ‘Pinch Hopper’ (ATK: 1000+200=1200).

“I equip my ‘Hopper’ with my Spell card ‘Insect Armor with Laser Cannon’,” said Jen, “raising the Attack of my monster by another seven hundred.”

A laser cannon appeared, strapped to the ‘Hopper’’s back (1200+700=1900).

“Now, I attack your ‘Harpie’ with Laser Cannon Discharge!” A glowing point of energy built in the barrel of the cannon, and fired in a pulse of light at the foe, only to be stopped by a wall of reflective crystal that rose up from the ground, reflecting the beam right back.

“Activate ‘Mirror Wall’ Trap,” said the robot, “reducing the attack of ‘Pinch Hopper’ by half. Counterattack with ‘Cyber Harpie Lady’.” ‘Pinch Hopper’’s Attack dropped (1900/2=950), and the winged woman attacked, snapping her whip and slicing ‘Hopper’ to pieces with it (8000+950-1800=7150).

“I thought you might have a Trap like ‘Mirror Wall’ ready for me,” said Jen. “‘Harpie’ cards are typically supported by powerful continuous effects. That’s why I chose to attack you with a weaker monster like ‘Pinch Hopper’. Now I know which of your two cards is the greatest threat to me. But first of all, I use the effect of my ‘Pinch Hopper’, letting me summon any Insect-type from my hand. I Special Summon ‘Insect Princess’, my favorite card!”

A humanoid insect with broad, glossy, transparent wings and four slender arms appeared (ATK: 1900+200=2100).

“Now I activate ‘Mystical Space Typhoon’, destroying ‘Mirror Wall’,” said Jen. A burst of wind tore through the crystal, shattering it.

“Because it’s still my Battle Phase,” Jen declared, “my ‘Princess’ can attack your ‘Harpie’, Deadly Pheromones!” Clouds of orange-brown dust spread out from the ‘Insect Princess’’ wings, surrounding ‘Cyber Harpie’, suffocating and destroying it (LP: 8000 +1800-2100=7700). Jen looked fiercely at the Duel Robot, “I end my turn.”

“Begin turn,” said the robot. “Draw card. Play ‘Graceful Charity’. Draw three cards and discard two cards. Reveal ‘Hysteric Party’, discarding one card to Special Summon all ‘Harpie’ monsters from own Graveyard.” Three ‘Cyber Harpie Ladies’ appeared side by side on the robot’s side of the field, ready to strike (ATK: 1800 (each)).

This is weird, I thought. Once again this robot seems to be pulling every card it needs in prefect sequence. I looked into the corner of Jen’s eye, and I could tell that she had seem this as well, and was busy piecing together a way to turn things around in her favor despite it.

“Equip ‘Cyber Harpie Lady’ with ‘Gust Fan’,” the robot continued, “raising Attack by four hundred and lowering Defense by 200 (1800+400=2200). Attack ‘Insect Princess’ with Gust Gale Attack.” The powered up ‘Harpie’ waved a green fan, summon-ing a burst of wind tinted with green light that sliced ‘Insect Princess’ to pieces (7150 +2100-2200=7050). “Remaining ‘Cyber Harpie Ladies’ attack directly,” the other two ‘Harpies’ lashed out at Jen with their whips (7050-1800-1800=3450). “End turn.”

“Good move,” said Jen calmly, “but your strategy is nothing compared to mine. Everything I’ve done so far has been to draw out your strategy so I could lock it down and set up for mine. I summon ‘Larva Moth’ and equip it with ‘Cocoon of Evolution’ (DEF: 2000+200=2200). In two turns my ‘Petit Moth’ will evolve into the ‘Great Moth’, a monster that your ‘Harpie’ monsters will have a hard time overcoming.”

A green worm the size of a small horse appeared, and became surrounded by a thick cocoon made of silky string.

“I also equip ‘Cocoon’ with ‘Heart of Clear Water’, making it impervious to Battle Damage and resistant to certain Spell cards. Turn end.”

A new card appeared in the robot’s virtual hand, “Draw card. Place cards face-down. End turn.”

“I draw,” said Jen, “and-.”

“Reveal,” the robot interrupted, “Trap card ‘Bubble Shot’. You must discard cards from your field and hand until the total number of cards in your hand and on your side of the field equals five.”

“Fine,” said Jen, “I’ll discard the one card in my hand, and then I’ll activate my own Trap card, ‘The Spell Absorbing Life’, increasing my Life Points by four hundred for every effect monster on the field (3450+1600=5050). Now my ‘Great Moth’ will arrive in just one turn.”

“Draw card,” said the robot. “Activate ‘Harpie’s Feather Duster’ to destroy all Spell and Trap cards that you control since I control a ‘Harpie’.” A blast of wind tore the cocoon off of ‘Larvae Moth’ (DEF: 400), and uprooted the trees of ‘Forest’, carrying them up toward the high ceiling until they faded away. “Destroy ‘Larvae Moth’ with ‘Cyber Harpie Lady’, and direct attack with all remaining monsters,” one of the weaker ‘Cyber Harpies’ slashed ‘Moth’ with her whip, destroying it, and the other two hit Jen directly (5050-2200-1800=1050). “End turn.”

“Darn,” said Jen, “I guess I don’t have any moves left. I guess I lost as soon as I put my faith in a combo like the ‘Great Moth’ Evolution combo. Unless that combo was only a decoy.” She smiled and selected a card from her hand, “You see, I wanted you to waste your best cards on my Evolution combo so that I could feel confident summoning this. Activate ‘Monster Reborn’ to revive the monster that you sent to my Graveyard with your Trap, my ‘Metal Armored Bug’!”

The room grew dark as a huge form appeared on the ceiling, blocking several of the lights. Jen only smiled, but Sarah, Tucker and I looked up. Clinging to the ceiling was a huge beetle with a metallic shell and sharp blades on its front-most legs (ATK: 2800).

“‘Metal Armored Bug’,” Jen commanded, “attack the lead ‘Harpie Lady’, Metal Claw Strike!” ‘Metal Armored Bug’ reached down with its claws and cleaved ‘Cyber Harpie’ in half (7700+2200-2800=7100). “And that,” said Jen, “is my turn.”

“Yes!” said Sarah. “Go Jen!”

“Draw card,” said the robot. “Change two ‘Cyber Harpie Ladies’ to defense mode (DEF: 1500 (each)). “End turn.”

“That won’t help for long,” said Jen. You could tell from her face that she was calculating something. “Activate ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two cards, and attack with ‘Metal Armored Bug’ to destroy a second ‘Cyber Harpie’,” the ‘Bug’ destroyed a second ‘Harpie’. “End my turn by placing one card face-down.”

“Begin turn. Draw card, and equip ‘Cyber Harpie Lady’ with ‘Cyber Shield’,” the armor that ‘Harpie’ wore became thicker and fuller (1800+500=2300). “Change to attack mode. Activate ‘Rush Recklessly’, increasing Attack of ‘Cyber Harpie Lady’ by seven hundred (2300+700=3000). Attack ‘Metal Armored Bug’,” A massive spinning funnel of wind rose up around the ‘Harpie’. She rose up, flapped her wings hard, and flung all of that wind straight up at the ‘Bug’. I looked up at Jen. She seemed unconcerned.

“Reveal the Trap card ‘Magic Cylinder’,” Jen countered, “catching your attack and redirecting it toward your Life Points.” Two shining metallic cylinders appeared in the air. The ‘Harpie’’s attack was caught by one cylinder, and seconds later the attack re-emerged from the other cylinder, aimed directly at the robot. The attack hit, and the robot’s Life Points fell (7100-3000=4100).

“Now I draw,” Jen looked down at her newest card, and smiled wide. “This will be the last turn. Activate ‘Offerings to the Doomed’, sacrificing my next draw phase to destroy your ‘Harpie Lady’.” Mummy wraps erupted from the ground beneath ‘Harpie’, grabbing her, and dragging her into the ground, destroying her.

“Now I summon my ‘Arsenal Bug’,” A two-segmented warrior bug appeared with small wings, carrying a small round shield and a curved sword. “As long as I control another Insect monster, my ‘Arsenal Bug’’s original Attack is 2000. Attack with ‘Arsenal Bug’ directly,” ‘Arsenal Bug’ slashed (4100-2000=2100), “and ‘Metal Armored Bug’ ends it!” The massive ‘Metal Armored Bug’ reached down and its holographic claw “impaled” the robot, ending the duel (2100-2800=0).

Jen smiled, full of pride, “That’s game!”[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Eight]

Sarah vs. Final Four Deck Three;
Rust Buckets


After Jen’s victory over the Harpie deck, Pegasus stood and gave a round of applause, “Another wonderful Duel! As soon as you saw what type of deck you were facing you formed two interlocking strategies to combat it, while keeping an open mind, which allowed you to use your opponent’s moves to your own benefit. A mind that is truly as complex as the forest itself!”

Jen didn’t even look up. She was considering something.

“Next up’” said Pegasus, “is the ocean Duelist, Sarah.” Jen stepped down, and Sarah took her place.

I watched and waited as the Duel Robot once again “randomly” selected itself to go first.

Okay, I thought, this is getting a little ridiculous.

“Begin Duel,” said the robot. “Begin with Spell card ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two cards from my deck. Chain Spell card ‘Trap Booster’, discarding one card to activate one Trap card from the hand.”

A machine monster, ‘Megasonic Eye’, appeared on top of the robot’s virtual discard pile. “Activate,” the robot said, “the Trap card ‘Ultimate Offering’. Summon ‘Double Coston’. Pay five hundred Life Points to sacrifice ‘Double Coston’, activating its effect to be

treated as two sacrifices for the Tribute Summon of a Dark monster, and summon the Level seven monster ‘Zoa’.”

On the robot’s field appeared a small black blob with a face. It split into two blobs which disappeared a moment later (LP: 8000-500=7500), replaced by a giant blue demon with long arms ending in long, sharp claws (ATK: 2600).

“Set two cards,” the robot concluded. “End turn.”

“Good,” said Sarah, scowling with annoyance, “I was worried that you were gonna make me wait. Draw! And I’ll start out the same way you did, ‘Pot of Greed’. I draw two cards!”

“Reveal,” the robot said, “the Trap card ‘Gamble’. When the opposing player has seven cards in hand and the controller of ‘Gamble’ has one, ‘Gamble’ activates and the controller of ‘Gamble’ flips a coin and calls it: heads.”

A display on the robot opened, revealing two lights, one labeled “Heads”, and the other labeled “Tails”. The two lights flashed one after another in rapid succession, and finally the lights stopped blinking, indicating “Heads”.

I scowled, That’s likely.

“Called correctly. Draw five new cards.”

“Back to me now thanks,” said Sarah, still scowling. “Activate the Field Spell card ‘A Legendary Ocean’! This amazing card not only raises the Attack and Defense of every Water monster on the field, it also lowers the level of every Water monster in my hand by one. That means that my Level five ‘Giga Gagagigo’ becomes a Level four monster, and can be summoned without tribute. I summon ‘Giga Gagagigo’!”

As the holoarena changed to show an extensive waterscape, a large, green-skinned, armored reptile appeared, standing on its hind legs, brandishing sharp claws (ATK: 2450+200=2650). Deep beneath the surface of the water was a massive glimmering golden city.

“‘Giga Gagagigo’,” Sarah commanded, “slice ‘Zoa’ to ribbons!”

‘Giga Gagagigo’ lunged at ‘Zoa’. ‘Zoa’ raised his claws to defend himself.

“Reveal,” the robot countered, “the Trap card ‘Metalmorph’, equipping to ‘Zoa’ and raising his Attack points by 300 (2600+300=2900).”

A metal shell coated ‘Zoa’, hardening his claws until they were like swords. ‘Giga Gagagigo’ slashed, but ‘Zoa’ repelled his foe’s attack with ease and counterattacked, reducing his foe to pixals (PL: 8000+2650-2900=7750).

Sarah scowled again (which is pretty typical, really). I knew that she had only been testing her opponent, but that she had also really wanted her attack to succeed. ‘Giga Gagagigo’ is one of her favorite cards, and she doesn’t enjoy sacrificing it. “Two cards face-down,” she said, “and I end my turn.”

“Begin,” the robot announced, “by sending ‘Zoa’ and ‘Metalmorph’ to the Graveyard to summon ‘Metalzoa’ from the Deck.” the metal coat over ‘Zoa’ merged with his skin, and ‘Zoa’ became a fully mechanical version of himself (ATK: 3000).

“I thought so,” said Sarah. “That’s why I was ready with this, my Trap card, ‘Torrential Tribute’.” A wave poured from the Trap, destroying ‘Metalzoa’.

“Summon,” said the robot, “the ‘Mechanicalchaser’. Attack with Armed Arsenal.” The ‘Mechanicalchaser’, a spherical yellow robot with multiple many-jointed arms, each ending with a different weapon, appeared on the robot’s field and lunged at Sarah. But like always, Sarah was prepared.

“Activate,” she said, “the Continuous Trap card ‘Tornado Wall’. As long as there is water on the field, my ‘Tornado Wall’ will protect my Life Points from battle damage.” As she spoke several small cyclones rose up, deflecting ‘Machanicalchaser’’s attack and throwing the robot backwards. It recovered and returned to its original location.

“End Battle Phase,” said the computer. “Set two cards. End turn.”

“Awesome!” said Sarah, cheerfully. “It’s time for my counteroffensive. I begin with the Spell card ‘Graceful Charity’ to draw three cards and discard two. Next I play ‘Monster Reborn’ to summon the discarded ‘Orca Mega-Fortress of Darkness’ (ATK: 2100+200=2300). Activate a Spell card, ‘Elemental Surge - Water’. Once per turn I select a Water monster and raise its Attack power by two hundred until my next turn. I choose ‘Orca’ (2300+200=2500).

“I also summon the monster card ‘Torpedo Fish’,” a large bullet-shaped fish appeared (ATK: 1000+200=1200) next to a massive orca whale with a torpedo launcher on its stomach, several cannons on its back, and a crane arm attached to its back near the base of its tail. “‘Orca Mega-Fortress’, launch ‘Torpedo Fish’ to destroy ‘Mechanical-chaser’!” ‘Torpedo Fish’ slid into the launcher on ‘Orca’’s stomach and was fired straight at the ‘Chaser’. Both monsters were blown away.

“Now,” Sarah continued, “I attack with my ‘Orca’, Whale Mouth Cannon!” ‘Orca’ opened his huge, gaping mouth, revealing a massive telescopic cannon. It fired, and the robot took massive damage (7500-2500=5000).

“Good one sis,” I said.

She gave me a thumbs-up over her shoulder, but she wasn’t stupid. She knew that this duel was far from over.

“Begin turn,” said the robot. “Summon the ‘Giga-Tech Wolf’ in attack mode. Activate ‘Tribute Doll’.” A mechanical wolf appeared. Moments later a wooden doll appeared at his side. The wolf and the doll disappeared and were replaced by a massive wingless mechanical dragon with a revolver for a head, and two more revolvers embedded in its shoulders.

“Sacrifice ‘Giga-Tech Wolf’ to Special Summon the level seven ‘Barrel Dragon’ (ATK: 2600). A monster summoned by ‘Tribute Doll’ cannot attack for one turn. Activate the effect of ‘Barrel Dragon’.”

The robot revealed its coin panel again, “flipping” three times and landing on a very convenient heads, tails, and heads. ‘Barrel Dragon’ locked onto ‘Orca’ and fired his three guns, destroying the massive whale.

“Place one card face-down and activate the Spell card ‘Card of Sanctity’,” the robot concluded. “Both players draw cards until they hold six cards. End turn.”

Sarah drew cards via the effect of ‘Card of Sanctity’, and then drew for the start of her turn. She looked over her new hand and smiled a wicked smile, reminding me of me.

“Well, robot,” Sarah said smugly, “your dragon may be strong, but my next monster is even stronger. I start off by activating the Spell card ‘Salvage’, returning ‘Torpedo Fish’ and ‘Neo Aqua Madoor’ from my Graveyard to my hand. Next I send ‘Neo Madoor’, ‘Torpedo Fish’, and ‘Hyosube’ from my hand to the Graveyard to activate the ‘Turtle Oath’ Ritual!”

Spirits of her three monsters appeared, along with a large turtle shell, standing on its end. The monster spirits flew into the open arm and neck holes of the shell. From the leg holes emerged thick, dinosaur-like legs, from the arm holes emerged two strong-looking arms ending in crab claws, and from the neck hole emerged a large eye. Down its back and stomach on each side sprouted thin, spiny crab legs. The Ritual Summon was complete.

“Through the power of my Ritual Spell I summon forth,” Sarah declared triumphantly, “the mighty ‘Crab Turtle’ (ATK: 2550+200=2750).”

The strange creature stood slightly slouched, looking straight at the ‘Barrel Dragon’. “I increase the power of my ‘Turtle’,” Sarah said, “by renewing the effect of my ‘Elemental Surge’, and by equipping it with the ‘Steel Shell’.” Rotating balls of concen-trated water appeared in the ‘Crab Turtle’’s claws, and its shell became metallic and studded with long, sharp spikes (2750+200+400=3350).

“Attack,” Sarah commanded, “with Shell Slammer!”

‘Crab Turtle’ jumped up into the air and retracted into its shell. It spun through the air, propelled by blasts of water from its arm holes, and hit ‘Barrel Dragon’, reducing it to scrap (5000+2600-3350=4250).

“Reveal,” said the robot, “Trap card ‘Time Machine’. This card activates when a monster is destroyed and returns that monster to the field.” A massive black chamber rose out of the ground in a cloud of smoke. The door to the chamber opened, and a shiny new ‘Barrel Dragon’ emerged (ATK: 2600). It was still weaker than Sarah’s turtle, but its effect could be a real problem.

“Begin turn,” said the robot. “Activate ‘Monster Reborn’ to revive the ‘Giga-Tech Wolf’,” the mechanical wolf reappeared, “and sacrifice ‘Giga-Tech Wolf’ to summon ‘Blowback Dragon’.”

The wolf disappeared again, and was replaced by a second dragon, this time with a 9mm pistol for a head rather than a revolver (ATK: 2300).

“Activate Spell card ‘Second Coin Toss’ and activate the ability of ‘Barrel Dragon’. Result: heads, tails, tails. Activate effect of ‘Second Coin Toss’ to re-toss coin three. Result: heads. Destroy ‘Crab Turtle’.”

‘Barrel Dragon’ fired, and Sarah’s monster was destroyed. She was astonished, “No way!”

“Activate effect of ‘Blowback Dragon’. Flip three coins. Result: heads, heads, tails. Destroy ‘A legendary Ocean’.”

‘Blowback Dragon’ aimed at the undersea city below and fired. There was an explosion, and the city crumbled. The water faded away, and the holograms of Sarah’s Field Spell and of Sarah’s ’Tornado Wall’ card shattered.

“‘Barrel Dragon’ and ‘Blowback Dragon’, direct attack,” the two dragons fired energy beams from their mouths, hitting Sarah dead on. They were holograms, but you could tell that she still felt the diminished impacts of the attacks as her Life Points fell (7750-2600-2300=2850). “End turn.”

Sarah clutched the tabletop ahead of her. She was shaken. This was one intense Duel. She took several deep breaths before finally rising once again to her full height. She drew her card and looked straight at the dragons, and I could tell by the look in her eyes that this duel was over.

“I play,” Sarah said, her voice scary calm, “the Spell card ‘Acid Rain’.” Rain poured down on the field, and the machine monsters literally melted away. “And,” Sarah continued, “since I know that if you survive this turn I’ll probably lose, I’m just gonna finish this up now. My next monster might look really stupid, but it has a kick-but effect. I summon the tentacled plant ‘Lekunga’ and activate its special ability. For every two Water monsters that I take out of the Graveyard and remove from play I summon a ‘Lekunga Token’!”

‘Lekunga’, a one-eyed plant creature with multiple tentacles, appeared at Sarah’s side. Sarah removed six monsters from play and three more slightly smaller ‘Lekungas’ appeared alongside the first (ATK: 1700/ATK of ‘Tokens’: 700 (each)).

“Activate ‘Terraforming’ to take a Field Spell from my deck,” said Sarah. “The Spell I choose is, ‘A Legendary Ocean’!”

The water field returned, and the Attack power of the Water Attribute ‘Lekungas’ rose (1700+200=1900/700+200=900). “‘Lekungas’,” Sarah commanded, “attack!” The four monsters extended their tentacles, impacting the robot, scoring multiple hits. My sister turned her back and stepped down as the robot’s Life Points fell to zero.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Nine]

John vs. Final Four Deck Four;
Deck of Balance


“Bravo, bravo,” said Pegasus. “The Duel Force is victorious again.” He looked right at Sarah, “This duel showed your natural flexibility. You were comfortable in your place. Invulnerable. But when you had your security taken away, you were fluid and flexible enough to come out on top anyway. You are three for three.”

Pegasus smiled and looked straight at me, “But the fourth duel will be the hardest yet. As always, the hardest test is yet to come. You have fifteen minutes to make changes to your deck.”

I took my deck from the deck box on my belt. I knew this deck as well as I knew myself. For no real reason I said, “You know, when I’d started playing Duel Monsters I used an old Dinosaur deck, but it never really felt like me, so I changed to this one about a year later. Funny, I don’t remember where I got that other deck from anymore, but I kept it anyway, even though I never use it. My current deck suites me better. It’s a part of me.”

Holding the deck in my hand I could tell just from the weight of it that I’d allowed it to get above forty cards again. I considered removing some cards, thinking of ‘Great Maju Garzett’ and all of the trouble it had caused me. But I couldn’t bring myself to remove it. Something told me that that card was special.

I looked up at Pegasus, “My deck is ready.”

“Excellent!” Pegasus responded, as if I’d passed a test already. “Then if you’ll step up, we’ll get this duel started!”

“I’ll begin,” I said, locking eyes with our host, “once you answer me this; why has your robot been cheating?”

Tucker and Sarah seemed surprised, but Jen didn’t. She and I had reached the same conclusion. Pegasus’ robotic representative had been programmed to draw just the right cards at just the right moments, and even to get the desired results from coin tosses and dice rolls. Pegasus smiled.

“I was hoping that you would figure it out,” Pegasus replied, smiling not in the playful way that I was used to, but in a prideful way worthy of the gamer he was rumored to be. “After all, if you had not, then you would have surly lost to this next deck, which would mean that you are not the ones I’m searching for after all.”

He flipped a switch on the arm of his chair, “The Duel Robot will fight fair from now on, you have my word.”

I nodded at Pegasus and stepped up to the arena, inserting my deck into my Duel Disk and plugging my Duel Disk into the holoarena controls. Mine and the robot’s Life Points each rose to eight thousand.

“I’ll concede the first turn,” I said when the robot randomly chose me to go first. My tone was strong and serious. I decided at that moment that I would play this duel as if my life depended on it. I would face my opponent with all of my power, all of my soul.

“Begin turn. Draw. Summon ‘Obnoxious Celtic Guard’ in attack mode.” On the computer’s field appeared an elf swordsman carrying a long sword (ATK: 1400).

“Set one card face-down,” the robot continued. “End turn.”

“Alright then,” I said. “I draw.” I looked at my hand. An Earth monster huh? Okay, I can deal with that, no problem!

“I summon my ‘Koumori Dragon’,” a blackish dragon appeared with an arrowhead-shaped-head, wings, and razor sharp teeth (ATK: 1500). “Next I activate the Field Spell card ‘Mystic Plasma Zone’. This card charges the field with dark energy and raises the power of all Dark monsters in play (1500+500=2000).”

The area around the Holoarena grew dark and a swirling black cloud appeared overhead. Lightning danced within it.

“Now,” I went on, “I attack with ‘Koumori Dragon’, Dark Dragon Flame!”

Dark flames exploded from the dragon’s mouth and poured over the robot’s elf monster (8000-600=7400). Smoke poured over the robot’s side of the field obscuring my view. When it cleared, ‘Obnoxious Celtic Guard’ was still there.

“‘Obnoxious Celtic Guard’,” the robot explained, “is not destroyed by the attacks of monsters with nineteen hundred or more Attack points.”

“Well that would have been nice to know,” I grumbled.

“Begin turn,” the robot declared. “Activate the Spell card ‘Brain Control’. Pay eight hundred Life Points (7400-800=6600) to gain control of ‘Koumori Dragon’ for one turn. Sacrifice ‘Koumori Dragon’ and ‘Obnoxious Celtic Guard’.”

My monster moved to the robot’s field, and both monsters disappeared. “Summon,” the robot continued, “the ‘Dark Magician’.” A man clad in purple leather appeared wearing a leather hood and a purple wizard’s hat and carrying a green staff ending in a gleaming crystal (ATK: 2500+500=3000).

“Attack with ‘Dark Magician’, Dark Magic Attack,” A sphere of dark energy formed at the tip of the wizard’s staff, and he flung it straight at me, hitting me square in the chest (8000-3000=5000).

“End turn.”

I drew. I only had a few more options left against such a powerful monster. Crap! I thought, I saw him play an Earth monster and thought it would be safe to play my Field Spell card. Now my opponent has one of the most powerful Dark monsters under his control benefiting from my card!

For a moment I wondered if Pegasus had lied, if the game was still rigged, but I decided that it didn’t matter. It was my Spell that had caused this problem. That made it my problem to solve, and mine alone.

I looked over my hand again, and saw an opening. Of course a problem caused by a Spell can be solved by a Spell.

“I begin my turn,” I declared, “with a Spell card, ‘Dark Core’. I discard one card from my hand to open a spatial rift above your monster. He’ll be drawn into the rift and removed from the game.”

‘Dark Magician’ looked up as lightning from the cloud in the sky above him came together in one point. I discarded my ‘Summoned Skull’ and the lightning energy blossomed into a swirling black sphere that drew the ‘Dark Magician’ toward it.

“Activate Spell card,” the robot said, “‘Dedication Through Light and Darkness’, sending ‘Dark Magician’ to the Graveyard to Special Summon ‘Dark Magician of Chaos’,” ‘Dark Magician’ gave way for a black-leather-clad sorcerer carrying a black staff (ATK: 2800+500=3300). “When ‘Dark Magician’ is sent to the Graveyard effect of Spell card ‘Dark Core’ loses its target and is negated,” the robot explained. “Also, when ‘Dark Magician of Chaos’ is summoned one Spell card moves from its controller’s Graveyard to its controller’s hand.”

“Alright,” I said, “you asked for it. Two cards face-down, and I summon ‘Cannon Soldier’ in defense mode.” ‘Cannon Soldier’, a ten foot tall boxy robot made of purple metal with long green metal claws and a cannon where his head should’ve been appeared just ahead of me. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and crouched down to protect me (DEF: 1300-400=900). He was the perfect lure, if only the robot would take the bait.

“That’s all,” I said. “I end my turn.”

“Draw card,” said the robot. “Place three cards face-down. Summon ‘Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight’ without sacrifices by his own effect (ATK: 2300+500=2800). Reveal ‘Card of Sanctity’. Both players draw until they hold six cards.”

I drew my cards, Thanks, my hand was getting a little low. I tried to focus on what my opponent’s next move might be, but my thoughts were interrupted by the neighing of the blue-armor-clad ‘Gaia’’s purple steed. ‘Gaia’ scraped his twin lances on the ground noisily before resting them on his shoulders.

“Activate ‘Spiral Spear Strike’,” the robot continued. “While this card is in play, ‘Gaia’ gains a piercing effect. Attack with ‘Gaia’, Spiral Spear Strike.”

‘Gaia’ leapt at me. I stood firm, and smiled wide, “Looks like you fell for it. See, I’m outnumbered right now, but my deck enjoys being outnumbered. It thrives on it. Activate the Trap card ‘Resistance of the Overwhelmed’!”

My ‘Cannon Soldier’ charged his cannons and fired straight up. The cannon blast scattered outward and destroyed ‘Gaia’ and the ‘Dark Magician of Chaos’ in a brilliant explosion.

“Now you and I each take one thousand damage,” I said, positive that I had managed to turn the tides.

“Chain,” the robot countered, “the Spell card ‘Magical Magnification’, tripling the damage you take (6600-1000=5600/5000-3000=2000).

“End turn.”

At first I didn’t even move. Didn’t even breath. Then I gasped. I couldn’t believe it. Everything I’d done during the entire duel had completely backfired. The robot was just plain smarter with a better deck. I summoned a monster, and my opponent used my monster to summon his monster. I played a Field card, and my opponent reaped the benefits. I activated a Trap card, and my opponent turned it back against me, not to mention it had cards like ‘Magical Magnification’ that I’d never even heard of before. And it still had two face-down cards! All I had in my hand was a bunch of Spell cards. One of them could be used with ‘Cannon Soldier’, but then I wouldn’t have anything.

And of course, if my opponent had a way to counter my combo as it had every combo I had used so far, I needed a backup plan which I absolutely didn’t have. I needed to draw something. At this point anything would help.

I closed my eyes and drew a card. I took a deep breath and looked down at my card, and I grinned, Yeah, that’ll do.

“I begin my turn,” I declared, “by summoning a second monster, my ‘Jinzo #7’!”

My newest monster, a man-sized robot with a glass dome making up the top of his head, and a white “07” painted on his chest appeared next to ‘Cannon Soldier’ (ATK: 500+500=1000).

“Next I play the Spell card ‘Sword of Dark Destruction’, equipping it to my ‘Jinzo’ and raising his attack by another four hundred,” A black sword appeared in ‘Jinzo’’s hand (1000+400=1400).

“And because both of my monsters are Machine-type,” I explained, “I’ll also play the Spell card ‘Limiter Removal’. This card doubles the power of my Machines, but destroys them at the end of the turn (ATK: 1900x2=3800/1400x2=2800).

“And last but not least, just to be prepared,” I said, “I activate ‘Spell Re-production’, discarding ‘Dimensionhole’ and ‘Darkness Approaches’ to return a Spell card to my hand from the Graveyard.”

Pegasus leaned forward, placing his hand on his chin thoughtfully. Figured it out did ya? Well then Mr. Pegasus, sit back and enjoy the show!

“‘Cannon Soldier’, attack!”

‘Cannon Soldier’ fired, and his attack was stopped cold.

“Reveal,” the robot declared, “‘Call of the Haunted’, reviving the ‘Dark Magician’ from the Graveyard (ATK: 2500+500=3000).”

“Then ‘Cannon Soldier’, attack ‘Dark Magician’,” I commanded.

‘Cannon Soldier’ fired, and the robot made its move, playing another card that I’d never seen, “Reveal the Trap card ‘Spell of Darkness’, raising the Attack points of the ‘Dark Magician’ by one thousand (3000+1000=4000).”

The blast from my monster’s cannon hit ‘Dark Magician’, who was glowing with a dark light. The attack didn’t affect him at all. He raised his staff, and ‘Cannon Soldier’ was wreathed in the same light and exploded (2000+3800-4000=1800).

I smiled a triumphant smile. “You’ve used up all of your Traps,” I announced. “This duel ends right now!

“I attack with ‘Jinzo #7’.” rockets opened in my robot’s back and he shot forward, straight at ‘Dark Magician’. “Activate, from my hand the Spell card ‘Limiter Removal’.” ‘Jinzo’’s power doubled again (2800x2=5600).

“Awesome John!” Tucker said. “Now it's stronger than the robot’s monster!”

“That’s true,” I said, as the ‘Dark Magician’ moved to meet my attack, “but I’m not aiming for its monster.”

Tucker gasped, but Sarah, Jen, and Pegasus had already figured out my move. “Activate,” I commanded, “‘Jinzo’’s special ability, Teleport!”

‘Jingo #7’ disappeared. The air filled the space where he had just been, making a loud pop. I made a fist, and said, “Finish it, Cyber Energy Fist!” It was at that moment that ‘Jinzo’ reappeared behind the ‘Magician’, his fist raised. He punched, hitting the robot with an energized strike (5600-5600=0).

“I believe,” I said, “that that’s the duel!”

My friends cheered, and on the balcony, Pegasus stood and gave me a round of applause. “Amazing,” he said. “A finish that would have been fitting for the King of Games.”

“Wow,” Tucker whispered in my ear, “I think Pegasus just compared you to Yugi Muto!”

I looked right at Pegasus, and he smiled in the curious way that he does.

“Now my young friends, if you would please follow me, we have much to discuss,” Pegasus said as he stood and moved toward the exit of the balcony. “Please, meet me in the room at the end of the hall. What I have to tell you will change your worlds forever, you just have to decide how.”

He walked out, and the robot and the holoarena rose up to the ceiling. The walkway extended out, connecting to the walkway at the opposite side. The door ahead of us opened, and we stepped forward, moving closer and closer to our unavoidable destiny.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Ten]

Legend of the Duelist


My team and I walked through the doorway and made our way down the long castle corridor. We walked along at a relatively slow pace for several minutes. The sheer grandeur of the structure was almost overwhelming. We walked until we came to an open door among dozens of closed ones. “Come on guys,” I said, trying not to sound reluctant, and we filed inside and looked around.

“Whoa!” Tucker exclaimed at the sight before us.

“Yeah,” I said, “I know what you mean.” We stood before a room lined with shelves that were all, every one, covered in Egyptian artifacts. The long table in the center of the room was covered in scrolls and documents and photographs of Egyptian temple walls and tablets covered by hieroglyphs.

“Welcome,” said Pegasus, who was standing at the opposite end of the table, “to one of my many research rooms. You children may or may not know that the game of Duel Monsters is actually based on an ancient form of Egyptian combat known as Shadow Games. Shadow Games were played using powerful magic, and a Shadow Game can be anything from a way to settle a bet, to a way to destroy your enemy’s very soul. The power of a Shadow Game is decided by the intensions of those participating.”

He paused, sat down in an office-style chair, leaned back, and continued. “Since the start of the Shadow Games, the most intense were always the ones played between sorcerers with the power to summon powerful monsters from another realm. These sorcerers walked this earth as long ago as ten thousand years, and as recently as the mid fourteen hundreds. Of course, the Shadow Games have been given various names depending on where they were played, but despite what they may be called, they are always more or less the same.

“All of this is important,” Pegasus said looking at us seriously for the first time since I’d known him, his tone of voice changing, “but it is not why I invited you here today. You are here because, while looking for new creatures for my game, I stumbled across a story, or legend if you will, that affects us, and everyone else in this world.”

Pegasus stood again and turned, looking at a large picture on the wall of an Egyptian tablet. It featured several hundred lines of Egyptian hieroglyphs ringed by twelve dully colored symbols. I recognized four of those symbols as the ones which had been featured on the cards sent to the four of us along with our invitations, mine located above the others. At a glance I could make out a few more of the tiny symbols, including a cross-like shape, a blank circle, and even one which was a mirror of mine, with a large sun eclipsing a small crescent moon.

“This,” said Pegasus, “Is an ancient tablet, carved nearly three thousand years ago, that tells the story of a man who lived in that era, in ancient Egypt. A man who’s vast dark side led him to be cursed and forgotten by the memory and the history of his people. He fought the dark side of his very soul, giving up his very legacy to cast a spell which would seal his dark side away. After the battle, the man was given a prophesy by the Gods via the magical pendant that he carried. He gave that prophesy to the carver of this tablet, that his dark side would return in modern times and try again to claim the power he once sought. The forgotten man’s curse was so strong that the man who carved this tablet died soon after from the strain of remembering for as long as it took to carve. He literally put everything that he was into this tablet so that we might find it in modern times and seek out the means to defend ourselves from what is to come. I have to leave reminders to myself, or the knowledge will slip away from me as well.”

“So,” said Tucker, “if this is all true, won’t we just forget it too?”

“No,” Pegasus answered. “Duelist from your generation and all generations that will follow will not feel the effects of the curse, for the time of the man’s return is soon.”

He smiled at Tucker, though his smile wasn’t entirely warm, “Now please, allow me to continue.

“The man, known now only as The Forgotten Duelist, for he himself had forgotten his name by the time the tablet was written, was the bearer of a strange artifact of still-unknown origin. I mentioned a pendant, but pendant is perhaps an inept description in and of itself. The artifact was a spherical crystal pedant called the Duelist’s Soul. When the man’s dark side, known as Blackheart, appeared, it had a Duelist’s Soul of its own, but it did not have the control that its light side had. It fought The Duelist for his life force so that it could gain control of the Soul’s power and enslave three particular creatures, whose names are not mentioned, though I suspect they were the legendary Egyptian God Monsters themselves.”

I inhaled sharply, surprised. I still wasn’t sure if I believed what Pegasus was saying, but if he was telling the truth, then his statement meant two things: One, the Egyptian God Monsters were real, living creatures, with powers as substantial as the legendary cards themselves, and two, whoever this Blackheart was, he was strong enough to control those superpowers.

Pegasus turned back toward us and went on, “In order to face Blackheart the next time it appeared, The Duelist anchored his spirit to this world by breaking the Duelist’s Soul down into the Twelve Duelist’s Souls and sealing them away in a ruin called the Burial of the Soul. It is written here that four Duelists of modern times will realize their true power and release their Souls and the Souls of eight other Duelists from the Burial. Shortly after, these four, particularly the one who is their leader,” he looked right at me, “will meet, and then bring together, the other eight Soul Bearers, uniting the Souls once again. These twelve Duelists will then combine their strength to revive the spirit of The Duelist, stronger than ever! You, my young friends, are the four modern Duelists from the prophesy. Now, the entire world needs you.”

Not even giving us a chance to process what had been said, Pegasus went right on with his story, “A powerful organization of young Duelists known as the Duelists of the Order of the Divine Cards has been collecting a vast amount of powerful magical items, known as Shadow Items, but whatever their goals are, the power of the Shadow Items is not sufficient. They have discovered the existence of the Souls and want them for themselves. Whoever leads the Duelists of the Order is rumored to have magical power over his followers. He has sent three of his strongest followers to Egypt to find the Souls themselves before you can. You must not let them gain possession of the Twelve Souls. If they do, they will become powerful enough to openly threaten the world!”

“Are you serious?” Tucker asked, looking at Pegasus like he was crazy. “Magic and monsters and crystal Souls!? Are you nuts?!”

“No, he’s not” said Jen. She had the same look on her face that she had had during her duel. Anyone who knew the way her reasoning worked would trust her. Anyone, except for Tucker or course.

“Come on guys,” he said, “you don’t really believe this do you?” He looked at me, “John, you’re with me right?”

“I don’t know bro,” I said, “but if he is telling the truth, not doing anything could cause people to get hurt. We can’t just dismiss this.” Tucker looked to Sarah, the most practical of our little four-man band.

“I gotta agree,” she said, to everyone’s surprise.

Tucker looked annoyed at first, but then I watched as his annoyance turned from disbelief, to confusion, and finally to acceptance. Finally he turned to Pegasus and said, “Fine. I know John doesn’t believe you either, but if he says we can’t ignore the crap you’re spouting, then I guess I’m in. Hurry up and tell us what we have to do.”


That night I lay awake in bed in one of the many guest suits within Pegasus’ castle, too anxious to sleep. All I could do was replay Pegasus’ instructions again and again in my head.

“Tomorrow,” Pegasus had said, “my personal assistant will lead the four of you to my private helicopter, parked on the castle roof. You will take the helicopter to the mainland where you will catch a flight home. I’m currently making arrangements for you to catch a luxury passenger jet from your local airport to Egypt early next week, during your Spring Break. The jet will take you to a town outside of Cairo where you will use the rather extensive funds with which you will be provided to hire a guide to take you to the Burial of the Soul. Finding this guide, however, will be entirely up to you. I won’t lie to you Duel Force. This task will be difficult and likely dangerous. It would not be impossible for you to lose your lives. Do you still wish to go?”

“We’ll go,” I had replied, without a moment’s hesitation. I knew my friends weren’t happy about that at the time, but I didn’t care.

Pegasus smiled, “Excellent.”

I really hope you’re wrong about all of this, Pegasus, I thought. There are things about me that you don’t know. Things that no one else knows. I don’t know if I’m cut out to be a hero.

It wasn’t too much longer before I finally managed to drift off to sleep, more nightmares to come.


I was awoken the next morning by an elderly man with ashen gray hair and a thin mustache. “You must be Pegasus’ assistant,” I said. The man bowed slightly.

“Yes sir,” he replied, “Croquet, at your service.”

I followed the man through the corridors. We stopped by the rooms occupied by each of my teammates, waking them as well. As we made our way toward the roof, while my friends were marveling at the lush and extravagant castle interior, I pondered Pegasus’ words. Pegasus was a childish man. How much of what he said could really be taken seriously? Then it hit me. Croquet was Pegasus’ personal assistant. He’d probably known Pegasus for years. So I asked him, “Hey, Croquet, how much of what Pegasus says can be taken seriously anyway? I mean, he’s pretty goofy.”

The older man chuckled, “You obviously noticed Mr. Pegasus’ rather whimsical nature. I assure you that if Mr. Pegasus says he is serious then he is, and when he speaks, he chooses every word very carefully.”

I nodded, not exactly comforted by the man’s words. I would have asked more, but just them we came to a door labeled “Stairs to Roof”. “Will you be alright from here?” Croquet asked.

“Yep,” I answered, “thanks.”

“Think nothing of it. Now, before we part, I was asked by Mr. Pegasus to give you this.” He handed me a Spell card, completely devoid of text, or even an image.

“According to Mr. Pegasus this blank card will be able to capture your inner magic and use it to open the Burial of the Soul. He also said that you should guard this card at all costs. If you enemies were to get their hands on it, they might be able to use it for themselves.”

“I’ll keep an eye on it,” I said. “Tell Pegasus that it’s in good hands. And thanks again for your help.”

Croquet bowed again, ever so slightly, and I stepped past him, throwing open the door and crossing the threshold that would lead to the next part of our journey.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Eleven]

Jen’s Saga;
A Tournament as Preparation

Jen


To say that my life was changing rapidly would be an understatement. You know the story, since my cousin just told it to you, so I won’t waste your time. I will say, however, that for a strategist like me, for someone who was always looking forward and planning ahead, finding out that I had some kind of unknown destiny involving magic and evil was a little more than unsettling. Ever since arriving home from Duelist Kingdom, I’d been trying to prepare for what I knew was coming, for a confrontation with an enemy that I couldn’t comprehend. It was driving me crazy. There was only so many times that I could look at the same cards.

I held my head in frustration and looked up from my deck, which was decon-structed and spread out over the game table in my basement. Everything looked in order. I stacked my cards, shuffled, and drew a test hand. I shuffled and drew again. Then I shuffled and drew again. Shuffled and drew, shuffled and drew. Every hand was a good one, but I still didn’t feel confident. I was on the verge of a potential nervous breakdown when I was saved by the ring of the doorbell.

Who’s that? I wondered, standing up and making my way upstairs. By the time I turned the corner into the living room to check the door, there was no one there, and Sarah was sitting with my sister, Kris, on the couch. Kris was busy pestering Sarah about letting her go with us to Egypt. She’d been like that ever since I’d told her about what had really happened during our time on Pegasus’ island.

“We’ve been over this, Kris,” I told her. “It’s a miracle that Mom bought the story that Industrial Illusions fed her about our trip. Taking you along would just make things too complicated.”

“But I’m a Duelist-.”

“None of this, ‘I’m a Duelist, too’ stuff,” I argued. “You just started playing. You aren’t ready. I’m not even sure that I’m ready.”

“But we never get to do anything together anymore,” Kris whined, sticking her lip out and giving me the big brown puppy dog eyes, but I ignored her. She looks almost exactly like me, so all of her cutesy little tricks are ones that I’ve used myself. I’m immune.

Sarah looked from me to Kris and back again, “I might actually have an idea of somethin’ you can do together today.”

“You do?” Kris asked, her sympathetic demeanor disappearing in an instant.

“Yeah,” Sarah replied proudly, “that’s why I came over.”

She gestured at me, “I know you’ve been bendin’ over backwards to try and prepare for this Egypt thing, so I did some asking around, and I found out about this little shop tournament at a store down toward the city where the Duelists are known for using really unique decks. I figured it would be a good way to test your deck against some unusual opponents. If we hurry, the three of us should be able to make it there by bus in time to enter.”

“Cool!” Kris exclaimed, much more loudly than she needed to. “Finally, a chance to prove how good I am!”

“Yeah,” Sarah agreed. She looked at me, “You’re welcome.”


We caught the next bus heading downtown. Altogether the wait and the ride to the stop closest to the shop took about an hour and a half, but finally we arrived at our destination. It was a relatively small hole in the wall down a shallow embankment and across a ditch, right off of the highway. A section of the parking lot had been raised and flattened off into a makeshift Duel Disk arena. There were easily twenty kids hanging out around the arena, watching two kids duel on it with rather unimpressive cards.

We made our way inside the building. There were even more people packed inside. Luckily they weren’t all there for the tournament, because there were only thirty-two slots. By the time we were able to sign up, there were only six left. The shopkeeper, an overweight guy in his mid-twenties with greasy hair, was excited that there were actually some girls in his rather unpopular store, even if we were young, and allowed us to forgo the entry fee in the hopes that we would return for many years to come (so, until we were hot).

“This place is cool!” Kris exclaimed, a bit spacily, as she took everything in.

“This place is dodgy,” I told her. “If you wanna look around, be sure to stick with either me or Sarah.”

“Don’t worry, Jen,” Sarah assured me, and the two wandered off. We still had an hour until the tournament started. All we could do was wait.

I started wandering the store, looking in displays at single cards and booster packs. They had a few rare cards, but they were all overpriced. After a while, I just started walking aimlessly, waiting for something to happen, and finally it did.

I saw an African-American boy, about my sister’s age, sitting at one of the tables in the back of the shop. I was drawn to him because the look of frustration on his face mirrored the frustration that I’d felt earlier.

“Hey,” I asked, sitting down across from him at the table, “you okay? You need some help?”

“No,” he said flatly, “I’m fine.”

“You sure?” I asked. “If it’s a problem with your deck, I can help. You don’t even have to show me your deck. You can just tell me what kind of problem it is. I’m good at this kind of thing.”

He hesitated, probably suspecting me of trying to learn about his deck for my own selfish purposes.

“I’m Jen,” I told him, offering him my hand, attempting to build a rapport.

The boy finally looked up at me. He looked nervous. He shook my hand carefully, “I’m Daryl.”

“I bet I can help with your problem, Daryl,” I told him. “I’m good with strategies.”

Daryl sighed, running his fingers through his short, curly black hair, “It’s just that I wanted to be in the tournament today, and I’ve got some good cards, but I only have a couple of effect monsters, and they aren’t that good. I don’t have any destruction effect cards, or Counter Traps. My monsters are the backbone of my deck. Without effects, they’re helpless. I just don’t know what to do.”

“I’ve never had a problem just like that before,” I told him, “but you know, I’ve always found that, when you discover that you’re at a disadvantage, you have to try and make that disadvantage into your niche. If all you have are some pretty good Normal Monsters, then find a way to turn Normal Monsters themselves into your advantage.”

As I spoke, I saw Daryl’s eyes light up.

“Looks like you’ve got an idea,” I said, standing up. “I’ll leave you to figure things out. I hope I see you in the tournament.”


I killed more time until the tournament bracket was finally posted. The shopkeeper, in an attempt to be dramatic, had split the thirty-two entries into two separate brackets of sixteen, and wouldn’t let anyone see the opposite bracket. Sarah, Kris and I were all in the B bracket. The way we were spaced, we wouldn’t have to duel each other until close to the end.

As we were checking the brackets, I guess I was smiling or something, because Sarah asked, “Feelin’ better already? You’re welcome, again.”

“I guess I am,” I replied. “I got to help this kid figure out his deck. It felt pretty good to use my knowledge of strategy like that.”

“I don’t get your whole deck building mentality,” Kris told me. “All that stuff about creating multiple strategies and then using them to build one big ‘evolving strategy’ as you put it. I prefer my strategy, one big sequence of combos that builds upon itself, fitting together like a well-oiled machine. It’s really the only way.”

“It’s a way,” I replied. My sister and I have this discussion a lot.

“Well-oiled machine, Jen,” Kris insisted, “well-oiled machine.”

She walked off proudly. The first round began in minutes. Sarah and I ended up at tables close to each other. Kris had her first duel at a table on the other side of the room. My opponent, whose name was also Jennifer (note the two n’s), still had twenty-nine of her four thousand Life Points. After some clever stalling, she'd used a combination of ‘Stray Lambs’ and ‘Book of Taiyou’ to summon ‘Garnecia Elephantis’ (ATK: 2400), a monster that she was quite proud to announce as her strongest.

“Attack ‘Basic Insect’,” she commanded.

“Then I’ll use a Trap,” I countered, flipping over a card, “‘Relieve Monster’, exchanging ‘Basic Insect’ for the ‘Pinch Hopper’ in my hand. You destroy it instead, and I get to summon my best monster, ‘Insect Queen’ (2200 + 200 = 2400).”

Okay, maybe “best monster” wasn’t quite accurate, as I’ve worked hard to collect a lot of great Insect cards, but she’s up there, and I wanted to show off.

“I’ve never understood why someone would use that monster,” my opponent said. “It gets a power-up, but you have to tribute a monster just to attack, and each time it destroys a monster, it summons a weak Token monster that’s completely vulnerable.”

“The trick,” I explained, “is learning the weaknesses of the cards and evolving by learning how to use them to your advantage. Lesson one, ‘Insect Queen’ only gets a power-up from insects, and your opponent probably doesn’t use insects, so a good insect Duelist will use ‘DNA Surgery’,” I flipped over my Trap, “to change that (2400+200 =2600).

“I summon ‘Skull-marked Ladybug’ and tribute it to attack, increasing my Life Points and destroying your monster. You’re out of face-down cards, so I’m going to guess that you can't stop me.”

She nodded, mildly annoyed as she put her Beast-Warrior into her Graveyard.

“I end by setting a card,” I concluded, “and summon a Token.”

I placed a coin on the table, face-up to indicate Attack mode (ATK: 0). My opponent drew, “You only have eighteen hundred Life, so I summon ‘Flying Elephant’ and attack the Egg for the win.”

“Not if I reveal ‘Covering Fire’,” I explained, “increasing the Attack of the Egg by the Attack of the ‘Insect Queen’ (0 -> 2800). That’s lesson number two, with the right cards, any weakness can become a proportionately greater strength. If you don’t have any more cards to play this turn, then I win.”

“You win,” Jennifer conceded, “but hey, I learned a lot. Next time we duel, I won’t go down so easy.”

We shook hands, made our way over to the counter to report the winner, and then parted ways on friendly terms. I made my way over to Sarah’s table, where they were cleaning up their cards, Sarah saying, “And that’ll teach you that nobody calls me ‘Tomboy’ except my brother, and only if I’ve called him ‘Jerk’ first.”

Her opponent, a boy a little older than me, walked away sulking.

“I assume you won,” I told her as we headed over to the counter to report her duel result as well.

“Of course,” she answered.

We reached the counter and found Kris there too.

“So, sis,” I asked, “how’d your well-oiled machine do?”

She hunched over, disappointed, “Not good, sis. Not good.”

The three of us had a good laugh. “No, but seriously,” Kris said, “even though I lost, I could tell that the skill level here isn’t much higher than mine. You guys really shouldn’t have a problem.”

“Yeah,” Sarah agreed, “at least not until we have to face each other.”

I was about to agree with her when I thought about Daryl (if he’d been able to enter) and all of the opponents to come, not to mention the eventual winner of A block, whoever they turned out to be.

“I dunno,” I told her. “I think this tournament might surprise us yet.”[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Twelve]

The Tournament Heats Up;
Sarah vs. The Millennium Swordswoman!


Sarah and I made it through the next couple rounds of the tournament without much trouble. I took another look at the B bracket, and I didn’t see Daryl’s name anywhere. If he was in the tournament, he was in the other block.

Finally we came to the block B semifinals. It was made obvious by looking at the bracket who we were supposed to face. It would be me against a sandy-haired, jockish guy named Ray, and Sarah versus a tiny little Asian girl named Mina. Because we couldn’t find the shopkeeper anywhere in the store, we decided just to start. We were sitting down to begin when the shopkeeper burst through the front door and stopped us.

“Come outside,” he told us. “We’ll be having the block B semifinals on the Duel Disk arena outside. The eliminated Duelists are waiting outside for a good show.”

“What about block A?” Kris asked.

“Oh,” he answered, shrugging, “they’re behind you guys, and they don’t all have Duel Disks. Now come on.”

Kris, Sarah, the other finalists and I followed him outside and found ourselves face-to-face with a crowd of other Duelists, only about half of which looked even slightly excited. “This is pretty sad,” I told Kris. “He’s only making us do this to show off his arena.”

“Yeah,” she agreed.

“I don’t mind,” said Mina, having overheard. “My deck is way cooler in Solid Vision.”

“Mine, too,” Ray agreed.

“Alright,” the shopkeeper called, taking a position at the front of the crowd, reading off of the sign-up sheet, “it’s time for the block B semifinals, on my new Duel Disk arena. The first semifinal match will be Sarah, signed up under the mantle of Team Duel Force, against Mina, the self-appointed Millennium Swordswoman. Huh.”

Sarah and Mina climbed up on opposite ends of the arena and faced each other, activating their Duel Disks.

The shopkeeper flipped a coin, “Sarah will go first.”

“Alright!” Sarah exclaimed. “Let’s get things started strong with ‘Water Magician’, equipped with ‘Steel Shell’.”

The water sorceress appeared, twirling her staff, a steel-spiked shell strapped to her back (ATK: 1400+400=1800).

“I set a card,” Sarah concluded, “and end my turn. Just try to come at me.”

Mina’s only response was a confident smile.

“Draw,” she declared, “and activate ‘Cost Down’, discarding ‘Labyrinth of Nightmare’ to lower the Level of every monster in my hand by two during this turn. I set a monster and a card, and pass.”

A hologram of the face-down monster appeared. I smiled, I actually think I know which monster she just set. If I’m right, this next turn is gonna hurt.

Kris was smiling. She saw it too.

“I know you’re trying to bluff me,” Sarah announced, “but, honestly, I’m kinda bored, so I’m just gonna attack anyway. Besides, I’m curious. I summon ‘Amazon of the Seas’, and attack with ‘Water Magician’.”

A mermaid appeared alongside Sarah’s original monster, and the sorceress summoned a stream of water from her staff. It poured over Mina’s monster, which revealed itself as a golden shield embedded with a jewel and etched with an Egyptian eye.

“My monster is the ‘Millennium Shield’,” Mina explained, beaming with pride (DEF: 3000).

“Well crap,” Sarah replied. The ‘Shield’’s jewel glowed, and a barrier appeared around it, deflecting the water back at Sarah (4000+1800-3000=2800).

“My turn again,” Mina declared. “I reveal my face-down ‘Reckless Greed’, allowing me to draw two cards. I set three cards, activate ‘Weapon Change’, and end my turn.”

Sarah looked a little annoyed, “How about I show you why no one ever won a fight with a shield?”

She drew and smiled, “I tribute ‘Amazon of the Seas’ to Tribute Summon ‘Orca Mega-Fortress of Darkness’.”

An enormous killer whale with launchers in its back and belly and a crane arm attached to the base of its tail appeared in place of the mermaid, hanging in the air above its master’s head (ATK: 2100).

“I reveal “Ultimate Offering” and pay five hundred Life to summon ‘Torpedo Fish’,” Sarah continued, and a large, torpedo-shaped fish appeared, loading itself into the launcher on the ‘Orca’’s belly.

“‘Orca’,” Sarah ordered, “launch the ‘Torpedo Fish’ at the ‘Shield’ and destroy it!”

“Not quite,” Mina countered. “Reveal ‘Reinforce Shield’. I place one Shield Counter on a Warrior monster that I control, and the Shield Counter is destroyed instead of my monster.”

‘Orca’ fired the ‘Torpedo Fish’ at the ‘Shield’. The fish exploded, but the ‘Shield’ was left unharmed.

“My turn,” Mina announced, “and I start off with the effect of my Continuous Spell ‘Weapon Change’. By paying seven hundred Life, the Attack and Defense points of my ‘Millennium Shield’ swap.”

“They what now?” Sarah asked, more than a little surprised. Mina’s Life Points took a plunge (4000-700=3300), and the ‘Millennium Shield’ changed shape, becoming a medieval, golden longsword with a silver Egyptian eye and a jewel in the hilt. Making good use of the Duel Disk’s Solid Vision technology, Mina grasped the sword in both hands (ATK: 3000).

“I attack the ‘Water Magician’,” Mina declared. She swung the sword, flinging a wave of red energy at the ‘Magician’, slicing her in half (2300+1800-3000=1100).

“I dare you,” Mina taunted, “to come at me.”

Sarah drew, giving Mina the evil eye.

“Of course,” Mina interjected, “you don’t really have a choice. I reveal ‘Careless Opening’, allowing your ‘Orca’ to attack me for half damage, but forcing it to attack immediately.”

The ‘Orca’ produced a giant cannon from its mouth.

“Next,” Mina continued, “I reveal ‘Staunch Defender’ redirecting the forced attack toward my ‘Millennium Sword’.”

The ‘Orca’ fired, and again Mina swung her sword, her energy wave cutting through the ‘Orca’’s cannon bolt, and the ‘Orca’ itself. Sarah took another big hit (1100 +2100-3000=200).

“You kinda pissed me off just now,” Sarah said. “I play ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two cards, set a monster and a card, and end my turn.”

“Draw,” Mina declared, “and I pay to sustain my ‘Sword’ (3300-700=2600), equip it with ‘Fairy Meteor Crush’, giving it a Piercing effect, and attack for the win!”

“Not likely,” Sarah replied indignantly. “I reveal ‘Negate Attack’.”

Mina’s attack was sucked into a vortex, rendered harmless.

“My turn,” Sarah announced, a wicked smirk worthy of her brother playing across her face. “I remove ‘Torpedo Fish’ in my Graveyard from play to summon ‘Aqua Spirit’.”

Sarah’s blue-skinned water sprite appeared at her side (ATK: 1600).

“Next,” Sarah continued, “I Flip-Summon ‘Penguin Soldier’, returning the ‘Aqua Spirit’ and your monster to our hands.”

A small, sword-wielding penguin appeared and directed ‘Aqua Spirit’ to attack ‘Millennium Shield’, and the two monsters disappeared from the field in a flash.

“I remove ‘Amazon of the Seas’ from play to re-summon ‘Aqua Spirit’,” Sarah concluded, “and I tribute ‘Penguin Soldier’ to summon ‘Giga Gagagigo’.”

‘Aqua Spirit’ reappeared, and ‘Penguin Soldier’ disappeared, replaced by the fierce, armored reptile (ATK: 2450).

“My monsters attack.”

Mina stood helpless as the two monsters struck together, reducing her Life Points to zero.

“And the winner is,” Sarah said, “me.”

She stepped down and made her way to mine and Kris’ side, “Now let’s get on with this so I can win this tournament.”[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Thirteen]

The Master of Laser Guns;
Jen vs. Ray


The shopkeeper stepped up in front of the crowd again, “What an exciting duel! Now, let’s get right to the next one. I wanna close early today. Next up is Jen, also a member of the Duel Force, against Ray, the store champion!”

There was clapping. Apparently the crowd was a bit more excited now that they’d already seen one good duel.

I made my way up to the arena. Ray did the same, pausing every few minutes to wave at his seven fans. Finally he faced me, “Alright, Jen, let’s give these guys a show. And don’t expect me to go easy ’cause you’re a girl.”

“I wouldn’t dream of asking something like that,” I told him, dripping sarcasm, “though I really wish you would.”

I didn’t even wait for the shopkeeper, “I’m going first. I summon ‘Giant Rat’ and set one card.”

“Cute,” Ray commented, “but it’s not much to me. I summon ‘Oni Tank T-34’!”

A tank with a demon face appeared behind Ray, taking aim with its gun (ATK: 1400).

“I equip ‘Oni Tank’ with ‘Machine Conversion Factory’,” Ray continued. There was a series of clanks and mechanical sounds, and the tank’s gun reconstructed itself into a beam cannon (1400+300=1700).

“Impressive,” I told him, speaking sarcastically.

“You’ll really think so when I do this,” Ray announced. “I activate ‘Plasma Wave’. I can activate this card when I control a machine equipped with an Equip Spell, to negate and destroy one Spell or Trap that you control.”

He smiled like an arrogant punk as his ‘Oni Tank’ fired its cannon at my ‘Zero Gravity’, destroying it easily.

“Now I attack,” Ray declared, “with Onibeam!”

‘Oni Tank’ blasted my ‘Rat’ with its cannon, vaporizing him (4000+1400-1700=3700).

“Thanks,” I began. “When ‘Giant Rat’ goes to the Graveyard, I get to summon an Earth monster from my deck.”

I was confident, but my confidence was shattered when Ray replied, “Not if I play ‘Disruptor Pulse’. Because I control a Machine equipped with an Equip Spell, I can negate the activated effect of any one monster, even if it’s in the Graveyard.”

‘Oni Tank’ fired a pulse from its cannon, causing energy to crackle over my Graveyard, and my combo was brought to a screeching halt.

“I end my turn,” Ray concluded, still beaming like an idiot.

“Draw,” I declared, not wasting even one extra minute on this guy, “and I activate ‘Monster Reborn’ to revive my ‘Rat’ and tribute him for ‘Insect Princess’.”

A humanoid bug woman with four elegant arms and glossy transparent wings appeared at my side (ATK: 1900).

“My monster attacks and destroys the ‘Oni Tank’, with Pheromone Attack,” I commanded, a cloud of dust spreading out from the ‘Princess’’ wings.

“Your pheromones can’t harm a machine,” Ray said, laughing.

I smiled, “But they can summon about a million little helpers who can.”

As I spoke, a swarm of holographic insects bore down on the tank, crawling inside and chewing cables until the tank exploded (4000+1700-1900=3800).

“End.”

“That’s pretty good,” Ray told me, still unshaken, “but I’ve still got more coming.”

He drew, “I summon ‘Gradius’, and equip it with ‘Cyclon Laser’.”

A futuristic fighter jet appeared with two laser cannons appearing a moment later on its underbelly (ATK: 1200+300=1500).

“Next,” Ray continued, “I play ‘Fairy of the Spring’ to return ‘Factory’ from the Graveyard to my hand, set a card, and end my turn.”

He shot me a flashy grin, “Good luck. You’re gonna need it.”

I scowled, What a jerk. But still, he’s pretty good. I need to reinforce my offensive.

“I summon,” I declared, “my ‘Arsenal Bug’.”

An insect carrying a shield and sword appeared alongside the ‘Princess’ (ATK: 2000).

“And I,” Ray interrupted, “activate ‘Stun Wave’. Because you summoned a monster, and because I control a Machine equipped with a Spell, None of your monsters can attack this turn.”

‘Gradius’ fired his beams in a wide arch, hitting both monsters. They curled up, as if in pain, electricity rolling across their bodies.

Okay, he’s really good, I decided.

“In that case,” I said, “I set a card and end.”

“Alright!” Ray exclaimed. “I draw, and equip ‘Gradius’ with ‘Machine Conversion Factory’ (1500+300=1800) and ‘Intermittent Overload Command’. Thanks to my newest Equip Spell, the Attack boosts of all other Spells equipped to ‘Gradius’ are doubled during my Battle Phase. I attack the ‘Insect Princess’ (ATK: 1800 -> 2400)!”

‘Gradius’ fired its beams at full power, vaporizing ‘Insect Queen’ with a single shot (3700+1900-2400=3200).”

“Now take your turn, little lady,” Ray told me, which was, of course, the last straw.

“Sorry, Ray,” I said. “You did good. You really did. But I win.”

I drew my card, “Reveal ‘Call of the Haunted’ to revive the ‘Princess’, and I equip her with ‘Megamorph’.”

My favorite monster reappeared once again, a magic circle appearing beneath her. She grew larger until she was towering over the field.

“Because I have less Life than you, Ray,” I explained, “my monster doubles in size and strength (1900x2=3800).

“My monster attacks, smashing your ‘Gradius’,” I commanded, the princess striking with all four of her arms, ripping ‘Gradius’ to pieces (3800+1800-3800=1800).

“And I attack with the ‘Arsenal Bug’,” I told a truly stunned, speechless Ray as my second monster struck him with its sword. I smiled, “Next time we duel, maybe I should go easy on you.”

Ray and I stepped down from the arena, Ray sulking pitifully. I walked over to stand with Sarah, who gave me a high five, and Kris, who was busy studying the sky, as the shopkeeper addressed the crowd once again, “Alright, we’ve officially decided the finalists of B block!”

Sarah and I looked at each other, each of us beaming with determination, as the shopkeeper announced, “The next match will be Sarah against her friend and teammate Jen!”

“You ready for this, ’cuz?” Sarah asked.

“Oh yeah,” I told her, “I am ready. To win.”

And with that began one of the most difficult duels I’ve ever played.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Fourteen]

Duel Force vs. Duel Force!


The crowd got all worked up. They didn’t know who we were, but they thought it was interesting that two members of the same team were going to duel. We ignored the shopkeeper’s half-assed attempt to introduce us as we made our way up to the arena.

“I’ve never dueled anyone that I know in a tournament before,” said Sarah. “I wonder how this is gonna go, considering that we know each others’ decks so well.”

“I guess it’ll come down to who has the best strategy,” I answered, smirking, “and that’s me.”

Sarah smirked back, “I wouldn’t count on that. You aren’t the only one who’s been preparing for this Egypt thing.”

We parted, each taking up a different end of the arena.

Sarah gave me the smug face. I shot her mine back. I think the shopkeeper flipped a coin, but we ignored him, the air between us charged with competitive energy.

“I’ll go first,” Sarah declared.

“Fine by me,” I told her, and our voices rang out, “Duel!”

She drew, “Let’s start out with a classic. I summon ‘Mother Grizzly’ and equip her with ‘Steel Shell’.”

The blue-furred grizzly appeared, Sarah’s apparently favorite Equip Spell appearing on its back (ATK: 1400+400=1800).

“I set a card,” Sarah concluded. “Go, so I can beat the next guy and win this tournament.”

I drew my opening hand, Her monster is a searcher. She knows that I know that, but then again any Duelist worth their salt knows what ‘Mother Grizzly’ can do. All I can do is prepare as much as possible for what's coming. And the best way to do that is to summon a monster of my own with the power to Special Summon.

“I summon,” I declared, “my ‘Pinch Hopper’, equipped with ‘Insect Armor with Laser Cannon’.”

“Like I didn’t see that coming,” Sarah quipped. My monster appeared, the massive cannon on its back.

I ignored Sarah, “I activate the Field Spell ‘Forest’, making my monster even stronger.”

The field around us changed, becoming a dense forest. The ‘Pinch Hopper’ got even stronger (ATK: 1000+700+200=1900).

“I attack,” I declared, and ‘Pinch Hopper’ fired its cannon, vaporizing ‘Mother Grizzly’ in an instant (4000+1800-1900=3900).

“You destroyed my ‘Mother Grizzly’,” Sarah explained unnecessarily, a huge grin on her face, “which means I get to summon a monster from my deck. I summon “Water Magician’.”

The sorceress appeared, her staff in hand and a smile on her face (ATK: 1400).

“I also get to reveal my ‘Numinous Healer’,” she added, her Life Points climbing (3900+500=4400).

“In that case,” I told her, “I set one card, and end.”

She likes ‘Water Magician’, I thought, but there are plenty of better monsters in her deck that she could have summoned. That means that her ‘Water Magician’ is just a stepping stone to something bigger.

“Ready to be shocked?” Sarah asked. Without waiting for an answer, she continued, “I remove ‘Mother Grizzly’ from play to summon ‘Aqua Spirit’ and tribute both to summon a monster even stronger than your go-to metal bug,” the ‘Spirit’ appeared, and both monsters disappeared, giving way for a an even larger, fiercer version of Sarah’s favorite lizard warrior, “my ‘Gogiga Gagagigo’!”

The monster roared (ATK: 2950).

“Even with your Field out,” Sarah declared, “I think my monster and I can handle whatever you summon with ‘Hopper’’s effect. I set a card and attack!”

The lizard warrior crushed my ‘Hopper’ with its mighty claws (4000+1900-2950=2950).

“With the effect of my ‘Hopper’,” I declared, “I summon the monster that your ‘Gagagigo’ can supposedly beat, the ‘Metal Armored Bug’! And thanks to my Field, my monster outclasses yours easily (ATK: 2800+200=3000).”

“Well,” Sarah said, a look of resignation on her face, “I really didn’t think you had that in your hand.”

She was convincing, but I still saw a glint of confidence in her eyes. I looked at the hologram of her face-down card, and I knew what she was planning.

I smiled, Clever, but it won’t work on me.

“Draw,” I told her, “and I play the Spell card ‘Cell Budding’. I tribute my ‘Metal Armored Bug’ to summon ‘Insect Tokens’ up to the Attack of the tributed monster divided by five. That’s five tokens.”

My ‘Bug’ disappeared, and five worm-like insects took its place (ATK: 500+200 =700 (each)).

“I tribute two ‘Insect Tokens’,” I continued, “to summon ‘Insect Queen’.”

Two of the Token monsters disappeared, and my ‘Insect Queen’, a massive monster with a humanoid upper body and the lower body of a grotesque insect, appeared in their place with a screeching roar (ATK: 2200+200+800=3200).

“I play ‘Monster Reborn’ to revive ‘Metal Armored Bug’,” I continued, and my monster reappeared, towering over even the ‘Queen’ (ATK: 2800+200=3000/3200+200=3400).

Sarah frowned.

“I tribute an ‘Insect Token’ to attack with the ‘Queen’,” I declared. The ‘Queen’ ate one of the Tokens (ATK: 3400-200=3200). She turned to ‘Gagagigo’ and inhaled.

“Reveal ‘Dust Tornado’,” Sarah declared, “to destroy ‘Forest’.”

A powerful dust devil tore through the forest, reducing it to splinters and scattering it to the wind. My monsters grew weaker (3200-200=3000/3000-200 =2800). Had I simply attacked with my ‘Bug’, Sarah’s plan would have worked, and my monster would have lost.

“I restore ‘Queen’’s power,” I countered, “with ‘DNA Surgery’, changing all of your monsters into Insects.”

Sarah’s monster grew insect legs from its shoulder, a mandible from its jaw, and a bug eye. The ‘Queen’ grew stronger again (3000+200=3200), and she spit acid at ‘Gagagigo’, melting him on the spot (4400+2950-3200=4150).

“I end my turn,” I concluded, “with the Attack of my ‘Bug’.”

The giant ‘Bug’ slashed Sarah (4150-2800=1350).

“When my turn ends,” I explained, “my ‘Insect Tokens’ are destroyed,” the worms disappeared, and the ‘Queen’ laid an egg, “and I summon an ‘Egg Token’ (ATK: 0).”

Sarah scowled, looking frustrated up at the two powerful insects. She drew, “I play my ‘Monster Reborn’ to revive ‘Gogiga’ and kill the ‘Metal Armored Bug’.”

‘Gagagigo’ reappeared, re-growing his insect parts, and lunged at the enormous bug, ripping through it with his claws (2950+2800-2950=2800).

I smiled, This duel is really good. I haven’t had this much fun in months!

“I end,” Sarah concluded, “by tributing ‘Gagagigo’ for ‘Neo Aqua Madoor’.”

A masked sorcerer appeared in the lizard’s place, summoning up a wall of ice around himself (DEF: 3000).

“I equip ‘Madoor’ with ‘Heart of Clear Water’,” Sarah continued, “making him invincible in battle, and making it immune to Spells.”

I looked down at my deck, and my empty hand, I really don’t have anything else planned. It all comes down to this next draw.

I drew, and I sighed, That might work.

“I activate ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two.”

I drew again, and I smiled. “Next up,” I continued, “I summon ‘Big Insect’, and I play ‘Share the Pain’. I tribute ‘Big Insect’ to force you to tribute a monster.”

“Oh, come on,” Sarah exclaimed. Her sorcerer and my ‘Insect’ lunged at each other, destroying each other.

“I tribute ‘Egg Token’,” I concluded, “to attack for the win.”

My ‘Queen’ absorbed the ‘Egg’, and attacked, dropping Sarah’s Life to zero.

Sarah frowned, “Oh well, I was getting sick of this tournament anyway.”

She smiled at me, “Go, get this last guy.”

I nodded, “I will. I can’t imagine that whoever it is will be harder for me to beat than you were.”

Sarah stepped down from the arena. I moved to do the same, but the shopkeeper pushed his way through the crowd, calling, “Wait, stay up there! Block A has finished, and their finalist has borrowed a Duel Disk so he can duel you out here, in one big, epic final battle.”

I nodded, “Okay, have him step up then.”

The shopkeeper turned to reveal the block A finalist, who was waiting behind him. Even before I saw my opponent, I knew who it was. There, behind the shopkeeper, stood Daryl, looking shy and on the spot.

“Get on up there, Daryl,” the shopkeeper urged. Daryl looked up at me, and I smiled and nodded. He seemed to find a bit of confidence, and he stepped up to face me.

“Alright,” the shopkeeper cheered, “let the finals begin!”

I drew my opening hand. I expected to beat Daryl easily, at least more easily than I’d beaten Sarah. I was very wrong.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Fifteen]

A Battle of Understanding!
Jen vs. Daryl


The shopkeeper flipped his coin, catching it in the air, “Jen, the block B champion, will make the first move.”

I drew, “I’m glad you made it into the tournament, Daryl, and I’m really glad that you made it so far. I hoped I’d get the chance to duel you.”

“Same here,” Daryl replied. “After you helped me, after you gave me the idea to make Normal monsters the theme of my deck, I was able to not only finish my deck, but find my confidence. I know Duel Monsters is a game, but it’s a game that you can really make into something good for yourself. I’ve always wanted to play, and thanks to you I can.”

He looked down at his deck, “I wasn’t completely honest earlier. Truth is I probably could have gotten some good Effect monsters if I’d traded my best Normal monsters, but they were my favorites. I couldn’t trade them. Now, thanks to you, I don’t have to.

“You have a gift, Jen,” he told me. “I saw the end of that last duel. You figured out what your opponent was plannin’ and you managed to overcome it.”

“I knew my opponent,” I protested.

“You dueled like an elite Duelist,” Daryl insisted, “and the point is, as good as you are, I wanna beat you, to prove myself.”

I smiled, “Then give it your best shot, but know that I’m not going to hold back.

“I summon,” I began, “my ‘Big Insect’, and I equip it with ‘Invigoration’ and ‘Insect Armor with Laser Cannon’.”

A giant ant appeared. It came under the effect of ‘Invigoration’ and grew even larger, until it was taller than me. The laser cannon appeared on its back (ATK: 1200+400+700=2300).

“I end my turn,” I declared, speaking with confidence.

“Then I draw,” Daryl declared, sounding proud and forceful, “and I play ‘Heart of the Underdog’ and ‘Non-Spellcasting Area’.”

‘Non-Spellcasting Area’? No way.

“‘Heart of the Underdog’ lets me draw an additional card each time I draw a Normal monster during the Draw Phase,” Daryl explained, “and ‘Non-Spellcasting Area’ shields all non-effect monsters from the effects of Spells. That means your ‘Big Insect’ loses its Equip Spells.”

I watched as the ‘Big Insect’ returned to normal. Now it made perfect sense, but at the time of my conversation with Daryl earlier I’d never considered ‘Non-Spellcasting Area’. I’d been taken completely by surprise.

“Next,” Daryl continued, “I set a card, and I summon ‘Koumori Dragon’ and destroy the ‘Big Insect’ with Devil Dragon Flame (ATK: 1500).”

The arrow-headed devil dragon breathed black fire over the ‘Insect’, incinerating it (4000+1200-1500=3700). I took a deep breath. I was near panic. I wasn’t even fighting the Order yet and already I was trapped in a situation that I’d never foreseen.

I drew and looked at my hand. I didn't know what to do.

“I summon ‘Pinch Hopper’ in defense,” I declared, “and pass.”

“Then here I come,” Daryl declared. “I draw,” he looked at his cards, “and I show you ‘One-Eyed Shield Dragon’ to draw again.”

He checked his next card, “I show you ‘Armail’ to draw again.”

He checked again, and again, “I show you ‘Warrior Dai Grepher’ to draw again, and then ‘Serpent Night Dragon’ to draw a fifth card.”

He checked his next card, and finally he didn’t show it to me, but that didn’t mean he was done drawing.

“Next I reveal ‘Common Charity’,” Daryl continued, “to draw to cards, and then remove ‘Neon Knight’ in my hand from play.”

He drew again, “I play ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two more cards.”

He drew one final time. I was impressed. He had put together a strong deck, and I had a feeling that I knew what was coming.

“Next up,” Daryl continued, “I play ‘Polymerization’, fusing ‘Armail’ and ‘One-Eyed Shield Dragon’ into ‘Dragoness the Wicked Knight’.”

A swordsman in yellow armor with wings, carrying a curved blade, appeared at Daryl's side (ATK: 1200).

“I summon ‘Warrior Dai Grepher’,” a swordsman in leather armor appeared as well (ATK: 1700), “and I play ‘Ancient Rules’ to Special Summon ‘Serpent Night Dragon’, my favorite card.”

Darkness spread out like a dark cloud overhead, and a blue, serpentine dragon with a spear-tip-shaped head emerged from the darkness with a screeching roar (ATK: 2350).

I watched, in awe, as I was faced with a small army of monsters. Daryl didn’t give me time to react. “Attack ‘Pinch Hopper’,” he commanded, “with ‘Koumori Dragon’.”

The dragon incinerated ‘Pinch Hopper’ in a single blast. I looked at my hand, wondering if it was even worth it to use ‘Hopper’’s effect, and I was surprised to find that I still had an idea of how to win. It would take some luck, but...

“When ‘Pinch Hopper’ is sent to the Graveyard,” I explained, “I can Special Summon an Insect from my hand. I summon ‘Empress Mantis’, in attack mode.”

The frilly-necked praying mantis queen appeared at my side, rubbing her digits together eagerly (ATK: 2200).

“Then ‘Serpent Night Dragon’ destroys your new monster,” Daryl declared, “and ‘Dragoness’ and ‘Warrior Dai Grepher’ attack directly.”

‘Serpent Night Dragon’ flapped its wings, releasing a barrage of energy blades that shredded the ‘Mantis’ in seconds (3700+2200-2350=3550). The two swordsmen attacked together (3550-1200-1700=650). The impact was so severe that it almost hurt.

“I end my turn,” Daryl finished, “with ‘Two-Man Cell Battle’. While this card is in play, we can each Special Summon a Level Four Normal monster during each of our End Phases. I Special Summon ‘Blackland Fire Dragon’.”

Another monster, a green, winged dragon, appeared alongside the others (ATK: 1500).

Five monsters, I thought. He’s been in this duel for two turns, and he’s summoned five monsters.

“You have a lot of talent for this game, kid,” I told my opponent. “More than I do. I’m actually shaking.”

I showed him my shaking hand.

I drew, and I looked at my newest card, “But shaken or not, I’m not finished dueling yet. I play ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two cards. And I follow up with ‘Graceful Charity’, drawing three cards and discarding ‘Gokibore’ and ‘Insect Queen’.”

I added my newest cards to my hand and smiled. Once again, I had a complete plan. Of course, there was still a chance that it wouldn’t work.

“I play ‘Monster Reborn’,” I continued, “to revive ‘Big Insect’.”

The giant ant reappeared at my side, hissing.

“I play ‘Multiplication of Ants’, turning one ant into two.” As I spoke, the ant split into two smaller ones.

“I tribute both of my monsters,” I continued, “to summon ‘Metal Armored Bug’ in attack mode, and I attack ‘Dragoness the Wicked Knight’ with Metal Claw.”

My monster crushed the knight (4000+1200-2800=2400), scoring me my first hit of the duel.

Everything's falling into place. Just a little more.

“I set a card, and end my turn.”

If I’m right, he’s going to summon a monster that can beat mine, I realized, and if I’m right, it won’t make even the slightest difference.

Daryl drew his card, “This was a fun duel, but it’s over. I’m gonna summon a monster so strong that only a handful of the rarest Normal monsters are stronger. I tribute ‘Koumori Dragon’ and ‘Blackland Fire Dragon’ to summon ‘Tri-Horned Dragon’!”

Daryl’s weaker dragons disappeared with a roar, and a massive blue dragon with a crown of three horns appeared in their place with a roar of his own that boomed, shaking the store (ATK: 2850).

“My monster destroys ‘Metal Armored Bug’,” Daryl commanded, and the dragon slashed with deadly-looking claws. They were inches from my giant beetle when they bounced off of a barrier projected by three chanting priests.

“Reveal ‘Waboku’ to prevent damage to my monsters for the turn.”

Daryl didn’t look happy. He was smart enough to know that he might have used up his last chance.

“I change my other monsters to defense mode,” Daryl declared, “and pass.”

“Then here goes,” I drew. “I play ‘Pot of Avarice’, shuffling the five Insects in my Graveyard into my deck to draw two cards.”

I shuffled my deck, and I drew. I almost died of relief when I saw the two cards that I’d drawn.

“I finish this,” I continued, “with ‘Heavy Storm’, destroying ‘Non-Spellcasting Area’ and allowing me to use Spells on Normal monsters again, and I play ‘Swarm from Underground’. I increase the Attack of my ‘Metal Armored Bug’ by two hundred. Then I send the top five cards from my deck to the Graveyard and increase my monster’s Attack by another six hundred for every Insect that I discard.”

I picked up five cards from my deck and fed them into my Graveyard one at a time: ‘Insect Whistle’, ‘Pinch Hopper’, ‘Insect Princess’, ‘Flying Kamikiri #1’, and ‘Great Moth’.

“That’s four monsters,” I said with a smile. “My monster’s Attack increases by a total of twenty-six hundred!”

My monster was surrounded by an aura, and its power climbed (ATK: 2800+2600=5400).

“I attack,” I commanded, “and finish this duel.”

‘Metal Armored Bug’ ran the dragon through with its claws, and Daryl’s Life Points fell to zero. Our monsters faded from the field. At first I thought Daryl was disappointed, but then he smiled, “That was the best duel ever! Did you see how good my strategy did? I think with a little more tweaking I might really be able to make somethin’ outta it.”

“Yeah,” I told him, “I think you definitely could.”

“Thanks," Daryl told me, “for everything.”

I shook Daryl’s hand, and we parted ways. He returned his borrowed Duel Disk and left, walking down the street, and I rejoined Kris and Sarah.

“Good duel,” said Sarah. “You feeling any better about the whole Egypt thing?”

I thought about it. I thought about how I’d just fought a duel that had completely surprised me, and yet I was still able to pull through.

“You know, ’cuz,” I answered, “I think I am.”

We bid the grungy little shop farewell and caught the next bus home, each of us feeling a little brighter about the future.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Sixteen]

Enter the Duelists of the Order

John


Just as Pegasus had said, it was early the following week when we got the call to head to the local airport. We were directed quickly through one of the gates, which took us outside. We were on our way to board the jet that Pegasus had chartered for us when we were cut off by three kids about my age. Two boys, and one very attractive girl.

“Who are you?” I asked. The girl brushed her long brown hair out of her blank dark brown eyes and answered.

“We,” she said, placing her hands on her hips, dripping ego, “are the Duelists of the Order of the Divine Cards, and we’re here to talk. We don’t want to hurt you, but if you insist on going after the Duelist’s Souls, we will. We advise you to turn back while you can.”

“Pegasus told us about you,” I said. “You should know, I won’t let three kids intimidate us. My friend Tucker and I can easily take you.”

The girl laughed, “Sorry, but that’s hilarious. We aren’t here to fight you. We’re here to duel you in a Shadow Game!”

“And how exactly is dueling supposed to kill us?” Tucker asked, disbelievingly.

“We borrowed some of our master’s power,” said the taller of the two boys, a kid with short light brown hair and yellow eyes. His eyes weren’t blank like the girl’s. They flashed with everything from ambition to just plain evil. “We channel it through these,” he showed us a clear, prismatic crystal charm that had been concealed beneath his shirt.

“Now,” said the other boy, who had spiky brown hair, speaking almost politely, “we have the ability to cause someone real harm through dueling.”

“Then you’ll have to cause us ‘real harm’,” I said, “because the Duel Force isn’t going to back down.”

The girl’s eyes flashed to life for the briefest second, and I could have almost sworn I saw pain there. But then she regained her composure and activated her Duel Disk, facing me down. The spiky-haired boy stepped off to the side and faced Sarah. The other boy stepped off in the other direction and faced Jen and Tucker. Instantly the air became charged with the competitive energy of seven Duelists.

“Allow me to introduce myself,” said the girl, just as arrogantly as before. “I am Karen, and I think I’ll move first.” Karen drew her opening hand and made her first move, completely confident in her victory.

“I begin,” she declared, “with a Spell card, ‘Mirage of Nightmare’. During your next Standby Phase I draw until I have four cards in my hand. Next I place four cards face-down and summon my ‘Toon Alligator’ in defense mode.” A small alligator rendered in cartoon style appeared, wielding an axe (DEF: 1600). “Now I end my turn, and when you draw, I draw.”

I drew, ignoring the fact that my opponent did as well, and I made my move. “I summon,” I declared, “the goblin brute, ‘Giant Orc’! This giant goblin will tear right through your lizard. Club Slam Attack!”

‘Giant Orc’, a twelve foot tall gray-skinned goblin carrying a club appeared, and ran forward to try and crush Karen’s monster (ATK: 2200). He raised his club, but his swing was interrupted by the appearance of an amorphous gray blob. He stepped back as the blob changed shape, becoming a copy of ‘Giant Orc’.

“What is that thing?” I demanded.

“That,” said Karen, "is one of my more versatile cards, the Trap card ‘Physical Double’. It copies your monster until the end of the turn by summoning a ‘Mirage Token’ (ATK: 2200). Now I activate ‘Staunch Defender’, making sure that you still attack me. ‘Staunch Defender’ forces any monsters you control to attack a monster of my choice, and I choose my ‘Mirage’ monster.”

“Fine,” I said, “‘Giant Orc’, you know what to do.” My ‘Orc’ ran at the identical opponent and raised his club. But before he could strike, the ‘Mirage Token’ held it’s club forward like a battering ram and charged at a reckless speed, plowing its club into ‘Giant Orc’’s abdomen.

“I reveal,” Karen declared, “the Spell card ‘Rush Recklessly’, raising my ‘Token’’s Attack by seven hundred (ATK: 2900).” The duplicate ‘Orc’ killed mine, and then turned to gray goo and melted into the ground (LP: 8000-700=7300).

“Okay then,” I said, “I end my turn. Your move.”


Sarah


“My name,” my opponent stated in the manner of polite introduction, “is Montgomery Williams, but you can call me Monty. I feel I should warn you, you have no chance against my deck.”

“Whatever,” I said. “Since you’re too busy being full of yourself, I’ll go first.”

I drew my opening hand and looked over my options. Excellent.

“I summon,” I declared, “the mighty ‘Sinister Serpent’, defense mode.” The winged snake appeared just in front of me (DEF: 300). “Next I activate the Spell card ‘The Dark Door’. As long as this Continuous Spell is on the field we can each only attack with one monster per turn.

“I also,” I said, selecting another card, “place one card face-down. End turn.”

“I draw,” Monty said, “and now I activate my ‘Mystical Space Typhoon’, destroying any Spell or Trap card. I choose your face-down card,” A burst of wind shredded the hologram of my ‘Torrential Tribute’. “Next, summon ‘Breaker the Magical Warrior’, attack mode. When he is first summoned he gains a spell counter that raises his attack points by three hundred.” A strong-looking warrior sorcerer in red and gold armor appeared and drew his sword. An aura appeared around him (ATK: 1600+300 =1900). “‘Breaker’, attack with Magical Slash.”

‘Breaker’ swung his sword, cleaving my serpent in half.

“Too bad your attack didn’t matter,” I said, smiling smugly. “When I draw, my ‘Sinister Serpent’ will return to my hand and I can summon him again. And since you can only attack once per turn, I can-.”

“You can keep summoning him again and again as a defensive wall until you draw a card that you can use to win the duel.”

My smile disappeared, “Don’t think that because you figured it out that you’ll be able to beat my combo. I already have this duel in the bag. I re-summon my ‘Serpent’, defense mode again (DEF: 300) and end my turn.”

“I have to congratulate you,” Monty said. “Your move is good and shows great potential. Your deck is very balanced. But it's not enough. I remove the spell counter from my ‘Breaker’ to destroy ‘Dark Door’ Spell.” ‘Breaker’’s aura faded (1900-300 =1600) and he slashed with his sword, slicing the hologram of my spell card apart.

“Now I summon my ‘Apprentice Magician’, using his ability to restore ‘Breaker’’s Spell Counter,” ‘Breaker’ regained his aura (1600+300=1900).

“Now my ‘Apprentice Magician’ attacks, Imperfect Spell.” The ‘Apprentice Magician’, a young man carrying a wand staff similar the one carried by the famous ‘Dark Magician’, raised his staff and blew ‘Sinister Serpent’ apart with a burst of dark light. “Now,” Monty went on, “I attack with ‘Breaker’, Magical Slash (LP: 8000-1900 =6100)!”


Jen


Tucker and I moved together to face the taller kid. There was no question that he would be our opponent. We just knew. He looked eager to fight us both, and that bugged me. He was too confident. I needed to know more about what we were in for.

“So who are you,” I asked.

“I’m Lawrence,” he replied, “and I’m the most powerful Duelist that either of you has ever met.”

Lawrence drew a card, beaming with confidence, “Since I’m clearly outnumbered, I’ll even things out by making the move first. I begin with the monster card ‘Cave Dragon’.” a bulky, green, wingless dragon appeared with a roar (ATK: 2000).

“Next I place two cards face-down,” he concluded, “and end my turn.”

“I’ll go next,” said Tucker. “I start out with my ‘Fireyarou’, equipped with the Spell card ‘Salamandra’, raising his Attack by seven hundred.” The ‘Fireyarou’ was surrounded by a flame in the shape of a serpentine dragon (ATK: 1300+700=2000).

“End turn.”

“And I begin my turn,” I said. “I start out with ‘Arsenal Bug’, a monster that loses one thousand Attack points if it’s the only insect that I control (2000-1000=1000). Next I play ‘Multiplication of Insects’, letting me split my ‘Arsenal Bug’ into two ‘Arsenal Bug Tokens’ with half the Attack and Defense apiece.”

‘Arsenal Bug’ split into two identical but smaller bugs (DEF: 500 (each)).

“Next I activate ‘Premature Burial’,” I explained, “giving up eight hundred Life Points (LP: 8000-800=7200) to revive ‘Arsenal Bug’ and equip it with this card. When this card is destroyed, my ‘Arsenal Bug’ goes with it.” The original monster appeared alongside the slightly smaller duplicates (ATK: 2000). “My insect matches your dragon point for point.”

“It’s not like it matters,” said Lawrence, confidently, sounding smugger than anyone I’d ever known, “because all I have to do to win is exploit the many weak links in your combos. I begin by Summoning ‘Luster Dragon’, in attack mode,” a blue-skinned dragon with tattered-looking wings appeared (ATK: 1900). “Now I reveal ‘Dust Tornado’, destroying the equip Spell ‘Salamandra’, reducing ‘Fireyarou’’s Attack (2000-700=1300), and I follow up with the Spell card ‘Stamping Destruction’, destroying ‘Premature Burial’ and dealing the owner five hundred Points of damage.” A gust of wind blew the dragon-shaped flame away from ‘Fireyarou’, and my more powerful insect disappeared (7200-500=6700).

“Attack ‘Fireyarou’ with ‘Cave Dragon’,” Lawrence commanded, “Giant Tail Slam!” The ‘Cave Dragon’ swung his tail, crushing ‘Fireyarou’ (LP: 8000-700=7300), “and I attack ‘Arsenal Bug Token’ with Sapphire Flame!” The ‘Luster Dragon’ breathed flames on my ‘Token’. I lost my monster, but my Life Points were safe.

“Now,” Lawrence said, yawning, “hurry up and take your turns. I want to finish this thing up before I get too bored.”[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Seventeen]

An Overwhelming Power


John


“After my turn ends,” I said to Karen, “you have to discard every card you just drew as a result of ‘Mirage of Nightmare’’s effect.”

“Not if I activate ‘Emergency Provisions’ to send my ‘Mirage of Nightmare’ to the Graveyard before my Standby Phase begins,” Karen replied smugly. “This also allows me to gain one thousand Life Points (LP: 8000+1000=9000). Next, I draw, and I activate ‘Toon World’!”

What?!

“At the cost of one thousand Life Points (9000-1000=8000) I open the door to the magical realm from which all Toon Duel Monsters are summoned, and I summon ‘Toon Mermaid’ as a Toon Special Summon.”

A green book appeared and fell open. A cloud of pink smoke erupted from the pages, clearing quickly to reveal a cartoon mermaid lying inside a clam shell, carrying a bow (ATK: 1400).

“Next I’ll sacrifice ‘Toon Alligator’ to Toon Summon the ‘Toon Summoned Skull’!” Karen declared. The small lizard was engulfed in pink smoke and pulled into the book. The pages turned to ones depicting a popup of a dark, dirty, gothic town. From the pages emerged a cartoon of a skeletal fiend, snarling wickedly at me (ATK: 2500).

“Toon Monsters cannot attack in the turn that they are summoned,” said Karen, “so I’ll set a card and end my turn. But be warned, I won’t go so easy next turn.”

“I never expected you to,” I replied, trying to hide the shock I felt at the sight of the forbidden card, ‘Toon World’, though this particular version seemed a bit toned down from the one I knew of. “Now if you don’t mind, it’s my move.”

And, I thought, I’d better make it count.



Sarah


Crap! I thought as ‘Breaker’ finished his attack. My opponent had easily overcome my Infinite Serpent Wall, and he still had a Spell Counter, which would allow him to break the next card I set as well. For any of my combos to be effective, I would have to destroy ‘Breaker’ right away. Problem was I couldn’t do it with my current hand.

“I draw,” I said, and I was relieved to see that I’d drawn a way out. “I move my ‘Sinister Serpent’ back to my hand,” I continued, “and summon, ‘Sinister Serpent’, attack mode (ATK: 200). Next I activate ‘Big Wave Small Wave’. This card lets me destroy every Water monster that I control in order to Special Summon the same number of Water monsters from my hand. So say goodbye to ‘Sinister Serpent’ and hello to ‘Giga Gagagigo’!”

The serpent was washed away and was replaced by the armored lizard ‘Giga Gagagigo’ (ATK: 2450). Without ever waiting for my command the ferocious reptilian warrior charged forward and slashed ‘Breaker’ to ribbons with his claws. I watched with my arms crossed, my smile having finally returned.

‘Gagagigo’ made his way back to me, far less enthusiastic now that he was no longer attacking, and I continued my turn, “Now, finally, since my Spell and Trap zone is safe from attack, I set a card. Hit me with your best shot!”


Jen


After Lawrence’s move, Tucker and I had very few cards left to play. We’d used up nearly everything we had just trying to match the strength of Lawrence’s first monster. Tucker drew for his turn and said, “I start things off with the wall monster ‘Charcoal Inpachi’, defense mode.” A massive tree man, charred black, appeared behind Tucker, slouched over so that his huge arms wrapped loosely around Tucker, protecting him from harm (DEF: 2100). “Now I place a card face-down,” Tucker concluded, “and end my turn.”

“I draw, and I summon my ‘Skull-Mark Ladybug’,” I declared. A large beetle with a skull and crossbones on its back appeared at my side (DEF: 1200). “When ‘Skull-Mark Ladybug’ goes to the Graveyard I gain one thousand Life Points.”

Lawrence sighed. He hadn’t been goading us. He really did find our dueling boring! “I start out my turn with ‘Graceful Charity’,” He said, “drawing three cards and then discarding two. Next I’ll activate ‘Premature Burial’, summoning the discarded ‘Kiryu’ to the field from the Graveyard at a cost of eight hundred Life Points (LP: 8000-800=7200).”

A red dragon with broad wings appeared and let out a roar.

“Activate,” Lawrence continued, “the Spell ‘A Wingbeat of Giant Dragon’ returning the level five ‘Kiryu’ to my hand to destroy all Spell and Trap cards on the field.” The red dragon flapped its wings, rising abruptly into the air, destroying our cards, and then disappeared back into Lawrence’s hand.

“Now, the deciding move. Summon ‘Lord of Dragons’,” a man appeared, wearing a dragon skull helm and breastplate, and a long, flowing cape (ATK: 1200). “Activate ‘Flute of Summoning Dragon. My ‘Lord’ plays the golden flute to call two dragons from my hand into battle, ‘Kiryu’, and the emerald-skinned ‘Luster Dragon #2’ (ATK: 2000/ ATK: 2400)!

“Now attack ‘Ladybug’ and ‘Arsenal Token’ with ‘Luster Dragon’ and ‘Lord of dragons’,” my monsters were incinerated (6700+1000=7700), “and attack ‘Charcoal Inpachi’ with ‘Luster Dragon #2’,” Tucker’s monster had a hole blown through its chest and it crumbled to ashes. “And I attack with ‘Kiryu’ and ‘Cave Dragon’ (7700-2000 =5700/7300-2000=5300), ending my turn.”

The dragons’ attacks hit me and Tucker, and I noticed something: the attacks hurt! For real! I almost fell over. I looked over at Tucker, and I saw that he was straining to keep the pain from reaching his face. That was the first time that I really occurred to me that we were fighting for our lives!


John


“I Draw,” I declared, “ and because you control two more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon my favorite monster, ‘The Fiend Megacyber’, and set a monster in defense mode. Attack the ‘Mermaid’, Megacyber Impact (ATK: 2200)!” My yellow warrior summoned energy into his fist and charged, but was cut off by the activation of a Trap.

“Reveal,” said Karen, “the Trap card ‘Woboku’.” Three blue-robed priests appeared between ‘Megacyber’ and his target, raising a barrier that protected the ‘Mermaid’.

“Then I’ll end my turn,” I said. Come on, show me what powers those Toons have so I can figure out how to take them out!

“I draw,” said Karen, “and pay five hundred Life Points (8000-500=7500) to attack ‘Fiend Megacyber’ with ‘Toon Summoned Skull’.” The cartoon fiend brandished with his claws and lightning rained down from the sky, vaporizing my monster.

“And another five hundred Life Points (7500-500=7000),” Karen continued, “to attack directly with ‘Toon Mermaid’, Animated Archery!” The ‘Mermaid’ shot her arrow, hitting me in the chest, near my heart, and I thought I would die. The impact point felt like I had just been hit by a baseball thrown at one hundred miles per hour! These kids were right, the loser of this duel could easily get hurt, or even die (7000-1400=5600)!

“Next I summon my ‘Toon Des Kangaroo’.” A living caricature of a kangaroo wearing a vest and boxing gloves appeared alongside Karen’s other monsters.

“I sacrifice him and ‘Toon Mermaid’,” Karen declared, “for the strongest Toon monster, ‘Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon’!”

A cartoon of the legendary white-skinned, blue-eyed dragon appeared, and winked at me mischievously with one of his huge round eyes (ATK: 3000). Karen had two incredibly strong monsters out on the field, I still hadn’t found their weakness, and if I didn’t soon, I might die!


Sarah


“You really want my best, Water Duelist?” Monty asked smugly.

“Duh. What’s the point of taking somebody on if they don’t give you their best?”

And I saw it. For just a second, Monty’s mostly blank, arrogant-but-respectful eyes lit up, like something I had said broke through some outer shell and reached some kind of nougaty nice Monty center deep inside.

“You’re strong,” said Monty, “almost worthy. Maybe someday. But I’m afraid that you don’t have what it takes to beat me yet. Activate ‘Magical Dimension’, sending my ‘Apprentice Magician’ to the Graveyard to destroy one monster, and to summon the ‘Dark Magician’!”

A metal frame appeared, suspending a human-shaped box within it by a series of chains. ‘Apprentice Magician’ stepped into the box and the lid swung closed. Moments later it opened again, revealing the legendary wizard, the purple-clad ‘Dark Magician’ (ATK: 2500). He aimed with his staff and my ‘Giga Gagagigo’ was destroyed. Things looked bad, but I was ready. I smiled confidently and glanced down at my face-down trap.

“Next, before I attack I play the Spell card ‘Dark Magic Attack’. This lets my magician launch an attack against your Spell and Trap Card Zone and destroy everything in it.”

As the ‘Magician’’s blast reduced my cards to bits of lingering smoke I cried out, “No! They were all I had left!”

“Activate ‘Card of Sanctity’,” Monty declared, ignoring me, “letting both of us draw until we hold six cards. If I draw the last card in my combo, it’s over right now.”

He drew his cards, and I drew mine. Monty looked over his new hand and continued where he left off, “I activate ‘Monster Reborn’ to summon ‘Breaker’ back from the Graveyard (ATK: 1600), set three cards and equip ‘Dark Magician’ with the Spell card ‘Mage Power’, raising the Attack of ‘Dark Magician’ by five hundred for every Spell or Trap card that I control.

“‘Breaker’,” Monty declared, “attack, Magical Slash!”

The mage warrior swung his sword and I felt like I had been cut, though there was no real wound. The edges of my vision grew dark (6100-1600=4500).

“‘Dark Magician’, (ATK: 4500) finish it, Dark Magic Attack!”

The wizard summoned a massive amount of energy into his staff and released it all at once. I remember seeing a large flash, and then everything went dark.

(4500-4500=0)


Jen


“My turn,” said Tucker, as he drew his next card, “and I begin with ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two cards. Next I play ‘Graceful Charity’, drawing three cards and discarding two. Get ready Lawrence, because this is the move that will turn it all around.

“Activate ‘Monster Reborn’ to revive the discarded ‘Flame Ruler’, and sacrifice him, activating his effect, to summon my strongest card!”

The flame warrior appeared, and disappeared, and was replaced by a bronze dragon with huge sharp claws, broad sweeping wings, horns, and a crystal in his forehead.

“Time to fight your dragons with a dragon of my own,” Tucker declared. “I Summon ‘Tyrant Dragon’!”

The dragon roared at the utterance of his name (ATK: 2900). I stared, amazed, at the sight before me. Aside from the ‘Blue-Eyes White Dragon’, the ‘Tyrant Dragon was the strongest non-Fusion dragon in the game to date!

“Oh wow, Tuck! Where’d you get that?”

“From Pegasus,” he answered. “I went to find a bathroom last night, and I stumbled into a room with a bunch of cards displayed on the wall. A trophy room type of deal. This one caught my eye. So I asked Pegasus about the card, and he said it was a perfect fit for me and that I could have it!

“Now check it out! This monster is gonna save us here. Attack ‘Lord of Dragons’, Tyrant Burst!”

The ‘Lord of Dragons’ was completely blown away (7200+1200-2900=5500).

“And because you still control another monster,” Tucker went on, “I can attack one more time, Tyrant Burst!”

The dragon attacked again, this time targeting ‘Luster Dragon #2’. ‘Luster Dragon’ lasted less than an instant in the face of the bronze dragon’s flames (5500+ 2400-2900=5000).

“End my turn.”

I was inspired. I didn’t even hesitate before calling, “Draw!” Tucker’s play and the energy behind it had the potential to be game breaking. I just had to keep that energy flowing.

“For my move I summon ‘Pinch Hopper’,” I declared, “and I activate ‘Multi-plication of Ants’, sending ‘Hopper’ to the Graveyard to summon two ‘Army Ant Tokens’.” my ‘Hopper’ faded away, and he was replaced by two giant ants as big as large dogs (DEF: 1200 (each)).

“Next, because my ‘Hopper’ went to the Graveyard, I can summon any insect from my hand. I Summon, ‘Insect Queen’!” A huge insect with a vaguely human torso atop a massive abdominal segment, with huge arms and four long, strong insect legs appeared, towering over me, reaching a height on par with that of Tucker’s dragon (ATK: 2200+(200xNumber of Insects on Field (3))=2800).

“Now,” I continued, “I activate two Spell cards, ‘Promotion’ and ‘Insect Imitation’. ‘Promotion’ raises the level of my ‘Army Ant Token’ to five, letting me sacrifice it for the effect of ‘Insect Imitation’ and summon a level six monster.”

‘Army Ant Token’ was encased in a huge egg sack. The sack tore open, and my frilly-necked mantis emerged, “Summon, ‘Empress Mantis’ (ATK: 2200)! Now I activate another Spell card, ‘Offerings to the Doomed’! I give up my next Draw Phase to destroy ‘Cave Dragon’.” The ground broke open beneath the dragon, and aged bandages rose up out of the ground and wrapped the dragon, pulling him down into the ground, which closed behind him.

“‘Empress Mantis’, attack ‘Luster Dragon’ with Royal Insect Blade!” The mantis slashed, and the dragon fell (5000+1900-2200=4700).

“Sacrifice ‘Army Ant Token’,” I declared, as the second ant disappeared, “to attack with ‘Insect Queen’ (ATK: 2800-200=2600) against ‘Kiryu’, Acid Stream!”

‘Insect Queen’ spewed a stream of acid at the red dragon, and it melted into slag (4700+2000-2600=4100).

It was all over for Lawrence. He had no monsters, and Tucker and I each had our rarest cards on the field. It didn’t matter what he did. He couldn’t win.

“I end my turn.”

Lawrence drew, and when he saw his newest card, he broke out in a fit of maniacal laughter. “Do you think I’m done?!” he demanded. “Well, you haven’t even seen a fraction of my power. Activate ‘Card of Sanctity’, letting me draw six new cards!”

Lawrence drew, smiling wickedly.

“Just what I needed,” he announced. “I activate ‘Trade In’, discarding one high level monster to draw two more cards, followed by ‘Monster Reborn’ to revive the discarded monster. I summon the dragon of light, the engine of destruction, ‘Blue-Eyes White Dragon’!”

“No way,” said Tucker, fear filling his eyes. “There are only three ‘Blue-Eyes White Dragons’ left in the entire world, and all three belong to the Japanese champion, Kaiba Corp. President Seto Kaiba! You can’t have one!”

“That’s not entirely true,” Lawrence replied, bragging. “A few years ago, just after Duelist Kingdom, I2 printed three limited release ‘Blue-Eyes White Dragons’ to use as tournament prize cards, but they were all bought up in a back door deal before their existence was even made public. This is one of those cards!”

And so, despite the clear improbability of it, in a flash of white light the legendary dragon emerged, letting loose its signature roar, one that every Duelist knew by heart (ATK: 3000).

“Activate ‘Burst Stream of Destruction’,” Lawrence continued. “My ‘Blue-Eyes’ on the field at this moment can’t attack this turn, but in exchange, he gains the power to destroy every monster controlled by the opposing player or players!”

‘Blue-Eyes’ inhaled, and then exhaled a stream of light, mowing mine and Tucker’s monsters down before our very eyes.

“Now for another Spell,” Lawrence said. “You’re surprised that I have one ‘Blue-Eyes’? Well what about three! That’s right, I have all three of the secret print cards! My Spell is ‘Polymerization’! I use it to fuse the ‘Blue-Eyes’ on the field with the two in my hand to form the three-headed ‘Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon’!”

Two more ‘Blue-Eyes’ appeared and the three monsters merged into one, a three-headed version of the same. The three heads roared first at each other, and then more loudly at Tucker and I. It was just itching to attack (ATK: 4500).

“Now to end it, Ultimate Burst!” Converging beams from the three mouths hit me dead on. The impact was huge. I coughed once and tasted blood (6200-4500=1700).

“Activate ‘De-Fusion’,” Lawrence said, “breaking my dragon down into three separate monsters!” The massive dragon separated, and the three ‘Blue-Eyes’ roared (ATK: 3000 (each)).

“End it!” Lawrence commanded, and the dragons fired their attacks, two against Tucker, and one against me (5300-3000-3000=0/1700-3000=0).

I saw Tucker fall to the ground, just before I faded into unconsciousness myself.


John


I stood facing my opponent, aware that my friends had fallen. I was in a tough spot, but I refused to back down. Win or lose, I would see this duel through to the end.

“To end my turn,” Karen concluded, “I set one card.”

“Good, that means I can start turning this game around.” I drew, “Activate ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two cards. Next, I activate ‘Soul Release’, combining it with the Continuous Spell card ‘Soul Absorption’. I remove five cards in my Graveyard from play, and recover five hundred Life Points per card (LP: 5600+(500x5)=8100). Next I Flip-Summon my ‘Gren Maju Da Eiza’, a Fiend-type whose base Attack always equals the number of cards that I have removed from play multiplied by four hundred.” A red fiend with a centipede-like body from the waist down appeared. From the waist up, he looked a lot like ‘Great Maju Garzett’ (ATK: 400x5=2000).

Speaking of which…

“Now I Sacrifice ‘Gren Maju Da Eiza’ to summon ‘Great Maju Garzett’, whose Attack is equal to twice the Attack of the sacrificed monster’s base attack!” ‘Gren Maju’ dissolved into smoke that reformed into the huge skeletal fiend (ATK: 4000).

“Attack the ‘Toon Blue-Eyes’ with Vile Energy!” The fiend discharged his attack, trying to destroy the comical foe. But once again, my opponent was ready.

“Activate ‘Absolute End’,” Karen countered, “causing your attack to bypass my monster and hit me directly.” The ‘Toon Dragon’ flexed around the beam, and it hit Karen in the chest (7000-4000=3000).

“Eh, you’ll get no complaints from me on that one,” I said. “End my turn. Make your last move.”

Karen drew and said, “You’re right, this is my last move, but not for the reasons you think. I’m ending this duel, not you. My Spell card, ‘Megamorph’, doubles the attack of one monster that I control if my Life Points are lower than my opponent’s.”

A glowing ring appeared on the ground beneath the ‘Toon Dragon’, and he flexed his muscles, which exploded out like mini volcanoes (3000x2=6000).

“You were planning this from the start of the duel,” I asked, “weren’t you?”

“Since the first card was played,” Karen answered proudly. “‘Toon Skull’, attack directly with Toon Demon Lightning!” a bolt of lightning struck me from above (Karen: 3000-500=2500/Me: 8100-2500=5600).

“Finish him, Burst Stream!” The ‘Toon Blue-Eyes’ attacked (Karen: 2500-500 =2000), bypassing my monster and hitting me directly. I couldn’t believe it. I’d been defeated. It was all over. My team and I had fallen. The last thing I saw was the members of the Order walking away.

Then the world went black.

(5600-6000=0).[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Eighteen]

Search for a Guide


I was awoken by a very concerned co-pilot. She was in her forties with short gray-brown hair and wore the logo for the chartered plane’s airline on her uniform. After checking myself to make sure I really was alive, and checking that my friends were also more or less okay, if shaken up, I assured her that we were okay, and she led us to the plane.

We boarded up a set of moving stairs and took our seats. It was one of the smaller passenger liners, but it was still too big for only the four of us.

It wasn’t for nearly an hour that we finally spoke to each other. “So,” Jen asked, “has anyone managed to figure out why they let us live?”

“Because they’re so strong they know we can’t win?” Tucker suggested, grumbling.

“Maybe they really were just trying to scare us off,” I said, though I’m sure I didn’t sound any more convinced than I felt. “But if I were in their place, and if I’d had the chance to kill off my only competition, I would have taken it.”

“I’m with you,” said Sarah, sounding between exasperated and angry.

“I mean,” I continued, “they don’t know how much I want to beat them and show them what it feels like.” I was shaking. Sarah put her had on my shoulder. For the first time in years, since I'd learned to control my anger better, she was the calmer one.

I saw Jen’s eyes light up, “What did you say?”

“They just swept us aside like so much trash!” said Tucker, punching his palm. “I can’t believe they won! How are we supposed to stop them? They aren’t just gonna let us get the Souls! Not after that.”

“You wanna go home?” I asked him.

“Hell no! Win or lose, I want another shot at that dragon guy!”

“They had so many rare cards,” said Sarah. “And their strategies were so ruthless. They played only to win. But…”

“But what?” I pried.

“Well, deep down, I don’t think they were all too bad, you know?”

“Are you kidding?” Tucker laughed disbelievingly. “You should be vowing to rip them apart, or cussin’ up a storm, or some other Sarah-like thing. They tried to kill us!”

“No,” said Jen, “I don’t think they did. If they really wanted to kill us, we would be dead. You felt what that Shadow Game did to us. I think they had other motives.”

“Like what?” I asked her, unconvinced.

“Well, now, at least as far as they’re concerned, they know they can defeat us. I think their real objective was to psyche us up, to inspire us to move forward and avenge our loss. To make sure we actually went through with this whole crazy journey. That we actually did go all the way to the Burial of the Soul, and open it. Guys, I think that, even if the Order did get to the Burial first, they wouldn’t be able to open it. I think that they need us to do it for them.”

“So you’re saying that we could be walking into a trap?” Sarah asked.

“Exactly.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I replied. “We know that this whole thing is for real now. Maybe these guys let us go because they aren’t too bad, or because they think we’re no threat. Maybe they’re setting a trap for us, trying to use us. But either way, they are our enemies. Given enough time, they might find another way into the Burial, and Tucker’s right, they’ll be back for us eventually, and next time the stakes will be much higher. We have to be prepared.”

I looked out the window, my thoughts drifting, and said, “You know, I don’t get something. ‘Dark Magician’ and even ‘Blue-Eyes’, as rare as they are, are easy enough to get your hands on if you have the right resources, but where did my opponent get a Toon deck. I thought Pegasus was the only one with a Toon deck in the entire world. Where did she get such powerful cards?”

“There are a lot of questions,” said Jen.

“Yeah,” I said, “and something tells me it’ll be hell finding the answers.”


It was a few hours before we arrived in Egypt. The sun, though still in the sky above us, was nearer to setting than not. My team and I stepped out of the jet carrying our bags, which contained cloths and our Duel Disks, and were met by a slender Egyptian man of about twenty-five wearing mostly white.

“I am Kalar," he introduced himself, though his tone gave the sense that this was not his real name. “Mr. Pegasus, a good friend of mine, asked me to meet you here and to give you this,” he handed me an envelope full of cash. “He told me that you would know what it was for. He also asked me to help you as much as possible to find someone who knows the location of a particular ruin. I have other concerns that need my attention, so we must move quickly.”

“You know,” said Tucker, “I figured this was gonna suck, but between the cash and this guy, finding a guide should be a cinch!”


“Why is finding a guide so hard?!” Tucker cried, drawing the attention of everyone on the ragged street. It had been two hours, and we had already been to six guides, all well known for their knowledge of off-the-map places, and for their willingness to seek danger, but none would even go so far as to tell us the location of the Burial, let alone take us there. It was strange. They had all seemed eager to help, until they discovered where it was that we intended to go.

“Kalar,” I asked, “what am I missing? Why does it seem like nobody wants to go to the Burial?”

“The Burial of the Soul is an unusual site. Very few even believe in its existence, and out of those who do, very few would ever go there. Most of those who seek it out in the hopes of launching a research expedition get lost, unable to find the Burial, or the way back. Rescue teams usually find them before they die, but that has not stopped the rumor from being spread that even the name Burial of the Soul bestows upon you a curse of bad luck.”

“Great,” Jen said sarcastically, “we’ll never be able to get anyone to take us there!”

“Oh yes we will,” said Tucker, “all we have to do is show everyone that there’s no bad luck curse.”

“And how are we going to do that?” Sarah asked.

“Heh heh, watch and learn. HEY, WHO KNOWS HOW TO GET TO THE BURIAL OF THE SOUL!?! COME ON, LOOK, I SAID IT AND NOTHING BAD HAPPENED! BURIAL OF THE - OOF!”

It was at that moment that Tucker was hit in the head by a stray ball thrown by some kids in a nearby alley, and was knocked over. “Wow, great job moron,” Sarah said, standing over him with her arms crossed.

But, to my surprise, Tuck’s antics seemed to have worked. As soon as he was done with all of his screaming, a tall man with dark skin walked toward us. He had a stern face that was partially hidden by a combination of a cloth face mask and the shadow from the hood of his cloak. He approached me and asked, “Are you four looking for the Burial of the Soul?”


After parting ways with Kalar, who had to take care of some mysterious “important matters”, we followed the tall man back to a run-down restaurant where we sat at a table near one of the many glassless windows and discussed the situation. I almost didn’t tell him the whole story, but then he asked me why four kids wanted to find an ancient ruin. What could I say to that? So I told him everything.

“So will you help us?” I concluded. “We can pay you. We have plenty of money.”

The man seemed to ponder this. His gaze drifted to my bag. It had fallen partially open, revealing the Duel Disk it carried. When he saw my Duel Disk, his eyes widened.

“You four are Duelists?” He asked.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“I thought you were them,” he said, “but I couldn’t be sure until now, since I saw no sign that you were Duelists. I had a dream that I believe to be prophetic, which told me that I would lead four Duelists to the Burial of the Soul. I now know that you are the four from my dream, but I must test the integrity of the ones I would lead. If the Burial of the Soul really contains the kind of power that you claim it does, I must make sure that you are honorable before delivering that power to you. You understand?”

“Of course,” I said, smiling, “and I think I know where this is going.” I took the Duel Disk from my bag and strapped it to my arm. “If it’s a duel you want, it’s a duel you’ll get!”


We stepped out of the restaurant and made our way to an open lot down the street. The man pulled a Duel Disk out of a holster around his waist, under his cloak, and strapped it to his arm, preparing to duel.

“You may have the first move if you wish,” said the man. “I am eager to see what you are capable of. After all, just as a martial artist can read another martial artist through his movements, so can a Duelist read his opponent through his cards.”

“No,” I said, just as eager to see my opponent’s cards as he was mine, “I think I’ll let you go first. I’m pretty curious about you, too.”

“As you wish,” said the man, “I draw, and place five cards face-down. End turn.”

“No monsters?” I said, surprised by my opponent’s unusual play.

What kind of deck could he be using if he didn’t summon any monsters in his first turn? I wondered, but when no answer came immediately to mind, I put the question out of mind and continued.

“Alright,” I said, “then let’s see what you’ve got. I summon the ‘Whiptail Crow’ in attack mode.”

My monster appeared, an orange-skinned creature with bird-like legs, wings, and beak, and a long, whip-like tail (ATK: 1650).

“To the summoning of your monster,” my opponent countered, “I chain the Trap card ‘Jar of Greed’ and the Continuous card ‘Solemn Wishes’. I draw one card, and then I gain five hundred Life Points, as I will from now on every time I draw any cards (LP: 8000+500=8500).”

“It won’t matter,” I said, “because I get to attack directly. Tail-whip Attack!”

“Reveal ‘Ordeal of a Traveler’,” my opponent declared. His newest Trap, another Continuous Trap, revealed itself and became wreathed in a red light. My ‘Crow’ became wreathed in the same light. “Each time you attack, you select a card from my hand and guess whether it is a Spell, Trap, or Monster card. If you guess right, your attack continues as usual, but if not, your monster returns to your hand.”

“That’s fine,” I said, “I’m good at guessing games. Besides, based on your strategy so far, I’m gonna say that the card on the right is a Trap.”

“Incorrect,” my opponent said, showing me a Spell card. I had never seen it before, but I could read the title; ‘Cathedral of Nobles’. My ‘Whiptail Crow’ disappeared, and I returned its card to my hand.


“I place a card face-down,” I said, “and end my turn.” I can tell, this is going to be one interesting duel![/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Nineteen]

A Duelist’s Honor;
Show Him Your Spirit!


“I draw,” my opponent said (LP: 9000), “and follow up with the Trap card ‘Reckless Greed’. I draw two cards, but I must also skip my next two Draw Phases (9000+500=9500). Now, I activate ‘Cathedral of Nobles’, and place one card face-down. By the effect of ‘Cathedral of Nobles’, I activate the card I just set, ‘Jar of Greed’ to draw again (9500+500=10,000). Finally, I reveal ‘Embodiment of Apophis’, a Trap Monster card.”

What’s going on here? I wondered. That’s two cards I’ve never heard of right there! And one of them lets you play Traps that you just set?!

My opponent flipped over a Trap, and a monster emerged. It was an armored snake with a man’s torso, a humanoid head, and a second snake-like head rising from the nape of its neck. It carried a shield and sword and hissed loudly (ATK: 1600).

“Set another card and attack, Serpent Saber!”

“Oh yeah!” I said. “Now I’ve got you! Trap or not, a monster is a monster, and monsters can be destroyed. Trap card activate, ‘Sakuretsu Armor’!”

A suite of black armor appeared between me and the attacking serpent.

“This card blocks your attack and destroys the attacking monster!” I explained, but my opponent was ready.

“You are wrong,” my opponent countered. “Reveal the card I just set, ‘Seven Tools of the Bandit’. By paying one thousand Life Points (10,000-1000=9000), I can disarm your Trap.”

My armor shattered, and the Trap Monster’s attack went through (LP: 8000-1600=6400).

“Now,” said my opponent, “I reveal the Spell card ‘Sebek’s Blessing’. I gain Life Points equal to the damage you were just dealt (9000+1600=10,600). Now finally, I set two more cards face-down and end my turn.”

“I draw,” I declared, frustrated with my current run of luck.

I can’t let things continue this way.

“I summon my ‘Cannon Soldier’. With only fourteen hundred Attack he’s weaker than your ‘Apophis’ now, but that will all change when I equip him with the black blade, ‘Sword of Dark Destruction’ (ATK: 1400+400=1800). I also activate ‘Mystical Space Typhoon’ to destroy the ‘Ordeal of a Traveler’ card, giving me a clear path to attack your Trap Monster, Dark Blade Cannon!”

‘Cannon Soldier’ raised the evil blade, charged with a red and purple energy that he absorbed into his cannon barrel. He charged up his cannon and fired at the serpent. ‘Apophis’ raised his shield, but the enhanced attack cut right through, incinerating ‘Apophis’ in one shot (10,600+1600-1800=10,400).

“Now,” I said, “I end my turn.”

“At the end of your turn,” my opponent said, “I reveal ‘Reckless Greed’ to again draw two cards. Now I gain Life Points from the effect of ‘Solemn Wishes’ (10,400 +500=10,900), and begin my turn. I start with two Trap cards, my face-down ‘Jar of Greed’, and another ‘Reckless Greed’ from my hand. I draw three cards (LP: 11,900), and summon ‘Makyura the Destructor’.” An armored claw-wielding demon warrior appeared, wearing a full face mask that bore the Millennium Eye symbol which is so common in Duel Monsters. “Set and activate ‘Embodiment of Apophis’. Equip ‘Apophis’ with the Trap card ‘Blast with Chain’.”

Another ‘Apophis’ appeared, his sword sheathed, a chain in hand. Near one end of the chain hung a bundle of dynamite. On the other end hung a curved blade (ATK: 1600+500=2100).

“Attack with ‘Embodiment of Apophis’, Chain Sling.” The blade hit my machine, slicing him in half (5400+1800-2100=5100), leaving me defenseless.

“Direct attack with ‘Makyura’,” his monster rushed me and ran past, slashing with his claws (5100-1600=3500). “I end my turn.”

This would be a great time to make an appearance buddy, I thought, preparing to draw my card. This card had never let me down before, and it wouldn’t let me down now. I drew, Bingo!

“I Special Summon my ‘Fiend Megacyber’,” I said, “my favorite card.”

The yellow-armored warrior appeared at my side, his arms crossed (ATK: 2200), and my face twisted into a confidant smile. “Next I re-summon my ‘Whiptail Crow’ (ATK: 1650).

“‘Crow’, attack ‘Makyura’ with Tailwhip,” I commanded, and the bird-like fiend slashed the warrior in half with his tail (11,900+1600-1650=11,850), “and ‘Megacyber’ crushes your ‘Apophis’ with his Megacyber Impact!” ‘Megacyber’ moved in close to the serpent. ‘Apophis’ swung the chain weapon. ‘Megacyber’ ducked underneath and sprung forward, nailing ‘Apophis’ in the face, killing it (11,850+2100-2200=11,750).

“Because ‘Makyura the Destructor’ was sent to the Graveyard,” my opponent said, “I can activate Trap cards from my hand until the end of the turn. Activate ‘Call of the Haunted’ to return ‘Makyura’ to the field.” The warrior was reborn, brandishing his claws.

“On my turn,” my opponent explained, “I sacrifice ‘Makyura the Destructor’ to summon the legendary guardian of the ‘Cathedral of Nobles’, ‘Mystical Beast Serket’! All who wish to explore the ancient ‘Cathedral of Nobles’ must first prove themselves against ‘Serket’s almost godly powers.”

Prove themselves against ‘Serket’…

It was brown with a body like a flattened cigar, a scorpion tail, and lobster-like claws and legs. At the front end of the cigar-like body was an ovular mouth lined with rows of razor teeth. At either end of and slightly above the thing’s mouth was a bulbous red eye. Directly above its mouth, on a stalk, was a sort of spherical second head bearing the same Millennium Eye symbol as ‘Makyura’’s mask (ATK: 2500).

“My legendary beast will be your undoing,” my opponent said. “Allow me to demonstrate his unique powers. ‘Serket’, attack with Beast Devourer!”

‘Serket’ reached out with his pinchers and grabbed my ‘Fiend Megacyber’ by the arms. He opened his mouth wide and swallowed my monster whole. I lost life points (3500+2200-2500=3200), and ‘Serket’ grew larger, his Attack rising (2500+500 =3000). My opponent’s Life Points remained ominously high, and after just one more skipped draw phase, he would be able to draw again, and his Life Points would increase further.

“Now,” my opponent continued, “I end my turn with the Spell card ‘Mesmeric Control’, locking your ‘Crow’ into attack mode.”

Okay, this guy said he was testing me, right? But he never said that I had to beat him, just that I had to prove myself. Then he dropped that hint about ‘Serket’ being a monster that tests trespassers. He must want me to prove that my Duelist’s spirit is pure by overcoming his legendary beast.

“If you want me to defeat your beast,” I said, almost under my breath, “then I’ll show you my spirit in the form of ‘Great Maju Garzett’!”

I drew my card, and without even looking I sent my ‘Whiptail Crow’ to the Graveyard, and placed the new card down in its place. The ‘Crow’ become a wisp of black smoke that took form, becoming the fiend, ‘Great Maju Garzett’ (ATK: 3300).

“Also, since the attack of your ‘Serket’ removed my ‘Fiend Megacyber’ from play, out of my reach, I’ll settle for using ‘Monster Reborn’ to summon ‘Whiptail Crow’ from the Graveyard instead,” The ‘Crow’ reappeared.

“I attack with ‘Great Maju’, Vile Energy!”

The fiend fired his attack, which was absorbed by a barrier. “Reveal,” my opponent said, “the Trap card ‘Negate Attack’, canceling your attack and ending the Battle Phase.”

Correctly guessing that my turn was over, my opponent began his without drawing a card, as he was still under the effect of ‘Reckless Greed’.

“‘Serket’,” he declared, “attack again and destroy his ‘Whiptail Crow’,” ‘Serket’ swallowed my ‘Crow’ (3200+1650-3000=1550) and grew larger once again, its power rising above that of ‘Great Maju Garzett’, my last ultimate monster (3000+500=3500).

“All I can do,” I said, “is place one card face-down.”

My opponent nodded and said, “Finally I draw, and I gain five hundred Life Points (11,350+500=11,850). Attack ‘Great Maju Garzett’ with Beast Devourer.”

‘Serket’ moved forward, and was repelled by a glowing green barrier. “I won’t let you,” I said. “Reveal ‘Draining Shield’, blocking your attack and converting it into Life Points. It doesn’t buy me much time, but it might be just what I needed.”

A metal disk appeared in the air between my monster and ‘Serket’, spinning rapidly and glowing with a green light. When ‘Serket’ came too close, the disk projected a barrier made of healing energy that pushed ‘Serket’ back, and then energized me, restoring my strength (1550+3500=5050).

I drew, and searched my hand. I need a way to counter the effect of ‘Serket’ long enough to take it down, and I may have just the thing!

“I activate,” I said, “my ‘Darkness Approaches’ Spell card. I throw two cards into the Graveyard to envelope your monster in a magical darkness, resetting its Attack to the original value.”

Around ‘Serket’ formed a cloud of black fog. Just before he was obscured completely, I saw ‘Serket’ return to his original size.

“Now,” I continued, “I attack with Vile Energy!” ‘Great Maju’ fired his attack, dispersing the darkness, and piercing ‘Serket’ through (11,850+2500-3300=11,050).

“I end my turn.”

My opponent walked toward me. “I am most impressed that you were able to defeat my monster. You have proven that you are honorable,” he said, placing his hand over his deck, ending the duel. He removed his cloth mask and his hood, revealing a bald head and a stern face with Egyptian symbols tattooed over the left side.

“I am Odion Ishtar,” he told us, “and I would be honored to act as your guide.”[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Twenty]

A Night in Egypt


Odion helped my team and I find an inn where we could stay the night. He said that he would meet us outside the inn the next morning to begin our journey. We rented two rooms at the inn, one for the boys and one for the girls. Once we were settled in, we tried to sleep. When I couldn’t, I woke Tucker with one of my more brilliant ideas.

“You want to do what?!”

“I want to go card hunting! It’s only 12:30, and we still have a ton of the cash Pegasus gave us. Let’s go card hunting!”

“And what makes you think we’ll find any cards here?” Tucker asked, annoyed.

“Because I said so. And because Pegasus said the game originated here.”

Tucker thought for a second, looked at me and said, “Fine, but we better not get mugged and beaten or I’ll mug and beat you.”


Fifteen minutes later, Tucker and I were walking the streets near the inn, searching for a place that sold cards. We decided that, since each of the four of us used very different decks, Tucker and I would keep the cards that we could use, and then we would give the rest to the girls.

It wasn’t long before we came across a store where a group of Duelists were gathered around a large wooden platform. Two duelists stood on the platform opposite each other. One of them, a dark skinned boy, was being hammered by a larger boy with light skin wearing an American Flag shirt and tattered blue jeans. As the dark-skinned boy lost the last of his Life Points, a short heavy man standing behind the boy stepped forward and said, “And another victory for the heavy hitting wonder from America, Robert, on tour here for one night only! Step up now. For a small fee you can challenge Robert, and if you can defeat Robert, you win the grand prize of one hundred fifty packs of cards!”

“Told you we’d find cards,” I said.

“And you know what,” said Tucker, “it looks like we won’t need that cash after all, ’cause I’m gonna win that prize.” He reached into my bag, where we had the cash, pulled some out, and cried, “Hey, you, I’m Pyro Tucker, and I challenge you!”


“You can’t beat me,” said Robert (LP: 4000). “Nobody can.”

“Whatever, just go.”

“Fine!” Robert cried. “I summon the ‘Battle Footballer’, attack mode!” A mechanical football player appeared (ATK: 1000). “And one card face-down.”

“That’s all? Okay,” Tucker said, “then I’ll place two cards face-down, and summon ‘Flame Ruler’ (ATK: 1500). Attack, Fireball.”

‘Flame Ruler’ threw a fireball at the ‘Footballer’, but Robert was prepared.

“Reveal ‘Defensive Lineup’,” Robert declared, “changing ‘Footballer’ to defense mode.” The monster crouched down (DEF: 2100), deflecting the fireball back at Tucker, dealing him damage (LP: 4000+1500-2100=3400).

“Now,” said Robert, “I pay twelve hundred Life Points (LP: 4000-1200=2800) to equip my ‘Footballer’ with ‘Run a Play’, a card that increases the Attack of the ‘Footballer’ by an amount equal to his Defense during my Battle Phase, gives him piercing, and allows him to attack while in Defense mode! I attack your monster (ATK: 1000+2100=3100).” ‘Footballer’ threw a football at ‘Flame Ruler’, destroying him (3400+1500-3100=1900).

Robert laughed, “I end my turn.”

“Not before I activate this,” Tucker announced. “Reveal ‘Des Counterblow’, destroying any monster that dealt me damage.” A burst of flame incinerated the ‘Footballer’, something that Robert obviously never thought would happen, judging by the ridiculous, stunned look on his face.

“Now,” Tucker said, “I remove ‘Flame Ruler’ from play to summon ‘Inferno’,” the living flame appeared, “and sacrifice him for ‘Mr. Volcano’,” the flame flared up and then disappeared, revealing Tucker’s favorite monster (ATK: 2100).

“Reveal ‘Salamandra’, empowering my monster with a dragon flame.” A dragon shaped stream of fire poured into ‘Mr. Volcano’, and his power rose (2100+700=2800).

“Mr. Volcano’,” Tucker commanded, “direct attack, Streaming Flame.” Tucker’s monster snapped his fingers, and frames engulfed Robert (LP: 2800-2800=0). “Looks like that prize is mine.”

“It would seem so,” the stout man said, “but wouldn’t you like to give Robert here a chance to win back his honor?”

“No. I just want my cards.”

The man scowled. “Well then,” he said, “congratulations.”


The man handed Tucker a box, and before we knew it we were on our way back to the inn. We passed by an alley, and the stout man and the large boy, Robert, emerged.

“We’re going to need those cards back,” the stout man said. “You see, they’re our money maker. This scheme we’ve got going, traveling from one city to the next and beatin’ wannabes, it’s gonna make us rich, but you will have to give us our cards back first.”

Tucker and I looked at each other and them back at the man, and I said, “Uh, no.”

“What did I say about getting mugged?” Tucker said.

“We still have our stuff,” I said, “so we technically haven’t been mugged yet.”

“True.”

“Robert,” the man said, “go get our stuff.”

“With pleasure,” Robert said, his hands balled into fists. He ran at Tucker, who sighed. Robert punched, and Tucker ducked, coming up and slamming Robert in the jaw with his elbow. Robert fell over, moaning in pain. Tucker and I went to stand over him. “Dude,” I said, “I think you broke his jaw.”

“Eh, he’ll live.”


We made our way back to the inn and opened our packs of cards. Our decks got some major boosts, which I was sure we were gonna need. I wasn’t sure if we were a match for the Order, but I was sure that we were as ready as we were going to get.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Twenty-One]

The Burial of the Soul


The next morning we went with Odion to rent one of those heavy duty jeeps. They didn’t have any of the monstrous climate controlled fortress ones, so we had to settle for a sort of cargo truck with a canvas covering over the bed and only two real seats in the front for the driver and one passenger. I sat up front, and while Sarah and Jen improved their decks with their new cards, Odion and I discussed tactics.

“All I’m saying,” I said, “is that, strong as your Trap strategy is, its one fundamental flaw is the lack of monsters. You have Trap Monsters, yes, but they are vulnerable to effects that can target monsters, or effects that can target traps.”

“That is true, which is why I use ‘Serket’, a monster that few have ever managed to overcome,” Odion countered.

“Alright, I guess I have to give you that one,” I admitted, conceding the point, just to prevent an argument. After all, I’d “overcome” ‘Serket’, so it couldn’t be too terribly hard.

We were silent for a few minutes before he spoke again. “These Duelist of the Order. I’ve heard of their organization. From what I hear, they exist in cities all over the world, and also from what I hear, every Duelist who is a member is very strong. Is it true what I’ve heard?”

“Well, we only met the three that fought us before,” I told him, “but from what Pegasus said, the organization is pretty big. And as for their power, well, let me put it this way; any one of them could have destroyed you, based on what I saw of your deck yesterday. If you were holding back, like I think you were, you might’ve given them some trouble before they beat you. Especially that Karen girl. The way she duels is almost scary. She was able to predict my moves before I even played any cards and defend with just the right combination.”

I must have sounded as frustrated as the memory made me feel, because Odion decided to offer me some welcome advice, “Her deck will, of course, have a weakness.”

“How do you know?” I asked.

“Because every deck has a weakness,” he said. “My deck, while it is fast and fortified, it lacks monsters, and many of its monsters are extra vulnerable. Your deck is very balanced, but it has weaknesses as well. I’m sure that when the time comes, you will discover Karen’s weakness.”

“I dunno,” I said. “I watched those Toons, looking for a weakness, but I couldn’t find one. They are strong, easy to summon, and they can bypass my monsters when they attack.”

“Do you know professional Duel Monsters?”

“Yeah,” I said, “but only the big stuff.”

“Then you’ll know of Yugi Muto’s legendary victory over Maxamillion Pegasus?” Odion asked.

“Of course!” I exclaimed. “Every serious Duelist does. He used the old style arena dynamics to take advantage of the first edition rules for Kuriboh and combined him with Multiply to overcome Pegasus’ ‘Thousand-Eyes Restrict’, something that no Duelist had ever even considered before!”

“Yes,” Odion said, “but first he had to contend with Pegasus’ Toons and their home, the magical realm of ‘Toon World’ from which they draw their power. To defeat them, Yugi discovered a weakness in the Toons that not even Pegasus was able to overcome.”

It hit me like a slap to the face, “You mean ‘Toon World’! The weakness of the Toon monsters is the magic book that gives them life, ‘Toon World’! If I destroy ‘Toon World’, the Toons will lose their power and die.”

“Exactly,” said Odion. “With that knowledge, you should be able to go into battle with the edge you need to win.”

“Thanks,” I said, genuinely grateful.

“You are destined to do great things for this world,” he replied, as if maybe he’d seen a few of those things in his dreams. “That is thanks enough.”


Tucker


I had dozed off in the back of the truck, and was dreaming that I was dueling Lawrence and his dragons. He was destroying my monsters one after another. It all came down to two monsters. I could only summon one or the other, and if I made the wrong choice, I would lose. My first instinct was to summon the first card, ‘Tyrant Dragon’, but when I really thought it through, I realized that if I did Lawrence would just summon up ‘Blue-Eyes White Dragon’ and destroy it, so I used ‘Tyrant Dragon’ as an offering to summon the second card, a new card that I had just added to my deck the night before, and I won.

That’s when I woke up, “I know how to win the duel.”

“What,” Jen asked, “how?”

“Once it starts,” I replied, beaming with anticipation, “just follow my lead, and we can’t lose.”


Sarah


I went through my cards again, old and new. I had just finished adding more of the kinds of cards that I was known for to my deck. The principle of my deck was the same, but I had a few new tricks up my sleeves that I was sure would even confuse a master magician.

It’s not every day that I stick up for someone, Monty, I thought, thinking about the blank, almost sad look that I’d seen in his eyes. Don’t get me wrong, I still intended to fight Monty, as I was sure he still intended to fight me, but I couldn’t help but wonder why I’d stuck up for him in the first place, and if I’d ever get an answer.


John


As we made our way closer to our goal, I knew that my friends were preparing as best they could for the battle that I we all knew was coming. I just hoped that we would be ready in time. Though I wasn’t physically doing anything, talking to Odion had helped me form a plan and get stronger from it. Then there was the dream.

As we drove along the sand of the desert, I drifted off to sleep. As I slept, I dreamed, and in my dream I heard a voice in a vast expanse of black. It was faint, and I felt that the darkness around me was trying to keep it from getting through.

“Who’s there? Who are you?” I asked the voice.

Guardian, I heard it reply, a trailing whisper.

“Guardian? Guardian of what?” I asked. “Guardian of the Twelve Souls?”

Yes. Release them. Destiny.

“I know,” I said, “we’re on our way now to release the Souls.”

Sealed.

“We have a Spell.”

Not…enough. Must…heart.

And just like that, the voice was gone.

“Wait!” I cried. “What do you mean? What about heart?”


Suddenly I was jerked awake when the truck came to an abrupt stop.

“We have arrived,” Odion said. “You must go alone from here.”

My team and I exited the truck and watched it power away until it was only a waiting speck on the horizon. Then we turned and walked through the sand, toward a stone doorway that was poking out of the dunes. We arrived in only a few minutes and took a minute to survey our surroundings. To either side of the door, along the frame, was chiseled a bird-headed man carrying an ankh in his outward-facing hand.

“This must be it,” I said. “Let’s do it.” I pulled out the Spell card that Pegasus had given us. As I lifted it toward the massive stone door, glowing text appeared. It seemed to be the same language as the text from the artifacts in Pegasus’ Egyptian room. I held the card up higher, and it started shaking, nearly ripping my arm off (at least that’s how it felt). The others had to help me steady it.

Then the ground began to shake, and a light flashed from the other side of the door, but other than that, nothing happened. I let my arm drop to my side and I steadied my breath. “Crap,” I said. “We must have done something wrong. Let’s try it again.” I raised the card, and it turned to dust, falling to the ground and becoming one with the sand at my feet.

“Did we just fail?” Sarah asked, a confused look on her face.

“Not yet,” came a voice from behind us. We wheeled around, and there was Karen, Monty, and Lawrence. Karen was the one speaking.

“No,” she said. “Your little Spell wasn’t to open the door and release the Souls, it was to unlock the doors. You’ll need a stronger magical boost to actually open the door. That boost could come from your natural tie to the Souls, or from us. That’s why we didn’t kill you. We needed you to unlock the door. We can’t unlock it, but now that you did, someone just needs to open it, and that’s something we can do.”

“It won’t be you,” I said, standing between them and the door, holding my arms straight out at my sides. “You’ll have to get past us first!”

Monty and Lawrence moved away from Karen, and my teammates followed suite, facing their respective opponents once they were a sufficient distance away, and the rematches began. This time, if we were taken down, we wouldn’t be getting up ever again.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Twenty-Two]

Duel Force vs. The Order;
Round Two


“This is your last warning,” said Karen. “We have a limited amount of magical energy, and we don’t know how much will be needed to open the doors. I’d rather not waste any on you. Leave now, and we’ll let you be. Stay and we won’t hold back. You four will die.”

“There is no way I’m letting your group get their hands on the Souls,” I replied fiercely, feeling my darker side ebbing up in the back of my mind as I anticipated the coming conflict, “and I know my friends are with me. We’re in this until the end.”

I hardened my features and clenched my fists. I could feel the shadows around me deepen and shift toward me. I looked Karen in the eyes, “So, unless you have more to say, let’s get this started. It’s really hot out here.”

“Alright,” said Karen, annoyance apparent in her voice, “If that’s how you want to play. Just remember, you were warned. Several times”

“This time I’ll make the first move,” I said, giving her no chance to argue. I drew.

“I start out with ‘Cannon Soldier’ in attack mode (ATK: 1400),” I began. “Next I place one card face-down and end my turn.”

“Then it’s my turn,” said Karen, clearly not impressed. “I begin with the Spell card ‘Graceful Charity’, drawing three cards and then discarding two. Next I play the Spell, ‘Vengeful Bog Spirit’. As long as this card remains face-up on the field, no monster can attack on the turn that it is summoned. I also activate ‘Toon World’, paying one thousand Life Points (8000-1000=7000) to activate, and allowing me to summon my Toons.”

The green book appeared, much to my dissatisfaction, and spewed pink smoke, “Activate ‘Monster Reborn’ to summon a monster from the Graveyard, my ‘Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon’!”

The smoke cleared, and there it was, Karen’s strongest Toon, already, in only the second turn (ATK: 3000).

“Finally I summon 'Toon Mermaid’ in attack mode, play a card face-down, and activate ‘Mirage of Nightmare’ to end my turn.”

Another of Karen’s Toons appeared, worrying me even more.

She isn’t wasting time, I thought. She wasn’t kidding when she said she wouldn’t be pulling any punches.

I drew, and Karen drew for the effect of ‘Mirage of Nightmare’. My hand was pretty good, but I was already seriously outgunned. If things didn’t go just right, the next couple turns could go very badly. Luckily, I’d just drawn the one card that guaranteed that things were about to go very, very well.

“For my turn,” I declared, a smug grin on my face, “I reveal ‘Limiter Removal’, doubling the Attack of my ‘Cannon Soldier’ until the end of the turn (1400x2=2800). Next I reveal ‘Heavy Storm’, destroying all Spell and Trap cards on the field, including ‘Toon World’ and all the Toons along with it!”

Around Karen and I rose a huge gale force wind. Karen’s cards shuttered.

“It won’t work,” Karen said, equally smug. “Reveal ‘Emergency Provisions’, sending ‘Toon World’, ‘Mirage of Nightmare’, and ‘Vengeful Bog Spirit’ to the Graveyard to gain three thousand Life Points (7000+3000=10,000). And because my ‘Toon World’ was sent to the Graveyard, but not destroyed, my Toons already on the field remain on the field.”

“But I can still attack,” I said, more than a little disappointed, but still happy that I’d prevented more Toons from being summoned. “‘Cannon Soldier’, attack the mermaid with Cannon Barrel.”

Energy built in the barrel of my ‘Soldier’’s cannon and fired, the blast overtaking the mermaid and blowing her away (10,000+1400-2800=8600).

“Now,” I said, “because ‘Limiter Removal’ destroys the monsters it affects at the end of the turn, I activate ‘Dimensionhole’, removing my ‘Cannon Soldier’ from play until my next Standby Phase. I place one card face-down, and summon ‘Gemini Elf’ in attack mode,” two beautiful elven women appeared (ATK: 1900), “and end my turn.”

“Then it’s my turn again,” said Karen, her face twisting into a wicked smile. “One face-down card, and I attack ‘Gemini Elf’ (8600-500=8100), Burst Stream attack!”

I couldn’t help but smile. After all, I had a plan, and it was all about to come together.


Sarah


“I’ll start things off,” said Monty, the same look in his eyes as last time. “I Begin with a set monster in defense mode, and two cards face-down.”

“Then here goes,” I said forcefully, trying to project more confidence than I actually felt. “I start out with my ‘Graceful Charity’ card, allowing me to draw three cards and discard two cards.”

As you might have guessed, I did as the card said, sending ‘Lekunga’ and ‘Sinister Serpent’ to the Graveyard.

I have a plan, I thought, but against a master of tricks and combos, I have no idea if it will work.

“Remove ‘Lekunga’ from play,” I declared, “to Special Summon my ‘Aqua Spirit’!”

Bubbles began to rise from the ground in front of me. Thousands of bubbles appeared and popped, revealing my favorite monster, a blue-skinned water sprite with delicate blue hair, wearing a pale blue dress (ATK: 1600).

“Next I play ‘Rod of Silence’, equipped to my ‘Aqua Spirit’, letting me Normal Summon ‘Guardian Kay’este’, and I play ‘Tailor of the Fickle’ to equip her ‘Rod’ to her,” a mermaid with a long, elegant tail and long green hair appeared, holding a blue rod.

“A monster equipped with ‘Rod of Silence’ is immune to Spells, and thanks to ‘Kay’este’’s ability she disappears like a mirage whenever an attack targets her. She is the ultimate immortal monster."

I gave that a minute to sink in before I continued, “Now, ‘Aqua Spirit’ attack the face-down monster, Magical Wave!”

‘Aqua Spirit’ raised her hands, and a jet of water burst forth. It was seconds from hitting the face-down card when the monster revealed itself, a large golden oil lamp.

“You attacked ‘Ancient Lamp’,” Monty said, “while it was face-down in defense mode (DEF: 1200). This activates my ‘Lamp’’s effect, redirecting your attack at another of your monsters.” A barrier came up around the ‘Lamp’. The water hit and bounced off, flying strait at ‘Kay’este’.

“I already told you,” I said, “my ‘Kay’este’ is immune to attacks.” ‘Kay’este’ disappeared, and the water hit the sand where she had just been. Once the attack had ended, she reappeared, completely unharmed.

“Since I couldn’t hit you with my attack this turn,” I said, “I’ll have to settle for setting a card. Go.”

Monty drew. His expression was impossible to read. “I begin my turn by activating the second effect of my ‘Lamp’,” he explained, “summoning ‘La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp’.”

From the lamp emerged a green genie, his arms crossed over his chest (ATK: 1800).

“Next I sacrifice ‘La Jinn’ and ‘Ancient Lamp’ to summon the ultimate wizard, ‘Dark Magician’.” The purple wizard made his first appearance of the duel on only the third turn, brandishing his staff (ATK: 2500). Good thing this time I was prepared for him.

“Next,” said Monty, “I play a familiar Spell card, my ‘Dark Magic Attack’, destroying ‘Rod of Silence’ and the face-down card.”

“No!” I cried as my cards were destroyed by the magician‘s attack.

“Now,” Monty continued, “attack ‘Aqua Spirit’ with Dark Magic Attack!” The magician summoned a sphere of energy to the tip of his staff and fired at my monster. The ‘Aqua Spirit’ knew she was no match and didn’t even try to resist. The sphere exploded, and smoked billowed outward from the impact point. When it cleared, my monster was still there, completely unharmed.

“How?” Monty asked, the smallest hint of shock leaking into his expression.

“I used my face-down ‘Woboku’,” I answered. “I activated it when you activated your Spell card, protecting me and my monsters from battle damage until the end of the turn, making your attack meaningless.”

Monty smiled, “That’s pretty good. I haven’t faced an opponent as strong as you in a while. But remember, girl, I’m not one to be stopped by one impressive move. The only way for you to win this duel is for you to defeat me, a task that is still beyond you.”

“We’ll see,” I said. But I wasn’t nearly as confident as I sounded. In fact, I was scared for my life.


Jen


“I move,” said Lawrence, staring Tucker and I down with a stern gaze. “I begin with the Spell card ‘Super Rejuvenation’. At the end of the turn, I draw a number of cards equal to the number of dragons that I discarded or sacrificed this turn. Next I activate ‘Graceful Charity’, drawing three cards and discarding two, both of which are dragons. Two of three specific dragons, actually. Next I summon ‘The Light - Hex-Sealed Fusion’, and activate ‘Dragon’s Mirror’, removing two ‘Blue-Eyes’ and ‘The Light’ from play to Fusion Summon ‘Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon’!”

Lawrence smiled a wide, evil smile as ‘The Light’, a seemingly random jumble of metal and flesh, appeared on his side. A burst of light flashed from it, taking on the faded a flickering form of the ‘Blue-Eyes White Dragon’. Two more dragon’s appeared at its sides, and before Tucker and I even had time to react, the three monsters merged into the three headed dragon that had already defeated me once before. I was determined not to lose to it again, but at the same time, I didn't know how it would be possible to win.

The dragon glared at us. It was eager to attack at the first opportunity (ATK: 4500).

“Next,” said Lawrence, “I play ‘White Dragon Ritual’, sacrificing the level four ‘Cave Dragon’ in my hand to summon ‘Paladin of White Dragon’.”

On Lawrence’s field, alongside the ‘Ultimate Dragon’ appeared a man in gleaming white armor, carrying a sword, riding on the back of a small white dragon (ATK: 1900). “Now,” said Lawrence, “I sacrifice my ‘Paladin’ to summon from my deck the final ‘Blue-Eyes White Dragon’!”

‘Paladin’ disappeared in a burst of light, and was replaced by the gleaming white dragon. It looked over at its three-headed counterpart and roared, and the ‘Ultimate Dragon’ roared back. Then the dragons turned toward Tucker and I and roared as one, inspiring my knees to shake.

“I set a card,” said Lawrence, “and end my turn. And because I either discarded or sacrificed four dragons this turn, I draw four cards.”

I looked over a Tucker. He seemed afraid. He was shaking as he began his turn. He drew and said, “I summon ‘UFO Turtle’ in defense mode.” A green turtle with a flying saucer for a shell appeared (DEF: 1200). “End turn.”

And that’s when I saw it. Tucker smiled. He wasn’t afraid. He hadn’t been shaking out of fear, he’d been shaking out of anticipation. Tucker had been looking forward to this. He wanted to fight the dragon!

As I drew for my turn, I couldn’t help but feel the same way.

“Let’s start this off strong,” I said. “I summon my ‘Larvae Moth’, defense mode, and equip it with ‘Cocoon of Evolution’.” The green, spiked worm appeared, and was encased in a thick cocoon, strongly mounted to the ground (DEF: 2000).

“Finally I equip the ‘Cocoon’ with ‘Heart of Clear Water’, making it immune to Battle Damage and the effects of Spell cards.”

It was all I could do. It was a lot, and I wasn’t worried about myself as much as I was Tucker. His monster had a pretty powerful effect, but could it possibly be enough to protect him from the attack of Lawrence’s dragons?[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Twenty-Three]

Duel Force vs. The Order;
Hopes Declining


John


The ‘Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon’ inhaled, preparing to attack. I had to act fast for my plan to work. “Reveal,” I said, activating a card, “the Trap card ‘Shadow Spell', ensnaring your ‘Toon Dragon’ in magical chains, sapping him of his strength.” The shadow beneath the dragon reached up and took form, becoming a multitude of chains that captured the dragon, it squirmed desperately, but could not move, let alone attack (3000-700=2300).

“No monster can use its full power,” I explained, “if it can’t move.

“Now,” I said with a grin, “I begin my turn. Sacrifice the ‘Gemini Elf’ to summon the demon lord,” the elves were replaced by the brown fiend, “‘Great Maju Garzett’! His attack power becomes twice the attack of the sacrificed monster, making him more than a match for your card (ATK: 3800)! ‘Great Maju Garzett’, I command you, destroy the ‘Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon’ with Vile Energy!”

‘Great Maju’ thrust his palm, releasing his black, foul-looking beam. It washed over the dragon, ripping it apart (8600+2300-3800=7100).

“Also, since it’s been a turn,” I said, a hole opening in the sky above me, “my ‘Cannon Soldier’ returns.” The ‘Soldier’ fell from the hole, his cannon ready (ATK: 1400). “‘Cannon Soldier’ attacks, Cannon Barrel.” The robot fired (7100-1400=5700).

“Next I sacrifice my ‘Cannon Soldier’ to deal you even more damage,” I said. ‘Cannon Soldier’ converted to energy and launched itself at Karen, hitting her and exploding (5700-500=5200).

“Not too tough without your ‘Toon World’ card, are you?” I asked smugly, my arms crossed, my victory seemingly assured. Little did I know that Karen was far from through.

“Haven’t you been wondering where I got my Toons?” Karen asked, calmly.

“It had crossed my mind,” I replied, curious as to where she was going with all of this, and curious as to the answer.

“I got them from the same man who sent you here to stop me,” Karen replied pridefully. “I got them from Pegasus himself. I trained under him for a while, and now many of my cards and strategies come from him,” she selected a card, “including this one. Its time I showed you the most powerful combo my deck has to offer; Sacrifice Style. This is where the real battle begins!”


Sarah


“To end my turn,” said Monty, calmly, “I set a card face-down.”

“Good,” I said, and drew. “You won’t get the best of me anymore. I activate the effect of ‘Aqua Spirit’. Once per turn I can change the battle position of a monster on the field. I switch your ‘Dark Magician’ to defense mode (DEF: 2100). Next I sacrifice my ‘Aqua Spirit’,” I commanded, “to summon the ‘Legendary Fisherman’.”

A spiky-haired, bare-chested man appeared, carrying a harpoon and riding on the back of a large fish, like a shark (ATK: 1850).

“I also equip my ‘Fisherman’ with the Spell card ‘Steel Shell’, raising his Attack by four hundred.” The shell appeared, strapped to his back (1850+400=2250).

“Now attack,” I said, “and kill the ‘Magician’.” My monster prepared to throw his harpoon.

“Reveal,” Monty declared, “the Trap card ‘Magical Hats’,”

A large black top hat marked with a question mark appeared over the crouching ‘Dark Magician’, and then split into four hats. There was no way of knowing which one the ‘Magician’ was hiding in. “You must now choose a hat to attack,” said Monty. “If you choose wrong, my ‘Magician’ remains unharmed.”

I chose randomly, “My ‘Fisherman’ attacks the hat on the middle left!” My ‘Fisherman’ let loose his harpoon, piercing the hat through. The hat disappeared, but revealed only empty space.

Crap, I missed! “I place one card face-down and end my turn.”


Jen


“I draw,” said Lawrence, picking up his card, “and activate the Spell card ‘Cost Down’, discarding ‘Polymerization’ to reduce the levels of all monsters in my hand by two until the end of the turn. Now I summon ‘Different Dimension Dragon’, reveal ‘Ultimate Offering’, and pay five hundred Life Points (8000-500=7500) to summon ‘Luster Dragon #2’.”

The familiar emerald-skinned dragon appeared (ATK: 2400). At its side appeared a strange legless dragon with four undulating triangular wings and an arrow-shaped head (ATK: 1200).

“Now,” said Lawrence, “I attack 'UFO Turtle' with ‘Luster Dragon’, Emerald Flame!” The dragon spewed fire over the turtle, and it was burned to a crisp.

“Thank you,” said Tucker, “because thanks to my ‘Turtle’’s ability, I can Special Summon any Fire monster from my deck in attack mode.” As he spoke, a solid black humanoid figure with glowing red eyes appeared. “I summon, ‘Thing from the Crater’ (ATK: 1000).”

“Go,” Lawrence commanded, “attack the ‘Thing’, ‘Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon’, with Ultimate Burst!” The attack struck Tucker’s ‘Thing in the Crater’, which lasted less than a second under such force (8000+1000-4500=4500).

“Again,” said Tucker, even as his Life Points fell, “thank you. When ‘Thing’ is destroyed, I can Special Summon any Pyro monster from my hand. I Special Summon, ‘The Immortal Flame’!”

Between Tucker and the dragons appeared a spark that blossomed into a flame in the shape of a bird (DEF: 200).

“Are you trying to piss my dragons off?” Lawrence demanded, clearly enraged. “My dragons are gods compared to these weaklings that you keep bringing before them! ‘Different Dimension Dragon’, destroy it!” The dragon breathed light over the living flame, and it was snuffed out.

“Now,” Lawrence said, “I’ll hit you directly with the ‘Blue-Eyes’, Burst Stream!”

‘Blue-Eyes’ released his deadly beam, but Tucker placed his hands in his pocket, completely unconcerned. Just before the attack hit, a stray spark erupted out, blossoming into ‘The Immortal Flame’. It flew into the path of ‘Blue-Eyes’’ attack, absorbing it.

“What?” Lawrence said. “Where did that monster come from?”

“Oh,” said Tucker, “did I forget to tell you about my monster’s ability? My ‘Immortal Flame’ is a monster that cannot be destroyed by battle. Every time it’s killed, it returns!

“The only downside,” Tucker continued as the flame returned yet again, “is that he can’t be used as a tribute for a tribute summon and he can’t attack. Also, in case you didn’t notice, I activated the Trap card ‘Backfire’ back at the start of the Battle Phase,” he gestured at the hologram of his card. “As long as it remains on the field, you take five hundred damage each time a Fire monster is destroyed.”

Four pockets of air heated up and then exploded right in Lawrence’s face, causing him to flinch in the face of intense heat (7500-(500x4)=5500). “Now, if I counted right,” Tucker concluded, “your dragons have all attacked. It’s my move.”


John


“I activate,” Karen said, “the Spell card ‘Black Illusion Ritual’. I send ‘Thousand-Eyes Idol’ to the Graveyard as a sacrifice to summon my ‘Relinquished’, attack mode!”

A small creature shaped like a clay pot, with hundreds of eyes all over its body, appeared and burned up in a black flame. Karen’s Ritual monster emerged from the flames, floating in the air, and the flames died down. The monster was unlike anything I’d ever faced. It looked like a sphere resting on a disk, two spikes protruding from the disk, with strong arms. In the center of its chest was a small sphere bearing the millennium eye symbol. The creature was a blue-gray color (ATK: 0).

“I activate ‘Relinquished’’s special ability,” Karen declared, "Assimilation Spell.” A crack appeared down the front of the creature’s body, and its entire body swung up, like two massive flaps, revealing a gaping hole underneath, and a stalk to which the single millennium eye was attached, like a tiny little head.

The creature raised his eye and looked at my ‘Great Maju Garzett’. He was wreathed in a red light and was pulled inside ‘Relinquished’ through the mysterious hole in its chest.

“Since your monster is a part of my ‘Relinquished’ now,” said Karen, “‘Relinquished’ gains your monster’s original Attack and Defense.”

I chuckled, “Well, joke’s on you then, because the original attack power of my ‘Great Maju Garzett’ is zero! So say goodbye to your ‘Relinquished’!”

I drew, “I summon ‘Giant Orc’, and I attack ‘Relinquished’, Club Slam (ATK: 2200)!”

The giant goblin raised his club and ran at the monster.

Karen smiled. “Do you really think I’m stupid enough not to know about the weakness of your card?” She asked. “I wanted you to attack!”

The flaps closed over ‘Relinquished’, and ‘Great Maju’ half emerged from the monster’s flesh, taking the attack, and was destroyed. “’Relinquished’ can use an assimilated monster as a shield,” Karen explained, “and then we both take the battle damage.”

“But won’t that combo hurt you more, since you have fewer Life points than me?” I asked Karen tauntingly.

“Not when I have this,” she replied, “the Trap card ‘Sacrifice Shield’. Every time I would take damage from a battle involving my ‘Relinquished’, I gain the same amount of Life Points first (8000-2200=5800/5200+2200-2200=5200).”

As my Life Points fell, I realized that, even though I’d defeated the Toons, I was even worse off than before.


Sarah


“For my move,” said Monty, “I destroy my hats to reveal ‘Dark Magician’, attack mode. Now I attack ‘Legendary Fisherman’ with Dark Magic!”

“I won’t let you,” I said. “Reveal ‘Ultimate Offering’, paying 500 Life Points to summon ‘Maiden of the Aqua’ in defense mode (LP: 8000-500=7500).”

A beautiful maiden appeared wearing a cape, her blue hair flowing in the breeze (DEF: 2000). “While ’Maiden of the Aqua’ is on the field, her special ability allows her to create the illusion of water on the field all around her. And while there is water on the field, my ‘Legendary Fisherman’ cannot be the target of my opponent’s attacks.” As I spoke, an expanse of water appeared, and the ‘Fisherman’ dove beneath, out of sight.

“Then I’ll make the only logical move,” Monty said, “and attack your ‘Maiden of the Aqua’.” And in a flash of green light, my ’Maiden’ was gone, her oceanic illusion along with her. Defeated as quickly as they had come.

Alright, I thought, I’ve used up every move I had prepared. Everything rests on my next draw.


Jen


“I draw,” said Tucker, “and I set three cards face-down. With that, I end my turn.”

I looked over at Tucker. It was amazing. I’d never seen him duel this way before. He was taking his time and thinking his moves through. Relying on more than just force, and in doing so, he was making use of cards more suited to a prolonged strategy, like ‘UFO Turtle’. He'd even made the decision to rely on a card like ‘The Immortal Fire’ (a card I’d never seen, that I assumed that he'd gotten from Pegasus at the same time as ‘Tyrant Dragon’), a card that I never would have expected Tucker to summon in a million years. I was truly impressed. I’d never suspected that there could be such a formidable mind under all of his hotheadedness.

“My move then,” I said, and my feelings of admiration increased as my move was interrupted.

“Reveal during your Draw Phase,” said Tucker, “the Trap card ‘Accelerated Evolution’. I've had this card for a long time, but I never really thought much about what it could be used for until today. It allows one monster to age one full turn. If I’m not mistaken, that makes the ‘Cocoon of Evolution’ ready to hatch.”

At first I was confused. My ‘Great Moth’ was a strong monster, but it wouldn’t be strong enough to match the power of the ‘Blue-Eyes’ monsters. But then I looked over at Tucker. He looked over out of the corner of his eye, and smiled confidently, and I couldn’t help but feel that he knew what he was doing.

Alright, I thought, I don‘t know what you have planned, but I‘ll play along. I don‘t have anything better in mind.

I drew my card. “I begin my turn,” I said, “by hatching my monster. I sacrifice my ‘Larvae Moth’ and my ‘Cocoon of Evolution’. Arise, ‘Great Moth’!”

The cocoon split open, and a giant spiked head emerged. A large worm-like creature wriggled its way out of the cocoon and unrolled its huge, colorful wings. It flapped, and rose swiftly into the air (ATK: 2600).

“Next,” I said, laying another card on the Duel Disk, “I summon ‘Milus Radiant’, defense mode (DEF: 250).” A tiger-like beast appeared, wearing a blue scarf and earrings. “While ‘Radiant’ is on the field, all of my Earth attribute monsters gain five hundred Attack (‘Great Moth’’s ATK: 2600+500=3100), and all enemy Wind attribute monsters lose four hundred Attack (‘Luster Dragon #2’’s ATK: 2400-400=2000).

“Now, ‘Great Moth’, attack the ‘Blue-Eyes White Dragon’, Great Whirlwind!”

‘Great Moth’ flapped its wings, releasing a large tornado-like wind funnel. It slammed into the dragon and tore him apart (5500+3000-3100=5400). I glanced over at Tucker. His expression, directed toward Lawrence, was fiercer than anything I’d ever seen on a person, and I understood.

I’m with you now, Tuck. I know what you’re going to do. You’re letting it go. All of the frustration, all of the anger that built up after all of this time. You’re letting it all go, aiming it all at him. I’m really glad I’m not Lawrence right now![/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Twenty-Four]

Souls Awaken;
Destiny Draw!


John


At that moment, something happened within the Burial of the Soul. Something in the hearts of my team and I had been inspired by our battles, and the Souls had reacted, coming to life.


“Not much I want to do in my turn,” said Karen, “except absorb you ‘Orc’ into my monster.” As she spoke, my monster disappeared, drawn into ‘Relinquished’’s monstrous body.

“Alright,” I said, annoyed, but not surprised, “I draw,” Come on John, reach deep. You’ve gotta believe that you’ll pull what you need, or you never will!

Suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt empowered, as if I were filling up with strength. The aches and pains from the Shadow Game disappeared. I looked around, and where I’d seen no visible evidence of the Shadow Game only moments before, I could see purple and black smoke surrounding all seven combatants like a fog. A beam of purple light, like the light from a blacklight light bulb, shot from within the Burial, throwing the doors open wide, and was absorbed into me. My body was wreathed in a dark light and, I had to fight extra hard for a second to keep my angry side down. A moment later, in a brilliant flash of blacklight, a spherical crystal twice the size of a marble appeared, hanging around my neck by a leather cord. The crystal had the symbol of darkness, the sun overpowered by the moon, within it.

This is the Soul of Darkness! I realized. My Soul has found me! I looked up at Karen, surprise giving way to confidence as my competitive spirit boiled up from under the surface, I’m not tired anymore, and the pain from Karen’s attacks is gone! My strength is back. There’s nothing I can’t do!

I drew, and very slowly, I looked at the card and smiled. “Well, it’s been fun, but this duel is over.”


Sarah


Everything rests on this card. I moved to draw, but I couldn’t. I’ll swallow my pride and admit that I was afraid. Come on Sarah, just pull the card. You can make a combo out of anything! This card has to help somehow!

I smiled, and a blue beam shot from within the Burial. It hit me, and I was surrounded by a blue light, and there was a flash. Suddenly I could see the Shadow Game around us, rather than just feel its effects. Also, in that same moment, a blue spherical crystal appeared, hanging from around my neck, bearing the water droplet, the symbol of water. I felt my fear completely melt away, and I drew my card.

I looked down at my new card, and then back up at Monty, a devious look in my eyes. Oh yeah, this will work fine!


Tucker


“My move,” said Lawrence, “and don’t think that just because you two killed one of my ‘Blue-Eyes’ that you’re strong enough to defeat me. I still have the most feared dragon in the game, ‘Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon’!”

“Oh,” I said mockingly, “you do? Then I’d better activate this, my ‘Thunder of Ruler’ Trap. In the turn that it is activated, you cannot declare an attack.”

“Doesn’t matter,” said Lawrence. “Nothing can defeat my ‘Ultimate Dragon’!”

I smiled, You don’t know how wrong you are!


Jen


This is it, Tuck. I’ve made all of the preparations I could. Our futures are intertwined. Our decks are as good as one!


Tucker


At that moment, as I prepared to pull my card, there was a flash of red-orange light. I felt my spirit begin to burn, and a red crystal appeared on a chain around my neck.


Beside me I saw a flash of green. I looked over at Jen. The ground beneath her shook, and a green crystal appeared, hanging around her neck.

I smiled wide and turned my attention back on the duel, ignoring the dark fog that suddenly appeared all around us, Our powers have found us, and just in time! I drew my card, and played it without hesitation.

“I activate the Ritual Spell,” I declared, “‘Incandescent Ordeal’. I sacrifice ‘Twin-Headed Fire Dragon’ in my hand and ‘The Immortal Flame’ on the field to summon my Soul, ‘Legendary Flame Lord’!”

The two headed dragon appeared beside the living flame, and both monsters burned up in a massive blue blaze. The flames sparked and sputtered before finally dying down, revealing the form of a man.

My new monster stood six feet tall. He had red hair and wore a leather tunic and pants. Over the tunic he wore a coat and cape made of flames. On his head he wore a blue armor crown, and he wore armor over his lower legs. In his left hand he carried a jagged dagger with a blue hilt. In his right hand he carried a metal staff with a glass sphere on the end. His eyes glowed with an intense fire, brighter than anything I’d ever seen before, except maybe the sun (ATK: 2400).

“This monster represents my repressed fighting spirit, the emotion that fuels the Soul around my neck. All of my hidden anger and frustration. For years my dad treated my mom like crap, until she finally left us. Once she was gone, he never lifted a finger to help me do anything!” By now the aura around me was burning stronger and brighter. It glowed even brighter than the flames around my monster. “It got worse and worse, and I got worse and worse, until I started making mistakes that had the potential to ruin my life. If not for John, I might not even be here right now. He helped me become the person that I am today, but all the frustration that built up, it’s all still there, more intense than ever!

“And now, after so long,” I said, taking note of the look of mild fear on my opponent’s face, “I finally have an outlet for it all; YOU!”

I pointed at my opponent. “Prepare to face defeat at the hand of my eternal flame!”

Lawrence steeled up his expression and said, “Right, like you could ever defeat me, even with help!” He glanced over at Jen. “You can’t defeat all of my powerful dragons just by ‘releasing your anger’. Give me your best shot!”

I smiled, “Okay, but only because you insist! Activate, ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two cards. Next, the Continuous Spell card ‘Dark Room of Nightmare’, a card that deals you an extra three hundred burn damage every time you take effect damage from another effect. And finally I activate the Spell card ‘Salamandra’, summoning the spirit of the fire dragon into my ‘Flame Lord’’s staff and blade, raising his power (ATK: 2400+700 =3100).”

“It doesn’t matter,” said Lawrence. “Your monster’s puny power is nothing compared to the awesome strength of the ‘Ultimate Dragon’.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. I looked into Lawrence’s eyes, “You could not be more wrong!

“You see, my monster has a special power. For each Spell card that resolves after he’s summoned, he absorbs Spell Energy in the form of a Spell Counter. Once he has three Spell Counters, he can unleash the energy he built up in the form of his ultimate attack, Incinerating Shockwave!”

‘Legendary Flame Lord’ raised his staff up over his head. The stone glowed, and a pillar of heat came up around his body, ready to erupt outward. “Are you crazy?” Lawrence asked, desperation in his voice. “An ability like that would destroy the ‘Great Moth’ as well!”

“True,” I said, “but I’m ready for that. Reveal ‘Interdimensional Matter Transporter’.”

A strange machine with a lens in the front appeared. A beam from the lens swept the entirety of the ‘Great Moth’, and it disappeared in a silvery ripple of the air.

“My Trap card can move one friendly monster through space and time until the end of my turn (or at least that’s how John said it works). By them my monster’s effect will be completed. That way the ‘Great Moth’ will survive the attack.”

And with that, the pillar spread out like an expanding dome, erupted outward like a fiery hurricane, and became a swirling ring of fire. It swept over the dragons in a flash of heat and light. The flash faded, and the only figure that remained on the field was the ‘Flame Lord’, his eyes closed, his head down, and his weapons held at his sides, smoke rising from his entire body.

“As I’m sure you’ve guessed,” I said, “I’m not done. Since you no longer have any monsters left, I can launch a direct attack, Dragon Firestorm Stream!”

‘Legendary Flame Lord’ took aim with his staff, and a serpentine stream of flames, the point of which took the form of a dragon’s head, erupted from the staff and hit Lawrence dead on (5400-3100=2300).


Jen


“Now,” said Tucker, “I end my turn, and the ‘Great Moth’ returns.” My monster reappeared in a ripple of the air.

“And I,” I declared, taking the baton as it was passed, “direct attack with ‘Great Moth’ to end this duel. Giant Whirlwind.”

The monster flapped its wings, unleashing its devastating wind-based attack. The cyclone picked Lawrence up and tossed him onto his back, where he passed out in the sand (2300-2600=0), the fog around our part of the duel faded as if it has never been there at all.


Sarah


“I’ll turn the duel around with just this next move,” I declared, staring my opponent down. “I play the Spell card ‘A Legendary Ocean’, changing the field into the magical waters around the sunken city of Atlantis.” All around us appeared a calm ocean surface. In the water, far beneath me, was the immense golden palace from which my Spell’s magic emanated.

“Now,” I said, “thanks to my Field Spell card, my Water monsters on hand lose one summoning level, making my newest trump card a level six monster. I sacrifice ‘Guardian Kay’este’ to summon my ‘Levia Dragon - Daedalus’!”

‘Kay’este’ disappeared, and ‘Daedalus’, a huge blue and silver scaled serpent with pink fins and an armored head, appeared from beneath the surface with a splash and a spray, and a roar (ATK: 2600). The water began to swirl, closer and closer to my dragon, until it was like a liquid wall surrounding him on all sides.

“Next I sacrifice the ocean itself to destroy every card on the field, besides my dragon of course.” The water erupted away from my monster like a huge tidal wave that washed the rest of the field clean. “Now attack, Tidal Blast!”

‘Daedalus’ opened his mouth and fired a blue beam, hitting Monty directly (8000-2600=5400).


John


“My last stand against your ‘Relinquished’,” I declared, “is this, my ‘Strike Ninja’.” My monster, a black-clad ninja wearing a red scarf around his neck and carrying a kunai in each hand appeared in the air, flipped, and landed gracefully at my side (ATK: 1700).

“I’ll begin by destroying your ‘Shield’ first,” I said, “with the Spell card ‘Mystical Space Typhoon’.” A powerful burst of wind tore through the card hologram.

“Next I equip ‘Strike Ninja’ with the ‘Fusion Sword Murasame Blade’,” a blade grew out from his arm, above his wrist, and down over his right hand (1700+800=2500), “and attack, Ninjitsu Slash!”

‘Strike Ninja’ leapt up into the air, flipped, and sprung toward ‘Relinquished’ slashing with his sword. ‘Relinquished’ lowered his flaps, and the ‘Giant Orc’ emerged, absorbing the attack (5800+2200-2500=5500/5200+2200-2500=4900).

“I end my turn. Bring it on.”

Karen drew, and said, “Apparently you aren’t nearly as good as I thought. Did you forget that any monster you summon is vulnerable to my ‘Relinquished’’s effect? ‘Relinquished’, assimilate the ninja now!”

‘Relinquished’ activated its effect, pulling on the ninja. It pulled the sword away from him, destroying it.

“Sorry,” I said triumphantly, “but your ability won’t work this time, because my ninja has an ability of his own. I remove two Dark monsters in my Graveyard from the game to take my ‘Ninja’ out of play until the end of the turn.” Moments before the ninja would have been absorbed, he crossed his arms, jumped into the air, and disappeared.

“That’s not possible,” Karen said, almost desperately. “Nothing escapes ‘Relinquished’’s grasp! It must have been absorbed. ‘Relinquished’, attack!” But at Karen’s command, nothing happened.

“Looks like you were wrong,” I said, “and it looks like your move is over, meaning that my ninja returns.” My ninja appeared, flipping backward, and landed with his arms crossed at my side.

“Now it's my turn,” I said. “I start out with ‘Graceful Charity’, letting me draw three cards.” I picked up three cards and looked them over. Perfect!

I discarded two cards, “Activate the Spell card ‘Polymerization’, fusing two monsters from my hand.” A skeletal demon with broad wings and a fierce black dragon with red eyes appeared and merged into a strong-looking dragon demon. It looked directly at Karen and roared.

“With the power of ‘Polymerization’ I fuse ‘Red-Eyes Black Dragon’ and ‘Summoned Skull’ into the ‘Black Skull Dragon’ (ATK: 3200)!

“Now, attack with ‘Strike Ninja’, Ninjitsu Shuriken!” ‘Strike Ninja’ threw his kunai through the hole in ‘Relinquished’, killing it (4900+0-1700=3200).

“And I attack with ‘Black Skull’, Black Fire Meteor!”

The dragon inhaled, and breathed a barrage of fireballs over Karen’s field. She was hit, thrown through the air, and landed sprawled face-down in the sand.


Sarah


Monty drew a card to begin his turn. “I summon,” he declared, “my ‘Apprentice Magician’.” The familiar monster appeared, his staff raised (DEF: 600).

“I know about your monster’s power to summon a new Spellcaster in its place when it dies,” I told him, “and because I’m in a charitable mood, let me warn you that it won’t be enough. My next monster is the powerful ‘Tribe-Infecting Virus’.” A strange orange cloud appeared, swarming around my head (ATK: 1600). “Next I play ‘Double Summon’, to summon my ‘Sea Serpent Warrior of Darkness’.” A humanoid fish warrior appeared. His skin was blue, and strong like armor, and he carried a spear (ATK: 1800).

“Now, I discard one card to activate the effect of my ‘Virus’, destroying your monster.” The cloud flew into his monster’s mouth and nose, and the magician died. Monty remained solemnly silent.

“Now I attack with the ‘Virus’,” I commanded, and the virus swirled around Monty’s head (5800-1600=4200)

“Now,” I commanded my monsters, “I finish it!” ‘Levia Dragon’ attacked, firing his beam, and the ‘Sea Serpent Warrior’ lunged, slashing Monty with his spear. Monty fell to his knees (4200-2600-1800=0).

I walked over to Monty, who stared at the ground, a shocked look on his face. “I let you remain conscious,” I said, “so that I could give you and your friends a message. You’ve lost. Go home.”

And with that, I turned and joined my brother and our friends at the entrance to the last stop on our journey, the Burial of the Soul.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Chapter Twenty-Five]

Guardian of the Souls;
Souls Released!


John


With the defeat of the Order, my team and I made our way toward the entrance to the Burial. We weren’t sure what to do from here, but we each felt like something was drawing us inside. We stepped through the threshold together, entering a large stone inner chamber.

My team and I stepped slowly across the wide, open floor. As we passed them, several torches along the inner walls lit up on their own, as if by magic (which didn’t surprise us at all by now). With our path now illuminated, we were able to see the contents of the chamber; a stone pedestal with twelve round indentations, each as large as one of the Soul crystals, eight of them with darkened crystals still resting within them.

“This must be where the Forgotten Duelist sealed the twelve Souls,” I said, running my fingers over the surface. As I did, I began to feel as if we were being watched. I would not have given the feeling any thought, except that I realized after a few moments that it was coming from the Soul of Darkness. “Everyone, stop,” I said. “We’re not alone in here.”

“Do you think the Order followed us in?” Sarah asked.

“No,” I said, concentrating hard on the feelings emanating from my Soul. “Whoever it is, they feel different. Almost familiar.”

We spread out, and I concentrated even harder until I could feel where the presence was located. “They’re near the pedestal, whoever they are.”

I walked back over to the pedestal, and out of the darkness in the back of the room, stepped a young man in white with brown hair with blond bangs, wearing a golden shoulder dress, a golden cape, golden bands on his un-sleeved arms, and wooden sandals on his feet, his hair obscuring his face. He was maybe two or three years older than me. As weird as all of this was, it got weirder. The boy was transparent, as if he were some kind of spirit, and I was the only one reacting to his presence. In fact, I thought, looking back over my shoulders, my friends aren’t even moving!

“What did you do to my friends?” I asked the young man, feeling my anger bubbling under the surface, fueling my desire to protect my friends from harm.

“Don’t worry,” he replied. His voice was similar to mine, only a bit deeper and carrying more experience. “I am the Guardian of the Souls. I draw my life force from the energy of your Soul of Darkness, so I thought it best to speak to you alone. I need your help.

“You see, I am all that is left of the legacy of the bearer of the original Soul. My job is to see to it that the Souls survive until the Forgotten Duelist’s return. I understand that it is the job of you and the other Bearers to keep the Souls, but I know that I can help, too. I am not the Duelist himself, but I am the last remnant of his immortal soul, bound here by his spell’s energy. I am bound to the Duelist, and until Blackheart is defeated and the Duelist finally finds rest, I cannot move on from this world.”

“Okay,” I said, “makes sense, but what can I do?”

“I need your permission,” the young man said, “to retain my dwelling within your Soul of Darkness. But that is not all. I cannot leave this ruin, unless I have a body, so I would like to ask that I be allowed to use yours. I will remain in the back of your mind, never interfering, and in exchange I will offer you assistance whenever I can, or whenever you ask.”

I thought for a second, to keep up appearances, but my Soul had already made my decision for me. The Soul trusted the young man, and I, in turn, trusted him as well.

“Alright,” I told the young man, “but if we’re going to be roommates, I’m gonna need to know what to call you.”

The young man looked up, his face revealed. He didn’t just sound like me, he looked a lot like me too. He thought for a moment, and then said, “I’ve never even known if I had a name, but I’ve always been partial to…Hiro.”


For whatever reason, the others had not been aware of Hiro’s presence, so he and I decided to keep his existence a secret for the time being. When I’d asked him why they couldn’t see him, he’d only answered that they weren’t ready. He returned to the Soul, and my team started moving again as if nothing had happened.

“I don’t think anyone else is here,” Tucker said. “You’re paranoid dude.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “I must still be shaken up from the duel. Come on, let’s do this.”

My team stepped up close to the pedestal again. I reached up and placed my hand on the surface of the pedestal, and the darkened crystals lit up, each a different color. They shot through the open doorway, into the world outside.

“Did we do it?” Jen asked.

“Yeah,” I said, “we did it. We released the Souls. But I get the feeling that our fight isn’t over yet. Pegasus’ account of the legend said that I would be the point upon which all of the Soul Bearers would converge, and if the other Bearers are gonna converge on me, and in turn us, we can only expect that the Order won’t be far behind.”


After we released the eight remaining Souls out into the world to find their bearers, my team and I left the Burial. We noticed that the Order was already gone, leaving little reminder of our battle. I scanned the landscape, and I noticed that the sand where Tucker had been standing during his duel had been turned to glass by an intense heat. I thought of asking him what had happened, but since I already knew about his past, I had a good idea what his answer would be, and I let it drop, signaling to Odion in the truck that it was time to go. He didn’t once ask any of us what had happened.

I sat in the back of the truck this time, leaning my head back and closing my eyes.

Soul of Darkness, I asked silently, I need to speak with Hiro.

I’m here, I heard Hiro think back, and suddenly I saw him in my mind’s eye.

I have some questions for you if you don’t mind. I was respectful, but it wasn’t a question. He wanted to use my body as a condo, then the least he could do was answer my questions.

You say that you are the last remnant of the Duelist, but that you aren’t the Duelist?

Yes and no, Hiro answered. Over the millennia, since I appeared in the Burial of the Soul along with the Souls, I’ve watched the events of this world, using the strength of my will to manipulate the magic around me to this end. I’ve developed into an almost entirely new being and, In fact, most of the memories that I had of the Duelist’s time have faded.

Alright, I said, satisfied with the answer, then here‘s another one. Were you the one that caused those excavations to lose their way when coming here?

Yes.

Even the ones that never returned?

In a way. I could not let them find the Burial, but they were stubborn, unwilling to return home. Eventually it was their own foolish desire for treasure or adventure that caused them to perish.

This would have bothered me a week ago, but now I found that I understood. I didn’t know exactly what the Soul of Darkness could do just yet, but I could feel how much power it possessed. It couldn’t be allowed to fall into the wrong hands, ever.

Only one more question, I said. Are you good at games?

Very.

Good. Then we should get along just fine.


That night, my team and I caught a jet home. I sat in the plane and watched the sun set through the window, wondering about my future. I tried to go over in my head all that Pegasus had told us about the legend of the Duelist. I wanted to know what was in store for us. In spite of all of that, however, the only thing I could think about was what Christopher had said what seemed like a lifetime ago:


“John, forget this, I’m gonna make you my rival. Promise me that you’ll get as strong as you can, and next time we meet, we’ll show everyone which one of us is stronger, once and for all.”


Even with all of the things going on in my life, the question that kept running through my mind was, would my quest to protect the Souls help me keep my promise to Christopher?

I put those things aside, and I began to wonder, if I had no choice but to protect the Souls, what would I learn in the process? What kind of person would I become?

But most importantly of all, as the jet flew us toward home, reflecting the glint of the sun, I steeled myself against the fact that, despite all of the uncertainty and all of the unanswered questions, my battle had still only just begun, and I kinda liked it.[/spoiler]
[/spoiler]
Book Two, Reign of the Reaper
Special #1, Of Life and Fate
Book Three, The Dark Duel Force
Book Four, The Terror of Blackheart
Book Five, Kaiba Corporation Invitational Tournament
Special #2, The Looming Darkness
Book Six, The Great Duel Force Tournament
Special #3, The Dark Elite

Yu-Gi-Oh! DE, The Paths You Choose
Yu-Gi-Oh! DA, The Phantom Seal
Crossover Special! A Threat to Us All



**As many chapters as possible will be posted here**

[legendhiro]

so, this is the extended version of my old fic, Yu-Gi-Oh! DF that i promised that i would be posting soon. i will post here once or twice a week until i have updated the entire story. anyone who wants to read ahead can find and read the original thread, but realize that that story and this one, while still telling the same story overall, are not exactly the same.

please feel free to rate, comment, critique, criticize, and/or humorously review.

[clmberserker245]

Very good fanfic. I love how the old duels used to be, actually synchros and exeeds totally ruined the gameplay of yugioh. The only thing i hate about the pre-gx duel monsters game is that plants, sea serpents and reptiles were very unsupported. If all the synchro/exeed crap wouldn't be in the game and the types of monsters i stated above would be supported as they are today, the game would be just perfect. I wish you good luck with the fan fic.

[legendhiro]

[quote name='clmberserker245' timestamp='1308829150' post='5304872']
Very good fanfic. I love how the old duels used to be, actually synchros and exeeds totally ruined the gameplay of yugioh. The only thing i hate about the pre-gx duel monsters game is that plants, sea serpents and reptiles were very unsupported. If all the synchro/exeed crap wouldn't be in the game and the types of monsters i stated above would be supported as they are today, the game would be just perfect. I wish you good luck with the fan fic.
[/quote]
thank you. keep checking back. the next chapter should be up any time.

[legendhiro]

The revised chapter two is up in the first post. No real changes here, except for some minor changes to wording. even minor changes, however, can have a large impact overall.

[legendhiro]

So my computer crashed. Well, not crashed, but it won't start up. I'm updating from my droid. Anyway, i took it to a computer repair shop, but I don't know when I'll be getting it back. Updates will resume once I do.

[AsianGuy1137]

Not a bad fan fic. Keeps things simple and realistic enough without all the crazy OMG PIECES OF CARDBOARD HAVE MAGIAL POWAZ/SAVE THE WORLD bull the show tries to pull on you every single episode. My only complaint would be that the duels use banned cards and aren't realistic in the sense that none of the decks are playable at all, at least not competitively. Then again, I'm overcritical on the duel realism so you can disregard that if you'd like. I'm interested in seeing how this story develops. Also, have you ever read Hikaru no Go by any chance? Doesn't have the usual shounen supernatural themes, but the intense staring at a boardgame for hours is actually pretty epic. Has lots of drama and action for a good manga/anime without crazy sword fights all the time.

[legendhiro]

[quote name='AsianGuy1137' timestamp='1309403899' post='5321355']
Not a bad fan fic. Keeps things simple and realistic enough without all the crazy OMG PIECES OF CARDBOARD HAVE MAGIAL POWAZ/SAVE THE WORLD bull the show tries to pull on you every single episode. My only complaint would be that the duels use banned cards and aren't realistic in the sense that none of the decks are playable at all, at least not competitively. Then again, I'm overcritical on the duel realism so you can disregard that if you'd like. I'm interested in seeing how this story develops. Also, have you ever read Hikaru no Go by any chance? Doesn't have the usual shounen supernatural themes, but the intense staring at a boardgame for hours is actually pretty epic. Has lots of drama and action for a good manga/anime without crazy sword fights all the time.
[/quote]
you, sir, are going to be disappointed. but yes, i do read hikaru no go, or have just started rather, and so far i agree.

[legendhiro]

so my once-busted computer is no longer such, and therefore i have decided to make a celebratory update here. the revised third chapter is up! i will make an update in my DA thread (link in siggy) in a day or two. or five. i'm busy these days.

[spoiler=Card of the Day, Chapter Two]
[img]http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090128041556/yugioh/images/thumb/9/92/ZeroGravityDR2-EN-C-UE.jpg/300px-ZeroGravityDR2-EN-C-UE.jpg[/img]
This is one of the most useful, versatile cards in the game, and it is one of Jen's favorite cards simply for that reason. She is a tactician, after all.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Card of the Day, Chapter Three]
[img]http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20101023165250/yugioh/images/f/ff/GreatMajuGarzettDR1-EN-C-UE.jpg[/img]
This card is a bit of a miracle card as far as John is concerned. He put it into his deck without even reading its effect, and it ended up winning him an important duel. But is this card too good to be true?[/spoiler]



[b]Next Chapter[/b] Invitations; Journey to the Duelist Kingdom!

Yes, that Duelist Kingdom. Just bear with me, guys. It really does make sense, I promise.

[Stigma_Horrizone]

are you completing this book/fic before continuing DA?

[legendhiro]

nope. a DA update is coming soon. probably tues. so, stigma, have you noticed any of the differences yet? what do you think so far?

[legendhiro]

so i haven't been able to get on the site in a couple of days, i am dirt tired at the moment, and i have work and a date (hurray!) tomorrow, so that DA update, and the update here will be coming probably friday.

[Stigma_Horrizone]

[quote name='legendhiro' timestamp='1309726149' post='5331096']
nope. a DA update is coming soon. probably tues. so, stigma, have you noticed any of the differences yet? what do you think so far?
[/quote]

Not bad actually, I dont think I can write at THAT level until about 10 years later, good job.

also, i liked the way of the duels went during early DF chapters.

Keep it up!!

[legendhiro]

[quote name='Stigma_Horrizone' timestamp='1310047284' post='5334926']
Not bad actually, I dont think I can write at THAT level until about 10 years later, good job.
[/quote]
don't say that. if you want to write well, just keep writing. you will get better fast enough. that's all that i did.

[quote name='Stigma_Horrizone' timestamp='1310047284' post='5334926']
also, i liked the way of the duels went during early DF chapters.
[/quote]
i really like the old team duels too. they were originally a throwaway dueling style made to introduce the characters' decks without giving too much away, but since then i've perfected the rules and have been looking for a way to reintroduce team duels into the story from time to time.

[quote name='Stigma_Horrizone' timestamp='1310047284' post='5334926']
Keep it up!!
[/quote]
thanks, i will!

[legendhiro]

it's a couple of hours later than i expected, but here is the update i promised. John and his friends are invited to take part in what they assume is a game, responding to a challenge put forth by Maxamillion Pegasus himself!

the update itself is in the first post



[b]Next Chapter[/b] The Challenge is Set!

John and his team learn of the challenges before them, and must make a difficult decision.

[BLUR]

This is a really good and entertaining story keep it up!

[legendhiro]

thanks, BLUR. i hope to see you back here for the next chapter.

P.S. because the plot does take a relatively long time to show up in this story arch, i've decided to take the time today to revise and post the remaining chapters leading up to the first truly plot relevant chapter.

two more chapters are up in the first post! i want to post another two or three today, but i have other things to do and other updates to make in other threads, so i may not have time. but good news, everyone! the second of these two chapters features DF's first full-length duel!

[spoiler=Card of the Day, Chapter Six]
[img]http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070802204135/yugioh/images/thumb/f/f6/GiftoftheMartyrDR3-EN-C-UE.jpg/300px-GiftoftheMartyrDR3-EN-C-UE.jpg[/img]
Tucker's deck is very focused on directing as much raw power at his opponent as possible, and this card is a great way for him, or anyone else, to do just that.[/spoiler]



[b]Next Chapter[/b] Jen vs. Final Four Deck Two; Blown Away

Jen, like Tucker before her, duels a deck that might seem familiar to some, and again it seems like things might not be quite right.

[Aviv: D's Knight]

I read your original, but I don't think I posted. I like it and I think Pegasus should give them Exceeds/Synchros to battle the order.

[legendhiro]

so, my computer crashed, again. yeah. so i got it back today. i'll try to get an update up for my readers tomorrow. thanks for the patience.

[Stigma_Horrizone]

[quote name='legendhiro' timestamp='1310493580' post='5348339']



[b]Next Chapter[/b] Jen vs. Final Four Deck Two; Blown Away

Jen, like Tucker before her, duels a deck that might seem familiar to some, and again it seems like things might not be quite right.
[/quote]

The robot is using the decks of the semi finalists in Duelist Kingdom isn't it? (based on observation)

[legendhiro]

two more chapters have been added. we got to see Tucker cut loose last chapter, and now we get to see Jen and Sarah do the same!



[spoiler=Card of the Day, Chapter Seven]
[img]http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090128174745/yugioh/images/thumb/1/14/MetalArmoredBugDR2-EN-C-UE.jpg/300px-MetalArmoredBugDR2-EN-C-UE.jpg[/img]
It may not seem like a very threatening card, but when something as big as "Metal Armored Bug" pops up out of nowhere, it leaves a pretty big impact.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Card of the Day, Chapter Eight]
[img]http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20061106062133/yugioh/images/thumb/d/d2/CrabTurtleMRL-NA-C-UE.jpg/300px-CrabTurtleMRL-NA-C-UE.jpg[/img]
Sarah's strongest monster, at this point in time, is this card, the strongest Aqua-Type monster in the game.[/spoiler]





[b]Next Chapter[/b] John vs. Final Four Deck Four; Deck of Balance

John fights a deck that is even more perfectly balanced than his own. Let me know if it reminds you of anyone.

[quote name='Stigma_Horrizone' timestamp='1310895840' post='5362606']
The robot is using the decks of the semi finalists in Duelist Kingdom isn't it? (based on observation)
[/quote]
yup. i never mentioned it the first time through this fic (as far as i can remember), so i decided to give readers here the chance to figure it out for themselves.

[BLUR]

very entertaining chapters, i thought for sure sarah would have lost but what an awesome comeback. You sure are talented

[legendhiro]

thanks, BLUR. writing the duels is probably my favorite part of writing these. i try to make them as suspenseful as possible.

[legendhiro]

another revised chapter is up, this time featuring our main character's first full-length duel. we see, for the first time that he not only has power, but ingenuity as well!



[spoiler=Card of the Day, Chapter Nine]
[img]http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080307184832/yugioh/images/thumb/2/2f/Jinzo7MRD-NA-SP-UE.jpg/300px-Jinzo7MRD-NA-SP-UE.jpg[/img]
One of the weakest cards in the game can be one of the strongest in the right combination. Readers of my fan fic in its original form will know that this card doesn't remain in John's deck, likely replaced by the Machines that he adds later on, but that doesn't undermine its usefulness for the short time that it [i]is[/i] present.[/spoiler]





[b]Next Chapter[/b] Legend of the Duelist

Hurray! It's the plot!

[legendhiro]

chapter ten, the first truly plot driven chapter, is up as well. no dueling, but a lot of answers. if anything remains confusing after reading the chapter, let me know. i tried to make everything clear, but i can still change the content around a bit if i have failed.





[b]Next Chapter[/b] Enter the Duelists of the Order

John and his team meet three representatives of the Duelists of the Order. Can they make it out of the coming battle alive?