Flight 1: Call to Adventure
It was a time before Jaden. A time before Yugi. A time that doesn't fit in to Yu-Gi-Oh! canon very well, so it's best not to think about it so hard. In the late 1800s, the brilliant minds of Jules Tesla and Nikola Verne invented the Duelling Unique Electric Light-Directing Integrated Sporting Contraption (abbreviation D.U.E.L.D.I.S.C., which would later be colloquialized to simply Duel Disc). No one but the two great minds had any idea how it worked, but with its influence, a trading card game formerly only played by children became popular amongst the Victorian aristocrats. The trading cards themselves were seen as a status symbol, and many sought the rarest cards to show off to their peers...
"But myself?" an old man said, as a boy young enough to be his grandson eagerly looked over a copy of Lorelei, the Symphonic Arsenal. "Well, it's just a hobby for me." The two were sitting at a coffee table in the old man's mansion's parlour.
The boy chuckled, putting Lorelei back in a binder. "It's quite a hobby, Mr. Nobel was it? I bet all my tournament winnings combined couldn't buy your collection."
"No," Mr. Nobel said, shrugging, "But it comes close, which impressed me. That's why I wanted to hire you for this job. And please, call me Julian."
"I'll need to hear more about the job, Julian."
"Well, once Lilith arrives, I'll tell you both... she was supposed to arrive at 7..." Julian checked his pocket-watch. Before it could tick, there was a knock at the door. A butler appeared and opened the door to the parlour; a young woman behind him.
"The lady Lilith Huron," The butler introduced, before leaving to attend to some other duty. The boy sized up Lilith. She looked about a head shorter than himself. She had an extremely long ponytail of black hair. A bored expression in her grey eyes. She wore a dark dress and corset with shoulder-length gloves that didn't cover her fingers, along with the sort of giant, pointy boots that Ray could never believe women would happily wear. He was happy, at least, to see she had a shiny brass Duel Disc on her arm and a deck box clipped to her belt, just as he did.
Unbeknownst to him, Lilith took the opportunity to size him up as well. He had a head of red hair reminiscent of a crown and a pair of also red goggles on his head (which Lilith suspected he'd never actually worn). A dorky grin. Very plain clothing; just a jacket with the sleeves ripped off, orange shirt and light grey trousers. Not at all like the fancy suit, monocle and top hat that their host was wearing. Lilith observed Julian as well; his face looked ancient, but he stood tall and strong, towering over both of them. He had a grey moustache that made him look vaguely like a walrus; that was the only hair on his head.
"Nice to meet you," She said, but nothing in her voice gave the impression that it was actually nice to meet either of them.
"My name's Ray Ashford!" The boy hopped over to her and shook her hand, as if it was his duty to cause some sort of excitement. "I'm - "
"The winner of the recent Ireland Nationals?" Lilith interrupted. "Not bad."
"Actually, yeah, that's what I was gonna say," Ray grinned. "Nice to meet you too."
"Miss Huron is one of the best players in Great Britain," Julian said.
"Thanks for the compliment," Lilith said. "But could you please explain the job you want us to do?"
"Us?" Ray repeated. "We're working together?"
"I'm sure I said that already," Julian said, stroking his moustache. "But I suppose I should start from the beginning considering your short-term memory, or apparent lack thereof." He cleared his throat. "There are five extremely rare cards I wish to add to my collection. They're called Eldricytes. Like most of my collection, they're more or less useless for play, but each is one of a kind and worth a fortune."
"So why do you need two of us?" Lilith asked.
"Why do you need anyone at all? Can't you just trade for them?" Ray asked.
"The cards are scattered among the Greek islands," Julian explained. "There, duels are generally performed in pairs. As for why I've hired duellists, well, I don't want to part with any of my collection. We will instead be betting cards from my collection against the Eldricyte cards. I'm counting on the skills of the two of you to keep my collection intact."
"Greek islands, tag-team, betting... got it," Ray confirmed.
"How are we getting to the Greek islands?" Lilith asked.
"That's the best part!" The old man said ecstatically. Lilith rolled her eyes at his enthusiasm, but nonetheless followed Julian and Ray to the back of his manor. As they stepped into a back courtyard, one obvious sight caught her and Ray's full attention.
"Whoa!" Ray cried. He ran towards the thing. "We're going to be travelling in this?"
"This..." Lilith tried to regain her composure, but it was indeed an awe-inspiring sight. Ray and Lilith had both seen airships before, but for this man to actually have one in his backyard was absurd. Lilith tried to hide her surprise at how she hadn't noticed it earlier when she got there. How did he hide this? Wait... She glanced at the ground. All the grass is fake. There must be a giant hangar underneath the manor.
"This is the Eternal Eclipse," Julian said proudly. "It's only 8 tons, but it's plenty big for our purposes. It originally had a crew of 10. Its weak point is its fuel capacity – it can only fly for 72 hours at a time. But it's fast; its maximum speed is 100 kilometres an hour."
"Are the three of us really enough?" Lilith asked.
"Don't worry about that," Julian said, shrugging. "Everything's automated now. Shall I give you a tour?"
"Yes!" Ray cried eagerly.
"Mr. Julian..." Lilith rubbed her forehead. "As impressive as the airship is, I don't understand how you expect the two of us to tag-duel when we've never even met before."
-
That was yesterday. Lilith lay on her bed, trying to remember exactly how Julian had replied. Something about Ray being her direct opposite and the two of them being able to release each other's hidden potential. Or some crap like that, she thought, sighing. I don't even remember why I ended up agreeing. She stood up and looked out the window. Seeing the morning's clouds race by and the tiny landscape of what was probably France below, Lilith thought perhaps she hadn't been so crazy yesterday.
Lilith found Ray and Julian, just as yesterday, looking over some cards on a table. "Ah, there you are," Julian said. "We were worried you'd stay in your room until we reached Greece."
"Sorry about that," Lilith replied. "I just..."
"We need to duel!" Ray cried, standing up and sticking his index finger in her face. Lilith swatted away Ray's hand. "I need to know if you're worth tag-teaming with."
"What?" Lilith demanded, her head tilting to one side.
"I told you she was one of Britain's best," Julian said. "I'm sure she'll – "
"He's right. We have to duel," Lilith cut him off. "I find it hard to believe this annoying kid's the best in Ireland."
"Kid? We're the same age!"
"It's about maturity, not age," Lilith protested.
Julian sighed. "Is a coin toss all right for first turn?" They both nodded. "All right." He took a coin from his pocket and flipped it. "Someone call it quickly!"
"Tails!" Ray cried. It was. "All right, Lilith! Let's see you handle this." He drew. "I summon Solanimus Blazing-Mane Lion!" The card's name didn't leave much to the imagination; a large lion with a mane of fire appeared and roared (4*, 1700 ATK). "With this, all other Solanimus monsters gain 500 ATK. I'll set a card and that's it for me."
Solanimus? Lilith wondered. Hmph. Works for me. "I'll set a monster." The hologram of a card back appeared, but promptly burst into flames.
"Then I'll activate Solanimus Wild Explosion! When you Normal Summon or Set, and I control a Solanimus monster, I can reveal a Solanimus to destroy that card." He held up a card depicting what looked like a red snake.
"Just as I thought," Lilith smiled slightly. Within the explosion was a black fairy with wings made of water. "You destroyed my Sacred Sprite of Lunanima. This lets me Special Summon two more from my deck. They'll both be in Defence Mode." (4*, DEF: 1700) "I'll set one card as well."
"Hang on! Wild Explosion's other effect - I can Special Summon the revealed monster. Solanimus Burning Snake!" A serpent with lava-like skin appeared onto the field; hissing with a tongue made of fire. "Remember, of course, my Lion's effect." (4*, 1800 - 2300 ATK) "And now for my turn!" Ray said eagerly. "I'll summon Solanimus Blinding Blade!" (4*, 1700 - 2200 ATK) There appeared a creature that finally wasn't on fire - a knight in white-and-gold armour. "Now I can reduce the ATK and DEF of a monster you control by the ATK of a FIRE monster I control. Burning Snake has 2300 ATK, so let's reduce one of your Sprites to 0."
"To what end?" Lilith asked.
"Burning Snake gives all Solanimus monsters Piercing!" Ray explained proudly. "Burning Snake attacks the Sprite that still has ATK and DEF." The snake launched itself like a spring at the shadowy fairy, but it slammed into a wall of light.
"Moonlight Veil," Lilith announced. "If I control a Lunanima monster, monsters I control can't be destroyed this turn - "
"But you still take Battle Damage!"
"No, I don't."
"Dammit. Go." Ray crossed his arms angrily. "How do you expect to win when you're just hiding?"
"It's called strategy," Lilith's eyes narrowed. "How do you expect to win when you just throw monsters at your opponent senselessly? But I'll show you my ace card – the Field Spell Lunar Impact." Despite it being day outside, the ceiling became an endless night sky with an extremely prominent full moon. "If this card has 7 Moon Counters, I win the duel."
"What's a Moon Counter?"
"I'll show you. I summon Stargazer of Lunanima (4*, ATK: 800)." Stargazer looked little more than a woman in black holding a telescope. "Next, I overlay Stargazer and my two Sacred Sprites. Goddess of night, cast the world into eternal shadow! Xyz Summon; Gravity Queen of Lunanima!" A woman in dark, royal attire towered over both duellists and Ray's monsters. (3 OLU, DEF: 3000). "By detaching 1 Xyz-Material monster, I add one Moon Counter to Lunar Impact. The woman raised her scepter into the air and the moon lurched closer. (2 OLU, 1 Moon Counter) "I'll set one card. Now it's your turn."
"Like hell I'll let you use that effect six more times!" Ray taunted. "Blinding Blade; reduce Gravity Queen's DEF!" He pointed at his monster, who immediately became wrapped in chains.
"Fiendish Chain," Lilith announced. "Good luck without Blinding Blade's effect."
"Dammit," Ray cursed, checking the cards in his hand. "I'll activate Solanimus Fireburst, then. It inflicts damage to you equal to the ATK of a Solanimus monster I control. My snake has 2300." A giant wave of fire erupted from the snake's jaws, bypassing Lilith's field completely and wreathing the girl in flames. (Lilith: 5700)
He was able to damage me... Lilith thought. But what a cheap trick.
I haven't killed her yet... Ray considered. Damn that Fiendish Chain.
"My move," Lilith said. Fiendish Chain won't last long, I'm sure. "First, I remove another Overlay Unit to add another Moon Counter to Lunar Impact." True to her words, Ray watched the moon grow ever closer. (1 OLU, 2 Moon Counters) "Next, I'll play One for One. By discarding Wilting Lotus of Lunanima, I'll Special Summon Wilting Lotus of Lunanima from my deck." (DEF: 0)
"0 DEF? And you spent two cards on it?" Ray asked.
He didn't even notice that it was the same card I discarded? Lilith asked herself. "Once per duel, by banishing a Lunanima monster in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Wilting Lotus of Lunanima from my Graveyard." A hologram of Stargazer appeared and crumpled. The aptly-named wilting lotus was joined with another. (DEF: 0). "While Wilting Lotus exists on my field, you can't attack other monsters."
"Then I'll just destroy them first!" Ray said. "Thanks for the Piercing targets! Ooh, and it's time to show you my ace. I summon the Tuner, Solanimus Shining Star!" (4*, 1500 - 2000 ATK) A humanoid figure as bright as a sun appeared, but didn't last long before it transformed into green rings. "I tune Solanimus Shining Star with Solanimus Blinding Blade!" The knight shattered its chains and leapt into the sky. "Master of destruction, burn down everything in your path. Synchro Summon! Solanimus Raging Dragon!" An enormous beast appeared in a burst of flame; an orange-gold Chinese dragon with fire running down its back. (8*, 3000 - 3500 ATK) "That's not all. When Shining Star tunes with a Solanimus monster, for a Solanimus monster, I can bring back one of the non-Tuners. Reappear, Solanimus Blinding Blade!" The knight reappeared and took its stance. (4*, 1700 - 2200 ATK) "Normally, I'd remind you about Snake's Piercing, but Raging Dragon switches all monsters to Attack Position anyway and keeps them there permanently. You can't hide behind that DEF of yours any more!"
"What are you doing?" Lilith demanded. "I already told you Wilting Lotus prevents you from attacking other monsters."
"And I told you - "
"That includes each other." Lilith explained dully.
"Cheap move. Go."
What's not cheap about his level of swarm power? Lilith thought bitterly. "Here's the next stage of my plan. I summon Seadancer of Lunanima!" A mermaid with a tail made of water appeared. (ATK: 100) "Now, once per turn, I can attach a Lunanima monster in my Graveyard to an Xyz monster I control."
"Wait, but then..."
"You thought I'd just add the three Counters and call it quits? You idiot. I attach Sacred Sprite of Lunanima to Gravity Queen – and then detach it to add another Counter." (1 OLU, 3 Moon Counters) "Just in case you were curious, you can't attack Seadancer either. I'll set one card; your turn."
Dammit. Is she really going to get all seven counters? Ray asked himself. "I won't let that happen!" He glanced at his draw nervously, then smiled. "Solanimus Erupting Rage! If I control three or more Solanimus monsters, it destroys all monsters you control."
"Moonlight Veil," Lilith said lazily, as another wall of light halted the rush of Ray's army. Ray ended his turn. "Me? I'll just repeat my previous turn. Seadancer adds a Sprite to Gravity Queen, Gravity Queen converts it into a Moon Counter." The moon was bigger than Ray had ever even seen with a telescope. (1 OLU, 4 Moon Counters) "And I'll set a card. I'm sure it'll stop whatever you're planning."
"I don't even know what I'm planning yet!" Ray drew. "Apparently, I'm planning... Heavy Storm! Get that Lunar Impact out of here."
"I was right. Dark Bribe." Lilith said, as Ray drew another card.
"That... that's all for me." Ray said solemnly, looking at his hand of useless cards.
"This is almost funny," Lilith chuckled. I'm running out of ways to stop him, but I can't let him know that. This guy... what's with his topdecks? Though I guess if the four cards in his hand right now are useless, it just makes up for that. "I'll repeat my previous turn." The mermaid waved her arms, another light flew around Gravity Queen, extinguished itself and the moon grew closer once more. (5 Moon Counters) "And here's my set card."
Dammit dammit dammit. Is that card going to stop me too? Ray drew. "I have to try. I'll play Fissure!" A gash appeared in the floor, carrying one of the Lotuses into the earth. "It worked?"
Dammit! Lilith's eyes widened.
"Time for some extra muscle to celebrate. I'll Tribute Solanimus Blinding Blade for Solanimus Fireraptor!" The knight was replaced with an orange-skinned dinosaur with claws made of fire. (5*, 2200 - 2700 ATK)
He... forgot Blinding Blade's effect. Lilith realized. Wait, he has enough ATK to kill me anyway! That Dragon's kept everything in Attack mode!
"Lion attacks that damn Lotus!" Ray declared. The lion pounced upon the plant, tearing and burning it all at once. "That thing didn't have any ATK, did it?" (Lilith: 4000 LP) "You look worried. Seadancer has 100 ATK? Ha! Burning Snake, go!" The lava-reptile swallowed the mermaid whole. (Lilith: 1800 LP) "And let's pit boss card against boss card. 1000 ATK on that Gravity Queen? It's over! Go, Raging Dragon!"
"Fiendish Chain," Lilith declared; chains bound the dragon to the ground. I was complaining about his luck, but this saved me.
"Fireraptor's close enough! You've... wait, you're not dead!" Ray calculated, as his 2700-ATK dinosaur tore apart Lilith's towering queen. (Lilith LP: 100) "Next turn, then."
"Like hell," Lilith began her turn. "I play Monster Reborn, reviving Gravity Queen! And since Raging Dragon is bound by Fiendish Chain, my Queen remains in Defence Mode. 3000 is more than anything you've got."
"But without Overlay Units, you're not getting any closer to winning yourself, are you?"
"That's why I was saving Salvage too. I'll snag Seadancer of Lunanima and... Sacred Sprite's WATER too, so her. Next, I'll summon Seadancer, and you know how this goes." The mermaid reappeared and quickly went to work shimmying her arms and adding the other Sacred Sprite to Gravity Queen, who then cast it away and brought the moon to its penultimate location. It now filled the entire sky. (Moon Counters: 6)
I can just attack Seadancer! Ray realized.
"I'll set one card," Lilith said. Now, Ray! Take the bait! This...
game... Ray put his hand on his deck.
is... Lilith nervously tapped her fingers on her set card.
mine! Ray began drawing his card, but was interrupted by the sound of an alarm. "Whoa, what's that?"
"Fuel's low," Julian said. "We're landing. Stop duelling and sit down."
"Can this wait like two seconds?" Ray asked.
"Now." Julian said. The airship immediately began its descent; Ray and Lilith fell off their feet and the holograms disappeared.
"Dammit, I had that!" Ray cried, struggling to a chair.
"You most certainly did not. My facedown - " Lilith began, but Julian raised his hand.
"It wouldn't have been a draw, but just accept that you're equally skilled. Or close enough to," Julian said. "Hopefully you can both admit that the other is worth partnering with."
Ray and Lilith looked at each other. "That Lunar Impact was pretty cool," Ray admitted.
"Your dragon's impressive too," Lilith said, shrugging. "I think if I back up your wild offence, you've got potential."
"More like, if I give you something worth protecting."
"Are you implying that my strategy didn't work?"
"Well, you only had six Counters, so..."
"I was one turn away from - "
"My draw was - "
"My facedown was - "
Julian sighed. Maybe two duellists with the same ideals would've been easier to handle. But their tag-team will be worth the hassle. ...Probably. I guess the three of us will find out.