Chapter 2: Ship of Justice; Number 50 Black Ship of Corn sets sail.
Standing there in the wake of his duel with Yuma, Dusk contemplates what other potential the boy may have. "He can use Chaos XYZ Evolution,"Dusk though to himself; "Even with my calculations showing he had the potential, I never honestly expected him to be able to it at this point in time. Good thing I had a contingency plan in the unlikely event he did. But in doing so I tipped my hand as well, he and Astral both that I can preform it as well." Stretching his arms over his head and yawing slightly he said to himself: "Judging from that call Yuma got, he is-slash-was very late to get to his school. Which means...Oh shit. THAT MEANS I'M MAJORLY LATE!" He shouted the last sentence without realizing it. "And to make things worse for myself, I've been walking the wrong way. I must have read the map of the city wrong when I left my house." Turning quickly on his heel, Dusk set off in a flat-out run in the direction he had been walking in. "My god can I do anything besides Dueling and scientific work without messing it up somehow? Did I remember to put on my uniform this morning?" Dusk looks down at his outfit; he was wearing his usual one consisting of a black jacket, navy shirt and black pants. "Damnit. I can't believe it. I have to change into my uniform as well."
Having returned to his house and changing into his first year uniform for Heartland Academy, Dusk grabbed his bag and started out the door to once again begin a mad dash to the school. On his way out the door, his D-Gazer begins chirping to show he has received a call. Seeing it was Cloud he tapped the button to answer it saying: "Talk to me. I'm in a bit of a hurry here."
"Really for what?" Cloud asked. "Oh well it doesn't matter right now, a Number holder has appeared out by Heartland Amusement Par-And what the hell are you wearing?"
Turning a left around a corner, Dusk replied with "I told you I was going to school until the Duel Carnival. And how did you...oh right, I forgot about the fact this thing works like a video phone. But that doesn't matter, I need to get to the school as soon as possible; I really messed myself up by walking in the opposite direction this morning."
Cloud facepalmed, and said; "You sir are derping. But like I said: There is a Number Holder out by Heartland Amusement Park. The description I have is that it is man of average height and middle aged, and he seems to think he is a Superhero by the name of Captain Corn. He has dueled several people calling them "villains" and beaten all of them with his ace Monster, which according to witnesses is a card never seen or heard of before with the word "Number" in it's name."
"I told you I have to get to school. I don't have time to Heartland's park and duel with this old loon. Why don't you take care of it?" Dusk was rounding another corner and and about a hundred meters from the school.
"Because I am busy. The park is about half a mile away from your present location, it would only take you about thirty minutes total to get there and back, and that's including dealing with him. Thirty-five if you're really slow about it."
"Fine I'll deal with it Cloud," Dusk replied finally giving in. In the background he could hear the sound of engines revving on his friend's end. "Wait, what was that noise? Where are you and what are you doing?"
"Nothing for you to worry about, oh look there is the signal, got to go bye." Cloud said quickly and hung up.
Sighing Dusk put his D-Gazer in his shirt pocket and starting off in the direction of the Amusement Park. "Great like I wasn't late enough today," Dusk though to himself.
Arriving at Heartland Amusement Park Dusk began looking for a person matching Cloud's description. While doing so he mused to himself, "Won't take long, yeah right. A lot of people here match the description, I'll be here looking for him all-"
"Stop right there you Villain, don't you know littering is a crime punishable by a heavy fine? Pick that up at once or face the wrath of Captain Corn!" A loud and rather deep voice cut into Dusk's thoughts. Turning he saw a middle aged man with a Captain Kangaroo Mustache and haircut wearing a yellow spandex outfit with a black cape. He was wearing a duel disk shaped like an ear of corn and yelling at a man who seemed to have dropped a piece tissue on the ground.
Fighting off the urge to hurl at the sight of an old man in spandex, Dusk said to himself out loud; "I stand corrected, that idiot stands out by a mile." Putting on his D-Gazer he moved towards the old man, calling out: "I take it you are the 'Super Hero' Captain Corn."
Turning to face him, Captain Corn looked at Dusk. With a wide smile he said: "Why yes I am. I take it you want my autograph young man? For I am a great Super Hero protecting Heartland from all sorts of dangerous outlaws and villains."
"Not quite, I'm here to duel you. I hear you possess a card with 'Number' in it's name. I'm here to take that from you." Dusk said as he continued to approach Corn, a serious look in his eyes. "You see those cards have a rather dangerous power, and I can't leave it your hands. So if you just surrender it peacefully I won't have to shame you publicly in a duel." Dusk had covered the remaining distance between himself and Captain Corn so they were standing next to each other.
"These cards with 'Number' in their name possess dangerous power you say? Then in that case I must take all of them, starting with whatever ones you might possess for something so dangerous is best in the hands of a hero. I'm sorry son, but I must duel you for yours." Saying these words, Captain Corn put on his D-Gazer and activated his Duel Disk. "My Ship of Justice will sink your deck no matter what."
Pulling out his D-Pad and activating the Duel Disk function, and donning his D-Gazer; Dusk sighted in exasperation. "Let's get this over with then. Since you say you have a 'Ship of Justice', I guess I will test it with the power of the sea. Which is good as now I can test my new deck."
Activating his D-Gazer and adding his deck to his duel disk, a synthesized female voice stated "A-R Vision Link Established."
"DUEL!" Both Dusk and Corn shouted in unison.
Turn 1 – Captain Corn
"I'll start this aMAIZEing duel," Captain Corn shouted, "Draw!" Drawing one card from his deck. "I summon Catty Corn in attack mode." A somewhat feline looking piece of corn appeared on his field.
Catty Corn: Normal Monster; Level: 4; Type: Plant; Attribute: EARTH; ATK:1500; DEF:500
"Then I'll activate my Crashbug Road Spell Card, this card let's us each Special Summon one monster from our hand that is the same level as a level four or lower monster on our respective fields. Using this effect; I Special Summon Papa Corn in Attack Mode." A monster looking like an ear of corn wearing a purple cape with a large mustache appeared on his field.
Papa Corn: Effect Monster; Level:4; Type: Plant; Attribute: Earth; ATK:1200; DEF:800
Effect: While a Field Spell is face-up on the field, this card gains 1000 ATK.
"Now I'll overlay my level four Catty Corn and level four Papa Corn to build the Overlay Network; XYZ SUMMON!" A galaxy-shaped overlay network appeared on the field and an explosion occurred. A black triangle-shaped thing appeared on Corn's field flashing the number "50" in red before unfolding itself into a large black ship with white sails. "Appear Number 50: Ship of Justice, Blackship of Corn!"
Number 50: Ship of Justice, Blackship of Corn; XYZ Monster; Rank: 4; Type: Plant; Attribute: DARK; ATK:2100; DEF:1500; Overlay Units: 2
Effect: Cannot be destroyed by Battle except with a Number Monster.
"Next I'll set one card face-down and end my turn." A set card appeared on Captain Corn's Field. "Now it's your move son."
Turn 2 – Dusk
"With pleasure. My turn Draw!" Dusk draws one card from his deck. "I've got to be careful, he brought out his Number on his first turn. Which means his face down is meant to protect it. I better get rid of that first." Dusk though to himself."I'll start by activating my Spell Card Mystical Space Typhoon, I can target one Spell or Trap on the field and destroy it. And I'll target your face down card."
A black vortex surged forward and struck the card on Corn's field and destroyed it. "Next I'll activate Continuous Spell Water Hazard. With this card if I control no Monsters I can Special Summon a level four or lower Fish, Sea Serpent, or Aqua type monster from my hand. I Special Summon Lost Blue Breaker in Attack Mode." A monster appeared on Dusk's field that looked like a twin-headed blue hydra.
Lost Blue Breaker; Effect Monster; Level: 3; Type: Sea Serpent; Attribute: WATER; ATK:1400 DEF:0
Effect: If there is another face-up Fish, Sea Serpent, or Aqua-Type monster on the field: You can Tribute this card to target 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field; destroy that target.
"Next I Normal Summon my Mermaid Archer in Attack Mode." A mermaid with blue hair, and and a bow riding upon a sea turtle appeared on Dusk's field with a splash of water.
Mermaid Archer; Effect Monster; Level: 3; Type: Sea Serpent; Attribute: WATER; ATK:1200 DEF:200
Effect: Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up Level 3 or lower monster you control; equip that target to this card. (You can only equip 1 monster at a time to this card with this effect.) While equipped with a monster by this effect, this card gains 800 ATK. If this card would be destroyed, you can destroy the monster equipped to it with this effect, instead.
"Next I overlay my level three Mermaid Archer and level three Lost Blue Breaker to build the Overlay Network, XYZ Summon!" The galaxy-shaped overlay network appeared once again and another flash of light and explosion occurred. A tidal wave appeared and a monstrous looking shark appeared on Dusk's Field with the Number 47 appearing on it's neck in red. "Appear Number 47: Nightmare Shark!"
Number 47: Marine Menace, Nightmare Shark; XYZ Monster Rank: 3; Type Sea Serpent; Attribute: Water; ATK:2000; DEF:2000 Overlay Units: 2
Effect: Cannot be destroyed by Battle except with a Number Monster. When this card is Special Summoned: You can attach 1 Level 3 WATER monster from your hand or your side of the field to this card as an Xyz Material. Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, then target 1 WATER monster you control; this turn, that monster can attack your opponent directly, also other monsters cannot attack.
"Now I will use the effect of Nightmare Shark. Once per turn I can detach an overlay unit, and target 1 WATER monster on my field, this turn it can attack my opponent directly. And I target Nightmare Shark with this effect." Nightmare Shark lashed out and ate one of it's overlay units and a tidal wave began to well up around it and it surged forward riding it. "Go Nightmare Shark, attack Captain Corn directly, Nightmare Tidal Wave Strike!" The wave and the monster slammed into Captain Corn throwing him to the ground with a grunt.
Nightmare Shark – Overlay Units: 2 – 1
Captain Corn – LP: 4000 – 2000
"I throw one card face-down and end my turn." Dusk sets one card. "Sorry to be a bit rough, but I can't really hold back here. I need that Number you see."
Turn 3 – Captain Corn
"You need it you say son?" Captain Corn asked with a slight smile on his face. "Well I'm sad to say you can't have it. My Turn DRAW!" Drawing one card from his deck he smirks. "Time to show you the Corntastic effect of my Number! I detach one overlay uni-
"Just, just wait a second," Dusk interjected. "Did you, really just make that lame excuse for a pun? That was...I'm sorry but that was just NOT okay. You know, I was going to give you a chance and not use the card I have set on my field, but that pun was so damn bad, I just have to end it now. So please go on with it."
"Fine then if you insist." Captain Corn agreed seemingly completely oblivious to the fact he was just as good as told his monster would be destroyed if he did. "I activate the effect of Number 50: Blackship of Corn. Once per turn by detaching one Overlay Unit, I can target one monster on the field with less attack than this card and destroy it, then I inflict 1000 points of damage to my opponent's Life Points." A cannon appeared on the hull of the ship and an Overlay Unit was absorbed into it and the cannon began glowing.
Blackship of Corn – Overlay Units: 2 -1
"Go, Justice Cannon" The cannon then fired at Dusk's Nightmare Shark.
"REVERSE CARD OPEN! DIVINE WRATH!" Dusk cried. The card set on Dusk's field flips face up, revealing the Counter Trap Divine Wrath. "When an opponent's monster activates an effect, I can discard one card, negate the effect and then destroy the monster." The cannon ball shot at Nightmare Shark vanished and a bolt of thunder came down and struck Blackship of Corn destroying it. "I seriously believe you didn't see this coming. I even told you that I was irritated enough by that pun to use this card to nuke your monster," Dusk looked at Captain with a look a disappointment. "I expected more of you."
Captain Corn just laughed. "I know that, but I don't change my strategy no matter what when I decide on it. I guess I am just a stubborn old man in that respect. But I know I can still beat you. I throw 2 cards face down and end my turn." Two cards appeared set on his field.
Turn 4 – Dusk
"Really then let's see you do it. My turn! Draw!" Dusk says as he draws a card. Looking at it he smirked. "Looks like luck isn't on your side Captain Corn. I activate my Spell Card Heavy Storm. This card will destroy all Spells and Taps on the field." A hurricane force wind blew across the battlefield, and lightning bolts struck Dusk's Water Hazard and Captain Corn's two face down cards. "This is the end I'm afraid Captain Corn. Anything you want to say before my Shark ends this duel?" Dusk asked looking at his opponent one of the most enjoyable and sincere opponents he had in a long time.
"Nope not all son," Captain Corn replied, "Except this: Your will and spirit is stronger than mine, and I can't stand up to your resolve. You beat me here today." He smiled. "All I wanted to do was be a hero for the kids and give them a drive to be great people. When I found this card, I though it would give me the power to do so, but now I see all it did was make me go a tad crazy. I'm glad I got to meet and duel you though, because this card is dangerous. I hope and succeed in your goals. But I do have one question I want to ask you: What is your name?"
Looking at him feeling he owed the person across from him that much for being a good opponent he gave him the real answer. "I go by the name Dusk most of the time, but my real name is Altager."
"Altaeger I seem a good name that is. Mine is Robert." Robert spread his arms and made a "come on" gesture. "Come on and finish it. I see no harm in losing here. In fact I hope you succeed in your goal Altaeger, whatever it may be."
"Thanks, it almost makes me feel sad to beat you this badly now, but in order to succeed in my goal I need the Numbers. So it is time to end it." He pointed at Robert and shouted to his monster: "Go Nightmare Shark, attack his Life Points directly, and end this duel. Nightmare Strike!" Nightmare Shark sped toward Robert and collided with him knocking him to the ground.
Robert (Captain Corn) – LP: 2000 – 0
Winner – Dusk (Altaeger)
The sound of the A-R duel arena being powered down was heard as both removed their D-Gazers. Dusk reached forward with his hand and white shadow shaped like his flew out towards Robert and entered his chest at his heart. A few seconds later it withdrew carrying with a single card which few to Dusk's hand. Robert then slumped to ground sound asleep.
"Thankfully due to my research I was able to make a method of taking the Numbers from people without removing their souls. But, after taking it you will fall asleep and awake having forgotten you even had it. As well things that happened while you did." Dusk said as he looked at Robert. Smiling he said, "Thanks for that fun duel. Now if you excuse me I have to get to school. I'm running really late here." Turning on his heel he dashed off back to Heartland Academy having only used fifteen minutes of the thirty Cloud said he would need. As he did he mussed to himself: "The Number's Power is neither good nor evil. But rather it amplifies the power of a person's soul. The good or evil part of the power that power creates is based solely on the persons soul. This is a good thing to know."
To Be Continued...
Funfact: A friend of mine has been known to say: "You sir are derping" on numerous occasions of someone doing something silly or foolish. The use of it in this chapter was inspired by him, as that is the type of situation of that would cause him to say it.
Funfact: Captain Corn is the one who possesses Number 50 in the Manga, but his appearance and the story is rather different. When writing this chapter, the way his character appeared and behaved to seemed to be a good fit.
Funfact: Altager is the name of one of the stars in the Constellation Aquarius.
Funfact: The Number in the card artwork for the card "Number 47: Nightmare Shark" is actually red. When looking at the artwork as a reference for the last chapter the author saw it at an angel that made it appear White. This error has been corrected in this chapter, and the Number 47 on the monster will be stated as red in future chapters as well.
