A Jewel of a Duel: Part 2
"If you liked the last two monsters-you'll love this!" Jade smirked drawing another card. She cast her eyes down studying it. "It's my Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat!"
The purple gem sparkled brightly as it was played on the field. Soon the rose form of the pink cat showed herself. This one looks tasty... Amethyst purred looking back to Jade. He'll make a puurfect snack. Jade laughed and expected no less from the beast.
"Easy," She looked to the cat. The beast turned and snarled, baring her fangs. I haven't had fresh meat in ages.
Jaden visibly recoiled back from the creature. "Ah! Down girl," He squeaked.
"Aw she's harmless," Jade smiled, "But this isn't!" She flipped her spell card about. "It's called Tempt to the Crystal and it gives me more bling for my buck. See since I have three crystal beasts in play once you draw I get to invite one more to the party," Jade smiled reaching to her deck and unfurling it. Scanning through the cards she plucked one of her favourites before slamming it down onto her duel disk.
"Say 'howdy' to my Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger!" The black and white stripped tiger quickly appeared on the field, snarling, fangs dripping. Jade cast her eyes to the beast. "Ready?" The beast looked to her. Why don't you tell our friend here about our special talent. Jade could have kicked herself. Thankfully one of them was thinking. "I almost forgot!" Jade chuckled. "Whenever my tiger attacks, it's power increases by 400! Topaz? Show him what I mean."
Topaz leapt forward, bounded across the field and pounced atop Jaden's Aqua Dolphin.
"No! Not my Aqua!" Jaden cried as the creature was destroyed in a flurry of smoke.
Let me sink my teeth in now, Amethyst purred.
"You wanna taste huh?" Jade cocked a brow. "Once I cut your strength in half, you're allowed take a bite right out of Jaden. Have fun!" Amethyst leapt skyward and crashed down atop of Jaden. Jade heard a quick mutter of 'be gentle' pipe from Jaden before Amethyst brought her claws clean across his face. I've only scratched the surface. Jade smirked and looked down to her eager feline. Jade placed a face down.
"Patience girl," She winked, "You've done plenty for now. Take a cat nap."
"Good idea!" Jaden called from the far side of the field scrambling up to his feet. "As for me, nap time is over for me. So I summon Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab."
"Well I'll be another space man!" Jade beamed.
"Neos? Scarab? Contact fusion!" Jaden grinned as his two monsters bounded skyward. "Jade? Meet Elemental Hero Flare Neos!"
Jade was impressed. She had heard rumours about Jaden's Neo-Spacian's but to see them in person was more than a joy. They were awesome monsters, she needed to get herself some. "Now that's a combo!" Jade beamed, "Let's see what else your got!"
"Well I aim to please," Jaden smirked looking down to his cards. "So here, this one's just for you. My Neo Space Field Spell." The arena was quickly transformed into the blistering blinding lights of a space like galaxy. "Now for every spell or trap card on the field Neo's gets a 400 attack point boost!" Jaden grinned, "Plus a little extra, thanks to my field spell!"
"He's so cool!" Jade nodded. Oh yeah? And what does that make me? Amethyst piped, A box of used kitty litter? Jade laughed. "Come on just because I can appreciate my opponent's monsters doesn't mean I like you guys any less."
Hasselberry from the crowd shortly called out. "Hey kitty cat! You're nine lives are up!"
"You said it!" Syrus echoed, "Declaw those things J!"
"You heard the man Neos," Jaden smirked, "There's more than one way to skin a cat so let's try-Flare Storm!" Scarab leapt into action, leaping up, his fist balling and becoming wrapped with flames. The ball was sent forth hurtling toward Amethyst.
"It won't work!" Jade extended her hand and revealed her face down. "Thanks to this."
Jaden gasped.
"Tough break," Jade shrugged, "But due to my last resort trap card I can activate a field spell." Jaden growled. "But don't you worry," Jade nodded, "There's something in it for you too. You get to draw yourself a bonus card."
Jaden drew his card, though not without biting his tongue.
"As for me," Jade continued, "I activate Ancient City Rainbow Ruins!" The nebula was shattered and collapsed around them being replaced with blue skies, old pillars and a large stone arena. A rainbow hung over the field shining brightly. Jaden peered around his surroundings and gaped. It was so bright compared to the galaxy they had just been immersed in.
"Where are we?" He gasped.
"We're in Rome!" Jade smiled, "Which means your Neo Space is gone and so are all those extra points. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, now for the effect of my field spell. Guess what? Now that I have two crystal beasts in my spell card zone, my attack damage now gets cut in half!" But that didn't stop the inevitable. Flare Scarab's flames crashed down on the feline. There was a pain ridden growl from the cat before she was replaced with the small form of the purple crystal. Jade growled as her life points went from 2900 to 1650.
"This girl duels like me," Jaden muttered to himself. "But without the good looks and not to mention the winning personality." Jaden looked to his field and pondered a moment. Good looks? He studied the girl closely a moment. "Now I switch grand mole to defence mode."
Jade laughed, "I'm afraid you can't do much else because Neos goes back to your deck...looks like someone's a little forgetful." Jade was loving this. She could win this-she knew it.
Jaden watched as Neos left the field and pouted slightly. "But I have personality..." He muttered meekly.
"These two are perfectly matched!" Crowler muttered from his seat. Bonaparte, next to him, was on the edge of his seat clutching the head of the chair in front of him. Eyes wide, lips pursed and back rigid. Shepherd sat with his arms folded as he watched the duel ensuing.
"Yes. I'm on the edge of my seat!" Bonaparte pointed out, in case anyone hadn't already noticed.
"That's strange," Shepherd muttered. Crowler and Bonaparte looked to him. "It seems Professor Viper doesn't share your enthusiasm..." Shepherd peered to the empty seat. Where was the man?
"So you like my Crystal Beasts, do you?" Jade grinned pulling on her deck once more, "It looks like today is your lucky day!" She drew the card and studied it. This would do. "I play-Rare Value! When there are two or more Crystal Beast's in my Spell or Trap Card Zone and I sacrifice one, I can draw two new cards!" Jade looked to her cards, out of them all she decided that Emerald Turtle could go to the Graveyard...well it wasn't like he wouldn't be back.
"Sorry Turtle," She muttered, "But I'll bring you back soon old pal."
Jade looked to her deck and drew two more cards.
"Now to draw!" Peering down at her hand she noted that she had drawn Monster Reincarnation-perfect- and Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth. She may as well bring out her mammoth. "I summon Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth!" The gem appeared quickly on the field, shining brightly before it's shell cracked. A bright light shone and a large shadow appeared revealing the large grey mammoth.
"How many of these do you have?" Jaden quizzed from the far side of the field.
Jade ignored him and watched as her mammoth stood tall and proud. What a beast he was. Jade-I would love to pummel this little toothpick of a man Amber muttered. Jade understood that want indefinitely. Her eyes turned to her tiger.
"Topaz Tiger time to whack that mole," Jade smirked. The tiger leapt forward, sprinting across the length of the field to the small mole-still in Defence mode. Leaping high he pounced a top the creature. Just as the Mole was sent to the graveyard Jaden piped up.
"Looks like you forgot something, whenever my mole's in a smack down both our monsters go back to our hands. Topaz was quickly returned to Jade's hand whereas Mole returned to Jaden's. Jade smirked.
"Not too shabby...but then again I'm not alone," Jade laughed, "You did notice the elephant in the room...right?" She cast her eyes to the large mammoth still on the field. Well Jaden wanted to see her monsters-she'd give it to him. "Well take a closer look!"
Amber stampeded forward throwing up dust in his wake as he barrelled across the playing field snorting and growling. Stopping before Jaden the elephant lifted his leg and hit hard reducing Jaden's life points to a mere 300.
"That should do," Jade winked.
"Our reputation rests with Jaden," Bonaparte pointed out, his knuckles white from gripping the seat. "No wonder you're sweating," Bonaparte directed to Crowler, he wasn't about to take his eyes away from the duel but he could hear the rivets of sweat running down his fellow professors brow. Crowler dabbed his brow continuously with a white handkerchief mopping up the beads which were leaking from below his blond bangs.
"I never sweat!" The man scolded. "...I perspire." He added quickly. Shepherd cast his eyes to the duel once more before hearing movement. He tensed. He saw the burly form of Viper sitting next to him.
"Professor Viper!" Shepherd's brow rose, "You're back."
"Forgive me Chancellor," Viper hissed folding his arms across his broad chest, "I had to step out for a moment, but I've been monitoring this duel closely and I'm quite pleased. They're both exhibiting their full potential. I just hope the other students are inspired."
"Couldn't agree more," Shepherd beamed before turning his eyes to the duel.
"This is a code Red boys, the Sarge. needs back up," Hassleberry muttered.
"You don't know the half of it," A musical voice chimed. Hassleberry frowned and cast a look to Chazz, no it wasn't Chazz that had spoken to him. He peered over his shoulder. "Jaden's in way over his head this time..."
Behind them was the grey suited form of the boy Aster Phoenix, his hands pushed firmly into the pockets of his slacks. His eyes watching the duel. He wasn't even seated. When the hell had he shown up?
"Aster?" Hassleberry frowned.
"Why are you here?" Chazz hissed.
Aster drew his eyes away from the duel and looked down to Chazz, "Jeez thanks, nice to see you too. I'm a student here remember?"
"Student?" Chazz scoffed. "I thought you were back on the pro circuit."
Aster ducked low, pulling his hands from his pockets and leaning on the back of the chairs.
"I was..." Aster nodded, "Until I heard those Crystal Beasts were here. They're legendary dude!"
"Hold up Phoenix," Hassleberry cut in. Aster turned to him those big blue eyes peering innocently to Hassleberry. "You're giving up the pro's just to get your hands on some cards?"
Aster chuckled before focusing back on the duel. "Not quiet Hassleberry only Jade will ever control the Crystal Beasts, you see, they have a special bond."
Chazz watched Jade as she stood in the arena with her Crystal's surrounding her. How sweet, the irritable, shrill voice sounded next to him. Kind of reminds you of our special bond right boss?
"You wish. Get lost!" Chazz growled throwing up his fist and knocking the spirit away from him.
"A bond?" Hassleberry looked back toward Aster again, "Like that wacky glue?"
"This might be a little bit over your head," Aster sighed, "But some duellists have a strong connection with their cards. Ever notice that Jaden's always talking to his monsters? Well Jade can do the same thing with her Crystal Beasts. In fact even when they get destroyed, their spirits are always with her. Lemme put it in your language soldier. It's like Jade has her own personal army ready to back her up whenever she's on the battle field."
"Cards that talk?" Hassleberry snorted. "Monster spirits? What kind of fool do you think I am?" Hassleberry was a thick head sometimes, if he didn't understand the concept it couldn't be true.
Aster sighed. "Hassleberry you really don't want me answering that. So let's move on. What I'm trying to say is Jade didn't choose her monsters, she was chosen by them."
Alexis spun in her seat and looked back up to Aster, as did most. "The cards picked her?" The blonde frowned.
"Gimme a break," Blair scoffed, the freshmen in Slifer Red with navy colored hair.
"Yeah," Chazz backed up looking back around to the duel. "We all need a break from this duel."
"All that junk about talking cards is nuts," Hassleberry said again.
"You don't believe me?" Aster questioned leaning on his knuckles. "Then why don't you give Maximillion Pegasus a call. He told me all about this back when I won my first Industrial Illusions Tournament."
Hassleberry snorted again. Chazz scoffed and the rest, Alexis, Blair and Syrus, all turned back to the duel. Aster pondered a moment. Jaden, I hope you know what you're doing. Aster looked up, he felt watched. Raiden West was watching him, just at the end of the row. That looming shadow of a man who seemed to strike fear into anyone. Aster watched him a long moment but quickly looked away. Even he couldn't look into that man's eyes for more than mere seconds.
I have no idea what I'm doing, Jaden admitted to himself as he looked across the field to Jade. Just glad those Crystal things of hers don't have any attack points. Then it hit him. No attack points?! "But that can only mean..." Jaden muttered aloud, "You're planning to sacrifice those jewels aren't you!"
"How do you know?" Jade's smirk fell, "Alright you got me," Her smirk returned. "I'm gonna trade in my crystal's for an upgrade."
"So then I was right," Jaden beamed. He knew there had t be something more to those gems.
"Almost, here's the deal, there's seven Crystal's. When they're all on the field they merge together to make something new."
"Sweetness. This I got to see, you'll play it soon right?"
Jade looked down and giggled, "Not quiet, what fun is that? I don't want this to end yet, I'm having a blast. You're gonna have to wait," Jade smiled.
"Me? Wait? If you won't summon it I'll force it out. I activate Convert Contact. Since my field is empty, I can take one Neo-spacian from my hand and one from my deck and send it to my grave. Then I can draw a card for each monster on your field. Plus the card I would normally draw. That's two!" Jaden ripped two cards from the top of his deck and peered down to them. Perfect. "I play, and this may sound strange, a spell card called Cocoon Party. Here's how it works; for every Neo-spacian in my grave, I get a cocoon." Three small cocoon's formed on the field.
"How cute!" Jade squealed, "Little baby aliens!"
"Sure they're small now, but you know kids these days," Jaden smirked reaching for another card, "Before you know it they're all grown up. So I play contact!" Neo-Spacian Dark Panther emerged in attack mode, along with Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird and Neo-Spacian Glow Moss, both in defence mode.
"Not bad!" Jade called, "Three Neo-Spacian's in one turn?"
"That's right," Jaden nodded smugly. "Now watch this. Thanks to my Hummingbird's effect I get 1000 life points."
Jade frowned.
"500 for each of your cards," Jaden pointed out. "But that's not all, next I'll activate Neos Energy giving my Dark Panther 800 points. Now go use 'em. Attack her Amber Mammoth!" Dark Panther sprung forward crashing down through the air and slamming down on top of Jade's mammoth. In a chaos of smoke Amber Mammoth was destroyed to be replaced by a small gem while Dark Panther leapt back to Jaden's field.
"Remember," Jade chimed in quickly, "Thanks to my field spell, I lose half as many attack points." That left Jade's life points at 1600 while Jaden's had risen to 1300. "Your deck is awesome J," Jade smiled.
"Right back atcha, now why don't you go ahead and play this secret monster of yours," Jaden cocked a brow. Jade said nothing before reaching for another card from her deck. She grinned widely.
"You wanna see a monster?" She questioned, "Well here's my Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus!" The great white Pegasus appeared on the field his blue horn shone like bright Sapphire. "Ready pal?" Jade asked. You betcha, Sapphire responded. "Then for starters let's show off your special effect!" Pegasus lifted his head high and whinnied loudly a burst of blue light emitting from the tip of his horn.
"Let me elaborate," Jade smirked, "Whenever Sapphire Pegasus joins the field, guess what I'm allowed to do, take a Crystal Beast from my Graveyard and summon it." Jade held up the card that had just emerged from her Graveyard. Ruby Carbuncle. "Surprise! It's good 'ol Ruby," Jade nodded, "And she's got a special ability too, be careful what you wish for because now you have to face all seven of my Crystal Beast's at once. Alright Ruby it's your time to shine!"
Each and every Crystal shattered allowing the Crystal Beast's to come forth.
Jaden gasped, "That means you can merge them!"
"You have a once track mind, don't you J," Jade grinned.
Alrighty gents, follow me! Pegasus muttered. Ay-ay, Cobalt Eagle nodded.
"Pegasus attack Dark Panther!" Both creatures leapt for one another causing a double KO. "Amethyst!" This time it's puuursonal. The cat hissed. "Time to pounce girl!" Jaden cringed at the far end of the field. She pounced directly onto Jaden bringing his life points to 700. "Cobalt Eagle!" Jade continued her onslaught. Cobalt attacked Jaden's Hummingbird sending it to the Graveyard. "Amber Mammoth it's your turn!" The mammoth stormed forward easily crushing Jaden's Glow Moss. "And now it's your turn Ruby!" Jade smiled sending the small feline creature forward. It attacked Jaden directly with a piercing ray of red light. It slammed into Jaden driving his life points down once more to a low of 400.
Jade watched carefully before calling out, "You alright?"
"I've been scratched, trampled and pecked," Jaden smirked, "So yeah I feel just peachy. What else you got in that bag of tricks?"
"That's all," Jade smiled flicking her hair back over her shoulder.
"Good then I'll go," Jaden growled. Jaden looked down to his deck. Come on deck, don't fail me now, he pleaded. Reaching forward he ripped the top card away and looked down. "Watch this," Jaden nodded. He'd just drawn Elemental Hero Neos and with Fake Hero and Contact Soul already in his hand...he might actually come back from this. "To start I'll play the Spell Card Fake Hero, thanks to this I get to summon any hero from my hand and I chose my Neos."
Neos emerged on the field, as big and fearsome as ever.
"But wait," Hayden grinned, "Now I play Contact Soul. Since Neos is on the field, I can summon another Neo-Spacian from my Graveyard and I pick my Air Hummingbird. Now merge to form Elemental Hero Air Neos!"
Both creatures took to the skies and merged to form the great winged hero. Jaden looked to Jade to see her in awe but he'd take that awe away.
"Get this-since you have more life points then me. Neos get's some extra attack points. 1200 big ones to be exact. Not a bad special effect huh?"
Jade gasped.
"So it's game over! Air Neos-Finish this!"
Neos wings flared wide before cutting two lethal swipes in Jade's direction.
"Sorry to interrupt," Jade cut in. "But it's time. Remember? That monster you wanted to see? All seven Crystal Beasts are here which means there's only one thing left to do! I play Rainbow Dragon!" Jade called loudly. The monsters vanished from her field, becoming gems once more and beginning to merge together. "Meet the most feared creature in history!" Jade bellowed. "You'll never survive!" A shadow crossed the field. Jaden gasped. "Just kidding," Jade chuckled. Air Neos' attack slammed into Amber Mammoth. There was a cry as Jade was thrown back. The crowd gasped. Jim, Adrian and Axel all exchanged glances. Raiden, near the back wall, felt his brow crease. Jade was thrown on the floor. Her life points running down to 0. After a short moment she sat up.
"Nice duel!" She grinned throwing her hair back from her face, her eyes bright.
"Wait..." Jaden frowned, "Where's Rainbow Dragon?"
"Well that's the funny thing," Jade muttered as she clawed her way back to her feet. "I haven't got that card in my deck yet J." She burst into a fit of laugher.
Jaden's jaw dropped. "Eh...come again?"
There was uproar from the crowd. Jade's laughing ceased and she looked around her. Quickly she raised her arms, "Sorry everyone! But I know it's out there somewhere."
"What do you mean?" Jaden frowned again.
"Well according to the legend, the soul of the Rainbow Dragon lives inside a stone tablet...but no one's knows where to find it...but when it is found, according to Pegasus, it's gonna be made into a duel Monster's card." Jade turned her attention back to the crowd, "Hey folks! If anyone's sees the tablet, let me know okay? Because I plum need it!"
Jaden sighed heavily. He had been looking forward to that card. The sound of single applause broke through everything. Jaden and Jade turned to see Professor Viper striding onto the field.
"Excellent," He praised, "A fitting start to the new semester. Now join me won't you?" Viper gestured both contests to meet with him at the field's centre. Jade and Jaden met in front of Viper and extended their hands to one another.
"Your first lesson is complete," Viper nodded. Gasps shattered the air. "As I explained to you before, I fancy myself as a man of action. You learn by practicing so I'll be organizing mandatory duels every day. I suggest you comply. Because from now on I'll be monitoring your every move." More gasps. "Your my students now and to succeed you must duel!"
The sun was setting outside Duel Academy. The events from the day had caused Professor's to panic, students to worry and Viper to strut around like an egotistical ape. Raiden stepped through the corridors of the Academy. He was not here to help the students, as Shepherd had mentioned-that was a cover for his purpose. He was here to speak with the Chancellor and the Chancellor alone but for now the man was engaged attempting to calm heated air around the academy. Raiden would have to wait but for now he'd content himself to watch over Aster Phoenix. He paused when he heard voices.
"See all you had to do was play this combo, and you would have won."
That voice was familiar. One he had heard earlier that day. Raiden peered around the corner to see the pair of Duellists sitting cross legged playing out strategies with their cards. Both still had a lot to learn.
"Yeah...but this one is more fun! See I just add that to this." Jade smiled.
"Oh yeah!" Jaden nodded.
"They're twins!" Syrus squeaked.
"Ain't that cute," Hassleberry fawned.
"Two Jaden's?" Chazz scoffed.
"Oh well...I guess it could be worse," Aster sighed, "At least Chazz doesn't have a twin." He smirked and strode away, hands in pockets. Aster paused when he noticed Raiden in the shadows, cast a look back to his comrades before continuing toward West.
"Rematch?" Jade cocked a brow.
"Anytime," Jaden smirked.