CHAPTER THREE: Underestimating Underwood

Jennette walked out of Castle Town, eager for her first duel.

"It's so weird actually walking through Castle Town." Jennette said to herself. It was that someone ran past her, knocking her to the ground and scattering her cards. "Watch where you're going!" She shouted, as she began to pick up her cards. When she had finished, she realized several of her cards, including her Sage card, were missing. "Hey! Get back here you thief!" She began chasing after the card thief as fast as she could, through West Hyrule Field. As she got closer, she noticed the thief's blue-green bowl cut hair.

Wait a minute... Isn't that? She thought. "Give me back my cards, Weevil, you coward!" It was then that the thief disappeared into a teleporter. Jennette followed him quickly and she soon found herself in a small forest clearing surrounded by four large log tunnels. She ran through one of the tunnels and found herself in another area identical to the last. The Lost Woods... She focused for a moment and ran through another tunnel. She soon found herself in a small clearing. Ahead of her was a wall with a open steel gate, leading to a shrub maze, and beyond that, stairs leading to a temple courtyard. She navigated her way through the maze, climbed the stairs and as she reached the temple, she heard a sinister chuckle.

"Welcome to my lair, said the Skulltula to the fairy..." Jennette looked up to the Forest Temple's entrance and saw Weevil.

"Weevil, you scum! Give me back my cards!" Jennette said.

"Gimme gimme never gets." Weevil said with a sinister smirk. His screechy high-pitched voice made Jennette's skin crawl. That, and his bug-like personality.

"Fine! I'll squash you like the bug you are! And when I do, you'll give me my cards back!" Jennette said, activating her Duel Disk.

Weevil smirked and activating his Duel Disk as well. "I'll start! I summon Chainsaw Insect (ATK: 3120) and equip it with Invigoration (ATK: 3520)! Your move." Weevil said, summoning a bug with chainsaws for pincers.

Damn... 3500 Attack Points on the first move? This is gonna be a tough duel to win. Jennette thought. "I activate the field spell, Gerudo's Fortress! Not only will this get rid of your Insect's field power bonus (ATK: 2800), but this spell will also give my Gerudo monsters a boost."

"Your what monsters?" Weevil asked.

"My Gerudo monsters... Like this one, Dark Gerudo Swordswoman (ATK: 1900). And my field spell gives her an extra 500 points (ATK: 2400)." Jennette said, summoning a Gerudo in red clothing, carrying two swords. "Next, I use Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Invigoration, which brings your Chainsaw Insect back down to its original 2400 points, so our monsters will match each other in battle point for point! Now, Dark Gerudo Swordswoman, attack Chainsaw Insect!"

"Ugh... Chainsaw Insect's effect allows you to draw a card." Weevil said.

"I'll end my turn by placing two cards face down." Jennette said.

"I summon Petit Moth (DEF: 200) and equip it with Cocoon of Evolution!" Weevil said, summoning a green caterpillar that soon became wrapped in a silky pink cocoon. "Now, my Petit Moth's attack and defense become equal to Cocoon of Evolution (DEF: 2000). Next, I equip my moth with Invigoration and Laser Cannon Armor (DEF: 2500)! Your move."

"I summon Gerudo Warrior (ATK: 2100)." Jennette said, summoning a Gerudo in pink clothing, garbed in a leather belt and carrying a sword and shield. "And I'll place one card face down. Go."

"I lay a card face down." Weevil said. "Four more turns, and my Cocoon will evolve into my ultimate creature! Your move."

"I summon Dark Gerudo Guard (ATK: 2200)." Jennette said, summoning a short-haired Gerudo in white pants, a purple tube top and a white vest. "Your move."

"Time is counting down..." Weevil said. "Before long, you'll be staring down my ultimate monster!"

"I'll easily find something that will destroy your Cocoon before it hatches!" Jennette said. "Just wait and see!"

"If you're so confident, I'll do you the luxury of passing my turn." Weevil said. "Three more turns..."

Meanwhile...

Dayan stood at the base of the mountain with the Zora, Duel Disks active. The Zora (LP: 3250) had a monster face-down and two face-down spell or trap cards. Dayan (LP: 2100) had a face-down spell or trap and two monsters: a blonde-haired male ninja in purple clothing (ATK: 1560) and a samurai in icy blue armor (ATK: 2340).

"I reveal my Cyber Jar!" The Zora said. "Now, my Cyber Jar and your Ice Barrier monsters are destroyed! Next we pick up 5 cards and Special Summon any monsters we draw... And I drew Alpha the Magnet Warrior (ATK: 1400), Beta the Magnet Warrior (ATK: 1700) and Gamma the Magnet Warrior (ATK: 1500)!" Then, three creature made of magnets appeared on the field: one silver, one yellow and one pink.

"I got Defender of the Ice Barrier (ATK: 260), Prior of the Ice Barrier (ATK: 1300) and Strategist of the Ice Barrier (ATK: 2080)." Dayan said, summoning a red fox in armor with an icy tail, a bearded man in a white robe and blue-hooded shawl, and an older warrior in a blue robe and conical hat.

It was then that the Zora's magnet creatures broke apart and combined together. "Now, I'll combine the three together and create Valkyrion the Magna Warrior (ATK: 3500)!"

Back at the Forest Temple...

"It's my move now!" Jennette said, drawing a card. "I summon Gerudo Soldier (ATK: 2100)!" Then, a Gerudo in crimson clothing and white arm bandages, carrying two scimitars appeared on the field. "Your move."

Weevil simply laughed. "My Cocoon is really holding you back, isn't it?" Weevil asked. "In that case, I'll simply pass this turn. Two more turns and my ultimate insect will be unleashed..."

I've got to do something about that moth... But I don't have anything strong enough to defeat it... Jennette thought as she reached for her deck. And that won't help...

"I pass my turn." Jennette said.

"I don't need to do anything." Weevil said. "So I'll pass as well. One more turn..."

"Crap... I can't do anything..." Jennette said. "Go."

"I place one card face down." Weevil said. "Next turn, my ultimate monster will arise from its cocoon and destroy you..."

I have to make this move count... Jennette thought. "I... switch all my monsters to defense mode (DEF: 500) (DEF: 1700) (DEF: 1800) (DEF: 1900). Go."

Meanwhile, back on Snowpeak...

Dayan's duel with the young Zora had attracted the attention of several other Zoras from the nearby domain.

"Since I can't attack with Valkyrion, I'll end my turn." Dayan's opponent said.

"Perfect... It's time for a Synchro Summon." Dayan said. "I tune my Level 3 Defender with my Level 2 Prior and my Level 4 Strategist... For a total of 9... To Synchro Summon... Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (ATK: 3510)! And, I'll banish Valkyrion from the field, Cyber Jar from the graveyard, and the only card left in your hand!" It was then that a large icy 3-headed dragon took form on Dayan's field, before causing a flash freeze which left Valkyrion, Cyber Jar and a card in the young Zora's hand as icy statues. The ice shattered and the 3 cards vanished.

"Whoa! A Synchro monster!" A young Zora said.

"I've heard only some of the best duelists in the world have Synchros..."

"Trishula, attack directly and finish this duel!" The Zora was knocked the ground, blown down by an icy wind (LP: 0). He stood up, holding out Valkyrion and his Locator Card.

"Here. You won these." He said.

"No. I have no need for Valkyrion." Dayan said. "Keep it."

At the Forest Temple...

Weevil laughed evilly.

"Now my mighty insect! Emerge from your Cocoon!" Weevil said.

This won't be good... Jennette though. Weevil's cocoon began to crack and peel, opening to reveal a large green moth with bright blue wings.

"Arise, Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth (ATK: 3500)!" Weevil exclaimed.

"3500 attack points?!" Jennette gasped.

"Great Moth, attack Gerudo Soldier (DEF: 1900)!" Weevil exclaimed.

"Activate trap card! Stealth Mission Fail!" Jennette exclaimed. "First of all, this negates your attack! Next, I'm allowed to Special Summon a Gerudo monster from my hand or deck!" It was then that a sexy Gerudo girl appeared on the field, garbed in a white bikini-like top and flowing white skirt. "I summon Gerudo Temptress (ATK: 2400)!"

"Ha! That can't stop my Great Moth!" Weevil exclaimed.

"I don't have to!" Jennette said. "Because when my Temptress steps onto the field, she places a Temptation Counter on one monster, preventing it from attacking or activating its effect! And I'm putting a stop to your Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth!"

"Ugh! I end my turn!" Weevil said.

"Lucky for you, I don't have anything I can do." Jennette said. "Go."

Meanwhile...

Danielle stood in a small spring in the southern forests of Hyrule, face-to-face with her opponent, a young Kokiri girl. The Kokiri (LP: 1300) had a female monster with bluish-purple skin, garbed in a pink dress who was rising out from a blooming red rose (ATK: 3640). Danielle (LP: 700) had two small white-and-black creatures that looked similar to fat penguins with grass plants sprouting out of their backs (ATK: 2210) (ATK: 2340).

"I end my turn." The Kokiri said.

I need something to destroy that Tytannial... Danielle thought. That'll work... "I sacrifice Erla, Stealth Kikwi and Machi, Kikwi Leader to summon myself!" Danielle's two monsters vanished and she stepped forward onto the field, now wielding a rose-hilted thorn-bladed sword. "I summon Danielle, Sage of the Forest (ATK: 3380)!"

"Sorry, but that's not enough to beat my Tytannial." The Kokiri said.

"True, but I have a spell card to aid me... Beetle!" Danielle said. "This card will halve the attack points of your Tytannial (ATK: 1820), leaving me free to attack it and end the duel!"

"Uh oh..." The Kokiri stood and watched as Danielle sliced her monster in half (LP: 0).

"Looks like I win." Danielle said.

"Good duel." The Kokiri said, holding out her Tytrannial and her Locator Card. "Here. My Tytannial and my Locator Card."

Back at the Forest Temple...

"I'll lay one card face down." Weevil said. "You're move."

"I'll place a card face down and switch Temptress to defense mode (DEF: 2000)." Jennette said. "Go."

"I pass." Weevil said. "I WILL get that counter off of my Moth... And then I'll destroy you!"

Jennette sighed. "There's nothing I can do..." She said. "Your move."

"I lay one card face down and end my turn." Weevil said.

Meanwhile, Shaylene was walking through Hyrule Field, thumbing through her deck as she walked.

"I wonder which spring I should look for an opponent at first..." Shaylene wondered aloud. She then started thinking about life before Hyrule, when the world she now lived in was nothing more than a fictional land in a video game. "Maybe I should think about where the springs were in Twilight Princess... Lanayru Spring was at Lake Hylia, in a cave. I can't say I'll find too many there. I'll probably find a decent amount of duelists at Faron and Ordon Springs in the forests... But Kakariko's a bustling town. Eldin Spring might be my best bet."

Shaylene continued walking through the field and soon reached the entrance to Kakariko Village. She stopped and scanned the scenery as she walked in.

"I can't over how beautiful Hyrule actually is." Shaylene thought aloud. "In a way, I'm glad to be living here." It certainly beats my old life...

Shaylene sat in a large classroom with a bunch of other students. The teacher had a stack of test booklets on the top of his desk. He picked up the top one and looked out over the class.

"All right, kids. I have the results of your MCAS tests." The teacher said. "On a general note, everyone did well. Though there were a couple of you who didn't pass. Miss Johnson..."

Shaylene looked up nervously.

"You scored a 275 in every category. Excellent job." The teacher said. "The rest of you should try to be excellent students like Miss Johnson here." Shaylene couldn't help but smile.

After class, at lunch, Shaylene was sitting down at a table by herself, eating her lunch. A group of jocks came over to her and smacked her lunch onto the floor.

"Who do you think you are, making the rest of us look bad?" One of them asked.

"Shaylene the Smartypants." Said another. "Best MCAS scores in the school."

"You're such a nerd." A third one said. "What kind of no-life loser does that good on the MCAS?"

"It's because she doesn't have a life or a boyfriend." The first jock said.

"No. She doesn't have a boyfriend because she's such an ugly smartypants." The second jock repeated, grabbing Shaylene's notebook from next to her. "Look at all these nerdy notes!"

"Give me back my notebook!" Shaylene exclaimed.

"Why should we, Smartypants?" The second jock asked. "So you can make us look bad on the MCAS again?"

"I said give it back!" Shaylene cried out. One of the jocks smirked and held the notebook up just above Shaylene's reach.

"Come on, Smartypants. Can't you figure out how to reach it?" The third jock asked. "Or is your smartypants brain just a little too small?" Shaylene quickly got up and ran out of the cafeteria, tears in her eyes.

"I hated those guys... So what if I did good on the MCAS?" Shaylene wondered aloud, as she walked toward the spring. I still owe CJ...

CJ and Shaylene were sitting on the front steps of an elementary school situated at the fork of the city's main road and a side road, just up the street from their houses.

"So a couple of football players were teasing you because you aced the MCAS?" CJ asked. "I would've loved to have done that good when I was your age. I mean, I did pretty good, but it would've been awesome to get near perfect scores."

"It was Brad and his friends." Shaylene said.

"Brad Dunham? The kid that trashed your lemonade stand last summer?" CJ asked.

"Yeah... him..." Shaylene said.

"Hey Smartypants!" A new voice called out.

"Speak of the devil..." Shaylene mumbled.

"Look at this!" Brad said. "You actually have friends. How much are her parents paying you to be nice to her, man?" CJ stood up, towering over Brad by about 1 to 1 1/2 feet. He then grabbed Brad by the collar of his shirt and shoved him onto the mulch-covered ground of the nearby playground with enough force to slightly knock the wind out of him.

"Listen to me, you low-life jock..." CJ said, with a furious tone. "If I find out again that you've been picking on Shaylene, in ANY way... I don't care how much older than you I am... I won't hesitate to break your arm and make sure you don't play football in your freshman year of high school. And make sure your friends get the message." Brad quickly stood up, shaking, brushed himself off and ran away.

"Thanks, CJ." Shaylene smiled.

"Of course, kiddo." CJ said. "Come on, let's go see if your sister's back from swim practice yet. I want to play a couple round of Super Smash Brothers."

Brad was a lot nicer to me after that... Shaylene thought.

At the Forest Temple...

"Ugh... I can't do anything other than lay a card face down." Jennette said. "Go."

"I'll pass." Weevil said.

At least my Temptress is holding him off... But I need to draw something to begin the offensive... Jennette thought. That's it! "I'll destroy my Gerudo's Fortress field spell to play the Spirit Temple field spell!" It was then that the area changed into a desert oasis. Behind Jennette stood a large rock formation. Carved into it was the shape of a woman sitting upon a throne, and at the bottom of the rock was a doorway. "Now, all monsters with 'Sage of Spirit' in their name gain 300 attack and defense points!"

"So?" Weevil asked. "I don't see any monsters fitting that name on your field..."

"I sacrifice Gerudo Soldier and Gerudo Warrior to summon Ancient Sage of Spirit (ATK: 3000)!" Jennette said, summoning a muscular young man with red hair, spiked in the front, in a green short-sleeved tunic and beige pants. "Next, I'll equip him with Black Pendant for a 500 point boost (ATK: 3500)! Next, I switch Temptress, Guard and Swordswoman to attack mode (ATK: 1900) (ATK: 1700) (ATK: 1900). Ancient Sage, attack Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth!"

"No! My Ultimate Moth!" Weevil exclaimed.

"And when Black Pendant is destroyed, you lose 500 Life Points!" Jennette said, as Weevil took the hit (LP: 4000 – 500). "But that's not all! Because Temptress, Guard and Swordswoman have more than enough points to finish you!"

"NO!" Weevil gasped as he was struck by Jennette's monsters (LP: 0).

"I've won." Jennette said. "Now, give me back my cards, and give me your Locator Card."

"Ugh..." Weevil groaned. "Here..." He handed back Jennette's cards as well as his Locator Card.