Yugi LP: 950
Dark Magician: Spellcaster-Type/DARK/Level 7/ATK 3000/DEF 2100
Spell & Trap Zone: Magic Formula [equipped to Dark Magician]
Jonouchi LP: 1150
Sheep Token: Beast-Type/EARTH/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0
Sheep Token: Beast-Type/EARTH/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0
Sheep Token: Beast-Type/EARTH/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0
"As amusing as that was, Jonouchi," Yugi grinned, "it takes more than just mind games and defensive plays to win a duel."
"Yeah, I getcha," Jonouchi replied. "So hurry up and finish your move so I can counter that too."
"Getting cocky after surviving one Battle Phase?" Yugi asked, taking another card from his hand. "Really, you should know better. I activate the Spell Card, Bond of Teacher and Student!"
"Teacher and who?" Jonouchi asked as the Spell appeared. "You calling me a student, Yugi?!"
Yugi ignored him. "This card can only be activated if I control Dark Magician. But by doing so, I can call his disciple out of my Deck in Defence Position! Come, Dark Magician Girl!" In a burst of light, stars and hearts, the great female Spellcaster emerged, casting a wink in Jonouchi's direction before settling down in a defensive posture on Yugi's field.
Dark Magician Girl: Spellcaster-Type/DARK/Level 6/ATK 2000/DEF 1700
"Dark Magician Girl gains 300 ATK for each copy of Dark Magician or Magician of Black Chaos in my Graveyard. I have a Magician of Black Chaos, so she gets a boost from it."
Dark Magician Girl: ATK 2000 → 2300
"Turn end."
"My turn, draw!" Jonouchi searched through his hand in disgust. Seriously?! Is this all I have to work with? Swordsman of Landstar, Dangerous Machine Type-6, Giltia the D. Knight and Polymerization? I can't sacrifice Sheep Tokens, I can't fuse them… I can't even make a Fusion of Swordsman and Giltia to take on Dark Magician Girl. The hell do I do now…?
"Well, Jonouchi?" Yugi called. "It's your move."
"Shut it, I'm thinking! Um... er... I activate Dangerous Machine Type-6!" As he played the Spell, a large machine that bore some resemblance to a slot machine materialised behind his Sheep Tokens. "Turn end."
"My turn!" Yugi said, drawing his card. "You must have a very poor hand to come up with a move like that. Don't feel bad. It happens."
"I said shut it!" Jonouchi replied indignantly.
Yugi smiled. "I activate the Spell Card, Pot of Greed. With it, I draw two cards." Upon seeing his two new additions, Yugi's smile widened. "I switch Dark Magician Girl to Attack Position. Then, I Summon Magician's Valkyria! Attack Position!" Next to the two magicians, a third one appeared, looking like an even younger version of Dark Magician Girl.
Magician's Valkyria: Spellcaster-Type/LIGHT/Level 4/ATK 1600/DEF 1800
"Battle! Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl, Magician's Valkyria... all of you, attack a Sheep Token each! Dark Magic Attack! Dark Burning Attack! Magic Illusion!"
As one, the three Spellcasters raised their sceptres and fired off three orbs of magical power. Each one struck one of Jonouchi's Tokens, the blasts combined nearly knocking the boy off his feet.
"And with that, the last of your defensive monsters are gone," Yugi said. "I place one card face-down. Turn end."
Jonouchi brushed the hair out of his eyes, grinning. "Not yet... I'm not giving in yet! My turn, draw!" The second he drew, the lever on the machine behind him was tugged invisibly down, and all six displays began whirring like crazy.
"Hmm?" Yugi raised an eyebrow.
"This is Dangerous Machine Type-6's effect," Jonouchi explained. "At the start of each of my turns, this card will generate a random number between one and six, and then apply an effect based on the number. And that number is..." At his word, the readouts stopped moving, each displaying the same number. "...three!"
"And three means?"
"Three means big bucks. Three means my luck might just be starting to turn around. Three means I get an extra draw this turn," Jonouchi grinned, drawing a card. "And Lady Luck just keeps on giving! I activate Pot of Greed!" The blonde duelist drew two more cards, bringing his hand total to six. His eyes widened upon seeing one of his new draws. "Yes! I got it! The last piece of my reversal!"
"Another reversal play?" Yugi said. "I can't wait for this one."
"I activate The Warrior Returning Alive! With it, I return the Warrior-Type Gearfried the Iron Knight to my hand!" Jonouchi held out his hand, and the Graveyard slot of his Duel Disk spat the Gearfried card into his waiting fingers. "Then, I activate the Spell Card, Polymerization!"
"Polymerization?" Yugi was surprised to see this card. A swirling, multi-coloured vortex appeared behind Jonouchi as it was played.
"With it, I fuse Gearfried the Iron Knight with Giltia the D. Knight!" As he held the two cards aloft, images of the monsters appeared briefly behind him, before bursting into a shower of light particles and being absorbed into the swirl of colour behind him. "Fusion Summon! Appear, Gilti-Gearfried the Prophecy Knight of Steel!" The vortex exploded with light, and from in it, a magnificent warrior adorned with shining steel armour was formed. Elements of its Fusion Materials – such as a cloak like Giltia's, shielded arms like Gearfried, and a bladed spear that seemed to be a combinations of both their weapons – were visible on the great knight, which now stood between Jonouchi and Yugi's armada of Spellcasters.
Gilti-Gearfried the Prophecy Knight of Steel: Warrior-Type/Fusion/LIGHT/Level 7/ATK 2700/DEF 1600
"How's that, Yugi?" Jonouchi called, grinning.
"How's what, Jonouchi?" Yugi replied.
Gilti-Gearfried vanished.
Jonouchi blinked. "Hey! Where'd my monster go?! I only just Summoned it!" As he spoke, Magician's Valkyria on Yugi's field also popped out of existence, leaving the remaining two magicians standing alone. "Yugi, what's going on? What did you do to my monster?!"
"Calm down, Jonouchi," Yugi said, pointing upwards. "They're up there."
Looking up, Jonouchi saw two identical orbs of light circling each other in the sky. When he glanced down at Yugi, however, he noticed another change. There was a large golden casket in the centre of the field, above which the two lights were circling. A cross was emblazoned across the surface, with a hexagram jewel fixed into its centre.
"You see, when you Summoned your Gilti-Gearfried, I was able to activate my Trap Card: Dark Renewal," Yugi went on, indicating his Trap. "With it, I can sacrifice the monster you just Summoned along with one of my Spellcasters, in order to resurrect any DARK Spellcaster from my Graveyard. I offer up your Gilti-Gearfried along with my Magician's Valkyria!" The two orbs of light shot out of the sky and were absorbed into the jewel, which flared bright white. "Be revived, Magician of Black Chaos!"
With an ominous creaking, the coffin's lib opened, revealing the all-too-familiar Spellcaster lying within, its arms folded over its chest, its eyes closed. As the sunlight touched its pale skin, however, its eyes shot open, and it leapt majestically from the casket to land next to its brethren.
Magician of Black Chaos: Spellcaster-Type/Ritual/DARK/Level 8/ATK 2800/DEF 2600
Dark Magician Girl: ATK 2300 → 2000
"As you were, Jonouchi," Yugi said.
"Damnit Yugi..." Jonouchi's fist clenched. "Using my monster as a sacrifice for yours... that's a dirty trick!"
"You should learn to hold on tighter to the things you care about Jonouchi, else you might lose them." Yugi paused for a moment to let those words sink in before continuing. "I don't know what you were planning to do with Gilti-Gearfried – its ATK was too low to compete with Dark Magician, and Fusion Monsters can't attack on the turn they're Summoned anyway – but I think it's best I didn't find out."
Jonouchi gritted his teeth. This is bad, he thought. There's no opening's in Yugi's plays at all. Every time I think I've got a chance at a comeback, he just hurls another huge obstacle my way. And now… I have to deal with this… He eyed up Yugi's field. His three best monsters, the ultimate trio of Spellcasters… how do I beat that? His eyes fell upon the remaining cards in his hand. I burnt half my hand with that Fusion, but I still have Swordsman of Landstar, Graverobber, and 1-Dollar Silver Coin. I can Summon Swordsman in Defence Position and protect it from one attack with Silver Coin… but the second attack will destroy it and the third will wipe me out. Which leaves Graverobber… think brain, think! There's got to be something in Yugi's Graveyard worth stealing-
"Everything ok, Jonouchi?" Yugi called.
"It's fine!" Jonouchi snapped. "Don't interrupt my strategising!"
I could take Monster Reborn, but there's no monsters in the Graveyard that can stand up to Dark Magician. At best, alongside Swordsman and Silver Coin, that'd buy me an extra turn by blocking his direct attack, but I'd be left with no cards on my next turn. Maybe Obnoxious Celtic Guard could do it, but that's assuming Yugi doesn't pull a monster with less than 1900 ATK, or an effect that can kill it. Spellbinding Circle? Again, that's just delaying the problem. Kuriboh? Same thing. Graceful Charity or Pot of Greed? No use on Yugi's turn. Dark Magic Curtain? Definitely not! I'm out of Spellcasters, and the last thing I want is to give Yugi another one. Jonouchi clutched his head in frustration. Argh! C'mon, there must be something! Card of Sanctity… Shift… Magical Hats… something! Anything!
And then he had it.
Jonouchi slowly lowered his hands. "Of course..." he whispered, suddenly awed by the potential of the move that had just laid itself out before him.
"Hmm? What was that, Jonouchi?"
"I said," Jonouchi replied, taking a card from his hand, "I'm Normal Summon Swordsman of Landstar from my hand! Attack Position!" The tiny fairy warrior emerged, looking nervously at the wall of monsters before it.
Swordsman of Landstar: Warrior-Type/EARTH/Level 3/ATK 500/DEF 1200
"Swordsman of Landstar?" Yugi repeated, bemused. "In Attack Position?"
"Then I Set two cards face-down! Turn end!"
Yugi frowned at the two cards. Traps… he thought. Jonouchi's not bluffing, I'm sure of it – those are cards used to block my attack, and Swordsman of Landstar is the bait.
"My turn, draw!"
Question is, how do I handle it? Glancing at his hand, Yugi had to suppress a smile. Black Luster Ritual… the last thing I want to do is put down even more powerhouses with those Set cards waiting. So what could they be? Putting Swordsman of Landstar in Attack Position makes me think of his Graceful Dice and Skull Dice combo – he hasn't used either of those cards yet. Yes, I have to assume he's set one or both of them, or something else to modify monster's ATK. If it's anything else, it makes no difference what I attack with first, but if it is, the order of my attacks matters.
Does it? The real Yugi asked.
It does, Yami replied. If he has Graceful Dice, he only needs to roll a four or higher – a 50:50 chance – to have Swordsman of Landstar match Dark Magician Girl, whereas he needs a six to take on Magician of Black Chaos or Dark Magician. Also, if he'd holding Skull Dice, rolling another four or higher will weaken Dark Magician Girl to the point of defeat, whilst only a six will let him go toe-to-toe with my other two. It's all about skewing the averages in my favour.
I see, Yugi agreed. So the best choice actually is to attack with Dark Magician first, right. Then, even if Jonouchi rolls a six, their ATKs will be equal and both will get destroyed, and that'll open him up for our other two magicians to attack directly. Is that right?
Hopefully, yes.
"Battle!" Yugi declared, finally coming to a decision. "Dark Magician, attack Swordsman of Landstar! Dark Magic Attack!" Yugi's ace monster lifted its sceptre up once more, levelling it at Jonouchi's petrified warrior.
"Gotcha, Yugi!" Jonouchi cried. "Trap Card, open! Graverobber!" A chuckling gremlin with mining tools strapped to its back appeared before him, a single card held in its diminutive hands.
Yugi's eyes widened. That's not a Dice card!
"With this, I can steal a card from your Graveyard and use it against you," Jonouchi grinned. "I thought long and hard last turn about the best card to steal from you, Yugi. And in your Graveyard, I hit upon the motherload of all reversal cards! That card... is this!" The gremlin flipped the card over.
It was Mirror Force.
Yugi gasped in shock.
"And as you know," Jonouchi went on, "Mirror Force blows up all your attacking monsters! Say buh-bye to your magician army, Yugi!"
From the card, a blinding ray of light shone, enveloping Yugi's three Spellcasters. Dark Magician Girl screamed and covered her eyes. Magician of Black Chaos groaned and knelt down. Dark Magician's attack fizzled out as it hid behind its outstretched arms, trying in vain to hold back the all-consuming effect of the Trap Card. Finally, an explosion rocked Yugi's field, obliterating all three Spellcasters and leaving Yugi's side utterly bare.
"I did it!" Jonouchi cried, punching the air. "I wiped 'em all out! All your most powerful magicians!"
Yugi let his arms fall limply to his side. How could he have been so stupid? He'd completely forgotten about Graverobber, and because of it, he'd just lost three of his strongest monsters, his field presence, and his card advantage in one go.
"So what were you saying about holding onto your valuables, Yugi?" Jonouchi continued, parodying Yugi's words from earlier. "That little slip might've just cost you the game, pal."
Despite kicking himself internally, Yugi couldn't help but smile. "Very well played, Jonouchi. We're in quite an interesting situation now, aren't we?"
"Tell me about it," Jonouchi replied, still grinning uncontrollably. "If I draw a monster with 450 or more ATK, or a card that can boost up Swordsman of Landstar by that much, I win."
"Indeed," Yugi nodded. "But if not, leaving Swordsman of Landstar in Attack Position after attacking me but not beating me will leave you vulnerable. Let's see if Lady Luck is still shining on you, Jonouchi. I place one card face-down. Turn end!"
Author Note #14: Slow down Jonouchi... you didn't tell us what Pot of Greed does.
Author Note #15: Just like Flame Swordsman, Giltia's a Normal Monster in the anime/manga, not a Fusion Monster. That's why it exists in Jonouchi's hand.
Author Note #16: We haven't complained about the anime in a while, so let's do that. Agreed? Agreed. Firstly, when Sergey intruded on Yuya and Barrett's duel, how was he able to... you know... do anything? Why didn't Barrett's Medal of the Crimson Chain prevent all of Sergey's Earthbound nonsense? Secondly, Red Mirror has no excuse to exist when a second Red Wolf would've done the job just fine. Thirdly, why did the Intrusion Penalty for Battle Royal duels disappear randomly for Yuya and Jack's duel, but return for Jean and Reiji's duel? Fourthly, why did Shun abandon everyone in the Xyz Dimension? Fifthly, Heelys. Sixthly, Heelys. And seventhly, ARC-V's main protagonist really hasn't been dueling much lately. In fact, said protagonist has been uncharacteristically recluse, what with allowing Yuya to take the final duel of the Synchro arc and all. You know who I mean, the one with the birdies who abandoned everyone in the Xyz Dimension.
Author Note #17: Despite what our rants may lead you to believe, there are things we like about ARC-V. One of them is Reji's duels. Since his first duel, whenever he has a full onscreen duel, the writers seem keen to have him make use of as many D/D cards originally released in the OCG as possible, and just making a few new cards around them. Abyss Ragnarok in his rematch with Yuya was alright, but using Chaos Apocalypse, Beowulf, Seigfried and Lamia against Jean was brilliant. More of that pretty please. Maybe let Yuya use some of his other Odd-Eyes incarnations besides the random Saber intervention (Gravity, Vortex, Meteorburst, Absolute, that lot). Also some of those other Magicians (Nobledragon, Wisdom-Eye, Dragonpit etc.) and Egaopals (Sleight Hand, Skullcrobat, King-Bear, Metal Claw, etc.) wouldn't go amiss.