The next two weeks flew by in the dueling world as duelists from all over the world got ready to attend the Virtual Kingdom Tournament, Sophia had spared no expense inviting duelists at the national and regional level regardless of skill level.
"Well, today's the big day." Chelsea commented with a grin as she loaded the last of her suitcases into Beth's car, she had initially planned to ride to O'Haire International Airport on her motorbike but once she realized how much bags she needed to pack she opted to have Beth drive her to the airport as Chelsea only had a license for her Motorbike. "Pity you didn't get invited Beth." Chelsea added and Beth shook her head.
"I learned a long time ago that my Anti-Cure Deck doesn't do well on the pro-leagues." Beth responded as she shook her head. "Besides, I've got that new job at North Academy starting soon, can't really take two weeks off to compete in a tournament."
"True enough, but I'm confident that you'll make a great teacher." Chelsea responded before kissing her girlfriend, just as she broke the kiss a few cars pulled up and several familiar faces stepped out of them. "You guys came to see me off?" Chelsea asked as she looked at her five siblings plus her sister in law Monica and her niece Jasmine.
"We wouldn't have missed this for the world." Jamie commented as she walked up to her younger sister. "This is the biggest tournament of your dueling career so far, can't believe you got Brad to announce that you'll be putting he regional championship on the line."
"Hey, had to create some more buzz for me." Chelsea grinned before leaning against the car. "Okay, granted the dueling committee shot that idea down because I can't defend the title outside of Illinois, but I did say that anyone who beat me in the tournament was welcome to try to beat me in a rematch for the title in Illinois." Chelsea added before Jasmine ran up to her. "Jasmine, be good whilst I'm overseas okay?"
"I will auntie!" Jasmine promised as Chelsea knelt next to her and ruffled her niece's hair. "Can I ride with you on your bike when you get back?"
"Let's not go that far." Monica responded with a nervous laugh as she stepped forward and Chelsea glanced up. "I never liked those things."
"Tell you what Jasmine." Chelsea said as she turned to her niece. "Behave yourself at school and get all straight As and I'll take you on a guided tour of Chicago on my bike."
"You've got a deal!" Jasmine responded excitedly and Monica groaned before Chelsea stood up.
"You realize she'll hold you to that, right?" Monica asked and Chelsea nodded with a grin. "Still, good luck in the tournament Chelsea, we'll be rooting for you."
"I'll do you guys proud." Chelsea responded before she hopped in the car and Beth drove off.
*over in Domino City*
As the ship to Duelist Kingdom was departing from Domino Pier the duelists who lived in Domino City didn't have as much preparing to do but that didn't mean those duelists weren't ready for action.
"Okay, that's my next two weeks booked off and dads agreed to dogsit whilst we are away." Chloe commented as she got off the phone with her step-dad, she turned to Lance who was currently feeding Rex and Nala in the kitchen. "You booked your time off, right?"
"Yeah, booked it over the weekend." Lance responded as he glanced up at Chloe. "So, from our graduating class, who's competing?"
"Not counting us?" Chloe asked as she adjusted a bra strap. "I think it's quicker to say everyone really, Chelsea's even putting her title on the line in an unofficial capacity." Chloe added before she walked over to Lance and kissed her boyfriend. "Well, everyone except Beth but we know how badly she washed out at her first tournament."
"Yeah but to be fair, she faced the defending champion in the first round." Lance responded as he shook his head. "At least Chelsea was able to avenge her and take the title."
"Here, here." Chloe nodded in agreement before they walked around the dogs and they looked up as Chloe and Lance approached the door. "Sorry guys, we'll be back soon I promise." Chloe apologized before they left.
*across town*
Tyler and Miranda had been ready for this since they watched the DVD using every ounce of their free time to train and prepare their decks and for good reason.
"I think our decks are as ready as they'll ever be." Tyler commented as he looked at his deck, the two siblings had met up at Tyler's apartment to go over their decks one last time before they left for Domino Pier. "At least, I hope so."
"Father didn't even compete in the original Duelist Kingdom." Miranda nodded in agreement as she went over her deck. "His ego was still bruised from the first loss to Yugi, I wonder if Yugi would still be King of Games if father had competed."
"Let's be honest Miranda, his ego has always been bruised from that loss." Tyler pointed out and Miranda nodded in agreement. "And don't tell him I said this, but I think Yugi still would've won the tournament if dad had competed, there's a reason why he refuses to talk about his one and only win over Yugi." Tyler added and Miranda grinned in response. "Pretty sure Mai Valentine wouldn't have made it to the final four if he did compete though."
"True enough, besides "Mai Valentine"?!" Miranda asked with an amused look on her face. "With a real name like that I'm surprised she never went into porn." Miranda added as Tyler took a sip from his can of red bull. "She certainly has the assets to make a killing in that field." Miranda added and Tyler nearly spat out the contents of his drink.
"I never realized that you tended to look at other women that way." Tyler responded and Miranda blinked a couple of times before realizing what he meant. "Not that there's anything wrong with that…."
"I'm going to stop you there Tyler, I'm pretty sure I would've outed myself by now if I was gay or bi." Miranda responded as she blushed a deep red color. "I'm hardly the only female pro-duelist who's made that joke, anyway, seriously why did her parents call her "Mai" with a surname like that."
"Good question." Tyler nodded with a nervous laugh before they heard a car honking its horn. "Saved by the car horn." Tyler thought with a sigh of relief before turning to his step-sister. "I think that's our ride, let's get going before this gets any more awkward."
"That would be a lifetime achievement award for awkwardness." Miranda responded with a slight laugh before they left the apartment.
*over in New York*
Back in America, the duelists who were based in New York where leaving via New York International Airport and where currently in the departure lounge waiting for the flight to Domino City.
"As if the idea of a tournament set in a virtual world wasn't weird enough." Nicola commented with a sigh as she glanced up at her older step-brother. "But your competing as well?"
"You know it sis!" Zach Hastings responded as he sat next to his sister who was sitting next to Andreas. "Besides, I can't remember the last time we competed in a tournament together."
"Last year at Battle City." Nicola reminded him with a deadpan expression on her face. "I knocked you out in the first round of the Semi-Finals, remember? And I just realized that that means I owe you a rematch." Nicola added with a sigh as realization set in. "How many decks are you up too?" Nicola added knowing her brother had many decks at his disposal.
"I lost count." Zach responded and Nicola nearly face-faulted out of her seat. "But I'm only taking three with me." Zach added and Nicola breathed a sigh of relief once she regained her composure. "The guide book did say to bring at least three decks."
"You do know what the term "at least" means right?" Andreas asked and Zach shook his head. "I swear, if it weren't for the fact that they are step-siblings I'd be wondering how Nicola and Zach are brother and sister! Never mind the fact that they don't look anything alike." Andreas thought before looking up and seeing a pair of familiar faces. "Marcus, over here!"
"Oh, hey guys!" Marcus greeted them as he and Marie ran over. "You guys ready for the tournament?"
"Ready as we'll ever be." Nicola responded with a grin as she shared a fist bump with Marcus and Marie. "And Zach's competing as well."
"Oh, that'll be fun." Marie responded as she shook her head. "Still I can't wait for the tournament, any ideas of what it'll entail?"
"You guys didn't read the guide book?" Zach asked and they turned to him. "Then again, I was confused by it myself, something about deck masters? I guess we'll find out once we get there."
"Deck Masters is a rather obscure rule." Theresa's voice rang out and they glanced up seeing Theresa and Brandon approaching them. "Basically, you take one card out of your deck and that acts as your deck master, that monster gains new abilities but if that monster is destroyed you automatically lose the duel."
"Man, that does sound confusing." Nicola responded with a laugh as she shook her head. "No wonder it never took off." Nicola added before grinning at Theresa and Brandon. "By the way, congrats on the engagement."
"Thanks, you're the five hundredth person who's congratulated us since I popped the question." Brandon responded with a laugh and Nicola grinned in response. "We're still arguing over whether we should have the wedding in Sydney to coincide with the World Championships or in New York for convenience."
"Arguing already and you're not even married, that's probably not a good sign." Andreas deadpanned getting a laugh out of Theresa and Brandon. "If you know about the Deck Masters rule then you must be ready for the tournament."
"Ready as we'll ever be." Theresa responded with a grin before turning to Brandon. "Besides, someone owes me a rematch from the qualifiers."
"Join the club." Nicola responded as she motioned to Zach and Marcus nodded in agreement before motioning to Nicola, before either of them could say anything else they heard the flight call for Domino City. "If that's not perfect timing, I'm not sure what is."
"Can't argue there." Brandon nodded in agreement before they boarded their flight, little realizing that Raven was boarding their plane as well.
*meanwhile*
Sophia was already on her way to Duelist Kingdom Island via her private jet, however the tournament wasn't the only reason why she was flying to the island.
"Father hasn't left the island since he retired." Sophia thought as she went over the last of the profiles on her laptop, "Perfectly content to live in his big fancy castle, if I was poor, I'd think it was an excellent case for taxing the rich." Sophia thought before shaking her head, she was currently in her business attire with her long hair in a ponytail though she would be wearing her casual attire once the formalities were done. "Father's dealt with ancient evils before, maybe he has some advice, hopefully it won't amount to "maybe your hearing things." Sophia thought before her phone rang and she put it on speaker. "Sophia here, what's up?"
"There's been a last minute addition to the tournament." Robert responded and Sophia frowned. "I know you wanted to avoid this because of what happened at the original Battle City but, well, one of the competitors you selected fell ill and we needed a last minute replacement."
"How convenient." Sophia sighed in annoyance as she ran a hand down her face. "I've not even touched down on Duelist Kingdom and things are already going to shit." Sophia thought before shaking her head. "Who is it?" Sophia asked and once she got her answer she nearly bolted out of her seat. "CLAUDIO?!" Sophia demanded as she slammed her hands onto the desk nearly causing the air stewardess to jump out of her skin as a result.
"Please don't shoot the messenger." Robert winced as Sophia calmed down. "I know you've had trouble with him recently, but he is a former champion and like you he's only coming out of retirement this one time."
"Why don't we invite Marik Ishtar to come out of retirement whilst we're at it?" Sophia asked with an annoyed sigh before shaking her head. "He understands that he'll be under tight scrutiny once the tournament starts, right?"
"He understands." Robert nodded and Sophia sighed.
"This has to be his revenge for costing him his marriage, there's no other way," Sophia thought as she messaged her temples in annoyance. "Send me his profile as soon as possible, and please tell me that's the only last minute change?"
"Yes, we should be in the clear from here on out." Robert responded and Sophia sighed in relief. "See you on the island."
"Just once, I'd like a tournament to take place without something going wrong." Sophia thought as she leaned back in her seat. "Still, if Claudio tries to come onto me again, he'll be disqualified faster than you can say "no means no"."
*several hours later*
By now Sophia had touched down on Duelist Kingdom and all the competing duelists had arrived at Domino Pier and at the front where Chloe, Lance, Tyler, Miranda, Chelsea, Andreas, Marcus, Marie, Nicola, Brandon and Theresa though aside from the couples they hadn't noticed each other yet.
"Attention duelists, welcome to the Virtual Kingdom Tournament!" The I2 Representative greeted them as he stood on the ship. "Sophia can't be with us right now as she awaits you at Duelist Kingdom Island, however she has prepared the following speech." He added before clearing his throat. "Welcome duelists young and old, in a day's time you will arrive at my father's island home where the tournament will begin, the only thing I can say to you without sounding like a broken record is good luck and may the best duelist win." The representative added before pocketing the speech. "Please board the ship single file, you will be shown to your quarters as soon as possible."
"This is it." Chloe thought as she glanced up at Lance who grinned at her. "Don't think I've been on a ship since I left Duel Academy Island for the last time now that I think about it, hopefully I don't get sea sick." Chloe thought before the duelists boarded the ship, as soon as they were on board it didn't take long for Chloe and Lance to be shown to their room but as Lance went to insert the key Chloe spotted a familiar face nearby. "Chelsea?" Chloe asked and Chelsea looked up before grinning broadly.
"Chloe!" Chelsea greeted her old roommate happily as she ran up to the couple, whilst her room wasn't next door to Chloe and Lance's Chelsea's room was still two doors down from them. "Man, how long has it been?"
"I think the last time we saw each other was when we left Duel Academy Island after graduation." Lance responded before exchanging a fist bump with Chelsea. "How's life been treating you? Last I saw you, you were excited about becoming an aunt."
"Yeah well, considering that I'm gay, it's probably the closest I'm going to get to having a kid of my own, either that or me and Beth decide to adopt." Chelsea responded with a grin before sighing. "My sister in law gave birth to a healthy baby girl a year later, I'll tell you one thing, even I was surprised at how good I am with kids, considering that I still swear like a sailor and my past temper issues."
"Yeah and we're happy to hear it." Chloe responded with a grin. "Is Beth competing?" Chloe asked and Chelsea shook her head.
"She found out the hard way why anti-cure decks don't do well in the Pro-Leagues, she kinda gave up on trying to make a career for herself as a Pro-Leaguer after her third tournament." Chelsea responded with a sigh before shaking her head again. "But she will be able to use what she's learned, she's about to start a teaching job at North Academy."
"That's good to hear at least." Lance responded before they heard their stomachs rumble. "How about we get packed and catch up some more over dinner?"
"Sounds like a plan to me!" Chelsea nodded in agreement before she returned to her room and Chloe and Lance entered their room.
*elsewhere on the ship*
The ship had sailed off by the time Chloe, Lance and Chelsea had reached their rooms and by now most of the duelists had packed away their things in their rooms and were now looking around the ship whilst looking for old friends or something to eat.
"Some faces I recognize, some I don't." Nicola thought as she glanced around the ship hand in hand with Andreas, their room happened to be near the portside of the ship which allowed them to get their packing done relatively quickly and where currently in the ship's restaurant looking for a bite to eat. "All that matters once we get to the island is reaching the finals, I'm still not sure about this Deck Master system but the guide did say there'd be a list of deck masters with their abilities once we get in game." Nicola thought before turning to her boyfriend. "Any ideas for what's in store for us once we get to the island?"
"Other than a good time? No, not really." Andreas shrugged his shoulders before leading her to an unoccupied table where they sat down and looked at the menus atop it. "You?"
"Pretty much the same thing." Nicola nodded as she leaned back in her chair after deciding on what she wanted to eat, Andreas made his choice as well and they waited for the waitress to come over. "In all honesty I just want to win my first tournament, come to think of it I think Chelsea's the only person from our graduation class who's won a tournament."
"Well, yes, she would need to win one to become the Illinois Regional Champion." Andreas pointed out before he a waitress came over.
"Hi, are you guys ready to order?" The waitress asked and they nodded.
"I'll have a rib-eye steak, medium rare please." Andreas responded and the waitress nodded before she turned to Nicola.
"I'll just have a burger please." Nicola added and the waitress nodded before taking the menus away and heading towards the kitchen. "I'm almost surprised that we haven't run into anyone we know but on the other hand, this is a big ship."
"I'm sure we will run into someone, we ran into Theresa, Brandon and Marcus at the airport so I don't see why we couldn't run into the others." Andres responded before he glanced around, it was at that point that he spotted Chloe, Chelsea and Lance looking for a place to sit and grinned. "I must be developing psychic powers of some kind, Chloe, Lance, over here!" Andreas called out to them and the three duelists looked up before grinning and running over to their table. "Been a long time friends." Andreas greeted them with a big grin which they returned.
"You can say that again." Lance nodded in agreement before they grabbed their own, three seater table. "You guys run into anyone else?"
"We ran into Theresa, Brandon and Marcus at the airport and there has been talk about Miranda and Tyler being on the ship, not that we've seen them." Nicola responded with a nod. "You guys know what's in store for us at the island?"
"I don't know but then again I think the only person who knows for sure is Sophia." Chloe responded before the waitress returned with Andreas's and Nicola's meals and she, Lance and Chelsea picked up menus. "I'm just ready for a good duel really."
"I here that." Chelsea nodded in agreement before she looked at her menu.
*later, elsewhere on the ship*
There was one duelist on the ship who had chosen to remain in her room, and that Polish Duelist had her own reasons for doing so.
"Sophia told me about her unexplained visitor last night." Raven thought as she typed away at her laptop, as she was on her own, she had taken off her signature trench coat revealing that she had shoulder length raven black hair though it was messy due to her almost always keeping her hood up. "I don't know what this is about, but I had better stay on top of it, even as the tournament progresses."
"Foolish child." The same demonic voice responded, and Raven stopped mid-type. "You will soon get a taste of my power." The voice added and Raven bolted from her chair, threw on her trench coat and duel disk before putting her hood up and bolting from her room.
*back at the restaurant*
By now the gang was all back together and they were either discussing Theresa's engagement to Brandon or how much Marcus had changed since he left duel academy, however that blissful peace was quickly broken as a male voice screamed out in terror from the crowd of duelists.
"What was that?!" Chloe asked as she stood up and the others followed suit, without another word they raced towards the source of the voice and saw a young duelist being consumed by a dark light. "Okay, this raises more questions than answers."
"Yeah but since when is anything with this game straight forward?" Chelsea deadpanned as the light disappeared and the duelist lowered his head. "Hey, are you okay?"
"Foolish mortal." The duelist responded in a dark, demonic voice that clearly wasn't his as he held up his arm and produced a jet black duel disk out of thin air. "Duel me now or die!"
"I thought we left that behind after the Orichalcos was defeated." Chloe commented before she stepped forward. "Fine, I'll duel you but whoever you are, you will release your hold on him once I beat you."
"Fine, but you won't win." The demon responded before they activated their duel disks.
"Damn it, I'm too late." Raven cussed as she raced to the scene and saw the duel about to begin. "Sophia, there's been an incident on the ship." Raven said into her earpiece and Sophia sighed.
"Already?!" Sophia demanded with an annoyed tone of voice and Raven nodded. "Please tell me someone's dealing with it?"
"Chloe Richardson is dealing with it, she should have the matter cleared up." Raven responded as the two duelists drew their opening hands. "Do you want footage of the duel?"
"No need, I have access to the ship's security cameras from my office on the island." Sophia responded as she shook her head. "And right now, my eyes are trained on the duel, the profile I have on the duelist lists him as Gavin Freeman, eighteen years old dueling prodigy from Hertfordshire in England, runs a Spellcaster deck."
"I don't know what accent he's speaking with, but it doesn't even sound remotely English." Raven responded before she turned her attention to the duel.
"I'll go first." Gavin announced without giving Chloe a chance to ask before he went over his hand. "I set two cards facedown and I summon Dark Executioner!" Gavin announced as he played the cards and a tall man in a traditional executioners' hood wielding a massive axe appeared on the field ready for battle (4/2000/1000). "Dark Executioner can't attack you directly unless I have less than four cards in my hand, it's your move." Gavin explained before Chloe drew her card.
"I wasn't aware that you were still releasing four star curse monsters." Raven commented as Chloe went over her hand. "And that doesn't look like a Spell Caster."
"The four star curse was based on an antiquated idea from the early days of the game, the fact that my company has released more monsters like Alexandrite Dragon and Gene-Warped Warwolf should tell you everything you need to know." Sophia responded as she observed the footage. "Also, that is not a legal I2 card, even if Gavin didn't run Spellcasters it would've been flagged the moment he attended his first major tournament but until now, we haven't had any problems with this duelist."
"Understood." Raven nodded before she turned her attention back to the duel.
"Nothing in my hand that can attack over Dark Executioner, but it's not like that's the only method I have of beating that monster." Chloe thought as she went over her hand before picking up two cards. "I set a card facedown and I activate Arcane Barrier! Every time a Spellcaster I control is destroyed by battle this gets a counter and it can hold a maximum of four counters." Chloe explained before she picked up another card. "We'll get to its other effect in a few turns, but until then I activate a Field Spell, Endymion's Magic Sanctum!"
"I had heard of this card." Raven thought as the scenery around the two duelists changed to the ground floor of a seemingly impossibly tall tower that was light blue in color and had slots the size of the orbs produced by Magical Citadel of Endymion on the walls. "Glad to see Chloe using it at least, the original Endymion field spell is quite outdated."
"I set a card facedown and that ends my turn." Chloe announced as she set the card and Gavin drew his card.
"Dark Executioner, attack her defense monster." Gavin commanded and the executioner charged towards the defense monster, revealed to be Apprentice Magician (2/400/800) but before Chloe could explain her monster's effect Dark Executioner messily decapitated the young spell caster spilling her blood everywhere before the hologram shattered. "Don't worry, your monster's effect still goes off." Gavin added whilst Chloe threw up in her mouth.
"Note to self, try to avoid getting attacked directly by that thing if at all possible." Chloe thought as she sent Apprentice Magician to the graveyard. "When Apprentice Magician is destroyed by battle, I can search my deck for another Level Two or lower Spellcaster monster and summon it in defense mode." Chloe explained before she started inputting commands into her duel disk.
"Summon all the monsters you want." Gavin mocked her with a sadistic grin. "They will all meet the executioner's blade at the end of the day!"
"In a way this makes me glad that this tournament is strictly eighteen or over, wouldn't want any kids getting traumatized." Chloe thought before she set the monster and let her deck auto-shuffle. "In addition, Arcane Barrier gets its first counter and since a card has gained a counter so does Magic Sanctum." Chloe explained as Arcane Barrier glowed, and the first slot was filled in. "Anything else or can I take my turn?"
"As a matter of fact, yes." Gavin responded as his facedown card flipped up depicting several people being hung from the gallows. "Condemned to the Gallows states that if a monster was destroyed by battle this turn, I get to conduct another battle phase, only this time? My monster can attack you directly if its effects are negated! Dark Executioner, attack her life-points directly!" Gavin commanded and the executioner sprinted right past Chloe's set monster before slashing her across the arm and bringing her life-points down to 6000, however that was the least of Chloe's worries as she spotted something that troubled her.
"Is that blood? Great, the attacks are real." Chloe thought as she glanced at her bleeding arm, the bleeding wasn't that severe, but Chloe could see where this was going. "Great, it's my first Orichalcos Duel all over again! Only this time? I'm not leaving in an ambulance."
"Sophia, I'm assuming you saw the result of that last attack." Raven commented with a frown as she watched the duel. "Can you shut it off?"
"If it was that simple, I would've shut off the duel the moment it became clear that Chloe's arm was bleeding." Sophia responded with concern clear in her voice. "But Chloe's duel disk is a standard KaibaCorp model, I would ask Kaiba but he's still flying in on that ridiculous jet off his and besides, I'm not even sure where Gavin's duel disk came from, let alone if Kaiba can shut it off! Rest assured, I will be showing Kaiba the footage when he does arrive."
"Best part is? Condemned to the Gallows is a Continuous Trap Card, I can use it as many times as I want." Gavin added before Chelsea returned from where the first aid kits were being kept with a roll of bandages and Chloe let her former roommate bandage up her arm. "For no additional cost, I hope your friend has plenty of bandages."
"And that's easily the most broken card I've seen since the Orichalcos Days." Chloe thought before glancing over at Chelsea. "Any thoughts Chelsea."
"Well, Condemned to the Gallows would make for a killer death metal song title." Chelsea responded and Chloe sweat-dropped in response. "Other than that? I suggest destroying that thing ASAP."
"You haven't changed at all over the past five years, have you?" Chloe asked and Chelsea laughed in response. "And if that thing was smart, he'd have something like Imperial Iron Wall to protect his trap, luckily for me, I have a trap card of my own." Chloe thought as her trap card flipped up. "I activate Magical Recovery! As I have lost life-points and a Spellcaster monster I control has been destroyed I can draw one card for each thousand life-points lost." Chloe added as she drew two cards. "And here's the kicker, since one of them is a Spellcaster I can special summon it to the field on the condition that it remains in defense mode! So, come on out Magical Exemplar!"
"More sheep to the slaughter!" Gavin scoffed as the green haired sorceress appeared on the field in defense mode (4/1700/1400). "She won't help you! I end my turn." Gavin announced and Chloe drew her card.
"Chelsea's right, either I destroy that Trap Card or I'm in for a world of hurt." Chloe thought as she added the drawn card to her hand, she took one look at it and quickly played it. "If this isn't proof that heart of the cards is a thing then I don't know what is! I activate Mystical Space Typhoon and I use it to destroy Condemned to the Gallows." Chloe announced as she played the Spell Card and a storm washed over the field…...
"Did you really think it would be that easy?" Gavin asked as his other facedown card flipped up depicting a rather gruesome scene as the ancient execution known as sawing was depicted albeit being performed on a member of Goblin Attack Force with the variation where the victim was sawed upside down being used.
"I never thought I'd see the day where I felt sorry for a member of Goblin Attack Force." Chloe thought with a wince as she noticed several male members of the crowd forcing themselves to not look at the artwork, Andreas, Marcus, Lance, Tyler and Brandon included. "I'd like to take a moment to sarcastically congratulate you on traumatizing every other guy in this room, likely for the rest of their lives and that includes my boyfriend, but how doers that stop Mystical Space Typhoon?"
"I'm glad you asked, Sawed to Death counters one Spell Card by redirecting it at another target, such as your Sanctum!" Gavin responded as the Storm started to attack the sanctum instead.
"I activate my Sanctum's effect! If it would be destroyed by a card effect, I can remove one Spell Counter instead." Chloe responded as the orb disappeared. "More importantly, since I played a Spell Card Magical Exemplar gains two Spell Counters." Chloe added as two orbs started floating around Magical Exemplar, however as they did Chloe realized that Sawed in Half was still on the field. "Another Continuous Spell? I'm just going to say it right now, if these cards were approved by Sophia Pegasus, I'm running around the ship in nothing but my underwear later!"
"Chloe, let's be honest, the guys in the room will probably appreciate the eye candy after seeing that artwork." Chelsea pointed out and Chloe sweat-dropped once she realized Chelsea had a point. "I know I will."
"True enough I guess." Chloe admitted before playing another card. "I activate Foolish Burial, unless you want to direct this to your own deck, I'm going to use this to send one monster from my deck to the graveyard."
"I have no monsters that would serve me better in the graveyard." Gavin responded and Chloe nodded before she started inputting commands into her duel disk. "Like it'll help you, my monsters will overrun yours before you can use it."
"I wouldn't count on that." Chloe responded as she picked out a monster and sent it to the graveyard. Once two more orbs appeared around Magical Exemplar's head and her deck auto-shuffled Chloe made her move. "I activate Magical Exemplar's effect, giving up one Spell Counter to Special Summon Blaster Jester from the graveyard." Chloe announced as she played the card and a man in a jester's outfit juggling several sticks of dynamite appeared on the field (1/0/0). "Since I expanded a Spell Counter it will go to Magical Sanctum." Chloe added as the orb reappeared in the slot. "Now I flip summon my facedown monster, Clear Effector!"
"Chloe's going for her old standby Synchro Summon combo." Chelsea realized as the young sorceress with even longer hair than Chloe's appeared on the field (2/0/800). "It's served her well in the past but who know what this guy has in the wings!"
"And now for the Main Event! Since Blaster Jester is a Tuner Monster, I can tune him with Magical Exemplar and Clear Effector!" Chloe announced as the three monsters leapt into the air for the Synchro Summon. "I Synchro Summon Inferno Magician!" Chloe announced as she played the card and once the bright flash faded a new monster appeared on the field revealing it to be a magician in red robes carrying a staff of fire (7/2400/2000).
"Impressing." Gavin scoffed as he stared at the monster. "Your branching out a bit with your extra deck monsters."
"Yeah, well, maybe it's influence from dating a gut with a fire deck for the past five years but either way, first I draw a card since I used Clear Effector in a Synchro Summon." Chloe added before drawing her card. "And since I sent Magical Exemplar to the graveyard with three Spell Counters those counters go to the sanctum." Chloe added as three more orbs were filled in. "And there's more! You see, since I used Blaster Jester to Synchro Summon a Fire Type Monster, I can destroy one card for each Synchro Material used, since I used two monsters I'll destroy Condemned to the Gallows and Sawed to Death." Chloe announced (causing every male in the room to breath a sigh of relief in the process) as the Magician pointed his staff ready to destroy the cards…...however Dark Executioner suddenly charged forward and chopped off Inferno Magician's arm destroying him. "What now?"
"Oh, did I forget to tell you about the rest of Dark Executioner's effect? Once per turn, if a monster would destroy two or more cards on the field, that monster is destroyed instead." Gavin explained and Chloe's eyes widened before she sent her monster to the graveyard. "Your one saving grace is that you haven't normal summoned yet, not that it's much of a saving grace."
"So, to recap, I need to destroy Dark Executioner and Sawed to Death ASAP but they both protect each other, if it weren't for the fact that I've taken real damage in this duel, I'd complement him for using such an effective strategy!" Chloe thought before picking up three cards. "I set three cards facedown and end my turn." Chloe announced and Gavin drew his card.
"I summon Maiden of the Gallows." Gavin announced as he played the card and a young woman with a noose around her neck appeared on the field ready for battle (4/1200/1600). "As I have summoned Maiden of the Gallows whilst Condemned to the Gallows is in play, she gains five hundred attack points for each Trap Card I control." Gavin added as Maiden of the Gallows' attack points increased to 2200. "Dark Executioner, attack her defense monster." Gavin commanded and executioner charged towards the facedown monster, revealed to be Chloe's second Apprentice Magician which was quickly destroyed.
"You should know the routine by now." Chloe commented before she started inputting commands into her duel disk, she placed a third monster facedown and waited for her deck to auto-shuffle whilst Arcane Barrier glowed, and another orb slot was filled in. "I'd better hope this works."
"Maiden of the Gallows, attack her last line of defense." Gavin commanded and the maiden charged into battle before punching the last Apprentice Magician destroying her. "As Maiden of the Gallows destroyed a monster this turn, she will deal five hundred points of damage to your life-points." Gavin added as Chloe's life-points dropped to 5500 and Chloe started inputting commands into her duel disk whilst Arcane Barrier glowed again, and another orb was filled in.
"Five spell counters down, two to go." Chloe thought as she glanced up at the orbs before placing her monster down and turning to Gavin. "Are you going to conduct your second battle phase or what?"
"You already know the answer." Gavin responded with a sadistic grin before pointing to Chloe. "Dark Executioner, Maiden of the Gallows, attack her life-points directly!" Gavin commanded and the two monsters charged into battle before hitting Chloe with their attacks bringing her life-points down to 1300. "Give up now, foolish women!"
"I said it once, and I'll say it again." Chloe responded as Chelsea bandaged up her scared arm as that was where Dark Executioner had hit her. "I'll never give up as long as I have life-points left! I activate my facedown card Damage Condenser! I send one monster from my hand to the graveyard to Special Summon a monster who's attack power is equal to or less then the damage I just took, I chose Silent Magician Level 4!" Chloe added as the younger version of her ace monster appeared on the field (4/1000/1000). "She may not look like much, but she's my key to winning this duel."
"If you think I'm going to let you bring out Silent Magician Level 8, your surely mistaken, make your move." Gavin responded and Chloe nodded before drawing her card.
"If I had a dollar for each time an opponent told me that and for each time, I've used the life-points line I wouldn't need to work at dad's shop because I'd be set for life!" Chloe thought before going over her hand. "I flip summon my facedown monster, Old Vindictive Magician!" Chloe announced and Gavin's eyes widened before the old mage appeared on the field (2/450/600) before he casted a spell at Dark Executioner destroying him, once he was destroyed the holograms of Gavin's trap cards went with him returning Maiden of the Gallows' attack points to normal. "I thought so, your trap cards need Dark Executioner to be on the field, don't they?"
"Unfortunately, yes." Gavin responded as he grit his teeth. "But I'm not out of this duel yet."
"My next combo says otherwise, I send Arcane Barrier and Old Vindictive Magician to the graveyard so I can draw three cards." Chloe announced as her two cards vanished from the field and Chloe drew three cards. "That means that all the counters on Arcane Barrier go to the Magic Sanctum." Chloe added as three more slots were filled in. "I activate Magic Sanctum's effect, by giving up seven of those counters I can Special Summon Endymion, the Master Magician from my hand, deck or graveyard." Chloe added as seven of the orbs vanished and the armored Spellcaster appeared on the field ready for battle (7/2700/1700). "Magic Sanctum also gives him five hundred attack points for each Spell Counter I've used to summon him." Chloe added as Endymion's attack went up to 6200. "He'll be destroyed during the end phase, but we won't get that far."
"What makes you so sure of that?" Gavin asked before Chloe played another card.
"This card does, I activate Level Up to bring out my best monster!" Chloe announced as Silent Magician Level 4 started glowing and growing until she reached her adult form (8/3500/1000). "Silent Magician Level 8! And now to drive the point home, I equip her with Megamorph!" Chloe announced and Gavin's eyes widened as Silent Magician Level 8 doubled in size and power to 7000. "I don't know who or what you are, but you had better release him once you are beaten! Silent Magician Level 8, Endymion, finish him!" Chloe commanded and the two magicians launched their attacks at Gavin's monsters destroying Maiden of the Gallows in the process and bringing Gavin's life-points down to zero.
"No! I was so close!" Gavin cussed as he started glowing again. "You haven't seen the last of me!" The spirit possessing Gavin added before he stopped glowing and the duel disk and deck disappeared. "What happened?" Gavin asked in his regular voice as Chloe approached him. "Chloe Richardson? Oh my gosh, I'm a huge fan! Can I have your autograph?"
"Later." Chloe responded with a small smile before shaking her head. "Do you have any memory of our duel?"
"There was a duel?" Gavin asked and Chloe sweat-dropped in response. "I'd certainly remember wanting to duel you, you were listed among those I wanted to avoid in the tournament!"
"Not sure if I should take that as a complement or not." Chloe thought as Raven approached them. "Hey, your…."
"I'm glad you remember me Chloe, but there isn't time for pleasantries." Raven interrupted her as she folded her arms. "We need to talk, in private." Raven added as she motioned to Chloe's group and Gavin. "And we both know we won't have time for this once the tournament starts."
"Right." Chloe nodded as the others approached Raven. "Lead the way." Chloe added before they followed Raven.