Episode 7: Strong Tactics

At the temple on Dominous, Yuya and Sylvio are running around the perimeter of the wall. Each of them are holding poles over their shoulders. At the ends of the poles are buckets splashing with water. The water weighed heavily on Yuya and Sylvio's shoulders and they had to do ten laps around the temple. They were currently on their seventh lap.

"Man." said Sylvio. "I'd rather be...taken by Sector Security...than do this…"

"Yeah." said Yuya. "I'm with...with you on that…"

"C'mon boys." Henshuta said merrily as they passed by. "Put your backs into it. The slower you go, the longer it'll take you to finish."

"Ugh." said Sylvio.

The two continued to run, then slowly divert into a jog. By the final lap, the two of them were casually walking, panting from exhaustion. They finished, put down the pole and buckets and flopped onto the ground in front of Henshuta.

"Tut, tut." said Henshuta. "You call yourselves dueltainers and a little running wears you out?"

Sylvio and Yuya don't respond. They simply continue to pant in exhaustion.

"Well, don't get too comfortable." said Henshuta. "You've still got work to do today. Feel free to get a drink from one of the buckets. Leave the rest. You'll need them."

Yuya grabbed one of his buckets and took a swig. The water felt cool and refreshing. He then handed it to Sylvio, who took an even bigger swig. He heaved a sigh of relief as he put the bucket down.

"Alright, take the buckets." said Henshuta. "I'll take the poles. You won't need them for this next task."

"Yes master." the boys said together.

Yuya and Sylvio grabbed their buckets and Henshuta took the two poles. He then lead them back inside the temple and stopped at the entrance.

"Wait here." said Henshuta.

He then left and came back a few minutes later with two sponges, hand brushes, and some soap.

"Alright." said Henshuta. "Here is your next task. Use the buckets to wash the floor. When you do, wash the floor like this."

Henshuta then did an oval like movement with his hand.

"As you do it." said Henshuta. "Breath in when your hand gets closer to your body. Breath out when it gets farther from your body. Oh, and you may only use your right hand."

"Only our right hand?" Yuya asked. "But-"

"Ah." said Henshuta. "No questions. Now then, good luck."

"The entire floor?" Sylvio asked.

"As long as it's hardwood." said Henshuta.

Henshuta then left them alone. Yuya and Sylvio began their work, doing the motion that Henshuta showed them. After about an hour, they nearly finished their work. Henshuta returned, holding some towels.

"Good work." said Henshuta. "Floor looks wonderful. Oh, Sylvio, your movement is a bit too far. A little closer. That's it. Yuya, a little farther from your chest. Good. Now, once you've dried this room, move on to the next. If you need more water, there is a hose outside and soap in the bathroom. Right, carry on. I'll check on you again later."

Henshuta then left back to their work as they started to dry the floor.

"This is ridiculous." said Sylvio. "We came here to learn about dueling, not how to be handmaids."

"It's not that bad." said Yuya.

"It's pointless." said Sylvio. "I already don't want to be here. But I'd rather waste my time learning about dueling then waste my time washing a floor."

"I'm sure there's a reason." said Yuya.

"Hmph." said Sylvio. "The guy already is exploiting people out of money using the trial. I bet he's probably exploiting us to do his chores."

"No way." said Yuya. "Declan wouldn't have sent us here just to do that."

"So your telling me your not frustrated?" Sylvio asked. "Your telling me any of this makes sense?"

"I…" said Yuya.

In truth, he did sort of agree with Sylvio. All of this did seem rather pointless. Henshuta had just had them go through physical exercise and chores so far. How was this training for dueling?

"I'm sure we'll find out what all this is for." said Yuya.

"How?" Sylvio asked. "We're not supposed to ask questions."

"I don't know." said Yuya. "For now though, let's just not lose our heads."

Sylvio sighed and continued his work. The two worked in silence for the rest of the time, pondering their current situation.


Gong had just gotten out of school and was walking back to his father's dojo. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and Gong was enjoying the fresh breeze.

"Hope Yuya is enjoying days like this." Gong said to himself.

Gong continued to walk back to the dojo, greeting people as he passed.

"Hey, Gong!" someone called out behind him.

Gong turned to see the smiling face of his friend from the Fusion Dimension, Sora Perse. Sora was a fellow Lancer and a student at Duel Academy. Sora is a short, young boy with light cyan hair, that is tied up and spiked out. He wears a blue jacket that bears some resemblance to Duel Academies Obelisk Blue jacket, with a yellow and orange trim over a black t-shirt. He also wears a pair of light gray cargo shorts over long white socks and brown shoes. In his mouth, Sora is sucking on a lollipop, causing the stick to poke out like a cigarette.

"Sora." said Gong. "What're you doing here friend?"

"I came to visit for a few days." said Sora, hugging Gong. "Duel Academy has a week off, so what better way to spend it than with my good friends."

"Well, you won't hear Gong complain." Gong smiled.

"Say, wheres Yuya?" Sora asked. "I was gonna ask him or Zuzu if I could stay with them."

"Yuya's out of town." said Gong. "Declan sent him out to do some sort of training."

"Really?" said Sora. "Aw, that's a shame. I was hoping to say hi."

"I'm sure Yuya's mom would let you stay over." said Gong.

"Heh. Of course." said Sora. "How can anyone say no to this face?"

The two then walked off to the dojo, catching up. Sora told Gong all about how Duel Academy has changed. They've now included clubs, theater programs, sports teams. Sora had even started a club of his own, a baking club. Eventually, they reached the dojo and went their separate ways. Sora ran off to meet with the Sakaki's while Gong walked up the stairs to enter his father's dojo. Several students greeted him as he entered. Gong simply waved or nodded back in response as he usually did.

"Daddy." said Gong. "Gong's home."

He entered his father's private room and found that his father had company. It was the manager from the other day at the You Show Duel School.

"Mr. Strong." said Eric, turning to see Gong with a huge smile.

"What do you want?" Gong asked.

"I was just having a chat with your father." said Eric.

"Whatever you want, Gong ain't interested." said Gong.

"Now, young man." said Eric pleasantly, pulling out a contract. "I wanted to give you the opportunity that your friend Zuzu turned down. I was just talking with your father about it and he said he'd support you all the way through."

"Indeed." said Mr. Strong. "IF that's what my son wants. What do you think Gong?"

"Gong says no." said Gong.

"Then it is no." said Mr. Strong. "Now, kindly leave my dojo."

Eric got up and left. Gong watched him leave, a look of disappointment on the managers face.

"What a bore." said Mr. Strong.

"Gong don't trust that fellow." said Gong. "Can't put a finger on it, but Gong don't like him."

"I had a similar instinct." said Mr. Strong. "We better watch out for him."

Gong nodded as he and his father went to make dinner and discuss the events of the day.


Skip was organizing the conference room when Nico Smiley entered the room.

"Ah, Skip." said Nico. "How are you friend?"

"I'm alright." said Skip. "And if you're looking for Yuya, he's not here. Out of town in fact."

"That explains why I haven't seen him." said Nico. "Actually, I wasn't looking for Yuya. I was looking for Yusho. I have a duel I've been wanting to book with him and I'm trying to see when he's not busy."

"I think he's schedule is packed till November." said Skip. "I'll check with him when I see him later."

"Smashing." said Nico. "So, what's new here?"

"Not much." said Skip. "We had a duel manager stop by the other day. Some guy by the name of Eric Samson."

"SAMSON?!" Nico shouted. "You didn't sign any of your students to him, did you?"

"No." said Skip. "I mean, he was really only interested in Zuzu, Gong, and probably Yuya if Yuya was around. He offered a contract to Zuzu, but she declined."

"Good show." said Nico. "Samson is nothing but a dirty, rotten crook."

"A crook, eh?" Skip asked.

"Yes, a crook." said Nico. "He builds up his clients to pure stardom, only to rob them from house and home afterwards, especially once they lose popularity. He does the same with the next duelist, then the next duelist, then the next."

"Good gracious." said Skip. "How can he get away with that?"

"Technically he's not doing anything illegal." said Nico. "At least, not visibly illegal."

"What does that mean?" Skip asked.

"Let's just say you've probably not seen the last of him." said Nico. "Your students better watch themselves."

"Right." said Skip. "Thank you Nico."

"Of course." said Nico. "Now, do you need a hand? Looks like you've quite the amount of paperwork to go through."

"If your up for it." said Skip. "I'd be grateful for the help."


Gong decided to go for an evening stroll. It was a nice, cool night, with a pleasant breeze. It had been a while since he'd done something like this, so it was refreshing.

Gong thought about how much had changed since the events of the Dimensional War. The four dimensions were now at peace, his best friend was now a professional duelist, and now Gong and Zuzu were being scouted for the professional circuit. Gong wasn't really interested in that though. He enjoyed dueling for the fun of it and, while he wouldn't be against joining the professionals, he wanted to do it when he was ready, on his terms. Though Yuya did earn his place as a professional, the opportunity was also forced on him by Declan. That was something Gong didn't want, to be forced to become a professional duelist.

Gong found himself looking towards the stadium on the bridge Yuya usually sat at. Gong thought about all the times he found Yuya sitting on the railing of the bridge before a big match, goggles on, swinging the pendulum on his pendant.

"Gong hopes you're doing well Yuya." said Gong.

Suddenly, Gong heard a noise to his left. Someone was walking down the bridge towards him.

"Who goes there?" Gong said.

"Hello Gong." the person said, trying to sound intimidating.

The person came into the light. Gong didn't recognize the guy. He was tall and had black, buzz cut hair. He had mean looking brown eyes and a nasty grin. He wore a black leather neck piece and a purple tank top. He wore baggy black pants and brown boots.

"Who are you?" Gong demanded.

"Just a fan." the guy said ominously. He then pulled out a rolled up piece of paper. "Who wants an autograph."

The guy unrolled the parchment and Gong saw that it was the contract Eric Samson was holding earlier.

"So, you work for that Samson guy?" Gong asked.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't." said the guy. "Not that I'd know what a big shot like Eric Samson would want with me."

"How much did he pay you to say that?" Gong asked sarcastically.

"So." said the guy, raising his duel disk. "Am I gonna get my autograph or am I going to have to force it out of you?"

Gong didn't say anything. He simply raised his duel disk, turning it on. The guy smirked and turned his on as well.

"Let's duel!" the two said together.

"I'll go first." said the guy. "I play one monster in face-down defense mode and one card face-down. That's all for me."

"Then Gong draws!" said Gong. "Gong sets his pendulum scale with scale one Superheavy Samurai General Jade and scale eight Superheavy Samurai General Coral."

Gong then set his pendulum monsters, his duel disk lighting up the word PENDULUM on his duel disk.

"Gong can now pendulum summon." said Gong. "Monsters between the levels of 2 and 7 all at the same time. Gong pendulum summons!"

A pendulum and a portal then appeared as Gong's four monsters shot out in beams of light.

"Appear, Superheavy Samurai Drum!" said Gong. "Superheavy Samurai Soulpiercer, Superheavy Samurai Soulhorns, and Superheavy Samurai Magnet!"

Gong's monster appeared in formation.

"Gong then activates Jade's special ability." said Gong. "It let's Gong raise Drum's level from 1 to 2. Gong then tunes level two Drum with level four Magnet!"

Gong's Superheavy Samurai Drum then let out a beat as it burst into two rings. Magnet then went within the rings, turning into four shining orbs. Lighting burst through the orbs as Gong's new monster took form.

"Gong synchro summons!" Gong said. "Superheavy Samurai Ogre Shutendoji!"

Gong's new monster appeared, slamming it's club on the ground.

"Ogre Shutendoji can attack even when in defense mode." said Gong. "Plus, when it's summoned, it destroys every spell and trap on your side of the field."

The guy's face-down card, Mirror Force, was then destroyed.

"Gong then equips Shutendoji with Soulhorns and Soulpiercer." said Gong. "Not only does this allow Shutendoji to attack twice, but he can also inflict piercing damage!"

"What?" the guy asked in shock.

"Ogre Shutendoji, attack!" said Gong.

Shutendoji took Soulpiercer and shot an arrow from it. It revealed the opponent's face-down monster, Marshmallon.

"Marshmallon can't be destroyed in battle." the guy said. "Plus, when it's flipped face-up from an attack, it hits you for 1000 points of damage."

The opponents Marshmallon then leapt at Gong and bit him, lowering his life points to 3000.

"It don't matter one bit." said Gong. "You'll still take damage."

The arrow then hit the guy in his chest, lowering his life points to 2000.

"And Gong can attack again." said Gong. "Now attack once more Shutendoji!"

Shutendoji repeated the attack. Marshmallon could not activate its effect again, so the guy was defenseless as Gong finished him off. The impact of the last attack knocked the opponent back as the duel ended.

"Hmph." said Gong. "If this is all that Samson has got, Gong's pretty disappointed."

"This ain't over punk." said the guy. "Not by a longshot."

Gong simply snorted in disgust and walked off, deciding that it was time to return home.