Legal Disclaimer: This story follows the same rules as "Rise of the Deckmasters". Strike Ninja was Duke Devlin's original deckmaster in "Mechanical Mayhem". Bianka Felicia and any physical descriptions associated with her are the properties of sm-candy. The full explanations of both Strike Ninja and Apprentice Magician's deckmaster abilities were provided by Santoryuu.
Battle Between The Sexes
Chapter 9: Odds and Ends
Later this afternoon, Bianka Felicia entered Duke Devlin's Game Shop and saw many people dueling or playing Dungeon Dice Monsters.
"With so many people here, I wouldn't be surprised if Devlin himself is dueling as well, " said Bianka.
After several minutes, Bianka found a young man next to a dueling platform, preparing his deck. He had green eyes and black hair and was wearing a red and black bandana and a die hanging from his left ear.
"That duel was fun, but I need a real challenge, " said Duke Devlin.
"That is where I came in, " said Bianka as she came running toward him. "If you are looking for a challenge, then here I am."
Duke Devlin got a good look at her hazel eyes and her short light brown hair streaked with black and silver and instantly recognized her.
"I know who you are. You're Bianka Felicia, one of the women chosen to compete in the Hell's Fury tournament, " said Duke Devlin. "If that eliminator hadn't attacked you more times than Melody was, the outcome of the tournament might have been different."
"I don't dwell on the past, and I rather focus on the tournament I am currently in, " said Bianka as she showed Duke Devlin her Duel Disk.
"How ironic. I'm in the same tournament as well, " said Duke Devlin as he showed Bianka his Duel Disk.
"If that's the case, how about a duel?" asked Bianka as she took his deck out of her Duel Disk
"Sure. No problem, " said Duke Devlin as he took his deck out of her Duel Disk. "Choose your deckmaster, and the amount of game points you want to wager."
They searched through their decks and found their monsters. Suddenly, a crowd formed around Bianka and Duke Devlin to watch their duel.
"I wager 3,000 of my 5,600 points, and I choose Strike Ninja as my deckmaster, " said Duke Devlin.
"I wager 2,800 of my 5,500 points, and I choose Apprentice Magician as my deckmaster, " said Bianka.
Bianka and Duke Devlin exchanged, shuffled, and cut their decks. They quickly gave their decks back to each other and placed them back into their Duel Disks.
"Let's duel!" they both exclaimed.
Their Duel Disks activated and moved into position. Duke Devlin and Bianka pressed blue buttons on their Duel Disks. The left edge slots immediately opened up. Duke Devlin placed Strike Ninja on his slot while Bianka placed Apprentice Magician on her slot. Afterwards, they both closed up. First, a man, who was wearing a black jumpsuit covering his entire body with gold trim on his eyes, mouth, wrists, and knees, gold shoes, and gold belt and was wielding two daggers, appeared next to Duke Devlin. (1,700/1,200) Next, Apprentice Magician appeared next to Bianka. (400/800) They both drew five cards.
Duke Devlin: 8,000
Bianka: 8,000
"I'll go first, " said Bianka as she drew a sixth card. "I set one monster in defense mode and place one card facedown."
Bianka placed one card facedown and sideways on top of her Duel Disk. A facedown card positioned sideways appeared on Bianka's side of the field. Another facedown card appeared behind the set monster.
"I end my turn, " said Bianka.
"My move, " said Duke Devlin as he drew a sixth card. "I summon Oni Tank T-34 in attack mode."
Duke Devlin placed Oni Tank T-34 on top of his Duel Disk. Oni Tank T-34 appeared on Duke Devlin's side of the field. (1,400/1,700)
"Oni Tank T-34, attack that set monster with Demonic Missile Barrage!" exclaimed Duke Devlin.
Oni Tank T-34 fired several missiles at the set monster. Bianka quickly flipped her set card upright on top of her Duel Disk. Mystic Tomato appeared on Bianka's side of the field and instantly shattered into pixels. (1,400/1,100) Bianka moved Mystic Tomato from the top of her Duel Disk to her Graveyard.
"Now, I can special summon a DARK monster from my deck with an attack strength of at most 1,500 points, " said Bianka as she pulled her deck out of her Duel Disk. "Therefore, I choose Witch's Apprentice."
Bianka searched through her deck, found and showed Witch's Apprentice to Duke Devlin, shuffled and returned her deck to her Duel Disk, and placed Witch's Apprentice on top of her Duel Disk. Witch's Apprentice appeared on Bianka's side of the field. (550/500)
"I'm sure you know that Witch's Apprentice increases the attack strengths of DARK monsters by 500 points while decreasing the attack strengths of LIGHT monsters by 400 points, " said Bianka.
The attack strength of Witch's Apprentice changed. (1,050/500)
"I place two cards facedown to end my turn, " said Duke Devlin as two facedown cards appeared behind Oni Tank T-34.
"My move, " said Bianka as she drew a card. "I summon Sorcerer of the Doomed in attack mode."
Bianka placed Sorcerer of the Doomed on top of her Duel Disk. A zombie with gray hair, who was wearing a gold bandana with a red jewel in the center, several decapitated heads around his neck and a red cape and was wielding a black staff with an oval-shaped head, appeared on Bianka's side of the field with its attack strength changed. (1,950/1,200)
"Sorcerer of the Doomed, attack Oni Tank T-34 with Reaper Magic Attack!" exclaimed Bianka.
Sorcerer of the Doomed used his wand to fire a blast of gray energy at Oni Tank T-34, shattering it into pixels. Duke Devlin moved Oni Tank T-34 from the top of his Duel Disk to his Graveyard.
Duke Devlin: 7,450
Bianka: 8,000
"I activate one of my facedown cards, Michizure, to destroy Sorcerer of the Doomed, " said Duke Devlin as a facedown card flipped up on his side of the field.
Sorcerer of the Doomed instantly shattered into pixels. Bianka moved Sorcerer of the Doomed from the top of her Duel Disk to her Graveyard.
"Witch's Apprentice, attack Duke Devlin's Life Points directly with Broomstick Charge!" exclaimed Bianka.
Witch's Apprentice used her attack to slam Duke Devlin, causing him to twitch.
Duke Devlin: 6,400
Bianka: 8,000
"I end my turn, " said Bianka.
"My move, " said Duke Devlin as he drew a card. "I summon The 13th Grave in attack mode."
Duke Devlin placed The 13th Grave on top of his Duel Disk. A skeleton, which was wearing a torn blue cape and was wielding an oversized red sword, appeared on Duke Devlin's side of the field with its attack strength changed. (1,700/900)
"The 13th Grave, attack Witch's Apprentice with Cursed Blade Strike!" exclaimed Duke Devlin.
The 13th Grave used its sword to slice Witch's Apprentice in half, shattering her into pixels. Bianka moved Witch's Apprentice from the top of her Duel Disk to her Graveyard.
Duke Devlin: 6,400
Bianka: 7,350
The 13th Grave's attack strength returned to normal. (1,200/900)
"I end my turn, " said Duke Devlin.
"My move, " said Bianka as she drew a card. "I summon Rapid-Fire Magician in attack mode."
Bianka placed Rapid-Fire Magician on top of her Duel Disk. Rapid-Fire Magician appeared on Bianka's side of the field. (1,600/1,200)
"Rapid-Fire Magician, attack The 13th Grave with Supersonic Magic Attack!" exclaimed Bianka.
"Not so fast. I activate my facedown card, Book of Moon, to negate Rapid-Fire Magician's attack, " said Duke Devlin as a facedown card flipped up.
Bianka turned Rapid-Fire Magician facedown and sideways on top of her Duel Disk. Rapid-Fire Magician turned into a facedown card that was positioned sideways.
"I place two cards facedown to end my turn, " said Bianka as two facedown cards appeared behind the set monster.
"My move, " said Duke Devlin as he drew a card. "I summon Gradius and equip it with Cyclon Laser, which increases its attack strength by 300 points."
Duke Devlin placed Gradius on top of his Duel Disk. A white jetfighter with angled wings and a single engine exhaust, which was armed with a dual laser cannon, appeared next to The 13th Grave with its attack strength changed. (1,500/800)
"Gradius, attack that set monster with Cyclon Laser!" exclaimed Duke Devlin.
Gradius fired two yellow laser beams at the set monster. Bianka flipped her set card upright on top of her Duel Disk. Rapid-Fire Magician reappeared on Bianka's side of the field and shattered into pixels. (1,600/1,200) Bianka moved Rapid-Fire Magician from the top of her Duel Disk to her Graveyard.
"By the way, Cyclon Laser also gives Gradius trample ability, " said Duke Devlin.
Duke Devlin: 6,400
Bianka: 7,050
"I activate the deckmaster ability of Apprentice Magician, which is called Sorcerer's Apprentice, " said Bianka. "I can only activate it when a Spellcaster-type monster is destroyed in battle. I can now special summon a Spellcaster-type monster from my hand whose level is exactly half of the destroyed monster's level. Since Rapid-Fire Magician is a level four monster, I can summon The Unhappy Girl in defense mode."
Bianka placed The Unhappy Girl on top of her Duel Disk. A young woman with red hair, who was wearing a sky blue gown, appeared on Bianka's side of the field. (400/300)
"The Unhappy Girl has a special ability, preventing her from being destroyed in battle; however, I will still lose Life Points, " said Bianka.
"The 13th Grave, attack The Unhappy Girl with Cursed Blade Strike!" exclaimed Duke Devlin.
"Not so fast. I activate one of my facedown cards, Threatening Roar, negating your ability to attack, " said Bianka as a facedown card flipped up.
The 13th Grave used its attack to slash The Unhappy Girl in half; however, a sonic blast dissipated the attack.
"I end my turn, " said Duke Devlin.
"My move, " said Bianka as she drew a card. "I play Pot of Greed."
Bianka drew two cards from her deck.
"I switch The Unhappy Girl into defense mode and summon Injection Fairy Lily in attack mode, " said Bianka as she turned The Unhappy Girl sideways and placed Injection Fairy Lily on top of her Duel Disk.
The Unhappy Girl got on her knees and rested with her arms crossed. Injection Fairy Lily appeared next to The Unhappy Girl. (400/1,500)
"I activate Injection Fairy Lily's special ability, " said Bianka.
"Injection Fairy Lily, attack Gradius with Needle Rocket Attack!" exclaimed Bianka.
Injection Fairy Lily's attack strength changed. (3,400/1,500)
Duke Devlin: 6,400
Bianka: 5,050
Injection Fairy Lily used her attack to pierce Gradius, shattering it into pixels. Duke Devlin moved Gradius from the top of his Duel Disk to his Graveyard.
Duke Devlin: 4,500
Bianka: 5,050
"I place one card facedown to end my turn, " said Bianka as a facedown card appeared behind Injection Fairy Lily.
Injection Fairy Lily's attack strength returned to normal. (400/1,500)
"I activate one of my facedown cards, Life Absorbing Machine, " said Bianka as a facedown card flipped up.
"I sacrifice The 13th Grave to summon Spikebot in attack mode, " said Duke Devlin.
Once Duke Devlin moved The 13th Grave from the top of his Duel Disk to his Graveyard, it vanished from his side of the field. Next, he placed Spikebot on top of his Duel Disk. A robot with spherical shoulders, spike on its shoulders, face, back, and around its waist and lower body, and mace-like arms appeared on Duke Devlin's side of the field. (1,800/1,700)
"Next, I play the Magic card Limiter Removal to double the attack strength of all Machine-type monsters on my side of the field, " said Duke Devlin.
Spikebot's attack strength changed. (3,600/1,700)
"Spikebot, attack Injection Fairy Lily with Spike Attack!" exclaimed Duke Devlin.
"Not so fast. I activate my facedown card, Sakuretsu Armor, " said Bianka as a facedown card flipped up.
Spikebot used its mace-like arms to smash Injection Fairy Lily; however, Sakuretsu Armor reflected Spikebot's attack toward itself, shattering Spikebot into pixels. Duke Devlin moved Spikebot from the top of his Duel Disk to his Graveyard.
"I place one card facedown to end my turn, " said Duke Devlin as a facedown card appeared on his side of the field.
"My move, " said Bianka as she drew a card. "Thanks to Life Absorbing Machine, I can regain some Life Points."
Duke Devlin: 4,500
Bianka: 6,050
"I play Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy that facedown card, " said Bianka.
"Sorry, but that is not happening. I activate my facedown card, Imperial Order, " said Duke Devlin as a facedown card flipped up.
"I sacrifice The Unhappy Girl to set one monster in defense mode, " said Bianka.
Once Bianka moved The Unhappy Girl from the top of her Duel Disk to her Graveyard, she vanished from her side of the field. Next, she placed a card facedown and sideways on top of her Duel Disk. A facedown card positioned sideways appeared next to Injection Fairy Lily.
"Injection Fairy Lily, attack Duke Devlin's Life Points directly with Needle Rocket Attack!" exclaimed Bianka
Injection Fairy Lily's attack strength changed. (3,400/1,500)
Duke Devlin: 4,500
Bianka: 4,050
"Not this time. I activate the deckmaster ability of Strike Ninja, which is called Rin Hyou Tou Sha Kai Jin Retsu Zai Zen, " said Duke Devlin. "It allows me to activate any facedown card on the field and use it for myself. All I have to do is discard two cards."
Duke Devlin discarded two cards to his Graveyard.
"Now, let's see what your facedown card can do for me, " said Duke Devlin as a facedown card flipped up on Bianka's side of the field. "Perfect. It's Negate Attack."
Injection Fairy Lily used her attack to pierce Duke Devlin; however, Negate Attack dissipated the attack.
"I end my turn, " said Bianka.
"My move, " said Duke Devlin as he drew a card. "I won't pay for Imperial Order."
Imperial Order shattered into pixels.
"I play Snatch Steal to take control of Injection Fairy Lily and equip her with Fairy Meteor Crush, giving her trample ability, " said Duke Devlin.
Bianka moved Injection Fairy Lily from the top of her Duel Disk and gave it to Duke Devlin, whom placed her on top of his Duel Disk. Injection Fairy Lily quickly moved to Duke Devlin's side of the field. (400/1,500)
"I summon Dark Assailant in attack mode, " said Duke Devlin as he placed it on top of his Duel Disk.
A creature with a skull for a head and purple skin, who was wearing purple gloves, lime green overalls, a brown belts and boots and was wielding two swords on his back and several daggers, appeared next to Injection Fairy Lily. (1,200/1,200)
"Injection Fairy Lily, attack that set monster with Needle Rocket Attack!" exclaimed Duke Devlin.
Injection Fairy Lily's attack strength changed. (3,400/1,500)
Duke Devlin: 2,500
Bianka: 4,050
Injection Fairy Lily used her attack to stab the set card. Bianka flipped her set card upright on top of her Duel Disk. A creature with a head of a girl with brown, long, and wavy hair, a head with only a mouth, and a head of a boy with blond hair, who was wearing a magenta gown with purple, light blue, dark blue, and white trim on it, appeared on Bianka's side of the field and shattered into pixels. (1,200/2,200) Bianka moved Illusionist Faceless Mage from the top of her Duel Disk to her Graveyard.
Duke Devlin: 2,500
Bianka: 2,850
"Dark Assailant, attack Bianka's Life Points directly with Psycho Sword Strike!" exclaimed Duke Devlin.
Dark Assailant drew and used its sword to swipe Bianka, causing her to twitch.
Duke Devlin: 2,500
Bianka: 1,650
"I place one card facedown to end my turn, " said Duke Devlin as a facedown card appeared behind Dark Assailant.
"My move, " said Bianka as she drew a card.
Duke Devlin: 2,500
Bianka: 3,650
"I play Dark Factory of Mass Production, " said Bianka as she retrieved Sorcerer of the Doomed and Illusionist Faceless Mage from her Graveyard. "Next, I play the Ritual Magic card, Contract with the Abyss."
"What's its function?" asked Duke Devlin.
"It allows me to summon any DARK monster as long as I sacrifice enough monsters whose total level is at least the monster I want to summon. Therefore, I sacrifice Sorcerer of the Doomed and Illusionist Faceless Mage to summon Dark Magician, " said Bianka.
Bianka discarded all three cards to her Graveyard and placed Dark Magician on top of her Duel Disk. Dark Magician appeared on Bianka's side of the field. (2,500/2,100)
"Lastly, I play Dark Magic Attack to release Injection Fairy Lily from Snatch Steal's control, " said Bianka as Snatch Steal, Fairy Meteor Crush, and Duke Devlin's facedown card shattered into pixels.
Duke Devlin moved Injection Fairy Lily from the top of his Duel Disk and gave her back to Bianka, whom placed her on top of her Duel Disk. Injection Fairy Lily quickly moved next to Dark Magician. (400/1,500)
"Dark Magician, attack Dark Assailant with Dark Magic Attack!" exclaimed Bianka.
Dark Magician used his attack to blast Dark Assailant, shattering it into pixels. Duke Devlin moved Dark Assailant from the top of his Duel Disk to his Graveyard.
Duke Devlin: 1,200
Bianka: 3,650
"Injection Fairy Lily, end this duel with Needle Rocket Attack!" exclaimed Bianka.
Injection Fairy Lily's attack strength changed. (3,400/1,500)
Duke Devlin: 1,200
Bianka: 1,650
Injection Fairy Lily used her attack to stab Duke Devlin, causing him to fall to its knees.
Duke Devlin: 0000
Bianka: 1,650
The monsters and the field instantly vanished. Every card remaining on the Duel Disks were removed and were placed back into Bianka's and Duke Devlin's decks.
"That was a tough duel. I had to pull out one of my best cards to defeat you, " said Bianka.
"I agree, " said Duke Devlin as he pressed the blue button on his Duel Disk.
Suddenly, Duke Devlin's left edge slot opened up. Duke Devlin immediately grabbed Strike Ninja from it, and the slot quickly closed back.
"As the winner of this duel, I would like to give you my Strike Ninja. Please take good care of it, " said Duke Devlin as he handed it to Bianka.
"Understood. No other card that I own will receive so much honor and respect, " said Bianka.
"Let's check our game points, " said Duke Devlin as he and Bianka turned over their Duel Disks.
They watched as Duke Devlin's game points decreased to 2,600 points while Bianka's game points increased to 8,500 points.
"Good luck in the future, " said Duke Devlin as he shook Bianka's hand.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, " said Bianka as she shook Duke Devlin's hand.
Several days later, everybody including Tea and Tristan had returned to the main hall of Kaiba Corporation Stadium. Suddenly, Jasmine Kennedy appeared in front of them.
"Thank you all for participating in our tournament. I trust that you had fun using the deckmaster system, " said Jasmine.
The crowd applauded and cheered.
"Now, it's time to announce the eight men and women who will continue to the next round of this tournament, " said Jasmine. "If your name is called, please come up to the stage immediately."
Suddenly, Rose and Lily Kennedy appeared next to Jasmine.
"The first four male competitors are Alex Afton, Mokuba Kaiba, Walter Coltrane, and Johnny Steps, " said Rose as all four men headed toward the stage.
Within minutes of each other, they all stood next to Rose.
"There are only four spots remaining. I hope that I dueled enough to get one, " said Tristan.
"Don't get so stressed out. We both have a good chance, " said Tea.
"The remaining male competitors are Brett Cooper, Terrance Lane, Leon von Schroeder, and Tristan Taylor, " said Rose.
"I can't believe it. I made into the next round, " said Tristan.
"What are you waiting for? Just go, " said Tea.
"See you up there, " said Tristan as he and Leon headed toward the stage.
Next, an 18-year old man with gray eyes, an average build, and light brown hair styled in a mushroom haircut also headed toward the stage. He was wearing a long-sleeved green T-shirt that was over an open, black, and buttoned-up shirt, matching green cargo pants, and black steel-toed shoes.
"That must be Brett Cooper, one of the top-ranked duelists from America, " said Vanessa.
"He's supposedly second to Rebecca Hawkins, " said Vivian.
Finally, a 23-year-old man with blue eyes and red shaggy hair headed toward the stage. He was wearing a denim shirt over an orange T-shirt, black jeans, white shoes, and red, gray, and white sneakers.
"That guy must be Terrance Lane. He used to be a top-ranked duelist in Ireland until his twin sister died two years ago. He hasn't participated in any tournaments until just recently, " said Alister.
Within minutes of each other, the remaining men all stood next to Rose.
"Now, it's the ladies' turn, " said Lily. "The first four female competitors are Rebecca Hawkins, Bianka Felicia, Casey Harrison, and Rachel Sawyer."
All four women headed toward the stage. Within minutes of each other, they all stood next to Lily.
"Look like some duelists from the Hell's Fury tournament have returned for some a second chance, " said Tea.
"The remaining four female competitors are Renee Maxime, Courtney Fletcher, Kitamori Reiko, and Tea Gardner, " said Lily as all four women headed toward the stage.
Within minutes of each other, they all stood next to Lily.
"I'm glad that Tea made to this leg of the tournament, " said Johnny Steps.
"I wish that Ishizu had decided to participate, " said Walter.
"I remember Kitamori Reiko. She was one of those card professors that Joey defeated, " said Tristan.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's give our duelists a warm round of applause, " said Jasmine as the crowd applauded and cheered.
"Congratulations to you all; however, it is only going to get tougher from here, " said Rose.
"Go home, prepare your decks, and get some rest, " said Lily. "The next stage of the tournament will begin promptly at 9 A. M."
Deckmaster Abilities
Apprentice Magician - Sorcerer's Apprentice: This ability can only be activated when a Spellcaster-type monster is destroyed in battle. Special summon one Spellcaster-type monster from your hand, whose level is exactly one-half the level of the one that was destroyed in battle.
Strike Ninja - Rin Hyou Tou Sha Kai Jin Retsu Zai Zen: Discard two cards from your hand at any point in the duel to activate any facedown card on the field as thought it were your own.
