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The Grand Tournament

Fanfic Chapter 241: The Mask Pt 2: Crouching Joey, Ancient Dragon
Episode Basis: Let the Tournament Begin Pt 2

Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! Joey and Amara started their respective duels. Amara dueled Abe, who seemed to be more interested in "monkeying" around than dueling which is probably why she won. Meanwhile, it was a race against time as Joey ran to meet Apnarg Otom, who everyone except Joey knew was really Yugi's Grandpa. But once he arrived, the duel got hot and heavy. Joey's dice rolls were neutralized thanks to Legendary Gambler and for some reason he played ancient cards. But how can Joey beat his own teacher especially considering he knows all of Joey's moves?


Joey was staring down Apnarg's stone monsters. His field was bare and Apnarg was daring him to summon a monster. "If you want to stay in this game, I suggest you summon a monster."

"That's just what I'm going to do," Joey said. "I summon Goblin Attack Force (1) in attack mode." A team of five goblins appeared. "Now attack his Ancient Giant!"

"Not so fast, I reveal my trap card Ordeal of a Traveler. Here's how it works: I hold up a card and then you have to decide if it's a magic, trap, or monster card. If you guess wrong, the attacking monster is sent back to your hand. If you guess right, you can attack." He took a card from his hand.

"Yugi, your Grandpa is beating Joey at his own game," Tea said.

"That's because he knows all of Joey's strategies," Tristan pointed out. "He did teach Joey to duel after all."

"So, which is it?"

"Uh… let's see… trap… or maybe magic… nah, I think its monster… um… can I phone a friend?"

"Hurry up, I'm not getting any younger!"

"All right, all right, it's a… trap card!"

"Nope." Apnarg turned his card around to reveal that it is a monster card, Sinister Serpent. The goblins ran back to Joey and Joey took their card off his Duel Disk's tray. "Looks like that famous Wheeler luck has left you."

"It isn't always about luck," Joey argued. "It's about real skill!"

"Does Joey even know what he's talking about?" Tristan asked.

"Probably not," Amara replied as she stepped from the woods with her cousins. "He once told Mai that a little bit of luck never hurt anyone."

"Amara, did you finish your duel already?"

Amara flashed a victory sign. "Yup, no problem, so how's Joey doing?"

"No monsters on the field, can't attack, staring down three stoned monsters and Yugi's Grandpa is basically ruling the field."

(A: 5000)
(J: 2200)

"I'll set a card face-down and end my turn."

Apnarg started his turn by drawing a magic card. This will be helpful later, he thought. "Ancient Giant, attack Joey directly!"

"Activate magic card: Scapegoat!" Four sheep appeared with one being destroyed. "Looks like my life points are safe this turn and next turn I get to blast you with my goblins!"

"As usual, you're one step behind the rest of the class. Just like Legendary Gambler, Ordeal of a Traveler is a continuous trap card which means you'll have to guess each time you attack."

Okay, I'm sure I can figure this out. He only has two cards and I know one is Sinister Serpent. If I can get that masked man to play his other card, I'll know what's in his hand.

"I play the magic card Ancient Tome!" A book rose up on a stone pedestal.

Joey smiled, Great, now I know what card he has left in his hand.

"Ancient Tome lets me switch the card in my hand with the one at the top of my deck."

"Crap," Joey said. "I had it all figured out."

"You'd like to think that but old Apnarg was way ahead of you. Next I switch my Stone Giants to defense mode and end my turn."

(A: 4000)
(J: 3000)

"Your Grandpa just lost 1000 life points for not attacking with his Stone Giants," Yami said to Yugi. "Plus he left them in defense mode which could cost him life points next turn."

Yugi nodded, "It doesn't make any sense."

"It's go time!" Joey announced drawing a card. But what am I supposed to do now? I could summon my goblins again but I can't attack unless I guess what's in Apnarg's hand. And my Scapegoats won't last much longer. If he draws a monster next turn, I could lose the duel! He threw his Goblin Attack Force card on the tray, "I summon Goblin Attack Force once again." The five goblins appeared.

"Would you like to attack?" Apnarg offered.

Joey bit his tongue, "No, I end my turn."

"Looks like Grandpa's strategy is working," Tristan commented.

"But what is that strategy?" Amara asked.

"Do you know, Yugi?" Tea asked.

"No, but I think I know who does." He looked at Doctor Hawkins who was staring at Apnarg's field adoringly.


Two figures in tattered cloaks and holding walking sticks staggered down a stretch of empty road towards the entrance to Kaiba Land.

"I'm hot," one complained.

"I know," the other replied.

"I'm tired."

"You think I'm not." They finally reached the entrance and fell to their knees. As they did, their hoods fell off. It was two boys, one with light blue hair in a bowl cut and big glasses and the other had brown hair with a tuft of pink in it and wearing a knit cap stared up at the gate.

"We're definitely going to beat those guys this time, Weevil."

"You're right, Rex, but first we need to enter that tournament."

"I have an idea how."

"Why does that worry me?"


Back at the duel, Joey was scratching his chin pondering, "Why do I have the feeling that we've met before?"

"I get that a lot," Apnarg said drawing a card. "To keep my Ancient Tome in play, I need to sacrifice a card in my hand so I choose to sacrifice my Sinister Serpent which in turn activates its special effect allowing it to return to my hand. So I don't have to give up a thing."

"Man, a card like that should be outlawed," Amara commented.

"I've had just about enough of you," Joey snapped.

"Aww, but I haven't even shown you my most devastating card yet."

"Devastating card?"

"That's right, it's my prized possession," Apnarg said puffing his chest. "I've been preparing for it ever since I played my first card."

"You what?!"

"That's right, every card I played is a key needed to unlock the door to release this great beast and only a few keys remain."

"Now I see," Yami said.

"Pharaoh?"

"First I switch my two Stone Giants back into attack mode!" The two giants stood up. The key turned into the lock. The key was now horizontal.

"Every move your Grandpa made must be to unlock that door further and further," Yami told Yugi.

"Next I activate the Ancient Key using the power of the Stone Giants, the Ancient Tome and the Ancient Giant to unlock the Ancient Gate!" The three monsters and one magic card disappeared. The key turned vertical again and the doors opened. "Now I bring forth my ultimate monster: I sacrifice Ancient Giant, Ancient Tome, and Ancient Gate to bring forth the Ancient Dragon (2)!" A large mustard-colored dragon burst from the doors. The kids looked on in awe.

"It's breathtaking," Professor Hawkins said.

Apnarg then noticed Joey's stunned look. "Looks like, for once, Joseph Wheeler is at a loss for words."

"I've never seen a monster like that before," Amara said.

"Neither have I," Mokuba agreed.

"Your Grandpa isn't the only one with that card," Professor Hawkins said. He held out his deck.

The card that was face-up on his deck was Ancient Dragon.

"You have an Ancient Dragon too?" Yugi exclaimed.

"Yes," Hawkins confirmed. "But I have never been able to summon it because I never had the necessary components. Your Grandpa is the only person I know who possesses all seven cards needed to summon this divine beast. I hope you kids appreciate the rare event you just witnessed."


Over the years, your Grandpa and I have been engaged in a friendly competition to see who can get all the cards needed to summon the Ancient Dragon first. Until recently, we each had six of the seven cards needed. But when your Grandpa called me up to tell me he was going to participate in the tournament, he said,

"By the way, Arthur, I have some interesting news to report. Looks like you owe me a drink, I managed to track down the fifth card."

"WHAT? You mean you can finally summon the Ancient Dragon?"

"Yup."

"I must see it, when, where?"

"Have you forgotten, I'm participating in Kaiba's duel tournament, what better way to show off my new card."

Click.


"That was the cheeriest I've heard your Grandpa in a long time. You see, Yugi, your Grandpa is happiest when he's dueling, he thinks it keeps him young."

Yugi and Tea shared a smile, "I guess Grandpa is just a kid at heart," Tea said.

"Yup," Yugi agreed.

Arthur stared at Apnarg, "He managed to summon a monster he's been waiting his whole life to summon and that makes him happier than almost anything."

"Happier than almost anything," Yugi repeated.

"You should consider it an honor to be attacked by my Ancient Dragon," Apnarg said.

"If you ask me, it's just a huge waste of time, spending this entire duel just setting up to play one card."

"I guess you forgot everything I taught you."

"Huh?"

"Suit yourself, either way you're about to be wiped out! Ancient Dragon, attack his Goblin Attack Force!" The dragon strafed Joey's side of the field destroying not only the goblins but the Scapegoats as well. "When Ancient Dragon attacks, it destroys every monster in defense mode on the field."

(A: 4000)
(J: 1700)

"I'll never let you win!" Joey declared. "This tournament is my chance to make it big and get some respect like Yugi does."

"Joey, lighten up," Yugi called. Joey looked at his friend like he was off his rocker. "You're so caught up in winning that you've forgotten what's important… to have fun!"

"But this is serious!"

"No it's not," Amara said. "Joey, I know that in your last couple of duels, you had something important riding, but not now, this is just a fun little tournament."

"That's right," Tristan agreed. "It's just a cheap money-making scheme drummed up by Kaiba Corp to earn some publicity."

"Hello, I'm standing right here," Mokuba pointed out.

"Just be yourself," Tea called.

"Thanks, guys."

Apnarg was weeping tears of joy, "I am so proud of those kids," he said.

"What should you be so proud?" Joey asked as Apnarg put away his handkerchief, "From now on, you won't be the only one having fun."

"That's the spirit, Joey," Professor Hawkins cheered. "So what if Apnarg is more skilled, has better cards, and will probably win."

"Okay, that's enough motivation," Joey said glaring at the old man.

"I'm waiting," Apnarg said. "So bring it on."

Joey drew a card, it was Gilford the Lightning (3). "I think it's time to give my luck one more shot, I activate the magic card Roll of Fate!" A hand holding a die appeared. "This card lets me draw a number of cards from my deck depending on the roll of the die, but I also have to remove that number of cards from play."

"Unless my Legendary Gambler out rolls you," Apnarg said as his trap card also threw a die.

Joey watched the two dice carefully, dealer rolls a four, he thought seeing his die land with a four face up. And the creep in a mask rolls…

Apnarg's die landed on a three.

"All right, I win!" Joey cried. He drew four cards then drew four more and placed the later four in his pocket. "Next I play the magic card Landstar Forces, this allows me to summon every monster in my hand with Landstar in its name so now I play Brigadier of Landstar (4), Knight of Landstar (5), and Grappler of Landstar (6)!" Three different versions of Joey's Swordsman appeared. "Now I sacrifice all of them to summon Gilford the Lightning!" A muscle-bound man in armor carrying a sword appeared. "Because I sacrificed three monsters to summon him, I get to activate his special ability destroying all of your monsters!" A bolt of lightning cut through the Ancient Dragon and destroyed it. "Now, Gilford, attack him directly!"

"Have you forgotten, I still have Ordeal of a Traveler, you have to guess if the card in my hand is a trap, magic, or monster card."

"You think I haven't been paying attention? You have only one card left in your hand and it's a monster card, Sinister Serpent."

"Very good, Joey," Apnarg said turning the card around to reveal that it was indeed Sinister Serpent.

"Now, Gilford, use your Lightning Sword and attack him directly!" Gilford fired a bolt of lightning at Apnarg.

(A: 1200)
(J: 1700)

"I think I'll end my turn right now."

Apnarg chuckled.

Suddenly the doors to the Ancient City burst open and the Ancient Dragon flew through them. Everyone gasped. "As long as Ancient City is out, I can bring Ancient Dragon back from the graveyard. You should've known a monster as special as this wouldn't be gotten rid of so easily." He drew a card. "Ancient Dragon, attack Gilford the Lightning!"

"But aren't their attack points equal?" Tristan asked.

"That means they both will be destroyed," Mokuba exclaimed. Gilford and Ancient Dragon fired their attacks. The two attacks bypassed each other and destroyed the target monster. The doors to the Ancient City opened again and Ancient Dragon appeared.

"I can bring Ancient Dragon back any time I want, too bad you can't do the same for Gilford."

Joey took a deep breath, "My cards have never let me down before!" He drew a card. "I play the magic card Pot of Greed so I can draw two new cards." The two new cards he drew were Premature Burial and Giant Trunade. Joey took notice of Giant Trunade, Giant Trunade, this magic card returns all magic and trap cards to their owners' hands. I can use it to get rid of his Ancient City so he won't be able to bring back his Ancient Dragon… hold on, Giant Trunade also sends my magic and trap cards back to my hand as well.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but Joey's thinking about this duel way too much," Tristan commented.

"Keep your comments to yourself, needle noggin," Joey snapped. "I may not have a deck full of rare cards like Apnarg does, and I may not plan my strategy step by step, but I think pretty quick on my feet and always trust my instincts. That's because I had some good teachers."

"Thank you… uh… I mean good for you," Apnarg corrected.

"I was taught to play the game with my heart and always have fun and that's just what I am going to do! I play Premature Burial, this magic card lets me bring a monster back from my graveyard as long as I pay 800 life points so I'll use it to bring back my Goblin Attack Force!" The goblins reappeared.

(A: 1200)
(J: 900)

"Next I play Giant Trunade to send all magic and trap cards back to our hands. So that means your Ancient City goes bye-bye!" Apnarg watched as his Legendary Gambler, Ordeal of a Traveler, and most importantly, his Ancient City all disappear.

"Oh dear," Professor Hawkins said.

"This is awesome," Mokuba said. "If Joey doesn't screw this up, he may actually have a chance of winning the duel."

"I play Premature Burial again to bring back Gilford the Lightning!"

"Hey wait a minute," Duke said. "Why didn't Joey's Goblins disappear when Premature Burial did, I thought when that card was destroyed, the monster it brought back was also destroyed."

"It does and that's why they weren't destroyed," Amara explained. "When Joey played Giant Trunade, he didn't destroy all magic and trap cards, just returned them to the respective owner's hands. Because Premature Burial wasn't technically destroyed, neither was Goblin Attack Force."

"But if it was returned to his hand that would mean…" Tea began.

Amara nodded, "Yup, he can use it again."

"I play Premature Burial again, this time to revive Gilford the Lightning!"

(A: 1200)
(J: 100)

"Gilford, attack!" Once again the two monsters exchanged attacks and destroyed one another. "There, now your Ancient Dragon can't come back and your life points are wide open! So take him, boys!" The Goblin Attack Force charged forward and basically beat Apnarg into submission.

(A: 0)
(J: 100)

"Did Joey just win that duel?" Tristan asked.

"I think he did," Amara replied.

Everyone, Joey included, ran to check on the man. "Nice dueling, stranger," Joey congratulated as he offered to help the man up.

The man chuckled and pulled off his mask, "Surprise!"

"MISTER MOTO?" Joey asked aghast.

Solomon Moto laughed, "A pretty good disguise, wouldn't you say? Maybe this would be my new look."

"But why'd you join the tournament in the first place?" Joey asked as he helped the old man up.

"I was hoping to duel you, Joey. I did teach you everything you know so I figured it was time to test you."

"So did I pass?"

"A plus!"

"I guess there's a first time for everything," Mokuba said shrugging.

"Somebody, pinch me, I must be dreaming," Tristan groaned. "YEOW! Hey, that's just a figure of speech, kid!"

Alexis chuckled and ran behind Amara for protection.

Yami appeared, "Your Grandpa dueled quite well, Yugi."

"Yeah, and I think he had the most fun out of everyone."

"Though we do find ourselves in some pretty harrowing situations, I think what it all comes down to is that as long as a fun time was had, then winning or losing doesn't matter. That's something I learned from you, Yugi."

"And it's something that I learned from my Grandpa."

"So why did you pick the name Apnarg?"

"It's 'Granpa' spelled backwards."

"Ohhhhhh," everyone said.

"I still don't get it."

Everyone laughed.

The End


Duel Monster Database

(1)
Name: Goblin Attack Force
Level: 4
Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Earth
ATK: 2300
DEF: 0

(2)
Name: Ancient Dragon
Level: 8
Type: Dragon/Effect
Attribute: Dark
ATK: 2800
DEF: 2100

(3)
Name: Gilford the Lightning
Level: 8
Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Light
ATK: 2800
DEF: 1400

(4)
Name: Brigadier of Landstar
Level: 3
Type: Warrior
Attribute: Earth
ATK: 900
DEF: 1200

(5)
Name: Knight of Landstar
Level: 3
Type: Warrior
Attribute: Earth
ATK: 1000
DEF: 1200

(6)
Name: Grappler of Landstar
Level: 3
Type: Warrior
Attribute: Earth
ATK: 500
DEF: 200