"A duel it is, boy." Jagger smirked. Slade continued his thought.
"I hope you'll be ready. Now run along and get your cards, kid."
I yelped, but Bastion simply opened his yellow jacket to show a vest with six deck holders built in. "I've always got my decks, old man!"
Jagger laughed, chilling me to the bone, but Slade gritted his teeth. He was seething. I saw Jaden holding Syrus protectively out of the corner of my eye. They must have followed me after all… but the only thing I could think about was how badly I wanted that warm feeling of someone holding me. I regretted it instantly. Slade roughly pulled me into his arms and wrapped one arm tightly around my waist and the other around my neck, forcing me to become aware of my surroundings.
The duel for my freedom had become the event to attend. Word of Bastion's quest had spread quickly through the school; they now had an audience worthy of any battle. They would duel on the stage. "Your abuse stops here, Jagger," Bastion said defiantly, "you don't deserve to share that name with Chazz!"
"You shut your dirty mouth, Brat! You have no clue what it means to be a Princeton! The only example you've had is Chazz!"
"Precisely." Bastion didn't flinch.
Both brothers smirked. "How cute… You really believe that. Being a Princeton has nothing to do with being weak and lazy," Jagger replied.
"Again," Bastion grinned, "You have stolen my words. Now, let's duel!"
Both players drew five cards for their starting hand. Jagger had the first move so he drew once more. He grinned as their life points began to glow at 4000. "I'll start by summoning a Monster card in face down Defense position. Next, I'll play Everliving Underworld Cannon and set a card face down. That ends my turn."
"Clever… that cannon would deal 800 points of damage once per turn when you special summon a Zombie type Monster. Too bad I won't let you special summon; not even once this entire duel! My move!" Bastion smiled softly at me. "I'll have you back in my arms in no time, Chazz, safe and sound."
"Oh, Bastion…" I cooed softly, cupping Slade's arm with both hands.
"For my turn, I'll start b setting these three cards face down. Then I'll summon my own Monster in face down defense mode and end my turn." Bastion seemed confident that it was going to be a short duel… but so was Jagger.
"Draw!" Jagger drew his card sharply, not at all happy. "I summon Paladin of the Cursed Dragon (ATK 1900/ DEF 1200) and attack your face down Monster!"
"Flip!" Bastion grinned. "Morphing Jar… Before I tell you what he does, I'll activate Marco Cosmos in response," he smirked, holding one hand out to reveal the Trap card.
"Whoo! What a move!" I heard Jaden's voice from the stands and when I turned, as best I could, to look- sure enough, they were all in the front row. Alexis, Atticus, Jaden, Syrus, and even Dr. Crowler… even Zane had shown up and all of them were cheering for Bastion.
"As I was saying…" Bastion blushed slightly, not used to being the center of attention, and turned his attention back to my brother, Jagger. I looked down to find Pharaoh cat asleep across my feet, just purring away. That eased my tension a bit. "… Marco Cosmos removes everything that would be sent to your graveyard from this point on from the game. Morphing Jar causes both players to discard our hands and draw five new cards. Thanks to Marco Cosmos, our hands are removed from play instead. Even though my monster was destroyed, he was very useful to me."
"Well, aren't you the lucky one?" Jagger sneered and dropped his cards to the floor, then drew five new cards.
Bastion shook his head and placed his card gently in the front pocket of his bright Yellow jacket. "It isn't luck; its science. You show such disrespect for your cards… you don't have a chance at beating me."
"Don't worry, Chazz! Bastion has this in the bag! And if he still loses, then I'll come save you!" Atticus yelled and started playing some goofy song on that Ukulele he carries. I let myself smile when Alexis hit him in the arm.
"Shut up, Atticus! Let Bastion focus!"
"My move," Bastion drew his card. "Since you control a Monster and I do not, I'll special summon Cyber Dragon in Attack mode (ATK 2100 / DEF 1600)." I heard Zane mutter some words of approval. "Next, I'll play the Spell card Soul Exchange and Tribute your Paladin of the Cursed Dragon for Caius, the Shadow Monarch!" (ATK 2400/ DEF 1000)
The field in front of Bastion quivered and split open as the huge Monster crawled out. Once he stood on the field, towering over everyone, the field rumbled closed again. I heard Slade give a slight squeak and my friends in the stands were cheering or gasping; probably wondering where Bastion had come across such a card.
"Now comes the fun part! When Caius is summoned to the field, I get to pick one card on the field and remove it from play. If its attribute is Dark, then my opponent takes 1000 points in Burn Damage. I choose your face down Monster!"
"Reborn Zombie," Jagger extends his arm to reveal the Monster. "Oh, and what a shame… Even though its attribute is Dark, I won't be taking that damage. I activate my face down Trap card in response. This Trap card, Nature's Reflection, sends that damage to you instead."
"Wh-what?" Bastion's eyes widened in horror as the holographic image of Reborn Zombie burst, inflicting damage to him instead of Jagger; who cast the cards to the floor with the others. Slade and Jagger both laughed as Bastion flinched. I heard Crowler clapping from his seat.
The others must have shot him a dirty look. "What…? I only want what is best for young Chazz!" Crowler protested defensively. "Misawa hurt him!"
"NO HE DIDN'T!" All of them- Zane, Alexis, Atticus, Jaden and Syrus- were on my side. It felt good.
Bastion shook his head. "It's no good. Don't forget- Dr. Crowler is a moron."
"Hey!"
"In any case, Soul Exchange keeps me from attacking this turn, so I'll pass it to you, Mr. Princeton. It's your move," Bastion crossed his arms under the duel disk.
"Hey, Zane… why didn't Bastion attack with Cyber Dragon?" Syrus asked.
Curious myself, I turned as best I could so I could hear. "I'm sure he has his reasons. Just watch the duel."
Syrus and I both sighed and went back to watching the duel. Slade didn't like how much I was moving so his grip tightened on me as Jagger drew his card. He set two face down and summoned another Monster in face down defense mode. "That's it for now. It's your move kid." Jagger stood tall and crossed his arms, almost mocking Bastion.
"Very well. Draw." Bastion seemed even more focused than usual as he drew his card. "I'll summon D. D. Warrior Lady (ATK 1500/ DEF 1600) to the field and use her to attack your Monster!"
"I'll activate my Spell card, Mirage Tube. When one of my Monsters is selected as an attack target, my opponent takes 1000 points of damage. Now, since my Spell doesn't stop your attack, I'll show you my Monster. Spirit Reaper!" (ATK 300/ DEF 200)
"NO! Spirit Reaper can't be destroyed by Battle!" I yelped. Slade's grip on me loosened slightly as he gave a silent cheer for Jagger.
"Then it's a good thing I wasn't counting on her attack. D. D. Warrior Lady's special effect is to remove herself and any monster she tangles with from the game."
Bastion tucked his Warrior Lady in his pocket with the rest of the removed from play cards and closed his eyes as Jagger cast Spirit Reaper to the floor. Praise came from the stands and Slade's grip tightened again.
"That was a good move… but my Chazzy will need to save his voice. I expect him to beg for forgiveness when this is all over. He'll scream it nice and loud."
Bastion laughed. "The only screaming Chazz will ever have to do again is that of my praise when I make him feel better than you ever could."
"Not even when you dream, Boy." Jagger drew his card and slapped another monster into face down defense mode. "Take your turn."
Bastion's life points stood at 2000, where Jagger stayed at the full 4000, but Bastion didn't seem afraid at all. He drew his card without fear and sighed contently. I felt a bit safer, even trapped in Slade's arms. While Slade whispered threats of a shock collar, Bastion took his turn. "First, I'll reveal one of my trap cards. Dust Tornado gets rid of your face down card."
"NO!" The card exploded.
"Ah, yes. That Bottomless Trap Hole would have been awful for my next monster to fall into. I summon D. D. Survivor to the field, then activate my final trap card; Vanity's Emptiness," He stretched out his arm to show the card. "This card keeps special summons off the field until something goes from my side of the field to the grave and with Macro Cosmos, that's not going to happen any time soon." Bastion smirked. "I'm going to have to hurt you now."
"You can't touch me!" Jagger shouted, but he was beginning to look nervous.
"No; but my Caius can. He'll strike first! Shadow's Fall Attack!" Bastion sent his Monster on My brother. Slade covered my eyes as Caius smashed through Jagger's Lady in Wight (ATK 0/DEF 2200). "Now Cyber Dragon will attack and then Survivor!" Both Monsters attacked and Jagger went down on one knee, surrounded by his neglected cards, clutching his chest with his free hand.
"You'll pay for that, Misawa!" Jagger growled, getting back on his feet and drawing a card. He only had 100 life points left, but he kept fighting. "I'll summon another face down Monster and set this card face down… now come at me, Punk!"
"Very well, Mr. Princeton; I shall. My draw." He drew his card and smiled softly. "I'll play the Spell card Soul Absorption, which gives me 500 life points for each card removed from the game. With that said, I'll attack with Cyber Dragon!"
Jagger stayed calm through Bastions grin. "Trap," he said coldly. "Mirror Force! Not only does your attack fail, but every Monster on your field in attack mode is destroyed!"
"Good play. Too bad though," Bastion sighed and tucked his monsters in his pocket; all except Survivor. "I'll gain 2000 life points from that little move thanks to Soul Absorption and at the end of my turn, D. D. Survivor comes back to say hello."
"WHAT? NO! It looks like you barely touched him, Jag! Kill that punk!"
"In time, Slade," Jagger spoke through clenched teeth, "I still have points left. I'm far from done." Jagger spoke calmly but drew sharply and slapped a Monster down angrily. "I'll summon Plague Wolf in attack mode (ATK 1000/DEF 1000) and use his effect to double his attack points for this turn! I'll attack your Survivor! Unfortunately, the wolf is destroyed at the end phase."
The wolf howled and launched at the other Monster and snapped its jaws down on its neck. Both Monsters burst as Bastion's life points went down by 200. Bastion kept smiling as he pulled Survivor off the field. His life points went up by 1000. "Ah," he sighed happily, "I love Soul Absorption." He drew his card. "I know I've said this before, but I'll have my Chazz, and keep him safe and sound. I play the Spell card Soul Exchange!" He sounded proud and sure of himself as he showed the card.
It didn't faze Jagger… not any further, anyway. "My face down Monster is revealed! It's Poison Mummy! You take 500 points in damage." Jagger smirked.
"Oh, that's quite alright. Your Monster, mine and my Spell card are removed from the game," Bastion explained as his life points went up again- 1500 this time. He tucked Survivor and the Spell in with the other cards in his pocket. "Now, finally, I'll summon Light and Darkness Dragon (ATK 2800/ DEF 2400)!"
"No…. n-no way…"
"Isn't that…." Slade's arms went slack for a moment as a split ray of white and purple light came down, followed by my dragon.
"My baby," I yelped, struggling to get away from Slade. "Bastion, where did you find him?"
"He was buried in a capsule outside behind the dorms. You've won tournaments with him, right? It seemed fitting that he should help win your freedom… besides that, he wanted to help."
"ENOUGH! THEY'RE JUST CARDS!" Jagger stomped on his discarded pile and ground them into the floor with his shoe. "FINISH YOUR MOVE, BOY!"
"Fine," Bastion's eyes had gone cold and protective again. "Soul Exchange keeps me from attacking you this turn, so D. D. Survivor comes back as I end my turn." His life points were up to 5900. Bastion had it won.
"Draw," Jagger glared, "I'll play the Field Spell card Zombie World." He showed the card to Bastion.
"Mmhm… no you won't. Light and Darkness Dragon sacrifices 500 of his attack and defense points to negate and destroy your pretty little Spell card…" Bastion smiled. (ATK 2300/ DEF 1900) Jagger growled and summoned another face down monster and crossed his arms. "My draw, then?"
"Yes… take your time, Misawa." Jagger's glare never faltered. He knew Bastion was toying with him now.
"Very well, then. I'll draw, then attack with D. D. Survivor," another Reborn Zombie popped and Bastion smiled, "Lastly, I'll attack you directly with Light and Darkness Dragon."
A blinding beam of swirled white and purple light came from the dragon's mouth and Jagger's life points melted away. My brother stood tall and nodded toward Slade. "Let him go… it's over. We'll see Chazz when he comes home."
Slade's arms dropped and I ran to Bastion, throwing myself in his arms. He kissed me and we watched my brothers walk off, hand in hand. Cheers erupted from my friends as they all ran toward us. Over it all, I could hear Jaden. "And that's game! Boo-yaw!"
"Amazing!" Atticus grinned.
Bastion nodded his thanks and turned on Crowler, still holding me tight. "You… Back off!"
Crowler whined, but nodded. "Oh… okay. Whatever you say, Mr. Misawa… I was wrong to accuse you." Bastion gave a firm nod.
"So… what are you going to do now, Chazz?"
"I don't know, Jaden… I don't know."
