A few hours had past since the sounding of the horn that signaled the end of registration for the tournament and Kira and Taikerou became to feel a growing anxiety in the pits of their stomachs. They both stood on the edge of a large crowd of registered Duelist in the academy gymnasium. Taikerou was trying to remain stoic about his concerns, leaning again the now empty registration table, his arms crossed and his eyes closed. Kira, on the other hand, was pacing back and forth, scratching his head.
"He said he was right behind us. He should have been here by now. He told us, he promised that he would enter and he chickened out!"
Kira continued to pace, slowly increasing his stride.
Taikerou let out a deep sigh, speaking with his eyes still closed.
"Calm down, Kira. Gale wouldn't've wussed out like that. There's gotta be a reason why he didn't show up, so stop pacin', you're gonna give yourself a stroke."
Kira didn't seem to hear Taikerou's words as he continued to pace from one side of the room to the other. Just then, the double doors to the gymnasium swung open. Taikerou and Kira quickly turned to see Skyler walking inside; his arms bandaged up, cut and bruise littering his face, and holding his side. The two duelists ran to his side, Taikerou moving to his left to hook his arm under Skyler's shoulder to hold him up.
"Gale, what the hell happened to you? We thought you were coming to register for the tournament, instead you show up looking like you just went ten rounds! Where were you?"
Kira soundly extremely worried and almost frightened to see Skyler in such a state. Skyler lightly pushed Taikerou's arm away and weakly held himself up.
"I'm fine, nothing happened. I just tripped and fell down the stairs on my way over here. The last thing I remember is waking up in the nurse's office. Did I miss the deadline?"
Taikerou let out a small sigh and brushed his black bangs to the side.
"Gale, we tried to save you a spot, but they wouldn't let us. Sorry, but all of the registration spot are taken."
Even though he didn't even want to join the tournament in the first place, Skyler felt a deep sense of frustration towards himself for everything that had happened. If only he didn't have to live with this curse, he thought to himself, maybe he could have a normal life where he didn't end up hurting the people he cared about. Skyler walked over to a bench and sat down, letting out a small exhale.
"Well, this sucks. I was actually looking forward to this."
Thinking intently about what to do next, Kira suddenly held up a single finger as a smile crossed his face.
"I have an idea! Tai and I could go around and see if anyone would give up their spot for you. What do you think, Tai?"
Taikerou smirked and again brushed his sleek black hair out of his face.
"I'm guessin' no one'll wanna give up their spot right away. It may take a little… persuasion. I'll be right back."
He turned to enter into a crowd of Duelist that was still hanging out in the gymnasium wearing an evil smile. Skyler and Kira exchanged a look of concern for anyone who was unlucky enough to be the first to say 'No.' to Taikerou.
"Um…I'm gonna go make sure he doesn't end up scarring someone for life. You wait here." said Kira before he ran off and disappeared into the crowd.
Skyler sat back in the bench, looking down at his bandaged hands. After everything that had happened he still felt completely powerless. He closed his eyes, trying hard not to think about it. Images of the past again started to run through his mind like a slideshow. One memory in particular stood out from the rest, one of him as a ten-year-old wearing a Duel Disk. On the opposite side of the room a boy, about the same age as Skyler, with dark skin stood wearing a strange looking Dueling apparatus. The two boys were locked in the heat of a Duel, both of them radiating an array of shining colors from their bodies as dark figures on the sidelines watched the Duel progress.
Skyler hesitated with one of his moves, a deep fear of some unknown entity apparent in his eyes. The other boy, however, didn't seem to be afraid at all, playing every card with a sense of confidence, his purple aura growing brighter with every play. The other boy Summoned an enormous monster then released it on Skyler, inflicting damage to the young boy that was clearly physically painful. Suddenly the young Skyler let out a shrill scream followed by a cascade of orange light shouting upwards and out of his body. The enraged boy lunged forward, completely out of control as he attacked the unsuspecting boy he was Dueling.
"Excuse me."
The two words snapped Skyler out of his stupor, the memories of the past fading into the present. He looked up to see an older, grey haired man in a white overcoat. Skyler smiled and let down his guard a little, feeling relieved that it was someone whom at least appeared safe.
"I'm sorry, young man; I didn't mean to perturb you. I couldn't help but over hear your current predicament and thought it only magnanimous to offer my assistance with your situation."
Skyler continued to stare at the old man with a sum what confused smile.
"Uhhhhh… what was that first part?"
The older man let out a chuckle before reiterating.
"Oh, my apologies, I sometimes ramble. What I meant to say was that I over heard that you missed the deadline for registration and I would like to offer you some help if you need it."
"Ohhhh," Skyler exclaimed. "I get it. Um, sure thanks a lot, but unless you're willing to give up your spot in the tournament, I don't really think there's anything you can do."
"Well, if that is the case, then I might have a solution to your problem. You see I am in need of funding for my research, which is why I have entered this tournament, to gain as much attention to my studies as possible. But as it turns out, I have received a call that one of my projects has just gained support. So I am faced with the decision of continuing here to gain funding for future endeavors or to retire to my lab to finish what I started, but risking future finances."
"So where do I come into this?"
"Well, I feel that this Duel may prove as fate for me. How about we have a friendly Duel and if you win, I'll let you enter the tournament in my place. This way, I will at least have a reason to leave, seeing as if I am unable to defeat you now I wouldn't expect any differently in the actual competition. Call it a flip of the preverbal coin. How does that sound?"
The expression on Skyler's face changed dramatically as his eyes opened wide and his mouth contorted itself into a wide smile.
"Oh, so you want to Duel for it? Sure, that sounds fair."
"I like your spirit." Said the man with an upbeat chuckle and a clap of his hands. "Splendid, we can Duel right outside if you want. It's a little crowded in here."
The young Duelist agreed and started to take a step forward when he caught sight of Kira and Taikerou coming out of the crowd. Taikerou was dragging a seemingly comatose student, by the collar of his shirt, across the floor.
"S'not my fault. He ran, ib the eyes of the law, that's resisting arrest."
Right behind him was Kira, rubbing his temples with two fingers.
"Since when are you the police?"
"I AM the law."
"Ever heard of 'gentle persuasion', Tai?"
Thinking for a brief moment, Taikerou replied, "…Nope, not really."
Skyler ignored the limp student as he began to speak to his friends.
"Don't worry about it guys. I got it covered. This old guy over here said that he would Duel me for his spot. It's all good."
Taikerou looked from Skyler, to the older man, then back to Skyler with a raised eyebrow.
"Gale, didn't ya learn anything from the last time some old guy tried t'get you alone?"
"This is different! This guy isn't offering candy and he doesn't have puppies! I learned from the last time."
Feeling left out of some imaginary loop that Taikerou and Skyler had created between the two of them, Kira looked between his friends.
"Wait, what?"
Taikerou ignored him and continued with his argument.
"Do you even know this name or who he is?"
Skyler looked a little puzzled as to Taikerou's question, not quite understanding what the guy's name had to do with Dueling him.
The old man cleared his throat to get the attention of the three.
"Your friend is right; I really should have introduced myself in the first place. My name is Phineas Balthazar Darwin the third, Professor of Anthropology at Aster University. And to answer the concerns of your friends, I assure you all that I mean this young man no harm. I'm simply an old, superstitious man with a Duel Monsters Deck."
Kira crossed his arms and leaned forward towards the old man.
"So…you would be willing to give up your spot if you lost to Gale just like that? What if you win?"
"Hmm…I didn't really think about that. I guess I'll just leave that up to…Gale, was it? Actually, how about this: If I win, I get a rare card from your Deck. Does that sound fair to you?"
Skyler nodded vigorously in agreement. "Totally! See guys, completely reasonable. This guy is okay by me." He turned back to Professor Darwin. "Lead the way."
The Professor smiled and led all three of the students out in front of the gymnasium. He took a few extra steps then turned to Skyler, taking out his Duel Disk and strapping it to his arm. Skyler repeats this action, strapping the Duel Disk onto his arm.
"If it is alright with you, I will make the first move."
"Fine by me."
Professor Darwin drew his first card and placed a Monster Card on his Duel Disk.
"I Normal Summon the Beast-Type monster 'Speed Ape' in face-up Attack Position, along with two cards facedown. I now end my turn."
An ape-looking monster wearing high-tech armor appeared on the Professor side of the field. [ATK: 1600 DEF:100]
"Oh boy," Taikerou said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "He's going to announce all his moves. This is going to be a long Duel people. I you, I would skip it. Really, you're not missing out on anything."
"It's my move now, draw!" Skyler skimmed over the cards in his hand. "I Summon 'Crusader Knight Guadric'. Then I'll equip him with 'Lightning Blade'."
Skyler Summoned a male monster with silver and blue armor wielding a large blade, surrounded by an aura of lightning. [ATK: 2300 DEF: 800]
"Now attack his 'Speed Ape'!"
The knight lunged forward and sliced the monkey in half, inflicting 700 points of damage to the Professor. Professor Darwin proceeded to press on of the buttons on the side of his Duel Disk.
"I will first activate the effect of my 'Speed Ape'. When it is destroyed by battle, I can draw 1 card from my Deck." He proceeded to draw an extra card.
"I will then chain the destruction of my monster to the Trap Card 'Animal Trail', allowing me to add a Beast-Type monster from my Deck to my hand. Finally, I will also chain the effect of 'Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest', by which I pay 1000 to Special Summon it from my hand."
He placed the Monster Card on the Duel Disk to Summon a large green ape to the field. [ATK: 2600 DEF: 1800]. Professor Darwin's Life Points dropped to 2300.
Skyler looked at the monster then back at his hand.
"I'll set two more cards facedown, and then I'll end my turn…"
"I start my Draw Phase." He drew a card then flipped up on of his facedown cards.
"I activate my face-down Trap Card, 'Coffin Seller'. From now on, every time one of your Monster Cards is sent to the Graveyard, you loss 300 Life Points. I then activate the Normal Spell Card 'Terraforming' in order to add one Field Spell Card from my Deck to my hand."
The Professor selected a card from his Deck and then placed it in the Field Card slot on his Duel Disk.
"I then play the Field Spell, 'Wild Jungle'." Suddenly the entire area started to shift and transform into a rich, vibrant tropical rain forest.
"This card increases the ATK of all Beast-Type monsters by 400. And finally, I Normal Summon the Monster 'Voltic Kong'."
He proceeded to Summon a large gorilla, surrounded by electricity. [ATK: 1800 DEF: 1000] The ATK of the two monster increased to 2200 and 3000.
"Now I will enter into my Battle Phase. 'Green Baboon', attack his 'Crusader Knight Guadric' with Wrath of The Jungle."
The green baboon swung from tree to tree finally jump down and land right in front Skyler's monster. The monster lifted up an outsized club above its head only to smash it down on 'Guadric', destroying him. Skyler's Life Points dropped from 4000 to 3300, then from 3300 to 3000 through the effect of "Coffin Seller".
"Now I attack your Life Points directly with 'Voltic Kong'." The giant gorilla sent a shock wave at Skyler. Thinking quickly, he activated one of his face-down cards.
"I play the Trap Card 'Action Defense', negating your monsters attack and letting me get a Normal Monster from my Graveyard."
"Voltic Kong" stopped its attack just as Skyler added his "Crusader Knight Guadric" back to his hand.
"I place a card face-down then end my turn. Your turn."
"During your End Phase, I activate my face-down card, 'Reinforce Truth'. I get to Special Summon my 'Crusader Squire Tyia' to the field."
A single card popped out of his Deck to which Skyler proceeded to Summon to the field. A hologram of a little girl in silver armor appeared on the field.
"With her effect, I can Summon 2 more 'Crusader Squire Tyia' from my Deck." Skyler Summoned two more "Crusader Squire Tyia" to his side of the field.
"Now I draw." He scanned over the all the cards in his hand and found just the card he needed.
"'Book of Moon', switching your "Green Baboon" into face-down Defense Position. Then I Tribute one of my monsters to Summon 'Crusader Knight Temara'. Attack!"
As soon as one of the Squires disappeared, a larger female knight in gold armor appeared to the field. The warrior rushed forward and destroyed the Professor's facedown "Green Baboon". As soon as he did, however, Professor Darwin banished his "Speed Ape" and the destroyed "Green Baboon" from his Graveyard.
"I will now Chain the destruction of my monster to activate the effect of my 'Yellow Baboon, Archer of the Forest', which allows me to Special Summon it after a Beast-Type monster is destroyed and by banishing 2 Beast-Type monsters from my Graveyard."
He placed a monster card on his Duel Disk and Summoned a large, yellow ape with a bow and arrow and an ATK of 2600.
"Also, you should know that every time you destroy one of my monsters, the side effect of my 'Wild Jungle' activates, placing a Forest Counter on itself and increasing the ATK of my monsters by an additional 200."
The ATK of his monsters go from 2200 and 2600 to 2400 and 3200. And due to the effect of "Coffin Seller", Skyler's Life Points drop to 2700 since he sent "Crusader Squire Tyia" to the Graveyard.
Skyler looked at his opponent with a new sense of admiration. "Dang! That's a great move! I end my turn."
"Thank you, my boy. I'm glad that you are enjoying yourself."
Taikerou leaned back against a tree. "Well this is interesting. I didn't expect for Gale to be at such a disadvantage."
Kira looked over at Taikerou and tilted his head to the side. "Tai, you know how Gale works. He always turns the match around in the end."
He shook his head. "No, it's not just that. This guy is reading every one of Gale's moves and coming up with the perfect counter for them. It's almost like he knows what cards are in Gale's Deck."
"But that's crazy, if he knew what cards were in his Deck then…" Kira thought for a moment, piecing together the events that had led up to this point.
"Come to think of it, isn't it a little weird how this 'professor' just happened to show up when Sky needed help?"
Taikerou nodded in agreement at Kira's observation. "That's right. I think he was waiting for Gale to show up for the tournament. He wanted to Duel him in the first place, but when he missed the deadline, the good Professor had to change his strategy."
"If he planned all this, what's the point of Dueling Gale? It not like he would gain any-" Kira suddenly remembered the terms of the Duel in Professor Darwin won.
"He wants one of Gale's cards? But the Professor has Beast monsters. Why would he want a 'Crusader' monster?"
Narrowing his eyes, Taikerou clenched his fist as he spoke with a hint of rage in his voice.
"I know exactly what he's after: A card that Gale has but never uses. If I'm right, then this entire Duel might get really ugly really quick."
Taikerou thought to himself.
{But it doesn't make since. How would he know about that card? I have a feeling that this guy isn't who he says he is…be careful Skyler…}