D.H. A.N.: I know what you are thinking : What took you so long? Duels are hard to write; although I seem to have a knack for writing either OC vs. OC, or very short duels, this one is very different. Between Keimo and Bakura, OC and canon, Good and Evil, whatever you wish to see it as, -it's difficult to do for me. A set of bold single quotes around a bold card title ('')indicates a fictional card. Please don't hesitate to offer me constructive criticism. I honestly don't know how the inner portion of this duel will go, but I know how it's going to end; sorry not telling any more than that! I apologize. On another note, this will be my only deckmaster duel, unless the necessity presents itself in another story.
But I won't be too mean. Here's a bit of a recap, since I didn't end like I usually do
Keimo was standing over his sister who had apparently fainted at the news that Bakura and he would duel. "Mhera…Mhera? Come on, I can't duel without you there to inspire me, or give me great ideas, whatever the case may be."
Mhera slowly opened her eyes, glad to see that her brother hadn't rushed off to duel without her. "How long have I been out for?" she then bit her lower lip, half out of surprise, and half out of pain. Keimo quickly grabbed her right hand, which was a huge indication that something was wrong.
"Fifteen minutes- Mhera, what did you do? Your scar is glowing!" Keimo then removed his hand from hers, and sure enough, Mhera's eye shaped scar was glowing, and unknown to Keimo, causing pain she hadn't felt since she had received it.
"Come on let's go inside." Mhera quickly suggested, not prepared to answer Keimo's questions should they come. She could somewhat answer one though.
"Mhera, are you all right?"
"I think so, Keimo, but I'm not sure."
Well, will Mhera be able to hold her tongue through this duel? Read on and find out. Enjoy!
Chapter Ten: Phantom Vs. Phantom Pt. I
Mhera quickly got up on her feet, wincing out of pain from the scar. "That hurt. Seth, please remind me not to ever make a deal like that again; I feel like I've been through a storm by nothing but my hand."
Done, Mhera
"Mhera, you're ignoring me. We have to get in there, or I'll be disqualified." Keimo shifted nervously from foot to foot. "And I'll need to borrow your Duel Disk. I still haven't gotten mine replaced."
"Keimo, I told you to take care of that weeks ago! I think you would have done that by now." Mhera quickly rummaged through her bag, finding the disk and removing her deck from the slot, save one card. "I'll let you use my Disk on one condition." Mhera stated
"Name it, and I'll do it." Keimo said
"Play the card I left in the Disk during your duel It belongs in your deck anyway."
"But I only remember giving you one card from my deck. You made it…for me?" Keimo's eyes widened
Mhera nodded. "I guess we should go in." She paused before asking her rhetorical question. "Or do you want to be disqualified?"
The easy answer to that was no, but Keimo only proceeded to strap the Disk onto his arm, insert his deck, and go into the theatre. Mhera followed behind hoping that Loarmhe would be able to help Keimo win his fight more than she could.
Loarmhe…isn't that another anagram of your full first name, just as Arlomhe is? Seth asked in Mhera's head.
"One doesn't mess with a concept that works. Although I doubt I'll ever have to use an anagram as an alias again; I'm still fond of using them."
Mhera smiled slightly, heading into the theatre with a slight sigh. Or was about to, before she got bumped into by Kariu.
"Kariu? What are you doing here?" Mhera asked after rubbing her temples where she had been bumped.
"I'm on my lunch break, why?" Kariu said brightly. Mhera unintentionally grabbed Kariu harder then she wanted.
"Your boss is here! " Mhera hissed, "I do not want to cause you to lose your job, and though I may not know Seto Kaiba as well as you; I know that it would not be wise for you to be seen with me." Kariu became a little sullen-faced at Mhera's words. Mhera recoiled at the shock that her words had caused. "I apologize for the hash words I used but I think it would be best for you to stay somewhat away from Keimo and I, please, for the sake of your job."
"You're right. But I still have an hour for lunch and really want to see the callback duel. So, would it be alright if I came with you?"
"How did you know about the callback duel?" Mhera asked.
"I've got my sources." Kariu explained mischievously.
I inwardly smiled at Kariu's expression, knowing that we were definitely related. The fact that she came to watch Keimo duel was proof as well; no one but a relative would sacrifice their lunch break to watch, what I consider, the biggest moment in another's life.
"They're starting!" Kariu's voice brought me out of my self-imposed reverie as she tugged me inside. I was able to get to the restroom to change my shirt. I was thankful I had chosen to pack it; my t-shirt was much softer than my polo shirt, and I felt I needed that comfortable shirt; this circumstance was anything but comfortable.
"What took you so long?" Kariu gripped me somewhat hard after I came out triumphantly slinging the green polo over my shoulder. I managed to wriggle away from her, gulping air.
"Did it really take me that long, Kariu?" I asked softly. I watched as Kariu shook her head in denial of the possibility that I had presented. "Now, we should keep our voices down as we enter. Knowing how winded your boss is, I doubt the duel has started. I sure hope Keimo doesn't lose his head in the duel. His opponent even annoys me." Kariu raised an eyebrow as if I had diluted my statement. "Okay, so it doesn't take much to annoy me, but blame that on my raising."
We entered the auditorium silently from opposite entryways, taking the two seats on the edge on the same row. I ended up sitting beside Joey, while Kariu sat by Coletta. They weren't bad seats, but I felt as if I had gotten the worst seats in the house. I would have to watch my brother get beaten by an antagonizing annoyance under the alias of Bakura. Roland's booming voice brought me out of my thoughts.
"Attention Duelists! You may now begin the callback duel for the audition of The Phantom of the Opera! Duelists, present your deckmasters!"
"Deckmasters?" Every voice in the audience repeated questioningly.
"Yes, this duel will use deckmasters, now no further audible comments from the audience regarding duel rules." Roland said. After comments were not heard for a few seconds, Roland continued. "The rules are quite simple. In this duel, not only must you protect your Life Points, but you must also protect the creature designated as your deckmaster. Also, the deckmaster can be any creature in a player's deck. Every creature has a different ability that a duelist can use at any time during the duel, providing the duelist has enough to meet the ability's requirements. Lastly, if you move your deckmaster from its position, and onto the field, and it is destroyed, you lose the duel. Is that clear?"
"Clear as mud." Keimo grimaced. He hated new rules being added to a game he knew relatively well. But there was a certain idea that he thought interesting and workable to his favor. A card instantly came to mind. It was the card he had been given just before his duel. "If I have chosen my deckmaster, where does it go?"
As if to answer Keimo's question, Roland pressed a button on a remote control. The top of the duel disk containing the Life Point display flashed red three times and raised to a forty-five degree angle, allowing a card to be inserted into the disk. Both duelists then removed an earpiece from the compartment.
"I always wondered why that seemed big enough for a Duel Monster's card." Joey mused.
"Wonder when Kaiba added that feature?" Coletta asked Kariu, not expecting an answer. However, Kariu's position allowed her to answer accurately.
"He originally had the idea for that to be the field card slot, until a certain technician told him that it would be better to have a side loading slot. Apparently it stayed in the blueprints, and Kaiba found a use for it." Kariu said. Their attention was drawn back to the two duelists, who were currently picking their deckmasters.
"I pick 'Shade Blade Loarmhe'(1700, 1400)as my deckmaster." Keimo placed the card into the slot. Deckmistress would have been the gender appropriate term for the creature that appeared by his side. She was clearly feminine, with auburn hair dropping below the shoulder, and covering one eye. The creature was covered in black armor, and wore black gloves. A blade that was broad at the hilt, but came to a fine point at the end completed the night black ensemble. Loarmhe put her hand on her duelist's shoulder."You know what I can do?" A semi-computer generated voice asked.
"No, surprise me." Keimo said monotonously
"You can protect any number of my comrades at the cost of one card per from Spell, Trap, or Monster effect controlled by your opponent. However, Icannot protect you from the effect of his deckmaster. I'm guessing he is pretty confident that this will be an easy match. You know he's wrong." Loarmhe cocked her head at him" You are quite an able duelist, and I believe this match will enforce it." The contact between the two ceased for the duel.
Keimo brought his eyes to face his opponent, who had chosen his deckmaster, one that would, perhaps, be a good choice as an extra for a zombie movie that takes place during the Middle-Ages. The Earl of Demise, I should have guessed. A good choice if his deck has Fiend and Zombie Types. There is a good chance that these predictions are accurate.
Bakura had wagered a guess that Keimo dueled with warriors, considering his deckmaster was in that category. I knew she would find a loophole to help him in this somehow. Unfortunately for me, it's completely legal under the Seal. If it weren't…well, she would not be as calm in her seat as she is now.
"Alright, since the deckmasters have been chosen, the duel will begin. Since Earl of Demise (2000, 700) has higher attack points, Bakura will go first." Roland declared.
Life Points(K:4000 B:4000
Bakura drew six cards, while Keimo drew five. Bakura sneered as he began his turn. "I summon my 'Yata Fiend' (1500, 1200) in Attack mode!" A raven- like creature with wings that resembled those of a bat appeared from a semi- thick foggy aura as Bakura placed the card on the disk. It opened its beak, but instead of the normal bird-like screech, it was a scream-like noise. Keimo couldn't help but shudder. "Then I'll set one card facedown, and end my turn."
Keimo drew his card, bringing his total to six. His eyes caught a glint of gold. He looked past the glint and the card was revealed to be 'Possession of Destiny', a card his father had lent him; one that was very vexing when used correctly. "I activate my spell card, 'Possession of Destiny'. You'll find out what it does later. Next, I summon my 'Shade Blade Cinero' (1900,1200). A brown-haired, blue-eyed warrior in black took his place in front of his caller, drawing his blade and taking a fighting pose. "Now, I activate my spell card 'Shadow Slice', which is only playable when I have a Shade Blade on my side of the field. It destroys all your Spell and Trap cards and deals three-hundred points of damage to your Life Points for each card destroyed. Then, I'll attack your Yata Fiend with Cinero!" The warrior ran leaping to slash through the raven fiend. But suddenly Keimo's warrior turned on his heel and struck Keimo with his blade..
Bakura chuckled, then explained his absurd action. "My Deckmaster allows me to negate an attack, and deal damage to my opponent equal to the attacking monster's attack points as long as I sacrifice one monster on my side of the field."
"Then why is your Yata Fiend still on the field?" Keimo panted, still surprised at the fact that his monster had turned on him.
"It has an ability of it's own. When my Yata Fiend is selected as a tribute for an effect, I am able to discard one card from my hand and count that as the tribute. I can see you shaking in your black leather boots."
Mhera watched the duel silently, knowing what that Possession card could do to a duelist, because she had been on the receiving end of the card's effects. I just hope he picks the right cards to take and the right ones to discard immediately.
Joey brought her out of her thoughts. "Do you know what that card does, Mhera?"
"Possession of Destiny is a card I know well. On your opponent's turn, you are allowed a glance at their hand,. Then, you can either select one card from it and add it to your hand, or discard a card immediately,. But in order to keep it active, you must discard a card from your hand on each Standby Phase. Try and guess who created it." Mhera said coolly. After a few moments, Mhera told Joey the allusion the card hid. " My father created the card. Now do you understand?"
"That's interesting, and it makes sense, in a kinda creepy way. Thanks for the information." Joey said as his eyes turned back to the duel.
Keimo then ended his turn with a facedown. He closed his green eyes. My 'Spirit of Ghetsu Fuma' trap should protect me from any creature that's strong enough to destroy Cinero from causing any further damage to my Life Points.
LP(B:3700 K: 2100
Bakura drew his card. "Wait, before you make your move, my Possession card allows me a glance at your hand, and… I'll discard this card directly to your Graveyard. " Keimo selected the card and as soon as it went into the Graveyard slot, the field became darker.
He must have only looked at attack points, a stupid amateur mistake that a duelist of his caliber should never make. That's gotta be a monster whose effect is activated when it is discarded by an effect. Mhera thought as she watched. Her suspicions were confirmed almost instantly as Bakura laughed through clenched teeth, with a visible smirk on his face.
"You fool! You have just given me cause to special summon my Despair from the Dark (2800, 3000) from the Graveyard! Now I'll attack your Shade Blade Cinero!" The Black armored warrior was destroyed, but his blade remained and was slowly dissolving the Dark shadow.
"Cinero is not going alone, for I'm activating my trap card, Spirit of Ghetsu Fuma! When a warrior on my side of the field is in battle with a Fiend or Zombie type monster, the opposing monster is destroyed at the end of the damage step. And when Cinero is destroyed, I draw two cards from my deck!" Keimo then drew his cards. Bakura then ended his turn.
LP( B:3700 K:1200
Keimo drew, then discarded one card from his hand, in order to keep Possession active. He had drawn 'Shade Blade Sight' as his draw for the turn. He also had his 'Shadow Sword', 'Shadow Sentry', and his 'Shade Blade Master: Keimo'. I'll Set my Sword and play my Slight; although I can't raise my chance of my opponent choosing the right card higher than 50/50. If he chooses my Sentry, I'll lose 500 Life Points, and it won't be good for me. Keimo then looked at Mhera, and somehow heard a hazy version of what had occurred the night previous with his opponent. That made him absolutely furious. You caused my sister great distress, and for that I will never forgive you! For Mhera, I must take this chance.
"I set one card facedown, and activate my Shade Blade Slight! You must now pick one of the cards from my hand, and if it is a Shade Blade monster, I can summon it to the field. If it is not, the card chosen gets sent to the Graveyard, and I lose 500 Life Points. So pick a card, Bakura."
Bakura pointed to the one on the left.
Which one did he choose? Both Kariu and Mhera wondered.
Deckmaster Abilities
Shade Blade Loarmhe: Discard one card, in order to protect one Shade Blade monster on your side of the field from opponent controlled Spell, Trap, and Monster effects. This effect can be activated multiple times.
Earl of Demise: Tribute one monster on your side of the field, and negate an attack and deal damage equal to the attack points of the attacking monster to your opponent's Life Points.
DH: Sorry for the awful cliff, but this is the only way I am able to write a duel of this caliber. Please let me know what you think. I am so excited; I get to see Phantom in one week…that's enough about my personal life. Next Chapter: The duel continues, and the revelation of the choice made becomes clear in Chapter Eleven: Phantom Vs. Phantom Pt. II.