Chapter 10: Mythic Assault

"Yosh!" Takashi shouted, as he ran into the restaraunt with Emili and Lucas not far behind. Breakfast awaited them. And they had quite the appetite.

The cashier stood behind the register, dumbfounded at their speed. "You folks seem to be in a hurry. Hungry?"

"YES SIR!" The traveling group of three replied.

He looked to their waists to see their deck boxes and duel disks.

"Oh-ho! Duelists are ya?" He asked. "Then it's on the house! Tournament rules!"

Not much later, the aroma of crispy bacon filled their nostrils, followed by the tantalizing smell of eggs. Takashi attacked his plate, stabbing at the pancakes piled on it.

"Geez, Takashi! Are you that hungry that you aren't willing to taste your food?" Emili asked in awe.

"What are you talking about? I gotta carbo-load! After all, we got a lot of running to do!" He answered. "Lots of running, and lots of throwing down!"

Lucas poked a piece of maple sausage with a fork, not feeling hungry at the moment. Something worried him. He looked up to a dress-wearing waitress, who eyed him oddly.

"Something on your mind?"

"Forgive me for asking, but...do you know about a guy called Vigo?"

A deathly silence filled the cafe. The waitress covered her mouth and shuddered before walking away at a brisk pace. Much to the three duelists' confusion, the cashier came up. He did not look pleased.

"I don't know where you heard that name...but drop it." He said with an angry tone. "That name...is a curse. Finish your shit and get out."

As the cashier stormed off, Takashi turned to Lucas and Emili. "Huh. That was rude."

"Well that's a familiar face. And what a strange development." A voice said from the side. They all turned to see a young man with a blue trench coat and white pompadour.

"Hey, you're that guy from the plane that got into a scrap with Fang." Takashi noted.

"That's right. Hayden Stewart at your service." He said, stepping away from a half-finished Belgian waffle. "Now, what was that name the little man said? Vigo?" Everyone in earshot cast their glances at him. "What's the big deal? It's just a name. And names don't scare me. But how did you learn it?"

"From an old guy with different colored eyes we met in the forest." Lucas replied. "He said he was a...'tyrant'."

"Well then, if he is on this island, then I should see what the hullabaloo is all about. I'll bet he's a chump that doesn't know the difference between a Duel Disk and a hoverboard!" Hayden said. "So...are any of you ready to have a match?"

Emili smirked. "Sure. I'll take you on."

"Hold on, Emili." Takashi stopped her as she was reaching for her Disk. "I wanna fight this guy. He was talking smack to Fang on the ride to this island, and it'd be interesting to find out what he's got!"

The blue and pink haired girl huffed. "Fine. But I get the next match."

"Let's get out of here first. It's a bit too cramped." Hayden said.

After leaving the restaraunt, the four of them stood outside, with Hayden standing across from Takashi.

"I'm anxious to see what kind of deck that you play." Takashi said, readying the energy blade of his Duel Disk and holstering his own cards.

"Well, you've got a choice here." Hayden mused. Then, he opened up his trench coat, making them gasp!

The insides of his coat were covered in pockets each containing 40-card Duel Monsters decks. At least four on each side, as well as at least three on his belt.

"Go ahead. Pick your poison."

"Uhhh..." Takashi said before picking a random one on the right side of his coat. Hayden smirked, removing it from the case and putting it in his own disk.

"Lets see how you fare against it then." Hayden said.

"DUEL!" They shouted in tandem.

"I'll start. Draw!" Takashi announced. "Go, Mirage Dragon!" The serpentine yellow dragon appeared. Level 4/LIGHT/Dragon/Effect/1600atk/600def.

"That'll do for now. End."

Hayden drew his sixth card. He seemed pleased. "By dumping a card from my hand into the graveyard, I special summon The Fabled Chawa!" A small chihuahua like creature appeared, baring it's fangs. A small yellow fiend with bulging green eyes was seated on it's back. Level 1/LIGHT/Beast/Tuner/Effect/200atk/100.

"And because the card I discarded was The Fabled Cerburrel, I can special summon it!" A small red plushdoll-like Cerberus appeared on the field, being walked on a leash by a small grey fiend with the same bulging green eyes. Level 2/LIGHT/Beast/Tuner/Effect/1000atk/400def.

"Aww!" Emili said. "They're cute!"

"Whatever you say, sweetheart. Whatever you say." Hayden said. "I tribute Chawa to Tribute Summon Fabled Dianaira!" The small dog vanished and was replaced by a hulking red-skinned fiend with black armored legs and wrist gauntlets, as well as huge wings. Level 8/LIGHT/Fiend/Effect/2800atk/100def.

"He is NOT cute!" Emili shrieked.

"Aww, you hurt his feelings." Hayden said. "Just for that, I gotta give him a tune up. And The Fabled Cerburrel is more than happy to oblige!" The small cerberus became two rings of green light bordered by rectangular pixels, which encircled Dianaira, causing him to turn into a spectral figure. Eight stars lined up within his body.

"Demon Roar Gods, advent! With your wiles, trap the whole world in a grasp of fear!" Hayden chanted. "Synchro Summon! Rise, Fabled Leviathan!" A huge marble chair appeared, and seated within was a red-haired and masked fiend, but not like Dianaira. This one had somewhat of a handsome face. Crimson wings bordered either side as he sipped from a wine glass. Level 10/LIGHT/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/3000atk/2000def.

"Not good." Takashi began.

"Not good indeed." Hayden continued. "Fabled Leviathan! Destroy Mirage Dragon!" The winged fiend half-heartedly raised a hand and incinerated Mirage Dragon with an energy blast. The recoil reduced his Life Points to 2600.

"I'll set two cards face down and end my turn."

"I draw!" Takashi said. "Get ready for this! Blackland Fire Dragon!" The green scaled dragon appeared with a snarl. Level 4/DARK/Dragon/1500atk/800def.

"Such an archaic monster." His opponent jeered.

"Age has nothing to do with what's about to happen." Takashi added, sliding his own two face downs into his Disk's Spell & Trap Zones. "Take your turn."

"Glady. Draw!" He surveyed his hand. "I reveal my face-down! Feel the power of Twin Twisters!" A Quickplay-Spell Card depicting a pair of wind storms flipped up. "By discarding one card, I can destroy two Spell or Trap cards on the field!" He put a card into his grave slot and a huge pair of tornados flew across the field.

"Trap Card, activate!" Takashi announced. "Waboku!" Three robed mages appeared. "Now even if it's destroyed, my monsters and I still can't be damaged this turn!"

"Fine. But now I'll activate the effect of Fabled Krus from my graveyard. Since I discarded her, I can special summon a low level Fabled from my graveyard." Hayden said. The Fabled Cerburrel leaped back onto the field. (1200atk)

"Next I summon The Fabled Nozoochee!" A yellow lizard like entity appeared, carrying a small blue fiend. Level 2/LIGHT/Beast/Effect/1200atk/800def.

"He can Synchro Summon again!" Lucas exclaimed.

"Indeed, but I'd rather not." Hayden said. "Instead, I Overlay Nozoochee with Cerburrel to build the Overlay Network!" The two beasts turned into yellow lights that swirled together in a red spiral. "Power of mind, excel against all matter and break beyond the limit! Xyz Summon! Come out, Armored Kappa!"

A cross between bird, lizard and turtle appeared on his field, coated with a silvery armor covering it's green skin. Two orbs hovered around it. Rank 2/WATER/Psychic/Xyz/Effect/400atk/1000def/2 OLU.

"Armored Kappa will now use his special ability. By removing an Overlay Unit, I can select his attack points, or his defense points, and he will gain 1000 of them." He slipped Nozoochee's card out from under Kappa's card and put it in the graveyard. The Kappa absorbed one of the glowing orbs and rippled with power. 400-1400atk.

"That's enough for one turn."

"'Kay. Here comes...something." Takashi made a draw and smirked at it. "Kiss your Leviathan goodbye! I tribute Blackland Fire Dragon...for Strong Wind Dragon!" One green dragon vanished and was replaced by a larger, bipedal one with vascular arms and chest. Level 6/WIND/Dragon/Effect/2400atk/1000def. "And when he's summoned using a dragon as the sacrifice, he gains HALF that dragon's attack power!" 2400-3150atk.

"Attack Fabled Leviathan with Gale-Force Roar!" The green-scaled dragon roared, flapping it's wings, and whipping up a large storm that blew Fabled Leviathan off his throne. Hayden's Life Points fell to 3850.

"A good move, but not a bright one. Now my Leviathan's effect triggers. When he's destroyed, I can add 3 Fableds from my graveyard to my hand. Naturally, I choose himself, The Fabled Nozoochee, and Dianaira." The three cards ejected from the grave, with him putting the former in his Extra Deck and the latter two in his hand.

Takashi sweatdropped. 'Now if he gets another Level 2 Tuner, he can just play that guy again...' "I end my turn."

"Draw!" Hayden announced. "I use Armored Kappa's ability one more time to increase his forces to 2400, and summon Fabled Ashenveil." A brutish demon appeared, wearing a mask. Level 4/LIGHT/Fiend/Effect/1600atk/1200def. "And that'll end this turn."

"Why didn't he switch them to defense mode?" Lucas asked.

"Because Takashi's monster has a piercing effect, so even if Hayden were to switch them, he'd still take damage."

Takashi drew his next card. "Cards from the Red Stone!" He held the Spell Card up high. "By discarding a Level 7 or higher Red-Eyes monster, I can draw two cards!" He discarded one of his Red-Eyes dragons and drew twice more. "And now...Monster Reborn!" The holy sword appeared, but was replaced by a pair of flaming wings as Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon appeared. Level 7/DARK/Dragon/Gemini/2400atk/2000def.

"Time to battle! Strong Wind Dragon! Attack Hayden's Kappa!" The dragon dove in at the mythical Japanese monster, and plunged it's claws into it, causing it to shatter. Hayden stumbled backwards a bit as his Life fell to 3100.

"Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon! Scorch that Ashenveil with Black Fire Bullet!" The beast spat fire at the muscular demon, burning him away with a scream.

Hayden's Life Points took another hit, lowering him to 2300.

"Looks like things took a spin my way!" Takashi said, slotting a facedown card. "Your move."

His opponent made a draw. "Watch this." He held up one card and discarded it. "By discarding a Fabled Monster, I can special summon The Fabled Nozoochee!" The lizard being reappeared. "Next I sacrifice Nozoochee for Dianaira!" The lizard disappeared and was replaced by the fiendish giant. (2800 atk)

"Dianaira may not be strong enough to defeat Strong Wind Dragon, but once I boost him up with my Riryoku Spell, I think he'll be more than powerful enough!" Takashi could only watch as half of Strong WInd Dragon's power was siphoned away into Fabled Dianaira, who grew in both strength and size. SWD-(3150-1575) Dianaira-(2800-4375 atk)

"Fabled Dianaira! Crush Strong Wind Dragon!" The Fiend grabbed the shrunken dragon in his hands and crushed it, quite literally. Takashi reacted as quickly as he could. "I'll use Defense Draw!"

Hayden groaned as Takashi's Life Points didn't fall as he drew a new card from his deck. "Fine. Make good use of that extra card. Your turn."

Takashi drew again before holding up a Spell Card. "Hidden Armory!"

Hayden raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't expect that from a Dragon deck...what will you add?"

Takashi sent the top card of his deck to the graveyard, and pulled the three Equip Spells he had out. Mist Body, Dragon Shield, and Mage Power. He added the middle of the three and shuffled the others into his deck. "And now I equip it to my Red-Eyes! Go, Dragon Shield!"

The spindly black and scarlet dragon gained a layer of armor covering it's hide.

"Doesn't that keep either player from dealing damage from battles with the equipped monster? I just won't attack it then!" His opponent smirked, folding his arms.

"Then I've got a surprise for you. One card face down. Turn end." Takashi retorted.

Hayden scoffed. "Draw!" He swiped the new card from his deck and slammed it onto his disk. "Another Fabled Cerburrel!" Another of the red plush-toy Cerberus appeared. (1200atk)

"And I'll tune my two monsters to Synchro Summon Fabled Leviathan once again!" Dianaira was encoated by the two green rings that Cerburrel became. Soon, the handsome, red-haired fiend appeared on his throne, giving a cheeky grin. (3000atk)

"There's no point in me attacking this turn, so I'll end with that." Hayden huffed.

"Then it's my turn. Draw!" Takashi announced before giving his dragon's card a tap. "Since Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon is a Gemini, I can do this, and he gains a neat effect. And because I'm a nice guy, I'll even give a demonstration!" The dragon pooled a large amount of fire in it's maw. "Black Fire-Scatter Bullet!"

With a growl, the beast exhaled flames, and they passed right by Hayden's Leviathan and right at him!

"What the hell!?" Hayden bellowed, as the blast hit him, sending him flying back, causing his deck to scatter.

Hayden- 0 Lp.

Takashi-WINNER!

The two monsters vanished.

"Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's Gemini effect. It's a bitch." Takashi said, holding up the tell-tale card.

Hayden looked up at him. "I should say it is." He fished a small pouch from his coat, and took a Legend Medal from it, tossing it in Takashi's direction, who caught it. The young man rose to his feet. "A paltry loss. Not counting that one, I had already collected 5 medals."

"That quickly!?" Emili asked.

"Yes. I'll expect you to make it to the finals." Hayden said. "I can't say for the rest of you, but I know you will. Fight me again there, and I'll show you my 'Ultimate Deck'."

Takashi smiled and nodded. "Sure. And I'll be there to fight that deck."

The two of them laughed heartily unaware of the prying eyes watching.

From his penseive, Vigo watched the four of them, with a hateful eye. Until his manservant, Bernilli arrived.

"Vigo...my lord." He bowed.

"What is it, halfman? I'm busy observing the enemy." Vigo made careful note of Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon. That card would certainly be a nuisance in the future, with such a powerful effect.

"The...there is a...a visitor here to see you." Bernilli said, with a quiver to his voice.

"Unless it is Takashi Enji, or one of my children, I don't care. Send him on his way."

"But sir...he is..."

The sound of a door slamming shut filled the room. The echo of freshly polished shoes against the linoleum floor approached the two of them, as a figure came into view. It's face was mostly obscured, as he wore a tuxedo with a top hat, tapping a walking staff to the ground as he walked.

Vigo glanced before turning his attention to the male approaching them. "Well well...you have some business with me...snake?"

The figure's gaze focused on the white-robed tyrant himself, as if sizing him up. Then, he grinned, showing his fangs. Truly snake-like indeed.

"I know all about your 'crusade'." The stranger said in a throaty tone of voice. "And I know just how to bring him down." He bowed gracefully. "Sir Altan Vipa at your service."

Vigo smirked and chuckled a bit, before turning back to the penseive. "Mr. Vipa...you have my interest...

"Find a way to defeat and kill Takashi Enji, and I'll grant your most fervent wish."

Vipa smiled with malevolent desire as his plan fermented already.

How's that for chapter ten? I was originally going to give Hayden an original deck, but I decided on doing Fableds. They suited him.

But who is Altan Vipa, and what plans does he have for Takashi and company? Find out in chapter eleven...whenever I can finish it.

And as always, reviews are much appreciated.

Next time, Emili takes on a strange opponent with a penchant for traps! Be here for Chapter 11: Pitfall Knight!