Foreword
"With effort comes result; to obtain result, effort of equal value must be used. To obtain a goal, time of devotion must be lost. To work nothing and expect result—is impossible no matter the circumstances. That is the human nature in contrast to the law of equivalent exchange. Life and life's progress relies on this promise."
Chapter 10 - Kokuro Samé, Part 2Kuriboh and Sasuke held a deadlock between them in the bright atmosphere. Behind them were their respective duelists frozen in time.
"So you're the boy's card spirit? Interesting the a Kuriboh joins the Magicians." Sasuke commented.
The Kuriboh chirped for a moment. Sasuke looked a bit confused until the Kuriboh finished.
"You aren't from the Dominion?" Sasuke asked. Kuriboh seemed as if it was repeating itself. Sasuke took a moment of thought. "Oh I see…you're a symbol."
The Kuriboh chimed with curiosity.
Sasuke was hesitant to answer. "During the Dominion shift I found myself in a yard of a house. Some of the more brute monsters did not understand that the humans weren't ready for us in reality, just as card images." The Kuriboh looked interested, although it had the blade in between its eyes. "I was injured badly…I'm not sure how but before I black out there I saw someone approach me. When I came to I was in a bed bandaged up."
The Kuriboh commented.
"It was Artemis-san. And as a Samurai Warrior, I needed to repay her hospitality. Her sense of kindness was too great to leave without gratitude."
The Kuriboh tilted his head.
"Yes, Artemis-san is a nice person. And I owe her." Sasuke continued, "When I was forced back I asked if I could transpose an image of myself and remain on this plane. I was accepted."
The Kuriboh seemed to understand as well and it chirped happily.
"Good luck to you too." Sasuke concluded and the atmosphere returned to normal. The deadlock was broken when Sasuke jerked his sword back and conducted a horizontal slash. The Kuriboh simply vanished and Sasuke returned to Artemis' side.
"I'll have to end my turn here." Artemis said, leaving Sasuke on the field.
Kokuro had a minute to himself. Before his eyes there was a brief flash of an image: a Sasuke Samurai recovering in a bed. What just happened? I never felt an impact like that before. And I didn't take any damage, so why did I feel that? Kokuro looked down on his Duel Disk. The impact didn't come from the Duel Disk…
"Kokuro?" Artemis asked in Kokuro's pause. Kokuro's head snapped up,
"Oh, sorry. Draw!" Kokuro made his next turn. "I summon Skilled White Magician!" An opposite of the Skilled Black Magicians from before, this magician was cloaked in white (1700/1900).
Kokuro's coming back. Daitokuji smiled in approval. It's very easy to tell that these two trust deeply in their spirits.
"Skilled White Magician attack! White Magic Shock!" Kokuro declared and the bolt of white magic blasted Sasuke out off the field. Artemis' Life Points pitfall to 550 but she knew she still had game. "That ends my turn." Kokuro announced.
Artemis drew and her eyes went serious. This is it! I can play my deck's most powerful defense!
Jade leaned forward. What'd she get? What'd she get!
Artemis looked back on the duel, Sasuke supporting her all the way. "I'll begin my turn by activating The Warrior Returning Alive! This places one Warrior in my Graveyard back into my hand, and I choose Sasuke Samurai." She briefed as the graveyard slot ejected the most recent monster.
"My Skilled White Magician is the same as the Skilled Dark Magician. A Spell Counter per Spell card activation." Kokuro reminded.
Won't be a bother to what I'm about to do. Artemis thought. "Now I summon the Marauding Captain!" A warrior of military order marched up into the field, carrying two swords of different widths (1200/400).
Not yet… Kokuro thought about springing his trap.
"My Marauding Captain's special ability allows an ally to follow him into battle. Sasuke Samurai, join him!" Artemis made her move as her familiar stepped up once more.
That's her Special Summon? I thought she'd have something more powerful than Skilled White Magician. Kokuro wondered, even his Kuriboh was looking confused.
Artemis exchanged hands of her last card, "Finally I play the Spell card Raregold Armor, equipping it to Sasuke Samurai!" On her tiny Samurai, his kimono was covered with teal and gold armor.
Daichi took off from his seat. "What a strategy!"
Jade looked up at him, "What did she do?"
"Raregold Armor is an interesting Spell card, and a powerful one if used properly." Daichi began to explain. "Raregold Armor equips to a monster on the player's side of the field and the opponent can attack only that monster while it's equipped."
"So Artemis force all the attack on Sasuke? What for!" Jade popped up.
Mireia mumbled. "It's Marauding Captain's second ability…he is the only Warrior attack target on Artemis' side of the field. But Raregold Armor designates the attack to Sasuke, another Warrior on the field…"
Daichi continued, "Because there are two specifically designated attack targets, both effects interact infinitely to one another and so Kokuro can't attack at all."
Jade gasped, "Wow, that's brilliant! While those two block Kokuro's offense, Artemis can stack up for a comeback. Way to go!"
Saphira smirked with her arms folded over. Artemis doesn't go down without a fight. I saw that first hand.
"Well let's not forget that's my Skilled White Magician's second Spell Counter." Kokuro pointed out as the staff glowed with energy. Artemis has an army, for every man down she can have two more take his place. I have to strike hard and fast, but that means to keep my reserves until the time's right. Kokuro smiled in his planning.
"And since that pretty much empties my hand, I'll have to end my turn." Artemis ended turn to Kokuro.
"Yes draw!" Kokuro declared and looked at the cards in his hand. Yes! Just a few more turns…then I get rid of Artemis' Raregold Armor and win the duel! Thank you Kuriboh! The Kuriboh floating by his shoulder chirped happily. "You heard my thoughts?"
"Nope." Artemis answered.
Kokuro had an expression of embarrassment. No, she heard me… He shook it off and came back to the duel. "Well, not a whole lot to do. I'll just place one card under the table and end my turn."
Artemis began her turn, with her deck running to almost half of what it once was. My resources aren't exhausted yet. "I'll Set one monster and end my turn." She said as a facedown card appeared next to Sasuke.
"Draw!" Kokuro drew and thought deeply about his Apprentice Magician. I put this in attack mode, Artemis will just attack and I lose the duel. I put it in defense mode, and Sasuke will destroy is by effect, negating his destroyed-in-battle effect. He looked up to Sasuke and Marauding Captain. So far she hasn't found anything powerful enough to attack my Skilled White Magician, the base Attack of any of her monsters are usually below 1700. All except the Amazoness Paladin. Kokuro thought back to one Artemis played earlier.
The Kuriboh tried to help Kokuro decide, looking between him and Sasuke.
Kokuro smiled softly. Thanks for the help, but if I can keep a defense then I'll keep my hand in reserve. I'm going to need a discard to activate Cost Down again. And it looks like Apprentice Magician will be it. "I pass this turn. You're up Artemis."
"Took you long enough." Artemis sighed and drew. I'm going to need to reserve in case my lock backfires. "I'll pass as well."
Mireia looked on. Both of them exhausted their hands, if they're going to do anything they'll have to bide their turns, but eventually someone will have unanimous advantage.
"Draw!" Kokuro jerked a card from his deck, with the surprise of what it was.
And that unanimous advantage must be now! Mireia's heart leaped.
Saphira raised a brow, What's he smiling about?
Sasuke's head snapped up. Artemis-san, we might lose our tide in battle.
What do you mean? Artemis asked.
Kokuro smiled, "This will work greatly. First I played the Spell card I recovered from my Dark Magician of Chaos, Cost Down, discarding my Apprentice Magician to activate!" He began as the card appeared and vanished once he discarded. "That gives my skilled White Magician his third Spell Counter, but I'll get to him later. Now I'll summon Dark Magician Girl!"
Appearing next to his Skilled White Magician was a female counterpart, a student, to the Dark Magician, in light blue armor rimmed in pink and twirling a scepter at hand (2000/1700).
"Now for the next Spell card, Sage's Stone. This card can be activated when I have my Dark Magician Girl on the field, allowing me to Special Summon my Dark Magician right from my hand or deck!" He continued. His next magician appeared almost completely covered in purple armor and fabric holding a green staff in his hands (2500/2100).
"At last, back to my Skilled White Magician! Since he has three Spell Counters on him, his effect can activate! I send him to the Graveyard to Special Summon Buster Blader from my deck!" His third monster replaced where the Skilled White Magician once stood, now was a muscular knight completely covered in indigo and gold battle armor, wielding the largest broadsword a Warrior could carry (2600/2300).
Saphira leaned forward, "How in the world!" she shrieked, catching a passerby admin walking into the observation deck.
Hikari chuckled, "Sounds like you have money bet on a duelist, Saphira."
Saphira darted a dark glare, but tried to control herself, "Hikari…" Hikari approached the window and looked out into the arena.
"What's Daitokuji bringing his class here for?" His dark eyes first hit the teacher before the arena. He smirked, "Now this is interesting, your examinee versus mine."
"Artemis' opponent was one of yours during the entrance exams?" Saphira asked.
"That would Kokuro Samé, the only student to defeat me."
"And that would be Artemis Minh, the only student to defeat me."
Hikari kept watching the duel, "So this was bound to happen eventually. What have I missed?"
"Kokuro falling for Artemis' anti-tribute philosophy." Saphira snickered while her thought cheered wildly. That was the best move yet! Artemis completely decimated Kokuro's best magician!
"And that looks like Artemis is about to get payback, once Kokuro breaches her defense." Hikari commented.
Fat chance! Saphira thought.
Artemis looked at the three boasting monsters compared to her defense. Only Raregold Armor was keeping her safe from defeat, and so far it was the only thing needed.
Kokuro found his perfect offense, overkill once he was free to attack. "Guess I'll have to end my turn, with my hand empty and your two designated attack targets." Hopefully she doesn't pull anything big, I only have 150 Life Points…what the heck am I worried about? This has to be one of my best duels fought!
Artemis kept her cool. He has the offense, but I have the advantage, as long as he doesn't destroy either of my monsters with a card effect. She drew and found that she still needed a hand reserve. "I'll pass this turn."
Kokuro drew, and felt the help of more than his Kuriboh. "I'll activate Spell Absorption, to help my life Points." Artemis bases around Equip Spell cards; I'll be able to use that to my advantage. Kokuro felt relief in his play. "I'll end my turn."
Artemis concentrated on her next draw. This should be enough, I suppose I'll give this a shot. "I'll equip Axe of Despair to my Marauding Captain!" She announced as one of the Captain's swords was replaced with the fiendish axe (2200ATK).
"Well that helps me." Kokuro sighed with relief as the magic essence went into his body and his Life Points jumped to 650. It's not game for me yet.
"No big, as long as I can take out some of your offense." Artemis entered Battle Phase. "Marauding Captain, attack the Dark Magician Girl!" she declared as the Warrior charged in. Dark Magician Girl tried to block the sword with her scepter but the additional impact of the axe fell through and she shattered into pixels.
Kokuro's Life Points dropped to 450. "Before I end my turn I'll switch Sasuke Samurai to defense mode." I know I should have done that turns ago, to lessen damage if he can destroy my Raregold Armor and Marauding Captain. Sasuke kneeled with his sword prepared.
"Draw!" Kokuro drew and kept feeling his advantage grow stronger. This is game! Come forth, Breaker the Magical Warrior!"
What did he say! Artemis and Saphira's thoughts rang out at once.
Hikari's confidence in Kokuro grew. He can always make the best out of a bad situation.
Kokuro's third monster aligned on his field was a red-armored magical knight (1600/1000). "When this monster is Normal Summon he gets one Spell Counter, and one Spell Counter is all I'll need." He grinned, "And he isn't called Breaker for nothing! By removing that Spell Counter off of him he can destroy one Spell or Trap card of my choosing. So needless to say Sasuke loses Raregold Armor."
Breaker pointed his sword at Sasuke and a bolt fired. Sasuke only recoiled slightly but his armor was destroyed right off his body. Artemis' eye twitched. My attack lockdown! Dangit!
Jade leaped up, "No Artemis!"
Daichi looked on. "Artemis is still in Jade, I doubt there's anything to worry about. While she has three monsters out on the field, Kokuro will have to attack all of them before he can get to her Life Points. And even with Buster Blader attacking Marauding Captain, causing the most damage for the turn she'll still have Life Points."
Kokuro smiled, "Finally, free to attack! I'll begin with my Buster Blader attacking Marauding Captain! Dragon's Bane!" The imposing Warrior struck down first, easily going through the Marauding Captain and Artemis' Life Points fell to 150 while he was at 450.
Artemis winced as her key in the deck beginning to fall.
"Breaker the Magical Warrior, take down Sasuke!" Kokuro's next attack simply obliterated Sasuke off the field, but the measure in the prior kept her Life Points safe. "Dark Magician, take out the last of her defense!" Kokuro's last attack destroyed the card facedown, which was the Warrior Lady of the Wasteland (1100/1200). "What kind of monster was that?"
"Warrior Lady of the Wasteland is a helpful monster when I'm in a pinch. When she's destroyed as a result of battle I can pull an Earth Warrior monster with 1500 attack points or less from my deck to the field." Artemis pulled the deck from her holster and searched, "And the monster I choose is Amazoness Swords Woman!" Almost a trademark, her Amazoness Swords Woman came to the field by the Warrior Lady's summons (1500/1600).
Aw crud! Need to do it now! "Reverse facedown! Torrential Tribute!" Kokuro cried, and the Trap card triggered a massive tidal wave, washing out his three monsters and Artemis' Amazoness Swords Woman. I'm not going to fall for it. Amazoness Swords Woman can bounce back damage inflicted to it. I'd lose the duel next turn! Kokuro stared at his empty field and an exhausted hand. He grinned, trying to build up dignity. "I end my turn."
"You know Kokuro, you'll lose either way." Artemis commented on her next draw.
Kokuro shrugged, "I don't mind it, I was having fun. And I did give it my all." Kuriboh nodded in agreement.
"Very true, as did I. This theme of yours, want to be the best Spellcaster duelist?"
"The best Magician duelist. Very few of my monsters don't have 'Magician' in their names but if they help then they help, but my basis is Magician." Kokuro answered. "And that is the best Warrior deck I've seen built."
"I call it my Armada. It's not a Warrior rapid-fire like Joey Wheeler's deck." Artemis justified.
"I'll agree to that…now what did you mean by I'll lose either way? That Amazoness Swords Woman could kamikaze and bounce back the damage to me." Kokuro wondered.
Artemis looked at the three cards in her hand, and pulled the only monster present. "I summon Amazoness Paladin!" she declared the summon of another duplicate warrior (1700/300).
That's the Artemis I know! Saphira cheered to herself.
"Ooh." Kokuro got his answer.
"Amazoness Paladin, end this!" Artemis declared and the Paladin charged for one last strike. The sword slashed through Kokuro and the remains of his Life Points dropped to zero. The Duel Disks deactivated and the holograms vanished.
In the deck, the two administrators saw the end of a rigorous fight. Hikari looking with shock. "That is an impressive deck. It show its true colors since she was dueling someone of her caliber."
Saphira looked on the victorious Artemis. She's heard of Joey Wheeler…I can only wonder if Minh knows her. It'll be a complete shock if she doesn't. Saphira began to walk out off the deck, "I need to go talk to Mokuba and Kabayama about the school project." She said so she wouldn't have to hear Hikari ask.
At the arena the students applaud for the duel well fought; however the sound of the bell signaled the next class. Jade sighed, "Looks like I'm dueling Judai tomorrow." She said while joining up with Artemis.
Artemis nodded, "Looking forward to it actually…except do you think you can skip on that little persona-swap you had against Theron?"
"I'll try."
Kokuro came up from behind them, smiles all around. "Congrats on the good duel Artemis!"
"Same to you Samé." Artemis replied as they went to their next class.
Daitokuji watched as the students walked out. Very impressive, not only were the duelists believing in their card spirits, but they were believing in themselves. That is the duty of the card spirits, they provide encouragement and partnership.
"Master."
"This better be urgent." He groaned as he finished looking over the cards.
"We intercepted the radio transmission. Duel Academy will no longer receive card shipments."
The Master looked over his shoulder, "That'll hurt their industry and reputation of the Academy. On what bounds can they imply such a measure?"
"We are still looking into that, Master."
In a quick prick of rage, the Master bolted a complete 180, grabbed his servant's cloak collar and pinned him against the wall with almost-fangs bearing. "Never report to me unless you have all the required information, got that? The Black Market expects me to be on the dot and on my toes with my information and I expect no less from my associates."
"Ye-yes sir." The servant stuttered.
"Maybe you can be a little more helpful as to tell me you have the carbon copy information in the entrance exams?" the Master glared his servant expectantly.
"O-of course. W-we have that…it's in y-your quarters." The servant answered. Satisfied the Master let his servant back on his feet.
The Master began to leave the room they discussed matters in. "You can tell the others they're free to make their selections of the cards now."
"Are you sure, Master?" the servant asked but the Master just left the room.
In another area, the Master had just entered to a solitary room, closing and locking the deadbolt on his door. A desk and chair was salvaged from other areas and he slipped into it, tossing his cloak to keep it from going into the wheels. On his desk was a large file labeled "Entrance Exams" and opened it up. There were scribbled names of those that entered and he began to flip through the notes by various proctors.
Finally he came to the names of those who passed with their photos. He skimmed down the names, reading them aloud to himself. This looks like a promising group this year…but to cut off the card shipment just as they arrived…I have to see what Kaiba's planning. "OnyxEntropy! GarnetShadow!" He called out and rose from his desk. As he approached the door there were two knocks.
When he opened to the next room, there were two more of his servants standing before him. Both of them looked rather Goth with pale skin, pastel make-up and stringy black hair. The one to his right had metal studded in many patterns and forms across the black outfit. The one to his left appeared to had less metal but more crystal and jewelry, mainly Garnet gemstones."Yes Master?" They said in unison.
"I have an assignment for the two of you." He began, "Both of you will go to Duel Academy as esteemed guests to one of the students. OnyxEntropy, you better control yourself. I know your tendencies and I do not want the cover blown. Your job will be to make sure of that, even if it means to duel them and wipe their memory clean in victory." The one with the metal attire nodded in comprehension.
He then turned to the other, "GarnetShadow, I expect Kaiba to have high security status so you need to do this on your own. Find any personnel that might know of why the card shipments are canceled. Once you have that both of you will disembark from Duel Academy immediately. Those are my orders, and this will be the student you'll be representing." He pointed to one of the images posted on the chart.
They nodded and were dismissed, leaving the Master alone again. She needs to know…when the time is right. He thought while looking back on the photos.
Original Characters
OnyxEntropy- YamiUmiRyu
GarnetShadow- YamiUmiRyu