CARD TRIVIA RESULTS
The monster is Ocean Dragon Lord – Neo Deadalus. When it was first released into the Fury of the Deep structure deck, the fact that it was a Nomi monster was completely omitted.
0 0 0 0 0 0
Irene slammed her fists into the desk, looking straight into Seer's eyes. The man stood calm, but didn't answer.
"What did you do James? You're doing things that I never thought you capable of!"
"What do you mean? We won, and that's all that matters."
"Are you insane, she started a Shadow Game. If she hadn't won that turn, who knows what might happen."
"It was only a prelude. No one was harmed."
"What do you mean no one was harmed! Aren't you the least worried that she lost control over her powers? If the duel had extended another turn, it could have destroyed either of them."
"She contained her anger. Her slip is excusable. As long as the SDU treatment does it's job, she'll be fine."
Irene's arm grabbed his shoulder, grasping the fabric of the suit tight. Seer was taken aback by this sudden affront to his power.
"Let go of me."
"She's not your play doll, nor is she your lab rat! She was given to me as a responsibility. And I won't let you destroy whatever admiration she may have for you!"
She let go of his suit, and backed away gently.
"The adoption papers are almost done. James, you know I've told you about this before. I believe that she deserves a father as well. I was hoping you could have filled that role, but now…"
"Now what?"
"I…I don't know you anymore. You've changed. I loved you. I still do. Please, don't do these things anymore."
Seer rose from his seat, and stood next to her. Quickly, he embraced her, their bodies touching closely, eyes mirroring into each other.
"I never said I didn't love you. Now rest. You'll think with a more clear mind tomorrow. Leave me, I have to go see how the second half of the first round will go."
They broke the embrace, yet Irene looked hardly convinced.
"Promise me you'll think about it."
"I promise."
CHAPTER 21
A splendid rendition of Beethoven's Ode to Joy blared from the loudspeakers, as the two teams took their position on the field. The massive holo-projectors pointed to the sky, displaying a single ring of roses that hovered around the screen. Akhenberg raised his hand, and pointed to his left.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second group of duels! Facing of, we have a truly great treat. Last time they were the underdog, but this time they hope to make it to the top. Please welcome Team Lofty!"
Four duelists, two boys and two girls stood up, waiving their hands to the audience. Marcus couldn't help but see the similitude between them and Reggie. And though he wasn't especially fond of siding, he hoped they would win.
Akhenberg waved his hand, pointed to the team on the left.
"Meeting them, we have a first time team. So give your encouragements to Duel Academy Queen's Team Lily!"
Cheers, followed by whistles and giggles flowed from the audience, as four girls in dark red uniforms stood up. Oliver felt his cheeks flare.
"Hope we duel them."
"Heck, I wouldn't mind loosing to them." chuckled Marcus.
From Team Lofty, an afro-american boy made his way to the platform, ignoring the shouts from the audience. On the opposite side, a slim girl with her hair tied in two ponytails and a large chest made her way to the platform. Both drew the first five cards.
"Keep your fingers crossed, as Thomas Jones and Myra Alston take the stand for the first match!"
Thomas 8000 – Myra 8000
"Normally, I'd go first as a lady, but why don't you do the honors."
"If that's what you want, then so be it. And I start of with the monster called Cloudian – Cirrostratus."
Small white puffs began to build into the air, merging into a white mass, which, much to the surprise of the spectators, also had the eyes of a cat. Many of the girls applauded at the sight of the cute creature (900/0).
"By summoning my monster, he receives a Fog Counter. But since I don't have enough to activate it's effect, I'll set a face-down and pass."
"Not a very manly deck, to be frank." said Myra, as she made the first draw.
"Then what did you expect? That I would start of with Maximum Six or something?"
"God, no! As for me, I summon a very passionate girl. Come on out Amazones Sage."
With a sharp battlecry, a female warrior armed with a spear ornamented with white bones leaped onto the field, swinging it's weapon into the boy's direction (1400/700).
"And they call me predictable." laughed Thomas.
"Predictable, no. Smart, yes. I know your monsters can't be beat in battle, but only if they're stuck in attack mode. Your life points however, don't really matter. Let's take a swing at it sweetie!"
The blue haired nodded in approval, and leaped against the cloud creature. The staff went right trough the creature's body, before striking Thomas in the chest. The female warrior raised her staff one more time, striking the boy's face-down.
"My monster has one more effect: if it attacks, I can destroy one of your spell and trap cards."
"But that doesn't mean that I can't chain it! I activate Fog Screen. By sending a Cloudian monster from my deck to the graveyard, your monster gains a Fog Counter for each of it's level. And I send Eye of the Typhoon."
Eight fog balls wrapped around the warrior.
"A little bit of gas won't stop me. I set a card and pass."
Thomas 7500 – Myra 8000
"Hope your girl can endure a bit of pain, because it has to go. and I'll do it with this. The spell Diamond Cyclone. Since your monster has a spell counter on it, it's destroyed and I get a card for each 4 counters."
A strong gale swept the warrior into the sky, and Thomas drew two cards. Myra on the other hand pointed to her face-down.
"You set of my trap: Pride of Tribe. Since my monster was destroyed, I can special summon another one from my deck. Like Amazoness Swordswoman!"
A muscular female, wielding a large cleaver, with her hair flowing wildly leaped onto the field (1500/1600).
"And I'm supposed to care? I still have Cirrostratus in play, and I'm going to summon another one. By removing Eye of the Typhoon from my graveyard, I can summon Cloudian – Storm Dragon from my hand."
Thunder rolled in the distance, and a mass of fog rolled onto the field, taking the shape of a dragon with a vaporous body (1000/0). It opened it's jaws, and a smoke ball merged into the second Cloudian.
"Once per turn, I can place a Fog Counter on any monster on the field. And now, by removing two counters from my Cloudian, your monster is destroyed."
The white cloud exhailed a strong wind, which blew the female warrior away. Myra struck the platform in anger.
"Let's take it away! Direct attack, both of you!"
Both monsters let loose strong winds, almost blowing the cards from the girl's hand. Thomas chuckled, and set one card, before ending his turn.
Myra made her draw, and gave a deep sigh of relief.
"Your monsters may be strong, but they do have a flaw: if changed to defense mode, they're destroyed. So I summon Amazoness Whip Fighter."
Much like the swordswoman, this female warrior wore skimpy clothes, and was armed with a long whip (1700/1400).
"Next up, I play the spell Double Attack. By discarding Amazoness Queen, my lady can attack twice this turn."
"Then bring it on!"
"You want her, then here! Oh, and if you're counting on your monsters defending you, think again. If my creature battles, it can change your monster's position."
"No, you wouldn't…"
The warrior struck the first monster, who shielded itself with it's arms, before exploding. The same happened to the second. The warrior turned to Thomas, and struck him on the chest.
"Hey, since when do girls play this brutal?"
In response, the warrior snapped her whip in defiance.
"I set two cards, and end my turn."
0 0 0 0 0 0
The official lounge was set up about twenty feet above ground level in the right center, ornamented with red and gold banners. The eight managers of the teams sat on two rows, observing the duel in progress. Rosser sat in the second row, on the far right. Seer was in the front row, and next to him was Alexa Stron, the manager of Duel Academy Queen's. around her neck was a pair of binoculars, using them to observe the duel.
"Quite a good show James. I hope you won't be too disappointed if my girls take home the big prize."
"We'll see. Both still have one more round to pass trough."
"Which are as easy as picking flowers. Oh look, the next turn is starting."
Seer turned his view to one of the upper edges of the stadium. His eyes narrowed, as he tried to distinguish who was there.
"Can I borrow your binoculars?"
"Huh? Sure, if you insist."
He took them, and looked a second time in that direction. His face was devoid of emotion. He got up, and Rossler grabbed his sleeve.
"Where are you going?"
"That's my business. Make sure things are quiet here."
He ran trough the access door, vanishing into the depths of the stadium.
0 0 0 0 0 0
Thomas 6300 – Myra 6100
Thomas drew, and took one of the cards from his hand.
"I may be back, but not out. I play the spell Summon Cloud. And since I have no monsters in play, I can special summon a level 4 or lower Cloudian monster from my hand. Like a second Cirrostratus."
A ray of sunshine broke trough the clouds, and a second white puffy cloud creature descended (900/0).
"As for my Normal Summon, I play Cloudian – Altus."
A second cloud creature, dark orange in color and very fat formed on the field (1300/0). Two Fog Counters were placed on Cirrostratus.
"You remember what happens, right? I remove two counters to destroy your Amazoness."
Fog wrapped around the whip warrior, shattering her.
"Attack, both of you!"
"No you don't! I activate Amazoness Obstinacy. Be revived, Amazoness Queen!"
A tall shadow leaped before the two monsters. She was taller than all the other Amazoness, and was armed with a broad sword (2400/1800).
"Well lucky you. I end my turn here."
"And I'll begin my own. I summon Amazoness Fighter to the field!"
A muscular woman stepped onto the field, cracking her knuckles (1500/1300).
"Your monsters may be indestructible, but your life points aren't. Attack!"
As the queen leaped, the boy's face-down lifted.
"My monsters are better defended than you may think. I activate Spirit Barrier. So my life points are safe."
Myra kicked the floor in frustration.
"You may have the perfect attack, but I have the perfect defense."
"No defense is perfect. I end my turn here."
0 0 0 0 0 0
Shafi leaned against the edge of the balcony, lost in his thoughts. The Auromer gave no sign of energy since the duel began, and no other signs had been shown since the incident at the Condor Dueling Club. Yasmin was next to him, also frustrated.
"I don't understand this. Why don't we get any results, what are we doing wrong?"
"We're doing nothing wrong."
"But we're not getting any results. Nothing seems to work!"
The man embraced her, in the cool breeze of mid-day. He whispered something in her ear, then their eyes met.
"You're not a failure. We shall succeed."
"That would be my hope. That is, if we weren't on the same side." said a voice from behind them.
Shafi turned, and saw Seer behind them, his arms crossed on his chest.
"James."
"You know him?" asked Yasmin.
"I do. Just didn't expect him to come to me again."
"But I do, Shafi. Why shouldn't I, since you saved my life."
"I would have done no such thing had I known what path you would have taken in life."
Seer laughed.
"I made a choice for life a long time ago. Had I not, I would have been dead by now."
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Yasmin puzzled.
Seer closed his eyes.
"I had terminal liver cancer. There was no hope for me to survive for more than a few months. But I decided not to go without a fight. And by doing so, I got more than I could have imagined."
"You should have stayed dead. Nothing's worth the pain you're now inflicting on others."
"Pain." repeated Seer, pondering on the word.
0 0 0 0 0 0
**flashback**
The doctor set down the papers he had in his hand, and pointed to the nurse to stop the scanner. The table came sliding out of the tube, and a much younger version of Seer stood on the edge of the table, unsure of the next step he would take.
"Well doc, any improvement?"
The man gently shook his head, and pointed to the chair in front of him. The nurse helped Seer up, and lead him to the chair.
"No change? The what else can you do? So something, anything! I can pay!"
"Look James, I can't do more than your body can take. If the illness won't kill you, the treatment will. Your body can't take more…"
James' fist collided with the desk in anger.
"I can take anything!" he yelled trough his cracked lips.
The man wasn't startled by the sudden outburst. Patients in the final stage used to be in that condition.
"Look James, I can't…"
"Then tell me what I can do!"
The doctor looked him in the eyes.
"Make peace with your soul. All men die. And as sad as that might be, you don't deserve to be one of them. Not this young."
A second strike against the desk. The shock reverberated into the man's shoulder."
**end flashback**
Yasmin covered her mouth in shock. Shafi remained motionless, as he listened on.
"I was 25 back then. A duelist struck in his prime, with no hope to return from the edge."
"So what did you do?" asked Yasmin.
"I did what the doctor told me. I got right with God. Little did I know that finding God would be harder than overcoming my disease. I searched in all the religious books I could find, but nothing."
Moving to the edge of the building, he turned to face them.
"In my search, I came across the ancient Egyptian rites of preserving the body and for healing. And I decided that if their magic helped the Pharaohs, it could help me as well."
Shafi shook his head.
"Did you know what that magic was meant to do?"
"I had a vague idea. But not what came after."
**flashback**
The floor of the room was filled with books and CDs, as well as several opened suitcases partially packed. James was fully dressed, and speaking on the phone.
"Yes, I want a one way flight to Cairo. When? As soon as possible, tonight if you can. No, I don't care which class. Just give me a seat!"
He closed the phone, and resumed packing. Not in ferver, but with care, as if he was writing his last will and testament. With a last shove, he closed the lids, and walked trough the door.
**end flashback**
"Had I meet you before, I would have done all I could to help you." said Shafi.
"What could you have done? My desire to live was greater than all other things. And if a God whose all loving couldn't help me, maybe an all hateful devil would."
He raised his hand, revealing a tattoo just above the wrist. It resembled a seven headed serpent, with a single crown above it. Both Magi looked in shock. The symbol was lost to neither of them.
"What did you do?" asked the woman in shock.
"I did what I had to survive for the moment. No more than that. But now, I wish I had perished in that desert."
**flashback**
The busy bazaar street made it hard for Seer to keep focus. He had become so weak, he resorted to using a cane. His now bald head was covered by a hat with large edges. Making his way around, he found nothing. The very sight of the people around him disgusted his senses. He despised the simple life, yet he couldn't help but sense the irony. Those people around him had more life in their flesh than he could even hope for.
Going past one of the stands, one of the items caught his attention. They were tablets, with images engraved on them. He picked one up, and much to his shock, he found that it showed the image of Curse of Dragon.
"Ah, you seem interested in the Dark Games?" asked the merchant.
"Dark Games? These look like Duel Monsters cards."
"Yes, you can call them that. But the game itself is much older."
"Go on." said James, in a dominant tone.
The man came to him, and whispered in his ear.
"Go to Sedran. It's a small village twenty miles from here. Ask for the mark of the serpent. They will help cure you."
Seer's arm grabbed him like a flash.
"What do you know of me?"
"You came to seek death and rebirth didn't you? It's waiting for you in the desert."
He backed away, dropping the tablet. Reaching down the merchant picked it up and handed it to him.
"Keep it. It should fit your deck nicely."
"How do you know what deck I use?"
**end flashback**
James lowered his sleeve back, and looked at the crowd below.
"I was like them. Ignorant, lifeless, seeking entertainment and wicked joy. But I was destined. Destined to see the Light."
"The light?" asked Yasmin.
"Yes. The light of guidance. The Prince of light, who dwells in a great glory."
She looked to Shafi, worried. The man didn't reply, just hoping that he could get enough information from the negotiations.
"Go on." said Yasmin gently.
"Are you my skriek all of a sudden?" snapped Seer.
"No, but I want to know. You have so much sorrow. You don't have to keep it in."
"Fine, then listen to me."
**flashback**
The wheels of the jeep rose great clouds of dust as the car made it's way trough the desert. The skyline of Cairo had long faded behind, the only thing before him being a wasteland. A map had been fixed on the dashboard, and Seer was having a hard time keeping track of the route. The temperature and his anger was getting his blood up. Grasping the wheel, he pressed the acceleration.
"If you're going to leave me God, then I don't need you."
He burst out into laughter, knocking his head back maniacly. The car accelerated, the roar of the engine covering the roar of the now demented man. He speed past a sand dune, and suddenly a bunch of boulders struck the car's suspension. The wheels dug into the sand, before spinning to the side. Seer's laugh turned into a scream, as he went flying trough the screen, landing face-down into the sand. Blood was running down his face, and his right leg was fractured. His arms and legs moved like a swimmer in troubled waters, groaning in pain. With a single effort, he managed to roll on his back, exposing his eyes to the burning sun.
"I hate you!" he screamed in pain.
Merciless rays fell upon him, basking his body. His mouth opened in a grin, as he raised his hand in an attempt to grasp the sun.
"Do you seek life?" asked a gentle voice.
"Yes." he replied involuntarily.
The sun's rays came down as spears, and between them was a shape. A bright being, with white wings on it's back, his arm stretched out to him.
"Give me life!" commanded Seer.
"Then it will be as you wish."
His mouth opened in a vacuum, and the light entered his throat, covering the shout of pleasure. A new sound formed around him, as a dark face covered the light before him.
**end flashback**
A lone tear fell upon Shafi's cheek.
"I should have left you to die that day."
"Yes, you should. My cancer was cured that day, but it was your helping hand that got me out. And that's why I own you a favor."
"You can keep you favor."
"No, listen to me on this one. I still have a place for you. You saved me, and I don't want to loose you. Take my hand, and we'll go into the realm to come as a team."
Shafi looked into the man's dark eyes, before lowering his gaze.
"No James. I don't want to meet you again."
"You're right, we won't see each other again. Enjoy the tournament, or what's left of it anyways. My door is still opened until the end.
0 0 0 0 0 0
Thomas 6300 – Myra 6100
"It's my move. And I bring out a new Cloudian, namely Cloudian – Acid Cloud."
A green fog rose, taking the shape of a humanoid cloud (500/0). Three Fog Counters were placed upon it.
"Your queen may be powerful, but the only thing keeping her alive is your trap card. So by removing 2 Counters from my monster, your trap is destroyed. Say goodbye to your girlfriend!"
"Think again! I activate Divine Wrath, destroying your monster."
Lightning flashed, striking the cloud creature, vaporizing it. Thomas set one card, and ended his turn.
"It's my move." shouted Myra. "And I use Spellbook inside the Pot, giving each of us three new cards."
Both made their draws, and the girl laughed.
"This should be good. I play the spell Card Rotator, and at a cost of a card, your monsters change their mode. And you know what that means."
The remaining Cloudians knelled in defense, and exploded into vapors. Thomas wasn't troubled.
"They may be gone, but I can chain this: Fog Control. By destroying one of my Cloudians, your Queen gains 3 Fog Counters."
"Maybe, but the counters don't have he power to keep her from attacking. Take it away girls!"
The fighter struck him with the fist in the stomach, then the queen took her attack, slashing him with the sword she wielded.
"I end my turn here."
Thomas 3400 – Myra 6100
The boy made his draw, and pointed to his spell card.
"You remember what that does, right? Since I have no monsters in play, I can special summon Cloudian – Sheep Cloud from my hand."
"With a small puff, a white cloud with eyes appeared on the field (0/0).
"Not much to look at." commented the girl.
"He's not my weapon. This is. I offer my monster to summon Cloudian – Nimbusman."
The small could vanished, replaced by a roughly human shaped creature, vaporous in appearance, and pure white (1000/1000). A Fog Counter was swallowed into his body, as well as the three one on the Amazoness Queen (3000/1000).
"Next, the spell One for One, letting me summon Cloudian – Ghost Fog from my deck." A phantomatic creature took shape on the field (0/0).
"As you can see, Nimbusman gains 500 ATK for each Fog Counter on the field. And next, I'll attack! Ghost Fog, attack Amazoness Queen!"
"Are you crazy?"
The female warrior struck the creature, shattering it to vapors. Six Fog Counters were absorbed into her, and Nimbusman's ATK rose to 6000. Myra swallowed hard.
"Attack her queen!"
Nimbusman opened it's mouth, exhailing a strong gale. The female warrior was knocked back, but quickly got back on her feet.
"My queen is the watcher of the tribe. With her in play, no Amazoness can be destroyed by battle." laughed Myra.
"Lucky you. I end my turn. And with my monster in play, I doubt that there's anything you can summon against it."
Myra made her draw, and held up the card smiling.
"I hope you won't be too sad when you loose the duel."
"You're bluffing."
"Not quite. I play the spell Amazoness Necromancy. By tributing my Fighter, I can special summon Swordswoman from my graveyard."
The sword wielding female rose from the grave, looking angry. All color faded from Thomas' face.
"Next up, Mystical Space Typhoon against your Spirit Barrier." shouted the girl, as the strong wind tore the trap to shreds.
"I take it you know what comes next, right? All battle damage from a fight involving her is transferred to you. Attack Nimbusman!"
The female slashed right trough the cloud, and struck Thomas in the chest, knocking him back. The crowd cheered, as Myra came down from the platform.
Thomas 0 – Myra 2500
0 0 0 0 0 0
Yasmin slid the Auromer into her pocket and turned to Shafi.
"Why didn't you tell me all of this?"
"It wasn't important. He was just a man I found in the desert. I never thought that it would meet him in such consequences."
"Well you meet him. Now what?"
Shafi smiled.
"My loyalty is to the path, and my love is to you."
"Thank you." smiled the woman, before touching his lips.
0 0 0 0 0 0
ORIGINAL CARDS CREATED
Amazoness Whip Fighter
Level 4 / EARTH / Warrior / ATK 1700 / DEF 1400
All other Amazoness monsters you control gain 300 ATK. If this card attacks a monster, you can change the position of that monster.
Amazoness Necromancy
Spell / Normal
Tribute 1 Amazoness monster you control to special summon 1 Amazoness monster from your graveyard.
Fog Screen
Trap / Normal
Send 1 Cloudian monster from your deck to the graveyard. Place Fog Counters on a monster on the field equal to the level of that Cloudian monster.
**The above cards are my own creation**
CARD TRIVIA QUIZ
The above monster can be synchro summoned by using the regular method, but it can be synchro summoned by using only Tuner monsters. Submit your answers before the next chapter is posted.