Thank you Draen, Nirvash Neo, D3lph0xL0v3r, pokemonking0924 and king of the lion for your reviews on Chapter 24. I got mix opinions of Masuhiro's use of the Exodia deck, which you guys pointed out is almost impossible to win with in the meta. In this story's universe, it is almost impossible to win with as well, hence the shock from our heroes when Masuhiro managed to pull it off. Don't think he'll be doing it again though, Exodia duels aren't too entertaining. They often get too one sided (personal experience from dueling against Exodia decks), and I want to keep this story interesting somehow!
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! It was a fun one to write, especially the duel.
"Shin, come on sleepy head!" Yuga groaned, trying to pull Shin out of his bed. It was the day after he dueled Masuhiro at the basement of the card shop, and Shin had gone right to bed the second they got home from their late-night adventure. It was Friday, and the alarm they had set to go off every weekday was blaring at the top of its speakers. Normally, it was Yuga that was awoken by Shin, but this time the roles had taken a strange twist.
"No!" Shin declared, rolling over. "I'm sick!"
"You don't sound sick." Yuga muttered, tapping the top of the alarm clock to shut it off. "Come on, Shin. It's taco day! Which is normally on a Tuesday, but I'll take tacos any day! Plus, you don't want a detention from BOTH Hirose and Takada for ditching class, do you?"
"I'm not physically sick." Shin whined. "I'm sick of being weak."
Yuga sighed. "Shin, you faced Exodia. No one can beat that guy, not even the three Egyptian God Cards. You did what you had to, and just because you lost doesn't mean you are weak. Hell, even I wouldn't have stood a chance against that deck."
"You might not, but I will destroy it." A voice declared. Yuga looked over to see Vince strolling into the room, an annoyed look on his face.
"Geez, ever heard of knocking?" Yuga asked, glaring at Vince.
"I came up here because your alarm was driving me nuts!" Vince shot back. "I'm just down the hall after all, but I couldn't help but overhear your situation. You guys might not stand a chance against Exodia, but I already figured out the deck's main weakness."
"And what would that be?" Yuga asked.
"Simple." Vince chucked, pulling out a single card, which Yuga recognized as Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon. "Masuhiro used ten card effects during his duel with Shin."
"You counted?" Yuga asked.
"Well, duh." Vince said, shoving his card into Yuga's face, who recoiled. "And guess what? If this was on the field, after eight of those card effects he would be history." Vince put his card back into his duel pad. "I used Shin's duel with Masuhiro to study the desk patterns of that counterfeit Exodia deck, and I already declared that I would be Masuhiro's next opponent, so when I beat him at his own game, you guys can thank me by letting me have first shots at the Masked Man!" Vince then began laughing, as he strolled out of the room, whistling to himself in overconfidence.
"Great, least I accomplished something…" Shin moaned. "Inflated Vince's ego."
"So, Vince might beat Masuhiro because he watched you duel, so what?" Yuga smiled at Shin, putting his hand on Shin's shoulder. "It doesn't change the fact that we are all proud of you for standing up to that Shadow Duel like that… and plus if Vince does beat Masuhrio thanks to your duel, we can say he owes you one. Maybe he can get us some sweet rare cards with his connections, huh?"
Shin sighed, smiling as he sat up. "I can't stay mad… you're right, Yuga. Even if Vince does beat Masuhiro, it's thanks to me, right? And we still got a leg up on them. They can't possibly beat you or Ruka in a duel!"
"All right, that's the spirit!" Yuga cheered. "Now let's go to class before we both get detention!"
XxXxXxX
"You've done well to defeat the weak link." The Masked Man said, as Masuhiro sent his seal into the door before them. "But the seal is still strong. I will leave it up to you to decide how to proceed from here."
"No sweat." Masuhiro smirked. "Vince is my next target, and I know just how to break him." Masuhrio began giggling, holding up a deck box. "Vince will be defenseless under my power!"
"See to it that he is." The Masked Man growled. "I grow impatient, and do not wish to sully my hands with a duel unless the Three Wicked Gods are in my grasp! The weak link maybe gone, but the resolve that Yuga and his friends carry won't be broken until they know they are powerless against you."
"Geez, dramatic much?" Masuhiro asked. "Not to worry, M-man. I can't lose with the three decks I planned to defeat them with. Exodia did his part, but now that they know that plan, and Vince is my next target as I intended, it's time for deck two to play its role!"
XxXxXxX
"I'm glad you're feeling better, Shin." Naomi said, hugging Shin, the short dark blue haired boy massively blushing as her arms wrapped around him.
"But what worries me is Masuhiro." Ruka pointed out. "His deck can be anything. Vince is confident he will use Exodia against us again, but what if that isn't the case?"
"I'm sure Vince will handle whatever is thrown at him." Yuga said through a mouthful of taco. He then swallowed it, missing the grossed out looks his classmates were giving him. "Besides, Vince's deck isn't just able to counter card effects. With his monsters, I am sure he can handle anything thrown at him."
"You're forgetting something, Yuga." Roku chimed in.
"And that is?" Yuga asked, taking another large bite of taco.
"Vince holds a grudge." Roku stated. "Emotions and other factors can cause mistakes and overconfidence in a duel. We've seen signs of that already during our time here."
"When's that?" Ruka asked.
"Your first duel with Yuga for one." Roku pointed out, causing his sister to blush. "The point is, Vince isn't doing this just to defend his seal. He's doing it for revenge against Masuhiro. Don't forget, Vince was in a gang with him a few months ago, until it disbanded. I wouldn't put it past Vince to still hold negative emotions against that day. He isn't exactly the friendliest guy around. Hell, I am still sure he would give anything to duel you for revenge."
"Revenge?" Yuga asked.
"Vince thinks you and Ruka are an item, remember?" Roku asked, causing another large blush to appear on Ruka's face, and this time one to appear on Yuga's. "And you also beat him when you two were going for Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. Vince is the kind of person to hold a deep grudge, and I can only hope that he can keep his emotions in check tonight."
"He'll be fine." Yuga smiled. "Vince has changed since we teamed up with him to defend the school. He's learned that keeping these seals safe is more important than his grudge. Vince will win, and together, he, Ruka and I will defeat the Masked Man!"
We can only hope. Everyone, excluding Asami and Yuga, thought. The day passed by quickly for them, and the second the night sky appeared and the card shop had closed, Vince was leading the way back to the card shop, his fists clenched as he walked, his eyes glaring straight ahead of him as the others followed.
"You know you guys can stay behind, right?" Vince snapped, looking over his shoulder as he walked. "I won't take long defeating this bastard."
"So much for not holding a grudge." Ruka muttered. Vince kicked open the back door, and took an immediate left to the door leading downstairs. As they descended down the stairs, Masuhiro was standing in the far side of the dueling area, looking up at them with his signature grin.
"Vince, I wasn't expecting you for another hour, but I had the feeling you were anxious to challenge me, so I did you a favor and got everything ready early." Masuhiro taunted.
"It's time, Masuhiro!" Vince shouted, igniting his duel pad. "We're going to settle the score, and at the end of the day you'll destroy yourself with that Exodia deck!"
"Who said I was using Exodia?" Masuhiro stated. "The deck I will be using is one that I think you will find most interesting, Vince." Masuhiro activated his duel pad, looking at the deck already in it. "In fact… I think you will find it very familiar to you."
"Enough talk!" Vince shouted, drawing five cards as Masuhiro did the same.
"Duel!"
Vince: 4000 vs Masuhiro: 4000
"I'll start, and trust me when I say I am going to wipe the floor with you!" Vince shouted. "I activate the spell card, Dragon Shrine! I can send one dragon monster from my deck to my graveyard, but if the monster I send is a normal monster, I can send 2! I send my Red-Eyes Black Dragon, and since he is a normal monster, I can send an additional monster, like my Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon!"
"Vince is planning on summoning from the graveyard." Shin noticed.
"Yes, and if I know what Vince is planning, he'll get more than one monster on the field this turn." Yuga stated.
"Now I summon my Black Stone of Legend (0/0)!" Vince declared. "But he won't be here for long. By tributing him, I can summon one Level 7 or lower Red-Eyes monster from my deck, and I choose Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon (2400/2000)! Next, I activate Silver's Cry! I can now summon one normal type Dragon monster from my graveyard, and I choose my Level 7 Red-Eyes Black Dragon (2400/2000)! Next, I overlay my two dragons! Dark dragon encased in molten steel, burn my enemies to cinders with your mighty power! Xyz Summon! Rank 7, Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon (2800/2400)! Now, let's see what you got!"
"All right, if Masuhiro is playing that Exodia deck, Vince has severely limited him!" Asami cheered.
"That's right." Roku nodded. "Masuhiro can only activate 8 card effects thanks to Flare Metal's effect. Each time he activates a card effect, Masuhiro takes 500 life points of damage."
Masuhrio, however, began chuckling. "Fool. I told you already that I am not playing with my Exodia deck! You wasted for time summoning that monster! Now I draw! I activate the spell card, Red-Eyes Fusion!"
"What!?" Vince gasped.
"Red-Eyes Fusion?" Everyone asked in stunned surprise.
"That's right, Vince!" Masuhiro laughed. "I must admit, I always admired you, so I fashioned a deck after you… but I will also admit I dislike you, so I figured the best way to end you was with your own deck! I take 500 life points of damage thanks to your Xyz Monster (Masuhiro: 4000 - 3500), but now I can fuse together two monsters from my hand, field OR deck! I fuse together my Level 7 Red-Eyes Black Dragon and my Level 6 Meteor Dragon Red-Eyes Impact from my deck! The sky is streaked with fire, as the destructive comet descends from the heavens to vaporize all in its way! Fusion Summon! Level 8, Meteor Black Comet Dragon (3500/2000)!"
"That little…" Vince growled. "How dare you copy my deck!"
"What's the matter Vince?" Masuhiro chucked. "I thought you would be flattered I am imitating your deck. Now, I activate Meteor Black Comet Dragon's special effect! When he is Fusion Summoned, I can send one Red-Eyes from my hand or deck to my graveyard, and you take damage equal to half of that monster's original attack points. I send my Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon from my hand to the graveyard to inflict 1200 points of damage to your life points (Vince: 4000 - 2800)!"
"But thanks to my Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon, you take 500 points of damage for activating a card effect (Masuhiro: 3500 - 3000)!"
"It matters not." Masuhiro chucked. "For you're about to take worse than that! Meteor Black Comet Dragon, attack his Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon now!" The comet dragon roared, streaking across the battlefield with blinding speed, slamming into Flare Metal and vaporizing it (Vince: 2800 - 2100). "I'll place one card facedown. Your turn, Vince."
"Oh man, this looks bad." Shin muttered.
"Poor Vince." Yuga said sadly. "I can't imagine what he must be going through… I couldn't battle my own monsters with a clear conscious."
"I WILL CRUSH THOSE FAKES!" Vince roared, drawing a card.
"On second thought, I think he's just fine." Ruka sheepishly said, sweat dropping.
"You'll pay for using my own cards against me!" Vince shouted. "I activate my own Red-Eyes Fusion! I now send my Level 6 Summoned Skull and my second Level 7 Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my deck to the graveyard! The two souls of demon and dragon intertwine into an even greater power. Now, vaporize my enemies with the devil's fire! Fusion Summon! Level 9, Archfiend Black Skull Dragon (3200/2500)!"
"Nice play, but there's an issue." Roku noted. "Archfiend Black Skull Dragon has 300 less attack points then Meteor Black Comet Dragon."
"Vince must have something up his sleeve." Naomi noted.
"Now I activate the special effect of my Black Metal Dragon from my hand!" Vince declared. "I can equip him to one Red-Eyes monster I control, and that monster instantly gains 600 attack points. Since any monster summoned with Red-Eyes Fusion is treated as if it's name is Red-Eyes Black Dragon, I can use this card on my Archfiend Black Skull Dragon (3200/2500 - 3800/2500)! Now attack his phony monster!" Archfiend Black Skull Dragon roared, sending out what looked like a molten rock fireball. Meteor Black Comet Dragon roared in pain, vanishing in an explosion (Masuhiro: 3000 - 2700).
"Meteor Black Comet Dragon's effect activates!" Masuhiro declared. "When he is sent to the graveyard, I can special summon one Normal Monster from my graveyard, and I choose my Red-Eyes Black Dragon in defense mode!"
Vince grinned wickedly. "That won't save your life points! When my causes damage calculation, I can shuffle one Red-Eyes Normal Monster from my graveyard into my deck, and inflict damage to your life points equal to that monster's attack points! Go Archfiend Black Skull Dragon, damage him for the attack points of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon shuffled into my deck!" Archfiend Black Skill Dragon roared, glowing red. Masuhiro began to glow the same color red, screaming out as he took a knee from the pain (Masuhiro: 3000 - 300). "I end my turn there!"
"You got him on the ropes now, Vince!" Asami shouted.
"Just a bit more and you got him beat!" Naomi cheered.
Masuhiro growled, but then began laughing. "Does he have me beat now? I'll have you know, when I copy a deck, I don't just do it card for card. I often find ways to make improvements on the deck, and it's time to show you them! I draw! Reveal my facedown spell card, One for One! My sending one monster from my deck to the graveyard, I can special summon one Level 1 monster from my hand or deck. From my deck, I special summon the Tuner Monster, Flamvell Guard (100/2000)!"
"Tuner Monster!?" Vince shouted in surprise as everyone gasped. "But I don't Synchro Summon!"
"You do not, but I improved your deck by combining your Red-Eyes cards, with the Red Dragon Archfiend Synchro Monsters! Behold! I tune my Level 1 Flamevell Guard to my Level 7 Red-Eyes Black Dragon! In an inferno of power and might, a blazing beast is forged. Synchro Summon! Level 8, Red Dragon Archfiend (3000/2000)!"
Vince, however, smirked. "As impressive as that is, your still 800 attack points short of defeating my monster."
"Who said I was done, Vince?" Masuhiro laughed. "Now I play the spell card Double Summon! For this turn, I can normal summon twice instead of just once, and since I haven't normal summoned yet, I get to summon two times!"
Vince growled, his hand in a fast. "You're going to double tune into Red Nova Dragon."
"Not quite!" Masuhiro laughed. "Instead, I will be summoning the Level 1 Tuner Monster, Majestic Dragon; and the Level 1 Kuriboh!"
Vince got wide eyed. "How dare you put that filthy Kuriboh in a deck meant to copy mine!"
"Come now, Vince, surely your time at Union has taught you that every monster has its value?" Masuhiro taunted. "But either way this is where it ends! I tune my Level 1 Majestic Dragon to my Level 1 Kuriboh and my Level 8 Red Dragon Archfiend! A lone single polished light, become the true high-ruler and illuminate the earth! Synchro Summon! Level 10, Majestic Red Dragon (4000/3000)!"
"I've never heard of that monster before!" Vince shouted.
"I haven't either." Roku admitted. "But I get the feeling it is more than just a 4000-attack point beat stick."
"You'd be right Roku." Masuhiro chucked. "I activate Majestic Red Dragon's special effect! Once per turn, I can negate the effects of any monster you control, and my monster gains attack points equal to your monster's attack points! Majestic Red Dragon, negate the effects of Archfiend Black Skull Dragon (Majestic Red Dragon: 4000/3000 - 7800/3000)!"
"Seventy-eight thousand attack points!" Vince gasped in awe.
"This is the end! Majestic Red Dragon, attack his Archfiend Black Skull Dragon now!" Majestic Red Dragon launched streams of light from its body, vaporizing Vince's demon dragon and creating shock waves that send everyone flying (Vince: 2800 - 0).
Masuhiro Wins!
Masuhiro's cold laughter pierced the air as Vince collapsed to his knees, a stunned look on his face as he stared straight as Masuhiro, but his eyes seemed to not see, his mouth slightly open in shock. He then started falling forward, his hands just barely touching the ground to catch him as he stared directly at the floor, his eyes still unregistering and wide in shock.
"Vince!" Asami screamed out, running up to him and putting her hands on his shoulders. "Vince, say something!"
"How…" Vince whispered. "How could he beat me with my own cards?"
"Vince…" Asami whispered, worried.
"That's it!" Yuga suddenly shouted. Everyone, excluding Vince, looking up at him. His golden eyes were locked onto Masuhiro, glaring at him. "Next time we duel, I'm talking you on! I'm tired of you thinking that you can just defeat us with these phony fakes you created, Masuhiro! Regardless of what deck you copy, that's all the deck is, a copy. It cannot compare to the original! Even if Vince lost today, in the end he is still better then you! Why? Because his cards are the real thing!"
"Yuga…" Ruka muttered.
"You idiot." Vince suddenly whispered. Yuga turned to look at Vince, who was staring at Yuga, his eyes still wide in shock. "He beat me… it doesn't matter if his cards are fake…" Vince then held up his hand, the seal on it gone. "He won."
Masuhiro chuckled, Yuga turning back to him. The seal on Vince's hand was now on Masuhiro's. "Yes, I still won. And in the end, winning is all that matters."
"It's more than that." Yuga growled, clenching his fists. "We're dueling next! Unless you use your real cards, your real deck, you won't beat me! Any fake deck you use against me, I will defeat you!"
"Any fake deck?" Masuhiro said with wonder. He then smirked. "That gives me an idea… originally, I was going to use the same deck to defeat both you and Ruka, but if your claim is true, why not put it to the ultimate test?" Masuhrio started backing up, and Yuga noticed an open door on the other side of the room, which Masuhiro was slowly entering and becoming covered in darkness. "I am developing counter fits to a deck lost to time and it will be complete in one weeks' time! When that time comes, you and I will duel, and you will be crushed by the full might of the greatest counter fit deck of all time!
"Wait!" Yuga shouted, but as he ran up to the door, it suddenly slammed close, and any attempts Yuga made to open it was in vain. Masuhiro's laugh still echoed throughout the room, as all the lights around them shut off.
"One week… better get ready, Yuga."
XxXxXxX
Often, there were barely any students out on campus early in the mornings on a Saturday. Those that were often were going for a jog, or the nerds that were getting a head start on some homework so they could have Sunday completely free. Vince was never one of those students up as soon as the sun shined on a Sunday morning, but today he was, walking towards Union's main office. Vince looked determined, matching his way down the hallway of the main building until he reached a door that read 'Professor Toma', which he knocked on three times with three sharp taps.
"Come in." Professor Toma's voice came from the inside.
Vince opened the door, looking right at Professor Toma, who was typing rapidly on her computer. "I knew that if there was any professor awake this early, if would be you, Professor Toma."
"I got a lot of grading to do for my classes." Toma replied, pausing and looking up at Vince. "But why are you here? Your section of Advanced Summoning Methods with me is done."
Vince gulped. "I… I want you to tutor me in Synchro Summoning!" Toma's eyes went wide as she looked at Vince. Silence filled the room, as Toma's eyes remained locked on Vince, who was stiff as a bored, looking extremely uncomfortable. Vince began sweating a little as he continued. "I-I also wish to retake the Synchro test, and if possible fit Advanced Synchro Summoning into my schedule next year."
"What is this now?" Toma muttered. "I thought you were under the impression Synchro Summoning wouldn't work with your Red-Eyes deck, and didn't even want to take my… how did you put it? 'Stupid and useless summoning test'."
Vince bowed. "I apologize for insulting you, m'am." Vince paused, straightening his back once again. "But I realized that just because I have difficulty with a method, doesn't mean it is useless… an opponent I dueled yesterday showed me that, and I dueled a really powerful Synchro user since our test… If I want to become the best duelist I can be, I need to learn every summoning method I can, and incorporate as much of my skills as I can into my deck. So I am begging you… please help me achieve that goal."
Toma thought for a while, before smiling and turning to Vince. "We have a summer session for those that didn't complete a course. I would be willing to take you in for the summer Synchro session of Advanced Summoning Methods, so that you can complete the requirement for Advanced Synchro Summoning. There are tutors available during the summer for those that need it. I'm sure they will be of great help to you."
"Thank you so much!" Vince bowed, a smile forming on his face. "I won't disappoint you!"
"But you need to be sure you know what you are getting into." Toma warned. "The summer class is much faster paced and often challenging for those that take it. Are you ready for that kind of stress?"
"I am." Vince declared, looking at her determined. "I am ready for anything."
Toma nodded. "Then show me that this summer! And don't let me down!"
"I won't m'am!"