Chapter 26: The Butterfly Effect
Droite sighed, scrolling down her list. Name of name passed her by, most of them with red slashes through them as a reminder of the duelists that had already been taken care of by either her or Gauche.
Being one of the only two maintenance committee members for the World Duel Carnival must have been stressful for her because the bags under her eyes seemed to be growing daily. She scratched her head lightly, only to sigh louder when she saw loose locks of purple fall to the ground slowly.
"Why did I sign up for this again?" she asked herself while moving through her list of names looking for ones without slashes through them.
Droite rubbed her eyes and got up from her chair to walk over to the light switch and illuminate the room. The brightness helped only a modicum for her eyes, but any help was more welcome than none at all. She stretched for a couple seconds, cracking a few bones in her arms and lower back before waltzing back to her chair and replanting herself in the wooden seat.
"Where was I?" she questioned to herself once more before finding her place again. Her middle finger hit the middle of her keyboard's mouse and the screen resumed its movement downward.
"Kazuma Motosu, Tetsu Tamatsu, Tokunosuke Omoteura," Droite said to herself, reading off the names and many more. "I can't believe the World Duel Carnival has this many disobeyers."
She kept moving down the list until she came across the first name that didn't have a slash through it. Somehow it seemed oddly familiar.
"Ryoga Kamishiro," she said, grabbing the glass of water sitting next to the computer and taking a sip of it. Her fingernails received a chill as a droplet of water rolled down the cup and onto her freshly painted nails. "I wonder…"
Droite double-clicked on the prominent name on her screen and a biography came up. Her eyes moved from left to right as she read every last word on the page.
"Ryoga Kamishiro, previous competitor in the National Duel Circuit, disqualified for cheating…Hmph. No surprise that he'd stoop to foul play and disorderly conduct in this tournament too."
Droite put the glass of water to her lips and finished off the remaining liquid before rising from the chair again. This time though she walked over to the pedestal directly behind her and crouched down to press a button near the bottom of the wooden pillar.
As she clicked the red circle, the pedestal began to split into two parts mechanically. Both pieces drifted further and further away from one another before there was a three foot wide gap in the platform.
After stopping her hunched posture, she reached down into the opening created by the two wooden parts. Instead of coming up empty-handed, she fished through the multiple things that were hiding inside the secret opening and retrieved a D-Pad as well as a deck of cards. Then she grabbed a GPS tracker (one that was created solely for the World Duel Carnival because it allowed the committee staff to track any duelist's yin-yang symbol and their location) and typed in the code inscribed on Shark's tracker.
"Days like these," she sighed once more before pressing a button on the top of the pedestal which caused it to reconnect and revert to its usual position as a whole podium. Then she walked over to the door and opened it up before taking one more glance behind her shoulder and exiting the area.
"N-no more!" shouted a spiky haired duelist. Sweat dripped down his face as his body trembled in fear. "I give! Please, have mercy!"
"I should warn you that pleading won't work with me," snarled the opponent. "And mercy…I don't know the word anymore."
The boy pointed at his opponent and commanded his monster to finish the job that he'd started.
"Now go, Black Ray Lancer! Attack him directly with Black Spear!"
The Xyz Monster followed the orders of its purple-haired master and flew up into the air, twirling its staff around like it was in a marching band. Without warning, the winged creature stopped spinning its javelin and simply thrusted its arm with enough strength to not only release the weapon from its grasp and send it flying at an accelerated velocity, but with enough strength to also knock the opponent back a great distance.
A buzzer was heard from above, indicating that the winner of the duel had been none other than Shark.
The boy with the big, blue eyes walked over to his opponent who was just recovering from the final blow. Shark stopped only a couple inches away from his opponent and he bent down, looking the man in the eyes. He subconsciously must have moved his arms because before he knew it, his right hand was around his foe's shirt collar.
"I won the duel, coward," he barked. "Now hold up your end of the bargain and tell me all that you know about IV. Where is he?"
"I-I…don't know!" stuttered the man quickly, holding his hand over his heart. "I didn't really think that you would take it this far! I was just fooling when I said that I knew about IV!"
"Joking?" Shark asked, his voice growing cold and distant. "You think that this is funny? That it's some kind of twisted humor?"
"I'm really sorry! Honest!" confessed the spike-haired male. "What are you going to do to me?"
Shark thought the idea over, not removing his grasp from the man's collar. The silence that filled the arena was haunting before a voice finally came through. Oddly enough for both duelists though, it wasn't Shark's. In fact, it wasn't even male.
"He won't be doing anything."
The noise came from behind Shark, causing both duelists to avert their attention in that direction. In somewhat of a surprised stupor from the voice, Shark momentarily freed his grip on the man, an action that he later regretted because it allowed his opponent to flee the scene like the coward that he was.
"Can I help you?" Shark frowned, looking up and down at the voluptuous woman in front of him.
"Ryoga Kamishiro?" asked the woman with one hand on her hip and the other touching her face.
"Who wants to know?"
"My name is Droite. And the World Duel Carnival staff members," answered the woman. "That's who."
Shark was silent for a while, unnerving the woman. She was the one that finally filled the wordless void after a minute and a half.
"I suppose you're wondering what the World Duel Carnival has to do with you," she assumed. "Well, we've been receiving anonymous information saying that you've been engaging in reckless duels and endangering the safety of the other participants lately. Would you care to comment on that?"
Shark remained quiet, although his hands started to ball up. Thoughts of IV clouded his mind and began to block off whatever it was this woman was saying. He was finally called back to reality moments later when the woman said something unsavory.
"In fact, you're going to be disqualified from participating in the tournament. If you're hurting other duelists then there's a problem."
"You're disqualifying me?" Shark gasped, his eyes widening.
"So you were listening after all," Droite scoffed, flipping her lovely hair a bit. "And besides, you brought this upon yourself."
Shark was now fully conscious and completely aware of the woman's words.
If I get kicked out of the tournament, I'll never get what I desire…I've got to think of something.
Shark's eyes were drawn to something hanging from Droite's stylish black belt. And suddenly he had an idea that seemed all too plausible.
"That's a D-Pad, isn't it?" he asked, pointing to the device.
Droite stood still, debating whether or not to answer the question. However after a couple seconds she confirmed what Shark had said to be true.
"Then how about it?" he questioned, looking at her. "What do you say you give me a sporting chance to stay in this tournament?"
Droite frowned, but realized that she was bound by her word to uphold tournament fairness. And after all, what was fairer than giving each person a reasonable enough chance to win?
And what if…Droite thought, scrutinizing Shark to see if something was off, what if he has a Number? I have to duel for Mr. Heartland in order to…
"I accept your wager," Droite said, reaching down and grabbing the item from her waistline before equipping it onto her arm dramatically. The device elevated slightly and widened on both sides, showcasing the appearance of a butterfly wing.
Shark looked over at his motorbike that sat behind Droite, noticing one major problem instantly. Inside the deck box attached to the side of the vehicle was one special card.
Number 96: Black Mist sat in the holder motionless.
I can't go back behind her and get it…Shark thought forlornly with a heavy sigh. And what if she's really a Numbers Hunter in disguise? I guess I'm going to have to try and win this duel without Black Mist.
"Good to see you're on board," Shark said with less emotion than intended. He reached down and attached his own D-Pad onto his arm before placing his D-Gazer over his eye.
"D-Pad, set! D-Gazer, lock on!"
Instead of grabbing a D-Gazer (she didn't even have one to begin with), Droite tapped the space under her left eye and a sky blue tattoo formed around the body part. This transformation also changed her eye color from a tawny hue to a jade green.
Both players drew their opening hands before looking at each other.
"Duel!" they shouted.
Shark – 8000 LP
Droite – 8000 LP
"I'm taking the first move," Droite said, already picking up the sixth card from her deck and adding it to her opening collection. Shark made no attempt to refute her command.
Excellent, thought the violet-haired dame as she eyed a couple specific cards and calculating her plan of action.
"I set one card facedown, and then I summon Moonlit Papillon!" she shouted, lifting two cards from her hand and placing one after the other.
Instantly a facedown card formed on Droite's side of the field right before a monster floated out of a blue ripple in the sky. Shark assumed it was a butterfly due to its multiple, shimmering blue forewings and hindwings. The creature had no discernible antennae or proboscis; however it did have an eye. Oddly enough though, it was in the middle of the creature's thorax, pink and ominous. (1200 ATK)
"That's the end of my turn."
Shark looked at the five cards in his hand then stared at the top card of his deck for a moment, calculating a strategy of his own.
"It's my turn," he said flatly, gripping the top card of his deck with his index finger, middle finger, and thumb. "Draw!"
I don't know what kind of strategy she's using, but if she's going to play a weak monster to start with like that, I might as well do her the honor of destroying it!
After his right arm snatched the rectangular cardboard from his deck, he immediately looked at it for no more than a second before playing it.
"I summon Sharktopus in Attack Position!"
Augmented tidal waves splashed onto the field, bringing with them the duelist's half-shark, half-octopus hybrid. Black ink stained the animal's suction cups as it raised its elongated horn of a nose to the sky. (1600 ATK)
That's it...thought Droite. Fall into my lure.
Shark looked at Droite's facedown card then at her Moonlit Papillon before glancing back at one card in particular in his hand.
Maybe I should save this for later, he thought while staring at Mystical Space Typhoon. After all, if she's aiming to increase her monster's ATK score, she'll have to deal with Sharktopus's effect.
"Alright then," Shark smirked, pointing to Moonlit Papillon and then bringing his extended finger in to create a fist with the rest of his digits. "I'm going to send my Sharktopus to attack your Moonlit Papillion! Tsunami Strike Barrage!"
Sharktopus shrieked loudly before jumping into the air and angling itself at a forty-five degree turn to where its suction cups were facing Moonlit Papillon. With some tight clenching, Sharktopus released its ebony ooze at the bright butterfly. Droite however didn't show any emotion as the gunk moved closer and closer to her monster. She only touched a trigger on her D-Pad which flipped over her facedown card.
"I activate my Quick-Play Spell, Berserk Scales!"
Moonlit Papillon's blue coating turned into a ruby red color as though its skin was boiling from heat. A flaming aura soon shrouded the insect and evaporated Sharktopus's feeble attempt at an attack. (1200 – 2200 ATK)
"Due to Berserk Scales, my Moonlit Papillion gains 1000 ATK for the remainder of the turn. Of course, it can't attack you directly during the turn that I activated this effect, but I don't that will be a problem, now will it?"
Shark watched as Moonlit Papillion's pink eye morphed into the same crimson color as the rest of its body. Then the iris around the pupil started to modify its color, shifting from red to purple to gold and finally to a sort of rainbow hue. After the cornea reached that final color alteration, it shot a large multicolored spectrum of light, quickly frying Sharktopus and turning it into nothing more than shark fin soup mixed with calamari.
Shark covered himself from the impact, only feeling a gust of wind as it hit his hair and knocked his tentacle-like curls to and fro.
"It looks like I'm getting the last laugh because you completely disregarded my Sharktopus's special ability," he chuckled, reaching into his Graveyard and pulling out the monster. "When Sharktopus is destroyed while in battle with one of your monsters, it can latch onto your monster and drop its ATK score all the way to 0!"
The denizen of the deep crossbreed squirmed over to Moonlit Papillon, constricting it with its reddish-orange manacles and turning the creature back to its original blue shade (although mainly due to the lack of oxygen flowing through the butterfly's body). (2200 – 0 ATK)
Droite's stone cold expression was unwavering as she spoke.
"It doesn't matter to me any. After all, due to Berserk Scales, my Moonlit Papillon would have lost 2000 ATK during the End Phase anyway. As far as I'm concerned, I've still got the advantage."
"We'll see about that," grinned Shark, "because I still haven't told you about the additional effect of Sharktopus, the one in which your Moonlit Papillon isn't allowed to switch its Battle Position. That means that you're stuck with that monster with no ATK!"
"You'd like to believe that, wouldn't you?" Droite asked rhetorically, picking up a card from her deck. "But remember that it's my turn!"
Shark – 7400 LP
Droite – 8000 LP
Droite added the card she'd most recently picked up to her hand and then grabbed another card on the opposite side of her five card compilation.
"I summon Rose Papillon."
Her voice carried on as one hundred rose petals showered her, falling in her hair and littering her apparel. Following the shower rain of roses descended another little butterfly. This one's wings, both hind and fore, were made up of the same petals that were covering Droite. Its antennae wiggled around rapidly, dragging along the ground lazily. It lifted its dandelion-shaped head momently to examine Shark. (1400 ATK)
She's only got Rose Papillon for attacking, Shark nodded, trying to piece together Droite's approach to dealing with Sharktopus. And on top of that, Moonlit Papillon and Rose Papillon are both different Levels, so she can't perform an Xyz Summon with either of them without the use of a Spell from her hand.
Droite looked back and forth, from her Moonlit Papillon to her Rose Papillon.
"I don't require either of these monsters anymore, especially since you've weakened by Moonlit Papillon. Therefore, I am going to tribute both of my monsters to Special Summon Princess of Butterflies from my hand!"
Both butterflies elevated themselves high up into the sky, albeit Moonlit Papillon moved at a noticeably slower rate due to the mutant octopus tentacles that were binding it. When Shark raised his head and covered his eyes with one hand, he still couldn't view either Papillon. However, that didn't matter because he did see something else. A new monster.
From the amorphous white clouds descended a beautiful woman that greatly resembled a butterfly. Glittery wings shimmered in the sunlight, emitting sparkly piles of stardust as she floated downward. Her long, golden bangs, which functioned for the most part as antennae, moved in the hot breeze, hitting her face lightly. The loose, elegant cherry blossoms that were attached to her rosy garb fell off as she touched the ground softly. She bent down to pick up one of the flowers as well as adjust her striped stockings. (2900 ATK)
"But that's impossible," Shark shouted, his lips quivering in both shock and fear. "How did you get her out? You just Normal Summoned!"
"A Papillon monster," Droite added calmly. "And that's just what I required because Princess of Roses can be Special Summoned from my hand in exchange for offering two Papillon monsters!"
Shark instinctively took a step back, watching as Princess of Butterflies' feelers moved around the field, sensing and tracking his movements and the vibrations that they created. Without words, the monster instantly lifted its head, glaring at Shark and preparing itself physically.
"It looks like she's all ready," Droite noticed, pointing to Shark quickly. "Let's not keep her waiting! Princess of Butterflies, attack him directly with Butterfly Bombardment!"
Before Droite's statement had even finished, the insect flew up into the sky and spun around, enveloping herself in a shield of stardust. The brilliant coating glistened brightly, causing Shark's retinas to momentarily fail. At that same moment when Shark's vision was a thing of the past, Princess of Butterflies soared down as swiftly as a torpedo, tackling Shark and sending him to the ground with a minor scream of pain.
Droite watched the interaction continue for a couple more seconds before calling her monster back to her and lifting a card in her hand.
"If you still wish to continue, it's your turn after I set this facedown."
Just like the woman had said, a concealed card appeared immediately behind Princess of Butterflies.
Shark – 4500 LP
Droite – 8000 LP
She's strong the boy thought, picking himself up and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. But I'm not going to fall for anymore of her tricks. It's time for retaliation and I know just how to do it!
"It's my turn!" Shark yelled. "Draw!"
As he made his draw, the aquatic duelist was already preparing a plan of attack. He looked at the card that he'd just added to his hand and grinned with delight.
"It's time to take down that Princess of Butterflies," he declared confidently. "And I'm starting by taking down the rear!"
He placed a card into his D-Pad and a vicious cyclone began to swirl around his face, drawing Droite's attention.
"Due to my Mystical Space Typhoon," Shark announced, "I can get rid of that facedown card you're hiding behind your Princess!"
The cyclone raged ahead of Shark, who watched his plan unfold before his eyes. The tornado spun around and around, yanking Droite's facedown into its gravitational pull and lifting it up in the air. Suddenly the twister disappeared, leaving Droite's card to fall to the hard, cold earth below where it shattered the moment that it came back down into Earth's orbit.
However, to Shark's surprise and chagrin, Droite was anything but upset. In fact, she now wore the tiniest of smiles on her face with an eerie sense of pride and confidence.
"That typhoon must've been pretty loud because it sounds like I missed the joke," sneered Shark. "What's so funny?"
"The fact that this duel is going exactly as I calculated it," Droite replied. "You see, the facedown card that you just forcibly destroyed is known as Spell Calling and once that card is destroyed by a card effect that you control, it allows me to take any Quick-Play Spell that I want and set it on the field."
One card popped out of the deck in Droite's D-Pad and she freed it from her large array of cards.
"I'm obligated to show you what it is beforehand however, and I can't activate it this turn," she concluded, flipping around the card for Shark to see that it was a second copy of Berserk Scales.
She set the Spell facedown behind his Princess of Butterflies before concluding her thought.
"However, now that you know what it is, you also know that you only have one turn to dispose of it before it disposes of you."
Shark shuddered as chills shot up and down his spine. He looked at his remaining cards, trying to maintain his composure and equanimity.
"I have a better idea," Shark smiled deviously. "I'll take out that Butterfly of yours instead!"
"And just how do you expect to do that?" Droite frowned, dubious of Shark's skill.
"With this!" he shouted, throwing a card in the Monster Zone of his D-Pad. "I summon Hammer Shark!"
The navy blue shark with the head made of metal swam over to Shark's aid, roaring and showing its incisive teeth to Princess of Butterflies. The orange eyes on both sides of its winged shapes connecting to the hammer blinked curiously. (1700 ATK)
"And furthermore, by activating the effect of my Hammer Shark, I can reduce its Level by 1 to Special Summon another low-Level WATER monster from my hand! Appear, Blue Ray Lancer!"
A swirling whirlpool of sea foam green water twisted around in the nearest available space on Hammer Shark's left side as a new monster glided it of it with its triangular shaped pectoral fins extended. It bore a tad bit of semblance to Black Ray Lancer with its lengthy wings, although it had no weapon or muscles. In fact, it looked exactly like a mundane manta ray, although true to its name, it was completely azure. Its gilled underbelly lifted up and down slightly as it slowly suffocated on the earthly oxygen. (1400 ATK)
There are two Level 3 monsters on his field, Droite assessed. That means that he's probably planning to Xyz Summon a monster. However, I don't know of any Rank 3 monsters with over 2900 ATK on their own. Princess of Butterflies has nothing to be afraid of. Unless he's going to show me his Number…
"Get ready," shouted the boy, raising his fist to the sky, "because I'm overlaying both my Hammer Shark and my Blue Ray Lancer! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Black Ray Lancer!"
Both monsters swirled together in a red portal that broke the ground open. Then a spiral of purple energy shot from the busted soil to the tips of the sky, blocking Shark from Droite's gaze. However when the purple light show faded away, Black Ray Lancer stood with its spear in both hands, watching Princess of Butterflies motionlessly. The red lines on its skin appeared to be a deeper scarlet color than usual. (2100 ATK)
"Black Ray Lancer," Droite said slowly, trying to remember where she had encountered this monster before. It seemed vaguely familiar to her.
"Don't blink or you'll miss the best part," Shark laughed emotionlessly. "Once per turn, by offering one of my overlay units, Black Ray Lancer can negate the effect of one monster on the field until the End Phase. And I bet you can guess which one I'm choosing!"
Shark removed one of the two cards underneath Black Ray Lancer and the winged creature spun its spear around twice. It threw the javelin-esque item at Princess of Butterflies, but instead of impaling the insect-woman, it landed in front of her. Before she could even react, the spear morphed into a circular ring and a slightly visible force-field rose from it, effectively sealing Princess of Butterflies off from the rest of society like a butterfly net.
"How ignorant," Droite taunted, scowling at Black Ray Lancer. "The only effect that Princess of Butterflies possesses is the one that allows her to be Special Summoned."
"You misunderstand," chuckled Shark, reaching into his Graveyard and pulling out Blue Ray Lancer. "You see, while Black Ray Lancer has a good effect on his own, that wasn't my main focus. Blue Ray Lancer was!"
"What are you…" began Droite.
"It's simple," Shark preempted. "I had Blue Ray Lancer attached to my Black Ray Lancer. By detaching that Blue Ray from my Black Ray, I activated its effect. That of course allows me to reduce the ATK of target of Black Ray Lancer's effect by 2100!"
"You mean that Blue Ray Lancer's effect would have only activated if it was attached to Black Ray Lancer? That's why you went out of your way to summon a monster that was weaker than my Princess?"
Shark nodded, content with his work and progress.
Princess of Butterflies, on the other hand, shrieked as the force-field around her began to drain some of her powers. The glistening sheen on her wings started to dim and the blossoms that were hooked onto her gown commenced wilting. (2900 – 800 ATK)
"And of course, I haven't reached the attack yet!" Shark said vociferously. "Black Ray Lancer, attack Princess of Butterflies now! Black Spear!"
Black Ray Lancer lifted its hand and the force-field surrounding Princess of Butterflies disappeared just as quickly as it had come. Then the magenta spear retracted, reverting back to its original lance-like shape. As though by magic, the spear then elevated into the air and came back into Black Ray Lancer's mighty grasp. With one last swing of the weapon and a quick, 360 degree spin, Black Ray Lancer shot the lance at Princess of Butterflies, driving it through her heart and out of her back. The agonized insect exploded only seconds later.
Droite grunted softly, covering her face with most of her arm. Luckily she had braced for impact before Black Ray Lancer's assault had began, but it didn't feel any better knowing that one of her favorite monsters was that easily eviscerated.
"I'll end my turn with a facedown card," Shark concluded, setting a card behind his Black Ray Lancer and waiting as it materialized.
Shark – 4500 LP
Droite – 6700 LP
"Get ready to pay for that kid," frowned Droite as she drew her card. "It's my move!"
As she added a third card to her hand, she reduced the amount back down to two by playing a new monster on her disk.
"I summon Phantom Butterfly Assassin Swallowtail!"
The ground in front of Droite began to bear icicles and frost as drops of stardust fell onto the frozen tundra. Above the wintery wonderland flew a rather large butterfly with tangerine wings and a violet, beelike stinger. Although completely bald with ominous red eyes, Shark could tell that the creature was actually female. She gripped two lances, not unlike the one that Black Ray Lancer wielded, in both of her hands. (1800 ATK)
"And you know what happens now!" she shouted. "I attack Black Ray Lancer with my Butterfly Assassin and then I activate Berserk Scales to power my monster up by 1000 more ATK! Limit Scale Stream!"
Phantom Butterfly Assassin Swallowtail's tawny wings expanded as they were set ablaze the same way that Moonlit Papillon's were. The lances in the insect's hand enlarged as well, becoming a bit more lustrous as they did. (1800 – 2800 ATK)
Black Ray Lancer lifted its spear above its head to protect it from the aerial assault above. Swallowtail, who had ascended directly above Black Ray Lancer, descended down, attempting to cut the monster in twain with one foul swoop of its first lance. However Black Ray Lancer blocked itself from harm's way. Unfortunately it didn't calculate a second attack and Swallowtail's other javelin was thrust into Black Ray Lancer's chest, ending its life as it hit the earth below with a "thud".
"Ahh!" Shark shouted as he toppled backwards onto the ground. His face hit the earth with an unloving blow and the rest of his body followed suit.
Droite was unwilling to wait. After all, she was one of the only committee maintenance members for the tournament and she didn't have time to waste dealing with one troublemaker.
"I set one facedown card and end my turn. And by doing so my Berserk Scales drains my Phantom Butterfly Assassin's strength by 2000 points."
One reversed card formed behind Droite's monster whose wings now reverted back to their usual ocher hue, albeit smaller than they were before. (2800 – 800 ATK)
Shark – 3800 LP
Droite – 6700 LP
Shark struggled to pick himself back up as he lifted his head to see Droite's cold expression, her uncaring eyes watching him like he was an animal in the zoo.
I can't let her win, Shark managed to think through all the pain. I can't give her the satisfaction of seeing me squirm anymore.
"I recommend getting out of the driver's seat soon," Shark smirked, picking his body up off the ground, "because I'm the one who's about to be in control of this duel! My turn! Draw!"
Shark added another card to his hand and then looked over the three cards in his hand. Then he tapped the screen of his D-Pad to remind him of his facedown card.
That's right! he thought with a gasp of realization. I still have that facedown and I can use it this turn!
"It's feeding time! I summon Big Jaws in Attack Position!"
From a liquid gateway to another world came Shark's favorite finned friend, snarling at Droite's butterfly. Saliva rolled down the shark's cheek slowly as a rumbling noise became more and more audible near the stomach area of the fish. (1800 ATK)
Droite watched silently, taking quick glances to her facedown card at sporadic intervals.
"Go Big Jaws! Attack Butterfly Assassin Swallowtail now! Big Mouth!"
The famished fish roared once more before burrowing underground to hone in on its prey. The only visible part of the animal was its large dorsal fin which was a dead giveaway as to where the creature was at any given moment. Second later, when the fin was five feet away from the butterfly, Big Jaws came out of the ground and jumped at the insect.
"I guess you haven't realized it yet," Droite smiled slightly, clicking a switch on her D-Pad. "I'm in control of this duel! Trap Card activate! Scales of Subordination!"
A wall of the same stardust covered scales that most of Droite's monsters had now separated Big Jaws from Swallowtail. The shark roared defiantly, trying desperately to reach its afternoon lunch, but to no avail. Eventually the fish wore itself out and, exhausted from its moving, switched into a more defensive position. (300 DEF)
"What's going on?" shouted Shark, visibly and emotionally enraged.
"I told you already, I'm in control. And due to Scales of Subordination, since your Big Jaws attacked, I can switch it to Defense Position and equip this Trap to him."
She pointed to Big Jaws to drive home the point before adding a bit more information.
"And in addition to that, each turn I can change Big Jaws' battle position. In short, he can't make a move without me doing it for him."
"Heh," laughed Shark before turning somber once more. "Nice try lady, but my monsters aren't play toys that you can control."
"What are you talking about?" asked Droite.
"Well you see Big Jaws is now banished since it did just attack! Therefore, your Scales of Subordination Trap is just as nonexistent now!"
Droite gasped quietly as Big Jaws vanished into watery granules before her very eyes. The same thing occurred to her Trap card as well.
"But don't worry," Shark smirked, "because I've got another friend for you! I activate my Trap Card, Fish Rain!"
An interdimensional portal formed above Shark's head as he explained.
"Due to this Trap, since Big Jaws was just banished from the field, I'm able to replace him with another Fish-Type monster from my hand, like my Killer Frilled Shark!"
Another augmented wave of water crashed down onto the ground, bringing with it Killer Frilled Shark. The ornery frilled shark changed from beige to a blue color as it curled up into a defensive pose. (1500 DEF)
Then he picked up the last card in his hand and set it in his Spell/Trap zone underneath his new shark.
"I end my turn with that," concluded the dark-haired teenager.
I better think of something fast, Shark thought to himself, otherwise…
"It's my turn!" Droite declared. "Draw!"
She made her draw and picked one of the two cards in her hand to play. She lifted it up and placed it in the empty zone next to Butterfly Assassin Swallowtail.
"I summon Phantom Butterfly Assassin Morpho!"
More shards of ice began to grow on the ground below Droite's monster as a second Butterfly Assassin flew out of a dark portal. Lovely lavender wings outstretched from a jade green body as the new butterfly took shape. Dark feelers bounced up and down on the bug-woman's head as her hands reached up to stabilize them. (1200 ATK)
Both of those Level 4 monsters don't have enough strength to take down my monster Shark noticed. But then why would she…wait a minute…both of those monsters are Level 4!
"That's correct," Droite said, reading Shark's facial expressions accurately. "Therefore I'm going to overlay both my Butterfly Assassin Morpho and Swallowtail to build the overlay network! Xyz Summon!"
Both winged creatures fluttered through the sky, flapping their wings together as fast as they possibly could and showering the field with a great deal of sparkles. Their twinkles of light intertwined with the churning ruby portal that emerged on the ground as they were sucked into the vortex compulsorily. Shark blinked twice to make sure that he was seeing the new monster that appeared correctly. Unfortunately for him, he was.
Two golden overlay units moved around a black object that resembled a thin shark tooth before the object expanded. Wings developed on either side of the object, which Shark indentified as a body veiled in black. The discals and postdiscals of the wings exuded a majestic magenta light as the body attached to them swirled around once. Then next visible parts of the body were the black arms and legs which were near a foot and a half in length each. However, none of that drew Shark's attention. What really captivated the boy were the bright blue particles of light that illuminated its upper arms and neck. The female creature gave a small battle cry before turning her red eyes to Shark. (2100 ATK)
"Appear now, Photon Butterfly Assassin!"
"Photon Butterfly Assassin," parroted Shark uneasily. He tried to rack his brain to remember where he had heard of such monsters. "Where have I heard that before?"
"You haven't," Droite replied coldly. "There a special breed of monsters which are exclusive to certain people."
"That's a lie," Shark responded just as cold. "There was some kid using those just the other day."
After a couple more seconds of brain racking, he snapped his fingers as an invisible light bulb popped up above his head.
"He called himself Kaito."
"K-Kaito!" Droite gasped. "Kaito Tenjo?"
"What does it matter?" asked Shark curiously. "Do you know him?"
However, Droite didn't hear a word of what Shark was saying. She was too preoccupied with her own shocked thoughts to let his words inside.
How does this kid know Kaito? It would be impossible for him to have beaten Kaito, let alone stood his ground against him? There's no way that he could be telling the truth…but if he's not, how does he know about Kaito? Could this boy be one of the ones…? No he can't be…can he?
"At this time I activate Photon Butterfly Assassin's effect," Droite shouted in an attempt to change the subject and remove all of her questions from her head. After all, distractions like those wouldn't help her win the duel.
One of the overlay units floating around Photon Butterfly Assassin flew into a crystal set in the middle of her head as a heavenly light coated her body.
"By detaching one overlay unit from this monster, I can target one Defense Position monster you control and switch it into Attack Position!"
A downpour of stardust rained down from Photon Butterfly Assassin's hindwings and forewings and the scales attached themselves to Killer Frilled Shark. The sea creature hissed and wriggled before its eyes glowed bright red and it moved into an offensive state.
"And furthermore, the monster affected by this effect loses 600 ATK!" finished Droite.
Killer Frilled Shark kept roaring, although it became quieter and quieter as its strength evaporated. (700 – 100 ATK)
"Killer Frilled Shark!" its owner shouted, moving his hand over to his monster in a feeble attempt to help the fish.
"That won't work," Droite scoffed. "Photon Butterfly Assassin attack Killer Frilled Shark now! Butterfly Distortion!"
Photon Butterfly Assassin closed her eyes and a rainbow aura blanketed her skin, building up a powerful energy. When the woman finally opened her eyes, they weren't red anymore but the same rainbow color as her aura. Then she stretched out her arms and seven other mirages of Photon Butterfly Assassin materialized, one for each color in the rainbow. As she pointed to Killer Frilled Shark, all seven copies dive-bombed at the vulnerable, exothermic creature.
Shark winced in pain as he received the shock from the assault as well too. After the clones had ceased their rampant destruction of his monster the real Photon Butterfly Assassin swooped down from her vantage point and twirled around, smacking Shark roughly with her fuchsia wings. The boy fell backwards onto the ground, picking up a few bruises and scratches along the way.
"I end my turn like this," she said dispassionately.
Shark – 1800 LP
Droite – 6700 LP
Shark's empty hands shook violently as he tried to raise himself off the ground. His legs were trembling as well and his heart was racing. He was breathing out of his mouth as though his nostrils didn't work.
"Damnit," cursed Shark, pounding the ground with his knuckles. "Why can't I win?"
He looked to his bike at the deck cartridge hanging from the side to see the sole card lying inside of it.
Number 96: Black Mist.
Do I really need that card to win? Is this all I can do on my own?
He sighed, thinking discouraging thoughts to himself as Droite watched angrily.
"I don't have all day to duel with rule breakers like you," she reminded him. "I advise that you surrender now so we can both get back to our daily lives."
Then something happened that Droite wasn't at all expecting. In fact, Shark didn't expect it either when he started to laugh. Quietly at first, but then the noise began to escalate louder and louder.
"What's so funny?" Droite said, now producing a small smile of her own. "Have you finally accepted the outcome of this duel?"
"Just the opposite," laughed Shark. "Do you really think that I'm going to give up here and now? That I'm going to relinquish what may be my one and only chance at getting revenge on…him? That I'd just throw it all away before I even know what my next card is?"
Droite opened her mouth to answer but then closed it. She truly didn't have a direct response to Shark's question so the boy continued.
"That's what's so funny. The fact that you think I'm going to give up here!"
He had now picked himself up enough to where he was on his knees.
"Well that's where you're wrong! If you think that I'm going to give up because things aren't going my way, then you're wrong! I'm not a coward anymore and I'm not the same type of person I was!
"If I'm down, I'm not going to allow myself to stay down for long! I'm going to pick myself back up and face my problems head on, win or lose!"
"While that's noble," Droite smirked, not out of anger or spite but out of respect, "I feel the need to remind you that you only have one card facedown on your field. And not only that, but you have no cards in your hand."
"I only need one," Shark responded as he placed his fingers on the top card of his deck. "It's my turn! Draw!"
Shark closed his eyes and let his fingers do the work by picking up his top card.
He gasped when he saw what the card was.
I haven't used this since my duel with Azazel he thought. I just hope it gives me the same amount of luck that it did during that duel.
"Time to take down that Photon!" shouted Shark. "I activate my Xyz Return Spell!"
A rotating red vortex, like the ones that were created when a duelist performed a non-Number Xyz Summon, swirled around Shark's field. The Graveyard slot of Shark's D-Pad turned a light cyan color as two rays of light shot from it into the vortex below.
"What's going on?" Droite shouted confusedly.
"Xyz Return allows me to Xyz Summon using monsters from the Graveyard!" Shark shouted back, now smiling. "Therefore I'm now allowed to use Killer Frilled Shark and Blue Ray Lancer to Xyz Summon my Great White Titan – Jaws!"
The metallic-animalistic hybrid of a monster appeared with its teeth bared. Photon Butterfly Assassin's eyes widened as she saw all 3000 of the creature's teeth. (2300 ATK)
"The monster summoned Xyz Return is banished during my End Phase however," Shark confessed, "and I'll take damage equal to its ATK."
"So you're planning to end it all during this turn?" scoffed Droite condescendingly. "With one monster and a facedown?"
Shark shrugged and pointed to Photon Butterfly Assassin. Great White Titan – Jaws threw up its head before retching up a tsunami of water from its mouth which it used to swim over to the Photon monster. When it was close enough, Shark's denizen of the deep ate Droite's ace monster in one bite, only bothering to chew for a few nanoseconds before swallowing it.
"Only 200 points of damage," Droite said after all was said and done. "That's not nearly enough to destroy me."
"You're right," Shark smiled. "I end my turn."
"Good to see that you've finally come to grips with your fate," Droite said, beginning to deactivate her D-Pad when she saw Great White Titan – Jaws explode into tiny droplets of water. However, something stopped her from doing so.
Shark – 4100 LP
Droite – 6500 LP
"I-Impossible!" yelled Droite at Shark. "First you've engaged in reckless dueling and now you're defying the rules?"
"My Kick Back Life Trap would disagree with you," grinned Shark as he pointed to his now face-up Trap card. "I was able to use it when I was about to take effect damage, which I would have due to my own Xyz Return. By doing so, I gained the 2300 instead of losing it!"
"You're not to be underestimated," Droite frowned. "I know that now. But I don't think that will matter once I eliminate you with this!"
Droite made a draw and looked at the two cards in her hand for a while before finally playing both.
"I set one card facedown and then I'll activate Monster Reborn!"
A facedown card appeared directly in front of Droite followed by the familiar sky blue ankh. When the relic covered Droite's field with a halo of light, it vanished. In its place was Princess of Butterflies, who hovered slightly above ground level. (2900 ATK)
Shark scowled and braced himself for the attack. Thankfully he had done so with time to spare because when Princess of Butterflies flew over and kicked him straight in the face, he only fell to one knee.
"You're very persistent," Droite acknowledged, neither happily nor angrily. "It's almost a shame that I can't allow you to win this duel."
Shark – 1200 LP
Droite – 6500 LP
Shark, now holding his cheek, tried to take through the swollen body part. It worked, although his words became a mumbled slur.
"Allow me?" he asked. "I don't think you have a choice in the matter. I'm winning this duel no matter what! I need to get my revenge!"
Revenge Droite repeated in her head. If he really does have a Number, could that be what's amplifying its power?
"My turn! Draw!"
Shark rebounded to his feet in pain, but managed to not only do so, but draw his card as well.
"Let's see where this goes," he wondered, placing his final card in his D-Pad. "I activate Shark Surprise!"
He reached into his Graveyard and pulled out Sharktopus, Hammer Shark, and Blue Ray Lancer.
"Now by removing all three of these monsters from play, I can draw two extra cards from my deck!"
He placed the three cards he was holding into his pocket before gripping the top two cards of his deck and gulping. Moments later his fears dispelled as he picked both of the cards up.
I…I can't win with these he gasped, his eyes getting red from tears building up.
"Hmph," Droite muttered. "I guess you weren't really a threat after all. However, I still have to complete my mission, so get up and fight."
"I…" Shark said, looking at his deck. His hand was hovering dangerously close above the cards, a sign which every duelist knew meant that they were going to surrender. "I…"
A memory flashed through Shark's mind as his hand inched closer and closer to his deck of cards.
"We can still win it, Shark…" Yuma spoke slowly. He clutched his stomach to mitigate the pain.
Shark held his head in his hand and rubbed his hair, checking for any bruises. "How can you be so sure? How are you still so faithful?"
Yuma wobbled and shook to his knees in due time and stared Shark straight in the eyes. "I can think that because we're friends, and as such I'm not going to give up our fight! I believe that we can win this duel if we just work together!"
Then another memory came back to him. It was a memory that he always found himself thinking about at the weirdest times. He remembered the first day that he'd met Yuma and their first duel.
"Shark!" Yuma had said with a smile on his face and his fist rose up.
The boy with the tentacle-shaped hair and the purple vest stopped walking long enough to turn and look back at Yuma.
"Next time…let's bring it to 'em together!" Yuma shouted, his face now morphing into a wide grin.
One more remembrance hit Shark's mind as his hand now stopped, only centimeters above his cards. He recalled being in that emergency room in the hospital with his sister. He remembered his vow to her that day of how he would help her at all costs.
I can't quit now, he thought. Too many people are depending on me and I've come too far to just let them down. I have to keep going!
"I…" Shark said, coming back to reality and remembering where he was. He looked back down at his two cards and sighed. "I set a monster followed by a facedown card and end my turn."
Just as the boy had said, his monster and facedown card materialized in front of him at that moment.
"Let's end this," Droite said calmly, picking up another card.
Then she hit a button on her D-Pad and her facedown card lifted for Shark to see.
"I activate the Xyz Reborn Trap which allows me to revive Photon Butterfly Assassin and attach this card to her!"
With one pink overlay unit circling around her, Photon Butterfly Assassin rematerialized on the field, shimmering and dancing gaily like a pixie. (2100 ATK)
"But it won't be there for long because I'm going to detach it to switch your monster into Attack Position and reduce its power by 600!"
Shark scowled as his facedown monster lifted, revealing a sea creature covered from head to toe in empty bronze oyster shells. Its lobster-like claws clutched two oysters, on in each hand that it threw around like they were Frisbees or discuses. Energetic seaweed tentacles squirmed on the creature's back. (1600 – 1000 ATK)
"Oyster Meister, huh?" Droite asked without so much as a second thought. "Regardless, you've lost this duel. I send my Princess of Butterflies to attack it and win me this duel! Butterfly Bombardment!"
Princess of Butterflies extended her wings and her shiny scales turned a furious red. She released the poisonous crystals above Oyster Meister and prepared to explode them the moment they touched Oyster Meister.
"Not so fast!" Shark shouted, reaching into his Graveyard. "I activate the effect of my Killer Frilled Shark now, which allows me to negate your attack and reduce your Princess of Butterflies' strength by 500 points!"
An illusory image of Killer Frilled Shark hovered above Oyster Meister. It received each and every one of Princess of Butterflies' sparkly scales and screeched as it exploded into augmented guts. Then Princess of Butterflies screamed in pain as a few of the organs splattered on her outfit. (2900 – 2400 ATK)
"You've saved yourself one turn," grimaced Droite pointing to Oyster Meister, "but your monster won't be spared so mercilessly. I send my Photon Butterfly Assassin to attack Oyster Meister now with Butterfly Distortion!"
Photon Butterfly Assassin created her seven alternate images and they all surrounded Oyster Meister, asphyxiating it. However, Shark had other plans in mind.
"I activate my Trap, Poseidon Wave!"
A giant statue of Poseidon himself arose from Shark's Trap. The God of the sea raised his trident and motioned to Photon Butterfly Assassin, sending a wave of water crashing down on the insect and nearly drowning it.
"Not only does it halt your assault, but you take an additional 800 points of damage!" explained Shark with a grin.
Droite gasped as the same wave of water moved over to her feet, building higher and higher until it reached her mouth and she found herself momentarily unable to breathe.
Shark began to laugh while watching Droite's struggle. Somehow he found the prospect of her drowning and demise oddly comical. He clutched his heart for a moment because something didn't feel right inside it, but he kept laughing despite the weird sensation.
The water began to evaporate slowly, giving Droite the ability to once again converse.
"If you thought that was funny, then I've got something really comical," she said, still scowling.
She lifted the only card in her hand as high as she could in the air before turning it around for Shark to see.
"I activate my Quick-Play Spell, Assassin's Revenge, which allows me to re-attack you with a Butterfly Assassin monster this turn if that monster's attack was previously negated! I guess Photon Butterfly Assassin is going to destroy Oyster Meister after all!"
Droite's ace monster flew over to Oyster Meister, scowling all the way there. Oyster Meister tried knocking the woman down from her flight path with his two oyster shells. Unfortunately the woman avoided both confrontations slickly and ended up behind Oyster Meister. Before Shark's mollusk could figure out what was occurring, it was stabbed in the back twice, brutally and fatally ending its life.
"Ahh!" screamed the child as he was knocked back onto the ground. His stream of consciousness was lessening more and more with each passing second, as was his patience.
"Next turn is your last turn," Droite announced, already scheming of how she would end the duel.
Shark – 100 LP
Droite – 5700 LP
Shark lifted his head in searing pain as he tried to fight back with a snarky comment. However he didn't energy possess the energy for that. Instead he lay on the ground, twitching and hurt.
It's bad enough that I don't have any cards in my hand Shark scowled, thinking about his situation. I also don't have a strategy either. She's in complete control of this duel and I can't do anything about it.
"Why don't you muddle through your pain so I can maintain my schedule?" asked Droite. "I have other things to do other than watch your pain and agony. Although I don't mind doing that either."
Shark mumbled something, but his words melded with the ground. His voice was drowned out by the soil prompting Droite to raise an eyebrow.
"What was that?"
"I said stop talking!" shouted Shark hoarsely, picking himself up off the ground momentarily. "I don't care if I win or lose this duel! I desire my revenge…"
Flashes of his IV popped in his mind as he began to speak louder, his right hand balled into a fist.
"And if you think for a second that I'm going to abandon my goal just because there's a chance of me being defeated, then dream on! I'm not going to give up if I've still got a chance to clobber you!"
"While that's touching, that doesn't make the fact that you have 100 life points and no cards left any less real," Droite jeered.
Shark was now back on his feet, although teetering back and forth. His body threatened to fall with each second, but for now it had somewhat stabilized. A grimace that looked rather permanent complimented Shark's furrowed brows and cold eyes nicely.
"If you insist on pushing me this far…then I suppose it's only fair to give you the full extent of my power!" he shouted, staring down the top card of his deck. "Draw!"
With an aggressively powerful movement of his fingers, Shark practically tore his card up drawing it.
"Just what I needed!" he laughed.
Droite's eyes opened up a bit more as she heard a weird malice growing in Shark's tone. She watched, uneasily, as Shark grabbed his Black Ray Lancer and revealed it to Droite.
"By banishing this monster from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon the monster I just drew! Come out, Green Ray Lancer!"
After placing Black Ray Lancer in the same pocket where he was harboring some of his other cards, Shark placed his new monster on his D-Pad. Unlike most of his other monsters, this one flew down from the sky on a gust of wind. Its triangle-shaped wings, emaciated tail, and outward facial appearance resembled that of a cownose stingray. Feral noises and hissing sounds came from its mouth, although Droite couldn't exactly pinpoint that location. (1400 DEF)
"And because I Special Summoned Green Ray Lancer using this effect, I can now draw one more card!"
He didn't bother to look at his deck before muscle memory kicked in. His hands subconsciously did the work, picking up the top card of his deck for him.
"Well?" Droite asked, after what seemed like moments of Shark looking at his newly drawn card.
"Well it's just like you said," admitted the boy with the shark-tooth necklace. "This is my last turn."
Droite chuckled and flipped a strand of purple hair out of her eye. With one hand on her hip, she lifted the other and sighed.
"For what it's worth, you weren't as bad as I thought. Of course…"
"What are you talking about?" asked Shark. "I said this was my last turn…I didn't say that you won."
"W-what?" gulped Droite, now growing suspicious.
What could he possibly have in his hand that could defeat me? After all, it's only one card.
"It's been nice knowing you!" laughed Shark as his Green Ray Lancer swirled into a breeze of wind before vanishing completely. "I'm getting rid of my monster to Advance Summon Sea Lancer #2!"
A bronze trident fell from the sky only to be caught by a monster that had now taken form on the field. The creature was a color combination of teal and turquoise with diagonal chartreuse lines coating its body. Oversized gills opened up on its neck as it took a deep breath and moved its webbed hands to get a better seize on its weapon. Octopus-like hair, not unlike Shark's, flowed down to the monster's back and instead of feet, a mermaid-like tail fidgeted back and forth. The unforgiving azure eyes attached to the creature's seaweed covered face didn't shift, let alone close for blinks. (2300 ATK)
Shark clenched his fists as his rage built. Then he reached into his pocket and retrieved two of the cards sitting in the receptacle.
"Guess who is back?" he smirked as both Black Ray Lancer and Great White Titan – Jaws reformed on the field, albeit this time behind Sea Lancer #2.
"What's going on here?" Droite wondered, looking at the three monsters that Shark acquired.
"Easily put, when Sea Lancer #2 is summoned to the field, I can equip any and all banished Xyz Monsters onto him! And what's more is that if there's a Black Ray Lancer equipped to him, he gains 2100 more ATK!"
The blue tattoo underneath Droite's left eye flashed before displaying a new reading for Sea Lancer #2's power. (2300 – 4400 ATK)
Be that as it may, it still doesn't have enough strength to permanently wipe me out, Droite reminded herself in an attempt reduce her amount of fear.
"I wouldn't count your blessings," Shark grinned without happiness, looking straight into Droite's eyes. "Watch and see! Sea Lancer #2, attack Princess of Butterflies!"
The bronze trident was released from the merman's grasp and sent flying at the insect woman. She shrieked, trying to avoid the lance by flying higher, however the trick didn't work because the trident followed her no matter where she went. Eventually the butterfly woman became too exhausted to move and thus met her grizzly fate head on.
Shark – 100 LP
Droite – 3700 LP
Droite's feet moved backwards but her position remained. She brought her arm down past her face and stood in place.
I'll admit that I didn't factor that reversal in she thought to herself, but he seems to have overestimated his ability. I still have my best monster not to mention an array of support cards for it that I may draw next turn.
"Do me a favor," Shark said, snapping Droite out of her thoughts, "and don't beg for mercy after this. It's so cliché."
"After…what?" Droite inquired, putting ample amounts of space between each word.
"I activate the effect of my Sea Lancer #2!" shouted Shark as his Great White Titan – Jaws exploded into water droplets that showered Sea Lancer #2 in a consecrated manner. "By destroying one of the cards equipped to it once I take down one of your monsters, I can attack you once more! And let's not forget that since I still have Black Ray Lancer equipped onto my monster, it retains that 2100 ATK!"
"I-impossible!" shouted Droite as she watched the trident mystically return to Sea Lancer's hands. Then she watched as the tailed fish swam over to Photon Butterfly Assassin and sliced it into two equal parts, then four, then eight, and finally sixteen.
"And here comes the sting!" chortled Shark, watching as Droite screamed while the nerves in her body received the shock of woe that Shark was referencing.
Shark – 100 LP
Droite – 1400 LP
"And it doesn't stop there!" he continued. "By destroying my Black Ray Lancer, I can attack you yet again! And even without the increased power bonus, we know how this duel is going to turn out!"
Sea Lancer #2 who had never left Droite's field after destroying Photon Butterfly Assassin gripped its trident steadily and turned to Droite, the latter of which tried to cover her face from any further impact. Unfortunately, Sea Lancer caught wind of this and instead of following through with its usual plan of smacking Droite in her cheeks with his javelin, the sea serpent took the hilt of the item and jabbed it roughly into Droite's stomach, causing her to collapse, nearly unconscious to the world.
Shark – 100 LP
Droite – 0 LP
The buzzer sounded above Shark as a signal that he'd been declared the reversal winner of the duel, however that didn't matter to him. His bloodlust and hatred were growing more and more potent by the second.
"While you're over there, attack her again Sea Lancer!" commanded Shark with evident malevolence in his voice.
The sea creature gave its master an uneasy look but complied. It once again attacked Droite, over and over until Shark had become bored of his foul play minutes later. He removed his D-Gazer from over his eye and deactivated his D-Pad while looking back at his insensible enemy.
"Not worth my time," he muttered, walking over to his bike and getting into the seat. He took a key out of his pocket and jammed it roughly in the ignition switch, missing and scratching the inside of the vehicle twice before finally getting it right. He could barely see straight from the anger, rage, and fatigue that he now experienced.
His right foot hovered over the gas pedal as he slumped back in his seat and turned his head. The silver deck box that was attached to his bike still held his Number card inside it.
Number 96…
He reached back and fished through the box, moving his midsized hands back and forth within the small holder before grabbing the card and looking at it again.
"Number 96," he repeated, this time out loud.
With one more glance at Droite, who was now starting to at least move her body parts, Shark opened the pocket protector that came with his violet vest.
This time, I'll be ready, he thought while placing his Number monster inside the pocket and closing it shut again. This time it'll be different…
His foot dropped down on the gas pedal and exhaust fumes were exuded from the rear of his motorbike. He grabbed his helmet from one of the handles of his bike before securing it on his head and pushing down the visor.
Droite's eyes opened just slightly as they watched the one wheeled motorcycle take off down the street at a speed that was most likely faster than the limit.
The bike turned the corner sharply, but the rider didn't seem to care. He was only thinking of one thing as a purple number "96" appeared on his palm.
"This time…" he muttered as he sped through the city. The wind carried his words through the air as his bike's pace increased. The black fumes emitted from the motor clouded the boy's motorbike as he zoomed past a red traffic light and into the distance.
A figure sat on a makeshift throne in the middle of a darkly lit room with multiple monitors, screens, and displays staring him in the face. He tapped his fingers anxiously on his throne, giggling to himself and watching an image of Shark on seven of his ten screens. For anyone that was counting, the other three screens contained cartoons.
One of the monitors had captured the entire duel between Shark and Droite and the male seated upon the ceremonial chair clapped his hands in delight, motioning for the redheaded child behind him to approach him.
"Is there something that you require, Tron?" asked the young male with the red hair.
The youthful boy sitting on the throne that called Tron turned his head.
"Did you see that, III?" he asked, giddiness unmistakable in his tone of voice. "Ryoga is becoming better and better with each passing day! Soon we'll have him right where we want him!"
"Forgive me for asking, Tron," III spoke quietly, "but is it good that he didn't use his Number? How can the gears of our plan begin shifting if he doesn't allow the darkness inside?"
"Ah, III," smiled Tron through a dark, medieval mask. "Don't you see? He's allowed so much darkness into his heart right now from his hatred of IV that he doesn't require a Number monster anymore to possess him. In fact, I think that he's just about ready for us."
III nodded, although didn't completely follow his brother's logic. Still, he found that it was best for everyone not to question Tron's motives and plans.
"Is there anything that I can do to help, Tron?" inquired III, feeling a little helpless just sitting and waiting.
"Actually," Tron smirked, moving his head so he could see III clearly. The braided, blonde ponytail attached the boy's head bounced up and down as his gaze shifted. "Come to think of it, there is something that you can do for me…"
New/Anime Card Shown In This Chapter –
Photon Butterfly Assassin (Xyz Monster)
Warrior/Xyz/Rank 4/Effect/LIGHT
2100 ATK/1800 DEF
Effect: 2 Level 4 monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; change 1 Defense Position monster your opponent controls into face-up Attack Position, and decrease its ATK by 600.
Berserk Scales (Spell)
Quick-Play Spell
Image: A bright explosion of red butterfly scaled wings surrounding a figure with a blue aura.
Effect: Target 1 face-up monster you control; that target gains 1000 ATK but cannot attack your opponent directly this turn. During the End Phase, that target loses 2000 ATK.
Scales of Subordination (Trap)
Normal Trap
Image: Golden butterflies flying around a gloomy pool of water with a dismembered hand sticking out of it.
Effect: When your opponent declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; change that target to Defense Position, and equip this card to that monster. Once per turn, during your Main Phase or either player's Battle Phase: You can change the equipped monster's battle position.
Note: These there cards can be found in the Galactic Overlord booster pack. It is currently slated for release in Japan in February, 2012.
Rose Papillon (Monster)
Insect/Level 3/Effect/WIND
1400 ATK/800 DEF
Effect: While another Insect-Type monster is face-up on the field, this card can attack your opponent directly.
Princess of Butterflies (Monster)
Insect/Level 8/Effect/WIND
2900 ATK/2000 DEF
Effect: You can Special Summon this card from your hand by Tributing 2 "Papillon" monsters.
Note: These cards were first used by Jesse Anderson/Johan Andersen in Chapter 47 of the "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX" Manga. Creative credit goes to the writers of that chapter.
Kick Back Life (Trap)
Normal Trap
Image: A duelist protected from a meteorite shower by a moon-shaped barrier.
Effect: When you would take effect damage during your turn: Gain an equal amount of Life Points, instead.
Note: This card was first seen in use by Shark in Episode 22 of "Yu-Gi-Oh! ZeXal." Creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.
Phantom Butterfly Assassin Morpho (Monster)
Warrior/Level 4/Effect/DARK
1200 ATK/1600 DEF
Effect: Once per turn, when a monster changes its battle position: That monster loses 1000 ATK.
Phantom Butterfly Assassin Swallowtail (Monster)
Warrior/Level 4/Effect/DARK
1800 ATK/1200 DEF
Effect: When your opponent takes Battle Damage from another monster's attack: Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; it loses ATK equal to that Battle Damage.
Moonlit Papillon (Monster)
Insect/Level 4/Effect/LIGHT
1200 ATK/1600 DEF
Effect: If this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Butterfly Assassin" monster from your deck.
Note: These three cards were first used by Droite in Episodes 37 and 38 of "Yu-Gi-Oh! ZeXal." Creative credit goes to the writers of those episodes.
Blue Ray Lancer (Monster)
Fish/Level 3/Effect/WATER
1400 ATK/900 DEF
Effect: This card gains the following effect if it is attached to "Black Ray Lancer": When this card is detached through Black Ray Lancer's effect, the target of Black Ray Lancer's effect loses 2100 ATK.
Green Ray Lancer (Monster)
Fish/Level 3/Effect/WIND
900 ATK/1400 DEF
Effect: You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by banishing 1 "Black Ray Lancer" from your Graveyard. If this card is Special Summoned this way, draw 1 card.
Sea Lancer #2 (Monster)
Beast-Warrior/Level 6/Effect/WATER
2300 ATK/2000 DEF
Effect: When this card is Summoned: You can target any number of Xyz Monsters that are banished and equip them to this card. This card gains 2100 ATK while equipped with "Black Ray Lancer". When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you can send one card equipped to this card; this card can attack again in a row.
Assassin's Revenge (Spell)
Quick-Play Spell
Image: One Photon Butterfly Assassin dive-bombing at Command Knight while another Photon Butterfly Assassin is behind Command Knight, ready to stab it.
Effect: During the turn in which a "Butterfly Assassin" monster you control has its attack negated: That monster can attack again.
Note: The previous four cards first debuted in this chapter.
Author's Note: After getting a call on a newsworthy scoop, Akari travels through the city in order to find the source of this scandal. On the way she encounters Kotori and the two find the suspect that Akari's search has led them to. But the perpetrator won't come clean without a fair fight and so begins a duel! Who will win and who will lose? Find out next time!