CARD TRIVIA RESULTS
The card is a monster called Mythical Beast of Serket. It's artwork is based upon the Egyptian scorpion goddess Serket, the goddess that is said to heal the bites and stings of poisonous insects.
CHAPTER 29
Samantha sat before her computer, typing with one hand and holding a cup of coffee with the other. Her office was a mess, despite the fact she kept it tidy most of the time. For a brief moment, she got up, and washed her face at the sink found in the corner, before resuming work. At the moment, the only thing that kept her going were the half a dozen coffees and her inner rage.
"Come, on, don't give up on me now." she hissed, typing a new line on the already crowded screen.
"How's it going, any breakthrough?" asked Stanley, walking into the office.
"Not yet." replied the detective, leaning back on her chair. "I've been up for seven hours, and we're barely got passed the first two barriers. This is the most impressive software I've seen in my life."
"But the program you've got can crack it, right?"
"So I've been told. Question is, how long will it take to find what we need once we access the computer."
The man looked to the monitor.
"I talked to the chief, and he said that we'll get our arrest warrant as soon as we give him any tangible evidence. Even he's desperate now to get this over with."
"Who can blame him. Two of our own men dead, an explosion most likely linked to him as well. I'll be happy to watch him go down."
The computer gave a feint beep, as the screen changed. It now showed a logo depicting a black eye flanked by two crosses. Below it read "Seer Academy Personal Files. Property of James Seer."
"Here we go." said the woman, clicking it.
The eye opened, and an "insert password" slot appeared. She sighed, and turned to another link below.
"Let's see, this should be the…eight password. So it's…TOKEGANU, according to this."
She inserted the password, and the error sign flashed.
"Damn, that's not right."
"Try it again."
She did, with the same result. No, not when I'm so close! She typed again, but no results.
"Nothing. He must have changed the password."
Stan remained in silence, pondering.
"So what could be the new one?"
"I don't know. But it must be something close to him. Something he can remember."
She massaged her forehead, desperate for any idea. Come on, what can it be? What does he value more than anything? Wait, it's…of course.
She reached for the keyboard, and began typing.
"You got it?" asked the man.
"I got it alright!" she exclaimed, while typing in EXODIA.
The eye engulfed the whole screen, displaying a large set of files. Both were relieved beyond words.
"Guess Irene came trough for me in yet another way." she said to herself, accessing the first file.
0 0 0 0 0 0
Gulf of Aqaba
Lahab lowered his head in prostration, remaining thus for a few brief moments. Rising up, he looked at the portal before him. It was silent, except for the constant hum of the generator that powered it. The man's hands extended towards it, in a revered gesture.
"The power of my humble soul is at your disposal, Helel ben Shachar, lord of all creation. What do you command of me?"
The room stayed silent, except for the sound of the man's mind. The door behind him opened, and a man in Jordanian military attire entered. Lahab didn't turn to him, but his mind did perceive the voice, piercing his mind like a bullet. Attack the second Chosen. Release the powers I have given you.
"Sir…" asked the man cautiously.
"What?" demanded the Arab.
"My men are in position. We have located the main Magi base. Just give the orders, and we can move in."
The man stroked his beard, and pointed to one of the maps on the wall.
"Move out. Kill anyone you find. And if I know anything about them, they'll have a portal handy as well. I want all key people moved there at once."
With a single salute, the man left the room. Lahab waited patient. He rather be alone for what would come.
He closed his eyes, and inhaled. His whole body tensed, then shook, veins across his face bulging. Black smoke from the corners flowed before him, taking human shape, their faces blank and stiff, eyes dark green. They kneeled, and Lahab placed his hands on their heads.
"Go to America. Shatter the hopes of this would-be king. Make him hate his very life, his very soul. As I command you, I also empower you. Now go!"
The being's eyes flared, before dashing trough the walls of the ships, flashing like lightning into the night.
0 0 0 0 0 0
Atmosphere was at a boiling point at Seer Academy's stadium. The fans of Team Vision were in a frenzy, celebrating the first victory. Even Akhenberg seemed more fired up than usual. He did a double flip with his mike, before pointing to the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the second duel of the finals is about to begin. Team Reinforcements needs to win, or they are out of the competition. So please, take your places, second duelists!"
Andora touched her deck. Even with Jason not near her, his very memory was enough to give her that last moment of confidence she desperately needed. All things hung on this duel. She had to win.
"Good luck." said Oliver.
The girl nodded in approval, and walked to the platform. On the other side, a blonde haired girl, dressed in gothic clothes stood on the platform. A strong buzz echoed trough the audience, and the two of them activated their duel disks.
"And the second duel has officially begun!" shouted Akhenberg. "Andora Summerside will face miss Amara Jensen!"
Both platforms rose, and the girls activated their duel disks. Andora noticed several cuts on the girl's wrist and arms. What happened to her?
"Time to duel!" both said in unison.
Andora 8000 – Amara 8000
"I open with a defense position monster and one face-down." said the girl, ending her turn.
"Good, then it's my turn. And I open with Playing Possum."
A small brown rodent, resembling a rat squeaked onto the field (800/600). The girl picked up a card from her hand.
"Next, the spell Heaven's Lost Gift. We each draw 3 cards, and discard two."
Both duelists drew, and Amara set two cards.
"I end my turn here."
Andora 8000 – Amara 8000
Andora's eyes ran across the stadium. The hardest thing was knowing that Jason was somewhere out there, probably in danger. Knowing this was worst than not having any knowledge at all.
With a shaken hand, she made her draw.
"From my hand, I activate Urgent Synthesis. By returning Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru from my graveyard to my deck, I can special summon Koa'ki Meiru Doom from my graveyard."
In a gust of wind, a blue and red winged fiend with a horned forehead rose from the ground (1700/800).
"I set one more card, and I'll attack Playing Possum!"
The fiend dashed forward, claws stretched out. Amara grinned, pointing to her face-down.
"Activate trap: Ritualistic Beast Ritual. By destroying my beast, I can make two draws. Next, by paying 1000 lp, I can special summon this from my graveyard!"
A primal roar echoed on the field, and a strong beast, swinging a club on it's shoulder appeared (2600/1800).
"Green Baboon, why am I not surprised…" the girl shook her head.
Though she didn't want to admit it, she did made a mistake.
"Since I can't destroy it, I have to end my turn here."
Amara drew, her spidery fingers running along the card.
"I love the feeling of these cards. Almost as sweet as razor blades. Almost…"
"What did you do to yourself?" asked Andora with pity in her voice.
"I learned the pleasures shedding blood can bring. But I keep that joy only for my own flesh. I'm quite gentle in duels."
"Then you still can be called a honorable duelist." replied the girl.
Amara didn't reply, and selected one of her cards.
"I begin by summoning Unicorn Familiar."
A small imp, with sharp teeth and ears, and a long horn on his forehead appeared (0/1000).
"Next, by removing a spell from my hand, I special summon Monoceros from my hand."
A massive stallion, part horse and part rhino stampeded on the green arena (1000/1000).
"Level 2 Unicorn Familiar, level 3 Monoceros, tune now!"
Five green stars aligned, revealing a get blue horse, with a lightning shape horn on it's forehead (2200/1800). A small portal opened next to it, and Unicorn Familiar appeared (0/1000).
"Due to the effect of Monoceros, I can special summon Unicorn Familiar from my graveyard. Next, I move to the attack. Thunder Unicorn, attack Koa'ki Meiru Doom!"
The stallion charged in, and Andora quickly countered.
"Activate Mirror Force!"
In return, Amara's face-down lifted.
"I counter with Warp Zone. Since I have a beast in play, I can remove another one from my deck to negate your trap card!"
The unicorn impaled the fiend, shattering it. Andora quickly pointed to her remaining face-down.
"I activate Core Pass A. Since my monster was destroyed by battle, your battle phase comes to an end and Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru gets added to my hand from my deck."
Amara sighed, and set one card.
"My turn is over."
0 0 0 0 0 0
Jason approached cautiously, shocked by what he saw. Lloyd was suspended by chains tied to his waist, arms and neck, suspending him in the air. He seemed to be unconscious, or…
No, he couldn't afford to think like that. He ran to him, and shook him.
"Sir, please, sir, are you okay?"
Lloyd's eyes opened slowly, his mouth shaking.
"J…Jason, is that you?"
"Yes. What happened here?"
"Get out of here! You're in danger!"
Jason quickly looked around for something that might help him break the chains. He ran to one of the piles of equipment, and began searching for whatever he could use. Though his back was turned, a feint sound caught his ear. A feint scraping of claws, that seemed to run around the walls. He didn't have the time to turn, but he did manage to hear Lloyd's voice.
"Watch out!"
His new found instincts allowed him to dodge the clawed paw, and leaped to one side. The creature resembled a brown insect with four legs, and a mouth filled with large teeth. Though he'd never use that card, he did recognize it at once.
The Man Eater Bug passed towards him, displaying it's jaws. It made another swipe with it's paws. Jason managed to dodge the first, but the second knocked him on his back, wounding his shoulder. The beast pounced upon him, pining him down. Jason's eyes reflected in the creature's, life reflecting in the mirror of death. Instinctively, he clung his fist, and struck the bug in the neck. The monster backed away, temporarly stunned. The boy quickly picked up a brick next to his foot, hitting the insect in the head. The monster roared, but didn't advance.
"Come on!" shouted Jason.
The creature hissed, but dared not made another attack. It backed away slowly, vanishing into the shadows. Jason managed to see a lone Duel Monsters card in the corner. He ran to a fire prevention system placed on one of the walls, and took the axe he found there. He struck twice, breaking the chain holding Lloyd's neck. He struck fiercely, until the chains came undone. Lloyd fell on the ground, coughing.
"What happened here?" asked Jason, helping him up.
The man rubbed his neck, catching his breath.
"He said you would come. I was only the bait."
"Who?"
"Rossler. God, how could I have missed it! He used me as a bait to get to you. What's going on here kid?"
"It's a long story sir. Come on let me help you out of here."
He supported him with his arm, and Lloyd felt his legs shaking in pain. Step by step, the two made their way along the maze of corridors.
0 0 0 0 0 0
From his seat, Rossler felt the Shadow Ring surge with energy, piercing his finger like a thousand pins. He got up, and turned to the exit.
"Where are you going?" asked Seer, still focused on the duel.
"I need some air." he replied quickly.
"But you are outside sir." said Alexa.
Rossler gave her a death look, but ignored the comment. The woman seemed offended.
"Come on sir, your students are dueling! Don't you want to be by them at their hardest moment?"
"No." he replied calmly.
He left the stand, his coat flowing in the gentle wind like a king's cape. When he was out of sight, he quickly took out his cell phone and dialed. A few moments later, a familiar voice answered.
"Yeah, what is it teach?"
"Koji, it's me. Where are you?"
"Eight row of seats. I can't believe how much fun it is to watch those losers getting trashed."
"Drop what you're doing and come here. Follow the signal of my phone.
"Sure, what do you need me to do?"
"I think it's time you started earning your stay in this enterprise."
Andora 7500 – Amara 7000
"My draw! And I offer my face-down Koa'ki Meiru Tornado to summon Koa'ki Meiru Rooklord."
The reversed card vanished, replaced by a dark blue armored warrior, with massive arms resembling stone pillars (2800/2200). The creature struck the earth, splitting it, and the two synchro monsters were swallowed.
"When my monster is normal summoned, two of your cards are destroyed on the spot." announced Andora.
The gothic girl extended her arm.
"I can still make the best of a bad situation. I activate Parallel Select. Since one of my synchro monster was destroyed, I can add a removed from play spell card to my hand."
"Too bad it can't stop my direct attack."
The warrior struck the earth with it's fist, shaking Amara's platform. Andora set one card, and ended her turn, with a much needed bust of confidence.
Amara drew, somewhat displeased by the result.
"Since I have nothing that can destroy your monster, I'll set one card, and a face-down monster. That will be all."
Andora 7500 – Amara 4200
"I have to admit it, you have a strange choice for a deck. It seems too much strategy orientated. Does it really fit you?" asked Andora.
"No. And I hate it. I only use it because Seer made me do it."
"He makes people do a lot of things, doesn't he?" she pressed.
"Sometimes, pressure is the best cure for a lot of things." she replied, showing her scared wrists. "Before I came here, I nearly bled myself to death five times. But he showed me a better way. During biology classes, he let me dissect live creatures. When I saw them slowly drain of life, their eyes taking the reflection of death, I made my choice. I would live to duel. Duel for him that is."
"But how did you get like that?"
"I saw it as a cure for the drugs my mom kept me from using. All the doctors I went to said that I lacked the will to quit. That the urge was in my blood. So I decided to clean my blood by removing it."
Andora drew, while listening to the story. God, don't let me end up like this.
"A duelist fights either for himself, or for a noble cause." she shouted. "And Seer's neither of them. As for me, I fight for my friends. Come forth, Koa'ki Meiru Drago!"
An ice blue dragon, sparking with electricity flew to the field (1900/1600).
"I remember that all your synchro monsters are LIGHT, right? Well, with my dragon in play, neither of us can special summon LIGHT or DARK monsters. And for your face-down, my Rooklord should be enough. Attack now!"
As the warrior charged in, Amara pressed a button on her duel disk.
"Activate face-down: Dimensional Trap. By removing my monster from play, as well as the Torrential Tribute from my graveyard, the effect of this card becomes the same as the effect of my other trap."
Two pillars of water struck the monsters, shattering them. Shoot, she did it again!
"I set one card and pass."
"Then it's my move. And since the monster I removed was Static Bicorn, he returns to my side of the field at once."
A dimensional portal opened, and a black and yellow stripped tiger with two horns on it's head pounced out (1300/1500). A second portal opened, and Thunder Unicorn galloped in.
"When my monster is summoned by it's own effect, I can special summon a LIGHT Beast-type monster from my graveyard. And since my monster is also a Tuner, you know what comes next!"
Seven green stars aligned, revealing a strong black stallion with two golden horns (2500/2000).
"Voltic Bicorn, direct attack." she commanded.
Two jolts of electricity struck Andora, making her cringe. Despite the pain, she pointed to her face-down.
"Activate Damage Condenser. At the cost of a card, I can special summon a monster from my deck with an ATK up to the damage I took. And I select Koa'ki Meiru Powerhand."
A dark yellow machine, it's body covered with drills appeared (2100/1600). Amara simply ended her turn without another word.
0 0 0 0 0 0
"Just a little more, we can make it." said Jason, his breath panting.
Truth was, they were lost, and Lloyd seemed to be getting worst. The teacher sank on one knee, gasping for air. Jason's heart hurt, knowing there was little he could to help. Lloyd groaned, ordering him to go.
"I can't leave you here!" he protested.
"Go for help. I'll still be here when you get back!"
"Actually, that can be debated." said a cold voice from behind him.
They turned, and saw Rossler. The man had never appeared more menacingly that he was now. Though he still wore his normal attire, he seemed to embody the face of death. Jason moved in a protective position.
"What do you want from us?" he demanded.
"Such a dominant tone. Nothing short of what a king would do."
"I'm not your king! And I want nothing to do with you or your ideas!"
"But you do. Your destiny lies with my side."
Lloyd looked puzzled.
"Your side? Don't you work for that alleged king you talk about?"
"The objectives of my employers and my own are not necessarily the same. And Jason, please don't place me in the same boat as Seer."
"No. You're worst. You made an oath to teach the students what is right. You violated that oath, and became nothing but a murderer of their souls!"
Rossler laughed.
"Such a flowery language for someone who flunked his entry exam at the academy twice."
Lloyd pushed Jason aside, angered by the statement.
"So? You may have had more knowledge, but my heart was with that school. Dreaming to teach others, I spend my time learning how to become better, and to make others better. You just came as a spy."
Rossler chuckled.
"And you did. Just look what a great duelist you made. But now, my turn to complete that training has come. Jason, your talents as a mortal are wasted. But there is a choice of immortality available to you. Living forever in the minds of men."
"My choice is made!" replied the boy.
"By what the Magi told you? Perhaps you should listen to the rest of the story."
Jason remained silent. Lloyd wished more than anything to be a protective shield.
"What else is there to know?" asked Jason.
"You are a king, remember? But you do have a rival. I can make the way clean for you. Be your herald. Your prophet if you will. I can help you eliminate your rival, and establish you in the glory of the throne you deserve."
Jason was left to ponder. King. Ruler. Words that had found new and deep meanings to him. A brief vision of himself seated on a throne, with thousand of faceless figures prostrated before him. Power. To change the world in his image.
"I want nothing to do with your ideas!" he replied in a determined voice.
"Then know this: the fight that awaits you is a battle to the death. There is no room for two rulers. And as it has been before, one must fall. Yes Jason, you must succeed or you will die."
The news hit him like a shower of cold ice. Life had always been the thing he most clung to. Not to mention all the things that filled it. His friends. His love. Andora's image flashed before his eyes, then shattered into black shards. Rossler picked up on the tension.
"Yes, think about it. Forever passing into nonexistence. Never to leave a mark, a trace, or even a shadow. That is what will occur, should you take the wrong side."
Unknown to either man, the shadows made by the concrete pillars began to wobble and shift.
0 0 0 0 0 0
Andora 5000 – Amara 4200
Drawing, Andora was relieved. Finally, something to turn the duel in my favor.
"I activate the equip spell Core Blaster." she announced. A futuristic cannon appeared on the machine's shoulder.
"Your monster's ATK doesn't matter. When equipped with Core Blaster, if the target is LIGHT or DARK, your monster is destroyed by a card effect. And since Powerhand negates the effects of monster of that same attribute during the battle phase, my deck is also safe. Attack, my monster!"
The machine pressed the trigger, and a beam of energy vaporized the stallion to atoms, much to the delight of the audience. Andora set one card, discarded Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru, and passed.
Amara's hands reached for her deck, and she drew sharply.
"I set one monster, and one face-down. End turn."
Andora 5000 – Amara 4200
"My move!" shouted Andora, feeling victory near. But much to her disappointment, she had no other monster to press on the attack.
"Attack her face-down." she commanded.
The machine took aim and fire. But before the attack hit, the monster vanished.
"What happened?"
"My hidden monster was Different Dimension Tamer." explained the girl. "When he's attacked, I can remove him from the game."
"You do realize that you're opened to a direct attack, right?"
"I do. That's why I activate Different Dimension Barrier – Lost Force. Your attack is negated, and your monster's ATK comes out of your life points."
The energy beam bounced of an invisible barrier, and struck and struck Andora's platform. The girl lost her balance, hitting her shoulder against the cold metal.
"I end my turn here." she said painfully.
Amara drew, and tears appeared in her eyes.
"This has been the best duel I ever had. You're a great opponent. And frankly, whoever wins, wins more than one duel."
Andora agreed in silence. Amara picked up a card from her hand.
"I play Spellbook Inside the Pot, allowing each to draw thrice. Next, the spell Ayers Rock Sunrise. Be revived, Voltic Bicorn!"
The sun's rays reflected majesticly upon the beast's fur, as the beast galloped in. Powerhand groaned, as it's ATK fell to 1100.
"My next card will be Mystical Space Typhoon, to make sure my attack will go trough. And lastly, I summon Attack Gainer!"
A warrior clad in a futuristic armor, with red flowing hair appeared (0/0). Amara pointed to both her monsters.
"Level 1 Attack Gainer, level 7 Voltic Bicorn, tune now!"
A golden horse with a blue mane dashed from the synchro portal, glistening in the sunlight (2800/2000). The ATK of Powerhand fell to a mere 100.
"When Attack Gainer is used for a synchro summon, one of your monsters looses 1000 ATK. Next, my Lightning Tricorn will attack, leaving you with a mere 200 life points. Destroy her monster now!"
Three lightning bolts fired at once, hitting the machine.
"Activate trap: Half Counter. For this battle phase only, my monster gains half of your monster's ATK!" exclaimed Andora.
"That's still not enough!" replied the other duelist, as the attack shattered the creature.
Amara sat one card, and ended her turn. And for the first time since the start of the duel, Andora felt victory slipping.
0 0 0 0 0 0
In the depths of the stadium, Jason too felt his world collapsing around him. Rossler's words had been more painful than all the hardships he had endured. Death. Is that what would await him at the end of this quest?
"What is your choice?" asked the teacher.
He didn't answer. What could he say.
The shadows around them began to retract. Two black, almost two dimensional figures rose up. Their feet didn't touch the ground, each one approaching the two of them from each side.
"What's going on Rossler?" demanded Lloyd.
"I'm as surprised as you are." replied the man, taking a cautious step back.
One of the figures pushed Jason aside with incredible ease, and seized Lloyd by the arms, lifting him up. Jason shouted in anger, and hit the figure, only to see his arm pass trough it. The figure hit him a second time, knocking him back.
"That's enough!" demanded Rossler.
The second creature hissed, revealing a set of impressive claws.
"Okay, fine." he gulped in a passive tone.
The two figures returned to Lloyd, the face of one of them being mere inches from the man's. He forced his mouth open, and the two of them turned into black smoke, going down his throat. Lloyd coughed, and stood up. His movement seemed mechanic, and his eyes were now deep pools of darkness. He stammered towards Jason.
"Sir, are you…"
Lloyd's first collided with his abdomen, making the boy bend in pain. A second hit struck his shoulder. Rossler extended his fist, revealing his Shadow Ring.
"That's enough you moron."
A beam of energy struck the possessed man, burning his shirt. Lloyd roared in pain, but dared not get back up.
"Die." grinned the teacher.
Jason found a new dose of strength, and ran between the two teachers.
"No, you'll not touch him!"
"Out of the way boy! He needs to die, so that you may get one step closer to your victory. And frankly, I can kill you in the process if I have to. I win either way!"
Jason stood his ground, as did Rossler.
"Last chance!" he commanded.
"Yes, last chance. For you to get out of here alive!" said a voice from behind them.
Jason looked, and saw Yasmin and Shafi, each of them wearing a duel disk.
0 0 0 0 0 0
Andora 1300 – Amara 4200
Andora made her draw, and gave a deep sigh. I did it. I won the duel on my own.
"From my hand, I remove Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru to special summon Koa'ki Meiru Maximus!"
With a strong wingbeat, a slender dragon, black and silver in color descended onto the field. Amara's look was frozen.
"Next, I use Koa'ki Ring, to destroy your monster and deal 1000 points of damage to both of us."
A metallic collar appeared around the horse's heck, and an explosion followed immediately. Amara laughed, as Voltic Bicorn rose from the smoke.
"When Lightning Tricorn is destroyed, I can special summon either Thunder Unicorn or Voltic Bicorn from my graveyard. The duel's still on!"
"Not quite! Due to the effect of Maximus, I can destroy any of your cards that I want." retorted the girl.
A white beam of energy from the dragon's jaws struck the creature, vaporizing it. Andora ignored the seven cards her deck ejected, and picked up one more card from her hand.
"Lastly, I play Forbidden Chalice. It will negate my monster's effect, but it will grant him 400 ATK. Which is enough to win the duel!"
Both girls stood still, as the dragon prepared for the attack. Amara gave a warm smile, the first one since the duel began.
"Good job." she smiled, as the attack hit her platform.
Andora 300 – Amara 0
Cheers flowed from every side, as Andora descended the platform. The scoreboard showed a red marker for each team. Akhenberg picked up the mike energeticly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a tie! The last duel to come will decide matters. Teams, please send your representatives."
The audience cheered wildly, as Carrie rose up. Marcus looked around, hoping to find Jason.
"Where is he? We need him here for the final duel."
"Hey, maybe I could…" jumped in Oliver.
"Forget it. You may have the spirit, but it's going to take more than hopes to defeat her." replied Andora.
Her mind desperately searched for a solution.
0 0 0 0 0 0
Rossler turned to the Magi, with a look of surprise and annoyance on his face.
"Well, this is certainly an unpredicted turn of events."
Shafi approached Jason, but the boy stood his ground.
"Stand aside, my king."
"No, I won't let you harm him!" shouted Jason.
"I won't. I can help him. Please."
Despite his doubts, Jason moved aside. Shafi took out the Auromer from his pocket, and the stone glowed blood red. Lloyd screamed in pain, his face contorting with rage and suffering. Black energy erupted from his mouth and eyes, as the evil left him. The man fell to his knees, gasping for air.
"What happened? Who are you people?"
"Call us friends if you want." replied Yasmin, helping him up.
Jason took over, supporting him. Shafi pointed to one of the passages.
"That will lead you to the main arena. Go, you have a duel to win. I'll handle the professor here."
Rossler turned to face him, and a dark blue duel disk appeared around his arm in a flash. Jason gave him one last look.
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me, I've taken down his type before."
Rossler spread his arms, and a circle of black flames surrounded the two duelists.
"Magi, you've never even met my type before!" he replied, and each of them drew their five opening cards.
0 0 0 0 0 0
On the stadium above, the crowds were getting impatient. Akhenberg took the stand, and called out.
"Team Reinforcements, you must send a representative now."
"We're…still waiting for our captain sir." replied Andora desperate to buy time.
The announcer looked at his watch, and pressed several buttons, displaying five minutes on the display board. Marcus hit the ground with his foot.
"You can't do this to us!" he protested.
"I'm afraid I can. Tournament rules. You have five minutes to send a duelist, or Team Vision will win by default."
"Now what?" asked Oliver desperately.
"We wait."
In the stadium below, Jason had two focuses. To get to the arena as fast as possible, and to make sure his teacher wouldn't suffer more than he already had. The man's body seemed to get heavier and heavier.
"Just a bit more sir."
New sounds reached his ears. Yes, they were the noises of the audience. Lloyd grabbed his arm.
"Go, you need to be out there more than I do!"
"Is that what they taught you in the army sir? Or was it more like no man left behind!"
The two of them increased the pace, heading for the large exit, from which the light of the midday sun could be already seen.
In the official lounge, miss Alexa reached towards Seer.
"Looks like you may just win by default. Only two minutes to go."
Seer pushed her aside.
"I want a duel, not a default!" he replied angrily.
Marcus was grinding his teeth in anger. Being helpless to do something was the thing he hated the most. Especially now, when so much more was on the line. He looked at the board. Only one minute left to go. Damn it Jason, where are you?
Akhenberg stood in a rather sober manor, raising his hand.
"Attention Team Reinforcements. You have ten seconds to send out a representative. Nine…eight…seven…six…five…."
"Wait!", shouted Oliver. I'll duel!"
"You can't!" protested Andora.
"She's right." confirmed a well known voice behind them. "This is my duel."
All three of them turned, and saw Jason making his way to the platform. Andora barely managed to contain her tears. The boy came to her, and they hugged for a brief moment.
"Good luck." she smiled.
Jason kissed her forehead, and left without another word. What else could he say. As his platform lifted, all the stress he had endured that day seemed to leave him. His mind was now focused on what he had to do. The two duelists were now on equal level, their eyes meeting in a death grip.
"Carrie, I made a promise to you. I said I would duel you, and I will. But I intend to do more than that. I will free you from the darkness you created around yourself!"
The girl gave no reply, but Jason could feel the powerful aura building up around her.
"Time to duel!" both shouted in unison.
0 0 0 0 0 0
ORIGINAL CARDS CREATED
Space Warp
Trap / Counter
Activate if you control a Beast-type monster. Remove from play 1 Beast-type monster you control to negate the activation of a spell or trap card and destroy it.
Different Dimension Tamer
Beast-Warrior / EARTH / level 2 / ATK 600 / DEF 500
If this card is selected as an attack target, you can remove this card from play (this effect can be used even if this card is face-down on the field).
Static Bicorn
Level 2 / EARTH / Tuner / Beast / ATK 1300 / DEF 1500
If this card is removed from play, special summon it during your next Stand-by Phase. If this card is special summoned by this effect, special summon 1 level 5 or lower Beast-type synchro monster from your graveyard.
The above cards are my own creation
CARD TRIVIA QUIZ
This pair of outdated monsters was used by Joey Wheeler during the first arc of the original Yugioh series. Name them, and the other card(s) in which they appear.
Coming up…
Jason and Carrie face-of in the final duel of the tournament, yet few know the extent of this lone showdown. And Rossler will have his own chance against the Magi. Don't miss Evolution Burst P1
