Okay! So, this will be Elize's official first fight with the Society of Light! Kinda, if you count a robot, but then again, this is Yu-Gi-Oh, so a lot of things don't make sense.
Disclaimer: Mage of Hope doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh series, only the OCs!
Sartorius was once again in the middle of his fortune telling sessions, having drawn four cards from his tarot deck onto the white clothed table as his psychic senses were telling him to do so.
The four cards before him symbolized the Priestess, the Fool, Judgement, and Death. Recently, all of Sartorius' predictions involved the Fool, which represented Jaden, along with the Priestess, but unfortunately, he couldn't find the candidate that held the Priestess Arcana.
'Hmm...This prediction is telling me that the Priestess will soon be going into a duel involving life or death, but at the same time, someone must be judging her movements. Perhaps now would be a good time to pay Duel Academy a visit,' thought Sartorius. 'Even if I don't meet the Priestess there, eventually, our paths will cross. It is destiny's calling, after all.'
"Syrus? Hassleberry? Where are you?" called out Elize, wandering around the forest and trying to track down her friends.
This all happened because of some bet between Hassleberry and Syrus. Both dueled each other a few days ago to see who would obtain the title of being Jaden's best friend, which Syrus won, but not before everyone discovered he hasn't eaten or slept much because he was concerned for Jaden's disappearance. Since then, Hassleberry basically had to do everything Syrus said and the two often went out scouting when they had the time. Feeling up for it, Elize sometimes joined them in their quest, helping Hassleberry carry some of the bags, which he gratefully appreciated.
But now, the three of them got separated and lost along the way, and now Elize was trying to find them before anything bad happened.
Eventually, she made it all the way to a large clearing, but what seemed out of place was a crater on the ground along with a UFO-like object inside. Before she could question it further, a Duel Robot emerged from the UFO object, forcing Elize to back away cautiously.
"Dangerous duelist confirmed! Threat to Society of Light! Targeting duel now!" beeped the Duel Robot, activating its duel disk.
"W-what?!" wondered Elize, confused and wondering what to do. Clearly, this Duel Robot was dangerous, but should she actually accept a duel from it or not?
Suddenly, the Duel Robot shot lasers from its eyes, burning and knocking down a tree, which landed on some sandy grounds. Lucky that it did, otherwise the burning tree would have tapped other trees and start a forest fire.
But this just further confirmed that Elize needed to do. Or rather, being forced to.
"Okay, okay! I'll duel! I'll duel!" cried out Elize, dropping her backpack to grab her duel disk from inside. At least this way, she won't be fried to death!
Just before the duel could begin, Sartorius, who was minding his own business and taking a peaceful stroll in the forest, saw a burning tree fall down and decided to check out the situation. Much to his surprise, he saw a familiar Duel Robot belonging to the Society of Light about to face off against a Slifer Red girl with a red hat.
'Curious...The only female students in this school are the ones in the Obelisk Blue rank, but I see a girl in a Slifer Red male uniform. Could she possibly be the Priestess? And she's facing off against one of the members of the Society of Light! I must witness this duel!' thought Sartorius, hiding behind some trees.
"Duel!"
- DUEL -
Elize - 4000 LP
VS
Duel Robot - 4000 LP
"My turn!" said Elize. "I play Polymerization and fuse Dharc the Dark Charmer with Storming Wynn in order to Fusion Summon Venefictia the Poison Charmer!"
Garbed in a ragged dark cloak while wearing a gothic dress and other dark accessories such as a witch's hat, gloves, and boots, Venefictia grinned as she took her daggers and licked the tips of them sadistically.
Venefictia the Poison Charmer - (DARK/Spellcaster/Fusion) - LV7 - (2500/0)
"Then, I summon Miracle Flipper in Defense Mode and end my turn!"
Miracle Flipper - (LIGHT/Spellcaster) - LV2 - (300/500)
"My turn. I draw," spoke the Duel Robot. "I summon Fencing Fire Ferret in Attack Mode."
Fencing Fire Ferret - (FIRE/Beast) - LV4 - (1700/600)
"Then, I shall activate two Spell cards at the same time. Both are Ookazi, and they will both inflict 800 Points of Damage each to your Life Points directly!"
Elize yelped as flames swirled around and surrounded her in a ring of fire, but even though she could feel the overwhelming heat from the fires, both Venefictia and Miracle Flipper protected her using their magic to prevent her from burning to death, even though her Life Points would take a hit.
Elize - 2400 LP
Duel Robot - 4000 LP
"Thank you, Venefictia and Miracle Flipper!" thanked Elize.
"Heh! It was nothing! I can easily block weak flames like this any day!" spoke Venefictia before licking her lips. "Mmm...But it would be fun seeing my foes cowering and screaming in pain as I burn them!~"
"Yeah, we're not doing that," commented Miracle Flipper, annoyed.
'Interesting...' thought Sartorius. 'It seems that this girl not only has the power to see Duel Spirits just like Jaden, but her Duel Spirits must have a strong bond with her to protect her using their powers like that. Either this girl has a strong spiritual connection to make that happen, or they're doing it out of their own free will.'
"I will now attack using Fencing Fire Ferret, and I will destroy Miracle Flipper," commanded the Duel Robot.
Rushing forward and then spin dashing into a wheel of fire, Fencing Fire Ferret destroyed Miracle Flipper with ease using his physical fire strength.
"Because Miracle Flipper was destroyed in battle, he's Special Summoned to your side of the field at the end of the Battle Phase!" shouted Elize.
Miracle Flipper - (LIGHT/Spellcaster) - LV2 - (300/500)
"Very well. I activate the Continuous Spell, Toll. From now on, each player must pay 500 Life Points in order to declare an attack. Turn end."
"Oh, I get it now! This guy focuses on a Burn deck! Elize, we totally gotta get rid of him! But make sure it's quick and painful!" crackled Venefictia.
"Don't you mean 'quick and painless?'" corrected Elize.
"Oh, you know what I meant!"
Elize shrugged her shoulders. "Okay, my turn! Now I summon Maha Vailo in Attack Mode!"
Maha Vailo - (LIGHT/Spellcaster) - LV4 - (1550/1400)
"Now, please destroy Fencing Fire Ferret, Veneticia!"
"The effect of Toll activates! You must pay 500 Life Points if you wish to proceed with your attack!"
It was certainly a price to pay, but worth it if it meant destroying the opponent's Monster, so Elize nodded in agreement.
Elize - 1900 LP
Duel Robot - 4000 LP
Veneticia wielded her daggers as she flew towards Fencing Fire Ferret, striking him down with a couple of slashes that brought him down and bought enjoyment and excitement to the Spellcaster after destroying him.
Elize - 1900 LP
Duel Robot - 3200 LP
"Fencing Fire Ferret's effect activates," said the Duel Robot. "When it is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I am allowed to target one Monster on the opponent's field and destroy it, and then deal 500 Points of Damage to you directly. I choose to destroy Veneticia the Poison Charmer."
"No, no, no! DAMNIT-!" Before Veneticia could do anything, she exploded simply by being a target, and since she was near Elize, Elize was hit with part of the explosion as well.
Elize - 1400 LP
Duel Robot - 3200 LP
"Oof!" Elize fell to the ground, somewhat hurt but still alright as Maha Vailo slightly turned his head towards her.
"Mistress, are you alright?"
Elize nodded. "I'm okay! Please prepare to attack, Maha Vailo, and don't worry about me. I pay 500 Life Points to bypass Toll's requirements and then attack directly with Maha Vailo!"
At the same time of Elize's Life Point cost, Maha Vailo struck down lightning from above towards the Duel Robot, messing up a bit of its circuits.
Elize - 900 LP
Duel Robot - 1650 LP
Elize sighed, knowing she took a huge risk by reducing her Life Points just to damage the enemy, but if there are some things she's learned while dueling, it's that sometimes, you have to take risks in order to accomplish something big. "I end my turn!"
"My turn. I draw," said the Duel Robot. "I shall summon Stealth Bird in Attack Mode."
Stealth Bird - (DARK/Winged Beast) - LV3 - (700/1700)
"I pay 500 Life Points in order to declare an attack and activate the Quick-Play Spell, Ego Boost to give Stealth Bird 1000 extra Attack Points until the end of the Battle Phase."
Elize - 900 LP
Duel Robot - 1150 LP
Stealth Bird - (DARK/Winged Beast) - LV3 - (1700/1700)
The enhanced bird shrieked before pecking Maha Vailo violently until the Spellcaster vanished, leaving Elize completely defenseless.
Elize - 750 LP
Duel Robot - 1150 LP
"End turn."
Stealth Bird - (DARK/Winged Beast) - LV3 - (700/1700)
Noting how close she is at defeat, Elize still had confidence in herself and drew her card. "I draw! And I play Raigeki, destroying all the Monsters you have!"
With just one large jolt of thunder from above the clouds, all of the Duel Robot's Monsters were literally shocked and then disappeared at the same time. Elize decided to make a mental note of apologizing to Miracle Flipper later. For now, she had a duel to finish.
"I summon Gagagigo in Attack Mode! Now, I pay 500 Life Points and declare Gagagigo to attack you directly, please!"
Gagagigo - (WATER/Reptile) - LV4 - (1850/1000)
Elize - 750 LP
Duel Robot - 1150 LP
Roaring, Gagagigo lashed out and slashed at the Duel Robot, making it a scrap of trash and unusable before it exploded from all the damage it sustained after losing the duel.
Elize - 750 LP
Duel Robot - 0 LP
Winner: Elize
'Incredible,' thought Sartorius, watching Elize poke the destroyed pieces of the Duel Robot with a stick. 'Was this what fate had brought me to? Perhaps I can use this to my advantage for my biggest scheme yet. I shouldn't introduce myself to her. At least, not yet. It's best for me to have all the advantages I can get, so perhaps I'll have to observe this girl even more just as I do with Jaden.'
With that plan in motion, Sartorius snuck into the shadows of the forest, slipping away without a hint of noise detected.
"Just what was that all about?" wondered Elize, deciding that the Duel Robot no longer posed a threat towards her or anyone else now that it's disabled.
Doriado suddenly appeared near Elize with a troubled expression on her face. "Perhaps I can explain everything. But, Elize...this may include the fate the world as we know it and it is an awful, terrible burden. Believe me, if I could, I would not wish this upon you."
"What do you mean? The world is in danger again? But me and Jaden and everyone else defeated the Shadow Riders and Kagemaru last year, remember?" said Elize.
Doriado nodded. "Yes, but this is a completely different threat. For starters...You know how there is er...ketchup? What is the opposite of that?"
"Mustard?"
"Yes, and what is the opposite of fire?"
"Water?"
"Exactly. Not my very best examples, but we'll have to start from there. You see, Elize, everything must have a balance. Night must have day, ketchup must have mustard, and fire must have water. Everything must have a connection and balance or else everything will be off balance and will disrupt the rule. It's one of the universal worlds here. And right now, that balance is being threatened by the upcoming force known as the Society of Light."
"What are the Society of Light?" asked Elize.
"They are...basically a cult. They are influenced by a greater evil known as the Light of Destruction, which wishes for the destruction of darkness. But without darkness, there will be an off balance that will heavily affect the universe in a negative way. However, there are few chosen ones that are destined to fight against the Society of Light. I suspect that you along with Jaden are two of those people."
"Jaden..." muttered Elize, remember the state he currently is and was wondering where he was. "Wait a minute! The one who made Jaden into not liking dueling is Aster Phoenix! Does that mean he's a member of the Society of Light?"
Doriado shook her head. "No, I do not sense the sort of evil within him. I suspect he doesn't even know the Society of Light nor what destiny awaits for him, but I do sense a vigorous sense of justice inside. It is utterly vital for you to find and reunite Jaden Yuki as soon as possible."
Elize nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Miss Doria-"
"'Hey! Elize! There you are!" called out Syrus as he and a tired-looking Hassleberry moved some bushes and shrubs out of their ways; some whacking Hsssleberry in the face. "We've been looking all over for you!"
Doriado vanished back to the Duel Spirit World as Elize faced her friends. "Sorry, I was trying to find you two. Anyways, did you find Jaden yet?"
Hassleberry, panting back and forth, wiped the sweat off his face. "No...And I so want to take a break right now! Let's eat lunch already!"
Syrus nodded. "Yeah, you're right. We do need all the rest we can get."
Hassleberry merely glared at the blue-haired Ra Yellow student. "You look all rested up already! You made me carry all this stuff!"
"Hey, is that any way to speak to your commanding officer?!" challenged Syrus before he noticed the destroyed robot on the ground. "Gaah! Why is there a robot here?!"
Elize sweatdropped. "Yeah...that was my doing. How about I talk about it while we eat? Hassleberry, how about I help you unload those things?"
"Finally! At least someone here appreciates and is concerned for me!"
"Faster, soldier! Faster!"
"Come on, Syrus, at least give Hassleberry a break. He's tired."
"Ha! See, that's why I like Elize more than you, Truesdale! She's actually nice to me!"
"Oh yeah? I can be nice, too!"
"You? Ha! You made me carry all this heavy stuff for hours! What part of nice is that?!"
"The tough kind!"
Whew! Sorry if this seemed like a short chapter, but it's the start for Elize's destiny and involvement in season 2, after all!