Boss Rush
XLVI: Ocean Ablaze
"Kasai has just blown up the field of all monsters!" the MC screamed back on the field. "What a desperate move! What will Koichi do!"
Koichi: LP 4100, SPC: 11, Continuous Spell Summon Cloud, Continuous Spell Cloudian Squall
Kasai: LP 8000, SPC: 5, 2 face-down cards.
"I'll use Summon Cloud to revive Nimbusman in defence mode." Koichi declared. "But, Summon Cloud is destroyed. I set a card, turn end."
"Draw!" Kasai smirked as a ring of fire began to surround him. "Bingo. Once this monster is destroyed, like the legendary phoenix it will revive in a burst of fire! Come, Fire King High Avatar Garunix [2700/1700]!"
A cry echoed and red-feathered wings fluttered as the monster arose, a vision wreathed in a conflagration of flames searing hot.
"When did that get into the graveyard?" Koichi yelled.
"The Fire Kings have a shared ability that benefits from their destruction via card effects," Kasai informed him. "Therefore, when my Yaksha was destroyed using Needle Ceiling along with your monsters, its effect allowed me to destroy High Avatar Garunix in my hand and send it to the graveyard. Then the effect of Garunix activates during my next standby phase to revive itself."
"So... what would otherwise be a crippling disadvantage will help field presence!" Koichi realised.
"Yes," Kasai smirked. "And the effect of High Avatar Garunix has another side effect; when its revived, the fire it brings is so hot that all others on the field before it are destroyed!"
The armoured phoenix screamed, a chorus of melodic song that matched the raging flashes of orange before Nimbusman groaned, steaming as it shattered.
"With that done, meet Fire King Avatar Barong [1800/200]," Kasai leered as the red-faced demon roared, brandishing swords in both hands. "Barong, Garunix, direct attack!"
"Quick-play Spell, Emergency Provisions!" Koichi called. "I'll send Cloudian Squall to the graveyard to increase my life points by one thousand."
"Fine by me!" Kasai yelled. "Garunix, Barong, direct attack!"
There was a shared squall of flaming wrath, as Koichi was scorched and he suddenly remembered that he was dealing with a Psychic Duelist. "Oww! Hot!"
Koichi: LP 650 → LP 1650 → LP 0, SPC: 12
Kasai: LP 8000, SPC: 6
"Quick-play Spell, Circle of the Fire Kings activate! Now I'll destroy Garunix and revive Fire King Beast Yaksha [1800/200]!"
Another roar of flame preceded as the phoenix cried and was swallowed in a plume of flames, the majestic shaman-like monster wielding his flaming cudgel reappearing.
"Oww!" Koichi's D-Wheel wobbled dangerously for the moment it took for it to speed into the booth as it slowed down. "Careful, I think I touched a nerve there..."
"Nice job, thanks," Satoshi snatched the armband from him and got on his own D-Wheel. "You go after that guy, he didn't look good there. Viper, the consoles."
"Got it!" Adrian gave a thumbs up with both hands as Koichi quickly ran out of the booth to find Tsugare. "What do you think, Naga?"
Fire raging against fire? It depends, I suppose, on who will burn out first.
There are no magical words, really. The words just hold the magic. They give it a shape and a form, they make it useful, they describe the images within. Some words have a power that has nothing to do with supernatural forces. They resound in the heart and mind, they live long after the sounds of them have died away, they echo in the heart and the soul. They have power, and that power is very real.
Setsuka merely smiled, as the webbing of the spell frayed, as though the words had been an open flame.
In another part of the compound, Tsugare stumbled, awareness warring with the remnants of shadows where the memories had been covered. The light came, memories and warmth battered down the walls, crushed away the lingering spell, tore those memories away and brought them back home. Tension, confusion, pain, awareness, alert, and himself again. Not completely; not yet. But enough.
The power of the spell faded away, leaving only the blurred impression of it, like lightning that crackled through the night, leaving dazzling colours in the darkness behind.
"I'm not going anywhere," the familiar voice echoed behind him. "I'm going to stay here and stick until you get your head together. Even if it kills me, even if we hate each other in the end... I'll be here."
Tsugare laughed, harsh and bitter. "A lot of responsibility for a one-night stand, isn't it?"
Koichi found himself kneeling against him, glancing at Tsugare slumped against the wall. "It might not be. I'm asking you to trust me enough for me to lead you out. That offer is still open, you know." He reached up with my other shaking hand, and stroked at amethyst strands. "Tsugare. Stay with me."
The head bowed. Koichi felt hot tears fall against my shoulder. "I've never taken an unknown risk in his life. I want to start now."
Koichi seized his face, and then...
Then it got different.
In his head, it had always been one smooth motion. Either one grabbed the other's face and they kissed. Maybe his initiation of the change in their relationship was contained in the swiftness and surety of that motion, something about no hesitance. This time, he hesitated. He took that face in his large clumsy hands, moved in, then paused. He just checked himself for a tiny second, looking into one visible amethyst eye widened cautiously, as if he were making sure Tsugare was okay with this.
Then he swooped in.
Above, Setsuka chuckled, clapping her hand in applause. "To risk everything... such is the meaning of love."
"Did you say something?" Jimmy looked from his discussion with Seiran.
"Nothing, James. Nothing at all."
"And Team Conflagration has chosen to field its second wheeler, Shinamori Satoshi!" the MC announced. "Since it's well known that Satoshi plays with a Fire deck as well, it looks like the match is geared to become Fire against Fire! It promises to be a match of conflagrations, indeed!"
"Duel!" both Fire Duelists called.
Satoshi: LP 8000, SPC: 12
Kasai: LP 8000, SPC: 5, Naturia Cliff, Naturia Mosquito, Naturia Beans
"Draw!" Satoshi called, scanning the field and cursing. "I summon Flamvell Firedog [1900/200] to the field!"
"The core of any good Fire deck," Kasai sardonically muttered. "And you're going to attack one of my monsters, aren't you?"
"Firedog, attack the Yaksha!" Satoshi ordered as the dog charged.
"I activate Backfire!" Kasai retaliated as the beast charged to bite the Yaksha. "And the effect of my Yaksha activates to let me destroy a card in my hand, such as Fire King Avatar Kirin. But first, you take five hundred damage!"
Satoshi: LP 8000 → LP 7500, SPC: 12
Kasai: LP 8000 → LP 7900, SPC: 6
"But I still get to special summon a Fire Attribute monster, such as Neo Flamvell Hedgehog [800/200]." Satoshi defended. "Moving to main phase two, I remove seven Speed Counters from Speed World Two – Dual Magic to draw a card. Now, I'll remove four Speed Counters to inflict eight hundred damage for every Spell in my hand, and I hold four!"
Kasai: LP 7900 → LP 4700, SPC: 6
Satoshi: LP 7500, SPC: 12 → 5 → 1
"I play the Continuous Spell, Flame Wall and Volcanic Wall," Satoshi declared. "Then, I set two cards. Turn end."
"Draw!" Kasai declared. "During the standby phase, Garunix will return to the field!"
The phoenix reappeared, crying out as its fire proceeded to scorch all other monsters into oblivion.
"The effect of Barong allows me to search for another Fire King Avatar besides itself, and I'll choose Fire King Avatar Garunix," Kasai declared. "Moreover, Backfire activates!"
"Flame Wall allows me to become immune from effect damage when I have a Pyro Type monster in my graveyard," Satoshi retaliated. "Neo Flamvell Hedgehog is a Pyro Type. Speaking of which, I use the effect of Hedgehog when destroyed by card effect to retrieve Firedog from the graveyard."
"But you're still wide open!" Kasai argued. "Garunix, direct attack!"
"Continuous Trap, Firewall!" Satoshi retorted. "When I'm about to receive a direct attack, I can negate it at the cost of banishing a Pyro Type monster in my graveyard!"
Orange flames countered orange flames, allowing Satoshi to speed onward.
"Turn end!" Kasai scowled.
"Draw!" Satoshi called. "I use the effect of Volcanic Wall. Once per turn, I can send the top three cards of my deck to the grave, and inflict five hundred damage per Pyro Type monster sent this way. Feeling lucky, punk?" He pulled the cards. "Laval Volcano Handmaiden, Laval Forest Sprite, Reinforcement of the Army. That's a thousand damage, right there!"
A fireball flew from the card to strike Kasai.
Kasai: LP 4700 → LP 3700, SPC: 7
Satoshi: LP 7500, SPC: 2
"But, in exchange, I can't attack this turn." Satoshi gave a theatrical sigh. "I'll just end here."
"Draw!" Kasai called. "Bastard... activate the Trap, Dust Tornado! Now that Flame Wall is destroyed!"
Satoshi just shook his head. "Kids..."
"With that, I summon Enthusiastic Beast Wolfberk [1600/1200] to the field," Kasai called as a bipedal wolf wearing – and this was most surreal – goggles appeared on the field. With its effect, I'll revive Fire King Avatar Barong in defence mode. I construct an overlay network with these two monsters! Come, Diamond Dire Wolf [2000/1200]!"
Satoshi grimaced as the wolf appeared again.
"Now, I activate the Spell, The Big Cattle Drive," Kasai called. "Because I control a Winged Beast and a Beast, I can draw two cards. Entering battle phase, Garunix, direct attack!"
"Firewall is a Continuous Trap!" Satoshi retaliated as fire answered the bird.
"Diamond Dire Wolf, direct attack!" Kasai continued.
"Again!" Sweat poured off Satoshi's brow in contact with the flames. "Dammit..."
""Using the effect of Diamond Dire Wolf, I'll detach one material to destroy High Avatar Garunix," Kasai declared. "Backfire activates."
Satoshi: LP 7500 → LP 7000, SPC: 3
Kasai: LP 3700, SPC: 8
"When a Fire King monster I control is destroyed by card effect, I can special summon Fire King Avatar Garunix [700/1700]," Kasai called as a smaller bird knelt on the field, signifying defence. "I'll set a card and end my turn."
"Draw!" Satoshi called. "I summon Flamvell Magician [1400/200] in attack mode!"
"What can you do with that?" Kasai called. "You might as well mill yourself out with Volcanic Wall!"
"Yes, well..." Satoshi shrugged as a red-furred fix appeared. "Meet Inari Fire [1500/200]. When I control a Spellcaster Type monster I can special summon him from my hand. And he's like your Fire Kings as well; he revives himself when destroyed by card effect. You know... he reminds me of someone I know, a tricky fox. And he's a very good lucky charm."
"So you're leaving it to luck?" Kasai remarked.
"Tuning, level four Flamvell Magician to level four Inari Fire!" Satoshi called. "In brightest day, in darkest night, behold the core of the true might. To those who worship oppressive might, beware my power of fire-light. Synchro summon! The soul of fire, Blazeus – Dragon of the Roaring Flames!"
Flames crackled in a conflagration of light and heat as the dragon appeared. Its head, torso, wings, forearms, lower legs, claws, and the point of his tail were encased in armour resembling molten rock, while the rest of his body was draped in basic red dragon scales. It roared as it appeared, and the phoenix monster cried in answer [3200/2700].
"When Blazeus is special summoned to the field, my opponent takes five hundred damage!" Satoshi called as scarlet fire burned as it flew at Kasai.
Kasai: LP 3700 → LP 3200, SPC: 9
Satoshi: LP 7000 SPC: 4
"Now I use the effect of Blazeus!" Satoshi called. "By sending a Fire Attribute monster such as Laval Judgement Lord from my hand to my graveyard, I can inflict damage to you equal to the attack of the sent monster, so eat twenty-seven hundred damage!"
Its maw opened and unleashed a barrage of flame at Kasai.
"Trap card, Destruct Potion!" Kasai called. "By destroying my own Garunix, I can gain its attack as my life points!"
Kasai: LP 3200 → LP 500 → LP 3200, SPC: 9
Satoshi: LP 7000, SPC: 4
"But, by using this effect I can't use him to declare an attack," Satoshi finished. "So I'll mill some cards with Volcanic Wall..."
The cards were revealed, and Satoshi groaned.
"Even your luck is bad!" Kasai jeered as Satoshi slotted three cards into the graveyard slot.
"I set two cards, turn end!" Satoshi scowled.
"Draw!" Kasai called. "And welcome back, Garunix!"
With a cry, Garunix reappeared, and the flames scorched even Blazeus.
"When Blazeus is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, my opponent takes three hundred damage!" Satoshi yelled. "And meet Backfire!"
"Well, meet mine too!" Kasai yelled back.
Kasai: LP 3200 → LP 2400, SPC: 10
Satoshi: LP 7000 → LP 6500, SPC: 5
"This is getting them nowhere," Adrian groaned. "Come on, Dios mio, Trailblazer..."
"I'm not done!" Kasai retaliated. "Because Garunix was destroyed, I can special summon from my hand Fire King Avatar Barong again! Barong, Garunix, direct attack!"
Satoshi gritted his teeth as the attacks hit straight on.
Satoshi: LP 6500 → LP 2000, SPC: 5
Kasai: LP 2400, SPC: 10
"Dammit, it hurts..." Satoshi breathed.
"What, we've hit you long enough?" Kasai chuckled. "I'll set a card and end here!"
"Draw!" Satoshi whooped. "Well, you might be wondering why I chose to take your attacks head-on instead of defending with Firewall."
"Yeah..." Kasai nodded.
"The fact is..." Satoshi smirked. "That for this monster, I needed five fire Attribute monsters, and exactly five, in my graveyard. Now, I'll drop this special monster..."
Kasai stared. "No!"
"Yes!" Satoshi crowed. "Meet Pyrorex the Elemental Lord [2800/2200]!"
A dinosaur, clothed in gleaming armour that was covered, groaned as it rose, baring its fangs.
"Now, Pyrorex, destroy Garunix, and take both of us down!" Satoshi called, and the dinosaur groaned as the phoenix cried in a sea of fire.
Satoshi: LP 2000 → LP 650, SPC: 6
Kasai: LP 2400 → LP 1050, SPC: 11
"Backfire hits!" Kasai retaliated.
"Quick-play Spell, Spell of Pain!" Satoshi retorted as fire arced towards Kasai.
Kasai: LP 1050 → LP 550, SPC: 11
Satoshi: LP 650, SPC: 6
"And then..." Satoshi revealed the next trap. "Destruction Ring! Now Pyrorex is destroyed and we both take one thousand damage!"
Kasai: LP 550 → LP 0, SPC: 11
Satoshi: LP 650 → LP 0, SPC: 6
"A draw..." the MC took a deep breath. "Both second wheelers have been knocked out!"
Drake Lancaster stretched absently, fingers pulling taut on one bicep. He had already changed back into civilian clothings, a white baseball shirt, a green baseball cap, and jeans with green slide-on sandals. It was perhaps a bit casual for the Memorial Circuit, but Drake was too focused on his own thoughts to care.
I can give you the power to stop this...
"Damn you, lizard," Drake snorted. An army, a building falling, his family's blood staining the concrete dark burgundy... "Stop what? And where?"
"You, you're the holder of Tornadus, aren't you?" the voice murmured lightly as Drake whirled around to see a beautiful woman with dark brown eyes and short black hair, dressed in a tight Riding suit in the colours of violet, that of Team Illusion. Her eyes glimmered chartreuse in the light.
"Can I help you?" Drake slapped on a smile, desperately looking around for his girlfriend. If she caught him here... well, it did not bear thinking about. Marina could make a tempest seem minor when she was mad.
"Well, it depends," the woman's eyes glimmered gold again, and Drake felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. Not too late, as he dived and the fireball impacted where he would have been standing previously.
Possessed...
"Who are you?" Drake demanded, fingers reaching for his deck. "What are you? Unhand that woman!"
The woman, or creature possessing the woman, cocked her head, the gold eyes gleaming unnaturally. "I think not."
The next fireball missed, but exploded on the carpet, burnt a hole, and then abruptly consumed a hole as wide as his outstretched hand. Blithely, his foe continued: "You are the holder of the Mist Valley's treasure. If you die, Winter and Summer will finally go to war once more." She smirked. "The Heart will be a precious treasure I will gift the King."
"You're the threat, aren't you?" Drake quickly drew a card, assessing his options. Given how he was currently in an enclosed space, there was no way he could fight here. He could run, but then there were innocents, and most likely the possessing creature did not care about collateral.
"Fah," the woman, or creature, spat. "I am one of three kings of nothingness, Kyothys of the Void and Fowl of Summer."
"Well, I don't really care about all of that," Drake shook his head. "And you aren't getting your claws into anything, lady."
A larger fireball appeared in her hand. "I think you are amusing. You will entertain me for a moment before I must conclude my enmity against Winter. Run, little mortal, run, and maybe you will amuse me for the mere spell of your life."
Drake backed up slightly. "What's going on?"
"You will die," was the simple reply as the fires raged in her palm. "And that you will die ignorant."
In another part of the stadium, Rowena paused in the midst of knocking the door to the booths. "What... was that?"
The door opened. "Rowena-san?"
"R- Ryuusei!" Rowena nearly jumped at the sight of the boy. "Erm... actually... about-"
"Ryuusei, stop listening when people are flirting and come over!" Rex's voice echoed behind him.
Rowena jumped. "I- I'm not flirting with him!"
"That's right, Rex," Ryuusei sighed. "Rowena-san is too mature to do something like that in public. Rowena-san, is there something I can do for you?"
"T- Too mature?" Rowena stormed off in a huff, pulling a compact out of her pocket at the same time. Ryuusei was left standing open-mouthed in surprise.
"...Was it something I said?"
"It has been decided that the Duel will continue with both third wheelers; Team Conflagration's Adrian Rodriguez, versus Team Cold Flame's Yamada Yukio!"
"Yamada?!" Alexianna considered. "Why that guy of all people..."
"Is there something wrong?" Takeshi asked.
"Yukio Yamada..." Alexianna swallowed. "Is the only person to have ever been trained by Setsuka personally. The student of the Arcadia Movement's most feared Duelist, and a part of the Royal Flush once..."
"I've heard of him," Kiyomi nodded, crossing his arms. "He runs a Gishki deck, right? Word's out that he kills people by drowning them alive first."
"Yeah..." Alexianna solemnly nodded. "The European Movement thinks so as well."
"Drowning-" Takeshi cut off. "You're serious?"
"As a heart attack," Alexianna solemnly replied. "He's not called the Cold Wolf for nothing. Word's out that he's pretty vicious in missions, and maybe even worse."
"Worse?" Takeshi mumbled as the blue D-Wheel sped to meet the green one.
"Ready to lose?" Adrian called mockingly.
"You wish," was the simple reply.
"Riding Duel, Acceleration!"
Adrian: LP 8000, SPC: 6, Continuous Trap Backfire, Continuous Trap Firewall, Continuous Spell Volcanic Wall
Yukio: LP 8000, SPC: 11, Fire King Avatar Barong [1800/200] Continuous Trap Backfire, 1 set card
"Dammit, Shinamori left these many cards behind..." Adrian grumbled.
"You are troubled, I see," Yukio's observation was cold as his D-Wheel made the first turn. "I will begin first. By playing the Spell, Magic Planter, I can remove Backfire from my field to draw two cards."
Adrian grimaced.
"Now, I discard Gishki Shadow to add the Spell, Gishki Aquamirror from my deck to my hand," Yukio continued, his voice monotone. "I summon Gishki Noellia [1700/1000] to the field."
A woman smirked nastily as she appeared, her long red hair elaborately piled on top of her head as she preened in robes edged in a pattern resembling fins and waved a staff topped by an Aquamirror.
"When Noellia is normal summoned, I can reveal the top five cards of my deck, milling any Gishki monsters or Ritual Spell cards into the graveyard," Yukio declared. "I have two monsters and two Ritual Spells, hence I mill four cards while the remaining is shuffled into the deck. I activate the Spell card, Preparation of Rites, allowing me to search my deck for a level seven or lower Ritual monster in my deck to add to my hand and adding a Ritual Spell of choice from graveyard to hand. I choose Evigishki Tetrogre, and from my graveyard I retrieve the Spell, Gishki Photomirror."
Adrian backed slightly, but the next move surprised him.
"I construct an overlay network with these two monsters," Yukio called. "Come, Evigishki Merrowgeist!"
With flowing red hair, a creature bedecked in fins, a red tail and wings tinged in green, holding a staff topped with the Aquamirror, appeared on the field. The female upper body was at odds with the fish-tail protruding down, and the monster waved, beautiful despite its being an aberration to anything resembling normality [2100/1600]. Adrian muttered a curse word.
"Now, I play the Spell, Gishki Aquamirror," Yukio continued. "By offering the Evigishki Tetrogre in my hand as tribute, I Ritual summon Evigishki Gustkraken! Witch of the seas, answer my call, hear my plea, come to my aid! The Ritual Mirror bring you forth!"
The blue mirror appeared, swallowing the shadow of the ogre whole. The smooth glassy surface of the mirror began churning as a figure of shadows rose from it. The suds of the water spray flowed off to reveal long red hair under a green wide-brimmed witch's hat, smirking feminine features which would have been beautiful if not for the tentacles that poked out under the black armour the Monster wore. The female upper body held a staff, the head of which was the same blue sapphire mirror that brought it forth [2400/1000].
"By shuffling Gishki Aquamirror into my deck, I can retrieve Tetrogre from the grave to my hand," Yukio continued to monotone. "When Gustkraken I can look at up to two random cards in your hand, and shuffle one of them into your deck. Come, let's see the two cards to your right."
The witch cackled lowly, her staff waved, and the two cards were snatched out and revealed.
"Shuffle Vennominon the King of Poisonous Snakes into the deck," Yukio deadpanned. "With that done, I enter battle phase. Merrowgeist, attack my opponent directly."
"Aww crap," Adrian sighed as the monster began to fly at him. "Not! Go, Battle Fader [0/0]!"
The merrow stopped just shy as the pendulum appeared.
"Upon declaration of direct attack, battle phase is forcibly ended by special summon of Battle Fader," Yukio thought out loud. "I set a card and end my turn."
"Draw!" Adrian called. "I summon Reptilianne Naga [0/0] and play the Spell, Gryphon's Feather Duster to destroy the three cards in my back row and gain five hundred life points per card."
Adrian: LP 8000 → LP 9500, SPC: 8
Yukio: LP 8000, SPC: 12
"Now, I set two cards and end my turn," Adrian called.
"Draw," Yukio stared at the card. "I will set one monster. Evigishki Merrowgeist, attack Battle Fader."
"When Battle Fader leaves the field, it is removed from play," Adrian grinned. "So meet Zero Force!"
Pink rings of energy appeared around the kraken, the merrow and the Naga. Only the Naga looked untroubled; the other two were snarling to be released from their bonds.
"Zero Force turns the attack power of all monsters on the field into zero," Adrian smirked. "Well?"
Yukio glanced at the field, at his crippled monsters. He raised a single eyebrow. Adrian had the sudden feeling that maybe this man was not to be underestimated.
"I play the Spell, Big Wave Small Wave," Yukio answered. "Now, I destroy Gustkraken and Merrowgeist to special summon Gishki Abyss [800/500] to the field in defence mode. When this card is summoned, I can add a Gishki monster with a defence power of one thousand or less from my deck, except Abyss itself. I add Gishki Shadow. By discarding Gishki Shadow, I will search for a copy of Gishki Aquamirror. Activate the Trap, Aquamirror Meditation. By revealing Gishki Aquamirror in my hand, I target Gustkraken and Merrowgeist and return them to my hand, or in the case of Merrowgeist to the extra deck. Now, I activate Gishki Aquamirror, allowing me to offer Tetrogre in my hand as a sacrifice again to ritual summon Evigishki Gustkraken. Witch of the seas, answer my call, hear my plea, come to my aid! The Ritual Mirror bring you forth!"
The monster reappeared, grinning madly.
"And your hand is revealed to me," Yukio cocked his head. "Shuffle, Rise of the Snake Deity."
Adrian cursed loudly as he did so.
"Concluded, turn end."
"Draw!" Adrian called. "Damn, Dueling you is a challenge."
"I endeavour to do my best." Yukio nodded. "You won't win."
"I beg to disagree," Adrian smirked. "Why?"
"You lack conviction," was the simple answer.
"I play the Spell, Allure of Darkness," Adrian called. "By drawing two cards and banishing a Dark Attribute monster from my hand... okay. I play the Spell, Reptilianne Spawn. By banishing the Reptilianne Gorgon in my graveyard, I can special summon two Reptilianne Tokens [0/0] to the field. Then, I tribute both tokens! The king of the Gorgons and Nagas, arise from the times of strife you reigned! I offer you the blood of the enemy! Descend, Reptilianne Vaskii!"
The snake-like lower body undulated, the upper body waved, and in one hand the monster brandished a lotus [2600/0].
"Reptilianne Vaskii can destroy one face-up monster on the field once per turn." Adrian called. "Vaskii, destroy Gustkraken!"
A beam of light shot through the witch, destroying the monster.
"Then, Vaskii, attack the Gishki Abyss!" Adrian declared as Vaskii shot another beam. "Turn end. Who lacks conviction now?"
"Draw," Yukio did not seem disturbed. "I flip summon Gishki Ariel [1000/1800]."
The girl glided up, gleaming jewels flashing in her ears, more laced about her throat, wrist, ankle, on the dark broad-brimmed witch's hat upon her head, and a simple pendant with the sapphire mirror around her neck, and the more ornate staff in hand.
"Ariel allows me to search for a Gishki monster to add to my hand, and I shall add Gishki Diviner." Yukio continued. "I now use the effect of Gishki Aquamirror in my graveyard, shuffling it back into the deck to retrieve Evigishki Tetrogre. Now, I will activate Gishki Photomirror. By offering my life points equal to the level of the monster I am trying to summon times five hundred, I can ritual summon Evigishki Tetrogre. Ogre of the seas rising from the deeps, answer thy call and swear by thy oath. Come, Evigishki Tetrogre!"
Yukio: LP 8000 → LP 5000, SPC: 12
Adrian: LP 9500, SPC: 11
Its armour clanked as the beaked monster arose like some vaguely legendary sea monster, baring its claws [2600/2100].
"Activate the effect of Evigishki Tetrogre." Yukio called. "Once per turn, I can declare monster, spell or trap, and we must send one card of that type from deck to graveyard if my opponent does not choose to negate the effect by sending one card from hand to graveyard. Since your hand size is currently at zero, we can skip all deliberation. I choose monster card."
"Fine by me," Adrian nodded as he slotted the card.
"Now, since Gishki Shellfish was sent to the graveyard by card effect, I can look at the top three cards of my deck, and rearrange them in any order I like." Yukio took the cards, shifted around, and then put them back. "I summon Gishki Diviner [1200/800]."
This new monster stared into its blue mirror, apparently scrying.
"The effect of Gishki Diviner: Once per turn, I can declare one card name, and reveal the top card of my deck," Yukio declared, slightly more excited. "If it is the declared card, I add it to my hand. Otherwise, I must return it to the top of the deck. I declare Salvage."
"Of course you'd get it right," Adrian muttered as Yukio took the card.
"Now, I activate Salvage, allowing me to retrieve Gishki Vision and Gishki Shadow from the graveyard," Yukio declared. "With that, I discard both to take the Ritual Spell, Forbidden Arts of the Gishki and the Ritual monster, Evigishki Soul Ogre. I activate Forbidden Arts of the Gishki to ritual summon the level eight Evigishki Soul Ogre."
"Hold up," Adrian's brow furrowed. "You don't have a sacrifice handy."
"Forbidden Arts of the Gishki allows me to tribute a monster from anywhere of the field," Yukio placidly replied. "There is only one level eight monster on the field."
"...you utter bastard," Adrian swore quietly as he pulled the card off his console.
"Tortured malice of the Gishki, hold your grudges close and your rage closer, for it will be our salvation," Yukio chanted. "Arise, Evigishki Soul Ogre!"
The monster resembled a cross between a fish and a bird; scaly skin ending with claws and taloned feet, a crested head beaked at the jaw, and overall like some evolved sea-dragon human hybrid [2800/2800].
"Come on, a Soul Exchange for Ritual Spells?" Adrian complained. "That's totally unfair."
"There is a drawback," Yukio informed him. "I cannot conduct my battle phase in the same turn this card is activated, and the summoned monster's attack is halved [2800/2800 → 1400/2800]. It is just as well that Soul Ogre is summoned in defence mode. The effect of Soul Ogre; by discarding a Gishki monster to discard a face-up card my opponent controls, such as Reptilianne Naga, and sending it back into your deck."
"Like I said, bastard," Adrian shook his head.
"Turn end." Yukio hardly seemed offended.
"Draw!" Adrian called. "I activate the Speed Spell – Angel Baton! Now by drawing two cards, I can send a monster from hand to graveyard. Then I play Aurora Draw! When this is the only card in my hand, I can draw two cards!"
Adrian smirked. "Now, I play Snake Rain, sending four Reptile Type monsters from deck to graveyard. Activate Speed Spell – Accelerator Draw, to draw two cards. Say... why do you Duel?"
"That is a matter not of your concern."
"Come on, so I lack conviction, but you don't?" Adrian mockingly said.
"If we must," Yukio still remained serene. "I am one of a handful of Psychics who have been abandoned by our families."
Adrian flinched. "Ouch."
"The Movement is therefore everything to me," Yukio affirmed, a light of determination in his eyes. "For the sake of the Arcadia Movement, for fellow victims of chance like us, I duel here. No matter what, I must try here. Win or lose, I will not bring shame to the one who saved me, who saved us."
"Heh... so there's actually a good reason," Adrian whistled. "I set a card, and then play Angel Baton once more to draw two cards and send a monster from hand to graveyard. Now, I play Snake Rain to mill four more Reptiles. Activate the set card, Monster Reborn! The snake king's wrath shall be unleashed once more! His body uncoiled, he will crush all in his way! Arise, Vennominon the King of Poisonous Snakes!"
It wore green robes under a sweeping purple cloak, and bore a golden crown the shape of the top half of a cobra's head to cover its face. Snakes of a greenish hue hissed from all around it's body, and everyone would swear that he could see a forked tongue dart out occasionally [0/0].
"Vennominon gains five hundred attack for every Reptile Type monster in the graveyard, and last I counted eight," Adrian declared [0/0 → 4000/0]. "Vennominon, attack Tetrogre! Venom Blow!"
The figure spat, the venom bubbling like acid as it cloaked the monster who could only scream as it was destroyed.
Yukio: LP 5000 → LP 2400, SPC: 12
Adrian: LP 9500, SPC: 12
"Turn end."
"Draw!" Yukio announced. "By playing another Preparation of Rites, I take Evigishki Mind Augus from deck to hand, and retrieve Gishki Photomirror from the graveyard. I use the effect of Gishki Diviner, declaring Gishki Aquamirror, which I add from deck to hand. Now, I play Pot of Avarice, shuffling five monsters back to draw two cards. Having concluded such, I offer Evigishki Gustkraken in my hand as a sacrifice to summon Evigishki Mind Augus! Magician of the waters, come from the deep, your magics of the shadows to assist us this day. Arise, Evigishki Mind Augus!"
The resulting monster was like the Ariel still on the field, astride a mutated fish-beast, the staff proudly displayed [2500/2000].
"When Ariel is summoned, I can shuffle back any five cards from either graveyard into the deck," Yukio declared.
"... I hate you," Adrian decided as he pulled out all five Reptiles, leaving three. Vennominon groaned from the loss of power [4000/0 → 1500/0]
Yukio gave a benevolent smile, that was completely at odds with his intentions. "I move Soul Ogre and Ariel to attack mode. Now... Mind Augus, attack."
Adrian: LP 9500 → LP 8500, SPC: 12
Yukio: LP 2400, SPC: 12
"I can banish one Reptile to special summon Vennominon in defence mode," Adrian called.
"Diviner, attack," Yukio continued in a bizarre cycle as Vennominon rose and fell. "Ariel, attack. Soul Ogre, direct attack!"
Adrian: LP 8500 → LP 7100, SPC: 12
Yukio: LP 2400, SPC: 12
"Turn end."
"Draw!" Adrian called. "I'll set a monster and end my turn!"
"Draw. Mind Augus, attack the set card."
"And you fell for the trap called Reptilianne Naga!" Adrian crowed, but not when Yukio gave a speculative look at his Soul Ogre. "Erm..."
"I end my turn here." Yukio decided.
"Draw!" Adrian called. "I'll set a card, and then Naga moves to attack mode through its own effect. Turn end."
"Draw," Yukio was short and to the point. "Soul Ogre, Ariel, Diviner, attack Reptilianne Naga!"
Adrian: LP 7100 → LP 3500, SPC: 12
Yukio: LP 2400, SPC: 12
"Draw!" Adrian scowled. "I'll set another card, turn end."
"Draw," Yukio studied the field. "And it is my victory. By offering Evigishki Mind Augus as a sacrifice to the Gishki Aquamirror, I will summon Evigishki Gustkraken!"
The sea-witch reappeared, and it was then that Adrian saw it, the flashing eyes... "That Gishki Ariel! It's a Duel Spirit!"
The witch's hat was tilted, and a saucy wink was delivered. The crowd screamed, maybe because they thought it were a trick, but Adrian was long familiar with these things to sense, or perhaps know that his cards were not the only ones that were alive.
"Then, I play Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy that Spirit Barrier, and equip Gustkraken with United We Stand!" Yukio called [2400/1000 → 5600/1000]. "Attack Reptilianne Naga, my witch of the seas!"
"You're weak!" Adrian snapped. "Reverse card, Mirror Mail! And don't forget, my Naga [0/0 → 5600/0] can't be destroyed by battle!"
Yukio screamed, but it was too late as the witch screamed, poisoned and turning into stone that crumbled in mere moments. "Turn end..."
"Draw!" Adrian called. "You fumbled. You thought that I would be wide open even without Spirit Barrier. Now, Naga, attack Gishki Ariel and release that guy!"
The snake hissed, jumping into the fray, and the Spellcaster and its master screamed as one as the witch froze, her physical body turning into the stone that so marked victims of that tribe...
Abovehead, Setsuka merely watched as Yukio's D-Wheel crashed into the track wall.
Yukio: LP 2400 → LP 0
Adrian: LP 3500
"And the winner is Team Conflagration! Someone get an emergency team down there!"
Blazeus – Dragon of the Roaring Flames
Level 8
FIRE/Dragon/Synchro/Effect
1 Tuner + 1 or more FIRE non-Tuner Monsters
Effect: When this card is Synchro Summoned, your opponent takes 500 points of damage. Once per turn, you can send one FIRE monster from your field or hand to the Graveyard to inflict damage to your opponent equal to half that monster's original ATK. Blazeus cannot attack the same turn you use this effect. If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to the Graveyard, your opponent takes 300 points of damage.
ATK: 3200/DEF: 2700
The above card was invented by Serpentdragon in pairing with Satoshi Shinamori.
On that note, I am pleased to announce that the end of Boss Rush is forthcoming and that work on the sequel, Call of Darkness, is already planned out. Call of Darkness will be told between two points of view; one of our favourite cynical, jaded knight in sour armour Chase Princeton, and a relatively new OC that I had invented once in the already removed fic Star Light Star Bright, Kannazuki Seika. Unless there are issues with first-person POV amongst readers, this author notes that first-person POV tends to garner more reviews and encouragement, meaning that once this experiment in writing narrative is done I will be returning to first-person POV fics for a while.
Please review!
