Cora
"Just who in the hell are you?" Cora said to the large figure on the blue platform.
"Cora, what's going on?" asked Alexis. "Do you know this thing?"
"No, I don't. I've never seen it before in my life."
The figure let out a squeaky laugh. "Cora, you honestly don't know who I am? I am hurt. After everything I've done to help you become something in this world."
"What are you talking about? I don't know you!"
"Yes, you do, my dear. I am Seto Kaiba."
"You've got to be kidding me. You? Seto Kaiba? Did you think I was born yesterday or something?"
"Who knows when you were born," said the figure. "You appeared out of nowhere and wandered the roads like the little rat that you are, but I looked past all that and gave you a home and the Blue-Eyes White Dragon."
"You are NOT Seto Kaiba!" Cora yelled.
"Oh, yes I am. At least…a part of him." The man removed his hood and his mask, revealing a hideous, obese creature that looked like a clown. His lips were the color of worms wriggling in the mud, his skin a moldy brown. He had tiny wisps of pink hair on both sides and on the top of his head.
"Ew! It's hideous!" Nixie shivered as she backed up into M's embrace.
"Oh, that's really gross," said Alexis.
"Damn, man, I've seen some messed up stuff in my life but this ranks at ten on my weird-shit-O-meter."
"What's the matter, Cora?" said the creature. "Do you not find me attractive?"
"No, quite frankly I don't! I'd call you a monster but I won't. I wouldn't want to insult the cards."
"Why Cora, is that any way to talk to your father?" the clown said with a giggle.
"Oh man, stop with that! You are not my Seto Kaiba! If you were I'd run back to the streets. Tell me the truth, creep, what the hell are you?"
"I speak the truth. I am Seto Kaiba. Well, the better half of him."
"What do you mean by zat?" Madeline shouted. "What are you, creature?"
"I am the dark side of Seto Kaiba," the clown explained. "Long ago when Yugi and Kaiba first Dueled, I was separated from Seto and then cast away into the Shadow Realm by a powerful magic spell Yugi used. But now, thanks to the divine mages of the Covenant of Yeyu, I have been brought back as my own separate entity. And now I will take the role of Seto Kaiba and drive Kaiba Corp into a whole new direction. One that will benefit the Covenant, of course."
"And how — pray tell — do you expect to do that?" Jericho asked. "You don't even look like Seto Kaiba."
"Oh don't I? Well, observe!" The clown's body began to bubble and bulge in a sickening display of metamorphosis. Cora felt the pizza in her stomach twisting and she gagged. The transformation was complete and the clown took the form of Seto Kaiba, but he was still different. His skin was tan and he had black markings underneath both his eyes. There were other differences but still, the resemblance was almost uncanny.
"Are you impressed?" the creature asked. He even had Kaiba's voice. When he saw the repulsed looks on the girls, he laughed and changed back into a clown.
"So that's the plan, huh?" said Nixie. "They're going to keep Seto trapped in that virtual world while this thing takes over."
"Got that right!" said Tomba. "And not only will this guy run Kaiba Corp and run it in our favor, but he'll also disavow you and take your Blue-Eyes. What did we tell you guys? Never ever bet against the Covenant of Yeyu. We're always one step ahead. And to further prove to the world that our friend here is Seto Kaiba, we even gave him his deck."
"Oh no!" Mokuba cried. "I forgot to take Seto's cards."
"Then I'll just have to win them back?" Cora said.
Mickey smacked his palm against his fist. "You sure about this, Cora? This is going to be a Holy Duel. It won't be like the last ones we forced you to play in, but you'll still lose your soul if you are defeated. It doesn't have to be this way, you know. You could always accept the ghost guy here as your new father and accept the true temple of Termnnia. You could have power beyond your wildest dreams."
"I think I'll pass," Cora said. She hopped on top of the red platform and it took her up so she could face her opponent.
"You're such a self-righteous fool!" said Mickey, trying to keep Mokuba still. "You forget this spirit has your father's deck. Seto Kaiba! He's practically unbeatable! Face it, Cora, do yourself a favor and just accept what's happening. You're not going to win."
"Just because that thing is using my father's deck doesn't mean he's going to beat me. I assure you the only thing being sent to the Belly of Yeyu is that ugly ass bastard."
"Hmph!" said the clown. "Very well. If you insist. What a shame. You're such a pretty young thing." He drew his first five cards.
LP 8000
T1
"I'll start things off!" said the clown. "Muahahaha! I use the Banner of Yeyu!"
"No!" Kasumi shouted. "Cora get out of there!"
But it was too late. The banner formed on the field and trapped both Cora and the clown in a dome of gold with diamond-shaped tiles outlined in bright blue.
"There's no escape for you now, Cora!" laughed Mickey. "All right, clown! Show her what you've got! Prove to us that you are worthy to serve almight Yeyu!"
"Yes, indeed. Watch as I activate the spell, Trade-In. Now I discard a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand and draw two cards."
"Oh, so incredible," Cora said sarcastically.
"Hmph. You won't be laughing for long," said the clown. He laughed at the cards he drew. "All prepare! I use the spell, Ancient Rules! This card allows me to summon a high-level Normal monster from my hand! Tremble before the might of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
He smacked the card on the interface. The old holo-projectors whirred and hummed loudly as they tried to render the beast. The Blue-Eyes White Dragon appeared out of a flash of light and roared at the sky. Because the holograms were so old-fashioned, the monster's image was staticky at a low 144p resolution.
ATK/3000 DEF/2500
"Can't believe this is what we played with back in the day," Cora said. It was terribly underwhelming compared to the high-resolution Solid Vision holograms she and her friends played with.
"Wait!" shouted Madeline. "How can zat thing wield ze Blue-Eyes White Dragon? I thought zose cards refuse to listen to Duelists who aren't of ze Kaiba family."
"That's where you're wrong, my dear," said the clown. "Remember what I told you. I am the dark side of Seto Kaiba. I have his skills, his privileges, his good looks, and his dragons." He licked his lips. "And now I may even have his daughter. Come, Cora, don't do this. You are much too precious to be sent to the Belly of Yeyu. We can lead a fabulous life together."
"Ew, no!" Cora said. "You can forget it freak. And I wouldn't get to comfortable with your plans. You still have to defeat me to take over this family."
"Oh, indeed. I set a monster in defense mode and end my turn!"
"It's about time," Cora said. She drew, beginning her turn.
T2
"Look out, freak. I summon Kaibaman in attack mode!"
"All right!" Mokuba cheered. "Kaibaman to the rescue!"
Kaibaman jumped out of the ground and spun in the air before he stopped and posed. "Now to activate his special ability. I sacrifice him to special summon my own Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Meet my friend, Volerion"
"Nyeh," sneered the clown. He clapped once the dragon was fully rendered on the field. "Bravo, Cora, bravo. Now we each have a Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field."
"Hell yeah. Now I'll blast away your face-down monster with mine. Go, Volerion! White Lightning Attack!"
Volerion opened his mouth. He charged the attack, electricity surging in his throat. He released the attack and struck the face-down monster. It was a green reptile with yellow stripes. The fallen monster screeched and shattered to pieces.
"I end my turn," said Cora.
T3
"Nyah-hahaha! You've destroyed my Des Feral Imp!" said the clown. "When it's flipped up, I can return a card from my Graveyard to my deck. So now I have another Blue-Eyes White Dragon laying in wait for you. But I won't have to wait long for it; for I play Bingo Machine Go! Now I select three cards with Blue-Eyes in their name and hold them up for you to choose. Whatever card you pick gets added to my hand and the rest will go back to my deck. Choose, Cora. Which card goes to my hand."
"The third one from the left."
"Nyah-hahahaha! Good choice! It's a Blue-Eyes White Dragon! And now I play the spell, Polymerization, fusing together my two Blue-Eyes White Dragons for the all-powerful Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"
"Oh great!" Cora shouted.
Both the dragons were sucked into the fusion vortex and came out as a two-headed dragon with a bright white body and neon blue markings.
ATK/3000 DEF/2500
"Wait! That thing has a double-headed form?" Alexis said.
"You don't know much about the Blue-Eyes, do you, Princess?" Kasumi said.
"No. I had no idea it had these kinds of forms. Wow, you learn something new every day."
"All tremble before my powerful beast!" shouted the clown. "And I'm not done yet, Cora. I summon Vorse Raider in attack mode!"
The ax-wielding beast-warrior jumped out and swung his blade around. He grunted as landed on the ground.
ATK/1900 DEF/1200
"Now the fun begins!" said the clown. "Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, attack Cora's Blue-Eyes. And before you go on about how our monsters are evenly matched, you should know —"
"—you don't have to explain a damn thing!" Cora shouted. "I know what Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon does. He can't be destroyed in battle so Volerion is destroyed and your monster isn't."
Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon aimed their beams at one another, they combined as they crashed against one another and then launched toward Volerion, blowing a hole through his chest. He roared and was then shattered to pieces.
"Now, Vorse Raider, attack Cora directly with your mighty ax!"
Vorse Raider charged toward Cora's platform. He jumped and slashed her across the chest.
"ARRGGH!" Cora grimaced as she massaged her chest. "Oh, man, that hurt." She stopped when she noticed her palm felt sticky and warm. She raised it up to exam it. Her eyes bulged in fear when she saw it was covered with blood. Cora took off her jacket and ripped her top apart. There was a deep gash right on the spot where Vorse Raider struck her. She could see the white of her sternum underneath the ragged pink meat.
"Cora!" M shouted. "What happened, girl!?"
"He...he struck me...for real? I...guys...guys, I don't think these are holograms!"
"Shadow Magic!" shouted Nixie. "Mickey! Now, do you see? There's nothing holy about all this. You have to stop this right now!"
"Shut up!" the boy shouted. "I'm not stopping nothing! Watch in horror as the dark side of Seto Kaiba rips Cora up piece by painful piece."
The clown laughed. "Nyah-hahahaha! I gave you a chance to surrender, Cora. But you kept forcing me to take extreme measures. It's not too late to back down now. I wouldn't want to harm another part of you, my dear."
"Whether I'm in one piece or a million, I swear by the Goddesses that I'm taking you down. You won't take the reins of this family. I do not fear your Banner! I do not fear your Church! I do not fear you! I fear no one! Like my father before me, I will strike down anything and anyone that dare stands in the way of our House!"
"You tell 'em, Cora!"
"Shut up, Mokuba!" said Mickey, still trying to hold him down.
"Ha! Then, by all means, try and stop my mighty twin-headed Blue-Eyes!" said the clown. "He cannot be destroyed in battle, so there is very little you can do to stop it!"
Cora - 6100 LP
Ghost Kaiba - 8000 LP
T4
Cora drew her next card. She grimaced at her hand. There was only one hope in turning this around but in order for it to work, she was going to have to take some damage. "Shit. I set a monster down and end my turn."
T5
"Is that all you can muster, Cora?" sneered the clown. "Pathetic. I sacrifice Vorse Raider and summon Kaiser Vorse Raider!"
Vorse Raider's body began to grow bulkier and his vest and cargo pants became spiked and armored in purplish-black steel.
ATK/1900 DEF/1200
The clan held up his hand. "Now, my beast, attack her face-down monster!"
Kaiser Vorse Raider charged across the field and sliced the card in half, revealing a glowing white stone. The clown seemed to pay it no heed, for he was happy about the 500 ATK boost Kaiser Vorse Raider got for destroying a monster. He then pointed at Cora and commanded his Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon to attack Cora's Life Points directly. Cora felt as though her body was cast into a furnace. Her skin screamed in agony and her top was beginning to sear. Pieces of it flew into the air in little blue embers. Cora leaned forward on the interface wheezing for air. Her skin started to blister. The pain made her shiver. Steam slithered off her body as though she were a plump roast fresh from the oven.
"CORA!" her friends shouted.
Cora 3100 LP
Ghost Kaiba 8000 LP
"Nyah-hahahaha! Look at you! I've never seen anything so pathetic. How did this worthless creature gain the title as a daughter of House Kaiba? As MY daughter. You disgust me, child. You shame the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. I'll be sure to take them from your lifeless corpse when this Duel is over. That is if there's anything left of you. I can't wait to finish you off and feed your soul to the Banner of Yeyu. I end my turn."
A bright vortex formed in front of him. Then Deep of Blue-Eyes rose from it and gave a triumphant call as lightning flashed behind it and thunder shook the world.
ATK/2500 DEF/2500
"What's this!?" said the clown.
"The face-down monster you destroyed was White Stone of Ancients. At the end of the turn that it was destroyed, I can summon a monster with Blue-Eyes in its name. And I chose Deep of Blue-Eyes. When it's special summoned, I can add a ritual spell or Polymerization from my deck to my hand."
T6
"Now, I activate White Stone of Ancient's second ability. By banishing it from my Graveyard, I'm allowed to take Volerion out of the Graveyard and add it to my hand. Next, I activate the ritual I got with Deep of Blue-Eyes's effect. Chaos Form. Now I'll sacrifice Volerion to summon my good ol' buddy, Max."
Volerion underwent a drastic transformation as the gates of chaos opened behind him and transformed him into Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon. The monster was so big that the old projectors couldn't fully render his feet. Nevertheless, the dragon was still an awesome sight to behold.
"So, you've summoned your ace it seems," said the clown. "Will it be enough to destroy my Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon?"
"Don't get cocky, freak! From my hand, I discard Master with Eyes of Blue to activate the effect of my Neo Kaiser Glider."
"Huh?" the clown said. "What's this card?" A shadow loomed over him. He looked up and babbled in horror when he saw the giant mechanical dragon hovering over his side of the field.
"When Neo Kaiser Glider is sent to the graveyard, I can target a Normal dragon monster from my Graveyard and special summon it. So please welcome back my very dear friend, Volerion!"
Neo Kaiser Glider shot a tractor beam from its chest and rose the Blue-Eyes White Dragon out of the Graveyard. Volerion snarled ferociously, looking at the ghostly imposter with hunger.
"And that's not all," Cora continued. "Because Neo Kaiser Glider was sent to the Graveyard, it will lower the attack of all your monsters by 500 points."
"NO!" roared the clown. "That's so miserably unfair!"
"Your Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon's effect prevents it from being destroyed by battle, but that doesn't mean you still can't take damage. Max, Volerion, attack him now!"
Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon and Volerion took to the skies and circled over the field before getting into position. They opened their mouths and fired blue beams at the Twin Burst Dragon, dealing 2000 points of damage to the imposter's Life Points. Then, Deep of Blue-Eyes spread her wings and blasted Kaiser Vorse Raider, dealing another 500 points of damage. The imposter fell to his knees panting heavily. Purple blood oozed down his chin and his left eye was shut.
"You...you little bitch!" he gasped.
"I end my turn," said Cora. "And since it's the end phase, Deep of Blue-Eyes allows me to add a Blue-Eyes card to my hand."
"Way to go, Cora!" Mokuba cheered. "Take this creep down!"
The imposter got up and cackled. "You think you've got me beat? Ha! Don't start celebrating yet, little brother. You will be disappointed."
"I'm not your brother!" Mokuba shouted. "And you better start praying, Ugly. Once Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon is on the field, there's no stopping Cora! She's gonna wipe the floor with you!"
"We'll just see about that! My turn! I draw!"
Cora 3100 LP
Ghost Kaiba 5400 LP
T7
"Nyah-hahahaha! Take a good look at your Deep of Blue-Eyes, Cora!"
"Huh?" Cora looked at the LED screen displaying the cards in play on the field. A red warning sign flashed over the image of Deep of Blue-Eyes. "What's this?" She tapped on the image. "Oh no, she's been weakened! Argh, I forgot. Kaiser Vorse Raider reduces the attack of the monster that destroyed it by 500 points."
ATK/2000
"That's right," the clown said, fanning his face with his cards. "It's most unwise to underestimate me, Cora. I may be a separate incarnation of your father but I still have his skills, his memories, his abilities. And his lordship over the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Once you, your sniveling uncle, Mokuba, and my former host have been dealt with, these mighty beasts will pave the way to righteousness for the Church of Yeyu."
"That's not going to happen," said Cora.
"Why? Because you said so?" laughed the clown. "Watch as I turn this Duel back in my favor. First, I will rid the field of that Deep of Blue-Eyes with Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"
The twin-headed Blue-Eyes fired its double White Lightning attack and atomized Deep of Blue-Eyes, reducing Cora's Life Points to 2100.
"Nyah-hahahaha! And now Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon will rid us of your Chaos MAX Dragon."
"Shit," Cora mumbled. She knew what was about to happen. Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon could not be destroyed by battle, and if it fails to destroy a monster, it could banish it from the game. Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon screeched and then burst into a thousand bubbles of light. The attack cost the clown 1000 Life Points, but it was a small price to pay to rid the field of Cora's favorite monster.
"MAX!" Cora shouted. "No!"
The clown laughed again. "So much for your all-powerful Chaos MAX Dragon, Cora! Oh, this is just too easy. But what do you expect when you're the best! I AM SETO KAIBA! Nyah-hahahaha!"
Cora 2100 LP
Ghost Kaiba 4400 LP
T8
"I hate to admit it," said Alexis, "but this freak plays just as well as Seto Kaiba."
"That doesn't mean he is Seto Kaiba," said Kasumi. "Cora's had to face those dragons before and she came out triumphantly. I know she can do it again."
"You have a lot of faith in her, huh?" Alexis said with a smile.
"I sure do," said Kasumi. "You don't know Cora like we do. She'll make it out of this."
Cora drew. "I banish Deep of Blue-Eyes from the Graveyard to increase Volerion's attack by 1000 points!"
"What!" the clown shouted. "Oh no!" True, his dragon could not be defeated, but that was still 1000 Life Points he was about to lose and he was running low on points right now. Volerion blasted his Twin Burst Dragon and his Life Points plummeted to 3400.
T9
"Is that the best you can do, Cora?" the clown laughed. "It looks like you're all out of ideas. Twin Burst Dragon, destroy that beast!"
The clown threw away another 1000 Life Points just to banish Volerion, bringing him much glee. He started to dance around in his pod. "Yes! He's finished! Done for! La la la! Whoopee!"
Cora 2100 LP
Ghost Kaiba 2400 LP
"Make your final move, Cora."
T10
"If you say so," Cora said with a smile.
The clown got frustrated fast. "What are you so happy about!?"
"It's the end, that's what," said Cora. "You really thought you had what it takes to take Seto Kaiba's place. You never will. Mokuba is the future of the company and the House. Not even he can fill in those shoes. And neither can I no matter how blessed I am to be a part of this family. You can Duel like him, hell, you can even morph your ugly ass to look like him, but you will never be him. Wanna know why? Because unless you're Yugi Muto, Seto Kaiba doesn't lose to anyone."
"What? What are you saying? What did you draw?"
"This," Cora said holding up her second Blue-Eyes. "Meet Xalden."
"Another Blue-Eyes White Dragon, eh? What good that will do you, Cora. You don't have any monsters to sacrifice."
"Oh, I don't need to summon him to finish you off. Revealing him to you activates the effect of this guy. Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon."
"NO!" the clown shouted.
Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon slithered out of a portable and hissed. The clown didn't boast about their monsters being evenly matched. He knew what was about to happen. Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon activated its special ability and automatically destroyed his Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon.
"NO! MY DRAGON!"
"So what?" shouted Mickey. "You're still in this, clown! When Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon activates its effect, it can't attack."
"Ah, yes, you're right!" the clown said in relief. "Your dragon's Blue-Lightning attack is so powerful it forces your dragon to recharge its strength. I've still got a chance to win this."
"No, you don't," said Cora. "I activate Polymerization, fusing together the Blue-Eyes in my hand with Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon. Now tremble before my Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"
ATK/3000 DEF/2500
"NYAAAAH!" the clown shouted. "NO! NO! NO!"
"Consider this a message from the real Seto Kaiba, freak! You lose! Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, attack his Life Points directly!"
Cora's Twin Burst Dragon mustered all its strength to unleash its Double White Lighting attack at maximum power. The beam shot across the field and struck the clown. He screamed in agony as his body turned to cinders and he was gone. The Banner of Yeyu shattered like glass, releasing Cora from its prison.
"No!" shouted Mickey. "She...she won."
Mokuba elbowed him in the balls. Mickey grunted and fell to his knees, hands to his crotch as Mokuba ran up the podium to get his brother's deck. He stuffed it in his pocket and looked at the boys. "You two better get your act together. I swear when I get my hands on you, you'll be sorry."
"Wait!" Nixie said. "Mickey, please. Break away from this cult. It's not the way."
"What the hell would you know bitch!" the boy shouted. "I serve the Covenant of Yeyu and there's nothing you can do about it!"
"Oh, yes I can!" said Nixie. "I'll set you free one way or another. And if you have to be eaten by the Banner of Yeyu to understand how wrong you are, so be it."
"Is that a challenge!?" Mickey shouted.
"Sounds like it is," sneered Tomba. "Bring it on you cunt! We'll take you on! We've got the power of Yeyu on our side."
"So did he," Kasumi said pointing at the vacant pod. "And so did Prince Clovis and all those other goons you sent after us. You can't win, boys. Walk away from the Church and we'll find a way to help you."
"You can?" Tomba asked. "How?"
"Don't listen to them, Tomba!" shouted Mickey. "They're trying to manipulate us into the path of sin!"
"But Mickey, I have a feeling they're right. We haven't gotten anywhere with Knox and the Church."
"Knox?" said M.
"I had a feeling," said Madeline. "No doubt he used his poisonous tongue to get them to join the cult."
"You're wrong!" said Mickey.
"You should listen to her, kiddo," Cora said, walking down the steps. Her cuts and burns magically rejuvenated now that the Banner had been shattered. "Going against us is hazardous to your health. Yeyu is nothing but a ruse to get people to do evil. Look at what's been happening all over Termnnia. Heroes are rising to take down evil. Heroes like the Cyber Knight. The Platinum Valkyrie. The Empress of Light. The Seven Princes of the Alliance. Avi the Summoner of Dragons. Prince Yuri. You want to be on their bad side when the time comes to face them? They're not going to be like us. They'll show you no mercy."
"None," said Kasumi. She stepped forward and held out her hand. "Join us. I promise we'll do everything we can to help you."
"You can't help me," said Tomba. "I want a family. All I've wanted was a family."
"We have a family, Tomba!" said Mickey. "Don't listen to them! Seto Kaiba's game pods are down that way! But don't go thinking you're going to rescue him. We've got more stuff in store for you in the virtual world! Just you wait. Come on, Tomba."
The boy took off his cap and scratched the back of his head. "I uh...I've got to go," he said. He stormed after his friend and they both disappeared into the forest.
"Mickey!" Nixie said, going after him. Jericho grabbed her by the shoulder. "No, Nixie. Just let them go. They've made their choice and you must accept that."
"Fuck!" Nixie whispered.
"Hey, I promise we'll help them after we save my dad," said Cora. "I promise."
Nixie forced her lips into a smile. "Thanks, Cora. All right, Mokuba, where are those virtual pods?"
"This way. Follow me!"
