He sat in the puddle, bruised and feeling more broken, as his opponent pointed and laughed. The rain covering his face disguising his tears.
"Once again, you and your garbage deck lose as quickly as a Venom deck! Get out of here; dueling isn't for the pathetic like you!" His opponent sneered at him.
He started to crawl away, perhaps maybe then he could survive the rest of the day with his dignity intact...
Kingson McCray stepped into his room, he had managed to slip in and avoid any annoying questions from his mom. Crawling in his bed, lying on his back, staring up at his ceiling. That sound defeat at Duel Monsters was his 67th defeat straight. 67 duels, each loss more humiliating than the last. Kingson was certain his confidence could not get any lower, and it was already pretty down in the dumps. It seemed like no matter what he did, or how he built his deck, he just never could win…
He closed his eyes. Kingson had been dueling since he was kid, it wasn't like he was a noob or anything, it's just that so many people had better decks and better hands than he did. Every single time, he'd just brick and end up with useless hands, and the few times he managed to get a decent hand, he would be quickly stopped, and soon Kingson would know the pain of loss and humiliation. He just wanted to win sometimes, you know? To actually win, and be like his heroes…
Kingson looked over to the side, towards the Dueling champs poster on his wall. Kingson dreamed he could become a dueling pro, a champ, a true icon like his heroes. Someone people can look up to, to be somebody! It would be amazing; fans cheering his name, groupies worshiping the very ground he walked on, and the best duels of his life! That would be the best…
Kingson closed his eyes. Reality however, was much more cruel. He pulled his covers over himself. The next day had to be better, right?
That next morning, Kingson only felt marginally better. Contrary to popular belief, a good night's sleep was NOT a cure-all. The last big loss still stung, and he wasn't sure it actually was going to get better. Walking his way down the street, He looked around to find something, anything, to distract him from all of it.
He felt a buzzing in his pocket. He took a look at the notification, it was his boss:
"Hey Kingson, can u come in? That idiot Blake-Bob called out sick, something about Kleine-Levin or Sleeping Beauty or something. I need you for the 1-6 shift. Thanks! Tanya."
Tanya, his boss, was a good, honest, hard-working woman. She was always so good to him for providing decent hours and pay at her convenience/hobby store. If she was texting him, this probably meant Blake-Bob was blowing off work again, and he would be leaving the store undermanned if he didn't go. So he texted back, "Sure, I'll be in."
Kingson checked his phone, it was 11:30 AM. There was a bit of time to kill before going into work. As he looked up from his phone, Kingson noticed a crowd of people congregating towards a nearby park. It was very strange, there was no special event scheduled or anything, just what was going on that so many people were crowding around?
He slowly started sauntering to the park area where people were gathering, he started to listen to the rushed conversations as people passed by,
"Hurry up! Something's going on in the park!"
"I think a duel is going on!"
"Anyone know who's dueling?"
"They said it's some champ vs an up-and-comer."
From the sound of it, this would be an interesting duel, and He did have time to watch anyway… Kingson gripped at his deck in his pocket; No true duelist is ever without his deck. The duelist in him was definitely curious now. Kingson knew his dueling pros, so who would be here in this neck of the woods?
He approached the clearing in the park, where people had been gathering around. Slowly working his way to the front of the crowd, Kingson wanted to see this duel, which he hoped would be a truly powerful one.
There were two duelists standing a distance away from each other. The crowd had formed an oval around them. From where Kingson was standing, there was quite a difference between the two combatants.
The duelist on his right was a behemoth of a man; at 6'9" the man was a modern day Goliath. His hair, a mess of blonde spikes, and the only thing sharper than they was the gaze in his eyes like a predator hunting prey. His biceps were easily the size of an average person's head, flexing them likely would crush someone like a grapefruit. On his arms were almost equally large wristbands, and his left arm sported a duel disk. It was almost an outright miracle that clothes could stay on this man, Kingson did not know that clothes were made in this man's size.
However, on Kingson's left, was the David to this Goliath. A man almost his age, perhaps older. He sported jet black hair, his eyes, a crimson, an obvious contrast to the cobalt eyes of his opponent. This man had a somewhat lanky build compared to the Adonis that was his opponent. On this man's right arm was a similar duel disk.
The giant man growled as his duel disk activated, snapping into place as he seethed, "Little birdy-man, you claim to be a professional duelist! But you still cannot fly from nest, you cheep like little sparrow! Donnar will send the little birdy-man flying!" His Russian, or possibly German accent was evident in this supposed threat.
The other man however, had a look of indifference, and certainly sounded like it when he responded, "Ok, can you just pick an accent and stick with it? I feel like I'm getting threatened here by Stalin and Hitler's secret steroid-abusing love child…"
Donnar howled in what was either amusement or disgust, no one could quite tell, "You will learn how to bow before Donnar, little bird! Donnar is greatest duelist!" He roared as his duel disk snapped into place.
The other Duelist snapped his duel disk likewise, "Look buddy, I don't even know you. You just show up, growl like a neanderthal, and challenge me to a duel? The fact that you don't know me, or recognize my name alone makes it clear that you're in way over your head. But, let it never be said that Dante Phoenix ran from a challenge. I'll duel but you really need to just stop talking, can't take you seriously with that accent…" he quipped.
"I live to crush all opponents!" Donnar shouted.
"Then you'll live disappointed." Dante responded.
With the life point counters rising to 8000 each. Both duelists drew 5 cards and with a united purpose exclaimed, "Let's Duel!"
Donnar (5 cards in hand): 8000
Dante (5 cards in hand): 8000
Donnar looked at his starting hand, taking one card in his giant fingers, he began his move, "I start by playing the spell card "Armed Dragon Flash"! So my "Armed Dragon Thunder LV3" is summoned in Defense mode!"
Armed Dragon Flash
Quick-Play Spell Card
Special Summon 1 Level 3 "Armed Dragon" monster from your Deck in Defense Position. You can only activate 1 "Armed Dragon Flash" per turn.
Armed Dragon Thunder LV3
WIND Attribute
Dragon Type
Level 3
ATK 1200/DEF 900
This card's name becomes "Armed Dragon LV3" while on the field or in the GY. You can only use each of the following effects of "Armed Dragon Thunder LV3" once per turn. You can send 1 monster from your hand to the GY; send this card from the field to the GY, and if you do, Special Summon 1 Level 5 or lower "Armed Dragon" monster from your hand or Deck. If this card is sent to the GY to activate a Dragon monster's effect: You can draw 1 card.
As the small dragon appeared in a flash of lightning, it let out a tiny roar, it's equally tiny fists charged with lightning.
Donnar took another card out of his hand, "Next I'll activate "Armed Dragon Thunder LV3" ability! By sending a monster from my hand to Graveyard, and sending my Armed Dragon to the grave as well, I Special Summon "Armed Dragon Thunder LV5"!"
Armed Dragon Thunder LV5
WIND Attribute
Dragon Type
Level 5
ATK 2400/DEF 1700
This card's name becomes "Armed Dragon LV5" while on the field or in the GY. You can only use each of the following effects of "Armed Dragon Thunder LV5" once per turn. You can send 1 monster from your hand to the GY; send this card from the field to the GY, and if you do, Special Summon 1 Level 7 or lower "Armed Dragon" monster from your hand or Deck. If this card is sent to the GY to activate a Dragon monster's effect: You can add 1 Level 5 or higher WIND Dragon monster from your Deck to your hand.
This particular dragon was bigger than its predecessor. More red than orange in color, with more spikes across it's belly and a lightning bolt emblazoned upon it, it's fists now sported what looked to be spiked knuckles, still sparking with electricity.
But Donnar drew a card and kept on going, "Next I send another card from my hand and send "Armed Dragon Thunder LV5" to the Graveyard, and Special Summon, "Armed Dragon Thunder LV7"!''
Armed Dragon Thunder LV7
WIND Attribute
Dragon Type
Level 7
ATK 2800/DEF 1000
This card's name becomes "Armed Dragon LV7" while on the field or in the GY. You can only use each of the following effects of "Armed Dragon Thunder LV7" once per turn. You can send 1 monster from your hand to the GY; send this card from the field to the GY, and if you do, Special Summon 1 Level 10 or lower "Armed Dragon" monster from your hand or Deck. If this card is sent to the GY to activate a Dragon monster's effect: You can add 1 "Armed Dragon" card from your Deck to your hand.
"Armed Dragon Thunder LV5"s effect brings a WIND Dragon monster to my hand," Donnar continued, "as I next discard my last card and send "Armed Dragon Thunder LV7" to the Grave and finally summon my greatest beast! Let the lightning roar and thunder strike loud as Victory becomes mine! I now Special Summon "Armed Dragon Thunder LV10"!" He shouted.
Armed Dragon Thunder LV10
WIND Attribute
Dragon Type
Level 10
ATK 3000/DEF 2000
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of an "Armed Dragon" monster, it gains the following effects based on its ATK.
● 1+: Its name becomes "Armed Dragon LV10".
● 10+: Control of it cannot switch.
● 100+: Cannot be destroyed by battle.
● 1000+: Once per opponent's turn (Quick Effect): You can send 1 card from your hand to the GY, then target 1 other card on the field; destroy it, and if you do, this card gains 1000 ATK.
● 10000+: Once per turn: You can destroy all other cards on the field.
Donnar laughed with his arrogant sounding guffaw, "Finally, to seal your doom, I activate "Armed Dragon Lightning" to boost my Dragon's ATK!
Armed Dragon Lightning
Continuous Spell Card
If an "Armed Dragon" monster(s) you control would be destroyed by card effect, you can send this card to the GY instead. You can target 1 "Armed Dragon'' monster you control, then activate 1 of these effects;
● It gains ATK equal to its Level x 100 (even if this card leaves the field).
● Add 1 "Armed Dragon" monster with an equal or lower Level than it from your GY to your hand.
You can only use this effect of "Armed Dragon Lightning" once per turn.
The behemoth of a dragon, large as 5 stories, its body covered in either spikes or electricity. With a wingspan easily 5 feet, this dragon took the cake and probably ate it too. It's roar was so powerful, that people around the duel field cowered from the shockwaves and bolts.
Kingson just stared in awe. This was a now 4000 ATK beatstick, could not be destroyed by battle, could not switch control, and by discarding a card, destroy cards and gain even more attack! And this was only on the first turn this was summoned! Was it always this fast paced and intense in a duel between pros? For that matter, was this musclehead even the pro?
He just looked at the smaller man. How exactly was this guy supposed to take down that guy and win?
Just as Kingson pondered this question, he noticed a curious thing. On that other guy's face, there was no look of concern, worry, anger, or anything of the sort.
It was a smile.
Donnar had the hugest Glasgow smile on his face as he laughed, "HAHAHA! My Dragon will keel you, then jumpstart your heart, and keel you again! HAHAHA!"
Dante however, remained in a calm, cool smile, "That's… it? You honestly think just summoning one monster is going to stop me? Clearly I'm dealing with an amateur here. In fact folks, I'll make you a bet: Not only will I take that Dragon down, I'll also win this duel in one turn!"
The audience had varied reactions, from surprise, to excitement, to disbelief. Could Dante really turn this into an OTK?
Dante drew a card as he started his play.
Donnar (0 cards in hand): 8000
Dante (6 cards in hand): 8000
Dante smirked, as he grabbed a card out of his hand, "I'll start this duel off by activating the Spell card, "Dark Contract with the Gate"!"
Dark Contract with the Gate
Continuous Spell Card
During your Main Phase: You can add 1 "D/D" monster from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Dark Contract with the Gate" once per turn. Once per turn, during your Standby Phase: Take 1000 damage.
Dante continued, "Using this contract, I'll add a D/D monster to my hand. I'll then up the stakes with "Dark Contract with the Entities"!"
Dark Contract with the Entities
Continuous Spell Card
When a "D/D/D" monster of the below card type is Special Summoned from the Extra Deck to your field: You can activate the appropriate effect once per turn;
● Fusion: Gain 1000 LP.
● Synchro: Your opponent cannot target that Special Summoned monster with card effects.
● Xyz: Banish 1 card from the field or the Graveyard.
● Pendulum: Draw 1 card, then discard 1 card.
Once per turn, during your Standby Phase: Take 2000 damage.
Kingson looked intently, but was a bit puzzled; those two cards would take 3000 life points on the next turn, and if this guy really would win the duel in one turn, it certainly wasn't looking like it would happen. How were these cards going to win the duel for him?
Dante smirked again, "I now activate "D/D Swirl Slime in my hand! So I can fuse it with "D/D Berfomet" in my hand! I Fusion Summon! D/D/D Flame King Genghis!"
D/D Swirl Slime
DARK Attribute
Fiend Type
Level 2
ATK 200/DEF 200
If this card is in your hand: You can Fusion Summon 1 "D/D/D" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand as Fusion Materials, including this card. You can banish this card from your Graveyard; Special Summon 1 "D/D" monster from your hand. You can only use each effect of "D/D Swirl Slime" once per turn.
D/D Berfomet
DARK Attribute
Fiend Type
Level 4
ATK 1400/DEF 1800
Once per turn: You can target 1 "D/D" monster you control that has a Level, except "D/D Berfomet", and declare a Level from 1 to 8; it becomes that Level until the end of this turn, also you cannot Special Summon monsters for the rest of this turn, except "D/D" monsters.
D/D/D Flame King Genghis
FIRE Attribute
Fiend Type/Fusion Monster
Level 6
ATK 2000/DEF 1500
2 "D/D" monsters
If another "D/D" monster(s) is Special Summoned to your field, while you control this face-up card (except during the Damage Step): You can target 1 "D/D" monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it. You can only use this effect of "D/D/D Flame King Genghis" once per turn. If this card is destroyed by battle, or if this card in its owner's possession is destroyed by an opponent's card effect: You can target 1 "Dark Contract" card in your Graveyard; add it to your hand.
The flames from the monster could be felt around the field, it was so powerful it would cook up not only other monsters, but anyone else who happened to be around.
"Because I Fusion Summoned, My Contract with the Entities gives me 1000 life points." Dante continued, "I summon "D/D Nighthowl" in attack mode!"
D/D Nighthowl
DARK Attribute
Fiend Type/Tuner Monster
Level 3
ATK 300/DEF 600
When this card is Normal Summoned: You can target 1 "D/D" monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it, also you cannot Special Summon monsters for the rest of this turn, except Fiend-Type monsters. That monster's ATK and DEF become 0. If it is destroyed, you take 1000 damage.
"And with "D/D Nighthowl" summoned, I bring back "D/D Berfomet" in Defense mode! Then I'll tune Level 4 Berfomet, with Level 3 Nighthowl! I Synchro Summon! "D/D/D Gust King Alexander"!"
D/D/D Gust King Alexander
WIND Attribute
Fiend Type/Synchro Monster
Level 7
ATK 2500/DEF 2000
1 "D/D" Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
If another "D/D" monster(s) is Normal or Special Summoned to your field, while you control this face-up card (except during the Damage Step): You can target 1 Level 4 or lower "D/D" monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it. You can only use this effect of "D/D/D Gust King Alexander" once per turn.
The Gust King was an ivory, majestic figure, with the winds surrounding it dancing gracefully yet powerfully, like a ballet dancer with hurricane force power.
Dante kept rolling on, "My Dark Contract makes my Gust King Alexander unable to be targeted by card effects. "D/D/D Flame King Genghis"s effect kicks in, so I summon "D/D Berfomet" back! And once he's summoned, "D/D/D Gust King Alexander"s effect brings back "D/D Nighthowl"! Next, "D/D Berfomet"s ability targets "D/D Nighthowl" changing its level to 4! I'll then use Nighthowl and Berfomet to build the Overlay Network! I Xyz Summon! "D/D/D Wave King Caesar"!
D/D/D Wave King Caesar
WATER Attribute
Fiend Type/Xyz Monster
Rank 4
ATK 2400/DEF 1200
2 Level 4 Fiend-Type monsters
During either player's turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; at the end of the Battle Phase, Special Summon from your Graveyard as many monsters destroyed this turn as possible, but during the next Standby Phase, take 1000 damage for each monster Special Summoned by this effect. If this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard: You can add 1 "Dark Contract" card from your Deck to your hand. You can only use each effect of "D/D/D Wave King Caesar" once per turn.
This new monster king, all black with a large claymore sword, with blue orbs of light orbiting around it.
"And with my monster successfully Xyz summoned, My dark contract lets me banish your Armed Dragon Thunder!" Dante exclaimed, pointing to the opposing monster. The Dark Contract flashed, as the dragon roared and disappeared in a flash of bright light.
Donnar's face was agape in surprise, and shock, "GAAHHHHHGGHH!" he cried as his only actual line of defense had vanished as quickly as any hope of winning.
Dante glared, "And now for the final nail in the coffin, I activate "D/D Swirl Slime"s ability in the graveyard. By banishing it, I can Special Summon a D/D Monster in my hand, so I Special Summon "D/D/D Rebel King Leonidas"!"
D/D/D Rebel King Leonidas
DARK Attribute
Fiend Type/Pendulum Monster
Level 7/Pendulum Scale 3
ATK 2600/DEF 1200
Pendulum Effect: When you take effect damage (except during the Damage Step): You can destroy this card, and if you do, any effect that would inflict damage to a player this turn increases their LP by the same amount, instead.
Monster Effect: When you take effect damage (except during the Damage Step): You can Special Summon this card from your hand, and if you do, gain LP equal to the damage you took. You take no effect damage.
The fourth king looked like a true conquering hero, covered in golden armor, a shield and sword as menacing as he was.
Dante smiled, "Now, I attack with all my monsters directly! That's game!"
Each sword of the individual kings rained down power and destruction upon Donnar, the audience around had braced themselves for the impact, which could be felt all over the park area. From flames, to winds, to water, to steel, each sword took a chunk of life points, until Donnar was simply on the ground, seemingly passed out, his life points obliterated.
Donnar (0 cards in hand): 0
Dante (0 cards in hand): 9000
As the holograms disappeared, people started to applaud. Their reactions varied,
"Wow! He actually won the duel in one turn! Just like he said he would!"
"Fusion, Synchro, AND Xyz Summoning in one turn? He must be a pro!"
"That big guy was a flake, all talk, no game."
"Is anyone gonna get the big guy an ambulance?"
"Can I get your autograph?"
But as the crowd started to push by, Dante had vanished as quickly as people moved in.
Kingson just stood there in awe. This guy was something else. A pro, a competent duelist, and someone who could look a bad situation in the face with a smile.
The kind of person he really wished he could be.
Looking around, Kingson was hoping to find this pro, talk with him, get some advice. However, that pro was nowhere to be seen…
Kingson looked at his watch, he had time left, but he decided to go in to work early, he had to talk to someone about all of this…
Kingson slipped his work apron on, it was a forest green apron that surprisingly left him with dignity. The convenience/hobby store, simply called Tanya's, was one of the few card vendors around, at least one with reasonable prices. From milkshakes and candy, to single cards and starter decks, Tanya's had it all, and then some. Tanya, the store owner, had always been kind to him, whether it was from any leftover food, to an actual job. Kingson was really grateful towards her.
Kingson started stacking boxes in aisles, as a voice came from the front counter, "Yo, King!"
Kingson turned to the counter, it was Alison, his coworker/friend. She was someone who could usually be found on her phone, (it was a sign of the apocalypse if she ever was without it.), She usually did not care about how she actually looked, even though she usually had some guy on her arm at any given point in time. King just figured she was working here out of boredom.
Alison looked up from her phone, or at least partly, "Thanks for coming in, King. Blake-Bob flaked on me, and it would have been SO boring if you weren't here."
"Yeah, no problem." Kingson nodded, "I mean, it's not like I had too much going on."
"You need a date, bro."
"Well, it's not my love life that needs a tune-up."
"Still on that losing streak? What is it, 65 losses now?"
"67…" He murmured.
"67 losses, that's the kind of streak that usually makes people famous for all the wrong reasons…" She mused.
Kingson walked back to the counter, as Alison leaned back on a chair, putting her feet up.
"But, here's the cool thing," He said, placing his hands on the counter next to her, "I saw something today, and honestly it was… something else."
"Like…?"
"There was a duel going on at the park on 3rd, it was this huge, random punk, and this one other guy, who I seriously think was a pro."
"How huge was this dude? Like 'I could sleep on his abs' huge?"
"That's not the point." Kingson pointed, "It was the other guy, I mean he was at a point, where he was facing huge odds, powerful monster just roaring down at him, and lightning that could have killed him or anyone watching, and I swear, he didn't flinch, step back or anything, he just… smiled."
Alison, who at this point had actually looked up from her phone, just blankly looked at him, "So… it's 'cause he smiled…?" she asked, as if she was trying to be sure she had it right?
Kingson nodded, "Yeah, but it was how he did it, it was like he had this… feeling that no matter the odds he could still pull a comeback and win. That kind of courage, and just being able to take joy out of a bad situation, you know? I want that feeling. Maybe if I actually won, I'd feel that too…"
Alison put her feet back down on the floor, "Well, you know what I'm picking up from all of this?"
Kingson looked at her.
"It sounds like you really may be on to something. Maybe you need to lighten up."
He smiled.
"Also, he's probably your gay crush, you may have to ask him out."
Kingson playfully hit her head. Alison was the only person who could give advice, encourage you, and insult you all in one sentence…
The front door swung open, as the little bells rang that rang when customers came in the door. Alison quickly sprang up, and put on her best smile as Kingson followed suit. As she greeted the customer heartily, He simply stood, wide-eyed.
It was the pro guy from the park!