Alright, the next chapter starring the South Academy is here! I got sick along the way due to this messed up weather around my neighborhood. But nevertheless, read on my people!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX or the rest of the franchise or any music in this story, I own Claudio Osbourne and the Jukebox Hero Archetype, aside from a select few made by all the authors/readers who submitted them. And all other OCs and cards submitted © original creators.
Chapter 15: The Southern Face Off
It was in the afternoon that a boat was cruising along the sea. Its destination was Domino City. The passengers were three people that were the representatives of South Academy... Or maybe its five...
Staring out at sea, was a cowboy-dressed, black-haired man complete with a white shirt, black vest and jeans, orange handkerchief, brown cowboy hat, and a holster for his duel disk. Also, his right eye was bandaged up. This was Jim Crocodile Cook, the top student of South Academy and a user of Fossil Monsters.
Next to him was a green, female crocodile named Shirley, one his oldest friends. Sometimes she rides on Jim's back via a backpack-like harness. Yet no matter what, Shirley stayed by her friend's side.
Leaning against the rails was a girl with black hair down to her shoulders, covering up her left eye with right, violet-colored eye staring up at the skies. Her face had some scars on her otherwise pretty face. She wore a tight black shirt, lilac vest, tight black pants, tan boots that reach half-way up her calves and a cowgirl hat, like Jim's. This was Yuri Grahmm, second best of South Academy and user of rare breed Monsters, mainly Indigenous creatures.
Sitting next to her was a red kangaroo named Kylie. He was a rare breed that got separated from his family by poachers until Yuri saved him and took him in. Yuri also had some kangaroo cards to honor her friend, using them from time to time.
Finally, their teacher Kaleb Wilde, known as simply Kal to many people close to him. He had green eyes and maroon shoulder-length hair. He wears a black V-neck t-shirt with a white eagle, baggy tan cargo pants that are damaged and dirty at the bottom, and black flip-flops. He also wears a black studded belt, dog tag with his father's name around his neck, out of respect, a bandana on tied to his right arm. He had tattoos like Slifer the Sky Dragon, in color, wrapped around his left arm, the head stopping at his wrist, a black fire tribal design nine tailed fox on his right forearm and black tattoo of the kanji for knight inside a line art of a shield and eagle wings on each side on the inside of his right forearm right under the elbow.
Yuri smiled as she felt the breeze on her face. "Wow, this feels great to be out and about again!" Kylie squealed happily in agreement.
"After all the training we did getting back from the 12 Dimensions, we needed a small break before heading off to Domino City." Jim mused. Shirley growled affirmatively.
Kaleb nodded, "After hearing about your adventures there, it'd be a shame to get rusty as you two are our school's best. Not to mention the stories you told me during your time away..."
Jim and Yuri sighed as they recalled the events in the 12 Dimensions. They were initially going there to save Jesse and Allyson from Yubel and Trageodia. However, they were soon caught up in the war between the Dark World and the Fabled. Due to the enemy actions, almost everyone turned on Jaden and Claudio because their conflict with each other. With Jim and Yuri being two of the few people that believed in them, they were also the major fighting party when trying to save them from their dark sides, the Supreme King and the Drowned Emperor respectively.
Using the power of their Orichalcum Eyes, Jim and Yuri found how the Hero Duelists were corrupted and had the means to save them. However, they fell to their new and powerful cards. Thankfully, Syrus and Melody were able to use their Orichalcum Eyes after Axel and Fidel failed as well. After returning to their school, they resolved to become stronger after hearing that Jaden and Claudio succeeded in winning against Yubel and Trageodia, while overcoming and harnessing their inner darkness.
"But now we got another problem," Kaleb reminded them. "Miss Etna Belmonte called us over to Domino City to meet up with the boys at Kaiba Corporation because of a new threat approaching."
"Probably, if whatever threat got to Duel Academy, it'll spread to other places like Domino City." Yuri figured. "Jaden, Claudio and the others can't fight all the battles."
"I hear ya," Jim added. "As powerful as we know they've gotten, the world's bigger than that."
The South Academy teacher laughed a bit, "Well, that's the reason why you guys are going." He said, grabbing the students and the companions' attention, "Jaden and Claudio did try to leave the school in order to bring out the threat. They're tired of the endless fighting and want to do it by themselves. In short, being in those dimensions changed them even more than the rest of you. They're willing to carry the burden, but won't let anyone else in."
"Whoa..." the students gasped, looking at each other. Shirley and Kylie also looked sad, hearing their friends' suffering. Shirley and Kylie were able to bond with Jaden and Claudio respectively, it hurt them inside to know that they weren't being themselves.
"Now, I get it," Yuri sighed, "Claudio's probably not in the mood to play music if he's feeling like this." Kylie rubbed his head against her, prompting her to pet him back.
"And Jaden's likely not having any fun," Jim added as he patted Shirley's head. "And all of this is affecting their friends."
"Including their girlfriends," Kaleb frowned, "Harsh reality set in."
"Yeah, it's a crying shame..." A voice called out.
The South Academy team gasped as they turned towards the bow of the ship and saw the Woman of Light, lounging on a deck chair, waving cheekily to them.
"Who are you?" Jim demanded, "This is a private ship!"
"I know," Amelie grinned, "Which is why the pilot of the ship is currently not here. The ship is only reserved for you five, correct?"
Kal growled as he prepared to go to the wheel of the ship...
"Don't bother," the Woman of Light stated. "He's gone! Now I get to deal with you all... As for my name, I'm Amelie..."
Jim frowned, "You're the threat that we were warned about!"
"Bingo!" Amelie clapped. "Though, I wouldn't have to worry about me. I'm just here to warn you to stay away from the truth. Sometimes its best to accept a little white lie about the world."
"Considering that you're a threat to the world," Yuri scoffed, "We'll pass on your warning! Especially since you were threatening our friends, back at Duel Academy."
"The moment you tried to do away with them, is the day you made an enemy of us!" Jim added. "Why are you after our world?"
"Because I want to..." Amelie shrugged. But seeing the looks on the students, animals, and teacher's faces, she giggled, "Saw right through my lie... Fine, I'll give you what you want. A duel for the children! In fact, I want to show something. If you've heard of the Society of Light, then this shouldn't surprise you..."
With a snap of her fingers, two sparks of light rippled into place and created two people in front of her. The first was a man with blond hair in a red jumpsuit and cap with small glasses, carrying a duel disk on his right arm. The second person had his brown, spiky hair wearing a t-shirt with a dog collars around his neck and arms and black jeans.
"Kirk Dixon and Ted Banias!" Yuri gasped.
"The Card Professors Guild!" Kal shouted.
Jim frowned, "You brainwashed them!"
Amelie grinned, "Oh, so you do know of them! That would mean I have to get rid of you five. So sad really, the truth can hurt more than a lie. It's ironic, if you think about it. But you won't die, I'll just have you join up to destroy your friends!"
Jim activated his Duel Disk with anger on his mind, "And that won't happen! Especially after you said about a lie making you feel better, eventually that lie gets bigger and the pain that it brings because almost incurable!"
Shirley growled, glaring at Amelie.
"Aw, the pet's mad..." Amelie mocked. "Oh right, she's supposed to be family..."
"What!?" Jim, Yuri, and Shirley gasped.
"Yup, know all about your pasts from our encounter," the messenger of Light stated, "All the words you're speaking tells me everything, considering that you're nothing like Jaden and Claudio. You don't have actual monsters living inside you all after your trek through the dimensions."
Everyone except the Card Professor gasped hearing what befell their friends.
"But why believe me?" Amelie grinned, "After all, your friends didn't believe and I'm a big liar..." She then looked to Kirk, "Deal with him."
Kirk nodded as he stood before Jim and activated his duel disk. Once Amelie snapped her fingers, Kirk grinned.
"Time to lose!" Kirk shouted. "For the Light!"
Kal frowned and thought, 'She even controlled his inner emotions... what the hell is this girl?'
'Be careful, Jim,' Yuri thought.
Both Players drew their five card hands.
Jim: 8000
Kirk: 8000
"I'll go first," Kirk announced, drawing his sixth card, "I'll activate the Continuous Spell Card Machina Armored Unit." He stated as he revealed his Spell on the field. "Then, I'll Normal Summon Fusilier Dragon, the Dual-Mode Beast!"
He then brought out a mechanical dragon attached to a tank chassis, roaring loudly. (7/2800/2000) But then an electrical current ran through it, powering it down. (7/2800-1400/2000-1000)
"Of course, by normal summoning this high-level monster, its stats become halved." Kirk explained. "I'll end with a facedown card and activate Card of Demise!" He then drew until he held five cards.
"A weaker Monster with a facedown card, eh?" Yuri wondered. "It's an obvious Trap."
"Let's see what's going on," Jim announced, drawing his sixth card. "I'll summon Weathering Soldier!" He announced, bringing out a warrior made of different types of rock and crystal. (4/2000/1400) "Destroy his Dragon!"
Weathering Soldier slashed the air, collecting dust from the field and blowing up the machine to pixels.
Jim: 8000
Kirk: 7400
Kirk grinned as he announced, "Machina Armored Unit's effect activates! This allows me to Special Summon a Machine-Type Monster from my Deck with the same Attribute as the destroyed monster, but with lower ATK!"
Jim growled as Kirk selected his monster.
"Go, Jinzo!"
Everyone gasped as one of the most iconic monsters in the game appeared. An android-like creature wearing a metallic robe over its body while covering its eyes with cybernetic goggles while its brain was showing. (6/2400/1500)
"Now, your Traps are useless!" The Card Professor announced.
"You see, Card Professors have access to rare and powerful cards." Amelie stated. "Unlike the Rare Hunters back in the day, these guys obtain it through legal means showing their prowess in the game. Knowing how to effectively play their cards also makes them wonderful pawns."
Jim sighed as he set his two cards, "I end my turn. Weathering Soldier's effect activates, causing him to lose 600 ATK." (4/2000-1400/1400)
"Now to business!" Kirk stated, drawing his next card. "I'll set a Monster in Defense mode and have my Jinzo attack!"
"Then, I'll show off my facedown card!" Jim announced.
"You can't activate Traps!" the Card Professor scoffed, "Jinzo will negate them once you do!"
"Then, I'll use this Quick-Play Spell Forbidden Chalice on your attack declaration!" the Fossil Duelist countered, revealing his Spell. "With this card, I can have a Monster gain 400 ATK but negate its effects!"
Kirk frowned while Amelie mused and said, "So, you'll negate Weathering Soldier's effect and cause a mutual kill. But you do realize that Machina Armored Unit's effect will activate, dealing a direct attack anyway..."
"That's why I'm using it on Jinzo!" Jim announced.
Everyone gasped as holy water drenched Jinzo, causing an electrical current to nullify his effects while energizing him. (6/2400-2800/1500)
"He's gone mad!" Kirk stated. "But I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth!"
Yuri then realized Jim's facedown, "Unless..."
"I activate my facedown card, Reverse Trap!" Jim countered.
"What!?" Amelie and Kirk shouted.
"With this card, all effects that increase and decrease ATK and DEF are swapped!" Jim continued, "Meaning now Jinzo will lose 400 ATK from its original while Weathering Soldier gains 600 from its original!"
Reverse Trap sent a glowing aura across the field, reversing the flow of power between the two monsters. (6/2800-2400-2000/1500), (4/1400-2000-2600/1400) Thanks to this, Weathering Soldier withstood the Cyber Energy Shock of Jinzo and sent it back, destroying the android.
Jim: 8000
Kirk: 6800
Yuri, Shirley, and Kylie cheered for their friend's successful trap.
Kirk growled, "Don't get cocky! If monster's like those are the only kinds you have, then I'll gain the advantage eventually! I end my turn with another facedown card! So, the effects of Reverse Trap are gone!" True enough, Weathering Soldier weakened once more. (4/2600-2000-1400/1400)
"Then it's my move!" Jim announced, drawing his next card. "I summon Shell Knight to the field in Defense mode!" After playing his monster card, a monster covered in armor made of many aquatic shells was summoned. (4/0/2000) "When this card is summoned, I can deal 500 points of damage to your Life Points!"
Shell Knight fired a part of its armor like a rocket, hitting the Card Professor in the chest.
Jim: 8000
Kirk: 6300
"I set another two cards facedown and switch Weathering Soldier to defense mode to end my turn." Jim concluded as Weathering Soldier weakened once more. (4/1400-800/1400)
"Weak damage," Amelie grinned. "Kirk... be a dear and finish him... Painfully! Time to show your true worth!"
"As you wish," Kirk replied, as he drew his next card. "First, I'll Flip Summon out Commander Covington!" Kirk continued as a slim red machine dressed as a foreign warrior appeared. (4/1000/600)
"Next, I activate Future Fusion!" Kirk continued as he played another Continuous Spell Card. "With this, I'll send the Materials of a Fusion Monster of my Deck to the Graveyard! So, I'll send Machina Defender, Sniper, Soldier, Machina Force, and Cyber Dragon!"
"Oh no, with those five monsters..."
"He can summon out one of the strongest Monsters used by the Hell Kaiser!" Amelie finished for Yuri. "Can your boyfriend over there handle the Chimeratech Overdragon with 4000 ATK?"
"Well, I'll wouldn't worry about that now!" Kirk stated as he played another card. "There's more surprises! Like Phantom of Chaos!"
"Huh?" Jim and Yuri wondered as they saw a black and purple mist swirling around. (1/0/0)
"With Phantom of Chaos, I can remove an Effect Monster from the Graveyard and have Phantom of Chaos copy its ATK and effects!" Kirk stated. "A little fringe benefit that helps with an ultimate combo I'm known for!" He then removed Machina Force from his graveyard. "Now let's go! Phantom of Chaos become Machina Force!"
The mist monster swirled around massively and grew into a massive machine monster but retained the colors of Phantom of Chaos. (1/0-4600/0)
"However," Kirk continued. "Instead of attacking with it, I'll activate the effect of Phantom of Chaos posing as Machina Force! I'll send it to the graveyard and bring out its individual monsters! So, come back Machina Sniper, Defender, and Soldier!"
The phantom Machina Force broke apart, recovered the original colors and brought out a green, bulky mech soldier with a sharp blade for a right hand, (4/1600/1500) A slim, silver machine with a sniper rifle in hand. (4/1800/800), and a short, blue, tank-like machine. (4/1200/1800)
"He brought out four Monsters on the same turn!" Jim gasped.
"Don't worry Jim," Yuri shouted. "They can't get over your Defense thanks to Shell Knight!"
"I wouldn't say that!" Kirk grinned as he played a Field Spell, "I activate Gaia Power!" The boat was now replaced with a large field with a giant tree to the side. "With this card, all EARTH Monsters gain 500 ATK and lose 400 DEF."
"Meaning your defending Monsters are not doing so well." Amelie giggled.
The Machina Monsters powered up their strength. (4/1600-2100/1500-1100), (4/1800-2300/800-400), (4/1200-1700/1800-1400), (4/1000-1500/800-400) But Jim's Weathering Soldier and Shell Knight's defenses weakened. (4/800-1300/1400-1000), (4/0/2000-1600)
"Now they can!" Yuri gasped.
"Even worse, I'll activate Pot of Greed and then chain it with Limiter Removal from my hand and the facedown cards Meteorain and Accumulated Fortune!"
"A Chain Link 4!" Jim, Yuri, and Kal gasped.
"Yup, now with Accumulated Fortune, I can draw 2 cards!" The Card Professor announced, drawing his cards, "Meteorain will allow all my monsters to deal piercing damage to Defending Monsters. And I think Limiter Removal and Pot of Greed is self-explanatory, don't you think?"
A burning aura surrounded the Machina Monsters, overclocking their systems while Kirk drew another two cards. (4/2100-4200/1100), (4/2300-4600/400), (4/1700-3400/1400), (4/1500-3000/400)
"Jim will lose if all these attacks hit!" Kal shouted.
"I'll start with Commander Covington and Machina Defender!" Kirk shouted. "Attack Shell Knight and Weathering Soldier!"
Commander Covington fired a small laser, burning through Shell Knight's armor...
Jim: 6400
Kirk: 6300
Then, Defender ran over Weathering Soldier and reduced it to rubble.
Jim: 4000
Kirk: 6300
"Now finish him!" Kirk commanded as Machina Sniper fired a round at Jim.
"I activate one of my facedown cards," Jim announced, revealing one of his Set cards, "Then, I activate Draining Shield! I'll take your 4600 ATK and turn it into Life Points!"
Sniper's bullet hit a clear dome of energy, causing Jim to be re-energized.
Jim: 8600
Kirk: 6300
"I activate my other facedown card," the South Academy duelist countered, revealing his second facedown. "The Trap Card, Rock Bombardment! This sends a Rock Type Monster from my deck to the graveyard and deals 500 points of damage!"
A rock shot out of the Trap Card, slamming into Kirk's body.
Jim: 8600
Kirk: 5800
Jim grinned, "The Monster sent by the Trap's effect was Revival Golem! When it's sent from the deck to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon it to the field and block your last attack!"
Bursting from the ground, a clay covered Monster appeared and blocked with its arms. (4/100-600/2100-1700)
Kirk then pointed allowing his Soldier to slash the Golem into rubble.
Jim: 6100
Kirk: 5800
Yuri, Kal, Shirley, and Kylie relaxed seeing the save.
"Damn!" Kirk growled. "Don't think this is over! Before all my monsters bite the dust, I'll use Covington's effect to send my other three Machinas to bring out another Machina Force!"
Covington blew a whistle causing Soldier, Sniper, and Defender to break apart and merge together to reform the giant Machina with out its dark colors. (10/4600-5100/4100-3700)
"I end my turn meaning Covington's destroyed," the Machina duelist concluded as Covington shattered. "But let's see you get out of this!"
Jim drew his next card and frowned, seeing him only set his last two cards before signaling the end of this turn.
"Damn, his luck went down after all that defending." Kal sighed. "But then again, he's messing with a Card Professor..."
Shirley growled negatively.
"Didn't say the luck ran out," the South Academy Professor corrected to the crocodile. "Lucky for him, Machina Force has a flaw should he choose to attack..."
Jim had another thought, 'Just hope this move works...'
"My turn," Kirk announced, drawing his next card. "Now, I know that your monster has lower defense than my Force! But I won't attack with it, instead I'll activate its other effect to bring back its materials!"
Machina Force broke apart once more, reforming to Soldier and Sniper in attack mode, and Defender in Defense mode. (4/1600-2100/1500-1100), (4/1800-2300/800-400), (4/1200-1700/1800-1400).
Kirk then revealed another Monster Card, "Next, I discard the Level 8 Machina Cannon from my hand to Special Summon Machina Fortress through its effect." Joining the Soldier, a blue and red tank-like mech appeared, arming the laser on its left shoulder. (7/2500-3000/1600-1200)
"Four Monsters!?" Yuri gasped as Kylie whined.
"Now, I attack!" Kirk announced, "Go Machina Fortress!"
Fortress aimed its laser at the facedown card, revealing to be an Aztec statue that looks like its blocking with its hands. (4/300-800/2000-1600)
"Once that card's gone, it's over!" Amelie grinned.
"No way!" Jim shouted, revealing his facedown card. "I play my Trap, D2 Shield! This will double the original DEF of my Defending Monster so long as its faceup on the field!"
Fortress fired its laser as the Aztec Monster glowed golden, boosting its defense. (4/800/2000-4000-3600) Just in time to withstand the blast.
"And if that's not enough, you take double damage from its effect!" Jim added.
Jim: 6100
Kirk: 4600
"I finish by activating Ring of Magnetism and equip it to my Fortress!" Kirk concluded as he played his final card, creating a magnet ring around his strongest monster. "It weakens the stats by 500 each, but it's the only monster you can attack." (7/3000-2500/1200-700) "But with Machina Sniper on the field, you cannot attack at all."
"That's fine with me," Jim announced, drawing his next card. "Perfect! First, I activate my own Card of Demise to draw five cards!" He then drew his next five cards. "Great! I play the Spell Dark Core! I discard one card from my hand to Banish your Machina Fortress!"
Kirk gasped as a black hole appeared underneath Fortress and pulled it, never to be seen again.
"Now it's safe to play the Spell card Fossil Fusion!" He continued. "This allows me to Banish a Rock-Type Monster from my Graveyard and a Monster from yours to make a Fusion Summon!"
"Yes!" Yuri cheered. "One of his best cards are coming!"
"I choose to Banish Shell Knight from my Graveyard and Machina Force from yours!" Jim announced as both players removed their cards from their Discard Slots. The remains of both monsters appeared in the sky as fossils and merged into a vortex in the ground.
"Rock and metal of the ancient lore! Meld into one and create the lethal vehicle! Fusion Summon! Excavate yourself and return! Fossil Machine Skull Convoy!"
Bursting from the ground, a large vehicle appeared to be made of rock but had a metallic look to it. Its truck bed was made of stone and leaves while the hauler was made from a dinosaur's head. (7/2100-2600/1800-1400)
Kirk gasped.
"Bet you wish you didn't have Gaia Power now!" Kal grinned to Kirk and Amelie.
"Finally, I activate Twin Twisters!" Jim announced, "I'll discard another card to Future Fusion and Machina Armored Unit!" He then played his Spell to cause a windstorm to rip apart the two Continuous Spell cards.
"Now he can't get any more monsters..." Amelie growled.
"Now to business! Skull Convoy can attack you up to three times if you have a Monster on the field." Jim declared. "So, due to its effect, I'll attack Sniper first!" Skull Convoy revved up its wheels and drove over the Machina Sniper.
Jim: 6100
Kirk: 4300
"Now attack it Soldier!" Jim commanded as the Convoy crushed the green machine soldier underneath its wheels.
Jim: 6100
Kirk: 3800
"Then I attack your Defender!" He continued as Convoy made a U-Turn and smashed into the Defender with its truck bed.
"And then for Skull Convoy's last effect!" the Fossil Duelist announced, "For every Monster it destroys and sends to the Graveyard, you lose 1000 Life Points!"
Kirk gasped as he saw the remains of his Machinas appear above him and rain down on him, smashing him and his Life Points.
Jim: 6100
Kirk: 2800-1800-800
"I end my turn!" Jim concluded, he then turned to Amelie. "So far, I'm not impressed about your brainwashed Card Professors."
"Oh, the best has yet to come..." Amelie grinned as she flashed her eyes white.
"My turn," Kirk announced, drawing his next card while his own eyes flashed as well, "Perfect! With the cards I've sent to the graveyard, I have everything I need to take you out!"
"You're planning to summon them from the Graveyard again!?" Jim gasped. "You're probably activating another combo!"
"Nope, I plan to activate a new Fusion Spell Card I've acquired!" Kirk grinned as he activated his next card, "I discard one card to activate the Spell Machina Fusion! This allows me to fuse any Machina Monsters from my field and/or Graveyard and create a Fusion Summon from my Extra Deck! Not only that, but the monster created are unaffected by card effects!"
"You have Fusion Summoning, too!?" Yuri growled.
"So, I banish the Machinas Sniper, Defender, Soldier, and Commander Covington I've had!" Kirk stated as he removed his three Machina Monsters and his Commander Covington. "Sure, Machina Force was a powerful Monster, but it had the downside of me losing 1000 Life Points every time I attacked with it. But now it has an upgrade with Covington merging with its components! So, bear witness Machina Force when it merges with its Master to achieve its perfect form!"
"Oh no," Kal gasped as he, his students and his friends saw the Commander Covington and the remains of the three Machina Monsters go into the Fusion Vortex that appeared above the boat!
Kirk grinned as he shouted, "Fusion Summon! Serve your master! Machina Mega Commander Covington!"
Dropping out of the Fusion Vortex, a massive machine appeared in the sky and loomed over the boat. Machina Force was now flying overhead with Commander Covington now infused into the torso, giving it a malevolent light that surrounded it. (10/4600-5100/4100-3700)
[PREPARE FOR COMBAT!]
"Oh no, 5100 ATK!?" Kal shouted.
"And his effect destroys all Special Summoned Monsters on your side the field!" Kirk stated, "And then you take damage equal to the strongest one's original ATK!"
Covington's eyes flashed as he created a laser that burned through Skull Convoy's hull and caused an explosion, rocking the field.
Jim: 4000
Kirk: 800
"Now, I'll take advantage of having another Fortress in the graveyard!" He continued as he took another card from his hand, "I send the Level 8 Machina Megaform to the Graveyard, so I can bring out another Machina Fortress!" After another discard, he brought out the Fortress all over again. (7/2600-3100/1600-1200)
Fortress smashed the last Set Monster, revealing it to be a Morphing Jar cackling before shattering to pixels. (2/700-1200/600-200)
"Morphing Jar's effect activates," Jim announced, "Now we discard our hands and draw a five-card hand!"
Kirk frowned as he and Jim discarded their hands and drew a new hand.
"But it won't save you from this direct attack! Covington's new form allows him to attack twice per turn!" Kirk announced, "Covington, hit him!" Covington fired a barrage of missiles at Stone Statue of the Aztecs, destroying it into pixels. But some missiles continued onto Jim...
"Not likely!" Jim announced, "I activate a card in my Graveyard! Crypt Keeper's Minions! This allows me to activate a Trap Card from my hand!" He then flipped over his choice card. "Ground Capture will halve the damage done to me!"
A giant hand made of rock emerged in front of Jim to soften Covington's attack, but it still causes Jim to be blown onto his back.
Jim: 1450
Kirk: 800
"Jim!" Yuri and Kal shouted. Shirley and Kylie looked concerned as well.
Jim managed to get up, "Ground Capture also allows me to draw another card since the damage done was over 1000!" He drew his next card.
"I end my turn," Kirk concluded.
Amelie laughed, "You won't win... Your best Monsters are from the Fusion of Monsters in the Graveyard. And I know the monsters in your deck alone are nothing."
"I won't give up..." Jim growled. "I let you all go then you'll continue to destroy this world with the people you've brainwashed and kill them too!"
"Like this world has any reason left to live," Amelie scoffed, "You're just interested in those stupid fossils! Relics from the days of the past!"
"And from the past we learn to shape our future!" the Fossil Duelist shouted. "Now watch me shape my own!" He then drew his next card. He then grinned as he saw the card he obtained. "Now let's go to the next level! Sure, I can fuse Monsters in my Graveyard... But what about this!? I summon the Tuner Monster, Fossil Archeologist!"
A flash that saw a young man in a brown jacket, hat and pants carrying the tools needed for his job. (2/300-800/300-0)
"What good is that Monster?" Kirk asked. "Unless that Monster can some how boost its power to match Covington, you've lost!"
"Then I'll explain!" Jim grinned. "Unlike most Tuner Monsters nowadays, my Fossil Archeologist can Tune with Specific Monsters in the Graveyard! And the best one will be my Skull Convoy!"
"What!?" Amelie shouted.
Everyone then watched as Archeologist raised his tools in the air, causing Skull Convoy to rise out of the ground. Then he became two Tuning Rings that surrounded the Fossil Fusion Monster, becoming seven stars.
"Let the ancient relics combine with our present! Create the machine our ancestors that will run over our enemies! Fossil Synchro Summon! Be assembled Fossil Machine Skull Tank!"
From the energy, it created a giant machine made of the same material as Skull Convoy but had a turret with a dinosaur's head and massive cannon. (9/3000-3500/2000-1600)
"Impressive, but it won't defeat anything as it is," Kirk continued to sneer.
"When Skull Tank is summoned, I can send one Fossil Machine from my Extra Deck to the graveyard and then it gains its ATK!" Jim stated as he held up his choice card, "I'll send Fossil Machine Skull Wagon with 1700 ATK!"
Skull Tank flashed with bright green energy as its power rose. (9/3500-5200/1600)
"It's now stronger than Covington!" Yuri praised.
Kirk growled as he knew his Monster was now destroyed, but then thought, 'Don't worry! Covington's effect can summon Machina Force without its summoning requirements! And once I play my next card, Axe of Fools to negate its cost effect and increase its ATK by 1000, I'll win the duel!'
"Skull Tank, destroy Machina Force Commander!" Jim shouted as Skull Tank aimed its cannon at the flying Fusion Monster, firing three rounds that hit its body and straight center at Covington, created a massive explosion that took it down.
Jim: 1450
Kirk: 700
"Machina Force Commander's final effect!" Kirk announced. "I'll Special Summon Machina Force!" The smoke cleared as the remains of Covington fell, releasing the original version on the field. (10/4600-5100/4100-3700) "Now end your turn!"
"Not quite," Jim smirked, "Skull Tank has another effect that tied into sending one of my Fossil Machines to the graveyard! Since I destroyed your monster, I can deal half the ATK of your destroyed monster as damage! Meaning that's all she wrote!"
"NO!" Kirk shouted as the turrets fired small rounds that shot at his body, causing him to turn into a wave of light that disintegrated to nothing.
Jim: 1450, Winner
Kirk: 0
Once the duel was done, the Gaia Power Field Spell faded away and went back to the boat.
'I guess the Field Spell protected the boat while it was still on the voyage...' Jim thought as he looked around the boat and saw nothing broken. He then saw Shirley walk over to him and gave her a thumbs up, which she returned with a look of acknowledgment.
"That guy..." Yuri asked worryingly, "Was he even there?"
"Nah, he was just a copy I made after I defeated the real one, "Amelie scoffed, "Well, that was certainly a surprise... I guess the people over at the other Academies have picked up new tricks!"
"Considering that you've messed with the number 1 duelist of the Southern Branch, I'm surprised you thought he'd fall so easily," Kal grinned, patting his student on the back.
"Oh," the Woman of Light gasped mockingly, "So that means that girl will be easy pickings? I didn't know you felt that way!"
Kylie growled and prepared to hop towards Amelie...
Until he felt Yuri pat him on the head.
"Don't let her get to you, Kylie," Yuri stated. "Kal's just praising Jim for the hard work. Since I didn't fight, of course I was skipped out on the praise. But since you got that other bloke there, I'll fight him. Especially since he must be real anyway."
Amelie laughed, "I lied! I defeated him, absorbed his soul and I can create another copy of it and his deck as long as I wish!" Everyone gasped, hearing that declaration. "And let's just say, the Card Professors Guild won't be helping out your people in any shape." She then snapped her fingers, causing Ted to become active and take his place across Yuri.
"Now die for the Light!" Ted announced, activating his Duel Disk.
Yuri frowned as she activated hers as well.
Both duelists drew their opening hands.
DUEL!
Yuri: 8000
Ted: 8000
"Good luck, Yuri!" Jim cheered. Kylie stomped his foot quickly, wishing his friend the best. Yuri nodded to them both before facing her opponent.
"I'll go first," Ted announced, drawing her sixth card. "I'll start with the Continuous Spell Beastborg Fusioner!"
"A Fusion Card?" Yuri wondered, seeing the Spell Card.
"And a Continuous Spell version as well," Kal mused, "And if its what I think it could do, Yuri will be staring down some serious opposition."
"By having this card out, I can't Normal Summon or Set any Monster," Ted explained, "But, like you all think, I can Fusion Summon a Beastborg Fusion Monster with the cards I have on the field or my hand!" He then held out two more cards, "So, I'll fuse Panther Warrior and Heavy Mech Support Platform from my hand!"
First, a signature Monster of Joey Wheeler, a bipedal, armored panther appeared alongside a white and red platform. Then, both monsters appeared in a fusion vortex created by the Continuous Spell.
"I Fusion Summon the Beastborg Panther Predator!" The Card Professor announced as the Fusion Monster appeared. Yuri gasped as Panther Warrior returned, however its left side was completely mechanical! (6/1600/2000)
"Panther Warrior a machine?" the Indigenous Duelist whispered.
"I used to run a Beast-Warrior Deck, but with these great beasts, you won't find me an easy opponent." Ted stated. "Now, I activate Panther Predator's effect! I can deal damage equal to half its current ATK!" The red circle on its chest flashed, firing a beam at Yuri's chest. Gasping, the Indigenous Duelists quickly blocked with her Duel Disk to keep herself from being hurt.
Yuri: 7200
Ted: 8000
"It's the same as my match," Jim frowned, "These guys are out to kill us all."
"Sadly, they're not real," Kal added, "No matter who wins, that girl will end up absorbing the winner."
Amelie grinned and shrugged, "What can I say? I love a win-win!"
"I then set three cards facedown," Ted concluded, emptying his hand, "Let's go!"
"He emptied his hand on the first turn!" Jim gasped.
"Those are obvious traps," Kal sighed, "But Yuri has to find out a way to stop it."
"Then let's see what's going on!" Yuri announced, drawing her next card. "I've got some new tricks like my partner! I remove the Spell Card from a Different Dimension to Special Summon Monoceros!" In a flash, rhinoceros with a lightning bolt-like horn appeared. (3/1000/1000) "Next, I Normal Summon the Tuner Monster Uni-horned Familiar!" Next to Monoceros, a small, imp-like beast appeared with a unicorn's horn on its head. (2/0/1000) "Now I tune them together!"
The familiar roared as it became two Tuning Rings that surrounded Monoceros, reducing it to three stars. Yuri chanted...
"The single horn of the beast! Guide your way to our dreams and protect us with your radiance! Synchro Summon! Run across the field! Thunder Unicorn!"
Running out the pillar of light, a blue unicorn with yellow, lightning bolt markings, a mane of golden hair and a lightning bolt for a horn appeared. (5/2200/1800)
"A nice Synchro Summon on the first turn!" Jim praised.
"She was the fastest one to pick up on it," Kal admitted. Kylie nodded with a smile.
"Next, I activate Monoceros' effect!" Yuri continued, "Since I used it along with a Beast-Type Monster as Synchro Material, I can Special Summon the Tuner back from the Graveyard! Come back, Uni-horned Familiar in defense mode!" The familiar Beast-Type reappeared. (2/0/1000) "Then, Unicorn's effect! For every Monster I control, I drain one of your monster's ATK by 500! In exchange, Thunder Unicorn is the only one who can attack this turn! With two Monsters, your Beastborg loses 1000 ATK until the End Phase!"
Thunder Unicorn's horn flashed white and shot a beam at Panther Predator, draining its power. (6/1600-600/2000)
"Damn," Ted growled.
"A little trouble..." Amelie said with a frown.
"Unicorn, attack!" Yuri commanded. "Thunder Charge!" Unicorn neighed loudly as it ran at the Beastborg, aiming the horn...
"I activate my two Trap Cards!" The Card Professor countered, revealing one Normal and one Continuous Trap card. "The Normal Trap Roll Out and the Continuous Trap, Beastborg Medal of the Shield! As you know, Roll Out takes a Union Monster from my Graveyard and Equips it to one of my Monsters on the field. Heavy Mech Support Platform, equips to Panther Predator and gives it 500 ATK!"
The Union Monster appeared and attached itself to Panther Predator's chest. (6/600-1100/2000) Unicorn then rammed the Union Monster with its horn, shattering it to pixels.
Yuri: 7200
Ted: 6900
"Medal of the Shield activates!" Ted announced. "Now my card gains 1 Medal Counter for every 100 points of damage I've taken! So, I get 11 counters!" The Continuous Trap generated a Shield that created 11 Medals attached to its front. (BMotS: 11 MCs) "Also, my Union Monster takes the fall for my Beastborg!" (6/1100-600/2000)
"I end my turn here." Yuri stated, inserted a Set Card in her disk, "Meaning my Unicorn's effect worn off and your Monster's ATK goes back to normal." The Beastborg raised itself, feeling better. (6/600-1600/2000)
"You got me good, there," Ted said as he drew his next card. He then smirked, "But I'm about to dominate the field! First, I activate the Spell Beastborg Medal of the Draw! Thanks to this card, for every two Medal Counters on the field, I can draw one card!" He drew out 5 cards. "Now I activate Beastborg Fusioner's effect once more! I fuse Pitch-Black Warwolf and Machine Lord Ur from my hand!"
A blacked-furred bipedal wolf armed with a spear and a red machine with two arm lasers appeared in the sky before being absorbed by the Continuous Spell's vortex.
"Now I Fusion Summon the Beastborg Wolf Kampfer!" He announced as the Warwolf returned, only to be completely transformed into a mechanical version of itself with a tattered cape made from its original clothing. (6/2200/1500)
"Another one..." Yuri sighed, seeing the beast-warriors submitting to technology enhancements.
"You shouldn't feel too bad," Amelie giggled, "After all, nature needs more than their own instincts to survive the current world. Even your 'one-of-a-kind' beasts can't stand up to the strength of a machine."
Yuri frowned, "Obviously, you're not a fan of life in general."
The Woman of Light, "Whatever..." She then nodded to Ted, who nodded back as he activated another facedown card.
"Next, I activate Beastborg Medal of the Blade!" He announced as another emblem emerged from the Trap, consisting of two swords crossing, "With this card, I gain 1 Medal Counter for every 100 points of damage I deal to you! So, before I get to it, now I'll use the final of effect of Medal of the Shield! I send it to the graveyard and give Beastborg Panther Predator 100 ATK for each Medal it had!"
The Medal of Shield shattered, leaving the medals behind. They transformed into energy, entering Panther Predator's body as it roared in triumph. (6/1600-2700/2000)
"Next, I'll use Panther Predator's effect!" Ted grinned, "You lose half of its ATK as damage to your Life Points and it will powerup my Medal of the Blade!"
Panther Predator fired its laser once more, causing it to push Yuri back when she blocked once more. It also served to fill up the Continuous Trap with Medals.
Yuri: 5850
Ted: 6900
"Now I'll send Medal of the Blade to the Graveyard and give Wolf Kampfer 1300 ATK!" Ted announced as Medal of the Blade transformed into energy being absorbed by the mechanical wolf. (6/2200-3500/1500)
"Two monsters with 2700 and 3500 ATK," Kal gasped. "She's going to lose her defenses easily!"
"Now, I'll attack your Monsters!" Ted commanded, "Panther Predator, Industrial Savage! Destroy Uni-horned Familiar!" Panther Predator snarled as it lunged at the small beast...
"Time for a proverb called 'no pain, no gain!'" Yuri said as she revealed her Set Card, "I activate my Trap, Urgent Tuning! This allows me to Synchro Summon during the Battle Phase! So, I can tune the Level 2 Uni-horned Familiar and Level 5 Thunder Unicorn together!"
"Synchro Summoning during my turn!?" Ted gasped.
Amelie smirked as she watched the Synchro Summoning process once more, "But that means she'll only have one monster to defend with..."
"Twin horns of fierce nature! Come forth and dazzle the enemies into shock! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Voltic Bicorn in Defense Mode!"
This time, another beast appeared like Thunder Unicorn. But this one was dominantly black colored with thunderbolt markings, a mane of light blue hair and two thunderbolt horns. (7/2500/2000)
"It won't do much!" Ted stated as Panther Predator rushed in and ripped apart Voltic Bicorn with its sword and claws. "You were better off keeping two Monsters!"
"Voltic Bicorn's effect activates!" Yuri interjected, "Both of us now send 7 cards from the top of our decks to the graveyard."
Ted frowned as he and Yuri dropped their seven cards into the discard slot.
"I wonder why she did that," Jim said as Shirley growled confusingly.
"It can't be because of a deck out," Kal mused.
"And while you're figuring that out, I attack your girl directly with Wolf Kampher!" the Beastborg Duelist shouted. "Hunter Charge!" Wolf Kampher howled as it rushed across the field, tackling Yuri who was sent flying back.
Yuri: 2350
Ted: 6900
"Yuri!" Jim and Kal gasped, with Kylie looking worried.
"That's not all!" Ted shouted, "When battle damage is dealt, Wolf Kampher deals 300 points of damage!" The Beastborg then flashed its red eyes at Yuri, hitting her with a small laser.
Yuri: 2050
Ted: 6900
"That's enough damage for one turn," Ted concluded as he inserted a card into his duel disk, "Back to you!"
"My turn," Yuri announced, drawing her next card. "Now, I'll also activate Card from a Different Dimension's effect! I return this card to my hand and we each draw two cards!"
"Thanks for the cards," Ted mocked as both players drew their cards.
"Say that after you see what I'll bring next!" Yuri announced as she fanned out three cards, "I activate the Spell Polymerization! I fuse Gazelle the King of the Mythical Beasts and Beformet in my hand!" Everyone watched as a Fusion Vortex appeared in the sky, absorbing a brown-skinned beast with a dark brown mane of hair alongside a four-armed, dark-orange beast.
"The Beast Leader of mythology! Join with the demon acolyte and become the powerful creature! Fusion Summon! The multiforme creature in the sky! Chimera, the Flying Mythical Beast!"
Flying out of the vortex came a large, two-headed beast with large, white wings and a snake for a tail. (6/2100/1800)
"And that's not all," Yuri continued, "Thanks to the cards I've sent to the graveyard with Voltic Bicorn, three copies of Phantom Beast Cross Wing are laid to rest!" Surrounding her were the spirits of three golden, four-winged birds. They were spreading a golden radiance over Chimera. "They give Chimera a 300 ATK boost each! That's 900 ATK!" Chimera roared as its power was raised. (6/2100-3000/1800)
"I'll activate the Continuous Trap, Beastborg Medal of the Steel Chain!" Ted countered, revealing his Continuous Trap, "When this card is activated, I can stop your Special Summoned Monsters from attacking, changing its battle position, or be destroyed by battle!"
Yuri gasped as steel chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around Chimera's heads and legs.
Amelie laughed, "End of the line! You could have stopped Panther Predator with that move, but you might have something to fight Wolf Kampher to a standstill!"
Yuri frowned as she was right, looking at her hand. She had a card to make Chimera tough enough to fight both Beastborgs. But with that Trap, she couldn't win... But then she eyed a card in her hand, deciding to Set it.
"Now to finish you off!" Ted grinned as he drew his next card, "Panther Predator's effect activates! Take this!" The Beastborg in question fired another laser at Yuri, making her stumble backwards.
Yuri: 1000
Ted: 6900
"She's almost out of Life Points!" Kal growled. Kylie frowned and started to stomp his foot rapidly.
'Don't worry, Kylie,' Yuri thought, hearing her friend's encouragement, 'I'll have to grab a bit of luck to make it through...'
"Also, when Steel Chain's on the field, I can drain your monster's ATK by the damage you've taken!" Ted grinned as the Steel Chain glowed crimson, draining Chimera of its ATK. (6/3000-1650/1800)
"That's why it has that effect of keeping Yuri's Monsters safe from battle destruction," Jim scoffed.
"Time to end this!" Amelie laughed, "Ted, time to kill!"
Yuri grinned and thought, 'Let's see these new beasties at work!' She then shouted, "I think not!" She then revealed her facedown card, "I activate my Trap, Danger! Zone!"
"Huh?" Ted and Amelie wondered.
"Think of this card like Graceful Charity in a way," Yuri elaborated, "I draw three cards from my deck and discard two to the graveyard!"
Ted laughed, "What was the point of that!? You can't use any of the cards you've drawn! Wolf Kampher, finish her off!"
Yuri grinned, "You should let me finish! Because of the discards, two Monsters' effects activate that went to the graveyard!"
"What!?" Amelie gasped.
"First, Rainbow Snake Eingana!" Yuri announced as a spirit of a rainbow-colored anaconda appeared above the field, "When it was sent to the graveyard in any way, I can destroy all of your Monsters!"
Ted gasped, "No! Not that way!"
A phenomenon like the Northern Lights appeared in the sky as Eingana lunged at the Beastborg Monsters, chomping them to bits and pixels.
"I figured as much," Yuri smirked, "They must have effects involving being destroyed by battle, being beneficial to you! But with how well you powered them up, it was impossible to do so that way."
Suddenly, the Steel Chain Card shattered off the field, "And since the Beastborgs are gone, the Steel Chain's gone as well!" Amelie growled as Chimera's power returned to it. (6/1650-3000/1800)
"Now, let me explain about that Trap Card I played," Yuri stated, "One of the discards for my Danger! Zone had to be a Monster of the Danger! Archetype!"
"Danger!?" Ted wondered.
"What are those monsters?" Amelie added.
"Beasts of the cryptid variety," Kal stated. "Questionable existence since people haven't confirmed that they're real."
"However, I'm of an open mind and so is Pegasus," Yuri grinned, "So, I'll get down to business! The effect of Danger! Chupacabra activates!" An image of a green beast with a long tongue, prowling the forest appeared. "I can Special Summon another Danger! monster in my graveyard! I sent it there with Bicorn's effect! Danger! Bigfoot!"
"BIGFOOT!?" Everyone shouted as a pillar of light erupted from the ground. Out came a large, fearsome beast with blue skin, black hair covering most of its form. It let out a roar that shook the waters surrounding the boat. (8/3000/0)
Ted scoffed, "Don't get cute! I still have some cards left!" He looked over his six-card hand, he then grinned. "I activate Beastborg Fusioner once more, fusing another Panther Warrior and Cannon Soldier from my hand to create another Beastborg Panther Predator!"
Panther Warrior along with a small robot armed with a shoulder cannon appeared in a fusion vortex, creating the half-robotic Panther once again. (6/1600/2000)
"I set one card facedown and then activate Predator's effect!" He announced as the Predator launched another beam at Yuri, blocking with her Duel Disk.
Yuri: 200
Ted: 6900
"Your move!" Ted smirked.
"My turn," Yuri announced, "If you think I'm a fool for falling for your trap, you're mistaken! I activate the Spell De-Fusion! Sending your Fusion Monster back to your Extra Deck!"
Ted gasped as the Beastborg vanished from the field. Amelie growled.
"Now, I summon Rainbow Serpent!" She continued as smaller version of Eingana appeared. (4/1000/2000) "Hopefully, you and Kirk will come back to the world! Forgive me! Attack my monsters!"
Ted screamed as Bigfoot, Chimera, and Rainbow Serpent lunged at the defenseless Card Professor and turned him into Light energy that was quickly absorbed by Amelie.
Yuri: 200, Winner
Ted: 3900-900-0
Yuri sighed as the holograms faded away with Kylie hopping over to her.
Amelie smiled as she clapped her hands in applause, "Thank you for a most entertaining set of duels. For that, I'll let you go for now." She then glared at the five before her. "But don't think you'll survive what the world will face. Get closer to the truth, and you're going to wish you accepted the most beautiful of lies..."
She then illuminated her body in a bright light that caused everyone to turn away and close their eyes. Once the light faded, everyone turned to see the lady gone.
"Where'd she run off to?" Yuri wondered, groaning from her fatigue.
"Hey guys, look!" Jim said as he pointed behind them.
Everyone turned to see that the ship wasn't moving in the sea, but now docked at a pier. The pier of a familiar city.
"We're at Domino City?" Kal gasped.
"I get it now," Yuri realized. "That girl trapped us in an illusion. She didn't want us get to here."
"And she must be pretty powerful herself since she let us get here when she could have faced Kal or either of us," Jim figured. "Meaning this place will have what we need to get there."
"And that would be Kaiba Corporation, remember?" Kal smirked.
"Yes," Jim and Yuri replied.
"Then we should go see them and get ourselves ready!" the South Academy Teacher proclaimed as he led the way.
Once they were off the docks, Amelie reappeared sitting on top of the boat.
"Yes, hurry along children," She grinned. "It won't matter how strong you get... This dimension will suffer like the rest of them! The only question is will it be purged in eternal light or shrouded forever in the darkness? The alliance with Trueman does help, but the war is coming...
Another chapter done! We'll finally get to North Academy next chapter, really looking forward to it since I can get to the Crystal Beast new cards as well as how I get the Sailor Moon Monsters better!
Crypt Keeper's Minions
Normal Trap
When this card is in the Graveyard: Banish this card and activate a Trap Card from your hand.
Machina Fusion
Normal Spell
Discard one card to activate this card: Use Machina Monsters from your field and/or graveyard as materials for a Fusion Summon. The Monster Summoned with this card are unaffected by card effects.
Machina Mega Commander Covington
EARTH
Level 10
Machine/Fusion/Effect
4600/4100
Machina Sniper + Machina Defender + Machina Soldier + Commander Covington
Can only be Special Summoned by Fusion Summon. When this card is Fusion Summoned: Destroy all Special Summoned Monsters your opponent controls and inflict damage equal to the highest ATK of the monster destroyed. This card can attack twice per Battle Phase. When this card is destroyed: Special Summon 1 Machina Force from your Deck or Graveyard.
Fossil Archeologist
EARTH
Level 2
Warrior/Tuner/Effect
300/300
You can perform a Synchro Summon with a Monster in your graveyard that can Fusion Summoned with Fossil Fusion. (The Synchro Summon in this case cannot be negated)
Fossil Machine Skull Tank
EARTH
Level 9
Machine/Synchro/Effect
3000/2000
Can only be Synchro Summoned. When this card is Synchro Summoned: Send 1 Fossil Machine Monster from your Extra Deck to the graveyard and add its ATK to this card. When this card destroys an opponent's Monster by battle: Deal Damage equal to half the destroyed monster's ATK.
For this, I gave Jim another run using the Fossil Machine Fusion Monsters since they were the seldom used, also giving him a Synchro Monster to combat the returning Kirk Dixon and his Machina Monsters.
Next, Yuri I gave her use of the Unicorn Monsters and tried out the Danger! Monsters for a bit. Should I continue to use the Danger! Monsters? Do they fit Yuri? Let me know!
Next Time: Already in Domino City, Jesse and Crystal get down to training early as they face off against duelists from Kaiba Corporation. Including one that has improved...
Later everyone! Please leave a Review!
