(A/N: You know, its chapters like this I really wish I had an AMV on hand that mixed Danganronpa with Yugioh's theme or Yugioh with Danganronpa's theme or visa versa, or at least a Yugioh oriented opening with the Danganronpa cast (especially Junko) set to the original Yugioh English track. It would be awesome. Just saying! Anyway, let's get started with, as I said before, one of my favorite duels of the qualifying rounds and I will explain why when it's over so as not to give away the surprise).

Walking through the streets together, Makoto and Komaru Naegi looked around at the tournament, Makoto doing more sightseeing than dueling. To be fair, a lot of duels were already in progress and Makoto, being a fan boy, was hoping to catch a glimpse of a high-ranking duelist in action. Unfortunately, most of the people he saw dueling were not big names by any stretch. They were likely people like him who had managed to win a few tournaments, tested their luck against Kaiba's machine and were pleasantly surprised when they got in.

He heard rumors circulating about how a student from Hope's Peak Academy just threw down a few minutes ago and Makoto was sorry he missed it. Komaru, of course, noticed Makoto's mood. "Don't get so down Makoto. Come on!" she said, hands by her chest, "Let's go look for a challenge for you. I want to see you in action."

"All right," Makoto said with a smile. Makoto wanted his little sister to have a good time too, if only because if he didn't his parents would yell at him. As he and Komaru walked together, one of Makoto's nasty habits beyond his control cropped up.

Lost in thought, Makoto didn't notice his shoe lace had come untied. And, before Komaru could properly warn him, Makoto took a tumble forward as he turned the corner and smacked straight into a guy that was rounding the corner. However, given his small frame only Makoto felt the pain. He didn't even stumble backwards, he just smacked his cheek into the young man's chest.

"Ouch!"

"Hey!" An angry voice shot back. "Get off me, scrawny! You want me to stomp you, huh?"

Makoto recognized these voice, not from personal experience, but from television. He immediately backed up and gasped at who he saw. "You're…"

The young man in front of Makoto wore a green jacket with a yellow t-shirt and well-kept pants. He wore a red beanie hat and had brown, uncut hair with a tuft of white. He also looked really angry. "Hey, are you gonna stand there like a slack jawed idiot all day?"

"S-sorry," Makoto apologized taking a step back and bowed in apology. "S-sorry or bumping into you, R-Rex."

The duelist went from looking angry to self-satisfied, chomping at his thumb without actually biting it and drawing it across his neck with a confident smirk. "Well, well, guess my reputation precedes me."

"You know this guy, Makoto?"

Makoto looked ecstatic. "Of course I do! That's Rex Raptor, the regional finalist! He's a pro-duelist with the best dinosaur deck known in the pro-circuit."

Rex pushed up his hat with his thumb. "You a fan of mine?"

"I'm a fan of all pro-duelists," Makoto said with a starry eyed look, "You, Weevil Underwood, Seto Kaiba, Yugi Mutoh, Mai Valentine, Mako Tsunami, Bandit Keith, even Duelist Kingdom finalist Joey Wheeler."

"Wheeler huh?" Rex growled.

"You have something against Joey?" Makoto asked.

"He and I have a score of sorts to settle, but that's for later. I'm on my way to duel another chump that needs to know the pecking order in this tournament? So unless you want to get stampeded, get out of my way."

"Who are you looking to duel?" Makoto asked.

"That psychic duelist, Espa Roba. I aim to prove muscle over mind, once and for all!" Rex declared. "Then," he gave a thumb's down. "I'm gonna take on Joey Wheeler and get my revenge. I heard he lost his Red-Eyes and I've got a new and improved deck so I aim to take that chump down and bump him out of the tournament for good."

"I…I see," Makoto said.

"So like I said," Rex said, holding an arm up with a fist meant for Makoto if he didn't step aside, "Outta my way unless you want a clobbering, punk."

"Actually, Rex," Makoto said, looking a little intimidated, but still not afraid enough to speak up. He had his hand on his chest. "I um…if it's not too much trouble, would you duel me first?"

"Duel? Against you?" Rex seemed positively amused by the idea. He threw his head back and laughed. "I asked if you wanted to get stomped on, but to think you actually took me seriously?"

"I know I don't look like much," Makoto admitted, "But…I didn't come here with the idea that I could take down all the big name duelists. I just came to this tournament to have a good time and…so…well, if my one and only duel is against a regional finalist, well…that suits me just fine."

"Heh," Rex smirked. "You got guts, kid. I like that. You know what, fine. A good warm up for my dino blood is just what I need. You got a name, punk?"

"Makoto," Makoto answered. "Makoto Naegi."

"Well then, Makoto. Get out your deck and fire up your duel disk. Let me show what it's like to battle a pro."

Makoto and Rex fired up their duel disks and stood across from each other, hands ready to be drawn. "Let's Duel!" They declared together.

Makoto drew the top card of his deck. "I'll go first and I'll summon Koumori Dragon in attack mode!" A purple, legless dragon with very sharp fangs appeared on the battlefield. It had 1500 attack points. It let out a hissing roar. "That's all I'm going to do this turn," Makoto said.

"Not a bad start," Rex stated, only to undercut it with, "For an amateur. I play Uraby in attack mode!" a therapod, brown, striped dinosaur appeared on the battlefield. It also had 1500 attack points. "But unlike you, I'm playing a magic card, Raise Body Heat, this increases Uraby's attack power by 300 points!"

Uraby's body seemed to move a bit quicker as an orange aura surrounded it.

"Now that my dino is powered up, your dragon is about to go down!"

"No! My Koumouri Dragon!" Makoto cried out in alarm.

Rex balled a fist. "Uraby! It's chow time! Wild Bite Attack!"

Uraby dashed towards Koumori dragon as it breathed hot flame back at the brown dinosaur. However, Uraby tanked the attack, turning its head to one side finding the flames mildly annoying. Then it clamped its mighty jaws down onto Koumori dragon. As the dragon went limp in Uraby's jaws it disappeared into shards. Makoto's life points ticked down to 3700.

Komaru held up her fists by her chest, looking invigorated. "Chin up, Makoto," she cheered. "It's just the first turn."

Makoto nodded. If he gave up every time he lost the advantage in the first duel, he'd have to give up his pride as a duelist. His hand hovered over his deck. That Uraby's attack power is really strong. I don't have very many cards in my deck that can take it. But I know a card that never fails to help me. I just have to draw it. Makoto pulled the top card off his deck. He was ecstatic by what he drew. I got it! "I play Alexandrite Dragon, in attack mode!" A powerful, jewel encrusted, twelve-foot tall dragon took to the field.

As Rex bared down the 2000 attack point beast, he could only think, Alexandrite? Where'd he get a card that rare?

"Go! Alexandrite Dragon!" Makoto declared, holding up his arm, palm facing down as he then closed it so that only his index finger was extended. "Destroy his Uraby! Crystalized Breath Attack!"

Alexandrite dragon reared its head back and then unleashed a blast of rainbow and white energy, destroying Rex's monster and bring his life points down to 3800. Rex recoiled from the impact of Makoto's attack, but didn't let it faze him much more than that.

"That's all I'm doing this turn too," Makoto said.

"Very well," Rex said and drew the top card of his deck. "My turn now!" Rex looked straight ahead at the field as he thought. Gotta admit, I didn't expect him to have a card like Alexandrite Dragon. However… Rex glanced down at his hand and smirked. I think it's time I turn this duel around. "I play Two-Headed King Rex!" Rex declared and slapped the purple, normal monster onto the battlefield. The gigantic two-headed, winged dinosaur appeared on the battlefield.

Makoto looked at it in awe, The two-headed king rex? That's Rex Raptor's most iconic monster.

"But that's not all!" Rex declared. "I'm also fusing it using Polymerization with the Crawling Dragon #2 in my hand to create Bracchio-Raidus!"

Upon activating his spell, a change took hold in Rex's dinosaur as it was infused with the spirit of another creature with a strange looking mouth. The two dinosaur souls melded into a large, blue brachiosaur that dwarfed Makoto's Alexandrite dragon in both size and attack points with 2200 points.

"Don't worry, Makoto!" Komaru declared. "It's a fusion monster, so it can't attack!" She may not have been a pro, but Komaru had at least attempted to get into the Battle City tournament and just barely failed to make it past Kaiba's harsh criteria. The Naegi family was a family that dueled together as a hobby. Makoto's dad even bought Makoto his first pack.

"Sorry to disappoint you," Rex said. "But I've got a magic card. Behold the power of Quick Attack!" Rex slapped the card into the spell/trap reader. "And with this card activated a fusion monster can attack the turn it's fusion summoned. Now go Bracchio-raidus! Destroy his Alexandrite Dragon!"

Bracchio-raidus lifted up its leg to crush Alexandrite Dragon. However, Alexandrite dragon flew into the air and breathed its crystalized breath onto Bracchio-raidus, but failed to impact it. Then, with a powerful head lurch, Bracchio-raidus cracked Alexandrite Dragon's ribcage and sent it hurtling at the ground. Makoto flinched as his dragon went spiraling into the ground behind him where it performed its death throes before disappearing. Makoto's life points then ticked down to 3500.

"You don't look well, Makoto," Rex said with glee. "Feeling the heat?"

"Taunt me all you want, but I'm not backing down. I haven't even lost a thousand life points left!"

"All right then, show me what you got. It's your turn."

Makoto nodded and put his hand on his deck, pressing down onto the card. I don't have very many options right now. Come on deck, be nice. Closing his eyes tight, Makoto ripped the top card off his deck and then opened one eye to glance at it. He smiled when he saw what he drew, feeling reassured. This should help. "I play Pot of Greed," he declared, "Now, I can draw two more cards." Makoto drew the top two cards off his deck. He smiled. Now he had precisely what he needed to make a comeback.

"Next, I summon Neo the Magic Swordsman, in attack mode!" A blond, long haired swordsman appeared that had no shield in its free hand, but instead its index and middle finger, which were held together, glowed. It had 1700 attack points.

"That's a pretty strong card," Rex complimented, but again undercut it with a grin as he said, "Too bad my dino has more than enough attack points to destroy it."

Makoto was having none of Rex's backtalk though. He knew what he was doing. He held his arm up by his chest, palm open and facing down. "Ordinarily, yes." Makoto played a spell card and activated it. "But not when I activate my equip-magic card, One-Shot Wand. This increases my monster's attack points by 800."

Rex might not have been the most intelligent person in the world, but he could do basic math. And, as Neo obtained the crescent moon shaped wand in its left hand, combining it with its sword, Rex knew its attack points were now higher than Bracchio-Raidus', all the way to 2500. His smug smile vanished.

"Uh oh," he said, taking half a step back.

"Neo the Magic Swordsman, attack now!" Makoto declared, defiantly. "Wand-Sword combo attack!"

Using the One-Shot wand to power up the sword, Neo charged forward and attacked Bracchio-raidus, slicing off its leg with one attack and then blasting itself into the air before going for the head. With a flip and then a downward cut, Neo beheaded Rex's dino and then came slamming down into the ground, looking ahead at Rex as the wind billowed its magnificent blond hair and Rex's monster vanished. The dinosaur duelist's life points ticked down all the way to 3500.

"You did it, Makoto! All right!" Komaru declared, pumping her fist and looking invigorated.

"Now, I place one card face-down," Makoto said, quickly sliding the card into his duel disk. "My turn's over."

Rex held his thumb by his teeth, clenching them. This guy's not bad. It's my third turn and we're countering each other blow for blow. Most duelists I've fought would've been pummeled by now. He's got spunk, I'll give him that. Rex drew his card for the start of his turn. "Say, Makoto, is this your first tournament?"

"Huh?" Makoto was caught a bit off-guard by the question. He rubbed his cheek in embarrassment. "Well, it's my first one of this size at least. I spent most of my duels playing against Komaru and my parents for fun, plus my friends at school. Aside from some non-competitive local tournaments, I don't really participate in anything major. And the ones I have participated in, I didn't win. B-but I did place in the top four."

Rex couldn't believe his ears. There was no way a non-competitive player could be this good. "Did you get some new cards or something?"

"Actually," Makoto admitted sternly, "My current deck hasn't seen tournament play." He rubbed his head. "I had to focus on school work because things started getting tough this year." He put a hand on his chest. "So, I was really surprised when I beat the Kaiba Corporation's virtual computer. I thought I'd never get into Battle City."

"See? Aren't you glad you listened to your little sister?" Komaru asked, arms folded and sounding proud of herself. "Thanks to me you're throwing down with a champion duelist and you're actually holding your own."

Makoto just rubbed his head and laughed nervously.

Rex still couldn't believe this was happening. Tch, so he's a total experienced amateur with a little bit of luck? You gotta be kidding me. It's like I'm facing Joey Wheeler again, but even he wasn't this competent. This has turned less into a warm-up and more into the end of the Cretaceous Period. Rex looked at his hand. Damn, I've got no monster cards in my hand right now. Time to draw and hope for the best. I play Pot of Greed so that I can draw two cards. Rex drew the top two cards of his deck. He didn't seem super enthusiastic about his draws. "Next, I'll play Trakadon in attack mode." The blue, tiger-stripped dinosaur appeared. It had only 1300 attack points though. "And then, I'll throw two cards face-down onto the field. It's your move, Makoto."

Rex smirked. Heh, amateur. He may think he can survive just by holding off until he destroys my face-down card, but little does he know that the moment he plays a new monster card I'll destroy everything on the field. Rex laughed inwardly. And I've got a little surprise in store after that.

Of course, Rex was dreadfully underestimating his opponent. Makoto was far from an amateur when it came right down to it and Rex's move left him mighty suspicious. Why would Rex play a card with such low attack points? He's a regional finalist, he isn't dumb. So, what's his strategy? Makoto looked down at the field. It's a good think I still have Dust Tornado on the field or I'd be in serious trouble right about now. "I play Hunter Dragon in attack mode!" Makoto played a dragon with a devilish crest and looking rather anorexic with a bad case of smoker's gums…if dragon's even smoked cigarettes. Its body was orange and black.

"And with it go all of your monsters!" Rex declared. "Activate Trap Card!" He revealed one of his face-down cards, "Period Change! By sacrificing my Trakadon, I can—"

Makoto cut Rex off, revealing his face-down card, "Whatever it does, it's useless! I activate my face-down card, Dust Tornado!"

Rex looked significantly annoyed. "What?!"

"Sorry, but your trap card is toast and you're wide-open! In addition, I'll also play this magic card I just drew, the field card: Mountain!" Makoto slapped the card into the side of the duel disk. Suddenly a group of high rising peaks appeared around Makoto's side of the battlefield, blocking out the buildings behind him. "While this card is in play, all of my dragons get an extra 200 attack points, like my Hunter Dragon for instance!" Rex watched the beast grow in power to 1900 attack points. He gulped.

"Neo the Magic Swordsman attack his Trakodon! Wand-Sword Combo!"

"Not so fast!" Rex declared with glee. "I activate my other face-down: Mirror Force!"

Makoto and Komaru's faces both reflected surprise and shock as Rex's face-down emerged from its card, creating a curved shield around him in an orange and purple light. Rex looked to be positively glowing. "You chump!" he declared with a smile on his face. "You totally fell for it! The best way to play Mirror Force is to convince your opponent your hand is already played." Rex laughed at Makoto's misfortune.

Makoto watched as Neo's attack slammed against Mirror Force which not only destroy its but also Makoto's Hunter Dragon. Makoto turned his body to the side, looking disheartened at losing two of his more powerful 4-star monsters. He got me good, Makoto thought, hand on his chest, I let my guard down.

"Don't let him psych you out, Makoto!" Komaru called from the sidelines hands by her cheeks.

Makoto nodded. He was actually starting to feel really glad he'd brought Komaru along. Her constant cheering and moral support was helping him keep a clear head in what he considered the most intense duel in his life. He looked at the two cards still in his hand. Well, I saved this card until I was in a bind, but I don't think I have to play it right away. He looked at Rex. Rex has no cards in his hand. I can still come back next turn, but it never hurts to be prepared. "I play one card face-down on the field and then I end my turn," Makoto said resolutely.

"What's with that look on your face?" Rex snickered. "Have you given up, Makoto?" He drew the top card of his deck and looked at it. The picture showed a bunch of dinosaurs crowded around a big pill on the ground. It was called Big Evolution Pill. Rex smirked at it, knowing he would need it later. "Go! Trakadon!" Rex shouted. "Attack Makoto's life points directly!"

Trakodon charged, biting Makoto's shoulder as it slammed into him at the same time, knocking him over and leaving him slightly in pain at the realism of the hard light hologram. The blue dinosaur then retreated to Rex's side as Makoto's life points dropped all the way to 2200

Makoto, as he stood up, panting, took note of Rex's last turn. He didn't play the card he drew, Makoto thought as his breathing regulated. He's either planning something big or he's just confident I won't be able to counter him. Getting his bearings straight, Makoto swiftly drew the top card of his deck. He gained a defiant look in his eye. He hadn't given up hope of winning yet. Even if his opponent was Rex Raptor, Makoto fought on every duel he played until the very end. I play Blackland Fire Dragon in attack mode!" A green, yellow-horned, traditional looking dragon appeared in front of Makoto.

That's not good, Rex thought, preparing for impact.

"Blackland Fire Dragon, go! Destroy his Trakodon! Flame Gale attack!"

With a deep inhale, Makoto's dragon unleashed a blast of flame onto Rex's dinosaur, destroying it. The flames rushed past Rex and brought his life points down to 3100.

Much to Makoto's surprise, Rex smirked. "Heh, you know, you're the best challenge I've had since Weevil, Makoto. You're keeping me on my toes." Rex did not count Joey. He had that in the bad and then Joey won by sheer dumb luck as far as he was concerned.

"Really?" Makoto asked. Rex had undercut him twice now, so he wasn't sure if this was sincere praise or not.

Rex smirked, but it wasn't condescending. He was serious. "Can't remember the last time a match was this even, despite the fact that I'm winning by over a thousand life points."

"Well…I really appreciate the compliment," Makoto said cheerfully.

"Still, even if you're good, I'm still better. Let me show you," Rex said and drew the top card from his deck. "I play Monster Reborn. This lets me bring back an old friend. Say hello once again to Bracchio-raidus!"

"Uh oh," Makoto said, knowing what was to come."

Rex's blue brachiosaur emerged from the graveyard with a low growl. "Go, Bracchio-raidus! Destroy his Blackland Fire Dragon! Heavy Trample Stomp!"

Despite Makoto's dragon's attempts to fend off the dragon with its fire breath, it was stomped underfoot by the powerful monster, dropping Makoto's life points down to 1700.

"Go ahead, Makoto. Let's see if you can keep proving to be a challenge. Otherwise, you're ancient history next turn!"

Makoto could only agree. With only two cards in my hand, I don't have anything that can beat that monster, but I'm not giving up. A duel isn't over until it's actually over. "I play a monster in defense mode," Makoto said, placing the card face-down and sideways onto the duel disk. "My turn's over."

"You can do it, Makoto! Just buy yourself a little time!" Komaru cheered.

And by this point, Rex had to admit, he quite liked Komaru's little cheering routine and upbeat personality. And she was cute too.

Grinning, he said to his opponent, "Say, Makoto, what do you say we make things interesting?"

"Interesting?" Makoto asked.

"Your sister's kind of cute, you know."

Komaru wretched in disgust, taking a step back and sticking her tongue out. Rex was a bit scruffy for her tastes. "Tell ya what, if you win this duel, I'll give you two rare cards, but if you lose, your sister has to go on a date with me," Rex said.

"Yeah, right," Komaru declared, in defiance, fists balled by her hips, shoulders raised, "Makoto, tell this guy where to go!"

"Rex, as tempting as that offer is," Makoto said calmly and politely, "My sister isn't something to gamble." Plus my parents would kill me.

"What's the matter? Chicken? Running scared? I guess you don't have the stones to fight in the big leagues if you aren't willing to take a gamble," Rex declared proudly.

"Yeah, right!" Komaru declared. "Makoto isn't scared of you!"

"K-Komaru?" Makoto called her name. She not only sounded strangely defiant, but also looked it too.

"Makoto, take the bet and then take him, down!" Komaru declared.

"But if I lose, you…"

"Oh, who cares?" Komaru snapped. "It's just one stupid date. Go for it, if you lose, it's my dignity on the line." Komaru punched a fist into her other hand. "And I say go for it!"

"Well…okay," Makoto said. "Rex, I accept your terms!" Makoto declared confidently.

However, Rex grinned. He was hoping Makoto would say that. "You chump! I play the magic card Heart of the Underdog! Now, whenever I draw a normal monster to my hand, I can show it to you and draw more! And not only am I playing one card face-down, but I'm also destroying your face-down monster!"

Bracchio-raidus' foot came down and shattered Makoto's only defense.

Rex was practically giddy. "You've only got one card in your hand, Makoto Naegi and I've got a monster with 2200 attack points and given how many dinos are in my deck, you're about to go extinct from this tournament! Hahaha!"

Makoto looked disheartened. He's right. I don't want to admit it, but he's right. Makoto averted his eyes from the battlefield. I walked right into a gamble I shouldn't have taken…and now…Komaru.

"Makoto!" Komaru shouted.

Makoto picked his head up. Looking at his sister. Despite his wallowing in despair, she still looked full of vitality. She hadn't given up on this duel yet.

"Don't give up! I know you can do it! Who cares if he's a regional finalist? You and your deck are gonna take him down. You've got the monsters to do it too. You just gotta draw them!"

"That's easier said than done," Makoto called loudly, "But…" Makoto shook his head and, once again had his resolve, placing his hand firmly on his deck. "No, I have to believe in myself and the deck I made. Here goes nothing!" Makoto drew the top card of his deck and gave it a quick glance. "I play one more monster card face-down. Rex, it's your move!" Makoto declared, pointing at him.

What's that guy up to? Rex thought, pausing for a second, narrowing his gaze. It is his new face-down monster or is he going to spring a combo on me? Either way, I've got exactly the card I need to turn this duel around. "First, I draw." Rex smirked at his draw. "Heh, Sword Arm of Dragon. I draw again." Rex drew the top card. "Megazowler! I draw again."

This is bad, Makoto thought. He watched Rex draw the top card from his deck again, only to not look as happy as before.

"The card I just drew is an effect monster card, so I can't draw any more cards, but that's plenty because now I activate this magic card, Big Evolution Pill. By sacrificing one dinosaur monster, my Bracchio-raidus, I can summon ANY dinosaur monster without sacrificing monsters."

"No way!" Makoto declared, looking shocked and shaking with fear.

"And I choose my Black Tyranno!" Rex declared and played an all-black tyrannosaurus rex with 2600 attack points on the field. Rex looked positively enthused, performing a fist pump, "And thanks to its special ability, since you only have defense mode monster cards on your side of the field, it can attack your life points directly. Black Tyranno! Attack directly and end this duel!"

"Not so fast, Rex!" Makoto declared. "I activate my face-down card, Swords of Revealing Light!"

"No way!" Rex declared, watching as the Swords appeared from the sky and slammed down onto Rex from above, locking down his monsters.

"All right! That's showing him Makoto!" Komaru declared, rotating her fists enthusiastically like she was getting ready for a boxing match.

"I…I don't get it," Rex stammered. "You had Swords of Revealing Light face-down this whole time. Why didn't you activate it before?" Rex asked.

"I knew I could take it," Makoto stated plainly.

"You, WHAT?!" Rex shouted.

Makoto put a hand on his chest. "I have faith in my deck. So, as long as I could stay in the game, I was going to wait to use Swords of Revealing Light until I absolutely had to. And since your deck is mostly based around Dinosaur cards, unless you have a heavy storm or a Giant Trunade in there, my life points are safe."

Rex couldn't believe his ears again. I don't believe it. This guy's got guts. He let me box him into a corner and then bought himself three turns. Even so… Rex quickly got his bearings straight and just growled, holding a fist up by his chin. "Big deal! I still have my dinosaur cards in my hand. Take your three turns cause after that, you're done!"

"Fine by me," Makoto said. "First, I draw," Makoto drew the top card of his deck. "And then I play Graceful Charity. This lets me draw three cards," he said, pulling three cards from the top of his deck. He then quickly scanned his hand and sent two to the graveyard, "provided I discard two." He looked at the two cards in his hand and nodded, having already known his next move. "Next, I'll use Monster Reborn to summon Luster Dragon, which I sent to the graveyard just now with Graceful Charity." A giant, green, somewhat jewel encrusted dragon, with a beard, appeared on the field. It had 2400 attack points, but thanks to Makoto's Mountain field it gained an extra 200 points.

Rex's jaw hung open a little. He even used a pretty competent tactic. And now it finally dawned on Rex how Makoto was so good. Wait, I get it now. He may not have competed in tournaments, but he's had these cards for a long time. He must've learned good combinations through repeated duels against familiar opponents. And because I'm well-known, he knows about my deck and strategy. He's no ordinary amateur. He's a studied duelist! I better hope he draws poorly or I'm in real trouble. It's okay though, Luster Dragon can't destroy Black Tyranno without destroying itself and I still have a card in my deck that can turn this duel around.

"Next, I'll play the other card in my hand, the other Luster Dragon!" Makoto played a blue, jewel coated dragon with 1900 attack points that, thanks to Makoto's Mountain had its attack points rise to 2100. Makoto's hand was now empty. "Now, my turn is over."

"Not bad, Makoto," Rex said, "But not quite good enough." Rex drew the top card of his deck. "And now I play the magic card, Final Stages of Evolution!" Rex played the magic card which showed an evolution chart of a fish turning into a reptile, a reptile to a dinosaur and a dinosaur into a dragon. "Here's how it works," Rex began to explain, "As long as at least one of the monsters on my side of the field is unable to attack, whether it's in defense position or because of a spell or trap card, not a single monster on my side of the field can attack. It's only a temporary continuous magic card, but when your Swords of Revealing Light finally disappear, I'll get the first crack at your life points and I'll be sure to line up a dino demolition to win this duel. And since Big Evolution Pill is still in effect I play Megazowler in attack mode! It's your move, Makoto!"

Makoto drew the top card of his deck, looking at the spell card with three mages in green robes crowded around a chalice. Mage Power, huh? I may need this later. "I end my turn."

"Fine by me," Rex said with delight. "First, I draw. And next I play my Sword Arm of Dragon in attack mode! But that's not all I'm gonna do. I'll also play the Field Magic Card Jurassic World, increasing the power of all of my dinosaurs by 300 points."

"And since it's a field spell," Makoto said, looking like he was going to catch chill, "My Mountain!"

"That's right!" Rex declared, chuckling with glee. Makoto watched as the balance of power shifted from him to Rex. His monsters had 1900 attack points and 2400 attack points, but Rex's had 2900, 2050 and 2100, more than enough to take Makoto down. "Sorry to disappoint you, but this duel is turning around and next turn I'm free to attack."

"Don't forget," Makoto said, "Its been three turns so the effects of your Big Evolution Pill wear off."

"I'm aware," Rex said. "Not that it helps you any since your monsters are going to get trampled by my dinosaurs. Hahaha!"

And that's where you would be wrong, Makoto thought. He drew the top card of his deck, still feeling confident in the deck he made. The sun reflected off the card in Makoto's hand as he prepared to play it and turn this duel around once more. "I start by sacrificing my face-down monster and my weaker Luster Dragon to bring out the mighty Cosmo Queen!"

"Cosmo Queen?!" Rex had heard of the card, but he had never seen the card in play before.

A beautiful woman with purple skin and a regal headdress appeared in a red robe, her visage the picture of utter grace. "Say hello to one of the strongest monsters in my deck."

"That card might be powerful, but thanks to Jurassic World she won't be able to stand up to Black Tyranno and survive." Both monsters had 2900 attack points.

"I agree," Makoto said, "But that's why I've got this magic card. I activate Mage Power!" This special magic card raises Cosmo Queen's attack and defense by five hundred points for each magic card I control, including Mage Power itself." Cosmo Queen radiated with violet-red energy, powering up its attack points to 3400.

A bead of sweat ran down Rex's face. "You can't be serious."

"I am serious," Makoto said. "Now, Cosmo Queen, destroy his Black Tyranno! Shadow Master Blast!"

Cosmo Queen raises its arms to the sky as a big orange energy bomb appeared above its head. Then, launching the big ball across the battlefield, it exploded against Rex's Black Tyranno, sending it straight to the graveyard. Rex's life points ticked down to 2600.

"And that's not all! Luster Dragon! Attack his Sword Arm of Dragon! Crystal Breath attack!"

Rex's stegosaurus looking monster was demolished and his life points trickled down to 2250.

"Way to go, Makoto! Nice comeback!" Komaru declared.

Ugh, really thought I had him that time, Rex thought. All I've got his Megazowler out on the field and no magic card in my deck is gonna turn this around. Rex drew the top card of his deck. It was a picture of a frozen bracchio-saur. Frostosaurus? This could work. "I reveal Frostosaurus in my hand and draw again with the power of Heart of the Underdog. Rex drew the top card of his deck. Excellent. This trap card is just what I need. "I'm sacrificing Megazowler in order to play my Frostosaurus and thanks to Jurassic World it gains 300 attack points. Next, I play one card face-down on the field." Rex glared defiantly at Makoto. "Go ahead, Makoto! Show me what you've got!"

"Can do!" Makoto declared. "Watch this!" Makoto drew the top card of his deck. Okay, Rex definitely wants me to attack him. Well, I'm not falling for it. Makoto looked at what he drew. He revealed the card to Rex. "I play Stamping Destruction! Because I have a dragon monster face-up on the field, I can destroy one magic or trap card on the field and the card I choose is Jurassic World."

"Oh no!" Rex declared.

"Oh, yes!" Makoto declared, the wind ruffling his hoodie and hair. "Luster Dragon, take out Jurassic World with the magic of Stamping Destruction!" Makoto's dragon raised its foot and brought it down on Rex's magic card. "And that's not all, because the card destroyed was yours, you lose 500 life points.

"Hngh," Rex snarled. His life points dropped to 1750, practically evening the duel.

"And next I'll…" Makoto thought over what could be lying in wait. After that Mirror Force from earlier, there are plenty of trap cards Rex could have that could completely annihilate me. Trap Hole of Spikes, Widespread Ruin, and that's just what's off the top of my head. Makoto took a deep breath. "I'll end my turn."

"Heh, so in the end you're still a scrub," Rex smirked.

"Huh?"

Rex drew a card and declared, "You chump! I'm about to fossilize you! Reveal face-down card: Survival of the Fittest!" Rex's trap card flipped face-up revealing a dinosaur standing triumphant over all others.

Makoto gasped. It wasn't an attack reflector card?

"You had me sweating there for a minute, Makoto, but if you had destroyed my face-down card then this wouldn't be happening to you right now. First, my monster's attack points get raised by 1000. Next, I'll attack your Cosmo Queen with my Frostosaurus!"

Frostosaurus unleashed a deadly blizzard across the battlefield. Cosmo Queen attempted to counter it with her magic, but was frozen solid and shattered into 1000 pieces. Makoto's life points trickled all the way down to 1500.

"And it gets better for me," Rex said. "Thanks to Survival of the Fittest, I can declare a second attack with my Frostosaurus as long as that attack is directed at another monster card. Now, go my Frostosaurus, destroy his Luster Dragon!" Frostosaurus unleashed a blast of cold air against Luster Dragon's Crystalized breath, but the frosty air won out, destroying Makoto's dragon and bringing his life total down to 300 points.

"Makoto!" Komaru cried out in alarm.

Rex chuckled. "I hope you're ready for our date, Komaru. Cause one more attack and I'll be kicking your big brother's butt back to the stone age."

"Don't give up, Makoto. You can still win," Komaru told him.

Rex didn't buy it. "Please, that amateur mistake is gonna cost Makoto this duel!" Rex smirked, but this one seemed to be of pride. "Gotta admit kid, you fought hard, but dragons and wizards don't stand a chance against my strong and sturdy dinosaurs."

"Are you sure about that?" Makoto asked with a serious expression.

"What?" Rex asked flatly.

"There's a card in my deck that'll put even your Frostosaurus on ice. All I have to do is draw it."

"With what? Dumb luck. You already played Pot of Greed AND Graceful Charity. Unless you're expecting to draw a brand new card, you're as good as fossil fuel!"

"Maybe so, but I'm feeling pretty lucky right now!" Makoto shouted, drawing the top card off his deck in an unnecessarily over the top fashion and held the card up into the air in front of him. He flipped the card over to look at it. "I got it!" He declared. "This is the card that's gonna buy me at least one more turn! Go Blizzard Dragon!"

Rex laughed. "What the hell is that? That puny lizard doesn't stand a chance against my Frostosaurus.

"In battle, sure, but not with its special ability. Blizzard Dragon can select one monster on my opponent's side of the field and prevent it from attacking!"

"WHAT?!" Rex shouted.

"Blizzard Dragon, use your blizzard barrage and stop his Frostosaurus in its tracks!"

"Urrgh," Rex grunted as he watched Blizzard Dragon create a snow storm that made Frostosaurus stop moving temporarily.

"Go on, Rex," Makoto goaded.

Rex laughed. "You chump. That monster only has 1800 attack points. My Frostosaurus might be frozen, but I can still sacrifice it to play a monster capable of destroying yours and thanks to heart of the underdog, I'd say that's a pretty good possibility."

"Well then, go ahead and try. I gave it my best shot. If you can do it, Rex, I won't hold a grudge."

"Gladly!" Rex drew the top card of his deck only to look disappointed. "Mad Sword Beast?"

"Sounds like you were unlucky!" Makoto declared. "That means it's my turn." He drew a card from his deck. "And I'll play a one card face-down on the field. And once again, I'll keep Frostosaurus frozen in place. It's your turn."

Rex drew the top card from his deck and grinned. "It's over, Makoto. I don't need Frostosaurus. First I reveal the Sabersaurus I just drew and then I draw again." Rex drew a card and continued to smirk. "And next, I play my Sabersaurus in attack position!" The styracosaurus-looking red dinosaur emerged onto the battlefield looking ready to charge. "And now I'll close this duel by equipping it with Invigoration, raising its attack power by 400 points at the cost of two hundred defense points."

Sabersaurus' attack points were raised to 2300 and that was enough to defeat Makoto.

"Sabersaurus!" Rex declared. "Attack his Blizzard Dragon and end this duel!"

"Sorry, but I reveal my face-down card Dragon's Gunfire!" Makoto declared. "And since I controla dragon-type monster, I can select one monster on the field with 800 defense points or less and destroy it. And I choose Sabersaurus!"

Empowered by the magic card, Blizzard Dragon reared its head back and unleashed a powerful fire ball blast at Sabersaurus.

"N-no!" Rex stammered. "Hrrrngh," he snarled. "Make your move," he told Makoto.

"I will," Makoto nodded. He then played a monster card in face-up defense position. "And I play Golem Dragon in defense mode." A big, brown dragon that was crouched behind its giant brown arms took to the battlefield. "And, I switch my Blizzard Dragon to defense mode as well, but not before activating his special ability. And as long as my Golem Dragon is on the field, he's the only dragon monster you can attack."

"Gotta be kidding me," Rex groaned. He drew the top card off of his deck. Black Ptera, huh? Rex looked at the battlefield. Unfortunately, with that Golem Dragon on the field, I can't destroy it. It's pointless to summon this card. Blizzard Dragon would just destroy it anyway, same if I summoned Mad Sword Beast. Still, as long as I have Frostosaurus on the field, that chump can't attack me either. "I'll end my turn."

Makoto drew the top card off of his deck. "I play the equip-type magic card, Dragon Shield!"

Rex knew what that card did and let out a big, loud, "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"That's right, thanks to this magic card that I'm equipping to Golem Dragon, it can't be destroyed by battle. Meaning that as long as I play nothing, but dragon monsters for the rest of this duel." Makoto raised his arm, palm open and facing down and then spread it out at his side. "My life points are 100% safe."

"That's…that's…" Rex stammered.

"Your move, Rex," Makoto thought. I've bought myself plenty of time. With two monsters out on the field and Rex's Frostosaurus neutralized, my life points will be safe as long as Rex can't hit me directly.

Rex drew the top card off his deck and just snarled as his eye twitched. This is ridiculous. That chump's buying himself all the time in the world behind that combo. I've gotta act fast. I've gotta do something! Rex drew the top card of his deck. Damn. It's just Ultra Evolution Pill and I don't have any reptiles to sacrifice for its effects. "Hnngrh," Rex snarled. "I end my turn."

"Then, it's my turn now," Makoto said. His heart began to jackhammer out of his chest. As he drew his card, he could barely believe his eyes. If his math was right, then…

"Rex, thank you for the duel, but the time has finally come to put an end to this."

"Finally giving up, are we?" Rex asked.

"Quite the opposite actually," Makoto said. "I…I'm going to win! First, I sacrifice Golem Dragon to play another one of my favorite dragon monsters. Say hello to White Horned Dragon!" Rex watched as a ruby red dragon took to the field with a magnificent white horn on its head. It had 2200 attack points.

"Y-yeah, s-so what, what are you going to do with that?" Rex asked.

"I'm going to activate its special ability. When White Horned Dragon is summoned, I can remove up to 5 magic cards from my opponent's graveyard to raise its attack points by 300 points per card removed. And the cards I choose: Polymerization, Raise Body Heat, Jurassic World, Pot of Greed, and…Monster Reborn!" Makoto declared as light shot out of Rex's duel disk and flew into the horn of White Horned Dragon, raising its attack power all the way up to 3700.

"Th-thirty seven hundred attack points?" Rex stammered. Now unable to believe his eyes.

"The duel is over. I switch my Blizzard Dragon back into attack mode!" Makoto said, flicking the card with his wrist. "And now! White-Horned dragon! Attack! Take out his Frostosaurus! Dark Breath attack!"

White Horned dragon unleashed a hazy, blackish breath unto Frostosaurus, destroying it and bringing Rex's life points down to 1650.

"This…isn't…happening," Rex grunted as he watched his monster crumble before his eyes.

"And now, Blizzard Dragon!" Makoto shouted. "Destroy the rest of his life points! Blizzard Breath attack!"

Blizzard Dragon reared back its head and unleashed a cold, icy breath onto Rex knocking him over as cold air wafted around him. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Rex shouted as his life points fell all the way to 0. Rex fell over onto his back.

Makoto stood there in a daze. Now he was the one who couldn't believe his eyes. I don't believe it! I won the duel! I just beat Rex Raptor, THE Rex Raptor. His heart was still beating in and out of his chest.

Komaru began jumping for joy. "You did it, Makoto! You did it! You did it! You did it You did it!" She turned and pointed a condescending finger at Rex. "In your face, creep! Now, fork over the two rare cards like you promised."

"Ugh," Rex said and got up off the ground. He still couldn't believe he was beaten like that, but reality was reality and Rex refused to shut his eyes from it. He took a deep breath. He wasn't happy, but he managed to keep a straight face. "I'm a dinosaur of my word, Makoto. As promised, here's my rarest card," he handed Makoto a long, blue, Serpentine-like dragon, "Serpent Night Dragon. Take good care of it."

"Thanks, Rex," Makoto said, approaching Rex for the card, graciously accepting it and slipping it into his deck.

"Also, take this card," Rex said. "This is my Black Tyranno. It's the next best card I have."

Makoto firmly accepted the card with a nod. "I'll take good care of both cards," Makoto said.

"You'd better," Rex said and handed Makoto his locator card for him to take.

"Thanks for the duel. I…I didn't actually think I'd win," Makoto said.

"I didn't either honestly. You sure took me by surprise, like a velociraptor that lures you towards its hunting mates," Rex said.

"I hope you learned your lesson about making bets too," Komaru scolded. "Now come on, Makoto. Let's keep going at this! If you can beat Rex, that means you can challenge more pro-duelists."

"Y-yeah, okay," Makoto said. "Bye, Rex," he said and turned to leave.

"Hey, hold up a sec!" Rex barked. Makoto flinched and turned around. "Listen, Makoto, I don't care if you win the whole thing, but you'd better at least get into the finals or I'll never forgive you! I expect no less from the guy that beat me!"

"Well…I mean…I'd have to go up against Seto Kaiba or Yugi Mutoh to win, but…"

"What?" Rex snapped. "What kind of attitude is that?"

"Nothing!" Makoto responded, jumpy. "It's just…well…my deck used to be all dragon cards because Seto Kaiba was the duel monster's world champion, but when Yugi beat him and then later Pegasus, I decided to put some spellcasters in my deck. I guess you could say," Makoto smiled. "They're my heroes who inspired me to play Duel Monsters."

Rex smirked. "I guess we've all got our heroes. I use to look up to Kaiba myself for a while, but, overcoming your heroes is what life is all about." Rex punched Makoto lightly in the shoulder. "So get out there and win." Rex clenched a fist and glared. "If I see you without locator cards before the finals, I will punch you in the face."

"Okay, okay, I get it," Makoto said nervously. "I'll at least get to the finals. Come on, Komaru." Makoto turned to leave and walked away. Komaru followed suit, but, still feeling spurned pulled down her eye and stuck her tongue out at Rex.

When Makoto and Komaru were out of sight, Rex turned around himself. Welp, may as well see what Weevil's up to, Rex figured. Maybe check a few card shops to replace my cards. Still haven't found another Red-eyes.

In the other direction marched Makoto and Komaru. Makoto looked at the cards Rex had given him. Serpent Night Dragon. Black Tyranno. These are Rex Raptor's best cards and now they're mine. Makoto clenched a fist full of conviction, looking at the road ahead with hopeful determination. I'm not gonna stop here. I might just be an ordinary high school student, but I'm going to do my best and go right for the finals. After all, though it seems impossible, never say never because the future is always uncertain.

(A/N: Yes, I am shamelessly waxing lyrical from the Danganronpa opening theme for the anime. Show of hands, who liked that duel? I hope to make more intense duels like that. I mean, let's be honest, Rex needed a fair shake to be reminded that he is a competent duelist given he only jobs to Joey and gets cheated against, right Weevil, Mai, and Espa Roba? Next chapter we shake things up a bit with another Yu-gi-oh character dueling, but this time it will be one of our beloved protagonists. Until next time, as always, from all of me, to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)