(A/N: So a lot of you have been hedging your hopes on the interaction between Junko and Marik. All I can say is this: be careful what you wish for. *cracking sound as evil grin appears* Now then, let's see what fate has in store for our little bundle of hope, shall we?)
In spite of her girlish appearance, after finish her food, Junko managed to let out one hearty belch, patting her sternum with the side of her fist. "Ah, nothing says full like the sign of the body being healthy." She jumped to her feet, arms folded. "Right, that's done. You ready to duel, Makoto?"
"I thought I was dueling Mukuro."
"You are, but I'm excited," Junko said, even though she really wasn't. "I want to see that same raw determination you showed Crowler." For a brief moment, Junko's true nature showed through as she said, "Just so I can knock it down."
"Well, I'll show you what I'm made of," Makoto said, "Both of you."
"Sounds good," Junko said, putting her feet up on the outdoor café table, "I'll just be here waiting for my turn."
"Um, are you assuming Mukuro's going to lose?" Makoto asked.
"Not exactly an improbable possibility," Junko said. "Well, unless all of your victories up until now have been a fluke."
"Makoto, get out your deck and show her what you're made of!" Komaru encouraged, getting up from the table. "I'm right here to cheer you on."
"Yeah, thanks Komaru," Makoto said. He and Mukuro cleared proper space from the café next to the stand they got food from. As they prepared to duel, Makoto took note of Mukuro's rigid posture and icy steel eyes.
"You will be defeated mercilessly," Mukuro said to Makoto matter-of-factly.
"Um…are you all right?" Makoto asked her. "You seem a bit…wound up."
"Oh don't mind Mukuro. She's been emotionally stunted since birth. Once she hones in on a target that needs to be destroyed," Junko said making a gun shape with her right hand as she leaned up a little. "There's nothing that will stop her from executing you without hesitation." Junko put her arm back behind her head. "Of course, Mukuro's far more used to fighting wars than duels."
"Wars? Y-you mean like in an MMO or an RTS, right?" Makoto asked, looking a bit rattled by the idea of the alternative.
"Something like that," Junko said with a coy smile. Mukuro looked over to Junko confused. "What? What are you looking at me like that for? Get your head in the game and eliminate your target. You have your orders, soldier."
"Yes, sister." Mukuro said and activated her duel disk.
She still seems…incredibly cold and distant. Is she really just an MMO or an RTS player? Makoto wondered. Well, I suppose it doesn't matter too much. Makoto said as he prepared to draw his hand of five cards. When it comes to dueling, it doesn't matter rank, status or if you're a soldier for real or by proxy. Only one thing matters and only one thing is necessary.
"Let's Duel!" He and Mukuro declared at the same time as Makoto drew and fanned out his hand in front of him.
"The first attack shall be mine," Mukuro said and drew the top card off her deck with methodical swiftness. She slapped a card onto the reader in attack mode. "I play Wolf Axewielder!"
A howling anthropomorphic wolf appeared, clad in cloth wraps and carrying, well, an axe. It also had a shield in its other hand.
"I also enhance my monster's power with the spell card, Mystical Moon!" Mukuro declared, slamming the spell card into the reader. "This will increase its power by 300 points."
Wolf Axwielder howled as its attack power climbed from its standard 1650 to 1950 and its defense was now 1300. "That ends my first turn."
Makoto nodded. "I draw." He drew the top card off his deck. "I play a monster in defense mode," he declared. "And I'm also playing a card face-down." The hologram appeared. "My turn is over."
"My turn," Mukuro said, quickly drawing the top card of her deck. "And I summon now to the field Pitch-Black Warwolf." Another wolf beast-warrior appeared. It carried an all-black blade with a red tip and had all black fur. It had 1600 attack points and 600 defense points. "I enter my battle phase," Mukuro said stoically. "As a result, Pitch-Black Warwolf's effect activates. During the Battle Phase, my opponent cannot play trap cards."
Komaru gasped. Junko actually smirked. It seemed Mukuro had learned a thing or two from constantly getting her ass kicked.
"And now, I attack with Pitch-Black Warwolf!"
Junko stopped smirking and started frowning. Maybe not, Junko thought.
Makoto's face-down monster was revealed to be Mystical Elf. Sure, leading with the weaker monster to attack was the better idea in most scenarios, but Makoto had already proven his skill. Caution should've been exercised.
Mystical Elf's magical barrier repelled Mukuro's attack, bringing the soldier's life points down to 3600. Komaru wiped her brow in relief. She though Makoto was screwed there for a moment.
"My turn is over," Mukuro said. Junko slapped her forehead and groaned. Mukuro should have switched Wolf Axwielder to defense mode. After all, Makoto's next move was plain as day.
"I sacrifice Mystical Elf to play Des Volstgalph!" Makoto declared. The red and black dragon emerged on the battlefield with a whopping 2200 attack points. "Des Volstgalph, attack!" Makoto declared. "Destroy Pitch-Black Warwolf!" The dragon roared and incinerated Mukuro's monster, reducing her life points to 3000. "Des Volstgalph's special ability activates," Makoto said. "Since it destroyed a monster by battle, you lose 500 more life points." Mukuro's life point counter fell to 2500.
"Wow, I think this is the first time you've started the duel with a considerable lead, Makoto," Komaru said.
"Wow, blatantly tempting fate, much?" Junko asked with a bored tone. "When in the history of forever have you seen a competitive match not bounce around?"
"Um, well, I don't really play competitively so…"
Junko just sighed.
It was Mukuro's turn now. She drew the top card off of her deck. She then glanced towards Junko, her eyes not being met. It was as if Junko had 0 faith in her dueling ability. That only pushed the "try harder" button to Mukuro. She had to live up to Junko's expectations. She couldn't disappoint her little sister. She had to set an example. "I activate the spell card Backup Rider," Mukuro declared, activating the spell card. "This magic card increases the attack power of one monster of my choosing by 1500 points. And with it, I will have Wolf Axwielder destroy your Des Volstgalph."
With 3450 attack points of pure brutality, Wolf Axwielder charged forward.
"Sorry, but I activate my trap card!" Makoto declared. "Go! Spellbinding Circle!"
The magic circle entrapped Mukuro's monster, but Junko didn't seem disappointed. She was now paying attention. Mukuro must've been low on options to spring that trap. After all, she hadn't summoned this turn, which meant…
"Since Wolf Axwielder can no longer fight, I relieve him of duty," Mukuro said, taking the card off the field, "And I summon, in its place, Tenmataitei!" A cavalier clad in iron armor, riding a white horse appeared. It had 2400 attack points. "Next, I play two cards face-down and I end my turn."
Makoto drew the top card of his deck. "I activate the spell card, Dragon Treasure and give it to Des Volstgalph," Makoto said, increasing his monster's attack power by 300 points to 2500. "Now my monster is strong enough to defeat yours. Des Volstgalph, attack!"
"I activate my trap card," Mukuro declared firmly, "Reinforcements!"
"Ah!" Makoto gasped.
"My monster's attack points increase by 500," Mukuro said as Tenmataitei's attack power reached 2900. This means your monster will be destroyed and you will lose life points.
Tenmataitei dodged Des Volstgalph's flame blast and then charged forward and skewered the monster with its spear, bringing Makoto's life points down to 3600 as the monster vanished into shards of light.
"I play a monster face-down," Makoto said, locking gazes with Mukuro. "And end my turn."
"Huh, that's odd," Komaru said.
"What's odd?" Junko asked her.
"Usually Makoto's duels are filled with back and forth and banter, but he and Mukuro are doing this strictly by the books. It's like they're robots."
Junko and Komaru watched Mukuro play Warrior Dai Grepher and use Tenmataitei to attack Makoto's face-down monster, which was Golem Dragon. Oh good, she's learning pattern recognition, Junko thought. "Mukuro's not very talkative to start with," Junko said. "Banter's only good when you've got something to play off of."
"Yeah, but Makoto's not even attempting it."
"Look, if it means I don't have to hear crummy one-liners I'm not complaining. You really want to start hearing the worst soldier puns in existence?"
"Not…really," Komaru said.
"Then shut up," Junko told Komaru in the politest way she humanly could.
"Now," Mukuro said, finally making a hand gesture and extending the fingers in her right, gloved hand towards Makoto, "Warrior Dai Grepher, attack Makoto directly."
Her warrior charged forward and slashed Makoto, knocking him on the ground and bringing his life points down to 1900, giving Mukuro the lead.
"Not bad," Makoto said, getting up. "I actually was hoping you didn't draw another monster card so I wouldn't take life point damage." He smirked. "That or I hoped you'd attack with your weaker monster first like last time."
"I could never make the same mistake twice. A soldier that doesn't learn from their mistakes is as good as dead."
"Learning from mistakes or not, you're not bad, Mukuro. I'm glad I get to duel you today. I know I haven't been acting like it," Makoto said, scratching his cheek, "But I'm really having fun."
"Fun?" Mukuro asked as though the concept was foreign to her.
"Get on with it!" Junko hollered from her seat.
Makoto ignored Junko's request. "Well yeah, I mean, aren't you? It's not every day you get to have such an interesting back and forth match like this and you said it was your first duel of the tournament."
"I see you as nothing more than my enemy," Mukuro said calmly. "We are both the field commanders of our armies. You are my enemy that I must eliminate in this duel, nothing more."
"Enemy?" Makoto asked, confused. "It's just a game." He gave Mukuro an innocent smile. "Dueling is all about having fun."
There it was again, that bright, jubilant smile from earlier. It was so…radiant, so pure. Mukuro gasped and began rubbing her cheeks fiercely with her sleeve when she realized she was blushing.
"I-it's y-your turn," she stuttered.
Makoto nodded and drew the top card of his deck. And then, his competitive stare kicked into overdrive as he gave Mukuro a tough look of determination. "I play Alexandrite Dragon!" Makoto declared as his favorite monster took to the field.
So, that's how he plans to get out of this, huh? Junko thought, making a mental note for her inevitable duel with the teen.
"And I upgrade it with these two spell cards: the field spell mountain and the spell card Mage Power!"
So he does have Mage Power, interesting, Junko thought.
With both cards in play, Alexandrite Dragon's attack power climbed all the way up to 3200.
"Alexandrite Dragon, swoop and attack!" Makoto declared. "Destroy Tenmataitei!" The jewel encrusted beast, swooped down from its mountain perch and slammed into Tenmataitei, knocking it off its horse and destroying both horse and rider. Mukuro's life points fell to 1700 from the assault.
"You activated my trap," Mukuro stated. "I activate Attack and Receive. It activates when I take damage of any kind. And since I took battle damage, you take 700 life points of damage."
Makoto's life points fell to 1200, falling behind Mukuro's yet again.
"And now, it is my turn," Mukuro said and drew the top card of her deck. "And I activate the spell card Pot of Greed, letting me draw two cards." She drew the two cards and looked at them: Lycanthrope and Axe of Despair. I cannot do anything with either of these for right now. They shall stall in my arsenal for now. Mukuro looked at the other card in her hand.
"I play G.B Hunter in defense mode!" she declared as a blonde with a laser tonfa and a gray spy suit, wearing a face-mask appeared. "I also now switch Warrior Dai Grepher to defense mode," Mukuro said. "And I end my turn."
"My turn," Makoto said and drew a card. Hmm, he thought, looking at his hand, I don't know if I can draw Mukuro out with this, but I also need to play safe. My life points can't take much more of a beating than they already have. "I play a monster in face-down defense postion," Makoto said. "And I'll have Alexandrite Dragon attack Warrior Dai Grepher."
Makoto's monster flew down onto Mukuro's monster and slammed it onto the ground, shredding it apart with its talons like a raptor devouring a freshly killed herbivore.
"It's my turn," Mukuro said and pressed down on her deck a little, believing that would encourage her deck to pop up the card she needed to use the only other cards in her hand, else she was basically screwed. And it appeared luck was on her side as she drew something better than Lycanthrope's designated ritual card. "I play Advanced Ritual Art," Mukuro said. "By sending two normal monsters to the graveyard," she said, holding up two three-star normal monsters. "I can summon any Ritual Monsters with the same number of stars from my hand. And I choose this monster, my Lycanthrope!"
From a pillar of green light, a cybernetically enhanced werewolf emerged. It had 2400 attack points. "And that's not all, I also equip it with this magic card: Axe of Despair!" Mukuro declared.
The fabled axe appeared and Lycanthrope grabbed it eagerly, beefing it with dark energy and raising its power to a whopping 3400.
Uh oh, Makoto thought, looking a bit frightened.
Hmm, Mukuro thought, I could switch my G.B Hunter to attack mode, but I with her low attack power I could wind up putting myself into a corner I can't get out of. Besides, his will do enough damage.
"Lycanthrope, attack!" Mukuro declared. "Take out Alexandrite Dragon!"
With a mighty leap, Makoto watched Lycanthrope take to the air and cut down Alexandrite Dragon with its axe, knocking it off the mountain top and destroying it. Makoto's life points fell to 1000 due to the difference in attack power.
"Lycanthrope's special ability activates," Mukuro said as Lycanthrope jumped down right in front of Makoto. "Whenever it inflicts battle damage, you lose 200 more life points for every normal monster in my graveyard. "And I count four, the two you sent there and the two I did."
Lycanthrope put its cybernetically enhanced palm against Makoto's chest and lifted him off the ground, siphoning energy from Makoto, as he grunted in pain, reducing his life points all the way down to just 200.
Mukuro took one look at Makoto in pain though and gasped in horror. "Lycanthrope, stop!" she declared as though the hologram would react to such a strange voice command. But, her monster obeyed and leapt back to Mukuro's side, leaving Makoto panting, but on his feet. What the hell was with me just now? Why was I so concerned with his safety? He's just an enemy, a bump in the path for Junko's plan. What does he matter?
As Makoto panted though, Mukuro simply felt compelled to ask. "Are you all right?"
Makoto got his breathing under control and managed to nod at Mukuro. "That was harsh."
"I-I'm sorry," Mukuro said, tucking her arms in and looking apologetic.
"Why are you sorry, that was an amazing move? Using Advanced Ritual Art to power up your monster's special ability, that was a really good move you made just now."
"R-really?" Mukuro asked. Why wasn't Makoto upset at her for hurting him like that. Wasn't that what he should be doing? Wasn't that the despair-induced thing to do?
Ugh, this guy's lack of despair makes me want to gag, Junko thought.
"Of course," Makoto said, answering Mukuro's question. "So, are you doing anything else this turn?"
Mukuro shook her head.
"All right then, my turn."
Makoto drew the top card off of his deck and placed it in his hand. "I play Graceful Charity, letting me draw three cards as long as I discard two." Makoto performed the appropriate actions. "And next, I activate Monster Reborn to bring back Neo Aqua Madoor from my graveyard." The mighty magician appeared with its whopping 3000 defense points. "And next I'll play Lancer Dragonute in defense mode," Makoto stated. An all green dragon-like warrior, carrying a trident appeared. It was crouched with the trident's pommel in the ground. It had 1800 defense points.
What's this guy's angle? He can't just be stalling for time, Junko thought. Neo Aqua Madoor didn't have enough defense points to stop Lycanthrope and Makoto had played his new monster face-up, though in defense position. Junko then spotted the hologram of Makoto's other face-down monster. Ah, I see what he's up to. Clever boy and Mukuro's dumb enough to walk right into it. Well-played, Makoto.
"My turn," Mukuro said and drew the top card of her deck. If I don't act, he'll summon something very powerful. "I switch G.B Hunter to attack position!" Mukuro declared. "And now, I have Lycanthrope destroy your Neo Aqua Madoor!" With Axe of Despair in hand, Lycanthrope slayed Makoto's spellcaster, fortunately his life points were safe.
"And now, G.B Hunter, attack Makoto's face-down monster!"
Junko palmed her face again. Mukuro was walking straight into a trap.
Makoto's face-down monster was revealed to be Wall of Illusion. As a result, Mukuro lost 550 life points, bringing her total down to 1150. Worse, thanks to Wall of Illusion's special ability, G.B Hunter returned to Mukuro's hand.
"I'll play my G.B Hunter again," Mukuro said. "This time in defense mode." The monster reappared with its 2000 bulky defense.
"Your turn," she told Makoto.
Makoto nodded and drew the top card of his deck. "I play the spell card Swords of Concealing Light. This spell card switches all monsters you currently have on the field into face-down defense position and since Lycanthrope is getting switched face-down, that means Axe of Despair goes straight to the graveyard."
Mukuro gasped.
"Ooooh," Junko cooed, intrigued by Makoto's strategy. Not many players used Swords of Concealing Light, especially if their deck already contained Swords of Revealing Light like Makoto's did.
"Additionally, until Swords of Concealing Light goes to the graveyard two turns later, you can't switch those monsters back to attack position," Makoto explained. "My turn is over."
Mukuro drew the top card of her deck. Nodding to herself, she said, "I play Diskblade Rider in attack mode." A monster with 1700 attack points with green skin and riding a bike with buzzsaws for wheels appeared. "And I activate its special ability. By banishing my Reinforcements from my graveyard, I can increase its attack power until the end of your turn by 500 points." Diskblade Rider revved up its bike and increased its attack power to 2200. "And I will use my monster to destroy your wall of illusion!" Mukuro declared. Diskblade Rider zoomed forward and crashed straight through Makoto's wall of illusion and then faded into particles before charging through him as a result of Wall of Illusion's special ability.
Junko yawned. Such a boring move. And it would've made more sense to destroy Lancer Dragonute. Mukuro had the trap cards to spare.
"My turn is over," Mukuro said.
"Then it's my turn," Makoto said. "I draw." He took a deep breath when he saw what he drew. Here comes a gamble, he thought. "And I activate the spell card Pot of Greed so that I can draw two cards." He drew the first card and then the second. He looked utterly relieved. "Mukuro, I just want to say, I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Mukuro asked reflexively, "For what?"
"Well, this is going to be your only duel in the tournament, so…"
This even caught Junko's attention. No fuckin' way in hell! Her bad girl persona screamed.
"You…drew the cards necessary to win?" Mukuro asked, blinking. Makoto only nodded. Mukuro nodded back. "Well then, take your victory." She stood rigidly in place and drew a thumb across her neck. "I will not back down from your assault."
"Then…here goes!" Makoto exclaimed. "I start by playing Dark Hole, ridding the battlefield of all monsters."
The swirling Vortex appeared overhead and obliterated Mukuro's monsters and Makoto's Lancer Dragonute.
"Okay," Mukuro said. For a moment, she thought Makoto was going to play something really dangerous.
"And next, I play Fairy Dragon!" Makoto declared as a green, rather small dragon appeared. It had no limbs aside from its blue wings and two, adorable pink eyes.
"Is that thing supposed to be a joke?" Junko asked. Seriously, what the hell was with such a pathetic looking monster. Hell, it only had 1100 attack points. It was then that Junko noticed what was on the field. Wait, 1100?
"All right, but I still have enough life points…" Mukuro started to say only to see the look on Makoto's face. "No?"
"My Mountain field spell is still in play, so Fairy Dragon gets an extra 200 attack points." The little beast's attack power climbed up to 1300. "Just enough to wipe you out in one direct attack."
Mukuro crossed her arms over her body, readying herself for the impact.
"Fairy Dragon, attack! Wind Dash Assault!"
With a squeak, Fairy Dragon sprung forward and slammed into Mukuro, reducing her life points to 0, but Mukuro didn't budge from the impact. It was as though Fairy Dragon just hit a brick wall.
"T-too cool," Komaru said, regarding the fact that Mukuro wasn't flinching after taking a direct hit from a monster. Granted it was the most adorable direct attack Komaru had ever seen, but still…
"Well then, I've lost," Mukuro said methodically and stepped over to Makoto, plucking two cards from her deck and fetching her locator card out of her pocket. "One Synthesis Spell, Lycanthrope, and one Locator card. They are yours."
"Thanks," Makoto said. He and Mukuro stood in front of each other in silence for a few moments. "So, um, Mukuro, you can afford to be a little looser when you do?"
"Loose..er?" Mukuro asked, confused.
"Well, I mean, you're really methodic and just play by the rules. I know it usually seems unsportsmanlike, but banter and taunting is all part of the game."
"I do not taunt an enemy," Mukuro responded. "It will only anger them and in most cases, why taunt when your actions will speak for you."
"Well, I suppose so, but…"
"Oh enough of this," Junko said, butting in and literally shoving Mukuro aside. "It's my turn!"
Mukuro hit the ground, falling on her arm.
"Wha…hey! What are you doing?" Makoto exclaimed.
"What?" Junko asked, thinking nothing of it. "She lost, it's my turn now," she said all bubbly.
Makoto bent down, keeping eye contact with Junko only long enough to just give her a look of disbelief at her audacity for not commenting on the fact that she pushed her sister completely over and onto the ground. He then gave his attention to Mukuro. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, grabbing her hand.
Mukuro was confused. Whenever she was on the ground, one of three things needed to happen. Back in the Middle East, she needed to stay down until it was okay to stand up. She needed to pull herself to her feet because expecting someone else to help you with minor problems was like expecting them to wipe your ass. And, when Junko put her on the ground, she typically followed things with physical abuse, like driving the heel of her boot into Mukuro's tailbone.
"Oh please," Junko said dismissively, "you don't need to be concerned for her. She can take care of herself." Junko then stepped on Mukuro's back, digging her heel in between her vertebrae. "Isn't that right, Mukuro."
"Nnnnn," Mukuro grunted, the pain mixing with an unexplainable feeling of pleasure from the despair of being stepped on.
"Hey!" Komaru shouted. "How can you treat your sister like that? Makoto and I don't always get along, but I never treat him like that."
Junko pushed on and off Mukuro's back slightly with her foot. "Oh, so you're a social expert on sibling behavior then, Komaru?" she asked.
"W-well n-no, but…"
"I still think it's wrong!" Makoto exclaimed, shoving Junko's foot away from Mukuro's back. "Here, come on, Mukuro," he said and put an arm around her back, taking her by the hand and helping her completely to her feet, letting the arm around her back fall to the side when Mukuro was standing properly upright.
"Are you okay?" Makoto asked her.
Mukuro nodded twice, but said nothing.
A pause so awkward permeated through the air that the wind had to blow harder to make up for the fact that there wasn't a convenient cricket around to chirp instead.
Junko then asked with a devilish grin, "How long are you going to hold her hand, Romeo?"
It was only then Makoto noticed that Mukuro's hand was still gently placed atop his with this thumb on the back of her hand. He quickly took his hand away, shaking it out a little. "S-sorry," he apologized. Mukuro withdrew her hand and closed it by her chest, just staring at Makoto, but the look on her face was hard for him to decipher. Was she sad? Angry? Happy? Maybe all three?
"Ugh! What is this, some sort of late night soap opera?" Junko complained. "Shuffle your deck, go stand over there," she pointed farther away from Makoto's currently location, intending to stand where he was standing and have Makoto stand a little further east, "and let's fire this duel up before I puke."
Junko then noticed the strange look Komaru was giving her. "What?" she snapped.
"You're...quite different from the type of person I imagined you to be," Komaru said.
"Most celebs are, love," Junko said with a wink. "I'm not here as Junko Enoshima, Fashionista. I'm here as Junko Enoshima, dueling hobbyist." With a quick spin on her heel, Junko suddenly stood with her back arched and her hand over her face, two fingers and her thumb extended so that Makoto could see only one of her eyes. In a very dull monotone she said to Makoto, "So, are you ready Makoto?"
"Huh? What happened to your voice?"
"Oh, this? I thought it might be more fitting if I acted like a final boss sort of character. I mean, if you consider Mukuro a warm-up anyway."
"I don't recall considering Mukuro a warm-up," Makoto said.
"Oh, is that so? I suppose you just naturally coast through your duels, thinking each one a challenge. That's fine, but you still have 5 locator cards, right? So, in essence, assuming you can win, I would be your last challenge before the finals."
"That's a cool voice impression, Junko. I didn't know you had that kind of talent."
Junko spun around again as her hair became completely straight and one of her eyes were covered up, "Oh I do all sorts of impressions, my dear Komaru," she said, her voice sounding like Maximillian Pegasus, "So, Makoto-boy, are we dueling or what?"
"Do more! Do more!" Komaru exclaimed, finding this exciting.
"I'm not doing this for your amusement," Junko said, returning to her previous pose. "Now, are we dueling?"
"Y-yeah," Makoto stuttered as Junko watched him shuffle his deck.
As Makoto and Junko prepared to get their duel underway, Mukuro became lost in thought of her own predicament. She took her right hand glove off and flexed her fingers. Her hand still felt warm, warmth like she'd never known before. Junko's hands were always ice cold and sometimes a little bit slimy. The men she knew in Fenrir always had coarse, rough hands like they were half-dipped in quick drying cement. But Makoto's hand was gentle and warm like a bird resting in one's hand. She blushed a little. She didn't understand why she kept feeling these warm fuzzy feelings around this generic looking boy in a green hoodie. Did she like him? And if so, why? He was, as Junko put it, completely unremarkable. So why did she have such strange feelings?
Makoto inserted his deck and deployed the hologram projects on his duel disk. "So, are you ready, Makoto?" Junko asked, keeping up her pose and impression. "No, don't answer that. It's a moot point. I'm going to duel whether you're ready or not. And if you thought Mukuro was a challenge, you haven't seen anything yet." She sighed. "Oh to hell with this." She resumed her normal posture and normal speaking voice.
"Let's duel!" She and Makoto declared simultaneously.
"You can go first, love. Make this exciting," Junko told Makoto.
"Okay," Makoto said and drew the top card of his deck. "I play Hunter Dragon in attack mode!" Makoto declared as the skinny orange and black dragon hit the field. "And I also play Dragon Treasure, increasing its attack power by 300 points." The jewel embedded itself in the dragon's stomach as Hunter Dragon now floated with 2000 attack points to its name. "Your move, Junko."
"Quite," Junko said and drew the top card of her deck, twirling it as she placed it in her hand. "I'll play this card, I summon Great Angus!" A burly, beefy, angry pink beast monster appeared. It had 1800 attack points. "Next, I activate the spell card Double Summon to play another Great Angus. That's double the fun." Junko held up a card. "And before you start telling me your monster is stronger, get a load of this. I activate the spell card De-Spell, removing your spell card from play."
Uh oh, Makoto thought.
"Great Angus, attack!" Junko declared. "Angry Charge!'
Great Angus bellowed and charged straight at Makoto's Hunter dragon, flattening it and reducing Makoto's life points to 3900. As Makoto's monster went to the graveyard, Junko said, "Now for my other monster to attack, directly I might add."
Makoto gulped as he was trampled with over 200 pounds of raw beef. His life points took a hefty hit too, bringing his life points all the way down to 2100.
"Next, I activate the continuous spell, Shard of Greed," Junko declared. "Two turns from now, I can get rid of it and draw two brand new cards." She grinned and covered her lower lip with the cards in her hand. "It's basically my insurance policy. Your turn, Makoto."
Makoto drew the top card of his deck and prepared to play his next monster. "I play Alexandrite Dragon in attack—huh?" He stopped when he realized Junko was saying the sentence at the same time he was. She even mimicked the "huh" part.
"Oh, don't mind me," Junko chuckled with a grin, "I just figured that was your battle strategy since it seems to be your go-to card. You did say it was your favorite while we were eating after all."
"Yeah, but…"
"Am I wrong or am I wrong?" Junko asked.
Makoto sighed. "Yeah, you're right." Takes all the fun out of it.
"Well, which monster would you like to turn into a slab of beef?" Junko asked, knowing full well they were both the same.
"The one on the left," Makoto pointed. "But not before I play—"
"Your mountain field spell?" Junko asked with a shit-eating grin.
Makoto sighed. "yeah."
He activated the spell card and his dragon perched atop the peak, gazing down onto the battlefield.
"Alexandrite Dragon, swoop and attack!" Makoto declared.
Makoto's dragon tore into Junko's monster with a furious charge, its claws decapitating Great Angus' head and arm with the same strike. Junko's life points fell to 3600.
"Next, I play one card face-down on the field and end my turn," Makoto said.
"Quite," Junko said. She drew the top card of her deck. "I sacrifice Great Angus to play Cyber Tech Alligator!" Junko declared as the green, red armored creature appeared. "And with 2500 attack points, he's more than capable of shutting down your Alexandrite Dragon. Sorry love, but this is war. Cyber Tech Alligator, attack Alexandrite Dragon!"
"Sorry, but you walked right into my trap!" Makoto declared. "I activate Magic Cylinder! This trap card redirects your attack right back at you!"
Two cylinders appeared as Cyber Tech Alligator was sucked into one and then fired back at Junko like a cannonball by the other, knocking her to the ground on her ass. Her life points fell to 1500.
"Junko, are you all right?" Mukuro asked.
"I'm fine," Junko said, looking rather…ecstatic from the fall. "That was the best."
"Are…you sure your okay?" Makoto asked.
"Oh? Me? I'm fine, couldn't be better," Junko stated. "I'm in total despair right now for falling for such an easy trap and you managed to get the lead in one fell swoop. I love it."
"Um…okay," Makoto said, a little creeped out.
"Well, nothing else I can do this turn, I'm afraid, but Cyber Tech Alligator is still in play, so that's good for me. It's your move, Makoto."
"All right, here goes," Makoto said and drew the top card of his deck. "I place one monster face-down onto the field and switch Alexandrite Dragon to defense mode." Better than taking life point damage, Makoto thought.
"My turn," Junko said. "And it's been two turns since I played Shard of Greed," she said as she drew the top card of her deck. "So I'll send it to the graveyard and draw two more." Junko now had four cards in her hand. Perfect. "Sorry, love, but I'm about to push you into a corner you'll never escape from. First, I play the well-sought after spell card, Cost Down!" Junko said. "And by discarding one card from my hand, I reduce all the levels of all the monsters in my hand by two. This allows me to play the powerful monster: The End of Anubis!" A purplish demonic hellspawn appeared at Junko's side with 2500 attack points and 0 defense points. "And thanks to its special ability, any spell, trap or monster effect that targets cards in the graveyard or that activates in the graveyard is completely nullified. So if you were hoping to play your Graceful Charity and powerful monster combo, I'm afraid your shit out of luck."
Makoto looked worried.
"YES! That's the look I want to see right now, Makoto! End of Anubis, attack! Destroy Makoto's face-down monster!" Makoto's Golem Dragon was crushed to rubble by the powerful claws of Anubis. It was like slapping an egg into the pavement it was resting on. "And now, Cyber Tech Alligator, destroy Alexandrite Dragon!"
With a swift dash, Cyber Tech Alligator scaled the roost Alexandrite Dragon stood perched upon and then leapt and uppercut the dragon with a slash of its claws, acrobatically landing near Junko as Makoto's dragon went right to the graveyard.
"I-It's okay, Makoto," Komaru said nervously. "Y-you've still got half your life points left."
"But one more attack from either of my monsters and he's about as good as done for," Junko reminded Komaru.
Makoto glumly put his hand atop his deck.
"It's all right, Makoto. Defeat happens to all of us. But before you give up, let me see that delicious look of despair on your face," Junko said with absolute glee.
Give up? Those words were like a foreign language to Makoto. From those words alone, his gaze was changed from glum to determined. "I'm not backing down!" Makoto shouted defiantly, ripping the top card off of his deck. He looked at the card he drew. His eyes shook with surprise, but the good kind of surprise. "You said I couldn't turn this duel around, well feast your eyes on this!" Makoto declared. He played a monster onto the battlefield. "I play Maiden of Macabre in attack mode!" A kabuki looking zombie woman with a scythe appeared, though it counted as a spellcaster type with 0 defense points and 1700 attack points.
"And what exactly is that going to do?" Junko asked.
"This!" Makoto declared, taking the other two cards in his hand. "I activate Mage Power and Book of Secret Arts, granting Maiden of Macabre an extra 1800 attack points!" Maiden of Macabre's attack points surged all the way up to 3500 attack points.
Both Komaru and Mukuro were shocked and impressed by this.
Even Junko was a bit startled, but for different reasons. Makoto refused to sink into despair. Instead, he stuck to his guns and he even managed to bypass her 95% guaranteed victory. Just what is this guy? Junko wondered.
"Maiden of Macabre!" Makoto declared. "Attack The End of Anubus, Macabre Scythe Slash!"
Makoto's monster sprang to action, cutting Junko's monster down and bringing her life points down to 500.
"And now," Makoto said, throwing his arm out wide. "Maiden of Macabre's special effect activates. Every time she destroys a monster, she gains 200 attack points."
Maiden of Macabre's attack power increased further to 3700 points.
"Guh, not bad," Junko said, grunting. She wasn't focused on despair right that second. She was more extremely annoyed that Makoto refused to show it to her. It was like despair constipation. It was like some sort of voodoo anti-despair. "But it's my turn now," Junko said. She drew the top card off of her deck. Ah, there was reassurance at its finest. Her typical, pleased grin appeared back on her face. "That was a good move Makoto. Unfortunately, you've left yourself wide open for a dangerous counterattack. I play Heavy Storm, which will destroy every single spell and trap card you have out on the field."
"N-no!" Makoto stuttered, as his field spell and his two equip spells were annihilated, leaving Maiden of Macabre with only 1900 attack points.
"And now, Cyber Tech Alligator, attack Maiden of Macabre and take out Makoto's life points!"
Junko's monster attack, shredding Makoto's monster and reducing his life points to 1500.
"And that's not all," Junko said, holding up a spell card. "I play Goblin Thief." A pudgy goblin appeared on the battlefield. "This nifty little prank of a spell card lets me steal 500 of your life points for myself."
The goblin ran towards Makoto and swiped at his face, stealing a big 500 and stuffing it into a bag, running back over to gift it to Junko. "Oh, for me, you shouldn't have," Junko said as she took the sack and the goblin disappeared. Junko was bathed in a green light as her life points increased to 1000 and Makoto's fell to the exact same amount.
"Well, Makoto, what are you going to do now?" Junko asked. "You have no monsters on the field and no cards in your hand. And none of your monsters will be able to defeat my Cyber Tech Alligator. Even if you drew Monster Reborn, you would only be able to destroy both of our monsters and I can just play a monster next turn to wipe out your remaining life points."
"Maybe so, but I've got a simpler solution than that," Makoto said and swiped the top card off of his deck, as if he knew instinctively what was laying atop it. "I play Swords of Revealing Light!"
Junko folded her arms and smiled. As predicted, that was literally the only way Makoto could keep this duel going. And she wanted it to keep going. The longer Makoto held on for, if he lost, it would be that much more delicious when she got to taste his despair. Swords of Revealing Light was, after all, nothing short of pure desperation.
"Since that was the only card you had," Junko said. "It's my turn now." She drew the top card off of her deck. "I play Cure Mermaid in attack mode," Junko said playing a blonde mermaid with a red fin tail. "Since you've got me blocked off for three turns, it's your turn now, Makoto."
Makoto drew the top card off of his deck. "I play a monster face-down in defense position."
"Wow, must be a weak one if you won't even bother to attack Cure Mermaid," Junko said. "My turn." She drew the top card off of her deck. "And thanks to Cure Mermaid's special ability, I regain 800 life points." Junko's mermaid blew a heart of water at her and Junko's life points increased back to 1800.
Plays a monster in face-down defense position.
"And I think I'll play this card face-down," Junko said. "Just to keep you guessing." The spell/trap card appeared with a whirr sound effect.
Makoto then drew the top card of his deck. This should do it! "I play Lancer Lindwurm in attack mode!" He declared as an armored, anthropomorphic dragon-like creature appeared. It had 1800 attack points. "Lancer Lindwurm, attack Cure Mermaid!" Makoto declared.
"Not so fast!" Junko declared, "I activate my trap card, Gift of the Mystical Elf! This will restore my life points by 300 points for every monster in play before you destroy my monster." Junko's life points went back up to 3000, only to fall back to 2700 as Lancer Lindwurm impaled Cure Mermaid.
"My turn, love," Junko said. She drew the top card off of her deck. "I think I'll take a page out of your book and summon a dragon of my own. Luster Dragon that is." The crystalline dragon appeared with 1900 attack points to its name, growling as it stood next to Cyber-Tech Alligator. "Well, Makoto, it's been three turns now. Make a move or prepare to be destroyed."
"Gladly," Makoto said and drew the top card off of his deck. It was exactly what he needed. "I sacrifice both of my monsters to summon the regal Cosmo Queen!"
The regal, almighty spellcaster of 2900 attack points appeared on the battlefield with her gorgeous crown and loose-fitting robe. "Cosmo Queen!" Makoto shouted, "Attack Cyber Tech Alligator! Shadow Master Blast!"
Cosmo Queen created an orange ball of energy above her head and sent it flying at Cyber Tech Alligator, practically vaporizing it. Junko's life points fell to 2300.
"Not bad," Junko said. It was her turn now. She drew the top card of her deck. "I'll switch Luster Dragon to defense mode," she said, turning the card sideways. "And play this little number face-down." Another card appeared in Junko's spell/trap zone as Gift of the Mystical Elf had turns ago.
"It's my turn," Makoto said and drew the top card of his deck. "I place a monster face-down in defense position and now, I attack with Cosmo Queen!"
"And right into my trap," Junko declared, revealing her face-down card, "Behold: Dimensional Prison!"
A cage appeared around Makoto's monster, surprising both him and Komaru. It then closed in on Cosmo Queen and made her disappear into the void.
"Thanks to my trap card, your monster's attack wasn't just nullified," Junko explained, "But it gets banished from the game. It doesn't even go to the graveyard. AhahaHA! I love this game sometimes." She chuckled sinisterly with that sickening Cheshire Cat Grin on her face. "And now it's my turn. How lovely. Better hope I don't draw a monster."
Junko drew the top card off of her deck. "Looks like you're in luck for now," Junko said. "Wish I could say the same for your monster. I switch Luster Dragon back to attack mode."
Junko's dragon switched out of its defensive posture.
"Luster Dragon, destroy Makoto's mystery monster! Crystal Scratch Attack!"
Luster dragon darted forward and slammed its claw into Makoto's face-down monster, revealing The Illusionary Gentleman, destroying it.
"Guess that magician won't be around to do the reappearance for his disappearing act. Puhuhu, oh I crack myself up sometimes," Junko chuckled.
Makoto paused as he held his hand over his deck. Without her The End of Anubis on the field, Monster Reborn is the only thing that can save me right now. I just…really need to draw it. Come on, deck. Don't let me down! Makoto ripped the top card off his deck in a flash. "I play the spell card Graceful Charity, letting me draw three cards as long as I discard two."
"Trying to draw Monster Reborn, are we?" Junko asked. It was literally the only thing that could save Makoto now.
"I am," Makoto said. Why deny it?
Makoto drew the top three cards from his deck. Fortunately, one of them was Monster Reborn. And that wasn't all he drew. "I send these two cards to the graveyard," Makoto said. "So that I can activate Monster Reborn!"
"Let me guess, going to bring back my Cyber Tech Alligator," Junko said.
"Not quite," Makoto said and pointed to the sky. "I summon White-Horned Dragon!"
"Well, I suppose that's at least interesting," Junko said as the red, white-horned dragon appeared on the battlefield. "And thanks to its special ability, I can remove up to five spell cards from your graveyard to increase its power by 300 points per card. And I choose Heavy Storm, Cost Down, Double Summon, De-Spell, and Shard of Greed."
"All right!" Komaru cheered, pumping her fist. "Let her have it, Makoto!"
Makoto nodded as White-Horned Dragon finished powering up and its attack power peaked at 3700. "White-Horned Dragon attack!" Makoto declared. "White Drill Blast!"
From the magic of its horn, White-Horned Dragon unleashed a powerful blast that completely eradicated Junko's Luster Dragon, bringing her life points all the way down to 500 again.
"Not bad," Junko said. "Let's see what fate has in store for me." Junko drew the top card of her deck. "Ah, this will do. I play the spell card Hammer Shot, allowing me to destroy the monster on your side of the field with the highest attack. And since you only have one," Junko winked and giggled, "Bye-bye."
The mallet came down and crushed Makoto's dragon, sending it straight to the graveyard.
"This duel is right down to the wire," Junko said with a wide smirk. "No cars in either of our hands, no monsters on the field and only 1000 life points or less for each of us. Doesn't it just fill you with excitement. This duel will be decided by who draws a monster card first and even then it has to be one that can be summoned. You've played so many cards this duel, Makoto," Junko said, "But you've still got about half your deck left and likely about half of them are summonable monsters. So I've just got one question for you: do you feel lucky? Well do you, Makoto?"
"You know," Makoto said as he placed his hand on his deck, giving Junko a fiercely determined look, "I'm actually feeling pretty lucky!"
Makoto nodded as he saw what was in his hand. "I place a monster face-down on the field. That ends my turn."
Junko laughed. "Not going to attack? Must be the most pathetic monster to end all pathetic monsters if you won't attack. You must be in despair right now, like super duper mega ultra despa—"
"Make your move, Junko!" Makoto declared.
"Okay, okay, sheesh, take all the fun out of it," Junko said and drew the top card from her deck. "I play Fossil Tusker." A large, lumbering, large jawed, mammoth like bone creature appeared. "And I attack with my monster!"
Junko's lumbering behemoth charged forward and trampled over Makoto's Magician of Faith, causing Junko to gasp. Of all the luck in the world…
"Fossil Tusker's special ability activates," Makoto said, speaking for Junko since she seemed too speechless to do it herself. "I lose 400 life points because it destroyed one of my monsters." His life points fell to 600. "But since Magician of Faith was flipped face-up, I get to bring back a spell card from my graveyard. I think you know which one I want."
"Monster Reborn, right?" Junko asked, trying to keep herself composed, but Makoto could see the twitching snarl on her lips.
"Right," he said, taking it back to his hand. It was his turn, but drawing the top card of his deck was only a formality. "I activate Monster Reborn!" he declared. "And the monster I choose to revive is none other than the monster that can do enough damage to get rid of the rest of your life points. Come forth: Cosmo Queen!"
Once again the regal queen appeared in all her finery. "Cosmo Queen!" Makoto shouted. "Attack Junko's Fossil Tusker! Shadow Master Blast!"
A wide manic grin appeared on Junko's face as the attack came sailing in to destroy her monster. I lost! She declared internally as her life points hit zero.
When the light died down and the holograms vanished, Junko looked…well she was drooling and biting her lower lip. It was hard to say how she was feeling. She was also twitching slightly by her face and fingers.
"I lost," she exhaled, "I did all this research and calculating, but I still lost. I'm in despair right now, like ultra maximum super mega ultra despair." She swooned. It was great. "An F-class stimulus going up against a B-rank deck. It's the best."
Seeing Junko in the state she was, Mukuro decided to be the big sister, for once, and intervene. "Come on," she said, putting a firm hand on Junko's back. "It's time for us to go home."
"NO!" Junko exclaimed sharply, dropping her hands at her sides and tilting her head back slightly, causing not just Mukuro, but also Makoto and Komaru to recoil sharply. She smiled sweetly at Makoto, "Not yet, Puhuhu." Her smile grew unnervingly wider. "I still have to give our helpful participant his prize."
"Um, thanks," Makoto said.
"Oh, please, the thanks are all mine," Junko said with a big huge smile. It was very disconcerting.
I think I've seen less frightening smiles on clowns, Komaru thought, shivering a little.
"Here you go," Junko said, handing Makoto a locator card and a rare card face-down. "I didn't get to play it this duel, but I hope you'll enjoy your prize."
Makoto gasped at what he saw. "White Night Dragon? I can really have this?"
"You earned it fair and square and a spot in the finals if I'm not mistaken."
Komaru gasped and smiled. "Hey, that's right. You got six locator cards, Makoto. That means you're in the finals!"
"Well, don't let me stop you," Junko said. "I'm out so I've gotta dilly dally shilly shally, know what I'm saying? Maybe we'll see each other again sometimes. Buh-bye!" she then made a swift exit, Mukuro only managing to keep up with her because of her soldier training.
"So what now?" Makoto asked.
"I dunno," Komaru said. "Do they tell you anything about where you're supposed to go?"
Makoto stacked his locator cards together. "Not really."
"Hmmmm, oh, don't these cards look like see through Duel Monster cards?" Komaru asked.
"Huh? Now that you mention it…" Makoto said.
"Try inserting them into the duel disk," Komaru suggested.
Makoto did so, placing the cards one by one into the duel disk, placing the 6th one in the field spell zone. Suddenly an image popped up via the hologram projector and a voice beeped through the duel disk. "Locator cards recognized. Duelist registered: Makoto Naegi. Welcome to the Battle City finals, participant number five."
"Number…five?" Makoto wondered aloud.
"I guess four people beat you to it," Komaru said. "But that's still so awesome. I thought you'd be like at least 10th for sure. Man, today really is your lucky day," she said with a smile.
Makoto laughed nervously and studied the image that popped out of the hologram projector. "Any idea what this is?"
"Hmmm," Komaru said, leaning towards it. "Isn't there something like this way to the east of here."
"Ah, now that you mention it. I heard the Kaiba Corporation was working on a new stadium," Makoto said.
"That's probably it then," Komaru said. "Oh, cool! We're gonna duel at that under construction stadium."
"Uh, that sounds rather unsafe," Makoto said, scratching his cheek. "I'm sure we're just meeting there."
"Whatever. You're in the finals. This is awesome. I'm so calling mom and dad. Oh, yeah, we've got some time, so we should probably go back to the hotel and get a few things, like some spare clothes."
"That sounds like a good plan," Makoto said.
Komaru tapped her fist into her open palm, glancing away and up into the sky. "We should also probably get some dinner before we head out. I know we just ate and all, so maybe we should get something to go that'll stay fresh." Komaru rubbed the back of her head and looked at Makoto with a nervous smile. "I mean, the finals could go way into the wee hours of the night at this rate, way past our usual bedtimes. Good thing tomorrow's a Sunday."
"That…also sounds like a good idea," Makoto said.
Komaru laughed happily. "What would you do without me? Man, I'm psyched, are you?" Her eyes started to sparkle. "Ah, just think, we're gonna get to meet Yugi Mutoh and Seto Kaiba in person. In person, Makoto."
"K-Komaru, I-I know. C-calm down. It…it's still a lot for me to take in." Makoto still couldn't believe he got this far.
"Well, there's no time to waste. Who knows how long we have until eleven other people catch up with us?"
"Yeah," Makoto said. He took a deep breath. "Right, let's get back to the hotel. Uh, no racing please."
"Yeah, sure, no problem," Komaru said. "I'm sure you need time to concentrate on an awesome strategy for the finals. Just walk behind me. I remember the way there."
"Thanks, Komaru," Makoto said.
"Like I said, what would you do without me?"
Makoto just laughed happily.
Following close behind his sister, Makoto thought about the situation he was now in. Not only was he about to throw down in a big league tournament finals, the biggest he'd ever competed in, but he was going to be in those finals with the likes of his heroes, Seto Kaiba and Yugi Mutoh, likely even renown duelist Joey Wheeler, possibly even Duelist Kingdom semi-finalist Mai Valentine.
And, above all else, Sayaka would be watching. Not just her, his friends from school, his parents, even the kids who never thought he'd amount to anything. The pressure felt real. It was almost enough to make Makoto collapse on the spot.
"I'm just going to have to try," he said, tensing his fists and rolling his shoulders.
"Thinking aloud?" Komaru asked, glancing back.
"Y-yeah," Makoto said with a nervous smile.
Komaru laughed.
Yeah, I'm just gonna try. I don't care if I win the whole thing. I'm going to do my absolute best. I've come this far so there's no reason for me to back down unless I'm actually defeated. Kaiba…Yugi…I'll show you both, I'll show the world exactly what I'm made of!
As Makoto and Komaru left the main streets of Domino City to go grab some of their things and grab some food, Junko and Mukuro stood in an alleyway, discussing their next move.
"So, what now?" Mukuro asked. "We've been eliminated."
"All according to plan," Junko said with a smirk. "I got some really good data from dueling that Makoto kid. And I'll continue to get more of it by watching the finals and seeing how he performs."
"That's it? We're just going to spectate?" Mukuro asked. That sounded rather disappointing.
"Of course we're not just going to spectate. First, we've gotta get back home. Our limo should be here soon. Then, we're packing suitcases."
"What for?"
"Because you're going back to the Middle East," Junko said as she let loose the biggest Cheshire cat grin that Mukuro had ever seen. "And I'm coming with you."
(A/N: *nervous laughter* *talking through gritted teeth* Oh, this not going to end well. Try to ignore Junko for now if you can, as hard as that is, we'll be back with her when this arc is completely over. …Mostly. She's set to appear once more time before Battle City ends. In the meantime, we are vastly approaching the end of the pre-finals for Battle City. The next two chapters we go back to focusing on two characters I've been ignoring for quite a while: Gundham and Sonia. It's time to see what our Ultimate Breeder and Ultimate Princess have been up to. And the answer is NOT each other.
To find out where we are headed, as always, from all of me to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)