What's up everyone~! Part 2 here of the Grad match! Zane was facing down the most powerful of the Wicked God monsters, The Wicked Avatar. Now, no one really knows how powerful it truly is...until now. Glad you all enjoyed part 1 so here's the conclusion! Or is it?
All over the stadium, everyone watched the large black orb. It hung in the air over Jaden, the insides swirling in hues of dark blue and grays. Zane looked at the monster, wondering why Jaden would play it. Everyone wondered the same thing, chattering quietly among themselves.
"What in the world is that?" Crowler muttered, watching the orb with trepidation.
"I have no idea..." Sheppard muttered. "Professor Sweet? Any ideas?"
"I have one. The Wicked Gods are designed to reflect the Egyptian God cards. Dreadroot is Obelisk's, Eraser is Slifer's...this must be Ra's." Jason said grimly.
That made everyone tense. Ra was the most powerful of the three. For Jaden to have summon this beast...it was bad news for Zane. Said boy was currently glaring down this monster, wondering what about it was so special.
Suddenly, the orb shifted! Zane took a step back, wondering if it was attacking. He gasped, seeing that the orb had shifted one part of it into a wing! A second wing followed, extending to its full width. A tail uncurled itself and three heads rose up with a screech. Their eyes glowed bright red, flashing and staring.
"No way!"
"How is it-?!"
"It's...not possible." Zane muttered, shocked.
The Orb had shifted...into Cyber End Dragon! Jaden smirked when the transformation was fully complete.
Wicked Avatar – ATK/0 → 8001, DEF/0 → 8001
"What?! How is it one point stronger then Cyber End Dragon!?" Crowler demanded.
"This...this is the most powerful card in all of Duel Monsters, even more powerful the the Egyptian Gods combined! The Wicked Avatar! It is the darkness that is in all things. The Avatar's effect has its attack and defense one point higher then a face-up monster whose attack is the highest." Jaden proclaimed.
Everyone didn't get it. Pondering on the words, no one was surprised when Bastion got it first and let out a cry of shock. Everyone turned to him, asking what was wrong.
"Its as Jaden says! No matter what powerful monster Zane summons, the Avatar will be stronger! Its like trying to fight your shadow, but cannot because it is always going to know exactly what you do before you do it!"
"In plain English, genius!" Chazz griped, grabbing his head.
Bastion sighed. He needed to dumb this down...by a LOT. He took out some cards. Holding one up back facing everyone, he pretended it was the Avatar and placed it facedown. Then he placed another, his Water Dragon.
"Water Dragon has twenty-eight hundred points...but thanks to Avatar's effect, it takes my Water Dragon's power and adds its single point to the original attacking power of Water Dragon making it twenty-eight-oh-one."
Everyone nodded, following along. Here, Bastion held out another card, this time a FGD card.
"Now, say I summon Five god Dragon in attack mode."
"You can beat that Avatar no problem." Chazz boasted with a smirk.
"No...I couldn't." Bastion gravely replied.
The answer made Chazz blink, looking at the stone faced Genius. Bastion stated that since FGD was now in play, according to Avatar's effect, FGD was now the more powerful card thus gaining FGD's attack points and adding its single one point. Chazz blinked...before gasping.
"Are you fuckin' kidding me?! The Avatar...it'll always be a point higher no matter what card Zane plays?!"
"And with Cyber End Dragon in play!" Alexis gasped.
"Coupled with Power bond!" Atticus realized.
"Yes...no matter what monster Zane summons...Avatar will be able to take it out."
That made everyone chatter in amazement. Even Zane was horrified. Now he saw that Jaden wasn't kidding around! This Wicked God...it truly was the most powerful Wicked God...no, it was truly the most powerful card PERIOD! Unaffected by spells, traps, and monster effects, able to stop an attack from a monster with a lower Divine Hierarchy, AND unable to be be brainwashed...and now this! No matter what he played...that monster would best it by a simple point! But underneath the fear...there was a bubbling excitement.
This. This was what he had wanted! Backed into a corner, facing down the best monster the King of the Ring had to offer! He began to laugh in pure joy. Jaden looked up, shock before it settled into a smile.
"Is this all you wanted and more Zane? Is this what you dreamed of when you imagined dueling me?"
"Yes! Yes, it is and so much more! Pushed into a corner, facing down the best monster you have to offer, no possible way to best it! This is the challenge I have waited three long years for!" Zane exclaimed, excitement rolling off of him.
"Then...make your move Zane! Make it count!"
"I will! DRAW!"
Everyone watched the interaction with rapt attention. They had never seen Zane so...Alive! Even Sheppard was awestruck at his former student's attitude. He never saw Zane get this excited. Smiling, he looked at Jaden. A lot had changed at his school since the Pro came here to investigate the Forbidden Dorm. Some of the worst, most for the better.
"This duel...its certainly going to be one for the history books." Professor Sweet said.
"Indeed. Who knew such a card existed?" Satyr said, frowning hard. "If it were in the hands of the Shadow Riders, we'd be in big trouble."
"Exactly. But...they aren't. They are in Jaden's hands and I cannot think of a better duelist for them. Now, let's see what Zane has up his sleeve."
"I play Strident Strike!" Zane called out.
(Strident Strike – Type/Spell/Normal.
Select 1 "Cyber Dragon" or Fusion Monster that lists "Cyber Dragon". This turn, it can attack directly. Inflict half of the Monster's ATK as damage. Destroy the Selected Card at the End Phase of the turn.)
"This card allows a Cyber Dragon or Fusion card that lists Cyber Dragon to attack you directly. However, you only take half my monster's attack as damage. Now, Cyber End! Attack Jaden directly!"
The three headed dragon roared, letting loose their blast. It passed by the Avatar and slammed into Jaden. The explosion rocked the stadium. When the smoke clear, Jaden was calmly standing there.
Jaden: 4000
"I'll play two cards facedown and summon my Cyber Phoenix in attack mode. Now, with the end phase, my Cyber End is destroyed by Strident Strike."
The monster exploded and the Avatar became an orb again. Only it shifted and turned into the Cyber Phoenix, making everyone groan. Atticus whistled lowly.
"Wow, that is one tough nut of a boyfriend you got there, Lex."
"He had to be...his father was a real piece of shit." Alexis snarled, everyone looking at her.
But they didn't ask anything, seeing that she was pissed about it. They instead returned to the duel. Jaden drew his card, ordering his Avatar to attack the Phoenix. The dark lookalike unleashed a stream of darkness, destroying the monster.
Zane: 5899
Zane grunted, but smirked. He now could draw a card thanks to his Phoenix's effect. He looked at the card and gasped. This...this was what he needed to get around that Avatar! Smirking, he added the card to his hand, waiting for Jaden to end. Jaden did so, placing a card facedown. Zane drew, looking at the card. His eyes went wide at what he saw.
Battle Fusion. Normally, it'd help him, but with that Avatar in play, it wasn't much. Still, he had a plan. He set it facedown, summoning his Proto-Cyber Dragon in defense. He watched the Avatar take on Proto's form and followed that up with playing another facedown card. Ending his turn, Jaden took over. Drawing, he revealed it to be another Dark Fusion, choosing his Elemental Heroes Burstintrix and Clayman. Zane grimaced; that would mean Evil Hero Infernal Sniper. Now Jaden had another means to damage him more then a single point. The King ordered an attack with his Avatar, targeting Proto.
Avatar – ATK/1101 → 1 → 2001
"I'll put a stop on that! I reveal my facedown trap, Attack Reflector Unit. Now I tribute my Cyber Dragon and bring forth the Cyber Barrier Dragon!"
The large metal monster appeared, Jaden scowling. True, his Avatar was the stronger, thanks to Sniper, but barrier's effect rendered the attack moot. He ended his turn, waiting on Zane's go.
The Kaiser drew, frowning. His Cyber End could take out Sniper, leaving Jaden low on points, but that didn't deal with the Avatar. And it'd make the card more powerful. Barrier would stop one attack, but Jaden may have another means to attack a second time. After looking over his hand, he smirked. He had an idea.
"I play another Proto and then play Monster reborn to bring my other one back. Next I play Evolution Burst! This allows me to destroy a card on your side. So no more Sniper!"
One of the smaller Cyber Dragons blasted apart the larger monster. Frowning, he placed a card facedown and ended. Jaden drew his card, revealing it to be Dark Calling. That made Zane go tense. Whatever Evil Hero came, it was bad news for him. Jaden removed his Elemental Hero Burstintrix and Wildheart from play.
"Allow me to introduce to you...Evil Hero Volcanic!"
(Evil Hero Volcanic – LV/********, Attribute/FIRE, ATK/2400, DEF/1900, Type/Fiend/Fusion/Effect.
1 "HERO" Monster + 1 FIRE Attribute Monster
Must be Special Summoned with "Dark Fusion". When this card attacks a Non-FIRE monster, Draw 1 card. When this card destroys a monster in battle, add 1 Spell card from your Deck or GY to your hand.)
A monster covered in molten rock appeared, its eyes a dark green. Avatar changed to meet the new monster and Jaden went on the attack.
"Volcanic! Attack his Proto!"
"I reveal my facedown! Go Photon Generator Unit! I tribute my two Cyber Dragons for Cyber Laser!"
The two vanished and the monster appeared with a screech. Once more, Avatar shifted to the new monster.
Avatar – ATK/2401 → 2701
"Tch, nice play. But my Volcanic redirects the attack to Cyber Barrier!"
Zane cursed. If he stopped the attack, Avatar would pounce! But if he didn't, he'd lose a LOT of lifepoints and still deal with Avatar. Sighing, he stopped the attack with the effect of his monster. Jaden smirked, ordering his Avatar to attack. The black Cyber Laser Lookalike let loose its black beam, cutting through Barrier.
Zane: 3998
Zane grunted, covering his face. But it was well worth it.
"I activate my facedown trap, Cyber Overdrive!"
(Cyber Overdrive – Type/Trap/Normal. Activate this when a "Cyber" monster is destroyed. Special Summon 3 monsters with "Cyber" in their name."
"I revive my three Cyber Dragons!"
"No, you won't! I reveal my own trap, Trap Stun!"
Zane swore. That trap negated effects of other traps much like Royal Decree. Though unlike Royal, it was only for a turn. Still, this was fine. Jaden placed a card and ended his turn.
Zane drew and looked at the card. His eyes went wide. This...it was EXACTLY what he needed and with his other facedowns...yes, he had this! His duel aura sprang to life, Jaden seeing it. Knowing that a big play was about to come about, Jaden got ready.
"I first summon another Cyber Kirin and tribute it! Next, I play Power Bond to fuse my three Cyber Dragons!"
That threw everyone for a loop. Fuse? But Zane didn't HAVE anything in his hand. Pointing that out had Zane smirk. He revealed the card he had just drawn, Cybernetic Fusion Support. With this spell, he could fuse even if his monsters were in the grave. All he had to do?
Pay half his Life points.
Zane: 1999
"Now! I fuse my three Cyber Dragons to make...CYBER END DRAGON!"
The tri headed monster reappeared, roaring. Avatar took on its form and returned the roar. Zane just smirked, ordering the Dragon to attack Volcanic. Jaden smirked, revealing another of his facedowns.
"Defense Draw! I take no damage and draw a card!"
Volcanic was blown away, Jaden's Life points unharmed, drawing. All that did was make Zane smirk.
"Not bad...but I now play a card facedown and the one card that will end this duel! Mischief of the Time Goddess!"
"WHAT?!"
"NO WAY!"
"How did Zane get THAT card!"
Jaden blinked, looking as time rewound itself and Cyber End Dragon was poised to strike. But...Avatar was stronger so how? Here, Zane smirked.
"I reveal my trap! Spell Mimic!"
(Spell Mimic – Type/Trap/Normal.
Select 1 Spell card in the GY. Remove it from play. This card's Effect becomes the Removed Card's effect.)
"This trap has me remove a spell from play. I chose my Strident Strike!"
Everyone gasped! That was the spell that allowed Zane to attack directly! He chose his Cyber End Dragon. The monster launched its attack, the three blasts heading for Jaden. But...it was stopped!?
"Behold my Trap Zane. Negate attack!"
Zane grunted in shock, his gamble failing. Thinking quickly, he revealed his other trap. Interdimensional Matter Transporter. He removed his Cyber End Dragon, ending his turn. The Dragon returned, but avoided being destroyed by Strike's effect. Everyone was on the edge of their seats.
The duel was going back and forth so rapidly! Zane panted, frowning. He couldn't win. The Avatar was too strong and Jaden was perfectly countering his moves. He just couldn't win! He wasn't ready for the pros...he would never be ready.
"ZANE!" Jaden hollered, making the man start.
Locking eyes, he saw a look of disappointment on Jaden's face.
"Stop trying to win! You're making rookie moves, Truesdale! You've lost sight of whats important!"
Important? What could be more important then passing this test!? He NEEDED to win! He MUST win!
"Losing sight of the true goal...whatever Respect you earned from me was clearly wasted!" Jaden snarled. "You don't deserve to be a Pro!"
Zane grunted in shock. What was he going on about?! Zane was about to retort when it hit him. He wasn't playing for fun anymore. He was playing to win. What happened to him respecting his opponents? What happened to his honor?The man scowled, looking at his reflection in his glass dome of his duel disk. He had nearly let victory go to his head.
"I've been an idiot...I've been having a blast for the longest time, but I lost myself." Zane said, looking up at Avatar. "I...let my own selfish desire overtake my pride as a duelist."
"Well...you just gained a smidge of my respect back, Truesdale. My move." Jaden said drawing. "Now, Avatar! Attack his Cyber End!"
The monster roared, Zane smirking.
"Sorry Jaden, but I activate Battle Fusion!" Zane said, revealing one of the two facedowns he had.
"What is he doing!? Avatar will just be a point higher!" Chazz roared out.
"I think...Zane got it!" Syrus said excited.
"Futile, Zane! Avatar is just stronger for it!"
Cyber End Dragon – ATK/4000 → 8001
Avatar – ATK/4001 → 8002
Zane wasn't finished though. He revealed a spell card in his hand, Limiter removal. Jaden scowled. What was that boy planning?
Cyber End Dragon – ATK/8001 → 16,002
Avatar – ATK/8002 → 16,003
"Jaden! I reveal the trap that will end us both! I reveal...Final Fusion!"
(Final Fusion – Type/Trap/Normal.
Activate only when a face-up monster you control battles an opponent's monster. Each player takes damage equal to the combined ATK of the battling monsters.)
Zane's Duel aura, which had receded after his failed play, surged back out, covering his half of the Arena. Jaden's also surged out, clashing hard with Zane's. But there was a smile on the boy's face.
"So...you finally got it."
"Yes...Against that Wicked God of yours, I couldn't win. So...I opted for the third option."
"A draw."
Zane nodded. The two stared at one another, their auras battling back and forth. Cyber End Dragon clashed with Avatar, both roaring. They two monsters fired their blasts, the collision rattling the entire island. The two forces battled back and forth, neither one giving an inch. Finally, the power erupted in the center, exploding outward with the force of several tonnes of TNT. Everyone was blasted out of their seats, landing hard on the floor. A large cloud of smoke was flying around, everyone coughing.
"Who won?!"
"I can't see!"
The smoke cleared away, revealing Jaden and Zane sprawled out on the arena floor.
Zane: 1999 → 0
Jaden: 4000 → 0
The student body all stared at the scores in shock. Neither had won?! It was a draw?! Zane groaned, getting up and walking over to the downed boy. As he got closer, he heard it.
Laughter.
Zane stopped, staring.
"In all my years...no one has ever drawn with me." The King said, still laughing. "Ava is most impressed with you, Zane. Not many get the drop on her like that."
Zane blinked a few times...before he joined in on the laughter. While this was going on, Syrus got up and began to applaud. Chazz followed after, more and more joining in. Even the teachers. Crowler even had tears in his eyes. Never before had he witness a duel so spectacular like that! Sheppard took the microphone from Midori.
"EVERYONE...GIVE IT UP FOR OUR GRADUATING SENIOR AND GUEST! THEY HAVE GIVEN US A DUEL THAT WILL NOT ONLY BE TALKED ABOUT FOR YEARS TO COME, BUT STORED IN OUR ARCHIVES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS! ZANE, JADEN, THANK YOU BOTH!"
Everyone began to cheer and call out the twos names. The two got up and waved to the crowds. Jaden turned to Zane and offered his hand once more.
"You passed Zane. Good luck out on the circuit."
Zane took the offered hand and shook it firmly, nodding.
Sheppard got up to announce the school year to an end. But once he was up, the Island shook violently. Everyone, even Zane and Jaden were sent to the ground, cries of shock and terror joining the rumbling. Outside, the skies grew dark.
EODGX
On a cargo plane heading to the island, a figure was looking at a computer screen that showed a massive bar. The bar passed into the red, making the figure chuckle darkly.
Now was the time. The Beasts were going to be freed and his!
EODGX
Up in the office of the Chancellor, the case containing the keys glowed brightly. The lid exploded off and the seven keys, glowing brightly flew through the air. They shot out from the room, crashing through the window. Outside, the earth was torn up as seven large obelisks rose from the ground, piercing the air. The keys flew to each obelisk.
EODGX
Down at the Arena, Jaden looked up and saw several lights soar through the air. He got to his feet and took off in a run. Zane followed suit as did everyone. Once they got outside, they saw the lights.
"Are those-?!" Alexis gasped out.
"The spirit gate keys!" Chazz shouted.
"I didn't know keys could fly..." Bastion mused.
"Take a class on it! We gotta get to where they are going!" Zane shouted, running past the group.
Everyone took off in a dead sprint, Jaden back in his cloak and regular clothes. He was far ahead of student body, Yubel at his side. They knew what this meant. The gates were being unlocked and that meant the Beasts were coming out!
After charging through the entire forest, they came to the area where the Obelisks centered. They saw the final key enter the last seal and electricity crackled. Under their feet, the last of the gates slid away and a beam of energy shot out of the ground. Around the same time, a ring appeared around the circle, shooting down into the center of the clearing. Upon the strike, a large metal box rose up. The top of it became exposed, the three cards materializing.
By this time, all of Duel Academy had arrived.
"Are those-?" Crowler gasped.
"The Sacred Beast cards." Professor Sweet said, eyes grim.
That made everyone mutter in shock. How was it possible? The shadow riders were beaten...weren't they? Instantly, the teachers set up a guard.
"Kids, please, stay back! Only Jaden can handle those cards..." Satyr said, keeping many of his more curious Ra Yellows back.
"Calm down, calm down, it'll be alright!" Fonda assured some scared Reds and Blues.
Jaden was given a nod by Sheppard. Sliding down the side of the crater, Jaden began his trek to the Cards. He saw the spirits, hearing them speak.
"Oh man! Ten years trapped in a hole can give you such a crick in the wings! Man its good to be out of there!" A large red being moaned, stretching out its wings.
"Amen on that!" The other two said, stretching their wings and bodies.
"Uria! Hamon! Raviel!" Jaden called out, making the spirits jump.
The trio turned to see the Supreme King approaching and bowed.
"Judai! It's so good to see you again!" Raviel spoke.
"I'll say! Now we can have some fun!" Uria cheered.
"Not to mention completing our figurine set." Hamon said proudly.
Before Jaden could reply, he was stopped by another voice.
"Those cards do not belong to you!"
The four stopped what they were doing and looked around. The drone of engines made them look up to see a large C-141 flying overhead. From the back of it, something was dropped out. Four parachutes opened and it slowed down. Once it reached a certain height, the chutes detached and the thing dropped. Everyone looked at it confused.
It was a machine, four legs and several wires and hoses running to a single tube that had liquid in it. Inside the liquid was a body. Sheppard took a closer look and gasped.
"Kagemaru!"
That made everyone look at him in shock. Sheppard explained. Kagemaru was one of several original backers of Kaiba's Duel School program. He's contribution was the island which they stood on, having been its previous owner. He had helped hide the Three Sacred Beast cards here and was their superintendent. Kagemaru nodded, the machine walking forward.
"And now I have returned to reclaim MY Sacred Beast Cards."
"YOURS?!" The three spirits roared.
The man ignored them, using a robotic arm to take them.
"HEY! BAD TOUCH! BAD TOUCH!" Uria screamed.
"Get your grubby hands off of us!" Raviel snarled.
"WE NEED AN ADULT!" Hamon cried out.
"SILENCE! I AM AN ADULT!" Kagemaru roared, placing the three cards into the deck.
After his work was done, he told the assembled that for years, he had saturated the island with duel energy from the various duelists that passed through. It had all been to unlock the gates. He had been there when Yugi Muto and Marik Ishtar explained the keys and their locking system. But in the off chance one of the keys was missing, they added in a fail safe so that when the REAL owner of the cards appeared, they'd be able to access them. It had taken over ten years but it was well worth the wait.
"You're not going to get away with this!" Bastion snarled. "I'll duel you to prevent such a thing from happening!"
"Forget it, the Chazz is gonna chazz him up!"
"If anyone has a beef with him, its me! I got a score to settle with him!" Atticus snarled, pushing his way to the edge. "He made me a Shadow Rider! He made me forget my family!"
"Atty..." Alexis whispered.
"QUIET! You all possess SOME talent, having beaten my Riders. BUT! There is only one who I must duel! You, Jaden Yuki, Supreme King of Darkness and master of the Beasts!"
Jaden simply scowled at the old man, bringing out his disk. Kagemaru smiled, if the crinkling of his eyes was an indication.
The fate of world was on the line. Jaden was determined to regain those that belonged to him.
It was time to duel!
Whew! Talk about a twist! It's Beasts vs Wicked Gods in the next two chapters! Enjoy!