Yuki-LP 4000
Lance-LP 4000
"So … can I ask why you're dueling me? And the cause of your dislike of me?" Yuki asked, as he and Lance drew five cards off the top of his deck.
Lance's eyes narrowed maliciously. "You're spending far too much time with Alexis, and it ends today!"
"Weird…" Yuki mused as the two stared at one another. "She never told me she was with anybody."
"And you'll be staying away from her when I win!" Lance growled, drawing a sixth card. "I summon Skull Knight in defense mode!"
A sinister looking armored skeleton had appeared on Lance's field. Atk-1000 Def-1000. "Then I'll set a card face down and end my turn."
Up in the stands, Alexis' friends Jasmine and Mindy were giving her confused looks. "I didn't know you were with anybody Lex."
"Yeah." Jasmine said backing Mindy up. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"I'm not seeing anybody." Alexis huffed irritated at Lance's words. 'Hopefully Yuki beats this creep.'
"Alright, then I draw." Yuki pulled the card off the top of his deck, assessing his hand. "Okay, I'll start off by playing the spell card Dragon Shrine. I play this, and send a dragon monster from my hand to the graveyard."
Yuki sent his chosen card to the graveyard slot on his duel disk, and smiled when he saw an old familiar dragon monster in his hand. "Next I'll summon my Kumori Dragon in attack mode!"
A small dragon with black and red scales growled once it appeared on Yuki's field. Atk-1500 Def-1000. "Okay, now my dragon attacks your skull knight!"
A stream of fire from Yuki's dragon blasted Skull Knight into smoke and pixels, which only caused Lance to smirk evilly.
"You've activated my monster's effect. When he's destroyed by battle, I can summon another Skull Knight!" A second skeletal knight appeared on Lance's field. Atk-1000 Def-1000. "Now It's my turn, and I'll summon Witch of the Black Forest in defense mode."
A rather morose looking woman with dark clothing and a third eye on her forehead appeared on Lance's field upon being summoned. Atk-1100 Def-800. "And my turn comes to its end."
'Okay, now this is weird. All he's done is play defense.' Yuki thought as he drew his next card. However, up in the stands Bastion had already figured out part of Lance's strategy.
"He's trying to bring out something far stronger, so he's playing monsters that allow him to search his deck." The Ra student's brow had knitted together as he continued thinking about Lance's strategy. "But what is it that he's attempting to draw out…?"
"Okay, I'll place a card face down, and then summon Alexandrite Dragon in attack mode!" A large dragon with jewel like scales roared as Yuki summoned it. Atk-2000 Def-100. "Now Alexandrite Dragon, attack Lance's Witch!"
Bright flames incinerated the monster, though Lance's life points did not drop since she was in defense mode. "I really should thank you, because now her effect kicks in, allowing me to search my deck for a monster with less than 1500 defense, and add it to my hand."
'Uh oh. I'm not liking how this is going… I may have to play things safe here.' Yuki thought, as he considered what he should do. "Alright, I'll set another card face down and end my turn."
Lance could only smirk. 'That's right you little punk, but ending your turn there, isn't going to save you. Especially from what I just drew thanks to my Witch.' "Since you have two monsters on your field, I can summon this; my Fiend Megacyber!" A large menacing looking warrior in gold armor rose onto Lance's field. Atk-2200 Def-1200.
"But I'm not done there. I reveal my trap; Crush Card Virus!" Everyone gasped in shock when the Obelisk revealed his trap card, and Yuki felt fear surge through his stomach. "By sacrificing a monster with 1000 or less attack, I can destroy all my opponent's monsters with more than 1500 attack, and you have to discard all monsters you draw with 1500 or more attack points!"
Another surge of fear shot through Yuki, when his two dragons turned a sickly shade of purple and slowly dissolved. "If that's how it has to be, I'll at least buy myself one turn. I activate my own trap; Threatening Roar!"
Lance winced as a loud roar sounded from Yuki's trap card. "It's one turn, that's all it buys you. But since I used my Skull Knight as tribute, I can summon my third and final one." The same skeletal looking knight appeared where its two predecesors had been
"This isn't good…" Yumei said worriedly. "For the next three turns, any monster Yu draws that has 1500 or more attack, he'll have to discard it…"
Yuki's right hand began shaking. He'd played into Lance's hands from the very start of this duel, and was suddenly aware of how many people had seen that move. "O-okay, my turn… A-and I'll play Pot of Greed."
Yuki sighed in relief when he drew his next two cards. Both of which were monsters, but neither of them had 1500 attack points. "Alright… I'll summon my exploder dragon in attack mode, and then end my turn." A blue scaled dragon holding some sort of explosive appeared on Yuki's field. Atk-1000 Def-800.
"You call that a move?" Lance scoffed, as he drew his next card. "No, this is a move. I'll tribute my last skull knight, and summon Jinzo!" a large menacing creature with black and green armor, and a mask whos straps wrapped around its head (which showed its brain) appeared where Skull Knight had been. Atk-2400 Def-1500.
"And now, my Fiend Megacyber will destroy that pathetic excuse for a dragon!" The large warrior charged, it's fist hammering down onto Exploder Dragon who shattered in a sower of pixels. "Hey, check your gear. Your life points haven't dropped."
"Th-that's because of my monsters effect." Yuki explained, trying his best to once again focus on dueling Lance. "I don't take any damage from whatever monster attacked … and when my dragon is destroyed, the monster that destroyed him goes away too."
"What!?" Lance cried out in shock, when the explosive that Exploder Dragon had been carrying detonated, destroying Fiend Megacyber. "It doesn't matter, because now I can attack you directly with Jinzo!"
Jinzo hurled a ball of energy at Yuki, which struck him in the stomach, and making him drop to one knee.
Yuki-LP 1600
"Oh no…" Alexis said worriedly. "If Yuki takes another attack from Jinzo he'll lose…"
"Come on Yu, fight back." Yumei said, as her fingers tightly clenched.
"Gotta do something about that Jinzo…" Yuki groaned, getting back to his feet and drawing his next card. "That will work. I summon Lesser Dragon in attack mode." A small dragon with green scales appeared on Yuki's field, baring its fangs at Jinzo. Atk-1400 Def-800. "But I'm not done, I'm giving him the equip card Draconic Armor."
Yuki's dragon had a set of armor grafted onto its scales one piece at a time, however it did not raise the attack of Lesser Dragon which confused Lance.
"What was the point of that, if your monster's attack didn't go up?" Lance frowned.
"Because, now my monster can't be destroyed in battle, and I don't take any battle damage." Yuki replied, which made Lance's frown deepen.
"Nothing but pure luck, Alexis will never go for a guy like you." Lance snarled, drawing his next card and grinning. "I activate Card of Sanctity. Now we draw until we have 6 cards in our hands."
Yuki drew his six cards, but ended up having to discard 3 of the cards he drew, which only made Lance smile all the more.
"What's the matter? Oh that's right, my Crush Card is devistating your deck." Lance said chuckling. "Unfortunately for you, I don't have that problem. Now I'll activate Double Summon and Cost Down, so I'll summon my Headless Knight, but he's not sticking around because I sacrifice him to summon Bellial Marquess of Darkness!"
With a storm of black feathers, a dark looking fallen angel with a large black blade appeared on Lance's field. Atk-2800 Def-2400.
'Careful partner.' Neo's spirit manifested beside Yuki. 'That new creature is dangerous.'
"I know, but he can't hurt me as long as my monster has it's equip card." Yuki replied, as Neo cast his partner a worried look.
"I'll be dealing with that annoying armor soon." Lance growled. "I'll set two cards face down, and end my turn." Two more cards appeared face down behind Lance's monsters as his turn ended.
"Okay, my draw now." Yuki said, drawing his next card, which was unfortunately Drago Warrior so he had no choice but to discard it. "Well if I can't play that monster, I'll summon Decoy Dragon in attack mode."
A small adorable dragon appeared on Yuki's field, earning a few 'awwww's' from the female students in the crowd. Atk-300 Def-400
"That was your turn?" Lance asked, nearly on the verge of laughter. "That was pathetic, and you played him in attack mode? How stupid can you get?"
"Put down my deck one more time, you'll pay for it." Yuki glared at Lance. He suddenly had a burning desire to take him down several pegs.
"Like you can do anything while being affected by my Crush Card." Lance scoffed. "Bellial attack that pathetic dragon!" The dark angel raised it's blade to destroy Decoy Dragon, unaware that this small adorable dragon had a rather powerful effect.
"Not so fast Lance, my dragon's effect activates!" Yuki said, which made Lance's eyes widened in shock.
"What!?"
"Oh yeah, by attacking him, I can bring out a level 7 or higher dragon monster from my graveyard, and your monster has to attack that. Instead of my Decoy Dragon." Yuki explained.
"But there's nothing in your deck that can match my Bellial, except for your fusions! And my Crush Card has been making you discard your monsters!" There was a hint of panic in Lance's voice. "There's no way you have anything as powerful in your deck other than Horus, and you can't bring him out without the correct cards!"
"Normally you'd be right." A smile was growing on Yuki's face. "But the monster I'm talking about wasn't affected by your crush card!"
"What do you…?" Lance's eyes widened further as he remembered Yuki's first move. "Dragon shrine… you discarded that monster at the very beginning. Don't tell me… you planned this far ahead!?"
"Just like when I fell into your trap Lance, you walked right into mine!" Yuki's smile grew at the panicked look on Lance's face. "Now it's time for you to meet my monster! Rise, Blue Eyes White Dragon!"
A gasp came from the crowd, as Yuki revealed yet another powerful monster. Blue Eyes gave a mighty roar as it rose from Yuki's graveyard. It snarled at Bellial when it caught the dark angel's blade in it's mouth. Atk-3000 Def-2500.
"And since you attacked Decoy Dragon, your monster has to attack my Blue Eyes instead!" Yuki explained, as Blue Eyes bit down on Bellial's sword, shattering it before blasting the powerful dark monster away.
Lance-LP 3800
"Now it's my turn. Draw!" Yuki smirked upon drawing his newest card. "Sorry Lance but this is over. First, I'll tribute Lesser Dragon, and summon my Tiger Dragon." The green scaled dragon dissolved, only for a more serpentine looking orange scaled dragon with tiger stripes to take its place. Atk-2400 Def-1800.
"And now I'll use my dragon's effect. See when he's summoned to the field, I can select two cards in my opponent's back row and destroy them." Tiger Dragon let out a roar, before blasting two of Lance's face down cards off the field.
"Next I'll play my Monster Reborn magic card, and bring back a monster I had to discard thanks to your Crush Card. Come back, Tyrant Dragon!" A fierce looking dragon materialized next to Yuki's Blue Eyes, snarling at both Lance and Jinzo. Atk-2900 Def-2500.
"Now unfortunately, Tyrant Dragon can't be summoned back to the field unless I tribute another dragon monster. So I'll send Decoy Dragon to the graveyard. But I'm not finished just yet. I have one last card left to play, and it's been in my hand for a while, once again thanks to you." Yuki's comment made lance scowl angrily at the Ra student, before his eyes went wide at the reveal of Yuki's spell card. "Fissure. Now I get to destroy the weakest monster you have on your field Lance. And unfortunately for you, that would be your Jinzo."
"No! This isn't happening!" Lance was panicking, as Jinzo fell into an abyss that had opened up beneath the monster.
"Oh it's happening." Yuki replied, having regained his confidence. "Now, Tyrant Dragon attack!"
"Not so fast!" Lance's look of panic, quickly changed to a look of triumph. "I have one last card in my back row! And you just walked into another trap, that's keeping me in this duel! Draining Shield! Now your Tyrant Dragon's attack points get added to my life points!"
"Sorry Lance." Yuki began. "But my Tyrant Dragon has a similar effect to your Jinzo, in that he's not affected by traps. So his attack goes through!" Tyrant Dragon roared, sending a stream of flame at the Obelisk.
Lance-LP 900
"And now Blue Eyes finishes this!" Blue Eyes reared up and roared at the command, before attacking Lance. "Direct attack! Burst Stream of Destruction!"
Lance-LP 0000
Yuki let out a sigh of immense relief while the crowd cheered. 'That was a close one. If I didn't end up drawing Decoy Dragon, or even my Draconic Armor, there was no chance of me winning that duel.'
His attention then turned back to Lance, who had sunk to his knees when the realization of the loss had set in. "Lance, I don't gamble while my friends livelyhood his on the line. But there are always exceptions, and this is one of them. Since I won this duel, I want you to leave Alexis alone."
"Damnit…" Lance growled softly, before repeatedly hitting the ground with his fist. "Damnit, damnit, damnit, damnit, damnit!"
"That was a sweet duel Yuki." Jaden smiled when the Ra sunk back into the seat next to Alexis.
"Yeah…" Yuki smiled, and there was a relieved laugh in Yuki's voice. "I was really nervous when he played Crush Card, since I've only had it played against me one other time."
"Who were you dueling against?" Alexis asked, but Yuki was spared giving and answer when Yumei was called down to the exam field.
"So we're finally gonna get the chance to settle things huh?" Yumei asked, as Torimaki stood across from her.
"Got that right." Torimaki replied activating his duel disk. "You ready?"
"Oh yeah."
"Duel!"
Yumei-LP 4000
Torimaki-LP 4000
"I'll go first." Yumei said while drawing her sixth card. "Alright, I activate my Double summon spell card. Now I can normal summon twice. So I'll summon both my Obnoxious Celtic Guardian, and my Command Knight." A large muscular knight, and a regal looking female warrior appeared on Yumei's field.
Obnoxious Celtic Guardian Atk-1400 Def-1200
Command Knight Atk-1200 Def-1900
"Now since my Command Knight is on my field, her effect activates. Since I have another warrior on my field, you can't attack her. And while she's on the field, her and all other warriors get a 400 point boost."
Obnoxious Celtic Guardian Atk-1800
Command Knight Atk-1600
"Then I'll set one card face down and end my turn." A card appeared face down behind Yumei's monster as her turn ended.
"Then it's my turn." Torimaki said as he drew. "I'll summon my Lord of Dragons in attack mode." A dark menacing man in dark clothing, dragon skull pauldrons and helmet appeared on Torimaki's field. Atk-1200 Def-800. "But we're not done there, I'll use my Flute of Summoning Dragon spell card and special summon two more dragons!"
Toriaki's monster blew on the dragon-like flute that appeared in front of him. A long low note sounded from it, as Torimaki placed two more cards onto his duel disk. "Meet my two newest monsters: Hyozanryu, and Seiyaryu."
Hyozanryu was a large dragon who's scales resembled bright shining diamonds. Atk-2100 Def-2800.
Seiyaryu was a wyvern-like monster with pink colored scales. Atk-2500 Def-2300
"Now I'll have my Seiyaryu attack your Celtic Guardian!" Torimaki's order made the pink scaled wyvern rear back and attack Yumei's monster with a burst of blue colored flames.
Yumei-LP 3300
"Nice move, but my monster has an effect in that he can't be destroyed by battle." Yumei replied, even as her life points dropped.
"Either way, damage calculation still happens." Torimaki smirked, before speaking again. "So Hyozanryu attacks as well!"
Torimaki's other dragon attacked Celtic Guardian with a burst of bright white fire.
Yumei-LP 3000
"Right then, my draw … and I'll play Graceful Charity, allowing me to draw 3 cards, though I have to discard 2." Yumei said, sending 2 of the 3 cards that she drew to the graveyard. "But now my trap triggers; Ungraceful Charity, allowing me to get back the cards I discarded."
"Woah, that's a smart play." Alexis said with a smile on her face.
"Just wait." Yuki said with a smile on his face that matched Alexis'. "It's about to get better."
"What do you mean?" Cyrus asked from the seat behind Yuki."
"Just wait and see." Yuki replied.
"Now I'll summon Gearfried the Iron Knight." Yumei placed a card on her duel disk summoning a monster encased in black armor. Atk-1800 Def-1500. "But then I'll play the spell card; Release Restraint! By tributing Gearfried, I can special summon his more powerful form Gearfried the Swordmaster!"
Gearfried's armor fell off, revealing a heavily muscled dark haired warrior. Atk-2600 Def-2200. "But we're not done there. Remember your duel with Yu? His promotion match?"
"What about it?" Torimaki asked with a slight tilt of his head.
"Well he's not the only one who can pull a powerful monsters." Yumei replied.
"Well, that goes without saying, but you still can only beat my Seiyaryu by 100 points." Torimaki replied as Command Knight's effect took hold.
Gerfried Atk 3000
"Make that 500…" Torimaki said nervously.
"Oh, it gets better." Yumei said, her confidence growing by the second. "I'll activate my Lightning Blade equip card to my Celtic Guardian." A large blade crackling with electricity appeared in Celtic Guardian's hands.
Obnoxious Celtic Guardian Atk-2600
"Also, remember how Yu doesn't only run dragons? I don't just run warriors. See I'm about to play the two cards I got back with Ungraceful Charity. I'll fuse my Red Eyes with my newest card; The Claw of Hermos!"
Everyone in the card including Yuki gasped in shock when Yumei revealed her newest card.
"What!?"
"You gotta be kidding me!"
"She has one too!?"
"Why did she not tell me!?" Yuki asked wide-eyed.
Yumei's Red Eyes sword materialized on her side of the field. Atk-2400 Def-2000. "And I'm sure you're familiar with my new monsters effect. He becomes an equip card to a warrior monster … like my Gearfried. And that means my monster's effect can activate. When he gets an equip card, I can destroy one monster on your field."
As Gearfried gripped the sword, his attack grew. Atk-5400 Def-4200.
"Now since I can't destroy your two dragons with my monster's effect, I'll target your Lord of Dragons!" Gearfried swung his blade, destroying Torimaki's Spellcaster. "Now I'll attack your Seiyaryu with Gearfried! Infernal Fire Slash!"
Gearfried leapt into the air, bringing its blade down on the pink scaled dragon, shattering it in an explosion of pixels.
Torimaki-LP 1100
"Now Celtic Guardian attacks your Hyozanryu!" The muscular warrior, charged at the dragon, dragging the Lightning Blade along the ground before decapitating Hyozanryu.
Torimaki-LP 400
"And now my Command Knight ends this duel! Direct attack!" Yumei's knight slashed Torimaki across the chest, reducing what had remained what was left of his life points.
Torimaki-LP 0000
Yumei gave the crowd a wave as they exploded into applause.
"Wait seriously?" Yumei asked, now dressed in a yellow jacket with her sleeves rolled up. "You're not taking the promotion to Ra?"
Jaden smiled while shaking his head. "Nah, without Cy or Chumley, it just doesn't feel like home."
Cyrus could only sniffle, even though he was smiling like a fool.
"That's your call Jaden." Yuki sighed, while looking at the blue jacket Chancellor Sheppard had given him. "I still can't believe I scored high enough to get in…"
"Perfect score on the written exam, and you passed your practical by beating an Obelisk." Basion countered, while looking at Yuki's written test scores on his pda.
"It still feels weird that I'm already an Obelisk." Yuki mused while massaging his ribs, as he had only just escaped one of Fujin's hugs.
On the other side of the island, Lance was positively fuming over his loss to Yuki. "Damn you Hyoudou! I swear I will not rest until I have payback!"
Lance was so wrapped up in his anger and hatred of Yuki, he hadn't noticed he was wandering in an almost impenetrable darkness. Until a voice sounded from seemingly all around him. "It's revenge you want… I can help you with that."