Notes: Heading for the climax
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter or Yu-Gi-Oh franchises
Harry Potter and the Duel Academy
Ch. 11: The Gauntlet
"Silence, please!" Dumbledore announced, "All students will file to their dorms immediately! Heads of the dorms will lead the way! All other teachers will follow me!"
Harry was moving very slowly, waiting until the end of the line to join the other students. He also thought he saw Quirrell crawling away in another direction.
"You're going after Sirius, aren't you Harry?" Hermione asked in a concerned whisper.
"I have to," he replied, "I have to know the truth."
When he was sure no teachers were looking, he took off. He kept running until he was in a secluded area. He had stopped to catch his breath.
"Harry!"
Harry almost jumped. Ron also looked out of breath.
"Sorry, but you can't go without us."
"He's right, Harry," Hermione added, "If you insist on doing this, you can't go without us."
He sighed, "I guess you're right. Come on."
Just as they were about to round the corner, Neville came out of nowhere.
"Stop."
"Don't try to stop me, Neville. I don't care if I get held back or something, I have to confront Sirius Black."
"If I can't stop you, and I know I can't, then I'm going with you. You'll need all the help you can get."
"I'd be foolish to not let you help, Neville. Come on then. We're off to the basement."
"Where's the basement?" Neville asked.
"Upstairs," Ron quipped.
"Have you been watching those three goofy American comedians again, Ron?" Hermione questioned.
The three guys all laughed, while Hermione rolled her eyes. She suddenly stopped walking.
"Wait a moment," she said, "If all the teachers are going to the basement, and I'm sure Black knows they are, due to Professor Quirrell's shouting, wouldn't he have went somewhere else?"
"You're right," Hharry said, "But where else could he go?"
"Maybe he went to the room everybody was just in," Ron said half sarcastically.
"Ron, that's actually a brilliant suggestion," Hermione replied.
"It is?"
"Yes! I always said you were smarter than you looked, or sound, or as testing indicated."
"Please," he snarked back, "Stop with the praise, I might get a big head."
She gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek. They then ran back to the arena, with Ron trailing behind. He had his hand on his cheek, and was in a bit of a stupor. They all raeched the arena, and sure enough, there was Sirius Black waiting for them.
"Just as clever as your father was, Harry, to look for me here. Or perhaps you had help from your friends? Your dad had that, too."
"All except one, apparently," Harry snapped.
Black's smile faded, and now he looked very depressed.
"So you did kill them?"
"I may as well have, Harry. It was my fault."
"I should call the staff and have them arrest you, but I want the whole story."
"As do I, Sirius," said a familiar voice.
"Remus, my old friend, so you are working here. I happen to know for a fact that a certain someone is here as well, and I don't mean Severus."
"Who are you talking about?" Lupin asked.
"Peter Pettigrew! He's the one responsible for my wrongful imprisonment. He's the one who sold out the Potters."
"He died a long time ago, Sirius."
"I was supposed to keep their hiding place a secret from everyone, but I told Peter because he felt left out. I thought he could be trusted since we grew up together. Not to mention that I thought he was too under the radar to be suspected of anything. Next thing I knew, he sold out James and Lily to that name-changing berk. When I confronted him, he made a big show of chewing me out, and then he set off some explosives he had rigged ahead of time. He faked his death! He stole the holographic technology from James and Lily to hide. He didn't have any more friends after his master was killed, so where else could he go but here? This place was always a home away from home for so many children."
"Looks like someone let in a stray dog," said another familiar voice.
It was Snape, and Draco was close behind him.
"Severus," Lupin said, "This is no time for the two of you to continue your grudge. If there's even the slightest chance that Peter is here..."
"I expected better from you, Lupin," Snape said, "I thought you were smarter than Sirius and James. You don't actually believe anything he said, do you?"
"Why would Sirius betray his best friend? They wanted a scapegoat for that case."
"I'll be sure to let the authorities know your opinion. Since you were friends, I was beginning to wonder if you were helping him infiltrate the grounds. Well I for one am not letting this maniac get away."
"You want to fight, big nose?"
Suddenly, the power in the entire building began to fluctuate. The lights kept dimming, and going on and off.
"That has to be Peter's work," Sirius said.
"You'd like us to think that, wouldn't you, Black?" Snape snarled.
"I've had enough of you, you greasy-haired git!"
Sirius leapt at Snape and they began beating each other up. Lupin was trying to break it up.
"Harry," Lupin said, "The other teachers won't get here fast enough. They're searching the other rooms and dorms. There's only one place that could be coming from that no one would think to check: the roof."
Harry and crew took off. Draco followed after them. They stopped at the elevator.
"This thing isn't working," Ron said.
"It must be the power fluctuations," Hermione said, "We'll have to take the stairs."
"Of course we will."
As soon as they opened the door...
"Surprise!"
A very tall, and very wide girl blocked the stairwell.
"Well if it isn't Millicent Bulstrode," Hermione said.
"I was given orders to stay here and make sure you don't interfere."
"You don't know what you're doing," Harry said, "Let us through."
"I'll consider letting you go up, if...one of you stays here to duel me. How about you, Granger? Although I can't promise that no matter who wins or loses I won't beat you up."
Ron immediately stepped in front of Hermione, "I'll stay."
"You can't, Ron," Hermione said, grabbing his hand, "We need you."
He smiled at her, but then turned to Harry, "Let me do this, Harry. It's not just Duel Monsters, it's also chess. Sometimes you have to sacrifice a piece."
Harry hesitated, but eventually replied, "You'd better join us as soon as you can."
Ron gave a nod, and the trio took off up the flight of stairs. Millicent looked at Ron with a wicked smile.
"Trying to show off for your girlfriend, Weasley? I'll show you how to use Machines properly."
"Bring it on, Berserk Gorilla."
No sooner had they gone up a level, they were stopped again.
"Who are you again?" Harry asked.
"Daphne Greengrass is my name. I'm following orders to not let you pass, unless of course one of you cares for a duel."
"I'm sensing a pattern here," Harry said.
"I'll take care of her, Harry," Hermione said.
"No," Neville said, "We might need your brains."
"I may be book smart, I daresay I'm quite intelligent in many areas, but there are things even I don't fully understand. Yes, I admit it. As someone once said, logic is the beginning of wisdom. Something tells me this mystery will take more than basic intelligence Now go on."
"You'll make sure Ron gets here too, right?"
"As if you had to ask, Harry."
The duo continued their journey. Daphne looked at Hermione with curiosity.
"You're not at all like I thought you'd be. You have talent, but you don't boast or brag. You remind me a bit of my kid sister. Still, I have a job to do."
"Well don't hold back."
Once again, as soon as they went up another level, they encountered an obstacle.
"Oh great," Harry sighed, "Pansy Parkinson."
"Hey, Potter, and I see you brought the wimp with you."
Neville looked downcast for a second, but then immediately stepped forward.
"Leave this to me, Harry," Neville said.
"Are you really gonna let this cretin do your fighting for you?"
"Harry's too busy to bother with a nuisance like you."
"Why you gangly smart-mouth! I'm gonna wipe the floor with you!"
"I'll see you soon, Harry."
"Thanks, Neville."
Harry continued to run up the stairs.
RW: 8000
MB: 8000
"Ladies first...in the loosest sense of the word."
"You won't be so mouthy once I'm done with you. I'm using the Pendulum Zones for this duel."
"Oh right, that," Ron sighed, "Here we go..."
"On one end of the scale, I place Superheavy General Hisu-E."
Superheavy Samurai General Jade
LV8
Pendulum Scale 1
Earth
Machine/Pendulum/Effect
1800/2800
A machine in green samurai armor floated in the air off to the side of Millicent's field.
"On the other end of the scale, I place Superheavy General San-5."
Superheavy Samurai General Coral
LV1
Pendulum Scale 8
Earth
Machine/Pendulum/Effect
300/500
A similar looking machine in red samurai armor was in a similar position.
"I summon Superheavy Samurai Kobu-C."
Superheavy Samurai Fist
LV2
Earth
Machine/Tuner/Effect
900/900
A yellow and red samurai took to the field. Its right hand was a large red fist.
"Since I have no spell or trap cards in my graveyard, I can special summon Superheavy Samurai Horaga-E."
Superheavy Samurai Trumpeter
LV2
Earth
Machine/Tuner/Effect
300/600
A small orange samurai now appeared. In his hands was a large trumpet that looked more like a conch shell.
"I Pendulum summon Superheavy Samurai Kabu-10."
Superheavy Samurai Kabuto
LV4
Earth
Machine/Effect
1000/2000
A samurai in brown and orange armor knelt down next to the Kobu-C.
"Now I'll Tune Kobu-C and Kabu-10 to Synchro summon Superheavy God Oni Shutendo-G. Rise your war cry!"
Superheavy Samurai Ogre Shutendoji
LV6
Earth
Machine/Synchro/Effect
500/2500
A large red long-armed monster now appeared. I wielded an equally large kanabo.
"Since I have no spells or traps in the graveyard, I can target a Synchro monster and reduce its level by 1."
SGOS: LV6 - LV5
"Then I can special summon Kobu-C from the graveyard. Next I play Sekka's Light: if I have no spells or traps in my graveyard, I can draw two cards. I'll also Pendulum summon Superheavy Samurai Big Wara-G."
Superheavy Samurai Big Waraji
LV5
Earth
Machine/Effect
800/1800
A dull yellow monster now came onto the field. I looked like two sandals stuck to each other.
"Not that it changes anything, but if I have any spells or traps in my graveyard, the Pendulum Scale of General San-5 goes from 1 to 4. Now I'll Tune Horaga-E and Big Wara-G to Synchro summon a silent ninja as fast as the wind and as quiet as the forest: Superheavy Ninja Shinobi-AC."
Superheavy Samurai Stealth Ninja
LV7
Earth
Machine/Synchro/Effect
1200/2800
A dark-colored new monster emerged from hiding. It kept its weapon in front of it.
"I Pendulum summon Superheavy Samurai Hikya-Q."
Superheavy Samurai Transporter
LV5
Earth
Machine/Effect
1200/1800
A maroon robot samurai sped onto the field with its wheeled feet.
"My General Hisu-E can raise the level of another Superheavy Samurai by 1. I choose Hikya-Q."
SSH-Q: LV5 -LV6
"I Tune Kobu-C with Hikya-Q to Synchro summon Superheavy Ninja Saruto-B."
Superheavy Samurai Ninja Sarutobi
LV8
Earth
Machine/Synchro/Effect
2000/2800
A large, round, blue robot leapt into place.
"My Superheavy Samurai Synchro monsters can attack while in defense mode, with their defense applied for the damage calculation. I end my turn. Beat that, Weasley. I'm already dominating the field."
Ron ignored her, "I set a card, and then I summon Deformer Scopen."
Morphtronic Scopen
LV3
Light
Machine/Tuner
800/1400
A microscope appeared on the field, and then its base became legs, and it grew tiny arms.
"While Scopen is in attack position, I can special summon a level 4 Deformer monster from my hand. I summon Deformer Videon."
Morphtronic Videon
LV4
Light
Machine/Effect
1000/1000
A handheld video camera transformed into a robot.
"Now I'm going to Synchro summon my ace: Power Tool Dragon."
Power Tool Dragon
LV7
Earth
Machine/Synchro/Effect
2300/2500
Ron's large, yellow, robot dragon made a reappearance.
"My dragon's effect activates. I reveal three equip cards from my deck, and then you choose one of them for me to add to my hand. The rest are shuffled back into the deck. Here you are, choose."
"Uh...the middle one."
"I equip my Dragon with Double Tool D & C. I also equip him with Aircrack Storm, Junk Attack, and Meteor Strike. Attack that oni. During my turn, the monster equipped with Double Tool gains 1000 attack."
PTD: 2300/2500 - 3300/2500
The robotic dragon struck the oni with his drill.
"Thanks to Meteor Strike, you take piercing damage."
MB: 7200
"And thanks to Junk Attack, you lose life points equal to half the destroyed monster's attack points."
MB: 6950
"Thanks to Aircrack Storm, the equipped monster can make a second attack, but only the equipped monster can attack that turn. Destroy the fat ninja now."
The dragon now struck the large ninja with his saw.
"First the piercing damage..."
MB: 6450
"...and then the effect damage."
MB: 5450
"I end my turn. Now who controls the field?"
She growled, "I banish Sekka's Light from my graveyard. I reveal a monster in my hand, and then shuffle it into the deck. Now I can draw one card. I summon Superheavy Samurai Jisha-Q."
Superheavy Samurai Magnet
LV4
Earth
Machine/Effect
900/1900
A blue samurai came forward and shot out electricity. On its back was a large magnet. At the end of each arm was a symbol: positive on the right, negative on the left.
"When this monster is summoned, I can special summon a level 4 or lower Superheavy Samurai from my hand. I special summon Superheavy Samurai Tsuzu-3."
Superheavy Samurai Drum
LV1
Earth
Machine/Tuner/Effect
300/300
A simple yellow drum appeared next to Jisha-Q.
"I Tune Tsuzu-3 with Jisha-Q to Synchro summon Superheavy Swordmaster Musa-C."
Superheavy Samurai Swordmaster Musashi
LV5
Earth
Machine/Synchro/Effect
300/2300
A new robot samurai brandished a pair of swords.
"When this monster is Synchro summoned, I can target one Machine monster in my graveyard and add it to my hand. Once again, since I have no spells or traps in my graveyard, I can lower the level of a Synchro monster to special summon Kobu-C."
SNS-AC: LV7 - LV6
"Now I'll attack with my Ninja Shinobi-AC. I can halve his defense to attack you directly."
The robot ninja moved so fast it was as if it disappeared. It then struck Ron from behind.
RW: 6600
"How did that feel, Weasley?"
Ron yawned, "Are you done?"
"...yeah."
"Good...I activate the trap Metalization - Magic Reflection Armor and equip it to my Dragon. He gains 300 attack and defense."
PTD: 2300/2500 - 2600/2800
"Plus there's the extra 1000 attack he gets from Double Tool."
PTD: 2600/2800 - 3600/2800
"I attack the swordmaster. During damage calculation, the monster equipped with this trap gains attack equal to half of the target's attack.
PTD: 3600/2800 - 3750/2800
A swordmaster swung its swords, but they were deflected, and the dragon drilled through it.
MB: 4000
"Junk Attack kicks in now."
Some scraps of machinery went flying at Millicent.
MB: 3850
"When I take battle damage, and have no spells or traps in my graveyard, I can special summon this monster from my hand: Superheavy Samurai Kokorogama-A."
Superheavy Samurai Prepped Defense
LV3
Earth
Machine/Effect
100/2100
A new green samurai now stood on the field.
"You do that," Ron replied, "I activate Aircrack Storm to make a second attack. Now attack the stealth ninja."
PTD: 3600/2800 - 4200/2800
The ninja dodged a few of the dragon's attacks, but the dragon soon slammed its power saw through it.
MB: 2450
"Next comes the Junk Attack."
MB: 1850
"I end my turn. Not much time left, Millicent."
"Shut it! I summon Superheavy Samurai Dai-8."
Superheavy Samurai Wagon
LV4
Earth
Machine/Effect
1200/1800
A green samurai with wheels for legs came forward, pulling a wagon loaded with weapons.
"I use the effect of Hisu-E to raise te level of one of my monsters."
SSD-8: LV4 - LV5
"Now I'll Tune Kobu-C with Kokorogama-A and Dai-8 to Synchro summon the raging deity Superheavy Koujin Susano-O!"
Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo
LV10
Earth
Machine/Synchro/Effect
2400/3800
An enormous black and green samurai pointed its massive sword at Power Tool Dragon.
"Now I can attack your fake dragon!"
With a swing of its large sword, the dragon was knocked back. The dragon shook its head and flew back into place.
RW: 5400
"If my Dragon would be destroyed while equipped, I can send one equip card to the graveyard instead. I choose Aircrack Storm, because I won't need it after this."
"You think you can get past my defense?!"
"No...I know I can. I equip my Dragon with Power of Unity. He gains 800 attack and defense for each face-up monster I control."
PTD: 2600/2800 - 3400/3600
"And again, there's the Double Tool card to take into account."
PTD: 3400/3600 - 4400/3600
"Let's finish this. Power Tool Dragon, attack her samurai. Metalization takes effect."
PTD: 4400/3600 - 5600/3600
The dragon swung its arms at te samurai, who put his massive sword up in defense, but to no avail. The power tools cut through and destroyed it.
MB: 50
"Junk Attack."
MB: 0
"Well that killed a few minutes. I have to get going now."
"No you don't," she snarled, "I said no matter who won, I'd beat you to a pulp. I wanted Granger, but you'll do. Maybe after I've torn you apart, I'll get her next!"
She began swinging her arms wildly in an attempt to hit Ron. He managed to dodge every time, until she slipped on the stairs and fell backwards to the floor, hitting her head in the process. Ron checked to make sure she was okay, but then rushed up the stairs to see if he could help.
