The chapter begins in Jack's point of view.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 88: VS. Team Catastrophe – Jack
My friends and I had been on the edge throughout the Duel to watch for any signs that indicted sabotage around Estelle's Duel Runner, especially if Hermann were to summon Hook the Hidden Knight. To our surprise, that fiend never appeared once. Yusei assumed that either Hermann didn't get lucky to draw it or it was in the possession of Nicolas. After all, Team Catastrophe's leader was the one who summoned it in their last Turbo Duel against Team Unicorn.
When Hermann activated Speed Spell – Speed Storm, I knew I immediately had to prepare my Duel Runner. I hurried to the garage and put the helmet on before I slowly rolled out to the pit and waited by the line for Estelle to roll in and pass her cards and team tag.
It didn't take long before the female Turbo Duelist drove into the pit and parked next to me. Leo and Luna immediately ran to her and grabbed the cards she had on the Duel Disk.
"I'm sorry I could defeat Hermann, guys", Estelle said as she ripped the team tag and handed it to me. "I was bricking and his Trap cards made things worse."
"You still did well, Estelle", Yusei assured her with a pat on her shoulder.
I nodded in agreement as I placed the tag on my left upper arm. "You at least left two dragons for me to use. By the way, what's the facedown card you never activated?"
"The Ultimate Creature of Destruction", Estelle replied. "I didn't activate it because I wanted to use Deep-Eyes White Dragon."
"Good choice, but it won't be useful to me now. I'm going!"
With that said and done, I drove out of the pit and to the course, chasing after Hermann. The good thing was his field was completely empty, so this was going to be a quick win. However, I needed to make my own preparations before his next teammate could take over.
"So the former King has arrived!" Hermann laughed. "What's it like to be among the peasants, your royal majesty?"
I could clearly hear the sarcasm in his voice. I normally would get agitated by such comments, but now I needed to be cautious because of how dangerous Team Catastrophe actually was.
"I've been a peasant before, so it's nothing new!" I snorted loudly.
"Team 5D's second Duelist, Jack Atlas, has entered the course! Let's continue the Duel!" the MC yelled.
"Duel!"
Hermann: 1300 LP = SPC 4
Jack: 4000 LP = SPC 4
I drew the top five cards of my Deck and added them to the Wrist Dealer. I got Strong Wind Dragon, Crimson Fire, Speed Spell – Summon Speeder, Urgent Tuning, and Red Resonator. I must say it was a very good hand.
"It's my turn!" I yelled, drawing my sixth card.
Hermann: 1300 LP = SPC 4 – SPC 5
Jack: 4000 LP = SPC 4 – SPC 5
The sixth card was Mad Archfiend. It could come in handy later, but not now.
"I release Dragon Spirit of White to Tribute summon Strong Wind Dragon in attack mode!"
Strong Wind Dragon, Level 6: ATK 2400
"Strong Wind Dragon's effect! If the Monster I used to Tribute summon him was a dragon-type Monster, he gains attack points equal to half the original attack points of that Monster!"
A white aura enveloped my dragon as it received half of the white Blue-Eyes dragon's attack points.
Strong Wind Dragon, Level 6: ATK 2400 – ATK 3650
I could have released Star Eater instead, but it was better to keep the star Synchro Monster around just a little bit longer. Besides, my Deck was not effective with a Blue-Eyes Monster.
"Next I activate the Speed Spell – Summon Speeder! I can activate it while I have 4 or more Speed Counters, which allows me to Special summon one Level 4 or lower Monster from my hand, but it won't be able to attack this turn! I Special summon Red Resonator!"
Red Resonator, Level 2, Tuner: ATK 600
"Red Resonator's effect activates when it's Special summoned! I can target a Monster on the field and gain Life Points equal to that Monster's attack points! I choose Strong Wind Dragon!"
Red Resonator used its tuning fork to make a strong and fiery noise that echoed in the whole stadium. Strong Wind Dragon was soon enveloped in a red aura that transferred to me. The aura was warm and gentle, like one of Carly's hugs…
No! Don't think about Carly now, you fool! I had a Duel to deal with!
Hermann: 1300 LP = SPC 5
Jack: 4000 LP – 7650 LP = SPC 5
For now, I was safe with lots of Life Points in case something dramatic happened.
"I switch Star Eater to attack mode!"
Star Eater, Level 11: DEF 2800 – ATK 3200
"And, last, I place two cards facedown and head to Battle Phase! Strong Wind Dragon, attack Hermann directly!"
Strong Wind Dragon turned to Hermann and unleashed a large beam of compact fire at him. Hermann was engulfed by the light before he screamed in terror by the attack. It didn't take long before his Duel Runner released steam after getting defeated.
Hermann: 1300 LP – 0 LP = SPC 5
Jack: 7650 LP = SPC 5
"Team Catastrophe's Hermann Stein is defeated by Jack Atlas!" the MC yelled. "This means that both teams' second Duelists are up against each other, so Jack's next opponent is Nicolas Ludwig!"
So it was going to be Nicolas next? Perhaps he had the two Shadow Cards in his Deck. I was aware of Hook the Hidden Knight, but none of us knew which Trap card was the Shadow Card. It was unfortunate that Estelle couldn't remember its full name. She said it had something to do with 'ring', but she was uncertain about it. The few Trap cards with 'ring' in its name that could inflict damage were Destruction Ring and Ring of Destruction.
It didn't take long before Nicolas drove up from behind. "Let's do this, Jack Atlas!" he called confidently.
"So, there you are, you insolent thug dependent on Shadow Cards!" I shouted back. "You're about to get a lesson in real Dueling, courtesy of Jack Atlas!"
"Duel!"
Nicolas: 4000 LP = SPC 5
Jack: 7650 LP = SPC 5
"My turn!" Nicolas yelled, drawing his sixth card.
Nicolas: 4000 LP = SPC 5 – SPC 6
Jack: 7650 LP = SPC 5 – SPC 6
"I summon Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 "Nisamu" in attack mode!"
Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 "Nisamu", Level 4: ATK 1400
He began his turn with a different Monster? Apparently, he was going to try buying time to obtain one or both of the Shadow Cards.
"Next I activate the Speed Spell – Summon Speeder! It can only be activated when I have 4 or more Speed Counters. It lets me Special summon a Level 4 or lower Monster from my hand, but it cannot attack! I Special summon Karakuri Watchdog mdl 313 "Saizan"!"
Karakuri Watchdog mdl 313 "Saizan", Level 4, Tuner: ATK 600
A Tuner Monster! He was going for a Synchro summon!
"I tune Level 4 Karakuri Watchdog mdl 313 "Saizan" and Level 4 Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 "Nisamu"! The Commander-in-Chief shall draw its blade and cut the barbarians into pieces with no mercy! Synchro summon! Come, Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido"!"
Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido", Level 8: ATK 2800
"Nicolas' ace Synchro, Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido" is on the field!" the MC commented. "Jack might take a large amount of damage if Nicolas chooses to attack!"
"Karakuri Steel Shogun's effect activates when it's Synchro summoned!" Nicolas continued."I can Special summon one 'Karakuri' Monster from my Deck, and I choose Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 "Nishipachi"!"
Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 "Nishipachi", Level 3, Tuner: ATK 500
"Karakuri Strategist's effect activates! I select one Monster on the field and change its battle position! I choose Karakuri Strategist!"
Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 "Nishipachi", Level 3, Tuner: ATK 500 – DEF 1600
"Karakuri Steel Shogun's effect! Once per turn, when the battle position of a face-up 'Karakuri' Monster I control is changed, I get to draw one card from my Deck!"
That was the reason he switched his Karakuri Strategist's battle position; to draw one extra card. Nicolas' weird silence made me extra cautious. Usually, the Duelists got silent when they drew the right card or the favorite card. He must've drawn one of the Shadow Cards.
"Battle!" Nicolas yelled. "Karakuri Steel Shogun, attack Red Resonator!"
Karakuri Steel Shogun clashed his two katana to make a clang noise before floating towards my Resonator Monster. He raised both katana in the air in front of Red Resonator, ready to battle and destroy every enemy in his path.
"I activate my Trap; Urgent Tuning!" I quickly called. "During the Battle Phase; immediately after this effect resolves, I can Synchro summon one Synchro Monster using Monsters I control! I tune Level 2 Red Resonator with Level 6 Strong Wind Dragon! The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Bear witness to its creation shaking power! Synchro summon! My very soul, Red Dragon Archfiend!"
Red Dragon Archfiend, Level 8: ATK 3000
"Jack's ace Synchro Monster, Red Dragon Archfiend, has taken over two of his comrades' place!" the MC shouted, causing the stadium to go wild at the sight of the dragon.
My Signer Dragon had taken Red Resonator's place, so if the Karakuri Synchro Monster attacked him, he would get destroyed.
"Karakuri Steel Shogun, stop the attack!"
But I guess Nicolas still had a brain, since he halted the attack.
Karakuri Steel Shogun froze in his movement of slashing Red Dragon Archfiend and jumped back to Nicolas.
"You got lucky to use Urgent Tuning to Synchro summon", Nicolas said amusingly. "That explains why you left a weak Tuner Monster in attack mode, so I could take the bait. I place three cards facedown and end my turn."
Three facedown cards… One of them could possibly be the Shadow Trap Card.
"My turn!" I shouted, drawing Speed Spell – Synchro Defuse.
Nicolas: 4000 LP = SPC 6 – SPC 7
Jack: 7650 LP = SPC 6 – SPC 7
"I activate Speed World 2! I remove 4 Speed Counters to inflict 800 points of damage!"
My Duel Runner automatically decelerated, so I was driving behind Nicolas. The front tip of my Runner sparkled before launching a lightning bolt at the opponent. Nicolas grunted as he was hit by the lightning strike.
Nicolas: 4000 LP – 3200 LP = SPC 7
Jack: 7650 LP = SPC 7 – SPC 3
"And the first points of damage in this Duel has been delivered to Team Catastrophe's Nicolas!" the MC commented.
"Next I play the Speed Spell – Synchro Defuse!" I continued. "I can activate it while I have 2 or more Speed Counters. I select one face-up Synchro Monster my opponent controls and I take control of it until the End Phase! I choose your Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido"!"
A tuning ring flew out from the Speed Spell card and scanned the Karakuri Synchro Monster. When the scanning was done, the Monster floated over to my side of the field.
"Oh boy! Jack has practically stolen Nicolas' Karakuri Steel Shogun from him!" the MC exclaimed. "If Jack manages to land a hit from each of his Monsters this turn, Nicolas will be defeated!"
"I didn't predict this, but I won't let you take me out just yet!" Nicolas snorted. "I activate my Trap; Zero Gravity! It changes the battle positon of every Monster on the field!"
Star Eater, Level 11: ATK 3200 – DEF 2800
Red Dragon Archfiend, Level 8: ATK 3000 – DEF 2000
Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido", Level 8: ATK 2800 – DEF 1700
Karakuri Strategist mdl 248 "Nishipachi", Level 3, Tuner: DEF 1600 – ATK 500
"And not only that, but I'll activate another Trap; Karakuri Trick House! When one of my 'Karakuri' Monsters changes battle position, I can target and destroy one card on the whole field! I choose to destroy Star Eater!"
A panel appeared on the course before it opened to elevate sharp spikes to the surface. In the next second, the spikes were launched into the air with whistling noise. The spikes flew at Star Eater and exploded by impact. Estelle's Synchro Monster screeched in pain before it exploded into pieces.
"Karakuri Steel Shogun's effect!" I quickly called. "When a 'Karakuri' Monster has its position changed, I get to draw one card!"
This Monster actually came very convenient, since I got to draw an extra card. I drew the top card of my Deck and smirked when I checked it. "I activate the Speed Spell – Defense Buster! I can activate it while I have 2 or more Speed Counters. I can select one defense position Monster on the field and change it to attack position! I choose Red Dragon Archfiend!"
Red Dragon Archfiend, Level 8: DEF 2000 – ATK 3000
"Damn it…!" Nicolas growled.
"Red Dragon Archfiend, attack Karakuri Strategist!" I commanded. "Absolute Power Force!"
My Signer Dragon clenched his left hand into a fist before it was enveloped by a fiery aura. He then flew towards Karakuri Strategist that panicked by the sight of the incoming attack. Red Dragon Archfiend showed no mercy as he punched the weak Tuner Monster into pieces. The remnants of Karakuri Strategist blew itself onto Nicolas, dealing a major amount of damage. Nicolas' Runner began wobbling left and right by the assault for a moment before he regained control.
Nicolas: 3200 LP – 700 LP = SPC 7
Jack: 7650 LP = SPC 3
"Ow, that must've hurt Nicolas' pride! He's got less than 800 Life Points left, which means he could lose when Jack gains enough Speed Counters and a Speed Spell card on his next turn!" the MC commented.
"Red Dragon Archfiend's effect activates during my End Phase!" I called. "He destroys every Monster I control that did not declare an attack this turn! Meaning Karakuri Steel Shogun is destroyed and won't return to your side of the field, Nicolas!"
"What?!" Nicolas gasped in disbelief.
Red Dragon Archfiend turned to the samurai Synchro Monster with an aggressive growl. Karakuri Steel Shogun tried flying past him to return to Nicolas' field, but my Signer Dragon grabbed him by one of his legs and held him back from sneaking away. When Karakuri Steel Shogun tried attacking him with one of his katana, Red Dragon Archfiend breathed fire on him, scorching him so much he transformed into ashes.
"You've got no defense now!" I smirked. "Humor me with the little effort you have left before I end this Duel!"
"I'll humor you, alright!" Nicolas retorted. "My turn!"
Nicolas: 700 LP = SPC 7 – SPC 8
Jack: 7650 LP = SPC 3 – SPC 4
"I summon Hook the Hidden Knight in attack mode!"
Hook the Hidden Knight, Level 4: ATK 1600
There it is! The Shadow Monster Card! Now I really had to keep my eyes open and look over my shoulder to see if there was anything lurking around the wheel of my Phoenix Whirlwind.
"I end my turn with that!"
What? He didn't even set a card or something? Unless… The single facedown card he had on the field was a game changer.
"My turn!" I yelled, drawing Speed Spell – Half Seize.
Nicolas: 700 LP = SPC 8 – SPC 9
Jack: 7650 LP = SPC 4 – SPC 5
I could end the Duel now by using Speed World 2, but that would be a cheap way. Like Estelle said, we had to humiliate Team Catastrophe as payback for hurting Crow, Andre, and Jean, and the only way to do that was to defeat them by battle.
"I summon Mad Archfiend in attack mode!"
Mad Archfiend, Level 4: ATK 1800
"Next I play Speed Spell – Half Seize! I can activate it while I have 3 or more Speed Counters. I target one Monster on the field and take half of its attack points and convert it into Life Points! I choose Hook the Hidden Knight!"
Hook the Hidden Knight were enveloped by a green aura that absorbed half of his attack points, making him weak enough to inflict more than enough damage to finish it.
Hook the Hidden Knight, Level 4: ATK 1600 – ATK 800
The green aura was then transferred to me as my Life Points increased and went over 8000 points.
Nicolas: 700 LP = SPC 9
Jack: 7650 LP – 8450 LP = SPC 5
Not long before that, I heard weird noises coming from Nicolas. It sounded like he was holding back his laughter. "What are you laughing about?!"
The whimper noise grew into loud a humorous laughter that almost echoed in the stadium. "You just set yourself up for your doom, Jack Atlas!" Nicolas laughed maliciously. "I activate my Trap; Self-Destruct Button!"
"Self-Destruct Button?!" I gaped in surprise.
"I can only activate it when my Life Points are lower than my opponent's Life Points and the difference is 7000 points or more! Which means both player's Life Points become zero!"
A large button appeared on Nicolas' right side that had black and yellow stripes and a red skull on the top of it.
"Damn you! What are you scheming?!" I yelled.
"Jack Atlas, you will crash your Duel Runner!" Nicolas responded. "After you get hit by these dark powers, of course!"
My eyes widened in realization. This Trap card was the second Shadow Card! "So you do have two Shadow Cards!"
"I don't know how you got the information, but I won't let you talk 'cause this Duel is over!" Nicolas shouted as he raised his right fist. "Crash and burn, Jack Atlas!"
He hit the button with his whole fist, igniting an explosion that swallowed me, Nicolas, and both our Monsters. The force of the Shadow Card was just as powerful and realistic as the time I had Turbo Dueled the Riding Roid that was disguised as me. I could sense how my Duel Runner was losing control by the force, but there was no way I was going to crash! Just no way!
Nicolas: 700 LP – 0 LP = SPC 9
Jack: 8450 LP – 0 LP = SPC 5
I squinted to see how Nicolas was doing. It was hard to see his silhouette in the bright light, but I could hear his painful scream. Obviously, he got affected by the Shadow Card too. He clearly needed help, so I had to take the risk and save him!
XXXXXXXXXX – Normal POV
The whole stadium shook by the quake caused by the Self-Destruct Button card. Both teams watched the explosion with big eyes from the pit that had been detonated just meters away from them. They could feel the heat and force coming from the explosion, so they were worried about the two Turbo Duelists.
All of the sudden, a Duel Runner, caught on fire, projected itself out from the dome of flames and went through the glass barrier, crashing outside of the course. No one could see which Duel Runner it was or where the rider was.
"JACK!" Team 5D's screamed in panic.
"NICOLAS!" Team Catastrophe shouted for their leader.
The stadium grew silent as they watched the explosion grow smaller and became a large cloud of smoke. A dragon's cry was heard from the smoke before a white Duel Runner drove out in the clean air. Red Dragon Archfiend and Mad Archfiend flew above Jack's Runner as Nicolas held onto the vehicle with his life.
Both Duelists were safe and alive.
Jack braked in front of the pit before his two Monsters landed next to him. "No dark power shall ever fell Jack Atlas!"
The silent stadium now broke out into applauds and cheers for both Duelists that they were okay after the whole ordeal. The members of Team 5D's sighed loudly in relief as the tension in their bodies faded away.
"That was too close…", Leo sighed tiredly.
"Oh, Jack…", Carly held back a sob as she bit her lower lip.
"Wait… What will happen now?" Luna wondered. "Nicolas' Duel Runner crashed outside of the course, so…"
"T-That's it!" the MC shouted. "Nicolas' Duel Runner has crashed out! Being unable to pass the baton over to the next Duelist, they are hereby eliminated! Winning two games straight, Team 5D's advance to the finals!"
"Alright! We made it to the finals!" Crow cheered.
"I'm so glad we're all safe after this", Estelle sighed in relief. "But I didn't expect Nicolas to use Self-Destruct Button… It's different than the card I think he used back in my world."
"Whatever the card he used in your world, it doesn't matter now", Yusei said. "We won."
"Yeah, and, hopefully, we won't encounter any more Shadow Cards", Bruno said.
"Hook and Self-Destruct Button were the only Shadow Cards, so all should be good now", Estelle nodded.
Back to Jack, Nicolas had climbed off his Duel Runner and stayed for a short moment while Red Dragon Archfiend and Mad Archfiend dissipated now that the Turbo Duel was over. The leader of the German team knew the whole time that what his team did was wrong, but his greed for victory and fame had taken over him, which made him accept the two Shadow Cards from the mysterious person who gave them to him. Now, in retrospect, his team had caused so much damage that the only punishment he deserved was to die, but Jack Atlas had saved him, which confused him.
"Why did you save me?" Nicolas asked the Signer.
"Did you ask 'why'? That much should be obvious", Jack replied. "You aren't worth dying! A Duel is a clash between souls. Someone who can't trust his cards and instead uses Shadow Cards doesn't deserve to Duel!"
That statement caused the knife in Nicolas' heart to dig itself deeper into the open wound. Turbo Dueling was a privilege that every Duelist was proud of, so to cheat itself to victory would just bring shame upon the other honorable Duelists.
No one in the whole stadium had once noticed the two white-clad figures standing by the edge of the open roof watching the Turbo Duel from the beginning to the end. Lester laughed loudly after seeing how Primo's plan with Team Catastrophe and the two Shadow Cards had failed miserably to stop Team 5D's.
"Yup, it's a bust!" Lester told Primo while laughing. "Makes ya wonder why none of your plans never go as planned!"
The young Pure Noble expected to hear a frustrated response from Primo, so when he didn't hear one he looked over his shoulder and realized his comrade was gone.
"Primo?"
XXXXXXXXXX – Primo's POV
The clear sky had now shifted into dark and storm clouds, which was perfect for my mood. My plan had failed yet again, so it was time to express my anger in the most brutal way I could muster. And the fact that the Priestess had not only refused my proposal but also forewarned the Signers about the Shadow Cards had aggravated me.
I stood on the top of a construction I had set up with the help of the Infinity machine to hide my army of Riding Roids. The shutters of the garage opened and allowed my Diablo army drive out onto the roads of the city. The melody of roaring engines and screeching tires filled my ears with the wind ruffling my robe.
"Go forth, my Diablos! Descend this city into chaos!"