One Last Step

by DemonSessama

With the Oreichalcos God defeated, Kylie, Katherine and Yugi can turn their attention to restoring Yami's memories of Ancient Egypt but the unexpected return of an old enemy threatens to send things spiralling out of control, endangering them, challenges are overcome as long held questions are answered; but first a Dueling Tournament must be tackled. Part 5 of the Hope Chronicles

15. Chapter 15

Good Day Readers and welcome to the sequel to The Lost Kingdom! Thanks to all of you for the support and I hope that you all enjoy this latest edition of the Hope sisters. This upload will focus on the Grand Prix/Grand Championship arc whilst next week we'll move onto Dawn of the Duel arc

Obviously I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh only Kylie and Katherine Hope along with the unique cards within their decks and whatever other OCs decide to crop up. Also italics symbolise a mind conversation. I would appreciate any responses that you have, please enjoy

Chapter 15: First Clash

I took several deep breaths in order to settle my heart as I ensured my composure remained in light of my coming Duel; both of the von Schroeder brothers had been escorted off of the stage whilst Yami had disappeared from the upper balcony. I would soon be facing the ancient spirit in a Duel and whilst I had battled against Yugi several times whilst at school, it would be the first time I had faced off against Yami in a Duel.

"Katherine," Yami called out. I turned to look at Yami as he emerged onto the stage, a determined set to his eyes as he moved to stand across from me whilst I turned to look at him and I took in one last deep breath, allowing it to rush out of me. "This will be the first time we've ever Duel since we met," Yami stated. A small smirk appeared on his face as we both began to approach each other to swap our Decks.

"True. And I'm sure we'll give it our best," I stated. I held out my Deck as Yami did the same with his own, I wrapped my hand around it and started to shuffle it. "I just have one request," I spoke up. Yami raised an eyebrow at my words as I proceeded to pull the top card off and showed it to the Pharaoh. "Please leave the chicken out of it," I requested. My reference to a chicken happened to be directed at Ra, I had no desire to face off against the flaming bird any time soon.

"So long as you don't use Partner," Yami commented. He had a smile on his face as he wrapped his fingers around the card and proceeded to slide it into his Deck holder whilst I gaped at him in shock; did he actually believe I would use my bond with Yugi in order to look at his hand, I tried to form a response before I spotted a mischievous spark in Yami's eyes, causing me to chuckle slightly.

"Ha! Like I would," I admitted. A laugh had escaped me once I realised that Yami was making a joke in response to my request, we finished shuffling each other's Deck and proceeded to swap them back. "The door is already sealed," I whispered. Yami nodded his head as we released our hands and proceeded to walk away from each other, I turned around and slotted my Deck into my Duel Disk as Yami proceeded to do the same with his own.

"Duel!" Both of us declared. As we drew our first hand, I knew that I would have to give it my all if I wanted any chance of defeating Yami, there could be no holding back even if it might be dangerous for myself to do; Gaia, Ouranos and Hydros would definitely come into play in this match and they might be my only chance to defeat Yami, especially if he got the other two Egyptian Gods out of the field.

Katherine – LP: 4000

Yugi – LP: 4000

"My turn! Draw!" Yami declared. He pulled free a card from his Deck and quickly moved to select another card from his hand, a plan was clearly already in play within his mind. "I Summon Skilled Black Magician in Attack Mode!" Yami declared. The robed man appeared on the field with a staff in hand and three orbs sticking out from his shoulders and chest which formed into a vague semi-circle.

Skilled Black Magician – Attribute: Dark, Type: Magician, Level: 4, ATK/1900, DEF/1700, Magical Power Counter: 0

"Well, I better not use any Magic cards until I can clear him off the field," I chirped. Skilled Black Magician could Summon out Black Magician, but only if all three Magical Power Counters – activated by either Duelist activating a Magic card – were activated, clearing him off would be preferable to facing Black Magician so early in the Duel.

"See if you can, Katherine," Yami retorted. A smirk was on his face as he reached for another card and pulled it free. "I set one card face down and end my turn!" Yami declared. The card appeared on the field and I was now in control of the Duel, I quickly looked at the cards that I had available in my hand as I reached my fingers for my Deck.

"My turn! Draw!" I declared. I pulled the card free and looked at it before smiling as a plan quickly settled into place. "I Summon Twin of Moon, Artemis in Attack Mode!" I declared. The hunting maiden of moonlight appeared on the field and locked her silvery grey eyes onto our opponent this time around. "I set two cards face down!" I declared. The two cards appeared on the field behind Artemis, as Yami looked at me with a quizzical expression on his face.

Twin of Moon, Artemis – Attribute: Light, Type: Warrior, Level: 4, ATK/2000, DEF/2000

"Artemis attack Skilled Black Magician with Moon Beam!" I commanded. The goddess of the moon raised her hands and sent a blast of white light flying at the Magician; yet I remained tense as I waited for the attack to collide with the Monster, Yami was no fool and I expected his face down to interfere with my attempt to destroy the Monster that was on his field.

"Trap, activate! Curse of Hexagram!" Yami declared. The card rose up and the magical circle flew out, binding tightly around Artemis, causing her power to falter as she struggled in vain against the constricting binds of the object sealing her. "Curse of Hexagram prevents your Monster from changing position and drains it of seven hundred Attack Points," Yami explained. Artemis was growling out words in Greek at her situation.

Twin of Moon, Artemis – ATK/2000 – ATK/1300

"Well then, I end my turn," I stated. Artemis was in a sticky position but I wasn't about to let myself start to worry, my two face downs would help me to keep myself safe from harm; the most dangerous route however, was if Yami managed to use three Magic cards in order to activate Skilled Black Magician's effect and get out his most loyal Monster and that meant that I needed to get a Monster of equal strength out onto the field.

"My turn!" Yami declared. He pulled a card free from his Deck and quickly looked at it before turning his gaze forward as a confident smirk appeared on his lips. "I hope you're ready Katherine. I activate the Magic card, Pot of Greed. Letting me draw two more cards and since I activated a Magic card, Skilled Black Magician gains a Magical Power Counter," Yami declared. A small twitch occurred on my lips at the event that had just occurred.

Skilled Black Magician – Magical Power Counter: 0 – Magical Power Counter: 1

"Now Skilled Black Magician, attack Artemis!" Yami declared. The mage proceeded to point his sceptre at my moonlight maiden who struggled against the constraining trap desperately attempting to avoid it; however, I already had a plan in mind in order to remove this issue from being a threat, my fingers darted out and activated one of my face down cards.

"Trap activate! Gravity Bind – Supergravity Net!" I declared. The card I used rose up and immediately the intense gravitational pressure surrounded Artemis and Skilled Black Magician, causing the sceptre to be lowered and the magical energy dissipated. "When this card is on the field all Level Four and higher Monsters are unable to attack," I reminded. He had no doubt seen it from when I'd faced off against Vivian.

"Very well Katherine! I set two cards face down and end my turn!" Yami declared. The two new cards appeared so I reached my hand out to the top of my Deck as I took a deep breath in order to refocus myself; I quickly drew the card free as I declared the start of my turn and flicked it over, keeping a tight control on all expressions that drifted across my face in order to not give anything away as I swapped the card around for another.

"I activate the Magic card, Remove Trap. As much as I'd prefer to be rid of that Monster of yours before using Magic, I need to do this for Artemis," I admitted. I slid the card into the Duel Disk causing it to rise up. "I use Remove Trap to destroy Curse of Hexagram!" I declared. The sealing circle proceeded to blast itself apart, allowing Artemis to rotate her arms which had been clamped against her side since the card's activation.

Skilled Black Magician – Magical Power Counter: 1 – Magical Power Counter: 2

Twin of Moon, Artemis – ATK/1300 – ATK/2000

"I then activate my other face down! Magic card, Warrior's Council! This allows me to Special Summon a Warrior-type Monster to the field so long as I have a Warrior-type already on the field!" I declared. This would activate the third counter but with Gravity Bind out, Black Magician's Level would be his chains preventing him from attacking me until Yami was capable of getting rid of the Trap. "I Special Summon Master of War, Ares!" I declared. With a guttural war cry the war god appear on the field in all his glory.

Master of War – Attribute: Earth, Type: Warrior, Level: 7, ATK/2300, DEF/2200

Skilled Black Magician – Magical Power Counter: 2 – Magical Power Counter: 3

"Whilst it's impressive that Katherine-san has got some strong Monsters on the field, her Gravity Bind makes them almost useless. I wonder what her plan is," Otogi spoke up. I'd prepared blocks on my mind and without Yugi there to try and figure out what I was up to, there was only about three people for there who knew what I was most likely doing by getting such strong Monsters out without the ability to attack with them.

"She's waiting. Kathie's smart enough to know that Gravity Bind won't stay on the field for long, whether it's her or Yami that destroys it doesn't really matter. It's better that Kathie is prepared for when the Trap is gone, especially since Black Magician will be coming out soon," Rebecca explained. I reached for another card in my hand and pulled it free from the grip of my field.

"I switch Twin of Moon, Artemis to Defence Mode and then I Summon Carer of Springs, Persephone in Defence Mode!" I declared. Artemis proceeded to kneel down with her arms crossed over her chest protectively and then a storm of pink petal burst into existence before fading away as the Carer of Springs appeared sat down primly on the side of her left leg. "I then end my turn!" I announced.

Carer of Springs, Persephone – Attribute: Earth, Type: Plant, Level: 4, ATK/1200, DEF/1700

"My turn! Draw!" Yami declared. He pulled a card free and quickly looked at it as a smirk appeared on his face. "You're pulling out an intriguing string of moves. I activate Skilled Black Magician's Effect!" Yami declared. The three protrusions on the Monster's body were all lit up but when Yami made his declaration they began to emit brilliant light. "I Release Skilled Black Magician to Summon Black Magician from my hand, Deck or Graveyard! Come forth, Black Magician!" Yami declared. The Magician on the field vanished as the mighty Magician proceeded to take his place.

Black Magician – Attribute: Dark, Type: Magician, Level: 7, ATK/2500, DEF/2100

"Since I can't destroy Gravity Bind just yet, I end my turn," Yami stated. I let a sigh of relief slip from my lips, I needed to be prepared for when Yami brought out the Gods and that meant getting my own Primordial Gods out onto the field as swiftly as possible, at the moment I was prepared to bring out only one of them except for the fact that I lacked the Ruler required for it.

"My turn!" I declared. I pulled a card free from my Deck and looked at it before smiling slightly. "I activate Treasure Cards from the Heavens! Allowing both of us to draw until we have six cards in our hand!" I revealed. Yami only got one whilst I pulled free five; a quick look at the cards caused me to nod my head as I quickly selected a card from the new lot that I had just received thanks to my card.

"I Release Carer of Springs, Persephone and Twin of Moon, Artemis in order to advance Summon Mistress of Magic Hecate!" I declared. My two Monsters turned into orbs of light before flying into the air and crashing back down onto the ground, transforming into my own powerful magic user who smirked cockily at Black Magician, who warily prepared himself for whatever came. "Since Carer of Springs, Persephone left the field, I can move Ruler of Underworld, Hades to my hand," I revealed. The card was ejected and I slipped him into my grasp.

Mistress of Magic, Hecate – Attribute: Light, Type: Magician, Level: 7, ATK/2500, DEF/2400

"Next, I activate Hecate's first effect!" I announced. I picked a card from my hand and held it up. "By discarding a card from my hand Hecate can bring out any Magic card, even if its' removed from play," I explained. Yami's eyes widened in shock at my words as I flipped the card around to show it to him. "I'm discarding Gem-Knight Lady Pink Dia in order to retrieve Warrior's Counsel!" I declared. Sliding the card into the graveyard caused Hecate to start chanting before purple light flew out and entered into my Graveyard causing the card to pop out once more. "I then activate Warrior's Counsel Summoning Deity of War, Enyo to the field in Defence mode!" I declared. The grizzled female warrior appeared on the field in front of me. "I end my turn!" I decided.

Deity of War, Enyo – Attribute: Earth, Type: Warrior, Level: 4, ATK/1800, DEF/1700

"That's quite an army you're setting up Katherine. My turn! Draw!" Yami declared. He pulled a card free from his Deck and quickly looked at it, before moving it towards the Duel Disk. "I activate the Magic card, Cyclone in order to destroy your Gravity Bind!" Yami declared. The powerful whipping winds spiralled around us causing my Trap card to be destroyed by the sudden storm that had erupted and its' pressure left the field, allowing our Monsters to attack once more. "I activate one of my face downs, the Magic card Fusion!" Yami, declared. A grimace appeared on my lips as the card rose up. "I fuse the Phantom Beast King Gazelle and Baphomet in my hand to Fusion Summon Chimera the Winged Phantom Beast!" Yami declared. The Monster appeared on the field with a furious roar.

Chimera the Winged Phantom Beast – Attribute: Wind, Type: Beast/Fusion, Level: 8, ATK/2100, DEF/1800

"Chimera! Attack Deity of War, Enyo! Chimera Impact Dash!" Yami commanded. The two headed Monster prepared itself to run forward, but I quickly acted and as Chimera charged forward, it smacked right into a brilliantly gleaming wall made of golden metal criss-crossing into a thick mesh which then proceeded to surround Yami's field. "What! What is this thing!?" Yami exclaimed. His eyes wide with surprise at the sudden change in his surroundings.

"I activated Hecate's effect, allowing me to pull the Magic card, Gilded Wall from my Deck and since it's an Instant Magic I can activate it this turn," I revealed. Chimera limped back to his position by Black Magician. "Gilded Wall blocks an attack and ends the Battle Phase," I explained. Yami smirked at the unexpected twist, but I refused to let him extinguish any of my Monsters so long as I could help it, I needed to be prepared for the Gods' coming which I sensed was going to be soon.

"I Summon King's Knight in Defence Mode!" Yami declared. The orange clad male knight appeared on the field, knelt down with his shield out front and I knew that I had to get rid of him as quickly as possible, otherwise he was going to lead to the Gods' appearance. "I end my turn!" Yami declared. With those words I immediately snapped my hand over to my Deck.

King's Knight – Attribute: Light, Type: Warrior, Level: 4, ATK/1600, DEF/1400

"My turn! Draw!" I declared. Pulling the card free I looked at it and smiled at the sight of the card I needed. "I activate Carer of Springs, Persephone's first effect! Come back Twin of Moon, Artemis!" I declared. The moonlight maiden appeared on the field with a flourish. "I activate the Magic card, Dual Summon! Allowing me to Normal Summon twice this turn!" I announced. I plucked two cards from my hand. "I Release Hecate and Artemis to Advance Summon Ruler of Underworld, Hades! And I Release Ares and Enyo to Advance Summon King of Sky, Zeus!" I declared. The four Monsters vanished and two of the Rulers appeared on the field.

King of Skies, Zeus – Attribute: Wind, Type: Thunder, Level: 8, ATK/2800, DEF/2700

Ruler of Underworld, Hades – Attribute: Dark, Type: Demon, Level: 8, ATK/2600, DEF/2650

"Hang on! Katherine are you seriously going to Summon two of them at the same time! The Gauntlet might not handle it!" Kylie exclaimed. I'd never Summoned my Primordial Gods more than one at a time – the bit against Dartz didn't count, they partially brought themselves – because of how much strain it put on me; but this time I needed to do it, I didn't respond to Kylie's words as I moved my last card towards the Magic and Trap card zone of my Duel Disk, intent on activating it.

"Not so fast Katherine! Trap, activate! Light Sword of Card Sealing! This Trap seals away your card! Preventing you from getting your Primordial Gods out!" Yami declared. The sword had flown out and plunged into my card, effectively sealing it behind me and I gritted my teeth at the sudden intervention of my strategy. "Is it truly dangerous for you to Summon out more than one Primordial God at once?" Yami asked. There was a curious and concerned note in his voice and I saw Yugi appear beside him, worry shining within his spectral eyes.

"Don't know, I've never really tried it before. But, against someone like you, I'm guessing I need more than one of them in order to defeat you," I explained. Yami's lips were set into a grim line as he looked at me. "Anyway, since I'm out of cards, I'm going to…," I spoke. Unless I got a card out to deal with Light Sword of Card Sealing, I was stuck waiting for Primordial Origin to be unsealed, so for now. "I Attack Chimera with Ruler of Underworld, Hades! Metal of the Underworld!" I commanded. The God reached down and touched the ground before throwing it forward and causing spikes to rush out towards the Monster and proceeded to tear it apart.

Yugi – LP: 4000 – LP: 3500

"Because of Chimera's Effect, I am allowed to Summon Baphomet to the field! In Defence mode!" Yami declared. The Monster appeared on the field, curling its' arms across its' body in order to protect itself, I hadn't been able to eliminate Yami's Monsters; without a free card to discard I couldn't activate Zeus' effect in order to remove one of the Monsters and I wouldn't get rid of Primordial Origin in order to activate Hades' effect, even if I could to that.

Baphomet – Attribute: Dark, Type: Demon, Level: 5, ATK/1400, DEF/1800

"I attack Black Magician with King of Skies, Zeus! Olympic Thunder!" I commanded. A crackling energy surrounded Zeus hands which he threw out towards Black Magician, ensnaring the Monster in the lightning before he burst into pieces, Yami's lips curled into a frown at the attack that had been flung at him, which snapped off a little more of his Life Points, it was all I could do until something happened to help me be prepared for what was coming. "I end my turn," I announced.

Yugi – LP: 3500 – LP: 3200

"My turn! Draw!" Yami declared. He pulled a card from his hand and looked at it before swapping it for a different card. "I activate Resurrection of the Dead, bringing Gazelle back to the field!" Yami declared. I could feel my muscles coiling up as the appearance of the Monster, since I could feel one of the Gods already in Yami's hand and I knew where this was going.

Phantom Beast King Gazelle – Attribute: Earth, Type: Beast, Level: 4, ATK/1500, DEF/1200

"I Release King's Knight, Gazelle and Baphomet in order to Advance Summon, Sky Dragon of Osiris!" Yami declared. The three Monsters turned into pink orbs and flew up to the sky which quickly became overcast as everyone looked up at it, murmurs coming from the people gathered around us as pink lightning crackled across the sky before flashing down to our position in a blinding light as a shriek echoed through the air and Osiris descended down towards us.

Sky Dragon of Osiris – Attribute: God, Type: Phantom God Beast, Level: 10, ATK/X000, DEF/X000

"Osiris' Attack Points are determined by the number of cards in my hand, currently I hold three cards," Yami explained. He held out his hand, clearly showing it off to the lot of us standing there, almost as if to emphasise the point of his words. "Thus, Osiris' Attack is three thousand!" Yami declared. Osiris let out a roar as he looked down at me and the two Rulers that stood in his way.

Sky Dragon of Osiris – ATK/X000 – ATK/3000, DEF/X000 – DEF/3000

"I hope you're ready Katherine, the real Duel has only just begun," Yami stated. I looked up grimly at the Monster standing before me as the two Rulers seemed visibly unnerved by the Godly beast we'd be forced to face off against.