Zeke rattled his key into the lock, turned it and the door resisted him. He had to turn it again to unlock, meaning the apartment had not been locked even though it was late at night. Weird. For a split second Zeke imagined his Dad sneaking sips from a bottle and wondered if that was the reason he forgot to lock the door. He banished the thought. Zeke had not smelt a trace of alcohol anywhere in the place since he'd moved in.
He entered and turned the bolt lock behind him. A lamp was on and his Dad was waiting for him in the lounge chair.
"Hey…" Zeke didn't know what to say.
"You didn't tell me where you were."
"Yes, I did-" the defensive reply stopped as quick as it started when Zeke felt his phone through his pants.
He'd forgotten to text his Dad saying he'd be staying late at Shaun's. He'd only thought he'd told him.
"Zeke…" His father sat up, "I think it's time we had a talk about boundaries." This would be his first lecture from the man. Zeke felt himself getting prickly but willed himself silent. "What other sixteen-year-olds are allowed to be going around the city at midnight? I know I haven't been the best father to you-"
"Then why start now?" Zeke erupted. He'd already been feeling guilty, which in turn made him pissed off - a toxic combination.
His Dad stared, "You send messages to my phone whenever you please, saying you're not having dinner here or you're staying out late. Enough is enough."
"Are you serious? It's not like I'm doing drugs or drinking. I was with my friends!"
Zeke's attitude was making his Dad's resolve harden and now he was getting angry.
"You need to learn responsibility. You should be at home studying, eating healthy, asking for permission to go out instead of 'letting me know'-"
"I haven't failed anything-!"
"You treat me like a roommate. I'm not going to let you do whatever you like. I'm your father, and that's final," he was speaking loudly but not yelling.
Zeke squinted in fury, "You think I care? We both know Arnie was your favorite."
"Zeke!"
"Ground me, cut my allowance, do whatever! You're not going to stop me going out when I want to!"
Zeke stormed off to his room and his Dad said nothing. The door slammed.
Zeke couldn't sleep for hours after that. His emotions were still a little haywire after the Master Ankoku incident, where he'd been manipulated. He'd betrayed his friends but then like a flop he'd been quickly guilted out of it. He ended up awaking his latent powers in the end, so maybe it was worth it. Why had they been buried so deep? Another mystery to add to the list of mysteries.
Zeke probably wouldn't have lost it if that day hadn't been so turbulent. Still, he didn't yet regret his actions. But he also didn't feel like his clear-headed self.
Chapter 9: The Junior League Tournament Commences!
It was Saturday at mid-afternoon, and Phoebe had surprised Zeke by suggesting they have their anticipated clothes shop. He figured Phoebe had been the most angry at him for the stunt he'd pulled. Weird for her to get over it so quick. Or maybe, she was planning to give him a tongue lashing. He met her at Alcadeia's megamall which she frequented due to working three separate jobs there. She was dressed well, smelt strongly of roses this time which Zeke could smell as soon as he stepped inside her invisible cloud. Her brown hair was in a ponytail and hanging over her shoulder, kinda messy but still neat. She wore minimal makeup to complement her – admittedly very pretty - face. It was probably the only reason Zeke agreed to this, if he was being honest with himself.
Despite the fact he was interested in Phoebe for her looks, Zeke recalled how quickly he'd dismissed her when he joined the Doom dojo. Zeke could tell from her expression as he approached that, of course what happened hadn't been forgotten but she was trying to get past it.
"Alright, let's hope for a miracle cause we're gonna need it," Phoebe said.
"This is much appreciated," Zeke nodded.
Phoebe looked at what he was wearing and Zeke caught her lip curl. He'd actually tried to match colors before leaving. Obviously she wasn't a fan of his dark sweatpants, long shirt, old runners and baseball cap. Whatever – that's why they were here.
They went off together to check the first clothing store. A lot of shoppers were going by.
"Where do you usually get your clothes?" Phoebe asked.
"Um, Target?"
"Ew. Not anymore."
They walked into a store that was still household but a bit more up-market. There were wide paths of white linoleum between thin carpet; gold accents were here and there. They passed a luxurious makeup stall and Phoebe didn't so much as turn her head. Clearly she believed that the purpose of this trip: clothes shopping for Zeke, was of great importance.
Phoebe started picking things out and draping them over her arm. She held them out and scrutinized with critical eyes. Some items earned a yuck, others nods of approval. Some she only took one glance at before grabbing, others she stared at for longer and pondered.
Zeke leaned against a pillar with his knee out. He was on his phone while waiting for her.
"Mr. Matsumoto has already announced his tournament. That was fast."
"Hmm," Phoebe said in agreement.
Zeke read further, "It starts on Monday! That's too soon?"
"Not for everyone living in the city it isn't," Phoebe said while working. "Mr. Matsumoto is a huge name. If he put off starting for too long word would spread and we'd get people from all across the country showing up."
Zeke flashed back to what the guy in the suit had said, "…he's just interested in those living in Alcadeia."
"The dojo students, most likely…" She was preoccupied by a thought but shook it away, went back to comparing two tops.
Then it was time for Zeke to hit the changing rooms. He had to show her each item on him and it got annoying and embarrassing but Zeke kept it in. This was like trips his mom had forced him into. Being with a pretty girl made it better so he held in the complaints.
"See how nice that looks!" Phoebe remarked.
Zeke looked down at his top and jeans, twisting his legs, "I guess."
"Come here," she dragged him to a mirror.
"I don't see what you see," Zeke confessed. "But yeah, they're nice clothes."
"It's not about that," Phoebe sighed. "But they say you can't teach style… Look. I can't describe it, but not every good item is 'good'. The whole outfit has to work. Every piece of clothing is saying something. Most people are too bold or don't get it. Actually, there's also people like you who don't try." They could both see Zeke's displeasure in the reflection. "Anyway, this outfit is saying: I come from money but am trying to hide it, but you can still kind of tell. It's subtle and everything just works."
"Thanks Phoebe. It's great." Zeke meant it but still sounded flat.
"You'd look incredible with this and a gold chain."
"Alas, I don't actually come from money so that's out of the question." And I may not even be getting an allowance anymore, Zeke mentally tacked on at the end.
She ignored his lack of excitement and stayed focused on her vision. Just before Zeke was about to say he couldn't take anymore they stopped. Phoebe was nice enough to give him one of her coupons, but the money came out of his pocket: $263. There went the bulk of his personal savings. While he might miss out on new games that could pop up on the horizon, he wasn't concerned. Kaijudo dueling and being at the dojo was exciting enough to occupy his interest.
To finish off they went to a smoothie bar that had little white tables and chairs. Zeke absent-mindedly enjoyed his pulpy orange juice through a wide straw. His big bags of clothes sat by their feet. They'd been silent for a few minutes until Phoebe turned back to him, biting her lip with worry.
"There's something I have to tell you. You and Shaun."
"Okay…"
"But it's best if I just say it when we're all together."
Zeke nodded. Phoebe picked up her drink with both hands, hunched over as she took a deep pull.
Phoebe waited until Sunday to tell Shaun and Zeke at the dojo. Tamashi was out on a morning ritual, tai chi he did with other seniors beside the water every week. Since a few other members were having duels at the tables, Phoebe led Shaun and Zeke away to a mostly-empty storage room. It was all wooden, like everything upstairs, and a little dusty. The lightbulb overhead looked delicate and had a pull chain that swung after Phoebe yanked it.
Shaun yawned before asking, "Okay, what is it?"
"There's something I haven't told you guys. I didn't want to tell you… cause I was afraid. I didn't want this game we love so much to turn into something scary."
This was hard for her to say. She was looking down and grabbing her arm, but she made herself look up at the confused boys.
"It was like, last Tuesday night when Vince made a Facebook post challenging us. I decided I'd duel him at the park. I went alone after school, but when I got there… Vince had already been defeated by this new guy. He never told me his name. But he's with the Hope dojo. He's got as much kaijudo energy as Master Tamashi, but he's around our age."
"That is… worrying," Shaun admitted.
He was still thinking in terms of the balance of skill between the five dojos. Unfortunately it was far worse than that.
Phoebe shook her head, "He was saying all these crazy things when I dueled him. That there's this big secret behind Duel Masters that none of us know. But Mr. Matsumoto does."
"Well, it's a good thing we planned to enter his tournament then," Zeke said.
Shaun reasoned, "We already know Mr. Matsumoto isn't the real creator of Duel Masters. Nobody was. The creature world is an actual place, even if most people aren't prepared to believe that. So if Mr. Matsumoto was already living a lie, it's not surprising that he's shady."
"But what if that means this really isn't a game and we've just been treating it like it is?" Phoebe was getting quietly upset, her eyes glistening. "What if it's all a lie?" She reached into her handbag and took out a gold locket and showed it to them. "The mystery guy dropped this after I beat him. That could be his brother. He said he didn't come here to be a kaijudo duelist. What if it's like, revenge?"
Shaun and Zeke took turns peering into the small photo on the locket.
"…he said that Master Cronus told him that evolution was the most important thing. He said that at some point, our training jumps ahead instead of being gradual, and that means we evolve."
"Tamashi never mentioned anything like that," Shaun said to her seriously. "We should ask him."
"Should we?" Phoebe asked, uncharacteristically timid. "I don't know if I want to get any deeper into… whatever this is. I just have a bad feeling."
They were quiet for several seconds as they all processed.
"Do you think this mystery duelist will be at the tournament on Monday?" Shaun asked.
"I'm sure he will," Phoebe said with confidence.
"We can ask him for more info."
"He was with Thomas at the park."
"Thomas?" Shaun was thrown by that.
"I don't know why they were hanging out together, since Thomas isn't even in a dojo. I tried to talk to him at school and he completely shut me down. He just said, I wouldn't understand."
"I'll talk to Thomas," Shaun decided.
Zeke spoke, "Actually, Ankoku told me I wasn't 'compatible' with him but that I was with Master Tamashi. I think there was more to that statement. And I agree that there's probably more going on here."
"We'll figure it out," Shaun said to Zeke before turning to Phoebe who was still clutching her arm. He spoke softer, "Don't worry. We can do this. The tournament might be an excuse for Mr. Matsumoto to study us, but we can also use it as a chance to find out more about him."
They stood in solidarity for a moment. Then they left to rejoin the others who were preparing for their tournament duels.
Monday was the day of the tournament. After school they had time to go home, shower and change, then head off to sign-up and start dueling. Zeke had barely been talking to his Dad over the weekend, mostly because he was out practicing with his cards. Learning how to channel kaijudo energy took work, and it was doubly hard to then bring out a living version of that creature from their world. It wasn't instinctive, but Zeke was committed to mastering a full summon before he was kaijudo dueling in front of anyone.
Most of Unity dojo was participating. Nine of the twelve members met Tamashi at the edge of the parking lot outside the Alcadeia Kaijudo Stadium.
Phoebe was dressed well as always; Shaun was all in black but had neatened himself. The eagle necklace and badge on each shined. Zeke reached up to his beanie to fiddle with the small metal eagle he'd been gifted.
"You look nice," Phoebe said, partly stunned.
"Like a new man," Shaun smirked.
Zeke shrugged, "There's gonna be an audience so…"
Tamashi was wearing a finer robe that was almost silken. Green with red instead of his typical yellow. Zeke realized it could be an ode to Soul Phoenix, Avatar of Unity.
"You all look well," Tamashi's eyes gleamed with pride. "Now listen: when you're dueling, pretend the audience isn't there. Forget everything except the match. Remember what I've taught you; stay focused and you won't blunder."
The other members were staring at him and nodding emphatically.
"Let's go," he swept his arm toward the entry and they all made their way inside.
A long carpet led to an administration desk, and after signing their names they wandered around into a big room with stands and people scattered throughout. Everything gleamed, looking expensive and clean. Zeke felt like it was his first day of school all over again, because more people he hadn't met were getting pointed out to him.
He recognized Randy and Butch, standing in a corner and sussing out the competition. Ankoku was near them and facing away. He saw Vince, the leather-jacket greaser who was standing among a small crowd of Life Dojo members including Master Jinsei. He was also Asian and wearing a fancy kimono. He was tall and narrow with lidded eyes; by the way he moved he seemed the soft-spoken type. Across the room was a slightly smaller crowd of people who were the Hope Dojo. They stared but nobody matching the Mystery Duelist's description could be seen. Master Cronus was bald and squat, but not as small as Tamashi. He was speaking and moving his hands a lot.
The final dojo stood with more discipline. The Fate Dojo was headed by Mistress Isis, and instead of a kimono she was dressed like a Grecian goddess. She had to be north of forty but looked pretty for her age. She wore a bandana around her eyes. In her hand was a marble walking cane topped by a snake head.
"Oh!" Phoebe noticed somebody then asked, "We don't have to stay together do we?"
"I don't see why. Just make sure you can still hear when they call you," Tamashi had his arms together, hidden in the sleeves.
Phoebe left the group. She was going to the card café owners, Michael and Jonathan who were up in the stands. Zeke stepped back so he was beside Shaun and asked him more questions about the other duelists.
"Hey!"
"Hello, Phoebe," The men greeted and gave her nods.
"Are you guys competing too?" she asked.
"Well it's a junior league competition. No one older than nineteen," Michael said.
"Ah, just watching then. I've never had a chance to duel one of you, you're always working."
"One day, perhaps." Jonathan said, "Good luck with your duel."
"Thanks!"
Phoebe wondered, was it strange that they were here? The other viewers looked like family and friends. Did they have the afternoon off? Or were they also here for Mr. Matsumoto?
She glimpsed the sleeve of a brown leather jacket.
"I gotta go, see you guys…" She'd already started walking so they didn't get a chance to respond. The men looked at each other and shrugged it off.
Meanwhile, Zeke had tried to pull Shaun to some isolated seats so they could talk more about what Phoebe told them. Unfortunately, Malcolm and a few others spotted them and followed. Instead Zeke clenched his jaw while they prattled around them.
"Hello."
Zeke turned to see an African-American boy his age, his posture and face was friendly. He wore a green shirt with white trousers and his hands were in his pockets.
"Hi."
"I'm CJ. You're from one of the dueling dojos around here," he indicated to the eagle pin on Zeke's beanie.
"Yes. I'm Zeke," he straightened out of his slouch. "Nice to meet you."
"Same."
"Are you not from a dojo?"
"No. I'm not even from Alcadeia. I came with a friend, it was like four hours by train."
"Oh cool. You must really like dueling."
The others noticed CJ too and so everyone introduced themselves.
"Where's your friend?" Shaun asked.
"He'll be back soon. Or maybe I'll see him when everybody sits down."
Mr. Matsumoto strolled out of the walkway and to the middle of the room. He was wearing another fine suit. Most people had drifted toward the stands and now the rest walked over so everyone could face him.
"Welcome all to Alcadeia's very own Junior League Championship. For those of you not aware, I'm Mr. Matsumoto and the creator of Duel Masters. Thank you for being here. We've closed the sign-up process and here today we have forty-six competitors. Among them are duelists with the gift of kaijudo. Match-ups have been calculated randomly and if both players are registered as kaijudo duelists their game will be a true duel. Other duels will be regular, played on the tables here."
Those in the stands looked around, as if trying to see how many kaijudo duelists they could recognize.
"This first round will have its duels scored by judges based on how well the winner does. This is because only sixteen players will advance to the second round. That means fourteen winners today will not advance if they don't play their absolute best." The stakes had risen, but at the same time it was exciting. "As for the winner, I'm giving 2K for spending on any Duel Masters paraphernalia from any store." That got people whispering excitedly. "And, the winner is allowed a spectacle match with me at the end of the tournament."
He let that sink in before saying, "With that said, we have twenty-three duels to get through today. So we're going to start with a couple rounds of three simultaneous matches side-by-side before we begin our first kaijudo duel. The names will appear on that screen above the far wall." It switched on and presented names. "Good luck to you all. Fire exits are that way, toilets are down there, and there's a snack bar down that hallway." He stepped out from the middle of the room.
Everyone around Zeke was patting Malcolm on the back and wishing him luck as he got up to play on table three. Chatter started up and some people left to get food. CJ was gone, probably reunited with his friend.
On the other side of the stands Phoebe had found the Mystery Duelist who was standing with a redheaded girl. The eye-shaped pendant meant she was a fellow Hope dojo member. She knew Phoebe was from a rival dojo so frowned but said nothing. Beside the redhead was a girl who looked identical but was years younger, she had to be her sister.
"I want you to tell me more," Phoebe was saying from behind them while he looked ahead. His broken silver aviators had been replaced with new ones. They were indoors so he was wearing them to obscure his face. When Mr. Matsumoto had been speaking the Mystery Duelist was so tense it looked like he was holding back hate with every fiber of his body. Now he was distant.
"I told you everything I know…"
"And I don't believe you," Phoebe said and he sighed. She held out his locket and when he saw it he snatched it.
"Where'd you get this?"
"You dropped it after our duel. Is that boy the reason you came to the city?" Her questioning softened toward the end.
"Mr. Matsumoto is only hosting this tournament to find me. Because I spoke to him on the phone. I'm the reason for all of this." That probably meant whatever name he gave at the sign-up was an alias too. "That's all I'm gonna say. It doesn't concern you."
"I bet Thomas knows more. Or this girl."
"Felicity," the redhead introduced herself slowly, also processing what the guy beside her had said.
"And I'm Riley," her sister was more forward, fully facing her.
"I'm Phoebe," she nodded at them seriously.
"I don't know the whole story about Mr. Matsumoto," Felicity began, "But you should go stand with your own dojo."
"Sorry but I can't do that," Phoebe planted herself. "I love this game, and my friends, and my dojo. If something is going on I need to find out what."
Felicity looked into the Mystery Duelist's unmoving face and decided to let it drop. She faced forward.
"Fine… come sit here." Riley patted the seat beside her and so Phoebe climbed over from the row behind and together they watched the duels in silence.
Some good plays and some not so good ones. Then it was time for the first kaijudo duel. The center table was moved by workers and a barely visible net descended to protect the audience from errant shield breaking. The names flashed on the screen: Felicity Reagan vs CJ Henderson.
Riley patted her sister's back as she left.
CJ and Felicity walked over to their tables. They shuffled their decks, set their shields and drew their hands - all while sizing each other up.
"Okay, here goes!" Felicity took the first turn, charging Reap and Sow which she placed sideways.
Being not as fast, CJ reached for his deck and considered from among his six options before charging a Mana Nexus, "Turn end."
Felicity dropped a Lost Soul into mana, "Turn end."
CJ charged another nature card, the screen showed Sniper Mosquito before he started tapping. Both cards shone green and in the stands, those sensitive to kaijudo energy raised their heads.
"I summon Essence Elf!" A twisted tree folk wormed its way up before stretching orange fae wings. It was for spell cost reduction.
Felicity's slower draw showed she was thinking. She charged Terror Pit, "I summon Bronze-Arm Tribe!" Another Reap and Sow flew from her deck and landed in her mana zone. The muscled green beast folk swung around a bamboo trident.
On his next turn CJ deliberated. After a tough choice he charged Natural Snare and ended.
Felicity smiled and charged Thrash Crawler, her fourth civilization, "I summon another Bronze-Arm Tribe!" She seemed to be hoping for a mono-civilization card this time and she was delighted as one fell beneath her shield zone untapped. "Then I cast Energy Stream to draw two cards! First Bronze-Arm Tribe, shield break!"
It lunged and speared forward, glass burst and flew. The pieces paused in mid-air and rewound into a card that CJ could grab.
"Natural Snare on Bronze-Arm Tribe." The creature standing behind was swallowed by the emergence of roots that pulled it underground.
The camera panned to CJ charging a fire spell - Invincible Cataclysm.
"I cast Faerie Life," it shone green and a card was boosted from his deck - Invincible Unity.
From the stands Phoebe spoke up: "He's using a deck to mana ramp and reduce the cost of spells. Sniper Mosquito must be for reach in the late game. I bet he's running Mana Bonanza."
"Nice deduction," The Mystery Duelist said. "But his deck's not ramping faster than hers. At least it has defense."
Phoebe looked down at Riley, "What's your sister using?"
"Her main deck," she replied without looking away. "I could tell from the first card."
Phoebe recalled her placing Reap and Sow, "Mana Burn?"
"Just watch," Riley said coolly.
"I summon Bolzard Dragon!" A red dragon in silver armor pulled itself from a portal of lava. "He's my signature dragon!" It was no double-breaker like Bolmeteus or Bazagazeal, but the passion in her eyes was proof that it was indeed her favorite. "Bronze-Arm Tribe, shield break!"
"Shield trigger, Burst Shot!" CJ made a decision - the desire to remove her attackers outweighed keeping Essence Elf. A big red robot rolled up and fired a barrage of bullets from its fingers that tore through both creatures.
CJ started his turn, adding another Sniper Mosquito to his mana, "I summon Wind Axe, the Warrior Savage!" Burst Shot was boosted. A rainbow-civ creature sprang into his zone, a human cross beast folk.
Felicity went, "I summon Bolmeteus Steel Dragon!" The emergence of the white dragon in steel blue armor brought a few cheers from the audience. For a moment, Felicity looked wary while CJ was resolute - his shield triggers could still turn this around. But the game had to go on and Felicity pointed, "Bolzard Dragon attacks and I burn one mana - Mana Nexus! Ike!" It seemed to trail lava after it, swiping a flaming claw through glass and a mana card snapped from the table.
She furthered her lead, another shield breaking but this time it appeared harmlessly in CJ's hand without the dramatics that would indicate a shield trigger.
The redhead was standing behind both dragons. It obviously bolstered her confidence and was quite the scene to witness.
"You have your trump out, so it's time I show mine," CJ grinned at finally getting a chance to turn things around. "Roar the Savage Hero! I evolve Wind Axe into Fighter Dual Fang!" The glowing sphere of evolution descended and was clutched by Wind Axe, who then shone green and transformed. He sprouted up into a cat-like fighter with six arms, sporting various bladed weapons. Another two cards were boosted to his mana.
"Fighter Dual Fang attacks Bolzard Dragon!" The stadium shook as it took heavy steps with its charge - it was effects like that which truly made it feel like a giant monster was in the building, something that was exhilarating for the audience. Felicity was notably not excited to see her prized dragon hacked by an overhead swing before dispersing into lights. She scowled and clenched her fists but looked determined to fight on.
"I summon Aqua Hulcus and draw!" It landed fluidly. Felicity pulled Energy Stream but frowned as she no longer had water mana to play it. So instead, "I cast Mana Crisis and send a Natural Snare in your mana zone to the graveyard." A green dinosaur head clamped its jaws on the edge of CJ's table, forcing him to stumble back a step. The card flew up and landed in the graveyard. "And now… Bolmeteus burns your last two shields! Ike!" It gave a furious roar before batting leathery wings, swiping with a claw and breaking shields. As most were aware, both cards fell into the graveyard.
"So if I don't get rid of Aqua Hulcus it's game over?" CJ drew. "I summon Bazagazeal Dragon!" Another fire staple emerged and it was just what he needed to hold on - a speed attacker that could attack untapped creatures. "Bazagazeal attacks Hulcus! Dual Fang attacks Bolmeteus!"
The giant creatures tussled. Hulcus never stood a chance, and attempted springing away before he was cut through by Bazagazeal's flying sabers. Dual Fang and Bolmeteus crashed into each other, snarling and body slamming. Ultimately CJ's side won and Felicity's creatures dissolved into lights. Energy rocketed outwards, rippling across the stands. Many stood to cheer and applaud.
"CJ's finally taken complete control of the zone, but Felicity still has five shields and he has none," Phoebe said.
"But don't forget we're finally getting into late game, which CJ's deck was built for," The Mystery Duelist stood with arms crossed, betraying no emotion and not looking away from the duel.
Riley had been acting cool and restrained for someone of her young age, but she was now tense with anticipation.
Felicity drew another Hulcus and charged it, since she wouldn't be able to summon it this turn anyway, "I cast Energy Stream and draw two!" She was then glad for the extra water mana, "I summon Aqua Surfer and bounce Fighter Dual Fang!" The transparent liquid person rode in on his iridescent surfboard, tongues lagging out the sides of his head. "Cowabunga!" She laughed at the wave that was large enough to sweep Dual Fang from play. "And wipe out."
"Check this," CJ matched her cockiness after seeing what he'd drawn. "I cast Mana Bonanza! My mana zone doubles to sixteen!" His deck shone green and the cards flew off to fill his mana zone. "And then I bet you can guess what happens next, I use those eight new cards to summon Bazagazeal Dragon again and he attacks Aqua Surfer!" The dragon roared and flew forth, swinging its blades to eviscerate its target. Then Bazagazeal retreated once more, its card shone and popped off the table and CJ swiped it.
"Still holding on I see," Felicity remarked and drew. As happy as she usually was to see her Miraculous Plague spell, now wasn't the time. CJ had an empty battle zone. "I cast Energy Stream, again!" After replenishing her hand for a third time she assessed her options. She had one creature in hand - Poisonous Mushroom. Summoning it now meant it would just get destroyed by Bazagazeal. She needed to wait until she drew another creature or Lost Soul to discard his hand. "I cast Mana Crisis to send Mana Nexus to your graveyard then end my turn." CJ's table shook and he lost the defensive spell.
"I cast Invincible Cataclysm! I send three of your shields to the graveyard!" The space around CJ reddened. It was the fire civilization's doomsday weapon, a thirteen-cost spell that erupted with cannon and magma fire. An intense barrage exploded outwards before converging. In the audience many mouths opened and Felicity was covered in a smoke cloud. As it cleared she was seen coughing and waving it away with her arms.
Her eyes widened in disbelief and there were gasps from those watching too. The cards in her graveyard: Aqua Surfer, Terror Pit and Mana Crisis. All three had been shield triggers.
"You're so lucky…" Felicity drew, "But that ends now. I summon Bronze-Arm Tribe and Poisonous Mushroom!" Two creatures now filled her zone, the familiar beast folk with the floating balloon mushroom.
Surely she couldn't have even more triggers. At least, CJ hoped so. But this pressure put him under the tightest clock and he had to try for his win now.
"I summon Bronze-Arm Tribe!" His mana boosted to sixteen. "Evolve again! Roar the Savage Hero!" Fighter Dual Fang emerged again, granting another two mana. He had enough to summon: "Bazagazeal Dragon! Attack her final shields, go!" Ignoring the creatures it swept its swords through glass, which tumbled through the air. The audience held their breath.
No triggers. Felicity hung her head.
"Dual Fang, todomeda!" The attack hit her table and energy knocked her back, scattering her cards.
"Felicity!" Riley's voice jumped a few octaves as she scrambled from the stands and onto the dueling arena.
Other duelists with no relation to either player walked out to congratulate them. CJ wiped the sweat from his forehead with relief.
"That was a good game. I don't think either of them made any misplays," Phoebe turned when she realized the Mystery Duelist was gone. She frowned and faced ahead once more.
"I'm fine, Riley," Felicity sat up. "Woah..." she was surprised when her sister dove in to hug her. She smiled and patted Riley on the back.
Author's Note.
Chapter Author: Zoicite23
Decks -
CJ: sourced from -SzNaJdeR- in reddit article by u/AustraliaDuelMasters called "Your Best Fighter Dual Fang deck?" and of course with edits from acumashindorballomu.
Felicity: Mana Burn from I don't remember where.
Part of my inspiration for this story's setting came from an AO3 Duel Masters fic by Blackfyre_Phoenix called "Duel Masters: Paradise". Felicity is her character, and it was the realisation that there are female writers in this fandom that made me want to take extra care in how I crafted Phoebe.
