Author's Note: The moment fans have been waiting for…Yugi and Joey get to duel! And more character development for Cole – I like my OC's to be just as well-rounded as the main characters of a series. Makes the story more fun.
Shout-Outs…
ABOOKS5117: Thanks again dude! Half the fun of writing a Yu-Gi-Oh! story is the duels.
ChroniclerDL: 1) I figured since Robert was named the "Ace of Cards", I had to give him a deck that fit the title. 2) Joey's so much fun to write. 3) You're onto something…and that's all I can say for now.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Champions: Rise of Reshef
Chapter 3: 'Return of the King'
Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! Champions…
Cole Yeager is feeling on top of the world. He's managed to defeat Pro Circuit Champion Simon Kaiser in a duel, and he's developing an attraction to fellow duelist Britney Blaze – which she's returning. Not even the arrival of a mysterious medallion can dampen his spirits.
But he isn't the only one who's encountered a strange trinket falling from the sky. In another universe, Yugi Muto – the King of Games – and his best friend Joey Wheeler were startled by the appearance of a mysterious key. These items are the seven Century Items, scattered across the universe to keep them out of the hands of the mad mage Heishin.
Heishin intends to resurrect the dreaded titan Reshef so he can remake the universe, and he needs the Items to do it. While fellow mages Marthis and Secmeton challenge Yugi and Joey to a duel for the Century Key, Heishin uses the power of his Century Rod to hijack another Duelist's brain on Cole's Earth…
Domino City.
"I'll go first," Secmeton said, drawing a card from his deck. "I activate the Field Spell Card, A Legendary Ocean!"
A massive wave of water erupted from the ground, rising to cover the dueling field. In the background, a large temple – resembling the ruins of an ancient city – could be viewed. "Next, I summon Electric Jellyfish in defense mode!" A large jellyfish rose from the water, electrical currents pulsating over its body. (Level 4/Aqua/Water/ATK: 1400 - 1600/DEF: 1700 - 1900) "Finally I place three cards facedown and end my turn."
"Then it's my move!" Yugi said as he drew. " I summon Celtic Guard of Noble Arms in attack mode! And now that he's on the field, I can special summon another Celtic Guard! Come forth, Obnoxious Celtic Guard!" Twin elven swordsmen appeared, one in bright silver and green and wielding twin swords while the other held his sword in a defensive position. (Level 4/Earth/Warrior/ATK: 2100/DEF: 700)/(Level 4/Earth/Warrior/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1200). "I'll end my turn with one facedown card,"
"Very well," Marthis said as a card extended from the deck slot in his chest. "This is the beginning of the end for you fools. I summon Flamvell Firedog in attack mode!" A hound comprised entirely of lava bounded onto the field, snarling at Yugi. (Level 4/Fire/Beast/ATK: 1900/DEF: 200) The mage plucked another card from his hand. "And if you think your life points are safe, think again. I activate Soul of Fire! Now I remove one of my Pyro-type monsters from play and inflict damage equal to half of its life points! So I remove my Twin-Headed Fire Dragon (ATK: 2200). Now BURN, Muto!"
A pillar of fire erupted around Yugi, and he howled in agony. "YUGE!" Joey shouted.
Yugi: 2900 LP/ Joey: 4000 LP/ Marthis: 4000 LP/ Secmeton: 4000 LP
"Relax," Marthis scoffed. "There's a benefit for the little whelp – he gets to draw a card."
Glaring at the masked mage, Yugi drew a card from his deck. "You made a mistake. I activate my face-down trap card, Magician Navigation! Now I get to summon a monster from my hand, namely the Dark Magician!" A tall mage in a purple robe and armor appeared, gripping a long green staff. (Level 7/Dark/Spellcaster/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2100) "Magician Navigation also lets me special summon another spellcaster from my deck, so say hello to the Dark Magician Girl!"
Another mage appeared, this one a lovely blonde with sparkling green eyes and a blue and pink outfit. (Level 6/Dark/Spellcaster/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1700)
"And now you've triggered my trap!" Secmeton bellowed. "Sea Stealth Attack! Its effects will become clear in time."
"Indeed," Marthis slotted one more card into his vest-like Duel Disk. "I'll place one card facedown and end my turn."
"My turn!" Joey said, drawing. "I special summon Giltia the D. Knight – Soul Spear in attack mode!" A knight clad in green and silver armor appeared, a silver spear held in his right hand. (Level 5/Light/Warrior/ATK: 1850/DEF: 1500) "Since I special summoned him I get to remove one monster from play – an' I choose Flamvell Firedog! Bye bye, Fido!"
Giltia twirled his spear around and pointed it at the Firedog. A blast of light erupted from the spear's tip and enveloped the hellish hound, eradicating it. "An' for my normal summon, step up to the plate Little Winguard!" Another knight hovered on the field, this one a diminuitive fellow wearing a blue cloak and a hat shielding his face. (Level 4/Wind/Warrior/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1800)
"And now you triggered my trap!" Marthis shouted, flipping his facedown card. "Battle of the Elements! We're all forced to send monsters to the graveyard until we each control one attribute."
Joey blanched. "Crap…fine I'll send Little Winguard to the grave."
Yugi looked at his hand, then at the field. "I choose to keep Dark Magician Girl on the field. And since Dark Magician's entered the graveyard, she gains 300 extra attack points." (ATK: 2000 – 2300)
"Hmph…I'd figure you'd have kept the Dark Magician on the field," Marthis snorted. "Clearly he's more of a threat than that little wench."
The Dark Magician Girl glared at the masked mage, clearly offended by his remark. Yugi merely folded his arms. "She's more powerful than you know, Marthis."
"An' it's me ya need to be worrying about," Joey chimed in. "'Cause I don't see any monsters on your side of the field! Ya like pickin' on my buddy? Here's a taste'a your own medicine! Giltia, use your Soul Spear and attack him directly!"
Giltia lifted his spear and hurled it with immense force at Marthis…
…but then Secmeton shouted, "Activate trap card! Tornado Wall!"
Geysers of water shot up from the ground, deflecting the spear and sending it clattered to Joey's feet! "Man as if that card wasn't bad enough when Mako Tsunami used it on me," the blonde muttered. "I'll set two cards facedown and end my turn."
"It's my turn now," Secmeton said, drawing. "First I shall summon Ocean Dragon Lord – Kairyu-Shin in attack mode!" For a moment, there was nothing.
Then, a massive serpent erupted from the ground, forcing Yugi and Joey to take a step back! Large, multicolored wings spread as it let out a horrific roar and stared at them hungrily. (Level 5/Water/Sea Serpent/ATK: 2000 – 2200/DEF: 1700 – 1900)
"Next I activate my last trap card, Kairyu-Shin's Dark Reef! First, I must send "Umi" to the graveyard. Thankfully, A Legendary Ocean is treated as Umi." Both his Legendary Ocean and Tornado Wall cards shattered as the sea mage continued. "Next, I'm allowed to special summon two Water monsters that are either Normal Monsters or have Umi in their name. So I special summon Maiden of the Aqua in defense mode and Mega Fortress Whale in attack mode!"
A priestess kneeled defensively in front of Secmeton, her robes and hair as blue as the sea surrounding her. (Level 4/Water/Aqua/ATK: 700/DEF: 2000) Next, a MASSIVE whale rose from the ocean, cannons and missiles bristling across its hide. (Level 7/Water/Fish/ATK: 2550/DEF: 2350). "And thanks to my Fortress Whale's effect, if Umi is on the field my Water monsters can attack my opponent directly!"
"But you just got rid of A Legendary Ocean, so your monsters will have to get through our defenses," Yugi said.
"Allow me to rectify your mistake, Mister Muto…" A sneer stretched across Secmeton's face. "Maiden of the Aqua lets me treat the entire field as Umi!"
The King of Games' eyes widened in horror. "No…!"
"And now it's time for me to take out the interloper! Kairyu-Shin, attack Wheeler directly! Oceanic Oblivion!"
Kairyu-Shin opened its jaw and a massive torrent of water flew toward Joey…
…who shouted, "Activate my trap card! Magic Arm Shield!"
A pink and white shield attached itself to Giltia's arm, and a pair of tongs shot out, grabbing the Maiden of Aqua! Then it pulled her in front of the torrent, which shattered her into a million pieces! "Magic Arm Shield lets me use one of your monsters as a defense! An' since Maiden of Aqua's sleepin' with the fishes, you can't attack me or Yuge directly!"
"That may be fool, but your Giltia is another story! Mega Fortress Whale, strike him down!"
Fortress Whale's cannons swung around and fired, but Joey only smirked. "Ya must really like falling for traps, huh Sec? I activate my OTHER face-down! Fairy Box!"
A box with multiple holes popped up, and Giltia rapidly popped in and out of each one. "Now I flip a coin and call it!" Joey said, digging a coin out of his pocket. "I get it right, your whale's attack goes to zero. I get it wrong, your attack goes through. So Lady Luck, don't fail me now! I call heads!" He flipped the coin.
As if in slow motion, the coin tumbled in the air, with the four Duelists staring at it. Finally, it landed on the ground…heads up.
"NO!" Secmeton shouted. Too late. Giltia lifted his spear and threw it, piercing the heart of the Fortress Whale.
Yugi: 2900 LP/ Joey: 4000 LP/ Marthis: 4000 LP/ Secmeton: 2150 LP
Shaking with rage, Secmeton placed a card facedown. "Wheeler…I will make you pay for that transgression!"
"Put a check in the mail," Joey retorted. "This duel ain't done yet."
"Not until the last card is played," Yugi said as he drew. "And that end starts now! First I place a monster in defense mode, and a card facedown. Then I activate the spell card Dark Burning Attack! Since I have Dark Magician Girl on the field, I'm allowed to destroy all my opponents' monsters!"
Secmeton blanched as the Dark Magician Girl raised her staff and fired a blast of eldritch energy, shattering Kairyu-Shin into pieces. "Now, Dark Magician Girl, attack Secmeton directly!" Once again, the lovely mage raised her staff.
But the sea mage was ready for it. "Activate trap card! Paleozoic Canadia! Now I select a monster and flip it into face-down position – and I choose your Dark Magician Girl!" The Dark Magician Girl was immediately replaced with a face-down card.
"I end my turn," Yugi sighed.
"Heh heh heh," Marthis snickered as he drew. "You were fools to accept our challenge, and now you'll pay the price for that error! First, I activate Card Destruction!" All the Duelists slotted their hands in the graveyard and re-drew a new hand. Joey's eyes widened when he saw his new cards. This could win Yuge and I the match! Just gotta play the match right…
"Next, I activate the spell card Rekindling! I'm allowed to summon as many Fire Monsters with 200 Def as possible, provided I banish them at the end of my turn. I special summon Flamvell Dragnov (Level 2/Fire/Dragon/ATK: 1100/DEF: 200) and Flamvell Archer (Level 3/Fire/Pyro/ATK: 1000/DEF: 200)!" Two new monsters appeared: one that looked like a vindictive red dragon and the other holding a bow and arrow made of flames.
"You've activated my trap card!" Yugi shouted. "Dark Renewal!" A coffin appeared in a plume of black smoke as the King of Games continued. "I sacrifice one of your monsters and one of mine, so I'll take out your Archer and my facedown Marshmellon to special summon an old friend from the graveyard!" Both cards transformed into beams of light and were pulled into the coffin, which opened to reveal…the Dark Magician, in all his glory!
"And your trap has activated the effect of Paleozoic Canadia!" Secmeton said. "Now I special summon it in defense mode as a monster." A serpentine fossil curved itself protectively in front of the sea mage. (Level 2/Water/Aqua/ATK: 1200/DEF: 0)
"You think because your Dark Magician is resurrected that it gives you the edge?" Marthis scoffed. "Your friend can't say the same, and now it'll cost him dearly! I sacrifice Flamvell Archer to summon Flamvell Commando!" An apelike monster stood on the masked mage's field, wielding a massive bazooka that was leaking flames. (Level 6/Fire/Pryo/ATK: 2200/DEF: 200) "Attack Giltia with your Flamvell Firestorm!"
The Flamvell Commando hoisted up his bazooka and fired a massive blast of flames that engulfed Giltia, instantly immolating the knight! Joey winced from the heat, even as his life points decreased.
Yugi: 2900 LP/ Joey: 3650 LP/ Marthis: 4000 LP/ Secmeton: 2150 LP
"Now I activate my Commando's ability. By removing a monster in my graveyard from play, I inflict damage equal to its attack on a player of my choice. So I remove my Neo Flamvell Shaman (ATK: 1700) and burn away more of your life points, Wheeler!"
Once again, the Flamvell Commando lifted his bazooka and fired another stream of flames. This one hit Joey in the chest, sending him flying. "Joey!" Yugi said, looking at his friend with worry. "Are you OK?"
"I'm…I'm fine Yuge," Joey groaned, slowly standing up. "But that hurt like a mother…well ya get the idea."
Yugi: 2900 LP/ Joey: 1950 LP/ Marthis: 4000 LP/ Secmeton: 2150 LP
"The pain is only beginning Wheeler," Marthis snickered. "I'll place one card facedown and end my turn." Now when Wheeler summons a monster, I'll use my Ring of Destruction to destroy it and kill him once and for all!
"My move! An' you're really gonna hate this one!" Joey shouted. "'Cause now I'm usin' Monster Reborn to resurrect an old friend of mine…Jinzo!"
A tall cyborg clad in green and black armor rose up from the ground, the red lenses in its mask glowing ominously. (Level 6/Dark/Machine/ATK: 2400: DEF: 1500) "NO!" Marthis roared.
"Oh yeah, you know what that means, Siegfried and Lloyd!" Joey smirked. "Jinzo kills all your trap cards!"
Jinzo fired rays of red energy from his eyes, immediately destroying Secmeton's Sea Stealth Attack and Marthis's Ring of Destruction! "I'm not through," the blonde continued. "Now I use Polymerization to fuse my Red-Eyes and Yugi's Dark Magician together!" A dragon with jet-black armor and blazing red eyes appeared next to the Dark Magician, and the two were slowly pulled into a vortex. After a minute, a new monster appeared on the field.
It bore a resemblance to the Dark Magician, although its armor was now dark as night and embedded with crimson gems. The most prominent feature of the armor was a large set of wings and a headpiece that resembled the Red-Eyes Black Dragon's. In one hand, it clutched a long sword. "Meet our Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon!" Joey announced proudly. (Level 8/Spellcaster/Fusion/Dark/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500)
"This monster carries the strength of both of our allies, and it's time you witnessed that strength firsthand," Yugi added. "For every Normal Monster Joey used to form the Dragoon, he can destroy one of his opponent's monsters and inflict damage to its ATK equal to their life points."
"Bingo!" Joey grinned. "An' since both Red-Eyes and Dark Magician are normal monsters, you can bid your monsters adios – along with some'o' your life points!" The Dark Dragon lifted his hand and flung a blazing red fireball. It separated into two sections, obliterating Flamvell Commando and Paleozoic Canadia.
Yugi: 2900 LP/Marthis: 1800 LP/Joey: 1950 LP/ Secmeton: 950 LP
"No…" Secmeton said quietly.
"How…how could we have lost to these two?!" Marthis growled.
"Jinzo! Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon! Take 'em out!" Joey ordered. Jinzo raised his hands and fired a blast of dark energy at Marthis, sending the masked mage flying. Next, the Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon slammed his blade into the ground, sending a blast of fiery red energy that smashed into Secmeton.
Yugi: 2900 LP/Marthis: 0 LP/Joey: 1950 LP/Secmeton: 0 LP
Secmeton quickly stumbled to his feet, picking up Marthis and fixing his opponents with an icy glare. "Muto…Wheeler…you may have won this round, but we will be back. And Reshef will have your souls." A crack in space-time opened, and he dove through it, carrying his fellow mage with him.
"Da heck is a Reshef?" Joey said, scratching his head.
"I don't know Joey…but I don't think this is over," Yugi replied, deep in thought.
Another World.
Avalon City.
Cole Yeager and Britney Blaze walked through the streets of Avalon, deep in conversation.
"Mortal Kombat…Galaga…Duel Monsters…is there any game you're not good at, Cole?" Britney asked. "And did you have to wreck those kids in less than five minutes?"
"Hey, they challenged me!" Cole replied, placing his hands in his pockets. "But as for the games…my Dad and I played a lot when I was a teen. And I hang out with my friends at the arcade all the time so yeah, always gotta sharpen my skills." The whiff of sizzling beef caught his nostrils, and he stopped, a smile spreading across his face. "Hold on a sec."
At a small kiosk, a heavyset man was flipping burgers and dropping fries into baskets. Cole strode over to him. "Yo Sam, how's the business?"
"The usual," Sam said, flashing the Knight Duelist a smile.
"And the wife?"
"The usual. You want the special?"
"Make it two – I have company."
Sam briefly paused as he saw Britney next to Cole. "Well it's about time ya got yourself a girlfriend, Cole. Rico and I had a bet going."
Heat flushed Cole's cheeks as Britney giggled. "What-Sam, we're just-"
"Say no more, kiddo," Sam replied as he pushed two paper bags toward them. "On the house!" Cole begrudgingly picked up the bags and moved to a seat, handing one to Britney.
"Don't mind Sam, he thinks he's funny."
"Is he?" the raven-haired girl said, tilting her head slightly.
"Sometimes." Cole pulled out a double-decker cheeseburger, alongside some fries and a soft drink. "He's a damn good cook though. Best cheeseburgers I've ever had in my life." He motioned toward her burger. "Try it!"
Britney lifted the burger and took a bite. Seconds later, a massive smile crossed her face. "Oh my God, that's amazing!"
Cole nodded, taking a bite out of his. "Dad took me here as a kid…Sam's like the uncle I never had."
"You really hold your Dad in high esteem…so I have to ask…where did the drive to beat him come from?"
Cole was silent for a moment. Then, he took a deep breath. "It happened around the time my folks split up," he said, and immediately Britney looked guilt-stricken. "Cole…I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
"It's ok. These things happen. They tried to work it out, but Mom ended up staying in California while Dad and I moved to Avalon. It was during that time that Dad's Pro Dueling career started to take off…and every kid on the block was challenging me to a duel. And I couldn't beat them."
This took Britney for a loop. "You…you lost?"
"Yup," Cole said, absentmindedly swirling his soda. "And a large part of it was that I was always comparing myself to Dad. I was scared I'd never be as good as he was…and that I'd let him down. It got to the point where I never wanted to pick up a Duel Disk again. Then I met my friends…"
Two Years Ago.
Avalon High School.
Cole stood in the hallway, clad in Avalon High's school uniform: red blazer, tie, and black slacks. "Let's see…" he muttered, looking at a slip of paper. "I have English first period…only problem, I don't know where the English classroom is."
"I do!"
Cole turned to see a girl standing next to him, wearing a similar uniform – only in place of slacks, she wore a black pleated skirt and stockings. He was also taken aback by her hair, which was a vibrant shade of pink. She held out her hand, smiling. "I'm Hana Hikari, and you are…?"
"Cole…Cole Yeager," Cole muttered, shaking her hand. He expected the usual: she'd whip out a Duel Disk, or ask for his dad's autograph. What he was NOT expecting was for her to rush forward and hug him. "Nice to meet you Cole! I have the same English class, so follow me!" She walked forward, turning back to smile at Cole. "I hope we'll be friends!"
One Week Later.
"How come I've never seen you duel?" Hana asked as she walked to school with Cole.
He hesitated, scratching his head. "Well…"
Suddenly a commotion caused them both to look up – and horror crossed their faces. Two older boys were holding a smaller boy upside down by his ankles, shaking him. "Give us your rare cards, you little shrimp!" one of them shouted, finally dropping his victim.
The smaller boy adjusted his glasses. "Those cards are mine! I don't have to give them to you!"
"You got a death wish, squirt?" the other boy snarled, cocking back a fist.
Suddenly, he was jerked back roughly, as Cole threw him to the ground. "Hey asshole, get your own cards," he growled, offering a hand to the small boy. "You all right buddy?"
"Cole! LOOK OUT!" Hana shrieked.
"Huh?" Cole turned – and the other boy's fist slammed into his face, sending him flying. He spat out blood and saw the two boys coming for him…until a blur of red and black sent them flying.
A tall girl, her long brown hair in a ponytail, stood over the bullies. "I thought I told you assholes to leave my little brother alone," she growled, cracking her knuckles. "Maybe this will remind you." And she laid into them with a flurry of punches and kicks. "Now get lost!"
The two rushed away, as the girl extended a hand to Cole. "Thanks for helping Eli out…these jerks think they can just take his cards because he's small." She said as Hana raced over, pulling out a handkerchief and dabbing at Cole's bleeding lip. "I'm Eleanor Weston."
"And I'm Eli!" Eli piped up. "Thank you so much."
"Pleasure's all mine, Eli," Cole said.
Some Time Later…
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLE!" Hana, Eleanor, and Eli said as they pushed a pair of presents in front of Cole. He smiled bashfully, reaching forward, and opening the packages. Then his eyes widened in shock. Lying in front of him was a brand-new Duel Disk, and three booster packs.
"Guys…"
"I know you told us you were thinking about getting back into dueling, so we decided to get you started," Hana said. "And no matter what, we'll be rooting for you every step of the way!"
"Yeah," Eleanor nodded. "The local comic book store's holding a tournament this weekend. You should enter, Cee."
"He's got to build his deck first," Eli interjected. "Cole, what cards did you get?"
"Let me see…" Cole tore open one of the packs, and his eyes widened. In his hands was the Buster Blader.
"So I won that tourney, and started to hone my skills. All because of my friends. If they could believe in me, then I knew I could be a good Duelist…even better than Dad."
"I know what you mean…" Britney said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a card. "My parents – my Dad especially – thought I should focus more on 'being a lady' instead of doing what I liked. Except my brother Blake…and he gave me this card." She held it up, and Cole smiled. "The Sacred Phoenix of Nephtys? (Level 8/Fire/Winged Beast/ATK: 2400/ DEF: 1600) It suits you."
Now it was Britney's turn to blush. "Thank you. That's when I decided that I wasn't going to let anyone stop me from being the best Duelist I could be. And I didn't meet anyone who felt the same way…until now…"
Her hand reached out, touching his. Mahogany eyes locked with crimson orbs…
…and a disturbingly dissonant voice cut through the air.
"Cole Yeager…"
Angrily, Cole spun around to see Josh Jackson standing there. "You?! Dude, I told you I would duel you another time, and you ruined a really good moment-"
Then he stopped, noticing the glowing Eye of Wadjet on Josh's forehead and the blank look in his eyes. "The hell…?"
"You have something that belongs to me," Josh croaked, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "And I won't stop until I get it back!"
TO BE CONTINUED…
Next Chapter: "Duel The Darkness"
Cole faces off against a Heishin-possessed Josh for the Centruy Medallion. But the mad mage has restructured Josh's deck to give it a killing edge…and even worse, this duel is a Shadow Game! Will Cole win, or will he and his friends fall to the darkness?
