Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, But I wont let that stop me from writing.So here we go...(Anybody notice what is missing from the disclaimer? Chuck asked me to take it out, so I have. Yay.)
I live again. Sorry for the delay, but I suffered from writers block, and then from Final Exam Preparation syndrome. The number final projects I've been working on has been killer. But tomorrow is my last Final before school gets out. So celebrate with me. Now, here we go.
Chapter Ten: Battle for Survival
"Dark Magician, Dark Magic Attack!" I commanded. The burning neon beam rushed forth, blinding my sight. And explosion ensued, and dust filled my eyes, and I looked away. "What?!" I cried in dismay.
Another brown ball of fur had appeared, blocking my attack.
'How is it possible to have drawn two Kuribohs at once. Sure, it had to draw quite a few cards thanks to my Giant Trunade/Card Destruction combo. But still...' It really wasn't fair. "I end my turn."
"Draw card. Set three cards face down. Summon monster in defense mode. End turn." I picked my new card up and prepared to use a magic card when the computer spoke. "Activate trap cards Spiked Wall and Blind Destruction. Spiked Wall's effect: During standby phase, roll six-sided die and number opponents monsters one through five from left to right. Destroy monster who's number is rolled. If six, re-roll. Blind Destruction: During standby phase, roll six-sided die and destroy all monsters who's level is equal to number rolled. If six, destroy all monsters with level six and up."
'Great. Now, I have to worry about losing monsters every turn, but not to battle. This means that I'll be open to an attack before long. I've got to end this fast.'
"I play Change of Heart to seize control of your face down monster." I began. "Then I'll flip it..." I groaned in dismay as I flipped over a Hane-Hane. I could either send back this monster, or one of my other ones. I decided to go with the later. "I'll use Hane-Hane's effect to send the Beast of Talwar back to my hand. Then I'll sacrifice the Hane-Hane to re-summon it." I said as the monster re-appeared. However, this was not without a price as the re-summoning began. I collapsed as I once again began to be drained of my magical energies. I collapsed to my knees, struggling to stay conscious. "And I'll attack to finish the duel." I whispered. My three monsters dashed forward, each poised for attack...
And then three women in blue gowns and holding small golden crosses appeared, each one taking a blow. "A Waboku! Darn it!" I breathed heavily, sweat drenching my face. I looked to the ground in dismay. But then, a faint light began to show from my crest. 'At least this thing hasn't given up on me.' I felt a slight increase in power as the crest brightened a little. "End turn."
The robot drew. "Standby phase, dice roll." Two small red dice fell to the earth and began to turn. As this happened, numbers appeared on each of my monster slots. The first die landed on a three. I watched in horror as my Beast of Talwar was suddenly consumed by a translucent vortex, screaming in agony.
'The Spiked Walls effect.' I realized. 'Then that means that this one...If it lands on a six, my two others are gone!' I closed my eyes and began to pray that this computer had worse luck than I normally did. I finally heard the tapping stop, and cracked my eyes to see what it was.
"A five!" I cried in glee. "No dice!" I joked, not that the computer would get pick up on the humor.
"Set card face down. Playing magic card, Polymerization. Fuse Ancient Brain and Tainted Wisdom to create Skull Knight." Standing before me was a short crossbreed of a man and a hamster, with a large brain with a horn extended out of its head. The other was a red brain with several tendrils waving about. The two then began to shift and intertwine with one another before I could no longer identify them. Then, In their place stood a tall warrior in white armor that looked like it was made of skulls and other bones. Its face was hidden by the skeleton head with two massive horns sticking out of the sides. In one arm it bore a shield. In the others, a wicked, single edged sword. (2650/2250). "Attack Dark Magician." The machine droned on. After a single slash, my favorite monster was gone. (LP: 7400/3650). "Set two more cards face down. End turn."
I picked my next card. 'No good. All I've got are useless magic cards. Well...useless except for these two.' I said, observing the cards as if for the first time. "I'll switch Chaos Magician to defense mode, and I'll lay two cards face down." I said.
The robot drew and released its dice. The first came up a four, and nothing happened. 'Well, I've escaped Blind Destruction yet again.' But I continued to hold my breath. The next was a one. I breathed a sigh of relief as I realized that my Magician was number five. That was, until another die rolled out. "What's going on here?!" I shouted. Then the robot revealed a trap card.
"Reverse Dice. Special ability, re-roll die when activated." I gasped as the second one came up five.
"NO!" I cried. The translucent vortex erupted under my Chaos Magician. But strangely, he didn't move. He just crossed his arms as a black aura appeared around him, and he snapped his body open, shattering the swirl. "Um...I'm confused." I said, scratching my head.
"Chaos Magician, analyzing special effect. Chaos Magician is unaffected by trap, magic and monster affects that specifically target him. Spiked Walls effect, negated. Attack with Skull Knight." it commanded. The sword once again came down upon one of my monsters.
I drew. "I'll lay one card face down, and play both Monster Reborn, to revive my Dark Magician, and Premature Burial to revive Beast of Talwar." I said as first my magician appeared, and then a large hand reached out of the earth, my Beast of Talwar clutched in it. "I'll end my turn."
Once more, the dice fell to the earth, tumbling and rolling. Blind Destructions came up a one, while the Spiked Walls came up a six. By rules of the secondary effect, it was allowed to re-roll that one. This time, it got a three, which destroyed my Dark Magician. "So soon." I moaned. But that didn't matter. I was still prepared for another attack.
"Attack with Skull Knight."
"Activate trap card, Shadow Spell." I declared, pressing a button on my Duel Disk. Out of my face down trap sprung dozens of black, wrapping themselves around the enemy monster, stopping its attack and dropping its points by seven hundred. "And it's position cannot be changed this turn. So I'll destroy it while it's still weak. Beast of Talwar!" I cried as the double scimitars crossed and destroyed the demonic creature. (LP: 7400/3050). "I'll also place one more card face down, ending my turn."
"Draw card. Playing ritual magic card, Pact with the Dark Master." My eyes nearly popped out of my sockets. It was already being summoned. "Sacrifice two monsters from hand who total levels equal eight to summon Dark Master Zork!" It was dark and demonic, with a deep shadow that hid it, except for its large claws. (2700/1500). "Analyzing Dark Master Zork's special ability. Once during turn, roll six-sided die. If one or two, destroy all enemy monsters. If three, four, or five, eliminate one enemy monster. If six, destroy all monsters on same field as Zork." I gulped. Another die fell to the earth, and came up a four. A bolt of pick lightning came blew my Chaos Magician, who lit up with another aura once again, and broke free.
'Doesn't this thing learn?' I asked myself. It had just wasted its monsters effect.
"Attack Beast of Talwar with Dark Master Zork." The two large claws both lashed down and ripped my monster apart. (LP: 7100/3050). "Set one card face down to end turn."
"I play," I said as I picked up my next card, breathing heavily. "Heavy Storm!" A giant tempest raged across the field, ripping up my four cards, as well as the five that the duel robot had. Sure it had cost me some of my better cards, mostly because I had forgotten them, but at least it was the end of two of the three dice. "I'll also switch my Chaos Magician to defense mode, as well as another monster in defense mode." I panted, sweating hard.
"Draw card. Summon Bistro Butcher, in attack mode. Bistro Butcher attacks face down monster." The blue skinned fiend slashed with his curved knife, easily cutting my Ryu-Kishin Powered to pieces. "Now, Dark Master Zork destroys Chaos Magician." My spellcaster was crushed.
'Why didn't it roll a die for Zork's effect?' I began to ponder. But it was my turn, so I had to act. I drew...And began to sweat profusely. I didn't have ANY monsters to summon, and I'd already used my only two revival cards. "Pass turn." I said.
"Direct attack on opposing players Life Points." the computer commanded. Both monster struck me. I reeled back as I felt the pain of claws and steel grazing my skin. It was immense. I fell to the ground, clutching my chest in agony. I blinked a few times to try and clear my mind. I slowly stood up, watching my Life Points plummet. (LP: 2600/3050).
"I draw." I grabbed a magic card and smiled. "I play Swords of Revealing Light, to freeze Zork and Bistro Butcher for three turns." I said, gasping for air. Three massive swords, made entirely of white light locked into place between the two opposing sides of the field. "End turn."
"Draw card. Unable to perform attack. Set card and end turn."
I drew. Nothing. "Pass."
"Pass." The robot said after observing its card. That left me with only two more free turns.
"Draw." I said. 'Perfect.' I smiled. "I play Soul Exchange! I'll use it to sacrifice your Zork to bring forth my Summoned Skull." I said as a blue beam surged towards the shadow, which suddenly was replaced by the Bistro Butcher, which disappeared, and my large skeleton monster appeared. "What?!"
"Trap card, Shift. Redirects magic, trap, or monster effect which specifies any one monster, magic, or trap card too another appropriate target."
"No!" I jumped back. My Skull wasn't enough to overwhelm Zork, and it would be free to attack next turn.
"Roll for Zork's special ability." The die rolled and landed on one of the five more dreaded numbers. To be more specific, a one. Five individual bolts of lighting struck my five separate monster slots, eliminating my only monster, but ensuring I had no defense. "End turn. Swords of Revealing Light, expired." the monotonous voice continued as the three white swords faded away.
I looked over my hand, trying to find some way out of this mess. 'I do have this Thousand Knives magic cards, which could take out Zork, if only I had a Dark Magician in play.' I mentally screamed. But, I'd need to sacrifice, which most definitely was not an option, or revive it from the grave. 'But I've used my only two revival cards. Oh well, maybe I'll figure something out.' I put my fingers on my deck.
"Here I go!" I called. I gripped the top card, held up to my eye. However, I never saw the picture as a blinding light suddenly exploded from the card. I squeezed my eyes shut until the glow was gone. In my hand was a magic card with a blue ahnk in the center. "Card of Life." I muttered, reading its name. "So this is what you do." I grinned broadly as I read the effect.
"I'll play this magic card, Card of Life." I said, slipping it into the Duel Disk. "By paying half of my Life Points, I'm allowed to special summon up to three monster from my Graveyard. However, they must be summoned in attack mode, and their battle position cannot change. But it doesn't matter." I pulled my three strongest cards from my Graveyard as my Life Ponts dropped to 1300. "Now my Summoned Skull, Chaos Magician, and Dark Magician all return to the field." Three monsters rose out of the flash of light on the ground. "But I'm not done, as none of them is strong enough to destroy Zork." The shadow, although outnumbered, still growled with confidence, looking down on my small attack force. "So I'll use the magic card, Thousand Knives." I slipped the card into another slot. A wide wall of sharp knives lanced forth, spearing straight through Zork, obliterating him. "And now I'll finish this off!" I shouted. "Chaos Magician, attack Bistro Butcher!" The black staff swung down and annihilated the blue fiend. "Now, Summoned Skull, Dark Magician, attack!" I commanded, finally standing up straight for the first time since the match had started. First a blast of lightning engulfed the robot, dropping its Life Points greatly. (LP:1300/550). Then, my Dark Magician aimed his staff towards the computer, a black neon beam striking it, and clearing away the remainder of its points.
LP: 1300/0000
The crowd that had gathered around me began to shout and holler in joy and congratulations. I fell to my knees, drained, but I still smiled. I had won, and also been entitled to a rare card from this thing. I pulled the Duel Disk off of my arm and allowed it to drop to the ground. Someone who I didn't bother to acknowledge came over and collected it off the ground and put it away in the black box. I slowly made my way over to the Duel Robot, which began to fan out its deck for me to choose from. I looked them over, trying to decide, reading a few names aloud.
"Torrential Tribute, Mirror Force, Tri-Horned Dragon, Raigeki..." I stopped so abruptly I nearly fell over, barely winning the fight against the forces of inertia and fatigue, caused by my sudden stop.
The card was a brown trimmed flip effect monster. The background depicted a bright, aurora abyss with a golden circle filled with Gaelic symbols. A single arm extended downward, a thick manacle and chain holding it in place.
"The Right Arm of the Forbidden One." I could barely breath the words. How was it possible. But at the same time, there it was, right in front of me. I reached out and took it. I slipped it into my deck pouch, and turned to leave.
Little did I expect to see Tina and Meren there. They seemed to be just as shocked as I was. I quickly pulled it forth to show them again, as a confirmation.
"You did it!" Meren squealed, wrapping her arms around my stomach, as I towered over her. I was slightly shocked and therefor bugged my eyes in surprise.
"Yeah." I finally managed. "Yeah I did." I looked at the card one last time.
***
"That was sure nice of that arcade owner." Tina said as I tossed the small bag up into the air. "Giving us that money as an extra trophy, just because you were new at this and beat his robot at the second highest level."
"Yeah it was." I grinned back. I spotted a game shop and grinned. "I'll meet you two back at the hotel." I said, walking off to the side. Tina wanted to argue, but I was already gone.
***
"Lance, what did you..." Tina began to start yelling at me. It was the next day, and we were on are way towards the next town.
"Relax, it's all here." I said, holding out the bag of Star Chips I had been given by the arcade manager. "It'll be alright. We'll be okay. I mean..." I was cut off myself as a dark shadow looked appeared over the horizon of the hill we were crossing over.
The man was huge; probably about 6'11". He had wild black hair and a sick look on his face. Finally, he spoke in a voice that reeked evil. I finally recognized him from the show.
"Which of you has the Exodia piece." He demanded. He slowly pointed at me and pressed on my forehead, knocking me to the ground; not that it was any challenge, as I was still exhausted from the previous day. The girls helped me up, and I glared back at him, leaning hard on the two by my side.
"Panic!" I seethed.
To Be Continued...
Thanks to all who read this. So ...Questions, comments, even flames and criticism are all welcomed by me. Just don't reprimand me over my spelling. And keep the reviews coming. I need support, or else I might loose interest in writing. Thank you all, especially Chuck ZFB for allowing me to write off of his story, and Tina and Meren for agreeing to be a part of this. And if you still think that this is to much like the Master of the Cards, leave me alone. And, if you do read this story, REVIEW!
This will most likely be my last update for a while. For this story anyway. I'm helping a friend to write a story that pick up after Return to Duelist Kingdom, so I need to finish that. So to those who like that story, rejoice.
Also, I'm going to need a few new characters every now and then, so please, send me some stuff, and you might find your Duelist appearing at a random point in time. I'm not stealing this idea from Chuck; it's just taken me a while to be at a point where it is appropriate to ask. So please, send me your stuff! Only a few regulations:
1) No Dark Magicians (Unless I see fit. You can put it in, I just may take it out), no Blue Eyes White Dragons (Duh), and no Exodia.
2) Try to avoid Buster Blader, Red Eyes, Black Skull, Mirror Force, and other really common cards like that.
Send all the deck and character information in, and they will appear, provided they pass inspection.
This chapter has included a few cards that many of you have never before heard of. These were all monsters that have appeared only in the Japanese sets, and therefore, you wouldn't know about them. But fear not, for I, the mighty Time Mage have gone to the lengths to prepare a guide for all. Here it goes:
1) Dark Master Zork: Dark/Fiend/2700/1500/8.
Effect: Once during your turn, roll a six-sided die. If it comes up 1 or 2, destroy all enemy monsters. If it comes up 3, 4, or 5, destroy one enemy monster. If a six, destroy all of your own monsters.
2)Thousand Knives: Magic Card
If you have a Dark Magician in play, destroy one monster on field.
3) Card of Life: My own card. You'll learn more about it later on in the story.