No duel this time, but the next chapter will have one.
*Chapter 6: The Mysterious One*
"So you just got here today?" Rue asked.
They had been walking for a few minutes, trying to find the town. Rue and Ruecian led the way, Hope and Gaston following.
"That's right. How long have you been here?"
"About a year. I'm fourteen," Rue explained.
"Do you have any siblings?" Hope inquired.
Rue looked uncomfortable. "Yes. I have a sister named Claire, who is the same age as me."
Hope noticed how Rue looked, and changed the subject. "Where do you live in real life?"
"I live in Minnesota," Rue said.
"I live in Illinois, and I hate it!" Hope complained. "I liked Texas a lot more."
Rue shook his head sympathetically.
Soon they arrived at the town. With skyscrapers, business buildings, and apartments, it looked just like any other busy street in the real world. Hope stared in amazement at all the Soul Monsters. Soul Monsters didn't come very often to the real world, so she had never seen anything like it.
"Well, I got you here. I suppose we should part ways," Rue said.
"Wait! I don't really know my way around Teknisk Wereld. Can Gaston and I please tag along?" Hope pleaded.
Rue shrugged. "I see no problem in that. You ok with that Ruecian?"
Ruecian nodded.
"Not much of a talker, are you?" Gaston joked.
Ruecian shook his head.
"Oh, he can talk; he just doesn't feel like it," Rue said. "Now, onto business. There's a card shop in this town I wanted to stop by. I need another Black Power Stone, and I'm hoping they have one for sale."
"Wait! You can buy things here, and take it to the real world?" Hope asked, confused.
"Yep. Don't even try asking me why, I have NO idea how it works," Rue said dejectedly.
"Well, I might see a warrior I like…" Hope said. "Ok, let's go!"
After about ten minutes, they arrived at the card shop Rue was talking about.
"Hi Hector," Rue said to the man behind the counter.
"Hey Rue! Need more cards, do you? Oh, who's your friend?"
"I'm Hope, and this is Gaston," Hope said.
"Nice to meet you," Hector said pleasantly. "Anything in particular you need?"
"I need a Black Power Stone, and she needs Warrior cards," Rue said.
"The common box is over there," Hector explained. "The rares are in this binder. And I had the feeling you would need a Black Power Stone Rue, so I thought I should hold on to one for you," he said casually, and handed Rue the card.
"Great! How much?"
"Take it, you deserve it," Hector said. "Hope, you can have one card too. Think of it as a welcome gift. Just look around."
"Ok, thank you!" Hope said happily. Then she went over to the commons box and began to dig through it.
Gaston picked up one card curiously. "Skull Servant? What the heck?"
Rue laughed. "Meet the worst card in the game."
Gaston quickly put it back. Rue joined Hope and looked at the commons also. He looked at each card quickly, which is why Hope almost missed it.
"Hey, wait! Rue, can I see that card you just passed? No, not Giant Rock Soldier! Yeah, that one!" Hope grabbed the card and stared. She couldn't believe what it was.
The Black Cat That Brings Unhappiness
Level Two
Main-Type: Dark
Sub-Type: Animal
Attack: 500
Defense: 300
Reverse Effect: Choose 1 Trap card from your deck and put it on top of your deck. If a [The Sleeping Valley of the Pharaoh - Necrovalley] is on the Field, you can put that Trap card into your hand.
"What's wrong Hope?" Gaston asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I've seen this monster before…" Hope whispered.
FLASHBACK
She suddenly heard a noise behind her. Spinning around quickly, Hope sighed with relief when she saw it was only a cat. The cat stared, not moving at all. It was pitch-black with a golden necklace, a golden bracelet on its tail, and a golden bracelet with green beads hanging off it. What caught Hope's attention though were its blood-red eyes, not blinking at all. The cat held her gaze for a little bit longer, then turned around and left, disappearing into the forest.
Hope wiped away sweat on her forehead. That cat had given her the creeps; she was sure something was wrong with it.
END FLASHBACK
"You saw a Black Cat That Brings Unhappiness? Sucks to be you," Rue said.
"What's so bad about it?" Hope asked.
"It's said that if you see one, you will supposedly die in the most horrifying of ways. Like Hell itself destroys you," Rue said seriously.
Hope stared at the card she held. "I don't think I want this card any more," Hope said nervously as she put it back.
Gaston picked up the binder and brought it to Hope. "Take your mind off of that by trying to find a card for your deck."
She looked at the binder. "This card looks good," Hope said, taking it out.
Hector examined her choice. "Undefeated General-Freed eh? It is a good choice. Perfect for a Warrior Deck. Enjoy the cards you two!"
They both thanked him again. "Oh, any news?" Rue requested.
Hector nodded. "Apparently, an elite duelist passed by this town. If you want a challenge, maybe you can find him! Good luck though."
"Sounds great!" Rue says. "I've been looking for a challenge… what do you know about him?"
"Not much," Hector said regretfully. "It's rumored that he never leaves Teknisk Wereld though, and that his deck has an army of the most horrifying cards to enter Duel Monsters! Be cautious; he's also said to be ruthless. A guy who stopped by said he was headed toward the mountains."
"No problem," Rue said. "If we find him, I'll beat him. Come on guys, let's go."
"Come again soon!" Hector called as they walked out onto the busy street.
After leaving the town, they walked in the opposite direction of the forest. Soon, Hope caught site of the mountains, and gasped at their sheer height and beauty as the sun hit their snowy peaks.
"We'll go around them," Rue said. "I doubt that duelist would be crazy enough to climb one of those mountains."
Hope had to give that to him. They walked for some time, but found nothing.
"Hm… this might take a while," Rue said. "It's getting dark. I see a cave over there; how about we stay there?"
Hope nodded. "Ok, we can continue tomorrow."
"Continue what?"
Everyone spun around. Behind them was a duelist dressed in the oddest of matters, in Hope's eyes. The teen wore an orange t-shirt and blue jeans, with a gauncho-style cloak. He also wore a sombrero that cast his face into shadows. Next to him was a very demonic Soul Monster. The creature had the structure of a human, but that's where all resemblances ended. He had two, huge black wings, and a humongous sword. He wore a long, red cloak, and a crown. His body was made of muscles and bones; he had no skin.
Hope yelped in surprise, and Rue almost had a heart attack. Gaston and Ruecian both drew their weapons at the sight of the creature.
"Are you the mysterious duelist we heard about?" Rue demanded. "And what the heck is that Soul Monster?"
The man eyed them coolly. "Most likely, and he is Genocide King Demon; Olympion for short. Why do you wish to know?"
"I wanted to challenge you to a duel!" Rue said boldly.
"And why would I waste my time?" the man inquired. "I don't duel wimps; I have better things to do."
"Then it should be no problem, seeing as I am not a wimp!" Rue retorted.
"What are your names?"
"I'm H-Hope, and he's Rue," Hope replied nervously.
"You may call me Max," the man said. He looked at Rue again. "It seems you are braver than your girlfriend there."
Hope blushed. "I protest!"
"I assume you won't take no as an answer, hm? Let's get this over with quickly, I have things to do," Max stated.
To be continued…
