---- Chapter 9: Three-Front Duel ----
=== New York City ===
Groaning, Kaori pulled herself up in the bed. Across the room, a young man noticed her, and mused, "So, you're up, eh?" As the man came closer, Kaori noticed a Duel Disk on his arm.
"So," began the stranger, "you ready to tell me where you came from?" Kaori snorted, "I don't need to tell you anything. That Duel Disk shows you already know my answer."
The stranger chuckled. "True, true. I do know. Quite a 'lil firebrand, aren't 'cha?"
"You.... speak Japanese, eh?" asked Kaori, a bit unsettled from just waking up.
Again, the stranger laughed. "Of course. That's the language of the legendary Yugi Mutou, right? I figure that I need to learn it to challenge him one day. My ambition is to create a demon army, after all, and I need the Shadow Games to do that."
".... !!!! D-Demon.... army?!"
=== Egypt ===
A woman in a long, white-streaked red dress walked towards Yugi, long black hair flowing in the desert wind. Laughing softly, she mused, "Not bad. I expected as much from the most famous duelist in the world."
Tightening his fist, with the Black Magician at his side, Yugi asked through gritted teeth, "Who are you?!"
"Me? I'm Keiko Akino, the #12-ranked duelist in the tournament. And you're Yugi Mutou.... #2 in the tournament. I hereby challenge you to a duel.... and I'll take your Millennium Puzzle card - and eliminate you from the tournament!!!!"
=== Russia ===
The column of fire ceased, and the demon descended to the ground. Stepping up to Masaharu, the man introduced himself.
"My name is Terutaka Amano, the #7-ranked duelist. I challenge you to a duel.... You, who defeated the great Yugi Mutou!!" Activating his Duel Disk, the demon vanished in a flash of light. With a sigh, Masaharu started up his Duel Disk.
"Duel!!!"
=== New York City ===
The man nodded.
"Yes, demon army. I've always been fascinated with demons.... Marvelous creatures, don't you think? Imagine an entire army of demons.... it'd make life MUCH more interesting, don't you think?"
Kaori sat in stunned silence. Without warning, the man burst into laughter.
"Ah, I'm just messing with you. I don't want to create a demon army! Hey, I'm not an idiot. Jonathan Michaels is the name. Most people call me by my nickname, though - 'Demon Lord.' I really have been interested in demons and the occult for some time now.... What's your name?"
Staying silent for a moment more, Kaori replied, "Kaori Makino."
=== Egypt ===
Both duelists had started up their Duel Disks by now, and had drawn their opening hands.
"I summon 'Giant Steel Snake,' in defense mode!!" As she spoke, a large beast blasted through the sand, a metallic snake-like creature with long fangs. (Lv. 4/Earth/Machine/1450 ATK/1700 DEF) "I also place two cards, and end my turn."
Yugi drew - 'Black Magician.' "I summon 'Skilled Black Magician,' in attack mode!!" A man cloaked in dark robes materialized on the field, chanting in a mysterious language. (Lv. 4/Dark/Magician/1900 ATK/1700 DEF) "Then, I attack with it, destroying your 'Giant Steel Snake!!'" Thrusting its staff at the opposing monster, the metal snake exploded into pieces, scraps falling to the ground in a haze of smoke. "I'll place two cards, and end my turn."
Keiko drew her next card, and smiled.
"See if you can handle this next move. I'm willing to bet you can't."
=== Russia ===
Terutaka drew, and said, "I summon the 'Gremlin,' in attack mode! And, I place three cards. Turn end." A green demon creature materialized, as did three cards. Silently, Masaharu drew, and played, "Treasure from Heaven!!! This lets both of us draw until we have seven cards in our hands. Next, I'll place two cards and summon a 'Strike Mage.' Turn end.' As his monster and cards materialized, Terutaka snickered.
"This is all you've got, eh? Pitiful. I'd expected more from one who defeated Yugi Mutou. Activate!!! 'Shrine of the Gods!!!!' This gives me two less monster slots.... for two more Magic and Trap slots. I'll place five more cards, and end my turn." Sweat trickled down Masaharu's brow.
E-Eight Magic and Trap slots?! There can only be one reason for his choosing that card....
Masaharu's turn was up, and he drew. "I place 'Strike Mage' in defense mode, and I'll place one more card. Turn end." Falling to one knee, the Strike Mage placing its bladed staff over its chest to defend itself. With a smirk, Terutaka flipped up a card.
"Activate - Gorgon's Eye! This turns your monster to stone...."
An enormous eye materialized on the field, as it shot a huge beam of energy out towards the Strike Mage and, in a flash of light, all that remained of the monster was a stone statue of it.
".... and deducts half its defense strength from your Life Points when it's destroyed. Attack now, my 'Gremlin!!!'"
And with a single electrical attack, the statue was shattered to pieces.
[Masaharu's LP: 3450] [Terutaka's LP: 4000]
=== New York City ===
"Huh. Never heard of 'ya. Care for some coffee?"
"...."
Jonathan cocked his head confusedly.
"What's your problem? All I asked was whether or not you wanted a cup of--"
"You want a duel."
Kaori stared fiercely at him, her eyes burning with rage.
"I know you want to duel with me, so be brave and just come out and say it."
".... Okay. I want a duel with you. Two Millennium Item cards, two Rares."
Drawing from her deck, Kaori held up her choices - the Millennium Ring, the Millennium Rod, 'Buster Blader,' and 'Gilford the Lightning.' Chuckling softly, Jonathan showed her his cards - 'Demon Summon' and 'Hellfire Black Dragon,' along with the Millennium Ankh and Millennium Tauk.
=== Egypt ===
"I play Raise Dead, summoning back my 'Giant Steel Snake.' Then, I'll play 'Brain Control' to gain control of your 'Skilled Black Magician.' Normally, I'd be worried about giving Magic Counters to that monster.... but not with my next move."
Just as Keiko's monster reappeared on the field, the 'Skilled Black Magician' spun around and over to her side of the field. And both of them started to glow....
"Now, I sacrifice both monsters to summon my greatest monster...."
Both monsters burst into small sparks of light, as they came together to form a gigantic figure.... a human-like figure, with a hawk-like head....
"Behold, Yugi! A true God Card!! Come forth, God of Horus!!!!"
=== Russia ===
Masaharu gritted his teeth. This wasn't looking good.... And he drew - 'Fusion.' Looking at his hand, he got an idea, and played his turn.
With a grin, he spoke....
"I'll show you God."
And in a flash of light, the figure of Obelisk appeared on the field. Terutaka reeled in terror.
"W-What in.... the Hell.... i-is that?! I-I've never seen.... s-such power.... !!!"
"In my world," Masaharu said, "there are a few copies of God Cards. They hold no power in my world.... but in yours...."
"Activate Magic Card!!! Fusion!!!!!"
Jumping into the air, Masaharu slid into the image of Obelisk, and a bright flash lit up the sky....
=== New York City ===
Groaning, Kaori pulled herself up in the bed. Across the room, a young man noticed her, and mused, "So, you're up, eh?" As the man came closer, Kaori noticed a Duel Disk on his arm.
"So," began the stranger, "you ready to tell me where you came from?" Kaori snorted, "I don't need to tell you anything. That Duel Disk shows you already know my answer."
The stranger chuckled. "True, true. I do know. Quite a 'lil firebrand, aren't 'cha?"
"You.... speak Japanese, eh?" asked Kaori, a bit unsettled from just waking up.
Again, the stranger laughed. "Of course. That's the language of the legendary Yugi Mutou, right? I figure that I need to learn it to challenge him one day. My ambition is to create a demon army, after all, and I need the Shadow Games to do that."
".... !!!! D-Demon.... army?!"
=== Egypt ===
A woman in a long, white-streaked red dress walked towards Yugi, long black hair flowing in the desert wind. Laughing softly, she mused, "Not bad. I expected as much from the most famous duelist in the world."
Tightening his fist, with the Black Magician at his side, Yugi asked through gritted teeth, "Who are you?!"
"Me? I'm Keiko Akino, the #12-ranked duelist in the tournament. And you're Yugi Mutou.... #2 in the tournament. I hereby challenge you to a duel.... and I'll take your Millennium Puzzle card - and eliminate you from the tournament!!!!"
=== Russia ===
The column of fire ceased, and the demon descended to the ground. Stepping up to Masaharu, the man introduced himself.
"My name is Terutaka Amano, the #7-ranked duelist. I challenge you to a duel.... You, who defeated the great Yugi Mutou!!" Activating his Duel Disk, the demon vanished in a flash of light. With a sigh, Masaharu started up his Duel Disk.
"Duel!!!"
=== New York City ===
The man nodded.
"Yes, demon army. I've always been fascinated with demons.... Marvelous creatures, don't you think? Imagine an entire army of demons.... it'd make life MUCH more interesting, don't you think?"
Kaori sat in stunned silence. Without warning, the man burst into laughter.
"Ah, I'm just messing with you. I don't want to create a demon army! Hey, I'm not an idiot. Jonathan Michaels is the name. Most people call me by my nickname, though - 'Demon Lord.' I really have been interested in demons and the occult for some time now.... What's your name?"
Staying silent for a moment more, Kaori replied, "Kaori Makino."
=== Egypt ===
Both duelists had started up their Duel Disks by now, and had drawn their opening hands.
"I summon 'Giant Steel Snake,' in defense mode!!" As she spoke, a large beast blasted through the sand, a metallic snake-like creature with long fangs. (Lv. 4/Earth/Machine/1450 ATK/1700 DEF) "I also place two cards, and end my turn."
Yugi drew - 'Black Magician.' "I summon 'Skilled Black Magician,' in attack mode!!" A man cloaked in dark robes materialized on the field, chanting in a mysterious language. (Lv. 4/Dark/Magician/1900 ATK/1700 DEF) "Then, I attack with it, destroying your 'Giant Steel Snake!!'" Thrusting its staff at the opposing monster, the metal snake exploded into pieces, scraps falling to the ground in a haze of smoke. "I'll place two cards, and end my turn."
Keiko drew her next card, and smiled.
"See if you can handle this next move. I'm willing to bet you can't."
=== Russia ===
Terutaka drew, and said, "I summon the 'Gremlin,' in attack mode! And, I place three cards. Turn end." A green demon creature materialized, as did three cards. Silently, Masaharu drew, and played, "Treasure from Heaven!!! This lets both of us draw until we have seven cards in our hands. Next, I'll place two cards and summon a 'Strike Mage.' Turn end.' As his monster and cards materialized, Terutaka snickered.
"This is all you've got, eh? Pitiful. I'd expected more from one who defeated Yugi Mutou. Activate!!! 'Shrine of the Gods!!!!' This gives me two less monster slots.... for two more Magic and Trap slots. I'll place five more cards, and end my turn." Sweat trickled down Masaharu's brow.
E-Eight Magic and Trap slots?! There can only be one reason for his choosing that card....
Masaharu's turn was up, and he drew. "I place 'Strike Mage' in defense mode, and I'll place one more card. Turn end." Falling to one knee, the Strike Mage placing its bladed staff over its chest to defend itself. With a smirk, Terutaka flipped up a card.
"Activate - Gorgon's Eye! This turns your monster to stone...."
An enormous eye materialized on the field, as it shot a huge beam of energy out towards the Strike Mage and, in a flash of light, all that remained of the monster was a stone statue of it.
".... and deducts half its defense strength from your Life Points when it's destroyed. Attack now, my 'Gremlin!!!'"
And with a single electrical attack, the statue was shattered to pieces.
[Masaharu's LP: 3450] [Terutaka's LP: 4000]
=== New York City ===
"Huh. Never heard of 'ya. Care for some coffee?"
"...."
Jonathan cocked his head confusedly.
"What's your problem? All I asked was whether or not you wanted a cup of--"
"You want a duel."
Kaori stared fiercely at him, her eyes burning with rage.
"I know you want to duel with me, so be brave and just come out and say it."
".... Okay. I want a duel with you. Two Millennium Item cards, two Rares."
Drawing from her deck, Kaori held up her choices - the Millennium Ring, the Millennium Rod, 'Buster Blader,' and 'Gilford the Lightning.' Chuckling softly, Jonathan showed her his cards - 'Demon Summon' and 'Hellfire Black Dragon,' along with the Millennium Ankh and Millennium Tauk.
=== Egypt ===
"I play Raise Dead, summoning back my 'Giant Steel Snake.' Then, I'll play 'Brain Control' to gain control of your 'Skilled Black Magician.' Normally, I'd be worried about giving Magic Counters to that monster.... but not with my next move."
Just as Keiko's monster reappeared on the field, the 'Skilled Black Magician' spun around and over to her side of the field. And both of them started to glow....
"Now, I sacrifice both monsters to summon my greatest monster...."
Both monsters burst into small sparks of light, as they came together to form a gigantic figure.... a human-like figure, with a hawk-like head....
"Behold, Yugi! A true God Card!! Come forth, God of Horus!!!!"
=== Russia ===
Masaharu gritted his teeth. This wasn't looking good.... And he drew - 'Fusion.' Looking at his hand, he got an idea, and played his turn.
With a grin, he spoke....
"I'll show you God."
And in a flash of light, the figure of Obelisk appeared on the field. Terutaka reeled in terror.
"W-What in.... the Hell.... i-is that?! I-I've never seen.... s-such power.... !!!"
"In my world," Masaharu said, "there are a few copies of God Cards. They hold no power in my world.... but in yours...."
"Activate Magic Card!!! Fusion!!!!!"
Jumping into the air, Masaharu slid into the image of Obelisk, and a bright flash lit up the sky....