Chapter 19:  Meeting of the Elite Five

Well a week passed, Misha finally saw a city ahead of the ship…when he reached the port he quickly ran off the ship, Marik watched this and thought, "What did I get myself into."

Misha then saw five people standing just a few feet from him, "Well Misha…long time no see, you've seemed to be doing very well?" said one of them, Misha looked at them and said, "So what are you waiting for…you going to say hello to an old friend again?"

Soon they all advanced upon them and laughed, a few of them traded stories about what happened while Misha was away at Duelist Kingdom…Marik then stepped in, "Misha…who are these people?" he asked, sounding a little ticked off. Misha turned around and said, "These are my friends…Troy, Brandon, Zach, Erich, and Johnny. Together they're my Elite Five…for they have mastered their decks and may I say are rather difficult to defeat."

"Really…well would you like to pit that against one of my Rare Hunters?" Marik asked. Misha said, "Why not…show us the opponent and my one of my friends will defeat him."

Just then a man wearing a black robe appeared out of nowhere, Misha and the crew looked at him, "So who wants to have the chance to show this lightweight your skill?" Misha asked.

"I'll go for it." said Troy. "Okay…it's your Rare Hunter vs. Troy."

"Buddy…in the first few turns you'll be begging to forfeit." Taunted Troy, the Rare Hunter laughed and said, "That has yet to be seen."

"IT'S TIME TO DUEL!" both of them shouted and the duel was underway.

Troy looked at his cards and said, "I play three cards face down, and place a monster in defense mode and end my turn…your move."

The Rare Hunter looked at his hand and said, "I play a card face down, and summon Aqua Madoor [1200/2000] in attack mode…and I'll have him attack your face down monster."

Troy just shook his head and said, "I guess great minds do think alike, because my face down monster was also Aqua Madoor…and since it has a defense of 2000, you lose 800 life points.

The Rare Hunter watched his Life Points drop from 4000 to 3200, "What's wrong…don't tell me you're going to quit now?" Troy asked in a mocking tone, "Don't get cocky Troy…you have no idea what this guy may have up his sleeve." Misha called out in a stern tone. Troy gave Misha an 'okay' and made his move, "I play Neo the Magic Swordsman [1700/1000] in attack mode, oh…and I play two more cards face down and reveal one of the ones I put down earlier, say hello to the Magic card Hinotama." Suddenly a barrage of fireballs came down on the Rare Hunter, whose Life Points again decreased from 3200 to 2700. "I also reveal a Trap Card known as Robbin' Goblin…and that's it, you're move."

The Rare Hunter smirked, "You should've attacked me when you had the chance…because now I play my face down card Malevolent Nuzzler to increase my Aqua Madoor's ATK power to 1900…then I'll have it attack your Swordsman, Aqua Madoor attack the Magic Swordsman now!" Troy watched as his Swordsman was swept away by a wall of water and as his Life Points went from 4000 to 3800.

"Why didn't your friend use any of his face down cards…he doesn't seem that skilled to me if he doesn't realize they're there." Marik asked Misha, "He's just waiting for the appropriate moment to use those cards, we gave him a nickname back where I come from: 'instinct'…because he could sort of sense when a big play was going to come from his opponent, and that instinct of his is right about 70% of the time."

"Okay buddy…you destroyed my Swordsman…now I'm mad." Troy drew another card and said, "I play a monster in defense mode and end my turn." The Rare Hunter laughed and drew a card, "I'll play three cards face down and have my Aqua Madoor attack your face down monster!"

Troy smiled and said, "Oh, so sorry to disappoint you…but you just attacked Hiro's Shadow Scout, and this monster has a special ability…draw three cards and show them to me." The Rare Hunter did as Troy asked, "Okay now those two Magic cards have to go to the Graveyard…due to Shadow Scout's affect."

"You got lucky!" snapped the Rare Hunter. "Luck had nothing to do with it buddy… (Draws a card) but perhaps my next turn will make it look that way. I play a monster face down and flip up another face down card…here comes Toll, now when we have a monster attack we have to pay 500 Life Points to do so…your move."

The Rare Hunter drew his card and said, "Okay…I know I may have to pay 500 Life Points, but it'll be well worth it when the time comes. Now I'll have Aqua Madoor attack your face down monster!"

Troy shook his head, "You just don't learn, do you…in fact, I was hoping you'd attack it." Just then a worm like creature appeared in front of Aqua Madoor and attached itself to him, "What the heck is that thing?" The Rare Hunter asked. Troy shook his head in disgust and said, "That would be Kiseitai [300/800], when it's attacked face down it attaches itself to the attacker, and during your Standby Phase I'll gain Life Points equal to half the equipped monster's attack points."

"So by my Standby Phase you'll gain 950 Life Points, not bad…you're a more worthy opponent than I took you for." Said the Rare Hunter.

Rare Hunter LP-2200

Troy LP-3800

Troy drew another card and said, "Okay…I guess I have no choice but to play this now, reveal face down card Tremendous Fire!" Suddenly a torrent of flames engulfed them both, the Rare Hunter's Life Points decreased to 1200, and Troy's decreased to 3300. The Rare Hunter looked at Troy and smiled, "I don't believe you meant to play that card." Troy shrugged, "By Standby…I'll be gaining that 500 back and then some, so this ends my turn…your move."

The Rare Hunter drew a card and watched as Troy's LP went to 4250, "Okay boy…prepare to meet your end, I reveal a face down card Shadow of Eyes. This Trap card will put your Aqua Madoor into attack mode, and now I'll have my Aqua Madoor attack yours…but that's not all, I'll also play a face down Magic card called Hinotama."

Troy watched as his Aqua Madoor was destroyed and as a barrage of fireballs came sailing at him, Life Points at 3050 Troy said, "Yeah I may be down 1200 LP, but it's not even going to compare to the 700 LP you just reduced yourself too." The Rare Hunter shrugged and said, "That's why I also play the Magic card Dian Keto the Cure Master to bring me up to 1700 Life points, your move Troy."

"Okay…I know what that face down monster is, it was the same one that survived Shadow Scout's affect, I may loose 500 Life Points in the process…but I'll have to risk it." Troy thought to himself.

"Come on we haven't got all day!" complained the Rare Hunter.

"Okay…in that case I'll play Koumori Dragon [1500/1200] in attack mode, and have it attack your face down monster." Troy watched as his Life Points fell to 2550.

The Rare Hunter smiled, "Ha…you attacked my Big Eye, and with it's affect I get to see the next five cards in my deck and arrange them anyway I choose, I knew you'd slip up somewhere."

"Okay then I'll lay one more card face down and end my turn…but I warn you, this duel will soon be over." Troy replied back with a smile on his face. The Rare Hunter drew a card and watched Troy's LP go up to 3500, "Okay…I'll sacrifice my Aqua Madoor to summon Rude Kaiser [1800/1600] in attack mode, then I'll have it attack your Koumori Dragon…I also play one card face down and end my turn."

Rare Hunter LP-1200

Troy LP-3200

Troy drew a card and said, "I'll play a monster face down defense and reveal one of my face down cards…say hello to Exchange, this card allows me to take one card from your hand and you'll get a card from mine, but since I'm in a generous mode…I'll let you pick first." Troy showed the Rare Hunter his hand, The Rare Hunter chose Hyozanryu [2100/2800]. "Okay…now show me your hand." Troy looked and picked Enchanted Javelin. "Let's see what happens when I take this."

"Troy remember what I said, DON'T get cocky!" Misha hollered at him, Troy looked at his friend and rolled his eyes. "HEY, HEY…don't you do that to me, I don't know what you're planning to do Troy…but don't let your pride consume you." Misha looked down on the field and thought, "Hmm…out of all the face down cards he's played, he hasn't even touched that one yet. Which means either he's forgotten about it…or he's waiting for something BIG to come along."

Troy played another card face down and said, "Okay Hunter…your turn, but next turn I'm going all out on you."

The Rare Hunter drew another card and said, "I play Armored Lizard [1500/1200] in attack mode, and I think I'll have it attack your face down monster."

Troy shook his head and said, "They know they see it coming, yet when it's time you swear that it takes them by surprise…activate face down Trap card Mirror Force." The Rare hunter watched as his monster destroyed itself and as his Life Points fell to 700, he looked at Troy and said, "Okay…in that case I'll play another Dian Keto and bring my Life Points back to 1700, your move Troy."

Troy drew his card and played Mystical Elf [600/2000] in defense mode; he also played another card face down and ended his turn. Now the Rare Hunter realized that Troy had placed Enchanted Javelin on the field…so he withheld from attacking. Troy drew one more card and said, "You know…you should've attacked me when you had the chance. Because now I reveal my other face down monster…Spirit of the Harp, oh but that's not why you should've attacked…oh no n-n-n-n-no. The reason why is because I had an ace up my sleeve." Troy pointed to one of the face down cards on the field, "Now if you remember that card has been down on the field since first turn, I haven't played it because I didn't have the right card in my hand to go with it. But now is the time to reveal that card say hello to the ritual card, form ably known as Cosmo Queen's Prayer."

Troy then put both monster cards in the Graveyard and said, "I sacrifice Mystical Elf and Spirit of the Harp in this ritual to bring forth the most powerful creature in my deck, the ominous Cosmo Queen [2900/2450] in attack mode. Now Cosmo Queen attack his Rude Kaiser!" Cosmo Queen placed her hands together and uttered a prayer in an unintelligible tongue. The sky itself seemed to respond to the prayer by sending down a great column of white light, the Rare Hunter could only watch as the armor on Rude Kaiser cracked and shattered and incinerated the creature completely taking his Life Points down to 600, and due to the effect of Robbin' Goblin the Rare Hunter discarded on of his cards to the Graveyard. Troy's Life Points fell to 2700; they both stared at each other for a minute, "Your move Hunter…but I've already won this duel by what I have on the field."

The Rare Hunter drew a card and said, "Okay…this is where the rage hits the fan, first I play fissure to be rid of that almighty queen of yours, next I play Monster Reborn to bring back my Rude Kaiser…then and this is the fun part I play De-Spell to rid myself of that troublesome Toll…and then I have Rude Kaiser attack your Life Points directly!"

Troy watched as the giant axe armed creature leapt towards him and swung at him with his right arm, and then leapt back towards the Rare Hunter's Side, now at 900 LP left Troy started to laugh and said, "You know I haven't been this well challenged in a long time…but now seeing it's my turn I'm going to show you the mean side of me, first I draw a card, then I use Monster Reborn to bring back my Cosmo Queen…then I have it destroy your Rude Kaiser again and the rest of your Life Points with it."

With that the duel was over, Troy had won…the Rare Hunter looked in disbelief at Troy. All Troy's friends (save Misha) were chanting, "GO TROY, GO TROY, IT'S YA BIRTHDAY, IT'S YA BIRTHDAY!"

At that moment Hagane asked, "Misha…is it really Troy's birthday, I don't see any sort of a feast laid out?"

Misha chuckled, "No, it's just a victory chant…you have a lot to learn about the year in which I live in."

"And I can't wait to learn from you and your friends." Hagane finished.

Misha looked at Marik and asked, "So what do you think…impressed?"

Marik looked at Troy and the others, "I have to admit, they are impressive…but that was just one of them, how do I know the other four hold as much promise?" he asked. Misha looked at them, "I know they don't look like much…but trust me, when we get to the finals…if they're not there I'll buy you a soda."

Marik looked at Misha and said, "I'll hold you to that."

Marik then handed Misha two envelopes and departed from the group, Misha looked at contents and said, "Okay…Marik's given me the name's of two duelists he wants two of you to face, now how many locator cards do you all have?"

"Six" said Troy, Zach and Brandon W.

"Five" said Erich.

"I only have four…but I'll take any challenge no matter how great the difficulty." said Johnny.

"Alright then Johnny boy…if you feel that up for it I'll give you this one and Erich…this one will be your assignment." Misha said handing both of them their envelopes; Johnny's contained a picture of Yugi Moto…while Erich's had Joey Wheeler's mug shot.

"As for the rest of you, show me where you're all staying…I need to find a place to crash." Misha said to them, Erich and Johnny studied the faces of their targets long and hard…a few seconds later, they set out to find them.