A Yu-Gi-Oh! Story
Written by Yami Ron
If you have any comments about this story, you can e-mail me at and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Any person or Duel Monster listed in this story from the Yu-Gi-Oh! television show is copyrighted under Konami, Shonen Jump, and TV Tokyo.
©2004 Yami Ron
Chapter 6 is not completed yet. However, I have written to a good point in the duel in this chapter.
Chapter 6
The arena was in a circular dome shape, with blue linoleum covering the floors. The floor was recently waxed as shown by its shine as Arnie Hopkins looked at his reflection in the floor. Seven white marble poles were lined around the walls, also of white marble, of the arena, with a Millennium Eye, much larger than Nickosus', sat atop each pole. Hanging on the walls also hung seven life-size portraits of Nickosus, Kurai, or the both of them in a pose. The lighting of the arena was also on the dim side but bright enough to see the surroundings. Just about everywhere you looked, the Millennium insignia was imprinted: on the poles, the walls, the ceiling, and checkered spaciously on the linoleum tile.
Arnie looked up from the floor and saw two large doors of solid gold which was situated opposite from where they entered and which he assumed Nickosus would make his grand appearance from. Looking above him, a balcony was perched. He looked up just in time to see two women emerge from the balcony's shadows, arms extended over the rail and looked down at Mozz, who was situated in the center of the arena floor.
"We aren't too late, Mozz?" asked Kurai.
Mozz turned his head up to Kurai and Ishizu. "No, you are just in time you two. I was just about to make the announcement."
"That's good. You know how Nickosus gets when we're not on time for his duels."
"So this is who Nickosus has to face?" Ishizu said when she looked down at Arnie. "This duel won't last very long."
Arnie noticed the Millennium Rod that was grasped in Kurai's hand. "Shows what you know, Ishizu. The Millennium Rod and Necklace made it to the arena as well so I won't have to track them down for my master. Excellent," Arnie thought to himself with a smile on his face.
The Head of Security turned his head back to Arnie and spoke up. "Now ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you the creator of Duel Monsters and all its magnificent cards, and GQ Man of the Year three years running, let's give a round of applause for my boss, Mr. Maximillion Nickosus."
Everyone applauded towards the golden door, with hoots and hollers coming from Kuno and Birtha who were standing behind Arnie. Arnie didn't clap at all.
Kuno noticed the gesture. "You better start clapping, intruder, or I'll give you something to clap about," he whispered while clapping.
"Leave Mr. Hopkins alone, Kuno. Master Nickosus will take care of him for the both of us."
Just then the lights brightened up around the golden doors as the doors opened outwards revealing a hallway of darkness. Two faint glows of light then appeared from the darkness. Footsteps were heard by all as the light got brighter and brighter, until Nickosus and Ron, the Pharaoh, emerged from the shadows, the glow coming from the Millennium Eye and the Puzzle, respectively. They both were wearing a duel disk on their left arm. The clapping subsided.
"Hey look, the Pharaoh is with him! What's up, Ron?" Birtha said.
"Hey, Birtha! Long time no see? How's the security job coming along?"
"My Pharaoh," Ishizu said quietly, while placing a hand over her Necklace. Ron looked up to her as if he read her mind and smiled to her. She smiled back.
"Well the pay is good. And we get free booster packs every month. That's about it."
"Okay, enough with the small talk, hmmmhmmhmmm, for I have arrived. It is I, Maximillion Nickosus." He paused. "Oh my, you do not applaud for me, Mr. Hopkins? Do I offend you in some way?"
"I don't think you deserve my honor. I am here to defeat you quickly and take your Millennium Eye for my boss."
Gasps were heard throughout the arena. Kurai listened to the words again Arnie spoke in her mind. "Someone else is after the Millennium Artifacts. That's very interesting, indeed. I wonder who is after what I seek for myself. I may have to meet this person," Kurai said to herself, with an evil grin upon her face.
The Millennium Eye gleamed. "Kazakura, I take it? I'm not familiar with this person. No matter, if you are here to defeat me, I will make sure you won't. I do welcome you, however, Arnie Hopkins, to my Duelist Kingdom arena, known as the Dome of Millennia. I'll be sure to make your stay a pleasant one, albeit a short one," Nickosus said, the last bit quietly under his breath.
"Enough talk, let's duel!"
Nickosus raised his hand up to Arnie. "Not so fast, Arnie-boy. You're not the only one here would wants to take something away from me."
"Who else here wants a piece of you? The Pharaoh by your side?"
"Ronnie-boy? No of course not, we're the best of friends, now." Nickosus spoke up. "The person I'm talking about is eavesdropping on us from the shadows of the corridor. Isn't that right... Archy-boy? You can come out now, no need to hide." He pointed to his Eye. "You can't hide from this. Hmmhmhmhmmm."
Phrases of "Archaic? The President of DMASB? Here?" were being said in the arena, except for Ron and Nickosus, who already knew of the situation.
And then they calmly appeared from the shadows, and entered the light of the Millennia Dome. The brothers Archaic and Frozen Flareon stopped in front of the entrance of the arena.
Archaic looked at Nickosus and forcefully pointed a finger at him. "Maximillion Nickosus! You've been a severe hindrance in preventing my company from becoming the number one Duel Monsters business in the world. Today, that will change. Give me complete control of your Duelist Kingdom Company and I'll be on my way."
"You tell him, big brother!"
"Everyone wants a piece of Nickosus. Well you know how I work here, Archy-boy. To control my company, you have to duel me for it."
Kurai spoke up from the balcony. "But Nicky-woo, you're the creator of every card that exists today in Duel Monsters today. You are Duel Monsters! You can't offer up your wondrous company like it was nothing."
"Don't worry, dear. That is why Ronnie-boy is here to help me. But first," Nickosus walked over to Birtha. "Birtha, my card please. You have no need for her anymore."
Birtha reached into his pocket and pulled out his deck of cards, he looked through them, found the card in question and handed it to Nickosus. He put the rest of the cards back into his pocket. "I'm sorry for losing the duel, Master. Forgive me."
Nickosus pulled out a card from his shirt pocket. "I'm going to give you some time to think about your mistake, Birtha. I hold in my hand the legendary Glory of the King's Opposite Hand card. And I am going to trap your soul within it, hmmmmm." Nickosus' Millennium Eye gleamed and strands of hair blew up as if a breeze swept through the room, which it hadn't. Birtha started to scream as brightest light erupted in the arena, forcing everyone to shield their eyes from what was happening before them.
"No, Nickosus, don't do it," Ron pleaded to the creator of the Cards. But it was too late. Once the brightness faded, Birtha laid on the ground motionless. Within Nickosus' card, a picture of Birtha appeared with a star-filled cosmos in the background.
"You will stay in solitary confinement until I take care of business here, Birtha-boy. Now Kuno, take him away to the prison cells below ground," Nickosus said while placing the card back into his pocket.
"As you wish, master." Kuno swept up Birtha with one arm, threw him over his shoulder, and exited the Millennia Dome.
Archaic and Frozen Flareon were trembling with fear at what just transpired. "Will that happen to us, Archaic, if you lose the duel?"
"I...I hope it doesn't. I will win the duel."
"Let me give you a few words of advice, Archy-boy. Don't lose. Hmmhmhmmhmm." Archy-boy spoke a few curses under his breath at the remark.
Nickosus walked back over to Ron while he continued to talk. "Now Arnie-boy and Archy-boy, you each want something from me, and both of you has to duel me to win the prizes that you seek. Since I'm short on time, and I am getting hungry, how about my proposition." He made it back to where he originally stood and turned around. "A two-on-two match featuring myself and Ronnie-boy here vs. Mr. Arnie Hopkins and you, Archy-boy," he said while pointing to each participant as he called out their names.
"Us two? Team up?" Archaic and Arnie said to each other simultaneously.
"I've heard you are one of the best duelists in the world, Mr. Pomfret. I think we will do great as a tag team."
"Yeah, just as long as I don't have to carry your sorry behind, Arnie is it? Just don't stand in my way when I win Nickosus' company. Little brother, stay here. This duel could get ugly." Archaic started to walk towards the main part of the dueling floor.
"Sure thing, Archaic."
"We'll see who is carrying who when this duel is over." Arnie thought to himself while also getting into his position on the arena floor. "Besides, I have a chance for 2 Millennium Items for the prize of one duel victory, the Millennium Puzzle being the ultimate prize. Master Kazakura will definitely be pleased."
"Then it's agreed. Kurai dear, toss a duel disk down to Archy-boy." Kurai picked one up that was on the balcony floor and tossed it, very gently, down to Archaic. Archaic caught it and strapped it on. Nickosus and Ron got into their dueling positions as well. "This will be a two-on-two duel with standard rules."
"Agreed," the populous stated.
Nickosus sent a mental message to Ron. "Ronnie-boy, Archy-boy is right. This duel will get ugly. I suggest you to unleash the powers of your Millennium Puzzle now before it is too late."
"If you insist, Nickosus." Ron closed his eyes and the Millennium Puzzle shined brightly. "Ron-i-ooooooooooooooooooooooooh!" Once the transform ended, more spikes of Ron's hair stood up and he was a good 6 inches taller. Also his eyes showed more focus and determination. "I'm ready."
"What just happened over there?" Arnie and Archaic said in unison.
"Just a few of the many surprises in store in this duel that you both agreed to. Hmmhmmhmhmm. Now Mozz, give the orders."
"All right ladies and gentlemen, this feature match will feature the team of Mr. Maximillion Nickosus and the reigning King of Games, Ron Motou against the talents of Arnie Hopkins and Archaic Pomfret. Now gentlemen, shuffle your decks, load your decks into the duel disk, and begin the duel! Arnie Hopkins, by earning the qualifications to face Nickosus, you will go first, followed by Ron, Archaic, and last but certainly not least, Master Nickosus himself."
On the arena floor, if it wasn't ironic enough, Archaic stood across from Nickosus and Arnie Hopkins stood across from the Pharaoh. Each pair was staring at each other with eyes of fury, all anticipating the start of this match. Each competitor loaded their deck and simultaneously drew five cards each, all the while not taking their eyes off each other.
"Duel!" all of them said simultaneously. The match was on!
"Be careful my Pharaoh."
"Show them that no one messes with our family corporation, big brother!" Frozen Flareon said loudly to Archaic. Archaic just smiled evilly at the other three competitors.
"Take those two to school Master Nickosus, sir. Errhhmmm, you may proceed, Mr. Hopkins with your first move," Mozz said, a little out of character.
"Very well," Arnie stated. "Draw!" He looked at his six cards carefully. "I place one monster in defense mode and set two magic/trap cards as well and end my turn." The virtual field responded with Arnie's moves.
"You will not obtain my Millennium Puzzle this duel, Mr. Hopkins, I assure you. Draw!" He paused and looked at his six cards as well. "I play Double Coston (Level 4/1700 ATK/1650 DEF) in attack mode and set one magic/trap card face down and end my turn."
"Today Nickosus, your company will belong to me, Archaic Pomfret! Draw! I play Spear Dragon (Level 4/1900 ATK/0 DEF) in attack mode and set one card face down," Archaic said without any hesitation.
"Tsk tsk, Archy-boy, you already think you've won my company before my partner and my life points even reach zero. That's a foolish mistake. Hmmm, draw." Nickosus looked over his new card and decided to play it. "Solar Flare Dragon (Level 4/1500 ATK/1000 DEF), attack mode and one magic/trap card face down and I end my turn. Hmmm, and because of the effect of Solar Flare Dragon, I shall inflict 500 damage to your life points, Archy-boy."
Archaic clutched his heart while the LP indicator decreased to 3500. "What is this... pain I'm experiencing? I've never, ever... felt anything like this. It is almost... like... I am having a heart attack."
"Didn't I say we are having surprises throughout this duel? For this duel, you will feel all damage inflicted on your life points until you can't bear it anymore and you'll collapse. That's because we are going to play a..."
"No Nickosus, you wouldn't," Ron thought to himself.
"Shadow game." Nickosus' Millennium Eye started to glow almost as bright as the sun itself as darkness started to fall within the Grand Duelist Arena. The other competitors had to shield their eyes from the light, except for the Pharaoh, who could withstand the Millennium magic.
Kurai and Ishizu focused on the purple and black mists descending on the field, which were also trapping them within as well. "Maximillion dear, I thought you stopped with all these shadow games of yours," Kurai spoke as she turned her attention on the match below. However, her inner thoughts were only of interest of about how this duel is unfolding.
"Yes, Nickosus, I'm going to have to agree with Kurai. This shadow game is crossing the line, even for you," Ron said.
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Ronnie-boy. But when you duel in my castle, I make the rules anyway that I wish. Hmmm, that should do it." The Millennium Eye's glow waned and Arnie and Archaic were able to drop their arms which were covering their eyes. When they opened them, all they could see was darkness and despair around them.
"What the hell is this place?" Arnie was the first to ask. Then he looked at the duel monsters already in play. "And bloody hell, the monsters look more real than they did before this darkness spread over the field!"
Archaic was able to regain his composure from his LP loss. "I don't know how I got in here, Nickosus, but you better let me out of here this instant!" Just then Archaic's Spear Dragon let out a loud scream. "Did my Spear Dragon just make a battle cry? My Duel Monster simulation systems never had voice capabilities like that before."
"Memories," was all Ron could say while thinking of past shadow duels he has participated in.
"This is the Shadow Realm, you two, hmmmhmmhmmm. And the only way you can leave is by defeating Ronnie-boy and I. Evening up the odds is what I like to call it," Nickosus smiled. "Oh, and the monsters before you are real. They have the same five senses you and I do. Hmmhmmhmm, hopefully the sense of taste won't be explored by any of the monsters used today." Arnie and Archaic cringed at Nickosus' statement. "Now, shall we proceed with this duel, Arnie-boy?"
The Millennium Necklace started to glow as Ishizu placed her hand to it and closed her eyes. She then spoke quietly to herself, "The Necklace sees you making it through this match successfully, my Pharaoh. Please don't let my Necklace's prediction be wrong."
Arnie drew his next card. "I'll show you evening up the odds, Nickosus. I'm not afraid of this 'Shadow Realm'. I'll set another monster face down and end my turn."
"You call yourself a duelist and you keep playing monsters in defense mode?" Archaic retorted.
"I'm getting sick of your snide comments, Mr. Pomfret," Arnie muttered. "If he keeps this up, I'll probably let Nickosus and the Pharaoh wipe out his life points without me helping," he smiled to himself.
"My turn," the Pharaoh stated. "Draw! Go my Double Coston, attack Arnie's first face down card!" He proceeded without hesitation.
"Sorry Pharaoh Ron, you just attacked my Poison Mummy (Level 4/1000 ATK/1800 DEF). You lose 100 LP from the attack and another 500 from Poison Mummy's flip effect." A loud moan was heard from Poison Mummy as he was summoned to the field and held off the attack of Double Coston.
Ron's LP indicator dwindled down to 3400 and even he has to clutch his heart and let out a heavy gasp. "Memories do hurt," he managed to say.
"Pharaoh!" Ishizu cried out from the balcony. "I'm... all right,... Ishizu dear."
Nickosus looked over to his hurting partner. "Ronnie-boy, you can't continue to be the novice that I know you aren't if you are MY dueling partner. Think before you act next time."
"Nickosus... I'm... doing... the best I can. I end my turn," the Pharaoh said, regaining his composure.
"Hahahaha, the King of Games is struggling? This match won't last long after all! Draw!" Archaic said in confidence. "Spear Dragon, attack Nickosus' Solar Flare Dragon with your beak blade!" Spear Dragon didn't hesitate on the command and swooped in on the fire dragon.
"Hmmm, not so fast, Archy-boy! I activate the trap card Gravity Bind! It stops all Level 4 and higher monsters on the field from attacking." The Spear Dragon was suddenly trapped in a dark blue sphere of energy and pulled back to his original position on the field. Green netting then appeared in front of the four Level 4 face-up monsters on the field, holding them in place.
Archaic had a look of anger on his face. "Damn you, Nickosus! You always know my moves and always have a counter for them ahead of time," Archaic thought to himself before he acknowledged the end of his turn.
"Oh? Is it my turn already? Hmmm, draw." A smile appears on Nickosus' face. "I play White Magician Pikeru in attack mode (Level 2/1200 ATK/0 DEF). And then I end my turn, and you all know what that means. My Solar Flare Dragon gets to play with your life points again." Arnie and Archaic could only look at the dragon hoping the other person would get the 500 LP damage.
"Solar Flare Dragon, knock 500 off of Arnie's LP this time. Hmmhmmhmm, and put some spirit fire behind it." Solar Flare Dragon emitted a yellow blaze of spirit fire at Arnie. Arnie wanted to run, but in the Shadow Realm, you can't move. Suddenly, Arnie yelled as the fire engulfed him, ripping at his life energy. Solar Flare Dragon stopped the fire show as Arnie Hopkins life points were reduced to 3500 as he collapsed to the ground. Moments passed when Arnie slowly got up while clutching his heart, black spirit smoke emitting from all around him.
Kurai held the Millennium Rod with a tighter grasp. "Hmmmm, that's exactly how I would of done it, but worse," she said from the balcony, with an inside laugh.
Ishizu was amazed by what Kurai had just said. "Archaic and Arnie is it? Sister, they could be seriously hurt out there by the outcome of this duel your husband Maximillion has prepared!"
"I don't care! Just as long as I get the Millennium Puzzle in the end, nothing else matters!" Kurai thought to herself, with eyes wide open.
Arnie Hopkins wasn't done with his move yet. "A little... spirit fire... won't stop... ME! Trap Card Open!" The trap card on the field lifted to reveal the Secret Barrel card. Suddenly, a very large multi-colored, multi-barreled gun emerged onto the field. "Do onto others as they do onto you is my motto. Secret Barrel, use your effect on Nickosus' life points!" The gun turned its target towards Nickosus, took aim, and fired off seven large spirit bullets at him. Nickosus didn't counter the attack as each bullet passed right on through his heart and other vital internal organs. "From my calculations, that is 1400 life points of direct damage to you."
Even Archaic was impressed by Arnie's counter, but he didn't want to show that emotion openly. "Nice play, partner," he said in a low monotonous voice while he watched the carnage unfold on Nickosus and waited to see Nickosus' reaction.
Strangely, to both Arnie's and Archaic's surprise, simple sounds of "Hmmm" and "Oooh" came from Maximillion from each bullet that passed right through him, with a jerk here and there as his LP indicator dropped to 2600. After the last bullet passed through him, Nickosus looked down, white hair concealing his face, and started saying his chant of "hmmmhmmhmmm" over and over again, while clutching his heart and his right side.
"Nickosus! Are you all right? You took a lot of damage that turn," Ron said out of concern for his partner.
"Hmmmhmmmhmmm, I'm all right Ronnie-boy. It has been so long since I've experienced a shadow game of this magnitude." Nickosus looked up and set his eyes on Arnie. "My, my, Arnie-boy, you've brought my life points all the way down to 2600. Oh noooo... what am I to do?" Arnie could only watch in puzzlement as Nickosus seemed to enjoy the torture handed to him.