Chapter Thirty-Five: Commandeering Victory
"Listen up you civilians! I have no intention of losing! When I was in the field, I never lost a duel. To me, dueling is like waging a war, and I'm about to bury you and your decks! And to illustrate my point, I play Gravekeeper's Servant! This magic card forces you to discard a card from the top of your deck each time you try to attack me! Then I'll place one card facedown then to finish my move, I'll summon my Archfiend Soldier (1900/1500) in attack mode!" Clayton began, his cards materializing next to him.
"You want to wage war? Then let us summon an army of our own!" Ryan retorted, "I'll place two cards facedown on the field. Then I'll play a Gravekeeper's Servant of my own! Now you have to discard cards too when you attack us. But that's not all! I'll then summon Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer (1800/700) in attack mode to end my turn!" Ryan replied, his cards and purple clothed, half masked human appearing in front of him, poised for battle.
"Now for my turn! I summon Giant Orc (2200/0) to the field in attack mode! Giant Orc! Crush his Archfiend with bone club crush!" Saria commanded. The Orc made a beeline for the Archfiend when Clayton reached for his duel disk.
"Your attack activates Gravekeeper's Servant! One card from the top of your deck goes to the graveyard automatically," Clayton declared. Saria's duel disk began to shoot out lightning as the top card from her deck teleported to her graveyard.
No! I needed that card! Saria thought urgently as her monster neared the archfiend.
"That's not all I'm doing kid! I also reveal Rush Recklessly! It raises my Archfiend Soldier's attack by 700 points so your will attack will fail!" Clayton added. Saria could only watch as her orc was gutted by the Archfiend's sword, destroying the orc. Saria grimaced as her life points dropped to 3600.
"To end my turn, I'll place this facedown," Saria mumbled.
"Kid, you need to think more rationally if you're going to beat me and enter the finals. I don't tolerate stupidity and I'm afraid to say I have to punish you now by defeating the both of you!" Clayton advised. Saria and Ryan tensed.
"I play yet another magic card, the mighty Tag Team card!"
"Yugi, any idea on what that card does?" Saria asked, turning to her friend. Yami quickly took control of Yugi's body.
"It's very powerful. It can decide this duel here and now," Yami replied. Joey turned to him.
"Yami, she asked about what it does. Details man," Joey asked.
"Clayton can summon two of the same monster to the field at the cost of 1500 life points," Yugi replied. Everyone gasped.
"That's correct, so I'll bid farewell to 1500 of my life points and Saria can say hello to my two remaining Archfiend Soldiers (1900/1500)!" Clayton declared as he summoned his monsters.
"He's got three on the field!" Tristan noticed.
"He must have had a lucky draw. With a forty card deck, it wouldn't take much to draw his soldiers and put them into play," Serenity noted.
"Too bad this war had to end, but it will add yet another victory to my count! So, go my soldiers! Attack the girl with your archfiend blades!" Clayton commanded, pointing at Saria.
My trap can't save me from this. Saria thought as she closed her eyes and braced herself. She felt pure pain as she was hit when a sound of purity caught her ears. She opened up her eyes and saw a barrier of pure light surrounding her and Ryan. Two of the soldiers rushed it only to be stopped cold by the light.
"What did you do to my monsters? Why didn't my second and third attacks work?" Clayton wondered.
"It's quite simple, but first three cards from the top of your deck go to your graveyard," Ryan noted as three cards teleported to the graveyard.
"But what about the light barrier?"
"Simple, a trap called Sacred Shield. If you try to finish off an opponent with a non-light monster, all possible attacks are negated and their attack points drop by 500 points. Of course, a card this powerful has a heavy cost, half of my life points to be exact," Ryan explained flashing his card.
"Damn. I'll end my turn then," Clayton sighed.
My trap only repels non-light creatures direct attacks. If he plays a light monster, we're done for! Ryan thought as he drew.
"Now, I'll summon Opticlops (1800/1700) in attack mode! Then I'll play the magic card, DeSpell to destroy your Gravekeeper's Servant!" Ryan declared. A humanoid monster with one eye and blond fur appeared next to him and Clayton's magic card vanished in a flash of light.
"Now I'll attack your Archfiends with Opticlops then Kycoo!" Ryan declared. Opticlops and Kycoo made a beeline for the two weakened Archfiends. Clayton grimaced as his monsters vanished and his life points dropped to 5900.
"And that's not all! Because of Kycoo's special ability, both of your monsters aren't sent to the graveyard: They are removed from play, making them useless to you!" Ryan added. Clayton grimaced as he stared down his adversaries.
"I'll end my turn then," Clayton mumbled. Saria drew and gasped.
"Alright! You may have had me down from the beginning, but it's time Ryan and I retook control of this duel!" Saria declared.
"How do you plan to do that kid?"
"With these! I play Monster Reborn and revive the Giant Orc you destroyed awhile back!" Saria began, her orc returning.
"Then, I'll have it attack your remaining Archfiend Soldier with bone club crush!" Saria continued, her orc reducing the soldier to nothing.
"Now, I'll sacrifice my defensive orc to summon the mighty Mage of the Phoenix (2100/1500)!" Saria added, summoning a blond-haired, green-eyed, female magician in red garb with rainbow colored robes, wings and a large magic scepter.
"Now, I'll show you the true power of teamwork! Go my mage! Use your special ability to attack Clayton directly here and now!" Saria commanded. Clayton's eyes flashed fear as he was blasted with fiery magic. He growled as his life points dropped to 3500.
"Now I'll activate my mage's second ability! Because I did damage to your life points, two trap cards in your deck go straight to the graveyard!" Saria pointed out. Clayton stared at his deck as two traps went straight to the graveyard. But he merely smiled.
"Kid, I got to give you credit. It's been a long time since anyone gave me direct damage. But if you don't up your game a few levels, you're doomed to fall!" Clayton threatened.
"Very well. I shall place two cards face down and end my turn," Saria said, placing new cards on the field.
"Good, I'll place this facedown then play Card of Sanctity. It makes all of us draw until we all have six cards in our hands," Clayton explained. Everybody drew cards until their hands had six cards each.
"Excellent! I think I'll play this rare magic card, Hinotama!" Clayton said flashing his magic card.
"Hinotama!" Joey exclaimed.
"What does it do?" Ryan asked.
"I can automatically make it so one of you loses 500 life points instantly and I think I'll strike your dear sister," Clayton explained, his gaze setting on Saria.
"Go Hinotama! Strike Saria down and reduce her life points by 500!" Clayton shouted, placing his card. The sky flashed red as a flaming comet rushed towards Saria.
"Hold it right there! Reveal trap card, Life Bringer!" Ryan interrupted, his trap revealed.
"My continuous trap card reverses the effect of magic cards that automatically do direct damage at a cost of 500 of my life points. In short, instead of losing 500 life points, Saria will gain 500 life points!" Ryan explained. The comet turned a bright white as it knocked Saria back. Though she was shaken, her life points went up to 2200.
"Thanks Ryan," Saria groaned as she stood up.
"Saria, we're a team and I'll always protect you. You saved me so I'm going to save you by winning this duel and getting us into the finals," Ryan replied, flashing a battle stance. Right then and there, Saria was glad he was there. Saria nodded as she faced Clayton.
"How touching. I shared a same bond with my comrades but not many lived through the battles we faced. Your mother was one of them. I remember when she was learning how to use a battle staff. She was a great student and that's why I was glad to serve under her. But despite the fact you're her kids, I'm afraid you won't win. I'll summon Gearfried the Iron Knight (1800/1600) in attack mode, then I'll play two magic cards, the field card Array of Revealing Light and the continuous magic card, Banner of Courage!" Clayton declared, his black and silver clad knight and banner appearing next to him. Everybody then watched as the playing field transformed. Underneath each monster was a glowing circle of energy of a rainbow of colors.
"My Array of Revealing Light makes it so one type of monster can't attack the same turn it is summoned. I think I'll choose the type Spellcasters!" Clayton explained, "But you must be wondering about the Banner of Courage. It raises my knight's attack by 200 points during my battle phase. But which one of your monsters will I attack?" Clayton examined the playing field until his gaze settled on Ryan's Kycoo.
"Well rookie, it looks like your Ghost Destroyer will be my knight's first target. So go my knight! Attack Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer with your forearm blade!" Clayton commanded. Ryan watched as the knight rushed towards him.
Because Gearfried is the earth element, the Sacred Shield can't repel his attack. Ryan thought as Gearfried reached him.
"Hold it! Reveal magic card: Wicked Breaking Flamberge - Baou!" Saria shouted, revealing her equip magic card.
"At the cost of one card from my hand, I can increase a monster's attack power by 500 points," Saria explained. A purple-handled sword with a blade of dark silver appeared in Kycoo's hands.
"No! That makes his magician stronger than my knight!" Clayton exclaimed, "or does it? Reveal facedown trap card: Collected Power! With this, I can make it so all equip magic cards change targets, and I shall choose my Gearfried!"
"Hold on! Gearfried can't have equip magic cards equipped to it!" Joey shouted.
"I know! If I can't use equip cards, why should my opponents?" Clayton countered.
"Actually, I was hoping you would take my magic card," Saria said calmly, a smirk on her face, her eyes flashing fire.
"Why is that?"
"Because you triggered my real trap! Reveal Exchange of Power!" Saria replied, flashing a trap card.
"What does Exchange of Power do?"
"It can only be activated when my opponent destroys an equip magic card on the field. It allows me look into my graveyard and pull out any magic card I desire, and I'll choose this one," Saria explained as she pulled out a familiar card. Yugi gasped. Saria was holding the Master Sword Ritual card!
"Yes! Saria got back her Master Sword Ritual!" Yami exclaimed.
"Good show Saria! Now you can summon your Triforce Destiny monster!" Tristan added.
"Of course I do realize that Exchange of Power won't stop your knight's attack or save you from his Gravekeeper's Servant card, but it will inevitably give us victory!" Saria declared, raising a fist to her face to prove her point. Kycoo was then destroyed and another card went from Clayton's deck to his graveyard.
"Well, I must say I'm impressed. You turned a bad situation into something you could make use of. But when will you learn that I can be just as witty. Earlier in the duel, you sent my best card to the graveyard, but now it is time to bring it back with Monster Reborn!" Clayton said, flashing his magic card.
"What are you reviving? Tell us!" Ryan demanded. Clayton gave a confident smile.
"Meet the monster no one has been able to beat yet! I shall revive Gerudus, the Dragon General (3500/2500)!" Clayton replied, putting the card into play. The new monster resembled a blue biped dragon with red battle armor and a large sword in its left claw. It had large green wings with golden accenting and dark crimson eyes. It stood at least over thirty feet tall.
"Gerudus?! I thought it was only a legend," Yugi exclaimed. Everybody looked at him.
"What's up with that card?" Joey asked.
"It's extremely rare. I've only heard of it. It's said to be as rare and powerful as the Blue Eyes White Dragon. It's a ten star creature that is the fire element dragon-type creature. If Clayton uses its special abilities, it could be the end of Saria and Ryan," Yugi explained.
"There is one way out though isn't there? Couldn't Saria and Ryan summon their Triforce Destiny monsters to fight back?" Joey wondered. Yami nodded.
"Yes. In fact, it could be their only hope," Yami replied.
"My general is ready now. But which one of you to attack first?" Clayton wondered. His gaze leveled at Saria and her mage.
"I could level your mage and severely damage your life points, but if I attack your brother and his card, I can wipe out you both out!" Clayton realized. He pointed at Ryan.
"Gerudus! Attack Ryan's Opticlops with your dragon broadsword swipe!" Clayton commanded. Ryan grimaced as the dragon took to the sky and flew towards him. The sword the dragon held began to shoot out flames as it neared Ryan.
This is it! I've failed both Saria and my parents! Ryan thought when his monster and Saria's mage vanished and four top hats appeared.
"What the? Magical Hats! That'll protect your monsters from my attack!" Clayton shouted.
"That's right!" Saria pointed out as the dragon struck an empty hat and a card from his deck vanished.
"Based on what just happened, I'd say your turn is over and Ryan's begins!" Saria said, glancing over at Ryan. He scrutinized his hand and gasped.
I got the Call of Destiny ritual card! All I need now is the Princess of Destiny and I can summon my Triforce Destiny monster! But for now, all I can do is defend myself. Ryan thought as he reached for his hand.
"I play a monster card and hide it under the Magical Hats. Then I'll also add this card too," Ryan declared.
"Aren't you going to tell me what it is?" Clayton asked.
"Nope, you figure it out," Ryan replied.
"Now it's my turn! And I'll add another monster and play it under the hats as well as this card to end my turn," Saria declared.
"Well now. Lets see what I have to deal with. You have four monsters in your hats along with your two facedown cards. Attacking the right hat could destroy you. So now, I'll begin my turn by sacrificing my Gearfried in order to summon the master of fiend monsters. Behold my Beast of Talwar (2400/2150)!" Clayton shouted. The new monster had two large Talwar style blades, dark blue wings, and its body was rippled with muscle.
"That's one of the rarest fiends in all of Duel Monsters!" Yami exclaimed.
"That's correct, Yugi! This is my first rare card and has always been my personal favorite! But with Sacred Shield still in play, I can't attack with it until I get rid of it with my spare Mystical Space Typhoon!" The group watched helplessly as the light barrier around Saria vanished.
"And now my mighty beast! Attack the middle hat with Talwar blade strike!" Clayton commanded, Gravekeeper's Servant taking another deck card. The group watched as the beast flew towards the hat and cut it into two, revealing Ryan's facedown monster, a male magician garbed in black.
"So, your facedown monster was the Skilled Dark Magician (1900/1700). Of course, it didn't stand a chance against my mighty Talwar. Such a shame," Clayton taunted.
"But you did activate the trap card I hid with my monster!"
"What trap?"
"The trap card, S.D. Virus!" Ryan replied, showing his trap.
"What does that do?"
"My trap card automatically infects my opponent's deck and removes from the top five cards and sends them to the removed zone! Of course, it only works if you destroy one of my monsters first, so your recklessness cost you dearly and don't forget that my Gravekeeper's Servant depletes your deck with each attack!" Ryan explained. Clayton frowned as six cards vanished.
He's right! My deck is running out! I have to finish this before they finish me! Clayton thought.
"Well played, but I'm going to clear away another one of your hats with Gerudus! Gerudus! Attack the hat on the right!" Clayton commanded as another card from his deck vanished. It was Saria's turn to grin as the hat vanished and her facedown monster was revealed. It resembled a die but each side had a different colored face.
"Clayton, you messed up big time. You revealed a card that is one of my personal favorites. The card you revealed was the Chance Jar (500/200)!" Saria said.
"Not Chance Jar! Anything but that!" Clayton screamed.
"Alright! Chance Jar lets Saria roll a die and depending on the result, she can search her deck for any card she desires," Joey explained.
"Since when do you know about that card? I've never heard of it," Tristan asked.
"I have one in my deck too," Joey replied. Saria gripped her die tightly and tossed it. Everyone watched anxiously as it came up a six.
"Yes! A six! That means I can search my deck for any card I want and put it into my hand!" Saria exclaimed and she pulled a card from her deck.
"Well, is there any other move you want to make before my brother takes his turn?" Clayton shook his head no.
"Good! Cause here I come!" Ryan declared as he reached for his deck.
Please Nayru! Let this be the card I need! Ryan prayed as he drew. He looked at the card and gasped, then smiled.
"Prepare to experience a power like no other!" Ryan warned as he reached for his hand, "I'll begin my turn by summoning Warrior Dai Grepher (1700/1600) in attack mode. Then I'll play my ritual card, Call of Destiny!" The group gasped as Ryan's warrior and fiend vanished in a ray of holy light, only to reappear as a delicate princess in pink finery and holding a large scepter the size of the monster itself.
"Behold my Princess of Destiny!" Ryan declared.
"What's its attack power?" Clayton asked.
"In my case, take the attack of the monsters I sacrificed and add them up. That's my princess' attack. Do the same to defense points for defense points."
"That means your princess has 3500 attack points and 3300 defense points! That's enough to beat my dragon, but you can't attack right away thanks to my Array of Revealing Light!" Ryan smiled.
"What Array of Revealing Light? My princess destroys all enemy magic and trap cards you control when it is summoned to the field!" Ryan explained.
Well, only because I have the Triforce of Courage. If the card was in Saria's deck, it would be totally different. Ryan reminded himself.
"Oh no! That means..."
"You are in trouble! Princess of Destiny! Attack Gerudus the Dragon General with strike of the seven sages!" Ryan commanded. The princess raised her staff to the sky as seven rainbow colored balls gathered around her. She then pointed her scepter towards the dragon and the balls flew towards the dragon.
"Hold it! You've activated my dragon's special ability! I'll deflect your attack!" Clayton warned.
"I feared this would happen! He's going to redirect the attack to another target on the field!" Yami shouted.
"That's correct! I'll direct the magic attack to Saria's concealed mage!" Clayton grinned.
"Saria!" Ryan shouted when the balls flew towards her. The balls struck the hat, destroyed it then went through and knocked Saria backwards onto her back, then she flipped over onto her stomach and lay there as her life points plunged to 800.
"Saria! You OK?" Joey shouted. Ryan knelt near her and felt for a pulse. She was alive, but out. It was then the spirits of the Millennium Puzzle and the Triforce Amulets gathered in Saria's mind. They gathered near a fallen Saria and Link flipped her over.
This isn't good! That attack knocked her good. She must get up or they'll lose the duel. Yami exclaimed.
Don't worry! I'll take over for Saria! Link declared as Saria's Triforce Amulet began to glow. When the glow faded seconds later, Saria's eyes opened and she wearily got up to her knees. In reality, it was Link controlling her body.
"I began to wonder if I had knocked you out good. You OK?" Clayton asked. Link nodded.
"Yes. Now I'll begin my turn," Link declared as he drew from the deck. His voice sounded like Saria's, but it was more courageous.
OK, Saria had the Master Sword Ritual in her hand but it is not here now, so it must be her facedown card. It's a good thing I just drew this! Link contemplated as he gripped his new card.
"I'll play Graceful Charity and draw three cards then discard two," Link declared as he did just that. He studied his new hand and gasped then smiled.
I got the Hero of Time! But I can't play it! Only Saria can summon it successfully and she's still out, but perhaps I can buy some time with this! Link thought as he reached for his hand.
"For this turn, I'll place one card facedown then I'll play the Dark Magic Curtain card and pay half of my life points in order to summon my Courageous Dark Magician (2500/2100)!" Link declared, Saria's magician appearing on the field. Clayton seemed unfazed at this.
"What was the point of that? My Gerudus is still stronger than your stalwart mage," Clayton wondered.
"That's true, but he can still wipe the floor with your beast!" Link pointed out.
"Damn! She's right! My beast can't stand up to that magician!" Clayton growled.
"Go Courageous Dark Magician! Strike down the Beast of Talwar with dark magic attack!" Link commanded. Clayton looked on helplessly as his monster vanished in a flash of dark magic.
"That'll end my turn," Link declared.
"It'll also be your last!" Clayton growled as he drew from his deck.
"I can end this with one blast. Why did you throw it all away by summoning a vulnerable Dark Magician?" Clayton wondered. Link smirked.
"Because I know you won't attack! Here's the deal. You attack and Gravekeeper's Servant activates. Then I block your attack with my first facedown card then eliminate the rest of your deck with the second card. With a deck as thinned out as yours, I don't think you want to risk losing. If you attack, you lose. If you don't attack... Well, you might escape unscathed. It's your choice," Link explained. Clayton studied Link's face carefully. There was absolutely no fear in his eyes.
"I will not attack. I'll put my general in defense mode then end my turn," Clayton frowned.
"OK, but I must warn you, you're about to lose! Princess of Destiny! Finish off Gerudus!" Ryan commanded and the princess vanquished Clayton's last monster.
"That'll begin my turn!" Saria declared as she drew from her deck.
Kid, it's up to you now. Link said as he vanished back into the Triforce Amulet.
"I'll summon a Celtic Guardian (1400/1200) in attack mode then reveal my Master Sword Ritual card! I'll use it to sacrifice my two monsters and create my Hero of Time (3200/2700)!" Saria declared. Saria's two monsters vanished and her familiar warrior appeared, sword poised for attack.
"I lost count on how many magicians and warriors you destroyed but it won't matter because my hero is strong enough to finish you! Hero of Time! Knock off Clayton's life points with sword of evil's bane attack!" Saria commanded. Clayton frowned then shed a tear as the hero's sword magic flew towards him and knocked him on his back, wiping out his remaining life points.
"They did it!" Tristan shouted. Moments later, the group met on the playing field.
"Here you go you two. Take the General Medals. They count as two medals and in your case, they grant you entry into the finals," Clayton explained as he handed the two duelists silver medals.
"Good job you guys! Nobody can accuse you of being guppies!" Mako congratulated.
"Thanks Mako. Coming from someone as good as you, that means a lot," Saria replied.
"Maybe we'll duel in the finals," Ryan suggested.
"I sure hope so," Mako said as the two boys high fived.
"Hey Mako. You know of any island where Yugi and I can snag a quick medal that's worth just one?" Joey asked. Mako nodded.
"The closest island like that would be Needle Rock Island to the west. If you hurry, you might be able to get entry into the finals too."
"That's it you guys! Needle Rock, here we come!" Serenity declared.
"Yeah, but lets get some shut eye first. I'm beat," Saria said.