Disclaimer: No I don't own Yuugiou or Yuugiou: Duel Monsters or Yuugiou: Duel Monsters GX or anything related except for a few stories I wrote and so cards I made up. Glad we're clear on that.
Ryu: /sigh/ More thank you stuff to do.
Felidae: Sorry about the double cliffy. Don't worry, you'll get the end of the duel in this chappy. Or will you?
Lil'Lena: Glad you liked it. I hope you didn't just like it because of the scene in chappy 5 because there's no more of that. Anyway, thanks for checking it out.
Kioku: That wasn't so bad.
Ryu: I guess, now let's get back to work.
Chapter 8: Victory Leading Towards Defeat
The die clunked once on the table. Twice. Trice. Then twirled a little until finally it settled on a number
"Five. Yes! Yes! Yes!" Julie (4700) exclaimed. "That mean's your 'Red-Eyes Black Knight's' ATK is divided by 5, reducing its ATK from 5000 to 1000."
"So what?" Jou (1400) said. "My 'Slashing Sword Star Formation' card still has 6550 ATK. Meaning 'Night's Lover, Aria' (4800/2600) is destroyed and you loose 1750 LPs."
Julie (2950) placed her treasured card in the graveyard. "Since the Damage Step has ended, the power up effect of 'Metalmorph' disappears. So your 'Red-Eyes Black Knight' loses 2400 ATK, leaving it with zero."
"Maybe so, that's why I'm covering these two cards, ending my turn," Jou said, hiding two cards on the field. "And since my turn has ended, the effect of my 'Slashing Swords' card ends, so all my monsters gain back 500 ATK." Total Defense Shogun (1950/2500), Command Knight (1600/1900), Little-Winguard (1800/1800), Gearfried the Iron Knight (2200/1600), Red-Eyes Black Knight (500/2300)
"Watashi no turn, draw," Julie drew, "'God's Blessing' gives me 500 LPs (3450). Standby Phase, activate the effect of 'Night's Lover, Aria'."
"Another one?"
"Yup. By sacrificing a LIGHT monster from my field, I can Special Summon her from the graveyard. I sacrifice 'Element Magician' (1500/1200) to revive 'Aria'."
"What about her ATK?" Jou asked, "Is it still super-charged?"
"No," Julie said, "her ATK first reduces to its original amount (1200/2600). But then, it's increased by 200 times the level of the monster I sacrificed to revive her. 'Element Magician' is a level 4 monster, so 'Aria' gains 800 ATK (2000)."
"2000? That's a cake walk," Jou said.
"It gets better Joey. First, 'Power of Faith' activates. I'll take 'Cyber Bondage' from my graveyard. Then, I activate 'Aria's' final effect. If her ATK strength is at 2000 or less, then I Special Summon a LIGHT monster from the graveyard in defense mode with half its ATK. I choose 'Female Warrior of the Moon' (1050/1400). And then 'Power of Faith' gives me another Magic card back. I choose 'Tough Love'."
"Jeez, it's just your Standby Phase and it seems like it's been a whole turn," Jou whined.
"You're too kind," Julie joked. "I play 'Double Life-Ender'. For every 500 LPs I pay, you have to send one card from your deck to the graveyard. I pay 2000 LPs (1450). So send the top 4 cards from your deck to the graveyard."
"Four, where do you find these cards?" Jou said as he sent the top 4 cards from his deck to the graveyard. Burning Heart Flame Swordsman, Demon's Dice, Landstar Swordsman, and Fusion.
"Next," Julie said, "I play 'Tough Love'." She picked up 5 cards and showed them to Jou: Giant Trunade, Cyclone, Android Psycho Shocker, Amazon Archer, and Landstar Swordsman. "I put 'Cyclone' in my hand."
"Then I send 'Android Psycho Shocker' and 'Amazon Archer' to the graveyard," Jou said without waiting.
"Then I send 'Giant Trunade' and 'Landstar Swordsman' back to my deck." She placed the cards on top of her thinned deck and shuffled. "I cover 2 cards. Then use 'Cyclone' on that facedown card," she pointed to the card nearest Jou's deck.
"I chain the card," Jou said. He turned over the pink card with a tornado and a few feathers on its picture. "'Dust Tornado', and just like you 'Cyclone', it can destroy 1 Magic or Trap card on the field. I choose 'Harpy Hunting Ground'."
They each sent their cards to the graveyard, the ATK and DEF of Julie's harpies reducing to 1600/1400 each.
"Then," Jou said, "I can cover a card from my hand." He placed a card facedown.
"My harpies will stay strong though. I use 'Cyber Bondage' powering up the ATK of 'Harpy Lady 1' by 500 points (2100/1400). 'Harpy Lady 1', attack 'Command Knight'."
"Reveal facedown card, 'Compensation of Arbitration'. Now you choose two cards in your graveyard and shuffle them with this one," Jou instructed.
"Okay?" Julie said, curiously. "I pick 'Necklace of Gifts and Plunder' and 'Element Magician'." She placed the two cards facedown with Jou's card and shuffled them. "Now what?"
"Shuffle them good, Julie-chan," Jou advised. "I get to choose one. If I choose 'Compensation of Arbitration', then this turns Battle Phase ends and you put the two cards on top of your deck. If I pick one of the other cards, that card and 'Compensation of Arbitration' go to the graveyard and the other card goes on top your deck, but the battle continues."
"You should have told me that, I would have picked better cards," Julie complained.
"That's life," Jou said, "Now let's see. I pick the one on the left."
Julie turned over the card to reveal a pink border with the picture of a demonic spirit taking a peasant away: 'Compensation of Arbitration'.
"My luck still holds out," Jou said. "So your attack and Battle Phase both end."
"But I get to put 'Necklace of Gifts and Plunder' and 'Element Magician' back on top of my deck." She placed the cards. "I end my turn."
Jou drew. "I switch 'Command Knight', 'Little-Winguard', and 'Red-Eyes Black Knight' to defense mode. 'Gearfried', attack 'Aria'."
Julie (1250) placed her monster back in the graveyard.
"'Total Defense Shogun', attack 'Female Warrior of the Moon'."
Julie placed that card in the graveyard as well.
"I place two cards facedown and end my turn."
Julie drew 'Necklace of Gifts and Plunder'. "My LPs increase (1950). And since my LPs increased, I can activate my 'Double Life-Saver' Trap card. This will give me 1000 more LPs (2950), and let you draw 1 card."
Jou drew his card. "Since you don't have a LIGHT monster on the field, you can't revive 'Aria'."
"I don't need her to win this duel." Julie said. "First I equip 'Harpy Lady 3' with 'Necklace of Gifts and Plunder'. Then I play 'Devastation of Greed'. This card will sacrifice the weakest monster I have on the field and let me draw one card. 'Harpy Lady 2' and 'Harpy Lady 3' have equal ATK strength, so I get to pick which one goes. I sacrifice 'Harpy Lady 3' and draw, increasing my LPs (3450). And since my 'Necklace' went to the graveyard, I can draw a card or send a card from your hand to the graveyard. I choose to draw, increasing my LPs again (3950). And then, I play 'Angel's Gift', letting me draw 3 cards, giving me 500 LPs (4450), then forcing me to discard two. I choose 'Angel's Dice' and 'Magic Effect Arrow'."
"Can't you ever take a short turn?" Jou asked boredly.
"It won't be much longer until your LPs are at zero," Julie replied.
"Cocky, aren't we?"
"Maybe later," Julie said, drawing a blush to Jou's face. She giggled a little before continuing. "I summon 'Copycat' (0/0). When he's summoned, I can copy the original ATK and DEF of own of your monsters for him. And I choose 'Red-Eyes Black Knight' (2400/2000). 'Copycat', attack his 'Red-Eyes'."
"Reveal facedown card, 'Final Attack Order'," Jou said, flipping one of his cards over.
"Why put all your monster's in attack mode?" Julie asked, confusion and worry clear on her face.
"Because now I'm activating this card," Jou said, switching all his monsters to attack mode. "'Take One Chance'. Now I can draw one card at random from my graveyard and activate it." He picked up his graveyard, turned it upside down, shuffled it, and drew one from within. "I play," he turned the card around, a smirk on his face, "'Slashing Swords Star Formation'. Now all my monsters will battle your 'Copycat'. They all loose 500 ATK, but my 'Red-Eyes' gains 1200 from 'Metalmorph'. Let's see, 'Total Defense Shogun' (1450) plus 'Command Knight' (1100) plus 'Little-Winguard' (1300) plus 'Gearfried' (1700) plus 'Red-Eyes Black Knight' (1200) equals 6550. Minus the 2400 from 'Copycat' equals 4350. Leaving you with 100 LPs."
Julie (100) placed 'Copycat' in the graveyard.
"Julie-chan, when you end your turn, I'll win the duel," Jou (1400) warned.
"Not quite Joey," Julie said. "I play 'Giant Trunade', sending all Magic and Trap cards back to our hands." They each place their cards in their hand. "I switch my 2 harpies to defense mode. Then I play 'Power of Faith'. Now I can revive a monster from my graveyard. I choose 'Android Psycho Shocker' (2400/1500). And I think I'll use 'Monster Reborn' too, reviving 'Female Warrior of the Moon'. Which means I get a Magic card back. I choose 'Monster Reborn'. I cover one other card, ending my turn."
Jou drew. 'I had to give her 'Psycho Shocker'. Now my traps are useless. And that's mostly what I've got in hand.' "I switch all my monsters to defense mode too. And play 'Dangerous Machine Type-6'. Once my next Standby Phase comes around, it'll activate."
"Provided you get another Standby Phase," Julie teased.
"End of turn."
Julie drew. "'Psycho Shocker' attacks 'Command Knight'."
Jou placed the card in the graveyard.
"Now all your monsters weaken," Julie reminded him.
Total Defense Shogun 1550, Red-Eyes Black Knight 100, Gearfried the Iron Knight 1800, Little-Winguard 1400
Julie's attack continued, "'Female Warrior of the Moon' attacks 'Red-Eyes Black Knight'. Since it's a DARK monster, my warrior gains 1000 ATK (3100)."
Jou placed his second monster in the graveyard, along with the 'Metalmorph' card.
"I end my turn."
Jou drew. "'Dangerous Machine Type-6' activates. Now I roll a die and the number that comes up determines the effect." He picked up the die and rolled a 2. "Two, that means you loose a card in your hand."
Julie discarded 'Cyber Bondage'.
"Next I use 'Summon Dice'. At the cost of 1000 LPs (LPs: 400) I can roll a die and use a different effect depending on the roll." He picked up the die and rolled it again, receiving a 1 this time. "One, that means I get two Normal Summons this turn. First I summon 'Blue Flame Swordsman' (1800/1600) in defense mode. Then, I sacrifice 'Little-Winguard' to summon 'Maximum Six' (1900/1600) in attack mode. When this monster is Tribute Summoned, I can roll a die and his ATK will increase by the number rolled times 200." Jou picked up the die and rolled 1 again. "'Maximum Six' gains 200 ATK (2100). Then I play 'Treasure of Fate'. I roll a die and draw number of cards equal to the roll. Then I remove cards from the top of my deck from play." He rolled, again, and got a one, again. "I draw one card. Then remove this card from play". Rocket Warrior. He glanced down at his thin deck, then at Julie's a wave of amusement hit him and he started laughing.
"What so funny Joey?" Julie asked indignantly.
"We drew so many cards in different ways, yet some how we still have the same number of cards left in our decks. It's so random," he laughed out.
Julie counted the cards in each of their decks and realized he was right. She began to laugh a little. "You're so silly Joey. Come on, play your turn."
"Okay," Jou said, gaining control of your laughter. "Let's see. You have a facedown card. But if it's a Trap, then 'Psycho Shocker' will block it. So I shouldn't have anything to worry about. 'Maximum Six' and 'Total Defense Shogun' attack her 'Harpy Ladies'."
Julie placed her harpies in the graveyard.
"Then," Jou said, "I'll reinforce my LPs, even if I have to do so with yours as well. I play 'Rain of Mercy', giving use each 1000 LPs."
"You're so sweet Joey," Julie (1100) complemented.
"I can't help it," Jou (1400) confessed. "I end my turn."
Julie drew. As she looked at the card, a tear came to her eye. "Gomen, Joey, but this duel is over now."
"What do you mean?" Jou asked.
"You put up a good fight Jou, but I'm going to win." Julie said, ignoring his question. "I summon the 'Magician of Faith' (300/400) in attack mode."
"Why summon that monster instead of trying to use its effect?" Jou asked, confusion settling in.
"Because," Julie replied, "I needed it to complete this move. I play 'Monster Reborn' and sacrifice 'Female Warrior of the Moon' and 'Magician of Faith'."
"Sacrificing for 'Monster Reborn'? What gives?"
"I have to sacrifice two LIGHT monsters to summon this monster, even if it's because of the effect of a different card. I revive 'Night's Lover, Aria' (1200/2600). And her ATK increases by 2400 (3600)."
"So it's really over then, isn't it," Jou said.
"I'm afraid so," Julie replied, "'Night's Lover, Aria', attack 'Maximum Six'. 'Celestial Evening Blast'."
Jou blinked once at those words. But that blink seemed like an eternity. In the darkness of his own eyes, he could see the battle play out. 'Maximum Six', striking out with all six of its massive, dark blue arms, yet each attempt missed as the flying sorceress in her navy robes, speckled with silver, a silver crescent-moon necklace at her neck, dodged each blow before chanting a spell that released a surge of night energy. The darkness and stars encircled the six-armed, blue giant before completely covering it and disappearing, taking the beast with it. When Jou opened his eyes, Julie was smiling at him, a single tear trailing down her cheek.
Jou smiled back, placed his fallen beast in the graveyard, and deducted 1500 from his LPs.
Jou's LPs: -100 "That's game," he said.
"Good game Joey," Julie said, blowing a kiss to him.
(PRESENT)
"So you lost?" Dr Heisi asked, looking slightly shocked.
"Don't sound so surprised," Jou retorted, "She's really good. And had a lot of cards I'd never seen or heard of before."
"Gomen, Jounouchi-san. So what did the two of you do next?" Heisi asked. She had put down her clipboard, entranced in the duel, as well as Jou's ability to remember it move for move. Yes, the doctor was a dueling fan, but that she kept to herself.
Jou was looking at the floor, trying to hide the tears he was holding back.
"Jounouchi-san?"
Jou wiped his face and looked up. "Gomen. Anyway, after the duel, we left and just hung out all day. Around seven I took her home. I didn't want her to leave, especially to the place with her father. But she said she had to so I let her. She promised to sneak out and meet me around midnight; her father would be out so he would never know. But it was about three hours later that she…she…"
He couldn't hold them back the tears pushed through and Jounouchi broke down sobbing. His body shook with grief at the memory of that fateful night.