I apologize once more for the distant update. I gets harder and harder every day for me to find the time to type these chapters up. Every time I get on, my parents will within five minutes kick me right back off. Luckily, at this very moment, I am home baby-sitting my seven-year-old brother, so I have plenty of time to post this. In fact, I am so much farther into the story on paper than I am on the computer. Ha ha, you didn't think I slowed down in writing the story, did you? All in all, I'm typing these chapters as fast as I can, so stay faithful, my readers! This story shall be completed!
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"The First Match with the Masked Duelist"
By: Von Stupor
The finals of the Battle City tournament had finally begun, and Von Stupor's match was the last one of the round. It was amazing how fast the first three matches went. Von Stupor reminisced on the three spectacular duels.
The first was Yugi versus Bakura. For the match, the evil spirit of Bakura's Millennium Ring was out and about, though Von Stupor was oblivious to the spirit's existence. He used many odd cards against Yugi, such as the fearsome monster 'Dark Necrofear', the disturbing 'Dark Sanctuary', and the show-stopping 'Destiny Board' card combination. One by one, however, those tactics fell under Yugi's might.
The second match would have been Joey versus Marik. It was later revealed, though, that Marik was a fraud and in actuality was Marik's guardian, Odion. Shortly after this, the one known as Namu, a "friend" Joey had found on the streets, confessed to be the true Marik Ishtar. In addition to this, Marik's enraged other self surfaced, creating a darker, more evil Marik than before. A freak accident occurred when Odion attempted to summon the ancient Egyptian god monster, The Winged Dragon of Ra. Due to the fact that the card was a copy created by the rare hunters, the god was enraged and struck down either duelists with bolts of lightning. While Joey recovered, Odion was left incapable of dueling, making Joey the victor by default.
The third match was Kaiba versus Mai. She fought valiantly, but was overcome by Kaiba. Though at a distinct disadvantage, Mai began to come back towards the end, having managed to summon Harpie's Pet Dragon. However, Kaiba summoned the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and ended the match very quickly.
This left the fourth and final match of the first round to be Baron Von Stupor versus Marik Ishtar. He stepped onto his dueling platform and it raised up to the playing field.
"You mentioned during an earlier encounter that your rare hunters were waiting to strike," mentioned Von Stupor. "and yet you never striked. Is there a reason behind this?"
"Yes," answered Marik. "Once I received word that you obtained an ancient Egyptian god card, I wanted to face you so that I may win your god card myself!"
"If you win, you will not obtain my god card."
"Why do you say that?"
"I chose not to use it."
"What?!"
"I have no need for it. It would only hamper my strategy."
"Hmmm, that won't be necessary, really. Once you lose this duel, I shall send you to the Shadow Realm and take your god card myself!"
"Eh?"
"Yes, this will not be a normal duel that you are used to. This… will be a shadow game!"
"A shadow game, eh? How do you play this… shadow game?"
"Marik!" Yugi called after shifting into Yami. "Leave him out of this! I'm the one you want!"
"Stand down, Pharaoh!" Marik replied. "You're not the only one I'm after. He possesses one of the god cards, and therefore he is also my enemy!"
Realizing there was nothing he could do, Yami said to Von Stupor, "Be careful. Shadow games are very dangerous and losing one could yield drastic results."
"The rules are quite simple, Von Stupor." Marik said coolly to Von Stupor. The loser of this match shall have their mind sent to the shadow realm. Do you think you have what it takes to defeat me?"
"I am not one to predict the future, maker of stinky clothing."
"Ah, that's right. You're also the one who continuously makes a mockery of the rare hunters. This shall make for a nice punishment. Let us take this shadow game to the Shadow Realm, your future home!"
Saying this, Marik raised his Millennium Rod into the air and loosed a dark fog from it. It was a dense, black fog that engulfed the entire area. Strangely, it was clear inside, but Von Stupor could not see past its boundaries. Looking around, he saw that everyone had been trapped inside.
"Being in the Shadow Realm puts a great strain on one's mind. Should your mind be unable to withstand the pressure from within this land, you will pass out, unable to duel. The owner of the item that produced this portion of the Shadow Realm can bend its effects at will, as I shall demonstrate. So as to keep this duel between you and me, only those involved in this duel will be affected by the Shadow realm's strain, meaning the Pharaoh, the referee, Seto Kaiba, and all the others will be fine. The loser of this shadow game shall be trapped here for all of eternity, suffering the torture of their own mind, ha ha ha ha ha!"
Interesting, a shadow game, said Majora from inside Von Stupor's mind. If you allow me to have him after the duel, I shall even take care of the shadow game for you.
What do you speak of? Von Stupor thought back.
You are currently in the Shadow Realm, and there shall be a great strain put on your mind, yes?
Indeed…
Your lack of experience may cause you to pass out in the middle of the duel and become incapacitated. I have experience with dueling in the Shadow Realm. Furthermore, I possess the mental capacity to deal with the Shadow Realm's power. Give me Marik, and I shall duel for you.
I am sorry Majora, but I cannot allow that. Marik is not truly evil, merely clouded in his own delusions, therefore he is undeserving of your wrath. Would you be able to duel him without negative consequences?
Either you give him to me or it is no deal.
Then so be it.
You will let me have him?
No, I shall duel him alone.
Majora growled and sank into the recesses of the mask, signifying he was infuriated.
"You should have allowed him to come out while he had the chance," commented Marik.
"What is this…?" Von Stupor asked, confused.
"By the power of my Millennium Rod, I was able to detect your conversation. I suppose you would rather suffer the awesome might of my Egyptian god card by yourself?"
"No, I seek to free you from the wicked delusion rather than allow Majora to corrupt your mind. 'Tis merely a matter of vanquishing the evils within you, he-who-mocks-Super-Saiyans."
"You would be lucky enough to damage my Life Points. Now, let's get this duel over with. I'll go first by setting two M/T cards and summoning a 7 Colored Fish. You are truly a fool to even believe you could defeat me."
The 7 Colored Fish was summoned and hovered in midair.
"To think what an event would be that the almighty leader of the rare hunters, Marik Ishtar were to be defeated by a fool! I shall set two M/T cards and summon Zombyra the Dark! That ends my turn."
"Say what you want, but you will realize my superiority once you meet my god card! Now I shall activate 'Offerings to the Doomed'! At the cost of skipping my next Draw Phase, I may destroy one monster on your side of the field! Since Zombyra is the only monster, you may consider him destroyed!"
Candles appeared around Zombyra and a great beast, Ammit, erupted from the ground. It grabbed Zombyra in its mighty jaws and drug him underground, never to return. The ground then closed back up.
"Now I shall play 'Harpie's Feather Duster', destroying all of your M/T cards and attack your Life points directly with the 7 Colored Fish!"
The giant fish swam through the air to Von Stupor and swatted him in his side with its tail. The blow slammed Von Stupor into the railing behind him, nearly knocking him off. Von Stupor looked at Marik in shock.
"Have you forgotten already?" Marik asked. "We are in the Shadow Realm! If you summon a monster, you summon a monster and not some pathetic little hologram!"
"That's alright, Von! You can get him! Show that spiny haired freak who's boss!" Joey rooted from the side.
"Your support supplies my supplement of strength!" Von Stupor responded. "I shall now summon the Dragon Zombie and equip it with a Sword of Dark destruction!"
A large red blade grew from the decayed dragon's snout, glowing with dark energy.
"Next, I shall attack your 7 Colored Fish! Double-Edge Tackle attack!"
The Dragon Zombie charged the fish, sticking it through its bottom jaw straight up into its brain, bringing Marik's Life points down to 7800.
"Very well done, Von Stupor, you have actually damaged my Life points. It seems my boast fell upon deaf ears. I cannot draw this turn, therefore I shall end it."
"Now I shall tribute my dragon Zombie to summon The Fiend Megacyber! Next, I'll play 'Monster Reborn' to bring my Dragon Zombie back from the Graveyard. Next, using my Dragon Zombie's Zombie Breath attack, I shall destroy your set monster!"
The Dragon Zombie yawned at the face-down card and it exploded almost instantly.
"The monster you just destroyed was the tornado bird! Its flip effect sends up to two M/T cards back to your hand!" Marik explained prior to designating two of Von Stupor's set M/T cards.
"Very well, then! Now I attack your Life points directly with Cyber Strike!"
The Fiend Megacyber leapt over to Marik and gave a hard backhand chop to his neck. The blow sent Marik sprawling to the ground. He stood back up, quite angry. His Life points had sunk straight to 5600 after the attack. Marik then smirked and pointed his Millennium Rod at von Stupor.
"Why don't we just make this easier for the both of us? I'll just take control of your body and force you to forfeit the duel." he said coolly.
"No!!!" cried Yugi, switching to Yami. "Von Stupor, don't let him do it! Fight it!!!"
Just then, Von Stupor felt a force inside his head. It was an evil, dark force that pierced his mind. It spoke to him and sounded just like Marik.
You cannot win this duel, said the voice. You are afraid of my god card—terrified, even—and wish to forfeit.
"No…" Von Stupor said aloud. "I fear no piece of paper!"
Forfeit the match! Do it now!!!
"I for…" Von Stupor began, resisting his will to say it. His voice was very distorted. "I for… forf… Ha, ha, ha! I forgot what forfeit means!" His voice returned to normal. "Even forgetfulness can be taken advantage of, I suppose…"
Put your hand on top of your deck to mark your defeat!
Von Stupor's hands then began glowing. He put his hand of cards in his right hand and shakily reached for his deck.
"No! I don't want to do this!" he cried.
"What the heck?! He's trying to do the same thing he did to Joey!" Tristan exclaimed.
"Fight it, Von! You can beat it!" Joey commanded.
Just then, Majora began to speak within Von Stupor's mind.
How dare you intrude within my vessel's mind? he said to the voice. Von Stupor is mine! Get out!!!
Everyone heard a large explosion and Marik flew back against the railing of his dueling platform. He was absolutely furious.
Thank you, Majora, Von Stupor thought to the spirit.
This does not change my mood, Von Stupor. I simply do not appreciate others intruding in my vessel.
"It is currently Marik's turn!" called the referee. "If Marik does not make a move in the next thirty seconds, he will forfeit the duel!"
"You watch your tongue, referee!" Marik threatened. "Fine, then. It will be much more entertaining to watch you suffer at the hands of my god card while your bearings are straight anyway.
"That's a bit much to ask for in Von's case," Joey whispered to Tristan, nudging him with his elbow.
They both snickered.
"I'll draw and play 'Pot of Greed', which allows me to draw two cards. Next I'll play 'Graceful Charity', which allows me two draw two cards, then discard any two from my hand. Now I may play 'Change of Heart' and turn your Fiend Megacyber against you!" Marik announced.
The Fiend Megacyber then turned to face Von Stupor, looking down upon him menacingly.
"Your card's effect shall only last for the duration of the turn, however," Von Stupor pointed out.
"Smart lad. However, I can counter that minor inconvenience by tributing your Fiend Megacyber to summon one of my own! Now I shall first play Raigeki, destroying your lone Dragon Zombie and then attack your Life points with Megacyber Rush!"
The Fiend Megacyber loosed a devastating combo on Von Stupor, sending his Life points to 4000. Von Stupor lay on the ground dazed.
Yugi and friends yelled for him to get up, but at first he did not listen. With perseverance, however, he slowly rose to his feet. In an attempt to concentrate, he silently set an M/T and ended his turn.
"Feel the pain of your own monster, Von Stupor! Fiend Megacyber, attack his Life points directly!"
The Fiend Megacyber leaped into the air and clubbed Von Stupor's head down, his head nearly hitting the railing in front of him.
"Ugh…" he groaned, getting back up. "My… my Life points…"
"Yes, at a mere 1800. I also see the Shadow Realm is tiring your mind finally. Is the strain too much for you?"
"Not too much for me to laugh at the eye on your forehead… I'll set one monster and end my turn, heh heh…"
"Insolence! I attack your set monster with The Fiend Megacyber!"
Being a Man-Eating Treasure Chest, it was destroyed rather easily.
"No!" cried Von Stupor after seeing the card he had just drawn. "I have no moves to make! I'll… pass my turn…"
"I have you right where I want you, ha ha ha… I told you that you could not defeat me. Now I want you to pay for insulting the rare hunters. I end my turn without attacking."
He must be worried about my trap, thought Von Stupor to himself. It has been set for some time. It is really not much of a trap in this case, but it could help… I'll save it for later.
"I shall end my turn."
"Right now, Von Stupor is at Marik's mercy," Yami observed. "This could quite possibly be it for him."
"He fought hard, but the poor guy just can't win in a shadow game. Especially one that eats at your mind the whole time," Joey commented. "I really feel bad for him."
"Von Stupor…" Téa whispered under her breath.
"I'll summon the 7 Colored Fish and end my turn," announced Marik, chuckling.
Von Stupor silently set a monster and wiped the sweat from under his mask with his jacket. He then ended his turn.
It hurts simply to thinking this blasted Shadow Realm! he thought.
"I shall summon the Dark Zebra and end my turn," Marik stated.
"Your arrogance betrays you, for I shall summon the Earl of Demise!"
"…however, your earl is destroyed once I activate 'Trap hole'! I don't have arrogance, I have raw power! It is you who has arrogance, casually defeating my rare hunters, turning your back on me when I challenge you to a duel! You have arrogance, and you shall be taught a lesson in respect thusly! I shall now activate 'Tribute to the Doomed'! By discarding 'Buster Blader' from my hand, I may destroy your face-down monster! …And now… It is finally time to show you raw power… like you have never seen before!"
"No way! Is he seriously going to use his god card?!" asked Joey, astonished.
"I sacrifice The Fiend Megacyber, Dark Zebra, and 7 Colored Fish to tribute summon my ultimate creature, The Winged Dragon of Ra!!!"
The sky darkened and the clouds surged with energy. Slowly out of the heavens descended the Winged Dragon of Ra. Von Stupor stood in utter shock at its awesome might.
"The Winged Dragon of Ra gains the attack and defense of the three monsters used to summon it, bringing its attack to 3600 and its defense to 2400!" Marik informed everyone.
I told you, Von Stupor, Majora echoed in his head. I told you not to meddle with powers beyond your understanding. You should have listened to me while you had the chance. Now your mind shall remain locked away in the Shadow Realm and I will be free to claim your lifeless body as my own.
You… You would do such a thing?! Von Stupor thought back. I thought we were friends!
Von Stupor, you were simply a means to an end. I needed another body, and who knows how long it would it would have taken for another poor, stupid, pathetic, helpless fool to put on my mask?
You… used me???
It's as simple as that. Now have fun in the Shadow Realm, Baron Von Stupor, and may your precious "potatoes" rot alongside you.
The potatoes…
"Next," Marik continued. "I shall use my dragon's second ability, 'Point-to-Point Transfer'! I'll explain how it works! By sacrificing my Life Points, I can increase its attack by the same amount, so by sacrificing all but one of my Life Points, the Winged Dragon of Ra's attack shall increase to an unstoppable 6599! Now I shall attack your Life Points directly and win this duel!!!"
The dragon began charging up a massive surge of energy in its mouth and prepared to fire it at Von Stupor.
Wait, he thought to himself. I have one chance left… I must take it now!
"Marik!" Von Stupor shouted. "While the god cards are not affected by Magic, Trap, or Monster card effects, the duelist still is! That is why I shall activate my Trap card, 'Just Desserts'! It inflicts 500 points of Direct Damage to you for every monster you have on the field, and even with just one monster, the damage is still 499 points more than you can withstand!"
"It's too late! My dragon's attack has already begun!"
"It matters not! No monster, even a god, can attack faster than a Trap card!"
"We shall see!"
A fat, grotesque monster sitting at a table with mounds of food atop of it appeared beside Von Stupor. Just as the dragon shot its burst stream, the monster threw the chicken leg it was eating at Marik. Both attacks seemingly hit at the same time, and both duelists stood their ground. When the attacks hit, there was a large explosion of light and smoke. When the smoke cleared, Marik was seen collapsed against the rail, frozen in utter shock. Von Stupor remained standing, unfazed by the dragon's attack.
Marik had lost his Life Points first, instantaneously negating the power of the Winged Dragon of Ra's attack.
"The potatoes… shall… live on…" Von Stupor said aloud. He then passed out due to the Shadow Realm's strain on his mind.
"My… god card… How did it lose???" Marik sputtered.
He was hunched over, clutching his head. He groaned in pain, his eyes wide.
"The Winged Dragon of Ra… the strongest of the god cards… failed me?!" he said, and let out a painful howl. His hair flowed back down over his face and the glowing eye on his forehead shattered. He wobbled for a few moments prior to collapsing over the rail.
The dueling platform lowered itself and Yugi and friends rushed to the aid of Von Stupor and Marik.
While Marik was put in a bed to rest, von Stupor woke up en route to one. He was being carried by Tristan.
"You're so nice," said Von Stupor stupidly, and stroked Tristan's cheek.
Tristan stopped and gaped at him for a moment prior to dropping him. Von Stupor hit the back of his head on the floor and was once again knocked out cold.
Yugi came around the corner and seeing Von Stupor, asked what happened.
"Well, it was the darnedest thing," he replied to Yugi. "I was carrying him to his bed when the floor jumped up and attacked him."
"Um… what?" asked a perturbed yugi.
"Ask him when he wakes up."
"O… kay?"
Von Stupor was put in a bed to rest for the remainder of the ride to the site of the finals.