"The Dream of the Masked Duelist"
By: Von Stupor
Von Stupor's hands shook as either duelist drew their hands.
"Shall I do the honors" asked Pegasus.
"By all means, commence" replied Von Stupor.
"Then I shall set two M/T and one monster."
"I shall set three M/T and end my turn."
"I pay 1000 of my Life Points to play my 'Toon World' Magic card! Now, I'll sacrifice my set monster to summon the Toon Summoned Skull"
Pegasus's set card flopped into a large pop-up book prior to a demented version of the Summoned Skull peered from inside. Its head shot out, eyes beaming, a humungous grin on its face.
"It's quite a shame that you must already fall victim to my lovely toon monsters, as they may attack your Life Points directy, ha ha" chortled Pegasus. "However, no cartoon can make an impact as soon as it airs, therefore my Toon Summoned Skull cannot attack during the turn it was summoned. However, I may play 'Premature Burial', which allows me to bring back my Nimble Momonga from the Graveyard and attack your Life Points directly"
A Nimble Momonga crawled out from the ground portrayed by the dueling arena. Like lightning, it shot at Von Stupor, striking his chest and sending his Life Points to 7000.
"Now, my counterattack begins" said Von Stupor. "I shall play 'Pot of Greed' and draw two cards. Next, I shall play 'Fissure', destroying your Nimble Momonga, and since he was not destroyed as a result of battle, his effect is not activated"
The ground rose up and overlapped itself over the Nimble Momonga, swallowing it whole.
"Next, I'll play 'Mystical Space Typhoon', and blow away your Toon World, as well as your Toon Summoned Skull with it"
The typhoon whirled around the giant book and tore it to pieces. The Toon Summoned Skull rapidly spun around, its tongue flopping to and fro and ultimately turned into a picture of itself, flying away with the typhoon.
Pegasus's cocky grin turned to a straight face again.
"I have no moves, so I'll pass my turn" he stated.
I must build up my defenses, Von Stupor thought, and activated 'Nightmare's Steel Cage'."
"Now neither one of us may attack for two of my turns" Pegasus observed as two large cages were lowered down on top of either duelist's monster zone.
"Indeed" agreed Von Stupor. "And that shall end my turn."
"I'll once again draw and end my turn."
"Hmmm... as shall I."
"I shall now activate 'Monster Reborn' to bring back my Nimble Momonga to the field in defense mode! Your turn."
The two cages then lifted up, allowing the two players to attack again.
Blast! I still haven't any moves, and my Life Points are like an overturned porcupine! Von Stupor thought, frantically. "I shall pass this turn."
"Oh? That's all" Pegasus wondered. "Surely the Battle City champion couldn't possibly be this weak! Dueling must have really gone soft since I was dethroned, ha ha."
There is a difference between being weak and being skunked... Von Stupor thought in reply.
"Now, my Nimble Momonga! Attack his Life Points directly" commanded Pegasus, and his momonga oediently lunged at Von Stupor, striking him in the chest once again and dropping his Life Points to 6000. "Next, I'll set one monster and end my turn."
Von Stupor glared at his next card.
"I set one M/T and end my turn" he said, irritated. I shall not allow myself to be beaten by my idol simply because I cannot draw a single monster! Not until now have I ever gone five turns into a duel without drawing a single monster...
"Go, my Nimble Momonga, attack his Life Points directly once more"
"Not so fast! I activate 'Magical Cylinder', and your monster attacks your Life Points instead of mine! Feel the taste of your own potato chips"
The Nimble Momonga flew into a cylinder in front of Von Stupor and out of another, aimed at Pegasus. It flew out and struck him in his genitals.
He looked up at Von Stupor wide-eyed and said"Had this been a shadow game..."
"You might have forfeited" Von Stupor finished.
"That's very possible, ha ha. Anyway, now that I have taken damage to my Life Points, I may activate my 'Numinous Healer' Trap card, which increases my Life Points by 1000, basically cancelling out the attack altogether."
A fairy nurse appeared and dropped some magical powder on Pegasus, restoring his Life Points to 6200.
"Mmmmmmm, I feel refreshed! Ha, ha, ha! Oh, I believe it's your turn."
"Very well, then! I'll start off by summoning the Witch of the Black Forest! Next, I'll attack your set monster"
The witch cast Meghid on the set monster, revealing it to be a Cyber Jar.
Yes! Von Stupor thought ot himself. Pegasus is helping me more than he bargained for. Cyber Jar will destroy all monsters on the field, including my witch! That, in turn, will activate her effect! In addition, we'll both have to draw five cards, and any monsters level four or below are special summoned in either face-up attack or face-down defense positions!
Out of their drawn cards, Von Stupor summoned a Sonic Bird while Pegasus set two monsters and summoned a Vorse Raider.
"Hmmm... As part of Main Phase II, I shall play 'Dian Keto the Cure Master' and raise my Life Points by 1000! Next I shall play a Magic card I am sure you're well acquainted with... 'Black Illusion Ritual'"
Pegasus's eyes widened in surprise.
"I see you have made good use of the cards I sent to you... I expect no less" he said, chuckling.
"Why, thank you! Tee hee! I shall sacrifice my Sonic Bird to bring forth Relinquished from my hand"
As Relinquished burst from its pot, Von Stupor felt a sense of delight emanating from from it as it stared at its creator.
Eh? Should this occur in a hologram? he thought. "Next, I 'll absorb the Vorse Raider"
Relinquished turned and looked at Von Stupor, as if it were trying to say something. Von Stupor stood and said"Fear not, by beautiful creature! 'Tis a game made in good fun! No ill effect will come upon you"
Reassured, Relinquished turned back around and inhaled the Vorse Raider.
"It seems you are also well aware of the secret past within these cards..." Pegasus said to himself. "It is good to know that you understand the existence of the souls of the monsters existing within my dueling cards."
"I shall activate 'Mystic plasma Zone'" continued Von Stupor. "Which increases the attack of all DARK-type monsters by 500 and lowers their defense by 400! Next, I shall play 'Dian Keto the Cure Master'! My Life Points are now boosted by 1000"
Dian Keto appeared and used her healing energies to boost Von Stupor's Life Points to restore Von Stupor's Life Points to 7000.
"I shall now set one M/T and end my turn."
"Fine, I will begin by sacrificing one of my set monsters to summon the Summoned Skull" Pegasus began. "Next, I'll attack your Relinquished with Lightning Strike"
The Summoned Skull proceeded to zap Relinquished, reducing Von Stupor's Life points to 6400 and Pegasus's to 5600. Relinquished consumed its inhaled monster, keeping it alive.
"I'll now set one M/T and end my turn" he finished.
Pegasus uses this monster, therefore I doubt his ignorance to its ful effect... No doubt he's up to something... but what? Von Stupor thought to himself.
"I do not trust your M/T cards, so I'll play 'Mystical Space Typhoon' and destroy the one you just set"
"No!" Pegasus cried as his set Mirror Force was swept into the vortex.
"Next, I command Relinquished to absorb your Summoned Skull"
Relinquished sucked up the Summoned Skull without hesitation.
"Next, I'll play 'Change of Heart on your face-down monster"
Pegasus clutched his forehead in suspense.
"Now, I flip summon your Nimble Momonga and attack you directly with Relinquished"
When Relinquished blasted Pegasus, only 2600 of his Life Points remained.
"As you know, Relinquished is a DARK-type monster, so he gains the 500 point boost from my 'Mystic Plasma Zone'. Next, I'll attack you directly with the NImble Momonga"
"Your first atack caught me off-guard, so I couldn't activate my trap, but at least I can fend off this one! I'll activate 'Magical Cylinder' and send your attack right back at you"
The cylinders sent the squirrell hurdling back at Von Stupor, knocking his Life Points down to 5400.
"Now it's my turn" said Pegasus fiercely. He was now serious. "I'll play 'Raigeki' and destroy your Relinquished! Next I'll summon the Vorse Raider and attack your Life Points directly with both monsters! Thanks to your 'Mystic Plasma Zone', my Vorse Raider also gains a 500 point boost"
The Vorse Raider gave Von Stupor a fierce stab and the Nimble Momonga flew into his face, leaving him with a mere 2000 Life Points.
"Wonderful comeback, Pegasus! Truly remarkable! I'll draw... and activate 'Swords of Revealing Light'! You cannot attack me for three more turns"
The swords of light shot out and surrounded Pegasus's monsters.
"I'll sacrifice my Nimble Momonga to summon another Summoned Skull and end my turn."
"I shall summon the Whiptail Crow and end my turn."
"I'll set one M/T. Your turn" said Pegasus, wiping a bead of sweat from his head.
"I'll play 'Dian Keto the Cure Master' and raise my Life points by 1000 once more! Next I'll summon the Copycat, and I choose to copy the attack and defense of your Summoned Skull"
As the Copycat grew to match the strength of the Summoned Skull, Pegasus chuckled.
"All the better, my friend, all the better! I'll activate 'Bell of Destruction' on your Copycat, and since your Copycat is a LIGHT-type, it does not gain the 500 point bonus, and it therefore only gains the base attack of my Summoned Skull"
A flaming ring tightened itself around the Copycat's waist and ignited itself. The Copycat was blown apart, the shrapnel sending Von Stupor's Life Points to 500 and Pegasus's to a slight 100.
"...And now, we move onto the final few turns of the duel..." Pegasus uttered as Von Stupor nodded in agreement.
"I'll set one M/T and end my turn" said Von Stupor. Dian Keto saved me...
"I have no moves, so I'll end my turn, and your swords are no more."
The swords aurrounding Pegasus's monsters fizzled for a moment and burnt out.
"I'll set another M/T and end my turn" Von Stupor stated. His hands were shaking with excitement again. "The... the intensity of this duel... 'tis like no other..."
"Yes, this duel is by far one of the best I've ever faced. You have certainly managed to bring back my competitive spirit. So, now, I'll begin my turn by attacking your Whiptail Crow with my Vorse Raider"
"The duel is not won yet! I shall activate 'Metalmorph' on Whiptail Crow, raising its atack by 300"
A metal coat of skin appeared all over the Whiptail Crow as the Vorse Raider rushed it. He swung his sword and hit the gargoyle's neck, but it was left unfazed. It retaliated with a devastating blow from its tail, sending Pegasus's Life Points to 50.
"Fine then, I'll use Summoned Skull to attack your Whiptail Crow! With only 50 Life Points left, what have I really got to lose"
"I'll activate 'Negate Attack'! Now your Summoned Skull's attack is negated and your Battle Phase is over"
The electricity seared towards the Whiptail Crow, but hit an invisible barrrier that grounded the attack. Pegasus raised an eyebrow.
"Next, I shall utilize Matelmorph's second effect! Any monster my Whiptail Crow attacks shall have half of its base attack points added to my monster for the duration of the Damage Step! That means that once I attack your Summoned Skull, my Whiptail Crow's attack shall become 3950, more than enough to win this duel! Go, Whiptail Crow, use your Whiptail Whip"
"I'm sorry, friend, but the duel ends here, as I activate my trump card, 'Mirror Wall'! All of your attacking monsters' attack is halved, giving my Summoned Skull a 1075 point advantage over your Whiptail Crow"
"N... no"
The Whiptail Crow flew toward the wall and bludgeoned an image of itself that had appeared on the wall. The attack on itself cancelled out, leaving the Whiptail Crow severely weakened. The Summoned Skull then came forth and finished it off with Lightning Strike, sending Von Stupor's Life Points to 0.
"I, but... I... I lost" he sputtered in disbelief.
"Ha ha, even without my Millennium Eye, it appears I haven't lost my touch. Well, Von Stupor, it was fun, but I'm afraid that I emerged victorious. Better luck next time, old chap! Ha ha ha..."
"Hm. Well, I gave it my all, and that matters, I suppose. Being the best certainly doesn't give one much reason to better oneself, after all."
"I agree. Excellent duel, though, I'm greatly impressed with your skill."
"I thank you for your compliment, and now, since all wrongs have been righted, and the world is now in balance, I am afraid that I must now take my leave of thee. My purpose here is done" Von Stupor said, motioning to lower his dueling platform.
"Well, don't be in such a hurry to leave, there's still an important matter I must discuss with you."
"Oh"
"Yes, we'll talk about it over some lunch, hm? What do you say"
The two wandered their way to the dining room while a butler fixed lunch. Their food was served quite fast. They both had ham salad sandwiches. Pegasus enjoyed red wine while Von Stupor sipped from a soft drink.
"Are you sure that the aftertaste from the ham salad would interfere with your enjoyment of the wine and/or vice versa" Von Stupor asked him. "You seem to drink it with everything..."
"You'd be surprised" he replied. "Anyways"
"Are you a wino"
"Wh-what"
"You know, a wino. You know, like an alcoholic drinks a lot of alcoholic substances because he is addicted, but there is a special name for people who drink wine due to an addiction, they're called winos. Are you one"
"Call it a passion" he replied flatly. "You know, even to this day, the innocence in your questions continue to baffle me."
"Innocence"
"I know you're not being sarcastic, you're honestly asking and saying these things, but there are things you should just wonder about to yourself."
"You mean like stinky cloaks? No, the rare hunters need to know about them. Those cloaks are very stinky! 'Tis a wonder that they have any friends outside their group! In fact, 'tis a wonder they don't recognize the stinkiness even when I said something! Great scott! Do you think their noses were desensitized"
"Never mind, Von Stupor, never mind." Pegasus sighed with a slight chuckle. "Anyway, what I was wanting to discuss with you earlier is about your plans."
"Plans? For the future"
"Yes, what do you intend to do when you're older"
"Well, I've never really thought about it."
"Your skill at Duel Monsters implies a passion for games. Is this true"
"I suppose you could say that."
"Well then, let me cut straight to the chase. I want you to be my vice-president and CEO of Industrial Illusions."
"What! You-you do not think this decision is a bit hasty or a tad sudden"
"I will not deny how sudden it is, but I know this is far from hasty. I trust you, Von Stupor. I trust you with my very life. Ever since you started giving me suggestions on things, you've always been my 'right hand man'. I would just like to make that a little more... official."
He stopped to take a sip of his wine.
"This is amazing... but the job, it is strenuous, no" Von Stupor asked.
"Only to those who aren't cut for the business, and you, my friend are definitely cut for the business. I've implemented your ideas, as strange as they are, and achieved phenomenal results! Think about it- you're already garduated, you still have a whole future ahead of you, and you've already recieved a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity! Your success in life is guaranteed in a field you already have a passion for! Can you really turn a chance like this down? You'll have access to a corporate jet, so transportation is not an issue! No matter where you live, you can work from any computer with internet access! more importantly, you'll have your best pal as your business partner, ha ha."
"You are justified in your words... Well... Very well, then! I shall do it! I shall do only my very best to help you run the company"
"That's the spirit! Stay the night here, and we'll fly to Industrial Illusions in the morning, and first thing, we'll fill out the necessary paperwork. After that, you can go home and prepare for your brand new job! Deal"
"Deal"
"So, Von Stupor, now that all that is out of the way, tell me all about your adventures in Battle City."
"OKAY! It all began when I stopped recieving e-mails from you..."
Just then, the legend of Baron Von Stupor was born.
Fear not, my readers! One more chapter remains! It will be the epilogue to the story. Stay tuned!