Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh.
john: Here's the duel you wanted. Hope you like it.
The train to Georgia was a long trip and truth to be told, Lyn wasn't enjoying it. The seats were uncomfortable, the show offered was worst and the air ventilation was poor at best. She was finding difficulty breathing and the numerous smokers in the coach wasn't making in better either. But then, that's what you get when you buy the cheapest tickets available.
Ryan glanced at Lyn's pale face and abruptly stood up. "That's it," he suddenly said. "Let's go to the A-class coaches. This place reeks."
Lyn gave him a grateful look and followed him, tailed closely by George. When they reached the A-class coaches Lyn breathed a little easier. "Much better. I thought I was going to suffocate in there," She wrinkled her nose. "It's going to take me weeks to get this smell off my clothes though."
She examined her surroundings and noted that there were fewer passengers in the coach. Marveled at how much better the facilities were in this coach she asked George why he didn't purchase a ticket for the A-class coaches instead. "It's so much better compared to our coach," she said.
George's expression grew pained, even as his Soul Monster, Mac the Spell Canceller made a loud 'beeping' noise. Mac was a very strange Soul Monster. He didn't need to 'recuperate' like the other Soul Monsters and he was literally connected to George via his cyborg arm, though he could unattach himself if required. "Lyn, have you seen the pricelist for the tickets?" he asked in a pained voice.
"No. Why? It's not like several more dollars could hurt us that much." answered Lyn.
He drew a sigh. "The price difference between one class and another isn't just a few dollars Lyn," he told her patiently. "The C-class coaches we were on cost 3 dollars only. The B-class' are around forty to fifty while the A-class' are about two hundred," Ryan and Lyn looked at him skeptically. "It's true. And if that shocks you wait till you see the price for the S-class coach. They range from five thousand to ten thousand. So, if it's all right with you two, I'd rather stick to the C-class coaches. My wallet is a little slender, and I'd rather not worsen it by spending more just for a one hour trip to Georgia."
"You said there is an S-class coach on this train?" Ryan suddenly asked. His eyes had brightened noticeably when George mentioned them. "Why don't we go and hang around there until we reach Georgia?"
"Because we're supposed to stay in our own coaches. We're not even supposed to be here," George replied.
"Bah, it's not like there's anyone around to catch us." Just as he said that a heavily-muscled conductor held a passenger by the ruff of his coat and reprimanded him sharply for being in the wrong coach. Then, walking pass their group, he casually dumped the man at the next coach. Everyone sweat-dropped.
"You were saying?" said George.
"Whatever," Ryan replied with a nervous grin. "Can we just go and check the S-class coach out?"
"You do realize we're going to get into trouble right?"
"The conductor's coming back," Lyn whispered sharply. They bolted.
The S-class coach was not for from the A-class coaches and there were only two passengers inside. Lyn could immediately see why the coach was so expensive. These guys have king-size beds as seats! There was also a very delicate smell in there air. It had several different smells that Lyn couldn't pinpoint and they changed every few minutes. Lyn found the constant change of smells relaxing yet exciting. Added to that, they even have a panel where they only had to press several buttons and presto, lunch is served-all within the maximum delay of five seconds. They even had their own personal television.
"Wow, would you look at this?" Ryan exclaimed as he threw himself on the bed. His hand sought the remote control and he immediately assaulted the television. "My God, these guys have over 500 channels."
"Quiet, are you trying to announce the fact that we're not supposed to be here," George scolded him. Ryan immediately clamped his mouth shut while Lyn silently laughed.
Trust Ryan to fall victim into the mesmerizing world of television, she thought. She looked at the two other passengers.
One sat upright on his bed. Fully clothed in red loose clothing, he had a veil drawn across his face and a bronze circlet crowning his forehead. At the centre of the circlet was a red orb. He appeared to be staring at them. As Lyn stared into his eyes she shuddered. There was an open hostility in those eyes. She tore her eyes away and moved towards the other passenger.
This one was slightly older than herself, she judged. He was fully clad in black, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and trousers. He appeared to be sleeping and was pillowed by his black trench coat, with his arms swung beneath it. At first Lyn thought him to be a woman because of his hair. It was almost like hers: raven-colored and flowing freely, except his did not frame his face like hers did. She couldn't hold back the giggle forming at her mouth.
The man's eyes snapped open, and Lyn found herself staring into the darkest irises she had ever seen. "Something amusing you?" His voice was not particularly warm, but neither was it cold like someone who was offended.
"No. Sorry," she apologized. "Did I disturb your sleep?"
"I wasn't sleeping," the reply came.
"Oh, I'm Lyn," She held her hand forward. "Lyn Feiniel."
He stared at the outstretched hand impassively but did not shake it. "Kain."
Lyn waited for a last name but received none. Instead, she heard George yell, "Watch out!" Just then, she felt a sharp tug and collapsed into Kain just as something whizzed by her. She turned and saw a dart sticking on the wall of the coach. Quickly pushing herself up, she rose and saw George and Ryan confronting the other passenger.
"What's your problem, you jerk?" George demanded. "Are you trying to kill her?"
The man didn't answer. Instead he replied, "My instructions were to kill the girl and her friends. At first I planned to kill her and then you two. Now it seems I have to kill you first." The cold blooded way he said it shocked them.
He appraised the situation. "I could probably kill you altogether if I wanted. But the unexplained bodies later would be a problem, as would the witness standing there," He looked at Kain. "So I'll do it the other way." The orb at his circlet suddenly gleamed. A red Duel Disk suddenly materialized at his arm. He pointed at George. "Since you were the first to speak, you shall also be the first to die. I challenge you to a Duel Monster game."
George's Duel Disk flickered into life. "A duel? Fine by me," He drew six cards, indicating he would start first. "My name is George Maxwell by the way, and this is my Soul Monster, Mac."
His opponent drew five cards. As he did so a red-haired girl appeared behind him. She wore tattered blue clothes. Upon being summoned she sat down and curled up. "Your names are immaterial to me."
George frowned. "Aren't you even going to introduce yourself and your Soul Monster?"
"Sorchak and Sherill, an Unhappy Maiden," he spat out. "Now take your turn." The Unhappy Maiden started to sob.
"Fine, fine, no need to get angry. One set monster and that's it."
Sorchak drew. "Dart Shooter (1400/1700) in attack mode," A white-haired female warrior holding a dart-blower appeared. "When she's summoned she automatically shifts into defense mode. Attack!" Crouching low, she held the dart-blower to her mouth and blew. The dart flew and George's card flipped over, revealing a woman with a third eye at the forehead. The dart struck her and she shattered.
"Witch of the Black Forest (1100/1200) lets me take a monster card with a defense of 1500 or less from my deck," He did so. "And my deck is reshuffled."
"I know what it does. Two cards face-down and end turn."
Sorchak: 8000
George: 8000
"Of course. The explanation was for the benefit of the audience," George said with aplomb.
"We know what it does too George," Ryan suddenly yelled.
George slapped his face. "Whose side are you on Ryan?" he asked. He shook his head and drew. "Never mind, don't answer that. X-Head Cannon (1800/1500) in attack mode," The purple machine materialized in the air in front of George. "And I play Frontline Base. This continuous magic card allows me to special summon a Union Monster of level 4 or lower once per turn during my Main Phase," He slapped a card onto his Duel Disk. "So come out Y-Dragon Head (1500/1600)." The red machine shimmered into existence. "X-Head Cannon, fire! Y-Dragon Head, follow through with a direct attack!"
X-Head Cannon aimed and fired a shot at Dart Shooter, obliterating her instantly. Y-Dragon Head made to follow through but the Unhappy Maiden suddenly wailed and he stopped.
Sorchak's lips curled into a sneer. "My Soul Monster's ability," he explained before George could ask. "When you destroy my monster in battle your battle phase immediately ends. I take it you end turn?" George nodded. "Good, my turn. Draw," He drew, and laughed. "Only a few turns and your end is already near," he pointed at Ryan. "Prepare your deck, after I finish him it'll be your turn."
"Conceited much? In case you haven't noticed our Life Points are the same," George said.
"Not for long. Go Sniper Rookie (1000/1000) in attack mode," A man wearing dark right-fitting suit carrying a toy rifle appeared. George and Ryan looked at it and laughed.
"How's that supposed that to hurt me?" George asked after he finished laughing. "In case you haven't noticed my monster's stats are higher than yours."
"Sniper Rookie also shifts into defense mode when summoned. As to how it'll hurt you," he smiled, "it's like this. Silent Shot!" The monster kneeled and fired. George gasped as the bullet slammed into his shoulder. "Hurts, doesn't it? Sniper Rookie can attack you directly. Two cards face-down. End turn."
Sorchak: 8000
George: 7000
George drew his card and placed it onto his Duel Disk. "Z-Metal Tank (1500/1300) in attack mode. And I'll fuse them together to form XYZ-Dragon Cannon (2800/2600)."
"No, you don't. Reveal Fusion Chaos. This trap card will negate your fusion and randomly destroy one of your monsters," He smirked as X-Head Cannon blew apart.
George growled. "Frontline Base allows me to summon another X-Head Cannon and I'll fuse them again." The red machine hovered above the yellow tank with the purple machine above it and each began to descend, connecting with a simple click.
"Two mistakes at once," Both of his face-down cards flipped over. They each had a violet and green background respectively. "Fair Price lets me summon a monster whenever you special summon one with the condition that its level is equal or lower than yours. Mercenary Payment-" The card suddenly exploded.
"-gets blown into pieces. Mac can negate and destroy 1 magic card per turn." George returned his smirk.
"No matter, go Frontline Soldier (1500/1300) in attack mode. Whenever this card is face-up on the field you must attack him." Sorchak replied coolly.
"I'm not stupid enough to fall for your trap. I discard Damned Offering to destroy your face-down card," Said card blew apart. "When Damned Offering is discarded from my hand I draw three cards. If any of them are monster cards they are discarded and I receive damage equal to their attack points," He drew three cards and winced as he discarded two of them. "XYZ-Dragon Cannon attack Frontline Soldier." The soldier fell down with a cry of pain as the machine gunned him down.
Sorchak drew. "You should've used your monster's effect to destroy my sniper. But since you didn't you'll face the consequences," he snapped his fingers and Sniper Rookie left the field. Another monster appeared in his place. The monster looked like Sniper Rookie but his features were hard and he carried a real gun instead. "Because Sniper Rookie did battle damage to you, I can special summon Sniper Soldier (1500/2000) in his place. I take it you know what he does," he said as the soldier shifted into defense position and took aim. "Silent Shot again." He fired. George fell to his knees as the bullet tore into his abdomen.
"George!" Ryan started towards him but George waved him away. He glared at Sorchak.
"So, that's another one of those 'level' monsters except with a slight twist?" he said. Sorchak nodded and slid his card into his Duel Disk.
Sorchak: 6700
George: 3000
"My turn then, draw." He was about to discard a card when Sorchak held his hand up.
"Before you make a fool out of yourself again, I'll activate my trap." A huge forest suddenly sprouted out of nowhere and Sniper Soldier disappeared from view. "Tactical Position gives my monster 1000 defense points (1500/3000) and both of them cannot be destroyed by a monster's effect. So don't even think about it." George suddenly chuckled. Sorchak frowned. "What's so funny?" he demanded.
"You are," George told him. "Thank you for making yourself a fool in my place. I appreciate it," he said with a mocking bow. "I tribute my machine to summon Jinzo (2400/1500)." The green humanoid robot replaced the machine on the field.
"Have you forgotten what I said? I told you my card can't be destroyed by a monster's effect? Jinzo can't destroy it."
"Are you just guessing Jinzo's effect or are you misunderstanding his effect like most people who rely on secondhand information?" He chuckled again. "Never rely on what on secondhand information. For the most part, they are either altered or completely off the mark. Shall I read you Jinzo's effect?" Without waiting for an answer he quoted, "As long as this card remains face-up on the field, all Trap Cards cannot be activated. The effects of all face-up Trap Cards are also negated. That means your trap card aren't destroyed, merely negated and rendered useless. (1500/2000)" The forest disappeared instantly and Sniper Soldier stepped into view. George smirked as he saw Sorchak's face paling. "And I'll play Limiter Removal. This magic card doubles Jinzo's attack (4800/1500). The downside is he's destroyed at the end of this turn," He slid a card into his Duel Disk. "Or at least he would if I didn't summon Heavy Mech Support Platform (500/500) and equip him to Jinzo. This card increases his stats by 500 and is destroyed in his place instead. (5300/2000)" A platform appeared and Jinzo boarded it.
Sorchak regained his composure and sneered again. "So what? You still can't hurt me."
"One thing at a time. Jinzo, Psycho Beam." Jinzo's eyes flashed red and laser shot forth from his eyes. Sniper Soldier died without a sound. "End turn." The platform exploded (4800/1500).
Sorchak drew and nodded. "One card face-down and end turn." He crooked his finger at George. "Come and attack me if you dare."
Sorchak: 6700
George: 3000
George drew. "Nice try. But we both know that with Jinzo on the field and Mac's ability, your card is useless. Attack." Jinzo surged forward and smashed his fist into Sorchak's jaw. "One card face-down. End turn."
Sorchak rubbed his jaw and drew his card. "I play God's Smite. It destroys one monster on the field and deal damage equal to its attack points to its owner."
"There's no way I'm going to let you get away with an effect that powerful. Mac, negate it."
The card blew in Sorchak's face. "I knew you would do that." He motioned towards his face-down card. "Pot of Greed lets me draw two cards." Drawing twice, he smiled as he checked them. "Then I'll play Spell of Summoning. I draw three cards and special summon any monsters among them. The rest is discarded and I receive 500 damage for each." He drew and frowned as he discarded all of them. "One set monster. Take your turn."
Sorchak: 400
George: 3000
"Bad luck," said George as he drew. "I'll equip Big Bang Shot to Jinzo. This increases his attack by 400 and allows him to deal damage through defense (5200/1500)." He saw the hopeless look on Sorchak's face. "Finish him, Jinzo." The robot drew his fist and slammed it through the set card right into Sorchak's face.
Sorchak: 0
George: 3000
Sorchak sank to his knees and started talking incoherently. "Master-no-I didn't-" The red orb on his circlet gleamed darkly and shattered. Lyn, Ryan and George cringed as Sorchak fell back and started screaming, his arms swinging wildly. Then, as sudden as it began, the screaming stopped.
"What's going on here?" A loud conductor suddenly appeared. He stared suspiciously at Lyn's group.
Kain pushed George aside and kneeled beside Sorchak. He checked his pulse. "They were dueling and he started screaming and fainted," He looked at the conductor. "Carry him to the medic coach and have him examined." Noticing his suspicious look he added, "I'm a doctor."
Still the conductor looked suspicious, his eyes shifting from him to Lyn. He was about to ask another question when Kain barked, "Move man, his life may be at stake here!" Hauling Sorchak over his shoulder, he made his way to the medic coach.
Lyn sighed in relief. She looked at Kain. "Thanks for your help. Did he really just faint?"
"No." Kain stared her in the eye. "He's dead."
