These first few chapters might be a little slow, but it'll get more advanced soon.
LunaticChaos: Thank you. Yes, I like the name Hope. I'm not good coming up with female names. =/
Zander: Thanks, I'll try my best.
Chapter 2: Companions
"So how good are you?" Hope asked. Gaignun had returned to her side.
Daine shrugged. "Good enough. But I haven't practiced for a while yet."
"Do you know about the Deck Master rule?"
"Yes. You pick one monster, which affects the whole duel one way or another."
"That's right! So I'll pick Fenrir!"
A white wolf with glowing blood-red eyes appeared on Hope's right. It gave a low snarl.
"I'll choose Retrained Elven Swordsman."
The warrior came up to his right side as well. Just seeing the calm monster made Daine feel a little more confident.
Daine: 8000
Hope: 8000
"So, who first?" Hope wondered.
"You can."
"Alright then. I summon Cat Ear Tribe in attack mode! (200/100) Then I lay one card down."
Daine gave the three cute kittens a look of disbelief. "Those things are pathetic."
"Hey! Well, ok, so they are. But they're really cute too!"
"…Right. First I'll play Cyclone on your face down card."
"Ack, so much for Magic Cylinder."
"So you were trying to lure me into attacking? Pretty poor strategy without a way to protect your trap. I summon Blade Knight and attack your Tribe. (1600/1000)"
Hope smiled mischievously. "Yes, I was trying to lure you, in two different ways. I might not be able to stop the attack, but my Tribe's effect activates! Your monster's attack decreases to 200! (200/1000)"
"So both are dead…"
"Not so pathetic now, are they?"
"I'm sure," he said dryly. "I lay one card down, and end."
"Now we'll see how things turn out. I summon Berserk Gorilla! (2000/1000)"
"You're going to risk an attack?"
"Berserk Gorilla forces me to attack with him every turn if possible, so I have no choice but to attack."
"Since you attacked, I can counter with Reactive Armor. Your Gorilla is destroyed."
"Well shoot. I'll lay one other card and end."
"I summon Executioner Makyura. (1600/1200) He attacks directly."
"I'll counter that with Emissary of Harmony, making your attack do no damage."
"Very well. It's your turn."
Hope grinned at her next draw. "I'll now play Early Burial! By paying 800 Life Points, I can bring back my Cat Ear Tribe!"
Daine: 8000
Hope: 7200
"What's the point of doing that?"
"So I can sacrifice it to bring out Manticore of Darkness! (2300/1000) My Manticore will attack Makyura."
The Manticore easily ripped the Makyura to shreds, only to be blown apart by a ring of grenades.
"What?! But you have no traps!"
"You obviously didn't know about my Makyura's special ability. On the turn he's destroyed, I can play trap cards from my hand. So I activated Destruction Ring, killing your Manticore and dealing us damage equal to its attack."
Daine: 5000
Hope: 4900
"Clever move, but not good enough. First of all, Fenrir's Deck Master ability kicks in. When one of my Animal or Animal Warriors destroys one of your monsters, you're forced to skip your next draw phase."
"So that's what you're using… an Animal and Animal Warrior deck?"
"That's right. Now, on my end phase, my Manticore's ability activates. By discarding an Animal, Animal Warrior, or Bird Sub-Type from my hand or field, he is special summoned to my field. So I discard Millennium Neanderthal to do so."
"And I'm blocked from drawing… I summon Gestufuuma. (1700/1200) Then I equip her with The Fusion Weapon, Murasame Blade. This raises her attack by 800. (2500/1200) Now she attacks your Manticore! Then I'm done."
Daine: 5000
Hope: 4700
Hope looked at her next card. "Nice duel, but this has got to be game."
"What makes you say that?"
"I play Raise Dead on Millennium Neanderthal. (2750/2500) He attacks your monster."
"I'll activate my Deck Master's, the Retrained Elven Swordsman's, special ability. I choose one Warrior Sub-Type. For this turn, that monster cannot be destroyed by a monster with 1900 attack or greater. But I still take battle damage."
Daine: 4750
Hope: 4700
"Rats. Oh well, I'll just lay a card down and end."
"I summon Initiate Troops. (1000/1000)"
"Those guys? I've heard of what they do, and I can't allow it. I activate Tidal Wave, destroying all monsters on the field. And with both of us card-less, it's a luck of the draw."
"…End."
"Alright, I got a good one! I'll play Mad Dog of Darkness! (1900/1400) He attacks directly!"
Daine: 2850
Hope: 4700
"I draw… and pass… my Warrior of the Sun won't help right now, since it requires a sacrifice."
"True… yes! I summon Blood Vors! (1900/1200) They both attack!"
Daine: 0
Hope: 4700
Daine shut off his Duel Disk, disgusted at himself. "Well played."
"Thank you," she smiled as her monsters vanished. "Now remember our deal. I want you to explain what is affecting you."
Daine sighed. "Very well." He took off the glove over his right hand and showed the pentagram to Hope.
"Oh lord…" She examined it carefully. "How did this happen?"
Gaignun was growling viciously at Daine. Trying to ignore the wolf, he replied, "I've had it since birth." Then he slipped the glove back on.
"I see… well, that's very interesting. If you don't mind, I think I'd like to come with you and see how things turn out."
"What?" This was the opposite reaction that he had expected. Most people, after seeing that mark, wanted to get away as fast as they could.
"There's just something about you that makes me wonder… so can I?"
Normally, Daine would have refused. But he was quite lost, and needed someone to help him around this new territory.
"Very well."
"Excellent. Anywhere in particular you need to go?"
"I have several questions for you. That's all I know."
"Let's get to another town first. That way, we can be under shelter." She reached into the bushes and pulled out a knapsack, putting the dead rabbit into there. "We've done enough hunting for today, so we can relax once getting there."
"Sounds good," Daine agreed.
-----
"Well, here we are!" Hope announced as they left the forest, going onto flatter grounds.
The town nearby looked just as deserted as Daine's hometown. This did not seem to worry Hope though, and she walked in without hesitation. He followed her.
"Where are the people?" Daine asked.
Hope stopped abruptly. "You're kidding, right?"
"No…"
She looked amazed. "Is this what you meant by questions? Let's get into a building or house, and then we can talk."
"Right."
Gaignun growled softly. Hope gave him a sideways glance, and he stopped.
They were turning a corner, walking down the street, when they heard a roar. As they came into the center of the road, they saw the cause far too late.
It was a motorcycle, and it was going way beyond any speed limits Daine had seen. They froze at the sight of the vehicle.
The events occurred quickly. The driver swore violently before managing to get off the road just in time, crashing into a nearby building. The motorcycle exploded, and its occupants were thrown off.
The one who was driving the motorcycle looked to be in his twenties. He wore an outfit that was mainly black. The area covering his shoulders was silver though, and seemingly metal. Beside the metal area, it was red, and seemed to be a shoulder guard of some sort. His right arm seemed normal enough, and had a Duel Disk on it, but his left arm had a strange device on it. It appeared to be an oval piece of metal, and in the center of it was an orange material of some sort. His short hair was a reddish-brown, and his blue eyes were quite light. Over his back, a huge blue sword was strapped.
The other person on for the ride was a young woman. She wore an orange, metallic dress, with a blue shirt and black shorts underneath. Her red hair was tied back into pigtails by means of two braids of metal. Her eyes were a deep blue, but what was creepy was that there were no pupils in them. Her Duel Disk was on her left arm.
The man got up, muttering some quiet oaths. But he seemed unharmed. The woman seemed to have no problems either.
"Oh gosh! We're so sorry!" Hope apologized. "Are you all alright?"
"I think so…" the woman answered.
"I'm fine, but our vehicle isn't!" the man growled, pointing at the few pieces of metal that were left. "You do know that motorcycles are NOT easy to come by, right?"
"We were careless. It's our fault. We're really, really sorry," Hope tried to comfort the angry rider.
"You're not getting off the hook that easily!"
"Well, what do you expect us to do? We were just passing by! I thought this town would be deserted!"
"We thought the same, but it obviously isn't. And what do I expect you to do? Getting me a new motorcycle would probably make up for it!"
"Are you serious? We don't even have that much money!" Hope protested.
"Your loss."
"But it wasn't even completely our fault…" Hope sighed, rubbing her forehead. "This is just one big headache. How about this? I noticed you have a Duel Disk. Let's duel, and if you win, I'll pay back for the motorcycle. If I win, you leave us alone."
"Either way, I benefit. If this is the way we choose to solve the problem, so be it!"
"We don't even know who you guys are," Hope pointed out.
The woman had gotten up by now. "I'm Karen, he's Yamato. You?"
"I'm Hope, he's Daine, and the wolf's name is Gaignun."
Gaignun snarled at the two newcomers. Daine was trying to figure out what was happening; things were going far too quickly for him to follow easily.
"A wolf? Interesting…" Karen commented.
"Yeah, he is. So who do you choose as a Deck Master, Yamato? I'm going to have Fenrir be mine."
In response, a creature that resembled a cross between a human and a dog appeared. It wore an Egyptian-style outfit, colored light and dark blue, with a headdress, cape, robe, and gloves. It also held golden katars.
"Jackal Paladin," was Yamato's reply.
"Alright then."
Hope: 8000
Yamato: 8000
"Who first?" Hope asked.
"I will. I lay one monster in defense mode, and three cards down. Your turn."
"So many traps first turn? Let's wipe them out! I'll play Tempest, destroying all of your magic and trap cards! It would also destroy all of mine, but I have none, so that's no problem."
"I'm not as careless as you think. I activate Judgment of Anubis, a counter trap that can only be used when you activate a magic card that has the potential of destroying other magics or traps. By discarding one card from my hand-in this case, End of Anubis-your magic card is negated and destroyed."
"Dang it. Oh well. I summon Ninja Wonder Dog. (1800/1000) He attacks your monster!"
"Activate Traveler's Riddle in response," Yamato announced.
"What does that do?"
"When you declare an attack, you choose one card from my hand and guess whether it is a monster, magic, or trap card. If you are right, the attack goes through. If you are wrong, the attacking monster is sent back to your hand. I only have one card in my hand, so guess what it is."
"Um… monster?"
"Wrong. It's a magic card, Raise Dead. Your Ninja Wonder Dog is gone."
"Fine. I lay two cards down and end my turn."
"I will flip summon Locust Soldiers. (1000/500) When this monster is flip summoned, one of your magic or trap cards is destroyed. So destroy the one to my left."
"My Magic Jammer is gone…"
"Excellent. Using my Locust's other effect, I flip them back face down. Now I play Raise Dead on End of Anubis. (2500/0) Attack directly."
"Activate Magic Cylinder! Your attack is negated, and you take Life Point damage equal to the attack!"
Hope: 8000
Yamato: 5500
"Irritating. I end."
"I'll summon Ninja Wonder Dog again. He attacks your Locusts! And as for the card in your hand… I guess monster again!"
"You're correct. It's my Regenerating Mummy. Your attack goes through."
"Good. Now I'll have Fenrir's Deck Master ability activate. When one of my Animal or Animal Warriors destroys one of your monsters, you are forced to skip your next draw phase. Then I end my turn."
"So I cannot draw? It is of no concern. I summon Regenerating Mummy. (1800/1500) End of Anubis destroys your Ninja Wonder Dog, and my Mummy attacks directly."
Hope: 5500
Yamato: 5500
"Also, my Jackal Paladin's Deck Master ability can be made of use now. By discarding the top card from my deck… it was my Book of the Sun… a monster I destroy is sent back to the top of your deck."
"So if I keep playing Ninja Wonder Dog, I'll just keep getting him back…"
"Exactly. It's your move."
It's funny that both of our Deck Masters have such a similar effect… unfortunately, he has the advantage right now.
"What kind of whacked out theme are you playing?" Hope asked. "It seems so random."
"Simple-it's an Ancient Egyptian theme."
"Oh. No wonder I wasn't able to figure it out. Anyway, I summon Berserk Gorilla! (2000/1000) Then I play Wild Burst! This takes his defense and adds the same amount to his attack. Don't understand? Well, my Gorilla has 1000 defense, and his attack is 2000. Add the two together, and you get 3000. (3000/1000) Berserk Gorilla attacks End of Anubis! And I don't have to worry about your Traveler's Riddle, since you have no cards in your hand!"
Hope: 5500
Yamato: 5000
"And because of Fenrir's Deck Master ability, you're forced to skip your draw phase. When I end my turn, my Berserk Gorilla is destroyed, due to negative effects of Wild Burst."
"All I can do is attack with Regenerating Mummy. Then I end."
Hope: 3700
Yamato: 5000
"Alright… I summon Mad Dog of Darkness! (1900/1400)"
"I activate my trap card, Tidal Wave. That destroys all of our monsters."
"Rats. I lay one card down and end."
"I lay one monster in defense, and end my turn."
"I'll summon Ninja Wonder Dog yet again and attack!"
"You've run into my Poison Mummy. (1000/1800) When flip summoned, you lose 500 Life Points."
Hope: 3200
Yamato: 5000
"Then I'm done."
"I pass."
"My turn… I'll summon another Mad Dog of Darkness and attack! As for your Traveler's Riddle… guessing… magic."
"It's actually my Swarm of Scarab Beetles. (500/1000) So your Mad Dog is sent away."
"That's all I can do."
"This will work well. I sacrifice Poison Mummy to lay one monster in defense mode."
"I'll summon my Mad Dog again. He attacks your new monster."
"It's my Guardian Sphinx. (1700/2400)"
Hope: 2700
Yamato: 5000
"If that is all, I'll take my turn. I play my own Tempest, destroying my Traveler's Riddle and whatever you have."
"I chain it… Emissary of Harmony."
"It doesn't matter. I'll use Guardian Sphinx's effect to flip it back to face down defense mode and end."
"This isn't too good… I lay one monster in defense mode and end my turn."
"Then that is game," Yamato told her.
"What?"
"I flip summon Guardian Sphinx. When I flip summon it, it sends all of your monsters back to your hand."
"…I'm dead."
"Yep. I'll summon Royal Bodyguards. (1600/1700) Guardian Sphinx attacks, and then Royal Bodyguards finishes you off."
Hope: 0
Yamato: 5000
"Darn it. Where am I going to get the money to pay for a new motorcycle?" Hope wondered.
"That's your problem," Yamato replied. "When will you be ready to pay up?"
"I'm not sure… it depends how quickly I can get money," Hope answered.
Karen had been listening to the whole conversation. "How about this? We'll hang around with you guys until you hold to your deal. Then we'll leave you to get back to what we were doing."
"That works," Hope agreed. "What do you think Daine?"
He shrugged. "I guess I don't mind."
Karen looked at his Duel Disk with interest. "You're a duelist too?"
"Yes."
"How about some free play, to test your strength? I made some modifications to my deck, and I'm eager to test them."
"Very well." That ridiculous loss I had today has made me aware that I need more practice. I've waited too long to play.
"My Deck Master will be Kaiser Seahorse," Karen announced. The purple sea monster appeared immediately.
"And I choose the Retrained Elven Swordsman."
Daine: 8000
Karen: 8000
"You know the saying; ladies first!" Karen joked. "I summon X Head Cannon, (1800/1500) and lay two cards down. It's your turn."
Daine didn't seem highly impressed. "I summon Goblin Strike Team. (2300/0) They attack your X Head Cannon."
"I activate Sub-Space Matter Transportation Device! This removes my X Head Cannon until the end of the turn."
"Why do that? Now you're going to be hit directly."
"I have my reasons."
Daine: 8000
Karen: 5700
"I'm sure. My Goblins switch to defense mode now, and are forced to stay in it until the turn after next turn. I lay one card down and end."
"My X Head Cannon is back on the field now. I sacrifice it to summon the Blue Eyes White Dragon! (3000/2500)"
"Whoa, wait a minute! I thought a Blue Eyes White Dragon would cost two sacrifices!"
"Normally, they do. But my Kaiser Seahorse takes care of that problem. Any Light Main-Type I play costs one less sacrifice than normal. Now I activate Destruction Ring on Goblin Strike Team, destroying them."
Daine: 5700
Karen: 3400
"My Blue Eyes attacks directly. Then I lay one more card. It's your move."
Daine: 2700
Karen: 3400
"I'll have to resort to a combination attack. I summon Troop Commander. (1200/400) His special effect allows me to special summon another level four or lower monster, so I summon Initiate Troops. (1000/1000) Now I activate their ability. By sacrificing them, your Blue Eyes White Dragon dies. Then I play Raise Dead on your Blue Eyes White Dragon. They both attack."
"Close, but not quite. I activate Attack Nullification, which negates your attack."
"Fine, I end."
Karen smirked. "Thanks for reviving my Blue Eyes. It'll make him much easier to make use of."
"What?"
"First, I play Jar of Greed. Then I summon Lamp Spirit Ra Djinn. (1800/1000) Then I activate Enemy Controller. By sacrificing my Ra Djinn, I get to take control of your-sorry, I mean my-Blue Eyes White Dragon."
"I'll counter with Magic Drain. This will negate your magic card, unless you discard another magic card from your hand."
"Alright then, I'll just discard Twilight Fusion."
"…Not good."
"Indeed. My Blue Eyes White Dragon attacks!"
"My Retrained Elven Swordsman's effect activates. You can't destroy one of my Warrior Sub-Type monsters with a monster with over 1900 attack, so Troop Commander is still alive. I still take Life Point damage though."
Daine: 900
Karen: 3400
"Finally, I activate Immense Dragon Wing Burst. By sending a level five or higher Dragon Sub-Type to my hand, it destroys all magic and trap cards on the field. So my Blue Eyes is back for good. Then I end."
Daine sighed in relief. "I play Calling Reinforcements. This allows me to get one level four or lower Warrior Sub-Type from my deck, so I grab Goblin Strike Team. Then I summon them. (2300/0) Both of my monsters attack."
Daine: 900
Karen: 0
"That was too close," Karen said. "You're not a bad player."
"Thanks."
"That's an interesting deck," Hope commented. "What's it supposed to be based on?"
"Well, a long time back, there was actually a show for this game. It was called Yu-Gi-Oh. There was one character on the show named Seto Kaiba. He was a pretty cool guy, and I liked his style of playing, so I imitated his deck the best I could."
"It must be an old show," Hope replied. "I've never even heard of it until now."
"Yeah, it is. Should we pick a building to stay in? It's not exactly the smartest thing to sit out here all day when we could be spotted."
"Good point." Hope indicated to a store with a sign that had fallen down. The door was slightly open. "Let's stop there."
To be continued…
