Intermission Ended
So they've made it past the first checkpoint. Excellent. Now all that remains is choosing who I want to duel first. But to make sure that there isn't any outside interference I'll have to be careful with what I do next. The one that dueled earlier is weakened greatly…but there is still the other. I must find a suitable deck to deal with him.
Scanning deck type…
Name: Krieger Reinhardt
Deck type: Flame/Burner
Suggested counter deck types: Life gain, counter, Water.
Final Suggestion: Guardian deck
Searching internet for Guardian deck data…
Searching for appropriate representation…
Subject located.
Beginning Shadow game program
My opponent will be the third one. The one called Ichigo. He was the one who seemed so eager to challenge me, and I'll gladly accept his challenge.
Ichigo set the unconscious Griff onto a table within the medical room of the empty of building they had entered. "This is such a strange place. I mean, there's no one here." He looked behind him when Krieger didn't replied…and blinked in surprise. "Hey Krieger…where'd you go?"
"How could I possibly have gotten lost?" Sighing, the half cat-demon turned a corner…and leapt back in surprise. "GAH! Who in the heck are you?"
The man standing in front of him wore a black trench coat. He had blond hair and it was cut very short. Not only that, but in combination with the fact that he was tall and muscular as well made him all the more intimidating. "Prepare to duel intruder." Lifting his arm, he revealed his duel disk already in place. "I am Raphael."
Krieger narrowed his eyes. "I didn't smell you…you're a hologram like Griff's dad."
"Prepare to duel intruder!" Raphael drew.
Krieger grimaced and drew his hand quickly. He wasn't given a choice as to whether he wanted to participate or not.
Raphael- 4000
Krieger- 4000
Raphael looked at his drawn card and placed it face-down onto his disk. "I set one monster face-down and end my turn."
Krieger drew. "I summon Blast Magician (1400/1700) in defense mode." A red-robed magician appeared on his field in a crouching position. "Also, I play the continuous magic card Spell Absorption. Whenever a magic card is played I'll now gain 500 life points. End turn." He knew that he had a good setup. And with the effect of his Blast Magician not only would he gain life points for every magic card played, but he'd be able to start destroying his opponent's monsters.
Raphael drew. "Reverse monster card open! Arsenal Summoner!" (1600/1600) A man in blue robes appeared on the field and started to chant. "When flipped up this monster lets me add one card with Guardian in its title from my deck to my hand!" He took a card out of his deck and slid it into his hand.
Krieger smiled slightly. "My Blast Magician is too tough for your monster."
"I summon Back-up Guarder (500/2200) in defense mode." A blue-skinned red-haired demon appeared on the field in a crouching position. "As long as this monster is in play I can switch equipment magic cards around as much as I want. Also, I set four cards face-down." Four cards shimmered into existence behind his other monsters. "Now I play Gravity Axe-Grarl on Arsenal Summoner!" A huge battle-axe landed in front of the spellcaster. "This card, while in play, prevents you from switching the modes of your monsters. Also, it raises the attack of the equipped monster by 500!" (2100/1600)
Raphael- 4000
Krieger- 4500
Krieger glanced at the two glowing spheres of light that rested over his magician's head. ("Good…")
Raphael threw his last card onto his disk. "This monster can only be summoned when I have no cards in my hand but it. Also, Gravity Axe-Grarl must be in play! Go Guardian Grarl!" (2500/1000) A huge humanoid dinosaur appeared on the field and roared. "I attack with Arsenal Summoner!" The spellcaster chanted and the Blast Magician shattered. "Guardian Grarl, direct attack!" Roaring again, the dinosaur punched Krieger right in the ribs, leaving him gasping for air. "I transfer the Axe to Grarl." The weapon appeared in the hands of its true holder. (3000/1000) "End turn."
Raphael- 4000
Krieger- 2000
Krieger pounded his chest a couple of times, and finally his heart started to pump again. "Draw!" He drew breathlessly, but he knew that if he let himself get distracted he'd start distracting himself. As he looked at the drawn card he smiled widely. "Heya buddy."
"Make your move intruder."
"Sure! I summon Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level Four!" (1600/1000) A car-sized metal dragon appeared on the field and screeched. ("Hello partner.") "From my hand I play Dragon's Gunfire! This magic card can only activate when I have a dragon type monster in play. Now I can either deal you 800 life points of damage or I can destroy a monster on the field with 800 or less defense points. So take your damage!" Horus opened its jaws and released a blast of fire that hurtled towards Raphael.
The holographic Raphael's form turned snowy for a moment as it was hit by the fireball.
Raphael- 3200
Krieger- 2500
"Also, I set two cards face-down and end my turn." Krieger glanced at Horus. ("And if you think he's big now…")
Raphael drew. "Guardian Grarl attacks!"
Krieger pointed at one of his set cards. "Go Windstorm of Etaqua! This trap card forces all monsters on your field to switch modes!" Horus flapped its wings rapidly, creating an instant windstorm that sent Guardian Grarl and Arsenal Summoner into crouching positions, while Back-up Guarder stood up.
Raphael looked at his drawn card. "I end my turn."
Krieger drew. "Now your Guardian is finished! Go Horus, attack Grarl now!" The steel dragon opened its beak and released a spray of blue-black fire that hurtled towards the dinosaur.
"Reveal Waboku!" Raphael pointed at one of his set cards. A blue barrier sprang up and stopped the attack cold, the fire dissipating against it. "This trap card negates all battle damage caused by your monsters during your turn."
Krieger looked at his drawn card nervously. "I summon Charcoal Inpachi (100/2100) in defense mode." A black-colored wooden dummy appeared on the field in a crouching position. "End turn."
Raphael drew. "I switch Grarl in attack mode! Crush Horus now!" The dinosaur leapt to its feet and charged.
Krieger pointed at his other set card. "Go Attacker's Defense! This continuous trap card works from this point onward when monsters on our field battle. Instead of comparing their mode scores, we compare their weakest scores. And since Horus and Grarl have 1000 defense points, they'd only kill each other."
Raphael frowned as Grarl slammed into Horus and both of them exploded into dust. "I'm not done yet. I set two cards face-down and reveal my face-down Fairy in the Spring. This magic card lets me take one equipment magic card from my graveyard, so I'm retrieving Gravity Axe-Grarl! I also switch Back-up Guarder back into defense. End turn."
Raphael- 3200
Krieger- 3000
Krieger drew. "It doesn't matter!" He threw down his drawn card. "Horus the Black Flame Dragon level four!" (1600/1000) The steel dragon reappeared on the field. "Attack Back-up Guarder!" The dragon sprayed the beast with flames.
Raphael narrowed his eyes. "You're wasting your time."
"No I'm not! Attacker's Defense activates now and the weakest scores of our monsters are compared. The 500 attack points of your monster and the 1000 defense points of mine!" Back-up Guarder growled in pain and exploded into dust. "I end my turn and when Horus destroys a monster as a result of battle he levels up at the end phase of that turn!" The metal dragon disappeared in a burst of flame and when the fire cleared it emerged the size of a house. (2300/1600)
Raphael drew. "I play Gravity Axe-Grarl on Arsenal Summoner!" The huge battle-axe dropped from the sky and landed in front of the spellcaster. "Now reveal face-down Call of the Haunted! This trap card revives one monster from my graveyard. Return to me now, Guardian Grarl!" The dinosaur monster reappeared in play. "Reveal Collected Power! This trap card will transfer all equipment cards in play to one target!" The Gravity Axe shuddered and flew into Grarl's hand. (3000/1000) "Arsenal Summoner goes to attack mode! Now your own card will be your undoing! Arsenal Summoner attack Horus now!" The spellcaster chanted and exploded, as did Horus. "Since both of our monster's weakest scores were 1600, they killed each other."
Krieger looked at his Charcoal Inpachi and paled. "Oh no…"
"Attack now!" Guardian Grarl launched forward and slashed through the black-colored monster, destroying it instantly.
Raphael looked at his drawn card and then at Krieger. "End turn."
Krieger drew. "I play the magic card Flames of War!" Up in the air above him five glowing stars appeared. "This card allows me to place five counters on the field. I can remove these counters at the cost of 500 life points to draw a card!" He drew. "Again!" He drew once more. "Screw it." He drew the remaining three.
Raphael- 3200
Krieger- 1000
Raphael frowned as Krieger smiled.
"Here we go. Horus the Black Flame Dragon level four!" (1600/1000) The car-sized steel dragon appeared and roared. "From my hand, I activate the magic card Level Up! This card lets me send Horus to the graveyard to special summon its next level!" (2300/1600) The house-sized Horus appeared. "Now I play another Level Up along with the quickplay magic Emergency Provisions!" Level Up appeared on the field and then it and Attacker's Defense disappeared in flashes of light. Horus screeched again and grew to the size of a skyscraper. "Horus the Black Flame Dragon Level Eight!" (3000/1800)
Raphael- 3200
Krieger- 4500
Both duelists squared off slowly…and then Krieger broke it with a smile. "From my hand I play two Stamping Destruction magic cards! These cards let me destroy a magic or trap card in play per card!" Horus flapped forward once and stomped on the set card. Then it turned and snapped its tail around, hitting the Gravity Axe and shattering it instantly. (2500/1000) "Also, when a card is destroyed by Stamping Destruction you lose 500 life points."
Raphael- 2200
Krieger- 5500
"One last thing…" Krieger pointed at Guardian Grarl. "Go Horus! Black Flame Burst!" Horus lowered its head down, looming over the dinosaur. Opening its beak, it released a blast of black fire that struck the Guardian and instantly consumed it flame. "End turn."
Raphael- 1700
Krieger- 5500
Raphael drew. "I set a monster in defense mode. End turn."
Krieger drew. "I summon Great Angus (1800/600) in attack mode!" A huge red bull appeared on his field. "Attack now!" It charged forwards and slashed through the set monster.
Raphael slid the card in his hand into his disk. "You destroyed Makyura the Destructor, and when it is destroyed I can play traps from my hand during this turn! Go Nightmare Wheel!" A bone wheel appeared in front of Horus. "This card prevents your monster from attacking or switching modes. Also, during each of your standby phases you'll lose 500 life points."
Krieger gulped. "End…turn…"
Raphael drew. "I set one monster in defense mode. End turn."
Krieger drew. "I summon Essence of Fire!" (500/1500) A fireball with a face within its surface appeared on the field. "Attack now Angus!" The bull charged and slashed through the set monster with its nails.
"Iron Blacksmith Kotetsu's special ability allows me to add one equipment magic card from my deck to my hand when it is flipped up!" He removed a card from his deck right before Essence of Fire passed through him.
Raphael- 1200
Krieger- 5000
Krieger glanced up at the now silent Horus. "End turn."
Raphael drew. "One monster in defense. End turn."
Krieger drew. "Go now Angus!" The monster charged and slashed through the set card. "Go Essence of Fire!" The fireball passed through Raphael again.
Raphael- 700
Krieger- 4500
Raphael removed a card from his deck. "Another Iron Blacksmith Kotetsu." He drew. "One monster in defense mode. End turn."
Krieger drew. "Now's my chance to finish this! From my hand I play Monster Reborn! This magic card will allow me to special summon one monster from either player's graveyard!"
Raphael pointed at his set card. "Fool! Reveal Guardian Bomb! To activate this card I must discard two cards from my hand. Then I select one continuous trap card in play attached to a monster. I select Nightmare Wheel. At the end phase of your next turn Nightmare Wheel will explode and deal Horus' attack times two in damage to us both. The explosion will be enough to deal with you." Monster Reborn exploded into dust. "Also, it negates one magic card."
Krieger turned incredibly pale and pointed at the set monster. "Go now Angus!" The monster charged and slashed through the set monster. "Essence of Fire!" The fireball passed through Raphael. "End turn."
Raphael- 200
Krieger- 4000
Raphael removed a card from his deck and then drew. "You flipped up my face-down Arsenal Summoner. I set one card face-down and summon Back-up Guarder. End turn." Another blue-skinned red-haired monster appeared on his field.
Krieger looked down at his deck. "Do or die…right Horus?"
The Black Flame Dragon roared in response.
He drew. And then he smiled slightly. "One last chance! I play Opponent Draw Power! My opponent now draws six cards! In reprisal, I gain 6000 life points!"
Raphael drew six cards off of the top of his deck. "The explosion will still kill your physical body."
Raphael- 200
Krieger- 9500
Krieger slid Essence of Fire into the graveyard. "I sacrifice my monster to summon Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch!" (2400/1000) A humanoid covered in red and bronze-colored armor appeared in play. "When tribute summoned this monster lets me select one card from my opponent's hand and send it to the graveyard. If that card is a monster, you take 100 life points of damage per level star of that monster. So let's end this one pick! I choose the card on the far left!"
The card shimmered and appeared in the air above them as a monster. A four star Back-up Guarder.
Raphael- 0
Krieger- 9500
Raphael's form faded away instantly, as did the field.
Krieger breathed a sigh of relief and fell to the ground. ("Oh man, that was close. Are you okay Horus?")
("I'm fine partner.")
Somewhere in the distance an echoing slam shook the facility. It was a sound like a gate slamming shut.
"What was…" Krieger paled. "Ichigo…." He hopped to his feet and ran in the direction of the noise.
Ichigo whistled in surprise as he explored the facility. "This place has everything. And lots of shiny stuff too." He held up a silver-colored flashlight he had found. "This thing is extra shiny too. And who am I talking to anyway?"
"I'm waiting for my challenger to come."
Ichigo's ears instantly perked up and he picked up into a run towards the voice. "Don't go….don't go…I'm coming!" He did a flying leap through the door he heard the voice coming from…and then realized that he was sliding downwards now. A minute later the slick surface underneath him disappeared and he found himself free-falling towards a bright light. "I know this is gonna hurt…"
Brief Intermission
Author's Notes: Alright. Let's go for favorite Steel Titans now.
To Void Templar: I have fallen to the power of Kuribohs.
To The Obsessive Zero Fan: No, there was no chapter because I was busy with other fun things and didn't feel like writing. If I hadn't have thought of the movie idea I probably wouldn't be writing at the moment.
To Star AJT: What techniques? We don't what she is capable of doing yet.
To Gryphinwyrm: Technically she isn't copying anyone. All she is doing is searching the internet for deck types to use.
To Raine: Rayden and Solid Snake? Coolness. I kind of made up Rayden on the fly.
To Seeker of the Soul: Kuriboh, Rune Blade and Lord of Knives. Awesomeness. I like Lord of Knives the most out of those three.
To wolfy: Another vote for Lord of Knives and Solid Snake. And yes, Rex is great.
To Mario: Nope. ALICE just needed something to keep him busy, and a Guardian deck would work. By the way, that wasn't Raphael's guardian deck. It was just the representation of Raphael that was using the deck.
To Grisham: And that's one vote for Lord of Knives and one vote for Ray.
To generic writer: I see you hate those that hate dubs. I do dislike dubs, but that is because they sugarcoat the whole when someone dies thing.
To gohan11: Cyber Shadow-Kuriboh vote for one.