The Master of Ligth and Darkness
Chapter eight: Harpies Versus Dragons
A.N. I need input, badly. I am trying my best to put up quality chapters, and I know I don't always do so great, but I really need you to tell me what I am not doing and what I need to do to make it better. Thanks for listening and back to the story.
Seing how Seto Kaiba isn't the most patient of men, especially when it comes to dueling. There fore we didn't wait long for the next duel to commence. I was the first one to arrive at the arena, and it gave me time to think. Why am I still here? I mean I know what Shadi said, that I was to come here for a prophecy. But how? I had already defeated Marik, so there seemed to be no point in remaining here. After all I had nothing to prove to these second rate nitwits.
Alas all things come to an end, and so did my solitude. It wasn't long before Yugi and his cheerleaders showed up along with the two competitors.
"The Final duel of the first round of the Battle City Finals is Mai Valentine(Kujaku), versus Seto Kaiba! Begin." Came Kaiba's nameless flunky.
"I'll go first if that is not a problem." Kaiba said in that nasal rasp of his.
"Go ahead, My harpies will roast you either way." Was Mai's only response.
Mai: 8000
Seto: 8000
"I'll set one monster in defense mode and two cards face-down end turn." Seto Kaiba stated as his holographic machines created perfect representations of his cards.
"I will set one card face down and summon Harpy Lady 2!" Mai shouted as one of her notorious Harpies appeared on the field in a blue jumpsuit. "Harpy Lady 2 , destroy his face-down monster!" She shouted as the harpy Flew with amazing speed and sliced Seto's Cyber Jar(900/900).
"Hah! You destroyed my Cyber Jar. Now he will destroy all mosnters on the field, and then we pick up 5 cards and special summon all level 4 or lower monsters!"
"Sorry Kaiba, but my Harpy lady 2 negates the effect of all monsters she destroys." Mai said, gloating.
Mai:8000
Seto:8000
"I draw, and play Pot of Greed!" Kaiba said as he drew and then drew two more cards. "Now I summon Vorse Raider(1900/1400)!" Seto exclaimed as a large brute of a monster appeared with bladed, staff-like weapon. "Vorse Raider destroy her Harpy!" Seto commanded as his Vorse Raider threw his staff at Mai's Harpy Lady.
"Not quite activate Mirror Wall! This card let's me cut your monsters attack in half." Mai said as suddenly Vorse Raider's stafff bounced off a prismatic wall and stabbed him. "Harpy Lady, counter strike!" She declared as her Harpy sliced her opponents monster with its talons.
Mai: 8000
Seto:7550
"My turn is over." He stated as he passed his turn to Mai.
"I draw, and summon Harpy Lady 1!" she shouted as a near clone of her first monster appeared. The only difference being their hair. "Harpy Lady 1 raises all WIND monsters by 500 attack points!" (1800/1400), (1800/1400) "Harpies Attack!" She commanded as her bird women preceded to slash a chunk cout of Seto's life points.
Mai: 8000
Seto: 3950
"Hah! Two turns and already you have lost half your life points. Where is this champion duelist everyone fears? Maybe he was a fake? Mai said obviously taunting her opponent.
"You'll pay for that." Seto stated as he drew. "Finally, I play White Dragon Ritual this lets me offer monsters in equal to four stars to summon Paladin of White Dragon!" Seto braked as a Knight in gold armor decended from the sky on a blue-white Dragon(1900/1500). "Now I sacrifice him to summon my first Blue Eyes White Dragon!" His Knight dissapeared as a tremendous Blue-white Dragon descended from the sky(3000/2500). "Now I activate Burst Stream of Destruction! Say goodbye to your precious monsters Valentine." Seto rasped as his dragon belw the harpies away like pathetic gnats. "Fortunatly for you that makes me skip my battle phase. So it is yoru turn." Seto said with the malice, and determination that I had not seen since the day we met.
Flashback
I was tending to my card shop, minding my own business. When all of a sudden who should step in but Seto Kaiba himself!
"How may I help you?" I asked him.
"I have come for the Blue Eyes White Dragon that I know you have." Kaiba stated.
"How about this. We have a friendly little duel. If you win you can have the card no questions asked, but if I win you must submit to a price that I will later decide." I stated.
"Fine. Prepare to lose." He said while sneering.
"Follow me." I said as I led him into the back room where I kept a dueling arena.
Daniel: 8000
Kaiba: 8000
"Since you challenged me, I will take the first turn." I said as I took my first six cards.
"I set one card in defense mode and five cards face-down." I said as the arena flooded with light as my cards were displayed.
"Five cards? That is either a good defensive move, or one of the biggest bluffs I've ever seen." Kaiba said with a smirk on his face.. Anyway meet my Kaiser Sea Horse!(1700/1550) Now he will attack your face-down monster." He stated cooly as his monster charged, only to be caught on a wheel and stretched in a tortuous way.
"That would be my Nightmare Wheel. It stops one monster from attacking, changing battle position, and as a bonus deals 500 damage to your life points every one of my Standby Phases."
"Fine I end turn." Kaiba said passing the reamainder of his turn.
"I draw. Now my Nightmare Wheel takes away 500 life points Next I play Pot of Greed! This lets me draw two more cards. Now I sacrifice my defense monster for Kaiser Glider(2400/2000)" I said as a gold dragon in the shape of a Griffin appeared on my field. "Now Kaiser Glider attack!" I commanded as my Kaiser Glider struck his Kaiser Sea Horse, and destroyed it. "Your move, Kaiba."
Daniel: 8000
Kaiba: 6800
"Heh, you think you have what it takes to stop me? Well think again. I draw, and summon Lord of Dragons is attack mode(1200/1000)! Next is Flute of Summoning Dragon! This allows me to special summon two dragon monsters." He said as a spellcaster armed with a dragon's hide played a strange flute, and two magnificent, bluie dragons appeared on the field. "Meet my two Blue Eyes White Dragons(3000/2500X2)! Now attack his Kaiser Glider!" He barked out as his first dragon let forth a giant stream of energy destroying my Kaiser Glider.
Daniel:7400
Kaiba:6800
"Heh, now my Glider's effect activates. Return one of those Blue Eyes to his hand!" I ordered as my dying Kaiser released a tremendous explosion that consumed the whole field, but when the dust settled both his dragons remained. His spellcaster; however, was nowhere to be seen. "What trickery is this?" I asked him.
"Your monsters aren't the only ones with effects Daniel. My Lord of Dragons negates all effects that specifically target a dragon on the field. Blue Eyes Direct attack!" He declared aas his second dragon sent his giant blue stream of energy right at me. "I knew those face-down cards were nothing more that bluffs. My turn is over." He said.
Daniel:4400
Kaiba:6800
"No they weren't because I activated two of them; Inferno Tempest and Return From the Different dimention! The first card can only be activated when I take 3000 or more damage from a direct attack, and allows me to remove all mosters in our graveyards and decks from play. The second requires me to forfeight half of my life points to return as many monsters from out of play to my field." I said as 5 of my monsters fell out of a portal above us. "Kaiser Glider, Mephist the Infernal General, Hysteric Fairy, Freed the Brave Wanderer, and Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight!(2400/2100), (1800/1400), (1800/800), (1700/1000), (2300/2100)
Daniel:2200
Kaiba:6800
"What are you going to do with those pathetic wastes of space? None of them can destroy my Blue Eyes White Dragons, and next turn I get to summon my Lord of Dragons back so you can't hit them with effects." Kaiba said, a triumphant smirk on his face/
"This won't last one more turn Kaiba." I said as I took the top card off my deck. "You were right about one thing Kaiba. Two of my cards weren't traps, but nonetheless they will be your downfall! Reveal United We Stand and Twin Swords of Flashing Ligth-Tryce., and they will be equiped to my Mephist the Infernal General(5300/1400)! I said as my other monsters flocked around their general, and his gaint axe changed into two thin swords. "Now he destroys both of your dragons!" I commanded as Mephist's forse charged at his dragons with his army not far behind him, and delivered two quick slashes to Kaiba'a dragons. Followed closely by the rest of his followers.
Daniel:2200
Kaiba:0
"No! How could I lose? I have the best cards in the game." Kaiba asked himself amazed at the loss.
"It's not always the cards Kaiba, but the man who plays them. The soldiers don't win the battle it is the general that commands his troops most effectively that wins." I told him.
"What do you mean by that?" He asked me.
"Your deck relies too much on brute force, and while this can be a benefit, it will lead to your downfall most of the time unless you have a effective way to manipulate your opponent. Take our duel for instance. How many traps did you play? None, and how many Magics? One. It is your decisionm but I highly suggest changing your strategy, and besides I told you that you would leave here with the dragon either way. Now here is my price; I know you have four cards in your possession. I want them." I told him.
"So if I give you these cards, you will hand over the dragon?" He asked.
"Yes." I stated.
"Well don't just sit there name the cards and they're yours." He shouted at me.
"Fine. The cards are Shinato the Ruler of a Higher Plane, Shinato's Ark, Dark Master Zorc, and Contract with the Dark Master." I told him.
"Okay here they are." he said as he rummaged through his metal suitcase for the aforementioned cards.
"Follow me." I told him as I went to the far side of the arena from where we entered, and traced a seam in the floor which quickly opened into a staircase that led down into the basement of the shop.
"You are the first man I have ever let see this place." I told him.
"Why would a normal shop owner like yourself need a hidden basement like this?" He asked.
"Seto Kaiba if you end up knowing me for any prolonged period of time, then you will come to know that nothing about me is normal." I stated to him.
"What's this?" Kaiba said as he went to pick up a well worn looking Katana in its sheath.
"Don't touch that!" I commanded my voice no higher than a whisper. "That is a very important relic to me from a life long past. Come on your dragon awaits." I told him as I continued on for a little while until we came to a square pedestal with a glass plate on top of it. "Here we are, now take it." I said as he went over to the pedestal and lifted the glass cover.
"I've waited so long, and now finally I have three Blue Eyes White Dragons!" He said just a tad maniacally.
"If I might ask, what makes these dragons so important to you?" I asked him.
"These cards represent two things two me: The first is power. These dragons can destroy nearly anything in their way with little difficulty. The second is pride. Both pride in myself for tracking them down, and pride for destroying all obstacles in getting to where I am in life. That is what these dragons mean to me."
"Well that is certainly...Interesting, but I have a shop to run and we have been gone for quite a while. Always remember that its not the most powerful person that wins, but the best strategist. Now let's head back" I said as I started to lead us back to the arena.
"Yes I agree I have been here far too long." He agreed as he followed me.
"Well I can't say it was an absolute pleasure to meet you,but I have had...worse experiences in my life." I told him as I ushered him out of my store.
"Likewise. See you around Daniel and next time we meet in battle be prepared for defeat." He told me.
.End Flashback
I remember his dedication to obtaining those Blue Eyes back then, and that same determination had taken a whole new direction. Now instead of obtaining some of the rarest cards in the game, he was devoted to being the best in the world. The fact remained to be seen however if he had improved over how he was those four years ago.
Mai:8000
Seto:3950
"Hmm. I draw,and play Monster Reborn on my Harpy Lady 1!" She said as one of the Harpies that were brutally destroyed by Seto's Blue Eyes was returned in a brilliant cloud of light(1800/1400). "Now I summon Harpy Lady 3!" She shouted as another of her harpies appeared on the field. "Now I play Elegant Egotist to bring forth Harpy Lady Sisters by offering Harpy Lady 3!" She said as the previously summoned harpy dissapeared to be replaced with three(2450/2100). "I activate Cyber Shield! This increases my Harpy Ladies attack by 500(2950/2100)! I end my turn."
"I think you didn't do your math,because your monster is still too weak. Blues Eyes demolish that abominable witch." He said as his dragon utterly anihilated her harpy. "This will be over in the next turn Valentine. I set one card face down, your turn." He said with a sneer on his face.
Mai:7950
Seto:3950
"I draw, and play Graceful Charity." She said as she drew three cards and discarded two. "Now I play Premature Burial on Hapries Pet Dragon!" She said as a giant, red dragons appeared on her field(2300/2500). "Then I set one card face down, and summon Cyber Harpy in attack mode(1800/1400)!" She said as her monster appeared on the field. "End Turn."
"I told you this is over Valentine, and I never lie. I summon Lord of Dragons in attack mode!" He said as an all to familiar spellcaster appeared on the field(1200/1000). "Next comes my two Flutes of Summoning Dragon!" He said as his other two Blue Eyes,and a Diamond, white Dragon appeared on the field. "Now I activate Ultimate Offering which for the bargain price of 500 life points will allow me another normal summon! Now I sacrifice Lord of Dragons, Hyozanryo, and a Blue Eyes White Dragon to summon Obelisk the Tormentor!" He shouted as his soellcaster, the Diamond dragon, and one of his Blue Eyes dissapeared. Brought forth by this offering was a tremendous mass of muscle, blue in color, and with a massive bone crest atop his head. To call this thing intimidating was an understatement. "Now I activate his special effect. By offering my other two Blue Eyes I can make his attack power infinite!" He said as his other two dragons were crushed by Obelisk as his skin started to turn red, and he started to grow in size. "Now he attacks directly!" He shouted as Obelisk let loose a giant blast of energy that engulfed the entire blimp in a blinding white light. When the glare cleared all that was left was a confident Seto Kaiba,and an unconscious Mai.
"Kaiba! How could Ya' do 'dat to Mai? She neva' did nothin' to ya!" Joey exclaimed to Seto.
"Back off Wheeler. He did what he had to in order to win. Perhaps if you had done the same you wouldn't have been eliminated." I stepped forward in Seto's defense.
"Are you saying that if it came down to winning and someone else's health that you would choose winning?" He said in a rather unintelligible jumble of words.
"It depends on what I am doing." I said shrugging it off and quickly leaving.
Later in Yugi's room
"Guys I don't trust that Esyphelon guy. He has no morals whatsoever. How could anyone choose winning a card game over a persons health?" Stated Joey in a rather unusual moment of insight.
"While I agree with Joey that Daniel might be a little...overzealous. I think that is in relation to his Millenium Scales. From what Yami tells me it has three uses. One it can balance the evil and light in ones soul, Two it can predict when something disasterous is going to happen that will shift the balance of destiny, and the third and not so often heard of power of the Millenium Scales is that it allows the user to push all of the light or darkness in his soul into the Millenium Scales for a short time. Making the person either really nice or incredibly cruel for the duration of this effect." Yugi stated.
"Either way. We should all be careful in dealing with Daniel from this point on." This came from Tea, the head "cheerleader" of the group.
Seto Kaiba's voice soon came over the intercom saying he had an anouncement to make and that everyone should assemble in the lobby.
As Yugi's group was leaving I stepped out of my hiding place in the shadows. "So they don't trust me. Well just wait till they figure out the truth about Ragnarok." I said as I silently made my way to the arena.
When I arrived there everyone was already there. Not too unexpected considering I was just spying on a great number of them, but before any of us could ask Seto what it was that he wanted to say he spoke up.
"Finalists, you have been called here to witness the site of the final round of Battle City. Behold Alcatraz tower! This tower was built upon the ruins of my stepfather's old military buildings as a symbol of the new Kaiba Corp.'s strength. The last round of the tournament will be broadcast live all over the world, and before we're done Kaiba Corp. will be known forever as the leading inovator in gaming technology ever to grace the Earth."
"Heh. I always knew you wanted to outclass your father, but I admit it is an interesting way to do..." I started, but was quickly interrupted. "What the hell is that thing?" I asked Kaiba, pointing to a strange fortress rising out of the ocean.
"I don't know, but it sure as hell isn't mine." Kaiba responded as we all ran for the bridge.
When we arrived on the bridge there was only one way to describe it, utter chaos. People were running around screaming, flipping switches, and many other things until someone announced to Seto that there was an incoming message.
"Put it through." Kaiba said to the comm. Officer.
"Y-Yes sir." Was the officer's reply.
"Hello Seto Kaiba!" came an image of a young boy with blue hair.
"Who the hell are you?" Seto asked the kid who looked oddly familiar.
"My name is Noah Kaiba, and I will be the one who brings an end to this 'New Kaiba Corp.' and re-establish the war factories that you destroyed!" Noah said as he cackled as the comm. Screen cut off.
"Get us out of here...NOW!" Seto barked as his crew members were quick to execute his orders.
"Sir we can't escape that submersible base of his has some advanced form of electromagnetic beam that is pulling us in faster than our engines can propel us." Was the only response from the pilot.
"Fine. Shut down the engines. We're going in to give this brat a very good reason not to mess with Seto Kaiba." He said in his most acidic voice.
"I'm coming with you. Me and that little brat have some unfinished business." I told him my voice no more friendly than his.
"You know this brat?" Seto asked me.
"Yes I once had the displeasure of meeting your stepfather, and this kid was around generally causing trouble. I was there on business reasons, and he attemtpted to steal my plans for a new line of assault rifle. " I told him.
"You were an arms manufacturer?" Came the exclamation from all of Yugi's gang.
"Yes. There was a time where I designed weapons. In matter of fact I still do, but all my weapons are designed with a non-lethal use in mind. Something Gozaburo Kaiba never understood." I told them, but what I didn't tell them was how proficient I was with my weaponry or why I started making weapons.
"Either way we've arrived." Seto said as we landed in a spacious docking bay on the inside of the enormous, metal fortress.
"Welcome my guests. If you would please step outside of the airship,and proceed along the marked path there won't be any reason for things to get messy." Came the voice of the brat.
Seto responded with, "no you little brat why should we come out when you can come to us?" He said in a demanding tone.
"Because, I hold all of the cards." He said several chain guns started to rain bullets around the airship.
"Fine, we'll come." Seto finally relented.
We proceed dow nthe lighted corridor when finally we came upon a large, open room with five, rather bulky people standing in it.
"YOU! I thought I trapped you in my virtual world." Seto spat as he saw his long time business partners.
"You had, until master Noah came and rescued us from our virtual prison, and while we may still be trapped in a virtual simulator. We will soon take all of your bodies after we defeat all of you in a duel!" The leader shouted.
"And why pray tell should we duel you?" I asked.
"Because if you ever want to get out of here you will have to beat all of us in a duel." Again said the leader. This time, however, he added a tinge of maniacal laughter that was more ear splitting than threatening.
"What a waste of time." This was from Marik
"Hold on Marik. If I'm right this will be a good way for me to find you a new deck." I told him.
"Now behold as Noah tranports us to the virtual world!" They all shouted and started laughing like rabid Hyenas.
To be conitinued