Author's Notes: The first step in a series of multiple duels till the end. Cheers!
Chapter Eighteen: Two Warrior Souls
Davis and Asriel collapsed against the metal wall, breathing heavily. The last arrows had already finished firing behind them and they were glad to have made it through that most recent challenge. "I stand by it, these people are just psychotic."
"It's good to know how you feel Davis Coffin, because you're going to have to get a bit crazy yourself if you want to make it through this chamber to the inner sanctum." Suddenly lights burst down upon them, and they discovered themselves in a large circular steel chamber with plexiglass windows up at the top.
The two of them blinked and stared at the gathered crowd in surprise. Sitting behind the plexiglass had to be a few hundred people, all of them in expensive clothing and staring down a them. But more importantly was the man standing across from them wearing a duel disk. "Kensai!"
"That's correct, and I will be your opponent in this chamber. As these paying fans watch on and place their bets we will duel. If you lose then you remain here forever, but if you win you can move forwards." He held up his duel disk and slammed his deck into place. The crowd cheered.
"Fine, so be it, but this time I'll defeat you! Asriel, wait over there while I deal with this...it's something I have to do. Then we'll move on." She started to walk off to the side, but was startled when Kensai took a giant leap and landed directly in front of her, barring her path.
"What's your problem? I'm just trying to have a seat, I'm not trying to leave." Kensai turned his head, and when Asriel saw how dead serious he looked she took a step back.
"I'm afraid that I can't allow that. To pass through this chamber at all I must be defeated. Now these spectators want a show, and I can't think of any better way to give them one than to have a two on one duel...if you're up to it." Asriel and Davis looked at each other, and then at once they raised and activated their duel disks.
"You're on!" (DLP: 4000, ALP: 4000)
Kensai walked over to his previous position about twenty feet away from them across the chamber. Opposite him Asriel and Davis stood side-by-side with about six feet difference between them. "In order to even things out I will start with double life points, have two draws each turn, and get two normal summons each turn. Now, let's duel!" (KLP: 8000)
Asriel nodded to her husband and then snapped five cards off her deck, and then a sixth. "I think I'll take first turn. Now, let's see what I can do!"
She held the six cards up in front of her face and scanned them over to decide exactly what she wanted to do. "I start by summoning Familiar Knight(1200/1400) in attack mode. That'll be it for me."
Davis frowned at his wife, knowing the monster's effect but not knowing why she wanted to risk it. He too looked over his hand and decided on the appropriate course of action. 'This double summon thing is going to give Kensai a great advantage since warrior decks partially revolve around bum rushing the field, so I have to play carefully.'
"I set one monster in defense mode and play one card down behind it. Then I turn the duel over to you Kensai." He nodded briefly to his wife, and then they both returned to focus on Kensai who had just drawn two cards.
Kensai fanned out his seven cards and then smirked slightly. "You two...I'll play you're game. Now, watch and learn because first I set one monster in defense mode. Then I summon Dark Blade(1800/1500) in attack mode!"
The dark armored monster appeared holding its twin scimitars in an attack position. "Dark Blade now attacks Familiar Knight!" The armored warrior charged forwards and slashed his blade through Familiar Knight, which folded over, blood spurting from its opened stomach. (ALP: 3400)
Asriel frowned at the more graphic death of her monster, but her confidence returned when she remember why she had summoned Familiar Knight. "Familiar Knight's special effect now allows each player to special summon a level four monster from their hand."
Each of the three duelist took a card from their hand and slammed them down onto their respective disks, and three separate holographic images began to be created. Davis motioned to his field as a blonde man with a sword formed. "Neo the Magical Swordsman(1700/1000) in attack mode!"
Asriel smirked as a massive metallic dragon formed in front of her and roared at Kensai's monsters. "Rare Metal Dragon(2400/1200) is a level four with one draw back, he can't be normal summoned. But Familiar Knight took care of that, so now I have the strongest monster!"
Kensai suddenly threw back his head and laughed, and when his monster appeared they understood why. It was a soldier covered in gleaming silver armor, and holding a massive laser sword in his right hand. "Using knights you should know that many knights not only battle with dragons...but befriend them as well, becoming companions to them. Now, meet your dragon's companion, Rare Metal Knight(2400/1200)!"
The husband and wife team grimaced, realizing that now he had equal power to themselves. "Now, Rare Metal Knight will cut down Neo the Magical Swordsman!"
Davis held up his arms to shield his eyes as the knight slashed his spellcaster apart, turning it into holographic dust that pelted him. "No..." (DLP: 3300)
"Now, since we've settled that, I think I'll set one card face down and end it at that. Do try and do a little better would you?" He smirked and waved to Asriel, who growled and drew.
"Think you're good huh? We'll see. I summon Hayabusa Knight(1000/700) in defense mode." A falcon holding a rapier and with a cape stepped out from the card and dropped into a crouch.
"Next I set one magic or trap card face down. Now, Rare Metal Dragon attacks Dark Blade!" The dragon breathed out a stream of flame, melting Dark Blade into nothing but scrap metal and a skeleton. The crowd cheered at the violence. (KLP: 7400)
'That seemed too easy. Why is he so confident?'
"You've fallen prey to my trap. Activate continuous trap card, Tide of Battle! This trap activates whenever one of my warriors is destroyed in battle. The destroyed monster is removed from the game and its attack is added to my life points. So, charge me with your strength Dark Blade!" A spirit burst out of the skeleton and then was absorbed into Kensai's disk. (KLP: 9200)
She grimaced and folded her hand up, knowing that she couldn't continue her turn. It was up to Davis to see if he could undo what she had done. 'Come on Davis, let's see that skill of yours in action.'
Davis drew, and at the sight of the card he began to smirk. He knew this wouldn't entirely help them, but he knew it would be better than just letting their opponent have a complete advantage. 'Time try a combo.'
"I flip summon D.D. Trainer(100/2000). Then I offer him to Tribute Doll in order to summon the Dark Magician(2500/2100) who has more power than your knight!" His monster faded away, giving birth to the extremely familiar and well known purple-clad magician.
"Your monster is stronger, but he can't face me yet, so I see no point to this." Kensai seemed impatient, and the crowd seemed to be on his side, unimpressed by Davis' moves. His wife on the other hand knew what he was up to.
"You think so? Well get ready to meet real strength! I activate my set card, Call of the Haunted to revive Neo! Then I sacrifice him to summon Flame Swordsman(1800/1600)!" A Japanese warrior in blue and red appeared, brandishing an impressive looking sword.
Kensai's eyes widened as he suddenly understood. The crowd however remained ignorant. "So that's your plan. Don't tell me you already have the final key piece in your hand!"
"Alright, I won't tell you. Instead I'll activate it! Polymerization, fuse these two monsters together in order to create...Dark Flare Knight(2200/800) in attack mode!" The combined form of the two monsters emerged, with a sword in one hand and shield in the other.
Asriel pumped her fist into the air, overjoyed at his success at summoning the bringer of one of his best monsters. "Now, Dark Flare Knight attacks Rare Metal Knight and is destroyed, giving birth to the ultimate monster who is able to strike down any foe! Mirage Knight(2800/2000)!"
The air in front of Davis seemed to ripple, and from that ripple was given birth a man with long blue hair and golden armor. In his two hands he held an extraordinarily long scythe with which he could crush any enemy. "Mirage Knight, destroy Rare Metal Knight!"
The knight charged forwards, power surging upwards as its effect kicked in and boosted its attack by twenty-four hundred, giving it a grand total of five thousand two hundred attack points. In one sweep it crushed the opposing knight. "Your efforts are mostly in vain, because I gain back most of what I just lost!" (KLP: 8800)
"In vain? I sincerely doubt it. I activate the special ability of Mirage Apprentice(500/800) from my deck, by sending it to the cemetery I can prevent Mirage Knight from being removed from the game! Now I have the ultimate monster in play, even if it cost my entire hand." He stood strong and proud, his deadly monster still remaining despite its after effect.
Kensai smirked and slid two more cards off his deck, instantly bumping his hand back up to five cards. "I hope you're ready to feel the pain of loss. I flip up Kamikaze Warrior(400/900) who instantly destroys one monster in play...and I target Mirage Knight!"
Davis grimaced and held his hand out to his deck, which instantly spat a card out which he caught. "I discard another Mirage Apprentice to the grave to keep Mirage Knight in play!"
"Well played Davis, but it won't save you. I activate Brain Control!" Both Davis and Asriel gasped in horror as the giant brain formed and shot its arms across the field. The crowd roared in excitement, knowing that the tide was going to turn further.
"No...Mirage Knight!" But his despair turned to confusion when the brain's hands latched onto...Rare Metal Dragon.
"You think far too much about your own strategies and not enough about your opponent's. Now, didn't I say that my monster and this one were companions? Well, time to make up for that with Hand Grasping From the Abyss, which takes one removed from play monster and puts it in my hand!" He held up Rare Metal Knight and added it back into his hand.
Kensai eyed his two opponent's gaging their reactions, and he could see they knew what was coming. "I can see it in your eyes that you understand. Activate Polymerization, combining both together to form Rare Metal Dragon-Knight(2800/2400)!"
The creature that emerged was simply Rare Metal Knight seated on the back of Rare Metal Dragon, all in all not looking fantastically impressive. Asriel scoffed at the new creature. "It doesn't matter that its power is equal to Mirage Knight's it can't destroy it!"
"Is that the case? Well, my monster begs to differ. Activate special ability, Rare Metal Crush!" The dragon stomped its feet, sending shockwaves across the field. Asriel and Davis were tossed off their feet, and so were Mirage Knight and Hayabusa Knight, both beginning to break apart.
Davis groaned and tossed another card into the graveyard, and his Mirage Knight caught itself. Hayabusa Knight however was blown away. "When summoned the Rare Metal Dragon-Knight destroys all other monsters in play with an attack strength equal to or less than its own, which includes my own Kamikaze Warrior."
"It doesn't matter, since I just got rid of the last apprentice to keep my Mirage Knight alive, and no monster can defeat it in battle." Kensai just chuckled and began to wave the last two cards in his hand back and forth.
"These cards say otherwise. It's time to play, because I sacrifice Rare Metal Dragon-Knight to summon Knight of Chaos(2450/200) who instantly removes one monster on the field from the game and adds half its attack power to my life points!" As the Mirage Knight faded away, it seemed that their hopes faded as well, with the rise of this green armored teen foot tall warrior. (KLP: 10200)
Davis stared at his opponent in horror as he realized the truth that he hadn't realized before. "You...you held back against me...didn't you?"
"That's right Davis, and I'm sorry, but I wanted a fair duel, so I only used part of my strength. Now that we continue, that face down card of yours fair Asriel...that's Knight's Shield I wager, so I think I'll attack Davis directly!" Davis screamed in pain as the green knight slammed a spear into his side, sending him hurtling back and into the solid steel wall. (DLP: 850)
"DAVIS!" Asriel ran to his side, and helped prop him up where he lay against the wall, groaning in pain. She turned her eyes upon Kensai, and he saw them blaze with a great deal of anger.
"Kensai! You call yourself a warrior, say that you have the soul of a warrior, but how is this a warrior's way! How is this fair, damaging Davis like this!" Kensai frowned, and then shook his head, fire burning in his eyes.
"This IS the way of a warrior, to unleash one's strength against an opponent, regardless of the damage it causes! Should you strike me I too will take similar damage as our system has been set-up to have the Solid Vision System at 200! That means that damage is almost completely real!" Asriel's eyes widened even farther as she looked back at her husband, who was unconcious and bleeding.
"Pain...that's the way you feel like dueling? I watched you two duel and thought that it was amazing that two people with warrior's souls could face each other like that...but now I think Davis is the only one here with a warrior's soul, and if I have to beat you myself to prove it I will, now it's my turn!" She snapped a card off her deck, and then added it to her hand.
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"That girl's got heart...but against even this dimension's Kensai I don't know that she can win. He's a powerful duelist, and here he seems just as strong if not stronger." Drake and Kirani shared a look, both of them watching the duel from the monitor that they had discovered. The rest of the group was also watching.
Rikuo grimaced, recognizing the duelist and his wife. 'Bastard, you were right all those years ago, our daughters are friends...so you better not lose now! Not when...no, you can't lose! So win or I'll have to kick your ass myself!'
In another part of the complex Ryu and Daniel had also stopped to watch the duel on a monitor that seemed specifically set-up for them to watch it. That of course meant that they were known to be there, but that wasn't a surprise.
Daniel also recognized both duelists, and was highly worried about them. 'After what I've seen you go through, I know you can come through this. So be okay, I know you can be! Come on Davis, get up and fight!'
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Asriel held up her card and revealed a stylized Ankh, one of the most widely used cards in the game. "Monster Reborn revives Dark Magician!"
The purple robed monster appeared and cross his arms over his chest. "Now, I activate Knight's Title, transforming him into Dark Magician Knight(2500/2100) whose special effect instantly destroys your monster!"
Kensai frowned as his one monster faded away, leaving him completely defenseless. And since it had been destroyed by an effect and not by battle he couldn't do anything about it. "Very impressive play. Is there anything else you'd like to do?"
"Yes...how about I attack you directly! Dark Magic Slash!" Kensai casually stepped to the side as the knight swung his sword, sending a dark wave of energy at the warrior. The energy attack collided with the steel, denting it but doing little else. (KLP: 7700)
"So, you just dodge? How is that fair?"
"A warrior uses whatever methods he can to win. Nobody said dodging an attack was illegal, it's just that your husband was unable to. Now, if your turn is over...I believe it is Davis' turn." Silence fell on the crowd as they began to wait for the fallen duelist to take his turn.
Asriel crouched down by her husband, holding onto his arm tightly. "Come on Davis, I know you can get up. You've gotten hit by worse than this before!"
Yet on the inside she knew that this time it was different, because this time he didn't have the same power he used to. Now he was plain old Davis Coffin, an archeologist with no extraordinary powers. "No matter what you have to get up!"
Suddenly a voice calm on over the loud speakers hanging overhead. "If the subject Davis Coffin does not draw a card in the next minute he will be automatically disqualified from this duel, counting as a forfeit. That is our final ruling."
Asriel turned on Kensai, her fists clenched in anger as she glared at him. "Where's the honor in that? What kind of warrior accepts a win by default?"
Kensai frowned and looked up at the loud speakers...and then he looked back down at the ground. "I'm sorry...but I don't make the rules for this duel. I am as much bound by them as you are. In this situation there is nothing I can do...except one thing."
He turned his gaze towards Davis, and then he smiled. "Davis Coffin, you truly do have a warrior's soul. Even without the power that I took away you are still a true warrior, a hero to the very depths of your soul. Now rise and show me that warrior's soul as it faces mine in combat!"
The crowd booed in protest, upset that their champion was in fact supporting one of his opponent's when they wanted to see him stay down. Kensai snapped his head up and gazed around at the audience in a rage. "Is this how it is? You turn against me the moment you do not approve of my actions? You bloodthirsty animals!"
He made a single punching motion with his hand and the plexiglass straight ahead exploded inwards, spraying glass on many of the members of the audience. A number of them went down with nasty cuts, bleeding badly. "There! There is your blood! Now, feast upon it as you would feast upon this noble warrior's blood or be silent and let me duel!"
Murmurs flooded through the crowd, but slowly they died down and they returned to where they had been, letting him continue. Unfortunately it wasn't the final interruption. "Twenty seconds remain before Davis Coffin is considered disqualified."
Both Kensai and Asriel turned to watch Davis, who lay prostrate on the ground, his back up against the solid steel walls of the chamber. "Rise...Rise...Rise...Rise...Rise...Rise...Rise...Rise...Rise...Rise...RISE...RISE...RISE! RISE! RISE!"
The chant rose and rose as soon the easily swayed crowd joined in their verse. And even then they were far from alone, because outside of the complex those that watched the duel were also chanting for him to get back up, to rise. Even those who didn't know him wanted him to stand up and continue the duel.
Those chants began to die down as slowly and steadily Davis began to inch his way up, using the wall as a brace for his back. "I...don't back down...just because of injuries. I'm still in this!" (DLP: 850)
Kensai and Davis shared a smile, but it was interrupted when Asriel threw her arms around her husband, squeezing him tightly. "Oh thank God! For a second there I thought you were a goner!"
Davis returned the hug, and then the husband and wife duo released each other and returned to their places in the dueling ring. "My wife is right, the Lord is to be thanked for his revival. No matter if I have the power of the Light with me or not...I am still Davis Coffin, and I still have my faith!"
He drew, and Kensai's eyes narrowed as he began to feel his opponent's very soul pulsing. Davis held up his card, and then his eyes met Kensai's. "My faith is my power, and it has rewarded me with Pot of Greed!"
He drew another pair of cards and took a good look at them. "You burned through a lot of cards to deal me that damage, and even with a double draw few people would risk that. I don't think you did it merely because you're confident in your draw...so let's see what you've got? Activate Exchange!"
The two duelists approached each other and immediately handed each other the only card that they each held. Then without looking at the cards they walked back to their previous positions. "Regardless of what you gave me, I know it was for the best, because I just gave you Life Grant, a magic card that activates when the opponent gets one of my cards in any way, including itself. Instantly I gain two thousand life points!"
Kensai was passive even as energy was pumped out of the card he held and into Davis' body, stitching up some of his wounds and undoing some of the previous damage. The crowd whistled in amazement as he undid virtually all of the previous damage. "I never like my opponent to have my cards, so this card is insurance in case they try to take my monsters." (DLP: 2850)
He then tilted up the card, and chuckled in amusement at what he saw. "I wouldn't have been able to play this card if not for Life Grant, so I have to thank you. Go, King's Ransom! At a cost of one thousand of my life points I can draw four cards!" (DLP: 1850)
Instantly he drew four new cards, and then he examined his options. "My wife has started the trend, now I'll continue it. Mataza the Zapper(1300/800) in attack mode! And this time he will succeed. Mataza, double direct attack!"
To their surprise Kensai dodged both attacks with no momentum lost. He simply rolled his shoulder to avoid the first strike, and then bent backwards to avoid the return sweep. Mataza grimaced and jumped back to Davis, job completely only partially. "Wow...you are good!" (KLP: 5100)
"Indeed I am. Is that all for your move?" Davis nodded and slid two of his three remaining cards onto his duel disk, giving him a way to defend himself so he didn't end up like he was just a turn previous.
Kensai didn't even hesitate as he drew his two new cards, and he held them up to see what they were. "Very interesting. I set two monsters face down and end my turn."
Asriel narrowed her eyes at the two set monsters, but knew that she couldn't afford to not attack while they had the opportunity. "I play the field magic card Sword In The Stone, which boosts all monsters with 'knight' in their title by five hundred points."
Dark Magician Knight smirked as his power raised to the level of a Blue Eyes, but he was the only monster to get the bonus. "Dark Magic Slash!"
The warrior duelist picked up his monster and slid it to the cemetery, but instantly his life points rose. "Anti-Riot Knight(900/2300) may have died, but he helps reinforce my life points." (KLP: 6000)
Since that was all for her, Davis took his opportunity to draw. He looked at his options, and then made a choice. "Thanks for the help Mataza, but now I trade you in to summon Dark Magician Girl(2000/1700)!"
The attractive blonde spellcaster appeared and did a little spin, posing for the spectators. They clapped in appreciation for the show, particularly the male members of the audience. "I have Dark Magician in the graveyard, so her attack raises by three hundred."
She 'hmphed' as her power rose, bringing her closer to matcher her master in attack points if not defense points. "Dark Magician Girl, attack that set monster with Dark Burning Attack!"
Pink rays of light slammed into the set monster. It struggled against the flow, but was quickly crushed by the power of the attack. "Your attack has successfully defeated Zombyra the Dark Hero(2100/500), but unluckily for you he has quite a number of attack points." (KLP: 8100)
"That's all for now. Your turn Kensai."
The warrior duelist nodded and picked up two cards off his deck. Now he had those two cards and his continuous trap card Tide of Battle, an that was all. "This party is just getting started, but before I can bring out the main guests I have to settle for just cutting down your life points farther. First I set a monster..."
He placed the card face down, and its representation was created holographically. "Now I sacrifice it to summon Psycho Shocker Knight(2400/1500)!"
The monster that he summoned looked almost identical to Jinzo, only its armor was more medieval and less futuristic, and in addition it held a laser sword in its right hand and an energy shield in its left. "When tribute summoned Psycho Shocker Knight annihilates all of my opponent's trap cards, and gains 100 attack for each one."
Asriel and Davis both grimaced as their face down cards shattered, and Psycho Shocker Knight rose to twenty-seven hundred attack power, making him the second strongest monster in play. "In addition to that I had sacrifice Battle-Weary Knight(1500/1000) who counts as being destroyed through battle anytime he goes to the grave for all effects. So that's more life points." (KLP: 9600)
"Now...since your card is a field card my monster gains an additional five hundred attack points, giving him the attack power advantage! And now it's time to take back this duel and cut your monsters down to size. Psycho Shocker Knight...attack!"
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Next Chapter: Warrior's Tomb
Author's Notes: Looks like Davis and Asriel are in a tight spot. Next time you'll get to find out what method they have of fighting back against Kensai's true strength and his ultimate monster! Get ready, because here they come!
Review Responses
WolfGeneral: Some of the fusions you made for Ryu are just plain scary you know that?
Time Mage: 1. I didn't mention the three-way because it had to do with Drake's first trip to this dimension, not the second. 2. The name is Umiko, that is foreshadowing, and you can't know the deck type. 3. Masue's identity will be revealed in 4 more chapters when he returns.
John: A lot of defeats. And personally I think Alice is psychotically obsessive.
Gryphinwyrm7: I hope this was tasty meat, particularly since it starred your husband and wife duo.
G.O.T. Nick: Futarama is awesome...but that's not the point. No, I plan on referring to one as Sumatin and the other as Dalin. That should cover the problem.
Original Cards:WG(WolfGeneral), TM(Time Mage), G(Gryphinwyrm7)
Asriel: Sword In The Stone(G)
Davis: Mirage Apprentice, Life Grant
Kensai: Rare Metal Knight, Tide of Battle, Kamikaze Warrior, Rare Metal Dragon-Knight, Knight of Chaos, King's Ransom(TM), Anti-Riot Knight, Battle-Weary Knight, Psycho Shocker Knight
Anime Cards
