Note to Chuck ZFB (if you happen to read this chapter): I used the cards
that Thunder used in Master of the Cards for this duel. I hope you don't
mind. I REALLY hope so.
See that, everyone? Chuck's deck structure for Thunder, not mine, except for THREE CARDS, which can actually be related to cards that Thunder does use.
Also, apologies to those of you with really slow servers, as this is an extremely long chapter. Speaking of long chapter, I spent over a month scripting these duels, and I've spent the past week gradually typing this chapter. There are more than nine THOUSAND words in it, more than twice as long as any chapter I have EVER written. What am I trying to say, well, let me put it this way: YOU ARE GOING TO READ THIS STORY AND YOU ARE GOING TO LIKE IT AND YOU WILL REVIEW OR ELSE I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND WHEN I FIND YOU, YOU WILL REGRET THE DAY YOU NEGLECTED TO JUST TYPE THREE SENTENCES COMMENTING ON MY STORY! Thank you, now, on to the chapter.
New addition to the story: [Thinking]
Tokyo Tournament
Chapter Thirteen-Seeds of War
Also Entitled: Rivals New and Old
Giyan stopped and turned. The elevator had not arrived in the five minutes since he had called for it. He had remained patient, however, as time did not currently matter to him. But now something else had his attention. "So," he muttered to himself, "it has at last begun . . . "
- . . . Elsewhere . . . -
The two shadowed men turned their heads. "What was that?" one asked the other.
"The first assault has been made. The chess player has finished positioning his pieces, now he is sending out his first offensive maneuver. Let us see how the Pharaoh and his friends act to counter it."
- . . . The Shadow Realm . . . -
"WHAT DO YOU SAY TO MY GOING FIRST?" asked Exodus as he drew his opening hand.
"Fine with me," responded Term coolly as he drew his own hand.
Exodus: 4000 Term: 4000
"I'LL START BY PLAYING THE SPELL CARD POT OF GREED, WHICH WILL LET ME DRAW TWO NEW CARDS," he placed the green card in one of the slots in his Duel Disk, then drew the extra cards, "AND TO FOLLOW THAT UP, I'LL SET TWO CARDS FACEDOWN AND SUMMON A MONSTER IN DEFENSE MODE BEFORE ENDING MY TURN." Three rectangular, brown-backed cards appeared in front of him.
Term drew his sixth card. "NOW THAT IT'S YOUR TURN, I'LL ACTIVATE MY FACEDOWN JAR OF GREED," said Exodus before Term could do anything, "THAT WILL ALLOW ME TO DRAW AN EXTRA CARD."
"Fine load of good that'll do you," Term said quietly, "especially now that I play Heavy Storm, destroying all Spell and Trap cards on the field!" An immense tornado appeared at the center of the field, destroying Exodus's facedown Mirror Force. "And now that you have no Traps to defend yourself with, I can simply summon Karate Man (1000/1000) and blow away your facedown monster!" A dark-skinned man with a black fro wearing a yellow martial arts uniform with a black belt appeared in a combat stance. The Karate Man leaped at the facedown monster and broke it with a mighty chop. The facedown Sangan (1000/600), a three-eyed brown ball of fur, was revealed momentarily before crying out in pain and shattering.
"THANK YOU FOR DESTROYING MY SANGAN," said Exodus with a hint of sarcasm, "IT ALLOWS ME TO SELECT A MONSTER FROM MY DECK WITH 1500 OR LESS ATTACK AND ADD IT TO MY HAND."
"I know its effect," growled Term as Exodus began to shuffle through his deck, "before ending my turn, I'll just set this card facedown." The card materialized behind his Karate Man.
"VERY WELL," said Exodus as he drew his card for the turn, "I'LL SUMMON ANOTHER MONSTER TO THE FIELD IN DEFENSE MODE, AND SET A CARD FACEDOWN." Both cards appeared, "AND NOW I'LL END MY TURN."
[This seems strange], thought Term as he drew a card, [before, he was boasting all about how he's some powerful monster, but so far he's just been playing defense. But this strategy seems kind of . . . familiar . . . ]. "I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight (1800/1000) to the field, in attack mode!" the mechanical soldier appeared, blades held at the ready. "Karate Man, attack his facedown monster!" The martial artist struck the card in the same motion as before, revealing a white owl wearing a golden crown that rested on its brow.
"BEHOLD AN OWL OF LUCK (300/500)," explained Exodus, "WHEN HE IS FLIPPED, I CAN SEARCH MY DECK FOR ANY MAGIC CARD AND PLACE IT ON TOP OF MY DECK." He shuffled through his cards again, and selected the card. An Owl of Luck then disappeared.
"My turn isn't over yet," said Term, "I attack directly with Gearfried the Iron Knight!" Gearfried charged Exodus with its blades raised. When the Iron Knight reached its enemy, he struck Exodus with one of its blades and sent Term into the lead.
Exodus: 2200 Term: 4000
"YOUR LEAD WILL NOT LAST LONG," Exodus stated, "AFTER I DRAW, I ACTIVATE MY SECOND JAR OF GREED, ALLOWING ME TO DRAW ONE EXTRA CARD." He slipped the two cards off of his deck, then grinned maliciously. "I PLACE ONE CARD FACEDOWN, AND SUMMON A MONSTER IN DEFENSE MODE BEFORE ENDING MY TURN."
"Defense again, eh?" taunted Term, "Well, prepare to lose this duel, because your monsters won't stand long against my assault. I sacrifice Karate Man for the Curse of Dragon (2000/1500!" The Karate Man vanished, and in its place the skeleton of an evil-looking dragon appeared, dark energy emitting from its red eyes. "Curse of Dragon, attack his defense monster!" The dragon's energy became focused into a large purple ball of power, electric volts crackling about its circumference. The Curse of Dragon released the energy at the horizontal card, revealing the Witch of the Black Forest (1100/1200), which was destroyed. As Exodus searched his deck for a monster, Term continued his assault, "Gearfried, attack directly!" The armored warrior charged forth and slashed at Exodus again, bringing Term very close to victory.
Exodus: 400 Term: 4000
"Come on!" exclaimed Term in anger, "What kind of game are you playing? Where's this supreme monster of yours? So far you've just been drawing and running away!"
"ON THE CONTRARY," Exodus said with a smirk as he drew, "I'VE BEEN PREPARING TO RELEASE MY FULL POWER UPON YOU. MY ULTIMATE ATTACK SHALL NOW BE UNLEASHED! I ACTIVATE THE FACEDOWN IMPERIAL ORDER!" An aging man wearing royal attire appeared, his right hand cast on the field. "AS LONG AS THIS CARD REMAINS FACEUP ON THE FIELD, ALL SPELL CARDS WILL BE NEGATED AND DESTROYED SO LONG AS I PAY 700 LIFE POINTS ON EACH OF MY TURNS. HOWEVER, I DON'T INTEND ON KEEPING IT ACTIVE THAT LONG. NEXT, I SHALL PLAY THE MAGICAL LIBRARY(0/2000) IN ATTACK MODE!" Tall shelves of books appeared in front of him, with several people on floating platforms circling about it. "NOW, I SHALL EQUIP MY MAGICAL LIBRARY WITH THE BUTTERFLY DAGGER-ELMA!"
"But you can't," pointed out Term, "your own trap negates all spell cards, so you just wasted that."
"OH REALLY? I BEG TO DIFFER," stated Exodus with an even wider grin, "WHEN BUTTERFLY DAGGER-ELMA GOES TO THE GRAVEYARD, IT RETURNS TO MY HAND AUTOMATICALLY. NOW ONLY THAT, BUT WHEN A SPELL CARD IS PLAYED, MY MAGICAL LIBRARY RECEIVES A MAGIC COUNTER." A dot of light appeared on one of the shelves. "AND NOW, I CAN PLAY BUTTERFLY DAGGER-ELMA AGAIN."
And so Exodus repeated the process twice over, Elma being played, destroyed, and returned to his hand while Magical Library gained two more counters. "NOW," said Exodus, as three glowing dots shown on his Magical Library, "I SHALL REMOVE ALL THREE COUNTERS FROM MY MAGICAL LIBRARY TO DRAW ONE CARD." All three dots vanished, and Exodus drew.
Term's face showed puzzlement, but then realization, "Oh, no . . . " he muttered.
Exodus grinned again, "HAVE YOU FIGURED OUT WHO I REALLY AM YET?" he queried.
"Yes I have," replied Term, "Exodia . . . "
. . . Elsewhere in the Shadow Realm . . . -
Pentan grinned slightly as he drew, "I play the Spell card Scapegoat, to summon four defensive monsters," he declared as the tiny round goats appeared in front of him. "I also summon a monster in defense mode and end my turn."
"Very well," said Lin as he drew, "then I'll just have to start cutting through your defenses with my favorite monster: Hayabusa Knight (1000/700). Attack his facedown monster and one of the Scapegoats!" The bird-headed warrior appeared, and quickly leapt into action, cutting through a pink scapegoat and the facedown monster. The monster was revealed to be a rotund black cat with a golden collar.
"A Cat of Ill Omen (500/300)," explained Pentan as the cat yowled in pain and vanished, "it allows me to search my deck for a Trap card and place it on top of my deck." He did so, his grin growing wider. "Now I'll draw the card I placed on top of my deck, and place another monster facedown in defense and a card facedown." Both cards appeared, the latter below the three remaining Scapegoats.
"Alright," said Lin, "my turn. And I summon Celtic Guardian to the field." The elven swordsman appeared next to the Hayabusa Knight, broadsword held at the ready. "Celtic Guardian, attack the facedown monster!" The elf charged forward and planted the edge of its blade in the card. The card flipped up to reveal a mischievous-looking blue lizard, which grinned wickedly and sent volts of electricity up the Celtic Guardian's blade, pressing him to his knees.
"You attacked the Electric Lizard (850/800)," said Pentan with an ever- growing grin, "now your Celtic Guardian will be unable to attack on your next turn."
"Well," said Lin with a bit of frustration, "that doesn't stop my Hayabusa Knight from destroying two more of your Scapegoats!" The bird warrior leapt forward again and swung its rapier at the orange and yellow Scapegoats, cutting them down instantly. "It seems you're running down on defenses."
"Maybe," conceded Pentan, "but that won't matter now," he continued. "I have just drawn the card that will lead to your demise. Behold, as I play the Spell card Shield Wall, summoning four stone Shield tokens!" As he laid the card down, four statues bearing immense shields appeared in front of him, flanking the single remaining blue Scapegoat. "Now, I shall activate my facedown Trap, D. Tribe!" As his one facedown card flipped up, a blue burst of electricity emitted from all seven monsters on the field. "That changes all monsters on the field into Dragons for one turn. So now I have five dragons at my command, which happens to be exactly what I need to play this!" He turned one of the cards in his hand towards Lin for him to see.
"Polymerization?" said Lin in confusion, "but none of your monsters are even fusion materials!"
"Not with D. Tribe active," argued Pentan, "for with five dragons combined, the mightiest of all attackers can be summoned!" He slammed the Polymerization card into his Duel Disk, and the five monsters began to swirl together in a strange vortex as they merged into, "The Five God Dragon (5000/5000)!"
- . . . Ciom's prison . . . -
"Because you are the challenger," said Ciom with his ever-present grin, "it's only fair that I get the first move."
"Then take it," Yamato replied.
"Oh, don't be so nasty about it," Ciom said as he drew, "There's no reason for you to hurry, after all. I place two cards facedown, and play the Spell card Different Dimension Capsule." Two facedown cards appeared in front of him, as well as an Egyptian sarcophagus. "With this card, I am allowed to take one card from my deck and seal it within the Capsule. On my second turn after its activation, the Capsule will open, and the card I selected will go to my hand." The sarcophagus opened, and a holographic card flew inside before it closed again. "And, finally, I shall summon Griggle (350/300) in attack mode." A small orange ball with tired eyes, blue feet, and hair that resembled green and yellow leaves appeared in front of him.
Yamato drew his card, but Ciom cut him off before he could do anything, "Because control just shifted to you, I gain 3000 Life Points from Griggle's effect."
Ciom: 7000 Yamato: 4000
"Then I'll set two cards facedown, and summon Zombyra the Dark (2100/500), in attack mode." A man in black armor decorated with bones appeared, his blood-red cape flowing behind him. But before Zombyra could attack, a hole appeared in the earth below him, sucking him down into the Underworld.
Ciom laughed before explaining, "I activated Bottomless Trap Hole, which removed your Zombyra from the game. And now that it's my turn, I'll put the Life Points I gained to good use. First off, I'll pay 1000 of them to play the Spell card Delinquent Duo." Two hideous child-like creatures appeared before him, one red with a "1" on its forehead, the other blue with a "2". "First, the red Delinquent will force you to discard a card at random." The red one bounded over to Yamato, grabbed one of his cards, and threw it against the wall. "The blue Delinquent allows you to choose which card to discard."
The second Delinquent bounded over to Yamato, and held out its arms while saying greedily, "Gimme, gimme." Yamato thought a few seconds, and then tossed the thing a card. After catching the card, the Delinquent threw it against the wall as well. Then both Delinquents leapt through the wall while cackling.
"Ah, they're so cute," Ciom said with admiration, "they're my pride and joy." If Ciom could see Yamato's eyes, he would see them rolling. "Now on to the matter at hand, I play Swords of Revealing Light, which will prevent you from attacking for three turns. And, to wrap things up, I shift Griggle to defense mode." Twenty swords of pure light appeared around Yamato, creating a barrier between he and everything about him. Griggle flopped down into a sitting position.
Ciom: 6000 Yamato: 4000
"Your Swords won't even last one more turn," promised Yamato, "because now I play Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying them." A black monsoon appeared about Yamato, sweeping away the Swords of Revealing Light. "And now, I'll summon Vorse Raider (1900/1200), and destroy the Griggle." The yellow humanoid reptile appeared, glaive in hand, and ran at a very frightened Griggle. The Griggle got up, and ran away very quickly, while the Vorse Raider chased after it. The warrior chased its prey about the room for several minutes before finally running out of breath and kneeling down, panting. The Griggle, now running aimlessly, then collided with the Vorse Raider's back and falling to the ground. The Vorse Raider turned around, grabbed the plant, and crushed it.
"Well, go ahead and celebrate your minor victory," Ciom said with a huff, "because now I can claim the card that I deposited into my Different Dimension Capsule." The sarcophagus opened, and the card within floated into Ciom's hand. "And I activate that card now, paying 1000 Life Points to play the all-powerful Spell card, Toon World!"
Ciom: 5000 Yamato: 4000
The green-backed book of Toon World appeared above Ciom, and it opened its pages to reveal the pop-up town within. "Now that I have Toon World on the field, I can summon my Toon Mermaid (1400/1500)." The Toon version of Red Archery Girl appeared, giving a wink to Ciom as it appeared. Ciom replied with a smile and a wave, then reverted his attention to the duel. "Now I'll activate the Trap card Ojama Trio, which will summon three Ojamas on your side of the field."
Three blobs of monsters appeared in front of Yamato, and immediately began acting like blobs. "These things look completely useless," commented Yamato.
"They are," agreed Ciom with a grin, "but only to you. Because whenever one of them is destroyed, you will lose 300 Life Points. So now I activate Raigeki, destroying all three Ojamas and your Vorse Raider!" A lightning bolt struck from the sky, obliterating the Ojama Trio and Yamato's Vorse Raider.
Ciom: 5000 Yamato: 3100
"And now," Ciom continued, "I pay 500 Life Points for Toon Mermaid to attack directly!"
- . . . Floor 5 ½ . . . -
"Alright," said Lightning impatiently, "let's get this show on the road."
"Very well," said Thunder as he drew, "then I shall start things off by playing a monster in defense mode, and setting another card facedown."
"My turn," said Lightning, "so I'll play two cards facedown, and then summon Thunder Nyan Nyan (1900/800), in attack mode!" Two cards appeared in front of him, as well as a red-haired woman wearing a tiger suit and carrying two drumsticks.
"That's a rather strange monster," commented Thunder.
"It's not the way that looks that counts," responded Lightning, "it has an attack power of 1900, and I'm about to make it even more powerful. I equip Thunder Nyan Nyan with the Electro Whip, boosting her attack and defense by 300!" The Thunder Nyan Nyan shifted both drumsticks to her left hand, and a whip that crackled with electricity appeared in her right, raising her power to 2200/1100. "Thunder Nyan Nyan, attack his facedown monster!"
Thunder Nyan Nyan raised her whip, then brought it down on the horizontal card resting in front of Thunder. Before the whip could make contact, however, three women in blue robes appeared in front of the target, blocking the blow. "I activated my facedown Waboku," explained Thunder, "which, in essence, blocked your attack."
"Very well," said Lightning, "your turn."
Thunder drew, then studied his hand for a moment, and said, "I play Card Destruction, making us both discard our hands and draw new ones." He discarded his hand of four cards, while Thunder discarded two.
"Big mistake on your part," Lightning said with a grin, "you forced me to discard Electric Snake, whose effect now allows me to draw two more cards."
But Thunder grinned as well, "Good, that will just cause you more damage as I flip my Des Koala (1100/1800), which deals 400 points of damage directly to you for every card in your hand." His facedown monster was revealed as a brown koala eating leaves. The koala was surrounded by a blue aura, which it directed at Lightning as it was revealed. The aura swept by and through Lightning as if it were a wind, causing Lightning to lose Life Points.
Thunder: 4000 Lightning: 2400
"Now I'll play Mystical Space Typhoon," continued Thunder, "which will destroy your Thunder Nyan Nyan's Electro Whip." The black monsoon appeared about Thunder Nyan Nyan, and her weapon was destroyed. "And now that she's been disarmed, I'll destroy her. I sacrifice Des Koala for Curse of Dragon (2000/1500)." The same monster that Term had used now appeared in front of Thunder in Des Koala's place. "Curse of Dragon, destroy the Thunder Nyan Nyan!" The yellow skeletal dragon gathered its energy for an attack, dark energy swirling into a sphere just in front of its snout. With an inhuman screech, it released the energy at Thunder Nyan Nyan, which cried out and was destroyed.
Thunder: 4000 Lightning: 2300
- . . . One of the many abandoned hallways . . . -
"Because you don't seem too fit right now," Assanto taunted the weakening Joey, "I'll take the first move to get things moving. So I'll just set a monster in defense mode, and set a card facedown."
Joey's vision was still blurred, and he could only just make out the shapes of the two cards Assanto had placed on the field. [Gotta get to his Life Points as fast as I can], he thought, [or I'll be dead before this duel's even over.] "I summon Alligator Sword (1500/1200), in attack mode!" the humanoid alligator appeared in front of him, sword held at the ready. "Alligator Sword, destroy his monster!"
The Alligator Sword leapt forward, sword raised high, and struck the monster, which was revealed to be an enormous spiked ball before the sword punctured its bulbous shape and it exploded. Assanto grinned as he explained, "Your Alligator Sword destroyed my Giant Germ (1000/100), which deals 500 direct damage to your Life Points and lets me Special Summon two more Giant Germs to the field in attack mode!" Two more of the bulbous spheres appeared in front of him.
Assanto: 4000 Joey: 3500
[Man], thought Joey nervously, [this is the exact thing I don't need right now, and he knows it! I've gotta get rid of those things as soon as possible or I'm done for!]
"It would seem that you're done with your turn," Assanto observed, "so I'll go now. But before I draw, I'll activate my facedown Solemn Wishes, which will give me 500 Life Points every time I draw a card. So now I draw, and gain 500 Life Points."
Assanto: 4500 Joey: 3500
"I'll continue by switching both my Giant Germs to defense, setting a card facedown, and summoning the Fire Princess (1400/1500)," finished Assanto. A brunette girl appeared next to the two Giant Germs. She carried a staff that emitted a low flame.
Joey drew his card, just as he began to feel a slight pain in his arm where the dart had hit. "I summon Baby Dragon (1200/800)," a man-sized orange dragon appeared next to the Alligator Sword, flexing its muscular arms and letting out a squeak that caused flame to burst from its mouth, "and now Alligator Sword will destroy your Fire Princess!"
"Not so fast!" interrupted Assanto, "I activate my facedown Gravity Bind, which will allow only level three or lower monsters to attack." A strange green webbing spread across the field, trapping the legs of both the Alligator Sword and Fire Princess.
[That's the card Lector used against me an' Yugi!], Joey recalled, [man, I sure could use Yugi's help right about now], "Well, that won't stop my Baby Dragon from destroying your Giant Germ!" The orange dragon flew into the air, then came down on the Giant Germ, causing it to burst and lower Joey's Life Points further.
Assanto: 4500 Joey: 3000
- . . . The Shadow Realm . . . -
Yami Bakura and Yami eyed each other with opposite expressions. Yami Bakura's was confident, wicked, and definitely happy. The pharaoh's was determined and worried. Yami Bakura's smirk never faltered as he spoke. "I'll start this duel off with two cards facedown and a monster in defense." The three cards appeared before him, their brown backs hiding their meaning. "That's all for now."
"Then it's my move," said Yami as he drew, "and I shall set two cards facedown and summon Beta the Magnet Warrior (1700/1600)," two cards appeared in front of him, and the second of the magnet warriors appeared, its yellow body hovering in the air with magnet-claws held at the ready. "Beta, attack his facedown monster!" Electricity surged at the tips of Beta's claws, and the magnet warrior clapped them together with a resounding metallic noise. The electrical volts surged forward and struck the facedown monster, which was revealed to be an upturned red and white jar. As the jar was revealed, a single green eye and a set of yellow teeth appeared in the black mass within. The black face then shot out of the jar and through Yami before disappearing.
"My Morphing Jar (700/600)," explained Yami Bakura, "has just forced us both to discard our hands and draw new ones of five cards." Both duelists inserted their hands into the graveyard slots and drew new cards.
"I can't do anything else this turn," said Yami, "it's your move."
Yami Bakura's grin widened slightly as he examined the card he had drawn. "Prepare to meet your demise, Pharaoh," he said threateningly, "for now I activate my facedown Change of Heart, allowing me to take control of your Beta for one turn." A half-demon, half-angel being appeared on Yami Bakura's side of the field. It flapped its one leathery, bat-like wing and its one feathered wing and took flight. It floated over to Beta and then merged with the magnet warrior, causing Beta to join Yami Bakura's side of the field. "Now I'll sacrifice your pathetic magnet warrior for my Earl of Demise (2000/700)!"
The magnet warrior disappeared, and in its place a rotting corpse appeared, wearing a fine red tuxedo that had long ago been ruined and was now torn in shreds. It carried a long rapier. "Now, Earl of Demise," Yami Bakura commanded the corpse, "attack the pharaoh directly!" The corpse flew at Yugi like a puppet, and raised its weapon high as it prepared to strike.
. . . The domain of Exodia . . . -
"Your pathetic loop combo won't win you this duel!" cried Term as he pressed a button on his Duel Disk, "I activate my facedown Dust Tornado, which will destroy your Imperial Order, thus stopping your combo!" as his facedown card flipped up, a tornado filled with debris appeared and tore apart the Imperial Order card. "It also allows me to set a card facedown, so I choose this one," Term continued as he set a card on his Duel Disk.
"IT'S STILL MY TURN," reminded Exodia, "SO I EQUIP MAGICAL LIBRARY WITH BUTTERFLY DAGGER-ELMA AGAIN SO THAT IT RECEIVES ANOTHER COUNTER. I ALSO PLAY THE SWORDS OF REVEALING LIGHT, KEEPING YOU FROM ATTACKING FOR THREE TURNS. AND THAT ALSO GIVES MAGICAL LIBRARY A COUNTER. YOUR MOVE." Twenty swords formed a barrier around Term, locking his Curse of Dragon and Gearfried in place.
Term drew his card and grinned in triumph, "Time for you to lose your only weapon, Exodia," he said as he slipped the card into his Duel Disk, "as I play 1000 Life Points to play Confiscation, allowing me to look at your hand and choose one card for you to discard." Exodia held up his one card, Left Arm of the Forbidden One, and then discarded it. "I now end my turn, since I can't attack with the Swords of Revealing Light in play."
"THEN I SHALL PREPARE YOUR DEMISE," Exodia said with a grin as he drew. Term rolled his eyes. Exodia had lost his only chance of winning and he was dealing threats, how pathetic. "I SHALL NOW SACRIFICE THE THREE MAGIC COUNTERS ON MAGICAL LIBRARY TO DRAW A CARD," Exodia continued, as the three points of light that had appeared on the shelves of his Library disappeared and he drew said card. As he looked at the card, he grinned at Term. He then selected the first card he had drawn and placed it on the field. "PAINFUL CHOICE ALLOWS ME TO SELECT FIVE CARDS FROM MY DECK," he explained, "AND THEN YOU MUST SELECT ONE OF THEM TO GO TO MY HAND WHILE THE REST GO TO THE GRAVEYARD."
Term looked at the five cards that Exodia selected (Right Leg of the Forbidden One, Witch of the Black Forest, Right Arm of the Forbidden One, Left Leg of the Forbidden One, and Exodia the Forbidden One), confused. He had no idea why Exodia was willing to completely destroy his only weapon. After all, a simple Backup Soldier would have let him regain the arm. But Term wasn't complaining about that, so he selected Witch of the Black Forest and Exodia discarded his remaining four pieces. "NOW I'LL JUST SET THIS MONSTER AND END MY TURN," finished Exodia.
Term drew and grinned at his card, then placed it on the field, "I play Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying your Swords," he said as the black monsoon that Yamato had used now served the same purpose as before in destroying the Swords of Revealing Light. "Now to destroy your new defense monster," he said, "Curse of Dragon, attack!" The dragon gathered energy as it had before, then released it at the new horizontal card that Exodia had placed, revealing another Witch of the Black Forest, which cried out and vanished as it was struck by the blast. Exodia grinned as he searched his deck for a monster. [I can't believe this,] Term thought in frustration at his own confusion, [he's happy that he gets to put a monster out, but he's going to end up losing this duel without Exodia. What monster does he even want? There's nothing that can help him.]
"I ASSUME THAT YOUR TURN IS OVER," stated Exodia, "SO I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND PLAY THE COMBINATION OF CARDS THAT WILL SPELL YOUR DEMISE. NOW I PLAY THE SPELL CARD CONTRACT WITH EXODIA, WHICH ALLOWS ME TO SUMMON THE ULTIMATE MONSTER!" The air above the field became immersed in black thunderclouds and five gravestones rose from the ground in front of Exodia, an ankh imprinted on each stone. A lightning bolt struck from the sky and split to contact all five gravestones, and all five parts of Exodia that he had discarded rose from the ground. Term's face showed fear as he watched the arms, legs, and head become connected by a torso that appeared between them. The body glowed a bright green.
Exodia began to laugh. Then he went silent and his host's eyes went dark as a red light shown from the body to the glowing monster in front of him. Then the first body fell to the ground and the red line stopped shining. Then the glowing monster laughed in Exodia's voice. "AH HAH HAHA! BEHOLD THE MY MIGHT IN THE FORM OF EXODIA NECROSS (1800/0)!"
"Exodia Necross?" Term asked in shock and confusion.
"THAT'S RIGHT," said Exodia, "I WAS ABLE TO SUMMON MY UNDEAD FORM TO THE FIELD, AND BECAUSE I AM IN ESSENCE IT, I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE THAT DISGUSTING HUMAN BODY AND TRANSMIT INTO THIS ONE. I SHALL NOW FIGHT YOU AS I ONCE FOUGHT THE GODS AFTER I ESCAPED FROM THE FIRST PRISON THEY BANISHED ME TO. YOU SEE, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE THREE GODS KNOWN AS SLIFER, OBELISK, AND RA RULED THE WORLD, WATCHING IT FROM ABOVE. BUT I WISHED TO CONTROL THE WORLD MYSELF, AND SO I FOUGHT THEM IN THE FORM THAT IS SUMMONED WITH THE FIVE CARDS YOU KNOW SO WELL." Exodia paused and widened the ever-present grin of his body's face, "BUT THIS IS WHERE THE STORY BEHIND THOSE CARDS COMES IN. YOU SEE, THE GODS REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT BE DESTROYED COMPLETELY, SO THEY TRIED TO SPLIT MY BODY SO THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EVER OPPOSE THEM. THEY COMBINED THEIR POWERS AND BROKE MY LIMBS AND HEAD FROM EACH OTHER, AND COMPLETELY OBLITERATED MY TORSO. THE ONLY WAY THAT I COULD EVER BE SUMMONED WAS IF THE FIVE PARTS WERE SET TOGETHER. IT WAS EASY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, THEY SIMPLY SPREAD THE PIECES. BUT THEY DID NOT REALIZE THAT I HAD FOLLOWERS, FOLLOWERS THAT COULD SUMMON ME WITHOUT EVEN GATHERING THE PIECES. THEY PERFORMED AN ANCIENT SPELL, WHICH IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT MY PARTS TOGETHER IN THE FORM YOU SEE BEFORE YOU. IT WAS AN ALMOST INDESTRUCABLE FORM, ALTHOUGH MUCH LESS POWERFUL THAN MY LAST. I FOUGHT THE GODS AGAIN, BUT WAS DEFEATED AFTER YEARS OF CONTINUOUS COMBAT. AFTER MY PARTS WERE SPREAD AGAIN, THEY SOUGHT OUT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF MY FOLLOWERS, AND THEY WERE ALL SLAUGHTERED. THEY ALSO SEALED MY ESSENCE WITHIN THE SHADOW REALM, SO THAT I WOULD BE UNABLE TO INFLUENCE ANY OTHER HUMANS TO RELEASE ME. AND SO I WAITED FOR AN OPPORTUNITY, ANY OPPORTUNITY, BUT I WAITED IN VAIN FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. IT WAS THEN THAT MY CURRENT MASTER CAME TO ME WITH THE PROPOSITION THAT I HAVE EXPLAINED TO YOU. ONCE I HAVE DEFEATED YOU, I WILL BE RELEASED, AND I WILL FINALLY RECLAIM MY ORIGINAL FORM AND RULE THIS WORLD!"
"Talk is cheap," said Term, "both my monsters are at least as strong as you, you don't stand a chance."
Exodia's red eyes gleamed, "THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK, JUST WATCH." He ran at Gearfried, raised his fist, and landed a crushing blow on the armored knight, shattering its chest plate and causing it to vanish.
Term's mouth dropped in shock, "But you should have been destroyed as well!" he protested.
Exodia laughed, "FOOL! DO YOU REALLY THINK YOUR PATHETIC MONSTERS CAN EVEN SCRATCH ME!? I AM EXODIA, AND I AM INDESTRUCTIBLE!"
"We'll see about that!" Term challenged, "Curse of Dragon, attack!" His dragon gathered its energy, and released a burst of power at the Exodia Necross. Exodia was pushed back a bit, but he instantly recovered and planted his feet securely.
Exodia: 200 Term: 3000
"NOW ARE YOU CONVINCED?" Exodia asked Term, "YOUR DRAGON WAS EVEN STRONGER THAN ME AND STILL I WAS NOT DESTROYED. AND NONE OF YOUR TRAPS AND SPELL CARDS WILL HARM ME EITHER! SO NOW I'LL DESTROY YOUR DRAGON AS WELL!" His eyes glowed green for a moment, and then his hands began glowing green and he charged at Curse of Dragon and cracked its nose horn as he swung at it. The dragon then vanished.
Exodia: 200 Term: 2700
"How did you do that?" asked Term, beginning to feel a bit of panic.
"NOT THAT THE FACT MATTERS," said Exodia, "BUT IN NECROSS FORM, I WILL GAIN 500 ADDITIONAL ATTACK POINTS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH OF MY TURNS."
Term growled, then placed his hand on the top card of his deck [This is it,] he thought, [my last chance. He's indestructible, but there's got to be some way that I can finish this duel on the winning side.] "Let's end this, Exodia!"
"YES," agreed Exodia, "LET'S FINISH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."
. . . The room of the five dragons . . . –
"Impressive, isn't it?" Pentan asked Lin as he looked up at the Five God Dragon, "unfortunately I can't attack with it right now, so I'll just end my turn here."
Lin drew, then frowned as he declared, "I'll just switch both of my monsters to defense mode, and summon this monster facedown as well." The Celtic Guardian and Hayabusa Knight both crouched down into defensive positions, and a horizontal card appeared to the right of the elf.
"You're so pathetic, running away like that," shot Pentan as he drew a card and smirked, "now I'll discard a card from my hand to play Tribute to the Doomed, destroying your Hayabusa Knight!" Bandages sprung from the ground, enveloping Hayabusa Knight like a mummy. The bird warrior was then dragged into the ground as it gave out a long, muffled screech. "And now," continued Pentan, "I'll have Five God Dragon attack and destroy your Celtic Guardian!" The mighty five-headed dragon reared back its long-necked extremities, each mouth opened to gather power. Then, simultaneously, all five of the gathered waves of energy were released, forming a sort of rainbow as they streaked towards the elf swordsman and completely obliterated it.
Lin began to sweat as he drew his card. He had thought that the dragon was a myth! It was so incredibly powerful that Pegasus had refused to make all but a very few copies of the card, it was almost as rare as the Blue Eyes White Dragon! Besides the Dragon's immense attack and defense, it was immune to attacks from all monsters besides Light types and the Gods themselves. He slid a card into his Duel Disk, then pressed another one onto it, "I set a card facedown, and summon one monster in defense mode. That's all."
Pentan smirked as he drew his card and immediately played it, "I play the Spell card Stop Defense, forcing your first facedown monster into attack mode." The card Lin had placed was revealed to be the Karate Man (1000/1000), who moved his arms from the guarding position they had been in into a more offensive stance. Pentan howled with laughter, "This is perfect! Now I'll destroy your weakling of a monster with Five God Dragon and take all of your Life Points with it!" The Five God Dragon reared back its heads, which gathered power once again.
"Karate Man!" cried Lin, "Use your Forbidden Technique!" The Karate Man proceeded to act like a DBZ character, yelling loudly and gathering power as a burning red aura surrounded him. He then leapt upward with his fist raised to fight the dragon as it launched its blast.
Pentan looked worried for a moment as the blast resounded about the room, but his grin settled back in as the dust cleared to reveal that the Karate Man had been destroyed. "Looks like your Karate Man's technique did absolutely nothing," taunted Pentan, "and now its time for you to give up your so-what?" He noticed the Life Points counter on Lin's Duel Disk.
Pentan: 4000 Lin: 1000
"How are you still alive!?" demanded Pentan, "You should have lost!"
"My Karate Man's Forbidden Technique," began Lin, "may not have been enough to destroy your Five God Dragon, but it didn't need to. It simply had to decrease the damage to my Life Points. By sacrificing himself at the end of a turn, Karate Man doubles his attack power during battle when he uses his Forbidden Technique. So, instead of taking 4000 damage, I simply took 3000."
Pentan growled, but then grinned as he reminded Lin, "Enjoy your minor victory for now, but you mustn't forget that by Five God Dragon is still on the field, and now you only 1000 Life Points left. It won't take me long to defeat you."
"We'll see about that," challenged Lin, as he drew for what might have been the last time . . .
. . . Ciom's prison . . . -
"I activate Enchanted Javelin," countered Yamato as he flipped one of his three cards on the field, revealing a long, white javelin with a large yellow ring between the blade and handle. The javelin flew through the air of its own accord and struck the Toon Mermaid, which simultaneously shot an arrow at Yamato. His Life Points did not change as the arrow struck him.
Ciom: 4500 Yamato: 3100
"With Enchanted Javelin, I gained Life Points equal to your Mermaid's attack before the blow hit," Yamato explained.
Ciom huffed and retorted, "Well, I'll still beat you within a few turns, it's not like you can block my Toons."
"I don't know how in the world you got that card," said Yamato as he drew, peering through his sunglasses at Toon World, "but it will do you no good in the end. I set one card." A facedown card appeared, replacing the Enchanted Javelin, before the card to its right flipped up, "I also activate my facedown Call of the Haunted, reviving my Vorse Raider," the reptilian warrior reappeared, and let out a battle roar as it hefted it blade. "Vorse Raider, destroy his Toon Mermaid!" The warrior leapt forward and swung its blade on the horrified Mermaid, cleaving her in half before she vanished.
Ciom: 4000 Yamato:
Ciom looked shocked, "How dare you!" he cried, "you killed my Toon! I will have my revenge, you fiend!"
"You, sir," said Yamato very flatly, "are pathetic."
"I'll show you!" Ciom drew, then immediately played a card, "Graceful Charity, so I can draw three more cards and then discard two." He slipped the cards off of his deck in one motion, then grinned madly as he put two of them into his graveyard, "now I'll play Monster Reborn, reviving my Blue Eyes Toon Dragon (3000/2500)!" He cackled insanely as the chubby dragon appeared, growling like a kitten and showing off overly sharp teeth. "Now, Blue Eyes Toon Dragon," said Ciom, "avenge the fallen Toon Mermaid by attacking him directly!" The chubby dragon bounced around the room, ricocheting off the ceiling, walls, and floor like a super-ball and landing on top of the Vorse Raider, keeping him from blocking as it powered up its infamous White Lightning Attack . . .
. . . Floor 5 ½ . . . -
"My move," said Lightning as he drew, then grinned, "I first discard my Thunder Dragon, which allows me to place two more Thunder Dragons into my hand." He slipped the card into his graveyard, then searched his deck for two more of them. When he found them, he immediately pressed a button o his Duel Disk and discarded them as well, "And now I activate my facedown Polymerization, fusing my dragons into the Fusion monster that I wager on this Duel, the mighty Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon (2800/2100)!" A long, red, serpentine dragon appeared, a horn growing from its oblong snout and a second mouth obtruding from its neck. "Now," continued Lightning, "I play two magic cards, Monster Reborn, to revive my Thunder Nyan Nyan, and Raigeki, to destroy your Curse of Dragon." Thunder Nyan Nyan reappeared in front of Lightning, and a lightning bolt struck from the sky, destroying the dragon as Thunder looked on.
"Now," continued Lightning as he discarded a card from his hand, "I discard a card so that my second facedown card, Twin Swords of Flashing Light- Tryce, can be activated." The drumsticks in Thunder Nyan Nyan's hands disappeared, and were replaced by two long, thin swords. "At the cost of 500 less attack points," explained Lightning, "my Thunder Nyan Nyan can now attack twice. Now, Nyan Nyan, strike him directly!" The redheaded woman dashed forward, swords held at her waist. When she reached Thunder, she struck him with one blade, then hit him again as she turned with the other.
Thunder: 1200 Lightning: 2400
Thunder drew, and smiled briefly at the card before placing it on his Duel Disk, "I just summon a monster in defense he said."
As Lightning drew, Thunder cut him off, "Before you can do anything, I activate my facedown Thunder of Ruler, which causes you to skip your Battle Phase this turn."
Lightning growled quietly, but then nodded, "I'll just play my own monster in defense mode, then end my turn." His one monster appeared on the field to the right of the Thunder Nyan Nyan.
Thunder drew, then simply placed the card in his Duel Disk, "I set a card facedown and end my turn," he said.
Lightning began to get impatient, but smiled as he placed the card he drew on the field, "I sacrifice my facedown monster for Guardian Tryce (1900/1700)." A black-haired man replaced his horizontal card, wielding the same twin swords that Thunder Nyan Nyan did. "Guardian Tryce, attack his monster!" The Guardian rushed at the monster, then raised both his blades and brought them down. The monster that was revealed had white hair, as well as eyes that glowed white and a sword whose blade appeared to be made of light. Its white robes flowed in the wind that did not exist, and the warrior used its blade to fight off the twin attacks of Tryce.
Thunder: 1200 Lightning: 1800
"You attacked my Lord of Light (500/2500)," stated Thunder, "its incredible defense power allowed it to fend off your attack. Unfortunately, he must switch to attack mode when he is attacked."
"I've never heard of that card," said Lightning.
"That's because it's one-of-a-kind," replied Thunder as he pressed a button on his Duel Disk, "and now I'll protect him by activating Shadow of Eyes, which will end your Battle Phase because all of your monsters become switched to defense mode." All four monsters on the field took up defensive positions, the humanoid ones crouching down with their weapons raised, while the Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon did not seem to change. Lightning frowned and he signaled to Thunder to take his turn.
Thunder smiled at the card he drew, "I now play the Duke of Darkness (2500/500), the Lord of Light's opposite." A malicious-looking man in black robes with jet-black hair, eyes that looked like empty black voids, and a sword with a blade that seemed to be pure shadow appeared.
[Another card I've never heard of before,] thought Lightning, [this could end up being very bad.]
"Now," said Thunder with a small grin, "I shall claim victory. I play Polymerization, fusing the Lord of Light and Duke of Darkness together!" The Lord of Light disappeared and was replaced by a large sphere of white energy. The same happened to the Duke of Darkness, although the sphere was of black energy instead. The spheres swirled around each other and formed a Yin Yang symbol, which then manifested into a human form. Its left eye and the hair on the left side of his head were white, while the right ones were black. The swords that the Lord and Duke had wielded were now bonded together by a Yin Yang symbol. The new monster, its entire body (save the head) covered by black and white armor decorated with Yin Yang symbols, held the sword evenly in its hands. "Meet the Warrior of Balance (2500/2500)," introduced Thunder, "his powers rivals those of the gods themselves, although I do not know what they are. He has allowed me to use him in this duel so that he may be delivered to his rightful owner."
"He doesn't look like he could fight the gods," commented Lightning doubtfully, "my Thunder Dragon is stronger than him."
"That's what you think," replied Thunder, "but now he shall show his true power. First off, I must remove my entire hand, and I cannot draw any cards so long as he is on the field." He placed the cards in his hand into his pocket. "Now to introduce you to his abilities, first of all, he cannot be affected by any Spell or Trap cards. Secondly," here Thunder's grin widened slightly, "he gains 500 attack and defense points for every Light or Dark monster on the field and in both graveyards, including himself."
Lightning watched in horror as the Warrior of Balance's power skyrocketed to 8500/8500. "Warrior of Balance," Thunder said to the monster as if he were addressing a superior, "your power is unhindered by the rules that restrict other Fusion monsters, you may attack whenever you wish." He bowed his head, "I bid you do as you please." The Warrior of Balance nodded at Thunder then flew at the Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon and used the dark blade of his sword to behead it . . .
. . . Joey's possible future place of death . . . -
"It seems to me, Joey Wheeler," said Assanto casually as he drew, "that you appear to be losing more and more strength as you lose Life Points. So, if my theory is correct," he grinned as his Life Points rose and Joey's fell, "you should be feeling even worse right now."
Assanto: 5000 Joey: 2500
Assanto seemed to be right, the pain in Joey's arm began to grow and spread, and his breathing became more laborious. "I'll just place these two cards facedown and end my turn."
Joey drew and winced as he put his arm through the motion. "He then looked at the card and had a bit of trouble making it out, but grinned as he selected another card and played it, "I summon Panther Warrior (2000/1500)," he said slowly, but still with a bit of enthusiasm, "and then play Giant Trunade!"
Assanto's finger darted to a button on his Duel Disk, and one of his cards flipped up, "Magic Jammer," he said simply as he discarded a card. Joey grimaced and put his Spell card into his graveyard, then ordered Baby Dragon to attack the last Giant Germ.
Assanto: 5000 Joey: 2000
"Your pathetic attempts to breach my defenses insult me, Mr. Wheeler," Assanto said with a grin as he simply played the card he had drawn, "I have a counter for every move that you can possibly make, and every turn, you run out of more and more time before you can make any more attempts."
Assanto: 5500 Joey: 1500
As Joey drew, Assanto cut him off by flipping the most recent card he had played, "Behold the Gift of the Mystical Elf," he said as the Mystical Elf appeared with a shining white orb in her hands, which flashed momentarily before she disappeared, "it gives me 300 Life Points for every monster on the field. You may continue now."
Assanto: 6700 Joey: 1000
Joey simply smiled as he played the card he had just drawn, "Demotion," he declared in a very quiet and raspy voice as he barely placed the card on the field. As the card was played, the Dark Ruler Ha Des appeared in front of his Panther Warrior and pointed a finger at its forehead, causing it to momentarily cry out and clutch its head. "That'll decrease his level by one . . . enough to get past your Gravity Bind."
Joey sacrificed Alligator Sword for Panther Warrior to attack, but Assanto activated another one of his cards as the beast leapt into the air, "I activate Negate Attack." A barrier formed around he and his monsters, and Panther Warrior was repelled from the barrier as he reached it, causing him to land in a sprawling heap. Joey groaned and fell onto one of his knees as he watched what could have been his last assault fail. Assanto's face was one huge grin as he drew, then played his card, "Now, to end that final threat, I play De-Spell, destroying Demotion, which will put Panther Warrior back at Level 4 and prevent him from attacking."
Assanto: 7200 Joey: 500
Joey's vision darkened and his hearing faded to the extent that he could almost not hear Assanto's wild laughter. He supported himself on his knees and left arm as his right fell limp. His heart was beating wildly, he felt a deep pain within his stomach, and his thoughts began to mush together in a highway off thoughts with no concentration to direct them. His consciousness began to fade, and his final vague thought before drifting into complete unconsciousness was if he would ever wake from it . . .
. . . The Shadow Game of the Thief and the Pharaoh . . . –
"I activate Mirror Force!" Yami's facedown card flipped up just as the Earl of Demise was about to strike him. A red wave of energy flew from the card and struck the Earl of Demise, destroying it before it could harm Yami.
Yami Bakura growled as he watched his offense fall. Now he was left with no monsters and only one facedown card that wouldn't protect him. "Now it's my turn," stated Yami as he drew his card. He then selected another card and played it, "I summon Retrained Celtic Guardian (1400/1200), in attack mode!" The effect version of the Celtic Guardian appeared, broadsword at the ready. "Now I equip my Retrained Celtic Guardian with Horn of the Unicorn," continued Yami as a . . . unicorn's horn appeared on the elf's head. "Now, attack him directly!" The Retrained Celtic Guardian (2100/1900) raised its blade and charged at Bakura, then struck him with a pierce from the sword.
Yami Bakura: 1900 Yami: 4000
"It looks like your threats aren't doing you any good," commented Yami as he watched with a great deal of satisfaction at the thief's loss in Life Points, "and your challenge to me is looking more and more foolish as this Duel progresses."
"Oh really?" shot back Yami Bakura, "Well, you'll be the on looking foolish once I'm through with you!" He glanced at the card he had drawn with a grin before placing it facedown on the field. He then signaled that his turn was over.
Yami drew his card before placing another card on the field, "I summon Gamma the Magnet Warrior (1600/1800), in attack mode!" The third of the Magnet Warriors appeared, its arms and legs small compared to its body. Pink metallic wings were attached to its back, and its head was pink as well. Its gray cylindrical body had a blue S on its front. "Now I'll have Gamma attack your monster!"
"Before your monster can deal the blow," interrupted Yami Bakura, "I activate Just Desserts, which will deal you 500 direct damage for every monster on your side of the field." A ghastly hand emerged from the flipped card, and grabbed Yami, sucking his Life Points away.
Yami Bakura: 1900 Yami: 3000
The metallic warrior then struck Yami Bakura's horizontal card, revealing a brown, man-sized insect with a wide mouth instead of mandibles. Yami Bakura laughed as the bug stood up and licked its carapace that formed where a human's lips would be. "Behold my Man Eater Bug (450/600)," he said, "which will now feast upon your Retrained Celtic Guardian!" The Man Eater Bug leapt on top of the elf, and Yami watched in horror as his monster was devoured alive. The Bug then looked up at him, licked a bit of blood off of its "lips" and vanished. "Also, since I'm about to achieve my destiny, it's fitting that I win this duel with the Destiny Board!" A spirit appeared carrying the letter F appeared, and Yami grimaced as the thief then placed Spirit Message "I" on the field.
Yami Bakura grinned as he drew his card and placed a monster in defense before he ended his own turn.
"I play my Horn of the Unicorn again," said Yami as the horn grew from Gamma's forehead, "because it was sent to the top of my deck when it was destroyed. And now Gamma the Magnet Warrior (2300/2500) will crush your defense!" Gamma shot electricity from its horn at the facedown card, revealing an empty suit of silver armor, which the electricity struck and destroyed.
"Thank you for destroying my Headless Knight (1450/1700)," said Yami Bakura mockingly as he drew a card once Yami had ended his turn and had placed Spirit Message "N" on the field, "because I needed one more Fiend in my graveyard besides Earl of Demise and the card I discarded to Morphing Jar to summon this," he took all three monsters from his graveyard and put them into his pocket, then placed another monster on the field, "Dark Necrofear (2200/2800)!" The blue, feminine robot-fiend appeared, its yellow eyes glowing evilly. Yami took a step back as he saw the beast that had nearly defeated him at Battle City called against him once again.
"Dark Necrofear, attack Gamma the Magnet Warrior!" a more conscience monster might have said something like "What? Why don't YOU attack it?" but the Necrofear thought nothing of sacrificing itself, and leapt at Gamma with its clawed fingers flexed. Gamma, in return, shot electricity at the cybernetic demon, destroying it.
Yami Bakura: 1800 Yami: 3000
Yami Bakura simply grinned more as he watched his Life Points drop a small margin, as the price for destroying Dark Necrofear was about to be paid, "Now your Gamma is mine to command!" laughed the thief as Gamma's eyes glowed a dark purple and it turned on Yami. "Gamma, attack your former master directly!" A bolt of electricity lanced out of the Magnet Warrior's horn and Yami threw up his arms to shield himself from the blast.
Yami Bakura: 1800 Yami: 700
Yami looked at Yami Bakura's grinning face. The thief held all the cards (pun intended) now, it seemed he was unbeatable. He had to find away to get past his own monster without attacking it AND to defeat the spirit of the Millennium Ring before the final two letters of the message of the Destiny Board were played. Things looked grim.
"You look so pathetic," insulted Yami Bakura, "your hand is trembling from fear, and your sweating up a storm." Then his expression changed "Come now, Pharaoh! I will not defeat you if you do not act as the person you are! Your lineage was not made of cowardice, it was made of strength, courage and wisdom. I demand that you give me the fight that I deserve!"
"Then you shall have it, Spirit," said Yami as he began to slip a card off his deck, "but you are mistaking the definition of cowardice. A coward is not one that shows his fear, but one who fights it. And I promise you I shall fight this Duel to its end!"
"Then take your move, and back up your words, Pharaoh!" cried Yami Bakura, "I will not take the power of a Pharaoh who is too cowardly to fight for his own life!"
"Let's finish this!"
Yeah, yeah, sappy ending, I know. But I got kind of bored of keeping the air of doom up so I decided to make Yami Bakura say a few insults. Check in next time for a much shorter chapter to see the conclusions of all six Duels!
Lord of Light, Duke of Darkness, and Warrior of Balance are MINE! They are MY original cards, and they are the ONLY original cards that will be appearing in this story.
See that, everyone? Chuck's deck structure for Thunder, not mine, except for THREE CARDS, which can actually be related to cards that Thunder does use.
Also, apologies to those of you with really slow servers, as this is an extremely long chapter. Speaking of long chapter, I spent over a month scripting these duels, and I've spent the past week gradually typing this chapter. There are more than nine THOUSAND words in it, more than twice as long as any chapter I have EVER written. What am I trying to say, well, let me put it this way: YOU ARE GOING TO READ THIS STORY AND YOU ARE GOING TO LIKE IT AND YOU WILL REVIEW OR ELSE I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND WHEN I FIND YOU, YOU WILL REGRET THE DAY YOU NEGLECTED TO JUST TYPE THREE SENTENCES COMMENTING ON MY STORY! Thank you, now, on to the chapter.
New addition to the story: [Thinking]
Tokyo Tournament
Chapter Thirteen-Seeds of War
Also Entitled: Rivals New and Old
Giyan stopped and turned. The elevator had not arrived in the five minutes since he had called for it. He had remained patient, however, as time did not currently matter to him. But now something else had his attention. "So," he muttered to himself, "it has at last begun . . . "
- . . . Elsewhere . . . -
The two shadowed men turned their heads. "What was that?" one asked the other.
"The first assault has been made. The chess player has finished positioning his pieces, now he is sending out his first offensive maneuver. Let us see how the Pharaoh and his friends act to counter it."
- . . . The Shadow Realm . . . -
"WHAT DO YOU SAY TO MY GOING FIRST?" asked Exodus as he drew his opening hand.
"Fine with me," responded Term coolly as he drew his own hand.
Exodus: 4000 Term: 4000
"I'LL START BY PLAYING THE SPELL CARD POT OF GREED, WHICH WILL LET ME DRAW TWO NEW CARDS," he placed the green card in one of the slots in his Duel Disk, then drew the extra cards, "AND TO FOLLOW THAT UP, I'LL SET TWO CARDS FACEDOWN AND SUMMON A MONSTER IN DEFENSE MODE BEFORE ENDING MY TURN." Three rectangular, brown-backed cards appeared in front of him.
Term drew his sixth card. "NOW THAT IT'S YOUR TURN, I'LL ACTIVATE MY FACEDOWN JAR OF GREED," said Exodus before Term could do anything, "THAT WILL ALLOW ME TO DRAW AN EXTRA CARD."
"Fine load of good that'll do you," Term said quietly, "especially now that I play Heavy Storm, destroying all Spell and Trap cards on the field!" An immense tornado appeared at the center of the field, destroying Exodus's facedown Mirror Force. "And now that you have no Traps to defend yourself with, I can simply summon Karate Man (1000/1000) and blow away your facedown monster!" A dark-skinned man with a black fro wearing a yellow martial arts uniform with a black belt appeared in a combat stance. The Karate Man leaped at the facedown monster and broke it with a mighty chop. The facedown Sangan (1000/600), a three-eyed brown ball of fur, was revealed momentarily before crying out in pain and shattering.
"THANK YOU FOR DESTROYING MY SANGAN," said Exodus with a hint of sarcasm, "IT ALLOWS ME TO SELECT A MONSTER FROM MY DECK WITH 1500 OR LESS ATTACK AND ADD IT TO MY HAND."
"I know its effect," growled Term as Exodus began to shuffle through his deck, "before ending my turn, I'll just set this card facedown." The card materialized behind his Karate Man.
"VERY WELL," said Exodus as he drew his card for the turn, "I'LL SUMMON ANOTHER MONSTER TO THE FIELD IN DEFENSE MODE, AND SET A CARD FACEDOWN." Both cards appeared, "AND NOW I'LL END MY TURN."
[This seems strange], thought Term as he drew a card, [before, he was boasting all about how he's some powerful monster, but so far he's just been playing defense. But this strategy seems kind of . . . familiar . . . ]. "I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight (1800/1000) to the field, in attack mode!" the mechanical soldier appeared, blades held at the ready. "Karate Man, attack his facedown monster!" The martial artist struck the card in the same motion as before, revealing a white owl wearing a golden crown that rested on its brow.
"BEHOLD AN OWL OF LUCK (300/500)," explained Exodus, "WHEN HE IS FLIPPED, I CAN SEARCH MY DECK FOR ANY MAGIC CARD AND PLACE IT ON TOP OF MY DECK." He shuffled through his cards again, and selected the card. An Owl of Luck then disappeared.
"My turn isn't over yet," said Term, "I attack directly with Gearfried the Iron Knight!" Gearfried charged Exodus with its blades raised. When the Iron Knight reached its enemy, he struck Exodus with one of its blades and sent Term into the lead.
Exodus: 2200 Term: 4000
"YOUR LEAD WILL NOT LAST LONG," Exodus stated, "AFTER I DRAW, I ACTIVATE MY SECOND JAR OF GREED, ALLOWING ME TO DRAW ONE EXTRA CARD." He slipped the two cards off of his deck, then grinned maliciously. "I PLACE ONE CARD FACEDOWN, AND SUMMON A MONSTER IN DEFENSE MODE BEFORE ENDING MY TURN."
"Defense again, eh?" taunted Term, "Well, prepare to lose this duel, because your monsters won't stand long against my assault. I sacrifice Karate Man for the Curse of Dragon (2000/1500!" The Karate Man vanished, and in its place the skeleton of an evil-looking dragon appeared, dark energy emitting from its red eyes. "Curse of Dragon, attack his defense monster!" The dragon's energy became focused into a large purple ball of power, electric volts crackling about its circumference. The Curse of Dragon released the energy at the horizontal card, revealing the Witch of the Black Forest (1100/1200), which was destroyed. As Exodus searched his deck for a monster, Term continued his assault, "Gearfried, attack directly!" The armored warrior charged forth and slashed at Exodus again, bringing Term very close to victory.
Exodus: 400 Term: 4000
"Come on!" exclaimed Term in anger, "What kind of game are you playing? Where's this supreme monster of yours? So far you've just been drawing and running away!"
"ON THE CONTRARY," Exodus said with a smirk as he drew, "I'VE BEEN PREPARING TO RELEASE MY FULL POWER UPON YOU. MY ULTIMATE ATTACK SHALL NOW BE UNLEASHED! I ACTIVATE THE FACEDOWN IMPERIAL ORDER!" An aging man wearing royal attire appeared, his right hand cast on the field. "AS LONG AS THIS CARD REMAINS FACEUP ON THE FIELD, ALL SPELL CARDS WILL BE NEGATED AND DESTROYED SO LONG AS I PAY 700 LIFE POINTS ON EACH OF MY TURNS. HOWEVER, I DON'T INTEND ON KEEPING IT ACTIVE THAT LONG. NEXT, I SHALL PLAY THE MAGICAL LIBRARY(0/2000) IN ATTACK MODE!" Tall shelves of books appeared in front of him, with several people on floating platforms circling about it. "NOW, I SHALL EQUIP MY MAGICAL LIBRARY WITH THE BUTTERFLY DAGGER-ELMA!"
"But you can't," pointed out Term, "your own trap negates all spell cards, so you just wasted that."
"OH REALLY? I BEG TO DIFFER," stated Exodus with an even wider grin, "WHEN BUTTERFLY DAGGER-ELMA GOES TO THE GRAVEYARD, IT RETURNS TO MY HAND AUTOMATICALLY. NOW ONLY THAT, BUT WHEN A SPELL CARD IS PLAYED, MY MAGICAL LIBRARY RECEIVES A MAGIC COUNTER." A dot of light appeared on one of the shelves. "AND NOW, I CAN PLAY BUTTERFLY DAGGER-ELMA AGAIN."
And so Exodus repeated the process twice over, Elma being played, destroyed, and returned to his hand while Magical Library gained two more counters. "NOW," said Exodus, as three glowing dots shown on his Magical Library, "I SHALL REMOVE ALL THREE COUNTERS FROM MY MAGICAL LIBRARY TO DRAW ONE CARD." All three dots vanished, and Exodus drew.
Term's face showed puzzlement, but then realization, "Oh, no . . . " he muttered.
Exodus grinned again, "HAVE YOU FIGURED OUT WHO I REALLY AM YET?" he queried.
"Yes I have," replied Term, "Exodia . . . "
. . . Elsewhere in the Shadow Realm . . . -
Pentan grinned slightly as he drew, "I play the Spell card Scapegoat, to summon four defensive monsters," he declared as the tiny round goats appeared in front of him. "I also summon a monster in defense mode and end my turn."
"Very well," said Lin as he drew, "then I'll just have to start cutting through your defenses with my favorite monster: Hayabusa Knight (1000/700). Attack his facedown monster and one of the Scapegoats!" The bird-headed warrior appeared, and quickly leapt into action, cutting through a pink scapegoat and the facedown monster. The monster was revealed to be a rotund black cat with a golden collar.
"A Cat of Ill Omen (500/300)," explained Pentan as the cat yowled in pain and vanished, "it allows me to search my deck for a Trap card and place it on top of my deck." He did so, his grin growing wider. "Now I'll draw the card I placed on top of my deck, and place another monster facedown in defense and a card facedown." Both cards appeared, the latter below the three remaining Scapegoats.
"Alright," said Lin, "my turn. And I summon Celtic Guardian to the field." The elven swordsman appeared next to the Hayabusa Knight, broadsword held at the ready. "Celtic Guardian, attack the facedown monster!" The elf charged forward and planted the edge of its blade in the card. The card flipped up to reveal a mischievous-looking blue lizard, which grinned wickedly and sent volts of electricity up the Celtic Guardian's blade, pressing him to his knees.
"You attacked the Electric Lizard (850/800)," said Pentan with an ever- growing grin, "now your Celtic Guardian will be unable to attack on your next turn."
"Well," said Lin with a bit of frustration, "that doesn't stop my Hayabusa Knight from destroying two more of your Scapegoats!" The bird warrior leapt forward again and swung its rapier at the orange and yellow Scapegoats, cutting them down instantly. "It seems you're running down on defenses."
"Maybe," conceded Pentan, "but that won't matter now," he continued. "I have just drawn the card that will lead to your demise. Behold, as I play the Spell card Shield Wall, summoning four stone Shield tokens!" As he laid the card down, four statues bearing immense shields appeared in front of him, flanking the single remaining blue Scapegoat. "Now, I shall activate my facedown Trap, D. Tribe!" As his one facedown card flipped up, a blue burst of electricity emitted from all seven monsters on the field. "That changes all monsters on the field into Dragons for one turn. So now I have five dragons at my command, which happens to be exactly what I need to play this!" He turned one of the cards in his hand towards Lin for him to see.
"Polymerization?" said Lin in confusion, "but none of your monsters are even fusion materials!"
"Not with D. Tribe active," argued Pentan, "for with five dragons combined, the mightiest of all attackers can be summoned!" He slammed the Polymerization card into his Duel Disk, and the five monsters began to swirl together in a strange vortex as they merged into, "The Five God Dragon (5000/5000)!"
- . . . Ciom's prison . . . -
"Because you are the challenger," said Ciom with his ever-present grin, "it's only fair that I get the first move."
"Then take it," Yamato replied.
"Oh, don't be so nasty about it," Ciom said as he drew, "There's no reason for you to hurry, after all. I place two cards facedown, and play the Spell card Different Dimension Capsule." Two facedown cards appeared in front of him, as well as an Egyptian sarcophagus. "With this card, I am allowed to take one card from my deck and seal it within the Capsule. On my second turn after its activation, the Capsule will open, and the card I selected will go to my hand." The sarcophagus opened, and a holographic card flew inside before it closed again. "And, finally, I shall summon Griggle (350/300) in attack mode." A small orange ball with tired eyes, blue feet, and hair that resembled green and yellow leaves appeared in front of him.
Yamato drew his card, but Ciom cut him off before he could do anything, "Because control just shifted to you, I gain 3000 Life Points from Griggle's effect."
Ciom: 7000 Yamato: 4000
"Then I'll set two cards facedown, and summon Zombyra the Dark (2100/500), in attack mode." A man in black armor decorated with bones appeared, his blood-red cape flowing behind him. But before Zombyra could attack, a hole appeared in the earth below him, sucking him down into the Underworld.
Ciom laughed before explaining, "I activated Bottomless Trap Hole, which removed your Zombyra from the game. And now that it's my turn, I'll put the Life Points I gained to good use. First off, I'll pay 1000 of them to play the Spell card Delinquent Duo." Two hideous child-like creatures appeared before him, one red with a "1" on its forehead, the other blue with a "2". "First, the red Delinquent will force you to discard a card at random." The red one bounded over to Yamato, grabbed one of his cards, and threw it against the wall. "The blue Delinquent allows you to choose which card to discard."
The second Delinquent bounded over to Yamato, and held out its arms while saying greedily, "Gimme, gimme." Yamato thought a few seconds, and then tossed the thing a card. After catching the card, the Delinquent threw it against the wall as well. Then both Delinquents leapt through the wall while cackling.
"Ah, they're so cute," Ciom said with admiration, "they're my pride and joy." If Ciom could see Yamato's eyes, he would see them rolling. "Now on to the matter at hand, I play Swords of Revealing Light, which will prevent you from attacking for three turns. And, to wrap things up, I shift Griggle to defense mode." Twenty swords of pure light appeared around Yamato, creating a barrier between he and everything about him. Griggle flopped down into a sitting position.
Ciom: 6000 Yamato: 4000
"Your Swords won't even last one more turn," promised Yamato, "because now I play Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying them." A black monsoon appeared about Yamato, sweeping away the Swords of Revealing Light. "And now, I'll summon Vorse Raider (1900/1200), and destroy the Griggle." The yellow humanoid reptile appeared, glaive in hand, and ran at a very frightened Griggle. The Griggle got up, and ran away very quickly, while the Vorse Raider chased after it. The warrior chased its prey about the room for several minutes before finally running out of breath and kneeling down, panting. The Griggle, now running aimlessly, then collided with the Vorse Raider's back and falling to the ground. The Vorse Raider turned around, grabbed the plant, and crushed it.
"Well, go ahead and celebrate your minor victory," Ciom said with a huff, "because now I can claim the card that I deposited into my Different Dimension Capsule." The sarcophagus opened, and the card within floated into Ciom's hand. "And I activate that card now, paying 1000 Life Points to play the all-powerful Spell card, Toon World!"
Ciom: 5000 Yamato: 4000
The green-backed book of Toon World appeared above Ciom, and it opened its pages to reveal the pop-up town within. "Now that I have Toon World on the field, I can summon my Toon Mermaid (1400/1500)." The Toon version of Red Archery Girl appeared, giving a wink to Ciom as it appeared. Ciom replied with a smile and a wave, then reverted his attention to the duel. "Now I'll activate the Trap card Ojama Trio, which will summon three Ojamas on your side of the field."
Three blobs of monsters appeared in front of Yamato, and immediately began acting like blobs. "These things look completely useless," commented Yamato.
"They are," agreed Ciom with a grin, "but only to you. Because whenever one of them is destroyed, you will lose 300 Life Points. So now I activate Raigeki, destroying all three Ojamas and your Vorse Raider!" A lightning bolt struck from the sky, obliterating the Ojama Trio and Yamato's Vorse Raider.
Ciom: 5000 Yamato: 3100
"And now," Ciom continued, "I pay 500 Life Points for Toon Mermaid to attack directly!"
- . . . Floor 5 ½ . . . -
"Alright," said Lightning impatiently, "let's get this show on the road."
"Very well," said Thunder as he drew, "then I shall start things off by playing a monster in defense mode, and setting another card facedown."
"My turn," said Lightning, "so I'll play two cards facedown, and then summon Thunder Nyan Nyan (1900/800), in attack mode!" Two cards appeared in front of him, as well as a red-haired woman wearing a tiger suit and carrying two drumsticks.
"That's a rather strange monster," commented Thunder.
"It's not the way that looks that counts," responded Lightning, "it has an attack power of 1900, and I'm about to make it even more powerful. I equip Thunder Nyan Nyan with the Electro Whip, boosting her attack and defense by 300!" The Thunder Nyan Nyan shifted both drumsticks to her left hand, and a whip that crackled with electricity appeared in her right, raising her power to 2200/1100. "Thunder Nyan Nyan, attack his facedown monster!"
Thunder Nyan Nyan raised her whip, then brought it down on the horizontal card resting in front of Thunder. Before the whip could make contact, however, three women in blue robes appeared in front of the target, blocking the blow. "I activated my facedown Waboku," explained Thunder, "which, in essence, blocked your attack."
"Very well," said Lightning, "your turn."
Thunder drew, then studied his hand for a moment, and said, "I play Card Destruction, making us both discard our hands and draw new ones." He discarded his hand of four cards, while Thunder discarded two.
"Big mistake on your part," Lightning said with a grin, "you forced me to discard Electric Snake, whose effect now allows me to draw two more cards."
But Thunder grinned as well, "Good, that will just cause you more damage as I flip my Des Koala (1100/1800), which deals 400 points of damage directly to you for every card in your hand." His facedown monster was revealed as a brown koala eating leaves. The koala was surrounded by a blue aura, which it directed at Lightning as it was revealed. The aura swept by and through Lightning as if it were a wind, causing Lightning to lose Life Points.
Thunder: 4000 Lightning: 2400
"Now I'll play Mystical Space Typhoon," continued Thunder, "which will destroy your Thunder Nyan Nyan's Electro Whip." The black monsoon appeared about Thunder Nyan Nyan, and her weapon was destroyed. "And now that she's been disarmed, I'll destroy her. I sacrifice Des Koala for Curse of Dragon (2000/1500)." The same monster that Term had used now appeared in front of Thunder in Des Koala's place. "Curse of Dragon, destroy the Thunder Nyan Nyan!" The yellow skeletal dragon gathered its energy for an attack, dark energy swirling into a sphere just in front of its snout. With an inhuman screech, it released the energy at Thunder Nyan Nyan, which cried out and was destroyed.
Thunder: 4000 Lightning: 2300
- . . . One of the many abandoned hallways . . . -
"Because you don't seem too fit right now," Assanto taunted the weakening Joey, "I'll take the first move to get things moving. So I'll just set a monster in defense mode, and set a card facedown."
Joey's vision was still blurred, and he could only just make out the shapes of the two cards Assanto had placed on the field. [Gotta get to his Life Points as fast as I can], he thought, [or I'll be dead before this duel's even over.] "I summon Alligator Sword (1500/1200), in attack mode!" the humanoid alligator appeared in front of him, sword held at the ready. "Alligator Sword, destroy his monster!"
The Alligator Sword leapt forward, sword raised high, and struck the monster, which was revealed to be an enormous spiked ball before the sword punctured its bulbous shape and it exploded. Assanto grinned as he explained, "Your Alligator Sword destroyed my Giant Germ (1000/100), which deals 500 direct damage to your Life Points and lets me Special Summon two more Giant Germs to the field in attack mode!" Two more of the bulbous spheres appeared in front of him.
Assanto: 4000 Joey: 3500
[Man], thought Joey nervously, [this is the exact thing I don't need right now, and he knows it! I've gotta get rid of those things as soon as possible or I'm done for!]
"It would seem that you're done with your turn," Assanto observed, "so I'll go now. But before I draw, I'll activate my facedown Solemn Wishes, which will give me 500 Life Points every time I draw a card. So now I draw, and gain 500 Life Points."
Assanto: 4500 Joey: 3500
"I'll continue by switching both my Giant Germs to defense, setting a card facedown, and summoning the Fire Princess (1400/1500)," finished Assanto. A brunette girl appeared next to the two Giant Germs. She carried a staff that emitted a low flame.
Joey drew his card, just as he began to feel a slight pain in his arm where the dart had hit. "I summon Baby Dragon (1200/800)," a man-sized orange dragon appeared next to the Alligator Sword, flexing its muscular arms and letting out a squeak that caused flame to burst from its mouth, "and now Alligator Sword will destroy your Fire Princess!"
"Not so fast!" interrupted Assanto, "I activate my facedown Gravity Bind, which will allow only level three or lower monsters to attack." A strange green webbing spread across the field, trapping the legs of both the Alligator Sword and Fire Princess.
[That's the card Lector used against me an' Yugi!], Joey recalled, [man, I sure could use Yugi's help right about now], "Well, that won't stop my Baby Dragon from destroying your Giant Germ!" The orange dragon flew into the air, then came down on the Giant Germ, causing it to burst and lower Joey's Life Points further.
Assanto: 4500 Joey: 3000
- . . . The Shadow Realm . . . -
Yami Bakura and Yami eyed each other with opposite expressions. Yami Bakura's was confident, wicked, and definitely happy. The pharaoh's was determined and worried. Yami Bakura's smirk never faltered as he spoke. "I'll start this duel off with two cards facedown and a monster in defense." The three cards appeared before him, their brown backs hiding their meaning. "That's all for now."
"Then it's my move," said Yami as he drew, "and I shall set two cards facedown and summon Beta the Magnet Warrior (1700/1600)," two cards appeared in front of him, and the second of the magnet warriors appeared, its yellow body hovering in the air with magnet-claws held at the ready. "Beta, attack his facedown monster!" Electricity surged at the tips of Beta's claws, and the magnet warrior clapped them together with a resounding metallic noise. The electrical volts surged forward and struck the facedown monster, which was revealed to be an upturned red and white jar. As the jar was revealed, a single green eye and a set of yellow teeth appeared in the black mass within. The black face then shot out of the jar and through Yami before disappearing.
"My Morphing Jar (700/600)," explained Yami Bakura, "has just forced us both to discard our hands and draw new ones of five cards." Both duelists inserted their hands into the graveyard slots and drew new cards.
"I can't do anything else this turn," said Yami, "it's your move."
Yami Bakura's grin widened slightly as he examined the card he had drawn. "Prepare to meet your demise, Pharaoh," he said threateningly, "for now I activate my facedown Change of Heart, allowing me to take control of your Beta for one turn." A half-demon, half-angel being appeared on Yami Bakura's side of the field. It flapped its one leathery, bat-like wing and its one feathered wing and took flight. It floated over to Beta and then merged with the magnet warrior, causing Beta to join Yami Bakura's side of the field. "Now I'll sacrifice your pathetic magnet warrior for my Earl of Demise (2000/700)!"
The magnet warrior disappeared, and in its place a rotting corpse appeared, wearing a fine red tuxedo that had long ago been ruined and was now torn in shreds. It carried a long rapier. "Now, Earl of Demise," Yami Bakura commanded the corpse, "attack the pharaoh directly!" The corpse flew at Yugi like a puppet, and raised its weapon high as it prepared to strike.
. . . The domain of Exodia . . . -
"Your pathetic loop combo won't win you this duel!" cried Term as he pressed a button on his Duel Disk, "I activate my facedown Dust Tornado, which will destroy your Imperial Order, thus stopping your combo!" as his facedown card flipped up, a tornado filled with debris appeared and tore apart the Imperial Order card. "It also allows me to set a card facedown, so I choose this one," Term continued as he set a card on his Duel Disk.
"IT'S STILL MY TURN," reminded Exodia, "SO I EQUIP MAGICAL LIBRARY WITH BUTTERFLY DAGGER-ELMA AGAIN SO THAT IT RECEIVES ANOTHER COUNTER. I ALSO PLAY THE SWORDS OF REVEALING LIGHT, KEEPING YOU FROM ATTACKING FOR THREE TURNS. AND THAT ALSO GIVES MAGICAL LIBRARY A COUNTER. YOUR MOVE." Twenty swords formed a barrier around Term, locking his Curse of Dragon and Gearfried in place.
Term drew his card and grinned in triumph, "Time for you to lose your only weapon, Exodia," he said as he slipped the card into his Duel Disk, "as I play 1000 Life Points to play Confiscation, allowing me to look at your hand and choose one card for you to discard." Exodia held up his one card, Left Arm of the Forbidden One, and then discarded it. "I now end my turn, since I can't attack with the Swords of Revealing Light in play."
"THEN I SHALL PREPARE YOUR DEMISE," Exodia said with a grin as he drew. Term rolled his eyes. Exodia had lost his only chance of winning and he was dealing threats, how pathetic. "I SHALL NOW SACRIFICE THE THREE MAGIC COUNTERS ON MAGICAL LIBRARY TO DRAW A CARD," Exodia continued, as the three points of light that had appeared on the shelves of his Library disappeared and he drew said card. As he looked at the card, he grinned at Term. He then selected the first card he had drawn and placed it on the field. "PAINFUL CHOICE ALLOWS ME TO SELECT FIVE CARDS FROM MY DECK," he explained, "AND THEN YOU MUST SELECT ONE OF THEM TO GO TO MY HAND WHILE THE REST GO TO THE GRAVEYARD."
Term looked at the five cards that Exodia selected (Right Leg of the Forbidden One, Witch of the Black Forest, Right Arm of the Forbidden One, Left Leg of the Forbidden One, and Exodia the Forbidden One), confused. He had no idea why Exodia was willing to completely destroy his only weapon. After all, a simple Backup Soldier would have let him regain the arm. But Term wasn't complaining about that, so he selected Witch of the Black Forest and Exodia discarded his remaining four pieces. "NOW I'LL JUST SET THIS MONSTER AND END MY TURN," finished Exodia.
Term drew and grinned at his card, then placed it on the field, "I play Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying your Swords," he said as the black monsoon that Yamato had used now served the same purpose as before in destroying the Swords of Revealing Light. "Now to destroy your new defense monster," he said, "Curse of Dragon, attack!" The dragon gathered energy as it had before, then released it at the new horizontal card that Exodia had placed, revealing another Witch of the Black Forest, which cried out and vanished as it was struck by the blast. Exodia grinned as he searched his deck for a monster. [I can't believe this,] Term thought in frustration at his own confusion, [he's happy that he gets to put a monster out, but he's going to end up losing this duel without Exodia. What monster does he even want? There's nothing that can help him.]
"I ASSUME THAT YOUR TURN IS OVER," stated Exodia, "SO I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND PLAY THE COMBINATION OF CARDS THAT WILL SPELL YOUR DEMISE. NOW I PLAY THE SPELL CARD CONTRACT WITH EXODIA, WHICH ALLOWS ME TO SUMMON THE ULTIMATE MONSTER!" The air above the field became immersed in black thunderclouds and five gravestones rose from the ground in front of Exodia, an ankh imprinted on each stone. A lightning bolt struck from the sky and split to contact all five gravestones, and all five parts of Exodia that he had discarded rose from the ground. Term's face showed fear as he watched the arms, legs, and head become connected by a torso that appeared between them. The body glowed a bright green.
Exodia began to laugh. Then he went silent and his host's eyes went dark as a red light shown from the body to the glowing monster in front of him. Then the first body fell to the ground and the red line stopped shining. Then the glowing monster laughed in Exodia's voice. "AH HAH HAHA! BEHOLD THE MY MIGHT IN THE FORM OF EXODIA NECROSS (1800/0)!"
"Exodia Necross?" Term asked in shock and confusion.
"THAT'S RIGHT," said Exodia, "I WAS ABLE TO SUMMON MY UNDEAD FORM TO THE FIELD, AND BECAUSE I AM IN ESSENCE IT, I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE THAT DISGUSTING HUMAN BODY AND TRANSMIT INTO THIS ONE. I SHALL NOW FIGHT YOU AS I ONCE FOUGHT THE GODS AFTER I ESCAPED FROM THE FIRST PRISON THEY BANISHED ME TO. YOU SEE, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE THREE GODS KNOWN AS SLIFER, OBELISK, AND RA RULED THE WORLD, WATCHING IT FROM ABOVE. BUT I WISHED TO CONTROL THE WORLD MYSELF, AND SO I FOUGHT THEM IN THE FORM THAT IS SUMMONED WITH THE FIVE CARDS YOU KNOW SO WELL." Exodia paused and widened the ever-present grin of his body's face, "BUT THIS IS WHERE THE STORY BEHIND THOSE CARDS COMES IN. YOU SEE, THE GODS REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT BE DESTROYED COMPLETELY, SO THEY TRIED TO SPLIT MY BODY SO THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EVER OPPOSE THEM. THEY COMBINED THEIR POWERS AND BROKE MY LIMBS AND HEAD FROM EACH OTHER, AND COMPLETELY OBLITERATED MY TORSO. THE ONLY WAY THAT I COULD EVER BE SUMMONED WAS IF THE FIVE PARTS WERE SET TOGETHER. IT WAS EASY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, THEY SIMPLY SPREAD THE PIECES. BUT THEY DID NOT REALIZE THAT I HAD FOLLOWERS, FOLLOWERS THAT COULD SUMMON ME WITHOUT EVEN GATHERING THE PIECES. THEY PERFORMED AN ANCIENT SPELL, WHICH IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT MY PARTS TOGETHER IN THE FORM YOU SEE BEFORE YOU. IT WAS AN ALMOST INDESTRUCABLE FORM, ALTHOUGH MUCH LESS POWERFUL THAN MY LAST. I FOUGHT THE GODS AGAIN, BUT WAS DEFEATED AFTER YEARS OF CONTINUOUS COMBAT. AFTER MY PARTS WERE SPREAD AGAIN, THEY SOUGHT OUT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF MY FOLLOWERS, AND THEY WERE ALL SLAUGHTERED. THEY ALSO SEALED MY ESSENCE WITHIN THE SHADOW REALM, SO THAT I WOULD BE UNABLE TO INFLUENCE ANY OTHER HUMANS TO RELEASE ME. AND SO I WAITED FOR AN OPPORTUNITY, ANY OPPORTUNITY, BUT I WAITED IN VAIN FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. IT WAS THEN THAT MY CURRENT MASTER CAME TO ME WITH THE PROPOSITION THAT I HAVE EXPLAINED TO YOU. ONCE I HAVE DEFEATED YOU, I WILL BE RELEASED, AND I WILL FINALLY RECLAIM MY ORIGINAL FORM AND RULE THIS WORLD!"
"Talk is cheap," said Term, "both my monsters are at least as strong as you, you don't stand a chance."
Exodia's red eyes gleamed, "THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK, JUST WATCH." He ran at Gearfried, raised his fist, and landed a crushing blow on the armored knight, shattering its chest plate and causing it to vanish.
Term's mouth dropped in shock, "But you should have been destroyed as well!" he protested.
Exodia laughed, "FOOL! DO YOU REALLY THINK YOUR PATHETIC MONSTERS CAN EVEN SCRATCH ME!? I AM EXODIA, AND I AM INDESTRUCTIBLE!"
"We'll see about that!" Term challenged, "Curse of Dragon, attack!" His dragon gathered its energy, and released a burst of power at the Exodia Necross. Exodia was pushed back a bit, but he instantly recovered and planted his feet securely.
Exodia: 200 Term: 3000
"NOW ARE YOU CONVINCED?" Exodia asked Term, "YOUR DRAGON WAS EVEN STRONGER THAN ME AND STILL I WAS NOT DESTROYED. AND NONE OF YOUR TRAPS AND SPELL CARDS WILL HARM ME EITHER! SO NOW I'LL DESTROY YOUR DRAGON AS WELL!" His eyes glowed green for a moment, and then his hands began glowing green and he charged at Curse of Dragon and cracked its nose horn as he swung at it. The dragon then vanished.
Exodia: 200 Term: 2700
"How did you do that?" asked Term, beginning to feel a bit of panic.
"NOT THAT THE FACT MATTERS," said Exodia, "BUT IN NECROSS FORM, I WILL GAIN 500 ADDITIONAL ATTACK POINTS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH OF MY TURNS."
Term growled, then placed his hand on the top card of his deck [This is it,] he thought, [my last chance. He's indestructible, but there's got to be some way that I can finish this duel on the winning side.] "Let's end this, Exodia!"
"YES," agreed Exodia, "LET'S FINISH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."
. . . The room of the five dragons . . . –
"Impressive, isn't it?" Pentan asked Lin as he looked up at the Five God Dragon, "unfortunately I can't attack with it right now, so I'll just end my turn here."
Lin drew, then frowned as he declared, "I'll just switch both of my monsters to defense mode, and summon this monster facedown as well." The Celtic Guardian and Hayabusa Knight both crouched down into defensive positions, and a horizontal card appeared to the right of the elf.
"You're so pathetic, running away like that," shot Pentan as he drew a card and smirked, "now I'll discard a card from my hand to play Tribute to the Doomed, destroying your Hayabusa Knight!" Bandages sprung from the ground, enveloping Hayabusa Knight like a mummy. The bird warrior was then dragged into the ground as it gave out a long, muffled screech. "And now," continued Pentan, "I'll have Five God Dragon attack and destroy your Celtic Guardian!" The mighty five-headed dragon reared back its long-necked extremities, each mouth opened to gather power. Then, simultaneously, all five of the gathered waves of energy were released, forming a sort of rainbow as they streaked towards the elf swordsman and completely obliterated it.
Lin began to sweat as he drew his card. He had thought that the dragon was a myth! It was so incredibly powerful that Pegasus had refused to make all but a very few copies of the card, it was almost as rare as the Blue Eyes White Dragon! Besides the Dragon's immense attack and defense, it was immune to attacks from all monsters besides Light types and the Gods themselves. He slid a card into his Duel Disk, then pressed another one onto it, "I set a card facedown, and summon one monster in defense mode. That's all."
Pentan smirked as he drew his card and immediately played it, "I play the Spell card Stop Defense, forcing your first facedown monster into attack mode." The card Lin had placed was revealed to be the Karate Man (1000/1000), who moved his arms from the guarding position they had been in into a more offensive stance. Pentan howled with laughter, "This is perfect! Now I'll destroy your weakling of a monster with Five God Dragon and take all of your Life Points with it!" The Five God Dragon reared back its heads, which gathered power once again.
"Karate Man!" cried Lin, "Use your Forbidden Technique!" The Karate Man proceeded to act like a DBZ character, yelling loudly and gathering power as a burning red aura surrounded him. He then leapt upward with his fist raised to fight the dragon as it launched its blast.
Pentan looked worried for a moment as the blast resounded about the room, but his grin settled back in as the dust cleared to reveal that the Karate Man had been destroyed. "Looks like your Karate Man's technique did absolutely nothing," taunted Pentan, "and now its time for you to give up your so-what?" He noticed the Life Points counter on Lin's Duel Disk.
Pentan: 4000 Lin: 1000
"How are you still alive!?" demanded Pentan, "You should have lost!"
"My Karate Man's Forbidden Technique," began Lin, "may not have been enough to destroy your Five God Dragon, but it didn't need to. It simply had to decrease the damage to my Life Points. By sacrificing himself at the end of a turn, Karate Man doubles his attack power during battle when he uses his Forbidden Technique. So, instead of taking 4000 damage, I simply took 3000."
Pentan growled, but then grinned as he reminded Lin, "Enjoy your minor victory for now, but you mustn't forget that by Five God Dragon is still on the field, and now you only 1000 Life Points left. It won't take me long to defeat you."
"We'll see about that," challenged Lin, as he drew for what might have been the last time . . .
. . . Ciom's prison . . . -
"I activate Enchanted Javelin," countered Yamato as he flipped one of his three cards on the field, revealing a long, white javelin with a large yellow ring between the blade and handle. The javelin flew through the air of its own accord and struck the Toon Mermaid, which simultaneously shot an arrow at Yamato. His Life Points did not change as the arrow struck him.
Ciom: 4500 Yamato: 3100
"With Enchanted Javelin, I gained Life Points equal to your Mermaid's attack before the blow hit," Yamato explained.
Ciom huffed and retorted, "Well, I'll still beat you within a few turns, it's not like you can block my Toons."
"I don't know how in the world you got that card," said Yamato as he drew, peering through his sunglasses at Toon World, "but it will do you no good in the end. I set one card." A facedown card appeared, replacing the Enchanted Javelin, before the card to its right flipped up, "I also activate my facedown Call of the Haunted, reviving my Vorse Raider," the reptilian warrior reappeared, and let out a battle roar as it hefted it blade. "Vorse Raider, destroy his Toon Mermaid!" The warrior leapt forward and swung its blade on the horrified Mermaid, cleaving her in half before she vanished.
Ciom: 4000 Yamato:
Ciom looked shocked, "How dare you!" he cried, "you killed my Toon! I will have my revenge, you fiend!"
"You, sir," said Yamato very flatly, "are pathetic."
"I'll show you!" Ciom drew, then immediately played a card, "Graceful Charity, so I can draw three more cards and then discard two." He slipped the cards off of his deck in one motion, then grinned madly as he put two of them into his graveyard, "now I'll play Monster Reborn, reviving my Blue Eyes Toon Dragon (3000/2500)!" He cackled insanely as the chubby dragon appeared, growling like a kitten and showing off overly sharp teeth. "Now, Blue Eyes Toon Dragon," said Ciom, "avenge the fallen Toon Mermaid by attacking him directly!" The chubby dragon bounced around the room, ricocheting off the ceiling, walls, and floor like a super-ball and landing on top of the Vorse Raider, keeping him from blocking as it powered up its infamous White Lightning Attack . . .
. . . Floor 5 ½ . . . -
"My move," said Lightning as he drew, then grinned, "I first discard my Thunder Dragon, which allows me to place two more Thunder Dragons into my hand." He slipped the card into his graveyard, then searched his deck for two more of them. When he found them, he immediately pressed a button o his Duel Disk and discarded them as well, "And now I activate my facedown Polymerization, fusing my dragons into the Fusion monster that I wager on this Duel, the mighty Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon (2800/2100)!" A long, red, serpentine dragon appeared, a horn growing from its oblong snout and a second mouth obtruding from its neck. "Now," continued Lightning, "I play two magic cards, Monster Reborn, to revive my Thunder Nyan Nyan, and Raigeki, to destroy your Curse of Dragon." Thunder Nyan Nyan reappeared in front of Lightning, and a lightning bolt struck from the sky, destroying the dragon as Thunder looked on.
"Now," continued Lightning as he discarded a card from his hand, "I discard a card so that my second facedown card, Twin Swords of Flashing Light- Tryce, can be activated." The drumsticks in Thunder Nyan Nyan's hands disappeared, and were replaced by two long, thin swords. "At the cost of 500 less attack points," explained Lightning, "my Thunder Nyan Nyan can now attack twice. Now, Nyan Nyan, strike him directly!" The redheaded woman dashed forward, swords held at her waist. When she reached Thunder, she struck him with one blade, then hit him again as she turned with the other.
Thunder: 1200 Lightning: 2400
Thunder drew, and smiled briefly at the card before placing it on his Duel Disk, "I just summon a monster in defense he said."
As Lightning drew, Thunder cut him off, "Before you can do anything, I activate my facedown Thunder of Ruler, which causes you to skip your Battle Phase this turn."
Lightning growled quietly, but then nodded, "I'll just play my own monster in defense mode, then end my turn." His one monster appeared on the field to the right of the Thunder Nyan Nyan.
Thunder drew, then simply placed the card in his Duel Disk, "I set a card facedown and end my turn," he said.
Lightning began to get impatient, but smiled as he placed the card he drew on the field, "I sacrifice my facedown monster for Guardian Tryce (1900/1700)." A black-haired man replaced his horizontal card, wielding the same twin swords that Thunder Nyan Nyan did. "Guardian Tryce, attack his monster!" The Guardian rushed at the monster, then raised both his blades and brought them down. The monster that was revealed had white hair, as well as eyes that glowed white and a sword whose blade appeared to be made of light. Its white robes flowed in the wind that did not exist, and the warrior used its blade to fight off the twin attacks of Tryce.
Thunder: 1200 Lightning: 1800
"You attacked my Lord of Light (500/2500)," stated Thunder, "its incredible defense power allowed it to fend off your attack. Unfortunately, he must switch to attack mode when he is attacked."
"I've never heard of that card," said Lightning.
"That's because it's one-of-a-kind," replied Thunder as he pressed a button on his Duel Disk, "and now I'll protect him by activating Shadow of Eyes, which will end your Battle Phase because all of your monsters become switched to defense mode." All four monsters on the field took up defensive positions, the humanoid ones crouching down with their weapons raised, while the Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon did not seem to change. Lightning frowned and he signaled to Thunder to take his turn.
Thunder smiled at the card he drew, "I now play the Duke of Darkness (2500/500), the Lord of Light's opposite." A malicious-looking man in black robes with jet-black hair, eyes that looked like empty black voids, and a sword with a blade that seemed to be pure shadow appeared.
[Another card I've never heard of before,] thought Lightning, [this could end up being very bad.]
"Now," said Thunder with a small grin, "I shall claim victory. I play Polymerization, fusing the Lord of Light and Duke of Darkness together!" The Lord of Light disappeared and was replaced by a large sphere of white energy. The same happened to the Duke of Darkness, although the sphere was of black energy instead. The spheres swirled around each other and formed a Yin Yang symbol, which then manifested into a human form. Its left eye and the hair on the left side of his head were white, while the right ones were black. The swords that the Lord and Duke had wielded were now bonded together by a Yin Yang symbol. The new monster, its entire body (save the head) covered by black and white armor decorated with Yin Yang symbols, held the sword evenly in its hands. "Meet the Warrior of Balance (2500/2500)," introduced Thunder, "his powers rivals those of the gods themselves, although I do not know what they are. He has allowed me to use him in this duel so that he may be delivered to his rightful owner."
"He doesn't look like he could fight the gods," commented Lightning doubtfully, "my Thunder Dragon is stronger than him."
"That's what you think," replied Thunder, "but now he shall show his true power. First off, I must remove my entire hand, and I cannot draw any cards so long as he is on the field." He placed the cards in his hand into his pocket. "Now to introduce you to his abilities, first of all, he cannot be affected by any Spell or Trap cards. Secondly," here Thunder's grin widened slightly, "he gains 500 attack and defense points for every Light or Dark monster on the field and in both graveyards, including himself."
Lightning watched in horror as the Warrior of Balance's power skyrocketed to 8500/8500. "Warrior of Balance," Thunder said to the monster as if he were addressing a superior, "your power is unhindered by the rules that restrict other Fusion monsters, you may attack whenever you wish." He bowed his head, "I bid you do as you please." The Warrior of Balance nodded at Thunder then flew at the Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon and used the dark blade of his sword to behead it . . .
. . . Joey's possible future place of death . . . -
"It seems to me, Joey Wheeler," said Assanto casually as he drew, "that you appear to be losing more and more strength as you lose Life Points. So, if my theory is correct," he grinned as his Life Points rose and Joey's fell, "you should be feeling even worse right now."
Assanto: 5000 Joey: 2500
Assanto seemed to be right, the pain in Joey's arm began to grow and spread, and his breathing became more laborious. "I'll just place these two cards facedown and end my turn."
Joey drew and winced as he put his arm through the motion. "He then looked at the card and had a bit of trouble making it out, but grinned as he selected another card and played it, "I summon Panther Warrior (2000/1500)," he said slowly, but still with a bit of enthusiasm, "and then play Giant Trunade!"
Assanto's finger darted to a button on his Duel Disk, and one of his cards flipped up, "Magic Jammer," he said simply as he discarded a card. Joey grimaced and put his Spell card into his graveyard, then ordered Baby Dragon to attack the last Giant Germ.
Assanto: 5000 Joey: 2000
"Your pathetic attempts to breach my defenses insult me, Mr. Wheeler," Assanto said with a grin as he simply played the card he had drawn, "I have a counter for every move that you can possibly make, and every turn, you run out of more and more time before you can make any more attempts."
Assanto: 5500 Joey: 1500
As Joey drew, Assanto cut him off by flipping the most recent card he had played, "Behold the Gift of the Mystical Elf," he said as the Mystical Elf appeared with a shining white orb in her hands, which flashed momentarily before she disappeared, "it gives me 300 Life Points for every monster on the field. You may continue now."
Assanto: 6700 Joey: 1000
Joey simply smiled as he played the card he had just drawn, "Demotion," he declared in a very quiet and raspy voice as he barely placed the card on the field. As the card was played, the Dark Ruler Ha Des appeared in front of his Panther Warrior and pointed a finger at its forehead, causing it to momentarily cry out and clutch its head. "That'll decrease his level by one . . . enough to get past your Gravity Bind."
Joey sacrificed Alligator Sword for Panther Warrior to attack, but Assanto activated another one of his cards as the beast leapt into the air, "I activate Negate Attack." A barrier formed around he and his monsters, and Panther Warrior was repelled from the barrier as he reached it, causing him to land in a sprawling heap. Joey groaned and fell onto one of his knees as he watched what could have been his last assault fail. Assanto's face was one huge grin as he drew, then played his card, "Now, to end that final threat, I play De-Spell, destroying Demotion, which will put Panther Warrior back at Level 4 and prevent him from attacking."
Assanto: 7200 Joey: 500
Joey's vision darkened and his hearing faded to the extent that he could almost not hear Assanto's wild laughter. He supported himself on his knees and left arm as his right fell limp. His heart was beating wildly, he felt a deep pain within his stomach, and his thoughts began to mush together in a highway off thoughts with no concentration to direct them. His consciousness began to fade, and his final vague thought before drifting into complete unconsciousness was if he would ever wake from it . . .
. . . The Shadow Game of the Thief and the Pharaoh . . . –
"I activate Mirror Force!" Yami's facedown card flipped up just as the Earl of Demise was about to strike him. A red wave of energy flew from the card and struck the Earl of Demise, destroying it before it could harm Yami.
Yami Bakura growled as he watched his offense fall. Now he was left with no monsters and only one facedown card that wouldn't protect him. "Now it's my turn," stated Yami as he drew his card. He then selected another card and played it, "I summon Retrained Celtic Guardian (1400/1200), in attack mode!" The effect version of the Celtic Guardian appeared, broadsword at the ready. "Now I equip my Retrained Celtic Guardian with Horn of the Unicorn," continued Yami as a . . . unicorn's horn appeared on the elf's head. "Now, attack him directly!" The Retrained Celtic Guardian (2100/1900) raised its blade and charged at Bakura, then struck him with a pierce from the sword.
Yami Bakura: 1900 Yami: 4000
"It looks like your threats aren't doing you any good," commented Yami as he watched with a great deal of satisfaction at the thief's loss in Life Points, "and your challenge to me is looking more and more foolish as this Duel progresses."
"Oh really?" shot back Yami Bakura, "Well, you'll be the on looking foolish once I'm through with you!" He glanced at the card he had drawn with a grin before placing it facedown on the field. He then signaled that his turn was over.
Yami drew his card before placing another card on the field, "I summon Gamma the Magnet Warrior (1600/1800), in attack mode!" The third of the Magnet Warriors appeared, its arms and legs small compared to its body. Pink metallic wings were attached to its back, and its head was pink as well. Its gray cylindrical body had a blue S on its front. "Now I'll have Gamma attack your monster!"
"Before your monster can deal the blow," interrupted Yami Bakura, "I activate Just Desserts, which will deal you 500 direct damage for every monster on your side of the field." A ghastly hand emerged from the flipped card, and grabbed Yami, sucking his Life Points away.
Yami Bakura: 1900 Yami: 3000
The metallic warrior then struck Yami Bakura's horizontal card, revealing a brown, man-sized insect with a wide mouth instead of mandibles. Yami Bakura laughed as the bug stood up and licked its carapace that formed where a human's lips would be. "Behold my Man Eater Bug (450/600)," he said, "which will now feast upon your Retrained Celtic Guardian!" The Man Eater Bug leapt on top of the elf, and Yami watched in horror as his monster was devoured alive. The Bug then looked up at him, licked a bit of blood off of its "lips" and vanished. "Also, since I'm about to achieve my destiny, it's fitting that I win this duel with the Destiny Board!" A spirit appeared carrying the letter F appeared, and Yami grimaced as the thief then placed Spirit Message "I" on the field.
Yami Bakura grinned as he drew his card and placed a monster in defense before he ended his own turn.
"I play my Horn of the Unicorn again," said Yami as the horn grew from Gamma's forehead, "because it was sent to the top of my deck when it was destroyed. And now Gamma the Magnet Warrior (2300/2500) will crush your defense!" Gamma shot electricity from its horn at the facedown card, revealing an empty suit of silver armor, which the electricity struck and destroyed.
"Thank you for destroying my Headless Knight (1450/1700)," said Yami Bakura mockingly as he drew a card once Yami had ended his turn and had placed Spirit Message "N" on the field, "because I needed one more Fiend in my graveyard besides Earl of Demise and the card I discarded to Morphing Jar to summon this," he took all three monsters from his graveyard and put them into his pocket, then placed another monster on the field, "Dark Necrofear (2200/2800)!" The blue, feminine robot-fiend appeared, its yellow eyes glowing evilly. Yami took a step back as he saw the beast that had nearly defeated him at Battle City called against him once again.
"Dark Necrofear, attack Gamma the Magnet Warrior!" a more conscience monster might have said something like "What? Why don't YOU attack it?" but the Necrofear thought nothing of sacrificing itself, and leapt at Gamma with its clawed fingers flexed. Gamma, in return, shot electricity at the cybernetic demon, destroying it.
Yami Bakura: 1800 Yami: 3000
Yami Bakura simply grinned more as he watched his Life Points drop a small margin, as the price for destroying Dark Necrofear was about to be paid, "Now your Gamma is mine to command!" laughed the thief as Gamma's eyes glowed a dark purple and it turned on Yami. "Gamma, attack your former master directly!" A bolt of electricity lanced out of the Magnet Warrior's horn and Yami threw up his arms to shield himself from the blast.
Yami Bakura: 1800 Yami: 700
Yami looked at Yami Bakura's grinning face. The thief held all the cards (pun intended) now, it seemed he was unbeatable. He had to find away to get past his own monster without attacking it AND to defeat the spirit of the Millennium Ring before the final two letters of the message of the Destiny Board were played. Things looked grim.
"You look so pathetic," insulted Yami Bakura, "your hand is trembling from fear, and your sweating up a storm." Then his expression changed "Come now, Pharaoh! I will not defeat you if you do not act as the person you are! Your lineage was not made of cowardice, it was made of strength, courage and wisdom. I demand that you give me the fight that I deserve!"
"Then you shall have it, Spirit," said Yami as he began to slip a card off his deck, "but you are mistaking the definition of cowardice. A coward is not one that shows his fear, but one who fights it. And I promise you I shall fight this Duel to its end!"
"Then take your move, and back up your words, Pharaoh!" cried Yami Bakura, "I will not take the power of a Pharaoh who is too cowardly to fight for his own life!"
"Let's finish this!"
Yeah, yeah, sappy ending, I know. But I got kind of bored of keeping the air of doom up so I decided to make Yami Bakura say a few insults. Check in next time for a much shorter chapter to see the conclusions of all six Duels!
Lord of Light, Duke of Darkness, and Warrior of Balance are MINE! They are MY original cards, and they are the ONLY original cards that will be appearing in this story.