Yay for another fun chapter! Although I made about a million grammar and dueling errors when it was first written, they were caught and fixed before posting. So enjoy!
Captain Obvious: Ever heard of the movie "You Got Served"? It's an inside joke from that. It basically means, "You just got owned."
John: We already have a Warrior deck, no need for another. And that's fine, at least you remembered what day it was unlike most people.
Erestor Telemnar: Bolt himself says he is considered the strongest Maverick. You'll see what the others are ranked later.
Chapter 11: Head On Attack
"Are we there yet?"
"Don't even start."
"Dang it Gen, you ruin all my fun."
"That's why I exist."
"Why did I want you to be created then?"
"You wanted me to be created?"
"Maybe not."
"Aw, I was touched for a minute there. Then I remembered you would never say anything like that."
"You know me better than I know myself."
"Of course I do."
"No need to agree with me."
"But I wish to."
"Doesn't mean you have to."
"But it means I want to."
"But you also wanted me to jump off a bridge once, and you didn't see me go and do it."
"That's a completely different matter."
"How so?"
"Why explain it when you never understand my logic anyway?"
"Good point. Your so-called logic really sucks."
"I'll take that as a compliment, since that means it's beyond your comprehension. Oh, wait, I forgot that your mind can't grasp much anyway."
"You don't have to point out things I already know."
"But it's so amusing to see your reactions."
"I find the mental image of punching you in the face a lot more funny."
"Did I strike a nerve?"
"You wish."
"Let's not go down that line again."
"Indeed. So let's start a new one."
Fell put a hand to his forehead, resisting the urge to groan out loud. Ever since they had left for the canyon, Miles and Gen had been conversing. They were already close to the canyon, yet they were still talking. Most of the matters were so idiotic that Fell could barely stand it.
Daine looked up at him as they went up the slope to the canyon. "Master, is something wrong?"
"Nothing," Fell growled, flexing his hands so that his claw-like fingernails were arched menacingly. "Nothing at all."
"Are you sure? You have seemed to have had a headache ever since we parted from the group," Daine said. "Is there any way I can help?"
"Yes. You can kill both of them, starting with Miles," Fell replied, glaring at the teen.
Miles grinned in response. "Are you telling me that I'm actually getting on your nerves?"
"What ever gave you that idea?" Fell said sarcastically.
"Whoa! You even tried to be humorous! Although you failed miserably, that's certainly an improvement!"
"I was not attempting that, and I am being perfectly serious," Fell stated. "If Daine does not feel like staining his teeth with your blood, I would not mind the inconvenience of the red marks to rid you from the world."
"Darn. Looks like you're back to being your old self," Miles joked. "Nearly, that is. I'm amazed that you're talking at all, and that's not counting the fact that you're using complete sentences."
Seeing the murderous look Fell was giving Miles, Gen cut in. "Are you still trying to commit suicide? I think he means what he says."
"Probably," Miles agreed. "It would be wise to shut up, but I'm not exactly smart, as you know full well."
"Yes, I do," Gen said dryly.
By this time, they had reached the top of the slope, and were staring down at the gorge. "Ok, so are we going to cross or stay on this side?" Miles asked.
"The Maverick could be anywhere," Gen stated. "If there is one that's even here, anyway. So either place is a good one to start…"
Daine let out a sudden snarl. "Someone is here!"
Before Miles or Gen could respond to this, Fell grabbed Miles by his bandana and lunged backwards, dragging Miles with him. Just as he leapt away, a cannon ball slammed into the earth, causing an explosion that's smoke blinded everyone temporarily.
Eventually it began to clear away. Miles coughed a few more times, pulling his bandana away from his neck slightly and wincing as he felt his throat. "Geez Fell… you weren't kidding when you said you'd kill me…" Then the smoke was completely gone. Miles stared in amazement at the large crater in the ground in front of him. "Holy… ok, never mind. You just saved my life. Which is something I really didn't expect."
"Do not get used to it," Fell said, standing up.
"Should have known you'd say something like that. Then again, you never say anything most of the time, so it wasn't like I would have expected that. But you have been talking more than usual today." Miles tenderly pushed his bandana back in place. "If you do decide to save me again though, please use a different method. You nearly killed me anyway by strangling me to death!"
"Who are you to complain?" Gen asked, limping over to them. "I wasn't in the direct line of fire, but the explosion still got me somewhat."
Miles couldn't help but laugh at how Gen looked. Normally his appearance was very neat, due to his outfit. But now his white clothes were covered with the red dust from the canyon that the explosion had uncovered, which gave him a rather amusing appearance.
"Quiet," Gen grumbled, rather annoyed by the whole matter. "We may have avoided most of it, but whoever did that is still around."
Daine ran over to them as well. His fur was covered with red dust as well, but he did not seem concerned with that. "Yes, he is here. Look ahead."
Their opponent came up the slope, stopping a yard or so away from them. He wore a suit of what seemed to be Japanese body armor. It looked as though it was covered by fish scales that were deep blue and aquamarine colors. Similar to Gaia, the only thing uncovered was his head, so they could see his sharp features. His hair was blue, but was so dark that it seemed to be black. It was kept back in a ponytail that nearly went down to his legs. His clear, sharp blue eyes scanned them in contempt. In his right hand, he carried a trident with a light blue, crystal head and a gold handle.
Floating beside him was a colossal Soul Monster. It looked like a sperm whale, but there were a few differences. The dark blue whale had a black horn protruding from its snout, for one. But the biggest change was that it had several turrets on its back, all aimed at the group.
"Well, this sucks," Miles commented.
"So, you avoided my first attack," the man stated. "That doesn't mean anything though. The next one will slaughter you all. Heh… I don't know what Juno was talking about when he said brute force would not work. You all seem pretty helpless either way."
Miles took out several cards from his pocket and inserted them in his Duel Disk. "Just try it."
Fell calmly placed some cards in his as well, watching their opponent warily.
"I believe I will! Anth, bombard them again!"
The Soul Monster screeched, and then released another large cannon blast. But this time, Miles was ready. He casually flipped over one of the cards he had placed down.
The cannon fire abruptly exploded as it made contact with a barrier that suddenly appeared. As the explosion ended, the barrier faded away.
"What the hell was that?" the man said in disbelief. "Anth, attack again!"
Miles activated another card, and another barrier protected them.
"You can't get past my Attack Nullifications!" Miles told him. "I have more than enough to stop any attacks you throw at us."
"Like I'll fall for that!" the man shouted, grabbing his trident and running forward, slashing at them. Another Attack Nullification stopped him though.
"Just give it up," Miles said.
"Never!" The attacker continued to try to assault them. Attack Nullifications sprang up each time, but Miles was slowly running out. Even though the man seemed to be getting tired, he continued to stab at them
"This is ridiculous," Miles commented. "At this rate I won't have enough." He looked at his Duel Disk as his last one was ejected. "Correction; due to that ridiculous amount of attacks, I just ran out."
"H-hah! I-I have you n-now!" the man exclaimed, panting heavily before thrusting at them with all his might.
It was all for naught when another Attack Nullification stopped him. He stared at Miles, enraged. "But I thought you were out of those!"
"I am," Miles replied, with a cocky grin. "But Fell has them too."
The man slowly turned to Fell, fearing what he'd see. Sure enough, he saw what he had been afraid of as Fell held up a large stack of Attack Nullifications for him to see.
"Argh… I… I give up…" the man groaned, stumbling back. "Alright… we'll… we'll duel… with cards… like you want to… curse… this world… with its stupid rules…"
"Sounds good to me!" Miles said cheerfully, walking over to him with Gen following. "I'll be your opponent, if Fell doesn't want to be."
"I have no desire to face one like him," Fell stated.
"Yeah, I didn't think you'd like to duel an idiot," Miles replied. "You weren't thrilled the time you had to duel me, after all. But anyway… we are correct in assuming that you are a Maverick?"
"That's right!" he said, regaining his breath. "I'm known as Wave Trident. Even if I have to use pieces of cardboard, of all things, to kill you, I'll do it. You aren't about to get away after what you just put me through."
"I'd be a bit more threatened if you hadn't been such a moron," Miles said. "So who's your Soul Monster?"
"A Fortress Whale, known as Anth," Wave stated, glaring at him. "And I am not a moron!"
"This is Gen, a White Thief. And yes, you are," Miles retorted.
"Am not!"
"Am too!"
"Am not!"
"Am too!"
"Am not!"
"Am too!"
"Am not!"
"Am too!"
"Am not!"
"Am too!"
"Daine… forget killing Miles and Gen…" Fell said in despair. "Just slaughter them all. Please, before I lose the little sanity I still have…"
"Master, that would be breaking the rules of fair combat," Daine pointed out.
"I cannot take this any more…" Fell managed to say before he put his hands to his head.
"Don't worry. I think they will reach talking terms soon," Daine said, looking over at them.
"Am not!"
"Am too!"
"Am not!"
"Am too!"
"Or maybe not…" Daine sighed.
Gen watched them, his eyebrow twitching. Finally, he decided to interfere.
"Am not!"
"Am too!"
"FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT'S HOLY, WOULD YOU TWO SHUT UP!" Gen yelled.
"Huh? He started it!" Miles whined.
"Nuh-uh! You did! You called me a moron!" Wave shouted, pointing at him with his trident.
"But you attacked us!"
"But Juno ordered me to kill you all!"
"But Juno invaded our world first!"
"NO! DO NOT START ANOTHER ARGUMENT!" Gen shouted over them. "GET ON WITH THE DUEL BEFORE WE ARE DRIVEN CRAZY!"
"It is too late for me…" Fell groaned, kneeling on the ground with his hands pressed over his ears.
Miles looked over at Fell, and then shrugged. "Sure thing. Not like that was important anyway."
"Of course not," Wave snarled. "It will be settled when the winner is decided. Since I will be the victor, your deaths will teach you to not wrong me! Of course, by then it will be too late…"
"Oh hurry up," Miles yawned as he turned on his Duel Disk. "We've heard death threats so many times that they have basically no effect on any of us now."
"Fine," Wave growled, activating his Duel Disk as well.
Miles: 8000
Wave: 8000
"I'll go first!" Wave declared.
"That isn't fair! I wanted to go first!" Miles protested.
"Oh yeah? Well so do I!"
"No! We are not getting into an argument over every little thing!" Gen said. "Listen, I'm picking a number between one and ten. Miles, do you have paper and a pencil?"
"Yeah, I always carry some around," Miles replied, getting them out of the pouch he wore at his side and handing it to Gen. "Why?"
"So the loser doesn't accuse me of cheating," Gen stated, scribbling down a number. "One of you, guess."
"I'll guess first," Wave said.
"Hey, but I wanted to…" Miles began.
"Just let him go Miles!" Gen said in exasperation.
"Five," Wave stated.
"I guess pi," Miles decided.
"What… hey! You can't do that!" Wave exclaimed.
"Why not? It is a number, isn't it?" Miles pointed out. "Yeah, an infinitely long number, but we can round it to 3.14 and see if I'm closer."
Gen blinked, and looked at the paper before showing it to them. "Technically, I guess Miles was closer. It's three."
"You must be kidding me!" Wave growled in disgust.
"Tough luck for you," Miles grinned, drawing. "I'll start by activating Mischievous Demon Twins. I pay 1000 Life Points to pick a random card from your hand. You are forced to discard that card. Also, you need to pick another one to discard."
Miles: 7000
Wave: 8000
"I'll have you discard your center card," Miles said.
"My Tidal Wave… and I'll choose to discard my Killer Snake," (300/250) Wave stated.
"What? Dang it! Of all the cards to have in your hand…" Miles complained. "I lay one card face down and one monster in defense mode. It's your turn."
"On my standby phase, I take my Killer Snake from my Cemetery and put it into my hand. Then I play a field magic card, The Legendary City Atlantis!"
Miles barely had time to brace himself before a tidal wave hit the field, flooding it as the temple rose. He quickly regained his footing, looking around at the field. "An Atlantis deck? This ought to be fun."
Gen was much less than thrilled due to the fact that his clothes were now not only still tinged with the red dust but that he was drenched. He wrung out his cape while saying, "I am so sending my laundry bill to you, Wave."
Daine emerged from the water, and half walked/half swam a good distance away from the field, to a more shallow area, before shaking off the water. "It is not that bad, Gen."
"You're one to talk. All you have to do to clean yourself off is jump into a lake," Gen grumbled.
Miles would normally have been amused by the situation, but he was far more entertained by Fell's appearance. He had gone over to where Daine was, but he had still been submerged by the wave. Now his long hair was completely soaked, and clung to his back as he stood up in the shallow waters.
"Geez! I thought your hair was crazy before, but now you just look ridiculous!" Miles commented.
Fell glared at him before he began to wring out his hair.
"May we get on with this?" Wave said impatiently. "I summon Gagagigo. (1850/1000) Due to Atlantis, all Water Main-Types get their stats increased by 200." (2050/1200)
"Congratulations! You can read!" Miles said sarcastically.
"I do not need your pathetic insults at this moment! Gagagigo attacks your defense monster!"
"Sorry, but my Gravity Bind says you won't," Miles stated as he activated it. "All level four or higher monsters can't attack as long as Gravity Bind is on the field!"
"Ah, but Atlantis makes all of the Water Main-Type monsters in my hand and on the field one level lower than usual. So now my Gagagigo is level three. What do you have to say about that?"
"All I have to say is that you suck," Miles retorted. "And you attacked my Soul Hunting Spirit. (300/200) He can't be destroyed in battle anyway though, so I guess it doesn't matter. You going to do anything else?"
"I lay one card face down and end my turn."
"Fine by me!" Miles looked at his next card. "Well, this ought to be fun. I summon White Thief (1000/700) and equip him with Power of Teamwork. This raises his stats by 800 for each monster on my field! Since I have two, that's 1600 more! (2600/2300) Now he attacks your Gagagigo!"
"You ran right into my trap," Wave smirked. "I activate Forced Ejection Machine! It sends one of your monsters on the field back to your hand. So I choose Soul Hunting Spirit."
"Aw damnation," Miles groaned. "Since Soul Hunting Spirit was targeted with a trap effect, he's automatically destroyed due to his effect. And since he isn't on the field, my White Thief isn't strong enough to take out the Gagagigo!" (1800/1500)
"Exactly," Wave said.
"You changed the number of monsters on my field though, so I get a replay," Miles said. "So I cancel my attack. Unfortunately, it seems like you have a brain after all. Too bad-I was hoping for an easy duel for a change. I end my turn.
"That's what you get for underestimating me," Wave sneered. "Even if this is a pathetic way to battle, I can still pound you into the ground. I summon Abyss Soldier. (2000/1500) Then Abyss Soldier attacks. Say goodbye to your White Thief!"
"Goodbye," Miles winced as he watched the Abyss Soldier slice it apart.
"Then Gagagigo attacks you directly!"
Miles cried out in pain as the Gagagigo tore into him, sending him flying.
Miles: 4750
Wave: 8000
Gen swiftly went over to where Miles had gone under and blindly felt around until he found Miles' shirt collar, and hauled him up. "You alright?"
Miles coughed a few times. "Yeah, no thanks to that bastard."
"You've already lost about half of your Life Points, and we've barely even started," Wave smirked. "I'm done with my turn."
"It isn't over yet!" Miles declared as he drew. "I summon Troop Commander! (1200/400) Then I equip him with Demon Axe, to raise his attack by 1000! (2200/400) He attacks Gagagigo! Then I end my turn."
Miles: 4750
Wave: 7850
"At least you did some damage before losing," Wave commented as he drew. "But it wasn't enough. Now I summon Giga Gagagigo!" (2650/1700)
"Ugh… he must be a level five monster," Miles realized. "Well, even with Atlantis, he's level four. That means I'm safe, thanks to Gravity Bind."
"Afraid not," Wave stated. "I activate Abyss Soldier's effect! By discarding a Water Main-Type from my hand-in this case, Killer Snake-I may choose a card on the field and send it back to its owner's hand. I choose your Gravity Bind."
"I'm screwed, aren't I?" Miles said as he placed the Gravity Bind into his hand.
"I would assume so. Giga Gagagigo destroys your Troop Commander, and then Abyss Soldier attacks directly!"
Miles: 2300
Wave: 7850
Miles had managed to stay up this time. "Ow… that's going to hurt in the morning… you done slaughtering me yet?"
"For now. I will lay one card down and end my turn."
"Ok then," Miles said, drawing.
"But now I activate my trap card, Mind Crush!" Wave declared. "I call a card name, and then see your hand. If you have any card going by that name in your hand, you are forced to discard all of the ones that go by it. If I guessed wrong, I would have to discard a random card from my hand, but I know I will be right, since I call Gravity Bind."
"Rats. That does get rid of my Gravity Bind," Miles said, revealing his hand. "But at least I have these two cards. Like the looks of them?"
Wave stared at them. "What are they?"
"How about I just activate them so you can find out for yourself? First, I use Theft. By equipping it to your Giga Gagagigo, he's now under my control!" Miles looked at his hand. "This is a big gamble… but I really don't have much choice at this point, do I? I'll equip Giga Gagagigo with another Demon Axe!" (3650/1700)
"What the hell? Quit getting equip cards you idiot!" Wave snarled.
"Let me think… no," Miles grinned. "I attack your Abyss Soldier."
Miles: 2300
Wave: 6200
"Then I end my turn. On your standby phase, you get 1000 Life Points due to Theft's side effect."
Miles: 2300
Wave: 7200
Wave looked at his hand, and shrugged. "I wanted to save this effect, but I have no choice but to use it now. So I activate Anth's Deck Master ability!"
"Which does what?" Miles asked.
Anth turned to the field and pointed his turrets at the field. Then he released a volley of cannonballs.
"Ahhhhh! Fire in the hole!" Miles yelped before diving underwater. Gen looked at the water, gave a sigh of disgust, and went under too as the cannonballs crashed into the field, sending water everywhere.
The duo finally came up again, and saw the entire field was cleared by the cannon fire. Miles blinked a few times. "Yikes. I think someone set up us the bomb."
"You could say that," Gen agreed.
"And I thought my grammar was bad," Wave muttered. "Well, that is what Anth's effect is. By discarding my entire hand, all cards on the field are destroyed. At the end of my turn though, I get to draw two cards. Luckily for you, I can only do this once per duel."
"Thank everything for that," Miles said. "I assume you're done?"
"Yes."
Miles looked at his deck. "Without a hand, I'm going to have to pray that I draw something good…" He looked over at the two spectators of the duel. "Hey, Fell! Couldn't you at least act like you want me to win or something? I could use some support now!"
Fell looked at him, then at Wave, and back again. "I am actually hoping that you will tie, and thus be able to kill each other so I can be free from both of you."
"Thanks for being a real friend!" Miles shouted before drawing. "Well, I got a life saver right here. First though, I'll activate Gen's Deck Master ability. Go for it!"
"Of course," Gen replied, before vanishing.
Wave started, and looked around. "What? Where…"
"I'm over here," Gen said, reappearing at Miles' side. "I suggest counting the number of cards in your hand."
Wave stared at his only card. "I despise you."
"It's nice to know that we feel the same way about each other," Miles grinned. "Although I didn't need your input to know that. Anyway, I think you can figure out for yourself what Gen does."
"He stole one of my cards!" Wave snarled.
"No, not stole. Just borrowed without the intent of returning," Gen said.
"And it's just what I needed," Miles told him. "I summon your Abyss Soldier! (1800/1300) Then I lay one card down and attack you directly! That's it for me."
Miles: 2300
Wave: 5400
Wave glared at his new card. "I get Killer Snake back, and lay one defense monster before ending…"
"Well, this doesn't help me much at the moment," Miles said as he examined his draw. "I attack with Abyss Soldier."
"As you may have guessed, it was Killer Snake," Wave stated. "Is that all?"
"Yep."
"Finally, I can go on the offense!" Wave announced. "I play Atlantis, and then summon Giga Gagagigo!"
"You sure you want to attack?" Miles asked, indicating to his face down card.
"Not with Giga Gagagigo. Instead, I activate a magic card, Metamorphosis! I sacrifice a monster, and special summon a Fusion monster with the same amount of levels. I'll choose Death Demon Dragon." (2000/1200)
"Genius move right there," Miles said. "Way to offer your monster for a weaker one. And how on earth is Death Demon Dragon a Water Main-Type?"
"It isn't, you dolt," Wave retorted. "You do not understand what kind of deck I run. It is a combination of Atlantis, Bounce, and Metamorphosis. Bounce, in case you didn't know, is a type of deck that specializes in sending cards back to your hand and deck."
"Swell, you have a three way deck," Miles said. "Good luck in trying to make that work."
"It actually does work very well," Wave smirked. "In case you didn't notice, I am winning."
"Ah shut up. Are you going to attack or not?" Miles asked.
"Yes, I will."
"Then I activate Magic Cylinder!" Miles declared. "It negates your attack and deals damage equal to your attack!"
"Sorry, but I won't let you get away with that," Wave said as the Death Demon Dragon's attack tore through the cylinders that appeared. "Death Demon Dragon's effect makes it so that trap cards targeting it are negated and destroyed.
"Well, that's not good…" Miles said as he watched the Abyss Soldier battle with the Death Demon Dragon. But suddenly, they both dissolved.
"What? How did that happen?" Wave said in bewilderment.
Miles realized it instantly. "It was Atlantis! Atlantis raised Abyss Soldier's attack to 2000, so they killed each other!"
"Damn it! How could I have missed that?" Wave snarled. "I'm done…"
"That mistake will cost you," Miles commented as he drew. "I lay one card down and summon Surprising Matasa! (1300/800) Then I attack you directly, twice!"
"Hey! You can't do that!" Wave protested before the Matasa slashed him two times.
Miles: 2300
Wave: 2800
"Why can't I? It's Surprising Matasa's effect after all," Miles said. "He can attack twice during my battle phase. Your turn."
"You are so in for it…" Wave growled as he drew.
"Not this turn," Miles grinned. "I activate Lost Property. This trap forces you to discard the card you just drew."
"Bah… Spin would not have helped me much either way," Wave stated. "I lay one monster in defense mode and end my turn."
"Attack to kill your Killer Snake, and then attack you directly. Your move."
Miles: 2300
Wave: 1500
"…Not exactly what I wanted, but it works," Wave sighed. "I lay one monster in defense mode and end my turn."
Miles eyed the card suspiciously. "That might not be Killer Snake… hm…" He looked at the card he had drawn. "Now this is more like it! Sorry Wave, but it's over for you."
"How can you be so sure?" Wave questioned.
Fell looked over at Miles for a second before he began to walk towards Wave's side of the field. Neither duelist nor their Soul Monster noticed.
"Because of this combo that's going to lead to your loss," Miles stated. "First, I summon Soul Hunting Spirit in attack mode!" (300/200)
"…Right. And that's going to do what for you?" Wave said.
"Now I activate a magic card, Magic Box of Death!" Miles continued. "One monster on your side of the field is destroyed, so your face down monster is dead!"
"My Penguin Soldier… curses! (950/500) If you had attacked, I could have sent back your two monsters…"
"But I didn't, now did I?" Miles said. "Now, for Magic Box of Death's other effect. I have to give you one of my monsters, so I choose to give you Soul Hunting Spirit. But remember Soul Hunting Spirit's effect? It is destroyed when targeted with a magic card. So once it is on your side of the field, it's dead."
"No! That can't be! I had you right where I wanted you!" Wave exclaimed.
"It was your own fault, discarding your whole hand against a deck that specializes on destroying your hand of all things," Miles pointed out. "Now Surprising Matasa attacks twice for the win!"
Miles: 2300
Wave: 0
"I am not accepting defeat over a game! A stupid game, of all things!" Wave yelled, grabbing his trident.
But before he could approach Miles, he froze. Then he collapsed, dead before he had known what had happened.
Anth had no time to react to this new event before Fell took his Soul Card and tore it in half. Anth bellowed loudly before vanishing.
Miles looked at Wave's dead form. "You slit his throat? That's the second time you've saved my life today… what a record. I wouldn't have been able to react fast enough to stop him."
Fell shrugged, and grabbed Wave's corpse. Then he threw it into the deep canyon.
"Well… that works…" Miles said. "It's not like we could leave it for someone to find."
"Better him than you," Gen commented.
"I'll agree with you on that one," Miles replied.
Daine went over to Fell. "I thought you wanted Miles to die?"
"…I considered letting Wave kill him, and then killing Wave," Fell replied. "But he has his uses."
"At least you acted quickly," Daine said.
"It was not hard to see what Wave's reaction would be to losing," Fell stated before he began to go back down the slope.
"Whoa, wait! Where are we going?" Miles asked as he followed.
"Probably back towards the meeting place," Gen inferred. "I doubt there would be any other Mavericks here, so why stay? We can probably reach the town before nightfall. That would be a better place to stay than out here."
"Sounds good to me," Miles said as they continued on.
To be continued…