Tournament Stories part 25
Linda waited for us to respond to the question she had just asked, "So do you guys just wanna get started?"
Josh and I looked at each other realizing that one of us was going to be the winner. One of us was going to get the chance to meet and duel the tournament's host. One of us was going to be hailed 'The Best at his Game.'
I pretty much answered for both of us, though, "Yes, Linda. I think we're ready." It was a very proud moment- to finally get this OVER with!
But Linda spoiled the mood, "Ha ha, actually no you're not! You two are entitled to another card prize. This time, the card is guaranteed to be at least of super rarity, that is, a card with a holograpic background but no special lettering." Then she looked at the both of us and let out a little embarrassed laugh. "The card can be a magic, monster OR trap card. So here they are, and who will pick first?" Linda inquired. I looked at Josh- not angrily, but not freindly either- to suggest he take first. "I always let the hunted go first," he commented. So I took the card to Linda's right and opened it. It was a fusion monster called Gatling Dragon. I really didn't feel like bothering with fusion monsters, so I put it in my pack with all the other spare cards I had. Josh didn't feel like making his new card functional either.
"Alright, now that THAT'S outta the way, let me tell you what the cash prize for this round is. The one who does not win this duel gets the $250 entitled to the top 32, the $250 entitle to the top 16, the newly added $500 entitled to the top four, that's $1000 so far. And NOW you'll get an additional $1500 making the total $2500; that's quite an amount of money, wouldn't you say? Anwyay, the host has decided that as a final twist, he wants both of you to reduce your decks to FOURTY cards- not forty-one, exactly FOURTY!" She made the required number quite clear. Josh and I grumbled something completely different, although I'd bet that it was about the same thing, under our breath. She led us to a spot in the stands and told us to separate ourselves and reduce our decks to a shockingly scary and rather low FOURTY cards! That's the size of my deck... minus twelve...
First, I reasoned that I wanted to be known as the greatest fiend duelist. So the first thing I did was get all 17 of my fiends into a separate pile reserved for cards that would serve in this 'top 40.' Then I searched for my Mystic Plasma Zone field card. Most of the fiends out there are of the dark attribute. I need as much help as I can get. Then I remembered my Infernalqueen Archfiend's negative effect. Every standby phase she's on the field, I lose life points. I don't want that to happen. And, having been a witness to Josh's dueling strategies, he'd probably get rid of it before I can attack with her, so I put her aside. Then I put Jinzo aside, even though he is a dark attribute, because I needed my traps for this particular duel. I added my own Mad Dog of Darkness to the 'top 40' because of his strong basic attack and being a dark attribute; I was well on my way. I had already neutralized 2 cards and filled up 18 slots... 22 to go to decide among 32 remaining cards. I tried to stay away from continuous magic and trap cards because I'd need the space in my magic and trap zones, so that ruled out Ominous Fortuntelling, among others... I was extremely stingy and doubtful of cards that'd be useful. So just when I thought that I had excluded just enough to perfect my 'top 40,' I was eight short. I took comfort in this fact and happily, but still carefully, added eight more that I thought would be useful.
I looked over my shoulder and noticed Josh was having considerable trouble with shortening his deck. He was definitely making progress, but it was slow progress. I guess rare hunters fill up their decks with rare and powerful cards so much that they forget that there's actually a minimum...? Well anyway, he slimmed it down, walked towards Linda and we both gave our decks to her as a middle-woman who gave each the other's deck. I shuffled it generously, as did Josh. Then we got our decks back and the three of us ascended in our platforms.
Linda said before the duel started, "And one last thing: the host would like to have a few words with you two..." And with that, the scoreboard screen faded to black and brightened up only a little to reveal that silhouette of a man while he addressed us, "So it's come to this. You two are the top duelists in this entire tournament. And I think you should know that I've been watching everyone who had been competing in this tournament. But now, needless to say, everyone is watching you two!" I was expecting video cameras to emerge from the four corners of the arenas or something right after he finished that sentence. But then it occurred to me that he was just using a metaphor... he continued, "This is going to be one of the greatest duels to have ever been conducted on this island slash peninsula." (He actually DID say 'slash'!) "And so I wish both of you luck against each other, and then eventually against me if you so choose... hmm hmm hmm!" The screen fizzled out leaving Josh's and my faces above the LP bar and other necessary statistics.
"You may now begin!" Linda announced in case there was any doubt.
And here was Josh, "I always let the hunted go first..."
Weirdo I thought as I drew a sixth card. But what a good first hand! It doesn't really get better than Posion of the Old Man, Goblin Attack Force, Spirit Barrier, Sakuretsu Armor, Sangan and Dummy Golem. Looking for an early lead, I set my two trap cards and my rock monster in defense.
Josh smirked and said, "Hiding shall get you nowhere! I first activate my Dian Keto the Cure Master. My life points go up to 9000. Next I'm activating my Bait Doll magic card. It lets me attempt at destroying one of your face down trap cards by forcing it to activate. If the activation's timing is wrong, the trap card's a goner, otherwise it's returned face down. But, either way, Bait Doll returns to my deck and it gets shuffled. So let's force the card all the way to your left, shall we?" Josh suggested. I flipped over the trap to my right and sent my Sakuretsu Armor to the graveyard. "Oh dear, that must painful! Such an effective trap card now useless to you! Well anyway, I set one card face down and summon my Gyaku-Gire Panda (800/1600) in attack mode. Since you have one monster of the field, his attack is boosted to 1300... but I'm not attacking. However, you may feel free to do so; I end my turn."
Josh was plotting something. I was reminded of how quickly he beat Andre when he was, at first, winning by so much. I didn't want that happening to me, so I had to be careful and always expect the worst...
I drew my next card, which was quickly discarded thanks to Josh activating his Drop Off trap card. So I was forced to discard my Shadow Spell to the graveyard on the spot. "Oh! Another useful trap gone to the grave... you must be rather angry, yes? Anyway, please continue your turn."
"I will: with a chain of your Drop Off! I'm activating my Spirit Barrier now for early protection. As long as I have a monster on the field, battle damage doesn't hurt me!" I explained this card which I'm sure he's seen before... But I continued my turn, "I set one card face down and summon Goblin Attack Force (2300/0) in attack mode. Now they destroy your panda!" I watched the ruthless beating of that rabid beast by my green-skinned warriors. Josh's life points went down to 8500 and my attack force switched themselves into defense as their effect says.
"My turn again," Josh stated the obvious as he drew a card. "I'll set this card I drew face down and set one of my own monsters in defense. It's now your move again," Josh wanted me to get my hopes up. But I wasn't going to feel safe until his life points were zero...
I drew my Spear Cretin but couldn't really use it at this point. Actualy, I couldn't really use ANY of my monsters because they all had effects that I'd much rather Josh activate himself. But then I remembered that I had my Spirit Barrier out and figured that there was no risk involved. So I actually summoned my Sangan (1000/600) and attacked his defense monster. Josh greedily smiled when I declared this attack and flipped over his face down Offerings to the Doomed, "I'll use this card's effect to destroy your Goblin Attack Force at the cost of my next draw phase," he said as my goblins disappeared. And then that solid plastic bubble slipped over his deck.
I interrupted the course of events, "I'm adding to this by activating my own quick-play magic card, Poison of the Old Man. And I choose to increase my life points by 1200," so my life points rose to 9200.
And as for the attack, Sangan wasn't strong enough to defeat the defending Yomi Ship (800/1400). Luckily, I didn't lose life points. But I wouldn't have minded the ship's effect taking its course; I wanted Sangan to be destroyed so I could use his effect.
Josh's turn again. And all he did was set his final card in defense.
My turn again. I drew La Jinn and summoned him to the field. I really didn't want to attack his Yomi Ship. I was now only drawing one card per turn, so was Josh. I can't just squander cards however I feel. So I flipped over my Dummy Golem (800/800). And his effect requires Josh to select one card on his side of the field to switch control with him. Josh quickly decided on his Yomi Ship, and the transaction was made. I had this huge, wooden boat on my side of the field and he had my rock monster. And I really didn't feel like taking any risks, so I attacked and destryoed by Dummy Golem and ended my turn there.
Josh was able to draw again. He set whatever it was that he drew face down and flipped over his defending monster, man-eater bug (450/600), "And I'm obviously destroying your La Jinn," Josh said simply. So I was short one fiend. But now I had a chance to deal some damage to him.
On my next turn I drew one of my rarest cards again, Invader of Darkness! I guess when you slim down your deck like this, you draw cards that you need more often. But should I summon him? How do I know that what he has face down isn't a trap set for strong monsters like him? So I decided it against it for now, "I'm switching your Yomi Ship to attack mode and attacking your Man-Eater Bug!" A little cannon on the side of the ship blasted a cannonball right through the insect. "And now I attack you directly with my Sangan," I said. Sangan scurried ahead and took several mean-looking scratches at Josh's platform. But he just laughed and took the 1000 damage in evil good spirits. His life points were steady at 7500. Mine were higher at 9200. It was his turn again.
He drew a card and set it in defense... WHAT was he trying to do, lose on purpose? I felt like forcefeeding him his own words, 'Hiding shall get you nowhere,' but decided against it because that wasn't very sportsman-like.
I drew Giant Germ on my next turn and set him immediately. And I attacked his defense monster with his Yomi Ship. This defending card could have eight billion defense points and I wouldn't feel a thing. The face down card was A Cat of Ill Omen (500/300). And that's where my luck began to go south. "When this guy is fliped, I get to select a trap card from my deck and put it on the TOP of my deck. I t doesn't even say that I need to shuffle!" Josh sounded as happy as evil can sound while he thumbed through his deck. All of his traps that I'd seen so far were pretty devastating. Who knows what he could have chosen? But eventually he did pick one and otioned for me to continue. I attacked him directly again for 1000 more points of damage. Now he had 6500. Victory was getting closer...
He drew his trap and set it. Now this was a trap that he hand-picked from his entrie deck. It must be something terrible.
So on my next turn, after I drew and played my field card Mystic Plasma Zone, I didn't summon any additional monster and I did not attack- I'll take no chances with guy, thank you. But in any case, thefield grew darker until it was shrouded in dark blue and sapphire lightning blazed across the sky. All dark monsters from then on got +500 ATK and -400 DEF.
Josh had been quiet for a long time by that point until he drew his next card, "And so begins this duel... I summon Neo the Magic Swordsman (1700/1000) in attack mode." Holy crap! It was my former favorite card! In all the duels I'd seen and expereinced, I'd never seen another person with this guy in their deck. But I decided to let it go. After all, my new favorite card is much more powerful and even looks cooler... Josh continued, "Attck his Sangan," Neo cast a spell on his sword that made it glow a metallic blue. Then he threw his sword up in the air, jumped up, caught it and sliced his blade vertically down into the ground. A massive blue fissure sprouted from the sword and spread erratically toward my fiend. It circled around him and exploded upward, vaporizing him- what a cool attack. I lost no life points, but I did get to use Sangan's effect. From my deck I was able to take one monster with 1500 attack points or fewer and add it to my hand. I decided on my Big Eye, then I shuffled my deck.
It was once again my move and I drew my Man-Eater Bug. I considered setting him. But that Invader of Darkness was burning a hole in my hand. Such a powerful and commanding card should be on the field by now making a mess of everything! Why was I being so careful? And then I remembered the trap that he himself chose and set my Big Eye.
"You must be afraid of the trap I have, aren't you? Come now, what kind of duelist doesn't take risks once in a while?" Josh sounded like he was scolding me...?
But I replied, "I don't want you guys getting your hands on my Black Skull Dragon. It may not be a part of my deck anymore, but it's one of the oldest cards I have. It's value to you guys is nothing compared to its pricelessness to me!" I stated my case quite well, I thought.
Josh paused and commneted, "Very well... save the needless theatrics for drama class, if you will. This is a duel... not a beauty pageant." I laughed slightly at this but quickly realized that it did sound rather stupid- like something an anime character would say. So I continued my turn by ending it.
Josh set in defense the next card he drew and then attacked and destroyed my face down Giant Germ (1500/0). He lost 500 life points, I got to special summon another one (1500/0) in face up attack and then I shuffled my deck. The scores were: 6000-Josh 9200-me. I began to get worried that he let my score stay this high for so long... but there's where he actiavted his hidden trap. As soon as he received that damage, he flipped over his chosen trap card. I nearly panicked. But it was only the Compulsory Evacuation Device, "And all this time you could have lowered my life points even lower..." Josh taunted as he demanded his Yomi Ship return back to his hand. The duel seemed safer after that trap was activated. But there was still the other card he had face down...
It was my turn again and I drew my next card. And just then I resolved that I would keep my deck this size forever because, apparently, it was spitting out great cards left and right! I had drawn Dark Ruler Ha Des! Without giving a second thought I tributed my face down Big Eye (1700/600) and summoned Dark Ruler Ha Des (2950/1200) in attack mode!
(Big Eye's effect: the top five cards were mad Dog of Darkness, Kiseitai, Gagagigo, Rafflesia Seduction and Bottomless Trap Hole. Number them 1-5 respectively and I ordered them 1, 5, 2, 4, 3.)
When I placed this prized fiend card on the field, the orb representing my tributed Big Eye went berserk. It flitzed everywhere and did endless zig-zags and spirals to no end, pulsing and vibrating like crazy. Then it softly exploded with a white schockwave revealing a dark purple core. It slowly molded itself into this feared fiend's form. When his face could be seen, a mystical white aura seemed to evaporate right off of him. And continued to do so for as long as he existed. It wasn't as cool an entry as the Dark Necrofear or Invader of Darkness, but it was an entrance.
"Attack his spellcaster!" I commanded him. His rotting green face twisted into a fiendish smile. As he held his wine glass in his left hand, he revealed his right hand and snapped his fingers. Directly above him, a bright blue bolt of lightning exploded down from the sky and collided right with the blue orbs on either side of his head. Replacing his white aura was a dark blue aura which he launched in full and he spread out his hand right at Neo. The chaotic force was like a wall of blue headed straight toward the swordsman. He tried using his sword to deflect the attack, but it was way too much and he was destroyed. Josh's life points went down to 4750. I had nearly twice the amount of him! Then remembering that I had my Spirit Barrier out, I attacked his face-down monster with my Giant Germ. The defending monster was Mask of Darkness (1400/0) and I got excited, "You can't bring a trap card back from your graveyard! ...Even though his flip effect says you can, Dark Ruler Ha Des neutralizes all effect monsters' effects as long as he's on the field and if a fiend destroys that effect monster; my Giant Germ is a fiend. How about THAT?" I boasted my fiend arsenal as he looked minorly impressed.
He drew a card and spoke, "Somehow, you aren't the only one with powerful cards..." Josh set his Yomi Ship in defense and then shuffled through his graveyard and, "I remove one light (Neo the Magic Swordsman) and one dark (Mask of Darkness) monster from play in order to special summon my Chaos Sorcerer (2800/1600)!"
A light and a dark orb sprouted from the ground of his side of the field. They danced around each other fast enough to form something that looked like a portal. Although I could clearly see through it- my opponent's platform, his face-down monster card and face down trap or magic card- it was rippling like a thin sheet of water somehow suspended in the air by two circling sprinklers. Through the portal emerged one of the weirdest-dressed spellcasters I had ever seen. He had all this black, almost leather-looking stuff on with orange trim every foot or so. He looked like one of those deranged death metal singers who like to yell more than sing... When he was done coming out of his portal, he held out his hands as far as they would reach. When the two orbs made contact with a hand, they stopped their motion and stuck onto him palms, he was now in control of them. Josh said, "And now you get to see his power full force. Chaos Sorcerer, REMOVE Dark Ruler Ha Des from play!" I was taken completely by surprise that there existed a monster who could just... DO that! I watched as the dark orb disappeared from the sorcerer's hand. He only focused on the light one. With a skillful wave of his arm, the orb drifted right through my fiend monster and made him vanish from the field completely. It was cool... "And now, since I've used his effect, he is not allowed to attack. So it's your move."
That card was definitely powerful. I wonder what his MOST powerful card was, though? I drew my Mad Dog of Darkness and realized just how useless he'd be out there. I considered setting my Man-Eater Bug to set a simple trap. But if he were to be removed from play, would the flip effect still take its course? It's not every duel that a monster is removed from play. And effect monsters, especially flip effect monsters, are sometimes the most annoying and controversial monsters when it comes to conditions of activation and so forth. But I set it anyway figuring that a risky plan is better than no plan at all.
It was Josh's turn once again. He drew a card and set it in defense mode. Then he used that orb of light to remove my Giant Germ from play. He ended his turn and used this opportunity to destroy his monster.
I drew my Bottomless Trap Hole and set it. Then I summoned my Mad Daog of Darkness (2400/1000). After that I flipped over my Man-eater Bug which took care of his Chaos Sorcerer. Then I attacked the card that wasn't his hidden Yomi Ship. Instead, I destryoed his defending Crimson Ninja (300/300) who can destroy traps once he's flipped. So he got rid of my Spirit Barrier, and I instantly felt less secure.
Josh drew his next card and set it. Then he ended his turn. He knew that I wasn't going to do anything. I wouldn't dare attack his Yomi ship with nothing to directly damage him. Without that Spirit Barrier of mine, I am definitely less courageous. Besides, he's got those two face down cards.
So I drew my Kiseitai and set him figuring that he could only do good. And that's where he activated another one of his non-threatening face down cards, "I'm activating Soul Reversal. All it does is let me take a flip effect monster from my graveyard and put it on the top of my deck."He had quite a few flip effect monsters in there, if my memory served me right. It unnerved me what he could choose.
On Josh's next turn, he set the flip effect monster that he drew. For a top-ranked duelist, he wasn't very much for the offensive side of the game this time around. But neither was I, really. Was the duel supposed to be this cautious... this boring?
I drew my Rafflesia Seduction on my next move and was tired of being cautious; the action was moving too slowly! I tributed my Man-Eater Bug and my face down Kiseitai (800/400) and summoned my Invader of Darkness (3400/2100)! Exactly like last time, my most powerful (attack point wise) fiend made a forceful entrance with the gold and black orbs and the same light show and so forth. And I exaplined that all of his quick play magic cards were now useless. He was lcuky to have played his Soul Reversal when he did. Then I attacked his Yomi Ship with my Mad Dog of Darkness; I had a more powerful monster on the field now! My brave sacrificial beast clawed through the wooden boat, and it was destroyed. And then I attacked his flip effect monster with my mighty fiend. Who cares if it was his Man-Eater Bug; I've got Spear Cretin in my hand! So the brilliant goldish white blast of energy from the palm of Invader of Darkness's palm atomized the Cat of Ill Omen (1000/0) again. And he again got to bring a trap from his deck to the top of his deck which drew and set.
Then it was my turn all over again. I drew Gagagigo and summoned him (1850/1000) thinking that the worst it could be was a Mirror Force. But with a Bottomless Trap Hole and a Spear Cretin, I was fine. First I directly attacked him with my reptile. That brought his life points down to 2900... there's no way he was going to make it this easy. But I guess I just had to try. I foolishly attacked him with my Invader of Darkness. That's where he activated his Draining Shield trap. Because of that, his lifepoints flew up to 6300. And so with nothing more to do, I ended my turn.
And it figures, all he did on his next turn was set a monster in defense. I was so mad! Where was the undermining? Where was the shocking surprise? Where was the Josh that beat Andre (not that I'm complaining...)?
I drew my Gift of the Martyr and set my Rafflesia Seducton in defense, figuring it'd be useful eventually. Then, Gagagigo attacked his defense monster which was the Penguin Soldier (750/500). I felt kind of foolish. He told me to take my Gagagigo and Invader of Darkness back into my hand. But it was either now or on his next turn. Speaking of which, he drew his card and summoned it to the field, "I summon the Luster Dragon (1900/1600) in attack mode!" I was actually wondering when I'd get to see this card of him, not that it mattered, "I'm activating Bottomless Trap Hole! Your monster is on a one way fall to... well, wherever a bottomless hole ends," I weakly finished that taunt.
My turn again, and drawing the Magician of Faith made my hand five cards full! I never have such a large hand this late in any duel... was Josh going easy on me? It sure felt like it... I resummoned my Gagagigo (1850/1000) and set my Gift of the Martyr. Then I attacked his life points directly, leaving him at 4450. I ended my turn.
Josh drew and activated a card for once, "I'm activating my Shallow Grave magic card. We now get to go through our graveyards and special summon a monster in face down defense position." So I set my Kiseitai and he set his choice. And then his turn was over... again.
Then I drew Bait Doll and activated it to solve whether the one card he STILL had face down was a trap or not. It turns out that it was simply a Black Pendant. Not really caring (or paying attention, I tributed my Gagagigo and face down Rafflesia Sedution (300/900) to summon my Invader of Darkness (3400/2100) again. I attacked his Penguin Soldier (750/500) again! What the hell? So both of our fields were empty with just one magic or trap card face down. It was Josh's turn.
He summoned his Sea Serpent warrior of Darkness (1800/1500), equipped it with Black Pendant and brought my life points down to 6900. I guess you could call it a comeback. Josh even said, "Those last few turns were quite the stressful bunch indeed."
I tried to ignore his pointless chatter and focused on the Summoned Skull I just drew. I felt uneasy at this point, despite me bring in the lead this whole time. Now all I had ready to play were defense monsters. Using my Spear Cretin would giv the advantage to him, since he has his Chaos Sorcerer in his graveyard. And my Magician of faith and Kiseitai are fine, but they wouldn't be there next turn! But I had to do something, so I set my Magician of Faith. Josh drew his next card and just smirked. He kept the card in his hand and destroyed my face down Magician of Faith (300/400). I used her effect to bring my Poison of the Old man back to my hand.
I drew my Archfiend Soldier next turn, set my Poison of the Old Man and then summoned my Archfiend Soldier (2400/1100). "Archfiend Soldier, destryo his water monster!" I commanded. My fiend monstr raised his sword to the ominous black and blue sky. A brilliant bolt of lightning jolted down and right into it. He gripped his sword tightly and slashed it across. The electricity flew off the sword and sliced right through his monster, shrinking Josh's life points down to 4350. But mine decreased to 6400 since he was using Black Pendant, but it was worth it. And although I could have activated my quick play magic card then, I decided to wait for a more crucial time.
Josh drew another card. He said, "I'll now be summoning my recently won Tribe-Infecting Virus (1600/1000)," he looked at the last card in his hand and continued, "And instead of using its effect, I'll activate this magic card instead. It's called Hammer Shot! It lets me instantly destroy the monster in face-up attack position with the highest attack points. In this case, your Archfiend Soldier!" And so from nowhere, the hugest wooden hammer I had ever seen flattened my Archfiend Soldier and exploded violently into splonters and woodchips! Was Josh holding out all ths time just to lure me into a false sense of security? ...Most likely... So after the dust settled, Josh ordered his virus to attack me directly. At that moment, I activated my Poison of the Old Man. This time I increased my life points by 1200 and then took the 1600 damage, ultimately bringing my life points down to a level 6000, "now it is your move," Josh said. I drew my Bait Doll and thought how weirdly cool it was that I had just drawn it three turns ago, but was kind of disappointed that I couldn't use it. I was running out of options... I set my Kiseitai and ended my move.
"Excellent, simply excellent. I set one trap card face down and attack your defense monster," Josh seemed like he was in a good mood... for an evil guy. The destructive green gas destroyed my face down Kiseitai (800/400), which was equipped to his aqua card. So at every one of his sandby phases, I'd get an 800 point LP boost! That's not so bad.
And now it was my turn again. I remembered Josh saying that the card he had set was a trap. But anyone can just SAY that. I wondered if I should use my Bait Doll to get rid of it while I drew my Mask of the Accursed. Almost needless to say, I equipped his Tribe-Infecting Virus with it which prevented him from attacking and forced Josh to take 500 LP damage for each of my standby phases. Then I chose to take a gamble and see if that face down card of his was a trap and it was, a Michizure to be exact. What a bummer for him! And then I decided to not set my Spear Cretin for protection because his Tribe-Infecting Virus couldn't attack. And if he summoned a different monster, I'd be getting 800 points back anyway, so I relaxed a bit.
He drew a card and, after I got 800 life points during his standby phase, did something I hadn't thought of. "I tribute my aqua card to summon Giga Gagagigo (2450/1500) in attack mode!" At that moment, both my Kiseitai and Mask of the Accursed were destryoed and he got a respectable monster on the field. He slammed my life points down to 4350- even with his own- and laughed an amused laugh, "Aheh ha ha ha ha! Why you elected to not protect your life points with a monster is indeed a mystery to me. But anyway, it is now your turn."
Crap! How was he suddenly doing so well by having only one card in his hand per turn? I had nearly endless options throughout the duel but can do almost nothing now, even with the Last Will I had drawn. I set my Last Will and set my Spear Cretin with no other choice.
He drew a card and kept it in his hand. Then he carelessly attacked and destroyed my face down Spear Cretin (1000/100). We used his effect to bring one monster back from our graveyards in either face up attack or face down defense. I chose to set my Dummy Golem because I knew he'd bring back his Chaos Sorcerer (2800/1600) again. I was in severe trouble... right?
He ended his turn and I drew my Wall of Illusion. It was a decent card for the present circumstnace, but I had a better idea. In fact, call this a stroke of genius because I thought I will have just won this slow-paced duel! "I'm activating my Last Will magic card. If one of my monsters is sent from the field to the graveyard during this turn, I can special summon a monster with 1500 attack points or less from my deck. On that note, I'm tributing my hidden Dummy Golem (800/800) which activates his flip effect. Now you've gotta pick one card on your side of the field to switch control with this monster, who isn't actually here anymore!" Josh angrily relinquished his Giga Gagagigo as my Dummy Golem disappeared from the field. Then Last Will activated. And I used that effect to special summon my Sonic Bird (1400/1000). "Anyway, I tributed my rock monster to summon my Summoned Skull (3000/800) in attack mode! Next I'm activating my other card, Gift of the Martyr! I send one monster on my side of the field to the graveyard and select a different monster on my side to add the destroyed monster's attack points, so I'm sending your reptile to the graveyard, and my Summoned Skull will get his attack power!" Suddenly, his monster faded into a mere thin white outline which hovered over my fiend. An orange beam showered my Summoned Skull with strength as the outline faded away. "NOW his attack is a massive 5450! But that's not the end of it! A monster of mine has just been sent to the graveyard, which means that Last Will activates again, so I'm special summoning my mask of Darkness (1400/0)!" It was indeed rather bleak for Josh over there. He stood there aghast and tried to still appear as fearsome as possible. But there's no way he wasn't shaken. After all, he was about to lose this duel, "Summoned Skull, attack his Chaos Sorcerer!"
As soon as I gave my command, a blue lightning bolt struck my powerful fiend monster and amplified his attack even more. He manifested a huge ball of lightning in his hand and threw it at the spellcaster. It made full contact and exploded with violent whitish-blue electricity everywhere. It sputtered and arched all over the arena, blazing across the holographic sky. The monster left behind a small smoldering pile of dust and Josh took a major 2650 hit on his life points. "You're next, Sonic Bird!" Goin down the row of monsters I had, my bird took flight and began flapping his wings very quickly. Suddenly, a wall of razor sharp feathers shot through the air and got stuck in his platform, another 1400 points of damage, but not enough... "Take him out, Mask of Darkness!" this simple-looking mask was hovering in the air since he was summoned. But when he began to move, the duel seeemd to freeze for a split second, it was like watching the final blow in a videogame cinematic. Somehow, all focus was drawn to my glowing gold Mask of Darkness. His eyes glowed of a silver light and his finish looked like it was glowing brighter. Then a concentrated beam of silver power focused in on Josh's platform. It stayed constanct for a second, then we could all see the end of it zoom across the field. As soon as it finished entering his platform, there was a huge explosion centered at Josh's platform right where the silver beam had entered. It was unexpected yet undoubtedtly cool.
I had won... almost too easily, what was the deal? The guy that had Andre cornered almost since the beginning was nearly a push-over for me- what happened?
We gathered by Linda who gave Josh his $2500 in that envelop labeled G I/P T. Linda instructed me to pick one card from his deck, I chose his Wave-Motion Cannon, with no intention of adding it to my deck.
Then Linda congratulated me and said that she had to call the tournament's host and inform him of my victory. She walked several feet away from us and called him up on her cell phone. So then I asked Josh the question that I'd wanted to ask him since I won the duel, "The duel seemed way easier than the one you just fought against Andre. It felt like you let me win Did you?" I expected him to sound like a normal human for once and drop the evil tone. But no, he responded in that tone I had always heard from him, in a needlessly long sentence too, "No- despite how it may have appeared, I did not and will not EVER let anybody win in a duel against me. It was most probably bad luck of the draw or that I had to reduce my deck down to a repulsive forty cards... by why do you care?" He asked- still rather resentful of me.
"Well, I didn't THINK you would have let me win, but that duel didn't seem to match your skill of which I've seen up to this point," I commented.
He smirked fiendishly, "If my deck was at full power, you would have been dust... But now that you may be dueling the host of this tournament, you shall become atoms!" He put his deck in his pocket and walked out as I was left alone in that arena listening to Linda's side of the conversation, "...yes, sir... yes, that's the one. I believe so... Duelist #1... is that all? ...Very well." She hung up and faced me, "Whew! What a morning, eh? Anyway, the host wants you to meet him and to give you your prize. If you'll follow me, it's only a short walk to where we'll be picked up." She led me outside of the arena and by the front gate where I saw Josh walking down the path towards the dock where could be seen a boat with people walking in and out of and around it.
Suddenly, I heard a helicopter descending about to land near where we were standing, "You ever flown in a helicopter before?" Linda asked as it got closer. We almost had to yell to hear each other.
"No! You?" I replied.
"Not even once. But it's the only way to legally get to the host's residence!" she said with a little laugh as it landed and a nameless man opened the door and instructed us to get in.
It lifted off for the sky and I was on my way to the final part of this journey.