Disclaimer: … Are you joking? GAR! I DON'T OWN YU-GI-OH!

Duelist Debut:

Hio

Episode 8: The New Girl

At the park…

"Argh!" Kazuma fell to the floor from the brutal direct attack. He was dueling a new duelist to these parts named Rift.

Rift was a random duelist, which meant he had any card he thought was good in his deck.

Rift was a rather tall teenager at the age of 16. He was at least 6"4 and over 200 lbs. This could be easily told from his muscles that bulged out like a stretched rubber band. He had short black hair with grey eyes to match. He wore a ripped brown leather jacket that was zipped up all of the way. His blue pants were ripped and muddy, and so were his black boots. On his wrist was a standard duel-disc with a barrage of monsters in his disposal.

On Rift's side of the field were Archfiend Soldier (1900/1500) and Twin Headed Beast (1700/1900) both in attack mode. On Kazuma's side of the field were Beta the Magnet Warrior (1700/1600) and Alpha the Magnet Warrior (1400/1700), both were in defense mode. Kazuma took the hit from him activating Absolute End to save his Magnet Warriors.

Kazuma's LP: 2700

Rift's LP: 4400

"I have you backed in the corner! You shouldn't have activated that card, that way you wouldn't have taken such a big hit…" Rift exclaimed in his deep and frightening voice.

"I might've have done that but it was all for a purpose!" Kazuma drew his card for the beginning draw and smiled. "Now I summon the final Magnet Warrior, Gamma (1500/1800)!"

A pink rock-like figure with rock wings, arms, legs, and a head to match appeared onto the field. Next to it was a yellow circular headed Alpha. Magnets existed on the sides of Alpha's head, and on his hands which he used as fingers. And finally, the green rectangular Beta, stood wielded his sword and shield.

Across from Kazuma's field was a horse-like body with two lion heads with manes of fire on top of the torso. Two arms stretched out, both holding out giant flames. Next to Twin Headed Beast was Archfiend Soldier. He was a purple fiend that wore heavy silver armor. A long red cape wrapped around his neck touched the grassy floor. His long and sharp blade was stained with red blood from the direct attack on Kazuma.

"Those monsters are nothing!" Rift yelled out and smiled to the entire crowd watching. "You will see after I sacrifice all three of them in order to summon Valkyrion the Magna Warrior (3500/3850)!"

"What!" Rift exclaimed and began to sweat. All three of the Magnet Warriors, disconnected each other into hundreds of pieces and floated around in the sky. The pieces then became a giant tornado, and one by one, the pieces connected into something stronger.

"What's happening?" Rift yelled and backed away slowly. "Don't take it personal Rift; it's just a duelist initiation. Welcome to Ontario! Come out Valkyrion!"

The tornado subsided and revealed a gallant beautiful to look at Valkyrion. Its robotic wings stretched out far, at least 12 feet each. Its armor was thick and heavy with electrical pulses running through it. He grasped a sharp dagger and pointed it at Rift. Valkyrion then shook his head and dove down to the floor next to Kazuma.

"My ultimate monster is now here! And with 3500 attack points, both of your monsters are helpless, Valkyrion, attack Archfiend soldier with Delta Guardian Flash!"

Valkyrion arched his wings out once again; they now glowed with a pale white. He then smashed his sword on the ground beating his wings furiously creating a silvery wind that charged Archfiend Soldier shattering him into pieces.

Rift covered his face with his arms to stop the pieces of rubble from entering his eyes. "I'm still standing!" Rift announced smiling away. "Not for long, because I activate Valkyrion's special ability, by simply discarding him to the graveyard I get to summon back all of the Magnet Warriors to my field!" As Kazuma said, he did.

Valkyrion disassembled and became the three Magnet Warriors again. "Now since it is still my battle phase, I can attack! And your Twin Headed Beast and my Alpha are tied so, Alpha, attack Twin Headed Beast with Static Erratic!"

Lightning formed all around the yellow rock warrior and shot out at the behemoth. As the lightning charged him, Twin Headed Beast threw the fire balls it held in its hand. The negative forces of both monsters exploded destroying both Alpha and Twin Headed Beast.

"Now Beta and Gamma finish Rift off with Dual Eradication Wave!" The two rock-like figures, formed into lightning strikes continuously striking Rift in his place shocking him to defeat. "No!"

Kazuma's LP: 2700

Rift's LP: 0

Rift picked himself up and shook his head. "Damn, that was a close duel…" He whispered and watched Kazuma walk over to him. "Are you alright?" Kazuma asked offering Rift his hand.

Kazuma and Rift clasped hands and smiled. "Next time you won't take me out s easily…" Rift commented then picked himself up with Kazuma's help. Laeon ran towards Kazuma and patted him on the back.

"Damn Rift, I want to duel you next time!" Laeon yelled out smiling. "Next tie I might take you both on!" Rift exclaimed and shook both of their hands. "Awesome," Laeon commented then smiled.

Kazuma took a quick look at his watch. "Ah shit, I had to be home ten minutes ago…" "Why so early?" Laeon asked tilting his head slightly.

"My cousin Hio is coming to visit from China… Are you coming?" Kazuma asked packing his deck and duel-disc in his backpack. "Hey I remember her. Last time I saw her was like 8 years ago… Sure I will come… Its not like I have anything better to do…" Laeon agreed and they took off for Kazuma's house.

---

In Kazuma's neighborhood…

"So is she just staying for the weekend?" Laeon asked as they walked down the streets for Kazuma's house. "I actually think she is moving here. I heard my parent's talking last night saying they have enrolled her in our high-school."

"Are you serious? What happened?" Now Laeon was just being noisy. "Uh, I have no idea… Maybe something happened to my aunt… I don't know." Kazuma answered looking up the blue sky not paying attention of what was in front of him.

"Kazuma, tree!" Kazuma was on the ground. He had walked right into a tree. Laeon helped him up and dusted the leaves off of his back. "Why the hell were you looking at the sky anyway?" Laeon asked then continued to Kazuma's house.

"Dude wait up!" Kazuma ran toward the far away Laeon, and in just a few minutes, they were at Kazuma's house.

Kazuma slowly opened the front door and walked in. Laeon followed looking around for some reason. "What are you looking for?" Kazuma asked suddenly which made Laeon jump.

"Izumi of course, if she sees us then she will be asking us questions, and your cousin will probably join her." Laeon answered sitting on Kazuma's living room couch.

"Okay, you just hang out here for a second and I will say hi…" Kazuma wandered off into the hallway. "No Kazuma! They will ask you questions! Don't be hero!" "Shut the hell up…" Kazuma whispered and opened the door to Izumi's room. Who he saw would be no one like the cousin he remembered.

"Kazuma is that you?" A girl's voice called out right in front of him. 'Wow…' Kazuma thought as he saw his cousin. "You duel!" Kazuma yelled out and smiled.

Kazuma would have never thought Hio, his cousin, would ever be into dueling. She always acted like a little priss in front of everyone. Hio had long brown hair with violet eyes. Her skin was a light tan color. She wore a tight black shirt that said "I love chopsticks!" on it with a little man, with a pair of chopsticks in each nostril. She also wore tight blue jeans with black canvas shoes with both tongues sticking out.

But what amazed Kazuma was the duel-disc on her wrist. It was a white, and what seemed to be an angel wing. The feathers were designed to show the field plate where the monster cards went. The deck compartment was in the shape of a yelled halo.

"That is one badass duel-disc Hio…" Kazuma couldn't but just stare at the duel-disc. "Thanks, I got it a while back when I first started dueling. I'm guessing you duel too?" Hio asked then sat on Izumi's bed.

"Of course I do. I don't know if you remember him, but my friend Laeon is in the living room. He duels too." Kazuma sat right next to Izumi and touched the duel-disc.

"I remember him! He was the kid I threw in the drier!" Kazuma laughed away. "Oh my God I remember that now. Let's go torment him about it." Kazuma suggested and stood up. Hio went along and followed him.

"Hey Laeon," Kazuma yelled out from the hallway. ", we just remembered your old nickname, Drier Lint!" Kazuma stormed out of the hallway crying of laughter. Hio joined him, and Laeon just watched the two laugh.

"You guys suck…" Laeon called out. The two picked themselves up and sat next to Laeon. "We are just kidding…" Hio commented put her arm on Laeon's shoulder. "Damn, that is a nice duel-disc!" Laeon yelled out touching it.

"Oh come on Laeon, you have your own cool duel-disc…" Kazuma added pulling Laeon away from it. "But, it's shiny…" Laeon reached out for the duel-disc as Kazuma pulled him away. "What the hell is going?" Izumi asked walking into the living room.

"Nothing, just catching up a little bit, and they are admiring my duel-disc." Hio answered standing up. "Okay we weren't catching up they were just admiring my duel-disc…" Hio confessed and sat back down.

Kazuma let go of Laeon and sat on the floor. "Speaking of catching up, let's. What's been going on with you Hio?" Kazuma laid his head on the seat of the couch and yawned. "Well, a lot of crazy stuff happened when I was like 13…"

---

Hours later…

Everyone was on the floor laughing so hard they were about to cry. ", and that's how I got the name Drier Lint!" Laeon gasped for air after he had just said. That memory of theirs had to be written down.

Kazuma looked at the clock and saw that it was 6:15. They had been reminiscing for 5 hours, and an exhibition duel was being held at 6:45! "Damn Laeon, the exhibition duel is in 30 minutes! If we don't get there soon we won't be able to get in!" Kazuma yelled out running to his room.

"Ah damn it!" Laeon quickly forced both of his shoes on the wrong feet. Kazuma ran out of his room with his duel-disc and the standard one. He threw Laeon the standard duel-disc and they headed for the door. "You guys coming? It's free to get in." Laeon offered and fixed his shoes.

"No I don't want to…" Izumi exclaimed. "Sure, it might be fun." Hio took the offer and grabbed her coat. "You sure you don't to come Iz?" Hio offered again looking at Izumi. "What the hell…" Izumi grabbed her jacket and they headed for the duel center.

---

Along the streets…

"So who is dueling in the match?" Hio asked curiously. "My brother," Laeon answered and then continued. ", and anyone he chooses from the crowd. That's why we brought our duel-discs.

"That's cool. So is your brother like a good duelist or what?" Hio asked Laeon. "Well he has been the Regional Champion twice, he just came in first place in the Continent Championship, and he is the favored winner for the next World Duel." Laeon answered searching through his deck.

"Wow, so he must be really tough." Hio commented giggling a bit. "Yeah, Laeon dueled him, and he got schooled. Remember that Laeon?" Kazuma added in and then laughed.

"Shut up, he was tough… That damn Sorcerer of Dark Magic kicked my ass. And if that wasn't bad enough he brought out Dark Magician of Chaos and direct attacked me with both. I'm still bruised…" Laeon said biting his lip.
"Or was that from Aurora? She brought out her unknown monster and beat you badly…" Kazuma commented once again and grinned bigger. "Shut up! You passed out and you didn't even duel her so I wouldn't be talking… Damn Kazuma you always push things…" Laeon exclaimed.

"I always push things? You must be on some kind of drugs Laeon…" Kazuma exclaimed and walked faster then everyone else. "He is weird today…" Laeon said and began walking with Hio. "Are you guys always like that?" Hio asked.

"No, he has been acting strange lately. Yesterday and now today have just been weird about him…" "I agree," Izumi added. "He was crazy yesterday; I honestly thought he was trying to hurt me…"

"Hurt you!" Hio yelled. "That's crazy; Kazuma is too nice for that. I would never think of Kazuma trying to hurt you Izumi…" "Hey we're here…" Laeon exclaimed and walked to the crowded doors.

The crowd was crazy. Fights and riots broke out from everyone trying to get in. "Damn what's going on!" Laeon yelled. "Where's Kazuma!" Hio and Izumi yelled back. "I don't know, just stay close, these people are crazy!"

The time was now 6:46 and not everyone was in yet. It was about 7:30 until the doors were completely cleared.

In the stands everyone cheered and cried out for Laeon to pick one of them. It was bad for Laeon, Izumi, and Hio. They were caught up in the top row. Kazuma was visible in the first row, 'What a bastard…' Izumi thought.

Leon stood in the middle of the duel arena waving and looking for his pick. As he walked around the crowd cheered louder and louder. He then climbed upon the stairs, which separated the seats, to the top row. He stopped right behind Laeon. "Yeah, I want my rematch bro!" Laeon yelled getting his things ready.

"Sorry Laeon, it's not today…" He put his hand on Hio's shoulder and yelled "My opponent!" The crowd cheered and cheered louder and louder. "Coward," Laeon screamed. "Where is my rematch!"

Leon walked down the stairs with Hio following. "Damn it!" Laeon yelled stomping the concrete ground. "He was all mine! Come back you coward! Face me, face me, face me!"

"Chill out Laeon, at least we get to check out Hio's dueling skill…" Izumi informed and sat back to enjoy the show. "Whatever…" Laeon leaned his head on his shoulder furious.

Hio stood the middle of the arena nervously as she heard the cheers for Leon. "Hi I'm Leon, who are you?" Leon asked smiling. "I'm… I'm Hio…" "Don't be shy, they're just anxious…" Leon drew his five cards and winked at Hio. Hio nodded her head and did the same. "Let's duel!

Leon's LP: 8000

Hio's LP: 8000

"I go first!" Leon announced drawing his card. I summon Breaker the Magical Warrior (1600/1000) in attack mode!" Leon announced as the red armored spellcaster wielding his shield and sword in both hands, appeared onto the field.

"He doesn't seem very strong…" Hio exclaimed and smiled back. As she said this, a little white orb circled Breaker signifying a spell counter. "What?" Hio asked then looked around.

"It's Breaker's ability. When he is first summoned, he gets 1 counter on him, and for every counter on him, he gains 300 attack points, boosting his power to 1900." Leon revealed then set a card face down. "Your move…"

Hio nodded her head once again and drew her card. "First I will play the field spell Sanctuary in the Sky! This is a very special card that you will soon see what it does." Hio announced and watched the clouds form to her knees. Behind her, a giant tiled mausoleum, which stood on a giant floating rock, appeared onto the field.

Hio searched through her selection of cards and smiled. "Now I will summon the Agent of Creation – Venus (1600/0)!" A winged maiden striding on a white cloud stumbled in front of Hio smiling.

"Now I will use Venus's effect, by paying 500 life points, I can summon 1 Mystical Shine Ball (500/500) to the field from my hand or deck. Luckily I have three of them in my deck, so I will pay 1500, to summon them!" The crowd was now confused. Why even bother bringing out a monster with 500 attack points?

Leon's LP: 8000

Hio's LP: 6500

The Agent of Creation spread her arms out and then slapped them together making a large echoing noise throughout the building. From her joined hands, came three spherical objects which danced around in excitement.

"Now I will play a face down card and end my turn…" Hio was pleased with her turn while the rest of the room was confused.

Leon smiled and shook his head. "I didn't think you were an amateur, I'm starting to regret picking you…" Leon drew his card. "Now I will activate my face down trap card Raigeki Break!" Hio yelled smiling. "Now by simply discarding a card from my hand, I can destroy any card on the field, and I choose Breaker!"

A giant lightning bolt rose from the mausoleum and shattered in to pieces. Leon wiped his grin off of his face and played his next card.

"Here's a handy card everyone needs, I play Cost Down, and this card is very useful. Now if I discard a card from my hand, I get to lower the level of one monster in my hand by 2. So now I can just summon my Chaos Command Magician (2400/1900) without tributes!"

A green clothed magician stumbled upon the cloudy field spinning its scepter around in a circle. He then aimed it at Mystical Shine Ball and fired.

"You red my mind Chaos Command Magician, Destruction Flare Assault!" Leon commanded as he watched the burning blast launch at the tiny sphere exploding it on contact.

"Say goodbye to a chunk of your life points…" Leon smiled once again. "I don't think so!" Hio yelled making Leon's grin become a giant expression of surprise. "What are you talking about?"

"It's my Ancient Sanctuary's effect, all battle damage done to me involving a Fairy monster on my side of the field is reduced to 0. So your turn was nothing but futile!" Hio announced and waited for Leon to finish his turn.

Leon shook his head playing two face downs ending his turn. Hio drew her card, and without looking, she automatically knew what it was. "I play Pot of Greed, now I can draw two more cards from my deck…"

This time, Hio looked at her cards and was very satisfied at what she drew. "Now I will play the Warrior of Zera (1600/1600) in attack mode!" Hio yelled as the muscular and cloaked warrior appeared up on the field wielding his sharp razor of a sword.

"Unfortunately he won't be staying long for I play Archlord Zerato (2800/2300)! This is one of the most powerful monsters in my deck. He can only be special summoned if Sanctuary in the Sky is on the field, and I sacrifice a Warrior of Zera! Luckily I have both so, come on out!" Hio played her ultimate monster, but would it be enough?

As Warrior of Zera, dematerialized before the crowds' eyes, the clouds that surrounded the battle field grew dark and angry. Bit by bit, a chunk of each cloud would break off forming into a human-like figure. Once the figure frame was finally complete, the clouds become the fluffy white it was before as the clothed angel wielding a giant jaggy flamberge.

"Let's see what he has in his arsenal then!" Leon yelled ready for the attack. "Not so fast, first I will activate Zerato's effect! By discarding a Light monster from my hand to the graveyard, I can destroy all monsters on your side of the field!" Hio yelled and did as she said.

"That was clever…" Leon whispered and watched helplessly. Zerato rose into the air and raised his sword, glowing with radiance. His wings then ascended shooting hundreds of sharp feathers destroying Breaker the Magical Warrior in his tracks.

"Now time for the attacking, Zerato, both of my Mystical Shine Balls, and Venus all direct attack Leon with White Apocalypse!" As Hio gave the commands, she rose into the air as if she had her own wings watching her monsters deliver the barrage of attacks to Leon.

Zerato dove down slashing Leon viciously across the chest while two Mystical Shine Balls followed blasting two pulses of lightning. Now finally, the Agent of Creation – Venus clapped her hands sending the shockwave at Leon making him collapse. And if that wasn't enough, the four monsters stood close together creating a giant blast of burning paleness, striking Leon while he was down.

"How do you like that?" Hio yelled and descended back onto the floor. Leon gathered himself and stood gallantly as if he wasn't even hit. Leon smiled and whispered ", is it my turn yet?"

Leon's LP: 3600

Hio's LP: 6500

Leon drew his card and automatically had a combo. "First I will play Graceful Charity, two draw three cards, and in return, I have to discard two. Secondly I will activate Level Modulation. This is a very impressive card any duelist with a Level monster should have. It allows me to special summon a Level monster from my graveyard ignoring all summoning effects, and in return you draw two cards."

"Too bad you don't have any…" Hio assumed and smiled. "That is where you are wrong; remember when I activated Graceful Charity? Right there I discarded a Level monster just so that I can summon it back." Leon answered back wiping Hio's smile away.

"Now draw your two cards!" Leon demanded and watched Hio do so. "Now prepare to meet the ultimate Silent Magician Level 8 (3500/100)…" The pale clothed magician hovered upon the field, staff in hand.

"Luck you he can't attack this turn so I will play a face down, and end my turn…" Leon was ready to rid the field of Hio's monster next turn.

"He won't have the chance to attack because I use my Zerato's ability! I think you remember so I won't bother going over it again." Leon smiled and shook his head. "You won't have to because I activate Divine Wrath!"

"Oh man, Hio is in trouble…" Laeon exclaimed to Izumi. "How, what does that Divine Wrath card do?" She asked and turned her head back to the duel. "It is only activated when an effect of a monster is activated. If Leon just discards a card from his hand, Zerato's effect is negated and he will be gone!"

"Now observe Hio, as I discard a card from my hand to negate Zerato's effect, and destroy him as well!" Leon revealed and foiled Hio's strongest monster as a giant stroke of lightning struck from the sky eradicating him to pieces.

"No, my will is destroyed!" Hio fell to her knees and watched Leon overtake the entire duel. Leon drew his card and was ready for another strategy.

"First I will play Pot of Greed, which allows me to draw two more cards from my deck! Now I will activate from my hand, Mystical Space Typhoon! This card allows me to destroy any spell or trap card on the field, and I select Sanctuary in the Sky!" A giant turquoise tornado circled and smashed the mausoleum into nothing but rubble, eroding the clouds from the field.

"And to end this duel I will activate Diffusion Wave Motion! This card is the end of you Hio. By paying 1000 life points, my Silent Magician Level 8 can attack all of your monsters!" "Which means," "Yes," Leon interrupted Hio. ", you will lose… It was fun while it lasted but I was hoping for a challenge…"

Hio stood up, bracing herself. If she could think of anyway of surviving, this attack, she was sure she would win next turn, but unfortunately, nothing came to mind.

"Silent Magician, finish Hio off with Destruction Particle Wave!" The Silent Magician arose in the air with his eyes closed. Then with a flick of his staff, a giant orb was created above him. He then let out a loud chant and summoned hundreds of slashes and blasts from the one orb. All attacks struck Hio's three monsters destroying them all, and destroying her life points.

Leon's LP: 2600

Hio's LP: 0

The crowd continued to cheer for Leon but a small portion of the crowd also cheered for Hio and her almost defeating the Continent Champion. Laeon and Izumi ran down the steps and Kazuma followed after to aide Hio. "Awesome duel Hio! I never knew you were that god!" Laeon yelled out helping Hio up.

"Oh yeah, I didn't tell you guys, I was the champ in China." Hio smiled and could now stand on her own. "In all of China, that's unbelievable!" Kazuma yelled patting her on the back.

"So it was great to meet the Champion of China…" Leon walked up to Hio and shook her hand. "You knew didn't you!" Laeon yelled still stomping his feet.

"Of course I knew, I wouldn't pick someone I didn't think was going to be easy, like you Laeon…" Leon laughed only to feel a punch in his shoulder. "You know you're baby hits don't hurt anymore…" Leon commented and rubbed his right hand all in Laeon's hair.

Laeon pushed Leon in an angry way. "Don't do that, and why didn't you pick me! I don't suck, I'm good! You're just too dumb to realize that…"

"Oh really? That's not what Aurora said after you guys dueled… She said you were a new meaning of amateur and would never break out in dueling, and lately I have been thinking that as well…" Leon turned away and walked off out of the stadium.

"Some day, I will beat him…" Laeon whispered and turned to everyone. Kazuma just stared at Laeon and held out his hand. "My bad about earlier…"

Laeon looked at his hand and shook his hand. "Nah it was my fault, let's just go home and forget about it…" Laeon suggested and began to walk off. "Okay…" was all everyone could say as they walked home not feeling very impressed…