Burn Baby Burn

Late at night, in the Obelisk girls' dorm, one girl in particular was laying on her bed, staring dreamily of a photo of a Ra yellow boy. How she even got that... no one knew. "Aaah. You are such a cutie. ~ And so handsome." She pressed her lips against it. "And soon, you'll be mine… Andrew."


It was another day on Academy Island. The sun was high and shining. And classes went on as usual. Our heroes were listening to Banner, who started a lecture about a certain thing about Duel Monsters. "As you know, there are many types of monsters, like warriors, fairies, dragons, etc. But there are selective groups that monsters of any type can belong to." He looked around. "Now can anybody tell the name of thees groups?" May students raised their hands. The Slifer headmaster took a moment before he turned to one of those students: the sole female student from his dorm. "Clover?"

The red-headed girl stood up and spoke up. "They are called archetypes. Those groups are cards that usually fall under the same name, like Elemental Heroes, Archfiends and Ancient Gears. Some of the archetype groups are full of monsters that aren't all of the same type. Also, there are cards that are compatible to them, even if they don't have their names."

"Yes, very good, Clover." Banner said, as he student sat back down while he continued his lecture.

"SNORE SNORE"

The red-head looked to the seat row in front of her and saw Jaden sleeping through class, usual.

'Not even mentioning his favorite archetype can wake him up. Would it kill him to listen through one lecture at least?' She thought while shaking her head in disapproval.


"... and that's all for today." Banner dismissed. "Make sure your archetype reports are finished before the end of next week." The students gathered their stuff and proceeded to leave the class. But Banner suddenly called out to one in particular. "Oh, Clover?"

The red-head turned around and faced the teacher. "Yes?"

"I wanted to inform you that Chancellor Sheppard wants to see you as soon as possible."

She was surprised by this revelation.

"Ooh, someone's in trouble.~" An Obelisk blue boy commented.

"Stay out of this!" Alexis scolded, making the Obelisk boy flinch and walk away.

Andrew approached his childhood friend. "What would Sheppard want with you?" He asked concerned.

"I don't know. But with any luck, it might not be anything serious." With that, Clover left the classroom and headed straight to the Chancellor's office, leaving her concerned friend behind.


At the Chancellor's office, the door slid open, letting Clover enter. She saw Sheppard sitting at his desk and Dr. Crowler and Miss Fontaine standing at its right. "Glad you could come, Clover." Were the first words out of the Chancellor's mouth. "I have some important news for you."

Clover walked over to the desk, looking slightly nervous. "What's this about?"

Miss Fontaine stepped forward. "It's about your upcoming transfer test."

The red-head's eyes widened in remembrance. "Oh yeah. That test where I can become an Obelisk if I pass. I've been making sure to study hard for that."

Sheppard smiled and nodded. "That's good. Because I figured that you might want to take the test tomorrow, if it suits you."

Clover's response was a smile and nod of her own. "Yes. I would like to."

"Then it's settled." Crowler said delighted. "As you know, this particular test is split into a written part and practical part. I've prepared the written test you'll be taking at the morning."

"After that, your practical test will take place at the main arena during the afternoon." Fontaine added. "We'll arrange a duel where your dueling skills will be tested."

"So, until then, you better prepare yourself." Sheppard concluded.

Clover nodded. "I will. Thank you."


"Really?" Andrew asked as he and Clover walked through the hallway after she left the Chancellor's office.

"Yup. I'm about to be tested and see if I deserve to join the Obelisks." She confirmed.

"That's great. You deserve it."

Clover smiled in response. "Thanks. I can't say I didn't like the Slifer dorm. The students living there are pretty nice. Even Chazz, as long as he doesn't act like… well… Chazz. But sometimes it's hard to sleep there because of the pest problem."

"Well, at least you have to endure one last night there before…AH!" Andrew suddenly tripped and fell down, hitting his head in the process.

"Whoa! Andrew, you okay!?" Clover asked surprised as she helped him.

"I'm fine." He muttered as he rubbed his forehead. "Just got hit on my head, that's all."

"Aww, you poor dear…" A female voice spoke up.

Andrew froze, because he recognized that voice. "No way…" He turned around slowly, only to suddenly find his face close to a black-haired girl with a familiar face. "Gah! Tracey!?"

"Glad you remember me, big boy.~" She replied seductively. Clover watched this with an annoyed look on her face.

"Um, why are you here?" Andrew asked cautiously while backing away slowly.

But he probably should have moved faster because the Obelisk girl wrapped her arms around his neck, making him turn red.

"Oh, I happened to pass by when I saw you get hurt."

Clover gave her a dead panned look. 'Happened to pass by? Yeah right.'

"I can make it feel better. Just let me…" Tracey leaned in closer and said "…kiss you on the head.~"

Both Ra and Slifer almost dropped their jaws at her words.

"What!?" Andrew gasped in shock.

"Don't be shy. You'll feel so much better…" Tracey leaned even closer and puckered her lips, much to Andrew's nervousness.

"HANDS OFF!" A hand grabbed Tracey by her shoulder and tossed her away, making her yelp in surprise before colliding with a nearby wall. Andrew turned to the person and saw Clover facing the Obelisk girl with a glare on her face.

Tracey quickly got up and glared back. "What the hell was that for, Slifer Slime!?"

"You made Andrew uncomfortable!"

Tracey sneered. "And what would you know? Are you one of his crazy fans?"

"Crazy fan? You're one to talk! I'm his friend!"

"Friend? Sure, that makes sense. I mean…" Tracey gave Clover's clothes a disgusted look. "…what kind of guy would be dumb enough to date someone with that lame tomboy look. A girl like you would never have a chance to be with Andy.""

The Slifer girl's face was starting to get red in anger. "Why you…"

But Andrew stepped forward, looking at Tracey with an angry look. "Okay, first of all, stop calling me Andy! Second, I don't like it when someone talks to my friends like that! Now, leave us alone!"

"Come on, Andy.~" Tracey persisted, trying to flirt with him again. "There's no reason for you to…"

"That's enough, Tracey!" A new voice spoke up. The three people turned and saw Jenny (who the voice belonged to) and Alexis, who were giving the black-haired Obelisk girl a displeased look.

The black-haired Obelisk was not pleased to see the blue-head. "You again? Don't you ever quit getting in my way?"

Jenny scowled. "If you mean keeping you from bothering my friends the way you do, then no, I won't!"

"Back off, bimbo!" Tracey spat back.

"You're the one who needs to back off." Alexis said. "Now leave or do we have to report this to the Chancellor?"

The female stalker glared at them for a moment before she huffed. "Whatever, you're starting to annoy me, anyway." She walked away, but not before giving Andrew a coy smile. "See you around, cutie."

Andrew wasn't really comfortable with the way she addressed him.

"Okay, what's with that girl?" Clover asked, still glaring at the black-haired girl.

"Her name is Tracey Medina." Alexis answered. "She's a second year student who, as you noticed, is obsessed in Andrew."

"The only time she caused trouble was on Valentines Day when she tried so hard to make him to go out on a date with her." Jenny added.

"She even went so far and teamed up with Norman and tried to defeat me and Jenny in a tag duel, all just to make us to date them." Andrew said.

Clover looked slightly disturbed by the last part. "Seriously? That girl's got some issues."

The Ra sighed. "Tell me about it."

"I'm just curious. How good is she?" Clover asked.

"If you mean in dueling, well, she's pretty skilled. She took away a big chunk of our life points, thanks to her burn deck."

"Damn." Clover whistled.

"Anyway…" Alexis spoke. "What were you two doing?"

Andrew smiled and answered. "Clover is going to take that transfer test tomorrow."

"Oh! You mean where she gets the chance to become an Obelisk?" Jenny asked.

"Yup."

Alexis smiled. "That's great! With what you showed us during your time here, you deserved it."

The redhead smiled back. "Thanks. I better go and get ready for tomorrow."

"I wonder who your dueling opponent will be." Andrew said.

"Probably someone who can pack a punch. I just hope it's not that Tracey."

"That'd be an annoying coincidence."


Later on, Crowler was on his way to his office to do some paper work, when was approached by a particular Obelisk student. "Dr. Crowler?"

"Yes? Can I help you with something?"

"That Slifer named Clover is going to have her dueling skills tested tomorrow, right?"

"Yes indeed. Why asking?"

"Because I want to request that I be the one to duel against her."

Crowler thought about it for a moment. "Hmm. To have your deck pit against hers would be an interesting match-up. Very well, you will be her opponent for the duel. Be sure to at the main arena when it's time."

The Obelisk formed a smirk on her face. "Thank you, Dr."


The next morning, the Obelisk Blue Headmaster sat quietly at the desk in the classroom, while waiting patiently for Clover to finish the writing test she was dealing with.

'Well, so far so good.' She mused while writing. 'This isn't as hard as I thought it would be. But of course, after this, I still have to pass the practical test.'


Andrew was walking through the hallway, when he saw Clover standing right next to a door leading to one of the classrooms. "Hey, Clover!"

She turned to him and smiled. "Hey Andrew."

"What are you doing standing here all alone?"

"Not much. I'm just waiting for the result of my written test."

"I see."

And like on cue, the door opened, letting Dr. Crowler out with papers in his hands. "Your test has been graded…" He paused for a moment before speaking up again. "And I'm glad to tell you that you pass."

Clover smiled, feeling happy. "Great!"

The blue Headmaster then wagged his finger. "Let's not be hasty, young lady. You still have to pass your practical test as well. Make sure you're prepared for the duel afternoon."

She nodded. "Of course." At that, the two students watched Crowler walk away.

"This is it." Andrew said. "Are you nervous?"

Clover smirked. "Not really. Whoever I'll be dueling, there's no way I'll back down."

"Good."


Andrew had a deadpanned look on his face. "This can't be a coincidence." He stated as Clover was standing on the stage, where she was staring at her opponent with an annoyed look. Why? Because her opponent was none other than Tracey, who was smirking at her.

Sitting nearby were Jenny, Alexis and Michael.

"Let me guess…" The purple-haired Obelisk boy spoke up. "Tracey didn't like that you and Clover are close friends, and convinced Crowler to put her up against her?"

"I'm pretty sure that's possible."

Jenny sighed exasperated. "That Tracey… She's such a major headache."

"What's up?" An energetic voice greeted. The group turned to see Jaden, who showed up along with Syrus, Chumley and Xander.

"Glad you could join us." Alexis commented.

"Hey, there's no way I'm gonna miss this duel."

"So it's Clover versus Tracey?" Syrus asked.

"Yeah, and she better be careful." The fairy duelist replied. "Tracey is not a duelist to take lightly."

"True, but I know Clover can win this." Andrew confidently. "She's got this."

"Let's hope so." Xander muttered.

"Attention please!" Crowler spoke into the microphone. "Now, this duel will determine wether one of our newest transfer students, Ms Clover Penn will advance to Obelisk Blue or not. Her opponent in this match, will be Tracey Medina, from Obelisk Blue."

The redhead was still annoyed. "You being my opponent can't be a coincidence. Did you talk to the teachers into this?"

The black-haired Obelisk shrugged. "Who knows? In any case, this is my chance to show Andy who really deserves to be with him."

"Like a stalking cow like you would have any right to be with Andrew!"

Tracey was easily offended by those. "S-stalking cow!? How dare you!?"

"Oooh, someone struck a nerve." Michael commented.

"Someone had to do it." Jenny added, almost with a satisfied look.

"Duelists, begin!" Crowler announced and jumped off the after, while the duelists activated their duel disks and drew their opening hands.

"LET'S DUEL!"

Clover: 4000

Tracey: 4000

"Obelisks first." Tracey declared and drew. "I summon KA-2 Des Scissors in attack mode!" A metal blue crab-like machine rose up on the field. "It had six legs and two big pincers with a 'KA-2' logo on them. (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 4) "Then I'll end my turn with a facedown." A card appeared at her feet.

Clover drew her sixth card. 'Okay, she just played a weak monster in attack mode and a facedown card. Odds are she wants me to attack and overwhelm me with her facedown card. But I know what to do about that.'
"First I activate the spell card Reinforcement of the Army. This lets me add a level 4 or lower warrior type monster to my hand from my deck. And I know just the one…" She searched through her deck and took the card she wanted. "Elemental HERO Wildheart!" The tribal hero appeared in front of her. (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1600 LV: 4)

Tracey scoffed at this. "Really? Are you so desperate to get Andy's attention that you have to play one of his cards?"

"Stop with that nickname, he doesn't like it!" Clover snapped. "And for your information, Andrew gave me this card as a gift. It means a lot to me. It reminds me how close we are as friends. Something you wouldn't understand."

"Whatever. Just go."

"I activate the spell card, Lightning Blade." Wildheart raised his sword as it sizzled with electricity. "Thanks to this, he gains 800 more attack points." (ATK: 1500-2300) "Now Wildheart, attack Des Scissors with Lightning Blade Slash!" The hero monster roared and dashed forward.

"You just triggered my trap!" Tracey interrupted.

"Trap cards can't affect Wildheart!"

Tracey smirked. "Maybe not, but I planned to use this one on my own monster! Rising Energy!" Her facedown card flipped up. "By discarding one card from my hand, I can give a monster on the field 1500 more attack points for one turn!"

Clover gasped as her opponent discarded one of her cards, while the crab-like monster glowed with a purple aura. (ATK: 1000-2500) And just when Wildheart was about to strike, the crab monster fired a stream of foam from it mouth, and destroyed him.

Clover: 4000-3800

"And there's more." Tracey continued. "When Des Scissors destroys a monster in battle, you take damage equal to that monster's level multiplied by 500." The robotic crab jumped over to Clover's field and struck her with one of its pincers, making her grunt in pain.

Clover: 3800-1800

"Ouch!" Michael winced. "The duel had just begun, and Clover already lost over half her life points."

"Not lishus." Chumley muttered.

"Don't worry." Andrew said calmly. "That was just one mistake. Clover's getting warmed up."

"I place two cards facedown and end my turn." She inserted two cards into her duel disk. (ATK: 2500-1000)

"Heh, look at you. Just one attack, and you're already falling behind." Tracey taunted and drew. "And now I summon Cannon Soldier in attack mode." A purple robot with a squared body appeared. It had a cannon on top of its head. (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1300 LV: 4) "Now attack her directly!" The robot fired an energy blast from its cannon.

"I activate Defense Draw!" One of Clover's facedown cards flipped up and blocked the attack. "Thanks to this, the battle damage from your attack is reduced to 0 and I get to draw a card." She drew.

"Fine, then I'll attack with Des Scissors!" The robotic crab crawled over to Clover's field.

"You forgot about my other facedown card. Call of the Haunted." The card in question revealed itself. "Now I can summon a monster from my graveyard. So hello to my old friend." Wildheart rose up the on field again. (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1600 LV: 4)

Tracey scoffed. "Don't think you're totally safe with that kind of defense. My Cannon Soldier has a special ability. By sacrificing one of my monsters, I can deal 500 points of damage to you." Des Scissors' body turned into light that charged the purple robot's cannon. "Now fire!" The robot shot out another blast that Clover successfully this time.

Clover: 1800-1300

"You know what? I think I'll do it again by sacrificing Cannon Soldier himself!" The robot fired another blast and disappeared just before Clover got hit.

Clover: 1300-0800

"I'll end my turn with another card facedown." A card appeared at her feet.

"She just got rid of both of her monsters, leaving her wide open!" Jaden pointed out.

"I have a feeling she's about to end this duel with her facedown card." Xander replied, looking grim.

"My turn…" Clover drew.

"Yes! And my turn to play this…" Tracey's facedown card flipped up. "Secret Barrel! This trap card deals 200 points of damage for every card on your field and in your hand!"

Alexis gasped. "And Clover's already got 4 cards in her hand, and 2 cards on her field! That makes 1200!"

Michael grimaced. "That's way more than enough to wipe her out!"

"Looks like you won't be joining the Obelisks today, Slifer Slacker!" The trap card fired a blast energy. Looks like this is the...

"I activate Poison of the Old Man!" Clover held up a spell card, making an image of said card appear on her field.

"Huh!?" Tracey's eyes widened.

"Thanks to this, I can either deal damage to you, or increase my life points. And I choose the latter."

"Alright!" Syrus cheered. But then, he wondered about something. "So, how many life points will she gain?"

"1200." Andrew answered with a smile. "The same amount as she's about lose."

Clover smirked as her spell card glowed and increased her life points.

Clover: 0800-2000

And then, the spell card was struck by the blast from Secret Barrel and shattered into pixels.

Clover: 2000-0800

Tracey stared at her opponent in disbelief. "No way!"

"Giving up the only monsters on your field to damage me, and use one single trap card to finish me off? You were obviously too cocky there."

The burn duelist gave her a glare. "But how!? It's like you knew I was going to be your opponent."

"To be honest, I wasn't sure who I was going to face, but I knew I had to be prepared for anything. Even direct damage."

The Obelisk girl growled. "Why you…"

"And now it's payback time! First I'll sacrifice Wildheart in order to summon Prime Material Dragon!" The Elemental HERO disappeared, and in its place, a large, golden dragon with six giant wings appeared. (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000 LV: 6) "Then I activate the spell card, Banner of Courage!" The named spell card appeared behind the dragon. "Now, during the battle phase of my turn, all my monsters gain 200 attack points." (ATK: 2400-2600) "Now attack her directly!" The dragon reared back its head and shot out a golden energy beam from its mouth. Tracey cried out when she got hit.

Tracey: 4000-1400

"I end my turn."

Tracey was now so angry, that steam came out of her ears. "You'll pay for that. Just wait!" She drew her next card. "I activate Pot of Greed!" She drew two more cards. When glanced at one of them and smirked cruelly. "Looks like I win!"

Clover widened her eyes as her opponent held up one of her new cards.

"I activate the spell card Tremendous Fire! This card deals damage to the both of us. 500 points to me, and 1000 to you."

"Not good!" Jaden stated.

Alexis gasped. "That's enough to wipe her out!"

Two giant fireballs appeared in the air. Each one right above one of the duelists.

"Game over!" Tracey shouted as the fireballs fell down. The Obelisk girl felt triumphant. Sure she may take some damage as well, but that was a small prize to pay to make that tomboy... "Huh?" Tracey blinked. She was expecting to get burned, but nothing happened. "What is this? Why didn't..." She stopped herself the moment she looked up and saw a golden energy shield, blocking the fireball that was supposed to hit her. "What!? Where did this come from!? Wait a minute..." She checked her duel disk and to her surprise...

Tracey: 1400-1900

"Hold on! Why did my life points increase? This doesn't make any sense! What did you..." She looked forward and saw the golden dragon surrounded by a light aura. Not only that, but there was another energy shield protecting Clover from her own fireball.

Clover: 0800-1800

"Hey! What's the meaning of this!?" Tracey demanded.

Clover gave her a smug look. "Oh, this is my Prime Material Dragon's special ability. Any effect damage changes to life point gain. I'm surprised you you didn't know that, considering the fact that you use a burn deck."

Tracey blinked with a dumbfounded look.

Michael snorted. "Awkward."

"You can say that again." Andrew replied.

Jenny giggled. "That's pretty hilarious."

"Nice one, Clover." Xander said in relief.

Tracey on the other hand didn't find any of this funny. "Okay, if that's how you're gonna play, then let's see how you handle this. I summon Metaion, the Timelord!" A new monster appeared. It was a thin, orange and white torso with a smug, thin moustached face on its chest screen. (ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 10)

Clover looked confused. 'A monster with 0 attack and defense points? Something's off. Wait a minute...' She realized. "How could you summon a level 10 monster without sacrificing anything?"

"It's because of his special ability. If I have no monsters on the field, I can summon him without a sacrifice. And you're about to see something else. Metaion, attack!" The Timelord raised his hands and blasted a spurt of fire at the dragon, which did no harm at all.

"Huh?" Clover widened her eyes. "Why wasn't your monster destroyed and why didn't you take damage?"

"Metaion can't be destroyed by battle or card effects, and as long as he's in attack mode, I don't take any battle damage when he's in battle. And here's the best part..." Tracey smirked. "After Metaion battles a monster, he sends all other monsters on the field back to their owner's hand at the end of the battle phase." The Timelord raised his hands and blasted a heat wave at the dragon, causing it to disappear, and its card returned to Clover's hand.

"No way!"

"And now to rub some salt on the wound. For every monster leaving the field because of Metaion's effect, you take 300 points of damage."

Clover grunted as she was surrounded by a red aura.

Clover: 1800-1500

"I play a facedown and end my turn." A card appeared behind the Timelord.

"My move." Clover drew. "I'll start with Pot of Greed." She drew two more cards. "And then I summon D.D. Warrior Lady in attack mode!" The blonde woman in dark grayish armor appeared. (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1600 LV: 4) "Now attack her Timelord!" The warrior lady dashed forward.

"What good would that do? Metaion can't be destroyed." Tracey reminded her.

"That's true, but when my Warrior Lady battles a monster, both of them are removed from the game."

"What!?" The burn duelist exclaimed as the warrior lady stabbed the floor with her sword, opening up a portal that sucked her in, along with Metaion.

"Sweet! She just gave that Timelord a time out." Jaden joked. "Get it? Timelord? Time out?"

The rest of the group groaned at his joke.

"I place one card facedown and end my turn." Clover concluded while inserting a card into her duel disk.

Tracey drew a card, looked at it and grumbled. "I pass."

"Okay then." Clover drew. "I summon Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV 4." The small, metallic, bird-like dragon appeared from a burst of black flames. (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1000 LV: 4) "Now my dragon, direct attack!" (ATK: 1600-1800) The dragon spat out a torrent of black flames.

"I activate Scapegoat!" Tracey's facedown spell card flipped up. "This lets me summon four Sheep Tokens in defense mode." Four sleeping sheep appeared with different kind of colors. (ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1) x4 "You won't get me that easily!"

"Guess again!" Clover replied and revealed her facedown card. "Thanks to my trap card, Dragon's Rage, if my dragon type monster attacks a monster in defense mode, you take damage equal to the difference between its attack points and your monster's defense points."

"What!?" One of the sheep was engulfed in black and was destroyed before the flames reached Tracey, who yelped.

Tracey: 1900-0100

The Obelisk girl glared at her. "Don't think you got the upper hand just because you damaged me!"

"Actually, I got the upper hand, thanks to your Sheep Token. You see, if Horus destroys a monster in battle, at the end of my turn, I can level him up to Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV 6!" The dragon was engulfed in black flames and flew up in the air in its LV 6 form. (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1600 LV: 6)

"Hmph, that thing." Tracey drew her next card and looked at it. She smiled deviously. "This will do. I activate Contingency Fee" She held up a spell card. "This makes you draw until you have six cards. Then I'll gain 1000 life points for each card you drew."

Since Clover had two cards in her hand, she drew four cards.

Tracey: 0100-4100

"Okay, why would she use a card that gives her opponent extra cards?" Chumley wondered.

Andrew narrowed his eyes. "Probably to do something more than increase her life points."

"That's right! Because now I summon Injection Fairy Lily!" A pink haired angel appeared, wearing a red and white nurse outfit with a hat and carried a giant syringe. (ATK: 400 DEF: 1500 LV: 3)

"Um, that monster seems way too weak to take down Clover's dragon." Jaden commented.

Alexis frowned. "Actually, she's more dangerous than she looks."

"Now Lily, attack!" At Tracey's command, the nurse lifted flew up in the air and held up her syringe. "Now for my Fairy Lily's special ability. When she's in battle, I can pay 2000 life points to increase her attack strength by 3000 points!"

Tracey: 4100-2100

(ATK: 400-3400) The nurse threw her giant syringe, striking the dragon in the center. It howled in pain and exploded. (ATK. 3400-400)

Clover: 1500-0400

Syrus winced at the sight. "That's why I hate needles."

"You and me both, little guy." Michael added.

"And to end my turn, I activate the spell card, Token Thanksgiving." A spell card appeared and absorbed the three remaining Sheep Tokens. "This card destroys all tokens on the field, and I gain 800 life points for each one."

Tracey: 2100-4500

"Ha! There's no way you can win now!" Tracey said confidently.

"Don't be so sure." Clover drew. "I must thank you for giving me a new hand. Now I can give you a special treatment."

Tracey narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Let me show you. I'll start by summoning Marauding Captain." A blonde haired warrior in a rusty suit of armor rose up with his sword ready. (ATK: 1200 DEF: 400 LV: 3) "With this monster normal summoned, I can summon a level 4 or lower monster from my hand. And I choose Exploder Dragon!" A blue dragon with wings appeared next to the warrior. It was carrying a bomb in its hands. (ATK: 1000 DEF: 0 LV: 3) "Now it's battle time! Exploder Dragon, attack!" (ATK: 1000-1200) (ATK: 1200-1400)

The audience gasped.

"What!? But Tracey's Fairy is way stronger than that dragon!" Jaden stated. "What was Clover thinking!?"

"Yeah, what gives?" Chumley wondered.

The dragon was now flying in the air, right above the winged nurse.

Tracey sneered. "Did you forget? I can pay 2000 life points to make Fairy Lily stronger!"

Tracey: 4500-2500

(ATK: 400-3400) The nurse threw the giant syringe again, getting a hit in the dragon's chest, causing it to explode. Tracey expected to see the syringe fall down from the smoke. But to her surprise, it was the dragon's bomb instead. It landed right at Fairy Lily's feet and exploded, destroying her.

"What!? What happened to my Fairy Lily!?" She exclaimed.

"Simple..." Clover spoke up, enjoying her reaction. "When Exploder Dragon is destroyed in battle, the opposing monster is also destroyed."

"But my Fairy Lily had more attack points, so you should have taken damage and lost the duel!"

"That would have been the case if my dragon didn't have another ability. During the moment it attacks, none of us takes any battle damage."

Tracey growled at that.

"And with you wide open, I'll attack with Marauding Captain!" The armored warrior dashed forward and slashed Tracey with his sword.

Tracey: 2500-1100

(ATK: 1400-1200) "I place two cards facedown and end my turn." Two cards appeared behind the warrior.

"Nice!" Andrew cheered. "That was a nice comeback!"

"Got that right!" Jaden agreed. "No wonder Clover is your biggest rival."

"Okay you little pest. No more games. It's time to put you down, right here and now!" Tracey declared and drew.

"You're welcome to try. But in the meantime, I activate the trap card, DNA Surgery." One of Clover's facedown cards flipped up. "Now I can change all monsters on the field to any type I want. I choose dragon type." Marauding Captain's human head morphed into a green dragon head and he grew a tail.

"I don't know what you're up to, but I won't let you win. I activate Card of Demise. Now I can draw until I have 5 cards in my hand." Tracey drew a new hand. She looked at it and smirked. "Perfect! First I summon Nurse Reficule the Fallen One!" The bat-winged woman with bandage covered body appeared. (ATK: 1400 DEF: 600 LV: 4) Almost immediately, DNA Surgery took effect, and turned her bat wings into dragon wings. "And now I activate Rain of Mercy."

Jenny gasped. "Uh oh! This is just like what she and Norman used against me and Andrew!"

"This is bad!" He added.

"Thanks to this spell card, both players gain 1000 life points."

Clover raised an eyebrow. "And why would you play something to increase my life points? That won't do so..." It then dawned on her. "Wait a minute!" She turned to the bandaged woman, which Tracey noticed.

"That's right. My Reficule has a special ability. Any effect that would make you gain life points inflicts the same amount of damage to you instead! Go Anti-Cure!" The nurse grinned evilly as her eyes glowed before she fired a red energy beam.

Andrew and the others gasped as Clover was about to get hit.

"I activate my trap!" Her facedown card revealed itself. "Dragon's Rebirth! This lets me remove a dragon type monster from play, and then I can summon another one from my hand or graveyard." Clover smirked and held up a card from her hand. "And I think you remember this one..." Marauding Captain disappeared and a familiar golden dragon took his place. (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000 LV: 6)

"Prime Material Dragon!" Tracey exclaimed.

"That's right. And as you know, it changes any effect damage to life point gain. And your Reficule is reversing my life point gain to effect damage, so... that means my dragon changes that damage to life point gain instead." The dragon opened its mouth and sucked in the energy beam the nurse shot out.

Clover: 0400-1400

Tracey: 1100-2100

Tracey groaned in annoyance. "Are you kidding me!? Not again!"

"Thanks for the boost." Clover replied.

The Obelisk girl glared at her. "You think you're anything special? You think you have a chance to be with Andy!? You're just a lame, tomboyish..."

"Oh, get over yourself!" Clover snapped, startling her a little. "You're only interested in Andrew because of his looks and dueling skills. Not because of what kind of person he is. You don't know him enough to deserve the right to be with him! So don't think a stalking, obsessed weirdo like you have any right to lecture me!"

Tracey started to see red. "That's it! You're going down! I activate the spell card Shrink. This lets me cut your monster's attack points in half!" The golden dragon glowed and shrunk in size. (ATK: 2400-1200) "Then I'll equip Reficule with the spell card Black Pendant, giving her 500 attack points!" A dark purple pendant in a gold casing appeared around the nurse's neck. (ATK: 1400-1900) "Reficule, attack!" The nurse unraveled the bandages on her arms and wrapped them around the dragon, squishing it until it shattered into pixels.

Clover: 1400-0700

"And with that out of the way, I activate the spell card, Toll." A spell card appeared on Tracey's field. "From now on, we must pay 500 life points to attack with a monster!"

Clover gritted her teeth.

"HAHAHA! I got you now! There's no way you can win! You can't possibly bring out a monster strong enough to wipe out my life points with one blow. And even if you managed to summon a monster strong enough to destroy Reficule, you'll take 500 points of damage the moment the Black Pendant is destroyed."

Michael grimaced. "Man, Clover is in a really tight spot now. It might take some time for Clover to get around this. And it might be too late if she doesn't get the right card this turn."

"Aw man." Syrus moaned.

"This is bad." Xander said.

"It's not over." Andrew said confidently. "I know Clover can win this."

"Are you really sure about that?" Jenny asked skeptically.

"Trust me, I've known her long enough to be sure when she pulls off something big in situations like this."

Clover seemed to hear his words and smiled. 'Andrew is right. I can't lose to someone like Tracey. I'm gonna end this...' She prepared to draw. ... right now!' She drew her next card and looked at it. After a silent moment, she smirked.

Which Tracey noticed. "What's with that grin!? What did you get!?"

"You're about to find out. But first..." Clover took another card from her hand. "I activate the spell card Level Modulation! This makes you draw two cards and then I can summon any LV monster from my graveyard."

Tracey raised an eyebrow and drew her extra cards.

"Now come forth, Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV 4!" The metallic dragon returned to the field in its weakest form. (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1000 LV: 4)

Tracey snorted. 'Now she's just desperate. That monster is useless. Especially since her spell card prevents it from attacking this turn. And to make things worse for herself...' She grinned as she looked at her two cards. '...she helped me get my own Poison of the old Man. Once it's my turn again, I can use it to deal 800 points of damage. There's no way that tomboy can win...'

"And now with him back..." Clover interrupted her musings. "...I can play a very special card." She took the card she drew earlier and held it up. "I activate the spell card, Destruction Swordsman Fusion!"

"Destruction what?" Tracey asked confused.

"Fusion?" Jaden said with interest. "Is it a fusion card?"

"Sounds like it." Alexis replied.

"Have you heard of it, Andrew?" Jenny asked.

"I don't think so." He shrugged. "I've never seen Clover use a card like that before."

"Then you better watch closely." Clover said. "Because this spell card lets me use monsters from my hand or the field in order to fusion summon a monster that lists Buster Blader as fusion material." The purple armored warrior in question appeared next to the metallic dragon. "So I'll fuse him with Horus the Black Flame Dragon to create this..." The two monsters entered a fusion vortex. "Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman!" A new warrior emerged from the vortex. He looked similar to Buster Blader. But he was taller and his armor was white and blue with yellow linings. He carried a long sword with red jewels decorating it. (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2500 LV: 8)

The audience gasped at this new monster's appearance.

"Wow! That is totally lishus!" Chumley said in awe.

"Sweet! And I thought Buster Blader couldn't get cooler!" Jaden commented.

"Okay, I definitely never seen that card either." Andrew admitted. But he couldn't help but smile at this. "But whatever it does, it might be what Clover needs."

Tracey stared at the warrior monster nervously as he grew a pair of dragon wings and a tail due to DNA Surgey, but did her best to act tough. "So you summoned a monster stronger than Reficule. That's still not enough to wipe me out."

Clover shook her head. "You really are one of the arrogant types. Because otherwise, you wouldn't judge a monster so quickly. My Buster Blader has a bunch of special abilities. For starters, he gains 1000 attack points for every dragon type monster on your field and graveyard." The warrior glowed with a blue aura. (ATK: 2800-3800)

Tracey stepped back. "W-what?!"

"Unfortunately for you, there is more." Clover replied. "As long as Buster Blader is on the field, every dragon type monster on your field is forced into defense mode."

The Obelisk girl cringed as the nurse kneeled down. "And since Dragon's Rage is still in play..."

"Tracey's about to bite the dust!" Jenny said.

"Alright!" Andrew cheered.

Clover: 0700-0200 (ATK: 3800-4000)

"Buster Blader, attack Reficule! Destructive Dragon Sword Attack!" The swordsman leapt into in the air and swung his sword downward, sending out an arc of energy which destroyed the nurse, resulting a powerful blast that caused Tracey to fly off her feet and crash on the floor.

Tracey: 2100-0000

The audience cheered as the holograms were turned off.

"Yeah! Atta girl!" Xander cheered.

"I knew she could do it!" Andrew said while clapping for Clover's victory.

Tracey was down on her knees, crying anime tears. "No... no fair..."

"And the winner is Clover Penn!" Crowler announced before approaching her. "Well done Miss Penn and welcome to Obelisk Blue."

"Thanks. It wasn't easy, but I'm glad it's over." Clover turned her friends in the audience, and gave Andrew a thumb up, which he returned.


Boom! That's all she wrote. Until next time.