Chapter 36: Reign of the Ice Crystal Dragon!

"Now I activate my face-down Curse of the Ancients!"

Andrew's Trap then blew a foul wind at Sandra, reducing her Life Points even further.

Sandra: 300
Andrew: 2300

"Not only will my Trap reduce your Life Points by 500, but each turn it'll weaken your monsters as well," Andrew explained.

"Don't think you've won just yet," Sandra said. "I summon Unshaven Angler (4/1500/1600) to my field and Set one card to end my turn."

A large anglerfish appeared on Sandra's field with a lengthy beard upon its chin, extending for quite a ways as it appeared to smile wildly.

"That's all she can do? Andrew's got this one in the bag!" Creighton said.

"Don't be so sure," Izzy said.

"Huh? Whaddya mean?" Creighton asked.

"Andrew's Ancient Hero Piratical Demon may be powerful, but it comes with a large drawback too," Izzy explained as Andrew drew his next card. "You see, while all the monsters on his field can attack twice when it's Summoned, he has to skip his next turn's Battle Phase."

"You mean he can't attack?!" Creighton yelped as Andrew's Curse triggered, reducing the stats of Sandra's Unshaven Angler.

Unshaven Angler (4/1500/1600 - 4/1000/1100)

"Not only that, but Sandra just played Unshaven Angler," Kari noted. "That means if she can draw a powerful monster, she'll be able to sacrifice the Unshaven Angler as a single tribute even if the monster would normally require two."

"So then she could still turn this around on him, huh?" Creighton asked.

"I'll pass this turn," Andrew announced.

"Then I'll activate my Solemn Wishes card," Sandra said. "Now whenever I draw a card, I'll gain 500 Life Points. So now…"

Sandra drew her next card, with her Trap activating and sprinkling her with a healing magic.

Sandra: 800
Andrew: 2300

"And now I sacrifice my Unshaven Angler for Ice Crystal Dragon (9/2800/2700)!"

The massive fish split itself into two parts - its larger fish body and a smaller fish that detached itself from the belly of the larger - before becoming encased in a pair of ice crystals. The monsters faded away as the crystals began to rise, bringing with them a mighty horned dragon that roared mightily. It spread its icy blue wings, its horns rising up from its head devilishly as it whipped its tail back and forth.

"Whoa!" Creighton yelped from the sidelines. "That's one frightening monster!"

The dragon roared again as Sandra explained, "My dragon has the power to restore my Life Points the moment it's summoned to my field. It won't be much, but it's 500 more Life Points than I would have earlier."

The dragon then turned to Sandra and breathed on her an icy cool breeze, causing her Life Points to rise back up again.

Sandra: 1300
Andrew: 2300

"My dragon won't be able to attack this turn," Sandra continued, "but I believe that's all I need for now."

"That's a shame," Andrew said drawing his next card. "I'd hate to have to rid you of your dragon so soon, especially with my Curse of the Ancients still active!"

The foul wind blew across the field and hit the dragon, causing it to recoil in pain as its stats were lowered.

Ice Crystal Dragon (9/2800/2700 - 9/2300/2200)

"And now I sacrifice my Piratical Demon for my Ancient Hero Thundorus (5/2400/1200) in Attack mode!" Andrew declared, ridding the field of his demonic pirate captain and replacing it with a mystical being composed of clouds and lightning.

"Now I will rid the field of your dragon and destroy it with Ancient Hero Thundorus' ability!" Andrew said. "Go, Thunder Strike!"

The cloud deity charged up a bolt of lightning and then hurled it towards the Ice Crystal Dragon! Just as the strike hit, the dragon absorbed the lightning into its crystals!

"What the-?!"

Then the dragon fired off the lightning through its mouth at Phoenix Flare, obliterating it in an instant!

"What just happened?" Creighton asked.

"Seems her Ice Crystal Dragon has the ability to redirect card effects," Izzy said.

"Indeed," Sandra confirmed. "My Ice Crystal Dragon will redirect anything that targets it to another target on your side of the field."

So I can't get rid of it with Thundorus' ability, Andrew thought to himself. And on top of that, I already used his effect so I can't attack with him this turn. Looks like I'm going to have to wait till next turn.

"I end my turn then," Andrew announced.

"Then it's my turn now," Sandra said, drawing her next card. "And with my draw, my Solemn Wishes activates!"

Sandra: 1800
Andrew: 2300

"And as your turn commences, my Curse activates," Andrew said, the foul wind blowing again.

"Actually, I don't think I'll let that continue," Sandra said. "I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to stop your trap and destroy it!"

From Sandra's side of the field blew a new wind that decimated the foul wind from Andrew's field, eliminating his Trap card with ease!

"With your Trap card gone, my Ice Crystal Dragon will no longer lose any more points," Sandra said. "But since your Thundorus is stronger at the moment, I think I'll pass this turn."

"My turn then," Andrew said. "And now I'll revive Ancient Hero Phoenix Flare with its ability!"

The mighty phoenix rose up from Andrew's Graveyard with a flurry of fire, spreading its wings and cawing proudly.

"Now I'll have my Ancient Hero Thundorus attack your Ice Crystal Dragon!" Andrew declared.

The great thunder cloud charged forward at the Ice Crystal Dragon, preparing to strike it down!

"Perhaps you didn't quite grasp the concept I laid out before," Sandra said, shaking her head as the strike collided with the Ice Crystal Dragon! The force of the impact was completely absorbed then redirected towards Andrew's Phoenix Flare! The electric shock surged through both the mighty bird and Andrew as his Life Points took a hit!

Sandra: 1800
Andrew: 2200

"As I said before, my Ice Crystal Dragon redirects anything that targets it, regardless if it's an effect or an attack," Sandra explained. "You may not have taken much damage from your mistake, but it's worth the knowledge that you won't be able to win."


"My turn then," Seeker announced with a sly grin. "I can't draw due to my Reckless Greed, but I'll still be able to paralyze your monsters with my Messenger of Peace now active once again."

The holy ring began to glow behind the priestly figure again, as Seeker paid the cost to the keep the man around for a while longer.

Seeker: 650
Matt: 5000

"Next I'll Set one monster and end my turn," Seeker continued.

"Then I guess it's my turn," Matt said, drawing his next card. "And I'll Summon the Vandalizing Dragon (4/1900/0) in Attack mode!"

A yellow dragon appeared on Matt's field, dressed up in a leather jacket and wearing sunglasses. It smiled a toothy grin as it dual-wielded a pair of spray paint cans in its claws, ready to roll whenever.

"Then I switch Lava Dragon to Defense Mode and end my turn," Matt concluded.

Lava Dragon (4/2400/1200 - 4/2400/1200)

"I'll just draw my card then and pay 100 Life Points for my Messenger to keep you spellbound," Seeker said, drawing his next card as the ring of light glowed once again.

Seeker: 550
Matt: 5000

"Dis duel's not getting anywhere," Joey said crossing his arms.

"That's just the way Seeker would want it," Yugi remarked. "If his opponents can't touch his Life Points or get rid of the cards in his hand, he'll be able to bring out Exodia without any problems and win."

"It's strange though," Tea mused. "If his main goal was to get the pieces of Exodia, shouldn't he be drawing more cards? I mean he's only got three cards in his hand at the moment."

"Dat's true," Joey wondered as well. "What's that creep up to?"

Meanwhile Matt continued with his turn, "It's my move."

He looked over the cards in his hand and smiled. "I'll start with Vandalizing Dragon's ability. By discarding 1 card from my hand, you're forced to discard 1 card from yours!"

Matt then sent his card, Des Voltsgalph (6/2200/1700) to his Graveyard, triggering his Vandalizing Dragon to bring out its spray cans. It then leapt over to Seeker's field and sprayed some paint on one of his cards, forcing it to go to the Graveyard as well.

"Next, I Tribute Lava Dragon for his special ability, which allows me to summon a Level 3 or lower Dragon from my hand and from my Graveyard!" Matt continued. "And since you've been sending cards to my Graveyard with your Gravekeeper's Servant, I've got just the card in mind!"

The six-legged purple dragon then split itself apart and brought forth two dragon eggs, one light and one dark. The dark one hatched into a long-necked dragon with a small spherical body and long limbs and wings as well. The light one hatched into a small teal dragon that growled cutely, opening its arms wide on its summoning.

"From my graveyard, I've summoned Totem Dragon (2/400/200), and from my hand, I've summoned Decoy Dragon (2/300/200)!" Matt said.

Keith looked at these monsters with some concern while Seeker looked down at them, confused as to their appearance.

"If you think these puny creatures are going to get past my face-down monster, I'm afraid it won't work," Seeker said.

"I never said I'd be using them to attack," Matt replied. "In fact I'm going to be sacrificing one of them for an even better monster! My Totem Dragon has a special ability that allows me to use it for the full sacrifice of a Level 7 or higher Dragon monster!"

"What?!"

The elongated-limbed dragon then split itself into two halves, with each one being sacrificed for the greater monster to be summoned.

"Now I sacrifice Totem Dragon for my Tyrant Dragon (8/2900/2500)!" Matt declared, offering the two halves of his Totem Dragon to summon forth the bronze dragon that roared fiercely upon its summoning. The holy ring glowed for a moment, surrounding the new dragon with an aura of light.

"I hope you haven't forgotten that my Messenger keeps your monsters with 1500 or more Atk points from attacking," Seeker said snidely, snickering to himself.

"I haven't forgotten," Matt said.

"But then why would he go through all the trouble of summoning that dragon?" Tristan wondered.

"Now that I'm about to end my turn, I think I'll activate my face-down card now," Matt said. "I'm activating Super Rejuvenation!"

"What?!"

"I knew it," Keith said. "He wasn't just summoning out a powerful monster, he was sacrificing a bunch of cards so he could draw more during his End Phase and refill his hand."

"For each Dragon-type monster I've either Tributed or discarded from my hand, I'm allowed to draw 1 card from my deck," Matt explained. "And since I Tributed 2 Dragons and discarded a third, I'm drawing 3 cards!"

Matt then drew his next few cards and looked at them. I think I might be able to win this on my next turn.


"Now it's my turn!" Sandra declared, drawing her next card and regaining more Life Points thanks to her Trap card.

Sandra: 2300
Andrew: 2200

"She's actually overlapped him in Life Points!" Creighton said.

"Keep it together, he's not out of this yet," Izzy said.

"I'll now activate my Pot of Greed," Sandra announced. "This will allow me two more cards, and in combination with my Solemn Wishes it will restore my Life Points even further."

Another rain of sparkles descended on Sandra as she drew her next two cards.

Sandra: 2800
Andrew: 2200

"Next I'll activate the Waters of Restoration!" Sandra continued. "With it, the Atk and Def of one of my WATER monsters are restored to their original values, then I regain Life Points equal to the amount restored."

"You mean she's getting more Life Points?!"

Andrew grimaced as Sandra's Ice Crystal Dragon roared proudly, showered with a renewing water that restored its power and increased Sandra's Life Points even more.

Ice Crystal Dragon (9/2300/2200 - 9/2800/2700)

Sandra: 3300
Andrew: 2200

"Now go, Ice Crystal Dragon!" Sandra declared. "Attack Phoenix Flare with Crystal Ice Storm!"

The mighty dragon roared again, flapping its wings and throwing giant shards of ice at the phoenix! The shards collided and broke off, hitting Andrew's Life Points with the debris while the phoenix took the brunt of the hit!

Sandra: 3300
Andrew: 1700

"I will admit that you may have forced my hand, having me summon forth my Ice Crystal Dragon," Sandra said, "but it won't matter if you can't get past it."

Andrew, somehow still managing to remain standing throughout the onslaught, straightened himself and said, "Like that's even an issue."

"He's got a plan on getting past it!" Creighton cheered.

"Could he really?" Izzy wondered. Kari simply stood by on the side and watched.

"Ready then? Here goes!" Andrew said. Looking at his hand, he twitched a little.

"I'm switching my monsters to Defense mode," Andrew continued, putting his phoenix and his sentient thundercloud on the defensive. "And then I'll summon Ancient Hero Mirage (2/1100/200) to the field as well!"

Ancient Hero Thundorus (5/2400/1200 - 5/2400/1200)
Ancient Hero Phoenix Flare (5/2300/1200 - 5/2300/1200)

The weathered and mysterious soldier appeared on Andrew's field now, garbed in his classic cloak and wielding his signature spear.

"Then I'll play one card face-down and end my turn," Andrew said.

"That's it? I thought he had a plan!" Creighton said.

"Maybe he doesn't have the cards yet to work out his strategy," Izzy mused.

"Just keeping watching."

Creighton and Izzy looked over at Kari, who had spoken up after being silent for a while. "Trust me," she said, "he doesn't look like he's down and out yet."

The group watched as Sandra drew her next card. "Being so brash is an unbecoming quality of any opponent," she said condescendingly. "It's better to show than to simply tell. For instance, allow me to demonstrate another one of my Ice Crystal Dragon's abilities."

"Another one?!" Creighton yelped.

"By discarding one card from my hand, my Ice Crystal Dragon is able to freeze your cards and keep you from activating any Spells or Traps for the duration of the turn," Sandra explained, proceeding to toss out her Sebek's Blessing to charge her dragon's crystals with magical energy. The dragon then roared out and fired off a great blast of energy that locked Andrew's face-down card in place.

"I hope he didn't need that card," Creighton worried.

"Don't worry, his monsters are still in Defense Mode," Izzy said reassuringly.

"Now I activate my Crystalline Magnetism," Sandra continued. "With it, I can switch all your monsters into Attack mode since I control a WATER monster, and during your next turn, they must attack my Ice Crystal Dragon!"

Suddenly behind Sandra grew a powerful crystal that emanated a great force. The force of the crystal drew Andrew's Thundorus and Phoenix Flare into Attack mode!

Ancient Hero Thundorus (5/2400/1200 - 5/2400/1200)
Ancient Hero Phoenix Flare (5/2300/1200 - 5/2300/1200)

"You were saying? Creighton glared at Izzy, who sheepishly rubbed her arm.

"Now go, Ice Crystal Dragon! Attack Phoenix Flare with Crystal Ice Storm!" Sandra declared, repeating the process of showering Andrew's monster with crystal ice shards and hitting his Life Points with the debris once again, forcing him to take a knee.

Sandra: 3300
Andrew: 1200

"There won't be much of a next turn if you can't do anything," Sandra said. "Draw your card and feel the sting of my Ice Crystal Dragon."

Andrew took a minute on his knee before standing back up and saying, "That's awfully cold of you. Maybe I can change your tune."

He drew his next card and smiled. "Lemme show you how it's done."


"I draw!" Seeker said, drawing his next card and paying more Life Points to keep his Messenger in play.

Seeker: 450
Matt: 5000

Yes! I've got just the hand to protect myself! "Are you ready for this?" Seeker asked menacingly. Matt raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"What's he mean by dat?" Joey wondered.

"I think we're about to find out!" Yugi said.

"First, I activate Graceful Charity, drawing 3 cards and discarding 2," Seeker said, proceeding to perform the task on the card. "Next I'll use Dark Factory of Mass Production to return 2 Normal Monsters in my Graveyard to my hand! And since I just discarded 2 pieces of Exodia with my Graceful Charity, I think now's a good time to bring them back to my hand!"

"So wait, he just added a bunch of cards to his hand?" Joey wondered.

"Not only that, but at least two of them are Exodia cards," Yugi said. "He might be going all the way and drawing all of the Exodia pieces to his hand in one turn!"

"He can do that?!" Joey yelped.

"Next, I sacrifice my face-down monster Sangan for my new Set monster!" Seeker continued. "And since Sangan was sent to the Graveyard, I can add a monster with 1500 or less Atk points to my hand from my deck, like the head of Exodia for instance!"

Matt steeled himself. This isn't gonna be good.

"Hehehehe, you understand now, don't you? It won't matter what powerful monster you summon if you can't attack with it," Seeker chuckled. "And it will only matter less when I gather the pieces of Exodia! Now let me get the last pieces I need with this card! I activate A Life Well Spent! Now I draw 2 cards since I have less than 1000 Life Points!"

If he draws the Exodia pieces he needs, then this duel's as good as done! Matt thought to himself with great alarm.

Seeker drew his next card, the Right Arm of the Forbidden One, placing it next to the two Legs of the Forbidden One and Exodia's head. Then he prepared to draw his next card. All I need is one more Exodia piece, and I win!

A slight wind passed by through the field for a moment before Seeker drew his next card. He smiled as he drew it, but when he looked at it his smile faded away. Matt sighed with relief; it was clear that Seeker didn't get the last piece.

"Looks like you're out of of luck there, buddy," Matt said.

"Tch, not quite," Seeker retorted. "I'll use this card! Great Defender's Last Stand! Now I can play a monster from my Deck in Defense mode and boost it with this card! Looks like I'm not done yet, so now I summon Millenium Shield (5/0/3000) in Defense Mode!"

In front of Seeker arose a great golden shield with a wdjat in its center. It rose up and floated down in front of him, ready to guard against any attack as an aura of light radiated around it.

"You won't be able to get past my defenses now!" Seeker said as he placed a new card face-down. "I'll still draw Exodia before you get the chance to touch my Life Points!"

Matt smiled. "I don't think you'll be getting that opportunity this turn," he replied, drawing his next card. "Because I'm ending this duel right now!"

"You can't!"

"Just watch me! I activate Stamping Destruction to destroy the Messenger of Peace and inflict 500 damage to your Life Points!"

The spell gave Matt's Tyrant Dragon a great fiery claw, which it promptly used to smash on the holy messenger, destroying it and surrounding Seeker in an inferno of fire!

"Ah yeah! He did it!" Joey yelped.

"He's going to win!" Shannon said.

"Hmph, I'm not done yet," Seeker retorted. "I activate my Energy-Absorbing Monolith, changing the damage I'd take into life points!"

A large stone slab arose in front of Seeker and began absorbing the inferno surrounding him, converting it into a blue energy that restored his Life Points.

Seeker: 950
Matt: 5000

"Even with my Messenger gone, your monsters aren't strong enough to bypass my Millenium Shield or my face-down monster!" Seeker said.

"Really? Cause I think I've got a card here that says otherwise," Matt responded. "I'm activating Dracolympus!"

A large greek temple adorned with draconic statues arose from behind Matt, catching Seeker by surprise. Matt simply smiled triumphantly.

"This field spell starts off by giving my Dragons a 400 Atk and Def point boost," he explained. "And I think that's all you really need to know for now!"

"W-wait! You mean-"

"Yep. Looks like my monsters will be able to takedown whatever stands in their way!"

The temple emitted a draconic roar, to which Matt's Tiger Dragon and Tyrant Dragon responded to in kind, boosting their power!

Tiger Dragon (6/2400/1800 - 6/2800/2200)
Tyrant Dragon (8/2900/2500 - 8/3300/2900)

"Now go, Tyrant Dragon! Destroy the Millenium Shield!" Matt declared, sending in his monstrous dragon to spew a powerful fireball at the Millennium Shield. The shield was destroyed with ease, and debris rained down on Seeker.

"Since Dragon's Rage is still active, you'll be taking damage from the battle even though your monster was in Defense mode!" Matt said.

"Not exactly," Seeker retorted. "Since my Shield was protected by Great Defender's Last Stand, I don't take any damage from the battle."

"Hmm, well I guess you'll just have to take the damage from Tyrant Dragon's second attack," Matt hummed. "Go, strike again!"

The Tyrant Dragon roared and fired another fireball, this time at Seeker's face-down monster! The monster flipped up to reveal itself as another Millenium Shield, which was promptly destroyed and forced Seeker to take damage to his Life Points!

Seeker: 650
Matt: 5000

"And now Tiger Dragon, pounce on his Life Points and end this duel!" Matt declared.

Seeker looked up expecting to see the Tiger Dragon lunging down on him, but it had mysteriously vanished. He looked around as its silhouette arose from behind him and struck him down, reducing his Life Points to nothing!

Seeker: 0
Matt: 5000

"Dere it is!" Joey cheered again.

"Now he won the duel!" Tristan said.

"Thank goodness," Shannon sighed.

"No! That can't be! I was so close!" Seeker moaned, falling to the ground. Keith didn't really say anything. In fact, he just chuckled as he got up from his spot off to the side.

"Don't let it worry you, Seeker," he said consolingly. "We'll be sure to get them at the next chest."

Keith then looked over at the others. "Hope you heard that, cause we ain't done with you yet," he said. "The Neo Ghouls were hired by Montalban to get what he wants, and we're very good at getting what people want."

With that said, Keith and Seeker left the open grove. The others watched them leave as Matt put his deck and deactivated the Duel Disk.

"So I guess we're gonna have to deal with those guys for a while," Yugi said.

"Yeah, just what we needed," Matt sighed. Then he turned his attention to the chest, the vines that covered it unraveling from its exterior.

"Looks like this chest is ours," he said, retrieving the chest from the clearing.


"Ready?"

Andrew looked at the card in his hand. "I now sacrifice all 3 of my Ancient Heroes on the field," he declared, "so that I can summon my Ancient Hero Ultimus (9/3900/3500)!"

The phoenix, thundercloud, and soldier then formed into three separate spheres that transformed each into a platform with a statue, a small spirit, and an orb of light that rose above the creature. The three combined together again to recreate the great being of light!

"Next I'll equip Ultimus with this spell card, the Key of the Ancient Heroes!" Andrew continued. "With it, Ultimus now gains 1000 Atk points!"

The spirit in the center of the being equipped itself with this mighty key, powering itself up!

Ancient Hero Ultimus (9/3900/3500 - 9/4900/3500)

"Oh man," Creighton said, "that thing's even stronger than Ice Crystal Dragon!"

"And that Key only made it stronger," Izzy pointed out.

"Now go, Ancient Hero Ultimus!" Andrew declared. "Attack Ice Crystal Dragon!"

"But wait! Won't it just redirect his attack again?" Creighton asked.

"It can't," Kari said. "The Ice Crystal Dragon can only redirect the effects and attacks of cards to other monsters. It can't reflect it back at its attacker."

"And Andrew's field no longer has any other monsters other than Ultimus," Izzy said. "This might be it!"

The fairy then charged its power into the key and sent it into the orb above its head! The orb then opened up its eye, showering a beam of light down onto the Ice Crystal Dragon! The dragon couldn't handle the divine power and was soon eradicated, wiping out most of Sandra's remaining Life Points!

Sandra: 1200
Andrew: 1200

"They're even now!" Creighton said.

"Maybe he'll be able to finish her off?" Izzy wondered.

Andrew shook his head and said, "I end my turn here."

"Aw man, he's so close!" Creighton moaned.

"That's a shame," Sandra said drawing her next card and gaining her Life Points back. "I suppose we're almost at the end though. So there's only one thing left to do."

Sandra: 1700
Andrew: 1200

"I activate my Monster Reborn spell to revive my Ice Crystal Dra-"

"I activate Ancient Heroes' Chain Bomb to destroy Monster Reborn!" Andrew countered, triggering his face-down card. Just as Sandra's card hit the field, a bomb attached itself to it with a chain running through both players' decks. Another bomb appeared on Andrew's side and blew up simultaneously with the one on the field, destroying the spell card for good!

Sandra: 1200
Andrew: 700

"I should have expected as much," Sandra said. "I must end my turn."

"Then with my turn," Andrew said drawing his next card, "I attack directly with Ancient Hero Ultimus!"

Ancient Hero Ultimus (9/4900/3500 - 9/5400/3500)

The fairy powered itself up and then unleashed a ray of holy light onto Sandra, finishing her Life Points off!

Sandra: 0
Andrew: 700

"He won!" Creighton cheered.

"That sure was a close one," Izzy sighed.

"Not that there was ever a doubt," Kari said.

"Miss Isabella!"

The soldiers gathered around their leader, checking upon her condition after the battle. She simply shrugged them off with a smile and a wave of her hand.

"I'm alright," she said, standing up and walking over to Andrew. She extended her hand out, holding it palm upwards and signaling for Andrew to do the same. Catching on, Andrew mirrored her palm, and a shining ball of light appeared above Sandra's hand. Within the ball of light was a silver key with two uniquely etched blades on opposite sides of each other - one appearing as a wave on the ocean, the other jagged like a snowflake. The key hovered above Sandra's hand before floating over to Andrew's hand and descending upon it.

"The key is now yours," Sandra explained. "It maintains the same powers as any other key, of which you are in control of as well. Guard it well."

Andrew grasped the key in his hand for a moment before asking, "Could I send the key to my brother?"

"If you wish to do so, the key will obey," Sandra answered.

Andrew nodded and then looked down at the key. "Well then, off to Matt with you," he said, triggering the key's light to appear once again. Then he hurled the key off the side of the boat. Several of the people on the boat took a step as though to dive after the key, but it never fell into the ocean. Instead, it flew across the sky, a trail of light extending beyond it.

"You don't think Rommel might see that?!" Creighton yelped.

"The key's invisible to him," Andrew responded. "At least that was part of my other instructions to it…assuming keys read minds."

"Your wish is its command," Sandra said. "It knows your desires well, and so it will not be visible to anyone you don't want it to be."

"I guess that works," Creighton frowned, crossing his arms and holding himself. "Maybe it could have grabbed us a coat first…"


As the group continued its long trek out of the Amazon, they took another breather as Matt set the chest down once again.

"This is surprisingly heavier than I thought," he panted, leaning against the chest.

"Tell me about it," Tristan moaned. "That thing weighs a ton!"

"Yeah, and not a ton a cotton or feathers either," Joey breathed. The two each had volunteered to help carry the chest, though neither could get much further than Matt did. The chest proved to have some kind of estranged magical weight to it, making it far heavier than it had any right to be. Even the group effort to carry the chest only managed to get it so far before they collectively collapsed.

"What in blazes is even supposed to be in that chest?" Willaby asked.

"Ideally it's the Spirit Dragon itself," Matt explained.

"You mean dey stuffed an entire dragon in dere?!" Joey yelped.

"Spirit Dragon, and no I don't think it's a giant dragon," Matt responded. "Spirits shouldn't even have weight on them."

"Tell that to the Trinity sometime," Tristan heaved before collapsing on the ground. "I'm bushed."

"Maybe we should set up camp for the night," Yugi said. "It looks like it may be getting dark soon."

"Sleep out here in the jungle? With all of those creatures around?" Tea held herself tightly, shivering at the thought of all what could crawl over her in the middle of the night.

Just then, a streak of light flashed above their heads. The group looked up to see what appeared to be a shooting star or a comet…or a meteor, heading straight for them!

"Great, now what?!" Joey said.

"I don't think that's anything good," Yugi said. "Get out of the way!"

Most of the group, with the exception of Matt and Tristan, leapt off to the side. Tristan simply rolled over while Matt looked straight up at the light coming down on him. He reached out with his hand as though to grasp it.

"Captain get down!" Willaby yelled.

"You'll get smashed!" Tea yelled.

The light descended upon Matt, who remained with his hand outstretched. The light slowed down and landed right in the palm of his hand, allowing him to grasp it. The others looked on with surprise and alarm as Matt pulled the light to himself. He opened his palm and watched the light fade into the form of a silver key, with a blade on each side resembling a wave and a snowflake each.

"Is this…"

Matt let his question hang as he took the key in his hand and inserted it into the lock on the chest. He turned it and heard the clunk of metal moving - it worked! The group came over to him and surrounded the chest. Matt slowly lifted the lid to reveal the contents of the chest to the group: a pair of what appeared to be small tablets etched with letters of an ancient dialect.

"A couple of stones?" Tristan said dully.

"There's more than meets the eye," Matt responded, reaching in and pulling out the two tablets. "This is the Spirit Dragon of Water."

The tablets then pulsated with a dark oceanic blue light in Matt's hand, then they were surrounded by a great light before transforming themselves into Duel Monsters cards!

"That's amazing!" Yugi said.

Matt smiled. "And it'll be much easier to carry these back to the ship."


AUTHOR'S NOTES

What a stunning set of duels! And what stunning cards they have!...more or less.

Andrew vs. Sandra

Curse of the Ancients (Continuous Trap)
Effect: When this card is activated: inflict 500 damage to your opponent. During each player's Standby Phase: monsters your opponent controls lose 500 ATK/DEF.

Unshaven Angler (Effect Monster)
Level 4, 1500 Atk, 1600 Def, Fish, WATER
Effect: This card can be treated as two Tributes for the Tribute Summon of a WATER monster.

Solemn Wishes (Continuous Trap)
Effect: Each time you draw a card(s): gain 500 LP.

Ice Crystal Dragon (Effect Monster)
Level 9, 2800 Atk, 2700 Def, Dragon, WATER
Effect: If you Tribute Summon this card, the Tributes must be WATER. If this card is Summoned: gain 500 LP for every WATER monster on your field. Cannot attack the turn it is Summoned. Once per turn, during your Main Phase: you can discard 1 card; negate the effects of Spell/Trap cards until the End Phase. When your opponent activates a card or effect that targets this card (and no other cards), or if this card is targeted for an attack by an opponent's monster (Quick Effect): you can target a monster your opponent controls that would be an appropriate target; that card/effect/attack now targets the new target.

Ancient Hero Thundorus (Effect Monster)
Level 5, 2400 Atk, 1200 Def, Thunder, LIGHT
Effect: Cannot be destroyed by battle. Once per turn: you can target 1 monster on the field; destroy that target, also this card cannot declare an attack this turn.

Mystical Space Typhoon (Quick-Play Spell)
Effect: Destroy 1 Spell/Trap card on the field.

Pot of Greed (Normal Spell)
Effect: Draw 2 cards.

Waters of Restoration (Normal Spell)
Effect: Target 1 WATER monster you control whose ATK/DEF is different from their original ATK/DEF; gain Life Points equal to the greater difference between that monster's current ATK/DEF and its original ATK/DEF and if you do, its ATK/DEF becomes its original ATK/DEF.
NOTE: This effect was a little tricky to word, but basically all this means is that your monster's stats return to what they were originally, and you gain Life Points equal to that amount, just as it works in this chapter.

Ancient Hero Mirage (Effect Monster)
Level 2, 1100 Atk, 200 Def, Warrior, LIGHT
Effect: Cannot be destroyed by battle. You take no Battle Damage from battles involving this card.

Sebek's Blessing (Quick-play Spell)
Effect: If your monster inflicts battle damage to your opponent by a direct attack: Gain the same amount of LP.

Crystalline Magnetism (Normal Spell)
Effect: If you control a WATER monster: switch your opponent's Defense Position monsters into Attack Position. Those monsters must attack during your opponent's next Battle Phase.

Ancient Hero Ultimus (Effect Monster)
Level 9, 3900 Atk, 3500 Def, Fairy, LIGHT
Effect: Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must first be Special Summoned by Tributing 3 "Ancient Hero" monsters you control. Cannot be destroyed in battle. If this card is destroyed and sent to the GY: Special Summon it. During your Standby Phase: gains 500 Atk.

Key of the Ancient Heroes (Equip Spell)
Effect: Equip only to an "Ancient Hero" monster. This card's activation and effect cannot be negated. It gains 1000 ATK, also when it attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing Battle Damage. After the equipped monster attacks an opponent's monster, if the opponent controls at least 1 monster, the equipped monster can attack again.

Monster Reborn (Normal Spell)
Effect: Target 1 monster in either player's GY; Special Summon that target.

Ancient Heroes' Chain Bomb (Quick-Play Spell)
Effect: When a card or effect is activated: negate the activation, and if you do, destroy all cards with the same name in both players' Decks, and if you do that, inflict 500 damage to the owner of each destroyed card.

Matt vs. Seeker

Vandalizing Dragon (Effect Monster)
Level 4, 1900 Atk, 0 Def, Dragon, EARTH
Effect: Once per turn: you can discard 1 card from your hand, and if you do, your opponent must discard 1 card from their hand.

Des Volstgalph (Effect Monster)
Level 6, 2200 Atk, 1700 Def, Dragon, EARTH
Effect: If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the GY: inflict 500 damage to your opponent. Each time a Normal or Quick-Play Spell card resolves, this card gains 200 Atk until the end of this turn.

Totem Dragon (Effect Monster)
Level 2, 400 Atk, 200 Def, Dragon, EARTH
Effect: This card can be treated as 2 Tributes for the Tribute Summon of a Dragon monster. During your Standby Phase, if this card is in your GY, you control no monsters, and you have no monsters in your GY that are not Dragon: you can Special Summon this card in Attack Position, also banish it when it leaves the field.

Decoy Dragon (Effect Monster)
Level 2, 300 Atk, 200 Def, Dragon, FIRE
Effect: If this card is targeted for an attack: Target 1 Level 7 or higher Dragon monster in your GY; Special Summon it, and if you do, change the attack target to it and perform damage calculation.

Tyrant Dragon (Effect Monster)
Level 8, 2900 Atk, 2500 Def, Dragon, FIRE
Effect: During your Battle Phase, if your opponent controls a monster after this card's first attack, this card can attack once again. Negate the effect of any Trap card that targets this card, and if you do, destroy that Trap. This card cannot by Special Summoned from the GY, unless you Tribute 1 Dragon monster.

Super Rejuvenation (Quick-play Spell)
Effect: During the End Phase of this turn, you can draw 1 card for every Dragon monster that was Tributed or discarded from your hand.

Graceful Charity (Normal Spell)
Effect: Draw 3 cards, then discard 2 cards.

Dark Factory of Mass Production (Normal Spell)
Effect: Add 2 Normal Monsters from your GY to your hand.

Sangan (Effect Monster)
Level 3, 1000 Atk, 600 Def, Fiend, DARK
Effect: If this card is sent from the field to the GY: you can add 1 monster with 1500 or less Atk from your Deck to your hand.
NOTE: This is using the pre-errata version of Sangan.

A Life Well Spent (Normal Spell)
Effect: Activate when you have less than 1000 Life Points. Draw 2 cards.

Great Defender's Last Stand (Continuous Spell)
Effect: Activate when you have 1000 or less Life Points. Special Summon 1 monster from your Deck in Defense Position. Your opponent cannot select another monster as an attack target, you take no Battle Damage from battles involving that monster, and it cannot be destroyed by your opponent's card effects. When this card is destroyed, destroy that monster. When that monster is destroyed, destroy this card.

Millenium Shield (Normal Monster)
Level 5, 0 Atk, 3000 Def, Warrior, EARTH

Stamping Destruction (Normal Spell)
Effect: If you control a Dragon monster: Target 1 Spell/Trap card on the field; destroy that target, and if you do, inflict 500 damage to its controller.

Energy-Absorbing Monolith (Normal)
Effect: Chain this card to an opponent's card effect that would inflict damage to you. That damage is negated and you gain Life Points equal to the amount you would have taken.

Dracolympus (Field Spell)
Effect: All Dragon monsters you control gain 400 ATK/DEF and gain the following effects based on their Attribute:
● WATER: When this monster destroys a monster in battle: you gain Life Points equal to that monster's Atk.
● EARTH: Once per turn: you can destroy 1 Spell/Trap card on the field.
● FIRE: When this monster destroys a monster in battle, inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's Atk.
● WIND: When this monster destroys a monster in battle, it can attack once again.
● LIGHT: Once per turn: you can target 1 monster your opponent controls; it loses 500 ATK/DEF.
● DARK: Once per turn: you can destroy 1 monster your opponent controls.

Wow that's a mouthful. But now our heroes have gained their first key and chest! That puts them one step closer to obtaining the Spirit Dragons! Now where will they go next? And who will end up standing in their way?