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Fanfic Chapter 176: Copycat Pt 2: Harold the Dragon Slayer
Mirage: I thought I had that fool Harold finished. I was using Seto Kaiba's deck and his card strategies. I already got rid of his high-power monsters thanks to the Crush Card. And I had several strong monsters ready to use on him. I even had him down to just 1600 life points. But with only two trap cards he was able to bring back all his strong monsters. But I still have Seto Kaiba's deck working for me and you know what that means.
"Thunder Nyan-Nyan, tear up that Ogre!" Mirage screamed as Thunder Nyan-Nyan stabbed at the Ogre and broke it into little pieces.
(H: 1600)
(M: 3300)
A piece of Mirage's free arm disappeared.
"Finally something's going right," Joey said.
"I knew Harold could come back," Serenity said.
"Even if you were using Seto Kaiba's deck, there's no way you could copy his skill."
"I am Seto Kaiba."
"You were Seto Kaiba, but now you're just a Pseudo-Kaiba. And just to prove that you're less of a threat than the actual Kaiba, I'll leave my monster in attack mode so go ahead and attack it."
"Harold's either really brave or really crazy," Joey commented.
"Maybe some of you is rubbing off on him, Big Brother." Joey gave her a pained look.
"The advantage was mine and was always mine," Mirage said. "And I'll prove it!" He drew s a card. "I play the magic card De-Fusion which separates my Rabid Horseman back into its two components." Rabid Horseman separated into Mystic Horseman and Battle Ox. "And next I'll sacrifice them." They both disappeared.
"A double sacrifice," Harold gasped. "Never a good sign."
"Yugi," Joey said rapidly. "If that guy is using Kaiba's deck, wouldn't he have…?"
"Yes, I was thinking the same thing," Yami agreed.
"Oh no, he wouldn't," Yugi gasped.
"Now that both of my monsters are in the graveyard, I can summon this! Come forth, Blue-Eyes White Dragon (1)!" A roar sounding like a cross between an elephant and a train wreck echoed through the Shadow Realm. Suddenly a giant white dragon arose. .
"I can't believe you have a Blue-Eyes White Dragon," Harold said staring wide-eyed at the monster.
"Why so surprised? This is Seto Kaiba's deck after all. And in case you need some further proof. Blue-Eyes, show him. White Lightning Attack!" The dragon opened its mouth and let out a white ball of energy which destroyed Thunder Nyan-Nyan. The shockwave blew Harold back.
(H: 500)
(M: 3300)
"Still wish you left your monster in attack mode?" Mirage asked.
I knew his deck was similar to Kaiba's, but I always thought that Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon made it different from other decks. There's no doubt about it now, this is Seto Kaiba's deck. And if Yugi had trouble beating it, then what chance do I have?
Serenity gripped her shirt with nervousness, Harold, I know you can win, I believe in you.
"Now you see what you're up against," Mirage said. "I could just end the duel right now." He set a card face-down. "But what fun would that be. No, I like to prolong my opponent's suffering just like what Kaiba did."
That's where he's wrong, Yami thought. Kaiba never likes to prolong his opponent's suffering. He suffered a hard life himself and wouldn't want to wish that on anyone, not even his opponent, and especially not during a duel.
Even though he was nothing but a head and Duel Disk, it was easy to see that Harold was trembling. I can't… I can't give up. He reached over to his deck when he realized he couldn't. His opposite arm was gone. "Oh no, I can't draw a card. I can't even forfeit. What do…?" The top card of his deck started to glow. It left his deck and hovered in front of him. The cards in his hand did likewise. "Huh?" He looked over at his friends and saw Edina glowing. "Edina?"
"I will serve as your hands, Harold, until you can get your own back."
"Thanks, I promise it won't be long. My move and I summon The Forgiving Maiden (2) in defense mode and set a card face-down There, now I'm ready to face your Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
"Many have said that and lived to regret it. Especially after I do this, I summon Unknown Warrior of Fiend (3) in attack mode. Now, Blue Eyes, attack with White Lightning!"
"Activate trap card Forgiving Light," Harold commanded. "With Forgiving Light, all I have to do is discard monsters whose level equals 4 and my monster can remain on the field." One of Harold's cards disappeared.
"I'll get you next turn," Mirage grumbled.
I better see it that I survive next turn too, Harold thought as Edina magically drew a card for him. "I summon Light-Speed Angel (4) in attack mode. When Light-Speed Angel is on the field, I can have her attack your life points directly. Light-Speed Angel, Photon Rush!" The dark-skinned angel became a beam of light and struck Mirage in the chest.
(H: 500)
(M: 2100)
(LSA: 1200-600)
"I set two cards face-down and end my turn."
"You humans are such a nuisance to get rid of," Mirage grumbled as he drew a card. "I sacrifice my Fiend to summon Rude Kaiser (5) in attack mode. Blue-Eyes, destroy his Forgiving Maiden." And faster than you could blink, the Forgiving Maiden was destroyed. "Now, Rude Kaiser, attack his Light-Speed Angel, this will end it!"
"Not this turn," Harold announced. "I reveal my trap card Sanctuary's Call which returns all light-fairy monsters to my hand." Light-Speed Angel disappeared just as Rude Kaiser brought its forearm blades down on it.
"You will be destroyed!" Mirage declared.
"Maybe I will be destroyed but it won't be by you," Harold said as he drew a card. "I set two cards face-down and summon Light-Speed Angel again in attack mode. Light-Speed Angel, Photon Rush!" Once again Mirage was struck directly.
(H: 500)
(M: 900)
(LSA: 1200-600)
"I end my turn."
Mirage narrowed his eyes at Harold as he drew a card. "Now let's try this again. Blue-Eyes, White Lightning Attack!"
"Activate trap card Nutrient Z," Harold announced Light-Speed Angel was definitely destroyed this time, but Harold's life points changed for the better.
(H: 2100)
(M: 900)
"How did your life points go up, they should've gone down to 0!"
"Should've, could've, but didn't," Harold countered. "Nutrient Z briefly raised my life points by 4000 before your attack struck." Harold's other arm reappeared and Harold was able to take his dueling hand.
This fool is more skilled than he lets on, Mirage thought. I'm going to have to figure out another way to beat him. As I've learned from my time in Seto Kaiba's mind, there's more than one way to attack your opponent. Attacking physically and in the open is good but doesn't always work because the opponent can effectively counter it. But a mental attack however can not be countered. So I'll attack this whelp mentally with a little help from the Shadow Realm.
Black smoke started clinging to Harold. "Hey, what's going on?"
"Is something wrong?" Mirage asked feigning ignorance. "It's your move."
"This smoke, I can't get it off me! Ahhhh!" Harold screamed as the smoke covered him entirely.
"Harold!" Serenity cried.
Yami turned to Mirage, "What are you doing to him?"
"What makes you think I'm doing it to him?" Mirage countered. "This is the Shadow Realm's doing. Are you going to tell the entire Shadow Realm to stop?"
Harold's body was now covered with smoke. The parts of him that disappeared appeared again as faint outlines.
"Joey, that's enough," Harold said. "You can't place the blame for what Marik did on Ishizu's shoulders. She did her best to prepare Yugi for this trial as a way of redeeming herself for her mistakes. And if you ask me, Marik's father is the one who deserves punishment for the torment he put all three of them through! If he didn't force Marik to go through that hokey ritual, Marik wouldn't even need that dark side. You have every right to be upset at Marik for what he did to Mai but you can't blame the whole family for the mistakes of one person."
"Yeah and how would you know?" Joey retorted. "You don't even have a family!" Harold clenched his fist so tight that a trickle of blood fell onto the floor.
"What," Harold said to himself. "Where did that memory come from? Why am I experiencing it now?"
"Because you know it's the truth."
Harold spun around and aimed his Armlet but only found his reflection. "Phew, just a reflection."
"Who are you calling a reflection?" Harold screamed and jumped as the reflection suddenly answered him. "I'm the real you."
"The real me?"
"Yes, the you that's always been inside, the you that knows the truth."
"What truth?"
"That he's right, Joey is. You know nothing because you don't have a family."
"That's not true!"
"Are you sure? Think about it, when have you seen your friends the happiest? When they are with their family. Yugi with his Grandfather, Joey and Mokuba with their siblings, but you will never experience family."
"I have friends and that's just as good."
"Keep dreaming."
"Huh?"
"I'll spell it out for you. You don't have a family and friends are superficial. That means you have nothing! Do you think you would be no better off in the Shadow Realm?"
"No, I won't give up my soul."
"What's the difference, giving up your soul or condemning it to one big lie?"
"One big lie." Maybe he's right, maybe I was living in a lie all this time.
"Rude Kaiser, attack!" Rude Kaiser slashed at the smoke. It dissipated from around Harold. Everyone saw that Harold was shaking.
(H: 300)
(M: 900)
"Harold, are you all right?" Yami asked. He didn't hear a reply but he did hear a sound as did Joey.
"I think he's mumbling something," Joey said.
"Harold!" Despite Yami and Joey's protests, Serenity ran up to Harold. His eyes were distant. "Harold, are you okay? Harold, it's me, Serenity, please speak to me." Harold was mumbling something so Serenity leaned close to Harold's mouth to listen.
"Big lie… no friends… no family… nothing… I have nothing."
"Guys, I think the smoke did something to Harold's courage," Serenity called back.
"I was afraid of this," Yami said. "The Shadow Realm has amplified Harold's darkest fear to the point where it overwhelmed his confidence. He can't duel like this."
"If he can't duel, he might as well forfeit," Mirage suggested.
"It's only a forfeit if he lays his hand on his Duel Disk," Yami said as he and Joey joined Serenity and Harold.
Harold was still muttering, "Big lie… friends… a lie… no family."
This is just like on the blimp during the Battle City finals, Serenity thought. "Harold, get a grip!" She slapped his cheek. It turned a little red but other than that Harold gave no reaction. Serenity pondered what to do next. She finally looked at him directly and said, "Harold… you do have a family… us!" That seemed to get Harold to react. He regarded Serenity like she was a foreign object. Yami and Joey took a step back, knowing that if anyone could bring Harold back, it was Serenity. "Harold, we're your family. Me, Joey, Yugi, Tea, Tristan, Duke, Mai, Amara, Kevin, we're all your family. We all care about you, Harold, no matter what anyone else says. Please, Harold, come back to us!" She felt his chest and found that even though it wasn't there, she could still feel it. She leaned her head in and rested it where Harold's heart is. "Your heart feels warm, Harold, is that the love you have for your friends?"
Slowly, the fog that was clouding Harold's vision cleared. His body reappeared. Harold looked down and saw Serenity hugging him. "Serenity?"
"Harold, you're back!"
"Welcome back, Harold," Yami greeted.
"We all missed you, buddy," Joey added. "Although I think some of us missed you more than others." He pointed to Serenity.
"I… I remember… hearing your voice, Serenity, you said… I do have a family?"
"That's right, Harold, you do have a family. Us, we can be you're family. Do you mind?"
"No, I wouldn't mind at all."
"You're very important to us, Harold, never forget that," Yami said. "You have put your life on the line for us dozens of times. I'd be honored to consider you like a brother."
"Yeah, I guess I consider you part of the family too," Joey said. "Granted we're probably the most dysfunctional family in this realm but still… any who, like I said before, if Serenity's okay with you, then so am I."
"Thanks, guys."
A loud growl drew their attention towards Mirage. "How… how could you have overpowered the Shadow Realm's spell?"
"The light of our friendship can overpower any darkness you can throw at us, Mirage," Yami declared.
"Yeah, and now I'm ready to deliver the final blow. It's my move!" With a loud yell, Harold drew a card. "Oh no, it's not a monster card."
"Oh gee, too bad, looks like I win," Mirage said.
"Not yet," Harold said. "I still have one face-down card which I now activate, the trap card Jar of Greed which lets me draw an extra card." He looked at the others. "Guys, would you like to help me." The others nodded. Harold's deck started to glow. The four of them put their hands over it. Slowly, a golden square was withdrawn from it. The square became a card. Harold looked at the card. "Perfect," he said. "Thanks, guys. I play the monster Copycat (6) in attack mode!" A clown carrying a mirror over its face appeared. "Copycat can take on the attack and defense points of one of the monsters on your side of the field. And that Blue-Eyes is looking quite tempting now." Blue-Eyes White Dragon was reflected in Copycat's mirror.
(C: 0-3000, 0-2500)
"Go ahead and attack, our monsters will just destroy each other."
"Which two monsters?"
"Huh?"
"If you think the White Dragon's going to be the target, think again. The monster I'm attacking is Rude Kaiser!"
"No, he'll be destroyed!"
"That's the idea. Copycat, attack Rude Kaiser!" Copycat lowered its mirror and launched a huge shaft of energy which obliterated Rude Kaiser.
(H: 300)
(M: 0)
Mirage screamed as his body started to dissolve. He looked at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and saw that it too was dissolving. "No, my Blue-Eyes!" He cried.
"It was never yours to begin with," Harold said.
"No! NO! NOOOOOOOO!" Mirage disappeared entirely.
"Let's hope we don't come across him again," Harold said.
"Harold, you not only won against an opponent that gave even me a hard time," Yami said. "But you conquered your deepest fear. Well done, my friend."
"You mean way to go, Bro," Serenity said giving Harold a peck on the cheek making Harold blush.
"I owe a lot to you, Serenity, it was you who brought me back. Nobody was ever that devoted to me before. I'm… honored."
"I know you've had a hard life, Harold. I hope… this can be a whole new start for you."
Harold gave Serenity a kiss on the forehead. "Believe me, Serenity, it will be."
"Okay, are we going to pat ourselves on the back all day or are we going to rescue Tea?" Joey asked.
Everyone nodded and started to leave. Harold briefly stopped and touched his face.
"Something wrong, Harold?" Joey asked.
"For some reason, my cheek stings," Harold said as they walked off. "I wonder why."
Serenity chuckled.
The End
(Duel Monster Database)
(1)
Name: Blue-Eyes White Dragon
Level: 8
Type: Dragon
Attribute: Light
ATK: 3000
DEF: 2500
(2)
Name: The Forgiving Maiden
Level: 4
Type: Fairy/Effect
Attribute: Light
ATK: 850
DEF: 2000
(3)
Name: Unknown Warrior of Fiend
Level: 3
Type: Warrior
Attribute: Dark
ATK: 1000
DEF: 500
(4)
Name: Light-Speed Angel
Level: 4
Type: Fairy/Effect
Attribute: Light
ATK: 1200
DEF: 1500
When this monster is Normal Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned, you may have it attack your opponent's Life Points directly. When this monster attacks your opponent's life points directly, reduce its ATK by half.
(5)
Name: Rude Kaiser
Level: 5
Type: Beast-Warrior
Attribute: Earth
ATK: 1800
DEF: 1600
(6)
Name: Copycat
Level: 1
Type: Spellcaster/Effect
Attribute: Light
ATK: 0
DEF: 0
