Chapter 80

Yami drew and smirked, saying "I play the magic card Horn of the Unicorn, increasing my Obnoxious Celtic Guardian's strength by 700 (2100/1900)." A small horn then sprouted from the elf's head, making him look just a bit odd.

"Obnoxious Celtic Guardian, attack Illidan's Alpha the Magnet Warrior with Silver Blade Slash!" The elf charged the field and struck the magnet creature's shield, instantly shattering it and making the magnet creature explode.

"That shall end my turn." (Yami 2000, Illidan 2350)

Illidan then drew his next card and smiled at it, saying "I sacrifice my face down Sangan in order to summon Jinzo (2400/1500) in attack mode." The cyborg monster in green and black then appeared on the field and crossed his arms.

"Since I sacrificed Sangan, I get to now draw one monster from my deck with 1500 or less attack points and add it to my hand. I'll choose my Spirit Reaper. Back to business, so Jinzo, attack Yami's Obnoxious Celtic Guardian with Cyber Energy Shock!" The cyborg uncrossed his arms and raised one hand. He then had his palm face the elf and released a blast of black energy from it. The elf was hit hard and knocked to the ground, but managed to stand back up.

Yami lightly chuckled, saying "You forgot Illidan that you can't destroy my monster with monsters that have 1900 or more attack points. So your attack was in vain."

Illidan only smirked, knowing Yami didn't see what he had actually just done. "Slate Warrior, attack his Obnoxious Celtic Guardian with Fiend Slash!" The fiend quickly ran across the field and swung his halberd at the elf, who used his sword to block, but was thrown backwards by the strength of the fiend. Still, the elf stood and continued to defend it's master.

Speaking mentally to one another, Yami and Yugi were baffled by Illidan's actions.

"I don't get it Yami. He knows he can't destroy our monster. Why does he bother to attack?" asked Yugi.

Yami only gave a puzzled look back to Yugi, replying with "I don't know Yugi. He gains nothing by attacking our monster really."

After a moment of silence, Yugi realized then what was up. "Yami, he's trying to lower our life points! That's why he attacked us two times! He knew our monster couldn't be destroyed, but he knew we had enough life points to use our Deck Master's ability also. So he's trying to lower our life points enough so we can't. That has to be it."

Yami only nodded in agreement, saying "We have to take him down, and soon."

Coming out of their mental meeting place, Yami saw Illidan say "That shall end my turn." (Yami 1400, Illidan 2350)

Yami smirked and said "I see now what you're doing Illidan. You tried to lower my life points so I couldn't use my Deck Master's special ability. Not a bad plan, but I know now what your plan is. So it won't be happening anymore. Now, watch as I draw."

Yami's face showed surprise at the card he had just drawn. Illidan realized then what Yami had possibly drawn. "He must have drawn Slifer finally. There is only one problem. Slifer requires three sacrifices. That means Yami would have to summon two more monsters, and he only has one card in his hand. That means he'd need a few turns to at the least summon his monster."

"I'll start by activating my Deck Master's special ability. At a cost of 500 life points, I bring Swords of Revealing Light back to my hand. Now I play Swords of Revealing Light, regaining the 500 I lost due to Spell Absorption. Also, you are now trapped for three turns from attacking me." Several swords of light then rained down from the sky, seemingly lighting up the field from the dreary looking day.

"Next I switch Obnoxious Celtic Guardian to defense mode, and end my move." (Yami 1400, Illidan 2350)

Illidan then drew his next card and smiled at his Harpie's Feather Duster. "This could end this duel right here and now. It's worth a shot."

"I play the magic card Harpie's Feather Duster! This magic card destroys all your magic and trap cards on the field! So say good bye to your Swords of Revealing Light, Horn of the Unicorn, and Spell Absorption!" A heavy set of tornado's then ripped through each of the magic cards on the field, easily destroying everything Yami had worked for.

Yami sighed, but said "By the way Illidan, I still gain 500 life points due to Spell Absorption, so it wasn't a total waste. Also, Horn of the Unicorn is returned to the top of my deck, so no worries."

Illidan only grinned, saying "Well, not yet anyways, but about that in a moment. First I next switch my D.D. Warrior Lady into attack mode." The female warrior stood up and drew her sword from it's sheath as she prepared for battle.

"D.D. Warrior Lady, attack Obnoxious Celtic Guardian with Dimension Blade Slash!" The female warrior ran across the field and prepared to slash the weaker elf with her sword.

In mid swing, Yami yelled "I activate my Deck Master's special ability! Now I pay 1000 life points in order to bring back Swords of Revealing Light for one turn. So my monster is protected for this turn." The swords of light rained down from the sky again, instantly stopping the attack before it could hit.

Lightly growling with frustration, Illidan replied "Alright Yami, I end my move." (Yami 900, Illidan 2350)

Yami drew his next card and didn't bother to examine it. He said "I activate my Deck Master's second special ability. I return Card of Sanctity to my hand at a cost of 500 life points. Next I play Card of Sanctity, allowing us both to draw till we hold six cards in our hands." Illidan drew his three new cards and examined his Valkyrion the Magna Warrior, Mage Power, and Snatch Steal.

Yami only smirked at his cards, saying "I now send my Valkyrion the Magna Warrior to the Graveyard. By doing so, I can special summon all three of my Magnet Warriors. So return Alpha (1400/1700), Beta (1700/1600), and Gamma (1500/1800) the Magnet Warriors!" The grey, yellow, and pink magnet creatures then reappeared onto Yami's side of the field with a soft mechanical moan each.

Shocked at this move, Illidan asked "How did they get to the Graveyard?"

Yami lightly chuckled and replied with "Remember when I used Kuribandit's effect earlier? They were the three monsters I drew from those five cards. And now I can use them to full advantage. I sacrifice Alpha, Beta, and Gamma the Magnet Warriors to summon my ultimate monster, the Egyptian God known as Slifer the Sky Dragon (4000/4000)!" The three magnet creatures disappeared in a flash of light, and the storm outside became much fiercer than before. The lightning flashed wildly and thunder boomed stronger than ever. Then the powerful red dragon's body appeared in the clouds. Slowly, the dragon's head descended from the clouds as well. Once it looked down at the field, it let out a loud roar. It began to wrap it's body around the tower, making the tower itself shake.

All Illidan could do was gasp at this move. "Now I'm in real trouble. With Slifer here, I'm going to really need to play it smart in order to win this duel."

Yami slightly smirked and said "Slifer the Sky Dragon, attack Illidan's Jinzo with Thunder Force!" The dragon opened it's huge jaws and let a powerful stream of energy fly from it as the blast struck the cyborg monster. The monster moaned in pain as it exploded. The explosion sent a huge shear wind back, making Illidan slightly slide back. Staring at the large monster with wide eyes, Illidan fell to one knee.

"That ends my move. Beware the power of my God Card, Illidan! It will destroy you soon enough." (Yami 900, Illidan 1750)

Slowly standing back up, Illidan regained control of his fear of the card, saying in a calm voice "I wouldn't count on it yet Yami. Watch this move."

Illidan drew his next card and smiled at it. "Perfect! This is what I've been waiting for! Now I'll be able to take Yami down, for sure."

"I'll start things off by sending Valkyrion the Magna Warrior to the Graveyard. This allows me to bring back Alpha (1400/1700), Beta (1700/1600), and Gamma (1500/1800) the Magnet Warriors in defense mode each." The three magnet creatures then appeared on Illidan's field, causing the large red dragon to only roar at this.

Yami lightly chuckled, saying "You triggered Slifer's special effect. Now Slifer will attack each of your monsters with a blast that will reduce each of their defense points by 2000. Since none of them have over 2000 defense points, they'll all be destroyed instead. Now Slifer, attack with your second mouth!" The large dragon slowly opened it's second set of jaws as a mist came from them. It then spat three blasts at the field. Each of their blasts struck their targets, which were all three magnet creatures.

Illidan only shrugged, saying "Really, I didn't need those three monsters. I just needed Valkyrion in the Graveyard so I could play Monster Reborn, resurrecting my Valkyrion the Magna Warrior (3500/3800) in attack mode!" A large creature that was composed of the three magnet creatures that had just been destroyed appeared on the field with is large sword.

Chuckling again, Yami yelled "You triggered Slifer's special effect again! Slifer, drain 2000 attack points from Valkyrion!" The dragon again opened it's second set of jaws and spat a blast of pure energy straight at the large magnet creature. It was struck hard and it's seemingly damaged. A huge explosion was formed from the blast, and when the smoke cleared, it was obvious the damage had been done. The warrior was missing one wing, his sword broken, and multiple scratches and scars appeared on it's body.

"Valkyrion is now weaker Illidan (1500/3800). I don't know what you're planning, but this strategy so far isn't working."

Illidan only smirked, thinking "We'll see how it goes in a second."

"Time to complete my strategy right now! I now sacrifice my Slate Warrior and D.D. Warrior Lady for Dark Magician of Chaos (2800/2600) in attack mode!" A mage in tight fitting black armor with blue skin and a powerful staff then appeared on the field. He glared at Yami with his mysterious eyes, making Yami slightly shiver at the sight.

Yami quickly let that feeling go and said "You've triggered Slifer's second mouth yet again Illidan! Slifer, blast his Dark Magician of Chaos now!" The dragon spat yet another blast from it's second set of jaws, which easily struck the mage. The mage screamed in agony as he was weakened. After the blast was over, the mage was still standing, but was panting hard. He had multiple cuts and bruises on his body, but was not yet ready to call it quits.

"My Dark Magician of Chaos (800/2600) maybe weakened, but he's not finished yet. Now his special ability is activated due to his summoning. I now get to return one magic card from my Graveyard to my hand, and I choose my United We Stand magic card. Next I invoke my Deck Master's second special ability. At a cost of 1000 life points, I can return a Chaos monster to the field from the Graveyard or removed from game pile. The monster I choose is my Chaos Emperor Dragon – Envoy of the End (3000/2500)!" The powerful black dragon with orange hair then reappeared on the field, spreading it's massive wings as it let out a terrifying roar.

Yami only chuckled, saying "You've once again triggered Slifer's second mouth. Slifer, blast his monster now!" The red dragon roared and spat a blast of energy at the smaller black dragon. The black dragon was hit easily, causing a huge explosion. When the smoke cleared, the dragon was still standing, but barely. It's wings now had many holes in them, many cuts were on it's body as well.

"My dragon shall be just fine (1000/2500) for now. Now it's time for me to finish this duel. I now play the magic card United We Stand, and I equip it to my Dark Magician of Chaos! This raises his stats by 800 points per a face up monster on my side of the field, and I currently have three, so that means he gains 2400 in his stats (3200/6000)!" The mage glowed with a multicolored light. He closed his eyes as his strength returned to him and then some. He then reopened them, showing pure determination on his face to win the battle.

"But I'm not done yet! Next I play the magic card known as Mage Power, and I equip it to Dark Magician of Chaos as well. This card raises his stats by 500 points per a magic/trap card on my side of the field. Since I currently have 2 on the field, he gains 1000 additional points (4200/7000). But I'm not done yet. I now place 2 more cards face down, adding another 1000 points to Dark Magician of Chaos's stats (5200/8000)!" The mage glowed again with another multicolored light as his power nearly doubled. He then swung his staff in front of himself, showing his readiness to engage in battle.

Yami lowered his head at this, hiding his eyes in the shadow of his hair. He knew his dragon was beaten. Yami slowly lifted his head back up and smiled sadly at Illidan, saying "I'm beaten. Finish it Illidan."

Nodding, Illidan said "It was an honor to duel you Yami. Dark Magician of Chaos, attack Slifer the Sky Dragon with Chaos Scepter Blast!" The mage pointed his staff at the mighty red dragon and let loose a powerful blast of dark energy. The energy struck the dragon hard, making it roar loudly. The dragon's head and body began plummeting from the sky to the field, and struck the field hard, making the tower itself shake front the extremely hard crash. The dragon then exploded, showing it's demise.

"Chaos Emperor Dragon, finish this duel with Chaos Blaster!" commanded Illidan.

The weakened dragon followed it's master's orders and let loose a weakened blast at Yami, who wasn't even really harmed by the blast. The blast caused Yami's Duel Disk to power down, signifying he had lost all his life points. His purple mage seemingly smiled at the black armor clad mage and nodded before disappearing.

The judge then made the announcement "The winner of the duel and still Intercontinental and World Champion, Illidan Stormrage!"

Illidan slowly walked over to Yami and extended a hand to his friend. "Good duel Yami. It is one I'll always remember."

Yami only smiled back at his friend, saying "Yes, it was an excellent duel. Congratulations Illidan. You deserved that win."

Both shook hands and the crowd stormed the field as usual, but up in his throne, Gozaburo only was squeezing the stone profusely hard. The anger within him was swelling greatly.

Within his mind, he screamed "HOW COULD THE PHARAOH LOSE THE DUEL? THAT FOOL! NOW ILLIDAN IS ONE STEP CLOSER! But no matter, for in the end, I will be his undoing, muwhahaha!"