Eliminator
Magicman: Smokegirl, are you sure that dropping a nuclear bomb on Domino town will help the plot line? I mean killing most of the characters may not exactly help things along. And that wouldn't work, since I have plans for most of the characters.
Smokegirl: What are you talking about?! Don't tell me you're really going along with that stupid-
Magicman: *covers Smokegirl's mouth* Okay, that's enough of giving away my plotlines for today. Sorry BECA, but I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. ^_//
Smokegirl: *muffled curses and screaming*
Magicman: Eh, lets start things before she bites my hand off. By the way, for this fic I've decided that field power bonuses will supply monsters with 200 attack and defence points. I could do the whole 30% thing, but the fact is that I'm too lazy to do it. Enjoy the chapter.
***
Simon flipped his latest acquisitions like a gambler flipping a lucky coin. "So sorry" he apologized to the beaten duellist. "But that's the way the game goes." He nodded his goodbye and set off, sliding a Vampire Lord card into the pouch at his belt and fastening two star chips into his eliminator glove. Walking off, he pulled his walkie-talkie from his belt and pressed the speaker button. "Hey Joey. Are you there?"
The walkie-talkie crackled for a moment before Joey's voice came through the speaker. "This is Raider Captain calling Forbidden One. Come in Forbidden One. Do you copy?"
Simon rolled his eyes. "Will you stop with the call signs Joey? They make no sense and they're beginning to wear thin. Anyways, my score is up to five now. How are you doing?"
Joey responded normally, without the code name jargon. "I'm at three. After Keith, everyone else just scattered."
Simon nodded, as though Joey could see him. "The nameless ones will try and hide from you and the big boys, but the better duellists might actually go looking for you. If you can think of a place a duellist needs to go and don't bother with introducing yourself first, you'll start making kills in earnest. It's an island with hundreds of duellists on it. We've barely begun."
"You really like your job, don't you?"
Simon smirked. "Ask any rat catcher. The chase is all part of the fun."
"You can be really, really scary sometimes."
"Hey, you've got to enjoy your job." Simon looked up sharply. There was a crunching sound coming through the tall grass, as though someone was walking in his direction. "I gotta go Joey," he said, smiling as he did so. "Looks like number six is heading my way. Over." He released the speaking button and headed off after the footsteps.
Miles away in the forest section of Duellist Kingdom Joey shook his head ruefully. 'At least things are going well' he thought. Taking a swig from his water bottle, he continued to trudge along. Keeping in mind Simon's advice, he tried to think of places that duellists would need to go.
'But why in the world would they need to walk around in some old forest?' he thought, annoyed. Although on the plus side it was very quiet. He could hear the wind rustling through trees and the crunch of leaves beneath his feet. A city boy, he hadn't had much experience with nature, and it was good just to walk along, enjoying the scenery. It was the late afternoon of the second day of the tournament, and the growing shadows gave the trees a beautiful, unearthly appearance.
Looking around, Joey smiled. "Well, if I don't find any duellists today, at least I can enjoy a stroll through the woods. You can even hear the bugs buzzing out here!" Cupping a hand to his ear, Joey listened. He frowned slightly. That didn't sound like bugs. It sounded like an arena's hollow emitters. A duel! "Alright! Time to earn my pay!"
The tall blonde took off in the direction of the duel. No more did he stroll leisurely through the forest, listening to trees and wind. He wanted to reach the duelling arena before the duel ended.
A light through the trees drew his attention, and he ran even faster. He broke through the forest's edge just in time to hear an incredibly grating and annoying voice laugh victoriously.
"Hahahahahaaa! You never stood a chance against me! It would have saved a lot of time if you'd just handed me your star chips in the first place!" The blue-haired, bespectacled little maniac cackled again. Joey recognised him instantly for the stinking little cheater he was.
"Weevil Underwood!"
Weevil stiffened. "Who is that?" He turned and saw Joey come up behind him and smirked his insufferably smug grin. "Well, well. Little Joey Wheeler is out to play with the big boys! Are you going to challenge me like this little runt?" He pointed behind him at his opponent.
"I wouldn't be calling anyone a runt Weevil" Joey growled. "You're lucky if I don't kick you off the island just for what you pulled last time!" He looked past Weevil at the duellist who was gathering up his cards despondently. "What the..... Hey Mokuba, is that you?"
The younger Kaiba looked up, startled. Then he smiled and waved. "Hi Joey. You entered too?"
"In a manner of speaking. What happened here?"
"I was cutting through the forest when Weevil jumped me and challenged me. He won and took all my star chips." The black haired youth shook his head angrily. "What a way to go. Beaten by a stupid flea."
"Oh really?" Joey turned to Weevil, who was still smirking.
"Yeah! And you can't do anything about it!" Weevil countered with all the arrogance of someone who knows exactly what the rules say. "I'm allowed to challenge anyone I want, anywhere I want. If Kaiba's brat of a brother didn't want to lose then he shouldn't have entered Duellist Kingdom in the first place!"
A smile spread slowly across the tall blonde's face. "That rule works both ways, Weevil. I can challenge whoever I want too." Joey raised his gauntlet and pressed the button. A beeping from Weevil's glove signified that the countdown had begun.
Weevil looked down at his glove suspiciously for only a moment. Being a lot smarter than Bandit Keith, he put two and two together in only a couple of seconds. The grin returned and he started to laugh again. "Seriously?" he gasped in between cackles. "No fooling? Pegasus actually made YOU an eliminator?" The bug-wielding midget clutched his sides and fell over, writhing with hysteria.
Mokuba blinked a couple times and looked at Joey curiously. "Are you really an eliminator?"
Joey smiled. "Yep! I'm supposed to kick guys like Weevil here off the island. Actually, I was looking for a duel today. I guess I got lucky."
"Alright then. I'm really happy for you, getting a good job." Mokuba smiled. "Though Seto isn't going to believe me when I tell him."
"No offence Mokuba, but your brother can go suck eggs."
"None taken." The younger Kaiba shrugged. "I'm not expecting you two to be friends, so it doesn't matter."
Eventually, Weevil overcame his mirth and struggled back to his feet, a huge grin splitting his face. "Alright Wheeler" he said, "I'll play. I could use the chance to get more star chips. I have six, so I'll bet four that I win."
Joey shook his finger. "You're forgetting something. You have to throw in your rarest card too."
"Alright then. Four star chips and an exceptionally rare card go to the winner. You know, you could just quit right now while you're ahead."
"So could you, ya little flea. Now get ready Weevil, cause its time to duel!"
Weevil grinned. "As you wish!"
The playing field was all forest, so Weevil's monsters would get a power bonus. Joey wasn't worried though. Yugi had beaten him, so now it was his turn. The eliminator hopped into his dueling seat and gestured for his opponent to start things off.
"Go get him Joey!" Mokuba shouted. "Smack him down like a hornet!"
"With pleasure!"
"Don't be so sure of yourself Wheeler", Weevil taunted. "The insect world is a strange and very dangerous place. You wouldn't believe the dangers that wait under every blade of grass, or behind each leaf. But you're going to learn, Wheeler. The hard way!" He laughed insanely.
"Blah, blah, blah." Joey pointed. "Just make your move already. All your screeching is giving me a headache."
"Eager to lose, eh? Well fine. It's you're time to waste." Both players drew their starting hands and Weevil smiled at his cards. 'He has no idea what I have planned for him!' he snickered to himself. Aloud he announced his move. "I'll begin my duel by summoning the first of my army of bugs. Meet my Hercules Beetle (1500/1200)! And the field power bonus gives him an extra power boost of two hundred attack points!"
A large purple beetle appeared on the field, gnashing its mandibles. A huge horn sprouted from its head, pointing menacingly at Joey, and it was rather bigger than usual, powered up by the forest zone. "Next, I'll play the magic card Insect Barrier. Now no insect you summon can attack me! And that ends my turn."
Joey stared incredulously at the thin golden lines than now separated his side of the field from Weevil's. "What the heck are you thinking?! I don't have any insect cards. Unless you're planning to turn all my monsters into insects, but that can't be possible." He shrugged. "Ah well. No skin off of my teeth. Lets see what the old deck gives Joey."
He drew and surveyed the collection of cards in his hand. 'Not bad.' He thought. 'If Weevil thinks his lousy magic card is gonna stop me from mopping the floor with him, he's got another thing coming. And this little guy will do just the trick.'
"I summon Rocket Warrior (1500/1200) in attack mode" Joey announced. "And the first thing he's gonna do is clear the field. I'll have him attack your Hercules Beetle."
Weevil grinned. 'Wheeler's cracked already. His toy soldier is much weaker than my vicious beetle, thanks to the field power bonus.' Suddenly his eyes bugged out (Magicman: No pun intended). "What in the world?"
Joey smiled back as his Rocket Warrior transformed into its invincible mode. "I guess you didn't know my monster's special ability. It can change modes before attacking. If he attacks a card like this, that monster loses five hundred attack points! Now top that!"
The warrior, now transformed into a small missile, blasted forward at high speed, striking the Hercules Beetle and blowing it into many pieces. Weevil's life points dropped by three hundred and he growled and straightened his bow tie.
"Then I'll play one card facedown." Joey set his card. "Now, let's see what you've got bug boy."
"I'll show you what I've got!" Weevile drew. "I've got Girochin Kuwagata (1700/1000)! And the power bonus boosts his attack to 1900! Now my monster, eat his Rocket Warrior for lunch!"
The large bug armed with a set of deadly looking pincers rushed the warrior, mandibles opened wide. But then there was a flash of light and the Rocket Warrior was concealed in a brightly coloured box with several holes in it. Suddenly the monster popped up from a hole, and was gone just as suddenly only to reappear in another and disappear just as fast.
Joey grinned. "I play my trap card, Fairy Box. Take a shot Weevil. It's just like a whack-a-mole game." He waited patiently until the bug took a swing and missed abysmally. "Oops. Well, there's always next time, isn't there? Heh, heh." Joey drew.
Mokuba watched Joey and Weevil duke it out, somewhat in awe. 'Joey's really gotten better since I last saw him.' He thought. 'But I wouldn't count Weevil out yet. He's not the reigning regional champion for nothing.'
"Now", Joey said, "I'll summon Alligator Sword (1500/1200) in attack mode. Try wrestling this bad boy." He waited for his reptilian swordsman to materialise. "Then I'll switch Rocket Warrior to his invincible mode and blow away your Girochin Kuwagata!" He shielded his eyes from the blast then smiled. "Now I'll have my Alligator Sword attack your lifepoints directly!"
Weevil screamed when the swamp dweller lunged and slashed at him with a huge sabre, smashing easily through the insect barrier and dropping the bug duellist's lifepoints down to 2100. When he recovered he growled. "That's it Wheeler! I've had it with you!"
"Big words for a little bug."
"I'll teach you not to insult my pets!" Weevil slapped one card down in the magic/trap zone. "I'll play one trap card and also summon one monster in defence mode! Just try and attack this!"
"You want it? You got it! Rocket Warrior, attack his monster!"
As the warrior prepped for an attack, Weevil laughed. "You've attack my Kisetai!'
"What the-"The leech-like monster hooked onto Joey's Rocket Warrior and inserted one end into the monster's head.
"Now, each of your turns that go by will give me lifepoints equal to half of your monster's attack points!"
"That doesn't mean I can't attack. Go Alligator Sword!"
"Not so fast! I play my trap card, DNA Surgery!" Weevil laughed as his card flipped up. Waves of energy rippled off it, striking Joey's monsters and changing them into nightmares that should not have existed in a normal world. Rocket Warrior shuddered as spines burst from its back and its hands changed to pincers, while Alligator Sword growled in pain, sprouting tentacles and antennae even as it attacked. Then it struck the Insect Barrier and was hurled back. The bug duellist watched the transformations with an unholy light in his eyes.
"What did you do to my monsters, you little freak?!" Joey yelled, his face flushing with anger.
"It was you who activated my trap. DNA Surgery changes the type of all monsters on the field to that of one of my choosing. And I chose bugs." Weevil gestured to his glowing defence barrier. "My magic card doesn't seem like such of waste now, does it? It protects me from anything you could throw at me."
Joey growled in frustration. "I'll play one card facedown and end my turn."
"Good, because I have plans." Weevil drew and grinned at his card. "Like this card. It's called Pinch Hopper (1000/1200) and I play it in attack mode." The duellist smiled fondly at the small grasshopper on the field. "Then I will end my turn and take a lifepoint boost (2850) from Kisetai."
Certain Weevil had summoned the grasshopper to mock him, Joey drew and grumbled hostiley under his breath. "Okay smart guy, I'll just switch my monsters to defence mode. Try touching my lifepoints now, why don't ya? Oh, and I'll summon Little Winguard (1400/1800) in defence too. That's it for my turn." Joey watched as his monster was turned into an insect type too.
"Good. Just let the end come for you." Giggling hysterically, Weevil drew and played a magic card. "Go Insect Bombardment! It lets me discard five cards from the top of my deck, and deal five hundred damage to you for each insect card discarded in that way. So let the bombardment begin!"
Joey was lucky, because Weevil only sent two monsters to the graveyard; Needle Worm and Flying Kamikiri#1. But as a swarm of holographic insects mobbed him, Joey still flinched at the illusionary stingers and shielded his face as his lifepoints dropped to 3000. But Weevil wasn't through yet.
"Remember this little guy? He's the one who almost destroyed Yugi. Go Petite Moth (300/200)!"
The tiny little worm emerged from the grass on the field, wiggling its body ineffectually. Weevil was ecstatic. "Now I'll wrap him up tightly in his Cocoon of Evolution!"
The larva spun itself a cocoon with no attack power, but a defence of 2000, 2200 with the power bonus. 'Not that it needs it' Joey thought, increasingly frantic. 'With Insect Barrier and DNA Surgery up, I can't touch him. And that coccon could be a real problem soon. Not to mention that Kisetai.'
While Joey thought, Weevil ranted on. "Only five turns to go until I get to unleash my mightiest monster! And then it will be all over for you Wheeler! You're way in over your head. And as if that weren't enough, I keep gaining lifepoints from my Kisetai!" The little pain cackled crazily as he gained another 750 lifepoints, bringing his total to 3600.
"I can turn this around Weevil!" Joey yelled back, drawing. "And I know just how to start. I sacrifice Rocket Warrior and Little Winguard to summon Sword Hunter (2450/2300) to the field. He may get turned into an insect too," Joey added as the tall warrior wielding two long swords promptly grew a hardened black carapace, "But he gets rid of your leech. And when I find a way around your Insect Barrier, he's gonna mash your lifepoints good!"
Weevil snorted. "A fat lot of good that thing is going to do for you. My Moth is unstoppable. I summon Flying Kamikiri # 1 (1400/900) in attack mode and end my turn."
"Well, I'll play one card facedown and end my turn."
"Tick tock, Wheeler! Time is running out!" Weevil said, ending his turn without playing a card.
The next few turns passed in a similar manner. Weevil laughed at the cards in his hand and promised to destroy Joey, while Joey just tuned him out and considered his options. "I'll summon one monster in defence mode and end my turn, Weevil. I'm ready to see your giant bug."
"Then prepare to witness a power like no other!" Weevil drew and the cocoon began to bulge and ripple, as though some creature was now struggling to break free. "Meet my Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth (3500/3000)! His coming spells your destruction!"
A long, multi-jointed leg tore through the side of the cocoon. It was soon joined by another, and another. A pair of great multi-coloured wings fanned the air slowly. A piercing cry split the air and the creature broke free from its organic prison and took to the sky. Its massive frame blocked out the sun and it towered over Joey's monsters. "Whoa" the blond muttered. "That is a big bug."
Weevil was ecstatic. "Take a good long look at your destruction, Wheeler! Now, my mighty monster, wipe out his Sword Hunter with Toxic Tornado!"
The moth began to flap its wings swiftly, whipping up a gale force wind filled with toxic particles. But Joey had no intention of losing his monster.
"Reveal facedown card, Magic Arm Shield!"
A shield suddenly attached to the Sword Hunter's arm. A ratcheted arm lashed out from the shield and caught Pinch Hopper in a firm grasp. Despite its struggles, the bug was dragged right into the path of the furious tornado. The monster was destroyed, the windstorm was dissipated, and Weevil's lifepoints dropped significantly.
Weevil (1100 LP) screamed with rage while Joey smirked "I told you I wasn't finished with you. You ready to quite while you're ahead?"
"Not yet! You see, my Pinch Hopper had a special effect. If he were to be destroyed, I can summon any monster from my hand." Weevil grinned again. "It's time to meet my rarest monster! Say hello to Insect Queen (2200/2400)!"
The queen pulled itself from a large portal that suddenly opened on the field. Wings flapped rapidly, segmented legs twitched, and a horrifyingly human face shrieked with primal rage. "Isn't she beautiful?" Weevil gushed sickeningly. "And she gets an extra two hundred attack points for every insect on the field, including herself! I have to sacrifice an insect to attack, so I'll feed her my Flying Kamikiri # 1 and have her blast away your Sword Hunter!"
The giant arachnid suddenly lashed her head down and fastened a set of razor-like teeth in the dragonfly's neck. With a vicious shake, it tore the monster to pieces. Then it bent its head down and emitted a green burst of energy from its mouth. Joey's Sword Hunter was destroyed and his lifepoints dropped to 2450. "Now I end my turn Wheeler. Enjoy your last turn!"
"Says you bug boy!"
Joey drew and looked at his cards critically. "I'll just place one card down, I guess. It couldn't hurt after all. Other than that, I'll just sit tight and let you make your move."
Weevil laughed. "And I have you where I want you! I summon Mantis Raider (1800/500) in attack mode. Then I'll play the magic card Stop Defence!"
Joey grimaced. From the sidelines, Mokuba winced as a flash of light forced the Alligator Sword into attack mode. "It's over," he muttered.
"Now face the wrath of my mighty moth as he blows your lizard away! Attack with Toxic Tornado!"
The Alligator Sword didn't stand a chance. The winds shattered its body and stole two thousand lifepoints from Joey. Left with a measly 450, he was nearly blown out of his booth. Weevil continued his insane laughter, enjoying his opponent's pain. "Now Mantic Raider, take out his facedown card!"
The sabre-wielding bug cut the facedown monster to pieces. The brief image of a small man wearing green robes and a top hat appeared before he shattered like the alligator. Joey was left defenceless, wide open for an attack by the Insect Queen. The big duellist snorted. "I can't believe Pegasus made a fool like you an eliminator! Now I'll be waltzing right into the finals because you failed to beat me. So think about THAT the next time you think about challenging someone superior to you! Now I sacrifice Mantis Raider for Insect Queen to power up and attack!"
The mantic screeched as its queen devoured it, leaving bits of chitin littering the holographic ground. But for some reason, the monster would not attack.
"W-what? What's wrong?" Suddenly Weevil's voice held fear.
Joey laughed, his own voice holding victory. "You didn't take a closer look at the facedown monster you destroyed, or its effect. It was a card called Trap Master (500/1100), and when he's flipped he can destroy one trap on the field. So I chose your DNA Surgery. But that's not all!" The blond shook his finger at the blue-haired duellist. "I also activated my facedown card, Grave Robber! This let my take a card from your graveyard, and I chose DNA Surgery. Now all monsters on the field are warriors!"
"What? No! My precious bugs! What have you done to them?!"
"I've just given them a makeover, Underwood." Joey was beside himself with glee. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll draw." He picked up a card and grinned. "Alright! Just what I needed! I play Monster Reborn and bring back my Sword Hunter!"
The tall warrior reappeared on the field, revived by Joey's magic. Weevil seemed to recover himself and he smiled. "He's still not strong enough to defeat my monsters!"
"Guess again Weevil!" Joey flipped over his facedown card. "I activate Scapegoat, giving me four little sheep tokens to work with."
The four fuzzy creatures materialised and milled around slightly. Weevil took one look and broke into laughter.
"My God Wheeler, are you so desperate to rely on those furballs?"
"Don't mock them yet Weevil, cause now I play A Forces!"
All of the monsters on the field started to glow, including Weevil's. The glow cut his laughter short. "Now what?"
"Remember when I told you that DNA Surgery turned all the monsters on the field to warriors? Well, the A Forces magic card grants all my warrior cards an extra 200 attack and defence points for every warrior or spellcaster on the field. So, thanks to my scapegoats and your former bugs, my Sword Hunter gets an extra....." Joey trailed off with a frown. He started counting on his fingers, mumbling to himself. Finally he grinned. "An extra 1400 attack points!"
Weevil screamed "OH NO! I'm done!"
"That you are bug boy." Joey pointed casually. "Sword Hunter (3850/3700), go and cut that Insect Queen down to size. Twin Sword Slash!"
The warrior raised its blades and slashed crosswise at the Insect Queen. At first nothing happened. Then the queen fell apart in four different segments. Weevil's lifepoints became suddenly nonexistence, and the duel ended.
Joey climbed down from his duelling platform and approached Weevil, who lay shuddering on his hands and knees. "Okay Weevil" he said sternly. "Cough 'em up. Four star chips and your rarest card!"
On the verge of tears, Weevil wordlessly handed over his Insect Queen and four of his chips. Upon receiving them, Joey slid the card into a side pouch along with Machine King and the other rare cards he'd won from duellists. Then he turned and handed Mokuba his two star chips back. "I believe these are yours."
The younger Kaiba blinked. "What? You're giving me another chance in the tournament? But.....you're supposed to eliminate other duellists, aren't you?"
Joey scratched the back of his head self-consciously. "Yeah, well I didn't actually duel you. And Weevil always did leave a bad taste in my mouth, so I guess you get another chance."
"Gee, thanks Joey." Mokuba beamed. "Now I guess I'll be able to finish off Weevil myself!"
"You do that kiddo. And hey, if you ever get to the castle, look me up, kay?"
Joey turned and strolled away, leaving Mokuba to challenge the beaten Weevil. 'Ah' he thought, 'It's a good day. I got a new rare card, my score is up to four, and the reputation is spreading. Things are really looking up!"
***
Smokegirl: You call that a chapter?! That was just filler!
Magicman: I'm trying to establish Joey's lot in life before the chaos starts. Don't worry, the boat will start rocking next chapter. And from then on, the plot runs rampant! Muahahahahahahahaaa!
Smokegirl: -_-' Seriously, work on that laugh.
Magicman: Smokegirl, are you sure that dropping a nuclear bomb on Domino town will help the plot line? I mean killing most of the characters may not exactly help things along. And that wouldn't work, since I have plans for most of the characters.
Smokegirl: What are you talking about?! Don't tell me you're really going along with that stupid-
Magicman: *covers Smokegirl's mouth* Okay, that's enough of giving away my plotlines for today. Sorry BECA, but I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. ^_//
Smokegirl: *muffled curses and screaming*
Magicman: Eh, lets start things before she bites my hand off. By the way, for this fic I've decided that field power bonuses will supply monsters with 200 attack and defence points. I could do the whole 30% thing, but the fact is that I'm too lazy to do it. Enjoy the chapter.
***
Simon flipped his latest acquisitions like a gambler flipping a lucky coin. "So sorry" he apologized to the beaten duellist. "But that's the way the game goes." He nodded his goodbye and set off, sliding a Vampire Lord card into the pouch at his belt and fastening two star chips into his eliminator glove. Walking off, he pulled his walkie-talkie from his belt and pressed the speaker button. "Hey Joey. Are you there?"
The walkie-talkie crackled for a moment before Joey's voice came through the speaker. "This is Raider Captain calling Forbidden One. Come in Forbidden One. Do you copy?"
Simon rolled his eyes. "Will you stop with the call signs Joey? They make no sense and they're beginning to wear thin. Anyways, my score is up to five now. How are you doing?"
Joey responded normally, without the code name jargon. "I'm at three. After Keith, everyone else just scattered."
Simon nodded, as though Joey could see him. "The nameless ones will try and hide from you and the big boys, but the better duellists might actually go looking for you. If you can think of a place a duellist needs to go and don't bother with introducing yourself first, you'll start making kills in earnest. It's an island with hundreds of duellists on it. We've barely begun."
"You really like your job, don't you?"
Simon smirked. "Ask any rat catcher. The chase is all part of the fun."
"You can be really, really scary sometimes."
"Hey, you've got to enjoy your job." Simon looked up sharply. There was a crunching sound coming through the tall grass, as though someone was walking in his direction. "I gotta go Joey," he said, smiling as he did so. "Looks like number six is heading my way. Over." He released the speaking button and headed off after the footsteps.
Miles away in the forest section of Duellist Kingdom Joey shook his head ruefully. 'At least things are going well' he thought. Taking a swig from his water bottle, he continued to trudge along. Keeping in mind Simon's advice, he tried to think of places that duellists would need to go.
'But why in the world would they need to walk around in some old forest?' he thought, annoyed. Although on the plus side it was very quiet. He could hear the wind rustling through trees and the crunch of leaves beneath his feet. A city boy, he hadn't had much experience with nature, and it was good just to walk along, enjoying the scenery. It was the late afternoon of the second day of the tournament, and the growing shadows gave the trees a beautiful, unearthly appearance.
Looking around, Joey smiled. "Well, if I don't find any duellists today, at least I can enjoy a stroll through the woods. You can even hear the bugs buzzing out here!" Cupping a hand to his ear, Joey listened. He frowned slightly. That didn't sound like bugs. It sounded like an arena's hollow emitters. A duel! "Alright! Time to earn my pay!"
The tall blonde took off in the direction of the duel. No more did he stroll leisurely through the forest, listening to trees and wind. He wanted to reach the duelling arena before the duel ended.
A light through the trees drew his attention, and he ran even faster. He broke through the forest's edge just in time to hear an incredibly grating and annoying voice laugh victoriously.
"Hahahahahaaa! You never stood a chance against me! It would have saved a lot of time if you'd just handed me your star chips in the first place!" The blue-haired, bespectacled little maniac cackled again. Joey recognised him instantly for the stinking little cheater he was.
"Weevil Underwood!"
Weevil stiffened. "Who is that?" He turned and saw Joey come up behind him and smirked his insufferably smug grin. "Well, well. Little Joey Wheeler is out to play with the big boys! Are you going to challenge me like this little runt?" He pointed behind him at his opponent.
"I wouldn't be calling anyone a runt Weevil" Joey growled. "You're lucky if I don't kick you off the island just for what you pulled last time!" He looked past Weevil at the duellist who was gathering up his cards despondently. "What the..... Hey Mokuba, is that you?"
The younger Kaiba looked up, startled. Then he smiled and waved. "Hi Joey. You entered too?"
"In a manner of speaking. What happened here?"
"I was cutting through the forest when Weevil jumped me and challenged me. He won and took all my star chips." The black haired youth shook his head angrily. "What a way to go. Beaten by a stupid flea."
"Oh really?" Joey turned to Weevil, who was still smirking.
"Yeah! And you can't do anything about it!" Weevil countered with all the arrogance of someone who knows exactly what the rules say. "I'm allowed to challenge anyone I want, anywhere I want. If Kaiba's brat of a brother didn't want to lose then he shouldn't have entered Duellist Kingdom in the first place!"
A smile spread slowly across the tall blonde's face. "That rule works both ways, Weevil. I can challenge whoever I want too." Joey raised his gauntlet and pressed the button. A beeping from Weevil's glove signified that the countdown had begun.
Weevil looked down at his glove suspiciously for only a moment. Being a lot smarter than Bandit Keith, he put two and two together in only a couple of seconds. The grin returned and he started to laugh again. "Seriously?" he gasped in between cackles. "No fooling? Pegasus actually made YOU an eliminator?" The bug-wielding midget clutched his sides and fell over, writhing with hysteria.
Mokuba blinked a couple times and looked at Joey curiously. "Are you really an eliminator?"
Joey smiled. "Yep! I'm supposed to kick guys like Weevil here off the island. Actually, I was looking for a duel today. I guess I got lucky."
"Alright then. I'm really happy for you, getting a good job." Mokuba smiled. "Though Seto isn't going to believe me when I tell him."
"No offence Mokuba, but your brother can go suck eggs."
"None taken." The younger Kaiba shrugged. "I'm not expecting you two to be friends, so it doesn't matter."
Eventually, Weevil overcame his mirth and struggled back to his feet, a huge grin splitting his face. "Alright Wheeler" he said, "I'll play. I could use the chance to get more star chips. I have six, so I'll bet four that I win."
Joey shook his finger. "You're forgetting something. You have to throw in your rarest card too."
"Alright then. Four star chips and an exceptionally rare card go to the winner. You know, you could just quit right now while you're ahead."
"So could you, ya little flea. Now get ready Weevil, cause its time to duel!"
Weevil grinned. "As you wish!"
The playing field was all forest, so Weevil's monsters would get a power bonus. Joey wasn't worried though. Yugi had beaten him, so now it was his turn. The eliminator hopped into his dueling seat and gestured for his opponent to start things off.
"Go get him Joey!" Mokuba shouted. "Smack him down like a hornet!"
"With pleasure!"
"Don't be so sure of yourself Wheeler", Weevil taunted. "The insect world is a strange and very dangerous place. You wouldn't believe the dangers that wait under every blade of grass, or behind each leaf. But you're going to learn, Wheeler. The hard way!" He laughed insanely.
"Blah, blah, blah." Joey pointed. "Just make your move already. All your screeching is giving me a headache."
"Eager to lose, eh? Well fine. It's you're time to waste." Both players drew their starting hands and Weevil smiled at his cards. 'He has no idea what I have planned for him!' he snickered to himself. Aloud he announced his move. "I'll begin my duel by summoning the first of my army of bugs. Meet my Hercules Beetle (1500/1200)! And the field power bonus gives him an extra power boost of two hundred attack points!"
A large purple beetle appeared on the field, gnashing its mandibles. A huge horn sprouted from its head, pointing menacingly at Joey, and it was rather bigger than usual, powered up by the forest zone. "Next, I'll play the magic card Insect Barrier. Now no insect you summon can attack me! And that ends my turn."
Joey stared incredulously at the thin golden lines than now separated his side of the field from Weevil's. "What the heck are you thinking?! I don't have any insect cards. Unless you're planning to turn all my monsters into insects, but that can't be possible." He shrugged. "Ah well. No skin off of my teeth. Lets see what the old deck gives Joey."
He drew and surveyed the collection of cards in his hand. 'Not bad.' He thought. 'If Weevil thinks his lousy magic card is gonna stop me from mopping the floor with him, he's got another thing coming. And this little guy will do just the trick.'
"I summon Rocket Warrior (1500/1200) in attack mode" Joey announced. "And the first thing he's gonna do is clear the field. I'll have him attack your Hercules Beetle."
Weevil grinned. 'Wheeler's cracked already. His toy soldier is much weaker than my vicious beetle, thanks to the field power bonus.' Suddenly his eyes bugged out (Magicman: No pun intended). "What in the world?"
Joey smiled back as his Rocket Warrior transformed into its invincible mode. "I guess you didn't know my monster's special ability. It can change modes before attacking. If he attacks a card like this, that monster loses five hundred attack points! Now top that!"
The warrior, now transformed into a small missile, blasted forward at high speed, striking the Hercules Beetle and blowing it into many pieces. Weevil's life points dropped by three hundred and he growled and straightened his bow tie.
"Then I'll play one card facedown." Joey set his card. "Now, let's see what you've got bug boy."
"I'll show you what I've got!" Weevile drew. "I've got Girochin Kuwagata (1700/1000)! And the power bonus boosts his attack to 1900! Now my monster, eat his Rocket Warrior for lunch!"
The large bug armed with a set of deadly looking pincers rushed the warrior, mandibles opened wide. But then there was a flash of light and the Rocket Warrior was concealed in a brightly coloured box with several holes in it. Suddenly the monster popped up from a hole, and was gone just as suddenly only to reappear in another and disappear just as fast.
Joey grinned. "I play my trap card, Fairy Box. Take a shot Weevil. It's just like a whack-a-mole game." He waited patiently until the bug took a swing and missed abysmally. "Oops. Well, there's always next time, isn't there? Heh, heh." Joey drew.
Mokuba watched Joey and Weevil duke it out, somewhat in awe. 'Joey's really gotten better since I last saw him.' He thought. 'But I wouldn't count Weevil out yet. He's not the reigning regional champion for nothing.'
"Now", Joey said, "I'll summon Alligator Sword (1500/1200) in attack mode. Try wrestling this bad boy." He waited for his reptilian swordsman to materialise. "Then I'll switch Rocket Warrior to his invincible mode and blow away your Girochin Kuwagata!" He shielded his eyes from the blast then smiled. "Now I'll have my Alligator Sword attack your lifepoints directly!"
Weevil screamed when the swamp dweller lunged and slashed at him with a huge sabre, smashing easily through the insect barrier and dropping the bug duellist's lifepoints down to 2100. When he recovered he growled. "That's it Wheeler! I've had it with you!"
"Big words for a little bug."
"I'll teach you not to insult my pets!" Weevil slapped one card down in the magic/trap zone. "I'll play one trap card and also summon one monster in defence mode! Just try and attack this!"
"You want it? You got it! Rocket Warrior, attack his monster!"
As the warrior prepped for an attack, Weevil laughed. "You've attack my Kisetai!'
"What the-"The leech-like monster hooked onto Joey's Rocket Warrior and inserted one end into the monster's head.
"Now, each of your turns that go by will give me lifepoints equal to half of your monster's attack points!"
"That doesn't mean I can't attack. Go Alligator Sword!"
"Not so fast! I play my trap card, DNA Surgery!" Weevil laughed as his card flipped up. Waves of energy rippled off it, striking Joey's monsters and changing them into nightmares that should not have existed in a normal world. Rocket Warrior shuddered as spines burst from its back and its hands changed to pincers, while Alligator Sword growled in pain, sprouting tentacles and antennae even as it attacked. Then it struck the Insect Barrier and was hurled back. The bug duellist watched the transformations with an unholy light in his eyes.
"What did you do to my monsters, you little freak?!" Joey yelled, his face flushing with anger.
"It was you who activated my trap. DNA Surgery changes the type of all monsters on the field to that of one of my choosing. And I chose bugs." Weevil gestured to his glowing defence barrier. "My magic card doesn't seem like such of waste now, does it? It protects me from anything you could throw at me."
Joey growled in frustration. "I'll play one card facedown and end my turn."
"Good, because I have plans." Weevil drew and grinned at his card. "Like this card. It's called Pinch Hopper (1000/1200) and I play it in attack mode." The duellist smiled fondly at the small grasshopper on the field. "Then I will end my turn and take a lifepoint boost (2850) from Kisetai."
Certain Weevil had summoned the grasshopper to mock him, Joey drew and grumbled hostiley under his breath. "Okay smart guy, I'll just switch my monsters to defence mode. Try touching my lifepoints now, why don't ya? Oh, and I'll summon Little Winguard (1400/1800) in defence too. That's it for my turn." Joey watched as his monster was turned into an insect type too.
"Good. Just let the end come for you." Giggling hysterically, Weevil drew and played a magic card. "Go Insect Bombardment! It lets me discard five cards from the top of my deck, and deal five hundred damage to you for each insect card discarded in that way. So let the bombardment begin!"
Joey was lucky, because Weevil only sent two monsters to the graveyard; Needle Worm and Flying Kamikiri#1. But as a swarm of holographic insects mobbed him, Joey still flinched at the illusionary stingers and shielded his face as his lifepoints dropped to 3000. But Weevil wasn't through yet.
"Remember this little guy? He's the one who almost destroyed Yugi. Go Petite Moth (300/200)!"
The tiny little worm emerged from the grass on the field, wiggling its body ineffectually. Weevil was ecstatic. "Now I'll wrap him up tightly in his Cocoon of Evolution!"
The larva spun itself a cocoon with no attack power, but a defence of 2000, 2200 with the power bonus. 'Not that it needs it' Joey thought, increasingly frantic. 'With Insect Barrier and DNA Surgery up, I can't touch him. And that coccon could be a real problem soon. Not to mention that Kisetai.'
While Joey thought, Weevil ranted on. "Only five turns to go until I get to unleash my mightiest monster! And then it will be all over for you Wheeler! You're way in over your head. And as if that weren't enough, I keep gaining lifepoints from my Kisetai!" The little pain cackled crazily as he gained another 750 lifepoints, bringing his total to 3600.
"I can turn this around Weevil!" Joey yelled back, drawing. "And I know just how to start. I sacrifice Rocket Warrior and Little Winguard to summon Sword Hunter (2450/2300) to the field. He may get turned into an insect too," Joey added as the tall warrior wielding two long swords promptly grew a hardened black carapace, "But he gets rid of your leech. And when I find a way around your Insect Barrier, he's gonna mash your lifepoints good!"
Weevil snorted. "A fat lot of good that thing is going to do for you. My Moth is unstoppable. I summon Flying Kamikiri # 1 (1400/900) in attack mode and end my turn."
"Well, I'll play one card facedown and end my turn."
"Tick tock, Wheeler! Time is running out!" Weevil said, ending his turn without playing a card.
The next few turns passed in a similar manner. Weevil laughed at the cards in his hand and promised to destroy Joey, while Joey just tuned him out and considered his options. "I'll summon one monster in defence mode and end my turn, Weevil. I'm ready to see your giant bug."
"Then prepare to witness a power like no other!" Weevil drew and the cocoon began to bulge and ripple, as though some creature was now struggling to break free. "Meet my Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth (3500/3000)! His coming spells your destruction!"
A long, multi-jointed leg tore through the side of the cocoon. It was soon joined by another, and another. A pair of great multi-coloured wings fanned the air slowly. A piercing cry split the air and the creature broke free from its organic prison and took to the sky. Its massive frame blocked out the sun and it towered over Joey's monsters. "Whoa" the blond muttered. "That is a big bug."
Weevil was ecstatic. "Take a good long look at your destruction, Wheeler! Now, my mighty monster, wipe out his Sword Hunter with Toxic Tornado!"
The moth began to flap its wings swiftly, whipping up a gale force wind filled with toxic particles. But Joey had no intention of losing his monster.
"Reveal facedown card, Magic Arm Shield!"
A shield suddenly attached to the Sword Hunter's arm. A ratcheted arm lashed out from the shield and caught Pinch Hopper in a firm grasp. Despite its struggles, the bug was dragged right into the path of the furious tornado. The monster was destroyed, the windstorm was dissipated, and Weevil's lifepoints dropped significantly.
Weevil (1100 LP) screamed with rage while Joey smirked "I told you I wasn't finished with you. You ready to quite while you're ahead?"
"Not yet! You see, my Pinch Hopper had a special effect. If he were to be destroyed, I can summon any monster from my hand." Weevil grinned again. "It's time to meet my rarest monster! Say hello to Insect Queen (2200/2400)!"
The queen pulled itself from a large portal that suddenly opened on the field. Wings flapped rapidly, segmented legs twitched, and a horrifyingly human face shrieked with primal rage. "Isn't she beautiful?" Weevil gushed sickeningly. "And she gets an extra two hundred attack points for every insect on the field, including herself! I have to sacrifice an insect to attack, so I'll feed her my Flying Kamikiri # 1 and have her blast away your Sword Hunter!"
The giant arachnid suddenly lashed her head down and fastened a set of razor-like teeth in the dragonfly's neck. With a vicious shake, it tore the monster to pieces. Then it bent its head down and emitted a green burst of energy from its mouth. Joey's Sword Hunter was destroyed and his lifepoints dropped to 2450. "Now I end my turn Wheeler. Enjoy your last turn!"
"Says you bug boy!"
Joey drew and looked at his cards critically. "I'll just place one card down, I guess. It couldn't hurt after all. Other than that, I'll just sit tight and let you make your move."
Weevil laughed. "And I have you where I want you! I summon Mantis Raider (1800/500) in attack mode. Then I'll play the magic card Stop Defence!"
Joey grimaced. From the sidelines, Mokuba winced as a flash of light forced the Alligator Sword into attack mode. "It's over," he muttered.
"Now face the wrath of my mighty moth as he blows your lizard away! Attack with Toxic Tornado!"
The Alligator Sword didn't stand a chance. The winds shattered its body and stole two thousand lifepoints from Joey. Left with a measly 450, he was nearly blown out of his booth. Weevil continued his insane laughter, enjoying his opponent's pain. "Now Mantic Raider, take out his facedown card!"
The sabre-wielding bug cut the facedown monster to pieces. The brief image of a small man wearing green robes and a top hat appeared before he shattered like the alligator. Joey was left defenceless, wide open for an attack by the Insect Queen. The big duellist snorted. "I can't believe Pegasus made a fool like you an eliminator! Now I'll be waltzing right into the finals because you failed to beat me. So think about THAT the next time you think about challenging someone superior to you! Now I sacrifice Mantis Raider for Insect Queen to power up and attack!"
The mantic screeched as its queen devoured it, leaving bits of chitin littering the holographic ground. But for some reason, the monster would not attack.
"W-what? What's wrong?" Suddenly Weevil's voice held fear.
Joey laughed, his own voice holding victory. "You didn't take a closer look at the facedown monster you destroyed, or its effect. It was a card called Trap Master (500/1100), and when he's flipped he can destroy one trap on the field. So I chose your DNA Surgery. But that's not all!" The blond shook his finger at the blue-haired duellist. "I also activated my facedown card, Grave Robber! This let my take a card from your graveyard, and I chose DNA Surgery. Now all monsters on the field are warriors!"
"What? No! My precious bugs! What have you done to them?!"
"I've just given them a makeover, Underwood." Joey was beside himself with glee. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll draw." He picked up a card and grinned. "Alright! Just what I needed! I play Monster Reborn and bring back my Sword Hunter!"
The tall warrior reappeared on the field, revived by Joey's magic. Weevil seemed to recover himself and he smiled. "He's still not strong enough to defeat my monsters!"
"Guess again Weevil!" Joey flipped over his facedown card. "I activate Scapegoat, giving me four little sheep tokens to work with."
The four fuzzy creatures materialised and milled around slightly. Weevil took one look and broke into laughter.
"My God Wheeler, are you so desperate to rely on those furballs?"
"Don't mock them yet Weevil, cause now I play A Forces!"
All of the monsters on the field started to glow, including Weevil's. The glow cut his laughter short. "Now what?"
"Remember when I told you that DNA Surgery turned all the monsters on the field to warriors? Well, the A Forces magic card grants all my warrior cards an extra 200 attack and defence points for every warrior or spellcaster on the field. So, thanks to my scapegoats and your former bugs, my Sword Hunter gets an extra....." Joey trailed off with a frown. He started counting on his fingers, mumbling to himself. Finally he grinned. "An extra 1400 attack points!"
Weevil screamed "OH NO! I'm done!"
"That you are bug boy." Joey pointed casually. "Sword Hunter (3850/3700), go and cut that Insect Queen down to size. Twin Sword Slash!"
The warrior raised its blades and slashed crosswise at the Insect Queen. At first nothing happened. Then the queen fell apart in four different segments. Weevil's lifepoints became suddenly nonexistence, and the duel ended.
Joey climbed down from his duelling platform and approached Weevil, who lay shuddering on his hands and knees. "Okay Weevil" he said sternly. "Cough 'em up. Four star chips and your rarest card!"
On the verge of tears, Weevil wordlessly handed over his Insect Queen and four of his chips. Upon receiving them, Joey slid the card into a side pouch along with Machine King and the other rare cards he'd won from duellists. Then he turned and handed Mokuba his two star chips back. "I believe these are yours."
The younger Kaiba blinked. "What? You're giving me another chance in the tournament? But.....you're supposed to eliminate other duellists, aren't you?"
Joey scratched the back of his head self-consciously. "Yeah, well I didn't actually duel you. And Weevil always did leave a bad taste in my mouth, so I guess you get another chance."
"Gee, thanks Joey." Mokuba beamed. "Now I guess I'll be able to finish off Weevil myself!"
"You do that kiddo. And hey, if you ever get to the castle, look me up, kay?"
Joey turned and strolled away, leaving Mokuba to challenge the beaten Weevil. 'Ah' he thought, 'It's a good day. I got a new rare card, my score is up to four, and the reputation is spreading. Things are really looking up!"
***
Smokegirl: You call that a chapter?! That was just filler!
Magicman: I'm trying to establish Joey's lot in life before the chaos starts. Don't worry, the boat will start rocking next chapter. And from then on, the plot runs rampant! Muahahahahahahahaaa!
Smokegirl: -_-' Seriously, work on that laugh.