Chapter 38: Team Building

When the light died down, The travelers found themselves in a world unlike any they had ever seen before. While the others had been one continuous patch of ground, this world seemed to be made up of disjointed islands of floating rock.

"Great. How are we going to get across?"

"Easy, Chazz. Like this!"

And before anyone could stop him, Jaden took a running leap off of the platform. Everyone thought he would fall for sure, but he instead soared to the next platform, no worse for wear.

"Hey, that was fun! Come on guys, its easy!"

A little cautious, but realizing there was no easy way to get across, his friends joined him, each one making it across until Syrus was the only one remaining.

"Come on Syrus, you can do it!"

"Oh, that's okay, you guys go on ahead!"

"Come on, its easy. Just don't look down!"

"That's easy for you to say, You have to tilt your head to see the ground!"

"Come on, what are you, Chicken?"

"Chazz!"

"What?"

Realizing there was no other way to get across, Syrus took a deep breath and took a running jump across, just barely managing to grab the ledge on the other side before Jaden and Hassleberry helped him up.

"Great job, Syrus!"

"Thanks, but I guess I need to work on my landings."

From there, the group made their way from platform to platform, trying to figure out where to go. After a while of doing this, they came to a duel stadium in the middle of the void. Outside a sign read "Tag Duel Tournament today beginning at Noon."

"Tag Duels? That's not something you tend to see every day."

"Maybe this can help us make the gate appear. Let's sign up!"

And so the teams were decided: Jaden and Alexis, Bastion and Chazz, Syrus and Hassleberry, and Atticus and Blair. Erika decided to sit this one out, making her way to the stands to watch. At noon, the tournament started, Syrus and Hassleberry were first, facing the team of Goe Goe the Gallant Ninja and Lady Ninja Yae.

"Ha! This will be easy."

"Easy Hassleberry."

"indeed. Our Ninja teamwork knows no limits!"

GAME ON!

Goe Goe/Yae: 8000

Hassleberry/Syrus: 8000

"I'll go first. I summon Flying Kamakiri #1 in defense mode. I set one card face down and end my turn."

"Alright, time to get serious. I summon Sabersaurus in attack mode, and I'll equip him with Raise Body Heat to give him 300 attack points (1900-2200). Next, I special summon Gilasaurus in attack mode. Gilasaurus, attack his bug!"

The smaller dino rammed his head into the insect, smashing it into pixels.

"I'll replace him with another one in attack mode."

"Go ahead, my Sabersaurus will just destroy it as well."

True to his word, Sabersaurus pierced the insect on one of his horns.

Goe Goe/Yae: 7200

"I'll replace it with myself, Goe Goe the Gallant Ninja (1500/1000)!"

"Heh. I'll set two cards face down and end my turn."

"Then its my turn. I sacrifice Goe Goe in order to summon Raiza the Storm Monarch (2400/1000) in attack mode! And when he's tribute summoned, I can return one of your monsters to the top of your deck, like your Sabersaurus!"

Strong winds picked up, launching the larger dinosaur straight back to Hassleberry's deck.

"Next, by banishing one of my Kamakiri's I can summon Silpheed!"

"And since you did, I can activate Hunting Instinct! Since you special summoned a monster, I can summon a dino from my hand, like Ultimate Tyranno!"

"Well, I activate Call of the Haunted, to bring back Flying Kamakiri. Now Raiza, attack his Gilasaurus!"

The Storm Monarch created a large ball of wind which he threw at Gilasaurus, destroying it.

Hassleberry/Syrus: 7000

"I'll end my turn."

"Then its my turn, I draw! And to start, I summon Steamroid in attack mode! Next, I'll activate Clockwork Knight! Now, all non-machine monsters on your field become machines and lose 500 attack points (2400-1900) (1700-1200) (1400-900), and my machines gain 500 attack points (1800-2300)."

"Ten four, little buddy! Show them whose boss!"

"Finally, something we can agree on. Ultimate Tyranno, full throttle!"

The mighty dinosaur roared before charging, stomping all of his foes flat.

Goe Goe/Yae: 4800

"Now Steamroid, attack them directly!

The train let loose a powerful steam whistle before charing, running the ninja's down.

Goe Goe/Yae: 2500

"I'll set two cards face down and end my turn."

"You'll pay for that, you little runt! I activate Brain Control! By paying 800 life points, I can take control of your Tyranno!"

Goe Goe/Yae: 1700

"Next, I summon Winged Rhynos (1800/500) in attack mode! Ultimate Tyranno, attack his Steamroid (2300-1800)!"

Syrus grinned. This was easier than he thought.

"I activate Magical Cylinder! Now your attack goes right back to you!"

"What?!"

"That's game!"

The dinosaur was sucked into one cyliner, only to be shot back out, ramming the two wind monsters and knocking them off their feet.

Goe Goe/Yae: 0000

Syrus and Hassleberry win!