Chapter 39: The Price of Vanity
After Syrus and Hassleberry's duel finished, it was time for Jaden and Alexis to go. Their opponents were Vanity's Fiend and Vanity's Ruler, and they didn't think too highly of our heroes.
"What's this, some lower life forms? This shall be a cakewalk."
"Indeed. I just hope they can provide a decent challenge."
This got Jaden and Alexis riled up.
"Oh yeah, we'll see about that!"
"If we must."
GAME ON!
Vanity's Fiend/Ruler: 8000
Jaden/Alexis: 8000
"Higher life forms first. I'll begin with setting one monster face down, and one card face down. Your turn."
"That's your big play? Let me show you how we do things back home. I summon Elemental Hero Stratos (1800/300), and with his effect I'll add Neos from my deck to my hand. Now Stratos, attack his face down!"
The winged hero shot forward, punching the face down to reveal a pink blob, which warped but didn't break.
"Fool! You attacked my Marshmallon, and when he's attacked while face down, you lose 1000 life points."
Jaden/Alexis: 7000
"I end my turn with two cards face down. Your move."
"You primitive life forms are so adorable, going head first into danger without thinking. Allow me to show you the error of your ways! First, I summon Kaiser Sea Horse (1700/1650) in attack mode. Next, I activate my partner's face down, Ultimate Offering! By paying 500 life points, I can normal summon once more."
Vanity's Fiend/Ruler: 7500
"And thanks to my Kaiser's effect, I can treat him as two tributes when I tribute summon a light monster, so say hello to myself, Vanity's Ruler (2500/1600)! Now I'll attack your Stratos!"
The ruler created a storm of rose petals which she shot out, ripping the hero to shreds.
Jaden/Alexis: 6300
"I activate my trap card, Hero Signal! Now I can replace Stratos with a level 4 or lower Elemental Hero from my deck!"
"No you won't. My effect prevents you from special summoning monsters!"
Jaden groaned as his face down remained as such, foiling his plans for a comeback.
"I'll set one card face down, and end my turn."
"Don't worry Jay, I've got this. I activate the spell card, Double Summon! Now I can normal summon twice this turn, so come on out Command Knight and Cyber Tutu (1200-1600) (1000-1400). Next, I activate the spell card The A. Forces, giving them both 400 attack points (1600-2000) (1400-1800). And since you don't have any monsters with less attack than Tutu, she can attack you directly!"
The ruler merely shrugged off the dancer's kick, more annoyed than anything.
Vanity's Field/Ruler: 5700
"Tis but a scratch. Nothing compared to the world of pain that awaits you."
"Maybe so, but I'm not giving up! I set one card face down and end my turn."
"Very well then. I'll start off by tributing Marshmallon to summon myself, Vanity's Fiend (2400/1200)! Next, I'll pay 500 life points to summon Double Coston!"
Vanity's Fiend/Ruler: 5200
"Now to make you suffer. I activate the spell card, Giant Trunade! This returns all spell and trap cards to their owner's hands, so whatever you were planning can't save you."
Jaden and Alexis could only watch in horror as all of their backrow was swept away, weakening their monsters (2000-1600) (1800-1400).
"Now I can attack you without fear. Our doppelgangers will now attack your pathetic warriors!"
The two Vanity's attacked, Vanity's Fiend taking out Cyber Tutu while Ruler took out Command Knight. Each of them took out their targets with orbs of dark and light energy, respectively.
Jaden/Alexis: 4400
"Now Double Coston, attack them directly!"
The Siamese zombie hurled itself at Alexis, slapping her a few times before limping back to its owner's field.
Jaden/Alexis: 2700
"If you have any common sense, you'll stay on the ground. I end my turn."
"Sorry, Jay."
"Don't be, because I'm about to turn this duel around."
His opponents laughed maliciously, amused by this declaration.
"Oh really? Given that you can't special summon, and have no monsters on the field, how do you plan to do that?"
"Just watch. First, I summon Elemental Hero Neos Alius, and equip him with Assault Armor to give him 300 attack points (1900-2200)! But that's not all. By sending it to the graveyard, it allows Neos Alius to attack twice per turn. Next, I activate the spell card Snatch Steal!"
"Oh, no!"
"Oh, yes! Now I can take control of your Vanity's Ruler. But don't worry, she won't be around for long, because I activate Gift of the Martyr, tributing her to give her attack points to Neos Alius (1900-4400)."
"This isn't going to end well."
"Not for you it won't. Neos Alius, attack their monsters!"
The miniature version of Jaden's ace pounced, punching and kicking their monsters until they were nothing but scattered pixels.
Vanity's Fiend/Ruler: 500
"I'll set one card face down and end my turn. Your move."
"Grr, this is unacceptable! I draw!"
Vanity's Ruler scowled when she looked at her hand. Not a single card that could help her.
"I set one monster face down and end my turn."
"What's that you were saying about lower life forms? I'll tribute Neos Alius to summon Cyber Prima in attack mode! Next, I'll equip her with Big Bang Shot, giving her 400 attack and the ability to inflict piercing damage. Go Cyber Prima, end this!"
The angel swiftly danced over and dealt a swift kick to the face down, revealing it to be Royal Magical Library, which then shattered, taking the opposing team's life points with it.
Vanity's Fiend/Ruler: 0000
Jaden/Alexis win!
Alexis smiled, doing Jaden's victory pose.
"That's game!"
