Sup guys, a new day of dueling for the Battle City Tournament begins! Serenity's inclusion into the story will increase after a few more chapters move the story along to where she reunites with Joey and everyone else.
Disclaimer: RDF1 doesn't own anything in this fic, technically not even the original content.
Battle City Tournament Begin!
(Chapter Begin)
(Recap)
Last time, the Battle City Tournament began. Yugi and Joey faced harsh competition, but managed to each win their first locator cards. After that, Yugi was transported to a remote location by Arkana to prove who was better at playing Dark Magician. After a long and difficult battle, Yugi managed to win. Meanwhile, Yugi's friends, Maria, and the Kaiba brothers noticed Yugi going missing and spent most of the day looking for him. They managed to find him as Marik revealed himself before everyone. Day 1 of Battle City Tournament is over, and a new day is beginning! Who will reach the finals? Read and find out!
(Recap End)
The next morning, Maria called Seto directly to let him know she'll be patrolling the streets to keep an eye on duelists who would try to disregard the rules, as the Kaiba brothers had found yesterday. Seto approved as he would be getting his final locator cards today as well. Maria wandered the streets of Domino City, keeping an out for anyone trying to bend the rules in their favor. True, she wasn't apart of the tournament, but that didn't mean she didn't have a duel disk and deck ready to teach these kids the punishment for breaking the rules.
(AN1)
For the most part, she didn't find anyone that wasn't already discovered by the system itself, having shut down at least one duel she witnessed due to illegal play. To be fair, some of the kids were young enough to not understand why it was an illegal play worthy of forfeiting the duel, but their opponents were kind enough to explain the situation. It wasn't until she saw Joey Wheeler running after a punk kid who was carrying his duel disk. She barely caught it, but she noticed the kid slipping in a card into Wheeler's deck. Checking the time, she marked it down before deciding to follow after Joey, who managed to get his duel disk back thanks to his and Yugi's friends, as well as Solomon Muto. Turns out even reincarnation didn't help Jono become more aware of his surroundings. It was time to see what was up.
Maria stayed back and out of sight as Joey confronted and challenged Weevil Underwood to a duel. It makes sense that Weevil would cheat, just like in Duelist Kingdom. Looks like it was Joey's turn to remind him why cheaters don't always proper. To be fair, she could disqualify Weevil, but she needed more than circumstantial evidence.
(AN2)
The Duel had started, and Joey was up first.
Joey: 4000
Weevil: 4000
"I'm going first, and I'll start by summoning Swordsman of Landstar in Attack Mode!" declared Joey, as he took his first turn, "And I'll also throw this facedown."
"That thing looks like it belongs in the Toy Box!" commented Weevil, drawing his card.
"Well maybe this Toy will put YOU in the box!" taunted Joey.
Weevil then summoned his Flying Kamikiri 1, which then attacked Swordsman of Landstar.
"Hold on a second, don't forget my facedown: Sword and Shield!" declared Joey, revealing his facedown card, "This swaps the attack and defense of every monster on the field, meaning my Swordsman is stronger than your bug!"
Weevil: 4000-3700
"Well, when my Kamikiri is destroyed by battle, I get to summon a stronger bug! Behold: Flying Kamikiri 2!" countered Weevil, revealing a stronger bug he summoned.
Fortunately, Joey managed to have a counter play ready.
"I sacrifice my Swordsman for Jinzo!" said Joey, as Jinzo replaced Swordsman of Landstar on his field, "Attack that Kamikiri with Cyber Shock!"
Jinzo sent out Psychic waves, which destroyed Flying Kamikiri 2.
Weevil: 3700-2800
Weevil was unnerved by seeing Jinzo, but he wasn't the Regional Champion for nothing. He set a monster and passed. Joey didn't see the trap laid out, since it was a 50/50 bluff this early in the duel. Jinzo attempted to destroy the monster, only for it to attach to him instead.
"Meet my Leech, Kiseitai," informed Weevil, "and now that he's attached to your Jinzo, half of his attack is added to my Life Points every turn. And now, I'll set one more monster facedown."
"Now it's my turn!" declared Joey, drawing his card.
"And I gain life points, thank you," retorted Weevil.
Weevil: 2800-4000
"Well, it doesn't stop Jinzo from attacking," declared Joey, as Jinzo attacked and destroyed Weevil's facedown card.
Weevil: 4000-4500
"Wait, MORE life points?" asked Joey.
"That was my Skull-Marked Ladybug, which gives me 500 LP when it's destroyed," explained Weevil, taking his next turn, "And I'll set another Monster in defense mode. And with your turn, I gain even more LP!"
Weevil: 4500-5700
Maria looked at Joey, seeing the concentration on his face. He could get out of this situation, but he needed a good card to do it with. Joey drew his card.
"Well, it looks like I can get rid of my leech problem," smirked Joey, "Meet my Panther Warrior. It needs a sacrifice to attack, so say goodbye to Jinzo and your Leech and hello to PANTHER SLASH!"
Jinzo went to the GY, taking Kiseitai with him, while Panther Warrior took out Weevil's Monster, a Pinch Hopper, which allowed Weevil to Special Summon Larvae Moth.
(AN3)
"No way!" exclaimed Joey, "You used that against Yugi!"
"And it's going to get worse!" declared Weevil, drawing his card and equipping the Cocoon of Evolution to Larvae Moth, "In five turns, my Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth will emerge and win me the game! But, for insurance, I'll let your own Parasite be your demise!"
Maria eyes widened in alarm at this, before checking the time again as Weevil played the spell 'Reckless Parasite,' which brought out the card Weevil had masterminded the planting of in Joey's deck, Parasite Paracide. Maria noted this timing as well, which confirmed Weevil's cheating ways. Though it was clever enough to get around normal checks in Battle City Security. Weevil was a crafty devil, but one that already lost. Maria decided to wait until the duel was over, because she had faith in Jono's reincarnation to still win against Weevil.
Joey had the idea of still attacking with Panther Warrior, but Parasite Paracide's effect prevented that, which led Joey to summoning Tiny Guardian, which was promptly infected. That was when Weevil's strategy had revealed a weakness. CoE was placed in attack mode, to which Joey sent Tiny Guardian to attack.
"Not so fast," said Weevil, revealing a facedown, "Say hello to my 'Insect Barrier,' which prevents all Insect-Type Monsters from attacking, and thanks to my Parasite, all your monsters are Insects!"
"Oh no!" cried Téa, "That means he can't attack!"
Joey's luck strikes again. Weevil's strategy accounted for that flaw, which allowed him time to evolve his Moth. It was now a waiting game.
"My turn, and I summon Leghul!" said Weevil, as Leghul appeared on the field, and then moved quickly and bit Joey directly.
Joey: 4000-3700
"Hey, I still have monsters!" complained Joey.
"My Leghul bypasses your monsters," countered Weevil, ending his turn.
Joey switched up his strategy and moved his monsters into defense before passing. Weevil attacked again with Leghul.
Joey: 3700-3400
Joey realized what he had to do, just like Yugi did against Exodia. He stayed calm as he passed again, allowing Leghul to attack again.
Joey: 3400-3100
"Joey! You gotta do something!" urged Tristan, to which Joey smirked.
"I'm gonna be just fine," said Joey, "Yugi stayed focused against that Exodia Rare Hunter, and I have to do the same here. So, this turn I'll summon Alligator Sword in defense mode, and set one card facedown. Bring on your Ultimate Insect, Weevil!"
"That's right, tremble in fear as my Ultimate Insect emerges!" called out Weevil, "AWAKEN, PUGM!"
The Cocoon tore itself from the inside, and Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth appeared.
'3500 Atk points,' thought Maria, 'but it's actually incredibly vulnerable to all spell and trap cards. It's not as "all powerful" as you want it to be, Weevil.'
Weevil then bragged about his Insect barrier again, blatantly confessing to his cheating once more, and had PUGM attack Alligator Sword, destroying him.
Joey drew his next card, and set it face down, before changing all his monsters into attack mode and ending his turn.
'Jono, you've got to be kidding me!' thought a bewildered Maria, 'that has got to be one of the most obvious traps of the game. Weevil would be a fool to attack now.'
Luckily, Weevil was a fool, though still a smart one. He set a monster, before having Leghul attack Joey directly again.
Joey: 3100-2800
Weevil then attacked with PUGM, but Joey was ready.
"Activate Trap! Skull Dice!"
'And lady luck is called upon again,' smirked Maria as the dice rolled across the battlefield, landing on a 2.
PUGM's attack cut in half, but Joey wasn't done. He activated his Graceful Dice, which allowed him strengthen Parasite Paracide by the dice roll, which was 4. Parasite's attack multiplied by four, making it stronger than PUGM, leaving Weevil to lose the battle.
Weevil: 5700-5450
Weevil was not going to take that lying down. Though he had to wait one more turn to do anything else. Joey drew his next card, but because of Insect Barrier, he was still unable to attack, so Weevil had his chance. He first summoned Insect Soldiers of the Sky, then used Eradicating Aerosol on his second Pinch Hopper, allowing him to summon Insect Queen.
'Oh great, and Joey forgot to defend his monsters and his life points,' glared Maria, 'he's going to take a bit hit now.'
Indeed, Weevil had Insect Queen sacrifice Leghul and attack Tiny Guardian, turning him into liquid, minus a few pieces of clothing.
(AN4)
Joey: 2800-1000
Joey was still determined to win the duel, so he set the next card he drew and ended his turn.
'Okay, either he's going two for two on trap bluffing, or he just made a Tournament ending move,' thought Maria, a bit shocked at Joey's haste.
Weevil took no time in capitalizing on Joey's 'mistake,' only for Joey to trap Weevil a second time, this time with 'Magic Arm Shield.' Insect Soldiers of the Sky was the new target, and this time, it took a major chunk out of Weevil's Life Points.
Weevil: 5450-3250
Unfortunately, Joey didn't have much else, and switched his monsters into defense mode to end his turn. Weevil repeated his actions last turn, using Cockroach Knight's ability to recycle itself, allowing Insect Queen to attack Panther Warrior, leaving Joey with only the Parasite Paracide as his only monster. Joey was starting to look frustrated, and a bit lost. Maria decided now was the time to make herself known.
"Joseph Wheeler, how dare you even think of giving up this duel after coming this far," declared Maria, getting everyone's attention.
(AN5)
"Who's she?" asked Weevil.
"Maria!?" exclaimed Joey, recognizing her from his sister's description of her.
"Maria, what are you doing here?" asked Téa.
"My job, but before that..." replied Maria, "Joey, if you give up now, you don't deserve to call yourself Serenity's big brother!"
That got Joey's attention. He couldn't give up now, not after everything's he's been through just to help Serenity to get her sight back. If he gave up now, then Serenity will only see a coward for an older brother, and he was no coward.
"Thanks Maria," said Joey, smiling again, "Serenity always said you were good to her, and I'm glad you reminded me I need to be my best for her as well."
Joey focused on his deck once more, and he believed in his deck. The Heart of the Cards didn't let Joey down as he drew the one monster he needed to win this duel.
"Time to win this duel," said Joey, "I'll set this one card facedown and summon Gearfried the Iron Knight!"
This new monster was completely incased in armor, and his own effect prevented Parasite from changing his type, leaving him as a Warrior Monster. Joey wasted no time sending him in to attack the defenseless eggs, which were still in attack mode.
Weevil: 3250-1550
Weevil was livid. He summoned a Soldier Ant, followed by Ant Multiplication, allowing his one Ant to be 10 monsters, giving Insect Queen another 2000 attack points. She attacked Gearfried, only for Joey's facedown to reveal itself. Graverobber, which nabbed Weevil's own can of Aerosal, destroyed Insect Queen before she could complete her attack. Weevil was now out of options, and Joey finished the duel in his next turn.
Weevil: 1550-0
Joey won the duel, forcing Weevil to turn over his Insect Queen and two locator cards. But, that was only the start of his troubles.
"Weevil Underwood, you have cheated according to Battle City Rules and you must be punished!" stated Maria, approaching Weevil.
"What!? Where's your proof!" countered Weevil, "Joey's word doesn't count and his little 'friends' are biased enough, so they can't count as well."
"I have proof," said Maria, showing a small hologram, "At a specific time, Kaibacorp detected a card added to Joey's deck. I personally observed when this happened and recorded the time for confirmation."
"That wasn't me! That was someone else!" denied Weevil.
"A certain someone who confessed to plant that card on your orders," countered Maria, shocking Weevil all over again, "And that's not all. During the duel, on turn 10, you played 'Reckless Parasite', which activated 'Parasite Paracide' in Joey's deck. Either one of these actions would be coincidence, but put them both together and it adds up to motive and opportunity. You cheated, just like at Duelist Kingdom. Heck, I'm curious if you cheated out Rex from being Regional Champion."
Weevil was indeed scared stiff because he couldn't run and he had just been outplayed by this girl, who was somehow working for Kaiba if she's able to back up making such claims.
"And what Authority do you have to accuse me?" asked Weevil feebly.
"I am the Secretary of Seto Kaiba and Assistant Commissioner of the Battle City Tournament. I can and will lock up your duel disk for a month. Maybe that will teach you not to cheat others just to win a card game that's meant to be fun."
Maria pulled out a pad-sized computer and imputed a code that locked up Weevil's duel disk. It would be nothing more than a Paperweight until it was unlocked again. Turning around, Maria placed her hand on Joey's shoulder and smiled.
"Good work, Joey. Yugi would be proud of you as well."
"How do you know Yugi?" asked Joey.
"We met at the Domino City Museum," informed Téa, "but that was the Pharaoh, not Yugi himself."
"By 'Yugi,' I mean both him and the Pharaoh," explained Maria, "and let's just say the Pharaoh and I are old friends. Though let's just say he has to work on his side of our friendship. And Téa, watch over him. He'll need all the help he can get from his friends. It's good to see you again, Mr. Muto, but I gotta get back to work now."
Solomon nodded back at Maria, before Maria left the quartet continue her rounds around the city. There were still more duels to be had, and more Rare Hunters to be on the look out for.
(AN6)
(Chapter End)
Alright, on to Author Notes...
AN1: This deck I put together specifically for this fic. I will go over her deck soon enough, but I kinda want to show her dueling first before explaining her strategy.
AN2: That's the weakness of any justice system that calls for innocent until proven guilty, circumstantial evidence. Even if people know someone committed a crime, if all the evidence is circumstantial, then they may just get away with it. Don't take it too seriously, but I'm basically letting the duel happen so Joey can earn his locator cards.
AN3: Sadly this is the first misplay of the duel. If Joey attacked with Jinzo first, then sacrificed it for Panther Warrior, Weevil wouldn't have been able to get Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth out.
AN4: Two things: Weevil should have attacked with Leghul first, but plot will plot. Also, Manchester Black had it right in 'Superman vs The Elite,' because no matter how badly you destroy someone even remotely heroic, some part of their clothing survives. It's just the law of fiction or something...
AN5: Taking away Tristan's moment, because I don't ship Tristan/Serenity. I don't even ship Duke/Serenity. I don't care what canon says, I don't ship them and this fanfic is ignoring whatever canon says about who Serenity ends up with.
AN6: I know you're probably wanting to see Maria's deck and a duel with her. Don't worry, I'll work it in next time, because the next few episodes are focused on Yugi obtaining Slifer, and then Yugi and Kaiba facing off against Lumis and Umbra... twice. So, yeah, original duel next time, for sure!
For those reading my other stories, I am working on them. I just tend to have other things take priority. I also forget at times. I AM HUMAN, okay! Until next time...
Later,
RDF1
