Chapter 27: Split Apart PIII, Hanabi vs. Toph

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or Avatar the Last Air Bender, or Hades whom is Disney's version of him. I do own Kasumi along with most of her deck which is based off of Fire Emblem female characters and the four Titan Cards.

Our first ever complete day in the world of Pokemon was both strange but successful. I still had no clue on how to get back but my main priority at the moment was to help the snow white baby Vulpix find her mother. Right at the moment I lay recovering from straining myself in my ever first encounter with Team Rocket. Ash turned to Haku "I'm quite confused on how Kasumi strained herself...Plus please tell me how she made her cards come to life."

"Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed clearly mystified as well.

Haku answered them as I weakly tried to get onto my feet "Lady Kasumi is Psychic remember?"

"Yeah" Ash answered.

Haku continued the explanation "Maybe in this world we are in right now Psychics differ from our world. Lady Kasumi's Psychic Powers allows her to use her deck and bring whatever she wants from her deck to real life. Normally a monster like her Swordmaster Mia being summoned by her Psychic Powers wouldn't put on a strain. However...A Synchro Summon isn't a Normal Summon therefor taking a lot more energy and power to use in an actual battle. Since Lady Kasumi decided to bring out Olympian Dragon to deal with Team Rocket, she produced a huge amount of power. The strain happens immediately after the battle with the foe ends."

"That's really odd" Brock admitted "But it is starting to sound that Psychics in the world where Ash, Dawn and I come from may have that slight difference in the world where you come from. Is there more to her powers we should be aware of?"
Hanabi answered "Well...What Ash saw in Kasumi's and Takara's battle with Team Rocket was just the tip of the iceberg. Lady Kasumi can do way more than just summon her monsters, spells and trap cards. She can unleash psychic blasts which can destroy windows within a huge radiance, and send unlucky targets flying one hundred meters in the sky."

"And she can unleash her Duel Monster attacks without that putting a strain on her" Toph admitted "Plus she has two dangerous Psychic attacks that would make even the toughest criminal and villain of any world think twice on engaging her. All it takes when Lady Kasumi engages an opponent for her to defeat them...Is one placed Black Rose Gale Twister or her even more famous Psychic Waza and it could be permanent lights out for the opponent."

"She's that strong?" Dawn asked giving me a double take "Man...Her psychic powers alone sound incredible..."

Haku smirked "Oh, wait until she goes into Prime State mode."

"Prime...State...Mode" Ash asked sweating "What's that?"

Aang answered "It's an ability Lady Kasumi has that she can turn on or off like Hanabi's Byucugan."

"Byu-what?" Ash asked dumbfounded.

Aang turned to Hanabi "Maybe the best answer is to show him...Hanabi please show him the Byucugan."

"Agreed" Hanabi said she brought two fingers up and thought Byucugan!

With this Hanabi's eyes changed to show the Byucugan. Ash, Brock, and Dawn looked at Hanabi's eyes and it was Ash that found it cool "Wow! Hanabi! What's this Byucaugan do"

Toph answered smirking "Well...To make it the simplist answer that you and your friends can understand...Think X-ray vision."

"SHE CAN SEE OUR BONES?" Brock and Dawn asked.

"Not just bones" I told them "She can see every part of your insides. Plus she can catch everyone and anything trying to ambush her fifty meters away...Even if the enemy tries to camouflage themselves...The Byucugan when activated allows her to see that far making ambushes useless.

"That's really cool!" Ash said he turned to me "So can your Psychic Powers do this?"

"In Prime State mode they can" I answered him "Plus It also acts like another rare eye trait from our world known as the Sharrigan which allows me to see, copy or predict any of my opponent's moves from Taijutsu, Ninjutsu and Genjutsu."

"Wow!" Dawn said smiling "That sounds great to have Psychic Powers like that, but why can you only access them in Prime State mode?"

"Don't ask me" I told her sighing "As I really don't know much about Psychic Powers other than the fact I have them."

"Psychic Duelists" Haku admitted "Or anyone with Psychic Powers in our world still aren't really known. Honestly though, Lady Kasumi's the only one that has shown Prime State Mode, her mother Aki where she got her powers from never achieved that power. However Prime State Mode also makes Lady Kasumi's powers go to their maximum potential they can be at."

"Which means what?" Ash asked.

Toph answered giggling mischievously "Let's just say...If Team Rocket also known as Team Clown from me from now on will regret taking a Psychic Powered attack if they press Lady Kasumi to go into Prime State Mode...It means that if you take a Psychic Attack in Prime State Mode, you are most likely going to die from your injuries. Especially if she hits you from a Psychic Waza in Prime State Mode."

Haku shivered and Ash blinked "Why are you shivering?"

"Toph makes a good point! I've seen Lady Kasumi use her Psychic Wazas and even if she isn't in Prime State Mode those have potential to kill outside it. Now if she uses her Prime State Mode and unleashes a Psychic Waza...And Hanabi you and I were there when she did use it...What happened to three poor enemy ninjas that she used it on?"

Hanabi also shook "THEY WERE ANNILIATED ON THE SPOT!"

"Annilated?" Ash asked gulping.

"As in" Dawn asked her "No bodies?"

Hanabi nodded "Yeah, not even bone. Toph you are telling the truth...If anyone gets hit by a Prime State Psychic Waza it's pretty much guaranteed instant death."

"Would being in a building save you?" Ash asked.

Haku looked at him "Good question...You haven't seen a Psychic Waza from Lady Kasumi even outside her Prime State Mode...However...Let's just say a Psychic Waza isn't something you can avoid from going into a building. She can unleash them inside buildings. Whenever she needs to use it and it's became her signature move, you wouldn't be able to avoid it."

Ash looks at me "Wow...You have that much power..."

"And that's not including her Ninja Techniques or her Earth Bending Skills" Toph told Ash "Put all three into one battle style and Lady Kasumi's literally a one girl army."

"As long as Genjutsu users aren't involved" Haku agreed "Lady Kasumi could handle a lot of foes at once thanks to everything she's got. Take it from me you three...You want to be friends with someone like Lady Kasumi because you certainly don't want her as an enemy."

"Do we have a chance in seeing her use her powers?" Dawn asked a bit worried.

Hanabi gave Dawn a pat on her shoulder "Relax. Lady Kasumi won't unleash her Psychic Powers, ninja techniques or her Earth Bending skills on what she deems as friends. The only ones that have to worry are those that would do us harm or do harm like Team Rocket."

"So...Should we start moving out?" Ash asked.

"I'm all up to moving around" I sighed weakly.

Haku notices me trying to stand "She can stand and walk Ash but with her body in a strain like this, she'd be literally a sitting duck on the battlefield. Her reflexes won't be up to date and if we go into battle and hopefully this doesn't happen but if we go into a battle where we have to fight an opponent off without using a Pokemon which would be a normal day for my group of friends honestly, we could be in deep trouble. It's best we wait till Lady Kasumi gets better from her strain."

"You think the enemy might come after you?" Brock asked.

Haku puts a hand underneath his chin "Right now they haven't shown themselves but...If the evil Orochimaru did do this somehow, and he sees that we're on the path to getting out...He's bound to interfere and with Lady Kasumi in her current condition...Hanabi and I won't be able to protect her."

"Why's that?" Dawn asked alarmed.

"Orochimaru is a Sannin ranked Shinboi" Haku answered her and he then goes into detail about the shinobi rankings ending with Hokage "Usually the Hokage is the highest rank a ninja can go but there is only one Hokage at a time...But Sannin is a rare rank, in fact this rank means ether equal to Hokage or surpass that rank...There currently are three Sannin...And Orochimaru is one of them."

"He's that powerful?" Dawn asked horrified to think someone like Orochimaru existed.

"He is indeed" Haku admitted "Hanabi is most likely Genin ranked as for me, I should be Chunin or a rank higher but honestly that wouldn't matter. Hanabi and I working together can't defeat Orochimaru even at our best."

"Can Lady Kasumi beat him?" Brock asked.

"If she's healthy" Toph said "She can beat him but by Summoning Zeus the Greek God of Thunder."

"He's not someone we want to run into when Kasumi is like this" Hanabi echoed Haku's words "In her state, Orochimaru would most likely capture her or even if she resisted he would kill her and then perhaps me and Haku as well."

Aang agreed "Orochimaru isn't someone we want to run into. Hopefully we don't have to run into him."

"Well then" Ash said now agreeing with Haku and Hanabi "It's best Kasumi gets healthy and out of her strain."

"So what do we do in the meantime?" Dawn asked.

She saw Toph looking at Hanabi "Why are you looking at Hanabi like that?"

"Like what?" Toph asked her and Dawn sighed sweatdropping "Oh that's right! Your blind and can't see what look your giving her my bad."

Hanabi recalled her Byucugan and turned seeing what Dawn as pointing out now "Um...Toph, you are looking at me."

Toph heard her "True, and I'm wondering if you are her best friend."

"I am her best friend!" Hanabi said.

I heard this and tried getting up but Aang held me down "It's probably best that you don't get involved in this."

"Toph..." I muttered "What are you up to?"

Toph walked over to Hanabi "If you are her best friend, prove it!"

Hanabi looks at her "I'm sure just being at her side and supporting her is a good way to prove it!"

Toph adjusted her Duel Disk "I don't know Hanabi, Lady Kasumi and I are pretty close too."

I now saw what Toph was planning and thought This could be exciting! Toph is trying to challenge Hanabi to a Duel. If Hanabi falls for the bait Toph may just get her challenge.

Hanabi also saw Toph adjusting her Duel Disk then looks at Toph "Toph...Think twice now!"

"What's going on?" Ash asked.

Aang answered "Toph is trying to challenge Hanabi to a Duel."

"DUEL?!" Brock asked he gets between the girls "Alright, break it up Toph! You and Hanabi don't have Pokemon to battle with and besides why would you want to kill Hanabi for being Kasumi's best friend?"

"It's okay Brock" Hanabi told him.

"You are going to accept this?" Brock asked.

Hanabi winked at him "When Aang said Duel, he meant by Toph challenging me in Duel Monsters...Just like a Pokemon Battle, a Duel happens when two Duelist meet up and one challenges the other to a duel."

Brock hesitates "Well alright."

Hanabi looks at Toph "Toph! I must say this...Your reason to Duel me is childish!"

"If you really are Kasumi's best friend then you should be able to defeat me" Toph taunted her "Besides, I've been dying to Duel you anyway...I mean...You are currently the top Duel Academy student, so if I beat you, your perfect win record is slashed and I could feel a bit better of losing to Aang and Kasumi."

Hanabi sighed if there was one thing she couldn't ignore it was a challenge to her record, and honestly this seemed like a better challenge from Toph as Hanabi was actually the top Duelist at Duel Academy in Konoha. She looks at Toph digging a hand into her hip "Fine! You want to Duel me to see if I actually am Lady Kasumi's best friend? That's sort of childish but to want to Duel me because of my record at Duel Academy just so you could have a bit of bragging rights, that's also childish but if my repetition as a Duelist is at stake, then I must accept."

Toph smiled "I thought you'd see it my way."

I looked at both of my friends muttering silently "Toph...Why must you still act childish like this, I mean I know were about the same age and this is bound to happen but still."

Toph looks at Hanabi "Let's take this Duel outside the Pokemon Center, don't want to try to destroy the building."

"Fine I'll take you on anywhere" Hanabi told her.

I got up then with Takara and the baby Vulpix on my shoulder prepared to walk out of the Pokemon Center. I was followed by Haku, Ash, Brock and Dawn.

Once outside Brock saw a blue haired police officer girl. He blushed bright red and ran over to her "Hey there sweetie! It's me your very own knight in-"

Almost like clockwork Crogunk came out of his Pokeball and jabbed Brock in his stomach which caused Brock to groan in pain "Shining Armor...Now that knight must...Take a nap!"

Then Brock collapses only to be dragged away as I shook my head in laughing even. As odd as it may have seemed, I was already liking Brock. Maybe a girl like me could give him tips on how to actually ask girls out. Ash then introduced me to Officer Jenny "Kasumi this is Officer Jenny, she's a police officer that locks the criminals away."

"Nice to meet you" I said shaking her hand.

Officer Jenny nodded shaking my hand "I haven't seen you before" she eyes Takara whom was happy then saw the license seeing Takara's name on it and my name being her owner the police officer pets Takara's head causing her to gently laugh happily "That's a cute Vulpix you have miss."

"Thanks" I told her, then I pointed to the baby Vulpix "You wouldn't happen to know where an adult Vulpix might be would you? This little one got separated from her mother."

"Poor little thing" Officer Jenny said looking at the snow white Vulpix "Can't say I've seen a mother Vulpix around these parts but I've heard a rumor that poachers and even Pokemon Hunter J-"

"Not her again!" Ash groaned.

"Pokemon Hunter J?" I asked.

Ash explained "Basically she's an evil human that like Team Rocket steals Pokemon from trainers and Wild Ones and tries to sell them to others."

"That's even more horrible than Team Rocket!" I shouted.

"You better believe it is!" Ash agreed "My friends and I have ran into her once too many times! And it's all bad!"

I looked at Officer Jenny "What's this rumor about this Pokemon Hunter J?"

Officer Jenny answered me "The rumors say she's after a specific rare Ninetails and Vulpix set...And seeing the snow white Baby Vulpix makes me think that the mother might be a Ninetails but a different one."

"Ninetails?" I asked.

Ash turned to me showing me his Pokedex, I saw what a Ninetails looked like and I heard it's mechanical voice issue out a statement "Ninetails, the Fire Fox Pokemon, the evolved form of Vulpix when exposed to a Fire Stone. This Pokemon is known to be extremely smart and vengeful, stepping on a Ninetails tail may cause it to put a thousand year curse on you."

I looked at Takara as I saw the Ninetails in the Pokedex entree as I smile petting her "That could be you someday Takara. But when you and I are ready for it."

Takara nods then licked my cheek.

I looked at the Snow White Vulpix then at Officer Jenny "So this Baby Vulpix might have a mother Ninetails that's different than the one shown in the Pokedex entree?"

Officer Jenny nods "Correct. I've been trying to confirm the rumor but so far at the moment no luck but seeing that you found a snow white baby Vulpix may add some truth to it."

I gripped my hands hard "If Pokemon Hunter J was the one that separated the mother from her baby then she'll regret crossing my path if I come across her."

Ash blinked then nodded "That maybe the best time for you take actually take her out."

I gave him a nod back "Trust me. A thief like Team Rocket is one thing but something like this Pokemon Hunter J...I won't let tolerate that!"

Haku heard me as I looked at him "Haku! While Hanabi and Toph are having their Duel...Watch over the area for any signs of Pokemon Hunter J..."

"Will do!" Haku promised "And if I see her?"

"Try reporting her to me!" Officer Jenny ordered for me "Or report to me or Kasumi here."

I snapped my fingers angrily this would be the perfect opportunity for me to put my Psychic Powers in their Prime State but with me strained...I wasn't able to do this."

"I'll help Haku" Aang offered "In anyway I can."

"Thanks Aang" I told him.

Officer Jenny noticed Toph and Hanabi standing a few feet away from each other "What's going on there?"

"A Duel" I told her I then explained what a Duel was and she relaxed "Oh? A card game duel?"

I nodded "It's perfectly safe for the most part...Unless you Duel someone like me whose Psychic or someone with a device to cause a Shadow game to exist."

Ash blinked "Oh that's right your psychic!"

I nodded "Psychic Duelist can inflict real pain during a Duel, but if they are in control of their powers like myself, there's nothing to it."

"Ready to lose to me Hanabi?" Toph asked.

"We'll see whose going to lose!" Hanabi told her.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Toph asked her "Let's do this!"

Hanabi nods "Let's!"

Within seconds both Duelist activated their Duel Disks which shuffled their decks, drew the top five cards and shouted"DUEL!"

Hanabi's Life Points: 4000

Toph's Life Points: 4000

"What are those?" Ash asked me.

"Life Points" I answered "It's the point based system in Duel Monsters. Whichever Duelist has their Life Points lowered down to zero is the one that losses. Normally."

"Normally?" Officer Jenny asked.

Haku answered "Indeed! There are two other ways to win a Duel, you see one's gotta be able to Draw a card each turn if one can't due to not having a card to draw in their deck, the one that can't draw a card loses, and the third option is if there's a card effect that says so, like for three examples, Exodia a Duel Monster, Final Countdown a Spell Card, and Destiny Board a Continuous Trap Card."

I smiled at the trainers "This is your first ever duel you have ever seen before right?"

"That's correct" Ash said.

"Then you three and Officer Jenny are in for a real treat" I told them "Because Duel Monsters is nothing at all like a simple Pokemon Battle. I will say this though every player gets these during their turns, a Draw Phase, a Stand By Phase, Main Phase 1, Battle Phase, Main Phase 2 and End Phase...Only when the first Duelist to make the first move they can't conduct the Battle Phase. How to lower one's Life Points...Well you'll see."

Dawn smiled "I'm certainly going to watch it then!"

"Yeah!" Brock admitted "this sounds fun!"

"Why don't you go first Hanabi?" Toph asked her "I mean you have the better win record so it's best you go first."

"Very well!" Hanabi admitted "It's my move, I draw!"

Hanabi drew her card then checked her hand "For my first move, I'll set one mystery monster face down and end my turn!"

On Hanabi's side of the field a horizontal Duel Monster card appeared and she ended her turn.

"That's all Hanabi has done with her first turn?" Ash asked me "That seems weak."

Haku overheard Ash "Careful there, Hanabi has a plan. If Toph is over confident. Then whatever Hanabi has laid on the field in defense mode could be a dangerous for Toph."

I nodded knowing full well that Hanabi's deck contained Alien Monsters.

Toph seemed to echo Ash's words "That's your first ever move, Hanabi? I'm surprised you didn't do more, but I must admit this...You're quite smart to at least put a monster in defense mode but in the end it won't save you. It's my move, I draw!"

Toph drew and I found it amazing at how she used her fingers to feel the braille cards. She smiled "For my first, move I summon Muka Muka to the field in Attack Mode!"

Muka-Muka appears on the field ATK: 600

Toph looks at Hanabi "As you may see, Muka Muka does have a starting original attack point of six hundred but he has a special ability, you see Hanabi for every card in my hand, Muka Muka gains three hundred more attack points and as you can fully see I have five cards!"

"So that's..." Ash said trying to count down.

"Fifteen hundred more attack points!" Brock told him

Sure enough Muka-Muka's attack points rose 600-2100

"Now" Toph said "Battle! Muka-Muka, attack her defense monster, Charging Bite!"

Hanabi holds her ground as Muka-Muka charged her monster and the monster is briefly revealed to be in Hanabi's voice "Too bad Toph, you're attacking my Alien Grey!"

Toph blinked once then heard Hanabi speak "By attacking my Alien Grey when he was face-down you've activated his special ability known as a Flip Effect! Allowing me to place on A-Counter on your attacking monster!"

"That A-Counter won't save it!" Toph said as her monster bites threw Hanabi's monster and destroyed it.

"Maybe not!" Hanabi shouted seeing her monster's destruction by battle "But by destroying my Alien Grey by battle you've also activated it's second ability, it allows me to draw one more card!"

Hanabi drew her card as Toph sneers "Draw your cards, they won't help you against my Muka-Muka! I end my turn."

"It's my move then" Hanabi announced "I draw!"

Hanabi drew once more then checked her hand "Sweet Toph, first, I'm going to activate the Field Spell Card; Otherworld-The "A" Zone!"

A sixth spell/trap card slot opened surprising Ash, Brock and Dawn. Dawn asks me "That Duel Disk has a sixth slot?"

"Sure does" I answered her "Although it's only used for Field Spell Cards which is what Hanabi is playing."

Soon the field around the dueling field changes to what appeared to be a nearly alien like world surprising Ash and Pikachu.

"What's going on?" Ash asked alarmed "How did the sky change color? Pikachu are you seeing this as much as I am?"

"Pika Pi!" Pikachu replied nodding.

"Don't be scared Ash" I told him "What you are seeing is a hologram projecting by Hanabi's Duel Disk projecting the Field Spell Card, which don't just change the scenery, it gives out some sort of benefit to a deck."

Now Toph couldn't see exactly what the Field changed to by her eyes but she certainly felt it "That's some nice Field Spell Card you got there Hanabi..."

"It's about to get even worse" Hanabi told her "Because from this moment on, my Field Spell Card will be the only Field Spell Card that's on the field."

Toph smirked "Not if I get my Field Spell Card it won't be."

"Then I'd better make sure you can't change the field" Hanabi told her "And I know how to" she expertly holds up another card playing it as she announced what she was playing "For I activate Continuous Spell Card: Field Barrier!"

Toph blinked as she knew now that her own Field Spell Card would be useless now but Hanabi explained Field Barrier's effect "Field Barrier is a special type of Continuous Spell Card Toph. It allows me to keep my Field Spell Card in play negating your own Field Spell Card's effect and sending it to the Graveyard! Not only that but if you try to destroy my Field Spell Card: Field Barrier will take the hit!"

"Not a bad move" Toph told Hanabi.

"It's about to get even better" Hanabi told her "Because, now I summon, my Alien Warrior to the field in attack mode!"

Alien Warrior appears on the field ATK: 1800

"What good would that do Hanabi?" Ash asked me "That field Spell Card of Hanabi hasn't increased Alien Warrior's attack points, not one bit."

I just grinned "You are correct, it hasn't increased Hanabi's monster's attack points but Otherworld "A" Zone is about to really show it's skill. Just watch for the answer."

Ash nods watching closely.

"Battle!" Hanabi announced "Alien Warrior attack Toph's Muka-Muka with Alien Slash!"

"Fine with me!" Toph told Hanabi "Bring Alien Warrior on! My Muka-Muka will have your monster for lunch!"

"I'd double check your attack points if I was you" Hanabi warned Toph with a smile.

Toph blinked in shock, now she couldn't see her monster's attack lower but she felt it, "What's going on?"

"Two effects!" Hanabi explained while holding up two fingers even though Toph couldn't see her do this "When an Alien Monster that I control battles one of your monsters that has an A Counter on it your monster loses three hundred Attack Points, and the Otherworld the "A" Zone's effect also decreases your Monster's attack points again by three hundred! So with all that known your so called stronger monster loses Six Hundred attack points!"

"That means!" Toph spoke shocked as Muka-Muka's attack decreased by six hundred 2100-1500

"That's right!" Hanabi said "That my Alien Warrior is stronger!"

Alien Warrior crosses paths with Muka-Muka and swings it's blades slicing Muka-Muka in two and destroying it while also damaging Toph's Life Points.

Toph's Life Points: 3700

"Not a bad strategy!" Brock said as he immediately figured out Hanabi's deck strategy.

"I don't get it" Ash admitted.

Brock explained "Hanabi's deck must have monsters known as Aliens and support based cards that put A Counters on her opponent's monsters. Then the Field Spell Card's effect lowers her opponent's monster's Attack Points during her turn. Sure Muka-Muka may have been stronger but it's like Kasumi said Toph underestimated Alien Grey's A Counter effect. It mattered. So Hanabi's deck strategy is to give A Counters to weaken her opponent's monsters during her turn, then strike back during the Battle Phase. Interesting concept!"

"I also have a question" Officer Jenny admitted she turned to me "When Toph's Muka-Muka attacked Hanabi's Alien Grey, Hanabi's Life Points remained the same, but when Hanabi's Alien Warrior attacked and defeated Toph's Muka-Muka, Toph's Life Points lowered a bit...Now both alien Grey and Muka-Muka had the weaker attack or defense I get that, the weaker monster is destroyed but why did Toph take damage to her Life Points while Hanabi didn't?"

"Good observation Officer!" I said.

Aang answered for me "The difference was in the modes. When a Monster is destroyed in defense mode, your Life Points are perfectly safe from harm unless there is a card effect the deals piercing damage, BUT if two monsters are in attack mode and the stronger monster destroys the weaker monster, your Life Points aren't spared and take what is called the Battle Difference which is the difference between the two monster's attack points."

"I see it now" Officer Jenny said watching the Duel commence "So the difference was what mode the two monsters were in. Alright."

Hanabi checks her hand as she entered her Main Phase Two "I'll set one Card Face-Down and end my turn!"

"Not bad Hanabi" Toph told her smiling "I wasn't counting that you'd be able to get past Muka-Muka, at least not that easily, but now that you've done that you've helped me to be able to use the cards in my hand, so for that part thank you and you're going to be hit hard!"

"She sure talks tough" Ash told me.

"Toph has an interesting deck" I told him "So she may know what she's speaking about."

Haku agreed watching closely "Not having her Field Spell Card though would be tricky for Toph to win this but let's see what else Toph has."

Toph checked her hand running her fingers around the cards to get a good feel for them then she smiled "Now to lead up to some big time payback Hanabi! You see if you have a monster and I don't I can summon this Level Five Monster without a tribute. So I summon Big-Piece Golem to the Field, in attack mode!"

A huge grey rock monster appeared on the field ATK: 2100

Brock turned to me "I know I'm still trying to peace together but from Toph's explanation about summoning her Big-Piece Golem why was that a good thing for it's effect?"

Haku chuckled answering for me "Duel Monsters all have levels. Level one, to Level four monsters can be summoned to the field without a sacrifice, but stronger monsters like Toph's Big Piece Golem usually need one tribute to summon onto the field. It can be a very big deal especially if it could've been Special Summoned but it's treated as Normal Summon."

"So" Brock said getting it "Stronger monsters require more tributes to summon. That's a rule I can understand."

"I don't" Ash admitted.

Brock explained it to him "Let me explain Pokemon terms Ash. Let's just say you came up against an opponent that had some powerful legendary Pokemon while you had just started off and had let's say just Pikachu. How would you feel?

"I'd feel pretty bad about that knowing I have no chance in winning" Ash admitted.

"Exactly" Brock told him "I can see it's the same way in Duel Monsters, the stronger monsters must take time to come out unless they have an effect."

I smiled Brock would totally be a great Duelist if he understood Dueling was supposed to be for fun most of the time. It usually wasn't to see who could crush who quicker, it was all about having fun.

Toph then looks at Hanabi "You aren't the only one that can activate Spell Cards, I activate an old Spell Card that you'd probably heard about that was used in the past...It's called Polymerization!"

Toph plays the Spell Card announcing it's effect "Now with this card I can fuse two or more monsters to make another monster known as a Fusion Monster. The Monsters I'm fusing can be both on the field, both in my hand or in my case one on the Field and one in my hand! I'll use Polymerization to fuse Big Piece Golem on the field, with my Medium Piece Golem in my hand, in order to Fusion Summon: Multiple-Piece Golem!"

Toph's chosen two Monsters fused together and soon formed her first ever Fusion Monster that I've saw her use. Okay I'm not going to lie, I've seen my Uncle Jack Altas Fusion Summon this monster but I smiled as this was a card I could see Toph enjoy using more often as her deck must've been all Rock Types. ATK: 2600

"Twenty-Six Hundred Attack Points?" Ash asked he turned to me "Isn't what Toph just did against the Rules? I mean she summoned Big-Piece Golem so Toph shouldn't be able to do that."

"Fusion Summoning is known as a Special Summon" I told him "There are basically two ways to Summon, a Normal Summon which would be what Big-Piece Golem was and a Special Summon which is exactly as you'd think it is, when one would Special Summon a monster. Unlike the usual one Normal Summon for each turn rule. There is no rule on the limits of how many monsters one can Special Summon each turn as long as the card they are using permits that number."

"Oh" Ash said blinking.

Toph then smiles at Hanabi "Now Hanabi, prepare to face-off against my Multiple-Piece Golem! Battle! Multiple-Piece Golem, attack Alien Warrior! Attack with Flying Fist!

Multiple-Piece Golem raised both of it's fists and fired them out at Alien Warrior. Alien Warrior took the attack and is destroyed causing damage to Hanabi's Life Points. Hanabi's Life Points: 3200

Hanabi looks at Toph "I activate Alien Warrior's Special ability, when he is destroyed by battle, he places not one but two "A" Counters on your monster!"

Toph frowned as she felt her Fusion Monster gain a sticky alien like counter on it, then she saw Hanabi's face down and spoke "I could activate my Monster's Special ability now that it has destroyed one of your monsters by battle and separate it into Big-Piece Golem and Medium Piece Golem but I won't as you have some sort of Trap for me which might end badly for me if I do activate my monster's effect so I won't this time."

She does a quick run through in her hands with her current cards "I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn.

"It's my move!" Hanabi announced "I draw!"

"I activate my Trap Card!" Toph announced activating her face-down card "Rock Bombardment! Now by discarding one Rock Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, I can inflict Five hundred points of damage to you!"

She discarded one Rock Type Monster from her deck and into the Graveyard, then a rock came flying at Hanabi striking her in the head which lowered Hanabi's Life Points. Hanabi's Life Points: 2700

"That had to hurt!" Ash, and Dawn said cringing.

"No kidding!" Brock admitted sweat dropping "I'm certainly glad this stuff doesn't harm anyone because that would've hurt a lot right in the face too."

Hanabi actually did rub her face as even if it was a hologram this did her her a bit "I won't lie Toph that hurt a bit!"

She then points to her Face-down Card "You know Toph! You aren't the only one that can Play A Trap Card, but it might not've been helpful to you if you had activated Multiple-Piece Golem's effect, for I activate my Continuous Trap Card: Call of the Haunted, which allows me to Special Summon one Monster in my Graveyard so come back out Alien Warrior!"

Out of Hanabi's face-down card which activated Alien Warrior reappeared ATK: 1800

"Even with my Two A Counters and Otherworld A Zone's effect" Toph warned Hanabi "It won't help your Alien Warrior as much."

"True" Hanabi admitted "But I didn't Special Summon him for nothing now, you see, I tribute him in order to Summon my Alien Mother to the field in attack mode!"

Alien Warrior disappeared from the field and in it's place was Alien Mother. ATK: 2300

"With Alien Mother on my side of the field" Hanabi warned Toph "You're going to wish that you'd activated your monster's effect! Now Battle! Alien Mother attack Multiple-Piece Golem with Alien Fire!"

Alien Mother unleashed her rage and blasted out fire from her mouth at Multiple-Piece Golem. Hanabi smiled "Don't forget Toph! Thanks to Alien Warrior's two A Counters and Otherworld "A" Zone's effect your monster losses nine hundred of it's attack points during the Battle Phase!"

Toph watches feeling this "NOT AGAIN!" 2600-1700

"Oh yes again!" Hanabi said.

Alien Mother's attack hits and destroys Toph's Multiple-Piece Golem while doing damage to it's owner. Toph's Life Points: 3100

"This Duel is actually exciting!" Ash proclaimed "Just when one thinks the other has an edge like I was thinking Toph had this down with her Fusion Monster but Hanabi turned the tables."

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch Ash. A Duel is never over until the last card is played." I warned him then I added on "I figured this would be a good match up" I admitted.

Haku nods "It was bound to happen sooner or later. I'm just a bit sorry, Sokka, Naruto, Kakashi-Sensei, Katara, and Iruka-Sensei are missing this Duel."

"I'm not done yet" Hanabi told Toph "You see I'll activate Alien Mother's Special ability, when she destroys a monster with an "A" Counter on her, I gain control of the destroyed monster!"

"SAY WHAT?" Toph asked alarmed at this she didn't seem to anticipate that move at all.

Soon enough Multiple-Piece Golem reappeared but this time in Hanabi's possession ATK: 2600

Hanabi smiled at Toph pointing out towards the Earth Bender "Thus that was an effect done on the Battle Phase which means my Battle can continue...And unlike in the world of Pokemon which we are in now, there is no mercy in Duel Monsters, if my opponent has no monsters at all to defend him or her, I can attack directly and that's what I'll do, Multiple-Piece Golem attack your master! Flying Fist!"

"You can do that?" Ash and Dawn asked.

"Makes sense" Brock told them "This is a new game to us. The game is known as Duel Monsters for a reason now, so if your opponent doesn't have one to defend you, what are you going to do with the remaining monster that can attack? I can understand that concept, you just can't end your battle phase with one monster that hasn't attacked yet unless there is a card that prevents that from happening."

Toph's Fusion Monster took aim and fired. Toph holds her ground but I saw a grin. The fits connect and there was a big explosion when the explosion ended Toph was standing but her Life Points remained Toph's Life Points: 3100

"HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?" Dawn asked "She should be to her last five hundred.

Even Hanabi was shocked but only for a moment then saw what Dawn missed, Toph's second trap Card was activated. Toph then smiled answering "That was close! Again I didn't think you'd best Multiple-Piece Golem like that Hanabi, but luckily I had a back up plan and it was because of my Defense Draw Trap Card! With this Trap Card activated I can make any battle damage I'd take from an attack zero and after battle calculation I get to draw one card!"

I liked Dawn's reaction to actually seeing Defense Draw and hearing what it did "She...Got...Lucky! That's amazing really! I wouldn't have been able to focus if I was at the center of a direct attack like that."

Hanabi actually smiled liking the fact Toph was able to hold her own against her as Naruto hadn't been able to that successfully in fact it was Alien Mother that led Hanabi to defeat Naruto in their first ever Duel they had against each other "You're impressive too Toph. I end my turn!"

"Thanks" Toph said accepting the compliment "It's my move, I draw!"

She checked her hand then grinned "Looks like I'll be the one winning after all Hanabi, I activate Spell Card: Lightning Vortex!"

Toph smiled wickedly as she spoke "By discarding one Card from my hand I'll activate this card's effect allowing me to destroy all Face-Up Monsters on your side of the field!"

"Great..." Hanabi muttered as Toph discarded a card and I saw it was oddly another Rock Type Monster.

As I watched Toph's Lightning Vortex go to work I was puzzled a bit at Toph's play as I thought Okay, Toph you need your Rock Type Monsters...Most aren't good in attack mode. So what are you planning?

"So much for trying to keep Alien Mother out of the field" Hanabi muttered.

"Now" Toph said "I have one card in my hand and it's a devastating monster! For now I remove from Play, Muka-Muka, Big Piece Golem, Medium Piece Golem, Mine Golem, Stone Statue of the Azetics, and Multiple-Piece Golem basically all six Rock Monsters from my Graveyard to Special Summon my Megarock Snake in attack mode!"

Toph removed all six of her Rock Type Monsters and a huge snake made out of stone appeared ATK: ?
"An Onix?" Ash, Brock and Dawn asked confused with Brock adding on "That sort of looks like Onix."

"But what's wrong with it's attack?" Ash asked.

Toph would answer him and Hanabi's unasked question "Thanks for competing against me Hanabi, but this time you are the one that's finished! My Megarock Snake can be the most powerful Monster I have in my deck. Sure it's a level seven which means it would normally need two tributes to summon but it's effect makes it impossible to Normal Summon and can only be Special Summoned by removing from play Rock Type Monsters from my Graveyard! For each Rock Monster removed, Megarock Snake gains seven hundred attack points."

"Seven Hundred attack points?" Ash asked he then got it "Plus Toph removed six of them...That's..."

Dawn shouted the answer "THAT'S FOURTY-TWO HUNDRED ATTACK POINTS!"

She would be right as Toph's monster now shown it's complete attack ?-4200

"Now" Toph said with a smiled "Battle, Megarock Snake attack Hanabi directly and end this duel with Serpent Strike!"

The monster seemed to dive under the ground as if it was a submarine. Hanabi watches it and checked her hand "Sorry, Toph but you are forgetting that I also have at least one card in my hand to play and to defend myself, and it goes by the name of Kuriboh! By discarding him from m hand to the Graveyard, just like your Defense Draw I get to make all Battle Damage for the attack zero!"

Megarock Snake came at her but Kuriboh came out blocking the attack for Hanabi.

Toph blinked once surprised "Great you've dodged that one! I end my turn!"

"It's my move!" Hanabi told her "I draw!"

She drew her card "I summon my Alien Ammonite Tuner Monster in attack mode!"

Alien Ammonite appeared on the field ATK: 500

"By summoning him" Hanabi told Toph "I activate his special ability allowing me to Special Summon one level four or below Alien Monster from my Graveyard, so come on our Alien Warrior!"

Alien Warrior is special summoned onto the field yet again ATK: 1800

"Next" Hanabi told Toph "I'm going to tune my Level 1 Alien Ammonite with my Level Four Alien Warrior in order to Synchro Summon: Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar!"

Hanabi's Tuner Monster split into one huge ring that scanned her Alien Warrior and out of bright white light came out her Synchro Monster as she Hanabi chants out " For the safety of the stars, our hopes and dreams become a reality, Rise, Synchro Summon...Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar! ATK: 2600

Hanabi looks at Toph as the Synchro Monster emerged "Prepare yourself Toph because Cosmic Fortres Gol'gar is about to put the hurt on you."

"Hard to see it when your monster is too weak to destroy mine by battle!" Toph told her.

Hanabi smiled "That's where you are wrong! You see I'll activate my one of my monster's Special abilities Once per turn by returning up to two cards on the field back to their owner's hands I can place two "A" Counters on one face-up monster on the field so I'll return my Field Barrier and Call of the Haunted Trap Card back to my hand and two "A" Counters are placed on your Megarock Snake!"

The two cards go back into her hand then she simply reactivated Field Barrier and set her Call of the Haunted Trap Card back down "I'll reactivate Field Barrier and place one card face-down."

"Then" Hanabi said "I'll activate another one of my monster's special abilities! Also once per turn I can remove from from the field two "A" Counters on the field to have my monster Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar automatically destroy one card on the field and I choose your Megarock Snake! So go Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar Destructive Laser!"

Hanabi's Monser took aim and fired at Toph's monster. The beam engulfs it and completely destroys Toph's best monster. Toph gasps "No way!"

"Oh yes way" Hanabi told her "Now that was only two of my monster's special abilities! Now here comes my Battle, Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar attack Toph directly! Annihilating Laser!"

Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar took aim once again and fired at Toph. Toph had nothing in her hand or field to defend her and this time takes the attack. Toph's Life Points: 500

"With that" Hanabi told her "I end my turn."

"This duel is just about over" Ash told me.

"Appears so" Dawn admitted "Just when things looked like Toph's way again...Hanabi counters."

"Her Alien Deck can be an incredible deck to deal with" I admitted but I had a feeling Toph wasn't out of it just yet.

In fact she was actually laughing.

"What's so funny?" Hanabi asked her.

Toph laughs more "I'm actually having a blast! I'm not out yet!"

"Might as well be!" Hanabi told her.

"I'll never surrender this!" Toph said "I maybe out of cards in my hand but it's my move, I draw!"
She drew her card then smiled laughing more "For my first move I activate Spell Card Retreating Landslide!"

A new Spell Card was played and Toph announced it's effect "Now I can return all Rock Type Monsters from play and add them straight to my deck or Extra Deck, then reshuffle my deck and we both draw until we have six cards in our hand, then for each card I draw that's an Earth Attribute Monster you'll take two hundred points of damage and I gain that amount as Life Points!"

Hanabi watches this "Incredible!"

Toph returned her cards she had removed from play to her deck, and extra deck. Her deck was reshuffled and she drew six new cards as does Hanabi. Toph drew four monsters due to them being Earth Attribute took eight hundred points of damage while Toph gained them. Hanabi's Life Points: 1900. Toph's Life Points: 1300

"Not bad" Hanabi told her.

Toph then smiled "Then prepare yourself for the real stars of my deck."

"Real stars?" Hanabi inquired.

Toph nods "Indeed, but why spoil the mood, I play my own mystery monster face down and set two face downs and end my turn."

With a new hand this meant Toph might've made a comeback. Things looked like they'd be evenly matched for now, this got me wondering though what Toph meant by saying she was going to bring the real stars of her deck out we were going to find out on Hanabi's turn.

"It's my move!" Hanabi spoke "I draw!"

She drew her card then checked her hand. Since Toph's monster was in defense mode she couldn't activate Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar's ability like before and destroy Toph's Monster. But she did have something "I summon my Alien Infiltrator in attack mode!"

Alien Inflitrator appeared on Hanabi's side of the field ATK: 800

"Next" Hanabi told Toph "I equip it with Strike Force Armor! This Equip Spell Card gives a level three or below Alien Monster eight hundred more attack points!"

Toph watches as Alien Infiltrator's attack points rose 800-1600

"Now" Hanabi told Toph "Battle! And please Toph, remember this if Alien Infiltrator is on a part of the field where my opponent has no, Monsters, Spell, or Trap Cards out on it, he can come attacking directly! So go Alien Infiltator attack Toph directly and end this Duel. Alien Shocking!"

"It's true I have nothing in that column" Toph admitted activating one of her Trap Cards "But I activate one of my Face-down cards, it's the Trap Card Enchanted Javelin!" she then goes onto explain it's effect "Now Hanabi when I'm faced with an attack I gain the attacking monster's attack points as Life Points but unlike Draining Shield which I do have somewhere in my deck it doesn't prevent your attack from coming through."

Toph's Life Points rose 1300-2900 then Alien Infiltrator came at Toph's back and struck her causing her to lose her Life Points she gained. Toph's Life Points: 2900-1300

"Lucky move" Hanabi frowned "But now Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar attack Toph's face down monster Annihilating Laser!"

Hanabi's Synchro Monster took aim and fired. Just as the attack was going to connect to Toph's Monster the monster like Hanabi's Alien Grey flipped itself over revealing itself to be what Toph announced was "Gem-Turtle!"

Hanabi blinked as Toph explained as Gem-Turtle was struck and destroyed by Hanabi's Synchro Monster "By attacking my Gem-Turtle while it was face-down like your Alien Grey, you've allowed me to activate it's special ability allowing me to add to my hand Gem-Fusion...But why stop there when I activate the Trap Card: Gem Strike!"

A new Trap card was played as Toph smiled at Hanabi "Thanks to this Trap Card which can be activated when one of my monsters is destroyed by battle, it acts like Hero Signal or Destiny Single, allowing me to Special Summon one Level four or below Gem-Knight Monster from my deck and unlike those other two cards I mentioned the Monster I special summon with Gem-Strike can't be destroyed by card effects during the turn they are Special Summoned and I choose to Special Summon, Gem-Knight Garnet!"

A Gem-Knight appeared on the field ATK: 1900

Not only did the Gem-Knight appear but Toph thanks to Gem-Turtle's destruction by battle gained the ability to add this Gem-Fusion to her hand."

Hanabi watches this "Gem-Knights?"

Toph nods "Prepare yourself Hanabi for a new round as you get to face the true stars of my deck my Gem-Knights!"

"I've never took them on before" Hanabi admitted "But it's a challenge I'm looking forward too. Since your Gem-Strike Trap Card prevents me from destroying Gem-Knight Garnet, it would be useless to activate my Cosmic Fortress Gol'gar's special abilities trying to destroy it this turn but I end my turn!"

I watched with great interests, I've never seen a deck with Gem-Knights before. I've heard rumors that they sort of acted like Element Heroes as they too had many Fusion Forms. Things were going to heat up between my two friends. Things were going to get interesting. Who was going to win? Well I think it's time for a quick break for next time.

Too be continued

Hey guys! I was hoping this could've been a complete one part chapter but word limit was reached and I don't want you all to grow board of reading a huge chapter. It's perhaps a good idea for this duel between Hanabi and Toph to be a two parter. Sort of like Jaden's Duel with Aster which as you can see here, I was trying to do between Hanabi and Toph. In the comments please tell me if you think I succeeded in doing that. Anyway next chapter is Chapter 28: Split Apart PIV Hanabi vs. Toph Conclusion! Hanabi and Toph continue to Duel but can Hanabi's deck overcome Toph's true stars of her deck, the famous Gem-Knights?

Also due to this being a two-part chapter I won't be doing Card of the Chapter. Next chapter's ending will totally overflow with new cards so look forward to it!