Welcome back to another chapter of Circus GX! As you may know, this chapter here features a duel against another Shadow Rider. HOWEVER! Like the previous rider, I have done some change to the last opponent, and the rider's last duel, as well as add in some certain cards to this rider's deck. I think you all know what those cards are, but to those who don't you'll have to read and find out! Enjoy, everyone~!
Normal dialogue
Life Points/Monster stats
*LOCATION CHANGE/ CHANGE IN P.O.V*
Attacks/Effects
'thoughts'
Language other than Japanese (this is English sub after all)
*OPENING*
Roar out through the high heavens,
(Opening starts with a red silhouette of a monster)
Wrapped in undulating emotion;
(Silhouette changed into a different monster in blue)
The truest of tones can be found here at this very spot…
(Silhouette changed once more into a yellow monster. Scene changed to Samejima's office, the man looking out the window at the sky above)
(Instrumental)
(Camera looks up at the dark sky. Title appears. After several seconds, flames extinguished it, changing the scene)
The trembling signal of pain in my heart,
(Kohaku was practicing some stunts when she sensed something and looked behind her)
Broke through many a night,
(Scene changed to Bella doing some ninja training when she also sensed something and looked at a distance)
As I searched for you – it's enough to drive me insane…
(Scene changed again to Alex running from something before he summoned Freakstar Dragon and rode on his back, flying out of the Abandoned Dorm as it exploded behind them)
Within the elegant, dreamlike sounds that float upon a double-edged warmth,
(Elie, Jacko, Tiffany, Seth, Shou and Hayato looked at a distance, watching their friends facing off against the Shadow Riders)
Entrusted tears roam throughout the sky
(Camera zoomed in to Arkham and a Rider in a black cloak. Kohaku and Kazato stares at them. The unknown rider walks away and Kohaku grabbed the cloak and pulled it off)
The more I seek this radiant melody,
(Scene changed as Judai summoned his Heroes and declared an attack)
All that's projected is more illusions.
(Asuka summoned her monsters and also declared an attack)
But the moment we know as "now" will always be what forms the miracle of tomorrow…
(Scene changed to Ryo and his Cybers, to Misawa and his 'Magnet Warriors', to Manjoume and his dragons, to various other characters and their monsters)
So I want to sing for your sake!
(Scene changed to where the Mythic Demon cards are sealed, the three monster spirits circling around the Spirit Gates)
Let everything be set free
(Darkness and Camula had their monsters battle Judai, Chronos, Ryo and Kazato's monsters)
If you have a dream for the future that you believe
(Another cloaked duelist was dueling against Bella and her ninjas)
Our resounding hearts are unstoppable!
(Misawa and Manjoume battled Tania and Don Zaloog. Alex and Asuka dueled against Abidos III and Titan)
Let's go (together), joining hands (no matter how far)!
(Arkham and the earlier cloaked duelist have a full field of monsters on their side, facing off against Kohaku. Kohaku and her 'Circus Freak' and 'Relic' monsters leapt from floating rock to rock over to them)
I won't ever let go of that smile!
(They all prepared their strongest attack and fired. Scene paused with a close-up image of Kohaku and the earlier cloaked duelist facing off)
Days had past since Seth's dad's 'visit'. In that time frame, Manjoume's brothers tried to buy Duel Academia from Seto Kaiba, under the condition that they defeat one of the students. And who else did they choose but their little brother attending the school?
Why did they try to buy the academy? Well, ever since the Interschool Tag Duel, both brother's companies cratered hard. No employee was willing to work themselves to the bone for someone who disrespect their own family, nor would there be a customer who wants to buy anything from the brothers who only care much about results. In fact, there were also some rumors spreading out outside the island about how the brothers had workers do all the work for them to the death, without getting anything back in return, which made business even more difficult for them than ever.
And so the reason why they would buy Duel Academia. Since the world is mostly revolved around dueling, if they gain control of Duel Academia and the many top students attending, they would rise back up in their respective world, and rise to fame in the world of dueling. Ridiculous idea, especially given the condition to taking the school, but Seto Kaiba agreed to the terms.
Sadly, that was not the only condition that was agreed on. Another condition was that the duelist one of the brothers were to duel is not allowed to include monsters of more than 500 ATK. A seemingly impossible request, especially when Manjoume's only monster with 500 or lower ATK is Ojama Yellow... with 0 ATK. Many students had doubts he was going to win, whether it'd be on purpose or by accident, mainly the former. Thankfully, there was a rumor of there being an abandoned well that has the monsters Manjoume was looking for, and so he, along with Judai went to search for said well. However, said well is also said to be haunted by Duel Spirits of those very monsters. Despite this, they still went to get the cards.
As it turns out, the rumors were true, as halfway to the well, there were Duel Monster spirits that tried to attack them. Note: tried. It wasn't because they were spirits; it was because they were monsters that had no ATK points whatsoever. Not only did Manjoume get enough monsters that helps meet the requirements, he also coincidentally found the lost brothers of Ojama Yellow, Ojama Black and Ojama Green.
The day of the duel came. At first, hope seemed lost, as Manjoume was only playing on the defense against his brother, who practically had an army of monsters on the field in the couple of turns. A turnaround was played, and Manjoume won the duel without losing a single Life Point.
With that resolved, everything was nice and peaceful on the island. Well... almost nice and peaceful.
"Un, deux, draw! Un, deux, draw! Un, deux, draw!" Misawa kept shouting out the counts, as he, Judai, Kohaku, and the others from Osiris and Ra Yellow dorm practice their draw power.
"Why are we doing this again?" Alex asked.
"Supposedly training, for when the next Shadow Rider shows up," Kohaku answered.
"I understand for you Gate Key Protectors, but why the rest of us as well?" Seth asked, referring himself, Jacko, Tiffany, Shou, and Hayato for the last part.
"Well, this is good practice if they try to go after us like Camu- I mean, Camilla sort of did," the former idol pointed out.
"Likewise, it would help us improve our skills as duelists as a whole," Jacko followed.
"But still, this early in the morning?" Judai questioned.
"Misawa-kun's quite scary," Shou stated.
As the group did another draw, Hayato noticed the card Shou drew and got a better look at it. "Oh! That's Thunder Nyan Nyan, isn't it?" he noticed.
"It's my idol card," the '-roid' duelist admitted. "I actually put one in my deck."
"It's the same for me." Hayato showed his fellow Osiris his idol card, which was Dian Cecht the God of Healing.
"Whoa. You really like them older, huh?"
"It reminds me of my mom back home," Hayato explained. "I have it in there as a charm."
Shou spread the subject about to the rest of the group. "Hey. Do you guys have a favorite idol card?"
"Well, for me, they're just cards I like," Judai answered. To the others, he asked, "What about you guys?"
"It's not in my deck, but I do keep one card on me," Seth answered, taking out a card hidden in the side deck slot of his duel disk.
"Isn't that Angel Witch?" Jacko identified the card.
"It's the card that got me into dueling. Even though she's destined to be an angel, she chose the life of a witch instead."
The group saw the significance the card had in the boy. "So that's how you got into dueling," Kohaku said in understanding.
"Then how about you two?" Tiffany asked Jacko and Alex, curious to hear of their idol cards.
"Got none," Jacko answered.
"Somehow, I'm not surprised, since you have a girlfriend," Alex said.
"Oh? And what about you?"
"I'm more into dragons in terms of cards. Though, if I have to choose one, I'd say Different Dimension Warrior Lady." The boy showed one of the cards he drew to support his answer.
Misawa was not at all amused with the chit-chat. "Hey! What are these 'idol cards' of yours?!" he shouted. "Do you think you'll win against the Shadow Riders with girls on your mind?!"
"'Girls'?" Seth repeated in a questioned tone, for they were only talking about their favorite cards.
"We're not battling the Shadow Riders, though," Hayato told the Ra, referring to the majority of the group amongst them.
"If you're taking your decks seriously, you shouldn't even have one of those impure cards!" Misawa exclaimed. Despite what he claimed, for some reason, the exceptionally smart guy blushed and shook his head, as if trying to forget something embarrassing, or distracting in his case. "Anyway, idol cards are things that the weak have!"
"But, when you have a card like this, you'll be cured when you're in a pinch," Shou reasoned. "Seth is especially a prime example of that."
Misawa let out a loud shout, causing the guys, and two girls with them, to jump. "If you clear your mind of mundane thoughts, even a pinch will also feel refreshing," he told them. "Wipe away your bad thoughts now, and practice! Practice!"
Sweatdropping at this attitude, the group did just that.
Later that day, the group were all in class, namely Daitokuji's alchemy class. Except... something was off, besides majority of the morning-training group falling asleep in class that is.
"I wonder what's happened here- nya," the professor wondered, for only half the class was there.
He wasn't the only one wondering this. Several others, mainly the other Gate Key Protectors were thinking the same. It was just unusual for this many students to be absent.
"My, everyone is absent without notice- nya..." Daitokuji sighed. Just then, the door opened up, and a female Ra Yellow student walked in. "Hm? What's wrong?"
"Well... I found this in the forest," she spoke. In her hands was a duffle bag, with the name 'Kawada' written on it.
The professor recognized the bag and the owner of it. "That's Kawada-kun's bag, isn't it?"
Just that was enough to give the Gate Key Protectors a bad feeling about what happened, as well as getting Judai's attention enough to wake him up.
Once class was over, the group of said protectors and their friends walked into the forest where the female Ra had found Kawada's bag. On their way there, they found another bag abandoned in the middle of the road, as well as a red blazer.
"So, everyone ended up vanishing in the forest, huh?" Judai said, carrying the bag and blazer.
"I knew it... There's no doubt the Shadow Riders are on the move," Misawa said, one of the few who suspected this was the case since class time.
"I hope everyone's all right- nya," Daitokuji said.
"I'm sure they'll be okay," Kazato assured.
"Any idea who it is?" Kohaku asked.
"You do realize none of us know any of the remaining Shadow Riders, right? Why are you asking us?" Alex asked back.
"Though this can't be Arkham's doing. At least, I hope not," Bella said.
"I want to say it isn't, but he did... use Kohaku's dad as bait for her..." Jacko pointed out in a low whisper to his girlfriend.
"I'm not asking anyone in this group." Kohaku stopped in her tracks as she said that, prompting everyone else to do the same. "I know you're there! Quit hiding and come out!"
Seconds later, a figure revealed herself from a tree she was hiding behind. "How did you know I was following you?" Camilla asked.
"A perk to being a circus performer is to be extremely aware of your surroundings," Kohaku answered. "Also, how are you not affected by the sun? I thought vampires can't stand sunlight."
Camilla, as though predicted the question would come, took out lotion from her person. "I used sunblock," she answered. "I must say, this era is really more advanced than centuries ago. So much so, it even has this 'lotion' that protects vampires from the sun."
Everyone else, with the exception of Kazato, sweat dropped at the answer.
"That's not what sunblock is usually used for," Elie corrected.
"But it does explain how she managed to survive in the day time," Seth pointed out.
Camilla, putting the sunblock lotion away, then said, "So, to answer your other question, there is one person I can think of who would be responsible for the students' disappearance. But you don't need to worry much about her."
That confused the group. "How come?" Shou asked.
"You'll see when you meet her. If I'm right, there should be a clearing ahead, right? Then let's go." With that, Camilla took the lead, walking deeper into the woods.
Everyone else looked at each other, wondering if they should trust her, as she was once a Shadow Rider. Soon enough, they followed after the vampire.
They reached the clearing and, with the exception of Camilla, were incredibly shocked to see a coliseum there.
"What is that?" Judai asked.
"A coliseum. But what's it doing here?" Alex wondered.
"That is also where you will find the next Shadow Rider, and the missing students," Camilla answered.
"Let's check it out," Misawa said, taking the lead inside.
Upon entering inside, the group of students plus one pair of professors were surprised to see all the missing students there... working and doing construction work?!
"Well, now we know how this coliseum was built," Bella said.
"And where the missing students went," Jacko added.
"Hey! Over there!" Manjoume called out.
Everyone turned to where he was looking and was shocked to see Professor Chronos also there and working with the students.
"Dad?!" Elie cried out, getting the guy's attention.
"Mamma mia," he spoke, realizing he and the other boys were seen by his peers and students.
"Huh... So this is where he's been," Kazato said, for he wondered why the blonde teach wasn't in the teacher meeting earlier that morning.
A growl was suddenly heard, and the Gate Key Protectors and friends turned and saw, to their stupor, a fierce-looking tiger glaring at them. Immediately, they all ran for their lives away from the beast.
"Professor Chronos! What's going on here- nya?!" Daitokuji asked.
"Well, that tiger brought us all here- nya," he answered.
By this time, majority of the group managed to climb up a few pillars, successfully getting away from the tiger. The only ones who weren't are...
"Ah! Professor Kazato! Kohaku!" Alex cried out.
Yes, the two former circus performers were still running from the dangerous feline... if one can call it that.
"Here kitty, kitty, kitty~" Kohaku called.
Kazato noticed a chair and a whip nearby and got to them. "Come, Shere Khan!" Like a lion tamer, he whipped the beast by its feet, keeping it a safe distance away, and held up the chair to keep its distance from him.
"Hey, kitty!" Kohaku called, getting the feline's attention. "Over here~" She held up the red blazer they picked up earlier before her, taunting the beast at her. "Come get some, kitty. Nya~" The taunting worked, as the beast charged at her. At the last second, though, she slipped away from the side, leaving the blazer right on its face. "Ole~"
"Like father, like daughter! You're both crazy!" their allies all shouted in unison.
"Whoa. As expected from Professor Kazato and his daughter," Camilla said, the only one who was actually impressed with how calm they handled the situation.
She was not the only one, as a laugh was heard in the audience section. "Quite a show." They turned to the voice and saw a muscular woman with a pair of scars on the right side of her face there. "As the blonde said, thanks to him and your fellow students here, the coliseum you see is now finished. I give you all my gratitude!"
"Who is she?" Judai asked.
"Tanya..." Camilla answered.
The way she calmly answered that question brought everyone to one conclusion. "You mean she's-" Manjoume spoke, but was interrupted as the muscled lady leapt and somersaulted before landing onto the arena. "Bass!" Finally removing the now-ruined blazer from its face, the tiger rejoined its master.
After giving it a few pets, she approached the group of students and Chronos, all lined up in a straight line. "Everyone! Thank you for your cooperation! Thanks to you, this splendid coliseum was built!" She then started giving out envelopes to her helpers, no doubt reward for their hard work. "Here's your compensation. Thanks again. A job well done. Take a long rest today. Here! Thanks again!" Once she got to Chronos, though, she was all out.
"Canzone! My reward- na no ne?" he asked.
"No, you give me the creeps!" she denied.
"That can't be! That is not fair- na no ne!" Chronos should've just kept his mouth shut, for Tanya's tiger started to approach and growl at him, causing him to run away.
"Oh dad..." Elie sighed, as she and the others started to climb down the pillars.
Once he was away, Tanya faced Kohaku and Kazato. "As for you two..." The pair of protectors had their guard up, for who knows what she would do. "You two have quite the guts! Not many is brave enough to play with Bass like you two did. Here. A little something for the nice show." She unexpectedly gave them an envelope each.
"Oh! Uh, thank you," Kazato thanked, as they reluctantly accepted the unexpected gift.
"Hey! Who the hell are you?!" Judai demanded.
"I am Tanya. Head and descendent of the great Amazoness Tribe! And one of the Shadow Riders," she introduced.
The part with the Shadow Riders out of the way, they were shocked to hear where she was from.
"Amazoness, huh? I know that," Shou said.
"Isn't that a tribe that consists of only women?" Seth asked.
"I heard that tribe exists somewhere in the world," Hayato confirmed.
"So they're real, it seems," Asuka stated.
Tanya noticed one person amongst the group who was not suppose to belong. "Camula, is that you?" she asked. "I almost didn't recognize you with that appearance. When I heard of your defeat, I did not expect to see you here."
"Well, if you were facing my opponent, you'd know why," the vampire answered.
"Is that so? And may I ask who your opponent was?"
"Why, you just gave him and his daughter compensation for the show you were amused by."
At that hint, Tanya looked back at Kazato. "He was your opponent? I see." Turning back to the group, she then said, "We'll conduct a sacred battle in the coliseum, with the keys to the ten Spirit Gates at stake! Still, though, only one of your men will be able to battle me."
Hearing that annoyed the female protectors. "What's that about?!" they questioned.
To Kazato, she then said, "And likewise, while I do wish to duel you, I'd rather not face an opponent who amused me on the same day."
The 'Entermate' duelist sweat dropped at this act of kindness.
"Those of you who are the men I speak of, step forward!" Tanya said back to the students. Instantly, all the other male protectors stepped up to volunteer. ... Except Professor Daitokuji. Tanya looked to each boy, wondering who should be her first opponent. "Hmm... You all don't look too bad, but... You!" Eventually, she decided on her opponent, who was none other than Misawa.
Upon seeing that she made her choice, the other volunteers rejoined the group in the sidelines.
"What's your name?" Tanya asked.
"I'm Misawa Daichi!" Misawa introduced.
"Break a leg, Misawa!" Judai cheered.
"Don't let down your guard!" Shou warned.
"We'll be counting on you too!" Hayato followed.
"Fight!" Tiffany cheered.
"Right," Misawa nodded. "I've been prepared for this day for a long time. I'm going to win, count on it!" He unveiled his blazer, revealing his six elemental decks.
He was not the only one with multiple decks, though. "Here, I have two decks that will decide your outcome," Tanya said, holding up said pair in each hand. "One is a deck of knowledge, and one is a deck of courage. I'll let you choose your own destiny."
"Naturally, I'll play against the deck of knowledge!" Misawa selected. "I'll face you with my EARTH deck, as sedentary as the earth." Both duelists placed their decks in their disks.
"I forgot to tell you, but this isn't a Duel of Darkness," Tanya informed, confusing her opponent.
"What? What do you mean?" he asked.
"I don't want your soul! I want you!" Hearing that answer with a coo in her voice caught him off guard and startled. "In other words, if I win, I'll take you back to my village as my groom!"
"Your groom?!" Misawa gasped in shock, as was the others at this sudden development. "Why are you saying something so nonsensical... In that case, what happens if I win?"
"Well, if you do, I'll be your bride, Misawa-cchi~"
"Either way, they're going to get married?!" Jacko gasped, while Bella blushed at how the marriage will work in this case.
"That's... one way of setting someone up for that," Elie said, quite shocked at the development.
"This duel might make me kind of jealous..." Shou muttered.
"I am glad she didn't choose me, if her condition will be the same," Kazato said, for he is a married man.
"Same here. I'd rather not have a step-mom while I still have my mom. Or ever," Kohaku agreed.
"What is she thinking, though?" Asuka wondered.
"To think we'll probably witness a marriage here..." Tiffany said.
"I'm not sure how to feel about that..." Seth uttered out.
Manjoume looked down with a blush on his face at Tanya's condition. "A bride..."
"You're considering it?!" Alex questioned him.
"I don't plan on making you my bride at all, but I'm definitely winning this duel!"
"That's the way, Misawa! Show her your Last Samurai soul!" Judai cheered.
"Leave it to me!"
"Misawa-cchi, take me!" Tanya said with a wink, as they both drew their starting hand.
"DUEL!"
Tanya: 4000 LP
Misawa: 4000 LP
"I'll take the first move. It's my turn! Draw!" Tanya drew her sixth card. "I summon Amazoness Swordswoman in Attack Mode!" Appearing on her field was a muscular 'Amazoness' monster with a saber in hand.
Amazoness Swordswoman: Level 4/EARTH/Warrior/1500 ATK/1600 DEF
"I'll place one card face-down and end my turn!"
"My turn! Draw!" Misawa drew his sixth card and looked at it. "I summon Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus in Attack Mode!" Appearing on his field was an orange robot of sort.
Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus: Level 4/EARTH/Rock/1800 ATK/1500 DEF
"With my Magnet Warrior, I attack Amazoness Swordswoman!"
His declaration surprised Manjoume. "Wait. He's attacking?!"
"Linear Saber!" The two monsters did battle. However, even though it was Swordswoman who got destroyed, Misawa's Life Points was the one that was lowered.
Tanya: 4000 LP
Misawa: 3700 LP
"Why did Misawa-kun's Life Points just...?" Shou questioned.
"Amazoness Swordswoman's effect activated," Tanya explained. "The opposing player takes the damage from battle!"
"She can really do that?" Hayato asked.
"This isn't like Misawa-kun," Asuka said, finding the guy's reckless attack to be unlike the usual composed Ra.
"No. Misawa's just taken up a strategy to reduce his opponent's monsters, even if it cuts down his own Life Points," Judai said, supporting the Ra's move.
"Reverse card, open! Pride of the Tribe!" Tanya activated her face-down. "This trap is activated when an 'Amazoness' monster is destroyed! I am able to Special Summon the same 'Amazoness' monster from my deck!" As she said that, another Swordswoman appeared on the field. "It would seem I've messed up your plan. Don't be disappointed, Misawa-cchi!"
Misawa sighed and sweat dropped at that last part, as he then took a breath to calm himself down. "I'll set one card face-down and end my turn."
That action made Tanya squeal like a fangirl. "My! So cool! It's so numbing, the sorrow of a man!"
This caused some of the audience to sweatdrop. "I'm not the only one finding this... uh..."
"Weird?" Alex finished for Bella.
"Odd?" Elie suggested another.
"Yes, those two."
"Well, we are looking at a muscular woman cooing over a guy who does not seem to have much of an interest in her," Jacko pointed out.
"Even I am feeling chills running down me core at this," Kohaku admitted.
"That in itself is quite impressive," Tiffany stated, for usually nothing unnerves the 'Circus Freak' duelist.
"I get it now, Tanya," Misawa spoke. "That cliche strategy of yours, trying to seduce me to slow my pace down... But my strategies are impregnable! Your pink beam will serve of no use!"
"What's he mean, 'pink beam'?" Judai asked his roommates, both who were just as clueless as he.
"It's my turn! Draw!" Tanya drew her next card. "I summon Amazoness Blowgun Soldier!" Appearing this time was a blue-haired 'Amazoness' with a blowpipe in hand.
Amazoness Blowgun Soldier: Level 3/EARTH/Warrior/800 ATK/1500 DEF
"Reverse Card, open! Magnet Force Minus!" Misawa activated his face-down. As the card was flipped face-up, red electricity shot out and struck the newly summoned monster. "After it activates, this card becomes an Equip card to the monster I chose! And, the monster equipped with this card will gain a negative magnetism, becoming a 'Minus' monster! Should the magnetized monsters have the same magnetism, their battle becomes negated, and it's drawn to a close. However, should two differently-magnetized monsters battle, they have no choice but to automatically engage in battle!"
"My Amazoness Blowgun Soldier is a 'Minus' Monster..." Tanya spoke, catching on to his plan.
"My Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus is a 'Plus' monster!" Misawa added. "Due to the attracting power between 'Plus' and 'Minus', a battle ensues!"
This made Tanya more lovestruck for her opponent. "Oh, no! I, Tanya, am being attracted to you, Misawa-cchi!"
"Get serious about this!"
And serious she got. "From my hand, I now activate the Magic card, Amazoness Curse Master! It switches the original ATK of one 'Amazoness' monster with one of my opponent's face-up monsters!"
Hearing that surprised Misawa, as the 'Plus' and 'Minus' monster on the field had their power swapped.
Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus: 1800 -} 800 ATK
Amazoness Blowgun Soldier: 800 -} 1800 ATK
"No way! She flipped their ATK around!" Shou cried out.
"And with their ATK swapped..." Seth trailed off.
"Go, Amazoness Blowgun Soldier!" Tanya's monster breathed out through her pipe, shooting out a drilling dart from within, and striking down Misawa's only monster.
Tanya: 4000 LP
Misawa: 2700 LP
"Next, with Amazoness Swordswoman, I'll attack the player directly! Head-Chopping Sword!" At that order, Tanya's other monster charged and swung her blade at Misawa, dropping his Life Points down even lower.
Tanya: 4000 LP
Misawa: 1200 LP
"I end my turn."
Amazoness Blowgun Soldier: 1800 -} 800 ATK
"Impossible... To think she one-upped me, twice even, on my strategy..." Misawa grimaced.
"It's a love strategy. Women are more skilled, you know!" Tanya answered.
That made Misawa fluster even more. "Don't toy with me! What's your groom deal?! And your bride deal?! You and I are enemies! We're fighting for the destruction of the world, aren't we?!"
"What destruction of the world? Love is undying! I'll open your heart, which won't even open with your key to the ten Spirit Gates, with my own key!"
"Wow... She's really in love with our Ra boy, isn't she?" Alex said, as he and everyone else in the audience section were just speechless with this occurrence.
"Despite her muscular appearance, Tanya is a maiden in love by heart," Camilla explained to the group.
"I don't think 'maiden' is enough to describe her," Bella said.
"This is nonsense... Are you really smitten with me?" Misawa asked his opponent.
"I am smitten!" she answered.
"What's gotten you smitten?!"
"Isn't it obvious? It's that manly face of yours."
Misawa was irritated enough by his opponent's action and how far ahead she was in his tactics, but to hear it was his face that got her attention as a girl?! 'Damn superficial woman who see nothing but looks... So then, I should switch to stuff like the guys' idol cards, shouldn't I?!' he thought. As he thought that, he also had images of his guy friends' idol cards and White Magician Pikeru in his head, which caused the guy to freak out.
"No, that's not it! That can't be it!" he shouted, clutching his head.
This caused everyone else to sweat drop at his action.
"What's wrong with Misawa-cchi?" Judai wondered, teasing his friend with Tanya's nickname for him.
"It looks like you're having some problems, Misawa-cchi," Shou stated, doing the same.
"Stop calling me that!" Misawa shouted, not at all amused of that teasing.
'I can't believe she's come to like me because of that...' he thought, starting his turn.
"My turn! Draw!" Drawing his next card, he took a different card from his hand to play. "I activate Magnet Conductor Plus from my hand! It returns one 'Plus' monster from my Graveyard to my hand! I add Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus to my hand! I'll send one Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus and one Magnet Warrior Omega Minus in my hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon Super Conductive Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus in Attack Mode!" The two monsters appeared on the field before glowing and combining themselves into one fully modeled and mechanized monster.
Super Conductive Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus: Level 7/EARTH/Warrior/2700 ATK/1300 DEF
"I activate Super Conductive Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus's effect! Half the ATK of one enemy monster on the field gets added to its ATK!" The monster sent electric shock to Blowgun Soldier, gaining half of her ATK power.
Super Conductive Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus: 2700 + 400 = 3100 ATK
"3100 ATK!" Judai shouted.
"I use Super Conductive Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus to attack the Minus Amazoness Blowgun Soldier! Magnum Rail Gun!" At that attack declaration, the newly summoned monster of Misawa's shot out a blast that annihilated its target.
Tanya: 1700 LP
Misawa: 1200 LP
"I'll set two cards face-down, finishing my turn!" Misawa ended.
Rather than grimacing at this turnaround, Tanya seemed to have fallen more in love with the guy. "Amazing! I'd expect no less from you Misawa-cchi!" she cooed. "I'm so glad you're showing me your manly spirit!"
Seeing this action made a few point at her and looking towards Camilla with a look that says 'Is she for real?' Noticing the stares, the vampire simply nodded.
"It's my turn! Draw!" She drew her next card. "I take it you haven't forgotten about Amazoness Swordswoman's effect? Even if she loses in battle, that damage will end up being taken by the opposing player. I'm using Amazoness Swordswoman to attack Super Conductive Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus! Go! Head-Chopping Sword!"
Seeing her monster leap towards his, Misawa couldn't help but be baffled, especially after the smart moves she pulled off before. 'She really didn't know?! Is she simple-minded or...'
"Hey! Reverse card, open! Power Off!" he called, activating an Instant Spell card. "It splits a 'Plus Minus' monster into its original monsters!"
Tanya was shocked at this development. "What?!"
Just before the attack hits, Misawa's monster split into the two used to summon it.
Magnet Warrior Omega Minus: Level 4/EARTH/Warrior/1900 ATK/1600 DEF
"Yeah! That's the way, Misawa-cchi!" Judai cheered.
"Quit it with the 'Misawa-cchi'," Misawa grumbled, getting more and more annoyed with the name.
"Though the battle's finished, I'll summon Amazoness Paladin in Attack Mode." Appearing now on Tanya's field is a blonde 'Amazoness' monster.
Amazoness Paladin: Level 4/EARTH/Warrior/1700 ATK/300 DEF
"This card gains 100 ATK for each card on my field with 'Amazoness' in its name." As she said that, Paladin raised her sword and was covered in a dark pink aura, signaling an increase in its power.
Amazoness Paladin: 1700 + 100 x 2 = 1900 ATK
"Next I'll place two cards face-down and end my turn."
Despite how relieved he was to hear that she wasn't going to do much else and that he foiled her plans this time, Misawa couldn't help but feel uneasy about her move just now. 'She isn't simple-minded or anything! She must be calculating something!'
"Show me your true nature!" he demanded.
"I'm showing it, aren't I? I have all along," she said. "I've been frantically thinking about how I'd be able to turn you around, Misawa-cchi. I'm trying to make you like me, aren't I?" Misawa was taken aback by her action, wondering now if what she said was really true. "You are a Plus, Misawa-cchi, while I, Tanya, am a Minus. We really have to do our best to get those opposites to attract. And so, Misawa-cchi, do your best, too!"
Misawa felt an odd skip in his heart beat, as he placed his hand on his chest and felt his face heat up. Whatever this new feeling in him is... it's dominating all sort of reasons in his head.
"Open the reverse card of your heart, Misawa-cchi!" That... was the last blow... for Tanya had succeeded in catching Misawa's heart. Now all he sees in her is a cute and wonderful girl.
"Is it just me or is there something different about Misawa?" Alex asked.
"You don't think our stubborn Misawa-cchi..." Shou spoke with a slightly hopeful expression. Upon hearing no response to the name, however, caused the boy to worry now. "Huh? He's not responding though..."
"You don't think..." Judai spoke, getting a bad feeling about the duel now.
"My turn! Draw!" Misawa drew his next card. "I summon Magnet Warrior Sigma Minus in Attack Mode!" Appearing now is a blue, green and while robotic monster with a bludgeon in hand.
Magnet Warrior Sigma Minus: Level 4/EARTH/Warrior/1500 ATK/1800 DEF
"Next, I open my reverse card, 100,000 Gauss! This card can be activated when I have a 'Plus' monster and a 'Minus' monster on the field. It switches one of my opponent's monsters to Attack Mode reducing its ATK by 800 points!" As he said that, Tanya's Paladin had its power reduced.
Amazoness Paladin: 1900 - 800 = 1100 ATK
"Yes! So now, even if he takes Amazoness Swordwomen's effect damage, he can use his remaining monsters' attacks to win!" Judai said.
"I'll open my own reverse card! Dramatic Rescue! It returns a Monster card to my hand to Special Summon out a different monster from my hand!" Tanya countered, as her weakened monster left the field. "The monster card that's in my hand is... Amazoness Pet Tiger!" In exchange for Amazoness Paladin, Tanya's pet tiger appeared on the field.
Amazoness Pet Tiger: Level 4/EARTH/Beast/1100 ATK/1500 DEF
"Isn't that the tiger from before?!" Elie recognized.
"So that tiger... was a duel monster hologram?" Bella asked.
"That can't be. When I threw that blazer at its face, it didn't go through," Kohaku recalled.
"For each 'Amazoness' monster on the field, this card raises its ATK by 400 points!" Tanya informed, surprising everyone with its effect.
"What'd she say?!" Hayato asked.
"That's more boost than that Paladin," Jacko noted.
"And there are two monsters on Tanya's field with 'Amazoness' in their names," Shou also noted.
"Which means, like before, Misawa is facing against a monster with 1900 ATK," Tiffany calculated.
Amazoness Pet Tiger: 1100 + 400 x 2 = 1900 ATK
"And while this card is on the field, you can't attack any other 'Amazoness' monster!" Tanya added.
"Misawa-kun's monsters can only attack that tiger!" Asuka gasped.
"Even if he attacks now, there's still that last facedown card," Alex pointed out.
Meanwhile, back on the field, Misawa was already formulating a simple plan to defeat Tanya's monsters and defeat her in the duel. By using his monsters to perform a Double Knockout with Tanya's, he can attack directly with his last monster and wipe out the rest of her Life Points in one go.
"Tanya, I'll show you how I feel!" he declared. "I'll use Magnet Warrior Omega Minus to attack Amazoness Pet Tiger! Linear Saber of Love!"
This surprised everyone, to see Misawa going for an attack despite the remaining facedown on Tanya's field.
"So, this is how you feel, Misawa-cchi..." Tanya spoke, smirking. "I'll catch it all with my body and soul! Reverse card, open! Amazoness Archery Squad!" As they feared, Tanya's final face-down was activated. "My opponent's monsters all switch to Attack Mode and, on top of their ATK going down by 600 points, they must automatically engage in battle!"
Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus: 1800 - 600 = 1200 ATK
Magnet Warrior Omega Minus: 1500 - 600 = 900 ATK
Magnet Warrior Sigma Minus: 1900 - 600 = 1300 ATK
"Misawa's monster's ATK are..."
"... less than Amazoness Pet Tiger's..." Seth finished for Bella.
"It's not like him to not notice her trap card," Manjoume said.
"After falling in love, you lost sight of your surroundings- nya," Daitokuji explained.
"Especially if you're hopelessly in love with someone," Kazato added.
"Amazoness Pet Tiger! Give Misawa-cchi my answer!" Tanya ordered her monster, as all three of Misawa's charged at it. "I'll accept you... Fulfillment of Love - Fang of the Jungle King!" The tiger went and attacked the trio of robots, destroying them all in a big explosion, and ending the duel.
Tanya: 1700 LP
Misawa: 0000 LP
WINNER: TANYA!
"My... Tanya..." Misawa breathed out, falling on his front in exhaustion. Not only that, but since he lost, his Spirit Gate Key disappeared, thus unlocking another lock.
Worried for his friend, Judai leapt down from the audience section and rushed to him. "Misawa!"
"Bass!" Tanya signaled for her tiger once more.
The sight of the growling beast approaching them again made everyone run once more, this time dragging Kohaku and Kazato away with them. Once they were out of the stadium, iron bars came down and sealed off all entrances and exits.
"Misawa... Misawa!" Judai rushed back to the iron bars, tugging on them.
"Hey! What are you doing with our friend in there?!" Kohaku asked.
A laugh was heard. "I've gotten my groom~!"
Judai clutched the bars tightly, yelling out, "Misawa!"
Day turned to night, and back to day. During that time, the Gate Key Protectors and their friends decided to camp out for the night, as they were extremely worried for their friend. Come sunrise, and they continued the waiting game, as Asuka tended to the fire.
"I wonder if Misawa-kun's all right," the blonde Obelisk said.
"Tanya said she'd make Misawa into her groom," Manjoume recalled. "She probably didn't take his life or anything."
"He's right. Tanya's not the kind of person who would take lives. She's too proud a duelist to do such a thing," Camilla said.
"Good grief. She's a frightening woman- nya," Daitokuji stated.
"I'm going to take a look one more time," Judai said, getting up to his feet.
"Same here," Kohaku followed. "I'll try and see if we can get in from the window."
"Good idea," Kazato agreed.
"Bad idea. If the window is too high, most of us won't be able to go in. Unless if you have a rope," Bella corrected and pointed out.
Before the volunteers could take action, though, the sound of creaking was heard. Everyone turned and saw one of the barred doors lifting the bars, allowing an entrance and an exit. To their surprise, a flushed and fatigued Misawa slowly walked out.
"Misawa!" Judai gasped, as they all rushed to the male Ra's side.
"Are you okay?" Kohaku asked.
"Y-Yeah..." Misawa stuttered.
"What happened to you?" Jacko asked.
"What did that woman do to you?" Tiffany followed.
"It was... as if I was useless to her..." Misawa answered with a smile, confusing the group. "Even though I used my entire deck, I couldn't win against her. She's strong, gorgeous, and proud! And I was just... no match for her..."
Hearing him say all that was just unlike him. Then again, who can blame him? The guy was practically forced into a marriage, charmed by the woman she was being forced into a marriage with, dueled all night with the same woman, and then got dumped by her.
After taking the guy back to the Ra Yellow Dorm to recover, the group went to class for the day. Come lunch break, they went to check up on Misawa... only to see him dazed, not at all touching his food.
"There's really something off about that guy," Hayato said.
"Whoa! He's putting strawberry jam on the omelette rice!" Shou gasped.
"Not just that, he's drinking soy sauce from the bottle!" Seth followed.
"Never mind that: above all, this is the Osiris Red cafeteria. Why is Misawa here?" Manjoume pointed out.
Yep, that is right. Instead of being in the Ra Yellow cafeteria, Misawa somehow found himself in the Osiris Red cafeteria instead. The group would've been worried about the guy or searched the whole island for him, had Kate not told them of the once-genius duelist ending up in the wrong dorm.
"Hey, Misawa!" Judai called, attempting to get his attention. Sadly... "That's tabasco!" Misawa did not hear his fellow first-year and just continued to drink things that should not be drunk.
"It's official. He's lost it, completely," Elie stated.
"To think that Misawa-kun would lose his composure..." Asuka said in disbelief.
"Are you sure Tanya didn't put some spell on him?" Bella asked Camilla.
"As I said, Tanya is too proud for such tactics. If anything, she's a bit too desperate to find a strong groom. The moment she sees someone she dubs as strong, she has them fall for her the same was she did for them, completely 'test' their true strength a number of times until they break, and then leaves them if she ends up being dissatisfied," the vampire explained.
"That sounds exactly like Misawa's situation!" Jacko said.
That just worried the group even more, as they continued to look at the now pitiful duelist.
Later that day, they called the lovesick boy to the Duel Arena for an emergency meeting. Along with the group were Chronos, Ryo, and Kate.
"What's going on? You called me out of the blue here," Misawa asked.
"Since it's been a while, let's duel!" Judai suggested, in an attempt to get the guy back to his normal self.
"It's pointless. I can't do it," Misawa denied.
"Why? Are you scared?"
"Me? Scared? That's not it."
"Then, what's going on? This isn't like you."
"I just don't know anymore."
"It's that woman, isn't it?" Manjoume guessed.
"No way! It's dueling!" Misawa denied.
"What do you mean?" Kohaku asked.
"That 'Tanya' woman... While she's a Dark Duelist, in that pure battle, her makeshiftiness was gone, and she faced me head-on. I remember a sense of respect in her. I want to see her! And I want to cross decks with her again!"
"Is that like a bond only those who cross their decks with each other can feel?" Ryo asked.
Misawa nodded in confirmation. "However, with my skills as they are now, I can't give Tanya a duel that will satisfy her. That is mortifying and pathetic!"
"Is that woman that incredible?" Manjoume questioned.
"I'm glad you met a duelist like that, Misawa," Judai said, in a happy tone. "I've just been wanting to take my chance with that 'Tanya' chick more and more! I'm jealous of you, Misawa-cchi!"
"Are we really going back to that name?" Alex asked.
Later that night, around midnight to be exact, the large group stood at the front of the coliseum. Apparently, Misawa sensed Tanya's fighting spirit emerge from the area. Once he got Kohaku, Alex, and Judai, their friends of the two dorms called the others, which led them to where they are now.
"You sure Tanya's here?" Bella asked.
"It sounds like it," Judai said.
A familiar growl was echoed in the air. Everyone looked and saw Tanya's tiger, Bass, pounce out from the forest, with her owner on its back.
"Tanya..." Misawa muttered out.
"You really felt my duel-starved thirst, I see..." Tanya said.
"I'm taking you on!" Judai volunteered.
The amazoness looked towards him. "You look good. Though you do look foolish," she commented and insulted.
Judai sweat dropped at that last part. "Well... Hey, foolish is a bit much, isn't it?!"
"You seem like a passionate fellow. However, sadly, I already chose my next opponent." Those words confused everyone.
"Who?" Kohaku asked.
"I want to duel... you." Tanya pointed at, to everyone's surprise, Kazato.
"My dad?!"
"I'll have you know, I am a married man," Kazato informed. "I don't mind if you wish to duel me, however I am not one to cheat on my wife."
"Playing hard to get, are you? Such a thing won't matter, once I see what it is that got Camula beaten by you and take you down myself, groom-to-be," Tanya said.
The moment she said that very last part, Kate and Kohaku had dangerous aura surrounding them, one that made everyone else flinch and step away from the wife and child of Tanya's next opponent.
"Oh dearie~ You better win," Kate said in a too sweet of a tone.
Kazato himself was sweating profusely at those words, knowing that his life will end in more ways than one if he were to lose. "Yes, madam," he weakly replied.
The two duelists faced each other in the center of the coliseum, with everyone else sitting in the audience section, and Bass lying by one of the gates.
"For Professor Kazato's sake, I really hope he wins," Alex said.
"In which way do you mean?" Jacko asked, taking a glance at Kate and Kohaku, and even Camilla!?
"But if the condition is going to be the same, then will that part matter much?" Bella wondered, being careful about the marriage part of the deal.
"Well, so far she isn't acting like how she did to Misawa. So Professor Kazato should be okay," Elie pointed out.
Back down below, Tanya held up her two decks. "As you know, I have two decks that will decide your outcome. Do you want to die a noble death and go down in history? Or, do you want to live in embarrassment, even if you live?"
"Don't both of those mean that you'd win?" Manjoume asked.
"I am not one to see myself as noble in any way. However, as a performer, I would love to see how you would embarrass me so, my fair lady," Kazato answered her.
"And you say you're not one to accept my proposal," Tanya said, as both duelists placed their decks in their duel disks.
"I'm only being a gentleman."
"DUEL!"
Kazato: 4000 LP
Tanya: 4000 LP
"I shall start first. My turn. Draw!" Kazato drew his sixth card. "Firstly, I will summon out Entermate Allcover Hippo!" As he said that, a dark brown hippo wearing a black vest with a black top hat and a lightning bolt on its head appeared on his field.
Entermate Allcover Hippo: Level 3/EARTH/Beast/800 ATK/800 DEF
The sight of the monster made Tanya speechless. When Camula told her that she was beaten by Kazato, she had wondered exactly what sort of deck he uses, but this?! He summoned out a hippo, and it does not look at all that threatening!
"Summoning out a hippo at a time like this- na no ne?!" Chronos questioned, unknowingly agreeing with her thoughts.
"Next, I activate Allcover Hippo's effect! When he is summoned onto the field, I am able to Special Summon one 'Entermate' monster from my hand. I will summon out Entermate Dag Daggerman through this effect!" Appearing next was a human-like monster in a purple outfit appeared with daggers in hand.
Entermate Dag Daggerman: Level 5/EARTH/Warrior/2000 ATK/600 DEF
"Dag Daggerman's effect activates! When he is Special Summoned on the field, by discarding one 'Entermate' monster from my hand to the Graveyard, such as Entermate Thunderhino, I am able to draw one card." Kazato sent said card from his hand to the Graveyard and drew another card from his deck. "I set one card face-down and end my turn!"
"You think foolish monsters like those have a chance? You're simply dreaming. My turn! Draw!" Tanya drew her next card. "I summon Amazoness Paladin in Attack Mode!" Appearing on her field was the blonde 'Amazoness' monster from her duel against Misawa. "For every monster on my field with 'Amazoness' in its name, this card's ATK is raised by 100 points!"
Amazoness Paladin: 1700 + 100 = 1800 ATK
"Next I activate the Field Magic, Amazoness Village!" The coliseum then changed into that of a village, with wooden shacks and chickens everywhere.
"What the heck is this place?" Manjoume asked.
"This village has a very special effect, other than granting my 'Amazoness' monsters 200 more ATK points," Tanya informed, as her monster gained more power.
Amazoness Paladin: 1800 + 200 = 2000 ATK
"Is that so? And may I ask what that effect is?" Kazato asked.
"Why explain with words when I can use action? I use Amazoness Paladin to attack Dag Daggerman!" That attack declaration shocked everyone, as her lone monster went to attack one of Kazato's.
"What is she thinking? Doing that would cause both monsters to be destroyed," Alex pointed out.
"Tanya is that kind of person," Misawa said.
True to Alex's words, as both monsters attacked each other, their respective blades struck their opponent, and caused them both to be destroyed.
"At this time, Amazoness Village's second effect activate!" Tanya called. "Once per turn, when an 'Amazoness' monster is destroyed and sent to my Graveyard, I am able to Special Summon out another 'Amazoness' monster of the same level or less as it from my deck!" That shocked many in the sidelines, as they now understood why she went for the Double Knockout. "Now come, Amazoness Swordswoman!" Exiting out one of the shacks was the effect-damage-dealing 'Amazoness' monster.
"Not that monster..." Seth groaned, remembering its effect.
"And let's not forget my Field Magic's effect. Amazoness Swordswoman's ATK is increased by 200."
Amazoness Swordswoman: 1500 + 200 = 1700 ATK
"I now use Amazoness Swordswoman to attack Allcover Hippo!" Tanya continued, as her newly summoned monster charged at Kazato's hippo.
"I wonder about that," the 'Entermate' duelist said. "Reverse card, open! Entertainment Flash!" Once his set card was flipped face-up, a blinding flash was shone from it, causing Swordswoman to stop in her tracks and move to Defense Mode, painfully rubbing her eyes.
"What?!"
"Entertainment Flash is a trap card that activates if I control an 'Entermate' monster. All face-up Attack Position monsters my opponent controls goes to Defense Mode and are to remain that way."
This form of defense mechanism brought some hope into his daughter and allies.
"All right! Now he won't have to worry about Amazoness Swordswoman!" Shou cheered.
"Its effect is only usable if Battle Damage is being dealt," Asuka pointed out.
"So you knew I would summon out Amazoness Swordswoman," Tanya assumed.
"Knew it? Far from it," Kazato said. "What sort of performer am I if I know what will happen in a show? I only took the more entertaining route."
"Oh. You find this entertaining? Well, I suppose you would. I end my turn!"
"My turn! Draw!" Kazato drew his next card. "And now, by sending the lone Entermate Allcover Hippo from my field to the Graveyard, I Special Summon out a good friend of mine! Say hello to Entermate Sleight Hand Magician!" The said hippo glowed and took upon the form of one of Kazato's best monsters.
Entermate Sleight Hand Magician: Level 7/LIGHT/Spellcaster/2500 ATK/2000 DEF
The sight of this monster brought smiles to everyone's faces.
"And now, I activate Sleight Hand Magician's effect! Once per turn, by discarding 1 card in my hand, such as Entermate Drumming Kong, I can destroy one card on the field! Sorry Amazoness Swordswoman. Sleight of Crystallization!" Sleight Hand Magician shot its crystallized balls at its target and destroyed it.
"You seemed to have forgotten my Field Magic's effect. Because Amazoness Swordswoman got destroyed and was sent to the Graveyard, I can summon out another 'Amazoness' monster from my deck of the same or lower level. And of course, I will summon another Swordswoman!" Just as Kazato's monster destroyed the first Swordswoman, another one took her place.
Amazoness Swordswoman: 1500 + 200 = 1700 ATK
"Too bad. It seems you didn't take a lesson from my previous duel with one of your students, professor," Tanya slightly mocked.
"On the contrary, I learned plenty," Kazato said. "I Normal Summon Entermate Changeraffe!" Now appearing next to Sleight Hand Magician was a baby giraffe in a blue cloak with a ring of sort floating around its neck.
Entermate Changeraffe: Level 1/EARTH/Beast/100 ATK/500 DEF
"Changeraffe's effect! When this card is summoned, while this card is face-up on the field, a face-up monster my opponent controls is unable to attack or use its effects!" Hearing that shocked the Shadow Rider even more. "Prism Ring!" Changeraffe launched the ring around its neck at Swordswoman number 2, binding it.
Witnessing the guy one-upping Tanya brought more joy to the students and the professors.
"All right! Now he won't have to worry about Amazoness Swordswoman's effect!" Hayato cheered.
"And since Amazoness Village's Special Summon effect is once per turn, he won't have to worry about her summoning out another one," Ryo pointed out.
"This is his chance!" Tiffany agreed.
"Battle! I will have Entermate Sleight Hand Magician attack Amazoness Swordswoman! Crystal Shot!" The monster raised its staff, which started to glow, and gave it a wave, calling upon crystallized spears and shooting them all at his target. The attack hit and destroyed Swordswoman, as well as dealt damage to Tanya.
Kazato: 4000 LP
Tanya: 3200 LP
"And to follow up, I'll have Entermate Changeraffe attack directly!" Kazato's giraffe charged at Tanya and gave her a playful headbutt.
Kazato: 4000 LP
Tanya: 3100 LP
"I end Act 1 here," Kazato said, taking a small bow.
While Tanya did want to fight against strong duelists, getting beaten by ridiculous monsters such as Kazato's is surprising for herself. However... that just makes things more interesting for her.
"I think I see now why Camula was beaten by you," she said. "And if I were to guess, she also took a liking to you as well from your duel, didn't she?"
"I would say so. Is that a problem?" Kazato asked.
"Not really. If anything, that makes me want you for myself even more."
Kohaku, Kate, and Camilla glared at the Shadow Rider when she said that, a dark aura engulfing them both that made everyone else scoot away from the trio in fear.
"It's my turn! Draw!" Tanya drew her next card and glanced at it. One look, and she thought back to a certain conversation earlier today, after she dumped Misawa.
*FLASHBACK*
"Are there no stronger men?! A strong man who yearns for me, and can passionately boil me with emotion!" Tanya questioned, as she thrashed about one of the rooms in the coliseum.
"When I came here to deliver to you some gifts, I did not expect to see a thrashing beast," came a familiar voice.
Tanya and Bass looked to the door and saw the card creator of the Shadow Rider there.
"You're... Why are you here?" she asked.
"As I said, I came bearing gifts." The cloaked person took out some cards and handed them out to Tanya.
"Came up with new cards again?" the muscled woman questioned, accepting the gift and looking over each and every one of them. "Any reason why?"
"You say you want to fight against the strong, didn't you? If you were to fight against the duelist who had defeated Camula, as you are now, your strength won't be enough. You would do well to heed this warning."
*FLASHBACK*
'Weak his monsters may seem at first glance, he is quite strong, as she said,' Tanya thought.
"From my hand, I Normal Summon Amazoness Princess in Attack Mode!" Now appearing on the field is a little girl with white hair.
Amazoness Princess: Level 3/EARTH/Warrior/1200 + 200 = 1400 ATK/900 DEF
"When our little princess is summoned onto the field, I add one 'Amazoness' Magic or Trap card from my deck to my hand. I will add Amazoness Call to my hand and activate it. With this card's effect, I am able to add one 'Amazoness' card from my deck to my hand. I will add Amazoness Pet Baby Tiger to my hand."
"A baby tiger?" Seth repeated in surprise.
"And now, I activate the Magic card, Fusion!" Tanya continued.
Hearing what card she was using next came as a shock for both Misawa and Camilla.
"Did she say 'Fusion'?!" the latter asked, grabbing everyone else's attention.
"She did. Is there a problem- na no ne?" Chronos asked.
"The problem is she never has that card in either of her decks!"
"It's true. I faced her many times with both her decks, and not once has she ever Fusion Summoned," Misawa supported Camilla's claim.
That puzzled everyone else. "But for her to use it now, wouldn't it mean she's been holding back?" Ryo asked.
"No. Tanya always gives her all in her duels. She'd never."
"Which only means... she visited her. The Shadow Riders' card creator," Camilla spoke.
"Shadow Riders'... card creator?" Kohaku repeated.
"Using Amazoness Princess as Amazoness Queen on my field and Amazoness Blowgun Soldier from my hand, I now Fusion Summon Amazoness Empress!" As the two monsters combined, a fierce-looking 'Amazoness' monster, one who looks like a true ruler of her clan, appeared on the field.
Amazoness Empress: Level 8/EARTH/Warrior/2800 + 200 = 3000 ATK/2400 DEF
"And from my hand, Amazoness Pet Baby Tiger's effect activates. When an 'Amazoness' monster is summoned onto my field, I can Special Summon it." Appearing next to her Fusion monster was a tiger cub with a large collar around its neck.
Amazoness Pet Baby Tiger: Level 2/EARTH/Beast/500 + 200 = 700 ATK/500 DEF
"For each 'Amazoness' monster in my Graveyard, this card gains 100 ATK. There are five 'Amazoness' monsters in my Graveyard." As Tanya said that, the cub glowed in a red aura and let out a cute roar.
Amazoness Pet Baby Tiger: 700 + 500 = 1200 ATK
"That's not good," Judai said.
"Both of those monsters are way stronger than Professor Kazato's!" Shou exclaimed.
"We're battling! I use Amazoness Empress to attack Sleight Hand Magician!" Tanya declared, as her Fusion Monster charged at Kazato's strongest monster on the field. The two monsters clashed, but in the end, it was the 'Amazoness' who reigned superior.
Kazato: 3500 LP
Tanya: 3100 LP
"Next I attack Changeraffe with Amazoness Pet Baby Tiger!" Following the assault was Tanya's cub, who went and took a huge bite out of its prey.
Kazato: 2400 LP
Tanya: 3100 LP
"Dad!" Kohaku cried out in worry.
"Just like that, Tanya wiped out professor's field..." Alex said, just as worried.
"It's fine," Kate told them. "Kazato is not going to let this disadvantage get the best of him."
"I set one card face-down and end my turn. You now have one card in your hand, and you have no cards on your field. For someone who is suppose to set an example for his students, you are not at all doing so well. And this is suppose to be the very man who defeated Camula?"
"My, don't you know how to hurt a man with your words, milady," Kazato said. "However, to get out of tight situations like this is something a performer does. Even if you come at me with a field full of monsters, so long as there is a card I can play, it is too soon to call it quits here! Besides, it'll be especially rude to the audience we have if I were to just give up now. Now it is my turn! Draw!" He drew his next card. "I now set two cards face-down and end my turn!"
Seeing him do just that one move alone worried a good majority of the group.
"No monsters?! That's not good at all!" Jacko exclaimed.
"There's nothing he can do- no ne! It doesn't matter what those cards are, they won't be able to protect his Life Points- na no ne!" Chronos shouted in a panic.
"That's not true at all!" Kohaku shouted, grabbing their attention. "My dad... He's not going to let this duel, this show, end here."
"That's right! If he's able to hold his own against me, a vampire who was once a Shadow Rider, then he should do the same against Tanya!" Camula agreed.
"Struggle all you want. It seems you are not the strong duelist I seek after all. My turn! Draw!" Tanya drew her next card. "Battle! Amazoness Empress! Finish him! Royal Severing Chop!" At the command, Tanya's Fusion monster charged at Kazato, her blade ready to do more than give him a horrible cut.
"I don't think so! Reverse card, open! Entermate Call!" Kazato activated one of his two face-downs. "When my opponent's monster declares a direct attack, the attack is first negated." The card glowed, causing the Fusion Monster to stop in her tracks. "Next, I add up to two 'Entermate' monsters from my deck to my hand with a total DEF equal to or less than the ATK of the attacking monster."
"With Amazoness Empress's ATK at 3000, my dad can add any two 'Entermate' monsters from his deck to his hand so long as their DEF is not more than that," Kohaku said.
"Question is, what monsters will he be adding," Ryo said.
"The monsters I will be adding are... Entermate Discover Hippo and Entermate Radish Horse!" Kazato added the said monsters to his hand.
"You can add as many monsters as you want, but they won't help you if they're not on the field! I attack directly with Amazoness Pet Baby Tiger!" The declared monster charged next.
"Who said I was defenseless? Continuous trap, activate! Entermate Pinch Helper!" Kazato's other trap was flipped face-up. "Once per turn, when an opponent's monster declares a direct attack, I am able to negate it and Special Summon one 'Entermate' monster from my deck! However, the monster summoned this way has its effects negated! Now come, Entermate Parrotrio!" Now appearing on his field was a trio of parrots, all three singing a note.
Entermate Parrotrio: Level 3/WIND/Winged-Beast/500 ATK/500 DEF
"All right! He survived that assault!" Seth cheered.
"Not only that, but he now has a monster on his field. for defense. Sensei's Life Points are safe," Elie added.
Hearing that made Tanya chuckle. "Surely you didn't think a measly defense such as that is enough to stop the assault of the Amazoness," she said, to their confusion. "Continuous Trap, activate! Amazoness Onslaught! Through this card, once per turn, during the Battle Phase, I am able to Special Summon out one 'Amazoness' monster from my hand! Now, come! Amazoness Sage!" To her beckon and call, another 'Amazoness' monster, this one holding up a staff, appeared on the field.
Amazoness Sage: Level 4/EARTH/Warrior/1400 + 200 = 1600 ATK/700 DEF
"And further more, she gains 500 extra ATK points!" The duelists in the audience gasped as they heard that, especially as Sage's power grew from the effect of Tanya's trap.
Amazoness Sage: 1600 + 500 = 2100 ATK
"Now my Sage, attack Parratrio!" At Tanya's command, her newly summoned monster casted some kind of spell at Kazato's monster, resulting in its destruction. "And before I forget, Amazoness Empress makes it possible for all 'Amazoness' Monsters to inflict piercing damage to my opponent!" That shocked the audience even more, as Sage's spell continued on towards Kazato and struck him hard.
Kazato: 900 LP
Tanya: 3100 LP
"Dad!" Kohaku cried out in worry.
"I'm fine, Kohaku. Don't worry," Kazato assured.
"Furthermore," Tanya spoke, grabbing their attention back to her. "When Amazoness Sage attacks a monster and is not destroyed by battle, a Magic or trap card my opponent controls is destroyed! I'd rather you do not hide from any more of my monsters' attacks, so let's get rid of Entermate Pinch Helper!" Her monster shot out another spell at Kazato's remaining card, dwindling the others' hope for their professor to win.
"You may have gotten rid of my last card, but I am far from defenseless! When Parratrio is destroyed by battle, I am able to Special Summon a level 4 or lower 'Entermate' monster from my deck!" As the 'Entermate' duelist said that, the trio of parrots appeared back and pecked at his deck, calling out one of their allies from within. "Through their effect, I will Special Summon out Entermate Longphone Bull!" Now appearing on his field was a blue bull-like monster in a red vest with an old telephone as its horns and a cable as its tail.
Entermate Longphone Bull: Level 4/EARTH/Spellcaster/1600 ATK/1200 DEF
"And when Longphone Bull is Special Summoned, I get to add an 'Entermate' monster from my deck to my hand. The monster I will be adding is none other than Entermate Laugh Maker!" Kazato added, obtaining said card from his deck.
"But I thought Entermate Parratrio can't use its effect," Shou said, confused by the Special Summon.
"While it is true that a monster's effect is negated on the field, its destruction effect, which activates in the player's Graveyard, is not," Ryo informed his brother.
"Still, this is good. He has some form of defense on his side," Tiffany pointed out.
"True as it may be, don't forget one other thing," Asuka said. "Amazoness Empress allows her fellow monsters to inflict piercing damage to the opponent. Unless if professor can do something about that effect..."
"Next turn may be his last..." Jacko finished.
"As things are, my Tanya will not be beaten by the professor's dueling," Misawa said, completely and still supporting the Shadow Rider.
"Whose side are you on?!" Bella questioned, unable to believe that the guy was still out of it.
Though many have doubts about how the old protector will win, there were a few amongst them who still have high hopes for Kazato. Kate already has fate in him, and has always had fate in her husband. Recognizing the cards in her father's hand, as well as noticing the confident smile on his face, Kohaku also knew... Next turn will be the end. Camilla also knew that this duel was far from over for the professor who defeated her. After all, she put him in worse situation than Tanya had put him in, and yet he still came out on top. Question is, how is he going to win this duel? How will he end this show?
Tanya, unlike the others, was not at all impressed with Kazato's work by far. "It doesn't matter what you do. Next turn will be your last. You will lose that Spirit Gate Key. And of what I can see, dueling you as my future-groom is a mistake after all. I don't know how Camula could have ever lost to you."
"You pain me so with your words, milady. I may be a performer, but I also have the heart of a duelist. If you think all I have been doing is fooling around, then you'll be in for quite a shock next turn," Kazato said.
"I doubt it. I set one card face-down and end my turn! At this time, Amazoness Sage's ATK returns to normal!" Tanya ended.
Amazoness Sage: 2100 - 500 = 1600 ATK
"Then it's my turn! Draw!" Kazato drew his next card. Once he took a look at the card he drew, the sun started to rise, and a drumroll echoed in the air. "Ladies and gentlemen~! Come one, come all!" he then shouted, grabbing everyone's full attention. "Right now on my opponent's field are a trio of frightening monsters, and her Life Points are currently at 3100! Please do give a round of applause as I turn that number to zero!"
"Reduce my Life Points to zero? With what monster? All you have on your field is a 1600 ATK monster. Even if it can attack directly, all it can do is reduce the amount by half! And unless if you drew out a card that can get rid of my monsters, if I recall, the monsters you also added to your hand can't help you out at all!"
"My, do I hear some negative expectations from our guest. Well, making the impossible possible, doing the unexpected, performing the great beyond... Those are all the source of a performance. But, I am so glad you mentioned the monsters in my hand! To start with, since my opponent controls a Special Summoned monster, and controls at least as many monsters as I do, I am able to summon out Entermate Radish Horse from my hand!" Appearing on the field was Kazato's horse made of radish.
Entermate Radish Horse: Level 4/EARTH/Plant/500 ATK/2000 DEF
"Next, I Normal Summon out Entermate Discover Hippo!" Appearing next was his pink hippo in a red vest.
Entermate Discover Hippo: Level 3/EARTH/Beast/800 ATK/800 DEF
"When Discover Hippo is Normal Summoned, he allows me to do an Advance Summon for a Level 7 or higher monster!" Kazato said.
Those words brought joy to the students' and his fellow teachers' faces.
"Then that means..." Elie began.
"Laugh Maker is making a comeback!" Judai cheered.
"That's right! With the help of Entermate Longphone Bull and Entermate Discover Hippo, I now Advance Summon out the 'Entermate' monster who brings joy to people's heart! Entermate Laugh Maker!" Appearing now from the two monsters was the monster that took down Camula and gave her the change of heart.
Entermate Laugh Maker: Level 8/LIGHT/Spellcaster/2500 ATK/2000 DEF
"I now activate Entermate Radish Horse's effect!" "Once per turn, by targeting a monster on both our fields, my opponent's monster loses ATK equal to Radish Horse's and my monster gains ATK equal to the amount lost! And of course, the two monsters that I will be targeting are Amazoness Empress and Entermate Laugh Maker! Entertainment Fireworks!" Radish Horse fired its horn high in the air, which exploded into fireworks.
Amazoness Empress: 3000 - 500 = 2500 ATK
Entermate Laugh Maker: 2500 + 500 = 3000 ATK
"Yes! Now even if he does attack Amazoness Empress, once Laugh Maker's effect kicks in, he'll win!" Bella cheered.
"Go for it, professor!" Alex shouted.
"Battle! Entermate Laugh Maker! Attack Amazoness Empress!" Kazato's monster did as told and prepared for his attack. "And it is here, Entermate Laugh Maker's effect activates! When he attacks, for each monster on the field, besides my other monsters, whose ATK is higher than their original ATK, Laugh Maker gains an extra 1000 for each one! The monsters on the field whose ATK are higher than original besides himself are... Amazoness Pet Baby Tiger and Amazoness Sage, making a total of three monsters! Smile Boost!" Laugh Maker let out a hearty laugh as his power increased.
Entermate Laugh Maker: 3000 + 1000 x 3 = 3000 + 3000 = 6000 ATK
"6000 ATK?!" Tanya gasped in shock, while everyone else was in joy at this turnaround.
"Go for it, dad!" Kohaku cheered.
"Take her down!" Camilla followed.
"Go now, Laugh Maker! Happiness Charger Beam!" Kazato ordered his monster, who twirled his staff to summon out a smiling emoji in front of him, and shot out his signature attack right at Empress.
"It looks like I was wrong about you," Tanya said, smirking. "However, I am not going down that easily! Continuous Trap card, open! Amazoness Curse Mirror!" The face-down card she had set last turn was activated. "Once per turn, the Battle Damage I take will be reduced to zero!" This counter shocked everyone, as they see a mirror appear in front of Tanya. The mirror glowed and protected her from the impact of the damage, as the attack connected with her monster. However, for some reason, as the attack had ended, Empress still remained on the field. "It seems I forgot one other thing. Amazoness Empress also prevents the destruction of all 'Amazoness' monsters." That surprised the audience even more.
"That can't be..." Hayato spoke.
"Oh, that's it- no ne! There's no hope left for him- na no ne!" Chronos exclaimed.
"Don't say that, dad!" Elie shouted.
"Don't be saddened by this. If anything you should be grateful," Tanya said to Kazato. "That last move proved that you are worthy of being my groom after all. You should be proud of that feat, especially after the previous moves you pulled."
"Thanks, but as I said, I am still married. And I am not planning on leaving my wife and daughter at any point in time. And likewise, this duel is not yet over! If anything, the fun has just begun! Instant Magic, activate! Sleight of Hand!" Kazato activated the last card in his hand, the one card he drew this turn. "Through this card's effect, by destroying one Spellcaster-type monster on my field, I am able to Special Summon another Spellcaster-type monster from my Graveyard! Now then, everyone! Watch as Entermate Laugh Maker swaps his place with one other 'Entermate' monster standing on standby! I think you all know who this monster is!" A cape appeared in his monster's hand, in which he used to completely cover himself up and spun. After a couple seconds of spinning, the cape was removed, and Entermate Sleight Hand Magician took his place.
"All right! Sleight Hand Magician is back!" Judai exclaimed.
"But even so, it's ATK is on part with Amazoness Empress. And even if he does attack her other monsters, it won't be enough to finish Tanya- nya," Daitokuji said.
"True, if that's all there is to it," Kate said, confusing the group.
"If all you're hoping is a good defense, you seem to have forgotten that once Amazoness Empress's ATK returns to normal, one hit against Radish Horse, and it'll be the end for you," Tanya reminded Kazato.
"I have not forgotten. Sleight of Hand's second effect! If I activated it while my Life Points are at 1000 or less, the monster summoned by it gains the original ATK of the monster destroyed by its effect!" To everyone's bewilderment, a spirit of Laugh Maker appeared by Sleight Hand Magician's side and merged with it, granting it its strength.
Entermate Sleight Hand Magician: 2500 + 2500 = 5000 ATK
"And furthermore, Laugh Maker's second effect! If he is destroyed while his ATK is higher than normal, I am able to Special Summon one monster from my Graveyard!" Sleight Hand Magician spun his cane at a spot next to him, causing a portal to appear. "Now stand by our star's side, Entermate Drumming Kong!" Coming out of the portal was a gorilla monster with drums on its chest, the very monster that was sent to the graveyard by Sleight Hand Magician's effect.
Entermate Drumming Kong: Level 5/EARTH/Beast/1600 ATK/900 DEF
"But even so, their ATK power is not enough. And not only that, but Empress can't be destroyed by battle," Jacko recalled.
"Battle! With the 5000 ATK Entermate Sleight Hand Magician, I now attack Amazoness Empress! Empowered Crystal Shot!" Kazato declared, as his monster called upon more crystallized spears. "And at this time, I activate Entermate Drumming Kong's effect! When a battle is declared between a monster I control and an opponent's monster, the monster I control gains 600 ATK! Encourage Drums!" The gorilla monster beat its drums, giving Sleight Hand Magician more boost.
Entermate Sleight Hand Magician: 5000 + 600 = 5600 ATK
Seeing this brought back joy on everyone's faces.
"Sleight Hand Magician's ATK is now 5600!" Tiffany said.
"Amazoness Empress's ATK is 2500," Elie followed.
"The difference in their ATK is 3100, exactly the same as Tanya's Life Points!" Seth added on.
Tanya was speechless at this. Not only was Kazato proved to be stronger than she thought, he even one-upped her! Never, had she ever, met such a strong opponent in her life.
"Alone we may be powerless, but together, we are able to conquer against the impossible! That is the way of a performer!" Kazato exclaimed.
'The way of a performer... It's stronger than the strength of an 'Amazoness'...?' Tanya mentally questioned.
A smile formed on her face. "I accept my defeat," she said out loud. "Now come! Give me your final attack! I'll take it with all I have!"
"You heard the lady, Sleight Hand Magician! Fire!" At Kazato's final order, his monster unleashed its attack at Empress. Like her master, she also took the attack head on. The spears all made contact and crystalized her body completely, making a wonderful, elegant statue out of her, before it crumbled away to beautiful pixels.
Kazato: 900 LP
Tanya: 0000 LP
WINNER: KAZATO!
"Yes! He won!" some of the students cheered in joy.
"That duel was nerve wrecking..." Alex stated.
"I'll say. I thought Professor Kazato was going to lose for a second there," Bella said.
Down below, as the holograms faded away, Kazato said, "That was quite the duel. You really are a strong duelist, Tanya."
"Likewise," she acknowledged. "Until today, I've been searching for a strong man to show to my tribe, but it seems that, at the last moment, I was able to come across him. Across the best duelist."
Just then, the most astonishing thing happened. A purple aura filled Tanya's body, and she reverted into a white tiger, surprising many.
"A-A tiger!" Shou gasped.
"Tanya, you're..." Misawa sputtered out, more shocked than any of them.
'I thank you for the great duel.' With those last thoughts, she exited out the coliseum, with Bass following after her.
"So, I was... smitten by a tiger?" Misawa asked, unable to comprehend that his first love was not even human.
"No, she was a fine woman, wasn't she?" Manjoume said, cheering up the guy in his own way.
"Dueling really is great, though," Judai stated.
A/N: I am aware of Amazoness Curse Mirror's activation requirement in the anime. However, I find that requirement to not at all make much sense, and so removed that in this story. And for those of your who do not remember about Kazato's Performapal deck, as I said a couple of chapters ago, I will be using the real-life effect of these cards, not the anime effects.