It had been twenty minutes since the Duel between Katrina and Chelsea ended in Chelsea's defeat and the fourteen duelists had gathered in the dining room so that the students could get them caught up on recent events.
"I hope you lot are hungry." Chloe's mom said as she brought in a trayful of Beef Burgers for the duelists, as it was lunch time Sandra had opted to prepare lunch for the lot of them. "Adrienne, I heard from my husband that you're from a family of environmental activists, so I wasn't sure if I should make you a beef burger or not."
"It's fine, I'm the only meat eater in my family and I appreciate the thought." Adrienne responded as she took a burger for herself.
"Yes, well, I should've asked before I started cooking but at least I'll remember for next time." Sandra responded before turning to Chloe. "Remember Chloe, you did promise to take the dogs out on their afternoon walks after lunch."
"Don't worry, I will." Chloe responded, and Sandra nodded in response, once everyone had a burger Sandra left the room to start the washing up.
"And speaking of Chloe's dogs, they are, unsurprisingly, watching us like hawks." Adrienne added as she glanced over her shoulder at the two dogs who Sandra had to carefully climb over to avoid dropping anything as they were lying down in the hallway.
"It doesn't exactly help that when they were puppies I would give them table scraps." Chloe admitted sheepishly, and Adrienne grinned knowing what she meant. "It's a long story but my parents got me to stop after their combined farts managed to set off the fire alarm during one of the busiest days of the year for the shop."
"We're going to be asking for details on that story, I've been around dogs most of my life but that's a first." Phil responded as he finished his burger and set his plate aside. "My complements to the chef, or your mom in this case."
"She'll appreciate that, she did want to go into culinary school, but she gave up that dream after I was adopted." Chloe responded with a sigh and Phil nodded in understanding. "So, you guys been up to much since the expulsion duels?"
"Well aside from Adrienne and Amanda's encounter with the Orichalcos last week and our Orichalcos Duels last night, we haven't been up to anything exciting, just the usual tournaments in our home countries and abroad." Phil added with a shrug and Chloe grinned when she heard that. "That's pretty much the reality of life as a pro-leaguer, most of your time will be spent at tournaments or at autograph sessions, you guys just got lucky that you managed to catch us a break between tournaments."
"Yeah, about the abroad thing." Chelsea commented with a nervous grin. "That's not out of pocket, right? Most of us are from working class famines."
"Honestly Chelsea? Most pro-league duelists are, I graduated from the French Duel Academy at the top of my class but at first I had to work at a café in Paris as a waitress just to make ends meet." Adrienne responded, and the students exchanged nervous looks. "But once your careers take off, you won't have to worry about money, besides unless you do something really stupid the sponsors will take care of your flights, as Theresa can attest as she offered to have Brandon's father pay for the flights before we got our sponsors to cover it."
"That's a relief at least." Chloe responded with a grin before glancing around the room. "I think once my career takes off I'll want to make sure that my parents are secure financially, without going into detail for personal reasons, they've done a lot for me since I was adopted."
"I can understand that, I did the same for my folks once my career took off." Amanda nodded in understanding before they continued with their food until they were all finished, and Adrienne turned her attention to Chelsea.
"Right, Katrina covered everything we were going to go over with you about your temper during your duel against her but what was this incident about?" Adriene asked and Chelsea let out an exasperated sigh.
"It started when me and Chloe beat two Obelisk Blue Students in the Semi-Finals of the Tag Team Tournament Duel Academy held just before Summer Break." Chelsea explained as she folded her arms before taking a deep breath. "They didn't take the loss well and said that we'd pay for it, initially we just brushed it off as an empty threat and left the Duel Arena to attend a meeting." Chelsea added before sighing. "Except it wasn't."
"I suppose you guys remember Nicola Hastings, the Autistic girl who competed in Battle City?" Lance chimed in and the other duelists nodded. "Since that tournament she enrolled in Duel Academy and is currently in Osiris Red, and has started dating Andreas but that's not important, well, actually it is kind of important." Lance added before he frowned. "The two duelists Chloe and Chelsea eliminated conspired with a third Obelisk Blue student to lure her to the North Side of the island with a fake love letter from Andreas to send us a message, namely by beating the crap out of her."
"All because they lost to Chloe and Chelsea in a duel?" Phil asked with a disgusted look on his face and the other duelists nodded. "I do remember Martin trying to fly us in for an expulsion duel and I'm guessing that was it?"
"Not really." Chloe responded before leaning forward. "The three of them were stupid enough to live stream it via Facebook and the only girl in the group suggested that they took a selfie in front of Nicola once they were done, the two boys were expelled on the spot but Chelsea's actions complicated things."
"I managed to find the female Obelisk Blue student before the DAS and beat the crap out of her as revenge for Nicola, what complicated things was the fact that the school board decided to give her an expulsion duel rather than send her packing with the boys, I myself was this close to joining them on the boat." Chelsea explained before holding two fingers up inches apart from each other to emphasize her point. "They ultimately spared me, but I'll be on thin ice for the rest of my time at Duel Academy."
"Can't really say I blame you there Chelsea, in fact I doubt I wouldn't have done the same in your shoes." Katrina nodded in understanding as she leaned back in her chair. "If anything, that just gives you extra incentive to keep your temper in check and take my advice to heart, what about the Hastings girl?" Katrina added as she turned to the other students. "How bad were her injuries?"
"Broken nose, her eye being so badly swollen that she couldn't open it, god knows how many bruises, and that's just what we can see on the outside." Chloe responded with a sigh as turned to the Chinese woman. "She's spent the first two days of Summer Break in hospital and we don't know when she'll be discharged, she seemed fine, everything considered, when I spoke to her before I dueled the female Obelisk Blue student for her place at Duel Academy, I won before you ask."
"Good, at least she won't be back." Fran responded with a frown before thinking for a minute. "What about Nicola? Will she be returning?"
"She told me herself that she refused to let those bullies win by pulling out, she'll also be helping us out with the Orichalcos Duels but when she'll be able to duel again is anyone's guess." Chloe explained with a frown before sighing. "There was one thing that came up before the semi-finals, before we left our dorm to duel in the semi-finals the Ra Yellow student who had been paired with the third boy had asked to meet us at the Ra Yellow Boy's dorm in his dorm."
"It wasn't for anything sexual before you ask, for one thing he's fifteen and Chloe had finally started dating Lance by that point." Chelsea added as she leaned back. "And you guys know I'm a lesbian anyway, what we're getting at is that the Obelisk Blue student was extremely controlling throughout the team's duels in the tournament but that wasn't the only thing that came up, after a practice duel he noticed a Field Spell in his partner's deck." Chelsea added before her frown deepened. "A field spell with a Pentagram in its artwork."
"Oh great, another Duel Academy student aligned with the Orichalcos Duelists, just what we need." Phil sighed in annoyance as he leaned his head back. "How do you know it was the Orichalcos, there are several Field Spells with Pentagrams in the artwork?"
"He runs an X-Sabre deck focused on Synchro and XYZ Summoning, can't think of many cards with Pentagrams in that set." Chloe responded with a frown. "As for the other two, the girl runs a burn deck and her boyfriend runs a Steelswarm/Evilswarm deck."
"Still nothing solid and I'm sure Theresa and Brandon explained the consequences of spreading rumors like that without proof." Phil responded, and they nodded in response. "Still, I don't like those implications, if they were able to get to four Duel Academy students since their reappearance then who knows how far their reach goes?"
"All the more reason for us to stop them." Adrienne chimed in before they heard the door to the shop open followed by the sounds of two dogs running to the door. "Expecting anyone?"
"Aside from Nicola? Ash, Hu, Chakra, Jason Latoya, Louella, Amelia, Danny and Caitlin are coming in later, aside from Chakra, Jason, Ash and Hu they are all duelists we faced in the tournament and they are all excellent duelists." Lance explained after thinking for a minute. "It's probably just some customers, Chloe's dad will likely deal with them."
"Yeah, probably, anyway, any chance we can have the names of those three students?" Amanda asked as she leaned back. "Since they were expelled from Duel Academy I doubt any sponsor in their right mind will take them up but if their as well connected as most Obelisk Blue students are that might not be an issue and if we can spread the word on what they've done to Nicola then we won't have to worry about them showing up at a tournament to compete."
"Thomas Newborne, Cameron Matthews and Jessica Stevens." Chloe responded before letting out a deep sigh. "Take it from me, even before the assault on Nicola I knew that they were nasty pieces of work."
"Based on what you've told us, I think it's safe to say that we can take your word for it." Katrina responded with a frown before the door opened and Chloe's dad stepped in.
"Sorry to interrupt." Scott commented as he walked around the two dogs who had walked off to see someone else. "But there's someone here to see you from Duel Academy, it seems that Nicola has finally been discharged from hospital."
"That's good to know." Chloe said as she and the other duelists stood up. "How is she looking?"
"Aside from the eyepatch over the swollen eye, she seems fine, everything considered." Scott commented, and the students shared a concerned look. "I'll leave the rest to you since I have a store to run." Scott added before walking off and a couple of seconds later Nicola stepped into view.
"Hey guys." Nicola said with a deep breath before she saw the looks on the students faces. "I'm guessing you have some questions regarding this?" Nicola added as she pointed towards the eyepatch.
"Yeah, a couple." Chelsea commented with a frown. "Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way, what's with the eyepatch? I thought the swelling was going down?"
"It is." Nicola responded as she entered the room with her brother not far behind. "But the doctors are concerned about it getting worse, so I have to wear this for a few days." Nicola added before sighing. "I'm not looking forward to trying to duel with this thing."
"I've done it before, it's difficult but not impossible." Phil responded earning curious looks from the other duelists. "Long story short, Fran was preparing some lemons for pancake day, I got lemon juice in my eye and I had a tournament later that day."
"You won, right?" Nicola asked, and Phil shook his head.
"I made it further than I thought I would, but I got knocked out in the semi-finals." Phil responded with a frown and Nicola sighed. "Yeah, I know, it's not the most reassuring thing you can hear right now but it's better than nothing."
"Yeah but still, the sooner I don't have to wear this eyepatch the better." Nicola sighed as she leaned on the doorframe. "But since you brought it up, I haven't had a duel since the attack and I'm hungry to change that, any takers? Preferably the pro-league duelists."
"Nic, are you sure?" Chloe asked as she motioned to the pro-duelists. "You started dueling two months before I did, and we were still rookies when we met, these guys though? They've been dueling a lot longer than both of us."
"I'm sure, besides you beat Fran at Battle City and Erick at the expulsion duels." Nicola responded before grinning. "Besides, I didn't even get a chance to duel before Andreas eliminated me from Battle City, so I could use the experience."
"Well, if your game I'm willing to duel." Amanda said as she stood up and turned to the younger woman. "Just don't expect me to go easy on you."
"I wouldn't want you too." Nicola said before she and the others walked off with Chloe trailing behind, so she could talk with Phil and Fran.
"By the way, you didn't mention the incident with my dad during Battle City, right?" Chloe whispered to two Irish Duelists and they turned to her. "Whilst you were discussing what you learned last night that is?"
"Don't worry, we remembered to keep our mouths shut on that subject." Phil reassured her, and Chloe grinned when she heard that. "If you want to tell them yourself it's your call, they'll probably notice the scar on your arm at some point since you're not wearing anything to cover your arm."
"That kind of ties back to the incident on Wednesday." Chloe said with a deep breath as she turned to the two Irish duelists. "I had Jessica dead to rights during my expulsion duel, but I wanted to know why she, Cameron and Thomas went after Nicola, she pretty much confirmed what I thought, that it was to get at me and then she went on to say that I deserved the abuse I suffered as a kid."
"Jesus, I'm surprised you didn't beat the crap out of her." Fran responded, and Chloe sighed.
"From what I heard, there was a long line of people who wanted to do just that, even her former friends who had joined in on the bullying of Osiris Red and Ra Yellow Students." Chloe responded before frowning. "But back to the point, I pretty much shut her up by showing her, and the whole school for that matter, the scar on my arm, and then I went to turn off the safeties on my Duel Disk, thankfully I came to my senses and Martin all but said that Jessica would be expelled even if she won the duel."
"And it's not like that was going to happen anyway, right?" Phil asked, and Chloe nodded. "Makes me wonder why they even let them into the school in the first place."
"They came from money, that's how, but there wasn't enough of their parent's money to get them out of the hole they dug themselves in when they attacked Jessica." Chloe responded but before the two Irish Duelists could respond Mark whistled them over causing them to realize that the other duelists had left the house.
"Err, guys, your going to miss the start of the match." The Australian duelist said, and the three duelists nodded before walking off.
*a few minutes later*
Once Chloe had her conversation with Phillip and Fran the students met outside her stepdad's house for Nicola's duel against Amanda, once the two girls were on opposite sides of the side alley beside the shop, they activated their duel disks.
"I know Amanda's the National Champion of Canada and that she gave Marcus a run for his money in his expulsion duel." Nicola thought as she glanced over at the taller girl and she glanced at her duel disk with her good eye. "But I can't let that stop me if I want to win! I may still be hurting from the beating, but I won't back down."
"Okay Nicola, I hope your ready for a tough duel." Amanda interrupted her train of thought as she activated her duel disk. "Because I didn't win the Canadian National Championship by looks alone!"
"I know, and i wouldn't expect anything less." Nicola responded as she activated her duel disk. "And I'm not the same duelist who competed in Battle City so let's duel!" Nicola added, and Amanda nodded before they drew their opening hands. "Who's going first?"
"I will." Amanda responded, and Nicola nodded.
"Crystal Beasts vs. Vylon, this should be good." Chloe thought before glancing up at Nicola. "Whether or not Nicola can keep up with Amanda is another matter, she's grown a lot since Battle City, but she still had less experience than I did at the time." Chloe thought as the two girls drew their opening hands and Amanda looked over her hand.
"Not bad." Amanda thought before picking up two cards. "I set two cards facedown." Amanda announced as the two facedown cards appeared on the field and she quickly grabbed a third. "And I summon Shining Angel!" Amanda announced as the brunette male angel in a white robe appeared on the field ready for battle (4/1400/800). "Hit me with your best shot!"
"I'll try!" Nicola responded before she drew her card. "I kick things off with Terra-Forming! Using this I can search my deck for a Field Spell and add it to my hand!" Nicola announced as she held up the spell card and she started inputting the commands into her duel disk, she glanced up at Amanda with her good eye as the card ejected from the Duel Disk and she grabbed the card. "No point in keeping you in suspense, I activate Ancient City – Rainbow Ruins!"
"This isn't surprising." Amanda thought as the scenary changed to the ruined city with a rainbow over it. "She used this combo a lot during her brief time in Battle City."
"Now I summon Crystal Beast – Sapphire Pegasus!" Nicola announced as she slapped the card down and the beautiful Pegasus appeared on the field with a whinny (4/1800/1200). "Now that I've summoned her, her effect activates allowing me to search my deck for another Crystal Beast and put it in a Spell/Trap Card zone face-up!" Nicola added before she started inputting commands again, the extra card appeared behind Sapphire Pegasus and Nicola quickly pointed to Shining Angel. "You wanted my best shot? You've got it! Sapphire Pegasus, attack Shining Angel!" Nicola commanded, and the Pegasus flew towards Shining Angel before ramming into him destroying it and bringing Amanda's life-points down to 7600. "That's first blood to me!"
"But at what cost?" Amanda asked as the redhead held up Shining Angel. "When Shining Angel is destroyed in battle and sent to the graveyard, I can search my deck for a weak light type monster and special summon it to the field." Amanda added before she started inputting commands into her duel disk. "I chose Vylon Prism." Amanda announced as she slapped the card down and the strange angel appeared on the field (4/1500/1500). "Don't have everything I need for a Synchro Summon yet but if I can get my best monsters on the field before, she can summon Rainbow Dragon I should be okay." Amanda thought before she glanced up at Nicola as her deck finished shuffling.
"I set one card facedown and end my turn." Nicola announced as the facedown card appeared on the field and Amanda drew her card.
"Good, maybe now I can deal some damage of my own." Amanda thought as she looked at her drawn card and subsequently played it. "I summon Vylon Soldier!" Amanda announced as another strange angel appeared on the field all though this one appeared to be more like a soldier (4/1700/1000). "Next I activate Big Bang Shot and equip it to Vylon Soldier, boosting his attack up to 2100 and allowing him to inflict piercing damage." Amanda added as she played the card and Vylon Soldier started glowing as its attack rose to 2100.
"That's not good!" Nicola said with a nervous gulp and Amanda grinned.
"For you maybe, Vylon Soldier, attack Sapphire Pegasus!" Amanda commanded, and the soldier charged towards Sapphire Pegasus, however just as Nicola was about to activate her facedown card Sapphire Pegasus knelt. "Confused? You should be, when Vylon Soldier attacks he can change the battle position of one of your monsters for each equip spell he has attached."
"And I thought that thing was bad enough already, good thing I have a surprise of my own." Nicola thought before activated her facedown card. "I activate Beast Soul Swap! Using this Trap Card, I return Sapphire Pegasus to my hand and summon another Beast Type Monster in her place." Nicola explained as Sapphire Pegasus disappeared from the fied. "But there's nothing about me not being able to use the second effect on the same monster so that's exactly what I'm going to do."
"Allowing you to use Sapphire Pegasus's effect again." Amanda responded with a nod as Sapphire Pegasus returned to the field alongside another face-up monster in the Spell/Trap Card Zone. "Smart move but all you did was reduce the damage Vylon Soldier would've done." Amanda complemented her as Vylon Soldier went in for the kill.
"Maybe but with two Crystal Beasts in my Spell/Trap Card Zones I can half the damage I would've taken once per turn." Nicola responded as Vylon Soldier struck Sapphire Pegasus destroying him and reducing Nicola's life-points to 7850. "Maybe I should've saved that effect for Prism's attack." Nicola thought as Amanda pointed to her other monster.
"Vylon Prism, attack her life-points directly!" Amanda commanded, and Vylon Prism charged at Nicola before ramming into her bringing her life-points down to 6350."And just like that, I've taken the lead." Amanda commented before looking over her hand. "It's your turn Nicola but you'd better stick up your game." Amanda added as she folded her arms. "I won't be as forgiving of rookie mistakes like that as your boyfriend was during Battle City." Amanda added, and Nicola nodded before drawing her card.
"It's still early in the duel, I can still turn this around." Nicola thought as she glanced over at Amanda's field. "Right now, Vylon Soldier is the biggest threat on the field, Big Bang Shot combined with it's effect means that she can eat through my life-points quickly." Nicola thought before looking at her drawn card. "I activate Heaven's Lost Property!" Nicola announced as she held up the card and both girls drew three cards before discarding one.
"Thanks for the extra cards." Amanda commented with a chuckle once she had discarded the cards.
"We'll see how long they'll help you! I set one card facedown and I summon Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth!" Nicola announced as the facedown card appeared alongside the amber colored mammoth (4/1700/1600). "He can't defeat your soldier, but Prism is a different story! Amber Mammoth, attack Vylon Prism!" Nicola commanded, and the mammoth charged towards Amanda's monster before goring it with his tusks bringing Amanda's life-points down to 7400. "Not bad huh?"
"Not bad indeed, but that's your second rookie mistake." Amanda responded as she held up Vylon Prism. "For the mere cost of five hundred life-points I can equip Vylon Prism to another monster I control when it is sent from the field to the graveyard." Amanda added as her life-points dropped to 6900 and Vylon Prism appeared above Vylon Soldier. "And if you thought he was bad before, well you just made my soldier worse, any creature that's equipped with Vylon Prism gains one thousand attack points during the damage step!"
"Crap, there goes the move I had planned." Nicola thought as she glanced at her facedown card. "I planned to use Amber Crystal Circle when she next attacked with Soldier, that would've given me a much larger lead! Still, I have a back-up plan." Nicola thought before playing the other card she drew with Heaven's Lost Property. "Good thing I have another card I can use then! I use Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Big Bang Shot!" Nicola announced as a storm washed over the field.
"Good attempt but not good enough, I activate Armory Protector!" Amanda announced as her trap card flipped up. "As long as this Continuous Trap Card is in play you can't destroy my equip spells."
"Meaning I'll have to beat her Soldier through brute force unless I can draw a card to recycle Mystical Space Typhoon." Nicola thought with a sigh as the storm subsided and Vylon Soldier remained on the field. "It's your move." Nicola added, and Amanda nodded before drawing her card.
"I'll save this for later." Amanda thought as she looked at her drawn card and looked up at Nicola. "Let's get right too it! Vylon Soldier, attack Amber Mammoth!" Amanda commanded, and the soldier charged into battle. "I activate Vylon Soldier's effect…"
"Not this time! I from my hand I activate Forbidden Chalice! Your soldier gets stronger, but he loses his effect!" Nicola interrupted her as Vylon Soldier hesitated for a second as his attack increased to 2500. "I hope this works."
"Fine but all you really did was increase the damage you would've taken, and that's before Prism's effect kicks in." Amanda added as the soldier's attack increased to 3500. "You just wasted a perfectly good Quick Play Spell and your about to pay for it."
"Who said Forbidden Chalice was the only Quick Play Spell in my hand?" Nicola asked, and Amanda did a double take. "I play Crystal Oasis! I have to skip my next draw phase but in exchange I can Special Summon one Crystal Beast from my Spell/Trap Card zone, like Ruby Carbacle!" Nicola played the cards and the small ruby cat appeared on the field (3/390/300). "This triggers Carbacle's effect allowing me to Special Summon my other Crystal Beasts from the Spell/Trap Card zone, so welcome back Sapphire Pegasus!" Nicola played the card causing her duel spirit guide to appear on the field again. "And Cobalt Eagle!" Nicola added as the eagle with blue gems in its wings appeared on the field (4/1400/800). "Sapphire Pegasus's effect triggers again." Nicola added as she started inputting commands into her duel disk. "But more importantly, I have more monsters on the field! Which means a replay occurs!"
"And you made that decision easy for me." Amanda responded before she pointed to Ruby Carbacle. "Attack mode, defense mode, doesn't matter, the attack will do the exact same amount of damage! Vylon Soldier, your new target is Ruby Carbacle!" Amanda commanded, and her monster changed direction.
"Actually, I'm making the choice for you." Nicola responded as she pointed to Amber Mammoth. "I activate Amber Mammoths effect! If another Crystal Beast would become the target for an attack, I can make him the target instead."
"You went through all that, just to make me target your Amber Mammoth twice?" Amanda asked with a confused look on her face. "I hope there was a point to that." Amanda responded as Vylon Soldier charged at Amber Mammoth again.
"There was, and it's a big one." Nicola responded before she activated her card. "I activate my Trap Card Amber Crystal Cycle! Since I have Amber Mammoth on the field and he's the target for an attack I can take the combined attack power of all Crystal Beasts on the field and add it to Amber Mammoth's attack points!" Nicola added, and Amanda's eyes widened as Amber Mammoth's attack shot up to 5200 and he charged right at Vylon Soldier before impaling him on his tusks destroying it and bringing Amanda's life-points to 5200. "God, that was the longest, most convoluted move I've ever done." Nicola let out a deep breath as Amanda sent her three cards to the graveyard.
"Trust me Nicola, when you get to the big leagues, moves like that seem like child's play." Amanda responded before glancing at her drawn card. "Before I finish my turn, I have a question."
"Err, okay." Nicola responded as she glanced at the taller girl. "What?"
"When you entered Battle City, the general consensus was that nothing short of a miracle would see you through to the finals." Amanda commented and whilst she hated to admit it, Nicola had to admit that Amanda was right. "You and Chloe were both rookies at the time, difference was Chloe is a Duel Academy student whilst you got in on the good word of your dad, and yet here you are, a student at Duel Academy and the first autistic student at that, why?"
"What do you mean?" Nicola asked, and Amanda nodded.
"What I mean is, why do you want to go to the big leagues? You've only got a few months' worth of experience under your belt and you have improved dramatically since Battle City." Amanda explained before she folded her arms. "So, why do you want to make it to the big leagues?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Nicola asked as she held up her duel disk. "Because I enjoy the game and I want to do it as a pro."
"And if I had a Canadian Dollar for each time a rookie used that exact same response when I asked them that question, I wouldn't need to be a pro-league duelist because I'd be set for life." Amanda responded as she shook her head and Nicola gave her a confused look. "If you didn't love the game, you wouldn't be trying to get better or attending duel academy, so, I ask you again, why do you want to make it to the big leagues?" Amanda asked, and Nicola lowered her head. "Take your time, I'll be here all day."
"I hope not, otherwise we'd have to take a break for dinner." Chloe chimed in and Amanda grinned at her.
"Okay, maybe not that long." Amanda conceded before she turned her attention to Nicola who had raised her head again.
"Honestly? When I first diagnosed with autism, I kept getting told the same thing by everyone, I couldn't do this, I couldn't do that, all because my brain worked differently from others, I was told that I wouldn't have much of a future." Nicola admitted with a sigh. "Even after I took up the game a few months ago I had my doubts as to whether anything would come from it, I still entered Battle City because I wanted to get better, but it wasn't until my first duel against Andreas that I realized "hey, maybe there is a future for me"." Nicola added before wiping away a tear. "It took months of hard work to convince my dad that I would do well at Duel Academy and I have been doing well, I'm considered once of the best students in Osiris Red because of my hard work but I'd be lying if I said that I haven't encountered obstacles."
"I can see that, and the others mentioned your injuries." Amanda responded with an understanding nod. "Not to mention the students that caused them."
"I still don't know how I managed to make it to the Osiris Red Girl's Dorm before passing out." Nicola admitted as she ran a hand through her hair. "After the assault my parents offered to pull me out of Duel Academy and get me transferred to a Special Needs school, I refused because I didn't want the bullies to win but there was another reason." Nicola added before she took a deep breath. "All those things I got told after my diagnosis? I want to be proof that just because you get diagnosed with autism like I was doesn't mean it's the end of the road, I want to be a role model for kids and young adults who have high functioning autism like I have and I'm not letting anything stand in my way."
"So, you shouldn't, and that is a noble goal." Amanda nodded respectfully before she picked up her card. "And if training with me and the other pro-leaguers helps you along the way, we'll be happy to help! I set one card facedown and end my turn." Amanda announced as her facedown card appeared on the field and Nicola skipped her draw phase due to Crystal Oasis's effect.
"This is perfect! I'm one round of attacks away from winning this game." Nicola thought as she glanced over at Amanda. "The only variable is Amanda's facedown card and unfortunately I already used my Mystical Space Typhoon." Nicola thought before looking at her hand. "Magician of Faith, with this I can recycle Mystical Space Typhoon, but I'd rather use it on Armory Protector." Nicola thought before setting the monster. "I set a monster in defense mode, and I attack your life-points directly with each of my monsters!" Nicola announced as her four monsters charged into battle.
"Sorry Nic but you just fell for the oldest trick in the Duel Monsters book, I activate Mirror Force!" Amanda announced as her trap card flipped up and Nicola's eyes widened as Sapphire Pegasus's attack was reflected at her and the other monsters destroying them all. "On the Brightside, all of your Spell/Trap Zones are now filled."
"Not sure if I'd call that a good thing." Nicola thought as she placed the last card into the slot. "That left me with no slots for my Mystical Space Typhoon meaning I won't be able to destroy her trap card until I can draw something that'll summon my Crystal Beasts to the field." Nicola thought before turning her attention to Amanda. "It's your move."
"Had a feeling it was," Amanda nodded in response before drawing her card and she immediately played it. "I activate Magic Planter, by destroying Amory Protector I can draw an additional two cards."
"But that was the only thing protecting your equip spells!?" Nicola asked with a shocked tone of voice as the hologram shattered and Amanda drew two cards.
"With all your Spell/Trap Card zones filled up I don't think I need to worry about that anymore." Amanda responded before she looked at her drawn cards. "I activate Cards from the Sky! In exchange for banishing a light type Fairy Monster and skipping my battle phase for this turn I draw an extra two cards." Amanda explained before she drew her two cards.
"Well, maybe I'll get lucky." Nicola thought as Amanda pocketed a monster and sent her Spell Card to the graveyard. "At the rate she's drawing cards, she has to deck out eventually." Nicola thought as Amanda looked over her hand.
"I set one card facedown." Amanda continued as the facedown card appeared in Armory Protector's place. "And a monster in defense mode, that'll end my turn." Amanda announced as a second set card appeared on the field and Nicola drew her card.
"At least the number of Crystal Beasts in my Spell/Trap Card Zones gives me some options." Nicola thought before looking at her drawn card. "I activate one of the effects of Ancient City – Rainbow Ruins! Since I have more than four Spell/Trap Card zones occupied by my Crystal Beast monsters I can draw an extra card during my draw phase." Nicola announced before she drew her card, however when she saw it Nicola could barely contain her broad grin.
"And I thought Chloe had a bad poker face." Amanda thought as she shook her head. "She must've drawn something good either way."
"I did it! I drew Rainbow Dragon!" Nicola thought as she looked at her ace monster. "And what's better is that I have everything I need to bring him out! This match will be over before Amanda knows it." Nicola thought before glancing up at Amanda. "Right now, I have five Crystal Beasts on the field and two in my graveyard, all with different names." Nicola explained before she slapped the card down. "That means I can summon my best monster! Rainbow Dragon!"
"Well, I was right about her summoning something good." Amanda thought with a gulp as the massive, rainbow colored dragon appeared in the sky above the battlefield (10/4000/0).
"I can't activate Rainbow Dragon's effect the same turn that I summon him." Nicola continued before pointing at Amanda's set monster. "But I can attack! Rainbow Dragon, attack her defense monster!" Nicola commanded, and the dragon let lose a beam of light at the defending monster, revealed to be another Shining Angel, which was quickly destroyed. "Using Shining Angel's effect again?"
"You got it." Amanda nodded before she started inputting commands into her duel disk. "This time I'm summoning Vylon Pentachloro!" Amanda added before she slapped the card down causing the weird machine to appear on the field (4/500/500). "He may not be much compared to your dragon but he's still good enough for my next move."
"Not like I'll let him stay on the field long enough for you to get much use out of him." Nicola shrugged her shoulders before looking over her hand. "I end my turn."
"On your end step, I activate my Trap Card." Amanda announced as her trap card flipped up. "Miraculous Descent! With this I can Special Summon the monster I banished for Cards from the Sky's effect, Vylon Vanguard!" Amanda announced as another strange angel appeared on the field (4/1400/1000), once that was resolved Amanda drew her card. "For my normal summon, I bring out Vylon Ohm!" Amanda announced as yet another strange angel appeared on the field (4/1500/200).
"What's she up too? All she's done since I summoned Rainbow Dragon is bring out three monsters with low attack points, hell all it will take is one attack on Pentachloro after I use Rainbow Dragon's effect and this match will be over." Nicola thought as Amanda retrieved a card from her graveyard.
"By normal summoning Vylon Ohm I activated it's effect, allowing me to banish one Equip Spell from my graveyard and add it to my hand in my next standby phase." Amanda explained as she pocketed the card. "But I'll let you dwell on that for a bit longer, Vylon Vanguard, attack her defense monster!" Amanda commanded, and the angel flew towards the facedown monster, revealed to be Magician of Faith, which was quickly destroyed. "Do I even need to ask what you plan to do with that?" Amanda asked, and Nicola shook her head before retrieving a Spell Card from her graveyard and returning it to her hand. "I thought not, I set one card facedown and end my turn." Amanda announced as she set the card and Nicola drew her card.
"If you told me when I was first starting out that I'd be this close to beating one of the best duelists in the world, I'd have probably laughed." Nicola thought as she looked over her hand. "But I can't pass up this opportunity!" Nicola thought before pointing to her dragon. "I activate Rainbow Dragon's effect, by sending all Crystal Beast Monsters I control to the graveyard I can increase his attack points by one thousand for each one." Nicola added, and Amanda's eyes widened as the five monsters disappeared from Nicola's back row causing Rainbow Dragon's attack points to skyrocket to 9000. "Thanks for the great duel Amanda and your kind words but it's over! Rainbow Dragon, attack…..." Nicola never finished her command as an ear piercing screech filed the air causing her to cover her ears.
"Had a feeling you'd do that." Amanda commented, and Nicola looked up seeing that she had activated Command Silencer. "But Command Silencer negated your attack and allowed me to draw an extra card."
"And brought you an extra turn." Nicola nodded once her ears stopped ringing. "It's your move." Nicola added, and Amanda drew her card.
"Nicola's right, unless I can find a way to destroy Rainbow Dragon before her next turn, or draw another stall card, then the match is hers." Amanda thought before looking at her drawn card. "But I don't have to worry about that." Amanda thought before reaching into her pocket. "It's been a turn since I used Vylon Ohm's effect, meaning my equip spell returns to my hand." Amanda explained before adding the card to her hand and playing a card. "Next I summon another Vylon Soldier!" Amanda announced as the soldier returned to the field. "Now I activate Pentachloro's effect allowing me to equip him to one Vylon Monster I control, I chose Vylon Soldier!" Amanda added as the monster disappeared from the field and reappeared above Vylon Soldier.
"So that's your plan? Force my dragon into defense mode? I don't see how it can help." Nicola responded, and Amanda shook her head.
"Your Rainbow Dragon is powerful but there was one thing you overlooked, it's non existent defense points." Amanda explained, and Nicola's eyes widened when it hit her. "Your dragon's effect increased it's attack points, not it's defense points, making it a perfect target for Big Bang Shot!" Amanda announced as she played the card and Vylon Soldier started glowing as its attack points increased to 2100. "On its own, this isn't enough to defeat you, so I have one last card to play."
"Could you not?" Nicola asked with a nervous gulp and Amanda shook her head.
"Sorry, but I'm playing to win! I equip Vylon Soldier with Mage Power giving him five hundred attack points for each Spell/Trap Card I control, I count four giving him an extra two thousand attack points." Amanda announced, and Nicola's eyes widened as Vylon Soldier's attack points shot up to 4100. "I take no pleasure in this Nicola, you're a good kid with the potential to be a great duelist but like I said, I'm playing to win! Vylon Soldier, attack Rainbow Dragon and use your effect to force it into defense mode!" Amanda commanded, and the soldier charged towards the dragon as it crouched down before slashing it with his sword bringing Nicola's life-points down to 2250.
"I'm still in this!" Nicola said defiantly as she braced herself. "The only monster you can attack with is Vylon Vanguard and he only has 1400 attack points."
"True but that won't last much longer, first the effect of Vylon Pentachloro kicks in, since I destroyed a monster with a monster equipped with him, I can destroy one card on the field, and I'm aiming straight at your Rainbow Ruins." Amanda responded, and Nicola's eyes widened as the scenery shattered around her and she sent her card to the graveyard. "Now to end this, I activate Tailor of the Fickle to change Mage Power's target to Vylon Vanguard." Amanda announced, and Nicola lowered her head as Vylon Vanguard's attack shot up to 3700. "Vylon Vanguard, attack her life-points directly and end this duel!" Amanda commanded, and the vanguard charged towards Nicola before hitting her with her his attack bringing her life-points down to zero and knocking her down. "You fought well Nicola, but you have a long way to go." Amanda said as she walked up to her younger opponent and offered her hand to help her up.
"Yeah well, if it weren't for one mistake, the duel would still be going on." Nicola admitted as she took her hand and was helped up before she showed Amanda her copy of Crystal Oasis. "When you destroyed Magician of Faith, I stupidly retrieved this instead of Forbidden Chalice or Mystical Space Typhoon thinking that I wouldn't have to worry about your equip spells, I was wrong, and it cost me the match."
"Mistakes happen, it's how you bounce back from them that counts." Amanda reassured her, and Nicola grinned in response before Amanda turned to the others. "Shall we head back inside?" Amanda asked, and they nodded before they returned to the house.
*later that night*
By now the pro-league duelists were back at the hotel and the ones not staying at Chloe's house had returned home, as for Chloe, Chelsea and Lance? Well whilst Chloe and Lance were sleeping in Chloe's room Chelsea was on her Gaming PC.
"Chelsea, I told you before, you have to watch your temper." Chelsea's dad reminded her over Skype, and Chelsea groaned in annoyance. "You won't have much of a future otherwise."
"I know." Chelsea responded before letting out a yawn. "It's been good catching up dad, but I need to get to bed, it's one o'clock in the morning over here." Chelsea added as she glanced at her computer clock.
"Off course, have a good night's sleep." Her dad nodded in understanding and Chelsea grinned. "I'll have your birthday money transferred to your account by tomorrow morning."
"Thanks dad, I'll keep an eye out for it." Chelsea nodded in appreciation before her dad hung up, Chelsea let out another yawn before she started getting ready for bed. "I beat the crap out of one student and suddenly everyone's getting on my case about my temper." Chelsea thought with an annoyed sigh as she got changed. "At least I won't have my juvenile record hanging over me by Wednesday."