Yami Yugi - The Northern Gate of Eredas, 600 Miles North of Domino City
October 15 - Year 18 4AOS
The Northern Gate was the last point of departure from the modern world to the traditional, underdeveloped countries down the road. Beyond that point, Yami Yugi would find himself traveling on the long dusty roads replacing the black highways of asphalt and yellow and white markings. Instead of cars, trucks, and drones, he would soon be with knights, horse-drawn carriages. To say nothing of the lack of electricity, and all the other comforts from Eredas.
Poor Yugi, having gone through the Northern Gate dozens of times, was still not accustomed to leaving the city behind. After that point, there were would be no more burger stands, restaurants, or even noodle stands. It was pork sausage, capon, and haunch of rabbit from that point on. But he was in luck; for want the use of a better word. They had reached a standstill at the last checkpoint, for there was grim news up north that had caused a slow in traffic.
"Something is going on up ahead," said Ser Gerhalos.
They finally approached a guard clad in steel armor and presented their case to go through. However, no one was allowed to go through the gate today.
"I'm sorry, My Lord, there is nothing I can do to help you," the commanding officer of the checkpoint said to Yami. "What with the war going on up north, I fear all travel has been banned per the order of King Helmsley himself."
"You don't understand," said Yami. "It's imperative that I head north and see Prince Talion at once."
"You will find no such luck, Master Yu-Gi-Oh," said the officer.
"All right," Yami said in defeat. "Thank you."
"Thank you for your visit," said the officer. And may the Stars of Entuli shine your path."
Yami bowed and left the military base that was centered around the Northern Gate. He then headed for a nearby town, a meager community meant for resting weary travelers. There was a motel, a gas station, and a trailer park for those too poor to live in Domino. Yami thought it best to call it a day and rest in the town before he made the journey to Pell Port and sail to Uzume to meet with Prince Jaeyoung.
He went to the front window and made his reservation at the hotel. Just as he got the keys, he saw someone he would rather not deal with approaching him in the reflection of the window. Someone with a wide grin and purple-colored lips.
"Ser Gerhalos," said Yami. He handed him the keys. "Head up to our room at once. I'll be there shortly."
"Is something wrong?" Ser Gerhalos asked.
"Everything's fine. Please, go."
Ser Gerhalos said nothing more and left. Just as he entered the inn, the unsettling visitor stopped in front of Yami and cackled.
"Well, well, well, Master Yugi Muto. We meet at last."
"Crowler? What are you doing here?"
"I heard you were coming to North to exit the gate," Crowler answered sharply. "And I knew about the unfortunate departure of Prince Talion. So, couldn't make it past the gate, eh? Well, I was hoping we could catch up and talk. I do recall you saying I would never amount to anything. Well, here I am. A teacher having taught an entire class of Dueling legends. There were many attending my school those past four years."
"Your school?" laughed Yami. "When last I checked, Chancellor Sheppard was the one governing things at the academy."
Crowler held up a finger. "Ah, you're almost correct. But you see, Duel Island is his own little kingdom. And he is its king. His business pertains mostly to the affairs of the villagers and the tourists who live across the island. And while he may think he's running things in Duel Academia, I'll have you know that everything from the doorknobs down is MINE!"
"Is that so?" said Yami. "I've heard from my friends how power-hungry you are. I just had to see it for myself. You're a fool."
"Says the one who had to buy his friends into Broxiton University to be teachers," said Crowler.
"True, gold had something to do with my friends getting their jobs as professors, but Sheppard carefully interviewed each and every one of them. He needs gold as well as skills. And my friends had the qualifications to get their positions. You no doubt landed a job at the university, too. Close contacts, I presume?"
"Indeed," said Crowler. "Well, I can't complain. I have the lovely Mai Valentine to look forward to at the staff meetings. And Joey's little sister is an adorable thing." Yami smirked at his comments. Crowler grinned back. "Ah, yes. And the boy who will soon be High King. That is why I have come here seeking you."
"Yuri?" Yami asked.
"Yes. I've done some thinking, and it seems to me that Yuri is going to need a master. One who is well-trained in the arts of Duel Monsters. I must say, you've had your time Yugi, but you're nothing more than an antique. As are the cards in your deck. Like you said, this game evolves all the time. And unlike you, I have adapted to those changes, which is how I acquired my Ph.D. in Dueling. I will make a better teacher than you ever will be, Yugi Muto."
"Is that a challenge!?" Yami cried.
"It was indeed. So, what say you, Yugi Muto? A Duel to see who is worthy of being Prince Yuri's master." He held out his right arm. The sleeve of his metallic coat began to morph into a giant Duel Disk. "But better yet," said he, "Why don't you just save yourself the humiliation and just surrender? Accept that you are not fit to teach Yuri. For if you lose, not only will Yuri become my personal lackey, but your title as King of Games will belong to me."
Yami held out his arm, transforming his golden bangle into a Duel Disk. "I do not back down from a challenge Crowler!"
"Good!" said Crowler. "It's not a good sport if you surrender. Let us begin."
LP 8000
"DUEL!" they shouted.
"I shall begin first," said Yami. "Draw! I set a monster face-down in defense mode. Now, I set a card. I end my turn."
"How dull," vexed Crowler. "Is that all?" His chest plate launched a card from his deck. Crowler caught it with ease. "I play the Spell-Card, Geartown."
"No you won't!" said Yami. "My Magic Jammer will cancel out your spell. It may have cost me a card from my hand, but it is a price I'm willing to pay."
"Humor me, Yugi," chuckled Crowler. "I shall summon, Ancient Gear Knight in attack mode!" (ATK/1800 DEF/500 LV 4). Crowler continued his turn. "And now, for my Geartown's effect. When it's destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can special summon an Ancient Gear monster from my Deck or Graveyard. So here comes Ancient Gear Soldier!" (ATK/1300 DEF/1300 LV 4). "And now, I will boost the power of my Ancient Gear Knight with Ancient Gear Tank!"
Ancient Gear Knight mounted himself onto a vehicle with a cannon on the front. His ATK went up to 2400. He attacked.
"I think not!" said Yami. "You've attacked my Four-Star Lady Bug of Doom, who can destroy all Level 4 monsters on the field."
After the Ladybug was killed, four stars appeared on the heads of the Ancient Gear monsters. They shattered into pieces. However, Ancient Gear Tank activated and dealt 600 points of damage to Yami's Life Points.
Yami-7400
Crowler-8000
"Impressive," said Crowler. "I end my turn."
"My turn," said Yami. "Draw!" He examined his options. "Hmm. I set a monster in defense mode and end my turn."
"Look at the King of Games now," said Crowler. "Going on the defensive like a cornered rodent."
"Even cornered rats can fight back," said Yami. "Make your move!"
"I shall," Crowler nodded. "Draw! I summon another Ancient Gear Knight to the field, and with it, I shall attack your face-down monster."
The Ancient Gear Knight raised his lance and dashed forward, ready to skewer Yami's face-down monster. A beautiful elvish woman was flipped up. She had her hands locked in prayer. Her hair the color of chestnut flowed in the autumn winds. Ancient Gear Knight attacked a Mystical Elf. With a defense of 2000, she was able to withstand the Ancient Gear Knight's attack. The lance hit a magical barrier that sent out thousands of glittering lights into the air. The force of the impact knocked the Ancient Gear Knight back to Crowler's field.
"Argh! That's not fair!" shouted Crowler.
"My turn," said Yami. "Draw! Behold the power of my Mystic Box!"
Black magicians' boxes enveloped their two monsters. Each layer of the box was marked with a gold question mark. Suddenly swords came out of thin air and skewered the boxes causing Crowler to scream. The box next to Yami suddenly opened. Ancient Gear Knight was sparking and spazzing in death as the swords punctured his ancient and delicate computer systems.
"My knight!" shouted Crowler. "But where has your elf gone to?"
"See for yourself," laughed Yami.
Crowler's box opened and the elf magically appeared, still praying and still safe.
"How did you do that?" shouted Crowler.
Yami laughed again, confidently. "A magician never reveals his secrets Crowler. I choose to end my turn."
"Fool!" shouted Crowler. "Draw! I will show you to destroy my precious Golems! I will tribute your elf to summon Ancient Gear Engineer! You fool! Your little magic show left you wide open for a direct attack. Go, my Engineer! Attack his Life Points."
The Ancient Gear Engineer's drill began to spin, giving off a deafening whirr. He sprang towards Yami and stabbed him in the gut with his drill. Though the monster was a Phantom, Yami could feel his insides being torn and churned as if being hit by a real beast.
"It's not over," Yami grunted.
Crowler-LP 7800
Yami- LP 5900
"Draw!" said Yami. "I will remove from my Graveyard the Giant Soldier of Stone to special summon, Rock Spirit. And now I shall tribute him to summon Dark Magician Girl!"
A portal spun in front of Yami's feet. Hearts and stars shot out from it, followed by the most iconic and most beautiful monster in all of Duel Monsters. Dark Magician Girl winked as she was bathed in daylight. Crowler's eyes turned into hearts and he clasped his hands together watching Dark Magician Girl dance to the field. She blew him a kiss and settled next to Yami's side.
Dark Magician Girl
ATK/2000 DEF/1700 LV 6
"Care to trade for her, Yugi?" swooned Crowler. "I'll give you anything you want for her."
"She's not for trades," said Yami. "Go, Dark Magician Girl! Dark Burning Attack!"
Dark Magician girl twirled into the air and aimed her staff at Crowler, doing all he could to look up her blue mini-skirt. Dark Magician Girl cringed. "Humph!" she said and blasted Ancient Gear Engineer to pieces and dealt 500 points of damage to Crowler.
"I end my turn," said Yami.
"Draw," said Crowler. "I play the spell, Ancient Gear Castle."
The ground began to rumble. A castle from the dawn of time rose up from behind Crowler, outfitted with giant blue gears and cannons.
"I Set this card face-down, and in doing so, my castle get's a counter. But I will get to that later. End turn."
"My turn," said Yami. "Draw! I shall attack again with Dark Magician Girl."
"Eee," she squealed and stayed at a level so as to avert her legs from Crowler's ravenous gaze. She blasted the face-down monster which was an Ancient Gear Soldier. Yami ended his turn by playing a monster face-down in defense mode, giving Crowler's Ancient Gear Castle another counter.
"Draw," said Crowler, anxious to begin his turn, for he had what he needed for his ace monster. "I now have enough counters to tribute my castle and summon Ancient Gear Golem!"
"Argh!" said Yami.
A veil of dust swirled around Crowler's field. From the cloud rose a mechanical behemoth standing five meters tall. Its ancient mechanical joints hissed and creaked with each movement. Its metallic body was covered in rust and it had blue gears and a glowing red.
Ancient Gear Golem
ATK/3000 DEF/3000 LV 8
Crowler started laughing maniacally and then ordered the Golem to attack Dark Magician Girl. Ancient Gear Golem raised its fist, its gears winding up for battle, ready to do massive damage both to her and Yami's Life Points. Dark Magician Girl whimpered in fear and braced herself for the attack. The fist finally hit her. She screamed in agony and shattered dealing 1000 points of damage to Yami Yugi.
Crowler-LP 7400
Yami-LP 4900
"It's over, Yugi Muto," said Crowler. "Your reign as champion ends today. And Yuri, well, you'll no longer have to worry about him anymore. I set a card face-down. Ending my turn."
"Don't celebrate just yet, Crowler. I set a card face-down. I end my turn."
"That's all you can do?" laughed Crowler. "How pathetic. Draw. I summon Ancient Gear Cannon!" (ATK/500 DEF/500 LV 2). "I will now activate my spell, Limiter Removal. This doubles the attack of Machine monsters for one turn. Now my Golem's attack rises to 6000! And, don't think your little defense monster will save you. My Ancient Gear Golem can inflict piercing damage, meaning your Life Points will take a hit even if your playing defensive. And my cannon's attack will double as well to 1000. This will finish you, King of Games. ANCIENT GEAR GOLEM! ATTACK! MECHANIZED MELEE!"
The gears on the Golem's body wound up. He raised his fist ready to strike.
"Hold on Crowler," said Yami. "I'm not through yet! From my hand, Kuriboh, who will cancel out the damage your Golem will inflict."
"NO!" shouted Crowler.
The little fury monster jumped out of Yami's hand and zoomed towards the fist of Ancient Gear Golem.
BREEE! Screeched the Kuriboh. The monster Yami had in defense was still destroyed and he was still wide open for the Cannon, which attacked. The Ancient Gear Cannon's gears wound up, charging a powerful laser that shot Yami in the chest. "ARRGH!" Yami shouted as he was knocked to the ground with a hard slam. Crowler ended his turn, and per the effect of Limter Removal, both his monsters were destroyed.
Crowler-LP 7400
Yami-LP 3900
"I cannot lose," said Yami. "I cannot let this man take Yuri in. Not like this. It all rides on this next card." Yami placed his fingers on the card. He breathed heavily. "Heart of the Cards...guide me."
Flick! Went the card, sliding out from the deck. Yami held it up.
"I set a monster in defense mode. That ends my turn!"
"I pass," said Crowler. "Go."
Yami smiled. Perhaps this was his chance. "I tribute my monster and summon Archfiend of Gilfer!"
Archfiend of Gilfer
ATK/2200 DEF/2500 LV 6
"Attack his Life Points!" Yami shouted.
The winged fiend flew towards Crowler and slashed him twice across the chest. Crowler wailed from the pain. When his job was done, Archfiend of Gilfer returned to Yami's side of the field.
Crowler-LP 5200
Yami-LP 3900
"My turn," Crowler groaned, massaging his chest, though that was hard to do with his chestplate in the way. He drew. Nothing. He hoped he would only contend with Gilfer for the next turn. He could hold out from another attack. Unfortunately for Crowler, that was just not in the cards.
Yami drew. "It's over Crowler."
"What?"
"I play the spell, Dark Magic Curtain. By paying half my Life Points, I can special summon Dark Magician from my deck."
"NO!" shouted Crowler. "Not him! Anything but him!"
The legendary Dark Magician flew out of the Dark Magic Curtain. He twirled his staff. "Rrrah!" he grunted after he was done with his theatrics. He gently landed next to Archfiend of Gilfer.
"And now, I shall reveal my face-down card," said Yami. "United We Stand. This will boost the ATK of a monster by 800 for each monster I have on my field, thereby raising my Dark Magician's ATK by 1600 points."
"NO!" cried Crowler. "But how? I was so close!"
The two monsters attacked and it was all over. Crowler was launched halfway across the green pasture in front of the motel and he slid to a stop. His Life Point counter dropped to 0.
Yugi's spectral form appeared beside Yami. "Nice work, Spirit," he said. "Yuri is still ours to train, and we keep our title."
Yami nodded. "We should not get overconfident, Yugi. Crowler is but a taste of the opponents you and Yuri will be facing. We may have won, but Crowler almost had us beat."
"Speaking of Crowler," said Yugi. "Don't you think we should help him up?"
"He can handle himself," Yami said walking away. "No one threatens my pact with Gabriele and gets away with it. I promised him before he was killed that I would watch over his son no matter what. And I intend to keep that promise."