Marcel
The great skyships of Mondé appeared from out of the clouds and slowly made their descent toward the port behind the palace of House Walston. Marcel stood still as Aisha fixed his tie and adjusted the gold buttons on his royal blazer. He looked over his shoulder and saw Stas. He looked out the window of their royal suite and searched around for the Red-Eyes Black Dragon he heard so much about. His mother told him stories about the mythic Red-Eyes Black Dragoons, the great knights of House Walston who rode on top of Red-Eyes Black Dragons armored in molten steel. She said the skies were teeming with Red-Eyes Black Dragons but all he saw were a few birds.
It was true then. High Queen Evangelia's Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon laid waste to the caves housing the Red-Eyes Black Dragon eggs so that they could never be used against the West again. So few had survived the onslaught. Finding eggs inside those caves was like trying to find a gold nugget in a dried-out old mine. However, the Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon Marcel spoke about during dinner last night was the great beast Queen Monique used against her in the Dance of the Dragon Queens. He couldn't wait to see it. Even though he was chosen as the king whom Avi served, he never got to see any of the dragons she acquired. Everything happened so quickly, he never had time to ask her. Not to mention her hot-headed knight, Ser Damien, was rather adamant about having his time with her brief. He coughed, realizing his raunchy reputation with women had something to do with that.
"We have plenty of dragons for you to enjoy, my friend," said Marcel. "There are still many Red-Eyes Black Dragons in our possession that live."
Stas looked away from the window and sat back in his booth with a slump. Antoinette was sitting in front of him, sleeping. A red velvet blanket was wrapped over her. Stas smirked at her, then looked at his friend. "I don't suppose you're willing to part with one of them? How much would it cost me?"
Aisha laughed at him. "Do you jest, King Stas?"
"I don't," Stas replied, trying to sound humored. "How much would it cost to purchase one of those Red-Eyes Black Dragon eggs?"
"They're not for sale," said Marcel. "However, if you want a Red-Eyes Black Dragon card, I'm more than happy to give one to you. Hmph, what am I saying? I know that's not going to suffice. I know how badly your heart must ache for that dragon girl you met over the summer, Your Grace."
"Were you in love with this girl?" Aishas asked. She stood up and kissed Marcel on the cheek. "Your feelings for her must have been just if you still feel so much sorrow for losing her."
"Yeah, I guess so," Stas replied. He started fidgeting with the gold chain hanging on the vest underneath his black and gold blazer, so as to keep his feeling in check. "She was...important to me. Even though I only knew her for such a short time. I blame myself. My thirst for the flesh of women scared her off. I came in too strong. I...I asked her to marry me."
"Even for a king, love does not come that easily," Aisha said. She went to a nearby table to pour herself some strong, sweet, tea. She looked over at Marcel, eyes widening as she nodded him with a gesture that read: I told you so. "Not even crowns can pave the way into a woman's heart. I don't count arranged marriages, however. Those are made for political gain and greed instead of love."
"Love can form from arranged marriages," said Stas.
"You have no choice but to," Marcel said. "Right, Aisha?"
"That is correct. I remember every detail of the story you told, Your Grace. You asked this girl — this Christine — for her purity in exchange for freedom from a prison cell. That is not very king-like."
Marcel tried to hold back a cackle, causing it to come out as a snort. "That's low even for you, Stas."
"Indeed," Aisha agreed. In fact, no man should ever deal with a woman's purity. Period. The times are changing, my king. Women are starting to grow in power all over Termnnia. Look at Avi and her dragons. Princess Alexis the Platinum Valkyrie. The Five Luster Queens. The Queens of Black and White. The hero, who is known as Infinity. Princess Vennex and her Barrel Dragons. The Empress of Light. And now a new heroine. Lady Jasmine, who commands Levia-Dragon Daedalus to secure the seas from pirates. We are not ardent on being seen as nothing but broodmares or tokens for political gain anymore. And as far as I'm concerned, this girl is more powerful than even you."
"She's right, man," Marcel said. He took one last look in the looking glass, winking at himself. He turned and headed to the table for some tea as well. "You are gifted, my friend. Gifted with youth. Gifted with the skills of a master swordsman and your silver tongue can gain advantages in the senate. But this girl you're after. She has dragon fire. That very weapon has toppled kingdoms for thousands of years. I think that's why you're so glum."
"Yes," Aisha agreed. "For once in your life, you've come across a woman who is far too good for even you."
Stas smiled at her and slid his hand down his hair. "I guess you're right. I've been growing up as a philanderer all my life. Thinking I had women in the palm of my hand. But her...Christine. She had me beat. I guess that's why I desire her so much. For once in my life, I've met my match and I like it." He formed a fist with his gloved hand. "I was too weak for her. I displayed all my flaws right before her very eyes and scared her off. Even though I freed both her and her Tyrant Dragon, she just got on its back, flew off, and didn't even say goodbye to me. But you know what? I consider myself a changed man. I'm going to find her. I'm going to prove myself worthy to her. And then...and then I'm going to marry her."
"Good luck," Marcel said with a chuckle. "You saw how many people are drooling over Avi and her dragons. I imagine your runaway dragonrider has probably found herself a daring adventurer out there. Still, I'm anxious to see where this goes. It's not every day a woman gets the best of King Stas the Half-Nymph."
"Don't go thinking you can just conquer her, King Stas," Aisha said. "Christine might have grown into someone you don't want to trifle with."
Someone knocked on the door.
"Enter," said Marcel.
Jon and Summer walked arm-in-arm. "We're landing soon," he said. "I received a call from Prince Michael. He's down in the port already and expecting us."
Marcel recoiled a few paces when he saw them. It was no surprise seeing Summer clad in a shoulder-less wine-red gown, plated with metalwork with carvings depicting the grapevine of her family. But to see Jon dressed in an expensive suit and tie with his hair shining and smelling sweet was like a terrible joke. Marcel dared to laugh at him. In the few weeks he had been in Riftgaard, he had seen these hardy Berjas in iron, steel, and furs. Their faces were muddied with dirt or dried blood. Jon looked like he, too, came from the Summerlands in Emboldor.
Jon saw the humor being poorly contained in Marcel's lips and dabbled a bit with the tie around his neck. "Is it too much?" he asked.
"Nonsense," Summer looked up at him and said: "Nonsense, nonsense." She gently brushed his hand away from the tie and adjusted the diamond and gold pin on it, a token of Yami's thanks for joining the Alliance. "You look handsome in this, Jon. Oh, if my mother and father could see you now."
"And you look wonderful yourself, Lady Summer," Aisha said approaching her. She hugged her and kissed both her cheeks before looking down at her belly. "My, my, my, a little lord or lady is on the way. Warmest congratulations to you. I'm so sorry I couldn't congratulate you when the news was first declared. I was in my chambers dealing with this-and-that. I hope you understand."
"You're a Senator representing your people, dear," Summer said. "You don't have to be sorry about a thing. Say, Prince Marcel has told me you are an exquisite Duelist. Perhaps after we land we can have a match?"
Aisha's smile grew and grew and she tilted her head to the left. "I hope you know what you're getting into, Lady Summer. Marcel doesn't exaggerate."
"Summer can handle herself in a Duel, too," said Jon. "Don't underestimate her, Lady Aisha."
A synthetic jingle rang on the intercom. The captain of the skyship announced to the passengers to get ready as the ship was about to land. As the skyship descended, confetti was thrown from the windows of the castle towers. King T'Xenku, a hundred of his guards, Marcel's posse, Prince Michael, and Kayode were on the port standing still until the ship landed and the passengers came out. Since this was his homeland, Marcel and Aisha walked out first. As soon as Marcel walked into the sunlight, a shadow passed over them, and then Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon landed behind the troops. He reared up his head and shot out a jet of blue fire into the sky, welcoming his master.
"He looks so happy to see you," Summer chimed, she and Jon were walking down behind them. She marveled at the people and their beautiful, colorful, garments. Drums were beaten to let out a welcoming melody and a chorus of women and children were singing a song of blessing.
"A True Dragon," Stas whispered. "At last!"
"Where are we again?" Antoinette asked.
"We're in Akuuda," Stas answered, taking her by the hand.
"Akuuda?" Antoinette gasped. "We're in the land of the Sunborne? Oh, my father would have a thing or two to say if he saw me out here."
Prince Michael rushed through the crowd and embraced Marcel in a quick hug. They high-fived and stepped back. "Well, you've been busy," Michael said. He looked over Marcel's shoulder and smiled at his new companions. "Jon. Stas. Princess Maria. What a pleasant surprise."
"I'm Queen Maria now," she said.
Michael's eyes bulged in surprise and he chuckled. "So the rumors are true. You ousted your father from power."
"That and so much more," she said pointing at the sky. Michael looked up and saw the Evolzars circling in the clouds with a band of young Red-Eyes Black Dragons who flew up curiously to see the strange new creatures.
"Wow..." he said. "Lady Avi truly is something special. A harbinger of True Dragons."
"Welcome to you all," King T'Xenku said. He approached the group. His wife, Queen Alessandra from the country of Thara smiled at the group. The youngsters stopped and bowed for the king. "Rise, rise, my friends. No need to be so formal. I have heard so much about you. Lord Yugi speaks highly of each and every one of you. Prince Stas, the Uniter of Mondé. I am sorry you and your brother had to battle each other."
"It needed to be done," Stas said, shaking the king's hand. "He was unfortunately radicalized by the Zeygonots. A person with ideas as crazy as those must, unfortunately, be brought to justice. Even if he's my own brother."
"Zeygonots," T'Xenku said with a scoff. "The Covenant always finds ways to branch out. A Yeyunist is a Yeyunist, no matter how you change it. I'm glad you were able to expel those heathens out of your country." He patted Stas on the shoulder and moved toward Antoinette.
"What's your name, girl?"
"I am Princess Antoinette of House Trossan. I've been selected by Master Yugi and the Regency Council to be High King Yuri's bride."
"Bless my soul!" said the queen. "The High King's bride-to-be. If I had known, I would have prepared you a better suite. It is a great honor, My Lady. You must be very proud."
"I'm a little nervous, scared even."
"Aww," cooed Queen Alessandra. She placed her hand on Antoinette's cheek. "It's natural to feel that way. But over time, I'm sure you will grow to love your future husband."
"Yes, congratulations," King T'Xenku said. "You will make a fine queen." He patted her on the shoulder and moved to Jon. "Prince Jon Jahangir. Summoner of Gearfried. Prince of Citadel of Iron and Wielder of Anduin, Axe of the Thunder Goddess. May I see it?"
"Of course, Your Grace," Jon said. He raised his arm up. After a few sparks of electricity sparked over his palm, there was a blast of thunder, and the axe appeared, the handle in the grip of his firm hand.
"Ah," the Akuudan King said. "A weapon of the Goddesses. Magnificent. Wield it well, young warrior. Rare is it that the Goddesses smile upon warriors worthy of their artifacts. The fury and honor of your people are in this blade. Make sure your enemies feel the wrath of the Berja. I am proud to have my son be part of such an alliance of powerful warriors such as you. And who is this? Your beloved?"
"That she is," said Jon.
"I'm Summer of Grace Dwenya," Summer said. She curtseyed. "It's a delight to finally meet the leader of the House of Red-Eyes. I've read so many books about your family's history. To finally be here is a dream come true."
"My pleasure, Summer." King T'Xenku shook her hand so warmly and so strong. "I hope you find Akuuda to your liking."
Prince Michael, Idi, Suma, and Kayode then joined the group as the king marched toward Maria. He was so proud that she had gotten rid of her father, whom he had quarreled with many times in the past. As the two of them strolled toward the edge of the platform to see the Evolzars, Kayode furiously crossed his arms and stared at the group. Clearly, he was not pleased with the alliance. His brow was so low, it creased his forehead awfully.
"If you've got something to say, say it!" said Marcel.
"You must be Prince Kayode," said Stas. "Nice to meet you."
He offered him his hand, but Kayode refused to shake it. He stared Stas in the eyes and said: "Hmph!" And snorted through his nose like a Mad Sword Beast. "So, this is the Alliance?" he said to Marcel. "An oathbreaker," he said looking at Jon. He looked back at Stas and said: "A perverted king who inherited his throne because his father thought he could fly." He then looked at Jaeyoung. "An Uzumenese? Really? The very yellow-skinned bastards who tried to conquer our people long ago." And then he looked at Maria as she came back with King T'Xenku. "And a girl who would kill her father to seize power?"
"You don't know anything about my father," Maria hissed. "Don't condemn me for my actions. I saved Feldia. Saved it from his greed and the very enemy who tries to conquer you right now."
"This is not your country. This is our war. We don't need you."
"You sure about that?" Michael said, having no fears whatsoever about getting into the prince's face. "When last I checked it was my Archfiends who pushed back those troops attacking the villages outside of the city. It was Zane's recon with his Cyber Dragons that found out where the General was hiding in the first place."
Kayode took a step forward and got so close to Michael's face that the tips of their noses almost touched. "I didn't need your aid in finding him. I could have tracked him down myself had my father not held me back."
"That's what separates us from you," said Stas. "My father built a lot of regulations during the War of the Golden Summer. Had I listened to him, I would have stayed in the palace and let my brother attack and kill us. In fact, Marcel wasn't allowed to come to Riftgaard. Were you?"
"No," Marcel answered, slipping his arm around Aisha's waist. "Father wanted me to stay here and guard the territories. But as a Prince of the Termnnian Alliance, I knew I had a job to do. I disobeyed father's orders."
"To bring these pale-skins here?"
"We need them!" Marcel snarled. "Even father understood this and let me fight with the Riftgaardians."
"No doubt the porcupine-haired Master Yugi convinced him to stay and allowed these Eredani to come here."
Marcel gave up. "It is no use, brother. You are too blinded by prejudice to understand what we're trying to do. Look at us." He stepped back and fanned out his arm to show off his companions. "We are all from different backgrounds. Different cultures. We each have different shades of skin color. Different genders, different walks of life. But yet we stand united. THAT is how the world should be. In just a month, look at what we have accomplished. We don't have to be enemies with each other, you know. Oftentimes, I have heard you preach about freedom and equality amongst men at the dinner table. I once admired your rhetoric. But I see now that your words are poison. Freedom. Equality. I understand that to you, those blessings should only go to people who look and think like you. If that is what you truly believe, brother, then your sense of equality and freedom is as dark as your skin. You will not last long in this world with ideals like those swimming around in your head. If you do not wish to join us, then leave."
"So be it...traitor." Kayode stalked away, mumbling curses in his native language.
Marcel turned and looked at his friends. "I am sorry about that."
"I have people just as blind in my army," said Jon. "My father is sadly the same."
"He's not so bad once you get to know him," Suma said. "He's more prideful than he is prejudice. Really. I'm sure he wanted the honor of having the Naralians running back to the coasts like cowards. But he's actually quite...sweet."
"We'll see," Jon said.
"I doubt he's going to give them the chance to know them," Idi said.
"Enough of that," said Marcel. "What's all this talk about having the Naralians running back to the coasts? It seems you all have made quite the considerable amount of gains out here while I was gone."
"The Naralians weren't just going to sit around and let you make alliances," laughed Suma. Your Duelist Academy buddy, Zane, was here a few days ago and gave us all...upgrades."
"Upgrades?" Marcel said in surprise.
"Before we get to that," Michael said. "Zane made a few modifications to your suit. How was the one he lent you for the campaign in Riftgaard?"
"Worked like a dream," Marcel replied. "But I can't wait to get into my actual armor."
"Did you earn it?" Michael asked.
"And how," said Marcel. "I've trained for weeks with the Mountain Monks and then I had to spend a week alone in the Jungle of Shadows to prove I was worthy enough to wear it."
"What kind of suit?" Summer asked.
"My family's ancestral armor, of course," said Marcel. He looked up at the sky and said: "Oof, but I'll explain when we get inside. Let's head to my tower and we can talk more about these upgrades of yours and our plans for battle against the Naralians."
"Yes, indeed, I am hot," Aisha said. "This heat is making my clothes get ruffled up."
Marcel swatted her backside playfully and nibbled her ear. "I've done worse with your clothes last I checked."
"Oooo, you devil," Summer hooted.
"Oh, come on. You know I'm better in the chambers than he is," Jon said, putting his arm over Summer's shoulders and leading her inside the second tallest tower of the castle. Once they were inside, they were graced by a cold blast of air from the AC. "So, upgrades and armor," said Jon. "What on earth has Truesdale been up to with you guys."
"He needed our Aurachalcium (Aura-Kal-Kee-Um) for some new Cyber Dragon project," Suma answered. She used her sleeve to wipe beads of sweat from her chin.
"Oh. What's Aurachalcium?" Summer asked.
"A very rare metal found only in our country and in the Kingdom of Atlantea," said Idi. "Legend has it that the Botaxia (Goddess of Metals) gave it to our ancestors to help them tame the Red-Eyes Black Dragon. It is because of Aurachalcium and our Red-Eyes Black Dragons, that our country has flourished. We've only sold this precious resource to Kaiba Corp and the High King of Termnnia."
Stas chuckled. "Oh, man, talk about an exclusive clientele."
"Only our most trusted allies are gifted with this metal," Idi continued. "Aurachalcium has magical properties, and is resistant to magic, canceling it out before it can even touch it's surface. A fireball will be nothing more than a puff of smoke once it gets within a foot of you. It is indestructible and is like liquid. It can form into anything you desire."
"Amazing," said Summer. "But, I've read all about Akuuda since I was very small. None of the books I read said anything about Aurachalcium."
"You weren't an ally of ours back then," said Marcel. "Nobody except our clients and closest friends knows about it."
"Yeah," laughed Aisha. "I've had to tell my best girlfriends in Eredas that our country's legendary warrior, The Lord of the Red, runs around in a suit of dragon scale armor and obsidian for weaponry."
"But it seems as though someone has tipped the Naralians off to it," said Suma. "My question is. Who?"
"You think they're here for the ore?" Jon asked.
"I don't think, I know," Suma said, tapping her temple. "We interrogated a lot of Naralian soldiers after Zane gave us the tools to fight them. In exchange for a few tons of Aurachalcium."
"Tons?" Marcel and Aisha said as they stopped.
"Don't worry. He gave your father an offer, he just couldn't refuse."
"Money?"
"And future ventures with Truesdale Enterprises. Perhaps a small army of Cyber Dragons to defend our borders."
"You are sure?"
"It's too early to tell," Suma said, shrugging. "I'm just reporting what little I heard."
Marcel led them into his chambers, which he prepared just for the alliance. There was a long black table at the center of the second floor. A slab of stones containing the fossil of a Dark Tyranno was inside under the glass top, which doubled as a touch-screen computer. The surface had windows with detailed maps of Akuuda, articles from the internet, and wanted posters with General Baldric and his men. The glass walls of the tower offered panoramic views of the jungle, the mountains, and the city outside.
"Whatever that deal was," Suma continued as she took her seat, "it must have been a good one for the king to just give Zane so much Aurachalcium. After he got his metal, Zane gave us our own suits of mechanical armor. His chief engineer designed them with nanobots. Ha. Boy were the Naralians surprised when we stormed the field in those babies. It gave me the urge to go back out there and fight them again. However, we had to halt our advances because the Naralians found a new weapon."
"What kind of weapon?" Maria asked. She took her seat next to Jon.
"Giant robotic suits of armor called CUIRASS," said Idi. "They proved too much even for the suits Zane gave us. I'm saddened to say, our retreating from them gave a boost in morale for the Naralian soldiers. Now they think they can beat us with these machines."
"I know what those are," Michael said. He tapped one of the windows on the glass table, enlarging its image. "They're called Mechs."
"I just briefed Avi on those," said Stas. "I warned her to keep an eye out."
"Wait, you met with Lady Avi?" asked Idi. "The Dragon Girl? Why hasn't she come with you?"
"She is under my command," Stas confirmed. "However, due to the Treaty of Dragonfire, Avi is not to attack Naralians unless they pose a threat. I tried to get the senate to see reason, but they barred Avi from setting foot in this campaign."
"Why would they do that?" Marcel asked.
"Because they don't believe Naralia is posing any threat to Akuuda."
Idi pounded the table with his fist. "The fools!" he shouted. "How can they say that?"
"Well, too long have you isolated yourselves from Termnnia," Michael replied. "You guys are so far off the grid, nobody even considers you a part of the continent or its matters. I don't blame you for wanting to be so separated from the world, though. Your resources are vast and very powerful. I shudder to think what would happen if Forrest gave Aurichalcium to the Church."
"But you speak truth," said Suma. "Our desire for isolationism has practically put us out of the map. Hopefully, with this new alliance Master Yugi made, we can change things and work together."
"Only we can do that," said Jon.
"Uh-huh," Summer agreed. "The old bicker in their council chambers, but us kids are the ones making a difference out there. It's time for us to fix the mistakes our fathers and forefathers made that landed us in this mess."
"Can you fight, love?" Aisha asked.
"Oh, yes. Don't let my expensive dresses and the fact that I'm a Summerlands maiden fool you. All the ladies of the Empire of Light have to be trained with sword and shield for self-defense. Also, I've been gifted with my mother's magical blade."
"You will do no such thing," Jon said. "Need I remind you that you're carrying precious cargo." He massaged her belly.
Summer clutched his hand and looked him in the eye. "Don't make a fuss, Jon. I can fight. And I'm sure we all agree we want Termnnia to be at peace before Yuri arrives."
"Yes, my dear, you're right," Aisha said. "Actually, isn't that the main reason why Master Yugi scouted all of you and urged you to come together?"
"To clean up Termnnia," Marcel said with a nod. "Yes, yes. I, too, want nothing more than to see my High King return to a realm of peace. I don't know about the rest of you guys but I want to go to college without a big, messy, civil war filling our plates along with our homework."
"Hell, no!" Stas said. "That's the last thing I want. Homework and war. Not good bedfellows if you ask me."
"Yes," said Jon. "So let's not dawdle any longer. We have Naralians to defeat and a country to save. What's the plan, Marcel. What have you got for us."
"Yes," Marcel rubbed his hands together. "CUIRASS or no CUIRASS, I have a plan that will finally rid our beautiful country of those bastards. Now, we're going to have to break a few rules, but if we can work together, we can pull this off."
After Marcel explained his battle plans to his companions and listened to their own suggestions and strategies, they decided to relax and call it a day. Marcel suggested the water hole located in the jungles behind the castle, which also had its own arena so Aisha and Summer could have their duel.
So they went to their rooms to dress into their swimming clothes and followed Marcel into the jungle. The sun was slowly going down over the mountains by the time the royal company of friends reached the secret watering hole, usually reserved for the king and his family. Red-Eyes Black Dragons were perched on the tops of the cliffs looking down at the watering hole and the stadium made of stone.
Summer, clad in a white swimdress, put her feet into the water to cool herself. "Ah, that's so heavenly," she said. "Thank you for bringing us out here, Your Grace."
"Please, my lady," Marcel said, handing her a cup of berry juice. "Just call me Marcel. Let's leave behind all the protocol. We're more than just allies here. We're friends."
"Here! Here!" said Stas. Anna held up her chalice and cheered as well. "What better company?" Stas continued.
"Such a shame Prince Ryon couldn't join us," said Jaeyoung. "But the Naralians are closer to his home. He promises we'll meet him in White Harbor once we finish off the Naralians here."
"Won't he need help?" Aisha wondered. She removed her gown to reveal a golden bikini adorned with pearls and diamonds.
"Oh, Princess!" jeered Maria. "How did you get those curves? What's your secret?"
"Drink lots of juices and berries," Aisha replied with a wink.
"Wow!" said Stas. He admired her from top to bottom. She raised her arms over her head to tie her floor-length honey-colored hair into a long ponytail. When Marcel slipped his hand around her slender waist, he snapped his fingers to get Stas to wake up from his hypnosis.
"Uh...I mean, uh, uh. I just got a text from him. He's not going to need any help. He managed to collect an army of wizards to repel them from the Heartlands. And I seriously doubt the Naralians want to move into the country any further, even with Forrest pressuring them to do so. Avi is so close to Katina right now. They're scared of her."
"As they should be," Idi commented proudly. He ran his fingers through his Leogun's mane, and then let the beast lick his face. "It's about time they realize what happens when the people of Termnnia come together. Perhaps one day we can liberate the Naralian people from that crazy cult."
"That's going to take a lot more work," Jon replied, standing over Summer like a sentry. "I say just let them keep to themselves. Let them rot. Let them kill each other. Why should we care?"
"It's a topic for another time," Aisha said. "Summer. How about we get on with that Duel?"
Summer drank the last of her berry juice and threw the goblet at Jon. He caught it with ease.
"I'd say, yes, let's go. I can't wait to see what kind of surprises you have in store for me."
After a quick swim, Aisha and Summer gathered their gear and went to the arena to have their friendly match. Marcel and the others watched from the watering hole as the two Duelists inserted their decks into their Duel Disks and began.
LP 4000
"Duel!" they both called out in unison.
T1
Summer and Aisha picked up their starting hand. Summer looked at the princess and said: "I'll go first, if that's okay?"
"Of course," Aisha said. "Go on."
"Thank you, Aisha. First I set a card face-down and end my turn. Your turn, love."
T2
"I draw!" Aisha declared. "Now I summon Red Stone of Legend in attack mode."
A giant black egg, glowing red from the inside like a fire in a furnace materialized in front of her. It's attack was zero, but Summer kept her lips pursed to keep from boasting. Aisha was too smart to just throw something so weak out like that. She had something planned. Something big.
"I will now sacrifice Red Stone of Legend to special summon from my hand, Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon."
Jon almost dropped his drink in the water when he witnessed Aisha's massive, six-winged, metallic dragon burst out of the ground and shook the earth with a tremendous roar. The blue light of the moon flashed on its sleek body and it lit the night with red accents.
ATK/2800 DEF/2400
"I can't…" Jon stuttered. "A Red-Eyes already?"
"Mmm-hmm," nodded Marcel. "I told you. Aisha's a skilled player. I mean no disrespect, my lord, but Summer's got no chance against my princess."
Aisha pointed at Summer, the bangles and bracelets jingled. "I will attack your Life Points directly with my beast. Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon, strike her down!"
Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon flapped his wings to help him take flight. When they cut through the air, they made a rich metallic woosh. He opened his mouth and struck Summer on the chest with a laser. She was sent flying backward, landing on the pavement.
"Careful!" Jon called. "Think of the baby, Summer."
Summer massaged her bottom and stood up. "The baby and I are fine, Jon. Don't worry about us. Are you done, my lady?"
"No. I will discard a card from my hand to summon Black Metal Dragon in defense mode. Somehow I have a feeling you're giving me a lead on purpose." She placed the card on her black and red Duel Disk. The metal dragon rose from the ground, its wings folded as it was in defense position.
T3
Summer smiled deviously, gingerly pulling the top card off her deck. "Aisha? Whatever do you mean?"
"I can see right through those rosy cheeks of yours," Aisha commented playfully. "I know you've got a plan or something in store for me."
"You mean like this?" Summer giggled and held up a spell card. "I activate Soul Exchange. This card lets me use one of your monsters for a tribute this turn. And I will sacrifice your Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon to summon Dark Magician Girl!"
"Yes!" Jon clapped his hands.
"Oh, clever girl," said Stas.
Idi laughed at the stunned expression on Marcel's face, watching as Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon vanished into a ball of light. A pink arcane circle formed over Summer's shoulder. Out of it came her Dark Magician Girl, except hers was unique in that her magical robes were red and gold. She spun around and blew a kiss before striking her pose beside Summer.
ATK/2000 DEF/1700
"Lucky for you, Soul Exchange prevents me from attacking you after I use it. And now it's your turn, my dear!"
T4
"I just knew you were full of surprises as well," Aisha said. "But I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. I tribute a Red-Eyes card from my hand to call upon Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon."
"Alternative Black Dragon?" Summer repeated. "I've never seen that before."
"Then allow me to properly introduce you to it."
Aisha smacked her card down on the blade. The ground shook. Red circuit board patterns slithered from the center of the arena. A great crash followed, the stones burst into the air, scattering in all directions. Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon flew around, illuminating the jungle with its eerie red light. He landed on the ground. His burning neon-red eyes burned as he stared at Summer.
"Then, I activate Fusion Sage, allowing me to add Polymerization to my hand. Next, I will attack your Dark Magician Girl with my dragon. Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon. Blow her away!"
The dragon took off, creating a strong gust of wind. Summer's hair waved around behind her. The wind chilled her body, still damp from swimming earlier. Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon settled directly over Summer and shot a red laser beam at Dark Magician Girl.
"I activate Mirror Force!" Summer shouted.
"No!" Aisha cried out. "You had that hidden this whole time!"
A glass barrier formed over Summer. The laser struck the barrier and bounced back at Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon shattering him to pieces.
"Why didn't you use that when I attacked with Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon earlier?"
"Oh, I was just toying around with you."
Aisha smirked. "Keep that up, and you'll find yourself in my chambers over my lap and your ass at my mercy."
Summer laughed. Aisha did as well. "Oh, this is too fun," Summer said. "I draw!"
T5
She was troubled. Her card wasn't what she hoped for. "I bricked. Oh well. At least I can still attack. Dark Magician Girl, attack and destroy Black Metal Dragon! Dark Burning Attack!"
Dark Magician Girl gracefully skipped across the field, mini arcane circles briefly glowed each time her boots touched the ground. She jumped, spun around, then pointed her wand at the dragon, blasting it with a big black ball of dark magic. The dragon hissed and shattered. Aisha held up her arms, crossing them over her face to shield her from the hot blast. Her long ponytail whipped around in the gust created by the explosion.
"End turn," said Summer.
T6
"I should thank you for that," Aisha said. She coughed and waited for the cloud of smoke to disappear. "Oof. Excuse me. When Darkness Metal Dragon is destroyed, I can add a Red-Eyes card to my hand. I draw!" She smiled. Perfect. "I summon a monster in defense mode and end my turn."
T7
"I draw now!" Summer declared. "I send Dark Magician to my graveyard to special summon Magicians' Souls."
Beside Dark Magician Girl floated two phantoms. One was the Dark Magician and the other was Dark Magician Girl. Its attack was zero. However, it let her draw a card and because Dark Magician was in the Graveyard, he boosted Dark Magician Girl's attack by 300 points. Dark Magician Girl was ordered to attack. She launched another black ball of dark magic at Aisha's face-down monster. In the smoke, Marcel could see the silhouette of the monster that was destroyed. He smiled at her and she smiled back, winking at him to assure him things were going according to plan.
"That's my girl!" Jon said.
"She plays divinely," said Maria. "I might want to have a chance to Duel."
"I place a card face-down and end my turn." Summer inserted her card into the slot and bowed to give Aisha her turn.
T8
"Impressive," Aisha said. She bowed back respectively. "Most impressive. You play well for a fruity maiden from the Summerlands. But now it's time to show you the true power of my deck. The monster you destroyed was Red-Eyes Baby Dragon. When it's destroyed, I can special summon a Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my deck!"
A roar echoed across the jungle from atop the mountain. From one of the caves flew out Aisha's Red-Eyes Black Dragon. It flew around in circles over the arena and landed behind the princess, its feet shaking the earth.
"And get this," Aisha continued. "Red-Eyes Baby Dragon equips itself to my Red-Eyes, increasing its attack to 2700. Now, I draw!"
She reared her head back and laughed. "Yes. The card I drew was The Dark — Hex Sealed Fusion. I can use this card as a substitute for a fusion monster. Now I activate Polymerization. I fuse the hex with Summoned Skull!"
Summer gasped. She recoiled a few paces backward. "Wait…" She read all about the Duels Yugi Muto had in Duelist Kingdom. And there was one monster she knew that could fuse with Summoned Skull. She braced herself.
The fusion vortex formed over dozens of feet high above Aisha's head. From it emerged a massive, horned beast with dark-red eyes. It had the most terrifying, dominating roar Summer had ever heard in a while. The roar of an apex beast.
"Black Skull Dragon!" Aisha shouted. Her monster raised its wings and slowly glided to a stop next to Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
ATK/3200 DEF/2500
"Oh, goodness!" Summer said. "What a monster."
"And he usually spells doom for my opponents when I summon him," Aisha boasted. "Now it's time to get rid of that pesky magician. Black Skull Dragon, attack and silence the Dark Magician Girl. Molten Fireball Attack!"
Black Skull Dragon snarled and opened its mouth, launching three fireballs at Dark Magician Girl. She screamed as she was assaulted by the attack and she was turned to ash. Then, Red-Eyes Black Dragon attacked her Magicians' Souls, leaving her field bare.
"As you can see, there's not even a particle left of your Dark Magician Girl." Aisha sneered. "You know, it's not too late to surrender."
"Surrender? When the Duel is getting this exciting. I wouldn't even dream of it."
"That's what I want to hear. Go on. Draw."
T9
"So, I shall." Summer breathed heavily and drew. "Ah," she said. "The Heart of the Cards. It really does work."
"What did you draw?" Aisha asked.
"Pot of Greed. Now I draw two cards. Yes! Polymerization."
"What in the world? What good will that do you?"
"Oh, you'll see. First I reveal my face-down card: Call of the Haunted. I'll use it to resurrect a friend who just hates saying goodbye. Dark Magician Girl!"
The trap card flipped up and from it, Dark Magician Girl returned with all her glory. Then I activate Polymerization, fusing her and the Dark Magician in my hand together. Now they become, The Dark Magicians!"
"They can fuse together!?" Idi said. "Incredible!"
The Dark Magician and the Dark Magician Girl hovered over the field together. They were both wearing new armored robes and new staves.
ATK/2800 DEF/2300
"Impressive, aren't they?" Summer said. "Now, I will equip my magicians with Mage Power. This will increase their attack by 500 for each spell and trap card on the field. And look, Call of the Haunted is still in play. My Dark Magicians' effect activates. When I activate a spell this turn, I can draw a card. And if it's a spell, I can set it." She added the card to her hand. Sure enough, it was a spell. She set it, giving her Magician's another boost in power. "Next, I set a card face down. Now my Magicians gain 2000 attack points!"
"Forty-eight hundred attack points!?" Anna cried out in shock. She held onto Stas's arm. "They're almost as strong as your Diamond-Burst Dragon!"
Stas tossed a grape into his mouth. "Wow. I've got to say, these ladies know how to play very well. Congratulations to them both, no matter who wins this match."
"I will attack your Black Skull Dragon!" Summer yelled. "Dark Burning Magic Attack!"
The two magicians flew towards Black Skull Dragon. They aimed their staves at him, combined their attacks, and blew him right to the graveyard with a tremendous explosion that created a mushroom cloud, sparking with lightning at the top.
Aisha was knocked to the ground, landing hard on her back. Anna cried out in horror, covering her ears to protect them from the terrible blast.
Aisha - 2400 LP
Summer - 300 LP
Aisha got up from the ground and clapped. "You played a good game, Summer. You were amazing. By far one of the finest players I've ever had the honor to Duel against. I'm afraid to say, your theatrics have severely cost you. Overconfidence can be your worst enemy, my dear."
"What do you mean?"
"You barely have any Life Points left. And I just drew a card that will blow them all away. I activate Inferno Fire Blast. This card can only work so long as I have a Red-Eyes Black Dragon on the field. And he will then deal damage to you equal to his original attack points."
"Oh!" Summer snapped her fingers. "Darn it, I was so close to winning."
"Well, don't toy with your opponents next time, Summer. You never know what kind of surprises they have in store for you. Now, Red-Eyes Black Dragon. Burn the rest of her Life Points away. Inferno Fire Blast!"
Red-Eyes Black Dragon flew up toward the sky. It extended its neck, charging up its attack to maximum power. The fireball hovering over its jaws was the size of a wrecking ball. Finally, the dragon released it. It soared toward Summer, destroying her magicians and wiping the rest of her Life Points away to zero. When the smoke cleared and the Phantoms disappeared, Summer and Aisha ran towards each other and embraced in a friendly hug. Marcel and the others stood up in the water, applauding them for a job well done. Both girls bowed as they held hands. They rejoined the others in the water where they stayed until the moon went up and stars twinkled in the skies.
Marcel and Ibi set up torches around their campsite to give them light. And they stayed there on the cool grass as a fire burned in front of them.
"What do you all plan to do when the war is over?" Summer asked.
"We have to go to school," Jaeyoung replied. "And we've got to teach Yuri everything we know. He's going to need the help."
"So I take it no one's going to call him Daveed anymore?" Aisha asked. She was sitting on Marcel's lap, a silk blanket was draped over her body to give her warmth.
"That's for the old people," Stas said. "Yuri's hip. I kind of like it a lot better."
"I can say the same," said Anna.
"Oh," Maria nudged her on the elbow. "You're going to the academy, too, yes? After all, you're going to be the Queen of Termnnia with Yuri by your side."
"Don't remind me," Anna said. "I still can't handle that. Me? Of all people."
"Well, at least it's caused the princesses of Termnnia to stop fighting one another," said Ibi. "What a stupid waste of lives and resources. What comes after this? After you help us liberate Akuuda from the Narlians, that is."
"Aurelia is what comes next," said Jon. "We must all gather there to train with the Aurelian Legion. Those soldiers are almost gifted by the Divines, I swear. I can't wait to learn from them."
"More training?" Summer looked up at him, holding her own blanket from Riftgaard tightly over her shoulders. "As if you need to get any stronger."
"We must," Jaeyoung said. "Our enemy knows we are gifted and will resort to anything to defeat us. We must all be ready."
Andre
He was still the new kid in everyone's eyes. Andre Martin hadn't stepped into Sergei's card shop since the beginning of the school year. It had changed so much in the little time he had been gone. He was different now, too, all that adventuring in Termnnia had improved his strength and his skill with cards. He went up the stairs, ignoring the strange looks from everyone else, who were gawking at him like he had come from another planet. He saw his opponent, the girl named Rosita, a friend of Sabrina and Patty McKnight.
She was still clad in her school uniform, even though she shouldn't have been here just yet. School didn't let out for another hour or two, meaning she was skipping for the day. Rosita didn't care. She was so far ahead in her classes that she didn't care for a tardy here and there. She was sitting back on her ergonomic chair, legs up on the Duel Table, one crossed over the other. She looked at Andre vexingly and smiled, her pouty lips were so pink it was almost cartoonish, and it even glittered. She sat down and shuffled her deck.
She took her cherry lollipop out of her mouth and said, "I didn't think you'd show up. After the beating Crystal gave you last time, I'm surprised you even decided to come here."
"I had a bricked hand."
"That's what they all say," Rosita placed her deck on the screen. "Ready to play? And you better give it your all. Crystal told me you've been holding back on our friends. You claim you were just trying to be nice, but there's nothing nice about that. You were insulting them. Underestimating them. Believing they didn't deserve your best."
"I get it," Andre said. "I was an asshole. I know better now, honestly, I do. Can we just play? I'm done getting lectured."
"Yeah, let's do this. You first."
Andre took his deck out of his pocket and put it down on the mat.
LP 4000
T1
"It's time to Duel!" Andre said. "You first."
"Nah, you go. I challenged you."
"All right, fine. I draw." Shit! He thought. Two traps that required a spellcaster to work, Dark Magician of Chaos, and a Black Luster Ritual Card. There was only one thing left to do. "I activate Card Destruction. We discard our hands and draw the same amount of cards we discarded."
"Yeah, I know how it works," Rosita said. She undid her tie and loosened her blouse. It was getting terribly hot in the store. Andre was getting stuffy as well and removed his jacket to play more comfortably.
Andre continued his turn by setting the trap Dark Horizon, face-down.
T2
"Okay, it's my turn," Rosita said. She put the lollipop back in her mouth and examined her new hand. "Hmm," she said. "I like this very much. Muy bien. First, I summon Senju of the Thousand Hands in attack mode. And he lets me add a ritual monster to my hand from my deck. Shinato, King of a Higher Plane. Then I activate the ritual spell, Shinato's Ark. I sacrifice the Shinato in my hand to summon my second one."
"Already!" Andre said. "You're unreal."
He watched the 3D image of the six-winged angel descending from the clouds to do battle. At 3300 ATK points, he was set to give Andre quite the ass-whooping Rosita thought he deserved. "I activate Graceful Charity," she said, her lips and tongue were smacking noisily against her treat. "Oh, nice." She smiled flirtatiously at Andre and attacked with him directly, pulverizing his Life Points and shrinking them down to a mere 700.
"And now I'll finish you off by attacking with Senju."
"Hold on Rosita. I activate the trap card, Dark Horizon. If I take damage, I can summon a spellcaster with ATK equal to or less than the damage I just took. And I call on Dark Magician!"
"Oh..." Rosita said. She ended her turn.
T3
Andre picked up his next card. Perfect, he thought. Mirror Force. Now her Shinato will get destroyed and then I can strike her down. "I set a card face-down and attack your Senju with Dark Magician."
Rosita yawned, picking up the card and sending it to the graveyard. Her Life Points were now at 2900.
"I end my turn."
T4
"You were seriously holding back on my friends with those moves? Man, now I'm even more pissed off. Underestimating my friends when you're not even all that good yourself. I thought Brett's ego was big. Oh, and if you think you're going to surprise me with that face-down card, you've got another thing coming. I activate Giant Trunade. This will return all of our spells and traps back to our hands."
"Aw, man!" Andre slid his hand through his hair. "Not again!"
"Yeah, that leaves you wide open. Shinato, attack!" She crunched on the lollipop and started to chew on the gum inside. "I win."
Andre pursed his lips. Just like that, his Life Points went down to zero. "Hang on," he said. "Can we have a rematch?"
Rosita shrugged and bobbed her head left and right. "Whatever."
"Give me a minute." Andre took a binder out of his backpack and spent twenty minutes adding and removing cards from his deck. When he finally felt like he was ready, it was time to Duel once again. Just like last time, he went first.
LP 4000
T1
"Things are going to be different this time," Andre promised her. "First, I set two cards face-down and summon Skilled Dark Magician in attack mode. Then I activate Upstart Goblin. You gain 1000 Life Points and I get to draw one card. Now Skilled Dark Magician's effect activates. When someone uses a spell, I can put a spell counter on him. Next, I play the card I just drew. Graceful Charity. I draw three cards and discard two. I set one more card face-down and end my turn."
T2
Rosita tapped on her chin. "That's interesting. All right, I play Giant Trunade and send all your face-downs back to your hand. Next, I play the field spell, Luminous Spark, which will increase the attack of all my Light monsters by 500. Then I will set a card face-down and summon Asura Priest. With the field power bonus from Luminous Spark, Asura Priest's attack is increased to 2200. And I'll blast away your magician. Too bad. He had three counters."
"Aw, man," Andre groaned. [LP 3700]
"I end my turn," Rosita said with a yawn. "Because Asura Priest is a Spirit Monsters, it returns to my hand."
T3
"That's one interesting monster you got there," Andre said. "I'll set three cards face-down and activate Pot of Greed to gain two extra cards. I set a monster and end my turn."
T4
"I summon Sonic Bird," Rosita said, not wasting any time beginning her turn. "My bird lets me add a ritual spell to my hand. And you can guess what it is. Shinato's Ark. And I'll activate it, sacrificing Sonic Bird and Asura Priest to summon Shinato, King of a Higher Plane." They both paused to look at the Duel Screen. Rosita never tired of seeing her monster rendered, even if it was on a cheap screen like that. Once the summoning animation was over, she attacked.
But Andre was ready.
"I activate my trap card!" he declared. "Mirror Force! Shinato is destroyed!"
"Hmph," Rosita went, discarding the card. "He may be down but he's not out. I still got two more Shinatos in my deck. I set a card and end my turn."
"I'll be ready for each of them," Andre boasted. "My turn."
T5
"I set a monster face-down and activate Call of the Haunted to revive Skilled Dark Magician back from the grave! And I'll attack you directly with him."
"I activate Sakuretsu Armor!" Rosita countered, quickly flipping over her card. "Your magician is going back to the graveyard!"
"I think not! From my hand, I activate the quick-play spell, Book of Moon. This will flip Skilled Dark Magician face-down, thereby saving him from your trap card."
Rosita started to drum her fingers on the table. Her arms quivered from the cringe of being outsmarted by this new kid. "Damn," she thought. He's outmaneuvering me. I guess he took Crystal's advice to heart and made improvements on that pathetic deck of his.
T6
"I draw a card," Rosita said. She turned it so Andre could see. "Nobleman of Crossout. This will banish a face-down monster you have. And I know where your Skilled Dark Magician is hiding, so he's out of the game."
"Good move," Andre commented. "I guess this is a whole new game for me now."
Rosita smiled at him, chewing her gum obnoxiously. "I guess. You're at least using your brain for once and not throwing some random beat stick on the field like you did before."
T7
"Just because my deck has changed doesn't mean I don't still have a few powerhouses lying around." Andre drew. "Hmm. I choose to end my turn without playing a card."
T8
"This is getting boring. But maybe this guy can help lighten things up. I call on Senju of the Thousand Hands. And I'll add Shinato to my hand. Next, Shinato will attack your second face-down monster."
The screen revealed a hideous, humpbacked magician in yellow armor. He held up his crooked staff and created a hex that would take him and Senju with him.
"Oh no!" cried Rosita. "That's Old Vindictive Magician!"
Andre gave a nod. "That's right. And when he's flipped over, he can destroy one of your monsters. Senju is destroyed, too."
Rosita felt sweat coming out of her pores. Her toes curled inside her boots and her teeth were grinding over one another as she tried to cope with the frustration. "Damn," she said again. "I end my turn."
T9
"I set a card and end my turn." Andre had a sneer on his face.
T10
Rosita hated that look she just gave him. It felt like someone reached into her chest and tied her heart into a knot. "I summon another Senju."
"And I activate Ring of Destruction! This will destroy your Senju and we take damage equal to his attack points."
Andre - 2300 LP
Rosita - 3600 LP
"No matter," she said. "I still have the lead. I end my turn."
T11
Andre's heart started pumping. It looked like it could go either way now. "I can't believe we've gone on for this long. Now things are getting interesting. I'll summon another Skilled Dark Magician and end my turn by attacking your Life Points directly."
T12
[LP 1700] Rosita almost swallowed her gum. She loosened her tie even more and removed her school blazer.
"Getting nervous?" Andre asked.
"All right, all right. You're skilled. Let's see if I can't turn things around. I just drew Pot of Greed. Let's see if these two new cards can change things for me." She picked up her new cards. She just looked at Andre and continued on with her turn. "I set a card face-down and reveal Thunder Dragon. And I'll activate its effect. By sending it to the graveyard, I can add the remaining two Thunder Dragons to my hand. Then, I flip over my spell card, Swords of Concealing Light. This will flip your monsters face-down and they remain that way for the next two turns. I've halted your advances, homie."
T13
"I don't think you have. I tribute my two face-down monsters to summon, Dark Magician! And I'll attack you directly with it."
"No, you're not! I activate Threatening Roar. Now you can't attack me this turn."
Andre thumped his fist on the table. Damn! So close.
T14
"I'm in luck!" Rosita declared happily. "I have a second Swords of Concealing Light. Your Dark Magician is forced face-down."
T15
She's tough, Andre thought. I guess I really did have my head up my ass when I thought I was better than these guys. These Earth kids have skills, even with how primitive their decks are. "Draw!" Andre said. "I set a card face-down and end my turn."
T16
"Come on baby..." Rosita prayed. She picked up the card and held it to her face. "Yes! I drew Sonic Bird."
"NO!"
"You know what that means, hombre! I get to add a ritual spell to my hand. Shinato's Ark. And I'll use it right now, Sacrificing my second Shinato to summon my last one."
"And I activate Torrential Tribute!" Andre hurried, flipping over the card. "All our monsters are destroyed."
"Arrgh! Fuck!" Rosita barked. "Shit! Shit! Shit! I don't have anymore Shinatos to use."
"There!" said Andre. "I just incapacitated your ace. It looks like you need a new strategy, Rosita. Seeing as how you can't use Shinato anymore to beat me."
"There are other ways," Rosita assured him. She just didn't know what else to do. I end my turn."
T17
"So will I," said Andre. "I've got nothing."
T18
"Pass," Rosita declared.
T19
Andre drew his next card, his deck was getting smaller and smaller. "I pay 1000 Life Points to activate Delinquent Duo!" said Andre. "Now you're forced to discard a card. And if you have anymore cards in your hand, you have to discard another one."
"Damn it!" Rosita muttered, tossing her Thunder Dragon and Giant Trunade away.
T20
"I'll do the same, hotshot!" Rosita said. "Delinquent Duo. Now trash two cards in your hand."
"What are the odds?" Andre murmured. Is this girl going to quit?
T21
[LP 1300]
Andre drew a monster called Royal Magic Library. With 2000 DEF, it would shield his Life Points from whatever Rosita had in store for him.
T22
"I summon Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands!" said Rosita. But since all her Shinato cards were in the graveyard, there was no point in using his effect to add Shinato's Ark. She stared at Andre's face-down monster.
"Aren't you going to attack?" Andre asked.
"No," she said. "I end my turn."
T23
Good, she's getting hesitant. This could be my chance to win. "I set a monster face-down."
"Another one?" Rosita said. "Man, what are you planning."
T24
[LP 700]
She drew her card and sighed. Fulfillment of the Contract. That card could have won her the Duel. If she had more than 800 Life Points, she could have used it to bring Shinato back from the Graveyard and attack Andre's face-down monsters. It wouldn't have mattered what they were. With his piercing ability, he would have done tremendous damage to Andre's Life Points, winning Rosita the match. "Well, I may not have Shinato anymore but I've still got Thunder Dragon. I tribute Manju and summon it. And I'll attack your face-down monster!"
Andre heard the explosion on the screen after Thunder Dragon blasted his Royal Magic Library monster. They were so focused on their game that they didn't even bother looking at the screens to see the monsters duking it out in real-time. Time to see if his deck really was stronger. He drew.
T25
"All right, Rosita. You played a good match. But now it's time to end this. I flip summon Magician of Faith. And her effect allows me to add a spell card from my grave to my hand. Now I summon Apprentice Magician. And then I'll activate the spell I just got with Magician of Faith's effect. Magicians Unite!"
"What does that card do?"
"This card works if I have two spellcasters on the field. I get to choose one of them and its attack points become 3000!"
"No way! You mean..."
"Yeah, it's over. My Magician of Faith will attack your Thunder Dragon for game."
Winner: Andre
Rosita slumped in her chair and sighed. "Well, shit. You got me."
"Yeah. My new deck sure proved you wrong, huh?"
"Yeah, but I still got a victory over you. And it showed you how ass your old deck was. You're too obsessed with power and beat-down. If you start to use your head, you'll make for some exciting Duels."
"Yeah. Care to go again?"
Rosita put her cards back in the case strapped to her leg. "Sorry, boss. But I need to get going. Yuri's on his way home from school and I promised Patty I'd keep an eye out for bounty hunters. Poor Yuri, man. They've been harassing the poor thing all day yesterday. Well, thankfully, we've got some help from Crystal's old friends."
"And me!" Ande pointed his thumb towards himself. "I'm here to help. Say, you like ice cream, right?"
"Yeah."
"Wanna go get some? Of course, you'd have to buy since you lost."
"Really? Pfft, no thanks. Don't think because you won one Duel it means I'm impressed."
"Well, how about we have an afternoon to hang out at stake if we have another Duel?"
Rosita raised an eyebrow. "You mean a date?"
"No. Just...hang out. You know."
"We'll see. Call me." She patted his shoulder and left the shop.
Yuri
Even though the carnival was in full swing, it still did nothing to stop school from going on with its monotonous schedules. The teachers were not so happy with the event, since all the students in school ever did was think about what prizes they were going to score with their tokens or who they were going to face after school. It got so bad the headmistress ordered the confiscation of cards if they were seen or talked about in class.
Finally, the final bell of the day ended, the group decided to meet on the central island in a few hours because Carter and Nick forgot their decks. Tyson and Natalya followed them back to their homes, leaving Yuri with Patty. As they left the school grounds, the both of them said nothing. Ser Norman was hovering over Yuri's shoulder, eyeing the girl like a poisonous snake that needed to be killed on the spot. He was still not so sure all of Zera's malice had been exorcised from her. There was still a shadow aura radiating from her. She stopped in front of a vendor to get come cocoa while Yuri paced around.
I am beginning to like this school of yours, Ser Norman said. There are lots of interesting things about this world. You have a very rich and complex history. This Holy Roman Empire you learned about today. It reminds me of the Empire of Light back home.
"Home?" Yuri said. "Interesting. I didn't know you had empires and stuff."
You've Dueled rather well since these Dueling Mercenaries showed up. It has earned you the right to many stories.
"What about MY story? Your story? You still owe me that."
I will tell you them in good time, my young friend. In the meantime, you must Duel and get stronger.
"If you say so," Yuri sighed. He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his winter coat and looked at Ser Norman. The giant knight was looking down at him. "Ser Norman," Yuri spoke. "Why are you trapped in the pendant? Who put you there?"
Ser Norman looked at the sky. Someone who did not want me stopping their vile plans to fill the world in darkness. I do not wish to talk about it. Not because you haven't earned the right to this story, but because it's one that fuels me with nightmares and stings my heart with guilt and regret. I thought I was an unstoppable force. But my overconfidence blinded me and my enemy got the best of me for it.
"If this world of yours is real...does that mean this evil who locked you in my pendant is real too?"
Yes. And I will need your help in stopping it. Oh, enough talking. Your friend is coming.
"So," Patty said, at last, breaking the silence. "Any bounty hunters bother you yet?" She tightened her scarf and looked around awaiting his reply.
"No," Yuri said at once. "Dad says he's got RAPTOR working into it, but knowing them, they're not going to do a damn thing about them. So they're my problem now. Ex-Navy Seals, former SAS, even Academia contractors, and none of them can go out on patrol and look for a few jackasses with cards."
"The whole city is full of people who love Duel Monsters, Yuri. They can't tell the difference between a player and a bounty hunter. It's like searching for a needle in a haystack. We've just got to keep our eyes open for them."
"Help!" A boy in an extra-large orange shirt and baggy jeans, and a yellow cap, jumped out from the alleyway in front of them. "Help! Please!"
"Whoa, whoa, what's wrong?" Yuri asked.
"Wait a minute!" the boy said. "You're Yuri! Oh, man! Please, you've got to help me."
"What happened?" Patty asked.
"My mom! She's having a heart attack. Please, you've got to help me."
"Come on!" Yuri cried out. Patty followed him into the alley. But there was no woman there. Just some really big kid in a vest and torn jeans. "So, you're Yuri, huh?"
"Typical," Patty spat. She looked at the kid and flicked him off.
"I did it, bro! Just like you said!" said the little kid.
"Yeah, thanks, Mikey. Now we're one step closer to getting that bounty on this dork's head."
"Dork?!" shouted Patty. "He's the Prince of Aquarius! So show some respect!"
"Prince of Losers is more like it!" said the big kid. "All right, it seems I've bagged me not only Yuri but his pretty girlfriend, too. I heard you got a pretty unique card, too. I'll be taking it once I beat you both at the same time."
"You think you can take us both on?" Yuri said. "Dude, I hope you know what you're doing."
"What do you expect?" said Patty. "Bounty hunters aren't the smartest guys around. Imagine being so low in society that you have to resort to hunting people down in Duels for a living."
"He looks a little young to be in the Bounty Hunters Guild, though," said Yuri.
"I'm no part of the guild," the big kid said. He jerked his thumb at himself. "I'm what you call a freelancer."
"Freelancer?" Patty said. "Well, it had to be a kid."
"My brother's the best!" boasted Mikey. "He ranked number one in the Junior League and was the winner of last year's Dragon Duel Tournament."
"Never heard of that," said Yuri.
"It's a tournament for little kids," Patty said. "Wish they could work on the name, though."
"Whatever. If he wants to take on me and Patty, who am I to argue?"
"I'm game," Patty said.
They both got their Duel Disks out and put them on.
LP 4000
"I'll start things off," Patty declared. "I activate the field spell, Mystic Plasma Zone!" The ground around them turned dark. Purple mist rose from the shadowy surface up to their ankles. Lighting zapped all around them. "This will increase the attack of all Dark monsters by 500. And then I activate the spell, Double Summon. This grants me an additional summon this turn. First I summon Double Coston!"
Two small ghosts with glowing red eyes and mouths chirped happily as they rose from the plasma zone on the ground. "These guys don't look like much, but they can be treated as two tributes. And I'll sacrifice them to summon Diabolos, King of the Abyss!"
Whoosh! A giant shadowy mass flew out of the darkness. It soared over the alley, roaring regally as if announcing to all that it had arrived. The dark dragon landed on the ground, it's glowing blue accents lit the dark spots of the alley.
"It's her rare card, bro!" shouted Mikey.
"Yeah! I know! Isn't it amazing! I hope they let us keep it after I beat it from her."
"He's got some nerve," Patty said. "I set two cards face-down and end my turn. Yuri. You're up, babe!"
"Don't call me that anymore," Yuri said sternly. He adjusted his beanie, for it was falling over his eyes and he drew. "I summon Ipiria!" His Duel Disk projected the strange blue lizard with a beard of silver. "When Ipiria is summoned, I can draw a card. Next, I activate Ultra-Evolution Pill, transforming Ipiria into Black Tyranno!"
An iridescent pill formed in front of the little lizard. It ate the pill and its body started glowing brightly. The illuminated form of Ipiria started to grow larger and larger by the second. Finally, Black Tyranno took form. His glowing green eye flashed. He reared up his head and greeted the world with an earth-shattering roar.
"No way!" said Mikey. "They both summoned their best monsters on their first turn!"
"I set a card face-down and end my turn!" Yuri declared. "Your up, kid."
"The names Axton!" said the boy.
"Whatever, Ass-ton," said Patty. "Still think you can take us on?"
"You better believe it, baby! I'm going to take you down and more. I draw."
"Hold it right there!" Patty said, holding up her palm. "Diabolos's effect activates. Before you draw, I can look at the top card of your deck. Then I place it at the bottom of your deck."
"So what?" Axton said. He put the card on the bottom of his deck. "I've got everything I need in my hand. First, I pay 1000 Life Points to activate the equip spell, Snatch Steal!"
"Oh, great!" Patty cried. "Now he can take control of one of our monsters."
"That's right, sweetcakes. And I choose your Diabolos! Come to papa!" Diabolos' eyes flashed red and he stomped to Axton's side of the field. When he stood dominantly above Axton, he laughed. "What do you think? He looks better with me, don't you think? Now I summon Blade Knight." A knight in bright, mirrory armor formed in front of the boy. "I'll attack Patty with Blade Knight!" he said. The knight lunged toward Patty, sword held up high. He slashed her across the waist, dragging her Life Points down to 2600. "Aww, did that hurt? Well, it isn't going to hurt as much as this. Your girlfriend's monster destroying yours, Yuri. Diabolos! Attack Yuri's Black Tyranno!"
Diabolos soared towards Black Tyranno, but he was then ensnared in a golden hexagram, holding him down and preventing him from moving.
"What the hell?"
"I activated Spellbinding Circle!" said Patty. "Now Diabolos can't attack. And if that's all, I'll declare my turn." She drew her card. "I activate Heavy Storm, destroying all our spells and traps!" A powerful holographic gust blew around them and shattered all their face-down cards. Diabolos was freed from both the Spellbinding Circle and the Snatch Steal card, returning him to Patty's control.
"You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you?" Patty said. "Kid, you've got a lot to learn. Diabolos! Attack Blade Knight!" Diabolos slammed his massive fist on the ground, creating a fissure that slithered toward Blade Knight and destroying him.
Axton was brought down to exactly 2600 Life Points. The same as Black Tyranno's attack points. Now there was only one thing left to do.
"Black Tyranno! Finish him now!"
Black Tyranno roared. He sprinted towards Axton and headbutted him, dropping his Life Points to 0.
"Aww, man," he groaned. "Aw, nuts! I thought I had the perfect strategy!"
"Nice try, bud," Patty said. "Hey, Yuri. That was great."
Yuri smiled at her. "Yeah. It kind of was. I forgot how cool it was to hang around you, Pats."
"Pats?" Yuri hadn't called her that since they broke up. It made her warm inside and her eyes began to water. "I...yeah. Thanks, Yuri. It feels good to..."
"THERE THEY ARE!" someone shouted. All of a sudden a whole mob of Duelists started running towards them. From behind another small group of players sprinted towards them. Black Tyranno's roar must have given off their position. Now Patty and Yuri were trapped.
"Aw, damn," Patty said, going back to back with Yuri. "This is really bad."
"Yeah, we can't take them on alone."
"So let's work together."
Yuri nodded. "All right."
BANG! BANG! BANG! Their best monsters pummeled their foes over and over again. They finished off at least ten opponents. But they were not keen on losing. Each time someone lost, they just stood back up and shuffled their decks, waiting for another go at Patty and Yuri.
Two hours had gone by. The bounty hunters were not going to give up. Now that Yuri and Patty were trapped, they weren't going to leave until they lost.
"Yuri, my arm!" Patty groaned. She held her Duel Disk for so long, it was getting sore.
"I know," Yuri said.
"Just admit defeat!" shouted a bounty hunter. "Hand your Black Tyranno over to us and you can go."
Yuri shuffled his deck and activated his Duel Disk once more. The bounty hunters laughed. They circled him, ready to take him on. Just then, the sound of Vanessa Carlton's A Thousand Miles echoed through the alley. A black Chevy convertible drove in, causing many of the bounty hunters to scatter.
"Who's this!" one of them shouted.
"Yuri!" the driver called. "Need some help?"
Yuri fell to the ground, relieved when he saw Ashley, Shayla, Margery, and Layla Lovecraft."
"Holy shit!" said a bounty hunter with a mohawk. "The Sensational Dragon Sisters!"
"Look out!" someone shouted from the rear. Yuri and Patty looked at each other and smiled when they realized it was Ren's McLaren P1. He and Crystal stepped out of it, Duel Disks at the ready.
"So," Crystal said. She had a gorgeous, overconfident smile as she held up her angel wing Duel Disk and powered it on. "You think you're real tough men?"
"Let's see how tough y'all are when the odds are even," said Ashley. "You okay there, guys?"
Yuri held up his thumb. "Thanks for the help! All of you."
"Think nothing of it, Yuri," said Ren. "Leave these punks to us."
Yuri and Patty scampered away and watched as Ren, Crystal, and the Dragon Sisters destroyed the fools, each and every one of them. Crystal's Chaos Emperor Dragon and Layla's Serpent Night Dragon blasted the two last opponents. In the cloud of holographic smoke, someone grabbed Yuri by the wrist. It was Carter. Tyson hurried toward Patty and lifted her over his shoulder.
"Let's go!" he said. He stomped on a bounty hunter's back as Carter led Yuri through the fog. Consuelo was in her minivan waiting for the kids. "Hurry! Hurry!" she yelled, honking her horn. "Those cabrones are coming! More of them!"
Yuri jumped into the van. He saw that Layla and the other Sisters rushed back to their car. Layla floored it, driving them away from the alley as four bounty hunters chased after them, demanding they come back. Consuelo stepped on the gas and drove Yuri and his friends to safety.
Shun
Clubo Cadera
Aquarius, Underground Docks
He sure was glad that he and his associates were given their own place to find new recruits. The underground nightclubs of Aquarius were packed full of people and the music was loud. He could hear the music thumping, even through the thick metallic doors. And every time a freelancer came through the doors, the room was polluted with the music from outside. Shun sat on a couch at the corner of the room with one of the club's pretty dancers sitting on his lap. She was a blonde-haired Latina girl wearing a pink top and pink shorts. She was kissing his neck, hoping to woo him into taking her home to his hotel on the top level of the city. By his side, he had a plate of finger sandwiches and all the soda he could drink, but they remained untouched, on the count of his anxiety from the current situation. He looked at his deck, contained inside the illuminated card chest in the corner of the side table, making everything around it glow fiery red to match the color of his Infernal Flame Emperor.
So strong, so why couldn't you beat Yuri, big guy?
"I can't believe we've been reduced to this," Shun said. "Freelancers? Are you kidding?"
His friend, Nico, didn't answer him. He was behind his desk, registering another young delinquent who wanted a shot at the $40 million bounty on Yuri. Nico flipped his pen around in his fingers and said. "Okay, that takes care of that. You'll get paid when you defeat Yuri. We need his Black Tyranno card as proof of your victory, Brett Martinetti's orders. How you get the card is your business. Understand?"
The freelance Duelist, another Stowaway living in the slums, nodded and walked off. Or tried to. "Hold on," Nico said. The freelancer stopped and turned. "That doesn't mean kill him. If Yuri winds up dead, we'll put a bullet between your eyes and make ourselves look like the heroes, got it?"
The Stowaway waved his hand. "Why so much money and resources to take this kid down?"
"It's Brett Martinetti. The guy's ego is so huge that I don't even bother asking how and why he does things like this. But so long as he's paying us with cards, cash, and girls, I don't give a rat's ass. He has the money to pull off big operations like this and. Next!"
Nico then looked at Shun as he typed on an orange terminal in front of him. He gave a slight wave of his head. "If you'd have done your job and beat Yuri, we wouldn't be sitting here in the asshole of Aquarius looking for freelancers. I thought you said you could get the job done."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't expecting Yuri to have his own unique cards. It brought me to an unfair advantage. I would have taken him on again had it not been for the fact that he's got help now."
"Brett seriously didn't think Yuri wasn't going to get any help, did he? Send in the next one!"
The doors slid open. A kid, probably no more than nineteen, stepped inside the lounge. "Hey, is this where I sign up to take down Yuri Montgomery?"
"This is the place," said Nico. "Standard fee is fifty bucks." The boy slid a crumpled bill on Nico's deck. Nico took the bill and put it in a small box beside his arm. "All right, and you need your own cards and Duel Disk. Looks like you got that covered."
Shun scoffed. He looked at the dancer and shook his head. "Can you believe this punk? He doesn't even look like he can Duel his way out of a paper bag."
"I can handle myself!" said the kid. "Besides, I worked hard for this!" He swung his arm up to show off his new Duel Disk. "I worked two years to get this. Ever since I heard about its announcement, I was saving money. I spent it all on this Duel Disk, and I'm gonna use it."
"Suit yourself," said Shun. "I just hope you know what you're getting yourself into."
The kid wasn't phased. "Yuri Montgomery isn't all that. He thinks he's so cool because he's got that stupid lizard. Well, my Buster Blader's gonna teach him a lesson."
"You're going to need more than that," said Shun. "Yuri's got a whole crew behind him. They're pretty good players themselves. His ex-girlfriend, Patty, has a dark dragon that strikes fear into her foes; just ask Randall Lawson. He's got his other friends alongside him including some stranger who's not from around here. Don't know much about him. He's just a decker."
"I can take them on!" boasted the kid.
"I'm not done," said Shun. "We've learned that the Sensational Dragon Sisters are even fighting for him. Along with Ren Kakihara and Crystal Anderson; both former Duel Monsters champs. So keep that ego of yours in check, buddy."
"You just watch!" the boy bragged again. "So where do I go from here? There's no way RAPTOR security is just going to let me waltz up to the top level."
"Fortunately for you," said Nico, "Aquarius's upper level is built right over what used to be the original city. Well, it was supposed to be. But Jacob Montgomery got a large number of funds from an unknown source and got to work on the metropolis you see today. Underneath the plate are all these old unfinished buildings and even tunnels that were used to move construction materials and other supplies around. Our boys know those tunnels like the back of their hands. They can take you to the top level without RAPTOR even knowing it. When the job is done, meet up with one of our boys by the fountain outside of the Phobos Quad-Towers. They can take you back here where you will personally have a chat with Brett Martinetti. He'll transfer your reward to any account of your choosing and that's that. And no this does not make you a member of the Bounty Hunters Guild. You are nothing more than a freelancer. Any other questions?"
"Yeah, how come the Bounty Hunters Guild is recruiting freelance Duelists. I mean, you guys are supposed to be the best of the best, right?"
"Yuri's gotten a whole lot better at the game. And not a whole lot of us have the funds to operate here in Aquarius. It's an expensive city to be in, kid. So, we're just hiring freelancers to help tire Yuri out and discourage him from entering the Millennium Tournament. That's the sole reason why Brett put that bounty on him."
"He must really be scared of this Yuri kid if he's willing to do all this."
"I think so, too, but don't let any of his boys hear you say that. They'll send you plunging over the wall and into the ocean. If there's nothing else you need, head to the elevator just outside the club. Off you go. Next!"
Shun chuckled as the kid walked off. "What a shit show."