Crystal was sitting next to Brett, both throned in comfortable armchairs with red padding...in the middle of a dark and dreary meatpacking plant that lay abandoned in the lower part of the city. In front of her was a meat grinder that was working overtime, grounding up very light pink meat. Crystal wanted to leave, but she couldn't. Brett had her handcuffed to the chair in case she had any ideas of slipping away. He was casually sitting in his seat sipping on a glass of scotch. Each time she tried to look away from the meat grinder, he squeezed her by the face and forcibly turned her head back towards it.
No, she could take it no more. The smell. It was so putrid. The sound of it. She didn't think that could happen to the human body, but it did. It could get grounded up just like a pig. Bone, organs, cartilage...everything. It could become some gooey, pink, paste in a matter of seconds. Oh, Lance. Why didn't you go? She wondered. Why did you have to be the big hero? Now...now look at you.
When the gruesome task was done, Brett hounded Crystal back to their limo, which took them back to the upper level of the city, then to his penthouse suite where he ordered a steak dinner. How forced Crystal to take a shower and dress into nice clothes before eating. When she was done preparing herself, three of Brett's men came into the dining room with plates of thick, perfectly cooked steaks. To Crystal's shock, Layla and the rest of the Dragon Sisters were sitting at the table, each clad in dinner gowns with sad looks on their faces. Brett, as usual, was sitting at the head of the table already digging into his steak. Crystal stopped. She couldn't believe he was considering eating after watching another human being getting ground up at the meat plant.
Santiago came from behind Crystal and pushed her forward so she could hurry up and sit by the chair closest to Brett. She dare not say a word, she didn't even look at Santiago. She just quickened her pace and sat down, placing a handkerchief over her lap. The sound of Brett's fork and knife scraping across the plate forced her to grind her teeth in agitation. She looked at her friends. Ashley was on the verge of tears, Layla had a bruise on her cheek, meaning Brett's men were rough in getting her here. Shy had a look of horror, her eyebrows were creased in anguish. They all seemed to know what happened to Lance. That wouldn't have surprised Crystal. Brett's men had a nasty habit of bragging about the awful things they did to people.
Brett shoved a piece of steak into his mouth and looked at each of the girls. He went back to cutting more steak. "A little birdie tells me you girls have been busy since I was gone." He swung his steak knife around as he tried to think of what to say. "I try to make things work around here, you know," he said as he chewed, smacking his lips with each word he spoke.
"All I want is Yuri gone from the tournament. Yes, I was willing to spend an ungodly amount of money to do it. Because it means a lot to me. I want to win this tournament and I can't do it with him in the way. You girls know what the prize money is for winning those games? A hundred million dollars. That money is going to change my life! It can finally get me out of the shadow of that wheelchair-bound son of whore, Uncle Lucio. I can start my own empire here in Aquarius. One where we could all be happy. If you all would just let me do that, things would be so much better for us all. And things like what happened to Lance would never have to happen. But no. You girls just had to be good little angels and stand by Yuri, taking down the bounty hunters I called in from the guild — by the way — do you know how many men I had to sacrifice to get that money? What I had to do? What I had to risk to get the funds to get them to come here? It got so bad that they had to pool together their own resources and hire freelancers."
Brett smashed his palm on the table. "Don't you girls get it? Do you understand what the big rule of Aquarius is? The Montgomery family isn't in charge here. We are. We did it! We are the power here! Jacob Montgomery fears us. Yuri fears us." He shoved another steak into his mouth. "I don't see how you cannot grasp the concept of this. Why is it so hard to believe that this city belongs to my family? I don't think you girls get it. We do what we want! When we want to! It's been that way for years. We're the lions of Aquarius! We prey on the weak! I don't know why you girls don't get it? What's wrong with you bitches, I don't understand it?"
Crystal gulped and reached for her fork and knife so she could cut into her steak. Brett put his cutlery down with a bang and pointed at her. "No! No, no, no, no, no! No! Absolutely not! Do I look like I'm done!? Do I look like I'm fucking done!?" He slapped her hard across the shoulder and threw her plate on the floor. "You do NOT eat before I'm done, you got that? Do you all get that!?"
He checked his watch and tapped it. "Damn it! It's almost that time. All of you, go to the next room. Get out of my sight and wait for me. I have to speak to Crystal about something.
Crystal looked up at him and gasped.
Jon
White Harbor
"So, do you enjoy it here in the South?" Yami asked, before biting into a funnel cake he bought from one of the vendors. Jon was gnawing on a turkey drumstick as they walked through town towards the Red Palace.
"I like it," said Jon. "My only problem is that it's too hot."
Yami laughed. "I forgot you Berjas were mountain folk who preferred the cold. How is your wife?"
"She is weak but I think she'll live. The baby seems to be stable, too. Aisha and Maria are looking to her right now. All I can do now is pray."
"She is a strong girl," said Yami. He placed his hand on Jon's shoulder. "I'm sure everything will be fine."
"Master, I can't thank you enough for allowing me to go to the academy. This is a great honor, both for my clan and me."
"No thanks, needed," Yami said, finishing his funnel cake. He crumpled up the napkin, wiped his mouth, and tossed it into a nearby trash bin. "It's just with Prince Daveed coming out of hiding this summer; we need for him to make friends with the sons of Termnnia's leading ruling families. It will also mean a chance to form new alliances and for Daveed to learn of the countries you come from. He's been locked up in the fortress all his life. Walking out into the world for the first time, I'd imagine it will feel like being born again. That's why I need you and the other princes to show him around. Teach him about the land he will soon rule upon graduation from the school."
"It will be an honor to serve the future High King, and aid him as my father did with the noble Antar."
"It does me great pleasure to hear you say that," said Yami. "With the world falling apart, it brings me joy to know the youth of the world are working hand in hand for a better tomorrow."
"Master, will the other princes be as gracious as I with this plan? I'm sure they would rather be back in their homes fighting back the armies of the Fat King. Forrest may have lost in Akuuda but we must be wary."
"Forrest," Yami said, coldly. "Another greedy tyrant who bit off more than he can chew. My congratulations on holding back his forces."
"And what do we do with Hector in the South? The boy who caused those meaningless Gate Wars."
"He is no threat," said Yami. "Just a boy pretending he's a great conqueror."
"He has taken over the port cities of Emboldor within a fortnight," said Jon. "Five Emboldorian Houses and the corsairs of the Luna Islands have pledged allegiance to him. Meaning he has sixty-thousand men at his disposal. And he holds Rose the Princess of Frogs captive. She is a good friend to my sisters."
"An army of small Houses and pirates are no match for Emboldor, and its allies," Yami replied.
"The boy should be punished."
"He has won New Harbor through victory under the Dueling Pact," sighed Yami. "There is nothing we can do. As long as he remains on the coast, he is no threat. His army is not big enough to begin an invasion of Rassay. Larger forces have tried to take the city and failed."
"As you say, master," said Jon.
Yami nodded and led Jon past the black iron gates of the Red Palace, an exquisite abode made of brick perched by the sea. The walls were covered in vines, and there were beautiful fountains in the courtyards and its many gardens. The palace served as the summer home of the High Kings of Termnnia. Now it was currently occupied by Pegasus who was on holiday for the festival.
He was drinking with a few baronetesses. He was dressed in red robes with gold designs. His ornate chain of office hung from the back of his neck down to his chest. He had a cup of wine in hand as he conversed with the women.
"Ah, welcome to the Red Palace," said Pegasus, showing his hospitality to Jon. "Ladies, this is Prince Jon, son of King Audun of Riftgaard."
The baronetesses giggled and blushed in the presence of the prince.
"You must forgive them, son," said Pegasus. "They've never seen a prince before. Is he not what you expected, ladies?"
"He's rather beastly," said one of the women. She was in a green gown. She walked in circles around Jon, inspecting him while swerving her cup back and forth in her palm. Her finger ran circles on his biceps.
"I thought princes had well-kept hair and wore armor adorned with jewels and enameled in gold. Not to say this fine fellow isn't a handsome one."
"Your arms are tattooed in runes," said a baronetess in a red gown. "All the way down to your fingers. Why?"
"They bring good luck to the battlefield," said Jon. "Each rune was a symbol my ancestors used."
"Do they work?" asked the baronetess in green.
"I've fought in many battles, and I stand here," he said raising his arms and slapping them down to his sides. "So, yes, I feel they do."
"I have heard many tales of the Berja," said one in a pink dress trimmed with gold and revealing much of her shoulders and upper chest. "They say your people are so resistant to the cold you fight in battle naked. Is this true?"
"I haven't dared such a feat," said Jon. "Not yet anyway,"
The women giggled madly after he gave them a wink.
"My sisters, on the other hand, were crazy enough to do so," Jon said with a grin. "Battled the forces of the rebellious Jarl AAric in the Dark Winter with nothing on but thongs of gold silk with a large gem to cover their crotches. Hence why my sisters are called The Jewels of Riftgaard."
The women burst out laughing.
"And is it true what they say about your 'swords'?" asked one in a red dress.
"Our swords are made of fine steel from the fires of…"
"No, silly, I don't mean swords to do battle."
"I don't follow," said Jon.
"Oh, I've heard many stories that Berja men wield some as long as daggers when they go to bed."
Jon smiled, finally understanding what the woman was talking about.
"Ladies, I apologize, but Jon and I have some important matters to discuss," said Yami.
The women awed sadly.
"Come, ladies," said Pegasus. "They are serving oysters in the patio below. Yugi-boy, Jon. It has been a pleasure. Enjoy your afternoon."
"So long, my handsome prince," said the baronetess in green. "If you ever go into battle, please let me know. I'd like to see your sword."
Jon bowed gracefully before the women followed Pegasus down to the patio. The baronetess in red blew Jon a kiss before disappearing down the steps.
"Are all you southerners this fruity?" Jon asked after the baronetesses had left. "I've never seen women so crude in conversation before."
"You haven't seen anything yet," said Yami, leading Jon up a flight of stairs to the upper gardens. "There hasn't been a conversation I've been in that doesn't include sex. Some say the heat is what makes the women here so amorous."
"So I see," said Jon. "I think I'm going to like it here."
Yami and Jon made it to the garden where three young men were helping themselves to the buffet table.
"Master Yugi has returned," proclaimed Prince Ven of Atlantea. He was sitting on a couch holding a platter of crab cakes while entertaining five young women and an Elven maiden. They were from the brothel down the street, bought by Pegasus to entertain the princes. They were all around the Redborne, feeling his large muscles and being fed crab cakes by his hand.
"Master Yu-Gi-Oh," said Prince Michael. He stood up from his seat respectfully and bowed in Yami's presence.
"Hello, Michael. Ah, Ven. I believe you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Prince Jon of Riftgaard."
"Jon," said Ven. "Say hello to our new companion girls."
"Greetings, Prince Jon," the women and the Elf swooned.
Yami then introduced Ven to Jaeyoung, who just arrived. "Ven. This is Jaeyoung Shim, son of the Emperor of Uzume, and his lieutenant of the army, Lady Xifeng."
The Lieutenant girl stood just a few inches taller than him. Her jet-black hair flowed down over her shoulders and tied into a fluffy ponytail at the back with a jeweled lotus flower tucked over her ear.
Her eyes were light brown with a scar going down the left eye down to her chin which did nothing to hide her beauty. She wore a black suit with long gloves, black iron arm, and shin guards and she wielded an oriental Dao sheathed over her back.
Her eyes were heavily outlined in black, and she had blush over her cheeks giving her a light pinkish glow in the light of the sun. A Skull-Red Bird hatchling was perched on her shoulder chirping. She had a well-built figure; Jon, observed as he studied the girl.
Jaeyoung and Xifeng bowed and then greeted Ven.
Ven was most pleased to see her. As well as his new companions. "Ladies, I have business to attend to," he said, slapping the elf girl in the buttock. "You'll have to excuse me."
They crooned sadly.
"See you in the main hall tonight," said Ven. "We can continue our...business there."
"Yes, Your Grace," said one of the women. They all scampered away. Their pink silk gowns exposing so much of their bodies they might as well be naked.
"Thank you, Prince Ven," said Yami. It was about time someone got rid of them.
"Their infernal giggling was getting on my nerves," said Jaeyoung.
"Jealous, they'd take a real man over an Uzumenese prince, Little Dragon?" Ven said arrogantly. "Care to join in the fun later, my little flower?" he said to Xifeng.
"Watch it Atlantean," Jaeyoung said, cracking his knuckles, the rings on his fingers glimmering in the sunlight. "Or you will be pleasuring those concubines on a wheelchair."
"Enough!" said Michael. "Lock it down, both of you."
"I was only kidding of course," said Ven, still sporting his arrogant smile. "No hard feelings Shim."
"No hard feelings indeed," Jaeyoung said, folding his arms.
"I hope I didn't hurt your feelings as well with my jesting," Ven said to Xifeng.
She just looked at him.
"Doesn't say much does she?" Marcel asked. He stood where he was as he examined her. "Why is she here?"
"She doesn't speak Common Termnnian," said Jaeyoung, serving himself a glass of wine. "She is a warrior from my father's special security force. He chose her to be my protection as we put the final nail on Forrest's coffin."
"He chose rather well," Marcel said, looking back at Xifeng.
"That he did," said Ven. "Pretty young thing isn't she. I heard Uzumenese girls were gorgeous, but man, nothing like this."
"I wouldn't gawk at her beauty for too long," advised Jaeyoung. "It's her best weapon. Her sword, as well as her looks, have caused the death of many foolish men eager to challenge her. That stare she's giving you. She wants you to make a move. I suggest you stop bothering her, lest we have a dead prince here in the Red Palace."
"Remind me not to invite you to my house," said Jon. "Master. I don't mean to stray away from the matters at hand, but, I thought there'd be more of us."
"Well Prince Daveed is still…secure, in the other world," said Yami. "And Prince Ryon Baelor is still in Katina fighting King Forrest's forces. Stas was supposed to be here, but….Where is the boy?"
"Last I heard he was going to the Vangone Forest," said Marcel.
"To do what?" asked Yami.
"Not sure, but I suggest we all look for him."
"Agreed," said Jaeyoung. "This castle is…boring me."
"Then we shall stretch our legs and search for Stas," said Michael.
"Very well, boys, come along," Yami said, turning around and marching down the stairs.
Yami led the princes out of the city in their search for the missing prince. The forest was full of monsters so the princes armed themselves with their beautiful weapons. They fought through the crowd which was getting bigger by the hour as the carnival was reaching its peak. They finally made it to the gate, cursed at a few priests, and delved into the forest calling out the name of their missing comrade.
"You sure he said he would be here?" Yami asked.
"He said he was going to be at Narfa Pond," said Michael.
"I'll go there with Jon," said Yami. "The rest of you keep looking."
"Master!" they all said before dispersing.
"I was afraid of this," said Yami, leading Jon deeper into the forest. "Anastasio is a very troublesome lad."
"You still have high hopes for him if he's still here," said Jon.
"I admire him," said Yami. "Despite what happened in his country, he is still resilient and high of spirit." He coughed. "Maybe a little too high."
"Master, hold!" said Jon. "I hear something."
"You're right. There's a splashing coming from the pond," said Yami.
"You don't think he's drowning?"
"For his sake he better be," said Yami.
"I'll go first," Jon said, running past Yami. He heard the splashing getting louder as he got closer to the pond. He could also make out the sound of a small waterfall.
And then laughing. He heard laughing coming from the pond.
"What is that?" asked Yami.
Jon peered through some bushes. What he saw took his breath away.
"Oh my," said Yami, when he saw what Jon discovered.
There were women in the pond. Naked. They were playing in the water, splashing one another with their infernal giggling. Jon saw their pointed ears and their angelic faces and realized what they were.
"They're Nymphs," he whispered.
Five were in the water bathing under the waterfall while six more were wrestling one another in the water. Two were kissing each other by the edge of the pond, fondling one another's bodies as their lips were stuck together in a passionate embrace. One was sitting by the water as her companion braided her hair and speckled it with honeysuckles. There was a younger one on a swing made of vines. Four more were dancing around a peach tree. The last one was on a rock in the middle of the pond, warming herself in the rays of the sun after her swim.
"Stay away from those," said Yami. "They're nothing but trouble,"
"Wait," said Jon.
"Your Grace we must go," said Yami.
"Wait, Master," Jon said full of curiosity. "I've never seen one before, let alone a whole group of them. I thought the Nymphs were a myth."
"Well now you know they're real," said Yami. "Come, let us go,"
"But Master..."
"Do you know what title they hold?" asked Yami. "Dragon Maidens. They serve the dragons of Termnnia. If there are these many Nymphs in one location that must mean there's one nearby, now let's go."
"This is Narfa Pond is it not?" said Jon.
"It is, but…."
"Anastasio said he'd be here. We should wait."
"He's probably long gone by now."
There was a snap in the trees. The Nymphs gasped and looked around cautiously.
"YAA!" a figure shouted, jumping down from the trees.
The Nymphs screamed and dashed out of the pond running for the forest in all directions.
"Wait!" called the figure, a handsome young lad with slicked black hair and long bangs over his eyes. "Come back!" he called out, chasing a Nymph around in circles. She whimpered in fear before diving into the river.
"Curses!" the man said, before chasing after another Nymph. She screamed as the man chased after her. She then dove under the pond. "Damn it!" he cursed again before going after another. She escaped his clutches too.
"Drat," he laughed, snapping his fingers. "Nymphs. Probably the only creatures in this world I haven't romped with."
"You might as well take out your cock and thrust the air," Jon said coming out of the bushes. "They're that fast."
"And to think some people out there hunt them for sport," Stas said, picking up his feathered cap. "How do they do it? These creatures run like the wind. Bah, I don't want to know. It is a practice I hope our dear Daveed outlaws pretty soon."
"Why hunt them?" said Jon. "They're so human."
"Ah," said Stas, "but they're not. They're their own little species who, like all, should be respected. Of course, there are bastards out there who call them lesser beings. When the Elves first came her from Auriel, they discovered our licentious little friends and called them the Nein Anthenu or Lesser Ones. They thought the Nymphs were pestersome beasts and then hunted them for sport. But, being the wise ones that they are, they saw the error of their ways and took pity upon the Nymphs, and ceased killing them. Man, however, is a horny bastard and took over this sick practice because they find it fun. Every beast has their fetish after all."
"Well that's repugnant," said Jon.
"Alas, such is the sad nature of Man," said Stas.
"You held up our meeting just to romp with some Nymphs?!" Yami asked, sternly.
"Why not?" the Mondovi prince chuckled. "They're going extinct. Some have even gone into hiding deep within the mountains under the guard of the dragons who live up there. I hoped to find a few before they're lost to history. Only a lucky few were able to have the luxury of bedding a Nymph. My father was one of them. I guess that explains my dashing good looks."
"Come on," said Yami. "We have much to discuss."
"So be it," said Stas. "It is the Festival of the First High King. There's bound to be some women to make for some pleasurable company. And we'd best make haste. These Nymphs tend to a Hyozanryu, the diamond dragon."
"All the more reason for us to go," said Yami.
He led them back to the city and into the Red Palace. He, at last, gathered the princes in the upper gardens to have their council.
"I'd like to thank you all for coming today," said Yami. "I'm sure you are excited to attend the academy next fall."
"When do we get to duel?" asked Marcel, sharpening his sword.
"Soon," said Yami. "As most of you know, Prince Daveed is returning and..."
"Well, I'll be," Stassaid with a grin. "My liege will leave the confines of Pegasus's fort at last and join us at the academy, then?"
"He shall," said Yami. "And I want each of you to make him feel welcome. He is going to be new to this world, as he hasn't seen any place but the fort all his life. So do your best to educate him on the world around him."
"Have no fear, Master," Jaeyoung said, with a grin. "Prince Daveed will be in good hands when he's with us."
"I know you will, boys. Now let us discuss what will be expected of you in the Legion this summer."
Alexandra
Alexandra lay on her belly a fluffy white rug in front of the fireplace, helping herself to a bowl of strawberries and ice-cold cream. She was naked and damp from her hot bath with Antilles earlier that evening. The king was on a couch reading a novel with a goblet of wine by his side and grapes in a silver bowl. Alexandra's phone lay by hers playing a sweet melody from Earth called Canon in D. She appeared to be more of a pet as she lay on the couch snacking on fruits by the fire.
Antilles made the most of this. As he would get up to get a new book to read or answer the door, he pet Alexandra's hair and she cooed, licking his hands, kissing his ring-covered fingers, and batting her long eyelashes.
Objectified. Most women would be offended — even repulsed — by such a spectacle. Not Alexandra. It's exactly what she wanted. One would think she adored things like being subjected to such things; letting someone rule over her by treating her as a mere object of sexual desire. But in reality, she was the one in power. She wielded beauty that made even the most powerful of lords fall to their knees and beg for her. Sometimes, it would lead them to their doom, hence her name, The Slayer of Lords and Princes.
Her beauty and charisma were the deadly weapons she used to end their miserable lives. Her curves were as sharp as a dagger, her lips were an arrow that struck the heart, and her warmth burned like dragon fire. Every word that dripped from her mouth was poison. So many had died seeking her hand in marriage. And time and time again, she got away with their deaths. Yes, Alexandra was not only an artist when it came to seduction, but she was a master of murder, conspiracy, and deception.
Falling in love with her was a fatal mistake for many.
The King of Dragonrock was no exception in her eyes. The few who knew of their incestuous relationship figured it was Antilles that was the dominant one. And that's just the way Alexandra wanted them to think. As powerful as Antilles was, Alexandra knew she had the fool wrapped around her finger. With a mere shake of her hips and a kiss from her sweet, venomous lips, Alexandra could get whatever she wanted from her uncle. Money, princes to toy with, people to torment, materialistic goods, even her own castle in the mountains. Now it seemed he was going to gift her with a High King and even...God Cards.
Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra in my hands. Mmmm. My uncle always knows what to do to make me happy...
With just her looks, she once coaxed her uncle and the senator of Serania to pass a law in congress that would lower taxes on clothes and jewelry to make her shopping sprees in the capital all the more rewarding. There was clearly no creature in this world like Alexandra von Klaus. Or, as she preferred, Alexandra Dragonheart. She felt that was her true surname. The True Dragon sleeping outside by the lake was proof of that.
Des Volstgalph dragons didn't obey just anyone. The fact the beast listened to her commands was a testament to the royal and ancient blood flowing through her veins. Having Bruton, a True Dragon, by her side was an added bonus. Truly, Alexandra felt more powerful than even a Goddess. Antilles's phone suddenly buzzed on his desk. Even he had one of those communication devices from Eredas. Antilles grumbled and set his book down. He got up, pet Alexandra again, and answered.
"Hello?" he said. He paced around for a moment. "What news of the machines?" he asked. His face was getting redder and redder.
"You're hiding something from me...No, don't spoon feed me lies, boy. I heard the news earlier today. Avi and her companions travel farther west to Gardenerealm and the Naralians are fleeing from Akuuda! Now, either you tell me the truth now or I swear by my family's banner that I will have you flayed."
He stopped as the speaker began to tell him what had happened. "Enough! We paid your corporation a lot of gold for those machines! You assured me that those CUIRASSES would stop Lady Avi and defeat the Princes. Instead, they've all been destroyed! And six Holy Knights are dead! Do you have any idea how much coin I took from my pocket to fund the program needed to train them!? Either you modify those machines to be more potent or I will take my business elsewhere!" He hung up and stuffed his phone into his pocket.
He picked up a throwing knife from the table and tossed it at a portrait of Yami Yugi holding the Duel Monsters Championship Belt over his shoulder. "I hate you..." he hissed through his teeth.
"Bad day?" Alexandra asked.
"Nothing you should concern yourself with, my dear." He ran his fingers through her hair to make her purr before he sat down beside her. He took a bottle of strawberry-scented oil from the stool next to him, poured it on his hands, then rubbed it on Alexandra's back and buttocks.
"Finally!" she said. She shivered, bit her lip, and giggled. "Oooooh!"
"Such a good girl," Antilles said. "I'd have our dynasty already up and running if it weren't for these incompetent fools ruining everything."
"It's like babysitting children, I tell you."
"Alexandra, my sweet. We live in a world where a damn card game governs how we live. I can't help but wonder if everyone here is a damned child."
"Oh, speaking of cards, have mine arrived yet."
"Yes, they have, but you were just so damned perfect tonight that I plum forgot."
Alexandra giggled, allowing her uncle to stroke his fingers through her hair again. "I have a knack for making people do that."
Antilles smacked her bottom playfully and stood up. "That's nothing to be proud of, my dear. One day you might make me forget to sign an important law. And then the whole world would crumble. Can't have that happening, can we?" He went to his desk. He searched his drawers for the cards. "Ah, here they are."
He took out a black and gold deck case encrusted with multi-colored gems. Alexandra peered over her shoulder to get a good look at it, her mouth went wide open with excitement.
"As you requested," Antilles said, holding the box in his hands. "They've been crafted by the best card makers in Termnnia. I spared no expense for them to print the cards in platinum rare. And the best monsters were printed with a brand new rarity made just for you. The artwork on the cards was painted by the best independent designers I could find. Your new beasts will stand out against those poorly made toy monsters everyone seems to play with."
He walked to the spot where Alexandra lay and sat down, crossing his legs. He handed her the box and she took it eagerly. Antilles then dug into his pocket and took out a small key attached to a chain of diamond and gold. He placed it around her neck and kissed her. When Alexandra freed her lips from his, she opened the deck box with the key Antilles gave her. It unlocked with a satisfying click. When she opened it, a music box at the bottom of the deck box started to play the Dragonheart's family anthem. She looked at her uncle, twittered once more, and took the cards out. They all shimmered and gleamed beautifully and were protected by clear border sleeves with gold, blue and pink column designs.
"Uncle they're beautiful! I have to try them out now!"
"Now?"
"Oh, can I?"
"If that is what you wish."
"Perfect!" Alexandra stood up and went to her closet to get a robe to put on.
"But, my dear, it is late. We won't be able to find you an opponent until..."
"Then find me one from the dungeons."
Antilles ordered that a prisoner be brought up from below, just as Alexandra requested. He was promised freedom if he beat her. Without warning, they slapped a Duel Disk on him, gave him a random deck and started the match.
"Ladies first!" Alexandra declared. She looked up at the balcony above the courtyard. Her uncle and Prince Darien were watching her. She blew them all kisses.
"Thank you. I summon, Infernal Dragon Priestess - Angelstein! " Alexandra placed her card on the Duel Disk. A flaming flower bloomed beside her making way for a Dark Elf priestess in revealing robes. She slid her hands down her thighs and made an eerie laugh, blowing a kiss to the prisoner. [ATK/1500 DEF/800 LV 4]
The boy went red at the sight of her. Alexandra took notice of that and made fun of him. "What's the matter? She likes you. Sadly, I think her effect will break your heart. Using Angelstein's ability, I'm allowed to summon an Infernal Dragon Priestess from my deck. I call upon, Infernal Dragon Priestess - Rose the Red Witch !"
Another flaming flower bloomed beside Alexandra. The red witch jumped out, laughing maniacally. She wore a wine-red sorceress's gown that revealed a lot of her flesh. She had a high collar edged with black feathers and flashed with gold leafy ornamentation. Her gilded hair waved in the wind. She held out her arms and her attack points displayed beside her. [ATK/1600 DEF/800 LV 4]
"I love these cards!" Alexandra jeered. The half-naked priestess slowly glided down to her side. The tips of her long, armored, black boots tapped the surface loudly. "When Rose is special summon via an Infernal Dragon effect, I'm allowed to place two Maiden tokens to the field times the number of Infernal Dragon Priestesses I have on the field."
Rose laughed and twirled her staff around before slamming it on the water. An alter rose out from the surface, lifting Alexandra higher until she stood seven feet above the ground. Then, two beautiful young women in white linen dresses appeared at her feet. They were bound in chains and had tears coming from their eyes. [ATK/0 DEF/0 LV 1] "I'll now activate the spell card, Gift of the Infernal Dragons. I discard an Infernal Dragon Priestess and then I get to draw two cards. Now, I activate the equip-spell card, Scepter of the Infernal Dragons. And I'll give it to Angelstein. Watch as she transforms into Angellica - High Priestess of the Infernal Dragons!"
Angelstien took the scepter and her robes formed into armor with glowing red accents, still showing off much of her flesh. A hood edged with metal formed over her head and a mask materialized over her eyes.
ATK/2500 DEF/2400 LV 7
"She turned the card over," Darien gasped.
"She did indeed," said Antilles.
Alexandra looked up at her cousin, grinning that terrible grin of hers. "It's called a Flip Card , my beloved cousin. They're two cards in one."
She held up her card. There was artwork for Angelstein on the top and on the bottom was her evolved form, the High Priestess, Angellica. Their artwork was separated by a thick, golden frame.
"Flip Cards can switch to the other monster when a certain trigger is activated. In this case, I gave Angelstein an Infernal Dragon equip-spell card, turning her over to become the higher-ranked High Priestess of the Infernal Dragons, Angellica . Now that I have a High Priestess on the field, I can invoke her powers to conjure the great dragons of the Infernal Realm. At the cost of two cards from the top of my deck, Angellica can raise the level of two monsters on the field to Level 8. And I choose to increase the level of my two Maiden Tokens."
Angellica cackled, spinning her staff around to create a rain of glitter that showered the two maidens, both their heads hung with fear and sorrow. "Now the conditions are right for an Xyz Summon." Alexandra held out her arms and looked to a fiery gate that opened in the sky. " O' Kings of the Infernal Realm! Hear my call! I need thy power in this battle. Accept these two virgins as sacrifices and lend me your strength! "
A ring of fire formed around the two maidens. They hugged each other and sobbed. The ring of fire engulfed them both. Their essence was contained into two orbs which spiraled up to the flaming gate. A roar boomed through the gate.
"The offering has been accepted!" Alexandra said with a leer. "Xyz Summon! Rank 8! Infernal Dragon - Rhamphornus !"
All was silent, then BANG! A dark, gray, dragon with a jet-black underbelly flew out of the gate. It had fin-like wings that ran the length of its body glowing magma red. A crown of thirteen spikes formed around a red gem embedded on the top of its skull. Its eyes were like rubies shining next to a fire, its teeth were dripping with steaming hot saliva.
ATK/2900 DEF/2700
Rank 8
The prisoner stepped back in fright. "I've never seen a card like that before. What is this? Is this your doing!"
"Yes. And he's not the last dragon you'll see this Duel. When Rhamphornus is summoned, I can add a card to my hand that lists Infernal Dragon in its text." Alexandra searched her deck. "Ah, and I know just the one. Behold, the spell card, City of the Lambs! At the cost of 500 of my Life Points, I'm allowed to summon a Maiden Token to my field! I'll pay one thousand and summon two Maiden Tokens!"
Two young women, both blonde appeared on the field, sobbing and praying for mercy.
"Now I activate the effect of my Infernal Dragon Priestess - Rose the Red Witch . When an Infernal Dragon is summoned, she is flipped over. Now she becomes Rose the Blood Rose Witch - High Priestess of the Infernal Dragons!"
Rose's robes grew longer and developed armor over the shoulders and sleeves to make pauldrons and gauntlets. Her hair became longer and glowed until it looked like fire and her body became more and more voluptuous. Her staff then took the form of a black battle-axe with a glowing red gem in the center.
ATK/2450 DEF/3000
LV 8
"And so the conditions are set once again!" Alexandra called. "I send three cards from the top of my deck to the Graveyard and use High Priestess Angellica's special ability to increase the level of my Maiden Tokens to 8."
Angellica spun her staff around to shower the priestesses with light. Then, red-hot chains shackles formed over their necks leading toward Rose's, snaring her as well for the sacrifice, to which she was giving herself willingly.
"Here comes another one!" laughed Alexandra. "I Overlay my two Maiden Tokens and my High Priestess. Xyz Summon! Rank 8! Infernal Dragon - Pathaargonax !"
A colossal dragon flew out of the gate. In the light of the three moons, Antiles and Drien could see that it was colored grayish-green fading into scarlet on the tail. The horns and wings. And the spikes lining its belly were colored scarlet and the wings were crimson in color and bladed with scythe-like appendages. Its claws were as tall as a man and the tail was weaponized with a two-bladed battle-axe colored scarlet as well.
[Legend of the Cryptids]
He landed on the ground, his wings folded. The beast snarled as it got closer and closer towards Alexandra's side.
ATK/3200 DEF/3000
Rank 8
"And the conditions are ripe for an Xyz Summoning !" Alexandra called. Her two dragons reared up their heads and roared into the sky, making the gate's flames turn whitish-gold.
Alexandra performed one more combo and called upon her favorite Infernal Dragon.
"Infernal Dragon - Goldun !"
ATK/5000
The prisoner held up his arms and screamed: "Mercy! Mercy!"
Neither Alexandra nor her new dragon heard his pleas. The dragon raised its wings and unleashed a tornado of flames that enveloped the opponent.
"No! No! Noooooooo!"
Brett
SLAP went the sound of Brett's hand on her flesh. Crystal whimpered from the sting of the impact as she lay over his lap in her bedroom.
"Who did you lose to?" he asked.
"No one!" Crystal cried out.
He struck her again.
"Don't lie to me," said Brett. "Who did you lose to?"
"Who told you that I lost?"
"Do you play me for some kind of idiot, Crystal?" Brett asked, striking her again. "You're using a Phobos Corp Duel Disk. It tracks your every move with a global positioning satellite and gets a good glimpse of your cards so as to detect cheaters. Leon made it himself."
"That gives Leon an unfair advantage, don't you think?" Crystal asked, looking back at Brett.
"Perhaps, but he is the King of Duel Monsters and the creator of all the tech that made this possible so he can do whatever he wants."
He smacked her rump again.
"Now, earlier today, I learned you were in a match against someone. You lost. Crystal, that's unacceptable. Not after all the money I poured into making you the Queen of Dragons."
Another smack. Then another. And another. And another. They started coming in rapidly and harder. "Now, who was it?"
"It wasn't even an official duel!" Crystal cried out.
"So, you admit to losing?"
Crystal grunted after she felt herself getting spanked again.
"Who did you lose to? I'm not going to ask again, Crystal. If I do, your dragons are going to someone else."
Crystal gasped, looking over her shoulder at Brett. "No, you can't!"
"I can. And I will. Who did you lose to?"
He started undoing his belt, forcing Crystal to speak.
Two Days Ago...
Crystal walked alone down the central park of the main island. It was raining terribly, but she was so troubled and lost in thought that she paid no mind to it. She dressed in a short black trench coat and thigh-high boots. And she carried an umbrella to shield her from the tropical downpour. The heels of her boots clopping in the puddles and wet pavement were eerily relaxing to her. She had her Duel Disk equipped, but this one was a new model that was sleeker and lighter to carry. She almost didn't notice it. Why she needed it? Well, she was planning on paying Yuri a visit, now that it was safe to do so with Brett gone. Still, she kept an eye out for his henchmen or perhaps those Rare Hunters.
She found herself encountering none of those tonight. Instead, she came across a rather friendly face. Patty. Yes, it was Patty. She was clad in her school uniform, now a crumpled and wet mess, barely hanging on to her body. The jacket was drooping past her shoulders, hanging like a lifeless corpse from her back and forearms, revealing the white blouse now translucent from being wet from the rain, revealing her skin and purple bra. Her tie was barely hanging from her neck.
Patty was leaning a lamppost, staring up at the rain in total misery. Her hair curtained her face, creased with anguish. She had her Duel Disk equipped as well and on her right hand, she carried a bottle of beer, which she raised to her lips and emptied the last of it in a breath. She set the bottle down and started to sob.
"Pamela!" Crystal cried out over the rain. She hurried toward her. "What...what happened? Look at you! Come on, let's get you home."
"I don't wanna..." Patty sobbed. She dropped the bottle and slid down the post until she sat on the wet ground. "Leave me alone. I can't go on anymore."
"What do you mean? Please get up. What's with the Duel Disk? Have you been Dueling?"
"All day...hic...all fucking day. Now...hic...now no one is around to play."
"It's three in the morning, sweetie. Everyone's asleep."
Patty leaned her head back and conked the back of her head on the lamppost. "Oh...hic...I thought this place was dark."
"You're drunk! Patty, what has gotten into you? If Yuri sees you like..."
Patty raised her finger at Crystal. "Don't you...ever...EVER...mention his name to me for the rest of the night! Don't!"
"Patty...what...what are you talking about."
"I miss him, Crystal. I miss what we had."
"You're still in love with Yuri?"
"And I always will be. I can't...I can't fucking let go." She squeezed her eyes shut and sobbed in her throat, teeth bared to keep herself from wailing. "I want him back. I want to hug him again. I want him to spoil me again. I want him to kiss me again. Oh, Crystal. No one ever kissed me like Yuri Montgomery." She slammed her fist into a puddle. "He thinks he's so fucking perfect! He thinks he can never ever make a mistake. He had no reason to dump me!"
"You have no one but yourself to blame for what happened, Patty. You did drugs and hung out with terrible people. After Yuri specifically warned you not to. And your pictures. You're a sexy girl, Patty, but you were really starting to push it too far. Onlyfans? Really? The material you had there was borderline pornographic. Yuri also told me he left you because you shared a video of yourself giving him oral sex."
Patty looked up at the rain, her chuckles mixing with her sobs. "Aw, man...I miss his cock so much." She licked her lips.
"Get a grip on yourself! He cannot do those things! He has a reputation to keep. He has a very loving and very proud family. For God's sake, they paid to build this city! Yuri's the heir to a trillion-dollar corporation! The press is all over him, watching every move he makes. They're going to want something juicy to make a profit off of. Even if it means killing his image. But you don't care. All you wanted to do was waste his money so you could do drugs, drink excessively, and find ways to belittle yourself for Likes on social media. I'm sorry, Patty, but you are not worthy of Yuri Montgomery."
Patty slowly turned her head, giving her the evil eye. "And I suppose you are, bitch! Yeah, I just knew he still had the hots for you. The only thing getting him from coming to you was Brett. But now that he's bigger than Brett, he has his eyes set on you."
Crystal shook her head. "Patty. Yuri and I are like brother and sister. That's where it ends. That's where it stays."
"Brother and sister? Yeah, right. I saw the way you snuck kisses on him. I know how close you two really are." She stood up. "Why don't we see who truly is worthy to have Yuri? You and me right now, Crystal!"
"I don't want to Duel you, Pamela."
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to Duel me either. Come on! Winner gets to have Yuri."
"I don't want Yuri!"
"You and I both know that's not true. Now, shut up and Duel!"
Crystal closed her umbrella and raised her hood over her head. "Fine. But we're going to get you some serious help after this. I don't have a lot of time, so let's play with traditional rules. None of this sacrificing monsters crap. Let's hit each other with everything we've got!"
"Sounds good to me! I'm in a rush to win my lover back!"
Both girls activated their Duel Disks. "DUEL!" they shouted.
Patty-4000 LP
Crystal-4000 LP
"I'll go first," said Patty. "I set a card face down and summon this monster face-down in defense mode!"
"Really?" said Crystal. "Come on, don't hold out on me."
Patty gave Crystal a maniacal sneer. "I'm not, and to prove I'm being serious, let's make things interesting with direct attacks."
"You're just making this too easy for me."
"Whatever you say, girlfriend," said Crystal. "That'll mean this will be a quick match for me. Remember, I have almost all of the strongest dragons in the game. Two direct attacks and you're finished."
"Oh, you'll be sorry," said Patty.
"Oh, am I?" Crystal sneered, drawing her card. "Let's see what we've got here. Oh! Here we go. Let's start this party with this cutie. Grant me victory, baby." She kissed her card. "Serpent Night Dragon in attack mode!"
A portal of darkness opened above Crystal and out flew her slithery serpent of a dragon. It screeched like a falcon and slithered through the air in circles before coming to a stop behind Crystal.
Serpent Night Dragon
ATK/2350 DEF/2450
"You must really love your dragons," said Patty.
"They're my greatest treasure," said Crystal. "I'm embarrassed to say it, and, I know this sounds stupid, but, I do love them. My dragons are my family, my only family. They put bread on my table. A roof over my head. Blessed me with so many friends. I can always count on them."
"And you can count on us, too!" Ren said, walking out of the darkness. "There you are, Patty. You're a tough girl to find."
Crystal placed her hands on her hips. "You have a knack of disappearing and reappearing, Ren. Don't you ever answer your fucking phone?"
"I had some business out of town. Sorry about that. Hey, Patty."
"Ren! I suppose you're here to lecture me on being a good girl, eh?"
"Whatever good that will do," Ren said. He held up his umbrella because the edge was blocking his view. "I warned you time and time again to change your life. To change your habits. But no. You just kept getting worse and worse. You were embarrassing the Montgomerys, Patty. I told Yuri that dating you was going to be a bad idea."
"You did?"
"Yeah, I did. If you can't even respect yourself, what makes you think you can respect a man like Yuri? You didn't. You used his money and his fame to make your addictions worse. How many times do you have to get raped before you realize you have a problem, Pamela?"
"I...I was just having fun."
"You call disrespecting yourself fun?" shouted Crystal. "No! There was nothing fun about what you did. To yourself and to Yuri! And you have the gall to blame him for leaving you. Enough talk! Serpent Night Dragon! Attack!"
Serpent Night Dragon hissed. It flapped its wings then soared toward Patty.
"And you fell for my trap!" said Patty. "The monster you attacked was my Kisetai leech monster."
"Ewww!" Crystal screeched when she saw the one-eyed pink leech with red bat-like wings on its head and a hand-like appendage on the end of its tail which wagged its finger.
"Ah, ah, ah!" said Patty. "Now, that your Serpent Night Dragon has attacked my leech, it attaches itself to your dragon!"
The Kisetai monster coiled around Serpent Night Dragon's head and stuck its finger into its head.
"And now, during each of your standby phases, my Life Points will increase by half your Serpent Night Dragon's attack."
"Oh, perfect," said Crystal. "Now that icky leech is attached to my beautiful dragon and Patty gains Life Points each turn. I end my turn, Patty. Your go."
"Sweet," Patty said, drawing her card. "Oh, nice. I lay another card face down and summon another little surprise for you, Crystal, in defense mode. Think you can handle it?"
"Oh can handle it and more, baby," said Crystal. "Draw."
"And you know what that means," Patty teased. "My Life Points increase thanks to my leech."
Patty-5175 LP
Crystal-4000 LP
"I know," said Crystal. "It hasn't even been my first turn with that thing and it's already starting to bug me. If there's one thing you should know, Patty, it's not to piss off the Queen of Dragons. Now I summon, Mikazukinoyaiba!"
Mikazukinoyaiba leaped out of his card and onto the field. He was a bipedal dragon warrior with brilliant green scales wearing black armor trimmed with red and wielded a crescent-shaped sword, which he could throw like a boomerang.
Mikazukinoyaiba
ATK/2200 DEF/2350
"And even though your gross leech is still attached to my dragon, I can still attack you, Patty."
"You sure you want to do that?" Patty asked.
"The more you stand there, the more Life Points you will gain. I cannot let you do that."
"Okay," Patty scoffed with a shrug.
"Serpent Night Dragon, attack her face-down monster!"
Serpent Night Dragon raised its wings and fired its shadowy sonic attack. The creature he destroyed was a brown little rodent."
"Aww," crooned Crystal. "What was that? It was so cute. Oh well, no matter. It's gone and you're wide open for an attack. Mikazukinoyaiba, get ready for an attack."
"You serious man? You want some of this?" Patty teased the monster. Mikazukinoyaiba snarled at her. "Don't like that do ya, tough guy?" Patty turned, bent over, and slapped herself in the rear. "Come on lizard breath! Take a bite outta this! My ass!"
Mikazukinoyaiba dashed for her. Suddenly the brown rodent was back.
"What the?" said Ren.
The little creature intercepted Crystal's monster's attack.
"Hey, how did you do that?" said Crystal. "How did you summon a monster during my turn?"
"You attacked the Bubonic Vermin," said Patty, holding up the card. "Like rats in the plague, they just keep coming back after you attack them. And, since you just summoned another one of them, I get to summon one more to take its place. In facedown defense mode."
"I end my turn," said Crystal.
"Now it's my turn," said Patty. "I summon another monster in defense mode and end my turn."
Another monster appeared face-down on Patty's field. "She's gone defensive again," thought Ren. "Probably has more surprises for Crystal."
"My turn," said Crystal.
"More Life Points, please," said Patty.
Patty-6350 LP
Crystal-4000 LP
"Check out that score," Ren muttered to himself.
Patty's in the lead over the Queen of Dragons and none of them have taken a hit. That girl's better than I thought if she can hold out this long with no damage against Crystal. Attacking Crystal would be the easy thing to do. But I don't think that's what Patty intends to do. Patty knows that even her Zera the Mant, her best monster, has no chance against half the dragons in Crystal's deck. So there would be no point in taking Crystal in a head-on attack. I think I have yet to see the extent of Patty's strategy, but if it pays off, she could pull an upset victory of Crystal today.
When he finally came out of his thoughts, he saw Crystal slapping down a card on her Duel Disk. "For my next move, I summon Krystal Dragon!"
A column of crystals sprouted from the ground. They shattered and revealed a dragon made of blue crystals.
Krystal Dragon
ATK/2500 DEF/1000
"That's it," said Patty. "Just as I hoped you would."
"Patty, you HOPED Crystal would summon that thing?" Ren asked.
Patty giggled in excitement. It was just too perfect. "Your dragons are in place, and now I activate the trap card, Dragon Capture Jar."
"Oh no!"
"I thought so," said Ren.
A pot made of gold with the face of a dragon on the front rose out from behind Patty. It let out a purple mist that caused all three of Patty's dragons to bow down in defense mode.
"My dragons!" cried Patty. "Fight it!"
"They can't," said Patty. "Now you're dragons on the field will remain in defense mode. The same fate will befall any more dragons that you summon."
"Shit!" said Crystal. "With no way of attacking, I gotta skip my turn."
"Such a shame, huh?" said Patty, drawing. "Things were really turning around for you. But, now, it's time to proceed with your lockdown. I use the spell card Ground Collapse. With this spell card on the field, two of your monster card zones will become unusable. And you've used up three of the five zones, so that means you can't summon any more dragons until the three you have out on the field will be gone. And let's not forget I have my leech on your Serpent Night Dragon meaning for every turn you go without damaging me, my Life Points will increase by 1175."
"Oh crap!" cried Crystal. "This...this can't be happening!"
"Damn, Patty," said Ren. "That's brutal. You Duel really well even when you're drunk."
"Ren, you haven't seen anything yet. Now, I play the spell card, Prohibition!"
A black plaque rose out of the ground. The slab was blank.
"What does that do, Patty?" Crystal asked.
"Simple. I announce the name of one card and that card cannot be played so long as this card remains on the field. And I choose, your Chaos Emperor Dragon-Envoy of the End."
"No!" Crystal shouted. She had the monster in her hand.
"Damn, now Patty's prevented Crystal from summoning her ace monster," Ren said in disbelief.
Patty continued. "For my next move, I activate the spell card, Card of Sanctity. Now we draw until we have six cards in our hands. New hand, new game, eh Crystal."
"Sure, whatever," Crystal said, drawing her cards, obviously frustrated with the current situation.
"Oh, I am so going to get you now, Crystal," Patty said examining her new hand. "With this strategy in place, I'm one step close to winning Yuri's heart back. He's mine, you understand!? I don't care how close you two were, Yuri and I were meant to be! Watch out, Crystal! I use the spell card, Monster Recovery. Now, I get to return one of my face-down monsters to my deck. Then combine my hand with my deck. Shuffle. And draw the same amount of cards I had before. And if these next cards are what I think they are, it's going to be game over for you Queen of Dragons."
"Bring it on, Patty!"
"You want it? You got it, babe. I summon one of my newest monsters. Go, Beast of Talwar!"
Crystal and Ren watched in awe as Patty's new fiend monster appeared on the field. He stood twelve feet tall, had a shadowy bronze body, and wielded two crescent-shaped blades.
Beast of Talwar
ATK/2400 DEF/2150
"Now, to flip up my face-down monster. Bite Shoes."
Patty revealed a monster in the shape of a shoe. It had one eye and its mouth was the hole where the wearer would put in their feet. But one would have to be a fool to wear this monster, for the hole was lined with razor-sharp teeth.
"Ugh," Crystal cringed. "I would not want to wear those."
"Yeah, think he's nasty now, just wait till you see what he can do. I choose one of your monsters and change its position. But, seeing as how my Dragon Capture Jar is out on the field, that would make him totally useless wouldn't you agree? So I'll use him for the ritual."
"You don't mean!"
"Oh yeah. I tribute my Fiend Megacyber from my hand and my Bite Shoes to bring out Zera the Mant! Come on out baby!"
The ritual was completed in a short amount of time. Then Zera the Mant rose out of a cloud of purple mist, roaring into the night.
"That's an impressive lineup of monsters, Patty," said Crystal. "But there is one flaw in your strategy. My monsters are forced into defense mode. Now, I won't lose Life Points if you attack."
"Oh no?" Patty grinned, tauntingly holding up a spell card.
"What's that?" Crystal asked.
"It's a little doodad called Continuous Destruction Punch. With this card, damage will be applied normally even if your monsters are in defense."
"NO!" cried Crystal.
"Oh yeah, as my favorite fighter, Brock Lesnar, would say: Here Comes the Pain! Now, how to proceed with my battle phase? I would attack your Serpent Night Dragon, Crystal, but seeing as how my leech sucks half his attack points and adds them to my Life Points, that would be a mistake. Then there are your other two monsters. Mikazukinoyaiba and Krystal Dragon. They shouldn't be too hard to defeat. Zera the Mant, attack Mikazukinoyaiba! Shadow Slash!"
Zera the Mant raised his claws and slashed both Mikazukinoyaiba's arms off and dealing 450 damage to Crystal's Life Points.
"Now, Beast of Talwar, slay her Krystal Dragon!"
Beast of Talwar raised his curved blades then charged and performed a cross-slash attack that destroyed Krystal Dragon. Krystal Dragon roared and exploded. The blast dealing 1400 damage to Crystal.
Her Life Points dropped to 2150.
"You're incredible," said Crystal. "How are you not playing in the Pro Leagues?"
"Not my thing," said Patty.
"Not your thing?" said Ren. "You have the skills to keep the Queen of Dragons on the ropes and you say the Pro Leagues are not your thing."
"It's no big deal," said Patty.
"You could make a lot of money, Pats," said Crystal, drawing her card. "If you want, I could find you a sponsor and a manager and have a team all set up for you. We can get you on the right track. I know you've been fighting demons for a long, long time, Patty. Long before this drama with Yuri even started. I don't know what happen that twisted your life so horribly but I think...I think I've been there, too. Now that I think about it, Patty, you and I are one and the same. Please. Let me help you."
Patty stared at Crystal and Ren for a while. She looked at the ground and sighed. "No. I'm sorry, Crystal but...my inner demons are nothing like yours. As for help, well...it's far too late for that. I appreciate the offer, but, my skills are no big deal. I think I got lucky is all. Besides, I want to be an artist, not a Duelist."
"Who says you can't be both?" Crystal asked.
"Father Time," Patty scoffed. "It takes a lot of time and practice to be an artist and the same amount of effort is involved when it comes to dueling. I choose my paintbrush over my cards."
"That's fine," said Crystal. "To each her own. Maybe someday you can draw me like one of your French girls."
"Hmm, I'll take you up on that offer," Patty said biting her lip.
Ren started laughing when he got the reference Crystal made. "Ah, Crystal. Don't ever change."
"I won't. But I sure will change the tide of this Duel. Time to turn things around."
"Ah, it's your standby phase," said Patty, her Life Points now at 7525.
"Well, your leech is not going to stay around for long, for I activate the spell card, Mystical Space Typhoon, and use it to get rid of your disgusting leech."
"A wise choice," thought Ren. The more Life Points that Patty gains, the harder she'll be to defeat. And right now, even if Crystal were to get Chaos Emperor Dragon out onto the field and use his devastating ability, I fear there won't be enough cards out to do enough damage to Patty. And Crystal will lose the Chaos Emperor to boot because his effect destroys everything in their hands and on the field, including himself. Plus the 1000 Life Point cost to use the effect will bring her down to a measly 1150 and leaving her wide open for an attack from Patty. Come on, Crystal. I hope you've got a plan to back up all that boasting.
"I summon this monster in defense mode," said Crystal. "Then, I place two cards face down and end my turn. Go!"
"Time to end this little game," said Patty. "Zera the Mant, attack her face-down monster!"
Zera did as he was told. The card flipped over to reveal a little blue dragon carrying an explosive. It spread its wings and flew at Zera, activated the detonator, and flew into Zera in a kamikaze attack that destroyed him.
"NO! ZERA!" cried Patty.
The dust settled. Crystal was still in the game. Zera did no damage even with the Continuous Destruction Punch card.
"What happened?" cried Patty. "My Zera the Mant is gone and you took no damage!"
"The monster your Zera attacked was a nasty critter called Exploder Dragon," Crystal said, holding up the card. "When he is destroyed in battle, he destroys the attacking monster. And, any damage I take involving my dragon get reduced to Zero making your Continuous Destruction Punch useless."
"Yeah, for now!" said Patty. "Beast of Talwar, avenge Zera and attack her Serpent Night Dragon!"
Beast of Talwar attacked with another cross slash attack dealing a mere 50 points of damage.
"That's exactly what I wanted you to do, Pats."
"Huh?"
"You cleared my field. And now that it's my turn, I will summon Lord of Dragons and use the Flute of Summoning Dragon which allows me to special summon two dragons from my hand."
Lord of Dragons appeared on the field and blew on the golden dragon flute.
"I summon Seiyaryu and Kaiser Glider!"
Seiyaryu
ATK/2500 DEF/2300
Kaiser Glider
ATK/2400 DEF/2200
"Oh, yeah, and don't think your Dragon Capture Jar is going to work anymore Pats. Now that Lord of Dragons is out on the field, my dragons cannot be harmed by your monster, spell, or trap effects."
"Aw, crap," said Patty. "And things were going so nicely, too."
"Yeah, aint that a shame," said Crystal. "Okay, Kaiser Glider, attack her Beast of Talwar."
The golden armored dragon was shrouded by flames and he flew into the sky, circled the battlefield, and dove at Beast of Talwar who held his swords up, bracing for impact.
"They'll destroy each other!" cried Patty.
KABOOM!
The speakers on the Duel Disks caused a rumble. When the dust settled, Beast of Talwar was gone but Kaiser Glider still stood.
"Sorry, Pats," said Crystal, "but Kaiser Glider's special ability prevents him from being destroyed when he battles a monster with the same attack points."
"Hey, that's not fair!"
"I really hate to do this to you, Patty, Seiyaryu, and Lord of Dragons, attack her directly!"
WHAM!
WHACK!
Patty's Life Points dropped to 3825.
Looks like Patty's finished, Ren said in his thoughts. Zera the Mant has to be the strongest card in her deck. Without it, there's nothing she can do to stop Crystal's army of dragons.
"My turn," said Patty. She drew her card. "I play the ritual spell card End of the World!"
Ren and Crystal grunted in shock. Darker clouds mixed with dark blue swirled over their playing field. Lightning bolts crashed into the ground all around them causing craters.
"I tribute two fiends in my hand to ritual summon Demise, King of Armageddon!"
A white arcane circle of divine design circled over Patty. A ray of light shined down behind her and then the fiendish creature emerged towering over the girl. His armor was dark gray with white and he wore a cape of blue fire. His weapon was a tremendous axe.
Demise, King of Armageddon
ATK/2400 DEF/2000
"And now I pay 2000 Life Points to activate Demise's special ability. Everything on the field gets wiped out except for him."
Crystal gasped. There was nothing she could do.
Demise summoned arcane circles that appeared under every card they had out on the field and destroyed them leaving Crystal wide open.
"Patty..." Crystal said.
"Demise, King of Armageddon! Attack her directly and finish this! Axe of the Apocalypse!"
Demise's axe was enveloped in blue flames.
RRRAAARRR! He roared, raising his weapon and striking Crystal down for the finishing blow.
"So it was Patty, eh?"
"Yes. Yes, it was her."
Brett smiled, patting Crystal's bottom playfully. He pulled her underwear back up, lowered her dress, and roughly pushed her off his lap to the floor. "Very interesting indeed. I always thought that girl was special. I might have to pay her a visit."
"Leave her alone!" cried Crystal. "I was the one who lost."
"Yes, and she's the one who beat you. I'm going to see for myself the kind of skills she has."
He got out his iPhone and dialed a number.
"Hey, it's me. Yeah, it's been a while, right? Interested in making some money?" When he finished his call, he looked back at Crystal. "Go cool your ass off while I go take a walk. Get out of my sight."
Crystal slowly got up from the ground and scampered away to take a shower. Ren walked out into the balcony and stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Yuri. Man, oh, man. Look how strong you've gotten. All the fame. The glory. And now you got two beautiful girls fighting over you. Such as shame we couldn't have been friends. I wish you would have accepted my offer in New York last Christmas...
Yuri shivered as he strolled through the lit-up streets of New York. Though warmly dressed in a black coat and a comfy red scarf he got from Crystal, he was still chilled to the bone. He had come to this part of the country for an annual holiday Duel Monsters tournament at Madison Square Garden. A tournament he took part in and miraculously won thanks to his new friend, Black Tyranno.
It was the final match of the games and your opponents had you on the ropes. I watched the match before I left my hotel room and thought there was no way yo were going to win. But you surprised me, Yuri.
Yuri-300 LP
Opponent-1800 LP
"Damn, I've got nothing left," Yuri grunted sadly. "I summon Uraby in attack mode!"
"You played a good game, kid!" shouted Yuri's opponent. "But now, I will end this! I will fuse together my Snake Hair with Dragon Zombie to create the Great Mammoth of Goldfine!"
Yuri shielded his face from the wind coming from the fusion vortex. Then, a gigantic mammoth skeleton made of solid gold appeared onto the field and bellowed. The crowd in the stadium cheered.
Great Mammoth of Goldfine
ATK/2200 DEF/1800
LV 6
"And now for the finishing blow! Great Mammoth of Goldfine attack his Uraby and finish this duel!"
"I don't think so!" Yuri boasted. "I activate my trap card: Zero Gravity!"
"Oh-no, a trap card!"
"And this card will change the battle positions of all of our monsters. Since they're both in attack mode they will go into defense position."
"It's can't be!"
The crowd jumped out of their seats when they realized the duelist only had defense position monsters on his field.
"I tribute Uraby with Big Evolution Pill and then summon Black Tyranno!" Yuri shouted, slapping his ace monster onto his Duel Disk.
Cameras flashed as the Black Tyranno appeared onto the field, roaring and snarling with the Tyrannosaurus Rex sounds from the movie Jurassic Park.
"Attack his Life Points directly!" he commanded.
"And Yuri Montgomery is the winner!" shouted the announcer.
After the match, collectors and some duelists flocked to him shoving bags of money in his face for his new and rare monster. Even though the event was also hosting the debut of the new pack, Invasion of Chaos, which was holding a plethora of new monsters, Black Tyranno was the beast they wanted.
Naturally, Yuri refused to sell his prized creature and left the building to go find Brett who was hanging out with his friends at a club his uncle owned. The ground and the buildings were covered in a crisp blanket of snow. A few flakes were coming down on him as he made his way to a tall luxury building.
There were red letters at the top of the building that red Salazar Hotel. He reached into the pocket of his long black coat to take out a note with directions scribbled onto them.
"This is the place," Yuri thought stepping foot into the warm building. He asked for directions to the theater and the receptionist led him towards a set of stairs. He went down ten of them just to reach the theater below. He set foot inside and just as he did the show on stage was about to begin. There were giant presents next to a tall Christmas tree. The light dimmed down until the tree's lights and the star above were the theater's only light source.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen," said the cool and calm voice of the announcer. "We present to you, Miss Crystal Anderson."
There were a few whistles from the crowd. Crystal came out of one of the giant presents dressed in a skimpy Santa Clause outfit with black leg-length boots and fishnet stockings. She swayed her hips, giving a seductive dance before she started to sing her song: Santa Baby.
Brett grinned as he tapped his glass with his friend. "Beautiful," he said, to which his friend agreed.
As Yuri got close to the row where Brett sat, he felt a hand slap against his chest. "You got a reason to be here?" asked Brett's ignorant right-hand man, Santiago.
"More reason than you," Yuri said arrogantly.
"Oh, you think you're a real wise guy, huh?"
"Santiago, will you shut the hell up and let him in? I invited him here."
"Sure, boss." Santiago stared Yuri down as he stepped aside to let him pass.
"Yuri, have a seat," Brett said offering him an empty seat beside him.
Yuri smirked at Santiago before moving towards Brett's seat. "Right here?" Yuri asked.
"Hell yeah, buddy. You can get a good shot of her Christmas cookie from here."
Yuri narrowed his eyes when he realized what Brett meant.
"You've had a busy night," said Brett. "You look cold, man. Here, have some of this."
He offered Yuri a cup of hot cocoa. Yuri sat down after an awkward pause before he politely took the cocoa. He placed it to his lips and drank it. He nodded after tasting the sweet, warm beverage. "It's good," he said.
"Congratulations on your victory," said Brett. "Those guys were some of the toughest duelists in New York, and you and that Black Tyranno plowed right through them. Color me impressed."
"So you invited me here to congratulate me? That's unlike you."
"I'm not as bad as you think," said Brett.
"No? Then how come you mugged Nick's Red-Eyes Black Dragon and racketeer money from the poor immigrants of the edge of the islands? If it wasn't for the fact your uncle has every cop in Aquarius under his payroll, my father would have had you arrested a long time ago."
"It's just business, Yuri. I don't expect you to understand what me and my family do. But forget about that. I just want to ask you about something. It's about your Black Tyranno."
"He's not for sale!" Yuri responded sternly. He already knew what Brett was going to propose.
Brett figure this out, too, and smiled as he set his drink down. "I didn't think so."
"So are you going to get your goons here to mug me for it too?"
"I can't do that," said Brett. "My uncle would literally kill me if I ever put my hands on you again after what happened last time. I just wanted to ask…how much would it take to get you out of the tournament?"
"If I didn't know any better, Brett. I'd say you were scared."
"Of you? No way. I've got plenty of monsters in my deck who can take on your Black Tyranno. No, Yuri. It's just that…I need this tournament. My family is counting on me to win."
"You are of the Martinetti crime syndicate," said Yuri. "I'm sure your family could manage if you didn't win some Duel Monsters tournament. I'm not backing out of the tournament, Brett. Not after what you did to Crystal and Nick. And to me."
"Come on man, I need this win. What happened to us? You used to jump to the moon for me. Remember when we were once friends?"
"What the hell went wrong?" Yuri asked. "You were one of the few people who weren't afraid of me when we were in school."
Brett swallowed. He knew Yuri was right.
"We don't have to be enemies, Brett. Why can't we be friends again?"
"I'll be right back," said Brett. "I need to take a piss."
He needed a walk, really. He set foot outside into the snow. As he marched down the streets he recalled living in an orphanage in Aquarius.
He remembered the day when Jacob Montgomery came to greet the kids and train them to be Duelists on a field day, in which professional duelists would come and have some fun matches with the children. He brought Yuri so he could watch the professionals duel for the kids and maybe learn something himself. Perhaps...even make a friend.
But no one wanted to be friends with him. Yuri had that terrible reputation of having some sort of demon at his whim. Two children were already hurt because of him and nobody wanted to get near him.
I was not afraid of you, Brett thought. Though the other kiddos in the orphanage feared you I said to myself…he wasn't so bad.
He remembered introducing himself to Yuri, who was sitting all alone on the swings while the other children Dueled on the fields. He jerked his thumb towards his chest and said: "Hi, my name's Brett. What's your name?"
"Uh…" said little Yuri.
"You've got to have a name, right?" Brett asked as he sat on the vacant swing next to Yuri.
"I'm...I'm Yuri."
"Yuri, huh? Funny name."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Do you want to play with me?" Brett asked.
Yuri looked up and smiled as if he saw color for the very first time. "You...you wanna...you wanna play with me!?"
It had been forever since another child had asked that of him. The two of them ran outside and chased each other across the playground. The air rang with their laughter. Not even the waves smacking against the cliff behind the school could overpower their joyful laughter. When they tired they went down the steps to the beach and laid down to listen to the waves.
"You're my new best friend, Brett," Yuri said.
"And you're mine, too, Yuri!"
They high-fived to commemorate their new friendship.
"Here, Brett. I got this for my birthday last week." He handed Brett a gold toddler-sized Rolex watch from his pocket.
"Oh, cool! I never got a present before. It looks expensive though. You sure your parents won't get mad."
"Nah, I got like ten of those for my birthday."
Brett laughed as he put the watch on. "Wow! It must be so cool to have everything. You got a big house, nice clothes, and a family."
"Say, why are you here at the orphanage, Brett? What happened to your family?"
Brett's smile faded. He sat up and wrapped his knees around his legs. "My parents were killed when a rival family ambushed them in a casino. I was…so young. I couldn't even remember my mother's embrace. So...what's it like having a mother, Yuri?"
"Having a mom is wonderful," Yuri answered. "They're very soft and warm when you hug them. And they make you feel happy when you're sad."
He looked at Brett and saw him crying. He let out a loud wail. "MOMMY!" he shouted.
Brett opened his eyes. He was out of Memory Lane and back in New York. He reached into the pocket of his coat, searching for a precious gift. He pulled it out. It was the watch Yuri gave him when they were little kids. The dials stopped turning and most of the gold had faded.
I was jealous of you Yuri. I was always jealous. I would always watch as you and Ren would play at the beach from the playground of the orphanage.
One day…my uncle came and adopted me, taking me under the care of his brother. He was a stern man, but he was the closest thing I had to calling a father. They would force me to study for hours and in my free time — what little I had — they would force me to get better at Duel Monsters. I soon became the best junior duelist on the island. For once, I thought I had you beat.
Then she came.
"This is my friend, Crystal!" Yuri said introducing her to Brett.
She looked like such a little angel. I had never seen anything so beautiful. But…no matter how hard I tried. She just wanted to be with you. You always had it good, Yuri. No matter how bad your situation got…you always had that fucking smile on your face.
Even after my uncle sent that guy to kidnap you…you somehow survived. And you somehow…for some damn reason…still had that smile on your face. Nothing could keep you down. You're always happy. That's what I hate the most about you, Yuri. Even after taking your best friend away, the both of you make the best of life. I never made her happy. I gave her everything and she still wouldn't smile. No. She was always happiest with you. That's why I snapped that night.
He recalled the night of the homecoming dance in middle school. Crystal wanted to go badly, and Brett promised her he would go, but he ditched her for a Duel Monsters tournament at the mall. She sat there at the dance alone, refusing the hands of the boys who wanted to ask her to dance with her.
Then he came. Yuri. He scrapped what money he had from his allowance and bought a suit to dress up for the dance.
He heard about Brett ditching her and came. They both danced the night away, to add salt to the wound, Crystal said that Yuri's favorite song, Holding Back the Years by Simply Red played at the dance.
Even after the prom had finished they went to the beach to dance under the moonlight.
When Brett found out he went berserk and beat her. Yuri wasn't much of a fighter but he still mustered up the courage to confront him and attacked him, hitting him hard enough that he gave him a black eye.
But Brett and his gang were too many and they retaliated by beating Yuri so violently he was in a vegetative state for days. Jacob was furious.
Crystal was like a daughter to him and to have beaten both her and his son so badly was unacceptable. But, the Martinettis were a family that not even he would dare cross. There was nothing he could do for Crystal, but he made sure Yuri and Brett remained far apart from each other, even going so far as to pull him from the private school he was supposed to go to with Ren and Crystal.
Brett was taught to take the things he wanted in life. And he did so violently. The family had corrupted his soul.
Back on the balcony, Brett took out the watch from his pocket. Yuri's voice echoed in his ears.
We don't have to be enemies, Brett. Why can't we be friends again?
You're my new best friend, Brett.
And you're mine, too, Yuri!
Brett squeezed the watch with all his might. "I'm sorry, Yuri. It's not that simple anymore. I sold my soul to the devil a long time ago. If you don't want to back out of the tournament, fine. But if I don't go far, I promise you will regret it. What does it matter though, huh? You're just going to smile at me the next day, aren't you?"
He threw the watch as hard as he could and it disappeared over the hills.
"DAMN YOU YURI!" he shouted into the night. "DAMN YOU TO HELL!"