Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Virtual Nightmare
Episode 5: Danger from the Deep, Part 1
Story by: jodalita
Written by: jodalita
Jaden and Syrus, now together again, walk towards the bridge where a ship is located. The Naval Base, where Syrus and Nesbitt of the Big Five just had their duel, returns to normal and back into the pier it was before. Jaden seems concerned.
Jaden: Are you sure you're okay?
Syrus: I told you, I'm fine.
Jaden: I don't know. That last duel really took a toll out on you.
Syrus: I'll be okay. As long as I don't have to deal with any more crazy businessmen in suits, that is…
Jaden: We better get used to it, because it seems like there a lot more where that came from. By the way, did your Deckmaster really help you out?
Syrus: Are you kidding? If it hadn't been for Patroid, I would've lost the duel for sure.
Jaden: You know what, Sy? Lately I've noticed that you've learned how to be more independent. I mean, you won this duel all on your own.
Syrus (hesitating): I don't know. The stakes were pretty high. Maybe it was all part of the moment.
Jaden: Well, whatever it was, I glad you managed to step up your game.
Syrus: Thank you, Jaden.
Jaden: Anyway, when do you think we're gonna have to duel again?
Syrus: What are you talking about? Aren't you at least a little worried about what's going on here? We don't even know where we are.
Jaden (exited): You got a point there, Syrus. But you have to admit those duels were sweet! I can't wait for the next one.
Syrus (frustrated): You know what, Jaden? I give up. You're a lost cause.
Jaden: Can't blame me for trying. So what are we gonna do now?
Syrus: I was told that ship over there would take us to where our friends are.
Jaden: Who told you that?
Syrus: A boy named Noah. He was the one who helped me get to this place and told me everything about the Virtual World where we are.
Jaden: What did he look like?
Syrus: He was wearing a white suit. Oh, and he also had short, green hair.
Jaden: You mean just like him?
Syrus looks at the direction where Jaden is pointing. Noah is standing next to the ship. Syrus recognizes him immediately and runs towards him.
Jaden: Hey, wait up! You don't even know who he is.
Syrus: I know what he did and that's enough for me.
Syrus and Jaden run quickly towards Noah and the ship he seems to be guarding. Syrus approaches Noah quickly, but Jaden grabs his friend by the shoulder before he can get any closer. A distance of a few feet separates Syrus and Jaden from Noah.
Syrus (to Noah): Let us through!
Noah: What makes you think I'm stopping you?
Syrus (upset): You! You tricked me!
Noah: Is that what you think?
Syrus: Sure I do. Why else would you bring me straight to the Big Five?
Noah: Believe what you wish, but I did help you.
Jaden: What do you mean? We're still stuck here, only difference is that we're more tired than before.
Noah: This ship behind me will take you to where your other friends are. I told you earlier I would help you and I did.
Syrus: Then why didn't you tell me about the Big Five?
Noah: I have my own reasons.
Syrus: Come on! You expect me to take that for an answer?
Noah: I don't understand what the big problem is. You won the duel, didn't you?
Syrus: Barely, if you ask me.
Jaden: Hmm… Noah does have a point, though…
Syrus (frustrated): What are you doing? You're supposed to be on my side!
Noah: Enough of that. Whatever happens next will affect the upcoming events, so I'd suggest you choose wisely. Best of luck!
After saying this, Noah disappears into many pixels, leaving Syrus wondering.
Syrus: I knew it. He's got to be part of this Virtual World too.
Jaden: He seemed pretty honest. He might be telling the truth.
Syrus: Still, I don't like it.
Jaden: Other than that, I do think we need to find our friends as soon as possible.
Syrus: You're right. Let's do this.
Jaden and Syrus nod to each other and run to the ship, ready to set sail. Meanwhile, far on another place of the Virtual World, Tyranno Hassleberry lies on the beach. He sees his baby dinosaur friend playing in the sea water with content. After a while, he grows tired and stands up.
Tyranno (to Babycerasaurus): Look, little guy. I know you're having fun, but just playing here isn't gonna take us anywhere. Huh?
He suddenly notices a beautiful maiden lying on the beach in the distance. By the looks of it, she seems to be unconscious.
Tyranno: Come on, we've got work to do.
Tyranno begins running towards the maiden. When Babycerasaurus sees him running away, he stops playing and goes after him. Tyranno stops next to the maiden and tries to help her.
Tyranno: Hey, young lady. Are you alright?
Before he can say anything else, the maiden opens her eyes and grabs a trident hidden in the sand. She attempts to impale Tyranno with it, but he reacts quickly and jumps out of the way.
Tyranno (surprised): Hey! What was that all about?
Voice: Well done, my dear maiden. My calculations were correct, as expected…
Babycerasaurus hides behind Tyranno's leg, while he tries to find the origin of that gruff male voice. He sees a swirl of pixels appear next to the maiden and slowly form into a man with a mustache and a black suit. Tyranno watches him from a few feet away.
Tyranno: Who's there? Identify yourself, soldier.
Man: My, my, a young man with a temper. Didn't they teach you to respect your elders at Duel Academy?
Tyranno: How do you know about Duel Academy? Who are you?
Man: My name is Crump, best known as former Chief Accountant at Kaiba Corp. Now that I have introduced myself, you should do well to do the same.
Tyranno: Tyranno Hassleberry is the name, but Sergeant Hassleberry for you.
Crump: Of course, Mr. Hassleberry. I already know plenty about you.
Tyranno: Then why did you ask me to introduce myself?
Crump: Simple. Because I am a well educated man and I'd like you to learn a few manners. If I am to return to the Real World in your body, I need you to act with some respect.
Tyranno: What do you mean by that?
Crump: We are now in a place known as the Virtual World. We are both trapped here until one beats the other. The loser remains as a prisoner in this place for eternity while the other gets to escape in your body.
Tyranno: Well, you're not getting anything from me. If it's a fight what you want, then bring it on. Now put 'em up!
Crump: Not that kind of a fight, you insolent brute. I was referring to a duel.
Tyranno: A duel? Well, why didn't you say so? I'm always up for a challenge.
Crump: Excellent. Let's get started.
Tyranno: Though I'd let you know, I am a very proud Ra Yellow student and I always battle with everything I've got.
Crump: You'll find this battle to be slightly different than those you're used to.
Crump makes a hand gesture and duel disks appear, one on Tyranno's arm and another on Crump's. Following this motion, a column of cards appears moving in front of each duelist, so that each can begin building their decks.
Tyranno: Sam Hill! How did you do that?
Crump: As I mentioned earlier, this is the Virtual World in which certain natural laws can be broken. Of course, I can't expect an uneducated brat like you to understand that.
Tyranno: Hey! What's with all the smart remarks? If you want to see how smart I really am, then why don't you duel me and find out?
Crump: But first you need to pick your cards from the card database. After that, pick a Deckmaster to stand next to you during our duel.
Tyranno: It sounds a bit complicated, but I guess I'll catch on as I go along.
Both Tyranno and Crump select their cards and place their decks on their respective duel disks. After that, Tyranno begins searching through his deck for an appropriate monster to use as Deckmaster. He suddenly notices Babycerasaurus still hiding behind his leg and immediately thinks of something.
Tyranno: I think I'll trust my gut on this one and pick Babycerasaurus as my Deckmaster.
Crump: You must be kidding. With that as your Deckmaster, victory will be as good as mine.
Babycerasaurus seems insulted and stands bravely next to Tyranno in response.
Tyranno: Oh, hush up. Why don't you pick a Deckmaster already instead of picking on mine?
Crump: But I already chose a Deckmaster. Meet Maiden of the Aqua.
The same maiden who attacked Tyranno earlier now stands next to Crump, holding the trident with one hand and ready for battle.
Tyranno: I don't think a lady will prove to be that useful to you, no matter how pretty she is.
Crump: You'd be surprised. According to my calculations and as of now, it seems that I have the advantage over you by 30 percent.
Tyranno: But how? We haven't played any cards yet.
Crump: The outcome of a duel is determined at all times, even before it begins. With your poor choice for a Deckmaster, you won't last long. But I'll tell you more about my calculations later.
Tyranno/Crump: Let's duel!
Tyranno LP 4000
Crump LP 4000
Tyranno: Aren't you gonna make your move?
Crump: I think it would be best if you made the first move, Mr. Hassleberry.
Tyranno: Alright, here goes (Draws).
Tyranno holds the card he just drew while looking at the other cards in his hand. Most of them are Dinosaur type monsters.
Tyranno: I summon Sabersaurus to the field, ready for battle (ATK/1900)! Let's see how you handle my dinos.
Crump: Do you really think brute force will get you anywhere?
Tyranno: What's that supposed to mean?
Crump: Your dinosaurs might be powerful, but they stand no chance against a well planned strategy. It's all about calculations and odds, Mr. Hassleberry.
Tyranno: Really? Then why don't you show me how you put the odds in your favor? I place one card face down and end my turn.
Crump: If you insist (Draws). I summon my powerful water creature, a reptile known as Gagagigo in attack mode (ATK/1850).
Tyranno: So much for all your talk. Your giant lizard seems to be a little short on attack points.
Crump: Clueless as usual. It seems you have overlooked a simple detail. My Deckmaster, Maiden of the Aqua, comes with a very special ability of her own.
Suddenly, the ground begins to shake under their feet while Tyranno struggles to remain standing. He sees the water from the ocean rise into a big wave and hit the shore where they are standing. Because of the high tide, their legs are now submerged into the ocean.
Tyranno: Hey! What's going on? Now I'm all wet.
Crump: Thanks to my Deckmaster ability, the playing field is now covered with water.
Tyranno: I can see that, but what I don't see is the point of all this.
Crump: Don't tell me a little water is all it takes to make you cower in fear?
Tyranno: No way. It's gonna take a lot more than that to take me down.
Crump: Good. I wouldn't want to live the rest of my days on a weak body. But back to the duel, our new oceanic field increases the strength of every water monster on the field by 500 points.
Tyranno: What? But that's not fair!
Crump: Nobody said this duel would be fair. Now, my Gagagigo is even stronger than before (ATK/2350). The numbers don't lie, Mr. Hasselberry. Gagagigo, attack!
Gagagigo seems stronger than before as he absorbs the power of the ocean. The water makes a splashing sound as Gagagigo rushes towards Tyranno's dinosaur and destroys it with a single blow.
Tyranno LP 3550
Crump LP 4000
Sabersaurus is destroyed, causing a small explosion and pushing Tyranno backwards. The sudden pain he feels deep within his body takes him by surprise and forces him to his knees.
Tyranno (painfully): I don't… get it. Why does it hurt?
Crump: According to my research, you claim to have a piece of a dinosaur fossil inside of you, which supposedly makes you part dinosaur. As such, you will feel the pain they feel.
Tyranno: Hey, how do you know all this about me?
Crump: As I said earlier, planning ahead helps in making decisions regarding everything in life. The game of Duel Monsters is no exception.
Tyranno: You can know all you want about my life but that's not gonna help you.
While Crump smiles to himself, Tyranno makes a big effort to get back on his feet.
Tyranno: I activate my face down card, Seismic Shockwave. This trap prevents you from using 3 of your spell and trap zones. And in 3 turns, my trap card is destroyed.
Crump: Then what? What was the point of that move?
Tyranno: You'll find out. But for now, it's still your turn.
Crump: Whatever you're trying to do, it's not going to work. My calculations are never wrong. I end my turn by placing one card face down.
Tyranno: My move (Draws). I play a spell card known as Earthquake, switching your Gagagigo into defense mode.
Suddenly, the ground begins to shake producing a few ocean waves in the process. After this, Crump's monster is switched into a defensive position (DEF/1000).
Tyranno: Now that that's out of the way, Gilasaurus, report for duty (ATK/1400)!
Crump: Your monster is strong enough to destroy my Gagagigo.
Tyranno: True, but I have a better plan in mind. I sacrifice my Gilasaurus in order to activate another spell card! It's called Big Evolution Pill and for the next 3 turns, it lets me summon any Dinosaur type monster without having to make a sacrifice first.
Crump: Too bad you have no monsters to attack me with. You just sacrificed the only one you had.
Tyranno: Sorry, but I've got bad news for you. Gilasaurus counts as a special summon, which means I can still call some reinforcements to the field. So, Black Tyranno, you're up (ATK/2600)! Now attack his life points directly!
Crump: What? That can't be!
Tyranno: Guess again. As long as all of your monsters are in defense mode, Black Tyranno can bypass your monsters and aim straight for your life points. Have at it, pal!
Crump: That's what you think. Activate trap card, Tornado Wall!
Black Tyranno quickly approaches Crump in order to attack him, but he is suddenly stopped by towering waterspouts rising from the sea. The waterspouts now move in a circle around Crump, protecting him.
Tyranno: What is that?
Crump: Surprised, aren't you? As long as the field is covered in water, Tornado Wall will prevent me from receiving any damage to my life points.
Tyranno: But… I thought the field was covered in water because of your Deckmaster's special ability.
Crump: That's right, and that is why you are going to lose.
Tyranno (thinking): "I can't drain the water on the field, not as long as his Deckmaster remains on the sidelines. But at least I have Black Tynanno on my side, so I'm safe for now."
Crump: Time to say goodbye to your monster (Draws). I activate the ritual spell card, Turtle Oath. This lets me sacrifice Gagagigo from the field and Island Turtle from my hand, in order to summon a powerful creature from the deepest corners of the sea: Crab Turtle (ATK/2550)!
Tyranno: That's not good…
The entire field begins to rumble as a giant creature begins to emerge from the sea. The one-eyed mighty monster resembles the shape of a turtle, but its two arms are replaced by crab-like pincers.
Crump: And, in case you don't remember, my monster grows stronger, courtesy of my Deckmaster (ATK/3050). Now attack his Tyranno!
Crab Turtle extends one of its pincers and grabs Black Tyranno off the field. By exerting more pressure, Black Tyranno is finally destroyed. The destruction of his monster causes Tyranno to fall to his knees once more, struggling to resist the pain.
Tyranno LP 3100
Crump LP 4000
Crump: Thanks to your Seismic Shockwave trap card, I'm only allowed to play up to two spell or trap cards. Since one of them is my Tornado Wall, I end my turn by placing one card face down.
In the meantime, far away from the action, a young lady is seen sleeping on top of a field of rocks. As she tries to turn over to another side, she feels the discomfort and wakes up in a quick motion. She stands up and looks at her surroundings while trying to wake up completely.
Alexis (mumbling): Where… am I?
Alexis Rhodes, student from the Obelisk Blue dorm at Duel Academy, also one of Jaden's friends.
Voice (in an echo): Alexis?
Alexis: Huh?
She is startled by the sudden voice, coming from nowhere and calling her name. Even though it sounds like a distant echo, she can clearly recognize the person behind that voice.
Alexis: Atticus? Is that you?
The voice of her brother fills her with a feeling of relief. She begins to follow the voice, only to notice that the place is filled with rocks and nothing else but rocks under a red sky.
Voice (in an echo): Alexis! Please, answer me!
Alexis: Atticus, I'm coming!
She slowly begins to move towards the origin of the voice, even though she can't clearly pinpoint its location. Trying to avoid falling on the rocks, Alexis carefully begins to walk.
Atticus: Why won't you wake up?
But Alexis can't seem to be able to hear him anymore. Back to the duel by the beach covered in sea water, Tyranno manages to get up with a great effort on his part. Crump stands confidently, with a wall of waterspouts circling around him and a monstrous Crab Turtle standing by his side.
Crump: As of now, my odds of winning this duel have increased to 83.
Tyranno: What makes you say that?
Crump: Taking into consideration our current situation: the field is in my favor, my life points can't be touched, I possess the strongest monster in play, and you have no monsters to defend yourself.
Tyranno: Even if it hurts or even if you're right, I'll still find a way to beat you, soldier.
Crump: You seem like a strong young man. I'm sure you can handle it… or at least long enough for me to defeat you. Soon I'll be free to live in the Real World while you remain trapped here for all eternity.
Tyranno (struggling): Not… gonna happen.
Crump: Dear child, you don't have a choice in the matter. My life points can't be touched and I have an unstoppable monster on my side. You will lose this duel. The odds are against you!
While Tyranno struggles to remain standing, a ship is seen sailing far away in the middle of the sea. The wind blows as Jaden and Syrus contemplate the view while navigating the ship, in the hopes of finding their next destination and their friends.
To be continued…
CARD OF THE DAY:
Crab Turtle
Water, Level 8
[Aqua/Ritual
This monster can only be Ritual Summoned with the Ritual Magic Card, "Turtle Oath". You must also offer monsters whose total Level Stars equal 8 or more as a Tribute from the field or your hand.
ATK/2550 DEF/2500