Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Virtual Nightmare
Episode 6: Danger from the Deep, Part 2
Story by: jodalita
Written by: jodalita
DUEL ACADEMY, REAL WORLD
An isolated island in the middle of the ocean can be seen in the far distance. Duel Academy is on this island, the biggest and most prestigious dueling school in the world. Students wearing red, yellow, and blue jackets seem to be running in all directions, while the professors try to keep them under control. Under all the commotion, a static sound is heard, followed by a loud message coming from the speakers located all over the school.
Voice (static): "Good morning, everyone. This is Chancellor Sheppard speaking. Attention all Obelisk Blue, Ra Yellow, and Slifer Red students: Until further notice, all scheduled classes have been cancelled. In the meantime, please return to your dorms in an orderly fashion. Everything is under control."
Everyone gives a standing ovation after hearing the good news. Some students slowly return to their dorms, while others begin to gather in groups and start their duel disks, ready to play some friendly duels.
Voice (static): "And before I forget, no duels will be allowed during this time. I repeat, no dueling! Professor Crowler, Professor Sartyr, and Professor Bonaparte: Please report to my office immediately."
Sheppard puts the microphone back on his desk after delivering his message. He moves to the window and sees some students going back to their dorms. Some others are running away while being chased by the professors. Suddenly, Sheppard hears someone knocking on his door.
Sheppard: Come in, Crowler.
The door slowly opens and Dr. Crowler appears on the other side wearing a long, blue coat. He moves into the Chancellor's Office, followed by Professor Sartyr, who is wearing a yellow coat. Last, but not least, Bonaparte enters the room, a very short man wearing a dark green jacket. The three men position themselves in from of Sheppard's desk, while Sheppard turns away from the window and looks at them with a serious look on his face.
Sheppard (to Bonaparte): You know you shouldn't be wearing that green uniform anymore.
Bonaparte: Sorry, Chancellor, but red just doesn't look good on "moi".
Sheppard (upset): I don't care. You are the new Headmaster of the Slifer Red dorm and you can't be wearing green. Now put on your red coat.
Bonaparte: But, sir…
Crowler: Give it up, Bonaparte. It's not going to work.
Crowler pulls out a small, red coat similar to the one Bonaparte is wearing and hands it to him. Bonaparte snatches it out of Crowler's hands and puts it on.
Bonaparte: Fine. Is that better?
Sheppard: Much. Now gentlemen, I summoned you because I need to discuss the current situation of Duel Academy with you three. As the Headmasters of our three dorms, I need you to keep things under control among our students.
Sartyr: But for how long? Things are getting out of hand, especially with two of my Ra Yellow students now unconscious.
Crowler: Oh yes, Mr. Syrus Truesdale and Mr. Tyranno Hassleberry. If you ask me, I think these students are doing this on purpose only to ruin our reputation.
Bonaparte: Well, no one asked you.
Sheppard: This isn't about you, Crowler. We can't have ill students while on campus. This is just unacceptable.
Bonaparte: What is going to happen to us? What if we're next?
Crowler: Next for what?
Bonaparte: Well, if someone is doing this to students, who knows who is going to be next one?
Sheppard: That is why we need to keep the students grounded at their respective dorms until we find out exactly what is going on. Our servers are still down, so it's going to be difficult.
Crowler: Our servers? What do you mean?
Sheppard: All of our computer services have been disabled for some reason. We have no way to control Duel Academy's computer related features, including our security system. Whoever did this is most probably related to the current condition of the ill students.
Sartyr: What are we going to do?
Sheppard: We are going to wait for Mr. Seto Kaiba to arrive.
Crowler and Bonaparte seem surprised after hearing Kaiba's name.
Crowler: Seto Kaiba, the owner and founder of Duel Academy and President of Kaiba Corp?
Bonaparte: He is… coming… to Duel Academy?
Sheppard: Why are you so surprised? This is a matter of high importance. He'll take it into his own hands.
Suddenly, they all hear the faint sound of a helicopter in the far distance. Sheppard looks out his window and sees a helicopter, with a Kaiba Corp insignia on one side, heading to Duel Academy's seaport.
Sheppard: You three are dismissed. Now, go to each of your dorms while I handle this myself.
Each of the Headmasters doesn't hesitate when hearing this command and quickly leaves Sheppard's office. A few moments later, Kaiba Corp's helicopter lands on the deck of the seaport, with Sheppard standing a few feet away. A bodyguard wearing a black suit and sunglasses comes out of the helicopter first, followed by a young man.
Sheppard: What a surprise. I was expecting someone else.
After saying this, Sheppard approaches the helicopter to receive his guest. The bodyguard stands aside and the young man extends his right hand towards Sheppard. The young man is in his middle-twenties and with black, short, spiky hair, sporting blue jeans and a sleeveless, long yellow coat, with a blue striped sweater underneath. Sheppard extends his hand as well and the two men begin to shake hands.
Sheppard: Mr. Kaiba, it's an honor to finally meet you.
Mokuba: Likewise. My brother sends his regards. I apologize in his behalf, since he was unable to attend to this meeting.
Sheppard: Nonsense. It is a pleasure to have you here.
Mokuba: Is there anything you need to tell me?
Sheppard: Please, follow me to my office. I will explain everything once we get there.
Sheppard makes a hand gesture pointing to his office and the two men begin walking away from the helicopter. Before going too far, Mokuba Kaiba addresses the bodyguard.
Mokuba: Roland, I need you to stay here just in case. I'll call you if I need anything.
Roland: Of course, Mr. Kaiba. Should I inform your brother?
Mokuba: No. I'll take care of this myself for now.
A few minutes later, the two men arrive at Sheppard's office and take a seat on opposite sides of the desk, looking at each other.
Mokuba: Okay, Chancellor Sheppard. Please, give me a brief summary of what you know.
Sheppard: Very well. As you may have noticed, we have sent all students back to their dorms and cancelled all classes for the moment.
Mokuba: What about the students that are unconscious?
Sheppard: Actually, our nurse might know more about this than me. She…
But before he can say anything else, Sheppard's speaker phone makes a beeping sound, startling him. A female voice comes out of it.
Voice (static): Chancellor, Miss Fonda Fontaine is waiting outside.
Sheppard (To the speak phone): Please, let her in.
The front door opens a few second later, after which Fonda Fontaine enters the office. She is wearing a white and blue nurse uniform. She seems to have a worried look on her face.
Sheppard: Miss Fontaine, I would like to introduce you to Mr. Mokuba Kaiba, Vice President of New Technology at Kaiba Corp, also Seto Kaiba's younger brother. Mr. Kaiba, this is Fonda Fontaine, our school nurse.
Fontaine (relieved): It is an honor. I'm so glad you're here.
Mokuba: It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fontaine. Could you tell us about the students?
Fontaine: Oh, of course. They are resting at the infirmary, but I still can't get them to wake up.
Sheppard: How many students do we have so far?
Fontaine: Four; Syrus Truesdale and Tyranno Hassleberry from Ra Yellow, Chazz Princeton from Obelisk Blue, and finally, from Slifer Red, Jaden Yuki.
Mokuba: And what seems to be the cause of their condition?
Fontaine: That's the strangest part. Aside from being unconscious, they don't seem to show any symptoms at all.
Sheppard: That doesn't make sense. How did this happen then?
Fontaine: It has to be the Duel Disk. For some reason, I can't get it off their arms. I believe it did something to them.
Mokuba: Hmm… The Duel Disk my brother created is designed so that it retains a certain mind link with the user. That is how duelists feel as if the duels were real, even though they're only holograms.
Sheppard: Any ideas?
Mokuba: It's hard to say. Can I take a look at these Duel Disks? Maybe I can find a way to revert the energy current so that they can be safely removed from their arms. What do you think, Chancellor?
Sheppard: Sounds like a plan to me. Miss Fontaine, please take Mr. Kaiba with you to the infirmary. Give me a call if anything happens.
Fontaine: Absolutely. Mr. Kaiba, please follow me.
Mokuba: I also heard the school is unable to access the computer mainframe, which means computer systems at Duel Academy are currently non-functional. Since the school's server is directly connected with that of Kaiba Corp, I might be able to restore all systems without any damage.
Sheppard: Sounds great, but I'm more concerned about the students.
Mokuba: I agree. The safety of the students comes first. I'll see what I can do.
After saying this, Miss Fontaine leaves the office and towards the infirmary, followed closely by Mokuba. Sheppard stays behind and sits on his desk, thinking about the situation at hand.
SEA, VIRTUAL WORLD
Back in the Virtual World, a ship sails across the sea with Jaden and Syrus as the only passengers. They can see the shore in the distance while leaning to the edge of the ship. Jaden notices how his friend Syrus seems to be worried about something.
Jaden: What's up, Syrus? Is everything alright?
Syrus: What do you mean?
Jaden: I don't know. You just seem a little quieter than usual.
Syrus: I'm just thinking about the whole thing, you know? Do you remember?
Jaden (confused): Remember what?
Syrus: Well… anything. I mean… I know this is a Virtual World and all, which means it doesn't really exist, but… where is this place exactly? Do we even know how we got here?
Jaden: No. All I remember is getting ready for a duel, putting on my Duel Disk, and then… nothing.
Syrus: Don't you wanna know?
Jaden: Honestly, I haven't thought about it. Right now, I'm more worried about getting through the next duel and making sure our friends are okay.
Syrus: I guess you're right, but still… there are just so many things we don't know yet.
Jaden: Look at it this way, Syrus. If we keep on going, we're bound to find Noah again. Then we'll get our answers.
Syrus: Maybe... Wait, what is that over there?
Syrus notices something by the shore and points his finger at it. Jaden tries to focus on what Syrus is pointing, but he is hardly able to see anything.
Jaden (unsure): Is that… a giant turtle?
Syrus: It looks like a monster to me. Maybe we should go back.
Jaden: Not a chance. What if one of our friends is there and needs our help? Let's go.
A few miles away, at the shore, the duel between Tyranno and Crump continues. The high tide forces both of them to stand in the middle of the water. Crump has one monster on his side of the field, Crab Turtle (ATK/3050), while his Deckmaster, Maiden of the Aqua, stands behind him. In front of him, there is one card face down and a trap card, Tornado Wall, which is already activated.
Tyranno LP 3100
Crump LP 4000
Tyranno, on the other hand, has nothing on his side of the field aside from one trap card, Seismic Shockwave, and one spell card, Big Evolution Pill. His Deckmaster, Babycerasuarus, also stands next to him. The baby dinosaur holds on to Tyranno's leg, seemingly very scared. A ship can be seen approaching the shore in the far distance, but none of them seems to notice.
Tyranno: I'm okay, little guy. Or at least I will be.
Crump: Sorry to interrupt, but you are far from okay. Or need I remind you that you are losing this duel?
Tyranno: I'm not so sure about that. We're pretty evenly matched.
Crump: Remember that my life points are untouchable as long as my Tornado Wall trap card remains on the field. That and you are also looking at the face of one of my strongest sea monsters.
Tyranno: Maybe, but not for long (Draws). I play a spell card, Graceful Charity, so I get to draw 3 cards and then discard 2. Let's see what's in store for me (Draws 3 cards).
With content, Tyranno looks at the now four cards in his hand. After thinking about it for a few seconds, he grabs two of them and tosses them to the graveyard.
Tyranno: Then, I place a card face down and summon Black Stego, front and center (DEF/2000). My dino will make sure my life points are safe. That ends my turn.
Crump: Very well, then it's time for me to end this (Draws). I summon Mermaid Knight in attack mode (ATK/1500), and thanks to my Deckmaster's special ability, her attack points increase (ATK/2000).
Tyranno (frustrated): I remember. Your Deckmaster increases the attack of all water monsters on the field by 500 points.
Crump: You're absolutely right. Crab Turtle, pulverize his Black Stego!
At his command, Crab Turtle uses one of its pincers to lift Black Stego in the air and crushes it with its massive strength to finally destroy Tyranno's monster.
Tyranno: That was my last monster.
Crump: Now that you're defenseless, Mermaid Knight, attack him directly!
Mermaid Knight grabs a hold of her sword and slashes right through Tyranno's chest. He holds himself in pain as a response for the attack.
Tyranno LP 1100
Crump LP 4000
Crump: It's over. Mermaid Knight, attack him again!
Tyranno (surprised): What? But how?
Crump: Mermaid Knight's special ability allows her to attack twice in a row… as long as the field is covered in water, that is, yet another one of my Deckmaster's advantages. Now my dear, end this duel.
Mermaid Knight once again approaches Tyranno, ready to slash through him one last time. But before this happens, Tyranno reacts quickly and activates a card.
Tyranno: Not so fast. I activate a trap card, Survival Instinct. Now, for each dinosaur in my graveyard that I remove from play, I gain 400 life points. I have five dinos in my graveyard, but I think I'll toss only four. That increases my life points by 1600.
Tyranno LP 2700
Crump LP 4000
Crump: It still doesn't stop the attack.
After saying this, Mermaid Knight finishes the attack and slashes through Tyranno's chest once again. He holds himself in pain as his life points decrease even more.
Tyranno LP 700
Crump LP 4000
Crump: It's pointless to keep fighting. Can't you see I have already won?
Tyranno: You're probably mistaking me with someone who gives up easily. That someone is not me.
Crump: All you did just now was stalling. Face it. You possess neither the intelligence nor the skills to win this duel.
Tyranno: How about you?
Crump: Me? There was a time when my mathematical skills and supreme intelligence took Kaiba Corp straight to the top. You can't compare my intellect with a lowlife scumbag like you.
Tyranno (angry): Grrr… That's it, pal! I've had it with all your insults! Believe it or not, I'm taking you down!
Crump: I told you. I have planned the outcome of this duel several times in my head. According to my calculations, your chances of winning are slight to none.
Tyranno: So what? Even if you're smarter than me, even if you have accomplished more in life than I have, none of that matters because I have something more important. This is something that can't be learned and that you don't have.
Crump: Really? What can you possibly have that I don't?
Tyranno: Instinct, and the guts to keep going even when things get tough and to fight for what's really important.
Crump: And what is this "instinct" of yours telling you now?
Tyranno: That my friends are in trouble, which means that not only am I going to win, I need to win. My move (Draws).
Crump: You fool! What can you do with only one card?
Tyranno: One card… is all it takes.
Seemingly forgetting about Tyranno's trap card on the field, Crump seems very surprised when Seismic Shockwave on Tyranno's side of the field is destroyed.
Crump: Of course. I almost forgot. It's been three turns since that card was activated, so now it gets destroyed.
Tyranno: That's right. Now for its effect, once Seismic Shockwave is destroyed I get to return one dino from my graveyard to my hand, and I choose my old pal, Black Tyranno (ATK/2600).
Crump: Is that why you removed four Dinosaur type monsters from the game instead of five?
Tyranno: That's one way to look at it. Now, since my Big Evolution Pill is still on the field, I can summon him back to the field without a sacrifice.
Crump: Impressive, but you seem to be forgetting something. Black Tyranno is weaker than my Crab Turtle (ATK/3050), all thanks to my Deckmaster.
Tyranno: That's all about to change. After all, I still have one more card in my hand. I activate the Field spell, Jurassic World.
After Tyranno places the Field spell card on its respective slot, the tide begins to lower as the water slowly moves back into the ocean. In its place, the sand is replaced by grass and the battlefield changes to a jungle-like environment, with an active volcano in the distance.
Tyranno: Thanks to Jurassic World, all dinos grow stronger by 300 points. You, on the other hand, won't be so lucky. Since the field is no longer covered in water, your Crab Turtle returns to its original strength (ATK/2550) and so does your Mermaid Knight (ATK/1500).
Crump: No, it can't be!
Tyranno: Wait, that's not all. Because all your water is gone, your Tornado Wall trap card can't protect your life points anymore. Now that that's out of the way, Black Tyranno, return to the field in attack mode (ATK/2900)!
Crump: If you think you have me cornered then you're more foolish than I thought. Reveal trap card, Torrential Tribute! Whenever a monster is summoned, this trap destroys all monsters on the field instantly. Say goodbye to your Tyranno.
A torrent of holographic water comes out of the face-up trap card, washing away all monsters on the field and destroying them. Both duelists are left defenseless.
Crump: You have no cards left in your hand. There is nothing else you can do. On my next turn, all I have to do is summon a monster and wipe out the rest of your life points.
Coming to the realization that he is about to lose, Tyranno sinks into frustration. He looks at his empty hands and punches the ground with his fist. But as he is about to give up, he feels a tiny claw grabbing him by the leg and pulling down. He sees Babycerasurus standing next to him, using one of its claws to hold Tyranno's duel disk.
Crump: Well, what's it going to be?
The two share a look as if there where mentally communicating with each other. After a few seconds, Tyranno nods to Babycerasuaurus and regains his composure. He stands up, after which he begins to search through his deck.
Crump (upset): What do you think you're doing? That's against the rules!
Tyranno: I activate my Deckmaster's special ability. When a Dinosaur type monster is destroyed, as long as it wasn't destroyed in battle, I can pick one dinosaur from my deck with 4 stars or less and automatically summon it to the field.
Crump (shocked): What?
Tyranno: Giant Rex, report for duty (ATK/2000)! And thanks to Jurassic World, my dino grows even stronger (ATK/2300). Now, direct attack!
Giant Rex runs through the grass, approaching Crump and hitting him with a powerful headbutt that pushes him a few feet away. Crump is now the one trying to resist the pain.
Tyranno LP 700
Crump LP 1700
Crump (painfully): This is not over. I have done all the proper calculations over and over again, and I can assure you that you will lose this duel.
Tyranno: Bring it on, soldier!
Each duelist looks face to face at each other, ready to make their final moves and determine the outcome of the duel that will decide their entire lives.
To be continued…
CARD OF THE DAY:
Black Tyranno
Earth, Level 7
[Dinosaur/Effect
If your opponent controls no cards except Defense Position Monster Cards, this card can attack your opponent directly.
ATK/2600 DEF/1800