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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
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Elimination Duel Three
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The Siege Perilous
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Sheena watched as two Centurions dragged a struggling man in a black cloak into the room.
"Give it up…" said Sheena, rolling her eyes. "Their armor makes them even stronger than an Olympic-level weightlifter."
The Ascender growled at her.
"Who is this?" she asked Descartes, who was next to her.
"Louis Grimes," he replied. "And we had to confiscate his wallet to find that out."
"My lawyer's going to hear about that, too!" shouted the Ascender. "I was in the middle of a duel, when these jerks…"
"You are here due to an unapproved guest list," said Sheena, "so you are not a legitimate guest. I never invited anyone named Louis Grimes to this tournament."
"Yeah?" he said. "Well listen, bitch… Your so-called police didn't issue an arrest warrant, didn't state the reason for the arrest, and didn't read me my rights! I'm going to sue you for everything you'll make for the next…"
"You want us to use tear gas?" asked Descartes.
"Oh, I dare you, you bastard," said the prisoner. "I'll…"
Sheena reached out and shut his mouth with her thumb and forefinger.
"Mr. Grimes…" she snarled. "This is a privately owned resort with its own charter, and is not under any nation's authority. Only KaibaCorp has authority. In short, we decide the law here. My security force is not required to read you any Miranda rights, and they can make an arrest without a warrant. When we turn you over to the authorities of your home country, they will issue the warrant and read you your rights.
"This is my world, Mr. Grimes. And anyone who threatens it will be dealt with according to KaibaCorp's rules, not the rules of any other country.
"Now sit down and be quiet, stop screaming and making threats you'll never be able to back up, and start listening! Or I will indeed give them permission to use tear gas, which I can do, and I will do if you shout at me one more time…"
The Ascender looked at her, and a look of fear crossed his face…
He sat down.
Rule one of dealing with Sheena Arachne:
Don't make her angry.
"Do I get one phone call?" he muttered.
"Eventually…" replied Sheena.
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(Nicholas: 8,000) -------------------- (Angel: 8,000)
The situation was just how Angel wanted it.
He had one facedown Monster. Nicholas, on the other hand, had five Monsters: two Beetron-1 Beetletops (1,700/1,500), two Beetron-2 Beetle Turbos (1,500/1,800), and Beetron-3 Spider Base (1,000/2,000), as well as three facedown cards.
Angel drew a card.
"I Flip-Summon my Big Eye," he said.
His Big Eye flipped into Attack Mode. (1,200/1,000)
He took the top five cards from his deck and looked at them. He stared at Nicholas as he made one adjustment.
"Now…" he said. "I play Slash Draw!"
He played the card, and quickly discarded nine cards…
He drew a card off the top of his deck, and Nicholas shielded himself as the explosion blasted all four Monsters apart…
"Hmm…" said Angel, holding the sword in front of him.
The smoke cleared.
"HUH?"
Nicholas was looking at him with a wicked smile…
(N: 4,000) -------------------- (A: 8,000)
"A strategy is no good if your opponent can prepare for it…" said Nicholas. "One of my facedown cards was Emergency Provisions. I used it to send my other three cards to the grave before you did, and gained 2,000 Life Points in the process."
"I can't catch a break here!" shouted Angel, sheathing the sword.
"And not only that…" continued Nicholas, "one of those facedown cards was Ojamagic, so my three Ojamas come to my hand…"
Three cards appeared in his hand.
Angel snarled as the sword at his hip vanished. He played a card, and the Pot of Greed appeared. He drew two cards.
He looked over his new hand of six cards. He played two of them, and a facedown Monster and a facedown card appeared in front of him.
Nicholas drew.
"I play… Pot of Greed," he said, playing the card. "So I draw two cards…"
He made two draws.
"Next, I play Polymerization. Come on out, Ojama King!"
The three Ojamas appeared on the field, and then exploded into a burst of stars. The impressive form of Ojama King appeared on the field. (0/3,000)
"However…" said Nicholas, "I choose not to use his effect."
"Say what?" said Angel. "Why did you do that? Don't you know you could have sealed three spaces on my Monster Zone and kept me from using them?"
"I was well aware of that," said Nicholas. "Let's just say it isn't always the best idea. Next, I'll play my Ojamandala Spell Card. I'll give up a thousand Life Points to bring back the regular Ojamas."
In three flashes of light, Ojama Yellow, Ojama Black, and Ojama Green appeared next to the King, crouching in Defense Mode. (0/1,000 x3)
"Now…" he said. "I play Ojama Delta Thunder!"
Thunder rolled, and Angel screamed as lightning struck him.
(N: 3,000) -------------------- (A: 5,000)
Nicholas took his Ojama Delta Hurricane card from his deck and discarded it. A fierce wind blew over the field, and Angel's Magician of Faith and Mirror Force were blown to bits.
Nicholas took the last card in his hand and set it facedown.
"That's enough for one turn…" he said.
Angel drew a card.
"Go, Trap Card!" shouted Nicholas. "Ojama Trio!"
His facedown card lifted, and three more Ojamas appeared on Angel's side of the field. (0/1,000x3)
"What?" he said. "Why are they on my side of the field?"
"So you can't use it," answered Nicholas. "Those tokens take up space, and can't be sacrificed."
"Ooh!" shouted Angel, getting angry.
He took a card from his hand.
"I'll place a Monster in Defense Mode, and end my turn…"
A facedown card appeared.
Nicholas drew a card.
"I play Ojamoney," he said. "How's that for a perfect draw?"
"What does that do?" asked Angel.
"I get to pay 1,000 Life Points to draw one card for each Ojama on my side of the field," said Nicholas. "However, at the end of my turn, all cards in my hand and on my side of the field go to the Graveyard.
"Anyway… I count four…"
He made four draws.
"Heh, heh…" he chuckled, looking at them. "Looks like my luck was a lot better than yours, Angel.
"I shift Ojama Yellow to Attack Mode…"
Ojama Yellow stood up, and smiled a smile that Angel did not like.
"Now I play… Shien's Spy."
He played a card, and a woman wearing a peasant's outfit, a straw hat, and a veil, with a pack over her back, appeared behind the Ojamas.
"Her Spell transfers one of my Monsters to your side of the field."
The Spy's eyes glowed, and she waved her hand. Ojama Yellow floated over to Angel's side of the field.
"Now…" said Nicholas, playing a card, "I summon Gyaku-Gire Panda!"
In a burst of energy, a very angry-looking giant panda holding a bamboo branch appeared in front of him. (800/1,600)
"Ha, ha, ha," chuckled Angel. "A big, teddy bear. With only 800 Attack Points. I'm so scared…"
"He has a special effect," said Nicholas. "For every Monster on your side of the field, he gains 500 more Attack Points."
(3,300/1,600)
"Bet you're scared now," said Nicholas, "Finally, I play the Spell Card, Double Attack."
He played the card.
"Now I just have to toss my Level Four Beetron-3 Spider Base, and my Level Three Panda can attack twice.
"And by the way, if he attacks a Monster in Defense Mode, the difference between his attack score and that Monsters Defense Score is taken out of your Life Points."
"It is?" gasped Angel.
Nicholas discarded the card.
"Gyaku-Gire Panda," he shouted, "attack the… oh, attack the green token!"
The Panda pounced, and walloped the token with its bamboo stick. It was smashed to pieces, and Angel screamed.
"Now, attack Ojama Yellow!"
Gyaku-Gire Panda turned to the true Ojama, and smashed it with its weapon. Angel screamed again, and fell flat on his back.
(N: 2,000) -------------------- (A: 0)
The Panda and the remaining Ojamas vanished.
"Well, that was fun," said Nicholas, shuffling his deck. "Let's do it again sometime…"
Well, that was one wasted wisecrack, he thought. Likely, the only thing he can hear right now is the sounds of little birdies flying around his head…
I'm even with Yumi now, but Chelsea is out of my reach unless I make the finals. Olga and I had better make them soon…
Still, I don't even know why Rasputin wants us to win so badly… What does he have to gain from one of us winning? He's already a billionaire…
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"You sure you want to do this, Ren?" asked Chelsea, nervously. "I mean, beating that F. G. D. wasn't easy for me…"
"I'm not gonna wimp out guys," said Ren. "Besides, if I'm gonna lose this tournament, I might as well lose big…"
They were in the lobby of their hotel, where the artwork was dominated by images of King's Knight, Queen's Knight, and Jack's Knight, three Monsters that Yugi Mouto Sr. had added to his deck after obtaining Slifer. The combo he could use with these three Warriors made it possible to get three Monsters on the field quicker, which was what he needed to do in order to summon a God Monster, not that the three Knights weren't useful in other ways.
Ren looked around, and his eyes turned towards a nondescript door with two words written on it:
Siege Perilous
"Huh?" said Chelsea, as they looked at it.
"The Siege Perilous," said Yumi. "It was a special seat of honor at King Arthur's Round Table, reserved for the knight that succeeded in the quest for the Holy Grail. Anyone else who sat there would die. The seat eventually went to Galahad or Perceval, depending on which version you're reading."
Ren tried the door. It was locked.
"So how do I open this?" he mused.
He looked at the map.
Then he was surprised to see writing on it that wasn't there before:
If Pendragon's favor is something you would savor, pull the lever.
Ren looked around…
His eye caught a small lever, right above the floor next to the door.
He reached down, and pulled it down. The door opened a crack.
He shrugged. He gave it a push, and it opened.
A stairway led down, into darkness. He nodded, and started going down. Yumi and Chelsea followed.
As he walked down the stairway, torches lit up on the wall. Eventually, a group of torches lit up in a large chamber…
They were shocked to see that the chamber contained several slabs of marble, and on five of them were young people – four males and one female. They were slowly breathing, but were apparently asleep.
They looked to the far end of the chamber, and saw a large set of double-doors, made of stained glass, or something similar.
Chelsea put her hand on one of the sleepers' wrist.
"Alive…" she said. "But why are they here?"
Ren looked at the map.
"Got to be some way to get in…" he muttered.
He turned the map around.
He raised an eyebrow. Again, a question was written on it that he didn't notice before.
What question can you never honestly answer yes to?
He read it out loud.
"What sort of a question is that?" asked Chelsea.
"I have to admit, I'm clueless myself…" said Yumi.
Ren looked at one of the sleepers. He rubbed his chin.
Actually, he had heard that sort of thing before…
"Are you asleep?" he asked.
The stained glass door in front of them glowed with an array of colors. Then, with a tinkling sound, it swung open.
"Heh," said Ren. "That was easy…"
"Don't get so sure of yourself…" muttered Yumi, as they walked in. "I have a feeling it's gonna get much harder."
They entered a beautifully decorated chamber, where the color of gold was predominant. On all the walls were coats of arms, each one different. Between each coat was a suit of armor, with a sword at its hip and a halberd in its hand.
At the far end of the chamber was a golden chair, studded with jewels, above which was the fanciest coat of arms. It depicted a dragon in front of a magnificent palace.
"Interesting…" said Ren. "So… Where is this Eliminator?"
"Patience…" said a woman's voice. "Being impulsive will not get you far… Many who have come here did so thinking they were knights, but they turned out to be only fools."
Their eyes turned towards the corner of the room, where they saw a young woman who had her back to them. She had her blonde hair tied in a long braid, and she was apparently wearing an Elizabethan-period costume.
She turned and looked at them. She didn't seem to be any older than they were, and was quite beautiful. Her eyes were deep, sea green, and her costume was accented by a simple tiara.
Yumi's eyes narrowed a little.
"Uh… Hullo…" said Ren, nervously. "And you are?"
"I am Guinevere," she answered.
Yumi looked at her again.
"Uh, do I know you?" she asked.
The young princess looked at her.
"I don't think so," she said. "But that is besides the point. I believe Ren is the one who desires the power that is in this chamber…"
"Power?" asked Ren. "Wait… That chair… Is that…"
Guinevere nodded.
"The Siege Perilous, in all its glory," she answered. "It has lost much of its power over the centuries, but it still has enough energy to reward you should you be the victor in this confrontation… And punish you should you lose…"
"What do you mean?" asked Ren.
"Let me explain its powers," replied Guinevere. "If a man who truly desired nothing, a very hard thing to find, were to sit in it, it would not do a thing."
"Then it gives you what you desire?" asked Ren.
"No…" replied Guinevere. "It shows you what you desire, and shows you what to do to obtain it."
"And if I lose?" asked Ren.
"Then you still get the Siege Perilous," she replied, "but it doesn't release you. There can truly be too much of a good thing in this case. The ones you see sleeping in the other room won't wake up, as they've taken too much. They'll sleep forever, and dream of their desires always out of their reach."
Ren took a slight step back…
"You weren't thinking of leaving, were you?" she asked.
With a crash, a set of portcullis bars crashed down in front of the door where they came.
"Ah heh…" muttered Chelsea, backing up. "Good luck, Ren…"
Guinevere lifted her arm, and a swirl of lights enveloped it. A silvery Duel Disk with the tray resembling an ornate axe-head appeared on it.
Yumi looked at Guinevere closely.
Something wasn't right. She was speaking in English, in a British accent, and it might have fooled most people into thinking she was British. But you couldn't fool a native of Japan… She was acting, and she was as much from their country as they were.
I know I've seen her somewhere before… she thought. I just wish I knew where. Maybe it will come to me when I see her duel.
"Prepare yourself, Ren," said Guinevere. "One way or another, the Siege Perilous awaits."
Ren's Disk activated.
"Game on!" they both shouted.
(Ren: 8,000) -------------------- (Guinevere: 8,000)
"I'll let you go first," said Guinevere. "I never go first if I can help it…"
Is that because she's generous, thought Ren, drawing a sixth card, or because she's cautious?
He looked over his hand.
I'd better be a little cautious myself…
"All right," he said, placing a card on his Disk. "I'll set this in Defense Mode, and that will be all…"
A facedown Monster appeared.
Guinevere made her first draw.
She played two cards, and a facedown card, and a facedown Monster appeared.
She nodded.
"Oh, the strong, silent type, huh?" said Ren, drawing a card. "Well, I can deal with that…
"And this duel is gonna be dull if we only defend. So… I summon Getsu Fuhma!"
He played the card, and in a shadowy aura, the lovely female ronin appeared. (1,700/1,200)
"Attack!" he shouted. "Whirlwind blade!"
Getsu Fuhma leapt up, and drew her katana in mid-air…
A man in a toga with feathered wings appeared crouching on the card. With one swipe of her blade, Getsu blasted him to pixels.
"Crud…" muttered Ren.
Guinevere smirked, and took her deck.
"I'm certain you know what happens when Shining Angel falls in battle," she said.
Guinevere placed a card on her Disk.
"I choose to summon Queen's Knight."
An orb of light appeared on the field, and a Warrior stepped out – a beautiful woman with waist-length, blonde hair, scarlet armor, a helmet shaped like a tall crown, a triangular shield, and a long sword, all of them decorated with playing card symbols.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Ren. (1,500/1,600)
"She kind of looks like me…" said Guinevere. "With armor…"
"Okay…" said Ren. "Nothing I can't handle…"
"Be careful Ren!" shouted Chelsea. "You know what's coming next!"
"I assure you, he doesn't," said Guinevere. "Anything else, Ren?"
Ren looked over his hand.
"No…" he said, "that's it…"
Guinevere drew a card.
Then she played a card. Ren had never seen it before. It had the image of a handsome knight embracing a beautiful princess.
"I play the Spell Card, Rewards of Chivalry," said Guinevere. "There are those these days who think that chivalry is an old and outdated concept…"
"I still believe in it!" protested Ren.
"Then there's hope for you," said Guinevere. "Because it does have rewards in the long run. And as far as this Spell Card is concerned, for each Light-Attribute Warrior I manage to Special Summon this round, I get to draw one card during my End Phase."
Huh… thought Ren. If she uses the Knight Combo, that will only be one…
"Now, I play Reinforcement of the Army," she said. "Now I can take one Warrior from my deck, so long as it's Level Four or less…"
She took a card from her deck.
"And I choose Queen Knight's brother… King's Knight. Now I'll summon him…"
She played a card, and a new Warrior appeared. He had golden armor, a helmet shaped like a crown that covered his right eye, a round shield, and a blue cape. Again, his armor was covered with playing card symbols, and he had a full beard. (1,600/1,500)
"You probably know…" continued Guinevere, "when King's Knight is summoned while Queen's Knight is on the field, their older brother comes out as well. I summon Jack's Knight."
In another flash of light, another male knight appeared. He had long, blonde hair, and his armor was sapphire blue, again decorated with playing card symbols. He held a longer sword, and his shield was crest-shaped. (1,900/1,000)
"Okay…" said Ren. "That's a problem…"
"I'm not done…" said Guinevere. "I play a Spell Card…"
She played a card.
"It's called Royal Flush."
"Royal Flush?" said Yumi, in surprise. "Now THAT one I've never heard of…"
"Your grandfather never heard of it either, Yumi," said Guinevere. "I can only use it after I've summoned Jack's Knight using King's Knight's effect.
"I pay 1,000 Life Points…
"And then, I get to summon from my deck, Ten's Knight and Ace's Knight."
Ren stepped back in further shock, as two glowing orbs appeared to either side of the three knights…
On one side, a young girl wearing a page's outfit, (still decorated with the playing card symbols) and holding a long dagger appeared. (1,000/800)
On the other side, a hulking figure appeared. He was clad head to toe in pure, white plate armor, with a large, black spade on the breastplate. He held a huge sword in his hands. Even though Ren couldn't see his face though his helmet, it was clear he was looking at him. (2,300/1,700)
"See?" she said. "Royal Flush."
"Four more Monsters in one turn?" gasped Chelsea.
"That's an even bigger problem…" muttered Yumi.
"Even more so…" replied Guinevere. "I activate my Trap Card… Solar Ray."
Her facedown card lifted.
"Now you lose 600 Life Points for each Light Monster on my side of the field. And I have five."
Ren's eyes opened wide…
A scorching beam of light shot out of the Trap Card. He screamed as it hit him.
(R: 5,000) -------------------- (G: 7,000)
Chelsea froze in fear. She did some quick calculations…
If Guinevere could destroy Ren's facedown Monster with King's Knight or Queen's Knight, she'd wipe Ren out this round…
"Ace's Knight…" commanded Guinevere, "slay Getsu Fuhma!"
Ace's Knight lifted his greatsword and charged. Getsu Fuhma dropped her katana and cowered…
The whole chamber shook as she was smashed to pieces by the strike.
"Jack's Knight, destroy the other Monster!" she commanded.
Jack's Knight leapt towards the facedown card.
To everyone's surprise, it was Familiar Knight. With one swipe of his sword, Jack's Knight blasted him to bits.
"HA!" laughed Ren. "Gotcha. I had a knight of my own. And when Familiar Knight goes down, both players can summon a Level Four Monster from their hands. You don't have room another, but I sure do…"
He threw a card on his Disk.
"I summon Dark Blade!"
In an aura of shadow, Dark Blade appeared, holding aloft his swords. (1,800/1,500)
"Humph," said Guinevere. "Your dark knight may have saved you for now, but next round will be different.
"I'm sure you remember my Rewards of Chivalry card. Since I Special Summoned three Light Warriors, I now get to draw three times."
She made three draws and looked at them.
"The move is yours."
(R: 4,400) -------------------- (G: 7,000)
Chelsea caught her breath. Ren might have a chance after all.
Ren, however, was not as confident as she was.
What do I do? he thought. How do I take down an army of knights?
He drew a card.
His eyes lit up.
Guess I'll take them down one at a time… he thought.
"I sacrifice Dark Blade…" he said.
Dark Blade vanished into shadow.
"To summon Penumbral Soldier Lady!"
In a burst of darkness, the sexy, female Warrior, holding her longsword and large shield appeared. (2,100/1,400)
Guinevere raised an eyebrow.
"Know what the definition of darkness is?" asked Ren. "Most of the time, it simply means 'absence of light'. Penumbral Soldier Lady takes that one step further. As a Dark Warrior, she doesn't represent the absence of light, she represents the negation of it. As a result, she gains 1,000 Attack Points in battle against Light Monsters. And I'm willing to wager any amount of money that every Monster in your deck qualifies.
"Now…"
He paused.
He thought.
Got to be careful, he thought. I could do the most damage by going after Ten's Knight. But Ace's Knight is the most dangerous right now. I can't risk the possibility that she might have an Axe of Despair or something like that…
So…
"Attack the Ace's Knight!" he shouted. "Sword of shadows!"
Penumbral Soldier Lady slashed at the much larger Warrior with her blade, and he groaned, before he fell backward and shattered like glass.
(R: 4,400) -------------------- (G: 6,200)
"Not bad…" said Guinevere. "You surely have the luck of fools, whether you are one or not…"
Be careful, Ren, thought Yumi. You have the advantage for now, but those three Knights have more secrets to them… And apparently, they have secrets that even my family didn't know about…
Guinevere drew a card.
"I shift all four of my Knights to Defense Mode…" she said.
Ten, Queen, King, and Jack knelt and shielded themselves.
"Then I place this facedown," she said.
A facedown card appeared.
"Your move."
Ren drew a card.
Sakuretsu Armor… he thought. Might be just what I needed…
"I place this facedown," he said, fitting it into his Disk.
The card appeared as he took another card from his hand.
"Then I summon Double Pinaska!"
The Spaniard somersaulted onto the field, and brandished his blades. (1,500/1,500)
"That foolish rogue is out of place here," said Guinevere.
"Oh, really?" asked Ren. "Pinaska, attack Jack's Knight."
"Yield," said Guinevere, as her facedown card lifted. "I activate Staunch Defender. Now all your attacks this round must be directed towards the Monster I choose, and I choose Ten's Knight."
"Drat…" muttered Ren. "Well… You heard her…"
Double Pinaska leapt towards Ten's Knight. The page covered herself with her hands before his blade fell and she shattered to bits.
"I end my turn…" he muttered.
Guinevere drew a card.
She held up a card in her hand.
"I play Polymerization," she said.
Oh… no! thought Yumi.
The three Knights stood up. Then they all turned into colored orbs of light, that swirled together…
"I fuse together Queen's Knight, King's Knight, and Jack's Knight," she continued, "to summon a far more powerful Warrior. Appear before me, exalted warrior of the Higher Plane… Come forward, Arcana Knight Joker!"
In a blinding flash, a Knight appeared who was even bigger than Ace's Knight. His elaborate, fancy armor was royal purple, with a crown-like helmet over his raven hair, a small shield, and a very fancy sword. He radiated pure light like a holy flame.
His eyes narrowed as he glared at Ren… (3,800/2,500)
"Thirty-eight hundred Attack Points?" shouted Ren.
"Exactly…" said Guinevere. "Even with your Soldier Lady's bonus, he'll still slay her.
"Arcana Knight Joker, attack Penumbral Soldier Lady! Royal straight flush rush!"
The powerful knight roared, and charged at Penumbral Soldier Lady…
"Go, Sakuretsu Armor!" shouted Ren.
His Trap Card lifted.
"I don't think so…" said Guinevere, throwing a card into her discard slot.
Joker paused, and the Trap Card shattered.
"What?" said Ren, shocked. "He's immune to Traps?"
"No…" said Guinevere. "But if he's targeted by a Spell, Trap, or Monster effect, I can discard a card of the same type to negate it, like that copy of Beckoning Light.
"Now then… I believe your Warrior was about to die…"
Penumbral Soldier Lady fell to her knees as Arcana Knight Joker prepared to strike.
"Oh no you don't!" shouted Ren. "Double Pinaska, I'm using your effect now!"
There was a loud clang…
When everyone looked, Double Pinaska was standing in between Joker and his target, angrily holding Joker's sword back with his rapiers. The two Warriors glared at each other…
Pinaska kicked the larger Warrior in the chest, and he staggered back.
"Heh, heh…" said Ren. "He can deflect one attack per duel… Guess you didn't have a Monster you could discard, huh?"
Guinevere didn't answer. She looked at another card in her hand (one that, apparently, she had been intending to use a minute ago).
She placed it in her Disk, and a facedown card appeared.
"It's your move…" she said.
Something about this girl keeps bugging me, thought Yumi. Something about how formal she is, how she never loses her cool…
Wait… Guinevere… Could that be another way of spelling…
It can't be…
I haven't seen her since we were both ten…
Well, I'll ask if Ren wins… Or if he loses and her threat turns out to be real…
Ren drew a card.
He smirked.
"I Equip Penumbral Soldier Lady with Fusion Sword Murasame Blade!" he exclaimed.
Penumbral Soldier Lady's sword vanished, and a much fancier one appeared in her hand. Her Attack Score rose to 2,900.
"And now she's just strong enough to take down your Joker," said Ren. "Penumbral Soldier Lady, attack Arcana Knight Joker!"
The female Warrior lifted her sword.
"Not yet," said Guinevere. "I activate De-Fusion."
Her facedown card lifted, and Joker burst into three globes of light…
The globes hovered over Guinevere's side of the field, and formed into Queen's Knight (1,500/1,600), King's Knight (1,600/1,500) and Jack's Knight (1,900/1,000), all of them in Defense Mode.
Ren shrugged.
"I'll just have to take them out one at a time," he said. "Attack Queen's Knight!"
Penumbral Soldier Lady made a slash with her blade. Queen's Knight gave a cry, and fell backwards before she shattered.
"Double Pinaska, attack Jack's Knight!"
The Spaniard leapt up, and slashed with his rapier, blasting Jack's Knight to pixels.
"It's your move," said Ren. "So now what? I can hardly wait to see what comes next."
Guinevere drew a card.
She played it, and the Pot of Greed appeared in front of her. She ignored it, and drew two cards.
"Oh, I'll bet you can't…" she said, with a slight smile.
She played a card.
"I play The Warrior Returning Alive," she said. "I'll use it to get back Queen's Knight. And then I'll summon her again."
She took the card from her discard slot, and then placed it on her Disk. Queen's Knight appeared, and gave Ren a dirty look. (1,500/1,600)
"Next," she said, "I play Premature Burial, to bring back Jack's Knight as well."
She played the card, and Jack's Knight appeared in a flash of light. (1,900/1,000)
"So what?" asked Ren. "They can't beat my Warrior."
"Overconfidence leads to defeat, Ren," said Guinevere, taking a card from her hand. "I play a new Spell Card. This one is called Royal Straight."
"Oh no!" gasped Yumi.
"What?" asked Chelsea.
"This one I know about…" replied Yumi. "It's really bad…"
"This powerful Spell lets me sacrifice my three Knights…" continued Guinevere.
The three Warriors burst into pixels… Guinevere took a card from her deck.
"And in return, I get to summon someone more powerful. My Royal Straight Slasher."
In a burst of light, a new Warrior appeared on the field. This one was muscular and imposing, but his attire suggested a cross between a knight and a jester, again covered with playing card symbols. His face was covered with white makeup, with black markings around his eyes that were pools of silvery light. Again, his hair was blonde and worn long. (2,400/1,350)
"Oh-kay…" said Ren. "My Penumbral Soldier Lady can still beat him…"
Guinevere took her deck.
"No she can't," she replied, "because she dies now. Slasher's effect lets me discard five Monsters from my deck, of Levels One through Five, to wipe out every card on your side of the field."
Ren stepped back in shock.
Quickly, Guinevere discarded five cards: a Winged Kuriboh, a Skelengel, a second Ten's Knight, a second Shining Angel, and a second Jack's Knight.
Royal Straight Slasher's eyes glowed with energy…
Then Penumbral Soldier Lady and Double Pinaska burst into shards.
"I'm not done," said Guinevere. "Slasher, attack him directly."
Royal Straight Slasher's right hand glowed with energy. He leapt at Ren, and Ren cried out in pain as the Warrior made a savage chop to his torso.
(R: 2,000) -------------------- (G: 5,400)
Ren held his chest and glared at the Warrior…
"I'll place a card facedown," said Guinevere, "and end my turn."
Ren sweat as he drew a card.
"I activate my Trap Card," said Guinevere, as her facedown card lifted.
"Ray of Hope. Now, two Light Monsters from my Graveyard go back to my deck."
One Jack's Knight and one Ten's Knight slipped out of her discard slot. She combined the two cards with her deck, and reshuffled.
"This assures that I'll have the cards I need to activate Slasher's effect again," she said.
If she does, I've had it, thought Ren, looking at the card he had just drawn.
"I play Pot of Greed…" he muttered.
He played the card, and drew two cards.
"If that's the case…" he muttered, "I'd best take him out this round…"
He threw a card on his Disk.
"I summon Zombyra the Dark."
A dark portal opened, and Zombyra flew out. He struck a heroic pose. (2,100/500)
"Not quite strong enough," said Guinevere.
"He will be, once I combine him with Rush Recklessly," replied Ren.
He played the card, and Zombyra rose to an Attack of 2,800.
"Attack her Royal Straight Slasher!" he shouted. "Super powered punch attack!"
Zombyra flew forward, and socked the harlequin in the gut. Slasher groaned, and was blasted into pixels.
Zombyra held his chest, and fell to an Attack of 1,900.
"That's my turn, Guinevere," he said, "and you seem to be almost out of big guns."
(R: 2,000) -------------------- (G: 5,000)
Guinevere drew a card.
She placed a card on her Disk, and a facedown Monster appeared.
"We'll soon see, won't we?" she asked.
She waved her arm.
Ren drew a card.
He smirked. It seemed that the tide was about to turn.
"I play Frontline Base," he said, playing a card.
"Now, I'll use its effect to Special Summon Pitch-Dark Dragon…"
The small Dragon materialized on the field. (900/600)
"And since that was a Special Summon, I can sacrifice it, to summon The Fiend Megacyber!"
Pitch-Dark Dragon vanished, and the hulking, cybernetic Warrior appeared. (2,200/1,200)
"Zombyra, attack her facedown Monster!"
Zombyra leapt forward. Queen's Knight appeared on the card, and with another blow, she was eradicated.
Zombyra clutched his chest again, and fell to an Attack of 1,700.
"Megacyber, attack Guinevere directly!"
Chelsea cheered as the hulking Monster bore down on the princess and slashed across her chest with his blades. Guinevere gave a small cry and fell over on her behind.
(R: 2,000) -------------------- (G: 2,800)
"Okay, that's all for my turn," said Ren with a chuckle. "So, what else have you got?"
Guinevere got up holding her chest, and glared at him.
She drew a card.
She quickly placed it in her Disk, and a facedown card appeared.
"End turn…" she said.
Ren nervously drew a card.
Somehow… I don't think she's bluffing… he thought.
He looked at the facedown card.
If it's Sakuretsu Armor, I'm relatively safe. If it's Mirror Force, I'm likely dead. If it's Magic Cylinder, I'm probably dead.
He looked at the one card in his hand.
"I'll… place this facedown," he said, "and end my turn…"
Guinevere smirked.
"Afraid, Ren?" she asked. "Where in you is the knightly trait of courage?"
She drew one card.
"I place another card facedown, and that will be all."
A second facedown card appeared.
Ren drew a card.
It was Crescent Moon Queen. He rubbed his chin.
"I activate my facedown card," said Guinevere. "Call of the Haunted."
One of her facedown cards lifted, and a coffin made of pure silver appeared on her side of the field. It opened, and Ace's Knight stepped out of it. (2,300/1,700)
Well, thought Ren, looking at the card he had just drawn, no choice now but to go for broke…
"I trade my Fiend Megacyber and Zombyra the Dark…" he said.
The two Warriors vanished into orbs of shadow…
"And summon Crescent Moon Queen!"
In a burst of darkness, the royal dark Warrior appeared, brandishing her blades, her eyes glowing with pinpoints of light… (2,600/1,700)
Guinevere's eyes narrowed.
"Attack her Ace's Knight!" shouted Ren.
Crescent Moon Queen raised her blades.
"Trap activate!" shouted Guinevere.
Her other facedown card lifted.
"What?" said Ren, looking at the odd Trap. "Blast Held by a Tribute?"
"I can only activate this when you attack with a Monster that you summoned via sacrifice," replied Guinevere. "Now your Queen will perish, and 1,000 of your Life Points will go with her."
Crescent Moon Queen hollered as flames erupted over her skin. Then she literally exploded, knocking Ren over.
(R: 1,000) -------------------- (G: 2,800)
Guinevere smirked.
"Sorry, Ren," she said, "but this duel is over…"
Ren smirked back as he looked up.
"I couldn't agree with you more," he said. "Especially now that you've used up the Trap that I was worried about. You see…"
His own facedown card lifted.
"I had my own Call of the Haunted set."
Guinevere gasped as another coffin, this one made of mahogany, appeared on Ren's side of the field. It opened, and a very pissed-looking Crescent Moon Queen stepped out. (2,600/1,700)
"Crescent Moon Queen…" ordered Ren, "let's try this again. Attack Ace's Knight!"
The Queen charged, and with a swipe of her sword, the knight shattered into shards.
"Now, attack directly!"
The Queen's other sword slammed into Guinevere, and this time she truly screamed.
She fell to her knees.
(R: 1,000) -------------------- (G: 0)
Crescent Moon Queen looked at her for a minute…
Then she smiled slightly, before vanishing.
"You are triumphant…" said Guinevere, slowly. "You truly have the heart of a knight, Ren."
"Maybe the heart of a Samurai too…" said Yumi, getting up. "Isn't that right… Gwendolyn?"
Guinevere looked up.
"How did you…"
"Know?" replied Yumi. "Well, 'Guinevere' is a similar name, and your mom was so fond of Light Monsters too, and I just have a pretty good memory…"
"Yumi, uhm…" said Ren. "You know her?"
Guinevere stood up. She blushed and sighed. Then she addressed them in Japanese for the first time.
"I've been going to private schools for a long time…" she said. "We haven't seen each other since we were all ten…
"My true name is Gwendolyn Prospero… Jade Valentine was my mother."
Yumi nodded. Chelsea and Ren were shocked.
Then Ren laughed nervously.
"So then…" he said. "I guess that thing's powers must be a sham…"
He pointed to the Siege Perilous.
"No, they are quite real," said Gwendolyn. "And you have earned it. But first…"
Ren's badge changed color, changing to Silver.
"Second…"
Her hand glowed, and a card appeared in it.
"Add this to your deck," she said. "It is quite powerful if used right, and fits your strategy quite well…"
Ren took the card and looked at it.
"Indeed…" he said.
"Now…" said Gwendolyn.
She motioned to the Siege Perilous. Ren flinched a little.
"Uhm… It is safe, right?" he asked.
"I can control its powers," replied Gwendolyn.
Ren looked at Yumi and Chelsea.
He nervously went up to the golden chair. Even though it was an ornate throne made of precious metals and gems, it seemed as threatening as an electric chair.
Slowly, he sat down…
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Louis was speaking on the phone in the penthouse suite. Olga and Nicholas were nearby, going over their cards.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell him…" said Louis.
"BOSS!" he shouted.
"Ugh…" said Nicholas. "Louis, you think you can do that again? I can still hear a little out of this one."
"What's all the ruckus?" asked Rasputin, walking in.
"Bad news, boss," said Louis. "Four Ascenders have been arrested in the past three hours, and…"
His phone rang again.
"What?" said Rasputin. "But how?"
Louis listened on the phone.
"Uh, boss?" he said. "Make that six have been arrested… Seems the Centurions are rounding up everyone who fits the profile and not listening to excuses."
Rasputin mouthed an obscenity and reached for his own phone.
"I thought the black cloaks would intimidate other duelists…" he muttered. "Arachne, it seems, is not a woman who will be intimidated by a costume…"
He dialed a special number – the multi-call number.
"Attention all Ascenders remaining in Duelatopia," he said. "The plan has been changed. Remove and destroy anything that physically identifies you as a member of our group. Also, do not make any challenges unless ordered to, and refuse any from normal contestants. Concentrate all efforts on locating the remaining Shadow Charms. The Centurions are making a conscious effort to look for us, and we must now remain inconspicuous."
He hung up the phone and sat down.
He looked at Nicholas and Olga.
"The three of us are the only legitimate tournament guests in the true League," he said. "So if anyone working for me who is privy to the plans is going to win this tournament, it has to be one of us…"
"Pardon me for asking," said Nicholas, "but why do you want to win the tournament? I thought we were here to get the Charms, and you have more money than you know what to do with."
Rasputin crossed his arms.
"Some things you just can't buy, Nicholas," he said, "mostly because some people aren't willing to sell them.
"Seto Kaiba lived most of his life thinking that magic didn't exist. But that changed when he was chosen to protect the Mandate, whatever that was.
"According to legend, he amassed a vast library of supernatural lore in the subbasements of the Domino KaibaCorp building, an archive that is second to none.
"This legend was recently confirmed to be true. If I could have only an hour in that archive, the things I could discover…
"But it isn't open to the public. Only the top brass at KaibaCorp are allowed to view it.
"But if this tournament were to be won…"
He chuckled.
"The request…" said Olga. "You could have unlimited access to it…"
"Indeed…" said Rasputin. "Arachne said anything KaibaCorp could provide, the entry rules don't specifically forbid it, and if she were to refuse, my lawyers would be able to sue on the grounds that a promised contest winning was not given.
"I want access to that library… Once I have it and the Shadow Charms, a new era will dawn…
"One which will see the rise of a new Sorcerer King…"
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ren couldn't believe his eyes…
He was in the most beautiful garden he had ever seen. Surrounding him were flowers, and lush fruit trees. Playful rabbits hopped in the underbrush. The temperature was perfect, and the air was fresh and sweet.
This was how he imagined the Garden of Eden. What other place could be so beautiful?
He was confused, though. The Siege Perilous was supposed to show him his greatest desire. Was it Eden?
Somehow, he knew there was more to this. He started to walk forward…
Then, he saw her. She was clothed in a gown of pure white, that contrasted her short, dark hair only slightly. She smiled sweetly.
Ren held out her arms and she ran to him. They embraced…
Slowly, they kissed…
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ren opened his eyes.
He slowly stood up, getting off the golden chair.
Gwendolyn looked at him. She nodded.
"Well?" asked Chelsea. "What did you see?"
Ren looked at her and smirked.
"I'll… uhm… tell you someday, Chelsea…" he said. "But for now, there's more to do…
"The tournament is far from over, and we've got to win it!"
Yumi nodded, as they headed for the door. Gwendolyn smiled.
"Good luck…" she said.
Ren has defeated the daughter of his father's old ally, and gotten a great deal for the trouble. Chelsea is now qualified for the finals, while Yumi and Ren are merely one away. And the day is just beginning!
0
0
0
OJAMONEY (Spell Card)
Normal Spell
Image: The three Ojamas frolicking in a big pile of money.
Card Description: Pay 1,000 Life Points. Draw one card from your deck for each "Ojama" Monster face-up on your side of the field. At the End Phase of the turn in which you use this card, send all cards in your hand and on your side of the field to the Graveyard.
0
0
0
REWARDS OF CHIVALRY (Spell Card)
Normal Spell
Image: A gallant knight embracing a beautiful princess.
Card Description: You may only play this card during your Main Phase 1. For each LIGHT Warrior-Type Monster you Special Summon during this turn, draw one card from your deck during the End Phase of the turn.
0
0
0
ROYAL STRAIGHT (Spell Card)
Normal Spell
Image: A hand holding a ten, queen, king, jack, and ace, all of spades.
Card Description: Offer one "Queen's Knight", one "King's Knight" and one "Jack's Knight" on your side of the field as a Tribute. Special Summon one "Royal Straight Slasher" from your hand, deck, or Graveyard.
0
0
0
ROYAL STRAIGHT SLASHER (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type:
Warrior/Effect
Attribute:
Light
Level:
6
ATK:
2,400
DEF:
1,350
Card Description: This card cannot be Normal Summoned or set. This card can only be Special Summoned via the effect of "Royal Straight". Once per round when this card is face-up on your side of the field, you may discard from your deck five Monsters of each of the first five Levels to destroy all cards on your opponent's side of the field.
Note: "Royal Straight" and "Royal Straight Slasher" were first used by Yugi in the original multi-part anime episode "Sinister Secrets". Creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.
0
0
0
ROYAL FLUSH (Spell Card)
Normal Spell
Image: A hand holding three playing cards, with Queen's Knight, King's Knight, and Jack's Knight as the Queen of Spades, King of Spades, and Jack of Spades respectably.
Card Description: You may activate this card when you have one "Jack's Knight" on your side of the field that was Special Summoned via the effect of "King's Knight". Pay 1,000 Life Points. Special Summon one "Ten's Knight" and one "Ace's Knight" from your hand and/or deck.
0
0
0
TEN'S KNIGHT (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type:
Warrior
Attribute:
Light
Level:
3
ATK:
1,000
DEF:
800
Flavor Text: A young page who is just learning the ways of chivalry. She strikes fast and quick with her long dagger.
0
0
0
ACE'S KNIGHT (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type:
Warrior
Attribute:
Light
Level:
6
ATK:
2,300
DEF:
1,700
Flavor Text: A hulking brute in armor. He defends his comrades at all costs with his deadly greatsword.
0
0
0
ARCANA KNIGHT JOKER (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type:
Warrior/Fusion/Effect
Attribute:
Light
Level:
3
ATK:
3,800
DEF:
2,500
Card Description: "Queen's Knight" + "King's Knight" + "Jack's Knight"
A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done using the above named Fusion Material Monsters. When this card is face-up on the field, if it is targeted by the effect of a Spell, Trap, or Monster, you may discard a card of the same type from your hand to negate the effect.
Note: "Arcana Knight Joker" is a Japanese card that has not yet been released in the United States.
0
0
0
Ren: I wonder where Sam is today? She's only one step away from Gold herself.
Chelsea: Maybe she'll find an Eliminator of her own.
Yumi: I'm not sure if Sam wants to take such a risk…
Anastasia: Oh but she will…
Sam will not only challenge an Eliminator, but one who guards a great secret… Ancient, forbidden power that possibly only Sam may unlock…
Coming up next, "Elimination Duel Four; Shaolin Dragon".
What secrets lie buried in Duelatopia? Sam is about to find out…