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CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
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Savage Wilderness of the Beastlands
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Ren versus Chelsea
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It was fifteen minutes after Sam's duel had ended. Rasputin, Nicholas, and Louis had not yet come back.
Olga, however, was back in her seat, and if she even cared about losing, she didn't show it. In fact, she was casually munching on toasted granola.
"She doesn't seem the least bit worried about what Rasputin is going to do to her," muttered Sam.
"If he plans to do anything," replied Erik. "You don't suppose she has more dirt on him than anyone else?"
Olga apparently had heard that. She turned to them and smirked.
There was something about that smirk that chilled them to the bone…
Meanwhile, Ren was nervously watching the clock. He had to report to the north gate in five minutes.
"Chelsea!" he quickly said.
Chelsea looked at him, with a slight smile.
"Look…" he said. "Before this starts, I have something to say… I've wanted to say this for a long time…"
Chelsea put two fingers up and placed them over his lips.
"I know…" she whispered. "I know. And if you want to prove it, let's make a little wager on this duel…"
"Uh, a wager?" asked Ren. "What?"
Chelsea moved beside him.
"If I win this duel," she said, "then tonight, I want you to…"
She whispered something into his ear, so no-one else could hear her. Ren's eyes opened wide…
"Gee…" he muttered, looking at her. "If I have to do that if I lose, why would I want to win?"
"Because…" she whispered, "if you win, then I'll…"
She whispered into his ear again.
Ren gulped. He looked her in the eyes.
"Okay…" he said. "It's a deal…"
"Then don't hold back," she said, getting up.
Ren took some deep breaths, and then he got up too.
Well… he thought, that was… unexpected…
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In the center of the arena, Dream Clown, Crass Clown, Peten the Dark Clown, and Saggi the Dark Clown were performing a juggling act while the sound system played Merry-Go-Round Broke Down. Dream Clown was balanced on a ball, juggling spheres, Crass Clown was on a turntable juggling pins, Peten was riding a unicycle and juggling rings, while Saggi was spinning a group of plates while standing on one leg.
Finally, all four clowns caught the items and bowed, before vanishing into swirls of dark energy.
More fireworks erupted, as the two announcers appeared on the screen again.
"Welcome back," said Natalie, "as we continue our coverage of Duelatopia XX!"
"And you're just in time for a match that long-time Duelatopia fans have waited for a long time," said Ben. "The finals match between Ren Marris, and Chelsea Ramset."
"In case you aren't a longtime fan, we'll explain," continued Natalie. "In the very first Duelatopia, Chelsea's dad Peter, and Ren's dad Clive were contestants, and they were champion material. Both of them got to the finals."
"One of them even made it to round two," said Ben. "But these close friends never dueled each other in this competition… That might have been for the best.
"Now…" said Natalie, "Clive Marris is on KaibaCorp's board of directors… Peter Ramset is I2's head card designer. Both are working to make Duel Monsters a better game.
"And now, their children want to be champions too… But this time, they will have to duel each other."
More fireworks burst, and Sheena and Delmato appeared in the center of the arena.
"Introducing…" said Ben's voice, "our next quarter finalist… Ren Marris!"
Ren walked out to the center of the arena to cheers. He tried hard to hide how nervous he was. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to win this duel or not.
He wanted to win the tournament, but he certainly didn't want to hurt Chelsea now…
He made up his mind. If he won the tournament, the first thing he'd do with the prize money would be to buy Chelsea dinner at the best restaurant in Domino.
"And his opponent," said Natalie, "Chelsea Ramset!"
Chelsea walked out to more cheers, and waved to the audience.
"She sure looks serious," said Ben. "Not every duelist these days carries a sword at her hip…"
Yumi noticed Rasputin, Nicholas, and Louis sit back in their seats. They seemed indifferent to Olga, so it was hard to say whether they were mad at her or not.
Hope I didn't miss anything, thought Rasputin. Seeing two of those brats forced to duel each other should be worthy entertainment.
And by watching, I'll learn how much they've improved their decks, which, if they're smart, they've obviously done since I saw them last. It will certainly be knowledge that I can use.
Of course, once this duel is over, one of them won't be dueling in the tournament any more…
So I'll simply wait until the finals are over, and lay an ambush. He or she will duel for the Charm, like it or not…
"Okay, you two…" said Sheena, opening the Field slot on her Disk. "Time to take another journey past the physical realm…"
She placed another card in the slot, and the holographic towers glowed again.
"Time to go to a place on the wild side… I give you… The Savage Wilderness of the Beastlands!"
Again, it seemed the whole city changed. Now, the arena and the surroundings were changed into a giant, primal forest, with trees looming hundreds of feet high. Around the two duelists, forest creatures more beautiful than any they had ever seen – deer, foxes, and wolves – stood by watching.
There were watchers in the sky as well. The clouds had faces on them now, looking down upon the arena with eyes that reflected great wisdom.
"The stage is set," said Delmato. "So let's get started!"
The two cut and shuffled each other's decks, and the coin toss was done…
"Here we go!" shouted Ben. "It's been nineteen years… Which offspring can duel better? We're about to see!"
"Game on!" shouted Delmato, clenching his fist.
(Ren: 8,000) -------------------- (Chelsea: 8,000)
"All right, let's see here…" said Chelsea, making her first draw. "I'll start by summoning Blood Sucker…"
She played the card, and in a burst of dark energy, the horned, winged Zombie emerged. (1,300/1,500)
Okay, nothing new there… thought Ren.
"Then I'll place these facedown, and end my turn," she said.
Two facedown cards appeared behind Blood Sucker.
"All right!" shouted Ren. "Draw!"
He drew a card.
"Trap activate…" said Chelsea.
"Huh?" said Ren, as one of her facedown cards lifted.
"It's called Cloak and Dagger," said Chelsea. "What this Trap Card does is summon a shadow assassin, who's now hidden invisibly somewhere around the arena. I simply have to tell him the name of his target, and if that target appears on the field, it's removed from play.
"Of course, once that happens, the contract ends, and he leaves.
"The target is Getsu Fuhma."
Crud, thought Ren. More prepared than I thought… She all but did away with the Monster that could do the most damage to her Monsters.
But I can still take out her Blood Sucker…
"I play… Reinforcement of the Army," he said, playing a card. "Now I get to take a Warrior from my deck.
"And if Getsu Fuhma is out, I'll go with Dark Blade.
"Now I'll summon him!"
Dark Blade appeared in another aura of darkness. (1,800/1,500)
"Attack her Blood Sucker!" he shouted.
Dark Blade flew towards the fiendish zombie, and with two slashes of his swords, it was cut down.
"You triggered my other Trap!" shouted Chelsea, as her other facedown card lifted.
The card bore the image of a hand reaching out of a coffin.
"Thirst of Blood," she said. "I can activate this when one of my Monsters is destroyed. Now I can summon a vampire from my deck that's Level Four or less.
"Now let's see… How about Vampire Lady?"
In a burst of energy, a Vampire Lady appeared. (1,550/1,550)
"Well, that was pointless," said Natalie.
Ren sighed.
"I'll place a card of my own facedown, and end my turn," he said.
A facedown card appeared on his side of the field.
(R: 8,000) -------------------- (C: 7,500)
"Well, this duel doesn't seem as one-sided at the beginning as the last one was," said Natalie. "We still have a long way to go…"
Chelsea made a draw.
"I play… Pot of Greed," she said.
She played the card, and drew twice. She looked at the two cards and then chose another one.
"Now I play… Coercive Magic Eyes."
She played a Spell Card, and two sinister eyes appeared behind her. Vampire Lady's eyes glowed fiery red.
"What the?" asked Ren.
"This card gives Vampire Lady the ability to go right past your Dark Blade, and get to you," said Chelsea. "Vampire Lady, give Ren a kiss for me."
Vampire Lady pounced. Then she vanished…
Ren started to tremble as he felt her arms caressing him from behind…
He moaned as her fangs stabbed into his neck and she drank her fill. She let go, and he fell on one knee.
Yumi shook her head.
Chelsea clearly has made her deck more powerful… she thought. Has Ren done the same? He won't stand a chance if he hasn't.
"I'm sure you know Vampire Lady's effect," said Chelsea. "I declare Spell Card."
Ren frowned and looked through his deck. He took Mystic Plasma Zone and discarded it.
Don't really need that, he thought. It would help her as much as it would me.
(R: 6,450) -------------------- (C: 7,500)
Rasputin chuckled.
Chelsea one, Ren zero, he thought.
"Still my turn…" said Chelsea. "I'll place one card facedown…"
A facedown card appeared.
"Then I'll sacrifice Vampire Lady…"
Vampire Lady vanished into dark mist.
"To summon this…"
A Monster appeared in Defense Mode.
Huh? thought Ren.
"Your move…" said Chelsea.
Ren drew a card.
The only Zombie I can think of that's Level Five or higher that you set in Defense Mode is Giant Axe Mummy, he thought. But since when did Chelsea use mummies? It isn't her style…
"I summon Double Pinaska," he said.
The bandito somersaulted onto the field, and twirled his rapiers. (1,500/1,500)
If it is Giant Axe Mummy, attacking would be a bad idea, he thought. I'll just wait for now…
"I end my turn," he said.
Chelsea drew a card.
"I summon Sangan," she said.
With a cry, the four-armed, three-eyed Fiend leapt up. (1,000/600)
"Next…" she said. "I Flip-Summon my other Monster…"
The facedown card flipped, and a huge, hulking form rose up behind Chelsea…
It wasn't Giant Axe Mummy. It was a gigantic jack-o-lantern, with vine-like tentacles, one eye, a huge, toothy mouth, and a small crown on the top. (1,800/2,000)
"A peculiar move by Chelsea," said Natalie. "Pumpking the King of Ghosts hasn't seen use in tournaments for decades. That card is rather weak by today's standards."
"Oh, come on!" shouted Ren. "Why on Earth would you put that old thing in your deck?"
"True, it is an antiquated Monster," replied Chelsea, "but I found a new way to use it. But first… I'm well aware of Double Pinaska's ability, so I'm gonna force you to use it up. After all, 1,800 Attack Points beats 1,500.
"Pumpking, attack Double Pinaska. Ectoplasmic tendrils."
Pumpking shot its vines towards the bandito…
"Pinaska, deflect!" shouted Ren.
Double Pinaska swung his blades, cleaving through the tentacles. Four small pieces fell to the ground, and the King of Ghosts withdrew its arms.
"Sangan, you attack Double Pinaska," said Chelsea.
The Fiend leapt at Pinaska. He made a swipe with his blade, cleaving it in two.
"Now why did she do that?" asked Ben.
"So she could use its effect, silly," replied Natalie.
Chelsea looked through her deck, and found the card she wanted. She added it to her hand.
She gestured, and her facedown card lifted, revealing Call of the Haunted.
In a burst of darkness, Sangan appeared again.
"Attack Double Pinaska again!" she shouted.
"Aw, gee…" moaned Ren.
The Fiend lunged, and Double Pinaska cut it in half again.
Chelsea looked through her deck, and found another card.
"The stage is set, Ren," she said. "Now I'm gonna bring out my newest power player."
She flipped a Spell Card in her hand forward.
"A Polymerization card?" gasped Ren. "What two Monsters are you gonna fuse?"
"Not two…" replied Chelsea, placing it in her Disk. "Three. I'm using this to fuse together Pumpking, Soul-Absorbing Bone Tower, and Castle of Dark Illusions."
Soul-Absorbing Bone Tower appeared on the field, and the ominous form of Castle of Dark Illusions floated overhead…
The two Zombies and one Fiend swirled into a dark, spinning vortex… The sky above the Beastlands darkened, and the faces in the clouds frowned. Dark mist rose from the ground…
"I summon…" shouted Chelsea, "Nosferatu the Lich Lord!"
Stepping out of the vortex was a tall creature that radiated an aura of pure darkness. It was a skeletal figure, wearing rich robes and jewelry, holding an ornate staff. Its empty eye-sockets glowed with pinpoints of light. A stench of death wafted over the eves of the forest, like a fresh grave… (1,900/2,000)
"I dunno…" muttered Ren. "I kinda expected someone stronger…"
"Attack Points aren't everything, Ren," replied Chelsea. "To end my turn, I'll place a card facedown, and activate Mirage of Nightmare."
The Mirage card and the facedown card appeared.
"And it's your move."
I know this combo… thought Ren. But she's up to something with that Lich Lord, and I'll bet it doesn't bode well…
(R: 6,450) -------------------- (C: 6,500)
He drew a card.
"My Mirage card activates…" said Chelsea.
She quickly drew four cards.
"…as does my facedown card…"
Her Mystical Space Typhoon card flipped up, and the Mirage card shattered into bits.
Ren looked at the five cards in his hand.
Shouldn't be too hard to beat it, he thought. I just have to summon a Monster with at least 1,900 Attack Points…
One problem… I don't have one right now…
And there's no telling what dangerous powers that thing has…
"All right, Chelsea…" he said, "I move my two guys to Defense Mode…"
Dark Blade and Double Pinaska sheathed their swords and crouched in defense.
"And I'll put this in Defense Mode too…"
A facedown Monster appeared.
"That'll do it…"
Chelsea drew a card.
"Nosferatu…" she shouted, "attack his Dark Blade! Dark blight!"
The Lich Lord's eyes burned with unholy fire. It thrust its staff forward, and cast an evil spell, blasting Dark Blade to dust.
"Now I get to Special Summon a Monster," continued Chelsea. "And he may be familiar too you…"
The ground cracked open, and a hand burst out of the ground…
Ren watched, as a new Zombie crawled out of the ground on Chelsea's side…
He couldn't believe it. It was Dark Blade. His armor was broken, dirty, and dented, and his eyes were glowing red, but there was no mistaking it was him. (1,800/1,500)
"Chelsea…" said Ren. "What happened?"
"To make up for having pathetic scores for a Level Eight Monster," said Chelsea, "Nosferatu has some powerful abilities. Case in point, when it destroys a Monster in battle, that Monster is Special Summoned to my side of the field. Although, its Type becomes Zombie, and its effect is negated.
"But don't worry, Ren, I don't intend on keeping Dark Blade much longer…"
She's going to sacrifice Dark Blade! thought Ren.
Chelsea played another card.
"I sacrifice him…"
Dark Blade burst into an explosion of dust…
"To summon Curse of Vampire!"
Curse of Vampire? thought Ren. Another new card?
The vampire that appeared on Chelsea's side of the field this time was quite different than the more familiar Vampire Lord. He wore armor, had different-styled hair, and had two batlike wings growing from his back. He looked at Ren with a grim expression. (2,000/800)
"Your move…" said Chelsea.
Weird… thought Yumi. I'm glad Chelsea is on our side, because she would have made a terrible enemy… She's truly become Queen of the Undead!
Ren drew a card.
That's the one, he thought, looking at it.
"I sacrifice Double Pinaska…" he said.
Double Pinaska burst into pixels.
"In order to summon Penumbral Soldier Lady!"
In another burst of darkness, Penumbral Soldier Lady appeared. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Chelsea's two Zombies. (2,100/1,400)
"One card," said Ben, "and Ren may have turned this around!"
"Show's over, worm-feast!" shouted Ren. "Attack Nosferatu the Lich Lord! Sword of Shadows!"
Penumbral Soldier Lady leapt at Nosferatu, and slammed her sword into the undead sorcerer… It exploded into a burst of bones, which clattered to the ground, along with its staff… Chelsea cringed…
(R: 6,450) -------------------- (C: 6,300)
"Hmm…" said Ren.
Penumbral Soldier Lady was backing up nervously…
The staff rose off the ground, and the bones floated up too…
"HUH?" shouted Ren.
The bones pieced themselves back together, forming into Nosferatu again. Its jawbone formed into a smile, and its eyes glowed.
"Nice try, Ren," said Chelsea, "but you can't kill it that way."
"Able to steal opposing Monsters and invincible in battle!" exclaimed Natalie. "Chelsea may have found the perfect Monster!"
"Anything else, Ren?" asked Chelsea.
"No…" replied Ren. "I have to end my turn…"
At least neither of her Monsters can beat Penumbral Soldier Lady, he thought.
Chelsea drew a card. She looked at it for a second. She shrugged and added it to her hand.
"Nosferatu, attack his facedown Monster!" she shouted.
Nosferatu cast its evil spell again. Familiar Knight appeared on the card, and was blasted into dust.
"Nuts…" muttered Ren. "Well, Chelsea… I don't have a Level Four Monster right now, but if you have one…"
"Nope," said Chelsea, "so you lucked out. Anyway… Curse of Vampire… Attack Penumbral Soldier Lady."
"HUH?" shouted Ren.
Curse of Vampire pounced at Soldier Lady. She scowled, as if she thought he had some nerve, and with one slash of her sword, he was blasted to pieces.
"Okay, I want to know why you did that, Chelsea!" shouted Ren.
"And ruin the big surprise?" asked Chelsea with a chuckle. "Not telling… By the way, now that my Battle Phase is over…"
The ground cracked, and a Zombie Familiar Knight crawled out of the ground on Chelsea's side of the field. (1,200/1,400)
This is getting out of hand… thought Ren.
He drew a card.
"Sorry, Familiar Knight," he said. "But I'll put you out of your misery…"
He placed a card on his Disk, and a Defensive Monster appeared.
"Soldier Lady, attack Familiar Knight!"
Penumbral Soldier Lady leapt up, and slashed at Familiar Knight, blowing him to dust. She coughed as the cloud of what had once been her ally covered her…
(R: 6,450) -------------------- (C: 5,400)
"Ren has just taken the lead," said Ben, "but with Chelsea's Lich Lord on the field, how long can he hold it?"
"Your move, Chelsea," said Ren.
"Indeed…" said Chelsea, drawing a card.
As she added it to her hand, a dark fog appeared behind her…
Chelsea closed her eyes, and bent her head to one side.
"Now what?" said Ren.
Curse of Vampire appeared out of the fog, and held Chelsea by the shoulders. He gently bit into her neck, drinking her blood…
"What's happening?" shouted Ren.
Curse of Vampire walked forward, back to Chelsea's side of the field. (2,500/800)
"Ugh…" said Chelsea, holding her head. "I'll explain in small words, Ren. Curse of Vampire is sort of the polar opposite of Vampire Lord. While the more familiar vampire can be resurrected after being destroyed by card effects, Curse of Vampire can be resurrected if he's destroyed in battle… So long as I let him take 500 of my Life Points.
"But as you can see, there's a bonus… He comes back stronger than he was before."
"Next, I play Premature Burial…"
She played the card, and Vampire Lady crawled out of the ground. (1,550/1,550)
"Now, I'll sacrifice her… Come on out, Vampire Lord!"
In a burst of energy, Vampire Lady vanished, and Vampire Lord appeared on the field. (2,000/1,500)
"All right!" shouted Chelsea. "Time to clean up! I play Rush Recklessly."
She played the card, and Nosferatu's Attack Score rose to 2,600.
"Now, take out Penumbral Soldier Lady!"
Nosferatu blasted his unholy curse, and Soldier Lady screamed. She was blown to shards.
"Vampire Lord, take out his last defense!"
The vampire's eyes glowed. The swarm of bats shot towards the card. Pitch-Dark Dragon appeared on the card, and was blown to bits.
"Curse of Vampire, attack him directly!"
Curse of Vampire hissed, and leapt at Ren. His Trap Card – the one he had set on his first turn – lifted up before the claw slashed into him…
(R: 7,450) -------------------- (C: 4,100)
"HUH?" shouted Chelsea. "Your Life Points went UP?"
"Yeah…" said Ren. "Thanks to my Nutrient Z Trap Card. You aren't the only one who's reworked your deck, Chelsea!"
Chelsea chuckled.
"Very clever," she said. "My Battle Phase is over, and you know what that means…"
With a groan, Penumbral Soldier Lady crawled out of the ground on Chelsea's side of the field, her skin as pale as death, her hair tangled, and her eyes glowing red. (2,100/1,400)
"All right, Chelsea, my move…" said Ren.
He drew a card.
"I play… Graceful Charity," he said.
The beautiful angel flew out of the clouds, and her feathers fell on his deck. He drew three cards.
He gave them a long look before discarding two.
He placed two of them in his Disk, and a facedown Monster and a facedown card appeared.
"Your move…" he said.
Chelsea drew a card.
She smirked at Ren.
"Nosferatu, attack his facedown Monster!" she shouted.
Once again, the Lich Lord cast its evil curse…
Getsu Fuhma appeared on the card…
"NO!" screamed Chelsea, as the hex shot towards Getsu Fuhma.
The Cloak and Dagger card glowed, and a gunshot fired. Getsu Fuhma shattered into pixels, but it was too late – the damage had already been done. Nosferatu the Lich Lord dropped its staff and screamed as smoke poured from its palms.
Then it shattered into shards of bone.
Ren grinned, as the Zombie Penumbral Soldier Lady shattered as well. Finally, the Cloak and Dagger card vanished into grains of light.
"See, I figured out your Trap Card's weakness," said Ren. "I could still set Getsu Fuhma safely. And even though it removed her from play when she flipped face-up, the battle still occurred, so your Lich Lord is history."
"Very clever…" said Chelsea. "Vampire Lord, attack him directly!"
Vampire Lord hissed, and lifted his cloak…
As the swarm of bats flew towards Ren, a strange figure appeared out of a dark portal in behind him. It was a fiendish Warrior in bladed armor, with a mane of shock-white hair. He put his arms around Ren, and the swarm of bats was deflected.
"Who was THAT?" shouted Chelsea, as the strange Warrior vanished.
"Necro Gardna, that's who," said Ren, holding up a card. "I put him in my Graveyard when I played Graceful Charity. And by removing him from play, I can negate your vampire's attack."
He pocketed the card.
In her seat, Yumi gave a sly smirk.
He took my suggestion! she thought.
"Swell…" said Chelsea. "Do you have two of them? Curse of Vampire, you attack!"
Ren obviously didn't, because Curse of Vampire met no resistance as he lunged and clawed at Ren, knocking him over.
(R: 4,950) -------------------- (C: 4,100)
"It's your move."
I got rid of her Lich Lord, thought Ren. And now, I'm ready to take this duel by storm…
He drew a card.
"First I activate my facedown card… Spirit Barrier."
His facedown card flipped up.
Ren is trying a new trick… thought Yumi. The question is… what?
"Next, I play Monster Reborn. And I think I'll bring back a Monster from your Graveyard."
Chelsea gasped as her discard slot started to glow…
In a burst of light, Nosferatu the Lich Lord appeared on Ren's side of the field. (1,900/2,000)
"What?" shouted Chelsea. "What good is it to you?"
"Plenty," said Ren. "I'm going to use it for this…"
He showed her a card.
"That's a Ritual Card!" she shouted.
She looked at it as it appeared on the field. Lightning flashed…
"Litmus Doom Ritual?" she asked. "What does that do?"
Rasputin chuckled.
Well… I certainly know what it does, he thought, but for the sake of everyone else here, I'll let Ren explain it.
An evil-looking temple appeared behind him in the middle of the great forest, one containing spires, arches, and a blazing cauldron. Nosferatu disintegrated into a shadowy mist.
"This ceremony lets me summon my mightiest Shadow Warrior," said Ren. "I'll offer your Lich Lord as a sacrifice, to summon forth the Litmus Doom Swordsman."
In a burst of energy, a new Warrior appeared on the field. He looked like a dark matador, wearing a fancy, ruffled shirt and pantaloons, with the traditional hat and a domino mask, all in purple and orange hues. He held two sharp rapiers in his hands. He glared at Chelsea, and his eyes glowed with feral light. (0/0)
"Zero Attack Points and zero Defense Points?" said Chelsea. "Something tells me there's more to this guy…"
"There is," said Ren. "Litmus Doom can't be destroyed in battle any more than your Lich Lord can, and he's also immune to Traps. However, when a Trap Card is in play, and Spirit Barrier is now, his Attack Score becomes 3,000.
(3,000/0)
Even if Chelsea summons something stronger, thought Yumi, as unlikely as that may be, Ren is safe… Spirit Barrier will keep him from losing any Life Points…
"Litmus Doom… Attack the Curse of Vampire!"
The Swordsman leapt at Curse of Vampire, and made two slashes with his blades. The creature screamed, and exploded into shards.
"Forget?" asked Chelsea. "Next turn, I can bring him back even stronger."
"No you can't," said Ren, playing a card. "Because before you start your turn, I'm Equipping my Swordsman with Necro Shot."
Litmus Doom raised his saber, and a dark, glowing bat appeared on his gauntlet.
"I can use this Spell Card three times before it's destroyed," said Ren, "and each time, I can remove from play a Monster in your Graveyard.
"So here's the first time!"
The bat flew from Litmus Doom's wrist, and struck Chelsea's Disk. The Curse of Vampire card slipped out of her discard slot.
"And while I'm at it," said Ren, "I'll use my second shot, to get rid of your Lich Lord too."
The bat flew at Chelsea's Disk again, and the Fusion Monster fell out as well.
"Chelsea has just lost two of her strongest Monsters, and Ren has one of his strongest on the field," said Ben. "Ren may very well have turned this duel around!"
"It's your move, Chelsea," said Ren with a smirk.
(R: 4,950) -------------------- (C: 3,600)
Chelsea frowned, and drew a card.
I can destroy his Swordsman with this guy… she thought, looking at it, but if I did, I'd be completely defenseless…
"I place this facedown, and Vampire Lord goes into Defense Mode," she said.
A facedown card appeared, and Vampire Lord knelt and covered himself with his cape.
"That's all I can do…"
"Then let's see here…" said Ren, making a draw.
He placed a card on his Disk, and a second Dark Blade appeared. (1,800/1,500)
"Dark Blade, attack her Vampire Lord!" he shouted.
Dark Blade leapt at the Vampire, and made two slashes with his swords. Vampire Lord exploded into pixels.
"Litmus Doom, make me just as proud. Attack her directly!"
Chelsea gave a cry that was half in fear and half in pain as the matador slashed at her with his two scimitars. She fell over on her back.
She groaned, and slowly got up…
(R: 4,950) -------------------- (C: 600)
"Continuing my turn…" said Ren, "I'm going to use the third use of Necro Shot…"
Litmus Doom pointed again, and the bat flew at Chelsea again, and struck her Duel Disk. Vampire Lord slipped out of her discard slot.
"Of course," said Ren, as the Equip Spell shattered, "now Necro Shot is destroyed. But that works to my advantage too…"
He took his deck from the holder.
"…because now I get to send any Monster I want from my deck to the Graveyard."
He took Crescent Moon Queen from his deck and looked at her for a second. Then he placed her in the discard slot of his Disk.
Darn… thought Chelsea. If he draws Premature Burial, Call of the Haunted, or The Warrior Returning Alive, that will be trouble…
Rasputin chuckled.
Well… he thought, looks like we have a winner…
"One more round, Chelsea…" said Ren. "It's your move…"
"Chelsea is hurt bad," said Natalie. "Ren is powering up to finish her off, with an invincible Monster on the field. Is there anything she can do?"
Chelsea nervously made a draw.
She smiled at Ren.
"I place a second card facedown, and end my turn," she said.
A facedown card appeared, right next to the other one.
Ren paused. He drew a card.
What is she up to? he thought. Didn't she hear me when I said Litmus Doom was immune to Traps?
Time to end this…
"Litmus Doom…" he said. "Attack her directly!"
Litmus Doom lifted his sabers. He glared at Chelsea.
Then he rushed at her…
"It might be over folks…" said Ben.
"Not yet it isn't!" shouted Chelsea. "Litmus Doom might be invincible against Traps, but the attack itself triggered my Trap Card…"
One of her facedown cards lifted, showing the image of several demonic creatures swept up in a raging whirlwind.
"Malevolent Catastrophe," she said, as a windstorm erupted all over the field. "Now, all Spell and Trap Cards on the field are destroyed."
The fierce wind tore through the forest, and the faces in the clouds frowned again. The Spirit Barrier card blew to pieces, and Chelsea's own facedown card lifted up and shattered.
"Since there aren't any Traps on the field any more," said Chelsea, "your Swordsman's Attack Score is now zero…
"I, on the other hand, am in better shape, because my card that was destroyed was my Zombie Bed. Now I can bring a Zombie back from my Graveyard."
The glowing, green coffin appeared on the field, and it creaked open. Vampire Lady crawled out of it. She crouched in Defense Mode. (1,550/1,550)
Ren sighed. Litmus Doom stopped in mid-charge.
"Dark Blade…" said Ren.
Dark Blade slashed with his scimitar, cutting Vampire Lady down.
"It's your move," he said.
Chelsea drew a card.
"I play Monster Reborn," she said.
She played the card, and Vampire Lady appeared again. (1,550/1,550)
"Now…" she said, "I'll sacrifice Vampire Lady… for Ryu Kokki!"
Vampire Lady vanished, and in a burst of darkness, the Bone Dragon Ogre appeared. (2,400/1,000)
"Attack his Litmus Doom Swordsman!" she shouted.
Ryu Kokki lunged forward, and clobbered the matador in the chest. He fell backwards, and Ren fell backwards from the impact.
(R: 2,550) -------------------- (C: 600)
"Litmus Doom may be invincible, but you aren't," said Chelsea with a smirk. "And by the way, Litmus Doom isn't as invincible as you may think…"
The Matador dropped his two swords and fell to his knees…
Then he exploded into shards.
"Huh?" said Ren. "But… He can't be destroyed in battle…"
"He wasn't," said Chelsea. "Didn't I ever tell you about Ryu Kokki's effect? He's the polar opposite of Getsu Fuhma. Any Warrior or Spellcaster he battles is automatically destroyed."
She chuckled.
"If the two ever met, neither would survive the battle.
"But it's your move."
Ren paused.
He drew a card.
Nuts, he thought, adding it to his hand.
He turned the card on his Disk, and Dark Blade shifted into Defense Mode.
"That's all I can do…" he muttered.
Chelsea drew a card.
It was Zombie Werewolf.
"I summon…" she started.
She stopped short.
No! she thought, returning it to her hand. He only has 1,200 Attack Points… He can't finish Ren, but I have only 600 Life Points left… If Ren summoned something with 1,800 Attack Points or more, he'd finish me!
"Uh, forget what you just heard…" she said. "Ryu Kokki, attack his Dark Blade. Bone basher."
Ryu Kokki slammed its fist into Dark Blade, and the Warrior shattered.
She took Zombie Werewolf, and set it on the Disk.
"I set a Monster in Defense Mode, and end my turn."
A facedown Monster appeared.
Ren drew a card.
He thought for a minute.
"I play Magical Mallet," he said, playing a card. "I'll reshuffle all three of my cards back to my deck, and draw three new ones."
Everyone tensed as he reshuffled. He made three draws.
Speak of the devil… he thought, looking at one of them.
It was his second copy of Getsu Fuhma.
He slowly placed the card on his Disk, and it appeared in facedown Defense Mode.
"That's it for my turn…" he said.
He looked at the two remaining cards in his hand…
They were The Warrior Returning Alive, and Mataza the Zapper.
It all depends on her next move… he thought. If she can't summon someone who can beat Getsu's Defense on her turn, I can destroy Ryu Kokki, and then have a clear shot at her with Mataza…
It all depends on her next move…
Chelsea paused. She looked at her hand.
That facedown Monster must be his other Getsu Fuhma… she thought. And the only other Monster I have is my Zombie Werewolf on the field… He can't beat her Defense, and if he'll be destroyed if he tries… And he isn't strong enough to finish Ren off if I attack her with Kokki…
It all depends on this draw…
She drew a card.
A tear fell from her eye.
"I Flip-Summon Zombie Werewolf…" she said.
The facedown card flipped, and a burst of dark energy, the undead wolfman appeared. (1,200/1,200)
Ren was a little surprised, but he regained his composure.
He's not strong enough… he thought. I can still win…
"Now…" said Chelsea, playing the card she just drew. "I summon my second Vampire Lady."
In another burst of darkness, the vampiress appeared again. (1,550/1,550)
"It's over Ren…" said Chelsea, sadly. "Vampire Lady, you first…"
Vampire Lady flew towards the facedown Monster. Getsu Fuhma appeared on the card, and in an explosion of energy, both Monsters were blown to pieces.
"Zombie Werewolf…" said Chelsea.
The Werewolf lunged at Ren, and slashed across his chest with his claw.
"And… Ryu Kokki."
Ren closed his eyes…
Ryu Kokki's mighty fist slammed into him, and he toppled over.
(R: 0) -------------------- (C: 600)
The crowd cheered.
Delmato lifted Chelsea's hand.
"Chelsea Ramset is the winner!" he shouted.
Rasputin smirked.
So, Chelsea has proven her worth so far, he thought. Well, she'll make a worthy opponent when I finally get to her… We'll see what develops next…
Ren was on his knees.
He felt a hand lifting his chin up.
He looked up, and Chelsea was looking him in the eye.
Before he could say anything, she gently kissed him on the lips.
The crowd erupted in cheers again.
"You okay?" she asked, offering her hand.
Ren slowly took the hand, and she lifted him up. He nodded.
"I'll be waiting in my suite after the last duel of the day," she said in a whisper. "Don't be late…"
Sheena appeared on the floor of the arena with a microphone.
"Well, that was… interesting…" she said. "With the first two duels concluded, the combatants for the first of tomorrow's semi-finals have been decided. The first duel tomorrow will be Samantha Arachne versus Chelsea Ramset."
Chelsea looked up in surprise. She looked up at Sam, who looked back at her.
"Until then," said Sheena, "it's halftime. We'll have a one-hour intermission, for you all to stretch your legs and stuff your faces at the concession stands. I do hope some of you had the sense to save some of your trust funds, despite the fact that, unlike most stadiums, our prices are very reasonable."
The crowd laughed.
So… thought Chelsea, looking at Sam. I'm dueling her next… Heh, no problem… I'll deal with her, and then I can get to Yumi!
Sam looked back at Chelsea, and then took a deck out of its case.
Think you can take me, Chelsea? she thought. Well, tomorrow, you'll see horrors that haven't been unleashed in years. I thought I'd save this for Yumi, but a test run wouldn't hurt… I'll try it out on you first…
Prepare to enter Dark World…
Yumi looked at Sam, not liking the look on her rival's face one bit.
Something's up, she thought. Both Ren and Chelsea gave their decks major overhauls… Sam likely did the same…
Chelsea might be in trouble…
But I can't worry about that now…
I have to duel Nicholas next, and he'll likely want to make the same wager that Olga made with Sam…
She took off the Crown of Souls and looked at it.
If he does, it's a wager I'll gladly accept…
The duel between Ren and Chelsea has finally reached it conclusion. But from this point on, such friendly duels might not occur any more. Whether it's age-old rivalries or the new battle between the owners of the Charms, the duels yet to come will likely be war…
0
0
0
THIRST OF BLOOD (Trap Card)
Normal Trap
Image: A hand reaching out of a coffin.
Card Description: You may activate this card when a Monster on your side of the field is destroyed. Special Summon from your deck a Zombie-Type Monster that is Level Four or less that has the word "Vampire" in its name.
Note: "Thirst of Blood" was used by Tira Mukuu in the "Yu-Gi-Oh R" manga. Creative credit goes to the writers.
0
0
0
COERCIVE MAGIC EYES (Spell Card)
Normal Spell
Image: A gentlemanly vampire with two large, evil eyes behind him.
Card Description: Choose one face-up Zombie-Type Monster on your side of the field with an ATK of 2,000 or less. During the round you activate this card, that Monster may attack directly.
0
0
0
CURSE OF VAMPIRE (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type:
Zombie/Effect
Attribute:
Dark
Level:
6
ATK:
2,000
DEF:
800
Card Description: When this card is destroyed as a result of battle, you may pay 500 Life Points to Special Summon it from your Graveyard during your next Standby Phase. When it is successfully summoned in this manner, increase it's ATK by 500.
Note: "Coercive Magic Eyes" and "Curse of Vampire" are Japanese cards that have not yet been released in the United States.
0
0
0
NOSFERATU, THE LICH LORD (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type:
Zombie/Fusion/Effect
Attribute:
Dark
Level:
8
ATK:
1,900
DEF:
2,000
Card Description: Pumpking the King of Ghosts + Castle of Dark Illusions + Soul-Absorbing Bone Tower
A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done using the above-named Fusion Material Monsters. This card cannot be destroyed as a result of battle (damage calculation still applies). When this card destroys a Monster as a result of battle and sends it to the Graveyard, Special Summon the destroyed Monster to your side of the field in Attack Position at the end of the Battle Phase. The Special Summoned Monster's Type becomes Zombie, and its effect is negated. If this card is destroyed, destroy all Monsters Special Summoned by this effect.
0
0
0
LITMUS DOOM RITUAL (Spell Card)
Ritual Spell
Image: An ominous temple with spires, arches, and a blazing cauldron, surrounded by cultists holding torches. A bolt of lightning strikes the cauldron.
Card Description: This card is used to Ritual Summon "Litmus Doom Swordsman". You must also offer as Tribute from the field or your hand Monsters whose total Levels equal eight or more.
0
0
0
LITMUS DOOM SWORDSMAN (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type:
Warrior/Ritual/Effect
Attribute:
Dark
Level:
8
ATK:
0
DEF:
0
Card Description: This card is Ritual Summoned via the effect of "Litmus Doom Ritual". You must also offer as Tribute from the field or your hand Monsters whose total Levels equal eight or more. This card cannot be destroyed as a result of battle (damage calculation still applies). This card is unaffected by Trap Cards. If at least one Trap Card is active on the field, the base ATK of this card becomes 3,000.
Note: "Litmus Doom Ritual" and "Litmus Doom Swordsman" were first used by Bastion in the "Yu-Gi-Oh GX" episode "The Duel Off (Part Two)". Creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.
0
0
0
NECRO SHOT (Spell Card)
Equip Spell
Image: A dark, glowing, skeletal, flying creature.
Card Description: This card may be Equipped to a DARK Warrior-Type Monster. You may select one Monster in your opponent's Graveyard and remove it from play. This effect may be used multiple times, but after it is used three times, destroy this card. When this card is sent to the Graveyard, select one Monster from your deck and discard it to the Graveyard.
Note: "Necro Shot" was first used by Jaden in the "Yu-Gi-Oh GX" episode "A Snake in the Grass (Part Three)". Creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.
0
0
0
MALEVOLENT CATASTROPHE (Trap Card)
Normal Trap
Image: A group of fiendish creatures swept up in a hurricane.
Card Description: You may activate this card when your opponent declares an attack. Destroy all Spell and Trap Cards on the field.
Note: "Malevolent Catastrophe" has been available in Japan for some time. It will be released in English in the upcoming "Rise of the Dragon Lords" structure deck.
0
0
0
Chelsea: Yumi, Nicholas is gunning for you next, and he means business! I'm getting some bad vibes.
Yumi: I feel it too… A strange, mystical energy coming from his deck… Clearly, I'm not facing any Ojamas…
What can I expect? I have no idea…
Nicholas: I assure you, Yumi, my true deck will take you completely by surprise, just as it does everyone who falls to it.
Coming up next, "Olympian Glades of Arborea; Yumi versus Nicholas".
The power of my ultimate Monster is one that will bring down the house…