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CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
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Yumi versus the Pharaoh
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Unwritten Future
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As the onlookers watched, Yumi and the Pharaoh stared each other down…
(Yumi: 8,000) -------------------- (Pharaoh: 8,000)
"So, uh…" said Sam. "Tell me again who we're rooting for?"
"Like I said before, Sam," said Chelsea, "if Yumi can't beat this guy, he can't go to his just reward. So we basically have to hope she can…
"Well, we have to hope she can do something that only a select few have done. Defeat the true King of Games!"
"Time to start beating around the bush, Yumi," said the Pharaoh, making his first draw. "We both know that this isn't going to be pleasant…"
He chose a card from his hand.
"I summon… Enigma, the Creator."
The Monster that appeared as he played the card was one that no-one in the room had seen before. It was a tall, mummified figure, wrapped in burial linens, wearing a cape and golden tutan mask. (1,200/1,200)
"Whoa," said Ren. "Never saw that guy before."
"I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a whole slew of new cards in this duel," said Erik. "But that Monster is likely one of his weakest."
"I end my turn," said the Pharaoh, with a slight smirk.
Yumi glared at him, as she made a draw.
He put a weakling in Attack Mode with no protection, she thought. Clearly he's leading me into something.
Well, I won't bite yet…
"I'll set a card facedown, and have someone defend me," she said.
A facedown card and a facedown Monster appeared.
"Your move."
"Having cold feet, Yumi?" asked the Pharaoh, drawing a card. "Being nervous in a time of crisis might let your enemies get the better of you…
"I sacrifice Enigma to summon Dark Red Enchanter!"
Enigma vanished into grains of light, and a strange Spellcaster appeared. As his name suggested, he wore red robes, along with golden shoulder pads, and a fancy, crown-like helmet. He carried an elaborate staff with a solar disk design on its tip. (1,700/2,200)
"Uhm…" said Yumi. "I've seen stronger Level Six Monsters…"
"He's stronger than you think," said the Pharaoh. "By summoning him, he gains two Spell Counters, and his Attack Score goes up by 300 for each one."
Two rubies appeared on Dark Red Enchanter's staff, and he glowed with red light. (2,300/2,200)
"He'll also gain one whenever a Spell Card is played. For now…
"Attack! Crimson blast!"
A blast of burning, red energy shot from the Enchanter's staff. Mystical Elf appeared on the facedown card. She cringed before bursting into shards.
"And my Enchanter has another effect," continued the Pharaoh. "I can expend two of his Counters to destroy one card in your hand."
Dark Red Enchanter fell back to an Attack Score of 1,700, and a thin beam of red light shot at Yumi, striking one of her cards. It vanished.
"I end my turn," he said.
"Pharaoh one, Yumi zero," muttered Ren.
"At least no Life Points have been lost yet," said Chelsea.
"I'll wager even money that will change soon," said Sam.
"Don't sell Yumi short, young ones," said Cassandra. "She was strong enough to reach this point… She is strong enough to at least attempt to finish it."
Yumi drew a card.
"I summon… Sage of Silence!" she exclaimed.
She played the card, and a beautiful woman wearing a pure white dress, cloak, and bonnet appeared, holding a knobbed staff. (1,400/1,000)
"Now, facedown card activate!" she said, as her facedown card flipped up. "Reinforcements! This gives my Sage a 500-point boost."
Sage of Silence grew to an Attack of 1,900.
"Attack Dark Red Enchanter!" ordered Yumi. "Spell of Silence!"
Sage of Silence calmly lifted her staff, and Dark Red Enchanter gasped as he was surrounded by a soft, white glow. The glow intensified, until he simply disappeared.
"Sage of Silence has an added effect," said Yumi. "When she destroys one of your Monsters, you aren't allowed to use Spells Cards during your next turn.
"I throw one card facedown, and end my turn."
A facedown card appeared. Sage of Silence fell back down to an Attack Score of 1,400.
(Y: 8,000) -------------------- (P: 7,800)
The Pharaoh drew a card, and looked at Yumi.
She's clearly trying her hardest, he thought. I have a feeling this is only the preamble.
He played two cards. A facedown card and a facedown Monster appeared.
He nodded.
"Not much in the way of words, are you?" asked Yumi, drawing a card.
She looked at it for a second and added it to her hand.
"Sage of Silence, attack!"
Sage of Silence cast a beam of light at the facedown card. The Monster that appeared was a Fiend of some sort, very atypical for a Fiend, with horns, wings, claws, and a long tongue.
The beam of light hit it, and it vanished.
"I don't know what that was," said Chelsea, "but it was ugly!"
"It was a Mad Reloader," said the Pharaoh. "Since it was destroyed, I get to discard two cards…"
He took Blast Magician and Miracle Restoring from his hand, and then discarded them.
"…then I get to draw two replacements."
He made two draws. He looked at the cards.
Yumi sighed. This was tricky.
"It's your move," she said.
The Pharaoh made a draw again.
"I'll defend myself with this again," he said.
A new defensive Monster appeared.
"And that's all for now."
"If he doesn't take out Yumi's Sage," said Erik, "his Spell Cards are going to be out of commission for as long as she can wipe out his Monsters."
"I hear you," said Sam. "For a legendary duelist, he isn't putting up much of a fight."
Yumi made a draw.
"Sage of Silence, attack again!" she shouted.
The Sage started to cast her spell again.
"Sorry, Yumi," said the Pharaoh, "but here's where the real duel starts! Activate Magic Cylinder!"
His facedown card lifted, and Yumi's eyes opened wide. Her Spellcaster's blast shot back at her and hit her in the chest, causing her to stagger backwards.
Yumi panted for breath.
"I set a new Monster in Defense Mode," she said, "and that will be all."
A facedown Monster appeared next to Sage of Silence.
(Y: 6,600) -------------------- (P: 7,800)
The Pharaoh drew.
"I summon someone more familiar," he said. "Breaker the Magical Warrior."
He played the card, and a dark shadow appeared. Breaker leapt out of it. (1,600/1,000) –) (1,900/1,000)
"Now I can use his effect…"
Breaker's Attack Score fell to 1,600. His shield glowed, and Yumi's facedown Mirror Force lifted up and shattered.
"Next, I flip my facedown Monster into Attack Mode," he said. "The Magical Plant Mandragola."
The card flipped up, and a frightening creature appeared. It looked like a large carnivorous plant, with purple vines, and yellow flower petals around its toothy pod. (500/200)
"By Flip-Summoning this creature, Breaker gains back his Spell Counter, bringing his Attack Score back to what it was before."
Breaker glowed, rising to an Attack Score of 1,900.
"Breaker… Attack the Sage of Silence!"
Breaker slashed his sword downward, sending a wave of dark energy towards the Sage. She let out a pitiful scream before exploding into shards.
"I end my turn," he said. "I trust you have more in you than that Yumi."
Yumi smirked.
"Oh, just wait…" she said. "You haven't seen anything yet!"
(Y: 6,100) -------------------- (P: 7,800)
She drew a card. She added the card to her hand, and looked them over.
It's almost complete… she thought. I have almost everything I need to bring out my secret weapon.
Let's just hope he bites.
"I choose to pass," she said. "Your move."
The Pharaoh looked at her strangely as he drew a card.
"Breaker, attack her facedown Monster!" he shouted.
Breaker slashed with his sword. Shining Angel appeared on the card, and was blown apart.
"Thanks!" exclaimed Yumi. "Now I can bring out part one of my secret weapon… One of the cards that Mystara gave me as a reward for beating her…
"I summon Silent Magician LV4!"
In a burst of pure, white energy, a short, humanoid creature appeared on Yumi's side of the field. It looked like a young girl, wearing fancy, silver and blue robes, and a triangular helmet. She carried a short scepter with an orb on the end. (1,000/1,000)
The Pharaoh slowly turned a card on his Disk.
"I move Mandragola to Defense Mode," he said.
Magical Plant Mandragola curled up, and shielded itself with its tendrils.
"Then I set a new Monster in Defense Mode."
A facedown Monster appeared.
"And I end my turn."
"I believe I see the purpose of Yumi's deck," said Sheena.
"Oh?" asked Chelsea.
"It's the polar opposite of her usual one," said Sheena. "She's concentrating on Light Spellcasters instead of Dark ones.
"And I know why that is. The Pharaoh has lived a life of darkness ever since he was bound to the Puzzle. Yumi is hoping that the Light will penetrate the darkness and finally bring daylight to his soul…
"Which will lead to the greatest Light of all…"
I know what Silent Magician can do, Yumi, thought the Pharaoh, but it will take awhile before I draw five times… And with Breaker on the field, and Old Vindictive Magician facedown, she won't survive that long.
"My move…" said Yumi, drawing a card.
She looked at it.
"I play Nobleman of Crossout."
The Pharaoh gave a look of surprise as a sword impaled his facedown Monster, blowing the card to bits.
Yumi has certainly prepared, thought Cassandra. She knew that Flip-Effect Monsters play an important role in any Spellcaster Deck. So she knew enough to include that Spell Card.
She may yet stand a chance.
"Next up, I play the Spell Card, Contingency Fee," said Yumi, playing a card. "This requires you to draw until you hold six cards, and for each one, I gain 1,000 Life Points."
The Pharaoh drew one card and looked at it.
"And let's not forget my Magician's ability," said Yumi. "Every time you draw one or more cards, she gets stronger."
Silent Magician glowed, and rose to an Attack Score of 1,500.
"Silent Magician, wipe out his Mandragola!"
Silent Magician shot a blast of stars and sparks from her scepter, and the odd vegetation was incinerated.
"I place one card facedown, and then play Swords of Revealing Light."
First a facedown card appeared. Then she played a Spell Card, and a flurry of swords shot towards the Pharaoh's side of the field, forming a cage of glimmering blades.
"I end my turn."
(Y: 7,100) -------------------- (P: 7,800)
The Pharaoh drew a seventh card. Silent Magician glowed again, rising to an Attack Score of 2,000.
He might be useful, he thought, looking at the card.
"Trap activate," said Yumi.
The Pharaoh looked, as Yumi's facedown card lifted.
"Heck had this card, remember?" she said. "It's called Greed Pact. Now we both draw one card."
The Pharaoh smirked. Both of them drew, and Silent Magician rose to an Attack Score of 2,500.
He looked at the card.
Breaker could destroy her Swords, he thought, but where would that get me?
Better just stall for now…
"First I move Breaker into Defense Mode, and set another Monster in Defense Mode," he said.
A facedown Monster appeared, and Breaker knelt, covering himself with his shield.
"Now, three facedown cards."
Three facedown cards appeared in flashes of light.
"I end my turn."
Yumi drew a card.
"Time for another boost," she said. "I play Card of Sanctity."
She played the card, and a flash lit up the ceiling and coins showered over them.
"Humph," said Sam, crossing her arms. "I wish I could make a deck with any cards I wanted to…"
"Sam, behave," said her mother. "Yumi promised she'd give the rarer ones that they took back once this is over."
The Pharaoh drew two cards, while Yumi drew five. Silent Magician rose to an Attack Score of 3,000.
The Pharaoh's eyebrows narrowed. It seemed that Yumi would succeed in summoning her strongest Monster…
However…
He had just drawn his strongest. And he would be able to summon it first.
"I summon Magician's Valkyria," said Yumi.
She played the card, and the familiar female mage appeared, brandishing her staff. (1,600/1,800)
"I activate Threatening Roar!" exclaimed the Pharaoh.
One of his facedown cards flipped up, and a bellowing roar echoed through the hall.
Yumi smirked. She wasn't planning on attacking with that many facedown cards on his side of the field anyway.
She looked over her hand.
"I end my turn," she said.
The Pharaoh made a draw. Silent Magician grew to an Attack Score of 3,500.
"Does she have a limit?" asked Ren.
"Yes," said Cassandra. "And she just reached it. If the Pharaoh doesn't get rid of her this round, the process will be complete, and Yumi will be able to summon someone who may well be unstoppable."
"All right, Yumi," said the Pharaoh. "Time to show you true power…
"First, I use Breaker's effect to destroy your Swords."
Breaker's shield glowed, and the Swords of Revealing Light shattered.
"Now, I summon Sangan."
He played the card, and the spherical, three-eyed Fiend appeared on the field. (1,000/600)
"Next," he said, "I Flip-Summon Witch of the Black Forest."
His facedown Monster flipped up, and the grim-faced, black-robed witch appeared. (1,100/1,200)
"Now… I play Polymerization, to fuse my Witch and Sangan together…"
He played a Spell Card, and the Fiend and the Spellcaster swirled into a murky blur…
"I summon… Sanwitch!"
A strange creature appeared on the field. It was a short, chubby guy wearing a white robe, a headdress, and a veil. The only part of his face that was visible were his eyes, which resembled Sangan's. He carried a crooked staff. (2,100/1,800)
"Heh, heh," chuckled Erik. "Cute!"
"Don't underestimate that guy," said Sheena. "I think the Pharaoh is planning something big."
The Pharaoh took his deck.
"Since both the Witch and Sangan went to my Graveyard, both their effects activate…"
He chose two cards from his deck, and added them to his hand.
"Next…" he said, "I discard one card from my hand, in order to Special Summon someone new… Meet The Tricky!"
He discarded one card, and an ominous portal appeared on his side of the field. Another weird creature flew out of it. He was dressed in a yellow and black harlequin outfit, with a red question mark over his chest, and one over his face. He also wore a blue cape. (2,000/1,200)
"I'm not done," he continued. "I activate a facedown card…"
One of his two facedown cards lifted, and Monster Reborn appeared.
"I'll bring back the Monster I just discarded… Mind on Air!"
In a burst of darkness, a much creepier Spellcaster appeared. It was a woman with blue skin, wearing a leather leotard. The top half of her skull had been replaced by a dome made of a glass-like material. (1,000/1,600)
"It's a summoning frenzy!" shouted Sam.
"Mind on Air isn't a combat-oriented sorceress," said the Pharaoh. "She focuses more on telepathic powers. And she's good at her specialty, so much that she can see through your eyes, and reveal the cards in your hand. So let's take a look."
Mind on Air's eyes glowed. Yumi let out a cry of surprise, and her own eyes started to glow.
The images of the five cards in her hand appeared above her: Rocket Warrior, Pikeru's Circle of Enchantment, Magician of Faith, Level Modulation, and Shield Crush.
"Now that that's done with," said the Pharaoh, "I sacrifice Mind on Air and Sanwitch…"
The two Spellcasters vanished into orbs of dark energy…
"To summon my most powerful Monster! Appear, Sorcerer of Dark Magic!"
In an explosion of energy, a new Spellcaster appeared on the field. He resembled Dark Magician at first glance, but was even darker, with a more decorative costume and staff. His eyes glowed with pure power. (3,200/2,800)
"Good lord…" muttered Ren. "Yumi's dad mentioned this Monster once or twice, but I never thought I'd actually see him…"
"Seeing is believing…" said Chelsea. "I think her grandfather only used him once, and that was in the duel where Kaiba was being manipulated by Anubis. This guy was even able to take down the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon before Kaiba defeated him with the Blue Eyes Shining Dragon."
"I don't think I have to remind you," said Yumi, narrowing her eyes, "my Silent Magician is safe from attacks so long as Valkyria is on the field."
"Then that's who I'm taking out first," said the Pharaoh. "Sorcerer, attack Magician's Valkyria with celestial blast!"
Sorcerer of Dark Magic cast a mighty spell of burning dark magic at the female mage. She hollered and was blown to bits. Yumi shielded herself from the impact.
"I place a card facedown," said the Pharaoh, "and my turn is over."
A new facedown card appeared.
(Y: 5,500) -------------------- (P: 7,800)
"About time," said Yumi, drawing a card.
She looked at it, and added it to her hand.
"Now that Silent Magician has gotten as strong as her Level Four form can possibly get," she said, "I can sacrifice her to summon her evolved form!"
Silent Magician began to glow with blinding light…
When the light subsided, the child Spellcaster had been replaced by an adult version of herself, tall and commanding, who glowed with pure radiance.
"Meet the most powerful Spellcaster in the Duel Monsters universe," said Yumi. "Silent Magician LV8!"
(3,500/1,000)
Everyone watching was speechless. Finally, Erik spoke.
"Wow," he said.
"She's beautiful…" said Chelsea.
"Silent Magician…" ordered Yumi, "attack his Sorcerer with solar blast!"
Silent Magician's eyes glowed. She aimed her scepter…
"Activate Trap!" shouted the Pharaoh, as one of his facedown cards lifted. "Staunch Defender! Now, I can draw your attack away from my Sorcerer, and towards Breaker!"
Silent Magician cast a beam of pure, burning light, and Breaker the Magical Warrior was obliterated.
Yumi sighed.
"I end my turn," she said.
The Pharaoh drew a card.
He looked at it somberly.
"Yumi…" he said. "You know that the true God Cards are gone…
"But a few remnants of their power are still around. The accessories for them are few in number, but a few powerful Spells and Traps remain that Pegasus designed when he created them…
"I play Divine Evolution."
A Spell Card appeared on his side of the field. It bore the picture of Slifer's silhouette inside a stained glass window.
"This card's effect is simple, but powerful. It permanently increases both scores of a Monster by 1,000 points. And it was one of the select few Spell Cards that would affect a God Card for longer than one turn."
Sorcerer of Dark Magic glowed with an aura of golden flames… (4,200/3,800)
"Attack Silent Magician!" shouted the Pharaoh. "Celestial blast!"
Everyone watched in horror as the Sorcerer cast his mighty spell, and Silent Magician was blown to atoms.
"No…" said Chelsea. "Yumi lost her best Monster…"
"Tricky," ordered the Pharaoh, "attack Yumi directly with trick illusion."
The Tricky cast a collage of swirling lights and colors towards Yumi, knocking her over on her back.
(Y: 2,800) -------------------- (P: 7,800)
Sam shook her head.
"It might as well be over," she said. "I don't know what else Yumi could have that could stand up to that guy, and she's already losing bad…"
Yumi slowly got up. She took some deep breaths.
"My move…" she said.
She drew a card.
She smirked when she saw what it was.
"Sorry, but this isn't over yet," she said. "My Silent Magician is coming right back."
"Silent Magician LV8 is a NOMI, Yumi," said the Pharaoh. "How can you…"
He stopped.
"That's right," said Yumi, playing a Spell Card. "You saw the card in my hand with Mind on Air's effect, right?
"I play Level Modulation! This lets me disregard Silent Magician's summoning requirements, and bring her back from the Graveyard, so long as I let you draw two cards."
The Pharaoh drew twice, and then Silent Magician appeared again, looking a little pissed. (3,500/1,000)
"You forgot one thing," said the Pharaoh. "She can't attack this round."
"Then I'll have to get rid of your Sorcerer another way," said Yumi, taking the card she had just drawn. "I play Enemy Controller."
She played the card, and a huge video game control pad appeared in the air.
"Go!" said Yumi. "Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, A, B, and... Start. Move Sorcerer of Dark Magic to Defense Mode."
Sorcerer of Dark Magic crouched and shielded himself with his staff.
"Now that that's done," said Yumi with a smile, "I play… Shield Crush."
She played the card, and a blast of energy shot from it. Sorcerer of Dark Magic exploded in a fiery burst of black flames.
"Wow… again…" said Erik.
"And with that," said Yumi, "I end my turn."
The Pharaoh drew a card slowly.
He added it to his hand and then turned the card on his Disk. The Tricky knelt in Defense Mode.
"That's all I can do," he said.
"Then watch out!" said Yumi, drawing a card.
She sighed as she added it to her hand. She was going to hate herself for this later…
"I summon one of my grandfather Joey's favorite cards," she said. "Meet Rocket Warrior!"
She played the card, and a cute little toy robot wearing rocket-like armor, holding a sword and shield, appeared next to Silent Magician. (1,500/1,300)
The Pharaoh looked at The Tricky and his facedown card.
Time to make a decision, he thought. If I use my facedown card now, I can block both of her attacks… But then, my chances of beating Silent Magician fall to almost zero.
"Rocket Warrior," shouted Yumi, "attack The Tricky!"
With a whir, Rocket Warrior changed shape, becoming more rocket than warrior. It blasted at The Tricky, and he exploded into shards.
"Silent Magician…
"…attack directly."
Silent Magician cast her spell, and an explosion of pure light centered on the Pharaoh…
When the light subsided, he was breathing heavily…
(Y: 2,800) -------------------- (P: 4,300)
"This is incredible!" shouted Chelsea. "Yumi just turned this around 180 degrees!"
The Pharaoh smirked.
"Not bad," he said. "You've never been stronger Yumi…
"…but then, I'm not finished yet either…"
He drew a card.
"I play… Graceful Charity."
He played the card, and the angel of charity appeared once again. She gave him a more optimistic look than she had been giving everyone lately…
It seemed to be a look of hope…
He drew three cards. He looked them over before discarding Pitch-Black Power Stone and Anti-Spell.
He looked over his new cards.
"I set a Monster in Defense Mode, and another facedown card."
The two concealed cards appeared.
"That will be all."
"Then it's my move," said Yumi.
She drew.
"Rocket Warrior, attack!"
Rocket Warrior flew at the facedown Monster. Apprentice Magician appeared on the card, and was blown to pieces.
"You know what happens when Apprentice Magician is destroyed, Yumi," he said.
Another facedown Monster appeared.
Yumi pointed, and Silent Magician fired her solar blast. A second Apprentice Magician was incinerated.
"I activate my Trap," said the Pharaoh, as his facedown card lifted. "The Grave of Enkindling. Now, both players can Special Summon a Monster from their Graveyards in Defense Mode, on the condition that they stay in Defense Mode."
The Tricky appeared back on his side of the field. (2,000/1,200) Magician's Valkyria appeared on Yumi's side of the field. (1,600/1,800)
"I set another Monster in Defense Mode…" said Yumi, "and I end my turn…"
A facedown Monster appeared on her side.
The Pharaoh drew.
He looked at Yumi.
"Oh no…" said Ren. "I recognize that look… That's the same look that Yumi gives right before she kills her opponent."
"Now we know where she got it from," said Sam.
She was nervous. She was no stranger to that look.
The last facedown card on the Pharaoh's side of the field lifted.
"I activate Tricky's Spell 4," he said. "Now, by sacrificing The Tricky, I get one Tricky Token for each Monster on your side of the field."
The Tricky faded into a blur, and four duplicates of him appeared, all crouching in Defense Mode. (2,000/1,200 x4)
"He was able to conjure up four Monsters with 2,000 Attack Points each?" shouted Chelsea. "That's not fair!"
"Well," said Sheena, "if memory serves me correctly, those tokens can't attack. But they are useful in other ways…"
"Next…" said the Pharaoh, "I play Tribute to the Doomed."
"Sorry," said Yumi, "that won't work. Silent Magician is immune to all your Spell Cards."
"She's not who I'm aiming for," said the Pharaoh.
He played the card and discarded another. Magician's Valkyria screamed as she was hit by bolts of fiery energy. She burst into pixels.
"Now…" said the Pharaoh, "I sacrifice two tokens to summon my real headliner…
"Appear!"
Two Tricky Tokens vanished…
Out of the shadows, he appeared. Yumi had summoned him so many times. She never imagined that she'd be facing him.
She looked Dark Magician in the eye. (2,500/2,100)
"He's still not strong enough…" she said, nervously.
The Pharaoh revealed a new Spell Card.
"I play Gift of the Martyr," he said. "I'll sacrifice another Tricky Token, to boost Dark Magician's Attack Score."
Another token vanished, and Dark Magician grew to an Attack Score of 4,500.
"Attack Silent Magician! Dark magic attack!"
Dark Magician cast his bolt of burning magic. Silent Magician screamed, and then burst into shards for the second time.
(Y: 1,800) -------------------- (P: 4,300)
"Wonderful," said Sam. "Now we're going around… in circles."
Yumi closed her eyes.
She slowly drew a card.
"I move Rocket Warrior to Defense Mode," she said.
Rocket Warrior knelt and hid behind its shield.
"And now I play… Monster Reborn!"
She played the card, and the holy ankh appeared, glowing with golden light.
"Now I'll bring back a Monster from my Graveyard… And she's just been waiting to come out."
"She?" said Ren. "It can't be…"
In a soft glow, Dark Magician Girl appeared on Yumi's side of the field. (2,000/1,700)
"You know," said Ren, "it may have been a long duel, but I don't remember Dark Magician Girl being sent to her Graveyard."
"Wait…" said Sheena. "I think I know… She was the card that she lost when he used Dark Red Enchanter's effect…"
Yumi nodded.
"I have a feeling," said Sheena, "that this may have only begun…"
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Everyone watching the duel, even Cassandra, only saw the duel. They saw Yumi with Dark Magician Girl on her side, and the Pharaoh with Dark Magician on his.
Only the two duelists saw what was truly happening.
Their two Monsters were right now hovering in the air in the center of the arena. Dark Magician was holding Dark Magician Girl in a gentle embrace. Each of them had sad looks on their faces.
"I had always hoped it wouldn't come to this," said the voice of the older Spellcaster.
He sighed.
"But I suppose it was inevitable…"
A tear fell down Dark Magician Girl's cheek.
"I couldn't be an apprentice forever," she replied, sadly. "We both knew that… We both knew that I'd have to grow up someday… That I'd have to make my own identity…
"And we both new that this would happen, no matter how much it would hurt us both."
Dark Magician closed his eyes.
"Do you really think you can do it?" he asked.
Dark Magician Girl looked at him. She slowly nodded.
"Then consider this your final test," he said. "Good luck, my apprentice…"
They let go of each other, and floated back towards the opposing sides of the field…
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Yumi's eyes narrowed.
It all comes down to a struggle between the teacher and the student, she thought. Silent Magician and Sorcerer of Dark Magic were both big helps for both of us, but this will be the true contest. This is the sort of monomythic moment that struggles like this are all about…
So, let's do it.
"Dark Magician Girl…" she shouted, "obliterate the last Tricky Token! Dark burning attack!"
Dark Magician Girl cast her dark spell, and the final token was blown to pieces.
"I throw down three facedown cards, and end my turn," she said.
Three facedown cards appeared with three flashes of light.
The Pharaoh drew a card. He looked at the Spell Card.
Yumi is no idiot, he thought. She's well aware that Dark Magician trumps Dark Magician Girl by 500 points.
So obviously, one of those facedown cards is something that will repel an attack… Possibly even something that will even make Dark Magician Girl stronger.
But I have another way to defeat her…
"I won't fall for that, Yumi," he said.
"First I'll summon Skilled Dark Magician."
He played the card, and the younger, black robed mage appeared. (1,900/1,700)
"Now I play this… The Spell Card, Thousand Knives!"
Dark Magician started to cast a spell, and a swarm of sharp daggers appeared in the air around him.
"As a magician by trade, he often practiced a knife-throwing act, Yumi, and his apprentice was always willing to be the target for him.
"Unfortunately for her, this time, he doesn't intend to miss her."
Dark Magician pointed, and the knives flew towards Dark Magician Girl.
"Well he's going to anyway!" shouted Yumi. "Spell Card activate! Magical Pigeons!"
A Quickplay Spell on her side of the field lifted, and a huge top hat appeared on her side of the field. Dark Magician Girl dove inside it. The knives struck the top hat, and it burst, sending a flock of pigeons flying across the room.
When the flock subsided, two of the pigeons were sitting where the hat had been. (0/0 x2)
"You remember this card, don't you?" asked Yumi. "You used in your rematch with Raphael. It lets Dark Magician Girl hide from your assault by turning herself into two pigeons."
The Pharaoh looked hard at Yumi's side of the field.
"I still have his normal attack," said the Pharaoh. "Attack Rocket Warrior!"
Dark Magician cast his spell, and Rocket Warrior exploded in a burst of light.
"I end my turn," he said.
The two pigeons vanished, and Dark Magician Girl reappeared.
Yumi drew a card.
"Perfect!" she said, playing it. "I give Dark Magician Girl an Equip Spell. It's called Mist Body."
A glowing, white mist surrounded Dark Magician Girl.
"So long as this card is in play, Dark Magician Girl is immune to death from battle.
"But Skilled Dark Magician isn't…"
Dark Magician Girl cast her powerful spell, and Skilled Dark Magician exploded into shards.
"That's all for my turn," she said.
(Y: 1,800) -------------------- (P: 4,200)
The Pharaoh drew a card.
Let's consider, he thought, looking at it. Her facedown Monster can't be Old Vindictive Magician. If she had any in her deck, they would have been removed from play when mine was when she played Nobleman of Crossout.
It's likely either Magician of Faith or Crystal Seer. If I attacked either, Yumi would gain an advantage.
And Yumi knows that if she Flip-Summons either of them herself, she's taking too big a risk, because she'd be putting a very weak Monster in Attack Mode.
He thought for a minute.
"Dark Magician, attack Dark Magician Girl!" he shouted.
Dark Magician cast his spell, and Dark Magician Girl cried out in pain as it hit her in the stomach. Yumi clutched her stomach in pain too.
"Mist Body may have kept her from dying," said the Pharaoh, "but it won't protect your Life Points, Yumi.
"I'll set a card facedown, and end my turn…"
A new facedown card appeared.
(Y: 1,300) -------------------- (P: 4,200)
Yumi quickly drew a card.
"I activate Call of the Haunted!" she shouted.
One of her facedown cards lifted, and Rocket Warrior appeared in a flash of light. (1,500/1,300)
"Rocket Warrior, attack Dark Magician with invincible attack!"
Rocket Warrior transformed again, and shot towards Dark Magician. It collided with the mage in an explosion. Everyone gasped…
When the explosion cleared, Rocket Warrior landed back on Yumi's side of the field, and Dark Magician was holding his chest in pain. His Attack Score dropped to 2,000.
"Rocket Warrior's effect…" muttered Sheena. "When it attacks, it isn't destroyed, Battle Damage to Yumi is reduced to zero, and the attacked Monster loses 500 Attack Points…"
"And it's curtains for Dark Magician!" shouted Sam. "He and Dark Magician Girl have the same Attack Points right now… But with Mist Body protecting her, she'll win this battle!"
"You got that right," said Yumi. "Dark Magician Girl, attack Dark Magician!"
Dark Magician Girl flew at Dark Magician. She cast her powerful spell…
The Pharaoh sadly gestured. His facedown card lifted…
"Magic Cylinder?" screamed Ren. "He had another one?"
"NO!" shouted Chelsea.
The blast was thrown in reverse. Everyone screamed as it hit Yumi…
Sam shook her head.
"That's it…" she said. "It's over… So much for…"
"Look!" shouted Erik.
Yumi was still smiling, and a soft, white glow was covering her. And right next to her was the source of the glow – it was White Magician Pikeru.
"Surprised?" asked Yumi. "I had another facedown card… Pikeru's Circle of Enchantment. Once I activated it, all effect damage to me this round was reduced to zero."
The Pharaoh smiled. Then he laughed.
"So…" he said. "The duel continues…"
"But not for long," muttered Sam. "They must be running low on cards by now…"
Sam's got a point, thought the Pharaoh. With all the extra drawing and searching, I've only got ten cards left. This can't last much longer…
He drew a card.
"I set one card facedown," he said.
A new facedown card appeared.
"Then I attack Rocket Warrior with Dark Magician!"
Dark Magician's dark magic attack shot at the small Warrior, and it exploded again.
(Y: 300) -------------------- (P: 4,200)
"This is it," said Chelsea. "One more attack, and Yumi has had it…"
"I end my turn," said the Pharaoh.
Yumi made a draw.
"Trap Card, activate," said the Pharaoh. "This really isn't necessary, but… Dust Tornado!"
The tornado tore across the field, and the protective mist surrounding Dark Magician Girl blew away.
Yumi looked at him.
"I flip Magician of Faith into Attack Mode," she said.
The card flipped, and Magician of Faith appeared. (300/400)
"Now, I get a Spell Card back…"
Her Contingency Fee card slipped out of her deck.
"But I'm not actually going to use it. I'll show you what I mean in a minute. First, I sacrifice Magician of Faith to summon Chaos Command Magician."
Magician of Faith smiled at the Pharaoh before she disappeared into grains of light. The powerful Chaos Mage in glossy, black robes appeared in front of Yumi. He turned to Dark Magician Girl and nodded. (2,400/1,900)
Yumi sighed. She felt a little strange still using this card. After all, Chaos was her enemy now. But she knew that there was a good side to Chaos, just as beings like Dispater represented an evil side to Law. Maybe she would need Chaos Command Magician in her deck more than ever from now on.
"Neither of them are strong enough," said the Pharaoh.
"Not alone, no," said Yumi. "But I'm going to play Double Spell."
She played the Spell Card, and then discarded the Contingency Fee card.
"Now I can use a Spell Card from your Graveyard, and I think I'll use Gift of the Martyr."
The Spell Card appeared in her hand.
"So, I'll send Chaos Command Magician to the Graveyard, and give his power to Dark Magician Girl!"
Chaos Command Magician faded into grains of light, and Dark Magician Girl glowed with fiery energy… (4,400/1,700)
"Yikes!" shouted Erik. "She's turned Dark Magician Girl into a super-girl!"
"Attack Dark Magician!" shouted Yumi. "Ultimate Dark Burning Attack!"
Dark Magician Girl hollered a mighty cry as her blast shot towards Dark Magician, and he exploded in a deafening blast. The Pharaoh cringed and covered his head.
Yumi panted for breath.
(Y: 300) -------------------- (P: 2,300)
"My turn is over," she said, "so the effects of Gift of the Martyr wear off. However, due to Dark Magician Girl's effect, she gains 300 Attack Points now that Dark Magician is in your Graveyard."
(2,300/1,700)
She closed her eyes.
The Pharaoh closed his eyes too, and drew a card.
He opened them to look at it. It was his own Magician of Faith.
He placed it on his Disk, and the card appeared facedown.
I can use her effect to get back my Monster Reborn, he thought. I can bring back Dark Magician…
"I end my turn, Yumi," he said. "This duel isn't over yet."
Yumi drew a card.
A tear fell down her face.
"I'm afraid it is, old friend…" she said. "You see… I'm going to use Dark Magician Girl in a way that even you never used her…
"I play the Spell Card, Rite of Passage."
She played the card, and a new card appeared on her side of the field. It was a fancy picture of Dark Magician Girl kneeling, as someone handed her a sword.
"This Spell Card lets Dark Magician Girl evolve into a whole different power…"
Dark Magician Girl glowed with a dark aura… The aura covered her…
When it subsided, her short dress and hat had been replaced by dark plate armor and a helmet. A circular shield was on her left arm, and a sword was slung by her side. It looked like she had been transformed into a dark version of Queen's Knight. (2,000/1,700)
"Meet Dark Magician Princess," said Yumi. "And when this transformation is invoked, she can destroy one card on the field."
Dark Magician Princess held out her free hand, and her eyes glowed. A blade of energy shot towards the facedown Monster, and it was slashed in half.
"And there's more," said Yumi. "She retains her old ability to draw 300 more Attack Points from each Dark Magician in each Graveyard."
(2,300/1,700)
The Pharaoh sighed.
"Yumi…" he said. "You are truly a duelist unlike any I have ever faced… I guess I can leave knowing that I've left everything in good hands.
"You're truly the Queen of Games now…"
He nodded. Yumi nodded back.
"Dark Magician Princess…" said Yumi.
The Princess drew her sword, and eldritch runes encircled it.
"Attack directly."
Dark Magician Princess flew at the Pharaoh, and everything seemed to slow down for an instant…
He fell to his knees as the sword struck, but a smile was on his face.
(Y: 300) -------------------- (P: 0)
"Pay up," said Erik to Sam.
"My mother is right here," whispered Sam. "We'll be back in Domino in a few hours…"
The Pharaoh removed his Duel Disk, and placed it on the floor.
"Yumi, I don't have much time to say goodbye," he said. "People are waiting for me.
"The duel is ended. It's finally time for me to join my own family, whom I've been apart from for so long…
"I can only wish you luck…
"Shogarr will still be a threat, and he still might try to make another attempt at you…
"And while the prophecy foretold that you would oppose him when he attempts to enact the Grand Rebirth, no-one could predict who would be victorious in that struggle.
"Fight well… Because I guarantee… When the dark tide finally comes, it won't be easy…
"But I have trust in you…"
The eyes of the statue of Re-Horakhty glowed, and he started to fade away.
"Goodbye…" said Yumi.
In the next minute he was gone.
She turned to face everyone else.
"So, Cass," she said, walking up to Cassandra, "any views on what the future holds?"
Cassandra shook her head.
"The cards tell me nothing more about you or your friends, Yumi," she said. "I cannot see any vision of what your future holds now. I can only come to one conclusion…
"Your future has not yet been written. You alone can decide your fate. You alone can decide where you go from here.
"But I have no doubt, that the Queen of Games is not yet ready to abdicate…"
Keep reading! The epilogue is next!
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DARK RED ENCHANTER (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type: Spellcaster/Effect
Attribute: Dark
Level: 6
ATK: 1,700
DEF: 2,200
Card Description: When this card is successfully Normal Summoned, put two Spell Counters on this card. Whenever a Spell Card is played by you or your opponent, put one Spell Counter on this card. This card's ATK increases by 300 for each Spell Counter it has. You may remove two Spell Counters on this card to discard a card at random from your opponent's hand. This effect can only be used once per turn.
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THE TRICKY (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type: Spellcaster/Effect
Attribute: Wind
Level: 5
ATK: 2,000
DEF: 1,200
Card Description: You may Special Summon this card from your hand by discarding one card from your hand, other than this one.
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TRICKY'S SPELL 4 (Spell Card)
Quickplay Spell
Image: A colorful capsule with the number 4 on it.
Card Description: Offer one "The Tricky" on your side of the field as a Tribute. Special Summon one "Tricky Token" (Spellcaster/Wind/Level Five/2,000 ATK/1,200 DEF) for every Monster on your opponent's side of the field in Defense Position. "Tricky Tokens" cannot attack.
Note: "Dark Red Enchanter", "The Tricky", and "Tricky's Spell 4" are Japanese cards that have not yet been released in the United States. "Dark Red Enchanter" is scheduled to be released in "Phantom Darkness" as a Secret Rare (go to the sneak preview this weekend, and maybe you'll be lucky).
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ENIGMA, THE CREATOR (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Dark
Level: 4
ATK: 1,200
DEF: 1,200
Card Description: When this card is destroyed as a result of battle and sent to the Graveyard, Special Summon one "Enigma Token" (Warrior/Dark/Level Four/1,200 ATK/1,200 DEF) to your side of the field.
Note: "Enigma, The Creator" was first used by The D in the "Yu-Gi-Oh GX" episode "The Dark Light". Creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.
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DIVINE EVOLUTION (Spell Card)
Normal Spell
Image: A stained glass window with Slifer the Sky Dragon's silhouette behind it.
Card Description: Target one Monster on the field. The targeted Monster gains 1,000 Attack and Defense Points for as long as it remains face-up on the field. The activation of this card cannot be countered or negated.
Note: This card was used by both Yugi and Tenma in "Yu-Gi-Oh R". Also of note is the fact that this card is one of the few Spell Cards that affects a God Card for longer than one turn.
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MAGICAL PIGEONS (Spell Card)
Quickplay Spell
Image: A magician's top hat with pigeons flying out of it.
Card Description: You can activate this card when you have at least one "Dark Magician Girl" face-up on your side of the field. Return that "Dark Magician Girl" to your hand, and Special Summon two "Pigeon Tokens" (Winged Beast/Wind/Level One/0 ATK/0 DEF) to your side of the field in Defense Position. At the End Phase of the turn, destroy any remaining "Pigeon Tokens" and Special Summon the same "Dark Magician Girl" to your side of the field.
Note: "Magical Pigeons" was first used by the Pharaoh in the original anime episode "Grappling With A Guardian (Part Two)". Creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.
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RITE OF PASSAGE (Spell Card)
Normal Spell
Image: Dark Magician Girl on her knees, as someone hands her a sword.
Card Description: Offer one face-up "Dark Magician Girl" on your side of the field as a Tribute. Special Summon one "Dark Magician Princess" from your hand, deck, or Graveyard.
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DARK MAGICIAN PRINCESS (Monster Card)
Card Specs
Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Dark
Level: 6
ATK: 2,000
DEF: 1,700
Card Description: This card cannot be Normal Summoned or set. This card can only be Special Summoned via the effect of "Rite of Passage". When this card is successfully summoned, you may select one card on the field and destroy it. This card gains 300 Attack Points for each "Dark Magician" and "Magician of Black Chaos" in both players' Graveyards.
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EPILOGUE
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"Vampire Genesis," shouted Chelsea, "attack Yumi directly!"
Yumi gasped, and her eyes opened wide as the powerful direct attack hit her.
She fell on her behind as her Life Points fell to zero.
"You're getting sloppy, Yumi!" laughed Chelsea.
"Yeah, yeah, enjoy it now," said Yumi. "I just need to get used to doing this alone…"
"So…" said Ren. "How about we try out that new Thai place for dinner? We need something healthy after all of that junk food in Duelatopia."
"You two go ahead," said Yumi. "I'm meeting someone for dinner myself."
"Can it be?" asked Chelsea, as she and Ren walked away. "Has she actually got a boyfriend?"
"She could use one," said Ren, with a shrug.
Yumi sighed as she got up.
"Yumi?" said Anastasia's voice.
"Yes?" said Yumi, turning towards the angel.
She noticed a difference. Anastasia was almost transparent now. It looked like she was fading away.
"Yumi," she said. "You would be interested in knowing that Rasputin's fate has been decided…"
Yumi sighed.
"Give me the bad news…" she mumbled.
"It's good news, actually," said Anastasia. "After much deliberation, they have decided to give him the same chance I was given."
Yumi looked at her.
"The Bastion of the Hopeful…" she muttered. "The citadel of redemption…
"But why? Just because he gave me that Glass Menagerie card?"
"Yumi," said Anastasia, "you may think that Heaven is very strict, but in truth, we take into account all circumstances.
"Unus had not planned to give you a chance. His plan was to ambush you while you were asleep, after you had mistakenly thought that all your enemies were defeated.
"But due to Rasputin's generosity, you learned otherwise, and were able to confront him. This ultimately saved you from being captured, foiling Unus's plan, and as a result, foiled Shogarr's plan as well.
"And as we know, this may well have averted a catastrophe on the cosmic scale. All because of one act of generosity on Rasputin's part that was genuine and sincere.
"True, it might take him much longer to succeed than I did. But at least now he has a chance.
"But anyway, Yumi… Now it's time for me to say goodbye…"
"Wait!" shouted Yumi. "You're leaving? I won't see you again?"
Anastasia smiled.
"The Pharaoh is freed, Yumi," she said. "The Shadow Charms are gone. I cannot let myself be seen by mortals any longer. We've bent the rules for too long already.
"But keep this in mind…
"Whenever you feel tempted to steal money from your father's wallet… Whenever you feel tempted to put salt in a classmate's milk at school… If ever again you feel tempted to put blue food coloring in Akira's shampoo…"
"How did you know I did that?" shouted Yumi.
She paused.
"Oh… right…" she said.
"Whenever you feel tempted to do something you know is wrong," said Anastasia, "and you get a nagging feeling telling you not to do it, just remember, that nagging feeling is me.
"And if you listen to those nagging feelings, I'll never have cause to leave you, and when you finally pass on, I'll be the one leading you to the Gates of Heaven, for your eternal reward.
"Now, you'd best get going… You said you'd meet your date in half an hour."
"Oh… right!" shouted Yumi.
"Goodbye…"
As she ran off, Anastasia Pegasus smiled, and faded away.
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Yumi's Duel Disk was in her duffle bag under the table as she waited inside the fancy sushi restaurant. She hoped he'd be punctual.
"Is this seat taken?" said a familiar voice.
She smiled, as she looked and saw Nicholas. He sat down.
"So tell me, Nicholas," she said. "Uhm, I can call you that, right?"
"Only when we're alone," he replied. "Anytime else, I'm Joshua, and Olga is Madelyn."
"So what strings did you two have to pull to get relocated to Domino?" asked Yumi.
"Not many," said Nicholas. "Once the Yard found out that we both spoke fluent Japanese, they were all right with it.
"We just have to keep our noses clean, not leave school, report to the British embassy every month, and answer any questions they happen to have, and we get to stay here.
"And Domino is quite a town, I must say… It doesn't rain here nearly as much as it does in London, and the folks are friendlier…"
"Yeah," said Yumi, "it's a nice place to live… When Rare Hunters aren't lurking around, and Duel Spirits aren't overrunning it…"
"When did THAT happen?" asked Nicholas.
"A few times since Duel Monsters became popular," said Yumi.
"So, I'm confused, Yumi," said Nicholas. "Why are you even giving me the time of day? After all I did a few weeks ago…"
Yumi sighed.
"I dunno, Nicholas," she said, "I really don't… I guess it's just part of the nature of females to be attracted to bad boys…
"I mean, just look at my two grandmothers. One of them married a guy with a dark spirit inside him, and the other married a guy who used to be a street thug before he was straightened out…"
She chuckled.
"Just try not to be so bad that you end up siding with a demon again."
"Hey, I honestly didn't know I was the first time," said Nicholas.
"Understood," said Yumi. "Anyway… You dueling again?"
"Not yet…" sighed Nicholas. "I have to build my deck from scratch… I gave the Cyber Ogre deck back to its rightful owner, I was getting tired of the Ojama Deck for some time, and the one with Chronopsis… Well, Rasputin gave me those cards, and I want as little reminder of him as possible.
"Say, does your family still own that game store? Maybe I can get some good cards there… Or at least get some ideas…"
Yumi looked at him in the eye.
"I have a better idea," she said, lifting her duffle up to the table. "You like Warriors?"
Nicholas laughed.
"Yeah, right…" he said. "A Toolbox Warrior Deck, with Marauding Captain, Gilford, Freed, and that whole crowd… I'd be a hit…"
"No…" said Yumi. "I mean a different class of Warriors…"
She handed him a deck case… One that contained the Six Samurai cards that she took from Samen.
Nicholas slowly looked over the cards.
"Whoa…" he said.
Yumi sighed.
As Nicholas eagerly looked over the cards, she took out her own deck.
She looked at Dark Magician Girl.
So… she thought. Where do we go from here?
Yumi and her friends have finally earned a respite. But where DO they go from here? The Pharaoh is gone, but so long as Yumi still stays by her allies, she'll never be alone. If new trouble might threaten, she will stand ready to face it…
What does her future hold? We'll just have to see. For now, we close the book on this tale, hoping to start a new one in the future.
It's a whole new generation!
It's a new legacy to be made!
Just believe in yourself,
And remember one thing:
The duel's never over until…
The last card is played!
No, the duel's never over until…
The last card is played…
Finis
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I'd like to thank my loyal readers for reading "Legend of the Sorcerer Kings". It's been a wild ride.
And what of the sequel you have been hearing so much about?
Well, it will start soon. For now, I want to work on some other things.
Keep on the lookout for my next Yu-Gi-Oh fic, and be here when it starts. Because this next fic will be my last fic. Once it is done, I am retiring. There comes a time when a man must know when he's done all he can do.
But, I look forward to entertaining you all until the next fic is finished. Until it begins…
Excelsior!