Note from the Author: I want to let everyone know that I haven't been putting much effort on my story for various reasons. For one thing, I'm stuck with schoolwork and it kind of sucks. The only thing that matters to me is that my education is at top priority so without further ado, here we go with Timmy's Zodiac duel against Bernard... or should I say Belias the Gigas.
Chapter 15 – The Fire of Aries Part 1
New Year's Eve 2002…8pm… Reynolds mansion…
It was New Year's Eve and already there was a duel going on in the Reynolds residence. Originally, it was going to be a day where all there is to just simply have fun and look forward to the New Year. It wasn't going to be as planned however as 11-year old Timmy Turner was going one on one against a mysterious fellow who goes by the name of Bernard but he has more secrets than anyone would ever anticipate.
"So this is how you humans settle conflicts… with trading cards? You can be quite worrisome at times. Anyway, let us begin this little conflict for we only have four hours till the birth of a new year." Bernard said as he drew his starting hand (Bernard's lifepoints: 4000, hand: 5).
"Okay then and since you decided to barge in hoping to challenge me, I give you the privilege of going first in this contest. Not that it matters since I'll beat you regardless." Timmy replied as he also drew his starting hand (Timmy's lifepoints: 4000, hand: 5) while giving Bernard the opportunity to go first in the duel.
"We shall see boy. Now, I'll set one monster face-down in defense mode and afterwards, I'll set this card face down. I end my turn." Bernard spoke as he made his first move (Hand: 4) giving Timmy the chance to counterattack.
"Time for me to go on the offensive with this… my Elemental Hero Sparkman (ATK: 1600/DEF: 1400) in attack mode!" Timmy (Hand: 5) replied as he summoned a monster to the battlefield; an Elemental Hero that possessed an electric personality.
((Going on the offensive aren't you? How pleasant because you will make a perfect offering to our lord and master.)) Bernard thought as Timmy went on and unleashed his attack.
"Time to battle! Hero Sparkman attack his face-down now with Static Shockwave!" Timmy shouted as his monster attacked.
Unleashing a powerful shockwave attack, Elemental Hero Sparkman took out Bernard's defensive monster but it only revealed a little surprise just waiting to be in store.
"You just destroyed my UFO Turtle (ATK: 1400/DEF: 1200) and when its destroyed and sent to the graveyard, I get to summon a monster whose attack power is 1500 points or less from my deck. Looks like I found myself the perfect choice for this battle… and I choose my Flame Manipulator (ATK: 900/DEF: 1000)." Bernard spoke as another monster took the stand and it was a human being that controlled the element of flame.
"Interesting… I never expected you to bring out a monster like that. Oh well, I end my turn by setting one card face down. Your move now." Timmy (Hand: 4) replied as Bernard made his next draw but what he found would turn the tide of this battle and it was only his second turn.
"Well now… time I make this battle interesting. From my hand, I activate a field spell and I doubt you can't destroy this. I play the field spell card Zodiac Seal – Aries (Spell Card)!" Bernard shouted (Hand: 4) as his field spell cause something unbelievable to emerge from the dark skies above.
A large red circle appeared on the field and as it slowly went down, they all wondered if Timmy would come out alive victorious in this battle. There was only one way to find out though and that is to watch and see. When the seal hit the ground, the mark of the Zodiac sign "Aries" appeared in the center and that was when things took a strange turn.
"Huh? What is this? I've never heard of this card before. Would you mind telling me what this is about?" Timmy spoke as Bernard explained what was happening.
"What I just played is somewhat of a key that is needed to acquire your soul. You may think that it is similar to a card that another fellow has played. What was it again? Oh yes… the Seal of Orichalcos. But this seal is held with the power of the Zodiac and its power is much greater than just a simple green rock. You'll find out more about this power soon enough for in the meantime, it is still my turn and I sacrifice my Flame Manipulator in order to summon the Fiery Scion of Darkness… Belias the Gigas (ATK: 2200/DEF: 1600) in attack mode!" Bernard (Hand: 3) replied afterwards as Flame Manipulator was offered to summon a creature that would put everyone in shock.
A small circular seal appeared on the floor of the duel field and out came a roar that was similar to a ram. The seal was then engulfed in an aura that caused a monster to appear on the field armed with a scepter and a fury that was as fierce as fire. What Timmy and everyone else has seen was the arrival of the Fiery Zodiac Belias, the Gigas.
"Speechless aren't you my boy… how unwise. You see my Zodiac Seal – Aries gives me the ability to transfer Belias the Gigas from my deck to my hand. But that's not all for it also raises all my FIRE-attribute monsters by 500 points. Plus, my Belias gains an additional 200 points for every FIRE-attribute on the field including itself. I might as well show you its power for yourself for I go on the attack! Belias the Gigas incinerate his Sparkman now! Firaja Hellfire!" Bernard shouted as his new monster (Belias' ATK: 2900) went on the attack.
Belias jumped high into the air and it then landed on the ground with his scepter hitting the floor causing cracks to emerge and as a result Sparkman was engulfed in flames and immediately incinerated. Timmy's lifepoints took a hit as well since his monster was weaker (Timmy's lifepoints: 2700) than Bernard's. However, he had a surprise just waiting to be used in case something would happen.
"When you destroyed my Sparkman, you activated my Hero Signal (Trap Card) trap. This allows me to search through my hand or deck for an Elemental Hero monster that is four stars or less and summon it to the field. Looks like you aren't the only one that can summon another monster… I summon my Elemental Hero Clayman (ATK: 800/DEF: 2000) in defense mode." Timmy spoke as he brought out a monster to protect his lifepoints from Belias' attacks.
"Do you think that defense alone will save you? I doubt that for I shall set this face down and end my turn." Bernard (Hand: 2) replied as Belias returned to his side of the field.
Seeing the immense power of Belias the Gigas, he had to be sure not to make any mistakes especially when he was looking at a monster that had more than 2000 attack points. Timmy then drew his next card and took the anticipation with caution.
"That monster of yours is strong but I can do better. I activate the spell card Polymerization (Spell Card) which lets me merge the Clayman on the field with Elemental Hero Bubbleman (ATK: 800/DEF: 1200)." Timmy (Hand: 3) spoke as his initiated a fusion between two Elemental Heroes.
What emerged brought forth a creature that possessed a powerful defense with its mud-like body but the question was… will it be enough to go up against the power of the Gigas known as Belias? Only time will tell as this duel goes on.
"I bring Elemental Hero Mudballman (ATK: 1900/DEF: 3000) and I place it in defense mode. I'll end my turn by placing one card face down and that is all." Timmy (Hand 2) said as he prepared himself further hoping to survive the strength of Belias.
"You think going on the defense will save you? I'm afraid you are mistaken… I'm on the move now. I summon Gaia Soul the Combustive Collectible (ATK: 2000/DEF: 0) in attack mode." Bernard replied (Hand: 2) as he brought out some sort of soul engulfed in flames.
((Gaia Soul? That's a FIRE-attribute and not only that, he just made Belias even stronger. This can't be good.)) Timmy thought as Belias got stronger as a result not only that but so did Gaia Soul's strength as well. (Belias' ATK: 3100, Gaia Soul's ATK: 2500).
"You disappoint me my boy. I thought you were someone who would have great power… guess I was wrong. Belias the Gigas destroy his Mudballman now! Firaja Hellfire!" Bernard shouted but not before Timmy had a surprise in store.
"That attack has to wait because I activate a trap. Reveal Mirror Force (Trap Card)! This trap works when a monster attacks and it destroys every attacking monster on the opponent's side of the field." Timmy shouted afterwards as the trap took effect sending Belias' attack right back and destroying both monsters in the process.
"You may have saved your hide with that trap but luckily, Belias has a second effect. By removing 2 FIRE-attribute monsters from play, I can special summon it from the graveyard. However, Belias can't attack the instant that effect is used." Bernard replied as he removed Flame Manipulator and Gaia Soul to bring back Belias.
((Impressive. He removed his own monsters just to bring back a powerhouse.. not that it matters because I'm prepared for whatever that fool has up his sleeves.)) Timmy thought as Bernard ended his turn giving him the opportunity to strike back.
"I will end my turn from here and besides, I don't think you have anything in your arsenal to stand up against the likes of me." Bernard said as Timmy drew his next card and fortunately, it was what he needed to strike back hard.
"I give up 800 lifepoints to activate my Premature Burial (Spell Card) and with it, I can get back a monster that its in my graveyard such as my Sparkman." Timmy replied as he made a sacrifice (Timmy's lifepoints: 1900) bringing back a monster that he previously had in the field.
"If you think that it will help you, you are so wrong." Bernard spoke as Timmy had a surprise in store for him and fortunately, it would be enough.
"You really think so well… I'd doubt it. I sacrifice both my Mudballman and my Sparkman in order to summon my Elemental Hero Bladedge (ATK: 2600/DEF: 1800)!" Timmy (Hand: 1) shouted as he made a double offering to bring out a hero in gold ready to rip through Bernard's monster but the question was… will he be able to do it?
((2600 attack points eh? Interesting because my Belias is still more powerful. It's only a matter of time till victory was mine.)) Bernard thought as Timmy played something to turn the tide.
"Now I play H – Heated Heart (Spell Card) and it raises my Bladedge's attack strength by 500 for this one turn. It's more than enough to take out your monster… along with some of your lifepoints. Now Bladedge (ATK: 3100), attack! Take down Belias with Power Edge Slice!" Timmy (Hand: 0) shouted as Bladedge went on the offensive taking out Bernard's monster along with some of his lifepoints considering that he was untouched (Bernard's lifepoints: 3500).
Bernard could only look in anger as the monster that he relied on was destroyed not once but twice. Seeing that he had ended his turn, Bernard decided to do whatever he could to make sure that he would win the duel even if it meant that he would bring back a monster that had been already destroyed.
"You got lucky with that move but your luck will soon run out. Its my draw and I set one monster in defense mode. That ends my turn." Bernard (Hand: 2) said as all he could do was defend but knowing him, it was something that he had plans for.
"Time to go on the attack! Bladedge attack his defense monster now!" Timmy (Hand: 1) shouted as his monster goes on the attack but it was all just a ploy as a certain monster comes in to change everything.
"You just destroyed my Cyber Jar (ATK: 900/DEF: 900) and when its destroyed, all monsters must be destroyed as well. So much for your Bladedge!" Bernard spoke but not before Timmy had to point out one other thing.
"Maybe so but my Bladedge's ability activates. If it attacks a monster whose strength is higher than your defense then the difference is dealt directly to you as damage." Timmy replied as Bernard's lifepoints took a sudden drop for the worst. (Bernard's lifepoints: 1800)
In an instant, Elemental Hero Bladedge was destroyed as a result of Cyber Jar's effect. But then the second effect of Cyber Jar kicked in as both players drew five cards from their respective decks and can summon up to 5 monsters on the field. From the looks of things, it would seem that both sides would have an even playing field.
"Due to the effect of Cyber Jar, I bring out 3 monsters to the field; Solar Flare Dragon (ATK: 1500/DEF: 1000), Volcanic Slicer (ATK: 1800/DEF: 1200) and Darkfire Soldier #2 (ATK: 1750/DEF: 1100) and they are all in attack position. Now let's see what monsters you got big boy." Bernard (Hand: 4) said as Timmy brought out his own squadron of comrades.
"I can do just that and more because I'm bringing out five monsters to the field. I bring out Dark Blade (ATK: 1800/DEF: 1500), Big Shield Guardna (ATK: 100/DEF: 2600), Queen's Knight (ATK: 1500/DEF: 1600) and King's Knight (ATK: 1600/DEF: 1400) which thanks to its special effect lets me automatically summon Jack's Knight (ATK: 1900/DEF: 100). Now I can use all five of my monsters to wipe you out but since I have already attacked, I'll end my turn by setting one card face down and that is all." Timmy (Hand: 0) replied as he provided a small kind of protection as Bernard looked at the odds that he would have against his opponent.
Timmy was confident in seeing the odds that he would have against his opponent but Bernard wasn't impressed with the odds that he is seeing as he had a surprise of his own. Fortunately it was his turn and the time to go on the offensive is now.
"Alright, it's my turn now and I play A Feather of the Phoenix (Spell Card). By discarding one card from my hand, I can get a monster back from my graveyard and add it to my deck. So I discard this card and get back Belias the Gigas." Bernard (Hand: 2) spoke as he discarded a card from his hand to have Belias returned to his deck but not before he shuffled his deck in order to ensure that he would obtain it eventually.
It seemed the duel has taken a turn for the unexpected and both sides are on the verge of waging an all-out war. One side wants answers into finding the purpose of these mysterious figures while the other is seeking the soul of a strong duelist needed to revive a fallen figure. What will happen when the inevitable rises again. The duel rages on in the last day of the year? The question is… who will be victorious?