The wind started to swirl violently around the two duelists as Nick pulled free a card. "In all honesty, I don't believe you are worthy enough to see a card of such elegance, beauty...and raw power. But I'm tired of watching you duel as if you have been in control. You haven't, as a matter of fact, you've done everything I wanted you to do."
"What are you talking about," Atlas shouted. "Stop talking nonsense and get on with your turn already."
"As you wish," Nick said cruely. "By removing from play Vortex Magician and Sangan I can give birth to one of my most powerful monsters."
A violent fusion of white and black light manifested above Nick, each light seeming to be fighting the other for dominance, but neither gaining the upperhand. "In a flash of light and darkness everything came to be! Bring forth the genesis! Witness the first creation, Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning (3000/2500)!"
Atlas watched in shock and terror as a warrior in blue and gold armor formed out of the spiraling lights. The warrior wielded a wickedly sharp sword and a durable shield that shared the same colors as his armor.
"Now...let's see if you can stand up to this."
Atlas stood in fear as he faced the legendary monster that was rumoured to have been found in the deck of Yugi Motou, the first King of Games.
"You look shocked," noted Nick. "Don't be. After all you don't get to be one of the top duelists at Duel Academy using any old cards."
"I don't believe this," Atlas muttered under his breath. "One of the famous Chaos monsters..."
"I'm not done though, because now I summon Dimensional Alchemist (1300/200) and I'll use his ability to banish the top card of my deck to increase his attack." A masked figure appeared besides Nick's powerful warrior then formed a ball of dark energy as its attack points increased (Dimensional Alchemist: 1300-1800/200).
'Hmm, this will come in handy,' Nick noted as he pocketed the top card of his deck. "On to the main show. Black Luster Soldier, attack Adrastus with Slash of Creation." The armored warrior launched at Atlas's side of the field.
Atlas barely had time to think before the knight was upon his monster. "Hold up! Once per duel, while Divine Hero Jason is in my graveyard I can negate one attack!" As Atlas announced the effect a translucent form of Divine Hero Jason materialized between Nick's soldier and Adrastus.
"Clever, but it won't work." Nick said as Black Luster Soldier rushed through Jason's spirit with his sight still on Adrastus. "By returning my banished Illumination Wizard to my grave, I can cancel the effect of a card that would negate an attack of mine. Carry on my Soldier!"
Adrastus brought up his twin blades to combat Nick's powerful monster but before he could get in a strike Black Luster Soldier's sword was embedded in his chest (Atlas: 3200). As the amount of warriors on Atlas's side of the field decreased so did the attack of his Divine Hero Eteoclus (1700-1500/100). "Go, Space-Time Breakthrough!"
Atlas stepped back in surprise as Black Luster Soldier materialized behind Eteoclus and bashed the back of his head in with the brunt of his shield (Atlas: 1700). "Now Dimensional Alchemist finish him. You really weren't as much of a challenge as I had hoped."
The mysterious masked creature launched a ball of intensified light Atlas's way. "Don't count me out yet," Atlas replied as Argo, the Divine Hero Carrier (2100/2500) appeared behind him for a third time carried by a wave of light. "The trap card Divine Intervention," Atlas now signaled to his face-up trap card, "activates whenever I would take a direct attack. It lets me special summon any Divine Hero of my choice from my graveyard."
"You've evaded defeat...but for how long. I'll set one card and allow you to start your turn."
Atlas drew a card then quickly motioned over to the Argo, "Now that my boat's back, I bet you know what's coming next. Resurrect, Divine Hero Heracles (2600-2800/2000)!"
The boat released a beam of bright light carrying Atlas's distinguished monster. "I activate the spell, Pot of Greed and I won't waste your time or insult your intelligence explaining its effect," Atlas said as he drew two cards and a wide grin spread across his face. "Now for a combo I haven't yet played. You should be honored though. I actually consider you a threat enough to bring this out."
"What are you talking about? Even if you manage to destroy my Black Luster Soldier, I'll still have enough life points to make a comeback next turn," Nick replied matter-of-factly.
"We'll see," Atlas added. "Now I activate Gift of Life!" A green bordered card showing two Petit Angel like creatures each holding a card in its hand. As the card disappeared two angels just like the ones on the card appeared crouching defensively on Nick's side of the field.
"By giving you those Gift tokens (1000/1000 x2) I'm allowed to draw two cards," Atlas explained as he drew two more cards. "Now I'll activate Bloodlust allowing my Divine Hero Heracles to attack each monster you control at the cost of the rest of my monsters not attacking. Go Heracles, get rid of those tokens!"
Atlas watched waiting for Nick to activate his face-down but he didn't. Atlas's muscle bound warrior easily smashed through the fairy as his own attack increased (Divine Hero Heracles: 2800-3200/2000).
Nick's eyes widened as he realized his opponent's plan. 'So he plans on beefing up his monster by attacking those tokens then dealing enough damage to take me out by attacking Dimensional Alchemist. Pretty crafty...'
Heracles turned on his heel and launched himself at the other angel. The creature looked up with fear right as it was crushed under the sheer weight of Atlas's monster (Divine Hero Heracles: 3200-3600/2000).
"Now move onto Dimensional Alchemist!" Heracles didn't even have to move far as he was right next to the creature all ready. He grabbed the alchemist in his hands and started to squeeze slowly draining the creature of life (Divine Hero Heracles: 3600-4000/2000).
"Not yet," Nick said with a smirk. "I activate my face-down Damage Mitigation halving all damage I take and making my monsters immune to destruction by battle. And as an added bonus at the end of the battle phase I get to draw one card for every one-thousand points of damage I took." Heracles let go of the fairy-type that he had suffocating seeing that it refused to die (Nick: 1150).
"Fine," Atlas replied angrily, "but I can still deal some more damage. Heracles show Black Luster Soldier a true warrior's strength! Herculean Punch!" Heracles (Divine Hero Heracles: 4000-4800/2000) pivoted around and lunged at the soldier with a golden, glowing fist. Black Luster Soldier hastily brought his shield to protect him from the powerful blow, but it still started to crack from the unadulterated might of the punch (Nick: 350).
"You may have stalled, but you're not the only one who can do that," Atlas said as pulled a card free from his hand. "I activate Swords of Revealing Light. Now I'm safe from attacks for three more of your turns. Your move (Divine Hero Heracles: 4800-2600/2000)."
Six bright lights in the shape of swords encircled Nick as he pulled two cards loose due to the effect of Damage Mitigator then another one for his draw phase. "Stall all you want," Nick said as he pointed towards Atlas, "nothing can protect you from my wrath! First I'll play the spell card Soul Absorption which heals me for five-hundred life points each time a card is banished. Next, I'll have Black Luster Soldier get rid of your irritating Divine Hero Heracles for good! Chaos Blade!"
"What," Atlas questioned as Nick's monster raised its blade. "You can't attack while I have my swords up."
"Its not an attack," Nick said with a fierce smile on his face. "Its an effect." The retrained Black Luster Soldier brought its sword down sending a wave of distorted energy straight into Heracles. For a second all was still, then Atlas's most powerful monster collapsed in on itself leaving him with only a boat (Nick: 850).
'Crap,' Atlas thought, 'I was able to make it seem like I saw that double-attack effect, but I wasn't even prepared for that banishing ability...'
"Now I'll switch Dimensional Alchemist from attack to defense and let you begin your turn."
Atlas drew a card and quickly added it his hand noting it. "You may have gotten rid of my most powerful card, but that doesn't mean I'm out for the count. As a matter of fact, I did see that coming," Atlas lied even though he did have a plan.
"You forget that my Argo will revive any Divine Hero, including Divine Hero Theseus (2400-2600/1600)!" The named warrior arrived on Atlas's side of the field in a flash of bright light.
"Now Theseus, attack Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning!"
"You're crazy," Nick commented. "You'll just-"
"Shut up and listen," Atlas retorted. "When Theseus attacks a monster he can switch its battle position so I'll be switching your soldier to defense position, meaning my monster has just enough to destroy it."
Theseus threw his golden rope onto Black Luster Soldier's sword and yanked it free out of his hand forcing the knight to crouch defensively. Atlas's divine warrior threw the stolen sword aside then pushed his dagger through the already formed cracks in Black Luster Soldier's shield effectively destroying the monster that had caused Atlas so much trouble.
"Now Argo, the Divine Hero Carrier, blast away Dimensional Alchemist." Slots opened up all over the boat as magical cannons were produced from out of nowhere. The cannons then opened fire on Nick's sole monster leaving his field barren except for his continuous spell card.
"Now make your move," Atlas snapped. 'Just one more turn, and then this duel is mine. Don't worry Heracles, I'll avenge you.'
"I can't...I can't believe you actually beat him," Nick said as he drew a card.
"Well you better believe it," Atlas said coldly. "If you want you can just end your turn now, so I can-"
"Silence!" Nick demanded as he looked up with a fierce look in his eyes. "I underestimated you, yes, but compared to me your skills are worthless!"
"What are you talking about? I have two powerful monster on my side of the field, and a card that prevents you from attacking for two more turns," Atlas replied. "If anything...you are the one with the worthless skills."
Nick's eyes widened at the accusation. "That's it," he all but yelled. "I'm going to shut that goddamn mouth of yours up once and for all. And all in one fell swoop..."
"Put your cards where your mouth is," Atlas said nonchalantly.
The wind started to pick up again as Nick gained a crazed look in his eyes. "You really are trash, and now its time to dispose of you! I remove from play Illumination Wizard and Chaos Returner (Nick: 1850)!"
Just like before, a mass of black and white light appeared above Nick's head. Each light violently to gain control. "In a flash of light and darkness everything will crumble! Bring forth the finale! Witness the last creation, Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End (3000/2500)!"
A dragon, much larger than the Hydra Dragoon that Atlas had faced days ago, was now descending onto the makeshift duel field. It was green in color covered in golden armor and had a mane of bright orange hair extending from the back of its head. It extended its wings and let out a roar that sent chills down Atlas's spine.
"Nope, you're nowhere near as strong as your brothers," Nick said coldly. He then turned to his dragon and gave a cruel smile. "This is it Atlas, your end. Chaos Emperor Dragon, by paying a portion of my life points I allow you to purge the field with Cemetery of Fire (Nick: 850)!"
'My end,' Atlas thought, 'yes the creature is big. But it can't attack...it must be another ability, but what-'
Atlas was promptly brought out of his thoughts as the large dragon formed a gigantic ball of fire in its mouth. "You see that one-thousand life points I paid wasn't for nothing. It was to activate my dragon's ability! Now every card on the field and in our hands is sent to the Graveyard, you then take three-hundred points of damage for each," Nick explained as he laughed callously.
'The three cards in my hand, plus the three cards in his hands, as well as the five cards on the field...that's eleven cards!' Atlas stepped back reflexivly as he realized that he was about to take more than enough damage to bring him down to zero.
The dragon launched the ball into the middle of the field causing a large explosion that shook the pier they were standing on (Atlas: 0).
(Atlas: 0)
(Nick: 850)
End Duel
'Ugh these are only holograms,' Atlas thought to himself, 'why is this pier shaking.' Atlas dug his heels into the ground to prevent himself from being tossed into the water below. It wouldn't end up well, especially since Atlas didn't know how to swim.
"Trash. Pathetic, insignificant trash," Nick said harshly. "I thought you would put up a better challenge like your brothers, but I was wrong to think that. You're not even in their league." Nick walked away without another word and was gone in no time.
Atlas collapsed to the ground completely drained of energy from that last effect. "Why did that hurt so much..." Atlas muttered to himself as he felt consciousness fading away.
...
Atlas woke with a start in a bed that wasn't his own. He looked around and upon closer inspection he determined he was in the school's infirmary. "What...why am I here?"
As Atlas hoisted himself up, he quickly learned the answer to his question. His whole body ached. He grunted in pain but continued to get out of the bed. Almost immediately a nurse entered the room and quirked an eyebrow at the injured teen.
"So you can walk...perfect," she said. "Chancellor Sato has been waiting for you in the lobby. I'll go get her." The nurse walked back out as Atlas stabilized himself on the night stand.
A woman standing around four inches taller than Atlas with dark brown hair entered the room. "Atlas Michaels...do you know why you are here?" the woman asked.
"Umm...because I'm hurt, I guess," Atlas replied as he scratched the nape of his neck.
"True," she said as she pinched her chin. "I'm sorry. I'm used to dealing with troublemakers in my office instead of the infirmary."
"Troublemaker, I-" Atlas started.
"You broke curfew and there was an explosion at the lighthouse, might I remind you, just in case you forgot, that was where you were. That explosion pretty much woke up everyone at Duel Academy, including myself."
"But-"
"Let me finish. Breaking curfew is a serious offence...and that explosion, I thought it was an attack on Duel Academy," as she said that she looked toward the ground with worried eyes. "Now I'm not sure exactly what that explosion was, and you seemed to be the only one hurt in the area, but I need to take disciplinary actions."
'Great,' Atlas thought to himself, 'I almost got knocked into the ocean and now I'm probably going to get expelled.'
"Now some of the teachers here want me to expel you," she started.
'Yep, I knew it...'
"But I, on other hand, am looking at a more lenient solution," she said looking at Atlas with a slight smile.
"And that is," Atlas questioned.
"Oh its nothing really," she said as she waved her hand around. "Detention for four hours after class, everyday, for the next month." She said as she started to walk out the door. "You can thank me, your Chancellor, for being so generous."
Atlas slumped back into bed, disheartened after basically being beaten twice in one day.
Chancellor Sato stopped at the door and turned back to Atlas with a grin. "Rest up, you got classes tomorrow. And detention."
Author's Note: Boom! And just like that another chapter! Oh by the by, there are no such thing as forbidden cards in this fic (as you could tell by Pot of Greed and Chaos Emperor Dragon)! Mwahaha!
Cards of the Duel:
Atlas Michaels:
Gift of Life - Normal Spell
Special Summon 2 "Gift Tokens" (Fairy-Type/Light/Level 4/ATK 1000/DEF 1000) in Defense Position on your opponent's side of the field. Draw 2 cards.
Nick Forbes:
Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning - Lv 8, Light, Warrior, 3000/2500
Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must first be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 1 LIGHT and 1 DARK monster from your Graveyard. Once per turn, you can activate 1 of these effects.
● Target 1 monster on the field; banish that target face-up. This card cannot attack the turn you activate this effect.
● During the Damage Step, if this attacking card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: It can make a second attack in a row.
Tick tock, goes the oh-so-slow clock. Stuck in detention Atlas is waiting for his "knight in shining armor" to come rescue him. But in all reality he didn't expect the knight to show up, or to be so...dark. Catch the next chapter, Jailhouse Blues.
