People always ask me questions why I like Ramen noodles, like 'Why are you eating them for breakfast?'
'What's up with the fascination of the food?'
And my all time favorite… 'Why do you eat so much?'
Well to answer that, I can really explain. There's just something about Ramen noodles that seems to attract me to them.
I'm not talking about the taste (although it is good), or the fact that its convenient (you've got to admit, three minutes is pretty speedy).
Its just that they remind of something…
Odd thing is, I don't really know what that something is.
But one thing's for sure…
…I'd protect that thing and the Ramen noodles no matter what.
And this girl, she is a cook…
…I think…
So she knows where I'm coming from, and she knows my dueling tactics.
But like the Ramen noodles…
…My strategy comes in many different flavors!
-/--/-/-/-/--/-/
Chapter 14: The Ultimate Challenge!
Ramen Noodles Versus Curry!
/-/--/-/-/---/-/-/
Vic sat in front of his computer, looking at the information that was on it. Not bearing to look at it, Vic covered his eyes and sighed loudly. "…Seventeen…"
The reason behind his shame was viewed onto the computer screen in front of him displaying the rank of the top twenty students in the school. Next to each number, a photo and an small deck description filled the rest of the screen.
At the top of the screen, Mustang's picture with him giving a peace sign to the camera was a definite give away.
However, the next two pictures were definitely unexpected.
Underneath Mustang's happy picture, Cain just crossed his arms and didn't even look at the camera that took his picture.
And under him, Vergil just looked calm and serene pushing up his glasses.
Vic was the second anymore…he had lost his rank to that shorty and it was thanks to that Slifer Red and Vergil.
"I'm going into a dive…" Vic stated as he replayed the duels in his mind the ones that made him get to this.
- Two Weeks Ago -
"Yeah, well, I've still got another card to play; I activate the spell card, Ninjitsu Art of Rebirth!" Garu announced as the spell card appeared before him showing the Strike Ninja performing a hand sign with multiple feathers appearing all around him. Then in a bright light appeared Ryu crouching down with his Kitsune protecting him. "I allows me to revive one 'Ninja' however it can't attack or change battle position."
"A temporary fix," Vic stated as he drew his next card. "I've still got many cards to turn this around. Like this one, I activate the spell, Card Destruction! So now we both discard our hands!"
Both duelists discarded their hands, and then all of a sudden, an orb of darkness appeared before Vic. From the orb stepped a powerful golden demon; his armor was scaly, as were his golden wings. In his hands was a large golden battleaxe. "And since I discarded him, I now get to summon Goldd, Wu-lord of Dark World (2300/1400)!"
"You should know that Ryu can't be beaten in battle," Garu stated as Vic just smirked.
"Whatever, I'd like to see how the world you're going to win this," Vic challenged as he watched Garu draw his next card. 'I happen to know that those ninjas aren't strong enough to take me down. Next turn I'll have a way to recover my Dark Sanctuary, and I'll win this duel easily!'
"Now then! I'm tired of losing to you Obelisk Blues and I'm going to win right now!" Garu announced as he lifted one card into his duel disk. "I activate the spell card Offerings to the Doomed! So by sacrificing my next draw phase, I can make your Goldd go back to the graveyard for good!"
Vic's eyes widened as multiple bandage pixels crushed his monster into pixels. "Nice try! But you can't even switch your monster to attack mode!"
"True…however, I'll play Soul Release! To remove my Strike Ninja, Uzamaki – Tech Ninja, the Armed Ninja (300/300) you forced me to discard, and why don't I remove two specific cards from your graveyard?" Garu questioned as Vic gasped at the two cards that shot out of his duel disk.
"No! Not my Dark Sanctuary and Dark Necrofear!" Vic cried out as Garu took another card from his hand.
"And if you think that's bad…then watch as I activate the spell card, Conch Shell Horn!" Garu announced as a familiar shell appeared before Ryu.
"What the heck is that?" Vic asked as Ryu was lifted from the ground by a green light.
"You brought out your strongest cards, so its only fair that I do the same!" Garu shouted as loud engine noise filled the air.
Vic looked at the noise, and his jaw dropped at the sight of a large object falling above Garu. "Wh-what the h-heck is that?"
The large metallic skyscraper version of Ryu slammed it metallic feet on both sides of the bridge. Looking down at Vic, Impact just aimed his metallic Kitsune staff towards Vic. "This is Impact Ryu – the Tech Ninja Giant (2500/2200)!"
"I didn't know there was a ninja like that…" Kiro stuttered as Zeff laughed loudly.
"You haven't seen the half of it yet," Zeff commented as Rox barked. "Like Rox said, for each Ninja that's removed from play, Impact gains five hundred attack points!"
"…Oh crap," Kiro sighed as Impact began to glow with a pure light. (2500/2200 + 2000/0)
"This is for the other day! Impact attack Vic with Rapid Fire Impact Punch!" Garu commanded as Impact reeled back his metallic fist.
Vic's eyes widened as the fist charged towards him with a strange speed, just as the fist was about to strike him, it stopped. Vic lowered his arms...just in time for him to receive not five,
Not ten…
Not fifteen…
But twenty punches into Vic slammed into him sending him to the ground and his cards flying into the air. Vic definitely was knocked out; his spinning eyes were sign enough. (VLP: 0)
"And that's how you win!" Garu shouted as Impact posed like him raising a thumb up.
- A few days ago...-
"I activate the spell card, Forced Unity! Now for a cost of half of my life points, I can have one monster effect on my side of the field, go for all face up monsters!" Vergil announced as the Kaiser of Agility began to float into the air. "And I choose Kaiser of Agility!"
"And what exactly can he do?" Vic asked as a light green aura appeared over all of the Kaisers.
"By cutting my monsters' attack scores in half…they each can go for you directly!" Vergil roared as all of his Kaisers got into fighting poses.
"No!" Vic screamed as the Kaiser of Agility (900/1100) began to fly at him.
In a quick instant, the Kaiser of Agility sending him to the ground slammed directly into Vic.
Then just as Vic was getting up, multiple bullets were fired directly into his arms. Courtesy of the Kaiser of Defense (1100/3000).
Vic tried to speak, but then two swords that belonged to the Kaiser of Offense (1000/500) stabbed right through his legs. And the pain didn't stop there; the powerful chain whip from the Kaiser of Illusion (800/1400) was wrapped around his neck and pulled him directly to the ground.
And just as Vic was about to sit up, the Kaiser of Wisdom (1200/2100) appeared before him. Vic closed his eyes waiting for what this monster was going to do to him.
Nothing happened.
Just as Vic opened his eyes, the Kaiser of Wisdom bonked him on the head with what appeared to be…
"…A fluke?" Vic questioned as the holograms disappeared (ViLP: 0)
The crowd roared as Vergil lifted his duel disk off his arm and began to head for the exit.
- End of Flash Back -
Vic just walked over to the curtains to see the sun was rising on the Saturday morning. "And there's no way out of it…"
Just then, the computer beeped loudly, and Vic turned towards it to see that an instant e-mail had appeared on his computer.
Vic slowly opened it and read the simple words that were on the e-mail.
"Come to the Slifer Red dorm at 10 a.m."
Vic just narrowed his eyes…that's the last place he wanted to be.
But at the sight of the name at the bottom of the e-mail…his mind quickly changed.
-/-/--/-/-/---/-
Garu snored loudly as he rolled over in his bed. He never woke up early on a Saturday and this was no different.
Yae, Zeff and Rox on the other hand…
"Man! Its not even eight and Garu still won't wake up," Yae sighed…but even though she was used to Garu sleeping in on Saturdays, that didn't mean that she did.
"I know what ya mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all for sleeping in," Zeff yawned as did Rox at the same time. "But when Garu snores like that…who can stay asleep?"
"Obviously that boy wonder," Yae commented before closing her eyes.
That's when that smell hit her nostrils.
It smelt somewhat like a great mixture of foods that she had tasted before, only all together with a touch of a little extra spicy goodness.
"Hey Zeff, do you smell that?" Yae asked as Zeff looked at her.
Responding to the question, both Zeff and Rox lifted their noses into the air and took in a huge whiff. A second later, both the duelist and wolf cub were drooling like they had just smelt the most heavenly thing on this Earth. "Its coming from the cafeteria!"
And with that, the two of them ran from the room to investigate the smell, while Garu well…
"Zzzzzz…"
That's embarrassing for a hero to do…
/--/-/-/--/-/--/-/-
As Vic stood outside the Slifer Red dorm watching his watch, he grew impatient and stood next to the tree and bushes.
'Its nine fifty seven a.m. I thought he was going to be a little early at the least…'
"Ah, mister Vanhemer I presume…"
Vic turned his head around to see Zaku standing behind him reading a leather bound book. His eyes seemed to be glued to the book, before he turned the page. "I'm glad you could come…"
"Alright…what's the deal with you calling me?" Vic asked as Zaku lowered his book and sniffed the air.
"Ah…do you smell that intoxicating aroma?" Zaku asked with a sigh following it has the makings for a most interesting day."
Vic was now confused as to what this pro league duelist was going on about. "Look, if you wanted to discuss fine cuisine, then the Obelisk Blue dorm is the place to go…"
"But I take it you don't want to show your face there for a while," Zaku interrupted causing Vic to step back. "Looks like I just struck a chord…why don't we enjoy the show first…then we'll discuss what I've got in stored for you?"
"…Show?" Vic questioned as Zaku lifted his book up.
"Trust me…you'll see what I mean…" Zaku replied looking at the page, and a slight blush crept onto his face. "Oh, and when you get the chance order this book…"
Looking at the cover, Vic just raised an eyebrow at the title. "What are you? A closet perv?"
/-/--/-/-/-/-/-/-
'Hmm…that smell…'
'Is it Ramen? No…its different…'
Garu opened his eyes to see that the sunlight was flowing through the window, a significant sign that day had arrived.
A few minutes later, Garu was dressed in his usual attire and pocketing his deck.
Then with a quick look at the clock and growl of his stomach, Garu knew exactly what was coming up next. "Breakfast! Or lunch! Maybe…brunch?"
-/-/--/-/-/--/-/-
The smell was getting stronger as Garu entered the cafeteria. "Smells like the curry…only better!"
Looking around the cafeteria, Garu saw that almost every Slifer Red he knew was enjoying the curry that was being served up front. Even Fortanu was sitting near the doors enjoying the dish.
"Hey teach! How's the eats?" Garu asked as Fortanu looked up.
"Ah, mister Honzou, so glad you could join us on this wonderful day," Fortanu replied as he placed his plate of curry down. "Please, enjoy the meal and the day. And don't forget the traps test on Monday."
"Yeah, sure, now if you excuse me I'm going to get some Ramen noodles!" Garu shouted before running up.
Fortanu sighed loudly at the sight of his student's enthusiasm…he was being set up to be knocked down.
As soon as Garu reached the kitchen, a large table that had a large silver soup pot on it along with multiple plates with rice on them greeted him. Behind the table…
"Hello again Garu," Ayame greeted as Garu scratched the back of his head in confusion.
"…And you are?" Garu asked as a large crashing sound caught his attention.
Ayame fell to the ground in embarrassment and clawed her way back up to her feet. "Its me! Ayame! We met yesterday? Remember?"
"…Hmm," Garu thought about this for a few seconds…
"Nope! Sorry!" Garu laughed as Ayame lowered her head.
"I was in the card shop yesterday when Cain slammed you into the wall!" Ayame shouted as Garu sweatdropped.
"Now its coming back…" Garu replied as his sweatdrop grew.
"The concussion must have affected your head…" Ayame sighed as she stirred the ladle in the pot.
Shaking off the sweatdrop, Garu smiled brightly. "Hey wait, didn't you work in the school store?"
"Yeah…why?" Ayame replied as a question mark appeared over his head.
"Then why are you working in the kitchen?" Garu asked as Ayame lifted the ladle pulling out a large amount of curry.
"I only work in the store on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursday s," Ayame explained as she spooned the curry on to a plate. "On Saturday s, I work in the cafeterias. I'm trying to get some extra money here ya know. Now here's your curry!"
"No thanks," Garu replied pushing the curry back. "I'll just have a bowl of Ramen Noodles please…"
"I'm sorry, but the Ramen Noodles have been taken off the menu," Ayame replied holding up the plate of curry. "But, please enjoy the curry!"
It was then that Garu felt a sword pierce right through his heart! Garu collapsed on the ground from the news causing every Slifer Red to turn to see him.
-; /-/-/-/-/-/-/-/--/
"Garu?"
"Hey man, you okay?"
"Woof! Bark bark!"
Garu opened his eyes to see Yae, Zeff and Rox looking over him. "Hey guys…I had the worst dream…
"They took the ramen noodles off the menu…"
Yae and Zeff looked at each other as Garu began to sweat. "Wait…don't tell me…"
"Its true…" Ayame finished as Garu jumped back to his feet.
"Hey! I said not to tell me!" Garu shouted as he lifted his arms into the air out of anger. "Who's the wise guy who changed the menu?"
All of the Slifer Red students just blinked at Garu's outburst and sweatdropped at his behavior. Ayame just scoffed to the side and stepped up. "I changed the menu…"
"WHY!" Garu pleaded as Ayame sweat dropped.
"Because change is good and I finally got the teachers to agree to that," Ayame replied not noticing the fiery aura surrounding Garu. "What the?"
"Whoa!" Zeff shouted as he jumped to the side. "Talk about a fiery passion for food!"
'Great…if someone messes with what Garu likes then their in trouble,' Yae just sighed loudly at the sight of her friend acting this way.
"Change it back!" Garu roared as Ayame stepped back.
"And people say I'm emotional," Ayame sighed as she held up her hands. "Listen…we're both duelists…so why don't we settle this with a duel? You win, I'll get the Ramen Noodles back…"
Garu just jumped on the chance. "Deal!"
"You shouldn't rush…" Ayame commented as Garu looked dumbfounded. "Cause if I win, then the menu stays the same and you get to eat the spiciest curry I can make!"
"Uh…its still a deal!" Garu shouted as he held up his dueling deck. "But I hope you're prepared for the power of Ramen!"
/--/-/-/-/-/-/-/
"Look, can you just tell me why you called me out here?" Vic asked as Zaku turned the page to his book.
"Relax, the shows starting in ten…nine…" Zaku counted down as multiple blood vessels appeared on Vic's head.
"Enough! Nothing is going to happen in less than five seconds!" Vic shouted before he noticed that Garu, Ayame, and a majority from the Slifer Red dorm appeared from the cafeteria. "What the?"
"And that's zero…" Zaku replied as he pocketed his book.
Meanwhile…
"Hoy, Fortanu, how good is Ayame anyway?" Zeff asked as both duelists shuffled each other's decks.
"Well, she had a chance to move up to Ra Yellow last year, but for some reason, she rejected it," Fortanu replied as he held up his bowl of curry and breathed on it. "She's good and usually plays with a deck based on what she does for work…"
"I hope you realize Garu, that you can't win against me," Ayame commented as she and Garu walked from each other. "I've seen you duel before and have a strategy to beat you…" (ALP: 4000)
Garu just yawned before he looked at Ayame. "I'm sorry, did you say something?" (GLP: 4000)
Ayame just growled as she drew her five-card hand. "Never mind!"
"Okay…and I thought I was mad," Garu snickered drawing his five card hand. That's when he shook his head. "Wait, I'm doing this for the Ramen! So bring it on!"
"Alright! I'll bring on the first course!" Ayame shouted drawing a sixth card. "Excellent, and here comes the appetizer, I activate the continuous spell card Curry Pot!"
Almost a second passed as a large pot on a rock like grill appeared next to Ayame. From the top of the pot emerged a large wooden spoon and steam floating into the air.
The question mark reappeared over Garu's head as he looked at the pot. "What in the world does that do?"
"Okay, whenever a monster is destroyed, its removed from the game instead of going to the graveyard," Ayame replied as she reached for another card. "Any other questions?"
"Yeah, how come you're like the first one to actually tell me what a continuous card does?" Garu asked as Ayame just raised an eyebrow.
"What in the world are you talking about?" Ayame asked as she slapped her next card onto her duel disk. "To wrap up my turn, I'll summon a monster on the defensive and place a card as a little extra. You're move."
"Alright, let's see what I get," Garu replied as he drew.
Seeing the card, Garu couldn't help but smile at the card.
"Awesome! You played your spell card so I'll play mine!" Garu announced sliding the card into his duel disk and a bright light appeared behind him. "So let's give around of applause for the continuous spell card, Ramen Noodle Stand!"
Everyone just sweatdropped as the large Ramen stand appeared behind Garu. On top of the stand was a large bowl that had two chop sticks sticking out of it and had a sign that stated Ramen. Inside the stand was an older man wearing a chef's hat.
Ayame just shook her head at the sight of the card. "There are Ramen cards?"
"And just when I thought dueling and Garu's favorite food wouldn't combine…" Yae sighed as Garu lifted another card from his hand.
"Time to continue! I summon Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke (1800/1000)!" Garu announced as a large cloud of smoke appeared next to the Ramen Noodle Stand.
"Hoy! Order up!"
Everyone sweatdropped (but Garu) as the Ramen noodle chef lifted up a sheet of paper and the armored ninja with a green vest sat at the stand.
"Yeah, I'd like the shrimp ramen noodles," Sasuke ordered as the Ramen noodle chef quickly spun around only holding onto a bowl of steaming hot ramen noodles.
In a matter of seconds, the ramen noodles disappeared and Sasuke stood up waving to the chef.
"Come again sir!"
Placing his bowl on the Ramen noodle stand counter, Sasuke drew his two kunai, aiming them at Ayame.
"Okay, there's one Ramen counter," Garu announced sliding another card into his duel disk.
"What's a ramen counter?" Ayame asked Garu lifted his free hand into the air.
"Well, a Ramen Counter is placed on my Ramen Noodle Stand every time I summon a monster," Garu explained as he lowered his had. "But enough of that! Since he got his favorite meal, he has to work it off! Attack the face down monster!"
Sasuke jumped into air and quickly launched a kunai towards the face down monster that quickly flipped up to reveal a radish with cartoonish arms and legs. Unfortunately, the monster didn't stay long, the kunai quickly shot right through the monster slicing it into multiple pieces.
Garu just sweatdropped as the pieces flew into the Curry Pot splashing up some soup. "Okay…what in the world was that?"
"That was my Radishman (700/700)!" Ayame replied as a card shot out of her deck and into her hand. "And when that monster was flipped up, I can take one card from my deck with 'Spice' in the card's name."
"Curry pots and vegetables?" Garu asked as he shook his head. "With the added Ramen Noodle stand, I'm getting hungrier by the minute…"
"Are you done yet?" Ayame asked to get a nod for her reply. "Alright then, I think I'll call up an assistant chef to set up your little monster! I summon Bistro Butcher (1800/800)!"
In a dark light emerged a demonic chef with a cackling smile. His left hand was replaced with a rusty hook and his right hand held onto a rusty chef's knife that looked to have some fresh blood on it.
"Yeah…that's nice, before I even eat," Garu sighed. "Sides…that monster isn't even strong enough to take out my Ninja…"
"Not until I play this card, go Magic Spice - Red Pepper!" Ayame announced as a large sparkling red pollen-like substance appeared over the field making Sasuke to cough violently.
"What in the world is this stuff?" Garu asked as he covered his mouth.
That's when Garu noticed that his Ninja Grandmaster Sasuke (1500/1000) was kneeling on the ground still coughing. While the Bistro Butcher (2100/800) seemed to love the smell.
"Well, you see, I'm kicking it up a notch," Ayame replied as she raised her hand towards Sasuke. "But to be more specific, my spice lowers your monster by three hundred attack points, while it increases mine by three hundred. Making my butcher perfect to slice and dice your monster for the Curry Pot!"
Just as Sasuke tried to stand up, he noticed that the Bistro Butcher was standing over him holding up his chef's knife. Then in a matter of seconds, equally chopped parts of the Ninja and threw them directly into the Curry pot.
Just as Garu gulped, two cards shot off from the top of his deck. "What the?" (GLP: 3400)
"Unfortunately, when my Butcher inflicts damage, you get two cards from the top of your deck," Ayame explained as Garu looked at the cards.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Alright! Thanks!" Garu shouted as Ayame sheepishly smiled.
'Well, he's certainly full of energy…' Ayame thought as Garu drew from his deck.
"Order up! This time the customer is Uzamaki – Tech Ninja (1300/600)!" Garu announced as the familiar machine ninja flipped onto the field.
Then, the metallic blue haired ninja ran towards the Ramen Noodle Stand and jumped onto the seat. "Can I get some regular Ramen Noodles with some motor oil too?"
Even Garu sweatdropped at that order as the Ramen Noodle chef placed the bowl have oiled Ramen Noodles in front of Uzamaki. "Enjoy your unique order sir!"
"Thanks!" Uzamaki announced before eating the weird food.
"Man, that's some weird taste…" Ayame sighed as Uzamaki threw his bowl on the counter and jumped before Garu. "And too weak to stop my Bistro Butcher…"
"Yeah, but like you, I'm going to kick it up a notch!" Garu laughed as everyone sweatdropped.
"That line doesn't really agree with him," Zeff sighed loudly.
"I'll equip Uzamaki with the spell card, Ramen Chopsticks!" Garu announced as two chopsticks appeared in Uzamaki's hands. "The perfect equip for a guy like him!"
"And what exactly does that do?" Ayame asked as Uzamaki snapped the chopsticks together.
Then clearly out of the blue, Uzamaki shrunk to the size of a shoe. At the sight of that, Ayame couldn't help but laugh loudly along with the rest of the Slifer Reds. "W-what…Hahaha…is that supposed to do?"
"Well, you see, at first, it cuts Uzamaki's attack in half (650/600), but then allows him to bypass your monsters and attack you directly!" Garu announced before Uzamaki jumped towards Ayame with both of his kunai out."What harm can this little guy do?" Ayame asked as the tiny ninja appeared before her eyes. "Uh oh…"
Uzamaki quickly slashed across Ayame's face and smiled brightly as he landed on the ground. "Ow!" (ALP: 3350)
"But wait! Then Uzamaki's original effect kicks in!" Garu announced as the mini Uzamaki lifted his kunai up again. "He can attack you twice! So go once more!"
Before Ayame had a chance to react, Uzamaki had jumped right into her stomach and slammed the air right out of her. (ALP: 2700)
"And that's my turn," Garu replied as the small Uzamaki raced over to Garu's side of the field.
"You'll have to do a lot better than that to beat me," Ayame announced as she smiled at her next card. "So I'll summon up Carrotman (800/900) in attack mode!"
From the ground emerged a large carrot with cartoonish arms and legs, and it raised its fists in a confusing fighting pose. "Next I'll activate the spell card, Magic Spice – Caraway!"
From the spell card flew a powerful storm of red spices that flew over the duel ground. Only instead of making Uzamaki cough, Garu seemed to cough wildly. "What the he-heck is this doing?" (GLP: 3200)
"My spice allows me drain two hundred of your life points, but then just to make sure they don't go to waste," Ayame explained before she breathed in deeply. "I get them added to mine." (ALP: 2900)
"Man, this duel keeps getting weirder and more interesting…" Zeff commented as Zeff yawned in his arms.
"Now! Bistro Butcher! Attack his Mini Ninja!" Ayame shouted, as the Butcher appeared towering over the shrunken Uzamaki.
Without even having to slice the ninja, the Bistro Butcher just threw the ninja right into the Curry Pot. Then as expected, two cards flew from Garu's deck as he watched his life point counter. "Oh man…" (GLP: 1550)
"And I'm not done! Go Carrotman!" Ayame announced as the Carrotman began to spin fast towards Garu at top speed.
"Activate trap card! Draining Shield!" Garu announced as green barrier appeared around him blocking him from the carrot monster. "Not only does it block your attack, but I gain life points equal to your monster's attack points!" (GLP: 2350)
"Why didn't Garu use that on the Bistro Butcher?" Yae asked crossing her arms. "He could have gotten more life points and a lot less damage."
"Yeah, that's true, but by doing so, he's managed to get a hand advantage…" Fortanu answered scratching the back of his head. "Since that Butcher gives him two new cards, he's decided to go with the latter of the choice."
"Alright, I've let you have control of this duel long enough!" Garu announced as he drew his next card. "Okay then, I'll start by sending the top card from my deck to special summon Yui – Ninja Mercenary (1600/1300) and then I normal summon Muria – Ninja in Training (1000/2100)!"
In two gusts of wind, two kunoichis appeared in front of Garu. The first one was the familiar purple ninja clothed woman with flowing sea breeze hair and a katana in hand.
The other one was a young girl, who looked more around Garu's age. Wearing a blue ninja suit, the girl brushed her dark blue hair from her eyes as she reached for one of the many weapons that were at her white belt.
"Now, since I brought two more monsters out…" Garu started as both kunoichis walked up to the Ramen Noodle stand.
"Hoy! What can I get for you two lovely ladies?" The Ramen chef asked as the two Kunoichis sat down.
"Bring me a beef ramen noodles!" Yui shouted as Muria moved over to the side.
"Uh…I'd like to have the mushroom ramen," Muria stuttered as the Ramen Chef spun around to deliver the two orders.
"Enjoy!"
Ayame just narrowed her eyebrows as the two kunoichis jumped from the Ramen Noodle stand leaving their empty bowls on the counter. 'That stand is getting me concerned. Since he's summoned four monsters, that thing has four 'Ramen counters' I'd better get rid of it.'
"Now then, I'll outfit Yui with the spell card, Fuhma Shuriken!" Garu announced as multiple shuriken flew into Yui's (2300/1300) hands. "And now, Yui attack that Bistro Butcher!"
In an instant, Yui threw multiple shuriken at the fiend Butcher. The force seemed extremely strong to send the monster flying into the curry pot. Ayame just sighed loudly as the Butcher yelled for help. "Oh well…" (ALP: 2700)
"And now, Muria attack that vegetable!" Garu announced as Muria reached for her belt.
Then Muria threw a kunai that went right through the carrot sending the monster into the curry pot.
"Well now, you're quite an assistant chef, now I activate the trap card, Counter Spice – Cumin!" Ayame announced as she slapped a card from her hand onto her duel disk. "When you destroy a monster of mine, I can summon a monster from my hand. And I think I'll choose the grand Potatoman (900/800)!"
In a flash of light flew the cartoonish potato like man crouching down in front of Ayame.
"Okay…what's with all the trips to the garden?" Garu asked as he looked at his hand then lowered his cards.
"You'll see, and since you don't seem to be taking another card, I'll be going onto my next turn," Ayame stated as she looked at her newly draw card.
'Perfect…'
"Prepare the tears! I summon Onionman (1200/1000)!" Ayame announced as a similar cartoonish like monster appeared on the field jumping up and down.
"Okay…can you please explain why you have those monsters out?" Garu asked as Ayame lifted another card from her hand and slid it into her duel disk.
"Mainly for this…I activate the spell card Thunder Crash!" Ayame shouted as a large storm cloud appeared over Ayame's monsters. "It destroys my monsters and inflicts three hundred points of damage to you per monster!"
As the lightning struck the two plant monsters, they shattered into pieces that flew into the Curry pot.
Then the electricity flew directly into Garu, zapping him to the ground with holographic smoke rising from his body. (GLP: 1750)
"Now why the heck did she do that?" Zeff asked as he scratched Rox's ears. "Sure she damaged Garu, but she used her normal summon this turn…"
"Just wait and see…" Fortanu replied as the Curry Pot began to bubble wildly.
All of a sudden, the curry from the huge Pot splurged over the field taking Garu's monsters with it back into the pot. Garu just blinked as he stood up. "What the heck was that?"
"When Carrotman, Potatoman, and Onionman have been removed from the game, I can remove all monsters on the field thanks to my curry pot!" Ayame explained as a card flew from her deck. "It then allows me to summon this! Curry Majin Roux (0/0)!"
From the Curry Pot emerged a large form jumping from the pot.
As soon as the form landed, Garu got a better look at them monster. It was hard to describe, but it looked like a muscular man wearing multiple kitchen utensils as armor. On the monster's head, sat a gravy bowl and it seemed to be holding onto a large spoon and a portable food cooker.
"All that for a monster with no attack points?" Garu asked as the curry from the Curry Pot began to fly into the air. "That can't be good…"
"It isn't…you see, for each monster removed from the game, my Roux gains three hundred attack points," Ayame explained as the curry flew into the gravy bowl on the Roux's head. "And he also gains two hundred attack points for each Spice card in the graveyard!"
"Then that equals…" Garu started before he closed his eyes to think how many attack points the monster had.
"Don't stress yourself," Ayame sighed as a bright yellow aura appeared over her Roux. "That's twenty-seven hundred from the monsters and six hundred from the spices. (3300/0)"
"Nice ability! Good thing Muria had one as well," Garu announced as he took a card from his hand and slapped it onto his duel disk. "When she's destroyed, I can summon up a new ninja from my hand. And here comes Ryu – Kitsune Ninja (1400/900) in defense mode!"
Appearing on top of the still standing Ramen noodle stand, the blue haired Ryu crouched down before he leaned over to see the Ramen Noodle Chef. "Hey there! You got some chicken Ramen noodles?"
"One moment sir!" The chef announced as he spun around and handed Ryu a bowl of Ramen noodles. "Enjoy!"
"You know, there was something I wanted to ask you about that monster," Ayame said as Ryu slurped up his Ramen Noodles.
"Go ahead," Garu replied as Ryu placed his bowl on the counter and resumed his crouching formation.
"Why is he called the Kitsune Ninja? Aren't Kitsune like foxes or something?" Ayame asked as Garu thought about it.
"Well, the name is for his weapon, that pipe," Garu explained as Ryu smiled at the mention of his weapon. "On the card, if you look really close, you can see an engraved fox on the pipe. And that's why he got his name."
"…Seems like a mediocre reason," Ayame sighed as she lifted another card from her hand.
"Hey! Don't insult Ryu for his reasons!" Garu shouted as Ayame slid a card into her duel disk.
"Yeah whatever, I'll activate the spell card, Magic Spice – Wasabi!" Ayame announced as a red aura wrapped itself around the Curry Majin Roux (1750/0). "It cuts my monster's attack in half for one turn, but then any monster you hide behind in defense mode, you'll take the damage through the difference!"
"Yeah well Ryu will still be safe!" Garu shouted as the Curry Majin Roux lifted its mighty spoon.
"But your life points won't!" Ayame countered as the Roux scooped up a large portion of Curry and threw it at Ryu.
Determined not to lose, Ryu raised his pipe and slammed the curry down…
…Right on top of Garu. "AH! IT BURNS!" (GLP: 950)
"It's a hologram Garu…" Yae sighed as Garu rubbed the back of his neck.
"I knew that, I was just testing you all…" Garu laughed as everyone sweatdropped.
"That's what everyone says," Zeff pointed out.
"That ought to be enough for now," Ayame chuckled looking at her small hand. "So I'll end my turn, and my Roux gains its full attack points back (3500/0)."
Garu quickly drew his top card, and at the sight of it…
"OH yeah!" Garu announced as he lifted the card into the air. "Talk about luck of the draw!"
Ayame just stepped back, as Garu seemed to smile evilly at her. 'He must have wanted Ryu out to sacrifice it…but what's he going to summon?'
With a spin, Garu immediately slapped the newly drawn card onto his duel disk allowing a bright light to shower over the field. "Now then, I summon the powerful…"
"The mystical…"
"And my newest card…Ramen Ninja (1600/1000)!"
Everyone just fell to the ground as a new ninja appeared on the field. A white apron and chef's hat covered up its black ninja clothes. If that wasn't enough, on the back of the ninja was a large pair of chopsticks.
"You're late for work!"
The Ramen ninja lowered his head towards the Ramen noodle chef. "Sorry, but I got held up in the deck…"
"No excuses! Cause of that, I ate your ramen noodles!" The Ramen Chef announced placing an empty bowl next to the other five.
"And he's not the only one held up in the deck," Garu announced as a card shot from his deck and into his hand. "When my Ramen Ninja is normal summoned, I can special summon another ninja, though I do have to void that monster's effect."
Slapping another card that he just got from his deck, a new figure just emerged on the field standing next to the ramen stand.
This time a young blonde ninja with black goggles on his forehead appeared. His black and blue jacket exposes his blue ninja clothes and kunai. As soon as he noticed that there was a Ramen Noodle stand, next to him, the young ninja just jumped into the seat. "One bowl of your finest Ramen noodles!"
"Say hello to Tail Ninja (1400/1000)!" Garu announced as the Tale Ninja slurped up his ramen noodles quickly. "And next, I'll activate the effect of my Ramen Noodle Stand!"
Garu quickly pulled out his deck, and fanned the cards in front of him searching for a certain card. "When seven or more Ramen counters are on it, I can take one card from my deck with 'Ramen' in the card's name and add it to my hand!"
Ayame couldn't help but sigh as Garu selected his card. 'If that's all it does, then I'm safe. I guess the ramen cards are as outdated as Ramen is.'
In an instant, Garu quickly slipped his new card into his duel disk, and the spell card appeared revealing a picture of a young ninja in training handing a Ramen Noodle Chef a large amount of money. "I activate the spell card, Ramen Repayment!"
As soon as Garu announced the card, the Ramen Noodle Chef lifted up a paper fan and slapped the counter hard. "Alright you cheapskates! Time to pay up!"
All three of Garu's ninjas stepped back at the chef's words for paying. At the sight of all seven bowls of Ramen noodles, that was going to be a little costly.
Garu just laughed as he motioned to his spell card. "No worries my Ninja Friends, the bill is on me! Cause when the Ramen Noodle stand has six or more Ramen counters on it, I can activate Ramen Repayment.
"Not only does it clear the counter of all Ramen Counters…"
A huge bag of money flew into the Ramen Noodle Chef's hands, and immediately his eyes were replaced with yen symbols. "Thank you sir!"
Then with a hand sign, the Ramen Noodle chef disappeared into a cloud of smoke.
Though…he wasn't gone long.
The Ramen Noodle stand began to lift up, send Ryu falling off the roof of the stand.
"What the?" Ayame questioned as the stand was lifted up to show that…
"The customer is always right! And Ramen Noodles are the best!" The Ramen noodle chef announced pushing the entire Ramen Noodle Stand over his head.
"That old man has that strength?" Yae asked as the Ramen Noodle Chef growled loudly.
"Power of Ramen!" The Chef announced throwing the entire stand towards Ayame's field.
As soon as the stand crashed into the ground, a bright light engulfed the entire field shattering everything that was on Ayame's side of the field.
When Ayame opened her eyes, her jaw just dropped at the now almost blank field. "What was that?"
"My spell sends every card you have out to the graveyard," Garu explained as Ryu stood up lifting his Kitsune Staff. "And since you've got nothing out…all three of my ninjas get to attack you directly! So go! Ninja Barrage!"
All three ninjas jumped towards Ayame, each of them with their weapons out. Ayame just lifted her arms up for protection…
But nothing came…
"Huh?"
Ayame lowered her arms, then received a flick to the head from the Tale Ninja, then a bonk on the head from Ryu's staff, and then finally a small poke in the stomach from the Ramen Ninja's chopsticks. "What the?" (ALP: 0)
As the holograms disappeared, Garu couldn't help but throw his arms into the air. "YEAH! The Ramen is back on the menu!"
/--/--/-/--/-/
"So mister Vanhemer, what did you think of the duel?" Zaku asked returning to his book.
"…That was so pathetic, both of them don't even deserve to be here," Vic scoffed to the side as he turned his back to Zaku. "This was a waste of time…"
"I totally agree with you…" Zaku replied as he reached into his pocket. "Which is why I need your help…"
As if he was being manipulated on a puppet string, Vic just turned his head around to see that Zaku was holding up a computer disk. "What in the world are you talking about?"
"Simple, if you wish to help me and my master, then do what it says on this disk, you do, then you can become number one," Zaku replied throwing the disk to Vic, before walking off. "The choice is yours…"
Vic just stared at the disk, then without even blinking, the Obelisk Blue ran off towards the distance.
/-/-/--/-/---/
Garu happily slurped up the ramen noodles that he had so richly deserved. Everyone else was amazed that he was on his sixth bowl. "Man! That was great!"
Ayame just sweat dropped watching Garu eat, she had nearly dropped the bowl of curry she had prepared. "Man you really like your ramen noodles…"
"That's an understatement…" Zeff laughed with Rox laughing with him.
"And I just wanted the curry to be the main dish," Ayame sighed placing the bowl of curry on the table. "It reminds me of home…"
"Well, Ramen Noodles remind me of something…" Garu replied as he looked at the curry. "I just don't know what that something is!"
Everyone just sweatdropped again, with vengeance!
"I know where you're coming from," Garu continued as he reached for the curry. "So I'll see what the big deal is about this curry…"
Ayame just widened her eyes as Garu took a nearby spoon and lifted a large amount of Curry to his mouth. "Wait! That curry's extra spicy!"
But it was too late…
Garu had placed the excellent meal into his mouth and savored the taste…
That's when the spices kicked in.
"AHH! MY TONGUE IS ON FIRE! MY TONGUE IS ON FIRE!" Garu shouted as he stuck out his tongue and seemed to breath fire.
Yae just sighed loudly, but then couldn't help but laugh slightly. "Garu could never really take spicy foods well…"
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/--/-/
Card StatsCurry Pot / Continuous Spell / Effect: As long as this card exists on the field, instead of being sent to the graveyard, all player's monster cards are removed from play instead. When Carrotman, Potatoman, and Onionman are removed from play, remove all monsters on the field from the game and Special summon 1 Curry Majin Roux from your hand or deck.
Image: A large brown curry pot mixing in ingredients
Carrotman / Earth / LV. 3 / ATK: 800 / DEF: 900 / PlantDescription: A large orange carrot with cartoonish arms and legs
Potatoman / Earth / LV. 3 / ATK: 900 / DEF: 800 / PlantDescription: A large potato with cartoonish arms and legs
Onionman / Earth / LV. 3 / ATK: 1200 / DEF: 1000 / PlantDescription: A large onion with cartoonish arms and legs
Curry Majin Roux / LV. 7 / ATK/ DEF: 0 / Fiend/Effect: For each card with Spice in its name in either player's graveyard, increase the attack of this card by 200 points. For each monster removed from play from either player, increase the attack of this card by 300.
Description: A large mechanical man made up of kitchen utensils, on its head is a large gravy bowl. Its shoulder pads were multiple dinner plates that held onto a large red cape, and a belt of onions was around its waste. The monster has a large spoon and a carry on cooker with it.
Magic Spice – Red Pepper / Spell / Effect: You can increase the attack strength of one monster on your side of the field by 300, then you can decrease the attack on one of your opponent's monsters by 300.
Image: A large red pepper.
Magic Spice – Caraway / Spell / Effect: Do 200 points of damage to your opponent, then increase your life points by 200.
Image: A can of caraway sprinkling its contents.
Counter Spice – Cumin / Trap / Effect: This card can only be activated when one of your monsters is destroyed, special summon one level 4 or lower monster from your hand.
Image: A large jar of cumin
The previously mentioned cards were used by Kabayama Sensei.
Radishman / Earth / LV. 3 / ATK: 700 / DEF: 700 / Plant/Effect: FLIP: When this card is flipped up, you may add one 'Spice' card from your deck to your hand.
Description: A large radish with cartoonish arms and legs.
Magic Spice – Wasabi / Spell / Effect: Cut the attack of one monster on the field in half. During the turn this card was activated, when the selected monster attacks a defense position monster with a lower defense, inflict the difference to your opponent's life points.
Image: A large amount Wasabi being poured into a bowl.
Ramen Noodle Stand / Continuous Spell / Effect: Each time you normal, flip, or special summon a monster on your side of the field, place one 'Ramen Counter' on this card. If three or more 'Ramen' counters are on this card, it cannot be destroyed by spell or trap cards. When seven or more 'Ramen' Counters are placed on this card, you may add one card from your deck with 'Ramen' in the card's name.
Image: A Japanese styled ramen noodle bar with multiple lamps and stools. There's even a chef standing in the stand.
Ramen Chopsticks / Equip Spell / Effect: A monster equipped with this card may attack your opponent's life points directly. If that is the case, decrease the attack points of the equipped monster in half when it attacks.
Image: A hand holding onto a pair of chopsticks
Ramen Repayment / Instant Spell / Effect: This card can only be activated while 'Ramen Noodle Stand' is face up on the field and has six or more 'Ramen' Counters on it. Destroy all 'Ramen' Counters on the field and send Ramen Noodle Stand to the graveyard. When this cost is paid, send all cards on your opponent's side of the field to the graveyard.
Image: A young ninja in training handing a Ramen Noodle Chef a large amount of money
Ramen Ninja / Earth / LV. 4 / ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1000 / Warrior/Effect: When this card is normal or special summoned successfully, you may special summon one level four or lower 'Ninja' from your deck. Negate the effect of the special summoned monster.
Description: A muscular ninja wearing a black ninja cloak. Not only that, but the ninja is also wearing a chef's hat, apron and is holding onto a bowl of ramen noodles and chopsticks.
Muria – Ninja in Training / Water / LV: 4 / ATK: 1000 / DEF: 2100 / Warrior/Effect: When this card is destroyed, you may special summon one level 4 or lower monster from your hand with 'Ninja' in it's name to your side of the field.
Description: A young ninja girl dressed in blue clothes. Has a white belt along with multiple ninja weapons.
Tale Ninja / Light / LV. 3 / ATK: 1400 / DEF: 1000 / Warrior/Effect: Before this card is normal or special summoned, you may remove one monster card from your graveyard with 'Ninja' in the card's name. This card gains the removed card's effect.
Description: A young blonde ninja with black goggles on his forehead. His black and blue jacket exposes his blue ninja clothes and kunai.
-/--/-/-/-/-
Vyser D's note: Hello there! I hope you liked the rewrite of the previous two chapters, I felt I could do better so here we are. Anyway, please tell me what you think, and please don't hold back…