You know…I've been wondering about many different things for the past few days now…why am I here?
Why did I fight in that match?
A lot of 'why's…why do I duel?
Why do I fight?
Why is Kurro doing this?
Why should I continue?
What is my reason for being here?
…yes, I realize that was a 'what' question…don't get on my case.
Now, I stand before a young man with a pure heart…I cannot change this fate, nor can I surrender. If I don't give it my all, then my family that was built over the years, will be destroyed…
…so forgive young one…I must win…and I will use all the techniques that my skills and deck contain with!
//-/-/-/--/-//-/
Chapter 22
Iron Sol
/-//--///--/-/-//
"Three hundred seventy-seven, three hundred seventy-eight, three hundred seventy-nine…"
Sweat dripped off of his forehead as he pushed up off the ground with his right hand only. His hair drooping over his eyes, soaked to the brim with his own sweat and hard work. "Three hundred eighty, three hundred eighty-one, three hundred eighty-two…"
"I think that's enough…"
Ashton looked up from the ground and shook his head to get some of the hair that was in his face out of the way of his sight to see Kurro standing in front of him with his hands resting on his cane. "You need to be able to save your strength for what I've got planned for you…"
"Sir…I know I have a deal with you," Ashton replied returning to his pushups, continuing the increasing number in his head. "However…I cannot be detained from my work out, no matter what you say or hold me by…"
"Well…exercise is necessary," Kurro admitted rubbing his chin a few times. "When you're finished Ashton…please come to my office…I'll get you ready for your assignment in a matter of minutes…"
"Please leave sir," Ashton suggested looking towards the floor, making more sweat to drip off his body. "I'd rather not talk to you right now…I can barely stand the sight of your face…"
"Well…that's quite rude of you Ashton…" Kurro chuckled crossing his arms over his chest, his cane held tightly in his right hand as he turned around on his heels and slowly headed towards the door. "But…don't forget tat you still have to follow my orders, especially since you pledged your loyalty directly to me…"
"…don't rub salt in the wound," Ashton sighed not looking up from the wood floor, seeing his reflection in the small puddle of his sweat. "You'll get what you'll desire sir…"
"Good…" Kurro chuckled before opening the door and leaving the room.
"…now where was I? Oh yes, three hundred ninety-eight, three hundred ninety-nine, four hundred!" Ashton announced before jumping onto his feet. Shaking his head of the few remaining drops of sweat, Ashton slowly walked over to the nearby desk that had his deck and large towel that he had resting on the chair.
As he wiped the town on his head and arms, he looked at the various piles of Armor cards that he used…the traditional, and the various sets that Ashton used several times before in his league matches. Every time he looked at the sets, he saw the faces of all of his opponents when he struck his final blow…
…the most recent, when Ashton defeated Satoshi, he earned the pleasure of defeating an old champ of the pro leagues. It was too bad that Ashton didn't use his full potential…at many times in the duel; Ashton could've unleashed any of the other sets and get people to cheer for him as well.
But that's not why Ashton duels with his fists…not for the cheers of others, not for Kurro…
…no…it was something much deeper…
Rather…the reason was for Ashton to remember his past.
But that was another story for a different time…
//-/-/--//---//--/
"YOU IDIOT!"
Being forced to the ground by a large paper fan, Garu looked up into his short duelist teacher with fire in his eyes and the haisen resting in his arms. "What was that for!?!"
That just earned Garu another slap to his head from Cain's paper fan, sending the ninja duelist back to the ground. "Listen you idiot… I gave you those cards, and I expected you to at least look at them before you used them! For crying out loud, its common sense!"
"But…but I still won…" Garu pointed out, only to get another slap upside his head by the paper fan. "OW! What kind of paper is that?"
"Harder than card stock I'll tell you," Cain growled rubbing the side of his head. "I should slap you a few more times to get your head on straight!"
"Uh…please don't," Garu pleaded slowly standing up with his hands covering his head. "Now you mind telling me why you called me out here?"
"Simple really," Cain replied making the paper fan disappear into thin air. "I'm getting tired of all these elimination duels…"
"You mean the duel out programs?" Garu corrected getting a puzzled look from Cain.
"And here I thought you didn't pay attention to anything other than your stomach," Cain sighed shaking his head. "Well yeah, you've got the right idea. Back to the matter at hand..."
"Garu!"
"Damn it!" Cain cursed as Yae walked into the general area that Cain and Garu were in the forest outside the Red dorms. "Why do people love interrupting me?"
"I think it's just bad timing," Garu stated turning to the side to see Yae starring at the two different dorm students.
"Just shut your yap," Cain scowled crossing his arms over his chest and turning over to Yae. "Now then…what do you need?"
"Well…Kara sent me to get Garu for his tutoring lesson," Yae answered noting that Garu now had a very dark look on his face. "And you're not getting out of it Garu!"
"I didn't say anything Yae!" Garu defended raising his hands up in front of his face.
"Doesn't matter! I know exactly what you're going to say!" Yae shouted jumping in front of Garu, grabbing his collar and lifting the ninja duelist up a few feet.
Raising an eyebrow, Cain couldn't help but smirk at Yae's decisive actions. 'Hmm…I'm starting to like this girl more and more…'
"YAE! LET ME GO!"
"NO! YOU'RE GOING TO STUDY WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!"
Cain just blinked a few times watching the two reds walk off (well, Garu was dragged to be precise). "…damn…I didn't get a chance to discuss that plan with that idiot…"
Then slowly sitting on the ground, Cain just rested up against a nearby tree and looked up into the cloudless sky. '…still…I wonder why that star guy came to me with that idea…'
"You Cain Sonryu?"
"That depends…who in the world are you?"
"…The name's Fomalhaut Stellar…but that's of little need right now. I have information for you about the current situation of this academy…"
"..Yeah…like I'm really going to listen to a guy with a star tattoo on his forehead."
"THAT'S A BIRTHMARK! And how do you think I feel? I'm talking to a mini-Gig!"
"…Huh? Gig? Where did that come from?"
"Never mind…just listen to me. You need to make contact Daigo…"
"What would that do?"
"Simple…slowly he's getting some of the stock back to this academy…if you could possibly get to him, a wager between him and Kurro could take place."
"That makes sense…but, why would Kurro even accept a wager like that?"
"Simple really…his pride will tempt him. If he can defeat Daigo once more, he'll feel even more proud of himself. Pride can be a powerful tool my fellow blue."
"True…I've met a few people who could learn from that. Now then…why would you tell me this?"
"Truth be told, I wanted to tell this to that Kaiser Mustang, but I couldn't find him."
"You try the girl's locker room?"
"Heh, ya know, I was just thinking the same thing the other day! How ironic!"
"Yeah…but, don't dodge my question. Why'd you come up with this plan?"
"…"
"Answer me star boy."
"Fine…I can't stand jackasses. Kurro's the biggest ass I've ever met. And if he has his way…I'll be surrounded by jackasses in the next month."
"…too late star boy."
"I know…but I refuse to have even more!"
Shaking his head, Cain breathed in deeply and placed his arms behind his head. As soon as his eyes were closed, Cain just remembered that conversation again and again in his mind. '…there's more to that star boy than what he's letting on…what it is exactly…I don't know…
'I'll have to tell Mustang about this…but he seems to have just disappeared from the island…'
"Hey there shorty!"
That just made Cain just jumped up from his resting place. Breathing hard and standing on his two feet, the Alchemic Duelist saw Mustang standing in front of him with a goofy smile on his face. "What the hell is wrong with you?!?"
"What?" Mustang chuckled with a shrug. "I got an e-mail from my friend Luntina that there's a blue who's popping up everywhere out of nowhere. He's even got a cute little follower, and many more people are joining that way."
"First off all, whoever does that must be a freak," Cain stated regaining his composure from Mustang's entrance. "Second…I've been looking for you, you Die Hard Jackass! I've finally got a plan for how we can take back this academy!"
"Well then…I'm all ears…" Mustang replied crossing his arms over his chest.
//--//-/-/-/-/-
An hour later…
"Okay Garu we're done," Kara stated looking down at a brain dead Garu. "…and it looks like its not a moment too soon…"
"Thanks for coming by Kara," Yae thanked bowing slightly to Kara.
"D-Don't mention it…" Kara replied heading towards the door.
As soon as Kara closed the door behind her, Yae just turned towards Garu who was slowly standing up. "Yeesh, can't you for once not be rude and fall asleep during your lectures?"
"…I can't help that school is so boring…" Garu moaned raising his head up slightly. "It's a miracle that I even wake up to go to school now that Zeff's gone…"
"You want to be a good duelist," Yae sighed slapping her forehead. "But you can't do so unless you work for it Garu…it's like what Master Yoh told us, in order to succeed; you need to work for it."
"I know! I know!" Garu growled standing up straight slamming his fist into his chest. "But maybe if studying was more interesting like duels, then maybe I'd get a much better grade!"
"Hmm…maybe there's a way to do that…" Yae muttered to herself making Garu blink a few times in confusion.
"I'm sorry…you say something Yae?" Garu asked with a large sweatdrop appearing on the back of his head.
"Nah…just forget it…" Yae replied rubbing her chin. 'I can remember when Garu was bored with his training. The reward system didn't work, so Master Yoh did something a little different…Maybe I should do that here with his dueling.'
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A loud knocking sound filled the room, making the two red duelists turn to the right to see the door slowly being slammed on by a powerful force. Wary, Garu slowly approached the door, his hand slowly reaching for the door…
…Only to have it slam open, making Garu stammer backwards and onto the ground once more. Standing in the middle of the door was a smirking Tao with his arms crossed over his chest. "Hello there Reds…"
"Its gravity challenged guy!" Garu announced jumping back to his feet.
That comment just made Tao blink a few times, dazed and embarrassed. He had checked the chat rooms, ever since he fell on the duel platform before his duel with Goliath; Tao had been the subject to multiple wise cracks about that incident.
"It's Tao…now…since I'm guessing that the person I'm looking for isn't a girl," Tao stated pointing towards Garu with his large pointer finger. "I'm taking the boy named Garu…Kurro has some business with you kid…"
"Huh?" Garu and Yae questioned, quite puzzled what Tao had just told them.
"I know! That was my same response when he told me!" Kurro announced with a surprised look on his face. "Anyway…I'd like to get this done without anyone getting hurt…you mind coming peacefully?"
"…that's impossible for Garu…" Yae sighed rubbing the back of her head.
//--/-/-/-//-/--/
A few minutes and bruises later…
"Damn, my face hurts," Tao moaned rubbing the bruises that were on his face.
Kurro just blinked a few times at a slightly bandaged Garu, a scuffed up Yae, and a bruised Tao standing in his office. "…so…how'd this happen again?"
"We fell down the stairs at the red dorm," Garu sighed scratching the back of his head. "…while we were wrestling from this guy here."
"…Yeesh, youth today, I don't think I'll ever understand you," Kurro admitted shaking his head in disapproval. "Anyway…you must be that Garu character I heard about from…that person…"
"That person?" Garu asked raising an eyebrow.
"I forget his name…it's not important…" Kurro sighed shaking his head and crossing his arms. "More to the point…Mr. Garu Honzou, I have been looking over your grades, and I have to say, I am highly impressed…"
"Huh!?" Yae and Tao questioned with enlarged eyes at Kurro.
"R-really?! Am I getting a reward?" Garu asked rubbing the back of his head with a large goofy smile and blush on his face.
"In a sense," Kurro replied knocking on his desk a few times. That's when the door opened up immediately, allowing Ashton (who had his hair covering his eyes) to enter with a dark aura that seemed to be engrossed around his entire body, growing stronger with each step. "He's your reward…"
"…I don't think he's my type," Garu chuckled with a dull look on his face.
That comment just made everyone but Garu and Ashton fall to the ground out of embarrassment. Being the first to get to his feet and then his seat, Kurro coughed a few times and narrowed his eyes down at Garu. "T-That's not why you're here. I was impressed with your grades…they set a new low record."
"W-WHAT!?!" Garu shouted with his jaw falling to his ground.
"Yep! And since I'm a fair man, I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself," Kurro stated gesturing towards Ashton. "So…I'm implementing a Duel Out Program with you son…"
"You've got to be kidding!" Yae shouted slamming her fists into Kurro's desk, getting everyone's attention. "Garu taking tutoring lessons! He hasn't done anything wrong!"
Wagging his finger at the young lady, Kurro spun his computer screen towards Yae, showing a picture of Garu and his dueling record. "True…but wrong at the same time. I was aware of his tutoring lessons. But according to his duel disk's record system, our young red duelist was involved with an off limits duel with a recently expelled student. Two duels actually…and his classroom behavior is deplorable…"
"Besides…if I were to overlook this, why, it would be unfair to all of the students here and the ones that were already kicked out of the academy…what do you say to that young lady?"
A little taken back, Yae just gulped and took a step back from Kurro's desk, the mysterious old man chuckling a few times. "Excellent…now then…I called Ashton here, because you're going to duel him Mr. Honzou…"
"SIR!" Tao shouted with a puzzled look on his face.
"That's not right!" Yae roared looking at Garu who had his head lowered slightly. "You've got a champion against a guy who only…"
"Yae…" Garu muttered making all eyes fall on him.
"Y-Yeah?" Yae asked blinking a few times at Garu who raised head up…
…to show that he was smiling brightly with a thumbs up with his eyes closed. "…Don't worry! I can take this guy!"
Even Ashton was taken by Garu's enthusiasm, but unlike everyone else besides Garu…Ashton smiled. "…Yes…let your spirit light the fires of your abilities!"
"Ashton?!?" Kurro questioned, a little surprised that Ashton's eyes of fire were relit so easily.
"When you give your all in a match, it matters not what may happen afterwards!" Ashton continued ignoring Kurro's stunned look. "If you can improve yourself…even by a fraction, then your training will not be all for naught!"
"Wow…" Tao applauded with an amazed look on his face. "You go Ashton!"
"Tao! Don't encourage him!" Kurro shouted before coughing slightly getting everyone's attention back on him. "Ahem…anyway…I can see that neither of you have objections to this…so both of you will duel tomorrow morning. I'd advise both of you to prepare yourselves…but Ashton; I don't need to tell you that now do me?"
"No sir…" Ashton sighed crossing his arms over his chest. "…you could at least allow us to have some fun sir…"
"Well…I'm not stopping you," Kurro chuckled tapping his cane on the nearby desk getting everyone to look at him. "So then…if you're both going to give it your best, then I'll expect the match to be great…don't disappoint me."
"I'll knock your socks off old man," Garu growled raising his fist up towards Kurro. "There's no way I'd give up what I've got here!"
"You say that with confidence…" Kurro snickered crossing his arms. "But can you keep that up boy?"
"Just watch," Garu replied with a smile on his face while Yae slapped her head in embarrassment.
"…please don't bite off more than you can chew Garu…" Yae pleaded rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment.
"Oh yes…before I forget…we've got some new academy duel disks," Kurro continued reach under his desk and lifted the disk up, slowly placing it on the desk's top. The duel disk looked like the previous disks…only this one had a red border near the life point counter and at the two ends of the field zone. "The disks themselves are dorm coordinated and I think that you should have it. Think of it as a duel academy parting gift young one…"
"Thanks for the disk…but I don't plan on leaving," Garu stated lifting the duel disk up and examining it. He hated to admit it…but the disk did seem to be a lot cooler than the last ones he'd seen around.
"I like your fighting spirit," Kurro admitted sitting back into his chair. "Let's hope that it doesn't extinguish during your match tomorrow boy…now…can I please have some alone time?"
//-/--/-///--/-//-/
"…How'd the guys take the information?"
Fomalhaut looked up from the newspaper he was reading, mostly the horoscope region. "Well…the shorty was the only one I could find. Surprisingly, we both have the same taste in insults…"
Lucian just blinked a few times in confusion from the Star/Zodiac duelist's comment, but it wasn't that hard to imagine that Fomalhaut would find a kindred spirit with an easily aggravated shorty…
…but that didn't matter right now. "…I see…now then…I've hacked the files of the academy and found out that another duel out program will be initiated tomorrow at morning."
"So? Not like it matters to me," Fomalhaut responded turning back to his newspaper. "Hmm…all Virgos today are supposed to have great luck…I guess that holds true…"
"…Yes, it doesn't matter to you," Lucian replied snatching the newspaper from Fomalhaut's hands, receiving a deep glare from the star duelist.
"HEY!"
"But…the duel consists of someone that I have had an eye on," Lucian continued ignoring Fomalhaut while folding the newspaper under his arm, making Fomalhaut stand up straight. "Someone, who might be the proper test subject needed for my experiments…"
"…oh, not that red that we watched the other day," Fomalhaut sighed loudly scratching the side of his head. "Personally… I think that it'd be just a great way to get rid of a headache…why bother with him?"
"You don't get it…" Lucian snarled narrowing his eyes down at his star obsessed lackey. "…I can feel that he's the closest that I can use in a test subject…but I need to wait for the right moment. And soon…soon it will appear."
"Okay…I get the damn point already," Fomalhaut growled slowly reaching for the newspaper in Lucian's arm. Only to miss slightly as Lucian took a step backwards. "But I don't know…sending me to meet with him won't work, after all, I've managed to kick his beastie friend out of this academy…"
"Then…I guess we don't have a choice," Lucian sighed reaching in his pocket and lifting up a few duel monster cards. "I was hoping on halting my introduction to the duelist…but I must meet with him myself…"
"And what do you have me for?" Fomalhaut asked crossing his arms over his chest while a little steamed that he still doesn't have his horoscope.
"Simple…with two of the best duelists here knowing what to do," Lucian answered wagging the newspaper in front of Fomalhaut's face. "It'll only be a matter of time…so I've got a few familiar faces appearing on the field…"
That's when a dark smile appeared on Fomalhaut's face, making his face all the more evil. "Ah…so…the Sinful Saints are finally coming together…I was wondering when we'd see more of our group…who are the lucky dogs appearing?"
"Saint Lust and Saint Sloth…or Kouri and Den as they used to be called," Lucian answered before having the newspaper snapped from his hands. "Huh?"
"Great…those two never get along with me," Fomalhaut sighed sitting down and unfolding the newspaper and continuing to read the horoscope.
"…I'm practically the only who gets along with you," Lucian sighed crossing his arms over his chest, allowing the cloak to flow over his body.
"…nice comeback…" Fomalhaut chuckled not looking up from his newspaper. "So where and when am I meeting the two buffoons?"
"Tomorrow morning…at the docks," Lucian answered bluntly heading towards the darkened door of the room. "And don't scare them off…we need to prep ourselves in a short amount of time we have…"
"What do you mean by scare them off?" Fomalhaut asked turning his eyes from paper slightly. "What have I done so far to give our fellow Saints that impression?"
"…you creep everyone out with your actions and your weird dueling…" Lucian sighed shaking his head and allowing his hair to wave slightly in the air.
"Hey, I play with the stars and beyond," Fomalhaut defended turning back to his horoscope. "I'm not the guy who plays with a prison full of devils…"
"Touché…I'll give you that much," Lucian replied opening the door slowly. "But this has wasted too much time…we need to continue to our goals as soon as possible…"
"Yeah, yeah…I've heard it all before…" Fomalhaut sighed wagging his hand to shoo Lucian away. "Now get out of here already…"
//--//--/-/-//-//
"I call it irony," Cain chuckled leaning up in the corner of the room shaking his head a few times. "You showed the guy here and now you get to face off against him…maybe redemption should be better suited for this situation…"
"Would you stop with the internal monologue?" Yae moaned shaking her head at Cain. An hour to curfew to go, Yae had the idea that maybe Cain could've helped Garu to improve his deck against Ashton's…
…So far, Garu was against any of the new changes that Cain had suggested. "As I said before…I'm using the cards that Satoshi gave me!"
"Not this again…" Cain sighed slapping his forehead with his palm. "The strategy you're planning won't work against him! It's too risky to use against someone like the Iron Fist!"
"I don't care!" Garu shouted slamming his palm into the desk next to cards. "I know I can win!"
Then quickly, Garu was crouching to the ground, holding onto his head. Cain with his paper fan and Yae with her fist stood over him, both of them with blood vessels on their foreheads. "DON'T BE AN IDIOT!"
"OW! Why are you two ganging up on me!?!" Garu cried with tears appearing in his eyes as he held his head slightly.
"Cause you're stupid!" Cain shouted making the paper fan disappear in thin air.
"Because you don't think things through!" Yae added cracking her knuckles a few times.
Looking into the enraged eyes of the two people that Garu feared the most…the ninja duelist was silently praying for something…anything that could get these two off his trail…
Knock knock…
"Oh! Someone's at the door!" Garu announced leaping towards the door, all the while having Cain and Yae glare at him with cold looks. 'I can feel the icy cold daggers in my back…'
Slowly opening the door, Garu was met with the cold stare from the dark eyes of Lucian. Lucian's cloak slowly flowing over his body, his right hand holding onto several cards being revealed by the slit in his cloak. "Hello…"
"Whoa!" Garu shouted taking a step back while Lucian took a step forward into the room.
"…this another one of your weird friends?" Cain asked pointing towards Lucian who merely looked up at Cain slightly.
"…not really…" Yae answered getting a cold stare from Lucian now.
"…Here…Professor Satoshi wanted me to give these to you…" Lucian answered bluntly handing the cards up to Garu. The back of the cards facing Garu, making the ninja duelist look at the cards with curiosity. "He heard about your match with the Iron Fist and said that this would be an additional help to your victory…"
Taking the many cards into his own hands, Garu looked at them, his eyes growing in size each time he flipped to the next card. "W-What the?!?!"
Cain and Yae looked over the ninja duelist's shoulders, and they're eyes widened at the sight of the cards. "HUH?!?"
With his job done…Lucian just leapt over the guard rail that was behind him and he just quickly ran off into the distance with a smile on his face. 'Excellent…if he uses those cards…then our plans will ascend even faster!'
///--/-//--//-/-//
The Next Morning…
Standing in the middle of the Red Duel platform (remember, it's outside the Red Dorm) were Garu and Ashton, both of them shuffling each other's decks.
In the stands behind Garu were filled with his friends, Yae, Takashi, the T-Team, Vergil, Taylor (with Rox in her arms), Ami and Cain. Across was Kurro, sitting behind Tao and Zaku (Natalie and Chinto had other things to attend to).
However, in the trees behind Garu was none other than Lucian who had a bucket of popcorn in his lap. 'Sometimes I enjoy the occasional show…'
"Sir…don't you think that this is overkill?" Zaku asked with a dulled tone in his voice, not taking his eyes off of Garu and Ashton. "I mean…pairing the kid up with Ashton seems too much. You could've at least gotten him against Tao or Chinto…"
"No, no…this can only be done by a master fighter like Ashton," Kurro replied as both duelists handed back their original decks.
"Cain…tell the truth, what are Garu's chances of winning?" Ami asked turning back to her small older brother.
"…" Cain was silent…he was unsure of what could actually happen. Especially with those cards that mysterious man (that was watching them now from the tree with popcorn in his hands) had given Garu last night…
…what was worse was that Garu actually put the cards in his deck. '…those cards might put him on the same level as Ashton…but the odds of him ever using them in this duel is less than twenty-five percent…'
"Kid…"
Everyone's attention was drawn to Ashton, as he slowly drew his five card hand from the top of his deck. "…before we begin. I have to say sorry…I have to do this…"
"Heh…I don't know why you're sorry," Garu chuckled pointing his finger towards Ashton who just raised his eyebrow in response. "You're the one who's going to lose here!"
In response, Zaku, Tao and Kurro began laughing loudly making everyone who sat behind Garu sweatdrop at their friend's actions. Kurro, who was laughing a lot less, managed to stop and cross his arms. "Oh, confidence and a sense of humor! Perhaps maybe we should have this kid act as a comedian since dueling won't be his future career!"
"Knock it off Kurro!" Ashton shouted glaring his eyes towards Kurro, silencing the laughter. "When I'm dueling here…you are not to speak at all. This is a man's fight! One duelist to another!"
Then turning towards Garu, Ashton lifted up his duel disk gauntlet, activating the life point counter. "Now then…let's enter this battle young man. Come at me with all your strength, as if you were aiming to kill me!" (ALP: 8000)
"Heh! I was wondering when we'd stop this talking and get to dueling!" Garu announced fanning his five cards out in front of his face. (GLP: 8000)
"DUEL!"
"As the challenged," Ashton commented crossing his arms over his chest and closing his eyes. "You are required to go first…Garu…"
"Heh…fine by me!" Garu announced looking at his hand. Then with a quick nod, Garu slipped the first card into his duel disk, creating a face down set card. "With that out of the way…I'll summon Tekagi Kunoichi in attack mode!"
In a large cloud of smoke, a new ninja was on the field, standing straight with her arms over her chest. She was a beautiful, young kunoichi wearing a more soft combination of the blue ninja suit. Her long dark hair is tied back with a light blue headband with a few strands in front of her crystal blue eyes. On her hands, are pair of hand claws that gleam in the right light (1000/400). "And to wrap up my turn…I'll set one card face down…"
"Hmm…being careful…nice," Ashton chuckled slowly drawing his sixth card. "Then allow me to jump directly into the action! I summon Psychic Armor Head (0/500)!"
In a neon flash, a blue high tech helmet appeared over Ashton's head, allowing his long flowing red hair. Garu couldn't help but grin and cross his arms. "Ya know…I thought that was a cool monster…"
"…then wait till you see my newest armor," Ashton replied flipping his spell card around to reveal a full suit of armor in front of a sunburst. "I play Armor Gravitation! Now since I have Psychic Armor Head, I can special summon four armor monsters from my deck!"
Four cards shot out from Ashton deck, immediately engulfing the rest of Ashton's body in a bright red light. When the light died down, Ashton's right arm was covered with a bulky red gauntlet equipped with multiple rockets near the fist (500/0) while his left arm was covered with a bulky red gauntlet equipped with jet wings (0/1000).
Over his chest was a large crimson body suit bolted to a large silver rocket pack on his back (0/1600) and his legs were covered with a red jet like leg armor with two wings attached to the heels (500/500). "I know it clashes with my helmet…but in order allow me to introduce Rocket Fist, Falcon Jab, Armory Protector, and Light Landings!"
Cain rubbed his chin slightly looking at the armor. 'Hmm…that armor looks familiar…'
"Cool! And what can these do?" Garu asked with a pumped up fist.
"Well…first of all, my Rocket fist gains three hundred attack points for each Armor monster," Ashton explained lifting his right fist up, showing the holographic attack score flashed upwards (500/0 + 1500/0). "Now then…due to my Armory Protector…"
Slamming his fist against his chest, Ashton's chest armor began to glow brightly. The rocket pack on Ashton's back began to flare up. "…One of my Armor monsters can attack you directly. And my Rocket Fist counts! So you'll get to experience my fist first hand!"
"I attack you directly!"
Flying forward on his rocket booster, Ashton immediately passed the surprised Tekagi Kunoichi and appeared before Garu. Then pulling his right fist back, Ashton threw his fist towards Garu's face…
"I activate Negate Attack!" Garu shouted as the powerful vortex appeared in front of Ashton's fist. "So your attack…"
"Will continue!" Ashton roared jumping into the air and spinning rapidly. "You see, once per turn, due to my Light Landings, I can negate any spell or trap card I want! And I'll negate the Negate Attack!"
That's when Ashton slammed his feet into the vortex, spinning in the exact opposite way. The force shattered the vortex like glass, making Garu's eyes widen and leaving Ashton landing on the ground next to Garu. "…so my attack goes through! Sky Uppercut!"
The next thing that Garu knew, was the sharp pain that rang through his jaw and body caused by Ashton's swiftly rising fist into the air. He could even feel his feet leave the ground as he floated in the air a few seconds before Garu crashed into the duelist platform. (GLP: 6000)
Then with a spinning back flip, Ashton was standing back onto his side of the duelist field looking the remaining four cards in his hand and selecting one of them. "I'll set one card under for now…turn end…"
Rubbing his chin, Garu immediately jumped back to his feet and drew his next card. "Heh…cheap shot! But watch this! I activate the spell card, Double Summon! Now this turn…"
Just as Garu's spell card materialized onto the field, Ashton leapt into the air and jump kicked the Spell card, making it shatter into several shards. Then Ashton quickly ran back to his field, skidding on the wooden platform. "Did you forget so soon? I can negate effects with my Light Landings!"
"I didn't forget! After all, there was only a thirty second interval!" Garu replied crossing his arms and fanning over his four card hand.
"I'm surprised," Cain stated rubbing his chin.
"Why? Cause Garu was playing smart?" Takashi guessed not looking up from his book.
"No…that Garu actually knows what the word 'interval' means…" Cain answered as Garu lifted up his next card.
"Ya see…I heard ya when you said you could only do that little trick of yours once per turn," Garu explained slipping the next card into his duel disk, creating another spell card. This one depicting a beautiful woman dressed in a kimono playing a flute with two ninjas appearing above her. "So…but getting you use that effect on that spell, I can activate my other spells or traps! And my Suizen Melodies will do the trick!"
"…Suizen Melodies?" Ashton felt the need to ask, after all, he wasn't versed in different cultures as he gave the impressions. He was only interested in the various fighting styles that had appeared over the years.
"Well, yeah! You see, the Suizen Melodies acted as more like signals to inform ninjas on where their target was, what was the level of security, or if the mission was aborted," Garu explained actually sounding intelligent about what was going on. "And depending on the area, the melodies would confide to regular places. For example, take the picture on the spell…"
"The beautiful woman is more likely a kunoichi in disguise, informing her fellow shinobi about a target that they have to assassinate in the crowds."
"So, it's like bird calls that soldiers' use?" Tao asked turning towards Kurro for an answer.
"In a sense, only sounds a little more intricate," Kurro replied with his eyes closed and his head spinning a little from the new information.
"The same applies to dueling terms," Garu replied fanning out his deck and lifting two cards. "And for my spell to work, you need to have two or more monsters than I do…and although it may not look it, your armor counts as five monsters! So I'll special summon Shobo Kunoichi and Metsubushi Shinobi!"
From the spell card emerged two more large clouds of smoke…the first one dispersing into a small muscular kunoichi wearing a soft combination of nature colors on her baggy ninja clothes. While her messy brown hair covered her eyes, the young girl lifted her arms up to show her ring fingers, both adorned two rings with small glowing indents in them (1000/1000).
While from the other cloud of smoke, a skinny ninja wearing black clothes covering his entire body and face walked from the smoke coughing slightly. Two dark gray sashes covered his chest and were covered with small bombs (900/300). "Of course…I can't attack with these guys yet…but that won't matter next!"
The Tekagi Kunoichi lifted her arms up, allowing the claws on her fist glow in the light from the sun. Garu lifted his hand up and pointed his finger towards Ashton's head. "I think I'll let my Kunoichi rumble! After all…you didn't include her last time! Attack his headwear!"
With a nod, the Tekagi Kunoichi ran towards Ashton at a blinding speed that made even Ashton step back. Then, the kunoichi began bringing her clawed covered hands up towards Ashton's head…
…Only getting its attack blocked by Ashton's Rocket Fist, making the Tekagi Kunoichi stands trying to push the metallic fist back. "Did you think it'd be that easy? Thanks to my Armor's initial ability, you can't choose your battle target…so your kunoichi faces off against my Rocket Fist!"
That's when something appeared over both the armor covered Ashton and the Tekagi Kunoichi, flipping into the air. "I activate my Tekagi Kunoichi's special ability!"
"WHAT!?!" Ashton shouted looking up to see a coin flipping in the air.
"When my Kunoichi battles," Garu explained lifting his fingers up towards the coin falling to the ground. "A coin is flipped. When I call it, if I call right, then your monster is automatically destroyed with no battle damage! And I'll call heads!"
Ashton just watched as the coin fell to the ground and bounced a few times, everyone held onto their breaths until the coin fell…
…Heads up!
"Yeah! Now say goodbye to that fist of yours!" Garu shouted as a smile appeared on the Tekagi Kunoichi's face. Then in a quick moment, the kunoichi crossed her arms and leapt back to Garu's field. As soon as the female ninja stretched her arms, the red armored fist shattered into scraps of metal on Ashton's arm.
The armor duelist looked at his bare right arm with interest. 'I see…not bad…I could've activated my Falcon Jab's ability to negate the attack…but I was sure that I could've taken out that monster…'
"And now…I'll set two cards face down…ending my turn," Garu replied with the card backs appearing behind his three ninjas.
"…I can see your strategy," Ashton stated slowly drawing his next card with his eyes closed. "You rely on the unique cooperative abilities of your ninjas for a devastating rush…not bad…somewhat similar to my strategy…"
Then after snapping his free hand over his face down card, Ashton's set card flipped up showing a cracked knight's armor being replaced with a more technological version of itself. "…but mine is different with each rush! I activate the spell card, Armor Replacement!"
That's when a powerful flame erupted around Ashton's body, making the armor that was on his body shatter into pixels. "By returning all monsters from my field back to my deck, I can special summon a new set of armor…and with my normal summon, I'll be able to get the last piece!"
When the flames died down, it still looked as if Ashton was still on fire…his head was covered with a red and yellow helmet that looks like a lion theme with a long trail of fiery red hair (0/500), while his torso was an armored padded chest with fire symbols all over it (0/1500).
His right arm was equipped to red and orange armored claw hand with three red flame spikes at the armor's shoulder (0/1000) while his left arm was a red and orange armored claw hand with a soother texture (0/0). And his legs appeared to be thin, yellow armored legs that have sharp claw like feet at the end (0/1000).
"…hmm…that's new…" Cain muttered to himself before looking at the right arm more intently. "…or not…"
"Now…in order…" Ashton stated clenching his armored fists. "Shell Bullet Armor Head, Burning Guard, Shocking Bullet, Regeneration Gauntlet, and Shell Boost! Now then…its time for battle! Shocking…"
One of the three flamed spikes began to erupt into flames that sent Ashton into a spinning skid towards the three ninjas in a red blur. "First…"
Then the blur appeared in front of the Shobo Kunoichi, allowing Ashton a chance to immediately slam his fist into the small Kunoichi's face. "BULLET!"
The Shobo Kunoichi shattered into glass, leaving Garu confused as Ashton leapt back to his side of the field. "Okay…my turn for questions…"
The flame died out on Ashton's right shoulder, leaving two left before him. "Simple…my fist has the ability to destroy any monster it battles…but only three times, and then it's gone."
"Sounds like my Tekagi Kunoichi," Garu admitted turning towards his kunoichi who just smiled at the fact that now there was a challenge set before her.
"Only it's a sure fire thing…" Ashton replied looking over the rest of his hand, then shaking his head, his fiery hair floated in front of his eyes. "Now then…let's see how you deal with it…and my face down card."
"Draw…" Garu muttered pulling his next card, looking at the new card's border. That's when a plan emerged in his mind. "If that's how you want it to go down…fine by me! I sacrifice my Metsubushi Shinobi…for Masked Shinobi!"
Throwing a bomb to the ground the Metsubushi Shinobi disappeared into a large black cloud of smoke. That cloud shattered, allowing the masked ninja to crouch on the ground looking up (2400/1300) allowing the three Genin Tokens (500/500 x3) to leap onto the ground. "Now then…Genin Token number one! Attack his Shocking Bullet!"
The green ninja leapt into the air, brandishing a kunai in his hand. Ashton however, he slowly lifted his fist upwards…allowing another flame to erupt from his right shoulder. "Shocking…Second…BULLET!"
With a great spin, Ashton slammed his fist into the Genin Token, shattering it with ease. 'I see what he's up to…too bad it won't be enough with what I've got planned…'
"Now then…Genin Token number two! Attack his Shocking Bullet!" Garu roared as his second Genin Token leapt into the air with a spin.
"Shocking…third…BULLET!" Ashton yelled delivering a spinning uppercut into the Genin Token's chin. As soon as Ashton landed on the ground, the armor on his right hand shattered into pixels.
"Ha! My plan worked!" Garu announced with a victory V with his fingers. "Now that I've gotten rid of that…I can take out the other armor easily…"
"True…but I've got this," Ashton replied snapping his fingers a few times over his face down card, making it flip upwards showing a robotic arm being updated by small mechanical arms. "Armor 2.0, now, when an Armor monster is destroyed, I can special summon another Armor monster from my deck with the same attack points!"
A flame erupted from Ashton's shoulder blade, this time forming into an orange gauntlet with a golden spin like tail at the shoulder (0/1000). "Meet my Shell Bullet!"
"S-Shell Bullet?" Garu asked raising an eyebrow, but then shook it off and raised his arm up towards Ashton. "Ah, forget it! Genin Token number three! Attack that new armor!"
In a green flash, the small Genin ran towards Ashton who raised his right arm up. "Fool…Feel my breaking fist! SHELL BULLET!"
The golden tail slammed into the ground behind Ashton, making him fly towards the Genin even faster. The armored duelist appeared right in front of the Genin and slammed his fist into the ninja monster…creating a powerful explosion that covered the entire duelist platform.
When the explosion died down, everyone looked up to see a slightly singed Garu and Ashton…standing both covered with ash. Garu coughed out a few times, having some smoke coming out of his mouth. "Damn…" (GLP: 2100) (ALP: 3600)
Shaking some of the soot from his hair, Ashton cracked his neck a few times before explaining what had happened. "I'm willing to bet you're confused…well…allow me explain. My Shell Bullet, when destroyed in battle, destroys all monsters on the field. Then we lose the combined attack points of the destroyed monsters. Since all of mine had zero, that just meant your three ninjas…"
"Well…At least I can use this to my advantage…" Garu chuckled until a holographic flame erupted from his hand making him drop his cards. "Whoa!"
"Sorry, but I forgot to mention a few other effects of my Shell Bullet Armor series," Ashton admitted lifting up two cards. "To be precise, my Shell Boost and Regeneration Gauntlet, my Shell Boost, when destroyed you lose your entire hand. And my Regeneration Gauntlet allows me special summon one Armor monster from my graveyard other than itself."
That's when Ashton's right arm was covered with the familiar Rocket Fist (500/0 + 300/0) armor. "And here's a familiar face."
"Not good," Garu muttered to himself looking at his face down cards. 'And I'll need to wait to use these cards…'
"And since you're out of usable cards," Ashton stated drawing his next card, then his head was covered with the Shell Bullet Armor Head (0/500) appeared over his fiery red hair once more. And with another armor monster, Rocket Fist grew in strength (800/0 + 300/0). "It can only be my turn. And during my standby phase, my Shell Bullet Armor head returns. Next…I'll summon another armor monster, I summon Active Guard (0/0 + 0/1500)…and with another Armor monster my Rocket Fist grows stronger (1100/0 + 300/0)."
"Well…bring it on old man!" Garu shouted throwing his arm to his side.
"As you wish kiddo!" Ashton shouted leaping into the air with his right hand revved up with a fist. "Rocket Punch!"
With great speed, Ashton dived down and slammed his fist into the side of Garu's face, making the ninja duelist stagger backwards. (GLP: 700)
"Trap card! Activate!" Garu shouted jumping back to his spot with his trap card flipping up, showing a young dark haired man and a young blond haired warrior charging at each other with fists raised. "Heat of Battle activates! Now, since I took battle damage I can take one monster card from my deck with attack points equal to or less than that of the damage I took!"
Pulling a card from his deck, Garu spun it around for everyone to see. "I choose…Shinobi Armor Mask!"
"What!?!" Tao shouted…
"Did he just say?" Takashi asked looking up from his book.
"I don't believe it…" Kurro stated in disbelief.
"Well…I see…how'd you get your hands on that?" Ashton couldn't help but feel excited; finally, another armor user was in front of him. He was looking for a challenge and this kid might just be able to provide said challenge…too bad the kid didn't have the right training for a spectacular battle. Shaking his head a few times, Ashton flipped a card into his duel disk. "But…do you have the guts to pull off that little trick?"
"Just watch old man," Garu replied slowly drawing his next card. "I play Pot of Greed! So now I draw two more cards…and just what I need. I summon Shinobi Armor Mask!"
In a powerful breeze, many leaves flew around Garu's head, before scattering in the wind. Garu's head was now covered with a gun metal gray mask with a shuriken on his forehead. Only Garu's eyes were show, his mouth was covered with a mouth guard and around his neck was a long black scarf that had metallic ends on it (0/500). "Ashton…I hope you're ready for a whole new game!"
Halfway through his popcorn bucket, Lucian couldn't help but smile while he played with the popcorn in his fingers. "Hmm…he got that out sooner than I thought…although; it kind of looks like it's a good time to bring it out…bravo…"
"Now then…I activate Double Spell! By discarding Edo Castle, I can activate a spell card from your graveyard!" Garu shouted slipping the other card into his duel disk, creating a powerful typhoon of leaves around his entire body. "I choose, Armor Gravitation! So now I can special summon four other armor monsters from my deck!"
Around Garu's chest, the leaves around his torso scattered, revealing a gun metal gray ninja vest that had metallic fishnet undershirt that showed his black shirt underneath while on his back was a large silver Shuriken (0/1000). "Illusion Refractor!"
Right was revealed with a silver shoulder pad that had a long chain stringing around his arm with a gauntlet that had many different forms of kanji written on it. At the end of the chain was a long scythe (0/0). "Assassin's Gauntlet!"
Then Garu's left arm was revealed; the same design as his right, only it looked as though he had many Kunai attached to the arm (500/0). "Chakra Channeler!"
And finally, around Garu's legs were a pair of gunmetal greaves with a silver hakama around his waist (0/1500). "Stealth Assault!"
"Hmm…interesting…" Ashton stated as Garu leapt into the air. "Hmm?"
"I chain my monster's summoning with my continuous trap card!" Garu announced as his trap flipped up to show the familiar trap card known as Ninjitsu Art – Phoenix Flower Jutsu. "And since thanks to my armor's effect, all of them are considered to have ninja in their name! So say goodbye to two thousand life points!"
Performing many hand signs, Garu threw his head back and immediately fired off a powerful stream of flame from his covered mouth that flew directly towards Ashton.
…the Armor duelist however just smirked as he snapped his fingers. "I activate my trap card, Armor Shatter! By destroying all armor monsters on my side of the field, I can take one armor monster from my deck and add it to my hand."
That's when the flames were disrupted by a powerful explosion from Ashton's body. "And in case you're wondering, I can negate effect damage thanks to my Active Guard."
"True…but, thanks to my Chakra Channeler, I can give him any ability of any Armor monster that exists in the graveyard," Garu announced landing on the ground and performing a few more hand signs.
"But you don't have any other Armor monsters in your graveyard," Ashton pointed out as a powerful aura surrounded his left arm (500/0 + 1500/0).
"But you sure do!" Garu shouted jumping in the air. "And I choose your Rocket Fist! And now then…I'll smack you around!"
Garu just disappeared in a dark blur, only to reappear in front of Ashton. The armored duelist's eyes widened just as Garu slammed his fist into Ashton's gut. Taking a step back, Ashton lowered his head breathing hard as Garu leapt back to his side of the field. "Heh…how do you like that?" (ALP: 1600)
"…heh…heh, heh, heh…BWA HA HA HA!"
With a large amount of confusion, Garu blinked a few times as Ashton threw his head back in laughter. "HA! I actually enjoyed that a lot! I haven't found a fighter with a decent punch in ages…I've been looking forward to a punch like that for a while…"
Snapping his next card into his hand, Ashton just lifted up one of the cards in his hand and slapped it onto his duel disk. That's when the Psychic Armor Head (0/500) appeared on his head. "Now that I've got my headgear back…I can give you exactly what you deserve! A battle to remember!"
"Why do you think I'm standing in front of you with armor?" Garu chuckled pointing his thumb towards his chest. "Ya know what they say, fight fire with fire!"
"That doesn't work with real fire!" Tao shouted from the stands with Kurro and Zaku shaking their heads in embarrassment.
"Uh…yeah…" Ashton replied shaking his head and lifting up his next card. "If that's the case, then I'll activate the spell card, Armor Gravitation! Now then…I can special summon four armor monsters when I have Psychic Armor Head! And its time to bring out the darkest armor I have in my arsenal!"
A powerful dark aura surrounded Ashton's body with the exception of his head. The dark fog lifted up on his right hand, revealing a demonic arm with black spiral armor, smoke erupting from the arm's shoulder (1000/0). "I summon, Dark Illusion!"
On the left arm, there was a demonic arm with white spiral armor, smoke erupting from the arm's elbow (1000/1000). "…And White Trick!"
Even though the smoke from Ashton's torso had disappeared, it was hard to see his body's features with the large black cloak, while having cracked skulls for shoulder pads. Two demonic bat wings sprouted from the back of the cloak making everyone a little more confused (0/600). "Can't forget Devil's Cloak…"
With the final fog disappeared, Ashton's legs were replaced with black armored demon bat legs with white talons for toes (0/0). "And for the coup de grad, Devil Trigger Boost! And together, they for the Devil Armor!"
"Well then…why don't you bring it on?" Garu asked wagging his hand towards his body.
"Let's go!" Ashton shouted charging towards Garu who ran to the middle.
As soon as the two met in the middle of the platform, Ashton brought the Dark Illusion claw down on Garu's head…only to have the ninja armored duelist leap to the side raising three kunai with his free hand.
Just as the three kunai were flung towards Ashton's body, a white blur sliced right through them turning them into scrap metal. Everyone turned to see Ashton's White Trick armor lifted up, the claws clenching a few times only with a great thrust towards Garu.
Spinning backwards, Garu reached for the large shuriken on his back and threw it towards Ashton, who simply kicked it to the side…making it fly towards Garu's friends, most (except Cain) of them ducked down. Cain just raised his right fist up, slapping the large shuriken to the side. "Relax you guys…it's just a hologram."
"URGH!"
When everyone looked up, they saw that Garu just landed on Cain's face and immediately jumped towards Ashton. When Garu was streaming through the air, Cain fell backwards with a large footprint on his face.
"Oh brother…are you okay?" Ami asked leaning over her brother.
"Keep your eyes on the duelists!" Kurro advised as Garu and Ashton met in the air.
Garu threw his right fist, as did Ashton at the same time…both fists flying past each other until…
BLAM! BOOM!
In an explosion of smoke, everyone looked up to see which duelist would fall to the ground first…however, both duelists fell to the ground, both completely back in their original clothes and their duel disks…
Both life point readers read zero!
"I-I don't believe it…" Zaku stuttered watching his fellow teammate slowly sit up. "They-they tied…"
"Hey, uh, Kurro…what happens when duelists tie in one of these duel out duels?" Tao asked…being one of the few questions that actually made sense.
"T-too be honest…I never thought anyone would tie," Kurro admitted getting Zaku and Tao to fall backwards into their seats out of embarrassment. "B-but I suppose that I can't get rid of any of any duelists who tie…it wouldn't be fair…"
"That never stopped you before," Zaku pointed out making Kurro sweat drop.
"True…but if I got rid of two duelists at the same time, then parents would declare that this was truly unfair…" Kurro replied standing up as Garu and Ashton walked towards each other in the middle of the arena. "Besides…after a display like that…who could get rid of either of them…?"
'But…if he could tie with Ashton…then I suppose I should keep a much more clear eye on this duelist…Seems like a backwatered brat…'
"Ya got skills kid…" Ashton complimented lifting his hand up to Garu's head and messed up his hair slightly. "…don't ever lose them…"
"Heh…I owe my skills to a couple people…" Garu admitted slapping Ashton's hand from his head playfully. In his mind, Garu thought about Professor Satoshi…still hoping that Satoshi could've gotten Garu's name right.
Then he saw the mysterious man he just saw last night, the one who gave him the mysterious Ninja Armor cards…who was he away?
But last but not least…
That's when a sharp pain erupted out of back of Garu's head, making the ninja duelist crouch down, nursing the large bump that now appeared on the back of his head.
Standing behind Garu, his right first raised up, Cain had a dark aura that made even Ashton take a step back from the duelist. "What's the big idea of using my face as a stepping stone?"
"S-Sorry! But you're the right height!" Garu shouted…before slapping his mouth.
"Why you…GET YOUR FACE OVER HERE!" Cain shouted throwing Garu off the platform and leaping after him.
Ashton took a step back with a blank look over his face. '…that shorty scares me…he might make a good opponent…'
With his popcorn gone, Lucian shook his head a few times with a smile on his face. 'The die has been cast…now I only need to wait…'
/-//--/-/-//--//--/
Card Stats
Tekagi Kunoichi / Wind / LV. 3 / ATK: 1000 / DEF: 400 / Warrior/Effect: This monster is considered to have 'Ninja' in the card name. If this card battles a monster, flip a coin and heads or tails before damage calculation. If you call it right, destroy the opponent's monster with this effect.
Description: A young beautiful young kunoichi wearing a more soft combination of the blue ninja suit. Her long dark hair is tied back with a light blue headband with a few strands in front of her crystal blue eyes. On her hands, are pair of hand claws that gleam in the right light.
Metsubushi Shinobi / Fire / LV. 3 / ATK: 900 / DEF: 300 / Warrior/Effect: This monster is considered to have 'Ninja' in the card name.Once per turn, you may discard one card from your hand. Once that is done, you may destroy one face up card on the field and remove it from play.
Description: A skinny ninja wearing black clothes covering his entire body and face. Two dark gray sashes cover his chest and are covered with small bombs.
Shobo Kunoichi / Earth / LV. 3 / ATK: 1000 / DEF: 1000 / Warrior/Effect: This monster is considered to have 'Ninja' in the card name. This effect can only be used during your battle phase. All battle damage to this card and this card's owner becomes 0. After damage calculation, decrease the attack of the monster that was attacked by this card by 1000 points.
Description: A small muscular kunoichi wearing a soft combination of nature colors on her baggy ninja clothes. Her messy brown hair covers her eyes. On her ring fingers are two rings with small glowing indents in them.
Suizen Melodies / Spell / Effect: This card can only be activated when your opponent has at least two or more monsters on their side of the field. You may special summon two level three or lower monsters from your deck with 'Ninja' in the card's name. During this turn the special summoned monsters cannot attack.
Image: A young beautiful woman dressed in a kimono playing a flute with two ninjas appearing above her.
Rocket Fist (Right Arm) / Wind / LV. 4 / ATK: 500 / DEF: 0 / Machine-Armor/Effect: Increase the attack of this card by 300 for each 'Armor' monster on your side of the field. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack once per turn. If there are 2 or more Armor Monsters on your side of the field and one of them is selected as an attack target, the controller of this monster can change the attack target to any of the other Armor monster he/she controls.)
Description: A bulky red gauntlet equipped with multiple rockets near the fist.
Falcon Jab (Left Arm) / Wind / LV. 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 1000 / Machine-Armor/Effect: As long as this card remains face up on the field, once per turn you may negate one monster attack. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack once per turn. If there are 2 or more Armor Monsters on your side of the field and one of them is selected as an attack target, the controller of this monster can change the attack target to any of the other Armor monster he/she controls.)
Description: A bulky red gauntlet equipped with jet wings.
Armory Protector (Chest) / Wind / LV. 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 1600 / Machine-Armor/Effect: As long as this card is face up on your side of the field, all 'Armor' monsters on your side of the field can attack your opponent directly. If more than one of your monsters attacks your opponent directly, destroy this card. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack once per turn. If there are 2 or more Armor Monsters on your side of the field and one of them is selected as an attack target, the controller of this monster can change the attack target to any of the other Armor monster he/she controls.)
Description: A large crimson body suit bolted to a large silver rocket pack.
Light Landings (Legs) / Wind / LV. 4 / ATK: 500 / DEF: 500 / Machine-Armor/Effect: When your opponent activates a spell or trap card, you may negate the effect. This effect can only be used once per turn. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack once per turn. If there are 2 or more Armor Monsters on your side of the field and one of them is selected as an attack target, the controller of this monster can change the attack target to any of the other Armor monster he/she controls.)
Description: Red jet like leg armor with two wings attached to the heels.
Shell Bullet Armor Head (Head) / Fire / LV. 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 500 / Machine-Armor/Effect: This card's name is treated as 'Psychic Armor Head' as long as this card remains face up on your side of the field. If this card exists in your graveyard during your standby phase special summon it in face up attack mode. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack once per turn. If there are 2 or more Armor Monsters on your side of the field and one of them is selected as an attack target, the controller of this monster can change the attack target to any of the other Armor monster he/she controls.)
Description: A red and yellow helmet that looks like a lion theme with a long trail of fiery red hair.
Shocking Bullet (Right Arm) / Fire / LV. 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 1000 / Machine-Armor/Effect: When this card is summoned, place three counters on it. Negate all battle damage involving this card. When this monster battles another monster, destroy the target monster. This card cannot be destroyed as a result of battle. If this card battles a monster, remove one counter at the end of the battle step. If this card battles without a counter, destroy this card at the end of the Damage Step. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack once per turn. If there are 2 or more Armor Monsters on your side of the field and one of them is selected as an attack target, the controller of this monster can change the attack target to any of the other Armor monster he/she controls.)
Description: A red and orange armored claw hand with three red flame spikes at the armor's shoulder.
Regeneration Gauntlet (Left Arm) / Fire / LV. 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 0 / Machine-Armor/Effect: During the battle phase, battle damage you receive involving this card is reduced to 0. When this card is destroyed, select one 'Armor' monster in your graveyard and special summon it in face up attack mode. (You cannot choose Regeneration Gauntlet). (Only 1 Armor monster can attack once per turn. If there are 2 or more Armor Monsters on your side of the field and one of them is selected as an attack target, the controller of this monster can change the attack target to any of the other Armor monster he/she controls.)
Description: A red and orange armored claw hand with a soother texture.
Burning Guard (Chest) / Fire / LV. 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 1500 / Machine-Armor/Effect: As long as this monster is face up on the field, negate any trap cards that are activated when an Armor monster attacks. If this card is destroyed, negate all battle damage you receive for the rest of the turn this card was destroyed. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack once per turn. If there are 2 or more Armor Monsters on your side of the field and one of them is selected as an attack target, the controller of this monster can change the attack target to any of the other Armor monster he/she controls.)
Description: An armored padded chest with fire symbols all over it.
Shell Boost (Legs) / Fire / LV. 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 1000 / Machine-Armor/Effect: While this card face up on your side of the field, all Armor monsters may attack your opponent's life points directly. When this card is destroyed, your opponent must discard his/her entire hand. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack once per turn. If there are 2 or more Armor Monsters on your side of the field and one of them is selected as an attack target, the controller of this monster can change the attack target to any of the other Armor monster he/she controls.)
Description: Skinny yellow armored legs that have sharp claw like feet at the end.
Shell Bullet (Right Arm) / Fire / LV. 4 / ATK: 0 / DEF: 1000 / Machine-Armor/Effect: This card's effect can only be activated while there are Armor monsters on your side of the field other than this card. If this card is destroyed as a result of battle, destroy all monsters on the field. Each player receives damage equal to the combined ATK of all destroyed monsters. (Only 1 Armor monster can attack once per turn. If there are 2 or more Armor Monsters on your side of the field and one of them is selected as an attack target, the controller of this monster can change the attack target to any of the other Armor monster he/she controls.)
Description: An orange gauntlet with a golden spin like tail at the shoulder.
Armor Replacement / Instant Spell / Effect: When this card is activated return all Armor monsters on your side of the field back to your deck. Then select an equal amount of Armor monsters to your side of the field (shuffle your deck afterwards).
Image: A cracked knight armor piece being replaced with a higher technological armor.
Heat of Battle / Trap / Effect: This card can only be activated when your opponent inflicts battle damage to your life points. Take one level four monster from your deck with attack points equal to or less than that of the damage you received, and add the card to your hand.
Image: Two warriors, one with dark hair and the other with blonde hair, charging at each other with fists raised.
Oh, and if you think I'm going to show the last sets of armor…nope! Because I'm evil! I was most voted to be an evil genius in High School, and it was true!
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Garu: Oh yeah! Who rules!?!
Yae: Sigh…please don't get a big head…
Mustang: Yeah! But keep that enthusiasm! We'll need it with our plan!
Garu: ? Hmm? What plan?
Watch and learn…the school's future begins… next time! Chapter 23: Cut Strings
Zaku: You're not going to do a thing! Not as long as I'm here!
Kurro: …fools…