Chapter 46
Dungeon Dice Monsters Part 1: Enter Duke Devlin
It all started one day as Solomon Muto was sweeping his storefront, upset about something. "I work hard my whole life and then this happens?" he asked himself before Yugi called out for him, only to see him sweeping a couple seconds later. "Bye, grandpa. I've gotta get to school or I'm gonna be late." he said before hearing his grandpa sigh. "What's the matter?" asked the King of Games until Fluttershy approached. "Good morning, Yugi." she said cheerfully. "Hey, Fluttershy. How are you?" Yugi asked. "So far so good. Good morning, Mr. Muto." Fluttershy responded while turning to greet Yugi's grandpa. "Good for you two, maybe." Sol responded. "What's wrong, Mr. Muto? Is something troubling you?" Fluttershy asked. "I don't know, he didn't answer me when I asked him." Yugi pointed out. "Well, if you must know, I'll tell you. See, I've endured many things in my lifetime. Being trapped in an ancient tomb, stung by a scorpion or two and being attacked by Tibetan wolves. But nothing compares to this! A new game shop has just opened!" Sol stated before pointing towards it.
"There's a new game shop in Domino City?" Fluttershy asked. "It's called The Black Crown, and I bet they're planning on driving the smaller game shops, like my own, out of business by selling the newest trends in gaming, but I bet they have little to no respect for the gaming traditions, the true classics. Likely because they sell only the gaming fads of today." Sol responded. "If there's a new gaming shop, maybe I should check out the competition and see what we're up against." Yugi suggested. "Don't even think about it. Rainbow Dash might be willing to have a peek, but I won't let my own grandson purchase anything from The Black Crown." Sol responded. However, against Sol's orders, Yugi and Fluttershy went to investigate anyway. "Yugi, if your grandfather finds out that you've been here, I'm afraid that you'll be punished." Fluttershy said. "What's the harm in a little window shopping?" Yugi asked before someone handed him a flyer. "Here you go. Take one." said the person handing out the flyers. "What's this?" Yugi asked. "It's the newest game that's exclusive to Black Crown, its called Dungeon Dice Monsters." the person answered. "It looks cool, but I wonder how you play it." Yugi pondered. "Yugi, no offense, but if we don't hurry, we're gonna be late for class." Fluttershy said. With that, they headed off, unaware that someone up in the building was watching everything, both the owner of the Black Crown and his business manager. "Mr. Devlin, I think I just saw Yugi Muto. Hard to believe a kid like him managed to beat Seto Kaiba and, weeks later, Maximillian Pegasus." said the business manager. "I'm willing to bet he cheated to beat both of them, but no one can beat Duke Devlin by cheating." said the owner. "Well, I don't know about cheating, since you never really played against him or seen him play before, but that kid did manage to beat the former world champion on his home turf and make his way into the Duelist Kingdom Tournament." the manager stated as he watched Yugi and his girl walk away from the building. "Course, I'd love to see how he would fair against you, Duke Devlin, master of the dice." he added. "The die has been cast, the trap has been set, and soon, I'll bring Yugi down. If he accepts a challenge from me at Dungeon Dice Monsters, my own game, I'll strip him of his title and expose him as a fraud." Duke stated, clearly believing that Yugi had to have cheated to beat Pegasus and Kaiba. "Well, as the nephew of Maximillian Pegasus and your business manager, I really hope you know what you're getting yourself into, Duke." the manager said. "I hired you to manage the Black Crown, Yako, not to question me. If I roll the dice right, and I always do, I'll be the next King of Games." Duke responded. "Of course, and when a champion owns and/or sponsors the shop, that's when the money will really pour in." Yako said. 'Money is for greedy people like yourself, Yako. I'm after a greater prize, the total destruction of Yugi Muto!' Duke thought to himself, clearly set on beating Yugi and stripping him of his title of King of Games.
Later that day, Yugi told his friends about the Black Crown. "Be still my beating heart, you're telling me that there's a new game shop in town?" Joey asked. "Yeah, my grandpa's worried that it'll force him to close Kame Game." Yugi answered. "It just opened and they apparently have all the latest and greatest games on the market, including one they were advertising called Dungeon Dice Monsters." Fluttershy explained. "Wait, Dungeon Dice Monsters?" Joey asked. "I think I've heard about it." Twilight pointed out. "So have I, but I'm not sure about it." Rainbow said. "So did I when I read the newspaper that Joey delivered to my apartment this morning." Rarity added. "Why's Joey delivering newspapers? Not that I don't like the idea, but..." AJ began to say. "Listen, AJ, I don't get an allowance like most kids and teens do, so I took up a paper delivery job to get a little extra spending money. After all, I'm saving every penny of my reward money for my sister's eye operation." Joey explained. "Speaking of whom, how is your sister doing, Joseph?" Rarity asked. "So far, she's doing great. The doctor says that the specialists will have her able to see better than ever, and the first thing she's gonna see is me, the brother who came through for her." Joey answered. "Well, Joey, we're all very proud of you." Twilight said with a smile. Then, the all heard something in the next class room, twas the sound of girls going gaga over something that gained their attention.
The group followed the sound and found all the girls in the next classroom were gathered around someone. None other than Duke Devlin, owner of the Black Crown. "Okay, ladies, let's get this party started." he said before laying six pairs of dice out on the desk. "Showtime." he added before he quickly gathered up the dice in a cup, shook it, and placed the cup top down on the desk. "Keep your eyes on me, ladies." he added before lifting the cup to reveal that dice had formed a tower, with each side of each die showing the same number six times. The girls gathered around him were amazed at his little magic trick. "Who is that guy?" Joey asked. "Beg pardon, fellers, but who's the guy with the dice?" AJ asked a couple kids nearby. "Yeah, that's Duke Devlin. He's the owner of that new game shop that recently opened, the Black Crown." one of the answered. "If there's one thing I do not like, it's a guy who'll resort to showing off to get a girl's attention, and I'm speaking on the behalf of myself, Yugi, Joey and Tristen, since we're practically outnumbered by how many girls we have hanging out with us. No offense to any of you, of course." Spike said. As Spike talked, Duke caught an earful and spotted Yugi. He stood up as the girls were telling the young boy he had all the talent he needed, particularly in Duel Monsters. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I think I overheard one of you likes to dabble in the game of Duel Monsters." the sly fox said to Spike. "Hey, I may be an intermediate to the game, but I'm a pretty good Duelist. Course, I only learn from the best and play with the best, like this guy, the only guy to beat Bandit Keith and gain his Intercontinental championship after he was exposed as a cheater during the Duelist Kingdom. I'm talking of course about Joey Wheeler, the runner-up of the tournament." Spike responded. "No need to brag, Spike." Joey said, though he was happy and pleased by all the things that Spike said about him, which were all true.
"And what have we here? Yugi Muto? King of Games and recently crowned Duel Monsters world champion?" Duke asked as he looked at Yugi. "Well, I guess that's me." Yugi said. "I heard a great deal about you." Duke said. "You mean like how he wiped the floor with Kaiba some weeks ago?" Joey asked. "Oh, yes, I've heard about that. Anyway, what say me and the second little guy play a game to entertain the ladies here?" Duke responded. "You mean me? What kind of game?" Spike asked. "Its quite simple, and all we need are a cup and a single die." Duke answered. 'I don't know about this. He could be setting up Spike to be humiliated.' Twilight thought. "Alright, I accept your challenge, Duke." Spike responded. "Then let the game begin." Duke said before dropping the die in the cup and putting it on the desk, top down. "Now, the game is a wager, and I bet that I could move that die from under that cup and into my right hand using only my mind and without touching the cup." he stated. "That seems impossible, Duke. Unless you have telekinesis, there's no way that could happen." Spike responded. "You shouldn't underestimate someone who's favorite kinds of games involve dice. Maybe the die is already gone." Duke said, slyly, baffling Spike. "Is it beyond your comprehension? Maybe you should look under the cup and see for yourself?" he asked. "Alright, wise guy." Spike answered. "Spike, don't! It's a trick!" Yugi warned, but it was too late as Spike lifted the cup and the die was still there. "Hey! I was right, it didn't move!" Spike shouted. "I'll take that." Duke said as he took the die. "As you can see, I moved the die into my right hand using my mind and I never had to touch the cup. Making me the winner of this game." he continued, causing the girls to happily cheer. "Showing off is one thing, but humiliating one of my friends is too far! Let's see how you do in a REAL game! I challenge you to a game of Duel Monsters!" Joey shouted. "As you wish, but since this game is your specialty, I have a small condition." Duke responded. "What sort of condition? And no funny stuff, capisci?" Joey asked. "Well, seeing as I don't have a Duel Monsters deck of my own, we'll play after we build new decks from scratch using booster packs that just came to my shop, the Black Crown." Duke answered. "That makes it all a matter of luck!" Rainbow pointed out. "She's right, and there's quite a few cards that I've never seen or heard of before, and I've been reading Duel Monsters Weekly since me and my friends first arrived in town." Spike concurred. "You gotta have some faith, Spike, old buddy, old pall, old pal of mine. Besides, was I or wasn't I a finalist in the Duelist Kingdom tournament?" Joey stated. "Maybe, but still." Twilight said.
"I take you accept my condition? Good. But playing a game for fun can be pointless. Let's make a wager. If I win, Spike over there will do whatever I ask for an entire week." Duke stated. "You got it, dicey boy. Because if I win, you have to close the Black Crown." Joey responded. "I don't know about this, Joey. You could be getting in over your head." AJ figured. "Hey, AJ, I'm not some rookie who brought home his first deck anymore. Haven't I improved since I first started playing the game?" Joey responded. "Alright, Joey, we'll hold the match today after school lets out. I have a state of the art dueling arena inside my shop. Sound fair?" Duke proposed. "Fine with me." Joey responded. "And you're all invited, I wouldn't want you to miss the Duelist Kingdom runner-up's finest hour." Duke said to the others before walking back to his desk. 'Why do I get the feeling that this isn't gonna end well?' Twilight asked herself. Later that day, everyone arrives at the Black Crown. "I can't believe that Duke feller owns this place." AJ said in amazement. "He must've spent a lot of money, too bad its all gonna go to waste when this plays closes." Joey pointed out before they all headed inside. 'I still think that this won't end well.' Twilight thought before they were greeted by Jako. "Welcome to the Black Crown. Mr. Devlin's been waiting for you. Follow me to the elevator." he said as everyone went to and found Duke in said elevator. "Ah, welcome, everyone." the cunning man said. "The dueling field is downstairs on sublevel six." Yako pointed out. "Alright, Mr. Wheeler, choose your packs carefully." Duke said as they all looked down at a box of Duel Monsters booster packs. 'Alright. Now, which pack would be best? Gotta feel the energy.' Joey thought as he picked up his first few packs. He opened one and grinned. 'Oh, yeah. Get a load of these babies. I just struck gold.' he thought. "Get anything good?" Spike asked. "Don't worry, Spike. I've got this one in the bag." Joey responded. 'We shall see.' Duke thought with a sly smile. Soon, they reached the arena.
Inside, they found cameras and cheerleaders around the arena as light shown down on the field. "This place is huge!" Joey said in amazement. "Actually, this is the smallest arena we have, but it does have all the bells and whistles." Duke clarified. "What's with the TV cameras?" Rainbow asked. "I have a bit of a theory that if I have an audience watching the matches that actually take place in the arenas here in the shop, I'll attract more customers. Plus, my motto is; the bigger the audience, the better the performance. That's why I'm broadcasting any and all matches around the entire city and the world on DMTV, Duel Monsters TV. You know, that TV channel Industrial Illusions formed for all those folks who are into Duel Monsters. And I'm sure any fans of the game will be interested in watching me duel the second best Duelist in the world. I only hope you are second best, not second rate." Duke responded. "Second rate? You're gonna need a second life, cause when I beat you, you won't have anything left!" Joey retorted, causing the cheerleaders to cry. "Don't worry, ladies, I never disappointed my fans yet." Duke said to them, cheering them up instantly. "That's gonna change!" Joey shouted before taking his place on the field and putting down his deck. "Let's get this show on the road!" he declared before Duke took his place. 'Joey, don't let me down. I don't want to do everything that this guy tells me for a whole week.' Spike thought. And so, with an equally confident 'Let's duel!' coming from both players, their hands drawn and their life points set to 2000, the game began in earnest
"For my first move, I summon, Oni Tank T-34!" Duke said as his monster, a level four, Earth attribute machine with 1400 attack points and 1700 defense points, appeared on the field. "And that'll end my turn. Time to show some of that talent of yours, hot shot." he concluded. "Hold on to your headband, dicey boy." Joey responded before drawing and grinning. 'Awesome. The Sword Hunter, and he's got a special ability. Every monster he destroys becomes part of his armor, increasing his attack power by 200 points.' he thought before playing said card. "Alright, Duke, I summon Sword Hunter in attack mode!" he said aloud as his monster, a level seven, Earth attribute warrior/effect monster with 2450 attack points and 1700 defense points, appeared. "Time to slice and dice that tank of yours!" he added before the Oni Tank was destroyed, dropping Duke's life points to 950. "Oh, don't worry, your Oni Tank will be remembered, as it gets turned into a new piece of armor for my Sword Hunter!" he concluded as his Sword Hunter's attack power increased to 2650. "Not a bad move. Guess Joey's smarter than he looks. Maybe this'll work out, huh?" Tristan asked Twilight, but she still didn't seem sure about the whole thing. "Hey, Puke Devlin? Why don't you forfeit before my Sword Hunter gives you a serious haircut?" Joey asked. "I've got you right where I want you." Duke responded, only for Joey to laugh it up. "You crack me up, Devlin. But, hey, its your turn, do what you want to." Joey said as Duke drew his next card, which was a trap card.
'Ah, this will come in handy later.' he thought before choosing his next monster. "I summon Dark Bat in defense mode!" he said aloud as his monster, a level three, Wind attribute winged beast with 1000 attack and defense points, appeared on the field. "And I'll set a facedown for later." he concluded. "A bat? If that's the best you got, you can say bye-bye to your game shop." Joey said before drawing his next card. "I summon the Mad Sword Beast in attack mode!" he declared before his creature appeared, one all too familiar to Pinkie. "I have that monster in my deck! It's a level four, Earth attribute dinosaur/effect monster with 1400 attack points and 1200 defense points." Pinkie said with a big smile. "Alright, Mad Sword Beast, attack!" Joey commanded before his prehistoric beast charged, rammed and destroyed the Dark Bat. "No harm done, since Dark Bat was in defense mode." Duke said, cockily. "That's where you're wrong, ponytail. The Mad Sword Beast has the ability to reduce your life points even if you played a defensive monster!" Joey corrected, surprising Duke as his life points dropped to 550. "Perhaps I underestimated you. But my Dark Bat won't be heading to the graveyard by itself, thanks to, my Michizure trap card." Duke responded, shocking Joey. "You see, the Michizure trap card allows me to pick one of your monsters and send it to the graveyard after one of mine is destroyed!" he explained. "I think that wasn't part of the plan." Rainbow said. "Now's not the time to get cocky, partner!" AJ shouted. "I told you I got this match in the bag! I bet I could beat this guy in my sleep!" Joey responded confidently.
'I don't know. I think Duke might know more about Duel Monsters than he's letting on. I just hope Joey knows what he's doing.' Twilight thought. "I'll admit, that Michizure trap caught me by surprise, but I still have you where I want you." Joey stated. "We shall see. Since your strongest monster went off to its final resting place in your graveyard, now would be an excellent time for me to go on the attack." Duke responded as he drew his next card, which was a spell card. "First, I set this card face down. Then I'll summon Spikebot!" he added as his monster, a level five, Dark attribute machine with 1800 attack points and 1700 defense points, appeared. "Spike Smash attack!" he commanded before the Mad Sword Beast was destroyed and Joey's life points dropped to 1600. "Come on, Joey! I'm counting on you over here! If you lose, I have to be Duke's servant for a whole week!" Spike shouted. "Forget it, Spike! That won't be happening!" Joey shouted. 'Come on, Lady Luck. Joey needs a winner.' he thought before drawing what he saw as a winner. "Alright! This card's gonna send your Spikebot to the scrapyard! I summon, the Goblin Attack Force!" he said aloud as his monster, or rather monsters since it was a small force of goblins, appeared, though the card suggested it was a single, level four, Earth attribute warrior/effect monster with 2300 attack points and 0 defense points. In mere moments, the Goblin Attack Force destroyed the Spikebot, dropping Duke down to his final 50 life points before, as per their effect, switching to defense mode.
"Yeah! You don't have a snowball's chance in July now, Dukey!" Joey declared. The cheerleaders went back to worry mode as soon as they saw the score. "Well, I guess I have to keep in mind the effect of Goblin Attack Force, which is that they switch to defense mode after they attack. But that might not be much of a problem. since you've only got 50 life points left, Duke. On my next turn, they'll be gone, and the Black Crown will be closed down!" he concluded. But Duke just chuckled as the cheerleaders panicked. "Guess Domino City will only have one game shop after this duel's done." Rainbow said with a grin. But Twilight still seemed put off by the whole thing. 'How can Duke remain so calm when he's down to his last 50 life points? Either his blood runs ice cold, or he's got one last trick up his sleeve.' Twilight pondered. "Enough fooling around. It's time to summon one of the most powerful cards in my deck, and named after one of the greatest space shooters in history! I summon the mighty Gradius!" Duke declared as his monster, a level four, Light attribute machine with 1200 attack points and 800 defense points, appeared. "That all you got? Cause that won't save you." Joey stated, but Duke smiled. "Now I activate a magic card called Limiter Removal, doubling my monster's attack power!" Duke declared. "Tarnation! That Devlin pulled a fast one on Joey!" AJ shouted. "Worse yet, I don't think Joey's goblins will stand a chance from one single blast, since they have absolutely no defense points at all!" Rarity added. "But wait, there's more. I activate Fairy Meteor Crush!" Duke added. "Fairy Meteor Crush? I never saw that card at Duelist Kingdom." Joey said. "So, the second best Duelist doesn't know every card in the game? No surprise. But let's just say that it has the same effect as the Mad Sword Beast you had on the field a few turns ago." Duke stated.
"No! Then that means..." Joey began to say in shock. "This duel's gonna be done. You see, normally, your life points would be unaffected when one of your opponent's monsters attacks your own while its in defense mode. But with Fairy Meteor Crush in play, I can deal damage directly to your life points! Too bad this match was so short, I wanted a real challenge, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Now, Gradius, annihilate those goblins with Vic Viper Strike!" Duke declared as his monster blasted the Goblin Attack Force apart before blowing up, dropping Joey's life points to 0. "Oh, no! Joey's goblins got wiped out, along with his life points!" Spike shouted before Joey came back to the group, dejected and sad that he failed. "And by a monster named after my favorite arcade game, no less." Rainbow added. "You did your best, Joey." Fluttershy said, trying to cheer him up as Duke approached before snapping his fingers, prompting a cheerleader to approach Spike with a dog costume for him. "Put this on." she said to the boy. "I hope you're a man of your word, Spike. I'm looking forward to having an obedient dog for the next week." Duke said. 'Man, what happened to me? When I was at Duelist Kingdom, I was fighting for a great purpose, that being my sister. But now it looks like I've gone to the dogs now that I failed my own friend.' Joey thought. "Hey, knock it off, Duke! Just because you won, doesn't mean you have to put Spike down!" Yugi shouted. "Sorry, Yugi, but a promise is a promise, and I have to keep my word." Spike responded before Duke flicked a die at him. "Quiet now, you mutt. You won't speak until I tell you." he stated. "Come on, guys, let's just go." Tristan suggested. "But you heard Spike, he said he wants to keep his word." AJ pointed out. "Glad to see a cowgirl knows a thing or two about keeping their word. Now, Spike, put on the costume and bark like the dog I've turned you into." Duke said before Spike did exactly as he was ordered to.
"Good boy, Spike." Duke said with a grin. "Alright, I'm putting a stop to this RIGHT NOW!" Twilight snapped. "Duke Devlin, this stunt of yours has gone too far! I challenge you! And when I beat you, you give Spike his freedom back!" she shouted. "Oh? I was hoping for Yugi to challenge me, since he's the King of Games. Just who are you?" Duke responded. "I am Twilight Sparkle, princess and future ruler of my homeland as per my royal blood!" Twilight declared. "Well, well! A princess? I think this could be fun. I accept, but we won't play Duel Monsters, we'll play a game that I made. We'll battle to the finish in a game called Dungeon Dice Monsters. And if you lose, Yugi must give his title of King of Games to me, and must sweat on his grandfather's life that he will never play Duel Monsters again." Duke said. "Dagnabbit, Duke! That's going WAY too far!" AJ shouted. "I agree, that's too much to lose for Yugi even though you're fighting in hs place." Rarity added. "Twilight, you can't do it!" put in Joey. "Stay out of this!" Duke snapped before flicking a die at Joey, only for Twilight to stop it. "Not bad a catch, your highness, so what's it gonna be?" he asked. "I accept your conditions, Duke. I won't let you destroy my friend's dignity! We'll do battle in your game of choice, Dungeon Dice Monsters." Twilight answered. 'Yugi knows that his friends are worth more than all the games and titles in the world, and so do I. I'll stick by them no matter what, and that's something Duke will never understand. I have to take him on, for Spike's sake.' she thought as she dropped the die Duke flicked at Joey and crushed it under her shoe.
'I may not have caught Yugi himself in my trap, but my Dungeon Dice Monsters will destroy this little princess friend of his!' Duke thought confidently.