Episode 29: Duel of the Centuries

Yuni and Brutus are still walking through Domino. Yuni still looks unsettled due to his last duel. Yuni thinks, I just can't go on dueling when there's a chance that what I'm dueling for is wrong. What if Ma'at was right? What if the way of Chaos is wrong? Can I really go on fighting the darkness in the name of Chaos, if all I'm doing is spreading even more darkness?

Yugi says, Come on Yuni, you've got to stop thinking like that. I'll admit, that was an unsettling duel, and would be bad if what Ma'at said was true, but you can't believe that. Besides, would Apep lie to you?

Probably not, but what if he did?

You could always ask him.

Good idea. Yuni looks towards Brutus and says, "Hey, if you don't mind, I have to ask Apep a question." Yuni holds up his data chip.

Brutus says, "Sure, go ahead."

Yuni places the data chip in the palm of his hand and activates his technokinesis. The next moment, Yuni is floating in the chip's data stream. Apep appears in front of him and asks, "What is it young Yuni? I sense much stress in you."

Yuni takes a deep breath and says, "I just had an encounter with someone named Ma'at, he said he was a Guardian of Order."

A look of distress crosses Apep's face. He says, "I am sorry you had to get mixed up in this. The Guardians of Order are a society of renegade thinkers. Almost all of them used to members of the Society of Chaos, until their thinking was corrupted. They do not believe in the superiority of light, like you might think. Their belief is a corrupted version of the Chaos Doctrines. They believe in balance, of a sort. While they accept the fact that too much light is not a good thing, and must be kept in balance, it is their belief that darkness must be completely restricted, almost to the point of non-existence. While this belief is similar to ours, it is not a true balance, and they look at us as monsters for embracing the dark half of Chaos."

Yuni slowly nods his head.

Apep says, "Let me guess. You are distressed because you are not sure whether or not they are right."

Yuni nods his head again.

Apep sighs. "I will not dictate to you what is right or wrong Yuni. I respect you enough to allow you that, but I assure you that, even while it might not sound right, the way of Chaos is the correct path, Order is not. Chaos may lead to things like when I was possessed, but it is the only way that true order can be kept, not just an artificial one. Please know Yuni, I would never dedicate my life to something that leads to destruction."

Yuni takes a deep breath. "Thank you Apep. I needed that." Yuni prepares to leave.

Apep adds, "Yuni, I must warn you, if have gotten mixed up with Ma'at, you might be in trouble. Two years ago he was one of the most promising students of Chaos, his name then was Matt. He was very powerful, a skilled duelist, and very strong in his connection to Chaos. It was a shock to everyone in the Society when he left. I want you to be careful Yuni. Ok?"

Yuni nods.

"Alright then. Just remember to make the decisions that sound right to you, and I'm sure you'll be fine."

Yuni says, "Thank you Apep." Yuni ends his connection and is back in the real world only a moment after he left.

Yuni turns to Brutus and is about to say something when a voice calls out, "Hey Yuni, Brutus!"

Yuni and Brutus turn around and see Tori running towards them. Brutus says, "Hey Tori, what's up?"

Tori catches up with them and says, "As you know, I've been doing research trying to figure out anything I can about Chronos, the Temporal Lord, and I think I found something!"

Yuni perks up a little and says, "What did you find out?"

Tori says, "I've been searching everywhere over the historical archives, trying to find any matches I could. I couldn't find much though. I decided to change my search and try to look for anything relating to this mysterious Yugoha. I didn't find anything in the historical archives, but I did find something in the news feed. Have either of you ever heard of Professor Jones from the Domino Academy of Dueling History or the DADH?"

Yuni and Brutus shake their heads.

Tori sighs, "Of course you haven't. He's pretty much my hero. He is one of the most celebrated historians and archeologists of our time. He pretty much created the field of dueling prehistory. It was one of his lectures that got me so interested in dueling history. Anyways, he announced a couple of weeks ago that he had a groundbreaking announcement to make. One of the only hints he gave to the subject of the lecture was that he would reveal the secrets of Yugoha."

Yuni says, "No way. So you're saying that there's actually a historian out there that can tell us about Yugoha! We've got to go."

Tori says, "Even more lucky than that, his first lecture on the topic takes place later today at the DADH."

Brutus says excitedly, "Then what are we doing here! Let's go!"

Yuni and friends are standing at a computer terminal outside of the DADH lecture hall. Tori says to the computer, "We'd like three tickets to Professor Jones' 4:00 lecture."

The computer responds, "We are sorry for the inconvenience, but Professor Jones' lecture has been cancelled. Have a nice day."

Tori says, "Alright then, we'll take three tickets to whenever the next lecture is."

"We are sorry for the inconvenience, but all Professor Jones' lectures have been cancelled for the foreseeable future. Have a nice day."

Tori looks angry. She says, "I can't believe this! Why would they cancel the Professor's lecture?"

Yuni says, "We've got to figure out some way to talk to Professor Jones."

Brutus points to a door with a plaque reading, "Professor H. Jones" and a man standing outside of it. He says, "Why don't we just go ask him?"

Tori says, "Good idea Brutus." The three walk over to the door.

The man standing outside holds up his hand and says, "Halt, the Professor is not currently allowing guests."

Tori thinks fast and pulls out her museum ID card and says, "I am Tori Rekishi from the Domino Duel History Museum. I have a scheduled appointment with Professor Jones."

The man pulls out a holographic projector and projects some data. The man says, "I don't see you on this schedule."

Tori says, "Well then, it must be your mistake. Professor Jones himself asked to meet us."

The man responds, "I'm sorry but I can't let you in."

"That's unfortunate," Tori reads the man's nametag, "James. We'll just have to tell the Professor that a certain security guard wouldn't let his important appointment in. Too bad." Tori starts to turn around.

The guard panics and says, "I'm sorry ma'am. If you could just forget this happened, I'll let you in."

Tori says, "I'm glad you see it my way."

The guard opens the door and Tori, Yuni, and Brutus walk in.

The room inside is a medium sized office space. On the opposite side of the room is a man sitting at a desk working on his computer. The man is tall and skinny. He has a wrinkly face and combed back grey hair. He says, "What is this? I said no visitors."

Tori walks up to his desk and says, "I'm sorry Professor Jones, but we needed to talk to you. We need to know what you know about Yugoha."

Jones looks up at Tori and says, "I'm sorry but all lectures on the topic have been cancelled." He gets out of his chair and looks out the window behind his desk.

Tori says, "Well can't you just tell us. It is very important."

Jones shakes his head. "I'm sorry little lady, but I can't. You seem like a respectable student of history, but I am not allowed to reveal any information."

"What do you mean you you're not allowed to reveal anything?"

Jones sighs. "The government has paid me in order to no reveal any information pertaining to Yugoha."

Tori looks shocked. "Professor Jones! I'm offended. You once said that history belongs to the people! What ever happened to that!?"

"I'm sorry, but I needed the money, there was nothing else I could do."

"You said that you would never let anything get in the way of your research! You were my hero!" Tori hangs her head. "And now I see I was wrong."

Yuni puts his hand on Tori's shoulder and says, "Calm down Tori. We'll have to figure this out some other way."

Tori say angrily, "No. I can't let this happen." She looks up at Jones. "I challenge you to a duel!"

Jones turns away from his window and faces Tori. "A duel? Hmmm. I accept your challenge." The Professor reaches into his desk and pulls out a Duel Gauntlet.

Tori and Professor Jones activate their Duel Gauntlets. The Duel Computer says, "Official World of Duel Tournament duel now commencing. Tori Rekishi: 894 points vs. Professor H. Jones: 0 points. Scanning decks…decks accepted. Commence dueling."

Yuni leans towards Brutus and says, "It would appear that research wasn't all Tori was doing. It looks like she's won a couple of duels already."

Tori says, "Please, you go first."

Jones draws and says, "I am glad to oblige. I summon Historic Warrior: Chivalrous Knight (Earth/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1500)." A basic knight appears on the field. "When I summon a Historic Warrior monster, I get to add a corresponding Historic Weapon card to my hand, so now I add Historic Weapon: Excalibur, which I now equip to my knight. This equip spell gives my knight 1000 extra attack points (ATK: 2600)." Chivalrous Knight grabs onto a glowing sword. "I'll also set a card and end my turn (Prof. Jones' hand: 4)."

Tori draws. "You have a respectable deck Professor, but while I might have been here to admire another day, that's not why I'm here today. I am allowed to special summon my Lithic Sandstone for no cost (Earth/Level 1/Rock/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 500)." A large boulder of sandstone with a pattern that looks like a face appears on the field. "I tribute it in order to summon Monolithic Statue Warrior (Earth/Level 6/Rock/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 2000)!" The slab of sandstone gets carved into an ancient statue of a mighty soldier. "Statue Warrior, attack his Knight now!" The statue charges at the Professor's monster and slashes at it. Right before the attack hits, Tori says, "I activate the effect of Monolithic Statue Warrior, if it attacks a monster with higher attack, that monster is destroyed!" The Professor's monster shatters away. "Now I set a card. Since sandstone is such a weak building material, any monster carved from it withers away at the end of the turn (Tori's hand: 3)." Tori's monster withers and corrodes away.

Jones draws a card. "I can respect your deck as well. I can tell you are a true student of history. It saddens me to have to turn you down. I summon Historic Warrior: Stealthy Shinobi (Dark/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 1700/DEF 1000)." The monster that appears is a black clad ninja. "When I summon this monster, I can add a Historic Weapon: Ninjaku, and equip it my monster." Jones' ninja grabs hold of a curved sword that it holds in a reverse grip. "Since I control a Historic Warrior monster, I can special summon my Historic Warrior: Space Cadet (Light/Level 5/Warrior/ATK 2100/DEF 1200)." A man in a yellow, form-fitting, lightly armored space suit warps onto the field. "Space Cadet gives me his weapon of choice, the Historic Weapon: Ray Rifle." The space man wields a futuristic rifle gun.

In Yuni's head, Yugi chuckles. Yuni asks, What is it?

Yugi answers, It's amusing to see a ninja standing right next to a space cadet and hearing that both of them are historic.

I guess the Space Wars hadn't happened yet when you where alive.

Back with the duel, Jones says, "When my Space Cadet is equipped with Ray Rifle and inflicts battle damage to you, I can make you discard a card. Attack now Space Cadet." Jones' monster readies its rifle.

Tori says, "I activate my trap card, Lithic Mining! I can activate this card when you declare a direct attack against me. It allows me to summon a level four or lower Lithic monster straight from my deck in defense mode. I summon Lithic Stone (Earth/Level 2/Rock/ATK 0/DEF 1600)."

Jones says, "I continue my attack." Space Cadet fires several laser shots from its gun. They hit Lithic Stone, but bounce harmlessly off. "What happened?"

"Lithic Stone cannot be destroyed by battle once per turn."

"Alright fine. I activate the effect of Historic Weapon: Ninjaku. It allows my Shinobi to lower its attack by 700 and attack you directly. Go now my Shinobi." Stealthy Shinobi raises its blade and becomes cloaked in shadows (ATK: 1000). It sneaks around Tori's monster and attacks her directly (Tori's LP: 3000). "Now I set a card, and my monster's attack returns to normal (ATK: 1700). I end my turn (Prof. Jones' hand: 2)."

Tori draws. "I tribute my Lithic Stone in order to summon Monolithic H Block Golem (Earth/Level 5/Rock/Effect/ATK 2200/DEF 1900)." A golem whose torso appears to be made out of a massive "H" built out of stone appears. "If I tribute Lithic Stone for a Monolithic monster, the Monolithic monster summoned gains 300 attack (ATK: 2500). To add to my fighting force, I banish the three Lithic monsters in my graveyard in order to special summon Megalithic Stonehenge Gigas (Earth/Level 8/Rock/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2100)." The legendary Stonehenge rises out of the ground. All of the giant stones then float off of the ground and rearrange them selves. They stack to form a humanoid giant. "Now, H Block Golem, attack Historic Warrior: Space Cadet!" Tori's monster starts to charge at the spaceman.

"Not so fast. I activate Historic Devise: Land Mine! If you declare an attack against one of my Historic Warrior Monsters, all of your monsters are destroyed."

"Not all of them, my Stonehenge Gigas cannot be destroyed by card effects." As H Block Golem continues its charge, an explosion occurs that destroys it. "Time to make up for lost ground. Megalithic Stonehenge Gigas, attack Stealthy Shinobi now!" Stonehenge Gigas smashes its massive arm down and crushes Jones' monster (Prof. Jones' LP: 2700). "I refuse to lose to you after everything you said. I end my turn (Tori's hand: 2)."

Jones says, "Now I draw. I am so sorry that I offended you, but there is nothing I can do. I activate Historic Devise: Marching Drum. This card allows me to special summon one Historic Warrior monster from my grave. I'll bring back my Chivalrous Knight. Now I tribute both of my monsters in order to summon Historic Warrior: Honorable Samurai (Earth/Level 8/Warrior/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2000). I then add and equip Historic Weapon: Katana. This weapon gives my Samurai 500 extra attack (ATK: 3200) and I can pay up to 1000 life points in order to increase its attack by that much more. I will pay the full 1000 (Prof. Jones' LP: 1700) (ATK: 4200). Now Samurai, attack Tori's Stonehenge Gigas, Katana Slash!" The samurai runs at Tori's monster, Katana raised, and jumps up and cuts straight through it (Tori's LP: 1800). "That's that (Prof. Jones' hand: 1)."

On the sidelines, Yuni shouts, "Come on Tori! Don't give up, you can do this!"

Tori looks at Yuni and says with playful anger, "Yuni Oha! How dare you suggest that I would ever think that I couldn't!"

A look of both shock and realization crosses the Professor's face.

Tori draws. "I tribute my Monolithic H Block Golem in order to carve out a new monster. I summon Monolithic Sphinx (Earth/Level 7/Rock/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2500)!" H Block Golem carves away to reveal a great Sphinx. "I can summon Monolithic Sphinx with only one tribute, if that tribute is a Monolithic monster. Also, since I summoned Sphinx the way I did, until the end of the turn, it gains attack equal to the attack of the tributed monster (ATK: 5000). But that's not all. I activate Lithic Restoration. At the cost of 500 life points, I can restore my ancient monster to its former glory and give it 1000 extra attack points (Tori's LP: 1300) (ATK: 6000)." The ancient looking statue begins to look younger, and more powerful. Random chips and cracks all around it begin to fix themselves. Its nose, which was previously missing, reattaches. "Go Monolithic Sphinx, attack now with Lithic Pounce!" Tori's sphinx raises from its kneeling position and pounces at Jones' Samurai, destroying it (Prof. Jones' LP: 0).

The duel computer says, "Tori Rekishi wins. Tori has been awarded with 251 points for a total of 1154 points. Professor H. Jones has been awarded with 103 points for a total of 103 points."

The Professor hangs his head in shame. He says, "I am sorry that I denied you the information." He walks over to Yuni and says, "You boy, did I hear this little lady call you Yuni Oha?"

Yuni nods his head.

"Where you by any chance related to Ben and Jade Oha?"

A look of shock crosses Yuni's face. He says solemnly, "They were my parents."