Chapter 8: Rivalry of the Warlords
Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. At 8:30 sharp David and Eric entered the Slifer cafeteria to meet up with the girls to plan what to do.
"So girls what are we going to do today?" David asked. Unfortunately he was shoveling scrambled eggs into his mouth at the same time so it sounded more like, "So ga wha e gon o odah?"
"Hey pig, try talking without eating at the same time," Eric said, while the girls rolled their eyes.
"Someone get him a trough," Jessica said.
"Yeah, if we had known how lovely eating with boys was, we'd have stayed at our own cafeteria," Ashley added.
"Sorry," David said after swallowing.
"Anyway," Eric said while pouring maple syrup on his pancakes, "Let's go out to the park. It has fields for any type of sport, including some space set aside just for dueling."
"Good idea," Jessica agreed, "We can play a few friendly games or just relax there."
"And duel," Eric finished.
"Is dueling all you ever think about?" Ashley asked, before eating some sausage.
"No," Eric replied glancing at Jessica, "I think about other things a lot to." David caught the look and flashed him a grin.
As soon as they finished breakfast the four of them headed outside.
"What're we going to play first?" David said.
"Well…" Jessica said looking around, "Anyone up for a game of Volleyball?"
"Sure," Eric replied.
"Yeah," David said, "How about some two-on-two?"
"Fine," Ashley agreed, "And just to make it fair how about boy-girl, boy-girl?" With that thought she grabbed David's wrist and pulled him over to one side of the net. Turning to Jessica and extending his hand Eric said, "Shall we?"
Nodding she replied, "Let's kick their butts."
"Our serve," Ashley called slapping the ball.
"Got it," Jessica called setting it, for Eric to spike over the net.
The game went on peacefully for another twenty minutes and both teams were tied 12 apiece when a solid hit from David caused the ball to soar way out of bounds.
"Whoops!" David said.
"I'll get it," Jessica said. As she bent down to pick up the ball a black shoe stepped onto the ball. Jessica glanced up and wished she hadn't.
"Hey doll," Matt said, "Lookin' for someone?"
"Ugh, get a life Matt," Jessica said. Matt then back-footed the ball behind him to his side-kick.
"What do you say to us getting away from these dorks and having some…fun "
"Yeah…fun," Matt's sidekick Dan chimed in. By this time Eric, David and Ashley had joined Jessica.
"Hey Matt, why don't you just go back to the dumpster you crawled out of?" Eric asked.
Matt's lip curled, "You know what slacker? I've had enough of your lip so take this!" Matt drew his fist back and aimed a punch at Eric's face, but Eric was faster. Grabbing his arm and shoving his leg against Matt's, Eric used the momentum and caused Matt to trip, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Want to try that again, garbage head?" Eric asked. Then he gasped as he was grabbed from behind by Dan.
"I got him!" Dan shouted as Eric struggled against the muscular grip. David then socked Dan in the mouth causing him to momentarily lose his grip, allowing Eric enough time to elbow him in the ribs and stomp on his foot, causing Dan to howl in pain as he alternately rubbed his three sore spots.
"Hey, what's going on here?" a deep voice called out. The group turned to see Harkins walking towards them.
"What's up doc?" Eric said casually, "I'd munch on a carrot, except that I hate them."
"Silence," Harkins commanded.
"Major, these two slackers are out of line so I thought I'd put them in their place," Matt replied while standing up.
"You two," Harkins exclaimed pointing at Eric and David.
"Yes, doc?" Eric replied.
"That's Major Harkins to you slacker," Harkins spat, "Tonight you two will be put up at the arena and will duel in front of the school. If you lose slacker, you will immediately be expelled."
"What?" David exclaimed in shock.
"That's right," Harkins said with an evil grin, "Oh and if you happen to win then good for you
"That's not fair," Ashley protested, "For beating an Obelisk; they should be promoted to Ra." "Silence, slacker or you'll be next." Harkins spat as he turned and walked off.
"See you at the demolition," Matt sneered as he and Dan left.
"Well that sucks," Ashley said.
"Not really," Eric said cracking his knuckles, "I finally get to put that dumbass in his place."
"But what if you lose?" Jessica asked.
"If I lose to that jerk, then I don't belong at Duel Academy anyway," Eric replied.
"The same goes for me," David said.
"By the way, thanks for the assist," Eric said to David.
"No problem. He caught you off guard, that's not cool," David said rubbing his hand, "I think I hurt my hand trying to punch that thick skull of his."
"But at least you didn't get hurt too bad," Ashley said.
"Yeah where did you guys learn to fight like that anyway?" Jessica asked.
"We both took karate lessons from David's uncle when we were younger," Eric replied.
"Anyway come on, let's enjoy the rest of the day and worry about the duel later," David said.
After dinner the four friends headed for the arena.
"We'll cheer for you," Ashley promised as she headed for the stands. Jessica smiled and followed Ashley.
"Man I better not lose. Otherwise I'll never see Jessica and her hot body again," Eric thought.
"You're up first, bro," David said, snapping Eric out of his fantasies. Eric grinned sheepishly and headed for the arena door. He opened the door and was met with a wall of sound. Other students, laughing and talking excitedly about the match. The arena was huge and brightly lit, with students surrounding the center stage on all sides. Eric walked over to one side of the arena to stand across from Matt.
"Where are your bags, slacker? Don't tell me you left them in your Dorm room?" Matt called out.
Ignoring him, Eric looked out at the sea of red, blue, and yellow. He spotted David, who gave him the thumbs up, and next to him Ashley, who waved, and next to her Jessica, who gave Eric a small smile, which boosted his confidence.
"Silence please," Boomed the commanding voice of Harkins, "The duel is about to get underway, and some of you," Harkins glanced over at the school Chancellor, "Believe that the match-up is unfair. But, let me tell you, the Slifer personally volunteered to duel against the top male student from the prep school."
"Liar," Eric thought.
"Now to be fair, the Slifer shall begin so without further ado, let the duel begin!" Harkins bellowed, as the crowd cheered.
"You're dead, slacker!" Matt shouted.
"Let's do it to it!" Eric shouted as both of their life points climbed to 4000.
"Aww, man," Eric thought as he looked at his opening hand, "Not the best hand I could've gotten with so much on the line. Oh well just have to make do" "I'll place a monster in defense mode and one card face-down. Your move," Eric said.
"How pathetic, that's such a lame start," Matt sneered drawing, "Wait until you see my move it'll blow you away. I activate the spell card, Card Destruction, so now..."
"We ditch our hands and draw a new hand," Eric said, "Works for me since my hand wasn't so great anyway."
"Stop interrupting slacker," Matt bellowed as he discarded his hand, and drew five cards, "Thanks to that move I can now special summon two of the Dark World Monsters I discarded."
He raised his hand into the air, "So, without further ado, come forth Sillva, Warlord of Dark World and Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World!" As commanded, the two Dark World fiends rose up onto the field, brandishing their weapons, (Atk-2300 x 2). "I'm far from done since another one of the cards that I discarded happened to be Broww, Huntsman of Dark World, I get to draw an extra card," Matt said doing so.
"Man I hate to say it but he's good," David said.
"Yeah he not only got two heavy hitters out on the first move but he has a full hand as well," Ashley said.
"True, but then again according to Eric he got helped out as well," Jessica said, "Hopefully he can survive this turn to use those cards."
"This time victory will be achieved in one turn, I summon Bronn, Mad King of Dark World in attack mode!" A tall skinny fiend with a crazed look in its eyes appeared on the field. A thick chain was wrapped around its skeletal arms and the monster cackled insanely, (Atk-1800).
"And now just to further humiliate you, I activate the field spell card Mystic Plasma Zone, to raise the attack of all my Dark World monsters by 500," Matt said playing the ominous-looking field spell.
"Ok if he plays that card I am so taking it out my deck," Jessica said.
"Now my mad king, attack his pitiful defense with Dark World Chains! Sillva attack him directly with Blades of Dark World and Goldd finish him off with Axe of Dark World" Matt commanded.
The three demons rushed towards Eric.
"Oh no, he'll lose!" Jessica cried.
Just as Bronn's attack revealed the face-down to be Emerald Turtle, a bright blue flash of light shot out and struck the three monsters in the face causing them to stop dead in their tracks.
"What!" Matt bellowed.
"Sorry to disappoint you Matt," Eric shouted, "But this duel is too much fun for me to just throw in the towel, so I'll activate a handy quick-play spell known as Gem Flash!"
"Nice one," shouted David.
"Yeah, that's what you get for being so reckless," Ashley added.
"Here's how it works, I can only activate it whenever a Gem Beast is in battle, then I'm allowed to place a Gem Beast into my s/t zone as a continuous spell. More importantly, all my Gem Beast Monsters can't be destroyed by battle and I take no battle damage this turn!" Eric said, adding Cobalt Eagle from his deck to his s/t zone, "Eat your heart out you Ostrogoth you."
"Awesome, he saved himself," Jessica said, relieved.
"Grrr fine you survived one turn, but now I place one card face-down. Make your move slacker," Matt growled.
"About time," Eric said drawing, "I summon Gem Beast Sapphire Pegasus to the field in attack mode. And just like always I'll activate his special ability and crystallize a Gem Beast." Eric said looking through his deck. "Now let's see, Ruby and Amethyst are in the grave, Emerald's in defense and Cobalt has been crystallized already. So I'll take this one." Eric thought. "I choose to crystallize my Topaz Tiger," Eric said as the oblong yellow jewel appeared in his s/t zone.
"Time for a change of scenery," Eric continued taking a card from his hand, "I activate a field spell, Ancient City-Rainbow Ruins!" The ominous cloud vanished, to be replaced by the rainbow-laced blue skies of the roman coliseum.
"Next I play Gem Blessing!" A large opaque gemstone appeared on the field. "Here's how it works, I choose two Gem Beasts in my Graveyard and place them in my s/t zone, and I choose Ruby Carbuncle and Amethyst Cat." Eric said as the opaque jewel flashed red and purple, and he added the chosen cards to his s/t zone causing the ruby and amethyst gems to appear on the field.
"Now since I have four gems in my s/t zone my city's fourth effect activates allowing me to draw one card. Now I activate the spell card, Gem Promise, which let..."
"You can special summon a Gem Beast from your s/t zone to the field," Matt spat, "I know what it does, seeing as how you used it before."
"Oh so you were paying attention before," Eric said feigning surprise, "And here I thought your fat head wasn't paying attention, you pithecanthropus."
"What did you just call me, scumbag?" Matt said.
"No I didn't call you scumbag. I should've called you an abecedarian though, since it's obvious that you are one." Eric replied. "Anyway, Thanks to Gem Promise I can special summon Ruby Carbuncle to the field in defense mode," Eric continued as the ruby shattered and the small purple cat appeared on the field.
"Myah!" she said.
"Aaaawwwwww!" all the girls at the assembly said, as ruby curled her tail around herself and went to sleep.
"Its sooo cute," one girl said.
"I know I want it in my deck," another agreed.
"Damn!" David who overheard said, "It's just a cat."
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW!" both girls shouted.
"Gah," David said turning away from the glowering looks on the girls' faces. "Girls," he mumbled, "So mysterious."
"What'd you say David?" Ashley asked.
"Um nothing," David replied sheepishly.
"Now for her ability," Eric said, as Ruby's tail glowed, "I can special summon up to two of the Gem Beast that are crystallized, and I choose Topaz Tiger and Amethyst Cat." The topaz and amethyst gems shattered and the two respected monsters appeared on the field, snarling at Matt.
"Next, I activate the equip spell card known as Gem Release, and I'll equip it to Sapphire Pegasus, increasing his attack by 800!" Eric said as a stream of seven gems floated around Sapphire Pegasus, giving him energy, (Atk-1800-2600).
"Now Sapphire attack that demon," Eric said pointing at Sillva, "Go Sapphire Lightning!" Sapphire Pegasus' horn glowed and fired a bolt of blue energy at the demon obliterating it.
"Ugh," Matt winced.
"I'm far from done," Eric said, "Next Topaz Tiger's going to go hunting for hyenas." The topaz stones about his body glowed, as Topaz snarled raising his attack by 400, then bounded forward and slashed through Bronn, who continued to cackle as he was destroyed.
"Now I activate the special ability of my cat, by cutting her attack in half, she can bypass your fiend and attack you directly," Eric said. The amethyst around her neck glowed and she launched herself into the air. She soared gracefully over Goldd and slashed Matt across the face.
"Nooo, my face," He groaned.
"Next, I'll activate the special ability of my turtle," Eric said as the gems adorning the turtle's shell glowed, "He lets me swap any monster that attacked this turn into defense mode, like Amethyst Cat." Amethyst then curled up and started to snore gently. "Finally, I place one card face-down and end my turn." Eric said. (E-4000. M-2900).
"What a move," Jessica said.
"Yeah, he totally turned this match around," Ashley agreed.
"Rrrrrr, I'll make you pay, slacker and I'll start right now," Matt sneered, "Facedown cards go, first up I activate the trap card; The Forces of Darkness, which allows me to add two Dark World monsters from my graveyard to my hand, and I choose Sillva and Broww. Next I activate the quick-play spell Gateway to Dark World, which allows me to special summon a Dark World monster from my graveyard and I choose Bronn, Mad King of Dark World!" The chuckling, bounded fiend re-appeared on the field.
"Oh great he brought back Mr. Hyde," Jessica said.
"Now I draw," Matt said, "And I activate the powerful spell card Dark World Lightning, which allows me to automatically destroy any face-down card on your side of the field like that trap of yours." A jagged bolt of black lightning sliced down through the air and shattered the card.
"There goes Gem Set," Eric thought slipping the card into the graveyard.
"Now then my spell has another effect, one that requires me to discard a card from my hand, so I'll fulfill that requirement by discarding my Sillva, but don't worry he comes right back," Matt said, as the silver demon returned to the field.
"Man I hate to say this but Matt really knows what he's doing out there," David said, "Even if he is a jerk."
"I'll activate an equip spell of my own and it is way more powerful than your puny gem thing, go Axe of Despair!" A huge wicked looking battle axe fell from the sky and landed in front of Goldd, who eagerly scooped it up, raising its attack by 1000 points, (Atk-2300-3300).
"Now Goldd, crush his stupid pony with the Axe of Despair!" Matt yelled out. The gold-clad demon bellowed and swung the axe at Sapphire Pegasus, shattering through the gems of Gem Release and slashing through Sapphire Pegasus, crystallizing him.
"Urrrggg!" Eric groaned as his life-points decreased. "I activate the second effect of Gem Release. Whenever it's sent from the field to the graveyard I can add a Gem Beast from my deck to my s/t zone and I choose Amber Mammoth." The round amber stone appeared next to the sapphire in his s/t zone.
"Big deal I'm far from through with you, slacker" Matt yelled, "Now Sillva, destroy his tiger with Blades of Dark World!" The demon slashed clean through topaz, crystallizing him.
"I activate the second effect of my city," Eric cried, "Once per turn, whenever I have two or more crystallized Gem Beasts I can halve the battle damage from one attack."
"Fine I don't care, now Bronn destroy that cat," Matt commanded, as the cackling fiend lashed its chains at Amethyst crystallizing her.
"I'll end my turn," Matt said. (E-3650. M-2900).
"I'm going to need something powerful to turn this around," Eric thought as he drew, "For starters, thanks to my city I can draw another card. Then since I have five crystallized Gem Beasts, I can activate my City's fifth effect which allows me to special summon one crystallized Gem to the field and I choose Amethyst Cat!" The Rainbow overhead glowed and the Amethyst gem shattered and Amethyst Cat appeared on the field growling at Matt.
"Why'd he choose that?" Ashley wondered.
"Yeah Sapphire or Topaz would've been stronger," Jessica said looking at David.
"It's a strategy?" David shrugged, "All I know is, with Eric you can never be too sure what he's thinking, but whenever he tries something it almost always works."
"I activate, Amethyst's ability, so she can attack you directly, go Amethyst Pounce!" Eric said. Once again, Amethyst leaped across the field to slash Matt across the face. That was something worth remembering seeing Matt squirm from the attacks from that cat.
"Next I'll activate my Turtle's effect to switch Amethyst Cat to defense mode again, and then I place a monster in defense mode to end my turn." (E-3650. M-2300).
"Time to lose slacker," Matt said drawing, "And with this card that will be all too easy. I activate Lightning Vortex, your garbage monsters are gone."
"I don't think so," Eric said, "And to prove that my monsters are not garbage, I activate the third effect of my City, which allows me to negate the activation of any spell or trap by offering up one Gem Beast monster, like my Ruby Carbuncle, too bad for you."
"No!" Matt groaned as the card fizzled out, "You'll pay for this, now I activate Pot of Greed." Ignoring the chuckling pot Matt snatched two cards off the top of his deck.
"Next I'll summon Broww, Huntsman of Dark World to the field." The crossbow-wielding fiend appeared on the field. "Now go Sillva, slice through that turtle and Broww, get rid of that annoying cat with Dark World Arrow!" Matt yelled.
"I choose to crystallize my Amethyst Cat," Eric announced as the Amethyst re-appeared in his s/t zone again.
"Fine, Bronn, get rid of that face-down card," Matt ordered. The cackling fiend again lashed his chains at the face down monster.
"What's that?" Matt asked seeing something pink stuck to the fiend's chains.
"Oh that?" Eric said, "The monster you just attacked is known as Marshmallon and his special ability prevents him from being destroyed in battle, pretty cool, right?"
"Nice save, bro!" David shouted.
"I didn't know he had that in his deck," Ashley said.
"Yep Eric has at least one monster from just about every type in his deck," David replied.
"Wow talk about a Swiss-army knife," Jessica commented.
"HOW DARE YOU MOCK ME," Matt bellowed, "I AM THE BEST DUELIST IN THIS SCHOOL AND YOU HALT MY DARK WORLD ARMY WITH THAT ANNOYING LITTLE GUMDROP?"
"Yes I do, and just to piss you off even more, Marshmallon has another special ability, when it was attacked, you automatically lost 1000 life points," Eric said.
"Rrrrrr!" Matt roared as his score dropped to 1300.
"I swear I'll make you pay for this, slacker!" Matt shouted, "I play Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Carbuncle and finally I place one card face-down and end my turn."
"Seems Matt is getting a little pissed," Ashley commented, "While Eric is keeping his cool."
"Well, yeah, Matt is pissed because he thinks that since he's an Obelisk Blue and outranks Eric who's only a Slifer Red, he should easily win," Jessica said, "But Eric knows that colors don't mean anything, he's just out there having a blast crushing that jerk and watching him squirm."
"My draw," Eric said, "And since I have four crystallized Gem Beasts, I draw again. Good, now I can wrap up this duel. I activate my own Lightning Vortex."
"Oh, yeah?" Matt bellowed, "Your spell card triggered my face-down card; Dark Deal! Take that Slacker!"
"Oh no," Eric said.
"Oh no," David echoed from up in the stands.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Ashley asked.
"Now by paying 1000 life-points, the effect of Lightning Vortex now becomes for me to discard one card in my hand," Matt said gleefully, "And since I only have one, I'll discard it. Now its effect activates. Since it was sent to my graveyard by your card effect it is reborn. Arise all-powerful, Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World!"
From the depth of the darkness, rose the biggest and most feared monster from the Dark World. It was a massive fiend with a skeletal face with curved horns and gripping a vicious looking two-pronged spear. Its body glowed with multi-colors of a dark rainbow, (Atk-2500). The other Dark World monsters on Matt's side of the field bowed before their master, while Matt laughed evilly.
"Oh my gosh," Ashley gasped.
"Now for his effect," Matt bellowed, "When summoned this way he automatically destroys every monster or s/t on your side of the field, and I choose s/ts. Kiss your city good-bye."
"Sorry to disappoint you, but thanks to my city's first effect, it won't be destroyed," Eric said.
"Big deal," Matt jeered, "Without your gems the city's powerless, just like you. Go Overlord, put that Slifer slime in his place!" Reign-Beaux roared and jagged black lightning bolts shot forth and vaporized all of the gems in Eric's s/t zone.
"Hmmm, I wonder why Matt did that," David said, "Destroying Marshmallon would've been the smarter move."
"Maybe he's got a trick up his sleeve," Jessica said. "Finish your move, Slacker so that I can end this," Matt ordered.
"I'll place one card face-down and end my turn," Eric said.
"Your enrollment at this school ends here," Matt growled drawing, "I play Fissure to destroy your annoying monster!" Marshmallon shattered. "Now my monsters, tear him to pieces!" Matt shouted.
"I activate Scapegoat!" Eric shouted as the four multi-colored sheep tokens materialized on the field.
"God damn it!" Matt shouted, stomping his foot in frustration.
"Whew, man this duel is too tense," Ashley said.
"Broww, Bronn, Sillva, Reign-Beaux, eliminate those goats, and Goldd strike him down," Matt shouted.
"Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!" Eric shouted as the demon swiped at its axe at Eric, causing his life-points to plummet to a mere 350.
"Ha ha ha ha. One turn to go," Matt yelled.
"Eric, no," Jessica whispered.
"This is it, time to find out if I really do belong here," Eric thought as he drew his card. "Well, what do you know it looks like I do," Eric grinned.
"Time to put your ass in its place," Eric said to Matt.
"Come off it," Matt jeered, "What could you have drawn that could save you?"
"The most powerful monster in my deck," Eric replied, "I summon the mighty Rainbow Dragon!"
"Yes!" David shouted, as the field was showered with a rainbow of colors. This was followed by the descent of an enormous dragon. The dragon's body was covered with large silver scales. Two huge and powerful turquoise wings sprouted from its back, and seven gems glowed along its serpent-like body, (Atk-4000).
"4000!" Jessica and Ashley cried together.
"NO!" Matt shouted as he gazed transfixed at the great monster.
"Oh yeah, go Rainbow Dragon put that jerk in his place once and for all," Eric said, "Attack that 'overlord' with Rainbow Aura Blast!" The great dragon roared, and fired an enormous rainbow-colored energy blast from its mouth, obliterating Reign-Beaux.
"NOOOOOOOO!" Matt shrieked as his life-points fell to zero. The crowd was filled with stunned silence. And then like a bomb had been dropped the arena burst into applause.
"Way to go, bro," David said running up to Eric with the girls close behind.
"That was amazing," Ashley said.
"I'm so glad you won," Jessica said, beaming.
"Thanks guys," Eric said, "Your turn bro. Crush Dan so we have two reasons to celebrate tonight," Eric said to David.
"You bet," David replied.
"How did that slacker win?" Harkins thought, "No matter the other Slacker still has his duel and the chances of him winning are one in infinity."
To Be Continued…