Chapter 21: The Ultimate Forbidden Card
Area duels happened every other day on campus. From 1:25 p.m. to 2:55 every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during every semester, no one had classes on their schedules. That time was given to area duels in hopes that students would attend the duels and learn from observing one another. Attendance at the duels was not always required, but some classes had certain requirements as part of the grade; for example, Advanced Duel Techniques required attendance at thirty area duels per semester. Duels occurred at any of the three dorms, depending on the participants.
On this particular Wednesday afternoon, Matthew Luther finally accepted a duel against Naoto Kurotsuki in the Tsuji Arena of the Blue Mansion. The duel was only slightly better hyped than the average area duels—on account of college students being lazy no matter who's dueling—but the crowd was more diverse. It turns out many of the freshmen in Dr. West's class liked Matt as a teaching assistant and wanted to support him as he faced the duelist currently ranked No. 3 in the school.
"Any chance Naoto wins this?" Kenny asked Bryan.
All Bryan could ask was, "Why are you still wearing that stupid hat?" It wasn't terrible that Kenny would wear a cowboy hat, but this one was big enough to cover Connecticut when it rains. "Are you planning to collect the rain tonight in your hat and use it to irrigate an entire third world country?"
"I like it," Kenny said as he pulled the hat forward slightly. "Seriously, though. What are the odds?"
Bryan scoffed amusedly. "I don't gamble on these duels anymore."
Thomas Estrada, Kasumi's ex-boyfriend and Matt's "number one fan," leaned in and offered Kenny, "I'll give you three to one Naoto beats the crap out of him."
"You're crazy," Bryan immediately replied. "Matt's favored one-point-five to one."
"That low?"
"Well…" Bryan had to admit that, from a serious oddsmaking standpoint, Naoto had a good chance of winning. He was skilled, aggressive, and ran an instant win deck. At the end of every semester, the duelist with the most wins in recorded duels wins a prize; Naoto had the most wins by a fifty-duel margin. Matt had the highest win percentage, but Naoto competed in almost triple the number of duels.
And even though Matt could probably win with a pack of Uno cards, he was still in the rebuilding phase with his deck. Two times out of three, Matt would win a duel against Naoto. But thirty percent was a significant number, and certainly not odds to sneeze at.
Wearing his long, navy-blue trench coat in place of an official Academy jacket and a Duel Disk bearing the logo of the Denkard Hotel and Casino, Matt took the first turn.
"I'll set a monster and end my turn."
Naoto wouldn't care no matter what Matt played. "I will activate Card Destruction." Both players discarded their hands and drew new cards, giving Naoto a better variety to work with. "When I send all monsters in my Graveyard back to the deck, I can summon Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord." The god-like beast that emerged on the field wore an enormous, black, iron breastplate that matched the shackles around his wrists and ankles, and an elaborate, Egyptian headdress adorned its head. His body was developed perfectly to accent every individual muscle fiber.
"Oh, this won't be good," Matt decided.
But that wasn't the worst of it. Naoto earned some notable rare cards in his prize last semester, and he also picked up a few new tricks.
"By discarding Luster Dragon (4), Vorse Raider (4), and Gemini Elf (4), I can summon Montage Dragon (8/+3600/0)." The emerging monster was almost as big as Exodius. Its blue scales shimmered over its beige underside, and its claws were massively oversized for its thin arms. This Montage of monsters had three heads, each with a bone crest over its forehead, and an enormous tail to counter the extra weight. "This dragon gains 300 attack for every level of the monsters I discarded."
"Wonderful," Matt said dryly. "It wouldn't be an official duel unless I took a really big hit on the first turn."
Naoto simply nodded—the same response a lot of people had to Matt's humor. "Don't forget; Exodius (+3000) gains 1000 points for each Normal monster in my Graveyard. And now I will make Exodius attack your monster. The act of declaring an attack lets me send Left Arm of the Forbidden One to the Grave."
"You beat my Giant Rat (1450) even without the extra 1000 points." Exodius's (+4000) mighty fist slammed into Matt's accurately-named giant rat and crushed it. "On the upside, Giant Rat summons another monster to take his place." He chose a second Giant Rat (4/1400/1450), but this one was in attack mode.
"Then allow my Montage Dragon to destroy this Rat." The dragon wrapped up the rat in its massive claws and then devoured it. This time, the Giant Rat summoned the Exiled Force (4/1000/1000), a group of five men armed with only basic armaments. "I will set two cards and end my turn."
Matt 8000 – 2200 = 5800: Naoto 8000.
"You're really trying to make this tough on me, aren't you?" Matt joked. Naoto wasn't interested in responding, though; he wasn't falling into Matt's psychological trap. "Okay. Not into chatting while we duel, are you?"
"I am not." Matt just grinned in reply. Naoto wasn't perfectly withheld, as evidenced by the fact that he still answered questions.
"Fair enough. I'll send Exiled Force to the Graveyard to activate their effect: Montage Dragon is destroyed." Each member of the five-man squad attacked Montage Dragon from a different angle, planting explosives that destroyed the dragon at the cost of their own lives. "Now that my field is empty, I can summon Cyber Dragon (5/2100/1600)," a serpentine dragon composed of metal that was often seen on Matt's field. "I'll activate Premature Burial to revive the Exiled Force (1000)… and I have to send them to the Graveyard again."
"Dark Illusion activates," Naoto announced. A small, black phantom appeared on the field and intercepted the Exiled Force. Instead of being destroyed by their attacks, the phantom simply disappeared with them. "It negates an effect that targets a dark monster on my field."
"That sucks a lot," Matt admitted. Now Cyber Dragon was pretty helpless. "I'll set two cards and end my turn."
Matt 5800 – 800 = 5000: Naoto 8000.
As Naoto drew his card, he couldn't help letting the slightest of smiles peek from the corner of his mouth. "I will send Exodius (+5000) to attack your Cyber Dragon (2100)." He sent the Right Arm of the Forbidden One from his deck to the Graveyard to increase Exodius's power.
"I'll activate Mirror Force." A reflective barrier popped up between Exodius and Cyber Dragon, preventing the mighty fist from moving any closer. "It negates your attack and destroys your monster."
"I'll play My Body as a Shield," Naoto countered. A hologram of a human body with a resemblance to a generic Duel Academy student appeared in front of the Mirror Force and tapped the wall, ready to destroy it. "It negates and destroys your Trap."
"Didn't see that coming," Matt replied. "I'll play my other card. I hope you're paying attention because this one spends a lot of time on the Forbidden Cards list." A man appeared on Matt's field wearing regal robes of white and red, gold jewelry, an ornate crown, and a full beard upon his face. By simply holding his arm forward, the human shape that protected Exodius from the Mirror Force wall began to falter and cringe. "Imperial Judgment negates the effects of all Spell Cards as long as it remains on the field."
Naoto's expression turned to shock and frustration. "Fine!" he snapped. "I'll use a Trap to beat you." As he activated his other facedown card, a stone brace—marked by eight grenades—surrounded Exodius's neck. "If my monster will be destroyed either way, Ring of Destruction will make sure it's done my way." One grenade burst and began the chain reaction that caused all eight grenades to explode, destroying Exodius and covering the field in fire and debris.
When the holographic dust cleared and a bunch of smartasses in the audience stopped pretending to choke on it, Naoto stood with a smirk on his face and watched both Life Point counters drop with incredible speed.
"That ends my turn."
Matt 5000 – 5000 = 0: Naoto 8000 – 1500 – 5000 = 1500.
It took a minute for everyone to realize that Naoto just won. Everyone claimed they knew how to beat Matt in a duel, but in the backs of their minds, everyone also thought Matt really was unbeatable. Naoto knew Matt would be a thoroughly challenging opponent, and so he designed his deck to hit hard and fast.
"Well, this is an exciting turn of events," announced Dr. Houtz.
Dr. Gabrielle Houtz was faculty advisor to the Yellow Dorm, but she was the moderator for the duels in the Tsuji arena today. She always had a smile on her face, but that was really not the first thing people noticed about her. Her appearance was difficult to mistake: She wore her jacket open in the front, revealing her black blouse and skirt and the fishnet pantyhose she wore underneath; her boots were knee-high; and her hair—dyed black—was pulled into pigtails. Her voice had a certain rasp to it—more of a Barbara Stanwyc voice than a chronic smoker's voice.
"It is official," Dr. Houtz announced. "We have a new No. 1 duelist at Duel Academy. Congratulations!"
Naoto tried not to look too proud. He straightened his white jacket and ran his fingers through his deep blue hair to preen himself for adulation. "Thank you." Extending a hand toward Matt and trying not to smirk, he said, "That was a good duel."
"Yeah" Matt said with genuine sincerity. "A quick one, too. I really didn't put up much of a fight at all."
"I just prepared better this time," Naoto said, now in false modesty mode. "Perhaps if we have a rematch, you will win the next time." Those were his words, but as a mental afterthought, he added, 'Fat chance.'
"You can bet there will be a rematch," Matt assured him. "Just as soon as I figure out what I want to do with my deck."
Dr. Houtz shook both duelists' hands—crossing her arms across her body to do so—and said, "Good. Then we'll look forward to another duel." With a puzzled look toward Matt, she added, "Although I'm a little surprised. You don't seem like nearly as big a threat as Kevin made you out to be."
She was referring to Dr. Kevin Lankford, the faculty advisor to the Blue Mansion. "What does that mean?" Matt wondered. "Why would he say I'm a threat?"
"After a duel like that, I don't know," Dr. Houtz replied with a shrug. She quickly realized how her words sounded and became socially defensive. "Not that you played a bad duel. It's just that Naoto was better, and Kevin made it sound like you were magic or something."
"I'm definitely not magic," Matt promised, "but I'm usually a little better than that."
"That's because he's rebuilding his deck right now." The interruption came from Bryan, whose reaction to Matt's loss was blown much more out of proportion than was necessary. He looked as flushed as if he were the one who just lost. "Matt's deck isn't up to its usual stuff right now."
"Bro," Matt uttered, hoping to calm his best friend before he made a scene.
"Seriously. He gave away his deck last summer to his little sister—I'm still not sure why—but then I gave away a bunch of his cards and he's been struggling to find a cohesive theme since then. So Naoto didn't beat the real Matt; he beat the fake, not-tournament-ready Matt."
"Dude. A win's a win," Matt said. "It's no big deal. I earned the No. 1 spot before; I'll earn it back."
"That's the spirit!" Dr. Houtz nearly shouted. "Now you boys go sit down and we'll get the next duel under way."
Naoto calmly walked off the stage and into the seats, taking one in the far corner of the front row. The arena seats weren't full, and most students tended to fill the back rows first, meaning Naoto had plenty of elbow room. He liked being Number 1, but it was for personal pride and not for glory and appreciation; he didn't want anyone to share his excitement with.
As the next two duelists walked on stage and Dr. Houtz programmed the stage projectors for their Duel Disks, Naoto felt a stabbing pain surge through his body. He cringed softly and reached inside his jacket to grip his chest.
February saw the end of the snow on Academy Island and brought slightly less chilly air temperatures. It was the kind of weather where people put on a heavy jacket and take a walk in the brisk, clear, winter air. It was the day after a rain, and so the moisture in the air felt much more pleasant, as well. With his chest pain still bugging him, Naoto hoped getting some fresh air would help his pain; going into the woods was a way to avoid being seen.
Naoto didn't always have this problem. It only started since he began playing Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord.
During the summer before Naoto entered high school, Naoto's grandfather received two VIP tickets to a high-profile Duel Monsters tournament and took Naoto as his guest. Being so close to the duels was exciting, but even more exhilarating was the chance to meet the participating duelists at the follow-up reception. Of the top ten finishers, five were Japanese, four were American, but the overall winner was British. He was a quiet man who showed very little emotion—he was neutral at all times. He looked so cool even though he dueled in a suit and tie. When he dueled, he never flinched or winced when his opponents attacked him or took the lead. He finally overwhelmed them with Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord.
Everyone with VIP tickets had the opportunity to speak and get takes pictures with the tournament winner. When it was Naoto's turn, shy as he was, he couldn't help telling the man:
"I have Exodia."
"Do you?" the champ replied lightly. "Rare card."
"He's my favorite."
The champ's assistant readied the camera to photograph Naoto and his grandfather, and the champ very suddenly surprised Naoto by handing him Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord.
"Keep it," he said. "But be aware. There are stories that the spirit of the real Exodia lives inside that card."
"Really?"
He nodded. "I hear his voice when I play that card. Maybe you can, too."
Excited over the idea of owning a magic card, Naoto kept Exodius in his deck ever since that day. He was long since aware that the secret of Exodius is what caused his pain. Despite all that, he couldn't bring himself to throw it out. He only wondered if he would ever see the champ again.
A rustling in the trees startled Naoto. "Who's there?"
"No one," was the ironic response. A shorter man with jet black hair and dressed in a black Academy jacket stepped through the trees. He didn't say anything more; he just leaned against a tree and looked in Naoto's direction.
"Matt? Why is your hair black?"
"Everyone thinks I'm Matt," Nigredo moaned. "I guess I should feel lucky they think of me at all."
Naoto was confused. "What are you doing out here?"
Nigredo shrugged. "Sometimes I just stand out here and wonder, 'Why?' Sometimes I think, 'Wherefore?' or even 'Inasmuch as which?' And sometimes, I don't think anything at all."
"How can you think nothing?"
"I just stop thinking about one thing and don't start thinking about another."
"Okay." Naoto rubbed his jacket breast to soothe his pain. "If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone. Would you please leave?"
"Exodius is calling me," Nigredo said eerily. "I can't leave until we duel. Although I admit this dueling stuff—cards and such—is rather silly. There's not much in it." When he lifted his arm, he revealed that he wore an active Duel Disk. "If you'll duel me, I can leave you alone."
Naoto felt another shot through his chest. "I am really not in the mood for a rematch so soon. Perhaps later."
"The Nigredo desires Exodius. I can't leave without it."
Suddenly the wind kicked up—the kind of cold air that chills straight to the bone. Naoto recognized an omen when he saw it. He pushed through the pain and stood to face his awkward opponent. He felt his own arrogance begin to fade as he felt the energy coming from this man who was clearly not Matt. "Okay."
"I might as well start," Nigredo suggest as he drew his cards. "I'll just put a monster in defense mode and set one card."
Naoto eyed his opponent carefully. He was still feeling the effects of his earlier duel, but he received a strange feeling from Nigredo that compelled him to play. And so, he drew his opening hand.
"I will summon Gene-Warped Warwolf (4/2000/100)." This monster was a genetically mutilated wolf—like a four-armed, human-wolf hybrid with hair covering its back and pleated skirts for armor. "Attack your monster." The Warwolf pummeled the facedown monster, which turned into a big, oozing pile of mud.
"You flipped Worm Jetelikpse (3/1200/0)." Suddenly a tube appeared on the field, filled with a viscous liquid clear enough to display the brain of an alien. The tube opened, and tentacles sprouted from the brain and wrapped up the Warwolf. "I'll activate Alien Brain. Because you destroyed my monster, I get to take control of your monster and turn it into a reptile-type."
Naoto didn't like that setup. "I will set one card."
Before his turn fully ended, a big pile of mud appeared on Nigredo's field. A yellow, insect-like face poked out. "During the turn Worm Jetelikpse is flipped and destroyed, I can summon it back to the field," Nigredo explained. That only increased Naoto's concern over the condition of the field.
"And now it's my turn." Nigredo drew and Naoto felt a shock in his chest. He was now very aware that the strange energy coming from Nigredo came specifically from that card. And he was right to worry: "I'll activate Transmutation Circle – Nigredo." An enormous rush of energy spread from Nigredo's Duel Disk in the form of a black circle, encompassing the dueling field and locking both players into a battle.
"What is this energy?" Naoto uttered.
Nigredo's eyes showed surprise. "You can sense the power of the Transmutation Circle? That's impressive. I probably couldn't do it if I weren't born from one. I guess you're probably stronger than I am."
"We will see, won't we?"
"I guess you'll be disappointed to hear that you have to take the top card on your deck and remove it from play." He picked up his own top card and showed Worm King. "I do, too."
Naoto lifted his top card, but he didn't have to look to know what it was. The moment he touched it, he felt the pain resurge in his chest. It was Exodia the Forbidden One. "It is just as well. I may get injured if I play this card."
"Accidents are funny things. You never have them until you have them." Wise, Yogi Berra-like words from Nigredo. "But receiving power from the Shadow Realm isn't really an accident. It's something you do all the time."
"What do you mean?"
He pointed to Naoto's card. "I might be wrong, but that Exodius you use has a piece of God sealed within it. You're only human, though, so it hurts when Exodius talks to you. It was the same when the God Cards started to wake up."
Naoto wasn't sure what to say. He didn't go through the Shadow Realm experience last year, and so Nigredo's words sounded like hocus pocus nonsense. "How would you know that Exodius hurts me?"
"Why do you think the Nigredo wants him? Both our cards become sacrifices offered to give power to the Transmutation Circle, but Exodius is an even greater source of power than Worm King."
"What is that card?" he asked, motioning to the black circle. "Why does it need so much power?"
"No one tells me anything. I just feel what to do. Like now, I just feel like I should Tribute my Worm Jetelikpse to set a monster in defense mode. Then your Warwolf (2000) can attack you." The Warwolf lunged and pummeled all four arms into Naoto. Despite the holographic technology, Naoto felt a painful surge in complete timing with the attack. "Now I can't think of any better move to make than to play Future Fusion; it lets me send six of my Worms from the deck to the Graveyard and start the fusion process to be completed at a later date." A green aura began whirling on the field, having no impact on anything around it.
Naoto 8000 – 2000 = 6000: Nigredo 8000.
This was not an ideal situation for Naoto, but he built his deck to win even without Exodia. "I'll set one monster, and then I will set another card on the field."
"Okay. I'll Tribute your Warwolf so I can summon Worm Prince (6/2200/400)." The monster that appeared was a large, humanoid alien-looking creature with a red exoskeleton, horns on its head and back, and a real mean look its face. "It will now attack your monster." The creature lumbered forward and grabbed the facedown monster, which turned into a pink blob with a goofy, upside-down face.
"Marshmallon (3/300/500) isn't destroyed by battle. And for attacking it when facedown, you take 1000 points of damage."
"I knew it was a trap," Nigredo moaned, "but I fell for it, anyway. And now my Worm Prince is going to destroy itself because I don't have another Worm on the field. My turn has to end."
Naoto 6000: Nigredo 8000 – 1000 = 7000.
"I'll summon Tune Warrior (3/1600/200)." This monster was a lanky warrior that resembled a red splitter, with electronic jacks for hands and antennae on his head. "By tuning my two monsters together, I can summon Goyo Guardian (6/2800/2000)." Tune Warrior plugged his arms into Marshmallon's back, and the two monsters turned white as electrical currents surrounded them; when the energy subsided, their bodies had merged into a warrior wearing kabuki clothes and wielding a jutte with a rope tied to the end. This monster was Naoto's second rarest card, and arguably his most powerful. "I will attack your monster."
The jutte connected directly with a blue-bug-like humanoid as it flipped face-up and its exoskeleton cracked. "You attacked Worm Noble (6/1500/2400). You did destroy it, but it's going to inflict damage equal to half your monster's points." The cracked Worm Noble emitted a noxious gas before it disappeared.
Naoto waited until the fumes faded to reveal the real power of his monster. "Whenever Goyo Guardian destroys a monster, he takes control of that monster and summons it to my field in defense mode." Worm Noble's (2400) blue body reappeared on the field, but this time in defense mode in front of Naoto.
Suddenly Goyo Guardian's body turned black from the toes up, and his body turned to ash.
"What in the world just happened?" Naoto asked as he gripped his chest with another pain.
"Nigredo happened." He pointed to the Transmutation Circle. "During your End Phases, it destroys any monsters that battled and inflicts their points as damage to the controller."
"Why was your monster not destroyed last time?"
"The blackening process is fickle. It only activates on your turn."
Naoto 6000 – 1400 – 2800 = 1800: Nigredo 7000.
Naoto was a little concerned now. This duelist was nothing like the Matt he dueled just an hour ago. How could anyone compete with a card that destroys any attacking monster and deals damage depending on the monster's strength? He simply had to cling to his pride; he defeated Matt, who was previously thought to be invincible, and he would defeat this Nigredo.
"It's a good thing Future Fusion activates again," Nigredo said, "because I don't know what else to play." The green energy turned into a portal that connected to the Fusion Deck. "All those worms I discard turned into Worm Zero (10/+3000/0)." The bodies of six, colorful Worms rose high into the arena air, collecting into one, colossal mass. "Some people call it Zero: the Worm Planet. It gains 500 points for each Worm fused."
"I already jumped to that conclusion."
"I'm not surprised. You're much better than I am. Anyway, Worm Zero has lots of effects. It includes more than two Worms, so I can set a Worm from my Graveyard on the field. It includes more than four Worms, so I get to remove a Worm in my Graveyard from play to destroy the Worm Noble you took from me. It includes six Worms, so I also get to draw a card." He looked at his hand for a moment with a clueless expression. "I don't really know how to use these, so I'll play Card Destruction to get a new hand." After he replaced his hand, he saw, "I think that's better. I still get a Normal summon, don't I? I'll put one face down. But I guess if Worm Zero hits you, that will end the duel."
"It might," Naoto admitted, "if it works. I'll activate Soul Resurrection; it revives my Battle Footballer (4/1000/2100) in defense mode." A demon bearing football pads appeared on the field and blocked the debris that fell from the Worm planet. Unfortunately, there was too much debris and Battle Footballer was destroyed.
"I don't get to attack again. I guess I'll end my turn."
Naoto knew as well as anyone that play was just a stall; he'd need something more substantial if he wanted to beat that floating body of Worms. Even Exodius in his hand wasn't able to bring a win.
He placed his hand on his deck and felt powerful warmth in his fingers, and the pain in his chest subsided. He looked at the card, and even though it was one he never saw before, he felt like it was familiar. He read the effect of the card, and he knew immediately what to do.
"I'll summon Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord (10/0/0)!" The massive form of the young Exodia emerged on the field in a blaze of fire. Though he had no attack points, his presence was still a powerful one. "All the monsters in my Graveyard are returned to my deck to summon him, but I need monsters in the Graveyard to make Exodius strong."
"It is one of life's ironies," Nigredo admitted. "Actually, irony is more the norm than the exception, so I guess life is only strange when it's straightforward."
"You think straightforward is odd? Then you might enjoy this card: Elixir of Life!" A vial of red water appeared in Exodius's hand; the massive Egyptian threw back his head and chugged the vial. His body began to shine. "Equipped with this, let's see how well Exodius (+1000) attacks Worm Zero (3000)." As Exodius moved, his left arm appeared to turn gold in coordination with Naoto's sending Left Arm of the Forbidden One to the Graveyard.
"I knew it was too good to last," Nigredo moaned. Despite the size of Exodius's fist, Worm Zero resisted the force with minimal damage. Exodius simply retreated to Naoto's side of the field and waited for his next turn. "I knew it. That card chose you."
"I don't know where this card came from," Naoto admitted, "but Elixir of Life negates any Battle Damage to the equipped monster. I'll set one card and end my turn."
As it hovered in the sky, Worm Zero began to blacken and decay and turn to ash. "The effect of your Transmutation Circle activates during my End Phase, does it not? Against any monster who battled and is not protected by the Elixir of Life?"
"It's true," Nigredo said. "Even my monsters are susceptible to Nigredo. It's just rare that someone sacrifices a monster to hurt me."
Naoto 1800: Nigredo 7000 – 3000 = 4000.
"There isn't much I can do," Nigredo admitted. "I can only flip up Worm Victory (7/+5000/2500)." This nearly ultimate Worm monster had a heavy, red exoskeleton, a V-shaped face, and six, muscular arms, each with two fingers held up in the symbol for 'victory.' Victory leapt across the field and pummeled Exodius. "When Victory is summoned, he destroys all monsters that aren't Worms."
"Except Exodius," Naoto argued. "The Elixir of Life keeps him healthy and young. And he will still suffer no ill effects in battle."
"I know. But I also know that Elixir of Life will only last for two turns. You need to make the next one count."
He was right. Exodius only had one more turn before the effects of Elixir of Life turned negative. Naoto had to make this turn count. It just depended on what card he drew…
"Activate Escape from the Dark Dimension." A wormhole opened up on the field, and the head of Exodia the Forbidden One (3/1000/1000) emerged on the field. "I'll also chain Compulsory Evacuation Device to return Exodia to my hand. Finally, I'll pay 1000 Life Points to activate Diffusion Wave-Motion; now Exodius (10) can attack all the monsters on your field."
Exodius (+2000) lunged and slammed his golden, right arm into Worm Victory's (5000) chest, but the Worm was not destroyed. And so Exodius (+3000) tried again, this time gaining some speed from his golden left leg. When Worm Victory still didn't fall, Exodius (+4000) tried again with a boost from his golden right leg. Exodius tried one more time—his entire headdress turning gold this time.
While Exodius's points didn't rise, his body began to burn brightly and his overall power skyrocketed. The palm of each of his hands began to shine with a light that was blinding, yet comforting and mesmerizing. Exodius brought his two palms together, and the light expanded until it consumed the entire area.
Naoto 1800 - 1000 = 800: Nigredo 4000 - AUTO-LOSE = 0.
Exodius gazed at the opponent's empty field, but Naoto only cared to see the Duel Disk read "YOU WIN." He glanced at the hologram of Exodius with pleasure, but then he suddenly felt a powerful tightness in his chest. From the corner of his eye, he saw Exodius's eyes look in his direction and turn scarlet in hue.
"You've finally been pushed too far, have you?"
As a wave of lightheadedness and pain washed over him, Naoto fell to his knees, and slowly he lost consciousness entirely.
That was fun. Just a little bit more information about Matt's look-alike. We'll get a little more in a few chapters. And a little tidbit about Naoto that Kurotsuki Haru suggested and I elaborated.
Quick trivia question: Who are the other two successful duelists in my Duel Academy who played Exodia-based cards? If you want to answer, send it through PM. The winner gets kudos (not the candy bar) and maybe a chance to invent some cards for the story.
For your reference, here is today's made-up card:
Elixir of Life
Equip Spell Card
"During your second Standby Phase after this card's activation, remove this card and the equipped monster from play. The equipped monster on your side of the field cannot be destroyed and you take zero Battle Damage from battles involving this card."
I also used an altered effect for Diffusion Wave-Motion (on purpose):
Diffusion Wave-Motion
Spell Card
"Pay 1000 Life Points to select 1 Level 7 or higher Spellcaster on your side of the field. The selected monster may attack as long as your opponent has a monster on the field (up to 5 attacks). Other monsters you control cannot attack this turn."
The next chapter will be a social one, and, I hope, a lot of fun. Something happens that brings Matt and Rory closer than he intended; find out exactly what Kasumi thinks of that. Let's just suggest it ends with Kasumi finding someone tall, dark, and spooky.
Credits:
Darius Mantzios...tiramisu19
Jason Maxim...Maxim and Knight
Nathan Zislaw...Mavrik Zero
Hillary Delaney...Nodqfan144
Lili Von...Happy2BMe
Carter Jade...Jaden2010
Mitsuro Itachu...Titanic X
Sean Bivins...DarkVestroia2
Naoto Kurotsuki...Kurotsuki Haru
Hayley Wilson...TeamRocketDiva
Maikeru Stone...onyxshade7
Victor Rocks & Abel Shinzou...Iron-Arm-V
Alister Kazama & Jessica Parks...ZaneKazama001
Synthia Spencer...Madly Chessur
Leila & Linear Lockhart...Windraider
Romulus Malligan...Maximus1
Logan Wilson...MercWithTheMouth13
Everyone else so far...YamiRuss