Boss Rush
XLII: A Feint Plan
For a televised tournament, there was still a fair crowd about in the bloody Kaiba Dome, of all places. There were fans yelling, cheering and waving, either their hands, clappers or billboards out. The excitement was at a fever-pitch, especially at this tournament.
"Everybody listen!" the Master of Ceremonies was screaming his lungs out. "Today we have the Stygian Dirge Team Duel Tournament, sponsored by Kaiba Corporation! In this tournament, sixteen students of Duel Academia prove their dedication by competing against each other in a stunning display of Dueling! I am the Master of Ceremonies, and I will be commentating in this tournament of the Duel world's future stars with my son! Introducing my co-commentator, Master of Ceremonies II!"
"Dad! At least call me Ren!"
"Introducing, the match-ups for the semi-finals! In Block A, Team Black Knights versus Team Underworld! The Knights of DA Kings will be taking on one of the two all-pro teams on the Duel circuits, consisting of Steve Sirocco, Justin Aquila and Drake Lancaster from the United States of America!"
Ryuusei frowned as Rex and Chase cheered, and amongst Team Underworld, Drake smirked.
"The second match in Block A, the next all-pro Team Conflagration against Team Cold Flame!"
Tsugare bit down on his bottom lip as he spotted Koichi in the line-up. In another private room, Koichi swallowed.
"In Block B, we have Team Berserker all the way from America, versus Duel Academia's Team Revolution!"
Alexianna began muttering curses under her breath as she studied the profiles of Anna, Rose and Rick. "This might be tough."
"We'll get through." Takeshi grumbled. "Thank the gods Sensei could arrange these things..."
"Last match of Block B, the infamous Team Night Sky versus Team Illusion! The match-up of the Ladies from DA Queens against the other all-girls team promises a spectacular showdown!"
In a corner of the stadium, the all-girl teams smirked, glaring at each other. Setsuka herself stayed well out of the hostility showdown, though she paid more attention to the screen then.
No sponsors available here, Ryuusei reminded himself. Though such tournaments invariably generated revenue from advertisements and tourist dollars, it was still ticket sales that made the difference. By representing their schools, Team Black Knights and Team Night Sky had earned the support of KaibaCorp by default. Two teams fielded by the Arcadia Movement, not to mention the high concentration of members, made the presence of the Movement a shadow, which he knew Shimotsuki prioritised.
All the parties were here...
So absorbed the Duelists were in their thoughts, that the MC's roar amidst the cheering crowds brought them back to earth:
"Let's get ready to Duel!"
"This is a practice run, this is a practice run," a man resembling the stereotyped Californian surfer chanted. "Practice run... practice run..."
"Shut up, Sirocco," Drake rolled his eyes. "Damn, I wanted to Duel Shinamori... I guess this will do."
"We will win this," Justin stated with all certainty. "Go, Sirocco. It is yours."
"Oh, man!" Steve exclaimed as he walked out.
The MC exclaimed further: "Due to the advent of Team Standing Duels, it has been determined that we will now place a randomiser for the Duel format. Therefore, the ability of both teams to adapt their decks on the fly is also important. Since the format will not be known until merely half an hour before the match, the deck-building skills of our Duelists will be tested to the limits! And... the format is... Standing Duel!"
"Shit!" Rex swore, grabbing a deck anyway. "Ryuusei, keep Calcifer busy, alright?"
"Stop naming my laptop!" Ryuusei protested, but Rex had already gone out, DuelDisk slotted in and ready.
"Introducing, the Duelist who had terrified many an opponent into surrender, the Dark Lord, Rex Atlas!"
Rex scowled as he walked onto the large Duel stage amidst cheers, only dispensing a wave towards the VIP sections where Carly held up a laughing Reina. "Hi, Reina!"
"Aww..." MC II sighed.
"Son, don't be disparaging. This is a beautiful family moment that deserves respect."
"Dude!" Steve grinned as he got up to face Rex.
The blond felt his eyebrow twitch. "You look like my teacher."
"Great! Right?"
"You mean, by eye-blinding colourful... yeah."
"Right!"
Rex sighed.
"With that said, let's get ready to... Duel!"
Rex and Steve unlocked their DuelDisk plates at the same moment, drawing a five-card hand.
"Duel!"
Steve: LP 8000
Rex: LP 8000
"Dude, I'll start!" Steve grinned. "Draw! I'll discard a Water Attribute monster to special summon Swap Frog [1000/500] to the field in attack mode. Its effect allows me to send a level two or lower Water Attribute Aqua Type monster from my deck or my side of the field to the grave. Then, I'll set a monster, and return Swap Frog to my hand to summon another monster, like Unifrog [400/400]! With that said, I'll set a card and end my turn!"
"With that move, Dad, Steve's set up a rather impressive board! How'd you think Atlas will respond?"
"My turn, draw!" Rex announced! "I'll summon the tuner monster, Phantom Lord Hide Ride [1500/300]! Entering battle phase, I'll attack the face-down card!"
Steve cowered as the card exploded under Rex's monster's charge. "Okay..."
"I'll then set two cards and end my turn." Rex frowned.
"Draw!" Steve announced. "Activating the Trap, Graceful Revival. I'll revive Tradetoad [100/2000] to the field."
"Huh," Rex looked unimpressed by the toad rising from the ground to the field.
"Now, I activate the effect of Tradetoad to tribute him and revive Dupe Frog [100/2000] in defence mode," Steve continued as the half-black, half-pink toad disappeared to be replaced with a violet frog wearing a scholar's mortar board. It gave a happy croak. "But I'm not done. I activate Terraforming, to search for the Field Spell Wetlands and add it to my hand. Then, I'll activate the Field Spell, Wetlands!"
It began to rain suddenly, as grasses grew around the area of the field to surround both Duelists.
By the sidelines, Ryuusei paled. "Oh crap."
"Agreed." Chase glanced at the laptop screen. "Calcifer's predictions don't look good."
"Stop naming my laptop!"
"Steve has activated the Field Spell, Wetlands!" the MC crowed. "Now, all level two or lower Water Attribute Aqua Type monsters gain a whopping attack boost of twelve hundred, the highest granted by a field Spell to date! Rex is sure to be in trouble with this devastating combo in the Frog decks!"
The field of cute frogs seemed to take on a new malevolence at the news [100/2000 → 1300/2000] [400/400 → 1600/400].
"And, I'll summon Swap Frog [1000/500 → 2200/500] to the field," Steve announced as the grumpy yellow frog reappeared. "Now, I can summon Flip Flop Frog [500/200 → 1700/200] as well due to the effect of bouncing Swap Frog. Entering battle phase, first, direct attack with Unifrog. Unifrog has the ability to attack my opponent directly."
"Say what!" Rex scowled as the frog leapt to skewer him. "Trap card open, Depth Amulet! I'll discard a card to negate the attack of Unifrog."
A jewel appeared, stopping the frog's horn and causing the amphibian creature to bounce back.
"By its own effect, Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World [2300/1400] can be special summoned to the field." Rex declared.
"Flip Flop Frog, now attack Phantom Lord Hide Ride!" Steve called.
"I use the effect of the Continuous Trap Depth Amulet," Rex rolled his eyes subtly as he discarded. "By discarding Snoww, Unlight of Dark World, I can add a Dark World card from my deck to my hand, such as Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World."
Steve bit his lip. "I move Flip Flop Frog to face-down defence mode by its effect. Turn end."
"Draw!" Rex called. "Well, I activate the Spell, Trade-In, to discard Grapha and draw two cards. Now, I activate the other Continuous Trap I have, Dark Smog. I discard a Fiend-Type monster to choose once card in my opponent's graveyard and banish it, such as that handy Tradetoad there."
"Oh, dude! That's not cool," Steve muttered as he pocketed the card.
"My turn, not yours," Rex mouthed. "I discarded Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World [1600/1300], who is also special summoned to the field. Now, I return Goldd to the hand to revive Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World [2700/1800]!"
"Whoa, huge monster!" Steve yelped as the creature arose from the shadows.
"Tuning, level four Beiige to level three Phantom Lord," Rex declared. "The beating pulse of the new ruler, show the chaos inside yourself! Synchro Summon! With pride, Chaos King Archfiend!"
From the Synchro rings the creature dove, leaving a trail of fire in its wake [2600/2600].
"R- Rex Atlas has Synchro summoned! Chaos King Demon, a card that's very tricky!"
"Battle!" Rex called. "Chaos King Archfiend will attack Dupe Frog! When this card declares an attack, the attack and defence power of all face-up monsters my opponent controls will switch until the end of the battle phase!"
"My defence!" Steve exclaimed as it shattered. "But I still get to add a Frog from my deck to my hand..."
"Now, Grapha, attack the set Flip Flop Frog with all the pride of the Dark World!" Rex called as the draconic demon let a blast loose at the frog, which gave an undignified squawk before it shattered.
"When Flip Flop Frog is flipped face-up-" Steve paused. "Dude, the alliteration sucks. Anyway, Grapha is bounced to your hand."
Rex solemnly took the card back. "Of course. Now, I set a card, turn end."
"Draw!" Steve announced. "I'll banish Flip Flop Frog in the graveyard to special summon Ronintoadin [100/2000] to the field in defence mode. I'll then summon Swap Frog from my hand again, and use its effect to send a Water Attribute monster from deck or field to grave, such as the Poison Draw Frog. Now, by bouncing Swap Frog back to my hand, I can summon another time this turn, such as another Tradetoad [100/2000]. Now, I'll tribute Ronintoadin to revive Dupe Frog with the effect of Tradetoad. And then, I banish another Frog in my grave to revive Ronintoadin in defence mode. Unifrog, direct attack! I'll set a card, turn end."
Rex scowled as the jewel appeared. "I'll use Depth Amulet to defend myself!"
The monster squawked as it bounced back.
"And now, with Grapha discarded, I'll destroy that Wetlands Field Spell!" Rex continued as Grapha's echoing laughter rocked the field and the rain disappeared with the grassy lands.
Steve hedged. "I'll set a card, turn end."
"Draw!" Rex called. "I'll use the effect of Dark Smog, discarding Sillva to choose one monster in your graveyard to banish, such as Poison Draw Frog. By its own effect, Goldd is special summoned to the field. Now, I'll activate the set card, Reckless Greed. I'll draw two cards, but I'll have to skip my next two draw phases. That's fine; I don't want to have such a boring Duel like this!"
"B- Boring?" Steve spluttered.
"Boring!" Rex affirmed. "Here's the moment of truth; draw!"
It seemed in slow motion then... the fateful draw... Ryuusei could not help but stare. "That... guy..."
"Damn you, Rex..." Chase muttered, though he did not seem to be able to tear his eyes away as well.
"Activating the Spell Dark World Dealings, allowing us to each draw a card and discard a card," Rex announced. "By discarding another Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World [2300/1400], he is special summoned to my field. By returning Sillva to my hand, he will revive his master Grapha once more!"
Black wings flared as the dark being grinned malevolently at Steve, descending on Rex's side [2700/1800]. "Now, Chaos King Archfiend, destroy Dupe Frog! Grapha, unleash our wrath on Unifrog with Black Judgement! Goldd, attack Ronintoadin!"
Steve: LP 8000 → LP 5700
Rex: LP 8000
"Dupe Frog allows me to get another Frog monster from my deck, such as Treeborn Frog," Steve declared.
"Turn end with a set card." Rex sighed.
"Draw!" Steve called. "I'll banish Unifrog to revive Ronintoadin, but he ain't hanging for long, 'cause he's tributed for Sea Lancer [1300/1000]!"
Rex grimaced. "What the hell...?"
"Sea Lancer can be equipped with all the banished Fish, Aqua or Sea Serpent Type monsters I've got banished, and I've got four at last count." Steve quipped as the scaly fish-warrior appeared. "And, for each of those... he gets one thousand attack power [1300/1000 → 5300/1000]."
"Five thousand...?!" Rex yelped, eyes widening.
"Sea Lancer, attack Chaos King Archfiend!" Steve ordered.
"Trap card, Disarmament!" Rex called. "All your equipped cards are destroyed, and therefore..."
Steve's eyes widened as his monster charged forward to impale itself on the malevolent fiend.
Steve: LP 5700 → LP 4400
Rex: LP 8000
"I'll banish Dupe Frog to revive Ronintoadin in defence mode." Steve decided quickly. "I'll end here with a set card."
"Hmph!" Rex declared. "Grapha, take down that frog!"
"Trap open, Froggy Forcefield!" Steve countered.
"Counter trap, Dark Bribe!" Rex countered as the card shattered. "Now, Chaos King, Goldd, end this Duel!"
Steve: LP 4400 → LP 0
Rex: LP 8000
Steve smirked at the card in his hand. "Well... looks like I won't leave them out."
Rex stiffened, immediately searching Justin as the albino took over Steve.
"Beat them for me, Aquila!" Steve heckled good-naturedly. "You were great, Atlas!"
"Hmph," Rex sourly acknowledged him.
Justin: LP 8000
Rex: LP 8000
"Good afternoon," Justin nodded at Rex. "I believe I shall begin our reading."
"Reading?" Rex echoed.
"First, I'll play the Continuous Spell, Constellar Star Chart." Justin began. "Now, as I control no monsters but you do, I can special summon Constellar Schet [100/1600] to the field."
"What?" Rex muttered as the imp-like creature appeared, holding a large water jug.
"Now, I tribute Schet to summon Constellar Rescha [2200/1200], and thus I can special summon Constellar Kaust [1800/700] to the field." Justin declared as the monster levelled bow and arrow. "Due to the effect of Kaust, I shall increase the level of Kaust by two to level six. Overlay, level six Rescha and Kaust, Exceed Summon! Come, Constellar Ptolemys M7 [2700/2000]!"
Rex almost took a step back from the monster. "T- That..."
"Because I Exceed Summoned this turn, Constellar Star Chart allows me to draw a card." Justin continued. "With that, I shall now activate the effect of Ptolemys M7. By detaching one Exceed Material, I can bounce any card on the field to the hand, including your Synchro monster."
Rex gritted his teeth as Chaos King Archfiend disappeared.
"Battle, Ptolemys M7 will attack Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World." Justin intoned as Goldd crashed into pixels.
Rex: LP 8000 → LP 7600
Justin: LP 8000
"I'll set two cards, turn end." Justin finished.
"A- And in one turn, Justin has dealt the first damage ever to Team Black Knights! But how will Rex deal with this?"
"Reading?" Rex echoed.
"My family is one who reads." Justin tonelessly replied. "Whether in tea leaves, in the cards, or in the stars itself, your future is as apparent as day. Your defeat is imminent."
"Hmph," Rex nodded. "It's the second draw phase, so I can't draw. No matter, I will activate Advance Draw, tributing Grapha to draw two cards. I will play a second copy of Trade-In, discarding the level eight Archfiend Empress to draw two more cards. I'll set a card and a monster, turn end."
"Draw!" Justin called. "Stalling now? It is my turn. I activate the Spell, Double Summon. This turn, I can normal summon twice. That said, I activate the effect of Ptolemys M7 to detach its last material and return my own Constellar Kaust from the graveyard to the field. Now, I tribute Ptolemys M7 to summon Constellar Zubeneschamali [2100/1400] to the field. The effect of Zubeneschamali allows me to search for another Constellar monster in my deck, such as Constellar Schet. I summon Schet again, and use the effect of Schet to equalise itself. That is, Schet has the ability to copy the level of any Constellar monster I control, and that includes Zubeneschamali. Overlay both level five units, Exceed Summon! Come, Constellar Pleiades [2500/1500]!"
"That's..." Rex glared at the shining knight-like monster that emerged from the whirlwind of monsters combining their strength. "Why would you... unless it has some fantastic effect?"
"I draw due to Constellar Star Chart. Pleiades can bounce any card on the field back to the owner's hand," Justin answered truthfully. "I choose your set card!"
"Trap activate, Archfiend's Roar!" Rex called. "Be revived, Archfiend Empress [2900/2100]!"
The demonic queen snapped, her staff on fire as she glowered at the likes of Justin.
"Dark, shadowed creatures..." Justin sighed. "Pitiful souls, I will show you the light. Activate Trap, Xyz Reborn. I revive the tributed Ptolemys M7, and attach the Trap card as Exceed material. Using the effect of Ptolemys M7..."
Rex's fists clenched as the card flew back to his hand.
"And, the final reckoning..." Justin intoned. "I activate the Trap card, Ultimate Offering. By paying five hundred life points, I fulfill the cost to normal summon Constellar Acubens [800/2000]. When Acubens is summoned, all Constellar monsters gain five hundred attack points [2700/2000 → 3200/2000] [2500/1500 → 3000/1500] [800/2000 → 1300/2000]. I told you... your reckoning is at hand. Battle, all direct attack."
Rex could only grit his teeth as the stampede came.
Rex: LP 7600 → LP 0
Justin: LP 8000 → LP 7500
"Shit," Chase muttered at the abject loss.
Team Black Knights and Team Illusion...
"A- And Rex Atlas has been defeated!" the MC called to shocked murmurs and cheers. "Now Team Black Knights must deploy their next member, the infamous Knight of Zero!"
"It's a strategy based on quick Exceed summons, with some Light Attribute support," Ryuusei quickly diagnosed.
"Yeah, I got it, I got it," Chase nodded as he left, taking the armband from Rex as they passed. "You did well, now it's my turn."
"Nice job," Ryuusei nodded at Rex.
Rex stopped for a minute outside the booth. "Why are you here?"
"Huh?" Ryuusei glanced up. "Rowena-san? Erika-san? Koyomi-san?"
"Yo," Rowena, now smiling enough to show even white teeth, waved lightly from her position at the doorway leading in to the stadium proper with her own team-mates. "So this is Team Black Knights' headquarters for the time being, eh?"
"Aren't you a competitor as well?" Rex pointed out.
"Rex, she's not doing anything," Ryuusei gave a small smile. "Is there something I can help you with, Rowena-san?"
"Hmm..." Rowena crossed her arms, coquettishly looking. "Maybe... what do you think about that guy, the one with the Constellars?"
Team Conflagration...
"Rather an interesting outlook," Adrian noted, staring at the screen even as he reclined in the nearest chair available. "Rex Atlas got his Duel handed back to him. But it's a difficult deck to handle, I admit. Cards that can bounce from field to hand are some of the worst."
"Hmm..." Satoshi crossed his arms.
"There's one card that could stall..." Kaido considered, shrugging. "But only for a while. Aquila has proven that Xyz Reborn can be used, and let's not forget other cards like Overlay Regen that's compatible with Exceed decks."
"Will he be alright?" Koichi motioned to the dark-haired facsimile of Manjoume Jun walking confidently towards the stage.
"Oh, him? He'll be alright," Kaido dismissed.
Team Berserker...
In another section, Anna was biting her nails as she stole occasional glances at the screen. "When are we going, where are we going, where are we-"
"Oh come on, shut up!" Rick bellowed. "We're trying to form a strategy!"
"Against who?" Rose demanded.
"Whoever wins."
Team Revolution...
In another part of the stadium, Kiyomi was giving the scene a critical look. "Damn, doesn't look good for Team Black Knights. They have maybe one turn to get their act together before Justin Aquila destroys their second."
"Who's the second?" Kaname, the bench-warmer, asked.
"Chase Princeton," Takeshi answered.
"Oh, that guy," Alexianna nodded, doing a few stretches. "What are the odds?"
Team Cold Flame...
Tsugare frowned at the outspread of monsters fielded by Aquila. "Damn, that would be a tough cookie."
"You think?" one of his team-mates, one Kaenboshi Kasai, demanded. "We're going to have to pull more 'Divine Wrath's! How the hell are we supposed to do that?"
"If we pull the ground format, I suppose I could do more." Tsugare nodded. "But, then... let's see if my cousin's boyfriend can pull through this."
Team Night Sky...
Hinamori Seiran, youngest ever Lady of DA Queens, looked up from the screen towards the acknowledged team leader. "Do you think Nii-chan can make it?"
"Chase Princeton is not known as the Knight of Zero for nothing," Setsuka absently replied. "He'll at least leave something for Ryuusei to work with."
"That Atlas must have had a bad hand," Michiru snorted, curled up next to Seiran. "I'll have Princeton down in tatters before the first five turns."
"Well, Michiru, you have a unique advantage over him."
Team Underworld...
Drake Lancaster studied the known cards used by one Chase Princeton on the computer terminal, a headache growing with every moment. "Damn."
Steve glanced up from his corner. "Yes, Drake?"
"This kid..." Drake waved. "The only student of the Handless Demon himself."
Steve paled. "T- The... Kiryu Kyosuke?"
Drake dumbly nodded, his face ashen.
"You cannot win," Justin placidly informed Chase as the second wheeler moved to stand across him.
Chase stared at Justin. Not with the air of offence that most had when faced with such trash talk, but mere incomprehension. As if the possibility of defeat had yet to feature in his world-view itself.
"You are not fated to win," Justin repeated, casting about for the horoscope.
Chase just sighed. "Let's duel. Then we'll see."
"Duel!"
Chase: LP 8000, Continuous Trap: Dark Smog
Justin: LP 7500, Constellar Ptolemys M7 [3200/2000], Constellar Pleiades [3000/1500], Constellar Acubens [1300/2000], Continuous Trap: Ultimate Offering, Continuous Spell: Constellar Star Chart.
"Draw," Chase cast a look at his six cards of choice. "Well, I'll discard a Fiend-type monster to use Dark Smog, so I'll banish Constellar Schet from your graveyard. Well, then I'll play the infamous Spell called Dark Core. I'll discard a card, and then your Constellar Pleiades takes a trip to the banished zone."
"What?" Justin looked slightly shaken as his warrior vanished.
"One threat done," Chase nodded with the satisfaction of a job well done. "I'll then summon a rather infamous Spellcaster called Summoner Monk [800/1600], then I'll use his effect, discarding a Spell card to special summon Infernity Guardian [1200/1700]. I'll set a card, and then overlay both level four monsters to Exceed Summon a monster called Lavalval Chain [1800/1000]. I'll activate his effect, detaching one material to take a monster in my deck and place it on top of my deck, such as Infernity Archfiend. Now I set a card."
"And?" Justin looked incredulous. "What of it? At most I'll take a bit of damage. I am still at the most advantageous."
Chase just shook his head sadly. "Boy, are you really sad. I'm not aiming for your monsters... I'm aiming for you."
"...say what?"
"Entering battle phase!" Chase called, as the flaming monster growled, and behind it was the shadow of a certain woman in robes of black and white. "The Fiend I discarded in the grave was a little lady called Infernity Queen. When she's in my graveyard and my hand is at zero, I get to select one monster which has the honour of hitting you directly where it hurts. Now, Lavalval Chain... roast him extra crispy."
Justin cringed as the fireball hit straight and true, guided by the staff of the Infernity Queen.
Justin: LP 7500 → LP 5700
Chase: LP 8000
A wind blew past, and the tails of Chase's jacket lifted slightly in the breeze, his bangs floating as the streams combed his dark locks, and his gaze sharp and determined and about the same haunted, death-defying look shared by only one other man in the world, who lived in a mining town not far from the city and may or may not be regarded as one of the scariest Duel mercenaries alive...
There was only one person who was better versed in the way of the Infernity than Chase Princeton. He lived in a little mining town and spent his days generally keeping law and order in a town that had not known it for a very long time. You really had to feel sorry for Justin.
Oh damn, I forgot how much I miss Chase's... self.
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