Boss Rush
L: Break! Draw!
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the MC called out loud to cheers. In the background, the popping of fireworks went off as multicoloured sparks flew through the air. "We are here now at the semi-finals of the Stygian Dirge! Introducing our eight participating teams and today's epic matches! First up, Team Black Knights and Team Conflagration!"
"So we got the all-pro team," Rex scowled. "Lucky us."
"It was always a possibility," Ryuusei placidly indicated. "Besides, we're not the ones fighting Ishihara-san, are we?"
"And the second match-up for the day, Team Revolution and Team Night Sky!" the MC called to great applause. "Now, fans of the Duel, we're all gathered for a nice clean Duel today! May the best teams advance to the finals! For today, the selected format for all Duels is... Standing Duel!"
"Break a leg," Ryuusei nodded. "Rex."
Rex smirked, lowered his helmet's visor, and then ran out of the booth towards the stage. A second later, Koichi's own D-Wheel rolled up, blue and white, and Koichi dismounted to walk up towards the stage.
"Nervous?" Koichi asked as they prepared their DuelDisks.
"Not on your life," Rex snorted as he slotted his deck in..
"And... begin!" the MC and crowds called as the starting horn went off and the D-Wheels shot into action.
"Duel!"
Koichi: LP 8000
Rex: LP 8000
"I draw!" Koichi yelled. "I activate the Continuous Spell, Summon Cloud. This allows me to special summon Cloudian – Sheep Cloud [0/0] in defence mode. Then, I play the magic card, Lucky Cloud. Followed by my normal summon of another copy of Sheep Cloud, I set a card and end my turn. The effect of Lucky Cloud allows me to draw two cards during my end phase since I summoned two or more Cloudians with the same name during this turn. Turn end."
"My turn, draw!" Rex called. "I'll set one monster and two cards. Turn end."
"Draw!" Koichi looked faintly puzzled until comprehension dawned. "Playing defensively? Not quite what I expected from an Atlas, but... I summon Cloudian – Turbulence [800/0] to the field. Turbulence gains three Fog Counters for every Cloudian I currently control. Now I play the Spell, Fog Control, to tribute the Sheep Cloud in attack mode and place three Fog Counters upon Turbulence. By removing three Fog Counters, I special summon from my deck three Cloudian – Smoke Ball [600/200] all in defence mode. By playing the Spell, White Elephant's Gift, I tribute one copy of Smoke Ball to draw two cards. I play the Continuous Spell Cloudian Squall, and I set another card, turn end. Now, get started, flip Morphing Jar. You'd set it, it's a fundamental card in any Dark World deck."
"As you wish," Rex shrugged. "Draw. I set a card, and then I flip summon Morphing Jar [700/600] for a hand refresh for both players."
"Good cards?" Koichi commented as Rex and he discarded and drew until they had five cards.
"I'll use the effect of the discarded Broww, Huntsman of Dark World, and draw a card," Rex announced. "And then the effect of the discarded Snoww, Unlight of Dark World allows me to search for a Dark World card, so I'll take The Gates of Dark World. I summon Dark Resonator [1300/300] to the field!"
The black-faced imp-like creature appeared on the field, snickering while releasing electricity from two tuning forks.
"I activate The Gates of Dark World, and therefore all Fiends gain a three hundred attack and defence boost," Rex announced. "Dark Resonator [1300/300 → 1600/600], attack Turbulence!" The imp hovered over and whacked the cloud with one tuning fork.
Koichi: LP 8000 → LP 7200
Rex: LP 8000
"I'll end here," Rex muttered.
"Draw!" Koichi called. "Cloudian Squall activates, and all face-up monsters gain one Fog Counter. Since you were so kind, I'll return the favour and banish the Cloudian – Poison Cloud I discarded earlier to special summon Cloudian – Storm Dragon [1000/0] to the field. Then, I'll tribute the other three monsters I have to summon Cloudian – Nimbusman [1000/1000]!"
Rex grimaced as all the small clouds except for Turbulence and Storm Dragon gathered into one large humanoid creature, followed by three small puffs that hung around it [1000/1000 → 5000/1000].
"Did I mention that for every Fog Counter on the field it gains five hundred attack, and that for every monster used to tribute Nimbusman equates another Fog Counter?" Koichi casually mentioned.
"No, you didn't," Rex neutrally replied.
"Storm Dragon adds another Fog Counter to Nimbusman [5000/1000 → 5500/1000]," Koichi called. "Nimbusman, attack Dark Resonator!"
"Continuous Trap, Depth Amulet!" Rex barked. The multicoloured jewel blocked the attack in time. "You attack, I discard a card, the attack is negated. And it's one of the few that actually activates the effect of Dark World monsters, so welcome, Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World [1600/1300]!"
A skeletal warrior in its namesake colour arose.
"Turn end," Koichi conceded.
"Draw!" Rex called. "Tuning, level four Beiige and level three Dark Resonator. The star of death that shines at the zenith of the heavens. Descend to the Earth and make judgement upon the living! Synchro summon! The unforgiving, Dark Highlander!"
With a sweep of its scythe, the white-armoured grim reaper appeared, and a haunting tune on par with a funeral dirge echoed as the being glowered [2800/2300 → 3100/2600].
"Then, I activate the effect of the Gates," Rex continued. "I'll discard a Fiend, banish a Fiend in the graveyard, in this case being Dark Resonator, and draw a card. By the way, I discarded Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World."
"You-" Koichi bit back his swearing as a dark aura surrounded his monster, and Nimbusman began to implode. "Trap card, Rain Storm! Now I can lower the attack power of Nimbusman by two thousand and destroy two cards you have on the field, such as The Gates and Depth Amulet!"
"Da- Darn," Rex remembered to self-censor as he spied a waving Carly and a babbling Reina in the audience. It was difficult not to, since they were in the top box; such was the privileges of having Jack Atlas in the family.
Nimbusman imploded with a moan at the same time as Depth Amulet and the Gates. Dark Highlander groaned as the violet aura of weakness appeared around it [3100/2600 → 2800/2300].
"I'll now summon Brron, Mad King of Dark World [1800/400]," Rex declared as the beak-faced monarch appeared, cackling. "But I'll then return him to my hand to revive Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World [2700/1800]!"
The demonic dragon, almost uniformly grey in colour, appeared in a slow rise, malevolently monstrous in appearance.
"Dark Highlander, attack Cloudian – Turbulence!" Rex called.
"Continuous Trap card, Spirit Barrier!" Koichi shielded himself as the scythe-wielding monster swung hard and cut through the cloudy monster, but its blade was stopped at the shield.
"Turn end with a set card," Rex sourly replied.
"Draw!" Koichi called as he did so. "Cloudian Squall activates. So, nine on Turbulence, one on Storm Dragon, two on your monsters..."
"Why are you-" Rex stopped, paling. "Crap."
"Well, we should be lucky I don't have one on me yet," Koichi observed. "Still, I can summon Cloudian – Ghost Fog [0/0] to the field. Ghost Fog, attack Dark Highlander."
"Huh?" Rex blinked as the monster smashed itself into shards against a scythe.
"The effect of Ghost Fog; I can distribute Fog Counters equal to the level of the monster that destroyed Ghost Fog amongst monsters on the field." Koichi explained as seven more puffs appeared around Dark Highlander.
"Amon Garam," Rex nodded. "Marufuji-sensei mentioned the Cloudians then."
"At least you have a thorough education," Koichi nodded. "Quick-play Spell, Diamond-Dust Cyclone!"
"Aww, cr- crud," Rex quickly corrected as a tiny hand waved from the top box. Jack Atlas had promised something painful if Reina's first word was some curse...
"Thanks for the free two cards!" Koichi slowly nodded. "What's with not swearing-" Koichi caught sight of Rex's quick glance. "Oh. Okay. I end my turn. Keep up with not cursing, and mothers everywhere will thank you. Nice job."
"Draw!" Rex called. "I'll activate another copy of The Gates of Dark World [2700/1800 → 3000/2100]. I use its effect, discard a card, banish Dark Highlander, draw a card. I discarded Latinum, Exarch of Dark World [1500/2400 → 1800/2700], and so it's special summoned to my field, basically Goldd and Sillva as level six."
The Exarch made a disagreeing noise, and Rex just sighed. "Continuing on... I summon the tuner monster, Force Resonator [500/500]." A twin of the Dark Resonator, just green, appeared, with lightning sparking from both its hands. "Tuning, level six Latinum with level two Force Resonator. One born from the darkness of the heart, come forth at the price of a good soul! Synchro Summon! Make 'em bleed, Blood Mefist!"
In a flash, the Mephistophelean monster [2800/1300 → 3100/1600] appeared, twirling its staff.
"Turn end," Rex scowled.
"Draw!" Koichi called.
"The effect of Blood Mefist!" Rex called. "During my opponent's standby phase, my opponent takes three hundred damage for each card he controls! I count five!"
Koichi: LP 7200 → LP 5700
Rex: LP 8000
"Aww..." Koichi groaned. "Anyway, I summon Mother Grizzly [1400/1000] and declare an attack on Blood Mefist."
"But- oh," Rex caught himself.
"Right, Mother Grizzly is a recruiter," Koichi nodded. "So I can special summon another Cloudian – Nimbusman [1000/1000] from my deck to the field. And by the way, there are a lot of Fog Counters on the field [1000/1000 → 8000/1000]."
"I noticed," Rex nodded solemnly.
"And Koichi manages to summon a huge monster!" the MC called. "Will Rex actually manage to succeed here?"
"Nimbusman, attack Grapha!" Koichi called as the monster raised its fist and punched the dragon.
Rex: LP 8000 → LP 3000
Koichi: LP 5700
"Rex has lost over half his life points in one turn!" the MC called in excitement. "Koichi is leading!"
"I'll set a card and end," Koichi called, shielding himself when Blood Mefist zapped him.
Koichi: LP 5700 → LP 5400
"Heh, you'd be zapped even with a set card," Rex muttered. "My turn, draw! I do what I've been doing as usual, discarding a Fiend, banishing Goldd, and then drawing a card. I discarded another Grapha, so pay up, Koichi!"
Koichi grimaced as Nimbusman imploded once more. "We're getting nowhere, you know."
"Yes," Rex smirked. "Mystical Space Typhoon!"
Koichi sighed as the Spirit Barrier was blown away. "Crud."
"That's right." Rex nodded. "Activate Continuous Trap, Escape from the Dark Dimension. I will return Dark Highlander [2800/2300 → 3100/2600] to the field. Dark Highlander, Blood Mefist, attack Turbulence!"
Koichi barely clung on as they poured not-insignificant power into attack the little puff. It would live, but from the beginning it never had a chance.
Koichi: LP 5400 → LP 800
Rex: LP 3000
"Turn end," Rex smirked.
Koichi sighed, drew, and braced for impact as Blood Mefist blasted him.
Koichi: LP 800 → LP 0
Rex: LP 3000
"And what a miracle, Rex has managed to survive and pull the first win!" the MC cheered. "Team Conflagration is sending in their second wheeler now, Satoshi Shinamori!"
Satoshi still looked like someone had set him on fire, but at least he was ready. "Ready, punk?"
"Born ready," Rex grinned widely.
"Duel!"
Satoshi: LP 8000, Cloudian – Turbulence [800/0] FC: 9, Cloudian – Storm Dragon [1000/0] FC: 3, Continuous Spell Summon Cloud, Continuous Spell Cloudian Squall
Rex: LP 3000, Dark Highlander [3100/2600], Blood Mefist [3100/1600], Field Spell The Gates of Dark World, Continuous Trap Escape from the Dark Dimension
"Draw!" Satoshi called. "Due to the effect of Blood Mefist, I take fifteen hundred damage. But, I'll activate the quick-play Spell, Spell of Pain!"
Satoshi: LP 8000
Rex: LP 3000 → LP 1500
"Then, I'll tribute Turbulence and Storm Dragon to summon Laval Judgement Lord [2700/1800]." Satoshi declared as both cloudy monsters disappeared and a warrior appeared, wreathed in what looked like a cloak of flame and covered in bone armour. "I'll follow with playing the Spell, Molten Conduction Field, to send two Laval monsters from the deck to the graveyard, and then I'll play the Spell, Gryphon's Feather Duster to destroy Koichi's Spells and gain five hundred life points per destroyed card. Since I sent two copies of Laval Phlogis, the attack power of Laval Judgement Lord increases by six hundred permanently [2700/1800 → 3300/1800]. Battle; Judgement Lord, attack Blood Mefist!"
Rex cringed as his monster was beaten down. "What? But..."
Rex: LP 1500 → LP 1300
Satoshi: LP 8000 → LP 9000
"I'll set two cards and end my turn here," Satoshi called.
"Huh?" Rex blinked. "Draw!"
"What's going on?" Chase leaned forward back in the shared booth. "Rex is nervous."
"Satoshi-san runs a Fire deck," Ryuusei explained. "The most common move for Fire decks is recently Synchros, especially considering the Laval and Flamvell archetypes Satoshi-san favours. But, the key card between those two archetypes is the Spell, Rekindling. So normally Fire Duelists would use cards like Molten Transmission Field to choose Laval monsters with two hundred defence power only, and then build up their graveyard to special summon all of them with Rekindling. But..."
"Satoshi-san isn't doing that," Chase nodded. "So he must have another strategy in mind."
"Draw!" Rex called.
"Trap activate, Ceasefire!" Satoshi called.
Rex: LP 1300 → LP 0
Satoshi: LP 9000
"What?" Chase blinked. "What's the use of-" he gulped as he glanced at the field. "Dark Highlander... is still on the field."
"Yes, I can tell," Ryuusei mildly replied.
"Ryuusei," Chase glared at him. "Dark Highlander is still on the field."
"Infernity Destroyer," Ryuusei mildly pointed out. "I can think of several ways where you've cleaned out your field before. You'll do fine with him."
"Ah..." Chase nodded in understanding as Rex trudged back, his expression disappointed. "Nice job, we'll take it from here."
"Right," Rex nodded, as if he could not have thought of any other way it would be. "Ryuusei, what does Calcifer say?"
Ryuusei turned a glare at him. "Stop calling my laptop Calcifer!"
Up on the stage, the MC was cheering, and Chase grimaced as he was faced with his field.
"Duel!"
Chase: LP 8000, Dark Highlander [3100/2600], Field Spell: The Gates of Dark World, Continuous Trap: Escape from the Dark Dimension
Satoshi: LP 9000, Laval Judgement Lord [3300/1800], 2 set cards
"Draw!" Chase called, before smirking. "I'll summon the tuner monster, Infernity Avenger [0/0 → 300/300] to the field."
"And then?" Satoshi cocked his head. "Your style, the Infernity way, depends on Synchro summons. Dark Highlander's very existence wouldn't allow any of us access to your Synchro monsters."
Chase narrowed his eyes at Satoshi. "Oh you of little faith... do you really think Ryuusei and I haven't planned our way around that? Sure, Rex's style is all 'there can only be one' but that's going to be a pain for Ryuusei and me, not to mention himself. Do you really think we haven't considered it? Activate the Quick-play Spell, Forbidden Chalice!"
Satoshi groaned as the monster began to drink from a glowing goblet. "Activate quick-play Spell, Forbidden Lance!"
"I knew it!" Chase snapped as the spear that appeared knocked the chalice away from Dark Highlander, also weakening it [3100/2600 → 2000/2300]. "I'll set two cards and end my turn."
"Draw!" Satoshi called. "Knew what?"
Chase smirked. "That little secret."
Satoshi squinted at him anyway. "I'll summon Flamvell Firedog [1900/200]. Firedog, attack Infernity Avenger!"
"Trap card, Infernity Inferno!" Chase declared. "I'll discard the last card in my hand and then send an Infernity monster from deck to grave."
"But it won't stop my attack!" Satoshi pointed out as the dog leapt for the grinning tuner.
Chase: LP 8000 → LP 6400
Satoshi: LP 9000
"By the searching effect of Flamvell Firedog, I'll special summon the Fire Attribute Raging Flame Sprite [100/200] to the field," Satoshi looked unrepentant. "Raging Flame Sprite, attack him directly!"
Chase: LP 6400 → LP 6300
Satoshi: LP 9000
"I'll set a card and end here," Satoshi decided. "Raging Flame Sprite gains one thousand attack power each time it inflicts battle damage by a direct attack [100/200 → 1100/200]."
"Isn't that odd, Dad?" Ren's voice carried from the MC box.
"Yes, son, it is."
"Heh... that's the thing," Chase nodded at him. "You have the strongest monster on the field, so why aren't you attacking Dark Highlander? Better yet, why are you resorting to direct attackers? Even the MC can tell."
"Dark Highlander is a powerful monster," Satoshi nodded.
"But not undefeatable," Chase nodded. "What I'm thinking is that one of those set cards you have would be something to prevent me getting rid of Dark Highlander. And the other is to protect your own direct attacker for it to swing at me. Short-term, it's pretty advantageous for me, but over three or four turns it gets old and things change. I won't be able to Synchro summon, which crimps my style, and I'm guessing that you're planning to maintain this strategy until Ryuusei takes the field, where he'd be the worst hit. Because heck, his deck basically has 'Synchro-reliant' written all over it."
"It does not!" an outraged voice echoed behind Chase, as well as the feeling of roasting hair. Chase ignored it.
"So, compared to the giant monster that's Blood Rose that I don't think you might take the risk to fight..." Chase paused for effect. "You'd make sure you have something on hand to negate it, or destroy it. But there's ways of bringing it back. Even if you banish it, there's always D.D.R. to use. So what better than to make sure neither of us could summon it in the first place? What better, than to cripple your opponent and defeat him quick and early? But that's not your strategy, is it, Satoshi-san?"
The red-head stiffened. He never met the dark eyes of Chase Princeton.
"Not your choice of strategy," Chase continued. "It's a very good strategy, don't get me wrong. But not your strategy. You're not the type to think of something so insurgent, to use our own team-mates' monster against us. It takes a certain practicality, some psychological intelligence, and knowing about Rex that he would summon it. It's difficult, but you know the one person who can read every single fact about a person by looking at them, not to mention be willing to help you; Kaido."
"Well, you're pretty sharp there," Satoshi admitted. "I wasn't expecting you to realise it so quickly."
"The thing is..." Chase smirked. "It's my turn. I summon Infernity Randomizer [900/0] and activate its effect. Feeling lucky?"
Satoshi swallowed as Chase drew quickly and swiftly.
"Infernity Demon, you take eight hundred damage," Chase quickly revealed as the small monster shot him.
Satoshi: LP 9000 → LP 8200
Chase: LP 6300
"And I reveal Demon [1800/1200 → 2100/1500] to special summon him, thus making myself able to search another Infernity card, such as Infernity Barrier. I'll set Infernity Barrier. Dark Highlander, attack Laval Judgement Lord!" Chase snapped.
Satoshi's face morphed as Dark Highlander swung, the cloaked warrior parried, and slashed.
Chase: LP 6300 → LP 6100
Satoshi: LP 8200
"When a monster I control is destroyed by battle, Infernity Avenger can be revived with the same level as that destroyed monster, which is seven," Chase pointed as the tiny cowboy arose, cackling madly. "Tuning, level one Randomizer to level seven Avenger! When the dead and the living meet at zero, above the cage of eternity, the demonic dragon comes out! Synchro summon! Come forth, Infernity Death Dragon!"
Large, ratty leathery wings beat fiercely as the dragon arose, all eight eyes rolling in every conceivable direction, fangs bared, pincered forelimbs clicking, and glaring fiercely [3000/2400].
"Activating the effect of Death Dragon, choosing your Judgement Lord," Chase pointed. "You're not perfect, Satoshi-san. You don't have the right to pass judgement on other people. That monster doesn't suit you. It's not even your way, so why are you doing it? Burn in the black flames and be satisfied, Death Fire Blast! Destroy that monster and wake him up, my dragon!"
A blast of black flames, almost midnight-black and blue, scattered across, and the warrior cringed and shouted as it was consumed in fire.
Satoshi: LP 8200 → LP 6550
Chase: LP 6100
"Turn end," Chase directed.
"What a comeback! Now Chase Princeton is leading, although by a smaller margin than should be expected, but wow!"
Satoshi's jaw was slack, but his eyes were alight with fire. "You're right... I'm fire. I shouldn't be giving a shit about that."
Back in the booth, Kaido was thumping his head against the nearest wall. "That... that idiot!"
"Now that we have that established..." Chase's grin almost split his face. "You wanna try again?"
"Hell, yes," Satoshi huffed. "My bad, but I gotta reach the finals and the other team. Draw! I'll summon the tuner monster, Flamvell Magician [1400/200]. Tuning, level four Firedog and level four Flamvell Magician! In brightest day, in darkest night, behold the core of the true might. To those who worship oppressive might, beware my power of fire-light. Synchro summon! The soul of fire, Blazeus – Dragon of the Roaring Flames!"
The fiery armoured dragon [3200/2700] appeared, baring its fangs.
"When Blazeus is summoned, you take five hundred damage," Satoshi smugly grinned as the dragon sneezed, and a stray cinder pelted Chase. "Plus, it's still battle phase. Raging Flame Sprite, attack him directly!"
Chase: LP 6100 → LP 5600 → LP 4500
Satoshi: LP 6550
"Raging Flame Sprite gets stronger each time direct damage is inflicted, like Drill Barnacle [1100/200 → 2100/200]," Satoshi smirked. "Blazeus, your turn, get him with Fiery Conflagration!"
The dragon roared as a ghostly figure appeared, and pages surrounded it, protecting it from destruction while Chase took the damage.
Chase: LP 4500 → LP 4300
Satoshi: LP 6550
"I discarded Infernity Bishop during the first turn," Chase growled. "With Inferno. During either player's turn, as long as he's in the grave, one of my monsters never kick the bucket."
"Okay," Satoshi nodded. "I'll set a card and end my turn."
"Draw!" Chase snapped. His look brightened. "I summon Infernity Necromancer [0/2000 → 300/2300]! By the effect of Necromancer, I revive Infernity Avenger! Tuning, level four Demon and level three Necromancer to level one Avenger! Tearing down the highway of hell itself, the demonic dragon flies forth! Synchro summon! Arise from nothing, Void Ogre Dragon!"
The newest dragon was red and black, this one with wickedly sharp claws and grins that did nothing to hide the malice in its beady red eyes [3000/3000].
"Infernity Death Dragon, get that Blazeus and show him what a blaze is like!" Chase growled. "Death Fire Blast!"
"When Blazeus is destroyed and sent to the graveyard," Satoshi added as in its dying throes Blazeus spat at Chase. "You take three hundred damage."
Satoshi: LP 6550 → LP 4950
Chase: LP 4300 → LP 4000
"Turn end," Chase scowled.
"Draw!" Satoshi called. "Activating the Spell, Monster Reborn, to revive Blazeus."
"By the effect of Void Ogre, Monster Reborn is negated." Chase snapped, still staring.
Satoshi just sighed. "Raging Flame Sprite, attack him directly."
"Dammit!" Chase's anguished yell permeated as the spirit struck at him.
Chase: LP 4000 → LP 1900
Satoshi: LP 4950
"The next one might actually finish you," Satoshi dispassionately observed as the sprite glowed [2100/200 → 3100/200]. "Turn end."
"Draw!" This time Chase had a contemplative look. "I play the Spell, Aurora Draw, to draw two cards when no other card is in my hand." He drew, and his expression brightened. "Now, I play the Continuous Spell, Infernity Launcher. Using its first effect first to discard the monster in my hand, I then send Launcher to the graveyard to revive Demon and Necromancer. Using the search effect of Demon on Infernity Barrier, I'll set the card. Then, I use the effect of Necromancer to revive Avenger. Tuning, level four Demon and level three Necromancer to level one Avenger! Against the backdrop of darkness, many eyes open... open the truth of the gates! Synchro summon! Take flight, Hundred Eyes Dragon!"
Although Infernity Death Dragon was not aesthetically beautiful, this new dragon could be said to be uglier than it, by a large margin. Large eyes blinked all over it, embedded in a sea of bluish veins and scales and dark, dark leathered skin complete with wings and a Cyclopean human-like face. It could uncharitably peel the paint off walls with a look [3000/2500].
"Infernity Death Dragon, destroy that sprite!" Chase roared. "Death Fire Blast!"
Satoshi: LP 4950 → LP 3400
Chase: LP 1900
Satoshi glanced at the field, and at the three dragons, and sighed. "You're going to take revenge, aren't you?"
A simple grin answered as Chase pointed, and the dragons growled as they destroyed Satoshi.
Satoshi: LP 3400 → LP 0
Chase: LP 1900
Adrian immediately ran out, nodding at Satoshi as he left. Satoshi sighed, bracing himself at Kaido's dirty look. "I'm sleeping on the couch for this, aren't I?"
Kaido snorted. "Nah. I thought you might do something like this. It just proves how much of an idiot you are." A deep breath. "And how much of an idiot I am to expect something different."
Satoshi's face brightened.
"Hola, mi amigo," Adrian greeted the moment he got on the stage. "¿Por qué la cara de mal humor?"
Chase scowled. "I am not grumpy!"
Adrian paused. "You actually understand Español?"
Chase grimaced. "I'm the future head of the Manjoume Group, and I guarantee you my childhood education was pretty thorough. Plus, the context was pretty obvious."
"Okay... that was pretty reasonable, Señor," Adrian inclined his head. "But I'm not obligated to be nice when I win, you know?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Duel!"
Adrian: LP 8000, 2 set cards
Chase: LP 1900, Infernity Death Dragon [3000/2400], Void Ogre Dragon [3000/3000], Hundred Eyes Dragon [3000/2500], Field Spell The Gates of Dark World, 1 set card: Infernity Barrier
Chase bit his lip, worrying as he glanced at the two set cards.
Adrian caught his glance, forcing a laugh. "Oh... you too?"
"You're with Vennominaga." Chase glanced at him, at the shadow he was confident the serpentine goddess hovered by. "And I guess you can tell."
"Like that poor woman who'd had her head burnt out?" Adrian shook his head. "I thought you'd be stronger than this, Chase Princeton."
Chase bared his teeth. "Goes to show you don't know me."
"Draw!" Adrian called. "I summon Reptilianne Naga [0/0] in attack mode."
"Damn," Chase succinctly replied as the small monster appeared, coquettishly batting its eyelashes.
"I play Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Infernity Barrier. Naga, attack Infernity Death Dragon!" Adrian called. "Now I'll activate the set card left by Satoshi; Spirit Barrier!"
"That... makes sense," Chase nodded, but winced as the Naga bared its teeth and launched itself at the monster, who screamed and swatted the Naga back, but too late; the petrification had already set in over Infernity Death Dragon [3000/2400 → 0/2400].
"I'll play the Continuous Spell, Swamp of the Dragon Snake." Adrian decided as the card appeared. "I'll also add the Continuous Spell, Vengeful Bog Spirit. I'll then set another card and end my turn. At the end phase, Swamp of the Dragon Snake allows me to special summon a level four or lower Reptile from my deck to my opponent's side of the field, so I'll choose Poisonous Viper [100/200] in defence mode."
"Draw!" Chase called.
"During the standby phase, Poisonous Viper inflicts five hundred damage to the controller of it," Adrian pointed as the viper glanced back and leapt at Chase.
Chase: LP 1900 → LP 1400
Adrian: LP 8000
"Still..." Chase glared at the card in his hand. "I set a card. Even without its attack power, Infernity Death Dragon can use its effect! Destroy Reptilianne Naga!"
"Continuous Trap, Viper's Grudge," Adrian countered. "When Reptilianne Naga is destroyed, another Reptilianne Naga shall take her place."
"Void Ogre Dragon!" Chase snapped as the dragon glowed.
"Counter Trap card, Divine Wrath," Adrian took one card, and slotted it into his graveyard slot as a bolt shot from the blue to strike the crimson-scaled dragon. "A bit dangerous, don't you think?"
Chase glared. "Turn end."
"Draw," Adrian glanced down. "I summon Reptilianne Gardna [0/2000]. Since this turn Gorgon cannot attack, I will use only Naga. Naga, attack Hundred Eyes Dragon!"
The Naga struck, and Chase's fists grated as he watched his dragon petrify itself.
"Turn end, and you get another Poisonous Viper," Adrian noted.
Chase grimaced. "Draw!"
"The two Poisonous Vipers will inflict its poison," Adrian merely replied as the two vipers leapt at him.
Chase: LP 1400 → LP 400
Adrian: LP 8000
"I'll set a card," Chase declared, his shoulders stiff. "Infernity Death Dragon, destroy Naga with Death Fire Blast once more! Hundred Eyes Dragon, take Reptilianne Gardna!"
Adrian: LP 8000 → LP 5000
Chase: LP 400
"Well, due to Viper's Grudge I get to summon Reptilianne Scylla [1800/1200]," Adrian waspishly muttered as a giant green monster appeared, baring small fangs at him. "And take a Reptilianne monster of choice to hand. Naga's demise means my final copy of Naga out on the field."
"Turn end," Chase sourly replied.
"Draw!" Adrian called. "I'm sorry."
Chase inclined his head. "What for?"
"For involving you, or Shinamori, or Koichi in this," was the plain answer. "I am not concerned with this public competition, or you, or that spirit partner of yours. I am concerned with private individuals who have the right not to have their lives taken from them."
"Who-" Chase cut off at Adrian's look; one of fierce determination.
"Reptilianne Scylla, destroy Hundred Eyes Dragon!" Adrian called as Scylla whooped and swept on the field, destroying the statuette. "The effect of Scylla; when she destroys a monster with zero attack power by battle, that monster is special summoned to my field in defence mode!"
"No!" Chase shouted as Scylla's attack swept out, still trying to get to the many-eyed dragon that surfaced, dark power roiling and coiling about it [3000/2500] as it gave a mournful scream. "Trap activate!"
Chase: LP 400 → LP 0
Adrian: LP 5000
Ryuusei nodded once to Chase, who was trying to keep a stoic expression and failing, and then walked forward to face Adrian. The Hispanic man had his arms crossed, Naga and Scylla with teeth bared and intimidating in the aura thrown from both swamp-themed Continuous Spells, and looming over it was the stolen dragon, the dragon... the only dragon which could gather the Earthbound Immortals. That monster which the Duelists of the Infernity were known to wield...
"Fudo Ryuusei." Adrian's eyes seemed half-lidded as he ignored the new dragon on Ryuusei's field. "It's necessary. It'll be okay, trust me..."
"What am I supposed to trust you with?"
"Freeing you," Adrian nodded. "End phase, Swamp of the Dragon Snake will special summon the last Poisonous Viper to your field. It is your turn."
"Draw!" Ryuusei called, even as the three Vipers leapt at him.
Ryuusei: LP 8000 → LP 6500, Void Ogre Dragon [3000/3000] Poisonous Vipers [100/200] ×3, Field Spell The Gates of Dark World, Continuous Trap: Call of the Haunted
Adrian: LP 5000, Reptilianne Scylla [1800/1200], Reptilianne Naga [0/0], Hundred Eyes Dragon [3000/2500] defence mode, Continuous Trap Spirit Barrier, Continuous Trap Viper's Grudge, Continuous Spell Swamp of the Dragon Snake, Continuous Spell Vengeful Bog Spirit
"I can see it," Adrian commented. "With the three Poisonous Vipers on the field, and the ability to summon more of them each turn, your only hope is to get Black Rose Dragon out. If nothing else, Black Rose Dragon's ability to destroy the field would give you some breathing room. Since you can recover infinitely faster than I, definitely, you have the greater chance of winning."
"So the plan to keep Dark Highlander was yours?" Ryuusei's voice was curious, rather than accusative.
"Kaido proposed it, I supported it," Adrian shrugged. "It's hardly underhanded when it's accepted strategy."
"I know." Ryuusei's eyes flickered towards the Hundred Eyes Dragon. "The effect of Hundred Eyes Dragon... to banish other Dark Attribute monsters, and take on their names and effects, is another advantage. Compared to Infernity Death Dragon, Hundred Eyes Dragon confers the greatest advantage. Therefore..."
Adrian paused as he looked at the other Duelist across the stage. "Your eyes... they don't match."
"I summon the tuner monster, Spore [400/800]," Ryuusei called as the green monster appeared on the field. "Tuning, level one Poisonous Viper to level one Spore. Gathering wishes will call out a new speed's horizon! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! The Power of Hope, Synchro Tuner, Formula Synchron!"
The race-car appeared once more, mechanical arms bunched up and ready [200/1500].
"Tuning, level eight Void Ogre Dragon to level two Formula Synchron," Ryuusei whispered. "The answer... is in the speed. Glorious sun, shine your light, and your flames sweep the night!Accel Synchro!"
It was still the most intimidating sight he had ever seen; the bloody mirror of Night Rose, wings dripping in ichor and thorns wickedly sharp, as if starving for blood, a rose fed on battle and bloodlust until it was unrecognisable as any known dragon [3200/2400]. Steeped deep in blood and destruction and war, and in the midst of its wings Ryuusei's voice echoed:
"Bring the dawn, Blood Rose Dragon!"
So the dragon's yellow eyes glimmered with ill-concealed malice, and the monster's rage echoed loud and clear.
"I pay one thousand life points, and all other cards on the field will be destroyed," Ryuusei stepped back slightly. "We will take three hundred points of damage for each and every card destroyed in this manner, but I shall be able to negate the damage done to myself by discarding a card."
"Shit!" Adrian's voice carried as the storm blew up and all the monsters screamed, the storm coming down swift and hard like a judgement, a force that hit any and all, and lashed out with not intent but pure surety that came of being nature, of being unknowing and yet omnipotent because nature did as she would with the capriciousness of fate.
Ryuusei: LP 6500 → LP 5500
Adrian: LP 5000 → LP 2000
"Blood Rose, attack him directly with Curse of the Mandragora!" Ryuusei called as the dragon screamed and lashed out.
Adrian: LP 2000 → LP 0
Ryuusei: LP 5500
"What a win!" the MC called to cheers and yells. "Team Black Knights have done their job, and won! The results for Black B is also in, with the winning Team Night Sky slated to Duel against Team Black Knights for the crown of the Stygian Dirge, right on Halloween Night!"
Two things happened then, public things that would ultimately change everyone's decision:
One, was that a woman in the audience noticed that Adrian wasn't moving, and started screaming as he collapsed.
The other, was that a near-identical scream went up, in the next part of the stadium, and the MC was yelling for someone to get an emergency team down...
The thing that did not happen in public, but rather in a split second, was that Ryuusei looked up, and saw her walk past, still garbed in a blue Riding suit, and Setsuka turned her face and looked him in the eye... and there, in her cold eyes, were the exact mirror of his own-
You have two paths, one of the knight, and one of the monster. Yet, these two paths exist, because the other exists, but, neither can live while the other survives...
Blazeus – Dragon of the Roaring Flames
Level 8
FIRE/Dragon/Synchro/Effect
1 Tuner + 1 or more FIRE non-Tuner Monsters
Effect: When this card is Synchro Summoned, your opponent takes 500 points of damage. Once per turn, you can send one FIRE monster from your field or hand to the Graveyard to inflict damage to your opponent equal to half that monster's original ATK. Blazeus cannot attack the same turn you use this effect. If this card is destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to the Graveyard, your opponent takes 300 points of damage.
ATK: 3200/DEF: 2700
Blood Rose Dragon
FIRE LV 10 3200/2400
1 Tuner Synchro Monster + 1 Dragon-Type Synchro Monster
Dragon/Synchro/Effect
This card can be treated as a Plant-Type monster. The Synchro Summon of this card cannot be negated. When this card is Synchro summoned, you can pay 1000 Life Points; destroy all cards on your opponent's side of the field, and take damage equal to the number of cards destroyed by this effect x 300. You can negate the damage you will take by discarding a card from your hand to the graveyard. You must control this face-up card to activate and resolve this effect.
When this card attacks or is attacked by an opponent's monster, remove from play one Plant-Type monster in your graveyard; this card's ATK and DEF becomes 0 until the End Phase, it cannot be destroyed by battle, and your opponent takes any Battle Damage you would have from battles involving this card.
If this card is destroyed, you can select one 'Rose Dragon' Synchro Monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that monster to the field (This summon is treated as a Synchro Summon). That special summoned 'Rose Dragon' cannot be destroyed by card effects during the turn it is special summoned by this card's effect.
This card is based on Number 49: Blood Rose Dragon created by The Otherworlder in Born in Another World.
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