Duel 53: Syrus Truesdale's Day Off
!SUPER IMPORTANT! CHAPTER 51 WAS SKIPPED BY ACCIDENT! PLEASE GO BACK AND READ IT AS IT HAS MORE CONTEXT AS TO WHAT HAPPENED IN CHAPTER 52! SORRY!
Sekhmet: I very much debate the necessity of these next two duels, even if they help show off the new decks.
Susano-o: It's necessary for the plot of Viper's plan and to show off everyone's new decks and improvements, Yuko and Rose got a lot of spotlight last season and now it's their turn to show off.
Sekhmet: I guess, I guess I'm just excited to get into the different style of dueling we'll be doing when everything goes to shit. It's a more RPG Style fighting, which means it's a lot simpler to write. I'm thinking about calling them Hunter Battles, since they serve the in universe function of hunting animals.
Susano-o: Oh yes….hunting lol….we have something planned there.
Sekhmet: Dark humor we've been planning since season 1 lol. Plus Hunter Battles have like, two phases, Main Phase (where you can set spells and traps and shit) and Battle Phase, where you kill things.
Susano-o: And I get to deal with the trauma duels yay!
Sekhmet: We get to Evangelion our shit yes.
Susano-o Yes, also don't know if this was mentioned before but the voice in Rose's head is Matt Berry as Butt Witch and the tank is Steve Blum as Vilgax, but for now, don't forget to review, seriously they're our lifeblood right now.
Sekhmet: Feedback gives us the Will and way to write more. Without it, the story would probably wither away… But anyway, here we goooOOOOO!
"What in the sam hill is going on!?" Hassleberry yelled looking out at the gym full of unconscious students.
"Everyone's been drained. We're the only ones left who can fight." Yuko said. The remaining duelists had gathered up to discuss what to do next.
"The only ones left? It's up to us to stop this?" Syrus asked.
"Yes," Jim said looking at the group. "We should go stop Viper first."
"It would be so much easier with Rose, I still think we should get her back first." Yuko said. "Ra knows a good ass beating would entice her more than anything."
"Jim's right," Alexis said much to everyone's shock. "If Rose is going to be so stubborn about this then we're going to have to leave her for now, this is getting way out of hand, and it needs to be stopped" She said crossing her arms with a sad glare. "She's left us all alone, so it's up to us now."
"...I have to agree with Alexis," Syrus said looking out over the gym. "She's led us long enough, It's time for us to step up and do something ourselves."
"Let's get going then. The sooner we stop him, the sooner everything goes back to normal." Hassleberry said.
"I think we should go have a chat with Adrian first," Alexis suggested. "He was snooping around the forest when you went feral, so he may have seen something we didn't."
"We gotta start somewhere I guess." Yuko agreed. The five of them started on their way, the future uncertain to all.
…
"I was wondering when you would come to me," Adrian chuckled as he was laid up in his bed. "Good thing it takes more than that other guy to keep me down."
"...You lost to Ojama's," Alexis deadpanned.
"Anyway," Jesse interrupted. "What did you see when you went into the forest after us?"
"There's an abandoned lab," Adrian explained. "I didn't get to see much of it, but there was one elevator still in service that went down to the basement levels, I'd start there if you've already searched the rest of the campus."
Jesse nodded and turned to Yuko. "Know anything about this place?"
"Not at all." Yuko said.
"We should check with Crowler and see what that lab is before we head in," Alexis suggested. "Last thing we need is to walk into ANOTHER place on campus filled with demonic spirits."
"Another?" Jim and Hassleberry asked in unison.
"Oh yeah, there's the abandoned dorms, the Sacred Sealing circle, Camula's castle for a while, the remains of the white dorm, and Rose's dresser," Syrus rattled off.
"The dresser is it's own portal to the Plane of Clothing, open it and it spews an endless stream of laundry at you." Yuko said. Jim and Hassleberry just looked at her in stunned silence, then at each other.
"Moving on," Alexis sighed. "Let's go see Crowler."
….
"Sheppards gone!" Alexis screamed in shock. "Again!"
"Yes," Crowler growled as he scoured through Viper's office. "Just up and left again in the middle of a crisis like he always does god damn it!" He screamed, throwing another file at the wall. Bonaparte quickly brought him over another one before he returned to sorting out the multiple cabinets of folders and paper.
"Oh boy, when Rose hears about this she's gonna flip." Yuko sighed. "I'm surprised if and when he comes back that she'll even let him back on land."
"He's done this before?" Jim asked.
"Just last semester. We had to fight off a cult with nothing but our wits and magic." Hassleberry explained.
" Yes because he refuses to give ME the authority I needed to remove them," Crowler snarled. "And he didn't do so again, so here I am with my hands under my ass, and a room full of unconscious students because Viper somehow has more authority than me," He ranted, tearing another file in half. "I'll have you, Yuko, and Rose throw him into the ocean to feed the Megalodon once I get my hands on him."
"Of course sir." Yuko said with a butler's bow and a creepy smile. Dreadroot was leaking through a bit.
Crowler chuckled at that. "Thank you I needed that," He said, letting out a breath. "Now, what did you all need?"
"We heard from Adrian that there was an abandoned lab somewhere on the island where Viper might be hiding out. We were wondering if you knew where it was, since none of us do."
"Lab?" Crowler asked, confused. "There was an old Kaiba Corp. building deeper into the woods when this island was a research facility, that may be what you're looking for."
"That's it," Alexis agreed. "What did they do there?"
"I believe it was animal testing," Crowler answered rubbing his temple. "It was supposedly shut down before construction began, though now I don't know what to believe."
"Well with that in mind, I think our plan is clear. We march over there, beat up a guy and take his lunch money, and then get Rose back." Yuko said.
"Here," Crowler said, handing them a note. "In case something goes wrong."
Alexis looked at the note. "This just says 'We can do whatever we want, signed Dr. Crowler."
"I'm in charge now," Crowler said. "So I can do this, now go on, beat his ass into the ground."
"Then the pact is sealed." Yuko smirked. "Let's move out!"
…
The forest was thick with vegetation and it was nearly impossible to move through. But in the end, the group made it there.
"We're here." Yuko said, moving the last branch out of the way. The group entered the building
"Where's that elevator Adrian was talking about?" Jesse asked.
"It's back here." Jim said.
"You know, it's been bugging me ever since we started out for here, but are we sure the elevator is safe? Are there any stairs we could take instead?" Hassleberry asked. The whirring of the perfectly running elevator answered his question.
….
"Hmm they're getting closer," Viper glared.
"You must stop them…" The tank ordered. "If you don't our plans will all be for not…."
"Yes, I will send Stein and Trapper after them," Viper agreed as he looked over at the other camera that showed Axel inside a prison cell that he put him in a few chapters ago and we totally didn't forget to write in.
"Good….you will be rewarded handsomely…."
"Yes, soon I will see my son again," Viper smiled.
…
As the elevator descended, the floor opened up into a lush green environment, exactly like the forest outside.
"Remember, Viper probably set a bunch of traps for us, so keep up your guard." Jesse warned.
"Alright, but if we're gonna be wary, we're keeping together. It's better to keep tabs on each other." Yuko said.
"Shouldn't we split up to cover more ground?" Syrus suggested.
"Not at all. In these situations, you NEVER split the party." Yuko said. "Besides, with so many pairs of eyes, there's less of a chance to miss things."
…
Adrian, decked out in a ridiculous amount of spy gear, had tailed the group and began working on an electrical panel in the upper levels of the lab. "Sorry about this guys, but sacrifices must be made so I can get to the bottom of this." With that thought, he cut off most of the lab's power.
…
Only a few minutes into their search, the lights in the dome went out one by one.
"Power must be out…" Alexis noted.
"That only complicates things." Yuko said, turning on a flashlight from her pocket, only to find a pair of pale green glowing eyes in a bush. "There's something over there."
The eyes blinked, and the bush rustled a bit before a tiger burst out of it. It didn't look happy, and maybe a little hungry. Everyone but Jim was startled and froze in place.
"Get out of here!" Jim urged, putting himself at the front of the group.
"No way, that thing'll tear apart anything in its way!" Hassleberry said.
"Just go, Shirley and I can take it easy!" Jim said, pulling the crocodile off his back. The tiger roared, sending the others scattering. Unfortunately, Yuko dropped her flashlight, so everyone ran in a different direction.
…
Alexis pushed her way through the bush, and in her haste, wasn't looking where she was going. One of the tiles on a beaten path was a trap door, and it opened up beneath her, sending her careening into a pit below with a scream.
…
Syrus ran through the undergrowth until he broke into a clearing. In front of him was a sturdy door across a canal, it's bridge thin and made of stone.
"I made it? I think I made it. This must be where Viper is holed up! I have to contact the group chat!" Syrus said.
"You shouldn't bother. That door won't open unless you duel me and win." A drawling voice from the shadows said. The figure stepped into view, and it was someone familiar.
"Mr. Stein? What are you doing here?" Syrus asked.
"I was here to duel Rose, but she's been missing for days, that slacker." Stein sneered. "You'll have to do."
"Why me?" Syrus asked.
"Your friend is a bad influence. She's always sleeping in class, shirking her responsibilities, it's ruining the atmosphere and my career." Stein said. "Like I said, I wanted to duel her, but she's not here, so you'll have to do."
Both raised their duel disks, and Syrus was trembling as he did so.
"Duel!" (LP: 8000)
"Let the lesson begin," Stein said drawing his first card. "I summon 'Scab Scarknight' in attack mode (0/0)," With a roar a giant monstrous mechanical beast appeared on the field covered in a radiant darkened aura. "I will also set one card and end my turn."
"….That looks like Eva Unit-01," Syrus said looking at the giant monster.
"It isn't," Stein deadpanned.
"….Umm….ok," Syrus said drawing his card. "I summon 'Jetroid' (1200/1800), and then I'll play the field spell card 'Megaroid City'!" He yelled as a giant tower city appeared behind him. "And with it I can send a 'Roid' switch the attack and defense of a 'Roid' monster, so I'll send 'Cycroid' to the grave and attack your 'Scab Scarknight' (Jetroid 1200-1800/1800-1200)!" Jetroid's thruster flared up as he flew at 'Scab Scarknight', tearing off flakes of it's armor as its missiles hit its torso. (Stein LP: 8000-6200)
Stein grunted as his life points lowered. "That was a bad move Mr. Truesdale, maybe if you had paid attention in class, you would have thought to wait before attacking into a monster that obviously was a trap."
"Wait what's happening?" Syrus asked as the scrap flakes attached themselves to 'Jetroid' bringing it to Stein's side of the field.
"When a monster battles with 'Scab Scarknight' I can put a 'Scab Counter' on it and take control of it at the end of the battle phase," Stein explained. "Now you will know the pain of being betrayed by your monster."
"Umm, not really?" Syrus said, confused again. "Sir, I think you're reading into something too much, I'll set a card and end my turn."
"No I'm not," Stein said annoyed. "You and the rest of your group have ruined this school's reputation," He said, drawing his card. "And I will make sure you learn what you have done, I summon 'Demand Man' (800/0) and now I will attack you directly with your 'Jetroid'."
"I activate 'Megaroid Cities' first effect, I can target another card I control and destroy it to add a 'Roid' to my hand!" Syrus ordered as his facedown was sucked inside one of the tower's tubes and another card appeared out the other side. "And since the card I sent was 'Wonder Garage' I can use its effect to summon a level 4 or lower 'Roid' from my hand, so come on out 'Shuttleroid' (1000/1200)!" He smiled as his monster appeared on the field.
"Mr. Truesdale, if this was class I would have to mark points off for that move," Stein deadpanned. "You summoned it in attack mode, so 'Jetroid' can still destroy it."
"No you won't because I'm going to use his effect to banish him and take the damage," Syrus said as his 'Shuttleroid' launched into the sky and 'Jetroid' slammed into him directly. (Syrus LP: 8000-6800).
"Well then, hope it was worth it, 'Demand Man' attack him as well." (Syrus LP: 6800-6000). "I will set another card and end my turn."
"It was," Syrus smiled as he drew his card. "Because now during my standby phase 'Shuttleroid' returns and you take 1000 points of damage," 'Shuttleroid' quickly descended at high speed, slamming into Stein at full speed (Stein LP: 6200-5200).
"Well done Mr. Truesdale," Stein said without a change in emotion. "You found a way to damage me that doesn't involve attacking and risking your monsters, maybe you didn't pick up all of Ms. Warren's bad habits."
"Hey Rose isn't perfect, but she's a good duelist!" Syrus argued.
"And therein lies the problem," Stein responded. "Ms. Warren is the top duelist in this school, but she is possibly the worst role models for the rest of the students" He explained. "She doesn't take her studies seriously because she doesn't have to, she may be a natural, but not everyone is, and when they see her succeeding without trying they begin to mimic her believing they don't need to either."
"That's not true!" Syrus snapped. "She forces us to study! She wants us to succeed and I'll prove it!" He yelled looking at his cards. "I play 'Mixeroid' (0/2200)!" He said summoning a large living cement mixer. "I'll use his effect to send 'Shuttleroid' to the grave and summon 'Cycroid' (800/1000)!"
"Why would you do that?" Stein asked, confused. "Your new monster is weaker."
"Because I can use 'Monster Reborn' to summon my other 'Cycroid' (800/1000) and use 'Power Bond' to summon 'Pair Cycroid' (1600/1600) and with 'Power Bond' his attack doubles (1600-3200/1600) and finally he can attack you directly!"
"Not so fast Mr. Truesdale, I activate my face down card 'Victim Barrier', now I can turn your attack to 'Jetroid' and give your 'Pair Cycroid' his counter (Stein LP: 5200-3200). "Now I'll take your 'Pair Cycroid' and you will take the damage anyway."
Syrus grunted and looked at his hand. "I set two card and end my turn." (Syrus LP: 6800-5200)
"My turn then," Stein said, drawing his card. "I use 'Gift of The Martyr' to send your 'Pair Cycroid' to the graveyard and give my 'Demand Man' an extra 1600 attack." (Demand Man 800-2400/0). "'Demand Man' attack 'Mixeroid'."
"I activate 'Supercharger' since you attacked my 'Roid' monster and it's the only monster I control. I get to draw two cards." (Syrus LP: 5200-2800).
"Hand advantage is a good idea," Stein nodded. "-But unless you can draw what you need you are simply milling yourself out."
"Don't worry about it," Syrus smirked as he drew his next card. "I use 'Megaroid Cities' ability again to destroy my face down and add a 'Roid' to my hand, and since it was 'Wonder Garage' again I get to summon a 'Roid', come out 'Drillroid' (1600/16000), and finally I play 'Polymerization' to fuse my 'Drillroid' 'Steamroid' and 'Submarineroid' to summon 'Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill' (3000/2000)!"
"A powerful monster no doubt," Stein replied. "-But it won't be enough to win, and I don't believe you want me to take control of something like that would you?"
"No I wouldn't," Syrus smirked in an all to familiar way. "-But like Rose taught me, if you give your enemy no way out you don't have to worry about what they have in response, go 'Vehicroid Connection Zone!" He yelled as a giant train switching station appeared under him with 'Megaroid City' in the center. "I fuse my 'Jumbo Drill' with my 'Truckroid' to summon 'Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base' (0/5000)!"
The two monster's quickly sped down the tracks as the City started unfolding itself to become a giant monster that nearly scraped the top of the dome as it stood up.
"Finally I activate 'Megaroid Cities' effect to send 'Expressroid' to the grave and switch my monsters attack during this battle! 'Mobile Base' attack 'Scab Scarknight' with Rapid Ladder Bomber!" (Mobile Base 0-5000/5000-0)
Stein watched in horror as the giant robot's extendable ladder arms locked into place and started rapid fire extending and retracting as it punched his monster into the ground till it finally shattered into pieces (Stein LP: 3200-0).
Neither of them got a word in before all their energy was sucked out of them, leading Stein to tumble into the crevice and Syrus to collapse in the nearby dirt.
!SUPER IMPORTANT! CHAPTER 51 WAS SKIPPED BY ACCIDENT! PLEASE GO BACK AND READ IT AS IT HAS MORE CONTEXT AS TO WHAT HAPPENED IN CHAPTER 52! SORRY!