This is a Yu-gi-oh story I attempted ages ago, trying to make a version that emphasizes the supernatural concept and turn into a world that's centered on magic, and one that better justifies how everything in it would be centered on a card game. Another to interpret what I'm doing is that I'm turning Yu-gi-oh more into the Mortal Kombat Universe, with elements of other worlds, magic and the dueliests of this story having special powers of their own that corelate with their decks.
I became a player of Master Duel, and that kind of rekindled my interest for the franchise, to a point where I decided to give this another go, with new elements and ideas I've come up with along the way.
Originally this was a GX story, but with my new ideas, I though ARC-V was better suited, the series that's like an amalgamation of all it predecessors, where I'd also be free to take some elements from those past series as well. Plot wise, it'll likely be GX centric for the time being, this first chapter being a prime example as you'll see.
What to expect:
The basic rules of he game have had variations in several media. I will be following Master Duel in that regard.
Lots of original names, even though I'm not that good at coming up with them.
I will have a separate fanfic to list out all original cards, their outline and text, after they've introduced for the first time in a Duel.
Original setting, with original characters being the primary(Might throw in a canon character occasionally), having either original cards and decks or otherwise. Everything original will take heavily inspiration from other media, that I'll likely make a habit of listing out.
"Speech"
'Thought'
"Communication with spirits"
Card Name
[Outline of card and effect activity in a duel after each action]
Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Magic.
What was once the practice of those too few and far between, would eventually reawaken as a driving force of the world, forever changing it.
In the age when the idea of its existence was regarded as fantasy, one long forgotten form of magic has grown to become an endless source of power. The Nexus, latter to be known by a more famous name; Yggdrassil.
A bridge between this world and another, expanding to find and connect with countless others for the same purpose it had been created, to draw on the powers of these worlds for their use in this one, doing so through the beings in possession of those powers.
The change that would come to the world however was also the beginning of its darkest time. The day when something first entered this world lead to the phenomenon of tears, unstable doorways between worlds that open spontaneously through out the planet, allowing entry for all manner of entities, each of them corrupted in the process to become a danger to anything around them.
The world became a chaotic gathering of inter-dimensional forces that brought it to its near destruction, with civilization brought to ruin, many lives lost and those that remain struggling to survive against a world-wide plague of monsters, or Tear-Spawns as they'd soon be commonly referred as.
But despite the chaos and overwhelming forces, mankind would discover certain objects that would be their means of overcoming this dark age.
What was meant to be the cards in a game made for simple entertainment, were all mystically tied to Yggdrassil as they emulate its historical origin, becoming tools that grant access to the powers it brought.
Mankind would learn to use these cards for the magic within them, mastering both magic itself and the same power behind the Tear-Spawns to repeal their threat, enough that they could then restore some parts of the world, advance it even, and live peaceful lives again.
But of course, restoring peace comes with the need to uphold it from the still naturally occurring Tears and the dangers they bring all around the planet, the very reason why people of this new mystical age continue to seek mastery of the cards and the magic that now influence the fate of the world.
Those who walk this path are those know today as Duel Mages.
Dionom City.
From what mankind managed to restore, this city stands at the peak of civilization. An example for a level of advancement the earth might've reached if not for the coming of Tear-Spawns, and an example of what it could reach in today's world through the coexistence of science and magic.
Amongst one of the most integral components for a city such as this was an institution for developing the youth of the city into the duel mages that would protect it.
A large campus with various buildings and infrastructures build for teaching its students in the ways of magic and dueling. It had a paved pathway to its entrance point, where a number of teenage individuals were walking on. Some of them looked at the campus with amazement, most were expressing a sense of either excitement or nervousness for what was bringing them to the location.
This includes a trio of young men who stood on the pathway to gaze upon the institute.
One had black medium sized hair and brown eyes, wore a black long coat over a black shirt, dark-blue pants and black shoes. Most noticeable feature of all was a scar over the left side of his face, from the base of his jaw going up past his left eye.
The one by his side on the left had red hair that was slightly shorter and black eyes. His shirt was crimson with wide and lose sleeves, and his pants were black and baggy, and he had beige sandals on his feet.
The other was blonde with shaggy hair and blue eyes. He had matching dark gray-pants and jacket over a dark orange shirt, and high top white shoes. Out of the three, he seemed to have a personality that was the most enthusiastic, especially with the way he was staring at their destination.
"So this is Duel Academy. Man, he wasn't kidding about the size of the place." The blonde comments.
"Given its purpose, it shouldn't be surprising they'd build it up to its full potential." The red haired one responds.
Meanwhile the one in black lifts the sleeve of his coat on the left arm to reveal a thin device around his wrist, next to a symbol on his forearm that looked like a ring surrounded by spiraling lines all around it.
The device produces a flat holographic screen over his arm. He places his other hand over the screen and it follows when he pulls it out, having it placed in mid air and enlarged for all of them to see, showing that the device was in the process of calling someone.
'Hello Sylvester. I take it you three have made it to Dual Academy?'
A voice is heard from the floating image once the call had been answered. There was an option to have the call in video form, but it's kept strictly to audio.
"Just walking down the path, getting a view of the academy ahead of us." The now named Sylvester informs.
'Of course. Such a sight is hard to miss, much less ignore.'
"I'll say. Seeing the place from the front, looks big enough to fit a whole village from Erotous." The blonde adds in. A light chuckle could heard in response.
'I thought something similar when I first arrived. Anyway, you have plenty of time to explore until the exams begin, thought I'd urge you proceed with caution. I know you've already been warned, but not everyone in Dionom is very welcoming to outsiders. Something even I had to face in my earlier days in the city.'
"Seriously? From what we heard about you, I never would've guessed." The blonde was surprised.
'I assure you Kenny, it didn't start out that way for me. But eventually I overcame all that when more and more people saw my power and skill. I'm sure the same would be on each of your journeys.'
"You mentioned a faculty member that especially isn't happy about us being here." Sylvester brings up.
'Marcus Verillite. He's in charge of the third exam. He comes from one of the city's noble houses, the kind that's proud of their high standings in Dionom and not very fond of the presence of those who don't belong, including outsiders in the city, much less the school he teaches in.'
"Is he going to be a problem?"
'He's convinced the Chancellor to allow him some free reign over you three when you take the last exam, though I doubt there's much he can do without raising suspicion. Still, Verillite's intentions are clear. Be careful around him.'
"With respect, our master trained us to face far worse than a disgruntled teacher. If he does attempt anything, he would only be our first obstacle." The red haired one comments.
'Well said Malik. I have to go now, but I will get in touch with you after the exams are over. Best of luck to you three.'
The call ended. Sylvester shuts of the holographic projection and immediately after, the three carry on their way to Dual Academy.
Their journey brings them inside one of the buildings on campus, and into an auditorium where many individuals in their age group, applicants for Duel Academy's entrance exams just as they were, already gathered and seated. Seeing this prompted the three settle into their own seats as soon as they walked in.
At the front of the room were the people who assumingly would be running the exams that's ahead of them. Each of them wore a uniform in the form of a tailcoat in one of three colors; red, yellow, blue. One of them in a red coat stood behind a podium, a middle age man with shoulder length black hair and glasses.
"Everyone, if I could have your attention please." His voice filled the room through a sound enhancing device he activated earlier from the podium. All other noise died down when all eyes turned to him in response.
"I am Professor Lyman Banner, and I would like to welcome you all to this day that I'm certain most, if not all of you, have been looking forward to for a long time. In your youth, you've learned of the cards that have shaped the world we live in, and you've since desired to become one who's mastered the cards for themselves, first through the skill of dueling, which then brought you on the path of magic as well. Entering Duel Academy is your way to expand on both those areas, and to prove yourselves as the Duel Mages you aspire to be." A statement that was made easy to agree with and to look forward to.
"The entrance exam will consist of three separate tests in various locations through out the academy. The first exam will begin shortly in this very room, in the form of a written test. Once that is concluded, you'll have a moment to see your results, then you'll be guided to where the second exam will take place."
Not long after did holographic screens appear in front of everyone to conduct the aforementioned written test.
The applicants were escorted out of the classroom once the written exam came to an end, and were gathered to an area where their scores were rapidly calculated and put on display, just as they were told from the start. The screen that would reveal everyone's scores already had a select few names marked as 'advance' when all the rest were added in the order of highest score.
The three of them end up with decent scores above average, with Malik being the closest to the top, and Kenny being around average, to his slight dismay.
Naturally, what every applicant was interested to find was the name amongst the advance group who held the top score in the end.
Alicia Starwyn.
Seeing that particular name on screen has got all of the locals talking about it with high recognition and admiration.
"She really did get the highest score huh?"
"What'd you expect, this is a Starwyn we're talking about."
"How could she not have come out on top?"
Were some of the comments that could be overheard.
"Must be someone pretty famous." Kenny states.
"I heard that amongst the Noble houses in the city, there are 2 that stand above the rest, the Starwyns being one of the them." Malik explains.
"Pretty sure everyone marked as advance are from a noble house. I say it's best to avoid them." Sylvester states. People with high standings are likely the kind to look down those beneath them, at least it was easy enough for him to believe, and even more prone to the kind of discrimination they were warned of for being outsiders to their city. This was a hindrance they could do without, especially if the nobles would be petty enough to use their influence to cause them some inconvenience.
"I don't know. He did say we'd be working together with other students when the time came. Most of them will probably end up being one of the rich kids." Kenny argues.
"Either way, seeing what they can do would be worth focusing our attention on." Malik adds to the discussion.
Sylvester takes what the other two have said and silently contemplates their opinions while continuing to stare at the displayed names.
The applicants were then guided to some testing grounds on an open field as the location of the second exam. They were met with a new head proctor for this exam, an elderly man in a yellow coat with grey hay hair and beard.
"Good day to you, my name is Silas Wornylt, and here you will be tested on your abilities to use magic, both with and without the cards in your deck."
He reveals a monster card in his hand, it's name being Curse of Dragonfire.
"All of you are already aware of the nature of the cards. Because of that, every card is a source of mana, the energy that serves as the basis for magic. Unbeknownst to you in your earlier days of dueling, the use of your cards has drawn that energy within you, until it's granted you the ability to channel and control mana, thus becoming mages who can use the cards to their full potential."
As if to demonstrate his explanation, the card he holds began glowing, then a mass of energy was produced behind him and converted itself into a physical formation that resembled the image of the monster on the card, a large red serpentine dragon. It started acting like a real dragon, flapping its wings to fly up in the air and spines around to pass right above the applicants, with a gust of wind that followed and everyone feeling it as proof of its physical existence.
This is what everyone was excited for, an opportunity to demonstrate the powers they've mastered from the game that the world revolves around.
The applicants took turns getting called over by an examiner to conjure and project their magic towards a distant target on the other side of the field, an identical monster each proctor has summoned that resembles something of a living test dummy, while the opposite side was filled with monsters of various shapes and sizes summoned by the applicants who relied on the biggest and strongest of their monsters, thought perhaps with more of a motivation to show of than to do well on the exam.
The trio made their way to the proctors that called out their name when it was their turn. Sylvester is greeted by his when they meet.
"I'd like you to begin by pulling out a monster card from your Deck and summon that monster. You may use any monster you have, even from your Extra Deck as well." The proctor instructs him.
"Use me kid. If he gonna have you attack, I'm the one with the fire power."
He could hear a voice in his head speaking to him.
"Sure thing." He thinks back a response.
Sylvester reaches for a holster on his right side that opens automatically at its top side, revealing a deck of cards stored in it. One of those cards stuck out on its own for him to remove and show it to the proctor. He holds the card out and with mental control, begins to channel mana into the card. Once his energy interacts with the already embedded energy in the card, he was given access to the mystical forces it was connected to, allowing him to summon a monster in the exact same way as the head proctor demonstrated earlier.
The result a Warrior Type monster identical to his pulled out card, a humanoid figure wearing a blue military tactical outfit that looked futuristic, and was carrying a high tech weapon that was big enough to have to hold with both hands over his left shoulder.
"Good job. Now that your monster is out, please have it attack your target."
"You heard him." He communicates telepathically with his summon. Without anyone seeing it, the summoned warrior grew a smirk on his face, happy that his summoner gave him the freedom to take the action himself.
"Roger that."
The warrior activates his weapon to charge a powerful blast of energy and fires it towards the target, destroying it upon impact.
Meanwhile over to Malik's section, he had just completed this exact same task with his own summoned monster, a large body of moving sand in a humanoid shape with large hammers in place of its hands. The test dummy monster it had destroyed began to repair itself as was its ability, and Malik's monster disappears when he dismisses the summon as instructed.
"Moving forward, I want you to take out a spell card and apply its real life effect to the target. If you feel like you don't have an appropriate card for this, I have cards you can borrow for testing purposes."
"No need."
Malik draws a spell card from his deck and activates it, causing a light to emit from the card, then a cloud of sand appeared streaming from the glowing card ad reaches the target monster, swirling around it with an intense speed that it was breaking it down until the monster fell apart.
Kenny was progressing at the same pace as with the others.
"This time, the monster will approach you, and you'll have to stop it with the use of a trap card. Go ahead and place a trap halfway in the field."
He removes a trap card from his deck and activates its magic. The light from the card dissipates shortly after without any apparent result from it. Kenny nods his head to the proctor, who used mental control on the test dummy to have it move closer to him. The monster complies and dashes towards him, only to be caught in a mechanical death trap composed of chains, gears and blades, after reaching the same spot where Kenny had produced the trap with his magic in an automatic dormant state that kept it invisible and undetectable until it would trigger its effect. The trap moves to further constrain the monster, causing its destruction.
"Well done, you've passed the second exam. Before we conclude though, do you wish to take the bonus exam for any personal magic you posses?"
"I'm down for it."
"In that case, please hand over your Deck first."
Doing as instructed, he takes out the holster with his deck gives it to the proctor. The test monster appears again in its full form.
"You may cast any form of magic onto the target. Are there any specific conditions for your magic to work?"
"Nah, this should be good."
Kenny turns back to the monster. He closes his eyes, and they illuminate when they open up, while his expression changes to a more stoic one. He points an arm towards it, then the monster was suddenly levitating in mid air, where it was then torn apart. The pieces were left to fall down, and the light from Kenny's eyes fades away.
"So how did I do?"
Malik was creating a large tendril of sand from the earth beneath him as part of his demonstration. He controls the sand to direct it at his target, lifting it of the ground after capturing it. With a simple gesture of enclosing a hand, the sand surrounding the monster exerts a great amount of crushing pressure onto it. The sand was released from his control to drop and reveal the monster in its crumbled state.
Sylvester stood ready to unleash his magic. Small concentrations of mana was formed at the tip of each finger from his left hand after pointing them to the test monster, so that one by one, they'd be shot to penetrate different parts of the monster with undetectable speed. Nothing else seems to transpire for a moment after that, until the monster began blowing up in several explosions from the same spots it was penetrated.
The trio reunite after finishing their exam.
In another part of the Academy, a faculty member was looking at a holographic screen in front of him.
He was a blonde man with his shoulder length hair tied in a ponytail, green eyes, and a blue uniform that had a more elegant design than the standard.
He was looking at the update results for the second exam, determining which of the applicants for this year's entry exam would move on the final exam he would be overseeing.
Amongst the list of names for the passing applicants, there were three in particular he was searching for. To his displeasure, each one of them found their way on that list. The image on the screen changes to a video call he was making, and when the call is answered, a young man with shaggy blue hair and and black eyes appears on on the screen in a video call.
"Yes Professor?"
"I'm afraid I'm in need of you both after all. The three outsiders somehow made their way to the third exam." The faculty member informs the one he's called
"I'll inform Lucas. We'll be there." The call ends immediately with that.
"Professor Verillite."
A familiar voice gets his attention. Knowing who it comes from, and most likely what he wanted, was another annoyance to him. He turns to find a fellow instructor at the academy approaching him, one with white hair and black eyes, wearing a red uniform.
"What is it Akudo? I have a busy afternoon ahead of me." Verillite expresses his clear disdain for the latter's presence.
"I can imagine. Hopefully, whatever your plan is for my three candidates won't contribute to the workload." Akudo responds casually, confirming the suspicions of the blue attired professor.
"It's like I said to the Chancellor in that meeting. If we're to entrust these boys you recommend with something as important as this, than it stands to reason we hold them to an exceptional level of skill, therefore a higher standard of examination." Verillite reaffirms the reasoning for him to take the action he had convinced their superior to permit.
"Even still, any deviation you make from the standards of the exam, I'd advise that at the very least you keep it fair for them."
Being the kind of person Verillite was proud to be has him easily interpret that last sentence as some discreet accusation to his character. Before he could react to that way of thinking however, Akudo spoke further to divert their discussion away from that direction.
"It's just that I'm sure the Chancellor will focus his attention on them when he sees their duels. Wouldn't want him to question your approach in this if perhaps he suspects something foul."
Verillite knew it was intentionally from past frustrating talks he cared little to have with Akudo, which he now saw was what their current one was turning. Having no mood for such a thing, he decides to end it himself.
"All I'll be doing is taking a more personal hand in their evaluation." He walks past Akudo to the exit of the room they were in.
And If it doesn't turn out to be as fair as you'd like it, I highly doubt it's any more than what our enemies will offer. The Chancellor will have the sense to see it that way." Verillite states before leaving him alone.
All of the applicants were lead to a building to an arena on campus where the third and final exam would take place, a dueling stadium with a field big enough to hold four duels at once. Everyone
Someone could been seen standing at the center of the field, the head proctor no doubt. He was then surrounded by four holographic duplicates, each facing a separate direction, and each of them were suddenly enlarged to a size meant for the entire stadium to easily view.
"I am Marcus Verillite of house Verillite. I serve Duel Academy as its department chair, as well as its head of strategy." The figure introduces himself with his voice amplified to fill in the stadium. Some of the other applicants to react with surprise to the reveal that they're in the presence of nobility.
"I'm hoping that none of you have some idea in your head that your display of magic in the second exam has guaranteed your entry to our academy. There are some in this world who view the value of the cards for the magic alone. While magic is indeed a wondrous thing, a true duel mage considers magic and dueling as parallels, their prowess in one a reflection of the other. That is why dueling is a primary means for resolution in this world, expressed through skill rather than through force, to better preserve the peace that the earliest of Duel Mages have fought to restore."
Sylvester already knew that he and his friends wouldn't likely get along with someone like Verillite, his impression of him solidifying that thought. His speech however on the parallels of magic and dueling is something he could agree with.
"It is also why your position in Duel Academy, should you succeed in proving yourself worthy of it, will be as much determined by your ability to duel as your ability in magic. For the third and final exam, the minimum requirement for passing will be to win a standard duel you will be called down to partake in. Oh, and I would also like to inform you that your audience this time will include some special spectators. By now, you've learned there are 'advance' applicants who were examined before any of you were. That's because they're all members of the noble houses of Dionom, some of whom are in this building as we speak, having chosen to observe the remaining duels of this exam. In other words, I wont be the only spectator here from nobility. With that in mind, I recommend conducting yourselves with discretion."
The holograms fade away and Verillite walks back to section of the stadium he came from. Sylvester could hear the initial reaction from earlier intensifying now that it became clear that there are more nobles who would be witnessing their performance. He noticed that there was a group sitting in the stands above, who were likely the other nobles. The stairs that looked like it led there even had someone guarding it.
This got him curious enough to get a closer look at them, secretly activating his magic ability that gives him enhanced vision. Now that he could see what they look like, most of them seemed close to what he imagined in terms of appearance, including one male noble with light brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a white coat with gold trimmings over a black dress shirt, purple vest and white tie. His coat had a golden crest over his heart resembling the form of a Dragon.
He sat close to a pair of female nobles he appeared to be very formal with, especially the one closest to him.
A girl with brown eyes and waist length brown hair, some of it tied in a blue ribbon. She wore a white dress that left her shoulders exposed. For some reason, Sylvester couldn't look away when staring right at her, much less realizing it at first, but he ceased that action when it occurred to him, tried to make sense of it but didn't think was important, so he focused on the duels to come.
Verillite returns where the other proctors were gathered in the stands. He smiles when he sees two familiar students in blue uniforms approaching him from up the stairs. One of them was them same person he contacted earlier, while the other was someone with medium brown hair and black eyes.
"Ah Zachary, Lucas. Thank you both for your time assisting me in this." Verillite greets them.
"Our pleasure sir. If we're up against some outsiders, than I don't think it'll be any challenge for us." Zachary states confidently.
"I'd think the same. That being said, they did come here under some recommendation, and it would be poor conduct on my part if I didn't take that into consideration." Verillite explains. Despite the words the were exchanged however, there was an ulterior motive to his meaning, which he didn't doubt his two volunteers have picked up, much less disagree with.
"So you'd like us to go all out. Does that mean no test decks?" Lucas inquires.
"I trust that your owns decks will be better suited for what I'm hoping to see. You have my permission to duel as you see fit. Zachary, you will duel first with Malik Saboku, then later will be Lucas against Kendrick McCormick. I will handle the final outsider." Verillite explains before proceeding with the exam.
The applicants got to witness the ongoing duels of others whilst waiting to be called down for their turn to be examined. Every duel was displayed through the a kind of magic common to all duel mages that brought their duels to life, using mystically induced projections that were capable of inflicting physical impacts and effects to a limit, all to simulate real combat without causing serious harm to the duelists.
Malik was the first to take his exam. He made his way down to a designated duel field and meet with his proctor. Naturally the other two would focus on their friend's duel, and already something was suspicious in Sylvester's observation, Malik 's proctor looking like he's closer to their age than any of the other proctors, which makes him think he was a current student at the academy. The duel itself stood out while it went on.
By now, it was evident that all of the decks the proctors were using followed a standardized build meant more for prolonging the duel than to provide advantage to them. Malik's proctor couldn't be using anything like that with his Ghoti Deck. Compared to the others, this was a true duel, and it got the attention of the whole audience.
"Is it me, or is Malik getting some special treatment in his duel? Figured you'd notice it before I would." Kenny points out.
"Definitely. Unlike the other proctors using some testing decks, his is dueling with an actual deck and doesn't care about hiding it. Must be part of Verillite's plan." Sylvester answers.
"Means we could be going up against some powerful decks ourselves." Kenny adds.
"You complaining about that?" Kenny lets a grin stretch out on his face before responding.
"Nope. Makes us look all the better when we win this."
Sylvester wasn't as interested in that sort of thing, but the way Kenny brought it up got him to smile about it.
"I'll settle for a duel worth my time."
The thought of their own duels having some challenge was enticing to them, and it was safe to think that Malik was of the same mindset throughout his ongoing duel from how he carried it out with ease.
"A bit indiscreet on Verillite's part, but I do appreciate the promise shown through this method. This first duel alone inspires confidence."
One man had witness Malik's duel from his office, starting at a holographic screen from his desk whilst he sat there with his fingers interlocked. He was an elderly man with black eyes and grey hair attached to his equally gray beard, wearing a light brown outfit with the crest representing Dual Academy over his left breast.
"Of course, that's to be expected if they've been taught by your master."
"Indeed Chancellor." Standing beside him was Akudo, observing the skills of the three for the first time.
"All Though, Master would argue that any talent they have was simply theirs to uncover."
"Kenny MacGrath to Duel field #2."
They hear Kenny's name announced.
"Looks like I'm up. Wish me luck." Kenny prepares to walk down.
"Don't go overboard. Girls don't really like show offs." Sylvester jokingly tells him.
"Thanks for the advice, Mr. stone Cold War Machine." Kenny retorts back before leaving.
Sylvester was left to watch both of his friends dueling. To no surprise, Kenny's proctor had the same characteristics they suspected would mirror the one Malik's facing; he was young enough to be a student, and he used a real deck to duel, a Tearlement deck. Discovering the latter was all the exciting for Kenny.
Some time after he began dueling, Malik finished with victory on his side. Most of the audience were complimenting the skills he's shown as a result of the duel attracting their attention, all of it now shifted to Kenny's duel. The former had reunited with Sylvester shortly after.
"I see that Kenny is having as much fun as I did." Malik states while taking his seat.
"For him, it's about the spotlight. Whatever to help him out with the ladies." Sylvester states.
"No need to remind me." Malik muses on their friend's antic.
They continued watching Kenny duel until he also came out victorious.
'I-It can't be! They both won?!'
Verillite could only repeat the reaction he had from witnessing Malik's victory after Kenny had his, by staring in the direction of the outsider applicant, with an even more frustrated shock since it was the second time to happen.
Of all the outcomes he expected, this was the one he lest thought possible; both of the students he hand picked for a task that should've been well within their ability to carry, for the benefit of the Academy, have failed to defeat the outsiders that he can no longer prevent from defiling the school with their presence.
What's worse, his plan was backfiring on the kind of attention this was all attracting, painting the outsiders as duelists of interest, while putting his ability to teach into question.
He finds it in him to calm down before his expression becomes evident. He's reminded that there's still one last outsider to deal with it, so he pulls up a holographic screen with an image of that applicant to reinvigorate his intentions for him.
'The first two are unavoidable now, but there's still one more to eliminate, still a chance to reduce their number. No reason not to take it, since I'll be seeing to it myself.'
"How you like my dueling?" Kenny wastes no time bragging as soon he makes it back to his seat.
"To be fair, your opponent's deck more than complimented yours." Malik counters.
"Yeah, but it was still kinda annoying to put up with. I mean stacking up on options is nothing new, but those Tearlements, there was no end to them." Kenny recalls how much time his opponent took with card activity during either of their turns. Not something worth fussing over in a duel, but still not something pleasant either.
"Sylvester Bellic to Duel Field #4."
"About time." Sylvester immediately gets on his feet.
"I'd wish you luck, but you know..." Kenny says to him.
"Yeah, I'm good."
Sylvester makes his down. He reaches his designated field, prepared to meet whoever Verillite would put in his way. Seeing who that would be was an unpleasant surprise.
'I should've known.'
On the other side of the field stood the very man behind whatever petty scheme was meant to sabotage their entry into the Academy, standing with his arms crossed and a grin on his face.
"You must be Mr. Bellic." He opens with that.
"That's right. To what do I owe the honor of meeting a noble duel mage of Dionom such as yourself, much less duel him."
Sylvester knows he wasn't here for anything good, but moments like these were best handled by playing along with some tact.
"You flatter me dear boy. To answer your question, I decided that you and your friends would merit a more personal examination, and more fitting to what I've heard from the man that recommended you three to Duel Academy." Verillite keeps up his facade.
"I see. It explains why both my friends were facing something stronger than everyone else." Sylvester brings up as a discreet point of argument.
"Two of my best students I've asked to assist me in that regard. You should expect no less from me. I trust there's no issue with that?" Verillite
"Not at all. I'm looking forward to this duel."
"Splendid. Shall we begin then?"
"Even Verillite is dueling now? Just when I thought this day had enough surprises."
Expressing her surprise for this discovery was one of the applicants in the above stands reserved for the members of nobility, a girl with green eyes and dark blueish hair that was tied in pigtails, wearing a sleeveless teal shirt.
"I'm still not sure what he's hoping to accomplish, but I didn't think he'd go as far as to duel himself in front of everyone. Can't imagine he'd ever bother, if there wasn't something for him to gain."
Sitting next to her was the same brown haired girl that unknowingly caught the eye of the duelist they're currently witnessing, unimpressed with the actions of a known elitist like Verillite.
"I don't know about any of that. In any case, I believe this will be a duel worth watching If it's like those other two. We might see the famous deck belonging to his family."
The blue eyed male applicant that asked to sit with them added his own opinion. What he doesn't share is that what he'd like to see more than the deck itself, is seeing how this surely unimportant figure is about to be destroyed by that same deck.
"Still, I hope the applicant has a decent chance at least. What do you think Alicia?"
The girl in the teal attire asks her closest friend as a reliable judge for this sort of thing. The response began with a release of a breath from the one questioned.
"I don't know Marie. I'd like to think he must be a skilled duelist to get Verillite's attention, but Verillite didn't become a teacher of dueling for nothing. Considering that deck Julian brought up as well, leaves more uncertainty."
They'd just have to wait and see the duel progress to find out.
The two duel mages on opposite sides were enacting the ordinary process for the start of a duel.
Sylvester channels mana into the symbol on his forearm to activate it, shown by its formation glowing right through his sleeve. The symbol interlinks with Verillite's activated symbol, and they both create some constructs of solid mana in mid air that surround the arm they were placed on. This includes a holographic screen for displaying duel states, a slot to hold their decks after inserting them, and a horizontal panel that's parallel to their arm, before they both decide to move their panels so that they be suspended in front of them.
In the middle of the field, a projection is formed, resembling a large gold coin with an imprint of a dragon's head on one side. Suddenly it spins rapidly, to determine which of the two duelists will be granted the decision of who will have first turn.
Verillite was thrilled to see the dragon side when the coin stopped.
"The first move is mine."
They draw the first five cards for their starting hand. Seeing the cards he held made Verillite recognize a combination that will already unleash his deck's full might.
'I could win the duel on my second turn. It's as if the Great Developers have already chosen me as the victor.'
With all the starting procedures out of the way, the duel will now commence.
Sylvester 8000 LP
Verillite 8000 LP
Turn 1: Verillite
"I'll start by activating the Field Spell, Geartown." Verillite places one of his cards on the panel where it remains in place.
The field is surrounded by an emerging architecture of mechanized, gear based structures.
[Geartown(FS) - Field Spell activated.]
"Then I activate Ancient Gear Catapult, to destroy Geartown so that I can special summon an Ancient Gear monster from my deck." A mechanical catapult appears, moves to aim towards the base of the field, and fires to cause an explosion that renders the surrounding structures to rubble. Meanwhile, a card in Verillite's deck sticks out for him to take.
"And I know exactly the one. Allow me to introduce Ancient Gear Golem." Verillite places his newly added card on the panel. Appearing from beneath the rubble of Geartown was a large, armor plated, gear-based mechanoid.
[Ancient Gear Catapult(NS) - Destroy: Geartown(FS) - Summon(Deck):Ancient Gear Golem(Earth/Lvl:8/Machine-Effect/ATK:3000/DEF:3000)(ATK Mode)]
"But this is just the beginning. My Field Spell has a similar effect when destroyed, so I'm allowed to summon another monster from my Deck. Come forth, Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon." Another monster emerges from beneath the rubble, similar to the already appearing Golem, only in a form resembling a dragon that lets out a roar upon its arrival.
[Geartown(FS)(GY) - Summon(Deck): Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon. (Earth/Lvl:9/Machine-Effect/ATK:3000/DEF:3000) (ATK Mode)]
Impressive, aren't they? Of course, I still have my normal summon for this turn. I bring out Ancient Gear Hunting Hound." A bulk, canine variation of the Ancient Gears appears on the field.
[Normal Summon - Ancient Gear Hunting Hound(Earth/Lvl:3/Machine-Effect/ATK:1000/DEF:1000)]
Shortly after, a small cannon protrudes from its back and fires a shot directly at Sylvester, who endures from the impact.
Sylvester 8000-7400 LP
"When my Hound is summoned normally, my opponent takes 600 points of damage. Now I activate it's other effect to tribute both it and an Ancient Gear from my hand to Fusion summon. I summon Ancient Gear Howitzer." The Hound jumps up and in mid air, another variant of the Ancient Gears appears next to it. Both of them get disassembled by their pieces, that all then swirl to meet at a single point, combined to form a new Ancient Gear. This one looked like a bipedal dragon with large cannons in place of its fingers.
[Ancient Gear Hunting Hound - Tribute: Ancient Gear Hunting Hound Ancient Gear Soldier(Hand) - Fusion Summon: Ancient Gear Howitzer(Earth/Lvl:8/Machine-Fusion-Effect/ATK:1000/DEF:1800) (DEF Mode)]
"Brace yourself, because once per turn, Howitzer can deal 1000 points of damage to my opponent, which I now activate."
Howitzer aims it's cannons towards Sylvester and fires at him.
Sylvester 7400-6400 LP
Verillite expected to see his opponent in a state of struggle once the enveloping smoke of that last attack clears away. Instead, it looked like he was unphased by it. At least it still had the desired effect.
"I end this turn. Your move young man."
"Oh man. That Verillite guy's not pulling any punches. Good thing Sylv knows how to take them." Kenny states.
"Not so good for the one throwing them, choosing to duel him out of the three of us." Malik assures, getting a silent nod from his friend.
Sylvester was ready to begin his turn, when a group of invisible figures appear around him for only his senses to detect.
"Hmph, metal giants. Not the deadliest we've seen." The largest of them spoke with a thick accent.
"Or ugliest. Worst ones had your face on them, Tons of Fun." Another of them spoke to taunt the first, which succeeds in provoking him.
"Dagh, you are one to talk little man! Yours resembled your tactic of running instead of fighting!"
"Don't start now." Sylvester's voice from his head stopped them from their common arguing habit.
"Anyway, it looks like it's going to be a standard opening." He assess from the cards in his starting hand.
"Let's do this." A third voice with a western accent says eagerly.
"I draw."
Turn-Change: Sylvester (Hand: 5-6)
Sylvester looked at his drawn card, seeing a fine addition to his decent starting hand.
"I'll start this turn with a spell card of my own, Armamen Rally. Since you control three monsters, that's how many more times I can normal summons Armamen monsters this turn."
[Armamen Rally(NS) - Additional Normal Summon(Armamen Monsters x 3)]
"I can't attack this turn because of it, but I will have a number of options open to me now. First is Armamen Scout - Recon." Appearing on his field was a faded outline of a faceless individual in a red tactical outfit, with a highlight on the eyewear of his helmet.
[Normal Summon - Armamen Scout - Recon(Wind/Lvl:3/Warrior-Effect/ATK:1400/DEF:700)]
"Next is Armamen Scout - Swift Dodge." Another monster appears on his field that looks likes a duplicate of his first one, the only difference being that it's sides were highlighted instead of the eyewear.
[Normal Summon - Armamen Scout - Swift Dodge(Wind/Lvl:3/Warrior-Effect/ATK:1400/DEF:700)(ATK Mode)]
"Now, I tribute my monsters for an Xyz Summon." The highlighted areas of 2 Armamen Scout monsters detach themselves as 2 balls of light flying around, while the monsters shift to close the distance between them, creating a light where they meet to merge together.
"I summon to the Field Rank 3, Armamen Scout."
The light dies down to reveal the complete form of the monster the 2 Scouts represent, a lanky looking man holding a handgun, wearing light tactical red outfit that included fingerless gloves, a tactical vest over a short sleeved shirt, a military cap and sunglasses. His most notable feature were his mechanical footwear that reached to his knees. The 2 balls of light then began swirling around this monster as the Xyz materials attached to it.
[Tribute: Armamen Scout - Recon Armamen Scout - Swift Dodge - Xyz Summon: Armamen Scout(Wind/Rnk:3/Warrior-Xyz-Effect/ATK:1400/DEF:700) (XYZM:2)(Munition Counter:0-3)(ATK Mode)]
"Yo what's up?" Coming from the Xyz monster was the taunting voice from earlier, speaking more out of instinct than actual interaction when he couldn't be heard by anyone but his summoner.
"As Xyz monsters, Armamen gain a certain number of Munition Counters when they're summoned that they use to activate most of their effects. Scout gains 3 Counters, and I remove all of them to add that same number of Armamen monsters from my Deck to my Hand." Three cards in Sylvester's Deck pop out so that they can be taken out and added to his hand.
[Armamen Scout(Munition Counter:3-0) - Sylvester(Hand: 3-6)]
"And now I summon Armamen Spy - Sabotage."
[Normal Summon - Armamen Spy - Sabotage(Dark/Lvl:3/Warrior-Effect/ATK:800/DEF:500)]
"I tribute Spy to summon Armamen Engineer - Quick Fix."
[Tribute: Armamen Spy - Sabotage - Normal Summon: Armamen Engineer - Quick Fix (Earth/Lvl:6/Warrior-Effect/ATK:1000/DEF:2000)]
A new monster appears on the Field that was also a faded outline with a certain highlighted area, this being its left hand.
"I equip Engineer with 2 Equip spells, Armamen Close Combat and Armamen Upgrade - Med Shield."
[Armamen Close Combat(ES) Armamen Upgrade - Med Shield(ES) - Equip: Armamen Engineer - Quick Fix.]
"Now, I use only him to Xyz Summon again. Come forth, Rank 6 Armamen Engineer." Similar to how Scout was Xyz summoned earlier, the highlighted left arm turns to a ball of light flying around the faded monster, then it turns to its full formation, an individual dressed in a dark grey coverall, with a utility belt and a technological chest piece, one hand with a glove over it, the other replaced with a cybernetic hand, and a metallic helmet that protects his eyes with a visor over them.
[Tribute: Armamen Engineer - Quick Fix(ES sent to GY x 2) - Xyz Summon: Armamen Engineer (Earth/Rnk:6/Warrior-Xyz-Effect/ATK:1000/DEF:2000)(XYZM:1)(Munition Counter:0-6)(DEF Mode)]
"The Engineer's Engi here." This second Xyz monster also spoke in an unhearing voice, resembling the one with the western accent.
"Interesting that you could Xyz summon with only one tribute, though I have to ask why you'd waste equip spells on that tribute?"
"Who said I did? Their effects are triggered when they're sent to the GY, allowing me to attach them to my Xyz monsters."
[Armamen Close Combat(ES)(GY) - Attach: Armamen Scout(XYZM:2-3)]
[Armamen Upgrade - Med Shield(ES)(GY) - Attach: Armamen Engineer(XYZM:1-2)]
"But I can go further than that. Another effect that's common to my Xyz monsters is an ability to have a monster attached to them, directly from my deck."
[Armamen Scout - Attach(Deck): Armamen Scout - Mobility(XYZM:3-4)]
[Armamen Engineer - Attach(Deck): Armamen Engineer - Motion Trigger(XYZM:2-3)]
"I'm not finished. Engineer gains 6 Munition Counters, and I remove 4 to activate 2 Armamen Hardware Spell Cards from my Deck."
"Auto Turret and Storage Unit, coming up." Engineer uses the controls on his cyborg hand, and 2 different kinds of devices were teleported in front of him.
[Armamen Engineer(Munition Counter:6-2) - Activate(Deck):Armamen Hardware - Auto Turret(CS)+Armamen Hardware - Storage Unit(CS)]
"I add a max of 5 Munition Counters to my Auto Turret with Engineer's effect."
[Armamen Engineer - Armamen Hardware - Auto Turret(CS)(Munition Counter:0-5)]
"Any more Counters I add to my spell cards has to come out of Engineer. I transfer his remaining 2 to my Storage Unit."
[Armamen Engineer(Munition Counter:2-0) - Armamen Hardware - Storage Unit(Munition Counter:0-2)]
The act of placing Munition Counters on the 2 Spell Cards was expressed by Engineer taking out pieces from his person, inserting them into the devices and having them transform into their more full appearances. Auto Turret was now a mounted weapon with 2 gatling guns at its side and rocket salvos on top, while Storage Unit had extended to become rectangular mechanical object designed for storage of certain supplies.
"Now I replenish Engineer's Counters with Armamen Ammunition."
[Armamen Ammunition(QS) - Armamen Engineer(Munition Counter:0-6)]
So that I can Spend 2 of them to activate Transporter from my deck." Engineer has one more device teleported in.
[Armamen Engineer(Munition Counter:6-4) - Activate(Deck):Armamen Hardware - Transporter (CS)]
"And give the rest to my Spell Cards."
[Armamen Engineer(Munition Counter:4-0) - Armamen Hardware - Storage Unit(CS)(Munition Counter:2-5) Armamen Hardware - Transporter(CS)( Munition Counter:0-1)]
Engineer then works on the remaining devices, with Storage Unit coming to its full transformation, while Transporter expands its diameter and protrudes some additional mechanical features.
"I end my turn, which is when I get to activate one of the effects of my Storage Unit, giving 5 Munition Counters to both my monsters." The Storage Unit shoots out objects in the air for both monsters to catch, serving as ammunition for their effects.
[Armamen Hardware - Storage Unit(CS) - Armamen Engineer(Munition Counter:0-5) Armamen Scout(Munition Counter:0-3)]
"My turn then."
Turn-Change: Verillite (Hand: 1-2)
The card he drew was one of his best spells, but for now it served as a price for the effect of the next monster he's about to summon.
"I summon Ancient Gear Frame." Appearing on the field was an Ancient Gear that looked to like the skeletal model of its archtype.
[Normal Summon - Ancient Gear Frame(Earth/Lvl:4/Machine-Effect/ATK:1600/DEF:500)]
It's presence triggers the Auto Turret on Sylvester's Field, turning towards the newest monster and firing it's rockets at it, causing it's destruction, much to Verillite's shock to this sudden action.
"What just happened?!" Verillite inquires.
"Something I should explain first about my Xyz monsters. They have their own effects, but they also gain effects from the Armanen cards they have attached to them. I used one of Engineer's earlier when I placed those counters on my Auto Turret. Another takes away 500 ATK for each counter on that card from the first monsters you summon each turn, destroying them if it drops to 0." remove a counter from that card to apply its effect on an attacking monster."
[Armamen Engineer - Ancient Gear Frame (ATK: 1600-0)(Destroyed)]
An unexpected effect that removed his monster from the field before he had a chance to utilize it irritated Verillite. He still had the clear advantage though, so he carried on with what he could do this turn.
"Very well. I'll start with Howitzer dealing you another 1000 points of damage."
The Fusion monster fires its cannons at Sylvester once more, reacting no different than before.
Sylvester 6400-5400 LP
"Now I enter the battle phase. Golem, attack his Engineer!"
The large mechanoid did as commanded, raising its fist to throw a punch towards its target. What stopped it from delivering was the Turret suddenly firing at the mech with its gatlin guns, forcing it back.
Verillite: 8000-6500 LP
"That's what you get." Engineer spoke.
"How's that possible?!" Another shocking development has Verillite demand an explination.
"My Turret's effect to weaken and destroy monsters activates on its own whenever your monsters attack, before battle damage and costing 1 counter after the fact."
[Armamen Hardware - Auto Turret(CS)(Munition Counter:5-4) - Ancient Gear Golem (ATK:3000-500)]
'So my monster's ATK got weaker than his monster's DEF in mid attack. I'll have to get rid of that Turret." Verillite was quick to come up with a solution to that obstacle when he looks back at the card he drew.
'I guess I am still fortunate, now that I can utilize this.'
"Before I have my Reactor Dragon attacks your Scout, I will activate my Forbidden Lance Quick-Play spell, reducing its ATK temporarily so that your Turret wouldn't be able to." A divine lance descents from above the field and lands in front of it's target monster, then fades away.
[Forbidden Lance(QS) - Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon(ATK:3000-2200)(Unaffected by Spells/Traps)]
A purple glow began to emit from the Dragon's chest, extending upwards through out it's neck. Auto Turret acted on its effect towards the monster in response, but produced no result from it. The glow is released as a beam shoot from its mouth and aimed at Scout. Before the beam makes contact, Scout had successfully moved to dodge it.
"Missed me!" Scout boasts on his action.
"By removing a counter from Scout while he's in ATK Mode, I can negate your attack."
[Armamen Scout(Munition Counter:3-2) - Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon(Attack Negated)]
Verillite's anger only grew from how his moves were impeded this turn, and was left with no other options.
"I end my turn."
[Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon(ATK:2200-3000)]
"And I activate Storage Unit to add a Spell Card to my hand from my Deck." Sylvester utilizes one of the effects of his spell cards.
[Storage Unit(CS) - Draw: Armamen At The Ready(ES)]
"Those counters act as a substitute for the materials of his Xyz monsters, so that the cards from his main deck can focus on adding effects while attached to them. Fascinating!" Marie was intrigued with this newly discovered Xyz deck and it's combination of effects.
"They're warriors that like to arm themselves. Rather fitting with their name and strategy, and it seems to be working well for him." Alicia compliments both Sylvester's deck and the way he's carried himself in the duel.
"I didn't even think about that. What about you Julian?"
Julian kept focused with his silent disdain on how the duel was progressing outside of his expectations, the way this no name dueliest managed to show some resistance to one of the strongest duelist amongst his fellow noblemen, until Marie broke him out of his thoughts.
"Hmm? Oh uh, he seems like a competent duelist, but all he's done is defend himself, and only because he had a lot of options available to him." He was quick to answer so as not look anything like a fool to them, given one he hopes will get them to think in the same way as him.
"Options he made available for himself, which his deck appears to be especially designed for. I'm confident he can do more than that." Alicia argues back in Sylvester's defense.
Julian wasn't happy to hear anything like that from Alicia of all people directed at him, and could only turn back to the duel with a deeper resentment for the one serving as the cause, and an equal desire for his vanquish.
"That's not all. During my draw phase, Scout lets me draw two cards if you have more LP than me."
Turn-Change: Sylvester (Hand:3-5)
"At the same time, if you also control more monsters than me, I can special summon a level 4 or bellow Armamen from my hand. So I summon Armamen Pyro - High Temp."
[Armamen Scout - Special Summon(Hand): Armamen Pyro - High Temp(Fire/Lvl:4/Warrior-Effect/ATK:2000/DEF:1200)]
"For my normal summon, I'll bring my other Pyro, Afterburn."
[Normal Summon - Armamen Pyro - Afterburn(Fire/Lvl:4/Warrior-Effect/ATK:2000/DEF:1200)]
"Equip one of them with Armamen At The Ready."
[Armamen At The Ready(ES) - Equip: Armamen Pyro - High Temp]
"And Xyz summon to bring out Rank 4, Armamen Pyro." The third Armamen Xyz monster to appear wore a red coverall suit, a full facial helmet with an oxygen mask and red eye lenses, 2 tanks strapped to his back with tubes that connect with the mechanical gauntlets on both his hands.
[Tribute: Armamen Pyro - High Temp(ES sent to GY) Armamen Pyro - Afterburn - Xyz Summon: Armamen Pyro(Fire/Lvl:4/Warrior-Effect/ATK:2000/DEF:1200)(ATK Mode)(XYZM:2)(Munition Counter:0-3)]
("Glad I get to play.") Though his word were understood, they were all verbally muffled through his mask.
"Pyro gains 3 Munition Counters, and the Equip Spell that was sent to the GY."
[Armamen At The Ready(ES)(GY) - Attach: Armamen Pyro]
I'll spend all his Counters to burn away your Dragon's ATK/DEF, 400 for each one." Pyro's gauntlets activate to conjure flames from the palms of his hands, from which he shoots it in a stream at the base of where Reactor Dragon stood, engulfing the monster in a fire that got it to roar in agony.
[Armamen Pyro(Munition Counter:3-0) - Ancient Gear Reactor Dragon(ATK:3000-1800)(DEF:3000-1800)].
Verillite tried to shield himself from the heat of the flames, them he noticed that the fire had also burst out in a way to fly directly towards him, feeling actual damaged when it touches him.
Verillite: 6500 - 5300 LP
"Any amount of ATK points lost from Pyro's effect, also comes out of your LP. Next, I switch Engineer to ATK Mode and I place all 5 of his Counters on my Transporter." Engineer works on the Transporter and it transforms into its full transformation.
[Armamen Engineer - (DEF-ATK Mode)]
[Armamen Engineer(Munition Counter:5-0) - Armamen Hardware - Transporter(Munition Counter:1-6)]
"And just so that Scout loses all of his Counters, I'll add 2 monsters from my deck to my hand."
[Armamen Scout(Munition Counter:2-0) - Sylvester(Hand:2-4)]
"The reason for that is because when I enter the battle phase now, the effect Scout has from his Equip Spell gives 1000 ATK to all my Xyz Monsters with 0 Munition Counters." His 3 monsters each pull out a melee weapon. Scout has an extendable electric baton, Engineer's robotic hands changes its shape to something more akin to a blunt weapon, and Pyro holds a mechanical axe with its blade on fire.
[Armamen Scout - Armamen Scout(ATK:1400-2400)+Armamen Engineer(ATK:1000-2000)+Armamen Pyro(ATK:2000-3000)]
"Pyro attacks your Golem." The target monster reacts by throwing a punch to its attacker. Pyro retaliates by swinging his axe at the incoming fist, destroying it in a fiery explosion that followed through out the rest of the Golem's body.
("How'd you like that?")
Verillite: 5300 - 3300 LP
"Next is Scout against your Dragon." Scout runs towards his target. The Dragon attempts to bite him, but misses him when he bends backwards and slides long enough to pass underneath it. He then runs up on its back and jumps of, turning in mid air to deliver a downward strike with his baton to its head, shattering it into pieces while the body fell limp to the ground.
"Whoho, that's what I'm talking about!"
Verillite: 3300 - 2700 LP
"Finally, Engineer destroys your Howitzer."
Engineer runs to the final monster and pierces its chest with his cyborg hand. He pulls his hand out of the hole he made in the metallic beast, causing it to crumble by its pieces.
"Whoever built you overgrown tinker toys had a long way to go."
Engineer looked over the remains of the aged machinery he proudly defeated with his own, to be shocked when a giant metal arm pops out from beneath, followed by the emergence of a brand new Ancient Gear Golem.
"Heh, guess they made up for it in size and numbers."
"Destroying my Howitzer triggers its other effect, allowing me to summon an Ancient Gear monster from my Deck, such as one of my other Golems."
[Ancient Gear Howitzer(GY) - Summon(Deck):Ancient Gear Golem(Earth/Lvl:8/Machine-Effect/ATK:3000/DEF:3000) (ATK Mode)]
"Not without losing most of its ATK from my Auto Turret." The Spell Card in question does as expected and fires its rounds at the Golem to weaken it.
[Amamen Hardware - Auto Turret(CS) - Ancient Gear Golem(ATK:3000-1500)]
"My battle phase is over, but there's still much I can do before my turn ends." The 3 Armamens are back on their side of the field, all of their melee weapons put away.
[Armamen Scout - Armamen Scout(ATK:2400-1400)+Armamen Engineer(ATK:2000-1000)+Armamen Pyro(ATK:3000-2000)]
"I activate one of the effects of my Transporter, using Scout as a tribute."
"Aw man."
Scout steps on the Transporter and disappears after being engulfed in a sudden light for a second.
"To summon Armamen Spy from my Extra Deck." Another burst of light reveals a new monster on the Field, dressed in a dark one-piece suit, thin metal bracelets, a utility belt, and a full facial helmet that had sharp eye lenses.
"Gentlemen." The newest Armamen formally greets the others upon his arrival. His mask has his voice sounding mechanical when he speaks.
[Armamen Hardware - Transporter(CS) - Tribute: Armamen Scout(XYZM sent to GY) - Summon(Extra Deck): Armamen Spy(Dark/ Rnk:3/Warrior-Effect/ATK:800/DEF:500)(ATK Mode)(Munition Counter:0-3)]
"The Equip Spell that was attached Scout can be transferred to another of my monsters. I choose Engineer."
[Armamen Close Combat(ES)(GY) - Attach:Armamen Engineer(XYZM:3-4)]
"And the one Pyro has lets me use its effect since Spy came to the Field without Xyz Summoning, allowing me to take the Armamen Spy in my GY and attach it to his Xyz counterpart."
[Armamen Pyro - Attach: Armamen Spy - Sabotage(GY) - Armamen Spy(XYZM:0-1)]
"Followed by another from my Deck."
[Armamen Spy - Attach(Deck): Armamen Spy - Gadgetry(XYZM:1-2)]
"I remove a Counter from Spy for his primary effect, moving him to your side of the field until your turn ends." The monster fades into a state of invisibility, returning to full clarity behind the Golem, shortly enveloping himself afterwards into a holographic disguise of an Ancient Gear Monster.
[Armamen Spy(Munition Counter:3-2) - (Move to Opponent's Field)]
"Which triggers his other effect, another Counter to set a trap from my Deck."
[Armamen Spy(Munition Counter:2-1) - Set Trap(Deck)]
"I end my turn here, and activate Storage Unit to restore Munition Counters to my monsters." The 2 monsters on his Field receive their ammunition from the Continuous Spell.
[Armamen Hardware - Storage Unit(CS) - Armamen Engineer(Munition Counter:0-5) Armamen Pyro(Munition Counter:0-3)]
This couldn't be happening. Three of his most powerful monsters, summoned with ease, only to be weakened and destroyed by inferior monsters, after having the clear advantage from the start.
He'd been outplayed by an outsider. In front of an audience no less that consists of his fellow instructors and future students, including children of other noblemen who will no doubt spread word of his humiliating defeat at the hands of the outsider amongst Dionom's nobility if it comes to it, forever shaming his name as both a noble and a Duel Mage.
This outsider who forced him to take action after daring to involve himself with Duel Academy, the thought that he created this grave situation upon him turned his irritation into an escalading anger for his very presence.
"I draw!" Verillite aggressively draws from his deck.
Turn-Change: Verillite (Hand: 1-2)
His mood goes through a dramatic change after identifying the new card, grinning like a mad man for now having the card he most desired.
'The exact card I intended to draw with my Frame earlier. It was only one draw away.'
"I activate Ancient Gear Fusion."
Ancient Gear Golem gets disassembled from its pieces to levitated to flow into a swirl. Three small identical Ancient Gears appear on the Field, only to imitate the actions of the Golem and join with it in the swirl.
Sylvester contemplates if this moment is the right one to activate his trap, but decides to save it for later.
"As the name implies, I fuse my Ancient Gears together, with access to my Deck as well since I have Golem on the Field. I summon Chaos Ancient Gear Giant."
The Ancient Gear pieces have all converged to become a brand new monster, a variant of The Golem that looked to be the largest, most advance of the Ancient Gears thus far.
[Ancient Gear Fusion(NS) - Tribute: Ancient Gear Golem Ancient Gear(Deck)x3 - Fusion Summon: Chaos Ancient Gear Giant(Dark/10/Machine-Effect/ATK:4500/DEF:3000)(ATK Mode)]
It's presence triggers the effect of Auto Turret that fires upon the Giant. Only for the monster to withstand the attack, completely unphased. Seeing the failure of his opponent's gave Verillite some amusement.
"I'm afraid my Giant is immune to all Spell and Trap effects."
'Then my trap won't work either on it either. Damn.'
"I enter the Battle Phase and strike your Engineer with my Giant."
The Ancient Gear aims it's arm that was designed as an energy cannon towards Engineer, releasing a blast that couldn't be avoided.
"Darn...Ahh!" Engineer couldn't help yell out from his destruction.
Sylvester: 5400 - 3650 LP
"The Equip Spell Engineer first had cuts the battle damage I take in half, and with him destroyed, I can give both Equip Spells to Pyro."
[Armamen Close Combat(GY) Armamen Upgrade - Med Shield(GY) - Attach:Armamen Pyro(XYZM:3-5)]
"How fortunate for you, because Ancient Gear Giant can attack him as well."
("Uh oh.")
The giant Ancient Gear repeats its attack on the remaining monster. Pyro also reacted with a yell that remained muffled by his mask.
Sylvester: 3650 - 2400 LP
"One of Pyro's effects takes away 400 ATK/DEF from the the monster that destroys him for each Munition counter he had."
"If only he could activate an effect during the battle phase, but that's exactly what my Giant prevents for all your monsters." Verillite counters, explaining why its points remained unaltered.
"Finally, your own monster..."
"Can't attack while he's on your Field." Sylvester points out before letting him carry out what he wouldn't be able to do.
"That ends my turn then. Your move Mr. Bellic. You've performed adequately thus far, though I have to say, given how the situation turned against you, overcoming it would require quite a lucky, if not miraculous comeback. Your next turn might well be your last." Verillite discreetly mocks him.
"Which one do you think he'll use to take that one down?" Kenny debates with Malik on their friend's use of his deck, with no thought to be worried for him.
"Hard to say. That giant gear gives a lot to consider carefully."
"Hmm, things have certainly took a turn back to Verillite's favor. It may be rash of me to think it, but it's obvious how this duel will end and I highly doubt anything's going to change that." Julian tells his female companions out loud what his thoughts are for this development with uncut satisfaction in his tone.
Neither of the girls said anything in return as they were focused with their own feelings for what has transpired, Marie being full of concern, while Alice held some concern as well, but also expectation that Sylvester will find a way to pull through.
"First of, Spy returns to my Field." The disguised monster fades to invisibility to later reappear in it's true form on it's owner's field.
[Armamen Spy - (Move to Owner's Field)]
"I trust you've already made up a strategy for our predicament?" Spy asks.
"Just watch."
"And you're right. This next turn is my last one." Sylvester states. His opponent naturally interprets his words as admitting defeat, giving him much satisfaction and arrogance to fell.
"Because I have everything I need to win this duel." Clarifying his meaning shortly after contradicted those feelings in Verillite, whose response was to provokes him into proving those words.
"Is that so? By all means, show everyone how you plan to do so."
"Gladly."
Turn-Change: Sylvester (Hand:4-5)
"I'll start with the effect Armamen Ammunition in my GY. By shuffling 3 Armamen monsters from there into my Deck, I can add this card to my hand. I choose the 3 Xyz monsters in my GY that would go to my Extra Deck instead.
[Shuffle to Extra Deck: Armamen Pyro(GY)Armamen Engineer(GY)Armamen Scout(GY) - Add to Hand: Armamen Ammunition(QS)(GY)]
I activate my Transporter and bring back Armamen Pyro - High Temp."
[Armamen Hardware - Transporter(CS) - Summon(GY): Armamen Pyro - High Temp(Fire/Lvl:4/Warrior-Effect/ATK:2000/DEF:1200)]
"Equip him with Armamen Upgrade - Clip Size."
[Armamen Upgrade - Clip Size(ES) - Equip: Armamen Pyro - High Temp]
"And with Pyro back in my Extra Deck, Xyz summon him again."
[Tribute: Armamen Pyro - High Temp(ES sent to GY) - Xyz Summon: Armamen Pyro(Fire/Rnk:4/Warrior-Xyz-Effect/ATK:2000/DEF:1200)(ATK Mode)(XYZM:1)(Munition Counter:0-3)]
[Armamen Upgrade - Clip Size(ES) - Attached(GY):Armamen Pyro(XYZM:1-2)]
("Thanks for bringing me back. Got plenty of more fire I want to give these robots.")
"All that to bring back a monster I already destroyed. I hope you can at least make good use of your Pyro this time." Verillite's newly found advantage allows for some taunting.
"Actually, he's the one that'll win me the duel." Sylvester's declaration has Verillite taken back a bit.
"I remember exactly how you've described your monster's effects. It's immune to spells and traps, and prevents the activation of my monsters' effects. The latter however, only applies during the battle phase."
Pyro extends his hands out to allow flames to emerge from his palms.
"That means now it can't stop Pyro from burning away its ATK and DEF."
Verillite realizes the truth in that statement, disgruntled for the fact that even his strongest monster will be weekend.
"My monster will still be far stronger both of yours. There's only so much yours can do with their Counters."
"True, but I have ways around that. Besides, your monster isn't my real target. You are."
'I'm his target? What does that...'
Then it dawned on him, a particular effect that Pyro had used earlier that he had no way of avoiding.
'Oh no.'
The re-summoned Xyz monster blasts the flames from his gauntlets to set fire to the oversized mech.
[Armamen Pyro(Munition Counter:3-0) - Chaos Ancient Gear Giant(ATK:4500-3300)(DEF:3000-1800)]
And just as he remembered, Verillite would soon become a victim of that fire as well.
Verillite: 3200 - 2000 LP
'That retched pyromaniac! I'll enjoy destroying it aga...'
Verillite's thought was left unfinished when the sight of more fire igniting in Pyro's gauntlets raised some concern.
"Since Pyro ran out of Munition Counters, his Equip Spell gives him 2 more."
[Armamen Pyro(Munition Counter:0-2)]
Again, the metal giant was surrounded by fire that damaged both it and its master.
[Armamen Pyro(-2 Munition Counter) - Chaos Ancient Gear Giant(ATK:3300-2500)(DEF:1800-1000)]
Verillite: 2000 - 1200 LP
"Finally, I give Pyro another 3 counters with my quick-play spell."
[Armamen Ammunition(QS) - Armamen Pyro(Munition Counter:0-3)]
"More?! If he goes all out again, then that'll leave me with...with...'
"No, nooo!"
"Pyro, finish this duel."
The fire wielding warrior does as commanded with no hesitation. For what will be the final time, he sets the metal giant in front of him ablaze, and action that would impact its master as well, the latter reacting with a scream.
[Armamen Pyro(Munition Counter:3-0) - Chaos Ancient Gear Giant(ATK:2500-1300)(DEF:1000-0)]
Once the fire cleared, the Ancient Gear was able to remain on its feet, while Verillite fell to his knees.
"Nicely done." Spy compliments.
("Thank you.")
Verillite: 1200 - 0 LP
Winner: Sylvester
The duel had now ended. With the outcome being the most exciting and unexpected one, a majority of the audience couldn't help but to shout out in cheer for the display of Sylvester's victory.
"Aw man, he gets the biggest duel, and gets all the high praise with it." Kenny showed some mild jealousy.
"Guess in this city, it's not often, or even believable, that a commoner could defeat a nobleman. If they knew that he was a foreigner to, than that might add to it." Malik states.
Of course, not everyone saw it as reason to celebrate, least of all Verillite did as he stared to the ground. Exactly what he feared might happen, was transpiring before him with every cheer making it painfully evident. Even after successfully summoning the power of his family's deck to its full power, he still lost the duel to an outsider of all things, earning the shame he dreaded earlier would fall onto his name as one of Dionom's Nobility.
"A good duel we've had Proffesor Verillite. Your Ancient Gears are a force to be reckoned with." Hearing the outsider casually giving him what has to be a condescending statement, after what he did to him, was an insult to injury that made his blood boil. His bowed down position had a benefit of hiding his expression of that anger. Fortunately his rationality prevented him from acting out on his emotion and make a bigger stain on himself than what was already done. He raises himself from the ground, finds his composure and, much as he hated to do so, fulfill his duty by rewarding the outsider.
"C-Congratulations, Mr. Bellic. You've...meet all the requirements for your entry. That will be all!" Verillite was quick to depart from the field after giving a forced compliment to his opponent's success.
Sylvester only had reason to leave the field as well after that.
"He did it! He won!" Amongst the nobleman applicants that had a mixed reaction to the outcome, Marie was one of the audience members excited for the Sylvester's victory.
"I'm glad he made it through. I have a feeling our time in the Academy will be more interesting with him around." Alicia kept a more calm demeanor than her friend, but shared her sentiments over Sylvester's well earned victory, none the less.
Julian meanwhile remained quit and held some of the other emotions that were common to those who were focused on the defeat of a noble duelist by a lowly commoner, such as shock, disbelief, and anger as a member of the former.
'Impossible! This had to be purely chance!'
"Very well played. They've each proven themselves admirably, but Mr. Bellic has had a greater opportunity to show it out the three, and what a remarkable duel it was." The Chancellor expresses his compliments for the end result.
"If I know them the way I believe I do, than their duels were a welcoming experience for them." Akudo states, feeling just as happy for his surrogate younger brothers that they've made it pass the unjustified obstacles that sought to impede them.
"This leaves me with the impression that we're in good hands." The Chancellor said that with confidence, before his mood changed to one of regret whe he reminds himself of the whole reason this occurred.
"Even still, I can't help but question if, despite their prowess, they're prepared for what we've asked of them to face."
"Understandable sir but believe me, master wouldn't have sent them if he didn't considered that himself. Those three are here because we can rely on them for something they're already familiar with." Akudo firmly assures.
"Let's hope so."
Hope this chapter was good start. Let me know through your reviews.
Some clarity on the OC characters:
Main Trio
Sylvester - As you could tell the main character(And admittedly a semi self-insert.) More obvious than that is his deck being based on the only other game I play these days, and long time fan of; Team Fortress 2. This was my way of expressing my idea of transforming that franchise into an arch-type. Figured an Xyz deck was the best fit, and from that decided that the other two would specialize in the other summoning methods; Fusion and Synchro. I've done some name alterations for the fun of it, and gave them a base name in a true Yu-gi-oh fashion; 'Armamen', from the word Armement, meaning to equip for war. Also, instead their retro style look, I'm giving them more a futuristic design, some what reminiscent of their counter parts from the first game.
Malik - Basically he's Gaara from Naruto. Not much else to say other than he's the rational and level headed of the three.
Kenny - When I first attempted, I had plans to include elements of South Park, with Kenny being the first character introduced(minus the whole head cover and muffled voice), because I already had a Zombie arch-type deck worked out for him(Obviously if your a fan of the show). I'm trying to portray him as the fun loving, comedic member, especially with his interest for the opposite sex that's a characteristic with his in show counterpart.
Everyone else was given a basic introduction of their role for the time being.
Don't forget that I have a separate fanfic for outlining my original decks.
Till the next chapter is updated.