Chapter 13: The Fortune Cup Begins

The next day, Yusei and Akiza arrived at the stadium for the tournament. At the stadium, they met up with Leo and Luna, and Akiza met Tanner and Yanagi, who Yusei had met in The Facility. Akiza liked them, but thought Yanagi was too excited for her.

Attention, all Fortune Cup participants are to report to the duel field for the opening ceremonies. Attention, all Fortune Cup participants are to report to the duel field for the opening ceremonies.

"Well, guess it's showtime."

"Good luck, guys! We'll be rooting for you!"

Leo laughed, and blew a kiss, making Luna sigh in frustration.

"I am so toast."

The ceremonies went off without issue. The only thing of note was the crowd jeering at Yusei for his criminal mark. Akiza clenched her fists, wanting to speak up but too afraid of the consequences. Surprisingly, one of the other competitors, a tall man named Greiger, beat her to it, snatching the microphone out of the M.C. 's hand and delivering a quick speech.

"Listen here! You take one look at this man and write him off just because of a mark. But I look deeper, and I see a true duelist! And in my world, that's all that matters."

After that, he tossed the microphone back to the M.C., leaving the crowd speechless. Akiza smiled, she had a feeling she would like him.

After that, Jack made a big entrance, gave a short speech (Akiza just rolled her eyes at his display of power), and the tournament bracket was decided. Leo was dueling first against Greiger, then her against somebody named Ransborg, and Yusei was dueling against someone named Shira.

Leo dueled well, but in the end Greiger came out victorious. Akiza couldn't help but take note of his dueling style, and knew she would be in for a tough time if she did have to duel him.

As she made her way out to the duel field for her match, she passed by Leo on his way back, with Luna and his friend Dexter trying to cheer him up.

"Hey, cheer up Leo. It's not like everyone saw you lose."

"Yeah, she's right. 15 million, tops."

"Thanks."

Akiza smiled, and gently knelt down to cheer him up.

"You did great out there, Leo. You did your best, and that's all that matters. You'll just have to beat him next time."

Leo smiled, and wiped the tears from his eyes.

"Thanks, Akiza! Now go kick that Ransborg guy's butt!"

Akiza smiled, and gave him a thumbs up before leaving.

When Akiza reached the duel field, she found her opponent already waiting for her. Looking over him, she could tell this was going to be interesting. The man was dressed from head to toe knight armor, and his duel disk was even shaped like a shield. She had to admit, she admired the attention to detail.

"If thou think I will hold back because you are a fair maiden, then think again! I shall smite thee and claim victory in this duel!"

Never mind, this was going to be a headache.

"We shall see."

DUEL!

Akiza: 4000

Ransborg: 4000

"As a knight, I am bound to my code of chivalry. As such, you may make the first move."

"Thank you. For starters, I summon Lord Evil Thorn in defense mode! But now I'll tribute it to deal 300 points of damage to you."

The knight duelist raised his duel disk to shield himself from the blast.

Ransborg: 3700

"Lastly, I'll activate the field spell Black Garden!"

In an instant, the arena was covered in thorny vines, nearly obstructing the field from view.

"Your move, Ransborg!"

"You may have struck first, but I will have the last laugh! I'll start with the spell card Reinforcements of the Army, allowing me to add Marauding Captain to my hand, which I'll now summon (1200/400)! And with his ability, I'll call forth Masked Knight, Level the Third (1500/800)!"

As soon as the monsters hit the field, vines shot out from the forest around them, wrapping themselves around them and sapping their strength.

"What kind of sorcery is this?"

"It's the effect of my field spell. Any time a monster is normal or special summoned, its attack points get cut in half (1200-600) (1500-750). Not only that, but their opponent gets a Rose Token!"

True to her word, two small rose creatures emerged on her side of the field (800/800). Ransborg grimaced, but was not deterred.

"Tis matters not! My knights may be weakened, but they're still strong enough to smite your Evil Thorns! Attack!"

The two knights charged, slashing the two Evil Thorns to shreds with ease.

"I've done enough damage for now, so I'll end my turn with one card face down!"

This fair maiden may think she has me cornered, but once she attacks I'll spring my Sakuretsu Armor trap on her, vanquishing her vile creature!

"I hope you weren't planning anything with that face down, because I activate the spell card Double Cyclone! By destroying my Garden, I can destroy it!"

Ransborg growled as the cyclone destroyed both cards. Unfortunately, his monsters' strength did not return with the disappearance of the field spell.

"Next, I summon Botanical Lion (1600-2500) in attack mode! Take out his wimpy Captain!"

The plant-lion hybrid pounced, tearing the blonde haired captain to shreds.

Ransborg: 1800

"I'll end my turn with one card face down. Your move, Ransborg."

"Destroying your field spell was a mistake, my dear, one that shall cost you dearly! First, during my Standby Phase, Masked Knight Level the Third evolves into Masked Knight Level the Fifth (2300/1300)! And I'll use his effect to deal you 1000 points of damage!"

Akiza just stood firm as the knight blasted her with a beam of energy from the crest on his helmet.

Akiza: 3000

"I activate the trap card, Doppelganger. Since I just took effect damage, this card deals you the same amount!"

Ransborg had to block the blast with his shield, almost getting knocked off his feet.

Ransborg: 800

Akiza mentally cursed. She was so worried about her friends that she was letting her psychic powers get the best of her. Luckily, the audience seemed to think it was just theatrics on Ransborg's part.

"You may have caught me off guard, but I shall still come out on top! I activate the spell card, Level Up! Now my level 5 knight gets a promotion to level 7 (2900/1800)! And his effect lets me deal you 1500 points of damage!"

Akiza cringed as the blast hit her, cutting her life points in half.

Akiza: 1500

"Now Masked Knight Level the 7th, cut her kitten down to size!"

The much larger knight flipped over to Akiza's side of the field before stabbing the lion with his sword, cutting him down to size before returning to his master's side of the field.

Akiza: 1100

"I end my turn. I do not wish to make thy maiden suffer. Surrender and leave with your dignity intact!"

"Why would I do that when I'm about to win? I activate the spell card Mark of the Rose!"

A small mark engraved itself onto the knight's helmet. Suddenly, the monster moved over to Akiza's side of the field, kissing her hand before taking his stance.

"What kind of sorcery is this?"

"By banishing my Evil Thorn from my graveyard, I can take control of your monster! Ordinarily, he'd return to your side when my turn ends, but you won't make it that long! Masked Knight Level 7, finish him off!"

The Knight fired a massive beam from his head crest, making Ransborg cry in despair as he dropped to his knees.

Ransborg: 0000

"Ah man, I spent all night on this costume! I can't lose now!"

Akiza rolled her eyes, and returned to the competitor's lounge. Where does Goodwin find these people?