Trouble Always Awaits
It's been a couple of weeks since the last time Red Hat had last seen his old competition in both multiple tournaments and in the minor league, he was prone to participating. As Red Hat was laying down on his bed. He was unable to sleep once again. Ever since he met those two girls in particular. He started sleeping less and less often. Often times he would wake up in the middle of the night and just stare out into the night sky.
He wanted to see those two girls he met once more. He couldn't give a reason as to why he wanted to see them again. He was under no obligation to help them, nor was under any obligation to meet them again. Yet, he couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. He wanted to see them again. Question is, who will he see them? Lara was living in the Satellite, and he had no clue where Reyna even was.
'Stay away from her.' Bright's words still rang in his head. Despite her words, he wanted to see the zombie user again. Although, he didn't want to resort to tracking her down. He should give her some space. Besides, it wasn't his place to know any of her affairs.
This time, he was sure what he wanted to do early in the morning. He would take either a boat ride like last time, or he would catch a ride in one of the few cargo ships that head to Satellite. Although, if he did that, he would have to sneak by the many Sector Security officers guarding the area. Looks like he'll be using the former option, assuming it was still there.
He collected his things and prepared two of his decks he was planning on taking. As he put them away into a small pile, he did his best to get a good night sleep. Little did he know, his troubles have only just begun.
As the sun began rising through the horizon. Red Hat woke up as early as he could. Quickly getting himself properly dressed in his usual attire and took two of his deck boxes and his duel disk. He knew what he was about to do was absolutely stupid, but he didn't care. He was going to the Satellite and find that girl Lara. For some reason, he felt concerned about her well-being. Even though she technically lived with a few people. He could never be too sure.
'But what if something happens to her?' He thought, putting his boots and leaving his home after locking the door. He quickly ran off and stayed clear of the main roads. He made sure to stop by a couple vending machines to get some water and basic breakfast. While he normally never ate much to begin with. This time around, his lack of eating a proper breakfast was his benefit. Since this time around, he would mostly be needing water.
After running for a short while, stopping every now and then to catch his breath. He made his way back to the docks he's been to last time. Only to find the same boat he used last time to get across the shore.
'Why is this still here? Does someone own it, or is it legitimately abandoned?' He thought, questioning why someone would leave behind an old motor boat. Sure, it wasn't very useful now adays, but it could still be used for short period travels. After all, its main purpose was getting a better fishing spot deeper within the lakes or open sea. 'Better safe than sorry. Although, I'm going to have to be hide the boat in a more obscure part.'
He activated the motor and made his way to the Satellite once again. This time around he would manually steer the boat to a completely different part of the Satellite. Hoping he wouldn't be seen by any Sector Security forces. Last thing he needed was confrontation from anyone, especially Sector Security.
What felt like forever, making sure he avoided the open area. He made his way to an abandon shoreline. Which appears to also have some sort of unfinished bridge, which what appeared to be made to reach New Domino City. To his understanding, the construction of the bridge was cancelled and was never actually finished. He couldn't care less what this bridge meant for the time being. He made his way to an obscure part of the bridge, where he would disembark slowly and quickly hid the boat with any sort of foliage he could find. Mostly just plain wood and other garbage.
He quickly ran off and hid inside one of the many broken down buildings. 'Hope no one noticed I came through here.' He slowed his breathing and took a peak outside. Hoping the area was clear, he snuck out of the building from the opposite direction. Going prone behind any cover he could find, as to not get caught by anyone. The area looked clear enough, so he kept on moving. Making sure he stayed clear of open areas.
Exploring the Satellite was like exploring a destroyed city. Just what happened to this city anyway? Cause there was no way this kind of destruction could be caused by warfare. So, then what caused it? These were rhetorical questions Red Hat had, not because he knows the answers, but because he won't get an answer.
'Just what kind of rabbit hole am I encountering?' He thought. Keeping himself hide using the shadows of many collapsed buildings. It didn't take long for him to encounter a group of people in an open area. Narrowing his eyes, he slowly walked over to see what was all the commotion. His eyes widened when he noticed when the same girl, he met a while back... Lara. She was surrounded by small group of people. He guessed that, those people were either thugs or gang members.
"Hand over your precious goods and maybe we'll let you go!" One of the gang members demanded.
"Trespassing on our domain is unacceptable!" Another one spoke up.
"You can't run! You're surrounded!"
The girl in question got on her knees and covered her face. Trembling at the thought of what these guys were planning to do with her.
Having seen enough of the situation. Red Hat came out of his hiding spot and ran up close to them. "Leave her alone!"
All gang members turned around and glared at the one boy in questioned. "Who the heck are you?! Do you want to be thrashed?"
"I'll be the one to do the thrashing." Red Hat replied readying his duel disk.
All gang members laughed and took out some weapons, mostly rusted tools, pipes and wires and pointed at Red Hat. "A duelist? Very naive, trying to play hero! We'll beat you to the ground! Men, give him a beating!"
Just as all gang members were about to charge straight at Red Hat. They heard sirens blaring of multiple vehicles coming right behind them.
"Shit, it's Sector Security! Everyone, run!" All gang members split up in multiple directions. Trying to avoid getting caught by Sector Security.
"Halt, you're all under arrest!" An officer called out via a speaker.
Wasting no time, Red Hat got close to the small girl. "Lara, it's me. We have to go!"
Lara looked up and saw it was the same boy that found her. "Mr. Red Hat? You're here..."
"No time, we have to go." Red Hat took of his cap and placed on Lara's head. He took hold of her hand and began running in the opposite direction.
"Ahh! Where are we going, Mr. Red Hat?!" Lara asked, holding his hand tightly as she tried to keep up, while securing his cap on her head.
"We're running away from Sector Security!" The two of them continue to run in the opposite direction. While majority of Sector Security officer went took off in the other direction to chase after those gang members. Two Sector Security officers took chase after them. 'Dang, those two are following us?' He kept on running with Lara by his side.
"Hold it right there, Satellite scum!" One of the officers called out.
"You won't get away from us!" The second officer added.
Red Hat sprinted as fast as he could, keeping an eye on Lara who struggled to keep up with him. 'We won't escape with those two pursuing us... We'll just have to face them...' He thought, coming up with an idea.
"What are we going to do?" Lara asked, scared at the thought of even being captured by Sector Security. Knowing all the horror stories from many people that have been captured by them.
"Keep running, and don't look back!" Red Hat replied as he continued running. As the made a quick turn to their left. They hide behind some debris that was big enough to hide the both of them. Both of them got down and stayed hidden. "Lara, those guys aren't going to quit unless I face them. Stay low, while I confront them."
Lara was shocked at what she just heard. He was planning on facing both of those Sector Security officers? "You can't do that! Who knows what will happen to you!"
"I won't lose to them. I'll keep them busy for a while. Keep my hat for now. When the officers focus on me, run away and head back to your safe location." Red Hat stood up and walked away.
"No! Come back!" Lara begged, but to no avail. He had already made up his mind.
He walked over the debris and stood still in the open area. Waiting for those Sector Security goons to show up. In the meantime, he readied one of his decks and placed some cards, he didn't think he'd use for this kind of situation. Desperate times calls for drastic measures he guessed. Not like he was going to have much of a chance to even use said cards.
Didn't take too long for both security officers to find him. "Freeze! You're under arrest!"
Red Hat simply readied his duel disk and placed one of his decks in the slot. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm challenging the both of you for freedom."
"You dare resist arrest, Satellite scum? All of you scumbags are the same!" Both officers readied their duel disks. Hoping this would be quick and easy duel. That way, they can send this guy to the facility where he belonged. One of the officers spotted slight movement from the pile of debris nearby. "Come out! It's over!"
Realizing that she'd been caught. Lara slowly comes out from the debris, with Red Hat's cap, which didn't even fit her.
"Trying to escape? Then we'll take you in too!" The officer soon realized who she actually was. "Wait, you're that girl Lara? Tch, fitting she'd hang around with Satellite scum that don't even like her in the first place."
Red Hat glared at the two policemen as he tried to protect Lara. "I won't let you two take her in! She's done nothing wrong!"
The policemen scoffed at his poor attempt to play hero. "Don't waste your time, Satellite scum! Don't you know who she is?"
"That girl is the daughter of an ore tycoon. However, her parents company went bankrupt and her family has scattered. We've been unable to locate them, so they sent their daughter to live here in the Satellite under tight surveillance. She and her family are despised in all levels of Society." The other officer explained.
"When those with high status goes bankrupt and get torn down. It brings great shame to a family no matter the class.
Red Hat gritted his teeth. "Why would anyone treat her like that? She's done nothing wrong! She doesn't deserve this kind of treatment!"
"Didn't expect someone like you to understand." Both officers readied their duel disks.
Lara pulled on Red Hat's pants, which he turned to look at her. "You don't have to defend me. I'm used to all the bad mouthing everyone gives me. Even some of the kids don't really like me."
Red Hat shook his head in disapproval. "No, that's not right! You don't deserve to be treated like that! You shouldn't be judged just because something your family has done! You didn't cause any of that, so you don't deserve to be frowned upon!"
"You've wasted enough of our time! We'll be taking you two by force! You'll be going to the facility, while the girl will be going to a special facility for minors!"
"You're not taking her anywhere! We'll take you down!" Red Hat declared, now no longer caring if he makes an enemy out of Sector Security.
"Wait, we?!" Lara was shocked that Red Hat was dragging her into a duel she'll most likely lose. "We can't duel them! Many can't even defeat Sector Security in a duel!"
"There's no such thing as an unbeatable duelist." Red Hat assured her. "We'll take them down. Don't worry, I'll support you as much as I can." Red Hat put on Lara's duel disk for her and got her deck ready. Red Hat meanwhile, took out his deck and replaced it with a different deck he had.
"Okay... if you say so..."
"You both will fail. Very well, we'll humor the two of you." Both officers got ready and began the tag duel.
Red Hat & Lara: 8000 LP
Sector Security Officers: 8000 LP
"I'll let you start the duel, girl. Will at least give you that much." The first officer said.
"Okay... My turn, I draw!" Lara draws.
Hand 6
She took a look at her hand and was shocked to see the very card Red Hat gave her when they first met. 'This is the card he gave me. Should I use it now?' She took a look at the rest of her hand and noticed it wasn't very good. 'I think I should use it now. Can't hurt, can it?'
"What's with that shocked expression? Mind if you actually play?" said the second officer, impatiently.
"Okay... I play the spell card, Card Destruction! We both discard our cards, then we redraw the same amount cards we discarded!" Lara discarded her cards and redrew the same number of cards.
"Wade, since my turn hasn't even started yet, you have to discard your hand first!" The first officer pointed out.
The second officer, named Wade, growled and discarded his hand. 'Those were some of my best traps too.' He begrudgingly thought as he redrew a new hand. "Be sure to take her down, Dean!"
"You don't have to tell me twice!"
'Okay, I think this is much better. If only I can get more to the graveyard so he has enough attack points...' Lara thought as she wanted to summon that one monster in her deck soon enough. "I set a monster facedown and play the continuous spell card, Card of Safe Return. I end my turn." Lara ends her turn.
Hand 3
"Alright, it's my turn, I draw!" Dean draws.
Hand 6
"I summon Rescue Cat in attack mode! (LV4 Atk: 300 Def: 100)" A small cat with the rescue cap appeared. "I use its effect. I send it to the graveyard I can special summon two level 3 or lower beast type monsters from my deck. I'll bring out X - Saber Airbellum and Galdiator Beast Samnite! (LV3 Atk: 1600 Def: 1200) (LV 3 Atk: 1600 Def: 300)" Rescue Cat disappeared and was replaced with a two-legged tiger, wearing black armor and carried a shield and a blue sword, and X - Sabre Airbelum.
"Not good." Red Hat said.
"Is something wrong?" Lara asked, confused at the situation.
"That X - Sabre monster is a tuner monster. Both are level 3 so he can summon a level 6 synchro monster." He pointed out.
"Wow! Satellite scum having brains for once in their life! That's right and now I tune level 3 X - Sabre Airbellum with level 3 Gladiator Beast Samnite!" X-Saber Airbellum turned into three stars that circled around Samnite, before turning into circles of green light. Both their bodies turned transparent and revealed 3 stars and lined up before creating a ray of light. "Synchro summon! The chase is over, bring them down, Goyo Guardian! (LV6 Atk: 2800 Def: 2000)" A tall figure appeared, dressed in samurai garments and kabuki makeup. He wielded a juttie on the end of a rope.
"That monster means bad news. Hope you didn't set anything that would help them out." Red Hat warned her.
"Like I'm going to let you! I play the spell card, Monster Reborn to bring back Gladiator Beast Samnite! (LV3 Atk: 1600 Def: 1200)" Samnite returns to the field and roars at his opponents. "Battle, Samnite attack her facedown monster!" The beast roar and charges forward before slicing the facedown with its sword. Revealing to be Pyramid Turtle. (LV4 Atk: 1200 Def: 1400)
"Pyramid Turtle's effect. When he's destroyed in battle, I get to special summon a zombie type monster with 2000 or less defense from my deck. I choose to summon Spirit Reaper in defense mode! (LV3 Atk: 300 Def: 200)" Lara explains as a reaper hidden in the ground holding a scythe emerges onto the field. "Now, with Spirit Reaper, you can't destroy him in battle! So, we're safe!"
"Not quite. I know Gladiator Beasts very well to know that's not the case." Red Hat corrected.
Dean scoffed and chuckled. "How smart for Satellite scum! At the end of the battle phase after a Gladitor Beast has battled, they get to tag out and with another Gladiator Beast! Meaning I return Samnite to my deck to special summon this from my deck, Gladiator Beast Murmilo! (LV3 Atk: 800 Def: 400)" A sea horse like creature tags in as Samnite returns to Dean's deck. The creature in question, carried some sort of cannon on his left wristband. "It's effect, when it's summoned by a Gladiator Beast monster effect, he can destroy one monster my opponent controls. So, that Spirit Reaper gets destroyed!" Murmilo fired a blast from its canon and destroyed the Spirit Reaper.
"No! Now we're wide open!" Lara cried out.
"Lucky for you, my battle phase is over. I set one card facedown and end my turn." Dean ends his turn.
Hand 3
"I won't be pushed around! My turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 6
'That facedown worries me, but I don't have an opening play.' He thought as he observed his hand. 'Let's hope for the best.' He continued. "I play the spell card, Morphtronic Accelerator! First, I return one Morphtronic monster from my hand into my deck. Then, I get to destroy one card on your field. I choose to destroy that facedown!" A speed unit appeared and shot forward to the facedown card and destroyed it.
"Agh, my face down!" Dean yelped.
"Now, I get to draw 1 card." Red Hat draws his card and looks at it. Smiling as he drew what he needed. "I summon Morphtronic Celfon! (LV1 Atk: 100 Def: 100)" A small phone which then transformed into a small robot with dial numbers on its body appeared.
"What can you possible do with one of those things?" Wade asked.
"You'll find out soon enough. I play the spell card, Machine Duplication! With this card, I target a machine monster with 500 or less attack points and special summon as many copies of that monster with the same name from my deck! Come out two more Morphtronic Celfon attack mode! (LV1 Atk: 100 Def: 100 X2)" Two more Celfon's appeared and transformed. "Now I activate Morphtronic Celfon effect! Once per turn, I roll a six-sided dice. Then I pick up cards equal to the roll. If any are Morphtronic monsters, I can special summon one of them. The rest get shuffled into the deck."
"Luck based effects? If it backfires, then you're done for!" Dean pointed out.
"Let's hope luck is on my side." A hologram dice appeared and was tossed and dice landed on four. "Alright a 4. Let's see what I get." Red Hat picks up four cards from his deck. The cards shown were the following: Solemn Judgment, Morphtronic Scopen, Mirror Force and Heavy Storm. "Alright, I special summon the tuner monster Morphtronic Scopen in defense mode! (LV3-4 Atk: 800 Def: 1400)" A micoscope like machine appeared onto the field.
"Did I mention Morphtronic have different effects depending on their battle positions? Most of the time, Morphtronic are not worth being in defense mode. Scopen's effect, it becomes a level 4 monster." Red Hat returned the rest of the other cards back into his deck, which was then auto shuffled." Time for the second Celfon. Let's roll!" A second dice appeared and was tossed. This time, landing on three. "Let's see what I can dig." Red Hat picked up three cards from his deck. The cards shown was: Morphtronic Borden, Mystical Space Typhoon and Solemn Judgment. "Perfect, I special summon Morphtronic Bordern defense mode! (LV3 Atk: 500 Def: 1800)" A board-like machine appeared on the field. Red Hat returned the remaining cards back to the deck as it auto-shuffled.
"You intend to make a big synchro?" Wade asked, already finding his play questionable.
"Yeah, that's not the case. You forget, Celfon's effect is a soft once per turn. so, all three copies can use their effects. But first, I tune level 4 Morphtronic Scopen with level 1 Morphtronic Celfon that just used its effect!" Morphtronic Scopen turned into four stars that circled around Celfon, before turning into circles of green light. Both their bodies turned transparent and revealed 1 star and lined up before creating a ray of light. "Synchro summon! Appear Ally of Justice Catastor! (LV5 Atk: 2200 Def: 1200) A mechanical four-legged machine with gold and silver layout and blue lenses appeared onto the field.
"Catastor? How do you have a card that rare?!" Wade asked in disbelief.
"No way some Satellite punk can have such a rare card!" Dean added.
"That aside, I use my third Celfon's effect. Now let's roll again!" A third dice appeared and was tossed. This time, landing on five. "Let's see what I can dig." Red Hat picked up five cards from his deck. The cards shown was: Morphtronic Remoten, Monster Reborn, Torrential Tribute, One for One, and Morphtronic Radion. "I'll pick this one, I special summon the tuner monster Morphtronic Remoten in attack mode! (LV3 Atk: 300 Def: 1400)" A Remote appears where its eyes glowed on its vizor and released arms and legs. Red Hat returned the rest of the cards back to his deck as it was shuffled automatically.
"Another tuner? You still aren't done?!" Dean asked impatiently.
"You can still keep going? Amazing..." Lara wondered in amazement.
"I tune level 3 Morphtronic Remoten with both level 1 Morphtronic Celfon!" Morphtronic Remoten turned into 3 stars that circled around both Celfons, before turning into circles of green light. All three of their bodies turned transparent and revealed 1 star twice and lined up before creating a ray of light. "Synchro Summon! Appear Naturia Beast! (LV5 Atk: 2200 Def: 1700)" A large green tiger-like beast emerged onto the field. It had rough roots around its arms and legs.
"Woah, nice kitty!" Lara said in amazement.
"Naturia synchro monsters require only earth monsters to summon. Since Morphtronic Celfon and Remoten are earth attribute monsters. They can bring out Naturia synchro monsters. However, Borden here is also an earth attribute monster. You know what that means." Red Hat explained with a smug look. "Time for some deep trouble. I play the spell card Junk Box! With this, I can special summon a level 4 or lower Morphtronic monster from my graveyard. Although... there's no such thing as a level 5 or higher Morphtronic so this text is redundant. Anyway, I bring back Morphtronic Remoten! (LV3 Atk: 300 Def: 1400)" Remoten remerges onto the field. "Card of Safe Return's effect, I can draw one card when a monster is special summoned from my graveyard!" Red Hat draws his card.
"Don't tell me you have both of those synchros?!" Dean gasped.
"What does he mean, Mr. Red Hat?" Lara question, not understanding what was so special about the synchro monsters he was talking about.
"You'll see soon, Lara." He assured her as he continued his turn. "I tune level 3 Morphtronic Remoten with level 3 Morphtronic Borden!" Morphtronic Remoten turned into 3 stars that circled around Borden, before turning into circles of green light. All three of their bodies turned transparent and revealed 3 stars and lined up before creating a ray of light. "Synchro Summon! Appear Naturia Barkion! (LV6 Atk: 2500 Def: 1800)" A serpent-like dragon covered in stone and rough roots appeared on the field.
"What a dragon!" Lara gazed at the synchro monsters he summoned. Never before had she seen those synchro monsters. Let alone someone summoning this many in one turn. "So, what's so special about them?"
"I'm getting there. Naturia Beasts negates any spell card by simply milling the top 2 cards of your deck. It's not a once per turn. Meanwhile, Barkion can negate traps by banishing two cards from our graves. Also, not a once per turn. You can use their effects anytime, so long as you have the resources. You can also use their effects by chains links. So, no out chaining their effects."
Lara got a bit dizzy from the explanation she was given. Red Hat had to chuckle at how overwhelmed she was just by explaining her their effects. "You get used to it. All part of learning the game." He then turns his attention to the two Sector Security officers. "Battle, Catastor attack Goyo Guardian! Blue Lightning Lash!" Catastor locked on to Goyo Guardian and analyzed the monster and began to charge its laser.
"Wait! Your monster is weaker then Goyo Guardian. It will be destroyed!" Lara warned him.
"Don't worry. Catastor effect, if he battles a non-dark monster, he destroys it immediately without damage calculation! Blast him away!" Red Hat corrected. The machine finished charging it's laser and fired a powerful blue beam, splitting Goyo Guardian in half, before it disintegrated.
"No, my Goyo Guardian!" Dean gasped as Goyo was destroyed effortlessly.
"Keep up the pressure! Naturia Beast attack his Murmilo!" The beast leaped forward and pounced on the Gladiator before slicing it with its claws. "Naturia Barkion, attack them directly!" Barkion charged up and fired a powerful brown beam at the officers, pushing them back a bit.
Officer Dean & Wade: 8000 - 5500 LP
"I end my turn here." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 3
"Wade! Fix this up now! We can't lose to these punks!" Dean ordered.
"Got it covered. My turn, I draw!" Wade draws.
Hand 6
As he was about to begin. Both officers received a call from their communications. 'Officer Dean, Wade, where are you?! We just captured the Satellite punks that tried to escape! What's taking you two so long?!'
"We ran into some resistance! A boy and a small girl decided to take us on in a duel! It's taking longer than expected, but we'll have them captured soon enough!" Dean responded. "Don't wait for us, take those punks to the facility. We'll regroup once we captured these two!"
'Better hurry up! Officer Trudge already has his hands full with one Satellite punk he's pursuing! Failure is not an option, men!'
"Let's make this quick." Wade muttered as he began his turn. "I summon Bountiful Artemis in attack mode! (LV4 Atk: 1600 Def: 1700)" A mechanical angel with large wings and a purple cape appeared. "Battle, attack Naturia Beast!"
"But why? It has less attack points?" Lara questioned, confused as to why he'd attack with a weaker monster and had no spells or traps to use.
Wade scoffed. "Guess what they are true. Satellite trash don't know any better. I discard the monster known as Honest to activate his effect! When a light attribute monster attacks or is attacked, it gains the attack points of the attack monster or the monster it's attacking until the end phase!" A male angel descends down and does a chant as Bountiful Artemis gains more power. Soon it grabs Naturia Beast and fires a laser from its body. (LV4 Atk: 1600 - 3800 Def: 1700)
Red Hat & Lara: 8000 - 6400 LP
"Last up, I set two cards facedown and end my turn." Wade ends his turn. (LV4 Atk: 3800 - 1600 Def: 1700)
Hand 2
"They outsmarted us... Mr. Red Hat do you think we can win?" Lara asked nervously.
"I know we'll win. I'll support you as much as I can." Red Hat assured her.
Both officers scoffed. "Please, you both will lose soon enough. Satellite scum should know their place!"
"We won't be taken down that easily! We'll fight back! Lara, take your turn and show them what you can do!" Red Hat proclaimed.
Lara nodded nervously. 'How can he be so confident? Is he used to these situations?' She thought. "My turn... I draw." Lara draws.
Hand 4
"I play the spell card, Hand Destruction! We both discard two cards then we draw two cards!" Lara and Wade discarded their cards and redrew the same number of cards. "Battle, Catastor attack his Bountiful Artemis!" As Catastor was about to fire its laser.
"I activate my counter trap, Divine Wrath! Since your monster's effect activated, by discarding one card, your monster's effect is negated and destroyed!" Wade discards his card, then a powerful lightning blast strut Catastor and destroyed it.
"Why couldn't Barkion use his effect? Doesn't he negate traps?" Lara asked.
"You can't use monster effects to negate counter traps. Monster effects, even if they say quick effect are still spell speed two. The same spell speed as quick play spells and normal traps. Counter Traps, are spell speed three. You can only respond to a counter trap with another counter trap." Red Hat clarified.
"Satellite scum knowing rules? How quaint, most scumbags don't even know their own plays. Bountiful Artemis effect allows to draw one card when a counter trap is activated." Wade draws his card.
"I can still attack. Barkion attack his monster!" Barkion charges up an energy orb launches it at Bountiful Artemis.
"Go counter trap, Negate Attack! You attack is negated and the battle phase ends!" The attack was blocked by a barrier, leaving the angel unharmed. "Artemis effect allows me to draw a card." Wade draws another card.
Lara looks at her hand. 'If only I can summon him. But, even if I did, it's not enough monsters in the graveyard for his boost.' She thought, observing what other plays to make. "I banish Mezuki from my graveyard to special summon a zombie type monster from my graveyard. Come back to my field, The Lady in Wright! (LV3 Atk: 0 Def: 2200)" A skeleton woman in a black dress with a tattered grail in her hand appeared. "Card of Safe return allows me to draw a card." Lara draws her card. 'This is the card he gave me... again.' She thought as she played it. "I play the spell Foolish Burial! I send one monster from my deck to the graveyard." Lara sends a Skull Servant from her deck to the graveyard and her deck was auto shuffled. "I end my turn." Lara ends her turn.
Hand 3
Red Hat took a look at her, realizing what she was trying to do. 'She wants to bring him out, but she doesn't have enough attack power or has him in her hand yet. I'll have to help her in some way.'
"Is that all? Cause we're done playing around! I draw!" Dean draws.
Hand 4
"I play the spell card Reinforcements of the Army! With this, I can add a level 4 or lower warrior monster from my deck. I choose this card known as Elemental HERO Prisma, which I'll summon right away! (LV4 Atk: 1700 Def: 1100)" A blue hero that appeared to be made of glass or glass-like armor emerged onto the field. He also has two additional extension arms on his back. "Now time for his effect! I reveal a fusion monster from my extra deck, then I send 1 of those materials whose name is specifically listed on that card from my deck to the graveyard! I reveal Gladiator Beast Gyzarus and send Bestiari from my deck to the graveyard. Prisma now becomes that monster's name until the end phase!" Prisma then morphed into the armored winged beast Gladitor.
"Not good..." Red Hat said.
"Why? Is something wrong Mr. Red Hat?" Lara asked, confused at the situation.
"You two should be more concerned about yourselves. I special summon Test Tiger onto the field since I control a Gladiator Beast monster, least by name! (LV3 Atk: 600 Def: 300)" A wild tiger whore wore similar armor to the many Gladiator Beast, leaped onto the field and roared. "His effect, I tribute him, then I shuffle back a Gladiator Beast from my field back into my deck to special summon a different Gladiator Beast from my deck, and it's also treated as if it was special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast!" Test Tiger roared and soon disappeared from the field. Prisma disguised as Bestiari return to the deck. "I special summon Gladiator Beast Darius! (LV4 Atk: 1700 Def: 300)" A horse standing on two legs emerged onto the field. It wore red armor around its upper and lower torso, armored boots, and held a whip. "His effect, when he's special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, he can bring back a Gladiator Beast monster from my graveyard. Return Bestiari! (LV4 Atk: 1500 Def: 800)" Darius used its whip and pulled the real Bestiari back onto the field.
"This is bad..." Red Hat muttered.
"It's only going to get worse. I contact fuse Gladiator Beast Bestiari with Gladiator Beast Darius!" Darius and Bestiari leap up into the air and merging together as one in an intense light.
"A fusion? Don't you need a fusion card to summon one?" Lara asked, already totally lost at what was going on.
"Not quite. Gladiator Beast fusion summon by shuffling their respective fusion materials back into the deck as Contact Fusion. A similar thing happens with VWXYZ fusions, where they contact fuse by banishing their respective materials... Although, who plays those now adays anyway?" Red Hat explained.
"Your troubles have only begun! Appear, Gladiator Beast Gyzarus! (LV6 Atk: 2400 Def: 1500)" As the light died down, Bestiari comes out, only this time with a lot heavier armor and a pair of turbines on its shoulder pads and carried two swords. "It's effect, when he's special summoned, he can destroy two cards on your field! So, your Naturia Barkion and Lady in Wright are destroyed!" Gyzarus launched its swords at both monsters and destroyed them.
"No, our monsters are destroyed!" Lara gasped as she covered her face from the attacks.
"Battle, Gyzarus attack her directly!" Gyzarus activated his turbines and charged forward. Taking back his swords and slashed Lara with them, causing her to stumbled.
Red Hat & Lara: 6400 - 4000 LP
"I'm not done yet! Bountiful Artemis attack her directly!" The mechanical fairy charged up and fired at laser at Lara, knocking her back onto the ground.
Red Hat & Lara: 4000 - 2400 LP
"I'll use Gyzarus other effect! I return him back to my extra deck and I can special summon two Gladiator Beast monsters from my deck, except Bestiari! Appear, Gladiator Beast Andal and Gladiator Beast Laquari! (LV4 Atk: 1800 Def: 400) (LV4 Atk: 1900 Def: 1500)" Gyzarus returned to the extra deck, and in his place appeared a bear with armor around its torso, it's wrists and lower legs, while the other Gladiator Beast was a yellow tiger, who wore red armor around its torso, his abdomen, and its wrists. Was seen to be close to a ring of fire and held a lasso.
"Wait, he tagged out again and now he has two more monsters on the field?!" Lara asked.
"Gladiator Beast Laquari effect, if he was special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, he gains 300 more attack points." Liquari leaped forward pass the ring of fire and grew stronger as a result. (LV4 Atk: 1800 - 2100 Def: 400) "I end my turn here. Any last words, you Satellite scum?" Dean ends his turn.
Hand 2
"We won't lose to you. You can count on that!" Red Hat shot back.
Wade scoff and laughed at his bravado. "Are you blind? Look at your field. You have no monsters and a continuous spell. Meanwhile, we have three monsters who are ready to tear you apart!"
"I won't surrender! I'll win, or fail trying! I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 4
"I play the spell card, Monster Reborn! With this, I bring back Morphtronic Celfon! (LV1 Atk 100 Def: 100)" Celfon remerged onto the field. "Card of Safe Return allows me to draw a card." Red Hat draws his cards and narrowed his eyes. "I play the spell card, Pot of Averice! I shuffle back 5 monsters from my graveyard back into the deck, then I draw 2 cards!" He shuffles back two of his Morphtronic Celfons, Morphtronic Scopen, Morphtronic Remoten and Ally of Justice Catastor back into the deck and extra deck and drew his cards, after his deck was auto shuffled.
"You have a plan to stop them, Mr. Red Hat?" Lara asked out of curiosity.
"You'll see soon enough. I'll use Celphon's effect. I'll roll a dice once more." The forth dice appeared and was tossed once more. This time, landing on 2. "Dang, let's hope it doesn't backfire." He picks up two card and checked out to be Morphtronic Radion and Heavy Storm. "Excellent, I special summon Morphtronic Radion in defense mode! (LV4 Atk: 1000 Def 900)" A radio-like machine with a biod appeared onto the field. "Radion's defense position effect, when it's in defense mode, all Morphtronic monsters gain 1000 defense." (LV1 Atk: 100 Def: 100 - 1100) (LV4 AtK 1000 Def: 900 - 1900)
"Defense mode? Have you lost it? All you're doing is delaying the inevitable!" Dean asked, already beginning to mock his play.
"Who said, I was finished? I play the quick play spell, Inferno Reckless Summon! When I special summon a monster with 1500 or fewer attack points, I can target said monster and one monster you control, we both special summon as many of those monsters with the same name from our decks. I'll choose that Bountiful Artemis, since you clearly don't have any!" Red Hat explained as he pointed at Dean.
Dean gritted his teeth. "Tch, wise guy..."
"I special summon two more Morphtronic Radion in attack mode! (LV 4 Atk: 1000 Def: Def: 1900 X2)" Two more Radions appeared. Only this time, they transformed and released two arms and legs from its torso and its radio antenna now facing forward. "Morphtronic Radion's attack position effect, all Morphtronic monsters gain 800 attack points!" Both Radions glowed in a yellow aura as all Morphtronic grew stronger. (LV4 Atk: 1000 - 2600 Def: 1900 X3) (LV1 Atk: 100 - 1700 Def: 1100) "Not done yet, I summon Morphtronic Boomboxen! (LV4: 1200 - 2800 Def: 400 - 1400)" A boom box emerged and and transformed into its more robotic form. "Guess what? While Boomboxen is in attack mode, it can attack twice during each battle phase!"
"With 2800 attack points?!" Both officers gasped.
"Battle, Boomboxen attack his both his Gladiator Beasts!" Boomboxen unleased powerful soundwaves from its beats, destroying one Gladitor Beast before destroying another.
Dean & Wade: 5500 - 4600 - 3900 LP
"Celfon attack their Bountiful Artemis!" Celfon released a beam and pierced through the mechanical angel and destroyed it.
Dean & Wade: 3900 - 3800 LP
"This duel is over! Radion attack them directly!" Raidon readied it's antenna and fired both its lasers at both officers, causing an explosion. Red Hat turned around thinking he had game, until he realized, both officers were still standing.
Dean & Wade: 3800 - 1200 LP
"But how? I defeated the both of you!"
"You guessed wrong! Take a look here!" Wade replied as he showed him a card that he just banished. "The card I just banished was known as Necro Gardna, the card I discarded with Divine Wrath, despite only having a single copy. When your last Radion began to attack, it was negated thanks to Necro Gardna! So, your strategy failed!"
Red Hat gritted his teeth. "Fine, but I set two cards facedown and end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 1
"Time to get rid of you two. I draw!" Wade draws.
Hand 4
"I play the spell card Dark Hole! All monsters are destroyed!" A black hole appeared and absorbed all Morphtronics and destroyed each one of them. "I summon another Bountiful Artimas! (LV4 Atk: 1600 Def: 1700)" Another Bountiful Artemis appears onto the field. "Battle, attack them directly!" The mechanical angel fires a beam of light.
Red Hat & Lara: 2400 - 800 LP
"I set two cards facedown and end my turn." Wade ends his turn.
Hand 0
"Okay... I draw." Lara draws.
Hand 4
"Go counter trap, Drastic Drop Off! When you add a card to your hand, even by drawing, you have to discard one of those cards! So, drop that card now!" Wade explained.
Lara trembled slightly as she discarded her monster, she just drew which so happened to be the monster she intended to summon. "I can't summon him... My last monster won't help."
"Artemis allows me to draw one card." Wade draws one card and takes a look at it. 'Once they do anything. I'll use my next this card to finish them.' He thought with a smirk.
"Okay... I play the spell card Book of Life! I special summon a zombie monster then I banish a monster from your graveyard!" As Lara was about to summon her monster.
"Don't bother, go Magic Drain! your spell card is negated, unless you have a spell card! Do you have one?" Wade questioned.
Lara looked at her hand and realized he had none. "No... I don't..."
"Then your spell is negated!" As the spell was negated and destroyed. Artemis glowed in a purple aura as it disappeared. "When a counter trap is activated, I tribute all monsters on my field to special summon this, Voltanis the Adjudicator! (LV8 Atk: 2800 Def: 1400)" The set monster disappeared and soon and the fairy like being descended from the sky and landed on Max's field. The fairy in question had more of a mechanical appearance. Was purple with clear markings all over its body. It had a clear orb on its face and various orbs on top of its purple wings and held a staff. "It's effect, if summoned by its own effect, it destroys cards on the field equal to the number of fairy monsters I tributed. I tributed one fairy so I can destroy one card! I'll chose the right facedown!" Voltanis readies its staff and fires a powerful beam at the facedown, revealing it to be Mirror Force. "A troublesome facedown? Looks like I picked the right one! Now you're finished!"
Lara took a step back, wondering what she can do now. "I can defend, but we'll just get destroyed... I have nothing else to play..." Lara dropped to her knees, admitting defeat.
"Lara, get up! We can still win this!" Red Hat encouraged.
Lara looked up at him with a sad look. "How? We don't have a trap and I have nothing to beat that thing..."
"He destroyed the wrong card. That trap was nothing more than bait." He assured her. "There's one more card I set that will help you out! Check it out and play the card!"
Lara stood up and check the card Red Hat set on his last turn. "A spell?" Lara activated the spell card, revealing to be One for One. "One for One... send one monster from my hand to the grave: special summon one level 1 from my hand or deck... Wait, I can use this!" Lara discarded one her monsters which so happened to be another The Lady in Wright. "Help me my monster, King of the Skull Servants! (LV1 Atk: ? Def: 0)" Dark smoke erupted from the ground, from which a new monster rose up. It looked like Skull Servant, but was taller and darker.
"King of the Skull Servants? Do you even have enough attack points?" Wade asked in confusion.
Lara nodded. "He gains 1000 attack points for every Skull Servant in my graveyard including King of the Skull Servants!" Multiple spirits entered the king's body, making it glow purple, while its eyes sockets glowed red. (LV1 Atk: ? - 5000 Def: 0)
"5000 attack points! But how?!" Both officers gasped.
"I discarded one of my Skull Servants with Card Destruction, the second one was tossed with Foolish Burial, one of my Lady in Wright's was destroyed, the second Lady in Wright was discarded from my hand earlier, and one of my King of the Skull Servants you discarded with your counter trap. Did I mention The Lady in Wright's name becomes Skull Servant while in the grave?" Lara explained.
Red Hat took a look at her and noticed on of her eyes glowed red. He raised an eye brow at this. 'Her eye is red? It wasn't like that before, why now?' He thought as he took a look at the field. 'Can it be... Am I hallucinating or something?'
Lara glared at the officers with her red eye. "Time to pay the price! Never mess with us, King of the Skull Servants attack that mechanical angel! Shadow Orb!" The tall skeleton conjured a shadow orb of dark energy from his palms and hurled it at. The dark orb blasted the mechanical angel and destroyed it, blowing away the two Sector Security officers as they landed on their backs.
Dean & Wade: 1000 - 0 LP
As the holograms disappeared, Lara's eye returned to normal, much to Red Hat's surprise. But, now wasn't the time to ask questions such. They needed to get out of here and return to where ever they had to go. The last thing they needed was for them to call in reinforcements.
"Lara, we have to go now! We have to get off the streets! We can't stay any longer!" Red Hat reminded her.
Lara snapped out of her trance and looked at him. "Yeah... let's head to the place I wanted you to see!" Lara pulled on his sleeve.
"Lead the way, because I don't really know this place." Red Hat took hold of Lara and placed her above his shoulders as she sat. Lara squeaked at his actions, but laughed it off. Never once being held like this for as long as she can remember.
"Okay, head that way!" Lara pointed to the direction they were supposed to go. Red Hat nodded and quickly ran off, with Lara by his side, and turned in whatever direction Lara told him to go to until they reached their destination. No matter how far it was.
Some time passed, and the duo managed to reach their destination. It was an old-looking house, where there were other kids around Lara's age playing around the yard. Many kids took notice of the duo and immediately ran back inside the house. Red Hat raised an eye brow at the scene. Wondering, what was going on. Only took a couple of minutes, but all the kids came out with an elderly woman with long black hair and grey eyes, wearing a red dress and a white apron. Red Hat approached her as she took noticed of them.
"Lara..." She walked up to the duo, with a slightly stern look on her face. "Where have you been? We were worried about you? And who is this person? He doesn't look like he's from around here."
Red Hat put Lara down as she walked up to the woman. "I'm sorry, Martha. I got into some trouble... too much trouble..." Lara looked over her shoulder. "But this boy saved me... we even faced Sector Security."
Many of the kids gasped at what they just heard. They actually fought back against Sector Security and won? It was hard enough for an adult to take on security. Let alone escape their grasp. Yet, these two were able to do it.
"Lara, that was really stupid! You could have been taken away!" Many of the kids yelled at her. Lara immediately went behind Red Hat.
"Why do you trust this man, anyway?" Another kid asked.
"Now now kids, that's enough. Let them explain themselves." Martha scolded them.
Red Hat sighed, know what was coming. "I'm not from here. I came to Satellite on my own free will. I met Lara some time ago when I was just wondering this place." Red Hat picked up Lara. "I found her wondering around in our first meeting. Granted I followed her that one time out of curiosity. This time... I found her cornered by a few gang members ready to strike. I stopped them from getting close to her. When a fight was about to break, Sector Security came up." Red Hat put her down so she was in front. Lara was still holding his sleeve. "I was going to battle Security alone, while Lara escaped but she was caught which forced us to battle them together. We won, while I helped her out as much as I could."
Martha and the kids were completely baffled by this young man's confidence. Not only did was able to take down two Sector Security officers with Lara, but he also saved Lara from a bunch of gangs? Granted, Sector Security arrived to stop said gangs. Still, they were impressed that he went out of his way to rescue the poor girl from harm's way.
"We're grateful for saving and bringing back Lara." Martha lightly bowed a him. "Anything we can do for you? You did come all the way here."
Red Hat shook his head. "There's no need. I just did what was right. Besides..." He looks down towards Lara. "This girl has intrigued me."
"You don't say? Well then, do come inside. Lara seems to really trust you." Martha offered.
"I really don't wish to be a bother, ma'am." Red Hat declined.
"Nonsense! After what you did, it's only fair we return the favor." Martha insisted. "Besides, looks like Lara doesn't want you to leave." She points to where Lara was tightly gripping his sleeve.
Red Hat couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, I'll stick around here for a while."
Martha smiled. "I will have you help around here, especially with the kids though."
"Thought you might say that. No worries, I'll help." Red Hat followed her inside and was greeted by many kids that were living in this orphanage, with Lara staying close to him.
While Red Hat would stay in the orphanage for a little while. He decided it was now time to take a look around the Satellite and see what he could find. The Satellite was a big place, and it's filled with danger. Still, he'll push on and wonder around. Dueling will now be relegated to situations where he has to duel. Last thing he wants is to attract a lot of attention from security or the many residents of Satellite.
Although, something bugged him. A while back, he saw Lara act a bit more aggressively and her left eye that wasn't covered by her hair, glowed red. Why did that happen all of a sudden? He wanted to chop it off as 'just a hallucination' but, that wasn't one. It was very real alright. Was something unnatural happening around him? He didn't have an answer to. He'll eventually figure it out on his own someday.
For now, he decided to sit down on the living room's couch, only for him to lay down and soon fall into a dreamless sleep.
Meanwhile
Something else was going on in a very tall building. It has a big sign with the word 'SECURITY' on one of the walls. The place was known as Sector Security office.
Inside a big room, where some people sitting in front of a bunch of monitors. Officer Dean and Wade were talking to an old man with a flattop of grey hair and a matching mustache, wearing a suit. Dean bowed in shame at his captain, while Wade looked the other way, also in shame.
"We're sorry, Captain! We failed our objective in capturing that Satellite scum and the girl." Dean explained himself. "We thought it was an easy takedown, but we were wrong."
"That scumbag had it coming and we got caught off guard!" Wade added.
"I heard enough excuses!" The captain snapped as he turned his chair around to face them. "We tracked that duel you two were having. That person you duel against was an unknown."
"An unknown?" Wade repeated. "But he's Satellite scum! How can he be an unknown?"
"We took a deeper look at his files... or lack thereof." The captain began opening some files the computer and revealed very limited files. "He has no name, he always refers to himself as, 'The Red Hat'. He has an ID, but no other files. We couldn't find a birth certificate anywhere, his place of origin is unknown, and we have no idea where he's residing."
"What do you mean, Captain?" Dean asked.
"What I mean is, he isn't from the Satellite. He came here on his own free will." The captain opens some more files and found a ranking. "According to this file, this young man is a small-time pro duelist. Only one loss, yet no other defeats. All his matches were in New Domino City... He isn't a resident in Satellite."
"But, that's impossible! We have Satellite under tight surveillance! No one leaves or enters Satellite without permit and even then, almost no one is allowed to come here anyway!" Dean pointed out.
"He must have snuck into the island by some unknown transport." Wade acknowledged. "But what kind of transport? And how did he get here in the first place? What's his goal? Why would a pro have any business in Satellite anyway?"
"All of that isn't important right now!" The captain snapped. "Your orders are to find that red hat boy and arrest him. If you can't, then bait him somehow and force arrest. If he's a spy, catch him in anyway and we'll interrogate him. If he's some scumbag looking for trouble, we're sending him to the facility!"
"Where can we find him, sir?" Wade questioned. "He escaped long before we recovered and we don't know where he or the girl is."
"You'll be doing daily patrols and recognizance all over Satellite in hopes to find him. Use the girl if you find her and use her as bait to draw him out. Lioside, Georg, and Hose will accompany you everywhere you go. You have a week to show results. Fail again, or if you challenge him again and fail, you'll be doing clean up duties with Officer Trudge!" The captain glared the two. "Do I make myself clear!"
Both Dean and Wade gulped and bowed. "Understood sir!" Both of them would leave the room.
The captain would continue took over more files surrounding Red Hat, yet he was able to gather nothing new. All blank, or he had no existing files. It's like he went out of his way to purge as much of his identity as possible. For what purpose, the captain didn't know.
'Just who are you really? Why are you even here for?' The captain thought, giving up on the search for any of his files for the time being.
A/N: To address the elephant in the room. While familiar main/side character names will be mention/referenced in this story. They won't make an appearance until much later, and even then, only small interactions. Since, the main focus is the Tag Force original characters. It's loosely based on their routes. Cause many have their own personality and story (which was removed from the western version of Tag Force). As of right now, we have two of them. There will be four main stays. Who will the last two be? You'll find out eventually.
Morphtronics... They can actually make more plays than one expects. Granted it's all luck based, but can do it. Such as spam out the Naturia Synchros. Even summon Exterio (which is not in the current deck.) and many more. It's just the anime loved to treat Leo as the punching bag. It's why Leo can never make relevant plays. Don't expect the same deck twice. There will be more decks that the Red Hat will be won't have signer dragons, since in the LORE, he's not supposed to have them. Some might be disappointed, but oh well.
Decks are based off Tag Force character deck profiles, but rearranged every now and then. It's done this way to prevent repetition with certain decks. Especially if said deck is doesn't have much room for variety.
See you all next time.