Chapter 9: The Fortune Cup Begins
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Glad to see all of you enjoyed my last chapter. There is a new poll on my profile regarding this story so feel free to cast your vote. Please Review and Enjoy.
We find ourselves at the Kaiba Dome preparing for the Fortune Cup, as the contestants are preparing to make their entrance, Roxas, Tifa, and Jessie meet up with Yusei, Leo, and their friends but they didn't expect to see this.
"Uh Leo, when you said you were taking your sister's place in this tournament…I didn't think you meant like this." Roxas cringed gesturing to Leo who now had his hair in pigtails, wearing a red shirt, and makeup on his face.
Next to him, we see a girl who looks just like Leo but is wearing a hat and jacket over her clothes. This was Luna, Leo's twin sister.
"Come on, don't you think I look like Luna?" Leo asks.
"I think so. I can't even tell you two apart." Yanagi agrees.
"Just so you know, that color of lipstick does not suit you." Jessie points out.
"If you say so, but I'm here to duel not look good," Leo said excitedly until Luna kicked his foot.
"Don't embarrass me. I don't act like that." Luna blushes.
"Don't worry, Luna. I got this." Leo assures walking over to Yusei and Roxas. "You guys ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." Roxas nods.
"Same, but I really think you should lose the makeup," Yusei said.
"You think?" Leo asks as Mulan steps out from down the hall.
"Hey, Roxas. Time to move it. Your friends need to head to the stands." Mulan said.
"Wish us luck," Roxas said.
"You don't need it but, good luck," Tifa said as the three of them walked down the hall.
As Roxas passed Mulan, he glanced at her to see she was glaring at him.
"You can relax now. I'm here just like you were told," Roxas said.
"Just go on stage." Mulan sighs. 'Hopefully, he'll lose in round 1 and I can forget this mess ever happened.'
'There's something up with this whole Fortune Cup. Be careful Yusei.' Bolt thought.
In the main stadium, we see a man with wild black hair with almost a disco vibe to it, a little mustache on his face, and a bright red suit holding the mike. This was the Master of Ceremonies or MC.
"Attention duelists young and old, welcome to the Fortune Cup!" MC declares as the crowd goes wild.
Sitting in a chair behind him, Rex Goodwin was present for the introductions.
As if on cue, a large red demonic dragon appeared and flew through the stadium.
"Ladies and Gentleman, Red Dragon Archfiend has taken the field that can only mean one thing!" MC said as Jack's duel runner raced onto the track. "Here he is! The Master of Faster! Jack Atlas!"
Racing up the track he does a large jump as Jack and his dragon land on the platform near Goodwin.
"Neo Domino City! Let's kick this Duel into Overdrive! Let's get this started!" Jack calls out.
"Now it's time to meet the lucky duelists who will compete for the chance to go head-to-head with Jack himself. The Fortune 8!" MC said as two platforms rose up.
On one platform we see Roxas, Yusei, Leo, and Gogo. And on the other platform, we see a muscular man with dark skin and black hair, a man in fancy robes, and a hat on his head, a man in a golden suit of armor, and a blue cape, and finally a young woman with brown eyes, dark burgundy hair with a hair curler device in the front, a white and red Victorian style outfit. These were Greiger, Prof. Frank, Sir Randsborg and Akiza Izinski.
As Jack looks down, he and Yusei briefly lock eyes.
"Hey that guy has a marker." One person said noticing the mark on Yusei's face.
"What's a Satellite doing here?"
"I bet he stole someone's invitation."
"Geez tough crowd," Gogo mutters.
While the MC is unsure how to deal with an uneasy crowd, Grieger suddenly steps forward and grabs the microphone.
"I have to say something," Greiger said getting everyone's attention. "My name is Greiger, I know things are different here, but where I'm from it doesn't matter if you have a marker or not. This man was chosen to stand here just like the rest of us. That means I have to see him as what he is now, a duelist just like me. And that's all that matters. Not money, where you come from, or even who you are." Greiger declares before handing the microphone back to the MC.
Standing up from his seat, Goodwin addresses the crowd.
"Thank you for those well-chosen and heartfelt words. In our world social status and personal wealth draw lines between ourselves and our fellow man but this tournament will if only for a moment remove that line. A tournament where all duelists could meet on equal grounds. This is that tournament. This is the Fortune Cup." Goodwin declares making the crowd go wild.
"And now, here are the matchups for the First round." The MC said as everyone turned their attention to the screens to show all 8 images being shuffled around before finally coming to a stop.
Looking at the matches they saw Luna (Leo) vs Greiger, Akiza vs Sir Randsborg, Roxas vs the Professor, and Yusei vs Gogo.
"Alright! I'm dueling Grieger in the very first battle!" Leo said excited.
"Whoa. I'm facing Roxas's friend?" Gogo said glancing at Yusei and the two locked eyes briefly. 'If what Roxas tells me is true, he's good.'
With the opening ceremony finished all the duelists made their way to the waiting room to await their matches and Goodwin made his way to a small room.
Upon entering Lazar was there to greet him.
"Zigzix tells me everything is in order. It's only a matter of time before the Signers reveal themselves." Lazar said before snapping his fingers and said scientist appeared on screen.
"Good morning, director. All the preparations are in order. I've created a device that will detect the reactions from the signer. It's my greatest creation!" Zigzix declares spinning around. "I call it the D-Sensor. By setting up sensors all over the arena my device will be able to detect even the smallest amounts of signer energy.
"Excellent. I'm counting on you." Goodwin said before turning to leave so he could watch the duels.
In the waiting room, we see all the competitors sitting in their parts of the room. The only ones really interacting with each other were Roxas, Yusei, and Leo.
Inserting his deck into his duel disk, Leo was pumped.
"Let's meet in the finals Yusei," Leo said.
"Sounds good but try to make it through this duel first," Yusei said.
"So Leo, you a good duelist?" Roxas asks.
"You bet I am. I can't believe I'm actually about to do this. Any advice before I go out there?" Leo asks.
"Trust your cards and remember to adapt to your opponent," Yusei suggests.
"I can do that." Leo said before making his way out.
Outside, everyone was eager for the first duel.
"Alright! Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time to start the first duel of the Fortune Cup!" MC said causing the crowd to cheer. "And now for our competitors! The youngest duelist in the tournament, the half-pint bundle of wonder, Miss Luna!"
Appearing out from a platform, Leo waved to the crowd.
"And her opponent, the wall of wallop, the tower of power, it's Greiger!" MC said as Greiger appeared on the opposite end. "Now shake hands to begin the duel."
Walking out, the two duelists shook hands.
"That was amazing how you made that speech to defend my friend back there. It's an honor to duel you." Leo said.
"Thank you, Miss Luna. I have to say you got a strong grip for a young lady." Greiger said making Leo let go nervously.
"Oh no. Everyone at school just calls me a tomboy, but I'm totally a girl. See?" Leo said trying to pose like one
"I do not act like that," Luna growls watching from the stands.
"Maybe you should've been the one out there dueling," Jessie suggests.
"I can't. As much as I hate it, I couldn't go up there. I'd look ridiculous." Luna said.
"Can't be any more ridiculous than what's happening now." Tifa cringed.
Going back to their corners, both of them activated their duel disks.
"Let's duel!" Both declared.
Luna (Leo): 4000
Greiger: 4000
"I'll go first." Greiger drew. "I activate the spell Star Blast!"
"A spell? He's not starting with a monster?" Leo said surprised by this.
"By paying 500 life points I can reduce the level of a monster card in my hand by 1." Greiger explains.
Luna (Leo): 4000
Greiger: 3500
"Why would you do all that?" Leo asks.
"Because now I can summon my level 5 Summon Reactor-SK without having to sacrifice for it," Greiger said summoning a plane-like monster.
Summon Reactor-SK: 2000/1400
"He summoned a monster with 2000 attack points on his first turn?" Leo gasps not expecting this.
"That's right and I'll end my turn with one card facedown.
"Does Leo not have much dueling experience?" Roxas asks watching this.
"Not really but he's good. He's got quite a few decent combos." Yusei vouches speaking from experience.
"My turn." Leo drew and smiled. "Oh yeah! You're not the only one off to a strong start. I summon Morphtronic Celfon!" Leo said summoning a giant yellow cellphone that transformed into a robot.
Morphtronic Celfon: 100/100
"How do you like that? Isn't my Morphtronic deck the best?" Leo brags.
"Before you do anything, you've triggered my Summon Reactor's special ability. When you summon a monster to your field my SK can deal 800 points of damage." Greiger declares as his Summon Reactor fires a blast of wind hitting Leo.
Luna (Leo): 3200
Greiger: 3500
Up in their private viewing area, Goodwin and Lazara were watching from the window while Jack was sitting down.
"Greiger was the right choice for this. His relentless tactics will have that girl showing her true colors in no time." Lazar assures.
"Not bad Mister, but it's gonna take more than that to weaken my deck," Leo assures.
'That's right kid, get more fired up.' Greiger thought. "You keep talking about your Morphtronic deck but so far I'm not impressed."
"That's because you haven't seen the real impressive stuff. It'll blow that look right off your face." Leo said much to his sister's embarrassment.
"I'm never gonna be able to live this down." Luna groans as Tifa pats her on the shoulder.
"There, there," Tifa said.
"I activate my Celfon's special ability. Depending on the number it lands on I can look over that many cards and if the last card I draw is a level 4 or lower Morphtronic monster then I can summon it to the field." Leo said as the number dialed until it stopped on 2. Looking at the top 2 cards, Leo smiles. "Yes! Get ready for Morphtronic Boomboxen in defense mode!" Appearing on the field was a red boombox monster.
Morphtronic Boomboxen: 1200/ 400
"I place one card facedown and end my turn," Leo said setting a card. 'With this trap, even if he destroys one of my monsters, I'll still have one card left to summon this.' Leo thought looking at a card in his hand.
Meanwhile, in Zigzix's lab, Zigzix was watching the duel waiting for any energy readings.
"Hmm, still no reaction. Come on Luna, give me something." Zigzix said increasing the scan.
In the stands, Luna held her head in pain feeling the signal.
"Luna, are you okay?" Dexter asks.
"Just a headache," Luna assures.
"My turn." Greiger drew. "I summon Trap Reactor-Y FI in attack mode!" Appearing alongside his summon reactor was a green plane-like monster.
Trap Reactor-Y FI: 800/ 1800
"Now attack his Morphtronic Celfon!" Greiger orders as Trap Reactor flies in.
"Gotcha! I activate my Morphtransition trap card! This allows me to change my Celfon to defense mode and put your attack on hold!" Leo said as Celfon changed modes and Trap Reactor stopped attacking.
"By playing your trap, you've activated my Trap Reactor's special ability. When you activate a trap card my Reactor deals 800 points of damage." Greiger explains as his Trap Reactor changed targets and fired at Leo.
Luna (Leo): 2400
Greiger: 3500
"This guy is vicious." Jessie cringed.
"Every time Leo plays a card, he gets damaged. If he doesn't do something fast, he'll be out of life points." Tifa said.
"He's getting Leo all worked up emotionally." Bolt noticed.
"That was a cheap shot," Leo growls.
'That's right. Get worked up. Goodwin wants to see if you're a signer. Defeat me with the power of the Crimson Dragon.' Greiger thought wanting to see more.
Little did they know, Zigzax had caught something on his machine.
"Let's keep it going. Summon Reactor attack Morphtronic Boomboxen!" Greiger said as his monster attacked Leo's but the attack was repelled.
"Sorry but when my Boomboxen is in defense mode it can negate one attack per turn." Leo informs.
"Maybe so but that allows me to activate my trap Damage Summon," Greiger said revealing his facedown. "When my monster fails to destroy your monster, I can pay 800 life points to special summon a level 4 or below monster to the field."
Luna (Leo): 2400
Greiger: 2700
"You're sacrificing your life points again?" Leo's eyes widen not liking this combo.
"Yep, and now I summon Spell Reactor-RE to the field in attack mode!" Greiger said summoning a dragon-like machine monster.
Spell Reactor-RE: 1200/ 900
"Now Spell Reactor-RE attack his Boomboxen!" Greiger said as Spell Reactor fired missiles destroying Leo's monster. "I place one card facedown and end my turn."
'Finally, it's over. At least I kept Celfon on the field. Now I can summon Gadget Hauler next turn.' Leo thought thinking he still had a chance.
"You don't seem very rattled. Don't you realize you're backed into a corner?" Grieger calls out getting Leo's attention. "I have 3 Reactor monsters on my field and you've already taken damage by summoning monsters and springing traps. What do you think my new monster can do?"
Hearing this Leo gasped in realization. 'He's right. If I activate a spell I'll take damage from Spell Reactor RE and if I summon a monster or activate a trap then the other two will damage me.'
"That's right. Every duelist needs to be able to summon monsters and activate traps and spells. Meaning even if I don't do anything you'll lose just because you're trying to fight back." Greiger explains scaring Leo.
In the waiting room, Roxas and Yusei were watching this.
"Oh man, Greiger has him trapped." Roxas cringed.
"He needs to keep calm and find a way to fight back," Yusei said.
In the upper area, Lazar was talking to Zigzix.
"I'm still not getting any energy from the girl. Are you sure it's her?" Zigzix asks.
"We conducted an investigation; we have reason to believe she is. Your job is to make sure we have the evidence to do so." Lazar said.
"Well there is one anomaly I should point out. You see the sensors have been picking up energy but from the stands." Zigzix points out confusing him.
"The stands? But what about Luna?" Lazar asks.
In the stands, Luna's headache was getting worse.
"Luna, do you need some water or should we take you to the medical center?" Jessie asks as Luna holds her head in pain.
"I'm fine. Really." Luna assures not wanting to leave.
'No matter what I do, I'll get damaged. No it's like Yusei said, I just have to adapt.' Leo thought snapping himself out of it and drawing. "It's my turn. And I activate Celfon's ability! While it's in defense mode I can look at the same number of cards as the number dialed and put them right back on my deck." Leo said as a 3 appeared. Looking at the top 3 cards he liked what he saw before putting them back. "Now I switch Celfon to attack mode and activate its ability again!"
Changing forms, Leo watched in anticipation. He needed the dial to land on a one for him to make a comeback. Slowly the numbers stopped and it was…1.
"Yes!" Drawing Leo grins. "I summon Morphtronic Datatron in attack mode!" Appearing on his field was an orange USB drive-based machine monster.
Morphtronic Datatron: 1200/ 600
As the signal got stronger, Luna's hat fell off her head.
"Ooh, there it is," Zigzix said getting something.
"Since you summoned a monster my Summon Reactor deals you 800 points of damage," Greiger said as Summon Reactor blasts Leo.
Luna (Leo): 1600
Greiger: 2700
"Oh no! With Greiger's effects hammering poor Luna, I'm afraid this girl is on her last leg!" The MC declares.
"If you want to deal damage to me, well I can do it right back. Using Datatron's special ability by sacrificing one monster I can deal 600 points of damage to you." Leo said as Celfon turned into energy and Datatron fired it at Greiger dealing damage.
Luna (Leo): 1600
Greiger: 2100
"Oh yeah! Next, I release Datatron in order to advance summon Gadget Hauler in attack mode!" Sacrificing his monster, Leo summons a large blue and white truck to his side of the field. "And since your Summon Reactor's ability can only be used once per turn I don't take any damage."
Gadget Hauler: 1300/ 0000
"He just narrowly avoided that one." Yanagi sighs relieved.
"Don't go relaxing just yet old man. Greiger's still dangerous." Bolt warns.
"Next I send Morphtronic Magnen from my hand to the graveyard to boost Gadget Hauler's attack points by 800!" Leo explains as his truck powered up.
Gadget Hauler: 2100/ 0000
'That's it. Come at me with everything you've got.' Greigor thought eager to see signs that Leo was a signer.
"Next I activate the spell card Factory of 100 Machines. Now I remove every Morphtronic in my graveyard from play and for each machine type monster Gadget Hauler gains 200 attack points. Give it a whopping 2900!" Leo explains as 4 different lights shoot into the air and into Gadget Hauler.
Gadget Hauler: 2900/0000
Seeing this, the crowd was going wild from Leo's big powerup.
"Since you activated a spell card, my Spell Reactor deals you 800 points of damage and brings you one step closer to your destruction!" Greiger said as Spell Reactor fired missiles damaging Leo.
Luna (Leo): 800
Greiger: 2100
"You're one move away from losing! Give me everything you got!" Greiger taunts.
"You bet I will! Gadget Hauler attack Trap Reactor-Y FI!" Leo said as Gadget Hauler opened up revealing a giant cannon. Firing a powerful blast, it crashes onto Greiger's field causing an explosion and a cloud of smoke.
"Greiger only had 2100 life points left. Meaning if this attack hit, then Leo could win." Dexter grins.
"Come on Leo," Luna smiles hopeful.
"Found you," Zigzix said picking up Luna's signal from the stands.
"Did I, do it?" Leo asks hopeful.
From the smoke, Greiger emerged with a smile on his face.
"You may be small but you have a warrior's spirit. As a warrior myself, I salute your strength." Greiger said.
"Wait does that mean that my attack?" Leo asks as the smoke clears more revealing Greiger had activated a trap.
"My trap Delta Reactor. By using it I sent Summon Reactor, Trap Reactor, and Spell Reactor to the graveyard. Not only did it cancel out your attack but it allowed me to summon Flying Fortress SKY FIRE!" Greiger said as a large shadow appeared over the field making Leo drop his cards in disbelief.
Flying Fortress SKY FIRE: 3000/ 2500
"Oh no! With this trap card activated! It appears little Luna will be our first loss of the tournament!" The MC declares.
"By sending a card from my hand to the graveyard I can activate Flying Fortress SKY FIRE's ability and destroy one card on your field. Victory is mine!" Greiger declares as his monster rains missiles down on top of Gadget Hauler destroying it.
"Gadget Hauler!" Leo gasps.
"And with no monsters to protect you, my monster can attack you directly!" Greiger said as SKY FIRE dropped one more missile directly down near Leo which exploded taking out the remainder of his life points.
Luna (Leo): 0000
Greiger: 2100
"It's over! Greiger will be advancing to the second round!" The MC declares.
"I can't believe I lost…I'm sorry Luna…Yusei." Leo chokes.
In the stands, everyone was disappointed by the results.
"Too bad." Dexter frowns.
"I thought he had it for a second," Jessie said.
"He gave it his all though." Yanagi points out when Luna notices something.
"My headache's gone. Just like that." Luna said surprised and confused.
In the hallway, Greiger was heading back to the waiting area when he noticed Lazar waiting for him.
"Bravo Mr. Greiger. That was quite an explosive duel." Lazar chuckles.
"Your intel's bad. I was told I was dueling a girl but that was clearly a boy." Greiger said revealing he wasn't fooled at all.
"It seems we were the victims of a little identity prank." Lazar showed Greiger some papers revealing pictures of Luna and Leo.
"Twins." Greiger realized.
In Goodwin's room, we see him talking to Zigzix.
"The sensors weren't picking up anything from the kid dueling but I did get a signal. It was coming from this girl in the stands. So now we just need a new way to push her to her limits." Zigzix said showing him a picture of Luna in her disguise.
Hearing this, Goodwin smiles getting an idea.
After the first battle, everyone was preparing for the second match.
Changing out of her disguise, Luna and Dexter had gone to get Leo who was still sulking over his loss.
"Come on Leo. Try and cheer up." Luna said.
"Yeah, you did your best," Dexter said.
"Whatever." Leo brushes off.
"It's not a loss if you learn from it," Yusei said as he and Roxas had gone to meet them. "Now you know more than you did before and you can get better."
"It's up to you guys now. We'll be cheering you on from the stands." Leo said.
"Wish us luck, Leo," Roxas said.
"Excuse me!" Walking past them, they see the Akiza girl glancing at Yusei and Roxas before moving past the kids.
"Geez what's up with her?" Leo asks.
As she walks out, Roxas narrows his eyes.
"Yusei…there's something familiar about her." Roxas ponders.
"Yeah, I feel it too." Yusei agrees.
In Goodwin's viewing area, we see Sir Randsborg had joined them.
"Sir Randsborg, reporting as you requested my liege," Randsborg said with a hint of Shakespeare in his voice.
"I told you, Randsborg was the perfect duelist for this challenge. He'll give her quite the challenge." Lazar said.
"You want me to duel a female? The code of chivalry forbids this." Randsborg explains.
"What if I told you she was the Black Rose Witch? A duelist so powerful she could make her cards come to life." Goodwin points out.
"A witch?" Randsborg narrows his eyes.
"One who has been terrorizing the Duel Fields around Neo Domino City. Think you're up for the challenge or would you rather go back to the Renaissance fair?" Lazar mocks.
"My word is my bond so I will engage this witch in battle." Randsborg declares.
Behind them, we see an image of Akiza walking down the hall.
"Just don't go easy on her, we need you to push her to exhaustion. We must see if she has the mark of the dragon." Lazara states as Randsborg draws his sword.
"Fear not! Thy she-creature is no match for Sir Gil de Randsborg. I swear on my sword, the Black Rose shall taste defeat." Randsborg vows before exiting the room.
At the duel arena, everyone was ready for the second match to begin.
"Our next match is about to begin! And now entering the field is a knight in shining armor! The one, the only Gil de Randsborg!" MC declares as Sir Randsborg enters the arena.
"Good people of Neo Domino, thou shalt knowest my blade and my attacks from the attacks thy shall witness!" Randsborg declares drawing his sword and posing.
"While we wait for a translation, let's meet his opponent." The MC said.
"Is this guy serious?" Yanagai asks.
"Don't let the costume fool you. He's actually a good duelist." Bolt warns.
"He's just showing off. I mean you don't see Roxas waving around his weapons." Tifa said.
"Well that guy isn't Roxas, thankfully" Jessie points out.
Pausing Tifa imagined Roxas in a suit of armor. "Well…he could maybe pull it off," Tifa mutters.
In the waiting room, Roxas had a sweat-drop expression.
"What is with this guy? I thought this was a duel, not a sword fight." Roxas said as Gogo walks over.
"Says the guy who has two swords." Gogo teases.
"Hey, no one knows about mine. This guy parades around in it. And why is he talking like that?" Roxas said.
"That's because Randsborg is a descendant from Knights. And he shows it in the way he duels." Gogo points out. "Although it does get annoying after a while."
"I could take him," Roxas said unimpressed making Yusei look at him amused.
"You're that good with swords, huh?" Yusei asks curious.
"Yusei, this guy might have a better chance taking me on in a duel with cards than with blades," Roxas said before turning his attention back to the duel.
"And now entering his opponent, with a record of…well it appears we don't have a record of her, so let's just give it up for Miss Akiza Izinski!" The MC said as Akiza appeared on the opposite side of the field.
"I feel like we've met her somewhere before." Leo pauses.
"Yeah, we met her in the hallway." Dexter reminds.
"No. I mean before that." Leo snaps while Luna has a horrified look on her face.
"Luna, is everything okay?" Jessie asks.
"Her deck…it's in great pain," Luna said confusing everyone but her brother.
In a nearby hallway close to the arena, we see a man with brown hair that curved upwards on one side and wearing a brown trench coat over his body. This was Sayer. And was eager to see the outcome of this match.
'So this be the Black Rose?' Randsborg thought staring down Akiza. "You'll find no mercy here, sorceress, but you will find defeat!" Activating their duel disks both duelists prepared themselves.
"Let's Duel!" Both declared.
Akiza: 4000
Randsborg: 4000
"Ready fair maiden? Behold." Randsborg drew starting the duel off. "I summoneth a level 3 Masked Knight!" Appearing on his field, a small knight monster with a large sword faced Akiza who didn't seem impressed.
Masked Knight LV3: 1500/ 800
"Next you shall suffer this, an ability most special," Randsborg said as Masked Knight fired a beam from his helmet which struck Akiza's lifepoints. "Thou loseth 400 life points."
Akiza: 3600
Randsborg: 4000
"Forthwith, I shall activate my spell Level Up! Thy has served nobly but be banished to thy yard of graves for now brother in arms now be summoned. Masked Knight level the fifth!" Randsborg said as a light engulfed his Masked Knight transforming it into a taller, stronger, version of itself.
Masked Knight LV5: 2300/ 1300
However, just like before, Akiza didn't seem fazed by this monster either.
"And thus like thy comrade, an ability most special. Lifepoints most foul be gone!" Randsborg said as his new Masked Knight blasted Akiza dealing even more damage.
Akiza: 2600
Randsborg: 4000
"I shall yield with a facedown," Randsborg said ending his turn.
"And Randsborg has claimed an impressive lead before her turn has even begun! Can our mystery duelist come back from this?! Will I understand a single thing Randsborg says in this duel?!" The MC asks excitedly.
"With Randsborg's relentless attacks, we'll have her showing her true colors in no time," Lazar said much to Goodwin's amusement.
"Fear not maiden of the darkness. Defeat is soon." Randsborg said but Akiza still didn't respond to him. "A silent tongue? Or hath the viper take hold of thy?"
Ignoring him, Akiza drew her card. "I summon Wall of Ivy in defense mode." Appearing on her side, we see Akiza summon a large thorny bush.
Wall of Ivy: 300/ 1200
"So she's going on the defense, huh?" Bolt said.
"Smart move, seeing what she's up against," Dexter said.
"I don't know about that, she's down almost half her life points but she hardly seems fazed. I think she's got a plan." Tifa said speaking from her own dueling experiences.
Randsborg on the other hand smirked thinking he had her on the ropes.
"Next I activate the spell card, Seed of Deception. With this, I can special summon a level 2 or lower plant-type monster from my hand. Or in some words you can understand, thou are about to be royally played. I summon Copy Plant to the field in defense mode." Akiza mocks summoning a new plant monster.
Copy Plant: 0/0
"Now that Copy Plant is on my field it can power up to the level of a monster on your field and I choose your level 5 knight." Akiza points as her Copy Plant grew in size until it resembled Randsborg's Masked Knight.
"Wait why would she do that?" Yanagai asks confused.
"Isn't it obvious? Copy Plant is a tuner monster." Jessie glances. "She's going to Synchro summon something."
"I fear you, not milady." Randsborg glares readying himself.
"You should. I turn my level 5 Copy Plant with my level 2 Wall of Ivy! It's time you stopped playing knights and stepped into the real world. I synchro summon Black Rose Dragon!" Akiza declares as a large black dragon with red scales that resembled a rose and thorny tails appeared on the field.
Black Rose Dragon: 2400/ 1800
Once that dragon was summoned to the field both Roxas and Yusei cringed softly holding their arms.
"What is this?!" Boly gasped as a powerful gust of wind blew through the whole arena.
"Tis true! Thou be the Black Rose!" Randsborg declares making the audience mutter in fear.
"He's right! Only the Black Rose witch has that card!
"She sure didn't waste any time." Lazar grins amused.
"Hey, are you guys okay?" Gogo asks seeing Yusei still holding his arm.
"I'm fine." Yusei groans.
"That dragon…I've seen it before." Roxas recalls remembering the masked girl who attacked him and Yusei the night before the Fortune Cup.
"Then consider yourself lucky." Walking in they saw Grieger join them on the opposite couch. "Most who've seen that dragon never duel again. It is said that the Black Rose Dragon is an omen of destruction and any who see it will fall prey to its powers."
While the audience was still recovering from the shock, Randsborg seemed to hold his ground.
"Fear not. Your trump card shall do battle with my trusty knight and thy dark maiden shall pay." Randsborg declares. 'Unless my eyes deceive me, she knows not of my facedown Sakuretsu Armor waiting to strike.'
But still, Akiza kept her same quiet glare.
"Your eyes do vex." Randsborg said.
"I'll take that as a compliment but in case it wasn't I should tell you, when my dragon is special summoned to the field it can destroy all cards on the field." Akiza declares much to his horror. "Go, Black Rose Gale!"
Roaring Black Rose Dragon created a giant storm of black roses that blew through the field and the whole arena.
"What is going on?! An incredible tornado has struck inside the arena!" The MC panics as Black Rose Dragon, Masked Knight, and Randsborg's facedown are destroyed.
"Is this her witch magic?" Randsborg mutters.
"I place one card facedown and then I activate my field spell card, Black Garden!" Inserting a card into the field spell slot giant thorns sprung out of the ground.
"What evil is this?" Randsborg gasped as he and Akiza were trapped inside a large thorny garden filled with black roses.
Seeing all the large plants and roses, Roxas couldn't help but recall all his visits to Wonderland. And if that was the Rose Garden, does that make Akiza like another rose-obsessed woman?
"I end my turn." Akiza declares.
"The Black Rose really does have magic powers!"
"Watchout Randsborg!"
"While this knight appreciates the concern of the public it matters not. For thy battle is far from over. My turn." Randsborg drew a trap card and grinned liking what he saw. "I shall activatith my spell Thy Warrior Returnith Alive. It hath the power to return my monsters from the dark veil of the grave. Masked Knight level the third rejoin thy battle! You shall fight once again!" Adding his warrior back to his hand, Randsborg summons it to the field.
Masked Knight LV3: 1500/800
But once it appeared on the field, Black Garden suddenly attacked his knight, and large vines wrapped around Masked Knight's body.
"What be this?!" Randsborg gasps confused.
"This be the power of my Black Garden. As long as it's on the field all monsters have their attack points cut in half and a rose token blossoms on the opposite side of the field. I'm sure a knight like you can handle a few thorns. Watch her beauty bloom and be sure to take in the sweet smell of my success." Akiza said as a large red rose token appeared on her field.
Rose Token: 800/800
Masked Knight LV3: 750/800
"With Masked Knight's attack points now sliced in half Sir Randsborg can't get close to the Black Rose," MC warns.
'My attack points matter not; she will still feel my knight's ability most special.' Randsborg thought before activating it. "Vengeance is mine!" From his helmet, Masked Knight blasts Akiza with its special ability.
Akiza: 2200
Randsborg: 4000
"You yield?" Randsborg asks.
"No. I activate my trap card, Dopple-Gainer. Now whenever I take damage from a special effect, you take the same amount of damage. So let's see how you like it." Akiza said as a gust of rose petals flew at Randsborg pelting him.
Akiza: 2200
Randsborg: 3600
"Oh no, it looks like Sir Randsborg has taken his first hit and it is a big one." The MC states as one of the petals had cut Randsborg's face giving him a scratch wound.
"His face." Leo gasps.
"She hurt him," Dexter said in disbelief.
"I guess her powers don't just extend to her dragon. She can use the powers of any card she plays." Jessie realized.
"Oh, maybe we should move back a few rows," Yanagi said terrified.
But the audience was reacting a little differently.
"You witch!
"Get out of here!"
"How dare you!"
"Tis but a mere scratch, her powers scare not this brave warrior." Taking a cloth, Randsborg wipes his face. "But you witch shall pay!"
"Be careful who you call a witch." Akiza glares clearly showing hatred for that label.
"A threat?! You shall pay dearly for that. I casteth two cards facedown, thy turn." Randsborg said ending his turn.
"My turn." Akiza drew. "I play my spell Mark of the Rose; this allows me to gain control of one of your monsters. Masked Knight, what do you think about joining me?" Akiza asks as a black rose mark appears on Masked Knight and instantly it appeared on her field.
Smirking Akiza held out her hand and Masked Knight took it as if it was a real knight swearing his loyalty to her.
"Looks like Randsborg has a traitor within his ranks," Tifa said while Randsborg was anything but amused.
"It looks like your monster has sworn his allegiance to me. Masked Knight, I think it's time to let Sir Randsborg feel the sting of your betrayal. Attack him directly!" Akiza orders.
Drawing his large sword, Masked Knight attacks his former owner, acting quickly Randsborg raises his duel disk like a shield to lessen the blow only to be pushed back.
Akiza: 2200
Randsborg: 2850
"Thou bewitched the heart of my noble warrior. Thou shall suffer for such insolence." Randsborg said eager to get her back for this.
"Not before this. I equip the spell card Vengeful Servant of my new Masked Knight. Now when it returns to your field you take damage equal to its original attack points." Akiza said activating a new spell.
"You dare not." Randsborg scoffs.
"Oh no, I do dare. I end my turn and now Masked Knight go back and strike down his life points." Akiza orders.
Due to the effect of the new equip spell, Masked Knight leaps back to Sir Randsborg but immediately draws his sword and delivers a powerful slash making Randsborg scream in pain.
Akiza: 2200
Randsborg: 1350
"This rose has thorns! In just one round she's pulled up the roots of Randsborg's lead like was a weed infestation!" The MC declares.
"Thy girl shall suffer my wraith. And it begins with this. My trap card Level Change!" Randsborg said revealing his trap. "Thy turn has not finished as of yet Black Rose. My traitorous Masked Knight shall return to the yard of graves so that a far nobler one shall take thy place."
As Masked Knight went to the grave, all of Akiza's equip spells were destroyed.
"Masked Knight level the fifth! Returneth to my side, my brave warrior!" Randsborg said summoning his level 5 monster.
Masked Knight LV5: 2300/1300
"It appears you've forgotten about Black Garden. Not only does your monster get its attack points cut in half but I get another Rose token." Akiza said as vines wrapped around Randsborg's new knight cutting its attack points in half and summoning another Rose token to Akiza's field.
Masked Knight LV5: 1150/1300
Rose Token: 800/800
"Your move," Akiza said now that neither had any cards to play.
"Sorceress! You dare enchant my monsters! Thy garden be no Eden but will fall the same!" Randsborg drew. "Masked Knight you have earned promotion for battle against the most wicked opponent."
"He's right!" MC gasps. "During his standby phase, Masked Knight is able to upgrade from level 5 all the way to level 7!"
Glowing brightly, Masked Knight transforms into a larger version of itself with a giant sword on its back and spikes on its armor.
Masked Knight LV7: 2900/1800
"Black Garden, do your thing." Akiza orders as her garden attacks Randsborg's new Knight and a third Rose Token appears on her field.
Masked Knight LV7: 1450/1800
Rose Token: 800/800
"Now I see it, those Rose Tokens can't be destroyed in battle. She's set up a wall around her monsters, the only question is will it hold? Not even a pretty garden can stop Randsborg forever." Grieger said.
"Not to mention those things can't attack. Even with its points cut in half, Randsborg has enough power to deal some damage. So what's she gonna do about it?" Gogo asks as they all keep their eyes on the duel.
"Foul she-creature, thou has draped thy arena in dark foliage, seduced my noble knights, but now thy dark deck shall fall before my might. Behold my Glory Shield! And I'll equip it onto my Masked Knight!" Randsborg said as a heavenly shield with sharp spikes appeared on his Masked Knight.
"Good move, now when Masked Knight attacks she can't use any spells or traps to stop it." Bolt points out.
"Not to mention when it does damage, she can destroy a magic or trap card on the field," Dexter adds.
"Sounds like he drew the right card for her," Jessie said.
"Now Masked Knight unleash your might on the Tokens of Rose! Cry havoc and strike down her life points!" Randsborg said as his Masked Knight drew his sword and attacked one of Akiza's tokens. Even though it wasn't destroyed she still took damage.
Akiza: 1550
Randsborg: 1350
"And now my Glory Shield effect I destroy your Dopple-Gainer!" Randsborg said as Masked Knight aimed his shield at Akiza's trap destroying it. "And now with thy cursed spell gone, Masked Knight unleash thy ability most special!"
Leaping up into the air, Masked Knight releases a powerful blast that collides with Akiza creating a powerful explosion.
But when the smoke cleared Akiza still seemed unfazed by his attack.
Akiza: 50
Randsborg: 1350
"Only 50 life points left?! Akiza is holding on to the skin of her teeth! One more attack like that and this duel is over!" The MC said as the crowd cheered eagerly for Randsborg to win.
"I end my turn," Randsborg said.
"Looks like this duel is almost over." Grieger said thinking Randsborg had it.
"This match isn't over yet. I think she's still up to something." Yusei said.
"If that's the case Yusei, then she better make her comeback now." Gogo said.
'Or maybe she already has it.' Roxas thought looking at her. Since the beginning of the duel, she's had the same blank, unamused expression on her face. Even though Randsborg had pushed her to her last bit of life points she still seemed to be unfazed by everything. Roxas wasn't sure at the moment but he felt like her behavior was familiar to him.
"Any last words, fair maiden? For you won't see another." Randsborg asks.
"Yes, this duel is over." Akiza declares.
"What?" Randsborg said not expecting this response.
"My turn." Akiza drew.
'You cannot fool me, you've lost already dear. I seeth thy cards as if they be mine. You will release your Rose Tokens to summon a monster to fight back which will reward me a Token of Rose. You shall attack and you shall fail because of my facedown, my Martyr Flag which will double my Masked Knight's power and you shall taste the agony of defeat.' Randsborg thought believing he had a winning strategy.
"First I destroy my Black Garden." Akiza declares and instantly the garden around them begins to wilt and decay.
"What is this?!" Randsborg asks not expecting this.
"You see by destroying this card and all the plant-type monsters on my field I can summon a new monster from my graveyard as long as its attack points are equal or less than the total amount from the monsters destroyed," Akiza explains as her Rose Tokens were destroyed.
"Wait that means…" Tifa realizes as their group gasps knowing what is coming back.
"Now if my math is correct and it usually is with 3 Rose Token Monsters with 800 attack points each are destroyed then Akiza has sacrificed enough attack points to summon her…" The MC starts as the field begins to glow purple.
"Now say hello to my Black Rose Dragon!" Akiza declares as her dragon returns to the field.
Black Rose Dragon: 2400/1800
"There it is! The Black Rose Dragon! But with Black Garden gone Masked Knight's attack points go back to their maximum and if you know anything about fairy tales when knights and dragons clash it never ends well for the dragon." MC said as Masked Knight's attack went back to normal.
Masked Knight LV7: 2900/1800
"So close, but Black Rose Dragon doesn't have enough attack points to win now. Too bad." Tanner said.
"A fool you are milady. Perhaps you should hang up dueling and tend to thy garden. For you do not have a green thumb when it comes to dueling." Randsborg mocks.
"I sure to hate to admit, but it looks like this duel is over," Grieger said.
"Yeah, but she's going to win," Roxas said.
"Are you watching the same duel?" Grieger asks.
"No he's right. Look at her face." Yusei points to show the determined look. "She's not worried at all."
"She's got one more trick up her sleeve." Roxas declares.
Reaching to her graveyard, Akiza pulls out her Wall of Ivy monster card. "By removing a Plant-type monster from my grave I can activate my Black Rose Dragon's second ability. This allows me to cut your Masked Knight's attack power to zero!" As Wall of Ivy appears in front of Black Rose Dragon, her dragon eats it to gain its power. "Go Black Binding Bloom!"
Releasing dark thorns, they wrapped around Randsborg's Masked Knight and drained its power.
Masked Knight LV7: 0000/1800
"Z-Zero? But then my trap is useless. My knight can't get stronger." Randsborg states in a horrified tone.
"You claim to be a knight. But all I see is a sad man playing dress up. It's not how you look on the outside that matters but what's on the inside." Akiza said as her dragon roared.
"No! Please stop!" Randsborg begs but Akiza doesn't listen.
"Black Rose Dragon attack with Black Rose Flare!" Akiza orders as her dragon releases a powerful dark breath attack which destroys Randsborg's knight and deals serious damage to him as a result of the attack.
"So this is her power," Lazar said intrigued. "But what about the other issue?"
Appearing next to them was an image of Zigzix.
"Sir, I'm afraid…we detected nothing. There was no signer energy emitting from her at all." Zigzix admits.
Looking to Goodwin they awaited his answer.
"Then we'll just have to make sure her next opponent can bring it out." Goodwin declares as Jack unconsciously reaches for his right arm.
As the smoke cleared, Randsborg collapsed to the ground.
Akiza: 50
Randsborg: 0000
However, unlike with Leo and Grieger's duel, no one was cheering over the victor. Instead, a scream of terror echoed through the arena.
"She's a monster!"
"Get her out of here!"
Only Sayer seemed to enjoy the outcome of this duel.
"Well done, Akiza, but your next fights won't be so easy. Brace yourself." Sayer said eager to see her battle again.
"Uh while we get Randsborg to a doctor, will the contestants for the 3rd match please prepare yourselves," MC states as the images of Roxas and Prof. Frank appear on the screen.
The first two duels had been interesting but now it was Roxas' turn to step up.
Meanwhile in a dark room with a small window to let in a little light, Prof. Frank was standing by himself with various cards scattered around him.
"This is the one." Bending down he picks one up. "The perfect card to deal with you, Roxas."
Zooming in, the Professor's face was almost completely covered except for an evil grin.