The sound of the morning bell rang across the CHS campus grounds. That sound signaled not only the start of a new day but also the toll that would either be for CHS' defeat or their hopes of living one more day. For a certain purple-haired girl, she was on the brink of her mental state. Sunny sat in her bed as she held her deck; the girl hoped that today would be their saving grace. Somehow, they could find a way to win and still give their school a chance.
"Please… all I'm asking for is a chance. Just… give me hope," said Sunny as she spoke to her deck as if it would grant her wish.
A knock on her door snapped her out of her thoughts, and she knew it was time. Taking a deep breath and looking at a hanging picture in her mirror of her father and herself, Sunny stood up. She began to approach her door before turning to look at the picture.
"Wish me luck, Dad," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of hope and longing, as if her father's spirit was still there, guiding her.
The field of CHS was shown as just like last time, both sides of the stand were filled with students. The colors and flags of CHS and CPA were shown as the four administrators were stationed in their private booth overlooking the field. Celestia sat in her chair as her foot tapped the ground rapidly to showcase her worry and anxiety. The CHS woman tried her best not to let her troubles show, but given their current state, that was near impossible. And it didn't help that the person she didn't want to see like this was smiling.
"Oh, Celestia… it almost breaks my heart to see you in such a state," said Sombra as he turned from the window to face the woman. He smiled before putting his hands in his pockets and approached her. "But don't worry, it'll all be over soon. I'll put you and your team out of their misery."
Celestia just looked at the man before putting her head down.
"What? No witty comeback, Tia? No telling me it's not over yet or that your team will prevail? Perhaps you finally realize that you can't win. Hmm." smirked Sombra as he put his hand on the woman's shoulder before moving it to cusp her cheek.
Celestia wanted to say something, something that her team wasn't out yet, but… given their state, she wasn't confident. All she could do was start accepting defeat.
"Don't worry. It'll all be over soon. And when we win, Tia, we'll discuss my proposition regarding the two siblings," said Sombra. "Well, Tia… say something."
"Good luck," said Celestia in a defeated tone, as that was all she could muster.
"We don't need it, but… thank you anyway," said Sombra as he took his place beside the woman and held her hand. Celestia felt a cold shudder run through her body as she felt like a failure for her students; she hoped that after today, she could ask them for her forgiveness for failing them.
Out on the field, both sides were gathered. Flurry and her crew looked at her cousins and their friends, who each had smiles on their faces. Given their commanding lead from the last three events and how their captain was the invincible final boss, they were in complete control. All they needed to do was win two duels, and they would put the final nail in the coffin for their opponents.
"I almost feel bad for them. They're trying to put up a fight against us. Like I said, almost," Roxanne said.
"I really wanted to slap that stupid hippie around one more time," said Phin, staring at Izzy from afar as she clutched her goggles.
"What about your cousins, Flurs?" said Axiom.
"I gave them a chance. And this is how they want to thank me. I already showed them why I'm the final boss. I already made them acknowledge me. And now… I'm gonna make them apologize!" said Flurry as she tightened her fist.
"Well, guys, this is it," Sunny said as she got her friend's attention. "Let's just go out there and do our best."
"That's all we can do," said Zipp.
Sunny smiled when they heard the sound of the next event. They all turned as the PA system turned on and Luna and Cadance stood up for all to see.
"Students, we welcome you all to the next event of the 30th Friendship Games: the one-on-one duels!" said the Vice Principal of CHS.
"And it's an extraordinary one, to say the least. Since Crystal Prep has a commanding lead in terms of points. As such, we find ourselves in a peculiar situation. Should CHS lose two duels, they will automatically lose, and Crystal Prep will be named the winner of the Friendship Games. But.. to stay in, CHS will need to win most of these duels, and that, folks, is a tall, tall task!" said Cadance as she added more to the high-pressure situation.
"And so… let's get these duels started… now!" said Luna as she pointed to the main screen.
It showed all fourteen duelists as their profile pictures came up. It was put into a randomizer as it began to cycle between the different portraits. Everyone's eyes were glued to the tron as they awaited to see the results and what would set the stage for this event. Soon, the portraits slowed down as they flashed on two specific ones and enlarged them for all to see.
"The first duel will consist of CPA's Athena, the War Goddess… taking on CHS' Roll!" said Cadance.
"A battle between two Xyz duelists!" added Luna.
The two selected students eyed the screen before looking across the field. They locked eyes as the sound of the crowd faded from their ears, and they focused only on each other.
"Cap?"
"You wanted a challenge, Athena? You wanted someone to push you to your limit? My cousin will do that and more." said Flurry, sitting with her arms crossed. "Show no mercy to her."
"Right," said the CPA teen as she cracked her neck, looking ready to test out her skills against her friend's cousin.
"One more thing. Feel free to call my cousin the Sea Maiden."
The others were confused about Flurry's words, but Athena shrugged before leaving the field. Flurry watched her teammate leave as she eyed her cousin, who was preparing to step out.
"You got this right, Roll?"
"Zipp…" said Sunny to her friend.
"Relax, Sunny. And yeah, I got this," said the girl to her friends before adjusting her blazer and seeing Athena enter the battlefield.
"Careful, hermana," said Mario as the two glanced over at Flurry as they knew what their cousin was thinking.
"Right," said Roll before stepping out.
Athena strapped her duel disk as she saw Roll approaching. The teen got into position and stared down her opponent as the wind began to pick up between them, blowing their hair in their direction. Athena examined Roll, hoping Flurry was true to her word that Roll would give her the fight she was looking for. Roll began to strap on her duel disk as she slotted in her deck when Athena spoke up.
"You know… Flurry told us about you two. And who your parents are… you're a dead ringer for your mother, you know that. Dye your hair purple and wear a pair of glasses, and you look just like her." taunted Athena with a mocking smirk.
"Then allow me to kick your ass on her behalf!" responded Roll as she turned on her duel disk, projecting a yellow card tray.
"Bring it on, Sea Maiden! Let's finish what we started in Wargames!" shouted Athena as she activated her duel disk, projecting a scarlet-colored card tray.
"Opponent detected. Streaming data. Duel mode set. Initiating. Commencing duel."
Athena's Life Points: 8000-
Roll's Life Points: 8000-
"Let's duel!" shouted both girls, ready to fight.
Their portraits and some stats appeared on the screen. Athena's portrait was then highlighted to signal that she would get the first move.
Turn 1: Athena (Hand 5)
"I'll start things off. Here goes," said Athena as she picked up her starting hand and fanned her cards out to see her options.
Whatever card I pick should help me take charge of this duel right from the start! I know!
"I'll start this duel by summoning Brushfire Knight(1400/1200) in defense mode!" A knight came out donned in armor. It wore a red cape and held a rapier and shield as the weapon emblazed with fire.
"I then end my turn."
"Huh?"
Roll was taken aback by Athena's simple move, which didn't match any of her past moves or Crystal Prep's, for that matter.
"What do you think she's planning?" wondered Pipp.
"Nothing good," said Hitch as he too was worried.
Turn 2: Roll (Hand 5)
"It's my move. I draw!" said Roll as she looked at her hand and scanned through her cards. "Since I currently control no monsters, I can be able to summon this monster from my hand. Dream Shark(0/2600)!" A tidal stream appeared on Roll's field before it burst to reveal her shark monster. "Next, I summon Spear Shark(1600/1400)!" Another shark appeared; this one had the tip of a spear on its head, and all its fins were also sharp.
"Thanks to my Spear Shark's ability, it can deal piercing damage. So go, take out her Brushfire Knight!" commanded Roll as her shark swam forward, leaping into the air, coming down with its harpoon weapon head, and striking down its foe.
Athena's Life Points: 7600-
"Thanks for the assist. Now Brushfire Knight's ability activates!" said Athena. "When it's destroyed and sent to my graveyard, I can also send one Fire monster from my deck to the grave! So I choose my Infernoble Knight Ogier!" The girl's duel disk ejected her card, and she grabbed it before slotting it into her graveyard.
"Why would she play a monster that forces her to send another monster to the graveyard?" asked Hitch.
"She must be planning something," said Sunny.
"I end my turn!" said Roll.
Turn 3: Athena (Hand 5)
"My move, then! Since you control a monster, I can summon my Battlin' Boxer Promoter(1700/800)! Then by tributing my Promoter, I can be able to summon two Level 4 'Battlin' Boxer' monsters from my deck. So I summon Battlin' Boxer Headgeared(1000/1800) and Glassjaw(2000/0)!" said Athena as her two monsters appeared before her. "Next… I overlay my monsters to build the Overlay Network!" The two monsters turned into orbs of light as they hovered in the air. A portal opened before the girl as the orbs were sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "The fire in his soul set his fists aflame! I Xyz Summon! Battlin' Boxer Lead Yoke(2200/2000, OLU: 2)!" A giant boxer whose hands were trapped in stockades and chains appeared as it stood behind the girl.
"I've handled tougher Xyz monsters than that!" remarked Roll, showing she wasn't scared of Athena or her Lead Yoke.
"Now, Lead Yoke, attack her Saber Shark!" commanded Athena as her monster reeled its arm back before making contact with the creature.
Roll's Life Points: 7400-
"I'll then place two cards facedown and end my turn."
Turn 4: Roll (Hand 4)
"It's my turn. I draw!" exclaimed Roll. "I'll start summoning my Right-Hand Shark(1500/1300)!" A small shark appeared with extra fins coming out in the shape of a hand. "And when I summon this little guy, I can add Left-Hand Shark(1300/1500) to my hand. And since I control Right-Hand Shark, I can summon him to the field!" Another small shark appeared similar to her previous one, with fins coming out to make it look like a left hand.
"I now overlay both of my Level 3 sharks to build the Overlay Network!" shouted Roll as her two monsters turned into orbs of light that hovered in the air. A portal opened before the girl as they were sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon! Number 17: Leviathan Dragon(2000/0, OLU: 2)!" A massive tide rose as rising from it was a sea serpent dragon as it roared with the might of the seven seas.
"I now use Leviathan Dragon's special ability! By using one overlay unit, my monster gains 500 extra attack points!" said Roll as her dragon ate one of its Xyz materials to absorb and received a power-up. "Now… Leviathan Dragon, give it to Lead Yoke! Go Shock Stream Blast!" The girl's monster whipped its head back as its mouth opened. It charged up before letting loose a powerful stream burst of water.
"I'm activating Lead Yoke's ability. Using an overlay unit, it can't be KO'd in battle!" said Athena as her monster stood its ground and tanked the hit from Roll's dragon.
"Maybe, but you still take damage!" said the girl.
Athena's Life Points: 7300-
"Sometimes you have to take a hit to return an even bigger one. Now… Lead Yoke gains 800 extra attack points because it lost an Overlay Unit!" stated the CPA teen as her monster broke the stockade holding its right arm.
"In that case, I'll set one card facedown. You're up!" stated Roll as her card materialized before her.
Turn 5: Athena (Hand 3)
"Flurry was right…"
"Huh?"
"Your cousin said that if I really wanted to test my skills… then you'd give me the perfect challenge. And so far… you haven't disappointed."
"Thanks?" said Roll, unsure if that was supposed to be a compliment.
"You're a lot tougher than most people give credit for, and I respect that because they think the same way about me. See Roll, I'm a firm believer in iron sharpening iron. To be the best, you have to be tested in more ways than one—mentally, physically, spiritually… it's why I challenged your cousin when we first met. Because I believed that if I took down someone like her, I'd know I was ready to become a pro duelist. That's my dream. To be like her father and your father, for that matter. To be a great duelist. But if I'm ever gonna compete on their level, I have to up my game."
"What's she doing?!" questioned Phin at how Athena was spilling some secrets to their opponents.
"Flurry, you gonna let her keep talking?!" said JD.
"Who cares," smiled the girl.
"Huh?" said the others as they looked at their seated captain.
"Let Athena have her fun. If she wants to prove she's got what it takes to get to the top, then let her duel my cousin her way."
"Cap, you serious?!" said Roxanne as they couldn't believe what their leader said.
"You're a great duelist, no doubt, just like your parents, Roll. That's why this duel means so much to me. I'll beat you and prove that I'm the best. Don't misunderstand; my loyalty is to Crystal Prep… but I'm a duelist first! I'm willing to risk everything to duel against you! The question is… are you!" said Athena, pointing at the girl.
After hearing the girl speak her mind, Roll kept a straight, serious look as she stared down Athena.
"Let's do it!" the girl responded as she accepted the fight. "If you're so eager to fight, then I promise you this: This will be a battle you won't ever forget!"
"Heh. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me, and I promise not to disappoint! Here we go, I draw!" said the girl with a smile, as both were now fired up to duel. "Now Lead Yoke! KO Leviathan Dragon! I won't be pulling any punches 'cause I want you to throw in the towel!"
The girl's monster regained its fist as a wrestling ring surrounded the pair. The boxer then threw his right hook and smacked Roll's dragon, which fell to the ground and exploded. The girl covered up as she felt the power of the attack and began to lose her grip.
Roll's Life Points: 6900-
"Roll!" shouted Sunny.
"She can't hold on!" said Hitch.
The girl was trying not to be taken off her feet, but the attack was quite powerful. Just as it seemed she was going down, Roll willed herself as her eyes intensified. With the help of her dragon's tail, she slammed her hand on the ground and planted herself as the attack blew over. To everyone's shock, they were stunned to see the girl didn't budge, as if her desire not to go down fueled her.
"She's still standing?" said Zipp in shock.
"But… how?" said Athena, expecting to knock the girl down with her combo but didn't. Furthermore, her Leviathan Dragon was still present.
"You had enough… or should we go another round?" taunted Roll with a smile.
"Heh. You know it," said Athena as she returned the gesture to the girl.
"Is she smiling?!" said Axiom in disbelief.
"She's enjoying it. I'd say we just watch and see what happens," Flurry told her crew with a smile. The others couldn't believe how things were turning out, nor could they believe their captain's attitude toward their friend having fun battling her cousin, given it was a competition.
"So, really quick, guys, how is Leviathan Dragon still out?" asked Izzy, expecting that monster to have been destroyed.
"Thanks to the effect of my Right-Hand Shark, an Xyz monster that was summoned using only Water monsters can't be destroyed in battle! So my monster is sticking around for round 2!" said Roll. "You may be up now, but I'll be the last duelist standing."
"You got spirit, even if you are gonna lose. Then bring it on, Sea Maiden!" said Athena.
Turn 6: Roll (Hand 3)
"With pleasure, War Goddess, except… I'm not gonna lose. I draw!" said Roll, smiling as she drew her card. "To start, I'm summoning my Hammer Shark(1700/1500). Next, I activate its special ability; once per turn, I can lower its Level by 1 and summon one Level 3 or lower Water monster from my hand. Time to chop at the bits, Big Jaws(1800/300)!" Two whirlpools appeared, revealing two different sharks; one had a hammer for a head, while the other had razor-sharp fangs.
"Next, I overlay Big Jaws and Hammer Shark. With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" shouted Roll as her monsters turned into orbs of light and hovered in the air. A portal opened before her as the orbs were sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon… a champion of darkness and devastation! Black Ray Lancer(2100/600, OLU: 2)!" Roll's monster appeared and twirled its lance above its head before spreading its wings and pointing its weapon at the girl.
"Next, I activate Black Ray Lancer's ability. By using one overlay unit, I can negate your Lead Yoke's abilities! Go Paralyzing Lance!" Black Ray Lancer's wing fins glowed and shot out two columns of wind that blew over Athena's side of the field, leaving her monster with static paralysis. "Then I'm following that up with Leviathan Dragon's ability. Using its last Xyz material, it gains 500 more attack points!"
"Nice. With Lead Yoke useless, Athena can't save it from destruction. And since Leviathan Dragon can't be destroyed in battle since it was used by Right-Hand Shark, despite them both having the same attack points, Roll's monster is gonna stick around!" said Sunny.
"Leviathan Dragon, KO Lead Yoke!" said Roll as her dragon fired its attack, which was met in the middle with a punch. The two attacks made contact before an explosion smokescreen occurred, and Athena's fighter was gone. "Now, Black Ray Lancer, attack with Shimmering Spear Slash!" Roll's second monster charged up its weapon before zooming toward the girl, delivering the swipe and knocking the girl down.
Athena's Life Points: 5200-
"Still up for more?" said Roll.
"Always…" smiled the Crystal Prep teen as she got up, now sporting battle marks on her body.
"Then I'll pass it over to you!" stated Roll upon ending her turn.
Turn 7: Athena (Hand 4)
"It's my turn, and it's time to get even more extreme. Here goes. To start, I'm playing the spell card Battlin' Boxer Spirits! Now I have to send the top card of my deck, but here's the fun part: Sea Maiden. If it's a Battlin' Boxer, then I can summon a different one from my graveyard." said Athena before drawing her next card and looking at it. "Guess what? I just drew Battlin' Boxer Rabbit Puncher. So I'll send it straight to the graveyard to summon my Battlin' Boxer Promoter back!"
"Not again," said Roll, knowing how dangerous that monster was.
"Next, I activate Battlin' Boxer Promoter's ability. I can summon two different 'Battlin' Boxer' monsters from my deck by tributing him. So make way for Battlin' Boxer Uppercutter(1600/200) and Battlin' Boxer Shadow(1800/400)!" Two different monsters appeared as Athena looked to tighten her grip on the duel. "Next, Uppercutter's effect activates when he's summoned. Now I can a 'Battlin Boxer' monster or a 'Counter' counter trap to my hand."
"That's not good. We know Athena loves her counter strategy!" said Pipp, as that was the girl's bread and butter.
"I'm choosing to add my Battlin' Boxer Chief Second to my hand!" declared Athena as she touched her duel disk screen to confirm her choice. Her device slid the card out for her to grab before the auto shuffler kicked in. " Now… I'm overlaying Battlin' Boxer Shadow and Uppercutter to build the Overlay Network!" The girl's two monsters turned into orbs of light as they hovered in the air. A portal opened before her as the orbs were sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon! Number 79: Battlin' Boxer Nova Kaiser(2300/1600, OLU: 2)!" A fighter emerged wearing colorful red armor with yellow outlines as the number glowed on its body. It then clapped its knuckles together as it landed on the field with a thud and unfurled its outerwear.
"I now activate Nova Kaiser's special ability. Once per turn, I can attach a 'Battlin' Boxer' from my hand or graveyard to my monster. So, I'll attach my Battlin' Boxer Glassjaw to my Nova Kaiser. Oh, and by the way, every Xyz material attached to my Nova Kaiser receives 100 additional attack points. So it's got 2500 attack points!" stated the Crystal Prep girl. An orb appeared from a portal as it circled around her monster as it gave it power. "Nova Kaiser set your sights on her Black Ray Lancer!"
"I reveal my facedown, Escape Lure! Now, I can change the target to a different monster. So your Nova Kaiser is going to lose to my Leviathan Dragon!" Roll stated as her facedown flipped over.
"Oh, no, what will I do?" mocked Athena before smiling. "As if I'd fall for that pathetic move a second time. I activate my facedown, Jolt Counter! During the Battle Phase, if you activate a spell, trap, or card effect while I control a 'Battlin' Boxer,' this trap shuts it down and destroys it!" Roll's card then glitched out before disappearing.
"Aw, shit," said the girl.
"Nova Kaiser, take out her Black Ray Lancer!" commanded Athena, as there was nothing to stop her attack. Her warrior reeled its fist back before thrusting it out and smashing the monster right through the chest. Bits of armor broke off and exploded upon impact. The attack felt powerful as Roll fell to the ground this time.
Roll's Life Points: 6500-
"Having fun, or are my superior skills spoiling the duel for you?" taunted Athena as Roll sat up and wiped her mouth.
"Not a chance," responded the girl defiantly.
"Then I'll set one card facedown and end my turn."
Turn 8: Roll (Hand 2)
"Now, it's my turn. I draw!" said Roll, looking at her field before scanning her hand. "I summon Abyss Shark(1200/700)!" A colorful armored shark surfaced as it growled. "Sure, it may be a Level 5 monster, but if all the monsters I control are Water-type, then I can summon him without sacrificing. And there's more… when he's special summoned, I can add a Level 3, 4, or 5 Fish-type monster from my deck. Next, I'm activating the spell card Moray of Greed. So by shuffling two water monsters from my hand back to my deck, I get to draw three new cards."
Roll took the two remaining cards in her hands and placed them on top of her deck, and the auto shuffler kicked in. The girl then grabbed the top three cards and fanned them out to see what new cards she got.
"Well… did you get the cards you needed." mocked Athena.
"Even better, because I now activate this continuous spell card, Whitefish Salvage. Now once per turn, I can add a Fish-type monster back to my hand from the graveyard. So I'll use its power now to return my Spear Shark and then summon it!" said Roll, placing her card on her tray as her monster reappeared. "And I'm not done because I can summon my Silent Angler(800/1400) since I control a Water-type monster. And there's one more thing to say: when I use Abyss Shark to Xyz a 'Number' monster, it can count as a Level 3 or 4 monster. So… I overlay Silent Angler, Spear Shark, and Abyss Shark to build… the Overlay Network!" shouted Roll as her three monsters turned into orbs of light and hovered in the air. A portal opened before her as all three orbs vanished into it, and a pillar of light emerged.
"This denizen of the deep is thirsting for a feeding frenzy! I Xyz Summon! Number 32: Shark Drake(2800/2000, OLU: 3)!" Eyes were shown peering through a surge of water as one growl later, it burst apart to reveal a large shark with black skin and stood on two legs.
"That's one of Roll's badass monsters!" said Zipp, as Roll was already preparing to win with that creature's power.
"I almost forgot, Abyss Shark has one more ability you should know. Whenever a 'Number' monster deals battle damage the first time, it's doubled. So Shark Drake, set your sights on Nova Kaiser!" declared Roll.
"Not gonna happen. Remember when I added my Battlin' Boxer Chief Second? It's time to use it. Whenever you declare an attack, while I control a Fire-type or Warrior monster, I can special summon him to the field. Rise Battlin' Boxer Chief Second(500/2000)!" A cornerman appeared with a stool and water bottle in his arms. "Next, I can negate your monster's attack. Then, I banish one monster on the field until the End Phase. So I choose… your Leviathan Dragon."
Roll looked as she saw her dragon vanish, with Shark Drake halting its attack.
"Why did she choose to banish Leviathan Dragon? Wouldn't Shark Drake be a better choice because it would lose its overlay units when it returned to the field?" asked Hitch.
"Yeah, but remember, Leviathan Dragon couldn't be destroyed in battle since Roll used her Right-Hand Shark to Xyz Summon. So, by banishing it, it'll return back to normal, meaning it'll be weaker and won't have that invincibility," said Sunny.
"So, anything else?" asked Athena with a mocking smile.
"I end my turn," said Roll as her Leviathan Dragon reappeared as it was much weaker than before.
Turn 9: Athena (Hand 3)
"It's my turn. I draw! And I summon Battlin' Boxer Switchitter(1500/1400)! Its special ability allows it to count as two monsters when I use it to Xyz Summon. Now... I overlay my Battlin' Boxer Switchitter and Chief Second to build the Overlay Network!" Athena's monsters turned into orbs of light as they hovered in the air. A portal opened before her as the orbs were sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon! Number 105: Battlin' Boxer Star Cestus(2500/1600, OLU: 2)!" Out came a blue and yellow colored warrior as it had shoulder pads on its shoulders that looked to be wings.
"That monster is trouble!" said Sunny from her experience.
"Roll can handle it… I hope," said Izzy.
Mario just looked on with a straight face as he saw some drops of sweat rolling down his sister's face.
"I now activate Nova Kaiser's special ability. I attach my Battlin' Boxer Rabbit Puncher onto him to receive an additional 100 attack points. Now… Star Cestus, attack her Shark Drake." commanded Athena as her monster powered up several yellow orbs beside it, ready to fire. "I now use an overlay unit to activate my number's effect. When Star Cestus has fewer attack points than your monster, it can't be destroyed in battle. And you take all the damage instead!" The girl's monster's attack rained down on Roll as her Shark Drake fought back by firing a single beam to repel the orbs. However, the aftermath was coming down on Roll as she knocked back down and groaned in pain.
Roll's Life Points: 6200-
"Now… Nova Kaiser, take out her Leviathan Dragon!" said the Crystal Prep teen as her second monster charged up its fist and punched the sea serpent as it exploded upon impact.
Roll's Life Points: 5500-
"Now… I activate the effect of my Infernoble Knight Ogier. You recall I sent it to the gravevyard earlier, huh? Well, since it's there, I can now equip it onto my Star Cestus and while it's equipped it grants my Number immunity from being destroyed by card effects!"
"Great that thing is even more dangerous!" said Hitch at how Athena strengthed her powerhouse.
"With that, I end my turn."
Turn 10: Roll (Hand 1)
"This is bad. Roll's in a tough situation!" said Pipp.
"If she doesn't find a way to take down that Number, we might as well just forfeit," said Zipp, as they would be fighting a very steep uphill battle if the first duel they had they suffered a loss.
"Well, Sea Maiden. You still think you can go the full fight with me in the ring?"
"I'm just finding my second gear. Watch. I… draw!" said Roll as she put her hand on top of her deck and hoped to get something good. "Nice. Now… I activate the spell card, Xyz Treasure. For every Xyz monster on the field, I get to draw one card. Since there are three monsters, I draw three cards. Thanks for the extra cards, War Goddess. Ha! Next, I activate the effect of my Whitefish Salvage to add my Hammer Shark back to my hand."
"Draw all the cards you want. You can't beat my Star Cestus anyway!"
"Maybe not now, but I'll find a way. Besides… Star Cestus isn't the only monster you have out. Shark Drake, unleash your fury on her Nova Kaiser. Attack… with Deep Sea Destruction!" commanded Roll as her monster opened its mouth to fire a blue shark spirit as it devoured and exploded Athena's Nova Kaiser.
Athena's Life Points: 5100-
"Now… I activate Nova Kaiser's special ability. When it's destroyed and sent to the graveyard, I can summon as many Level 4 or lower 'Battlin' Boxer' monsters in my graveyard up to the number of Xyz materials that were attached to it."
"So, wait? She can summon four monsters back?!" said Pipp.
"That means she'll have a field full of monsters!" Zipp said as she, too, looked worried.
"I'm bringing back Battlin' Boxer Headgeared, Battlin' Boxer Second Chief, and Battlin' Boxer Glassjaw!" said Athena as three monsters appeared before her.
"Well, I'm not done. I activate my Shark Drake's special ability. By using an overlay unit, it can attack again by reviving and weakening your monster by 1000 attack points!" said Roll as a portal opened, and out came Athena's Nova Kaiser as it was much weaker. "Do it, Shark Drake!" On her command, her monster fired another attack, taking its foe out a second time as she covered up.
Athena's Life Points: 3600-
"Next, I play the spell card Salvage. I can add two Waters monsters from my graveyard back to my hand, as long as their attack points don't exceed 1500. So I'm taking back my Abyss Shark and Right-Hand Shark!" said the girl as her duel disk ejected the cards for her to grab.
"I then set two cards facedown! You're up!"
Turn 11: Athena (Hand 3)
"This is the kind of duel I've always dreamed of. Whenever I start pulling ahead, you battle right back," said Athena with a smile, as she liked that Flurry's cousin was pushing her beyond her limits.
"I hate to say it, but… yeah, I agree," smiled Roll as she had to admit she hadn't faced an opponent like Athena in quite a while. "But I'm still winning."
"Don't be too sure. It's… my draw! Star Cestus, attack her Shark Drake!"
"Not this again!" said Sunny.
"I activate Star Cestus' special ability!" commanded Athena as her monster absorbed its final overlay unit, and it reeled its fist back. Shark Drake bit down on its hand as it wasn't afraid; the attack coursed through the monster before going to Roll as she covered up and fell to a knee.
Roll's Life Points: 5200-
"Well… the good news is that Star Cestus has no more overlay units to use. So Athena can't protect her monster from being destroyed in battle," said Izzy as Roll had a window of opportunity.
"Next, from my hand, I activate the spell card, Forbidden Lance. I target one monster on the field, and it loses 800 attack points, but on the plus side, that monster won't be affected by spells or traps. So I choose your Shark Drake!" said Athena as a lance appeared in her Star Cestus' hand as it threw the lance at Shark Drake who roared in pain as it was embedded deep into its skin.
"Now… Glassjaw, attack her Shark Drake!"
"They both have the same number of attack points now, which means they'll both be destroyed!" said Hitch as the two creatures met and exploded upon impact.
"How's Roll gonna win if she lost her ace monster?" asked Pipp.
"She'll pull through," said Mario, getting the attention of the others. "Shark Drake is powerful, but it's not my sister's true ace monster on her deck."
"Huh? What do you mean, lover boy?"
"Her true ace is one you all have seen," said the boy.
"Wait… you mean…" said Sunny as she pieced together what Mario was saying.
"I end my turn. You're up!" said Athena.
Turn 12: Roll (Hand 4)
"It's my move. I draw. First, I activate my facedown, Extreme Pressure Power. This trap lets me destroy one of my monsters and draw a card. So I'm getting rid of my Dream Shark!" said Roll as her last monster disappeared, allowing the girl to draw another card from her deck. "I now summon my Lantern Shark(1500/900)." A shark appeared as the undertone of its belly lit up. "When I summon my Lantern Shark, its ability allows me to call on some backup. So I'm summoning my Hammer Shark in defense mode!"
"Now she has two Level 4 monsters, which means…" said Izzy.
"I overlay Hammer Shark and Lantern Shark to build the Overlay Network!" said Roll as her two monsters turned into orbs of light and hovered in the air. A portal opened before the girl as the orbs were sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon! Number 101: Silent Honor Ark(2100/1000, OLU: 2)!" An ark appeared before them, with a face on it and the glowing number 101.
"Is that Roll's ace?" asked Zipp to Mario as the boy didn't say anything but just watched his sister duel.
"I then play the spell card, Aqua Jet, and equip it onto my Silent Honor Ark. Now, till the end of the turn, it gets 1000 extra attack points! Silent Honor Ark, take out Star Cestus. Phantom Flood!" shouted Roll. The girl's monster began emitting several lasers, and they all fired and bombarded Athena's monster, and it exploded. The Crystal Prep teen covered up as this time, she was the one that dropped to a knee by Roll's monster.
Athena's Life Points: 3000-
"I end my turn."
Turn 13: Athena (Hand 3)
"Heh. Not bad," said the girl as she stood up and dusted herself. "Now that's a monster I look forward to taking down. It's my turn… I draw!" The Crystal Prep girl drew her card; she looked at it before shifting her eyes to look at Roll. "And the card I got will crush you. I activate Rank-Up-Magic - The Seventh One!"
"What is that?!" said Hitch as he and the others didn't know what card Athena just played.
"With this card, I summon from my graveyard my Star Cestus!" said the girl as her monster rose up. "Then my spell ranks up my monster into a Chaos Xyz monster. Go Chaos Xyz Evolution!" Athena's monster turned into an orb of light as it hovered in the air. A portal opened up, and the orb was sucked in with a dark pillar of light exploding out. "I Xyz Summon… Chaos Number 105: Battlin' Boxer Comet Cestus(2800/2000, OLU: 1)!"
"This is bad!" said Sunny.
"I activate Comet Cestus' special ability. I can use one Chaos overlay unit to destroy a monster and inflict damage equal to its attack points! Say goodbye to your Silent Honor Ark!" said Athena.
"I activate my Silent Honor Ark's ability. By using one overlay unit, it can't be destroyed! So I won't be taking any damage at all!" said Roll as her monster put a barrier to protect itself from the attack.
"Nice one!" shouted Zipp for Roll's quick thinking.
"I'm not through! Comet Cestus can still attack… and it'll knock out your monster. Celestial Burst!" said Athena as her monster, with its fist glowing, looked to KO Roll's monster.
"This battle's not over by a long shot. Once more, I activate Silent Honor Ark's ability. By using an overlay unit, it can avoid being destroyed!" said the girl.
"But you still take damage!" said Athena as her monster's fist made contact with Roll's monster, sending the girl to the ground as she tumbled.
Roll's Life Points: 4800-
"That was a lucky break! Your last one! I end my turn!" said Athena.
Turn 14: Roll (Hand 3)
"It's my move. I draw!" said Roll as she picked up her new card. "I set one card facedown."
"That's it? That's all she can do?!" said Zipp.
"This doesn't look good for us," said Hitch as Roll's move told everyone that she had nothing to combat Athena's monster.
Turn 15: Athena (Hand 3)
"What a waste of a move! If you were hoping for a next time, you can forget it!" said the Crystal Prep girl.
"I really hope she's wrong about that," said Izzy in a worried tone.
"Let's finish this! My move. I overlay my Battlin' Boxer Headgeared and Battlin' Boxer Second Chief!" said Athena as her two monsters turned into orbs of light and hovered in the air. A portal opened before her as the orbs were sucked in, and a pillar of light emerged. "I Xyz Summon, Number 80: Rhapsody in Berserk(0/1200, OLU: 2)!"
"Uh, guys… that number doesn't have any attack points," said Hitch.
"Why would Athena want to use a number like that?" wondered Sunny.
"Rhapsody in Berserk has a special ability that'll win me this duel! By using one overlay unit, I can choose either spell, trap, or monster cards and all cards of that type are banished from your graveyard!" said Athena as it got everyone to gasp upon hearing that. "I think I'll pick monster cards!" The girl's monster slammed its fist into the ground to make it crack open; all of Roll's monsters in her graveyard appeared in their card form before they vanished.
"No!" said Roll as she watched her monsters be gone.
"Not only can you no longer protect yourselves, but things are gonna get even worse when I activate Rhapsody in Berserk's additional special ability!"
"Another ability!?" said Pipp.
"I equip it onto Battlin' Boxer Comet Cestus and give it 1200 more attack points!" said the girl as her monster transformed back into its sets of armor that attached to her Comet Cestus as it got a makeover.
"It now has 4000 attack points!" said Sunny.
"Comet Cestus, attack Silent Honor Ark!" commanded Athena as her monster rushed forward and, with one single punch, took down Roll's monster, making the girl leave her feet and tumble to the floor.
Roll's Life Points: 2900-
"Roll!" shouted the girl's friends as she struggled to get up.
"Now they're about even," said Axiom.
"With that, it's your move!"
Turn 14: Roll (Hand 3)
"It's my move! I draw… I activate… Rank-Up-Magic - The Seventh One!"
"She has one too?!" said Roll's friends as they couldn't believe what card the girl was playing.
"This is gonna be fun," smirked Athena as she was all for Roll playing that card.
"I now summon my Silent Honor Ark and change it into a Chaos Xyz monster!" said Roll as her monster appeared before turning into an orb of light and hovering in the air. A portal opened up as the orb was sucked in, and a dark pillar exploded. "I Xyz Summon, Chaos Number 101: Silent Honor DARK(2800/1500, OLU: 1)!" Roll's former vessel transformed and was now a black armored warrior as he wielded a spear.
"Woah!" said Hitch.
"It's unbelievable," said Pipp, gawking at Roll's new monster.
"Is this her true ace?" asked Zipp.
"Well done, prima. You finally did it," smiled Flurry.
"Silent Honor DARK, attack Comet Cestus!"
"What?!" said the Crystal Prep group and Athena, taken aback by Roll's move.
"I now activate my facedown, Xyz Willpower. Since my Water-type Xyz monster has fewer attack points this turn, not only can't it be destroyed, but you take the damage instead of me!" said Roll.
"Rhapsody in Berserk has a special ability, too! By sending it to the graveyard, this card slashes the damage I'll take in half!" said Athena. The two monsters each threw a punch as they met in the middle, their knuckles touching, creating a massive wind that blew both girls off their feet.
Athena's Life Points: 2400-
Both girls were on the ground as they struggled to move; their bodies were covered in battle marks and somehow, they found the strength to stand up. The two teens panted heavily as they looked each other in the eye from afar.
"Congrats, Sea Maiden… this has been a great workout… I'm impressed you went the distance with a real heavyweight… but you're out of your league, and it's time to take you down for the count!"
"I don't think so! Let's end this! Give me your best shot, War Goddess!" shouted Roll as she got to her feet and egged Athena to hit her as hard as she could.
Turn 15:Athena (Hand 4)
"The only way this duel ends is you losing!" said Athena as she drew her card with intensity in her voice. "Since it sounds like you're throwing in the towel, I'll speed things up and send you straight to your demise! I activate Rhapsody in Berserk's special ability!"
"Another special ability!?" said Pipp.
"It's coming out of retirement to knock you out once and for all! Your end begins now with the return of Number 80: Rhapsody in Berserk! Now I activate Rank-Up-Magic Barian's Force!"
"Not that card!" shouted Roll, as she knew what that meant.
"With this one monster, I rebuild the Overlay Network! Go… Chaos Xyz Evolution!" shouted Athena as her sole monster turned into an orb of light that hovered in the air. A portal opened, and the orb was sucked in, resulting in a dark pillar of light to explode. "Rise up… Chaos Number 80: Requiem in Berserk(0/2000, OLU: 1)!"
"I'm not afraid," muttered Roll as she stared down the giant warrior.
"And Barian's Force has another effect! My Requiem in Berserk steals all of your monster's overlay units. Then it sets you up to be brought down because your monster loses 300 attack points per overlay!" said Athena as the orb circling Silent Honor DARK flew to its opponent and began a diamond-shaped Xyz material as it got weaker.
"That's one powerful card!" said Izzy as the power alone of that single card Athena played scared her.
"This isn't fair! They have a rare and powerful card like that, and we can't do anything about it!" said Zipp as she felt that card itself screwed over Roll big time.
"Without any overlay units, Silent Honor DARK can't restore Roll's Life Points," muttered Mario to himself as even he admitted his little sister was in a serious bind.
"Don't be too upset yet, Sea Maiden. Save some of your worries because things are about to get much worse. I use Requiem in Berserk's special ability! By using one Chaos overlay unit, all your spell and trap cards are banished!" Athena's monster punched the ground as every card Roll had in her backrow vanished in the blink of an eye.
"Oh, no!" said Sunny as Roll had nothing to save her or her monster.
"Last but not least, Requiem in Berserk has one final trick for you! I'm going to equip it onto Comet Cestus to give it 2000 more attack points!" The girl's monster began to break apart as it attached to its comrade to give it power unlike no other. "Oh, and one more thing, Requiem in Berserk wipes out any and all of Silent Honor DARK's abilities when it battles!"
"No way!" said Roll.
"Comet Cestus… attack Silent Honor DARK!"
"Roll!" shouted the others as Athena's monster punched through the chest of Roll's monster and exploded upon impact. The girl was thrown the hardest she'd been all duel and hit the ground several times before coming to a stop as she winced in pain.
Roll's Life Points: 900-
"Game over," said the Crystal Prep girl.
"No…"
"Huh?"
Athena looked as Roll was on her hands and knees. The girl was willing herself to ignore the pain and stand up.
"I activate a trap from the grave."
"From your grave?!" said Athena in shock.
"By banishing my Xyz Willpower, I can revive a Water-type Xyz monster that was destroyed this turn. So Silent Honor DARk is making a return!" said Roll as her monster rose from a portal and twirled its stand before taking a stance. "However… I have to lose all its attack points. But that's a price I'm willing to pay!"
"I end my turn!" said Athena.
Turn 16: Roll (Hand 3)
"Roll found a way to survive that turn, but what does she do now?" asked Izzy.
The others had no clue as they turned to look at Mario. They hoped he could give them insight into his sister's plan, but he just kept quiet and watched with crossed arms.
"It's… my… draw!" yelled Roll as when she drew her card, it had yellow sparkles and a trail streaking behind it. The girl slowly turned the card over to see what it was as her eyes told the whole story. "All right! I equip my Silent Honor DARK with the spell Emperor's Armor! When Silent Honor DARK attacks, its attack points become the same as your monster that it's battling against!" Roll's monster had several pieces of gold armor start to attach to it as the new power coursed through its body.
"Go Silent Honor DARK, attack Comet Cestus!"
The monster heard its command as it charged at its foe. Athena's monster did the same as both warriors looked to due battle. Roll's monster reeled its fist back before driving it into Comet Cestus. The monster tanked the hit before it reeled its fist and delivered a similar strike to its foe, who also tanked the hit. Both warriors began to throw lefts and rights as everybody watched the two monsters trade punches.
"Why are you doing this?! Your monster will be destroyed also!" yelled Athena.
"Hey, you just worry about yourself, alright!" shouted Roll. "I'll do anything to take down your Battlin' Boxer Comet Cestus, Athena."
"You'll have to be more clever than that if you want to destroy my monster! Because by sending Requiem in Berserk to the graveyard, my Comet Cestus avoids the big TKO!"
At that point, both monsters deliver huge right hooks that made the other turn their face and explode. Comet Cestus was tossed back as the upgrades it got from the armor it was wearing vanished.
"Now, only your monster is going down for the 10 count!"
"Not happening! I activate Emperor's Armor's effect! By sending it to the graveyard, Silent Honor DARK isn't destroyed either!" said Roll as her monster lost its special armor and it returned to its original attack points it started with. "But there's more in store! Its attack points switch with yours, and it can attack again!"
"This… can't be!" yelled Athena as she realized what that meant. The girl could only watch as her monster lost all its strength while Roll's monster had a red outline as the power surged through it.
"No way!" yelled Phin as she and the others couldn't believe what they were seeing. They were all gritting their teeth as Flurry just smiled at her cousin's win she was about to get.
"Do it, hermana!" shouted Mario with a smile on his face.
"Now Silent Honor DARK, finish Comet Cestus!" said Roll as she stuck her hand out. The girl's monster spun its spear before thrusting it forward and stabbing its foe right through its chest as it exploded upon contact. The attack sent a powerful wave of energy, throwing Athena into the air as she hit the ground in defeat.
Athena's Life Points: 0-
Winner: Roll
The duel ceased as on the screen it showed Roll's portrait highlighted in gold with the words winner under it.
"Ladies and gentlemen… your winner… Roll!" shouted Luna into the mic as she couldn't contain her excitement.
The girl fell to a knee as the crowd's roar was heard. She glanced around as every student of CHS was cheering for her win. Her friends were ecstatic as they managed to win right off the bat. Mario locked eyes with his little sister as he smiled to tell her a job well done.
"Thank you. Thank you," said Celestia as she had her hands together as if she was showing gratitude to the heavens above for allowing her team to win an important duel.
"Praying at a time like this, Tia," said Sombra, snapping the woman from her thoughts as she turned to see the smug man looking at her. "I hope you have a lot of prayers lined up… because we've only just begun." The man lifted his drink as Celestia began to feel her worries return.
To be continued…
Author's Note: We're now in the next event of the Friendship Games and this one is very, very crucial for our group. Because if they lose even two duels in this next event. Then it's over. Right now, they're off to a strong start with Roll showcasing her skills and being able to score a win over Athena in an all out intense battle. So far... things are going good.