Hassleberry Hounding and New Encounters
Day's have passed since the last time Red Hat has heard any news regarding on the demolition of the Slifer Red dorm. While he was always on edge in the scenario that Crowler and Bonaparte would pull a fast one on them. He couldn't continuously worry on this matter. He did tried reporting to Professor Mimicry, but nothing has come of it so far. He woundered if there was a way to stop those two from trying to demolish the Slifer Red dorm. The last thing he need was creating more conflict and repeating from happpened last year.
'If I try and fight back directly... That's a one way ticket to expulsion.' He thought as he was laying on the sand at the beach side. Red hat would sometimes come here just to nap around, ever since Chazz started to remodel his room. Much to the displeasure of some of the Slifer Reds that just wanted to sleep around.
'I wonder when he'll be done. Even the professor isn't fond of this, despite the fact, he leaves the dorm after dinner time.' He thought.
He then heard the sounds of a few footsteps coming his way. As he immediately got up and took noticed. He noticed the ones that were approaching him. It was none other then two Ra Yellow students. One of them had dark green hair, and the other one had oranage combed hair.
"So you're the notorious Red Hat?" The Ra with green hair spoke up.
"Who wants to know?" Red Hat replied.
"No need to be so stubborn. A lot of us from Ra Yellow and some folks at Obelisk Blue are curious about you." The one with orange hair spoke up.
Red Hat raised an eye brow. What could the many Ra Yellows and Obelisk Blue even remotely find curious about him? Sure he created a small fiasco back at the arena, but everyone just seemed to move on from that. Why would any of them be curious about him now? He hoped this wouldn't cause problems later on.
"Really now? I thought they wouldn't care about some nobody Slifer Red?" Red Hat questioned.
"Hey now, they may not show it, but a lot of us are intressed in knowing you. You're too good to be in Slifer Red." The green haired Ra explained. "Why do you stay in Slifer Red anyway?"
Red Hat scofted at his question. "I like Slifer Red. It's a nice and simple dorm, and I don't have to tollerate so many terrible people at Blue. Luxury isn't my thing."
"Man, never heard of someone not liking luxury. Lot's of people would gladly choose the better living conditions if they could get their hands on it." The organge haired Ra added.
"I rather not become a spoiled brat, and I don't need to pretend to be superior by being in an insignificant rank." Red Hat replied. "Never did get your names."
"Sorry about that." The green haired Ra said. "My name is Ray, and this here is my friend, Rune."
"You know, not everyone in Blue is a stuck up snob. A Ra Yellow we know named Craig hangs out with an Obelisk Blue named Mathew." Rune added.
"While Obelisk Blues tend to take things a bit far, you shouldn't generalize everyone in Obelisk Blue or in Ra Yellow." said Ray.
"That's their problem, not mine." Red Hat stood up and walked past them. "If you two are just going to lecture me, don't bother. I don't want to hear it."
"Geez, for a Slifer Red. Your attitude is that of those guys." Rune said.
Red hat stopped dead in his tracks when he heard that. "What?"
"You say you don't want to become like those in Obelisk Blues, yet your attitude is very much like them. Only difference is, you look down on them and Ra Yellow instead of your fellow Slifer Red students." Ray explained. "I think you misunderstand where many come from. Some of them aren't as horrible as you make them out out be."
Red Hat stood there in silence as Ray explained. Was he really that toxic, even if the ones that deserved to be looked down on? He always believed he was justified in doing so since he never seen Obelisk Blues, not named Zane and to some extent Alexis, that weren't total assholes and never backed up their claims. The Ra Yellows he just left alone since there was nothing to go about with Ra Yellows. The previous duel before didn't help the fact to hate on the Obelisk Blue even more, let alone when Chazz was trying to return there. He was very curious on this matter.
"If what you say is true. Then take me to some of them." Red Hat demanded, not even bothering to face them. "If you're wrong, then you'll only prove my point further."
"Alright, jeez calm down. You really need to lighten up a bit." Rey complained. "Just follow our lead, and try not to act so rash about this."
"We'll see." was his only response as they began to head to the Obelisk Blue dorm.
Or so he thought. As they Rey and Rune dragged him along way past the dorms and headed near the active volcano on the island. Red Hat narrowed his eyes at this. Why would they drag him all the way out here? Weren't they going to take him to the blue dorm? He actually knew were it was, but he just decided to take their word for it this time around. As they got closer to a certain area, he noticed there was a Ra Yellow and an Obelisk Blue together just standing around. Although, the blue student seem to be spacing out. The Obelisk boy had a similar look to Ray, only his hair was purple. Meanwhile, Craig hair was very similar to Rune, only his was brown.
'Sometimes I wonder if many of these guys look alike?' Red Hat thought.
"Hey Craig, Mathew, over here!" Ray called out.
Both Ra Yellow named Craig and Obelisk Blue named Mathew, turned to where they were being called and noticed Ray and Rune approaching them with a certain Slifer Red.
"Hey there you two!" The Ra Yellow named Craig then just noticed someone was with them. "Oh, you brought the infamous Red Hat here too?"
"Who want's to know..." Red Hat simply said.
"No need to act like that. Name is Craig, this here is my friend, Mathew." As Craig pointed to Mathew, he noticed he was specing out again. "Hey man, don't want to say hello?"
The Obelisk named Mathew snapped out of his thoughts. "Sorry, my name is Mathew. I tend to space out a lot. So you're the Red Hat that many stundents are talking about."
"What are the others saying about me anyway? I really don't care, I'm just curious." Red Hat questioned.
"I heard from a few Obelisk Blues, mainly from Jamie and Syun, on how is it that you're that good of a duelist and still decide to be at Slifer Red?" Mathew explained.
"I just like Slifer Red. I rather not increase my rank. It doesn't really mean anything all things considered." Red Hat simply said.
"Fine by us. Ray and Rune here like Ra Yellow more then Obelisk Blue anyway. It's not like you're alone here." Mathew pointed out.
"Since you're here, how about a Tag Duel?" Craig suggested. "Mathew and I will be teaming up."
"I'll try not to space out to much. I'm not that good." Mathew added.
"Very well, this should be fun." Red Hat readies his duel disk. "I'll fight you two alone."
Craig sighed a his comment. "That would defeat the purpose of a Tag Duel. Have a partner with you. It's not really fair if you have to duel a tag duel alone."
"I dueled two duelists at once before. I'm sure I can handle this alone." As Red Hat was about to begin. Ray stepped foward and readied his duel disk. "Ray?"
"Can't let you go off on your own like that. This is meant to be a team match." explained Ray.
"You need to learn to work with others." Rune added. "You aren't always going to team up with your friends."
Red Hat fought the urge to scoff at all of them. They were right, though. He can't keep acting the way he was. There are times where he's going to have to work together with others. Even if he personally doesn't like them, for what ever reasons he had. He did had a reputation for thrashing Obelisk Blues out of spite.
"Alright then, just keep up and we'll be fine." Red Hat said as he readied his duel disk.
"Same to you."
DUEL
Red Hat & Ray: 8000 LP
Mathew & Craig: 8000 LP
"I'll start this duel if you don't mind." Mathew suggested.
"Go right ahead." Red Hat replied. 'Let's see what those two can do.'
"Okay... It's my turn. I draw!" Mathew draws.
Hand 6
'Okay, good hand, I think... This should keep us safe and hopefully nothing bad happens...' He thought as he continued. "I summon Toon Goblin Attack Force in attack mode! (Atk: 2300 Def: 0)" The cute, small, green goblin appeared o the field swinging their clubs around in a comical manner. "I'll set a facedown and end my turn." Mathew ends his turn.
Hand 4
'Okay, with my trap...this should put us at an advantage... I know w ecan do this... Let's hope it's enough to beat him...' He thought.
Craig took notice of his friend silence. "Uh, Mathew, you're spacing out again."
Mathew snapped out of his thoughts. "Huh? Oh right. It's your turn, Red Hat."
'Let's hope him spacing out doesn't effect his dueling.' Red Hat thought. "It's my turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 6
"I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight in attack mode! (Atk: 1800 Def: 1600)" The iron knight appeared onto the field. "Next I play the spell card Brain Control! By paying 800 LP I can take control of one of your monsters until the end phase! That Toon Goblin Attack Force is now under my control!" A large brain with arms appeared and stretched out it's arm and took hold of the goblins and took them to Red Hat's side.
Red Hat & Ray: 8000 - 7200 LP
"Not good!" Mathew gasped.
"Battle, Toon Goblin Attack Force attack Mathew directly!" The toon golbins charge in and beginto widly swing their clubs at Mathew.
Mathew & Craig: 8000 - 5700 LP
"Now Gearfried, attack Mathew directly!" The iron knight unsheath his sword and began to charge in and stabbed Mathew directly.
Mathew & Craig: 5700 - 3900 LP
"I'll set one card facedown and end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn. The Toon Goblin Attack Force kneels down as they return to Mathew's side.
Hand 3
"Hm... It's my turn, I draw!" Craig draws.
Hand 6
"I summon Machina Sniper in attack mode!" (Atk: 1800 Def: 800) A somewhat fragile looking robot appeared and appeared to be holding a rochet launcher. "Next I'll activate my partners facedown card. The continuous trap, Final Attack Orders! While this card is on the field. All monsters must remain in attack mode!" The Toon Goblins forcfully got back on their feet and began to comically swing their clubs around.
'This can be a problem depending on the circumstance. Although it's incredibly unreliable since the game has changed drastically since the days of level 4 beatdown decks.' Red Hat thought.
"Battle, Toon Goblin Attack Force, attack his Gearfried the Iron Knight!" All he goblins charged forward, swinging the clubs around. Only to soon be stopped.
"Go trap card, Blast with Chain! With this trap, I equip it to Gearfried and it gains 500 attack points. Although that's not the point!" As the Dynamite was equiped to Gearfried. The iron knight slashed off the attachment. "Gearfried destroys any card that's equiped to him. Now the real effect I want to trigger activaes. When Blast with Chain is destroyed by a card effect when successfully equiped, I can destroy one card on your field! So your Toon Goblin Attack Force are destroyed!" Gearfried tossed the dynamite and as it collided with the gobiln, it self destructed and caused an explosion.
Craig covered his face when met by the explosion. "Dang, and I'm not going crash both monsters. I'll set two cards facedown and I'll play the Spell card Nightmare's Steelcage!" A cage then surrounded Red Hat and Ray. The cage was also loaded with spikes from the outer sides. "With this card, monsters can not attack for two turns. With that, I end my turn." Craig ends his turn.
Hand 2
'So you're stalling. Shame I didn't draw Heavy Storm...' Red Hat thought as he observed the field.
"Alright, it's my turn. I draw!" Ray draws.
Hand 6
"I set a monster. Then, I set a facedown card. Now I play the continuous spell card Degenerate Circuit!" A portal filled with sparks and electricity appeared on the center of the field. "Now for every time a monster would return to the hand, it get's banished instead. I end my turn with that." Ray ends his turn.
Hand 3
"Okay... no pressure. It's my tuen, I draw!" Mathew draws.
Hand 5
"I summon Chainsaw Insect in attack mode! (Atk: 2400 Def: 0)" A giant beetle with chainsaws for mandibles appeared. 'He said if monsters are returned to the hand. Then that means... that has to be either a flip effect or something like Golem Sentry. I have to get rid of it...' Mathew thought as he observed the field. "I'll play the spell card Shield Crush! With this card, I can destroy a defense position monster on the field. So that facedown monster goes bye bye!" A blast of green energy dhot out from Mathew's spell card. It crashed over the facedown monster, destroying it in a flash.
"So much for that." Ray commented.
"Nothing else I can do, so I end my turn here." Mathew ends his turn.
Hand 3
"My turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 4
"Because of Degenerate Circuit cost, which is mandatory, I pay 500 LP."
Red Hat & Ray: 7200 - 6700 LP
"I play the spell Pot of Greed. So I draw 2 cards." Red Hat draws his cards. "I set a monster and end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn. As his turn ended, the Nightmare's Steelcage disappeared.
Hand 4
"Okay, it's my turn. I draw!" Craig draws.
Hand 3
"I'll activate my Pot of Greed! So I draw 2 cards." Craig draws his cards. "I summon Machina Soldier in attack mode! (Atk: 1600 Def: 1500)" A bulky, green and silver machine appeared on the field. One of it's arms is equiped with a blade. "Battle, Chainsaw Insect attack that Gearfried!" The beetle charged forward and it's chainsaws turned on.
"Don't think so, go trap card! Compulsory Evacuation Device! With this card, I can target one monster on the field and return it to the hand! However, since Degeneragte Curcuit is on the field. The monster get's banished instead. So that Chainsaw Insect get's banished!" Red Hat explained. As the Chainsaw Insect got close, a platform appeared and was launched upward and hit the curcuit that was above them, shocking it before disintegrating.
"Heh, nice going using my trap." Ray complimented.
"I'll keep going. Machina Soldier attack his facedown monster!" The mechanical soldier charges forward and swings it's arm forward at the facedown monster. As it was revealed, it was Magician of Faith. She was forced to stand up, due to the effect of Final Attack Orders. (Atk: 300 Def: 400)
Red Hat & Ray: 6700 - 5400 LP
"Magician of Faith's effect activates, since she was flipped, I can add back a spell from my graveyard. I'll choose Pot of Greed." Red Hat said as he added back his card.
"You still took damage. Now Machina Soldier attack his Gearfried!" Both monsters charge in. Gearfried slashed the machine with his sword, while the Machina launched it's rocket at close range, destroying each other.
"Sure that's a good idea?" Red Hat questioned.
"I know it will be. I end my turn." Craig ends his turn.
Hand 3
"It's my turn, I draw!" Ray draws.
Hand 4
"I must pay Degenerate Circuit's cost."
Red Hat & Ray: 5400 - 4900 LP
"I summon Abyss Soldier in attack mode! (Atk: 1800 Def: 1300)" A whale like creature with arms and legs appeared ontot he field. It was carrying a trident. "I'll use his effect, by discarding a water monster I can return one monster you control back to the hand. I'll discard my Penguin Soldier to return your Machina Soldier back to the hand. Or in this case, it's get banished!" Aybess Soldier began chanting as a geyser lifted the machine and blew apart when it hit the circuit.
"Don't think we're done yet." Craig said.
"Battle, Abyss Soldier attack them directly!" As the aquatic monster began to charge in.
"Go trap card, Widespread Ruin! With this card, the monster with the highes attack points is destroyed. Since you only have one monster, Abyss Soldier is destroyed!" A mine appeared in front of the soldier, before self destructing and destroying it.
"Dang, so much for chip damage. I'll set a facedown and end my turn." Ray ends his turn.
Hand 0
"It's... my turn. I draw!" Mathew draws.
Hand 4
"I summon Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei! (Atk: 2300 Def: 0)" The beast warrior appears onto the field. "Next I play the equip spell Megamorph! With this card, I can double his attack points! (Atk: 2300 - 4600 Def: 0)" The beast warrior grew in strength.
"Crap, looks like we'll be done for..." Ray commented.
Red Hat however didn't look so worried. "Don't worry, he doesn't have game."
"You should be worried... Battle, Indomitable Fighter attack them directly!" The beast warrior charged in and slammed Ray, knocking him down.
Red Hat & Ray: 4900 - 300 LP
"You okay?" Red Hat asked.
Ray got back on his feet. "I'll be alright."
"Normally Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei will go to defense mode, but thanks to Final Attack Orders he goes back to attack mode." The beast warrior took a knee before being force to stand right back up. (Atk: 4600 - 1150 Def: 0) "Sure, now that we have the LP advantage he get's weaker, but that's okay. I set a facedown and end my turn." Mathew ends his turn.
Hand 1
"Enough fooling around, I won't be pushed around. Boku no turn! Draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 6
"Since I don't have the LP, Degenerate Circuit is destroyed!" The continous spell was destroyed, and the circuit on the on the field slowly disappeared.
"I thought... you'd lose by being forced to pay the cost of... Degenerate Circuit?" Mathew questioned.
"That's not what the rules state. Even if the maintenance cost is not optional. If you can not pay the cost, the card itself get's destroyed. It's not the same thing as taking damage with cards like Falling Down, where you lose the duel." Red Hat pointed out.
"I... I didn't know that..." Mathew admited.
Red Hat raised an eye brow. 'And somehow you're an Obelisk Blue. Not like it matters.' He thought as he continued. "I play Pot of Greed! So I draw 2 cards." Red Hat draws his cards. "Next I play the spell card Graceful Charity! I draw three cards then I discard two." Red Hat draws his cards and discards Jinzo and D.D Assailant. "I play the spell card Heavy Storm! All spell and traps are destroyed!" Heavy winds blew away and destroyed all spell and traps on the field.
"But why destroy my Megamorph? My monster now has it's original attack points." Mathew pointed out. (Atk: 1150 - 2300 Def: 0)
"You'll find out now. I summon Exiled Force in attack mode! (Atk: 1000 Def: 1000)" A small group of warriors appeared onto the field. "Now for it's effect. I can tribute it to destroy one monster on the field. So your Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei is destroyed!" The small group of warriors charged at the beat warrior and both sides attacked each other and were all destroyed.
"That makes no sense, you have nothing to summon left!" Craig reminded him.
"That's what you think. I play the spell card, Last Will! When a monster on my side of the field, leaves the field this turn. I'm allowed to special summon a monster from my deck with 1500 attack points or less. Appear, D.D. Warrior Lady! (Atk: 1500 Def: 1600)" The different dimension warrior appeared on the field. "Don't think I'm done! I play Monster Reborn! With this I bring back one of the monsters I discarded with Graceful Charity. That being Jinzo! (Atk: 2400 Def: 1500)" The cybernetic machine emerges onto the field.
"Oh no! That's exact game!" Mathew cried out.
"This duel is over! D.D. Warrior Lady and Jinzo attack them directly!" D.D. Warrior Lady charged in and slashed Mathew with her sword, while Jinzo launched a ball of energy at Craig. Depleteing their LP.
Mathew & Craig: 3900 - 2400 - 0 LP
The duo fell to their knees as the LP was depleted.
"Nice work there, Red Hat!" Ray said.
"Nice dueling. Thought they had you two for sure." Rune spoke up.
"I won't lose so easily. Oh and I never got to pull the combo I was intending. This deck wasn't made for tag duels let alone when I go second, unless my opponent has key cards I need to get rid of." explained Red Hat.
"Just what do you mean by that?" Ray asked. "You mean that card Dr. Crowler sometime uses in his deck?"
Red Hat shook his head. "Not quite." He took out his deck from hsi duel disk and searched for a couple cards. He showed the duo the cards he wanted to use, Smoke Grenade of the Theif.
"That equip spell?" Rune questioned. "I never heard of anyone use that card. They say it's a bad card."
"That's because, it is a bad card... On it's own anyway." Red Hat corrected.
"What do you mean by that?" questioned Craig as he approached Red Hat with Mathew. "You're the type to never use bad cards, as shown by how you duel. Why now?"
"Smoke Grenade of the Theif is a terrible card on it's own. The only way it can be used is with Gearfried the Iron Knight. When it's successfully equiped to him, he'll destroy it. Once it's destroyed, I can look at my opponents hand and discard a card from their hand. It's Confiscation, but with extra steps. Since your opponent isn't dumb enough to waste an MST on it... least I hope not." Red Hat explained. "It also doesn't work if Gearfried is destroyed or flipped facedown by Book of Moon."
"Geez, with that amount of knowledge, you would be a top dog Obelisk Blue, yet you are Slifer Red." said Craig.
"... Guess everyone has their preferences..." Mathew said, spacing out a little.
"What was the point of this duel anayway?" Red Hat asked.
"It wasn't just to observe your dueling techniques. We wanted to see if you were willing to at least team up and not act so hostile." explained Craig. "Not everyone acts the same. That was the point of the duel."
Mathew was spacing out again, before Craig snapped him out of his thoughts. "Before I met Craig, I had no friends. I don't talk to many of the other Obelisk Blues myself."
"We know a few Obelisk Blues, who are nothing like many of the Obelisks you tend to claim. Actually believeing that makes you just as closed minded as they are." Ray spoke up.
Red Hat wanted to retort, but remained quiet. He wanted to believe many Obelisk Blues aren't like the ones he met in his first year or the ones he noticed the other day. While a couple were even in his circle of friends, the ones that weren't didn't exactly leave a good impression. Was he really that closed minded? He did find one of these guys after all. He hoped what they were saying was true.
"You mentioned two Obelisk Blues, Jamie and Syun. Anything special about them?" Red Hat asked.
"Those two have the highest grades in class, next to Bastion Misawa. They always tag duel together and rarely duel seperately." Mathew explained.
"Really now?" Now Red Hat was intrigued. "If they are that good, then I'd like to duel them soon."
"I'm sure you will." Ray said as the group began to walk away. Ray turned back to face him. "Oh, just as a warning. Some duelists have been losing their duel disks to someone from our ranks."
"Why would he be dueling people and be taking their duel disks?" Red Hat raised an eye brow. Why would someone duel for such ridiculous and trival manners.
Ray shrugged his shoulders. "We really don't know. The guy is just crazy I guess. He even made a fairly large team of Ra Yellows. I'd avoid them, not for their dueling. Rather they can get rather annoying. I think their leader is a first year."
"Hey Ray, hurry up! We don't want to leave you behind!" Rune called out.
"I'll catch up!" Ray called out. "Nice going with the duel. We'll see you around. Remember, watch out that guy." Ray runs off while he waved back at Red Hat.
Red Hat stod there and waved back a the group. 'Someone taking duel disks? Why would he even do that? Also why do you guys put up with that?' He thought. 'I'll worry about that later. I should head back and check things out.' He ran off, but in the opposite direction the group was going.
Meanwhile, while Red Hat was walking along the other end of the forest. Jaden and Syrus were walking while carrying a lot of duel disks. Jaden carrying them on his back , while Syrus was holding onto them in a huge net.
Jaden sighed. "Man, this is so annoying. Why do we have to move all the spare Duel Disks? I mean, it's so far away... Why are we running out of duel disks?" Jadne then took a look at Syrus and noticed that he had a troubled look. "Wha's up, Syrus?"
Syrus glanced at Jaden. "You know, when we get out of this forest, we'll see a manmade river with a bridge suspended over it, but..."
Jaden nodded. "Yeah, I know."
"There's been talk lately about a guy that stands in the way there and challenges you to a duel."Syrus said.
Jaden looked at him. "Yeah, and what happens after that?"
"They're saying that if you lose to him, you get your duel disk taken away!" Syrus added.
"What else do you know about this guy Sy? With how you're speaking, it's like you've met him before." Jaden said.
Syrus looked away. "No, I have only heard about him. For all I know, that big muscle buffoon might not even exist. So far, 99 duel disks have been stolen in all!"
Jaden walked up to him and looked at him. "Uh huh, and where is your duel disk?"
Syrus got a neverous expression on his face when Jaden asked that. Jaden caught on with what Syrus was implying. "So, that's why you're not wearing your duel disk."
"We'll, everyone usually doesn't right?" Syrus replied.
"Oh I get it... This is all his fault." Jaden began waling away.
A shcked Syrus caught up to him. "Wait, you're not saying that..."
Jaden turned to look at him. "Let's hurry and go catch that guy!" Jaden then began to run.
Syrus looked at him. "Geez, he's just that curious... Jaden, wait up!" Syrus then ran off, catching up with Jaden. What they didn't know, a familiar face took notice of them, and began following them... slowly.
After a while of walking through the forest. Jaden and Syrus reached the the river where the bridge was. As they approached it, they heard a loud voice.
"Stop right there civilians!"
Jaden looked a little confused at the large muscular boy in a Ra jacket without sleeves and khaki pants, a few duel disks on his back and others in a few bags.
Syrus narrowed his eyes. "That's him, Jay."
The Ra Yellow boy looked at him. "Draw your duel disk and face me in combat!"
Jaden got a smirk on his face as he put down the duel disks he carried on his back. "Sure, that's what I came here to do."
The boy looked at him a little shocked and confused. "Hold on, aren't you scared?"
Jaden looked at him. "Scared, of a duel? No way, now let's throwdown!"
"But I haven't given my speech yet!"
Jaden looked at him confused. "Uh, what speech?"
The boy pointed at himself. "My intro, the names Hassleberry, code name: Tyranno."
"What ever you say." Jaden then noticed a small group of Ra Yellows behind Hassleberry. "Hey, what's with your goon squad."
Hassleberry glared at Jaden. "Show some respect!"
One of the boys with a bandana and with a yellow jacket without sleeves spoke up. "That's right, you tell him Sarge!"
Another boy in a black shirt with the same bandana steped forward. "State your name!"
Jaden looked at them as he sweat dropped. "My Name? Well it's..."
Syrus came up to them. "He's the one who's gonna stop you."
The boy with the black shirt spoke up. "Roll call boys, who are we?"
Then all of them except for Hassleberry yelled. "Troop Tyrano!"
"Okay, they're nuts." Jaden said.
"You're telling me." Everyone turned to the direction where the voice came from. Who came out from one of the trees was none other then the Red Hat.
"You brought reinforcements!?" Hassleberry called out.
Red Hat raised an eye brow. "What are you on about? I just so happened to stumble upon these two here. Was curious about this group I heard from someone."
"So, you were following us?" Syrus questioned.
"I had no intention of following. Was just curious." Red Hat repeated.
Jaden just looked at everyone. "Does it really matter? Let's just throw down."
Hassleberry looked at Jaden with a smirk as the others took off the duel disks from his back. "Well first, let me explain the rules of battle. You see those duel disk? You lose, them things is mine."
"And if I win, you give me the ones you stole." Jaden said.
Hassleberry looked at him. "Who are you, soldier?"
Jaden pointed at himself. "Me? I'm Jaden Yuki. Now let's do this."
Troop Tyranno got shocked when he said that. "Jaden Yuki?"
Hassleberry also looked at him shocked. "Jaden Yuki, as in the best duelist on the island?"
Red Hat came forward and stoon on Jaden's right side. "If it means anything. I'm just known as the Red Hat. My name... like I'm telling any of you."
"Hold on, you're the one we saw on the first day, back at the Ra Dorm. You're that notorious?" A member of Toop Tyranno spoke up.
Red Hat fought the urge to smirk at them. "I'm not the type that likes attention. I prefer being left alone."
Syrus stepped forward. "Jaden right here, is Syrus Truesdale big brother!" Syrus said, only to receive a good bonk on the head by Red Hat.
"Shut up! You annoy the hell out of me with you constantly saying that!"
Syrus held his head in pain. "You're so cruel sometimes, Red Hat."
"Control your subordinates there, soldier. Now you have a deal. Now let's go to war!" Hassleberry declared.
Jaden sweat dropped as he grabbed a Duel Disk. "Are you always this dramatic, bro?"
Syrus then appeared next to him. "Attention, time for combat, Sarge. Now go get him!"
"Looks like we're the only normal ones here now, huh Red Hat?" said Jaden.
"Ditto."
Jaden and Hassleberry soon stood across from each other on opposite sides of the river.
"Ready for boot camp, son?" Hassleberry asked.
Syrus, who was standing at the middle of the bridge with Red Hat and the other Ra Yellows, glared at Hassleberry. "Hey you, quit calling him son, he's in his second year!"
"You do know it's a figure of speach right?" muttered Red Hat.
One of the Ra Yellows looked towards Jaden. "Well he's only number 2. And who's number 1?" All of them cheered. "Troop Tyranno!"
Syrus glared at them irritated. "Will you give it up! You're not in the amry!"
"You bunch are all bonkers..." Red Hat muttered.
Jaden looked at them and sighed. "Guess we're the only ones who haven't gotten insane, huh Red Hat?"
"You can say that again." Red Hat replied.
"Rally up, all hands on deck!" Hasslebery called out.
"He just answered that question, loud and clear." Jaden muttered. He sighed and placed his deck in his duel disk. "Alright, if you can't beat them. You gotta join them. Game on, General."
Hassleberry looked at him irritated. "Are you mocking me? I'm a Sergeant junior, and this isn't a game, this is combat!"
Both of them activated their duel disks.
Jaden: 8000 LP
Hassleberry: 8000 LP
"Alright fine, then get your combat on. My turn, I draw!" Jaden draws.
Hand 6
"First up, I'll summon Elemental HERO Wildheart in attack mode! (Atk: 1500 Def: 1600)" Wildheart appears on the field. "I'll throw down, and call it a turn." Jaden ends his turn.
Hand 4
"It's time for battle. My turn, I draw!" Hassleberry draws.
Hand 6
"Now Gilasarurus, report for duty! (Atk: 1400 Def: 400)" A small brown raptor like dinosaur appeared on the field.
'Dinosaur user huh? Considering how dinosuar decks play, this should be fun.' Red Hat thought.
Hassleberry looked at Jaden with a smirk. "That right there was a special summon. If you had a monster in your graveyard, you could have called it to the battlefield as well. Now I dismiss Gilasaurus to tribute summon Dark Driceratops! (Atk: 2400 Def: 1500)" Giliasaurus then disappeared as a green flying triceratops with a purple wings and a yellow beak appeared.
Jaden smiled at the monster. "Nice! A 2400 attack monster on your first turn, huh?"
"This is war Jay. Don't give the enemy any props!" Syrus yelled.
Red Hat groaned with distain. 'Like I'm going to. It's not that impressive of a move. Since Dinosaurs don't have much of a play style besides beatdown.'
"Battle, Dark Driceratops, engage the enemy! Dive in!" Dark Driceratops flew up and dove down towards the hero and destroyed him. Jaden then noticed how Dark Driceratops flew towards him from behind and scratched him across his back with it's claws, causing Jaden to go down on a knee.
Jaden: 8000 - 7100 LP
Hassleberry chuckled. "In case you don't know, my soldier here has the effect to do piercing damage. So no defending for you. With that, I end my turn." Hassleberry ends his turn.
Hand 4
Red Hat took notice of the Ra yellows students cheering on Hassleberry. He found this practically amusing, despite Syrus' complaints. 'I rather be listening to these jokers over you, Syrus.'
"It's my turn, I draw!" Jaden draws.
Hand 5
"First I play the spell card Graceful Charity! With this, I draw 3 cards then I must discard 2." Jaden draws his cards and discards Elemental HERO Necroshade and Avian. "Since Necroshade is in my graveyard, one time only I can summon an Elemental HERO without tributing. Give a warm welcome to Elemental HERO Bladedge! (Atk: 2600 Def: 1600)" The golden armored hero appears.
'So you'll be beating each other in battle.' Red Hat lightly chuckled. 'While fun, it's impractical.'
"Battle, Bladedge attack his Dark Driceratops! Slice and Dice Attack!" Bladedge charges forward and pierces through the the big dinosaur.
Hassleberry: 8000 - 7800 LP
"With that, I end my turn." Jaden ends his turn.
Hand 4
Hasslebery glanced at Jaden. 'So, this is Jaden Yuki... He sure is dazzling, alright... But so am I!'
Troop Tyranno looked at each other again before they looked towards Hassleberry and began cheering for him again. Hassleberry looked at them with a smile. 'They're trying so hard those boys. I got to show them, I'm not someone who wears a uniform with a laid-back color like this.'
Flashback
Hassleberry stood along with other kids, looking for his number on the test results. Smiling as he found it. 'I stumbled in here at first... I didn't realize it. That no matter how much of a good grade you passed with...students who enter high school through the entrance exam can't get into Obelisk Blue!'
As Hassleberry wrote down his name on the list. The member of the personal in front of him handed him his jacket. "Here you go, Mr. Hassleberry."
Hassleberry sweat dropped as he saw the man was handing out a yellow jacket on him.
'It turned out that you had to go to a fancy prep school to immediately get into the Obelisk Blue. So I made the best of it, and just like my dad told me I would. I emerged as a true commanding officer. He also taught me that the uniform doesn't make the soldier.'
Hssleberry had just cut out off the sleeves of his jacket, and looked around as a group of Ra students had started to gather around him.
'And before long, I formed a squadron, my soldiers, my platoon, my battalion. And we were letting it be known. Sergent Tyranno Hassleberry, son of the great general Hassleberry, was a giant among men.'
Flashback end
Hassleberry had his eyes closed, unaware he was speaking all of this out loud. "A dino man, and I guard this bridge to prove that no matter what. I won't stand down."
Syrus shook his head. "Alright, enough with the monolog. Get back to the duel already dino brain."
Hassleberry covered his mouth in shock. He looked at his followers. "Was I thinking out loud again?"
His follwers nodded, while Syrus laughed a little. Red Hat lightly chuckled. 'You're quite the interesting guy, huh? I'd say, this year has only gotten more interesting.' Red Hat thought.
Jaden smiled at him. "You're a pretty strange guy, but still very funny Captain."
Hassleberry glared at him. "It's sergeant, Sergeant Hassleberry! Now back to the battlefield. I draw!" Hassleberry draws.
Hand 5
"I'll activate the effect of Destroyersaurus from my hand! By discarding him, I can add the field spell Jurassic World from my deck to my hand." Hassleberry discards his monster and then searches his deck to add said card to his hand. "Now I play the field spell Jurassic World!"
Red at raised an eye brow at the field spell, but was a bit amazed byt he scenery. 'Field spells that increase attack points, let alone on a specific type of monster are terrible. Shame, waste of a cool scenery.'
"Thanks to this cards, now all my dinosaurs and winged beats gain 300 attack and defense points. Now I special summon this guy another Giliasaurus! (Atk: 1400 - 1700 Def: 400 - 700)" Another Giliasaurus appeared. "Since you have a monster in your graveyard you can special summon it."
"Um... okay? I'll bring back Elemental HERO Wildheart in attack mode! (Atk: 1500 Def: 1600)" Wildheart reappears on the field.
"Next I play the spell card Big Evolution Pill! By tributing my dino, for the next three turns, I'm allowed to summon a high level dinosuar monster without tributing!" Hassleberry said as Giliasaurus disappeared.
'You do realize you are going into a massive minus doing this right?' Red Hat thought.
"Now I summon my ultimate monster. Appear Ultimate Tyranno! (Atk: 3000 - 3300 Def: 2200 - 2500)" A black tyrannosarus with yellow spikes on it's nose and forhead, as well as large black spikes on it's back appeared on the field. "It's battle time! Ultimate Tyranno attack his Wildheart!" Ultimate Tyranno ran towards the hero and grabbed it with its powerful jaws and it was destroyed.
Jaden: 7100 - 5300 LP
"I'm not done yet. Ultimate Tyranno can attack all your monsters once each. So Ultimate Tyranno, attack again! This time on his Bladedge!" Ultimate Tyranno attacked again and destroyed Bladedge.
Jaden: 5300 - 4600 LP
"With that, I end my turn." Hassleberry ends his turn.
Hand 2
"Face it son, it'a all over for you. Before long, you'll be extinct. Isn't that right squadron?" He then looked a litle confused. He looked towards them and was shocked to see that they sat down on the ground, uninterested in the duel. "You men were supposed to cheer just now!"
The Ra Yellow holding the flag looked a little troubled. "Oh well... I mean, since you always win once you activate Jurassic World sir."
The other Ra Yellow with the horn took and said. "It's all good sir!"
Red Hat raised an eye brow at what he said. 'Always won once Jurassic World is out on the field? How bad are your opponents that you faced before?'
Hassleberry looked a little troubled. "What am I gonna do with you boys?"
"Hey Major, keep those eyes on the prize!" Jaden called out to him. "It's my turn, I draw!" Jaden draws.
Hand 5
"I play the spell card Polymerization! With this, I fuse Elemental HERO Sparkman and King of the Swamp, to fusion summon, Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman! (Atk: 2500 Def: 2100)" The hero in shinning, winged armor emerged onto the field. "Shining Flare Wingman's effect, for every Elemental HERO in my gaveyard. He gains 300 attack points for each one, and right now I have 5 of them. (Atk: 2500 - 4000 Def: 2100)"
"Sam hill, now he's stronger then my Ultimate Tyranno!?" Hassleberry cried out.
"Battle, Shining Flare Wingman attack that Ultimate Tyranno. Shining Emerlad Orb!" The hero leaped up and fired a green orb of energy and destroyed the the dinosaur.
Hassleberry: 7800 - 7100 LP
"Now, Shining Flare Wingman effect activates. When he destroys a monster in battle, you take damage equal to your destroyed monster's original attack points!" Hassleberry gasped as the hero stood in front of him and shone with a light so intense, Hassleberry covered his face with his arms.
Hassleberry: 7100 - 4100 LP
"With that I end my turn. This is fun don't you think?" Jaden ends his turn.
Hand 2
'Nice going Jaden.' Red Hat glances at the Ra's and Syrus and overhears what they were talking about. 'Jaden has fun when he duels. Even if he's in a tight spot, he always has fun.'
Hassleberry saw this and narrowed his eyes. 'My battalion is deserting me. This always happens, I find a troop of soldiers I can trust, and they end up siding with the enemy.' He thought irritaed.
"No more Mr nice Sarge! This war ends now! I draw!" Hassleberry draws.
Hand 3
"You may not be familiar with this, but I play the equip card Snatch Steal! Thanks to this, I'm able to equip it to one of your monsters and take control of it! So your platoon is now mine!" As Shining Flare Wingman was abut to be controled.
"Oh no you don't. Go quick play spell, De-Fusion!" Shining Flare Wingman disappeared and split back to Sparkman and King of the Swamp. Both of them kneeled down. (Atk: 1600 Def: 1400) (Atk: 500 Def: 1100) "Now that I got my monsters back, your Snatch Steal lost it's target." Jaden pointed out.
'The fact you actually have Snatch Steal in your deck, shows you're more capable then other duelists I seen. Too bad Jaden out played you.' Red Hat thought. 'The fact he saved De-Fusion for this scenario is just funny to me.'
"I still have Big Evolution Pill on the field. So that means, I get to summon a dino without tributing. Rise up, Black Tyranno! (Atk: 2600 - 2900 Def: 1800 - 2100)" A brown tyrannosarus rex appeared on the field with yellow stripes on it's back, neck, legs, and tail. "And now, engage the enemy! Since you only control defense position monsters. Black Tyranno can attack you directly!" Black Tryanno ran past JAden's monster and swung it's tail at Jaden, who held up his arms in front of him as it hit.
Jaden: 4600 - 1700 LP
"I'll set a facedown and end my turn." Hassleberry ends his turn.
Hand 0
"Quite the turn of events. Although, Jaden will fine a way to win." Red Hat noted.
The Ra students also looked interested again as they watched Jaden play. "Sergeant Jaden is the best."
Hassleberry got a disappointed look on his face. "Deserted again." He then sat down on the ground. "But it's nothing new! I guess the only person I can really trust is myself. After all, every time when I gather a group of subordinates they abandon me when I need them the most."
He then looked at Jaden. "But why? I'm a great leader and I always win. Who wouldn't want to root for me? I mean, take this duel, I'm beating you just like I beat my last opponents, and no one is cheering."
Jaden looked at him. "Well general, maybe they're just bored."
Hassleberry ooked at him with a confused look. "What do you mean bored? Bored with my dueling, that crazy."
Jaden smiled at him. "Well, you said it yourself right? you used the same moves for that many duels in a row. So maybe it's time you evolved? Besides, we don't know who's going to win or lose yet, do we?"
Hassleberry looked at Jaden shocked, and got back on his feet. "You still think you can win?"
"A duel isn't over until the last card is played. It's my turn, I draw!" Jaden draws.
Hand 3
"I play the spell Pot of Greed. So I get to draw 2 more cards." Jaden draws his cards. "I discard my second King of the Swamp from my hand to activate his effect! It allows me to add Polymerization from my deck to my hand." Jaden discards his card to add Poly and then shuffled his deck and placed it back in it's slot. "Now I play the spell card R - Righteous Justice! I can destroy spell or traps equal to the number of Elemental HEROs I control. Since I have Sparkman on my field, I'll destroy your facedown!" Jaden pointed at Hassleberry's facedown and was destroyed.
'That was my last resort... A Mirror Force.' Hassleberry thought.
"Now I play the spell card Polymerization! Now I fuse Elemental HERO Sparkman and King of the Swamp, to fusion summon, Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman! (Atk: 2500 - 3700 Def: 2100)" The shining armored hero reemerges onto the field. "Next up I play the spell card Miracle Fusion! I banish monsters from my graveyard to fusion summon an Elemental HERO. I banish King of the Swamp and Elemental HERO Avain in my graveyard to fusion summon Elemental HERO Flame Wingman! (Atk: 2100 Def: 1200)" Flame Wingman appeared on the feild.
"Something's happening! It's getting em excited!" Hassleberry said. Then he became deep in thought of a realization. 'That's it! So, this is what I had been lacking! Jurassic World, a card with excellent ofense and defense... But, that was also a paradise that was too impregnable. That's just my way of life.'
Hassleberry then remembered various things he's done in the past. 'I even did bad things, but at the same time , I'd do good things, too. I guess I'm kind of too neutral with both. That's one of the reasons everyone would just relax , and no one would get excited with excited. The other reason, I have always been reliant on the past. I kept relying on the same old tactics. Instead of learning from my mistakes and evolving.'
"Ready for the end, Hassleberry? Time to battle. Sine I have 4 Elemental HEROs in my graveyard, Shining Flare Wingman has 3700 attack points! Enought to take that big dino out. Attack with Shining Emerald Orb!" The hero leaped up and fired a green orb of energy and destroyed the the dinosaur.
Hassleberry: 4100 - 3300 LP
"Don't forget about Shining Flare Wingman's effect. When he destroys a monster in battle, you take damage equal to your destroyed monster's attack points!" Hassleberry gasped as the hero stood in front of him and shone with a light so intense, Hassleberry covered his face with his arms again.
Hassleberry: 3300 - 700 LP
"Time to end this, Flame Wingman attack him directly! Inferno Rage!" The hero raised his dragon arm and fired a stream of flames at Hassleberry.
Hassleberry looked at the attack with a smile. "Jaden... You got spirit soldier." He was then engulfed by the flames, depleteing his remaining LP
Hassleberry: 700 - 0 LP
"I gotta hand it to you son. That was one of the most intense duels I ever..." However he forgot that the prehistoric world they were in was just a hologram and began walking towards Jaden. Jurassic World disappeared a moment later and he managed to see the river right in front of him before he fell in.
Jaden ran over to the river and looked down. Red Hat followed suit and stood on Jaden's left side. "Hey, are you okay Hassleberry?" Jaden asked.
Hassleberry looked up at the both of them with a sheepish smile. "I owe you some Duel Disks."
Jaden smiled and nodded. Red Hat merly chuckled at the site. "That's right, and let me tell you. That was a sweet duel Admiral!"
"It's Sergeant... oh never mind." Hassleberyy replied. Then the entire group soon began to laugh.
After a little while, Jaden and Syrus walked in front of Hassleberry and Troop Tyranno who carried the duel disk they had taken from other duelists. While Jaden and Syrus carried the replacement duel disk.
Red Hat decided to wonder around a little more, trying to get his thoughts in order. 'This was sure a facinating experience.'
'Now you understand.' His duel spirit friend Aussa appeared waling along side him. 'Everyone is different. Those four from before, and this fellow Hassleberry is enough prove, is it not?'
"Maybe..." Red Hat replied, not even bothering to glance at her. "Maybe this year won't be so bad. Just got to be mindful at all the bad drama that may come by."
'There's nothing wrong with making new friends or acquittances. Being very closed minded isn't healthy for you.' Aussa pointed out.
"That goes with out saying..." Red Hat then looked around where he was walking and noticed various Obelisk Blue girls chasing out a Ra Yellow that was hanging out at the girls dorm. Red Hat paid no mind to the drama and walked away.
'One of those guys huh?' Aussa questioned.
"This would apply to Syrus as well. I found his... risque drawing of Dark Magician Girl which he made Chumley draw for him, which Chumley was clearly not comfotable drawing it. He also has a Dark Magician Girl figure, which I only new by accident when he got a package from Dorthy when I was shopping for cards and sandwiches that day. I rather stay far away from Syrus as much as possible." He said with distain.
Aussa adjusted her glasses with a disgusted look. 'How... disgusting...'
"Why do you help me anyway, Aussa? Let alone put up with me?" Red Hat asked.
Aussa gave hima smile. 'I'm your partner, aren't I? You could say, you're my master. Even though I'll never call you that.'
Red Hat sweat dropped at being called her master. "That still doesn't answer my question."
'Let's just say, the Crystal Seer had a vision of your future. You are destined for many great things. However, wether or not you take the correct path is up to you.'
"And what is that correct path?" He asked.
'You need to figure that out on your own. My duty as your partner is to guide you on the right path which most benefits you. The Crystal Seer and other spirits fear that you may become dangerous if you were left the way you were.' Aussa explained sternly.
"In other words a baby sitter. Just what do you mean, dangerous?" He questioned as he looked at his spirit friend.
'Great power comes with great responsibility. You lack a lot of responsibility, you lack restraint, and are quite hostile to other people, even if they done nothing wrong to you personally. The spirits don't want you to become evil or being used as a tool.' Aussa explained.
"That... is a lot to take in..." Red hat was speechless at what he just heard. 'Evil.. me? I will not be used and I will not be someone's puppet.' He thought with a hint of disgust. "So what, you want me to go try and befriends with everyone now?"
Aussa shook her head. 'That's not what I mean. You should know to avoid toxic relationships and friendships. Also, don't interact with terrible people. What I'm saying is, not everyone is this 'irredeemable scum' you like to call.'
"Maybe youre right..." That's when Red Hat had a thought. "Maybe someday... you can take me to see other spirits and see their point of view."
Aussa lightly giggled. 'Until you grow your power and your bond with others, not just spirits, you won't be able to see spirits besides me. Let alone me taking you to the duel moster spirit realm. It's not as easy as you think.'
"Guess that's another goal I'll have in the future. If anything, just so I don't stray from the right path as you say." He noted.
'Remember, learning from your mistakes and other people's mistakes, and learning from others is all part of growing up. Never forget that.' Aussa said as she disappeared back to her realm.
Red Hat sighed as his partner vanished. 'Guess what they say is true. I'm still a foolish child. If all my misadventures with Blair is anything to go by...' He thought as he finally exited the forest and made it to the Red Dorm.
What he didn't expect was to see Hassleberry not only carry his things to the Slifer Red Dorm, but he was planning on staying inside Jaden's room.
'Who would have thought. Guess this should be interesting to see.' He thought as he returned to his room to get a good long sleep... If he could that is with Chazz still giving his room a make over. Although, he still couldn't get that feeling off his chest, that something was very wrong. He hoped everythign will be okay. If there was going to be a problem. He and Jaden could handle it. No doubt about it.
A/N: Time for a few sayings as this took longer then necessary.
1) I'm going to use the time wasted in season 2 to expand on some of the characters from Tag Force. However, because I want to be as accurate as I can, some liberties have to be taken when it comes to their personalities and actions. Since Tag Force doesn't give you that much detail to work with. To prevent bloated cast, they will only show up sporadically and on few occasions.
2) For those who still haven't gotten the joke. Time to flat out say it, cause I pretty much have to. In the anime, Obelisk Blues are notorious for being some of the most unlikable people to ever exist. The joke is, they talk a big game, but they are terrible at dueling. (The duel with Brier is the prime example. Reinforcements was outdated in TCG 2002. It was laughed at in OCG 1999) It's why Tag Force had to create different characters who are not only semi-competent, but aren't total assholes (With a couple of exceptions.) This also applies to Tag Force girl characters, which will also only appear sporadically.
3) It's called Evolution because, all deck profiles are edited to not only closely match Tag Force. It also means decks are more playable with actual good cards and characters stepping up their game. A competnt Monarch deck will OTK fast and the duel will be onesided in anime land. It's why decks are updated and LP is 8000. Anime LP is such a joke, even Duel Links players meme it, since even there it's very easy to get OTK'd. Cards used here are from GX era. Only exceptions if it's to replace anime cards. (which let's be real. That will be very rare) Which hope it doesn't have to come to that. If an anime card doesn't appear in Tag Force, it will not be shown here. Just lettting you know.
That's all for now. See you next time.