A Duel with the Demon
A/N: The title is nothing more then a metaphor, and thus should not be taken too seriously.
Another peaceful morning at Slifer Red, least for the Red Hat as he continued to sleep away. However his deep sleep was not meant to last, as his PDA began to start ringing, signaling he got a message. Red Hat bregrudgingly woke up and picked up his PDA. He opened the message and was a bit surprised to see Bastion message him.
'Red Hat, we have a little trouble. After that performance the other day. Crowler now wants to force another promotion duel using you and I. I accepted the duel out of respect. However, this could be a trap set up by Crowler and Bonaparte. We need you're help on this matter.' The message soon ends, leaving Red Hat with a scowl on his face.
'Now he wants to force me into promotion. If he thinks I'm changing dorms, let alone my place at Slifer Red. They have another thing coming.' He thought.
'And just what do you intend to do about it?' Aussa said as she appeared next to him.
"I'll join the duel, but I won't accept the rank up." He replied.
'And what if you're forced to take the rank up?' Aussa asked as she adjusted her glasses.
"If it comes to that. Then, I'll purposely stay in Slifer Red and wear the red blazar for good. I won't play their games." He said with a scowl.
'You have quite the attitude, don't you? Guess I can't stop you... for now.' Aussa said.
"I don't want you too. Besides..." Red Hat takes his modified deck. "Despite this being a weaker version of my old Chaos Control deck, you'll still be in my deck. Maybe you'll get to eb summoned in battle."
'You don't have to, but that's on you.' She said and disappeared back to her realm.
Red Hat got all of his things ready and soon exited his room and took off running to the main academy building. He decided to ignore breakfast and head to the arena first. One thing he did knew, whenever they pulled events like this. Classes would usually be skipped for the day or flat out canceled. He had to lightly chuckle at the entire affair.
Red Hat walked up on the stage in the Obelisk arena and saw Bastion standing there waiting for him. As he took a look at his surroundings , he noticed he had a much larger audience then expected. Everyone was sitting down at the stands, waiting for him. He then noticed his opponents. Both of them were male Obelisk Blue students. Both of them had blue hair. The one on the left was had his hair comed forward, while the one on the right had his hair was a bit wild.
He turned to look at Bastion "What's up, Bastion?"
"Looks like you made it. We've been waiting for you." Bastion replied.
"Waiting? Who wants to know?" Red Hat questioned.
"Me, of course!" He turned around only to come to face with Crowler. "I'm more surprised that you actually showed up. And here I thought, I'd have to cancel this event!"
Red Hat narrowed his eyes. "Just what are you up to?"
"After that performance the other day. We decided to offer you a deal." Crowler said with a smirk. "If you so claim to be a skilled as you are, you and Bastion Misawa will be facing off against one our students with the highest grades curently. If you both win, then you'll be promoted to Obelisk Blue."
"Us.. promoted?" Bastion questioned.
"Hold on, he intends to promote Bastion and Red Hat?" Alexis asked.
"Red Hat doesn't look too pleased." Syrus pointed out.
"That dork gets a chance at promotion and that's how he acts. It should be me down there!" Chazz said irritated.
"Red Hat never did like promotion. He always stays at Slifer Red." Jaden said.
"So he's that loyal to our platoon. Good to know we have someone like him on our side." added Hassleberry.
"And if I refuse the duel?" Red Hat asked.
"If you refuse..." Crowler smirks. "Then we have special punishments ready for you. You wouldn't want that now, do you?"
"You think you're clever don't you." Red Hat said with a scowl. "Fine, I'll accet your challenge."
"Excellent Work, now if I catch you purposely holding back or if you lose on purpose, I'll suspend you for a month." said Crowler.
As Crowler leaves the arena to head back to the stands where Bonaparte was. Red Hat narrowed his eyes and walked up to Bastion and whispers in his ear. 'This is clearly a trap. After what we been witnessing, this duel is just to force us out of the Red Dorm. We are not letting that happen.'
Bastion nodded and whispered back. 'Indeed... Under normal circumstances, this would be phenomenal. In this scenario however, it's clearly a trap. Either way, I can't accept the offer anyway. I still haven't become the top duelist yet, and I still have a score to settle with you and Jaden. I'm also techincally not suposed to be at Slifer Red, but I'm also helping you guys out.'
Red Hat chuckled. 'Thought you say that.' They then got into positions and faced their opponents.
"Thought you two would never be ready." The Obelisk on the left said.
"We have no idea why this out of place promotional duel is happening, but we were chosen to be your oppoents for some reason. Oh, my name is Syun the one on my left is my partner Jamie." The Obelisk named Syun introduced each other.
The Obelisk named Jamie pointed at Red Hat. "We been curious about you, the one in the red hat. We been hearing rumors about you, and we wanted to see if they are really true."
"We have nothing against you. If anything you intrigue a lot of us in Obelisk Blue." Syun added.
"I'm still wondering as to why? I'm nothing special." replied Red Hat.
"For someone in Slifer Red, you are quite talented in you're dueling abilities. Although, you're also quite stubborn as well." Syun pointed out.
"Well then, enough talk shawl we. Let's duel!" Red Hat declared as he readied his duel disk.
"Bring it on!" Jamie added as he readied his duel disk.
"I'll observe your strategies!" said Bastion as he readied his duel disk.
"I'll be observing you as well. Game on!" said Syun as he readied his duel disk.
DUEL
Jamie & Syun: 8000 LP
Red Hat & Bastion: 8000 LP
"I'll start this duel. It's my turn, I draw!" Syun draws.
Hand 6
"First up, I discard one card from my hand in order to special summon a monster known as The Tricky! (Atk: 2000 Def: 1200)" As Syun discards his card, a spellcaster in a black and yellow jump suit appeared on the field. It had a question mark symbol on it's torso and face and wore a purple cape. "Next up, I summon Flying Kamakuri #1 in attack mode! (Atk: 1400 Def: 90)" Flying Kamakuri appeared on the field. "I'll end my turn with a facedown." Syun ends his turn.
Hand 2
'Using up your hand like that. That will bring you at a disadvantage.' Red Hat thought.
"Impressive, but now it's my turn. I draw!" Bastion draws.
Hand 6
"I summon Hydrgeddon in attack mode! (Atk: 1600 Def: 1000)" Hydrogeddon emerges from a pillar of water onto the field. "Battle, Hydrogeddon attack that Flying Kamakuri! Hydro Gust!" Hydrogeddon let out a blast of water from it's mouth that destroyed the first Flying Kamakuri.
Jamie & Syun: 8000 - 7800 LP
"Flying Kamakuri effect. Since it was destroyed in battle, I get to special summon a wind monster with 1500 or less attack points. Here comes another Flying Kamakuri #1! (Atk: 1400 Def: 900)" Another Flying Kamakuri appears, replacing the first one.
"Hydrogeddon effect activates as well. When it destroys a monster in battle, I can special summon another Hydrogeddon from my deck. Appear, my second Hydrogeddon! (Atk: 1600 Def: 1000)" Bastion explains as a second Hydrogeddon emerges onto the field. "It's still the battle phase, so my second Hydrogeddon can attack your second Flying Kamakuri! Hyrdo Gust!" The second Hydrogeddon let out a blast of water from it's mouth that destroyed the second Flying Kamakuri.
Jamie & Syun: 7800 - 7600 LP
"I'll use Flying Kamakuri effect again to special summon my third Flying Kamakuri! (Atk: 1400 Def: 900)" A third Flying Kamakuri appears on the field.
"Thanks to my Hydrgeddon, I'm allowed to special summon the third one from my deck. Rise, my third Hydrogeddon! (Atk: 1600 Def: 1000)" The third Hydrogeddon emerges on the field. "The battle phase continues. Hydrogeddon attack the final Flying Kamakuri! Hydro Gust!" The third Hydrogeddon let out a blast of water from it's mouth that destroyed the final Flying Kamakuri.
Jamie & Syun: 7600 - 7400 LP
"This time with Flying Kamakuri effect. I'll be special summoning Hunter Owl! (Atk: 1000 - 2000 Def: 900)" A geenish looking owl with brown wings and what appeared to be wearing light green armor flew onto the field. "Hunting Owl's effect, it gains 500 attack points for every wind monster I control, including itself. Also, while I control another wind monster, you can not select him as an attack target."
'That attack boost is cause he controls two wind monsters. So long as he has one I can't attack it.' Bastion observed as he continued. "I set one card facedown and end my turn." Bastion ends his turn.
Hand 4
"I'll activate my trap card, Dust Tornado! With this. I can destroy a spell or trap on your field. So that facedown get's destroyed!" The trap created a tornado and blew away Bastion's set card away.
'Dang, there goes my back up!' Bastion thought.
"Now it's my turn, I draw!" Jamie draws.
Hand 6
"It's my standby phase. Guess what card Syun discarded for cost." Jamie reminded.
"Let me guess... Treeborn Frog?" Red Hat questioned.
Jamie lightly chuckled. "You are correct. So now I can bring it back. This time in defense mode! (Atk: 100 Def: 100)" The frog rises up from a small pool of water that was in front of Jamie and emerge onto the field.
"You're going to tribute summon?" Bastion asked.
"Not quite." Jamie answered. "Instead, I'll summon Alien Skull in attack mode! (Atk: 1600 Def: 1800)" A silver looking alien appears on the field. It had green orbs around it's shoulders and uper body, while it's torso resembles a mouth and had sharp claws.
'Playing Aliens? There isn't enough cards to make it work yet. Then again, I shouldn't underestimate future support from Industrial Illusions. They always make new cards to support a core deck style. Even if it's not always amazing.' Red Hat observed.
"Since Alien Skull is a wind attribute monster, Hunter Owl gains 500 more attack points! (Atk: 2000 - 2500 Def: 900) Battle, Hunter Owl attack the first Hydrogeddon!" The Hunter Owl flies up and flew towards the first Hydrogeddon and injected it's claws into it as it was destroyed.
Red Hat & Bastion: 8000 - 7100 LP
"The Tricky attack the second Hydrogeddon!" The Tricky leaps up and spins around as it decsended and kicked the second Hydrogeddon with enough force.
Red Hat & Bastion: 7100 - 6700 LP
"Last but not least, Alien Skull attack that Hydrogeddon!" The alien charges forward.
"They have the same attack power." Bastion commented. "Hydrogeddon, fight back!" Hydrogeddon retaliates by firing a blast of water. As it collided with the Alien Skull, it continued to fight back as it collided with Hydrogeddon as they were both destroyed.
"Since Alien Skull left the field. Hunter Owl get's weaker. (Atk: 2500 - 2000 Def: 900) I'll set one card facedown and end my turn." Jamie ends his turn.
Hand 4
'As of right now, Aliens can't afford to go into a hard minus.' Red Hat thought.
'He's going to try something. Let's hope he does what I think or my trap is useless.' Jamie thought as he tried to observe Red Hat's actions.
"It's my turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 6
"I play the spell card Graceful Charity. I draw 3 cards then I discard 2." Red Hat draws his cards and discards DMOC and Zaborg. "I play the spell card Brain Control! By paying 800 LP I can take control of one of your monsters. I'll take control of the Tricky!" As he was about to take control of the monster.
Red Hat & Bastion: 6700 - 5900 LP
"Don't think so. Go trap card, Crop Circles! By sending monsters I control to the graveyard, I can special summon an Alien monster from my deck who's total level equal to the total levels of the monsters I sent. I send The Tricky and Treeborn Frog to the graveyard to special summon Alien Mother! (Atk: 2300 Def: 1500)" The Tricky and Treeborn Frog soon float up and soon disappear and in it's place was a much larger silver and purple alien with four arms. It's orbs around it's body where dark purple and it roared at it's opponents. "Since I lost a wind monster Hunter Owl get's weaker. (Atk: 2000 - 1500 Def: 900)"
'So that's what he was planning.' Red Hat observed. "I'll set a monster. I'll set a facedown and end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 3
"It's my standby phase, so Treeborn Frog returns! (Atk: 100 Def: 100)" The frog emerges onto the field. "I tribute Treeborn Frog to tribute summon Swift Birdman Joe! (Atk: 2300 Def: 1400)" A tall birdman with yellow talons, green and red feathers, and sported and matching mohawk hairstyle. "Since I have another wind monster Hunter Owl gains more attack! (Atk: 1500 - 2000 Def: 900)"
'Since you didn't tribute a wind monster, you can't bounce my facedown. Not that I can activate it now anyway.' Red Hat noted.
"Battle, Hunter Owl attack his facedown monster!" The Hunter Owl flies up and flew towards the facedown monster. Revealing it to be Apprentice Magician as it clawed it and destroyed it. (Atk: 400 Def: 800)
"Apprentice Magician effect, when it's destroyed in battle I can special summon a level 2 or lower, spellcaster monster in facedown defence position. I'll choose, another Apprentice Magician." Red Hat explained as he set another Apprentice Macician. (Atk: 400 Def: 800)
"Keep summoning, Swift Birdman Joe attacks your facedown monster!" The birdman flies up and flew towards the the facedown Apprentice Magician as he swiped his claws and destroyed the magician.
"Apprentice Magician effect activates once again. This time I'll choose Magician of Faith! (Atk: 300 Def: 400)" Red Hat reminded him as he sets a Magician of Faith.
"Won't matter in the long run. Alien Mother, attack that facedown Magician of Faith!" Syun commanded as the Alien strecthed it's arms and took hold of the Magician of Faith and pulled her in. The Alien then took a maddive bite at the spellcaster as she was destroyed.
"Magician of Faith flip effect activated, so I can add back a spell from my grave bak to my hand. So I'll add back Graceful Charity." Red Hat said as he added his card back.
"We'll see if you can use it. I'll set once card facedown and end my turn." Syun ends his turn.
Hand 1
"It's my turn, I draw!" Bastion draws.
Hand 5
"I summon Tribe Infecting Virus! (Atk: 1600 Def: 1000)" Three purple auqatic creatures filled with venom appears on the field. "Now I use it's effect, by discarding one card, I can destroy all monsters of the declared type I choose. I choose Winged Beast, so both of your monsters are destroyed!" As Bastion discarded his card. The small tribe launch a powerful blast of purple venom at Syun's winged beasts. As the venom spreaded, both of them were destroyed.
Syun covered himself with one of his arms. "Bring it on! I dare you!"
"Very well, I discard one more card and choose reptile. So Alien Mother is destroyed!" Bastion discarded his card and the small tribe launched another blast of purple venom at the overgrown alien as it spread around it and destroyed.
'So, you'll try that?' Jamie thought as he covered his face momentarily as his monster was destroyed.
"Battle, Tribe Infecting Virus attack them directly with venom vapor blast!" As the venomenous began to launch their blast of purple water.
"Go trap card, Ring of Destruction! By targeting your monster, we both take damage equal to it's attack points. Blast away!" Syun announced as a ring loaded with grenades attacted itself to all three of the venomous tribe. Soon the ring self-destructed and caused an explosion.
Red Hat & Bastion: 5900 - 4300 LP
Jamie & Syun: 7400 - 5800 LP
"I won't let such mistakes weigh us down. I'll play the spell card Pot of Averice! I return five monsters back to my deck, shuffle, then I draw two cards." Bastions returns his 3 Hydrogeddons, Tribe Infecting Virus, and his Penguin Soldier back into the deck as he shuffles and draws his cards. "I set one card facedown and end my turn." Bastion ends his turn.
Hand 2
"Let's go. My turn, I draw!" Jamie draws.
Hand 5
"Since we have no back row. Treeborn Frog returns to the field. (Atk: 100 Def: 100)" The frog remerges onto the field. "I play the quick play spell Mystical Space Typhon to destroy your facedown card!" A blue typhoon destroys Bastion's facedown card. "I play the equip spell Premature Burial! By paying 800 LP I can special summon a monster from our grave. I bring back Alien Mother! (Atk: 2300 Def: 1500)" The Alien mother reappears via a portal and roars at her opponents.
Jamie & Syun: 5800 - 5000 LP
"Next I summon Alien Warrior! (Atk: 1800 Def: 1000)" A dark alien emrges from a portal. It wore silver armor with black orbs around its body, had sharp claws and talons.
"Red Hat, does your facedown helps in this situation?" Bastion asked,trying to analize the situation.
"It's a combo extender card. It's not properly set up yet." He replied.
"Not sure what you're waiting for, but hopefully that facedown will help us out." Bastion noted.
"Battle, Alien Mother and Alien Warrior attack them directly!" Both Aliens charged in as Jamie commanded, with Alien Mother striking Bastion first before Alien Warrior slashed Bastion with it's claws.
Red Hat & Bastion: 4300 - 2000 - 200 LP
"I set one card facedown and end my turn." Jamie ends his turn.
Hand 1
"I won't let you two push me around. My turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 5
"I play Graceful Charity once more! I draw 3 cards then discard 2!" Red Hat draws his cards and discards D.D. Warrior Lady and Sangan. "I play the spell Pot of Greed! So I draw 2 cards." Red Hat draws his cards and smiles. "I play the spell card Dark Hole! All monsters on the field are destroyed!" A black hole appeared above them and began to slowly absorb all the monsters on Jamie's field, as they disappear into the black hole.
'Just what are you up to?' Jamie thought.
"Now I summon Familiar Possessed - Aussa! (Atk: 1850 Def: 1500)" An older version of Aussa emerged onto the field as she readied her staff.
'Now I'm battling Aliens? Guess this will be a new experience.' Aussa said.
"Guess you can say that..." He muttered.
"Never thought you play a card like that in your real deck." Bastion noted. "Do you have a plan?"
"I do, but now isn't the right time. Battle, Aussa attack Jamie directly!" Aussa nodded as she twirled her staff and began to conjure a ball of brown energy.
"Not happening, go continuous trap Call of the Haunted! With this I bring back Alien Mother!" Jamie annouced as his trap was revealed. Although a dimensional warm hole appeared from above. "Huh?"
Red Hat merly chuckled. "I don't think so. I discard the monster known as D.D. Crow to activate it's effect! To banish a card from either graveyard!"
"Wait what!?" Jamie cried out.
"He can't do that can he?" Syrus question.
"Apperently he can, soldier." Hassleberry commented.
"I never heard of that card." Jaden said.
"I didn't know either. Just where did he get such a card?" Alexis added.
Inside the dimensional hole, a black crow with a´piece of metal on it's front body and left eye, flew out and flew towards Jamie's graveyard. It's talon's took hold of the Alien Mother and flew back into the dimensional hole. As both monsters disappeared, the dimensional hole disappears along with them.
"Oh and by the way. Since Call of the Haunted fizzled out, but the monster wasn't destroyed. It stays on the field." Red Hat pointed out.
'Dang, and since we now have it stuck on the field. Treeborn Frog can't activate it's effect.' Jamie thought.
"Aussa, continue your attack!" Aussa continued to charge up energy from her staff and launched a big brown energy ball at Jamie directly.
Jamie & Syun: 5000 - 3150 LP
"Is set one card facedown and end my turn." Red Hat ends his turn.
Hand 2
"Bastion... Think you can last one more turn?"
Bastion nodded. "While I can last another turn. I hope you got an answer by then."
"If he has another turn. It's my turn, I draw!" Syun draws.
Hand 2
"I play the spell card Pot of Averice! I return 5 monsters from my grave back into the deck, shuffle then I draw 2 cards." Syun returns all 3 of his Flying Kamakuri's, Swit Birdman Joe, and Hunter Owl. As he shuffles his deck and draws his cards. "I set a monster and I set two cards facedown. That ends my turn." Syun ends his turn.
Hand 0
"I won't fall behind. It's my turn, I draw!" Bastion draws.
Hand 3
"I play the trap card Icarus Attack! By triuting a winged-best type monster on my field, I can destroy two cards on the field. I tribute Winged Sage Falcos to destroy Familiar Possessed - Aussa and your facedown!" Syun announcedas his trap was revealed. As the Winged Falcos flew up and glowed before releasing a powerful blast at Red Hat's field.
"I chain the continuous trap card, Call of the Haunted! I'll bring back Sangan from Red Hat's grave! (Atk: 1000 Def: 600)" The three-eyed fur ball emerges onto the field.
"The blast still goes through! Since Call of the Haunted will be destroyed, your Sangan will get destroyed!" Syun pointed out as the blast destroyed Aussa and the Call of the Haunted trap, forcing Sangan to leave the field. Winged Falcos disappeared from the field once it finished it's attack.
"Minor set back. Although, now you're wide open and Sangan's effect allows me to add a monster with 1500 or less attack points, so I choose Spirit Reaper." Bastion pointed out as he added said card to his hand. "Now, here's my Pot of Greed. So now I get to draw 2 cards." Bastion draws his cards. "I play the Ritual Spell, Litmus Doom Ritual! With this, by tributing my level 8 Water Dragon stuck in my hand, I can ritual summon this monster. Appear Litmus Doom Swordsman!" A dark portal opened up from the ground, from which rose a metal structure with electricity coursing between two pieces. A light emerged fromt the structure and when it subsided, what appeared on the field, was a man dressed in a tunic with a red cape and an unusual yellow hat, carrying two swords. (Atk: 0 Def: 0)
"But he has zero attack points!" Syrus pointed out.
"Don't you ever shut up? You never have anything of value to say." Red Hat muttered.
"Doom Swordsman is unaffected by trap cards and he can't be destroyed by battle." Bastion explained. "Also, when a trap card is face up on the field, just as that fizzled out Call of the Haunted is right now, his attack and defense become 3000. (Atk: 0 - 3000 Def: 0 - 3000)" A red aura seeped from the Call of the Haunted trap and was absorbed by the swordsman. "Battle, Litmus Doom Swordsman attack Syun directly!" The ritual monster dashed at Syun.
"Go trap, Wabakou! This turn, we don't take damage! Since it's not the monster that's being affected, Litmus Doom Swordsman can't stop it!" Syun explained. The ritual monster attacked Syun, only to be stopped by a barrier.
"I set one card facedown and set a monster. That ends my turn." Bastion ends his turn.
Hand 0
"I hope you got a plan, we almost have no resources." Bastion pointed out.
"I got a plan ready. I just hope I got everything in place." Red Hat replied.
"I won't allow it. It's my turn, I draw!" Jamie draws.
Hand 2
"I play the spell Heavy Storm! All spell and traps are destroyed!" Powerful winds blew away all cards on the field.
"Since all backrow is gone, your monster loses all of it's attack points.!" Jamie replies as all back row was destroyed, weakening Litmus Doom Swordsman. (Atk: 3000 - 0 Def: 3000 - 0) "Last I play the spell Dark Hole! All monsters on the field are destroyed!" A black Hole appeared above them and slowly pulled in both the facedown Spirit Reaper and Litmus Doom Swordsman, destroying them.
"They're in a tight spot." Hassleberry pointed out.
"Bastion, Syun, and Jamie have no cards in their hand. Unless Red Hat bricked hard, this will be his last chance." Alexis noted.
"This is Red Hat we're talking about. He'll find a way!" Jaden assured them.
"With no moves left, I end my turn." Jamie ends his turn.
Hand 0
"You should have defeated me. Now you're going to pay. My turn, I draw!" Red Hat draws.
Hand 3
"I play the spell Monster Reborn. Now I ring back one of my monsters in the graveyard, which I tossed a few turns ago. Return to the field, DMOC. (Atk: 2800 Def: 2600)" The chaos magician emerges onto the field. "Since DMOC was summoned, I get to add back a spell card. I choose to add back Pot of Greed." Red Hat adds the card back to his hand. "I'll activate Pot of Greed to draw 2 more cards." Red Hat draws his cards and smiles."I banish Zaborg and Apprentice Magician in my grave to special summon Chaos Sorcerer! (Atk: 2300 Def: 2000)" The chaos spellcaster appears on the field.
"Two Chaos Monsters?" Jamie took a step back.
"That's what he's been trying to do..." Syun noted.
"I wanted to end on an explosive play, but not everything turns out the way you wanted. This duel is over. Chaos Sorcerer and DMOC attack them directly and end this duel!" Chaos Sorcerer conjured purple flames and launched them at Jamie and Syun, while DMOC twirled his staff and launched a dark energy orb at them, depleteing their LP.
Jamie & Syun: 3150 - 850 - 0 LP
Jamie and Syun fell to their knees as their LP was depleted. "Looks like we lost, huh Syun." said Jamie as he slowly stood back up.
Syun lightly chuckled as he stood up. "Looks like we weren't mistaken about him."
Red Hat merely smiled at Bastion. "We won."
Crowler and Bonaparte came over to them. "Congratulations on your victory. You two are now welcome to Obelisk Blue."
Red Hat's mood immediately soured, but kept his composure. "Sorry, but I'm going to reject that offer." This caused everyone, except for a few people to gasp at him. "I like Slifer Red, it's nice and simple. Don't need all the fancy things." Red Hat then walked away from them. 'I know what you're trying to do. Even if I did accept the offer without those asinine circumstances, I still wouldn't leave Slifer Red.'
"He's one stubborn Slifer Red, isn't he?" Jamie asked.
"He kind of reminds me of you back in our days." Syun replied as they both began to leave the arena.
"H-Hey what's that supposed mean?" Jamie said with a scowl as they exited the arena alone.
Crowler groaned. "That Slifer is as stubborn as a mule." He then turned his attention to Bastion. "What about you, Bastion? Feeling ready to join the Blues, are you not?"
Bastion shook his head, but smiled. "Sorry to say this, but I'm going to decline that offer. I have yet to become the number 1 duelist at this academy. Thanks for the offer, Chancellor Crowler." Bastion walked away, joining the rest of gang.
Bonaparte glared at the duo. 'I'll get rid of those slackers. One way or another, your dorm is going bye bye.'
Red Hat and Bastion made their way to the stands where the rest of the gang was. Each of them, except Chazz, congratulated them on their duel. Chazz only glared at Red Hat.
"That was a sweet duel there you guys!" Jaden congratulated.
"You always have some plan, even if the first one back fires on you." Alexis said.
"I wanted to make an explosive game ending board, even if it was overkill. Somethimes things don't work out and you need a back up." Red Hat admited.
"Why did you reject the rank up, soldier? I know you like our home base, but still. It doesn't hurt to accept the medal of honor" Hasslebery asked.
"Even if we didn't have that whole 'tearing down our dorm fiasco'. Crowler would just attempt to use Obelsik Blue status for clout. I'm not going to give it to him. He can find some other gullible ginnie pig." Red Hat explained with a scowl.
"No need to be so angry all the time." Syrus said.
"You get a chance to move up and reject it like the slacker you are. Meanwhile I'm still stuck in that dorm." Chazz muttered.
"After what you been pulling, you deserve to stay in slifer red." Red Hat replied with a smirk as he began to leave the place.
"Why you!" Chazz chased after him, only for Red Hat to run off while laughing. "Wait until I get my hands on you!" The rest of the gang followed suit and began leaving along with the rest of the student body. Returning to their usual activities.
Later down the week, news has spread that Zane will be taking on Aster Phoenix at the pro leagues. In that same evening, the gang sat and looked on the TV in the rebuilt part of the Slifer Dorm. On the screen was pitcures of both Zane and Aster. On one hand, Red Hat was excited to see an actual pro league duel again. On the other hand, he couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong.
Chazz looked at the screen with a raised eyebrow. "So Zane is up against Aster Phoenix? Heh, The outcome's decided before they even go at it. There's no way a pro who couldn't even defeat Jaden can win against Zane."
"Yeah, that's right!" Syrus agreed.
Jaden however, was deep in thought. 'Still, back then, the guy used a deck made from eight packs he just happened to buy... He even dueled really well with them. Even Red Hat was impressed.'
Syrus looked at him. "You think so too, right, big bro?"
Jaden glanced at Syrus. "Huh? O-Oh, yeah! Of course!"
Bastion glanced at the screen before turning to look at the duo. "However, Aster Phoenix said that he would show his real deck, the one he's held back so far, in his match with Zane."
Red Hat look at Aster's picture. 'The fact Aster was holding back from showing his real deck and been winning pro league matches left and right, he's quite the duelist. He shouldn't be underestimated.'
Meanwhile, later at night. Crowler and Bonaparte were in the Chancellor's office, Bonaparte making a phone call to someone. Crowler looked at Bonaparte with a look of dismain.
"Yes, that is why we are asking you do quelque chose about it! We want Aster Phoenix to exterminate the Slifer Reds immediatement!"
"Now, now, there is no need to be in such a rush, is there?" Crowler questioned. 'Honestly, I'm worried about this being proposed to them at this rate.'
"Aster won't be coming here exceptfor classes?!" Crowler glanced at the angry Bonaparte with a questionale look. "His schedule will open in three years?!"
"Even after three years would be fine, would it not?" Crowler questioned.
Bonaparte looked at Crowler irrated. "They would have already graduated by then!" Bonaparte snapped. "At this rate, if Slifer Red is left alone... this academy's honte and your temporary status won't be eliminated, Temporary Chancellor Crowler!"
Crowler leaned back with a troubled look. "T-That would also be problematic..."
In Domino City later that night. Zane walked with his new manager next to him towards a limousine that stopped in front of them.
The sponsor looked at Zane with a smile. "On that note, Mr. Truesdale, we are expecting greater efforts from you than those so far. With your great efforts, the image of our company, your sponsor, will skyrocket."
He held out his hand and Zane shook it with a smirk. "I won't betray your expectations. I will do my best."
The manager held ou his hand towards the car as the driver opened the door. "Shall I give you a ride?"
Zane smiled and shook his head. "No, thank you. There's a nice moon out to today, so I'll let the night guide me home."
The manager nodded and got into the car, but at the same time, the window rolled down and he said. "This wouldn't happen to you, would it?" The manager hands Zane a newspaper. "On this page, I mean."
Zane took the paper and looked at it and saw the shadow of a creature on the page he looked at. He looked at his manager with a smirk. "How could that be?" He handed back the paper and the manager.
The manager looked at him with a smirk. "Well then, good night, Mr. Truesdale." The window rolled up again and the car drove away.
As Zane was walking through the street to get to his hotel, he's been thinking about his upcoming duel. 'Aster Phoenix... Waht kind of deck is he using on me?'
As Zane passed by an alley way, he heard a scream. He took a look inside the alley way and noticed a muscular mancollapsed. He then saw somone standing next tot he man. He then heard the figure say. "Your destiny was decided before our battle. You can't hide from destiny." The figure then dropped the man's cards next to him and disappeard.
Zane rushed into the alley and turned the man around and held him in his arms. "Are you okay?"
The man looked like he was in pain as he spoke slowly. "He... he's a monster."
Zane then looked up at the rooftops. He then saw the figure again only this time clearly, and it looked exactly like the shadow of the creature from the news paper. Then he saw how it vanished.
He then heard footsteps from behind. Two police officers came up to him and the unconscious man. One of the officers looked at him. "Mr. Truesdale, are you alright?"
Zane just looked up at the rooftops again. "Yes..." he simply said.
The other officer went down on a knee and checked the unconscious man. "This guy's a wanted card burglar!"
Zane remained silent and narrowed his eyes. 'Something isn't right here.'
Sartorious sat and looked at his cards with a smirk. "How careless... Why don't you give up on these foolish games?"
Aster merly smiled at him. "These aren't games to me."
Sartorious placed a few new cards on the table in front of him. "I wouldn't expect the man you seek to be among the scoundrels loiting around that area. Well, I suppose it would be different if this is a ritual that you need to settle your overflowing anger..." Sartorious picked up a card and looked at it. "I have seen your future. Your duel with Zane Truesdale..."
"... Will end in my victory. The card that has appeared is the Chariot, a perfect Victory." Aster predicted.
"Oh? So, has your ability to be able to predict the future been endowed onto you, just as it was onto me?" Sartoruious questioned.
Aster shook his head. "No, Sartoruious, that is the only card that has appeared when you tell my fortune. Even when I battled with Jaden Yuki... that would have been my victory. However, you ordered me to lose."
Sartorious closed his eyes. "Your connection with Jaden Yuki will bring about a new growth within you."
Aster raised aneyebrow. "A duelist of his caliber? It's true that your predictions have always pointed me to the shortest path towards becoming the strongest duelist. However, it's a waste for me to go to that academy. My goal is to dominate the Pro League, and to stand at the top of the world. And... to make sure that I find him!"
Sartorious chuckled a she looked over his shoulder at him. "Aster, in the furtures that I see, there are no mistakes."
Aster nodded. "Fine then. After my match with Zane, settling that matter will come in due time, as well." He then left to get ready for his match with Zane.
Sartorious picked up a card and looked at it. His eyes narrowed at what he saw. "The devil is upside down, yet I don't know who this devil is. Just who are you? And why is this devil interfering with my predictions?" As he thought about it, he couldn't find anyone to meet that description. "Someday, I'll find the one that represents the devil.."
Back at Duel Academy, all the students and teachers gather around in the auditorium. There, the duel between Aster and Zane would be broadcasted to the entire school. The gang however knew why Crowler had done this. Red Hat remained stoic for a while, to hide his distain for Crowler. He knew Crowler hasn't learned a thing and can not let go his former star pupil. To Red Hat, this just meant that only Zane had any value at the Academy, and he practically ignored everyone else that didn't meet the same 'expectations.
Alexis looked at the others. "It's about to start, guys."
"This should be interesting." Red Hat replied. 'Also at the Kaiba dome. Fitting as that's the same place Blair and I saw Zane's pro league duel.' They turned back to the ig screen asthe duel was about to begin.
Also at the Kaiba Dome, the audience there are getting ready for the match between two big names in the pro league, Zane Truesdale and Aster Phoenix. As more and more crowds gathered at the Kaiba dome. Soon, some smoke appeared as Zane appeared on the field on an elevator platform.
Chazz gritted his teeth when he heard a lot of girls cheering when they saw Zane. "Damn you Zane, when did he-" Jaden just laughed it off. Red Hat couldn't help but burst into laughter at Chazz's jealously.
Syrus looked at him. "Well, my big bother hasn't lost the ten matches he's had since his debut!"
"And Zane actually has charm and charisma, unlike you." Red Hat added, which caused Chazz to seeth in anger.
Then smoke and fire appeared as Aster also appeared on the field on an elevator platform. Many girls also began to cheer for him.
Hassleberry got a smirk as he heard just as many girls cheer when they saw Aster. "That guy is pretty popular too." Chazz just growled a little as he hugged his legs.
"At last, the big match of the century has come to fruition!" One of the announcers said. "Building high hopes for not losing his ten matches,it's Zane Truesdale! And striking against him... accomplishing his desire for the top ranking the other day without losing his own thirty matxhes...is the noble youth of the pro league, Aster Phoenix! What kind of dueling will these two show us?"
Zane looked at Aster with a smirk as he placed his deck into his duel disk. "So, you're Aster Phoenix? Though you replaced me at Duel Academy, along with another. I was hoping to try and battle you someday."
Aster placed his deck into his duel disk as well. "Don't be too hard on me, Sempai."
Zane gritted his teeth at that saying. "Let's do this!" Both of them activated their duel disks.
DUEL
Aster: 8000 LP
Zane: 8000 LP
"It's my turn, I draw!" Aster draws.
Hand 6
"I'll start by summoning this guy! Elemental HERO Avian! (Atk: 1000 Def: 1000)" Avian appeared onto the field. Only this time, he looked slightly different from usual.
The gang's eyes widened as they saw the play Aster made. Red Hat remained silent as this was nothing new to him. Jaden was the most shocked about this. "Whoa, what the hell? Not cool."
Zane looked at Aster with a slightly shocked expression. "You don't mean that your deck's..."
Aster nodded. "That's right. My deck is a HERO deck, just like Jaden Yuki!"
"That guy uses a HERO deck like mine?" Jaden muttered.
'Not really. I made one myself, and it was nothing like your varient. So I doubt Aster's version of the deck is the same.' Red Hat thought.
"Last up, I'll play one card facedown and end my turn." Aster ends his turn.
Hand 4
One of the announcers spoke up. "Aster Phoenix's ultimate weapon has finally revealed itself! And, amazingly, it's a HERO deck!"
'I never imagined I'd find something like this...' Zane thought as he smirked.
Everyone in the auditorium, except Red Hat were shocked at Zane's smirk. Red Hat was rather amused by this development.
"You're smiling, big brother." Syrus noted.
"Naturally. Zane has battled Jaden's HERO deck once already. I'm not counting the tag team duel with Red Hat." Bastion reminded them.
"If it's a deck he's already battled, then Zane will have the advantage." Alexis pointed out.
Red Hat remained silent. 'Not necessarily. Varients exist for a reason. There's no such thing as a HERO deck that's the same.' He thought.
"It's my turn, I draw!" Zane draws.
Hand 6
"Since you control a monster, I special summon Cyber Dragon! (Atk: 2100 Def: 1600)" The cybernetic dragon appears. "Battle, Cyber Dragon attack his Avian! Strident Blast!" As Cyber Dragon was about to launch a last of fire.
Aster smirked. "You really think I'll let the attack go through? Go trap card, Ring of Destruction! With this your Cyber Dragon is destroyed and we both take damage equal to it's attack points!" A ring loaded with grenades attacted itself onto Cyber Dragon. The ring self-destructed and destroyed the Cyber Dragon.
Aster: 8000 - 5900 LP
Zane: 8000 - 5900 LP
"I play the spell Pot of Greed! So I draw 2 cards." Zane draws his cards. "I set a monster and end my turn." Zane ends his turn.
Hand 5
"It's my turn, I draw!" Aster draws.
Hand 5
"I play the spell card Polymerization! I fuse Elemental HERO Avian with the Burtinatrix from my hand to fusion summon, Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer! (Atk: 2100 Def: 1200)" A creature that looked like a muscular man came out of the vortex. He had avian's wibngs, a red tail and red legs, as well as three large claws on his right arm. His top body was black, other then twored spots on his chest and had green spikes on to of his head.
Syrus looked really shocked and confused when he saw this monster. "Hold on, Phoenix Enforcer? If you fuse Avian and Burstinatrix, isn't it Flame Wingman that's supposed to show up?"
Chazz sighed. "That's not always the case."
Syrus looked at Chazz confused. "What do you mean?"
"Elemental HEROs have the special quality of being able to summon different high-level monsters... even if one uses the same materials." Bastion explains.
Alexis nodded. "If you fuse Avian and Burstinatrix, you can choose to summon either Flame Wingman or Phoenix Enforcer... both of which have different effects, but equal attack and defense."
"Wha?! You're kidding me!" Jaden gasped.
Everyone, except Red Hat, comically dead panned at Jaden's remark.
"You punk! You use a HERO deck, and you didn't know that?!" Chazz snapped.
"Now I get it! So, even though it's a HERO deck, he has different monsters in it than I do, huh?" Jaden replied.
"You just now figured that out!?" Chazz snapped back.
'There is no such thing as a deck that's the same. There will always be a different varient of one deck in one way or another.' Red Hat thought with an amused look.
"Battle, Phoenix Enforcer attack his facedown monster!" Phoenix Enforcer flew towards the facedown monster and slashed the facedown monster. Revealing to be Magician of Faith (Atk: 300 Def: 400)
"Magcian of Faith effect, I get to add back a spell card from my graveyard. I choose Pot of Greed." Zane said as he added back his card.
"Is that supposed to scare me? I set one card facedown and end my turn." Aster ends his turn.
Hand 2
"It's my turn. I draw!" Zane draws.
Hand 7
"First I summon Proto-Cyber Dragon in attack mode! (Atk: 1100 Def: 600)" The prototype cybernetic dragon appears on the field. "Since his name treated as Cyber Dragon while on the field. I now play the spell card Power Bond! I fuse the the two Cyver Dragons and my Proto-Cyber Dragon on the field to fusion summon the Cyber End Dragon! (Atk: 4000 - 8000 Def: 2800)" Then out of the vortex came the menacing three headed cybernetic dragon. "With power bonds effect, my Cyber End Dragon's attack points are doubled! Battle, Cyber End Dragon attack Phoenix Enforcer! Super Strident Blaze!" Cyber End Dragon charged up an attack in each of it's mouths and fired at Phoenix Enforcer.
Chazz looked at the TV with an almost bored look on his face. "Just as I thought, Asteris going to lose." While the others seemd to agree, Red Hat wasn't very sure. He took notice of Aster's facedown. Unless it was a brick, which is very unlikely. Aster would be fine.
As Cyber End Dragon's attack connected to Phoenix Enforcer, and the blast hit him full on. The entire audience gasped in shock. "Has it finally been decided?" The first commentator said.
Once the smoke cleared, Aster stood there with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face. Phoenix Enforcer remained on the field.
Aster: 6900 - 1000 LP
"It's unbelievable! He's still standing after that attack!" The other commentator said.
Zane however was more shocked then the commentators. "But how? I should have defeated you with that attack."
Aster looked at hm with the smirk still on his face. "Before your attacked connected, I activated my trap card Elemental Recharge. For every Elemental HERO on my field, I gain 1000 LP. Just enough to withstand your attack. And to add insult to injury, Phoenix Enforcer can't be destroyed in battle."
Zane gritted his teeth. "I end my turn." Zane ends his turn.
Hand 3
"Don't forget, your power bond card comes with a price. So you take damage equal to your monsters original attack points. So time to pay up." Aster reminded him.
Zane: 5900 - 1900 LP
"It's my turn, I draw!" Aster draws.
Hand 3
"I play the spell Pot of Greed. So I get to draw 2 cards." Aster draws his cards. "Now I summon Elemental HERO Sparkman! (Atk: 1600 Def: 1400)" Sparkman appears onto the field. Only this time, his blue out lines was black instead. "Next I play the equip spell Spark Blaster and equip it to Sparkman." A gun appeared in Sparkman's right hand and cables got connected to his arm. "Next up I play the quick play spell Guard Penalty! First I target a monster on the field. If it changes from attack to defense position I get to draw 1 card. I target your Cyber End Dragon. With Spark Blaster I can force your Cyber End Dragon to defense mode."
Sparkman pulled the trigger on his blaster and a blast came out and hit End Dragon. It then curled together as it went to defense mode. Aster drew his card. "Since he was switched to defense mode, I draw a card. Now I'll force your dragon back into attack mode!" Sparkman fired another blast and End Dragon rose back up.
Aster continued to smirk. "Now then, how about an instant replay? Time to go back to bed little dragon." Sparkman fired a third shot and End Dragon went back to defense mode. The spark blaster was soon destroyed as it's 'ammo' was depleted.
A little girl in the audience laughed as she pointed at End Dragon while her mother laughed. "Look, look mommy, that dragon is doing tricks."
"And Aster Phoenix is playing with Zane's powerful monster, the Cyber End Dragon, like a snake charmer." One of the commentators pointed out.
Aster looked at the audience as he heard the laughter and his smirk grew bigger. "That proud monster of yours is amusing, isn't it, sempai?"
Zane gritted his teeth when he heard that. "Why you..."
Syrus looked a little worried. "I have never seen Zane get that heated out there..."
Chazz narrowed his eyes lsightly. "He's making a spectacle out of Zane."
Bastion looked at the screen with his arms crossed. "However, that's not all he's done. He's used the effects of Spark Blaster and Guard Penalty to their fullest."
Red Hat didn't look to amused about the situation. 'It's not a very good combo. I think Aster knows this, and he's just doing this to mess with Zane. I'm all for humilating people in duels, just not Zane and under these circumstances.'
Aster looked at Sparkman. "Since Spark Blaster was used three times, it get's destroyed and I draw one more card since your dragon went back to defense mode. I discard King of Swamp to activate it's effect. Know this card? Well, I'll explain anyway. I discard this card to add Polymerization from my deck to my hand. I'll use it right away. I fuse my Phoenix Enforcer with my Sparkman, to fusion summon, Elemental HERO Shining Phoenix Enforcer! (Atk: 2500 Def: 2100)" Sparkman and Phoenix Enforcer got sucked into the vortex and came out a creature with green and silver armor, with large silver-like metalic wings and silverspikes on it's head.
Hassleberry looked shocked. "That's one tough looking soldier. His monster rival's the Sarge's Shining Flare Wingman."
Red Hat starred at the screen with his arm crossed. 'Two counter parts, and yet have the same effects. Counter intuitive design if you ask me...' He thought.
"Shining Phoenix Enforcer gains 300 attack points for every Elemental HERO in my graveyard. Since I have four of them, that's 1200 attack points. (Atk: 2500 - 3700 Def: 2100) Battle, Shining Phoenix Enforcer, show that dragon what you're made of! Shining Enforcement!" The hero got covered by a bright light before he flew towards End Dragon and flew straight through it's body, causing it to explode.
Zane covered his face as the smoke appeared when End Dragon was destroyed. 'He's up to something. Better finish this fast.' He thought.
"I set two cards facedown and end my turn." Aster ends his turn.
Hand 0
"That was an impressive move by Aster Phoenix. He took down Zane Truesdale's Cyber End Dragon like it was nothing. Unless Zane manages to pull off a miracle here. The duel might end very soon." One of the commentators said.
"Sorry Aster, but this duel will end with my victory. It's my turn, I draw!" Zane draws.
Hand 4
"I play the spell card Monster Reborn, to bring back Cyber End Dragon! (Atk: 4000 Def: 2800)" As Zane was about to bring back his monster.
"Come on, that's your move? Here's what I have to say about your dragon. Go trap card, Bottomless Trap Hole! Since you already summoned your monster, I can banish it. Say good bye to your dragon!" A bottomless pit opened up from beneath Cyber End Dragon and soon fell into the void.
"Grr, I'm not leting up. I play the quick play spell Cybernetic Fusion Support! By paying half my LP I'm allowed to fusion summon a machine type fusion monsters by banishing monsters from my gaveyard this turn! Next I play my second Power Bond spell card! Now I banish my three Cyber Dragons in the graveyard to fusion summon, the Cyber End Dragon! (Atk: 4000 Def: 2800)" The second Cyber End Dragon emerged onto the field.
Zane: 1900 - 950 LP
"Thanks to Power Bond, Cyber End Dragons attack points double. (Atk: 4000 - 8000 Def: 2800) Battle, Cyber End Dragon attack Shining Phoenix Enforcer! Super Strident Blaze!" Cyber End Dragon began to charge up an attack in each of it's mouths. "This settles it."
Aster closed his eyes with a smile on his face. "Zane Truesdale, as your sempai in the Pros, allow me to give you a piece of advice. If you get so heated that you lose sight of yourself, you'll lose in the pros."
Zane looked confused when he heard that, but then he remembered something. He looked down at Aster's facedown. "Damn it, your facedown card!" Cyber End Dragon then unleashed it's attack and it flew towards Shining Phoenix Enforer.
"Very observant, time to steal the win. I activate the trap card, Ceasefire! First up, all facedown monsters, if any, are flipped face-up and their flip effects, if any, don't activate. Then you take 500 effect damage for every effect monster on our fields. There's only two monsters, and guess what? That's enough damage to finish you off."
"Since I used half my LP for Cybernetic Fusion support. That means..."
"That's right. You lose, but just burn damage isn't fun. Shining Phoenix Enforcer, go out with a bang!" Shining Phoenix Enforcer then flew and collided with Cyber End Dragon attack before a massive explosion collided between them. As the smoked cleared, both monsters were still on the field, but the attack didn't reach Aster.
Zane: 950 - 0 LP
As the smoke cleared, the entire stadium was silent in shock as Zane went down on a knee. "How could this be? I made myself..."
Aster looked at him. "No, your destiny was decided before our battle. You can't hide from destiny."
Zane looked up at Aster, shocked when he heard that. He remembered earlier that evening. When he encountered someone that took out that theif. It had said the same thing, and now that he thought about it. It had looked just like Phoenix Enforcer.
His eyes widened. "Hold on, it can't be. That was you?!"
Aster just looked at him for a second before he turned around and walked out of the stadium while a smirk slowly appeared on his face.
Crowler stood up, not believing what he had just seen. Bonaparte, who knew about Zan's reputation was just as shocked. Not to mention, how shocked all the students that knew Zane were. Especially one paticular person the far corner.
Syrus had a troubled look. "I can't believe that Aster defeated Zane like that." The others nodded.
Red Hat stood up and looked away, not wanting to be a part of this. "There will always be someone who's better." He muttered. Everyone turned to look at him, but he paid no mind. He just wanted to be out of there as fast as possile. 'I'm sure Aster doesn't play like that. He was just messing with Zane. Zane... don't take that loss too harshly. Keep pushing forward... I learned my lesson the hard way.' He thought and exited the room, but stayed behind to look at the TV screen. He knew there was more to come, but he didn't wan to be around the others, least right now.
A/N: Took longer then expected. I'll be taking a small break from this as I have other works I'm writing for the obligatory christmas specials. Granted it's my fault for placing such dead lines on myself for no reason this month, but what can you do.
Time to further explain so people don't keep misunderstanding my intentions. Origianlly this project was intended as joke and proof of concept, until I decided to turn it into it's own story. Where one can write duels without using anime cards, custom cards, and using the following restrictions of cards being used in the same time period. In this case, GX and very early 5Ds era cards, while using removal and cookie cutter staples. Mirror Force Sakuretsu Armor, Nobleman of Crossout, Ring of Destruction, Dark Hole, and so on with other cards varying on different builds. Anime doesn't have a ban list. It's why I had to handicap myself to makeup a ban list. Loosely based on OCG 2005 - 2008.
Second off: the first good hand traps that aren't Kuriboh and it's knock offs, D.D Crow, Herald hand traps, and Gorz. Those were OCG 2006 GX era hand traps. Many people still legitemently believe hand traps were first introduced in 5Ds, which they weren't. Just as of mid 5Ds is when hand traps started to become more mainstream.
Third: I've been getting many complaints that I made the Red Hat over powered (Despite his decks being much weaker then actual meta decks. And I had to further handicap myself by avoiding having cards he's not supposed to have because anime lore. Ignoring I hate the anime thing, only one character can have/play this deck or else you're copying them.) While yes, I have contradicted myself a couple of times in early chapters. That was me getting carried away. When you play real YGO. It's very hard to lower standards and expectations. It's why I do not nerf characters, rather buff them, despite the claims I keep getting.
Forth:I do plan to reach season 4. I will not stop until I finish this project, no matter how long it takes. Unlike others who quite by late season 2. I will fulfill my promise on this fanfic and make it to season 4 and finish, considering my other projects I'm working on simultaneously .
That's all for now. Thanks for the support you all give. Both positive and negative in every aspect, even if I don't always respond to them.