Arena
Kai and Greg joined their friends in the stands where they were congratulated for their victory. As it were, two more duels were scheduled to happen.
"Send out the next accused!"
Crowler, naturally wearing his duel vest, was the one who emerged this time.
"Alright, it's time for everyone to meet Vellian Crowler's opponent." Mokuba declared.
As said teacher joined him on stage, a young man with spiky white hair down his back proceeded to walk out the opposite tunnel. He wore a white shirt underneath a blue jacket and a pair of blue jeans. He had a genuine smile on his face.
"Who's that loser?" Chazz thought.
"You must be my opponent." The man gave Crowler a respectful nod. "I wish you luck in proving yourself worthy of a second chance."
"If there's any consolation, it's the fact he doesn't run that Destiny Board strategy he did all those years ago." Crowler noted, obviously knowing who this was. "Thank you for your kind words."
"This is Ryou Bakura, friend to the King of Games and someone who rests comfortably within the top 10 of the Pro-Duelist circuit." Mokuba explained.
"Ryou Bakura." Kai stated. "He used to play a true occult deck which centered around an alternative win strategy known as Destiny Board. Despite it getting updates in recent times, he dropped it after Battle City in favor of ramping up the fiends and zombies."
"His ranking within the top 10 of the pro-circuit tends to fluctuate by year as well." Alexis noted. "He's rested anywhere from 4 to 10. If I recall, he's now sitting comfortable at number 7 these days."
"Are you ready to begin?" Bakura asked.
"Yes, I believe I am." Crowler nodded. "As you've come all this way, you can decide who goes first."
"As the one with their career on the line, it's only fair you go ahead." Bakura returned.
Crowler nodded as they activated their respective disks.
"Let's Duel"
(Crowler 4000/Bakura 4000)
"Alright, let's begin." Crowler drew. "I summon Ancient Gear Hunting Hound(LV 3/1000/1000)." A green, ancient gear dog appeared. "While I cannot attack this turn, this beast inflicts 600 life points of damage just for being summoned."
Hunting Hound howled, sending out sound waves which hit the opposing duelist's life points (Crowler 4000/Bakura 3400).
"That shall be all I do for now." Crowler declared. "Your move."
"Alright." Bakura smiled as he drew. "For this turn, I'll utilize Dark Spirit's Mastery. By sending 1 card from my hand to the grave, I can add 1 of 2 cards from my deck or grave to my hand." He discarded Card Guard. "I'll choose to add Destiny Board."
"Destiny Board!" Crowler exclaimed, suddenly terrified. "I thought you abandoned that strategy after Battle City!"
"Ah, you're familiar with this strategy." Bakura smiled. "It was abandoned after Battle City; however, the new support drew my attention back to it. Now, I summon Doomdog Octhros(LV 3/800/800)." A black, and red fiendish guard dog appeared. "To conclude, I'll set 2 cards."
"Looks like this duel just got more complicated." Dimitri noted.
"No kidding." Alexis nodded. "If Crowler can't win this quick, he risks losing in mere turns."
"Ancient Gears do have that capacity." Kai voiced. "It'll just depend on if Crowler can use them well enough."
"He can activate that any time on my turn and start generating the cards needed to win." Crowler knew he needed to work fast now as he drew. "I summon my second Ancient Gear Hunting Hound(LV 3/1000/1000), so you now take another 600 life points of damage."
Hunting Hound howled, sending out sound waves which passed through the opposing duelist (Crowler 4000/Bakura 2800). "Now, I activate a secondary effect of my Hunting Hounds in that either one can act as Polymerization for the Fusion summon of an Ancient Gear.
I call upon a devastating war machine by fusing my two Hounds on the field together. Fusion summon Ancient Gear Howitzer(LV 8/1000/1800)." A bipedal Howitzer appeared. "Once per my main phase, this fusion can take 1000 of your life points."
"I chain my first set card, Fiendish Chains." Bakura declared as Howitzer was ensnared. "Your monster's effects are negated, it can't attack, and it can't change battle position."
"Er, I end my turn." Crowler stated.
"During your End Phase, I activate my Destiny Board." Bakura raised his arm up as a Ouija Board with a spirit guiding it stopping at F, which made a spirit with an F on it. "During your End Phases, I take 1 Spirit Message and place it on the field."
The Ouija Board moved to the letter I as a second spirit with I appeared beside the F.
"Three more turns." Naomi stated.
"Three more turns for what?" Yuri asked.
"Crowler only has three turns to either win or get rid of that backrow, at the very least get rid of Destiny Board." Seto explained. "If Bakura gets the full combo, and Crowler hasn't stopped it, Bakura wins regardless of life points."
"Now, it's my turn." Bakura drew. "I'll tribute Doomdog to summon Diabound Kernel(LV 5/1800/1200)." A white fiend whose lower half was a snake appeared. "If Doomdog is removed from the field for any reason, I can add any Level 8 fiend from my deck to my hand."
He selected what he felt was a good one. "Now, I will attack your Howitzer with Diabound, and when I've declared an attack with Diabound, he gains 600 ATK, which will remain for as long as he is on the field."
Diabound Kernel(LV 5/2600/1200 effect) slithered forward and destroyed Howitzer (Crowler 2400/Bakura 2800).
"A little lesson for the students." Crowler spoke up. "As Bakura destroyed Howitzer, he would no longer be under negation. By destroying Howitzer and sending him to the grave, I can special summon any 1 Ancient Gear monster form my deck, regardless of summoning condition.
I choose Ancient Gear Dark Golem(LV 8/3000/3000)." A huge, rusty mechanized golem with a red eye appeared. "If this monster is normal or special summoned, I can add any 2 Ancient Gear, and/or Geartown, cards from my deck to the hand. In return, I am required to discard one card."
He selected his cards. "Before I discard, one of the cards I added was Ancient Gear Box. When this is added from my deck or grave to my hand, except by drawing, I can add an earth attributed machine-type monster from my deck to the hand with 500 ATK or DEF.
It just can't be another copy of Box." He selected Ancient Gear Dragon before selecting a card to discard. "To finish out Dark Golem's effect, I discarded Ancient Gear Commander. As that is all, you may continue your turn."
"All I'll do now is set one card to end my turn." Bakura declared.
"No matter how we currently feel about Dr. Crowler, that was a well-done string of effects to fill his hand out." Bastion noted.
"No kidding." Mindy agreed. "After he draws, he'll have seven cards over what Bakura has."
"Even then, Bakura doesn't seem bothered in the slightest." Greg noted. "Could that be the iron will of a pro, or are those set cards meant to correct the imbalance?"
The gladiator beast user pointing that out had the group paying close attention to this coming turn.
"It's my move!" Crowler drew.
"I activate my set Present Card." Bakura interrupted. "Now, you're forced to discard your entire hand before then drawing a new hand of 5."
Crowler looked at his hand with wide eyes before sighing as he sent his cards to the grave and drew his new hand of 5. "I'll now start with Ancient Gear Explosion. I target an Ancient Gear I control, like Dark Golem, and destroy it to inflict damage to you equal to half its original ATK."
Dark Golem exploaded with the wave of fire washing of the occult user (Crowler 2400/Bakura 1300).
"Well, looks like forcing you to discard might have been a bad call." Bakura remarked with a good-natured smile.
"Hardly." Crowler noted as he looked at the remaining cards in his hands. "I'd have preferred the hand of nine over doling out burn damage, but I'll make do."
It's not even that his current had was bad, but nine cards had a lot of potential. Still, he couldn't wallow on what was in a duel like this.
"I now activate Ancient Gear Factory." Crowler declared. "Firstly, I reveal to you any Level 5 or higher Ancient Gear in my hand. Here's Ancient Gear Golem. Now, I banish Ancient Gears from my grave who equal double the level of the revealed monster.
Given you had me discard, there's no end to the combinations of cards I can banish, but I'll keep it simple. Ancient Gear Dark Golem(LV 8) and Ancient Gear Golem – Ultimate Pound(LV 8)." The two cards appeared. "Between these two, that's the required 16 levels.
By banishing them, I can normal summon the monster I revealed without tribute. Come forth, Ancient Gear Golem(LV 8/3000/3000)." A huge, rusty mechanized golem with a red eye appeared. "I attack your Diabound with Mechanized Melee."
Ancient Gear Golem smashed down on Diabound (Crowler 2400/Bakura 900).
"That's peculiar." Bastion noted.
"What's the matter with what just happened?" Mindy asked.
"Diabound Kernal has a secondary effect where he can banish himself until the next Standby Phase to weaken an opponent's monster by its current attack." Bastion informed. "It'd essentially result in the same ATK lose, only Diabound would have been spared."
"Bakura must have something else in mind to the point he decided not to use it." Jasmine voiced
"I could have protected Diabound, but then I couldn't bring out either card in my hand." Bakura took the card he intended to summon on Crowler's turn. "As you destroyed a card I control, I can now special summon this from my hand. Come forth, Abominable Unchained Soul(LV 8/3000/3000)." A yellow garbed, humanoid fiend appeared.
"That monster's just as powerful as any of my Golems!" Crowler exclaimed.
"He also has an effect upon hitting the field by special summon, but I won't activate it." Bakura informed. "It would require I discard a card, but I'd rather keep this last card. Now, you may proceed."
"I set two cards." Crowler responded. "Your move."
"With that, Destiny Board activates once more." Bakura raised his arm as the Ouija Board stopped at N. "Now, I take Spirit Message "N" from my Deck and place it on the field." He placed the card as a third spirit with an N on it rose up. "I draw."
He went about exchanging the card he got with the one in his hand. "I'll activate Change of Heart allowing me to target any 1 monster you control and take control of it until the end of this turn. Your Ancient Gear Golem is mine. Now, it's time to battle."
"No one understands Ancient Gear Golem better than I." Crowler interrupted. "He only prevents the activation of spell/trap cards upon attacking himself, so anything prior to that is fair game. I now activate Damage Diet, halving all damage I take this turn."
"That won't be enough to keep you in this duel." Bakura reminded.
"Not alone, that's why I'll chain Half or Nothing." Crowler declared. "As it's your Battle Phase, you now have a choice. Halve the ATK of all monsters you control until the end of this phase or end the Battle Phase."
"I'll half my monster's ATK." Bakura declared.
Ancient Gear Golem(LV 8/1500/3000 effect)
Abominable Unchained Soul(LV 8/1500/3000 effect)
"Now, both my monsters will attack you directly." Bakura continued.
Ancient Gear Golem punched and Unchained Soul produced a spiritual, purple beast which moved right for Crowler. Both attacks passed through an invisible barrier, reducing their size by half before reaching the good doctor (Crowler 900/Bakura 900).
Ancient Gear Golem(LV 8/3000/3000)
Abominable Unchained Soul(LV 8/3000/3000)
"You managed to weather this turn; however, I must apologize as you will not be getting Ancient Gear Golem back." Bakura stated. "I construct the overlay network with my two level 8 monsters. Xyz summon Number 22: Zombiestein(R 8/O 2/4500/1000)."
Almost everyone, save Bakura, Zane, Seto, Naomi, and Yuri, went wide eyed as a colossal, muscular figure appeared on Bakura's field.
"That monster is just as strong as my giant!" Crowler thought.
"I end my turn there." Bakura declared.
"This is a bad situation to be in." Dimitri noted. "Crowler has nothing in his hand or on the field while he's facing down that one-of-a-kind monster."
"It'll come down to whatever he draws or potentially the effects in his grave." Kai noted.
"I guess this is it." Crowler put his hand on his deck. "It all comes down to this last draw." He drew but didn't look at it yet. "Whatever this card is determines my fate." He took a deep breath and looked at it.
"This is…" He grinned. "I activate the graveyard effect of Ancient Gear Commander. By banishing this monster, I can set 1 Ancient Gear continuous trap from in spell/trap zone face up. I just drew Ancient Gear Reborn.
This continuous trap can only be activated if I control no monsters. Once per turn, I can target any Ancient Gear monster in my grave and special summon it back to the field with 200 ATK. Though it is limited in that this card can't ignore summoning condition."
"If it can't ignore summoning conditions, then what monster in there are you getting?" Bakura inquired.
"Ancient Gear Howitzer has no summoning restrictions." Crowler informed. "It's only true restriction is its inability to be affected by other card effects; however, such text only applies to a monster on the field. As such, he just won't gain the 200 boosts after coming back."
Ancient Gear Howitzer(LV 8/1000/1800) reappeared on the field.
"During your Main Phase, that monster can deal 1000 life points of damage!" Bakura remembered.
"Good to see you were paying attention." Crowler smiled. "Students, another lesson as I end this. If the monster you face cannot be surmounted, look for an alternative route to victory. Howitzer, I activate your effect. Howitzer Impact!"
Howitzer fired off a barge, into the air and at an arc. It went clear over Number 22 before impacting down around the occult user (Crowler 900/Bakura 0).
"Well, can't say I expected that." Bakura admitted as he approached the good doctor before offering a hand with a smile. "You fought till the very end and secured your place." Crowler shook the offered hand. "Just be sure to use this second chance wisely."
"I will." Crowler assured. "Not just because I'll incur the wrath of Seto and Mokuba if I regress."
"Looks like Dr. Crowler will be sticking around." Chumley voiced.
"At least between the events at the abandoned dorm and now, he's been a more competent teacher." Kai voiced.
"We'll just have to see if he stays that way and keeps his act clean." Alexis stated.
Beyond the fact of what the duel meant, students were discussing the things Crowler said and showed off in as far as card effects went. Eventually, Mokuba retook the stage, and it was time to get down to the last duel.
"Send out the last accused!"
Jaden and Syrus made their way out to the arena. At this point, Chazz was already in a foul mood over Greg and Kai coming out victorious. Seeing Jaden now had the Obelisk forcefully kick the seat in front of him.
"There's no way they can pull it off." Chazz thought. "Greg, Kai, and Crowler did, but there won't be a sweeping victory."
Zane stared at his brother. "Time to see if you really belong here."
"The last opponent's for today have quite the history compared to the Paradox Brothers." Mokuba began. "Today, they are the second pair who contends for the best of the Tag Dueling scene. Both retired from duel monsters at differing points.
The first hung up his duel disk not long after the events of Battle City while the second followed suit three years after the Kaiba Grand Prix. Roughly 5 years ago, these two entered the tag dueling scene and climbed the ranks. It's Rex Raptor and Mako Tsunami."
The pair walked out upon hearing their introduction. Whereas Para and Dox looked the same as they had ten years ago, these two had some differences. Rex Raptor grew to respectable 5'9 while having a noticeable tan.
In the off seasons, Mako took Rex sailing. While Raptor kept his brown hair and signature red beanie, his facial features were calm yet rugged. He wore a long, dark green jacket that came down to the back of his knees over a stylish black shirt.
Mako had defined his muscles with age. He'd kept his signature hair and still wore a big grin, though his features were far more rugged to boot. In contrast to what he'd worn in Battle City, his attire was comprised of simple green pants and a white tank top.
While Kai kept up with the Pro-Dueling circuit, he paid special attention to anyone from over ten years ago. That was when the game really took off, in no small part due to Kaiba. Mako Tsunami was a simple story as he'd hung up his duel disk and reportedly built his own boat to sail.
Rex Raptor was a name tied in closely with Weevil Underwood. Not long after the Kaiba Grand Prix, those two attempted to renter the pro-circuit, but they couldn't hack it. For a year after, they seemingly fell off the map. Then, they returned together at a tag dueling event and dominated.
The pair were calm, composed, and watched each other's back. That was the start of a two-year reign where things would only spiral again. Rex seemed to have genuinely turned over a new leaf while Weevil got cocky and fell into old, cheating habits.
Their dueling spiraled from the insect user's end, and it led to Rex dissolving the partnership. He did not want to go back to who they used to be. Cast out alone, Weevil seemingly vanished off the map and hasn't reappeared for seven years. At least he had more notoriety than Esba Roba.
There were people interested in finding him after Battle City; however, he and all his siblings pretty much fell off the map. There were reports he'd been seen two years ago, but those were spotty at best. Regardless, it seemed Rex would follow the trend.
He'd be another bygone duelist of a prior age like Weevil, Esba Roba, and Mako Tsunami. Then, two years removed from Weevil, Rex returned to the Tag Dueling scene with Mako as his new partner. Unlike with Weevil, this partnership has gone strong these last five years.
"So, you're our delinquent opponents?" Rex asked, looking the pair over. 'Regardless of the situation, I'm looking forward to seeing how you academy kids duel."
"Don't be too disheartened when we win." Mako declared good naturedly. "No matter the result, we don't want to see tears."
Jaden grinned. "Whoever you two are, I like you already!"
The pair of duelist before them sweat dropped at that, as did several of their friend's in the audience.
"Same here." Syrus shrugged. "With how they are, maybe this tag duel won't be that bad."
That made the duelist fall over in disbelief while all their friends in the stands did the same.
"Yes…Well." Mokuba cleared his throat before walking away. "You four should get to it."
People had recovered, and the four duelists got situated.
"Let's Duel/Get your games on!" Syrus and the pros/Jaden declared.
(Syrus & Jaden (S&J) 8000/Mako & Rex (M&R) 8000)
Jaden nodded to his partner, who nodded back in return.
Turn 1: Syrus
"Here goes!" Syrus drew. "First, I'll summon Tankroid(LV 4/1500/1900)." A green, cartoonish tank appeared. "Then, I'll back it up with one set card to conclude my turn."
Turn 2: Mako
"Sometimes a simple move is what's best." Mako drew before grinning. "That said, allow me to show you something a step beyond. First, I discard Warrior of Atlantis to add A Legendary Ocean from my deck to the hand. Then, I shall activate this field spell I've added straight away."
The immediate arena changed to a set of ocean ruins surrounded by a cylindrical wall of water.
"Whoa, this is some field." Jaden remarked.
"Its appearance is grand like the effects it bestows." Mako declared. "It is counted as Umi, all water attributed monsters gain 200 ATK/DEF, and the levels of those same monsters are reduced by one while in our hands or on the field.
That means I don't need a monster to tribute for Deepsea Warrior(LV 5/1600/1800 effect)." A green armored warrior appeared. "The moment this monster hits the field, it is impacted by the field spell in its own way. If Umi is on the field, he is no longer affected by spells. That is all."
Turn 3: Jaden
"Some supped-up warrior isn't anything I can't contend with." Jaden grinned as he drew. "Then again, perhaps a more subdued move is the way to go. I'll set this monster here and throw down a face down to back it up. That concludes my move."
Turn 4: Rex
Rex took a calming breath before his eyes turned sharp and determined. "Here goes!" He drew. "I'll summon Black Brachios(LV 4/1800/1100)." A black, long necked dino appeared. "When he's summoned, I can target 1 monster on the field and change them to face up defense mode."
He pointed at Jaden's set monster. "Let's see what you're hiding." Elemental HERO Woodsman(LV 4/1000/2000) flipped into face up defense position. "As there's no point in attacking that, I'll have my Brachios instead destroy Syrus' Tankroid."
"I activate my face down, Supercharge." Syrus declared. "If all I control are machine-type roid monsters, I'm permitted to draw 2 cards." He drew as Brachios ran through Tankroid (S&J 7700/M&R 8000). "When Tankroid is destroyed, I can draw 1 more card."
"A combo that sees you go plus three." Rex nodded. "Not bad. I'll set one card and call my turn there."
Turn 5: Syrus
"All aboard!" Syrus drew. "I'll play Polymerization to combine Strikeroid and Turboroid from my hand. Fusion summon Solidroid Beta(LV 7/2500/1900)." A red and white bipedal machine with a black casing on its back appeared.
"Through his Fusion summon, I can destroy 1 monster my opponent controls, and that'll be Deepsea Warrior." Deepsea Warrior was sucked inside a wormhole. "With your field clear Mako, Solidroid Beat will attack you directly."
"I activate my face down, Shadow Spell!" Rex interjected.
Suddenly, chains came from the ground to restrict Solidroid Beta(LV 7/1800/1900 effect) and lowered his ATK.
"What?" Syrus asked.
"This trap of mine targets any 1 monster my opponent controls." Rex explained. "The one affected can no longer attack or change battle position. They also lose 700 ATK to boot."
"So, I goofed?" Syrus questioned worriedly.
"Nah, you did great Sy." Jaden assured, drawing his partner's attention. "You still got rid of a monster, and that trap was triggered, meaning we don't need to worry about it later."
Syrus smiled at the reassurance before nodding. "Alright, I'll just set one card and call it a turn."
Turn 6: Mako
"In your last turn, you cleared my field and almost took a nasty bite out of our life points." Mako drew. "Allow me to return the favor as I summon Amphibious Bugroth MK-11(LV 4/2050/1700 effect)."
A large, red machine with packs on its back appeared. "While Umi is on the field, this monster can target and destroy any 1 non-water monster on the field. I'll be utilizing this effect to target Elemental HERO Woodsman."
"I'll counter with my set Emergeroid Call." Syrus declared. "Since I control a roid Fusion monster while you attempted to activate any sort of effect, this card negates that activation. Then, you must send all cards with that name from your deck and extra deck to the grave."
"So, you had a counter for my attempt to turn this back around on you." Mako laughed heartedly. "Well done; however, there is no other MK-11 in my deck. Also, that trap of yours has not destroyed my monster, which spells trouble for your team.
As I control only water attributed monsters, I can now special summon Abyss Shark(LV 4/1400/1900 effect effect)." A blue and yellow armored shark appeared. "Now, I've assembled two level 4 monsters."
"I don't think you need to utilize Xyz monsters, like me, to know where this is going." Kai commented.
"I now construct the overlay network with my two level 4 monsters." Mako continued. "Xyz summon Number 4: Stealth Kragen(R 4/O 2/2100/1700 effect)." A monstrous, purple and black monster appeared. "This monster's first effect makes all monsters water attributed."
Solidroid Beta(LV 6/2000/2100 effect)
Black Brachios(LV 3/2000/1300 effect)
Elemental HERO Woodsman(LV 3/1200/2200 effect)
"You went through all that trouble to summon a monster that sees Syrus and I's monsters powered up by your field spell." Jaden grinned. "Now, you can't get over Woodsman."
Rex smirked. "I wouldn't be so sure."
"Once per turn, my mighty denizen of the deep drags an opposing water attributed monster into the briny depths." Mako pointed at Woodman. "Your HERO, is my first target." Multiple, sharp tentacles were shot out and hit Woodsman before pulling him in for destruction.
"This combo actually pairs well with Mako's field spell as Stealth Kragen then deals damage to you equal to half the current ATK the monster had on the field." Rex informed.
Jaden and Syrus were stunned at that as a purple aura washed over them (S&J 7100/M&R 8000)
"That is one devastating effect." Dimitri commented.
"It only gets worse." Kai voiced. "Stealth Kragen doesn't care what turn it is, only that it can use that ability once a turn."
"Are you saying that Number can use that effect every turn!?" Mindy asked, as a few others in their group looked rather stunned.
Kai nodded. "It's also got one heck of a recursion effect the pair will have to contend with."
"Now that you're without a monster, I shall attack with Stealth Kragen." Mako announced.
"I'll give Sy and I a buffer of life points thanks to Draining Shield." Jaden declared as a dome of energy appeared around him to deflect the sharp tentacles sent his way. "Now your attack is negated while we gain life points equal to Stealth Kragen's current ATK."
(S&J 9200/M&R 8000)
"Good moves from the both of you. That's the end of my turn." Mako smiled. "Makes me wonder why they'd go risking their education through breaking rules. Perhaps the fact their skilled is the reason they're only facing suspension rather than expulsion."
Turn 7: Jaden
"Let's see what I can do to take that number out of commission." Jaden drew.
"Your turn, mine, or theirs, Stealth Kragen is a beast who stalks the sea regardless of who helms the ship." Mako declared. "She shall now strike Syrus' Solidroid Beta."
Multiple, sharp tentacles shot out and hit Beta before pulling him in for destruction (S&J 8200/M&R 8000).
With that out of the way, it's time I go to work." Jaden declared. "I'll activate Fusion Deployment. Now, I can reveal to you any Fusion monster within my extra deck and special summon a material named on that card from my hand or deck. Feast your eyes on this!"
He selected Elemental HERO Plasma Vice, whose card appeared for all to see. "I now special summon Elemental HERO Bladedge(LV 6/2800/2000 effect)." The golden warrior appeared. "Now, it's time to deal with that Stealth Kragen. Bladedge, slice us up some calamari."
Bladedge rushed forward and sliced through Stealth Kragen (S&J 8200/M&R 7300).
Elemental HERO Bladedge(LV 7/2600/1800)
Black Brachios(LV 4/1800/1100)
"Alright, we're back in this!" Syrus cheered.
"Sy, we were never out of it." Jaden retorted with a smile.
"I'd reconsider that stance as destroying Stealth Kragen sees her leaving a parting gift." Mako declared. "She had two materials when destroyed, so I now may call forth two Stealth Kragen Spawn(R 4/O 0/2100/1700 effect)." Two smaller yellow and blue version of Kragen appeared.
"Well, that really was some Number monsters." Jaden noted.
"Take solace, for while Spawn can hunt like their mother, they are not as well trained in turning monsters to their preferred pray." Mako informed. "That said, the lingering part of Number 4's last effect allows me to attach 1 water attributed monster from my grave to each Spawn!"
Stealth Kragen Spawn(R 4/O 1/2100/1700 effect)
Stealth Kragen Spawn(R 4/O 1/2100/1700 effect)
"Looks like I'd be best served bolstering my field a bit more." Jaden nodded. "I still have my normal summon, and I'm using it on Elemental HERO Stratos(LV 4/1800/300)." A blue suited warrior, with a wing pack, appeared.
"This guy's got a couple sweet effects for being summoned. I'll simply utilize the one which allows me to add any HERO I wish from my deck to my hand. "Then, I'm throwing down a face down before turning things over to Rex."
"You two have been pulling off some good moves to the point I can see why you academy kids are so highly regarded." Rex noted.
"Oh." Syrus was caught off guard by the compliment. "Thanks."
"You're partner showed us something sweet, so let's see what you can pull off." Jaden returned.
Turn 8: Rex
"Well, let's see just what I can show." Rex drew. "Looks like you'll be getting what you asked for as I activate Ground Xeno. Now, I add 1 Dinosaur tuner or normal dino from my deck to the hand." He knew just the monster. "Then, I destroy 1 card in my hand."
"Destroy 1 card in your hand?" Syrus questioned. "That's peculiar wording."
"An important distinction to make." Rex corrected as he held up Black Veloci's card and it shattered. "If a card is destroyed in any way, I'm permitted to special summon Xeno Meteorus(LV 6/2000/200)." A black and red raptor appeared.
"Another of his effects also deals in destruction." The Black Brachios on the field shattered. "By destroying a dino on the field or in my hand, I'm permitted to special summon a normal dino from my hand or deck." This time he took the card from his hand.
"In exchange for this effect, this turn, the only monsters that can come from my extra deck are dinosaur, wym, sea serpent, or dragon. The monster I now summon is my Megazowler(LV 6/1800/2000)." An orange triceratops appeared.
"He just special summoned two level six monsters that quickly." Syrus thought stunned. "Not to mention both are level 6 and one is a tuner. That means he can Xyz or Synchro summon."
"What is the deal with this combo?" Chumley asked.
"New support which revives the usefulness of the Level 6 normal dinosaur." Bastion replied. "With those two monsters on the field, Rex can now go into three truly devastating extra deck monster . Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz…none of them are out of his reach."
"In short, this duel is about to get twice as difficult." Kai crossed his arms. "Especially since any one of those stays about as dead as Mako's Stealth Kragen."
"Now, I can banish Ground Xeno to conduct a fusion summon utilizing monsters from my hand or the field." Rex declared. "I combine Xeno Meteorus with Megazowler. Rather than kowtow to the devastation of the meteor, Megazowler rapidly evolves. Fusion summon Transcendosaurus Gigantozowler(LV 12/3800/2000)." A colossal variation of Megazowler appeared roaring.
"Gigantozowler!?" Syrus was stunned.
"That thing is huge." Jaden commented.
"If you think his size is impressive, you haven't seen anything." Rex smiled. "First, if this card is special summoned, I can add any 1 dinosaur I wish from my grave back to my hand. Xeno Meteorus is the perfect target. Now, I shall attack Syrus directly."
"Not happening." Jaden declared. "I'm activating my face down Edge Hammer. By tributing Bladedge, I can destroy any 1 monster you control and inflict damage equal to the ATK of that monster. I tribute Bladedge to destroy Gigantozowler!"
Bladedge retrieved a golden blade from his back as he turned into golden particles and flowed into Jaden's grave. Before he vanished, he hurled the blade dead center into Gigantozowler, destroying him and causing a golden aura to wash over Rex (S&J 8200/M&R 3500).
"Fortunately for you, Xeno can only be special summoned through card destruction once per turn." Rex declared.
Mako smiled. "Unfortunately for you, my partner's own mightiest denizens don't like to stay gone for long."
Rex retrieved Megazowler from his grave. "If Gigantozowler is destroyed, I can shuffle one normal dino from my grave into my deck to special summon him. Return Transcendosaurus Gigantozowler(LV 12/3800/2000)."
Both Slifers were stunned.
"They both have monsters that do things when destroyed and sent to the grave." Mindy stated in disbelief.
"No wonder these two can compete with Para and Dox." Jasmine voiced.
"It's not exactly returning from the grave they have to worry about with Rex's monsters." Bastion informed. "It's what happens after that is a real problem."
"While Rex can't use Transcendosaurus Gigantozowler's first effect again, his second effect is one which works after he's been special summoned from the grave." Mako explained.
"By destroying 1 card from my hand or the field, I can destroy 1 card my opponent controls." Rex declared. "This time, I'll be destroying one of my partner's spawns."
One of Mako's Spawn's shattered.
Both Slifers were stunned again with Syrus posing the question. "Why would you destroy one of your partner's own monsters?"
"It's because if a Spawn summoned by Number 4 is destroyed, it's last gasp of life allows me to special summon any Stealth Kragen monsters in my grave up to the number of materials it had." Mako informed. "Now, I return Number 4: Stealth Kragen(R 4/O 0/2100/1700 effect).
Then, I can attach any 1 water attributed monster from my grave to it as a material." Number 4: Stealth Kragen(R 4/O 1/2100/1700 effect). "Don't forget, all monsters on the field now become water attribute due to Kragen's presence."
Transcendosaurus Gigantozowler(LV 11/4000/2200 effect)
Elemental HERO Stratos(LV 3/2000/500 effect)
"That said, Stealth Kragen's effect only works during a Main Phase, so your remaining monster is safe from that destruction." Mako declared.
"Gigantozowler still hasn't done his destruction, and the only card between you is Stratos." Rex declared, as Gigantozowler roared loud enough to shatter the HERO. "Now, we'll pick up where we left off as my dino attacks Syrus directly."
Gigantozowler ran through Syrus, taking a massive chunk out of the Slifer's life points (S&J 4200/M&R 3500).
"This is an insane combination." Chumley remarked.
"No kidding." Greg stated. "The cards Rex are using seem to thrive on any cards being destroyed, and Mako's Number 4 can provide that in spades. If they get time to keep setting up, Jaden and Syrus will find it near impossible to mount any sort of comeback."
"Even now, they have nothing on the field while their opponent's now have two quick effect destructions and a monster with attack currently on par with Zane's Cyber End Dragon." Bastion added.
"A little more positivity would be nice you three." Alexis commented.
"Those two are working together like a well-oiled machine." Sheppard voiced.
"They're leagues beyond whatever their Battle City skills were." Seto remarked.
"That's everything for this turn." Rex stated. "Your move."
Turn 9:Syrus
"With their set up, any monster I put on the field will need to go into defense, but if I'm going to do that, I'll need a good backrow card." Syrus drew. "That'll do. I set one monster and one back row before calling my turn there."
Turn 10: Mako
"You built your defenses up; however, my mighty denizens excel at breaking them down." Mako drew. "I shall summon Legendary Fisherman II(LV 4/2400/2000 effect)." A man standing atop a beast of the sea appeared. "Now, Stealth Kragen will attack that face down."
"I activate my set Magic Cylinder which negates the attack and deals you damage equal to your monster's ATK." Syrus informed.
Kragen sent out its sharp tentacles, only for them to enter a cylinder and exit another to go through the water user (S&J 4200/M&R 1400).
"Then, my Spawn shall attack your face down monster." Mako declared.
"You've attacked into Gyroid(LV 2/1200/1200 effect)." Syrus declared as his blue, cartoonish helicopter was flipped face up. "Once per turn, he can't be destroyed by battle."
"As it's the Battle Phase, I can't use either Kragen." Mako smiled. "A good turn, but I'll shift now to Main Phase 2 and utilize Spawn's effect to destroy that Gyroid." Multiple sharp tentacles pierced through Gyroid (S&J 3600/M&R 1400). "You weathered the storm as I end my turn."
"Alright Syrus, thanks to you we have our shot to bring this duel home." Jaden declared firmly.
"Given both your fields lack a monster or card between them, I'm actually interested to see just what you can manage." Rex called out.
Turn 11: Jaden
"My turn not to disappoint." Jaden drew. "It starts with Elemental HERO Bubbleman(LV 3/1000/1400 effect)." A warrior in dark blue spandex and light blue armor appeared. "No matter how he's summoned, provided I have no cards on the field, I draw two cards."
"I activate the effect of Spawn." Mako declared.
The multiple, sharp tentacles pierced the HERO (S&J 3100/M&R 1400).
"As it's now nearing my turn, I'll utilize Xeno Meteorus(LV 5/2200/400 effect)." Rex declared as the dinosaur reappeared on his field. "Through a card's destruction, I special summon him."
"That fine by me as I activate Graceful Charity." Jaden declared. "Now, I draw three cards before then discarding two. After setting 1 card, I now activate Miracle Fusion. By banishing materials from my field or grave, this allows me to Fusion summon any Elemental HERO I wish.
I'll now banish the Bubbleman you destroyed along with the Sparkman and Avian I sent. Fusion summon Elemental HERO Tempest(LV 7/3000/3000 effect)." A white and yellow suited warrior with Avian's wings appeared.
"An impressive fusion, but it's not strong enough to stand up to Gigantozowler." Bastion stated. "Not to mention it'll need to withstand Mako's barrage of effects."
"Just whose side are you on Bastion?" Alexis asked.
"He's just worried Alexis, like I think we all are." Greg voiced.
"I still have my Stealth Kragen's effect." Mako declared.
"By sending 1 other card I control to the grave, Tempest can prevent the destruction of 1 monster." Jaden declared, as his face down vanished off the field, and a mighty wind was whipped up which repelled Kragen's tentacles.
"They still got an uphill battle, but if they can somehow keep Tempest alive, it'll come down to Syrus knowing what to do." Zane remarked to himself.
"Now, Tempest will destroy Rex's Xeno Meteorus with Powerhouse Plumet!" Jaden declared.
Tempest flew into the air before coming down and smashing the dino into the ground, destroying him (S&J 3100/M&R 600).
Chazz smirked. "Just like that, you come up short slacker."
"Now, I'm activating the spell Book of Moon to flip Tempest face down." Jaden declared. "I'll follow it up with two set cards before finishing my turn."
Turn 12: Rex
"Let's put what you set to the test." Rex drew. "Gigantozowler, go for game by attacking Syrus directly."
"Jaden…" Syrus stated worriedly.
"Don't worry, I got us covered." Jaden smirked. "I activate my face down quick-play Emergency Provisions. Now, I send any other spell/traps we control to the grave and gain 1000 life points for each card sent. Fortunately, I just happen to have one other spell/trap on the field."
Jaden's set card was revealed to be Change of Hero - Reflector Ray before it dissolved into golden particles (S&J 4100/M&R 600). Then, Gigantozowler ran through Syrus (S&J 100/M&R 600).
"I'll end my turn with two set cards." Rex declared.
"Alright Sy, it's all up to you." Jaden smiled. "If you can just play the right cards, we got this."
Turn 13: Syrus
"Right." Syrus put his hand on his deck. "Here goes nothing." He drew. "First, I activate Pot of Greed to draw 2 cards." He drew. "There we go. I follow it up with Forbidden Droplet. I can now send as many cards from my hand as I want and target that many effect monsters.
Their effect will be negated and their ATK cut in half until the end of the turn." He discarded two cards. "I've discarded twice in order to ensure Mako's two Kragen can not impact what I'll be doing next."
Number 4: Stealth Kragen(R 4/O 1/1050/1700 effect)
Stealth Kragen Spawn(R 4/O 1/1050/1700 effect)
Transcendosaurus Gigantozowler(LV 12/3800/2000)
"Now, I activate the spell card Power Bound." Syrus declared. "It's a fusion card, and I have just the two monsters in mind for it." He looked to his tag partner. "Jaden, do you mind?"
"Hey, what's mine is yours." Jaden declared happily.
"Then, I merge Jaden's Tempest on the field with UFOroid from my hand." Syrus declared. "Fusion summon UFOroid Fighter(LV 10/?/?)." Tempest atop a cartoonish UFO appeared. "It only gets better as his original ATK/DEF is equal to the sum total of the two monsters used to make him." UFOroid Fighter(LV 10/4000/4000 effect).
"First I activate my set Shrink." Rex declared. "This will cut your monster's original ATK in half." UFOroid Fighter(LV 10/2000/4000 effect). "Then, I activate Survival Instinct to banish dinos from the grave for 400 life points. While I did destroy a few of my cards throughout this, Brachios is the only dino I have left in my grave; however, that'll be just enough."
(S&J 100/M&R 1000)
"Actually, you'd be wrong about that." Syrus smiled. "See, Power Bond has an effect which doubles my UFOroid Fighter(LV 10/4000/4000 effect)'s ATK."
"It's back up to 4000!" Rex/Mako exclaimed in shock.
"UFOroid Fighter, let's finish this by attacking one of the monsters that gave us the most trouble this duel." Syrus declared. "Destroy Number 4: Stealth Kragen with Cosmic Flux Blast!"
Fighter blasted Stealth Kragen with a powerful beam, obliterating him (S&J 100/M&R 0).
"They won!" Chumley cheered.
"Well, that was mighty impressive." Bastion noted.
"Yeah, it took every card between them, but they managed to pull it off." Kai stated.
The rest of the group was amazed and celebrating their friends' achievement.
"Every duel was a close one." Kisara sighed relieved.
"All three were also quite impressive." Naomi stated.
"I suppose that settles things." Sheppard remarked.
"These academy kids really are something, huh Mako?" Rex remarked.
"That they are my friend." Mako laughed good naturedly.
"Today's three duels have spoken." Mokuba took to the stage and spoke into his microphone. "Against the odds, the people up to duel came out victorious. There will be no suspension or loss of job. In accordance, let's hear it for our five-duel academy duelists."
The whole arena burst out into cheers as Kai, Jasmine, Mindy, Alexis, Bastion, Greg, Chumley, and Dimitri rushed down to join Jaden and Syrus. The whole group then celebrated the victories four of them had.
Chazz merely growled in utter frustration and annoyance as he stood. "I'm out of here!"
As we all know, wikis aren't always the best solution; however, they are generally what I use in helping compile decks and determining how a duel may pan out. What I'm saying is, according to the Yugioh Wiki card tips on Howitzer, it's 'unaffected by card effects' only applies to it being on the field. Hence how Crowler pulled that out of the grave to win his duel. As for Jaden and Syrus' duel, that was a the longest I've ever spent writing a duel.
I had some general idea on how Number 4's effects played with Transcendosaurus, but actually getting into it showed how potent the combo was. In the end, it took every last card between Jaden and Syrus, at the end, to string together a game winning combo. Could I have gone with other ways to win? For sure. In the end, I wanted to keep the theme of a tag duel by having the two of them contribute to the overall victory.
Syrus note: For a guy who used Ryuga from the manga, as well as mentioned Mask and Vision HEROES, you'd think I'd have remembered Syrus had other roid cards within that continuity. I did not until seeing a video about the manga which mentioned it. As such, I've given Syrus a needed upgrade. Tankroid, Strikeroid, Turboroid, Solidroid Beta, and many more you'll see are manga roids.
That said, the three Solidroids each took three materials in the manga to make. Given this Syrus still has cards like Jumbo Drill and Stealth Base, I dialed back the materials of the three Solidroids to only two material and got rid of their contact fusion status as a sort of balancing act. This way Syrus just has more options and combos moving forward.
Threebranch: Yeah, Star Cestus turned their stronger monster into a glaring weakness.
Vital Info: I wouldn't say bullied. If Kai had refused after Seto saying all that, the blue-eyes user would have dropped it. In the end, what Seto said resonated with Kai. Clearly Varris had been going whatever he was doing relatively alone. I mean, he had Astral, but it's still more in line with what Seto would have done those ten years ago by only relying on Mokuba.
In the end, depending on what the truth is, going relatively alone led to his brother's death. Given Kai has been building these connections with all these people on the island, he doesn't want to end up in the hospital bed next and subject any of them to what he felt having to see his brother go through that. As for what Bastion and Jaden will do now that the duels are over, that will come soon.
The Duelist of Dawn: Seto doesn't want to admit, but he'd rather say it to prevent Kai from making his mistakes than keep quiet.