Slifer Cafeteria: Morning…
Jaden, Syrus, Dimitri, Greg, and Raynos were all in the cafeteria while Chumley was using this Sunday to catch some extra sleep. The former two Slifers had just returned from seeing Blair off and filled the other three in on the whole story.
"Huh, Blair was a girl the entire time?" Greg questioned.
"Yeah, it was something about making it like a romance in a fairy tale." Jaden answered.
"Raynos, did you know about this?" Dimitri asked. "You two arrived on a ship together, right?"
"I tried striking up a conversation with her, but Blair kept her distance from me." Raynos shrugged. "I had no clue."
"I don't know, you two did happen to be transfer in on the same day." Syrus voiced, not quite willing to believe that.
"That's a coincidence." Raynos responded simply. "I would have been at the entrance exam; however, my dad had a bit of an accident at work, so I hung back to help mom keep things afloat until he was better. Before you ask, my parents run a mechanic shop and junk yard."
"So, you're not hiding anything?" Syrus asked.
"The only thing I would be hiding is the fact I'm adopted, and that's something I've never had qualms with." Raynos waved it off casually. "If anything, the way my parents say they find me actually sounds pretty cool."
"Oh, your parents didn't find you at an orphanage?" Dimitri asked interested.
"Nah, they actually found me within their junkyard." Raynos replied. "I don't know if it's true personally, but they've sworn up and down this is how it went. They were coming into the junkyard when what looked like a duel monster suddenly sprung up out of thin air.
It was a white dragon, thinner than a Blue-Eyes with green and purple on it, which whipped up a lot of wind before vanishing. They went where the dragon was and found me in a swaddle. My birth parents could never be found, so they ended up adopting me."
"They swear a duel monster appeared above you, yet that would have been years before Seto Kaiba made the hologram technology." Greg noted.
"Well, anything is possible." Jaden alluded.
Even he knew some of the things their group has been involved with shouldn't be talked about in public, per Sheppard's request on such matters.
"I mean, if it's true, it's one heck of an adoption story." Raynos chuckled. "Anyways, that's the only real thing in my life I'd keep 'hidden' from anyone." He shrugged. "As you can see, I have no qualms sharing it. Anyways, I'll be heading off to check out the island."
The newest Slifer stood and casually left the four other Slifers, who decided to chat about the more mundane topics your average kid attending a duel academy would.
Greg, Dimitri, & Raynos' Room: Evening…
Greg had set up his computer to talk with a boy, no less than three. It ended up where it always does, with the Slifer telling a story he's told 100's if note 1000's of times prior to this point. Despite that, this boy hung off his every word.
Honestly, Greg never tired of telling it because he adored this kid, and it was a story about the lore of his Gladiator Beasts. Considering the kid's age, it was naturally a toned-down version of the story, which was now reaching its conclusion.
"…So, the colosseum regained its glory due to the brave heroics of the Gladiator Beasts. When the fervor of their contests reached an epic crescendo…" Greg chuckled as the boy gasped before letting out a mighty roar. "...they continue to battle tyranny across the land. The end."
One day, the Slifer would narrate the proper lore and let the little one form his own opinion. For now, this would suffice.
"You always tell the best stowies, Cousin Gweg." As his cousin was still young, he had trouble with his R's.
While Greg has come to learn to live with his Dyslexia, he was glad to know this boy wasn't showing any signs of the disorder himself. If he ever did, Greg would be there to help him early on rather than having to find out about the disorder in what is effectively a middle school.
"It's because I have the best person to tell them to, Jeremy." Greg stated. "Now brush your teeth and go to bed. Heroes like you need their rest."
Upon being reminded of sleep, Jeremy yawning and rubbed his eyes. "You my hewo, Gweg."
"Not as much as you are mine." Greg smiled fondly at the little guy. "Now, get going so I can speak with your mom."
"Ok. Night. Night."
He took off from the computer as his mom, Greg's Aunt Felicity, took the seat with a smile. "You've ruined my little boy, you know?" She smiled teasingly. "He's already asking for Gladiator Beast bedsheets for his birthday."
"Yeah…" Greg rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry about that. Next time we get together, I'll show him my suit of armor I plan to use when I become a Pro Duelist. I'm sure he'll get a kick out of that."
"I'm sure he will but for now, I hope you're doing alright." Felicity stated, concerned. "I hear Slifer students get the short end of the stick over there sometimes."
"It can be a bit rough, but I've made quite a few good friends I may not have had I started out in Obelisk." Greg shrugged. "Besides, the Obelisks have calmed down a bit since many of them didn't want to take a demotion and ended up dropping out. Also, I'd rather earn my rank."
At least, he hopped he would. Honestly, things hadn't gone as he expected. There was tough competition here, to the point he'd been looked over the first time there was rank ups on the line.
"If you're ever in the need of a lifted spirit, don't hesitate to call." Felicity stated. "Your #1 fan will be right here waiting. Also, take care yourself."
"I will, Aunt Felicity." Greg assured.
With that, the call concluded.
"So, you're an Obelisk who started as a Slifer." Raynos noted, startling Greg.
The gladiator beast user generally had a good sense of time when it came to Dimitri returning to the room; however, he hadn't clocked the same for Raynos.
"How much did you see and here?" Greg asked.
"Doesn't really matter, and I don't really care what others use their personal time for." Raynos responded. "What I do care about is what your rank would be. Sounds to me like you'll make a good first opponent."
"You see all that, yet you're first instinct is to challenge me to a duel?" Greg questioned.
"Yeah, you in or do I need to see about asking one of the others?" Raynos asked.
Raynos was an odd one to the Gladiator Beast user, but he ultimately ended up shrugging since he did have an interest in seeing what this guy played. "Alright, we'll duel at this spot nearby."
It was mostly where Jaden tended to duel people whenever they came to the Slifer Dorm, but others used it on occasion.
Under the Cliff
"Huh, interesting place." Raynos remarked, his head turned towards the sea as waves lapped up against the stone. "Didn't even know this was down here, though I did note that path, so maybe I should have put two and two together."
"Not too many people come down here." Greg voiced. "Most tend to see it as Jaden Yuki's place, but the guy doesn't really care about laying claim to anything like that. Figured this was as good a place as any to duel."
"Guess we should get to it." Raynos stated, activating his duel disk.
"Since you're the newcomer, you can start us off." Greg voiced, activating his duel disk.
"Let's duel!"
(Greg 4000/Raynos 4000)
"Alright, here goes." Raynos drew. "I'll start by activating One for One. By sending any card I wish from my hand to the grave, I'm permitted to special summon any Level 1 monster I wish from my hand or deck."
He sent the card from his hand as a card popped out of his deck. "The monster I special summon is my Jet Synchron(LV 1/500/0) in defense." A small, bipedal jet engine appeared. "I'll then set one card and call my turn there. Your move."
"He special summoned a tuner monster, yet didn't take the option of normal summoning to then go into a Synchro summon?" Greg contemplated. "According to Professor Banner, this guy could have qualified for Ra if all transfers didn't start in Slifer."
By that logic, it seemed unlikely this guy would brick like that. It led the gladiator beast user to the conclusion this guy was up to something, whether it be that face down or an effect unique to this tuner. Regardless, Greg knew he'd have to play this carefully.
"I draw!" Greg looked at his hand for a moment. "I'll reset my hand through the power of Gladiator Beast's Respite. Now, I shuffle any two Gladiator Beasts from my hand back into the deck. Then, I get to draw 3 new cards. With that squared away, I'll summon Gladiator Beast Attorix(LV 4/800/2000)." A bipedal female cat with a sword and shield appeared.
"I'll activate my set Crackdown." Raynos countered. "Now I target 1 monster you control and take control of it." A rope shot out to bind Attorix and drag her to his field. "While I control this monster through this effect, she can't attack or activate her effects."
On any average turn, ensuring your hand was better would always be a smart move. Now that Greg was out his normal summon for the turn, he was suddenly more thankful to have activated Respite.
"Without a monster on the field, there isn't much I'd want to do with this hand as it stands." The gladiator user nodded. "Alright, I'll end my turn."
"Did he get a bad hand?" Raynos contemplated. "Even if that's the case, it's generally good odds you'll get at least 1 spell or trap in your hand. In a situation like this, it'd be foolish not to place it on the field even as just a bluff."
Considering there was nothing in the grave, Raynos had to conclude his opponent was aiming to utilize something in his hand. Considering his own deck, he knew quite a bit about hand traps, so he needed something not too costly this turn.
"My move!" Raynos drew. "I'll have my Jet Synchron give your Attorix a tune up to synchro for 5. Synchro summon Jet Warrior(LV 5/2100/1200)." A black, bipedal jet appeared.
"What's that monster going to do?" Greg asked.
"This guy doesn't do a thing without something being on your field." Raynos informed. "As things stand, that doesn't matter when I'm about to ladder climb. I now summon Nitro Synchron(LV 2/300/100)." A bipedal nitro tank appeared.
"Nitro here will give Jet Warrior a tune up to synchro for 7. Synchro summon Nitro Warrior(LV 7/2800/1800)." A green, monstrous looking warrior appeared. "When Nitro Synchron is sent to the grave for the Synchro of a Nitro monster, I draw 1 card.
Bingo. This card will enable me to use his special ability. I equip Nitro Warrior with Fairy Meteor Crush. What this does alone isn't too important right now in comparison to what it give my Nitro Warrior. Let me show you through a direct attack."
"The moment you declare a direct attack Gladiator Beast Noxious(LV 5/0/1000) can special summon himself from my hand, and I'll do as such in defense mode." A bipedal leopard appeared kneeling before him. "Now, your attack is redirected to him."
"Looks like Fairy Meteor Crush was the card to get because the monster equipped with it doles out piercing battle damage." Raynos smiled. "Additionally, Nitro Warrior's own ability kicks in to grant him 1000 extra ATK for this battle alone!"
Nitro Warrior(LV 7/3800/1800 effect) punched at Noxious who coated his body in purple energy to withstand the attack (Greg 2000/Raynos 4000).
Nitro Warrior(LV 7/2800/1800)
"Noxious can't be destroyed by the battle which results from his own effect." Greg declared. "As this monster was summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, I'm also permitted to send any other Gladiator Beast I wish from my deck to the grave. Is that all you got for battle?"
"I don't have anything more, so that does conclude my Battle Phase." Raynos noted. "Why?"
"At the end of a Battle Phase, any Gladiator Beast who survives combat is permitted to shuffle themselves back into my deck and tag out with any other Gladiator Beast I wish from there." Greg explained. "I'll tag in Gladiator Beast Murmillo(LV 3/800/400)."
An aquatic, bipedal fish appeared. "As Murmillo was summoned through the effect of a Gladiator Beast, I can destroy any one monster you control." He pointed at the Synchro monster. "The only monster on your field is Nitro Warrior."
The Synchro shattered, leaving Raynos undefended.
"Looks like there's nothing to it but to set these two cards." Raynos declared. "Your move."
"My turn!" Greg drew. "Given his ability to get out some strong monsters, overextending would likely be the wrong move." He could potentially end things this turn, but that would be underestimating his opponent.
"I activate Gladiator Beast United, enabling me to conduct a Contact Fusion from among the Gladiator Beasts in my hand, grave, or on my field. Gladiator Beast Murmillo will return to the deck alongside Attorix and Vespasius.
Come to the field sea serpent of overwhelming power. Contact Fusion Gladiator Beast Domitianus(LV 10/3500/1200)." A whirlpool of water appeared on Greg's field before a colossal, bipedal serpent, with a trident and armor, appeared.
Raynos stared up at the impressive monster. "Whoa, to think you summoned that without the need for a fusion spell."
"This is my deck's ultimate power." Greg declared. "Domitianus, attack Raynos directly with Trident Devastation!"
Domitianus threw his trident at Raynos (Greg 2000/Raynos 500).
"I activate my first face down Des Counterblow." Raynos declared. "Any 1 monster that inflicts direct battle damage is now destroyed."
"Domitianus only negates when he activates a monster effect!" Greg thought as Domitianus shattered. "I still have my normal summon and will use it to set one monster. Then, I'll set one card in my backrow and call my turn there."
"My draw!" Raynos looked at what he got before smiling. "With this card in my hand, I now know what to use my second set card, Call of the Haunted, on. Thanks to this, I can summon any monster from my grave and will call upon Jet Warrior(LV 5/2100/1200)."
"Now, I summon Junk Anchor(LV 2/0/0)." A small robot made of junk appeared. "My level 2 Junk Anchor will give my Level 5 Jet Warrior a tune up to synchro for 7. Synchro summon Junk Archer(LV 7/2300/2000)." An orange and white archer appeared.
"Does this monster inherently have piercing damage?" Greg asked.
"Nah, this Archer is a little more unique." Raynos smiled. "Through his effect, I can banish any 1 monster you control until the End Phase, and your face down monster is within sight." Archer fired an arrow, opening a wormhole that sucked it in. "Now, end it with a direct attack!"
"Nice try." Greg stated. "I activate my face down quick-play, Half Shut. I can now target any monster on the field, and until the end of this turn, they can't be destroyed by battle. In exchange, that monster loses half their ATK. Now, your Archer is within my sights."
Junk Archer(LV 7/1150/2000 effect) was cloaked by a blue aura, reducing his size by half before he fired an arrow through the gladiator user (Greg 850/Raynos 500).
"An impressive evasion." Raynos smiled. "I have nothing further to play, so that's my turn."
Greg's face down monster returned.
Junk Archer(LV 7/2300/2000)
"Let's see what I got to deal with that Synchro of yours." Greg drew. "This will do. I tribute my face down monster to summon Gladiator Beast Alexander(LV 6/2400/600)." A bipedal lion with yellow and green armor appeared.
"Then, I activate Indomitable Gladiator Beast allowing me to target Gladiator Beast Alexander(LV 6/2900/600 effect) and increase their ATK by 500 until the end of this turn." Greg declared. "Finish this, destroy Junk Archer!"
Alexander lunged forward and slashed through Junk Archer, sending him to the grave (Greg 850/Raynos 0).
As the Gladiator Beast faded, Raynos approached Greg. Rather than give a hand shake, he placed his hand on the guy's shoulder.
"That was a good duel." The synchron user patted his shoulder before walking on. "It really shows your skills are beyond that of some Slifers I've seen dueling since I got here."
Greg watched as Raynos walked off, yet something about this duel felt hollow. He didn't think the guy held back, it felt as though something had been missing. He had to wonder if losing would have felt the same way.
"It's a strange feeling…" Greg thought, his gaze turning to the vast ocean.
Outside the Ra Dorm
"Bastion, I would like our third duel."
Despite the changes Kai has faced recently, he could not allow that to let all the work he put in prior go to waste. Call it the last dregs of his former obsession if you must, he had spent all this time working towards this goal.
If Kai did not achieve victory this time, he believed himself capable of recognizing it was not meant to be. Should the inverse happen, well he would have to push one more time. Bottom line, despite wanting to take things easy now, he just couldn't forget the months of work he put in.
On some level, he did view the missed opportunities with the people around him as a waste, he could not let it all be considered a complete waste. Perhaps that was such a negative way of looking at things but wasn't obsession a negative thing?
Was there any good to be found in obsession? If he had continued that path, who's to say? All Kai could do was what he believed to be right. As of now, that meant walking to the Ra dorm. As he arrived, Bastion was waiting exactly where he had the prior two times.
"Good evening." Bastion greeted. "Are you truly ready for this?"
"Yeah, I'm ready." Kai gave a small smile. "Even though I've said this before, I do plan on coming out the victor."
"As with before, we shall see now." Bastion smiled back at him. "Come on, let's head to the nearby cliff."
Once again, the pair moved to that cliffside overlooking the ocean.
"Since I seem to have terrible luck at choosing your decks, this time you pick." Kai voiced. "Choose whatever you want, though try to make it the one you believe has the best chance against me."
To an extent, that would still be his 7th deck, Magikey. That said, utilizing a deck his opponent knew and potentially planned around wasn't in his best interest. That also meant the Gravekeeper's were out since that was the first deck he used against Kai.
That left Bastion with 5 options, though he then discredited his magnet warriors since Yugi had showcased a bit of what they could do. Just like that, he was left with his water, fire, light, and wind decks. Ultimately, he made his choice and slotted the deck into place.
Bastion then activated his duel disk. "You will now face my light deck, the specifics of what this is will become apparent as we duel."
"Sounds good to me." Kai returned, activating his own duel disk.
"Let's Duel!"
(Kai 4000/Bastion 4000)
"I'll go first!" Kai drew. "I'll summon Challenger – Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000)." A beige and gold spartan appeared. "Since I control a Heroic monster, whose not level 1, I can special summon Heroic Challenger – Knuckle Sword(LV 1/600/200)."
A gold and silver armored warrior, wielding a knuckle sword, appeared. "No matter how Knuckle Sword is summoned, he can target another Warrior monster I control. Then it or that monster becomes the other's level. I'll target Spartan and grant Knuckle Sword his level."
Heroic Challenger – Knuckle Sword(LV 4/600/200). "I now construct the overlay network with my two level 4 monsters. Xyz summon Gagaga Cowboy(R 4/O 2/1500/2400) in defense mode." A cowboy with twin guns appeared kneeling before his duelist.
"By being in defense position, I can detach one overlay unit to dole out eight hundred life points of damage." One of Gagaga Cowboy(R 4/O 1/1500/2400)'s overlay units flew into his gun and he fired the bullet through Bastion (Kai 4000/Bastion 3200). "I end my turn with one set card."
"A flawlessly executed turn, my friend." Bastion drew. "Be forewarned, this deck can quickly eat up my opponent's life points if they don't play well enough. I summon Satellarknight Vega(LV 4/1200/1600)." A warrior in full on white and gold robes appeared.
As a tellarknight was just normal summoned, I can now special summon Tellarknight Lyran(LV 4/1200/1600)." A warrior in white, gold, and black armor, with a face mask, appeared. In anyway this card is summoned, I get to add a tellarknight spell from my deck."
A card popped out. "That's not all as when Vega is summoned, I can special summon any other tellarknight I wish from my hand. I'll call forth Satellarknight Alsahm(LV 4/1400/1800)." A shorter warrior in silver, white, and gold armor appeared.
"Er, you just summoned three level 4 monsters all at once." Kai commented.
While he's gone beyond three monsters before, Bastion made it seem effortless.
"This deck necessitates large groupings of summons to really make its extra deck work." Bastion informed. "Before I get to that, Alsahm, once per turn, can inflict 1000 life points of damage just for being summoned."
An arrow of light was shot through the war challenger user (Kai 3000/Bastion 3200).
"If it necessitates large numbers of summons, then it's likely he has a way to get monsters from the grave onto the field with ease." Kai noted. "No wonder he spoke of that deck's ability to shred through life points."
"I now construct the overlay network with my three level 4 monsters." Bastion continued. "I call forth the light of destruction. Xyz summon Stellarknight Delteros(R 4/O 3/2500/2100)." A warrior in white, light blue, and gold armor appeared.
Through detaching one of his overlay units, I can destroy any one card on your field." Stellarknight Delteros(R 4/O 2/2500/2100). "My selection shall be your Gagaga Cowboy." Delteros sliced through Cowboy. "Now, I will attack you directly."
"I activate my face down, Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light." Kai countered. "When you initiate an attack, once, I can pay 1000 life points to negate it." Three swords of light shot down from above and fell around Delteros, forcing his attack to cease (Kai 2000/Bastion 3200)."
"Giving up life points here is a risky endeavor." Bastion noted.
"Dueling comes with a vast number of risks, it's up to each person to decide how much of one they want to take." Kai smiled. "I know what I'm doing."
"You seem confident." Bastion smiled. "Let's see what you can do with that as I end my turn."
"My turn!" Kai drew. "I'll summon Heroic Challenger – Ambush Soldier(LV 1/0/0)." A warrior wearing camo armor appeared. "Now, I activate the spell Extra-Foolish Burial. By giving up half my life points, I can send any monster I want from my Extra Deck to the grave."
(Kai 1000/Bastion 3200)
"What is this strategy?" Bastion questioned himself, having never seen Kai utilize cards like these before. "I know he's smart enough to realize I can bring back Alsahm, and there is a second one within this deck. Even so, he's brought himself to effectively the brink."
Kai took just the monster he wanted from his extra deck and pitched it to the grave. "Now, I activate the continuous spell Overlay Network. Once per turn, I can activate one of two effects, though only one can be used as my field stands.
It's just the effect I need as I can target my level 1 Ambush Soldier and special summon any monster with the same level from my hand or grave. Welcome back Heroic Challenger – Knuckle Sword(LV 1/600/200). That said, any effects they had will be negated."
"Two level 1 monsters?" Bastion asked.
"I rarely bring this monster out; however, I see him as my path to victory now." Kai smiled. "Doubly so with what little I've seen your deck capable of. I now build the overlay network with my two level 1 monsters to call upon the best support Heroic around.
Xyz summon Heroic Champion - Jarngreipr(R 1/O 2/700/1800)." A red and silver armored warrior appeared. Now by detaching two overlay units, Jarngreipr targets any Level or Rank 4 Warrior in my grave and special summons them to the field."
Bastion widened his eyes. "That's why he used Extra-Foolish Burial, to get a stronger monster in there for this effect!"
"He also gain ATK equal to that monster's ATK. I'll bring back the monster I sent through Extra-Foolish Burial, Heroic Champion – Kusanagi(R 4/O 2/2500/2400)." A red and orange warrior with a glowing orange blade appeared.
Heroic Champion – Jarngreipr(R 1/O 0/3200/1800 effect)
"Well, that's certainly an impressive combo." Bastion voiced. "One I did not think you possessed. Now, you may very well end this duel."
"Nah, I know you have something more up your sleeve." Kai voiced confidently. "It's what makes this combo all the better as Jarngreipr has just scratched the surface of his effects. "Kusanagi, destroy Bastion's Delteros!"
"I see." Bastion nodded. "You're going to crash Kusanagi into Delteros, leaving me open for the finishing blow from Jarngreipr."
"You're about half right." Kai informed. "See, the effect I just used prior to this is his second. Jarngreipr's first effect is that the first time a Warrior I control would be destroyed, they are not." Kusanagi was bathed in a flaming red aura.
The last effect, which is a once per turn effect, triggers whenever battle is initiated with a monster you control. I now gain life points equal to half the ATK of whatever monster of yours is being battled."
"Delteros has 2500 ATK, meaning you'll now gain 1250 life points!" Bastion exclaimed.
"Exactly." Kai returned.
Kusanagi clashed with Delteros, generating an explosion of light and heat. While the latter was destroyed, the former merely lost his blazing aura and was able to leap back to his duelist's field (Kai 2250/Bastion 3200).
"Stellarknight Delteros has a second effect, permitting me to special summon any tellarknight I wish from my hand or deck due to his destruction." A card popped forth from his deck and he snagged it. "I summon my second Satellarknight Alsahm(LV 4/1400/1800) in defense."
"As Alsahm was summoned, I take another 1000 life points of damage." Kai noted, another arrow of light shooting through him (Kai 1250/Bastion 3200). "I'll now have Jarngreipr destroy Alsahm." Jarngreipr punched through the knight. "I then set one card to end my turn."
"Kai certainly came to win." Bastion noted as he observed the opposing field compared to his now empty field. "Engaging in battle is officially a closed off point. What I need is to keep burning away his life points and clear that field through another mean."
The first part was hardly a problem while the second, well he had a monster within his extra deck capable of achieving it. All he needed was another three monsters on the field, hardly a problem for this deck giving swarming the field was a specialty.
"Here I go!" Bastion drew. "First, it's high time I activate the card Lyran fetched me, Constellar Tellarknights. Now, once per turn, I can special summon any 1 tellarknight or constellar monster I wish from my hand or grave. I'll choose Satellarknight Alsahm(LV 4/1400/1800).
That means you'll take another 1000 life points." Once again, an arrow was shot through the war challenger user (Kai 250/Bastion 3200). "I'll then summon Satellarknight Altair(LV 4/1700/1300)." A warrior in purple clothing with gold and white armor appeared.
"Through his effect, I can special summon any other tellarknight from my grave. Even thought I can't use the effect again this turn, I'll still bring back my second Satellarknight Alsahm(LV 4/1400/1800). With these three level 4 monsters, I construct the overlay network.
Come forth, light which returns boards to their natural state. Xyz summon Stellarknight Triverr(R 4/O 3/2100/2500)." A warrior in white and purple armor appeared. "Upon being Xyz summoned, all other cards on the field are turned to the hand."
"I chain my face down, Emergency Provisions." Kai declared. "Now, I can destroy any other spell/trap cards on my field and gain 1000 life points for each card I destroy. I'll use this effect on my Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light and Overlay Network to gain 2000 life points."
(Kai 2250/Bastion 3200)
As a result of using Emergency Provisions, it, Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light, and Overlay Network all went to the grave. As Jarngreipr and Kusanagi were Xyz monsters, they returned to the Extra Deck. Kai was left with nothing in hand or on the field.
"With your field clear, Triverr will launch a direct attack on your life points." Bastion declared.
"By banishing Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light from my grave, you can no longer conduct direct attacks this turn." Kai countered, the swords appearing around Triverr to keep him in place.
Bastion knew that would be the outcome, but you had to force it into use. "I'll end my turn."
"I've come this far, time to see what I can manage with the cards I end up drawing." Kai drew. "I summon Heroic Challenger - Morning Star(LV 4/1500/1300)." A blue and brown armored warrior, wielding a morning star, appeared.
"No matter how he's summoned, I can add 1 Heroic spell/trap from my deck to my hand. The card I added was Heroic Call allowing me to special summon any warrior I wish from my hand or grave.
I'll welcome back Heroic Challenger – Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000). Now, I banish Heroic Challenger – Ambush Soldier from the grave, allowing me to make all Heroic Challenger monsters I control Level 1."
Heroic Challenger - Morning Star(LV 1/1500/1300)
Heroic Challenger – Spartan(LV 1/1600/1000)
"I build the overlay network with my two level 1 monsters to call upon the best support Heroic around. Xyz summon Heroic Champion Jarngreipr(R 1/O 2/700/1800). I once again detach two overlay units to target any Level or Rank 4 Warrior in my grave and special summon them."
"Again, he'll gain ATK equal to that monster's ATK. I'll bring back Heroic Challenger – Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000)." Heroic Champion – Jarngreipr(R 1/O 0/2300/1800 effect). "Jarngreipr will attack Triverr. Don't forget, I'll gain half of your monster ATK as life points."
Jarngreipr punched through Triverr (Kai 3300/Bastion 3000).
"If Triverr is sent to the grave with materials, I can special summon any tellarknight I wish from my grave, and I'll choose one of my Satellarknight Alsahm(LV 4/1400/1800), placing it in defense position. That means you'll take another 1000 life points."
Once again, an arrow was shot through the war challenger user (Kai 2300/Bastion 3000).
"I have no choice but to end my turn now." Kai stated.
"With Triverr in my grave, I don't have a lot of great options for clearing the board; however, I do still have a way to deal damage without interacting with his field." Bastion drew. "Since you didn't let Triverr clear the field, I can still use Constellar Tellarknights.
I'll revive my second Satellarknight Alsahm(LV 4/1400/1800) meaning you'll take yet another 1000 life points." Once again, an arrow was shot through the war challenger user (Kai 1300/Bastion 3000). "Now, I'll overlay just the two level 4 monsters on the field.
Xyz summon Darktellarknight Batlamyus(R 4/O 2/2600/550)." A female centaur warrior appeared. "Her effect makes all monsters on the field dark attribute. More importantly, I can discard one card and detach an overlay unit to rebuild the overlay network."
"That deck can rebuild the overlay network just like that?" Kai asked.
"That is can, though this effect only works to bring out light attributed tellarknight monsters." Bastion responded. "That's perfect as I now Xyz summon Tellarknight Constellar Caduceus(R 4/O 2/2500/1650)." A warrior in golden armor, wielding a sword and shield, appeared.
"Upon being Xyz summoned, I can add any tellarknight or constellar monster from my grave to the hand. The one I'll add is the Alsahm I detached to activate Darktellarknight Batlamyus. Now, I banish any one of those same types of monsters from my deck or hand.
I'll send that Alsahm I just added. Then, I must detach one of Tellarknight Constellar Caduceus(R 4/O 1/2500/1650) materials. This turn, his effect will become the banished monster's effect, and it'll activate as though he were just normal summoned."
"You banished Alsahm, which means I now take another 1000 life points of damage." Kai stated.
Another arrow was shot through the war challenger user (Kai 300/Bastion 3000)
"I still have my normal summon, so I'll set this one monster." Bastion declared. "Your move."
"You've miscalculated, Bastion." Kai smiled as he prepared to draw.
"What are you talking about?" Bastion asked.
"While you've had my life points pretty much this low earlier on in the duel, I'm about to take advantage of that now." Kai drew and smiled. "Really take advantage of that fact. As my life points are 500 or less, I can banish Heroic Call from my grave.
Then, I target any 1 monster I control, and they'll gain 500 ATK for every Heroic monster I control as well as currently attached to an Xyz monster. Roll call, Jarngreipr and Spartan on the field, that's 1000 extra ATK I'll give to Jarngreipr."
A transparent Jarngreipr and Spartan appeared before flowing into Heroic Champion – Jarngreipr(R 1/O 0/3300/1800 effect).
"Well, your Jarngreipr is stronger than Caduceus; however, I expected more." Bastion noted.
"Oh, I got more." Kai activated the card he drew. "I play Heroic Chance. In exchange for being unable to attack directly, I can target any Heroic monster I control and double their ATK this turn. I target Heroic Champion – Jarngreipr(R 1/O 0/6600/1800 effect)." Jarngreipr doubled in size. "Now Jarngreipr, finish this by destroying Caduceus."
Jarngreipr punched down at the opposing Xyz, pulverizing him into the ground and depleting the multi-deck user's life points (Kai 300/Bastion 0). Upon the result, Kai stood there stunned as the holograms faded.
Bastion smiled and approached the Obelisk before shaking his hand. "Just as with our prior two duels, that's one of the most challenging I've faced since arriving on the island."
"Yeah, you're one of my toughest opponents Bastion." Kai smiled, shaking his friend's hand back. "That light deck of yours is no joke, and I pity anyone who doesn't run a good number of cards to mitigate that burn strategy you got running."
It was a lot of hard work to reach this point, but Kai finally got the win he needed against Bastion. This only left one more duel and a hidden stipulation after to finally achieve everything Zane had set him to do.
I don't think there's much to really talk about with this chapter, I feel it's all rather straightforward. I will say that section between Greg, his cousion, and his aunt was given to me by Greg's creator Vital Info.
The Duelist of Dawn (Ch. 29): Yeah, the North Academy bit just sort of fell into that chapter, but it all panned out well in my opinion. As for Infernobles or Flame Swordsmen, why not both? Then yeah, Alexis got something out of this arc as well.
The Duelist of Dawn (Ch. 30): I think Seto would still want to be the King of Games, but by now he's fine if that just doesn't happen.
The Duelist of Dawn (Ch. 31): Yeah, that exhibit scene is just the culmination of a lot that has happened throughout all these chapters. Probably on the prize bit, I could see it. After two years of dueling for that 'prize' I'd be tired of it. Yeah, Blair's and any opponent of Charlotte, given what her deck is, will be the only people who really get deck counters.
MerlockVonBaron: Yeah, I know you wanted him to come in after the school duel, but this was just the perfect opportunity to do it.
Threebranch: If I'm remembering correctly, she was also older in the sub.
Vital Info: It's a potent quote, one I had planned to be there well before coming up with the idea of having this test against the best. When it comes to Astral, he's committed on not seeking out Kai himself, until that needed day. That doesn't mean Kai could be brought to him, but Seto's more or less waiting for the break between year 1 and 2 to do that. I honestly don't think there'd have been any problems with Blair being there if it wasn't under false pretenses.
I mean, she got in officially. The problem, I think and utilized, is the fact that her parents didn't know. As for the duels, it'll mostly be promotion duels. Most of the lacking Obelisk were already taken care of with that whole Duel Giant event. Perhaps some Ra's might be up for demotion to Slifer, but it'll mostly be promotions duels. Might take 1 to 2 chapters on covering based upon how I do it. Essentially, Syrus, Dimitri, Greg, Raynos, Jaden, and Bastion would be up for promotion.
Bastion is still going to turn that down, and I'll be real by saying Jaden isn't going to rank up in the first year, if ever. His thing is being a Slifer, though I can probably still do something cool in utilizing him as the Elemental HERO user isn't going to outright turn down a duel. I'm thinking there might be two other people who end up dueling at this time, but I'm still working that out.
We were supposed to move today, I was just told yesterday it's now been moved to this coming Wednesday. I'll be honest, I was kind of winding down on this story, you know, take a break from it and relax before the moving day. With now more days between now and moving day, I figured I might as well get a new chapter out. Something to potentially tide you good people over until after I move, you know if the urge to write doesn't strike me until after moving.