Chapter 11 – The Giant and the Gentle! Dueling Titans!
. Bold words: Name Introductions; Card names; Monster Stats; 'Special Attacks'; Player(s) Life Points.
. (A) / (FM): Anime / Fan-Made - Cards used in the Anime/Manga; Cards created by the author.
. Italic: Non-English words; Epilogue and Prologue.
. " " - Normal Talk
. ' ' - Thoughts; Summon Chants
Special Thanks: Zeon Paralysis Crystal (Story Proof-Read)
Author's Note: November 23 - I was on vacations outside home, I returned home a bit sick; December 23 - I had flu and constant vomits, ended up with COVID, Christmas holidays; January 24 - New Year with new hopes of a better year, new challenges and lots of work. Finally got time to finish this VERY LONG part of Azure Giant chapter. Hope you enjoy it to the fullest.
– PROLOGUE –
Jaden's Flashback: 6 years ago
He was breathing shallowly in an oxygen mask the medical staff gave him.
With dazed eyes, the little boy skimmed the room he was resting in. After getting rescued by the police, from a sudden fire of sorts at the Underground Arena. Remembering the flames enveloping the place, the dust that combined with the smoke that made it hard for him to breathe.
After the recent tragedies and perils, he had the extreme misfortune of being visited by, his body was worn out. His head was covered in bandages over his brown hair, many band-aids peppering his face that had a lot of small scratches; a broken right arm, and scarred legs, which also got fixed with plaster and a lot of bandages.
"Just how did he get there!?"
"He had a close shave with death, someone give me some more sedatives for him."
"I felt some kind of pressure emitting from him when we getting him into the infirmary. I mean, you heard from the police too?"
"That 'force' surrounding him? The police said that one of their own got hurt badly when they tried to take him away from that place."
"We were ordered to keep this boy here, but is he one of those psychic duelists I heard of on the news?"
The comments and gossiping were heard from the other side of the translucent window, by investigators. Since they couldn't take Jaden to another place with the wounds he acquired; before getting orders from their superiors, the medical staff went about analyzing.
While the medical staff pondered what made Jaden...'special'. The only, ONLY request they got from the very tired kid, was that they would keep his deck in his room.
Yubel, who was invisible for the normal humans who weren't granted a link with a Duel Spirit, sat on the same floor as Jaden who was looking through his cards with surprising care.
"You don't look too well, Jaden. The recovery will be a long one"
Jaden was silent for a few long moments and then. "I'm...the only one of my family left."
"Jaden.", Yubel whispers broken heartedly, while hugging him warmly and protectively from behind. "I'm sorry, I mean it. I shouldn't have pulled something like that. I failed you as a friend."
"Yubel… if you didn't do anything I would've...died", the little kid muttered despondently, holding back his tears to the spirit, but accepting her warm embrace. "That man in white took everything away. And the man in black toyed and tortured me like a doll. You're the only one who supported me through it all. I don't want to be alone."
"Me neither, Jaden.", the demoness says gently as she pulls the boy's face with her gentle hands so that his tearful eyes can meet hers. "Three times I failed you as a friend and guardian. That's three times too many. I swear to you I'll always be by your side even if the world and beyond are against you, I'll always be your friend."
Jaden smiled at her.
The little Jaden could only give a tear-stricken smile as he promised to his first and only friend. "Let's always stick together, dueling together, making new friends together... partner"
Location: Duel Academy Island, Forest; Time: 10 pm
It happened the same night after Syrus' birthday party at the Female Dorms of Obelisk Blue. While some students were preparing to go to sleep, a familiar second-year student was almost finished with his daily dose of community service – Clean-Up Duty at the Forest area from any possible junk and trash that some students may have littered and thrown away.
Gerald wasn't in the best of moods, ever since he was publicly humiliated by Jasmine in a surprisingly taxing, personal, high-stakes grudge match of a duel for the both of them built up by years of rejection, festering resentment, fatigue, and a lot of anger.
A duel that was probably recorded and being watched by a good majority of the student body for varying reasons. Ended in his shocking defeat when he was painstakingly close to overcoming the first hurdle to his goal of taking Alexis' hand. He will uphold their bargain, after all, it was enforced by a Headmistress, and no one cheated.
And he was already on thin ice as it is, best to lick his wounds and lay low he thought to himself. And stay away from the trio, he lost his chance and Alexis is off the board permanently. But even then, his pride longed for a rematch with Jasmine.
"Next time, there won't be any saving grace for you, 'Sir' Makurada.", he grunts to himself with a scowl on his face, thinking about the next strategy that could counter Jasmine's deck and playstyle. "The next time we clash... you will fall to me."
While he hadn't changed much, and as much as he was annoyed at Zane for being her and Mindy's tutor; he could see and feel it paid off big time, with her Level of Skill. He at least knows now that Zane wasn't idle in vacation time. Defeat is nothing new to the bitter Blue, his numerous losses to Kassidy, Atticus, Zane, and many more in his journey to be the strongest he could be in the world of Duel Monsters would attest to that fact no matter how good he had gotten over the years from his first card in the past to the recent loss in Duel Academy.
The imposing student despite himself to his surprise even gained a minuscule grain of begrudging respect for the rookie's skill and resolve. It was the coldest of comforts the temperamental student could take. It was someone who Zane taught how to play had to pull out everything and the kitchen sink to match him but, in the end, had to rely on a miracle to overcome him by the closest of shaves.
It was an Obelisk Blue who bested him. He would've lost all sense of himself if he lost to a First-Year Slifer Red, except for the one that was rumored to have defeated Professor Crowler. But it was nonetheless simultaneously comforting and humiliating. At least the rookies are up to snuff.
"I will drink your tears in victory, Jasmine Makurada; but till then, I gotta show the students down below that I'm no two-bit punk."
Suddenly, loud footsteps gripped Gerald's attention as he looked back, and saw a tall mysterious individual clad in masses of frayed blues they were almost like a living statue; the face was obscured, upon Gerald's closer inspection of his newfound rage and shock he saw the person was covered with multiple Obelisk Blue uniforms while wearing big black glasses as if it was a 'mask'.
"W... Who the hell are you? And why are you here?"
"Are you one of Obelisk Blue I wager?", the figure intones casually.
"And if I am? What you're gonna do to me? Got a grudge, big guy?", Gerald questions impatiently, while mentally prepping himself for what surprises this individual has in store.
He then saw the man solemnly placing his duel disk over his arm.
"Berserker of Obelisk Blue. I challenge you to a Duel, with our rarest cards at stake."
"I see you've been feasting on my fellow blues for dinner!", Gerald growls while placing his duel disk on his arm as well, and the two duel disks light up the dark forest. "But you'll see I'm no mere prey!"
The figure stood ominously still without a word spoken. As if banter and idle chatter would change the outcome…
Five turns then quickly passed in the duel in the forest, Goblins chittered and laughed while Battleguards clawed and roared fiercely. But then, there was a final virtual explosion that knocked Gerald into a tree. He was decisively defeated and seemingly despondent as he slid to the grassy ground in defeat and shock.
The Giant walked in and picked up Gerald's 'Battleguard King' card.
"Your rarest card is quite the find. I doubt you've truly learned from this experience but if you have, you'll be nicer to those you look down on", he intones and quickly walks away from the forest, leaving the second-year student alone stewing in a volatile mix of negative emotions.
Not only did he get beaten by a first-year two days ago in front of everyone; but he was also saddled with this 'stupid' Clean-Up Community Service, which this time his job by some quirk of fate happened in the forest; and now this, losing to some ridiculous clown who had the gall to show off his numerous victories over his dorm at night. His rage reached the boiling point.
"Damn it. GOD DAMMMIT!", he punches the floor in anger a large number of times to let his anger explode. He is even causing blood to drip on the ground with each strike. "RHAAAARGH! CURSE THIS SHIT ISLAND AND THOSE WHO DARE MOCK ME!"
From the top of a tree in the forest, a small kid was looking at the infamous student's reaction, while letting out a vindictive chuckle.
Time: 1 week later
Another day passed in the Academy, and the students were getting ready for the upcoming writing and dueling exams, taking in less than another week. With a new change of weekly quests, that meant a chance of new strategies that each student would come up with.
- Special Summon a Monster 70 Times
- Fusion Summon a Monster 10 Times
- Inflict 15.000 points of Battle Damage
- Inflict 4.000 points of Effect Damage
- Win 1 duel during your Opponent's Turn
- Gain a Total of 5000 Life Points
- Participate in a Tag Duel
Although the value wouldn't change from 25 DP for each one, it was an interesting concept for some students; to improve their deck abilities by duel training against each other. It was a battle of the 'Strong against the Weak' – You pass the exams, you get your name ranked up the Scoreboard, and switch to a higher dorm. You fail the exams, and you'd get switched to a lower dorm.
For the students in general, where the majority were the Obelisk Blues and Ra Yellows, and a minority were some Slifer Reds, were studying in groups at the library; there was a majority of the Slifer Reds who didn't feel confident enough to pass the exams, and stood in their rooms passing time… they didn't care about their rank and waited for the next year probably.
That excuse was excluded for two boys; one of them was Syrus, who was studying in his dorm with some books he borrowed from the library. And Dee was making his company, doing her role as a helping teacher.
"So then. Can you name me some of the Normal Spells that support Spellcaster-Type monsters?", the Magical Girl asked her apprentice; While wearing a teacher's uniform she created with her sorcery, together with some practical glasses.
"Yes. For Spellcaster-type monsters in general, there are some well-known Spell Cards that help them. Cards like Magicians Unite, Magic Gate of Miracles, and Magical Blast.", Syrus answered proudly. "But, if we're talking about named Spellcasters, like Dark Magician or Dark Magician Girl, there are the cards Dark Magic Attack, Thousand Knives, and Dark Burning Attack."
"Mmhmm… Good answer, sweetie. You scored that one.", Dee smiled while clapping her hands; she then added with a teasing tone. "Although, I must warn you that I specified Spellcasters, but not named ones. If you were to write that last sentence in the exam, they would penalize you, because it's not what they asked you."
"S… Sorry. It's because I was too thrilled to know the answer, that maybe I could add more knowledge of more Spell Card examples.", Syrus shyly excused. "Hmm… Maybe that's what Professor Crowler tried to explain to me; When I answered his answer, but completed with some Field Spell examples."
"No, no, Syrus. You did well with the card examples. That… that was to improve your point. You did very well back then.", Dee consoles the doubtful student.
"I did? It makes me happy that both you and Jaden agree on the same thing then.", the boy shows a jolly smile on his face, but turned into a worried one. "Will I do well in the exam, no matter how much I practice with you?"
"You don't think you won't succeed well, Sy? Or are you not confident of yourself, even after the days we've been studying all these subjects?", she asked concerned about her apprentice's behavior. "Hmm… what if I reward you if you do well in the Writing Exam?"
"Eh? Why the Writing Exam? What about the Duel Exam?", Syrus asks worriedly.
"The Duel will be our first time truly working together. If you didn't know before, but you get to know now – Jaden and Yubel know each other like the palm of their hand. In any concern that Jaden might have against his opponent, though very rarely, Yubel is always there to give further information. They support each other and cover for the other's weaknesses."
"So… so you're going to be MY partner? Is that why you're not worried about the Exam Duel?", Syrus asks curiously; receiving a confirming nod from her, his face displays relief while confidently holding her hands. "You're amazing, Dee! Thank you!"
The Dark Magician Girl's spirit showed a surprised look when she noticed how the boy could have a sudden change from his lack of confidence, to now standing 'too close' to her, while holding her hands.
"I'm glad to know I'm getting you in a good mood, but that wasn't the reward I had in mind."
"Wait, it wasn't?", Syrus asked, back in his normal tone; he then looked down at his hands, and suddenly stood far away from her panicky. ""I… I'M SORRY! I- I didn't mean to hold your hands li- like that, you know? It just made me so happy, how I got less worried about the exams coming by."
"Teheh, don't worry about it. But here, I'll reveal the reward that I want to give.", Dee says with a suggestive tone of voice. "In two weeks after the exams, it'll be Halloween, correct?"
"So… you Spirits also share the same holidays as us.", Syrus murmured, his face looking thoughtful of the possibilities. "Hm, what about it?"
"Say, would you like to visit the world where we, Monster's Spirits, live?", she asked, this time approaching her apprentice, who was blushing. "To know the place where we can celebrate Halloween, while dressed in awesome costumes? The Spirit Realm?"
"You're, in all meanings… inviting me, to such a place that I thought I would never touch my feet there?", Syrus asked, while his cheeks were getting redder by each second. "Would it be like a d- d- date?"
After hearing that question, Dee thought about it for a few seconds; never leaving her teasing smirk.
"I see no problem with a little date, for my dedicated apprentice.", she told him. "BUT that can only be accomplished… if your name is shown in the Higher Ranks of the Writing Exam."
"… You're not kidding, right?"
"Do I look like I'm kidding?", Dee jokes. "Talking to you, I'm serious here, little man."
"Then, it's decided. I'M GONNA DO MY BEST!"
Location: Duel Academy School, Hallway
Jaden and Bastion were walking to their lunch break at the canteen. They didn't look worried since they had finished the Weekly challenges from last week. The Slifer student was, instead, interested in completing the next week's challenges.
"And I know we have a 'Tag Duel' challenge somewhere on this list. I'll have to ask Syrus later if he's interested in doing one with me; We never took a chance to tag each other, funnily enough."
"You sure?", Bastion dryly questions. "Not to poke too much into things, but hearing and seeing your track record and tendency to brush up with and against the high ranking of the academy. Thought Syrus would ask Jasmine, while you'd be asking Alexis for help with this."
"Really?", Jaden curiously responds. "I can sense Alexis is a very skilled tag partner. But I get the feeling after Gerald's incident, they want a break for a bit. And I think Syrus thinks the same way as I do. Who knows, there's so many I could tag duel with."
Bastion hummed silently.
"I didn't expect this behavior from you Jaden. But you are correct in your deduction" Bastion says but then mutters out "So many experiments but so little time I suppose".
"You have no idea; I'm starving for a good duel and two of them were left unfinished. Chazz's was interrupted, and Mindy wasn't dueling with her deck. While Syrus, Alexis, AND Jasmine got the jackpot on tough-as-nails opponents." Jaden remarks enviously.
"Guess strange minds do think alike…"
As they walked past the main canteen, they saw a group of tense first-year Obelisk Blue students sitting together, closer than usual. The chatter was less cocky and prideful but more worried and a bit stressed a good few scared.
"Have you heard this morning?"
"You mean about the rumor? It happened again?"
"How in the flying Beast King is this guy so damn strong and taking so many rare cards..."
With the upcoming Duel Exam; For a good portion of the blues, the various stolen rare cards were key parts of their deck and playstyle or had more sentimental value attached to them. Whether through a blow to morale or a stolen key card, it was certain a good many a Blue wouldn't pull through in the exam.
The upper-class students were in conversation that they didn't notice the red and yellow students approaching them.
"You guys alright here? Looking a bit worried here guys, care to talk about it?"
Whether out of pride or perhaps a good bit of fear of having their boogeyman appear if they messed with the Slifer Red. The comment made the group leave their seats and walk away from him. Which left Jaden a bit surprised, and Bastion thinking deeply for a bit.
"Did Halloween come early for these guys? Did someone curse them?"
"They mentioned a rumor… I've also heard from some Ra Yellows who are acquaintances with other Obelisk Blue students; There's been a duelist tearing through a good portion of the Obelisk Blues, partaking in the illegal Ante Rule: The victor gains the loser's rarest card."
"… You're not kidding?", Jaden asks pointedly.
"I wish I was.", Bastion crossed his arms in thought remembering what they told him. "This unknown duelist is an enormous one who wears their clothes and black glasses to cover himself; and he starts his Ante Sprees at night, so getting his identity isn't something easily done. Hence his moniker – Azure Giant"
'Azure Giant, huh? He must be a really tough opponent, given Chazz and Mindy.', Jaden thought to himself while unconsciously clenching his fist. "Do you know if he'll show up tonight as well?"
"My apologies, Jaden, but that's all I know from my colleagues. Neither I know about the fullest of it.", Bastion shrugged his shoulders, while Jaden nodded.
He suddenly felt Yubel's hand on his shoulder, momentarily calming him down and unclenching his fist. She asked him to drop the topic for now while pointing at Syrus and Dee; who were approaching them with a tray of fried shrimp.
"Big Bro, Bastion. Happy to see you here.", the boy placed the tray on the table. "Were you waiting for me?"
"Actually… we were, yes.", Bastion answered, trying to hide a guilty face.
"Y…Yeah", Jaden stiffly continued. "Since the canteen didn't look full today, and we were running late from a recent study session; it would be a good opportunity to take the edge off."
Syrus stares at them suspiciously. They were hiding something from him…
"Anyways, they had my favorite on the menu today. It's a good thing I've been saving all my Duel Points."
"Nice to see your budgeting skills are better than mine, Sy. Hopefully, they'll have my favorite too, Chicken Wings with Cheetos!"
'I highly doubt that's on the menu…', his friend and acquaintance thought; Yubel gave a small chuckle and Dee gave a playfully irritated look in Jaden's direction.
Then the group heard louder footsteps from a worried older man, who saw the three students happily having their lunch and lifted his spirits; as he approached them.
"Thank Goodness, I'm glad to find you three."
Syrus gave a very respectful look toward the Director.
"Sen… I mean, Chancellor Sheppard. What brings you here?"
"It's about an unknown Duelist appearing during the night and challenging other duelists using the Anti-Rule. I'm certain you've heard?"
"You mean the 'Azure Giant'?", Jaden asked, leaving Syrus and Dee a little out of the loop.
"Correct.", Sheppard nodded. "I request you three to find him and bring him to security or me. I fear this could be the beginning of something big, but I don't wish to escalate this into a full-scale panic."
"We thank you for your concern, our Chancellor.", Bastion bowed respectfully, as Sheppard then walked away from the hallway, while wishing them good luck.
"Big Bro, Bastion…?", Syrus called them confused. "What kind of rumor were you talking about just now?"
The two students came to an agreement and explained further what they'd heard about the rumored dueling giant, who ONLY duels Obelisk Blues during the night, and steals their rarest cards after defeating them.
Syrus nodded after understanding the whole situation, but was still doubtful of this request…
"I get that this Giant is a threat to the Academy; But I think it's a bad idea to just walk into the night, without knowing where he could be.", Syrus then crossed his arms, his facial expression stricken with thought. "Do you two have a plan to find and bring this duelist down?"
"Unfortunately, no. We need time to think of one.", Bastion says. "None of us has any clue who this person is; either he does this for the fun of it, or has some vendetta against someone in particular… the blues are a mixed bag leaning towards the bad side of things, Professor Crowler not helping matters. Maybe someone snapped?"
'I hope not…', Jaden thought to himself, while giving a serious look to his friends and ally. "No matter if we don't have a way to find this Giant, it won't matter if we find any clues tonight about him. This Anti-Rule spree MUST be stopped, by any means necessary.", he said finishing the sentence with an angry snarl, making Syrus feel a bit shocked at Jaden's reaction to this.
"Big Bro? Is there something wrong?"
"Nothing… Everything is okay.", Jaden says, the anger betraying his words; The group was done with their meal, and decided to walk to the classroom.
Location: Duel Academy Main Stadium; Time: 5 pm
The school lessons were over earlier today; leaving a lot of free time for the students. As for Jaden, Syrus, and Bastion; they thought the best way to use it, would be at the Duel Arena.
They walked to the benches because there was a Duel happening between two first-year students — A Ra-Yellow, short green-haired boy, against an Obelisk Blue tall brown-haired duelist.
"That Obelisk Blue student, Alexis and Jasmine told me about him.", Syrus remembers when he asked them about some male students in their dorm, that would either be friendly or just bring some trouble. "I think his name's Scott Lee. And fortunately, he's a decent guy to hang out with."
"And the Ra Yellow he's facing is a colleague of my dorm, Brier.", Bastion pointed out. "I just hope he'll do okay when dueling against his opponent."
"By looks of the duel so far, Brier has the advantage in Life Points and Monster Control.", Jaden says while watching the continuation of their duel.
Round 4
Scott Lee (SL): 200 LP
(Scott Field)
Marauding Captain (ATK 1200 / DEF 400); 1 Set Card (Spell/Trap Zone)
Brier (B): 300 LP
(Brier Field)
Mad Sword Beast (ATK 1400 / DEF 1200)
"It's… It's my turn.", Brier drew his card.
Jaden, Syrus, and Bastion checked the card that he drew; the Spell Card, Earthquake. Brier was taking his time, either he would look at the opponent, or play his next cards.
"If Brier activates Earthquake, he wins.", Jaden confirms, leaving Syrus to doubt the claim.
"What makes you say that his Spell will make him win, Big Bro? Doesn't Earthquake make all monsters on the opponent side of the field change to Defense Mode? That way, Marauding Captain protects Scott Lee from Battle Damage."
"I'm afraid to admit; I have to agree with Jaden's argument.", Bastion concludes. "You see… Mad Sword Beast has an effect, that when it attacks a monster in Defense Position, it inflicts piercing damage."
"Eh… I forgot about that. That's helpful.", Syrus admits; he looks back at the duel with a curious face. "Hey wait, Scott has a set card. It could counter Brier's strategy, right?"
Jaden looked at Syrus, and then to Brier's skittish look. This brought back bad memories.
"Will you hurry up with this turn, Slowpoke?"
"Whatever you do it's useless, Ra Reject!"
"There's no way you'll win! Just surrender while you're at it."
This trash talk came from the blue students behind Scott, who stood silently looking at Brier. One of them was Albert, a familiar face to both Jaden and Syrus, in a bad way. Unlike them, Scott didn't mind if Brier was taking this long to make his next move. After all, they've known each other since middle school; he knows Brier has something up his sleeve.
However, he was also anxious to ask his fellow blues to be silent. Unless he wanted to make it worse for the both of them; Scott wished that these Blues would leave.
"T- Take all the time you want! I don't care!", he exclaims, acting tough.
"R… Right.", Brier said, while closing his eyes without thinking. "I'll have my Mad Sword Beast attack your Marauding Captain!"
Brier then opened his eyes back to reality, thinking back what he said… but it was too late to prevent his mistake. His spiky rhinoceros started running in the same direction where the swordsman stood.
"I'm sorry.", Scott murmured silently, revealing his set card. "I activate my Trap Card, Reinforcements; my Marauding Captain gains 500 Attack Points!"
Due to the Trap Card, the length of his Captain's sword increased in size, it got firmer enough to pass through Mad Sword Beast and slash it like it was prey.(ATK 1200 – 1700 / DEF 400)
The rhinoceros gave one last growl before getting destroyed, and Brier shielded himself from defeat.
(B: 300 – 0)
Duel's Result: Victory
The Victor: Scott Lee
"As I expected, Brier has stage fright, he needs more backbone.", Bastion observes. "He has skills that are certainly formidable; but when it comes to dueling, he panics and falls short."
"A real shame… he could have won.", Jaden admits, trying to look up at the defeated kneeling Yellow.
Scott stood silent in front of his defeated friend; he didn't know what to say that wouldn't make Brier feel worse from this loss. But his Blue colleagues weren't as discreet…
"Obelisk Blue seems like Heaven from your standard."
"Your performance was complete trash, I thought Ra Yellows were supposed to be near equal to us."
"You brought shame to your dorm, you fit better in Slifer Red!", Albert concluded with a mocking laugh, and so did his close friends.
Those comments caused Scott to grit his teeth, who watched Brier tremble and twitch in rage and embarrassment; looking at the conflicted Blue and mumbling "Traitor" under his breath.
Scott trying to be a good sport seemingly ignored the laughter and mockery from his fellow Obelisk students, carefully approaching Brier and extending him a hand.
"You played well, my friend. There's always room for improvement"
"You did this!", Brier spat to Scott, slapping away his hand and getting up by himself; leaving the trio on the bench staring in shock at his actions.
With a glare towards his victorious opponent and various venomous comments under his breath, he walked off from the arena. Not after looking one last time at the peanut gallery, which Jaden raised an eyebrow, the look was all too familiar, angry, and dark.
Jaden was all too well aware of what that look implied. But before he could contemplate further, he saw Brier approaching a tall strong Ra Yellow colleague who accepted him with open arms.
"Hey Big Bro. Don't you think that guy is big enough to be the Azure Giant?", Syrus questions concerningly.
"Beauregard? Seems very unlikely.", Bastion says. "Unlike Brier, he wants to be a game designer, not a duelist."
"You say that… but there aren't many guys that big and tall around here."
His comment made Bastion let loose a small chuckle, as if he thought it was a funny joke; However, Jaden being serious thought that Syrus had a decent point. Beauregard was tall enough for the description.
"You sense it, as well, Prince?", Yubel asked her partner; her tone of voice light but careful, while appearing behind him.
'Beaureguard doesn't carry the fighting spirit needed… but Brier on the other hand…'
"Ugh, sorry for what you saw there…"
A voice snaps Jaden out of his train of thought, bringing his attention to Scott Lee, who wasn't looking happy.
"I saw you three behind Brier when we had our duel. I was wondering if you were his friends."
"No, it's our first time meeting him.", Syrus answers. "Are you Brier's acquaintance? I saw the way he slapped your hand…"
Scott looking a bit depressed responded.
"It's been like this since middle school. Brier is skilled when dueling without an audience…"
Bastion hums curiously at Scott's comment.
"Brier did seem angry that the duel was more serious than intended. I'm guessing he started losing confidence when he saw and heard those three students spectating and mocking him?"
"It is as you say; If they didn't come in, I would've lost that duel. And I didn't mind if I lost to someone like Brier. But knowing that I won, because of his stage fright… it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.", he grasped his fists, his head looking down.
"I, Brier, and Beauregard used to be good friends. Being at the top is suffocating; high expectations everywhere…"
Jaden passes Scott by with a surprisingly stone-cold look on his face…
"Whether Brier is a good person or not? It doesn't matter if valuable cards are getting stolen and there's people are worried about it."
"Wait for me, Big Bro.", Syrus asks, Bastion following them too.
"Stealing… Cards?", Scott asked to himself, watching them walk away.
After hearing what Jaden had said, he felt the need to assist. Not just because of other Blues, but to make sure the culprit wasn't who he suspected.
Location: Ra Yellow Dorm; Time: 10 pm
Some students were sleeping at this time. One of the rooms of the dorm showed two students placing stolen cards on the floor.
Both Brier and Beauregard were preparing themselves for the next hunt.
"Damn it! Those Obelisk Blues always making fun of me.", the smaller student said with a glare. "They will pay!"
Location: Outside Duel Academy School
"Big Bro, is the Azure Giant going to show up tonight?", Syrus asks Jaden while sitting on a large stone on the ground.
"Sorry, Syrus. But I'm gonna need you to be quiet for a second.", Jaden says in a firm tone.
"I get that we were asked by the Chancellor, to find the Anti Rule Culprit… You didn't need to come with us, Scott.", Bastion wonders, staring at the Obelisk student next to them.
"This stuff is affecting my entire dorm; the other more irritable blues have been getting more agitated lately. The sooner we catch this guy, the less jerkish the other blues will be... I hope", he admits sheepishly before adding on. "Just personally hoping it isn't someone I know, if the Red Guy is serious..."
A huge shout could be heard, raising heads from the student's group. Jaden was the first one to run to the forests, with Yubel also appearing to follow him. Syrus, Bastion, and Scott noticed the Slifer boy running away and started following him.
The sight they were welcomed with was Albert kneeling on the grass, nearly tearing up about losing the Megarock Dragon, his rarest card.
Jaden walked close to him with a neutral expression on his face and asked where the culprit went. The victim pointed the way, making Jaden and Yubel run quickly to their target's location leaving their friends behind to get a better look at the Blue.
"… Why, in times like this, do I feel bad for this guy?", Syrus wonders while having a memory of the victim who once messed with him because he talked with Alexis to amend stuff.
"Do you know Albert?", Scott asks worried, Syrus sighing and looking away.
"Wish I didn't…"
"I have a bad feeling about this…", Bastion thought lending a hand to the tear-stricken Blue who reluctantly took it and got himself up, Bastion saw Scott and Syrus running after an uncharacteristically serious Jaden.
The Yellow stopped himself and handed the Blue a napkin to wipe his face and told him to get back to the dorm, they'd get his card back; before going after Syrus and Scott.
(with Jaden)
"Are you finally done running!?"
The Slifer student was wearing his duel disk over his arm, prime and ready, standing in front of the Azure Giant – a tall cloaked man; his head was covered with Obelisk Blue jackets and dark glasses, a giant duel disk over his arm.
Syrus, Scott, and then Bastion caught up with Jaden; Syrus being the first one sensing the tension between the two opponents.
"Big Bro. You sure this is a good idea?"
"No, you're not getting away with this, not this time!", Jaden declares, either brushing off or not hearing Syrus' concerns while pointing at his target. "Azure Giant, it's all over! Chancellor Sheppard requested us to bring you to him or security. Hand over the cards you've illegally gained and stolen. Stand down, turn yourself in, and no one gets hurt!"
"… And if I refuse?", the big guy rumbles, his voice deep and yet dripping with a mix of fear, apprehension, and unbeknownst to half the audience to this confrontation, a twinge of guilt.
Jaden felt Yubel's hand holding his shoulder gently while giving him a nod and a calming but knowing smile. The red sighed in understanding.
"You play by the Anti-Rule, don't you?", he says unnervingly calm as he pulls out a certain card from his slot. "I hear you're quite the treasure hunter, so here's a glance at my greatest treasure, Yubel."
Syrus was in a state of shock. How would Jaden offer his best friend to a challenge like this one? Not even HE had the guts to do so…
"It's okay, Sy.", Dee says calmly but yet tense all the same places her hand over his shoulder too, so that he could feel less worried. "Yubel wouldn't do this if she didn't trust Jaden. If she has to be bait for it to happen. She'll do it a thousand times with a smile on her face."
'But… But this doesn't look right.', Syrus shakes his head in denial. 'It's an illegal bet you're supposed to be afraid to risk.'
The Magical Girl gave him a soft smile while understanding what he meant.
"I understand your feelings. But Jaden and Yubel share the same sense of righteousness.", she then gave a serious look at their general vicinity. "Sometimes, you have to deal with the cards dealt to you."
Watching the card that Jaden was holding; whispers could be heard from the tall guy's ear.
"Very well! Don't regret it later."
The two duel disks were switched on, their red LEDs shining through the dark forest. Unlike the matches seen by the audience of this encounter, Jaden wasn't smiling or fired up in his usual way. His facial expression was angry and cold.
"You better give this duel your all, because I won't hold back.", Jaden says coldly, while placing his deck on the slot; the Azure Giant doing so as well.
"DUEL!", they shouted.
Turn 1
Azure Giant (AG): 4000 LP
Jaden (J): 4000 LP
"I'll start first. Draw!", the Giant picked up the card he drew and placed it on his disk. "I summon my Goblin Sage, in Attack Position!"
On his side of the field, merged a tiny green goblin holding a lamp scepter; a dark cloak that covered his eyes and head, wearing a dark-blue medieval costume. (ATK 100 / DEF 100)
(FM) Goblin Sage - Effect Monster/DARK/Fiend/Lv 1/ATK 100/DEF 100
If this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can add 1 Level 4 DARK Fiend from your Deck to your hand. During either player's turn (Quick-Effect): You can Special Summon 1 "Orc" monster from your hand, then equip this card as an Equip Spell that gives the equipped monster these effects:
- Once per turn, you can change its battle position.
- If it leaves the field by a card effect, destroy the Equip Card instead.
Syrus looked a good bit worried about the monster summoned. "A Duelist of this caliber, who's been eating Obelisk Blues for Dessert, summoning a monster like that? Something off here."
The Azure Giant picked through his deck while explaining his monster effect.
"The moment my Goblin Sage is summoned, I'm allowed to add a Level 4 DARK Fiend monster from my deck."; two set cards were revealed on his Spell/Trap Zone.
"I place two cards face-down and end my turn."
Jaden gave a tense look at the opponent's field so far; Yubel looked over as well to see if she could give any advice or console.
"Certainly tiny, but a cunning and duplicitous bunch this time, Princeling. I'd exercise caution here, are your resources ready?"
'I wouldn't wager your ownership if I thought I couldn't. Let's end this trespasser.', Jaden thought crossly, preparing for his turn.
Turn 2
AG: 4000 LP
J: 4000 LP
"It's my turn. Draw!", Jaden drew his card. "How unfortunate for you I started with this; The Spell Card, E-Emergency Call. It allows me to add the Elemental Hero Bubbleman from my Deck, and summon it straight to the field"
A mass of bubbles spews forth from the ground signaling a Hero's arrival, and said White Caped, Blue Armored hero burst forth ready to battle but without the goofy smile on his face but a look of concern. Whether it was for the opponent or his wielder was unknown. (ATK 800 / DEF 1200)
"Since Bubbleman was summoned when I controlled no other cards, I get to draw two cards."; the Slifer Red stated as he drew his next two cards from his hand. "Because now, I can activate my Spell Card, Gentle Charisma!"
(FM) Gentle Charisma – Normal Spell
Tribute 1 Warrior monster and discard 1 DARK Fiend monster; Special Summon 2 "Elemental Hero" monsters from your Deck, whose total Levels are equal to or lower than the discarded monster's Level.
"Now, by tributing my Bubbleman, and discarding my Yubel from hand, I'll Special Summon my Elemental Heroes Heat and Lady Heat!", Jaden explains while discarding his trusted Fiend monster to the Grave slot, and Bubbleman to vanish from his field; allowing two pillars of golden flame to spew forth on his field. Two heroes emerged from the golden fire.
The superhero emerging from the golden flames looked as if a luchador and a gladiator had fused. Posing with showmanship style arrogance and his clenched giant right knuckle raised high to the sky in support of his leader. (ATK 1600 / DEF 1200).
The heroine in contrast was posing more suggestively while dressed more akin to nobility along with the spandex, wearing glowing bracelets, and wearing a red skirt over her hips. Her eyes while playful were focused and resolute, itching to get into battle. (ATK 1300 / DEF 1000).
"Elemental Hero Heat has a Continuous Effect – for each Elemental Hero I control, he gains 200 Attack Points.", Jaden says as a self-made aura of orange flames burst from the hero in the dark forest like a person-sized candle, flames billowing as the muscles of his Hero grew bigger, tenser, and tighter from the effect (ATK 1600 – 2000 / DEF 1200)
Seeing the two monsters in play, Bastion and Scott were wondering two different things with a similar. The former was curious and a little on edge at Jaden's stark change from his usual dueling style, much less reckless than his usual playful aggression as seen with the public showing with Professor Crowler.
The former who saw Crowler's duel with currently not-so-jovial Slifer Student and who thanks to a friend in the Obelisk Blue Girl Dorm had seen Jaden's duel with Mindy where the Slifer was on the losing end despite trumping her at the last minute. For a minute their thoughts were the same. How much was Jaden holding back?
"I still wonder… why is he in Slifer Red?", the Ra Yellow pondered in significant confusion. "It's not logical to me, to see a lot skill and a good amount of tactical know-how here and there, high enough to take five mid to high-level Yellow Students at once I estimate rather easily."
"Tell me about it.", Scott agrees nervously mentally recounting Jaden's opening play. "And knowing how much this happened just from two Spells, tributing his Hero and discarding 1 Fiend monster. It's humbling…"
While the two shared their thoughts, Syrus was more silent in contrast to the two's chatter. He was mostly focused on Jaden's change of demeanor. What was he planning? And why this predatorily tactical approach?
Before he could think further... Jaden extended his hand for his next order.
"Lady and Gentlemen of the Heat, Let's begin the fight! Lady Heat, burn the Goblin Sage to cinders; 'Pyro Bullets'!", With a quick wave of her hands a swarm of bright yellow energy orbs comprised of fiery energy. With a single wave of her hand and a playfully fierce expression from the heroine; the orbs shot like bullets to the tiny monster.
"I play my Trap, Chittering Body Double.", the Giant flipped one of his set cards.
(FM) Chittering Body Double – Normal Trap
When an opponent's monster declares an attack on a "Goblin" monster: Special Summon 1 Level 1 Fiend monster from your Deck, then change the attack target to that monster.
"With this Trap Card, I Special Summon House Duston from my Deck.", next to the Goblin Sage erupting from the ground a tiny lodge that kept other Dustons from leaving it. (ATK 0 / DEF 1000)
"And instead of my Goblin Sage, your monster will now attack House Duston!"
The trap created a barrier for the smugly smirking Goblin that redirected the fire bullets to the shelter; destroying the unintended target and freeing the ghosts that were sealed within it.
"Any reason to have me take out the other monster?", Jaden asked tensely while waiting for the Giant's answer.
"… Just one. With House Duston destroyed, a group of 'Duston' monsters will be Special Summoned to both sides of the field, as long as we share the same number. I'll have 2 White Dustons on my field, in Defense Mode; while you'll have the Red and Green Dustons, in Attack Mode."
In between his Goblin, two floating tiny white hollows emerged in surprise, while shielding themselves (2 x (ATK 0 / DEF 1000))
As for Jaden; next to his two initially confused Heroes, appearing from thin air came a red snappy hollow, and a green immature hollow; causing Jaden and Yubel to wonder what the Giant had planned with the Dustons. (2 x (ATK 0 / DEF 1000))
"The Battle Phase is not done! My Elemental Hero Heat will attack your Goblin Sage. 'Hot Knuckle'!"
The Hero of the Heat enveloped his fists in flames while dashing toward the small goblin, who was still laughing at the hero's recklessness.
"My Goblin Sage won't be destroyed, 'cause I activate his effect!", the Giant answered, while picking a card from his hand. "From my hand, I Special Summon my Giant Orc; while treating Goblin Sage as an Equip Spell to that monster."
The sage quickly created a magic seal on the ground that was glowing white, the rushing hero increasing his speed to not be too late to take out the opponent's monster. He readied his knuckle to punch through the sage but was blocked by a giant bone being wielded like a club, its holder a gigantic muscular white Ogre with a bloodthirsty look on its face. (ATK 2200 / DEF 0).
This caused the hero to retreat by jumping back to Jaden's field, and the sage laughed at the hero's seeming cowardice.
"… No matter, I'll redirect my attack on your White Duston.", Jaden orders his Hero, making him punch one of the white hollows that were protecting the Azure Giant.
"Goblins are cunning as ever I see; using Orcs as part of their advantage.". Yubel concluded. "It was a setup, my Prince."
'It seems like it…', Jaden nods in agreement, but in a flash, a thought came to him with their uninvited guests. 'But what's the deal with the Dustons on our field?'
"Hmmmmm.", Yubel hums curiously but remembers something. "I never encountered these monsters before, but Dee has. They can be quite pesky if in the right hands."
'Then there's a way to find out.', Jaden thoroughly picked his cards to set on the Spell/Trap Zone.
"I'll throw down three face-downs, and end things here.", Jaden says. "During my End Phase, Lady Heat will activate her effect – for every Elemental Hero monster I control, you'll take 200 points of damage!"
The bracelets from Lady Heat started glowing while she aimed two charged fiery energy blasts at the Giant who was shielding himself from damage.
AG: 4000 – 3600 LP
Turn 3
AG: 3600 LP
J: 4000 LP
Awaiting Azure Giant's next turn, Jaden was wondering why was his opponent taking his time to pick up his next card.
"M-My turn! Draw…", he finally drew his card. "I play my Spell Card, Call of the Horde!"
(FM) Call of the Horde - Normal Spell
Discard 1 Level 4 DARK Fiend monster; Add 1 Level 1 Fiend monster from your Deck to your hand.
"I'll discard a Level 4 monster, and from my deck, I'll add another Goblin to play it; My Goblin Priest, Summon!", on his field emerged another green-skinned troll wearing a red cleric coat and hat, a solemn look on his face (ATK 200 / DEF 200)
(FM) Goblin Priest - Effect Monster/DARK/Fiend/Lv1/ATK 200/DEF 200
If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 Level 4 DARK Fiend monster from your GY to your hand. During either player's turn (Quick-Effect): You can Special Summon 1 "Orc" monster from your hand, then equip this card as an Equip Spell that gives the equipped monster these effects:
- At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card battled: You can add 1 Continuous Spell from your Deck to your hand.
- If it would leave the field by a card effect, destroy the Equip Card instead.
"Goblin Priest effect lets me add the Level 4 monster from my Graveyard.", the Azure Giant explained, adding a card from his grave slot to his hand. "Then, I'll activate his second effect – Special Summoning another Orc and Priest becomes its Equip Spell. Show yourself, Loyal Orc!"
The Priest raised his hand, the floor crumbling to reveal a gigantic green-skinned ogre, with a black long stuck beard and hair; wearing shoulder armor on his left and what seemed to be a mix of gauntlet and bracelet on his right arm. He was wielding a sledgehammer with a determined expression. (ATK 2100 / DEF 0)
(FM) Loyal Orc - Effect Monster/DARK/Fiend/Lv 4/ATK 2100/DEF 0
If there's a face-up Level 1 Fiend Monster on the field, your opponent cannot target another monster for attacks, except this card.
If this card attacks, it is changed to Defense Position at the End of the Battle Phase. It cannot change its battle position until the end of your next turn.
"I'll start the Battle Phase. Giant Ogre, attack Red Duston! 'Spinal Smash'!", the Goblin Sage smugly ordered his familiar ogre to ready his attack on the snappy red hollow; who seemingly looked frightened due to low attack power, but was secretly waiting to be attacked.
"You know what to do here, my Prince…", Yubel says resolutely.
'Got it', the Red flipped one of his set cards. "I activate my Trap Card, Two-Pronged Attack. This card lets me destroy Red and Green Duston on my field, to destroy Giant Orc on your side of the field!"
The Azure Giant grunts in surprise while watching the trap consuming the two hollows on Jaden's field and card channeling the energy of the two hollows into beams of red and green tinted energy being shot at the Ogre. But instead of the ogre being destroyed, the sage with great reluctance jumped into the path of the beams and got vaporized instead.
"... My Goblin Sage's effect activates; by sending my Equip monster to the Graveyard, Giant Orc gets away from your assault", he explains while showing the card and slipping it into his graveyard slot. Suddenly, the green and red ghosts started hovering around Jaden's field due to their effect.
"And how unfortunate for you, to destroy the Dustons on your side of the field, the consequences with haunt you", the Giant continued. "Red Duston will make you take 500 points of damage; while Green Duston will have you target 1 card in your Spell and Trap zone to return to your hand."
"Very well, then I target the Trap card I'll activate; Hero Recharge! This card lets me gain 1000 Life Points for each 'Elemental Hero' monster I control.", Jaden revealed his Trap, which sent it to the graveyard instead of adding it to his hand.
Due to his Trap, the two Heroes of his field took notice of Jaden's more subdued attitude in this duel. With an affirming nod toward each other and supportive smiles, enveloped Jaden in a soothing healing heatwave. Until, to the heroes' charging, the red hollow stunted the healing wave's effects by phasing through Jaden's body interrupting the process with a ghostly chill down his spine.
J: 4000 – 6000 – 5500 LP
"Since Red Duston left the field, my Giant Orc can still attack. Destroy Elemental Hero Heat!", the Giant ordered. Consumed by the anger of losing his goblin companion, the ogre shouted as he jumped to the Super Hero and with a great swing of his bone club. Smashed the hero flat on his front side unconscious and disappearing from the field.
J: 5500 – 5300 LP
"Last but not least, Loyal Orc! Attack Elemental Hero Lady Heat!", the green-ogre monster received orders from the priest goblin, as he ran to the zone where the heroine stood. She attempted to shield herself from the incoming attack, however the impact of the sledgehammer was too much for the heroine; as she was smacked down and destroyed, costing Jaden more Life Points.
J: 5300 – 4600 LP
"I activate my Trap Card, Hero Signal!", Jaden revealed his set card while picking his deck. "Since my monster got destroyed, I can Special Summon my Elemental Hero Stratos from my Deck!"
In place of the unconscious heroine landed the green and blue suit superhero with turbines on his back. (ATK 1800 / DEF 300)
"And when my Stratos is Summoned, I get to add a 'Hero' monster from my deck to my hand", Jaden declared, while adding the mentioned card.
"Loyal Orc equipped with Goblin Priest lets me activate its effect; since Loyal Orc battled this turn, I'm allowed to add a Continuous Spell Card from my deck!", the Giant explained, while picking a card to his hand.
"If I'm not mistaken; your Orcs will switch to defense mode since they fought this turn.", Jaden reminded while watching the two giant ogres kneeling and taking defensive stances to get ready for the trials ahead.
(ATK 2200 / DEF 0); (ATK 2100 / DEF 0)
"Fortunately… I was waiting for this to happen.", Azure Giant responds after some time, while revealing a card on his hand. "I added this Continuous Spell to my hand to activate it; Bond of Marauders!"
(FM) Bond of Marauders - Continuous Spell
When this card is activated: You can target 1 "Orc" monster you control; equip 1 appropriate "Goblin" monster from your Deck to that monster as a face-up Equip Spell.
Once per turn, if a monster you control is changed to Attack Position: Target 1 monster on the field; change its Battle Positions.
"Thanks to this Spell, I get to equip my Giant Orc with a 'Goblin' monster from my Deck… Second Goblin!"; the Azure Giant revealed the monster card and placed it in his Spell/Trap slot.
A small red-skinned goblin with an eye patch climbed on the back of the white-skinned ogre, showing an angry stare.
"Once per turn, Second Goblin equipped to Giant Orc can switch him to Attack Position!", he explained, while the tiny troll started shaking his towel on the back of the tired ogre so that he could get up with more strength (ATK 2200 / DEF 0)
"At this moment, Bond of Marauders' second effect activates. Since my Giant Orc was changed from Defense to Attack Position, my Loyal Orc changes to Attack Position as well!"
Due to the Continuous Spell effect, the Second Goblin passed his towel to the Goblin Priest equipped on Loyal Orc, and shook it as well on the giant's back; making the green-skinned ogre get up from his original position (ATK 2100 / DEF 0)
"And with that… I end my turn.", the Giant concluded, waiting for Jaden's next move.
"I see… so the Goblins are more than cheap bait.", Yubel hummed herself and to Jaden. "Teamwork. While the Orcs are weak after battle, the Goblins are the support needed for them to stay on the field lest they shatter like glass. Goblins might be weak, but when they're treated as Equip Spells for their partners… they're certainly formidable"
'Good Teamwork or not; it's unforgivable and a waste seeing a skilled duelist pull this stuff.', Jaden thought angrily, his hands clenching.
From afar, Syrus wasn't enjoying the duel. He wasn't supporting Jaden like he used to, nor appreciating the 'Hero' monsters he had summoned… he was wondering why was Jaden dueling more defensively than usual.
"Thinking deeply about my Little Bro's sudden mood swing, aren't we?", Dee asked him with a soft voice.
'Well. Something bothers me, a little. It's about the Trap he used before; the Two-Pronged Attack.', he explained silently. 'I thought his deck was focused on him protecting his monsters… not destroying them.'
"You're right into thinking that.", the Magical Girl smiled. "Alongside the Spell, Gentle Charisma; those cards aren't his – they belong to Yubel."
'Yubel's… Deck?', Syrus gasped surprised. 'Amazing… You Spirits use your decks too. That explains why you told me Yubel trusts Big Bro – Because she's fighting alongside him.'
Dee nodded with a smile but switched back to a serious look while watching Jaden about to start his next turn. Something was telling her something big was coming… meaning trouble.
Turn 4
AG – 3600 LP
J – 4600 LP
"My turn, I draw!", Jaden drew his card. "I activate the Spell Card, Legacy of a Hero."
(A) Legacy of a Hero – Normal Spell
While you have 2 or more Level 4 or higher "Hero" monsters in your Graveyard: Draw 3 cards.
"With this Spell Card, since I have more than 2 'Hero' monsters in my Graveyard, it lets me draw 3 cards from my Deck.", Jaden explained, while picking the top cards from his deck.
"And next, I summon my Elemental Hero Blazeman!", a blazing tempest on his field merged the orange suit Hero with his blazing fists in a fighting pose (ATK 1200 / DEF 1800).
"With my Blazeman summoned, I can add Polymerization from my deck.", he revealed the Fusion Spell and placed it on his disk. "Fusion Time! From my hand, I combine the powers of the Elemental Heroes Wildheart and Necroshade!"
A tanned-skinned man in tribal wear and a demonic-looking creature were summoned onto Jaden's field, with a low grunt the demon converted their body into a crimson and silver-tinted energy orb and shot itself into their fellow hero; enveloping the tribal hero in a sphere of dark green energy.
"Fusion Summon! Appear, Hero of the Cursed Arts; The spirits require you! Elemental Hero Necroid Shaman!"; The sphere burst and the energy disbursed and disappeared, but emerged a long-red-haired shaman wearing a demonic mask; his body littered with cursed tribal markings, his hand gripping a Golden Shakujō (ATK 1900 / DEF 1800)
"Necroid Shaman's effect activates, 'Cursed Customs'!", Jaden declares, his Fusion Monster chanting as waves of violet-tinged cursed energy peeling off his markings, said energy shavings blasting towards the Giant's field.
"By destroying your Giant Orc, I'll exchange it with another monster in your Graveyard! Like the Red Duston that you summoned to my field"
"… What the!?", the Giant gasped, seeing the white-skinned ogre in his possession rot at a quick rate, along with the red troll, the both of them screaming in agony as their bodies suffered blight and decay; when their bodies grew still and pale, they were replaced with a mortified red hollow who seemed much less snappy and more terrified as the stoic shaman brandished his staff. (ATK 0 / DEF 1000)
"And I'm not done yet…", Jaden continues sharply while holding three cards in his hand. "Here comes my second Fusion! I'll banish my Elemental Heroes Heat and Lady Heat from my Graveyard, using my Fusion Spell Card, Heat Crystals!"
(A) – Heat Crystals – Normal Spell
Banish 2 FIRE monsters from your Graveyard; Special Summon 1 FIRE "Elemental Hero" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck.
Thanks to the Spell Card, his two Fire Heroes appeared on the field; both taking a glance at Jaden and their concern rising that their friend's face was much colder for a split second they saw Jaden's normal brown eyes turn a dark gold before starting his fusion chant. The two heroes with some reluctance and little time to be concerned for Jaden's mental state pulled out two orange fist-sized crystals that contained a specialized flare created by their scientists.
With practiced ease quickly smashed the crystals together.
Causing a chain reaction where from a single orange spark the two heroes were consumed by a crimson flare. Said crimson flare shooting up out of the forest and the Duelists and their audience saw the flare in the sky akin to a firework creating a fiery version of the Elemental Heroes' signature symbol. And when it was done came back down to the field to introduce...
"'Flare of Brave Souls! May Passion Guide You'! I Fusion Summon! Burst Forth, Elemental Hero Inferno!"
As the flare disbursed emerged an orange, very muscular, and stoic Hero with fists enveloped in thick black and red magma, as well as the magma sun-like crest on his orange chest. His helmet and shoulders had glowing red crystalline spikes that represented the power of the two heroes who sacrificed themselves to bring him here. (ATK 2300 / DEF 1600)
(A) Elemental Hero Inferno – Fusion Monster/FIRE/Pyro/Lv 8/ATK 2300/DEF 1600
1 "Elemental HERO" monster + 1 FIRE monster
During a battle between this card and a WATER monster, it gains 1000 ATK until the end of the Damage Step. If this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard: Target 1 Spell in either player's Graveyard; add it to your hand.
Syrus caught the looks of concern and fear the two heroes had toward their wielder before they went through with their fusion process. Normally, he would admit how cool they looked when they fused like Scott was doing at the moment in duels with fewer stakes attached. But like the two banished heroes.
He and Dee noticed with apprehension Jaden's growing rage and further changes in demeanor. The anger is represented by the intimidating presence of the new hero he summoned. Thanks to the duel taking place at night in a forest the hero looked far more intimidating to the Giant. The hero to the Giant looked like a mix of an impassive golem and a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut of fire and retribution.
"Inferno, we have trash to burn.", Jaden states angrily while pulling a card from his hand. "I activate the Spell Card, Infernal Meteor!"
(FM) Infernal Meteor – Normal Spell
If you control a FIRE "Elemental Hero" Fusion Monster: Your opponent takes 200 damage for each monster they control. If you control "Elemental Hero Inferno" when this effect is applied, double that damage inflicted on your opponent instead.
You can banish this card from your Graveyard, then target 1 monster your opponent controls; change its Attribute to WATER.
"Since you control three monsters, this Spell would let you take 600 damage to your Life Points.", Jaden says as his look darkens even more as he continues the explanation. "However, since Inferno is on my side of the field, the effect damage gets doubled to 1200. Now, Burn."
The Azure Giant panicked as he saw a cluster of crimson crystals manifest in the Hero's right hand; with a seemingly impassive look and a quick yet methodical wave of their hand, flaming crystal shards with high levels of force were shot towards the intruder while the giant covered his eyes as many of the shards made contact.
AG: 3600 – 2400 LP
The consecutive impacts of the crystalline shards of fire knocked and charred each stolen Obelisk Blue uniform off, the attack knocking the giant off his feet and his mask flying off badly burnt when it landed on the ground.
Scott's mouth was agape with shock and with Bastion, his eyes widened in surprise, and with a small mutter of "No way" saw the revealed a certain gentle giant covering his face, while Syrus felt a shiver in his spine – something told him that he should've expected someone of Beaureguard's size to be the culprit.
"W-What do I do now!?", Beaureguard stutters frantically to the earpiece.
"Oh, so now you call him? Who's the brains of this operation?", Jaden responds impatiently. From the top of a nearby boulder, he saw Brier quickly jumping on top of it with an earpiece on his head as well.
"Took your time working up the nerve to show up."
"I wasn't supposed to be caught in the first place!", Brier counters fiercely, taking away the earpiece from his head and immediately running to his loyal friend Beaureguard, concerned for his well-being.
"Brier!? Beaureguard!?", Scott exclaims in disbelief. "Why are you two doing this!? HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS!?"
As Scott was trying to regain his composure it seemed Brier lost it and started shouting.
"Nice to see you too, Scott! What!? COME TO LAUGH AT ME AGAIN!?"
"What… What do you mean by…"
"There's no need to hide it from us, turncoat.", Brier ranted on, not caring at how confused Scott looked. "Ever since you joined the Obelisk Blues, you left me and Beaureguard behind in the dust. You knew I had stage fright, and had your fellow Blues show up in that duel, and start laughing at me so that you could have an easy win! BUT NOT ANYMORE! I AM DONE WITH YOUR CRAP!"
"Damn it, Brier. That's not my reality here.", Scott grits out in an attempt to defend himself, but his words sounded guilty coming towards his wayward friend. "I didn't call them during our duel, hell I didn't want them around. My thoughts went to the arena, which seemed like a good place to have fun dueling. You gotta understand me, please."
"... Understand, U-understand?", Brier mutters with venom in his tone and then he starts raising his voice to the point of almost shouting in anger. "How should I understand telling me that now? Beaureguard and I have been giving proper justice to those prep school clowns this whole week!"
That detail made Bastion, Syrus, and Scott gasp in shock. Not believing how come they didn't realize it sooner, or maybe it was too late for this incident to have a peaceful solution…
"You've been doing this… this whole week?", Scott questions, his body trembling as reaching a breaking point. "Why didn't you say anything? There were better ways out of this! And why?! WHY BRING BEAUREGUARD INTO THIS!?"
"I… Brier has spoken to me about his issues", Beaureguard says solemnly, but guiltily. "He trusted only me with this role. I wanted to keep him happy. I didn't want him to get hurt. What the Obelisk Blues are doing is wrong. So, I followed Brier's idea, and since I didn't have stage fright. I can be the body of the Azure Giant without shame."
When Beaureguard was finished with his explanation Brier took it as a cue to go on a tear-stricken rant.
"… I couldn't let you know about this. Because if we told you, you would stop us by any means necessary. Even if it meant dueling us to make it stop. So that you then would get praised again, by your fellow dormmates time and time. WOULDN'T YOU WANT THAT SCOTT!? TO BE THE HERO THAT EVERYONE NEEDS, BY STOPPING A FRIEND!"
"N-No.", Scott says shaking his head in shock and refusal. "No, No! I just wanted to give you a hand. The exams were coming, and I wanted to help you be better, that was all. Cause you're my friend"
"Then pipe down.", Jaden interrupts the conversation so that Scott can see his frigid stare. "This is getting us nowhere; this guy merely wants revenge for how he was treated. Let him have his way and more people and their cards will be hurt by him."
"Cards?", Brier questioned Jaden directly, not believing what he was hearing. "That's what bought you into this!? I get it now… you're Jaden Yuki, one of the people who befriended the Blues. Have you become their lapdog? Have you gone deaf, from all that happens outside your bubble? And you've come at night to catch us over pieces of paper with a picture attached. What if we just tore the cards up after each victory!"
"Then you better take back what you said…", Jaden growled out lowly, a type of pressure emitting from him… it felt frigid, sharp, and for a split moment for everyone a dark aura that was visible leaked out before disappearing. "Cause if one card is even slightly scratched, I will make you wish being jeered at was the worst of your problems."
"MAKE ME! If you're supporting those Blue Brutes, who want nothing more than to push people like us around; I'll make sure you're defeated so you can see REALITY!", Brier declares and then reposes himself.
Then a smile crept on his lips "My Loyal Orc protects our monsters; Because since there's a Level 1 Fiend monster on our side of the field, you can't attack other monsters except him!"
"Then what happens if he drowns?", Jaden questions with a dark snort while picking a card from his Graveyard. "From the grave, I'll banish my Infernal Meteor Spell Card to activate its effect; Your Loyal Orc will have his DARK Attribute changed to WATER."
On the floor where the green-skinned ogre was standing, suddenly became a puddle of cold water; the lively water suddenly covered the ogre's skin, while the monster was trying to dry himself up with the goblin's help as well.
"A Spell Card that needs Fire monsters, having the ability to change a monster's Attribute to WATER?", Scott thought aloud a bit confused. "What's the heck is going on?"
"Probably… it has something to do with a monster's effect of a sort.", Bastion thought for a few seconds. "Jaden wouldn't waste a shot like that"
"It's time to Battle! Inferno, Incinerate his Loyal Orc! FLARE BURST!'", he commands, his Fusion Monster impassively brings his hands together and sets alight a ball of shining orange billowing flame, letting it grow within his grasp. Then the hero placed it on his crest; suddenly, his chest brightened and sent forth a pillar of intense fire toward the orc.
"My Inferno's effect now activates! When he's battling a WATER monster, his attack points are increased by 1000.", Jaden states with his face impassive, his voice dripping with a clear tone of outright wrathful malice. The hero's fire changes to a dark violet signifying its increase in strength. (ATK 2300 – 3300 / DEF 1600)
The orc was instantly incinerated with a screech of pain accompanying their trip to the graveyard taking the goblin with him; while Beauregard acted quickly to cover Brier protectively from the violet flames, trying and failing to hide his screams of pain from the fire striking his back, as if they were real.
DG: 2400 – 1200 LP
"Beauregard!? You alright!?", Brier panically frets to his gentle giant of a friend.
"It hurts… a bit.", the tall boy grunts to hide the pain. "I can do this all night. What matters to me is your safety."
Scott's anxiousness grew uncomfortably to a fever pitch. It felt like it was his fault that the Ra Yellows who were his friends no matter what they or anybody else said responsible for multiple thefts, stuck with someone who seemed like he was going off the deep end with his monster. And his final question, just how was he able to make the attack real?
'D-Dee? That fire just now… was real?', Syrus anxiously thought to the female Magician, whose grit her teeth in self-loathing while trembling from a mix of fear and the pressure her brother was emitting with his anger for only a moment before pulling out her wand.
"Syrus… I'm going to need your aid in a moment", she said carefully to Syrus, who with a hesitant nod understood his role and closed his eyes. "We're on a time crunch here, but take as much energy as you can. I just hope that this next attack won't hurt as much as this one did."
Yubel was having a rough time being the dam blocking the dark energy that resided within the boy's soul. the aura billowing around him changing into a deep black. He glances at his other Fusion Monster, who is readying itself to follow the orders of its master.
"Necroid Shaman; skewer Red Duston! 'Golden Pike'!", the tribal masked Hero gripped his golden ritual staff tightly, leaping towards the red hollow that begged for mercy, the golden Shakujō shining in the moonlight about to hit its target and end this Duel…
DUEL PENALTY – 2000 Life Points
Bastion (B): 4000 – 2000 LP
"What!?", Brier and Jaden exclaimed at the same time for very different reasons, when they saw Bastion's Duel Disk lit up and ready for battle.
"Apologies in advance, but the duel isn't over.", Bastion declares resolutely while picking up a card from his hand. "I activate the Quick-Play Spells, Quick Summon, and Yokai Release!"
(FM) Yokai Release – Quick-Play Spell
If you control no Yokai monsters: Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Yokai monster from your hand.
(A) Quick Summon – Quick-Play Spell
Immediately after this effect resolves, Normal Summon/Set 1 monster.
"With Yokai Release, from my hand I Special Summon Gozuki!", Bastion placed a monster card on his disk; a muscular minotaur appeared next to the Red Hollow to reluctantly join forces while wielding a giant sledgehammer (ATK 1700 / DEF 800)
"… And next, by tributing my Gozuki, and Brier's White Duston, I tribute summon a Level 7 monster from my hand; Enma's Apostle, Red Ogre!"; the White Hollow that shielded Brier and Beauregard, and the minotaur close to the Red Hollow suddenly disappeared; becoming two sacrifices to bring forth a tall but relatively skinny Ogre with two giant horns on his head, while wielding a black spiky club on his back. (ATK 2800 / DEF 2100)
(A) Gozuki – Effect Monster/EARTH/Yokai/Lv 4/ATK 1700/DEF 800
Once per turn: You can send 1 Yokai monster from your Deck to the Graveyard.
(This card is a Yokai monster)
(A) Red Ogre – Effect Monster/FIRE/Yokai/Lv 7/ATK 2800/DEF 2100
When this card is Summoned: You can send your entire hand to the Graveyard; destroy an equal number of cards on the field to the number of cards sent to the Graveyard.
(This card is a Yokai monster)
"Red Ogre activate his effect; 'Hell's Inferno'!", Bastion snapped his fingers, making his giant monster jump to the air. "By sending my entire hand to the Graveyard, Red Ogre lets me destroy the same number of cards on the field I discarded with this effect; which means by discarding my remaining 3 cards to the Graveyard, I'll destroy your Elemental Heroes Shaman, Blazeman and Stratos!"
By doing so, the Red Ogre inhaled a large amount of air into his mouth and suddenly expelled a wave of hellfire to the field, destroying most of the monsters in Jaden's field, all but one, the Elemental Hero Inferno who looked almost immune to the Hellish flames ejected from that Ogre's smelly mouth.
"Why?", Jaden muttered sharply as his anger grew further, watching Bastion save his enemy, as if he had turned to be a traitor. The confusion grew as he growled out "Why did you do it?"
"Jaden, this has gone far enough!", Bastion declares with an iron resolve while pointing at him. "I should've seen this coming from the beginning of this duel. I can see that you're angry, but this will not help anyone. You're not dueling for the right reasons. You aren't dueling to protect anyone or having fun. You're dueling to hurt and gravely injure these two."
"OH, JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!", Jaden shouts his anger reaching a breaking point, shocking Bastion and everyone in the general vicinity with the response and letting his anger loose along with a wave of very cold pressure washing over everyone as Jaden continues his tirade. "If they get away now, they will continue to hurt more people and keep tearing families and friends apart! EVERY CARD HAS A SOUL! WOULD YOU LET THAT HAPPEN?!"
"… Not in the slightest. Because if that happens, I'll duel them next.", Bastion spoke calmly outwardly to rage-filled Jaden, seemingly brushing off the cold pressure but eventually, his will was dented a bit as he conceded thanks to one small but important detail. "Unfortunately, I have no cards in my hand to play; so, I can't do anything more than this."
"Unfortunate, you say…", Jaden angrily deadpans at Bastion, his anger simmering down significantly after the outburst. "Fine, I'll end my turn!"
Turn 5
DG: 1200 LP
J: 4600 LP
B: 2000 LP
"At least someone has their loyalties straight, but I won't forgive this guy for hurting Beauregard.", Brier declares, while watching his hurt friend struggling to get up and fight on. Brier seemingly on the outside was inwardly full of self-loathing for letting his friend get this badly hurt in his place.
"It's my turn, I draw!", Brier says drawing his card from his deck. "Beauregard gave just time for this card to come. I activate the Spell Card, Goblin King's Judgement!"
(FM) Goblin King's Judgement – Normal Spell
Send 1 Level 1 Fiend monster you control; Special Summon 1 "Goblin King" from your hand or Deck.
"Now, by sending my Red Duston to the Graveyard, the King of Marauders decrees his arrival! Come forth, Goblin King!", Brier placed the card on his disk; on his field, appeared a tiny green-skinned grumpy troll, with red vests and a tiny crown on his head (ATK 0 / DEF 0)
"A King of Thieves is still a lowly thief", Jaden states, his tone of voice bearing little to none of his trademark humor.
"Careful what you say, Jaden. After all, a monster is still a monster. No matter the appearance or the power.", Yubel commented on her host's situation and darkening mindset with a worried expression on her face, with her hand on Jaden's back trying to contain vicious energy unconsciously called upon through anger and rage.
Brier's angry face grew even more so pissed, seeing someone else dismissing his monsters for looking too weak. "You… You'll pay for thinking my Goblin King is weak. So, you know what? Here's a gift from me to you! Meet my Giant Duston!"
Jaden was suddenly welcomed with the sight of a ghastly giant purple hollow slithering onto the field, he looked like a Fusion of the Duston monsters that appeared in the duel so far. (ATK 0 / DEF 1000)
(FM) Giant Duston – Effect Monster/DARK/Fiend/Lv 1/ATK 0/DEF 1000
Cannot be Normal Summon/Set. Must be Special Summoned to your opponent's side of the field in face-up Defense Position, if you have 'House Duston' in your GY. Other monsters you control are treated as Fiend Monsters, also they cannot be Tributed, used as a Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz Material.
While you control another Fiend monster, this card cannot be targeted for attacks. During each of your opponent's End Phase: Destroy the monster you control with the highest ATK, and if you do, take damage equal to the ATK of the destroyed monster in the GY.
"Since I have the House Duston in my Graveyard, Giant Duston is Special Summoned to your side of the field! Making all your monsters Fiends!", Brier announces; Jaden sees his Elemental Hero Inferno suddenly have his mask morph into an Oni Mask, and his fists shudder and shift into sharp claws of hellfire.
"And that means that my Goblin King's effect activates! He gains 1000 Attack and Defense for every Fiend monster on the field, besides him!", the Ra student adds on, watching the tiny Goblin princeling suddenly transform into something befitting his true royal status with the large height and muscles to match. The goblin's chittering morphing into roars worthy of a king (ATK 0 – 2000 / DEF 0 – 2000).
"Elemental Hero Inferno is still stronger, but I take it you have something else waiting in the wings.", Jaden observes tensely due to him being wide open thanks to Bastion's interference.
"Oh, so the lapdog can beyond his arrogance. I activate my Spell Card, Duston Charge!"
(FM) Duston Charge – Normal Spell
If you control a Level 1 Fiend monster, and "House Duston" is in your Graveyard; Banish "House Duston" from your Graveyard, and if you do, Special Summon up to 2 "Duston" monsters from your Graveyard to anywhere to the field, in face-up Defense Position.
"Thanks to this Spell Card, by banishing my House Duston from my Graveyard; 2 White Dustons are Special Summoned from the Graveyard to my field.", Brier picked his 2 Normal Monsters and placed them on his duel disk; the two White Hollows emerging next to the Green Goblin, who was also getting stronger with the two extra monsters.
(2 x (ATK 0 / DEF 1000))
Goblin King (ATK 2000 – 4000 / DEF 2000 – 4000)
"And there's MORE… I flip over my Trap Card, Foolish Revival! With this Trap, I Special Summon Elemental Hero Stratos from your Graveyard in Defense Position!"
Jaden saw how the blue-suited Hero with the turbines on his back was suddenly summoned to his side of the field; and due to the Duston's continuous effect, his turbines morphed into bat wings, and his face was suddenly adorned with horns, marking his return to the field. (ATK 1800 / DEF 300)
"When Stratos is summoned on my field, I'll add a 'Hero' monster from my Deck to my hand.", Jaden did so, adding a card to his hand. But he then saw that by having another Fiend on his side of the field, the Attack of Goblin King got even higher.
Goblin King (ATK 4000 – 5000 / DEF 4000 – 5000)
"How's THAT now for a lowly thief!? This is what happens to those who underestimate and hurt Beauregard and me. We kept trying our hardest to prove ourselves, but we received NOTHING more than insults and disrespect from the Blues, the rank that we were trying to reach… if that's the conduct the school's best has, then they deserved being robbed at night."
"Just STOP, Brier! STOP!", Scott shouts to his wayward friend, who looked at him venomously. "I get it! You hate the Obelisk Blues, because they are what you're not! I also get that you're mad at me for ignoring you these past days, and I deserve the anger you have towards me. I should've known, and seen your pain sooner; It's not easier on the other side of the fence."
"… And what do you mean by that? Because I don't get it.", Brier questioned, his anger giving way to concern.
"What I mean is… That it's suffocating up there. Even though we tried our best at the beginning of the year and gave it our all, I got to meet many good Obelisk Blues this year... but a good chunk of them made it unbearable to be in the dorm at points. They kept looking at themselves as superior students, always trying their hardest to make the lower-ranked students look inferior. Not to mention a few are just as uncaring as Gerald when it comes to respecting a woman."
"Okay… that's disturbing.", Syrus admits with a shiver. He couldn't imagine how it would be if he had all those expectations weighing on him.
"So please, Brier… Please think about this. This is not me asking you to stop dueling, but I want to tell you that my arms are open. I DO miss you and Beauregard's company, because it's lonely in the blue dorm. Even when I'm in the company of various colleagues who want to show their skills and who don't deserve to be robbed at night, the same as I do; I still see you as my friend."
"I… It's too late to change my mind, Scott.", Brier shook his head. "If what you say is true... they NEED to understand our anger. They ARE the ones who need to feel the same pain that we suffered once. I WON'T FORGIVE THEM!"
The groans and roars from the Goblin King grew louder, and emitted more bloodlust; it signified Brier's anger. The brains of the operation were getting ready to shove it onto the opponent.
"Let's Battle! Goblin King, show them what you're made of! Pulverize Elemental Hero Inferno and unleash your 'Tyrant's Parade'!", now buffer and tougher than before, the muscular Goblin with a royal war cry strode forth towards Jaden's Fusion Monster the ground shaking with each step and threw a mighty fist into Inferno's chest, Inferno impassive face letting out a good bit of blood from his mouth and dripping out of his mask and a small pain stricken grunt accompany his trip to the Graveyard; while Jaden bitterly grunts in irritation at the situation he was in.
J: 4600 – 1900 LP
"This… is not enough to defeat me.", Jaden said, while his Grave slot started glowing. "My Elemental Hero Inferno will now activate his effect; Since it was destroyed and sent to my Graveyard, I can add a Spell Card from any player's Graveyard to my hand."
"… Only a lapdog would keep going after that. Then get ready for the worst; During my End Phase, the Giant Duston effect activates! It destroys the monster on your side of the field with the highest Attack Power!", Brier says gleefully, watching the Giant Duston yell a ghastly magical wail; Stratos futilely covered his ears as the ghastly soundwave rolled over the hero like a wave, but it led to the same result, their destruction. While Jaden grits his teeth and readies himself for the worse…
"And then, the Attack Points of your destroyed monster subtract YOUR Life Points!", Brier pointed at him and watched how Jaden grunted in pain from the unbearable soundwave of the ghastly wail as his life points were drained.
J: 1900 – 100 LP
Goblin King (ATK 4000 – 3000 / DEF 4000 – 3000)
When the attack finally let up, Jaden was still standing his ground but he was unnervingly silent as if all energy was drained from his limbs and his head down, his eyes obscured by his hair. This left the two of his friends greatly worried. Bastion noticeably regretted his choice to interfere when it led to this result. But Dee's face was one of pure worry for her brother.
'Is... Is h-he okay, Dee?', he hesitantly asks Dee; the Spirit had a feeling that Yubel had something important to attend to for Jaden's sake given sensing his energy was a headache at best and certainly worrisome at worst due to its angry feeling yet restrained stillness.
Dee knew Yubel was familiar with the state Jaden was in. Given she and Syrus couldn't see the Demoness anywhere.
"Syrus, is your Spirit Energy ready?", she inquired and saw the boy give a nod of confirmation.
'It's not too much, but I hope it works…'
Turn 6
DG: 1200 LP
J: 100 LP
B: 2000 LP
"That... was your last chance.", Jaden intones coldly to Brier; his limbs regaining their energy.
But his posture and body language were different, still angry but much calmer akin to an eye of a storm. The biggest difference was his eyes. A golden tint mixing with his normally brown eyes. Making his cold glare at Brier although more spine-chilling and even inhuman for the wayward Ra Student.
"W-What? With only 100 Life Points… finish me!?", he exclaims at Jaden's declaration, his fearful trembling betraying his fragile confidence.
"Your backup dancers can't save you this time.", the Slifer coldly states, the top card of his deck being drawn. "Let's end this!"
"N-No matter what you try, you can't lay a finger on my Goblin King. Because due to his effect, while I control my two Dustons, Goblin King cannot be attacked!", Brier stutters out and sees the two Hollows create a barrier surrounding the green muscular goblin.
"Your shield will shatter like glass thanks to the Spell added in part due to Inferno's effect. Let's activate it now, shall we? Legacy of a Hero, activate!", Jaden said while he drew three extra cards.
'Three cards. This duel is going to be reaching a close soon.', Bastion thought tensely to himself.
Jaden looked at the Giant Duston on his side of the field and knew something was wrong with it.
"I see… So, if I summon a monster on my side of the field, not only becomes a Fiend-Type but also cannot be used as material for a Fusion Summon.", he concluded, leaving Brier in a tight spot for him understanding his 'Summon-Lock Combo'.
"No matter. I came prepared either way, thanks to the monster I added with Stratos' effect!", Jaden placed the monster on his disk. "Since my Elemental Hero Necroshade is in my Graveyard, his effect lets me Summon a Level 5 or higher 'Elemental Hero' from my hand! Show yourself, Elemental Hero Crescent Crow!"
All of a sudden, a darkened silver mist crept into Jaden's side of the field signaling a Hero's arrival, a slim and limber-looking young man wearing armor that looked like a mix of the mythical dark knights and the very real plague doctors of the Middle Ages with three symbols of the moon in different phases with the full moon being on the top and the two crescent phases being the most prominent on the front of his armor. Adorned with a tattered and torn cape black as midnight attached to his back, the stern expression on the hero's face was obscured by a crow's mask. His arms were covered with black sleeves of cloth and at the end of the blackened iron were claws modeled after crow's feet. His fists clenched and tense. (ATK 2400 / DEF 1600)
When he made his appearance, due to Giant Duston's effect, a sadistic smirk grew on the King of Goblins' face as large gargoyle-like wings burst forth from his back, protruding proudly as the bloodlust grew further as time ticked passed.
Goblin King (ATK 3000 – 4000 / DEF 4000 – 3000)
(FM) Elemental Hero Crescent Crow – Effect Monster/DARK/Warrior/Lvl 6/ATK 2400/DEF 1600
When this card is Summoned: You can target 1 monster you control, except a 'Hero' monster; destroy it, and if you do, add 1 'Polymerization' or 'Fusion' Normal Spell from your Graveyard to your hand.
During the End Phase, if this card is in the Graveyard because it was used as Fusion Material of a 'Hero' Fusion Monster: You can destroy 1 monster your opponent controls, then your opponent takes damage equal to the Level of the destroyed monster x 300.
"My Crescent Crow is one of the pieces needed for the road of suffering; by destroying a non-'Hero' monster on my side of the field, I add a Fusion Spell card from my Graveyard."
The Giant Duston froze in fear when the ghost saw the Crow-like hero give a devilish smirk filled with malicious intent aimed at the ghost as his crow claws emitted the same golden light akin to the color of Yubel's fire from Jaden and Crowler's duel and the crow hero blitzes the giant ghost catching the hollow off guard and with a laugh akin to a demon from the depths plunges his moonlit-augmented crow claws into the spirit and as a spurt of green ectoplasm dripped down the hero's claws with the ghost crying in immense pain and fear as the spectral being slammed back first into the grass filled dirt. With a single measured grunt, he jumped and dragged the claws upward through the ghost painfully splitting the spirit in two and dissolving into digital pixels.
During this gruesome sight, Jaden adds the mentioned card to his hand.
"It's about time for us to dance into the abyss. Activate Polymerization! I fuse the heroes who embraced the darkness. My Crescent Crow, with Shadow Mist in my hand!", Jaden proclaims as he puts said card on his duel disk; revealing the pale elegant heroine of shadow joining in with the limber hero.
A sphere black as midnight appeared on the field and it instantly spawned forth two giant clawed hands made of dark energy. Shadow Mist with a look of worried resignation for her wielder jumped into the claw hand's embrace and was pulled into the sphere. While the Crescent Crow with a maniacal smile on his face gave a mocking salute to his wielder before being forcefully grabbed and pulled into the dark sphere. With the two heroes absorbed the sphere crackled with violet energy as a heroine is dark as the void between stars clawed her way out of the sphere of dark matter and stood with a quiet sigh leaving her lips.
"'The cries of the fallen beckon you; From the departed, I call forth! To punish all who worship Evil's Might!' FUSION SUMMON! The Heroine of the Abyss, Elemental Hero Escuridao!"
The sphere of dark matter was shattered into pieces heralding the new heroine's arrival to the field, four black wings burst forth dripping a black liquid that protruded proudly in service to her master as the pieces formed a smaller sphere of dark matter better connecting her wings. Her eyes dripped with anticipation yet neither resigned nor vengeful, her posture calm like a reaper (ATK 2500 / DEF 2000)
"For every 'Elemental Hero' monster that I have the Grave, Escuridao gains 100 Attack Points.", Jaden says with chilling calm in his voice, as his grave slot started revealing the souls of his monsters that shot toward the heroine increasing her power signify with a dark green aura as the heroine put a hand on her chest as if thankful for this power from her comrades.
"With eight souls joining strength, my Escuridao Attack is increased to 3300!"
Elemental Hero Escuridao (ATK 2500 – 3300 / DEF 2000)
"S-Such Stillness.", Bastion grunts from his spot. "That Hero Jaden summoned… is strange."
"Just... WHAT THE HELL IS THAT DEMON?!", Scott shouts in panic. The new heroine's appearance and almost cordial demeanor being disturbing for the Blue. He saw how badly hurt Beauregard got from Inferno's attack, he couldn't imagine Brier getting hit with an empowered attack from a monster of this caliber.
The Heroine of Tranquil Vengeance… Escuridao, the manifestation of Jaden's Darkness and Rage.
Looking at the last three cards in his hand, Jaden gave one last sharp glare aimed at only Brier as if glaring at his soul through his eye; one showing minuscule mercy but with a great deal of apathy as if Brier was merely just another day at the office…
"All you needed to avoid this was to stand down and cooperate. Nobody needed this duel.", the Slifer spoke sternly to Brier, but then gave a quick curt sigh to himself thinking it was worthless telling them now.
"But it's been a long night for us both. It's time to end this and no one will save you this time. I activate the Spell-"
"Big Bro, NO!", Syrus interrupted much to the surprise of three people in the field tackled Jaden, knocking them both down to the floor as he frantically squeaked out while trying his best to bear-hug Jaden. "W-Wake up already!"
"What the -?!", Jaden puffs out in frantic confusion on the grassy ground, but also trying to think of a way of trying to get Syrus off of him to finish the duel, but while he was occupied…
"Didn't expect Syrus to pull that. But you Little Bro have always held yourself to Yugi's standards...", Dee says in equal parts worry, dark amusement, and exasperation, making Jaden turn his attention to Dee who was floating above him, nearly face to face as she has only word to speak as she pokes a magically augmented finger on Jaden's nose. "Boop!"
"Sis -", Jaden barely got out before he was enveloped in a pink energy invisible to those not touched by spirits in a quick moment his world turned black as he suddenly passed out.
(In Jaden's Mindscape)
Nothing more than sinking in his mind, filled with nothing but deep emotions. He was feeling lonely; no signs of Yubel ever since he took damage from the last battle. Was she gone from him forever? He didn't want that. Floating in the darkness of the mindscape had a way of soothing an angry mind.
For Jaden, this had more of an effect on him than most individuals. As the raging haze faded from Jaden and his face softened, he finally noticed at a certain point that Yubel was missing during the duel. Shame filled his thoughts as Jaden gritted his teeth bitterly as the Slifer dreaded seeing her disappointment in him for letting this go too far.
They were watching him, weren't they? Jaden's embittered thought process then turned to his friends. What about Syrus and Bastion? They had front-row seats to that cruel poor excuse of a duel. He had hoped they would stay with him but he didn't have that much faith in his fortune.
It wasn't the first time Jaden saw a crowd of people running away from him. Calling him a psychic fiend. A duelist-freak. A horrendous monster… Maybe Jaden deserved this pain.
In an uncommon but familiar sight for the Slifer Red, especially in his memories. Before Yubel, Yugi, Tea, and all their friends had to pick up the pieces of a wounded child recovering from tragedy and trauma.
Before a certain monster in white ruined his life. When his parents were… still around. A crowd of kids ran away from him at a playground, whether it was at a park or a school he couldn't quite remember. Some of the faces were even somewhat familiar to him but other faces faded, screaming and panicking all the while during a hot point of what he'd come to know later on thanks to him being the adopted son of Yugi Muto and him being a curious kid. As a rising phenomenon of natural-born psychics later on.
He was mistaken for one on various occasions but it usually led to the same result… him being alone. His shame choked him akin to an all too familiar tight collar as golden chains wrapped around him, watching a crowd of people fleeing from him as familiar smoke crept through the area…
"Jaden.", a soft voice rang through the mindscape causing the dark manifestations of Jaden's mind to quickly retreat into the black as Dee calmly approached. "Easy, Little Brother. It's just me."
"D-Dee? Haven't seen you do this since I was little. I thought you couldn't do it anymore; But how?"
She smiled. Wondering how Jaden could so often forget her prowess in the Arcane Arts. Sure, she had stagnated in her abilities for a long while and needed Syrus' energy to do the deed this time, but she was the Dark Magician's top apprentice for a reason.
Her internal pride felt dented as she thought pridefully as she recalled her feat of connecting not just Syrus' soul but Alexis, Jaden, Mindy, and even Zane's souls to Jasmine's to let her feel their warm and supportive emotions in the form of her monsters to give her an emotional pick-me-up when her duel with Gerald went nearly belly up. But now wasn't the time for showboating like the average Stage Magician from the High-Class cities.
"Your mind has seen better places, Little Bro. It's a bit darker than usual.", Dee observes while giving a calm but worried smile to her adoptive brother to comfort him, but feels she had to give him some of the riot act of the night. "But for Osiris' sake, you made Syrus freak out and you nearly injured your opponent. While I'm flattered at your declaration, we Duel Spirits don't always need someone to fight for us."
"He… Sy shouldn't have done that.", Jaden regretfully says to Dee, his face sullen. "I wanted to get the duel over with and forget tonight, you know how I am with the Anti-Rule."
"Dang it, Little Bro...", Dee softly flicked the Slifer's forehead, making Jaden instinctively rub it protectively. "But Syrus doesn't know, I sensed his fear and gradual panic over you. Since lunch even, he's a surprisingly perceptive little guy. You can't keep everything from him and your other friends forever and eventually, you'll be forced to. I know it's your tale to tell but maybe open up a bit more Jaden, so they can understand."
"… Yeah, it's only the most traumatizing event of my life so far. Far too easy for me to talk about." The Slifer Red grumbled to his Magician sister who sadly sighed at her brother's prickliness on the subject of his past, but understanding why due to the traumatic nature of them.
After he made the bitter quip, he felt the darkness in his mindscape soften and lessen in intensity causing it to be a bit brighter, which immediately brought him the question of Yubel's whereabouts.
Jaden didn't need to say a word, as Yubel put her hand on his head and surprised him by ruffling his hair a bit with a relieved smile on her face.
"Couldn't be too hard, Princeling.", the demoness comments wanting to join in and continue the conversation, walking with a huff. "Having people to talk to and share the weight would be a boon, the might of the mind and magic alone can't hold off all burdens forever."
"Y-Yubel!", Jaden stutters with tears in his eyes as he tightly hugs the gentle demoness as if afraid, she'd vanish away. But due to his shame, he felt unable to look at her in the face due to his loss of composure. "Yubel, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I screwed up big time."
"Everything's fine, no permanent damage done, Jaden. But you have one last thing to do before you let the Sandman take you.", the demoness muttered softly caressing Jaden's hair, as Jaden started to wake up.
"While the opponent isn't innocent, you are my King and you must take responsibility in some way or form but let your sister and friends help you?", she states to the waking Jaden before glancing at Dee one more time as the Mindscape got brighter. "Tomorrow, there'll be a lot to talk about."
"I'll take my leave then…", Dee waved, as she left to get closer to her apprentice.
(Back on the Duel)
Whatever happened that made Jaden pass out by a tackle from Syrus of all people. An awkward silence hung through the forest air and then Jaden woke up and shook a scared Syrus off of him.
Giving a remorseful look towards his deck, and then the solemn but stalwart Escuridao for dueling so viciously. Then to Syrus, for brushing him off and not being a good friend to him all day. And finally, to Brier and Beauregard, and seeing his younger self and Yubel in their shoes in regards to what they'll do for each other.
The sullen Slifer Red gave a tired sigh toward the current state of affairs.
"Guess I made quite the mess.", he tiredly mused aloud.
He took a look at his cards and the last three were Stop Defense, De-Fusion, and Fusion Recovery; he then put them back into the Deck Slot. With an apologetic but tired look towards Brier and Beauregard, after a small chuckle, the Slifer Red says...
"Heh, I know a sorry will be kinda useless right now, due to how I and many Obelisk Blues treated you both on and off the arena. As my apology, this duel is yours. I surrender."
To prove his sincerity to the incredulous Ra Yellows, he pressed the button of his duel disk; declaring his Forfeit of the Duel. And his Elemental Hero Escuridao faded away with a look of bemusement on her face.
Duel's Result: Forfeit
Forefeit: Jaden Yuki
Duelist Left – 2: Azure Giant, Bastion Misawa
"W-What just happened?", Scott questions incredulously, while approaching Syrus who was just as surprised by Jaden's actions. "What did you do to him?"
"… I-I kinda hugged him tight enough to knock him out, and the micro-nap cleared his mind... I think?", Syrus says while excusing himself to hold up a woozy Jaden.
"Bastion, you got this," Jaden says before needing Syrus' help to stand again as Bastion has to step up.
The students who were left in the forest duel were Brier and Bastion. Brier walked close to Beauregard and helped him get up after the damage that he took from Inferno's attack that almost burned a good chunk of his uniform along with the clothing of many of their victims. Beauregard may need a new uniform soon…
"Gentlemen…", Bastion politely spoke to the duo interrupting Brier's train of thought while standing in front of him. "I believe we've been spooked enough for one night? I believe you know what you need to do"
Brier with a face that was a mix of small relief, great incredulity, and a good bit of guilt now the adrenaline wore thin, pressed a button on his Duel Disk to forfeit as well. The holograms faded as well.
Duel's Result: Forfeit
Forefeit: Azure Giant
Winner: Bastion Misawa
"… I get it. This is what you want, right?", the little student mutters bitterly handing over the Megarock Dragon card from his pocket; he then turns his face around to Beauregard, to hide his tear-stricken face. "If you two want the remaining cards, they're at the Yellow Dorm, in our room. I know where they are and don't worry, they're not damaged."
"You're okay, Brier...", Scott spoke while walking towards the Ra Yellow, and placed his hand over Brier's shoulder; the little guy was unresponsive to him. "I'm… I'm sorry, Brier. I've been a neglectful friend because I wasn't brave enough to ask you two for company. Since last week a lot of other people had to pay the price, so I accept the anger you'll throw at me as long as you and Beauregard are willing to talk to me again."
"If that's the case…", Bastion with a serious expression on his face and his arms crossed. "Tomorrow morning, Chancellor Sheppard will have this Azure Giant problem solved. I would come if I were you, Scott. It's your call."
The students shook their heads or finally passed out in Jaden's case and walked away from the forest as well back to their dorms. All except one, Bastion all by himself, while looking at the stolen card, and then giving a glance at Jaden's unconscious form being carried away by Syrus to the Red Dorm.
"Jaden's sudden flip in behavior and tactics. And that aura we saw for a moment.", Bastion thought out loud to himself about these occurrences and recent events. "I shouldn't be thinking like this but it's… exciting yet concerning? What is Jaden's code? And do I really want to open that Pandora's Box?"
– TO BE CONTINUED –