Chapter 14: ?: Rising
Summary: A novice duelist comes into their own to face a daunting challenge.
After returning Torrey and his friends to their dorm they woke up believing the "Jinzo incident" had been a dream, but had been scared enough to swear off summoning Duel Spirits. It's been a few weeks after the incident, and in that time a few interesting things had happened. The academy's star tennis player challenged Jaden to a duel, with the winner becoming Alexis's fiancée, Jaden accepted and beat him not fully understanding what fiancée meant. Sometime after that Chumley, Jaden, and Syrus had been charged with finding and apprehending the "Duel Giant" that was claiming cards from Obelisk students in ante duels.
The "giant" turned out to be two Ra Yellow students that had been bullied by the Obelisk Blue students. They had anxiety problems, one stage fright, the other just a general social anxiety, they dueled as the Duel Giant to get back at their bullies in a way that they couldn't as themselves. Feeling bad for them after winning the duel, Jaden let them go and they returned the cards they won.
The last interesting incident to have happened in the last few weeks involved an Obelisk Blue student turned card drawing Tarzan named Damon. He was supposedly so bad at drawing cards he never won a duel, and he went to learn to get better at drawing cards by living in the academy forest and drawing his cards from a waterfall of all things. He was sneaking into the Card Shack at night to test his skills by successfully drawing the Golden Egg Bread from the Draw Bread bin. Jaden dueled him and reminded him you can't always know what you're going to draw or draw good cards and Damon started attending classes again.
After all that we find ourselves at today in the Card Shack where Syrus is dueling with a Ra Yellow student using a copy of Dr. Crowler's deck. Syrus has his Gyroid and a facedown card on the field, with 8000 life points. The Ra boy has Ancient Gear Golem on his side, with 4700 life points left. "Woah what's going on?!" Takashi turns around hearing Jaden's excited cry and sees him and Bastion move to the front of the crowd.
"I was wondering when you'd get here Jaden." He then waves to Bastion. "Hello Bastion." Bastion waves back as Jaden shoves past a couple people excitedly to get a better look at the duel going on.
"So, why's Syrus dueling that Ra guy?" Bastion interjects.
"His name is Dimitri." Jaden keeps looking at the duel excitedly.
"Ok. Why's Syrus dueling Dimitri?" Takashi turns to look at Jaden.
"They're dueling for the last ticket to see the Yugi Moto exhibit tomorrow." Jaden looks excited at hearing that.
"You mean the one where they will display Yugi's actual deck?!" Takashi nods and Jaden gets more excited before a part of what Takashi said finally sinks in switching to despair. "The last ticket?" Takashi smiles calmly at Jaden.
"He's actually dueling to get the ticket for you." Jaden quickly switches back to excitement.
"Really for me?!" As he asks that Ancient Gear Golem attacks Gyroid, due to its effect Gyroid survives the attack but Syrus still loses 2000 life points bringing him down to 6000. Takashi smiles amusedly at Jaden.
"Yes, for you. Syrus figured with how little you plan ahead; you'd forget until they were all sold out." Jaden chuckles embarrassedly at that as Takashi continues. "Alexis and Bastion bought theirs a head of time, Mr. Pegasus gave me mine, and Syrus was given his by Ms. Dorothy for all the work he's been doing at the Card Shack." As Takashi says that Dimitri starts laughing as Syrus starts his turn.
Talking in an imitation of Dr. Crowler, Dimitri points his finger at Syrus. "You may have had me on the back foot so far slacker, but with my ace monster Ancient Gear Golem, your fate is sealed!" Syrus draws his next card and just smiles.
"I don't think so Dimitri! I activate Power Bond from my hand and fuse the Steamroid in my hand with my Gyroid! To summon Steam Gyroid!" Steam Gyroid appears and has its attack doubled.
Steam Gyroid Atk: 2200x2=4400
"And now I'll activate Limiter Removal to double his attack points again!"
Steam Gyroid Atk: 4400x2=8800
Dimitri steps back in fear as Syrus calls out his attack. "Go Steam Gyroid! Train Twister!" Steam Gyroid attacks Dimitri's monster taking out the rest of his life points. Dimitri falls to his knees in despair as Syrus celebrates and collects the last ticket from Ms. Dorothy and running up to Jaden with it.
"Look what I got you, bro!" Jaden grabs the ticket excitedly and then picks up the smaller Syrus in a bear hug, picking him up off the ground swinging him around in thanks as Syrus just laughs. As this is going on Takashi watches the depressed Dimitri on the ground as the crowd disperses whispering about a Ra Yellow student losing to "One of the weakest of the Slifer Reds" Feeling intense feelings of despair he's about to step forward but Bastion beats him to it.
"That was a good show Dimitri! Don't take what they are saying to heart, Syrus has been improving by leaps and bounds lately!" The feelings of despair become tinged with anger as Dimitri picks himself up and talks in his normal voice.
"Save it, would you! I don't need pity from the "Star of Ra Yellow"!" Bastion is taken back by this response. Jaden and Syrus have also stopped celebrating watching the interaction with shocked expressions.
"But I just meant you are very skilled you just haven't fou-" Dimitri cuts him off.
"Shut up!" He brushes past Bastion bumping his shoulder with his own. "I'm out of here!" Bastion, Jaden, and Takashi look at Dimitri's retreating form with concern while Syrus has an unreadable expression.
/RFSXPL/
Chumley, Jaden, and Syrus are hanging out in their room, Bastion having gone to his dorm and Takashi having turned in for the night, chatting about the exhibit tomorrow.
"I can't believe we get to see the King of Game's real cards!" Chumley and Syrus chuckle at Jaden's giddiness. Syrus grins at Jaden.
"I'm just glad I thought to buy you a ticket when I realized we were down to the last one." Jaden grins as Chumley gets a curious look as he looks at Syrus.
"So how has been working at the Card Shack?" Syrus gets a smaller smile at that.
"It's been a good experience. I'm just glad I convinced Ms. Dorothy to let me work there part time for booster packs." Jaden looks curiously at Syrus.
"You never did tell us why you started working there for them, instead of just using your allowance." Syrus looks confused.
"I didn't?" Seeing them shake their heads Syrus chuckles embarrassedly. "I guess it slipped my mind. Well for two reasons really, the first reason is because I wanted more packs to try to beef my Roid deck with than I could afford with just what my parents send me. The other reason…" Syrus lowers his head in thought as he trails off. Chumley and Jaden lean in to hear the answer.
"The other reason?" Syrus looks up with a determined look.
"I also wanted to learn responsibility and earn my cards!" Seeing their inquisitive looks he continues in more somber voice. "I know Takashi's mother henning is just how he shows that he cares, but I just couldn't stop thinking about how much pressure that must be." Chumley and Jaden nod at this.
"Yeah, he always takes it so hard when any of us get in trouble. To kind of an unhealthy level." Jaden crosses his arms closing his eyes.
"I've kind of felt the same. As much as he lectures us after we get into trouble, I always felt he was madder at himself than he was us." Syrus nods getting some confidence back in his eyes.
"Yeah, that's why I got the job! If I can be a little more responsible maybe he won't worry as much!" Jaden opens his eyes and grins, slapping Syrus's shoulder.
"Good on ya Syrus! And speaking of responsible, let's get some sleep so we can be the first ones to see the exhibit tomorrow!" With that said the boys settle down for the night, unaware that they are about to get an up-close look at Yugi's deck before the night is over.
/RFSXPL/
Chumley, Jaden, and Syrus are suddenly woken up by a frantic knocking on their door. Syrus getting down and stumbling to the door. He is instantly awake when he opens the door and sees a sweating Dr. Crowler. "Dr. Crowler?!" This gets the other two's attention whose heads snap to the doorway. Dr. Crowler puts a finger to his mouth shushing them.
"Yes yes, it's me!" He pushes his way past Syrus and begins pacing in the room. Jaden raises an eyebrow at this.
"Not that we're not thrilled to have a teacher in our room in the middle of the night, what's going on teach?" Crowler pauses his pacing and whirls around on the boys.
"Yugi Moto's deck is gone!" That gets the boy's attention immediately as they all shout.
"What!" Crowler shushes them again thinking to himself.
"I can't let anyone know this happened under my watch. I'll use the slackers to find the deck, and if necessary, find a way to pin the deck's disappearance on them." Crowler nods calming down with a plan in mind. "Yes stolen, and after finding and getting the Duel Giant to return the cards he won, I'm putting my faith in you to find and return the deck."
As Crowler pays attention to the boys again he sees they are already finishing getting dressed. Jaden nods rapidly. "Yeah, yeah whatever you say teach! Come on guys I just messaged Bastion and Alexis, let's grab Takashi and get going!" Hearing mention of intelligent and respected students like Alexis, Bastion, and Takashi causes Crowler to panic.
"W-Wait now slackers, we don't need to get others involved!" As he says that the boys have already left, leaving him alone in the room. Slumping in rejection Crowler cries to himself. "I'm doomed."
/RFSXPL/
The group had met up by the area where the exhibit will be held and split up. Chumley and Takashi went to check the surrounding forests, Alexis and Bastion went to check around the dorms, and Jaden and Syrus went to check the dock and shores. Checking around the rocky outcrops on one of the shores Jaden and Syrus saw a familiar Ra Yellow student standing on one of the furthest rocks looking out towards the ocean. Syrus yells out to him.
"Hey Dimitri! Have you seen anyone suspicious running around?! Someone stole Yugi's deck!" Dimitri chuckles at that, in a deeper tone than his normal voice making the boys wary.
"I don't know a Dimitri, but I can promise the deck wasn't stolen." He turns around confidently, now wearing a tattered green scarf and bandana around his neck with a picture of the millennium puzzle on it. "My deck is right here! I just felt like holding onto it again!" He lets out a laugh and the boys now realize he's doing an impression of Yugi Moto. Jaden steps forward with a glare.
"I don't know what you think you're doing Dimitri, but that deck doesn't belong to you!" Dimitri smirks.
"If you are going to insist this deck doesn't belong to me, duel me! If you win, I will concede the deck to you, but if I win you must admit that I am Yugi Moto, and the deck belongs to me!" Jaden steps forward to accept the challenge when Syrus shouts.
"Wait!" Jaden looks at Syrus confused.
"What's up Sy?" Syrus takes a deep breath and steps forward.
"I know how much you want to duel against Yugi's deck. But please, let me do it!" Jaden looks stunned.
"Huh?" Syrus sighs before looking up determined.
"Please let me do this. I know how amazing you are bro. You, Takashi, Alexis, Chumley, and Bastion have shown what great duelists you are. I-I need to see if I can stand beside you guys, and I can't think of a better way to test it than against a legendary deck like this! So please!" Jaden looks at Syrus in awe.
"Syrus." Syrus stares up at Dimitri with a stern gaze.
"I also have something I want to show him." Jaden snaps out of his awe and gives a nod with an encouraging grin.
"Alright Syrus, I'll leave this to you. Besides I'd rather my first duel against this deck to be against the real Yugi!" Syrus gives Jaden a grateful smile.
"Thanks bro!" He turns to give a challenging look to Dimitri. "Did you hear that?! I'm your opponent Dimitri!" Dimitri gives a confident laugh.
"I still don't know who this Dimitri is, but I'll accept your challenge! Syrus, was it?" Syrus rolls his eyes.
"Yes, it's Syrus. You already know that." With another laugh Dimitri activates his duel disk.
"Well then Syrus are you ready?" Syrus says nothing and activates his duel disk.
"Duel!"
Syrus's Hand- Limiter Removal, Steamroid, Vehicroid Connection Zone, Submarineroid, Polymerization
Dimitri's Hand- Gamma The Magnet Warrior x2, Alpha The Magnet Warrior, Skilled Dark Magician, Monster Reborn
Syrus draws Pot of Greed. "I'll go first Dimitri and start with what I just drew, Pot of Greed!" Syrus draws another Steamroid and another Pot of Greed. "Now I'll play a second Pot of Greed that I just drew!" Syrus draws Shield Crush and Gyroid. "Then I'll summon Gyroid in attack position!"
Gyroid Atk / Def: 1000 / 1000
Syrus sets Shield Crush facedown. Syrus then looks at his hand thinking. "If I didn't set it down, I would have had to discard it, at least this way I can at the very least use it as bait for any spell or trap destruction." Giving Dimitri a stern look Syrus calls out. "I set one card facedown and end my turn."
As Syrus ends his turn Alexis, Bastion, Chumley, and Takashi run up to Jaden having gotten a message from Jaden informing them what's happening. Takashi is the first to say something to Jaden.
"Did we miss much?" Jaden shakes his head.
"No Syrus just finished his first turn." Alexis looks at the duel worriedly.
"I know Syrus has been getting better since Jaden's duel with Zane but are we sure he can handle a deck this legendary?" Bastion crosses his arms closing his eyes.
"It is a concern. Syrus was able to beat Dimitri when he was using Dr. Crowler's deck, but the deck of Yugi Moto is another thing entirely." Chumley looks nervous but Jaden and Takashi watch the duel without concern.
"I know he can do this." Jaden looks at Takashi. "He's got something to prove to himself after all." Takashi gains a look of understanding and smiles at Syrus.
"You got this Syrus!" Syrus turns at the shout and looks in surprise at the new arrivals before smiling as he registers Takashi's words.
"Thanks!" Dimitri lets out a boisterous laugh.
"A moving moment of friendship, it reminds me of my friends and our powerful bond!" Dimitri draws Berfomet. "Sadly, it won't be enough to beat me! I summon Skilled Dark Magician in attack mode!"
Skilled Dark Magician Atk / Def: 1900 / 1700
"Now Skilled Dark Magician attack his Gyroid!" With a wave of his staff Skilled Dark Magician ends a wave of dark energy that Gyroid pushes against as Syrus shouts.
"Once per turn Gyroid can't be destroyed by battle!" Dimitri smirks.
"That may be true, but you still take the damage!" The wave of dark magic splits on Gyroid and hits Syrus.
Syrus's LP: 8000-900=7100
"With that I will end my turn, best of luck Syrus." Syrus raises his eyebrow at that and draws another Submarineroid.
Alexis points at Dimitri with a confused expression. "Why is he talking like that?" Jaden sighs hearing that.
"I guess I forgot to mention that in the message. Dimitri is insisting he's Yugi Moto and the deck rightfully belongs to him." Alexis, Bastion, and Chumley look at Jaden with deadpan expressions. Bastion speaks up with a tired voice.
"You're joking right? He often likes to act like the people whose deck he's using, but acting as if he is the person is new." Takashi narrows his eyes feeling Dimitri's erratic emotions.
"I'm not 100% sure it's an act to him." Syrus continues his turn.
"Thanks, I guess. I play Polymerization to fuse Gyroid on my field with Steamroid in my hand! Full speed ahead, Steam Gyroid!" A spell counter is added to Skilled Dark Magician when Polymerization is played, causing the orb on his right shoulder to glow. Gyroid and Steamroid are then sucked into a vortex and Steam Gyroid emerges propellers spinning at full throttle.
Steam Gyroid Atk / Def: 2200 / 1600
Dimitri takes a step back and letting out a dramatic gasp. "Steam Gyroid has enough power to destroy my magician!" Syrus sighs tiredly before giving a determined look.
"Go Steam Gyroid attack his magician with Train Twister!" Steam Gyroid's whistle sounds off as they form a tornado with their propellor that they ride to slam into Skilled Dark Magician shattering him.
Dimitri's LP: 8000-300=7700
Dimitri grunts at the loss of life points. "Very impressive Syrus but it won't be enough to beat me!" Dimitri laughs in his imitation of Yugi's voice causing Syrus to sweatdrop.
"Yeah, sure. I end my turn." Dimitri draws Dust Tornado.
"I don't have anything that can beat Steam Gyroid yet. I'll simply have to stall for now." With of a dramatic wave of his hand Dimitri calls out. "You certainly have me in a bind Syrus, for now I will set one monster and one card facedown and end my turn!" Dimitri sets Dust Tornado and one copy of his Gamma The Magnet Warrior facedown ending his turn. Syrus stares at Dimitri with a stern stare.
Gamma The Magnet Warrior Atk / Def: 1500 / 1800
"Dimitri is clearly off his rocker, but he still has the deck of the King of Games, I can't afford to let my guard down, remember what Zane said, 'Respect your opponents.'" Syrus draws Gyroid. "I summon Submarineroid in attack mode!"
Submarineroid Atk / Def: 800 / 1800
"Now Steam Gyroid attack his facedown monster with Train Twister!" Steam Gyroid slams into the facedown card that flips to reveal the pink magnet warrior before it shatters.
Gamma The Magnet Warrior Atk / Def: 1500 / 1800
"Now Submarineroid attack him directly with Deep-Depth Impact!" Submarineroid sinks beneath the ground and launches its missile that travels underground and hits Dimitri making him grunt dramatically.
Dimitri's LP: 7700-800=6900
Submarineroid rises back out of the ground. "And when Submarineroid battles he can put himself in defense position!" Submarineroid crosses its tiny arms in front of itself as it switches to defense mode. "Now I'll end my turn."
Jaden lets out a cheer. "Way to take the lead back Sy!" Syrus blushes at the praise before shaking his head and focusing on the duel. Dimitri nods at Syrus as he ends his turn.
"Then it's my turn. Draw!" Dimitri draws Graceful Charity and smirks. "I play Graceful Charity! With it I draw three cards and discard two from my new hand!" Dimitri draws Pot of Greed, Multiply, and Swords of Revealing Light. He discards Multiply and Berfomet.
"Without Kuriboh, Multiply can't help me right now." Dimitri smirks. "Now I add two more cards to my hand with Pot of Greed!" Dimitri draws Magician's Circle and another Graceful Charity, causing him to smile serenely. "The heart of the cards is truly with me today. I play another Graceful Charity!" Syrus's eyes widen.
"You got to be kidding me!" Dimitri smiles and draws Big Shield Gardna, Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts, and another Alpha The Magnet Warrior. He discards Gazelle and one of his Alpha's. Dimitri gives a cocky chuckle.
"Unfortunately for you I am quite serious. Now I'll play Swords of Revealing Light!" Three swords of glowing greenish-yellow light drop down around Syrus's side of the field trapping them. "For three turns your monsters can't attack!" Syrus grits his teeth.
"Three turns where I can't do anything to him as he builds up his field." Dimitri sets Big Shield Gardna facedown in defense position.
Big Shield Gardna Atk / Def: 100 / 2600
"I'll set one monster facedown and end my turn. This is the beginning of the end Syrus!" Syrus takes a deep breath to calm down and draws Supercharge.
"I set one card facedown and a set a monster in defense mode, and seeing as I can't attack, I'll end my turn." Syrus sets Supercharge and Gyroid. Dimitri lets out a laugh. "I'm getting really tired of that fake Yugi laugh." As Syrus's turn ends the sword on the right disappears.
Gyroid Atk / Def: 1000 / 1000
Syrus's friends chuckle clearly seeing how annoyed Syrus is getting with Dimitri. Takashi calls out.
"Just remember to keep a cool head Syrus, don't let this guy get to you! Remember what we practiced!" Syrus nods and takes a deep calming breath. Dimitri chuckles at seeing Syrus's frustrations.
"You clearly don't believe in the heart of the cards or your deck enough!" Dimitri draws Draining Shield and smiles. "Another layer to add to my defense." Dimitri gives Syrus a confident grin. "For now, I'll set one card facedown, and end my turn!"
Syrus sighs disappointedly as he draws another Supercharge that he sets. "I set one card and pass my turn to you." As Syrus ends his turn the sword on the left disappears and Dimitri chuckles at his disappointment.
"Keep your chin up Syrus, in my time as the King of Games, I've learned the card you need doesn't always come to you." A vein bulges in Syrus's head at that comment.
"You're not Yugi Moto! When are you going to stop playing pretend Dimitri?!" Dimitri throws his head back in laughter.
"'Not Yugi Moto' you say. It's time for me to show you how wrong you are about that! Draw!" Dimitri draws Dark Magician and gets a confident grin. "And this should prove it! I activate Monster Reborn to bring back my Gamma The Magna Warrior!"
Gamma The Magnet Warrior Atk / Def: 1500 / 1800
"Now I'll tribute them and my facedown Big Shield Gardna, to summon, my oldest and most faithful ally! Come to me, my Dark Magician!" Big Shield Gardna and Gamma The Magnet Warrior disappear as a magic seal forms on the ground that, in a burst of purple and black magic, the Dark Magician rises out of.
Dark Magician Atk / Def: 2500 / 2100
Syrus and his friends gasp at seeing this legendary monster. Jaden is awestruck.
"I never thought I'd see Dark Magician in person!" Bastion nods.
"Indeed, it is truly a sight to behold." Chumley looks worried.
"Yeah, but right now it's aimed at Syrus." The others cringe, except Takashi who looks at Syrus with a serious look.
"It's just a monster Syrus, you can take it out."
Dimitri grins. "Do you still believe I'm pretending to be Yugi?! Now, Dark Magician, attack Steam Gyroid with Dark Magic Attack!" Dark Magician charges a ball of sparking black and purple energy that he fires at Steam Gyroid. "But that's not all! I activate the Trap Card, Magicians Circle! When a Spellcaster monster declares an attack, we can both Special summon a Spellcaster monster from our decks in attacks position, as long as they have 2000 or less attack!"
Syrus grits his teeth as Chumley's eyes widen. "But Syrus doesn't have any Spellcaster monsters!" Alexis nods.
"Obviously Dimitri knew that, so he didn't have to worry about Syrus also getting an extra summon." Dimitri laughs mockingly at Syrus.
"Your friends are right. Now I Special Summon the magic apprentice herself, Dark Magician Girl!" Emerging from the the platform the circle rests on she lands next to Dark Magician and gives a wink to Syrus making him blush.
Dark Magician Girl Atk / Def: 2000 / 1700
As she is summoned the ball of magic connects with Steam Gyroid destroying it.
Syrus's LP: 7100-300=6800
Dimitri keeps up the assault. "Now Dark Magician Girl attack Submarineroid with Dark Burning Attack!" Dark Magician Girl charges a sparking ball of pink and purple energy that she launches at Submarineroid destroying it. Dimitri points at Syrus. "With my magicians by my side you stand no chance! But go ahead and take your turn and try."
Syrus draws Shuttleroid. "Alright time one of the newest members of my deck to make their debut, I summon Shuttleroid in attack mode!"
Shuttleroid Atk / Def: 1000 / 1200
Jaden gets excited. "Finally, time to see Syrus's time at the Card Shack pay off!"
"With that I'll end my turn and now your Swords of Revealing Light is finished next turn I can attack again!" The final sword disappears.
Dimitri draws another Monster Reborn. "That's assuming I give you the chance! Dark Magician, attack Shuttleroid with Dark Magic Attack!" Syrus throws his hand out as Dark Magician launches his attack.
"Not so fast, I activate Shuttleroid's effect! Hyperspace Escape!" Shuttleroid turns in the direction of Syrus, starts its rockets, and flies over him before disappearing in a flash of light. "When Shuttleroid is targeted for an attack, I can banish them instead." Dimitri chuckles.
"Interesting but futile, all this did was free up my Dark Magician to attack you directly after Dark Magician Girl gets rid of your facedown monster, speaking of, Dark Magician Girl, attack his facedown Dark Burning Attack!" She attacks the facedown monster that flips up to reveal Gyroid who endures the attack.
Gyroid Atk / Def: 1000 / 1000
Dimitri grits his teeth. "Another annoying toy helicopter?! No matter Dark Magician attack Gyroid with Dark Magic Attack!" As the magician's attack is about to land Syrus interrupts.
"Before the attack hits, I activate both my facedown cards, both of them, Supercharge! When you declare an attack and all I control are face up Machine 'roid' monsters, I get to draw two cards, and by activating two of them I draw four cards!" Syrus draws Fusion Sage, another Steamroid, Armoroid, and another Supercharge. Gyroid is then destroyed by the ball of magic.
Jaden cheers. "Aw yeah Syrus just got another big draw!" Chumley perks up at this.
"Now's the time for your comeback, Syrus!" Syrus nods in determination at his friends, while Dimitri just sighs and shakes his head.
"A valiant but futile effort, my deck is one of legends, and will always pull through for me. I end my turn."
Syrus draws Fusion Recovery and Syrus smirks. "Now that it is my standby phase after Shuttleroid entered Hyperspace, he returns! Exit Hyperspace!" As Syrus shouts that a bright light appears behind Dimitri as Shuttleroid launches out, hitting Dimitri on the way back to Syrus.
Dimitri's LP: 6900-1000=5900
Syrus grins at Dimitri. "Did I forget to mention that when Shuttleroid returns, they deal you 1000 points of damage?" Dimitri grunts as Syrus's friends continue to cheer him on as Alexis shouts.
"Good move, Syrus!" Syrus begins blushing embarrassedly again before slapping his cheeks and continuing his turn.
"I now play Fusion Recovery, letting me bring back a Polymerization, and one monster used as a material for a Fusion Summon!" Syrus adds Polymerization and the Gyroid used for Steam Gyroid from his grave. "Now I'll use the Gyroid and Steamroid in my hand to Fusion Summon another Steam Gyroid!"
Steam Gyroid Atk / Def: 2200 / 1600
Dimitri scoffs. "This monster again, didn't you learn when my Dark Magician destroyed it last time?" Syrus smirks.
"I know it can't beat you as is, but I wasn't planning on using him to attack you. Since they were a Special Summon, I still have my Normal Summon!" Dimitri steps back in worry.
"You can't mean!" Syrus nods, smirk still on his face.
"I do, I tribute Shuttleroid and Steam Gyroid to summon another new addition to my deck, Armoroid!"
Armoroid Atk / Def: 2700 / 2000
"And when they are summoned by tributing at least one "roid" monster, they banish all spells and traps on the field!" Dimitri's Draining Shield is banished. "Now attack his Dark Magician, Electric Crush!" Armoroid reaches out and grasps Dark Magician with a hand sparking with electricity and grips extremely tight, crushing the magician and destroying him.
Dimitri's LP: 5900-200=5700
Takashi smiles.
"I knew he could do it." Bastion is in awe.
"He took down a legendary monster, Syrus has truly improved." Chumley and Jaden cheer.
"Way to go Syrus!"
"Show that faker what you got!" Alexis looks on in thought.
"Zane, your brother is finally finding his inner duelist." Alexis smirks. "I can't wait to see how proud you are." Dimitri steps back in shock before gritting his teeth.
"How could this nobody destroy my Dark Magician?" Syrus sets his last Supercharge.
"I set one card facedown and end my turn. I'm not losing Dimitri; I have something to prove to myself in this duel, and you won't stop me!" Dimitri growls.
"For the last time, my name is Yugi Moto! Draw!" Dimitri draws Dedication Through Light and Darkness. "I play Monster Reborn to bring back my Dark Magician!" Syrus stares at the magician with an unreadable expression.
Dark Magician Atk / Def: 2500 / 2100
"Damn, I just got rid of it and it's already back, and seeing the look in Dimitri's eyes, more's to come." With a flourish of his scarf Dimitri shouts.
"Now I activate Dedication Through Light and Darkness, I use it to tribute my Dark Magician to Special Summon Dark Magician of Chaos from my deck! Now rise, my strongest magician!" Dark Magician is consumed by a dark purple mist that Dark Magician of Chaos emerges from.
Dark Magician of Chaos Atk / Def: 2800 / 2600
Dark Magician Girl Atk: 2000300=2300
"And with a Dark Magician in my graveyard, my Dark Magician Girl also gets a 300-attack point boost. Now Dark Magician of Chaos attack his Armoroid with Spell of Destruction!" Dark Magician of Chaos launches a ball of magic, that shines like a diamond, at Armoroid destroying it.
Syrus's LP: 6800-100=6700
When the dust cleared it reveals Syrus had activated his last Supercharge. Looking at his deck before drawing Syrus stops to think. "If I can't find a way to end this in one move, he's going to keep finding ways says to crush any advantage I get." Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath Syrus draws his two cards, he opens his eyes and smiles at what he drew, Drillroid and 7 Completed.
Dimitri clears his throat. "Before you start celebrating Syrus, I still have a turn to finish. Now, when Dark Magician of Chaos destroys a monster by battle it is banished instead." With a grunt Syrus puts Armoroid in his pocket. "Now my Dark Magician Girl attack his life points directly, Dark Burning Attack!"
Syrus's LP: 6700-2300=4400
"I will end my turn, and when I do, Black Magician of Chaos's other effect activates, at the end of the turn he is summoned I can add one spell card from my graveyard to my hand!" Dimitri adds Monster Reborn from his grave to his hand. "With this I can have all my Magicians on the field and trounce Syrus once and for all."
Chumley looks worried. "He was doing so well too, can he come back from this?" Takashi puts a hand on Chumley's shoulder with a smile.
"He's got this, Chumley, we just have to believe in him." Chumley smiles as the whole group starts cheering Syrus on even louder.
"Come on, Syrus, show them how a real duelist does it!" Alexis.
"The odds aren't good, Syrus, but I know you can beat them!" Bastion.
"Show him how we do it in Slifer Red!" Chumley.
"We are behind you 100%, Syrus!" Takashi.
"Do it Sy! Show this fake what someone who's truly bonded with their deck can do!" Jaden.
Syrus smiles contently, draws another 7 Completed and smirks. "It's been a good duel, Dimitri, but it's over now! I activate Vehicroid Connection Zone! This card allows me to fusion summon one "Vehicroid" monster, and when I do it can't be destroyed by effect or have its effect negated!"
Dimitri takes a step back in fear. "What?!" Syrus just grins confidently.
"I fuse Steamroid, Drillroid and Submarineroid in my hand to Fusion Summon Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill!"
Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill Atk / Def: 3000 / 2000
"Now I'll equip it with two of my 7 Completed! With this card I can increase the attack or defense of the Machine monster I equip it to by 700, and I'll chose attack for both of them!"
Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill Atk: 3000700700=4400
"And I'm still not done, I will now activate Limiter Removal!" He looks at Dimitri's widening eyes with a smile. "A card your very familiar with, with it I double Jumbo Drill's attack points!"
Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill Atk: 4400x2=8800
Seeing the familiar attack point total. And suddenly the Yugi persona his mind built around himself crumbles, as he speaks in his normal voice for the first time this duel. "No, no, no, no, NO!" Dimitri grips his hair in his hands having a breakdown. "How can I lose to you again?! I have the perfect deck!" Syrus snaps at that.
"But you don't!" Dimitri stops panicking and looks at Syrus confused.
"What do you mean? I have the deck of the undefeated King of Games, of course it's perfect!" Syrus shakes his head with a determined glare.
"It's the perfect deck for Yugi Moto, but it can't be the perfect deck for you, because it's not yours!" Dimitri stares at Syrus dumbfounded so he takes it as his cue to keep going.
"A perfect deck is one you put your blood, sweat, tears, and heart into, one you made yourself! You're good at analyzing decks and figuring out how to recreate and use them, but you can never use them to their fullest unless it's your own!" Dimitri stumbles to think of a comeback.
"B-But all my analysis." Syrus's eyes soften as he looks at Dimitri now.
"Will be great when you duel against those decks, heck you could be like Bastion and have multiple decks, all that matters is that they are yours. So, when you do make your own deck, one that is uniquely you, feel free to challenge me again and." Syrus holds out his fist in challenge. "I'll come at your perfect deck with my own perfect deck!" Dimitri's eyes tear up as the others, especially Takashi look proud at Syrus.
"Way to go Syrus." Wiping the tears from his eyes Dimitri looks at Syrus with a smile.
"I'd like that. Thank you, Syrus." Syrus smiles back.
"You're welcome, Dimitri. Now let's finish this duel! Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill, attack his Dark Magician of Chaos! Giga Drill Breaker!" Jumbo Drill 's drill grows to three times its size and burrows underground before popping back up underneath Dark Magician of Chaos, sending them flying through the air with Jumbo Drill right behind them as they pierce them in the air, destroying the magician.
Dimitri's LP: 5700-6000=0
Winner- Syrus Truesdale
The length of this chapter really got away from me, so the aftermath of the duel and more will be next chapter. But yeah Syrus got to duel Yugi's deck this time without being off-screened. I'll admit this is a duel I had trouble balancing in the simulator I use for duels. The Pharaoh's deck is just...not great without Heart of the Cards shenanigans.