Konami grimaced as he limped back to Ra, his footsteps heavy in the darkness. Around him, Duel Academy's forests swayed in the cool night breeze. The sound of chirping insects and hooting owls filled the air as he passed, but he ignored them, instead focusing on returning to his room in one piece.
He narrowed his eyes. He had gone to the Occult Club expecting information, yes, but he never once imagined he would walk out with the enormous goldmine he'd found. He only wished it hadn't meant suffering from his most recent predicament: the surging pain that grasped at his heart even after he had claimed victory.
"Urk…!" he winced as his chest flared again, sending a jolt through his lungs. He stumbled in place, prompting the ghostly form of his new servant to appear beside him.
"Master, you should rest," the Dark Magician Girl said with a worried frown. "The injuries you've sustained will heal in time… but only if you allow them to."
"Shut up," he grunted. "You think I don't know that? It's your fault I'm like this, you know?"
"I know, Master."
"And don't call me that! Konami will do just fine!"
"Yes, Master."
He grimaced, wondering if this was how the witch would defy him. In truth, he hadn't been certain his play with Brain Control would work in the first place. Sure, he'd have won the Duel regardless, but the Spirit's loyalty was another matter.
He glanced at her, studying her appearance as she floated alongside him harmlessly. Clad in her bright blue regalia, Dark Magician Girl looked just like she always did. In fact, Konami doubted anyone would be able to notice something was off with her in the first place! Only a single difference existed between her current appearance and her previous one. In the shine of her eyes, a cold red gleam now glinted softly in the darkness. Konami recognized it as an indicator of his Brain Control Spell's effect, but any onlooker would easily mistake it for some quirk of an alternate artwork. Regardless, his Spell seemed to have had the intended effect on the Spirit. His once obstacle had become someone eager to obey his commands… for now.
'Brain Control's effect only lasts until my End Phase,' he thought, gripping her card. 'We might not have reached it during our Duel, but I doubt that means the effect's become permanent! That's why I'll have you answer my questions before you return to your senses! Dark Magician Girl, you'll help me find the Sacred Beasts, whether you want to or not!'
His thoughts were interrupted by another sharp stinging sensation racing through his chest. He gritted his teeth and slowed his pace, stopping to rest by a tree. A few deep breaths kept him standing as he fought against the enduring pain, but he still felt like a thousand needles had pierced through his lungs, even though the soreness had lessened. A good night's rest would probably be enough to get him back into decent shape, but until then, he had to be careful; it wouldn't do to pass out in the woods. All kinds of creatures and dangerous beasts lived in the Academy's wild, and any one of them would be more than happy to turn Konami into their nightly snack.
His eyes narrowed as he scanned his surroundings. He didn't see any threats. But as several Duel Spirits had proved to him recently, that didn't mean they weren't there. He clicked his tongue, shaking his head and writing it off as paranoia. He had just emerged from an exhilarating Duel, after all. Adrenaline was still surging through his veins. He wasn't being watched or spied upon. He just needed to head home.
But before that, since they were alone, there were several things he needed to confirm. The first being—
Without a word, he summoned the Dark Magician Girl. The blue-clad sorceress gasped in surprise as she suddenly appeared in the flesh, her ghostly visage giving way to something more corporeal in a cold flash of light.
"Master? What's wrong?" she asked, only to gasp as he pinched her side. She squirmed in his grip, glancing at him in confusion. "W-What are you doing?"
He pinched her again, earning an "Eep!"
"Interesting. You're real. Most Monsters I summon these days still aren't. Is it because you're a powerful Spirit?"
"Yes," she admitted. "As long as you still have enough life force and potential, any Spirit you summon has the capability of becoming real if you wish it."
"Spirit, huh?" he frowned. "So, that means I can't make Spells or Traps real. What happened with you really was an exception…"
"...because I played my own card, yes!" she confirmed. "Still, it was very cunning, Master! You're the first person I've dueled to use a strategy like that!" she winked happily. "Now, I'm all yours! Your own personal Dark Magician Girl!"
"Hmph. Spare me your cute little act," he grunted, folding his arms. "I didn't take you for your power, you know? In fact, I'd rather not summon you!"
"Wait, what?!" she stepped back, gasping into her hand as lightning flashed behind her. She stared at Konami, stunned by his words, "But… I'm the Dark Magician Girl!"
"I know that. What of it?" he asked.
"What of it?!" she shrieked in shock. "Master, I'm the Dark Magician Girl! You know, the beautiful sorceress? Every girl wants to be me, Master! And every young man wants to summon me!"
"Yeah? Well, sorry to disappoint you, Dark, but you're dealing with the one guy who doesn't."
"No!" she gasped again, grabbing her head as she crouched down to sulk. "Is this a punishment from the Gods?! Did I spend too much time showboating in my past life?!"
"...What?" Konami wondered. "What the hell are you going on about now?"
"Nothing, Master…" she drew circles in the ground. "I just thought you wanted me to do… that."
"That?" Konami inquired.
"You know…" she pressed, squirming in place.
"..."
"You still don't get it? I thought you wanted to XXX me!"
"WHAT?!" Konami staggered back, his eyes going wide at the accusation.
"To be honest," Dark Magician Girl continued, "when you summoned me, I thought it was so we could do it." She averted her eyes from him, almost ashamed as she pressed her pointer fingers together. "I figured you'd push me against a tree and let things spiral from there… Guess there's no chance of that happening, huh? And here I was getting excited…"
Konami sputtered in incoherent rage. "WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS, A DOUJIN?! I'M NOT INTERESTED IN A DUEL MONSTER!"
"Eep!" she squeaked. "Sorry, Master! It's just… the Occult Club was filled with such things, so I thought—"
"You thought wrong! Torrey and Isaka might love you to death, but I really couldn't care less!" He jabbed his finger into her face, scolding her for her misunderstanding. "Listen, I didn't take your card so that I could…" his words trailed off, cut short as he let out a wheeze and grasped his chest once again.
"Master?!" Dark Magician Girl gasped, hovering over him worriedly. "I'm sorry, Master! I didn't mean to upset you! I forgot you're still weak and need rest!"
"Weak…?" he glowered at her, his eyes narrowing into slits. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, falling as he doubled over in pain once more. "Ugh…! Forget about that. Just give me the information I need!"
"Information?" she asked, furrowing her brow cutely at the words. Her eyes suddenly widened in recognition. "Oh! About the Sacred Beasts? But…" she glanced over him again, her concern etched onto her face. "Are you sure that's wise, Master? I wasn't lying before. The Sacred Beasts are very dangerous, and in your current condition…"
"I thought Brain Control made cards obedient? Why are you being so difficult?!"
She puffed her cheeks. "Just because I'm obedient doesn't mean I'm thoughtless, you know! I've just been convinced to want what's best for you, Master, and right now, that means rest!"
"Tch…!" he gritted his teeth and angrily tightened his grip on his chest. Even now, the throbbing sensation continued to pierce through his lungs. "Fine," he accepted after a moment. The Dark Magician Girl smiled. "But afterward, you're telling me everything! I won't take no for an answer!"
"Of course, Master!" she nodded in agreement. "I'll tell you whatever you want! Fuhuhu… With my help, the Sacred Beasts will be yours!"
TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: TWISTING THE TALE
LESSON SIX
GX!
Morning came quickly, casting the sun's golden glow over the Ra Dorm. Konami yawned as it spilled into his room, catching him right in the eyes. He lifted his head from his pillows and raised a hand to block out the light, blinking away his exhaustion while trying to take in his immediate surroundings.
His dorm room was exactly how he'd left it prior to being suspended. Clean, neat, orderly… though his bags sat by the closet, untouched. He'd planned on unpacking yesterday after settling in and getting something to eat, but his sudden encounter with Bastion and Jasmine had ended those plans hours early.
'Guess I'll just have to do it today,' he thought, shifting under the covers. 'Later, though… if I skip class. I'm still not at a hundred percent.'
His body ached as he scratched his chest, still feeling sore from last night. Still, the pain he felt now was nothing compared to the evening before. If this was how he felt with just a few hours of rest, a day would heal him completely! Smiling at the thought, he closed his eyes in order to get some more sleep.
Unfortunately, he could hear his fellow Yellows waking and wandering the hallways. Exchanged greetings and cries about homework echoed through his bedroom door. He turned on his side, covering his ears as he attempted to block out the noise…
…only to find himself staring into the eyes of the blonde spirit kneeling at his bedside.
"Wha-?" he sputtered.
"So, this is the face of evil," Dark Magician Girl murmured, glaring at him behind rosy cheeks and a pair of clear, emerald eyes. "No one would think that such a cute face hides the mind of a monster! But I know the truth, which means I'm the only one on this earth who can stop you!"
"D-Dark Magician Girl!" he gasped, immediately throwing off the covers. Her eyes widened as the blanket flew toward her, obscuring Konami's body from view. With the distraction, Konami rose and lunged toward his deck holster, only for his eyes to widen as he found her aiming at his future position.
"It's over, villain! I won't let you have your way with me anymore!" she shouted, her wand glowing a bright pink as energy surged through her being. "This is the end! Dark Burning Attack!"
A shining light engulfed the room, and Konami screamed in shock and pain…
…as absolutely nothing happened.
There was no blast. No explosion. No sudden burst of music.
Dark Magician Girl's wand fizzled out with a sputter, and she blinked in confusion.
"T-That's not right!" she mumbled, flicking the wand once again. "Dark Burning Attack! Dark Burning Attack! I said…! DARK BURNING ATTACK!"
Each time, a brief light flickered at the wand's tip, but it always vanished as quickly as it came, leaving her target untouched.
Konami, frozen in a strange mid-lunge, mid-block position, blinked in disbelief, the realization that he wasn't paste slowly sinking in. Quietly, he lowered his arms, taking on a more natural stance. All the while, he stared at the blonde, watching her flick her wand in confusion.
"I… I don't understand!" Dark Magician Girl complained frantically. "That should've worked! Dark Burning Attack should've wiped your whole room off the map!"
"Performance issues?" Konami chuckled, crossing his arms, unimpressed. Now that he realized she couldn't just off him, he was feeling a lot more confident.
She scowled, tightening her grip on her wand before collapsing to her knees in frustration. "I bet it's your fault! You sapped too much of my energy during our Duel," she guessed. "I've never felt so drained after dueling before… You're a real powerful villain!"
"I'm no villain," Konami complained, gesturing to himself proudly. "I'm Konami!"
"You brainwashed me and erased my friends' minds! You're a villain!"
"And what's the deal with that anyway?!" he interrupted with a sharp glare. "How'd you escape my Spell's effect?! You should still be calling me 'Master!'"
"A lotta loopholes and quick thinking, that's how!" she yelled back, sporting a grin. "Brain Control's effect only lasts until the end of your turn, remember? And since you went to sleep, even though we weren't dueling, I count that as an 'End Phase!'"
"WHAT?!" Konami glowered. "But you're the one who made me sleep in the first place!"
"That's right! And it was all part of my plan! Obedient, but not thoughtless, remember?" she winked. "Under your control, I had to go along with whatever you wanted to do, but I could still offer my own suggestions if it sounded like it would empower you! I wasn't lying, you DID need sleep to recover from losing your life force, I just left out the part saying that it'd free me from Brain Control's effect, too!"
"So, that's why you were so insistent I slept instead of hunting the Beasts…!" he growled. "And I fell for it like a goddamn chump! This is why I hate Spirits!"
"Yeah, well, the feeling's mutual! I won't forgive what you did to Torrey!"
"Don't you mean what you did to him? You were the one who used Mind Crush," he smirked.
"That's…!" she bristled. "That's just semantics! It was YOUR decision! YOUR choice!"
"And MY right!" he concluded, swatting at her like he would a fly. She gasped and ducked out of the way. "One they gave me when they summoned Jinzo!"
"Jinzo was a mistake," she agreed. "But what you did went too far! I know you're Mr. 'Power is Everything!', but that doesn't mean you should hurt people!"
"Hurt? Don't make me laugh!" he laughed. "You just tried to hurt me!"
"T-That's different! I attacked because you're an evil scumbag of doom!" she cried.
"Yeah?" he grimaced. "Well, guess what? This 'scumbag' is still in control. Don't forget, I still have your card… which means your life's in my hands!"
He smirked and grabbed Dark Magician Girl's card off of his bedside table, waving it in front of her face arrogantly as she clenched her teeth in annoyance.
"The way I see it, spellbound or not, you better do what I say. Or else, I'll rip this thing into pieces and send you straight back to hell!"
"We'll see about that…!" Dark Magician Girl glowered, flying back into her card. Konami gasped as it suddenly flew upward as if trying to leave his grip. "Ungh?! H-Hey!"
The card wiggled in his hand, and suddenly Konami was yanked forward as if tethered to an invisible string! He slammed into his dresser with a loud thud, his body bending awkwardly against it.
"What the hell—?!" he gasped, but before he could recover, the card pulled him again! This time, he crashed into the adjacent wall, rattling the picture frames adorning its surface.
"This is what you get for trying to control me!" Dark Magician Girl's voice echoed. Her card lifted him, his body swinging like a ragdoll as she took control. She dragged him back across the room, slamming him into another wall. Then another! The impact sent a jolt of pain up his spine.
"S-Stop it, Magician Girl!" he gasped. He tried to let go, but the same force pulling him had glued his fingers to the card. His free hand scrambled to hold onto the nearby desk, but it was no use. With another pull from Dark Magician Girl, he was yanked upward into the ceiling. Dust rained down as he was thrown back onto the floor with an angry grunt.
"Not so fun being pulled around, is it?" her voice mocked from the glowing card.
"S-Stop, Dark Magician Girl, or else I'll…!"
The card flared once more. Before he could finish, it launched him across the room and into his bed, shattering it. The wooden frame cracked under the pressure, collapsing under the force of his weight.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
A loud crash filled the air as the destruction laid him out on the floor.
"Stop! I can't take anymore!"
The door to his room burst open.
"Konami, what's wrong?!" Bastion yelled as he entered with six students and Sartyr on his heels. His breath caught as he took in the scene… as did those of their peers. Because there, on top of the sheets, laid a half-naked, sweating Konami. And in his grip, the unmistakable card of the Dark Magician Girl.
"..."
"..."
Sartyr took a long sip of coffee.
"We'll bill for the bed," he said with a smile. "Please get dressed. We have an assembly."
-GX-
Ever since he was little, Konami had always been annoyed by morning assemblies, but given the number of giggles around him, today's would prove particularly grating. After the chaotic morning he'd just survived with the rebellious, and apparently freed, Dark Magician Girl, the last thing he wanted was to sit in an auditorium full of gossipping students. However, his appearance, scratched and bruised, drew more than a few whispers around him.
Just not for the reasons he would've liked.
"Soooo, I heard you've had quite the morning," Jasmine giggled.
Konami grimaced. "Who told you?"
"Who didn't? It's all over campus!" she laughed. "After all that stuff you said dueling Dimitri, deep down, you liked her, too, huh?"
He groaned, bringing a hand to his face. "Oh, great. Just what I needed. People thinking I was getting off to the stupidest card in the world!"
"Can't be stupid if I outsmarted you!" her voice echoed from behind him.
He gritted his teeth and bit back his retort. He didn't want to be called crazy, too.
"Any idea what they called us here for?" he asked, hoping to change the subject.
Jasmine shrugged. "I've got no clue. Fontaine just made us dress and come here!" she gasped, hearts suddenly shining in her eyes. "Maybe they're holding a dance!"
"At Duel Academy?" Bastion cut in, raising a brow. "Forgive me, Jasmine, but in all its history, not once has it held a school dance. There have been social gatherings, but those are usually reserved for graduation."
"Way to ruin the mood, party-pooper," she groaned. "I wanted to spend some time with cute boys!"
Konami and Bastion shared a glance.
"So…"
"...you're saying we aren't?" they asked.
Jasmine quickly crossed her arms and scowled at the two, trying to deflect their teasing. "You know that's not what I meant!" she snapped, puffing her cheeks in mock rage. "I'm talking about people I'd want to date, not you two nerdfests!"
Bastion chuckled, and even Konami couldn't help but shake his head.
"Sure, Jasmine," he muttered with a roll of his eyes. "Whatever you say."
She narrowed her eyes and prepared to retort, but before she could, the lights dimmed. Footsteps echoed throughout the chamber, making everyone go quiet.
"Oh, it's starting! Konami, be quiet!" she whispered, turning to the front.
Up on stage, Chancellor Sheppard strode out onto the podium. He took a moment to examine the faces of everyone present, then smiled.
"Good morning, students," he began, his voice carrying across the entire room. "I'm sure many of you are wondering why I chose to call you here out of classes. As many of you may already know, we have a very exciting event coming up. The yearly Inter-School Duel that pits our best freshman against other schools. However! This year, we've decided to do something different. In place of the Inter-School Duel, I've decided to give you all a wonderful present!"
Murmurs began to erupt from the crowd.
"Present?" Bastion inquired.
"Ooh, ooh! Maybe it is a dance!" Jasmine squealed. "We should all get dates!"
Sheppard coughed into his fist, prompting everyone in the room to go silent. He smiled again.
"My present to you…" he snapped his fingers, "is this!"
As his fingers cracked, the massive projector hanging behind him lit up, revealing a massive image of earth with the words, "GX" scrawled across it.
"GX?" Konami murmured, narrowing his eyes in confusion.
Sheppard grinned, "It's a series of Duels to determine the next King of Games. And since the event will be housed on this island, I've dubbed it… Duelist Kingdom GX!"
"New…?!"
"Duelist Kingdom?!" gasped students from the crowd.
"Everyone from this school is worthy of entering this competition," he continued, "however… for a title like 'King of Games', even people from abroad can enter! Students, teachers, children, even Professional Duelists can enter!" he smiled grimly at his jaw-dropped students. "Some of them are already here."
He turned to the door, gesturing for whoever was standing behind it to enter. Konami's heart nearly stopped as they did.
It was Professor Mackenzie.
He was clad in a white army uniform adorned with a star insignia on its collar. Various trinkets and badges lined its chest, hovering above the suit's buttons.
As he strode into the auditorium, his very presence seemed to suffocate the room. The whispers died instantly as if the air itself had thickened with some unseen tension. His cold eyes scanned the rows of students, locking briefly onto Konami. His lips twitched before his eyes moved on, noting every detail of the gathering.
"It… It's him…" Konami whispered, clenching his fist. "Mackenzie…!"
"Hm?" Bastion narrowed his eyes. "You mean from the North?"
Chancellor Sheppard stepped aside as Principal Mackenzie made his way to the podium. His boots echoed loudly through the room until he stopped, folding his arms neatly behind his back.
"Greetings, students of Central," Mackenzie's voice carried the sharpness of authority. "I am Principal Mackenzie, and I represent North Academy, one of your competitors."
Konami's fist tightened under the desk. 'Principal?! So, it's true!"
"First, I would like to thank your Chancellor for providing such an… opportunity… for my students. This tournament will serve as a fine challenge to separate the ordinary from extraordinary."
His gaze settled back on Konami for a fraction of a second, a smirk tugging at his lips. Konami felt his blood boil. He knew he was watching him! Knew what he'd done!
And just like how he had taught Konami, he'd done it all without shame!
"In the upcoming GX tournament, it is my goal to prove my school's superiority… which is why I have brought with me a team of North Academy's finest Duelists to participate. They are elite, and they have trained under my strict supervision for years. They will be your greatest challenge. But I'll leave that for you to discover when you duel them… Heh Heh."
More whispers rippled through the students, the weight of Mackenzie's words sinking in. Some even glanced at Konam, recalling his own publicized past with the North! If someone like him, who had already gone Pro, got his start in the North's cold wastes, then just how good were these people its principal had handpicked for the competition?!
"Of course, there is far more than a title at stake in this game," the ruler continued. ""Prepare yourselves. Duelist Kingdom GX is not a test the weak can overcome. Only those with true power and wit will have the resolve you need to survive. As for the rest…" he trailed off, his cold smile returning, "...you will simply be swept aside, or worse, devoured by Kings."
Jasmine leaned over to whisper in Konami's ear, "Okay. I get it. If this is the guy who taught you what you know, the whole 'edgelord' thing makes sense! This guy is just screaming major villain vibes! Why did Sheppard bring him here?"
Konami didn't answer. His mind was racing, replaying the look Mackenzie had given him. It was personal, a direct challenge. Mackenzie had set his sights on him.
"Now, then… allow me to introduce the strongest in my North Academy," he snapped his own fingers, and like a trained troop, a squad of students strode in.
There were three of them, each dressed in the same outfit as Principal Mackenzie, though theirs lacked the numerous badges and insignias across their right breasts. They stopped behind Principal Mackenze, turning to face the students as he chuckled.
Konami scowled, recognizing one of them.
Wisteria Fujiwara smirked.
"Hi, everyone!" she waved, smiling beautifully toward all the students. "I'm so glad to finally meet all of you! I can't wait to crush you like ants!" she grinned.
"Hmph. Callous as always," the blonde woman standing beside her muttered. "Would it kill you to act professional for once? This is an official event!"
"Oh, come on, Reggie. You know you want to beat these weaklings just like I do! Everyone always says, 'King of Games', but this time, it'll be a Queen!"
"Spare me," the lone male in their group grunted irritably.
"Do you have a problem, David?" Reggie inquired, raising a brow.
"None," he replied, closing his eyes with a smile. "Except the notion of either of you being 'Queens.'"
Reggie smirked.
Wisteria's response, however, was far less restrained.
"Says the loser who lost to her twice! Don't act like you're all that, Rabb, 'cause you're not! And I'll prove it again in this fight!"
A cold tingle down their spines interrupted any rude response David might give. They glanced up briefly, feeling the stern gaze of their principal weighing down on them. The feeling lessened after a moment of silence, and the principal turned back to the students.
Beside him, Chancellor Sheppard chuckled. "It seems you brought quite the group."
"Yes," Mackenzie agreed. "But rest assured, their skills are superb. As are those of all who will come in search of this game's real prize."
"Real prize?" Chazz asked from the crowd. "What gives? I thought the title was the prize?!"
"It is one of two," Mackenzie revealed, "but your Chancellor will explain."
"And I was about to," Sheppard said, meeting Mackenzie's cold grin with a stern smile. He stepped forward again, pushing past the North's leader to reach the podium once more. "In addition to the title, 'King of Games', a collaboration has brought another just as unique reward. But instead of explaining it to you myself… I'll let the man himself do the honors."
As if on cue, the projector behind them sizzled away from the logo, transitioning to the fanciful room of one, very busy man.
"Testing, testing! Why, Helllllllloooooooooo there, students of Duel Academy!"
Everyone gasped.
"Is that…?"
"It can't be!"
"Oh, but it can be! And it is!" the voice said. Stepping into view, the silver-haired, red-suited Maximillian Pegasus waved.
The crowd went wild.
"Maximillian Pegasus?!"
"He created Duel Monsters?!"
"What's he doing on the screen?! How'd Sheppard get him?!"
"All decent questions," he answered, "and one I have an answer for. I'm here because Sheppard asked me to prepare something special for our lucky winner!"
"Something special?!"
"Oh, yes. Something very special indeed," he replied. He opened his drawer and held up the object within it: a shining blank card.
"The prize for the new King of Games will be this: a single BLANK CARD!" He paused, letting the confusion settle in. "Now, I know what you're thinking. 'What's so special about a blank card?' I'm glad you asked! Let's explain. The Duelist who wins this tournament will be allowed to write anything they want on this card—a million dollars? A custom card?" he chuckled darkly, "my business?—any request, any desire, and I will ensure it happens! Consider it a one-time-only wish! No restrictions, no takebacks! Now do you see what's special about it?"
The room erupted into chatter. A Blank Card that could grant any wish? That was practically giving someone unlimited power! Konami's heart raced, his mind already spinning with countless possibilities. This could be it… the leverage he needed to make all his plans fall into place! Forget the Sacred Beasts, with that card, the entire world would be his oyster.
As if sensing his—and everyone else's—thoughts, Pegasus chuckled through the screen. "Good luck, students! I can't wait to see who rises to the challenge!"
As the screen faded, Sheppard smirked and turned back to his foaming students.
"The qualifiers will take place all week. Each participant will receive one GX medal," he pulled one out of his pocket, holding it up for everyone to see. "During each Duel, you'll be required to wager any number of these medals. You could risk one, two, even a hundred if you're feeling lucky."
"I see," Baston mused. "So, it's similar to the star chip system used in Dueling Kingdom. I expect those who lose all their medals will be disqualified…"
"...while those who keep winning move on," Jasmine finished.
"At the end of the week, the Duelists with the most medals will be granted entry into the semifinals. And as for where these semifinals will be held…" Sheppard paused, building anticipation. "…the location will only be revealed to those who qualified for the event. So, you'll need to prove yourself if you want to get there."
Jasmine frowned, biting her lip worriedly. "Wow, this sounds intense… If you only start with one, it's not gonna take very long for people to lose, quick!"
"Worried?" Bastion inquired. "Don't. You've studied hard. You'll do well."
"Easy for you to say. I bet you're not worried at all, First in Class!" she huffed.
Konami, still staring at Mackenzie, barely acknowledged either of their words. He was too busy thinking of how he could exploit this system for his own gain. If he could gather enough medals early on, he could set himself up for an easy path to the finals. But the reverse was also true. One careless Duel could be enough to take him out of the game!
"It is my hope that this tournament will allow you all to grow into strong Duelists, and so—"
"Hang on, Sheppard. Perhaps we should allow one final addition." Mackenzie's voice cut through Sheppard's own, prompting the two to lock gazes.
"Addition?" Sheppard inquired sternly.
"The Ante Rule," said Mackenzie.
The auditorium fell completely silent.
"Ante Rule?" Bastion muttered.
Sheppard's expression was unreadable as he listened, but Mackenzie pressed on, undisturbed.
"Kukuku… To ensure that every Duel in this fight carries meaning, Duelists should be allowed to wager not just their GX medals, but their valuable cards. Imagine the kind of motivation it will give to Duelists who won't duel their betters? I'm sure there are many who believe some Duelists are only capable because of their cards… This will give them the chance to prove it… and win those strong cards for themselves."
A ripple of shock and excitement spread through the room. Some students gasped while others clutched their decks tightly.
"Wager our best cards…?" Jasmine whispered, her eyes wide. "That's insane!"
Konami, however, narrowed his eyes, understanding the true meaning. Wisteria had told him that they weren't the only ones looking for the Sacred Beast cards. Mackenzie's group was searching as well, and this would make it much easier. If someone besides them somehow stumbled across the powerful cards, this Ante Rule would allow them to beat that poser and take it for themselves. It was a dangerous proposition, but a useful one.
And one that he could use too. If not to gain cards, then to gather medals faster by shilling Xyz.
Chancellor Sheppard raised his hand, quieting the room once more. "While the Ante Rule is an intriguing proposition, I must make it clear that participation in such Duels will be optional. Both participants must agree to the terms before wagering their cards." His tone was firm, but his eyes glinted with interest. "This way, no one will be forced into a Duel they're uncomfortable with."
Mackenzie smirked. "Of course, Sheppard. Antes are only for the brave. But it will separate the weak from the strong. And reveal those who'll stop at nothing."
The room buzzed with mixed reactions to the words, and some of the students looked nervous. They clutched their decks as if afraid their neighbors might snatch them. Others, however, had a gleam in their eyes, imagining the cards they could claim. The stakes had just been raised even higher, and he was more than ready to play.
'Mark my words, Principal Mackenzie. This Ante will be your undoing!'
TAG FORCE ALTERNATIVE: TWISTING THE TALE
LESSON SIX
END
Uh oh! A tournament arc?! Who could've seen that coming?! And what's this? Wisteria returns?! And with a couple manga entries, to boot! Man, oh man, this Duelist City Kingdom GX Battle is lookin' intense, and with even more familiar faces on their way, its fire's gonna burn even hotter... Next time on Twisting the Tale! Gotcha!
And now, for some review comments:
Arundite: He only has the one DMG. I did a poor job of explaining it, but the "Senpai Dark Magician Girl" is meant to be the one from the first fic. She successfully escaped post-Jinzo and went back to her rightful home.
Oak: Glad to be back buddy, glad to see you're still reading. Hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as you did the last.
LordBedlam: Glad you think so!
MacyLacyWacy: "It always was," Moon guy says.
Romulus: Unfortunately not. He just has the one. And while he has it, this chapter shows he still doesn't own it.
RayDjok: Yup! He can also be the worst!
kazikamikaze24: Hope you're hyped for more awesome duels I have planned in the future!
KuriMaster13: The bug is on Konami's bags in his room. In hindsight, probably should've just said they bugged his room while he was gone but oh well. Long story short, anything that happens in the room they know (outside of noncorpereal Spirit talk which can't be picked up). Which means Yuma or whoever's listening in prolly had a confused time listening to Konami talk/groan to himself as DMG threw him around the place.
Zap C. Cannon: Audio yes lol. Mackenzie is somewhat similar to his manga counterpart, though there are a few small differences to account for. Unfortunately, there is no Tyrant Neptune DMG for DMG Jr. to get along with, but let's be real. Konami will already have his hands full with the one!
That's all for this time, everybody.
Class dismissed!