AN: And we are back to this story. Thank you all for being so patient.
Apologies that this is coming out so late, I had both several family events, and a work deadline at the end of July. So I am getting a much later start on this than I had hoped, not actually being able to start until the beginning of August.
On the bright side, I did manage to fully draft out the tournament, as well as several important scenes that are not connected to the tournament. Because I have done so, I am in fact planning on sticking with KOT till the end of the tournament, as this is my biggest story. I may then take a bit of a break on here to add more to the others, but for now this is the plan.
Now then, you have all waited long enough. Let us get started.
NED STARK
CASTLE CERWYN- LORD'S SOLAR
Ned's time away from Winterfell had lasted longer than he had hoped when he first departed to join Robert in the Capital. Almost the instant he had returned, he had to leave again, even if he stayed within the North. Despite his desire to finally return home, he understood the importance of getting reacquainted with the many keeps and villages that were not directly under him. He had left to aid in a Southern War, and while he was gone, a Southern army had tried to attack the North. Tensions remained high on that front.
Even if they had been stopped before getting farther than Moat Cailin, it had reawakened a fear shared by many in the North that had only come true once before, when Aegon and his sisters took their Kingdom from them. It was his duty to assure his people that everything was okay.
He had left shortly after Jon and Robb took Sansa and Arya to the Capital. He had gone to several of the seats of his bannermen. Some were worried about the South, others who agreed that the threat had passed with the Death of the High Sparrow, took the opportunity to bring up other issues or arguments that the Starks of Winterfell were meant to rule on.
A small river formed a new branch, and Lord Hornwood thought that it was dug intentionally, as the river was the edge of Hornwood land, and the way it was now, the Bolton's could encroach upon their land. Roose denied this, saying it was an act of the Gods, but did offer a possible trade of something he owned in exchange for ownership of the land. Maege Mormont had refused a new trade deal with Galbart Glover, which had angered the Lord of Deepwood Motte enough that he had apparently sent a Raven directly calling her daughters Bastards. It had taken several days of being a mediator to get the houses back to speaking terms. Though Maege and Galbart were unlikely to be courteous to each other any time soon.
Now, Castle Cerwyn was the last stop before he could return home once again. This trip had been much shorter than the trip to the Capital, but it still took him away from his family.
'Though half of them are not even there.' Ned noted to himself as he drank the mead Medger had provided him.
"Sometimes it just seems like a dream." The Lord of Cerwyn said after gulping down his own mead. "That I am going to wake up one day, and it will be back to swords and spears and bows, not Cards." He looked at his Duel Disk, some amazement still on his face. Ned understood that. Even after he had gotten used to the thing, he still sometimes stared at it in wonder.
"The World has changed." Ned agreed. "But this just means that we need to change as well, otherwise we will be at a disadvantage."
Medger looked at him with a sad look for a moment and sighed. "You know Ned, some are afraid we are changing too fast. Even before the Cards. But after what happened with your Bastard? Well, that just makes them think they are right."
"I know." Ned said. "I have tried to balance what the North needs, with what it is willing to do."
Normally, Ned would not speak so openly with one of his bannermen, but the Lords of Cerwyn were a bit of an exception. As the closest Keep to Winterfell, House Cerwyn had long served as trusted advisors and good friends. Medger Cerwyn had almost filled the void that had existed in Winterfell after Ned had gone to the Vale. From what he had heard, Medger had been to Brandon what he was to Robert.
He had been invaluable in helping Ned both during and after the Rebellion. Having avoided the fate of the rest of Brandon's close friends due to a horse throwing him off and breaking his ribs, he had stayed in Winterfell to be an advisor for Benjen while Ned was off fighting.
"No. You don't." Medger said. "You don't understand, in part because your Father did not want you to. But this has been building up ever since Maester Walys came to Winterfell."
"Walys?" Ned looked at Medger with incredulity. "What in the world could Maester Walys have done to be held responsible for all the changes?"
He remembered the old Maester. He had been strict with Ned's lessons, and had strongly disapproved of Lyanna's personality, but the man had been harmless. He had died of Redspots right before Brandon had left for Riverrun. Luwin had been sent to Riverrun and was meant to be brought to Winterfell along with Catelyn.
"I don't even know entirely myself." Medger confessed. "But my father complained of him a lot. Said he was filling Lord Rickard's head with the idea that they needed the South. That the North was doomed if he didn't become more connected to the South."
Medger sighed and shrugged. "My father liked to exaggerate, I do not deny, but Walys himself was the beginning of many changes, Lord Rickard deciding to send you to the Vale? Unusual, but they could accept it. Jon Arryn was an honorable man, and he had become friends with Rickard during the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Bethrothing Lyanna to Robert? Many argued against it, but the idea of the Stormlands providing aid in food and wood during the Winters settled many concerns, even if they still grumbled about it. But Brandon to Lady Catelyn? That lost him a lot of support. Support you only regained because of how dishonorable his death was."
Medger held up his hand to stop Ned from raising an objection. "I know, Catelyn is my friend, as much as you are. She is a good woman, wife, and Lady. But many were angered by the idea of marrying the heir to a southerner, let alone someone who did not keep to the Old Gods. It just does not happen. Then, when she finally was being accepted, after Robb and Sansa were born, Jorah- May the Old Gods barr him from the North for all eternity- brings his own Southron bride to Bear Island. And she acts like what everyone thought Cat would. Now, these cards come in, and not even a year later we get invaded over them!"
Medger slammed his cup against his desk, anger evident in the last part of his speech.
"The Old Gods have lost the South. The North is the only place they have left to be worshipped. Sure, the Blackwoods claim devotion, but if the Brackens tried to convert, the Blackwoods would suddenly see 'The Light of the Seven' and it would go on like that. And then, those Sparrows tried to take our Gods from us. And now we are supposed to just ignore that?"
"They are dead or captured." Ned reminded him. "The Sparrows are no more. And the South suffered far more than we did, despite sharing the same Faith. Lord Tyrell was killed, Mychel Redfort was nearly killed, House Frey has gone extinct."
"I know that." Medger said. "I am just trying to warn you, these are the thoughts of the other lords. The ones they would never say to your face. Karstark, Bolton, even Barbery Dustin. Especially Barbery. She never got over Brandon.
"And, that is just about the problems from South of us. Even those not upset about that take issue with WILDLINGS."
Ned sighed. That was the other issue. It had not been too much of a problem, if only because the Sparrows were more recent, but everywhere he went, the lords had asked what he was thinking.
At least Medger had waited until they were alone.
Ned finished his mead in one gulp before answering.
"Some Wildlings formed a village that was willing to trade with the Watch. As a show of good faith, they gave hostages. It is the same deal as with Balon. The village tries anything, the hostages pay for it."
"A single village though." Medger pointed out. "And one of the Hostages is Tormund Giantsbane. I heard of him. He has killed many brave men of the Watch. And he isn't even the worst of it."
Medger looked Ned in the eye. "Is it true Ned? Is one of the ladies a Damn KINSLAYER?"
Ned's eyes gained a harsh look. "Who told you that?"
"My Uncle's bastard finished his training and got sent to the Shadowtower." Medger explained. "Why a Kinslayer Ned? No one is more accursed than them. And it was her Father no less!"
"It is far more complicated than that." Ned said. "In truth, part of the reason I accepted the hostage agreement, was because she does not deserve the scorn for that sin. She deserved to go somewhere no one else would know of her crime."
"Why? Why show such weakness in judgement to a Kinslaying Wilding?" Medger demanded an answer.
Ned sighed. "It was Craster. Her Father was Craster."
Anger faded from Medger's face, replaced by understanding. "I see..."
He took another drink of his mead. "I won't spread it Ned. Don't worry. Growing up with HIM, I suppose that was punishment enough."
Ned nodded. He had done well to keep it under wraps. Benjen had long complained about the sole Wildling ally the Watch could count on. To think of what Gilly and her sisters had gone through…
Even the Gods could not be so cruel as to hold it against her.
The two lords sat in silence for a few minutes, examining their empty cups as they came to understand the information that they had told each other.
"Besides Gilly, the other hostages have been good." Ned continued. "Even Tormund has done nothing too objectionable."
Honestly, if not for the Wall, Tormund would likely be a brother of the Greatjon in all but name. Of course the Greatjon would never believe it, no matter how similar they were.
"And the Wildling raids themselves have become nearly nonexistent." Medger said. "A bit strange, considering it is only meant to be one village. Are you sure Mance is not planning something?"
Ned gripped his mug harder. He had been worried about the so-called King Beyond The Wall and what he would do. But ever since the Cards had come, he had been silent.
Was it a blessing, or a warning?
"I suppose we will have to wait and see." Ned said,
"And pray." Medger added.
STANNIS BARATHEON
KING'S LANDING-RED KEEP
Stannis read the letter from Pycelle again for the fourth time.
The Grand Maester had gone to Dragonstone with as many trusted men as they could send without drawing suspicion. He returned occasionally, in order to pick up supplies and give reports, before heading back to Dragonstone. Officially, they were there to care for the sick on the island. But in reality, they were trying to keep them alive for as long as possible, until a cure or even just an answer of what happened to the ancient Targaryen Fortress and its people.
Stannis read it again for the fifth time.
'Five and twenty have passed away from starvation or thirst. Most of them are lowborn. One of the Maids was pregnant, and her water finally broke, but the child did not make a sound. He had a pulse and a heartbeat, but even putting him up to his mother's breasts, the natural instinct to suck did not occur. Just like the rest, he was alive in the same way a plant would be. Despite our efforts, he did not live for more than two days.
More will continue to die as long as they are unconscious. Even if they wake up, they will all be extremely weak. Lady Shireen remains in relatively good health, but shows no signs of waking.
Lords from other islands have offered their assistance, without them, we would not have enough men to care for everyone on the island. They may leak information to others not meant to know.
Five and twenty dead.
Pycelle did not specify if the baby was counted among those.
His own daughter, as well as Ser Davos' sons, were among those still alive.
They would not survive this state much longer.
A crack brought Stannis' mind back to where he was.
He looked down. He had been clutching the edge of the table hard enough that he had ripped a piece of the wood off.
'I am the lord of Dragonstone. Yet I can do nothing to protect them.'
That was the thought that had been with him since Ser Davos sent word to them. And he felt it just as keenly now as when he had seen it with his own eyes.
All he could do now was trust in Davos and his crew. To bring Melisandre to justice. And to find his wife and Castellan.
'They were in on it. Whatever foul magic this was. They were a part of it.'
Stannis had no doubt in that. They had been the most welcoming of the Red Woman. They would not have gone against her.
Melisandre had always seemed strange to Stannis. He knew Thoros of Myr, but Melisandre was the drunk's opposite in every way. She had tried to latch onto him when he returned, but he never let himself be alone with her for more than a brief meeting in the halls.
'If only she came before the cards. I could have driven my blade into her heart and be done with it.'
Stannis shook his head and looked at the sky. It was just before evening. People would still be out battling for the chance to win the prize that was The Twins.
'I need to get out there.' Stannis thought to himself, pushing the thoughts about Dragonstone to the back of his mind. There was still something he could do, and that was help settle the debts of the Crown.
Stannis looked down at the two Dragons he had been given. Fire and Light. What Melisandre claimed to represent. And had said that he embodied.
'If this R'hllor does exist, he appears to love to torment me.'
There were also his other Dragons. He had not planned on dueling so soon, but on the way back to the Red Keep he had been challenged by an overconfident merchant and a Household Knight from the Riverlands. He defeated both relatively easily, earning an additional Fire, an Earth, and two Water.
Stannis walked through the Red Keep, coming across several guests who had come to participate. However, duels in the Keep itself were forbidden, to give everyone a safe place to rest without worrying about accepting challenges late at night.
Besides, he had no desire to defeat them specifically.
It was highly unlikely that he would win the Tournament. He knew that. He was relatively skilled, but the odds of victory were miniscule for him.
But what he could do was knock Lannisters and other Westermen out of the tournament.
Not the most honorable decisions, but with the Lannisters owning so much of the Throne's debt, taking them out would give them the chance to give someone loyal to the Crown possession of a wealthy Keep.
Now all that mattered was finding a Lannister.
"Stannis." A voice called out.
Stannis grinded his teeth. The one Lannister not participating in any way.
He turned to his Sister by Law. Ser Preston stood next to her, befitting a Kingsguard.
"Your Grace." He greeted with no hint of familial warmth.
They had worried that Cersei would try to make a scene during the tournament, but thankfully she had so far just stayed within the Red Keep. She had barred Robert, or almost anyone other than some servants who came from the Westerlands from entering her rooms. She apparently said it would be that way until Joffrey was returned to her.
But now that the tournament had occurred, she had left. Whether she had a plan of some kind, or if she just left on a whim to satisfy her boredom, Stannis could not tell.
Whatever the case, she was no more than a distraction to his current goals.
Even now, Cersei looked at him with open contempt clear on her face. Anger at him being there, when her son was far away in Essos by now.
Before they could actually attempt a cordial conversation, a new voice made a new individual known.
"My Queen!"
Turning, Stannis saw a young girl with long auburn and vivid blue eyes.
'The older Stark girl. Sansa I believe.' Stannis recognized after a moment.
Sansa took a moment after her sudden outburst at seeing the Queen to realize that her sudden exclamation was far from what a lady was meant to do.
In an instant, any hostility Cersei had disappeared as she turned to the young maiden. "Hello there sweetling. Don't be shy."
As Sansa approached the Queen, trying to regain her composure, Stannis took the chance to leave with a quick and halfhearted apology.
'I almost pity the girl. But Cersei knows better than to reveal her true self to a complete stranger. Sansa will be safe.'
He exited the Red Keep, and no sooner had he walked through the gates than he saw a man that fit the requirements for Stannis to actually target.
"Ser Kevan." He called out to the Household Knight, and Tywin's second in command.
"Lord Stannis." The older man greeted the Lord of Dragonstone amiably enough.
Out of all the Lannisters Stannis had met, Ser Kevan was probably the one who he got along with best. Ser Jaime was a Kingslayer who should be at the Wall, the Imp was a whoremonger and a drunk, Queen Cersei was a cruel woman who hid behind a layer of courtesy and who was convinced her son could do no wrong, and Tywin himself had committed many atrocities to get an advantage at great cost, such as the Sacking of King's Landing for which he was never punished despite promising to defend it for Aerys.
In contrast, Kevan was somewhat similar to himself. Second sons who followed their elder brothers, even if they did not always agree. The only difference was that Kevan was more naturally in line with Tywin than Stannis was to Robert. But both of them did their duty when asked.
If not for the Lion on his Sigil, Ser Kevan was the kind of man who would rule the Twins justly and help return things in the area to normal.
"I take it that you have been dueling as well?" Stannis asked. Varys had provided a full list of who was participating in the tournament, and who came for other business or just to watch. Ser Kevan's name had been just below Tywin's on the list of those they must remove quickly.
"Aye, even with how different it is, it is good to be in a tourney of some kind again. It has been years since I did more than watch." The Knight said. "I have beaten two others so far, though one only bet a single dragon. I suppose you are interested in taking them from me?"
Stannis nodded. "You have five. I have six. Are you willing to accept my challenge?"
Both of the men knew that this was more than just two men of good standing challenging each other as equals. It was a battle that could affect the fates of their houses, and possibly all of Westeros.
There was no way to decline without showing weakness.
"Very well." Kevan said. "But considering you have one more than me, and thus could stay in if you lose, I would ask that you put all six on the line."
"...Very well." Stannis said.
It mattered little. If he could get Kevan out, the risk was worth it. And if he was out, he could at the very least go back to helping Jon Arryn run the kingdom while the tournament was occurring. Even with Robert slowly getting better at being King after years of indifference, he still put most of the responsibilities on his Hand. If paying off the Lannister's debt was not a part of this tournament, Stannis would not have participated in the first place.
The Lannister knight got off his horse, handing the reins to his son and Squire Willem. The boy was not participating himself, but his brother Lancel was, Stannis knew.
Ser Kevan held out his Duel Disk, and Stannis did the same. The devices came to life as they recognized that they were about to be used.
The first direct conflict between the Baratheons and Lannisters had begun.
S: 4000 K: 4000
"Since you challenged me, I shall go first." Kevan announced as he drew his hand. Stannis nodded curtly at the fair point.
"I shall play a card face down, then summon the Warrior of Zera in attack position."
The field manifested a warrior with a green helmet and some strange armor that only covered his shoulders and the top half of his chest. Green gauntlets adorned his arms, and blue pants with a yellow orb of some kind covered his waist down. A sword with some sort of demonic face was clutched in his left hand.
"That will be all for my first turn." Kevan announced.
"Very well. My move then." Stannis said as he drew.
He looked at his hand, to see what he could throw against the green warrior.
'There is also the face down to worry about.' Stannis thought as he grinded his teeth.
"I set a monster of my own, then play a face down as well." Stannis declared.
He could have destroyed Zera, but not without leaving himself open. Better to wait for the right moment while building up his strategies.
'So, he is still so cautious.' Kevan noted his opponent's actions. 'I suppose he had to be, to survive the siege of Storm's End. Had Robert been in charge of his ancestral seat, he would likely have risked it all in one large charge against the Tyrell host. However...'
"My move." Kevan said as he drew.
'To be too cautious can be just as dangerous as having no caution. Had he destroyed Zera, I would not be able to do this.'
"I summon Armor Breaker, in attack mode!" Kevan declared.
A small figure materialized on the field. He wore some kind of red armor, but the most significant feature was the giant hammer that was above him.
Despite its small size and somewhat strange design, Stannis recognized the monster for what it was. 'A Union Monster. This will be more difficult.'
"Now, I activate his ability. I can select any warrior monster on my field, and equip Armor Breaker to it." Kevan explained as the Armor Breaker merged into his hammer, becoming a long handle to carry it. Zera picked him up and readied to swing it.
"Now, Zera will destroy your monster!" Kevan ordered.
Zera ran forward, and smashed the face down monster. It suddenly revealed itself to be some sort of red metal ball, with four legs of silver. Before the hammer could destroy it, it suddenly jumped into the air, turned so that its legs were facing Zera, and attached itself to his chest.
"Adhesive Explosive" Stannis announced his monster's name. "If it is attacked while in face down defense position, it attaches itself to the monster attacking it instead of being destroyed."
Kevan was unperturbed by this reveal. 'A minor setback.' He thought to himself.
"I end my turn then."
"My move." Stannis said as he drew.
"I summon Bowganian, in attack mode."
An eyeball appeared on the field. Green armor covered most of it, with spikes jutting out for additional protection. Two metal arms held a crossbow in front of it. It had only 1300 attack points.
"Now I add another face down to my field, and end my turn." Stannis finished.
"Then it is my turn again." Kevan announced as he drew, only for Adhesive Explosive to suddenly clutch onto Zera more, and begin to glow with heat. Before Kevan could question this, the Explosive glowed a blinding white, and there was a loud explosion, destroying Zera and Armor Breaker both.
"When an Adhesive Explosive is equipped to a monster, it destroys both of them on your standby phase." Stannis revealed.
"I see." Ser Kevan said. "But it matters little in the end. I activate my spell card Double Summon, in order to bring out both Freezing Beast and Burning Beast!"
Both of the monsters came to life on the field. Both had but one eye, but they were very different. Freezing beast was a creature of some kind made out of ice so sharp and cold that just touching it would be dangerous. Burning Beast was no safer, the rocks that made up its body causing the stones below it to glow with heat.
"Now the Freezing Beast will equip itself to the Burning Beast." Ser Kevan announced.
The ice monster approached the flaming one, melting down and hollowing out, until what was left was more armor made of a creature's skin. It draped itself on top of its burning counterpart, not melting any more.
"Now, Burning Beast will attack your Bowganiam!" Kevan declared.
As the beast lunged towards Stannis' Crossbow monster, he briefly debated which of his face downs to activate. But there really was no choice in the matter. Not against Union monsters.
"I shall activate my trap card, Storming Mirror Force!" Stannis declared.
The Burning Beast was immediately repelled by a green dome forming around Stannis' Bowganian. When he tried to break through, the attack reflected back at him, stripping his ice armor off of him, and sending him scurrying off the field and fading.
"It does not destroy your monster, but rather returns him to your hand." Stannis explained. "But with him stripped from the field, your Freezing Beast is no longer equipped to its counterpart, and is sent to the Graveyard."
Stannis knew how dangerous Union monsters could be. He had briefly considered doing as Ser Kevan had clearly done by focusing his deck around them. But he had decided against it. While they had their uses, very few were versatile enough to be reliable on their own.
Kevan picked up the pair of beasts, and held one in his hand and the other was sent to his graveyard. "A clever move. But only a temporary setback, I assure you. Until then, it is your move."
"Very well then." Stannis said as he drew.
'If he did not play any more cards, it is likely that his hand is just some monster cards.' Stannis thought to himself. 'As for his face down, I know how to deal with that.'
"First, Bowganian's special ability activates during my Standby Phase. You take 600 damage." Stannis explained as the eyeball loaded and fired a crossbow bolt at the Lannister Knight. It struck his shoulder, but no actual pain or force was done.
S: 4000 K: 3400
"Now, I sacrifice Bowganian, in order to summon Jinzo!" Stannis revealed one of his strongest cards.
Bowganian broke into different pieces of metal as Jinzo's human-like body appeared. Bowganian's armor slowly morphed into Jinzo, covering him with his traditional green outfit.
"Now, with any chance of that being a trap card nullified, Jinzo will attack you directly!" Stannis announced.
Jinzo's hands came together, and a ball of lightning emerged from between his palms. He threw it at Ser Kevan, who instinctively blocked it with his Duel Disk, even though it did nothing to save his Life Points.
S: 4000 K: 1000
"I end my turn." Stannis declared.
'The duel is almost over.' Stannis thought to himself.
But something still kept Stannis on edge. He had the life point advantage, and Kevan could use none of his traps. It should be a simple win. Just summon a monster with more than a thousand attack points, and the duel would end, even if Kevan summoned a monster to defend against Jinzo.
'But should this really be so easy?' Stannis questioned himself. 'Did I luck out by him getting a bad hand, and being prepared for his Union Monsters?'
"My turn." Ser Kevan declared as he drew. "First thing I shall do is get rid of your Jinzo. I activate Fissure!"
Immediately, Stannis' fears were realized as a hole appeared right under Jinzo, sending the monster to fall in, unable to save itself.
"Next, I activate Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two cards." Kevan explained. Stannis could see a small grin form on his face as he looked.
"I summon X-Head Cannon, in attack mode." Kevan said.
On the field a creature of pure metal materialized. While blue was its main color, other parts, such as the arms and chest, had a significant amount of yellow.
Standing with 1800 attack points, it was a significant threat.
"That is not all however, I shall activate the other card I drew, Frontline Base. This allows me to summon a Union Monster from my hand every turn. And for my first, I shall choose Y-Dragon Head."
Another metallic monster appeared from the sky. The same size as the cannon, it did resemble a red dragon somewhat.
Stannis stared on as the two machine monsters faced him. 'The question is will he combine, or leave them separate? He can either take out most of my life points, or make it stronger.'
"Now, I merge Y-Head Dragon onto X-Head Cannon." Kevan answered Stannis' thoughts. "This increases its attack to 2200. And he will attack you directly!'
The cannons lowered and aimed right at Stannis. They shot forward, striking Stannis for over half his life points, closing the large gap that Stannis had managed to make.
S: 1800 K: 1000
"And with that, my turn ends." Kevan said, standing behind his X-Head Cannon, now able to defeat Stannis even without its increased power.
"Then It is my turn." Stannis announced as he drew and began his turn again.
He needed to end this soon, or Kevan could manage to pull ahead or even claim victory soon. He had already lost such a large advantage in a single turn. More likely than not, the longer the duel went, the worse the odds would get for him. He searched his hand for whatever was the best move he could make. After a moment, he saw that it was the card he just drew that gave him the best chance.
'I suppose this may work. It will not win me the duel right now, but it will return the field advantage to me.' Stannis thought as he grabbed two additional cards from his hand. He was a bit hesitant to use this monster, solely because of how much of a risk its effect was. But it was his only choice right now. And these two spells he had kept in reserve would make up for it.
"Since I have no face up cards on my field, be they monsters, spells or traps, I can summon Machina Metalcruncher in attack mode!" Stannis, declared as the level nine monster, was brought forth onto the field. It resembled a man, its size, standing at twice the height of stannis. Its limbs and chest were all orange, with some small green additions to it. On the legs were pieces that resembled the fins of a shark somewhat, but made of the same metal as the rest of it. An orange helmet with similar fins on its head. Its left arm was more of a grappling hook than a hand. In contrast, its right arm was like an armored claw, from which Stannis Doubted much could escape the grip of.
The moment it fully materialized on the field, it suddenly began to collapse in on itself slightly. Its limbs grew smaller, until it was closer to Stannis' height.
Upon seeing the confused look on Ser Kevan's face, Stannis freely explained. "I may have summoned him without sacrificing, but in order to do so, his attack is lowered down to 1800."
"I see." Kevan said. "But that is still not enough to take down my cannon."
"Mayhaps not, but I can destroy it with this! I activate the equip spell, Gravity Blaster!"
Four identical metal spheres formed in front of Metalcruncher, shooting streams of light until a pyramid formed right in front of him, and a sphere formed inside of it.
"Now, I activate its effect. Once per turn, it can increase the attack of the monster equipped with it by four hundred. Even should the Gravity Blaster be destroyed, the gain in attack would remain."
Metalcruncher regained some of its size, as its attack matched X-Head Cannon's point-for-point.
"Next, I activate the continuous spell Machina Armored Unit." Stannis said, but did not explain what it did. He would reveal it soon enough.
"Now, Metalcruncher, attack X-Head Cannon!'' Stannis ordered in the same voice he used to command his men in battle.
Instead of going in for the attack itself, Metalcruncher struck at the Pyramid in front of it, and Gravity Blaster shot forward a beam of light that struck X-Head Cannon.
Or rather, it should have.
Before the attack could connect, Y-Head Dragon detached itself from its counterpart, and blocked the attack. This opening allowed X-Head Cannon to fire at Metalcruncher, reducing the empowered but still weakened machine to scrap metal.
"A good attempt, but unfortunately for you, union monsters like Y-Head Dragon can destroy themselves to protect the monsters that use them. All you did was destroy your own monster." Kevan announced.
'That move was very unlike Stannis.' He thought privately to himself. 'He was playing cautiously before, but he risked it all on this one attack?'
"I am well aware of the effect of Union Monsters. I knew this would occur." Stannis said. "Which is why I now activate the Machina Armored Unit spell I played. Allow me to explain, by reading the effect aloud. 'Once per turn, when a machine monster is destroyed by battle and sent to your graveyard: You can special summon one machine monster from your deck that has the same attribute and less attack than the destroyed monster in the Graveyard.'"
Kevan raised an eyebrow. "It is too late to get another equip card on it. And it will be weak enough for my X-Head Cannon to defeat."
"Not quite. As I said, `Less attack than that destroyed monster in the Graveyard.'" Stannis repeated.
Realization struck Kevan at the specific wording. "You mean…"
"Aye." Stannis said. "We do not think about it much, but increases and decreases of attack and defense only occur on the field itself. The moment Metalcruncher was sent to the Graveyard, his attack returned to 2800. Meaning I can summon a monster with just under that."
Stannis removed his deck from the Duel Disk, and searched through it, finally choosing one monster that was about a third of the way from the top.
"I summon Machina Megaform!"
The pieces of scrap that were once Metalcruncher suddenly floated up, and began to reassemble into a new form.
This new form was largely blue and white, but with some orange around the head and chest. A cannon, larger than X-Head's, was on the left shoulder of the monster.
It stood upon the field with 2600 attack points.
"Now Megaform, finish off X-Head Cannon!" Stannis commanded.
The cannon pointed itself down at X-Head's. Both fired a single shot at the other, but Megaform's blast absorbed X-Head's and continued unimpeded.
"I activate my trap!" Kevan yelled as X-Head was struck by the blast.
Suddenly, some sort of one eyed winged demon with two blade like arms appeared and scooped up X-Head's remains.
"Option Hunter." Kevan explained. "When my monster is destroyed by battle, I can gain Life Points equal to his original attack.
The Option Hunter glowed as it seemed to suck energy out of the machine trapped in its grasp. However, this increase did nothing to stop the damage from the attack from occurring, resulting in Kevan's Life Points still getting reduced.
S: 1800 K: 2000
'No matter.' Stannis thought. 'Both of our hands have been severely reduced, and he finally used the one trap he had on the field. He has a single card in his hand, so he will basically be top decking unless he draws something that lets him draw more. I still have my own trap from the first turn. I just need to summon another monster, and I can defeat him.'
"I end my turn." He said, watching to see how Ser Kevan would react.
"Then it is my move." Kevan said as he drew.
The last remaining card he had in his hand was Second Goblin. A useful Union Monster, save for the fact that there was only one card in his deck that it could equip. And even then, it would not be enough to take down Megaform.
Kevan looked at the card he just drew from his deck, hopeful that it would allow him to turn the battle around.
Alas, Kevan was not the hero of some child's story or song. Simply wanting to win was not enough to let the god's grant him such a victory.
The card he drew was Legendary sword. A card that was completely useless to him now.
'Even if I did draw a card I could actually use, I doubt there is a card even in my deck that could turn the duel around by itself. I will not concede, but it appears that the duel is Stannis'.' Kevan accepted.
"I set a monster, and a card face down, then I end my turn." Kevan bluffed. He knew it would not work, but it was the best he could do.
"My move then." Stannis said as he drew.
'He is done.' Stannis thought to himself. 'Either this turn or the next, depending on those face downs. But now I have a monster I can summon.'
"I summon Blue Thunder T-45." Stannis said.
On the field, some sort of metallic ship, floating in the air materialized. Its most significant trait was the giant blue glass window that covered the front of it.
"And Blue Thunder will destroy your monster!" Stannis ordered.
A beam of light emanated from the glass, striking the face down monster and briefly illuminating the form of the small goblin for all to see. Then, after the goblin had been burnt, its ashes glowed and flew into the air, reforming into a second Blue Thunder, but smaller.
"When Blue Thunder destroys a monster, I get a Thunder Option Token, with 1500 attack points." Stannis explained, "But that is not important. Megaform, finish off his life points!"
Megaform aimed its cannon straight at Kevan, who did nothing to stop it, not that he could. The sight of the barrel of the cannon may have caused him to instinctively flinch, but otherwise he managed to stand his ground as his life points dropped.
S: VICTOR K: DEFEAT
The field faded away, leaving the two men alone.
The sun was just finishing its time in the sky, dipping towards the west as dusk came about.
Only a few smallfolk had watched their duel, staying quiet or leaving fairly quickly. The first day was over, and with it, their thirst for entertainment was sated. None of them cared for the duel they had just witnessed. It was too late for them to care, and neither of the duelists were well known for particular heroic deeds that would endear them to the city.
Ser Kevan walked up to Stannis, maintaining a level of dignity in defeat that made him look even more like his brother.
"A fine duel." Kevan offered as a compliment, but his face made no attempt to hide the fact that he hated his loss, seeing it as harming his house. Still, he was holding his hand out to show his Dragons that he had lost.
Stannis took them from the Knight's hand. "You fought well." He offered, trying to be courteous. It was not Stannis' stronsuit. But it was the truth. The duel could have easily gone either way.
"Well, Lord Stannis," Kevan said. "If you would excuse me, I should like to retire to the Lannister's rooms. It has been a long day, and likely my brother will send me back to the Rock to take over from our Sister Genna."
Stannis nodded. "Of course."
With that, Ser Kevan began to walk to the Red Keep, only to stop and turn around. "I almost forgot. I heard about Dragonstone. A plague, I believe? I pray the Maesters and Septas can get it under control, so you may go back to your seat. I am sure your wife and daughter miss you terribly."
'Damn that Pycelle.' Stannis thought, grinding his teeth. They had only provided Pycelle with Ravens that would go to King's Landing. But it was possible he still managed to get a message to the Lannisters some other way. Or he had used Dragonstone's rookery to do so.
He and Robert were getting along better, but Robert still refused to get rid of Pycelle. Despite the fact that he was a Lannister Stooge, and terrible at trying to conceal it, he had yet to do something under Robert's rule worthy of stripping him of his position. And with the Lannisters not technically enemies, accusing him of spying for the Lions would turn the battle of politics into actual warfare. Jon Arryn, the constant voice of reason throughout the reign, had also been against it, arguing that a new Grand Maester may hold loyalty to the Tyrells, and would be better at hiding it than Pycelle. Stannis begrudgingly let it stand, but the moment he slipped, Stannis would bring it up again.
"Thank you for your words." Stannis grunted out. "I am sure I speak for everyone on the island when I say that we hope your prayers come true."
With that, Stannis and Kevan went their separate ways, both knowing that the other would do whatever they could to support their brothers.
AN: AND DONE!
This is over 7K words, not too bad of a return if I do say so.
It was actually over 9K words, but I decided to push the third POV back to the next chapter. This chapter had enough to satisfy you, I hope.
We start with Ned in the North. This is basically a continuation of the Catelyn POV from before, seeing that the North still has raised tensions, blaming the South for the Sparrow problem. Just a bit of a touch in with Ned.
Then, we have Stannis. Still distraught over Dragonstone, he has thrown himself into the tournament because it is something he can do. Stannis was part of the first duel in this story, so I figured it was time he be in the spotlight again, along with his new personal deck. As you can see, it is largely Machines, and many of those machines are Machina, but he still has some surprises in store. I actually briefly considered giving him Unions, but decided against it, and used the chance to give them to Kevan. Stannis and Kevan are very interesting, when you consider how opposite they are. Both obey their brothers, but Stannis has his own seat and duties, and gets little respect until recently. Kevan is a simple Household Knight, meaning DAVOS, a landed Knight, is in at least one regard higher than him. But Tywin and Kevan are a perfect team. In some ways, I would say that Kevan is what Stannis wishes he could have been to Robert.
With that, we are officially back into this fic, and will be staying with it until the end of the tournament, and maybe one or two things after.
Hope you all stay safe and wish you luck in all your future endeavors
Jaehaerys . Joestar