It was another day at Duel Academy fantasia, as the path to Azure aspiration was shifting into high gear.
"This ones done and dusted! Superheavy Samurai Steam Train King, run em' over!" Olira declared.
"YAAAAAGH!" her opponent exclaimed as he was sent flying to the ground after Steam Train King destroyed Bujintei Izanagi.
Harry LP: 2400 - 0
Winner: Olira Engel
"Oh yeah! Nothing can stop the Pain Train!" Olira fist pumped.
"Olira accomplished every bonus goal and dominated the duel! That's a grand total of 45 points to take the lead over Flamberge! Flamberge is gonna need to put up another grand performance today to keep up her top spot!" Carly reported.
Current Standings: Day 2
Olira - 77 Pts
Flamberge - 40 Pts
Yurina- 39 Pts
Jason - 38 Pts
Xander - 34 Pts
Luna - 33 Pts
Okada - 32 Pts
Aria - 28 Pts
Kathlaa - 23 Pts
Nuria - 22 Pts
Marina - 21 Pts
Rex - 20 Pts
"We need to find duelists soon, Berge… the Aspirants have said that if no duels occur in a day of competition, we'll have no points today!" Kathlaa remarked.
"I know Kathlaa, and I'm worried about you. The other aspirants have been dueling just as hot today, and now youre in 9th place." Flamberge said.
"Yeah, if we don't get a duel in soon, we may-" Kathlaa was about to say when.
"Hey! You two punks doin' anything stupid around school grounds?" A militaristic voice declared as a tan skinned woman with a punk-like hair cut would declare, dressed in a military dorm style outfit with a sword strapped on her back in case of needing to defend beyond duels, stun baton on her waist.
"Who, us? Uh, we were just… going about our own business!" Flamberge said.
"No, I'm talking to Jorgie behind you two- Yeah, you! What are ya doin' waltzing about school grounds like this, ain't you students supposed to be in class?" The woman asked firmly.
"My Duel Runner class just got out a couple minutes ago!" Flamberge argued.
"And I just came from Advanced Duel Strategy with Mokuba." Kathlla said, her animalistic instincts kicking in as she stood on guard, specifically in front of
"Oh, that so? Gimme your School IDs so I can prove it." the woman demanded.
The Blazing General and Overworld Soldier brought out their IDs and showed them to the woman.
"Flamberge and Kathlaa? Wait a second, i know you two…" the woman said. "Yeah, you're those two rookies in the Blue-Eyes Aspirants." she looked to Flamberge. "Youre the lucky one who got in cuz she nearly beat Hurota, ain't ya?"
"Yep, Flamberge, thats me!" Flamberge said, proud that her near-accomplishment was spreading.
"Tch, before you, I held that record, you know. Had Hurota down to 1000 Life Points, not even that star student Olira touched it. But for whatever damn reason I get my ass beat by those Blue-Eyes punks like I'm a second rate duelist. And every year when they put on this Path of Aspiration or whatever contest, you all just waltz around while Security just watches because it's part of your contest between classes." The woman growled, clearly a bit resentful.
"Uh, did the Aspirants do something to you to get you a little heated?" Flamberge said.
"Do something?! I was on course to be the toughest duelist in the whole school, but then Hurota assembled the 10 Blue-Eyes Aspirants, and all of a sudden I'm tossed to the side! Didn't even consider giving me an invite! Just moved me over as common Security since I wasn't one of Kaiba's golden picks or hers! My dad STILL has beef with that rich-ass punk because of that!" The woman remarked with broiling anger. "If I can beat just one… Just ONE of these punks, I'll-!"
The woman stopped, realizing she was talking to two Aspirants at this moment.
"Wait…you two are Aspirants! And not just that, you're total newbies! Heheh… this couldn't be any more perfect!" the woman smiled evilly. "I may not be able to take the other Aspirants, but taking a hothead like you down will a piece of cake! Then finally, FINALLY, I can prove to Hurota why I ought to've been a part of her little group!" the woman smirked.
"Oh, is that a challenge! Bring it on! I'll burn you up real good!" Flamberge said.
"No, back Berge. I'm not gonna let you lose your position if you lose to her, besides, she's too pushy for my liking and I'm more than eager to send her packing." Kathlaa remarked.
"But Kathy, she challenged me! I can't let you duel in my place, think about how everyone else will react if they found out you had to protect me!" Flamberge said.
"And if you lose ground now, you'll never reach the top spot! I can't live with myself if you end up losing because you underestimated someone!" Kathlaa said back.
"...Heh, you know what? Fine! If you two are both eager to fight me, then I'll fight the BOTH of ya!" the woman suddenly declared.
"Eh!?" Flamberge and Kathlaa said at once.
"Just thinking about it… if I take both of you down, double the Life Points, my deck against two, then Hurota's got no choice but to realize my potential! Hahahaha!" the woman smirked. "I'll even make it fairer, and start with ten cards, going first! This is gonna be so sweet to have happen!"
As this happened, the broadcasts came on, as the Aspirants had gathered in their class, wondering where Flamberge and Kathlaa were, when Carly's face appeared.
"Ohohoho this is getting wild, people! For our final duel of the Path of Aspiration today, it looks like our very own Junior Security Captain, Armata Trudge, is taking on Flamberge and Kathlaa, AT THE SAME TIME!" Carly exclaimed.
In the Security Station…
"WHAAAAAT?!" Tetsu Trudge exclaimed in shock. "Armata you hotheaded…. Uuuuuugh…."
"Sir, are you going to-" a member of Security was about to speak up.
"No. If I don't let that kid learn her lessons, she'll be just like me. And I don't want her making my mistakes." Trudge admitted.
Back in the Aspirants Classroom….
"I was wondering what was taking them so long… looks like Armata cornered them." Jason said. "She doesn't give up, does she?"
"Hah, I'm actually rooting for Flamberge and Kathlaa for once." Olira remarked. "She deserves it for trying what she did on one of our own, trying to beat Rex with him only using half of his deck, thanks to her shredding his cards of course."
"She's nothin' but a bully. What did we even do to her, it's not our fault Hurota noticed we were great." Rex said. "But whys she picking on them?"
"She must figure that Flamberge and Kathlaa are easy prey, being the newest of us." Xander said.
"Well I want them to prove her wrong! Go Flamberge! Go Kathlaa! Beat her good and get a lot of points!" Okada yelled.
"Hey now, let's not root that much." Olira remarked with a sweatdrop.
Back with the three of them…
"Before we throw down, I dont think we got your name. So how about you introduce yourself." Flamberge said, activating her flaming red Arc-V Duel Disk.
"Heh, if that's what you want, then I'll make sure you remember my name well, burning it into your memory banks!" Armata smirked, activating her Satellite style KC duel disk.. "The name's Armata Trudge, Junior Security Captain here at Fantasia Academy, and you're both going down in a blazing inferno!"
"Not a chance. Flamberge! Let's get her!" Kathlaa declared, her black and red DSOD KC Duel Disk flaring up.
Wild Roulette: What Boss?
If Kathlaa and Flamberge beat Armata's Boss Monster, they'll get 15 points!
Flamberge and Kathlaa/Armata: LET'S DUEL!
Armata: 8000 LP
VS.
Flamberge: 8000 LP
Kathlaa: 8000 LP
"Now keep in mind folks, even if either of Flamberge or Kathlaa's Life Points hit zero, as long as one of them has Life Points by the end, they'll both be counted as winners!" Carly exclaimed.
(Cue: Tetsu Trudges Theme - Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links)
"It's my turn!" Armata declared, looking at her 10 card hand. "Let's see the damage I can do…"
Armata's Hand:
"Case of K9"
Galaxy Soldier
Electromagnetic Turtle
Linkslayer
Overlay Booster
Cyber Dragon
K9 - #66a Jokull
K9 - #ØØ Lupus
K9 - LC Liberation
Pot of Greed
"Alright, let's start this with a little Pot of Greed! I'll draw another two cards to my hand!" Armata sneered.
Armata Drew:
Waboku
Honest
'Good, got some insurance.' Armata sneered. "I'll discard Electromagnetic Turtle, allowing me to Special Summon Galaxy Soldier from my hand!"
The white and yellow armored soldier appeared on the field in a defensive position.
Galaxy Soldier
Level 5 LIGHT Warrior
0 DEF/2000 ATK
"Thanks to its own effect, I can add another Galaxy Monster to my hand! I'll go ahead and bring a second Galaxy Soldier up, and go ahead and discard my Cyber Dragon to summon it out!" Armata smirked.
Galaxy Soldier
0 DEF/2000 ATK
"Since I control a monster on my field with 2000 or more Attack, I can Special Summon out Overlay Booster!" Armata declared, slapping down yet another monster.
A red armored warrior with wings appeared.
Overlay Booster
Level 5 LIGHT Warrior
0 DEF/2000 ATK
"Now I'll go to my hand and activate the effect of K9 Unit 66a, Jokull! I reveal her and K9 Unit Double O Lupus, and Special Summon both to my field, but they can't Xyz Summon a Light Monster!" Armata yelled, slapping two monsters down.
Two new monsters appeared. One was a female with cyan hair in some kind of black and neon green cyberpunk police outfit, complete with an arm cannon on her left arm. The other was a white haired older man with a sinister vibe to him as he wore an edgy black outfit.
K9 - #66a Jokull
Level 5 DARK Aqua
2000 ATK/1900 DEF
K9 - #ØØ Lupus
Level 5 EARTH Beast-Warrior
2300 ATK/200 DEF
"5 monsters in one turn!?" Kathlaa gasped.
"Yep, all Level 5 too, beats those puny level 4s you two probably got in your hands, but I ain't done, nowhere close!" Armata sneered.
"I've never seen those monsters before…" Flamberge said, looking at Jokull and Lupus.
"They're K9s. A special operational unit of experimental super soldiers, all with inhibitors to keep…. Undesirable aspects out. But even those can react with each other to create… malicious effects." Armata smirked. "Like this. I'll build the Overlay Network with Lupus and Jokull!"
As she said this, the collars on Lupus and Jokull started to fritz out, Jokull grunting while Lupus laughed as the two would become pure Xyz material afterward, shooting up into the sky.
"We're gonna need some proper backup! Prepare to face the rookie of these true beasts, but don't ever count her out of anything either! I Xyz Summon! Rank 5! K9 Enforcer 17, RIPPER!" Armata exclaimed.
As the Overlay network exploded, out from the light came another female officer in a blue specialized police outfit with an athletic and well-built body. Her canine features were well apparent in her large ears and dog-like face, and her main weapons of choice were two scythes fashioned on her arms like arm blades, empathizing with her codename.
K9 - #17 "Ripper"
Rank 5 WIND Beast-Warrior
2300 ATK/1800 DEF
"And the backup's gonna continue to roll in! I'll build the Overlay Network with one of my Galaxy Soldiers and Overlay Booster! Rush in, our most trusted scout!" Armata declared as Galaxy Soldier and Overlay Booster shot up to the sky. "I Xyz Summon K9 Enforcer Double O, HOUND!" Armata declared, slapping her card down with force.
Out of this time came a fully lupine individual with white fur and in a similar outfit to Lupus.
K9 - #ØØ "Hound"
Rank 5 LIGHT Beast-Warrior
2500 ATK/2500 DEF
"And now the real evolution starts." Armata sneered maliciously. "I'll activate K9 - LC Liberation from my hand, targeting Ripper!" Armata smirked, as Ripper groaned in agony, holding her collar before she collapsed, becoming Xyz energy as she began to shoot up again.
"And what exactly does that do?" Kathlaa asked.
"Glad you asked. This quick-play spell allows me to evolve my Xyz monster even farther! Go! UNSTABLE RANK-UP! I'll call forth our best operative, unleashed, and unmatched! CHAOS XYZ SUMMON, RANK 9! K9 - EX ENFORCER, WEREWOLF!" Armata exclaimed as a fierce light slammed down with a fearful howl emitting across the area.
This individual looked to be Lupus, only he was MUCH more feral and ferocious.
K9 - EX "Werewolf"
Rank 9 LIGHT Beast Warrior
3300 ATK/2500 DEF
"I'll end my turn like this. I'll activate from my hand "Case of K9," allowing me to add a K9 Monster from my Deck to my hand, and then set one card face down." Armata declared, having added K9 #66b Lantern.
"In just her first turn, Armata has set up a dominant field! How can Flamberge and Kathlaa overcome this! Oh, quick, check her hand! Is she over limit?" Carly asked.
Everyone looked…. Of all the cards Armata had activated…
She only had 3 in her hand.
"SHE WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 3!" Carly exclaimed in shock.
"Ten cards ain't a problem to get rid of. Your move, punks." Armata sneered.
Armata's Field
K9 - Hound: 2500 ATK
K9 - Werewolf: 3300 ATK
Galaxy Soldier: 0 DEF
"Case of K9"
1 Face Down
Hand: 3
Flamberge's Turn
"Time to bring the heat!" Flamberge said, taking her draw phase.
Flamberges Hand
Salamangreat Meer
Salamangreat Gazelle
Salamangreat Foxy
Salamangreat Sanctuary
Salamangreat Performance
Flamberge Drew: Salamangreat Circle
"I'll kick things off by summoning Salamangreat Foxy in Attack Mode!" Flamberge said as she summoned the Blue Fox cyberse monster.
Salamangreat Foxy
Level 3 FIRE Cyberse
1000 ATK/1200 DEF
"That's supposed to scare me? Whaddya gonna do? Blow up my Soldier?" Armata sneered.
"Go on, mock me. It just gets me fired up!" Flamberge said. "Since I summoned out Foxy, I can now excavate the top 3 cards of my deck and add any Salamangreat card I want to my hand!"
Flamberge did so, finding Salamangreat Fowl, and adding it to her hand.
"Bad move kid. Time to show you what my cards are best at, looking at all your special ability monsters as fresh meat. First, the effect of Hound activates since you activated a monster effect, permanently increasing his strength by 500!" Armata smirked.
K9 - Hound - 2500 - 3000 ATK
"Next, Case of K9 goes into effect, where since you activated a monster effect this turn, all K9 monsters get another boosts 900 Attack points!" Armata snickered.
K9 - Hound - 3000 - 3900 ATK
K9 - Werewolf - 3300 - 4200 ATK
"So every time we activate monster effects, her cards will power up?" Kathlaa asked.
"Lucky for you, not for Werewolf, he's hit his cap with "Case of K9" being used only once per turn… Hound on the other hand is gonna keep gaining 500 Points of Attack for every monster effect you use, Flamberge. Better find out how to become efficient!" Armata sneered.
"(This is dangerous…. I have to be careful about how many monster effects i use this turn.)" Flamberge though.
(Music Change: Gatling Buster - Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds WC 2011 OST)
"First, I'll activate Salamangreat Circle! This lets me fetch another Salamangreat Monster to my hand!" Flamberge said. "But its not sticking around for long. Because im gonna discard it to allow Salamangreat Meer to pop up into this duel!"
The Meerkat Salamangreat Monster appeared.
Salamangreat Meer
Level 2 FIRE Cyberse
600 DEF/800 ATK
"And because you used an effect, Hound gets stronger!" Armata declared confidently.
K9 - Hound - 3900 - 4400 ATK
"I'm not done yet! Because I discarded a Salamangreat monster, this guy can now gallop his way in! Salamangreat Gazelle!"
The Gazelle monster galloped its way out to the field.
Salamangreat Gazelle
Level 3 FIRE Cyberse
1500 ATK/1200 DEF
"And another 500!" Armata smirked. "You just can't help making my hound hungry, can you?"
K9 - Hound - 4400 - 4900 ATK
"Ive got a hungry wolf too, Yknow! Blaze the Circut!" Flamberge said as the Link Circut appeared in the air. "I set Salamangreats Foxy and Meer in the Link Arrows, to Link summon my own Ferocious hound! Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf!"
A flaming bipedal wolf would take to the field, growling at the two clearly more dominant wolves.
Salamangreat Sunlight Wolf
Link-2 FIRE Cyberse
1800 ATK
"Awwww, lookit the little fire puppy, my Hound and Werewolf can gobble it up twice over!" Armata laughed.
Sunlight Wolf 1800 ATK
K9 - Hound 4900 ATK
K9 - Werewolf 4200 ATK
"Good thing hes not a lone wolf then! I activate Salamangreat Spinnys effect from the graveyard! It can roll back out to the field from the graveyard if I've got a Salamangreat monster already on the field!"
Salamangreat Spinny
Level 3 FIRE Cyberse
1000 ATK/1500 DEF
"You're only making my Hound more ferocious by the second, Flamberge!" Armata chuckled.
K9 - Hound - 4900 - 5400 ATK
"And now, Sunlight Wolfs effect goes off! I summoned Spinny next to its link, so that means one Salamangreat monster in my graveyard comes back to my hand, and I choose Salamangreat Wolvie! Unfortunately, this also means I can't summon it, but I can use its other effect!" Flamberhe exclaimed.
"Keep feeding my dog, Flamberge!" Armata laughed.
K9 Hound - 5400 - 5900 ATK
"With Wolvie, I can add another FIRE monster from my grave into my hand! I'll choose Foxy!" Flamberge declared.
K9 Hound - 5900 - 6400 ATK
"What the hell is she doing? She's practically overfeeding that mutt at this point!" Rex commented.
"If Flamberge doesn't stop chaining her swarm effects, Armata's Hound will be strong enough to wipe out both her and Kathlaa before she even makes a move!" Yurina realized.
"Hold on… I think Flamberge has a plan here." Olira remarked. "...I've seen it before, she wants to get Armata to believe she has this won already, before swiftly crushing her hopes. A cruel move, Berge, I expected better out of you." Olira remarked, that last bit clearly sarcastic.
"Okay, while that's all well and good… can she actually do it?" Rex asked.
"Just watch." Olira said, smiling the whole way. 'You deserve this, Armata, every bit of it!'
Back at the duel…
"Go on hothead! Keep the monster effects coming! The more you fire up, the more hungry my Hound gets for spicy food!" Armata sneered.
K9 Hound - 6400 ATK
"(Thats it, keep thinking you got me and Kathy…)" Flamberge secretly said to herself. "Your dog likes it hot? Then I'll make it even hotter! Time to fire up the Overlay Network!"
"Huh?!" Armata gasped.
"Surprised? You're not the only one who can XYZ summon!" Flamberge smirked. "I Overlay my level 3 Gazelle and Spinny!"
The two Salamangreat monsters turned into pixelized data as they entered a large red x that generated from below, as energy blasted forward.
"This wild steed Blazes through the tundra to torch every Illusion!" Flamberge chanted. "I XYZ Summon! Saddle up! Rank 3 Salamangreat Miragestallio!"
The flaming wild horse appeared, letting out a mighty neigh and a wave of fire from its mouth.
Salamangreat Miragestallio
Rank 3 FIRE Cyberse
2000 ATK/900 DEF
"...BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, you tell good jokes, you had me worried there for a sec that you actually had something dangerous!" Armata laughed.
"Let's see if you're still laughing after I use Miragestallios ability! I can use one overlay unit to summon any Salamangreat monster I want from my deck in defense mode! I think I'll go ahead and bring out the big guy! Salamangreat Beat Bison!" Flamberge said as the Bison monster appeared from her deck.
Salamangreat Beat Bison
Level 8 FIRE Cyberse
1000 DEF/ 2800 ATK
"Keep it all coming, Flamberge! I love every effect you use!" Armata beamed. "Keep this up and I'll have enough attack strength to wipe you off the map!" Armata laughed.
K9 - Hound - 6400 - 6900 ATK
"I'll activate my Field Spell, Salamangreat Sanctuary to set the scenery for my big inferno! And now, it's time to Blaze the Circuit again! I set Sunlight Wolf and Miragestallio in the Link Arrows!" Flamberge said as Sunlight Wolf and Mirage stallio entered the top, Bottom left and Bottom right Link Zones. "I Link Summon! Roar, Link-3! Salamangreat Heatleo!"
In a burst of whirling flames out from the Link circut, Heatleo appeared from the flames as it let out its mighty roar.
Salamangreat Heatleo
2300 ATK
"Okay, okay, you're getting a bit warmer… while still incredibly COLD! GAHAHAHAHA!" Armata laughed.
"Laugh at this! Because Miragestallio was used as Link Material, your Werewolf is sent back to the Extra Deck, since he would otherwise had returned to your hand! Go! Mirage Inferno!" Flamberge exclaimed.
"Huh!?" Armata gasped as her monster was surrounded by nightmarish fire, which made it whimper and wail before being consumed and returned to her Extra Deck "My Werewolf! Rrgh… No matter! My hound gets stronger!"
K9 - Hound - 6900 - 7400 ATK
"Doesnt matter, because I'm just getting started! Because Heatleo was successfully Link Summoned, I can shuffle one of your spell or trap cards back into your deck! So it looks like your Case of K9 is closed!" Flamberge joked.
The Continuous spell was swallowed by flames.
"Fine, but because of your effect, instead of losing 900 Attack, Hound loses only 400 because it gained 500 more!" Armata snarled.
K9 - Hound - 7400 - 7000 ATK
"Great, her ace of Heatleo is out. …..NOW WHAT!?" Rex exclaimed from the classroom.
"Now this. Watch and learn, Rex." Nuria declared as Olira was rubbing her hands together.
'Get her, Berge, GET HER!' Olira smirked deviously.
"Get ready, Armata! Because this next move is gonna be too hot for you to handle! With Salamangreart Sanctuary out, I can show you the true power of my Deck, as I use Heatleo for a Link Summon!" Flamberge said as Heatleo shot into the air and into the Reincarnation Link Circut. "The Swirling Flames awaken his true strength! REINCARNATION LINK SUMMON!"
Heatleo blasted back out of the circuit and back into the fight.
"Rise again from the Valley of Flames! Salamangreat Heatleo!" Flamberge said as Heatleo roared upon his rearrival.
Salamangreat Heatleo
2300 ATK
"Okay, so you send away my other face down, big whoop! Now my Hound-" Armata was about to say as her face down was sent to her deck.
"Gotcha!" Flamberge declared.
"Hah!?" Armata exclaimed.
"It's true I fed Hound an extra 500 points, and he's now at 7500 Attack points...but it's time for your dog to get a leash! Heatleo's Reincarnation effect, I'll target a Salamangreat monster in my Grave, and the attack of your Hound is gonna be 500 stronger… PLUS THE ATTACK WHATEVER MONSTER I CHOOSE!" Flamberge smirked.
"WHAT!?" Armata exclaimed in horror.
"And I know just the Monster to mark your hound with… Salamangreat Meer!" Flamberge said.
"No… no… NO!" Armata exclaimed fearfully.
"Do your thing, Heatleo! Flame Possession!"
Heatleo blasted a stream of fire at Hound as he was hit hard, the flaming spirit of Salamangreat meer present above him. Hound yelped in gruesome pain as he was reduced to 800 attack points, and the extra boost didn't help him much.
K9 - Hound - 7500 ATK - 1300 ATK
The classroom erupted in cheers, but none were more enthused than Rex, Armata's last attempted duelist, and Olira, who was finally glad to see the woman get her confidence shattered in an instant.
"HELL YEAH!" Olira roared, as she covered her mouth. "Pardon me…"
"It's well warranted. Armata will learn not to mess with us soon enough." Nuria smiled.
"Yeah, Berge! I take back everything i said about you!" Rex said.
"Yeah! She finally is getting karma for all those cards of yours she destroyed!" Okada smiled.
Back to the Duel…
"I don't believe this! You were feeding me on purpose so that you could sap me of all my strength with that cheap shot!?" Armata asked.
"And now your field is ripe for me to absolutely deck you! Learn never to underestimate the Aspirants! Heatleo, Sent her hound to the pound! INFERNO STRIKE!" Flamberge exclaimed.
Heatleo would rush in, and carve through Hound like a hot knife through butter.
Armata LP: 8000 - 7000
"No…. My Hound… My Werewolf…." Armata remarked in disbelief at the field state. "...My field was perfect. IT WAS PERFECT!" Armata screamed, dropping to her knees.
"Whos the rookie now? I'll end my turn." Flamberge said.
Flamberge Status
Monsters: 2
No spells or traps
Salamangreat Sanctuary
Hand: 2
Flamberge's words sparked a hot fire in Armata, as she stood up.
"Oh, NOW you're gonna pay. I DRAW!" Armata roared.
Armata Drew: K9 - LC - EX Forced Liberation
"I'll activate the effect of K9 Unit 66b Lantern in my hand, to special summon it and K9 Unit 66a Jokull from my Graveyard!" Armata declared with furious intentions as she summoned them out. "Now, Xyz Summon! Come back out, Ripper!"
K9 - #17 "Ripper"
2300 ATK/1800 DEF
"Now I'll activate K9 - EX FORCED LIBERATION!" Armata roared, slapping down her next rank up spell. "I'll go and Xyz evolve right back to EX Werewolf!" Armata roared, as Werewolf landed back down with a vengeance.
K9 - EX "Werewolf"
3300 ATK/2500 DEF
"Now we're gonna inflict the pain! First, Forced Liberation destroys one card you control! And I pick Beat Bison!" Armata roared, as the Werewolf would maul Beat Bison to death, as it violently was destroyed. "And now I'll show your Heatleo what a real predator looks like, Werewolf, attack! And to bring even more pain… I'll activate Honest from my hand, making my Werewolf gain 2300 Attack, making its attack raise to 5600!" Armata growled.
Heatleo would be mauled violently by Werewolf, as the carcass got violently slammed into Flamberge.
Flamberge LP: 8000 - 4700
"And we ain't done! Because my Werewolf gets to attack for as many Overlay units as it has! That means I get two more attacks, since it's got 3 Overlay units! MAUL FLAMBERGE, BOY!" Armata roared, as the Werewolf glared at Flamberge and rushed full force.
Flamberge: 4700 - 1400
"ONE MORE TIME, BOY!" Armata roared.
"It's up to you, kathlaa…!" Flamberge said, preparing for her life points to hit 0.
"No! I won't do this without you! I activate the effect of Gladiator Beast Noxious in my hand! When you declare a direct attack, I can summon out Noxious, which will change that attack to him!" Kathlaa declared, special summoning out an armored Cheetah warrior with blue flaming chi swirling around him.
Gladiator Beast Noxious
Level 5 DARK Beast-Warrior
1000 DEF/0 ATK
"I'll put him in defense mode so I don't take any damage, and the best part is, he can't be destroyed by this battle!" Kathlaa declared.
"Fine, then I'll use Werewolf's other ability! Since you activated a monster effect during my turn, I'll get to banish that monster, unfortunately that means I'm out of attacks, but it still means your kitty is out to pasture!" Armata exclaimed, as Werewolf mauled Noxious to an unrecognizable state, as it faded away from the field. "I end my turn, you punks."
Armata's Field
EX Werewolf: 3300 ATK
Hand: 1
"Phew… thanks, Kathlaa. I thought I was a goner." Flamberge said.
"Yeah, now I just need to draw what I need to turn it all around! Draw!" Kathlaa exclaimed.
Kathlaa's Hand
4 Gladiator Beast Monsters
Kathlaa Drew: Pot of Greed
"I need two pieces, in order to make this reality!" Kathlaa exclaimed. "I'll use Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw 2 cards!" Kathlaa roared, as she drew 2 cards. 'Come on…'
First Card: 5th Gladiator Beast Monster
'Okay, do I have the second piece…!?' Kathlaa would look.
Second Card: Gladiator Beast United
"YYYYYEES!" Kathlaa roared. "I ACTIVATE YOUR CALLING CARD, ARMATA! GLADIATOR BEAST UNITED!" Kathlaa exclaimed, slamming down the Quick-Play spell.
"What!? You have no monsters on the field! How can you-!?" Armata gasped before Kathlaa revealed her hand. "...No way….! 5 Gladiator Beasts!?"
"That's right! Gladiator Beast United lets me fuse Gladiator Beasts in my field, hand or graveyard by shuffling them back into the deck. So I'll shuffle all 5 of my Gladiator Beasts into the Deck, to bring forth the Gladiator Champion of my Deck! I FUSION SUMMON GLADIATOR BEAST CLAUDIUS!" Kathlaa roared.
The Manticore gladiator beast arrived on the scene, roaring in arrival and surging with electricity.
Gladiator Beast Claudius
Level 12 DARK Beast Fusion
3700 ATK/2500 DEF
"Claudius' effect activates, allowing me to take another Battle Phase this turn!" Kathlaa exclaimed.
"What!? …No, I won't let you do that! I'll activate Lupus' effect in my Grave, to bring him to my field in Defense mode! You won't break through!" Armata growled.
K9 - #ØØ Lupus
200 DEF/2300 ATK
"Heh. You played right to my ears, Armata. I'll use Claudius' effect, to Special Summon a Gladiator Beast from my Deck! ARISE, GLADIATOR BEAST AUGUSTUS!" Kathlaa roared.
Gladiator Beast Augustus
Level 8 DARK Winged Beast
2600 ATK/1000 DEF
"Now we're gonna enter the first of two battles! CLAUDIUS, SMITE DOWN THAT RABID DOG!" Kathlaa roared, as Claudius smashed down EX Werewolf with ease.
Armata LP: 7000 - 6600
"Augustus, strike down Lupus!" Kathlaa exclaimed, as Lupus was easily subdued by her other monster. "Now, SECOND BATTLE PHASE! CLAUDIUS! AUGUSTUS, ATTACK HER DIRECTLY!"
"That's it! That did it! She wins! SHE WINS!" Okada exclaimed.
"...No. They don't." Olira declared.
"Huh!? B-but-!" Okada exclaimed.
"3700 Attack plus 2600 Attack only reaches an attack point total of 6300. 300 Life Points short." Olira explained.
"And even if Flamberge attacks on her next turn, Armata can thwart her attempt to seal the deal with Electromagnetic Turtle that she hasn't used yet." Nuria declared.
"AAAAAAAAGH!" Armata yelled as she rolled across the ground, landing on her stomach as she grit her teeth in pain, panting heavily.
Armata LP: 6600 - 300
"Why…. why… Why can't… I ever beat you…." Armata remarked, believing she already lost.
"It's because you're too busy looking down on us to realize your own mistakes, Armata. I'll end my turn, seeing how I have no cards in my hand." Kathlaa declared.
Kathlaa's Field
Claudius - 3700 ATK
Augustus - 2600 ATK
Armata remained on the ground for a long while, only getting up to her knees as she suddenly began to shudder. …Was… was she crying? Or was it beginning to rain…? Regardless of the case, Flamberge and Kathlaa could see that Armata had been shattered by the sudden onslaught, as she looked at the ground.
"Is…. Is this really what I'm gonna make a legacy as? Losing to some upstart punks? All because I'm not… I'm not one of them…?" Armata asked softly, before a card suddenly dropped from her extra deck, with special writing on the card backing, as Armata looked at it, picking it up to read the back of the card.
To the best person I ever knew, from your biggest supporter and fan
-Kayna
Armata had almost forgotten this card. The card given to her by her crush who was still in the hospital battling a severe injury she took in a duel, the sole reason Armata wanted to pursue dueling beyond the job of a security guard. She remembered the words Kayna told her the last time she saw her, and the moment they shared…. Before turning around the card.
"I don't have any use for this. I won it from a card shop tournament and finally remembered to give it to you. Make it your boss monster. For me, please?" Kayna's voice rang out. "And you can definitely become an Aspirant, like we wanted."
(Music Switch: Dream of the Beast - Metal Hellsinger OST)
"...I know just what I need to do… to turn this around… AND SHOW YOU PUNKS WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO DUEL FOR SOMEONE YOU CARE FOR!" Armata suddenly roared, getting to her feet.
"So that's why shes after the aspirants…" Flamberge said. "Alright then, show us! If your fires not out let, let it burn as bright as the sun!
"I DRAW!" Armata declared.
Armata Drew: Card of Sanctity
"I'll start with the other card in my hand! Because I control no monsters, I can special Summon from my hand, Linkslayer!" Armata exclaimed.
Linkslayer
Level 5 LIGHT Warrior
2000 ATK/1600 DEF
"Now I'll use CARD OF SANCTITY! We all will draw until we have 6 cards in hand!" Armata declared.
"Thank you, now I have a full hand again! Also, since you used a monster effect on your turn while Claudius is out, i can special summon a Level 11 or Lower Gladiator Beast from my extra deck! I choose Heraklinos!" Kathlaa exclaimed.
Gladiator Beast Heraklinos
Level 8 FIRE Beast-Warrior
3000 ATK/2800 DEF
"Good, more fuel for my fire." Armata smirked.
Armata Drew:
K9 - #66b Lantern
K9 - #66a Jokull
K9 - #17 Izuna
Galaxy Soldier
Honest
K9 - LC Liberation
"All the pieces are here! I'll start by using Lantern's ability! With him, I'll special summon himself and the Jokull in my Graveyard!" Armata declared, bringing out both monsters. "And then I'll use the effect in my hand of my other Jokull, to bring out her and Izuna!"
Jokull x2
Lantern
K9 - #17 Izuna
Level 5 EARTH Warrior
2100 ATK/1900 DEF
"Now she has a full field of Level 5s again… but she can't bring out Hound with that field…" Flamberge remarked.
"Oh you're gonna wish it was." Armata sneered. "First, I'll bring out Ripper again using Izuna and one of my Jokulls!"
K9 - #17 "Ripper"
2300 ATK
"Next, Liberation to rank her up!" Armata declared.
EX Werewolf
3300 ATK
"NOW FOR THE GRAND FINALE! I OVERLAY MY REMAINING THREE MONSTERS!" Armata roared.
"Three!? Wait, K9 doesn't have…!" Kathlaa gasped.
"The hell is she doing!?" Rex exclaimed.
"This is new… did she get a new card…!?" Olira asked.
"I don't like this…" Nuria remarked.
"This is for you, Kayna, your card, given to me, TO WIPE THEM OUT! I XYZ SUMMON… ARC REBELLION XYZ DRAGON!" Armata roared, slamming it down with authority.
The enhanced verson of Dark Rebellion XYZ dragon appeared.
Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon
Rank 5 DARK Dragon
3000 ATK/2500 DEF
"A Dimension dragon Evolution!" Flamberge said.
"How right you are! I cant use the full extend of its abilities since i didnt rank it up from Dark Rebellion, but it can still bring the pain!" Armata said. "By using one overlay unit, it gains ATK points equal to the combined original total ATK of all the monsters on your field!"
3000 + 3300 + 3700 + 2600 + 3000 = 15,600
"OBLITERATE KATHLAA'S FIELD, ARC REBELLION! BONDS BEYOND THE ARC REBELLION! ARC REBELLION… DEVOTION CHARGE!" Armata roared, as Arc Rebellion charged up massive energy, and blasted it at Claudius, as the blast was large enough to catch them all due to what it was gonna do to Kathlaa's life points.
"No… No….! Flamberge… it's… UP… TO YOU!" Kathlaa roared as she was blasted.
Kathlaa LP: 8000 - 0
"...I end my turn…. This turn will be your last, Flamberge, and for Kayna, I'm gonna finally realize my dream, and become a proper BLUE-EYES ASPIRANT!" Armata roared.
Armata's Field
Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon - 15,600 ATK
EX Werewolf - 3300 ATK
Hand: 2
From the school's infirmary, a young woman saw her summon the monster, being Kayna herself, her figure not yet revealed as she smiled.
"...Armata… you go, babe… Become an Aspirant, achieve the goal we wanted to achieve, with my card! Arc Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" Kayna beamed.
Flamberge gripped her fist. "I get it now….you wanted to become an aspirant for someone you care about. Thats why you kept fighting." the then looked up at Armata with determination in her eyes. "But… do you have any idea who you just blasted into next week?!"
"Who? Your girlfriend? You think what I did was selfish? Out of just sheer hatred? Maybe somehwat! But your little girlfriend isn't gonna stop me from living the dream me and my own had! To be the top of the top! She knew we could do it! I KNEW WE COULD DO IT! But somehow… we always got bested…. Always got pushed aside… no more… no MORE! WITH HER ARC REBELLION XYZ DRAGON, WE'RE GONNA FINALLY GET THE RESPECT WE DESERVE! TO BE PART OF YOUR LUCKY ASS'S "CLUB," TO BECOME A BLUE! EYES! ASPIRANT!" Armata roared with unbridled fury. "AND YOU AND YOUR LITTLE KITTY AREN'T GONNA STAND IN OUR WAY!"
"Little Kitty…?" Flamberge asked, her whole body heating up. "Little Kitty?! THATS…. MY… GIRLFRIEND!" Flamberge roared as she grabbed her top card. "I DRAW!"
(Music Change: Whats your FIRE - RIDER CHIPS)
Flamberges Hand
Salamangreat Foxy
Salamangreat Wolvie
Salamangreat Performance
Salamangreat Fowl
Salamangreat Emerald Eagle
Called by the Grave
Flamberge Drew: Rise of the Salamangreat
"I'll summon Salamangreat Wolvie!" Flamberge said as the fiery wolverine appeared.
Salamangreat Wolvie
Level 4 FIRE Cyberse
1700 ATK/ 100 DEF
"And then i'll blaze my Circut, and use Wolvie to Link Summon! Reveal Yourself, Link-1 Salamangreat Almiraj!" Flamberge said as the green jackrabbit appeared.
Salamangreat Almiraj
Link 1 FIRE Cyberse
0 ATK
"A wimpy link monster like that? Against my girlfriend's ARC Rebellion?" Armata asked.
"I think this will change your tune! Im throwing down the Ritual Spell, Rise of The Salamangreat!" Flamberge said. "I can tribute Monsters on my field to summon a Salamangreat ritual monster!"
"Thats nice and all, but i don't see a single other monster on your field other than your Link." Armata remarked.
"The field isn't what you should be worried about. It's my graveyard!" Flamberge declared.
"What?!" Armata exclaimed.
"Since Rise of the Salamangreat was played while I have a Link Monster out, i can return monsters to my deck up to the required level of the monster I'm summoning! So I'll shuffle Beat Bison into my deck in order to Ritual Summon! Ignite and take Flight, Salamangreat Emerald Eagle!"
Out of the spinning red ritual circle came the green eagle monster.
Salamangreat Emerald Eagle
Level 8 FIRE Cyberse Ritual
2800 ATK/2000 DEF
"There's no way this thing beats Arc Rebellion, you can't destroy it with card effects!" Armata exclaimed.
"I'm still going for it! Emerald Eagle, attack Arc Rebellion!" Flamberge said.
"I'll use Electromagnetic Turtle to negate your attack and move to the end of Battle Ph-" Armata was about to say.
"Gotcha again! Go, Called By the Grave!" Flamberge declared.
"WHAT!?" Armata gasped. "Th-this is still a pointless attack anyways, you'll take over 12,000 points of damage!"
"Not if I use Emerald Eagles ability! By tributing Almiraj, he can slam into ARC-Rebellion, and while he may not destroy Arc Rebellion, you'll still take the damage!" Flamberge exclaimed.
"You're kidding!" Armata gasped.
"Get ready to get walloped for 15,600 points of damage! Go, SALAMANGREAT EMERALD STORM!" Flamberge exclaimed, as thousands
"No… our dream…! No….. KAYNA!" Armata screamed as she was sent flying by the ability.
Armata: 300 - 0 LP
Winner: Flamberge & Kathlaa
OVERFLOW BONUS: 15 PTS!
"Armata!" Kayna gasped from her school hospital room, covering her mouth before silent sobs began to bring forth tears that started streaming down her face. "...No… ….Our dream…."
"Flamberge does it yet again! This time pulling through for both herself and Kathlaa! Several criteria was met during this duel, even without the wild card, both Kathlaa and Flamberge are earning an astounding 50 points from the duel, the highest yet, once AGAIN topping Olira!" Carly would report as most of the students in the classroom cheered…
All except Olira, but not for the reason everyone believed she wouldn't be, as if she had felt wrong the minute Armata had pulled out the card.
"(She was chasing after us all this time because we pushed her away…. ….Is that… really why she…?)" Olira thought to herself.
"Now, class, calm down. Once Flamberge and Kathlaa arrive, we'll be back in session." Hurota would declare.
"...Miss Hurota… ….May I be excused today?" Olira suddenly would ask softly.
The words sent a shockwave through the class. Never, in her school life, ever. Did Olira Engel skip an Aspirant class day.
"This… is rather unprecedented… but I'm… glad to see you're putting those 56 saved days off to good use now. Yes, we will deduct one of your saved days for you to not be in class today." Hurota declared, as on those words, Olira left without saying anything else.
"...What got into her…?" Okada asked.
"...I… don't know." Yurina remarked in concern.
Back at the dueling field, Flamberge walked up to the recovering Armata and offered her a hand.
"Hey. Great duel, really." Flamberge said. "That was one that really got me fired up."
Armata said nothing, before slapping away Flamberge's hand and got up.
"Congrats, you're on top of the leaderboard, you and your precious girlfriend. Happy?" Armata said in one of the most defeated tones Flamberge ever heard from a duelist, before she began walking away.
Flamberge would realize what happened, as rain began setting in to set the mood of what happened. "I won… but why do I feel like I'm the bad guy here?"
"Because you completely crushed a duelist's spirit." Olira said as she arrived.
"Olira?!" Flamberge said. "I… I didn't mean any…"
"No, don't. This isn't truly your fault…. …As leader of the Aspirants for my years here… this…. This falls on me…. …That girl… Kayna… I know her… I know her because a former Aspirant is the reason why she's in the school hospital, still forced to do all her assignments while bedridden." Olira explained.
"And that's why Armata wanted to become an Aspirant so badly at my expense…" Flamberge said.
"She hates us, really. …But also still aspires to us. The reason is because despite what that cruel bastard did, I didn't act quick enough… …But somehow, Kayna… still desires… still wants… to be one of us… if not physically, in spirit, by having her girlfriend use her card." Olira remarked. "...I… need to go. Go check on Kathlaa… and… congrats on your #1 spot." Olira stated, downcrested as she walked to the infirmary area.
Flamberge watched as Olira walked off, thinking about a lot of things.
"Is this why lan didn't want me to duel? The crushing reality of dueling with everything you have only to always come up short, and how at any moment, with one pinnacle loss, your dreams and spirit die?" Flamberhe said. "This is the world of the elite, isn't it? I don't want to be a Duelist who crushes peoples dreams."
"That's not why we exist, Flamberge." Hurota's voice would say, as she walked out next, as she had her own crestfallen expression. "...That's not what I envisioned with us…. …Yet, day in and day out, I deal with people like Armata all the time. Same complaints, same problems…. ….I just never knew… I never knew about the incident, Olira never told me…." Hurota sighed.
"What can you tell me about Kayna?" Flamberge asked, as Kathlaa finally limped over after getting back up at last.
"Shes one of Fantasia's most positive and cheerful duelists, always cheering people up after losing and helping them improve their decks if it means she eventually loses. She even helped Rex finally find an archetype he loves, despite several attempts. ….But I only heard rumors… that after beating one of our Aspirants, they attacked her… I couldn't believe it, I refused to believe it…. ….But now here we are, two years later, and she's still recovering from a near death beat down…. That was real… all along." Hurota spoke with deep regret in her voice.
As they spoke, a resounding sound of flesh coming in contact with flesh was heard, as Hurota, Flamberge, and Kathlaa rushed to check it out.
Upon arrival, they found Olira on the ground, holding her nose and side of her face in pain, finally getting back up as she was bleeding from her nose.
"Olira! What happened?!" Flamberge asked.
"Take three guesses, first two don't count…. …..I thought she deserved it after what she did to us…. …but… I feel I deserved what she just gave me, instead." Olira admitted, looking in to see Armata bawling on Kayna's bed, Kayna, a red haired fox girl, trying to console her lover however she could through her own tears.
Kayna looked and saw Flamberge through her tears, as Flamberge could hear her start to speak through the window. "Its you… you crushed her… no… you crushed OUR dreams! You were our last chance! Our last ticket in! And you're gonna show yourself here!?" Kayna yelled at Flamberge through the window, as it made Armata get up and turn to them, face full of fury and sorrow.
"Go. Away." Armata told the Aspirants with growing fury. "GO AWAY!" She yelled again in fury.
"I'm not leaving." Flamberge said.
On hearing that, Armata drew her stun baton, walking out of the medical bay as security quickly took notice, and restrained Armata, taking her stun baton away.
"Easy, easy, Armata! Take it easy! Captain Trudge!" A security guard would call to Tetsu as he ran over and grabbed his daughter.
"Armata. With me. Now." Trudge said with a growl in his tone, making Armata stop as she shook off the guards, and turned and walked away, Trudge only looking at Hurota with a slight look of hatred, before walking away.
Flamberge then approached Kaynas bedside, and met her eye to eye.
"...What do you want with a broken girl like me." Kayna asked firmly. "...Get out."
"I want to help you." Flamberge said.
"YOU LIE! JUST LIKE HUROTA DID! JUST LIKE EVERYONE DOES TO US FROM YOUR LITTLE GROUP! GET! OUT!" Kayna yelled as Flamberge suddenly got a powerful punch to her face as Kathlaa quickly got her out.
"It's no use right now, I tried to stop you!" Olira exclaimed, as they made a quick retreat. "What're you even trying to do here, Kayna hates us now, thanks to what we did to Armata, collectively!"
"...I don't really know what else I was expecting, honestly." Flamberge admitted, holding her nose. "...I just wish… There was a way to undo all this damage… To reignite their hopes and dreams…."
It was on those words that the Aspirants returned to usual classes…. heavy hearted as they did so.
Path of Aspiration Day 2 Results
1st. Flamberge - 90 Pts
2nd. Olira - 77 Pts
3rd. Kathlaa - 73 Pts
4th. Yurina- 39 Pts
5th. Jason - 38 Pts
6th. Xander - 34 Pts
7th. Luna - 33 Pts
8th. Okada - 32 Pts
9th. Aria - 28 Pts
10th. Nuria - 22 Pts
11th. Marina - 21 Pts
12th. Rex - 20 Pts
