Yu Gi Oh! Dark Messiah

[Dark Sage]

He didn't have Dark Magician Girl in his deck. Think about it - would you use a card that had done you in?

I won't say, however, that everyone's favorite buxom blonde beauty won't ever appear in this fanfic...

Eh...

No comment...

[Shuppet Master]

After looking at that image, I realize that the edits for the dub weren't really necessary. The only things which could be considered "sexy" would be the exposed tops of the breasts and the almost completely-exposed thighs.

[mario72486]

Another excellent chapter, Sage. You're certainly outdoing yourself with these extravagant duels. I can hardly wait to see what else you have in store for us.

I also look forward to seeing who wins that little contest of yours. While the selection process is random, I think whoever does win will have earned the right to add a character of their own to this fic.

Until then, this is mario signing off.

[Dark Sage]

So... Who said it?

It was Derik Powers, aka Blight, the primary villain in the first season of Batman Beyond.

Also the perfect archenemy for a hero, for a very good reason.

Derek Powers was once the owner of Wayne-Powers Industries. After Powers took over Bruce Wayne's company, he ruled corporate Gotham with an iron fist. Often involving himself with black market practices, assassins, and selling biological weapons, it was obvious that Powers didn't obtain his wealth and power through honest methods. He made the mistake of having Terry McGinnis’s father killed because he knew too much. Terry became the new Batman, dead set on revenge. During a biological weapons sale, Powers encountered the new Batman and accidentally exposed himself to a toxic gas. Powers was saved only after receiving a massive dosage of radiation. He then used an artificial skin to pose as a normal human. As a result of the radiation, Powers gained massive radioactive powers and was a walking nuclear power plant capable of expelling high amounts of concentrated radiation.

The radiation also affected Powers mentality as well, not that he was truly sane to begin with. As Blight, Powers was more temperamental and impatient, and very different from his Powers alter-ego. Eventually his Blight persona took over when Powers revealed his secret to the entire world and forced him to go into hiding. Paxton Powers, Derek's son, betrayed his father and Blight was blown up inside a nuclear submarine. With Powers' death, Terry finally avenged his father's death.

Why is Blight the perfect archenemy? Well, by killing Terry’s father, Powers created Batman… And by opposing him, Batman created Blight. Both hero and villain had a hand in making each other. If that doesn’t define an arch-villain, I don’t know what does.


Now, while I inform the winner, you read my next chapter. I'd like to thank JKBakura for the... unique user character.

- DS

[B][I]There come times in every human beings’ lives when they approach crossroads, and must make difficult choices.

I remember one that I had to make; I could either have gone to West Point and become a great soldier, or come to this school and become a great duelist. I took the latter choice, and I have not regretted it.

When making these choices, there are often temptations and persuasions. One must beware, because making the wrong choice can lead one to a life of misery and despair that is often cut short.

I’ve met a student who faces a choice… One where she isn’t quite aware of the consequences of taking the wrong road…

And I have to try my best to make sure she doesn’t take that road, or her life might be doomed to darkness…

[size=3][B]CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Sunday, September 19th, 2006, 6:30 AM



Jason’s dorm room window faced the east, so Trisha was able to see the sun coming up.

He was still asleep right now, and his warm arms were still around her. She gently stroked his hair.

Then she reached over, and took something off the bedside table…

The Fang of Critias.

She looked hard at the card…

A haunting voice echoed through her head…

[I][B]When cursed magic blights the land,
And evil holds aloft its hand,
The Brothers will emerge once more,
And choose the ones to fight the war.
And when the Three can prove their worth,
They'll find the One who'll save the Earth.

That strange poem started to make sense right now…

“Cursed magic” must mean the Orichalcos, she thought.

She paused.

And the Brothers must be these Knights… Timaeus and Critias and whoever the third one is…

She paused again.

”Choose the ones”? Did they choose me and Jason?

Another pause.

And “the One who’ll save the Earth” must be that Dark Messiah character that Critias mentioned, whoever or wherever he is…

But where the heck do we start looking for a “Dark Messiah”? Churches?

She hugged Jason closely as fear started to come over her.

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

Three hours later…

“Guys,” said Russell, “let’s just not worry about it for now, and try to relax. It’s Sunday, for pete’s sake!”

They entered the Arena.

“There’s sure to be some interesting duels happening…” he said.

He looked on the floor.

“Or, perhaps one that’s gonna be a total slaughter…”

A small group of Freshmen were at one end, and a smaller group of Obelisks were at another, watching two duelists on the central floor. One was an Obelisk who Russell recognized – Maverick Louis, a power player known for his Fiend Deck. The other duelist was a Freshman – a young girl with wavy red hair down to her shoulders.

They were shuffling each others decks, and the girl looked rather angry…

Russell and his friends sat down next to the spectators.

“How did this happen?” asked Russell.

“Maverick slapped Amanda on the ass,” said another of the girls. “She got upset, and demanded to duel him.”

“He laughed at first,” said one of the boys, “but then she promised him a one-minute long, French kiss if he beat her, on the condition that he’d apologize in front of everyone if she won.”

“She’d best be ready to kiss him,” muttered Russell. “Maverick didn’t get to be an Obelisk by losing to Freshmen…”

The Duel Disks activated.

“All right, Maverick,” said Amanda, “let’s get this over with…”

“Fine with me,” said Maverick. “This won’t take long…”

“DUEL!” they both said.

[B](Amanda: 8,000) (Maverick: 8,000)

“I can be chivalrous when I want to be,” said Maverick. “I’ll even let you go first…”

“Fine…” mumbled Amanda, drawing her first card.

“I’ll place three cards facedown…”

She played three cards, and they appeared.

“And one Giant Soldier of Stone in Defense Mode…”

She played a card, and the huge statue appeared, crouching in Defense. (1,300/2,000)

“That’s my turn…” she said.

Seems to be a “turtle” player, thought Russell, playing defensively for now…

“All right…” said Maverick, drawing a card.

“For now, I’ll summon my Slate Warrior in Attack Mode.”

He played the card, and the weird-looking Fiend with a blank face and a golden breastplate appeared. (1,900/400)

Once Maverick manages to summon his Dark Ruler, he’ll be able to walk all over her, thought Russell.

Amanda drew a card.

“I’ll place another card facedown,” she said, “and end my turn…”

She played a card, and a fourth facedown card appeared.

Maverick drew.

“I’ll increase my forces,” he said, “by summoning Archfiend Soldier in Attack Mode.”

In a burst of black flame, the horned Archfiend arose, holding a jagged sword. (1,900/1,500)

“My side is stacked already,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time…”

“Yes…” said Amanda, with a depressed frown. “It is…”

She drew a card.

“I sacrifice your two Monsters to summon the Lava Golem to your side of the field!” she shouted.

To Maverick’s shock, along with those of the three Ras, his two Fiends shattered…

…and then an iron cage formed around him, and a gigantic creature made of boiling magma rose up, attached to it! (3,000/2,500)

“What the Hell?” he shouted.

“I thought you liked Fiends,” said Amanda sarcastically. “Aren’t you glad to get one that has 3,000 Attack Points? And by the way…”

One of her facedown cards lifted, and a scary tiki mask appeared next to her.

“…my Mask of Restrict will make sure it stays there. I end my turn…”

Russell got up in surprise.

“Of course…” he said. “I know what she’s planning… One of her other facedown cards is Ring of Destruction, and another is Barrel Behind the Door!”

“Uhm…” said one of the other Freshmen.

“Eh…” said another.

Maverick started to get scared. He drew a card.

The cage got hot, and he cringed…

[B](A: 8,000) (M: 7,000)

“Well, why don’t you attack?” asked Amanda.

“Oh, you’d like me to do that…” said Maverick, with a grin.

He placed two cards in his Disk, and they appeared in front of the Golem.

“Ooh, she’s in trouble!” whispered Russell. “I saw one of those Traps… Pikeru’s Circle of Enchantment! When she sets off her Ring/Barrel combo, it’ll fizzle!”

“It isn’t a Ring/Barrel combo…” said one of the girls.

Russell looked at her.

“What else could it be?” asked Russell.

“Something much deadlier,” answered the girl.

Amanda drew a card.

“Think I’ll pass for this turn,” she sighed.

Maverick drew again, and the cage glowed red hot again…

[B](A: 8,000) (M: 6,000)

“All right…” he said. “You want an attack, you’ve got one! Lava Golem, attack Giant Soldier of Stone!”

Lava Golem opened its mouth and a ball of flame started to form in it…

“I activate… Astral Barrier!” shouted Amanda.

One of her Traps lifted.

“Huh?” said Jason.

“Huh?” said Trisha.

“HUH?” shouted Russell.

“Astral Barrier?” asked Maverick. “What does that do?”

“It lets me force the Golem to hit ME instead of my Monster!” shouted Amanda.

The huge ball of flame shot forward! Amanda screamed as flames erupted around her!

[B](A: 5,000) (M: 7,000)

“Why would you do something so stupid?” asked Maverick.

Amanda panted for breath…

“It was worth it…” she gasped, “in order to activate this…”

Another facedown card lifted.

“Inferno Tempest,” she said. “Since I lost 3,000 Life Points in one blow, all the Monsters in both our decks and Graveyards are removed from play…”

She took her deck…

“What are you up to?” shouted Maverick.

“You’ll see,” said Amanda, returning what was left of her deck. “Now, it’s my move…”

She drew a card.

“First, I’ll play a Spell Card… Chaos End!”

She played a card.

“Since at least seven of my cards have been removed from play, all Monsters on the field are wiped out…”

Lava Golem and Giant Soldier of Stone shattered into pixels!

“And now I activate my final Trap,” she said, as it lifted. “It’s called Return From The Different Dimension!”

A swirling vortex appeared in the air over the arena…

“By paying half my Life Points, I can bring back as many of my Monsters that have been removed from play as I can!” she shouted.

Five Monsters flew out of the vortex. First came Luster Dragon #2 (2,400/1,400), then Spell Canceller (1,800/1,600), followed by Hyozanryu (2,100/2,800), then Chaos Command Magician (2,400/1,900), and finally, Jinzo (2,400/1,500).

“Hey, wait a minute…” gulped Maverick.

“And since one of them is Jinzo and another is Spell Canceller,” said Amanda, “I’m afraid your two facedown cards, whether they’re Traps or Quickplay Spells, aren’t gonna cut it. Now…

“Attack! Combination strike!”

Luster Dragon blasted fire, Spell Canceller fired a beam of energy, Hyozanryu shot a blast of diamond crystals, Chaos Command Magician shot a blast of magic, and Jinzo fired a mighty cyber energy shock!

A huge explosion centered on Maverick to the sound of a bloodcurdling scream…

[B](A: 2,500) (M: 0)

Maverick lay on the floor, and he saw stars… Amanda came up to him.

“Well?” she shouted.

“I’m sorry!” he gasped. “I’m sorry! Just stay away from me! Please!”

“Don’t you forget it!” shouted Amanda. “You ever slap another girl again, you’ll answer to me!”

She frowned and walked towards the exit to the Arena where the Obelisks were. They backed out of her way in fear…

Odd… thought Russell. For a Freshman who just beat an Obelisk, she seems pretty upset…

They didn’t know that three people had been watching who weren’t supposed to be watching.

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

Five minutes later, an Interdimensional Matter Transporter appeared under the Brooklyn Bridge.

A beam of light shot out of it, and Cassius, Sebastian, and Cleo emerged.

“Oh, why do we have to do surveillance using this thing?” complained Sebastian, kicking it. “It’s cramped in there!”

“Perhaps you’d be happier just walking in the front door of the campus where the security is likely to see us!” scolded Cassius.

“Well, Fortunado’s dumb rules make me so mad!” shouted Sebastian.

“Everything makes you mad…” replied Cleo.

“Not everything!” answered Sebastian.

He paused and crossed his arms.

“Okay, fine, everything,” he said. “But some things make me madder than others. Like coleslaw, napkins on ice cream cones, lines at the post office, those little packages of ketchup, those commercials they play in the movies, and all that popcorn you get! Why the Hell would they give anyone a garbage pail-sized bucket of popcorn? Who could possibly eat that much?”

“Do you need a tranquilizer?” asked Cleo.

“Well, if someone is done complaining,” said Cassius, “we might have found a valuable asset. Fortunado wanted us to look for potential recruits, and this Amanda Jikarn fits the profile that I like… Her OTK strategy combined with the power of the Orichalcos… She would be a potent weapon for the cause.”

“Well why don’t we bag her, then?” asked Sebastian.

Cleo slapped him.

“Sebastian, you are so thick,” she scolded.

“A recruit can’t just be ‘bagged’, as you say,” said Cassius. “No one can ever be forced to serve the Orichalcos… A little persuasion and hitting where she’s weakest might help…”

He thought for a minute.

“Seems to me that one of us should talk to her… The one of us who is the least threatening…

“That leaves you out, Sebastian.”

They both looked at Cleo.

“Okay, fine…” she said. “Leave it to sweet, cuddly Cleo to draw them in… But I can’t promise this will be easy…”

She walked up to the Transporter and it hummed…

She was sucked into it, and it vanished.

“Uh, Cassius?” said Sebastian. “You do realize that she just took our ride, right?”

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

Russell, Trisha, and Jason were walking across the campus.

Trisha pulled a candy bar out of her backpack.

“Hey Russell,” she said, “one Snickers says you can’t do the whole thing without a mistake.”

Russell smirked.

“I’ll bet two of them that I can do it without a mistake, AND in under a minute!” he answered back.

“You’re on!” she said, taking out another.

“Jason, time me!” said Russell.

“Okay…” said Jason, looking at his watch, “go!”

Russell quickly started to sing an old tune:



I am the very model of a modern Major General,
I've information vegetable, and animal, and mineral,
I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical,
From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical;
I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical,
I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical,
About binomial theorem I am teeming with a lot o' news,
With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse.
I'm very good at integral and differential calculus;
I know the scientific names of beings animalculous:
In short, in matters vegetable, and animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major General.
I know our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's;
I answer hard acrostics, I've a pretty taste for paradox,
I quote in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus,
In conics I can floor peculiarities parabolous;
I can tell undoubted Raphaels from Gerard Dows and Zoffanies,

I know the croaking chorus from the Frogs of Aristophanes;
Then I can hum a fugue of which I've heard the music's din afore,
And whistle all the airs from that infernal nonsense Pinafore.
Then I can write a washing bill in Babylonic cuneiform,
And tell you every detail of Caractacus's uniform:
In short, in matters vegetable, and animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major-General.
In fact, when I know what is meant by "mamelon" and "ravelin",
When I can tell at sight a Mauser rifle from a javelin,
When such affairs as sorties and surprises I'm more wary at,
And when I know precisely what is meant by "commissariat",
When I have learnt what progress has been made in modern gunnery,
When I know more of tactics than a novice in a nunnery,
In short, when I've a smattering of elemental strategy,

You'll say a better Major-General has never sat a gee.
For my military knowledge, though I'm plucky and adventury,
Has only been brought down to the beginning of the century;
But still, in matters vegetable, and animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major-General!



“TIME!”
“Fifty-one seconds…” said Jason. “And I don’t believe I heard a mistake…”
Russell snatched the two candy bars from Trisha.
“Don’t mess with the master…” he said with a grin.

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

On a part of the campus known simply as The Green, grassy knolls dotted with picnic tables dominated the peaceful atmosphere.

Amanda sat at one table, with her cards spread out.

She took one of her three Lava Golems.

“This has to be the ugliest Monster ever created…” she muttered.

“Mind if I take a look?” said a sweet voice.

She turned, and saw Cleo.

“Amanda Jikarn, right?” asked Cleo, sitting down.

“Do I know you?” asked Amanda. “I haven’t seen you in class.”

“I’m not really a student,” said Cleo, sitting down. “you might say I’m a scout…

“Jinzo, now that’s a pretty rare card…”

“Uh… It was a gift from my brothers,” answered Amanda. “A scout?”

“Quite a deadly strategy,” said Cleo. “I’ve never seen a more lethal way to achieve an OTK… Nor have I ever seen a duelist willing to take a direct attack from a Lava Golem to make it happen…

“I know someone who could use your talents, who could make such a deadly strategy even deadlier…”

“Deadlier than an OTK?” asked Amanda.

A glimmer appeared in Cleo’s eyes.

“You were offended – maybe even a little violated – when Maverick slapped you where he shouldn’t have, Amanda,” she said. “So you put him in his place where he belonged. You outdueled him, humiliated him…

“But had you been working for us, his punishment wouldn’t have ended there…

“It all would have started with this…”

She took a card out of her shirt.

It was The Seal of Orichalcos.

“Uh, pretty, I guess…” muttered Amanda. “But what is it?”

“The Orichalcos Seal,” said Cleo. “A type of magic that can grant great power… The power to completely dominate snakes like him.

“Imagine… Seeing your tormentors panic at the sight of you when you use a card this powerful… Imagine them pleading for mercy…”

“Wait a minute…” interrupted Amanda. “Patrick used that against Dr. Artemis! Didn’t she say it was an illegal card?”

Cleo tucked the card into her shirt, and changed the subject.

“Amanda, listen,” she said. “I know what it is with you and your strategy. As strong as it is, it isn’t yours. Your brothers told you how to duel, and told you every card to put in that deck. Basically, it isn’t your deck, and as a duelist, you have little identity of your own.”

Amanda’s face fell.

That was the whole problem. She didn’t design her deck, and frankly, she hated it. She considered Lava Golem torture, and she really hated having to choke down 3,000 Attack Points worth of flaming death to make the strategy work.

It wasn’t her deck… There was no Heart or soul in it. Her brothers had designed the strategy, and told her every card to put in it.

Why did she even use it? She had little choice. Her brothers would be furious if she rejected their perfect, OTK strategy, and frankly, she was afraid of them. She couldn’t say no to them… After all, she owed them so much…

It would be nice to make it even stronger without their help…

“Yeah, sort of…” she finally muttered.

“With the power of the Orichalcos, you’d be a different person,” said Cleo. “You’d be your own duelist! And you’d be more powerful than ever!”

“Well, I…” said Amanda.

At that point, Russell, Jason, and Trisha walked over the hill, and stopped short as they noticed Amanda with Cleo.

“Uh… Well…” muttered Cleo. “Look, meet me at the Lazy Q at four this afternoon if you’re interested. Remember, it’s a great opportunity!”

She got up, and started to run, as Jason and Trisha started to chase her!

“Amanda!” shouted Russell. “She didn’t hurt you, did she?”

“Uh, no…” said Amanda. “She seemed pretty friendly… She wanted to help me with my deck…”

“With The Seal of Orichalcos?” asked Russell, in horror.

“Uh, yeah…” answered Amanda.

“Amanda, listen…” warned Russell. “That card isn’t just a card! It’s an… evil thing! It’s a blasphemy!”

“Hey, back off!” said Amanda. “What difference does it make?”

“Did she perchance mention what happens to the losers of Orichalcos duels?” asked Russell. “What might happen if your strategy were to fail while you while using that card?”

“Russell, please!” muttered Amanda. “My brothers knew what they were talking about. The strategy always works! If my opponents never attack, they eventually die from the Golem’s effect.

“And if this Seal can help, I don’t see what the problem is…”

Jason and Trisha came walking back.

“You missed it,” said Jason.

“An Interdimensional Matter Transporter appeared out of nowhere,” said Trisha, “it swallowed her whole, and it vanished.”




Continued…

[Dark Sage]

Continued from last post:



“Forget her for a minute,” said Russell.

“Amanda,” he continued, “I can assure you, your strategy is NOT foolproof! In fact, I’m willing to bet any amount of money I could defeat it if I were prepared.

“Meet me here in an hour and duel me, please! I have to show you the truth.”

Amanda looked at him, annoyed.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll let you find out the hard way…”

She turned and left.

Russell opened his backpack and took out some cases of cards.

“Are you really going to duel her?” asked Trisha.

“If it can save her from making the worst mistake of her life,” said Russell, “then yes…

“I warn you, this isn’t gonna be pleasant…”

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

“Do you really think it was safe giving her an hour?” asked Trisha, one hour later.

“How would she even find Cleo?” asked Jason. “We never can…”

Then Amanda walked up the hill of the main knoll.

“Glad you could make it,” said Russell, taking his deck. “And to show you that I didn’t do something like put Heavy Storm on the top of my deck, we’ll each shuffle each other’s decks.”

She handed him her deck and he handed her his.

“Although,” said Russell, “if you were working for Orichalcos right now, such niceties wouldn’t happen.”

Amanda looked sort of confused as they shuffled.

“Hey,” she said, taking it back. “Like I said, my brothers knew what they were doing! I’m undefeated!”

“We’ll soon see…” said Russell. “I can tell when someone has doubt… And that last statement had a lot of doubt.”

They stood apart, and activated their Disks.

“Atten… shun!” said Russell, drawing five cards.

Amanda drew five.

[B](Russell: 8,000) (Amanda: 8,000)

“Since I’m far more chivalrous than Maverick was,” said Russell, “you may go first…”

Amanda drew her first card.

“All right, I’ll start by playing my Pot of Greed,” she said, playing the card.

“Now I’ll draw two cards…”

As she drew two, she frowned.

Well guys, she thought, sadly. Your deck comes through for me again… Surprise, surprise… I haven’t had an opening hand this complete in ages… Only Mask of Restrict is missing…

“I’ll set three cards facedown,” she said, playing three cards.

Three facedown cards appeared.

“And then I’ll summon Gear Golem the Moving Fortress in Defense Mode.”

She played a card, and a weird contraption made of heavy, spiked gears appeared. (800/2,200)

“And that will end my turn,” she said, sadly.

Russell drew.

Hmmm… he thought.

“I’ll summon Queen’s Knight, in Attack Mode…” he said.

The lovely queen in scarlet armor appeared. (1,500/1,600)

“And I’ll place this facedown,” he said, “for later…”

He played a card, and it appeared facedown.

Amanda drew.

Hmm… she thought. A second Astral Barrier. Well, they warned me about this… My deck has three copies, so that happens from time to time… They said not to worry about it.

“I’ll pass for this turn…” she said.

Russell drew.

“As will I,” he said.

Humph, thought Amanda. He’s clever… He knows I can’t bring out the Lava Golem unless he has two Monsters on his side of the field…

She drew.

But he can’t win with only one, and I just drew Mask of Restrict. Lucky me…

She placed a card into a slot.

“I’ll place another card facedown, and end my turn,” she said.

Russell drew a card.

There it is, he said. One of the additions I made to my deck to specifically counter hers…

And since another is already in my hand and the third is already on the field, it’s time to drive the point into her…

With a sledgehammer.

“First I’ll place another card facedown,” he said.

A second facedown card appeared.

“And I’ll summon Axe Raider in Attack Mode.”

A hulking barbarian in armor carrying an axe appeared. (1,700/1,150)

Russell, no! thought Trisha.

“I end my turn,” said Russell.

“Well…” muttered Amanda, “time for the ‘fun’ to begin…”

She made a big sigh as she drew a card.

“And now I can sacrifice your two Monsters to summon the Lava Golem!”

Axe Raider and Queen’s Knight shattered, and the hideous Golem rose up behind Russell! The iron cage formed around him! (3,000/2,500)

Strangely, Russell didn’t seem worried.

“And now I activate… Mask of Restrict!”

One of her Traps, lifted, and the fright mask appeared.

“That’s my turn, Russell,” she said. “And since you know my strategy, you can either attack, or you can melt… It’s your choice…”

Russell drew…

He cringed as the cage glowed red…

[B](R: 7,000) (A: 8,000)

“True, Amanda, your Golem just cost me 1,000 Life Points,” he said, “but I’m not going to lose any more!

“After all, there’s plenty of room to summon another Monster…”

He played a card.

“First, I’ll remove my Queen’s Knight from play, to play Pot of Charity…”

Queen’s Knight fell out of his discard slot.

“Now I can draw three cards.”

He drew three.

“Next, I’ll summon this guy… Des Wombat, in Attack Mode!”

He played the card, and a strange creature that looked like a large weasel or badger appeared, with long claws and beaver-like teeth. (1,600/300)

“That’s not a Warrior!” exclaimed Trisha.

No, thought Russell, but when you know you’re facing a Lava Golem, he’s a valuable Monster.

“Des Wombat?” asked Amanda. “What’s a wombat?”

“It’s a bat that you use to play wom with, of course,” said Russell. “But seriously, this Beast has a potent effect. So long as he’s on my side of the field, I don’t lose Life Points from card effects.”

Amanda paused for a minute.

“That means Lava Golem’s draining effect…” she started.

“…no longer hurts me,” added Russell. “But my move is only starting…

“You said that I could either attack or melt… Well, given that option…

“I choose to attack!

“Lava Golem, attack Gear Golem the Moving Fortress with burning volcano blast!”

Lava Golem roared, and the ball of flame appeared in its mouth…

“Only Russell could think up a name for Lava Golem’s attack…” muttered Trisha. “I can’t watch…”

“I activate Astral Barrier!” shouted Amanda.

I knew you would… thought Russell, as the huge ball of flame flew towards her.

Amanda screamed as the inferno erupted around her!

[B](R: 7,000) (A: 5,000)

“That hurt…” she gasped. “But it seems it always will…

“Activate Inferno Tempest!”

Her facedown Quickplay lifted.

“Hold it right there, Amanda!” shouted Russell.

One of his own Traps lifted, showing the image of Breaker the Magical Warrior in front of a magical circle.

“I activate Spell Vanishing!”

“Spell Vanishing?” gulped Amanda. “What does that do?”

“I have to discard two cards to activate this Trap,” said Russell, discarding two cards, “but it does just what the name suggests… It makes your Spell… vanish!”

The Inferno Tempest card disappeared!

“And it does more than just negate that one Inferno Tempest, Amanda,” added Russell. “You are also required to discard all copies of Inferno Tempest that are in your hand and deck. Unless you have a Magician of Faith, you won’t be using it.”

Amanda gulped.

She reluctantly discarded the two cards.

“And now it’s your move…” said Russell.

“I’ll find a way to beat you!” shouted Amanda. “If I destroy your Des Wombat…”

“How will you do that?” asked Russell. “The way I see it, there are two types of Monsters in your deck – defensive ones with not near enough Attack Points, and powerful ones that you bring back with Return From The Different Dimension. But those powerful ones all need a sacrifice to summon normally, and thanks to your own Mask of Restrict, you aren’t allowed to sacrifice anything!”

Amanda drew a card.

It was Chaos End, which she couldn’t use – not in this duel.

“I have to pass…” she stuttered.

“Then it’s my turn,” said Russell, drawing a card. “And due to Des Wombat, Lava Golem doesn’t hurt me at all.

“Lava Golem, attack Gear Golem the Moving Fortress! Burning volcano blast!”

Lava Golem fired its blazing ball of flame, and Gear Golem exploded!

“And now,” said Russell, “Des Wombat attacks you directly!”

Des Wombat ran towards Amanda and leapt, biting her deeply on the shoulder! She yelped!

[B](R: 7,000) (A: 3,800)

“Your move…” said Russell.

Amanda’s hand shook as she drew.

Well… she thought. This will help me stall for at least two rounds…

“All right, Russell,” she said, “I play… Scapegoat!”

She played the card, and four fluffy sheep tokens appeared.

“I don’t think so, Amanda,” said Russell. “I figured that a duelist like you had cards that used tokens, so I included this too…”

His other facedown card lifted. It had the picture of a group of sinister gremlins around a banquet table.

“It’s a Trap called Token Feastevil,” said Russell, “and it’s activated when you summon Token Monsters. Not only are the tokens destroyed…”

The four Scapegoats burst.

“But for each one that it destroys, you lose 300 Life Points.”

Amanda cringed as four small explosions burst on her chest.

[B](R: 7,000) (A: 2,600)

Amanda hung her head.

Even if I had another Monster to defend with, she thought, I wouldn’t be able to summon it because I played Scapegoat… Russell will win next turn no matter what I do…

She sadly raised her right hand and covered her deck with it.

“I surrender…” she said, sadly. “I’d rather not be attacked by that Golem again…”

[B](R: 7,000) (A: 0)

“At ease…” said Russell.

The Golem and the rest of the cards vanished.

As Amanda hung her head, Russell walked up to her.

“Now Amanda, listen closely,” said Russell. “If you were using the Orichalcos, that might have been the last thing you ever did. In such a duel, the evil power consumes the very soul of the loser, and it doesn’t play favorites.”

Amanda’s eyes opened in fear…

“Amanda,” said Russell, “I can’t tell you what to do, but I will tell you that Cleo’s promises were lies…

“And if you ever confront one of the three of us using that evil card, we won’t be friends any more. We’ll show no mercy, and do our best to make sure that another minion of the Orichalcos falls victim to her own trap.”

Tears appeared in Amanda’s eyes.

“You’re right…” she muttered. “I shouldn’t have listened to her…

“I guess it’s true what they say… If something seems too good to be true, it usually is…”

“You spend too much time listening to other people anyway,” said Russell. “First your brothers, now this… In the army, a soldier has to listen to his superiors…

“But even they can’t tell him how to spend his free time when he gets it; and he’s the one who decided to join the army in the first place. People have independence, Amanda. They have free will.

“When you make the most vital decisions in your life, the only person you should listen to is yourself.”

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

At four o’clock, Cleo sat in the Lazy Q, talking on a cell phone.

“Don’t worry about it Cassius,” she said, “this is one of the most naïve folks I’ve seen since Lewis. She’ll be putty in our hands.”

The phone at the bar rang, and Alice answered.

“Hello, Lazy Q?” she answered. “Hang on, I’ll check…”

She covered the receiver.

“Is there a Cleo here?” she asked.

Cleo gave her a strange look. She motioned for her to give her the phone.

“Hello?” she said, as she picked up a mug of beer.

“Cleo?” said Amanda’s voice. “Look, I thought it over, and I have to decline…”

“Any reason?” asked Cleo, with her eyes narrowing.

“Well, I had a long talk with someone, and… well, he kind of made me think it was a bad idea. No hard feelings, anyway, but I can find my own identity in other ways, you know what I mean?

“I’ll see you around…”

She hung up.

Cleo gripped the mug…

…and it shattered.

Alice stared at her.

“Uh heh!” laughed Cleo. “Sorry… Why don’t I pay for that…”

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

One hour later, the Ra students herded into the dining hall rather quickly, as they always did on spaghetti night.

As Jason, Trisha, and Russell sat at the table, they noticed two students. One of them (his real name was never used – his friends called him Silver) was a tall boy with whitish-black hair with bangs. Under his blazer he wore a white shirt with an orange collar, and wore black pants with red sneakers.

The other one was a girl (Karen Marianas was her name), with long blonde hair, sea green eyes, and a slender physique. Just by looking at her, you’d assume that Kuribohs were her favorite Monster. She had Kuriboh earrings, a Kuriboh hairclip, and her blazer and backpack were full of Kuriboh keychains.

As the three friends looked over, Karen put four Monster Cards on the table, side by side. They were Aussa the Earth Charmer, Hiita the Fire Charmer, Eria the Water Charmer, and Wynn the Wind Charmer.

Then she took a fifth card and placed it above the four Charmers…

Elemental Mistress Doriado.

“It’s an old legend that is seldom told,” said Karen. “Not many know it…

“Long ago, there were four young girls. They were the best of friends, who seemingly could never be found alone… always playing together and sticking up for each other… And some would say that they were brave to the point of being foolish. They always wanted to see new things, and would explore any place where they hadn’t been.

“So when they found an old cave deep in the woods, they delved into it. Inside it was dark, but the one named Hiita lit a spark from a tinderbox, and they went deeper…

“And they entered a hidden shrine. On a lavishly decorated altar were four mystic scepters, each one topped with a gorgeous gem. The beauty of these four artifacts was matched only by that of the mysterious lady who was in front of them.

“The lady looked at them sadly, as if she was seeing four people who had walked to their doom.

“She told them that she was Elemental Mistress Doriado, and that they were in trouble. They had trespassed on sacred ground, the home of the elemental forces, and the only way they could ever leave was if they were accepted by them. She told the children that they each had to take one of the scepters – if the elements accepted them, they would gain great power. If not, they would be consumed by them.

“But the brave girls approached the altar without fear.

“Aussa, who’s father was a farmer who had worked the land all his life, took the scepter that bore the power of Earth.

“Hiita, who’s father was a blacksmith who shaped metal in the flames of the forge, took the scepter that bore the power of Fire.

“Wynn, who’s mother worked a mill, where the windmill’s power ground grain into flour, took the scepter that bore the power of Wind.

“And finally, Eria, who’s father was a fisherman who had profited from the sea’s bounty all his life, took the scepter that bore the power of Water.

“Energy coursed through the bodies of the young girls…

“…and the elements accepted them.

“Doriado smiled, and told them that the elemental beasts would bow to them now, and as they gained power, the very building blocks of nature would respond to their whim. They were now the Elemental Charmers.

“The Elemental Charmers are the driving force behind the forces of nature. Their magic can cause the ground to tremble, flames to quench, gales to blow, and the sea to rise…

“But despite it all, they remain closest friends, a bond that cannot be broken.”

“Quite a story,” said Silver. “Too bad they don’t have a Duel Monsters fiction class.

“Say, that’s not a bad idea… A Duel Monster’s fiction class…”

“So what are you two talking about?” asked Russell.

“We were complaining about that dumb curfew,” muttered Silver. “I wanted to go to the East Village tomorrow when my comic books come in…”

“And I have to get a manicure tomorrow,” added Karen, “but because of that dumb curfew, we both have to rush!”

“Trust me,” said Russell, “it’s for your own good. Weird things happen to duelists in this city after dark…”

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

They didn’t know that Fortunado was listening in on the conversation.

“Interesting theory,” he said. “But whether it’s light or dark, I can still strike…

“After all, a movie would grow stale if all the scenes happened under a night sky. Heck, an action scene in broad daylight is quite original these days!

“And tomorrow, we’ll be ready to shoot…”



Sunday, September 19th, 2006, 5:57 PM



Amanda’s OTK Deck

As far as duelists go, Amanda is a beginner, and she has yet to find her own style or her own call. Thus, her deck is not truly based on Heart at all. Her two older brothers, both of whom are duelists of no small skill, pretty much dictated her whole deck construction and strategy to her.

The result is deadly nonetheless, and takes many by surprise. It consists of the following steps: One, summon a defensive Monster; two, summon Lava Golem to her opponent’s side; three, force him to attack and activate Astral Barrier, which leads to her activating Inferno Tempest; four, clear the field with Chaos End; five use Return From The Different Dimension to summon her five powerful Monsters and pound him to death.

Naturally, this strategy has a lot of flaws. She has three copies of all the key cards in her deck, which takes up eighteen slots. Thus, her deck has had to make a few sacrifices, and do without some “staples”. She has no copy of Heavy Storm (and rarely would want to use it, since it would mean wiping out her own facedown cards), and very few other Traps. There are other ways besides Russell’s method that could ruin her strategy (Heavy Storm might well be her worst enemy, and Royal Decree would stop her strategy cold.)

Since Russell has pointed out that her deck is indeed flawed, Amanda might take it to heart and try to design her own strategy. After all, using another person’s idea never makes you a winner – it only supports the person who truly designed it.



[B][I]Coming up next:

Silver and Karen are User Characters, but you’ll have to wait to see more of them.

Coming up next, Trisha tries to cheer up another User Character who’s had a bad day. It’s a chapter called “Respect Play” coming soon.

[Pokemasterkatie]

Russell, Trisha, and Jason were walking across the campus.

Trisha pulled a candy bar out of her backpack.

“Hey Russell,” she said, “one Snickers says you can’t do the whole thing without a mistake.”

Russell smirked.

“I’ll bet two of them that I can do it without a mistake, AND in under a minute!” he answered back.

“You’re on!” she said, taking out another.

“Jason, time me!” said Russell.

“Okay…” said Jason, looking at his watch, “go!”

Russell quickly started to sing an old tune:



I am the very model of a modern Major General,
I've information vegetable, and animal, and mineral,
I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical,
From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical;
I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical,
I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical,
About binomial theorem I am teeming with a lot o' news,
With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse.
I'm very good at integral and differential calculus;
I know the scientific names of beings animalculous:
In short, in matters vegetable, and animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major General.
I know our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's;
I answer hard acrostics, I've a pretty taste for paradox,
I quote in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus,
In conics I can floor peculiarities parabolous;
I can tell undoubted Raphaels from Gerard Dows and Zoffanies,

I know the croaking chorus from the Frogs of Aristophanes;
Then I can hum a fugue of which I've heard the music's din afore,
And whistle all the airs from that infernal nonsense Pinafore.
Then I can write a washing bill in Babylonic cuneiform,
And tell you every detail of Caractacus's uniform:
In short, in matters vegetable, and animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major-General.
In fact, when I know what is meant by "mamelon" and "ravelin",
When I can tell at sight a Mauser rifle from a javelin,
When such affairs as sorties and surprises I'm more wary at,
And when I know precisely what is meant by "commissariat",
When I have learnt what progress has been made in modern gunnery,
When I know more of tactics than a novice in a nunnery,
In short, when I've a smattering of elemental strategy,

You'll say a better Major-General has never sat a gee.
For my military knowledge, though I'm plucky and adventury,
Has only been brought down to the beginning of the century;
But still, in matters vegetable, and animal, and mineral,
I am the very model of a modern Major-General!


“TIME!”
“Fifty-one seconds…” said Jason. “And I don’t believe I heard a mistake…”
Russell snatched the two candy bars from Trisha.
“Don’t mess with the master…” he said with a grin.

My favorite scene in the chapter. Very awesome, considering the tempo it has(and a few tongue twisters).

“Des Wombat?” asked Amanda. “What’s a wombat?”

“It’s a bat that you use to play wom with, of course,” said Russell. “But seriously, this Beast has a potent effect. So long as he’s on my side of the field, I don’t lose Life Points from card effects.”

For those who don't watch Crocodile Hunter, Wombats are native Australian mammals. Don't think Chumley has one in his deck, though.

The other one was a girl (Karen Marianas was her name), with long blonde hair, sea green eyes, and a slender physique. Just by looking at her, you’d assume that Kuribohs were her favorite Monster. She had Kuriboh earrings, a Kuriboh hairclip, and her blazer and backpack were full of Kuriboh keychains.

So this is the Kuriboh duelist DS spoke of! Can't wait for her duel!

[Dark Sage]

Actually, no. Karen does not play a Kuriboh Deck. Kuribohs are just monsters that she really likes. I mean, who wouldn't like the cute little guys?

[Pokemasterkatie]

I mean, who wouldn't like the cute little guys?

Seto Kaiba and Manjoume Thunder.XD I'd also say Pegasus, but he was on the verge of losing to Yugi when the fluffball trap was sprung on his Thousand Eyes Restrict. I'd bet he'd love them otherwise--I mean, one of his favorite cards is a CAT(Doppleganger)!

[jkBAKURA]

Well, due to bias, I can't really review this chapter. I can however, give a bit of a glance behind the curtain.

Amanda really came out of a realisation of mine, most characters somehow always play the deck they love to play, and somehow have every card they need to play it. They also all enjoy dueling, win or lose, and most often have faith in whatever they're playing. Amanda was a bit of a norm breaker.

Most fanfiction duelists, simply enjoy the theme they are playing. Amanda took a harsher approach, where cold, hard, logic and stratagy take over to end the duel quickly, without the thril of playing the game. This makes it more like the real tournaments I've been to, back when Chaos and Yata were everywhere. I realise in a story however, that the duels are more drawn out and exciting.

For those who thought the duels were too short (and I know I did at first) I came to a realisation. That was what was supposed to happen. In the first one, the stratagy kicked in right away, and in the second, the legs were kicked out from under it. It's the same with any combo based deck.

I just liked the idea for some reason.

P.S. In my first pitch, the Golem/Inferno combo was supposed to be completed by a Morphing Jar #2, resulting in an instant deckout for the opponent, while Amanda still had the Golem to fall back on, but the RfDD combo grew on me as well.

Now that I'm done blabbering, we can all get back to our lives.

[Perfect Chaos]

I actually liked Amanda as a character.

The deck-theme was most certainly VERY unique and the chapter was pretty good in general, nothing too much to add. I do wonder though what that song Russell sang for the bet and whether Jason and Trisha did anything risque when they sleeping next to each other as stated at the end of the last chapter and beginning of this chapter.

I do wonder who the next user character will be (mine still won't be coming for a while, that I know)

Until then

-Sean

[Dark Sage]

Chaos,


The song that Russell sang was a song from the score of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, and it's a very hard song to master, because you're supposed to sing it fast.

As for whether or not Jason and Trisha did anything "risque", as you say, I'll leave that for you to determine, but if they did, they know how to be safe doing such things.

[Master of Paradox]

That song Russell performed was the Major General's song from Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta The Pirates of Penzance.

[Shuppet Master]

Thanks for stating what I was going to, Brian. (Suffering from an insane head cold now, ugh...)

I liked Karen's story. I was going to come up with my own myth for the Elemental Charmers, because I like them as much as Pikeru and Curran. Can't wait to see her and Silver in action.

That chapter was sort of an interesting eye-opener. Nice to see Russell use strategy to force Amanda into a surrender, and I do hope that Amanda can throw off the yoke of her brothers just like Chazz did. If my sisters wanted to start playing the game, I'd let them decide their decks.

I'm sure I can tell my father about that song you recited. I think he might remember it.

BTW, shameless plug, go to the Enemy of Justice preview. The next chapter of Sister of Anansi will feature a few cards from that pack, and you might get a Toon Dark Magician Girl!

[Dark Sage]

If you go to the EoJ Preview and pay to participate, you WILL get a Toon Dark Magician Girl. That's the promotional card you get for going.

But I agree, go to the event. They have some sweet cards, including Alexis's Cyber Girls, Aster Phoenix's Destiny Heroes, and the Trap Card that Banner used that's bound to be a big hit... Macro Cosmos!

Even better, it's a common.

[Blademaster]

Pirates of Penzeance? And you guys gave me flack about a Martin Lawrence writswatch? :p

Anyway, nice conflict with that Amanda girl. Poor kid - being told what to do by everybody... That was almost a bit too close...

Just by reading this chapter, however, I know that my User Character will be appearing, which makes me happy - I didn't know if said character would show up or not, and in the unlikely event that he/she was going to, I was starting to worry that Dark Sage was so mad at me that he'd dropped my Character from the story... :redface:

In any event, I'm looking forward to the next chapter, as usual, and the next Character, so until then...

Peace out, gang!

-Blade

[envoy of time]

As Shuppet Master stated Amanda reminded me of Chazz.I hope her new deck is better than this one.Also we found out a new rule of the Orichalcos rule, people can't be forced to use it.I'm sorry this time can't think of much to say.

"May time be on your side.''

[Dark Sage]

Time for a new chapter, and a new user character.

This chapter is a bit of a filler. The next three chapter may come rather quickly, so this arc may end quickly.

Anyway, I'd like to thank Pokemaster Katie for her submission.

- DS

[B][I]My name is Ami. I’m just a beginner at this game, more or less, but I think I have a strategy that’s halfway good.

See, I’ve always felt that trying to defeat an opponent by fighting his Monsters is a waste of time… So I try to go straight for the duelist himself.

Does that make me a mean person? Does it mean I like to hurt others?

Well, I hope not…

I just got done dueling someone who clearly did like to hurt others, and I’m still sore…

I’m willing to take an easier challenge, if it will get my spirits up…

[B][size=3]CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Monday, September 20th, 2106, 10:30 AM


Trisha sat at the computerized card catalogue in the library.

”I am the very model of a Modern Major General!”

“Ugh…” she muttered. “Can’t get that song out of my head…”

She typed in the word: “Golf”.

“Let’s see…” she muttered. “Anecdotes… Cartoons… Courses… Eisenhower and…”

She skimmed down.

“Personalities…”

She wrote down the number and went to look for the book. Dr. Ting had told her of a duelist who had once dueled Jaden Yuki who had been the heir to a sports equipment empire. He was a pro at both golf and tennis (the “wimpy sports”, to most sports fans), but the library had very little on tennis personalities.

And she was curious.

She took the book down and took it to the reading room.

“Here’s the guy,” she said, looking at the description. “Harrington Rosewood? Sounds like the kind of name rich kids have… I can just see the type… Probably had a thirty-dollar haircut…

“Won the Florida State Duel Monsters Tournament once, I see…”

She looked at the names of some of the cards he used, and then took out her catalogue.

“Service Ace…” she read. “Oh here it is. Pretty iffy card, relies a lot on luck… Receive Ace… That’s a bit better… Smash Ace… More iffy…”

She skimmed through the catalogue.

“This Deuce card looks really situational… It would be hard to get the scores tied at 1,000, unless he had a way to reduce his own…

“Eh, no wonder Jaden beat him. This guy relied too much on Spells and Traps, and too little on Monsters…

“I mean, the name of the game is Duel Monsters… As in, you’re supposed to use Monsters, not just use Spells and Traps…

“Eh, he made the right choice switching to golf.”

As she went to put the book back, she saw a student in a red blazer at another table, clutching her head. A Duel Disk was in front of her.

She had blue eyes, scarlet hair tied in a spiky side ponytail, and Japanese features. She was barely five feet tall, almost petite.

“There a problem?” asked Trisha.

The Slifer looked up.

“Plenty,” she said. “I just got into the worst duel since I got here…”

She rubbed her back.

“This Obelisk was playing with me. First he used Giant Trunade, then Lightning Vortex, then this weird card called Dragon’s Mirror…”

“…which let him summon his Five God Dragon,” said Trisha, “and then he let you have it…”

“How’d you know?” asked the girl.

“That would be Laramie,” replied Trisha. “He’s very proud of that Fusion Monster, and loves to take his opponents out with it. No one duels him if they can help it…”

“I found that out the hard way,” said the girl. “I’m Ami, by the way. Ami Yoshihiro.”

“Well, don’t wallow in self pity,” said Trisha. “I always say, when you lose, you learn more than you do from winning…”

Well, unless it’s an Orichalcos duel, she thought, but I can’t tell her that…

“Tell me something,” said Trisha. “If you were to face Laramie again, now that you know his strategy, what would you do differently?”

Ami thought for a minute.

She shrugged.

“Well,” said Trisha, “if I was forced to duel him, I’d put this in my deck…”

She took a card out of her side deck.

It was a Trap Card bearing the image of a mad scientist in front of a computer screen. It was called Success Probability 0%.

“See, when this Trap is triggered, it sends up to two cards at random from your opponent’s Fusion Deck straight to the Graveyard!” said Trisha. “If you used that, he’d lose his most powerful weapon.”

“I don’t even have a side deck yet,” muttered Ami. “My win-loss record is pretty much 50-50…”

“I’ll cheer you up…” said Trisha.

She pushed Ami’s Duel Disk towards her.

“How about a friendlier duel right now?” she said. “If there are any flaws in your deck, I can help you with them, and I won’t be as mean as he was.”

“Well…” said Ami.

She paused.

“I admit, I would like to blow off a little steam… Okay…”

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

At the far end of the library, the bookshelves were arranged in a large circle. A portrait of William Shakespeare was on the wall. It was roomy enough for an arena.

They faced each other at the table in the center, and shuffled.

“Quaint,” said Trisha with a chuckle. “Good thing these are holograms… We wouldn’t want to burn any of these books.”

“I’m sure,” said Ami, with a smile.

She took out a pair of purple reading glasses and placed them on her face.

They backed up towards the bookshelves.

“All right,” said Trisha, drawing five cards. “Game… start!”

[B](Trisha: 8,000) (Ami: 8,000)

“You may go first,” said Trisha.

Ami drew a sixth card.

Wow! she thought. This is a great opening hand!

“Okay!” she said, taking three cards from her hand. “I’ll place two cards facedown…”

Two facedown cards appeared.

“…and also a Monster in Defense Mode.”

She set a card, and a facedown Monster appeared.

“And I’ll end my turn…” she said.

“Ooh, sneaky…” said Trisha, drawing. “Well, let’s see…”

She drew a card.

I drew Nanobreaker on my first draw! she thought. That’s good luck…

“I summon Nanobreaker in Attack Mode,” she said.

The Machine that looked just like her appeared, holding aloft her sword. (1,600/1,800)

All right, she thought. Two facedown cards and a facedown Monster… Could be a trap…

But could be a chance to get ahead…

“Nanobreaker, attack!” shouted Trisha.

Nanobreaker leapt forward…

A weird-looking Fiend with red skin and eyes all over its body appeared on the card. Nanobreaker cut it in half.

“You just destroyed my Big Eye,” exclaimed Ami. “So now…”

She took the cards off the top of her deck.

“I can see the top five cards on my deck, and rearrange them any way I want.”

She looked at them, made a few adjustments, and then replaced them.

“Okay then…” said Trisha. “I’ll…”

“Hold it…” said Ami. “Before you end your turn, I’ll activate one of my facedown cards.”

A Trap Card lifted up.

“It’s called Miracle Draw!”

Clouds started to form, obscuring the ceiling. Lightning crackled.

“Uh, what does that do?” asked Trisha.

“Someone gave me this card for free, believe it or not,” said Ami. “He said it was useless, but I found a way to use it.

“See, before my Draw Phase, I have to try to guess what card I’ll draw. If I guess right, you lose 1,000 Life Points. If I guess wrong, I lose 1,000 Life Points.”

Trisha stared at her.

“You know exactly what your next five draws will be!” she exclaimed.

“The rules don’t say you can’t have help,” said Ami. “Now then… I guess the card I draw will be… Jam Breeding Machine…”

She drew.

“What do you know…” she said, showing it to Trisha. “I was right!”

Thunder rolled…

Trisha screamed as she was struck by lightning!

[B](T: 7,000) (A: 8,000)

“Not bad…” muttered Trisha.

“Now then…” said Amy. “I’ll summon… Cannon Soldier in Attack Mode.”

She played the card, and a sinister looking, semi-humanoid Machine with a gun turret on its shoulder appeared. (1,400/1,300)

“Next I’ll play…” she continued. “Jam Breeding Machine.”

The ground shook, and a dome-like contraption covered with pipes and gaskets rose out of the ground.

“I’ll end my turn there,” she said.

Her plan is obvious, thought Trisha. She plans to create Slime Tokens, and use them as ammunition for that cannon. Her other facedown is likely a Trap…

She drew.

But I have to try…

“I summon Cyber Phoenix in Attack Mode,” she shouted.

A large creature that looked like a metallic bird with glowing eyes appeared, hovering in air and slowly flapping its wings. (1,200/1,600)

“Nanobreaker, attack!” she shouted.

Nanobreaker raised her sword.

“I activate… Gravity Bind!” shouted Ami.

Her other Trap lifted, and Nanobreaker was stopped cold.

“I figured as much…” said Trisha.

At least her Cannon Soldier can’t attack either, she thought. At least not normally…

“I’ll end my turn…”

“Then time to guess again,” said Ami, reaching for her deck. “And I guess… Rush Recklessly…”

She drew.

She gave a girlish giggle as she showed Trisha the card.

Thunder rolled again. Trisha cringed as lightning struck her again!

“Now…” continued Ami, “Let’s let my Jam Breeding Machine do its thing…”

The Machine shook… And a small blob of protoplasm with eyes on it floated out. (500/500)

“And now, Cannon Soldier…”

The Slime Token transformed into energy, and was absorbed into the Machine…

“FIRE!” shouted Ami.

Cannon Soldier blasted its gun! Trisha staggered back as it hit her in the chest!

[B](T: 5,500) (A: 8,000)

And this kid was having self doubts? thought Trisha, catching her breath.

“Your move…” said Amy.

Trisha drew.

Hey… she thought. I just drew Sky Union…

Air Fortress Ziggurat is immune to opposing Traps and Spells, and I could summon a Monster and then sacrifice it and my other two to summon it…

She thought for a minute.

Oh, what am I thinking? she thought. This kid just got blasted by a Five God Dragon. I’m not that cruel…

She chose another card.

“I summon Mechanicalchaser in Attack Mode,” she said. “And I’ll end my turn.”

Mechanicalchaser appeared, and raised its spindly arms. (1,850/800)

“Okay…” said Ami, going for her deck. “I guess… Mucus Yolk…”

She drew.

“I was right!”

“NOT AGAIN!” screamed Trisha, as lightning crashed down on her.

Boy, she’s got a good memory… she thought.

“Now, let’s do this again!” laughed Ami.

The Machine produced a Slime Token…

Cannon Soldier absorbed it.

“Cannon Soldier, blast her!” ordered Ami.

Cannon Soldier shot its cannon, hitting Trisha in the stomach.

She held her gut and groaned.

[B](T: 4,000) (A: 8,000)

Man… thought Trisha. I’ve lost half my Life Points, and she has all of hers… I’d better get a good draw…

She drew a card.

“Oh well…” said Trisha. “Time to take the lead…”

She played a card.

“I play Heavy Storm!”

A wind ripped across the field, and Ami watched in horror, as her Gravity Bind, Miracle Draw, and Jam Breeding Machine were all blown to pieces.

“All right!” shouted Trisha. “Mechanicalchaser, attack Cannon Soldier!”

Mechanicalchaser flew forward and struck Cannon Soldier with its prod. The weaker Machine exploded.

“Cyber Phoenix, attack directly! Cyber flames!”

Cyber Phoenix blasted a flamethrower from its beak. Ami screamed and tried to shield herself.

“Nanobreaker, your turn!” ordered Trisha.

Nanobreaker leapt up, and made a downward slash at Ami with her sword. She shrieked and fell over on her behind.

“Ooh…” she muttered.

[B](T: 4,000) (A: 4,750)

“Sorry, Ami,” said Trisha, “but I have to fight back a little…”

“Hey, I don’t want you to let me win…” muttered Ami.

Trisha smiled.

“It’s your move,” she said.

Ami drew a card.

“I’m going to play a card I’ve been saving,” she said. “Pot of Greed…”

She took a card from her hand and played it. She drew two cards.

“Now I’ll show you how I was going to get rid of Miracle Draw,” she continued. “I place one card facedown…”

She played a card.

“…and then I play Emergency Provisions.”

She played the card. The facedown card lifted, and then shattered.

Imperial Order? thought Trisha. When did she intend to use that?

“All right…” said Ami. “Next I’ll play… Level Limit Area B.”

She played a Spell Card, and all of Trisha’s Monsters shifted into Defense Mode.

“Darn…” said Trisha.

“Next I’ll summon… Mucus Yolk!” she exclaimed.

She played the card, and a huge amoeboid glob of cytoplasm appeared in front of her. (0/100)

“Mucus Yolk can attack you directly,” she said, “and each time it damages your Life Points, it gains 1,000 Attack Points.”

“True,” said Trisha, “but it starts out with zero Attack Points, so you need a way to increase its Attack Points first…”

She paused.

“…wait… a minute…”

Ami played a card.

“I play Rush Recklessly!” she shouted.

Mucus Yolk’s Attack rose to 700.

“Attack!” shouted Ami. “Engulfing grapple…”

Trisha’s eyes opened in fear as the huge ball of slime floated towards her…

…and then she was absorbed into it! She cringed as it started to constrict…

Then it let go, and returned to Ami’s side. Its Attack Score fell back down to zero, then rose to 1,000.

[B](T: 3,300) (A: 5,750)

“Your move!” said Ami. “And this is fun!”

Well, thought Trisha. It’s clear that she’s playing a Direct Damage Deck… A strategy that’s very hard to combat. Likely, all her cards are aimed towards getting around Monsters and striking at the duelist…

She drew a card.

Limiter Removal? That’s no good…

“Much as I hate to do it,” she said, “I have to pass.”

“Okay,” said Ami, drawing.



Continued…

[Dark Sage]

Continued from last post:



She looked at the card.

“Mucus Yolk, attack again!”

Trisha cringed as the Yolk swallowed her again!

As it let go, she gasped for breath.

“Nasty…” she said.

The Yolk’s attack rose to 2,000.

[B](T: 2,300) (A: 5,750)

“All right…” said Trisha, “my move…”

She drew a card.

All right… she thought.

“I summon Machine King Prototype in Attack Mode,” she stated.

The Prototype materialized.

“This Machine only has three stars,” she said, “so he can attack in your Level Limit. And he gains 100 Attack Points for every additional Machine on the field.”

(1,600/1,500) –> (1,900/1,500)

“That’s still not strong enough to beat my Monster,” said Ami.

“Well then…” said Trisha. “Then I’ll play this… Limiter Removal!”

She played a Spell Card.

“This doubles the Attack of all Machines on my side of the field.”

Cyber Phoenix rose to an Attack of 2,400. Nanobreaker rose to 3,200. Mechanicalchaser rose to 3,700. And Machine King Prototype rose to 3,800.

“Prototype, attack the Mucus Yolk!” shouted Trisha. “Laser phaser!”

Machine King Prototype blasted a ray of energy from its eyes, and Mucus Yolk splattered into globs of goo.

“Of course,” said Trisha. “Limiter Removal will destroy my Monsters when I end my turn, but before that happens…”

She played a card.

“…I’ll sacrifice Machine King Prototype by playing Mystik Wok. It’s sort of like recharging your batteries in a way.”

Prototype faded into mist.

[B](T: 6,100) (A: 3,950)

“Next,” she said, “I play Thunder Crash. This will destroy my Monsters before the Limiter Removal does, and blast away 300 of your Life Points for each.”

She played the card, and Cyber Phoenix, Nanobreaker, and Mechanicalchaser shattered. A bolt of lightning shot forward, striking Ami. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth as it hit her.

“Finally, I’ll place one card facedown…” she said.

She played a card, and a facedown card appeared.

“Okay, I’m ending my turn now.”

[B](T: 6,100) (A: 3,050)

“Oo-kay…” muttered Ami, drawing a card.

“I… have to pass…” she said.

“Very well…” said Trisha, drawing a card.

She gestured, and her facedown card lifted.

“I activate Call of the Haunted!” she exclaimed. “Now I can bring back a Monster from my Graveyard, and I choose… Machine King Prototype!”

Prototype reappeared, and Ami gulped. (1,600/1,500)

“Attack directly!” ordered Trisha.

Prototype blasted its weapon, and Ami sweat heavily.

[B](T: 6,100) (A: 1,450)

“That ends my turn,” she said.

“Okay, let’s see here…” muttered Ami, drawing a card.

She looked at it.

“I play Card Destruction,” she said.

Trisha raised an eyebrow.

They both folded their hands, and drew an equal number.

“All right!” said Ami. “I play Mystical Space Typhoon!”

The played the card, and Call of the Haunted shattered under the windstorm. Then Machine King Prototype shattered.

“Now, I’ll set two cards facedown…” she continued.

She played two cards, and they appeared.

“…and then I’ll summon Royal Magical Library in Defense Mode.”

Behind her rose a large bookshelf with three lamps hanging from the shelves, even more elaborate than the ones surrounding them. (0/2,000)

“I end my turn…” she said.

Hmmm… thought Trisha. That thing will let her draw a card every time three Spell Cards are played. I’ll have to find some way to bring it down…

She drew.

“I place a Monster in Defense Mode,” she said, playing a card.

A facedown Monster appeared.

“That’s my turn,” she said.

Ami drew.

“YES!” she exclaimed. “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I just drew my signature card!

“But before I summon her, I’ll activate my facedown cards…”

Her two Traps lifted.

“First, Robbin’ Goblin!” she laughed. “This causes you to lose a card from your hand every time I attack directly.

“Next, Magical Thorn! This causes you to lose 500 Life Points whenever you lose a card from your hand.”

“Uh…” muttered Trisha. “Interesting combo…”

“And now my favorite Monster…” she said, playing a card. “I summon Raging Flame Sprite!”

A giggling noise echoed over the arena, and a tiny pixie carrying a cudgel with a flame on the end appeared. (100/200)

Trisha raised an eyebrow.

“Sure, she starts out weak,” explained Ami, “but she can attack directly, and every time she succeeds, she gains 1,000 Attack Points!

“Go! Pixie fire shot!”

Raging Flame Sprite laughed, and flew towards Trisha. She shot a tiny fireball, hitting her in the face!

Her Attack rose to 1,100.

Then a card in Trisha’s hand glowed. She grunted and discarded it… and then a small jolt of energy struck her.

[B](T: 5,500) (A: 1,450)

“That’s it for my move…” said Ami.

Trisha drew.

“I flip my facedown Monster into Attack Mode,” she said. “Dekoichi the Battlechanted Locomotive!”

The card flipped, and the huge freight engine appeared. (1,400/1,000)

It turned back into Defense Mode.

“That means I get to draw another card,” she said.

She drew.

“Eh…” she said, looking at it. “I pass…”

Ami drew.

“I’ll place one card facedown,” she stated.

She played a card, and it appeared.

“And now I attack with Raging Flame Sprite!”

The Sprite flew forward and blasted Trisha in the face again!

She sputtered. The Sprite grew to 2,100 Attack.

A card in her hand glowed, and she discarded it. She was shocked again.

[B](T: 3,900) (A: 1,450)

“All right, my move…” she muttered.

She drew.

“I summon Dark Catapulter in Defense Mode,” she stated.

She played a card, and the large, Dark Machine appeared, crouching in Defense. (1,000/1,500)

“Silly,” said Ami. “That can’t defend you…”

She drew.

“And now… My Sprite attacks you directly!”

Raging Flame Sprite shot forward a even more intense stream of flames, and Trisha screamed as she was blasted in the face again.

Again, she discarded a card, and was jolted.

“Must she always go for the face?” asked Trisha.

“Hey, you know how pixies are,” said Ami. “They like to have fun with big folks.”

[B](T: 1,300) (A: 1,450)

It all comes down to this draw… thought Trisha.

She drew.

“I play Pot of Greed…” she said, playing the card.

Yes! she thought. Mirror Force, and Perfect Machine King!

But first thing’s first…

“I’m activating Dark Catapulter’s special ability,” she said. “Since it was in Defense Mode for one round, I can remove one card in my Graveyard from play to destroy one Trap or Spell Card…”

Limiter Removal slipped out of her discard slot.

“So say goodbye to your Level Limit card!”

Dark Catapulter cranked back its catapults, and shot a burst of energy forward, blasting the Spell Card to pixels!

“Now, I’ll place a card facedown…” she continued.

A facedown card appeared.

“…and I’ll sacrifice Dekoichi and Dark Catapulter to summon Perfect Machine King!”

The two Machines shattered into pixels, and the huge King of Machines appeared. (2,700/1,500)

“Attack the Royal Magical Library!” she commanded. “Mega missile assault!”

Perfect Machine King blasted its weapons, and the bookshelf exploded in a burst of flaming paper and wood.

“I end my turn…”

Ami slowly drew…

“Raging Flame Sprite,” she said. “Attack directly!”

Raging Flame Sprite flew forward…

“I activate Mirror Force!” shouted Trisha, as her Trap lifted.

“I don’t think so!” laughed Ami. “I activate Seven Tools of the Bandit!”

Trisha’s eyes opened wide as Ami’s own Trap lifted, and a huge jackknife flew forward, smashing her Trap to bits!

Raging Flame Sprite shot a huge burst of flame, and Trisha fell over!

“YAY!” cheered Ami.

[B](T: 0) (A: 450)

Trisha groaned, as the two Monsters vanished.

“Well,” she said, getting up. “Feel better?”

Ami paused.

“Yeah…” she said. “Actually, I do…”

“Well,” said Trisha, “glad I could help. Laramie might have beaten you, but you’re a good duelist. I think they’ll see you in Ra next year.”

“I hope so,” said Ami. “What’s it like there? How’s the food?”

“Pretty good,” said Trisha. “Although, they’re having brussel sprouts tonight…”

“Yeech…” muttered Ami. “Well, we’re having Swedish meatballs again… And the chef they have at the Slifer Dorm is an Italian meatball… He makes dumb jokes all the time, like about the stuff that hot dogs are made of…”

“Well…” muttered Trisha, “it’s a well-known fact that someone who likes hot dogs shouldn’t watch them being made…”

[B]* * * * * * * * * * *

Dr. Artemis looked out the window of her office.

Twinky rolled into the office with a coffee pot.

“A nice day, isn’t it?” asked Artemis.

The robot could not speak, but its AI was smart enough for it to understand almost all human expressions, and its sensory systems agreed with that comment. It nodded.

“I feel this is the calm before the storm,” she muttered. “Timaeus and Critias have surfaced, so Hermos won’t be far behind…

“But in order for him to appear, another of my students likely will be lured into another horrible Orichalcos duel…

“I’m powerless to stop it… And how can I expect my students to be the ones to combat this calamity?

“But if the Brothers have made their decisions, I cannot change them. It is out of my hands…

“I must pray that all will turn out all right…”

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

At four-thirty, several of the Ra students were in the dining hall early.

Most of them pushed the brussel sprouts aside with disgust, but Russell was scarfing them like candy.

“Eew…” muttered Karen. “How can you like those?”

“Are you kidding?” answered Russell. “My mom served these all the time when I was a kid. My dad always told me, brussel sprouts will put hair on your chest.”

“If there’s one thing I don’t want, it’s hair on my chest!” cried Karen.

“That would be pretty unpleasant…” replied Jason.

“Indeed,” said Silver. “I wish I could stay, but it’s nearly five, and I have to get to the East Village and back before curfew. The new issue of Elemental Heroes comes in today, and they’ve been hyping about this issue for months.”

“Important issue?” asked Jason.

“First of a three-parter,” said Silver. “It introduces a new villain.”

“And I have GOT to get my manicure,” said Karen. “My nails are a mess…”

“Guys…” said Trisha.

She paused.

“Please, just… take your Disks with you,” she said. “I know it sounds strange, but you might need them.”

They looked at her.

“Fine,” said Silver. “I like having it with me anyway.”

“Same here,” said Karen.

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

A dark figure in strange clothing watched as the two students left campus, going their separate ways.

“Excellent,” he said in a sinister voice. “They’re alone, and easy pickings…”

He turned to two shadowy figures.

“You,” he said, turning to a muscular figure in biker-attire. “Meet the one called Silver.”

He turned to the other, a younger figure in colorful clothes.

“You… you handle Karen.

“They shouldn’t be hard…”

The two shadowy figures nodded, and vanished.

“Fortunado wanted realism in this film,” said the dark figure, “and he’s going to get it. The dark sides of these duelists make exceptional actors…

“And there’s plenty more where they came from…”


Monday, September 20th, 2106, 5:05 PM



MIRACLE DRAW (Trap Card)

Card Specs

Type: Trap/Continuous
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Image: A deck of cards on a table, glowing with energy.

Card Description: When this card is in play, before your Draw Phase, state the name of a card. If the card you draw is the card you stated, inflict 1,000 points of direct damage to your opponent’s Life Points. If it is not, inflict 1,000 points of direct damage to your Life Points.

Note: “Miracle Draw” was used by Damon in the “Yu Gi Oh GX” episode, “Nature of the Draw”. All creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.



Ami’s Direct Damage Deck


When Ami decided to construct a deck, she was clueless as to what theme she would choose. One close friend told her that some beginning duelists could find their theme by picking a card at random from a pile of cards. The right card would choose the duelist. Ami tried this… And pulled Raging Flame Sprite. She saw it as a sign, and started constructing a Direct Damage Deck.

Ami’s strategy is more or less not to concern herself with her opponent’s Monsters and strike at her foe directly. She has several Monsters that can do just that, such as Raging Flame Sprite (of course) and Mucus Yolk. She also uses a clever combo with Cannon Soldier and Jam Breeding Machine.

When she saw Miracle Draw in one friend’s binder, she asked for it, and he was surprised she wanted something so useless. Ami was able to figure out a way to use it, however, by combining it with Big Eye, so she would know the cards she would draw beforehand. The only time Miracle Draw becomes dangerous is if she has not finished off her opponent by the time she draws the sixth card (and cannot get rid of Miracle Draw). She always attempts to make sure that the fifth card is something that can destroy or otherwise remove it.

Ami also has two copies of Meteor of Destruction, which can give an opponent a nasty surprise if she draws them early in a duel. However, her best combo is likely the one that combines Robbin’ Goblin with Magical Thorn, which costs an opponent cards, and does more damage.



[I][B]Coming up next:

Another blast… from the anime past!

Silver faces a formidable foe, in a showdown in the East Village. It’s a chapter called “Dimension Fusion”, coming soon…

[Dark Sage]

Before I leave, I’d like to say a few things. No matter what I say, someone is going to accuse me (or worse, Katie) or ripping off from “Tilting The Balance”. Both Master of Paradox and I think that’s nonsense. He wasn’t even writing his fic when I was taking submissions.

Besides, Ami and Gerald are not alike at all. They both play Direct Damage Decks, but Gerald wouldn't even look at Miracle Draw, would think of Robbin' Goblin as "nice but unneeded" and would no sooner use a Cannon Soldier/Jam Breeding Machine combo than he would take up a job as a night watchman. Likewise, Ami probably considers Jinzo #7 beneath her and would leave Inaba White Rabbit and Amazon Archer to Spirit and Amazon decks, respectively.

I’ve said it, and if you want to level accusations, I don’t care.

[Shuppet Master]

Nobody is accusing you of plagarism, Brian. Besides, I doubt that Gerald would even look at Raging Flame Sprite either. (Which is one of my favorite cards, since it was one of the first I pulled from a Rise of Destiny pack.)

I liked how you had Trisha decide not to use Air Fortress Ziggaraut(sp?) - I'm sure the ghost of Alister would be ticked off if his cards were used to hurt an innocent duelist. Trisha is a very honorable person.

I liked that cafeteria scene. If the chef of Ra Yellow had watched Ham of the Street yesterday, he could have spiced up those sprouts.

Anyways, can't wait for the next chapter.

[jkBAKURA]

Dark Sage, this is about the third disclaimer including "Tilting the Balance" yet. Deck themes are not limitless, and it's natural that some will overlap. I said in the beginning that these stories might step on each other's heels, but so far, it's rather at a minimum.

One plus that I will point out is the consistancy in which the main characters seem to be losing. It will help even the scales when the plot demands they win every match later, so I say stop the complaints before they happen.

New combos galore in this chapter, including several I hadn't thought of. The Jam/Cannon is a classic not seen for a while. I approve.

Unfortunately, this chapter didn't give us anything new as far as Tricia's deck went, and she hasn't really dueled enough yet so we smile to out\rselves as she makes some trademark move. Truth be told, I'm rapidly losing interest in her, but Critias has potential to liven her up.

Nice work katie, I admit I love the name you came up with. I realised too late that my character's name didn't sound at all Japaneese. Maybe she's an exchange student or something. On that note, it's refreshing to see as many female user characters as male ones in this story.

"blast from the past"? I hope one of the former swordsman is dueling. With a title like "Demension Fusion" that just might be possible.

[Shuppet Master]

One plus that I will point out is the consistancy in which the main characters seem to be losing. It will help even the scales when the plot demands they win every match later, so I say stop the complaints before they happen.

If it makes you feel better, JBakura, in my spin-off story to Dark Sage's "Yu-Gi-Oh: The Thousand Year Door", my user character Cyrus LOSES his first duel. Each of the characters in the core group will lose twice, but not where the plot forbids it.

[Dark Sage]

JK,

I'm more than certain you'll like Trisha's next duel, although it won't be for a little while.

As for one of the original Knights dueling, that will happen eventually, but not next chapter. You'll just have to see for yourself.

- DS

[Pokemasterkatie]

Heh, all right! :biggrin: Direct Damage decks were always one of my favorite types(and I sent in this character WAY before Tilting the Balance--I had no way of knowing that a sequel was going to be made, much less starring Gerald!). But I was close to an Elemental Charmer deck, her being Japanese and all. And someone already chose a Kuriboh deck...^^

jkBAKURA, the name wasn't easy to come up with. I took Ami from one of the members of Puffy AmiYumi(the cuter one in the cartoon), and Yoshihiro from the last name of a former WWE wrestler--Tajiri! The name clicked, and I sent her in with some of my own personality(the reading glasses were one of them--I can see just fine without them). Nice work with the previous loss--I don't think there was any way I could hope to beat a FGD!XD

BTW, you made a mistake when issuing the combo--Robbin' Goblin is a Spell Card, not a Trap. I thought that combination up myself. Very nice way to use Miracle Draw as well. Too bad it's not a real card yet.;_;

[Blademaster]

An interesting chapter, to say the least - I'd forgotten all about Raging Flame Sprite, to be honest... :redface:

Everything else I was gonna say has been said, I think, so I'll just be on my way now...

Later!

-Blade

[opaltiger]

BTW, you made a mistake when issuing the combo--Robbin' Goblin is a Spell Card, not a Trap. I thought that combination up myself. Very nice way to use Miracle Draw as well. Too bad it's not a real card yet.;_;

Actually, it is a Trap. I remember it being the trap they used as an example in the instructions you get with structure decks. =P

*gets stared at*

What? Can't I lurk in peace? ;_;

[Zcade0]

it is a trap card, I am holding it in my hand now, and yes, I do come here once in a while to look at the card pics.

[Pokemasterkatie]

You're right--It is a Trap. I checked out my virtual cards just now--the one I was thinking of might've been Gravekeeper's Servant.XD I really need to learn the cards in my deck.^^;

[Shuppet Master]

*tries not to laugh* Then you really screwed up. Gravekeeper's Servant works differently - it activates when your opponent attacks and sends a card from his deck to the graveyard.

[Mookie]

*sigh* I love Gravekeeper's Servant. Destroying my opponents deck. Have 2 of them out, you will win in no time. Combine it with Robbin' Zombie and some direct attackers. Mm.
Direct Damage deck is fun. But I prefer the Effect Damage version, where there are no direct attackers. Most of the damage is done through spells and traps and what-not.

Now, my memory might be...ok, it IS hazy, but is currently Trisha only one of the three main characters, who has lost?

[Inferno_Dragon]

A Direct Damage Deck, huh? I always thought it was a weird concept but didn't Vampire Lady use it against one of the competors in Yu-Gi-Oh: The Thousand Year Door.

Interesting to see Miracle Draw in a Deck. True, it is used differently the way Damon used in Yu-Gi-Oh GX but Ami used it way better,

So a third anime character shows up. Dark Sage, besides the Swordsman, how many anime characters show up in this fanfic?

Well, keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dark Sage]

What's this? A new chapter so soon after the last? Yes, because I know you want more.

The submitter of the user character in this chapter is named Imperial Whiteness. He never reviews, but I assume he's a fan, because he submitted a very detailed character.

So, let's get it on!

[B][I]Call me Silver. I only use my real name when it’s very important.

I had a hard life. I had no family as a child, and few friends. That’s why I got into two hobbies: comic books and dueling.

The characters in the comic books, and the Monsters on my cards became my friends, and they remain so.

Yugi Mouto would agree that you have to respect the card creatures. As a duelist, they are as much a part of you as your arms and legs. And even though my strategy requires sending them away to a strange place, I never fail to respect them for that.

And this goon is going to see just how such a bond works. Just seeing him, I doubt he has ANY friends…

[B][size=3]CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Monday, September 20th, 2106, 5:45 PM



The East Village was one of the more peaceful places in the bustling city of New York. It had a lot of quaint stores and nice parks, and places where you could just sit and take a load off your feet.

One popular store was Midtown Comics, a place where you could get anything related to comic books if you had enough money.

Of course, Silver had only wanted a few just-released issues, which weren’t too expensive, and among them was a much coveted copy of the new Elemental Heroes comic.

Some years after the Heroes made a splash in Duel Monsters (thanks in no small part to Jaden Yuki making them popular), several comic book companies started a bidding war for the publication rights to them, and eventually, one major company won them. It started with a few one-shots, then a few limited series, then finally a permanent ongoing series, with many spin-offs. A lot of duelists who were also comic book fans read this series.

This particular issue had been hyped about for a long time. It was the first chapter of a three-part story which would fully debut a villain who had been giving the Heroes trouble from behind the scenes for months. Even his name wasn’t known until now…

Silver still had a while before he had to get back, so he couldn’t resist reading it. The villain’s name was still not known, even though he was clearly there – presumably, he’d reveal it in part two.

The issue was pretty intense, and ended on a frightening cliffhanger…

While most of the Heroes were tangled up with the villain’s underlings, Burstinatrix was at his mercy and in that ageless comic book plot device called the “deathtrap”. She was at a clocktower where she was tied to the hour hand. The clock currently was at three o’clock…

…and at three-fifteen, the minute hand would collide with the hour hand and crush her.

Burstinatrix was only fifteen minutes away from death, but unfortunately for Silver (and every other fan), her fifteen minutes wouldn’t even start until the second part of the story came out next month.

Silver had been a fan of the comics all his life. His parents had died at an early age, and he had been brought up in an orphanage until he was twelve. He had never made friends, so his only companions came from two sources…

The comics, and his Duel Monsters cards.

He was never far apart from either.

On a whim, he took out his deck and started to look through them.

“Anything good, fellah?” asked a voice.

He turned around.

He saw someone who did not look friendly.

The muscular young man looked about twenty years old or so, wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and a leather jacket. He also wore metal wristbands, sunglasses, and silver chain, and a bandana with the colors of the American flag. His hair was dirty blonde and slightly long.

“What’s it to you?” asked Silver.

The punk took a Duel Disk from behind his back and slipped it on his arm.

“Well, I thought I’d ask if you were any good before I pounded you into the pavement,” he said, with a grin.

“Who the heck are you?” asked Silver.

“You don’t know?” said the punk, annoyed. “They call me Bandit Keith.”

“Never heard of him,” answered Silver.

Keith frowned.

“Hey, I was once the intercontinental Duel Monsters champion!” he snapped.

“If you were, I think I would have heard of you,” answered Silver. “Go away… I have better things to do than…”

Keith gritted his teeth. He took a switchblade out of his pocket and flicked it open.

Silver hesitated.

Maybe this is why Trisha told me to take my Disk with me, he thought. Is this a trend? Are rogue duelists roaming the streets?

“All right…” said Silver. “If a loser like you wants to duel so badly, just put the knife away, and I’ll be happy to oblige…”

He picked up his own Disk, and then shuffled his own deck.

“Fine,” said Keith, loading his own deck.

The Orichalcos Disk activated…

“A punk like you doesn’t stand a chance against my Infernal Deck!”

Infernal Deck? thought Silver. What’s that supposed to mean?

His own Disk activated.

“DUEL!” they both said at once.

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

Fortunado was watching, with his three primary henchmen close behind.

Cleo handed him a martini.

“Thank you, my dear,” he said.

Well, he thought, my next scene begins in earnest…

A scene titled “Machinations From A Hundred Years Ago”…

[B]* * * * * * * * * *


[B](Silver: 8,000) (Bandit Keith: 8,000)

“All right!” said Silver, drawing his first card. “And I’ll start by playing… Pot of Greed!”

He played the card, and then drew two cards.

“And then I’ll throw this guy out in Attack Mode,” he said. “He’s called D.D. Survivor!”

As he played a card, a portal opened, disgorging a tall figure. It was a man clad in tattered rags with glowing eyes. (1,800/200)

“And that will be my turn,” he said.

“Oh, dear…” said Keith, sarcastically. “A beatstick with 1,800 Attack Points! Whatever will I do? Wait, I know…”

He drew a card.

“I’ll summon a better one,” he said, drawing a card. “Go, Mechanicalchaser!”

The Dark Machine that Trisha often used appeared. (1,850/800)

“Attack!” shouted Keith.

Mechanicalchaser flew forward, and jabbed the Warrior with its staff. He shattered.

[B](S: 7,950) (B K: 8,000)

“Guess your Survivor didn’t exactly live up to his name!” laughed Keith.

“Hardy, har, har,” said Silver. “Big deal… I only lost fifty little Life Points…”

He drew a card.

“I play Graceful Charity,” he said.

He played the card, and the familiar angel appeared. Her feathers fell on his deck.

He drew three cards.

He quickly discarded D.D. Warrior and D.D. Trainer.

“Next I summon… Bazoo the Soul Eater, in Attack Mode!”

He played a card, and a large mandrill ape with purple fur appeared. (1,600/900)

“Aw, a big purple monkey!” laughed Keith. “How cuddly!”

“Oh really?” said Silver. “Well I’m activating his special ability. I can remove from play up to three Monsters from my Graveyard, and for each, Bazoo’s Attack Score rises by 300 points!”

Three cards slipped out of his discard slot.

Bazoo roared, his teeth grew into fangs, and he grew to twice his size! His Attack rose to 2,500.

“Not so cuddly now, is he?” asked Silver. “Bazoo, attack with breath of souls!”

Bazoo blasted a ray of energy from his jaws, and Mechanicalchaser blew up.

[B](S: 7,950) (B K: 7,350)

“By the way,” said Silver. “That increase won’t wear off until the end of your next turn. But my turn is over now.”

“Punk…” muttered Keith, drawing. “Well, since you like monkeys so much, I’ll summon my own in Defense Mode… It’s called Acrobat Monkey.”

He played a card, and a robotic chimpanzee appeared. It did a flip, and then shielded itself in defense. (1,000/1,800)

“Do your worst,” he said.

Bazoo fell back to 1,600 Attack.

“My worst, eh?” said Silver.

He drew a card.

“Fine. I summon Bazoo’s counterpart, Chaosrider Gustaph!”

A sound like a noisy motorcycle blared over the arena, and a biker mounted on a demonic bike appeared. (1,400/1,500)

“This guy gains 300 Attack Points for each Spell Card I remove from play,” said Silver. “So, I’ll remove Pot of Greed and Graceful Charity from play…”

Two more cards fell out of his discard slot. Gustaph rose to 2,000 Attack.

“Gustaph, destroy Acrobat Monkey with blazing chain!”

Gustaph swung a burning chain over his head, and hurled it forward. The Machine shattered.

“And now,” said Silver, “Bazoo attacks you directly!”

Bazoo blasted energy from his maw again, and the burly biker shielded himself with his right arm…

[B](S: 7,950) (B K: 5,750)

“Heh,” said Keith with a grin. “It’s gonna take more than that, punk. I’m tough enough to take a direct attack or two…”

“Will you stop calling me a punk?” asked Silver. “I mean, have you looked in the mirror lately?

“Anyway, I’ll end by placing a card facedown. And again, Gustaph’s bonus doesn’t wear off until you end your turn.”

He played a card, and it appeared behind his two Monsters.

Keith drew a card.

“I summon Double Coston in Attack Mode,” he said.

He played a card, and two black globs with faces connected by an energy cord appeared. (1,700/1,650)

“I’ll end my turn there,” he said.

Gustaph fell back to 1,400 Attack.

I know that card… thought Silver. He likely has some very powerful Dark Monster waiting to come out…

He drew a card.

“All right…” he said, playing a card. “I play Chaos Greed…”

An ominous figure in a robe appeared behind him, and conjured up the images of two cards.

“Since at least four of my cards have been removed from play, and my Graveyard is empty,” he said, “this lets me draw twice…”

He drew two cards as the figure vanished.

Nuts, he thought. Nothing that can destroy Double Coston…

“I’ll shift my two Monsters into Defense Mode…” he said.

Bazoo shielded himself, and Gustaph turned his motorcycle sideways.

“…and I’ll also summon D.D. Scout Plane in Defense Mode.”

He played a card, and another portal opened. A weird Machine that looked like a sphere with a big eye and two arms flew out, and shielded itself. (800/1,200)

“Heh, heh…” said Keith. “Cowering in Defense Mode, huh?”

He drew a card.

“Well, your Monsters won’t be defending for long…”

He played a Spell Card.

“I play Curse of Fiend!”

As he played the card, a spooky mist covered the ground, and torches appeared in the air.

Double Coston moved into Defense Mode, and all of Silver’s Monsters moved up into Attack Mode.

“This Spell Card switches the battle modes of all Monsters on the field.” he laughed. “Attack becomes Defense, and vice-versa. And now…”

He took a card from his hand.

“I’ll sacrifice Double Coston…”

The odd Zombie vanished.

“To summon Slot Machine, in Attack Mode!”

A huge robot arose. It looked like a cross between your standard battle mecha and a casino slot machine, with a huge laser rifle for its right arm. (2,000/2,300)

“Slot Machine?” asked Silver. “What kind of an outdated Monster is that?”

“One that’s gonna go postal on your Scout Plane!” laughed Keith. “Attack! Photon blast!”

The windows on Slot Machine’s torso spun, and stopped at three cherries… It aimed its laser…

It fired and Scout Plane blew up.

[B](S: 6,750) (B K: 5,750)

I can’t believe this guy… thought Silver. Using seven-star Monsters like that? I’ve seen six-stars that were both stronger, and had useful effects…

Dark Ruler Ha Des, Chaos Command Magician…

By now Silver noticed that the duel had attracted a lot of attention. Several people were watching.

“Ah, the public,” said Keith with a grin. “Who knows… This might be my start back on the road to glory!”

“Don’t count on it…” said Silver, reaching for his deck. “Anyway…”

He drew a card.

He gave the card a long look.

“I’ll place this Monster in Defense Mode…”

A facedown Monster appeared.

“And I’ll move my other two Monsters back to Defense Mode.”

Gustaph and Bazoo moved back into Defense.

“Now I’ll play a Spell Card…” he said. “The Cheerful Coffin.”

He played the card, and a tall undertaker in a stovepipe hat and a black tuxedo with tails appeared behind him, hefting a casket.

“This lets me discard up to three Monster Cards from my hand, but I’m only going to discard two of them.”

He made the discards. The undertaker vanished.

“I’ll end my turn on that note. Over to you…”

“Bout time,” said Keith, drawing.

“Heh, heh, heh…” he said, looking at the card.

“I play Premature Burial!” he laughed, playing the card. “And I’ll use it to bring back Double Coston!”

Double Coston reappeared. (1,700/1,650)

“And now I’ll sacrifice it again…”

It vanished into pixels…

“To summon Barrel Dragon!”

Another enormous Machine appeared! It was a huge cannon, made of dark metal, with three huge guns! (2,600/2,200)

“Let me explain how this guy works…” said Keith. “It’s three cannons are going to charge with energy, and if two of them reach maximum, I can blow away one of your Monsters!”

The three barrels started to glow…

Okay, that’s a little better… thought Silver, nervously.

The first one reached the limit…

So did the second one…

Then the third one only got halfway.

Silver flinched a little.

“Awesome!” laughed Keith. “Well, not so awesome for your ape… Eat lead!”

Barrel Dragon blasted its guns, and Bazoo the Soul Eater was blown away.

“Slot Machine, destroy that sorry excuse for a biker!” shouted Keith.

Slot Machine’s windows twirled again, and this time it came up three lemons. It blasted its weapon, and Gustaph was obliterated.

“And I still have Barrel Dragon’s normal attack!” added Keith. “Take out his last Monster!”

Barrel Dragon fired…

A woman wearing a white bodysuit and domino mask, holding a sword that looked like a larger cleaver appeared on the card. She was blown into pixels.

“HA!” laughed Silver. “That was D.D. Assailant! And when she’s attacked, both she and the Monster who attacked her are removed from play.”

A vortex opened above the arena…

“So say goodbye to your Barrel Dragon!”

The huge Machine was sucked through the vortex!

“Even better,” said Silver, “now I can activate this Trap…”

One of his facedown cards lifted, showing the image of D.D. Warrior Lady dancing amid strange energy.

“Dimension Motion,” he said. “This can only be activated when a Monster with ‘D.D.’ in its name is removed fro play. Now you lose 500 Life Points for each such Monster in my Graveyard. And I have three – the D.D. Scout plane you sent there, and two I sent there with The Cheerful Coffin.”

Three bolts of energy shot from the vortex and struck Keith.

“Punk…” he said.

[B](S: 6,750) (B K: 3,450)

The people viewing clapped.

“Yeah,” said Keith. “Well, you have no Monsters left, and you still have my Slot Machine to deal with!”

“Well, let’s see what I have here…” said Silver, drawing.

He drew a card.

“I summon D.D. Warrior Lady in Attack Mode,” he exclaimed.

He played a card, and a sexy-looking female warrior in silver clothing appeared, holding a glowing sword. (1,500/1,600)

http://www.itstimetoduel.com/cardpictures/DCR-027.jpg

“Huh?” said Keith.

“D.D. Warrior Lady,” said Silver, “attack with dimensional slice!”

D.D. Warrior Lady leapt up…

“Fight her off, Slot Machine!” shouted Keith.

Slot Machine aimed its weapon, and fired, blowing Warrior Lady into shards.

“Nice,” said Silver, as the vortex appeared again. “That may have cost me a few Life Points, but when she engages in battle, even if she loses, I can remove her and her opponent from play. So your Slot is gone too.”

Slot Machine was sucked through the vortex.

[B](S: 6,250) (B K: 3,450)

“I’ll end by placing a card facedown,” he said, setting a card. “Over to you again.”

Keith growled and drew a card.

So, this punk likes removing cards from play, huh? he thought.

He fit a card into his Disk, and it appeared in front of him.

Well, my Bottomless Trap Hole will do just that to next Monster he summons!

He waved his hand to signal the end of his turn.

Silver drew a card.

“Hey, Keith!” he said. “I just drew a great Monster. It’s called D.D. Guide!”

“Well… Why don’t you summon him?” dared Keith.

“Why not?” said Silver, placing the card on his Disk.

With a haunting laugh, a mysterious figure appeared, its face completely hidden by the dark robe it wore. (1,400/1,000)

http://www.ideal808.com/images/soi-en014.jpg

Crap, thought Keith. My Trap doesn’t work on Monsters who don’t have at least 1,500 Attack Points…

And then, D.D. Guide vanished…

…and reappeared on Keith’s side!

“HUH?” shouted Keith. “Why the Hell is it on my side of the field?”

“What, no thank you?” said Silver. “When this guy is summoned, control of it goes to my opponent.”

“You mean this thing is mine?” asked Keith in surprise.

“Yeah, but there is a catch,” said Silver. “During each of our End Phases while you have it, you have to remove one card in your Graveyard from play.

“And I’m ending my turn now.”

“Oh, fine!” cursed Keith. “I guess I don’t need Curse of Fiend anymore…”

The card slipped out of his discard slot.

“And that lets me activate my facedown card!” shouted Silver.

His facedown card activated, showing the image of D.D. Warrior Lady standing in a pentagram.

“Dimension Circle,” he said. “This Quickplay can be activated when a card is removed from play, and when it is, all Spell and Trap Cards on the field are also removed from play!”

Keith’s facedown card vanished.

“You’ll pay for that…” he said, drawing a card.

“Going to attack me with D.D. Guide?” asked Silver. “By the way, the name of its attack is ‘warp blast’.”

Keith placed a card on his Disk.

“I summon Ground Attacker Bugroth in Attack Mode,” he said.

A strange Machine that looked like a land-bound submarine appeared. (1,500/1,000)

http://www.itstimetoduel.com/cardpictures/MRD-EN022.jpg

“Ground Attacker Bugroth, attack directly with electro-shock!” he shouted.

The machine shot a wave of electricity, and Silver groaned.

“D.D. Guide, attack with… warp blast!”

The creature raised its arms, and fired a wave of strange energy. Silver groaned and cringed and fell on one knee.

[B](S: 3,350) (B K: 3,450)

Ugh… thought Silver. That was far from the first time I took a blow from D.D. Guide… So why did it hurt much worse than all the other times? Something’s amiss here…

Somehow, I’m starting to think this is more than just the average duel…

“Your move…” said Keith.

“Don’t forget, you have to remove a card from play…” muttered Silver.

Keith frowned, and removed Premature Burial from his Graveyard.

“My move!” he exclaimed.

He drew a card.

“All right!” he shouted. “I play Soul Absorption!”

He played a card.

“While this Continuous Spell Card is in effect, I gain 500 Life Points whenever any card is removed from play.

“And now I summon this guy… Banisher of the Light, in Defense Mode!”

He played a card. A pious looking man in priestly robes appeared, and held a hand out. (100/2,000)

http://www.itstimetoduel.com/cardpictures/SRL-EN078.jpg

“So long as this guy is around, all cards that go to the Graveyards are removed from play.

“I end my turn… And D.D. Guide’s effect activates again!”



Continued…

[Dark Sage]

Continued from last post:


Keith snarled, and removed Acrobat Monkey from his Graveyard.

[B](S: 3,850) (B K: 3,450)

He frowned as he drew.

“I play my Pot of Greed!” he exclaimed, playing a card. “Now I’ll draw two more cards…”

He drew twice.

“Perfect…” he said. “With the cards I have now, I can bring out one of my mightiest Monsters…

“But first, one card facedown…”

He played a card, and it appeared facedown.

“And now I play this…” he continued. “Zera Ritual!”

“Huh?” asked Silver. “That… sounds familiar…”

Keith played the card.

An aura of sinister darkness descended on the arena, and a man in armor and a helmet seated on a throne shaped like a demon appeared.

“It’s just a little ceremony that lets me sacrifice the Monsters I have on the field for something much better…” said Keith.

The eyes of the throne glowed, and laser beams from them struck D.D. Guide and Ground Attacker Bugroth, and they shattered…

And then a frightening form arose… It was a hideous Fiend with sharp claws, spurs all over its body, and a face like a bony crocodile. It wore a long cape with a high collar.

“Meet Zera the Mant!” laughed Keith.

(2,800/2,300)

“Zera, take out Banisher of the Light! Jagged claws attack!”

Zera the Mant leapt forward, and with one swipe, destroyed the Banisher.

[B](S: 5,850) (B K: 3,450)

“All right…” muttered Silver. “My draw…”

He drew.

“And my Trap activates!” shouted Keith. “Dust Tornado!”

His Trap lifted, and the tornado tore across the field, smashing the Soul Absorption card.

Silver grumbled as he looked at the card he drew.

He gave it a strange look.

He placed it on his Disk, and a facedown Monster appeared.

He waved his arm to signal the end of his turn.

Keith drew a card.

“Zera, attack!” he shouted.

Zera the Mant leapt forward…

A clay jar appeared on the card. A shadowy shape with one eye and big teeth leapt out and cackled before it was torn to shreds.

“Heh, heh…” said Silver. “That was a Morphing Jar. Since you flipped it…”

“We discard all the cards in our hands and draw five new ones,” interrupted Keith. “You don’t have to tell me how to play! I’m not stupid!”

“That’s up for debate,” answered Silver.

They folded their hands, and then each drew five.

Keith looked them over.

“Eh, make your move, punk,” he said.

Silver drew a sixth card.

“I play… Soul Release,” he said. “And I’ll remove five cards from my own Graveyard… Soul Absorption, Morphing Jar, and my three D.D. Scout Planes.”

He played the card. Five cards slipped out of his Graveyard.

“Since I removed that powerful Spell Card from play,” he said, “you can forget any dreams you have of using them it you happen to have Double Spell in your deck.”

Keith growled a little. Truthfully, he did have Double Spell, and it was starting to sink in that Soul Absorption would help him a lot…

“Now I’ll place one card facedown,” continued Silver.

A facedown card appeared.

“I’m ending my turn,” he said. “And as you know, three of those cards I just removed from play were my three D.D. Scout Planes, and when they’re removed from play in any way, they’re Special Summoned on the next End Phase.”

A portal opened, and the three Scout Planes flew out.

Keith laughed!

“They’re in Attack Mode, stupid!” he laughed. “Zera will crush them!”

He drew a card.

“Zera, attack the one in the middle!” he shouted.

Zera the Mant leapt forward…

“I activate my Trap Card!” shouted Silver. “Tri-Formation!”

A Trap lifted up, showing the image of three Mokey Mokeys flying in a triangular pattern.

“Here’s how it works,” said Silver. “This Trap can be activated when I have three of the same Monster on my side of the field in Attack Mode, and one of them is attacked. Then the Attack or Defense of the other two, whichever is higher, is added to the Attack of the one being Attacked. So, both the Defense Scores of my other two Scout Planes get added to the Attack Score of the one you’re attacking!”

The central Scout Plane shot up to an Attack of 3,200! It shot of beam of dark energy from its eye… Zera the Mant hollered, and exploded in a fiery blast.

“ZERA!” screamed Keith.

“The only drawback to this Trap is, the three Monsters are then removed from play,” said Silver.

The three Scout Planes vanished.

“But, don’t forget their special effect!”

“Fine…” muttered Keith. “I’ll end by placing one card facedown…”

A facedown card appeared.

“It’s your move…”

The portal opened, and the three Scout Planes flew back out.

[B](S: 5,850) (B K: 3,050)

Silver drew a card.

“I’ll move my three Scout Planes to Defense Mode…” he stated.

The three Machines crouched in Defense.

“And next I’ll play this Spell Card… something I like to call Miracle Dig.”

“Miracle Dig?” said Keith. “What the sam-hill is that?”

Silver played it.

“Since at least five of my Monsters have been removed from play,” explained Silver, “this card lets me return three of them to my Graveyard. So you might be seeing a couple of them again…”

Silver looked at his Disk.

Hopefully, D.D. Warrior Lady, D.D. Assailant, and D.D. Survivor will come in handy later, he thought.

“And I’ll end my turn there…”

Keith drew.

“Heh, heh…” he chuckled. “With the cards I have now, you’re as good as finished…

“First I’ll place another card facedown…

“Then I’ll activate my other one… Call of the Haunted! Now I can bring back a Monster from my Graveyard, and I know just which one I want…”

Double Coston appeared again.

“Not him again…” muttered Silver.

“That’s right,” said Keith. “And now I sacrifice him to summon another infernal beast…”

Double Coston vanished.

“I summon Zoa!”

A frightening creature appeared. It was a hideous-looking Fiend with mauve skin and a diabolic face, crouched down on all fours. (2,600/1,900)

“Zoa, attack one his Planes! Glimmer strike!”

A flash of light shot from Zoa’s eyes, and one of the D.D. Scout Planes blew up.

“That’s my turn…” said Keith with an evil grin. “But next turn, I’ll treat you to the Bandit Keith Saturday Night Special!”

I don’t like the sound of that… thought Silver.

He drew a card.

“I place one card facedown,” he stated.

A facedown card appeared.

“And once again, I will play Soul Release! I’ll use it to remove Bazoo the Soul Eater, Chaosrider Gustaph, Banisher of the Light, Tri-Formation, and Chaos Greed from my Graveyard.”

“What’s the point?” asked Keith.

“I have my reasons,” answered Silver. “That will end my turn.”

“And this will start mine!” said Keith, with a wicked grin.

He drew a card.

“I activate my facedown card, the Trap, Metalmorph!”

His Trap Card lifted.

“This Trap Equips to one Monster on the field, and I’ll Equip it to Zoa…”

Zoa’s skin became shiny and metallic.

“And this lets me sacrifice him for someone better…”

Zoa and the Trap Card vanished in a burst of light, and a huge form burst out of the ground…

“The ravenous Metalzoa!”

A creature that looked like a robot version of the original Zoa appeared, bearing wicked metal claws! (3,000/2,300)

“And I’m not done…” said Keith, taking a card from his hand. “I’ll also play Monster Reborn…”

He played the card, and the ankh appeared…

“And I’ll bring back the original Zoa!”

The first creature appeared next to the metal one. (2,600/1,900)

“Still think I’m a loser, punk?” he asked.

Silver didn’t answer.

“Metalzoa,” shouted Keith, “attack with hardened glimmer strike!”

Metalzoa roared, and shot a blast of energy from its eyes…

“I activate Negate Attack!” shouted Silver, as his Trap Card lifted. “This stops your attack dead in its tracks, and ends this battle now.”

“Fine!” cursed Keith. “I’ll get you next turn!”

“We’ll see…” said Silver, drawing.

He looked at the Continuous Spell Card.

“I play… Dimensional Fissure!” he stated, playing the card. “When this Continuous Spell Card is active, all cards that go to either Graveyard are removed from play.”

“Big deal!” said Keith.

“It is a big deal,” said Silver. “Because now I play another Spell Card… Chaos End!”

He played a card.

“Chaos End?” gasped Keith. “What does that do?”

“Gee, for someone who claims to have been an intercontinental champion, you aren’t very bright,” said Silver. “Since at least seven of my cards have been removed from play, this card wipes out all Monsters on the field.”

Zoa, Metalzoa, and the two Scout Planes shattered.

“Now, I’ll place one card facedown,” he said, setting a card. “And I’ll end my turn. And since my Dimensional Fissure removed my two Scout Planes from play, here they come again…”

The two Planes flew out of the portal once more.

Keith started to shake as he drew a card.

“I summon… Battle Footballer, in Defense Mode…” he stated.

He played a card, and the football-playing cyborg appeared. (1,000/2,100)

“Just try to get past him…” he dared.

Silver drew a card.

“Well, it’s about time you showed up…” he said.

He switched cards on his Disk.

“I sacrifice both my D.D. Scout Planes to summon D.D. Warrior Lady’s powerful mentor…” he said. “The mighty D.D. Protector!”

The Scout Planes vanished, and a portal of light opened…

From out of the portal came a powerful looking figure. His appearance suggested an aged Jedi Knight, only clutching a long, silver sword rather than a lightsaber. He had a short goatee on a face that echoed wisdom. His hair was silver colored. (2,500/2,500)

“And just by summoning him,” said Silver, “I get to retrieve three Monsters with ‘D.D’ in their names and place them on top of my deck…”

Three cards fell out of his discard slot, and he placed them on his deck.

“But they’ll hardly be necessary once I’m done.”

“D.D. Protector…” commanded Silver. “Attack with dimensional blade!”

The Protector flew forward and sliced Battle Footballer down the middle, cleaving it in half. The pieces shattered.

“Big deal!” said Keith. “He was in Defense Mode, so my Life Points are untouched.”

“Not for long,” said Silver. “My facedown card will now end this duel… Activate… D.D. Dynamite!”

His Trap Card lifted, and then a bomb appeared next to Keith…

“This Trap blows away 300 of your Life Points for each of your cards that has been removed from play during the course of the duel,” said Silver.

“Wait a minute…” muttered Keith. “One… two…”

“Don’t strain yourself…” said Silver. “I’m very good at keeping track. So far, there have been twelve, which is more than enough to end this.”

The bomb exploded, and Bandit Keith screamed as he was thrown backwards and landed on the pavement.

[B](S: 5,850) (B K: 0)

He lay prone for a minute with smoke rising from him…

And then shadows started to rise, and he vanished.

The onlookers stared for a minute, and then they started to clap.

“Thank you everyone, thank you,” said Silver. “Now, I’d best get back to the dorm, before Old Ben starts to look for a portal to throw me into…”

He fit his things into his backpack and ran off.

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

Back at the Ra Yellow dorm, Russell unlocked his mailbox.

Inside was a large envelope. It had the insignia of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

It was obviously from one of his parents. And since it wasn’t a package, he ruled out cookies from his mom.

He took it to his room and opened it up.

He took out the computer-printed letter.

It was from his dad – he recognized the letterhead.

He read.


[I]Dear Son,

Things at the Fort are average as usual. I’ve been keeping busy. Most people in the service try their hardest to advance in rank, not realizing that with each promotion comes more work, a lot of it boring paperwork. I hope your own studies are up to notch.

Anyway, at times, people in my position like to have talks with the enlisted men to prove to them that we’re only human. It helps with morale. I mention you a lot, and I’ve become surprised at how popular your card game is among the troops. They apparently play it in their free time.

(Unfortunately, a lot of them have turned to gambling using it, and gambling is against the rules here. We try to weed that out.)

Anyway, on one of my recent chats with C-Company, one soldier asked about the theme of your deck, and I responded what you had told me – Warriors, wasn’t it? He told me he had a powerful card that he had gotten an age ago and never used, and offered to sell it.

Of course, I looked up the item in question on the internet, and judging from how much some stores were selling for it, I figured you could probably use it. So I took him up on the offer.

Anyway, consider the enclosed card part of your upcoming Christmas present. Study hard, and I look forward to seeing you on the next break.

- Dad


Russell paused.

He quickly looked through the envelope…

He took out a single card, sealed in a protective plastic case.

Wow… he thought.

He took out his deck, and took three other cards from it.

He held them next to the new card.

This has possibilities… he thought.



Monday, September 20th, 2106, 6:02 PM



DIMENSION MOTION (Trap Card)

Card Specs

Type: Trap
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Image: D. D. Warrior Lady dancing amid mysterious energy.

Card Description: You can activate this card when a Monster with “D.D.” in its name is removed from play. Inflict 500 points of direct damage to your opponent for every Monster with “D.D.” in its name in your Graveyard.



DIMENSION CIRCLE (Spell Card)

Card Specs

Type: Spell/Quickplay
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Image: D. D. Warrior Lady standing in a glowing pentagram.

Card Description: You can activate this card when one or more cards is removed from play. Destroy all Spell and Trap Cards on the field, and remove them from play (except this one).



D. D. PROTECTOR (Monster Card)

Card Specs

Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Light
Level: 7
ATK: 2,500
DEF: 2,500

Card Description: This mysterious Warrior is believed to be D.D. Warrior Lady’s mentor, among others. This Monster cannot be Normal Summoned. This Monster can only be Special Summoned by offering two Monsters as a Tribute who have ‘D.D.’ in their names. When this Monster is successfully summoned, you may take up to three Monster Cards in your Graveyard that have ‘D.D.’ in their names and place them on the top of your deck in any order. When this Monster destroys an opposing Monster as a result of battle, remove the destroyed Monster from play.


Note: “Dimension Motion”, “Dimension Circle”, and “D.D. Protector” were created by Imperial Whiteness, who submitted Silver as a user character.



TRI-FORMATION (Trap Card)

Card Specs

Type: Trap
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Image: Three Mokey Mokeys flying in a triangular pattern.

Card Description: You can activate this card when you have three Monsters with the same name on your side of the field in Attack Position, and one of them is targeted for an attack. Increase the ATK of the targeted Monster by the combined ATK or DEF (whichever is higher) of the other two Monsters with the same name. After the Battle Phase ends, remove all three Monsters from play.



Silver’s Dimensional Deck

When Sliver was growing up in an orphanage, the first card he ever owned was D.D. Warrior Lady. Something about her clicked in his mind, and when he decided to build a deck, he decided on one revolving around her and her allies. Some folks call it Chaos, but he prefers to call it Dimensional.

As one might expect, a great many of his cards involve removing cards from play, both his and his opponents’. One main difference between his deck and a lot of other Chaos-themed decks is, he has a few ways to recover Monsters to use them again. He once experimented with Gren Maju Da Eiza, but found that Monster to be a little too evil for his tastes, and stopped using it quickly.

One of his favorite tricks to toss at an opponent is the peculiar Monster called D.D. Guide, whose control switches to his opponent when he summons it. This can always be risky – especially if he has no other Monsters on the field – but if his opponent can’t find a way to get rid of it, his Graveyard will quickly lose a lot of cards. Silver can’t choose which ones it removes from play, so this trick is best used if done early in a duel.

A move that’s best done late in a duel is the use of D.D. Dynamite. Through use of Dimensional Fissure and Banisher of the Light, Silver can banish many of his foe’s cards, and then end the duel with one mighty blast from the Trap Card.

D.D. Protector is his rarest card, and a hard one to use, but useful. This Warrior lets him use his Monsters again, and can also get rid of his opponent’s Monsters for good.

One final gambit that Silver uses if he’s sure it will work is Return From The Different Dimension. However, despite the fact that he keeps this Trap in his deck, it is a last resort. He remembers painfully how he was defeated by a simple Waboku when he used this move, and his opponent was able to attack him with everything he had on the next round.



[B][I]Coming up next:

Find out what Karen was doing while Silver was busy with Keith. What other figure from The Trinity’s past lured her into a Game of Shadows? One hint – he’s very different than Bandit Keith, but he also has a few things in common with him. Other than that, I’m not telling… But the title of the chapter is “Elemental Burst”.

Don’t miss it!

[Silencer]

No gren huh, intresting.

Seeing as this is kind off my theme I'll make a few comments :p

So Gren to evil huh? Maybe helios might work for him. Also an intresting monster appeared in EoJ that I believe is banisher of the Lights little brother or nephew or related in any way, called banisher of the radiant. Has the same effect as BotL but with a 1600/0 stats and a lvl3 fairy. Also macro cosmos might be an intresting card for this deck.

On a side note, maybe include something about the effect of soul absorption actually working as it was a bit confusing and hard to keep track at howmany LP he gained from it when Keith was making his move.

Keith was intresting to see aswell although I kind off hoped he had gotten some new machines...

[Pokemasterkatie]

I thought as much--Howard 'Bandit' Keith. But who could be the other one(I thought it'd be Rebecca, but you said 'he'.:p)?(BTW, I think Keith was the US champion in the original.)

I very nearly expected Gren Maju when I saw the DD cards, but you'd already used him for Thousand Year Door. But the new cards are pretty clever--nice work, IW!

[Blademaster]

Whoever this Imperial Whiteness is, he/she is very clever... It takes skill to use a D. D. deck effectively...

Yeah, U.S. champ - that was Bandit Keith, the jerk... Chris McKinley could duel circles around him, no doubt...

Anyway, nice new cards, nice duel, and I guess it was cool to see Keith finally make a reappearance of sorts.

So, next up is that Karen girl, huh? Elemental Burst... Sounds interesting, to say the least...

I'll be here then!

-Blade

[envoy of time]

Ahh I love seeing Bandit Kieth getting his butt handed to him.I almost thought Silver was going to use Destiny Heros if anything.Hmm who is this colerfuly dressed friend, we'll se next time.

"May time be on your side."

[Shuppet Master]

I think I know what Karen's deck is based on.

[Dark Sage]

Silencer -

Macro Cosmos would be a good card for Silver. However, while Macro Cosmos is a EoJ Common in the real world, in the fanfic world I have created, it is incredibly rare, so he likely never even heard of it.

And yes, that is a hint.

[Perfect Chaos]

Hey there guys, sorry for the long hiatus. As DS knows, I'm finishing up with my exams so I finally managed to find a bit of free time to review after a long afternoon of studying.

First off, Chapter 15. A Direct Damage deck huh? Well, I did read MoP's fic and noticed that Gerald uses the same time but as SM said Brian, no one is accusing of plagiarism as Ami's deck and Gerald's deck are different (as you kindly pointed out). Also, Trisha did not show much diverseness in terms of monsters, but it was a filler chapter, so nothing new and special was expected.

Now, Chapter 16. A D.D deck is always interesting to see, but as I'm sure many others have thought (myself included) we were probably expecting an Elemental/Destiny Heroes deck to make an appearance, just based on how Silver acted and his hobby of collecting comics. It was nice to see Bandit Keith make an appearance (and I was expecting to see Blowback Dragon/Gatling Dragon make an appearance, but oh well).

Anyways, I'm done here and I await Chapter 17!

-Sean