Yu Gi Oh! Dark Messiah

[Dark Sage]

Oh happy day! Pokemasters is back up, and thus, so is Dark Messiah!

So read chapter one, and see the secrets of Russell's deck!

[I][B]My name is Russell. Russell Majors.

You might say that I’m the oddball of my family. They didn’t expect me to go to this college. No member of my family ever went to a college like this. No, they all went to a very different type of college. So I’m the odd man out, the rebel, the black sheep.

Still, with my family’s history, I can’t get some things out of my blood. When I built my deck, the cards I chose came to me naturally. Maybe they chose me... And they rarely fail me.

I wasn’t really in the mood to duel tonight... I just wanted some good atmosphere and some spicy hot wings...

But things just seem to happen when you wear one of these outfits...

[size=3][B]CHAPTER ONE

Wednesday, September 8th, 2106, 6PM



From the penthouse of one of New York’s largest buildings, a man leaned over a balcony...

His clothing was expensive, but very out of date. It was sort of the style that noblemen in Victorian England wore. His hair was almost pure white, and somewhat shaggy, and he had a gentle face.

He picked up a newspaper dated a week ago. He turned to the movie reviews and looked at one review.

He frowned. The critics had hated that particular film. They gave it labels like “lacking feeling”, “having predictable plot”, and the dreaded “nudity that was gratuitous and unnecessary”.

One critic, when asked what it was about, said it was “about and hour and a half too long”. An old joke, but the message was clear.

The man sighed, and turned his eyes towards the lights of NYC Duel Academy.

“They say to make a great omelet you have to break a few eggs,” he said with a grin. “It’s time to start an epic that was thousands of years in the making...

“Literally...”

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

In the left wing of the Ra Yellow dorm, a meeting had been called in the common room. Male students were grouped at one end, and females at the other. In the middle was the dorm supervisor, also the school gym teacher, Ben.

Old Ben was a guy who you didn’t want to cross. Not only did he have the build of an Olympic wrestler, but his left arm below the elbow had been replaced by a prosthetic one made of metal. It was quite a marvel of science, that could do anything a normal arm and hand could do. He was quite willing to tell the story of how he lost his arm and got this one, but not tonight – it was time to give the students a talking too.

“It has come to my attention,” he snapped, “that a lot of students are breaking the rule that says that boys and girls are not to be in any dorms except their own after ten PM... Whoever is eating chocolate right now better put it away! I can smell it!

“The reason we have separate dorms within this dorm for the boys and the girls is for your own good. So let me remind everybody that the boys’ dorm is on the upstairs and the girls’ dorm is on the downstairs. Thus, after ten PM, there is to be NO going from the upstairs to the downstairs, OR from the downstairs to the upstairs! If I catch a person going from the upstairs to the downstairs, or from the downstairs to the upstairs, that person is going to be in a whole lot of trouble-stairs! Do I make myself clear-stairs?”

Everyone giggled.

“All right!” he shouted. “Dismissed!”

As everyone left the room, Ben sat on a couch and picked up a duffle bag.

He took out the Duel Bandoleer inside it. This special version of a Duel Disk was reserved for faculty and the best of the Senior class. It was a special Disk that left the user’s hands free, and had various special features.

Ben’s deck was already in it, but it wasn’t complete...

Ben took a card out of his pocket and slipped it into the part that held Fusion Monster Cards.

Finally, he thought. The last thing my new deck needed. Now, whenever I duel, I can remember how I got this...

He looked at his prosthetic arm.

Strange that I’d even want to remember, but it’s part of me, so I’d best make the best of it.

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

The Lazy Q Bar and Grill was only a stone’s throw from campus, so it was a favorite hangout for a lot of students. But when Russell entered, he was the only student there.

He shrugged. It was a school night, but he didn’t intend on staying very long.

“Russell!” called a sweet voice from the counter.

A waitress with a blonde ponytail in a tied-off halter and a pair of shorts made from a pair of jeans with the legs cut off (showing a great deal of cheek) waved to him.

“Where ya been, hon?” she asked.

“Summer break, Alice,” answered Russell. “Didn’t you know that?”

“So you’re a Ra now?” she asked.

“Guilty,” said Russell with a grin, looking at his blazer. “Although sometimes I wish The Winged Dragon of Ra had been a color other than yellow… maybe green. I mean, this makes me look... feminine...”

“You could make a petticoat look masculine,” she joked. “So, you want them hot, very hot, or radioactive?”

Russell sighed. Alice made that joke every time he came here.

“You know what I want,” he answered. “And bring a root beer here too.”

He paused.

“Caffeine free!” he added.

He turned and saw a guitarist at the far end of the room start to play. It was a slow melody without words.

He started to wonder about that report he planned to write on Pegasus. It would be hard, considering that...

“Hey pal!” said a voice, interrupting his train of thought.

He turned and saw a young teenager wearing khaki pants and a jacket full of pockets.

“You’re from Duel Academy, right?” he asked.

“I am, and how does that interest you?” asked Russell. “By the way, why all the pockets? It must be awfully hard to find where you put your keys…”

“Funny,” he laughed. “As for why it interests me, I plan on going there, and...”

“Pal, they’re accepting applications for next year until February,” interrupted Russell. “If you have a pen and paper I’ll gladly write down where you can pick up some enrollment papers, and then you can...”

“I’m thinking more of the hands-on approach...” he answered.

He whipped a Duel Disk off of his back. It wasn’t as modern a model as Russell’s, but it was pretty high-tech.

“You want to duel me?” asked Russell, almost laughing. “I warn you, I’m very good...”

“Oh?” asked the kid. “If you’re so good, why the yellow jacket? I thought the best students wore blue.”

Russell frowned.

“Kid, do you have a name?” he asked.

“Bugsy,” answered the kid.

“Fine,” answered Russell. “Let me give you the short version. The academy has three dorms, and where you are is based on seniority, not merit.

“The Slifer Red dorm is for Freshmen and Sophomores. As you can likely guess, it’s the largest dorm.

“About fifty percent of them, on average, graduate to Junior status, and get promoted to the Ra Yellow dorm. That’s where I am.

“About fifty percent of those graduate to Senior status and get promoted to Obelisk Blue.

“And you didn’t hear this from me, but there’s a rumor that a fourth level exists. Some students say that the crème de la crème of any class are offered a spot in an advanced class taught by the Chancelor herself. These students supposedly pose as members of their former dorm, but they have special rights and privileges that come from the administrators. No one knows the official name, but most call it Exodia Gold.”

Russell shrugged.

“Matter of fact, I could be an Exodia... I wouldn’t tell you if I was one...”

Russell was hoping that last remark would scare him off. He wasn’t an Exodia, and he personally didn’t believe that Exodia Gold status existed.

Alice came with the hot wings.

“I’ll make it worth your while...” said Bugsy.

So much for it scaring him off.

“If we duel and I win,” proposed Bugsy, “you write me a recommendation. You win, and I’ll... uh… I’ll…”

He paused.

“Well… I’ll owe you a favor. How does that sound?”

Russell sighed.

“A recommendation won’t do you much,” he warned. “You’ll still have to pass the written test and field test.”

“Go ahead hon,” said Alice with a sweet smile. “I haven’t seen you duel since the spring.”

“All right,” sighed Russell. “I accept your offer...”

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

Russell stood atop a table on one end of the bar, facing Bugsy who stood atop another. He realized that he hadn’t dueled using the Disk for a while... But it came second nature to him. Like riding a bike.

“All right Bugsy,” he said, “Atten…shun!”

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

He held up his Disk, and it whirred to life. The two crescent trays extended from the part on the outside of his wrist.

“Wow,” said Bugsy. “Where’d you get gear like that?”

“If you get accepted, you’ll get one too,” answered Russell, drawing five cards. “Now, since I’m the one who’s more experienced, I’ll let you go first...”

“Gotcha!” chuckled Bugsy, making his first draw.

He placed a card on his Disk.

“I’ll place a Monster in Defense Mode, and that will be it...”

A facedown Monster appeared in front of the table.

Russell made a draw.

Not a bad hand, he thought.

He took two cards from his hand.

“I summon Marauding Captain in Attack Mode!” he exclaimed.

A powerful-looking soldier in armor and a cape carrying two swords leapt out, brandishing his weapons. (1,200/400)

“And when he’s summoned, I get to summon another Monster of four stars or less,” added Russell, “so I’ll also summon Command Knight!”

Another Warrior leapt out onto the field, this one a woman wearing beautiful leather ceremonial armor and a fur hat, holding a burning sword. (1,200/1,900)

“And Command Knight’s special effect raises the Attack Score of every one of my Warriors, herself included, by 400!”

Both Warriors rose to 1,600 Attack.

Bugsy stared at him.

“Heh… good combo…” he said.

Okay, thought Russell. I don’t know what that Monster is, but I could hurt him good if I took a chance....

“Marauding Captain, attack with blade of battle!”

Marauding Captain flew forth...

...only to have his sword entangled in vines!

Seated on the card was a female creature with green skin and thorny vines for limbs, dressed in a pink blouse. (300/2,000)

“Heh, heh,” laughed Bugsy. “Your Captain just attacked Prickle Fairy! Not only is her Defense too strong for him...”

Prickle Fairy gave Marauding Captain a kick, and he flew backwards...

“But since he attacked her, he’s forced into Defense Mode!”

Marauding Captain groaned, and then knelt in Defense.

[B](R: 7,600) (B: 8,000)

Hmm, thought Russell. This can only mean one thing... Insects. And so long as Prickle Fairy is on the field, I’m not allowed to attack any of them...

“My draw...” said Bugsy with a smirk.

He made a draw.

If I know Insect Duelists, a DNA Surgery Trap will be coming up soon, thought Russell. That and Insect Barrier and either Insect Queen or Insect Princess.

“Well,” he said. “Much as I like Prickle Fairy, I’m going to sacrifice her...”

He switched cards on his Disk.

“Prickle Fairy, bye-bye...”

She vanished… A large form arose...

“I summon Saber Beetle!”

A very large creature appeared. It was a large beetle with a huge, sharp frontal horn, glowing with energy! (2,400/600)

“Uh, I have to admit, I’m not familiar with that one!” gasped Russell.

“Oh, it’s your standard Monster with a trampling effect,” answered Bugsy, “and the first example in the Insect Type! Saber Beetle, attack Marauding Captain with megahorn!”

Saber Beetle spread its wings and flew forward with a hideous drone, stabbing the Captain in the chest! He dropped his swords, and then shattered.

[B](R: 5,600) (B: 8,000)

“Well, that’s my turn,” said Bugsy.

This guy is good... thought Russell.

He drew a card.

A Trap Card....

“I’ll place one card facedown, and move Command Knight to Defense Mode,” he stated.

He played the card and turned the card on his Disk. Command Knight knelt.

Bugsy drew a card.

Hmm, best save this... he thought.

“Saber Beetle, attack Command Knight!” he shouted.

The Beetle flew towards Command Knight...

“I activate... Shadow Spell!” shouted Russell.

“A Trap?” gasped Bugsy, as the facedown card lifted.

A mass of chains sprung up from the floor and bound Saber Beetle! As it struggled, its Attack fell to 1,700.

“All right...” he sighed. “Your move...”

Russell made a draw.

He looked at the Monster on the card.

Perfect, he thought.

“I’ll shift Command Knight back into Attack Mode,” he stated, switching the card.

Command Knight stood up.

“And now I’ll summon Warrior Dai Grepher in Attack Mode!”

A powerful Warrior in chainmail armor carrying a two-handed sword appeared. (1,700/1,600) –> (2,100/1,600)

“Grepher, attack his Beetle with your steel blade!” shouted Russell.

Warrior Dai Grepher stabbed his weapon in the Beetle’s carapace, and it burst.

“Command Knight... Attack him directly!”

Command Knight’s sword blazed with flame. She leapt forward and slashed at Bugsy with it!

Bugsy grunted and fell on his behind.

“Truthfully,” he panted, “that’s better than the last thing I got from a girl...”

[B](R: 5,600) (B: 6,000)

“Incidentally,” said Russell, “you should know that Command Knight can’t be attacked so long as I have at least one other Monster on my side of the field.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” muttered Bugsy, making a draw.

He played a card.

“I play Spider Web!”

A huge spider appeared over him. It shot forth a strand of webbing, which struck Russell’s Disk!

“HUH?” gasped Russell.

“This Spell Card lets me take any card you discarded on your last turn and add it to my hand,” explained Bugsy.

The Spider yanked a card from Russell’s Disk, and Bugsy caught it.

“But rather than set this Shadow Spell now,” he continued, “I’ll save it for when I need it...”

He added it to his hand, and put a card down.

“I summon Chainsaw Insect in Attack Mode...”

Chainsaw Insect? thought Russell. What’s that?

A second later, he saw that “that” was another huge beetle, with jagged mandibles and a drooling mouth. (2,400/0)

“WHAT?” shouted Russell. “How can you summon a Monster that powerful without a sacrifice?”

“Doesn’t need one,” answered Bugsy. “Chainsaw Insect is a four-star Monster.”

“There’s gotta be a catch...” muttered Russell.

“Yeah, there’s a catch,” agreed Bugsy, “and I’ll show you in a minute. But first I’ll place a card facedown...”

He placed a card into a slot, and it materialized.

Is that Shadow Spell? thought Russell.

“Chainsaw Insect, attack Warrior Dai Grepher!” shouted Bugsy.

Chainsaw Insect scurried forward and struck with its powerful jaws...

“Ouch...” muttered Alice. “That hurt just watching it...”

[B](R: 5,300) (B: 6,000)

“Now we get to that catch,” said Bugsy. “Every time Chainsaw Insect engages in battle, you draw one card.”

Russell gave him a look.

“Whatever…” he said, drawing a card.

He looked at the Trap Card.

This might work, if I get the right Monster... he thought.

“My move now,” he said, drawing again.

Paydirt! he thought.

“I’ll move Command Knight to Defense Mode again,” he said, as Command Knight knelt.

“Would it be too much to ask if she could make up her mind?” asked Bugsy.

Russell ignored the wisecrack.

“I’ll also place this Monster in Defense Mode,” he continued.

He set a card, and a facedown Monster appeared.

“Finally, a card facedown.”

He played the card, and it appeared behind his facedown monster.

Bugsy drew.

Insect Knight? he thought. Eh, why not?

“First I’ll activate my facedown Trap Card,” he said.

The Trap lifted.

“It’s called… Greed!”

Russell drew back.

“That Trap...” he muttered. “It costs both players 500 Life Points whenever they draw outside their Draw Phase!”

“Exactly!” replied Bugsy. “And since you have to draw whenever Chainsaw Insect engages in battle, I’ve just turned its negative effect into a positive!”

This is just the kind of guy who’ll make the honor roll! thought Russell.

“Next I’ll summon a knight of my own,” continued Bugsy. “Insect Knight in Attack Mode.”

He placed a card down, and the ferocious mantis warrior appeared, holding his sword. (1,900/1,500)

“FINALLY something I recognize!” exclaimed Russell.

“Insect Knight, attack his facedown Monster!” shouted Bugsy.

Insect Knight spread its wings and flew towards the facedown card...

And then he screamed and was thrown back.

Standing where the card had been was a muscular Warrior holding a huge shield. (100/2,600) –> (500/2,600)

“What’s wrong?” chuckled Russell. “Was Big Shield Gardna too big for your bug?”

Bugsy chuckled back.

“He won’t be for my other bug!” he laughed. “Since I attacked him, he was forced into Attack Mode, so when my Chainsaw Insect attacks, you’ll lose 1,900 Life Points!

“Chainsaw Insect! Attack Big Shield Gardna!”

Chainsaw Bug scurried forward...

“Actually, I was prepared for that, Bugsy!” shouted Russell. “I activate Ready For Intercepting!”

His Trap Card lifted.

“This Trap can flip a Warrior or Spellcaster into facedown Defense Mode, even in the middle of an attack!”

Big Shield Gardna vanished, and was replaced by a facedown card...

Chainsaw Bug slammed into his shield just like Insect Knight had, and tumbled backwards.

“And this guy is single, girls!” shouted Alice.

“Humph,” grunted Bugsy. “Don’t forget, you have to draw a card now...”

Russell drew, and a small shock of electricity jolted him.

[B](R: 4,800) (B: 5,100)

“I’m in the lead, Russell,” said Bugsy, “and next round, your shield is going down.”

Russell drew a card.

“Not yet,” he said.

He played a card.

“I summon Throwstone Unit.”

A large catapult appeared behind him, manned by a footsoldier in mail armor. (900/2,000) –> (1,300/2,000)

The soldier started to pull the crank, and the catapult basket lowered...

“What’s the point?” asked Bugsy.

“With Throwstone Unit, I can sacrifice a Warrior Monster and destroy an opposing Monster who’s Defense Score is less than Throwstone Unit’s Attack Score. Since Chainsaw Insect has zero Defense, any Warrior I have on the field will do.”

“Clever,” stated Bugsy, “although doing that will cost you Big Shield Gardna or Command Knight...”

“No it won’t,” answered Russell. “Since Throwstone Unit is a Warrior itself, I can sacrifice itself to use its own effect!”

The soldier pulled a lever and the catapult hurled a huge boulder; as Throwstone Unit vanished, the boulder crushed Chainsaw Bug flat!

“I’ll end my turn by moving Big Shield Gardna back to Defense Mode,” he said, as Gardna crouched behind his shield again.

Bugsy drew a card.

“I’m playing a powerful Spell Card...” he stated. “It’s called... Chrysalis!”

“What on earth?” asked Russell, as he played it.

The lights dimmed…

Russell drew back, as the frightening form of Insect Queen appeared over the field!

She turned to Command Knight and shot forth a mass of sticky strands. Command Knight gasped as she was encased in a cocoon.

Then the Insect turned to Big Shield Gardna and did the same to him...

“Creepy...” muttered Alice.

As Russell was wondering what to make of this, Insect Queen turned to Insect Knight and trapped him in a cocoon as well. Then she grabbed all three cocoons with sticky strands and pulled them up and out of sight.

“What happened, Bugsy?” demanded Russell.

“When Chrysalis is played, all face-up Monsters on the field are returned to the owners’ decks, and the decks are reshuffled,” explained Bugsy.


Continued…

[Dark Sage]

Darn, thought Russell, as he reshuffled the two Monsters back into his deck. Now I’m wide open...

“Now I’ll place a card facedown...” stated Bugsy.

He played a card and it appeared.

“And I’ll summon Parasitic Ticky in Attack Mode!”

He played the card, and a Monster that could best be described as… disgusting appeared. It was a humanoid resembling a tick or louse, with sickly white skin. It carried a quiver full of metal javelins. (0/0)

Russell was afraid for a minute, but then he saw that it had no Attack Score.

“You summoned a Monster with zero Attack Points?” he asked. “In Attack Mode?”

“A big, smart Junior like you should know never to judge a Monster by its cover,” said Bugsy. “Parasitic Ticky may be deadlier than it seems...”

He’s right, thought Russell. I don’t believe for a second that it’s harmless....

He drew a card.

But I can’t leave myself defenseless...

“I summon... Obnoxious Celtic Guardian!” he shouted. “In Attack Mode!”

He threw the card down, and the armored elven Warrior appeared. (1,400/1,200)

“I activate my facedown card!” shouted Bugsy. “Go, Scapegoat!”

His card lifted, and four multicolored sheep popped out...

And Parasitic Ticky’s stats shot up to (2,000/2,000)!

“In case you haven’t figured it out,” chuckled Bugsy, “Parasite Ticky gains 500 Attack and Defense Points for every Token Monster on the field. A very situational effect, but one that I have no problem with…”

“Oo-kay,” answered Russell. “Think I’ll end my turn there...”

“By the way,” said Bugsy, drawing, “I happen to know that I can’t destroy Obnoxious Celtic Guardian with a Monster this powerful, so please don’t bother pointing that out. However, I also know that when my Monster attacks him, your Life Points will still take a hit.

“So, Parasite Ticky, attack with javelin sting!”

The Tick hurled one of its weapons at the Guardian, and he stumbled backwards.

[B](R: 4,200) (B: 5,100)

“My move...” stated Russell.

He drew.

“And these Western Warriors are starting to bore me... It’s time to go to the East...”

He put a card down.

“I summon Mataza the Zapper in Attack Mode!”

A grim-faced ronin with his hair tied in a ponytail, in green oriental armor, holding a long katana materialized. (1,300/800)

“That’s weak!” laughed Bugsy.

“I also have a Continuous Spell Card,” replied Russell, playing it. “The A. Forces. This card increases the Attack of my Warriors by 200 for each one I have on the field. In other words, the more allies my Warriors have, the stronger they become.”

Obnoxious Celtic Guardian’s Attack rose to 1,800, and Mataza’s rose to 1,700.

“And by the way,” added Russell. “Mataza may not be the strongest Warrior, but he has a special ability. He can attack twice in one round.”

“I don’t care if he can attack ten times!” laughed Bugsy. “My Ticky is stronger!”

“True, but who said I was going to have him attack your tick?” asked Russell. “You’re forgetting one thing. It needs those Scapegoats to stay strong... so if they go, it’s weakened!”

Bugsy stopped laughing.

“Now it’s time for Mataza the Zapper to do what he does best,” shouted Russell. “ZAPPING! Mataza, take out two of those Scapegoats!”

Mataza drew his katana and concentrated… and then split into two Matazas! They both leapt in opposite directions, then leapt off the walls, and each made a slash, blasting two Scapegoats into pixels!

The two Matazas struck a pose, and then blurred together, fusing into one again.

Parasitic Ticky fell to (1,000/1,000)

“Obnoxious Celtic Guardian,” ordered Russell, “attack Parasitic Ticky with silver blade slash!”

The elf leapt forward and slashed through the bug! It gasped, and then shattered.

[B](R: 4,200) (B: 4,300)

“That’s one way to cure a bad case of ticks,” chuckled Russell. “And looks like you’re in trouble, Bugsy. Aside from those two Scapegoats, you’re out of Monsters!”

Bugsy drew a card.

He held up the Shadow Spell he had gotten from Russell.

“Time to use this,” he said.

He placed it in a slot, and it appeared.

“That was the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen!” commented Russell. “You actually showed me a Trap before you set it?”

“I gotta admit, that was pretty dumb,” agreed Alice.

“It doesn’t matter whether you know what it is or not,” explained Bugsy, “because I’m not keeping it there. See, the next Monster I’m going to summon requires two sacrifices, but in this case, you don’t sacrifice Monsters to summon it. You have to sacrifice two Spell and/or Trap Cards.”

Russell paused.

“Your Monsters are getting weirder and weirder!” he exclaimed.

“Thank you,” answered Bugsy. “So now, I sacrifice my Greed, and your Shadow Spell...”

The two Traps vanished.

“To summon... Anteatereatingant!”

A huge ant with a fiendish glow to its eyes rose on Bugsy’s side of the field. Saliva dripped from its mandibles! (2,000/500)

“Impressive...” said Russell, getting nervous.

“Of course, it eats things other than anteaters,” chuckled Bugsy. “Right now it might have a taste for certain Samurai...”

Mataza the Zapper drew back in fear as the monstrous ant eyed him hungrily...

“But I’m not going to attack him yet,” continued Bugsy. “See, by forfeiting its attack, Anteatereatingant can instead destroy one Trap or Spell Card. Such as The A. Forces!”

The Ant spit a stream of venom from its mandibles, striking the Spell Card! It dissolved, and the two Warriors returned to their original Attack Scores.

“I’m ending my turn now,” said Bugsy. “Next turn, he’s lunch!”

Russell drew.

“I don’t think so...” he said with a grin.

He switched cards on his Disk.

“I sacrifice Obnoxious Celtic Guardian...”

The elf vanished.

“To summon my good friend… Freed the Matchless General!”

A sound like a galloping of horses sounded, and a war cry was heard in the distance...

As Russell’s card appeared, a powerful form leapt out, a mighty Warrior clad in splendid armor holding a huge sword! His handsome face showed several things... wisdom, courage, strength, and majesty. (2,300/1,700)

“Freed, attack the Anteatereatingant!” shouted Russell. “Blade of the battle-scarred!”

The General leapt up into the air and brought his sword down on the ant, splitting it in two!

“Mataza! Take down the last two Scapegoats with zapping blade!”

Mataza spilt into two again and sped forward, obliterating the last two sheep.

[B](R: 4,200) (B: 4,000)

“So now what, Bugsy?” asked Russell.

Bugsy slowly drew...

“I play... Pot of Greed...” he stated. “Now I can draw two cards…”

He played the card, and then drew two more cards.

He grinned...

“Freed may be matchless,” said Bugsy, “but sooner or later, everyone meets his match...”

He showed him a card.

“I just drew the strongest and rarest Monster in my deck,” he said. “I got this guy from winning a tournament last year in Boston… That’s where I’m from, by the way…

“Anyway, it’s an eight-star Insect called Doom Dozer.”

“How are you supposed to summon it?” asked Russell. “You’d need to trade two Monsters for it, and you have none on the field.”

Bugsy gave him the eye.

“It isn’t a Monster that’s summoned that way,” he answered. “It’s kind of like Dark Necrofear... But instead of removing Fiends in your Graveyard from play, you have to remove Insects.

“So, I remove Parasitic Ticky and Insect Knight from play...”

Two cards slipped out of his discard slot.

“And I summon... Doom Dozer!”

With a bellowing roar, a huge creature emerged! It looked like a centipede from Hell, with fangs, horns, claws, and a blood-red carapace! (2,800/2,600)

“EEK!” shouted Alice.

“What do you think?” asked Bugsy.

“It isn’t pretty,” answered Russell. “And it isn’t ugly. It’s pretty ugly!”

“Well by the way,” added Bugsy, “since summoning Doom Dozer was a Special Summon, I can also summon Neo Bug!”

He threw another card down, and an alien looking Insect resembling a cross between a scorpion and a wasp appeared. (1,800/1,700)

“Neo Bug, attack Mataza the Zapper!” shouted Bugsy.

Neo Bug flew forward and grabbed Mataza in its pincer, crushing him.

“Doom Dozer, attack Freed the not-so-Matchless General!”

Doom Dozer lumbered forward and grabbed Freed in its mandibles! He groaned and shattered.

“Freed…” muttered Russell, sadly.

“And one more thing,” added Bugsy. “When Doom Dozer damages your Life Points, you have to discard the top card on your deck.”

Russell took the top card from his deck.

So much for using Gilford the Legend this duel... he thought, as he discarded the card.

[B](R: 3,200) (B: 4,000)

“Give it up, pal,” chuckled Bugsy. “I don’t even think there is a Warrior who’s stronger than Doom Dozer!”

Russell drew a card.

“Well, this card worked for you,” he said, showing him the Pot of Greed.

He played it and drew two more cards.

He looked at Bugsy.

“I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight,” he said.

He put the card down, and Gearfried appeared in front of him. (1,800/1,600)

“What?” asked Bugsy. “He can’t even beat Neo Bug!”

“I believe it was you who said, ‘Don’t judge a Monster by its cover’!” answered Russell. “Gearfried has a powerful secret hidden inside him that I can unleash by playing this Spell Card...”

He played a card.

“Release Restraints!”

Gearfried leapt up into the air, and cracks started to form over his armor...

In a burst of light, a new figure emerged. It was a powerful, bare-chested barbarian with wild, black hair holding a powerful blade.

“Meet Gearfried the Swordmaster!” exclaimed Russell.

(2,600/2,200)

“I’ll admit that he’s powerful,” said Bugsy with a yawn. “But he’s still not enough...”

“Really?” said Russell. “Well, Gearfried’s true strength appears when he’s armed with an Equip Spell Card. And I have a good one...”

He showed him a card.

“It’s called Armed Changer. This card is so powerful, that in order to Equip it to a Monster, I have to discard another Equip. So, I’ll discard my Fusion Sword Murasame Blade...”

He discarded a card.

“...and Equip Armed Changer to Gearfried.”

He played the card.

“Now, when Gearfried is given an Equip, he can destroy one Monster... and I’ll bet you can guess which one he’s gonna aim for!”

Bugsy gulped...

Gearfried slashed his sword downward, and Doom Dozer screamed! It was blown to pieces.

“And do you know what the best part is?” asked Russell. “I still have his normal attack to use on Neo Bug!”

Gearfried made another downward swipe, splitting Neo Bug down the middle! The two pieces shattered!

[B](R: 3,200) (B: 3,200)

“And now we get to the effect of Armed Changer,” continued Russell. “When a Monster destroys an opposing Monster while Equipped with this card, the controller can take any Monster from his Graveyard whose Attack Score is less than the Equipped Monster, and add it to his hand.”

A card slipped out of his discard slot, and he took it.

“Your move…”

Bugsy slowly drew, and considered.

“I summon… Gokipon… in Defense Mode…” he said.

He put a card down, and a cute, cartoonish Insect appeared, crouching in Defense. (800/800)

He looked at his hand.

If I survive one more round, I might turn this around, he thought. I have Monster Reborn in my hand, and when Gokipon is destroyed, I can search for an Insect with low Attack Strength. So when he destroys it, I’ll just get Nobleman Eater Bug, use Monster Reborn to summon Neo Bug, and sacrifice it to set the Bug. Then its Flip-Effect can destroy two of his Monsters!

“Okay, that’s my turn,” he stated.

“Right!” said Russell, making a draw. “Now I’ll summon the Monster I got from Armed Changer’s effect…”

He placed a card down, and Mataza the Zapper appeared again. (1,300/800)

“Oh no…” moaned Bugsy.

“Mataza, destroy Gokipon!” shouted Russell.

Mataza split in two again. One of him rushed forward and cut down the Insect.

“Now attack directly!”

Bugsy cringed as the other Mataza’s blade struck him.

“Gearfried…” ordered Russell, “finish this!”

Gearfried the Swordmaster slammed his blade down and a wave of energy shot forward! Bugsy screamed as it ripped though him…

The duel was over.

“At ease!” said Russell.

[B](R: 3,200) (B: 0)

Everyone in the bar applauded.

“Yeah!” cheered Alice. “That’s the Russell I know!”

Russell leapt down off the table and walked over to the one where Bugsy was lying prone.

Bugsy groaned.

“Guess I have a lot to learn still,” he said.

“Not really,” answered Russell. “You have a powerful deck and a lot of good strategies. I’d say you could have beaten a lot of the students who aren’t as good as me…”

He wrote something down on a slip of paper.

“Like I said, a recommendation won’t help much, but I will give you the directions on where to get an application…”

He handed him the paper.

“Just remember our deal – you owe me a favor!”

Bugsy grinned, and turned to leave.

I think we’ll be seeing more of that one, thought Russell.

He checked his watch. Nine PM.

He figured he’d best get back soon, before Ben got mad…

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

When Russell got into the common room of the dorm, Ben was still on the couch, going over his cards.

Speak of the devil, thought Russell.

“Hey, Old Ben,” said Russell. “Still working on the deck?”

“It’s done now,” answered Ben.

“Ben…” asked Russell, slowly. “If it’s personal, you don’t have to answer, but you never told me how you… you know, lost it…”

“Ya mean this?” asked Ben with a chuckle, holding up his prosthetic arm.

“Yeah…” answered Russell. “Was it in the war?”

“Naw,” answered Ben. “You might not believe this, but I lost it playing golf…”

Russell looked at him.

“I know golf is a competitive sport,” muttered Russell. “But…”

Old Ben grinned.

“Naw,” he explained. “Listen… It’s hard to believe, but my original arm was just as big as this one. When I was a boxer, I had the best left hook… They called me the Strongest Left Hand In The Land…

“One day I was vacationing in Australia, and I was playing golf. My ball went into a water hazard. Now, I was never one to want to waste anything, so I tried to fish it out…

“And as I reached in with my left hand, it grabbed me… a crocodile!”

Russell gulped.

“I guess I deserved it for being so cheap,” said Ben with a shrug.

“Were you scared?” asked Russell.

“Scared?” asked Ben. “Russell, you’re speaking to a guy who’s taken on three-hundred pound behemoths in the ring who seemed to have apes as one of their parents. Heh…

“I was petrified…

“Anyway, the croc tried to drag me into the water, but I held my ground. I pulled backwards. As strong as that guy was, I was hoping my arm would be stronger… And for a while, it seemed it was.

“Eventually, the croc gave up on the idea that he would get all of me… So he settled for my arm, and bit it clean off.

“The fact that I stayed conscious was a miracle. Now, this is one of the benefits of always having a cell phone handy. If I hadn’t had one, I’d have bled to death before anyone found me.

“They were able to save my life, and even managed to save what was left of my arm. Not that it would do me much good… But I got lucky. I had a doctor who liked to play mad scientist. He told me he was working on an experimental prosthetic arm that had as much dexterity and feeling as a normal arm, and he asked if I wanted to volunteer for the test. The best part was, since it was an experiment, it wouldn’t cost me or my insurance company a cent. I agreed.

“The whole process took about a month, and it wasn’t pleasant. But in the end I got this… And I was pleased with the result. My boxing career might have been over, and my arm was metal…

“But I was still the Strongest Left Hand In The Land…”

He paused.

“Anyway, anything happen to you tonight?”

“Oh,” sighed Russell, “ran into a few pests…”

He walked out of the room towards the boys’ rooms.



Wednesday, September 8th, 2106, 10 PM



SPIDER WEB (Spell Card)

Card Specs

Type: Spell
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Image: A spider on a beautifully spun web.

Card Description: Take one card from your opponent’s Graveyard that he discarded on his last turn and add it to your hand. If this card is sent to the Graveyard, it is sent to the original owner’s Graveyard.

Note: “Spider Web” was first used by Yami in the anime episode “Grappling With A Guardian (Part 3)”. All creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.



CHRYSALIS (Spell Card)

Card Specs

Type: Spell
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Image: Insect Queen forming a cocoon around a captive Leogun.

Card Description: Both players return all face-up Monsters to their decks and reshuffle.



Russell’s Warrior Deck:

Since the American Civil War, all male members of the Majors family (and many of the female members) have served in the armed forces, and all were proud to have done so. Most were officers, all were decorated several times. In fact, Russell’s father served in the last war, and his heroic acts earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award a member of the U.S. Armed Forces can receive.

With his family’s history and influence, Russell could have easily entered West Point Academy and prospered as a cadet. But for some reason, he had no aspirations to become a soldier. He heard a different call instead, one that called him to the game of Duel Monsters. His family was a little disappointed, but they respected his wishes.

Still, the soul of a soldier still existed in Russell’s blood – it didn’t die easily. When perfecting his deck, he collected many powerful Warriors and Warrior accessories. While he wouldn’t be a soldier for real, he could command a troop of them in the form of a deck of cards.

Most of Russell’s Warriors favor the Earth Attribute, with a few Light ones thrown in and a handful of others. To him, Attribute doesn’t make the Monster – Type is the most important factor for him.

Russell takes pride in knowing that many of his cards were used by the Trinity, a few of them by Yugi. Any card that was good enough for them is good enough for him.



[B][I]Coming up next:

The secret of Russell’s deck has been revealed, now see the secret of Trisha’s! She takes part in some extracurricular work which proves to be more of a hassle than the extra credit might be worth! See a chapter called “A Rival Appears!” coming soon.

[Mega Horny]

“Truthfully,” he panted, “that’s better than the last thing I got from a girl...”

lmao, Great Chapter, I loved it! Your fic starts out with a bang, IMO. Keep up the awesome work and keep the chapters coming!

Nice warrior deck, Now I'm anxious to see Jason's and Trisha's!

Good stuff!

[Perfect Chaos]

Oh happy day indeed. TPM comes back and the first thing I manage to see is that DS actually posted a new chapter!

So Russell plays a Warrior-deck huh? Seems awfully familiar to one I faced before IRL (in real-life).

And its nice that you managed to use an Insect deck and I'm actually happy to see some nice support cards that have been created for them.

So Trisha is up next? Looking forward to see what she runs.

-Sean

[Shuppet Master]

In the immortal words of Rachael Ray..."That was BRILLIANT!"

I saw that his opponent was an insect duelist, but you tried to avoid making him another Weevil, which is nice. You used all the insects I was going to use in my own duel in "Sister of Anansi", which is better. Finally, you gave a wonderful story about Ra's headmaster, Old Ben, and how he lost his arm.

I can't wait to see the next chapter.

Thank goodness that Pokemasters forum is back up! (Of course, that means I'll have to put up more Anansi chapters, which sucks...)

[Pokemasterkatie]

Warriors, huh? That's a good deck for a leading character! Very nice that you put in Russell's family history at the end--that's good character buildup.

Insects got a major boost in Shadow of Infinity, so it's nice to see a deck along today's new standards. And is Gokipon adorable or what?!^_^

So far, so good! Keep it up!

[starjake]

So Russell plays Warriors, huh? Well, even though you see an Army-Warrior deck in almost every fanfic, it was a good duel. It was nice to see the debut of some of the new SOI Insects as well.

Trisha's next? I wonder what Deck she uses. Fairies? Amazons (though that would be a bit redundant with Russell's theme)? Harpies? Cutsey-cute monsters?

Only time will tell, I guess.

[Dark Sage]

Fairies?

NO.

Amazons?

NO.

Harpies?

NO.

"Cutsie-cute" monsters?

Absolutely NO. Anything but.

Trisha's deck is certain to surprise you... With her, I hope to put an end to stereoypes on female duelists.

[Mega Horny]

I thought you might do something like that, perhaps fire monsters, that would be interesting.

But francesca?

[Pokemasterkatie]

Away from the typical female standard? The opposite of Fairies would be Fiends--Dark World monsters, maybe?

[jkBAKURA]

I have to admit, I was expecting insects to appear early. Both the first eliminator in Mandate, and the opening duel of TYD had them. I do give you points for shying away from the cookie-cutter insect combos. (although with the set's release, I doubt that they will last long before falling into that catagory)

I have the distinct feeling that Russel's duels will all too soon become boring, as so far it looks like the same cookie-cutter warrior deck that appears in every fic. (mine included, albeit a lousy one)

Just starting, and I know that the beginning is usually slow, so I'll keep reading.

By the way, I think I have an idea about Tricia's deck theme simply from the card provided in the teaser. If correct, that would certainly be a steryotype turned on it's head.

[Dark Sage]

Again, I must respond...

Russell's deck was cookie-cutter now, but he'll show some unique stratgies in the future. You forget, I'm not limited to real cards, and there are plenty of cards that he could use to make it more interesting. He'll use a combo or two in his next duel that most Warrior Duelists don't.

- DS

[Mega Horny]

Fiends seems to predictable for a non-stadard girl deck. Plus Kamiya used a zombie deck. Maybe a Machine deck?...or dinosaurs...thatd be cool.


MACHINES ROXX0rz!

[Blademaster]

Quoted from Pokemasterkatie: "Warriors, huh? That's a good deck for a leading character"

Damn straight! :biggrin:

you see an Army-Warrior deck in almost every fanfic

So? :p

I have the distinct feeling that Russel's duels will all too soon become boring, as so far it looks like the same cookie-cutter warrior deck that appears in every fic.

Watch it...!


Well, DS, do I have to say anything? Warrior duelist, star... come on. You get what I mean.

Interesting tidbit with Ben, too - I have a feeling he'll be important later on...

Incidentally, did anyone else think of that guy from Starship Troopers when Ben's mechanical arm first showed up? Hm......

Anyway, Trisha's deck is not that hard to decipher, people! Remember DS' preview of this story? A certain group of 3 cards, huh...?

...

OK, I've said enough.

(fades into shadows)

Peace out...

-Blademaster

[Pokemasterkatie]

Anyway, Trisha's deck is not that hard to decipher, people! Remember DS' preview of this story? A certain group of 3 cards, huh...?

Oh, I get it now~!

Incidentally, did anyone else think of that guy from Starship Troopers when Ben's mechanical arm first showed up? Hm......

Two words: Edward. Elric.:p

[Silencer]

1 thing bothered me. The explenation Russel gave to the dorms. In Yu-gi-oh GX Bastion was also a first year and he ended up in Ra Yellow. He even could advance to Obelisk Blue after he beat Chazz. But he declined since he wanted to beat Jaden.

[Dark Sage]

Silencer -

The system is this school is not the same as it is for the one that Jaden goes to.

In this school, all Freshmen start at Slifer, no exceptions (and Slifer is a typical lowerclassman dorm, not one for the underachievers and poor students). Those who become Juniors gradute to Ra, and those who become Seniors graduate to Obelisk.

Unlike Jaden's school, no one ever starts as a Ra or Obelisk here.

[Silencer]

Aah, I forgot this was a different school... I guess the names threw me off. Glad you cleared that up but the duel academy dorms seem more logical to me :p

[Inferno_Dragon]

Good start, Dark Sage. I am sorry that haven't replied in person for The Thousand Year Door. I was reading it but I just forgot to e-mail you. Hopefully now I can give you comments without you having to check your e-mail (although I will still use e-mail and PM switched so the process isn't the same.)

The first 3 parts look and I like how the Insect Deck isn't your run-of-the-mill ordinary Insect deck. I am also curious to see what Trisha's deck looks like. I bet it will be a surprise to all of us. Well, keep up the good work and hopeful this fanfic will be just as great as the others.

[Dark Sage]

Since TPM was shut down for a week (and we still don't know why - I wonder if we ever will) I decided to put up chapter two now.

So, what is the secret of Trisha's deck? Prepare to find out...

[B][I]My name is Trisha Moise, and I come from a long line of exceptional people.

Ever since I entered this school, a student who’s one year ahead of me has been a thorn in my side. She uses the signature Monsters of a famous duelist from a hundred years ago, and she’s just as arrogant as her role model was supposed to be at the beginning of her career.

It seems fate will make us rivals until she graduates… And what then? Will we cross paths again after I graduate?

The strange thing is, I really don’t know whether I despise the arrangement we have…

…or whether I’m getting to enjoy it…

[B][size=3]CHAPTER TWO

Thursday, September 9th, 2106, 8AM



The next morning at the Ra dining hall, Trisha sat alone, slowly stirring a bowl of oatmeal that had long gone cold.

Wonder if I could afford a ticket to St. Louis? she thought.

“Hey beautiful,” said Jason’s voice.

He and Russell came up and sat down. She nodded to acknowledge them.

“Okay, what’s wrong?” asked Jason.

“Nothing,” she sighed.

“Bull,” answered Russell. “I dueled someone last spring who comboed Spirit Barrier with The Unhappy Girl, and she wasn’t as glum as you are right now.”

Trisha pushed the cereal away.

“I was chosen to host Freshman Seminar today,” she sighed.

Jason and Russell looked at her for a minute. They knew what that meant, but they had no idea why it would make Trisha depressed.

Hosting Freshman Seminar was one of the easiest ways for Juniors and Seniors to gain extra credit. You simply had to duel in front of a Freshman class. You got a hundred points of extra credit if you lost, two hundred if you won.

“Trisha, you’ve been wanting to do this for two years,” exclaimed Jason. “Why the sudden depression now?”

“You want to see who my opponent is?” asked Trisha, handing him a sheet of paper.

Jason looked at it.

“Lineup for Freshman seminar,” her read. “Match One: Trisha Moise versus…”

He paused.

“Oh…” he muttered. “Sersei…”

Trisha’s face sank.

When Trisha had first entered as a Freshman, Sersei Rhineheart was a Sophomore, and was her roommate in the Slifer dorm. Originally they had been close friends… But a particularly violent and painful duel between them changed all that. Since then, the two constantly tried to outdo each other, and every time one of them won a duel against the other, the other vowed revenge.

Sersei was an Obelisk now, and the cycle was starting again.

“She sent me this note this morning,” sighed Trisha, handing them a piece of paper.

Russell took it and read.


Dearest Trisha,

I have been working on my deck, and it has grown to three times its power since last time. By one this afternoon, the Harpie Lady Sisters will be gnawing on your bones.

Love,

Sersei


“I can hardly wait,” she muttered, sarcastically.

“She has a way with words,” sighed Russell. “And those Harpies freak me out…”

Trisha nodded. The Harpie Lady Monsters were best known as the signature Monsters of Mai Valentine, a duelist who was best known as Joey Wheeler’s wife. But a lot of Mai’s early career wasn’t known. Joey’s autobiography stated that he had met her when he had started his dueling career, but he had never given any details about their early relationship. The romantic version was that she had been just as nasty as her Harpies before Joey melted her heart…

And there were even darker rumors… Some folks said that Mai was actually evil and had worked against the Trinity in some way or another, and Joey had brought her to the light, so to speak. This was the reason a lot of her past before their marriage was unknown, because Joey didn’t want his beloved’s reputation damaged. It was the standard fantasy romance story: male hero opposes female villain, male hero and female villain fall in love, female villain reforms in order to love male hero…

The “Bat and the Cat” analogy.

This was the most extreme rumor, and it was likely exaggerated; but Jason had met her in virtual reality form, and she was rather nasty and sarcastic, so you had to wonder…

“So what if she’s pumped up her deck,” shrugged Jason. “So have you! I’m sure you’ll give her a big surprise.”

He leaned over and kissed her.

“We’ll be there to watch you,” he said. “Now make Henry Ford proud…”

Trisha grinned.

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

At a school where Duel Monsters was taught, dueling naturally happened all the time. An unofficial duel could happen anywhere…

But if it was an official challenge or one important to the curriculum, it took place in the Arena.

The name was no more grandiose than that, but the place was far from simple. It was a large auditorium, where the Dueling Disks were enhanced by special equipment. Monsters looked fiercer, Spells looked flashier, and the attacks packed quite a punch.

Features included a large screen to show the action and a special balcony. The balcony was usually empty…

At the moment, it wasn’t.

The seats surrounding the place were occupied by Freshman students. Jason and Russell nodded to a few of them as they walked in.

“Well,” sighed Russell, “looks like we’re in for a catfight…”

“Don’t sell Trisha short,” replied Jason. “I’ve seen her deck. It’s gotten better.”

“By that, you mean she’s kicked your tail with it…” muttered Russell.

“Don’t go there…” warned Jason. “I wonder if she’ll use that special Monster she showed me…”

“Special Monster?” asked Russell.

“Something that really… appealed to her,” answered Jason.

They watched as the two students met in the center of the floor – one was Trisha (now with her hair tied back; she had learned from experience that wearing it loose during a duel was an accident waiting to happen), and one was a girl wearing the blue blazer of the Obelisk dorm. She had strawberry-blonde hair cut short, and a sweet smile.

“Hello, Trisha!” chuckled Sersei. “Long time no see… Although I must say, I really don’t think yellow is your color… Clashes with your eyes.”

“Will you cut the insults, Sersei?” replied Trisha with a whisper. “Can’t you see who’s watching?”

She pointed to the balcony, and they both saw a tall woman who looked about forty years old, but still attractive. She wore her hair in a ponytail, and wore glasses.

“All right you two,” stated the instructor, who stood between them. “I take it you know the rules. Now each of you cut and shuffle each other’s decks.”

Sersei gave Trisha a look, but she handed over her deck. Trisha handed over hers, and they shuffled.

“Now let’s get started,” chuckled Sersei, taking it back. “It’s twelve noon… lunch time for my Harpies.”

“Hardy, har, har,” said Trisha, activating her Disk.

“Game… start!”

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

“Now then,” chuckled Sersei, drawing her first card. “Where to begin… Oh, this one looks good…”

Thanks for the card, Mai, she thought.

She played a Spell Card.

“I play Guardian Treasure,” she exclaimed.

The Spell Card appeared.

“Confused?” she asked. “Here’s how it works. First I discard five cards…”

She discarded the rest of her hand.

“…then I draw two…”

She drew two cards.

“…and for as long as this card is in effect, I can draw two cards during my Draw Phase, rather than one.”

“Sheesh,” muttered Russell. “She wasn’t kidding… That’s a powerful card…”

“True,” said Jason, “but if she makes use of it, she’ll go through her deck twice as fast… Not exactly a benefit there.”

“Next I’ll summon a Monster in Defense Mode, and end my turn,” said Sersei.

She set the card, and it appeared in front of her, facedown.

“All right, Sersei,” muttered Trisha, drawing, “you’d best hope you can finish me before you run out of cards!”

She threw a card down.

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

Like something out of Star Trek, a large creature materialized. It was a tall, humanoid robot with streamlined features, yet somewhat rickety. (1,600/1,500)

“Attack her facedown Monster,” commanded Trisha. “Laser phaser!”

Machine King Prototype’s optic sensors glowed…

Sersei giggled.

“You fall for this every time,” she laughed.

A huge mantis appeared on the card. Machine King Prototype fired, and it was blown away.

“You destroyed Flying Kamakiri #1,” laughed Sersei. “So now I get to Special Summon a Wind Monster with 1,500 Attack Points or less from my deck.

“But she won’t stay that weak…”

She took a card from her deck.

“Not again…” moaned Trisha.

“So I summon… Harpie Lady 1!”

With a screech, one of Mai Valentine’s signature Monsters appeared. She had long red hair, green wings, and wore a tight, purple bodysuit. (1,300/1,400) –> (1,600/1,400)

“That’s trouble,” muttered Jason. “She brought out her booster first…”

“Booster?” asked Russell.

“Harpie Lady 1 increases the Attack Score of all Wind Monsters on the field by 300 points, herself included,” explained Jason. “And I do believe all of Sersei’s Monsters are that Attribute.”

“My turn now,” chuckled Sersei. “I’ll draw two cards…”

She made two draws.

“And since Harpie Lady 1 looks a little lonely by herself, I’ll summon her sister, Harpie Lady 2, in Attack Mode.”

She put another card down, and another Harpie appeared. This one looked most like the first, but her hair was short, with long bangs in front. (1,300/1,400) –> (1,600/1,400)

“And don’t bother using any Monsters with flip-effects, because she can negate them.”

“I’ll place a card facedown and leave it at that,” said Sersei, fitting a card into a slot.

A facedown card appeared behind the Harpies.

“My draw…” said Trisha.

She drew a card.

Oh yeah, she thought, looking at the powerful four-star.

“I summon the mighty Mechanicalchaser in Attack Mode,” she stated, playing a card.

Another Machine arose, this one a spherical thing, with spindly arms, wings on its back, and a skull-like face in the front. (1,850/800)

“Not only is Mechanicalchaser stronger than your Harpies,” said Trisha with a grin, “but Machine King Prototype gains 100 extra Attack Points for every Machine on the field, other than himself.”

Machine King Prototype glowed, and rose to 1,700 Attack.

“So that means it’s bye-bye birdies!” laughed Trisha. “Machine King Prototype, take out Harpie Lady 1!”

The Machine’s optic sensors glowed.

“I don’t think so, Trish,” exclaimed Sersei. “I activate Harpie Lady – Sparrow Formation!”

Her Trap Card lifted, and the two Harpies took to the air with a screech! They formed into a large, brown bird, and the Machine’s laser glanced off of it.

“Heh, heh,” said Sersei. “So long as I have at least two Harpies on the field, this card works just like Waboku. Neat Trap Card, huh?”

“Yeah, neat,” answered Trisha. “But your Harpies still can’t defeat my creatures.”

She waved her hand to signal the end of her turn.

Sersei made two draws.

“We’ll see about that, Trish,” she chucked. “I’ll play Pot of Greed to increase my hand size even more!”

She played the card, and drew two more cards, bringing the number of cards in her hand up to five.

“And I got just the right combination to turn your Machines into little pieces of little pieces!” she laughed.

She flicked her wrist, and her Field Slot opened. She placed a card in it.

The results were dramatic… All of a sudden, huge, rocky bluffs started to rise around them…

Trisha looked around. They were standing in what looked like the valley of a large, rocky mountain range, with odd, flying creatures passing overhead.

“How does that old song go?” asked Sersei. “I will not rest, till I lay down my head… In the House of Stone and Light…”

“What is this place?” demanded Trisha.

“Harpie’s Hunting Ground,” answered Sersei. “Not the real House of Stone and Light, but pretty close. This is the Harpie Ladies’ home, and they’re the masters here. You’re nothing but prey for them now.

“Let me explain the benefits of this Field Spell Card. First, all Winged Beasts on the field gain a bonus of 200 points, for both attacking and defending…”

The two Harpies grew to (1,800/1,600).

“…and also,” continued Sersei, “whenever I summon a Harpie or the Sisters, I can destroy one Trap or Magic Card.”

“So?” asked Trisha. “Mechanicalchaser is still stronger…”

“It won’t be around much longer,” chuckled Trisha, holding up a Spell Card. “I play Harpie Lady – Phoenix Formation…”

She played the card, and the two Harpies took to the air again…

They formed into a huge bird made of fire!

“Now I can destroy one of your Monsters for every Harpie I have on the field,” she laughed.

Machine King Prototype and Mechanicalchaser exploded!

Before Trisha could react, she was engulfed in flames!

“And that’s not all,” mocked Sersei, as her opponent fell on her rump. “Now the total Attack Points of those Monsters are deducted from your Life Points.”

“Super…” replied Trisha, holding her head.

[B](T: 4,450) (S: 8,000)

“If it’s any consolation, my Harpies can’t attack you this round,” chuckled Sersei. “So I’ll just place a card facedown and call it a turn.”

She fit a card into a slot, and it materialized.

Even if Harpie Lady 2’s effect doesn’t cut it, she thought, Harpie’s Feather Storm will…

“Talk about a nasty card,” muttered Russell. “I certainly hope she doesn’t have more than one of them!”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” sighed Jason. “It doesn’t sound like a common one. At least, let’s hope not. I don’t want Trisha to make a complete fool out of herself in front of the Freshmen…”

Trisha made a draw.

Only Monster I have is Battle Footballer, she thought. And I have two 7 Completed cards. I can use this to raise its Attack or Defense…

Raising its Attack to 2,400 would make it stronger than those two Harpies, but I don’t like the look of that facedown card…

On the other hand, raising its Defense to 3,500 would make me practically untouchable…

“All right, Sersei, I’m summoning Battle Footballer in Defense Mode…” she stated, putting a card down.

A bulky android in a football jersey appeared. It crouched, as if to receive a blitz. (1,000/2,100)

“And now I’ll Equip it with two cards called 7 Completed. These can raise a Machine’s Attack or Defense by 700 points! And I’m using it on its Defense.”

She played the cards, and the number “77” appeared on the front of Battle Footballer’s jersey. Its Defense went up to 3,500.

“And that will be my turn,” she said.

“So, you’ve put up a wall,” mused Sersei, drawing two cards. “Thirty-five hundred Defense Points, huh? Well, prepare to have it torn down…”

She played a card.

“I summon Cyber Harpie Lady in Attack Mode.”

A third Harpie appeared. This one wore black armor, which didn’t quite hide her feminine beauty. She had long red hair, and carried a glowing whip. (1,800/1,300) –> (2,300/1,500)

“And let’s not forget the second effect of my Field Card…” added Sersei.

One of the sevens on Battle Footballer’s chest shattered, and its Defense went down to 2,800.

“Its Defense is still too strong for me, so I’ll end my turn there,” said Sersei.

Trisha made a draw.

If I know Sersei, she thought, and I do… she’ll find a way around my wall soon enough, so I have to put up some added protection… She’s been powering up her deck, but then again, so have I…

“I’ll place two cards facedown, and that will be all for me,” she stated, playing the cards.

Two cards appeared behind Battle Footballer.

Sersei made two draws again.

She grinned at Trisha wickedly…

She played a Spell Card.

“I play… Elegant Egotist!” she shouted. “Now I can summon Harpie Lady Sisters from my deck…”

A triangular pattern appeared on the field, and three Harpies flew out of it! They looked much like the other three, but weren’t as splendidly dressed. (1,950/2,100) –> (2,450/2,300)

“Sheesh, how many Harpies does she have in that deck?” exclaimed Russell.

The other seven on Battle Footballer’s chest burst, and its Defense fell to 2,100.

“Oh no…” moaned Russell, covering his eyes. “Tell me when it’s over…”

“In case you don’t know what this means, Trisha,” gloated Sersei, “it means I win. First Cyber Harpie will destroy your Footballer, than they’ll attack…”

She pointed to the Sisters.

“…then she’ll attack…”

She pointed to Harpie Lady 2.

“…and then she’ll finish you off!”

She pointed to Harpie Lady 1.

Trisha just looked at her.

“Not much to say, huh?” asked Sersei. “Cyber Harpie, whiplash attack!”

Cyber Harpie flew forward and cracked her whip, blowing Battle Footballer to scrap!

“And now…” started Sersei.

“Hold on!” shouted Trisha. “I activate… Hyper Refresh!”

A Quickplay Spell Card on her side lifted.

“Say what?” asked Sersei.

“It’s a powerful card if you use it right,” explained Trisha, as the card glowed. “Since I have no Monsters on my side of the field thanks to that last move, and the combined Attack Scores of your Monsters is greater than my current Life Points, my Life Points are doubled.”

Trisha glowed with energy, and her Life Points shot up.

[B](T: 8,900) (S: 8,000)

“Humph,” muttered Sersei. “So you padded your points… Harpie Lady Sisters, attack directly with triangle ecstasy!”

The three Sisters put their claws together, and a burning energy triangle shot forward…

Trisha cringed as it hit her.

“Now too…” continued Sersei. “WHAT?”

To her surprise, Trisha’s Life Points hadn’t gone down.

In fact, they had increased again, to 10,450!

Then Sersei saw that Trisha had activated her other facedown card. A strange-looking Trap.

“Like it?” laughed Trisha. “It’s called Nutrient Z. Since that attack was strong enough to do at least 2,000 points of damage, I gained 4,000 Life Points the instant before it hit.

“This duel is far from over…”

“My Battle Phase isn’t over either Trisha!” shouted Sersei in fury. “Harpie Ladies 1 and 2, get her!”

The two Harpies swooped down on Trisha and she screamed as they dug their talons into her.

The two Winged Beasts grinned as Trisha caught her breath. As if to insult her, Harpie Lady 1 grabbed her shoulder, and pushed down. She was forced to her knees.

[B](T: 6,850) (S: 8,000)

“You may have survived one round, Trisha,” mocked Sersei, as the Harpies flew away, “but next round, the Harem From Hell is taking you down.”

Jason smirked as Trisha got up.

“Russell, you can look now,” he said. “I think Trisha might just be getting her second wind…”

“You haven’t won yet, Sersei,” snarled Trisha, drawing.

“I might as well have,” said Sersei. “My Monsters have you outnumbered… Four to none… Well, as far as actual cards are concerned. It looks a lot more like six to none from your side, doesn’t it?”

“I play Graceful Charity,” said Trisha.

She played the card. A beautiful angel flew into the air, and her feathers fell upon Trisha’s deck.

“Now I can draw three cards…”

She made three draws.

“…so long as I discard two.”

Okay, she thought, looking at the cards. Now I might still have a chance…

She made two discards.

“Take this…” she shouted. “Swords of Revealing Light!”

She played the card, and a flurry of gleaming swords shot forward!

“Gaah!” shouted Sersei. “Not the swords!”

“That’s right,” said Trisha. “They’ll keep your Harpies at bay for three turns.

“I believe that this Spell Card was essential in helping Yugi Mouto buy time when he faced Mai Valentine for the first time and was facing a similar problem…”

“Smart,” said Sersei, “but it won’t help for long…”

“Next,” continued Trisha, “I’ll place one card facedown, and a Monster facedown as well.”

Two facedown cards appeared.

She looked at the Spell Card in her hand.

If I draw one of them in my next turn, I’m closer to a solution, she thought. But I have twenty-seven cards left in my deck, and only three copies… drawing one isn’t likely…

“Your move…” she said.

“I’ll draw two cards…” said Sersei.

She drew two and looked at them.

“No move this turn,” she said, “I’ll just wait for your Swords to expire for now…”

Trisha closed her eyes.

Sersei had a very good strategy…

She could only hope hers worked as well. No way was she going to let her win…

She drew a card.

“I play my Pot of Greed,” she stated.

She played the card, and drew two cards.

Yes! she thought.

“First, another card facedown,” she stated.

She set one of the cards, and it appeared next to the other two.

“Now I summon… Bokoichi the Freightening Car,” she exclaimed. “In Defense Mode.”

She placed a card down, and a weird creature that looked like a freight car with a fiendish face on the front appeared. (500/500)

[Dark Sage]

“Huh?” asked Sersei.

“You probably think that Bokoichi here looks pretty pathetic,” said Trisha with a grin. “Well, that’s the whole point! See, because his Attack Score is only 500, I can use him to play this Spell Card…”

She played the last card in her hand.

“Machine Duplication,” she said. “This lets me Special Summon two more Bokoichis from my deck.”

She took two more cards from her deck, and placed them down. Two more Freightening Cars appeared.

“Still don’t see the point?” asked Trisha. “Well you will once I flip-summon my facedown Monster. Presenting… the ultimate engine that could… Dekoichi the Battlechanted Locomotive!”

Her facedown Monster flipped face-up, and a larger Machine appeared. This one was a steel locomotive, again with a fiendish face. (1,400/1,000)

“Now, here’s where it gets interesting,” continued Trisha. “When Dekoichi is flipped, I get to draw one card. And for each Bokoichi I have on the field when that happens, I get to draw another.”

“Meaning, you can draw four cards now,” muttered Sersei. “Impressive combo… you’d best hope it gets you some good cards…”

Trisha made four draws.

“I’ll end my turn on that note,” she said calmly.

She eyed the Monster she had just drawn and gave a slight smirk.

“Fine,” sighed Sersei. “I’ll draw two cards…”

She drew two.

And then she laughed.

“Allow me to introduce the newest member of my team!” she said, placing a card on the field. “I summon… Harpie’s Pet Baby Dragon, in Attack Mode.”

A large creature appeared next to the three Sisters. It looked similar to the regular Harpie’s Pet Dragon, but smaller, and much cuter. (1,200/600)

“Baby Dragon?” said Trisha in surprise. “What happened to your adult one?”

“She’s still in my deck,” replied Sersei. “But her daughter is much cuter, isn’t she? And while she might be a baby, she’s much better than her mom. You see, Harpie’s Pet Baby Dragon can have three different effects, and for every Monster on my side of the field with the word ‘Harpie’ in her name, aside from herself, she gets one of them.

“As you can see, I have four such Monsters… So she gets all three.

“First, her base Attack and Defense are doubled, and don’t forget that she also gets boosted by Harpie Lady 1 because she’s a Wind Monster.”

The Dragon’s stats shot up to (2,700/1,200).

“Second, you can’t attack any of my Harpie Monsters other than her.”

“I think Trisha’s odds just worsened to about fifty to one,” said Russell.

“And third,” continued Sersei, “once per my turn, she can automatically destroy any one of your cards on the field.”

“Now I put those odds at five-hundred to one…” muttered Russell.

“Well sure…” muttered Trisha. “Destroy my Swords. I guess I can’t stop you…”

“Heh, heh, heh,” snickered Sersei. “Oh, you want me to do that, don’t you, Trisha? Well, I know that your Swords will be gone anyway after my next turn, and since I really don’t like the look of those facedown cards you have…

“Dragon, destroy her facedown card on the left!”

Harpie’s Baby Pet Dragon shot a stream of fire at the facedown card. The card was revealed to be Sakuretsu Armor, and was burned up.

“Thought so,” said Sersei. “My turn is over. Next round, I’ll just wipe out the other one, and I’ll break your little toy train set.”

That was close, thought Trisha, drawing a card. Good thing she fell for that bluff… If she really had destroyed the Swords, I’d never have beaten her…

“Not going to happen, Sersei” she finally answered.

She switched cards on her Disk.

“I sacrifice two Bokoichis…”

Two of the Freightening Cars vanished.

“…and I’ll summon… [B]Perfect Machine King!”

A beam of light struck Trisha’s side of the field, and a huge robot with shiny, flawless armor materialized. (2,700/1,500)

“HUH?” shouted Sersei. “When did you get that thing? It’s even bigger than your old Machine King!”

“Over the summer,” answered Trisha. “Now, let me explain Perfect Machine King’s incredible effect; in addition to his own considerable Attack Score, he gains 500 Attack Points for every Machine on the field, other than himself.

“He just loves company.

“And as you can see, I already have two…”

(3,700/1,500)

“Wha… Buh… Guh…” sputtered Sersei.

“Is that her ‘special Monster’?” asked Russell.

“No,” replied Jason. “It’s her strongest one, but she has one that she likes better.”

“But I’m about to get a few more,” chuckled Trisha. “You’re going to be the first to see my new strategy… I reveal my facedown card… DNA Surgery!”

The facedown card lifted.

“That Trap…” gasped Sersei. “It lets you change the Type of every Monster on the field to whatever you choose…”

“Exactly,” replied Trisha. “And I choose Machines.”

The three Harpies and the Sisters screeched and their Dragon roared…

But they were silenced as their flesh, feathers, and hair was transformed to metal, and their joints became mechanical.

“What have you done to them?” screamed Sersei in horror.

“I know, it isn’t pretty,” sighed Trisha. “They lost their beauty and humanity. But on the plus side, they now get over three-hundred channels, including the premiums.

“Of course, since the Harpies aren’t Winged Beasts anymore, the first bonus of your Field Card no longer applies.”

Harpie Lady 1 and 2 dropped to (1,600/1,400), while Cyber Harpie Lady dropped to (2,100/1,300) and the Sisters fell to (2,250/2,100)

“And furthermore, now that there are a total of seven other Machines on the field, well, take a look at my King…”

Perfect Machine King grew even stronger! (6,200/1,500)

“So, I can only attack your Dragon, huh?” asked Trisha. “Well, I see no problem with that… Perfect Machine King, attack with mega missile assault!”

Two hatches on the great Machine’s shoulders opened, and a volley of missiles shot out, blasting Harpie’s Pet Baby Dragon into spare parts!

Sersei shielded herself…

[B](T: 6,850) (S: 4,500)

The crowd started to cheer.

“That’s my turn, Sersei,” said Trisha, as Perfect Machine King’s Attack went down to 5,700. “So you’d best make your next move count…”

Sersei slowly drew two cards…

She growled.

“I’ll switch my four Monsters to Defense Mode, and that will be all for now,” she sneered.

The Harpies and the Sisters knelt in Defense.

She looked at the Ritual Card in her hand.

With any luck, I’ll be able to last long enough to draw Calypso and give her a big surprise… she thought.

Trisha drew.

“I play… Premature Burial,” she exclaimed, playing a card. “And I’ll use it to bring back my old friend Machine King Prototype.”

Her Life Points decreased by 800, and Machine King Prototype arose out of the ground. (1,600/1,500)

Perfect Machine King’s Attack rose back to 6,200.

“And don’t forget, he gains an additional 100 Attack Points for every Machine on the field, other than himself.”

(2,300/1,500)

“And now I’m going to play another Equip,” continued Trisha. “One I put in my deck especially for you Sersei. It’s called Jumper Cables.”

“Don’t tell me that it’s going to make your King stronger!” gasped Sersei.

Trisha laughed.

“Oh, I’m not going to equip it on any of my Monsters, Sersei,” she answered. “I’m going to Equip it on one of yours. Cyber Harpie Lady, to be precise…”

She played the card.

“Now watch…”

Two jumper cables sprouted out of Cyber Harpie Lady’s hips…

And then one of them clamped onto each of her sisters’ hips.

“Here’s how it works,” stated Trisha. “When Jumper Cables is Equipped to a Monster, it and all Monsters on the owners’ side of the field with the same name gain 1,000 Attack Points. And I know that each Harpie is assumed to have the name ‘Harpie Lady’, due to their effects.”

Harpie Lady 1 and 2 rose to 2,600 Attack, while Cyber Harpie Lady rose to 3,100.

“And you’re being so helpful, why?” asked Sersei.

“Because, they’re in Defense Mode, and that Equip didn’t raise their Defense,” answered Trisha. “And this Equip has an unfortunate side effect: If the Equipped Monster is destroyed, so are all the other Monsters who benefit from it!”

Sersei’s eyes opened wide…

“Machine King Prototype, take out the Sisters!” she shouted. “Laser phaser!”

A beam of energy shot from Machine King Prototype’s eyes, and the Harpie Lady Sisters blew up!

“Dekoichi, attack Cyber Harpie Lady!”

With a chugging noise, the Battlechanted Locomotive charged forward, striking the Harpie! All three of them exploded!

“And now that that’s done,” said Trisha, as Perfect Machine King fell to an Attack of 4,200, “Perfect Machine King, attack directly!”

Perfect Machine King’s eyes glowed. A set of crosshairs centered on Sersei…

”Target sighted…” said a voice from the huge Machine.

Sersei looked nervously.

Perfect Machine King’s hatches opened.

”Fire at will.”

The huge Machine let loose another volley of missiles! Sersei screamed as they honed in on her and exploded!

[B](T: 6,050) (S: 300)

“Ready to throw in the towel?” asked Trisha.

“Eesh…” muttered Sersei. “No!”

She drew two cards.

“I’ll place a card facedown, and summon Harpie Girl in Defense Mode,” she stated.

A card appeared in front of her, and then a cute little girl in a skimpy black outfit with blonde hair and pink wings appeared, shyly hiding behind her wings. (500/500)

She let out a frightened chirp, as DNA Surgery glowed, and she was transformed too.

“You know Sersei,” said Trisha, drawing a card, “I think that card is a bluff…”

She looked at the card she had drawn.

“But why take chances? I play Heavy Storm.”

She played the card, and a fierce wind tore over the field. Harpie’s Hunting Ground crumbled, then Sersei’s facedown Mirror Gate (for that’s what it was) lifted up and shattered, along with Guardian Treasure. Then the DNA Surgery card shattered. Finally, the Premature Burial card shattered, as did Machine King Prototype.

“Interesting…” said Trisha. “But it wouldn’t have worked, Sersei. Even if you had triggered it, I didn’t intend to attack her with Perfect Machine King.

“Dekoichi, destroy the Girl!”

Harpie Girl screamed as Dekoichi thundered forward and ran her over.

“Now, Perfect Machine King, finish this!” shouted Trisha.

Sersei screamed bloody murder as the missiles slammed into her again, erupting in a huge explosion!

Sersei lay on her back groaning, with smoke coming from her body.

”Target neutralized… said the Machine.

“Yeah…” laughed Trisha, “you neutralized the Hell out of her!

[B](T: 6,050) (S: 0)

“Game… over!” said Trisha with a sweet smile.

The crowd cheered, as Trisha’s Machines vanished.

“I’m glad I didn’t take you up on that bet, Russell,” sighed Jason. “I told you she had gotten better.”

“Too bad we didn’t see her special Monster,” said Russell, shaking his head.

Trisha went up to Sersei, who was starting to sit up.

“So Sersei,” sighed Trisha, “until next time?”

“Oh, shut up…” sulked Sersei.

“Hey, I beat you fair and square,” replied Trisha. “Complaining about it won’t help you.”

“Yeah, fair and square,” mumbled Sersei. “Just like your brother…”

Trisha backed up.

“You take that back!” she demanded.

“Make me, gear-girl!” snapped Sersei.

“Take it back, or I swear I’m going to take this Duel Disk, and shove it up your…”

“MOISE! RHINEHEART!” shouted a demanding voice. “You stop it right now!”

They both gulped and turned around…

The figure from the balcony had come down.

One thing you had to keep in mind about Chancellor Andorra Artemis… Making her angry was never a good idea…

“Uh, afternoon Chancellor…” gulped Sersei.

“I expected better from two of my top students,” snarled the administrator. “One of the purposes behind these seminars is to show the Freshmen good conduct. Starting fights is NOT my idea of good conduct!”

“She mentioned my brother…” grumbled Trisha.

Artemis’s eyes narrowed.

“Is that true, Sersei?” she asked, now even angrier.

“Uh…” muttered Sersei.

Artemis didn’t wait for an answer. Sersei’s hesitation was all she needed to know that the answer was yes.

“I thought it was made clear that he was never to be brought up, Miss Rhineheart, especially in Miss Moise’s presence. Now you will either apologize to your opponent this instant, or you will not only forfeit the extra credit for this duel, but you will get detention as well!”

Sersei sighed.

“I’m sorry Trisha…” she mused.

“Good,” answered Artemis. “Now let’s hope the rest of this seminar passes without a similar incident…”

Trisha walked up to where Jason and Russell were sitting, and sat down herself.

“Hey Trish, you won!” exclaimed Jason.

“Really?” mumbled Trisha. “Well, how come I don’t feel very happy?”

Jason knew better than to answer.

Living in her brother’s dark shadow was a burden that had haunted her for two years now. Every time it came up, accident or not, it was a slap in the face that didn’t go away for a long time.

At the very least, Trisha would recover in an hour. At most, in a day.

Until she did, she’d be more miserable than she was at breakfast.

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

Sersei sat in an isolated part of the arena seats sulking. Eventually, another student wearing the Obelisk colors came up beside her.

She smirked a little. She knew Anthony pretty well. After all, he was her boyfriend.

“Come to console me?” she asked.

“Uhm, actually,” he muttered, “I was kind of wondering where you got that card…”

“What card?” asked Sersei.

“That Treasure thing,” he asked. “It’s mega-powerful!”

Sersei grinned. She searched through her deck and found Guardian Treasure.

“Would you believe that this card used to belong to the real Mai Valentine?” she asked.

“No…” he said, shocked.

“And technically, it still does,” continued Sersei. “She’s lending it to me.”

“She’s dead…” muttered Anthony. “How…”

“This is an incredibly rare card, Anthony,” answered Sersei. “Apparently, some ex-lover did something that made Mai incredibly angry at him. I have no idea why, but it must have been something really bad. Shortly before she married Joey Wheeler, the guy somehow got this card, and gave it to her as a means of asking forgiveness. He wasn’t forgiven, but Mai kept the card. She wouldn’t use it however, since she wouldn’t put his cards in her deck.

“Oh course, there was even a rumor that the card wasn’t even his to give, but that he had stolen it from someone who trusted him. Likely that guy never trusted him again.

“Anyway, she offered it as a prize for anyone who could win a major tournament with a Harpie Deck. But whoever won it would have to sign a contract saying that it would go back to her representatives when he or she stopped dueling permanently for any reason, including death. So only those who used her signature Monsters would ever use it.”

She looked at the card.

“Over one hundred years, four duelists have won it,” she continued. “Over the summer, I won a tournament, and I was shocked when they offered me this along with the normal prize. I couldn’t sign the contracts fast enough.

“It’s the rarest card I have…”

Sersei and Anthony didn’t notice that a figure behind them had been listening to the whole conversation.

They didn’t see him… And if they tried to, they couldn’t have.

The figure sighed; a tear trickled down his face.

And then he simply vanished.


Thursday, September 9th, 2106, 1PM



GUARDIAN TREASURE (Spell Card)

Card Specs

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

Image: A beautiful woman with silver hair in front of a crystal ball.

Card Description: Discard five cards from your hand, then draw two cards from your deck. For as long as this card remains in effect, you may draw two cards during your Draw Phase.

Note: “Guardian Treasure” was used by Raphael in the multi-part anime episode “Fate of the Pharaoh”. All creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.



HARPIE LADY – SPARROW FORMATION (Trap Card)

Card Specs

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

Image: A golden bird inside a rune-covered circle.

Card Description: You can activate this card when you have two or more Monsters named “Harpie Lady” face-up on your side of the field. All battle damage done by your opponent’s Monsters becomes zero for the remainder of the turn.



HARPIE LADY – PHOENIX FORMATION (Spell Card)

Card Specs

Type: Spell
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Image: A fiery blue bird inside a rune-covered circle.

Card Description: You can activate this card when you have two or more Monsters named “Harpie Lady” face-up on your side of the field. Destroy one opposing Monster for every “Harpie Lady” you have face-up on your side of the field. Reduce your opponent’s Life Points by an amount equal to the combined ATK of the destroyed Monsters. During the turn this card is activated, all Monsters named “Harpie Lady” cannot attack.



HARPIE’S FEATHER STORM (Trap Card)

Card Specs

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

Image: A flurry of multicolored feathers.

Card Description: You can activate this Trap when you declare an attack using a Monster named “Harpie Lady”. Negate the effect of the Monster you are attacking. After using this card, end your Battle Phase.

Note: “Harpie Lady – Sparrow Formation”, “Harpie Lady – Phoenix Formation”, and “Harpie’s Feather Storm” were first used by Mai in the multi-part anime episode “My Freaky Valentine”. All creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.



HYPER-REFRESH (Spell Card)

Card Specs

Type: Spell/Quickplay
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Image: A shadowy figure, holding a bottle that shines with radiance.

Card Description: You can activate this card when you have no Monsters on your side of the field and the combined ATK of your opponent’s face-up Monsters is greater than your Life Points. Double your Life Points.

Note: “Hyper-Refresh” was used by Joey in the anime episode “Down in Flames (Part Two)”. All creative credit goes to the writers of that episode.



JUMPER CABLES (Spell Card)

Card Specs

Type: Spell/Equip
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Image: Two jumper cables connected to a car battery on one end and free on the other end.

Card Description: You can Equip a Monster with this card when there are additional Monsters with the same name on the same side of the field. Increase the ATK of the Equipped Monster and all Monsters with the same name as the Equipped Monster on the same side of the field by 1,000. When a Monster Equipped with this card is destroyed, all Monsters with the same name as the Equipped Monster on the same side of the field are also destroyed.



MIRROR GATE (Trap Card)

Card Specs

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

Image: A cluster of glass crystals.

Card Description: This card can only be activated during your opponent’s Battle Phase when your opponent’s Monster declares an attack. Switch the control of the attacking Monster with a Monster on your side of the field. Continue the battle normally.

Note: “Mirror Gate” was used by Jaden several times in “Yu-Gi-Oh GX”, first in “Welcome to Duel Academy”.


"Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon" will be realeased in "Enemy of Justice".




Trisha’s Machine Deck

For as long as the Moise family history can be recorded, all members of the family have been known as excellent mechanics and engineers. Family legend says that one early member of the family was an assistant to Henry Ford himself.

Trisha is no exception. She was able to repair the transmission on her father’s car effortlessly when she was ten, and got perfect marks in auto shop class before attending the academy.

Thus, deciding on a Machine Deck was a natural. Trisha’s deck uses a variety of Machines and Machine accessories; her creatures are unsubtle, but they get the job done. Her most powerful card is the rare Perfect Machine King, which grows stronger with every additional Machine on the field. She also carries the normal Machine King in her deck, as well as multiple copies of the weaker Machine King Prototype, and has a special combo that utilizes all three Kings (to be revealed later).

Trisha doesn’t use Cyber Dragons or Ancient Gear Monsters, at least not most of the time. To her, those cards are a different brand of Machine that should be used in decks designed to make the most of them. She does, however, have a deck that uses special Machines that she utilizes when she wants to take opponents by surprise…

Those who want to know the nature of this special deck will simply have to wait.



[I][B]First of all, brownie points to whoever can tell me what The House of Stone and Light is, besides a song. And if you liked Sersei, she will be appearing again, although a rematch with Trisha is not planned.

You’re probably wondering who that shadowy figure is who was watching Sersei and her boyfriend. Well, put all the pieces together, and maybe you’ll figure it out.

Next chapter:

There’s more than one way to earn extra credit at this school, but many of the ways are rather painful. Also, while many great duelists from the first generation have passed to the great beyond years ago, in this future time, there are ways that duelists can meet them – and duel them too!

Coming up next, a character from the anime makes a guest appearance, as Jason tries for one of said extra credit assignments, in a chapter I’m calling “Dreamsprite”!

Who is it? You’ll just have to wait and find out…

[starjake]

Hmm...certainly an odd continuation of events...so Valon steals Raphael's Guardian Treasure and gives it to Mai to get her to forgive him?

Of course, I assume that Valon would also be dead now, so unless you're using a rather unusual plot device, that couldn't have been him standing behind the tree.

Nothing too new and unusual in the duel, though I can't think of a time when Harpies took on Machines.

So Jason's Deck has something to do with Vorse Raider...Beast-Warriors? Dark monsters? Level 4 beatsticks? Plain old violence (though that doesn't seem his type)? I suppose we'll have to wait and see.

[Mega Horny]

I KNEW IT!!!! MACHINES ROXX0RZ!!!!

[Perfect Chaos]

Nice chapter

Trisha seems like an interesting character. I wonder what the problem she had with her brother and what happened in her past.

I'm glad to see that she's using a Machine deck. It leaves a refreshing feeling after seeing a female Machine duelist. Keep up the good work.

I'm actually pulling for a Beast/Beast-Warrior deck for Jason. Sure it's going to be cookie-cutter for the most part, but hey, how often do you see a Beast-deck appear in a fic used by a hero?

See you then

-Sean

[Shuppet Master]

I hate to say this, guys, but Jason's deck isn't a Beast-Warrior deck. I can't go any further without invoking the wrath of the Dark Sage for spoilers, but I'm sure you'll be surprised when you see it.

Anyways, great chapter Brian. I did write more, but due to my wonky computer, I couldn't send the message.

[Dark Sage]

Jason's deck is not Beast-Warriors, Level-Four beatsticks, Dark Monsters, or "plain old violence", but I will say that Vorse Raider is one of his favorite Monsters.

What is the theme of his deck? Wait until Wednesday, and you'll see. It isn't exactly a theme that most real duelists could use.

[Blademaster]

(smiles)

I know what Jake's deck is...

And I loved the concept of a female Machine duelist - I think I know what her 'special card' is, too.

I can't stay too long, so I'll just say I liked the chapter, I liked the duel, and I'm confused by the brother and Guardian Treasure backstories.

And I'll be waiting for the next chapter.

Peace out!

-Blade

[Inferno_Dragon]

Interesting, so Trisha owns a Machine Deck. Well, I didn't see that coming. And It was more interesting than any Machine Deck uses in the Anime or in fanfiction. Like everybody else, I am interested to hear more about Trisha's brother. Obviously, we will probably wait a while. Can't wait until the next chapter.

One more thing, I like it how you use the actual card design to represent each chapter. It is an creative and interesting way of doing it. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dark Sage]

Me again...

You'll find out the deal with Trisha's brother soon. As in, next chapter.

Suffice to say now, she hates him. With a passion.

[Blademaster]

Sibling rivalry, huh?

(thinks)

...

Oh, I get it...

Man, I'm slow, but at least I cross the finish line, right? :biggrin::redface::p

[Shuppet Master]

(Was going to write a witty retort, but couldn't think of anything to say without spoiling the reasons Trisha hates her brother and getting zapped by Manjyoume Thunder's wrath.)

[Zcade0]

Good, good. Now if I may be blunt, GET POKEMONESE DONE!!!!!


Nice machine deck. I would think it cool if a main character (Jake in this case) would use a deck baced on evil creatures (as vorse raider's card says, he is "wicked"). I repeat GET POKEMONESE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[starjake]

I really must jump in and correct something here (though I'm surprised Dark Sage hasn't done so already).

I realize that I am guilty of this also, but we must remember to keep our characters straight. 'Jake' is from my fic, Virtual Disaster. Dark Sage's third member of this little trio is named 'Jason'.

And, unless Dark Sage has plans for a character named Jake (I certainly didn't send him any), Jake Forester will remain in my fic. And Shuppet Master's, but his Jake is alot different character-wise than my own.

I'm sure Dark Sage would appreciate it if we didn't mix up everyone's characters. It will be difficult for me, since my fingers are use to typing 'ke' after 'Ja', but I'll do my best.

[Shuppet Master]

Thanks for that. I am working on a small sub-plot in the next chapter of Anansi for your Jake. I wanted to make it a full chapter, but lately I'm getting sick of the fic, so I had to axe a lot of stuff.

Anyways, Zcade0, Dark Sage will finish Pokemonese, and I will finish Sister of Anansi, even if I have to lock myself in the closet with my computer for two weeks. j/k

[Dark Sage]

Time for Chapter Three.

And stay around after you read it for something else, and your chance to put something into this story!

[B][I]I’m the kind of guy who’s an overachiever. At this place, I’ll do anything for extra credit, no matter how hard it is. I love doing it.

You know another thing I love? Revisiting the past. The same technology that my idol invented can let you meet duelists from the old generations – and duel them if you desire.

I’ve met several figures this way; my success rate is average. And now that the school year has started and the technology has improved… Well, it’s time to get acquainted with it again.

Of course, this guy who I’m facing right now doesn’t exactly look like a challenge, but if I know one thing about duelists…

Looks are always deceptive…

[B][size=3]CHAPTER THREE

Thursday, September 2nd, 2,106, 3:30 PM



When Bastion Misawa graduated with honors from the original Duel Academy, he became a great duelist who accomplished a great deal in his life, and a lot of duelists after him admired him.

Misawa was an intellectual who used mathematics, physics, and statistics to plan his dueling strategies. As a result, a lot of schools eventually started to take his ideas into practice.

Dueling Theory was one class that only the brightest students took. It involved a great deal of commitment. Jason was committed, but everyone who took it had to admit one thing…

Physics, no matter what it pertained to, was boring.

Dr. Lang was the first to notice that most of the class was nodding off. Well, that wasn’t a problem…

He picked up a Duel Disk, and turned to on, and then put a card on it…

A huge Jigen Bakudan materialized in front of him, and it exploded!

Everyone sat up with a start.

“Maybe everyone needs a five-minute break to stretch their legs,” he sighed. “But only five minutes…”

The students got up.

“Hey, Jason!” said a voice from the desk next to him.

Jason turned and saw the student in the red blazer.

“Can you fill me in on what happened with Trisha’s brother?” asked the Slifer.

Jason rolled his eyes.

“Fine,” he answered, “but if she asks you, you didn’t hear this from me…”

He paused.

“When she and I were Freshmen, he was a Junior, and was one of the best duelists in the school, or so we thought…

“We didn’t know that Patrick was cheating during his duels, and had a way of doing so that was nearly undetectable. He had learned a tricky way to shuffle from some stage magician.

“A good stage magician might know over a thousand ways to cheat at cards. And Patrick got one to teach him one of the most useful.

“See, you probably know by now that it’s customary here before an official duel for your opponent to shuffle your deck. Now, the most powerful cards in a deck are usually holofoil, and holofoil cards weigh slightly more than other cards. Patrick knew a way to shuffle so that almost all of the heavier cards wound up on the bottom of the deck. So his opponent always got bad draws.”

“Good lord,” said the Slifer.

“We might not have caught him, but his girlfriend asked him what his secret was. He told her the truth, thinking she’d be loyal. Seemed she was a much more honorable duelist than he was. She secretly told Dr. Artemis.

“They didn’t have any proof, but they started a sting operation – it seemed Artemis was suspicious of him to begin with – and she never liked him much anyway, seeing as he boasted a lot. Probably the breaking point was when he said to her face that he could beat her in a duel if she had the guts…”

The Slifer stared in disbelief.

“She made a new rule – after your opponent shuffled your deck, you had the option to cut it once. She also encouraged it by explaining that there was a rumor that some students were learning how to trick-shuffle, without naming names.

“As soon as this started, Patrick’s success started to plummet. Then he started to protest the new rule. Of course, arguing about it had a result that he didn’t expect. He protested against it so loudly, that all of his opponents were almost certain that he was rigging the shuffling, and they always took the option.

“Eventually, he told his girlfriend again to commiserate, and she recorded what he said on tape. That was all the proof they needed.

“In this college, cheating is unforgivable. He was expelled.

“It hit poor Trisha the hardest. She had never believed that the rumor was true, but when he was caught, she felt betrayed. She said publicly to him, that as far as she was concerned, he was dead. She’d never speak to him or acknowledge him again.”

“He got what he deserved,” muttered the Slifer.

“Strange part is, no-one knows what happened to him after that,” added Jason. “Not even Trisha or their parents know where he is… She kinda hoped he eventually jumped in the East River, but that’s probably wishful thinking…”

By now, the students were starting to come back in, as was Dr. Lang.

“Before I forget,” added the Professor, “the VR pods are back online, and anyone who wants extra credit is welcome to use them. Ms. Nichols has told me that a great deal of new programs have been added since last year…”

Jason’s eyes opened at this…

About time… he thought.

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

Virtual reality…

In a wing of the school library was a large room holding several of the virtual reality pods. They worked on a strange system.

When a device similar to a DVD was loaded into a pod, the recipient could project his consciousness into a small pocket cyberspace dimension. The appearance of the place depended on the whim of the Lord…

“Lord” was a catchall term for the AI entities that were programmed into them. One was in each program, and all of them had the likeness of a duelist from one of the previous generations of Duel Monsters. They were programmed with the intelligence, memories (up to a certain point of their lives) and personality of the actual duelist. A student who was brave enough could come here and challenge them – but these duelists were not pushovers.

Jason had done it several times. A few duelists were easy. Some he had beaten on the first try. However, Ishizu Ishtar had defeated him five times before he was able to defeat her. Mai Valentine had been harder – he had never been able to beat her. (And she was so sarcastic, he always wondered why Joey Wheeler had fallen for her.) Since these AI’s could remember a student if they faced them multiple times, it seemed to get worse with each defeat. The last time he dueled Mai, she asked why he had even bothered coming.

He had a good reason for dueling her, however – as one of the harder duelists, she awarded more extra credit than the others if she was beaten. How much you got was up to the AI, but there was a minimum based on the AI’s skill.

A lot of students would have loved to duel the three members of the Trinity, but they couldn’t. Making AI versions of them was illegal. (Jason personally thought that the Council was afraid someone might actually defeat one of them and their reputations would be ruined.)

As Jason walked into the chamber, he saw that only three of the twenty pods were occupied (one of them by Sersei, surprisingly).

The supervisor looked up.

“Mr. Conrad, what a pleasant surprise!” she said sweetly. “If you want another rematch with Mrs. Valentine, I’m afraid her program is being used right now…”

Jason looked over at Sersei’s pod.

Ironic, he thought.

“No, Ms. Nichols,” he answered, “I was hoping for someone new… Someone with something original…”

“Well,” said Ms. Nichols, going to the shelf, “we do have a few new additions, and no-one has tried a few of them yet except Dr. Artemis…”

She took down a disk.

“She said this one was her favorite – the Lord of this program was a real challenge, and quite original.”

“How much is he worth?” asked Jason.

“On the average, two-hundred points,” answered Ms. Nichols. “But I warn you, he’s tough…”

Jason looked at it.

“Eh, why not?” he said.

“This way,” she replied.

They walked to a booth, and Jason sat down. Ms. Nichols inserted the disk.

”Please insert deck,” said a computerized voice.

Jason placed his deck in the holder.

“Just a warning,” said Ms. Nichols. “This guy’s cards are very bizarre… but don’t take him lightly, because they’re quite deadly.”

The pod closed, and a flash of light appeared in front of Jason’s eyes…

He wondered if he’d ever get used to this…

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

“OOF!”

Jason fell and landed on his butt!

Traveling through the virtual vortex, he thought. Always a pain in the ass…

He got up, and saw himself in a dark forest, on a dirt pathway. He saw large butterflies in front of him…

Then he realized that they weren’t butterflies… They were tiny fairies!

They danced around his head, and then one of them kissed him on the nose! Then she pointed ahead.

Jason looked ahead and saw a four-way intersection with a signpost.

One pointer said:

”TO THE THREE BEARS’ HOUSE”

Another said:

”TO THE THREE LITTLE PIGS’ HOUSE”

And the third:

”TO DUELIST’S HOUSE”

What sort of crazy place is this? thought Jason. Whoever the Lord is has a weird sense of humor…

Nonetheless, he followed the pointer to the Duelist’s House. After walking for about five minutes, he came to an old-fashioned wooden house with a thatched roof.

He knocked on the door.

“Won’t do you much good to knock,” said a voice. “You see, I’m on the same side of the door as you are…”

He turned around, and saw someone who certainly hadn’t been there before. It was a young boy who couldn’t have been more than twelve, with neatly-cut hair, dyed purple and tied in a ponytail, wearing a sweater. He also wore a Duel Disk.

“It might make more sense to knock if I were on the outside and you were on the inside,” said the youth. “Then I could let you out… But then, if you wanted to be in the house, why would you do that?”

“Uhm, hullo,” said Jason. “Are you the one in charge here?”

The boy nodded.

“Leon Wilson’s the name,” he said. “Welcome to storybook land!”

“I, uh, expected someone… taller…” muttered Jason.

“Don’t knock it, pal,” chuckled Leon. “I’ll have you know I once dueled the King of Games himself.”

“Yugi?” asked Jason, surprised.

Leon nodded.

“I always wanted to duel him again in a more fair contest,” he muttered, “but you see…”

“More fair?” asked Jason. “You dueled him and cheated?”

Leon frowned.

“Well…” he said.

He paused.

“It wasn’t my fault!” protested Leon.

He sighed.

“Look, if you want,” he muttered, “after we duel I’ll give you the card catalogue number for a DVD where you can see the whole thing. But until then…”

He raised his Disk.

“…you’re the first student who’s come here since I was programmed, and I’m more than anxious to see how the next generation is shaping up. So, how about it?”

Jason hesitated, but then he remembered that these programs could not cheat. It went against their programming.

He gestured, and his own Disk appeared on his arm.

“Okay Leon,” he said, “Disk away!”

His Disk activated.

They drew their first hands, and a flock of birds flew from the trees above…

[B](Jason: 8,000) (Leon: 8,000)

Jason made his first draw.

All right! he thought. I haven’t had an opening hand this good in ages!

“I’ll start by summoning Blade Knight in Attack Mode,” he exclaimed.

He put a card down, and a beam of light struck his side of the field. A knight in brilliant armor holding a sword appeared. (1,600/1,000)

“Not a bad Monster,” commented Leon.

He drew a card.

“Now look out!” he laughed. “I’m summoning my Forest Wolf in Attack Mode.”

He threw a card down, and a growl sounded over the field…

A weird Beast appeared. It was a wolf, dressed in a nightgown and nightcap, along with old-fashioned glasses. (1,800/300)

Jason almost laughed… But then he noticed that this Monster’s Attack Score was higher than his…

“Forest Wolf, attack!” shouted Leon.

The Wolf pounced, and to Jason’s shock, it swallowed Blade Knight whole! It liked its lips, and then spit out the sword!

“What is that?” asked Jason. “The Big Bad Wolf?”

Leon chuckled.

“You’ve got the right house,” he answered. “But you’ve got the wrong story…”

“How the heck can two stories take place in the same house?” asked Jason.

”Because it’s a two-story house!” laughed Leon, pointing to the house.

“Ugh, I walked right into that one…” groaned Jason.

[B](J: 7,800) (L: 8,000)

“All right,” he said, drawing a card, “you’ve had your fun…”

He put a card down.

“Now I’ll summon Vorse Raider in Attack Mode.”

In another flash, the wicked Beast-Warrior appeared, holding aloft his huge axe. He growled a guttural growl. (1,900/1,200)

“Attack the Forest Wolf!” shouted Jason. “Blood axe swipe!”

Vorse Raider hurled his axe, and Forest Wolf’s eyes popped out in surprise…

The Beast shattered, and an orb of light flew out of the remains…

The orb flew to Jason’s side, and formed into Blade Knight! (1,600/1,000)

He and Vorse Raider nodded to each other.

“Huh?” asked Jason. “Where did he come from?”

“Uh, yeah…” muttered Leon. “You have to make sacrifices for being a three-star Monster who’s that strong. When it’s destroyed, you get back anything it devoured.”

“Well,” said Jason with a shrug, “never look a gift horse in the mouth… Or a gift wolf. And since my Battle Phase isn’t over, Blade Knight, attack Leon directly.”

Blade Knight slashed at Leon with his sword, and he stumbled backwards.

“Not bad,” panted Leon. “I guess chapter one is over… Chapter two is starting…”

[B](J: 7,800) (L: 6,300)

He drew a card.

“I’ll place two cards facedown on the field,” he said.

Two cards appeared in front of him.

“And then I’ll summon this gal in Attack Mode,” he continued. “Meet Cinderella.”

He put a card down, and a disheveled figure appeared. It was a young woman with a dirty face, dressed in rags. (300/600)

“Huh?” asked Jason.

“Watch…” said Leon.

From out of nowhere, a shower of pixie dust, and a beautiful fairy appeared. She waved her wand over Cinderella, and her rags turned into a gorgeous ballroom gown.

Then the fairy waved her wand again, and a carriage shaped like a pumpkin drawn by white stallions appeared next to her. (100/800)

“See,” said Leon, “when Cinderella is summoned, I can Special Summon the fabled Pumpkin Carriage from my hand, deck, or Graveyard in Defense Mode. I can also Equip her with her favorite footwear…”

He played a card.

“Glass Slippers…”

Cinderella grinned, as the legendary slippers appeared on her feet.

“By the way, so long as Pumpkin Carriage is on the field, you aren’t allowed to attack Cinderella,” he said. “And I’ll call that a turn.”

This is weird, thought Jason, drawing a card. His cards seem to all be based on fairy tale creatures. And they must all be pretty rare, because I’ve certainly never heard of these cards… Doesn’t he have any normal cards?

“Vorse Raider, attack the Pumpkin Carriage!”

Vorse Raider growled and threw his axe…

“Activate Mirror Force!” shouted Leon, as one of his Traps lifted.

Vorse Raider and Blade Knight screamed, as the holy light blew them to pixels!

Well, there’s a familiar one… thought Jason.

“By the way, Leon,” he continued, “I had a feeling one of those cards was a Trap, so I purposely didn’t summon until you set it off…”

He put a card down.

“I summon La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp in Attack Mode.”

Green smoke poured out of the ground on Jason’s side, and the impressive form of La Jinn appeared. He gave a throaty chuckle. (1,800/1,000)

“Interesting,” commented Leon. “I’ve read a lot of fairy tales, but the Arabian Nights ones were never my thing…”

He went to draw a card…

But then he stopped.

“Say, Jason, before I draw, a question…”

“Yeah?” asked Jason.

“So far, I’ve seen a Warrior, a Beast-Warrior, and a Fiend,” said Leon. “Your Monsters don’t seem to have anything in common except one thing…

“All of them were cards that Kaiba used in his deck.”

Jason grinned.

“You figured it out pal,” he said. “I’ve admired Kaiba my whole life. I mean, Yugi was the better duelist, sure, but Kaiba contributed a lot more to the cause of Duel Monsters. Who invented the Duel Disk? Who created the Kaibaland chain?

“So when I was building my deck, I tried hard to make one just like his, for the most part.”

“Well then,” said Leon, with a shrug, “I hate to say this, but if you want to emulate him, you’re doomed to failure…

“After all, Kaiba wouldn’t be Kaiba without the three big stars in his deck, and we both know you can’t have those.”

Jason watched as he drew.

He’ll find out soon enough, he thought.

“I activate Call of the Haunted,” exclaimed Leon.

His other Trap lifted.

“Normally in fairy tales, dead means dead, plain and simple,” said Leon. “But this is Duel Monsters, and things are never that simple, so my Forest Wolf is coming back from the grave.”

Forest Wolf arose again. (1,800/300)

“Now let me show you how this great combo works, Jason,” he started to explain. “Another great thing about Pumpkin Carriage – so long as it’s on the field, Cinderella can attack you directly. So, Cinderella…”

Cinderella kicked off her slippers and threw them at Jason!

“Humph, I barely felt a thing,” chuckled Jason.

“That’s not all,” added Leon. “Now that she did that, I can Equip the Glass Slippers to one of your Monsters.”

La Jinn looked down in puzzlement. Sure enough, he was wearing them on his feet.

“I don’t get the point…” questioned Jason.

“How long has it been since you’ve read this story?” asked Leon. “Those Slippers only fit Cinderella – on anyone else, they’re a curse. Your genie now loses 1,000 Attack Points!”

La Jinn grunted as his Attack fell down to 800.

“And now, here comes my Forest Wolf!” shouted Leon.

Forest Wolf pounced, and just like before, swallowed La Jinn!

“And as the last part of the combo,” said Leon, “the Slippers reappear on Cinderella, and she gains 1,000 Attack Points.”

The Glass Slippers magically appeared in Cinderella, and her Attack rose to 1,300.

“And next round we can do that all over again,” said Leon with a smirk.

[B](J: 6,500) (L: 6,300)

“Not if I get rid of her first,” snarled Jason.

He drew.

“All right Leon, I’m playing Pot of Greed!” he exclaimed, playing a Spell Card. “Now I can draw two more cards…”

He made two draws.

He looked at the two identical cards.

“Remember when you said I couldn’t have Kaiba’s three big stars in my deck?” he asked. “Well, I knew that, so I found three replacements that are even better…”

He showed him a card.

“A Cyber Dragon?” asked Leon.

“See, the Blue-Eyes White Dragons can only be combined one way, into the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon,” explained Jason. “Admittedly, that’s a powerful creature, but Cyber Dragons can be combined LOTS of ways.

“For example, I’ll use Polymerization, to fuse these two into the Cyber Twin Dragon!”

He played the card, and two huge metal serpents appeared on the field. They swirled into a vortex of light, and formed into a huge, two headed metal serpent! (2,800/2,100)



Continued…

[Dark Sage]

Continued from last post:

“And by the way,” added Jason, “this lovable fellah can attack twice, since he has two heads to do so. Cyber Twin Dragon, squash that squash! Strident blast!”

The Dragon’s right head shot forth a blast of flame! The Pumpkin Carriage was blown to pieces!

“Now demolish the Forest Wolf!”

The left head shot forth a stream of flame, and Forest Wolf howled before it was blown apart!

“I seem to remember you saying that when that guy is destroyed, I get back any Monster that he destroyed…” said Jason.

La Jinn reappeared on Jason’s side. (1,800/1,000)

“La Jinn, wipe out Cinderella!” he shouted.

La Jinn breathed fire at the princess and she screamed! She shattered into pixels.

[B](J: 6,500) (L: 4,800)

“Lovely,” sighed Leon. “I guess subtlety in Duel Monsters must have died when I did… But the bigger they are, the harder they fall…”

“Just move,” laughed Jason. “This will be the easiest extra credit I ever got…”

Leon drew.

“I’ll place a card facedown,” he stated, “and then I’ll summon… Little Red Riding Hood in Defense Mode.”

He played the cards. A facedown card appeared, followed by a little girl with a red hood and cape, carrying a basket. She crouched in defense. (800/1,200)

“That the best you can do?” said Jason, almost laughing.

He drew a card.

“Let’s end this, people. La Jinn, take her out…”

La Jinn breathed fire. Red screamed and was blasted into pixels.

“Hold on!” shouted Leon. “When she’s destroyed in battle, I get to Special Summon one Warrior from my deck with four stars or less… and I’ve got a good one…”

He put a card down.

“Tom Thumb!”

A cute-looking elf with a stocking cap appeared, crouching in Defense Mode. (1,300/1,500)

“Clever,” stated Jason. “But I’ve still got another Monster… Cyber Twin Dragon, attack Tom Thumb with strident blast!”

The left head breathed fire…

“I activate… Negate Attack!” shouted Leon.

The Trap lifted, and the attack was halted.

“Now your Dragon’s attack is stopped cold,” said Leon, “and this battle ends right now.”

Jason paused.

Clever, he thought. He purposely let Little Red Riding Hood be destroyed so he could use her effect, saving his Trap to protect Tom Thumb.

But what’s his story?

He paused.

”What’s his story” indeed. Now he’s got me doing it…

“Okay, it’s your move,” he said.

Leon drew a card.

“Now then,” he said, “during my Standby Phase, Tom Thumb gains 300 Attack Points…”

Tom’s Attack rose to 1,600.

“And to protect him until I’m ready, I’ll play Swords of Revealing Light.”

He played the Spell Card, and the shimmering Swords rained down upon Jason!

“That will keep you from attacking for three turns,” said Leon.

“Big deal!” said Jason. “Your elf would need five turns to grow strong enough to take down my Dragon.”

“He won’t be the one who takes him down,” said Leon, slyly.

He played a Spell Card.

“I play Gingerbread House.”

A large house made of gingerbread and candy appeared behind Leon!

“What does that do?” gasped Jason.

“You’ll see when you start your turn,” answered Leon, “and I’m ending mine now.”

“Okay, fine!” said Jason, drawing.

He looked at the card.

Hmmm, he thought.

“Gingerbread House,” said Leon, “your target is the Cyber Twin Dragon!”

“Huh?” asked Jason.

Suddenly, Cyber Twin Dragon was sucked into the candy house!

And then it was spat back out… And it was covered with chocolate and crumbs.

“See,” said Leon, “during your Standby Phase, this Continuous Spell Card can take one of your Monsters and increase its Attack Score by 600…”

(3,400/2,100)

“Why would you make one of my Monsters stronger?” asked Jason.

And then Cyber-Twin Dragon burst into shards!

“I was getting to that,” added Leon. “If doing so raises its Attack to 2,500 or higher, the Monster is destroyed. Also, I gain 500 Life Points.”

Jason glared at him.

“And it’s a Continuous Spell,” he added, “so on your next turn, we’ll just do that again.”

[B](J: 6,500) (L: 5,300)

Jason put a card on his Disk.

“I summon Twin-Headed Behemoth in Defense Mode,” he stated.

A large dragon with violet scales, wings, and two heads appeared, crouching in Defense. (1,500/1,200)

“I’ll move La Jinn to Defense too, and that will be all.”

La Jinn shielded himself.

Leon drew, and Tom’s Attack grew to 1,900.

“Well,” he said, turning the card, “you can’t attack, but I sure can. I’ll move Tom to Attack Mode, and have him attack your Behemoth.”

Tom Thumb leapt up, and socked Twin-Headed Behemoth, crushing it!

“Perhaps you don’t know about Twin-Headed Behemoth’s special ability,” stated Jason. “Destroy him, and he makes a quick recovery.”

Behemoth reappeared. (1,000/1,200)

“Sure he’s not as strong as he was before, but he’s still defending me…”

“Well, it’s your move…” said Leon.

“Then I’ll draw,” exclaimed Jason.

He drew a card.

“And you know what that means…” said Leon with a grin.

Gingerbread House came to life, and this time sucked La Jinn into it.

He was spat out, gleefully munching on a piece of chocolate – he had clearly also packed on a few pounds. His Attack rose to 2,400.

Jason looked at his card.

Dust Tornado, he thought. I could use this to destroy the Swords, but La Jinn won’t survive another dose of gingerbread…

“I’ll play a card facedown, and end my turn,” he said, playing the card.

A facedown card appeared.

“All right!” laughed Leon, drawing. “This story’s about to reach the climax!”

“I activate Dust Tornado!” shouted Jason. “I do hope your House has a storm cellar.”

His Trap activated, and a furious tornado whipped across the field! Like something out of The Wizard of Oz, Gingerbread House was swept up and blown into pixels!

“Clever,” said Leon, as Tom’s Attack rose to 2,200. “Tom, take care of that Behemoth for me, will you?”

Tom laughed, and punched Behemoth again, blowing him into shards.

“Well, let’s see what else you’ve got,” said Leon.

Jason drew a card.

Rush Recklessly, he thought. I’ll give him a surprise…

“I’ll play a card facedown, and move La Jinn back into Attack Mode,” he said.

La Jinn got out of his Defensive stance, and a facedown card appeared.

“Well, Leon, it’s been three turns, so that means your Swords go bye-bye,” said Jason.

The Swords vanished.

“Indeed,” said Leon, making a draw.

Tom grew to 2,500 Attack.

“I’ll summon a new Monster,” he said, “Glife the Phantom Bird!”

A huge bird with scarlet feathers appeared behind him! (1,500/1,200)

“Hey!” shouted Jason. “What fairy tale is he from?”

“A rather obscure one,” answered Leon. “And by summoning him, I can blow away your facedown card.”

Glife beat his wings, and the facedown Spell Card shattered.

“Oh really?” exclaimed Jason. “Well by destroying my Rush Recklessly, you activated it.”

La Jinn’s Attack rose to 3,100.

“I see,” said Leon, scratching his chin. “Well, then, it’s time to play this…”

He took a Spell Card from his hand.

“Giant’s Training.”

“Huh?” asked Jason.

“Here’s how it works,” explained Leon. “When Tom Thumb is on the field, this Spell Card lets me sacrifice him for his grownup form… Globerman!”

Tom Thumb vanished, and a huge creature appeared! It was a hulking giant with green skin, bulging muscles, dressed only in ragged shorts.

He grunted and flexed his muscles.

“And Globerman’s Attack Score is whatever Tom Thumb had when I used this card, plus 1,000,” continued Leon.

(3,500/0)

“That’s… not good…” muttered Jason.

“Globerman, take out that genie with your mighty fist,” commanded Leon.

Globerman socked La Jinn, and the Fiend shattered.

“Glife, attack Jason’s Life Points directly.”

The Phantom Bird swooped down on Jason and dug his talons into his shoulders! Jason toppled over.

[B](J: 4,600) (L: 5,300)

“Leon…” growled Jason, getting up, “you’re dead…”

“Forgetting something?” asked Leon, shaking his finger. “I’m already dead.”

“Yeah, yeah,” muttered Jason, drawing a card.

“Don’t know how it will happen, though,” said Leon, shrugging. “Or when it will. They never program that into our memory. And if you were to tell me, my own programming would erase it. I’m not exactly sure why that is, but hey…

“The way I am now, I’m pretty much immortal…”

His eyes narrowed.

“Ever dream of becoming a great duelist, Jason?” he asked. “Maybe if you succeed at this school and go on to better things, a future generation will do to you what they did to me…

“All men die, but this is as close to being able to cheat the Reaper as you can get…”

Jason looked at his card.

“That is something to think about…” he muttered. “But for now…”

He played a card.

“I play something that not even Kaiba thought of,” he said. “Magical Mallet.”

He removed his deck.

“It works this way,” he explained. “I get to take as many cards from my hand as I want, shuffle them into my deck, and then draw cards equal to the number I returned there. So of the six cards I have, I’m going to return four…”

He placed four cards in his deck, and reshuffled. Then he drew four.

He looked them over.

“I’ll place a card facedown, and summon Luster Dragon #1 in Defense Mode,” he stated.

A facedown card appeared, and then a large Dragon made of sapphire appeared. (1,900/1,600)

“Well,” said Leon, “let’s see what we have here…”

He drew a card.

“I activate… Burst Breath!” shouted Jason.

His Trap lifted.

“To play this card, I have to sacrifice my Dragon…” he said, “and then, all Monsters on the field with a Defense Score equal to or less than its Attack Score are wiped out!”

A blast of energy shot out of Luster Dragon’s jaws, and both Glife and Globerman howled! They and Luster Dragon shattered.

“Not bad…” said Leon, nodding. “But to do that, you left yourself defenseless.”

“Yeah, but I’m not worried,” commented Jason. “See, I think I see the weakness of your deck.”

“Oh?” said Leon, offhand. “Do tell…”

“Yes,” replied Jason. “With the exception of Forest Wolf, all of the Monsters you can summon with no sacrifice are weak Monsters with tricky effects. I doubt you have any real beatsticks in your deck.”

“Interesting theory…” muttered Leon.

He put a card down.

“Wrong, but interesting. Meet Puss ‘N Boots!”

A tall cat wearing a cavalier hat, a pair of boots (naturally), and holding a rapier appeared. (1,700/500)

He removed the hat and bowed.

“Puss, attack Jason directly!”

Puss ‘N Boots charged, and swiped across Jason’s stomach with his blade. Jason yelped.

[B](J: 2,900) (L: 5,300)

“I’ve been wrong before,” gasped Jason.

He drew a card.

Not bad, he thought.

“I summon Ryu-Kishin Powered in Attack Mode.” he exclaimed.

A fiendish gargoyle appeared. (1,600/1,200)

“And next I’ll play… Shrink,” he continued.

Puss ‘N Boots shrank to half his size, and his Attack fell to 850.

“Ryu-Kishin Powered, attack,” shouted Jason.

The Fiend slashed with its claw, and the Beast-Warrior shattered.

[B](J: 2,900) (L: 4,550)

“Good try,” commented Leon. “But pointless. You see, when Puss ‘N Boots is destroyed in battle, I can discard one card to Special Summon him right back.”

He discarded a card called Curse of Thorns, and Puss reappeared.

“I see…” said Jason, amazed.

“My draw…” said Leon.

He drew a card.

He smiled.

“I play… Spinning Wheel Spindle,” he exclaimed.

He played a Spell Card, and an old fashioned spinning wheel appeared on the field.

Ryu-Kishin Powered got dizzy. He fell to the ground, and fell asleep.

“What?” asked Jason.

The Fiend vanished.

“He’s going to take a little nap-nap,” said Leon. “He’ll be back in three turns, if assuming I don’t finish you before then.

“Now, Puss, take Jason down.”

Puss ‘N Boots made three slashes with his sword, and Jason yelped again!

[B](J: 1,200) (L: 4,550)

“So, what do you think?” asked Leon.

Jason started to laugh.

“Your cards are so cool, Leon!” he laughed. “That Puss ‘N Boots… I’ve gotta get one of those! I’ll trade you for it?”

“Jason, Jason, Jason…” said Leon, crossing his arms, “you know that’s impossible. All my cards are virtual. They and I just made up of ones and zeroes.”

“All right, fine,” sighed Jason. “My move… But you have to tell me where you got all these cards at least…”

He drew a card.

“I play Brain Control,” he said, playing a Spell Card. “Playing this card costs me 800 Life Points…”

His Life Points fell to 400.

“But now I can brainwash your Beast-Warrior!”

A fiendish brain appeared, and grabbed Puss.

“You said that you could bring him back if he was destroyed in battle,” said Jason. “So I’ll simply sacrifice him…”

He put a card down, and Puss ‘N Boots vanished.

“…to summon Luster Dragon #2!”

A huge Dragon made of emerald appeared! (2,400/1,400)

“Luster Dragon, attack Leon directly!” he ordered. “Emerald flame!”

Luster Dragon blasted forth a burst of fire, and Leon cringed.

[B](J: 400) (L: 2,150)

“You’re a good duelist, Jason,” said Leon, slowly. “You’re giving me your best, so I’m gonna give you my best…”

“Who’s next?” asked Jason, excitedly. “Rapunzel? Snow White? I can’t wait to see who’s next!”

Leon drew a card.

“I play Monster Reborn, to bring back Cinderella,” he stated.

He played the card, and Cinderella appeared on the ankh. (300/600)

“Which, as you’ll remember, let’s me Special Summon her Pumpkin Carriage…”

The Pumpkin Carriage appeared. (100/800)

“And now I’ll sacrifice both of them…”

The two of them vanished…

“To summon… [B]Hex Trude!”

A new creature appeared. It was a sinister-looking woman dressed in a black, sexy, low-cut dress, with a wicked expression on her face. (2,600/2,000)

“Oo-kay…” muttered Jason. “On second thought, I could have waited a little longer…”

“I know with a lot of my Monsters, appearances are deceptive,” said Leon. “But Hex Trude is just what she appears to be: an evil sorceress with incredible powers! Trudy, wipe out his Luster Dragon with hex magic!”

Hex Trude pointed at Luster Dragon, and her hand glowed…

She fired a beam of black magic, and Luster Dragon shattered!

Jason cringed from the impact.

[B](J: 200) (L: 2,150)

“And now her effect kicks in,” said Leon. “Whenever Trudy destroys a Monster, she gains 400 Attack Points.”



Continued…

[Dark Sage]

Continued from last post:



Trude’s Attack rose to 3,000.

“And there’s no upper limit,” he added. “She’ll just keep getting stronger.

“It’s your move.”

Jason looked at Leon.

Okay, let’s do a brief run-down, he thought. My Life Points are at 200, his are at 2,150… And he has a Monster who was stronger than the Dark Magician when he summoned her, has now become just as strong as a Blue-Eyes, and has the potential to get even stronger…

I wish I had researched Yugi’s duels more… I might have seen this kid duel and seen how he beat Leon. Maybe I could figure out a way to defeat this Spellcaster…

He slowly drew a card.

My third Cyber Dragon, he thought. If I drew one more card, I could win this… But if I put it on the field now, it would just die.

He chose another card.

“I summon Peten the Dark Clown in Defense Mode,” he said, playing it.

A jester with black and white face paint in a harlequin costume appeared, crouching in defense. (500/1,200)

“I’ll end my turn with that,” he said.

Leon drew a card.

“Trudy, cream his clown,” he shouted.

Hex Trude cast her wicked spell, and Peten was destroyed.

Her Attack Score rose to 3,400.

“Nice try, Leon,” said Jason, “but when Peten the Dark Clown is destroyed in Battle, I can remove him from play to summon another one from my deck, and I just happen to have two more of them.”

He placed a card down, and another Peten appeared. He tipped his hat, and then blew a raspberry at Leon.

“Fine,” chuckled Leon. “You set up a wall. But it won’t last forever. I’ll end my turn now.”

It’s now or never… thought Jason.

He drew a card.

Gotcha!

“I sacrifice Peten to summon my third Cyber Dragon!” exclaimed Jason.

Peten vanished, and another Cyber Dragon appeared. (2,100/1,600)

“Next, I’ll play Monster Reborn, to summon another one from my Graveyard.”

Another Cyber Dragon appeared.

“I don’t get it…” said Leon.

“Remember when I said that Cyber Dragons could be combined in a lot of different ways?” explained Jason. “Well here’s another way. I play a Spell Card that you might call… evolutionary.

“Photon Generator Unit!”

He played a card.

“It’s a powerful Spell,” he explained, “that lets me sacrifice two Cyber Dragons to summon something better – a guy called Cyber Laser Dragon.”

The Cyber Dragons vanished, and a new creature appeared on the field. It looked sort of like a Cyber Dragon, but it had a different shape. Its tail had a weapon on it that looked like a cross between a laser and a dish antenna. (2,400/1,800)

“I still don’t get it,” said Leon. “His Attack Score is still less than my Monster’s…”

“That’s the whole point,” said Jason with a smirk.

“Huh?” said Leon.

“This guy has a powerful special ability,” explained Jason. “Once per round, he can automatically destroy one Monster, assuming the target meets at least one of two criteria…

“Its Attack or Defense has to be equal to or higher than his Attack Score.”

A look of fear came over Hex Trude’s face…

“Looks like she realizes the situation…” said Jason. “She meets one criteria. And she’s got a date with the Graveyard.”

He pointed.

“Cyber Laser Dragon, wipe out Hex Trude with blue lightning lash!”

The Machine aimed its tail weapon, and the Spellcaster gulped…

A blast of brilliant blue energy shot from its tail, and Hex Trude screamed before she was vaporized.

Leon stepped back…

“And that was just his special effect,” said Jason with a smirk. “I still have his normal attack to use on you. Attack! Blue lightning blast!”

Cyber Laser Dragon blasted blue energy from his jaws, and Leon howled…

He fell flat on his back.

[B](J: 200) (L: 0)

Jason held up two fingers.

“Boo-ya!” he exclaimed.

Leon moaned as he got up…

But he was quickly smiling again. These AI duelists couldn’t truly be hurt.

“Good job, Jason…” he said. “Not exactly subtle… but good… I personally think Kaiba might be impressed…”

He smirked.

“Anyway, I’m awarding three-hundred points of extra credit. It will be on the printout when you wake up… And the card catalogue number will be on it too.”

“Card catalogue number?” asked Jason.

“Remember what I said?” Leon replied. “It will show you where to look to find information on that duel I had with the King of Games, one hundred years ago…

“And come back anytime – I’d like a rematch sometime.”

“Sure Leon,” chuckled Jason. “You weren’t bad yourself…”

He turned and walked away.

The world turned bright…

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

The VR pod opened. Jason retrieved his deck.

He saw that Sersei was sitting up in hers, and she was holding her forehead as if it was hurting badly.

He grabbed the printout on the side of the pod.

“She beat you, huh?” he asked Sersei.

“How did you…” she started.

“I guessed,” interrupted Jason. “A word of advice, Sersei. Dueling someone who likely knows how every card in your deck works is NOT a good idea.”

“You’re telling me…” she muttered.

As she left, she took the Guardian Treasure card from her deck.

Truthfully, she thought, I only dueled her because I wanted more information about this… But she wouldn’t tell me. She refused to even accept a wager for information. I guess the AI duelists can’t accept wagers because you can’t give them anything they’d want…

But I have to know…



Thursday, September 9th, 2106, 5PM



FOREST WOLF (Monster Card)

Card Specs

Type: Beast/Effect
Attribute: Earth
Level: 3
ATK: 1,800
DEF: 300

Card Description: This Monster cannot attack after it has destroyed one Monster in battle. When this Monster is destroyed, Special Summon the Monster (if any) destroyed by this card as a result of battle from your opponent's Graveyard to your opponent's side of the field.



CINDERELLA (Monster Card)

Card Specs

Type: Fairy/Effect
Attribute: Light
Level: 4
ATK: 300
DEF: 600

Card Description: When this Monster is Normal Summoned, Flip-Summoned, or Special Summoned successfully, Special Summon one "Pumpkin Carriage" from your hand, deck, or Graveyard, then select one "Glass Slippers" from your hand, deck, or Graveyard and equip it to this Monster.



PUMPKIN CARRIAGE (Monster Card)

Card Specs

Type: Plant/Effect
Attribute: Earth
Level: 1
ATK: 100
DEF: 800

Card Description: As long as this Monster remains face-up on the field, "Cinderella" on your side of the field can attack your opponent's Life Points directly. Also, your opponent cannot target “Cinderella” for an attack.



GLASS SLIPPERS (Spell Card)

Card Specs

Type: Spell/Equip
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Card Description: This card can only be initially Equipped to “Cinderella”. When a “Cinderella” Equipped with this card successfully attacks directly, Equip this card to one of your opponent’s Monsters. An opposing Monster Equipped with this card has its ATK lessened by 1,000; if this Monster is destroyed as a result in battle, Equip this card back to the “Cinderella” it was originally Equipped to and increase her ATK by 1,000.



LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD (Monster Card)

Card Specs

Type: Fairy/Effect
Attribute: Earth
Level: 3
ATK: 800
DEF: 1,200

Card Description: When this Monster is destroyed as a result of battle, you can Special Summon one WARRIOR-Type Monster with four stars or less from your Deck.



TOM THUMB (Monster Card)
Card Specs

Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
ATK: 1,300
DEF: 1,500

Card Description: During each of your Standby Phases, increase the ATK of this monster by 300 points.



GIANT’S TRAINING (Spell Card)

Card Specs

Type: Spell
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Card Description: Offer one "Tom Thumb" on your side of the field as a Tribute. Special Summon one "Globerman" from your hand, deck, or Graveyard in face-up Attack Position.



GLOBERMAN (Monster Card)

Card Specs

Type: Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Earth
Level: 8
ATK: ?
DEF: 0

Card Description: This Monster cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned through the effect of "Giant's Training". This Monster's ATK is equal to the ATK of the "Tom Thumb" when it was Tributed to activate "Giant's Training", +1000.



GLIFE THE PHANTOM BIRD (Monster Card)

Card Specs

Type: Winged Beast/Effect
Attribute: Wind
Level: 4
ATK: 1,500
DEF: 1,200

Card Description: When this card is Normal Summoned, Flip-Summoned, or Special Summoned successfully, destroy one Spell or Trap Card on your opponent's side of the field.

This may be a good time to add that, like most of you, I have NO idea what fairy tale this creature is from. I only assume it’s an obscure one.



SPINNING WHEEL SPINDLE (Spell Card)

Card Specs

Type: Spell
Attribute: –
Level: –
ATK: –
DEF: –

Card Description: Destroy one Monster on your opponent's side of the field. During your third Standby Phase after the activation of this card, Special Summon the destroyed monster to your opponent's side of the field.



HEX TRUDE (Monster Card)

Card Specs

Type: Spellcaster/Effect
Attribute: Dark
Level: 7
ATK: 2,600
DEF: 2,000
Card Description: When this Monster destroys an opposing Monster as a result of battle, increase this Monster's ATK by 400.
I’m not certain of this character’s origins either.

Note: The preceding ten cards were used by Leon in various episodes of the Grand Prix arc. All creative credit goes to the writers.



PUSS ‘N BOOTS (Monster Card)

Card Specs

Type: Beast-Warrior/Effect
Attribute: Earth
Level: 4
ATK: 1,700
DEF: 500

Card Description: When this Monster is destroyed as a result of battle and sent to the Graveyard, you can discard one Spell or Trap Card from your hand to Special Summon it to your side of the field in face-up Attack Position.



Jason’s Hero-Worship Deck

Jason has researched the early days of Duel Monsters with vigor. He’s watched old tapes and DVDs almost religiously, and has witnessed almost every public duel that the three members of the Trinity engaged in. (Though not all of them, as proven by his failure to recognize Leon.) He’s also researched their lives as much as he could.

And Kaiba has always been his favorite. He admits that Yugi was the better duelist, but as he said, Kaiba did a lot more for the cause of Duel Monsters, inventing the Disk, opening a chain of Kaibaland parks, holding countless tournaments, and founding the original Duel Academy that paved the way for others of its type. That was his reason for constructing a deck to emulate Kaiba’s.

A great deal of the cards in his deck are the same as Kaiba’s favorites. His theme, if he has one, is mostly Beatdown, although he has quite a few Dragons and Dragon accessories. He doesn’t use the Crush Card Trap that Kaiba was so fond of – that’s the one area where he disagrees with his idol (he thinks of it as an overpowered card, and folks who use it these days are thought of as poor sports anyway).

As Leon pointed out, Jason can’t have Kaiba’s trademark cards – in fact, Kaiba’s will ordered the Blue-Eyes cards locked away in a very secure vault upon his death, and given to a duelist who proved to be better than he was. Whoever is in charge of making that decision isn’t widely known, but no-one has fit the bill yet. In any case, Jason replaced them with three Cyber Dragons, which are in his opinion even better. The Blue-Eyes can only be combined into one Monster (albeit a powerful one), while Cyber Dragons can be used to create four special Monsters.

Still, Jason would tear them all up if it meant obtaining Kaiba’s prize cards… A kid can dream, can’t he?



[B][I]A lot of new cards, but that’s what you have to do when a character from the anime appears.

Coming up next:

We’ve seen the three main characters – we’ve seen some of their decks. And next chapter, the villains show their faces…

One of the most sinister forces in the Yu-Gi-Oh world comes back after one hundred years in a new form, and our three students find themselves in the middle of it. Who or what is this evil being? Find out, next chapter, which will come sooner than you think…

I’m not even going to reveal the title… You’ll have to see for yourself.

[Dark Sage]

[B]Dark Messiah Monster Maker Contest


Welcome to the first contest of the series! And your chance to play a part in this ongoing series!

I’ve got ten questions below, that deal with the card game. They aren’t easy – you’ll have to put on your thinking caps.

PM me as many answers as you can. (Don’t clutter up this board.) You only get one chance. Whoever answers the most right wins. In case of a tie, whoever got theirs in first will be the winner.

This contest ends Thursday, April 6th, so get moving!



1. What Monster is Aussa the Earth Charmer’s familiar?


2. Which Continuous Spell Card has the following effect:

“Once per turn you can pay 500 Life Points to declare 1 card name. Pick up the top card from your Deck and if the card name is the one you declared, add it to your hand. If not, send the card you picked up to the Graveyard.”


3. Besides his own card, name five cards that have a picture of Dark Ruler Ha Des on the artwork.


4. Besides “Ectoplasmer”, only one card can theoretically activate the effect of “Malice Doll of Demise”. Name it.


5. What three Monsters are the highest in level that can be searched for with “Sangan”? (No credit if you get one or two.)


6. What Spell Card can be used with “Mighty Guard” that cannot be used with any other Monster of the same Type, Attribute, and level, without the use of other cards? (Trisha knows this one…)


7. This Monster only has 800 ATK, but if it attacks directly it does double damage. If you have a certain Field Spell Card and use Gravity Bind with it, it might be worth using…


8. “Enemy of Justice” question: If you Special Summon “Destiny Hero Dreadmaster” and have a copy of each of the other Destiny Heroes on the field, and all of the others have their base ATKs, what is “Destiny Hero Dreadmaster’s” ATK?


9. Situation: Your opponent has “A Legendary Ocean” and “Mermaid Knight” on the field. You have “KA-2 Des Scissors” on the field. You use “Limiter Removal” and attack his Monster with yours. “Mermaid Knight” is destroyed. How many Life Points does your opponent lose?


10. Multiple Choice: Which of the following Monsters can NOT be summoned via use of “The Light: Hex-Sealed Fusion”?

A. “Cyber Twin Dragon”

B. “Elemental Hero Thunder Giant”

C. “Ojama King”

D. “St. Joan”


The Prize: Jason, Trisha, and Russell are always looking to improve their decks, and the winner is going to help. Whoever wins this contest will get to design three Monster Cards, one for each of them.

Naturally, there are a few rules and guidelines for whoever wins, and I’ll PM them to the winner.

These Monsters will be used in Chapters 20, 21, and 22, when they must take the first big test of the year. So don’t let them down.

[Dark Sage]

Well folks, this contest is over, I'm sorry to say - someone got a perfect score! So, that makes him the winner, even if another perfect score is obtained.

But in the interest of competition, and since it didn't seem to last very long, I'll ive a few others a chance...

Keep sending in answers, and whoever can also get a perfect score will get something small.

I won't say who the big winner is, but you'll see his work when you do.

[Silencer]

2 hours after the opening. -_-

I call in the cheating police!
Maybe do it like the last time and make it a random option, since some people in different time zones didn't have any chance to win this thing.