I see this one coming. Really. It was just eight duelists left to duel, so it's obvious who gonna go and be monkey show for Tops today.
Though...
"Is it necessary to be escorted?" Even the piss-posh Tops commented the treatment we were given, being escorted into the Arena from the Housing complex via a van, with our duel runners in moving truck behind.
"It's a precaution." Council Lass replied.
"Precaution for what?"
Instead of verbally answering, she pointed to the side and,
Ah
Okay
I get it.
When you got Infamous criminal, one who deserving the title, as duel mates, cautiousness is warranted.
Who could guarantee that the big guy won't crashed onto us and claim it was accident?
"Why is he a participant again?" Redhead next to me begin to complains. "Whose bright Idea was it?"
He got a point.
Who has the "bright" idea to include a criminal notoriously known to crush their opponent? And by crushing, I don't mean in duel only, but literally attempt roadkill on opponent.
"Roget."
I deadpanned. "You need better Security Head."
She rolled her eyes exasperatedly. "Trust me, Crow, if I had my way, he won't be in any seat of power." She replied bitterly. "One meeting alone and you know he's power hungry. If he doesn't haveany takeover plan, I eat my duel disk."
One, don't know City Council member can talk roughly like common. Two, why she call me by name as if we known each other for years, and it doesn't irritate me since she's clearly a Topsider? Third, she duels? Thought all Council were lazy asses.
Guess you learn new thing.
"How's Roget become Head of Security Sector?" the one eye kiddo—holy shit, that's Ren? Holy FUCK! I thought he's retired!—asked.
"Copious amount of bribery, bootlicking, and series of unfortunate accidents that befall his predecessor." In other word, sabotages. "Any other question? No? then chop chop. The sooner we get to it, the sooner this hullabaloo ends."
We were pushed into Minivan, and there's security on guard.
Just in case.
Even though I know it was more of The Crusher and less of because of me, I still feel bitter.
Fuck.
I just want to protect the kids. Not become some kind of shitty circus show!
Ugh... are the kids ok? They aren't get harassed right? What about food? What did they eat? Granted Yuya brought some instant prepackaged food—he come prepared for long ass trip, thank fuck, but some of it need to be cook! God, please don't tell me the kids burned down the place trying to cook! That's dangerous!
"Everyone, while we are on the way, there is something I need to show you." Lass turned on the screen—I bet the cost of this vehicles could feed the kids till Autumn—and it displayed the name of contestants.
Yugo vs Jean
Crow Hogan vs Toby Tredwell
Lucciano vs Broder
Ren vs Sergey
Cue me and others turned to the poor one-eyed bloke.
I know that bloke had most unfortunate luck running across the crusher, and ended up in surgery that left him blinded in one eye and made him take hiatus from dueling circuits.
Now he gotta duel that monster, again?!
"Ma'am..."
"I'm not the one who made the list!" Lass hissed. "It was declared in random chance!"
So, there's a chance I could've fought that monster instead. Yippe.
That means I need to duel fast and hit strong.
The faster this all is over, the faster I returned home.
"We've arrived." The van stopped and we get off. The Stadium, the Starting line, is looming before us like a giant threatens to swallow us. "I'll show you your pit box. Each box is equipped with TV so you can watch the duel. For the upcoming duelists, please get ready. We start in twenty."
Gotta admit, the crew did good job preparing the pit box. They didn't touch my Blackbird other than cleaning it and making sure its performance is up to standard. I know. I checked it again.
Looks like lass can be trusted.
(Well, It's Ruka. Of course I can trust her. When had she let me down? She's a good kid.)
Huh? What was I thinking about?
Ah right. The kids.
On the phone call, I manage to reassure them, but last night, they said they're going to the stadium. They want to watch it in real life, and not via tv.
Stupid kids! Where did you get money to buy the tickets?! What if the security caught you?! They'll throw you into facility, too!
I clicked my tongue and decide to get on with it.
The duel is about to start now, right?
"And Turbo Duel – Accelerate!"
Yugo LP: 4000
Andre LP: 4000
Oh good. It just starts.0
It was the youngest of triplet (those three has identical face and almost indistinguishable safe for color scheme and personality. And deck. Though why only one has surname left me confused) and the opponent is Andre.
Hopefully that guy never crashed into the kid just to get good reading of his dueling tactic.
...hold a minute.
Why does the word "Unicorn" for some reason enters my mind? His hair is not even styled that way.
"Sweet! I get the first turn!" Cheered the boy. "I summon Speedroid Razorfang!"
Speedroid Razorfang | Level 4 | Wind
Machine / Effect
ATK 2000 / DEF 0
"When I has Wind monster on field, I can special summon Speedroid Taketombog, and then tribute itself to special summon Speedroid Red Eyed Dice from my deck! I activate Speedroid Red Eyed Dice and change Speedroid Razorfang's level into three!"
Speedroid Razorfang | Level 4 --> Level 3
"I tune level 1 Speedroid Red Eyed Dice and level 3 Speedroid Razorfang! Thousand-face possessing shadow of the labyrinth. With that sharp blade, render chaotic darkness! Synchro Summon! Level 4, Hi-Speedroid Puzzle!"
Hi-Speedroid Puzzle | Level 4 | Wind
Machine / Synchro / Effect
ATK 1300 / DEF 1600
"I set one card and end my turn."
"My turn! Draw!" The horse guy swipes a card. Is he gonna use it? "I activate Monoceros' ability! By banishing one spell card from my hand, I can special summon this monster!"
Monoceros | Level 3 | Light
Beast / Effect
ATK 1000 / DEF 1000
"I summon Uni-Horned Familiar!"
Uni-Horned Familiar | Level 2 | Light
Beast / Tuner / Effect
ATK 0 / DEF 1000
"I tune level 2 Uni-Horned Familiar and level 3 Monoceros! Thunder galloping through the heavens, cross with the fierce gale, and appear forth from the world of illusions! Synchro Summon! Neigh, Thunder Unicorn!"
Thunder Unicorn | Level 5 | Light
Beast / Synchro / Effect
ATK 2200 / DEF 1800
...yeah. Unicorn or horned beast is definitely the theme here.
"Monoceros' effect activates! When it and Beast Tuner is used as Synchro material, I can special summon the Beast Tuner from the graveyard! Then I activate Thunder Unicorn's effect! In exchange only this monster can attack this turn, your monster lose 500 Attack for each Beast Type monster I control!"
"Action Card! Attack and Defense exchange! I switch Hi-Speedroid Puzzle's attack and defense point!"
Hi-Speedroid Puzzle ATK 1300 --> 1600 --> 1100
"I activate Spell Card Wild Nature's Release and target Thunder Unicorn! The targeted monster gain attack equals to its current defense until end of the turn!"
Thunder Unicorn ATK 2200 --> 4000
Whooo... that guy is good. Cunning, but good.
"Battle! Thunder Unicorn, attack Hi-Speedroid Puzzle!"
"Hi-Speedroid Puzzle! Its current attack doubles when battling special summoned monster until end of the damage phase!"
Hi-Speedroid Puzzle ATK 1100 --> 2200
Yugo LP: 4000 --> 2200
Hah! Not bad kid! But you gotta do better. See, that guy has tuner, so even though he cannot attack, he can Synchro Summon higher level Synchro monster to act as wall for your next turn.
"I tune level 2 Uni-Horned Familiar and level 5 Thunder Unicorn! Thunder galloping through the heavens, tearing apart the sea of clouds! These hooves will rip across the surface of the Earth! Synchro Summon! Level 7! Resonate, Voltic Bicorn!"
Voltic Bicorn | Level 7 | Light
Beast / Synchro / Effect
ATK 2500 / DEF 2000
See?
"I equip Voltic Bicorn with Horn of the Unicorn and increase its attack by 700! I end my turn!"
Voltic Bicorn ATK 2500 --> 3200
"When Hi-Speedroid Puzzle is sent to the graveyard this turn, at end of turn I can return a Speedroid monster to my hand, except Hi-Speedroid Puzzle! I return Red Eyed Dice!" The level modulator, huh? Good choice, good choice. "My turn, right? Draw! I summon Speedroid Horse Stilts!"
Speedroid Horse Stilts | Level 4 | Wind
Machine / Effect
ATK 1100 / DEF 1100
"When Speedroid Horse Stilts is normal summoned, I can special summon level 4 or lower Speedroid Monster! I summon Speedroid Red Eyed Dice! Then I activate Red Eyed Dice to change Speedroid Horse Stilts' level to 6!"
Speedroid Horse Stilts Level 4 --> Level 6
"I tune level 1 Speedroid red Eyed Dice and level 6 Speedroid Horse Stilts! Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon | Level 7 | Wind
Dragon / Synchro / Effect
ATK 2500 / DEF 2000
Oh, that's a cool looking monster! Though not as good as...
As...
Huh. I know a Dragon with same attribute and attack/defense points, just a level higher, and is primarily white color, but I can't recall the name of it.
Must be a dragon I saw long time ago, then, if I forget about it.
The problem is, same stat. it'll be mutual kill. Or... is the boy has plan?
"I activate Spell Card Hi-Speed Re-Level! I banish Speedroid Taketomborg! Now, until end of the turn, Clear Wing's level become that of Taketomborg's, and gain 500 attacks per level Taketomborg has!"
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon | Level 7 | ATK 2500 --> Level 4 | ATK 4000
"Battle, Clear Wing! Hell Dive Whirlwind Slasher!" Whoa kid, the name of the attack is kind of... what to put it... what to put it... too edgy?
Jean LP: 4000 --> 3200
"When Voltic Bicorn is destroyed by opponent monster, both of us send top seven cards in our deck to the graveyard! And when Horn of the Unicorn leave the field, it return to the top of my deck."
Ah, it's also a mill. Also, does that mean the Equip Spell is one of seven cards discarded to the graveyard?
Huh. I feel déjà vu again.
"Aw man... fine! I end my turn! Clear Wing's level and attack return to normal!"
"My turn, draw! I activate Pot of Greed and draw two cards!" Ah, classic Pot of Greed... "I summon Trident Warrior and activate its effect to summon Delta Flyer!"
Trident Warrior | Level 4 | Light
Warrior / Effect
ATK 1800 / DEF 1200
Delta Flyer | Level 3 | Wind
Dragon / Tuner / Effect
ATK 1500 / DEF 900
"I activate Delta Flyer's effect to increase Trident Warrior's level by one, and Synchro Summon! Thunder galloping through the heavens, pierce through the pitch-black sky and burn the earth with a strike of lightning! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Shine, Lightning Tricorn!"
Lightning Tricorn | Level 8 | Light
Beast / Synchro / Effect
ATK 2800 / DEF 2000
Shiny Shiny horse.
"Battle. I activate Action Card: Rush Recklessly and increase Lightning Tricorn's attack by 700 till end of the turn!"
Lightning Tricorn ATK 2800 --> 3500
"I activate Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice and banish itself from the graveyard and negate the attack!"
"I end my turn."
"My turn! Draw! I summon Speedroid Ohajikid and activate its effect to special summon Speedroid Car Turbo! I synchro summon using level 3 Speedroid Car Turbo and level 3 Speedroid Double Yoyo!"
Speedroid Ohajikid | Level 3 | Wind
Machine / Effect
ATK 1000 / DEF 200
Speedroid Car Turbo | Level 3 | Wind
Machine / Tuner / Effect
ATK 800 / DEF 1200
"Magical sword with the form of a cross. Use your power to rend all enemies! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 6! Hi-Speedroid Kendama!"
Hi-Speedroid Kendama | Level 6 | Wind
Machine / Synchro / Effect
ATK 2200 / DEF 1600
"Speedroid Car Turbo's effect! I banish it and Speedroid Ohajikid to increase attacks of all Wind monster on my field by 600! I chain it with Speedroid Kendama's effect! I banish Speedroid Block-n-Roll and inflict 500 damage!"
Jean LP: 3200 --> 2700
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 2500 --> 3100
Hi-Speedroid Kendama ATK 2200 --> 2800
"Clear Wing! Battle!"
Jean LP: 2700 --> 2400
It was not that easy, kiddo.
"Lightning Tricorn's effect activate! When this monster is destroyed by opponent, I can special summon either Thunder Unicorn or Voltic Bicorn from my graveyard! I special summon Voltic Bicorn in defense position!" See?
"Kendama can inflict Piercing damage!"
"Action Card: Choice Choice! I choose between halving the damage or keeping the monster! I choose halve the damage!"
And another mill deck.
"Oh screw you! I end my turn!"
The guy laughed.
"My turn, draw! I activate Monster Reborn and summon Lightning Tricorn from the graveyard!" And here it comes back.
"Action Card! Single Destruction! I destroy your re-summoned monster!"
"I summon Thunder Unicorn using Lighting Tricorn's effect. I activate its effect and reduce your Speedroid Synchro Monster's attack by 500!"
"Not happening! Clear Wing's effect! When a level 5 or higher monster activate its effect, I can negate it, destroy that monster, and gain attack equals to that monster's original attack till end of turn!"
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 2500 --> 4700
"Ah, tricky one aren't you? I end my turn."
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 4700 --> 2500
"My turn! Draw! Alright, Clear Wing! Let's do it, m'lady!"
M'lady? So the Dragon is a girl? Huh. How did he know?
"Action Card: Evasion!"
"Action Card: No Action! Sorry dude, but direct attack!"
Jean LP: 2400 --> 0
And the kiddo win.
Well, I better get ready. The next is me.
It feels a little weird. I feels like I am expecting someone else immediately pick up the slack after the loser's defeat while the winner stays on field until his defeat but... ah well.
Let's go, Blackbird. The sooner this ends, the sooner we return home.
"AND THE NEXT PARTICIPANTS! GIVE A WILD APPLAUSE FOR CROW HOGAN AND TOBY TREDWELL!"
Tredwell? I... feels like I should have recognized them name.
Huh? It's a boy. I thought it was a girl. Wait... am I bit salty there's lacking of female duelists, and among the girls we had, only one is of the age while other two are minors? Get your mind out of the gutter, Crow Hogan! You got a duel to win!
"Duelist ready?"
We revved the machine.
Heh, Revved. Why it feels like inside joke?
"Set"
"GO!"
I hit the gas and shooting out. Easily taking the first turn. Blackbird is made for speed, fella, there's no way I'd lose when it comes to race!
Unless someone sabotage me, that is.
"I take the first turn! Since I have no monster, I can special summon Gust the Backblast!"
Blackwing – Gust the Backblast | Level 2 | Dark
Winged Beast / Effect
ATK 900 / DEF 1400
"Then, I Special Summon Oroshi the Squall and Harmattan the Dust! This is possible, when I control a Blackwing monster on the field!"
Blackwing – Orochi the Squall | Level 1 | Dark
Winged Beast / Tuner / Effect
ATK 400 / DEF 600
Blackwing – Harmattan the Dust | Level 2 | Dark
Winged Beast / Effect
ATK 800 / DEF 800
"I tune level 1 Orochi the Squall and level 2 Gust the Backblast! Jet-Black Wings! Spread wide and shoot past the sky! Synchro Summon! Level 3! Assault Blackwing – Kuniyoshi the White Rainbow!"
Kuniyoshi the White Rainbow | Level 3 | Dark
Winged Beast / Synchro / Tuner / Effect
ATK 1000 / DEF 1000
"Kuniyoshi's effect! When he is summoned using blackwing monsters, he is treated as Tuner while face up on the field! Once per turn, I discard one blackwing monster and inflict 300 damage to my opponent!"
Toby LP: 4000 --> 3700
"I tune level 3 Kuniyoshi and level 2 Harmattan! Pitch-black gale, become the tailwind that ties our bonds! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Assault Blackwing – Sohaya the Rain Storm!"
Assault Blackwing – Sohaya the Rainstorm | Level 5 | Dark
Winged Beast / Synchro / Tuner / Effect
ATK 1500 / DEF 2000
"Sohaya the Rainstorm's effect! He become a tuner when Synchro Summoned using Blackwing monster! And when he is synchro summoned, I can special summon an Assault Blackwing monster from graveyard! I summon back Kuniyoshi!" Right, the fact they're auto tuners since I only have blackwing monsters make it easier to synchro summon. We commons doesn't have much luck in finding copies of same monster.
Now, I have a tuner and on tuner, let's Synchro Summon once again...
...wait. Again? I don't have level 8 monster! What the heck?! Did someone slip hallucinogen to my stuff or something? Bad, bad!
"I set a card and end my turn!"
"Whoah, you're really good!" Uhh... Kid. Why am I fighting kid? Topsider, but still a kid. I feel bad. "Then I'm not going to lose either! My turn, draw! I discard two Fabled monsters and special summon Fabled Marcosia, with this monster gain 200 attack per monster discarded!"
Fabled Marcosia | Level 4 | Light
Fiend / Effect
ATK 1700 / DEF 0
Fabled Marcosia ATK 1700 --> 2100
"I activate The Fabled Catsith's effect! When this monster is discarded, I can destroy your Assault Blackwing – Sohaya the Rain Storm! I chain it with Fabled Lurrie's effect! When this monster is discarded, I can special summon it!"
Shit.
Fabled Lurrie | Level 1 | Light
Fiend / Effect
ATK 200 / DEF 400
"I tribute Fabled Lurrie and summon Fabled Dianaira!"
Fabled Dianaira | Level 8 | Light
Fiend / Effect
ATK 2800 / DEF 100
"Battle! I attack your monster with Fabled Dianaira!"
Crow LP: 4000 --> 2200
Ow! That kins of hurt! This kid know how to pack punch!
"Battle! Direct attack!"
But not really that good!
"Trap card open! Blackwing – Backlash! When my opponent declares direct attack when I have five or more Blackwing monster in the graveyard, I can destroy all monster you control!"
Now we have no cards in our field.
What a careless kid.
"My turn!" Come on, please be a good card. There's nothing wrong with Kris, but I need an extra push! "I... draw!" and it was, yes! A perfect card! "I activate Continuous Spell Card Black Whirlwind and normal summon Kris the Crack of Dawn!"
Blackwing – Kris the Crack of Dawn | Level 4 | Dark
Winged Beast / Effect
ATK 1900 / DEF 300
"Once per turn, Black Whirlwind allows me to draw a Blackwing monster with lower attack than my normal summon monster! I draw Breeze the Zephyr! And when this fella is drawn by card effect, I can special summon this fella right away!"
Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr | Level 3 | Dark
Winged Beast / Tuner / Effect
ATK 1100 / DEF 300
Next is—
"CROW!"
What the—DEVIL ON POGO STICK! KIDDO! WHAT ARE YOU LOTS DOING HERE!
"Crow! We're here!"
"Go Crow! Go! Win this duel!"
D-did you guys seriously get here to cheer one me?! I'm touched but IT'S DANGEROUS! YOU LOTS ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE TRACK! BACK OFF! BACK OFF!
"Hey! What are you doing here!" Shit! Security! "This zone is forbidden! Do you even has pass?"
"Ah..."
"As I thought! You commons riff raff sneaked here, don't you!" KIDDO! "Come with me!"
"HEY—!" LET THEM GO!
"Let them go. They're with me."
Huh? That lady is...
"Ma'am but—!"
She showing out something to the ass, and she make him backed off!
Is... is she helping me?
"Don't worry!" Huh? "That's my sister! Your kids are safe with her!"
Is that... so? Then...
"Is she holding them hostage?!" Is she threatening me to lose and let her brother win?! That's a low blow!
"No. why would sis do that?" Is he serious? "She won't be mad if I lose. Really."
Well then, "then let's test that! I tune level 3 Breeze the Zephyr and level 4 Kris the Crack of Dawn! Wet those pitch-black wings. Resonate with the drizzling rain, single strike of lightning! Synchro Summon! Pierce through! Assault Blackwing – Chidori the Rain Sprinkling!"
Assault Blackwing – Chidori the Rain Sprinkling | Level 7 | Dark
Winged Beast / Synchro / Tuner / Effect
ATK 2600 / DEF 2000
"Chidori's effect! He become tuner!" all Assault Blackwing can be Tuner if their Synchro materials are Blackwing! "And he gains 300 attacks per Blackwing monster in the graveyard!"
Five monsters from previous turn, and two monster I use to Synchro Summon him, that's seven monsters!
Assault Blackwing – Chidori the Rain Sprinkling ATK 2600 à 4700
"Direct attack!"
Toby LP: 3700 --> 0
And done. That's it.
Okay, now, where's my kids? You better pray not even a hair of them is unharmed or I swear to—!
"Come on. Over here."
The boy oh so casually led me away from the arena as the MC declares me as the winner.
We just about take one turn before three pint-sized ankle biters tackles on me.
"Crow! That was so cool!"
"Uh! Uh! You win it!"
"Totally awesome!"
They... they're alright.
I sighed, before hit them in the head.
" " "Ow!" " "
"You brats! How many times I told you, take care of yourself and don't do anything stupid!"
"We haven't tried to steal anything."
I hit Tarren's head, again. "Doing stupid is not limited to just stealing, kiddo!" Agh, what am I gonna do with you?
"Everything alright?"
Yeah Misty. Just, exhausted. Taking care of hellions are sure exhausting.
Wait. Misty? Misty Tredwell? How... how did I know her?
"Crow, Crow! Did you know this nice lady?" I... don't know? I mean, maybe? "She's a famous model!"
Oh... oh! So that's why I know her. No wonder. A model's face plastered as magazine cover. Yeah.
"The nice lady is magical!" Magical, huh? Well, she does miraculously saving your asses. Be thankful.
And speaking of that, "Thank you for looking out for them." I thanking her.
"It's no problem. Toby here used to be like them." She giggles.
"Sis!"
Huh, glad to know someone understands my pain.
Someone coughed. Who—oh you. That Security.
"Sirs and lady, this is not public area." Yeah yeah, we know. We're blocking the traffic for next duel. "And ma'am, please return to your VIP seat. We will take care of the children." Two more security bastards show up.
"No thank you. They will stay with me."
"They're breaking in, ma'am. They're breaking the law." Agh, not this song and dance! "As such they need to be detained."
"Listen, you retard. When a lady says no, she means no." I growled. Wanting to punch him ughly face.
"Commoner shut up." He threatens me and
SNAP
I quickly cover Tarren and Amanda's eyes while Misty did the same to Frank.
"Ew man," I grimaced seeing the Security's belt snapped undone, broken, and resulting in the pants slide down. Showing his undies for all and sundry. "Don't need to see that, augh. Have some shame! There are children presents!" I know there's pretty lady over there, but keep your pants up, dammit!
Augh, my eyes! My eyes are tainted!
"I think," Toby beamed, "in light of Security show us an interesting sight," yeah, for a definition of interesting, "we know who can be trusted with kids and who can not!"
Oh yeah.
Between tops and the shameless, probably exhibitionist, Security, I know who I trust with the kids.
"Shoo! Cover your shame before the camera caught you!" Misty shooing them away.
Red-faced, he flees away with his subordinates following awkwardly.
I sighed and let go of the kids. "Listen to the nice lady and don't do stupid things anymore, ok?" I turned to Misty. "Don't make me regretting this."
"You won't."
I nodded, and ruffle the kids' hair before returning to my pit box.
Yet,
"Mr. Hogan?" Yes? "I hope your heart is prepared. There's something that will happens, soon, and it might shock you to the soul."
...it better not the kids.
.
I manage to return to the pit box and turned on the tv, just in time as the next duel starts. Phew.
Broder LP: 4000
Lucciano LP: 4000
Hm... should I know the duelists? Maybe I saw them on cover or something in the passing when I delivers stuff. Well, gotta racked my brain and keep my eyes peeled open. They're my potential future opponent, after all.
Also, that redhead's hair is ridiculously spiky. Not the worst I've seen, but spiky. If it were silver, I'll make some joke about prematurely gray hair.
"My turn. I activate pot of Extravagance and banish six cards face down from extra deck and draw a card per three cards banished!" dude. That was good way to add hand, but RISKY! How you can be sure your Ace monster is not get banished as well?! "I summon Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato!"
Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato | Level 4 | Light
Machine / Effect
ATK 1200 / DEF 1800
Meklord...?
"I activate effect of Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato! It can destroy itself and special summon two Meklord Army from my deck in Defense Position! I summon Meklord Army of Skiel and Meklord Army of Granel!"
Meklord Army of Wisel | Level 4 | Light
Machine / Effect
DEF 1000 / ATK 1200
Meklord Army of Granel | Level 4 | Light
Machine / Effect
DEF 1200 / ATK 1600
"Meklord Army of Granel gains 100 attacks per Meklord monster on field except itself, while Meklord Army of Skiel gains 200 attacks."
Meklord Army of Skiel ATK 1200 --> 1400
Meklord Army of Granel ATK 1600 --> 1700
"I set a card and end my turn."'
"My turn then, draw! I activate Spell Card Nordic Relic Hlidskjalf!"
Hlid... hid... hil... what? How did he even pronounce that?! What language is that even?
"This spell card allows me to special summon one Nordic monster from deck, at cost of only able to summon Aesir monster from extra deck! I summon Mara the Nordic Alfar!"
Mara the Nordic Alfar | Level 2 | Dark
Spellcaster / Tuner / Effect
ATK 1000 / DEF 500
"Mara the Nordic Alfar's effect activate! I synchro summon using this card and two cards in my hand!"
SYNCHRO FROM HAND?!
"I tune level 2 Mara the Nordic Alfar with level 4 Alviss the Nordic Alvar and Level 4 Nordic Smith Ivaldi! Whimsical god born from the stars, show us your absolute power and laugh at the world! Synchro Summon! Descend, Loki, the Lord of Aesir!"
Loki, the Lord of Aesir | Level 10 | Dark
Spellcaster / Synchro / Effect
ATK 3300 / DEF 3000
"I activate effect of Meklord Emperor Wisel – Synchro Absorber! I send Meklord Emperor Granel to the graveyard and special summon this card! When this monster is special summoned, I can target one monster you control and it cannot attack for rest of turn!"
Meklord Emperor Wisel – Synchro Absorber | Level 1 | Dark
Machine / Effect
ATK 2500 / DEF 2500
A level 1 monster with high stats... shit... I get bad feelings about it.
"I activate spell card Gottedamerung, and surrender the control to my opponent. I set a card and end my turn."
Dude... what are you doing?
Also, why is the other one scowled? Shouldn't he be happy?
"My turn. Draw. Battle."
"Action Card: Big Escape."
Now I feel like a trap is waiting. That dark-skinned guy practically grinning in anticipation.
"I end my turn."
"Gottedammerung's effect activate. At end of my opponent's phase, I destroy the Aesir card and banish all cards my opponent control."
Ah yes. That's the other shoe.
"I KNEW IT!"
"Got you got you! My turn, draw! I summon Nordic Beast Gullinbursti and activate its effect to return Nordic Smith Ivaldi to hands! Then since I control a Nordic monster, I can special summon Nordic Smith Ivaldi!"
Nordic Beast Gullinbursti | Level 3 | Light
Beast / Tuner / Effect
ATK 500 / DEF 100
Nordic Smith Ivaldi | Level 4 | Earth
Warrior / Effect
ATK 1500 / DEF 700
"Trap card open! Nordic Relic Svalinn! I tribute Nordic Beast Gullinbursti to summon back Loki the Lord of the Aesir!"
"Action Card! Zero Penalty! I drop Loki's attack to zero!"
"Negated! Loki, Lord of the Aesir can negate the effect of spell or trap card!"
Ah. Well, there's one more trap...
"Battle phase! I attack directly!"
"Trap card open! Negate Attack! I negate the attack and end the battle phase!"
Timely saved.
I hate doing this, but damn, seeing them trying to outwit each other is fun.
"You're not bad. I end my turn."
"I can say the same! My turn, draw! Sorry, but this over now! I activate Spell card Reboot to Shuffle one meklord monster from hand to deck, and return a Meklord monster in the graveyard to my hand." And since others are banished, there's two possibilities. "I summon the Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato and activate its effect! I special summon two copies of Meklord Army Wisel!"
Meklord Army Wisel | Level 4 | Light
Machine / Effect
DEF 0 / ATK 1800
Same tactics. He's stalling time.
No he's not. He's going to summon the big boss.
"When a Meklord monster that I control is destroyed and send to the graveyard by card effect, I can special summon this card! I summon Meklord Emperor Wisel!"
Meklord Emperor Wisel | Level 1 | Dark
Machine / Effect
ATK 2500 / DEF 2500
The attack and defense are solid but... it was not enough.
Yet.
"I activate Meklord Emperor Wisel's effect! I target your Synchro Monster and equip it to this card, and Meklord Empror Wisel gains attack equal of that monster!"
The Synchro monster become absorbed into the machine, and booting up its attack.
Meklord Emperor Wisel ATK 2500 --> 5800
"Bye-bye!"
Broder LP: 4000 --> 0
...
...
...fuck.
Fuck.
FUCK!
That guy is bad news. That monster is BAD NEWS. His deck is Anti-Synchro! Fuck! What do I do if I have to faced that monster???!!! I'm not... I'm not Yu... I'm not those kids who has alternative Special Summoning methods, Okay?! Even Jack had hard time!
Okay. Okay Crow Hogan. Calm down. Calm your ass down.
There's chance I don't have to fight him. And in event I have, I shouldn't summon monster with too high Attack. Or maybe restrict my Synchro Summon. I have traps that can protect my monsters. Hurricane the Tornado and Aurora the Northern Lights also could help. Right. Right. Fane can attack directly. Damascus and Kalut can boost my monster's attack, Etesian can inflict burn damage.
And there's freebie called Action Cards, right? Okay. I can do it. I just need to wing it when the times come.
Alright. I'm calm.
Let's watch the last duel and...
And...
And I think I'm going to order flowers and get well soon card for Ren.
And pray to whatever god listening in that he'll leave the circuit with his body intact.
Sergey LP: 4000
Ren LP: 4000
"My turn then. I summon Thorn Prisoner Van in attack position!"
Thorn Prisoner Van | Level 1 | Dark
Fiend / Effect
ATK 0 / DEF 0
"I set a card and end my turn."
"Classic trick." Scoffed Ren. Uh, boy? I know you has grudge but... be careful. "My turn, draw! I activate White Stingray's effect and special summon it by sending one water monster in my hand to the graveyard!"
White Stingray | Level 4 | Water
Fish / Effect
ATK 1400 / DEF 1000
"I summon Judge of the Ice Barrier!"
Judge of the Ice Barrier | Level 4 | Water
Warrior / Effect
ATK 1800 / DEF 900
"And when there's a face up Ice Barrier Monster, I can special summon Prior for the Ice Barriers!"
Prior of the Ice Barrier | Level 4 | Water
Spellcaster / Effect
ATK 1000 / DEF 400
"Battle! I attack with White Moray!"
"Initiating Thorn Prisoner Van's effect: I reveal Thorn Prisoner Darli to take 400 damage and reduce battle damage to zero."
"Got you. Judge of the Ice Barrier! Each time you activate card or effect by paying lifepoints, you receive additional 500 points damage!"
Sergey LP: 4000 --> 3600 --> 3100
"Thorn Prisoner Van's effect. I special summon this card and Thorn Prisoner Darli."
"I attack with Judge of Ice Barrier."
"Thorn Prisoner Darli's effect initiate: I pay 400 damage to negate the battle."
Sergey LP: 3100 --> 2700 --> 2200
Is that... is that the Duel Crusher's tactics? What the fuck? Why he got such fearsome reputation if his tactic is delivering Burn effect on himself?
No. This is almost like when Aesir monster switched ownership in previous duel. There's a catch.
"I attack with Speaker of the Ice Barriers!"
"Action Card: Block Draw, attack is negated and drawing one card."
Is that guy human or robot? I've meet Cyborgs who displays more emotions than him.
"I set a card and end my turn."
"My turn. Draw." The Failure Cyborgs glanced at the field,
And smirked.
"Changing protocol." Changing what protocol? "Activating Spell Card: Reload. Shuffling all hands to deck and draw same numbers. Tuning level 1 Thorn Prisoner Darli and level 1 Thorn Prisoner Van. Lay bare your twisted and wicked desire and offer your flesh to the thorns! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 2! Thorn Observer Zuma!"
Thorn Observer Zuma | Level 2 | Dark
Fiend / Synchro / Effect
ATK 0 / DEF 0
"Initiating Thorn Observer Zuma's effect. All monsters on field gain Thorn counters. Monster with Thorn counters cannot attack. At end of turn the player of the turn gain 400 damage per thorn counters. I set a card and end my turn."
Sergey LP: 2200 --> 1000
Okay, where's the punchline?
"My turn. Draw. I summon Defender of the Ice Barrier."
Defender of the Ice Barrier | Level 3 | Water
Aqua / Tuner / Effect
ATK 200 / DEF 600
"I tune level 3 Defender of the Ice Barrier and level 4 Speaker of the Ice Barriers! Blade of the sea! Pierce through the darkness! Synchro Summon! Level 7, White Aura Monoceros!"
White Aura Monoceros | Level 7 | Water
Fish / Synchro / Effect
ATK 2500 / DEF 1500
"White Aura Monoceros' effect, I special summon White Moray from graveyard and this monster become tuner! I tune level 2 White Moray with level 4 White Stingray! Howl, Ferocious King of Frozen land! Synchro Summon, Dewloren the Tiger King of Ice Barrier!"
Dewloren, the Tiger King of Ice Barrier | Level 6 | Water
Beast / Synchro / Effect
ATK 2000 / DEF 1400
"Trap Card Open! Terror of Trishula! Since I control an Ice Barrier Monster, I can banish your Synchro monster! I then activate Dewloren's effect to return Judge of the Ice Barrier and increase Dewloren's attack by 500! Battle, direct attack!"
Dewlorem the Tiger King of Ice Barrier ATK 2000 --> 2500
"Trap card open: Draining Shield."
Sergey LP: 100 --> 2600
"White Aura Monoceros!"
"My other Trap card: Earthbound Beginnings!"
The sky turned dark, and lights formed on sky and earth.
No.
No it wasn't light.
It was...
CRACK!
(No no no no no no no not again not again I thought we're done with this shit?!)
"When opponent declare Direct attack, I can activate a Field Spell Card directly from deck and halve the battle damage! I activate Field Spell Card Earthbound Tundra! Neither player can Summon monsters in Defense Position. Face-up Attack Position monsters on the field cannot change their battle positions."
Nightmare nightmare nightmare nightmare this is a nightmare!
"I add an Action Card to my hand, and you must discard all action Card you has. With this field card effect, I can add another Action Card to my hand, but I must banish the added card and inflict 300 damage to your lifepoints and your monsters' attack points!
Ren LP: 4000 --> 3700
Dewloren the Tiger King of Ice Barrier ATK 2000 --> 1700
White Aura Monoceros ATK 2500 --> 2200
Sergey LP: 2600 --> 1400
"Gah!" REN! Shit! He got hit! He doesn't look good! "That... fuck, what the fuck with that field card?"
"Amazing, isn't it?!" Okay, first, now the robot has GONE ERROR! Second, WHICH PART OF IT THAT WAS AMAZING?! "This is the pleasure you gain when you're close to death! Revival through the death and pain!"
Black eyes deranged laugh twisted marks
Not again not again not again not again...!
"Now, come on! The real fun has just begin!"
I can hear Yuya frothing at the mouth all the way from here... and I don't blame him.
It sounds wrong. Totally wrong...
It's twisted. Malicious. Nothing but pure evil.
"I... fuck, I end my turn!"
"My turn, draw! When there's a field Spell, I can special summon Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper! Then I summon Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper!"
Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper | Level 5 | Dark
Fiend / Effect
ATK 1600 / DEF 1600
Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper | Level 1 | Dark
Fiend / Effect
ATK 300 / DEF 300
Black creature
Glowing geoglyphs.
Those devil incarnates...!
I quickly run out from my pit box and to the starting line.
"Hey you—"
"Move out of the way!" I don't have time to deal with you lots!
Ulk! The aura here... it's foul! It's absolutely foul! I was already on starting line and the pressure threatens to crush me.
"I activate Spell Card Card of Sanctity and we both draw till we have six cards on hand! Then I activate Spell Card Harmonic Synchro Fusion, and target the cards I control! They can be used as Synchro Material AND Fusion Material for two monsters from extra deck!"
Wait wait wait, WHAT?! THEY HAVE SYNCHRO AND FUSION MONSTER NOW?!
"Spirit bound to the earth, Shake all of creation with your mystic power! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 6! Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin!"
Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin | Level 6 | Dark
Fiend / Synchro / Effect
ATK 2000 / DEF 1000
"He who is bound by stone, Become one with he who is bound by the earth and grasp the land. Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 6! Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina!"
Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina | Level 6 | Dark
Fiend / Fusion / Effect
ATK 2000 / DEF 1000
Oh god above.
There's more of these infernal demons.
Fuck.
Fuck.
FUCK!
WHOSE BRIGHT IDEAS TO CREATE MORE OF THEM?! EARTHBOUND SERVANT?! ARE THEY LACKEYS OF THOSE DEMONS? ARE THEY TRYING TO FREED THEIR BOSSES?!
"I activate Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin! When there's a field spell card on the field, I can target one monster my opponent controls! You, now decide! Are you destroy that monster, and skip the battle phase this turn, or keep it and increasing my lifepoints!"
What kind of choice is that?! There's no way you'll let him off the fucking hook! You have trick! REN!
"REN! FIELD CARD! THE EFFECT IS ONLY ON WHEN THERE'S A FIELD CARD! DESTROY THE FIELD CARD!" I Screamed my lungs out. Hoping he could hear me.
"I choose to keep it!"
FUCK! HE DIDN'T HEAR ME!
Sergey LP: 1400 --> 3900
"KhekhekhehahahahAHAHAHAHAHA! I KNEW IT! YOU WON'T DARE TAKE RISK! YOU'RE WEAK WEAK! I ACTIVATE SPELL CARD SOUL TAKER! YOUR MONSTER IS DESTROYED, AND YOU GAIN 1000 LIFEPOINTS, BUT I ACTIVATE EFFECT OF EARTHBOUND SERVANT GEO GREMLINA! WHEN A MONSTER YOU CONTROL IS DESTROYED BY CARD EFFECT, I DESTROY ALL MONSTER I CONTROL AND YOU GET THE DAMAGE OF THEIR COMBINED ATTACK!"
The monster absorbs the Synchro monster, turned it into... a BOMB CORE?!
"DIE BRAT, DIE!"
"REN!"
KA BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!
"GAH!"
M-my back... it hurts... being receiving backlash of a bomb... and thrown through a wall... hurts...
And... and is that... SOULS?! Are these souls coming out from remnants of the Earthbound?! WHOSE SOULS IS THAT?! WHO DIES?!
REN?! REN! HE'S ON POINT BLANK OF THE ATTACK! HE'S THE RECIPIENT OF THE ATTACK?!
Is he alright?! I need to confirm it!
Move body, MOVE!
Agh! No, I can't let the pain stop me...
One leg before the other. Again... again...
The circuit definitely have seen better days... and... where is Ren?
T-there. There is he... he's... oh god. His whole left side is charred. The skin... they're burnt... they're peeled off of his face...
I almost lose my breakfast right here and there.
"Ren...?"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Fuck. The Crusher! He's approaching RE—HE'S STILL ON HIS DUEL RUNNER!
"THIS IS DESTRUCTION! AMAZING VISAGE! MORE! GIVE ME MORE ANGUISH! I ACTIVATE SPELL CARD MONSTER REBORN AND SUMMON EARTHBOUND SERVANT GEO GRASHA!"
He's... no! No! Did he summon his monster?! Why—
Ren LP: 700
N-no way... the game is still on...?
"Stop..." I breathed out.
Don't get any closer to him.
"DIRECT ATTACK!"
Stay away!
"STOP! HE'S DONE! HE CAN'T DUEL ANYMORE! YOU'VE WON! STOP IT!"
My screams fell on deaf ears.
No... I can't... I can't let him be sacrificed! BLACKWINGED—
"RED DRAGON ARCHFIEND! STOP THIS INSANITY!"
A red and black horned dragon slams into the monster, the devil incarnate, and flipped it before slamming it down to the center of circuit. Roaring like a Vengeful Angel.
"You..."
Jack Atlas was there. Sweating as if he had just run all the way from his comfy VIP box. Stalking forward with jaw clenched so tightly I can make veins popped in his neck, and low, guttural growl akin to an animal, a dragon, coming out from his throat.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't withdraw you from this tournament. One reason to stop me from personally frog march you to deepest hellhole I can find and lock you to rot there for eternity."
The Dragon let out a growl that, in any other circumstances, would've made hairs on my neck stands.
As it was, I was just too relieved Jack still has some compassion and humanity.
A low groan startles us.
Right. Ren!
"OI! MEDIC! WHAT ARE YOU WAIITNG FOR? PARTY INVITATIONS?! SOMEONE IS DYING HERE!" he then whirled back to The Crusher. "You! Get back to your box. We, aren't done yet."
Finally, the Medic teams get here and lifts Ren into stretcher before hurriedly carried him to hospital.
"Is..." my legs lose their power. "Is he going to be alright?"
Normally I won't talk to Jack like this, but... this is exception.
"...I'm not sure." Ha... yes. This is exception, because Jack is as lost as I do. "Quoting Ruka, we can only pray to the Crimson Dragon the Medic Team can pull a miracle. That boy needs it."
Ahahaha... yeah
Only Miracle can save him...
I glance at Jack. He was so stressed, like bow pulled into taut, and...
"Your hand is bleeding." Red is dripping from his palm.
"And you can't move without feeling pain." He shot back.
Touche.
"Walk me there?"
I don't know what possess me to say it, but, guess...
"Sure." He lift me with his good hand and help me walked me to the infirmary,
Guess he's not so bad.
He's not the asshole I thought he is.
At least not anymore.