Yu-Gi-Oh! DE, Book One; The Paths You Choose. TEMPORARY HIATUS

[legendhiro]

 

 

Introduction:

Join Robert "Rocky" Stone, a Duelist who has joined the Duelists Elite, a group of Duelists assembled to battle the evil secret society The Duelists of the Order of the Divine Cards. The Duelists of the Order are armed with Shadow Items, possessing powers that defy logic, but the Elite have Shadow Items as well. The battle seems to be winding down, but unknown to the Elite, a storm is brewing, and Rocky is in the middle of it!

 

This story is the continuation of my first series Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Force (DF). You can read this without reading the other, but reading the other is recommended. They are not, however, the same series.

 

As many chapters as possible will be posted here:

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Chapter One]

 

Skill Test (Part One)

 

 

It was late. At least I think it was. I was the only passenger aboard a small, run down jet that seemed likely to succumb to turbulence at any moment. The overhead lights flickered as the plane shook. I grabbed the back of the seat in front of me in an attempt to steady myself. When the shaking finally stopped, I let go, slumping back into my seat in a halfhearted attempt to relax.

 

I thought back to the previous night; the night after the Great Duel Force Tournament. I was busy packing my bag for this very trip. My closest friend among members of the Duel Force, Kimi, was with me. When she learned that I was leaving the next day, she decided that we had to hang out one more time. We had been spending a lot of time together, and leaving her behind would be the hardest part of what I was doing.

 

Kimi was sitting on my bed, leaning back against the head of my bed while I stuffed my bag full of clothes. “At you least you finally found them,” Kimi said. “You’ve been trying to find the Duelists Elite for awhile now.”

 

“Yeah,” I said, “it’s great that I found them, but my point is that they could’ve given me more time. It’s already midnight, and I have to be at the airport before eight A.M. to catch the plane.”

 

“Maybe they want to push you,” Kimi suggested, “to see how you do under stress.”

 

“Yeah,” I replied, “maybe.”

 

“I’m happy for you Robby,” said Kimi, “I really am. I just wish you were gonna be around longer. I was really hoping you’d be there to see me onto the plane to Japan this fall. Not to mention how boring it’s gonna be around here without you to keep me company.”

 

I smiled, “I’d stay if you asked me to. You know I would.”

 

Kimi smiled back, “Nah, go and find your destiny or whatever. You’re sweet though.” She leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. I felt myself blush.

 

Kimi and I had something. I was closer to her than anyone else. But I couldn’t stay with her. My future was calling, and I had to answer.

 

I gave Kimi a ride back to her house where she used her Soul of Light’s magic to sneak in while keeping her parents, who were actually in town for once, from noticing. Then I drove back home. By the time I made it to bed, it was already one twenty-three in the morning.

 

That was seventeen hours ago.

 

When did I start wanting this? I wondered, running through the sequence of events in my mind for the fifteenth time that day. This situation sucks. But I never thought that this would be an easy path, so on some level I must really like to put myself in difficult situations. I accept that. But I’m still confused as to how exactly I came up with such a stupid idea in the first place. Anyone else, they hear about a secret group that uses magic to fight evil, they say “cool”. I say “sign me up!”

 

I thought back on my life, on the life of Robert “Rocky” Stone. I’m a Duelist. I have been since I was seven. But unlike most Duelists, I didn’t start out playing Duel Monsters simply because I liked the game. I had an almost instinctual knowledge that Duel Monsters was connected to something dangerous. I learned to play Duel Monsters partial so that I would know how to one day protect others from that danger. It was just like how I learned martial arts so that I could protect people from assailants who know how to fight. I couldn’t help but defend others. It was in my blood. After all, my parents were the same way.

 

Then the Soul of Earth appeared to me, and I learned how the game of Duel Monsters was connected to something dangerous. I learned all about the Shadow Games, the Soul, and the Shadow Items. I met villainous person after villainous person who wanted to tap the magical forces linked to Duel Monsters and use them to further their own sinister purposes. And I learned of the Duelists of the Order of the Divine Cards; a secret society with the reach and the power to one day conquer, or even destroy the world.

 

As a member of the Duel Force, I met the Order in battle a few times, but I never did anything to actively combat them. I considered ways to do so, but none seemed possible. Then John, the Duel Force leader, and a good friend, came back from competing in the second Grand Championship. He told me about a group known as the Duelists Elite. A group that actively fought the Order. From that moment on, I knew that it was my destiny to assist in that fight.

 

That’s why I was on that plane. I was on my way to a hidden installation where a member of the Elite would be waiting to test me. If I won, I would be allowed to join. Finally I’d be able to make myself into more. Finally I’d be saving lives.

 

It was less than an hour before the plane finally landed. That made it almost ten my local time. But it was light out, making it at least ten hours earlier or ten hours later wherever I was. I was out of my seat, bag in hand, and on my way off of the plane as soon it stopped. There were no attendants, so I was forced to open up the side hatch myself and unroll a rope ladder with which to climb down. It wasn’t until I was off of the plane that I realized that I was in the mountains. The runway on which the plane had landed was cut directly into the peak. I tugged on the tail of my survival vest and ran my fingers through my light brown, almost blond hair, and activated my Duel Disk. I was prepared to fight if the need arose, but I wanted to be ready to duel as well. I wanted to be ready for anything.

 

I looked around intently, surveying my surroundings. The blasting process that had made the chasm for the runway had left large stone cliffs to either side. From what I could tell, the chasm would be almost invisible from any but the exact right angle. The runway itself was in good shape, but the ground to either side of it was lined with uneven gravel. I didn’t see anything at first, but then I saw a door in the cliff wall about sixty feet away. I started toward it, but it wasn’t long before I noticed that there wasn’t any handle. The door was made of steel, so there was no chance of opening it.

 

I considered returning to the jet, but it seemed counterproductive, so I turned and looked up at the sky, exasperated. Then I cried out, “Hey! Is anyone here?!”

 

“It’s about time you showed up,” came a voice from behind me. “I was worried that you weren’t going to make it.”

 

I spun around and found myself face-to-face with a tall man wearing a lab coat, runner’s sweats, and a t-shirt. His hair was a bit unkempt, and he hadn’t shaved in a couple days. He watched me intently from behind square-rimmed glasses. It was the man from the stadium, the one that had approached me and invited me here to this place. The man that I only knew as “Prof”, the Card Professor.

 

“I’m here,” I said. “What do I do now? You said there was some kind of test.”

 

“You bet there’s a test,” said Prof. “If you really want to be a member of the Duelists Elite, you’ll have to beat me in a duel. But I’m not gonna sugar coat it; it’s not gonna be easy.”

 

“And if I win, I’m in just like that?”

 

“Yep, just like that.”

 

“What if I lose?”

 

“You go home.”

 

I nodded my understanding, When Prof said I would only get one chance, he meant it.

 

“I’ll go first,” said Prof. “I set a monster and two face-down cards, and I end my turn.”

 

“You’re not the only Duelist who knows how to defend,” I said. “In fact, I know more about defense than anyone. But first I play ‘Miracle Rupture’,

discarding a Rock monster from my deck to draw a card.”

 

I fanned out my deck and chose and discarded ‘Stone Dragon’. Then I shuffled my deck, replaced it, and drew one card, adding it to my hand.

 

“Now,” I said, “I’ll take a page form your book, and I’ll set a monster and two cards. I end my turn.”

 

I gritted my teeth a bit. I don’t know anything about this guy’s deck. It could be any type. I hope my strategy works.

 

“Reveal,” Prof announced, “the Continuous Trap card ‘Ominous Fortunetelling’. Now, during each of my Standby Phases I choose a card from your hand and choose ‘Monster’, ‘Spell’, or ‘Trap’. You show it to me, and if I guess right, you take seven hundred points of damage. I choose the middle card and I’ll call ‘Monster’.”

 

I scowled again, “You’re right.” I showed him ‘Destroyer Golem’. The hologram of his Trap glowed, hitting me with a pulse of light (8000-700=7300).

 

“I reveal ‘Mind Crush’,” Prof declared. “With this card, I can guess that you have a card in your hand, and if you do, you have to discard it. I choose ‘Destroyer Golem’.”

 

I had no choice but to send my monster to the Graveyard.

 

He’s good, I thought. Using ‘Ominous Fortunetelling’ he can see another card from my hand each turn. He’ll always have some idea of any coming threats.

 

“Moving on,” said Prof, “I play ‘Fiend Sanctuary’.” A small metallic creature made of spheres stacked one atop the other appeared. “I tribute my face-down ‘Ancient Brain’ along with my ‘Metal Fiend Token’ to summon ‘Brain Crusher’.”

 

A wicked fairy with purple wings, yellow skin, a horn, and a brain so large that it actually made up the top of its head appeared. It carried a staff. But as quickly as the monster appeared, it and the small metallic creature disappeared and were replaced by a massive insect with four translucent wings, long arms ending in claws, four oversized legs, a burgundy-and-blue-tinted exoskeleton and the posture of a dragon (ATK: 2400).

 

“My ‘Brain Crusher’ has a very special power,” said Prof. “When he destroys a monster, he can revive that monster under my control. I attack with Psy-Wave!”

 

‘Brain Crusher’’s six eyes glowed green, and my monster appeared, wreathed in a green light. It was the squat, brick statue, ‘Stone Statue of the Aztecs’ (DEF: 2000).

 

“You’re monster is too weak to survive my monster’s attack,” said Prof.

 

“You don’t know me well,” I replied, “so I’ll excuse you ignorance. During the Damage Step, I reveal ‘The Reliable Guardian’, giving my monster a boost to its defense.”

 

‘Stone Statue’’s eyes glowed red, and a red aura appeared around him, spreading out and dispelling the green one (DEF: 2700).

 

“And my monster has an effect too,” I said. “When he uses his Defense to repel an opponent’s attack, he deals double the recoil damage.”

 

‘Stone Statue’’s eyes glowed again, and Prof was burned by an aura of red light (8000-600=7400).

 

“Very good,” said Prof, and impressed look on his face, “but it won’t be enough. I set two more cards, and I pass.”

 

Alright, I thought, I’ve made my stand. But I won’t win against someone like this Prof guy by only defending. It’s time I went on the attack!

 

“I play ‘Graceful Charity’,” I declared, “to draw three cards and then discard ‘Hieracosphinx’ and ‘Criosphinx’. Next I tribute ‘Stone Statue of the Aztecs’ to set another monster.”

 

“To ‘Graceful Charity’,” said Prof, “I reveal ‘Soul Resurrection’ to summon ‘Ancient Brain’ back in defense mode, letting me activate ‘D.D. Trap Hole’. I destroy and remove from play my ‘Ancient Brain’ and you face-down monster.”

 

The dark fairy disappeared again, as did the hologram of my face-down monster. I picked ‘Guardian Sphinx’ up off of my Duel Disk and placed it in the deck box in my vest pocket.

 

“I figured that you had some Traps ready,” I said, “so to be safe, I set up a decoy monster to force you to spring them. My real attack begins now!”

 

The ground began to shake, and bits of earth rose up, hanging in the air, forming the shattered remains of the dinosaur-like ‘Stone Dragon’, the brick ‘Stone Statue’, the rocky-skinned bird-lion ‘Hieracosphinx’, and the rocky-skinned goat-lion ‘Criosphinx’.

 

“I remove four monsters from play,” I declared. The chunks of stone and rubble collided together, lumping together into a massive four-legged, dinosaur-like beast, “to summon the ‘Megarock Dragon’!”

 

My monster gnashed his teeth and swiped with his claws, letting out a fierce roar (ATK 2800).

 

“’Megarock Dragon’,” I commanded, “destroy his monster.”

 

My dragon roared and stomped the ground. A massive chunk of stone tore loose from the ground beside him, shattering into sharp, jagged pieces of stone. My monster stomped again, and those jagged pieces shot forward, tearing the ‘Brain Crusher’ apart (7400+2400-2800=7000).

 

“I’m not a very aggressive person,” I said, “but I’m strong, and I know how to fight. This duel is all that’s keeping me from my dream. I will not lose!”

 

[spoiler=Chapter Two]

 

Skill Test (Part Two)

 

 

Prof smiled as he drew his next card. “You are good,” he said, “but I know every aspect of this game, and I saw you duel at the Duel Force Tournament. I know your strongest monsters and your best cards.”

 

I smiled, “You’ve assumed that I’m playing with exactly the same deck.”

 

“No,” said Prof, “I haven’t. You will have no doubt changed some aspects of your deck, but you won’t have changed your nature. You are predominantly a defensive player, ad someone who would rather defend himself that hurt others cannot fight the Duelists of the Order.

 

“Let me show you how to fight for real! Activate the effect of ‘Ominous Fortunetelling’.” Prof pointed at one of the cards in my hand and declared, “This time, I’ll say Spell.”

 

I frowned and showed him ‘Monster Reborn’, and my Life Points fell (7300-700=6600).

 

“’Monster Reborn’ is it?” said Prof. “Now, we can’t have that, can we. It just gives you too many options. Let’s see if we can do something about it. I play ‘Card of Demise’,

letting me draw until I hold five cards.”

 

He drew five cards from his deck.

 

“Perfect,” he said. “You only have two cards in your hand, so I can play ‘Mind Wipe’, forcing you to shuffle your hand into your deck and draw a new hand of the same number of cards.”

 

I did as I was told, adding my hand to my deck, shuffling, and drawing two cards. This guy uses common cards and overlooked cards, I thought, but he combines them in a way that increases their effectiveness a thousand fold! He can control his opponent’s cards almost as effectively as he can control his own!

 

“Next,” said Prof, “now that I’ve removed ‘Monster Reborn’ as an obstacle, I’ll set my sights on your pesky ‘Megarock Dragon’.”

 

“My monster won’t be dispatched with easily,” I said, and my monster roared.

 

Prof ignored me, responding with nothing more than a smile. “I activate ‘Double Summon’. Now I can Normal Summon two monsters this turn. I summon the demonic mad scientist ‘Kozaky’, and his giant battle robot ‘Giant Kozaky’.”

 

‘Kozaky’, a hunch-backed, paled-skinned demon man appeared, wearing glasses, a lab coat, and a purple tie. He had spikes protruding from his back, through his coat. Except for the demonic characteristics, he looked a lot like Prof (DEF: 400). ‘Kozaky’ was standing on the shoulder of a house-sized robotic version of himself that rolled along on wheels, made of patch worked metal plating. It had a control booth in the top of its head, and four arms. Its upper right arm ended in a drill, his upper left arm ended in a mallet, and his lower arms ended in clamps (ATK: 2500). ‘Kozaky’ took a step to his left and dropped into the control booth of the giant robot, taking a seat and taking up the controls.

 

“I activate ‘Union Attack’, combining the Attack of my two monsters until the end of the turn (ATK: 2500+400=2900). “And I finish my combo with ‘Heart of Clear Water’, equipped to the defense position ‘Kozaky’. ‘Giant Kozaky’ is destroyed when ‘Kozaky’ is no longer in play, but because ‘Kozaky’ is equipped with ‘Heart of Clear Water’, he can’t be destroyed in battle, and he can’t be targeted by Spell cards effects.”

 

“Clever,” I said.

 

Prof flashed an arrogant expression, “I know.”

 

“I attack,” Prof commanded, and the robot speared my dragon’s head with its drill hand. My monster broke apart, becoming gravel-sized pieces of rubble that became part of the ground at my feet.

 

“Not bad,” I said. “You managed to defeat my monster. But your turn’s over, and your monster’s Attack returns to normal (ATK: 2500). It’s vulnerable again. Not to mention the fact that your ‘Kozaky isn’t completely invulnerable himself.

 

“I draw,” I looked over my hand, “and I play ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two more cards.”

 

I drew again, looked over my hand and smiled.

 

“I realized before I got here,” I said, “that my normal style of play wouldn’t cut it here. I’m too cautious, making sure not to let either opponent get badly hurt. I protect myself and others instead of stopping my opponent from being able to hurt anyone. But that obviously isn’t always enough. After all, I lost to the second Order affiliated Duelist that I ever fought. So, on my way here, I made some changes to my deck. Allow me to demonstrate them to you.

 

“I summon ‘Red Gadget’ in attack mode.”

 

A small red robot with a large silver gear on its back appeared (ATK: 1300). Prof seemed genuinely surprised for a few seconds before he regained his composure.

 

“Interesting,” Prof said calmly. “I honestly didn’t expect that.”

 

“That’s not all,” I said. “When ‘Red Gadget’ is summoned, I get to search my deck for a copy of ‘Yellow Gadget’.”

 

I fanned out my deck, selected a card, and added it to my hand.

 

“Next,” I continued, “I reveal ‘Ultimate Offering’, paying five hundred Life Points (6600-500=6100) to summon ‘Yellow Gadget’ as well.”

 

A squat yellow robot with a gear on its back appeared alongside the first (ATK: 1200).

 

“And when ‘Yellow Gadget’ is summoned,” I said, “I get to search my deck for ’Green Gadget’.”

 

I searched my deck again, adding yet another monster to my hand. I smiled, My newest combo is nearly complete. Let’s see what Prof thinks after this!

 

“I pay one thousand Life Points (6100-1000=5100) to summon ‘Green Gadget’, and to tribute ‘Green Gadget’ and “Red Gadget’ to summon another monster.”

 

‘Green Gadget’, a green robot with a gear making up its stomach appeared (ATK: 1400), and it and the red robot disappeared.

 

“I summon,” I declared, and from the sky above us descended a massive armless, legless mechanical dragon made of ancient-looking, irregular metallic plates, “the ‘Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon’ (ATK: 3000)!

 

“My monster’s strong on its own,” I said, “but it gains additional effects based on which ‘Gadget’ monsters were tributed it to summon it. Because I tributed ‘Red Gadget’ and ‘Green Gadget’, my monster deals piecing damage, and deals an additional four hundred damage each time it reducing your Life Points through battle. I attack ‘Kozaky’ with Composite Burst!”

 

The dragon opened its mouth, its ancient jaw creaking, and breathed a wave of green, red and white energy on the demonic scientist. ‘Kozaky’ threw up his arms, but the effort was un-necessary, since the ‘Heart of Clear Water’ deflected the blow (7000+400-3000-400=4000).

 

“I set a card,” I said, “and I end.”

 

Prof drew a card, smiling, “You’ve recovered the lead, but I’ll make sure it doesn’t last. First, ‘Ominous’ activates.” He pointed at a card in my hand and declared Monster. I showed him the Spell card ‘Enemy Controller’. My Life remained the same.

 

“No matter,” said Prof. “’Giant Kozaky’ attacks ‘Yellow Gadget’,” Prof commanded, and the giant weapon monster crushed the foot-tall robot with his mallet (5100+1200-2500=3800). “Next,” Prof continued, “I activate ‘Creature Swap’. You give me control of your dragon, and In exchange, you get control of ‘Giant Kozaky’.”

 

“Then I combo,” I said, acting out of desperation, “with ‘Limiter Removal’, doubling the dragon’s attack (ATK: 6000).” ‘Kozaky’ jumped out of ‘Giant Kozaky’’s control booth, and the robot switched places with my dragon.

 

“Your turn end,” I said, “and the negative effect of ‘Limiter Removal’ destroys my dragon.”

 

‘Gadjiltron Dragon’ fell apart.

 

“I draw,” I declared, “and I end my turn by setting two cards.” I only have one card left in my hand. My chances of taking repetitive damage from ‘Ominous Fortunetelling’ has greatly increased, but I don’t have any other choice. This is my only chance.

 

“I draw,” said Prof, “and I activate the effect of ‘Ominous’, declaring Monster.”

 

“Correct,” I said, showing him ‘Exxod, Master of the Guard’ (3800-700=3100).

 

“I tribute ‘Kozaky’,” Prof declared, “to summon ‘Woodborg Inpachi’ in defense mode.” ‘Kozaky’ was replaced by a massive humanoid torso made of charred logs and cybernetic components, sitting atop a tank-like contraption (DEF: 2500).

 

“When ‘Kozaky’ is removed from the field,” Prof explained, “’Giant Kozaky’ is destroyed. And when ‘Giant Kozaky’ is destroyed, his controller takes damage equal to his Attack.”

 

The giant robot exploded (3100-2500=600).

 

“Next turn,” said Prof, “even if you keep your next card in your hand, which you won’t, I’ll have a fifty percent chance of hitting you with the effect of ‘Ominous Fortunetelling’, since I know that ‘Exxod’ is still present in your hand. I’ll hit your Life Points next turn, and I’ll win. I’ll win without even having to attack you. Even if you do draw a monster, it won’t be enough to finish me off. There’s nothing that you can do.”

 

“Don’t count on it,” I said. “Despite what you may think, you don’t know everything. Reveal face-down card ‘Call of the Haunted’, calling my ‘Gadjiltron Dragon’ back from the dead.”

 

There was a flash, and the mechanical dragon returned to the field with a fierce roar (ATK: 3000).

 

“I also activate ‘Megamorph’,” I declared. My dragon doubled in both size and power (ATK: 6000).

 

“You can attack,” said Prof, “but the result will be the same.”

 

“I guess you forget which Spell card you revealed in my hand a few turns ago using ‘Ominous’’ effect,” I replied, and I watched as Prof’s eyes filled with a terrible realization. “That’s right,” I continued. “I reveal my face-down ‘Enemy Controller’!”

 

A giant game controller appeared ahead of me. Its cord reached out and plugged into the machinery in ‘Woodborg’’s chest. The massive monster relaxed its stance, changing to attack position (ATK: 500).

 

“I attack!” I commanded, and my monster breathed a wave of light on the ‘Woodborg Inpachi’, reducing it to ash (4000+500-6000=0).

 

I smiled proudly, “It looks like that’s game.”

 

Prof walked toward me, his face unreadable. Then he smiled and offered me his hand. “Robert Stone,” he said, “welcome to the Duelists Elite.”

 

[spoiler=Chapter Three]

 

Introductions

 

 

“What now?” I asked Prof. I had trouble believing that a duel would be my only test. Not if the Duelists Elite were as guarded as I had come to understand.

 

“Now,” said Prof, “I want you to open the door.”

 

I was confused at first, but then I realized what he meant. “That door?” I asked, pointing at the handle-less steel door behind Prof.

 

“Yes,” he said.

 

“That door that has no handle and is made of solid steel?”

 

Prof nodded.

 

“How?”

 

“With your Soul, obviously,” Prof answered as if the answer were one that should be readily known, “but be careful. Your Soul manipulates the earth. You wouldn’t want to manipulate the wrong rocks and cause a rock slide that will kill us both.”

 

I smiled, “That’s the real reason you brought me here, isn’t it? You wanted to test my skills, but you really wanted to test the power of the Soul of Earth, and the extent of my control over it.”

 

Prof smiled, “Bingo.”

 

Fine, I thought, if he wants to see my power, then I’ll show him my power.

 

I thought about it for a moment, deciding on the best course of action. Once I’d formed a plan, I concentrated, and my amber-brown spherical crystal Soul flashed. Several small rocks rose up into the air and ringed the edge of the door. I raised my hand, and there was a scraping sound as the rocks pressed tight around the metal frame. I clenched my fist, and the rocks flew a few feet toward me, carrying the entire door with it, revealing a dimly lit corridor behind it.

 

Prof began to clap, “Very impressive.”

 

“Thanks. What now?”

 

“What do you mean?” Prof asked.

 

“This is the test site, right? So when do we leave for the main headquarters, or whatever you call it?”

 

“Prof chuckled, “Just because this is the test sight, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t also the sight of our headquarters.” He watched a look of light shock pass over my face, and then he said, “This way please.”

 

I couldn’t think of a response to that, so I simply followed, wondering what I would find.

 

 

We walked silently through the corridor, walking at a downward angle. We walked for fifteen minutes or so before we reached another door. This one was larger. It didn’t have a handle either, but it did have a keypad. Prof swiftly tapped in a code on that keypad, and the door rose up into the ceiling. I realized that this place was little more than a mountain bunker, like one of the military bases that you see in war movies. Like Cheyenne Mountain, or the bunker from T3. I looked around. This place was as secure as any military installation, but it had no military logos anywhere. It was likely privately built. I chose not to even fathom how much money such a thing would actually cost.

 

We walked awhile longer before we finally came to a massive open doorway leading into a huge, open, well lit cavern of a room. Its ceiling was high, like an indoor stadium. Chalked onto the floor were the outlines of ten Duel Disk arenas lined up in two even rows. There were duels taking place at seven of them. There were at least two dozen other duelists scattered around, watching, sitting at either the six rows of stadium-style seats that sat against one wall, or the dozen or so benches and tables scattered about.

 

“Welcome,” said Prof, “to your new home. This portion of the tour will cover the Arena Room. But more about that later.”

 

Prof led me through a doorway off to the right and down another, better lit corridor until we came to a huge, round, mostly dark office. Almost one half of the high, spacious wall was covered in large monitors displaying statistics, text and images. I couldn’t follow any of it. In the back of the room was a wide, curved, dark-wood desk, a high backed chair behind it. There were four computer monitors on the desktop, but only one keyboard and mouse. That meant four interconnected computers. That meant that whoever usually sat at that desk could do you work of four people at once. The long short of it; he was smart.

 

There were two young men in the room already. One was older, taller, and more muscular. He had light, short, spiky hair and intense light yellow eyes, almost the same color of his hair. He stood with his hands held behind his back as his gaze danced over the monitors before him, studying them and very clearly understanding them. The second figure was smaller, about my build. He was sitting on the corner of the desk closest to the door. His hair was similarly spiky, but darker and a little longer than the other’s. His dark, almost black eyes were kind, but calculating. He was speaking, reciting some kind of report.

 

“…Team four repelled the most recent Order strike in Egypt. They destroyed the enemy’s Shadow items when necessary, recovered them when possible, and used the penalty game Mind Wipe to erase all knowledge of the Order and the Shadow items from their opponent’s minds. The erasure took in all seven cases, and no one was permanently harmed. It looks like you were right, Greg. The entire Duelists of the Order organization is in its death throws.”

 

“I agree, Tim,” the larger figure replied, “so why can’t I bring myself to believe it?”

 

“Because,” Prof cut in arrogantly, both interrupting and announcing our presence, “you know deep down that I’m right. I predicted that something was about to happen that would lead the Order as a whole to find its second wind and become more dangerous than ever, and deep down you know I’m right.”

 

“Still singing the same tune, Prof?” the one named Greg asked, not even bothering to look over. “I thought I told you to let it drop. With no command structure to speak of, there’s no way that the Order can recover to the extent that you’ve predicted.”

 

Prof smiled, “I respectfully disagree, Gregory, and if you weren’t so blinded by your desire for this war to end, we’d be singing a duet. You claim that you’ve accounted for the strength of every strong Duelist left in the Order’s ranks, and that none have the skill or the power to lead, but my equations don’t lie. Numbers never lie.”

 

Gregory finally looked over, to speak a retort, but he stopped when he saw me. Gregory looked Prof in the eyes and demanded, “Who is this?”

 

“The new recruit I mentioned,” Prof replied calmly, grinning defiantly. “His name’s Robert Stone, a former member of the Duel Force. He holds the Soul of Earth.”

 

“Hi,” I said, “you can call me Rocky.”

 

“I told you,” Gregory said, speaking to Prof, “that you were not to recruit anyone else.” He looked and sounded more intimidating that I ever could have imagined.

 

Prof lowered his voice, “Come on Greg. If I’m right, then we need this kid to win the coming battle. If not, then, well, I still need a new fifth member for my team. Team Two can’t be left undermanned. He’s good. At least as good as me on a bad day. I could really use someone like him covering my back.”

 

Gregory looked from me to Prof, and then back to me. “Fine, Prof,” he said, “but he’s your responsibility.” Gregory took a step toward me and offered me his hand. I shook it, and he introduced himself, “I’m Gregory Hendriks, leader and co-founder of the Duelists Elite.” He gestured toward the second figure, “This is my brother Timothy, second co-founder, and the head of our most powerful team.”

 

Timothy walked over, shaking my hand as well. His stance was far less aggressive than his brother’s “I’m Timothy Hendriks,” he said. “Good to meet you.”

 

“Yeah,” I said, “Likewise.”

 

“Now that we’ve gotten through the awkward process of introductions,” said Prof, “I’d like to take my new recruit to the AE to begin the equally awkward process of meeting his team-mates.”

 

“You’ll find Charlie and James there,” said Timothy, having already returned to his previous perch on the desk, “but you know better than to think you’ll find Rachel anywhere relaxing.”

 

“I know,” Prof replied, “but considering Rachel’s usual mental state, I figured I’d save her for last.”

 

 

We crossed the Arena Room and stepped through another retracting bulkhead door into an even more massive room with a much higher ceiling. The ceiling was lined with fluorescent, ultraviolet lights, put in place to provide nourishing brightness to the trees and grass that had been planted in the implanted soil below. A stream ran across a section of the room, supplied by a series of pipes that protruded from the stone wall. There were several small groves of trees scattered about, surrounded by hills and grassy fields. In the back of the room, I saw a basketball court and a soccer field, near a flat field large enough for American Football. A running path wrapped the entire enclosure. There were people about, running, relaxing, dueling, and interacting to various degrees. There were both boys and girls, all relatively young. Few of them were older than twenty-five.

 

It was an Artificial Environment. AE.

 

“Impressive isn’t it?” Prof asked.

 

“Yeah,” I said, in awe, “it really is.”

 

Prof smiled, “Come on, I’ll introduce you to the team.”

 

Prof led me to a grove of trees nearby. As we walked, he explained, “This place, all of it, is payed for by the Hendriks’ massive fortune, as well as various contributions from powerful figures who are aware of the Order, but unable to fight in any other way. We’ve been outnumbered since this battle started, but we have more skill. There are around seventy Duelists here. The best twenty-five are the only ones who actively intercept the Order when it attacks. They’re the best, making up the five teams that operate in the field. Everyone else is strong as well, but they’re mostly reserve, for when one of our higher ranking members is incapacitated, or decides to return to his normal life. I’m pretty well known around here for being the only team leader who never uses reserve members. I like to hand pick my team members myself. That’s why, when my last fifth decided to return home, I made a point to seek you out as quickly as possible.”

 

I nodded. I was finally starting to get a clear picture of what was going on. Of what the Elite was really like and how it functioned.

 

We reached the grove, approaching one large tree in particular. In the branches overhead there sat a boy, maybe a year or two older than me, his back to us, tapping his foot against the branch upon which he sat, keeping time with a song that played silently in his mind. His legs were crossed casually, and his hands were folded behind his resting head.

 

Even before we were in his field of vision, the boy said, “Hey Prof.”

 

“Charlie,” said Prof, “good to see you.”

 

“Who’s the new guy?” Charlie asked. He finally sat up, turning to look over at me.

 

“This is Robert “Rocky” Stone,” Prof replied, “our new fifth member.”

 

“Is he any good?” Charlie asked.

 

“He beat me.”

 

Charlie scrutinized me and then returned to his previous, lazy position. “I’m not really in the mood to care much right now,” he said. “James’ll care though. He’s kicking that damn soccer ball around again, or at least he was twenty-three minutes ago when I checked last.”

 

“Thanks,” said Prof. He turned toward the soccer field and started walking. I followed. Once we were out of earshot, he said, “Don’t mind Charlie. He’s pretty distant, and he’s arrogant beyond the ability of rational human beings to believe, but he’s a good guy, with powerful magic and an even more powerful deck. James isn’t quite as strong, but he’s a lot easier to get along with.”

 

 

We walked for a few minutes before we reached the soccer field. One player in particular was stealing the show. He was six feet tall, maybe sixteen years old, with golden blond hair and sharp blue eyes. He was clearly athletic, his movements fluid and precise. He was playing against three others; two guys, one older and one younger, and a girl of maybe fifteen. The three were clearly athletic as well. They were also clearly losing.

 

I didn’t have to ask which one was James.

 

When James saw us, he told the others thanks for the game, took a sweat rag to his face, and took a swig of water from a water bottle. He made his way over to us.

 

“Robert “Rocky” Stone,” Prof introduced, “meet James, the Elite’s resident jock. Name a sport and James here excels at it.” To James he said, “James, meet Rocky, our team’s new fifth member.”

 

James shook my hand enthusiastically and replied in an Australian accent, “Good to meet ya. I’ve been lookin’ forward to meetin’ whoever Prof found for us next.”

 

We talked to James for a few more minutes before Prof finally said, “Well, I think it’s time Rocky met our final member.”

 

“Oh, you mean Rachel?” James asked. “Well, good luck to ya then.”

 

I was confused, but I replied politely, “Thanks.” Then, after Prof and I were well on our way, back toward the exit of the AE room I asked, “What did he mean?”

 

Prof smiled a mischievous smile and replied, “You’ll see.”

 

[spoiler=Chapter Four]

 

Rachel

 

 

Prof and I made our way out of the Artificial Environment and into another chamber next to it. This chamber was smaller, with ceilings about as high as those in the Arena Room. Not as high as the ones in the AE, but still very high. The chamber was made up of several segments, separated by walls made of safety glass. Each segment was dedicated to a different form of physical conditioning. It was a gym. Prof led me through a room where people were doing yoga, through a weight room, and into a room with two large mats on the floor.

 

It was a mixed martial arts dojo.

 

One mat was dominated by people practicing their basic form. On the other mat, a girl about my age was standing, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers who were watching as she incapacitated three large, male attackers in a few seconds. She was wearing loose gray sweatpants and a faded black tank top. She had sandy blond hair and eyes identical to those of the loner, Charlie. It was obvious that she was his younger sister.

 

“Come on!” the girl roared. “Anyone else wanna try and knock me out?”

 

I looked over at Prof, gesturing toward the girl, and said, “Let me guess; Rachel?”

 

Prof nodded, smiling.

 

I sighed, “I was afraid of that.”

 

I stepped forward, through the crowd of onlookers. I would have to do something substantial to earn this Duelist’s respect. The jeans I was wearing were fairly loose, and my form utilized mostly my upper body, so I figured I’d be alright.

 

I sighed again and announced, “I’ll take you on.”

 

“Who the hell are you?” Rachel demanded.

 

I smiled as I set my Duel Disk and my bag on the floor beside the mat and turned to face my opponent, “I’ll tell you, if you can beat me.”

 

The girl smiled a confident, wicked smile and said, “Fine.” Then without another word, without a moment’s posturing, she struck. She was fast, her fists flying one after the other. I raised my left arm and twisted it to deflect both strikes, as I thrust with my right palm, aiming for Rachel’s solar plexus. A hit would knock the wind out of her, impeding her movements. But Rachel saw the attack coming and skipped back, out of reach, spun, and kicked my hand away. Then she rolled in close, meaning to knee me in the gut. I blocked with my on knee and reached out, trying to grip my opponent and get her in a pin hold. But she was good. She twisted free and sprung backward, through the air in a spinning corkscrew motion, landed on her palms, and did a handspring onto her feet, all in one fluid motion.

 

She jumped, launching a kick toward my face. I deflected, and she immediately sprung into a flying kick, which I caught, using a combination of leverage and the speed and weight of my opponent to throw her through the air. She landed hard, face down. Slowly she rose to her feet. She turned toward me, furious.

 

“You beat me,” she said, “but just like everyone else here, I’m a Duelist. We’re gonna finish this in a duel.”

 

I smiled, “That’s fine by me.”

 

I walked over and picked my Duel Disk back up, strapping it to my left arm where it belonged. My opponent took her Duel Disk out of a gym bag in the corner. Her deck was already in it.

 

I heard some of the spectators talking. They were taking bets on how many turns it would take me to lose. I swallowed, nervously, and I looked over at Prof. He was smiling a wicked little smirk that told me that I had no idea what I was getting into.

 

Maybe this was a bad idea.

 

I steeled myself up, No, win or lose, I have to remain confident. I have to show these guys that I’m strong. I have to show this girl that I’m strong. I have to earn their respect.

 

“I’ll move first,” I declared. I drew six cards from my deck. “I summon,” I declared, “the living stone giant ‘Destroyer Golem’.”

 

A twenty-foot-tall humanoid made of bricks and stone appeared. His right arm and fist were considerably larger than his left (ATK: 1500).

 

“I place two cards face-down,” I concluded, “and end my turn.”

 

“Then here I come,” said Rachel. “I summon one of my favorite monsters, a legendary beast, the ‘Phantom Beast Cross-Wing’, defense mode. I set a card.”

 

A large bird with orange-brown feathers appeared in the air next to Rachel. It had three sets of wings; two main sets, the lower of the two replacing its legs, and a third, smaller set that came off of its head like ears (DEF: 1300). Its four main wings formed an “X”.

 

Rachel smiled, “Your move.”

 

She’s taunting me, I realized. She’s daring me to damage her this turn.

 

I drew to begin my turn, Alright, if she wants me to attack, then I will. I don’t know what these ‘Phantom Beasts’ are all about, but it’s time I found out.

 

“I activate ‘Enemy Controller’,” I said. A giant game controller appeared. Its cord attached to the chest of Rachel’s monster, and the strange bird changed to attack mode (ATK: 1300).

 

“Now I attack,” I commanded. “Giant Stone Fist!” ‘Destroyer Golem’ wound up to throw a punch.

 

“Reveal,” Rachel declared, “the Trap card ‘Next to be Lost’, sending one copy of a monster on my field from my deck to the Graveyard.”

 

Rachel discarded a second copy of ‘Cross-Wing’ from her deck.

 

“Due to ‘Cross-Wing’’s effect,” Rachel explained, “’Phantom Beasts’ I control gain three hundred Attack for every ‘Cross-Wing’ in my Graveyard.”

 

Rachel smiled as the power of her monster climbed (ATK: 1300+300=1600), “Counterattack with Cross Arrow!”

 

The six-winged bird was wreathed in a wedge-shaped aura of light and shot forward, tearing strait through my monster’s torso, reducing him to rubble (8000+1500-1600=7900).

 

“I won’t go down so easily,” I said. “’Destroyer Golem’ is the weakest card in my deck. I set a card. Go.”

 

“Draw,” Rachel declared. “I summon,” She announced, “the ‘Phantom Beast Wild-Horn’.”

 

A humanoid beast with the head and the horns of a male deer appeared, his fur-covered body decorated with various tribal tattoos. He wore a red cape, and he carried a sword that looked like one of his horns, flattened and made of gleaming steel (ATK: 1700+300=2000).

 

“Next,” said Rachel, “I activate ‘Painful Choice. You know it?”

 

I nodded.

 

“Good. That means I don’t have to explain it to you.” Rachel took five cards from her deck and held them up for me to see. They were ‘Berfomet’, a second copy of ‘Wild-Horn’, a third copy of ‘Cross-Wing’, and two copies of another ‘Phantom Beast’, ‘Phantom Beast Thunder-Pegasus’.

 

I can’t let another ‘Cross-Wing’ end up in the Graveyard, I thought. “In that case,” I said, “add ‘Cross-Wing’ to your hand.”

 

Rachel smiled, “Pretty clever. But I’m not the kind of Duelist who lets my opponent decide my moves for me. I activate ‘Monster Reincarnation’, discarding ‘Cross-Wing’, and returning the discarded ‘Berfomet’ to my hand.”

 

With a second ‘Cross-Wing’ in the Graveyard, Rachel’s monsters increased in power yet again (2000+300=2300/1600+300=1900).

 

“Now,” Rachel commanded, “’Wild-Horn’, attack directly.”

 

The beast warrior charged forward, his sword wreathed in an aura of light. He slashed (7900-2300=5600).

 

“Now I attack with ‘Cross-Wing’,” Rachel declared, “Cross Arrow!”

 

The bird was wreathed in a wedge-shaped aura, preparing to attack.

 

“No way,” I said. “Reveal face-down Trap Monster card, ‘Stronghold the Moving Fortress’.”

 

A massive, armored robot with three round slots in its chest appeared, sitting behind me, its arm hanging almost limp in front of me, protecting me (DEF: 2000).

 

Rachel scowled, “Then I’ll cancel my attack.” The aura around ‘Cross-Wing’ faded away.

 

“That ends my turn,” said Rachel. She obviously wasn’t very pleased.

 

Here it is, I thought. It’s time for me to launch my counterattack.

 

“I draw,” I declared, “and I reveal the Trap card ‘Ultimate Offering’, giving me the power to summon additional monsters at the cost of five hundred Life Points apiece. So, at the cost of one thousand Life Points (5600-1000=4600) I summon from my hand and deck the three living gears, ‘Red Gadget’, ‘Green Gadget’ and ‘Yellow Gadget’!”

 

Small red and yellow robots with gears on their backs appeared alongside a small green robot with a gear making up its stomach and chest (ATK: 1300/1200/1400).

 

“Your monsters are powerful,” I said, “but I have power too. Your monsters are powerful in numbers, but my monsters are even stronger. Rachel, I’m about to win this duel, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

 

 

 

 

Further chapters can be found starting on Page 2, Post #37

[Weather Report - Stand]

Woo, Earth deck! Now Wild West Bob can have a friend who lives in an alternate universe! Either way, it's gonna be great to see what kinds of things you'll pull off with an Exxod deck. Or was it Exodd?!

[legendhiro]

that's the biggest problem I have writing for him, actually. I have to check on the spelling of his name on a regular basis because I forget.

 

stay tuned. chapter one will be up in the next day or so.

[Ryno Dorcus]

Awesome, This is going to be awesome as Rocky is my favorite character and I use a deck just like him.

[legendhiro]

rocky's deck will show a bit more of its offensive half in this book, but will still be essentially the same one that we have seen. you should like it. since he is the main character here, i had to give him some more creative combos and additions. his first duel will be against the man who approached him at the very end of DF book 6. we'll get a feel for just how high a level the average elite member duels at.

 

the first chapter, or maybe even the first two will be up in the next day or so.

[Ryno Dorcus]

rocky's deck will show a bit more of its offensive half in this book' date=' but will still be essentially the same one that we have seen. you should like it. since he is the main character here, i had to give him some more creative combos and additions. his first duel will be against the man who approached him at the very end of DF book 6. we'll get a feel for just how high a level the average elite member duels at.

 

the first chapter, or maybe even the first two will be up in the next day or so.

[/quote']

 

Sick, sounds awesome!

[legendhiro]

chapter one is (finally) up. it would have been up yesterday, but i'm lazy...

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Card of the Day (Chapter One)]

 

 

This card may have a high level for a monster with only twenty-four hundred ATK, but the usefulness of its effect makes up for it. This monster has the power to steal your opponent's monsters from him, potentially giving you an army of strong monsters while leaving your opponent with none.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter Skill Test (Part Two)

[Weather Report - Stand]

I like it. Your description was fine for a first-person story, and it reminded me of the Cirque Dud Freak series. Then again, I haven't really read many first-person fantasy series...es? And one thing kinda confuses me: Why does he use crappy Rock guys like Destroyer Golem and Stone Dragon? Was this an important plot point for them to use really bad monsters like this in the last series? But overall, I like the idea of giving a side character his own story.

[legendhiro]

the use of the crappier rock monsters gives him material to create stronger monsters like Megarock. in fact, he only uses stone dragon for two reasons; to discard for rock bombardment/miracle rupture -> remove for megarock, and to fuse into an original card of mine that will appear later in the story. other weak rock monsters are used to distract from his stronger monsters, and to use with dark factory of mass production. he runs two of them, using them to return normal rock monsters/alpha/beta/gamma monsters to his hand. a big part of his deck is forming combos by discarding and later recovering rock monsters.

 

here is that original card so you can see what i'm talking about:

 

[spoiler=Effect]

"Stone Dragon" + 1 Dragon-Type Monster or 1 monster with "Dragon" in its name.

This card's type is also treated as Dragon. When your opponent selects this card as the target of a Spell card you can remove 1 Rock-Type Monster in your Graveyard from play to negate that effect and destroy the card. When this monster attacks with an ATK that is higher than the DEF of a Defense Position monster, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent's Life Points.

 

 

 

he summons it (or i should say will summon it) by fusing stone dragon and megarock dragon.

 

thanks for the compliment on my fic. from you it means a lot. i hope you stick around for the later installments.

[Weather Report - Stand]

You're welcome, yo, about the comments. And the card looks kick-ass awesome, although I still need to figure out what you meant about 'distracting from his stronger monsters'. He needs the opponent to destroy weak crap so that you can summon the strong crap? In real-er life, it would make more sense to have a mill element instead of that idea, but...

 

"duel with your heart, not the meta"

 

Inspirational words, indeed. *sniff*

[legendhiro]

"duel with your heart' date=' not the meta"[/i']

 

Inspirational words, indeed. *sniff*

 

lol.

 

running destroyer golem as a distraction simply means that when his opponent sees destroyer golem, they expect him to have a weak deck. most people would.

 

he does run some cards to mill them. the deck model i use runs two rock bombardments and three miracle ruptures (which both mill a rock monster of your choice from your deck), as well as a copy of painful choice. he runs the weak monsters as material for these cards so that he won't have to target important monsters. he will mill out the magnet warriors as well, if doing so will let him return them to his hand afterward with the likes of dark factory and monster reincarnation.

 

think of it as creating a rock slide so that you can collect the diamonds that break loose in the process.

 

later on he'll be shown to run cards like earth giant gaia plate. running several throw away rock monsters makes running gaia plate much easier.

[Weather Report - Stand]

I like the rock slide thingie. It sounds like a proverb that usually wouldn't make sense. Like the barrel of monkeys one. Where am I supposed to fond one of those?! And you copied Bob's Gaia Plate idea! He was going to get one of those soon enough.

[Ryno Dorcus]

Chapter 1 was very nice, Go Megarock Dragon. I was dueling somebody recently and I summoned him with 7700 ATK and whooped my opponent in 1 turn. It was sick.

[legendhiro]

megarock is awesome. a very underrated card.

[Ryno Dorcus]

I know, He has great potential.

[legendhiro]

chapter two is up, concluding rocky's duel with prof. here, rocky showcases a side of his deck that is completely new, meant to give his deck more speed and power.

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Card of the Day (Chapter Two) ]

 

 

This card, played by Rocky, is one of the most versatile and most powerful monster of all. It gains various effects if certain monsters are tributed for it, it can be Special Summoned (unlike other powerful "Ancient Gear" cards), and it retains the classic effect of the "Ancient Gears"; the ability to prevent the activation of Traps when it attacks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter Introductions

[Ryno Dorcus]

Sick, He uses the Gadgets which, apart from Rock monsters, Gadgets are my next favorites to use! Chapter 2 had a sweet ending!

[legendhiro]

i love the gadgets. i never ran them in my own deck, but i really wanted to use them somewhere, so i put them in my earth deck, which became rocky's deck. they even work for his theme of selective milling/deck thinning.

[RyanAtlus]

I learned of the Duelists of the Order of the Divine Cards; a secret society with the reach and the power to one day conquer' date=' or even destroy the world.[/quote']

 

I seem to know that one from somewhere...owait.

Little typo in Ch.2, 'fist' instead of 'first'. Sorry.

 

I think I'll like this one a lot, basically because I've always favoured Rocky.

[legendhiro]

thanks, and thanks for pointing that out. i'm careful, but little things still get past me all the time.

[RyanAtlus]

It's actually the first mistake of you I've ever seen. You don't need a betareader.

[Nexev]

I just want you to know I am actually reading this.

 

Pretty good, the big thing about gadgets is that stronghold trap since it is incredible offense and defense and that balance is supposedly Rocky's style.

 

I don't see why the order is a big deal. Duel Force defeated thier leader, defeated thier ace team and the replacement leader, and beat the replacement leaders in a special. They keep on getting tossed around so why do they still have enough manpower to be a threat warranting an entirely new special forces branch?

[legendhiro]

That's actually the point of this book. Prof gets in trouble for letting someone new into the fold when the Order is all but defeated, but he convinces his superiors that Rocky is important. Then Prof's prediction is proven correct when a new leader surfaces who has the power to actually defeat the Elite if he's not stopped, and the Order gains new life. Rocky is key in the fight against this new leader.

[legendhiro]

bump. new chapter tomorrow. i've had a lot on my plate lately, which is why its take so long.

[RyanAtlus]

Okay. Just take it easy.