Yu-Gi-Oh! Sideline Preparation. Volume 2 Chap Three up

[Aelsthla-Mental]

Hello, welcome to my first thread! If that didn't scare you off... Read on I suppose.

 

You'll notice the story is quite cliche, wanted to keep it basic to start with, and start making it a bit more 'original' when I know I have the basics of everything else right.

 

As you've already seen, I'm going to need people to pluck the many errors in it if this story is to be good.

 

As for the rating, i'll give it PG-13 mainly to be safe, may contain some gore (nothing too detailed), violence, low level coarse language... Yeah. May increase rating later, but unlikely.

 

Hope you enjoy it. I'll consider submitting characters/cards later. I'd rather not add character bios on top, but if it's asked, i may. I just prefer to leave it to imagination is all. But all-in-all, i like ideas and constructive criticism :).

 

It's all a bit unorganized so far... Hopefully I'll be able to organize it all later.

 

Anyway... Let's see how this experiment goes.

 

Please note: Volume Two starts on page 5, near the end.

For it, click here

 

So yeah, i've babbled enough, and i hope you enjoy:

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Prologue]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Prologue: Deception and Coffee With a Side of Mystery

_______________________________________________________________

 

The Duel Academy Entrance Exams laid there in all its glory. It was a large square building, a neutral gray in color, and a large white dome for a roof.

 

The building was basic yes, yet most people stared at it in awe. To some it was where people played some card game, to others it was learning an ancient game with a dark past. It probably helped that it was right next to the beach though, where many people waiting for the entrance examination would hang around.

 

On the other side of the academy were some small shops. The biggest being a three-story mini mall.

 

Next to the mini mall was a coffee shop. It looked like it would soon be in need of repairs, the once dark blue pain was flaking off, it made ominous creaking noises when you went inside, and the chairs and tables looked like they were together by spit and prayer.

 

The place was open, but no-one was there except for two figures. They were two young men wearing Hawaiian shirts and black tracksuit pants that most would consider a 'fashion disaster'. Perhaps it was for that reason people walking along the street found themselves avoiding those people. A pity really; While their speaking was vague, It sure was interesting.

 

'I can't believe you called me here.' The first one said. His voice was regulated and all-too normal to be 'normal'. His brown eyes stared at the other figure, seemingly watching for minute changes in the other's face.

 

Perhaps the other face complied, for he grinned playfully and the flung his arms up, while keeping his green eyes deadlocked at the other person's.

 

'Oh, you know it's important. Otherwise you wouldn't have come.' He let out a short laugh, then continued. 'I've found someone who fits the criteria perfectly. I'm already prepared to alter what is to happen.'

 

'Dangerous thoughts...' The other commented, 'any reason why I shouldn't report you?' His gazed never flickered, his eyes didn't blink. He just continued staring; his light brown hair had probably been cut for the soul purpose of staring at people.

 

'From the suspicious signs, someone else has already done so, we are just counteracting it. In the end true balance should be restored.'

 

'And if, so help me, you are wrong?' He lifted his eyebrows, not that there was much there. His eyebrows were wisps of light colored hair.

 

'Then we'll do what should have happened, and eliminate him.' he replied, somewhat too cheerfully for him to be sane. Bringing his arms forward he said 'So, you going to do your part?'

 

'I suppose, but if anything goes wrong, I was never here...' He took out a deck of Duel Monster cards. 'Amazing how so much power can be compacted into small objects, isn't it?' He sighed, his gaze flickering off the other and to the table. His head came up abruptly to gaze at the other figure again. 'I'll be off; I'll do as you ask. And I won't tell anyone what you're doing, for the moment.' Getting up, he walked briskly to the Duel Academy Entrance Exams, leaving the other figure sitting there.

 

When he was a safe distance away, the figure sitting there grinned; his green eyes twinkled with a spark of mischief. 'I wonder how my dear unknown competitor is,' he chuckled. 'Can't wait to meet them personally...'

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

*Note: I didn't use there names on purpose, it is a bit jarring i know. I'll probably be asked to fix it, won't I?*

 

[spoiler=Vol 1 Chapter One]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 1: Life Hanging by a Needle's Thread

 

'I've made it!'

 

A kid called Joshua Paul beamed at the Duel Academy door. It hadn't been easy to get there, numerous obstacles had separated him from his goal. Such as people who seemed to only exist to torment him, a deck he had to alter again and again until he thought it was good enough. And now the door stood there, opened, inviting. His blue eyes glinted with delight, he rubbed his glasses to make sure that he wasn't seeing things, although all that did was make his glasses dirtier.

 

He ran through the baby blue corridors, caring to apologize to anyone he bumped into. Josh was lucky really, he always missed the big scary people who would have probably taken offense...

 

At last, he made it to a table, with that he tapped the computer screen implanted into it.

 

'Duel Academy Entrance Exam activated, you have one hour to complete the questions, After it will be rated.' The computer said in a dull male British tone.

 

He was ready, not born ready perhaps, but i was ready now.

 

Joshua checked out the first question, "What card can be negated by "Gryphon Wing"

 

He grinned and wrote down the answer with my touch-pen. Too easy; now, what was the next question...

 

********************************************************

'Look at these kids, full of youth, potential, and all the other jazz that can make or break the future.'

 

'You got that right...'

 

Two exam proctors stared down from the top floor at the applicants dueling with a smirk. The first one had brown eyes and a tanned face, and his nametag said "Bob", he wore the standard proctor uniform, a mix of blue and gray with a trenchcoat and pants.

 

The other one wore the same clothes, but the nametag said "Geoff" and he worea green Halloween horror mask covering his face, he said he used it to 'scare the opposition', but all it really did was make them laugh.

 

'Did that guy just waste his "Lightning Vortex" on a "Sangan"?' Bob snorted. 'he ain't making it'

 

'Yeah, but get a load of that "Mad Dog of Darkness", it's wiped the floor with that other Proctor.' Geoff commented.

 

A loud cheer echoed from the crowd and Geoff winced behind his mask winced. 'Ouch, that "Chaos Necromancer" had 6300 attack, looks like Rielly got hammered.'

 

'Considering he'd always set the shockwave amplifier two notches more then advised for applicants, he deserved it.'

 

'Good point,' Geoff's stomach grumbled. 'I'm gonna go get one of those "mystery" meat packs, maybe I'll be lucky.'

 

'Better hurry, you're up against one...' He looked up at the board. 'Joshua Paul, good luck on that.'

 

'Don't worry, if the kid is good, he'll beat me, if he ain't, he'll lose. Just like everyone else.' Geoff said brightly, somewhat taking the edge off the cheesiness of the mask.

 

'You don't give a damn about the contest do ya? whoever kicks out the most applicants gets a prize you know.' Bob snorted 'The rumors are we get a trip to a tropical resort, wouldn't that be something? Duel Academy's ok, but there are better places.'

 

'The competition is an idiot move, probably by our principle.' Geoff growled, not looking Bob in the face. 'Richard always was more into the "best of the best". It's a quiet way to get rid of the people in MORE need of teaching, i admit i try with the exam deck, but i always scrutenize whether they are worthy, even if they LOSE.'

 

'Yeah well, what can you do about it?' Bob shrugged. 'He is the boss.'

 

'I'll go get some food, duel the kid, and argue to Richard later.' Geoff stated, smacking his fist into his open palm. With that, he walked into the nearby corridor.

 

'Honestly, the old principle was far better then the maniac we have now...' Geoff muttered, looking at the looking at the ground. Suddenly, he found himself looking at a pair of black boots. Looking up, he saw a figure cloaked in black.

 

'Can i help you?' He asked pleasantly. Meanwhile his mind was ticking. Black cloaks, wasn't that what most shadow duelists, or indeed unsavory ones wore? It could be someone trying to play a trick on him...

 

Geoff's theory provided to be incorrect, as tendrils of shadow seeped out of the mam, and surrounded Geoff.

 

'Hey, what's going on...' The tendrils suddenly combined above his head and and struck Geoff on the forehead. Geoff fell to the ground instantly.

 

'How very kind of you...' The figure went to the prone form of Geoff and picked up his duel disk. he grabbed the deck and looked through it with distaste. 'Oh no, this simply will not do. Even for a practice deck.'

 

Throwing the cards away, scattering them in the hallway. He took out a deck from inside his cloak and inserted it into the duel disk. The deck glowed with an ominous purple aura before settling.

 

'There we go. Now, let's see who I'm facing today.'

 

Joshua Paul stared agape at the duels going on, these people were only trying to get in, yet the skill in the room seemed amazing.

 

The room was divided into around 16 'arena's, which was basically a 20 by 20 meter square. They were separated by a bright orange line to show where one began and another ended.

 

Joshua laughed, although the laugh was somewhat nervous. he knew he was good, but would he be good enough?

 

'Joshua Paul, come to Duel Arena 2 for your duel examination'. A voice similar to the one that had been on the computer before blared out.

 

'That's my cue.' Josh ran down the stares, his movements seemed orderly, yet also strange, an odd pattern of his legs going at different angles.

 

He made it to the arena to see a man with a halloween mask and a nametag with "Geoff" written on.

 

'Welcome kid, good luck on this duel, you can be sure it will be one you won't forget.' Inside the mask, "Geoff" smirked. This kid had a strong soul, but not quite tapped into, just the kind of prey he liked. perfect to increase his shadow powers...

 

'Sounds good!' Joshua said happily, oblivious to the meaning behind those words.

 

Both of them activated their duel disk.

 

'DUEL!' They shouted.

 

(JLP: 8000)

(GLP: 8000)

 

'Examiner's begin!' "Geoff" declared. drawing a card, he smirked. 'Let's see how the kid likes this move.' He thought to himself.

 

'I summon "Needle Ninja" in attack mode (4/400/1500).'

 

A Ninja in a black outfit with pouches filled with razor-thin needles materialized, his grey eyes stared at Joshua impassively, as if seeing him as nothing more then an obstacle.

 

'Now my monster's effect activates. once per turn, i can inflict damage to your life points equal to the cards in your hand times 100. So Ninja, strike him with "Precision Puncture"

 

The ninja lept into the air and threw five needles at Joshua, two struck both arms, two struck both legs, and one struck the neck.

 

Joshua fell to the ground, stunned (JLP: 7500)

 

'That... was a lot lot more painful then i thought it would be' Joshua thought, And are those bruises on my arm?'

 

'The Shockwave system may not be as painful as a shadow game, but set it high enough and it's ok i suppose.' "Geoff" grinned. 'I set two cards face down and end my turn, now if you would be so kind as to get up, the duel can continue.'

 

'I have a lot more respect for the other people now, if dueling is this painful, i'm surprised they all remains standing.' Joshua Paul got up unsteadily and drew. 'Not bad, but you did leave your monster in attack mode, and with only 400 points, it's wide open!'

 

'Try not to disappoint me applicant by being reckless.' "Geoff" tilted his head, amused.

 

Meanwhile, up at the stand, Bob was looking at the duel, a frown on his face.

 

'What deck is that.' He mumbled to himself. 'That ain't a card from any exam deck i've seen. Not to mention Geoff never uses burn decks.' His brow furrowed. 'Something ain't right here, i better call security.'

 

He started moving towards the hallway where Geoff had gone before.

 

Looking up there, "Geoff" saw where he was going and grimaced. 'Damn, can't toy with him any longer. I better up the ante.'

 

'Before you take your turn, i must say I'm impressed. You haven't taken your turn yet, or done anything of note. But i think it's time to up this game.'

 

Joshua raised an eyebrow. 'What?'

 

A scream was heard from a corridor at the top floor of the place.

 

'Let's make this duel a blast from the past! A real... SHADOW Game!' "Geoff" raised his hands and shadows burst out around the arena, surrounding the duelists.

 

'Wha... How... What kind of test is this!' Joshua shouted.

 

'A true test, a test that really shows what's down there.' "Geoff" patted his heart. 'Anyway, I'm going to take off this mask before i choke.'

 

He tore off the mask, revealing a grinning face with numerous small scars, green eyes with a glint of madness, and obviously dyed blue hair.

 

'Congratulations! You just got the toughest proctor here, call me Nadel. Anyway applicant, it's your move.' His face grinned sadistically and he hummed a somewhat merry tune.

 

Joshua gulped. Drawing, he stuttered 'As i said, you've left a weak monster wide open, so i summon "Mercury Sniper" in attack mode! (3/1500/0)'

 

A humanoid figure made of a shifting silver liquid appeared, a rather solid-looking sniper rifle slung on his back.

 

'Your monster isn't any match for him, now prepare yourself!'

 

'For what?' Nadel said, a bored tone. 'Don't tell me that, with two face-downs on my side of the field, you're going to attack.'

 

Joshua faltered. 'Well... Hey, you're just trying to psyche me out! I'm attacking!'

 

"Mercury Sniper" tossed the rifle into the air, leapt up, aimed in mid-air, and...

 

'I activate a trap card, "Needle Barrage".'

 

Suddenly a wormhole appeared and needles flooded the area around the Sniper, some of them digging into the liquid 'flesh'. (3/1500-1000/0)

 

'It can only be activated when a "Needle" monster is attacked. It negates the attack, decreases the attack of the monster by 500, and inflicts damage to your life points equal to half the monster's original attack.' Nadel sighed. 'I told you to reconsider.'

 

Ten stray needles broke off from the pack and went straight for Joshua, who ducked in an attempt to avoid them, the needles skimmed mast his right arm. Looking at it, he saw ten lines on his arm, a couple of drops of blood flowed out, but nothing that big.

 

(JLP: 6750)

 

Noticing Joshua staring at them he said 'This is a shadow game kid, your body is up for some major pounding if your not careful, and your soul will probably be in trouble too.' He laughed, 'watch your step.'

 

Getting up from the ground, Joshua gritted his teeth. The damage hadn't been bad, but this man was totally mad!

 

'That rhymes! I'll have to remember that.' Joshua grinned, trying to hold onto that joke, he couldn't lose his sanity, or he'd either die or lose his soul. Neither looked very promising.

 

'I set two cards of my own and end my turn.' Joshua stated, trying to sound as normal as possible, but the strain showed on his face.

 

'Don't worry yet, it will most likely only go downhill here!' Nadel drew. 'And now, I'm sure you remember the effect of my "Needle Ninja".

 

three needles shot out, this time Joshua manage to throw himself out of the way of all three. His life points still decreased, and Joshua still felt pain, probably his soul getting damaged... (6450).

 

'But it really shouldn't end yet, should it!?' I release my "Needle Ninja" to summon “Needle Roach” (5/500/500).

 

“Needle Ninja” disappeared in a puff of smoke, to be replaced by a giant dark green roach with needles sticking out of its back.

 

‘He sacrificed his monster only to special summon a weaker one…’ Joshua frowned, not bothering to say it out loud. This guy was a psycho, but he knew what he was doing. Bad luck for Joshua then.

 

'Now, my darling monster will attack your Sniper!' Nadel declared.

 

"Needle Roach" took two steps forward before getting a bullet in it's center. Despite that it kept crawling forward, only to get a second bullet, a third, and finnaly one in the head finished it, and it went *SPLAT*.

 

("G"[N]LP: 7500)

 

'Now i end my turn, activating my monster's effect. When he is destroyed in battle, he comes right back during the end phase in attack mode! All it cost is the top card from my deck.'

 

A mound of dirt appeared and; like a mole, the roach burst out of the ground. Suddenly, it sprayed Joshua Paul with needles.

 

(JLP: 5750)

 

'Oh, did i mention that you take 1000 points of damage every time that happens?' Nadel laughed, jumping up and down like an excited child with a toy he had always wanted.

 

Joshua ignored him, concentrating on picking the needles out. The good news was that there hadn't been too much force behind them, so they hadn't gone too far into the skin. Bad news was there was a LOT of them.

 

He was already breathing heavily, not a good sign. Not even half his life points had been taken yet!

 

'Stop thinking fatalistically!' Josh scolded himself. I can beat this guy, somehow...

 

Josh drew a card, wincing as he felt a needle he had missed get pushed further into his skin.

 

'...I release Mercury Sniper...' Joshua's vision went fuzzy, he faltered.

 

"Mercury Sniper" turned into a sphere of liquid floating in the air.

 

'I don't want him to see the pain I'm about to be feeling anyway...'

 

'...To advance summon "Neon Gunner" in attack mode (5/2300/1000).'

 

The sphere of liquid burst, revealing a somehow immaculate glowing orange techno-man, possibly a machine or a man in high-tech armor.

 

'Now, he attacks...'

 

Neon Gunner opened his palm and a sphere of orange energy appeared, he hurled it at "Needle Roach", causing the creature to explode on contact. The blast continued until it hit Nadel head-on, causing him to be thrown back a meter.

 

(NLP: 5700)

 

'Then he inflicts damage equal to half the destroyed monster's attack to your life points!'

 

Nadel got up only to be punched in the face by "Neon Gunner", taking a step back, he grinned, ignoring the bruise on his face.

 

(NLP: 5450)

 

'Not bad, but is that all?'

 

'For now, but there's more where that came from!' Joshua's voice became stronger, more confident. He was getting the advantage over this guy, he might just... no, we WAS going to win.

 

'Well then, by sending the top card from my deck to the graveyard, guess whose back?'

 

Coming out of the same hole, the Roach jumped into the air and sprayed needles at Joshua. But this time he was ready, taking two steps back, only a stray needle hit his shin. He grimaced, but held firm.

 

(JLP: 4750)

 

'Now, i draw with a dramatic fashion!' He paused. 'Oh forget it, i need an audience.' Drawing a card rather plainly, he grinned.

 

'Now let the real fun begin! I activate the field spell "Eye of the Needle"

 

What looked like a massive hoop materialized. Followed by a long silver line with a sharp point.

 

'What it does is rather simple. Whenever we inflict effect damage to the opposition, the damage is doubled.' He laughed shrill and high-pitched, the typical mad scientist fashion. 'A pity i had to use this card, it speeds the game. But what can i say? I have lots to do.' He shrugged. 'Anyway, I'll activate the continuous spell "Needle Thread"

 

A thread went through the massive hoop, another small needle at the end.

 

'This card inflicts 200 damage to you during each of my standby phase, and every turn the damage inflicted will increase by 200. But since the damage is doubled, it's more like 400. Anyway, i end my turn. Not like there is much you can do...'

 

(NLP: 5450)

 

Joshua drew, grimacing.'With all those life point damaging cards, my life points will be gone soon. I need to end this fast.' he looked at the card and his face brightened.

 

'I summon "Sodium Assassin" in attack mode (4/1800/200).

 

A silvery-white humanoid creature with a dagger between his teeth materialized. His face changed into a somewhat twisted grin.

 

'Now i equip "Neon Gunner" with "Calcium Enhancement".

 

The orange gunner turned a lighter shade of orange and grew taller. (5/2300-3300/1000)

 

'Now is the time I inflict hurt to you!' Joshua said, eyes ablaze. '"Neon Gunner", crush that insect!'

 

A quick blast of the orange energy and the roach was gone and Nadel was standing there resolute, his skin glowing orange and smoking. Despite the pain he must have been in, he made no sound.

 

Not even when He got a matching bruise on the other side of his face from another punch, further enhanced by his own field spell.

 

And even as he got a large slash from the "Sodium Assassin" he didn't falter.

 

(NLP: 350)

 

He kept that grin, the only strange thing was he didn't move, veins from his forehead started popping up, he looked like he was about to explode.

 

'Well, that was...' He paused, 'not the nicest thing you could have done.' The veins vanished, he now had a more quizzical look then anything 'Shall you end your turn?'

 

'I guess...' No sooner did Joshua say those words then "Needle Roach" burst out of the ground, once again spraying needles . This time Joshua was sure to take three steps back, avoiding all of them.

 

(JLP: 2750)

 

Nadel drew, pausing as he saw the card. 'You've become better in the five or so minutes i've taught you, before you could barely take a single needle, now you know how to avoid, and even resist the pain. I must be such a great teacher.' he sighed. 'But if you think you've surpassed the teacher, you have another thing coming. To start, I summon "Needle Swarm" in attack mode (2/500/400)

 

a large amount of needles swarming around in a sphere materialized.

 

'Tell me, you into synchro summonings?' He said in a reserved tone.

 

Joshua's eyes widened. '...You're going to synchro summon?'

 

'A level seven synchro summon, no less. Tuner "Needle Swarm", synchronize with "Needle Roach".

 

The swarm of needles broke out of the sphere and surrounded "Needle Roach", creating a small dark tornado with needles flying all around it and the roach invisible from sight.

 

'Shards of pain promote the strength of life, from the pain rises true living. Synchro summon! Appear before us, Needle Porthaes! (7/2600/400)

 

Out of the tornado came a humanoid creature made entirely out of moving needles. It had five extra large stationary ones on each hand for fingers. It seemed to have a face too, massive mad eyes glowing red and a large needle-sharp black "tongue" sticking out of it's mouth.

 

Joshua looked at the creature fearfully. 'N-not bad, but my Neon Gunner is still stronger.'

 

'You need to get your glasses checked it appears.' Nadel said sadly. 'Look at your monster.'

 

It was then that Joshua noticed his "Neon Gunner" was entrapped within a nest of needles (5/3300-1650/1000-500)

 

'That would be the effect of my Tuner, when it is involved in a Synchro Summon, it can halve the attack and defense of one monster. Anyway, my monster shall wipe your "Neon Gunner"

 

"Needle Porthaes" moved rapidly from side to side, avoiding the blasts from the ensnared gunner, then he leapt and engulfed "Neon Gunner" whole.

 

(JLP: 1800)

 

'And now one of my monster's effects activates, inflicting 500 damage for each level your monster has; adding the double damage, that's... five thousand life points off you!

 

Needles poured out of the creature, all seeking towards Joshua, who tried to escape, but the swarm overtook and Joshua screamed as they pierced his flesh, digging in, pain lancing all over his body.

 

(JLP: 1)

 

'How... how am i still in the duel?' Joshua rasped, blood flecking out of his breath. Landing on the floor, the blood was quickly absorbed by the shadows.

 

'Oh yes, i forgot that "Eye of the Needle" prevents a person from going to 0 life points from effect damage.' Nadel frowned. 'Oh well, you got until next turn i suppose, and don't bother going defensive, my synchro monster here also deals piercing.' He motioned towards the smiling creature, needles red with his blood made up the swirling vortex within the creature's core.

 

'I can't win, i don't think a single card in my deck can stop him.' Joshua's vision blurred, he began to stagger.

 

'Try to stay up long enough to draw a card, I want to see what you do.' It was Nadels voice, at least he thought it was. He was beginning to lose his senses...

 

Suddenly, there was a strange feeling, a burst of blue and brown appeared in his eyes, he felt himself jolted up, he suddenly felt alive. The injuries were still there, but he couldn't feel them. He heard a voice in his head.

 

'draw...' it said.

 

Joshua looked down at his deck, it seemed to be glowing. Was this... Destiny draw?

 

Joshua drew, loving the fluidity of his movements compared to before.

 

Nadel frowned. He seems a lot more alive then he was before, what's going on?'

 

Joshua looked at the card he drew with disbelief. If this was destiny draw, it must have noticed his deck couldn't save him and placed a card that could in it.

 

'You've been a challenging opponent.' Joshua said in an exaggerated deep voice. 'But it all ends here, foul shadow duelist.'

 

'You know, i take somewhat offense from that,' Nadel sniffed.

 

'Well, i now tribute my "Sodium Assassin" and the rest of my hand to summon "Chemical-Enhanced Berserker" (6/2400/500).

 

The Sodium man exploded with a wave of his hand and out of the rubble a large man with bulging muscles and machines connected to him on the back with rather painful-looking tubes appeared.

 

'Not bad, but he doesn't have the muscle to beat my monster.' Nadel noted, still from his grim face, he probably knew it was over for him all the same.

 

'My monster has an ability, by removing a "Chemical" monster, i can increase his attack by 1000. So I'll remove "Neon Gunner", and my monster can smash your monster to pieces!'

 

"Chemical-Enhanced Berserker" roared as his attack skyrocketed (6/2400-3400/500) and charged.

 

'Oh dear, this is going to hurt...' Nadel watched the creature smash through his monster and continued charging at him. He wasn't dissapointed when it hit.

 

It did hurt.

 

(NLP: 0)

 

Nadel got up unsteadily, surprisingly lacking any wounds, except for one, that seemed to be covered in some sort of shadowy bandage.

 

'I lose, so what's the penalty game.' He said calmly.

 

Joshua stared at him. 'Penalty Game?'

 

Nadel sighed. 'Aahh well, I'll see what i can find in the Shadow Realm.'

 

With that, shadows swirled around and Nadel vanished, without a trace.

 

And with that, the shadows melted away and he heard... cheering?

 

He looked up to see a crowd of people clapping and cheering for him.

 

He smiled, then all of a sudden he screamed, all the pain that had mysteriously been held back before came back, his vision blurred and he fell to the floor, the cheers turned to screams and he could hear shouts for medical attention, but most of all he saw a blurred face moving to his duel disk and taking the "Chemical-Enhanced Berserker, study it for a bit, and put it back.

 

'Perhaps too impressive.' the voice said, echoing through his head.

 

 

That was the last thing Joshua Paul heard before darkness overtook him and he fell to the ground, unconscious.

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Hope you liked it! I was going to add an extra scene, but I'll save it for the next chapter.

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Two]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 2: A Hero Imprisoned

 

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The green-eyed man with the Hawaiian shirt took a sip of a glass of coffee in his hand and sighed. 'And people say i shouldn't have caffeine, it's calming in my opinion.' He said to no-one in particular.

 

Looking up, he saw that his 'pal' wearing the same clothes coming towards him, his eyes betraying nothing, his movements calm and composed, except he had one hand in his pocket.

 

He winced, that small difference was enough to know something was wrong.

 

'is there a pro...'

 

In a blur of movement The hand came out of the pocket, revealing a kunai that slashed a scar on the others face.

 

the green eyed man slowly put his hand where the scar was, smiling as he did so. 'I suppose you have a problem with what you just did?'

 

'He is still alive. I gave him a card to ensure his victory.' The man said, his calm voice tingled with the threat of anger and violence.

 

'Then it worked?' He gave a cheesy smile, folding his hands together, he looked at the empty sky.

 

'It did, but i can't help but feel... betrayed.' He paused, as if letting the imagination get to work. 'That kid had a strong heart, strong hearts usually lead to big change.'

 

'Like you said, "usually".' Green-eye gave a short laugh. 'Doesn't always mean it.'

 

'Let me be frank.'

 

'Aren't you always?'

 

Brown-eyed man ignored him. 'I've had my doubts from the start. I only helped you because I thought you deserved a chance, and i only continued because I said i would. I'll be alerting everyone else, and we'll keep an eye on what is going on with your new... champion.

 

'Champion is such a harsh word, but I can't think of a replacement.' Green-eye huffed. Standing up, he declared 'If you don't have anything nice to say, I'm leaving!'

 

With that, he left, people around him still veering away from him for reasons unknown.

 

Brown-eye sighed. 'Honestly, no-one respects there elders these days, or the law for that matter.' Sighing, he got up and entered the coffee store.

********************************************************

 

'Hey kid, you awake?'

 

Joshua heard a voice, and with that voice came a light. His mind began running towards it...

 

And all of a sudden he was awake, in a hospital bed. Groaning, he slowly got up, feeling pinpricks of pain all over.

 

'You are awake.' The voice said, beginning to take form. Grey eyes, a beard, a weak smile. But the blurriness stubbornly remained.

 

'Your glasses are on the bedside table.' The voice gave a weak chuckle.

 

Joshua's hands shot out to his sides, his right hand feeling something light; his glasses, he put them on quickly.

 

The room became clearer. Not that it needed to be. It was quite plain with white walls, a blank ceiling, the bed was also white. There was a dark brown bedside table and to his right was the only bright color in the room, a blue curtain.

 

And of course, there was the man. A quick look showed that his gaze with a blurred vision had shown him pretty much everything already, the only difference was a few freckles and small scars on his face.

 

'Welcome to Duel Academy.' The man said, once again doingthat same weak chuckle.

 

It took a few seconds for that to sink in.

 

'Duel Academy... but, the shadow duelist! The voice, the non-existant card!' He paused, running out of breath. '...So, why am i here already? I thought the semester wasn't until tomorrow.'

 

'two things, you've been out for a day, and...' The man sighed. 'We were ordered to bring you here ASAP.'

 

Going through to the other side of the curtain, he came back with a chair to sit on.

 

'Tell me, do you want me to tell you slowly, or as bluntly as possible?'

 

'I'm having trouble thinking as it is, go for the blunt approach.' Joshua said meanwhile his brain that was having 'trouble thinking' was going through the numerous things that could be going on. He might be a hero now! He might have found a conspiracy...

 

'Officially, you're a student here. Unofficially, you're a prisoner.' He sighed, the fake smile vanishing. 'I'm afraid if you want to leave after that traumatizing experience, we can't let you leave. You can't leave for the holidays either, until we're sure you will cooperate.'

 

'...Now i'm confused, didn't I just save people from a shadow duelist?'

 

'Yeah, and do you know how much bad publicity we will get if we reveal that a shadow duelist breached our security and endangered our students?' The man twiddled his thumbs nervously. 'I have to agree with you, it's like a bad joke. But our principle wouldn't take "no" for an answer. But don't worry. You'll be taken care of here. You made it to Ra yellow too.' He added conversationally.

 

Looking at his arm, Joshua saw he was indeed wearing a Ra Yellow outfit.

 

'I'm sure you'll enjoy it here. People will befriend you quickly. You DID defeat a shadow duelist. And I'm sure they'll use you as some sort of roll model to show the oppression of society.' He got up and gave Joshua a pat on the head. 'So don't worry, everything will be OK.'

 

With that, he ran out of the room as fast as he could, leaving a rather confused Joshua to ponder what had just been said.

 

********************************************************

 

The Shadow Realm

 

It was a rather large place, you could wander endlessly throughout it. Some said within it there was a bustling megatropolis where creatures had built some sort of society. But humans had yet to know for certain.

 

One person who wandered the shadows was a man in a torn proctor examination outfit. His face with numerous small scars, green eyes with a glint of madness, and obviously dyed blue hair.

 

His name sometimes fluttered away, but he always caught it again. He was called Nadel. He was here because he had lost, and his opponent had seemingly no idea how to do a proper penalty game.

 

Was he seething for vengeance?

 

That was a negative, he was more puzzled then anything else. Simply wondering around, his eyes seemingly absorbing the little detail of his surroundings.

 

He couldn't see them, but he could sense little shadow creatures cloaked around him, waiting. They didn't dare to strike him now, his power was too much for the lowly shadow creatures who had found him. But eventually either a stronger creature would come, or Nadel himself would tire. Either way, it resulted on his soul being a meal for some random creature of the shadows.

 

He was searching for... well, he didn't know. A way out would have been nice. But really ANYTHING that changed the dull monotone that was the shadow realm's black and purple. Even when he had initiated the shadow games he hadn't really noticed. Too intent on his opponent's he supposed.

 

He gasped, noticing at last something different. Some sort of green light.

 

He ran towards it, a happy tear in his eye. He had no idea what it was, but it was different. Even if it was a creature ready to devour him, at least it was better then the black and purple things that seemed to wait like a pack of vultures.

 

The creatures seemed uneasy by the fact that he was heading towards the light. As if trying to stop Nadel from fleeing, they all struck, but just as they got to him, he touched the source of the light; some sort of green crystal, and vanished from sight...

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

I tried a shorter chapter this time, just to see which people would prefer.

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Three]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 3: Shadows of Publicity

_______________________________________________________________

 

Joshua woke up with a groan, the needle sharp pains had dulled to an ache, but they were still painful.

 

Giving a look around, he concluded he was in his new dorm room. How he got there he didn't know. His memory was fuzzy. 'Probably tranquilized' He oh-so grimly thought to himself.

 

'Nice change of scenery, now it was all yellow instead of white. Joshua thought sarcastically..

 

He was overreacting really. His room was bland, but he still had his suitcase next to his bed. Some dark chocolate and a toothbrush stuck out of it, showing just how filled the bulging suitcase was.

 

A knock on the door echoed through the room. Joshua grimaced, wondering if the energy required to get to the door was worth it.

 

Sighing, he got up, his body was heavy, he stiffly moved towards the door, even the short walk made him sweat, or maybe it was because of the heat... No, he was probably making excuses, he had never been fit anyway.

 

Joshua opened the door with a shaking hand, and stumbled back as a flash of light hit him.

 

'And here we have the guy who beat a shadow duelist at their own game. So tell me, how does it feel?'

 

Joshua took a step forward and slammed the door in the offending Ra Yellow kid with a camera's face.

 

A small voice in his head was saying that he should take advantage of his popularity, but a much more demanding voice was telling him to lie in bed and rest.

 

Unfortunately, He heard a key enter the lock and another flash of light blinded his eyes.

 

'Wow, you got spunk. Come on, give the public a chance to see you for what you really are!'

 

'Isn't this illegal or something?' Joshua moaned, sitting on his bed.

 

'Well, you have been voted a temporary celebrity of Duel Academy, and since celebrity's owe the public, this is legal.' The kid took another picture, his green eyes brimming with delight.

 

Joshua blinked, he hadn't expected a somewhat educated answer. 'So... I'm a celebrity?'

 

'A temporary celebrity. Odds are people will forget about you in a week unless you do more heroic stuff.' Another shot, and the kid looked around the empty room. 'Very spacious type i see, like your space? You going to be a hero for all the angst teenagers?'

 

'What, NO!' Joshua shouted in a somewhat gargled cry. 'I just want to have a great year, and be able to leave after...'

 

'Such noble sentiment.' The kid sniffed, a rather realistic yet obviously exaggerated sad tone. His look brightened. 'Pretty much everyone loves those kind. So tell me about your life back at home. Did you have lots of friends? How were your marks at school? Did you see yourself becoming a hero to many?'

 

'...Please, will you just go away?' Joshua groaned, placing his hands in front of his face, muffling his voice.

 

'Not very supportive, are you?' The kid's face darkened. Even his vibrant blond hair seemed to dim. It only lasted for an instant, then he was cheerful again. 'How about a deal, you duel me. If i lose, I'll leave you. I win, you take all my questions.' He gave a big grin. 'Of course, even if i lose, I still get to see him in action and record it.'

 

Ignorant of his opposition's win/win situation, Joshua gave a small, tired grin. Taking his hands off his face he grabbed his duel disk next to the suitcase. Putting it on unsteadily, he got into position.

 

'You know, it would probably be preferable to do it outside.' The kid pointed out. 'Solid Vision has been known to make buildings not prepared for them unstable.

 

'I knew that.' Joshua snapped, tiredness clouding his senses and thought processes. He stomped out the door. After taking a few snapshots of the room, the the paparazzi-kid followed.

 

********************************************************

 

'...You think this place is secluded enough?' Joshua frowned. Tired as he may be, a volcano was still a bit scary when you were this close...

 

'You're the one who didn't want publicity, if i recall. Now, shall we get this duel started?' The kid said simply. Meanwhile in his pocket he pressed a button, and hidden in a small cluster of rocks, a video camera activated.

 

'Camera and ACTION' He thought in his mind. 'You can start this match, if you don't mind.'

 

'Very well.' Joshua drew a card. 'I probably should try ending this quick. This kid is annoying. Wait...'

 

'What's your name anyway?' Joshua asked.

 

'Names Erebos Spas, and I'm still waiting for you to make your move, champ.' Erebos chuckled.

 

(ELP: 8000)

(JLP: 8000)

 

'If you insist.' Joshua said warily, looking at his hand. 'I summon "Oxygen Medic" in attack mode (4/1400/1800).

 

A human in a white, seemingly diffused flowing outfit materialized, a first-aid kit in the medic's hand. their face obscured from view by a doctor's mask. Only two calm blue eyes could be seen.

 

'Now i activate his effect. Increasing my life points for every empty monster card zone times three hundred!'

 

Nine swirling light blue streams materialized from the air and connected to Joshua, being absorbed into him.

 

(JLP: 10700)

 

'Now i set two cards face-down and end my turn.'

 

'A reserved opening. Concealing your power until you think it's needed, hey?' Erebos drew a card. 'I'm not like that, be out and open with your power, i say. I summon "Dark Shadow Knight" in attack mode (4/1800/200).

 

A shadow of a human wielding a massive sword appeared. Slowly it seemed to stand up, becoming 3D.

 

Joshua shivered. Is this a trap, is this guy some sort of shadow duelist?'

 

'Now, attack with "Shadow Saber Strike"!'

 

In a flash the warrior was next to "Oxygen Medic", the shadowy blade sliced through the outfit like butter, the medic's head sailed off before it and the body disintegrated into pixels.

 

(JLP: 10300)

 

'Now, i set one card face-down and end my turn.' Erebos grinned cockily. 'Let me give you a tip, to keep the crowd's attention, give a spectacular start. Give em only a taste, but make it look as if it's a buffet!

 

'Riiight... When I need advice to be an annoyance and full of myself, I'll ask you.' Joshua shot back.

 

'Not very sporting, save the trash talk for evil and/or rival. Although I would be honored to be your rival.' Erebos bowed mockingly. 'But due to my biased opinion, I'd probably end up making you my rival.'

 

Ignoring Erebos, Joshua drew a card. 'I summon "Sulpher Acidicman" in attack mode (4/1600/0).

 

a creature that seemed to be made entirely of sand, except for a gun with a clear sphere filled with green glop.

 

'Now, my monster attacks!' Joshua declared. 'As such, his effect activates, decreasing your monster's attack by one hundred for each level!'

 

the creature took aim and fired the green glop at the shadow, causing it to dissolve into pixels until it completely faded away, tiny drops of it went on Erebos' arm and made a hissing noise. He brushed it off, ignoring the stinging sensation that seemed all too real for a hologram.

 

(ELP: 7800)

 

'Getting closer, but you need to add more tension and action!' Erebos drew. 'See? I knew you would end your turn there, I can predict very well. So i took out you having to say so. Now, i summon "Dark Shadow Berserker" in attack mode (4/2350/0).

 

Another shadow materialized on the ground, becoming 3D you could see it was a hulking figure wielding a spike on a chain.

 

'And with that...' He paused, savoring the moment. '...I end my turn.'

 

Joshua frowned. 'He didn't attack. Is he afraid of my face-downs? No, it didn't stop him before. That monster must have a side-effect for being such a powerful level four monster. I wonder if attacking it would trigger the effect. Not worth the risk.'

 

Joshua drew a card. 'Nothing that can stop that thing, but but i may as well prepare myself.

 

'I summon "Lead Gunslinger" in attack mode (4/1850/800)

 

A dark gray man wearing a black trench coat and wielding two revolvers materialized. swinging the revolvers around his fingers, he returned them to their holsters on the trench coat.

 

'And with that i end my turn.'

 

Erebos chuckled. 'Where was the flavor in that move? A calm before the storm is better off later.' He drew a card, smiling as he did. 'Now here is a crowd pleasing move. I activate... "Shadow Ascension Ritual"!'

 

The area around seemed to get the color leeched out, the shadows of the duelists seemed to flicker and grow.

 

'What have I gotten myself into this time?' Joshua thought to himself in horror, his mouth widening.

 

********************************************************

'So then, you brought the traitor.'

 

Within some sort of massive temple cavern, on a massive throne of marble sat a figure wearing dark green pants and jumper, along with a mask with a green jewel in the center and eye holes revealing eyes a very similar color to the outfit. Currently his gaze was on two figures. One of them was a pale faced man with cold light blue eyes and black hair. His pale skin and plain white clothes brightened by the flickering flames lighting the cavern. He was holding down another figure, angry hazel eyes staring at the man on the throne, although one of his eyes was covered by a mass of blond hair.

 

'Your the one whose betrayed us! Promises of something you don't HAVE the power to give. You make me sick sitting there, pathetic.' the "traitor" shouted.

 

'ME, the pathetic one?' the person on the throne said in mock amazement. 'And here i thought you were the one trying to alert the authorities, and sabotage everything we have done.' His voice hardened. 'Remember. I am judge, jury, and executioner here. But i have to give you a chance, so here it is.' He drew out a gun from the folds of his outfit. 'This gun has one shot. Once you get out of this room me and everyone else will not harm you. Nystra, release him.'

 

The man holding the Traitor (Nystra) let him go.

 

The Traitor had a look at the way out. One hundred meters, and some cover in the form of pillars. He could make it.

 

Grinning, he sprinted forward for the first pillar.

 

*BANG*

 

He slid past the pillar just in time, the bullet missed by a centimeter.

 

'I'm home free' He thought to himself. Grinning, he left the pillar and ran for the exit.

 

Seventy Meters...

 

Fifty Meters...

 

So very close and tempting...

 

Thirty meters....

 

Ten meters...

 

'That's enough i think...'

 

*BANG*

 

A scarce meter away from the exit, the traitor crumpled to the floor, blood pouring out from the wound in his chest.

 

The man on the throne tossed away the two guns he had. 'Now that we have dealt with that. How is Judgement Energy looking at Duel Academy?'

 

And so they talked, the body of the traitor completely forgotten. After all, it was just a corpse...

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Vol 1 Chapter Four]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 4: Staging Lights! Shadow Snare

 

Erebos chuckled. 'Where was the flavor in that move? A calm before the storm is better off later.' He drew a card, smiling as he did. 'Now here is a crowd pleasing move. I activate... "Shadow Ascension Ritual"!'

 

The area around seemed to get the color leeched out, the shadows of the duelists seemed to flicker and grow.

 

'What have I gotten myself into this time?' Joshua thought to himself in horror, his mouth widening.

 

Shadows started swirling around, coming closer and closer.

 

At last, the swirling shadows began forming a liquid mass, after becoming the shape of a human, it began to solidify, until at last it formed a solid shadow that seemed scarily like the duelist that summoned it, except instead of a duel disk it wielded a flamberge in one hand.

 

'Meet the mighty "Ascended Shadow, Guang" (8/2700/2000). He looks awesome, if i do say so myself. Even if he costs two monsters from my hand.'

 

The color around them slowly trickled back, and Joshua eyed the creature critically. 'Are you sure you're not somewhat biased?'

 

'Oh, isn't everyone these days?' Erebos countered. 'It's the majority's ideas that matter. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to have my revenge and wipe out that nuisance that is acidicman.'

 

Guang didn't even have to step forward, he simply swung the massive flamberge down, and a shockwave of dark energy engulfed acidicman, obliterating him from existence. But by the time the shockwave hit Joshua, it had become little more then a breeze.

 

(JLP: 9100)

 

'Do you see it? I've already given you a difficult foe to defeat!' Erebos raised his arms dramatically. 'To defeat this creature may take one turn, a dozen, perhaps you won't defeat him. But he APPEARS to be a real threat, so the shock and awe remains! Defeating him early will signify your power, defeating him late gives an epic struggle. Not defeating him gives an opponent even you cannot defeat!'

 

He paused for breath and dramatic effect. 'And i think that is enough talk for now. One Spell OR Trap face down and i end my turn.'

 

Joshua drew a card. 'Nothing to destroy that thing, but something to protect myself. That will have to do for now.

 

'I release my "Lead Gunslinger" to set a monster, then i end my turn.'

 

the gunslinger exploded, then the fragments came together slightly above the ground and formed the back of a card.

 

'An interesting twist. You have been forced to try and defend yourself. I probably should have attacked with berserker...'

 

The shadowy berserker roared in response.

 

'Then again, perhaps not.' Erebos sighed. 'I never was much of a gambling man. Now, that monster is most likely able in some way to resist my creature. But i can't let the audience get bored! I attack your face down with my ascended shadow!'

 

Once again the shadow with a flamberge struck the earth, sending a shockwave at the face-down card. The card flipped...

 

and with a *BOOM* the shockwave dissipated, revealing a massive silvery-white shield (6/100/3000).

 

(ELP: 7500)

 

'you were right when it said it could resist your monster. My "Lutetium Shield Bearer" has enough defense to protect me.'

 

'Perhaps. But you can't keep secrets from the public. Now that I know what it is, I can work my way to it's destruction!' Erebos shouted dramatically, his right hand pointing slightly above Joshua at empty sky. Calming down, he stated simply 'I end my turn.'

 

'If this guy is a shadow duelist, he sure is taking a while to reveal it and revel in my despair, or something like that...' Joshua drew a card. 'I summon "Mercury Sniper" in attack mode (3/1500/0).'

 

The liquid silver guy with a big sniper rifle appeared.

 

'Now, he attacks your ascended shadow!'

 

Taking aim at the shadow, the sniper fired, leaving a small silver wound on the shadow that didn't heal (8/2700-2400/2000).

 

'My sniper has an effect similar to "Rocket Warrior". Unlike that card, the effect is permanent. And don't try to attack it. As long as another monster of mine remains, he cannot be attacked.'

 

To emphasize the point, the sniper dashed behind the shield of Lutetium.

 

'So the hero has resorted to hit and fade to eliminate my creature.' Erebos frowned. 'not the most heroic battle.' He gave a large grin. 'But then again we do need heroes of the unorthodox these days!'

 

Joshua could swear that kid had a split personality. sometimes he would try to insult him, the next he would attempt to defend Joshua's actions any way possible.

 

'Well, I end my turn...'

 

'Perfect! That means it's my move!' Erebos drew a card in a chopping motion. 'Now watch and be amazed as your defense crumbles before your very eyes! I activate the Continuous Spell "Shadow Prism".

 

A burst of shadows materialized from the center of the field and engulfed "Lutetium Shield Bearer".

 

'This card can only be activated as long as a "Dark Shadow" monster remains on my field. It turns your monster into a permanent spell, preventing you from doing pretty much anything with it. Trapping one of the hero's friends is a great step to bring either their downfall, or their true power.' Erebos' eyes flashed. 'Tell me, what will we see from you?'

 

Joshua remained silent.

 

'Strong silent type are we? Let's see how this breaks you. Now I attack that nuisance of a sniper.'

 

Guang lifted the massive sword, ignoring the wound where the sniper had shot him, and struck the earth, a shock wave completely engulfed the sniper and obliterated him.

 

(JLP: 8200)

 

'Reveal face-down.' Joshua snapped, '"Periodic Plunge", this trap can be activated when a "Chemical" monster is destroyed. I can remove it from the game to special summon another chemical monster, so long as it has a lower level.'

 

'A lower level?' Erebos raised an eyebrow. 'Your monster was only a level three. So you can only be summoning a level one or two monster. can one of them really protect you?'

 

'You're about to find out. I summon "Dysprosium Laserman" in attack mode (2/400/300).

 

A small silvery-gold figure with two guns instead of hands materialized.

 

'That doesn't seem threatening. Perhaps my berserker should...' Erebos shook his head vigorously. 'NO NO NO! I end my turn.'

 

Joshua drew calmly. 'I summon "Copper Axe Wielder" in attack mode (5/2300/1700)

 

'I know not of this monster, so explain how this monster miraculously was summoned without tribute!' Erebos announced.

 

'Normally a level five monster would require one, but my laserman allows me to decrease the level of all "Chemical" monsters in my hand by one until the end phase if i pay 600 life points.

 

(JLP: 7600)

 

'But that's not all. Laserman happens to be a tuner monster, so Synchro Summon!'

 

Erebos' eyes widened. 'A Synchro... NOW things are reaching the climax!'

 

'Building blocks of life, allow true bonds to become true power. Synchro Summon! Rise, "Curium Genablaster" (7/2500/2300)!

 

"Dysprosium Laserman" and "Copper Axe Wielder" leapt into the air, "Dysprosium Laserman" fired a circle of lasers which the copper man leapt into, then the laser man leapt into the still going beams, and then the lasers vanished, Revealing a silvery man with what looked like a massive energy generator on his back which was connected to a large chaingun he held.

 

'Now my monster destroys your ascended shadow!' Joshua declared coldly, not moving a single part of his body, except his mouth to utter those words.

 

Barely needing the signal, the Curium man let loose a hailstorm of bullets, ripping the (now regretting it) "Solid" shadow to shreds.

 

'Now my monster's effect activates. I send the top card from my deck to the graveyard, and depending on what it is, a different effect activates.' Joshua sent the top card, a monster called "Potassium Blazeman". 'Since it's a monster, you take damage equal to it's attack, and it's attack was a small number of... 3000'

 

'If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me!' Erebos declared. 'i activate the continuous trap "Shadow Link". As long as I have a "Dark Shadow", you also take any effect damage you deal to me!'

 

A massive explosion engulfed the field for a few seconds before dying away, revealing both duelists had fallen to the ground and were now steadily getting up.

 

(JLP: 4600)

 

(ELP: 4400)

 

'Endgame is coming near, and it appears the hero has the advantage. Will the villain play his final trump card!' Now Erebos sounded like a commentator, and an annoying one at that. 'I draw, and during my standby phase, two effects activate! First I'll tell you the effect of "Shadow Prism". During my standby phase, I can free the monster and inflict half it's strongest stats; in this case defense points, to BOTH of our life points! Oh, and one more catch. I get to choose the position.

 

The shadows surrounding the shield burst like shards and struck both duelists before fading away, and the shield fell flat on the ground (6/100/3000).

 

(JLP: 3100)

 

(ELP: 2900)

 

'The second effect is from that ascended shadow. During my standby phase after it is destroyed. I can bestow upon any "Dark Shadow" monster it's original attack until the end phase.'

 

"Dark Shadow Berserker" roared as an even larger shadow loomed over it. (4/2350-5050/0)

 

'this may hurt...' Joshua gulped.

 

'And now... I can't believe I'm going to do this, but i attack with my berserker!'

 

The berserker roared, and lifted up a massive coin, he hurled it into the air.'

 

'Wha...what's that.' Joshua asked.

 

'I'm putting the fate of the duel in chance. Let's see the final conclusion!' Erebos announced. 'Heads you lose, tails you win!'

 

Both duelists stare as the coin floated in the air, flipping around and around. The slowly; but surely, the coin...

 

Began...

 

Falling...

 

Down...

 

 

 

[Aelsthla-Mental]

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Five]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 5: Desperate Blow! Laughable Counter

 

The coin came down slowly, relishing it's defiance of gravity. But eventually it lost. And came crashing down.

 

Erebos bent down to stare at it, despite the fact he could see it well enough from where he was standing.

 

'Heads', he murmured. 'It appears that victory is mine.

 

A massive die materialized in the air and began rolling.

 

'No matter what that lands on, you lose...' Erebos announced.

 

This die was rather more blunt, and quickly landed on the ground on a four.

 

'Time for a dramatic ending! Strike down that synchro with "Berserk Lunge".'

 

Roaring, the hulking figure charged, ignoring some hasty blasts from the genablaster, and rammed one of the spikes he was wielding right into the creature's heart. Blood spewed out and the genablaster exploded, dust and grit blanketed the area, probably from the generator exploding.

 

'Looks like it's over.' Erebos grinned. 'And what a show it... was?'

 

The dust cleared, revealing the holograms hadn't faded away, and Joshua's life points were...

 

(JLP: 3100)

 

unchanged...

 

'You HAD to ruin the dramatic effect, didn't you?' Erebos sniffed. 'This kind of scene only happens in cheap shows, you know.' He sighed, lifting his arms in a defeated gesture. 'But tell me, how did you do it?'

 

'By discarding "Erbium Message-Man" From my hand to the graveyard, I can negate all battle damage from that attack. As well as add a "Chemical" monster from my deck to my hand in three turns.

 

'By then, the duel will be over. Or it will be enough to tip the balance.' Erebos sighed. 'I suppose I best end my turn.'

 

the Berserker groaned as the aura around him faded (4/5050-2350/0)

 

Joshua drew a card. Looking at it, he sighed. 'I should consider reconstructing my deck, if i'm having trouble with that beatstick.'

 

'I summon "Sodium Assassin" (4/1800/200) in attack mode.'

 

The silvery-white humanoid creature with a dagger between his teeth materialized. He eyed the berserker with a smirk, the berserker roared in response. But the smirk didn't falter.

 

'With that I switch my shield bearer to defense and end my turn.' Joshua announced warily, wiping sweat off his brow. The duel was going for a while, and while the shockwave system wasn't on too high, it was taking it's toll.

 

'Looks like this series of events is going far too long. Just like so many other shows. Let's bring this series to a finale. I do hope you don't try and stop me. I now declare ANOTHER attack with my berserker!'

 

The berserker roared and once again hurled a massive coin in the air, it paused for few moments, before coming down on tails.

 

Erebos grimaced. 'That's what i get for relying on luck.' He sighed as a die materialized and rolled a one.

 

Roaring, the berserker turned around and hurled the iron spike right at Erebos

 

The iron spike went right through Erebos. But the shockwave jarred his bones, making him grit his teeth and wince.

 

(ELP: 550)

 

'I swear the bloody Veritas Ruach project still has glitches.' He muttered. Clearing his throat, he declared 'I set a card and end my turn.

 

Joshua drew a card, see it, his face turned into one of disbelief.

 

'That card is still in my deck?' He thought in amazement.

 

'I release my "Sodium Assassin" to summon "Chemical-Enhanced Berserker" (6/2400/500)' Joshua declared.

 

With a cheerful wave “Sodium Assassin” exploded. The familiar muscle man with mechanical parts and uncomfortable-looking tubes burst out of the rubble.

 

‘Oh come on, what is with that!?’ Erebos shouted, a vein throbbing on his forehead. ‘First off, we now both have berserkers, how stupid. Not to mention that you did this move against the shadow duelist! Spectators like to watch something new. Keep this up and people will think you’re a one-trick pony.’

 

At this point, Joshua snapped.

 

‘Would you just SHUT UP!’ He snarled.

 

Erebos backed away a few steps, blinking. The vein vanished, to be replaced by Erebos smirking.

 

‘It appears I’ve cracked the shell of this legendary hero. So then tell me, is this what you are really like?’ He opened his arms invitingly. ‘Tell us who you are.’

 

Joshua responded with a snarl. ‘I remove “Potassium Blazeman” to increase my “Berserker’s” attack by 1000!’

 

The bulky berserker roared as the tubes seemed to fill with fire; his muscles turned red and began growing even larger, until he was more muscle then man…

 

Interesting, he could have chosen any. Yet he chose the one with three thousand attack… Erebos raised his eyebrows. It could be an effect. Or he really is losing it.

 

‘Now it’s time to finish you! Destroy that pitiful berserker.’ Joshua declared, his eyes ablaze with fury, very similar to the flames within the tubes of his berserker as it charged forward, smashing right into the shadow.

 

Erebos watched as his monster was effortlessly destroyed and at the still charging berserker. ‘I activate my face-down. The quick-play spell “Shadow of Death”’

 

The entire field was blanketed in shadow, Joshua looked around blindly.

 

‘What kind of trick is this?!’ He shouted.

 

‘The card I just played can only be activated when a monster with more attack then my remaining life points is about to inflict battle damage.’ Erebos’ voice echoed throughout the shadows. ‘First, all battle damage goes to you.’

 

Joshua’s eyes widened as out from the shadows his berserker came and struck wildly, the force of the impact, although going through him, still sent him sprawling on the floor.

 

(JLP: 2000)

 

‘And next…’ The voice continued. ‘I can special summon one “Dark Shadow” monster from my deck with an attack equal or less then the damage you just took…’

 

The shadows suddenly spiraled away into a single point, taking shape into a shadow of what seemed to be a man with a book…

 

‘I chose a monster known as “Dark Shadow Scholar” (7/500/200)’. Erebos said cheerfully, his voice now sounding completely normal. ‘While the duel is still going, consider this the epilogue. This is the time where the blows are softened, yet the story still ends…’

 

‘Fine then, I end my turn.’ Joshua stated, beginning to control his rage. Still, you could feel the suppressed rage, building up. Just how rage had come from what seemed to be annoyance was still a mystery.

 

‘Well now. I draw!’ Erebos drew, smiling at the card he now held. ‘Thanks to the effect of my scholar, I can keep drawing until I reach a non-“Dark Shadow” monster. This card certainly is one.’ Erebos drew three more times before stopping. ‘Now I set a monster, as well as a spell or trap. Switch my scholar to defense. Then my turn draws to a close.’

 

Joshua drew. ‘Well, if this is the epilogue, here’s the finishing line!’ He smiled weakly. ‘I equip my berserker with “Osmium Inplants”

 

You couldn’t really tell anything had happened to the berserker, but the berserker roared all the same in response.

 

‘Now my monster has two extra effects. Monsters it destroys cannot be removed from the graveyard under any condition, and my monster can deal piercing damage.’ Joshua declared. ‘So now I’ll wipe out that scholar and the rest of your life points!’

 

Once again the berserker charged forward…

 

Erebos sighed. ‘A pity, I suppose this duel is over. But let me say my last goodbyes.’ Erebos’ face-down lifted. ‘I activate the trap “Shadow Plunge”. When a “Dark Shadow” monster is attacked and I have 2000 or less life points. I can destroy the attacking monster and inflict its attack points to me, and DOUBLE its attack to you.’

 

The berserker continued charging… and fell into a hole that materialized from nowhere.

 

‘Just wait…’ Erebos smiled. ‘Here comes the bang.’

 

Silence…

 

‘So, you enjoyed this duel?’ Erebos asked suddenly.

 

‘I suppose it’s been ok…’ Joshua replied slowly, wondering what the heck was going on.

 

*BOOM!*

 

An explosion tore through the field, sending both duelists sprawling on the rather painful rocky ground.

 

(ELP: 0)

(JLP: 0)

 

Both of the duelists got up unsteadily, Joshua managed to get up first and as soon as Erebos did he moved right up to Josh and shook his hand.

 

‘Thank you for the lovely duel. I can see you are rough around the edges but…’ He smiled, a real smile of happiness this time. ‘I really think we can make a hero to remember out of you. Just follow me.’

 

‘That’s nice…’ Joshua yawned, the intense duel was over and he seemingly had forgotten most of what happened. ‘Can I get to bed now?’

 

‘I suppose, I’ll contact you later OK.’ Erebos gave Josh a pat on the back, which was followed immediately by Joshua walking off towards his dorm.

 

As soon as Joshua left from sight, Erebos went to where the camera was.

 

‘And cut,’ Erebos murmured, pausing the camera. ‘Take five people, that’s a wrap.’

 

With that, Erebos turned the camera off, picked it up, and walked off towards a nearby forest.

 

*******************************************************

 

‘Let’s see… No trace here, a false trail here, a trap trail here. This is beginning to lose its entertainment value.’

 

The figure frowned. Here he was, looking for his unknown competitor on Duel Academy, and he was no-where in sight. If he knew it was going to take so long, he may have changed from the Hawaiian shirt and black pants for camouflage gear. His green eyes still had a twinkle, but it was somewhat dulled. And whatever trails he was seeing didn’t seem visible to the human eye…

 

‘I probably should have let the change take its course. But where’s the fun in that? Besides, if my competitor is here, they may ruin my little counterstrike,’ He smiled. ‘Aahh talking to myself, what fun it is…’ He shook his head. ‘No time for pleasant conversations. I need to find out which one of them I’m up against.’ He hugged himself and continued moving through the forest.

 

‘Knowing my luck, it’s probably my friend Uinum.’ He frowned, and hugged himself tighter. ‘Best not think like that.’ He muttered.

 

He moved further into the forest, not noticing another figure gazing at him from the treetops…

______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Six]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 6: Schools on, What to do?

 

*beep, beep, beep, beep*

 

'Oh darn, I was just having a good dream to.' Joshua mumbled.

 

Sitting up, he looked for the origin of the noise and found it in the drawer of his bedside table, a PDA.

 

It had his name on it, and currently had the message "Breakfast Time"

 

Groaning, Joshua tossed it aside. Breakfast could wait, sleep could not.

 

*beep, beep, beep, beep*

 

Joshua threw a look at the PDA he had tossed on the floor, but it wasn't making the noise.

 

He rolled off the bed and looked under it. Sure enough, there was a second PDA. He grabbed it. This one's message was different.

 

"You really should eat your breakfast fast, they aren't the nicest when it comes to latecomers in most cases. Not to mention we have class almost immediately after.

 

-Erebos

 

P.S. Please return my PDA

 

Joshua chuckled at this and went to grab his clothes. beside his bed. 'Wait... those are my pajamas... Guess I'm wearing my uniform already.' Looking don, he saw he was. He must have forgotten before he went to bed.

 

'Oh well, best get going.' he pocketed the PDA and opened the door out, then a thought occurred to him.

 

'That guy must have sneaked into my room! I better check I still have everything when i come back.'

 

Joshua ran out of the room.

 

********************************************************

 

'So tell me hero, what do you think of the food?'

 

'It's pretty good.' Joshua replied, taking a large bite of a pancake with maple syrup.

 

'Good, very good.' Erebos beamed, not bothering to take any food from his still full plate of pancakes and bananas.

 

Both Erebos and Joshya were at a four seat table at the edge and on the opposite side from the food area. Erebos has beckoned him here, probably to talk alone, without eavesdroppers. Plenty of people were talking, laughing, and shouting. So no-one could really eavesdrop without making it very obvious. Not that Joshua had any idea why Erebos cared. So far all they had done is small talk.

 

Perhaps it would be revealed now, as Erebos cleared his throat. 'Ok, I think it's time I told you a few pointers about this school.' Erebos paused, then said 'If you want to know the more secret stuff about the school, go to the "Yellow Light", he lives about two doors away from you.'

 

'You're not going to tell me the secrets of the school then?' Joshua blinked.

 

'Hey, This is my first year to! I have yet to get my network going.'

 

'It's his first year? wouldn't have guessed from the way he acted...' Out loud, Joshua replied 'Is that all?'

 

'Well, pretty much. I'm still looking for a way to increase your popularity. The memory of you is fading fast.' He grimaced.

 

'Don't bother, I'm sure being an ordinary student is fine.'

 

'If you say...'

 

Joshua's pocket beeped.

 

'Aahh, is that my PDA?' Erebos said nervously.

 

'Well, yeah it is. You did ask me to bring it remember...' Joshua took it out of his pocket to get it snatched by Erebos who looked at it and paled.

 

'I-I have somewhere to go.' He stuttered. getting up, he made a beeline for the door.

 

Joshua watched Erebos go with a bemused expression.

 

'May I sit here?'

 

Startled, Joshua turned around to see a male Ra Yellow staring back with a nervous smile.

 

'Sure, go ahead.' Joshua replied, giving him a big smile.

 

the Ra kept his nervous smile, his blue eyes darted around. He sat down on the opposite side of Joshua and began to eat the food Erebos left behind.

 

'So then, what's your name?' Joshua asked conversationally.

 

'N-names Amen Mate.' He gave a wobbly grin.

 

'Look, you don't need to be so nervous to be around me just because I beat a shadow duelist.' Joshua said warily.

 

'YOU beat a shadow duelist.' Amen gazed at Joshua with awe. 'Awesome, what was it like?'

 

Joshua banged his head on the table.

 

'You ok shadow slayer?' Amen asked in a worried tone, his arms hovering as if he was thinking whether or not to feel the self-inflicted injury.

 

'No, I'm fine.' Joshua chuckled.

 

Both their PDA's beeped.

 

'Well, class is on. We best get to Basic Duel Theory.' Amen burst out, getting up, he ran off in a very similar fashion to Erebos.

 

********************************************************

 

'Now class, can anyone tell me the kind of duel disk you had back home?'

 

In what seemed like a small stadium, students looked down at the teacher on a sort of stage lower then the seats the higher students were in.

 

One hand shot up. 'Yes Rachael?'

 

'I had one of those standard cheap models, the one that came with a free card.' A female voice echoed through the podium.

 

'Aahh yes, one of those. Well, you'll be glad to know that we supply you with a duel disk, you can use your current one but I'd advice not to. These ones are far more efficient, not to mention they have some new technology in them to make duels less luck-based.

 

Joshua put up his hand. 'i have one of the experimental ones of those.' He said.

 

'Aahh yes, well the ones we have are a bit more refined, although they still have glitches.'

 

another hand came up. 'So, what is the new technology in the duel disks anyway.'

 

'Glad you asked Mark.' The teacher smiled. 'The new tech was developed by KaibaCorp to make the luck factor nearly nil. Basically what it does is measure things such as heart rate, adrenaline, the duel so far, and numerous other factors in order to determine how good the card you draw is.' The teacher frowned. 'They were going to take it a step further and let it connect to the mind, but issues and protests came up, so that was never done. A pity, it would be more accurate, and we're still trying to eliminate it not being able to determine people who do this on purpose to get better draws and someone who really feels that way.'

 

'So then, if you had enough of these factors, could you draw all five pieces of exodia on the first turn?'

 

'First I'd want to know how you got them' He chuckled. 'But no, they've installed failsafes to prevent most first turn kills. Not quite all of them though...' He coughed, then whipped out a magic wand. 'Now watch and be amazed as I materialize the duel disks!

 

He waved the wand and smoke burst onto the stage, when it cleared, you could see a hole in the floor and a large box slowly rising. Muffled laughter echoed through the room.

 

The teacher/magician impersonator frowned. 'I really need to get that trick working.' He muttered. Clearing his throat, he announced 'Everyone who wishes to use one of the new duel disks, come on down. Then when you're ready...' The teacher's brown eyes glinted. 'We'll get some random pairings and take them for a test drive...'

 

********************************************************

 

'Oh Judgement Energy, where aaaaaaare you.'

 

a figure wearing a khaki outfit and a demonic-looking mask walked through the forest of Duel Academy. He held a strange gray handheld object with a green crystal.

 

'What a pity.' He sighed. 'Perhaps there isn't any of the stuff here, probably a false alarm. I mean, the whole reason they PUT me here was because no-one in the right mind would bring Judgement Energy here.'

 

At that point, a kid burst out of the bushes and ran right past him shouting 'Why can't I find the exit damn it!' His blonde hair obscuring his eyes, probably one of the reasons why he didn't see the other figure.

 

The figure stood frozen to the spot for a few seconds. When he couldn't hear that person anymore he sighed. 'I really should get going back...' He stopped, gazing at the green crystal, which seemed to have a tiny spark, a small light. The light faded away after a few seconds. There was silence.

 

Then, the figure whispered to himself. 'Maybe it is here after all, I best get going to find out who that kid is...'

_______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Seven]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 7: Test of Soul, Match of the Sky

 

'Ok kids, you all ready for your match-ups?' The teacher said, now wearing a magician's oufit, complete with cape.

 

His entire class; all in the great outdoors, nodded.

 

'Then, prepare to partner up!' With a wave of his wand, a massive holographic screen appeared, with it all of the students paired up with another connected by a black line.

 

Squinting, Joshua searched the board. At last he saw his face, with his name under it. He was paired up with some kid called "Zack Abel". He had brown hair, brown eyes, and a seemingly intelligent face. Looking around, he couldn't see him anywhere.

 

'Hem hem, I believe you are my opponent?' A voice said from behind him.

 

Jumping, Joshua turned around to see the person who he was looking for staring at him with a merry grin on his face. 'Zack Abel is my name.' He said, offering his hand. 'And may I say it is a pleasure to meet someone who made me realize the idiocy of someone else.'

 

'Uuhh, thanks?' Joshua replied in a somewhat confused and bemused tone.

 

'From what i've seen, you are quite strategic. It is nice to meet someone like you in a school of dimwits and psychos' He sighed at the word 'psychos', as if remembering something unpleasant. 'Well enough small talk, let this duel commence!' He activated his duel disk. Joshua followed suit.

 

(JLP: 8000)

(ZLP: 8000)

 

'You may start.' Zack said simply.

 

Joshua drew a card. 'I summon "Mercury Sniper (3/1500/0) in attack mode.

 

The liquid man with a large rifle materialized.

 

'Now I set two cards and end my turn.'

 

'An intriguing opening.' Zack murmured. 'Summoning hat sniper with no monsters to prevent it being attacked makes it of less use, I'm guessing one of those face-downs either protects it or summons an additional monster.' Drawing a card, he declared. 'I activate "Summon Cloud", it is a continuous spell that allows me to special summon a level 4 or less "Cloudian" monster from my hand to the field when I have no monsters out. So I'm summoning "Cloudian-Poison Cloud" (3/0/1000) in defense.'

 

A red, angry-looking ground rose, holding it's arms in front of it to signal it was defending.

 

'Next I set one monster and one spell or trap. My turn is now over.' Zack stated.

 

Joshua drew a card. 'He didn't attack, odd. Then again, he was probably afraid of my face-downs. Joshua paused. I think i know that cloudians effect. It isn't from Veritas Ruach anyway, i think it destroyed the monster that destroyed it and dealt damage. I best destroy it with a card effect, or a monster that will benefit from being destroyed. And lucky for me, what i just drew will help...'

 

'I summon "Sulfur Acidicman" (4/1600/0) in attack mode.'

 

The man with the sludge gun and the gas mask appeared.

 

'Now he attacks your poisonous cloud!'

 

One shot of sludge and the cloud blew apart, but the red gas left over seeped into the man, even with the gas mask, and he promply blew up. Sludge flew everywhere.

 

'My monster's effect activates when it is destroyed in battle' Zack said, a twinkle in his eye. 'He destroys the monster that bested it in battle and makes you lose 800 life points.

 

'That activates the effect of my acidicman!' Joshua declared. 'When he is destroyed by a card effect, one monster on your side of the field is destroyed.

 

A large glob of sludge hit the hidden card on Zack's field, when the sludge cleared the card had vanished.

 

'Now my sniper attacks directly!'

 

*Bang*

 

Zack shuddered at the sudden shockwave impact of the bullet, but remained standing.

 

(ZLP: 6500)

(JLP: 7200)

 

'With that I end my turn,' Joshua grinned. Maybe this would be the first duel he wouldn't struggle in. He had gained an early lead, not to mention predicted his opponent.

 

Shrugging, Zack drew a card. 'Not a bad opening. But anyway I now activate the effect of my "Cloudian-Cirrus" (1/0/0), when it is destroyed by a card effect, it can be special summoned in attack position, as well as add a "Fog Counter" to one monster in play, your Sniper shall suffice.

 

A small, wispy cloud with beady eyes appeared. And as it did, a small cloud materialized around the sniper, causing him to squint even as he aimed his gun at the new target. Not that he had any idea WHERE to aim on it, in the end he settled for between the eyes.

 

'Ok, so maybe he DID predict that move...' Joshua groaned, would he ever get an easy duel?

 

Now I sacrifice this cloud to summon “Cloudian-Nimbusman” (5/1000/1000) in attack mode.

 

The wispy cloud vanished, replaced by a much more billowy and large cloud in the shape of an infant human. A small fog grew around it and it’s attack rose (5/1000-2000/1000).

 

‘For every Water attribute monster sacrificed to summon him, he gets a “Fog Counter”, and for each one on the field, he gains 500 attack. If you recall, my cirrus gave that sniper one.

 

‘Not bad,’ Joshua grimaced.

 

‘It gets better. Now I remove Cirrus from play to special summon “Cloudian-Storm Dragon” (4/1000/0).

 

As the name suggested, the dark cloud that materialized looked just like a dragon.

 

‘His effect lets me add a “Fog Counter” to a monster on the field once per turn, so I’ll add one to my Nimbusman, giving him a further 500 attack (5/2000-2500/1000)!’

 

The air around Nimbusman became even more difficult to see in, and since it was in the middle, it was difficult to see Zack as well…

 

But if Joshua was worried, he wasn’t showing it.

 

‘Now, my Nimbusman attacks!’

 

Nimbus man adopted a karate stance, and drifted towards the sniper.

 

‘Not quite,’ Joshua declared. ‘I activate the spell “Chemical Imbalance”.

 

Suddenly a geyser of water burst from the ground, Nimbusman tried yo push through, but was forced back when from the geyser shot out another geyser in Nimbusman’s face, forcing him back.

 

‘This card negates an attack on a “Chemical” monster, and depending on the attribute of the attacking monster a different effect activates. In this case I get to draw a card and gain 1000 life points!

 

Joshua drew a card, and got a face-full of holographic water. His face wasn’t soaked, but he spluttered all the same.

 

(JLP: 8200)

 

‘That made me GAIN life points?’ He muttered after he had stopped spluttering. Sighing, he asked wearily ‘do you end your turn?’

 

‘That was rather dull, wasn’t it?’ Zack admitted. ‘I’ll end my turn before it becomes a snore-fest.’

 

Joshua drew a card. ‘I sacrifice my “Mercury Sniper” to summon “Neon Gunner” in attack mode (5/2300/1000).

 

With a sense of déjà vu the sniper turned into a globe of liquid, and the glowing orange techno-man burst out.

 

‘But your monster isn’t as powerful as my…’ Zack paused. ‘Oh right, one of my “Fog Counters” was on that sniper, looks like I’ve been outsmarted.’

 

‘That’s right you have.’ Joshua grinned, ‘Now my Neon Gunner will toast that Nimbusman!’

 

“Neon Gunner” aimed his two overlarge pistols at Nimbusman and opened fire.

 

(ZLP: 6200)

 

‘Well, that went… wha?’ Joshua looked in disbelief as the fog drifted back together, and the Nimbusman came together again. It flexed it’s muscles and smooched them somewhat insultingly.

 

‘You anticipated the effect of my poison cloud, yet you didn’t know the effect of most of my Cloudians? They are indestructible in battle.’

 

‘I killed that poison cloud easy enough.’ Joshua frowned.

 

‘Like I said, MOST. There is always a few black sheep in a flock.’ Zack sighed, perhaps once again bad memories afloat. ‘Is that all?’

 

Damn, next turn that dragon will give another counter to make that thing’s attack more then mine. Joshua thought to himself grimply. Clearing his throat, he said out loud ‘I end my turn.’

 

‘Then let some pain begin!’ Zack frowned. ‘Wrong choice of words, sorry.’ There was an awkward silence, to be shattered as a holographic fireball hurtled through the center of the arena, making them remember they weren’t the only people duelling right now, although they were pretty spaced out. There were some near-ish duelists. One was using some sort of Volcanic deck and currently had “Volcanic Slicer out. While the other had no visible monsters, only a couple of face-downs.

 

But Zack quickly turned back to his duel, the tension gone. ‘I’ll give “Nimbusman another counter with the effect of my dragon, then I’ll summon “Ghost Fog” in attack mode (1/0/0)

 

What seemed like an old man made of clouds materialized. He gave off a moan before settling down to drift slightly above the ground.

 

‘Now my ghostly friend will attack your gunner.’ Zack announced.

 

Joshua frowned. ‘Wha…’

 

But as soon as Zack had announced the attack, the ghost fog had dissipated due to one almost careless shot from the neon gunner.

 

‘When Ghost Fog is bested in battle, I take no damage, and distribute “Fog Counters” equal to the level of the monster that destroyed it.’ Zack explained.

 

Joshua raised his eyebrow, ‘Another black sheep of the family? I could destroy him alright as well.’

 

‘Actually, he is more of a grey sheep, you could argue he still has a way to neutralize something, and the fog could just be him spread apart.’ Zack frowned. ‘Anyway, I’m giving my Nimbusman all the counters, granting him an extra three thousand attack.’

 

The area around Nimbusman became so thick you could barely see the cloud within, even as it started growing (5/2500-5500/1000).

 

Joshua grimaced. This was probably about to hurt…

 

‘Nimbusman, take that gunner down a few notches, 2700 to be precise.’ Zack nodded at the cloud, which with surprising speed drifted to “Neon Gunner” and gave him two swift strikes to the face, shattering him.

 

(JLP: 5000)

 

‘And next my cloud that looks like a dragon will take a bite of your life points.’

 

The dragon roared and let loose a billow of smoke that enveloped Joshua, making him cough until the smoke dissipated.

 

(JLP: 4000)

 

‘I think that will do for now.’ Zack finished.

 

Joshua drew a card, sweating as he did. EASY duel I thought, EARLY ADVANTAGE I had. I really shouldn’t tempt fate.’ He looked at the card he drew and sighed. ‘You always come back, don’t you?’ He murmured.

 

Shaking his head, he declared ‘I set a monster and end my turn.’

 

‘Oh bravo, now it’s my turn.’ Zack drew a card. ‘I’ll ignore the card I just drew until later, give my Nimbusman another fog counter, and attack your hidden card with Nimbus.

 

Nimbusman drifted towards the face-down, hand lifted up and SLAMMED the card, which lifted to reveal a silvery-green guy with what seemed to be wings and a huge engine on his back. The man expertly dodged the fist, and when the angry cloud struck again and again, he avoided every single strike (4/1000/1000)

 

‘What is going on here…’ Zack asked out loud.

 

‘My “Praseodymium Speedman” cannot be destroyed for one battle per turn.’ Joshua replied, his sweat drying up.

 

‘Well, I suppose I’ll summon “Cloudian-Turbulence” (4/800/0) and end my turn.’ Zack sighed as a tornado-shaped cloud appeared. The cloud grew a misty aura which Joshua assumed was fog counters, for indeed Nimbusman grew even larger (5/5500-7000/1000)

 

That monster was getting kinda troublesome…

 

Joshua drew a card. ‘I set a card and end my turn…’ He sighed.

 

Zack raised an eyebrow. ‘A sign of weakness, it appears I should take advantage of it.’ He drew a card and smiled. ‘And so I shall, first I’ll grant my Nimbusman another counter, then I’ll offer Turbulence and the dragon to summon “Eye of the Typhoon” (8/3000/1000)

 

A massive, hulking grey cloud with a massive eye appeared.

 

‘Now he attacks, and thanks to his ability, your monster’s battle position is changed!

 

Gale force winds blew through the area, and a massive gust struck Joshua, he grimaced and dug his feet into the ground.

(JLP: 2000)

 

‘And now for the finale, My Nimbusman attacks!’ Zack declared, victory shining in his eyes.

It was shining in Joshua’s too. ‘I activate my face-down. It’s called “Chemistry Backfire”, it negates an attack on a Chemical monster and inflicts damage equal to the attacking monster’s attack AND half of the attacked!

 

‘A “Magic Cylinder” impersonator’ Zack muttered as Nimbasman was somehow reflected and sent hurtling towards him. ‘NOT THIS TIME! I activate my own trap, heard of “Dark Bribe”? It allows me to negate one of your spell and traps. You get to draw a card, but I don’t think that will help.

 

‘It will if I draw Argon!’ Joshua announced, praying that it would be what he drew. Drawing, he groaned when he saw “Chemical-Enhanced Berserker”. ‘Never thought I’d be unhappy to see him…’

 

*BOOM*.

 

That sound echoed throughout the entire campus.

 

(JLP: 0)

 

********************************************************

 

‘There I was, just a-walking down the street singin’ “Petrols empty, gotta get some more gas.”’

 

A figure concealed in a cloak which was a mixture of brown and blue, perhaps to symbolize the planet Earth, sang that merry tune rather... Well, merrily. Even though he was currently in a fist-fight with some burly individuals in a metallic room, the burly figures were pretty nondescript, wearing shades and black suits. Both having large muscular faces and bulging biceps. They almost seemed to be clones, as there was no obvious difference.

 

Despite that, they were not able to beat him, he ducked and weaved every strike, not once retaliating.

 

One of the guys got sick of it and grabbed his gun from his holster. The moment he did that he saw black as the cloaked figure almost seemed to materialize behind him and give him a quick chop to the neck.

 

‘Steering wheel’s broken, we’re going outta control.’

 

Now the other man was scared. He leapt back while drawing his gun, and didn’t even bother to aim as he fired.

 

But as his shot was hasty, the bullet went wide and merely left a hole in the door he was guarding. In response he got a swift uppercut and fell to the floor.

 

‘Singen “Petrol’s empty, gotta get some more gas.’

 

Applauding himself a job well-done, both for the singing and the fighting. He opened the door. Surprisingly, the ‘wild’ bullet had hit the lock, meaning the figure easily walked into the room.

 

The room was any rich man’s room really. It had a bear skin rug, a fireplace, a bookcase, oh, and a middle-age man with confused hazel eyes, dark brown hair, and a rather large shotgun.

 

‘Who the heck are you, and what did you do to those jailers!’ he whispered.

 

The cloaked figure shook his head. ‘They got annoying; you should have taken them out yourself Mr.’ Funnily enough, he still had a rather cheerful voice.

 

‘Sure, then I just have to take out the dozen outside to escape.’ He chuckled weakly.

 

‘Well you know what I want, so give it to me and I’ll be on my merry way.’ He said in a sing-song voice, holding his hand forward. His hand seemed a rather light skin colour, suggesting an Australian, American, or European nationality.

 

‘B-but it’s all I’ve got left. It makes me feel like a part of something bigger.’ But as if against his will, he held out a card.

 

‘Well then I’ll give you a chance. Duel me, win and you get it. Lose and you don’t get it. Oh, and I get to punish you, I’ll think of something if you lose. Oh the possibilities’ he sighed happily, doing a little twirl. As he did so, out of his cloak came a necklace with a clear gem filled with mud.

 

‘Very well.’ The rich hazel-eyed man snapped. Putting on his duel disk (a rather odd one, with strange blue and brown markings of an unknown language), he got in a ready stance.

 

(RLP: 8000)

(CLP: 8000)

 

‘Visitors first I must say.’ The cloaked figure took an ordinary duel disk out of the folds of his cloak and put it on. ‘And to begin this magnificent duel.’ He paused, ‘I end my turn.’

 

‘…Your joking.’ The rich man laughed. ‘This duel will be over shortly.’

 

Drawing a card, he declared ‘I special summon “Gilasaurus” in attack mode (3/1400/400)

 

A dinosaur materialized, it roared at the cloaked figure, who merely chuckled. ‘What a nice teddy bear.’

 

‘Next I summon “Destroyersaurus” (4/1800/1200) in attack mode. And then both my dinosaurs will attack you directly!

 

A dinosaur with a massive blade on its face appeared, and roaring it charged along with the other dinosaur, and trampled over the opponent, who merely brushed it off like the hologram it was.

 

(CLP: 4800)

 

‘I set two cards and end my turn.’ The rich man finished, grinning as he did so. In his mind, he had already won.

 

The cloaked figure didn’t seem to care, or had a trick up his sleeve, for he simply drew a card singing “It a whole new world”.

 

Five minutes later, outside the house. Twelve musclebound men heard screaming from the top of the mansion they were guarding. Dashing in, they found the rich man mumbling gibberish to himself and a note saying “I’ll figure out something later”.

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Eight]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 8: Master vs. Master, The Magic of Science

 

'Heh, that was a good duel.' Joshua said sheepishly. one hand rubbing his head while the other was extended for a handshake.

 

Smiling, Zack walked to him shook it. 'No harm done. After all you learn more from defeat then victory, and from the close match I think you'd probably beat me if we had a rematch.'

 

Well, he was probably the nicest person he had duelled so far. Inwardly and outwardly Joshua grinned.

 

‘Attention students, I have received note from one of the little extra high-tech gizmos in the duel disks that you’ve all finished.’ The teacher grinned, spinning his wand around. ‘But I noticed some of the duels were somewhat lacking. So I managed to grab a teacher from his class to show you why you’re the student’s and we’re the masters!’ He flourished a cape that appeared from seemingly nowhere, but with recollection you would have realized he had suddenly become a bit skinnier.

 

The cape retracted, revealing a man wearing a Slifer uniform with bright orange hair that simply COULDN’T be natural, and some sunglasses on.

 

‘Professor Axel, who takes care of the Slifer dorms, will now show us his skill with me in a duel. So prepare yourself students!’ He lifted his arms up and announced ‘this duel could get dangerous! We even have the shockwave system set somewhat higher then allowed for students. So…’ he activated his duel disk. ‘Let’s get the show on the road!’

 

Axel activated his dark red duel disk, while the other teacher activated his.

 

‘And so Axel vs. our teacher begins!’ A random student in the audience announced.

 

The Ra teacher’s face froze. ‘Don’t you know my name!’ he cried out, somewhat unhappy.

 

All the students shook their heads.

 

‘Well… My name is Ahti Orenda’ He said somewhat sulkily. ‘Now I think after that, I’ll start to show you why my name is to be remembered!’

 

(OLP: 8000)

(ALP: 8000)

 

‘So, nothing up my sleeves.’ Orenda withdrew his hand to show nothing there, and then drew six cards. ‘I can already see this new duel disk in action with this simply magical hand! I summon “Silent Magician LV4” (4/1000/1000) in attack mode!’

 

A short magician wearing white, religious-looking robes materialized from a burst of light. It (for whether it was male or female few could tell) twirled it’s staff and pointed it at Axel.

 

‘Aahh, a level monster. Monsters like that level under specific circumstances.’ Axel gave a smile.

 

‘Indeed, but I’m going to forgo waiting and use my magic to speed up the process! I cast the spell “Level Up!”, allowing me to go straight from level four to level eight! (8/3500/1000)’

 

The spell materialized, and “Silent Magician LV4” seemed to grow up before everyone’s eyes until it was a full adult, staring intently at Axel, but not moving the staff that had magically grown with him to point.

 

‘But that’s not all! Now I can play the quick-play spell “Spell Linkage”. When a Spellcaster is summoned, I can summon another one from my hand with the same level!’

 

‘Another level 8? You really are doing well.’ Axel commented.

 

‘Why bother with one?’ Orenda Laughed, ‘ a true magician never does what is Expected! The next spellcaster I’m summoning is “Gemini Magician Man” (8/2400/2000); and when he is summoned by the effect of a spell card, I can summon two more from my hand or deck! These ones are coming from my deck just so you know.’

 

An odd looking black-and-white magician in grey robes appeared, he was immediately followed by two more appearing.

 

‘With four cards, I’ve summoned four monsters. I think that’s enough for one turn.’ Orenda smirked and added ‘Let’s see you do better.’

 

‘I’ll try my best’ came the calm yet cheerful reply. Axel drew a card. ‘I summon “Dimensional Alchemist” in attack mode (4/1300/200)

 

What seemed like a man in silver and gold armour appeared.

 

‘Now I set three cards, and activate my Alchemist’s effect to remove the top card in my deck from the game to gain 500 extra attack for the turn (4/1300-1800/200).

 

‘It still can’t beat any of my monsters.’ Orenda commented.

 

‘I know, that’s why I end my turn.’ As soon as he said that, the alchemist’s attack went back to normal.

 

Orenda frowned. Obviously his opponent WANTED a card removed from play, either he didn’t care and had a bigger purpose, or he was betting on the new system for the card to be what he wanted.

 

Either way, he still only had a weakling out.

 

‘May I see the card you removed?’ Orenda asked.

 

‘Actually, you can’t.’ Orenda showed him a card in his hand. ‘This card is known as “Spatial Concealer”, as long as it is in my hand or removed from the game you cannot see any of my removed cards.

 

‘So, you probably have something to hide.’ Orenda grinned, drawing a card. ‘But I’d be a fool to let you go that easy. First I summon “Rapid-Fire Magician” (4/1600/1200).

 

A rainbow-coloured globe appeared. It hung suspended before vanishing, revealing a magician with light purple hair and black armour. He was surrounded by globes of energy, each of them a different colour.

 

‘I could attack, but I’d rather cast this.’ A holographic spell card lifted. ‘It’s called “Great Destruction Spell - Wrack”. When I have five Spellcasters out and at least one is level 7 or more, I can wipe out all cards on your side of the field!’

 

The five Spellcasters chanted, and a massive globe of energy appeared above Axel’s field.

 

‘I have something to say to that. I chain all three of my cards. The first is “Sanctity of the Void”. If there are no cards in my graveyard and at least one removed from play, all my cards become indestructible for one turn and you cannot declare an attack. Next is “Macro Cosmos”, allowing me to summon “Helios the Primordial Sun (4/?-100/?-100)” from my deck to the field, the last one is “Chaos Penetration”. I can select one card in my hand or deck, and place it in YOU’RE removed from play zone. Then draw one card.

 

Axel looked through his deck and tossed one to his opponent. Orenda looked at it and frowned. ‘Never heard of “Chaos Agent”.’

 

‘Part of Veritas Ruach,’ Axel replied.

 

‘Well, since your cards are indestructible for the turn, I guess that massive sphere about to come crashing down will do nothing…’ As soon as he said that, the orb hit the ground and exploded, covering Axel’s entire field. When it cleared, all the cards were protected by a dark aura. As well as Helios getting stronger (4/100-200/100-200)

 

‘Well, one positive is that since Helios has 200 attack, that means that the card removed first off was a monster…’ Out loud, Orenda declared ‘My “Rapid-Fire Magician” inflicts 400 damage. But anyway my second performance is over, go ahead.’

 

(ALP: 7600)

(AC: 3)

(OC: 3)

 

A small globe of energy rammed into Axel, but he showed no discomfort. He simply drew a card.

 

‘I offer my Helios to special summon “Helios Duo Megistus” (6/?-600/?-600) in defence mode.’

 

The first Helios faded, to be replaced by a somewhat larger mummy-esque figure with a giant sun for a head and a smaller sun orbiting it.

 

‘He isn’t much really, but I will normal summon this turn, more specifically set a monster.’

 

‘Very well… Time for my next performance!’ Orenda drew a card, suddenly the removed card glowed.

 

‘There goes the effect of my “Chaos Agent”. If you bothered reading it, as long as it remains removed from play, the owner remove from play the top two cards in your deck.’ Axel explained happily.

 

‘Not bad, but merely a parlour trick compared to what I can do!’ Orenda tossed the top two cards in his deck to the RFP slot on his duel disk. The Helios monster glowed almost unnoticeably brighter (6/600-800/600-800).

 

‘I activate the field spell “Magical Core”.’

 

All of a sudden the entire field seemed to alter. The students looked amazed as colours exploded around the area, twisting and waning to an unknown force. The very air seemed to sparkle.

 

‘It may look pretty, but it has its uses. First off it increases the attack and defense of all Spellcasters by 300. As for it’s other abilities… I doubt you’ll find out.’ Orenda frowned. It needs cards to be able to go to the graveyard, and unfortunately for now they can’t. Maybe later, but for now all I need is the power boost…’

 

Clearing his throat, Orenda declared ‘Now my Rapid-Fire Magician will perform his second magic trick and make that duo megistus… DISSAPEAR!’

 

At those words several blasts of energy smashed into the mummy wrapping, setting fire to it, while several others hit the giant sun ‘head’, and the whole thing imploded, there was no trace left.

 

‘Now one of those Gemini people will be showing you the sawing in half trick. He always liked things that come in twos.’

 

From the folds of his robes the Gemini that first appeared Took out a “magical” chainsaw that didn’t need anything to start it up; he started slicing the face-down…

And with a groan the magic chainsaw spluttered and died as the creature it was trying to cut through (a rather odd humanoid that appeared to be half-faded and wearing odd glittery clothes, perhaps a reflection of the scenery) didn’t seem to be going anywhere, especially not in more then one piece (3/200/600).

 

‘The card that stands before you is known as “Dimension-Anchored Defender”. He cannot be destroyed in battle. Axel explained with a smile, the constant smile on his face would have made him perfect for a job as an air host, or a checkout at a supermarket. Here though, it was kind of creepy.

 

‘Well, that is a difficulty to wave away.’ Orenda frowned. ‘I suppose I’ll have to come up with another magic trick. I end my turn. But first I’m afraid your alchemist has been fired…’

 

The Alchemist quickly shattered when he found himself with a chainsaw between his eyes.

 

As soon as he said those words, “Helios Duo Megistus” arose from where it once was (6/1000-1300/1000-1300).

 

‘What manner of sorcery allowed that monster to come back!?’ Orenda exclaimed.

 

‘When it is destroyed in battle and sent to the graveyard, it is revived with an extra 300 attack and defence.’

 

‘But your “Macro Cosmos” removes monsters from play!’

 

‘Well, it appears I shall have to teach your teacher here a lesson class.’ Axel exclaimed. A few Ra Yellows could be heard with muffled giggles. ‘Or maybe I just kept it a secret from him…’

 

‘The-the first card you removed!’ Orenda blurted out.

 

‘His name is D.D. Guardian, if a card would be removed from the game; I can choose to send it to the graveyard instead.’ Axel replied.

 

‘It appears you know exactly what you’re doing.’ Orenda grinned. ‘But if you think you can predict me, think again! You never know when I’ll pull a rabbit out of my hat…’

 

‘When you do, I’ll be sure to have a carrot.’ Axel replied cheekily, drawing a card. ‘I activate my spell “Chaos Greed”, allowing me to draw two additional cards so long as there is nothing in my graveyard and at least four removed cards. He made two swift draws. ‘I remove the “Chaos Greed” I purposely sent to the graveyard to special summon “Spell Striker” (3/600/200) in attack mode.

 

What looked like a small kid with a big hammer appeared.

 

‘But ignore him, for I’m releasing him to the great void to summon “Golden Homuculus” (5/1500/1500)

 

The kid quickly vanished, to be replaced by a massive golden thing.

 

‘Aahh yes students, at first that monster doesn’t seem like much, but it gains 300 attack and defence for each of Axel’s removed cards.

 

‘Listen to your teacher students; he seems to know a thing or two.’ Within the sunglasses, Axel’s eyes twinkled. ‘Now, will a student kindly inform me how many cards I have removed so far?’

 

There was a bit of muttering, then one student shouted out ‘SIX!’

 

‘Good work. So six times three hundred is one thousand eight hundred additional, add that to the one thousand five hundred it has and you end up with three thousand three hundred.

 

‘Not enough to stop my strongest monster.’ Orenda noted out loud. ‘But then again I suppose you have away to send the all-important extra cards?’

 

‘But of course!’ Axel exclaimed. ‘I activate the spell “Golden Sarcophagus”, no only does it get removed from the game, but it removes a card in my deck from the game for two turns. So with an extra six hundred, even your strongest monster can’t beat him now.’

 

A golden aura enveloped the golden machine-golem (6/1500-3900/1500-3900)

 

‘Now Homuculus, wipe out that all-too silent magician!’

 

The golem didn’t bother being subtle, it just stumbled forward zombie-like and gave the magician a bone-shattering punch, causing the magician to explode into pixels.

 

(OLP: 7900)

 

‘Now students, that was an example of how sometimes it is clever…er to take out the biggest threat then do the most damage.’ Orenda commented.

 

‘Indeed it is.’ Axel agreed. ‘I end my turn.’

 

Orenda drew a card, then sent the top two cards to the RFG slot. ‘Now class, right now Axel may have a powerful monster and a couple of back-ups. But nothing to protect them from card effects. Meanwhile I still have four monsters out. So the situation is not as bleak for me as it looks. Now I activate a normal spell called “Lightning Vortex, meaning you take 400 damage. Now by discarding one card from my hand, your monsters vanish into thin air!’

 

(ALP: 7200)

 

Lightning bolts surrounded Axel’s monsters. They circled around and collided with eachother, creating an electric explosion. When it all cleared, the defender remained standing…

 

‘Don’t tell me your monster is immune to card effects too! That is very unbalanced! Just like if someone who could actually perform real magic came along!’ Orenda moaned.

 

‘Not quite, when he would be destroyed by a card effect. I can remove one of my monsters to prevent his destruction. Since they were all going to go anyway, I don’t think Helios cared.’

 

‘Bah, you’re some sort of magic resistant cockroach.’ Orenda shook his head. ‘I end my turn.’

 

‘Then let me teach your students a new lesson.’ Axel drew a card, ‘when your opponent seems to be unstoppable. Remember that it isn’t over until the last card is played. That applies for both of us.’

 

‘You are far from indestructible, you’re hanging by a thread.’ Orenda commented.

 

‘As you have said, I am an orchestrator, although I’ve pictured myself more of a scientist. But for now I shall play “Gren Maju Da Eiza”.’

 

A large hulking red beast with spider-like legs and a body like an ox burst from the earth (3/?/?).

 

‘The least used of the “Maju” monsters, most consider it obsolete. But in the correct deck, it is nearly unstoppable.’ Axel gave a smile. ‘Similar to the homunculus, he gains 400 attack for every removed card. Right now there are ten. Ten times four hundred is four thousand.

 

‘They came here to learn duelling skill, not maths.’ Orenda declared, receiving a cheer from the students.

 

‘Equations are always in duelling.’ Axel countered with a chuckle. ‘Anyway, I think I’ll declare an attack on that “Rapid-Fire Magician”.

 

A burst of flames erupted from the Maju’s mouth, incinerating the magician into cinders, that then faded into pixels.

 

(OLP: 5300)

 

‘Four thousand point monsters are hard to come by.’ Axel smiled and tilted his head. ‘Think you can take it on? I’ll set a face-down and end my turn.’

 

‘Oh, I wouldn’t be worried about me.’ Orenda chuckled darkly, drawing a card. ‘I’m about to perform a magic trick that will be simply dazzling.

 

 

 

[Aelsthla-Mental]

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Nine]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 9: Spiritual Blessing, Keep the Magic!

A burst of flames erupted from the Maju’s mouth, incinerating the magician into cinders, that then faded into pixels.

 

(OLP: 5300)

 

‘Four thousand point monsters are hard to come by.’ Axel smiled and tilted his head. ‘Think you can take it on? I’ll set a face-down and end my turn.’

 

‘Oh, I wouldn’t be worried about me.’ Orenda chuckled darkly, drawing a card, grinning darkly as he tossed two due to "Chaos Agent". ‘I’m about to perform a magic trick that will be simply dazzling.

 

Orenda drew a card, and glitters exploded into the air, covering the arena (of course, going right through the Gren Maju, who was trying to burn it without success).

 

'I think i've won a prize.' Orenda murmured, looking at the card in his hand. 'I Activate "Creation Spell, Dracrest". This card can only be activated while I have one level seven or higher Spellcaster on the field, and discard another level seven or higher Spellcaster from my hand, as well as having activated either a "Creation Spell" or a "Destruction Spell", I get to draw until I hold six cards in my hand, while you get to have four.

 

Both of the players drew cards.

 

'Now I activate "Overload Magic", allowing me to double the attack of all my Spellcasters until the end of turn.'

 

all three of the Spellcasters raised their staffs and shouted as their attack points increased (8/2700-5400/2300)

 

'Looks like I surpassed four thousand.' Orenda smirked. 'Now I'll attack that monster of yours...

 

the gemini man on the far left raised his staff, and a massive burst of energy quickly traversed the gap between it and the Maju, wiping out all traces of it.

 

'Lucky for you, I can't deal battle damage the turn I use it.' Orenda smirked. 'Unluckily for you, I have "Destruction Spell, Sacrible", inflicting half the damage of a Spellcaster on my side of the field, then destroying the Spellcaster.

 

The Gemini man on the right cried out in pain as red dust exited the spell card and covered him, devouring him in a thankfully unseen way, then the red dust engulfed Axel. When the dust cleared everyone watching winced at the telltale signs that Axel was in pain, not the face though, he still kept that almost unnerving smile.

 

(ALP: 4500)

 

'Now I set a card and end my turn.' Orenda finished, hanging his arms back lazily.

 

'Not bad, not bad.' Axel clasped his hands together. 'But now I summon "Void Orchestrator" (2/600/400).

 

An odd purple humanoid man with a large rod in his hand appeared, he wore tattered (but modest) clothing.

 

'Now His effect activates. When he is summoned, I can decrease his level by 1 to special summon a removed monster that is level 4 or less to the field.

 

"Void Orchestrator" Chanted while swinging the rod in an orderly fashion, and a portal opened up and "Gren Maju Da Eiza" (3/?-4000/?-4000) burst out.

 

'Now I'll set my remaining three cards and order an attack with my Maju.' Axel said cheerfully.

 

'You're overconfident, a magician always has a trick up his sleeve. In this case, it's "Magic Cylinder"!' Orenda announced with a florish of his cape, the cylinders appeared and the burst of flames the Maju emitted were sent hurtling back to Axel.

 

(ALP: 500)

 

'It does appear I have fallen into your trap.' Axel waved his left hand around sheepishly.

 

'That's why I lead Ra Yellow, while you're leading Slifer Red.' Orenda said firmly.

 

'Well, you may as well show me what else you can do.'

 

'I shall.' Orenda drew a card, then tossed two from his deck due to "Chaos Agent". 'I summon "Echo Magician" (1/100-400/100-400) in attack mode.'

 

A somewhat faded-looking magician wearing odd orbs on his hands materialized, he gave a weak smile at Axel.

 

'And he happens to be a Tuner monster! So now I'll Synchro Summon!'

 

the echo magician's arms fused together into one orb, then the magician faded just leaving the orb, followed by one of the "Gemini Magic Man" dissolving into eight orbs. The orbs began weaving in and out of each other.

 

'Magic forces allow humans to do the impossible, show us what mankind can really do. Synchro Summon! Arise within me! "Magic Lord, Mercist" (9/3300/2400)!

 

The orbs at last combined, and bursting out was A man in clothes that shimmered like the field around them, his face was a light red, and his eyes a piercing violet. His staff was made of what seemed like obsidian and glowed with an inner fire.

 

'His effect is useless in this current predicament, but the effect of my "Echo Magician" is not, he allows the Synchro summoned by him to attack directly for the first turn!'

 

Pointing the staff at Axel, the magic lord uttered an incomprehensible word and a stream of white energy burst out. The energy surrounded Axel and simply engulfed him, eerily similar to the red dust, yet more soothing.

 

(ALP: 0)

 

'And now the magic act is...' Orenda frowned, the holograms weren't dissipating. '...done?'

 

'Not quite, consider this my favorite trick.' Axel spread his hands out. 'It's called "Relay Soul". It prevents me from losing by allowing me to summon a monster, and in a way 'store' my soul there. The monster is known as "Winged Kuriboh" (1/300/200)

 

What seemed like a hairball with eyes and wings appeared, meanwhile the Maju roared as it's power increased (3/4000-4400/4000-4400)

 

'You mean, you have to keep THAT alive?' Orenda chuckled. 'Good luck, well I end my turn, but it won't take long to take that creature out'

 

'Thankfully, your time is up.' Axel drew a card. 'I release "Void Orchestrator" to summon "Different Dimension Master" (5/1700/1500)

 

A man with two metallic arms and an odd cloak appeared.

 

'His effect allows me to summon a removed monster by discarding a spell from my hand. Unfortunately, I don't have one. So I think I'll activate my second face-down, the trap "Void Energy", increasing the attack and defense of all my monsters in play by 100 times the removed cards until end of turn.

 

Behind all of Axel's monsters opened up a portal, and purple lightning came out and pierced the monsters and flooded them with energy (3/5200-6500/5200-6500) (1/300-1600/200-1500) (5/1700-3000/1500-2800)

 

'Bother... And that was my last trick.' Orenda murmured.

 

First the Homuculus crashed into the 'all-powerful' magician, wiping him out unceremoniously. Then the "Winged Kuriboh" and the D.D.M. struck Orenda, hard.

 

(OLP: 0)

 

The students stood there, awed. A few students thought for a second that maybe Orenda had another Relay Soul, but the holograms quickly faded and Orenda and Axel were already shaking hands.

 

'You did well.' Orenda chuckled. 'Perhaps you should lead the Ra Yellow, hey?'

 

'If we weren't holding back, it may have ended differently.' Axel tilted his head, amused.

 

'Perhaps, oh and just out of curiosity, will the mighty magician Axel show me the last secret card he had?'

 

'Why not?' he flipped it up and showed all the students, it was "D.D. Dynamite"...

 

********************************************************

 

'Bah, this is the most boring assignment i've been sent on!'

 

A figure hidden in shadow smirked as those words lit the barely-visible computer monitor. He pressed letters with care yet swiftness like a surgeon.

 

'I'm sure you've had worse. When you first came in, everyone dumped their assignments on you!'

 

The figure laid back in his chair, amused. Waiting for what he was sure to be a less then amused response.

 

It came

 

'Even those weren't as bloody boring! At least I had numerous targets. But right now I'm suppose to kill or incapacitate some bloody teenager just because of some circumstantial evidence! And if I so happen manage to SOMEHOW find a possible second person, do the same to them! I swear, the Aelsthla have become nothing but a bunch of paranoid people. Why don't we just go Stalin on the world's ass!? Go the whole hog instead of following cryptic 'rules'.

 

The figure chuckled, then swiftly typed 'Be careful what you say, criminals have been caught writing about their plans on Facebook, I doubt this is much better.'

 

The answer came swiftly 'Do i sound like I give a damn! The only good thing about this assignment is that I got a free laptop with it! But if those asses think I can be bribed that easily, they got another thing coming!'

 

The figure paused, thinking whether being constantly amused by the ranting of the person on the other end was a sign of madness, being bored, or just what he was like. Shrugging he typed 'Anything else?'

 

There was a pause, then.

 

'I have a lot of things, I'll make a list while I'm here to keep me occupied. Anyway, see ya soon most likely!'

 

The figure smiled, and twisted towards the computer, turning it off. The entire room faded into black... But not before revealing the figure was wearing an odd necklace with what appeared to be mud in a grey gemstone...

_______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Ten]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 10: Ancient Magic, Danger Within

 

Joshua slammed the door to him room shut with a groan. After that intense duel the whole day had gone downhill. Work, work, and more work till the sun left and it went dark. Normally that would have been fine. But unfortunately he had been pestered and pestered by some random Slifer Red kid; it was those kinds of frustrating kids that probably made it a guilty pleasure to call them "Slifer Slackers", or whatever the insult was.

 

Sighing, he turned around and jumped into his bed and rested his eyes for a few moments, before getting up in shock.

 

It had taken a bit for it to register, but now he noticed his room had been trashed. Draws had been ripped out, and the items in his suitcase were all over the place

 

Joshua scrabbled among the floor, trying to see if anything was taken, everything seemed to be in there though...

 

A thought struck him; he had a small safe in his suitcase that held items very dear to him. Looking around for it, he concluded it was gone.

 

Someone had stolen the safe!

 

Making a noise between a growl and a roar, he bolted out his door and looked around. Odds were the thief had left already, but still...

 

Then he saw it, in the darkness the moon glinted on the metal of the safe, in the hands of some tall guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt. The figure stiffened at the sight of Joshua's eyes (they had the glint of murder in them), and bolted. Joshua ran after him in hot pursuit.

 

The chase was on, but Joshua was too pumped on adrenaline and fury to notice something odd. Whenever the thief was out of sight, he would slow down until he was seen again, and when he was nearly caught, he would put on an extra burst of speed.

 

So really it seemed Joshua was falling into what was probably a trap...

 

The chase lead on into the forest, Joshua didn't even bother to get his bearings, intent on catching the man, even as his stamina faded. And what had seemed like limitless energy diminished.

 

Then the figure dropped the safe into a clearing and vanished from sight.

 

Joshua quickly debated whether or not to try and chase the figure, but shrugged and slowed down to walk into the clearing and retrieve the safe.

 

But there was a flicker of movement and right in front of Joshua's outstretched hand a kunai quivered in the ground, having just been thrown. Joshua looked up just in time to see a figure swoop down from the trees like a bird to pick up the safe.

 

'Would this be yours?' The man's words were quiet, yet almost seemed to echo through the forest. His green eyes frowned at Joshua, as if he was expecting more.

 

'Yes, now would you hand it over!?' Joshua snapped.

 

'Temper temper.' the figure shook his head sadly, his spiky black hair shook with it. 'You shouldn't be out this late you know, there are all sorts of strange people and things that stalk this place.

 

'Then why are you here?' Joshua countered.

 

The figure smirked, his pale skin creased in a way that told you he rarely smiled. 'Why, I am one of them of course.'

 

Bending down, he picked up the kunai he had thrown originally.

 

'I suppose I should introduce myself. But names are cheap these days, just call me Beta.'

 

'Beta, where's alpha then.' Joshua snorted.

 

'You can tell me your name if you want, but it's probably best you do not, naming a target gives them a life I’d rather not extinguish.' He sighed, ignoring Joshua’s question. Beta wore a short-sleeve khaki shirt and had an odd duel disk with a mix of grey and green, as well as a circle with odd symbols on it. 'We best duel now.'

 

Joshua frowned, realizing what was going on. This guy's another shadow duelist! Damn, I got lucky last time, and I doubt I can beat him. I should probably try to escape...

 

'And I do hope you're not thinking of escaping.' Beta continued. 'I can throw these kunai with deadly accuracy. And if I think that friend of yours who ran off is telling on me, I may just kill you here and now anyway...'

 

'I don't even know who that guy was!' Joshua shouted hoarsely, getting frightened now.

 

'No, I don't suppose you do.' Beta sighed and slapped himself in the face. 'Well, let the duel commence.' He activated his duel disk.

 

Having no choice, Joshua followed suit.

 

(BLP: 8000)

 

(JLP: 8000)

 

'I'll start; I wish to show you what you're up against. If you wish to argue you can argue with my kunai.' Beta stated bluntly, drawing a card. 'And I'll show you what you're up against by sealing your fate!' The odd duel disk's field spell slot opened. 'I activate “The Seal of Orichalcos”.

 

A massive green circle surrounded both duelists. Green beams flashed around the circle, making a hexagram.

 

'What the heck?' Joshua looked around frantically. 'Since when do shadow duelists use something like this?'

 

Beta's eye flashed, and the same symbol that surrounded the duelists appeared on his forehead. 'Do not mistake me for one of those power-hungry evildoers. It would be the last mistake you make. I am working with a group to bring paradise to the world!' He shouted out to the heavens.

 

Joshua raised an eyebrow. 'And yet you're going to kill me?'

 

'"Killing" is a harsh word; I am merely stripping you of your soul for the greater good of humanity.' Beta explained patiently.

 

Joshua raised his other eyebrow.

 

‘But I’d rather continue the duel then stand here arguing all day.’ Beta continued. ‘I summon “Goblin of Greed” (4/1000/1800) in attack mode.’

 

Rising from the earth, a goblin in rich yet poorly repaired clothing appeared, in one hand he held a “Pot of Greed”, and in the other he held a “Jar of Greed”.

 

Then something strange happened, the goblin’s eyes turned red, and the same symbol on Beta’s head appeared on him. (4/1000-1500/1800).

 

‘That would be the first ability of the seal, it increase all of my monster’s attack by five hundred.’ Beta explained.

 

‘Oh sure, greed is TOTALLY a good thing.’ Joshua shot back. ‘That makes you a good guy of course.’

 

‘Sarcasm is such a horrid thing to use.’ Beta frowned. ‘If you knew his story, you may understand greed destroyed him, yet he constantly strives for more despite this. Greed is just one of the things that is destroying the planet and corrupting humanity, and I am showing just how much it is.’ He sighed. ‘Anyway, I set two cards and end my turn.’

 

Joshua drew a card, his hand shaking. ‘I summon “Sodium Assassin” (4/1800/200)!’ Joshua declared hoarsely.

 

The silvery-white humanoid creature leapt from the trees to the earth, dagger in hand.

 

‘Now I’ll attack!’ Joshua declared.

 

The assassin quickly moved to his opponent and slit his throat. Blood spurted out and the goblin collapsed, then faded into dust.

 

But it didn’t end there, the Assassin smiled and walked up to Beta and held it up to his face, then he flicked the knife, and a small cut was left on Beta’s face. The Assassin quickly returned to Joshua’s side of the field, leaving Joshua to stand there in numb shock.

 

‘The power of the Orichalcos makes the monsters as real as they would be in a shadow game.’ Beta muttered, taking a handkerchief out of a mauve pocket and dabbing the scratch. ‘But I shall chain to his destruction with “Greed Beyond the Grave”.’

 

A trap card with the image of a spiritual “Goblin of Greed” making a feeble attempt to grab a pile of coins appeared.

 

‘This card activates when a monster with “Greed” in its name is destroyed. For every three levels it has, I get to draw a card.’ Beta drew a single card.

 

‘Well, I set a card and end my turn.’ Joshua finished with a quavering voice ’I have the worst luck ever. First a shadow duelist, then some psycho movie producer, now some crazy guy who uses something called the “Orichalcos”.’

 

Beta drew a card. ‘I think now is as good a time as any to reveal my face-down. It’s called “Jar of Greed”; it allows me to draw one card.’ Beta swiftly drew again. ‘Now I summon “Greed Fiend” (3/900-1400/600).

 

A purple gelatinous mass with two beady glowing red eyes and a quickly materialized orichalcos symbol appeared. Suddenly the blob grew larger still, almost covering all of Beta’s field (1400-2400/600).

 

‘“Greed Fiend” gains five hundred attack for each card I’ve drawn on the turn, but it loses the attack when you end your turn.’ Beta explained, his finger almost looking like they were clawing his own face, although Joshua had no idea why. ‘Now my abomination will destroy that assassin.’

 

The purple blob made a rumbling noise at the word “abomination”, but the mass slowly started sliding towards the assassin. The assassin tried to get the first attack charging forward and stabbing the mass, but merely got trapped and slowly sucked into the mass, until nothing was left. Suddenly there was a muffled explosion noise, and shards of the deceased assassin flung at Beta, leaving several cuts along his chest.

 

‘My monster’s effect inflicts five hundred damage when it’s destroyed in battle.’ Joshua said with a savage grin. Only to cry out when a small droplet of the glob landed on him and began sizzling, he hurriedly brushed it off. But it left a rather nasty burn-mark.

 

(BLP: 7500)

(JLP: 7400)

 

‘It appears your true nature is being revealed in this duel.’ Beta murmured. ‘Even without using it, I see you as the all-too human you are, a coward who enjoys watching the pain of others.’ He shook his head sadly. ‘I’ve been hoping to find someone to assist us, but it is not you I know for certain.’ Beta lifted his hands up in defeat. ‘I end my turn.’

 

Locking Beta in a steely gaze, Joshua drew a card. Not dropping the gaze, he placed the cards in his hand in front of his face.

 

‘I activate the continuous spell “Carbon Storage”, which requires me to discard a card to activate, for now it does nothing though. Next I summon “Zirconium Reflector” (3/1000/1000).’

 

A hunchbacked humanoid appeared, his body was covered in mirrors, and his eyes were a brilliant blue with no pupils.

 

‘Now I end my turn.’ Joshua concluded.

 

Beta drew a card; the blob had shrunk before, but quickly grew a bit larger from the draw. ‘I activate “Premature Burial”, allowing me to revive “Goblin of Greed”. He grimaced as he felt his energy drain, the energy formed a cloud before solidifying to become the familiar goblin (4/1000/1800).

 

‘But he isn’t staying long. For while some greed fades from age and wisdom, some never goes away. I release my monsters to summon “Greed Quasar” (7/?/?).’

 

Both the glob and the goblin vanished, creating a swirling vortex. Coming out with a roar was some kind of strange alien, with green gemstones on its body and a skull for a chest.

 

‘His attack is equal to his level times 300. Since he is a level seven, that’s two thousand one hundred attack (7/?-2100-2600/?-2100).

 

‘Not particularly dangerous for a monster that required two releases.’ Joshua muttered.

 

Beta gave a small, knowing smile. ‘Perhaps, but greed never seems that dangerous until it consumes you. And this card is no exception!’

 

“Greed Quasar” looked at Joshua with a hungry exception, and Joshua grimaced, unable to help the fear growing inside him…

 

*******************************************************

 

‘It had to be done.’

 

The figure wearing a Hawaiian shirt and merry green eyes from before said to his ‘friend’ in the same outfit.

 

‘Despite all I’ve said, you persist.’ The other figure noted. ‘I have all the reasons to tell the higher-ups and get you imprisoned or killed.’

 

‘Higher-ups, I thought we were all equal?’ The green-eyed figure smiled.

 

The other didn’t take the bait. ‘You know very well what I mean, Zacho.’ He sighed, palming his face. ‘Which makes it all the more difficult to say that you were right. They’ve already noticed slight variations. Small, but large enough to not be simply chance. For one a man who shouldn’t be where he is yet, another is dead. As well as a few things here and there, they’re already investigating, but it’s unlikely they’ll find the source, especially if it IS another Aelsthla like you suggested.’

 

The green-eyed figure (Zacho) brought his hands back with lazy satisfaction. ‘Honestly, you old folks are unable to grasp some concepts, are you? I need to get him involved with the two factions about to assault, he needs to be in the center of the action, I think the other will be involved with one of them.’

 

‘And if they happen to be in the same faction?’ the brown eyes looked with a dull quizzical expression.

 

‘Oh, I’ll think of something. Trust me; I was right in the first place after all.’ Zacho waved his hand dismissively.

 

‘Very well, I’ll try and keep them off your trail.’ The brown-eyed figure’s eyes glinted. ‘After all, what you’re doing is still illegal.’

 

‘Oh, you don’t have to worry about me…’ Zacho gave a big grin. ‘I’ll be just fine…'

______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Eleven]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 11: Seal of Greed, Survival Deceived

 

'Well then, are you going to attack or what?' Joshua gave a shaky smile. Stretching his limbs, he continued 'You're beginning to bore me greedyguts!'

 

A shadow flickered on Beta's face. 'I use a greed deck to shows others. If you consider me greedy it is no fault of mine. I have tried to eliminate my greed, but sins are hard to avoid.' He chuckled darkly. 'Now, I'll have my "Greed Quasar" attack...'

 

The skeletal alien roared, it's arms hissed at the mirror man and unleashed blasts of white energy from their mouth, engulfing Joshua's monster.

 

'By attacking, you've triggered Zirconium's effect!' Joshua announced. 'You have two choices: take all the damage I would, or we both take half and I draw a card.'

 

Beta gave a shrug. 'No need to be greedy, I'll take all the suffering thanks.' No muscles twitched at the irony of the answer.

 

The Zirconium man shattered, but the blast was still deflected off the mirrors and struck Beta on his left arm, Beta didn't even try to avoid it, but spasmed when the blast hit, although he remained standing.

 

(BLP: 5900)

 

As the blast cleared, Joshua gasped.

 

The blast had eaten through Beta's arm nearly to the bone. Beta didn't seem fazed in the slightest, merely gazing at it with a neutral expression.

 

Then, green light coming from the Seal around them filled the wound, obscuring it from sight, although not the blood gushing out on the floor.

 

'Rather painful-looking, wasn't it?' Beta murmured just loud enough for Joshua to hear. 'But the Orichalcos requires us to be alive so it can take our soul to it's fullest potential, so it does what it can...'

 

The green light began to fade, revealing the wound had healed over. It had left an ugly scar, but otherwise done a fine job healing.

 

'But let us forget my woes and consider the effect of Quasar.' Beta continued. 'He absorbs the levels of monsters he defeats in battle. And you remember his other effect, right?'

 

"Greeed Quasar glowed and increased in size, now covering half of Beta's field. (7-10/2100-3000/2100-3000).

 

Beta looked at the enhanced Quasar and gave a bitter smile. 'Greed is perhaps the worst of all sin.' He said in almost a dreamlike voice. 'Wasn't Adam and Eve's first sin greed by wanting the apple.

 

'If you believe in that religion.' Joshua countered.

 

'Most other religions agree, I assure you.'' Beta replied coldly. 'And even those who have none often know the danger greed is to the world!' He went silent, allowing the words to sink in.

 

Joshua considered it for a few moments, then said with a chuckle. 'Are you sure it was greed that made Eve take it, or was it curiosity?'

 

Beta gave a mirthless chuckle at that. 'Curiosity, the unknown sin.' He stopped abruptly. 'I set a card and end my turn.'

 

'Ok, but there is something you should know. When a monster is sent to my graveyard, my "Carbon Storage" gains a counter.

 

Black smoke drifted out of the ground and entered the continuous spell that laid there.

 

'But as you said, it's my turn.' Joshua drew a card.

 

Beta raised an eyebrow. 'His confidence seems to be growing, only before he was cowardly. Perhaps he has snapped in the face of a fate worse then death...'

 

'I activate my face-down, "Chemistry Test".' Joshua grinned. 'This card is a little unorthodox, here's how it works. I select a "Chemicalist" monster from my deck equal to a monster in my graveyard plus one, then i tell you it's name. If you can guess what number it is on the periodic table, it is removed from play and i take damage equal to it's attack points. If you fail though I get to special summon it to the field.' Searching his deck, Joshua smirked and selected a card. 'It's name is "Potassium Blazeman". So tell me, what number is Potassium?'

 

Beta shrugged. 'Science was never my strong suit, I'll hazard a guess and go 55.'

 

'Incorrect, Potassium is in fact 19 on the periodic table, so now I get to summon him!

 

A silvery-white hulking giant materialized on the field, small explosions went off it every few seconds, creating a nasty racket (8/3000/500).

 

'Not bad!' Beta shouted over the din. 'But a tad off beating my monster.

 

'True, but then again, I haven't normal summoned yet. So now i summon "Argon Wingman" (4/1800/1000) in attack mode.' Joshua yelled.

 

What seemed to be an ordinary jet plane appeared, the figure inside seemed to be made of the same material the rest of the dull gray aircraft was.

 

'When he is normal summoned, I can give up any amount of his attack points and transfer them to another monster, so i'll give my Blazeman all of his attack, but it costs me half the attack i give as life points.'

 

(JLP: 6500)

 

The jet plane (4/1800-0/1000) descended and fired a missile at Blazeman, the blast covered him in a fine mist that caused all the explosions to cease (8/3000-4800/500)

 

'Now Blazeman, take that alien menace down with Fire Pummel!'

 

The Blazeman lumbered forward, his fist held back ready to deal a bone-shattering blow.

 

'I activate the trap "Star Block"' Beta quickly exclaimed. 'This card negates an attack, and takes a level from the attacking monster to give it to mine!'

 

A stereotypical star for kids appeared between Blazeman (8-7/4800/500) and Greed Quasar (10-11/3500-3800/3000-3300).

 

Josh grimaced. 'I end my turn.'

 

Beta drew. 'I will attack that lovely sitting duck of your aircraft with Quasar, I believe.'

 

Once again the creature blasted, the aircraft simply dissolved from the blast, the blast continued travelling at Josh,who fell to the floor to avoid the blast, yet still felt a gut-wrenching pain inside of him.

 

(JLP: 3200)

 

'And then there is that lovely 4 levels your monster has.'

 

"Greed Quasar" licked his lips as it covered Beta's entire field (11-15/3800-5000/3300-4500). It was now staring hungrily at Blazeman, who took a step back.

 

And silently, smoke drifted into the "Carbon Storage" card.

 

Not so silent was a sudden burst of flames that burst from "Potassium Blazeman"'s head and struck Beta in the chest. He staggered to the ground and green light covered his chest before Joshua could see the damage.

 

(BLP: 5100)

 

'One of Blazeman's effects is that when a Chemicalist monster is destroyed, my opponent takes 800 damage.' Joshua explained.

 

Struggling to get up,Beta replied casually 'Well, that explains it.' He used duel disk hand to clutch his chest, grimacing in pain as he did so. 'I end my turn,' Beta muttered.

 

'I don't get it. I'm winning, yet if these injuries keep up, I'll lose by falling unconscious. It's almost as if the Orichalcos is acting against me... What is going on!'

 

Beta's strangely calm thoughts were drowned out by Joshua shouting 'DRAW!'

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Twelve]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 12: Sinful Ritual

 

Sometimes in a duel, you could even say most of the time, the tide turned due to a single card. From Josh’s grin, it may have been that moment.

 

But looking at Beta’s neutral expression, despite the pain wracking his body, and you might wonder if the whole thing was a trap.

 

‘I activate the permanent spell “Lead Poisoning”. This card decreases the attack of your monsters equal to the total of my Chemicalist monster’s level times fifty. Currently I have a level eight out, so that’s four hundred off!

 

“Greed Quasar” let out a roar of pain (15/5000-4600/4500). It gave a glare at Blazeman, but it knew the hunter had become the hunted.

 

‘Blazeman, Burn that creature alive!’ Josh shouted.

 

Its fist burst into flames, the Blazeman charged forwards, fists back and ready to strike.

 

The strike connected, and an orb of flames covered the two monsters. The searing heat enveloped the inside of the seal, the two duelists yelled in pain as the heat increased, even as a shining green barrier materialized that absorbed the heat.

 

Then, the orb of fire exploded, the barrier remained to absorb the flames and shockwaves, but the field was completely obscured, covered now by a thick cloud of smoke.

 

Holding his head with one hand while making deep wracking coughs, Josh slowly got up.

 

As the smoke cleared, two things became apparent. One: while burnt and charred (15-11/4600-3400/4400-3200), Greed Quasar remained standing. The second was that Beta must have had it worse, blackened and his eyes seemed almost dead. The only signs that he was alive were that he remained standing, and his deep, ragged breath.

 

‘You may notice my monster is alive.’ He rasped out. ‘By battling a monster level 5 or above with “Greed” in it’s name, you allowed me to activate from my hand a special continuous spell called “Greed Repaid”. Whenever a “Greed” monster would be destroyed, I can prevent it if they have four levels to spare.

 

‘Perhaps, but that has weakened your monster, and I’ll get through it eventually.’ Joshua pointed out.

 

‘To repay for your sins is always a costly business, in more ways then one. But in the end, it is beneficial.’ Despite the pain it must have caused him, he spoke more then he had to. The odd lighting on his face due to the glowing green wounds gave him a rather foreboding appearance, despite his face having not changed at all, still calm yet signs of cracking from the pain.

 

‘Perhaps I should be an Orichalcos Duelist.’ Inwardly, Josh chuckled. I’m doing a much better job then this guy.’

 

‘Well, I end my turn.’ Joshua announced.

 

Slowly, with almost robotic movement, Beta drew a card.

 

‘I Activate the spell “Devouring Hunger”, allowing me to draw two cards, and giving you a “Devouring Hunger” Token (8/2900/2800)

 

A creature materialized on Josh’s side of the field, it was dark red and catlike in appearance. Its face was far larger then the rest of its body and had razor sharp teeth.

 

Beta silently drew two cards. ‘Now my monster attacks that token.

 

“Greed Quasar” growled, but it was the token that struck first, leaping forward and attempting to swallow Quasar’s head. While it managed to get its mouth over, it was disintegrated by a blast from the snakelike arms.

 

(JLP: 2700)

 

As soon as that happened, the wounds on Quasar (11-19/3400-5800/3200-5600) seemed to repair themselves, and once again it had that hungry look in its eye.

 

‘Turn end.’ Beta murmured, his vision went hazy for a few seconds, and then slowly began going back to normal.

 

Joshua grimaced at the predicament he was in. He nearly had it, but now that thing was even stronger, it was more then annoying, it was… infuriating. A dark spark went through his eye, he growled.

 

Looking at his hand though, he saw nothing to combat that creature yet, however…

 

‘I activate “Swords of Revealing Light”!’

 

Swords that glowed eerily similar to the seal that surrounded them shot out from the sky, surrounding Beta and his “Greed Quasar”.

 

Josh squinted at the light, although it wasn’t that bright if Beta’s staring at it was anything to go by.

 

‘Next, I summon “Nitrogen Grenadier” (4/1800/200) in attack mode.’

 

A white cloud of gas in the rough shape of a human floated out of the duel disk, in its “hand” was a seemingly liquid white grenade.

 

‘And now I activate his effect, as long as I have another Chemicalist on the field and forfeit his attack, he can inflict six hundred damage to your life points!’

 

Pulling out a pin, the gaseous figure hurled the grenade at Beta, who managed to take a few painful steps back to avoid the grenade by mere inches.

 

Unfortunately, the grenade exploded in a burst of liquid.

 

Beta collapsed to the floor, his right leg had taken the brunt of the explosion and now seemed to be turning frostbitten.

 

’This… Isn’t going so well.’ Beta thought. He turned his pocket out, revealing a dimly glowing green shard. I can win, my “Greed Taxing” card will make sure of that when the swords fade, and I have enough life points to survive those blasts…’ He frowned. ’But look at me! I need medical attention fast. And what if I fall unconscious!?’ He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on thinking rather then the pain. ’I swore I would help the world become a better place, and living now will allow me to fight another day. My second chance is worth it I believe.’

 

‘Well, it’s your move.’ Josh snickered, not being able to see much of what Beta was doing over the light, but able to tell his opponent was in pain all the same.

 

Beta slowly got up.

 

‘With this fragment of the Orichalcos stone… I UNLOCK THE SEAL!’

 

He said the last words with all the force he could muster, and struck the barrier.

 

The green light flashed and shattered, both players were thrown back.

 

‘Damn, what just happened?’ Josh moaned, standing upright. Looking around, he noticed in amazement that Beta had somehow managed to get up before him and had already vanished from sight.

 

‘Well, he is going to rot for what he tried to do to me!’ Joshua said confidently.

 

No sooner did he say those words then his head began burning. He screamed and convulsed, unfortunately he banged his head onto a nearby tree, falling unconscious, the last thing he remembered was that glowing green seal…

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Thirteen]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 13: Grim Predicament

 

‘Damn it. That kid nearly killed me.’

 

At the edge of the forest and near the dormant volcano where a duel had taken place a day or so before. Beta was ripping his khaki outfit sleeves as (rather poorly done) bandages. However he quickly found himself having to rip up the rest of his shirt.

 

With what little of the Orichalcos’ power he had left, he held his hands and the crystal over the numerous injuries and attempted to heal the wounds, but mainly to try and heal the frostbitten leg, so he wouldn’t have to amputate it later. A faint flicker of the seal appeared on his forhead, but was barely visible.

 

The blood-soaked earth around him was cold due to the frigid night air.

 

‘You ok Greed?’

 

Sighing, Beta turned away from his wounds to look at the newcomer politely. His green eyes met cloudy blue ones that were barely open.

 

‘I’d rather you don’t call me that.’ Beta murmured.

 

‘Really? You don’t like your real name though, We all know never to call you…’

 

Another sigh from Beta interrupted his “friends” speech. ‘Call me Beta, until I defeat the person who I gave the name to, I deserve nothing else.’

 

‘That logic’s a bit twisted.’ His friend yawned; his messy blonde hair covered his eyes. ‘You could have at least chosen a better hour you know. I didn’t have time to change. Indeed, the early 20’s man was wearing blue and white striped pyjamas.

 

‘I know how you like your sleep Sloth, and I didn’t ask for you specifically.’

 

‘Yeah; well, Envy volunteered, but I knew that I couldn’t allow her to do this, I swear she should have been Lust.’ He let out another humongous yawn. ‘It wouldn’t be too good for the team, and you know how much we need each other, the Seven Sin Duelists wouldn’t be the same if you stayed away from Envy due to being molested or anything.

 

‘She isn’t that crazy.’ Beta stated bluntly. ‘You just don’t like her after what happened in the aftermath of that botched attempt to harvest San Francisco.’

 

‘If I could remember what you were saying, I’m sure I’d protest.’ Sloth yawned. ‘Well, thanks to your information, we know someone is here with an amazing amount of Orichalcos energy, enough for us to come out of hiding and invade this place in a few days. Whether its many crystals, a few powerful ones, or some other source we don’t know of, it’s important we get it. We’re talking about stuff that will give us the momentum we need. At least that’s what Pride told us in our latest meeting.’

 

‘You stayed awake for it?’ Beta raised an eyebrow.

 

‘I can stay awake when they actually pick a reasonable time, four in the morning just doesn’t suit me.’ He sniffed. ‘And sneaking here wasn’t exactly easy, not to mention I knew every second I wasted meant my teammate was closer to death.’ He said those words with such sadness that most people would have a tear in their eye.

 

As it was, Beta sighed and replied ‘I’m sorry, thank you for your sacrifices in assisting me.’ A dark flicker went across his face, and the crystal in his hand glowed almost unnoticeably brighter. ‘Now would you mind telling me why the seal nearly killed me, while leaving my opponent relatively intact, despite the fact I was winning?’

 

‘Well, I’m no expert, but I do know you.’ Sloth lied down, treating the rock-hard earth like a mattress. ‘The Orichalcos could, once upon a time, reveal your true self, no matter how deep it was. As you know, it has been weakened ever since Master Dartz died. So now it tries to pull your true self out, but people can resist a whole lot easier, so it finds ways of trying to show what you really are.’

 

There was silence for a few moments, before Beta murmured ‘It makes sense, my opponent certainly allowed his true self to be revealed.’ He said those words bitterly.

 

‘So all you have to do in your next duel is allow the Orichalcos to flow through you, don’t fight it. Remember it merely wants what is best for mankind.’ Sloth said those words with a vague cheerfulness.

 

‘Thank you.’ Beta said calmly, his face impassive.

 

‘Glad I could help.’ Smiling, Sloth almost immediately after started making the even breaths that showed he had managed to fall asleep in the space of seconds.

 

Beta sighed, sadness entering his face in the form of a single tear and a slight parting of his lips. ‘Can I truly do that?’ He said to himself.

 

Beta’s eyes were on the verge of closing themselves, but then he noticed what Sloth was using as a pillow. Grimacing, he stretched out his hand and yanked the first-aid kit from under Sloth’s head…

 

‘You got heart, but I can always hope you develop.’ Beta muttered before proceeding to make full use of the content inside the box before he died from blood loss.

 

 

‘You have only a few days until we get here’

 

Five of the six people kneeling in the small, dinghy tent shuddered at the shadowy image in the centre. All six of them wore cloaks of different colours. Red, Blue, Green, Purple, Brown, and White. The shadowy image had no fixed form, merely a pulsating mass with a dark, disturbing voice emanating from it.

 

‘You have eliminated their defenses I trust?’ The voice didn’t sound like it trusted them, on the contrary, it sounded like it knew they would have failed.

 

‘Of course, Prophet.’ The blue cloaked figure said after a small gulp. The voice was definitely male, and sounded surprisingly calm for a man who seemed to be shaking all over.

 

For a second the pulsating mass froze into place, but quickly began it’s movement again.

 

‘Excellent work, I must admit this whole operation has been going poorly, from Nadel’s defeat to your bungle with the principle.’ The purple-cloaked figure shivered. ‘I didn’t have high hopes, but if you manage to blind and isolate this place… We may just have a chance to gain so very much… Now, go do what you must. Be sure that Duel Academy is ready to be taken…’ The voice and the pulsating mass of shadow vanished.

 

There was silence, wondering if the voice would come again. After a whole minute it was the brown-cloaked figure who spoke first.

 

‘Should we have lied to the Prophet? If they come and security isn’t gone, we might be in for a lot of trouble…’

 

‘It was either that or all of us suffering there and then.’ The blue-cloaked figure sighed, drumming his fingers on the soft floor. ‘We just need to get a move on, that’s all. He won’t know if we did it a few days ago, or just before they got there.’

 

‘Well, I say to hell with them! Let’s leave and go off to hide, I’m sure the information we have is enough to get us a nice place!’ The purple-cloaked figure stood up as he exclaimed this, but seemed to become dizzy and collapsed, at which point the white-cloaked figure rushed to his side.

 

‘We’ll speak about your actions later Zephyr.’ The blue-cloaked figure said coldly to the purple-cloaked figure, who said nothing. ‘But for now we have a mission, and we shall do it, whether out of honour, respect, or fear…’

 

 

 

[Aelsthla-Mental]

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Fourteen]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 14: Inside Scoop

 

‘Where is my star!?’ The vibrant blonde-haired kid Erebos dashed breathlessly through the school a share of bruises on his face. Some people hadn’t taken kindly being crashed into. Erebos didn’t seem to care though; he just kept running as if his life depended on it. School had just gone out, and everyone just wanted to do their own thing.

 

It had been days; days, since Joshua Paul had simply vanished.

 

Asking pretty much ANYONE had given him a flat zero in information. And attempts to contact the principle had been blocked, not that he had tried too hard.

 

As the saying went, every cloud has a silver lining. If he could figure out where Josh was, maybe even save him from an evil group or two, imagine the popularity! He could become a star himself! And unlike all the others, he KNEW what he wanted to do.

 

Perhaps that was why despite the injuries and feeling like he was about to burst an artery from overexertion, Erebos was smiling.

 

Few people seemed to remember Josh as the shadow slayer, fewer still actually cared, but since they had no information, it didn’t matter.

 

After several hours, Erebos had gleaned little info. The last person who had seen him was one Kard Kulls, who he had managed to drag out the information that he HAD managed to get to his dorm room that night, as Kard saw him vaguely, although didn’t chat.

 

Erebos had a plan, he recalled taking a few snapshots of Josh and his room, so if he contrasted the room, he could find out if something was missing, or even added.

 

So he found himself snooping around the Slifer Red dorms, unfortunately there were plenty of Slifer’s hanging outside (probably due to the Slifer dorm rooms being filled with awful mutated insects due to numerous reasons, while outside only had the normal ones!) who could catch him breaking-and-entering. As such, he tried to hide in the shadows at the left wall of the dorm so they wouldn’t be suspicious of a Ra Yellow kid hanging around.

 

‘What would you be doing here, Ra Yellow man?’

 

Speak of the devil, Erebos turned around slowly and ended up face-to-face with A Slifer Red, although the normal outfit seemed modified, having a badge with an image of the namesake roaring at the onlooker, and a line of orange going through the middle of his shirt.

 

Erebos opened his mouth, then realized he hadn’t made an excuse yet. The figure looked closely at him with his hazel eyes. Not glaring, just curious.

 

‘Umm… Just checking how sanitary the Slifer dorms are, while it is meant to be an incentive to go up, that doesn’t mean they can treat you like animals!’

 

For a few seconds it was silent. Then, the Slifer burst out laughing.

 

‘That really did give me hope for a second.’ He stopped. ‘Be honest, I’ll keep it to myself. I wouldn’t be the leader of the Slifer’s if I was dishonest, we got instinct that tells us those kind of people, I assure you. I’ll even tell you my name, it’s Caddari.’

 

Erebos grimaced. He didn’t want to tell the truth, but he could get in trouble, while the guy didn’t look fierce, his body shape suggested muscle around his arms and legs. Besides, maybe this “Caddari” would be nice…’

 

‘Well, I’ve come to investigate the missing student Joshua Paul.’

 

It seemed impossible, but the grin on Caddari’s face tripled in size. ‘Now that makes sense!’ He paused, the grin almost instantly vanishing. ‘One of the hopes of Slifer.’ He growled, making Erebos all the gladder he wasn’t angry at HIM. ‘Vanished, and no-one giving a damn, even having the nerve to PREVENT us from having a good search.’

 

‘Considered it’s a conspiracy?’ Erebos asked casually, meanwhile keeping the info secure in his head. Seemed he wasn’t the only one shut out.

 

‘Well yeah, but what can I do?’ He shrugged. ‘The Slifers need me to lead them! So if I cause too much hassle…’ He paused, a vein throbbing on his head, vaguely noticed from behind his shot-cut blonde hair. ‘It irritates me.’ He finished.

 

‘You investigated Joshua’s room at least?’ Erebos questioned.

 

‘Alas, I’m not an official master of the dorm, so I can’t enter his key.

 

Erebos grinned. ‘That pathetic security? Leave it to me.’

 

Caddari gave Erebos a pat on the back. ‘You know, we might have a friendship after this!’

 

*********************************************************************

 

Once again breaking-and-entering, Erebos looked around the room. He noticed immediately that things had definitely changed.

 

The room was an utter shamble. Clothes had been flung around the room, some half-torn. And while it had appeared that Josh had few decorations, they had all been ripped from where they stood and probably examined before hurled to the floor.

 

‘Joshua didn’t seem like a guy who made a mess.’ Caddari said quietly from behind him.

 

‘He didn’t to me either, pictured him as more of a neat freak actually.’ Erebos answered nonchalantly, eyeing the photo and comparing it. Was anything missing?’

 

The duel disk wasn’t there; he could see it on the picture leaning on the small chest of draws that now had all the draws flung out.

 

Erebos frowned. Thinking about it, if whatever the person who had torn this room through looking for was inside or hidden under the bed, he would have no idea it was missi-.

 

He noticed it, a glaring difference. In the picture you could make out the edge of what may have been a metal box on the other side of the bed. Now it was gone, and if you kept something in a metal box, odds were it was valuable.

 

‘Did you ever see the metal box that Josh has?’ Erebos murmured.

 

‘A metal box, you mean the safe? I glimpsed it when I saw his stuff in the corner when he was unconscious, it was locked though.’

 

A safe! That made it all the more suspicious.

 

Unfortunately, his thoughts were derailed by a dry cough.

 

‘Got a cold?’ Erebos asked absent-mindedly, looking for something to re-spark his thought.

 

‘It wasn’t you?’

 

With a sense of foreboding, Erebos turned back to the door.

 

A man was standing in the doorway, although because of his long blonde hair it may have been a bit tricky to tell they were a man. The man had blue eyes that seemed to access whether you were useful or not, and the black lab coat gave a rather morbid impression. His face didn’t have any distinguishing marks, which was a plus. Although the way he moved slightly towards them made it seem he may have had back pains, somewhat making Erebos feel easy. They could take this guy down.

 

‘Krustallos,’ Caddari frowned. ‘What are you doing here?’

 

‘You know him?’ Erebos raised an eyebrow, but continued watching Krustallos.

 

‘Basically the principle’s Right-hand man.’

 

Krustallos sighed. ‘Your words wound me Caddari, but the fact remains that you two have entered a room that was to remain locked until we sorted things out…’ He shook his head. ‘You know how things are, the Principle is quite strict. You could be expelled.’

 

‘And you care?’ Caddari replied coldly.

 

‘Not really, it’s my job.’ Krustallos gave a yawn.

 

‘How about this: We duel you, if you win you tell Richard, if you lose you say nothing.’

 

‘So I lose either way?’ Krustallos slapped his face, obviously irritated. ‘I suppose you could resort to violence seeing me as an obstruction to find this friend of yours?’

 

Caddari nodded, activating his duel disk.

 

‘I’ll join you!’ Erebos announced dramatically, activating his duel disk as well.’

 

‘Oh dear, this gets less fair by the minute.’ Krustallos walked slowly out the door. ‘We may as well take this outside; consider this a test match for a promotion if anyone asks.’ He said, talking with his back to them, they barely got the message before following.

 

A few Slifers strolling around eyeballed them, but drifted away, perhaps from the appearance of a teacher.

 

When they had gotten a sizable distance in the courtyard, Krustallos asked ‘So, how shall this duel go?’

 

‘Me, Erebos, then you.’ Caddari shouted back. ‘We’ll share our life points. I TRUST this guy.’

 

‘Very well.’ Krustallos said in a resigned tone, activating his duel disk.

 

(E&CLP: 8000)

 

(KLP: 8000)

 

‘I’ll start!’ Caddari announced, drawing a card.’

 

‘Chain,’ Krustallos sighed.

 

‘Now I summon… Wait, WHAT!?’ Caddari exclaimed.

 

‘At the start of the duel, I can instantly activate from my hand or deck the permanent spell “Order of Organization”. It cost me all the cards in my hand, but if any of them are “Organization Member” monsters they get returned to my deck and I get to draw a card for each one.’ He revealed one card in his hand. ‘And as you can see, I have “Organization Member IV – Vexen”, so I will get a card for the sacrifice.’

 

Discarding his hand and adding Vexen to his deck, He drew a single card. ‘As for what “Order of Organization does, you’ll have to wait until my turn. But I warn you it cannot be removed by normal means.

 

‘Well… I summon “Memory Beast – Lost Fear” (4/1700/1200) in attack mode!’ Caddari announced.

 

A shining light emanated from Caddari’s skull. The shined on the ground in front of him and began forming a Dog-like creature. A golden tongue hanged out and it panted happily.

 

‘That’s all from me.’ Caddari said, smiling at the dog and giving it a pat, showing amazing reflexes that almost made it look like he was touching the hologram.

 

Erebos drew a card. ‘I have never seen my allies or my oppositions cards. I knew I should have investigated the Slifers more! As for Krustallos… Since when did the principle have an assistant? Best to play this duel safe…’ Looking at his hand, he sighed. ’A pity most of the cards in my deck don’t work that way, and none of the ones in my hand do.’

 

‘I summon “Dark Shadow Knight” (4/1800/200) in attack mode.’ Erebos murmured, wiping his brow.

 

The three-dimensional shadow materialized, it prepped it’s sword in a ready stance, pointing at an angle to Krustallos.

 

‘I’ll also set a card, that’s all.’ Erebos declared.

 

‘Very well.’ Krustallos drew a card.

 

Krustallos’ spell card on his field suddenly became engulfed in light, emerging from it was a black-cloaked figure. The hood was off, revealing spiky light brown hair and piercing blue eyes (6/1500/1500).

 

‘I’m assuming that is the effect of that card you played before?’ Erebos frowned.

 

‘Indeed, one effect of it is to summon the “Organization Member” monster with the highest Roman numeral from my hand or deck to the field during my standby phase. In this case, it’s number thirteen, Roxas. And his first effect allows me to equipped him from my deck or hand the equip spells “Oblivion” and “Oathkeeper”, increasing his attack by one thousand two hundred altogether.

 

Two giant keys materialized in Roxas’ hands. One was black, the other blue and yellow (6/1500-2700/1500).

 

‘Now he shall strike down that beast of memory’s, they are fitting monsters, you know?’ Krustallos murmured before having a string of coughs.

 

‘Damn, If he attacked my monster I could have activated my trap.’ Erebos grimaced as the poor dog was mercilessly stabbed in the heart with the black key, before being enveloped in a dark implosion.

 

(CLP: 7000)

 

‘Any monster destroyed by a monster with Oblivion is removed from play.’ Krustallos said breathlessly after coughing.

 

Caddari didn’t seem to be happy with that news either. Perhaps he had a revival card, or perhaps that monster had an ability when it was sent to the graveyard.

 

Krustallos set a card and whispered ‘I end my turn.’

 

They didn’t hear him, but they got the message. Caddari drew…

 

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Fifteen]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 15: Organizing Memories

 

‘I set a monster and end my turn.’ Caddari muttered in a voice almost as quiet as Krustallos.

 

Erebos drew a card. He gave a tiny but noticeable smirk. ‘I activate “Shadow Ascension Ritual”!’ He declared.

 

The color around them began to slowly fade, but neither Krustallos nor his monster acknowledged it.

 

The shadows swirled and a massive 3D shadow with a flamberge was the ending product (8/2700/2000).

 

‘Their points are equal Erebos! I wouldn’t sacrifice it.’ Caddari commented.

 

‘Indeed, you should follow your allies’ advice.’ Krustallos said briskly.

 

‘I really should too’ Erebos narrowed his eyes. But he’ll be summoning another one next turn, perhaps they work in tandem? Does that guy know something I don’t, or is he being honest?’

 

‘Are you going to end your turn?’ Krustallos asked drily.

 

Snapping out of his thoughts, Erebos declared ‘You do not scare me! The public shall know! I summon “Dark Shadow Assassin (4/1700/100) and I’ll strike down that Roxas with Guang!’

 

‘Taking him out in the process.’ Krustallos murmured.

 

The Ascended shadow flung His blade to the ground, a shockwave blasting itself into Roxas. With a quick slash from the keyblade the shockwave dissipated. Roxas charged in at the shadow, with a “clang” their blades met. A flurry of movement as they’re blades rebounded and struck time and again. Until at last, both struck one last time and destroyed each other, but the Oathkeeper keyblade remained and vanished, to appear in Krustallos’ hand, probably from its ability.

 

‘Next, my assassin shall strike you directly!’

 

The sound of an unsheathing blade was heard, and suddenly Krustallos was flung forward as his “shadow” struck him in the chest.

 

(KLP: 6300)

 

‘Oh, and whenever my Assassin strikes you directly he gets a “Death Counter”.’ Erebos grinned. ‘Bet you can’t wait to find out what it does!’

 

‘I believe it’s my turn?’ Krustallos said lazily.

 

‘Well… Yes…’ Erebos gave a sigh. ‘Not very dramatic, are you?’

 

‘I have a plane to catch.’ Krustallos drew a card. ‘And now you learn mistake number one, destroying Roxas. For you see, keeping him alive, even for the time, would prevent me from summoning the next member.'

 

‘What?’ Now Caddari was frowning.

 

‘Another flaw in “Order of Organization”, I’m only allowed to have one monster out at a time.’ He spread out his arms. ‘So, although this one isn’t exactly my favorite, say hello to “Organization Member XII – Larxene” (7/2400/2000)

 

A bolt of lightning came from the clear sky, striking the earth with a loud BANG. The lightning quickly dissipated, revealing a figure in the same cloak as the last one, only this was a female. Her hair was blonde and had two insect-like antenna’s sticking out. Her green eyes looked merry from a distance, but look closer and you would see a sadistic chill, still closer and they would be an almost as scary blankness.

 

All Erebos and Caddari could think was ‘crap’

 

‘Now, my monster shall destroy that assassin!’

 

Lifting up her arms, the cloak’s arms lowered, revealing her holding five kunai in each hand. Dashing forward, she threw five kunai at the assassin.

 

The assassin blocked one, but the other four embedded themselves into the solid shadow. The kunai were quickly followed by a bolt of lightning, striking the kunai and entering the shadow, blowing it apart.

 

(E&CLP: 6300)

 

‘You’ve activated my Assassin’s ability!’ Erebos declared. When it is destroyed, I can inflict 800 damage to your life points for each counter he had!

 

The blade had survived the electric shock, turning into a 2D shadow it slipped through the earth behind Krustallos. He missed that however, and only knew it was there when he felt a shock go through his system as it went through his chest.

 

(KLP: 5500)

 

‘Very well.’ He gave another deep, racking cough. ‘I should mention a couple abilities Larxene has. One, whenever she destroys a monster you take 500 damage.’

 

A bolt of lightning struck Erebos, causing him to stumble back.

 

(E&CLP: 5800)

 

‘And, she can attack twice, so I’m afraid that set monster is next.’

 

Several kunai stabbed the face-down card. Briefly a pale blue crocodile appeared to cry out in pain as it shattered into pixels, as well as a bolt of lightning striking caddari, who managed to hold his ground.

 

(E&CLP: 5300)

 

‘I’ll set a card and end my turn.’ Krustallos folded his arms, an expression of a man who knew he was going to win, and just wanted it to happen already.

 

Caddari noticed that expression, and he certainly didn’t like it. The motion he did to slide the card out of the holster was akin to slitting someone’s throat. ‘By destroying my “Memory Beast – Dark Fear”, its ability is activated during my standby phase. While it prevents me from attacking this turn, it allows me to summon a “Memory Beast” either from my graveyard, or my deck, as long as it has less attack then the monster that destroyed it.’

 

Sorting through his deck, he selected a card “I summon “Memory Beast – Experience Donkey” (5/2300/1800) in attack mode.

 

A mauve color appeared on Caddari’s forehead. Grinning bitterly, he watched as the color reflected to the earth, slowly forming a donkey of the same colour.

 

‘A donkey?’ Krustallos raised an eyebrow. ‘That card seems a bit ridiculous.’

 

‘You should know, with age comes experience, and experience can make an ass out of anybody.’ Caddari grinned.

 

Krustallos sighed. ‘Are you done?’

 

‘Well, I’ll set a monster… But ok then. Go get him Erebos!’

 

Erebos gave him a weak smile. He drew.

 

‘Damn, it’s nothing that can stop Larxene…’ He looked over to Caddari, exasperated.

 

Only to see Caddari mouthing ‘play it’ over and over again.

 

Krustallos didn’t seem to be paying attention, merely looking in the space between then with a blank look on his face.

 

‘I summon “Dark Shadow Speed Demon” (4/1800/200) in attack mode.’

 

A rather thin shadow wielding twin daggers materialized.

 

‘I chain to that!’ Caddari declared. ‘The effect of my Donkey allows it to transfer it’s attack to a summoned monster, so now his Speed Demon grows stronger!

 

While the attack of the donkey went down to 0, the speed demon went way up as it glowed with a mauve aura (4/1800-4100/200)

 

Normally I’d have to pay if it was my own monster, but since it’s my allies, there is no cost.’ Caddari grinned.

 

‘Now it looks like another of your monsters shall bite the dust!’ Erebos declared. ‘Strike now, with rapid slash!’

 

As it’s name suggested, the shadow ran forward with amazing speed, it’s blade in motion to decapitate the antenna-girl.

 

…only to stop, confused, as there was now five of them.

 

‘Allow me to show you the effect of my face down, “Copy Confusion.” Depending on the monster I use it on, it has a different effect. For Larxene, it is like a “Magical Hats” card. It has allowed me to set her and hide her among four spell or trap cards. And this will activate during every one of your battle phases.’ Krustallos explained. ‘Oh, and any of the spell or traps you don’t destroy will be added to my deck. At the end of the battle phase.

 

So even if I miss, I guess I’ll wipe out one of his cards… Or is that just giving him deck thinning? Either way, I can’t let this last…’

 

‘I’ll take out the one on the far left.’ Erebos muttered.

 

A swift uppercut and the Larxene on the left vanished with a *poof*.

 

‘Better luck next time.’ Caddari said cheerfully.

 

Erebos sighed. ‘I end my turn.’

 

All except the middle face-down vanished from sight.

 

’Figures, the most obvious one…’

 

‘My move, then.’ Krustallos drew a card. ‘I’ll cut down that donkey I think…’

 

Walking casually to the Donkey (already exhausted due to giving it’s energy to the other monster) and casually drove a kunai into it’s skull The burst of lightning after struck Caddari with immense force.

 

(E&CLP: 2400)

 

’This guy is destroying us!’ Caddari gritted his teeth from both anger and pain.

 

‘Isn’t this against the law, teacher harassment or something like that?’

 

‘You’d be amazed with what the principle of this school has allowed us to get away with…’ Krustallos gave a bitter laugh. ‘Oh, the things we can do.’

 

Cutting himself off abruptly, he stated ‘I end my turn.’

 

Caddari drew, grimacing as a jolt of pain went up his arm. ‘I activate “Memory Requiem”, allowing me to send all “Memory Beast” monsters from my graveyard to my deck, then for each six levels get to draw a card.

 

Swiftly, he drew two cards.

 

‘Now I summon “Memory Beast – Remembrance” (2/500/400)

 

Materializing on the field was a rainbow-colored elephant. Strangely enough, it was about the size of a Labrador.

 

‘Now, his ability allows me to special summon a monster that has been moved from my graveyard to my hand or deck. I select that Donkey you…’ He paused, then said the next word darkly ‘slaughtered during my last turn.’

 

The donkey appeared in a glowing mass of mauve. It was…

 

…asleep.

 

‘It loses all it’s attack and has it’s effect negated. But it’s still useful…’ Caddari smiled. ‘Tuning time!’

 

Stars burst out of the two creatures, seven total, and began spinning around in a circular fashion.

 

‘Memories make us who we are, allow the past show us the way to the future. Synchro Summon! Learn from the mistakes of others, “Memory Beast – Furious Love” (7/2800/1200).

 

A blood-like red color exploded into the scene, slowly it formed together to create…

 

…A hummingbird?

 

Krustallos made no obvious movement to show disbelief, but Erebos blinked.

 

‘A hummingbird? How is that suppose to destroy anything?’

 

‘You’ll see…’ Caddari gave a bitter smirk. ‘Now it’s time to battle…’

 

Instantly, four additional Larxene’s appeared.

 

‘I’ll strike the one in the middle.’

 

The hummingbird flapped it’s wings with such speed that they were invisible, the middle Larxene fell as gash after gash appeared in her flesh, then she simply went *poof*.

 

‘Better luck next time.’ Krustallos commented.

 

‘Actually, my monster can attack all of your monsters…’

 

Laceration after laceration, all but one of the Larxene’s went *poof*. The remaining one disintegrated into particles.

 

‘Well, I never did like her anyway.’ Krustallos sighed, his trap card shattered. ‘When Larxene goes, the trap goes with her, unless there is a suitable candidate for it on the field.’

 

‘Well, Iset a card and end my turn.’

 

Erebos drew. ‘I attack directly!’

 

One large slash, and Krustallos didn’t even flinch.

 

(KLP: 1000)

 

‘I’ll end’

 

‘And you’ve just made things worse.’ Krustallos drew a card. ‘Now I summon “Organization Member XI – Marluxia” (8/2800/2000).’

 

Another cloaked figure appeared. You could vaguely tell it was male, but the pink hair and scythe didn’t help matters…

 

‘We should probably stop destroying his monsters…’ Was all Erebos could say.

 

‘Don’t worry, this is my last turn. As much as I hate to end it with him… time is running short. I activate the spell “Angelic Form”. On any other member it would have little effect, on Marluxia though…’

 

A creature appeared behind Marluxia. It looked like a twisted form of an angel. It had four silver and sharp wings, pink spikes protruding from its shoulders, rings like distorted halos around its head, and a scarily empty face.

 

‘This card completely changes Marluxia. Negating his effect and granting him a new one, as well as increasing his attack and defence by a thousand (8/2800-3800/2000-3000). Now smite these infidel’s with Omni Laser!’

 

Numerous blasts came from the rings, all headed for the hummingbird.

 

‘I activate my trap!’ Erebos announced.

 

‘And it shall be useless!’ Krustallos stated simply.

 

A hurricane encircled the field, all spells and traps were sent flying back to the owner’s hand, except for the Angel.

 

‘That is one ability, if you activate a spell or trap I can pay half my life points to negate it and send all spells and traps, except the angel itself, to the owners deck.’

 

The Blasts continued, it struck the hummingbird and the field went alight.

 

(E&CLP: 2400)

 

‘My monster has three additional positive abilities, but I only need one. When it destroys a monster you have a choice. Discard six cards from both our hands to the graveyard, or Another monster on the field is wiped out and you take damage equal to our total life points.’ He held up his hands, not a card in them. ‘So unless either of you have six cards in your hand, I’m afraid this duel is over.’

 

Both of them looked at their hands, neither of them making the mark.

 

‘Damn.’ Was all that Erebos could say as the shadow exploded, fragments of it striking both duelists down.

 

(E&CLP: 0)

 

Krustallos shook his head, feigning sympathy. ‘You poor children, trying to do things far beyond your capabilities. You must learn your limits.’

 

He paused, looking out to the sea. ‘I should report you, but alas I have a ship to catch.’

 

With that he left without another word, leaving Caddari and Erebos to lie there in numb shock.

 

 

‘You called me, Zacho.’

 

‘Yeah, you bring some food?’

 

Kneeling in the forest right at the edge (the volcano being right next to it), Zacho stared quizzically at the brown-eyed figure, he responded with a sigh. ‘I brought the food Zacho, but I don’t see why.’ He tossed a small package he had been holding in his hand to Zacho, who caught it with surprising quickness.

 

‘Guy’s gotta live somehow.’ He shuffled to the side, revealing the still body of Joshua Paul.

 

The brown-eyed man narrowed his eyes. ‘I think this is going too far…’

 

‘Oh, stop it. We know that the end justify’s the mean. Besides, it was more of a suggestion then a rule not to do this sort of thing.’

 

‘Yes well…’ He stopped, then exploded with a surprising bout of rage ‘GET RID OF THAT DAMN SCAR.’

 

‘Oh, what?’ Turning his face slightly, a scar on his left cheek became more visible. ‘I just kept it as a memento; you really should control your temper.’

 

Zacho seemed glad of this outburst, perhaps he had planned it the whole time. With a mad glint in his eye, the brown-eyed man stormed off.

 

‘Now now, Joshy boy.’ Turning back to the prone figure, he brought his face right up to the closed eyes, his voice silky smooth. ‘You’re going to have to do everything I say when you get up, that’s a good boy…’

______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Vol. 1: Chapter Sixteen]

Sideline Preparation

Sideline Preparation

Chapter 16: The End of the Beginning

 

‘Damn, that duel sucked.’ Erebos murmured.

 

‘It’s been a few days and you are STILL complaining.’ Caddari gritted his teeth.

 

For three days they had been trying to find a clue to where Josh had gone, telling no-one. The official excuse was that the principle (who seemed to be onto this disappearance) might find out if they told too many people, but the real reason was Erebos’ ego. And want for an amazing story he had all the rights to.

 

But they had spotted something odd. Late one night, near the beach, Caddari swore he saw a shimmer of what appeared to be a tent at the beach. Perhaps it was tiredness, but Erebos thrived on this sort of thing, and as such after some fruitless searching until near midnight, they were hiding in the bushes near the beach, watching the spot where Caddari had seen the tent.

 

So far there had been nothing. And they had resorted to pointless “quiet” bickering.

 

‘Well, what about those times you left me for no reason to continue the search on my own!’ Erebos asked, further emphasizing Caddari’s point.

 

‘I TOLD you, I have certain matters to attend to!’ Pausing, he muttered under his breath ‘Like that bloody dead man…’

 

Erebos decided not to pursue that line of questioning, but started wondering if he had chosen the right partner…

 

It was at that point a distinct shimmer appeared on the beach. Erebos pointed it out, and both of them watched.

 

The shimmer didn’t fade like the one Caddari saw, however. And a tent became quite visible, a rather large tent at that. Coming out of the shimmer like spirits were six cloaked individuals. Each of them wore cloaks of a different colour.

 

Suddenly they waved out to the sea. Looking out to the sea, Caddari and Erebos gasped.

 

A massive ship was bearing down on the island, about the size of the titanic. Erebos wondered how it had managed to get this close considering its size, but Caddari pointed out the answer, although it raised further questions. The ship was in fact hovering above the ocean. Shadowy tendrils were attached to the ship, waving about like miniature tentacles.

 

‘Damn…’ Erebos murmured. What do we do Cadda…’ He paused, not hearing so much as a breath next to him. Turning slightly, he noticed that Caddari had vanished.

 

Perhaps that was what he should be doing too…

 

Taking a quick snapshot, Erebos dashed out towards the main building, hoping to warn them before they arrived.

 

Whoever THEY were…

 

*********************************************************************

 

A figure wearing dark green pants and jumper, along with a mask with a green jewel in the centre and eye holes revealing eyes a very similar colour to the outfit sat on a throne, sighing. Slowly, he took out a revolver from his large pocket in his jumper pocket.

 

He opened the holster, and inserted a single bullet. At that point it was quite obvious that the revolver in fact had seven openings for bullets.

 

Snapping it back, the masked figure slowly pointed the gun towards his own head. Sighing, as if he knew what fate had in store for him. He pulled the trigger.’

 

*click*

 

No flash of pain, no loud noise. Sighing, he pulled the trigger again.

 

*click*.

 

‘We have arrived at Duel Academy, master. The guards are even now about to be silenced, and the barrier is nearly in place….’ The speaker paused, he had gone in without bothering to look, and heard four clicks in quick succession. Snapping his attention to the masked figure, he said ‘that’s enough!’

 

The masked figure froze, his finger hovering over the trigger. Sighing, he asked ‘Have we encountered resistance?’ The finger still had not left the trigger.

 

‘no sir…’ The speaker paused, his cold light blue eyes mixed with a sort of tiredness, the kind had after being at work for too long. ‘But there has been a rather large blip as far as energy goes, far too much for a single being.’

 

‘There is that much judgement energy on this island?’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘And we didn’t know of this?’ The finger retracted, and he inserted the revolver back into his pocket.

 

‘Not Judgement energy sir, tainted energy.’

 

A shadow crossed the figure’s mask. ‘Then purifying this island has become a higher priority.’ He murmured. ‘But we still need to find the judgement energy.’

 

‘The tainted energy is making it all but impossible to locate.’

 

‘Then…’ In a blur of green the figure was in front of the speaker, his hand right in front of his chest. ‘FIND IT!’ With a push the speaker was sent hurtling out of the temple, the exit being made of steel, the speaker managed a superhuman feat of striking the wall with his legs, then bending them to absorb the impact, followed by a graceful landing. ‘Yes sir.’ He murmured, taking a right turn out of the masked man’s sight.

 

He went upstairs, and opened the door at the top. Opening the door, he found himself looking at two burly men, each with a glowing green symbol on their forehead. They wore what appeared to be black one-piece swimsuits, the muscles making definite bulges all over.

 

‘One of you should keep an eye on him.’ He said coldly. ‘Would you know where Pride is? I need to speak to him.’

 

Neither of the burly figures spoke, but the one of the left pointed at something. The movement of his hand made the outside of the door visible. Revealing they were in fact on an aircraft carrier, only with no aircraft and instead groups of people, all cloaked with a fluoro green. But the man was not pointing at the ship, he was pointing at the island, Duel Academy in the centre.

 

‘He has already gone has he?’ He spat. ‘I suppose my assurance that Greed could live a few more minutes didn’t faze him. The rest of the group is gone, I take it?’

 

The guard nodded.

 

‘Well, I suppose we may as well send everyone in!’ He sighed, tapping his foot in frustration. ‘This just isn’t going well at all…’ He stopped abruptly, something glinting in his eye as he looked towards the sky. ‘Take cover!’ He shouted.

 

For coming out of the sky were dozens of pitch-black birds. Screeching now that their stealth had been compromised, they dive-bombed, cloaked figures cried out as the talons raked their flesh, blood began spreading slowly across the ship.

 

‘What kind of security for a school is this?’ He wondered. Standing up, he got himself in a ready stance.

 

Eight of the birds noticed this target, and they charged down in a V formation, ready to tear him to shreds.

 

The first one met a swift end as the figure plucked from the air and with a squeeze snapped the creature’s neck, the rest of the birds quickly made a circle and snapped with their beaks from all sides.

 

The green seal of the Orichalcos flared on the figure’s head, and the birds dissolved as a green field surrounded him.

 

‘This isn’t right.’ He murmured. ‘But we’ve gone too far to stop.’ Looking around, he saw that all the birds had been taken care of, but not without casualties. They hadn’t been prepared. Now they were prepared for something unexpected.

 

‘Charge!’ He shouted.

 

Roaring, the surviving cloaked men simply jumped off the ship and hit the water at a height that would injure an ordinary human, and then swam full-speed for the island.

 

*******************************************************

 

‘Where did those damn birds go!’ A man wearing all black shouted. An impressive feat, considering even his mouth was covered in a pitch-black mask.

 

‘I think the ESL did a bloody lousy job taking out the security.’ Another figure grunted, although he was doing a less effective job of speaking with a mask on, so his voice was muffled.

 

‘Bah, why we sent those rejects…’ He spat the earth. ‘Although, to be honest, I think they went further out then that.’

 

‘A vessel perhaps? The ESL probably let them know we were coming and the people on the island are trying to escape.’

 

‘I doubt they’ll survive then, those birds should quite easily be able to take on ordinary humans.’

 

‘I’m still going to report this to the Prophet, the leader should know…’

 

‘Well, wait until the barrier comes…’ No sooner had he said those words then darkness covered the sky, with swiftness yet slow enough to show hope disappear, the dome covered the entire island in shadow.

 

Yet even as that happened , a flash of green caught both the masked figures gaped (you could tell by the sudden movement of the mask as it partially entered their mouth) as a green symbol began enveloping the island, stopping just short of the shadowy dome.

 

Both of the stared blankly at it. The one on the left was the first to speak.

 

‘Well… Shi-’

 

End of Volume One

 

 

 

[asterr259]

I kinda like it, but needs more....... umph u know?! MORE DRAMA, i'm telling u this as a 8th grader, no offence.

[Aelsthla-Mental]

No offense...

 

NO OFFENSE!

 

...THANK YOU!

 

My first reviewer, yay!

 

Needs more drama you say? Bit difficult in a fanfic about a card game, but I'll try.

 

Anyway, thanks. As first reviewer. ONE REP!

[asterr259]

Np, ur very welcome then! ^_^

[Zetsumei75]

I have no idea why people aren't commenting on your story. I think that it's amazing. I can't wait to lean who those two nameless people are and what they have planned. Even if no one else comments, remember you have at least one fan. ^_^

[Aelsthla-Mental]

Heh thanks. I look at this one and my last, and see a significant improvement.

 

So yeah, those two mysterious people. The main question is who are they and how do they fit in. The main thing known so far is that they aren't the best of friends, and if you read between the lines, a couple of extra things.

 

The next chapter may take a little while, as i am in the 'assignment week'. But after i'll see if i can get a couple more chaters out.

 

Any questions will be answered, though perhaps not in the way you wanted them to be :).

 

Good thing to always have at least one person. So thanks!

[Aelsthla-Mental]

*Bump*

 

Just so you know, i've made a couple of changes.

 

I've decided to name the chapters. I'm allowing suggestions, but reserve the right to not use them much or at all. Also, the second post is 'what the reviewers noticed'. Mainly things that seem to be hinting for a plot point or something, sort of like rumors i suppose. I'll take most rumors, but I draw the line at incredibly stupid ones.

[shiko11]

nice ^^ on a scale of 1 to 10, definitely an 8!

 

 

 

-An official Shiko Productions report

[Aelsthla-Mental]

nice ^^ on a scale of 1 to 10' date=' definitely an 8!

 

 

 

-An official Shiko Productions report

[/quote']

 

8 is my favorite number... IT'S A SIGN!

 

*coughs*

 

Anyway, see anything that seems a bit foreshadowing, Strange etc.? I would like something to place in the second post :)

 

Anyway, thanks for the review.

[Aelsthla-Mental]

*BUMP*

 

And chapter 3 added.

 

Also, goodnight!

[bury the year]

Excellent fic. I wonder why this hasn't gotten more hits, it sure deserves them.

[Aelsthla-Mental]

Meh; Bad luck, bad publicity, name that could have more OOMPH in it (had a bit of trouble there...). Take your pick.

[Wyhe]

I have to say that this is sure a great story so far,but why you haven't introduced it to me then?

[Aelsthla-Mental]

Umm... I forgot probably. Well...

 

Hey Raviel Priest, i've attempted at writing my own fanfic, want to check it out!

[Wyhe]

Umm... I forgot probably. Well...

 

Hey Raviel Priest' date=' i've attempted at writing my own fanfic, want to check it out!

[/quote']

I already seen it & it's good so far

Take a look at my fanfic too,it's the longest I've ever made.

[Aelsthla-Mental]

Umm... I forgot probably. Well...

 

Hey Raviel Priest' date=' i've attempted at writing my own fanfic, want to check it out!

[/quote']

I already seen it & it's good so far

Take a look at my fanfic too,it's the longest I've ever made.

 

I had a gander, it was awesome! Technically Venus lost, even more technically she won by default. But in the end, it is the good guys who win!

 

Norman doesn't like flying hey... Uh oh.

[Ryno Dorcus]

nice fic

[Wyhe]

Umm... I forgot probably. Well...

 

Hey Raviel Priest' date=' i've attempted at writing my own fanfic, want to check it out!

[/quote']

I already seen it & it's good so far

Take a look at my fanfic too,it's the longest I've ever made.

 

I had a gander, it was awesome! Technically Venus lost, even more technically she won by default. But in the end, it is the good guys who win!

 

Norman doesn't like flying hey... Uh oh.

posting your reply for my fanfic is 2 places is very hard to keep up with...Norman's aerophobia was a little humor dialouge I added in for fun & yeah Venus did won,despite the duel...but the Overmind now has Hametsujin now

[Aelsthla-Mental]

Yeah, not so good..

 

Oops, i forgot i already posted a comment, would be confusing. Aahh well, keep it up anyway. And i'll see if i can keep mine up...

[Aelsthla-Mental]

Chapter Four Added.

[Zetsumei75]

NOOOOOooooo!! Not a cliffhanger! I loved chapter four, but the suspense about that coin will irk me.

[bury the year]

...And the coin lands on its edge.

 

Something about the duel in this chapter felt a bit... off. Maybe it's just the flow, but it felt more rushed than your others. It was still good, just not your best.