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

[legendhiro]

and heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere it is! capter three is up.

 

 

no card of the day today.

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter Rachel

 

Rocky meets the fifth member of his new team, and the meeting turns into an all out battle!

[Nexev]

Wow interesting chapter. Now I am tempted to make a character. However it is almost 11 at my place a I am supposed to be asleep so I'll have to wait for tomorrow.

 

Don't get so caught up that you forget you digmon story alright?

[legendhiro]

Don't get so caught up that you forget you digmon story alright?

 

i won't. the next chapter of my digimon story will be up sometime this week. the special is almost over, and then i'll be ready to start the final book.

[Ryno Dorcus]

Chapter 3 was really cool, Can't wait to see what Rachel is like!

[legendhiro]

chapter four is up, finally.

 

 

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

"Phantom Beast Cross-Wing" is not very powerful on its own, but it is great support for that rare Phantom Beast archetype. This overlooked archetype includes four mighty monsters, as well as Yugi Moto's famous "Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts" and "Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast". "Cross-Wing" is Rachel Weis' "Spirit Monster".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter The Queen of Beasts

 

rocky continues his duel with the angry female duelist rachel weis.

[RyanAtlus]

Phantom Derps.

Haven't you already used them?

 

PS: there's a 'mw' in the first paragraph of Ch.4 that should be 'my'.

[Nexev]

Rachel is a jerk.

 

She is one of my least favorite ypes of people. Not the type who always wants to see who is better because they dram of beating you, but who are 100% convinced they are the best, at everything.

 

If they beat you in one game they make fun of you and consider you a loser. If you win they get mad at you and try to prolong the battle into a different area of combat until she wins.

 

There is no way to get along with them.

[Ryno Dorcus]

Very nice chapter indeed, Rocky is about to have a huge monster ready to attack, but I'm guessing Rach has something ready.

[RyanAtlus]

Rachel is a jerk.

 

She is one of my least favorite ypes of people. Not the type who always wants to see who is better because they dram of beating you' date=' but who are 100% convinced they are the best, at [i']everything[/i].

 

If they beat you in one game they make fun of you and consider you a loser. If you win they get mad at you and try to prolong the battle into a different area of combat until she wins.

 

There is no way to get along with them.

 

Don't judge her yet. I'll think she'll change.

[legendhiro]

bump. new chapter in the next few days, two if i can manage it.

[legendhiro]

bump again. problems with my internet have delayed the new chapter, but i should have it up soon enough.

[legendhiro]

so, it looks like those issues with my internet were not quite as resolved as i once believed. but they are now, and i'm good to go. in fact, this time i have something to show for my unwanted time off. the next chapter of Yu-Gi-Oh! DE!

 

 

[spoiler=Chapter Five]

 

The Queen of Beasts

 

 

“Are you done yet?” Rachel asked, looking annoyed.

 

“Not even close,” I said. “You see, my ‘Gadget’ monsters have a purpose besides swarming the field. I’m sure you remember the massive, almost lifeless robot behind me. Well, you see, he’s unable to attack or even counterattack right now because he’s missing three of the gears in his chest. Gears that can be replaced by the gears that make up the main bodies of my ‘Gadgets’.”

 

As I spoke, the three small robots jumped up and into the three slots in ‘Stronghold’’s chest. A multicolored light shone from the seams in ‘Stronghold’’s armor, and I heard his machinery come to life. He stood up slowly, his joints creaking. He flexed his mechanical arms, his head coming close to scraping the high ceiling (ATK: 3000).

 

“Like I said,” I declared, “your monsters are strong, but my monsters are stronger. ‘Stronghold’ attacks the ‘Wild-Horn’ with Strong Fist Hammer!”

 

The massive machine struck, but his fist was blocked by a solid wall of lightning. Rachel was beaming with pride.

 

“When one of my ‘Phantom Beasts’ battles,” Rachel explained, “I can remove ‘Phantom Beast Thunder-Pegasus’ in my Graveyard from play to negate damage to my monster for the duration of that battle.”

 

My monster pulled his fist back and stood in position behind me, and the lightning took form, becoming a two-headed horse. One head and one half of its body was red. The other half was black. It had a mane and wings made of rolling lightning. The monster remained for a moment before it disappeared.

 

“Smart move,” I said, trying to sound cheery. Damn, I thought. I didn’t expect something like that. She still has one more of those monsters left, and she can spring it anytime one of her monsters battle a stronger monster to make the battle invalid.

 

That’s when I had an idea to get rid of the second monster fast.

 

“I set a card,” I said, “and I end my turn.”

 

Rachel drew and she immediately commanded, “‘Wild-Horn’, attack the ‘Yellow Gadget’.”

 

“Not as smart,” I said tsk tsking-ly. “Reveal face-down card ‘Staunch Defender’, forcing both ‘Cross-Wing’ and ‘Wild-Horn’ to attack this turn, and allowing ‘Stronghold’ to intercept both attacks.”

 

This had better work, I thought.

 

‘Wild-Horn’’s sword and ‘Cross-Wing’’s entire body were wreathed in light. Both monsters charged forward to attack. ‘Stronghold’ crushed ‘Cross-Wong’ in his fingers (8000+1900-3000=6900), and then he moved to intercept ‘Wild-Horn’ and strike back with his mighty fist. But his counterattack was interrupted by another wall of lightning.

 

“My second ‘Thunder-Pegasus’ prevents the destruction of my ‘Wild-Horn’ yet again, and because another ‘Cross-Wing’ was sent to the Graveyard, my ‘Wild-Horn’’s power increases yet again (2300+300=2600).”

 

“I accomplished what I wanted,” I said. “I got you to use up your last ‘Thunder-Pegasus’. Now your monster will be vulnerable next turn.”

 

“Give me your best shot,” Rachel said, goading me. “I set a card. End.”

 

I drew. “Activate,” I said, “the Spell card ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two cards.”

 

I drew again and smiled.

 

“Looks like this duel is over,” I said. “I’m about to win.”

 

I heard the crowd murmuring. They didn’t seem to believe that Rachel was even capable of losing at Duel Monsters.

 

“I begin my turn,” I said, “by separating my three ‘Gadget’ monsters from ‘Stronghold’,” I declared, “so that I can tribute my ‘Yellow Gadget’ to summon ‘Criosphinx’.”

 

The monster that replaced the ‘Yellow Gadget’ on the field was beast-like, but his body seemed to be carved of stone. It had a body like a lion’s, with small, green-feathered wings, a humanoid torso, and a head like that of a goat (ATK: 1200).

 

“But my ‘Criosphinx’ won’t be around for long,” I declared. “I tribute my ‘Criosphinx’ to Special Summon the embodiment of my deck. The shape of my spirit. The face of my Soul. Arise,” the ‘Criosphinx’ was replaced by a massive stone creature, its body colored gold. Its head was carved to resemble the Egyptian-style head dress of the legendary invincible God Card ‘Exodia’. His massive stone fists were connected at the knuckles, and there was a massive gold ring attached to his back, “Exxod, Master of the Guard’ (ATK: 0/DEF: 4000)!”

 

“Are you kidding?” Rachel demanded condescendingly. “That massive hunk of stone is useless, and now that you’ve tributed a ‘Gadget’, your ‘Stronghold’ is useless as well.” She glanced behind me at the massive robot that sat behind me in a lifeless slump (ATK: 0).

 

“My monsters might not have any Attack,” I said, “but they do have Defense, and my deck is designed to turn defensive power into a weapon.

 

“Reveal,” I declared, “the Trap card ‘Reversal World’. This Trap card permanently exchanges the Attack and Defense of every Effect Monster on the field, including ones that were summoned from Traps.”

 

“No!” Rachel exclaimed as her ‘Wild-Horn’’s power was sapped away (1700 -> 0+(300x3)=900) and my monsters came to life (‘Exxod’: 0 -> 4000/’Stronghold’: 0 -> 2000). ‘Exxod’ pulled his fists apart and flexed his immense arms, and ‘Stronghold’ rose to his feet.

 

“Finally,” I continued, “I tribute ‘Red Gadget’ and ‘Green Gadget’, using the effect of ‘Ultimate Offering’ (4600-500=4100), to summon my newest heavy hitter.”

 

‘Red Gadget’ and ‘Green Gadget’ disappeared and were replaced by a legless, armless, mechanical dragon made of irregular, ancient-looking pieces, “Behold, my ‘Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon’ (ATK: 3000).”

 

“Activate,” I said, “the Spell card ‘Limiter Removal’, doubling the Attack of my two machine monsters, and destroying them at the End Phase of the turn. I attack! This duel is over.”

 

‘Gadjiltron Dragon’ (ATK: 6000) breathed a beam of light, and ‘Stronghold’ (ATK: 4000) and ‘Exxod’ swung their mighty fists, but all three attacks were repelled by a barrier. I watched, surprised, as three priests in blue robes appeared within the barrier, chanting a prayer, and I realized what had happened.

 

“I was ready for an attack like that one,” Rachel said, prideful. “I activate my Trap card, ‘Waboku’, to negate all battle damage to my monsters this turn.”

 

I scowled, “Then I end.” As I spoke, ‘Gadjiltron’ and ‘Stronghold’ fell to pieces, destroyed. The pieces faded away. I regained my composure, “You still can’t touch me. Not while I control ‘Exxod’, a monster that rivals even the Egyptian Gods.”

 

Rachel smiled what I was beginning to realize was her trademark, devious smile, “You’re not the only one who commands a monster with incredible strength. But where your monster is the ultimate shield, mine is the ultimate lance.

 

“I begin my turn by placing one card face-down.” A card hologram appeared at Rachel’s feet. “Next I activate ‘Card of Sanctity’, letting us both draw until we hold six cards.”

 

Rachel drew four cards. I drew six. I smiled upon seeing my new hand, Come next turn, I’ll win. With these cards, there won’t be anything at all that she can do!

 

“Now I play ‘Polymerization’, fusing ‘Berfomet’ and ‘Gazelle’ in my hand into the ultimate ‘Phantom Beast’,” A four-armed demon with goat horns, and a lion with a single horn on its head appeared and merged together into a two-headed beast with both ‘Berfomet’’s and ‘Gazelle’’s heads on the body on a lion, with white wings and a snake for a tail, “’Chimera, the Flying Mythical Beast (ATK: 2100+(300x3)=3000)!”

 

“It still can’t defeat my ‘Exxod’,” I said.

 

“I didn’t expect it to,” Rachel replied. “Just like everything that I’ve done up to this point, this monster is just a stepping stone toward something greater.

 

“From my hand, I activate the Spell card ‘De-Fusion’, separating my monster.” ‘Chimera’ split into ‘Berfomet’ and ‘Gazelle’ (ATK: 1400/ATK: 1500). “Now I have three monsters on the field. I tribute all three to summon my most powerful card, ‘Beast King Barbaros’!”

 

‘Wild-Horn’, ‘Berfomet’ and ‘Gazelle’ disappeared and were replaced by a mighty warrior beast. His power radiated from him. I could feel it. It was almost tangible. He had the body of a black lion, the torso of a man, and the face of a lion, with long blond hair and a blond beard, like a mane. His face and waste were ringed by golden spines, spread out like rays of light. There was a round, blue shield strapped to his left arm, and he carried a red lance in his right hand (ATK: 3000).

 

“When my monster is summoned using three tributes,” Rachel explained, “my monster’s greatest power is released. Go, Deadly Legion!”

 

The monster thrust his spear, and waves of power spread from his body. The air itself shook, and ‘Barbaros’’ power blew over my side of the field like a great wind. Before my eyes, every card on my field shattered, destroyed.

 

“Now,” said Rachel, “I finish it with the Spell card ‘Wild Nature’s Release’, increasing the Attack of my monster by an amount equal to his Defense for one turn.”

 

‘Barbaros’ was surrounded by a rolling, fiery red aura (ATK: 3000+1200=4200).

 

“End this, God Lance!”

 

‘Barbaros’ roared and thrust his lance, spearing me in the chest. The impact caused my entire body to vibrate, and I was thrown backward, falling onto my back.

 

Rachel’s monster faded away, and she walked over to stand over me.

 

“I won,” said Rachel as I rose to my feet. “Now, tell me who you are.”

 

I smiled, not sure what to say. I’d never known someone who was so strong, so confident, and yet so damaged to their very core. This girl needed someone to reach out to her, not people to avoid her, fear her, or even admire her.

 

She needed a friend.

 

Being someone who can’t help but save everyone he can, I did the only thing that I could do.

 

I reached out.

 

I offered Rachel my hand, smiling politely, and said, “Hi, I’m your new team-mate Rocky Stone.”

 

She didn’t accept my hand, and instead she turned away from me, as if I didn’t matter. But as she turned, I saw her smile. It was more a gesture of respect than one of friendship, but it was a smile nonetheless.

 

[spoiler=Card of the Day]

This card is one of the few with two different effects, making it unusually versatile. It can be summoned with no tributes, but lower Attack, making sure that you will never dead draw this card, it can be summoned/Special Summoned as easily as any other card, and it can be summoned with an additional tribute, gaining the ability to destroy every card that the opponent controls! No matter the situation, "Barbaros" is remarkably strong. He won the slot of this chapters "Card of the Day" hands down. No other card even came close.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter The First Mission

 

prof and his team go on a routine mission to defeat some low level order thugs, and end up losing one of their own!

[Ryno Dorcus]

Chapter 5 was really nice. Rachel has so much power, I thought Rocky had that one in the bag.

 

Great chapter, can't wait for the next one.

[Worin]

Cool , continue!

[Nexev]

You know this story reminded my of the origins of contradiction.

 

You see a merchant once presented the emperor with a shield and a lance, he claimed the lance could cut anything an that the shield could block any blows. The items contradicted as the emperor pointed out, stunning the merchant.

 

It's some Japanese legend but as Rachel stated, she is the ultimate lance while Rockey is the ultimate shield.

[legendhiro]

You know this story reminded my of the origins of contradiction.

 

You see a merchant once presented the emperor with a shield and a lance' date=' he claimed the lance could cut anything an that the shield could block any blows. The items contradicted as the emperor pointed out, stunning the merchant.

 

It's some Japanese legend but as Rachel stated, she is the ultimate lance while Rockey is the ultimate shield.

[/quote']

 

you have realized my inspiration. and that is why rachel and rocky are such different people. i wanted the contradiction to extend into their characterizations as well. they will have to learn from each other to get stronger as people.

[Nexev]

So are you ever going to use Exxod for his effects and not just flipping his defense to attack?

[legendhiro]

yes.

[legendhiro]

bump. the next update may not be for awhile. just letting you all know.

[♠Decietful King♠]

wow this is pretty good can't wait for more

[legendhiro]

thanks, Flare.

 

and to all of my readers, i wanted you all to know that, now that the holidays are over, updates will soon resume. they will be more infrequent, since i start college tomorrow, but they WILL resume.

[legendhiro]

this is a message for all of my faithful readers. you know my writing style. you know me. those of you have read my Yu-Gi-Oh! fics know that i can write strategy. those of you who have read my Digimon fic know that i'm pretty good at writing action too. so i'm asking you, my readers, what would you like to see? what type of story would you like to see me write next (no specific animes, please. I want this one to be original)?

 

for some possible choices, think anime types/genres.

[legendhiro]

so, you've probably noticed the lack of updates. i've decided to change a few minor details in the next few chapters of this fic. minor, but big enough that i have to really plan them out, and re-write the chapters. i won't be able to post until i have everything worked out. soon, though. soon, probably.

[Brinolovania]

But..I cannot wait...you are awesome...

[legendhiro]

sorry for the long delay. i changed a lot of chapter six onward and had to rewrite it. i didn’t finish all of the chapters yet, but i did finish chapter six, and i figured i owed you all a chapt., sooooooooo...

 

 

 

 

[spoiler=Chapter Six]

 

First Mission

 

 

Prof's team, which means Prof, Rachel, James and I, were sent on a mission for the Elite the very next day. We were flown from the Elite headquarters to New York City via one of three special hover-jet-equipped planes located in a hidden hanger, far back in the depths of the mountain. Once we arrived, we used our various magical tools to find our way to the Museum of Natural History. In the middle of the Night. Yes, boys and girls, we, the heroes, were breaking into a museum. Greg had been tracking a shipment of Egyptian artifacts to the museum. Among the artifacts was a Shadow Item with immense magical energy. Enough, Greg believed, that in the wrong hands it could be used to revive the Order. We were to retrieve the item and bring it to him personally. He was being careful. Of course, the chances of the Order knowing about the item were slim. Prof and James both assured me that the mission was completely routine.

 

We were standing outside the museum, peeking through the front doors, watching the night guard reading a newspaper and zoning out.

 

“So,” I asked, “how do we do this? Do we sneak around back or something?”

 

“Just watch,” said Prof, “and learn.” He stepped out in front of the still-closed doors and stepped forward, his Shadow Pendant glowing. He passed right through the door! Walking silently, he approached the guard. Prof touched the guard’s forehead, his Pendant glowing again, and I saw him mouth the word “sleep”. The guard slumped forward, unconscious. Prof pressed a button on the guard’s console, and the doors clicked, unlocking. The rest of us were able to walk right in.

 

“Neat trick, Prof,” I said once we’d reached him.

 

“Basic magic,” said Prof. “Anyone with a magic item can do it. I’ll show you when we get back.” Prof clapped his hands together and addressed all of us, “Let’s go!”

 

Just then we heard a crash further back in the depths of the museum. Prof’s face grew serious, “Looks like we’re too late. Someone else is already here. Come on. Follow me.”

 

Prof took off running, the four of us at his heels. In minutes, we had reached the Egyptian exhibit. Four figures were already in the room. They’d already torn the gate from the doorway and broken into one of the glass cases. One of them was busy lifting a metal rob from the case. I looked around. I saw a concrete pedestal. Concrete, being mostly rock, is well within the domain of my Soul’s powers. I was about to use my Soul to slide the podium toward the intruders, pinning them in the corner of the room when Rachel, acting hastily called out, Drop the rod!”

 

All four of the figures turned to face us.

 

“Oh crap,” One of them cried, “it’s the Elite!”

 

“I got it,” said a second figure with a stronger, infinitely more confident voice. I realized that he was the one holding the rod. He brandished it, and the roof above us collapsed. I threw up my arms instinctively, and the falling debris was repelled instantly. I looked at my arm where my Duel Disk should have been. Instead of a normal Duel Disk, I was wearing a Duel Disk shaped like a small shield, colored golden brown like my Soul monster, Exxod. I couldn’t help but smile -.

 

- Until I was thrown aside by the four fleeing Order members, running for the exit. They were turning toward the entrance to the museum, and their freedom, when there was a flash and a transparent wall appeared blocking the way. I saw Prof standing beside me, his pendant glowing and his face full of strain.

 

“Not so simple magic,” Prof said. “I’ve blocked the ways out. You four follow them and get that Shadow Rod back. Retrieve it at all costs! And if you can, get them to fight you in a Shadow Duel, beat them and use a Penalty Game to make them forget the items and the Order.”

 

I nodded and ran after the Order members. Rachel was already running, ever reckless, her brother right behind her. James ran at my side. He and I turned a corner and nearly ran over Rachel and Charlie.

 

“They split up,” said Rachel. “Lock into one with your Item and go after him.”

 

She started running, ducking into one of the exhibits. Charlie ran toward another.

 

“At least our lives are never boring,” said James. “Ya got one?” he asked.

 

“Yeah,” I said. “My Soul’s picking up a Shadow Item up ahead.”

 

“I’ve got one around the next bend. Let’s go.” James smiled, “See ya in a flash!”

 

He sprung forward with all of the power of an experienced athlete and disappeared around the corner. I stepped into the exhibit ahead of me, and I found myself surrounded by a false, dense forest, littered with fake jungle animals. It was like I’d stepped into another world. But, of course, I hadn’t left the museum.

 

Alright pal, I said silently to my hidden opponent, get ready, because here I come!

 

 

James

 

 

I rounded the corner and stepped into one of the exhibit rooms. It was empty. The museum staff must have been in the process of changing the exhibits around. I was a little disappointed. I’m a fan of museums. But, of course, lack of an exhibit made it all the easier to find my would-be opponent. He was standing directly in front of me, the Shadow Rod in his right hand. He wore a flat, triangular pendant bearing an Egyptian Eye.

 

“Hand over the Shadow Items,” I said, “and I won’ hurt you.”

 

“I don’t think so,” the young man replied, raising his duel disk as he glared confidently through long, dark hair. He smiled and raised the Rod, energy pouring from it, calling up a wall of shadows to surround us both.

 

I smile, “Oh, this should be fun. I love me a good challenge. But I’ll warn ya, I’m good. My deck is as graceful as I am on the soccer field, and it works twice as hard.”

 

I drew six cards and began the duel. “Prepare yourself,” I said, “to be crushed by my Supreme Grace. I place three cards face-down, set a monster, and end my turn.”

 

“Really? That’s all?” my opponent asked. “I expected more from an Elite dog. I summon ‘Machine King Prototype’ and activate the Continuous Spell card ‘Machine Assembly Line’.” A simple-looking red and chrome robot appeared, sitting in and plugged into an alcove that resembled a throne (ATK: 1600+200=1800).

 

“’Prototype’ attacks,” my opponent commanded. The robot raised its hand, discharging a strong energy wave that revealed my monster, a muscular man carrying a hammer, before striking him down.

 

“The monster that was just revealed by your attack was my ‘Iron Blacksmith Kotetsu’. Attacking him activated his effect, letting me add an Equip Spell from my deck to my hand.”

 

I found out my deck, chose a card, shuffled my deck, and added the selected card to my hand.

 

“Face-down card,” said my opponent, still confident.

 

“I draw,” I said, “and I summon one of the most graceful monsters in the game, my ‘Woodland Sprite’!”

 

My monster, a humanoid fairy-like creature made of wood and leaves, wearing an amber pendant appeared floating in the air near my shoulder (ATK: 900).

 

“I reveal my face-down ‘Zero Sprite’ Trap card,” I declared, “lowering the original Attack of my monster to zero, but giving him the power to attack twice per turn. Next I activate ‘Card of Sanctity’.”

 

I drew five cards from my deck. My opponent drew three.

 

“Next,” I said, “I reveal my face-down ‘Mystical Space Typhoon’ to destroy your face-down card.”

 

My opponent’s face-down card was sliced in half by a burst of wind. I watched him discard ‘Mirror Force’.

 

“Finally I equip my ‘Woodland Sprite’ with the Equip Spell cards ‘Black Pendant’, ‘Butterfly Dagger – Elma’, and ‘Mage Power’, increasing the Attack of my monster to thirty-three hundred.

 

“Also, I reveal ‘Ultimate Offering’ and pay five hundred Life Points (8000-500=7500) to summon ‘Dancin’ Elf’.”

 

A young woman with white wings, wearing a green dress appeared at my opposite side (ATK: 300). My ‘Woodland Sprite’ now carried a short blade with a hand guard shaped like a butterfly. His amber pendant had transformed into a pitch black one. A magical ring glowed in the ground beneath him.

 

“I attack with both of my monsters,” I commanded. ‘Woodland Sprite’ slashed twice with his dagger, sending two blades of wind at the opponent. The first his ‘Prototype’, slashing him in half (8000+1800-3300=6500), and the second hit him (6500-3300=3200). ‘Dancing Elf’ unleashed a burst of fragrant wing that struck my opponent in the chest, blowing him back several feet (3200-300=2900).

 

“I send my three Equip cards to the Graveyard,” I declared, “to activate my ‘Woodland Sprite’’s effect, dealing you five hundred damage per card.”

 

‘Woodland Sprite’’s dagger and spell ring faded, and his pendant returned to normal. He summoned three more bursts of wind (2900-1500=1400).

 

“Plus, when ‘Black Pendant’ goes to the Graveyard, you take five hundred damage.”

 

A black fire burned around my opponent, and his Life Points fell (1400-500=900).

 

“I activate ‘Fairy of the Spring’,” I said, “to return an Equip card from my Graveyard to my hand. Of course I can’t activate it this turn, so I pass. But, come next turn, I’ll equip my ‘Sprite’ with ‘Black Pendant’ again, and you’ll lose. Sure you don’t want to hand over the Items?”

 

My opponent smiled, “Your ‘Woodland Sprite’ won’t be around next turn. I’ll see to that.”

 

I looked at my hand where I held the Spell card ‘Monster Reborn’, “We’ll see, won’ we?”

 

 

Rocky

 

 

I walked slowly through the exhibit, searching for the enemy that I knew waited for me. But before I could find my enemy, I found myself surrounded by a ring of shadows, preventing my escape. A woman stepped out in front of me. She was in her early twenties. She had long white hair and wore no makeup. She carried a combat knife in a holster at her waist.

 

“Let me guess,” I said. “You want to face me in a Shadow Duel for my spirit or my Soul or some similar thing, right?”

 

“Not at all,” she replied, holding up a button trigger, pressing it. The exhibits to either side of me exploded. I threw up my Shield Disk, and chunks of the concrete below the floor at my feet rose up around me, protecting me from the blast. When I realized that I wasn’t in any danger, I smiled. I lowered my Shield Disk, and the floor pieces fell back into place.

 

“Something like that won’t work on me,” I said.

 

The young woman sighed, “Fine. I guess I’ll have to duel you after all.” She switched on her Duel Disk. I drew my opening hand and placed two cards on my new Duel Disk, and a multi-colored statue of a face and two hands, like a living wall of brick, appeared ahead of me.

 

“I summon,” I said, “my ‘Stone Statue of the Aztecs’ (ATK: 300) and place one card face-down. Go.”

 

“Fine,” my opponent said, her voice filling with anticipation. “I summon ‘Exploder Dragon’ and attack your weak statue.”

 

A gray-black dragon carrying an egg below its body appeared, rising into the air, ready to strike (ATK: 1000).

 

“Reveal,” I said, “the Trap card ‘Reversal World’, exchanging my monster’s Attack with his Defense (300 --> 2000).”

 

“I knew you would,” my opponent replied. “Why else would you summon such a weak monster in attack mode? That’s why I’m attacking with ‘Exploder Dragon’. Any monster that destroys him is destroyed as well.”

 

‘Stone Statue’ fired beams from his eyes, vaporizing the dragon, just as the dragon dropped its egg. The egg exploded against ‘Stone Statue’, blasting him to rubble.

 

“I finish my turn by setting two cards. You can’t get past my defenses. I’m always prepared.”

 

That got my attention. There might be something to this girl. She obviously likes explosives. She’s good with them too. Her deck is likely an Explosive Deck. She says she’s always prepared, so let’s see how prepared she really is, and let’s see what it’ll take to use that against her.

 

“I summon ‘Beta the Magnet Warrior’,” I declared, and a humanoid monster made of stone, with U-shaped magnets for hands and half of a U-shaped magnet coming from each side of his head, like horns appeared (ATK: 1700). “Attack,” I commanded, and my monster moved to attack. But before he’s moved even an inch, he exploded, like he had a bomb attached to his chest.

 

“Your monster just walked right into my ‘Widespread Ruin’ Trap,” my opponent said. “I have plenty more, so don’t think you can attack me directly.”

 

I couldn’t help but smile. Alright, now I’m sure what kind of Duelist this girl is. She might fell prepared, but her cards are only designed to protect against frontal assaults long enough for her to counterattack. I know what move she’s going to use next, and I know exactly how I’m going to beat her.

 

“I play ‘Double Summon’,” I said, “and set a monster. That’s all.”

 

“Then this duel is as good as over,” my opponent taunted. “I play ‘Pot of Greed’.” She drew two cards. “Next,” she continued, “I play ‘Graceful Charity’, drawing three cards, and discarding ‘Mine Golem’ and ‘Blast Juggler’. I play ‘Monster Reborn’ and combine it with ‘Inferno Reckless Summon’ to summon three ‘Mine Golems’; one from my graveyard and two from my deck. You can also summon any additional copies of your monster.”

 

I had none. And on my opponent’s field, three large stone humanoids appeared. Each of them had a mine for a head and more explosives apparent in its chest (ATK: 1000 (each)).

 

“I equip my lead ‘Mine Golem’ with ‘Plastic Explosive’.

 

 

Now any monster that it attacks is destroyed immediately. I attack.”

 

The lead ‘Mine Golem’ tossed an explosive attached to a cord at my monster, and my monster was blown apart. I discarded it, my ‘Great Spirit’, leaving me wide open. The other two ‘Mine Golems’ swung there fists at me. I raised my Shield Disk to keep from being knocked over (8000-1000=6000).

 

“Reveal,” my opponent declared, “the face-down card ‘Minefield Eruption’. I destroy all three of my own ‘Mine Golems’ to deal you three thousand damage.”

 

The three golems exploded in my face. I threw my shield up again, protecting myself from the blast which, thanks to the shadows around us, could have really hurt me. Still, my Life Points took a hit (6000-3000=3000).

 

I lowered my shield, but just as I did, another blast threw me onto my back (3000-1000=2000). My opponent laughed a wicked laugh. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I guess I forgot to mention that when ‘Plastic Explosive’ is destroyed, my opponent takes one thousand damage.”

 

She kept laughing as I picked myself up, brushing myself off, not much worse for ware. “You done?” I asked.

 

“No,” she said, her voice tinted with arrogance. “I set a monster and end my turn. Attack if you dare.”

 

I smiled, drawing my next card, “Let me guess. You’re anticipating that I’ll retaliate with a powerful monster. One with more Attack Points than my remaining Life Points. So you set ‘Blast Sphere so that when I attack it, I’ll lose.”

 

My opponent’s eyes filled with shock, “How did you know?”

 

“You really have to ask? You aren’t exactly hard to predict. I knew that you would expect a direct attack and set the best explosive monster for turning an opponent’s frontal assault into a weapon. That’s why I plan to beat you with a different kind of frontal assault.

 

“I place one card face-down and play ‘Card of Sanctity’ to draw five cards. Next I play ‘Miracle Rupture’, sending ‘Stone Dragon’ in my deck to the Graveyard to draw another card.”

 

I looked at my hand and breathed a sigh of relief. I got what I needed. Good. I was worried for a second.

 

“I’ll also play ‘Painful Choice’, choosing five cards from my deck. You choose one to add to my hand, and I discard the rest.”

 

I flipped through my deck and chose five cards; ‘Alpha the Magnet Warrior’, ‘Gamma the Magnet Warrior’, ‘Red Gadget’, ‘Guardian Sphinx’, and ‘Exxod, Master of the Guard’.

 

“No way you can summon ‘Exxod’ this turn,” my opponent said, completely sure of herself. “Add that to your hand.”

 

I did, discarding the others.

 

“I remove eight Rock monsters in my Graveyard from play,” I said, “to summon my ‘Megarock Dragon’.”

 

Pieces of my fallen monsters rose up and formed together into the massive, wingless stone beast (ATK: 5600). My monster roared.

 

“You know what my face-down monster is,” my opponent said. “A monster that strong can only hurt you.”

 

“That would be true,” I said, “if I were planning on attacking your monster. I play ‘Megamorph’, doubling my monster’s size and strength.”

 

My monster grew (ATK: 5600x2=11,200)

 

“I also play ‘Double Attack’, discarding ‘Exxod’ to allow my monster to attack twice this turn. And I finish up my summoning ‘Magic Hole Golem’.”

 

A huge monster with a body like a massive metal ring appeared, floating in front of my giant dragon. “Once per turn while I control ‘Magic Hole Golem’, I can halve the Attack of one of my monsters.”

 

‘Megarock Dragon’ shrunk back to his original, still menacing smaller size (ATK 5600).

 

“In exchange,” I explained, “that monster is able to attack directly this turn.”

 

My opponent’s eyes grew wide, “No way!”

 

“Sorry,” I said, “but it looks like you lose.”

 

‘Megarock Dragon’ roared and two large stones rose up from the ground. A portal sparked to life in the center of ‘Magic Hole Golem’’s ring-like body. The levitating stones passed through the portal and reappeared above my opponent, bypassing her monster. They hit her, and she fell to her knees in pain (8000-(5600x2)=0). Our monsters faded away.

 

I walked toward my opponent and stood over her. “I don’t know if you are a willing member of the Order, or if you were coerced, but either way, you’ll be better off if you forget.” I placed my hand on her forehead and my Soul flashed, and I called out, “Penalty Game; Mind Wipe!”

 

She fell onto her side, unconscious. When she woke up, she wouldn’t remember her time in the Order, or her Shadow Item. She wouldn’t eve remember that either of them existed. I almost felt bad for her.

 

I reached down and removed her Shadow Item, a black necklace, from around her neck, turned, and left her alone, lying amongst the ruins of the exhibit.

 

 

I decided to meet up with James and see how he was doing, Out of all of my new team mates, James was the only one that I really felt was my friend. Rachel was too harsh, Charlie too distant, and Prof too, well, weird. I knew where James was. I’d seen where he’d gone. I rounded the corner, beaming with pride from my latest victory, my fallen foe’s Shadow Item in hand. That’s when I saw it. James was slumped on the floor in an empty room. I ran full speed and dropped to my knees at his side, but I already knew it was too late. I could already tell that my friend was dead.

 

 

[spoiler=Card of the Day]

 

 

As a tribute to James, his faithful "Woodland Sprite" wins the Card of the Day slot today, no contest. The first runner up is Magic Hole Golem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter Loss

 

 

the remaining members of Prof's team deal with the loss of one of their own. Rachel's past is revealed.