Many many many apologize for how long it took to post this chapter. It was done but I had a ton of real life things that delayed me several times but fortunately good news came out of it. And I had that time in writing where I know where I want to go but no idea how to get there. Any way you guys now have your first duel of this fic! The duel was written by Minaly22, thank you very much for your help.
….
The floodplains were empty so it gave the group the privacy they needed to enact the duel. Yuma was helping Yu attach the D-Pad to his arm and get his deck into place while Shark took his place further down the field.
"You ready?" Shark asked.
"I think so…" Yu fiddled with the device again.
"You'll be fine." Yuma reassured him.
"This is so exciting!" Rise was bouncing up and down full of excitement.
"Beat him Sensei!" Teddie cheered.
"Let's start then…" Shark activated the AR link as the system came on line, everyone slipped on D-Gazers or glasses to be able to view the holograms.
"DUEL!"
Shark: 4000
Yu: 4000
"I'll let you have the first turn…just to get the feel of things." Shark told Yu.
"Very well…." Yu drew his card and scanned his hand. "I'll start things off by summoning Hermit of Prophecy in attack mode." An elderly wizard in purple robes took to the field.
Hermit of Prophecy Lv 3 1200/700
"Next I'll play Spellbook Library of Cresents." The magic card displayed itself while Yu explained it's effects, "If I have no Spellbook cards in my graveyard I can pick three different Spellbook cards. You choose which one goes to my hand while the rest are shuffled back into the deck. However this will limit me to only using Spellbook magic cards for the rest of the turn." Yu selected his three cards and placed them on the field for Shark to pick from.
"I pick the card on the right." Shark said after taking a moment to think. Yu added the card to his hand while the auto shuffle took care of the other two. "At this time, Hermit of Prophecy's effect activates. Whenever I use a Spellbook magic card, its level increased by two and attack points increase by three hundred."
Hermit of Prophecy Lv 3-5, Attack 1200-1500
"Now I play the card you selected, Spellbook of Secrets. With this I can choose any Spellbook magic card from my deck and add it to my hand and Hermit gains another boost."
Hermit of Prophecy Lv 5-7, Attack 1500-1800
"Wait a second….I thought Sempai couldn't use any more magic cards this turn." Kanji was already lost.
"That's partially true, Yu is limited to only using magic cards of the Spellbook variety due to the effect of Spellbook Library of Cresents. Magic cards of any other variety won't be allowed on this turn." Astral explain for him as well as anyone else who got confused.
"But isn't that risky limiting yourself like that?" Yukiko asked.
"Yes but Yu is pulling of an impressive combo so far."
Yu smirked a bit at Astral's compliment, "I play the card I selected Spellbook of the Master. If I control a Spellcaster type monster, I can target and copy a Spellbook card that's in my graveyard. I choose Spellbook of Secrets and copy its effect to add another Spellbook card from my deck to my hand. Also Hermit's level and attack points increase as well."
Hermit of Prophecy Lv 7-9, Attack 1800-2100
"What's with the long way around? Couldn't Yu just play another Spellbook of Secrets?" Chie asked this time.
"Another limitation of the Spellbook variety, you are only allowed to play one copy per turn. If you want to use its effects again, you need another card to mimic it." Astral once again explained the finer details.
"I'll end my turn by placing two cards face down. Your turn Shark."
"I draw!" Shark drew is card and took a moment to analyze the situation. He's pretty good so far, pulling that combo to get the magic cards he wanted. And he boosted his monster strength and level, better be prepared if he wants to XYZ summon. "First I summon Starfish in attack mode."
Starfish Lv 3 300/300
"And since I have an Aqua monster on the field, I can special summon Shark Sticker from my hand."
Shark Sticker Lv 3 200/1000
"Two level three monsters….oooohhhhhh he's going to do it!" Yuma started to get giddy.
"I overlay my two level three monster to build the overlay network!" The two fish based monsters turned into beams of blue and green disappearing into a swirling galaxy. "XYZ summon! Come! Black Ray Lancer!"
The spear wielding warrior took its place on Shark's field earning a bit of applause from the audience.
Black Ray Lancer, Rank 3, 2100/600, OVLU 2
"By removing one overlay unit, I activate Black Ray Lancer's effect to negate Hermit of Prophecy's special ability dropping its strength back down to normal."
Black Ray Lancer absorbed the orbiting light and fired a beam of energy at Hermit of Prophecy weakening the monster.
Hermit of Prophecy Lv 9-3, Attack 2100-1200
"Now attack Black Ray Lancer!"
The warrior threw its weapon at the elderly magician destroying it, Yu grunting a bit as his life points dropped.
Yu 4000-3100 LP
"I place two cards face down and end my turn." Shark added the cards to the field, "Your move, just so you know…I'm not going easy on you."
"Wasn't expecting it." Yu said drawing his card to start is turn. Need a new plan now. "I summon Amores of Prophecy to the field." The bow wielding, blue clad warrior took to the field.
Amores of Prophecy Lv 3, 600/2000
"I'll activate Amores' effect, when I've summoned Amores to the field, I can special summon a level four or lower Spellcaster type monster from my hand by showing you a Spellbook card in my hand. I'll show you Spellbook of Power to activate this effect to summon Strength of Prophecy."
A red headed mage wielding an ax took the spot next to Amores giving a slight wink to her companion.
Strength of Prophecy Lv 4, 1500/1400
"Now Strength of Prophecy effect activates," Strength glowed red as Yu said this, "By choosing one Spellbook card in my Graveyard, I can add it back to my deck while increasing another Spellcaster monster's level by one and attack by five hundred. I'll add Spellbook of Secrets back to my deck and target Amores for the second half of the effect."
Amores of Prophecy Lv3-4, Attack 600-1100
"And I'm not done yet…Now I'll play Spellbook of Power and equip it to Strength of Prophecy. Until the end of this turn, its attack points increase by a thousand and every time it destroys a monster in battle, I can add a Spellbook card from my deck to my hand." Strength hefted her ax up as her attack points rose.
Strength of Prophecy 1500-2500
"Now Strength of Prophecy, attack Black Ray Lancer!"
"Not so fast!" Shark interrupted, "I activate Zeus Breath!" The trap card flipped upright on the field, "With this I can negate your attack and inflict eight hundred points of damage since I control a Water type monster."
"I've got a play of my own…" Yu grinned, "I activate the quick spell Spellbook of Wisdom!" The magic card flipped up, "And I'll use its second option to negate your trap card allowing Strength of Prophecy's attack to go through!"
The ax wielding mage let out a battle cry as she sliced Black Ray Lancer in half destroying it.
Shark 4000-3600 LP
"Now I'll add a Spellbook card from my deck to my hand due to Spellbook of Power's effect." Yu said selecting his card.
He's really getting me with those Spellbook cards. I keep losing track of what he's used and recovered….Shark let out a grunt, "I activate my other trap Ghost Salvage. Whenever a Water type monster that I control is destroyed in battle, I can summon it back from the Graveyard plus up to two materials used for XYZ summoning but any effects are negated. I'll summon Black Ray Lancer in attack mode with Starfish and Shark Sticker in defense mode."
A portal opened up and the three monsters in question arose from it.
"Very well then….I'll attack Starfish with Amores of Prophecy." Yu declared the archer making quick work of the sea creature. "Now I'll activate my trap Hidden Spellbook. I can choose two Spellbook magic cards in my graveyard and send them to my deck and I choose Spellbook of Power and Spellbook of the Master." Yu extracted the cards and had the auto-shuffle mix them back in. "And I'll wrap up my turn by overlaying Amores of Prophecy and Strength of Prophecy to build the overlay network!" Yu declared getting into the excitement as the two monsters turned into blue and red energy diving into the swirling galaxy, "XYZ Summon! Appear Downerd Magician!"
A young girl with messy purple hair with goggles carrying several vials of odd liquids looking far too excited about something took to the field with two orbs floating around her.
Downerd Magician Rank 4, 2100/200, OVLU 2
"Hold on….that card doesn't quite match the others Sensei was using." Teddie scratched his head.
"Maybe he just really liked the card….or maybe it had an effect he liked." Yosuke theorized.
"Actually Yosuke Downerd Magician gains two hundred attack points for every overlay unit it has. Currently we have two so that's a four hundred point increase." The excited magician took a swig out of one of the vials to reflect the point increase.
Downerd Magician Attack 2100-2500
"But since I already did my battle phase, I can't attack again so I'll end my turn."
"Glad you didn't make a beginner's mistake Yu." Shark commented drawing his card. "I'll start by summoning Hammer Shark," The literal hammerhead took to the field, "And I'll activate its effect by lowering its level by one to special summon a level three or lower Water monster from my hand. I'll special summon another Starfish with this effect. Now I'll overlay level three Hammer Shark, Starfish, and Shark Sticker to build the overlay network! XYZ summon!" The three fishes disappeared into the vortex, "Rise up Shark Caesar!" A purple sharp finned shark appeared on the field with a smaller head growing out of the main one.
Shark Caesar Rank 3, 1800/2000, OVLU 3
"I'll activate Shark Caesar's effect, by detaching one overlay unit I can add a Shark Counter to Shark Caesar." The shark ate one of the orbs and one of the eyes light up. "For each Shark Counter, Shark Caeser's attack points increase by one thousand. While it only counts during the damage step it's good enough to destroy your monster! Attack Downerd Magician!"
The shark charged forward sending the disheveled magician into a panic before it was destroyed.
Yu 2800-2500 LP
"Now you're wide open! Black Ray Lancer attack directly!"
Yu braced himself for the impending attack but still got knocked back as a chunk of his life points were gone.
Yu 2500-700 LP
"I'll place one card down and end my turn."
"Sempai!" Rise cried out in worry.
"Calm down everyone! Remember…this is a friendly duel. It's just holograms. Nothing life threatening here." Yuma tried to calm everyone down.
"There was that time you nearly fell off a building."
"That is not helping Astral."
"Either way, Sempai is not in a good position with seven hundred life points left and no monsters on the field." Naoto pointed out.
"Let's just see how he'll pull through this one." Astral said.
Yu got back up dusting himself off, "My turn," He drew his card and planned his next move. "First I'll summon Temperance of Prophecy to the field." A female magician dressed in light brown robes wielding small gold goblets appeared.
Temperance of Prophecy Lv 3, 1000/1000
"Now I'll activate the magic card Spellbook of Fate. If I control one Spellcaster type monster, I can activate any of its three effects depending on the number of Spellbook magic cards I banish from the Graveyard three being the limit. I banish Spellbook of Power, Secrets, and Library of Crescents to activate the third effect. I can choose one of your monsters and banish it from the game and I choose Shark Caesar!"
Shark watched in shock as a book with a portal inside appeared beneath Shark Caesar swallowing the monster and disappearing. He really did not expect that kind of move.
"And I'm not done yet," Yu said selecting his next card, "Now I'll play Spellbook of Miracles from my hand. I can choose on XYZ Spellcaster monster and special summon it to the field as well as two of my banished Spellbook cards to act as overlay units. I special summon Downerd Magician back to the field and return Spellbook of Power and Secrets to the game to act as overlay units!"
The scruffy magician returned looking like she was plotting revenge with a big grin on her face.
"Now I'll attack Black Ray Lancer with Downerd Magician!" Yu declared his attack the girl gleefully threw several vials at the spear wielding monster covering her ears as they exploded.
Shark 3600-3200 LP
"Due to Downerd Magician's effect, I have to detach an overlay unit since it attacked this turn."
Downerd Magician Attack 2500-2300, OVLU 2-1
"Don't count me out yet," Shark said activated his face down, "I activate Torrential Reborn! Whenever a Water type monster I control is destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to the Graveyard, I can special summon those monsters back to the field and inflict five hundred points of damage to my opponent for each card. Come back once more, Black Ray Lancer!" The monster returned to the field for the third time while a wave of water washed over Yu taking away more life points.
Yu 700-200 LP
"You done with your turn?" Shark asked.
"Not quite because Temperance of Prophecy effects activates at this time." Yu explained his next move, "Since I used a Spellbook card this turn, I can tribe this card to special summon a level five or higher Light or Dark Spellcaster type monster. I tribute Temperance of Prophecy to special summon High Priestess of Prophecy."
Temperance of Prophecy glowed and dissolved and in its place, a pink hair white clad female magician appeared with a floating screen in front of her.
High Priestess of Prophecy Lv 7, 2500/2100
"And that officially ends my turn."
"You think it's anyone's game now?" Yukiko asked.
"Could be…I won duel with less life points than what Yu has now." Yuma said.
"I guess it depends on what Shark does next." Naoto said.
Shark frowned a bit looking at the field. Got to give him more credit where it's due. Destroying Black Ray Lancer two times and dealing with my other monsters. Plus he's handling the restrictive conditions of his cards pretty well. Let's see what I get next…Shark drew his next card and looked at it. Really? Just like that? This makes it too easy. Shark turned his focus back to Yu, "It's been a good game Yu, sorry it's going to end like this."
"What do you mean?" Yu was not getting a good feeling.
"Because the card I just drew is Drill Barnacle," Shark said summoning the monster to the field, "It has a special effect to bypass your monster to attack you directly. Seeing it had three hundred attack points and you have two hundred life points…."
"Oh….yeah this does seem anticlimactic."
"No hard feelings I hope."
"Nope."
"Good….Drill Barnacle attack Yu directly!"
The spiked barnacle leapt over High Priestess crashing into Yu taking the last of his life points.
Yu 0 LP
Winner: Shark
"Aw come on! That was a cheap way to win!" Kanji complained.
"That was a completely legal move." Astral pointed out.
"But that move wasn't very exciting compared to the rest of the duel, where were the explosions I was promised?" Rise pouted.
"Rise….you worry me sometimes." Yosuke scooted away a bit from the pouting girl.
"Good game Yu….impressive for a beginner." Shark offered a hand to Yu.
"Thanks…not too shabby yourself." Yu took the hand, "Shame it didn't last longer."
"But you were so cool Sensei!" Teddie had stars in his eyes.
"I kept getting lost how many times you kept reusing cards like that." Chie scratch her head, "Do all cards have those super restrictive conditions?"
"No." Was the answer from Shark.
"Good….I want to pick cards that are easy to use. Too many rules make my head spin."
"Though Shark….why didn't you summon Shark Drake?" Yuma asked.
"I'm keeping Shark Drake for emergencies only and also unlike you," Shark jabbed a finger into Yuma's chest, "I don't rely on just one card to win every duel."
"I do not!"
"Oh really? Name how many times you won a duel without Hope or any forms of Hope."
Yuma took a deep breath of confidence and held up his hand to start counting but then froze.
"You can't can you."
"Shut up!"
This earned laughs from most of the group.
"Thanks for letting me borrow your equipment Yuma." Yu said returning the D-Pad.
"No problem….just wait till you get your own."
"But Junes doesn't have them…" Yukiko sighed.
"Actually…." Yosuke paused as if waiting for a drum roll, "Junes will receive a shipment tomorrow morning as well as several starter decks and booster packs."
"You know this how?" Shark raised an eyebrow.
"I'm the manager's son. I just convinced dad that with a duel champion here…" Yosuke pointed to Yuma, "People would get more interested in the game. I've been keeping tabs on the delivery to check on when it will arrive and if you ask nicely…I'll let you use my employee discount."
"I am not sucking up to you." Chie snarled.
"Then I hope you enjoy paying full price."
"I won't physically attack you for a week."
"Deal."
The sound of rolling thunder caused everyone to look up spotting dark clouds in the sky.
"Looks like there will be a Midnight Channel tonight…." Naoto said as the mood turned somber.
"Hopefully this time we'll get some good information about the culprit." Yu commented.
"Or identify him." Rise remained optimistic.
"How many days do you guys have before someone gets thrown in?" Shark asked.
"Usually it's about two or so days for the person on the channel to become identifiable…after that it's one or two days before they disappear." Yosuke explain.
"And from there the window of opportunity varies about getting them out, though we try to get in the earliest we can." Chie added.
"What's game over?"
"When the fog inside the TV world lifts and this side gets all foggy. That's when the Shadows really become vicious," Teddie shivered, "During those times I would hide to save my bearhide."
"So you count on the time in between to track down the guy who's doing this?"
"That's been the hope, but it's rather difficult to track everyone all the time without drawing attention." Naoto sighed. "Plus if story about your sister goes on air tonight and she's the one on the Midnight Channel, it will become even more difficult to keep an eye on her."
"But won't the hospital have security around her room, especially after this morning?" Kanji asked.
"That could help but we also have to consider the possibility that the killer might be part of the police force."
Everyone shuddered at that thought.
"Guess we won't know for sure until tonight," Yu sighed, "But I'm sure we'll catch this guy."
"You sound very confident about that." Astral noted.
"I just have this gut feeling."
"And all of us." Rise pointed out, "You've got quite the team behind you."
Shark just shrugged, "Well…..it's nice to know that I've got my back covered."
"That's the spirit Shark!" Yuma slung his arm around his shoulder, "You can count on us!"
"Don't touch me."
"What….you don't like hugs?" Yosuke joined in as well.
"You're doing this on purpose."
The thunder reminded everyone of the impending weather.
"Time to go home then…"Yukiko sighed.
"Yeah….come on Shark…my mom's probably got dinner ready by now." Kanji said leading the way.
"See you guys later!" Teddie waved by as everyone head home.
…..
Hope you enjoyed that duel. Now some serious business is coming so once I figure out the rest of my road map, it will come!