//------------------------------// // Chapter 23: Brothers // Story: Yu-Gi-Oh! Equus // by moviemaster8510 //------------------------------// “Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen!” cried the announcer. “We are just about to start the semi-final matches of the Riverwalk Competition Tournament. Our first two competitors are two fellow Huskies, Alexander Yuwell and Thomas Emmitt. Both have shown brilliant dueling prowess on their way to this point, and now its time to see whose journey will continue, and whose will end. Will it be Alex with his stunning Dragunity/Hieratic combo, or will it be Tom with his Gladiator Beasts armed with a Number? Let’s see…” _________________________________________________________________________________________ Reese, Claude, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo watched the viewing mirror as Alex and Tom made their way onto the stage. “I bet that Alex is going to make it to the top,” speculated Scootaloo. “If he can beat Rainbow Dash, he can beat anyone!” “Yeah,” agreed Reese, “there’s no doubt about it. Alex is one heck of a duelist.” “I just can’t believe that Tom guy beat my sister,” said Apple Bloom. “I wouldn’t count him out either.” “They’re both strong duelists,” said Claude. “I’m just wondering how this duel will pan out since they’re practically brothers.” “Brothers?” asked all three fillies in unison. “Wait,” said Sweetie Belle, “what do you mean ‘practically?’” “Alex’s parents were killed when he was a child. Tom’s family adopted him, and Alex has lived with them ever since. In a sense, Alex and Tom are brothers only separated by their blood.” “Wow,” marveled Scootaloo, “this is going to be intense. “Yes,” agreed Reese. “Yes it will.” _________________________________________________________________________________________ Alex and Tom stood apart from each other for the first time since they first met. Alex had been staring at Tom blankly for a few moments. “What’s the hold up?” asked Tom. Alex smirked and said, “I was just remembering the last time I dueled you on my 16th birthday.” “Oh yeah, and I beat you too.” “You didn’t need to remind me.” _________________________________________________________________________________________ ................................................................................................................................................................ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Carolyn had surprised Alex with the brand new silver D-Pad system, complete with the tablet, graveyard/wrist dealer, deck case, and matching D-Gazer. “Wow,” said Alex genuinely surprised, “thanks Ms. Emmitt.” “You’re welcome,” said Carolyn. “Happy birthday, Alex.” After spending the next hour or so configuring it, Tom jumped up and down behind Alex. “Come on,” whined Tom, “Let’s try it out already.” “Okay,” said Alex. “Don’t get your undies in a bunch.” Alex and Tom ran out to the front yard, Alex wearing his new D-Pad while Tom still owned a standard duel disk. “How’s it feel to know that I’m going to beat you on your birthday?” asked Tom playfully. “Who says I’m going to lose?” asked Alex. Alex slipped in his deck for the first time and faced Tom to duel him. Alex constructed and unsheathed his D-Pad while Tom merely unsheathed his duel disk. Since Tom’s duel disk was capable of holographic projections, Alex didn’t need his D-Gazer. After drawing five cards, Alex and Tom were ready to duel. “DUEL!” they both yelled. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Cont. from Alex vs. Tom Cont. from Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Big Burn, banishing all monsters in both players’ graveyards when his opponent activates an effect that targets a monster in their graveyard. Tom attacks Alex’s Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1100) with Gladiator Beast Heraklinos (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2800). Alex’s Life Points: 700 -> 0 Tom wins. _________________________________________________________________________________________ “Yeah,” said Tom, “I won!” “Tom,” scolded Carolyn, “you should know better than to beat Alex on his own birthday.” “Don’t worry about it,” said Alex, getting himself up. “One day, I’m going to get much better at dueling, and then I’m going to beat Tom myself.” Alex suddenly felt Tom reach up and grab him by the neck with his arm, giving him a noogie. “Maybe that can be your super special birthday wish,” Tom joked. Alex and Tom laughed all the while. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ................................................................................................................................................................ _________________________________________________________________________________________ “Right," remembered Tom. "Let’s just see how this goes. Maybe that birthday wish did come true after all.” Alex giggled. “Good times,” he reminisced. “Good times.” “Alex, you’ve been my best friend for nearly thirteen years, and in those thirteen years, you’ve definitely grown into a strong duelist. And to think, it’s been almost three years since we last dueled.” “Why wait any longer, am I right?” “You betcha’!” Alex and Tom constructed and unsheathed their duel disks. “Duel detected,” said the intercom. “Initializing holographic imaging sequence.” The area was enveloped in the holographic aura. Alex and Tom drew five cards from their decks. “Go Alex!” called Twilight with Spike beside her. “Beat him, Tom!” called Rainbow Dash. “Whoever wins here,” said Tom, “may have to go and face Kyle.” “Are you ready for him?” asked Alex. “Always. “DUEL!” they finally both yelled. Alex vs. Tom Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Cards of Consonance, discarding a Dragon-type tuner with 1000 or less ATK and drawing two cards. Alex summons Dragunity Darkspear (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). Alex then activates Final Gesture, special summoning a monster in his graveyard with the same name as a level 3 monster he controls, choosing Dragunity Darkspear. Alex activates Tannhäuser Gate , targeting two monsters he controls with 1000 or less ATK and have the same type and making their levels the sum of their levels (3 + 3 = 6) (Lvl.: 3 -> 6) (Lvl.: 3 -> 6). Alex overlays both Dragunity Darkspears to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2 *************************************************** "And as usual, Alex Yuwell doesn't cease to amaze!" called the announcer. "He has gotten his ace monster on the field on his first turn. Will Tom have the same success? Let's see..." “Hmph,” huffed Tom. “You and your dragons. You’ve had a thing for dragons since before we even met.” “I remember that day,” said Alex. “The day I found an friend whom I could never replace.” _________________________________________________________________________________________ ................................................................................................................................................................ _________________________________________________________________________________________ On the first day of kindergarten at Naper Elementary in 1999. Alex brought his favorite dragon action figure to play with. Alex had fun knocking down blocks that he set up in the play area with the action figure, pretending it was just like a monster movie. “Oh no,” called a voice. Alex looked over to see a young boy with blonde hair carry an old Lion-O action figure over to the toppled blocks. “That dragon is destroying the castle! This looks like a job for Lion-O!” The young boy started shoving his action figure onto Alex’s. Alex understood what was happening and laid the dragon on his back. “You have been slain!” said the boy. “I am victorious!” “No,” groaned Alex weakly, pretending to be the dragon. “I have to…” “I see, you wish to have your last words. Very well, speak up!” “My… hatchlings. They’ve taken my hatchlings.” The boy then ran to the pile of blocks and took two blocks from the pile. “Are these your eggs?” asked the boy as Lion-O. “Yes, thank you,” responded Alex as the dragon. “If you take these eggs and leave, I shall spare your life. Deal?” “Deal.” “Who would want to take your eggs anyways?” Alex and the boy looked over to see pair of girls playing with their Barbie dolls. They two boys smiled at each other. Tom held Alex’s dragon figure in one hand while his Lion-O figure was sitting on the dragon as Tom swooped down on they girls, who ran screaming with their dolls in hand. “This is what you get for trying to destroy my family!” yelled Alex as the dragon. The girls screams were still audible, causing Alex and the boy to roll around on the floor laughing. _________________________________________________________________________________________ At lunch, the two sat across from each other. Alex emptied his paper bag to reveal a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with plain Ruffles potato chips, red grapes and a Capri Sun pouch. The boy took out his lunch box and had a bologna on white, Jay's barbecue potato chips, a red delicious apple and a water bottle. “No fair,” said the boy to Alex. “I’ll trade you my water for your Capri Sun.” “Okay,” said Alex. “I never liked juice pouches with PB and J anyway.” Alex and the boy traded their drinks without argument. “By the way,” said the boy, “my name’s Tom.” “Tom,” confirmed Alex. “Cool. I’m…” _________________________________________________________________________________________ ................................................................................................................................................................ _________________________________________________________________________________________ “Alex,” spoke Tom. “I still recall that as one of the best days of my life. I couldn’t be more fortunate to have a friend like you.” Alex smiled. “But if you think that because you’re my friend, I’m going to go easy on you, you’re sadly mistaken.” *************************************************** Tom’s Turn: Tom activates the field spell Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts. Tom sets one monster. Tom places three cards face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3 *************************************************** "Oooh," exclaimed the announcer. "Tom Emmitt decides to build a wall for his opponent Alex to try and break down. Let's see how this pans out." Why on Earth would he play defensively like that? thought Alex. Is there something in the works? No matter. As long as my hand remains strong, I’ll win. *************************************************** Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Alex summons Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400). Alex the tributes Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb to special summon Hieratic Dragon of Su from his hand (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1000). When Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb is tributed, Alex can special summon a Dragon-type normal monster from his deck, although its ATK and DEF will be 0, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). When a monster is special summoned from either player’s deck, a counter is placed on Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts (Co.: 0 -> 1). Alex activates his trap Level Returner, reducing Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord’s level by two (Lvl.: 8 -> 6). Alex overlays Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord with Hieratic Dragon of Su to xyz summon Hieratic Dragon King of Atum (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2100). Alex activates Hieratic Dragon King of Atum’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can special summon a Dragon-type monster from his deck and make its ATK and DEF 0, choosing another Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (Co.: 1 -> 2). Alex activates Dxyz, sending an xyz monster that he controls to the extra deck and special summoning any xyz materials that are attached to it, sending Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to the extra deck to special summon Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord. Alex overlays both Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlords to xyz summon Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2400). Alex attacks John’s face down monster with Jade Wyvern, which is a Gladiator Beast Hoplomus (ATK: 700 DEF: 2100). Tom activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls was destroyed by battle. Alex then attacks Tom directly with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis, but Tom activates Negate Attack. Alex ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** “Alright,” hissed Tom. “You're not the only one who can xyz summon multple times. Now it’s time to raise the heat." *************************************************** Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Bestiari (ATK: 1500 DEF: 800). Tom activates his trap Ultimate Offering, allowing him to normal summon or set a monster again by paying 500 life points. Tom normal summons Gladiator Beast Tygerius (ATK: 1800 DEF: 800). Tom’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500 Tom normal summons Gladiator Beast Secutor (ATK: 400 DEF: 300). Tom’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3000 Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Bestiari, Gladiator Beast Tygerius, and Gladiator Beast Secutor to xyz summon Number 32: Shark Drake (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2100). Tom activates Gladiator Beast’s Respite, adding two Gladiator Beast cards from his hand to his deck to draw three cards. Tom normal summons Gladiator Beast Torax (ATK: 1400 DEF: 400). Tom’s Life Points: 3000 -> 2500 Tom normal summons Gladiator Beast Murmillo (ATK: 800 DEF: 400). Tom’s Life Points: 2500 -> 2000 Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Torax and Gladiator Beast Murmillo to xyz summon Black Ray Lancer (ATK: 2100 DEF: 600). Tom activates Black Ray Lancer’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can negate the effect of one monster on the field until the end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern. Tom attacks Jade Wyvern with Number 32: Shark Drake. Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3700 Tom activates Number 32: Shark Drake’s effect. By detaching one xyz material when it attacks and destroys a monster, Tom can special summon that monster in attack position, have it lose 1000 ATK (ATK: 2500 -> 1500), and Number 32: Shark Drake can attack again this battle phase. Tom attacks Jade Wyvern again with Number 32: Shark Drake. Alex’s Life Points: 3700 -> 2400 Tom sets one monster. Tom’s Life Points: 2000 -> 1500 Tom places one card face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-1500 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** "Whoa," cheered the announcer. "Tom Emmitt has strengthened himself further, building a blockade of terrifyingly strong monsters, but all at the cost of his life points. Let's see if this bizarre strategy works in his favor." What does Tom think he’s doing? thought Alex. I’ve never seen him duel this recklessly. If this is the way he wants to come at me, I’ll show him how big of a mistake he’s making. *************************************************** Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Legionnaire (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). When Dragunity Legionnaire is normal summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragunity Dragon-type monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Darkspear. Alex activates Dragunity Legionnaire’s effect. By sending a Dragunity card from the spell/trap card zone to the graveyard, Alex can destroy a face up monster on the field, choosing Number 32: Shark Drake. Alex then activates the effect of Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis. By detaching one xyz material, Alex can tribute any number of monsters that he controls to destroy that many number of cards on the field, tributing Dragunity Legionnaire to destroy Black Ray Lancer. Alex then activates his trap Immortal Dragon, special summoning Jade Wyvern from his graveyard. Alex attacks Tom’s face down monster with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis, which turns out to be a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks. Alex attacks Tom directly with Jade Wyvern, but Tom activates Draining Shield, negating the attack and gaining life points equal to the attacking monster’s ATK. Tom’s Life Points: 1500 -> 4000 Alex places one card face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-4 Life-2400 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** "Fantastic!" cheered the announcer. "Tom Emmitt has regained himself. Not only has he replenished his hand, but he has worked his way back to the default amount of 4000 life points. Not only that, but it's also Tom's turn, meaning it's only going to get uglier from here." “Tom,” called Alex. “What are you doing?” “I’m playing the game,” answered Tom. “This isn’t how you normally play though.” “I don’t care. I’m going to do whatever it takes to beat you and face Kyle, even if it means burning through my deck and paying some life points. “You’ve literally paid more than half of your life points and gone through almost a quarter of your deck. If you duel like this for Kyle, you’re going to end up like Reese. Do you want Kyle to win because of your reckless playing?” “Shut up! I’ll show just how reckless I can be!” *************************************************** Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Lanista (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200). Tom then activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Gladiator Beast Hoplomus. Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Lanista and Gladiator Beast Hoplomus to xyz summon Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900). Tom activates Xyz Treasure, drawing cards from his deck equal to the number of xyz monsters on the field (3). Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can normal summon again from his hand without a tribute, summoning Gladiator Beast Octavius (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1200). With Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts’ effect, all Gladiator Beast monsters gain 100 ATK and DEF for each counter on it (2 x 100 = 200, ATK: 2500 -> 2700, DEF: 1200 -> 1400). Tom then activates Wild Nature’s Release, having a Beast or Beast Warrior-type or monster gain ATK equal to its DEF, choosing Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 -> 4300). Next, Tom equips Gladiator Beast Octavius with Axe of Despair increasing its ATK by 1000 (ATK: 2700 -> 3700). Tom attacks Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis with Amber Minotaur. Alex’s Life Points: 2400 -> 1100 Tom attacks Jade Wyvern with Gladiator Beast Octavius, but Alex activates Half Unbreak, preventing his monster’s destruction and only taking half of the battle damage. Alex’s Life Points: 1100 -> 500 After the battle phase in which Gladiator Beast Octavius battled, Tom must either shuffle Gladiator Beast Octavius into his deck or discard one card. Tom discards one card. During the end phase of the turn in which Wild Nature’s Release was activated, the monster affected by it is destroyed. Tom places two cards face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2 *************************************************** "Unbelievable!" cried the announcer. "Alex Yuwell has survived Tom's attacks, and left his opponent quite vulnerable. Will Alex be able to defeat his fellow Huskie, or will his luck run dry here? Let's see..." Tom had not managed to defeat Alex, and he just got his Stone of Equus card destroyed because of his bloodlust. He was very unhappy with himself. “DAMMIT!” he shouted, knees on the ground and pounding the stage. “Why, man? Why can’t you let me have this?” “Because I won’t let you!” replied Alex. “Tom, you’ve done so much for me in the course of my life. You became my friend. You’ve always been by my side and supported me, even when I lost my parents…” _________________________________________________________________________________________ ................................................................................................................................................................ _________________________________________________________________________________________ It was 2005, the summer between Alex and Tom’s transition between elementary and Jr. high. Alex sat silently in the backseat. The death of his parents was still quite recent and he didn’t know how he’d adjust to living in a new home with new mother and father, or even a brother and sister, as he was an only child with his biological parents. As the drive continued, Alex clutched a green ankh necklace that hung around his neck. Tom’s mother, who called herself Carolyn, pulled her car into the garage. “We’re home,” she said. The word “home” hit Alex like a train. He knew his real home was with his own parents. She only tried to help, but Alex wordlessly grabbed some of his belongings and entered the house. “Hey,” tried cheering up Tom. “There’s my best bud!” Alex smiled at Tom. Much of the anxiety of coming to a new house like this was washed away from Alex upon seeing his best friend. “I’m really sorry about your folks,” he said, “but hey, we’re best friends living together. We’ll be like brothers!” “And sister,” said a girls voice. It was Sarah, whom Alex got to know further on throughout elementary school. She walked up to Alex and gave him a hug. Alex placed his arm around Sarah’s back. Carolyn then wrapped her arms around Alex, followed by Tom. “Welcome home,” said Carolyn. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ................................................................................................................................................................ _________________________________________________________________________________________ “I felt like I lost everything when they died,” continued Alex, choking up. “Then I remembered that I still had you.” Tom’s eyes were welling with tears. “If you beat me, and God forbid John loses, and Kyle does to you with what he did to Reese, I will never forgive myself!” “Alex…” sighed Twilight from her seat. “Tom…” whispered Rainbow Dash. Both their hearts went to these two friends. “I’ve lost family once,” resumed Alex, “and I’m sure as hell not going to lose it again!” “F- Family?” asked Tom. “Yes. In the eyes of most people, we’re seen as two great friends. But for me, you have been, and always will be my brother!” Tom’s shock was apparent. He had suggested the idea years ago when Alex first moved in, but he meant it lightheartedly to ease Alex’s pain. He never would have thought Alex would take it so seriously. There wasn’t a dry eye among the ponies, Emma, Sarah, or Carolyn. The audience wasn’t quite moved to tears, but they were still touched by Alex’s words. Tom finally mustered the strength to stand on his feat and face Alex. “Okay,” Tom whispered. “Do what you must. I’ll support you fully.” “You take care of me,” said Alex. “You’ve always taken care of me.” Alex placed his index and middle fingers on his deck. “My turn.” *************************************************** Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Foolish Burial, sending a monster card from his deck to his graveyard, choosing a Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord. Alex then special summon Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh from his hand by banishing three Dragon-type normal monsters in his graveyard (three Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlords) (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2000). Alex then activates Dragon Mastery, allowing him to equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster to a monster he controls, equipping Dragunity Aklys to Jade Wyvern. Alex activates Double Cyclone, destroying a spell or trap card he controls and destroying a spell or trap that his opponent controls, choosing Tom’s face down card. When Dragunity Aklys is sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Tom’s other face down card. Alex then activates the effect of Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh. By banishing a Dragon-type monster in his graveyard, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Gladiator Beast Octavius. Alex attacks Tom directly with Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh. Tom’s Life Points: 4000 -> 1200 Alex attacks Tom directly with Jade Wyvern. Tom’s Life Points: 1200 -> 0 Alex wins. _________________________________________________________________________________________ There wasn’t a sound of cheering to be heard from the crowd. They just watched in reverence as Alex ran to his brother who was lying backside down on the stage from the last attack. “And…” stammered the announcer. “And the winner and 1st finalist is Alex Yuwell.” “Tom,” called Alex, who knelt by Tom’s side. Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Sarah joined them onstage. Tom was happy to open his eyes to see two of his friends and two of his family surrounding him. “Alex,” moaned Tom. “You truly are the better duelist among us. If there’s anyone that can win this whole thing, it’s you.” “Thanks, man.” “And Alex?” “Yes?” “If you do face Kyle, kick his ass twice as hard for the both of us.” “No problem.” Alex and Tom hugged, which was the audience’s cue to start cheering. Rainbow Dash and Sarah helped Tom onto his feet, even escorting him down the stairs. Alex and Twilight looked at each other, the former scratching the latter’s ears to her content. Alex then looked at Kyle, who was standing at the left stage entrance, clapping as well with a devilish smile on his face. Alex and Twilight walked to Kyle before stopping right next to him. “Whatever it takes to utterly destroy you,” threatened Alex quietly, “I will find a way.” “You keep telling yourself that, sweetheart,” said Kyle. Alex watched him as he took the stage to battle John, his next opponent.