Duelist Kingdom: Day…
Yugi and Sunset inserted a few cards into their respective decks before coming to stand across from Blue Blood while their friends stood off to the side of the duel arena which had appeared from the ground. The two friends were set to duel their first opponent in this competition.
The stakes were four star chips total from each side. Additionally, dueling this man was the only way they could reclaim Joey’s prior deck and learn what happened to Yugi’s Exodia. This ultimately made Sunset weary of their opponent.
“What is he after?” Sunset thought. “He had Weevil steal Joey’s deck, stole Yugi’s Exodia pieces, and specifically challenged Yugi and me. Why is he challenging us? While he doesn’t act like the Blue Blood I know, there are still things I can recognize in him.
That’s enough for me to question if he’s working for someone else. Then, the question becomes what are they after? If he’s working alone, what’s his end game? Is he instead working for Pegasus or someone who happens to view us as Pegasus has?”
“Since I’ll be facing two opponents, I think it’s only fair I start with 4000 thousand life points. Additionally, as far as turns are concerned, we’ll treat this as a normal duel.”
“What do you think Sunset?” Yugi inquired.
“It is only fair; however, Yugi and I have separate field, decks, and hands.” Sunset declared. “We conversely share graves.”
“I see no problem with that.” Blue Blood informed as he put a deck before himself.
Yugi put his deck up. “Same here.”
Sunset put her deck up. “Then, we’re in agreement.”
“Let’s Duel!”
Blue Blood 4000/Sunset & Yugi 2000 each)
“Since I’m taking on two opponents, I think it’s only fair I go first.” Blue Blood drew with a smirk. “Pay attention Joey Wheeler because I think you’ll get a kick out of this.”
“Eh, what do you mean by that?” Joey asked.
Blue Blood smirked. “I summon Swordsman of Landstar(LV 3/500/1200) in defense mode.” A tiny, malleable warrior appeared kneeling before him.
“Wait!” Joey exclaimed angrily. “That sneak is usin’ my deck against them!”
“Of course, I would.” Blue Blood returned. “I put this deck up, so I might as well use it before potentially losing it.”
“That’s a mistake on your part because that deck will never answer you like it would Joey.” Yugi declared firmly.
“Like I care if this deck answers me.” Blue Blood shrugged. “You seem under the impression that winning this duel is a goal of mine.”
“If beating us isn’t your goal, then what is?” Sunset asked.
“Beating you two is a goal I will eventually achieve.” Blue Blood retorted. “If that happens this time, great; however, beating you later is valid. As for what I want this time, that’s simply for me to know. Now, I set three cards and end my turn.”
“If it’s alright with you Yugi, I’ll go.” Sunset stated and got a nod in return resulting in her drawing a card. “I’ll summon Elemental Hero Gusting Avian(LV 4/1800/1100).” A winged hero in full on green attire appeared. “Unlike his normal counterpart, he has an effect.
When he’s normal summoned, I can add 1 Elemental Hero or Hero spell/trap from my deck to my hand. I’ll add Elemental Hero Lady Heat(LV 4/1300/1000), and by adding her through this effect, I can special summon her.” A female in white and red appeared. “She’ll attack Landstar.”
“I activate my face down Silver Dollar.” Blue Blood countered. “Since you attacked a monster with 1000 or less ATK, I can cash this in to prevent his destruction from this battle.”
“Then, I’ll destroy Landstar with Avian.” Sunset declared.
“I activate Trap Hole of Spikes.” Blue Blood countered. “This trap destroys an attacking monster and inflicts damage to my opponent equal to half that monster’s original ATK. Your Avian as 1800 ATK, so you both take 900.”
“You activated the effect of Skilled Hero Kid(LV 3/1000/1500) from my hand.” Sunset countered as a boy in a red and white mechanical suit appeared. “This monster is all about damage. For instance, he can special summon himself when I would take battle or effect damage.
Whenever he’s special summoned, he can’t be destroyed that turn. If he is special summoned by his own effect, whatever damage was to take place is cut in half (Blue Blood 4000/Sunset & Yugi 1550 each).”
“A most impressive card.” Blue Blood noted to himself.
“Way to go Sunset!” Tea cheered.
“Yeah, you showed that jerk.” Tristan declared.
“Just wait because Skilled Hero Kid has one more, minor effect.” Sunset announced. “I set 1 card and end my turn which activates Lady Heat’s effect dealing my opponent 200 life points of for every Elemental Hero I control. Skilled Hero Kid counts as an Elemental Hero.”
(Blue Blood 3600/Sunset & Yugi 1550 each)
“That monster is more than I thought.” Blue Blood thought. “While her skills have a bite to them, it is nothing compared to the ferocity others before her are said to have shown.”
“That’s showing him!” Joey cheered.
“Nicely done Sunset, but I believe it’s my turn now.” Yugi drew. “I’ll summon Celtic Guardian(LV 4/1400/1200).” An elf warrior in armor appeared. “I’ll then activate Stop Defense which will switch your Swordsman into ATK mode. Then, my Guardian will destroy him.”
(Blue Blood 2700/Sunset & Yugi 1550 each)
“Since I no longer control any monsters, I can activate my final face down Hyper Refresh.” Blue Blood countered. “This quick-play doubles my life points provided the monsters my opponents control have an ATK greater than my current life points.”
(Blue Blood 5400/Sunset & Yugi 1550 each)
“They just put in all that effort, yet Blue Blood ended up with more life points than he started with.” Tea commented.
“My turn isn’t over because Sunset and I added a few cards to our decks. I activate the quick-play Tag Strike.” Yugi countered. “This spell only works when the duelist has a partner. If my attack was successful, this allows my partner to attack you directly with every monster they control. If they control more than one, any damage dealt is halved.”
“I’ll attack with Skilled Hero Kid and Lady Heat (Blue Blood 4250/Sunset & Yugi 1550 each).” Sunset declared. “Then, I activate my face down Tag Choice. This trap targets one monster my partner controls. He can choose to heal his life points or damage our opponent’s life points by half that monster’s original ATK. The only viable target is Celtic Guardian.”
“I’ll choose to deal half of Celtic Guardian’s original ATK to you as damage (Blue Blood 3550/Sunset & Yugi 1550 each).” Yugi declared.
“They ended up achieving something with minimal preparation; however, I’m still not impressed.” Blue Blood thought. “He’s certainly skilled, but nowhere near as skilled as the legends say. They both disappoint.”
“Nice team work you two!” Tea exclaimed.
“Yeah, way to go!” Tristan added.
“Now, I set 1 card to end my turn.” Yugi declared. “Your move.”
“While I do agree with his earlier sentiment that this deck shouldn’t answer me well, that’s not how the duel has progressed.” Blue Blood thought critically. “I doubt a deck made by someone like Joey Wheeler would answer me given the circumstance. Something else much be going on.
At the very least, it allows me to better study them.” Blue Blood drew and smirked. “Well, looks like I can show that you two aren’t the only ones who’ve slipped cards into their deck. I activate Double Summon which allows me to normal summon twice. I’ll use it to set two monsters.”
“What do you guys think he means by that?” Tristan asked.
“I’m not sure.” Joey voiced. “I mean, I didn’t have Double Summon in my deck, but I got this feelin’ that’s not the only card he was referrin’ to.”
“Alright, it’s my move!” Sunset drew. “By banishing 1 Elemental Hero monster from my grave, such as Gusting Avian, I can Special summon Elemental Hero Cutting Bladedge(LV 7/2600/1800).” A golden hero with wings appeared.
“He’ll attack your monster on the left.” Blue Blood smirked as his Morphing Jar(LV 3/600/600) was flipped face up by the attack. “When Cutting Bladedge destroys a monster, he deals their defense as damage to my opponent. Go Cutting Defense!”
Blade Edge lunged forward slashing through Blue Blood. While these were just holograms, the loss to his life points was very much real (Blue Blood 2950/Sunset & Yugi 1550 each).
“While you did destroy my monster, you had to flip it in the process.” Blue Blood declared. “When Morphing Jar is flipped, he forces everyone in the duel to discard their current hands and pick up a new hand of 5.”
Yugi and Sunset both looked at their hands before pitching them just like Blue Blood did. All three duelists then drew new hands on five.
“Next, my Lady Heat will destroy your remaining face down monster.” Sunset declared.
Blue Blood merely grinned as his Cyber Jar(LV 3/900/900) was flipped. “You just flipped my Cyber Jar. Like his fellow Jar, this one’s effect activates; however, I think it’s far more devastating as it first destroys every monster on the field.”
Celtic Guardian, Cyber Jar, Hero Kid, Lady Heat, and Bladedge were all destroyed.
“It’s almost like he’s wiped the field and restarted the duel!” Joey exclaimed.
“Not quite.” Blue Blood retorted. “See, once this card wipes the field, each duelist takes it in turn to reveal the top five cards of their deck. Then, we get to special summon all Level 4 or lower monsters in face-up attack or face-down defense position. All other cards are added to the hand.”
He took the first five cards and laid them out revealing Axe Raider(LV 4/1700/1150), Rocket Warrior(LV 4/1500/1300), Valkyrian Knight(LV 4/1900/1200), Release Restraint, and Lightning Blade.
“I’ll special summon the first three monsters in ATK position.” Blue Blood declared.
A warrior in golden armor, a smaller warrior in a green suit, and a warrior in red armor all appeared while the remaining two cards were added to his hand.
Sunset went next revealing Elemental Hero Blazeman(LV 4/1200/1800), Sky Scraper, Elemental Hero Stratos(LV 4/1800/300), Elemental Hero Heat(LV 4/1600/1200), and Miracle Fusion.
“I’ll special summon my three monsters in ATK position as well.” Sunset declared as a blazing hero in a black, blue, red, and orange costume, a hero in a blue body suit, and a hero in red and white appeared. “Since Stratos was summoned, I can activate one of two effects.
I’ll utilize the second to add any Hero I wish from my deck to my hand. Then, since Blazeman was summoned, I can add a Polymerization from my deck to my hand. Finally, Elemental Hero Heat(LV 4/2200/1200 effect) gains 200 ATK for every Elemental Hero I control.
“Of course, three Heroes means six hundred extra ATK.” Blue Blood finished. “Compared to most other fire heroes, it’s not too bad an effect for dealing with Level 4 and lower monsters.”
Yugi went last revealing Polymerization, Horn of the Unicorn, Dust Tornado, Giant Soldier of Stone(LV 3/1300/2000), and Mystical Elf(LV 4/800/2000).
“I’ll set the monsters in face down defense position.” Yugi declared.
“Rather defensive cards; however, he did draw those prior five cards from Morphing Jar.” Blue Blood thought.
“It’s still my turn, and it’s still the Battle Phase.” Sunset declared. “Heat will destroy your Knight (Blue Blood 2650/Sunset & Yugi 1550 each). Then, Stratos will destroy your Rocket Warrior (Blue Blood 2350/Sunset & Yugi 1550 each).”
“Now, I’ll set one card.” Sunset declared. “You’re go Yugi.”
“Whoa, the field was set up big time; however, Sunset managed to cut back Blue Blood’s advantage.” Joey declared. “Now, they’re in a prime position while Blue Blood is lackin’.”
“That might be Joey; however, his prior move still managed to fill his hand.” Tea stated. “Something tells me this duel is far from over.”
“My move!” Yugi drew. “I summon my Dark Magician(LV 7/2500/2100).” The purple robbed spellcaster appeared. “I’ll then equip him with my Horn of the Unicorn boosting his ATK by 700.” Dark Magician(LV 7/3200/2100 effect). “He’ll destroy your Axe Raider (Blue Blood 850/Sunset & Yugi 1550). Then, I’ll set two cards to end my turn.
“They still lack the bite of the legends, but their skills are more impressive than I initially thought.” Blue Blood drew. “It’s my turn, and I’ll start by activating Giant Trunade which returns all spell/trap cards back to their owner’s hands.”
Dark Magician(LV 7/2500/2100)
“He just took out all their defense!” Joey exclaimed shocked.
“That’s some card.” Tristan commented.
“Well, it doesn’t matter because they’ll still pull through.” Tea voiced.
“Yeah right.” A female laughed, and they all turned to see that it was Mai. “Even with lower life points, I can just tell their opponent has been dueling circles around them. Must be that Sunset Shimmer dragging Yugi down.”
Sunset heard what Mai said, and despite not wanting to take any of her words to heart, she couldn’t deny they stung. “Am I really dragging Yugi down? Maybe I’ve been dragging them all down by being around them. Wouldn’t be the first time a group’s felt that way about me.”
“Hey, you have no idea who Sunset is!” Tea declared indignantly. “She’s a great duelist, and no burden to our group at all!”
“Yeah, that’s right.” Tristan nodded. “Sunset’s not dragging us down at all.”
Joey had a blush on his face. “I mean…”
Tristan brought Joey in for a choke hold. “You better not finish that sentence man!”
“Gah, I was kidding! I was kidding!” Joey exclaimed frantically. “Of course, she’s no bother!”
“They’re right Sunset.” Yugi gave a thumbs up. “You’re no bother outside of this duel, and you certainly haven’t been dragging me down during this duel.”
Sunset was touched by their words. “You guys…”
“See, no one here agrees with you, so why don’t you take a hike Mai.” Tea declared.
“Heh and miss seeing the guy who beat Kaiba turn this all around.” Mai walked to stand beside the group. “No way.”
“Just you wait Mai!” Sunset declared as her confidence spiked thanks to her friend’s support. “I’ll be the one ending this duel on my next turn!”
“That’s a bold prediction; however, this is still my turn, and I’m nowhere near done.” Blue Blood declared. “I’ll normal summon Marauding Captain(LV 3/1200/400).” A warrior with blond hair and armor appeared.
“When he’s normal summoned, I can special summon a Level 4 or lower monster from my hand. I’ll use that effect to bring out Hayabusa Knight(LV 3/1000/700).” A bipedal bird man in silver armor appeared.
“Big deal!” Joey exclaimed. “At best, Marauding Captain can tie with Blazeman.”
“You’re deck provides the answers to that very problem.” Blue Blood announced. “I’ll now equip Hayabusa Knight(LV 3/1800/700 effect) with Lighting Blade and Burning Soul Sword. The first equip grants the warrior eight hundred ATK.
The second allows me to tribute one monster I control and grant the equipped an increase equal to that monster’s ATK. I’ll tribute Marauding Captain granting my monster 1200 more ATK.” Hayabusa Knight(LV 3/3000/700 effect).”
“That monster’s as strong as a Blue-Eyes now!” Joey exclaimed.
“Whoa, are those all your cards Joey?” Tea asked.
“They are.” Joey replied.
“Mr. Muto really did up your original deck man.” Tristan commented.
“What have you three been talking about?” Mai questioned.
“It’s none of your concern!” Tea snapped back.
“Hayabusa Knight gets two attacks per Battle Phase.” Blue Blood declared. “I’ll use the first to destroy Yugi’s Dark Magician (Blue Blood 850/Sunset 1550 & Yugi 1050). My next attack will be used to destroy Blazeman taking Sunset Shimmer out of this duel!”
“I activate the effect of Elemental Hero Crashing Clayman.” Sunset declared. “By discarding this card and cutting my life points in half, I take no Battle Damage this turn (Blue Blood 850/Sunset 775 & Yugi 1050).”
“That’s actually not bad.” Blue Blood smiled. “I’ll set two cards and end my turn.”
“Alright, it’s time to wrap this up!” Sunset declared as she drew. “I activate Polymerization and use it to fuse my Elemental Hero Feral Wildheart, which always acts as Wildheart, with King of the Swamp which can act as any fusion material listed on a fusion monster.
In this case, he’ll be acting as Elemental Hero Avian. Fusion Summon Elemental Hero Wild Wingman(LV 8/1900/2300).” Wildheart with the wings of Avian appeared. “His ability allows me to discard cards from my hand to destroy spell/traps your control.”
“Way to go Sunset!” Tea declared.
“Yeah, that’ll show him.” Joey added.
“Please.” Mai crossed her arms. “Even if she does end up wiping out the back row, Hayabusa Knight is far too strong for any of her monsters to destroy. Too top it off, she’s wasted time listening to you losers when her head should be on the game.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.” Tristan voiced. “Sunset’s grinning big time, so I don’t think the endgame is simply destroying the cards in the back row. She’s got something in mind to make her words true.”
“They’re right, but first it’s time to deal with your back row.” Sunset declared. “By discarding two cards from my hand, both your cards are gone. Next, I’ll attack your Hayabusa Knight with my Wild Wingman!”
“Why would you do that?” Blue Blood questioned. “Your monster is over a thousand ATK points weaker than mine.”
“He won’t be when I activate the quick-play Battle Fusion.” Sunset declared. “When any attack is declared involving a Fusion Monster I control, he gains ATK equal to the other monster’s until the end of the damage step!”
Elemetnal Hero Wild Wingman(LV 8/4900/2300 effect)
Wild Wingman clawed into Hayabusa Knight destroying him (Blue Blood 0/Sunset 775 & Yugi 1050).
“Wah… Where did that come from?” Blue Blood thought shocked. “That last play was full of bite.”
“Alright!” Joey/Tristan cheered.
“You both won!” Tea cheered.
“Impressive.” Mai commented. “Maybe she’ll be somewhat of a challenge after all.”
“Nice going Sunset.” Yugi nodded.
“Couldn’t have done it without all of you.” Sunset smiled. “Thanks for dueling with me.”
Mai ended up leaving while the gang stood across from Blue Blood. He handed over four of his star chips, two to Yugi and two to Sunset, as well as Joey’s deck back to its rightful owner. After all, he was a man of his word at least.
“We’ve gotten all but the last thing you promised us.” Sunset declared. “What have you done with Yugi’s Exodia.”
“I sent them to an associate of mine.” Blue Blood retorted. “Even if you searched me, you wouldn’t find them.”
“How do we know you aren’t lying?” Tristan questioned.
“Believe what you will, but even if I did have them on me, giving them back wasn’t part of the deal.” Blue Blood began to walk away. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have six star chips to earn.” He grinned. “This was truly an informative experience.”
“Hey, we aren’t done with you!” Joey exclaimed and began to move forward. “Get back…”
Yugi held out his arm to stop him. “Let him go Joey.”
“Yugi…” Joey began shocked.
“I don’t need Exodia to win my duels.” Yugi stated. “While having them back would be nice, what we gained is enough for me.”
“Speaking of what was gained, what do you plan to do with the deck we all made now that you have yours back Joey?” Tea asked.
“Hm, I think I’ll combine the two.” Joey declared. “That way Mr. Muto, you guys, and I will be working together in this tournament.” He clenched his original deck firmly. “That way, I’ll stand a better chance at protecting my cards in the future.”
“That sounds like a plan to me.” Tristan stated.
“Yeah.” Sunset nodded. “Especially with duelists like him around.”
“What do you mean?” Tea asked.
“Think about it.” Sunset stated. “Blue Blood was that skilled with a deck that wasn’t even his, so I bet he’ll be even better with his own deck.”
“Sunset is right.” Yugi nodded. “Blue Blood could very well be the largest road block any of us have in reaching Pegasus.”
Sunset didn’t voice it, considering proof was minimal, but she had an inkling those colossal monsters from before belonged to Blue Blood. From what she’s seen, of the limited times, holograms usually portrayed strength well. In that case, those monsters had to be strong ones.