Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 6; Confrontation! The Duellist Centre Battle ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

After the attack of the Rabid Horseman, Yugi and the gang head for the Duellist Centre. They think they finally have a place to rest, but with darkness on their tails they have no time to rest.

Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 06.23.2006 | Updated On: 11.11.2008 | Pages: 15 | Words: 11.1K | Visits: 191 | Status: Completed

Battle Stage 6: Confrontation! The Duellist Centre Battle

Location: Route 1, Shuba Region Date: 30 April, 2005

“Hello! Anzu, Jyoonouchi, Kaiba, Serenity, Grandpa? Where are you?” Yuugi yelled as loudly as he could, the fog as thick as pea soup blanketed the area around him. Beyond that darkness, a darkness so consuming you wouldn't be able to see your hand in front of your face.

Yuugi ventured forward slowly, keeping his eyes locked on an unspecified point in the distance. He knew he'd find his friends eventually. Suddenly he ran into something solid, Yuugi looked up.

“ANZU!” He exclaimed.

“How, could you?” Anzu spat maliciously.

“What, what are you talking about…?” Yuugi asked fearfully backing away from her slightly.

“How could you betray us so badly Yuugi, how could you do that to us?” Serenity demanded appearing behind him.

“But, but what did I do?” Yuugi asked.

“You know what you did Yuug, you betrayed us in the worst way possible, you're a creep and a liar.” Jyoonouchi spat accusingly his brown eyes flaring angrily.

“But, I had no choice, I couldn't, everyone would have hated me, please, please don't leave.” Yuugi pleaded as they began to walk away.

“This is what you wanted, and you know it Yuugi, get lost.” Kaiba spat kicking Yuugi off his trench coat.

“NO guy's please, I can explain, please don't abandon me; I thought I was doing the right thing…” Yuugi tried to explain pleadingly.

“You didn't, get lost loser.” Anzu spat kicking him away before disappearing into the mist with the others.

“NO, GUYS WAIT PLEASE!” Yuugi yelled running after them.

“No…” Yuugi exclaimed in shock, the mist clearing, to reveal his friends again, this time they weren't walking away, they couldn't.

They were dead, all of his friends, Anzu, Jyoonouchi, Serenity, Kaiba and Mai were before him, nailed like rag dolls to six individual wooden crucifixes. Their bodies broken, blood dripping from their mouths, eyes, noses and ears. Yuugi dropped to the ground in tears, “I didn't know, I didn't know, I didn't know.” He whispered over and over. The last thing he heard was a cold chilling laughter permeating the air around him as he screamed.

::End Dream Sequence::

Yuugi woke with a start; he almost flew face first into the ground before him as he awoke, his breathing laboured as his stomach churned. Yuugi rushed into the trees and vomited, collapsing to the ground, his face was wet, sweat mixed with tears. Yuugi sat in the grass damp from dew, panting as if he'd run a marathon. He knew what he'd done was right, but it was still hard to live with, knowing he'd lied to his friends, and his family. But the truth, the cold truth, was far worse; in this case he knew that ignorance would be bliss for them.

“YUUGI! HEY YUUGI WHERE ARE YOU?” Jyoonouchi's voice yelled cutting through Yuugi's reminiscences. Yuugi brushed himself off and wiped his face.

“I'm here Jou.” Yuugi yelled walking out from the trees.

“What were you doing back there man, come on I'll show you where the shower… hey are you ok, you look a bit pale.” Jyoonouchi asked looking concerned.

Yuugi tried to smile, “Yeah I'm ok Jyoonouchi, just had a rough night.”

“Yeah… well come on I better show you where the shower is, if Rich boy gets to it first we'll never get going today.” Jyoonouchi said with a laugh.

Yuugi laughed as well and followed Jyoonouchi. After an hour the group was packed and assembled. “So where next Yuugi?” Anzu asked as Yuugi was studying his map.

“Well… I think it might be a bit ambitious to think we could get to Erebus today, but there seems to be a small, something called a Duellist Centre that we could reach by nightfall, what's a Duellist Centre?” Yuugi asked puzzled.

“Well I'm sure we'll find out when we get there, let's go!” Anzu said cheerfully leading the group forward.

The group walked through the forest, Yuugi was at the front with his Duel disk at the ready. Anzu behind him slightly, in the middle Jyoonouchi and Serenity walked slowly, Jyoonouchi casting dirty looks back at Kaiba every few minutes, making sure he wasn't checking Serenity out. Kaiba stayed at the back as the rear guard to protect against any duel monsters that may have been roaming.

The undergrowth grew denser the further they walked, the path almost disappearing under their feet. Yugi looked around. “What's wrong Yuugi?” Anzu asked.

“Well, don't you guys think it's strange we've run into no other duellists since we left Erebus, well except for Kaiba?” Yuugi observed stopping to turn around.

“Ok, that is a little strange.” Jyoonouchi agreed taking careful observation of the surroundings.

“I'm sure we'll run into other duellists eventually, come on we've got to keep moving.” Anzu encouraged, Yuugi raised a slight eyebrow at her insistence to move forward but didn't argue.

Meanwhile a pair of hazel eyes watched them hungrily, the saliva from its mouth dripping to the ground as it followed them slowly.

Kaiba slowed, he looked around the darkened canopy carefully, he knew something was wrong. The trees had darkened the area to a light similar to late dusk the air was humid and the smell of the area around them was strong, a mix of rotting forest debris and ozone.

“Hey Kaiba, what the heck are you doin, if ya don't keep up you're going to be left behind.” Jyoonouchi yelled turning around when he noticed Kaiba had stopped.

Kaiba ignored him looking more intently around the canopy, he was sure they were being watched, and it meant nothing good. “Hey Kaiba… Kaiba ya creep stop ignoring me, KAIBA!” Jou yelled out in louder and louder voices. Serenity walked in front of Jyoonouchi to try calm him.

This is when all hell proverbially broke loose. From out the trees sprang a beast, it was large and lion like, but it was not a lion. Gazelle King of Mystical Beasts (Earth/Beast/4 ATK/1500 DEF/1200) beared down on Serenity, its face centimetres from hers, she could see the outright terror on her face reflected in its hungry eyes. Serenity couldn't escape, her arms were pinned under its powerful paws, the weight of its body was crushing the bones in her arms, she screamed in pain, which only caused the fear that Jyoonouchi was feeling to intensify.

“SERENITY! GET AWAY FROM HER NOW YOU STUPID DUEL MONSTER!” Jyoonouchi screamed abandoning all sense of logic in a vain attempt to save his sister. He threw sticks and branches to gain its attention. This was of no use; the Gazelle completely ignored him, far more interested in the meal beneath it.

“SERENITY!” Jou bellowed, suddenly the wind picked up, something flashed passed him and struck the Gazelle in the stomach with a blast of energy, throwing it off Serenity and destroying it.

“Wha…” Jyoonouchi exclaimed slowly, he looked around to find a monster standing next to Yuugi who's Duel Disk was active, the monster that had saved Serenity was the Skilled Dark Magician (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1700), one of Yuugi's favourite monsters.

“Yuug, that, you.” Jyoonouchi said his voice trailing off.

“It's ok Jou.” Yuugi said patting Jou on the arm walking to assist Serenity up, she almost fell into his arms thanking him profusely for saving her. Anzu, irritated finally pulled Serenity off Yuugi and dragged him to the front of the group.

The sphere hovered for a moment before drifting over to Yuugi and ejecting the card he'd won, “Congratulations, you have won a Gazelle King of Mystical Beasts.”

Jou matched over angrily and snatched the sphere out of the air, “WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU PLAYING AT YOU FREAKING THING, YOU ALMOST KILLED MY SISTER… huh?”

As soon as Jyoonouchi took the machine in his hand it started beeping furiously, “Warning, warning, warning, warning!!”

Then it stopped and it started to fly off, unfortunately Jou was still attached, “Ah, hey WHA! HEY STOP THIS RIDE I WANT TO GET OFF NOW!” Jou yelled as he started taking off. Yuugi, Anzu and Serenity ran to grab Jou's hand as he began to take off. They tried everything to pull him down, While Kaiba stood in hidden bemusement at their antics.

“KAIBA YOU CREEP WOULD YOU COME HELP OUT!” Jyoonouchi yelled.

Kaiba snorted, “Why don't you just let go.”

Jou blinked hanging in mid-air, “Oh yeah.”

He let go, unfortunately he'd left the ground by this time as had Yuugi, the flight had been ok, but the landing was rough, “Jyoonouchi could you get your elbow out of my back please.”

“Sure Yuug, once you get your foot out of my face.” Joey mumbled.

Kaiba shook his head, “Baka yaro's…”

After fifteen minutes the group was walking again even more wary of their surroundings than before. Jou had his duel disk at the ready as Serenity stuck quite close to him for protection. “I hope we get to dis duellist centre soon Yuug.” Jou growled.

“We'll be there soon Jyoonouchi don't worry.” Yuugi assured him.

Jyoonouchi grumbled and they continued to walk. After several hours of walking punctured every half hour or so by Jou's complaints of being tried, the trees and undergrowth began to thin out. The group came out of the undergrowth into an area of expansive fields and rolling hills in the distance. Jou groaned in response. Yuugi looked happily around spotting a singular building in the distance. It was rounded; the roof was set as a bubble with a small balcony set out of the front.

As the group approached the building they discovered the entrance was a pair of double doors made of tinted glass. They separated to reveal the interior of the building. It was set out in vibrant marron, the walls were polished hardwood. Off to the left the floor dropped off into a small well seating area with a semi-circular couch of marron leather. A table of black marble stood in front of it, beyond that was a small fireplace with a plasma screen seated halfway up the wall.

Off to the right of the entry hall was an area separated by glass panelling, beyond that two or three duellists sat in chairs made of black leather at tables of polished hardwood. One was eating watching a few of the others playing Duel Monsters the old fashioned way no holographic systems, just good old cards on the table.

Directly in front of the group was a reception desk made of red granite with steel letters sunken into the granite reading `DUELIST CENTRE - ROUTE ONE'. A woman with red hair stood in front of a plasma screen computer monitor. She looked up to see the group and smile.

“Welcome to the Duellist Centre. I am Hitomi, welcome.” Hitomi said bowing, the group except Kaiba bowed back respectfully.

“Who are you exactly?” Kaiba asked shortly.

Hitomi continued to smile, “I am here to help in any way I can, I am trained to cater to the needs of all the duellists that come through here. From giving directions to the next town, to treating any injuries or maladies that may befall you on your journeys through the Shuba region. That's what I'm here to help with.” Hitomi explained continuing to smile.

Serenity and Anzu looked at her suspiciously but Yuugi didn't notice. He approached the counter, “Do you know where we can find a place to sleep?” He asked.

“Here, the Duellist Centre is built to cater for the needs for the duellists; we have full bunking facilities up stairs. I must advise you it's separated into boys and girls rooms no co-ed rooms.” Hitomi explained with a slightly naughty smile seeing both Yuugi and Anzu flush slightly redder at this, the others failed to pick up on this though.

The group was lead up the stairs that sat just behind the reception desk into the sleeping quarters. The zones were clearly marked, the girl's bunks were in rooms to the left, the guy's bunks were on the right. As Hitomi showed them she mentioned that the dining area was free to all duellists and their guests but the Mart for buying supplies required money.

The group dumped their bags in their rooms. Yuugi, Joey & Kaiba were sharing a room as were Serenity and Anzu. Yuugi discovered as he walked the length of the corridor that both sides wrapped around to an entrance onto the balcony. He re-joined the group just in time for them to head down stairs for a meal.

The group sat to eat and observed the duel between two young duellists sitting across from them. One was a young blonde the other a young blue haired duellist, from the notes on a pad sitting next the blue haired boy he was in the lead by three hundred points.

“I have you now Claus I summon my Dragon Manipulator (Earth/Warrior/Effect/3 ATK/700 DEF/800) in attack mode. I can take over your Tri-Horned Dragon now.” The Blonde boy said happily.

“I don't think so Fredrick, cause I activate Solemn Judgement (Counter/Trap), this card negates your card if I pay half my life points.” Claus responded cheerfully.

“Awe no, that was my best move, I'm gonna lose!” Fredrick bemoaned sadly.

“Yep, I attack!” Claus cheered as his monster wiped out his opponent's life points, Kaiba smirked impressed, Yuugi watched both boys' reactions carefully.

“Ha, ha I win; hand over the card you promised loser.” Claus said sticking out his hand. Fredrick shuffled through his deck and came up with a card and was about to hand it over.

“May I see the card?” A voice asked.

Both boys looked up and were instantly struck with awe. Standing at their table was Yuugi; he smiled at both boys and sat down next to Fredrick, “Just because he lost doesn't make him a loser, if you try your hardest and enjoy duelling, then nobody loses.” Yuugi explained.

Both boys nodded still lost in awe of the legend that was sitting at their table, Yuugi looked at the card Fredrick was holding, “Dark Necrofear (Dark/Fiend/Effect/7 ATK/2200 DEF/2800), that's a rare card, you should hang on to it.” Yuugi urged.

Suddenly Claus was snapped back to reality, “Hey, he agreed that the winner of the duel would turn over his rarest card, and he lost.”

Yuugi smiled a little more and reached into a pouch on his belt and withdrew four cards, “How about this, you can have these cards and Fredrick can keep his Dark Necrofear.”

Claus's eyes lit up, “Wow, cool, thanks Mr. Yuugi.”

Yuugi laughed, “You can call me Yuugi, but remember guys, it's not about winning cards, or being the best, it's about having fun, never lose sight of that ok.”

Both boys nodded, “But Mr. Yuugi,” Fredrick asked, “Won't your deck suffer because you gave away your cards?”

Yuugi shook his head, “Valkyrion the Magna Warrior (Earth/Rock/Effect/8 ATK/3500 DEF/3850) Alpha (Earth/Rock/4 ATK/1400 DEF/1700) Beta (Earth/Rock/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1600) and Gamma (Earth/Rock/4 ATK/1500 DEF/1800) the Magnet Warrior's don't fit with my deck anymore. They're better off in the deck of someone who might appreciate them.”

“What exactly does your deck fit with these days Yuugi?” Kaiba asked from where he was sitting next to Serenity.

Yuugi turned to look at Kaiba with a smile, “That's my secret Seto, unless you'd like to see exactly what I have in my deck in a duel, that is if this isn't to low tech for you.”

“Let's go Yuugi.” Kaiba said getting up, Yuugi and Kaiba stepped over to a nearby empty table and sat down.

“Men.” Anzu mumbled, Yuugi heard her and smiled.

As Yuugi and Kaiba were about to begin the sound of what they thought of as a Cannon went off, a second explosion threw everyone from their seats and covered the area in smoke and dust. Yuugi got up quickly looking about while hurriedly gathering his deck.

“Is everyone ok?” Yuugi called coughing and spluttering.

“We're ok.” Anzu called from somewhere nearby.

The group including Claus and Fredrick gathered near Yuugi looking around, they could barely see the reception area through the smoke and dust that had been kicked up. They made their way through the smoke to the door which wouldn't open, after Jyoonouchi tried forcing it open a couple of times Kaiba got irritated.

“Baka mutt let me show you how it is done; I summon X-Head Cannon (Dark/Machine/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1500), blast down that door!” Kaiba commanded.

His monster did as ordered obliterating the door in a moment. The group rushed out to find the exact cause of the earlier explosions standing before them. An Archfiend of Glifer (Dark/Fiend/Effect/5 ATK/2200 DEF/2500) had blasted down the doors to the entryway. Below it several men dressed in black capes stood surrounding another man who looked smugly at the damage that had been done.

“Who are you, and what do you want?” Hitomi yelled in a fit about the state of the reception area.

“My name is Raven, and this place now belongs to the Hunters.” He said smirking.

“Who the heck are the hunters?” Jyoonouchi asked.

“What's left of the Rare Hunters?” Yuugi guessed.

“Well done, but then I'd expect nothing less from the great Yuugi Mutou.” Raven sauntered.

“You know me?” Yuugi asked.

“We have orders to take you back to our boss.” Raven explained.

“Who's your boss then?” Yuugi inquired.

“Tsk, tsk, Yuugi, a good duellist doesn't reveal his hand. Now let's duel so I can get you back to my boss.” Raven said preparing his duel disk.

“No way, Yuug isn't going anywhere with you, you'll have to get past me first.” Jyoonouchi said placing himself between Yugi and Raven.

“Hn, whatever, I'll beat you just like I'll beat Yuugi, but first… who are you?” Raven asked looking blankly at Jyoonouchi.

Jou anime fell, “Ok, that's it, I'm firing my Publicist.” He grumbled regaining his feet. “My name you creep is Katsuya Jyoonouchi, you've got to have heard of me.”

One of the cloaked men spoke up, “Oh yes I know him, he is an amateur duellist with no real skill that relies on Yuugi to help him win.”

“HEY, I don't rely on anyone but me, and I'm not an amateur I'll cream all of you.” Jyoonouchi proclaimed to the reaction of the others shaking their heads.

“Very well then, start with me.” Raven said stepping forward.

“You're on.”

The coin toss went in Raven's favour.

Raven Life Points: 8000

Katsuya Jyoonouchi Life Points: 8000

::Raven::

“I draw;

1. I play Command Knight (Fire/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1200 DEF/1900) in defence mode;

2. Next I play one card face down and end my turn.”

::Jou::

“Big scary move there Raven, I draw;

1. I summon the Luster Dragon (Wind/Dragon/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1600) in attack mode;

2. I play this card face down as well and end my turn.”

::Raven::

“I draw;

1. I summon Blade Knight (Light/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1600 DEF/1000) in attack mode;

2. I ATTACK!”

“Ha that's a crap move your monster's going to be destroyed instead of mine.” Jou said with a chuckle.

“Really, I'd check again.” Raven said with a smirk.

Blade Knight's attack destroyed Luster Dragon.

“Wha…” Jou said shocked.

Raven's smirk widened, “Command Knight increases the attack of all Warrior Type monsters on the field by four hundred points (Blade Knight: ATK/2000) and your Luster Dragon only had 1900 attack points, to bad Wheeler.”

Raven LP: 8000

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 7900

::Jou::

“That's just great… I draw;

1. I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1600) in attack mode;

2. Next I play Release Restraint (Spell);

3. This card allows me to sacrifice Gearfried;

4. To special summon Gearfried the Swordmaster (Light/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/2600 DEF/2200) in attack mode;

5. Your Command Knight's effect kicks in, thanks (ATK/3000);

6. Now, I ATTACK!”

“I was prepared for that, reveal face down card Negate Attack (Trap) this card negates your attack and ends your battle phase, and your turn.” Raven said with a grin.

Jyoonouchi swore under his breath, “This doesn't mean squat Raven, I've got the most powerful card on the field, thanks to your monster.”

::Raven::

“We'll see Wheeler, I draw;

1. I summon the Dark Blade (Dark/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1500) in attack mode.”

“Awe nuts…” Jyoonouchi muttered.

Raven smiled, “I'm glad to see you know what I plan next.”

2. “Next I add Kiryu (Dark/Dragon/Union/5 ATK/2000 DEF/1500) as an Equip card to Dark Blade to increase its attack and defence 900 points (ATK/2700 DEF/2400);

3. Now Command Knight's effect activates (ATK/3100);

4. I play two cards face down;

5. Before I attack, first with Dark Blade;

6. Then with Blade Knight.”

Dark Blade's attack destroyed Gearfried the Swordmaster; Blade Knight's attack inflicted 2000 points direct damage to the opponent.

Raven LP: 8000

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 5800

::Jou::

“I draw;

1. I activate my face down card, Spirit Barrier (Continuous/Trap);

2. Now I activate Scapegoat (Spell) these little fur balls are going to protect my life points from your hoards in more ways then one;

3. Finally I summon Masaki the Legendary Swordsman (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1100 DEF/1100) in defence mode;

4. I end my turn, do your worst.”

::Raven::

“Don't worry, I will, I draw;

1. I activate one of my face down cards Cost Down (Spell) this card downgrades the level of all monsters on my field and in my hand by two levels;

2. Now I can summon Total Defence Shogun (Dark/Warrior/Effect/5 ATK/1500 DEF/2500) in defence mode;

3. I now activate Chain Burst (Continuous/Trap) this card's effect,” Raven smiled, “Well that's for later;

4. I play Mage Power (Equip/Spell) and equip it to Total Defence Shogun to increase its attack and defence 500 points for every Spell/Trap card face up on my side of the field (ATK/3000 DEF/4000);

5. Then I play Tribute Doll (Spell) to sacrifice Blade Knight;

6. To Special Summon Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight (Dark/Warrior/Effect/7 ATK/2300 DEF/2100) in attack mode;

7. Command Knight's effect activates on both Total Defence Shogun (ATK/3400);

8. And Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight (ATK/2700);

9. Finally I play a card face down;

10. Before attacking with Dark Blade;

11. And attacking your Masaki the Legendary Swordsman with Total Defence Shogun!”

“HEY your cheating you freak, monsters in defence mode can't attack, that's the whole point of being in `defence' mode!” Jyoonouchi yelled angrily.

Raven smiled, “The special ability of Total Defence Shogun allows it to attack, even while in defence mode. So I didn't break any rules Mr. Jyoonouchi.”

“That's, just wonderful.” Jyoonouchi moaned.

Total Defence Shogun's attack destroyed Masaki the Legendary Swordsman; Dark Blade's attack destroyed a Scapegoat.

::Jou::

“I draw;

1. I summon the Axe Raider (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1150) in defence mode;

2. I play one card face down, and end my turn.”

::Raven::

“Interesting, I draw;

1. I play Pot of Greed (Spell) allowing me to draw two more cards giving me a total of four in my hand;

2. I discard Horn of Light (Equip/Spell) to the graveyard;

3. To play Wicked-Breaking Flamberge - Baou (Equip/Spell);

4. To increase Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight's attack points by 500 (ATK/3200);

5. This allows me to summon Guardian Baou (Dark/Fiend/Effect/3 ATK/800 DEF/400) to the field in attack mode;

6. This also increases the attack and defence of my Total Defence Shogun another 500 points (ATK/3900 DEF/4500);

7. Now I play United We Stand (Equip/Spell) on Guardian Baou increasing its attack and defence points by 800 for every face up monster on my side of the field (ATK/4800 DEF/4400);

8. That increases the attack and defence of Total Defence Shogun yet again (ATK/4400 DEF/5000).”

Raven grinned “So you see Jyoonouchi, this is a type of strategy that you could only dream of, you're an amateur and a fool. Next time you want to run with the big men, try the kiddies room it's far safer.”

“Hey Raven, the duel isn't over yet.” Jyoonouchi responded.

“It might as well be.” Raven retorted.

9. “Total Defence Shogun (ATK/4400 DEF/5000);

10. Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight (ATK/3200 DEF/2100);

11. Dark Blade (ATK/3100 DEF/2400);

12. Guardian Baou (ATK/4800 DEF/4400);

13. ATTACK!”

Total Defence Shogun's, Dark Blade's & Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight's attack's destroyed Scapegoats; Guardian Baou's attack destroyed Axe Raider; Guardian Baou's effect activated (ATK/5800).

Jyoonouchi looked at the empty field before him, all he had left were two cards, one of them Spirit Barrier, the other face down. He knew he had little chance now of winning, there was nothing really left that could help him. Only one strategy might work but he didn't want to use it, especially in front of a certain member of the group, he wanted to wait and unleash it when he was ready.

::Jou::

“I draw;

1. I summon the Warrior Dai Grepher (Earth/Warrior/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1600) in defence mode;

2. Next I play Novox's Prayer (Ritual/Spell);

3. And sacrifice Meteor Dragon (Fire/Dragon/5 ATK/1800 DEF/2000);

4. And Mystic Swordsman LV2 (Earth/Warrior/Effect/2 ATK/900 DEF/0);

5. To summon the Skull Guardian (Dark/Warrior/Effect/7 ATK/2050 DEF/2500) in defence mode;

6. I also play Monster Reborn (Spell);

7. To summon Gearfried the Swordmaster (Light/Warrior/Effect/7 ATK/2600 DEF/2200) back to the field in defence mode;

8. The effect of your Command Knight activates;

9. Gearfried the Swordmaster (ATK/3000);

10. Warrior Dai Grepher (ATK/2100);

11. Skull Guardian (ATK/2450);

12. That's it I can do no more, I end my turn.”

::Raven::

“Good, I draw;

1. I attack your Skull Guardian with Guardian Baou;

2. I attack your Warrior Dai Grepher with Dark Blade;

3. I attack your Gearfried the Swordmaster with Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight;

4. Finally I attack you directly, with Total Defence Shogun!”

“That's what I was waiting for, reveal face down card Nutrient Z (Trap)! This card increase my life points 4000 if I receive damage to my life points more then 2000 in a turn!”

Guardian Baou's attack destroyed Skull Guardian; Dark Blade's attack destroyed Warrior Dai Grepher; Swift Gaia Fierce Knight's attack destroyed Gearfried the Swordmaster; Total Defence Shogun's attack inflicted 4400 points of direct damage to the opponent; Guardian Baou's effect activates (ATK/6800).

Raven LP: 8000

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 4400

“HEY what the heck's going on, I should have an extra 1000 life points, where's the other 1000?” Jyoonouchi exclaimed.

Raven smirked, “Remember my Trap card, Chain Burst? It takes 1000 points from one of us every time we activate a Trap card, less incentive for you to defend yourself.”

Jou growled, `There's only one way to end this, the other way means defeat, I can't accept that.'

::Jou::

“I draw; `YES!'

1. I remove Gearfried the Swordmaster;

2. And Skull Guardian from play;

3. To summon Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of End (Dark/Dragon/Effect/8 ATK/3000 DEF/2500) to the field in attack mode;

4. By sacrificing 1000 life points (LP: 3400);

5. I can activate Chaos Emperor Dragon's special ability, sending every card in both our hands, and on the field, to the graveyard;

6. And you lose 300 life points for every card that was sent to the graveyard by that effect;

7. Which ends my turn.”

Raven LP: 4400

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 3400

Raven blinked in shock, his entire strategy was destroyed in a single move, he couldn't believe his eyes. “You bastard.” He swore.

“I think that would be you clever bastard.” Jyoonouchi corrected.

::Raven::

“I draw;

1. I summon Skull Knight #2 (Dark/Fiend/Effect/3 ATK/1000 DEF/1200) in attack mode;

2. ATTACK!”

Skull Knight #2's attack inflicted 1000 points of direct damage to the opponent.

Raven LP: 4400

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 2400

::Jou::

“I draw;

1. I play Graceful Charity, this card allows me to draw 3 card, then discard two card from my hand.”

Jyoonouchi grinned widely seeing the three cards he'd just drawn, he discarded two to the graveyard and went forward confidently.

2. “I play the Fulfilment of Contract (Equip/Spell) for the price of eight hundred life points I can summon a Ritual Monster from my graveyard to the field and equip it to this card;

3. Fortunately I just sent a Ritual Monster to the graveyard;

4. Legendary Flame Lord (Fire/Spellcaster/Ritual/Effect/7 ATK/2400 DEF/2000) I summon you in attack mode;

5. ATTACK!”

Legendary Flame Lord's attack destroyed Skull Knight #2.

Raven LP: 3000

Katsuya Jyoonouchi LP: 1600

::Raven::

“Clever, I draw;

1. I summon Blindly Loyal Goblin (Earth/Warrior/Effect/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1500) in defence mode;

2. I end my turn.”

::Jou::

“Thanks, I draw;

1. I play Salamandra (Equip/Spell);

2. This card increases the attack of Legendary Flame Lord by 700 points (ATK/3200);

3. ATTACK!”

Legendary Flame Lord's attack destroyed Blindly Loyal Goblin.

::Raven::

“I draw;

1. I play one card face down;

2. And end my turn.”

::Jou::

“I draw;

1. I play one card face down;

2. Then, I ATTACK!”

“Ha, I counter your move with Zero Gravity (Trap) this card changes the battle position of all monsters on the field!”

Jyoonouchi grinned, “It would if this card wasn't in play, I activate Trap Jammer (Counter/Trap) this card destroys a Trap card you activate as long as you activate it during the battle phase!”

Raven's face sagged as he saw his own defeat coming towards, in the form of the Legendary Flame Lord.

Legendary Flame Lord's attack inflicted 3200 points of direct damage to the opponent's life points.

Katsuya LP: 1600

Raven LP: 0

“YOU DID IT JYOONOUCHI!” Yuugi exclaimed.

Jou fell to his knees in exhaustion, but a weary smile graced his face as his friends gathered around him.

Raven shook with anger watching the scene, “Jyoonouchi, don't think for a moment this is over, we'll be back, and then I will destroy you!” Raven proclaimed before he and his comrades disappeared into the night.

Yuugi watched them leave as Jyoonouchi resumed his feet speaking for the group, “When that happens, we'll be ready.”

To Be Continued…