Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 27; Round 1! Insects & Dragons ( Chapter 27 )

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, I hope you enjoyed the revisions.

 

Note: Don't look at the chapter like that, it's very difficult coming up with creative chapter titles, this is all I had left…

 

Battle Stage 27: Round 1! Insects & Dragons

 

The entire arena, including his friends watched Yuugi as he stared down the world champion Phoenix. They were waiting for his response to the challenge levelled at him by the King of Extreme.

 

His answer was as simple as a nod, but it sent the crowd into a frenzy. Yuugi walked out into the corridor surrounding the main stadium followed by his friends. Jyoonouchi turned to Yuugi once they were clear of the noise, “Are you sure that was a good idea?”

 

Yuugi shrugged, “Probably not, but I never back down from a challenge.”

 

“Except that time in Battle City…” Kaiba muttered.

 

“Seto…” Mai whispered admonishingly.

 

There were extenuating circumstances…”

 

“If you say so…” Kaiba responded turning away, Yuugi shook his head, at that moment another voice spoke, “We have to sign up.”

 

They turned to Amy, “Sign up?” Yuugi inquired.

 

Amy nodded, “Teams tournaments require the participants to sign up before the competition begins.”

 

The group made their way to the sign in desk, led by Amy, a woman sat typing at the desk looked up as they approached, “Team Mutou?”

 

“Team Mutou…” Jou muttered, Serenity elbowed him in the ribs.

 

“That's right.” Yuugi confirmed.

 

The woman turned around and picked up a group of four boxes, “These will replace your duel disks.” The woman explained opening one of the boxes, inside was a charcoal black duel disk, Kaiba picked up the duel disk turning it over in his hands.

 

“Why do we use these rather than a regular duel disk?” Serenity asked.

 

“Because our duel disks have a tracking chip embedded, if the signal is cut off the duel disks cease to function.” Kaiba explained.

 

“How do you know?”

 

“Who do you think designed the system or owned the satellite…” Kaiba muttered.

 

“I don't need one, I brought my own.” Yuugi reported pulling a black duel disk from his bag.

 

“Where did you get that?” Anzu asked warily.

 

“Don't ask Anzu, it's a long story.” Yuugi responded putting the duel disk on his arm, “Let's go.”

 

Yuugi led the group back to the main arena where set up for the tournament was about complete. The commentators had settled back in, “Our first match will pit a member of Team Mutou against a member of Team Gears.”

 

“Team Gears has been trying to make a name for themselves in recent months, with limited success. Only one championship to its name so far, the World Tag Team Titles, which they only held for a week, still it should be an interesting match up.”

 

The announcer re-appeared in the centre of the arena, “The first match in the King of Duellists Tournament is about to begin, introducing first from Seattle, Washington Team Gears member James Mitchell!”

 

The Team Gears theme Afraid by Nelly Futardo played out of the speakers as a tall blonde in mechanics overalls made his way to the arena.

 

“His opponent, from Domino, Japan, Seto Kaiba!”

 

Kaiba stepped out onto the stage as Learn to Hate by Silverchair played out over the speakers. An angry buzz filled the stadium, thousands of pairs of angry eyes focused hate on Seto's shoulders, which he ignored, he was used to being hated.

 

“The dragon king, at one time considered the best player in Magic and Wizards as it was known then. He's ranked second in the world in duel monsters, to Yuugi Mutou.”

 

“I have to be honest Walker, I don't like it but I don't think Mitchell has a chance, Seto Kaiba is formidable and Mitchell is, inexperience to put it kindly.”

 

“Indeed, the bets are in, the blue or standard match is about to begin.”

 

The announcer re-appeared, “Seto Kaiba has won the toss, Let's Duel!”

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 8000

James Mitchell LP: 8000

 

::Seto::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Kaiser Sea Horse (Light/Sea Serpent/Effect/4 ATK/1700 DEF/1650) in attack mode;

 

2. I play two cards face down.”

 

::Mitchell::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I summon Neo Bug (Earth/Insect/4 ATK/1800 DEF/1700) in attack mode;

 

2. I play two cards face down.”

 

::Kaiba::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I sacrifice Kaiser Sea Horse using its special ability to use it as a double sacrifice;

 

2. To summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon (Light/Dragon/8 ATK/3000 DEF/2500) in attack mode;

 

3. Blue-Eyes attack!”

 

“Not this turn, Shadow Spell (Continuous/Trap) reduces your monsters attack seven hundred points (ATK/2300) and stops it from attacking or changing battle positions until one or the other is destroyed.”

 

Blue-Eyes White Dragon's attack destroyed Neo Bug.

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 8000

James Mitchell LP: 7600

 

“A decisive move on the part of Seto Kaiba that cost him.” Walker lamented.

 

“It's always a risk when you attack with cards face down, but it's a risk you have to take before your opponent unleashes something nastier on you.” Morgan added.

 

::Mitchell::

 

“I draw;

 

1. Insect Knight (Earth/Insect/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

2. Horn of the Unicorn (Equip/Spell) increases Insect Knight's attack and defence seven hundred points (ATK/2600 DEF/2200);

 

3. Insect Knight attack!”

 

Insect Knight's attack destroyed Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

 

Seto Kaiba LP: 7700

James Mitchell LP: 7600

 

::Seto::

 

“A minor set back, I draw;

 

1. I play White Dragon Ritual (Ritual/Spell);

 

2. And send Divine Dragon of Ragnarok (Light/Dragon/4 ATK/1500 DEF/1200) from my hand;

 

3. To summon Paladin of White Dragon (Light/Dragon/Ritual/Effect/4 ATK/1900 DEF/1200) in attack mode;

 

4. I add Ritual Weapon (Ritual/Spell) to increase Paladin of White Dragon's attack and defence fifteen hundred points (ATK/3400 DEF/2700);

 

5. ATTACK!”

 

“Ha, Dimension Wall (Trap) activates when you attack, the damage done to me will be done to you instead.”

 

The Paladin's attack re-bounded back onto Kaiba. Blood stained his shirt, but the only sign Kaiba gave of his pain was a clenched fist, his eyes locked with Mitchell's.

 

Paladin of White Dragon's attack destroyed Insect Knight.

 

James Mitchell LP: 7600

Seto Kaiba LP: 6900

 

::Mitchell::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Cost Down (Spell) and send a card from my hand to the graveyard to downgrade all monsters in my hand two levels;

 

2. I play Monster reborn to revive Neo Bug from my graveyard;

 

3. I sacrifice Neo Bug to summon Metal Armoured Bug (Earth/Insect/8 ATK/2800 DEF/1500) in attack mode;

 

4. I send Neo Bug and Insect Knight from my graveyard to summon Devildozer (Earth/Insect/Effect/8 ATK/2800 DEF/2600) in attack mode;

 

5. I add United We Stand (Equip/Spell) to increase Metal Armoured Bug's attack and defence eight hundred points for every monster on my side of the field (ATK/4400 DEF/3100);

 

6. Metal Armoured Bug attack Paladin of White Dragon;

 

7. Devildozer attack!”

 

Metal Armoured Bug's attack destroyed Paladin of White Dragon; Devildozer's attack inflicted 2800 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

James Mitchell LP: 7600

Seto Kaiba LP: 3100

 

“Oh! Seto Kaiba goes down hard, this must be humbling.”

 

“You're not kidding, this is the kid who's humbled the top players in the world at one time or another. To have that turned around onto him would be humiliating, I think the dragon's finally lost his edge.”

 

In the locker room Anzu, Amy and Mai turned to Yuugi who sat against the lockers watching, “Yuugi?”

 

Yuugi turned his head from the match to the source of the voice, “Mai?”

 

“Do you have anything to say?”

 

“Seto will be fine, I think…”

 

“That's resounding…” Jou shot sarcastically, Yuugi chose to ignore him for the moment and finish his comment, “The only person that can help Seto Kaiba right now, is Seto Kaiba, he needs to find his groove and find it quickly.”

 

Back in the arena Seto Kaiba struggled for breath finding himself struggling to accept his situation, `I can't lose, I'm Seto Kaiba, I won't lose to this half witted novice, not with Mai watching.'

 

::Seto::

 

“I draw;

 

1. I play Lord of Dragons (Dark/Spellcaster/Effect/4 ATK/1200 DEF/1100) in attack mode;

 

2. I also play Flute of Summoning Dragon (Spell) to summon two Blue-Eyes White Dragon's (Light/Dragon/8 ATK/3000 DEF/2500) in attack mode;

 

3. Dragon Mirror (Spell) removes the Blue-Eyes White Dragons from my side of the field and graveyard from play;

 

4. Allowing me to summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon (Light/Dragon/Fusion/12 ATK/4500 DEF/3800) in attack mode;

 

5. I activate Collected Power (Trap) and Lightening Vortex (Spell);

 

6. Collected Power (Trap) puts all compatible Equip/Spell cards onto my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon (ATK/6100 DEF/5400);

 

7. And by discarding one card from my hand Lightening Vortex (Spell) destroys your Devildozer;

 

8. Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon attack;

 

9. Lord of Dragons attack!”

 

Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's attack destroyed Metal Armoured Bug; Lord of Dragons inflicted 1200 points of direct damage to the opponent.

 

James Mitchell LP: 3200

Seto Kaiba LP: 3100

 

Mitchell was thrown against the lexan that surrounded the arena, Kaiba smirked reading the fear on Mitchell's face as Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon loomed over him. Mitchell's hand shook reaching for his deck, “I surrender, I s-surrender!”

 

The announcer re-appeared raising Kaiba's hand, “Your winner via forfeit, Seto Kaiba!”

 

The crowd booed as Mitchell made his escape and Kaiba left the stage, smiling. The camera returned to the commentary desk, Morgan looked incensed, “That was pathetic, Mitchell should grow some balls before returning to this arena.”

 

“Absolutely, in our next match Team Gears will face Team Wolfe, if Team Gears loses this match they'll be out!”

 

As the commentary continued over the speakers Seto Kaiba returned to the locker room, embracing Mai as he entered. He stopped just short of Yuugi who balanced his comments carefully, “Not bad, you found your groove again.”

 

“That's it?”

 

“That's it.” Yuugi confirmed meeting Kaiba's eyes.

 

Kaiba snorted and smiled walking with Mai to a secluded section of the locker room. As Yuugi absently shuffled his cards with one hand Anzu wandered over looking perplexed, “Yuugi did you see where Amy went?”

 

Yuugi shrugged turning his head back to the monitor to watch the match that was about begin, he heard Anzu groan in frustration and storm off.

 

Meanwhile in another section of the arena the Phoenix sat in a tall leather chair reading. Sound drew his attention from the book, standing he heard a body fall to the ground. Seconds later the door opened, the second guard falling through the opening onto the floor, Amy Dunn was standing in the entrance her arms crossed. Phoenix sighed resuming his seat. “Did you know that Tolkien studied languages at University?”

 

Amy entered the room throwing the guard out closing the door behind her, “I believe you told me that, why?”

 

Phoenix turned the page, “Knowing that do you think he had editors when he wrote the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings?”

 

Amy moved to the small bar picking up a container of liquid removing the lid to have a sniff, she smiled, “Writers make mistakes, you need someone to pick up on it. Napoleon brandy, you never change James.”

 

“Nor do you Amy.” He replied, “How have you been?”

 

“How have I been? That's what you say, you disappeared for twenty months and that's all you have to say?”

 

James moved to the bar pouring himself a brandy, “What would you like to hear Amy?”

 

“I want to hear you apologise!”

 

“For what?” James asked turning around.

 

“For disappearing, for shutting me out, his death affected me as well!”

 

James dropped his gaze for a moment, “Yes… he admired you, he adored you actually.”

 

Amy crossed her arms, shifting her weight, “I didn't know that… he was always such a little shit.”

 

James chuckled bitterly activating the lighter to warm the brandy, Amy watched for a moment before speaking again, “Are you here to kill Yuugi?”

 

James closed the lighter bringing the brandy to his lips, “If I was, would you stop me?”

 

Amy fell silent as James sipped his brandy only speaking again after a long interval, “It won't bring him back…”

 

“I know that… but I can't know peace until one of us is dead, that's all that matters now.”

 

Amy moved to the door, “If that's what you believe, I don't know you anymore…” She replied leaving the room.

 

James sighed sitting down with his book, “My dear, I doubt you ever knew me at all.”

 

As Amy returned to the Team Mutou locker room the group were watching the resolution of the match between members of Team Gears and Team Wolfe. Jou looked up as Amy entered the room, “Where have you been?”

 

Amy embraced and kissed Anzu before responding, “I had to go see someone.”

 

Jou shook his head as the speakers came to life, “Yuugi Mutou please report to the stage your match is next.”

 

Yuugi stood turning to the others, “Wish me luck?”

 

To Be Continued…