"Talking"
'Thoughts'
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"Is this what you wanted, Chancellor?" Crowler was clenching his fists in fury as they were watching the ongoing duels from the Principal's office on a TV screen.
"Should I remind you who gave the grade stipulation in the first place?" Shepard ignored his staff member's scowl.
"What do you think?" He eyed the third person in the room, Zane Truesdale.
The older teen watched the dueling with indifference. However those that truly knew him would be able to perceive his hidden distate for what was happening.
"I only hope my brother didn't take the easy way out, Chancellor." He watched as the blue haired boy was slowly and cowardly walking to the duelfield.
"Ah yes, your brother." Crowler started sweating. 'I almost forgot that he had one.'
Chancellor Shepherd smiled with mirth as the Obelisk professor was going through a small mental breakdown.
Meanwhile at the Gymnasium.
'I should've listened to Robert.' Syrus was cutting his opponent's deck under his vicious gaze.
"I'll make use of your hair when I mop the floor with you." Chazz Princeton mocked the boy and almost threw the deck at him.
"Mr. Princeton, you're getting a warning." The nearby judge reprimanded. "Another one and it'll count it as you forfeiting the duel. Am I understood?"
Chazz glared at the uncaring judge. Seeing that he was getting nowhere with his threatening stare he turned back and took his place at the battlefield.
"Get a move on." Chazz shouted at Syrus.
"Okay, okay, okay." Syrus quickly tumbled his way to his corner.
"Hmph, we'll need to beat some courage into him."
Jaden and Alexis turned as they heard the voice of Robert. He looked rather odd with a lollipop in his mouth and a small plastic bag hanging losely from his side.
"Trying to match your delinquent persona, Mr. Cross?" The blonde commented with her brow raised.
"You can call me Robert." He replied with a roguish smile. "Been enjoying my schooling so far?"
"So we have you to thank for this." She replied not impressed. "How can you call yourselves duelists when you resort to such cheap tricks?"
"Didn't see you complaining when your fellow students were acting like total douchebags." Robert narrowed his eyes. "And if you're not able to counter that strategy then maybe the color blue doesn't suit you."
"Guys, there's no need to be so serious." Jaden tried to alleviate the situation.
"I'll have you know I've had the second highest score out of our whole class, Mr. Dead last."
"Could've fooled me." Robert smirked. "I was under the impression that the only criteria for girls getting into the Obelisk dorm was not being a boy."
"Excuse me!"
"You're excused."
While the two were bickering and Jaden was almost brought to tears, Syrus's and Chazz's duel has finally begun.
"Duel!"They both shouted.
Syrus LP 4000
Chazz LP 4000
"I draw." Chazz went first. "I summon Chthonian Soldier (*4 A1200 D1400) in Attack Mode."
An infernal warrior rised from the flames of the netherworld. His cruel malevolent smile sent chills to those watching.
"I'll place 2 cards face down and end my turn." Chazz smirked. "Your move, Shortsticks."
Syrus raised his hand, pausing the game.
"What is it, Mr. Truesdale?" The judge asked.
"I have to ask someone about something not duel releated." The blue haired student meekly said.
"Quit stalling!" Chazz exclaimed. "Some of us have lives."
The judge scrutinized the small teen before giving his answer. "If you ask for help or cheat you'll automatically surrender the duel, is that clear?"
Jaden and Robert watched from the sidelines as Syrus after what seemed nodding took out his PDA. He was making a call.
Robert's device started ringing. He checked the screen only to find it was Syrus. "What is the midget up to now?" He received the call. "What are you doing?"
"If Chazz called me names does that constitute giving him the 'roll call' treatment?" Chazz paled hearing this.
'Shit, I totally forgot about that.' The Obelisk thought to himself.
"It depends." Robert massaged his eyes. "What did he call you?"
"Shortsticks." Syrus said in a earnest voice.
Robert could hear snickering and giggling next to him. Jaden was leaning against the wall of the stands while Alexis was trying to hide her amusement with her hand.
Sighing Robert finally responded to the absurdity of the situation. "I would've called that an astute observation, Mr. Gnome."
Syrus couldn't believe his ears. Apparently neither the judge nor Chazz at that matter as latter started laughing.
"If your strategy was to make me laugh then you've accomplished that, Twerp." Chazz chortled.
'Twerp?' Robert heard that. 'Are we going to steal insults from other franchises now?'
"Come on, that's got to be counted as an insult!?" Syrus started crying.
"For a Roid user you definitely look unassuming." Robert's comment made Jaden crash on the floor, he was rolling in laughter. "Anyway, just remember what I've taught you and you'll be fine." He disconnected the call.
"Good friend you turned out to be." Syrus sniffed. "We can go back to the duel."
The judge cleared his throat. "I won't allow for any more interruptions. You may proceed with the duel."
"Draw!" Syrus looked at his card, it was Heavy Storm. 'If there are backrow then first try to get rid of them.' Syrus quoted Robert in his head.
The teen placed the card on his duel disk. "I play Heavy Storm, getting rid of your backrow." The opponent's backrow was sent to the Graveyard with a squall of wind.
"You're so predictable." Chazz said in wicked glee. "Now I can activate my trap card, Chthonian Battle Call. When this card is destroyed and reaches the Graveyard I can use its effect."
"Oh no, what does it do?" Syrus was petrified. 'Did I make a huge mistake?'
"I can select one level 4 or lower monster on my field with less then 1500 Attack Points. Then I can summon all copies I have of that monster from my deck." Chazz took two cards from his deck and placed them on the duel disk.
Two more Chthonian Soldiers appeared next to the original.
"Oh, I can't forget about the Attack Bonus."
Chthonian Soldiers A1200 -> A1800
"My monsters gain 200 attack for each monster with the same name on the field, permanently. Let's see how you'll deal with this." Chazz sneered.
"Crap baskets, three monsters with 1800 attack in one turn?" Syrus nervously looked into his hand and sighed in relief. "I'll summon Submarineroid (*4 A800 D1800) in Attack Mode."
A small submarine type monster hologrammed itself into existence. Its face was brimming with moxie.
"I'll enter Battle Phase and use my monster's effect to attack you directly." Syrus ordered his monster.
A small torpedo left the Submarineroid's hands and passed under the wall of the opponent's monsters.
"Ugh." Chazz recoiled as the miniature bomb hit him.
Chazz LP 4000 -> 3200
"Because my monster used its effect it has to change into Defense Mode at the end of the Damage Step." The monster dived into the floor, a lone periscope was left standing above the surface.
"I'll then set one card face down and end my turn." Syrus wiped the sweat gathering on his forehead.
"Hmph, my turn. Draw." Chazz clicked his tongue. "You're so lucky I can't get rid of that pest of yours. I end my turn."
Back at the sidelines.
"Sweat. Syrus has him on the ropes." Jaden commented.
"Is that how you see it?" Alexis couldn't understand why the two Slifers weren't worried.
"It seems that Chazz has better luck." Robert tapped his biceps in thought. "Why couldn't he have just listened to me and got rid of those cards?"
"And play a soulless strategy?" Alexis remarked.
'Either that or get consumed by the Shadow Realm.' He ignored her meaningless posturing.
Meanwhile it was Syrus's turn to draw.
"I draw and summon Card Trooper (*3 A400 D400) in Attack Mode. I then activate its effect. By discarding three cards from the top of my deck it gains 500 attack for each one."
Card Trooper A400 -> A1900
"So what? It'll drop back after the end of your turn."
"Maybe so, but I'll get rid of at least one of your monsters. I turn Submarineroid into Attack Mode and hit you directly."
Chazz LP 3200 ->2400
"And I'll continue my assault with Card Trooper. Attack the soldier on the left."
The machine released two beams from its mechanical eyes and pierced through the soldier's armor.
Chazz LP 2400 ->2300
From the small explosion a sword hurled its way towards Syrus. The boy flinched as the weapon cut him.
Syrus LP 4000 -> 3900
"I forgot about that." Syrus hissed in pain.
"And that's why you'll never amount to anything." Chazz jeered. "When my Soldier is destroyed the opponent also gets hit by the same amount of battle damage."
"I end my turn." Syrus watched in trepidation as the Card Trooper's attack returned back to 400.
"My turn, draw." A sneer appeared on the Obelisk's face. "This will signal your doom. I sacrifice one Chthonian soldier and Tribute Summon Mefist the Infernal General (*5 A1800 D1700)."
From the sudden gloomy mist an axe wielding monster on a steed appeared.
"But why?" Syrus was confused. "It has the same attack as the Soldier."
"Oh but I'm not done yet." Chazz placed a spell card on the field. "I activate Axe of Despair. Boosting my monster's attack to 2800."
The General gripped the new weapon and gave it a mighty swing. Nodding in satisfaction it resumed its gaze on the opponent's monster's.
"Let's first get rid of your bucket of rust, Soldier destroy his Card Trooper."
With a swing of a sword the machine monster was cut into scrap metal.
Syrus LP 3900 -> 2500
"Finally its time to waste that nuisance. General attack that tub of bolts with Axe of Damnation!"
With a hammer swing the General crushed the floor where the Submarineroid was supposedly submerged. The small boat couldn't escape the shockwave and was brutally destroyed by the pressure of the attack.
"No, Submarineroid!" The blast pushed the boy to the edge of the battlefield.
"And that's not the end of it." Chazz said. "When the General destroys a monster in Defense Mode it does piercing damage and makes you discard a random card from your hand.
Syrus 2500 -> 1000
Syrus gritted his teeth as his LP fell down and the Raigeki he drew thanks to his Card Trooper's effect was sent to the Graveyard. 'How will I win now?'
"Hmph, a shame I couldn't destroy you entirely this turn." Chazz shrugged his shoulders. "Oh well, it's inevitable anyways. I end my turn."
Their duel was the only one left from their round. The other three Obelisks still lost as none of them were remotely prepared for the nonsensical OTK deck. Because of this the 7 blue students were cheering as Chazz showed the Slifer his place.
"Take him down!"
"Make him regret challenging us Obelisks!"
Meanwhile at the Chancellor's office.
"It seems Mr. Truesdale has found himself in a pickle." The principle frowned.
"As expected from my pupil." Crowler watched in glee as the Obelisk was taking the Slifer by a peg. 'Any more and he'll be too short for the car seat for children.'
Zane stared at the video feed in silence. His face not showing any hint of emotion.
Back at the Gymnasium.
"Face it dweeb, you're nothing but a failure." Chazz smirked as Syrus trembled. "Oh is the little baby scared?" He mocked.
"Shut up..."
"Hmmm, what did you just say?" Anger crept onto the Obelisk face.
"I said, Shut up you worthless background character!"
The whole room went silent after Syrus's roar. Disbelief was on the students faces as they didn't expect the teen to vocalize his anger.
"I've had enough of your useless tripe!" Syrus looked dead center into his opponent's raging eyes. "I'll show the both of you that I'm not a failure, draw!"
"Yeah, he's done for." Robert wished he had popcorn right now.
"Don't you see the field? There's nothing he can do." Alexis let out a sigh. 'And what is Zane going to think about this?"
"Hmph, surprising hearing that from you." Cross smirked. "I could've sworn somebody here was talking about the meaning of the soul in their decks."
The girl huffed.
"That's right. As long as you have the heart of the cards you can't lose." Jaden was pumped by the duel. "Come on Sy!"
Seeing their comrade make a stand the Slifers began their own chants.
"Syrus! Syrus! Syrus!" Every red student, even the seniors, started chanting his name.
"Thank you Guys." The teen watched in tears as they cheered him on. "I won't disappoint my friends."
Without any further doubt he looked at his drawn card. "Great, I activate Pot of Greed, making me draw 2 cards." His lips curled into a bigger smile as he saw what he drew.
"Next I'll activate my Trap card, Call of the Haunted, bringing back my Submarineroid in Attack Mode."
A small coffin crept onto the field from below the stage. As the cover dropped to the side a familiar aquatic vehicle showed its ready for action face.
"All that talk for this?" Chazz asked with viciousness. "
"I didn't ask for your opinion so shove it" Syrus placed a card in the Speel&Trap zone. "I equip my monster with this, Unstable Evolution."
A small round tablet lodged itself to Submarineroid's back. As it shined the monster became three times bigger, overshadowing the opponent's General.
"What's happening!?" Chazz watched as the ballooned up monster was strangely looking at him.
"You didn't know?" Syrus mockingly acted in surprise. "When my LPs are lower then my opponent's my Monster's original attack points becomes 2400."
Submarineroid A800 -> A2400
"But that's more then I have?!" Chazz exclaimed.
"And soon that'll hit 0." Syrus pointed towards the Obelisk. "Sink that overinflated ego of his with Trident Torpedo!"
A valve opened on the submarine's back and steam started shooting out of it. A missile could be seen breaking through the grey cloud.
"That's going to hurt." Robert closed his ears as it hit Chazz.
Boom! The Obelisk landed on his back, meters away from the dueling field. The light on his duel disk flickered out.
Chazz LP 2300 -> 0
Syrus LP 1000
"The duel concluded." The judge announced. "Syrus Truesdale is the winner!"
An explosion of clapping and cheers from the Slifers filled the Gymnasium. While the Obelisk's were brooding in silence the Ra Dorm politely clapped, awarding the unexpected victor.
Jaden ran towards his friend and put him in a headlock.
"That was some duel, Sy." He rubbed his head.
"Stop it, Jaden! You're ruining my blue gold." Syrus tried to escape from his enthusiastic friend.
"That was licious, Syrus." An out off breath Chumley patted the poor boy's back, making him almost fumble on to Robert.
Syrus meekly smiled towards the blond. "I've done my best."
"You're lucky, little man." Cross smirked as he pulled something out of his pocket.
"But it's a win nonetheless, so be proud." He took the badge on Syrus's collar and replaced it with a new one. "You've earned it."
"I did." Syrus turned his sight from the badge back to his smiling friends. "Thank you for believing in me."
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And scene.
Nothing tastes better then a genuine win against all odds.
We're slowly getting our characters fleshed out. After this it's finally time for our Kuriboh to take stage. This and many more plot points soon coming to a site near you.
What do you think about my anime like card for Chazz? Should I continue incorporating fanfic exclusive cards or just phase them out as much as possible? Let me know your thoughts.
Until next time.
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Appreciation corner
Anonymous: Curse you Pharoah!!!! I'll get you back...somehow
Omni Fate Lover: We'll see. Who knows what strategy will come up in the future. However I like your idea as I firstly wanted to give him that deck.
The Duelist of Dawn: I think most people never thought about their win condition. I for sure didn't when I got my first deck fresh from the store, Yugi's original first deck. And in the anime it was obvious they're mostly winging it. Be it by plot reasons or silly one of anime cards nobody heard since.
Keldeox: I'm going to get everyone better. However that takes time. And its realistically impossible to teach 17 or more people in 3 days and expect that they'll each have unique decks or strategies. Not to mention that this also has to have some comedic moments as well (wink).
AdrianEzequielGarrido: Thank you for reading and hopefully the chapters will become much more better with time.
Grek-Mytho: I was thinking maybe combining machina with the roids as there are some concept decks with it. But I'm afraid that then he'll become shelved as a character. I can't just skewer the odds just because he has blue hair.