Yu-Gi-Oh ! GX : Destiny's Dawn

CHAPTER 15

The first duel had just started, a four-way free four all duel between the four duelists and the winner was to advance to the next phase. Because of the order choosing process, the first to go was Konrad.

(Konrad: 4000 LP)

(Hiroto: 4000 LP)

(Benjamin: 4000 LP)

(Axel: 4000 LP)

"Alright, time to start the duel! My turn!" Konrad exclaimed as he drew a card. Instantly, he picked a card from his hand and the extra slot reserved for field spells on the duel disk opened.

"I activate the field spell: A Legendary Ocean!" The red hat boy stated as the arena started to change, with buildings rising up from the ground and a palace with stairs leading into it appeared behind Konrad. The four duelists were also now submerged in water- but thankfully, were not in any risk of drowning.

"Whoah, look at that!" Syrus pointed at the ring, amazed by the sight. "Indeed, you can thank technology for such a spectacle." Bastion spoke.

"Let's see what Konami's new deck can do." Jaden said with a smile.

Konrad was still not done yet, "Next, I summon Giga Gagagigo in attack mode!" A large green reptilian wearing armor leapt from the palace behind Konrad and landed next to him. With a deep growl it signaled that it was ready for battle- And thanks to its monstrous attack points which was boosted by the field, few monsters could rival it. (ATK/ 2650 | DEF/ 1700)

The other duelists were certainly and understandably surprised by this. "What is this?!" Hiroto demanded, "You summoned a powerful monster like that without a tribute? What have you done, Konrad Amirian?!"

Konrad chuckled as he did the usual gesture for rubbing his finger under his nose. "Surprised? My deck is a lot more powerful and stronger than before. And this is just one part of what it can do!" He happily exclaimed, "Thanks to A Legendary Ocean, all WATER-monster cards in our hands have their levels decreased by one. But since I'm the only one who has a water deck here, I'm the only one who benefits from this effect."

"Not bad, at all." Axel nodded, "Preparation is half of the battle. But I wouldn't be so cocky if I were you. You have no idea of what abilities our decks possess."

Konrad admitted Axel was right- But he wasn't going to let that fact drag him down. "Next, I'll set a card face down and end my turn." A face down card appeared and Konrad ended his turn, there was not much to do on the first turn anyways.

The turn was now Hiroto's, who drew a card. "Don't act high and mighty- I'll be happy to humble you down, slacker," Hiroto exclaimed. "Fusilier Dragon, The Dual-Mode beast to the field, NOW!" Hiroto said of what could be described as the sound of a tank marching towards the battlefield was heard and soon enough, a metallic dragon with two rockets strapped to its shoulders had appeared, screeching loudly. (ATK/ 1400 | DEF/ 1000)

"Huh? Now why would he summon a monster like that?" Alexis asked, confused, "It's not strong enough to beat the other monster- Then again, I'm hoping the guy will be nice and work together."

"I hope too, Alexis." Zane said, observing the duel while the others were quiet. "Next, I'll throw down a couple of face-downs and call it a turn." The ra yellow added, with three face down cards appearing.

"Are you finally done? I was starting to become increasingly bored." Benjamin stated. He then looked at Konrad's side, "Let's see if you truly have gotten stronger as you claimed- I told you I wouldn't show mercy next time we met." Benjamin stated as he summoned an old favorite- Marauding Captain to the field. (ATK/ 1200 | DEF/ 400)

Seeing the captain, Konrad was visited by unpleasant memories, "Ack, it's this guy again!" He muttered.

"You know what the Captain can do," Benjamin said, "But for the unaware, when he is summoned to the field: I am allowed to special summon one level four or lower monster from my hand."

Next to Marauding Captain, a knight in shinning armor appeared, with a sword in hand and a shield in the other. "Blade Knight in attack mode." Benjamin stated. (ATK/ 1600 | DEF/ 1000)

"I see, this one has a warrior-type deck," Adrian Gecko said whilst adjusting his glasses, he then took a more careful look at Benjamin, "And if I am not mistaken, this one is his apprentice. The student of one of the greatest duelists in the world."

"Huh? Really?" Jesse asked Adrian, curious, "Man, we've got some pretty big shots in this tourney, eh. I'm glad I signed up for this!"

Returning to the duel, Benjamin played two spell cards. "The A. Forces," He said, "For each Warrior or Spellcaster that I control, my monsters gain two hundred extra attack points."

With Blade Knight and Marauding Captain on the field, this meant a boost of 400 ATK. The two warriors were surrounded by a fiery aura that showed their growth.

Marauding Captain: (ATK/ 1200 → 1600 | DEF/ 400)

Blade Knight: (ATK/ 1600 → 2000 | DEF/ 1000)

"But that's not all- I still have another card, and the bane of your deck's existence," Benjamin told Konrad, "Blade Knight will be outfitted with the convenient sword to slay your monster! For I activate Lightning Blade!"

Dark clouds swirled above where the duelists stood, all looked above, some in awe, some horrified and some indifferent. Blade Knight sheathed his sword and raised his open hand as a lightning bolt struck his palm. A sword was formed, surrounded by electricity. From the tip of it an electric bolt zapped Giga Gagagigo, causing the monster to roar in pain and its attack points decreased. (ATK/ 2650 → 2150 | DEF/ 1700)

"What?! What happened to him?!" Konrad asked, shocked. "It's simple, Konrad Amirian. Lightning Blade decreases the attack of all WATER monsters by five hundred attack points; thus, it severely weakens your deck. And…it also grants Warriors equipped a hefty boost of eight hundred points." And it was no lie for Blade Knight's already boosted attack was even more increased to a mighty twenty-eight hundred attack points. (ATK/ 2000 → 2800 | DEF/ 1000)

"Crikey! What a hairy situation to be in," Jim said, "He turned the whole thing upside down, don't ya think, Shirley?" He turned to the crocodile strapped on his back. "This guy seriously has a crocodile on his back and talks to it?" Chazz asked in disbelief.

Blade Knight ran towards Giga Gagagigo and slashed his sword at it, splitting it in half and destroying it. Curiously enough, Konrad's life points didn't drop a lick.

"Sorry, but I'm not going to be defeated as quickly as last time!" Konrad said with a confident smirk, with his face down card revealed, the trap card Tornado Wall. "As long as Umi is on the field, any battle damage I would take is turned to zero. Thankfully, A Legendary Ocean is treated as Umi, Always!"

"Impressive," Benjamin said, with a soft smile, "You are much better than before, I will admit, but is it enough? In any case, now that attacking you will yield no effort; I turn to you-" Benjamin shifted his attention towards Hiroto, "You who has been running his mouth since the beginning, I'll see if your acts are grander than your claims."

"Hoho! Is that a challenge?" Hiroto asked, amused, "Well then, come at me! I'll stomp you all the same!"

Benjamin swung his arm, "Marauding Captain, attack his monster!" He ordered as Marauding Captain clutched his sword with both hands and ran towards Fusillier Dragon. With the way the situation looked, Marauding Captain was going to win this battle. However…

"Fool! You fell into my trap!" Hiroto grinned, "Reveal face-down card, SKILL DRAIN!"

"Skill Drain?! I see." Bastion spoke, "No wonder he played a monster like that."

"You know about it, Bastion?" Jaden asked him, Bastion nodded as a response. "Skill Drain is a very useful card when played right. With it, the duel might very well shift into Hiroto's favor."

"Let me explain what Skill Drain does, Knight boy," Hiroto told Benjamin, "By giving up a thousand life points, All effects of face-up monsters on the field are negated! But that's not the most interesting part." He wagged his finger around, "No, what's more interesting is that now any effect is negated- My fusilier dragon has its original stats restored!"

(Hiroto: 4000 → 3000 LP)

Fusilier Dragon let out a screech as it had its restricting effect negated, and found its attack and defense doubled. (ATK/ 1400 → 2800 | DEF/ 1000 → 2000)

Benjamin frowned at this. Fusilier Dragon would fire one of its rockets and destroyed Marauding Captain, with Benjamin's life points dropping.

(Benjamin: 4000 → 2800 LP)

Hiroto laughed and pointed at Benjamin, "How did you like that, Huh?! Thought of me an easy prey, and it came you to bite in the ass! Oh, and by the way, now that your captain's gone: Your monster is getting weaker!" He said, referring to Blade Knight. (ATK/ 2800 → 2600 | DEF/ 1000)

"Hmph, not bad, too. But I'll shut that mouth soon enough." Benjamin said while setting a face-down card.

"This is one vicious duel," Chumley commented, gulping, "I think I'm happy I'm not up here."

"Same, Chum. Same." Syrus sighed. "You guys are kidding, right? This is awesome! I honestly wish I was up there with them right now!" Jaden stated.

"Pretty strong…But none of them would beat my big bro in a duel. Not in ten years." Mokuba told himself. Axel breathed in deeply as he drew a card, and all eyes were on him now. Out of the four, he was the most enigmatic.

"If all of you are done, then allow me to take over," Axel said, "I activate Blaze Accelerator!" He said as a sentry gun surrounded by flames appeared. "When it's out on the field, I can target a monster my opponent controls. Then, by sending a pyro-monster that five hundred attack points or less from my hand to the graveyard, I can destroy the target." Axel explained while picking two cards.

"I choose Volcanic Shell, and Volcanic Rat as the cards to send to the graveyard." Axel stated, revealing his cards before sending them to the GY. The two monsters appeared, one was a rat, the other some sort of strange critter that only had a mouth.

They turned into fireballs and entered Blaze Accelerator, all while the other three duelists looked confused. Their confusion didn't last long as the sentry gun aimed at both Benjamin's and Hiroto's and destroyed them.

"What the hell…" Hiroto said, saying a part of a sentence. "…happened?" Benjamin continued.

"H-He just destroyed both of their monsters like that?" Alexis went, shocked. "Axel Brodie…Yeah, I've heard of this guy," Zane went, "He's the best duelist West Academy has to offer."

Axel continued his turn by summoning a giant version of Volcanic Shell- Volcanic Slicer. (ATK/ 1800 | DEF/ 1200)

"Unfortunately, because of Skill Drain I can't activate Volcanic Slicer's effect." Axel added, "And also since I used Blaze Accelerator, I also can't declare an attack. You three got off easily."

(Y-You've already done enough in a turn, buddy…) Konrad thought, gulping. He then glanced at Hiroto, (Darn it, he's not doing a good job of helping me, is he? His trap card hinders my deck… Not that I expected him to help. But I'm not going to let him win, too! And this guy- I have to beat him.) He looked at Benjamin, before drawing a card.

"By removing from play the Giga Gagagigo in my graveyard- I special summon Aqua Spirit!" Konrad exclaimed as a green-skinned blue-haired girl wearing a white gown and having what looked like fish fins as ears appeared. "And since it's a special summon, I still have a normal summon! so go- Sea Serpent of Darkness!" He added as he summoned another monster- A knight from the deep sea armed with a trident. Both monsters benefitted from an increase in attack and defense thanks to the field.

Aqua Spirit: (ATK/ 1600 → 1800 | DEF/ 1200 → 1400)

Sea Serpent of Darkness: (ATK/ 1800 → 2000 | DEF/ 1500 → 1700)

"Heck yeah, Konami's back in the game," Jaden pumped his arm in the air. "Show them who's boss!"

"Konrad has so many possibilities," Bastion spoke, "Who will he strike? Which opponent will it be most advantageous for him to attack?...He has to choose wisely."

Looking around, Konrad would decide who to strike. (As much as I want to attack Hiroto- It would be best if either I or him won this duel,) Konrad pondered, (Then, I'll just have to attack the other two!)

"Sea Serpent of Darkness, attack Volcanic Slicer!" Konrad shouted. Axel simply narrowed his eyes as Konrad's monster approached his and with its weapon, destroyed the Volcanic beast.

(Axel: 4000 → 3800 LP)

Konrad then pointed at Benjamin, "Aqua Spirit, attack Benjamin directly!" He ordered as Aqua Spirit began to conjure a water ball. "Not so fast! I activate Call of the Haunted!" Benjamin said, revealing his face-down card. "I resurrect Blade Knight in attack mode!" Blade Knight emerged from the ground, striking a pose. "Don't forget A. Forces: With it, Blade Knight gets more powerful."

Blade Knight: (ATK/ 1600 → 1800 | DEF/ 1000)

"Grk! Darn it." Konrad went. "Then, I'll just end my turn. It's not worth to destroy my monster and yours." He simply said, before glancing at Hiroto as if asking for back up.

Hiroto drew a card and looked at it. "I summon Chainsaw Insect!" He said, with a large-sized insect that had chainsaws as its pincers appeared. (ATK/ 2400 | DEF/ 0)

"Normally, when Chainsaw Insect attacks- Or is attacked, you get to draw a card," Hiroto explained, clenching his hand into a fist, "However! Because of Skill Drain, that effect is negated thus I won't have to worry about any of you drawing more cards than needed!"

"Good going!" Konrad said, chuckling. Unfortunately for him, Hiroto had other projects in mind. "What are you laughing about, I wonder?" Hiroto asked, "Chainsaw Insect, attack his Aqua Spirit!"

Konrad's eyes widened at what he heard. Even Axel and Benjamin found it strange and were stunned. "W-Wait, what-" Konrad spoke before he was interrupted by the sound of his monsters getting destroyed. Thankfully, thanks to his Tornado Wall trap, he did not lose any life points. "Tsk, this trap card of yours is annoying." Hiroto arrogantly said.

"Why did you do that?!" Konrad asked him, "We were supposed to help each other! So that Duel Academy could win!"

Hiroto grumbled, "Help? Why, did you ask me to help you in the first place?" Hiroto questioned, "And even if you did, I would refuse. I don't need your pitiful aid! This is a free-for-all battle; It's every man for himself! By teaming up- You spit on this battle, spit on what it stands for and render it worthless! And besides…" Hiroto's tone got a lot more dangerous. "The future King of Games shouldn't need help."

"Y-You can't be serious!" Was all Konrad had to say. "Hahahah! What a guy!" Chazz laughed, pointing at him, "Seriously! How stupid could that dork be?"

"That's it, I'm knocking his lights out after this duel!" Alexis grimaced, she meant what she said. "Tsk, fool…" Zane muttered, a sweat running down his face and he gulped.

"Aww man, I was scared this would happen." Syrus lamented, "Seriously, can't he just help out this once?" Chumley asked. "I expected this would happen, but still…this is altogether a foolish move." Bastion noted.

Jaden was quiet, "I get where he's coming from, but this honestly isn't the time for that. He just blew our chances of winning and saving Duel Academy up." He then spoke.

"You make some excellent points," Benjamin told Hiroto, "Unfortunately, what you have done really is the epitome of foolishness and stupidity! You'll regret not helping your friend."

What Benjamin said struck one of Hiroto's nerves, "He's not my friend! And besides, shut up and play! Let's see you try to get out of this!" The ra yellow yelled.

Benjamin scoffed and drew a card. "I activate Pot of Greed; I draw two more cards." Benjamin said, drawing two more cards. "Next, I use Brain Control! I pay eight hundred life points, then, I take control of one of your monsters. The one I choose is your insect." He pointed at Chainsaw Insect.

(Benjamin: 2800 → 2000 LP)

"No!" Hiroto extended his arm but alas, no matter what he did he found his Chainsaw Insect going over to Benjamin's field. It didn't last long as it vanished in a particle of light.

"I summon forth a warrior who has been at the heart of many life-or-death battles, Freed, the matchless General!" Benjamin proudly exclaimed as a long blonde-haired mustached warrior appeared, holding a beautiful greatsword. (ATK/ 2300 | DEF/ 1700)

Benjamin clenched his hand into a fist. "Furthermore! Because of A. Forces, both of my monsters' prowess in combat grows."

Freed the matchless General: (ATK/ 2300 → 2700 | DEF/ 1700)

Blade Knight: (ATK/ 1800 → 2000 | DEF/ 1000)

"No way!" Hiroto grit his teeth and took a step backwards, this wasn't looking good. "You have fought well, and your deck is troublesome. But most importantly, it was your misplaced pride that have cost you victory. I attack you with both my monsters for game!" Benjamin said as Freed and Blade Knight were ready to strike Hiroto.

"Don't think I'm done yet!" Hiroto went, "Negate Attack! Your battle phase ends and no harm will come to me!" A mighty hurricane emerged from behind him and pushed away Benjamin's monsters. "Tsk, you only delay the inevitable." Benjamin stated.

Axel cracked his neck, "Okay, time to get serious." Axel would draw a card. "Volcanic Shell's effect activates. Since it's in my graveyard, I can pay five hundred LP to add another Volcanic Shell from my deck to hand," Axel searched his deck and picked a card.

(Axel: 3800 → 3300 LP)

"First, I activate the effect of my Blaze Accelerator, I send the Volcanic Shell I just got to destroy a monster- My choice is Freed the general." Axel said as another Volcanic Shell appeared to turn into a fireball which entered the sentry gun and fired at Freed, destroying him.

"Smart choice- If it wasn't for Skill Drain, your spell card would have been destroyed," Benjamin told Axel, "Part of Freed's effect."

"Thank you. And speaking of," Axel was not done yet, "Next, I activate Volcanic Cyclone! I can send any number of Pyro-Type monsters from my hand to the graveyard and I get to select an equal number of Spell and Trap cards that my opponent controls." Raising two cards, Axel sent them to the graveyard, "And I choose your cards, Hiroto. That trap of yours needs to go."

Hiroto's two cards, Skill Drain and his face down card, were destroyed. "It's come to this, huh…you're all teaming up against me now?!" He shouted.

"That's just what you think. But I don't team up with anyone," Axel replied. "It just so happens that right now, you are the biggest threat. I'll end my turn by setting a face down card- Then summoning Volcanic Blaster in defense mode." Axel said, he would first set a card, then summon what looked like to be a two-legged green machine. (ATK/ 1200 | DEF/ 600)

"Oh, and due to Volcanic Cyclone's effect, I draw two cards; The same amount of cards I discarded earlier." Axel said, drawing two cards. This was a truly vivid duel.


Author's note:

Merry christmas to all of you! I hope you are enjoying the day even in these trying times. I'd like to say I have a blast writing this duel and expect the next chapters to be like this.

That being said, the story will also take longer to update as school just started again, but despite that, I'll still try my best to update it as frequently as I can. As usual, Read and Review and I'll see you guys next chapter.