The Triple Threat (Part 1)

           “Attention Duelists, the next round of the KC World Cup!” said Roland. All participants, please report to the large room so we can prepare the next match up! Selector start! The balls bounce around and one rolls out. Our first Duelist in the Semi Finals is Alexis Rhodes!

          “Roland, activate the selector again!” said Kaiba.

          “Yes, Mr. Kaiba,” said Roland. Selector begin again! The balls bounce around once more and another ball rolls out. The next match up has been announced! Alexis Rhodes will face Kagemaru in the next round! Everyone, please report to the top of the blimp! A few minutes later... Alexis Rhodes, Kagemaru, prepare your Decks!

          “I’ll begin this Duel with Pot of Greed (Info), giving me 2 cards,” said Kagemaru. Then, I set 3 cards face-down and end my turn (Hand: 4 cards)

          “I play Etoile Cyber (Info) (1200 ATK) in Attack Mode,” said Alexis. Etoile Cyber, direct attack! Oh and when she attacks you directly, she gets 500 more ATK! Etoile Cyber’s ATK rises to 1700.

          “I activate my Ultimate Offering (Info), Spellbinding Circle (Info), and Chain Burst (Info) Trap Cards!” said Kagemaru. Ultimate Offering allows us to pay 500 points and Summon or set additional monsters. Spellbinding Circle stops your Cyber’s attack and Chain Burst inflicts 1000 damage to the player who activates a Trap Card.

          “I set 1 card face-down and end my turn,” said Alexis. Etoile Cyber’s ATK returns to 1200. (Hand: 4 cards)

          “I send my 3 Trap Cards to my Graveyard for Uria, Lord of Searing Flames (Info) (0 ATK) in Attack Mode,” said Kagemaru.

          “Why would you Summon a monster with no ATK, much less one with less ATK than mine?” asked Alexis.

          “Uria has a special effect,” said Kagemaru. For every Continuous Trap Card in my Graveyard, he gets 1000 ATK. Uria’s ATK rises to 3000. Uria, attack Etoile Cyber!

          “I activate Hallowed Life Barrier (Info), which by tossing out 1 card, I don’t take damage this turn,” said Alexis. Etoile Cyber is still destroyed.

          “You still take 1000 damage for using Hallowed Life Barrier thanks to Chain Burst!” said Kagemaru. Alexis’ LP drops to 7000. That ends my turn. (Hand: 4 cards)

          “I play Cyber Gymnast (Info) (800 ATK) in Attack Mode,” said Alexis.

          “Looks like you want to lose the Duel,” said Kagemaru.

          “Not exactly for I use her special effect, tossing out Cyber Angel Dakini,” said Alexis. Now your Uria is destroyed! Uria is destroyed. Cyber Gymnast, attack directly! Kagemaru’s LP drops to 7200. Next, I set 1 card and end my turn. (Hand: 2 cards)

          “I play Spell Economics (Info), Spell Absorption (Info), and Level Limit Area - B (Info),” said Kagemaru. Next, I send my Spell Cards to my Graveyard to Summon Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder (Info) (4000 ATK) in Attack Mode. Hamon, destroy Cyber Gymnast! Cyber Gymnast is destroyed and Alexis’ LP drops to 3800. Hamon’s effect now activates, dealing you 1000 damage when it destroys a monster in battle. Alexis’ LP drops to 2800. That ends my turn. (Hand: 1 card)

          “I play Pot of Greed (Info), giving me 2 cards,” said Alexis. Next, I play Machine Angel Ritual (Info), discarding Cyber Angel Benten and Cyber Petit Angel to Summon Cyber Angel Dakini (Info) (2700 ATK) in Attack Mode.

          “My monster still has more points,” said Kagemaru.

          “Doesn’t matter for my monster’s effect activates, forcing you to destroy 1 of your own monsters,” said Alexis. Looks like you only have one. Oh well. Hamon is destroyed. Cyber Angel Benten, attack Kagemaru directly! Kagemaru’s LP drops to 4500. That ends my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

          “I set 2 cards face-down and end my turn,” said Kagemaru. (Hand: 1 card)

          “Cyber Angel Benten, attack directly! Kagemaru’s LP drops to 1800. That ends my turn. (Hand: 1 card)

          “I activate my face-down cards, Statue of the Wicked, giving me 3 Fiend-Type Tokens!

TO BE CONTINUED...

The Paths of Destiny (Part 4)

The Paths of Destiny (Part 3)

Previously...

          “I Summon Spear Dragon (1900 ATK) in Attack Mode,” said Kaiba. Spear Dragon, attack his Doom Lord! *Doom Lord is not destroyed.* Your LP aren’t safe thanks to Spear Dragon’s effect for he deals damage to you equal to the difference in his ATK and Doom Lord’s DEF.

          “I don’t think so,” said Aster. As long as Clock Tower Prison has 4 Clock Counters on it, I’ll never take any Battle Damage.

          “I use Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Clock Tower!” said Kaiba. *Clock Tower Prison is destroyed.*

          “Thank you. Now I can Summon another Destiny Hero to my field,” said Aster. Thanks to Clock Tower’s other effect, if it’s destroyed with 4 Clock Counters on it, I can now Summon Destiny Hero - Dreadmaster (? ATK) in Attack Mode. Dreadmaster’s effect now activates, destroying all Destiny Hero monsters I control but there aren’t any and he also lets me bring back Double Dude and Diamond Dude to my field. As an added bonus, his ATK and DEF equal Diamond Dude and Double Dude’s combined ATK! *Dreadmaster’s ATK rises to 2400.*

          “Big deal, he’s no match for my Ultimate Dragon,” said Kaiba. My Spear Dragon now switches to Defense Mode and I also switch Vorse Raider to Defense Mode and end my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

          “I play another Field Spell, Dark City, boosting the ATK of a Destiny Hero monster that attacks a monster with more ATK,” said Aster. Dreadmaster, destroy Vorse Raider!

          “I activate Shrink, which halves your monster’s ATK for one turn!” said Kaiba. *Dreadmaster’s ATK drops to 1200 then rises to 2200 by Dark City’s effect and Vorse Raider is destroyed.*

          “I end my turn,” said Aster. (Hand: 0 cards) No one hides from destiny!

          “I Tribute Spear Dragon for Luster Dragon #2 (Info) (2400 ATK) in Attack Mode,” said Kaiba. That ends my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

          “My move,” said Aster. Now, I Tribute my 3 monsters for the one and only Destiny Hero - Plasma (Info) (1900 ATK) in Attack Mode.

          “All that for a 1900 ATK monster?” asked Kaiba. How pathetic.

          “Have you heard of his special effect?” asked Aster. What he does is allow me to equip him with one of your monsters and he gains half of that monster’s ATK and every one of that monster’s effects. So I’ll take your Ultimate Dragon! Plasma’s ATK rises to 4150. Destiny Hero Plasma, destroy Luster Dragon #2!

          “You’ve triggered my Trap Card, Shadow Spell (Info),” said Kaiba. Your monster loses 700 ATK and is forbidden to change Modes. Plasma’s ATK drops to 3450.

          “I end my turn,” said Aster. (Hand: 0 cards)

         “Time to finish you off!” said Kaiba. I remove my Blue-Eyes and my Vorse Raider from play to Summon a monster that will take your monster down despite having less ATK!

TO BE CONTINUED...

The Paths of Destiny (Part 2)

Previously...

         “I play the Field Spell Mausoleum of the Emperor,” said Aster. Now our high-Level monsters don’t need tributes but in exchange we must pay 1000 points for every Tribute the Summoned monster needed. I give up 1000 points to Summon Destiny Hero - Double Dude (1000 ATK) in Attack Mode. *His LP drops to 7000.* Then I use Doom Lord’s special effect, sending your Dragon two turns into the future for you see, everything’s predetermined. Ultimate Dragon disappears and Kaiba laughs.

         “Are you expecting me to believe that?” asked Kaiba. Nothing’s predetermined!

         “Say goodbye to Dogma!” said Kaiba. *His LP drops to 3500.* What happened to my LP?

         “Dogma’s special effect takes out half your points at your next Standby Phase,” said Aster. Oh and one other thing, Clock Tower Prison gets a Clock Counter at each of your Standby Phases.

         “I don’t need a clock to tell time,” said Kaiba. Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, destroy Dogma!

         “I activate Eternal Dread, giving my Clock Tower 2 more counters,” said Aster. *Dogma is still destroyed and his LP drops to 5900.*

        “Tell me, did you see that coming?” asked Kaiba.

         “Doesn’t matter,” said Aster. Destiny has chosen me to take you down!

TO BE CONTINUED...

The Paths of Destiny (Part 1)

Previously...

          “I think I’ll go first,” said Aster. I Summon Destiny Hero - Doom Lord (600 ATK) in Attack Mode.

          “Ha, nice card. Did a three year-old make that for you?” asked Kaiba.

          “You wouldn’t be making fun of my monsters if you knew their effects,” said Aster. Do you believe in destiny?

          “No and never will,” said Kaiba.

          “Fine, whatever, I’ll make you a believer sooner or later,” said Aster. I set 1 card and end my turn. (Hand: 4 cards)

          “Watch a pro play a real monster,” said Kaiba. I use Polymerization, discarding my 3 Blue-Eyes White Dragons to my Graveyard for Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon (4500 ATK) in Attack Mode. Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, destroy Doom Lord! *Doom Lord is not destroyed.* How did your monster survive?

          “I activated my D - Shield Trap Card, which switched Doom Lord to Defense Mode and making him indestructible in battle,” said Aster. Destiny’s going to take you down!

          “Whatever,” said Kaiba. I set 1 card face-down and end my turn. (Hand: 1 card)

          “I play the Field Spell Mausoleum of the Emperor (Info),” said Aster. Now our high-Level monsters don’t need tributes but in exchange we must pay 1000 points for every Tribute the Summoned monster needed. I give up 1000 points to Summon Destiny Hero - Double Dude (Info) (1000 ATK) in Attack Mode. His LP drops to 7000. Then I use Doom Lord’s special effect, sending your Dragon two turns into the future for you see, everything’s predetermined. Ultimate Dragon disappears and Kaiba laughs.

         “Are you expecting me to believe that?” asked Kaiba. Nothing’s predetermined!

          “Sounds like you have much to learn about Destiny,” said Aster. I play Destiny Draw (Info), allowing me to draw 2 cards by sending Destiny Hero Malicious to my Graveyard. There’s still more as I remove the Malicious in my Graveyard to Summon Destiny Hero - Malicious (Info) (800 ATK) in Attack Mode. Finally, I set 1 card face-down end my turn. (Hand: 2 cards)

          “I use your Field Spell’s effect to Summon Kaiser Glider (Info) (2400 ATK) in Attack Mode,” said Kaiba. His LP drops to 7000. Kaiser Glider, destroy his Malicious!

          “Sorry but I reveal D - Counter (Info), which automatically destroys your monster since you’re attacking a Destiny Hero monster,” said Aster. Kaiser Glider is destroyed.

         “I end my turn,” said Kaiba. (Hand: 1 card)

         “Since two turns have passed, you get Ultimate Dragon back,” said Aster. Ultimate Dragon reappears on Kaiba’s field. Now do you believe that everything is predetermined? I Summon Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude (Info) (1400 ATK) in Attack Mode. Do you like card tricks? My Diamond Dude’s going to perform one by flipping the top card of my Deck and magically make it disappear for one turn if it’s a Normal Spell. He flips the top card. It’s a Normal Spell so it goes to my Graveyard this turn and next turn it’s effect activates. Now it’s time to Summon the ultimate Destiny Hero! I Tribute Diamond Dude, Malicious and Double Dude for Destiny Hero - Dogma (Info) (3400 ATK) in Attack Mode.

          “You cannot Summon 2 monsters in one turn without an effect...unless... that’s a Special Summon!?” asked Kaiba.

          “That’s right,” said Aster. Dogma can only be Special Summoned a certain way. Next, I destroy my Field Spell using Mystical Space Typhoon (Info) to activate another one, Clock Tower Prison (Info)! Mausoleum of the Emperor is destroyed. That ends my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

          “Say goodbye to Dogma!” said Kaiba. His LP drops to 3500. What happened to my LP?

          “Dogma’s special effect takes out half your points at your next Standby Phase,” said Aster. Oh and one other thing, Clock Tower Prison gets a Clock Counter at each of your Standby Phases.

          “I don’t need a clock to tell time,” said Kaiba. Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, destroy Dogma!

          “I activate Eternal Dread (Info), giving my Clock Tower 2 more counters,” said Aster. Dogma is still destroyed and his LP drops to 5900.

         “Tell me. Did you see that coming?” asked Kaiba.

          “Doesn’t matter,” said Aster. Destiny has chosen me to take you down!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Fear from the Dark (Part 2)

Previously...

         “I Summon Elemental Hero Sparkman (1600 ATK) in Attack Mode,” said Jaden. Sparkman, destroy his Dark Necrofear! *Sparkman’s ATK rises to 2600 and Dark Necrofear is destroyed, reducing Yami Bakura's LP to 2000 while his legs and feet disappear.*  *Yami Bakura then laughs.*

         “Thanks for destroying Necrofear for now I can equip him to your Wingman,” said Yami Bakura.

          “I end my turn,” said Jaden. (Hand: 0 cards)

          “I Tribute Flame Wingman for Great Maju Garzett (0 ATK) in Attack Mode,” said Yami Bakura.

         “What’s the point of Tributing a monster for another monster with no points?” asked Jaden.

          “Great Maju Garzett’s effect gives him twice the ATK of the monster used to Summon him,” said Yami Bakura Since your Wingman has 2100 ATK, Garzett has 4200 ATK. It’s all over for you! Maju Garzett’s ATK rises to 4200. Maju Garzett, destroy his Sparkman! Sparkman is destroyed and Jaden’s LP drops to 1350 while his midsection vanishes. Soon you’ll be engulfed by the shadows for all eternity! That ends my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

          “My move,” said Jaden. This is my last chance to defeat Yami Bakura. I play Miracle Fusion (Info), which removes Flame Wingman and Sparkman from my Graveyard to Summon Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman (Info) (2500 ATK) in Attack Mode. Here comes the best part as my Shining Flare Wingman gains 300 ATK per Elemental Hero monster in my Graveyard! Since there are 5 Elemental Heroes in my Graveyard, he gains 1500 ATK! Shining Flare’s ATK rises to 4000. Shining Flare Wingman, destroy Great Maju Garzett! Shining Flare’s ATK rises to 5000 with Skyscraper's effect and Maju Garzett is destroyed, reducing Yami Bakura's LP to 1200, causing his feet disappear.

          “Sorry but I’m still standing,” said Yami Bakura.

          “Not for long for my Shining Flare has another effect,” said Jaden. Since your monster was destroyed by Shining Flare Wingman, you take his ATK as damage! Yami Bakura's LP drops to 0. That’s game! The arena drops.

          “Way to play, Jay!” said Syrus.

          “Thanks Syrus,” said Jaden.  

          “The next Duel will begin in one hour so participants, ready your Decks!” said Roland.

          “Aster!” said Kaiba.

          “Well, the famous Seto Kaiba,” said Aster.

          “You’re going to lose to me in the next round,” said Kaiba.

          “Not likely,” said Aster. It’s my destiny to win this tournament. Elsewhere...

          “Yes, win this tournament,” said Sartorius. Soon all of them will see the light! Meanwhile...

          “I’d better prepare my Deck to be ready for any opponent I face,” said Yugi. Twenty minutes later...

         “Attention Duelists. Round 2 is about to begin,” said Roland. Please report to the top of the Dueling arena! Aster Phoenix, Mr. Kaiba, let the Duel begin!

          “I think I’ll go first,” said Aster. I Summon Destiny Hero - Doom Lord (Info) (600 ATK) in Attack Mode.

          “Ha! Nice card. Did a three year-old make that for you?” asked Kaiba.

          “You wouldn’t be making fun of my monsters if you knew their effects,” said Aster. Do you believe in destiny?

          “No and never will,” said Kaiba.

          “Fine, whatever. I’ll make you a believer sooner or later,” said Aster. I set 1 card and end my turn. (Hand: 4 cards)

          “Watch a pro play a real monster,” said Kaiba. I use Polymerization (Info), discarding my 3 Blue-Eyes White Dragons to my Graveyard for Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon (Info) (4500 ATK) in Attack Mode. Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, destroy Doom Lord! Doom Lord is not destroyed. How did your monster survive?

          “I activated my D - Shield (Info) Trap Card, which switched Doom Lord to Defense Mode and making him indestructible in battle,” said Aster. Destiny’s going to take you down!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Fear from the Dark (Part 1)

Previously...

“Fellow Duelists, it’s time to start the finals of our KC World Cup!” said Kaiba. All finalists, please report to Kaiba Craft 3 using the locater cards you won!

         “It’s my destiny to win this tournament!” said Aster. He places the locater cards on the Duel disk.

“Too cool!” said Jaden. Let’s throw down with the other opponents! They arrive at the site an hour later.

“May I have your attention please?” asked Roland. To find out who’s facing who, we will be chosen by lottery.

 “Begin!” said Kaiba.

         “Yes, Mr. Kaiba,” said Roland. The ping-pong balls inside the machine bounce around and one falls out. First up is Jaden Yuki! Now for his opponent. The balls bounce around once more and another one falls out. Jaden Yuki’s opponent is... Bakura!

 “Such a pity he has less points than my monster,” said Yami Bakura.

          “I’m not done for I play Skyscraper, which gives attacking Elemental Hero monsters 1000 ATK if their attack target has more ATK when damage is calculated. Then, I use H - Heated Heart to raise his ATK by 500 for one turn! Mariner’s ATK rises to 1900. Mariner, attack Demise! *Mariner’s ATK rises to 2900 and Demise is destroyed, reducing Yami Bakura's LP to 5500.* That ends my turn. *Mariner’s ATK returns to 1400.* (Hand: 0 cards)

           “My draw,” said Jaden. Sweet! I activate Pot of Greed, giving me two more options. Get ready!

Next, I Summon Wroughtweiler (Info) (1200 DEF) in Defense Mode and end my turn. I’m in it ‘till the end! (Hand: 1 card)

           “I Tribute my Gross Ghost for Dark Ruler Ha Des (Info) (2450 ATk) in Attack Mode,” said Yami Bakura. Dark Ruler, destroy Mariner! Mariner is destroyed and Jaden’s LP drops to 3950 while his legs disappear. Make your move! (Hand: 0 cards)

           “You got it!” said Jaden. I have nothing but Wroughtweiler to defend me. I throw down and end my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

           “Since I have 3 Fiend-Type monsters in my Graveyard, I remove them to Summon Dark Necrofear (Info) (2200 ATK) in Attack Mode by his special effect,” said Yami Bakura. Dark Necrofear, destroy Wroughtweiler! Wroughtweiler is destroyed.

           “I activate Hero Signal (Info), letting me bring out Elemental Hero Clayman (Info) (2000 DEF) in Defense Mode,” said Jaden. Since you destroyed Wroughtweiler, his effect activates, returning Avian and Polymerization to my hand.

          "On the contrary my young friend. My Dark Ruler's effect negates any effects that are activated when it or other Fiends on my field take them down in battle," said Bakura. Dark Ruler, destroy Clayman! said Yami Bakura. Clayman is destroyed. That ends my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

           “My draw,” said Jaden. Just what I needed! I play Polymerization (Info), which sends Avian and Burstinatrix in my hand to my Graveyard to Summon Elemental Hero Flame Wingman (Info) (2100 ATK) in Attack Mode. Flame Wingman attack his Dark Ruler! Flame Wingman’s ATK rises to 3100 and Dark Ruler is destroyed, reducing Yami Bakura's LP to 4850 and his chest disappears. Next, thanks to Wingman, you take the ATK of Dark Ruler out of your LP! Yami Bakura's LP drops to 2400 and both of his arms disappear. That ends my turn. Flame Wingman’s ATK returns to 2100. (Hand: 0 cards)

           “This Duel’s far from over,” said Yami Bakura. I set 1 card face-down and end my turn. (Hand: 0 cards)

           “I Summon Elemental Hero Sparkman (Info) (1600 ATK) in Attack Mode,” said Jaden. Sparkman, destroy his Dark Necrofear! Sparkman’s ATK rises to 2600 and Dark Necrofear is destroyed, reducing Yami Bakura's LP to 2000 while his legs and feet disappear.  Yami Bakura laughs.

           “Thanks for destroying Necrofear for now I can equip him to your Wingman and take control of him,” said Yami Bakura.

           “I end my turn,” said Jaden. (Hand: 0 cards)

           “I Tribute Flame Wingman for Great Maju Garzett (Info) (0 ATK) in Attack Mode,” said Yami Bakura.

TO BE CONTINUED...

The KC World Cup

             “Fellow Duelists, it’s time to start the finals of our KC World Cup!” said Kaiba. All finalists, please report to Kaiba Craft 3 using the locator cards you won!