Turn 21: The Gemini Crusader

'''Yu-Gi-Oh! Infinity Hunter''' ARC 2 “Infinite Search.”

Turn 21 “The Gemini Crusader.”

“Ladies and gentlemen!” The voice of the MC roared through the arena as people were searching their seats. “Tonight we are having a very special exhibition match between a newcomer in the dueling circuit and a duelist that has been roaming the streets of Neo Domino City for a long time already.”

At the left of the arena, Ken was waiting for the match to start. He was leaning casually against the wall. He was wearing a black outfit with a white shirt beneath his jacket as he looked at the arena, noticing his opponent had not shown up yet. He laughed silently in himself as he looked at his deck he was holding in his hand.

“Draw,” Ken draws the top card from his deck, turning it around, revealing it to be a golden armored warrior with white spread out wings with a golden hood over his face and only his eyes visible. ‘ Wave Force Guardian…..’

******

''“Here Ken.”

An older man bend down to a young Ken who was sitting on the ground in the middle of a pile of Duel Monsters cards that were all placed face down. Ken smiled as he saw who the man was.

“Thanks dad.”

“And how is your concentration practice going?” his father asked Ken and Ken smiled again and places two fingers on the card in front of him. “Okay, show me, show-off.”

“This is Phoenix Gearfried,” Ken proudly announced and he turned over the card to show that indeed the monster card of Phoenix Gearfried was beneath it. “A Gemini monster. Pretty handy in a Gemini deck, especially when you have Gemini monsters in your graveyard as you can special summon one each time your opponent activates a spell card.”

“Pretty good, Ken.” His father congratulated him and opened a pocket in his jacket. “Here I have a present for you. A very special card, one of which only ten copies have been made.” He handed the card over to Ken and Ken grabbed it with enthusiasm. “Don’t rip it apart, son.”

“Sorry dad.” Ken looked at the card and his eyes widened. “My friends all spoke about this card. They all wanted one. Why are you giving it to me?”

“Because I feel you deserve the card Ken. This card, Wave Force Guardian, is a card you must treasure. A card that will be able to help you out at the most unexpected situations. Because whatever you do with it, it will always bring out a new combination.” His father stood up again and picked a suitcase out of the corner. “Now, I need to go, but you promise me, you look after that card and treasure like it is family. Treat it cautiously.”

“Yes dad,” Ken thanked him by hugging his father. “Thanks again dad!”

“You are absolutely welcome, Ken.” His father smiled and walked out of the room opening the front door. “Now, you better get better in dueling and your concentration training and we will have a duel when I come back home.”

Ken rushed back inside his room and waved through the window as his father stepped in a car and drove away.''

******

“Wave Force Guardian…..” Ken repeated and he looked at the card drawn. “It cost you your life, dad, giving me that card. You never were supposed to give it to me, your managers and sponsors did not want to hand that card to a rookie. But you did, because you loved me. You, father, gave me the tool that made me become what I am now. At the risk of your own life….”

He looked inside the arena again, having seen how the set up stands were slowly filling with people. He did not see his friends, Blake and the others, somewhere yet, but they might be late. He looked further into the hallway where he was standing and saw no-one, only a few shadows of people standing in a different room.

“Yes, Wave Force Guardian did help me and it will help me through the rest of your life. Just like when I met Blake for the first time.” Ken memorized his memories from the beginning of his dueling career. “When I met Blake for the first time, I had no friends, I was a loner. Blake was dueling in the Junior Leagues and I dueled him in the semi-final, deciding who would go to the next round.”

******

''Ken – 500 Blake – 700

Blake, years younger with rather longer dark blond hair, was standing at the left corner and had an Black Feather – Armored Wing (2500/1500) on the field and two face down cards. The dark blue armored winged beast with orange lines, was hovering on the field.

On the right side of the field, Ken was standing. He had long hair, blonde till the end of his neck. On his side there was a warrior in a blue jacket with light weight armor below it. It had a dark blue sword. The warrior was hit by a black nail, a Wedge-Counter, which made the attack points of the warrior zero. Ken also had a face down card.

“Sword Master Guardian,” Ken pointed out and he smirked. “Sword Master Guardian, by sending 1 Equip spell card from my hand to the graveyard, I can increase its attack power by 1000, this nullifies your Armored Wing`s Wedge-Counter placed on my Sword Master Guardian.”

“It still is not enough for you to defeat me,” Blake answered and he smirks. “What are you going to do?”

“Ending this duel in a bang.” Ken smirked and pointed to his face down card. “Activate face down card, Ring of Destruction!”

“What?!”

“This card destroys my Sword Master Guardian and deals damage to both me and you, 1000 to be exact.” Ken smirked as the ring with explosives was equipped to the neck of Sword Master Guardian and exploded. “This is the best way to end this.”

“Yeah.”

Ken – 0 Blake – 0

“Good duel, Ken.” Blake shook Ken`s hand as they walked to the middle of the arena. “But who is going through to the next round?” Ken smirked as indeed there was no decision in this duel.

“Gentlemen,” the referee came to them. “As the duel ended without a winner, we need a decisive duel. Please ready yourselves for the next duel.” Ken and Blake looked at each other and Ken held his head down.

“No, he can go on to the next round,” Blake and Ken answered at the same time.

“I am sorry, gentlemen, but that is not the way things work around here.” The referee returned to his position and waited for Ken and Blake to take their places again. “If you are not in the arena now, you are disqualified for the rest of the tournament.”

“Fine.” Blake and Ken uneasy about it replied as they returned into the arena. “Let`s do this then.”''

******

“Daydreaming again?”

Ken looked up as he saw Blake approaching him. Ken walked down to his friend and smiled. Blake closes his eyes and nodded. Ken picked his duel disk from the ground and equipped himself with it, also having inserted his deck in it.

“First duel again?” Blake asked Ken and Ken looked at him, with a face like how did Blake know? “You usually do that when you are daydreaming before an important duel.”

“Yeah well I could have kicked your ass back then.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“You lost the second duel,” Blake teased Ken and he walked to the beginning of the stands. “I kicked your ass in the second duel.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yeah.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now go out there and beat the crap out of that new guy.” Blake supported him always and that Ken knew. “I heard he uses a Goblin deck. Good luck with that. Brutal force, but one gigantic disadvantage.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I know.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As Blake joined Gillian, Jennifer, Jason, Yuni and Lance in the stands, Ken entered the arena where at the left side of the arena a man with black hair was waiting. He was wearing a green jacket with a green shirt below it.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“So you are Ken, the friend of the famous Blake Connolly.” The man reached out with his hand and Ken shook it. “It is a real pleasure to meet you.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“The same.” Ken answered and his deck was auto-shuffled. “Ready to give the public a great show?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Of course.” The man answered and they return both to their perspective sides of the arena. “My name is Rhuarc by the way, but I plan on winning.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“So am I.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ken – 4000 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 4000

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Tim!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Grace walked out of her house as she looked around in the garden. In the far side of the garden, a little boy was waiting for her. He tried to hide and Grace smiled as she pretended not to see him.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I will find you.” Grace pretended to look really hard for the boy as he was hiding behind the bushes. “Where will Tim be?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As she turned around, Tim rushed out from behind the bushes and ticked the wall and then Grace, who happily turned around and grabbed Tim. As she was about to walk back inside, she heard some noises.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Tim,” Grace tells the boy. “Go inside. I’ll be there in a minute.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As Tim disappeared into the house, Grace walked back inside the garden, looking around. She had heard noises, but she did not know where it came from. As she tried to find the source of the noise, it suddenly calmed down.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“It has to be the wind.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As Grace turns around, she finds herself face to face with Troy, equipped with his duel disk and wearing the green tunic he was wearing in the dojo. Troy had inserted his dueling deck into his duel disk.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“What are you doing here?” Grace asked Troy, who smirked. “You are not supposed to be here.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I am here to challenge all of the friends of Blake.” Troy defended himself for his actions. “After all, Blake provided to be no challenge for me and I want to beat the ones capable of defending the city from this Gakyru dude. With my new deck I can defeat anyone!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“So you are here simply to duel?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yes,” Troy answered and his duel disk activated. Grace sighed and picked a duel disk from inside the house. “So I take it you accept my challenge?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yes, if it means you get out of here when we are done.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Sure.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Troy – 4000 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Grace – 4000

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">--

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I’ll start this exhibition match!” Ken suddenly burst and Rhuarc did not flinch, so Ken took it he accepted it. “Draw.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ken – 4000 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 4000

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I activate Summon Pod.” Ken inserted the spell card in his duel disk and two virtual dices appeared on his field. “Now by rolling these I can special summon two monsters to the field whose total level equal the rolled result.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">The two dices were rolled and a 3 and a 3 came out, totaling 6. Ken picked two cards from his hand and placed them on the duel disk.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Come out,  Jutte Fighter<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> and  Dark Blade<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">. Now I tune in my Jutte Knight with my  Dark Blade<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">! Galloping sounds awaken the earth as the knight rides its stallion! Come through the winds and fires! Synchro Summon! Ride,  Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> (2600/800)!” Ken chants as from the Synchro gate a knight appeared on the field. It had a purple horse, and had blue, red and yellow colored armor.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“The Synchro version of  Gaia the Fierce Knight<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">,” Rhuarc admired the newly appeared monster on Ken`s field. “Certainly a force to be reckoned with.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now I can still normal summon, so I summon forth my  Evocator Chevalier<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> (1900/900)!” Ken answered and a new warrior appeared on his side of the field. It wielded a golden handle sword. “Yes, this is a Gemini monster. I would still need to summon it again to activate its effect. Now this face down and my turn ends. You go.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“And Ken has summoned a force of monsters!” the MC commented on the duel. “What will Rhuarc place against this?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Let me see,” Rhuarc draws a new card from his deck. “Let me start out with  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> (2200/0) in attack mode!” A green fiendish monster appeared on his side of the field. “Next my March of the Orc, which when I have an Orc monster on my field, I can special summon two more to the field.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Let me guess, two more  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Two more  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> coming your way!” Rhuarc sounded excited as two more fiendish humanoid monsters appeared on his side of the field. “Now I have a total attack force of 6600 attack points. Counter that!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Oh I will, because if you have not noticed yet, my Gaia Knight is still stronger than your  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’s.” Ken was not triumphal, because he knows when a duelist is serious and Rhuarc was a serious duelist.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I know, but I am not done yet. Activate spell card  Chthonian Alliance<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">. Equip with my first  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> (ATK: 2200 -> 4600). Now Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, attack his Gaia Knight!” Rhuarc ordered and the  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> raised its club and destroyed the Synchro monster.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ken – 4000 -> 2000

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“And Rhuarc has halved Ken`s lifepoints in one move! What will Ken do?” the MC sweated as he saw the duel happening. “Will our longstanding duelist come back already in his second move, or will he keep his opponent guessing?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I think I end my turn with this.” Rhuarc concluded his turn and lowered his duel disk. “You can go now.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Good,” Ken draws a new card from his deck. “ Card of Sanctity<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> activate, we both draw until we hold six cards.” Refilling both their hands, Ken seems to be a lot more happy with the new cards he had drawn. “Next I equip my  Evocator Chevalier<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> with  Junk Barrage<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Oh great.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“ Junk Barrage<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> allows the equipped monster to inflict damage equal to half the attack points of the monster destroyed by the equipped monster. But that is not all, now I Gemini Summon  Evocator Chevalier<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> to activate its effect.” Ken pointed as his warrior glowed with red energy. “By sending one equip spell card to the graveyard, I can destroy 1 card on the field.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Do your best.” Rhuarc challenged him. ‘ ''He cannot possibly think I fall for that. I have my face down card to wait for him.''<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I send my equip spell card  Big Bang Shot<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> to the graveyard, to destroy  Chthonian Alliance<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> on your side of the field,” Ken explained as he slit the card into his graveyard and the spell card he mentioned was destroyed. “Next I equip my  Evocator Chevalier<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> with Burning Spear<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, increasing its attack power by 400 (ATK: 1900 -> 2300).”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Oh great.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“ Evocator Chevalier<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, attack his  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">!” Ken ordered and the warrior turned around his blade and made a clear cut in the throat of the Orc, destroying it.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 4000 -> 3900

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Next to due  Junk Barrage<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, I can deal 1100 points of damage to you!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 3900 -> 2800

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now I set this card face down and end my turn.” Ken ended his turn, having lowered Rhuarc`s lifepoints nearly to his level. “I am starting to like your tactics.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Thanks, I guess.” Rhuarc draws his next card and smirked as he looked upon the drawn card. “I summon  Second Goblin<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">. This card becomes equipped to a  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, making it unable for the Orc to return to defensive position.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now that is really smart.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“It is as I next equip my  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, equipped with  Second Goblin<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, with another  Chthonian Alliance<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, increasing its attack power (ATK: 2200 -> 3800). Now  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, how about destroy that annoying  Evocator Chevalier<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">.” Rhuarc pointed to the red armored warrior and the Orc let his club come down on it, destroying it.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ken  2000 -> 500

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I end my turn with this card face down.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“My turn then,” Ken draws his next card as a smile appeared on his face. “I activate the spell card Wave of Malicious Intent. This card deals 300 points of damage each time a monster has been destroyed by battle.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“So you intent to take me down with means other than Battle Damage?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Not just Effect Damage….” Ken draws a card from his hand. “I play  Pot of Greed<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> and draw two cards.” He picks up two more cards from his deck and his smile widens. ‘ Wave Force Guardian….<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’ He placed the second drawn card on the field directly.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">A warrior in golden armor and white dusty wings appeared on the field. It had a golden hood over his face and his eyes appeared to be the only visible thing under the hood. It was holding a short blade.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Appear to me now! Wave Force Guardian!” Ken then looks at his second card he had drawn. “Now I activate the spell card Dual Arm – Master Sword, a equip spell card only meant for warriors.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Hold it right there,” Rhuarc complained and he pointed at Wave Force Guardian. “How come you got your hands on such a rare card. Only ten of them are supposed to exist in the world. Did you steal it?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“No,” Ken replied and he looked at the activated card appearing in his back row. “Normally Dual Arm – Master Sword would allow the equipped monster to gain 1000 attack and defense points for every equip spell send to the graveyard this turn, but I intend to use it for something else.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“What?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Wave Force Guardian`s special ability. As he is a socalled Hybrid monster, he has the very rare and special ability to be able to fuse with spell and trap cards. And that is what Dual Arm – Master Sword is for.” The spell card disappeared with Wave Force Guardian into a fusion vortex. When the light dimmed, a new warrior jumped from the vortex. He was wearing a blue long trenchcoat with light weight black armor under it. “ Sword Master<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> Guardian (2600/1800)!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“When did Ken get his hands on that?!” Yuni asked Blake and Blake smirked. “I know you told me once, Ken already had Wave Force Guardian in his possession since he was young, but that it was this special.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Hybrid cards are very rare,” Blake tells his friends. “There are more than Wave Force Guardian. And from what Ken has told me sofar, the reason that he gained it was also the reason why his father was killed.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Has it ever become apparent why his father was killed?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“No,” Blake assumed Ken had told no-one but him what happened. “But Ken thinks he knew who gave the order to kill his father. The same organization who killed many others involved in special research.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“The elusive Yliaster movement?” Lance questioned Blake and Blake nodded. “I thought Yliaster was said to be disbanded after the WRGP 5 years ago, after their last elements have been cleared out.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Agreed, but Ken`s father died way before the WRGP five years ago, Lance.” Blake explained and he looked at Ken. “Way before and they have been trying to pursue Ken to follow their goals, but he always ignored them.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now for my  Sword Master<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> Guardian`s special ability, by discarding one equip spell card to the graveyard, I can increase its attack power by 1000 (ATK: 2600 -> 3600).” He had slid  Assault Armor<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> into the graveyard. “Next I equip my  Sword Master<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> Guardian with Black Pendant<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, increasing its attack power by another 500 points (ATK: 3600 -> 4100). Now  Sword Master<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> Guardian, attack his Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">!” The  Sword Master<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> Guardian raised his right hand and blue swords appeared around him, impaling the great Orc.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 2800 -> 2500

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Next I set this card face down and end my turn,” Ken lowered his duel disk and waited for Rhuarc to make his next move. “Go on, it is your move.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Very well then. It is my turn indeed.” Rhuarc looked at his newly drawn card. “I summon forth  Goblin Attack Force<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">!” A group of armored goblins appeared at his side of the field, raising their weapons. “Next I set this card face down and remove my Strike Goblin from the game.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Wait, I remember that card. By removing a Strike Goblin from play, you can have one  Goblin Attack Force<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">,  Goblin Elite Attack Force<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> or  Goblin Recon Squad<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> attack directly.” Ken remembered for his own and Rhuarc nodded.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yeah, brute power comes in different ways.” As the group of goblins raised their weapons, Rhuarc nodded and they moved forward. “Go, attack him directly!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I don’t think so,” Ken kicked in and his face down card flips up. “ Draining Shield<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">. This card allows me to gain the lifepoints equal to your attacking monster`s attack power.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ken – 500 -> 2800

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Great.” Rhuarc sighed and he started switching the cards on his duel disk to defense mode. “I will change all my monster`s except Goblin Attack Force<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> to defense mode. Goblin Attack Force<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> is switched to defense mode due to its own effect. Now I end my turn.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ken – 2800 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 2500

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">---

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Troy – 2300 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Grace – 0

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Grace looked in awe as her Fortune Queen was struck down by two  Cyber End Dragon<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, in a joined attack due to Tag Attack played by Troy. He also had  Emes the Infinity<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> on his side of the field and one face down card.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I lost……”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“As I suspected you were no better than your friend Blake. You were a waste of my time,” Troy claimed as he slowly walked to the exit of the garden at the back. “Tell Blake that once he is ready, I will be waiting for him. Tell him…… tell him I know where Gakyru is hanging around.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“What?! You know where Gakyru is hanging out?” Grace demanded from Troy, who nods with a laugh. “You are in league with him?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Oh hell no. I have no intention of controlling a world like he tries too.” Troy smirked and reached out for the handle of the door and pulled it down. “But you have to be aware of the fact that Gakyru has assembled a new set of people around him, more cunning than his previous group. You may already know them.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Who are they?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now where is the fun of that?” Troy teased Grace and he walked out of the garden. “My friend the Professor has tracked Gakyru and he may know more. But in order for us to tell you people, Blake must face me again.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Oh, it will be his pleasure.” Grace told him and after making sure Troy had disappeared, ran back inside the house to check whether everything was okay with Tim. “Tim!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I am here.” Tim came walking from the living room and he was holding a card in his hand. “I found this on my bed, Grace. I don’t know what it is.” He handed it over to Grace and Grace looked at it. The back looked like a normal Duel Monsters card, but the front was actually a Joker card.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Which joker dumped this on your bed?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Maybe my friend Dennis, he was here this morning remember? Maybe Dennis forgot?” Tim asked Grace and Grace nodded, sitting down in a chair in the living room. “So when is mommy coming home?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">A ship had arrived in the port of Neo Domino City as cargo was loaded out of the ship. There were also passengers on board. It was not a cruise ship, but there were passengers on board. From the bridge a female person in a red tank top with green army pants walked down to the port. She was wearing sun glasses and her long brown hair was tied into a pony tail on the back.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Rebecca!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">The female person pulled off her sunglasses and it was Rebecca Azura indeed. She had gotten a brown tan on the island of Eonis. She looked in the direction where the voice came from and saw Paul Connolly appearing.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Hey Paul!” Rebecca greeted her friend. “Long time no see.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“What? It has only been a few weeks.” Paul answered and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I am glad you were willing to come down here, before moving on to America. So how have you been?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I am fine, though after you left…..” Rebecca thought for a few seconds and then looked at Paul. “We went back into the temple on the island itself, you know, the temple where so many colleagues of mine have died. We got in without trouble this time, but that is not the most interesting part we have found there.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“What was it then?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“In the throne room of the Temple, we found six boxes. Each with a symbol on it. Each symbol representing the different attributes. You know, the attributes our mutual spirit friends had mentioned,” Rebecca referred to the ancient spirits of Reias and Casseius which they met in the Temple of Eonis, an underwater temple. “We tried opening each and every single one of them and we did not succeed with every box, except one.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“What was in those boxes?” Paul wondered. “I was in the Throne Room many times, before you, but we never found any boxes referring to the attributes.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I have no idea what was in the other five boxes, but I do know what was in the box we did manage to open.” Rebecca picked a photograph out of a map she carried under her arm. “A Duel Monsters deck. Probably the other boxes contain a Duel Monsters deck as well.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“A Duel Monsters deck. And these boxes were untouched?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yeah and dusty.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“So what was the attribute of the box with the missing Duel Monsters deck?” Paul asked, wondering though having a bad feeling he could have known already. “Wait, it is not…..”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Dark,” Rebecca nodded. “The deck of the Dark Attribute is missing from that box. Assuming that in the other boxes a Duel Monsters deck is as well, we may have a little problem.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yeah, someone is running around with an ancient Duel Monsters deck of the Dark Attribute.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“And if we may believe our spirit friends, the balance will be disturbed soon. That whole island is built around the powers of those mentioned Core’s.” Rebecca followed Paul out to the SUV he had come with. “The balance might become unbalanced.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Well, I have got something to show you too.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">-

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ken – 2800 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 2500

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“It is my turn then again,” Ken draws a new card from his deck. He looked at his hand that contained three cards now. “Activate Destiny Draw<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">. By discarding my Destiny Hero – Dasher (2100/1000), I can draw 2 cards.” His hand contained three cards now. “Now I summon forth  Gemini Scorpion<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> (1600/400).”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">A new monster appeared. It was a warrior with long white hair and was outfitted in a dark blue, red accented armor. It had a blade in each hand. He had a somewhat larger shadow, which looked different from his usual outfit.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now for my  Gemini Scorpion<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">`s special effect, I can summon a Level-4 or below Gemini monster from my hand to the field. Come out  Future Samurai<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">!” A new warrior appeared on his side of the field. She was a female warrior with a silver outfit and mechanical parts around her arms and had a light blue visor in front of her eyes. “Now for my final card in my hand,  Unleash Your Power!<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I know about those Gemini monsters. They are quite powerful when they are Gemini Summoned.” Rhuarc thought out loud and looked at the last activated card. “I have no idea however what that does.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Unleash your Power allows my Gemini monsters to have their effects being activated even if they were not Gemini Summoned,” Ken explained and he looked at the female warrior. “Now I am sure to introduce you to her special ability. By removing  Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> I can destroy one monster on the field. I choose your strongest  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">.” The  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> disappeared.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Oh great.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“So he uses Gemini Monsters?” Lance asked Blake and Blake nodded. “His deck is really diverse. This Hybrid card is damn powerful, then he has his Gemini Monsters to back him up as well.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“And now to finish my move, I attack your defense mode  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> with  Sword Master<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> Guardian!” Ken ordered and the warrior drew his sword, making more blue colored swords appear, going straight for the  Giant Orc<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, destroying it. “Oh right, my  Sword Master<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Guardian inflicts piercing damage.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Activate trap card,  Nutrient Z<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">. When I get dealt 2000 or more lifepoints, I can first increase my lifepoints by 4000 and then deal the damage. Which means I only lose 100 lifepoints,” Rhuarc kicked in and he smiled. “I am not done yet, Ken.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 2500 -> 6500 -> 2400

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Fine then,” Ken sighed and he was a little irritated that he in fact did not manage to destroy more of Rhuarc`s lifepoints. “I then activate a spell card I had placed face down a while ago, Treasure of the Lost Swordsman. This card allows me to draw cards equal to the amount of warriors on my field. That means I draw three. I end my turn.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“My turn again then,” Rhuarc draws a new card. “Allow me to play this. Dark Hole<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">!” A black hole appeared above the field sucking in all cards. “This card obviously destroys every single monster card on the field.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“With that you also managed to destroy my  Black Pendant<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, which in turn deals you 500 points of damage.” Ken smirked as the image of the pendant flashed and hit Rhuarc. “Maybe you should have destroyed that first.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 2400 -> 1900

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Don’t worry, my friend. I will take you out of your misery soon enough,” Rhuarc explained and he picked a card from his hand. “Now my  Goblin Elite Attack Force<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> (2200/1500).” A group of armored goblins appeared at his side of the field, each wielding a sword. “As you are defenseless now and have no back row cards I choose to attack you directly!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ken – 2800 -> 600

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“And you have brought me back to below your lifepoints again. Congratulations.” Ken smirked as he looked at his hand. “To bad I did not hold a  Nutrient Z<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> card like you did.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“To bad indeed, now unless you play something good next turn, I will wipe the floor with you,” Rhuarc challenged Ken and Ken shook his head. “What? Are you not planning on doing something good against me?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">‘ I wish indeed I had a Nutrient Z card, to bad I never added one to my deck.<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’ Ken looked at Rhuarc, who was focusing on him entirely. ‘ For some reason this guy is weird, I do not know why, but he is weird.<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Of course I now have to switch my Goblins to defense mode. I end my turn.” Rhuarc lowered his duel disk. “I will wipe the floor with you as you have never been wiped before.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“We’ll see about that,” Ken proceeds to draw his next card as from the corner of his eye, he could see his friends sitting in the stands. ‘ ''I am so glad you all are here. And I am not planning on losing on you too, dad.''<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Do something, will you?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Are you in such a rush to lose?” Ken joked and he draws a new card, having four cards in his hand now. “Activate  Cost Down<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, by discarding one card from my hand I can reduce the levels of all monsters in my hand by two. Then I summon this monster in defense mode.” A horizontally placed monster card appeared on the field. ‘ At least this will keep him guessing for now.<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Nothing better then that?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“In fact I have…..” Ken inserted another card into his duel disk. “I activate Summoner’s Art. I can add 1 Level-5 or higher normal monster from my deck to my hand.” He searched his deck and added one card to his hand. “Next up my  Ancient Rules<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> spell card. Now I can summon the monster I just added to my hand. Come out,  Gaia the Fierce Knight<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> (2300/2000)!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">The galloping of hooves was heard as a new knight on a horse appeared. He was vaguely familiar as it was the normal monster version of Ken`s previous Synchro monster,  Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“And since my  Sword Master<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> Guardian was destroyed  Last Turn<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, Wave Force Guardian returns to the field.” The old monster appeared on the field. “However I allow you to live a little longer. Gaia, destroy his  Goblin Elite Attack Force<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">! Spiral Strike!” The knight burst both of his spears into the goblins, destroying them with ease. “Now I end my turn.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“My turn then.” Rhuarc looked at his drawn card. “Activate Card of Demise. I can draw 5 cards, but after five turns, I have to send five cards from my hand to the graveyard.” He draws five new cards. ‘ Oh well, I won’t go down that easily.<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Drawn anything good, Rhuarc?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“In fact I have, Ken.” He picked a new card from his hand. “Now by removing all my goblins and orcs from the graveyard, I summon this,  Goblin King<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> of Darkness (0/0).” A new goblin appeared and it had a golden crown on its head. It had a dark skin and big red eyes as it eyed Ken. “This card gains 500 attack points for every card removed due to his effect, and that is seven (ATK: 0 -> 3500). Now let us see if that defending monster is strong enough. Goblin King<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> of Darkness, attack his face down monster.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">The card flipped up to reveal a golden-red shield with the Millennium Symbol in the middle. It was a  Millennium Shield<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> (0/3000) and it was destroyed.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“To bad your  Goblin King<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> of Darkness does not have Piercing Damage effect and to bad for you, you did not choose Gaia or Wave Force Guardian, because they were easier targets. Even worse, you get dealt 400 points of damage due to Wave of Malicious Intent.” Ken smirked as his spell card blasted Rhuarc.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 1900 -> 1500

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">‘ ''He is right! Man, I should not get my head messed up like last time. I made a fatal mistake.''<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’ Rhuarc lowered his duel disk in a sign of admittance. “I end my turn.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I start my turn with drawing a card and activate the spell card  Pot of Greed<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, drawing 2 cards.” Ken picked two more cards. He nodded and inserted the next card. “Reveal  Double Spell<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">. By sending this spell card to the graveyard, I can activate a card from your graveyard as if it is my own. I choose your Card of Demise. Which means I draw 5 cards.” He draws five more cards.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Drawn anything good?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Oh yes,  Hammer Shot<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">!” A giant hammer fell out of the sky and destroyed  Goblin King<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> of Darkness. “Next stop,  Mystic Swordsman LV2<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> (900/0).” A samurai like warrior appeared on his side of the field, he wielded a short blade.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“What are you going to do with that tiny warrior?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“You’ll see as I activate my spell card Dance of the Swan Sword. When there is a Level-4 or lower warrior on the field, I can summon two Dance Sword Tokens, whose attack and defense power are equal to my Mystic Swordsman (2x 0/0 -> 900/0).” Two nearly identical warriors appeared at his side. “Now this ends here. Dance Sword Token number 1 attack him directly!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 1500 -> 600

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“ Mystic Swordsman LV2<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, attack him directly!” Ken ordered and the swordsman delved his sword right into Rhuarc, landing the final blow. “I win.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ken – 600 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc – 0

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I-I lost?” Rhuarc was still astonished although he had it coming the final turn of the duel. “I can’t believe it, I lost this duel. I had it prepared so well. No, no, this can’t be, this is a joke. This exhibition match is a joke.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Well unfortunately, you lost in front of a whole audience,” Ken comforted Rhuarc and helped him up, patting him on the shoulder. “You should have chosen either Gaia or Wave Force Guardian if you wanted to stand a chance. Though, I would probably have beaten you with Mystic Swordsman anyway.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc slowly left him and walked away, saying nothing. Blake and the others however did approach Ken and congratulated him with his win in this duel.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Good job, Ken.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Thanks you all.” Ken nodded and he walked out to the MC. “I suppose I won?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yes, you did of course. Ladies and gentlemen give a big round of applause for Ken! He won this exhibition match!” The MC announced and he pulled Ken`s hand in the air and Ken, as happy as he tried to be, heard the cheers coming from the stands. “See you all in the next tournament and a good day to you all.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ken walked back to his friends.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Let`s go home.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">At that moment Grace entered the arena and directly walked down to Blake, Ken and the others. She was still wearing her duel disk and behind her Tim appeared.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Grace, what is the matter?” Blake wanted to know.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“It is Troy,” Grace replied and she was a little shaken. “He told me to tell you to find him. He knows where Gakyru is, if Gakyru is alive.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Gakyru is alive,” Blake directly replies to Grace and the others. “He cannot just have disappeared from the earth. He is alive and probably plotting to get back to the surface soon. Let’s get to the hospital, check onto Kaito and then go home.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I have encountered them.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“ ''Good. You have done good, my friend.''<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“What is our next step in the plan, my master?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“ ''You defeat them one by one. Your loss was necessary today. They may not know where I am or where your true allegiance lies.''<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yes, my master.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As the caller hangs up, it was revealed to be Rhuarc, smiling and tapping his duel disk and deck box. He picked an envelope from under the table where he had called and looked inside it. There was at least $5,000 inside it.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Good start for now.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Rhuarc left through a door, having pocketed the money and the cell phone he had used to call with.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">A white throne room was revealed through the veils hanging in front of a great golden door. There was a large ball like object in the middle of the room, with mist forming inside it. There were also two people inside the room. One was notably younger as he had brown hair and one of his eyes, his right eye, was covered by a mechanical piece with the Infinity symbol on it. He was wearing white robes and golden armor below his robes.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Master,” the younger man spoke and the older man, similarly dressed to the younger man, however he had a similar metallic piece at his forehead with an infinity symbol on it. “It seems as after the activation of the Silent Core, life has resumed normal.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“No, my young apprentice. Life has not resumed normal. Our friends down there have to many questions that are left unanswered. These questions must be answered first before they can resume a normal life.” The older man looked into the ball as well, seeing the scene of the arena of the exhibition match. “However it is their journey to undertake.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">The two man continued to stare inside the ball with mist.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">To be continued…….

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">RANDOM INFINITY HUNTER TRIVIA:

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">The last scene of this episode seems totally random, but eh, the scenes of Paul and Rebecca seemed totally random as well, now did it not? Of course there is something to it, but I do not reveal what or why. It is up to you to figure that out indeed.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Wave Force Guardian is based on the concept of the Three Legendary Dragons of Yu-Gi-Oh! DM, the second anime. I really wanted to bring that concept back and did it like this. As I did not have a better name for it, I simply called them Hybrid as a sub-effect category. As you know, Infinity Hunter stands for renewal of the game as well.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">See you for Turn 22!