The non-original characters in this fanfiction are copyrighted to Kazuki Takahashi, Studio Gallup and Toei where applicable. All other characters are considered public domain by the author and may be used freely, but he does request that you ask permission as a courtesy.
The card names used are translations of the Official Card Game (OCG) names. For the TCG names, see the "Cards used" at the end of the story. And don't forget to e-mail me your thoughts (vm_postitnotes@yahoo.com). Thank you very much for reading.
-------------
YU-GI-OH! -0
-------------
Turn Nine: "The Friend Shouldering the Darkness! Chiba's Ante Duel"
An Osiris Red dorm room.
Katsurou Chiba chuckled as he opened up his pack of cards. "Today certainly was a nice surprise, eh, Shougo-kun?" he asked his friend he looked through his set. "It's been awhile since I2 released a new booster pack."
"Mm," Shougo mumbled, staring out the window.
"What? Didn't you get one, Shougo-kun? Everyone's heard about it."
"Yeah, I got one," Shougo said.
"And? Did you get anything rare?"
"No, nothing," Shougo replied.
"Really? That's too bad," Chiba said with a grin. "Can't be lucky all the time, though, right?"
Shougo's eyes flared up for a moment and then he looked down sadly.
Chiba realized himself and gasped. "Oh... that was insensitive of me, Shougo-kun. I'm very sorry."
"Don't worry about it, Chiba-kun," Shougo said. "Isn't it about time for us to go to bed?"
"It is late," Chiba agreed. "I'll show you my cards tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Chiba-kun," Shougo said, and the two got ready to turn in.
--
But Chiba didn't sleep.
He pretended to, but kept an eye open. He saw Shougo wait until he thought Chiba was asleep, and then secretly put on his Osiris Red blazer, place some cards into his pocket and head out the door silently.
Chiba hurriedly put on his own Osiris outfit and sneaked out the door to follow him. He brought his own deck of cards, just in case.
As he followed Shougo, he noticed that he was heading towards the Obelisk Blue dorms. Something in his heart told him that Shougo was in trouble.
'Maybe it's none of my business,' Chiba thought to himself. 'But I have the bad feeling a friend is in danger. I can't ignore that!'
He ran off into the distance following Shougo.
--
The Obelisk Blue duel arena was usually dark at this time of night, but someone had turned on the lights.
Shougo was walking towards three boys wearing Obelisk blazers. One of them, standing at the forefront, appeared to be their leader.
"So... Watanabe-san," Shougo mumbled. "What is it exactly that you wanted from me?"
"You brought the cards like I asked, right?" the boy in the front asked.
Shougo took out his Dark Armed Dragon, Allure of Darkness, Red-Eyes Black Dragon cards, and the Dark Angel Zerato he had gotten in his newest boostr.
"Just don't tell people I stole them," Shougo stammered. "I-I don't even want them anymore. They're more trouble than they're worth."
"Spare me your excuses, you Osiris rat!" Watanabe yelled. "Just hand them over and get out of my face."
"Don't do it, Shougo-kun!" Chiba shouted, having heard and seen everything that was occuring.
"Shougo-kun, what are you doing here?"
"What does it matter?" Shougo shrugged himself away from Chiba. "Just leave me alone."
"You can't let bullies like that get the better of you!" Chiba shouted. "Especially ones that can only threaten to tell lies about you!"
"Oh, look who it is," Watanabe said with a sneer. "The Osiris punching bag! I'm not surprised that you'd come to this little thief's defense."
Chiba's eyes narrowed. "Kentaro Watanabe," he said. "I expected better from you... you've pushed around Shougo-kun since he got there, but trying to take his cards? That's a new low."
"This 'kid' needs to learn how this place works," Watanabe shot back. "He can't just magically get cards that guys like us have to pay big money to get our hands on! You know he must be cheating somehow!"
"To make accusations without evidence," Chiba scoffed. "What would your father say?"
"You leave my father out of this!" Watanabe shouted. "I won't have an Osiris rat like you tell me what to do!"
"Tell me, Watanabe-san," Chiba said, adjusting his glasses. "Do you still think you can beat me with that Gladial Beast deck of yours?"
"You bastard!" Watanabe said, holding up his duel disk. "Is a duel what you want?"
"It's the best way of settling this." Chiba said. "Whatever you think of our battle record in the past... I won't let you harass my friend."
"Well, why don't we make this interesting, then?"
"An ante duel?"
"Put your cards on the line as well as his," Watanabe said, crossing his arms. "If I win, you rats will hand over all your rare cards."
"And if I win? You'll hand over what your father entrusted to you so easily?"
Watanabe's two cronies suddenly looked less confident. "Come on, Wata-kun, this is serious!" one of them said. "This is Chiba Katsurou... he's not someone you can beat just like that."
"Shut up!" Watanabe said, shoving them aside. "This *is* serious... You know I can walk all over this guy when I'm playing for real. He's just an outdated clown... that's what he is! I'm going to take all of those Mercenary cards from you, you joker!"
"Very well," Chiba said, adjusting his glasses again with a slight smile on his face. "Those are the terms."
"Chiba-kun!" Shougo shouted. "What are you doing? Ante duels are illegal! If anyone finds out, they'll kick you out of the school!"
"They can't do that without doing the same to Watanabe-san," Chiba replied, eyes not straying from his opponent. "Besides, I've had enough of him threatening you with lies. If this is the only way to reason with him, so be it."
He took out two decks from his side belt and shuffled them together into one.
"You're going to see a different 'me' here," he went on. "I'll show you what the determination of friendship can do."
Shougo just stepped back from the duel arena, shivering inside himself. 'This is bad,' he thought. 'What if Chiba loses? I don't mind losing my own cards but he'll lose his too!'
"Shougo?" a voice called in the stands... Mark Walker.
Shougo gasped but Mark covered his mouth. "Ssssh," he whispered. "Don't get us both caught!"
"Walker-san, what are you doing here?"
"I heard something was going down in the Obelisk student stadium, and I wanted to see it for myself. But... Shougo, were you just going to hand over your cards just like that?"
Shougo sighed and looked down. "They cause me more trouble than they're worth," he said. "Besides, I'm thinking of leaving Duel Academia anyway."
"Stop talking nonsense, Shougo! Look at your friend, he's putting his own cards on the line for you."
"I didn't ask him to!"
"That's not the important thing here!" Walker said, raising his voice at first but then lowering it. "Isn't Chiba a friend to you?"
"Yes... well..."
"Watch him play with his whole heart!" Mark replied, cutting him off. "He's trying to protect you. Maybe that will inspire you to pick up your cards and try again. Have some courage, you know?"
Shougo touched his fingers together and glanced at the arena. He knew Mark was right. He was being very cowardly, as he usually was, and now Chiba may have to pay a price for his own fear. 'Please don't lose,' he thought silently. 'I'll do my best from now on if you just don't lose...'
Chiba and Watanabe stared each other down as they activated their duel disks.
"Duel!" they both shouted.
"If you forgive me, I'll start," Watanabe said in a mocking tone. "Draw!" He looked at his hand and chuckled. "I'm going to play Gladial Beast Dikaerii in attack mode."
A purple bull creature in silver battle armor appeared on the field and roared.
"That's a pretty powerful monster," Shougo observed.
"That's not all," Mark added. "Those Gladiator Beasts have an interesting ability. When they attack or are attacked, you can swap them back into your deck for another one, and that one gains a special ability."
Chiba raised his disk a bit.
"Don't think I'm done," Watanabe said. "Because I have a Gladial Beast on the field, I activate Slave Tiger's special effect, so I can Special Summon it to the field!"
The image of an armored tiger appeared next to Dikaerii.
Mark's eyes widened. "Slave Ti... he couldn't mean?!"
"What?" Shougo said, pulling Mark back so he wouldn't be seen.
"The Gladiator Beasts are having a test run in America and doing well," Mark said. "But the company that produces Duel Monsters in America also made some exclusive cards... for extra incentive. That card's one of them. It shouldn't be available here."
"Being the son of a wealthy criminal attorney gives a person certain benefits," a female voice said behind them.
Mark and Shougo both shouted and turned to see Naomi Aino sitting behind them, arms crossed.
"Hey, Ms. Aino," Mark said, chuckling nervously. "I hope your friend's not upset about our duel..."
"She's still upset," Aino said. "But don't you worry about that. She's harmless. Watanabe, on the other hand, plays for keeps."
"Since when do you run that card, Watanabe-san?" Chiba asked, smiling. "A secret weapon to beat me with, perhaps?"
"Like I need something like that to beat you with," Watanabe laughed. "I'll activate Slave Tiger's other special effect. I'll sacrifice it and send Dikaerii back to my deck to summon another Gladial Beast. Come out... Gladial Beast Sekutor, defense mode!"
A frog-like creature in blue armor came onto the field and covered its body up with its huge clawed fins.
Shougo's confusion was apparent. "Dikaerii was so much stronger than this one."
"Furthermore, I'll equip Sekutor with Armaments of the Gladial Beasts - Manica," Watanabe said, as a metallic black handpiece appeared on Sekutor's arm. "This prevents my Sekutor from being destroyed as a result of battle. I'll set one card facedown. Turn end."
Chiba nodded. "My turn. Draw. And I'll summon Troop Commander in attack mode."
A rough looking soldier appeared wielding a sword.
"Troop Commander's special ability now activates, letting me special summon a level 4 or lower monster from my hand," Chiba went on. "Rogue Mercenaries, assemble!"
A group of armored ruffians appeared beside him, as Chiba continued speaking. "Now I'll activate *their* special ability, and sacrifice them to destroy your Sekutor. Ambush Strike!"
The soldiers surrounded Sekutor, ready to attack, but Watanabe just laughed. "Predictable as ever, Chiba! Reverse card open... Chariot of the Gladial Beasts!"
A card appeared on the field depicting a speared chariot. Sekutor raised its arms up and threw the mercenaries off.
Chiba blinked. "What happened?"
"'Chariot of the Gladial Beasts' negates the effect of a monster as long as I have a Gladial Beast on the field," Watanabe explained, adjusting his own glasses slightly. "I came prepared for your Mercenary chicanery, so bring it on. It's the last time you'll be able to use it!"
Chiba shrugged. "Turn end," he simply.
Watanabe scoffed. "That's it? Sad. My turn, then. Draw! And I'll switch Sekutor to attack mode."
Shougo did a double take as the amphibian warrior rose to its feet. "What could he possibly hope to do?" he said.
"I guess we'll see," Aino replied.
"First, I'll play the field magic Dungeon of the Gladial Beasts - Colosseum," Watanabe said as he opened the field magic slot on his duel disk. An arena built of rock, much like the ancient Roman colosseums of old, rose to create the duelists' field. "Each time a monster is summoned from our decks, my Gladials gain 100 attack and defense points.
"Now... Sekutor! Attack Chiba's Troop Commander!"
Sekutor rushed forward at Chiba's monster, who gripped his axe and counterattacked. Watanabe's life points went down to 3200, but because of Sekutor's equip magic card, it wasn't destroyed.
But it was according to Watanabe's plan. "Because of Slave Tiger's special effect, Sekutor is treated as though it was summoned by the effect of a Gladial Beast," he said. "And that gives him his own effect. After he attacks I can Special Summon two other Gladial Beasts from my deck!"
He fanned his deck out, selected two cards from among them and slapped them on his duel disk.
"Come out, Gladial Beast Murmillo, and Gladial Beast Laquer!"
A humanoid fish creature and a fiery tiger, both wearing battle armor, appeared on the field. Their power rose by 200 because of the Colosseum field spell.
"Murmillo's special effect activates now," Watanabe said. "I'll destroy one face-up monster on the field. Say goodbye to your Troop Commander!"
The fish creature shot a sound wave out which destroyed Chiba's monster, its axe crashing on the ground.
"At least his Battle Phase is over," Shougo said, looking at Aino and Mark. "Chiba-kun can still take care of them next turn."
But Mark and Aino didn't look relieved. Chiba, too, frowned slightly as he prepared himself for what was next.
"I don't need to tell you what's next, do I?" Watanabe grinned. "You've seen it enough times to know. I return Laquer, Murmillo and Sekutor to my deck!" The images of the beasts faded as Watanabe put them into his card set and shuffled it.
"Now... come out, my strongest creature... Gladial Beast Heracleynos!"
The arena rumbled as the image of a humanoid monster wielding a golden shield and axe leaped off of thin air and crashed onto the field. It wore a lion-shaped mask and gave an animal shout as it pointed its axe at Chiba.
"3300 attack points!" Shougo leaned backwards in his chair.
"That's not all. Heracleynos has a very bad special effect," Walker said. "It can negate a magic or trap card if its user discards one card from his hand."
"Maybe so, but it can't stop Chiba's Rogue Mercenaries," Aino said. "This match could still go either way. Let's just hope Chiba has some in his hand."
"And the special effect of Armaments of the Gladial Beasts - Manica goes off as well," Watanabe said, placing the card into his hand. "When the equipped monster is returned to the deck, the equip goes back in my hand."
He then looked at his hand and smirked. "That's the end of my turn."
Aino leaned back. "No facedowns?" she said.
"I know Chiba-kun will strike back now," Shougo said, and almost cheered his friend on before remembering they were trying not to call attention to themselves.
"My turn," Chiba said. "Draw. I set three cards facedown and summon Command Knight in defense mode. Turn end."
Shougo facefaulted and then forgot himself. "That's it?! Chiba-kun! Don't lose!"
Watanabe laughed heartily. "Looks like luck isn't on your side this time, Chiba. So much for 'determination of friendship'! My turn... draw! I play the magic card Resting Gladial Beast. By returning Gladial Beast Spartacus and Gladial Beast Alexander to my deck, I can draw three new cards."
He then looked at his hand and sneered. "Too bad, Chiba. Looks like soon you won't have a purpose in this school! I play Gladial Beast Hoplomus in attack mode!"
An armored rhinoceros-creature appeared on the field next to Heracleynos.
"So weak," Aino muttered. "Even with the field magic out, it has only 1000 attack points. It's much better in defense!"
"Not exactly," Mark said. "If Hoplomus' attack goes through, Mr. Watanabe can bring out Gladiator Beast Spartacus. And that will be a lot more troublesome for Mr. Chiba."
"I activate from my hand, the magic card Smashing Ground," Watanabe said. "Destroying your highest defense monster on the field! Say goodbye to your Command Knight!"
A ripple shot through the ground and struck Chiba's monster. Its image shattered as her scream resounded.
"So much for a defense," Aino sighed as Shougo whimpered and Mark winced.
Watanabe grinned and thrust his hand out. "Let's get things started now! Heracleynos... direct attack!"
Heracleynos raised its axe and ran towards Chiba.
"Reverse card open!" Chiba shouted. "Reactive Armor! When a monster of yours declares an attack, I can destroy it!"
Watanabe laughed madly. "Useless, useless!" he shouted. "I'm discarding Manica from my hand to activate Heracleynos' effect to negate your trap! It's over, you Osiris rat! Hand over your cards now!"
Chiba frowned deeply as Watanabe's monster continued its attack.
"This is bad," Mark said. "If both attacks get through, Chiba's done for!"
Aino crossed her arms tightly and just watched.
'Please tell me you have something, Chiba-kun...' Shougo thought to himself. 'You've got to!'
--
TODAY'S FEATURED CARD: The Fusion Monster Card, "Gladial Beast Heracleynos"
By returning "Gladial Beast Laquer" and two other Gladial Beasts to your deck, Special Summon this card from your Fusion Deck. It can negate the activation of Spells and Traps if you send one card from your hand to the cemetery. If you are able to summon this card, you can later summon it from the cemetery as well.
NEXT CHAPTER: "The True Form Revealed! Holy Sword Gear Freed"
==
SUPPLEMENTAL SECTION
--
CARDS USED BY KENTARO WATANABE:
* GLADIAL BEAST DIKAERII (Gladiator Beast Dimacari)
Effect Monster (L4 Earth Beast, 1600/1200)
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, it can attack twice during each Battle Phase. If this card attacked or was attacked, at the end of the Battle Phase you can return it to the Deck to Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck other than "Gladial Beast Dikaerii".
* SLAVE TIGER (Test Tiger)
Effect Monster (L3 Earth Beast, 600/300)
If you control a "Gladial Beast" monster, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. By Tributing this card and returning 1 "Gladial Beast" monster you conrol to the Deck, Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, and treat it as though it was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster.
* CHARIOT OF THE GLADIAL BEASTS (Chariot of the Gladiator Beasts)
Activate only if you control a face-up "Gladial Beast" monster. Negate the activation and effect of an Effect Monster, and destroy it.
* GLADIAL BEAST SEKUTOR (Gladiator Beast Secutor)
Effect Monster (L4 Wind Reptile, 400/300)
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, at the end of the Battle Phase you can Special Summon 2 "Gladial Beast" monsters from your Deck other than "Gladial Beast Sekutor".
* ARMAMENTS OF THE GLADIAL BEASTS - MANICA (Gladiator Beast's Battle Manica)
Equip Magic
Equip only to a "Gladial Beast" monster. The equipped monster cannot be destroyed as a result of battle. (Damage calculation is applied normally.) When the equipped monster is returned from your side of the field to the Deck and this card is sent to the Graveyard, return it to your hand.
* DUNGEON OF THE GLADIAL BEASTS - COLOSSEUM (Colosseum - Cage of the Gladiator Beasts)
Field Magic
Place 1 Counter on this card whenever a monster is Special Summoned from either player's Deck. All "Gladial Beast" monsters gain 100 Attack and Defense points for each counter on this card. If this card would be destroyed by a card effect, you can discard 1 "Dungeon of the Gladial Beasts - Colosseum" to negate its destruction.
* GLADIAL BEAST MURMILLO (Gladiator Beast Murmillo)
Effect Monster (L3 Water Fish, 800/400)
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, destroy 1 face-up monster. If this card attacked or was attacked, at the end of the Battle Phase you can return it to the Deck to Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck other than "Gladial Beast Murmillo".
* GLADIAL BAST LAQUER (Gladiator Beast Laquari)
Effect Monster (L4 Fire Beast-Warrior, 1800/400)
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, its original Attack points become 2100. If this card attacked or was attacked, at the end of the Battle Phase you can return it to the Deck to Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck other than "Gladial Beast Laquer".
* GLADIAL BEAST HERACLEYNOS (Gladiator Beast Heraklinos)
Fusion Monster (L8 Fire Beast-Warrior, 3000/2800)
"Gladial Beast Laquer" + 2 "Gladial Beast" monsters
This card can only be Special Summoned from your Fusion Deck by retrning the above cards you control to the Deck. (You do not use "Fusion".) You can discard 1 card from your hand to negate the activation of a Spell or Trap Card and destroy it. This effect can be used during either player's turn.
* RESTING GLADIAL BEAST (Gladiator Beast's Respite)
Normal Magic
Return 2 "Gladial Beast" cards from your hand to the Deck to draw 3 cards.
* GLADIAL BEAST SPARTACUS (Gladiator Beast Spartacus)
Effect Monster (L5 Earth Dinosaur, 2200/1600)
This card cannot be Special Summoned except by the effect of "Gladial Beast Hoplomus". When this card is Special Summoned, add 1 "Gladial Beast" equip magic card from your Deck to your hand. If this card attacked or was attacked, at the end of the Battle Phase you can return it to the Deck to Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck other than "Gladial Beast Spartacus".
* GLADIAL BEAST ALEXANDER (Gladiator Beast Alexander)
Effect Monster (L6 Light Beast, 2400/600)
This card cannot be Special Summoned except by the effect of "Gladial Beast Dikaerii". If this card was Special Summoned, it is unaffected by the effects of Magic cards. If this card attacked or was attacked, at the end of the Battle Phase you can return it to the Deck to Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck other than "Gladial Beast Alexander".
* SMASHING GROUND
Normal Magic
Destroy 1 face-up monster your opponent controls with the highest Defense points. (If it is a tie, you get to choose.)
* GLADIAL BEAST HOPLOMUS (Gladiator Beast Hoplomus)
Effect Monster (L4 Earth Rock, 700/2100)
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, its original Defense points become 2400. If this card attacked or was attacked, at the end of the Battle Phase you can return it to the Deck to Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck other than "Gladial Beast Hoplomus".
--
CARDS USED BY KATSUROU CHIBA:
* TROOP COMMANDER (Marauding Captain)
Effect Monster (L3 Earth Warrior, 1200/400)
While this monster remains face-up on the field, your opponent cannot select another Warrior-type monster on your side of the field as an attack target. When this card is Normal Summoned, you can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from your hand.
* ROGUE MERCENARIES (Exiled Force)
Effect Monster (L4 Earth Warrior, 1000/1000)
Sacrifice this card to destroy 1 monster on the field.
* COMMAND KNIGHT
Effect Monster (L4 Fire Warrior, 1200/1900)
While this card is face-up on the field, all Warrior-type Monsters you control gain 400 ATK. When there is 1 Monster card on the field other than this card, your opponent cannot select "Command Knight" as an attack target.
* REACTIVE ARMOR (Sakuretsu Armor)
Normal Trap
Activate only when the opponent's monster declares an attack. Destroy the attacking monster.
