A/N:
I'm back? Kind of. I still have 2 minor assignments and a test on the 29th, but after that, you can expect regular updates to this fic every week until my semester starts again on September.
Also, just wanted to say thanks to all the people who joined my Pa tre on even when I'm busy with IRL things, you guys are the GOATs.
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TURN 1
Edo Phoenix: 4000 LP
Hand: 2
GY: Destiny HERO – Malicious x2, Destiny Draw, Graceful Charity, ?, ?, Marauding Captain, Elemental HERO Stratos
Field: Destiny HERO – Dogma (LVL 8 / 3400 / 2400 [ATK Position]), ? (Set), ? (Set)
Banish: —
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Yusou Ken: 4000 LP
Hand: 5
GY: —
Banish: —
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Looking at the sole demonic HERO monster on the field, Ken glances back at the cards in his hand before narrowing his eyes.
He didn't have any cards capable of directly destroying or overpowering Dogma. At 3400 ATK, the monster was acting like a wall at this point, with the Darklord Morningstar in the deck only reaching 3000 ATK at most.
The only chance he had was summoning The First Darklord, but he didn't have the cards needed to fuse him currently.
And adding to the problem, two cards materialized face-down behind Dogma as Edo spoke with confidence.
"I set two cards facedown before ending my turn. Your move, Yusou-san; try and break this if you can."
A 3400 ATK monster with two face-down set cards, this field will be hard to break. Letting out an exhale, he placed his fingers on the exposed section of his deck and drew the top card.
"I draw."
Flipping the card to see its contents, he quickly formulated a plan in his mind and pulled several cards from his hand to start his turn—
"Sorry for the interruption, but Destiny HERO — Dogma's effect activates! If I still control this monster during your Standby Phase after summoning it, your Life Points are halved! Life Absolute!"
Dogma's crimson eyes flared with a purple glow as its effect triggers, dark energy radiating outward like a pulse. Before Ken could react, the field vibrated slightly as Dogma released a powerful burst of energy, engulfing Ken in a flash of purple light.
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Yusou Ken: 4000 -› 2000 LP
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Ken gritted his teeth in annoyance as the dark energy subsided, leaving a faint hum in the air. He waved his arm briskly to dispel the lingering smoke that had clouded his vision.
Half of his LP gone in an instant—that wasn't good. His deck's strategy heavily relied on the abilities of his Darklord cards, paying LP to activate their effects. Now, with his LP halved to 2000, he could only use the archetype's effects sparingly—once, maybe twice, if he somehow managed to gain some LP from the traps in the deck.
Ken's eyes scanned his hand again, mentally calculating his moves before speaking up.
"Main Phase, I activate the spell Pot of Greed from my hand! I draw two cards."
Sliding the spell into his GY slot, Ken drew two cards from his deck and mentally cheered as he drew an important card for his board setup.
"I now activate Darklord Ixchel's effect from my hand! By discarding this card along with another card from my hand, I can draw another two cards."
He discarded Ixchel and another card, sending them to the GY before drawing another two cards.
"I now play the Darklord Nasten from my hand! By discarding another two cards, I can special summon him onto the field! I choose to summon it in Defense Position."
Placing the card onto the Duel Disk, a section of the field lit up with a glow as a massive monster materialized. The creature had an angelic frame, but its face was twisted into the visage of a beast. Its enormous, white feathered wings wrapped protectively around its body, forming a defensive shield as it knelt in a poised stance.
[ Darklord Nasten (LVL 7 / 2600 / 2600 [DEF Position]) ]
"A monster with 2600 Defense as your first monster? Not bad, but I know you have more than just this bad boy. Bring it on!"
Edo remarked, grinning with excitement as he crossed his arms. Ken didn't respond to the comment, giving a small nod instead as he moved forward with his turn.
"From my hand, I play the spell card Banishment of the Darklords. This spell allows me to add one Darklord card from my deck to my hand except for another copy of Banishment of the Darklords. I'm grabbing this card, Darklord Contract."
Searching the deck, he took the card out and flipped it over to show Edo before shuffling the deck.
"Then, I play the Darklord Contract that I just searched, which allows me to special summon 1 Darklord monster from my GY onto the field in Defense Position, and I choose the Darklord Superbia in my GY."
A flare of light later, a winged monster in the shape of a chalice appeared on the field, flapping its wings as it stayed in the air close to him.
[ Darklord Superbia (LVL 8 / 2900 / 2400 [DEF Position]) ]
"When special summoned from the GY, his effect activates. I can target 1 Fairy monster in my GY and special summon that target. I choose Darklord Ixchel in Defense Position."
The field lights up once more in a shade of gray as a four-winged fallen angel with a red halo falls from the skies, dressed in ornate robes with a white-to-black gradient, landing on the ground as she kneels down gracefully.
[ Darklord Ixchel (LVL 10 / 2500 / 2900 [DEF Position]) ]
"You know, I'll repeat the words that you've just said to me. Three monsters on the field with a good amount of cards left to be played. Yusou-san, you're much better than some of the professionals."
"And I'm not done yet. I now activate Ixchel's quick effect! I pay 1000 LP and then target a Darklord spell or trap to apply that card's effect. After that, shuffle the targeted card back into the deck."
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Yusou Ken: 2000 -› 1000 LP
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"I choose to target the Banishment of the Darklords in my GY to activate its effect! I get to search for a Darklord card and add it from my deck to my hand."
"Hold on, but Banishment of the Darklords states that you can only activate it once a turn?"
Edo asked, looking at the crystal orb that acted as a screen to display card information. Ken shook his finger and explained.
"The PSCT states that I'm not allowed to activate the card itself, but I'm not using another Banishment of the Darklords. I'm copying the effect of Banishment to Ixchel, who is using the copied effect."
"... Huh, that's actually a genius way to bypass the cost restriction."
"Thanks. I add the card, Darklord Uprising, into my hand with the effect of Banishment of the Darklords and shuffle the card from the GY back to my deck."
Searching the deck once more, he grabbed the trap card and added it to his hand before finalizing his Main Phase with a few more moves.
"I normal summon Indulged Darklord in face-up Defense Position and activate her effect."
Appearing in a flash of gray, Indulged Darklord landed onto the ground from the heavens next to Ixchel as she kneeled down and prayed with a solemn expression, her sole black-feathered wing protecting her body.
[ Indulged Darklord (LVL 4 / 1600 / 0 [DEF Position]) ]
"Upon summoning her, I can take 2 Darklord monsters from your hand or deck with different Levels, and special summon 1 of them to your side of the field in Defense Position while adding the other one to my hand."
Taking the deck out from his Duel Disk, Ken searched and grabbed two cards before walking to the center of the field, passing by his monsters and standing face-to-face against Destiny HERO —Dogma who growled at his sudden appearance on the field.
Edo followed along, meeting him at the center of the field as Ken gave him a card while showing the other that he searched.
"Darklord Morningstar, that looks like a powerful card. And in turn, I get Capricious Darklord, a monster with 0 ATK and effects that would benefit you instead. Well played."
The HERO user chuckled before taking the presented card in front of him and placing it on his Duel Disk.
Materializing onto the field, Capricious Darklord followed her sister's actions as she got down on both knees and prayed, though the demented smile on her face was a stark contrast to Indulged Darklord's sedated look.
[ Capricious Darklord (LVL 4 / 0 / 1600 [DEF Position]) ]
Looking at his remaining hand, he grabbed two cards before placing them into the spell and trap zone slots underneath the monster zones.
"I set two cards face down before I end my turn."
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TURN 2
Edo Phoenix: 4000 LP
Hand: 2
GY: Destiny HERO – Malicious x2, Destiny Draw, Graceful Charity, ?, ?, Marauding Captain, Elemental HERO Stratos
Field: Destiny HERO – Dogma (LVL 8 / 3400 / 2400 [ATK Position]), Capricious Darklord (LVL 4 / 0 / 1600 [DEF Position]), ? (Set), ?(Set)
Banish: —
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Yusou Ken: 1000 LP
Hand: 2
GY: Pot of Greed, ?, ?, Darklord Contract
Field: Darklord Nasten (LVL 7 / 2600 / 2600 [DEF Position]), Darklord Superbia (LVL 8 / 2900 / 2400 [DEF Position]), Darklord Ixchel (LVL 8 / 2500 / 2900 [DEF Position]), Indulged Darklord (LVL 4 / 1600 / 0 [DEF Position]), ?(Set), ?(Set)
Banish: —
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"That's an impressive board, but it's not going to save you if you can't produce a monster that can beat mine! I draw for turn!"
Edo boasts before drawing his card for the turn, adding it to his hand before he plays a card onto his Duel Disk.
"I normal summon Destiny HERO — Diamond Dude in face-up Defense Position!"
In a flash of white, a man dressed in dark colors with diamonds protruding from his body appeared on Edo's side of the field, crouching as his arms covered in diamonds were raised in a guarding stance.
[ Destiny HERO — Diamond Dude (LVL 4 / 1400 / 1600 [DEF Position]) ]
"With this dude on the field, I now play the continuous spell card, The A. Forces, from my hand! For every Warrior or Spellcaster type monster that I control, all Warrior type monsters on my side of the field gain 200 ATK! And since both of my HEROES are Warrior type monsters..."
The Destiny HEROES were suddenly clad in a mysterious energy as they roared with determination.
"They all gain an additional 400 ATK points to their name!"
[ Destiny HERO — Dogma (3400 = 3800*) ]
[ Destiny HERO — Diamond Dude (14001800*) ]
"Moving with the boosts for my Destiny HEROES, I activate Diamond Dude's effect! Once per turn, I can excavate the top card of my deck. If it's a normal spell card, I can send it to the Cemetery, and the card's effect will be activated in the next turn even if my guy is off the field! But if it's not a normal spell card, then I'll have to place it at the bottom of my deck."
Hitting the button to activate a set face-down card, Ken quickly yelled out as Diamond Dude started to glow a hue of blue.
"I chain your monster's activation with my face-down! I activate the trap, The Sanctified Darklord! I can discard 1 Darklord monster from my hand or field, and I can negate 1 effect monster on the field until the end of this turn. If it resolves, I get to gain LP based on the ATK of the negated monster. I discard Indulged Darklord from my field to the GY to negate your Destiny HERO —Dogma!"
Indugled Darklord turned to face Ken and bowed down low before her form shattered into motes of dark energy, scattering across the air.
A portion of the monster converging into a chain of energy as they wrapped around Dogma, restricting its movement while the rest of the energy forms into a sphere that flies into Ken.
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Yusou Ken: 1000 -› 4800LP
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A hue of green surrounds him as Edo drew the top card of the deck. Glancing at the card after flipping it over to his side, he smirked.
"That was a smart move to replenish your Life Points back to full and more without any interference, but destiny's on my side! I send the normal spell card Destiny Draw into my Cemetery!"
Sliding the card into his Duel Disk's GY zone, Edo thrusts his free arm out.
"Battle! Destiny HERO — Dogma (3800*) attacks your Darklord Nasten (2600)!"
As Dogma begins to float into the air, Ken quickly presses the button to activate his remaining face-down card.
"Not so fast! I activate my reverse card, Darklord Uprising! By sending 1 Darklord Monster from my hand to the GY, I can fusion summon a fusion monster using material on my field! And if it resolves, I gain Life Points based on the ATK of the discarded monster!"
It would make it so that The First Darklord would not be able to use his first effect to destroy all cards on Edo's field, but it was more powerful in terms of ATK points compared to Dogma, so—
"Sorry, Yusou-san, but I chain that trap activation with my own face down! The counter trap, Trap Jammer, activates! When my opponent activates a trap card during the Battle Phase, I get to negate that trap card and destroy it!"
"What?!"
A shocked expression painted Ken's face as a large comedic hammer appeared before his face-up trap card and slammed down, shattering the card into pieces.
"Too bad, huh? If you had summoned that fusion monster, I think it would be game, but my destiny is pointing towards my victory! Go Dogma (3800*), attack Nasten (2600)! Death Chronicle!"
Flapping his wings, the large Destiny HERO soared into the sky before rushing Nasten, who stood up to battle the HERO.
SLASH!
In an instant, the towering Destiny HERO disappears and reappears behind Nasten, slashing his monster in half with a single strike by his blade, destroying him.
"When your Darklord Nasten is destroyed, I get to activate a face down! My trap card activates!"
In a flash, a metal ring appeared around Darklord Superbia before fire started to expel from it.
"Ring of Destruction! I can target 1 monster on the field and destroy it, causing both of us to lose Life Points based on the ATK of the destroyed monster! That Darklord Superbia (2900 / 2500) of yours is looking quite juicy for a target!"
"Shit!"
Ken barely had the time to cover his face before the ring around Superbia exploded in a burst of flames.
BOOOOOOM!
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Edo Phoenix: 4000 -› 1100 LP
Yusou Ken: 4800 -› 1900 LP
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As the smoke from the explosion dissipated, Ken looked at Edo, who placed another card face down.
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TURN 3
Edo Phoenix: 1100 LP
Hand: 0
GY: Destiny HERO – Malicious x2, Destiny Draw x2, Graceful Charity, ?, ?, Marauding Captain, Elemental HERO Stratos, Trap Jammer, Ring of Destruction
Field: Destiny HERO – Dogma (LVL 8 / 3400 / 2400 [ATK Position]), Capricious Darklord (LVL 4 / 0 / 1600 [DEF Position]), Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude (LVL 4 / 1800* / 1600 [DEF Position]), The A. Forces (Continuous Spell), ?(Set)
Banish: —
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Yusou Ken: 1900 LP
Hand: 2
GY: Pot of Greed, ?, ?, Darklord Contract, Indulged Darklord, The Sanctified Darklord, Darklord Uprising, Darklord Nasten, Darklord Superbia
Field: Darklord Ixchel (LVL 8 / 2500 / 2900 [DEF Position])
Banish: —
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"You took your own Life Points, why? This doesn't benefit you at all!"
"No, it did! Your Darklord Ixchel uses exactly 1000 Life Points to activate her effect. By pushing you down to 1100, it's at the perfect amount to lock you out of her effect since Dogma is still on the field on your turn!"
Ken's eyes widened, recalling the effect of the 3800 ATK monster of a HERO as he drew his card during the Draw Phase and entered the Standby Phase. Dark energy gathered in front of Dogma before it launched towards him, engulfing him in it once more.
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Yusou Ken: 1900 -› 950 LP
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That strategy was sound. Risking his own Life Points just to prevent him from using Ixchel's ability to copy a spell or trap's effect from the GY. Edo knew that the only way for him to win was by using Darklord Uprising to fusion summon, and he played it perfectly to avoid Ixchel from using Darklord Uprising.
Destiny HERO cards... A close enough acquaintance of Pegasus to know what country he was in for a vacation... Skill of a genuine professional at this game...
Edo Phoenix, now he remembers who this guy was. The person Pegasus had bragged about a few months after knowing the CEO of Industrial Illusions.
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"Yusou-boyya, you won't believe what kind of talent I found! And the custom cards that he had, it's inspiring me to create a new archetype! I'm thinking.. SUPERHEROES!"
"Pegasus, you called me to the headmaster's office again. During class."
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... His heart was starting to beat rapidly as a grin appeared on his face.
This is starting to get fun. Real fun.
... Fun, this is what Duel Monsters is supposed to be like. And he's going to win this!
"During the Standby Phase, I activate a monster's effect from the GY! Darklord Marie, activate!"
Appearing behind him, Darklord Marie wrapped her arms around his neck as a glow of green surrounded his body.
"When she is in my GY, once per turn during the Standby Phase, I gain 200 Life Points."
"What? No, you placed it at the start!"
Edo looked shocked as his Life Points soared by 200 points, increasing it to 1150 LP as Darklord Marie disappeared from the field.
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Yusou Ken: 950 -› 1150 LP
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"Now, with more than 1000 LP, I can activate Ixchel's ability once more! By paying 1000 LP, I can target one Darklord spell or trap in my GY and apply its effect, then shuffle the targeted card back to the deck. I choose to copy the effects of Darklord Uprising!"
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Yusou Ken: 1150 -› 150 LP
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Pushing the image of a shock Edo to the back of his head, Ken quickly showed the card that he wanted to discard for the effect of Darklord Uprising to activate.
"I can send one Darklord monster from my hand or field to my GY and fusion summon one fusion monster using monsters from my hand or field as material. After that, I gain LP based on the ATK points of the discarded monster. I send Darklord Ukoback from my hand as cost and use the Darklord Morningstar and Darklord Nergal from my hand and Darklord Ixchel on the field as material to fusion summon!"
A crimson glow shone from his Duel Disk as a shadowy portal of swirling blue and purple energies erupted onto the field, cracking with energy as he sent the selected material to theGY.
The sacrificed monsters dissolved into streaks, spiraling into the portal. The energy intensified, crackling like thunder, as Ken grabbed the sole card in the extra deck zone that expanded upon activation of the fusion.
"I fusion summon! Appear before me, ruler of the fallen angels, The First Darklord!"
The portal erupted in a flash of blinding light, and The First Darklord emerged on the field. His twelve enormous wings unfurled, simple movements of his wings sending powerful gusts of wind that rippled across the arena.
Descending from the skies, his armored boots landing on the ground with a faint clang before his sword drove into the earth, the ruler of the Darklords rests his hands on the hilt of his blade.
[ The First Darklord (Fusion LVL 12 / 4000 / 4000 [ATK Position])]
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Yusou Ken: 150 -› 850 LP
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"Upon his summoning, if The First Darklord uses Darklord Morningstar as material, I can destroy all cards you control!"
Edo's eyes widened in panic, darting to his field, his Duel Disk beeping down a timer as a warning while his mind raced for a solution, but none came. He bit his lip, holding back his frustration as Ken's monster began to move.
With a slow, deliberate stretch of his six dark wings, The First Darklord channeled his powers. Each feathered wing curled forward, crackling as the sky shimmered with black blades made of his energies.
With a single, commanding nod, the weapons fired in unison. Like falling rain, the dark magic swords descended on every card on Edo's field, causing them to explode in bursts of light debris.
With the field now open for an attack, Ken looked over at The First Darklord who glanced back.
"Battle! Go, attack him directly!"
The First Darklord lifted his sword from the ground, the surface of the blade glowing with energy of darkness. With a slow, deliberate movement, he raised the sword high above his head as an ominous hum echoed through the courtyard.
Tendrils of energy spiraled around the blade, forming a vortex of pure destruction. The First Darklord floated forward, his wings stretching wide as his crimson eyes glowed brighter.
"Abyssal Judgement!"
Bringing his blade down in a sweeping arc, the fusion monster released a wave of energy that exploded forward like a tidal wave, crashing straight toward Edo, who shielded himself as it enveloped everything in its path.
DUUUUUUUUUUUUN!
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Edo Phoenix: 4000 -› 0 LP
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TURN 4
Edo Phoenix: 0 LP
Hand: 0
GY: Destiny HERO – Malicious x2, Destiny Draw x2, Graceful Charity, ?, ?, Marauding Captain, Elemental HERO Stratos, Trap Jammer, Ring of Destruction, Destiny HERO – Dogma, Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude, The A. Forces, ?
Field: —
Banish: —
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Yusou Ken: 850 LP
Hand: 0
GY: Pot of Greed, ?, Darklord Marie, Darklord Contract, Indulged Darklord, The Sanctified Darklord, Darklord Uprising, Darklord Nasten, Darklord Superbia, Darklord Ukoback, Darklord Ixchel, Darklord Nergal, Darklord Morningstar
Field: The First Darklord (Fusion LVL 12 / 4000 / 4000 [ATK Position])
Banish: —
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YUSOU KEN WIN!
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Dust and smoke faded away, revealing Edo, who emerged from the aftermath of the attack unscathed. His Duel Disk sparked faintly, signaling the end of the duel. Standing in silence, he looked at the cards on his Duel Disk before, suddenly, a low chuckle escaped his lips, growing louder with each passing second.
"Haha... hahahaha!"
Edo's laughter echoed through the courtyard, running a hand through his gray hair, before a wide grin spread across his face.
"Yusou-san, you are amazing! After beating you down turn after turn, you just come back stronger! I can see why Pegasus claims that you're one of the best."
"Uh, thanks... I guess?"
"No, really. I threw everything I had at you, and you still managed to turn the duel around! It's clear to me now: destiny's telling me I've got a lot more work to do before I can..."
Edo trailed off, muttering to himself as his gaze drifted upwards, his thoughts momentarily lost in the sky. The courtyard fell into a brief silence before he snapped back, his eyes sharpening with renewed resolve.
"But you know what? Next time, I'm coming at you at my best, with a brand new strategy and a revamped Destiny HEROES deck. And then, destiny will have no choice but to guide me to victory."
Ken raised an eyebrow before a smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"I'll be waiting for you, then."
As Edo prepared to leave, he quickly shared his personal number and Virtual Nexus username before rushing out of the courtyard, his phone already lighting up with calls and messages from his guardian and best friend wondering where he was.
Standing alone in the courtyard, Ken made his way to one of the benches and sat quietly as his eyes lingered on the Duel Disk strapped to his arm where his deck resided, various emotions surfacing at the duel.
In the end, he breathed out before a gentle smile dawned his face, his emotions completely at peace.
"That was a fun duel... Thanks for your help again."
He spoke the words out loud to the Darklords deck, then turned his gaze to the sky, feeling the gentle warmth of the sun as he basked in the serenity of the moment, completely overlooking the warmth radiating from the Duel Disk itself.
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Come support me on my Pa tre on where I post early chapters (sometimes) and new story ideas not on any websites yet.
There's currently extra chapters that I haven't posted, want to stockpile them beforehand, so if you want to read early come join!
pa tre on .cōm / damaine_n
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