Saturday, 05/05/2001, 11:03 a.m.
The sky was clear of clouds.
The sun's rays beat down hard on the capital of Japan—Tokyo.
The smell of smoke and the hustle and bustle of people filled the air…
A car sped down an overly busy street.
A cloud of dust and smoke rose.
The front of a large building came into view a second later.
A huge sign hung on one side of the place, fixed to the wall. The image of two black ogres fighting served as the background to the words, East Regional Duel Monsters Championship, written in red and purple.
Boys and girls of all ages were constantly entering and exiting the building.
Some of them stopped and looked at a large screen that displayed a bracket connected by several red lines. Various names rose upward like roots, ending in a final matchup. For now, there were names up to the third-to-last spot on the chart. One matchup was shaded in blue in the semifinals section: Insector Haga vs. Shin Osako...
Inside the building, a massive duel arena emitted a sharp beep.
Beeee-eeep!
Two platforms held up the figures of two boys, one red and the other blue. One was a short, slim kid with green hair slicked back with gel, a dark green jacket with yellow accents, thick-lensed golden glasses, and a neutral expression. The other was a taller youth, slender, with sharp features, dressed in a black coat.
It was Shin.
All around them, blue bleachers were packed with dozens of children and teenagers of various ages and appearances.
The noise was deafening.
A man in a black suit, with brown hair, angular features, and dark glasses, stood to the side of the arena, holding a microphone. His voice, dry and strong, echoed steadily throughout the venue. A chubby cameraman dressed in green and wearing a red cap focused the camera on him.
"Hello, hello! The first semifinal of the East Regional Duel Monsters Championship here in Japan is upon us!
On platform one, known for his venomous tactics and his endless army of deadly insects… Insector Haga!
On platform two, a cold and ruthless player with a horde of dark creatures at his command… Shin Osako!
All right, everyone! Let the duel begin!... But first, real quick—follow the championship live on..."
While the announcer kept talking in front of the camera, the panel above the duel arena lit up with blue letters and numbers in four directions.
At the same time, the noise in the room gradually faded.
Shin Osako 2000 LP / 2000 LP
Insector Haga.
Below, Insector made the first move. His shrill, weak voice narrated each action, his expression hidden behind the glare of the lights on his glasses.
"I summon a monster face-down in Defense Position and then set this card. That's it, your turn."
The silhouettes of two cards appeared in Insector's field area—one in the Spell and Trap Zone, and one horizontally in the Monster Zone.
Right after, Shin drew a card from his deck. His voice rang through the hall. His face was expressionless.
"Draw."
Shin's hand went from five to six cards. After a short pause, he continued his narration.
"I activate Graceful Charity. I draw three cards."
Shin drew three cards from his deck. Then he added:
"Now I discard these two."
He placed two cards into his Graveyard Zone. His play continued as he placed a card in his Monster Zone.
"All right. Now I summon Mystic Tomato in Attack Position."
The figure of a sinister-looking red tomato appeared on Shin's side of the field. A sharp screech followed its arrival.
"Wraaah!"
Mystic Tomato LV4 ∆Dark∆ (Effect) {Plant} [1400ATK/1100DEF]
In front of the camera, the announcer exclaimed:
"Shin Osako just summoned Mystic Tomato with fourteen hundred attack points! Insector Haga might be in real trouble!"
Meanwhile, Shin raised his right hand and pointed toward Insector's hidden monster. A command came from his lips.
"Mystic Tomato, attack."
Mystic Tomato let out a sinister laugh and then flew at high speed toward Insector's face-down monster. Its mouth opened disproportionately. The opposing monster was revealed.
Killer Needle LV4 ∆Wind∆ (Normal) {Insect} [1200ATK/1000DEF]
A giant wasp was in Defense Position on Insector's side of the field. A small smile appeared on the boy's face before he spoke in a lofty tone, his eyes still hidden behind the gleam of his glasses.
"You've triggered my trap! Infinite Dismissal!"
Insector reached for his Spell and Trap Zone and flipped one of his cards.
The card's projection displayed a sinister reddish hand from which a golden vortex emerged.
That very vortex was projected onto the field and engulfed Mystic Tomato for a moment, before revealing the petrified figure of the creature.
The announcer shouted:
"Insector Haga has petrified Shin Osako's Mystic Tomato with his trap! Can Shin Osako recover from this?!"
While Insector grinned and the audience murmured, Shin continued his turn, unbothered. His voice filled the hall once again.
"I set two cards face-down and end my turn."
Two card silhouettes appeared in Shin's Spell and Trap Zone.
The announcer narrated the moment, a hint of dismay in his voice.
"Looks like Shin Osako is in for a tough time!"
Next, Insector drew a card from his deck, his expression neutral. After a slight pause, he smiled and played a card in his Monster Zone.
"Welcome, Hercules Beetle, in Attack Position."
A giant rhino beetle suddenly appeared on Insector's side of the field. Beside it, Killer Needle hovered, its wings buzzing constantly.
Hercules Beetle LV5 ∆Earth∆ (Normal) {Insect} [1500ATK/2000DEF]
The announcer spoke with excitement:
"Insector Haga summons his mighty Hercules Beetle! Shin Osako's in serious danger! His Life Points are at risk!"
Then Insector raised his index finger and pointed at Shin's Mystic Tomato.
"Hercules Beetle, destroy Mystic Tomato!"
Hercules Beetle took off. A small whirlwind formed with the motion. It charged with its horn toward the petrified Mystic Tomato.
At that moment, Shin flipped one of his face-down cards. His voice echoed across the hall.
"I activate my trap card. Widespread Ruin."
Just as Hercules Beetle was about to strike, a sudden explosion engulfed it. When the smoke cleared, Hercules Beetle had vanished. Only the petrified Mystic Tomato remained.
In Shin's Spell and Trap Zone, the silhouette of a trap card was revealed. Its image showed a big explosion. Gradually, it faded from the field.
The scoreboard on the arena ceiling changed:
Shin Osako 2000 LP / 2000 LP
Insector Haga.
»»»
Shin Osako 2000 LP / 1250 LP
Insector Haga.
Gasps and exclamations erupted from the audience.
"Whoa!"
The announcer narrated, elated:
"Hercules Beetle is gone! Shin Osako just turned the tables on Insector with a taste of his own medicine!"
Insector's face twisted slightly. But calm quickly returned to his features. Then he spoke, teeth slightly clenched.
"Tch. I set this card face-down and end my turn."
The silhouette of a card appeared on Insector's side of the Spell and Trap Zone.
Meanwhile, Shin drew a card from his deck as he narrated, his expression serene.
"Draw."
After a brief pause, Shin continued, his face serious. His voice echoed through the hall.
"I activate my Spell Card: Painful Choice."
He selected five cards from his deck and sent them to Insector using the platform's automatic system.
The announcer's voice swept through the venue:
"A mysterious play from an equally mysterious player! This is getting better and better!"
The cards appeared on Insector's game board. His eyes twitched slightly at the sight. A trembling whisper escaped his lips.
"Greenkappa, Cyber Jar, Tri-Horned Dragon, Spear Cretin, Mikazukinoyaiba. Th-this bastard… where'd he get such rare cards?"
Adjusting his glasses with a grimace, Insector pressed the Greenkappa card while clicking his tongue.
"Tch. I choose this one."
The rest of the cards were reabsorbed by the platform.
Greenkappa disappeared from Insector's board and reappeared on Shin's. Shin took the card, unmoved. A smile formed on his lips. His voice followed after a nod.
"All right. Time to clear the field a little. Dark Hole."
Shin threw a card onto his Spell and Trap Zone. Its silhouette projected onto the field, displaying pure darkness.
Insector's eyes widened, and he screamed in alarm.
"What?! No way!"
A massive black hole formed above the platform. Its suction force pulled in Killer Needle first, then the petrified Mystic Tomato. No monsters remained on the field.
The black hole vanished, along with the card silhouette.
The scoreboard above the arena updated immediately.
Shin Osako 2000 LP / 2000 LP
Insector Haga.
»»»
Shin Osako 1300 LP / 650 LP
Insector Haga.
Insector's expression turned grim.
Murmurs rose from the crowd.
"Did you see that?!"
The announcer didn't hesitate to shout his opinion:
"Shin Osako just delivered a heavy blow to his opponent's Life Points using his powerful spell! Of course, Insector Haga wasn't the only one who took damage! Shin Osako lost seven hundred Life Points from the destruction of his Mystic Tomato and now has thirteen hundred! Insector barely hangs on with six hundred and fifty! Are we nearing the end of this match?!"
Meanwhile, Shin continued his turn. His calm voice held the audience's attention. Smiling, he placed a card horizontally in his Monster Zone. Then he also set a card in his Spell and Trap Zone. Two silhouettes appeared on his field.
"Finally, I set this monster in face-down Defense Position and this card as well. That ends my turn."
With a sharp gesture, Insector drew a card from his deck, his expression twisted and his forehead sweating. A small grimace formed on his lips. Then he spoke with a weak voice.
"I summon Gokibore in Defense Position."
Gokibore LV4 ∆Earth∆ (Normal) {Insect} [1200ATK/1400DEF]
A massive black cockroach with red eyes appeared on Insector's field, its body curled in on itself.
The announcer spoke in a serious tone:
"Looks like Insector Haga is going on the defensive for now. His Gokibore certainly fits the bill with fourteen hundred defense points."
Next, Insector bit his lower lip and muttered, looking discouraged.
"End of my turn. You're up."
Drawing a card from his deck, Shin's face took on a strange expression. Then he spoke in a neutral tone.
"I summon Witch of the Black Forest in Attack Position."
Witch of the Black Forest LV4 ∆Dark∆ (Effect) {Spellcaster} [1100ATK/1200DEF]
The figure of a tall, pale, slim woman with purple hair, dressed in a black robe with a closed third eye on her forehead, appeared on Shin's field.
The announcer murmured toward the camera in a confused tone:
"A somewhat strange dynamic has taken hold of this duel. Both players have chosen not to attack—at least that's how it seems. Clearly, Shin's monster doesn't have the strength to break through Gokibore's defense."
A fleeting look of hesitation crossed Insector's face before he regained his composure.
Meanwhile, Shin shook his head and smiled, saying—as his eyes briefly flicked to Insector's set card:
"I end my turn."
Upon seeing Shin's gesture, a small bead of sweat rolled down Insektor's face. His expression darkened, and his index finger hovered near his face-down card. With a trembling hand, he drew a card from his deck. A silent curse escaped his lips as he glanced between Shin and his own set card.
"This devious bastard. I almost took the bait. It's still not your time, but..."
Insektor's eyes subtly shifted toward Shin's face-down monster. His lips twisted in a grimace of annoyance. Then he spoke in a frustrated tone.
"Tch. I summon Kamakiriman in defense position."
Kamakiriman LV4 ∆Earth∆ (Normal) {Insect} [1150ATK/1400DEF]
A yellow, purple, and blue bipedal creature with large red eyes, resembling a mantis, materialized on Insektor's field. Its blue pincers shielded its face protectively.
The announcer chimed in, narrating the move with a mocking tone.
"Another defensive monster from Insektor Haga. I think I just saw a few kids in the audience dozing off."
Then Insektor continued through gritted teeth.
"I end my turn."
Shin silently drew a card from his deck. Instantly, his calm expression gave way to a smile. He then spoke with an ironic tone, his eyes fixed on Insektor.
"Well, this is a surprise. Looks like I'll finish you off sooner than expected."
Insektor's face showed confusion, and he muttered uncertainly. The crowd echoed his doubt.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
The announcer cried out with excitement in his voice.
"It looks like Shin Osako might be about to end this duel and punch his ticket to the grand final with his next move! What will he do?!"
Still smiling, Shin flipped his face-down monster. His voice echoed through the hall.
"You'll see. First of all, I flip Greenkappa to activate its special ability."
Greenkappa LV3 ∆Dark∆ (Effect) {Warrior} [650ATK/900DEF]
The figure of a strange, featureless green being with long red hair, inverted arms, and a brown leather loincloth emerged on Shin's side of the field. Its posture shifted from hunched and defensive to upright with claws raised.
The announcer shouted the move.
"Shin Osako is aiming to clear his opponent's possible trap threat! A move as cautious as it is brilliant!"
Shin continued, unfazed.
"Its effect lets me destroy two face-down Spell or Trap cards on the field. I choose one of yours… and one of mine. That nasty trap you were saving for me has been... eliminated."
Two shifting shadows rose from Greenkappa's back, then engulfed one card on Shin's field and another on Insektor's. Both vanished in a burst of light.
Insektor's face turned pale, and he muttered with trembling voice, his speech faltering.
"N-no way. What are you trying to do? I still have two monsters to defend me. You can't do anything."
Still smiling, Shin spoke in a haughty tone.
"I activate my Spell Card. Monster Reborn!"
The silhouette of a card with a blue cross at its center appeared in Shin's spell and trap zone. His voice followed immediately, echoing through the arena.
"And I'll use it to bring back my most powerful monster from the graveyard. Arise! Tri-Horned Dragon, in attack position!"
The form of Tri-Horned Dragon emerged on Shin's side of the field. Its massive jaws opened to reveal rows of razor-sharp white teeth.
"GRROOOAAARRR...!"
A thunderous roar erupted from the dragon's maw and swept through the arena like a shockwave.
The crowd went wild. Noise instantly consumed the stands.
"Whoa!"
The announcer exclaimed euphorically.
"Shin Osako has just summoned his Ace monster! The devastating Tri-Horned Dragon! One of the rarest and most powerful monsters in the game! This duel is practically over!"
Insektor's body trembled briefly, his gaze locked on the enormous creature. A silent curse escaped his dry lips.
"Damn it."
Then, Shin revealed a card from his hand to his opponent. Insektor saw it, clenched his fists, and lowered his head, murmuring with slumped shoulders.
"Fairy Meteor Crush. I... lost."