Aarikku
Site Admin
Ancient Cardgame Master
Joined: 13 Aug 2007
Posts: 1231
Location: A Mountain Dojo
|
 Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject: Chapter 11 - Envy |
 |
|
Shmod
Chapter Eleven
This is it. Kyle said, looking at his deck, spread out on the table. Fire… Water… Air… Earth… Light… Shadow. All against the closest I’ve ever seen to the devil himself. He flashed a sideways glance at Zywen, who was relaxing with her hands behind her head. No! She’s not the devil; she’s not invincible. She’s a goth with a strong card! I can beat her!
“Eh, Kyle?” Tyson approached, putting his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. Kyle jumped.
“Egads! What?” He turned, startled.
“Don’t worry about Zywen. It’s the top eight that get tickets to the Shmod Company, so you’re already there. It’s just a prize card now.”
“What are you talking about?” Kyle wondered.
“I’ll beat Zywen, and if the prize card turns out to help your deck, I’ll trade it to you for something.” Tyson said simply. “Don’t stress yourself trying to beat her.”
“I’ll try to keep that in mind.” Kyle turned back to his deck as Tyson left. “What a guy.” He muttered sarcastically under his breath. With a sigh, he reformed his deck into its randomized form. “I’m ready.”
==
“The next battle will be the widely anticipated second semi-final!” The shopkeep announced. “Kyle Hendrix, the lord of alchemy!” The crowd cheered. “Versus Zywen Lotus, the demonic blood queen!” The crowd cheered harder, with the exception of a few ‘boo’s from Kevin and Cassandra.
“Silence, peasant.” Zywen hissed at Kevin, beginning to shuffle her deck.
I can do this… right? Kyle thought, shuffling his own. A coin flip determined that Zywen would begin.
“Hardly necessary.” She yawned. “I’ll charge Pairogeist, and call it a turn.”
“Interesting.” Kevin noted. “Zywen doesn’t seem to have any good plays for her first turn. She relies too much on her opponent to trigger her Sin cards.”
“You left yourself open.” Kyle reiterated. “I charge Living Lunch, and tap it for Water Element! I attack!” The teardrop-shaped spirit instantly launched a barrage of bubbles. (Zywen: 4 Life)
“Attacking a helpless foe?” Zywen smirked. “How… wrathful of you. Since you attacked me directly before I played a monster, I can immediately play Gaap of Wrath from my hand.” A dark demon appeared, covered with blades to the point of looking like a pincushion. “It also instantly destroys the offender.” Water Element vanished.
“Damn it.” Kyle cursed under his breath.
“Now to begin my turn.” Zywen said patronizingly. “Now, though you’ve attacked a helpless adversary this game, you’re generally not a Wrathful person. But I know what you are.”
“Do tell.”
“You are the kind of person who is always second best – at games, at sports, at romance, hell, at life.”
“Now that’s not – ” Linlan began to argue.
“Let’s face it,” Zywen went on. “This game is completely meaningless. You’re just a rock in the road I’m taking to face Tyson.”
Kyle was silent. She’s… right.
“That would make your true Sin… Envy. Envious, mainly, of your dearest friend Tyson.” Zywen finished. “So now, I activate Demonic Exchange. I get to sacrifice a Demon and play one of an equal Level from my deck. Also, since they have equal ATK, Demonic Exchange becomes free. I sacrifice Gaap of Wrath in order to summon Leviathan of Envy!” The porcupine of a demon was replaced with a shadowed, humanoid figure with fins and a giant, toothy mouth. “I’ll also charge Wight, and tap three to summon Mammon of Greed.”
That card… it was hers! Kyle snapped to attention.
“As I recall, you traded a small child some fairly bad common cards for his legendary dragon.” Zywen retold, as the ghostly demon with those horrid red eyes Kyle remembered appeared on the screen.
“Ripping off a kid?”
“That’s low.” Voices from the crowd. Kyle lowered his head, as if he wouldn’t be seen.
“I’m sure you know, these Sins of mine have 3000 ATK and DEF.” Zywen waved her hand over the two cards. “Which doesn’t matter when I attack directly!” The screen showed twin black fireballs strike the virtual image of Kyle. (Kyle: 3 Life) “Give up already. You’re in the big leagues. You can’t just expect to fluke all your victories anymore.”
“He did not fluke his victory over me!” Ferali shouted, emerging from the crowd enraged. “He’s a great player.”
“He managed to beat all six Elements with four.” Kyle’s early opponent Jack added, also appearing from the masses. “Kyle’s a better Element user than I.”
“Ooh, cheerleaders.” Zywen smiled. “How cute.” But still Kyle was silent. “Have you lost your voice?”
“I’m strategizing.” Kyle said, drawing. “Something you wouldn’t understand – your cards do all the work for you.”
“Let’s see you talk like that after I summon Lucior.” Zywen taunted.
“You spend a lot of time with those tarot cards of yours, don’t you?” Kyle asked rhetorically. “Here’s a prophecy for you – you won’t summon your gecko, and I’ll have the gold.”
“Idiot. Even if, by some miracle, you beat me, Tyson’s a thousand times better than you.” Zywen retorted.
“Say that all you want.” Kyle began his move. “My prophecy will come true. I charge Mulligan, and tap one for Fusion Technique! You’ve all seen Fog Element – so let’s fuse Earth, Fire and Light Elements!” He did so; the trio appearing on the screen and twisting. A round, golden ghost with a crown and aura of fire appeared. “Behold! Comet Element!” The ghost wasn’t stationary – it launched itself immediately at Zywen’s avatar. “When Comet Element comes into play, it’s a blast!” Kyle’s monster created a massive explosion and returned to Kyle’s field. (Zywen: 2 Life)
“What?” Zywen demanded.
“Gameplay-wise, it inflicts 3 damage to you!” Kyle explained. “And at 3200, it’s strong enough to take out any of your Sins. Let’s see here…”
“You’re definitely not Greedy.” Luke recommended, appearing behind Kyle. “You traded me what I needed for a deck that almost beat Tyson.”
“You almost won,” Zywen reiterated. “And it was because of my Deus ex Machina Dragon.”
“Still good enough for me. Comet Element! Attack Mammon of Greed!” Kyle ordered. The elemental did so, blasting the shadow with an enormous stream of fire. “And that’s one Sin gone.”
“Amazing!” Tyson awed. “He’s winning. He’s really winning!”
“Are you that surprised?” Linlan asked. “Kyle’s always been just as good as either of us, whether you’ll admit it or not.”
“Ha!” Zywen scoffed. “Kyle, you couldn’t even beat a winged frog, and now Linlan says you’re as good as Tyson?”
“The score so far says I’m at least better than you.” Kyle pointed out.
“The cards say you’re a fool.” Zywen drew. “I charge Vampire’s Servant, and tap one for Vampire Princess – 1400 ATK. And now, Leviathan’s effect activates.”
“What? I thought Sins’ effects activated from the hand!” Kyle gasped.
“Not all of them, as you’d know if you actually read my cards. When the total levels of monsters I control is greater than the total levels of monsters you control, and you actually control a monster unlike earlier, Leviathan gains 1500 ATK.” Zywen explained. “Put simply, Leviathan of Envy is Level 3 and Vampire Princess is Level 1. Your Comet Element is Level 3. 4 is more than 3.”
“Thanks for that.” Kyle said sarcastically. “And Luke? I’m never listening to you again.”
“Moving along, I’ll activate Hell Mulligan. I discard Ba’al of Gluttony and Asmodeus of Lust to draw three. Now to the fun part. Leviathan! Destroy!” Zywen commanded. The dark beast did as it was told, firing its dark blast and vanquishing Kyle’s Comet. (Kyle: 2 Life) “And now, Vampire Princess takes a bite out of your life.” The pale woman did so, sinking her fangs into Kyle’s virtual image. (Kyle: 1 Life) “And since Vampire Princess has Vampirism, I gain 1 Life.” (Zywen: 2 Life) “As an added effect, at the End Phase of a turn in which Vampire Princess used her ability, I can Transform her!” The cloak of the vampiress was replaced with a royal robe, and the headdress replaced with a gothic crown. “Behold! Vampire Queen!” (2400 ATK)
“Is that all?”
“Don’t you pretend you can taunt me now. You were right about one thing, however.” Zywen admitted.
“Oh?”
“I won’t be using Lucior. I’ll win too quickly.”
Kyle drew. That Leviathan of hers… it figures that it would be Envy that would be my downfall. He scanned his hand, including the newly drawn Shadow Element. I don’t have much left after that Comet Element fusion. I might go down… but it won’t be without a fight. “I’ll charge another Living Lunch. Next, I tap one for Tetra Magnet! This lets me revive Light Element!” The shiny ghost appeared, staring at Zywen with giant eyes.
“Pitiful.”
“Talking to yourself isn’t healthy. I tap one for Fusion Technique! Combining Light Element with the Shadow Element I just drew to create Yin-Yang Element!” The levitating symbol released an aura of purple and yellow. “At 3200, it’s… well, at least stronger than Vampire Queen. Attack!” Yin-Yang Element did so, blasting a twisted ray that vanquished Zywen’s fiend. (Zywen: 1 Life) “And since Yin-Yang Element destroyed a monster, let’s see what fate has in store.” Kyle drew his card, and frowned.
“Not what you were looking for?”
“Not quite. I’ll set a card, and you’re up.”
“Uh… Kyle?” Tyson began, but Zywen had already started her move.
“You’re a fool. I tap two for the Vampire’s Coffin! This lets me revive a monster with Vampirism – so arise! Vampire Queen!” The pale woman burst from a dark sarcophagus, and licked her lips. “She’s ready for more blood.”
“You’ll have to get past Yin-Yang Element!” Kyle argued.
“I can. Are you honestly so dumb that you forgot Leviathan’s effect?” Zywen pointed at the screen as her demon once again received its 4500-ATK total. “Leviathan! End this farce of a game.”
“Let’s continue it. See what happens.” Kyle protested. “I tap one for the Trap card – Elemental Saviour!” He flipped his card. “You see, my Yin-Yang Element’s still destroyed, but I take no damage and you can’t attack anymore this turn.”
“A waste of a card. It’s as if you’ve never heard of Cancel Attack.” Zywen shook her head. “I set a card. Go, go. Let’s finish this up.” Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a small group of adults – all of whom looked like cops. Well, I’ll stay until I beat Tyson, at least.
“My turn!” Kyle drew. “You know, though Yin-Yang Element didn’t get me the card I was hoping for, it did help. It got Water Element off the top of my deck, to make room for this! Hell Mulligan! I’ll discard my single Water Element to draw two.”
“Incredible.” Zywen said sarcastically and yawned.
“You were right about something too.”
“Do tell. I’m sure it will be thrilling.” Zywen’s sarcasm remained.
“Throughout my life, I have been in second place. When my school started baseball, the team captains always picked Jerry first, and me second. In a writing contest, I got a gift card to a pen store for second place when Marissa got fifty dollars for first. My solar-powered model car went a few feet short of Lars’.” Kyle narrated. “I have a corkboard in my room which displays all of my accomplishments and medals.” He paused. “They’re all silver. I’ve wanted nothing more than to be the best at one thing – at anything. And you know what? I’ve tried harder than anyone else! I trained for a month straight at baseball. I fell asleep over my short story for that writing contest. I spent more time drawing a blueprint for my solar-powered car than Lars spent building his.” Kyle looked at the top of his C/T stack; Tetra Element shining back. “It’s not people that beat me. It’s natural talent. You can try as hard as you can for something, and some gifted kid will end up beating you at it.”
“That’s life.” Zywen yawned again; this one definitely forced. “You can’t get all whiny about not being as good as someone else at things.”
“I never complained either. I made a point of congratulating Jerry for his home run during the last baseball game of the season – as I sat on the bench. I was quite happy for Marissa, and offered input to make Lars’ car even better. But all I ever wanted was to be number one. To go for the gold.”
“Ah, the gold again.” Zywen shrugged. “Some people stay at the bottom all their lives. That’s a fact.”
“And some climb the ladder! I tap two for Re-Fusion!”
“Well, you can make Fog Element or Tetra Element. So I’ll tap one to use my Quickplay Spell Fusion Landmine – instantly destroying any Combination monster.”
“You didn’t listen about the gold, did you?” Kyle asked. “I fuse Yin-Yang Element with Fire, Water, Air and Earth! This creates Ultimate Element!” On the screen, Yin-Yang Element split into its original components, curling together with the four basic Elementals. Light of every colour shone from the result – a golden figure with blades for arms.
“Ultimate Element? Bah! It still lands on the mine!” Zywen held up her card for emphasis.
“Wrong! Ultimate Element’s immune to all Spells!” Kyle protested. “Here I am. Top of the ladder, and a living gold medal. Which, by the way, has 5500 ATK. Its base is 4000, and 500 for Light, Shadow and Comet Elements in my Graveyard.”
Zywen’s mouth fell open.
“I’m not envious anymore. I’ve taken out the blood queen!” Kyle declared. “Ultimate Element – strike Vampire Queen!” It did so, crossing its blades and releasing a six-pointed star of energy that obliterated the creature that bore a striking resemblance to Zywen herself. (Zywen: 0 Life)
“Kyle…” Tyson was also amazed to the point of gaping.
“Good game.” Kyle offered Zywen a handshake, which she reluctantly accepted.
“Oh, how the mighty fall.” The shopkeep commented, uncharacteristically serious. “Zywen, I believe you have some cards that aren’t yours.” The group of cops surrounded the table.
“But of course.” Zywen said, after a long pause. She riffled through her deck and produced the seven Sin cards, as well as Lucior itself. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting to attend.” She looked around at all the startled faces. “What?”
“You stole…” Kevin tried to work things through. “for the purpose of winning a card game tournament?”
“Things aren’t always as simple as they seem.” Zywen replied, as the cops escorted her away.
“On a lighter note, the winner of the match! Your second finalist… Kyle Hendrix!” The crowd roared with delight. “And make sure you don’t go anywhere. The final battle – Tyson Morin versus Kyle Hendrix will be coming up soon!”
==
Tyson looked at his deck, for once alone. Kyle really didn’t hold back any punches. That game of his was incredible. He took the opportunity for a quick glance at his ultimate trump card. Every time I use that card with the screen, I end up its victim too. Hopefully Kyle’s enough of a worthy adversary. He looked back at his friend, who was currently being congratulated by the others. He smiled. Kyle deserves, at the very least, to see my full potential. And he ran to give his congratulations to his friend as well.
==
“Zywen.” Kevin said, halting for a brief period the loading of Zywen into the back of a police car that was currently in Stuff N’ Things’ parking lot.
“Toad?” Zywen raised an eyebrow.
“It’s not over. I’m making an official challenge for a later date.” Kevin pointed his deck at the girl. “And next time, I’ll win.”
“You’re so naïve.” Zywen laughed. “Just because you want to win doesn’t mean you will. People never change. Fate is all that’s important in the world.”
“You’re wrong.” Kevin argued. “Kyle showed me that. He changed from a second-placer into a true winner. So too will I change. I’ll become strong enough to defeat you.”
“In your dreams.” Zywen leaned her head back against the comfortable seat of the police car. “Now, can we get a move on?” She asked the driver, who complied.
“As a tadpole turns from prey into a hunter…” Kevin stared at the car driving away.
“Oi! Kevin!” Cassandra called from the store. “It’s almost time for Kyle and Tyson’s game! What are you doing out here?”
“Nothing that can’t wait.” Kevin answered, and ran back into the card store.
Card of the Chapter is Ultimate Element
_________________
The Decktype Guide |
|
