Era of Spirits and Shadows Chapter 6 (Patreon)

Hey friends and fans! Kairomaru is bringing you another chapter of Era of Spirits and Shadows! Jaden and Winged Kuriboh are about to bond. The flying little puffball will become a proper Ka. We also finally see what Mindy’s Deck holds!

If you’d like to become a patron and get access to these chapters earlier, just head on over to Pat re on and add a /Kairomaru after the com.

Make sure to thank the patrons that make these stories possible by checking out the Patron Plaque on my profile!

So, without further delay, please enjoy.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Chapter 6 – Bonding and Beasts

“Breathe in, hold it, and then exhale slowly.” Drake softly spoke as he helped Jaden relax deeper into his meditation. “Let your Ba eclipse all else, let the world fall away.”

Jaden exhaled slowly; his eyes closed as he meditated. Winged Kuriboh floated in front of the dual-toned brunette. The little puffball of a Monster Spirit was just waiting for Jaden to reach the proper state to bond now. The two would be partners after this rite and the little spirit was looking forward to it.

‘A light?’ Jaden thought to himself as he meditated. In his mind’s eye he could see a small point of light in front of him. It only took a moment for Jaden to realize what the light was, he was rather familiar with it nowadays. ‘Winged Kuriboh!’

‘Kuri!’ The Monster Spirit cooed back to him.

‘Come here, buddy, let’s be partners!’ Jaden welcomed the spirit wholeheartedly.

‘Kuri, kuri!’ The point of light radiated happiness as it got closer and closer. Jaden opened up his heart to the little spirit with a smile.

“There it is.” Drake watched over the rite with satisfaction as Winged Kuriboh sank into Jaden’s body and disappeared. There was a faint glow around Jaden’s meditating form for a brief moment before it faded away.

“Whoa…that was different.” Jaden blinked as he slowly came out of his meditation several moments later. “I don’t really feel all that different though.” He held up his hands and looked at them.

“Winged Kuriboh isn’t very strong right now, Jaden.” Drake reminded his friend with a grin. “But he’ll grow in time, just as your Ba does.” The dark-haired teen chuckled after a second. “There should be one immediate effect that you’ll notice though. Let’s head outside.” He stood up and checked that Chumley was still asleep. Their third roommate slept like the dead most of the time, but it never hurt to be sure.

The duo headed outside in the dark. It was hours past curfew, but they wouldn’t have to worry about Campus Security if they stayed around their Dorm. After what Drake had planned, they’d head back inside and sleep. The morning was already going to come far sooner than either of the teens would’ve liked.

“So, what’s this change I should notice?” Jaden questioned as they were behind the Slifer Dorm and not too far from the cliff edge.

“You tell me.” Drake chuckled as his Ka emerged in spirit form from within his Deck box. The see-through form of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon towered over Drake.

“Red-Eyes!” Jaden barely stopped himself from shouting as he saw the Ka. “I can see him so clearly now, it’s completely different from before.”

“Yep, you’ve bonded with your own Ka now, so you’re able to see Monster Spirits easily.” Drake nodded to his friend. “Eventually you’ll be able to perform Manifestation like this.” Drake directed his Ba into his Ka and the Red-Eyes Black Dragon went from a see-through spirit to a physical beast in the real world. A rumbling hiss was heard as a bit of smoke escaped the black dragon’s jaws.

“That’s so cool!” Jaden was beyond excited at seeing a real Monster brought out.

“Want to fly?” Drake already knew the answer before he even asked. Jaden looked between the dragon and Drake three times before replying.

“Hell yeah!” Jaden had a megawatt smile on his face as he approached the Red-Eyes Black Dragon.

“Thanks for the lift, buddy.” Drake ran his hand over his Ka’s jet-black scales. He was given a rumble from the dragon, very similar to a chuckle if it had been human.

Red-Eyes knelt down and allowed its master and the other human to climb onto it back. Once the two were secure the dragon used its powerful legs and wings to launch itself straight into the air. The three of them easily cleared five or six stories in an instant. Another flap of the great, black wings and they were flying over the ocean. The Monster Spirit flew with skill and easily made use of the air currents as they flew farther and farther away from the island. The Duel Academy Lighthouse would provide their beacon back as soon as the flight was over.

“This is awesome!” Jaden whooped and cheered as they flew over the ocean under the moonlight. The wind was passing them and ruffling their hair and blazers. Red-Eyes was a fast flyer as already the Academy was merely a dot on the horizon.

“Hold on tight.” Drake grinned as he communicated with his Ka through their bond. Red-Eyes let out a shrieking roar before blasting straight upwards with a powerful wingbeat. The three rocketed into the sky and when the air began to gain a chill, Drake had Red-Eyes level out and glide through the air.

“Dude…” Jaden’s smile was a mix of joy and awe as they looked out over the view below them. The ocean under the moonlight was expansive and the Academy was just a flickering light far away. “You think Winged Kuriboh could ever fly around like this?”

“As your Ka it’ll get more powerful as it takes in the excess energy of your Ba. In time, after you learn Manifestation, you’ll be able to empower Winged Kuriboh and make it larger and stronger at will. I’m sure you could sit on its back and be flown around when you want.” Drake explained and Jaden’s smile got even brighter.

“Sweet!” Jaden placed his hand on his chest. “I can’t wait to fly together, little buddy!” He heard the cheerful coos of his Ka from within and chuckled at the happy spirit.

“We should head back and get to bed.” Drake mentioned and Red-Eyes started flying towards the island. “We have to be up in just over six hours.”

“Ah man…” Jaden huffed at both the fun being cut short and the fact that they had to be awake so soon.

-The Next Day ~ After Classes-

“What’s going on?” Jaden questioned, seeing a fairly large number of students heading for one of the Academy Duel Fields.

“Not sure,” Drake shook his head as the crowd began to thin. “Maybe a Duel?”

“Sweet, let’s go watch!” Jaden rushed to catch up to the crowd.

“Aren’t we heading for the Obelisk Blue field?” Drake noticed where the crowd was heading.

“It’s probably some Obelisks Dueling then! This should be good!” Jaden was even more excited now. Maybe the Duelists would be Third Years and they could see the level of play that the oldest students at the Academy possessed.

“Mindy’s Dueling…” Drake noticed as soon as they walked into the arena. The ravenette teen looked slightly annoyed at her opponent.

Her opponent was another Obelisk Blue, but he looked like either a Second or Third Year. He had pale-blue hair, green eyes, semi-pale skin, and was wearing the standard Obelisk uniform. He had a confident smirk on his face as he held his arms crossed over his chest.

“Who’s that guy?” Jaden blinked as he’d never seen the older student before.

“His name’s Leon Morris, he’s a Second Year.” Jasmine answered from beside them, making both Jaden and Drake turn to face the auburn-haired girl.

“When did you get here?” Drake questioned and Alexis leaned over to reveal that she was on Jasmine’s opposite side.

“We saw you two and thought we’d come say hi.” Alexis gave the two Slifers a small smile. Jasmine had a grin on her lips at sneaking up on them, even without meaning to.

“What’re they Dueling about?” Jaden looked between Mindy and Leon again. “This seems like more than just a regular Duel.”

“Leon’s a pushy guy and wants Mindy to be his girlfriend.” Jasmine tsked at the thought. “But his personality is trash and he talks at her instead of to her.”

“So, Mindy proposed a Duel and if she wins Leon has to leave her alone from now on.” Alexis shot a small glare at the older student on the field.

“I hope she wipes the floor with him then.” Drake nodded as he looked between Mindy and Leon.

“Same.” Jaden agreed as they focused on the upcoming match. “On the upside, we finally get to see what Mindy’s Deck is like.”

“I’m sure you’ll be surprised.” Jasmine giggled slightly.

Down on the field the two teens stared at each other before starting their match.

“Just to be clear, you’re going to leave me alone after I beat you.” Mindy stated with annoyance in her brown eyes.

“IF you beat me, then sure.” Leon replied smugly. “When I win, you’ll become my girlfriend.”

“Not happening,” Mindy activated her Duel Disk. “You’ll be the boy that got dumped the fastest in Duel Academy history.”

“Sticks and stones, Mindy.” Leon grinned at her and activated his Duel Disk too.

Mindy – 8000

Leon – 8000

“Wait, eight-thousand Life Points?” Drake leaned forward over the railing a little. “Are they playing Professional Format?!”

“Yes, it’s the only way that Leon would agree to a Duel.” Alexis confirmed as Mindy and Leon drew their first five cards. “You start learning Professional Format in Second Year.”

“Which means he probably has a Deck already geared towards the doubled Life Points of the Format.” Jasmine didn’t look amused at Leon’s demands.

“I draw,” Mindy went first as she drew for turn. “I’ll play Pot of Greed and draw two cards!” Mindy slotted the Spell card, making a hologram of it appear on the field. She drew two more cards from her Deck before placing the Spell into the graveyard. “I activate a second Pot of Greed!” Mindy grinned at her luck as she put the card into her Duel Disk. She drew twice more and placed the second copy of Pot of Greed into the graveyard too. “I’ll set three cards face-down,” She slotted her three chosen cards into the Spell/Trap Zone. “Then I’ll Set one Monster and end my turn.”

“Well, aren’t you just so prepared?” Leon chuckled at his own remark. “I draw!” He drew for his turn and looked over his cards. “I’ll set a face-down and then summon Swordsman of Landstar in Attack Mode.” In a flash of light, the Monster appeared. It was short, with peach skin and decked out in a marron and green outfit. Across its chest was a leather belt that held the sheath of its wide sword across its back. In its left hand was a marron and green shield with its face on it. In the right hand it held its large sword. It had two antennae coming from the sides of its head and a maroon cap with goggles resting atop its oddly-shaped head as well.

Swordsman of Landstar – EARTH – Level 3 – Warrior – 500 ATK/1200 DEF

“Huh…” Drake blinked at the Monster choice. “There are some things he can do with that.”

“It wasn’t what I was expecting.” Jaden admitted as he looked at the basic Monster.

“Who does he think he is, Joey Wheeler?” Jasmine scoffed at the Monster.

“I’ll enter Battle Phase, let’s see what you’ve got.” Leon seemed incredibly sure of himself. “Swordsman of Landstar, attack her Set Monster!” The little warrior rushed forward and swung his sword down on the face-down hologram.

“Upon attack declaration, I activate Solemn Wishes!” Mindy hit a button on her Duel Disk and one of her face-down cards flipped upright. It was a Continuous Trap card featuring a woman in a purple dress looking up at a raining sky. “Now, every time I draw a card or cards, I gain 500 Life Points.” She flipped her Set Monster into face-up Defense Position. “And the Monster you attacked was my Kalantosa, the Mystical Beat of the Forest!” The Monster was revealed to be a small rabbit with golden markings on its face and a small gem set into the center of his head. On its back was a leafy shrub and several people cooed at the cute Monster.

Kalantosa, Mystical Beast of the Forest – EARTH – Level 2 – Beast/Effect – 200 ATK/1400 DEF

“No big deal.” Leon waved off the Life Point loss. “I’ll activate a Spell card.” He slotted a card into his Duel Disk and Mindy tried to counter.

“I chain Super Rush Recklessly!” Mindy activated another of her face-down cards. The hologram flipped face up, showing a Trap card with a boar slamming into Raiza the Storm Monarch on it.

“Got you.” Leon chuckled as he revealed his Spell card to be Sword and Shield, a card that wouldn’t make a bit of difference after the Battle Phase had already ended.

“Shit…” Mindy cursed her reaction but still went through with her play. “The effect of Super Rush Recklessly lets me send my Monster to the graveyard and return yours to your Deck.”

“Fine by me.” Leon shrugged as he picked up his Swordsman of Landstar and slid it on top of his Deck. The Duel Disk auto-shuffled the Deck for a moment before they were allowed to continue.

Mindy moved her Monster into the graveyard with a grimace. At least she was still ahead on Life Points after the exchange.

Mindy – 8000

Leon – 7100

“My draw,” Mindy drew her next card. “And I gain 500 Life Points thanks to my Solemn Wishes card.”

Mindy – 8500

Leon – 7100

“I summon Lock Cat in Attack Mode.” Mindy placed her next Monster on the field. A white cat with red tipped ears, and red fur at both the base and tip of its tail meowed as it appeared. It had a large, golden padlock around its neck like a collar. Once again, there were some coos at the cute Monster.

Lock Cat – EARTH – Level 3 – Beast/Effect – 1200 ATK/1000 DEF

Mindy eyed the backrow face-down that Leon had warily. If it could block a direct attack, then she could be in for some trouble if she triggered it. On the other hand, if it forced Leon to use it up, then that would be a boon for her. She’d even be fine with just dealing a direct attack too. “Lock Cat attacks you directly!”

The white and red cat leapt across the field impressively and slashed Leon across the torso. The Second Year flinched as the holographic Monster leapt back over to Mindy’s side of the field.

Mindy – 8500

Leon – 5900

“I’ll draw,” Leon drew his card and looked at it for a second. “I’ll Set one Monster.” He placed the card on his Duel Disk and the face-down hologram appeared in the Monster Zone. “I’ll end my turn with just that.”

“That’s it?” Alexis didn’t look convinced.

“He’s planning something.” Jasmine narrowed her gray eyes at Leon.

“I draw,” Mindy drew her next card and gained 500 Life Points from Solemn Wishes.

Mindy – 9000

Leon – 5900

“I Set a Monster and activate Ayers Rock Sunrise!” Mindy pressed a button and her last face-down lifted upright. The Spell card showed off Ayers Rock in Australia in the light of the rising sun. “I target one Beast Type Monster in my graveyard and Special Summon it to the field. If you had any face-up Monsters they’d lose 200 ATK for every Beast, Plant, and Winged Beast in my graveyard until the end of the turn.” She pulled her graveyard cards out and selected the only Monster among them. “I Special Summon Kalantosa, Mystical Beast of the Forest in Defense Mode.” The small rabbit Monster appeared on the field again much to enjoyment of some of the audience.

Kalantosa, Mystical Beast of the Forest – EARTH – Level 2 – Beast/Effect – 200 ATK/1400 DEF

“Lock Cat attacks your face-down Monster!” Mindy declared, knowing that Leon’s face-down wasn’t an issue if he refused to use it. The cat leapt forward and slashed at the face-down Monster car. It flipped over to reveal another Swordsman of Landstar.

Swordsman of Landstar – EARTH – Level 3 – Warrior – 500 ATK/1200 DEF

“Too bad for you, Mindy, your attack does nothing.” Leon chuckled at the failed attack.

“I end my turn.” Mindy ignored him. She was in the lead and he was on the backfoot.

“I’ll draw then,” Leon drew a card and looked it over. “I’ll sacrifice my Swordsman of Landstar to summon Swamp Battleguard!” The Second Year moved the weaker Monster to the graveyard and then set his new Monster on the field in Attack Mode. The beast that emerged from the light was a large, dark-green ogre with a huge club in its right hand. It wore a purple loincloth. It’s chest, forearms and head were all covered in a thick, fur-like hair. On top of its head were a pair of horizontally curved yellow horns. The ogre roared out a battle cry as it raised its club.

Swamp Battleguard – EARTH – Level 5 – Warrior/Effect – 1800 ATK/1500 DEF

“He really does think he’s Joey Wheeler, doesn’t he?” Jasmine muttered with a grimace. If Leon’s Deck was even close to par with Joey Wheeler’s Deck, then Mindy might actually have a chance of losing.

“Does he play the Battleguards though, or is he just emulating Joey Wheeler?” Drake wondered curiously. The Battleguard Archetype was small, but it could be used in a Warrior-based Deck.

“Let’s get rid of your little bunny first.” Leon clearly didn’t think Mindy was a threat as he had his Swamp Battleguard attack Kalantosa instead of her Attack Position Lock Cat. The little rabbit exploded into fragments as the large club was smashed down on it.

“That was kinda dumb, wasn’t it?” Jaden tilted his head at the move. “He’d have scored some battle damage if he’d attacked Lock Cat.”

“He’s looking down on Mindy.” Alexis glared at Leon for underestimating her friend.

“I think I’ll end my turn here.” Leon declared with a smug grin. “I’ll take out each of your little beasts, one by one, until you’re left with nothing.”

“I draw,” Mindy really wanted to tell Leon where he could shove his smug arrogance. For now, though, she’d just focus on beating him. “I gain my 500 Life Points from Solemn Wishes.”

Mindy – 9500

Leon – 5900

“Next I’ll activate Foolish Burial!” Mindy slid the card into her Duel Disk. The hologram of the Spell card showed a grave with a hand and forearm sticking out of the dirt and a shovel clutched in the hand. “I’ll send one Monster from my Deck to the graveyard!” She pulled her Deck out of her Duel Disk and searched for the Monster she wanted. “I’ll send my Key Mouse to the graveyard.” She slid the Effect Monster into the graveyard and then followed it with the used Spell card. Her Deck was auto-shuffled as she moved her cards to the grave. “Now I’ll summon Rescue Cat in Attack Mode.” She placed the Monster card onto her Duel Disk. A small white and gray kitten wearing a yellow safety hat with its ears poking out and a whistle around its neck appeared in a flash of light.

Rescue Cat – EARTH – Level 4 – Beast/Effect – 300 ATK/100 DEF

“Are all of her Monsters cute like this?” Jaden couldn’t help but ask as he heard the cooing of some of the audience.

“That’s part of it.” Alexis and Jasmine said at the same time. Both shot each other a grin.

“I activate Rescue Cat’s effect!” Mindy declared and her new Monster glowed. “By sending it to the graveyard, I can Special Summon two Level 3 or lower Beast Type Monsters from my Deck!” She once more pulled her Deck from the Duel Disk and fanned it out. “I choose both of my remaining Lock Cats!” She placed both Monsters onto the field as her Deck was shuffled again.

Lock Cat – EARTH – Level 3 – Beast/Effect – 1200 ATK/1000 DEF

Lock Cat – EARTH – Level 3 – Beast/Effect – 1200 ATK/1000 DEF

“I’ll switch my first Lock Cat into Defense Position.” Mindy informed as she turned the Effect Monster card on her Duel Disk sideways. The Lock Cat in the middle of the field stooped down into a defensive posture. “I enter the End Phase and since both of my Lock Cats were Special Summoned by Rescue Cat’s effect, they’re destroyed and sent to the graveyard.” She moved both Monsters into her graveyard, confusing many of the watchers.

“What’s her strategy for sending so many Monsters to the graveyard?” Drake looked over at Jasmine and Alexis.

“That would be telling.” Jasmine shook her head with a grin.

“I activate the effect of Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest from my hand!” Mindy smiled widely as she placed the Effect Monster on the field. “By paying 1,000 Life Points, I can Special Summon him from my hand any time a Beast Monster that I control is sent from the field to the graveyard outside of the Damage Step!”

The Monster that appeared this time wasn’t cute at all! It was a hulking beast carrying a massive wooden club. It was covered in wooden armor and had black-green fur. The Baboon towered over the Swamp Battleguard and growled at the other Monster.

Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest – EARTH – Level 7 – Beast/Effect – 2600 ATK/1800 DEF

Mindy – 8500

Leon – 5900

“Okay…that one isn’t cute.” Jaden looked at the large ape-like Monster with surprise.

“Your turn, Leon.” Mindy gave him a sweet smile that clearly had violent undertones.

“I draw for turn.” Leon pulled his card. “I’ll summon Axe Raider in Attack Mode.” He placed the Monster onto the field and a warrior in golden and red armor appeared. It had purple cloth under its armor and its helmet had spikes around the rim. In its hand was a large axe that gave the Monster its name.

Axe Raider – EARTH – Level 4 – Warrior – 1700 ATK/1150 DEF

“Did he really try to copy Joey Wheeler’s Deck?” Drake looked confused at what Leon was trying to do. “Just because you mimic a famous Deck doesn’t mean you can play it at the same level as the one that created it.”

“I’ll have my Swamp Battleguard attack your Lock Cat!” Leon pointed at the Defense Position Monster. The ogre smashed the cat under its club. Mindy’s Monster exploded into fragments. “Now my Axe Raider will attack your face-down Monster!” The axe-wielding warrior leapt at the face-down card and sliced it in half. It was revealed to be another Kalantosa, the Mystical Beast of the Forest. The Monster was also sent to the graveyard and Mindy assumed that Leon was trying to prevent her from Tributing them for a more powerful Monster. “With that, I’ll end my turn.”

“My draw,” Mindy drew her card gaining another 500 Life Points.

Mindy – 9000

Leon – 5900

“Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest attacks Swamp Battleguard!” The ape-like Monster batted the smaller ogre across the field with its massive club. The ogre shattered after a moment of flying through the air.

Mindy – 9000

Leon – 5100

“I’ll end my turn.” Mindy passed the turn back over to her opponent.

“I draw,” Leon looked down at his card for a moment. One could practically see the gears turning in his mind. “I set a face-down, Set a Monster, and change my Axe Raider to Defense Mode.” Leon slotted a card into the Spell/Trap Zone. Then he placed a Monster face-down before turning his Axe Raider sideways. The Monster on the field took a knee and used its large axe as a makeshift shield. “That will end my turn.”

“I draw,” Mindy drew her card and gained another 500 Life Points.

Mindy – 9500

Leon – 5100

“Well, hello there.” Mindy grinned at the card in her hand.

“I activate the Trap card Skull Dice!” Leon hit a button on his Duel Disk, making his newly set card flip upright. It showed a little blue imp in a yellow and black outfit with bat wing motifs holding a red, six-sided die. “I roll a die and all of your Monsters on the field lose ATK and DEF equal to the number rolled multiplied by one-hundred!” A red die hologram shot out of the Trap card and landed on the field. “I rolled a six!” Leon looked smug about his luck.

Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest – EARTH – Level 7 – Beast/Effect – 2000 ATK/1200 DEF

“I Set a Monster,” Mindy continued her turn and placed her second to last card in hand onto the field face-down. “Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest attacks Axe Raider!” The weakened, but still massive, Monster smashed the Axe Raider with its club. The Monster shattered into fragments a second later and Leon placed the card in the graveyard. “That’ll be it for my turn.”

“Draw,” Leon drew his next card. “I tribute my Set Monster to Set another Monster!” His face-down Monster card exploded into light and a new face-down took its place. “Then I’ll activate Harpie’s Feather Duster to destroy your Solemn Wishes!” The Spell card appeared on the field and a great wind blasted the Continuous Trap into pieces. “No more free Life Points for you, Mindy. I’ll end my turn.”

“Sure, that’s fine.” Mindy shrugged at her lost Trap card. “I draw,” She smiled at the card she drew. “I attack your Set Monster with Green Baboon!” Mindy pointed at the face-down. The full-powered Beast Monster slammed its wooden club down on the card. The card shattered and briefly revealed a red version of the Swamp Battleguard.

Lava Battleguard – EARTH – Level 5 – Warrior/Effect – 1550 ATK/1800 DEF

“So, he did have them both.” Drake noticed the pair to the Swamp Battleguard before it was destroyed.

“I think I’ll end my turn.” Mindy decided as she let the turn shift back to her opponent.

“I draw,” Leon was starting to look nervous as he drew his next card. “I Set a Monster and end my turn.” He placed the Monster card face-sown and refused to meet Mindy’s eyes.

“My turn again?” Mindy cocked an eyebrow before drawing her next card. “I activate another Ayers Rock Sunrise!” She slotted the card and the hologram of the Spell card appeared again. “I Special Summon from my graveyard!” Mindy pulled her cards from the graveyard and picked her Monster. “I Special Summon Lock Cat!” The red and white cat with the padlock collar appeared in a flash of yellow light with a meow.

Lock Cat – EARTH – Level 3 – Beast/Effect – 1200 ATK/1000 DEF

“Green Baboon attacks your Set Monster!” Mindy declared and her Monster slammed its massive club down on the face-down card. A small knight with wing motifs on his armor and shield was revealed for a second.

Little-Winguard – WIND – Level 4 – Warrior/Effect – 1400 ATK/1800 DEF

This Monster also shattered into fragments, leaving Leon’s field open, save for the face-down in his backrow that he still hadn’t used the whole match.

“Lock Cat attacks you directly!” Mindy called and the cat leapt across the field to claw at Leon.

Mindy – 9500

Leon – 3900

“I end my turn.” Mindy stated clearly.

“I draw for turn.” Leon drew his next card he looked dismayed when he saw it. “I can’t do anything…I end my turn.” He passed the turn back to Mindy.

“Draw,” Mindy picked up her next card. “Green Baboon attacks you directly!”

“I activate my face-down!” Leon hit a button on his Duel Disk. His mystery card flipped upright and revealed a Trap card. “Nutrient Z! If I take battle damage in excess of 2,000 Points, I gain 4,000 Life Points!”

Mindy – 9500

Leon – 5300

“So that’s what he’s been hiding this whole time.” Alexis looked at the Trap card before Leon placed it into the graveyard.

“He bought himself some time, that’s all.” Jasmine grumbled at how close Mindy had been to winning.

“Lock Cat attacks you directly!” Mindy only looked slightly annoyed at the gain in her opponent’s Life Points. The red and white cat slashed Leon again before returning to Mindy’s side of the field.

Mindy – 9500

Leon – 4100

“I end my turn.” Mindy passed it over to him.

“I draw,” Leon placed a Monster card onto the field. “I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight!” In a flash of bright lights, a Monster in black and white armor appeared on the field. The warrior was covered head to toe in thick iron plate and over both hands, large blades were held at the ready as the Monster’s red eyes looked at its opponents.

Gearfried the Iron Knight – EARTH – Level 4 – Warrior/Effect – 1800 ATK/1600 DEF

“I attack your Lock Cat with Gearfried!” Leon pointed at the cat and his Monster quickly sliced it in half. The Beast Monster exploded into fragments and Mindy lost some Life Points.

Mindy – 8900

Leon – 4100

“I’ll draw,” Mindy pulled the card from the top of her Deck and looked at it. “I set two cards face-down.” She slotted two cards into her Duel Disk, the holograms appearing a second later on the field. “Green Baboon attacks Gearfried!” The large Beast batted the Iron Knight across the field with its wooden club. Gearfried shatter into fragments a moment afterwards.

Mindy – 8900

Leon – 3300

“With that, I’ll end my turn.” Mindy decided as she looked at Leon’s small hand of only two cards.

“Draw,” Leon pulled a third card into his hand. “I Set a Monster and end my turn.” He placed the facedown on the field and watched the hologram appear.

“In your End Phase,” Mindy hit a button on her Duel Disk. “I activate another Super Rush Recklessly!” The Trap card flipped face up. “I send Green Baboon to the graveyard and your Set Monster is shuffled back into your Deck.” Mindy’s large Beast roared as it exploded into fragments. Leon was forced to put his Set Monster on top of his Deck and let the device auto-shuffle. “And now, because I just sent a Monster to the graveyard outside of the Damage Step, I can activate the effect of the second Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest in my hand!” She grinned almost ferally at Leon as she paid 1,000 Life Points and Special Summoned another Green Baboon.

Mindy – 7900

Leon – 3300

Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest – EARTH – Level 7 – Beast/Effect – 2600 ATK/1800 DEF

The Beast Type Monster appeared with a vicious roar and slammed its wooden club on the ground.

“Looks like it’s my turn again.” Mindy drew for her turn. “I activate Cauldron of the Old Man!” She placed the Continuous Spell card on the field. The hologram appeared and showed an old man in a dark-red robe stirring a cauldron with a large stick. On one side of the cauldron a green smoke emerged, while on the opposite side a thick purple smoke spewed forth. “Now that it’s activated, it gains a Counter.” She informed and a ball of light appeared above the card. “For every Counter on the card, I get to choose to give myself 500 Life Points, or take 300 Life Points from you. I also get another Counter added during each of my Standby Phases!” Leon swallowed nervously as he realized that the Spell would only continue to grow in power. “I think I’ll take 500 Life Points this turn.”

Mindy – 8400

Leon – 3300

“Now let’s attack you directly with Green Baboon!” Mindy pointed at Leon’s empty field. The Baboon stomped over to Leon’s side of the field and swung his large club through Leon’s position, making the Second Year stumble backwards instinctively.

Mindy – 8400

Leon – 700

“I’ll end my turn with that.” Mindy declared and Leon shakily reached for his next card.

“I draw,” Leon pulled the card and looked at it with some relief. “I Set a Monster!” A hologram of a face-down card appeared on the field in the Monster Zone. “With that, I’ll end my turn!”

“I’ll draw,” Mindy pulled her next card and grinned as everything finally came together. “During my Standby Phase, Cauldron of the Old Man gets a second Counter.” Another light appeared over the Continuous Spell card. “This time I’ll hit you for 600 Points of burn damage.” A noxious cloud of purple smoke was blasted from the card and hit Leon across the field.

Mindy – 8400

Leon – 100

“Next, I’ll summon this little cutie!” Mindy placed a Monster card on the field. What appeared in a flash of light was a tiny black…thing. It had a vaguely bean-shaped body with a curled ear on either side of its bright yellow face. It had wide, red eyes and its teeth were nearly grinding together as it bared them at Leon.

Moja – EARTH – Level 1 – Beast/Effect – 100 ATK/100 DEF

“Moja!” The little Monster barked at Leon before resuming its grinding of its teeth.

“Isn’t it adorable?” Mindy cooed at her Monster.

“That’s supposed to be adorable?” Jaden blinked at the puny Monster.

“That face, bro…” Drake shook his head at the odd-looking Monster. He was snorting as he tried to suppress his chuckles.

“And here comes the humiliation.” Jasmine sing-songed with a wicked gleam in her gray eyes.

“Green Baboon attacks your Set Monster!” Mindy pointed at the face-down card. The Baboon howled as it leapt and slammed its club onto the card with a thunderous crash. The Monster was only revealed for a moment, but quite a few people knew it by sight.

Rocket Warrior – LIGHT – Level 4 – Warrior/Effect – 1500 ATK/1300 DEF

The Monster shattered into pixelated fragments and Leon’s eyes widened as he realized what Mindy was about to do to him.

“No…no…no, no, no!” Leon held up his hands, trying to wave off what was about to happen.

“Moja attacks you directly for game!” Mindy’s sweet smile would’ve terrified a serial killer as the little bean of a Monster shot at Leon like a bullet.

“Moja!” Moja barked just before snapping its mouth onto Leon’s outstretched hand and removing his last 100 Life Points.

Mindy – 8400

Leon – 0

“I can’t…I can’t…!” Drake was holding his stomach as he tried to stop laughing. The Second Year Obelisk lost a Duel to a Level 1 Monster with only 100 ATK for a perfect finish.

“Holy crap…” Jaden just stared at Mindy as the holograms faded away. “That was awesome!”

“Serves him right!” Jasmine cheered with her hands in the air.

“She did great.” Alexis smiled warmly at her ravenette friend while joining the applause for Mindy.

“So, she uses a Beast Deck, modified Moja from what I saw.” Drake looked at Jasmine and Alexis in turn.

“Sure…you can think that if you want.” Jasmine’s grin was the picture of Cheshire.

“You’ll get no secrets from me.” Alexis shook her head with her right index finger over her lips in a ‘hush’ position.

“Maybe I’ll just challenge her myself later, and see what her Deck is all about.” Drake looked at Mindy as the victorious girl walked off the field.

“Be prepared for a surprise or two.” Jasmine teased the Slifer. “You didn’t even see any of her Boss Monsters.”

“Wasn’t the Green Baboon her Boss Monster?” Jaden looked at Alexis and then Jasmine.

“Nope!” Both girls chirped in unison before giggling.

“Well now I’m getting excited.” Drake looked over at Jaden.

“Me too, I want to see these Boss Monsters!” Jaden pumped his fists and looked like he was about to rush off and challenge someone to a Duel right then and there.

“Slow down, Jaden,” Alexis smiled at the dual-toned brunette. “There’s plenty of time.”

“Yeah, and besides, the Promotional Exams will be coming up soon enough.” Jasmine reminded the two Slifers. “Maybe if you two make it into Ra, you might just become boyfriend material.”

“Jazz!” Alexis rolled her eyes while playfully slapping the auburn-haired girl’s shoulder.

“We’ve got some real motivation now, eh Jaden?” Drake nudged his buddy with a chuckle.

“I’m not sure…Alexis doesn’t seem interested much.” Jaden replied with a grin at the blonde.

“Don’t try and rope me into this little scheme.” Alexis held up her hands to ward off the idea. Her laughter was beautiful in Jaden’s opinion.

-End Chapter-

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Mindy plays a Beast Deck!

But is it really JUST a modified Moja Deck? We’ll see!

Jaden has properly bonded to Winged Kuriboh and has his Ka now! That should change things up some more!

With the Promotional Exams on the horizon, what else can happen at Duel Academy?

Keep reading to find out!

Until I get your reviews, later!