This is the drill that will pierce the midterms!
3 certain roommates, in a certain Osiris Red room, were playing with their cards as practice.
"This is impossible! I just don't know what to do, or what cards to use; it's too confusing for me". A little boy with light blue hair told his friends.
"Yeah, it sometimes is like that; you don't know if you made the correct play until your opponent beats you up next turn". His friend, who resembled a koala, replied.
"It's fine, it's fine, don't worry too much about it". The third friend finally added. "Let's see what you got".
The 3 then checked the deck of their struggling friend.
"Mmm, I think I get it; your cards are good, but you don't know how to play them together". The brown haired boy commented.
"Yeah, it's like a puzzle; I dunno how you and my brother can do those great plays so casually". He sighed. "I don't see myself like that, honestly".
"You're being too hard on yourself, Sho". The black haired friend tried to give some encouragement. "Remember when I had to duel my father? I had a rough start, but I got more used to it as the duel progressed, so perhaps you just need to practice more to get comfortable with your deck".
"But no matter how many times I practice, there are just too many options, and I mess up every time; how am I supposed to learn if I never do anything right?". Sho expressed his frustration.
"Mmm". Meanwhile, Judai was thinking about what his friend just said. "If there are too many options, perhaps we can reduce them until it becomes easier to play". He suggested.
"Narrow them down?". Sho thought for a second and nodded. "I guess it's worth a shot".
"So, which are your favorite monsters?". Judai asked.
"Mmm...it's hard to say...". Sho thought for a moment. "I like Steamroid, he can get really strong during battle, and I can use him to summon Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill, one of my strongest monsters". He shared his conclusion.
"You could make an entire strategy around Jumbo Drill as your Ace; I think that's good enough". Hayato suggested.
"Yeah". Judai agreed. "Let's look at Jumbo Drill's effect so we can choose other cards that combine well with it".
They continued working on Sho's deck until night, and gave it a couple of tries to see if it worked as intended.
"So? How is it?". Judai asked Sho.
"It's weird, but good! It's like I got rid of extra winter clothes during summer, and now I can run freely!". The little boy had a bright expression.
"I think it suits you; you seem much stronger than before". Hayato said.
"Yeah, you rock, Sho!". Judai added.
"Gee thanks". Sho said again, now starting to feel a bit embarrassed from so much praise.
It was already late, so the 3 friends went to the cafeteria to eat something.
"Fancy seeing you here-meow; you missed dinner, you know?". It was Daitokuji, the Osiris Red professor.
"Oh, hi teacher!". Greeted Judai in an energetic, and casual manner, followed by Sho, and Hayato.
"Sorry, they were helping me build a new deck". Explained Sho.
"Yeah! Now Sho is a lot stronger than before! Wanna see?". But Judai was quickly interrupted by the sound of his hungry stomach. "Maybe later".
"Perhaps Pharaoh is interested in dueling after you eat-meow". He looked at the cat on his lap, who also looked back at him.
Pharaoh replied with a single "Meooow".
"Eh? Me? Dueling the…cat?". Sho felt a mixture of confusion and surprise and stopped eating for a second…during which Judai promptly snatched some of Sho's food. "Hey! That was mine!".
"Of course-meow. He may be a cat, but that doesn't mean he's not a duelist". The professor said with his usual smile, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
/----------/
After dinner, Daitokuji and the kids went outside, in front of the Red Dorm.
The professor put Pharaoh on the ground, and prepared Pharaoh's duel disk.
It was a special duel disk assembled in a way that allowed the cat to play comfortably.
With everything ready, the duel started.
"Duel…I guess". Said Sho.
"MEOW! (Duel!)". Responded Pharaoh.
Marufuji Sho: 4000 LP.
Pharaoh: 4000 LP.
The cat immediately started the duel with a spell card. "(Delinquent Duo, I pay 1000 life points, but you say goodbye to 2 of your cards!)".
Pharaoh: 3000 LP.
"(I summon 3-Hump Lacooda in defense position)". A poor animal barely arrived to the field with an expression of pure agony on its face, its legs shaking, and it just let itself drop to the ground.
3-Hump Lacooda - Earth/Beast/Level 3/Effect: 500/1500.
"(And set a card)". Pharaoh finished.
Starting with way less cards, Sho knew he had to give his all, and got serious. "My turn! Draw!". Sho had only 4 cards in his first turn, including the one he just drew, so his options were limited, but luckily, he still had some.
"I summon Steamroid in attack position!". He placed the card on his duel disk, and a steam train arrived into the field; it immediately got up from the rails, and brandished its wheels as knuckles.
Steamroid - Earth/Machine/Level 4/Effect: 1800/1800.
"When Steamroid battles a monster, its attack increases by 500 points! Steamroid, attack!". The train's steam engine worked faster as it accelerated towards the 3-Hump Lacooda who was still lying on the floor.
Steamroid - Earth/Machine/Level 4/Effect: 2300/1800.
"(My set card activates, Threatening Roar!)". The 3-Hump Lacooda turned its head towards the incoming train with difficulty, and suddenly let out an unbelievable howl which stopped the train in its tracks.
Seeing how there was nothing more he could do, Sho ended his turn.
"(My turn!)". Pharaoh drew for turn.
"(I summon Rescue Cat)". A white and grey cat walked into the field; it had a helmet with the logo of its organization, and a whistle hanging from a collar on its neck.
Rescue Cat - Earth/Beast/Level 4/Effect: 300/100.
"(Rescue Cat, activate your ability to special summon 2 other 3-Hump Lacooda.)". The cat on the field took a look at the other beast on the field, and ran towards the forest. Soon after, some whistle sounds could be heard; it was Rescue Cat bringing with him 2 stranded 3-Hump Lacooda to the field, back to their friend.
The 2 new monsters looked as feeble as the first one, and they just dropped on the ground next to the other one. The 3 of them, although suffering the pain of existing, smiled when they finally reunited.
Seeing the mission accomplished, Rescue Cat prompty left.
"(With all 3-Hump Lacooda on the field, I can activate their effect; I tribute 2 to draw 2 cards)". The 2 newly arrived Lacooda turned into sand and flew towards Pharaoh; the sand took the form of 2 new cards on Pharaoh's hand (paw).
"(And I activate one of my new cards, Forceful Sentry!)". Now, Pharaoh took a look at his opponent's hand.
Polymerization, Submarineroid, and Spikeshield with chain.
Pharaoh discarded the card he thought more critical for the boy's strategy, Polymerization.
"I-I got almost no cards left! Dumb cat". Sho said that last part in a low voice.
But you shouldn't underestimate the hearing prowess of a cat. "MEOW MEOW! (Who are you calling dumb with that yee yee ass haircut!)". Replied Pharaoh.
"I draw". Sho didn't understand what the cat said, but concluded its turn was over.
"I summon Submarineroid in attack position". This machine, painted in blue and yellow, swam through the air as though it was water, and carried torpedoes with its hands.
Submarineroid - Water/Machine/Level 4/Effect: 800/1800.
"I'll attack with Steamroid once more!". Sho signaled, and the steam train charged once more, and succesfully destroyed the 3-Hump Lacooda.
"But I'm not done yet! Submarineroid, attack directly!". The water machine released one its torpedoes which exploded directly on top of Pharaoh.
Pharaoh: 2200 LP.
"After Submarineroid battles and survives, I can change his battle position, so I'll put him in defense mode!". The submarine retreated from the forefront, and circulated behind Sho, showing no intent of attacking.
"(Draw)". Pharaoh looked at his cards.
Judgement of Anubis, Moja, Mad Dog of Darkness, and the one had just drawn, Call of the Haunted.
He thinks of a strategy to use his monsters effects, while also getting more card advantage for the next turns, and damaging his opponent as much as possible.
"(I summon Moja in defense position!)". A black little furball appeared on the field, it was as cute as it was weird.
Moja - Earth/Beast/Level 1/Effect: 100/100.
"(I set 2 cards, and end my turn)".
"My turn!". Sho drew a card, and what a card it was. Power Bond.
He frowned a bit, but decided to ignore it and play with the other cards he had.
"I change Submarineroid to attack position so I can attack directly with him". The submarine broke its defensive maneouves and darted towards Pharaoh to release another round of torpedoes.
Pharaoh: 1400 LP.
"I change it back to defense position, and then I'll attack your monster with Steamroid". The steam train advanced in full force, and completely crushed the little furball.
"(You destroyed Moja, so its effect activates; I can bring back another level 4 beast card for my next turn, and I choose Rescue Cat)". The remaining black fur floated towards Pharaoh and transformed into another card for him to use.
Sho thinks of what more he could do, but remembers Pharaoh had 2 set cards.
"Before I end my turn, I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy one of your set cards!". The boy declared as strong winds surrounded one of Pharaoh's cards.
"(You activated my trap card!)". Suddenly, a statue of Anubis rose on the field; its eyes glew red, the Mystical Space Typhoon fizzled, and got reduced to nothing.
"(When a spell card would destroy one of my trap cards, I can discard 1 card, negate the effect, and destroy 1 of your monsters!)". The eyes of the Anubis statue glew once more, and an invisible force crushed Steamroid.
"(But that's not all; the destroyed monster's attack is dealt to you as damage)". The invisible force extended to Sho and reduced his life points.
Sho: 2200 LP.
"I set a card, and end my turn". The boy simply said.
"(My turn; I draw, and activate Call of the Haunted to bring back the Mad Dog of Darkness I discarded with Judgement of Anubis)". The monster rose from the ground, its mind twisted, its body deformed; the only clue of who this animal was before being consumed by darkness is its little collar with the initial "M".
Mad Dog of Darkness - Dark/Beast/Level 4/Normal: 1900/1400.
"(Next, I summon Rescue Cat once more)". The brave cat returned to the field, ready for duty.
Rescue Cat - Earth/Beast/Level 4/Effect: 300/100
"(I activate Rescue Cat's special ability to special summon 2 The All-Seeing White Tiger)". The cat performed the same drill as before, and rescued 2 stranded Tigers; the couple was thankful to their little friend, and this one only did a small gesture before quickly leaving as quickly as he came.
The All-Seeing White Tiger - Wind/Beast/Normal: 1300/500.
The All-Seeing White Tiger - Wind/Beast/Normal: 1300/500.
"(These monsters are enough to reduce your life points to zero. First, Mad Dog of Darkness, destroy Submarineroid!)". Pharaoh was about to finish the duel.
Seeing the incoming attack, Sho reacted. "Not so fast! I activate my trap card, Spikeshield with Chain, and equip it to Submarineroid!". The shield merged with the submarine; the machine now was color grey, and white, with golden details, and a single horn on the front; the torpedoes also changed, not only in color, but had chains with them.
"This card increases Submarineroid's attack by 500 points, and when he is attacked in defesne position, it gains extra defense equal to his defense points!". The submarine's new appearence was not only for show, for it got stronger as it got brigther, and brighter!
Submarineroid - Water/Machine/Level 4/Effect: 1300/3100.
However, the boy activated the trap card too early, so Pharaoh could call off the attack of Mad Dog of Darkness, thereby surviving for another turn.
Seeing how there was nothing else for them to do, both White Tigers left the field as Pharaoh ended his turn.
"My turn, I draw!". Sho saw his new card, Drillroid; the mosnter didn't have enough attack points to help.
"I change Submarineroid's position to attack with him one more time!". Sadly, with Mad Dog of Darkness on the field, Submarineroid only dealt 800 points of damage with its effect.
Pharaoh: 600 LP.
"Then I change it to defense". Sho ended his turn.
"(I draw)". Pharaoh looked at the card. "(And activate Pot of Avarice; with this card, I bring back to the deck, from the graveyard, 5 monsters which will be Rescue Cat, all 3-Hump Lacooda, and Moja; then, I draw 2 cards!)".
"(Now, I tribute summon End of Anubis!)". The Mad Dog of Darkness got enveloped in a darkness so dense, it was unable to resist; soon after, something else appeared in its place.
It was impossible to distinguish between fur and skin, for it was all made of darkness, and our eyes could only discern its general shape; extremely luxurious and extravagant ornaments decorated that creature. Some color came from the darkness, the color of death, and anguish, those were its eyes, and mouth.
End of Anubis - Dark/Fiend/Level 6/Effect: 2500/0.
"(Next, I equip my last card to it, Axe of Despair, to increase its attack by 1000 points!)". The black mist around the monster took solid form for it to grasp, an axe that could very well once have been a person; veins permeated through the handle, blade, and head, which would spasm from time to time, and let out indiscernible sounds...as if it was still alive.
End of Anubis - Dark/Fiend/Level 6/Effect: 3500/0.
"(Destroy Submarineroid)". Pharaoh ordered, and the monster obeyed.
Even Submarineroid's titanic defense points could not hold against the power of Anubis.
Proper to the names of his opponents, Sho was in despair, as it was the end; there was nothing he could do, or could've done.
"Don't give up!". He heard, it was his friends.
"Sho, you can do it! Remember how we practiced it!". "Just draw 1 more card!". "Keep playing until the end!". "At least do all you can before losing!". That last one was obviously Hayato.
But seeing, and hearing his friends support him filled him with courage; he didn't feel so scared, and if he was going to lose to the cat, he could at least say he did all he could, and he would be proud in doing so.
"I DRAW!". His card had some electricity, but Sho didn't notice, instead, he just looked at the monster he had drawn with a solemn expression.
"This is it". He mumbled as he made his move. "I summon Expressroid in attack position!". Just like Steamroid, this was a train, but a much more advanced one.
Expressroid - Earth/Machine/Level 4/Effect: 400/1600
When it arrived on the field, it was still in movement, going around and around; then, it stopped next to Sho, as if it were unloading the passengers.
"Expressroid's effect; when he is summoned, I can return 2 Vehicroids from the graveyard to my hand!". As such, the passengers Expressroid provided were Steamroid, and Submarineroid.
"Now...". Sho lost all air for a moment, and got an anxiety attack. "Now!". He yelled with his eyes closed, using all the courage he could muster.
"From my hand, I activate Power Bond!". There was the signature card.
"With this card, I can fusion summon 1 machine fusion monster using monster from my hand or field as materials; I'll use Drillroid, Steamroid, and Submarineroid from my hand!". The three monsters momentarily appeared on the field, and merged together.
"I fusion summon Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill!". The various pieces of all machines got together in a bright storm of electricity and wind, then, there was a blue jet of flame that gave it a solid form, like a painting brush on a canvas. "Power Bond makes it so the monster summoned by its effect has double attack points!".
The final product was the fusion monster, only this one was a bit bigger, and more shiny; it gave the same feeling as seeing a newly made top piece of machinery, without any imperfection, and clearly made to last for decades without wearing down, no matter the job it did.
Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill - Earth/Machine/Fusion/Level 8/Effect: 6000/2000.
"I Attack End of Anubis!". The fiendish monster tried to resist using all its power, but the moment the tip of the drill touched its axe, an unbelievable amount of force made a hole through it, which kept getting wider, and stronger! And it kept extending foward, as though all of the fiend's power wasn't as much of a hindrance as the air!
Pharaoh: 0 LP.
Even Pharaoh was sent rolling, and Daitokuji ran to catch him.
Meanwhile, Sho had an unbelieving expression, as if all of that was just a dream. "I...won?".
"THAT WAS AMAZING!". Judai was the first to wake him up from his thoughts.
"Sho! You were really cool out there!". Even Hayato was excited.
"Indeed-meow". Said Daitokuji as he walked towards the 3 with Pharaoh in his hands. "Congratulations-meow, that was a fine duel".
"Aha...ahaha-ahahahaha!". Sho started laughing very hard, in fact, some tears formed on his eyes.
Everyone went back to the dorm; it was late, and they had to sleep.
That night, Marufuji Sho had a very good sleep.
/----------/
Days later, a very important announcement spread through the academy.
The deck of the original King of Games, Muto Yugi, would be held for display for everyone to see, right there, at their school.
Everyone was excited, and wanted to be the first ones to have it all for themselves.
Some were excited for cards in particular, like a certain female magician.
The showcase required a lot of preparation, so until the day arrived, security was tight; no one could come close to the deck.
/----------/
The day finally arrived.
Chronos was as excited as everyone else.
He showed the ticket to the security guard at the entrance of the room.
When he entered, he was delighted; it was like a high class museum, and the atmosphere was enjoyable.
There were many things showcased all through the spacious room, with many students everywhere, and even people from outside the academy.
The main attraction was in the middle section, a place for it to have the most attention for as long as it stayed there, the deck of Muto Yugi.
Chronos's eyes were shining, he felt like a little kid again.
As he looked the cards through the protective glass, he kept thinking of various things. How he grew up, the key experiences that made him what he was, people he met, how he got his deck, how he became a professor of the academy.
And more currently, how he changed his ways to be a better person, duelist, and teacher. He meditated about what he had done in the past, what he was doing in the present, and what he would do in the future.
He stopped focusing on the bad aspects for once, it was weird, but also not bad, so he kept doing it.
Instead of giving all his attention to the low performing students, and getting rid of them to preserve the status of the academy, he took a glance at the good students, also, at what he defined as good or bad, and started learning from them; it was as though he was the student instead of the teacher.
That made him chuckle. It was all because of dueling.
How there were logic aspects that could be studied and improved with practice; how there were personal and internal aspects that could boost the performance, but could not be studied nor improved with logic; how both of them had unlimited growth potential, and supported each other, so if someone was good at one, they could become twice as strong if they improved the other.
"What is it that made Yugi the King of Games?". Chronos wondered, and a satisfactory answer came to mind. "He was the culmination of both". That was good, but then he stopped, as the implications of it were unbelievable.
Judai, for example, had great talent for the empirical, while Daichi had it for the scientific. They would become much stronger if they developed the other side along with their talented side, but they could not learn the "special part" of the other, which is the individuality.
But Yugi was the opposite, he had the "bonuses" of both sides, as if he had the individuality of 2 individuals.
The proportions don't fit; Judai would be around 80% empirical, and Daichi 80% scientific, but the ending result would always be 100%, that's how people worked; there can only be 1 person in 1 person.
Yet, Yugi was 100% empirical and 100% scientific, he used the extreme proficency of both sides, the perfect duelist, as if he was 2 people in 1 body.
Sweat started forming on Chronos's forehead; how terrifying was the King of Games? It's not matter of experience, and training; that piece of individuality is something that cannot be learned! It's linked to the nature of a person.
No one could make a parallel mind in them, fully functional as if it was a entirely different person, and have them both complement each other to perfection!
Everyone has a little of everything, but no one can have everything of everything! Was that even possible?
Could Chronos...do that?
"Hahaha, no, no". Chornos started laughing, he got so absorbed in the feeling of being a kid again that he started thinking dumb stuff; Yugi was an amazing duelist, that's all.
"Still, this inspired me, seeing the deck of the King of Games. What it means to duel...". He closed his eyes.
"I will keep learning, and teaching, so we can all keep enjoying the game as it should". Then, the professor left, with a smile on his face.
Unbeknown to him, the spirits of the deck gave him their blessing, and wished him good luck.