Chapter 50: Trial of the Maze (III)

"Labyrinth Tank attack!" the electronic voice of the Rabid Horseman sounded out as the dark blue tank's engine kicked into a high gear. Racing towards the magnetic monster before it.

"I activate the effect of my Electromagnet Warrior! During my opponents turn I can tribute it to special summon <Delta the Magnet Warrior> to the field in defence mode! And When Delta is summoned I can send <Gamma the Electromagnet Warrior> from my deck to the graveyard."

[Delta the Magnet Warrior – Lv4 ATK:1600/DEF:1400]

The purplish machine broke into pieces as its electromagnetism pulled another monster out of Drakes deck, this one was made of light blue metal with lots of triangular shapes and sharp edges throughout its body. Using magnetic beams from its gauntlets a bulky light greenish bot was pulled from the deck and sent into the grave.

A pointed head with a curved magnet pointing downwards on top now focused on the stalled Tank that had lost its attack target as the magnet warrior crossed its arms and prepared its defence.

"Labyrinth Tank continue the attack on Delta the Magnet Warrior!" the duel bot commanded, allowing its deadly machine to continue its high horsepower charge into Drakes new monster.

A more intuitive opponent might have wondered why Drake had not used Beta's other effect when he had first summoned it, the ability to add a magnet warrior from his deck to his hand. The answer was simple, he had a plan.

"I activate my face down <Rock Bombardment>! By sending a rock type monster from my deck to the grave I inflict 500 Damage to my opponent. So I send Alpha the Electromagnet Warrior to the grave."

Drakes steely grey Alpha jumped from the deck before exploding into a hail of debris that blasted into the duel bot for 500 damage, causing the Rabid Horseman to snort and roar in fury.

[Rabid Horseman LP > 3500]

It was too late for the bot to call off its attack so the Labyrinth tank crashed into Drakes Delta, crushing it with its spiralling drills and scattering its parts about in a huge mess.

[LT ATK:2400/ DMW DEF:1400]

Because Delta was in defence mode Drakes life points were spared, but that was not all. The remains of Delta did not immediately disappear from the field, instead they began to glow, then float as the were joined by bits of metal from Drakes Grave, coloured Steely grey, pinkish purple and pale green.

"When Delta is destroyed I activate its second effect! By banishing the Alpha, Beta and Gamma from my grave I summon the mighty <Valkyrion the Magna Warrior> from my deck in defence mode!"

[Valkyrion the Magna Warrior – Lv8 ATK:3500/DEF:3850]

The levitating pieces flew together and combined in a bright light to reveal the mightiest Magna Warrior! With its pinkish wings, and mighty magnet sword it lifted its head high as magnetic energy surged across its body as it braced itself.

This was one of the best plays this virtual deck could produce, but Drake really wished to know what was going through the mind of the deck designer when they created a pre-constructed deck that held Valkyrion but could only rely on a single copy of Delta and the three Electromagnet warriors to summon it. It didn't include the original magnet warriors or even the electromagnet warriors combined form of Berserkion.

So in order to summon Valkyrion Drake had chosen to forgo Beta's on summoning effect so he could instead send the cards he needed to the graveyard from the deck through Delta and Rock Bombardment.

"Set facedown. Turn end."

[Turn 3 - Drake LP:4000 Hand:3, Rabid Horseman LP:3500 Hand:2]

"I draw!"

Looking at his draw Drake could only complain that it had come a turn too late, but it still had some use.

"I activate <Soul Absorption>, so long as this spell card is on the field, whenever a card is banished from play I gain 500 Life Points."

If he had managed to draw and activate it last turn then Drake would have gained 1500 LP from the banishing of the three Electromagnet Warriors. But what ifs were pointless and Drake had a duel to win.

"I banish Delta the Magnet Warrior from my graveyard to special summon <Gigantes> to the field."

[Gigantes – Lv4 ATK:1900/1300]

A crimson skinned giant berserker with a single horn at the centre of his forehead appeared on the field, a uprooted tree in his hand like a massive club. This card could only be special summon by the banishing of a Earth type monster in the grave.

*Roar!*

"Because I banished a card, my Soul Absorption now gives me 500 Life points." Drake said as the ghostly image of his banished card appeared behind him before shattering to countless light spots that he absorbed.

[Drake LP > 4500]

"Now I switch Valkyrion to attack mode and attack your Labyrinth Tank!"

Standing tall the Magnet warrior charged towards the Tank, its sword held high, but before it could reach its target the space around it began to twist and distort, sucking Drakes might beast beyond time and space. Leaving behind a glittering cloud of light that surged towards Drake.

"Trap activate. <Dimensional Prison>, banish the attacking monster." Came the voice of the duel bot.

"Grrr…"

Drake felt helpless as his strongest monster was banished as quickly as it had arrived, but at least that meant another 500 Life points thanks to his continuous spell card.

[Drake LP > 5000]

Now he only had Gigantes on the field, but mighty as it was it was still too weak to face the terror machine of the labyrinth, at least it was too weak for now.

"I activate <Rush Recklessly>, this quickplay spell give 700 ATK to my Gigantes for the turn, so I again attack your Labyrinth Tank."

[Gigantes - ATK 1900 > 2600]

Filled with the fleeting power of Drakes spell the giant smashed its club into the metal monster, its spinning drills stripping away a portion of the trees bark before the machine was flung away and crashed into the wall, turning into little more than scrap metal.

[Gig ATK:2600 > LT ATK:2400, Rabid Horseman LP > 3300]

"I will finish my turn with by setting a monster face down." Drake said. The power of Rush Recklessly now leaving his monster and restoring its original attack.

[Gigantes - ATK 2600 > 1900]

[Turn 4 - Rabid Horseman LP:3300 Hand:2, Drake LP:5000 Hand:0]

"Draw." Said the duel bot as its front hoofs pawed the ground below and swung its axe around as an empty threat.

"Summon <Gene-Warped Warwolf>, then activate equip spell <Megamorph>. So long my life points are lower my monsters attack is doubled.

A humanoid shaped beast appeared on the field, with four arms and bright white fur, its hands ending it deep red claws. Across its white furred body were black tribal designs, as the power of the Megamorph spell entered its body, the already mighty beast seemed to double in size and might.

[Gene-Warped Warwolf – Lv4 ATK:2000 > 4000/DEF:100]

"Attack Gigantes." The Rabid horseman commanded.

Its giant warwolf now towering over the form of Drakes monster, almost reaching the celling with its massive height. It attacked with is deadly claws and ripped Drakes monster apart in a savage display.

[GWW ATK:4000 > Gig ATK:1900 – Drake LP > 2900]

"Argh!" cried Drake as one of the beasts four arms slammed through him, for a moment Drake had forgotten this was just a virtual duel, expecting to be blasted away with that swing.

"Gigantes effect activates! When its destroyed all other spell and trap cards on the field are destroyed! Including my <Dark Coffin>! Thanks to is effect you now choses to either discard your last card in your hand or destroy your own monster." Drake explained as a shockwave was unleashed from his exploding monster that shattered the fragile spell and traps on the field.

One of which was his own facedown trap card which now appeared on the field after being destroyed. A golden Sarcophagus, from which a black hand reached out towards the duel bot, awaiting its decision.

"Calculating… destroying Gene-Warped Warwolf… set card and end turn." The bot said as the black hand wrapped around the white beast, pulling it helplessly inside the Sarcophagus before vanishing in a explosion.

*Bang*

[Turn 5 - Drake LP:2900 Hand:0, Rabid Horseman LP:3300 Hand:0]

"I Draw!"

Drake was concerned. He had expected the duel bot to discard a card rather than destroying his own monster. Since Gigantes effect had also destroyed the Megamorph spell its attack would have returned to its original 2000, so to give up a strong monster like that meant that the facedown card must be powerful.

"I activate the field spell <Gaia Power>, this card raises the attack of all Earth monsters by 500 at the cost of 400 defence points."

Large and vibrant trees began to sprout and grow around the duellists as the field spell card transformed the landscape of the chamber into that of a mighty primordial forest.

"Next I flip my monster face up, go <Morphing Jar>! And its flip effect then allows us both to draw a new hand of five cards."

"Gah Gah!" came the cry of the shadowy monster that hid itself with the small grey jar, its single bloodshot eye and yellowed teeth staring out from the opening. Disappoint that it had nothing to feed on, as the jar containing its shapeless form began to grow larger.

Since both sides had empty hands neither side had to discard any cards. Meanwhile the Morphing Jar also benefited from the magic of Gaia Power.

[Morphing Jar – Lv2 ATK:700 > 1200/DEF:600 > 200]

With a newly replenished hand Drake was sure he had found a path to victory.

"I summon <Barrier Statue of Drought>! So long as this edifice is on the field only Earth type monsters can be special summoned to the field!"

[Barrier Statue of Drought – Lv4 ATK:1000 > 1500/DEF:1000 > 600]

A rocky statue shaped much like a rhino appeared on the field, a strange aura like that of the mighty mountains emanating from it.

"And finally I banish Gigantes from the grave in order to special summon <The Rock Spirit> in attack mode."

[The Rock Spirit – Lv4 ATK:1700 > 2200/DEF:1000 > 600]

The Rock Spirit rose up from the ground, clad in ancient warrior armour it almost seemed like an ancient gladiator from ancient Rome if not for its rock like skin.

"Rah!" it let out a primitive roar, eager for battle. Drake was glad to let it take the lead.

"Rock Spirit attack!"

"Trap Activate <Drowning Mirror Force>! All opponents attack position monsters are shuffled into deck."

A wave of water wrapped itself around the duel bot, Drakes attacking monsters tried to charge through the liquid barrier but to no avail, as it transformed into a massive wave and washed all three of Drakes monster back into his deck. It seemed like Drakes attack was finished, but not all things were as they seemed. And Drake had been saving a game changer for this moment now that the Rabid Horseman's face down had been used up.

"I activate the quickplay spell <Magnet Reverse> to special summon Valkyrion the Magna Warrior which had been banished from the game."

A piece of magnetic stone appeared on the field, its pulsing power pulled Drakes might monster back from the beyond where it had been sent. Spreading its wings, the magnetic monster cried out a trill call of its impeding victory as the power of the field spell card infused it with even greater strength.

[Valkyrion the Magna Warrior – Lv8 ATK:3500 > 4000/DEF:3850 > 3450]

"Valkyrion finish this!" Drake commanded.

It charge towards the now helpless Duel bot, raising its sword it gave a mighty swing.

*Clang* *Clang*

Came the sound of the sword clashing against the horseman's axe, before knocking it aside and striking down on its neck with a decapitating swing.

[VMW ATK:4000 – Rabid Horseman LP > 0]

<<Drake wins. Duel Vendor unlocked, gain Universal Reputation +10>>

The duel field and the virtual images faded away, leaving behind the stone chamber as the rearing duel bot came to rest and lowered its weapon in defeat.

Drake was almost disappointed in his rewards, the only good thing was that the reputation he earned was universal and could be counted in any duel zone, unlike most of the rep he had gained so far which only applied in Toon Kingdom.

But what he really wanted was that special item the vendor that was meant to have, that elusive Extra life item. Drake had important plans for this item. Drake began by checking his current duel points, after his purchases at the Toon Kingdom Station he had been left with 4200 points, he had won 200 points from Charles, 2000 points from the duel hunter and a further 3700 from the duels bots of the Trial of the Six and Challenge of the Toon Dragons.

This gave him 11000 Duel points to play with.

But how much did an Extra Life cost?

Moving to the Duel Vendor it was the first thing Drake check.

'Secret Vendor Store 016 (Rabid Horseman). Duellist: DRAKE ATLAS. Current Duel Points: 11000.'

Extra Life – 8000 duel points (One purchase per Duellist, consumable) – Item used to open a locked Duel disk during the tournament – live to fight another day!

8000!? Drake thought.

He knew it wasn't going to be cheap, but at that price even if a person found a bot selling it how many people would have that many Duel points? Drake was glad that he made the cut, just imaging what it would have been like to come all this way for an extra life and finding out he couldn't afford it was terrible.

But he also still felt a pang in his heart as he purchased it all the same and watched his duel points plummet to 3000. After that Drake decided to go all in, in for a penny in for a pound, and then after checking there was nothing eye catching in the duel skills section, went to spend most of the rest of his duel points on virtual cards to improve his current virtual deck.

He couldn't afford even a single Berserkion, but he could at least add a copy of each of the original Magnet Warriors Alpha, Beta and Gamma, along with a couple more spell and trap cards.

Now he just had to reach the centre of the maze and beat the guardian. If all went to plan it should be simple, right?

---

It took some time for Drake to make it to the centre of the Maze, this was because his secret information he had was only on how to reach the duel vendor in the maze. The rest he had to work out for himself. He passed through duel puzzles, quizzes and a couple of duel bots which his improved deck was easily able to deal with, now he had reached the final chamber before the Guardian of the Maze.

<<Inner Maze reached. Duel restrictions lifted. Duel Location rule in effect: Heart of the Maze.>>

The message range out from his duel disk as he approached the antechamber from one of several passageways. The fake burning torches around the room cast numerous shadow between the tall pillars that led up to the great gates that blocked the room from the heart of the maze while also revealing the carved walls filled with hieroglyphs and art that looked more like they belonged to a Egyptian tomb than a Greek labyrinth.

Finally Drake could duel with his own cards again. It had been fun to switch up his play style but the limitations on his available cards had prevented him from building a deck he was complete comfortable with.

*Clap, Clap, Clap*

The sudden clapping sounding from the shadows of a pillar to Drakes side.

{Be careful} Critias warned from his mindscape, as he detected the faint trace of magical energies.

"Well Drake, you're finally here." Came the familiar voice of the Black General as she stepped out of the shadow.

"Wyvern, what an unpleasant surprise." Replied Drake as he focused on the New Order General.

"For me too. I was sure that you would have reached here before us, not leave us hanging for the last 10 minutes." Wyvern complained.

"Us?" Drake asked.

A third figure moved from behind another pillar. A figure clad in silver armour with shot blond hair and a extravagant chequered cloak. Although Drake had never met the man before he had a good idea who he was.

Only a General of New Order would stand like a equal with Wyvern, and having already met three of the five Generals together with the cliché that coloured titled characters would often incorporate that colour into their wardrobe it was an easy guess.

"The Silver General I presume?" Drake asked.

"At your service." Hal replied with a bow and a smirk.

Drake really wanted to punch his teeth out, the smug prince charming who Drake knew was responsible for everything that had happened to Bronk and Yuma.

"So am I duelling you one at a time or what?"

"Oh I think we can do better than that." Replied Hal as he lifted his duel disk to the air.

"Duel Skill Activate! Battle Royal!" he cried as a ring of red light spread out to encompass the entire room.

<<Duel Skill - Battle Royal! (consumable): activate a free for all duel area, all duellists in area after 30 seconds shall enter the duel.>>

"Tell me Drake, do you think you can handle two Generals at once?" Wyvern asked as her duel disk activated alongside Drakes.

"You think I can't?" Drake replied confidently as he moved into the room, but in truth it was pure bluff.

Two on one was good if you were part of the two but not the one. And in a free for all he wouldn't have any benefits to off-set this disadvantage.

"Oh he won't have to." Came a rough reply from another of the passage ways, a new figure stepping into the duel area to the surprise of the three duellists.

<<Battle Royal engaged. Number of Competitors: 4. Style: Free for all. Duel begins!>>