The stadium lights blazed over the Duel Monsters arena, casting long shadows across the blue and red platforms. Joseph Yusef adjusted his grip on his deck, heart pounding with anticipation as the crowd's murmurs filled the air. He stepped confidently onto the blue side, eyes quickly scanning for his opponent.
From the other end, Clyde Tinker—every bit the five-star champion his reputation promised—strode to the red platform. Without hesitation, both duelists placed their decks on their mats.
"Let's duel!" they declared in unison, voices threading through the hush like a starting bell.
With practiced hands, they shuffled and drew their opening hands. Life Point counters are set precisely at 2000.
Clyde's mind raced as he glanced at his cards: Elemental Hero Avian, Polymerization, Nightmare's Chains, The Right Leg of Exodia, Kagemusha of Blue Flame. If I can stretch this duel, he mused, I might assemble all five Exodia pieces. Patience. Precision.
He gave nothing away on his face as he drew Emergency Provisions and announced, "I set one card face-down and summon Elemental Hero Avian in Attack Mode." His voice was calm, but a flicker of excitement warmed his chest. "Your move."
Joseph grinned, lips curling with confidence. He drew his card, eyes glittering. "Maverick, The Musketeer Horse—come forth!" The crowd leaned forward as Maverick's hologram shimmered to life. "Maverick, attack Avian!" The blast of energy sent Avian spiraling into digital dust, and Clyde's Life Points dropped to 1400.
Joseph could not resist a taunt. "First blow's mine, champ."
Clyde, undeterred, drew Feather Shot. He slid another card onto his field. "I set a monster in defense mode," he said with a steady gaze. "Let's see you get past that."
Joseph raised an eyebrow. "Is that all, champion?" He wasted no time, sending Maverick to attack the face-down monster. Joseph unmasked and destroyed Kagemusha of Blue Flame, sending it to the graveyard after it turned to digital dust.
But the champion remained unfazed. Clyde drew from his deck, the card's surface glinting: Elemental Hero Bladedge. "Now, I summon Elemental Hero Bladedge!" he announced, summoning the sword-wielding hero to the field. "Bladedge, slice through Maverick!" The audience gasped as Joseph's Maverick fell. Joseph's Life Points tumbled to 1000.
Joseph pressed his lips into a thin line, refusing to show any sign of weakness. He drew again—Jacob the Musketeer. His eyes lit up. "I play Polymerization! Jacob the Musketeer and Robin, the Musketeer Horse—unite to become Musketeer Horse Rider!" The fusion monster thundered onto the battlefield, its stats dwarfing Bladedge's. "Attack Bladedge!" Clyde's Life Points dipped by another 100.
Clyde's focus sharpened. Another Exodia piece—progress. He set a card face down and activated Emergency Provisions, sending both his face-down cards to the graveyard. Life Points ticked upward: 3300. A small, satisfied smile flickered across his lips.
Joseph, not to be outdone, drew Jenny, the Queen's Guard, and set her in defense. Clyde responded swiftly—drawing and summoning Rocket Warrior in Attack Mode. "Attack the face-down monster!" he commanded.
Jenny, the Queen's Guard, materialized, holding firm under Rocket Warrior's assault.
Joseph's next draw, Vine Entanglement, was for him to save for later. "One card face down. Now, Musketeer Horse Rider, destroy Rocket Warrior!" Another blow to Clyde's Life Points.
Clyde refused to slow down. He drew and played Elemental Hero Sparkman. "Attack and destroy the Queen's Guard!" The Queen's Guard fell. Joseph drew Queen's Pet Cat from his deck and, seeing no better move, passed his turn.
Clyde's eyes flashed with opportunity. "Raigeki!" he declared. Lightning crackled and wiped Joseph's field clean.
The duel intensified. Joseph drew Waterfall Drop, placed a card face down, and ended his turn. Clyde drew Elemental Hero Burstinatrix and played it in Attack Mode before ending his turn. Joseph then drew Kitty the Wizard, revealed Change of Heart to take Sparkman, and used it to destroy Burstinatrix.
Elemental Hero Sparkman attacked and defeated Elemental Hero Burstinatrix, causing Clyde to lose 400 Life Points and reducing his total to 1700. Joseph announced, "I'm summoning Kitty the Wizard in Attack Mode and ending my turn." Clyde drew Axe of Despair from his deck and declared, "I'm equipping Axe of Despair to Sparkman, boosting its power by 1000."
Elemental Hero Sparkman's attack increased from 1600 to 2600. Clyde commanded, "Now, take out his wizard." As a result, Joseph lost 300 Life Points, leaving him with just 700. Clyde concluded, "That ends my turn."
This was it—the final move. Joseph drew his card: Fallen Bridge, hope flickering to life. "I activate Waterfall Drop!" Water surged across the field, clearing Clyde's monsters and inflicting enough damage to reduce the champion's Life Points to zero.
The crowd erupted into a thunderous standing ovation, the sound of applause and cheers reverberating off the arena walls. Fans waved banners emblazoned with Joseph's name, and camera flashes sparkled as he stepped forward, his face breaking into a broad, triumphant smile. An official in a crisp navy blazer approached Joseph, holding out a gold-embossed envelope. "Congratulations, Joseph! By defeating the reigning champion, you've earned this—an official invitation to compete in the main tournament," the official announced over the microphone, his words echoed by the roar of the crowd.
Clyde, still processing the dramatic turn of events, crossed the dueling platform. He extended his hand to Joseph with a genuine smile. "Well played, Joseph. That was an incredible finish. Expect a rematch one day—I'll be back for it."
Joseph grasped Clyde's hand in a firm shake, his eyes shining with pride and anticipation. "Thank you, Clyde. I'll be ready for you. I'm already looking forward to our next duel." Their exchange was captured on the stadium's main screen, broadcasting their sportsmanship and mutual respect to every corner of the arena.
As their hands parted, the stadium's lights slowly dimmed, spotlights lingering on the duelists for a moment longer. The audience's excitement lingered in the air, a testament to the electrifying match they'd just witnessed. Although the tournament round had ended, the spirit of competition—and the promise of an even greater rivalry—burned brighter than ever above the darkened rows of seats.
The End