[hider=Alexander vs Megumi] The Duels were quite short, lasting only a few turns before ending. Alexander and Megumi noted the more powerful monsters such as 'King of the Skull Servants' and 'Judgment Dragon'. Before long, though, their turn came up. "Alexander vs Megumi!" the announcer called out, and the two made their way to their respective places. "I won't hold back!" Megumi said. "I'm counting on that," Alexander replied. "DUEL!" Megumi and Alexander yelled, starting the duel. [u]Turn 1 - Megumi[/u] Megumi: 4000 LP, 5 cards Alexander: 4000 LP, 5 cards "I'll start this off," Megumi said. "I'll Summon 'Spirit Reaper' in Defense mode!" As Megumi placed her card on her Duel Disk, the purple-robed figure appeared, brandishing its scythe as if to defend itself. [b]Spirit Reaper - Level 3, 200 DEF[/b] "This monster can't be destroyed by battle," Megumi explained. "I'll also place 2 cards face down, and end my turn." [u]Turn 2 - Alexander[/u] Megumi: 4000 LP, 2 cards Alexander: 4000 LP, 6 cards "My turn then," Alexander said, drawing a card. "I'll play the Field Spell: 'Magical Citadel of Endymion'." As the Spell was played, the area quickly transformed into a forest, with a city behind Alexander that could only be described as "Magical". "Now I activate 'Spell Power Grasp'," Alexander said as the card appeared on his field. A black orb appeared from it, which then shot towards the city behind Alexander, and a giant number "1" appeared on it. "'Spell Power Grasp' allows me to place a Spell Counter on any card that I can place a Spell Counter on, and then I can add another 'Spell Power Grasp' from my deck to my hand," Alexander explained as the card popped out from his deck, which he then added to his hand. "I can only play one 'Spell Power Grasp' per turn, but one is enough," Alexander commented as the "1" on the giant building suddenly changed into a "2". "Due to the effect of 'Magical Citadel of Endymion', every time a Spell Card is played, a Spell Counter is added to it when that Spell Card resolves," Alexander explained further. "Now I Summon the Tuner monster, 'Arcane Apprentice', in Defense mode!" Alexander declared as a blue-and-brown robed figure appeared on the field, holding its staff close it itself, as if to defend itself. [b]Arcane Apprentice - Level 2, DEF 400[/b] "I'll play one card face down, and end my turn," Alexander finished. [u]Turn 3 - Megumi[/u] Megumi: 4000 LP, 3 cards Alexander: 4000 LP, 3 cards "Hmph, I'll wipe out that Tuner monster before you get a chance to Synchro Summon!" Megumi said as she drew a card. "I Tribute my 'Spirit Reaper' in order to summon 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6'!" 'Spirit Reaper' disappeared from the field, and in its place was a reddish, metallic, bird-like creature. [b]Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6 - Level 6, ATK 2300[/b] "'Horus', attack 'Arcane Apprentice' with [i]Black Flame[/i]!" Megumi commanded, and 'Horus' shot out a black fireball from its mouth, wiping out its attack target. Alexander shielded himself from the blow with his arm as Megumi cheered, "Yeah! That's how it's done!" "Enjoy it while it lasts, Megumi, because it will not last very long," Alexander warned. "We'll see," Megumi retorted. "At the End Phase, if 'Horus' destroyed a monster by battle, I can send it to the Graveyard and Special Summon 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8'!" 'Horus LV6' erupted into a pillar of black flame, and in its place appeared a reddish metallic dragon. [b]Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8 - Level 8, ATK 3000[/b] "Turn End," Megumi ended. [u]Turn 4 - Alexander[/u] Megumi: 4000 LP, 2 cards Alexander: 4000 LP, 4 cards While 'Horus' was a major problem, it was not impossible to overcome. [i]I'll have to destroy 'Horus' if I'm going to win,[/i] Alexander thought as he drew a card. Taking a look at the card he drew, he thought, [i]Perfect.[/i] "If my opponent controls a monster and I control none, I can Special Summon 'Oracle of the Sun' from my hand!" Alexander explained as an indian man appeared on the field. [b]Oracle of the Sun - Level 5, DEF 2000[/b] "Now I Summon 'Magical Exemplar' in Attack mode," Alexander continued, and a woman in green appeared next to 'Oracle of the Sun'. [b]Magical Exemplar - Level 4, ATK 1700[/b] "I activate the effect of 'Magical Exemplar'!" Alexander declared. "By removing Spell Counters from this card, I can Special Summon a Spellcaster-type monster from my hand or Graveyard whose level is equal to the amount of Spell Counters I removed." "But it doesn't have any Spell Counters!" Megumi argued, although she could guess what would happen. "That's true, it doesn't," Alexander confirmed. "However, I can use the second effect of my Field Spell. If I use an effect that involves removing Spell Counters, I can remove Spell Counters from this card instead." As the number "2" suddenly decreased to "0", Alexander said, "I remove 2 Spell Counters from 'Magical Citadel of Endymion' to Special Summon 'Arcane Apprentice' from my Graveyard." The little magician jumped out of the ground and landed onto the field, ready for action once more. "I Tune my Level 2 'Arcane Apprentice' with my Level 5 'Oracle of the Sun'!" Alexander declared, and the two monsters rose into the air. 'Arcane Apprentice' transformed into two green rings, and 'Oracle of the Sun' transformed into 5 small stars that aligned themselves through the two green rings. "Wielder of sealed arcane forces! Use our power and destroy all that oppose us!" Alexander chanted. "Synchro Summon! Appear, 'Arcanite Magician'!" A bright light shone through the two Synchro materials, and from that light came a white-robed figure wielding a green staff. [b]Arcanite Magician - Level 7, ATK 400[/b] "So you finally brought out your ace monster, huh?" Megumi asked. "Bring it!" "And I will!" Alexander retorted. "When 'Arcanite Magician' is successfully Synchro Summoned, I can add 2 Spell Counters to it." Two black orbs appeared and started orbiting around the head of its staff in a circle. "For each Spell Counter on 'Arcanite Magician', it's ATK rises by 1000!" Alexander explained. [b]Arcanite Magician - ATK 400 --> ATK 2400[/b] "Now I activate the effect of 'Arcane Apprentice'!" Alexander declared. "When it is used as material for a Synchro Summon, I can add one 'Assault Mode Activate' from my deck to my hand." The card popped out of his deck, which he then added it to his hand. "I activate the effect of 'Arcanite Magician'!" Alexander declared. "By removing one Spell Counter from anywhere on my field, I can destroy one card my opponent controls! Destroy 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8'!" One of the black orbs revolving around the staff suddenly went into the head of the staff, which turned the green sphere on the staff black, and it crackled with black energy. 'Arcanite Magician' then raised its staff above it, and swung downward, firing a beam of black energy towards 'Horus', who screeched as it was struck by it. Megumi braced herself against the resulting explosion, then said, "Now 'Arcanite Magician' loses 1000 ATK after using that Spell Counter!" [b]Arcanite Magician - ATK 2400 --> ATK 1400[/b] "It'll gain that back," Alexander replied, "After I activate 'Spell Power Grasp'!" The Spell card appeared on the field once more, and the black orb that appeared from it flew towards 'Arcanite Magician'. "I'll add one Spell Counter on 'Arcanite Magician', as per its effect. 'Magical Citadel of Endymion' gains another Spell Counter as well, and 'Magical Exemplar' gains 2 Spell Counters," Alexander explained as 'Arcanite Magician's' ATK rose, a giant "1" appeared on the giant building, and two orbs appeared above 'Magical Exemplar's' palm, revolving around each other. [b]Arcanite Magician - ATK 1400 --> ATK 2400[/b] "Of course, I can still add a 'Spell Power Grasp' from my deck to my hand," Alexander explained as the card popped out of his deck, which he then added to his hand. "Once again, I activate the effect of 'Arcanite Magician'!" Alexander declared again. "By removing a Spell Counter from 'Magical Exemplar', I can destroy one card my opponent controls! Destroy the left face down card!" A black orb left 'Magical Exemplar's' palm and was absorbed into 'Arcanite Magician's' staff, turning its head black again. 'Arcanite Magician then fired another beam of black energy towards the targeted card. "I activate 'Book of Moon'!" Megumi countered, revealing the targeted face-down. "This forces a monster into face down defense mode, and I choose your 'Arcanite Magician'!" 'Arcanite Magician' then disappeared, replaced with a face down card. "'Magical Exemplar' gets 2 more Spell Counters, and 'Magical Citadel of Endymion' gets another Spell Counter," Alexander said as the number of Spell Counters increased for them. "Now, 'Magical Exemplar' attack Megumi directly!" Alexander commanded, and 'Magical Exemplar' concentrated some green energy in her other hand, then fired a bolt of green energy. "I activate 'Scapegoat'!" Megumi countered, revealing her second face-down. "This Special Summons 4 'Sheep Tokens' on my field in Defense mode!" True to her word, 4 different-colored sheep appeared in from of Megumi, then one was struck by the green bolt and destroyed. "Of course, I still get Spell Counters," Alexander said, 'Magical Exemplar' reaching a total of 5 and 'Magical Citadel of Endymion' displaying a giant "3". "I place one card face-down and end my turn," Alexander ended. [u]Turn 5 - Megumi[/u] Megumi: 4000 LP, 4 cards Alexander: 4000 LP, 2 cards "My turn!" Megumi said, drawing her next card. "First I play 'Night Beam', to destroy the face down card you set last turn, 'Assault Mode Activate'!" The Spell Card appeared on the field, and a beam of light was fired from it, destroying the very card she targeted. True to her word, it was 'Assault Mode Activate'. "Now I can finally play my ace monster!" Megumi said. Alexander was surprised. [i]Her ace monster? Wasn't that 'Horus LV8'?[/i] Alexander thought. He had no more time for thoughts, though, because Megumi continued, "I Tribute my 3 'Sheep Tokens' to Special Summon 'Destiny HERO Plasma'!" The three sheep were each enveloped in pillars of light, then disappeared, only to be replaced by a purple-armored vampire-like man with tattered wings. [b]Destiny HERO Plasma - Level 8, ATK 1400[/b] Alexander was stunned. 'Destiny HERO Plasma' was a card he was not very familiar with, but the fact that it took 3 monsters to Summon and had a low ATK meant it had something threatening up its sleeve. "While 'Destiny HERO Plasma' is on the field, all monster effects on my opponent's field are negated!" Megumi explained smugly. "Now I activate the other effect of 'Destiny HERO Plasma'. Once per turn, I can absorb one monster my opponent controls, and 'Destiny HERO Plasma's' ATK rises by half that monster's ATK. Go, absorb 'Magical Exemplar'!" 'Destiny HERO Plasma' spread its wings, and the very air was getting sucked into them. 'Magical Exemplar' showed some resistance, but was ultimately absorbed into the wings. The shape of 'Magical Exemplar' stretched out of 'Destiny HERO Plasma's' left wing for a moment before sinking back in. [b]Destiny HERO Plasma - ATK 1400 --> ATK 2250[/b] After 'Plasma' retracted its wings, Megumi said, "Alright, time for a comeback!" Megumi pointed a finger at Alexander's face down monster and commanded, "'Destiny HERO Plasma', attack that face down 'Arcanite Magician' with Blood Fears!" 'Destiny HERO Plasma' spread its wings once more, and multiple projectiles similar to that of bloody rain (tears, if you prefer) were fired out of both wings, striking the face down card. An image of 'Arcanite Magician' screaming in pain appeared briefly before being destroyed. "Now that's a comeback!" Megumi cheered. "Now, I'll play the Spell Card: 'Level Modulation'! I can Special Summon one 'LV' monster from my grave, but my opponent can draw 2 cards. Come back from the dead, 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8'!" The metallic dragon appeared onto the field once more, screeching as it did so. [b]Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8 - Level 8, ATK 3000[/b] "I'll just set one card face down and end my turn," Megumi ended. [u]Turn 6 - Alexander[/u] Megumi: 4000 LP, 2 cards Alexander: 4000 LP, 5 cards Things were not going so well for Alexander, who had no monsters or anything to defend him. Plus, both monster effects and Spells were sealed off. That meant he could only rely on Trap cards now. "Oh, just in case you try doing something funny, I'll activate my Trap card: 'Royal Decree'!" Megumi interjected, revealing her face down. "This card negates all Trap Card effects on the field!" Scratch that, not even Trap cards would help now. He was locked down, and it would take a miracle to get out of it. "My turn," Alexander said grudgingly, drawing a card. He then looked at the card he drew, as well as the rest of his hand. Suddenly, an idea was forming. If this worked, then he could turn the tables around again. "I'll play 'Apprentice Magician' in Defense mode, then set 2 cards face down," Alexander declared, the blonde boy in purple armor and two set cards appearing on his field. [b]Apprentice Magician - Level 2, DEF 800[/b] "Turn End," Alexander said. [u]Turn 7 - Megumi[/u] Megumi: 4000 LP, 3 cards Alexander: 4000 LP, 2 cards "Just give up, Alex!" Megumi taunted. "Maybe I'll show you some mercy!" "It's not over until it's over!" Alexander replied. To him, his words had meaning, and gave him hope against this next assault. "Fine then!" Megumi said. "I prefer to deliver finishing blows anyway! 'Horus', destroy that 'Apprentice Magician'! with Black Flame!" 'Horus' then breathed a stream of black fire onto 'Apprentice Magician', who screamed in pain as it was destroyed. Alexander grunted from the impact of the blow, then said, "I've found your weakness!" "What weakness?" Megumi asked. "'Destiny HERO - Plasma' can't negate effects that activate in the Graveyard!" Alexander replied. "I activate the effect of the destroyed 'Apprentice Magician'! When it's destroyed by battle, I can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower monster from my deck in face down Defense mode!" As the face down card appeared on Alexander's field, Megumi became annoyed. To think someone would find a weakness that quickly. Regardless, it was of little concern right now. "That won't save you!" Megumi said. "'Destiny HERO - Plasma', destroy that face down monster with Blood Fears!" 'Plasma' launched its bloody tears from its wings again and struck the face down card. An image of 'Apprentice Magician' appeared before getting destroyed. "I activate the effect of the 'Apprentice Magician' that was just destroyed," Alexander declared. "I'll Special Summon another Level 2 Spellcaster-type monster from my deck!" As the next face down card appeared, Megumi said, "Hmph. That defense won't hold forever. I end my turn." [u]Turn 8 - Alexander[/u] Megumi: 4000 LP, 3 cards Alexander: 4000 LP, 3 cards "Now for [i]my[/i] comeback!" Alexander yelled as he drew a card. "I Summon 'Breaker, the Magical Warrior' in Attack mode!" The red-and-yellow armored swordsman appeared on the field, assuming its battle position. [b]Breaker, the Magical Warrior - Level 4, ATK 1600[/b] "That monster still can't save you!" Megumi yelled. "Maybe not," Alexander concurred. "But take a look at what my face down monster is." The card flipped upwards, and 'Arcane Apprentice' appeared. [b]Arcane Apprentice - Level 2, ATK 1000[/b] Megumi gasped in surprise. "A Tuner monster!" she exclaimed. "That's right, a Tuner monster," Alexander confirmed. "Now I'll Tune my Level 2 'Arcane Apprentice' with my Level 4 'Breaker, the Magical Warrior'!" The two monsters transformed into rings and stars, and Alexander began the customary chant, "Explosive magicks! Let our foes feel the combined power of our might! Synchro Summon! Detonate, 'Explosive Magician'!" A wizard clad in white clothes with gold trim appeared on the field, lightning surging around it for a moment before stopping. [b]Explosive Magician - Level 6, ATK 2500[/b] "'Explosive Magician', destroy 'Destiny HERO - Plasma'!" Alexander commanded. 'Explosive Magician' pointed its wand at 'Plasma' and fired a bolt of lightning from it, striking it and destroying it. [b]Megumi - LP 4000 --> LP 3750[/b] "No!" Megumi cried out in dismay. "Now that the effect-negation is gone, I'll use the effect of my 'Explosive Magician'!" Alexander said. "By removing 2 Spell Counters from my field, I can destroy one Spell or Trap card my opponent controls. Destroy 'Royal Decree'!" The giant "5" on 'Magical Citadel of Endymion' changed into a "3", and the head of 'Explosive Magician's' staff turned black. A bolt of black lightning was fired, and 'Royal Decree' was destroyed. "I still have 'Horus' on the field," Megumi said. "And it's 3000 ATK is still more than a match against your 'Explosive Magician's' 2500!" "We'll see," Alexander said. "Turn End." [u]Turn 9 - Megumi[/u] Megumi: 3750 LP, 4 cards Alexander: 4000 LP, 2 cards "My turn!" Megumi said, drawing a card. "I activate an Equip Spell card: 'Power LV'! The 'LV' monster equipped with this card gains 700 ATK, and returns to the deck instead of getting sent to the Graveyard when it gets destroyed!" A card showing a glowing 'Horus LV8' monster appeared on the field briefly before getting absorbed into 'Horus LV8'. [b]Horus the Black Flame Dragon - ATK 3000 --> ATK 3700[/b] "'Horus', destroy 'Explosive Magician'!" Megumi commanded, and Horus breathed a stream of fire towards 'Explosive Magician'. "Trap card activate!" Alexander declared, revealing a face down card. "'Mirror Force'! This card will destroy all Attack mode monsters my opponent controls!" "What!?" Megumi exclaimed as 'Horus's' attack struck a transparent barrier that protected 'Explosive Magician', then the flames were reflected back at 'Horus', destroying it. Megumi was now in a bind. She had very few options left. After returning 'Horus LV8' to her deck as per 'Power LV's' effect, Megumi said, "I play 1 card face down, and end my turn," Megumi ended. [u]Turn 10 - Alexander[/u] Megumi: 3750 LP, 2 cards Alexander: 4000 LP, 3 cards "This is the end, Megumi," Alexander said, drawing his card. "I Summon 'Frequency Magician' in Attack mode!" A man wearing an odd outfit appeared onto the field, his hands making the air around them vibrate. [b]Frequency Magician - Level 2, ATK 800[/b] "When this monster is Normal Summoned, I can add one Spell Counter to it," Alexander explained as the black orb appeared, revolving around its waist. "Now I activate the effect of my 'Frequency Magician'! By removing one Spell Counter from it, I can raise the ATK of one face up monster I control by 500!" The black orb was then absorbed into 'Frequency Magician'. [b]Frequency Magician - ATK 800 --> ATK 1300[/b] "'Frequency Magician'! Attack Megumi directly!" Alexander commanded, and 'Frequency Magician' obeyed, releasing a strong shockwave from its hands. "I activate 'Scapegoat'!" Megumi countered, revealing her face down card. "Counter Trap: 'Casting Interference'!" Alexander countered. "I can remove 3 Spell Counters from my field to negate the activation of a Spell or Trap card!" The giant "4" on 'Magical Citadel of Endymion' decreased to "1", and 'Scapegoat' was destroyed without resolving. Megumi covered her ears as she was struck by the shockwave. [b]Megumi - LP 3750 --> LP 2450[/b] "The final blow! 'Explosive Magician'! Attack Megumi directly!" Alexander commanded. 'Explosive Magician' fired a bolt of lightning, striking Megumi, who screamed as she was struck. [b]Megumi - LP 2450 --> LP 0[/b] Megumi dropped to her knees, saddened by her loss. A hand appeared in her field of view, and she looked up to see Alexander giving her a helping hand. Megumi took it and got back up, then said, "Win this for me." "I'll do my best," Alexander replied. With that, the next round continued. [/hider]