FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Episode Two: Enter the Cyber Sable

It had been 2 days since the Academy entrance exams and all the applicants who passed were now on the ferry to Academy Island. Ark had wondered why all the Duel Academys were built on islands but could never find a reason he just guessed it was a selling point or something, either way he didn't care since the ferry they were on had all the bells and whistles of a cruise liner rather than a ferry. The pool was a big selling point since a lot of the students took this as a last opportunity to have fun before they started their first term. Ark on the otherhand was lounging on a bench basking under the midday sun as McKenzie prattled on for the second consecutive hour.

"And then he said 'what is the name of this show?' and then i said 'The Aristocrats' but he just looked at me like i was mad or something which i think was a little rude..." McKenzie waffled on,

"Dude can't you put a cork in it for just two minutes... let the trees replenish the oxygen supply." Ark asked sarcastically,

"You know i would but if i stop talking my doctor says i will explode." McKenzie shot back with a huge grin,

"Oh dear lord, how did i end up with a guy who could talk the ears off a hyperactive bunny?" Ark groaned,

"You just lucked out is all. Besides you need someone to take the heat off you, beating Beckett at the entrance exams has earned you a little notoriety." McKenzie said still grinning,

"So much with just getting through the year without incident." Ark groaned again,

"Notoriety isn't as bad as you think... i mean those girls over there have been keeping a close eye on us for like half an hour." McKenzie said nodding over towards the pool.

As the both looked over a group of girls practically jumped and looked away as quickly as possible pretending to be doing something else. Ark slumped back again while McKenzie laughed.

"At least you've got something going for you." McKenzie laughed again,

"Great, loads of girls at the academy and all far too young for me... yeah i lucked out alright." Ark complained,

"You could at least get 'em for me... besides they're just freshman year students, i'm sure there are ones more suited to your advancing years." McKenzie grinned as he ducked out the way of incoming fist,

"I'll let you off this time." Ark said getting up,

"You're so generous. Come on lets go check out the competition at the arena." McKenzie said slapping Ark on the arm.

The arena wasn't an arena as such just a room on the boat with an old style fixed duel arena. Students were allowed to use it to get last minute practice in before arriving at the island. Most of the students using it were the younger ones with older students stood around watching how they fared. Two teenage boys were just finishing a duel as McKenzie and Ark arrived, two monsters were about to start the final clash of the duel with 'Gene Warped Warwolf' on one side and Gigatech Wolf on the other, in a straight up battle the Gene Warped Warwolf would win with its 2000 attack points easily overpowering the Gigatechs low 1200, but as the attack was launched the kid activated a Limiter Removal spell which doubled his Wolfs power to 2400 and struck back thus winning the duel.

"Not a bad move from that kid hmmm?" McKenzie asked,

"Aye, not bad for a kid... though i think he needs to work at his tactics, that move could've been easily countered." Ark said with his arms folded across his chest,

"Can't let the 'pro' side of you go for a while huh?" McKenzie mocked,

"I was never a pro... just experienced." Ark retorted,

"I guess you're just waiting for a challenge to wander up to you right?" McKenzie asked,

"Not really, just someone who can make the game fun again... i've had enough of facing the same decks and tactics over and over again. I swear the game is comparable to Lord of the Rings... 'One Deck to Rule Them All'." Ark grumbled.

As they were talking someone walked past which immediately turned their heads, a tall slender vixen with fur so white it would put freshly fallen snow to shame. Both of them looked at each other a minute to see if they had just witnessed a simultaneous vision and looked back to see her stood at the arena watching as the next two students climbed up to duel.

"God... Damn..." Was all Mckenzie could muster,

"My thoughts exactly." Ark replied.

She continued to watch as the duel started as both guys shook themselves out of their reverie. They both noticed that she was wearing blue, the same blue uniform that Doctor Beckett was wearing at the entrance exam... minus the white coat.

"I guess she's a Sapphire Blue student." McKenzie observed,

"Now i'm hoping i get to be in blue. I wonder who she is?" Ark wondered out loud.

As they were talking another student wearing a yellow uniform overheard them talking and filled them in.

"Oh her, thats Sable. Or at least thats what we all call her. She's one of the top ranked duelists in the school." He said,

"She's top ranked?" McKenzie asked,

"Yup, she's pretty tough and only seems to duel those she thinks are worth her time." he said,

"So she's stuck up?" McKenzie asked as he shrugged,

"I doubt it Mac... she's like me i bet and wants a challenge yet still wants to have fun." Ark intercepted,

"No, she's stuck up. Most of the blues are, mostly rich snobs and the like... always think thier above everyone and have no time for us 'peons'." he said waving his hand dismissively,

"Well i think i smell a challenge coming on... time to knock snow white down a few pegs." Ark said as he slammed a balled fist into his palm,

"You say that now... but you still wanna hit that." McKenzie grinned,

"Who wouldn't?" Ark said smiling back as he walked over to her.

The walk over to her seemed to take an eternity even though it was just to the other side of the room. All the challenges he faced were easy to overcome but talking to girls had never been his strong suit, though he thought he'd do his talking in the arena. Up close he saw that she was about as tall as he was and looked about 19 maybe 20 years old, as he approached she turned to see him walking over and he could see her eyes for the first time as if they were staring into his soul... it made him shiver a little as if freezing from the inside out.

"Not many people brazenly walk over to me, i take it you're new?" She asked,

"Aye, my name is Arkwright." He said trying to mentally defrost himself,

"Ah the guy who beat Dr Beckett at the entrance exams, not many manage to out duel her. She either let you off lightly or you're no slouch." She said eying him up and down,

"I'm no pushover if thats what you're thinking." Ark said starting to feel rather defensive,

"I'm glad, so many try to come here and get by with the minimum of skill, it's about time there was some actual talent coming." she said looking back at the duel,

"Thats a little unfair to judge everyone against yourself... i bet even you were like them once." Ark kind of snapped at her,

"I've worked hard to become what i am today, most of these students coast along on anothers coat tails. Which is why the original recipe clause was added to the academy to stop every student having a pre-made deck recipe from the internet based on some tournament winner." she snapped back.

Ark realised then that she felt the same way he did about the way the game was heading, he figured if he was to find out if she was really stuck up or not was to face her himself.

"Then i challenge you to a duel and will show you that your pre-conceptions are misleading. Talent could be hiding where you least expect." Ark said pulling his deck out of its case,

"Alright then hot shot i'll give you a chance to prove yourself, the one who beat Dr Beckett should prove to be some amusement. You may call me Sable and if you beat me you might even learn my real name." She said walking to the other end of the arena.

The duel in progress was quickly abandoned as everyone started whispering about what was about to happen. Excitement gripped the onlookers as Ark and Sable hopped onto the platform and placed their decks on the machine, the machine sprung to life with a loud whirr and the holo emitters began to glow as the lifepoint counters dialled in at 8000. With the crowd eagerly awaiting the spectacle before them the two combatants shouted together "Game On!"

"You make the first move Newbie." Sable said with her arms folded in front of her,

"If you insist, here comes the draw." Ark said drawing a card.

He examined his hand closely and started formulating a plan based on what he currently had, he had no idea what she would counter with so would probably have to play it safe early on until he could figure her out.

"I call out the Shining Angel in defence mode. And that will do for now." He said placing the card on the machine.

Shining Angel 1400 ATK/ 800 DEF Lv4

When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the graveyard you can special summon a LIGHT attribute monster with 1500 ATK or less in ATK mode to your side of the field.

"Now it's my turn and i call my Cyber Dragon to the field." She said placing her card down,

Cyber Dragon 2100 ATK/ 1600 DEF Lv5

If your opponent has monsters and you have no monsters you can special summon this card without tribute.

"A Cyber deck i see, well at least i know what i'm up against." He said,

"You may know what you're up against but does it help at al right now? Cyber Dragon attack with Strident Blast!" She commanded.

The Cyber Dragon fired a blast of energy from its mouth which hit the defensive angel full force causing him to disappear from the field.

"Angels effect activates when he's destroyed in battle and i get to summon one monster from my deck... and i choose Sage of Silence!" He said placing the new card down.

Sage of Silence 1400 ATK/1000 DEF Lv4

When this card destroys an opponents monster in battle your opponent cannot use spell cards during their next turn.

"And your strategy is obvious to me too, you're using nullification cards. You hope to block my moves and limit my options. I'm intrigued." She said seemingly interested now,

"I hope so cos i plan on taking you down with nothing but a whimper." He grinned,

"Lets see if you make it that far." She said unfazed,

"My turn again, draw time." He said drawing a card.

Ark began formulating a new tactic based on what he now knew, Sable was using a Cyber Dragon deck which meant her deck was fairly dependant on her spell cards and since his Sage made it so she couldn't use them if he destroyed a monster, he knew his choice was clear... take out the dragon to limit her options next turn.

"My Sage is weak right now so i'll boost her attack with 'Mage Power' she gains an additional 500 ATK and DEF points everytime i play a spell or trap card... like these two." He said placing the cards down on the field, "An additional 1500 attack points make her more than a match for your dragon, now my sage destroy that dragon."

With a wave of her staff a white light engulfed the metal dragon and it exploded in a cloud of smoke and Sable dropped down 800 lifepoints to 7200.

"Not bad, but round one was barely a challenge. If you think taking the lead this early is an accomplishment then you're deluded." She said drawing a card,

"I intend to keep these 'deluded' attempts coming hard and fast, you worry about yourself princess and i'll worry about me." He grinned,

"Very well, i summon another Cyber Dragon. And along with him i place two back up plans to keep you on your toes." She said as another Cyber Dragon materialized in front of her with two face downs behind it.

"Great another metal monstrosity to contend with... no matter it'll end the same way. Sage attack Cyber Dragon!" He commanded,

"Not quite the same way since i use my Trap 'Attack Reflector Unit' it transforms my Cyber Dragon into Cyber Barrier Dragon and gives it the ability to nullify your attack once per turn." She cried as her trap sprung up and outfitted her Cyber Dragon with new gear.

The Barrier Dragon activated a green energy shield which blocked the sages attack from hitting and seemed to almost mock the sage as she returned to her side of the field.

"Not too shabby finding a way around my spell block, but thats not going to last i'm afraid." He said almost gritting his teeth after his sentence,

"We shall see hmm. Firstly i play Monster Reborn to bring back my Cyber Dragon to the field and deal with that pesky sage by using my Evolution Burst spell card. It destroys one monster on your field but Cyber Dragon can't attack this turn." She said slapping the card down.

The Sage of Silence was caught in a wave of energy and slowly faded from the battlefield, and although the Cyber Dragon couldn't attack Ark braced himself for the attack from the Barrier Dragon. Everyone in the room covered their ears as the Dragons Sonic Shriek attack cut its way through 800 of Arks Lifepoints.

"Your move tough guy." She smiled at him,

"I've got a move for you." He said somewhat shaken and ears still ringing as he drew, "I summon Silent Magician Lv4 and activate my facedown card Level Up. My magician now goes on a major growth spurt going from level 4 to level 8 and with it 2500 extra attack points! And i didn't forget your dragons special ability so i'm stopping it with my Fissure spell. It destroys the monster with the lowest attack." Ark said activating his spell cards.

As the Cyber Barrier Dragon was destroyed Ark smiled knowing he had the game in the bag, with her barrier dragon gone and the Cyber Dragon about to follow he knew she wouldn't be able to recover in time to stop his magician from cutting through her life points.

"Silent Magician send that dragon to the scrap heap!" He commanded.

The last line of Sable's defence exploded in a brilliant flash of light. Although her field was cleared of monsters Sable didn't look too shaken, she looked almost disappointed. Her life points dropped another 1400 points to 5800, but even that was a moot point to her almost as if she knew it didn't matter.

"I'll give you credit for keeping calm under pressure, you must have ice in your veins." He said feeling something wasn't quite right,

"You still feel like you have a chance but i'm afraid i grow weary of this game of cat and mouse. It's time to end this..." She said shaking her head, "The Final Turn."

The onlookers started to murmur wondering how she could say that considering the circumstances.

"First off, draw. Now the end begins i activate my ultimate card... Power Bond. And with it i use my Cybernetic Fusion Support! I give up half of my life points to cut out the middle man of fusing my monsters and call upon my Cyber End Dragon!" She cried raising the card into the air dramatically.

Cyber End Dragon 4000 ATK/2800 DEF Lv10

This Card inflicts piercing damage to a defence position monster.

"With the effect of Power Bond my Dragons attack points double to 8000." She smiled almost coldly,

"Oh boy." He gulped,

"And with my last face down card your fate is sealed... i activate Limiter Removal to double my dragons attack points again. Now my Dragon attack Silent magician with Super Strident Blast!" She Cried pointing at the Silent Magician.

The whole room was engulfed in a brilliant light as the Cyber End launched its attack and a loud explosion signalled that the attack had hit. After a few moments the smoke cleared and Arks lifepoint counter read '0' and the Cyber End faded from view as the game ended. The onlookers sat in silence waiting for the victory speech.

"You've been measured... and you've still a ways to go before you can play at my level." Sable said picking up her deck and putting it in her hip case.

Ark just stood in place unable to believe what had happened.

"If you ever get better... i'll be waiting." She said turning around and walking away.

With the end of the duel McKenzie walked over to his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Tough break man... you cool?" He asked,

"You kidding." Ark said springing to life with a big grin, "It's so on now."

"Glad to see she didn't break you." McKenzie grinned back,

"By the end of the year i'll defeat her, just you wait and see." Ark said palming his fist.