The air inside Kaiba's blimp was heavy with anticipation. Battle City had reached its pinnacle stage, the finals. The dueling platform, raised at the center of the observation deck, gleamed under the artificial lights. Across the chamber, the remaining duelists looked on, each wary of their rivals, each determined to claim the ultimate prize.
Among them stood Namu—or at least, that's who he pretended to be. In truth, he was Marik Ishtar, the dark puppeteer behind the Ghouls, his hair dyed black and his demeanor softened to appear harmless. For now, Odion carried the mantle of "Marik" in the eyes of the world, while Marik's true self lurked in disguise. He had to maintain the charade carefully, and this duel was his chance.
Opposite him, Kaiba had announced, stood a new challenger—Viktor Baranova,a Russian agent whose government had quietly dispatched him to test his skill in this underground tournament. Tall, broad-shouldered, and with cold blue eyes, the agent exuded discipline. His deck, everyone whispered, was built on raw resilience and probability.
Each duelist placed their Duel Disk on their arm, the sleek machines humming to life.
"Duelists, prepare yourselves," Kaiba commanded from the sidelines. "Each player starts with 4000 Life Points. Let the duel begin!"
Turn 1-Viktor
Viktor Baranov drew his opening hand with steady fingers, betraying no emotion.
"I'll begin," he declared in a thick accent. "I summon Gemini Elf in Attack Mode!"
Two graceful twin spellcasters shimmered into being, their combined strength a firm 1900 Attack Points. The agent smirked slightly. "And I set one card face-down. Your move."
Turn 2- Marik
Marik, careful to appear measured, drew. He could crush this opponent brutally, but not yet—not if he wanted to keep suspicion away from his true identity. He had to duel as Namu would: cautious, understated, even merciful.
"I summon Mystic Tomato in Attack Mode!" Marik announced. A grotesque vegetable with gnarled fangs appeared, Attack Points at 1400. "Then I'll set one card face-down."
The audience murmured. Mystic Tomato was a card of trickery, one that brought forth allies when destroyed.
"End my turn."
Turn 3-Viktor BaranovThe Russian drew with precision. "Gemini Elf—attack Mystic Tomato!"
The twin sorceresses fired their spells, shattering the vegetable. Marik smirked faintly—his opponent had taken the bait.
"When Mystic Tomato is destroyed in battle, I can Special Summon a Dark monster with 1500 or less Attack from my Deck. I summon Newdoria in Attack Mode!"
A hideous demon with tentacle-like limbs appeared, growling with 1200 Attack.
"Interesting," the agent mused, his face still calm. He set another card. "Turn end."
Turn 4- Marik
Marik drew. His hand bristled with options, his strategies far darker than he revealed.
"I summon Drillago in Attack Mode!" A machine dragon hissed to life, 1600 Attack gleaming. "Now, Drillago, attack him directly!"
The Russian's eyes narrowed as the dragon bypassed his Gemini Elf and struck directly at his Life Points. His score fell from 4000 to 2400.
"Newdoria, attack Gemini Elf!" Marik followed. The demon lunged, and both creatures were destroyed. Marik explained, "When Newdoria is destroyed, I can destroy one monster on the field. Your Gemini Elf is gone!"
The sorceress twins vanished in a swirl of energy.
Marik life points fell down to 4000 to now 3300
Marik chuckled softly. "I'll set another card and end my turn."
Turn 5-Viktor The Russian drew. He examined his cards, his expression cool. "I summon Goblin Attack Force!"
The brutish warriors charged onto the field with 2300 Attack. "Attack Drillago!"
The machine dragon was smashed apart, Marik's Life Points dipping from 3300 to 2600.
"But Goblin Attack Force must switch to Defense Mode after attacking," Marik observed, his voice smooth.
"Da," the agent admitted. He set another face-down.
Turn 6 – Marik
Marik drew his next card, and his golden-brown eyes glimmered faintly. He already held the momentum, and though part of him longed to unleash agony, he reminded himself: Patience. Victory without cruelty.
"I summon Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer!" Marik declared.
The monk appeared, cloaked in shadows, his 1800 Attack Points radiating spiritual power.
"Kycoo—attack his Goblin Attack Force!"
The monk's strike was precise, cutting through the brutish goblins with a single blow. Viktor's Life Points dipped from 2900 to 2600.
Marik's tone remained calm. "When Kycoo destroys a monster, I can remove two cards from your Graveyard. Say goodbye to Gemini Elf and Goblin Attack Force."
The agent narrowed his eyes but didn't react beyond that, watching his graveyard thin.
"I set one card face-down. End my turn."
Turn 7 – Viktor
Viktor drew, and for the first time, a thin smile curved at the corner of his lips.
"I activate Graceful Charity," he declared. "I draw three cards, then discard two."
The audience murmured—Graceful Charity was a card of balance, often turning the tide of battle.
Viktor drew, his gaze gleaming. He discarded two cards with no hesitation, then slammed another card onto his Duel Disk.
"I summon Bazoo the Soul-Eater!"
A massive ape materialized, muscles bulging, its Attack Points at 1600.
"By removing two monsters from my Graveyard, Bazoo gains 600 Attack. That raises it to 2200."
The beast roared with newfound power.
"Bazoo—attack Kycoo!"
The monk barely had time to react before the beast's strike smashed him into nothingness. Marik's Life Points dropped from 2900 to 2200.
The Russian agent set one card face-down, his voice cold as he ended his turn: "Your move."
Turn 8 – Marik
Marik drew his next card, his lips curling faintly. His dark voice whispered beneath the guise of innocence:
"This duel is already mine."
He raised his Duel Disk, revealing the card in his hand. "I activate Snatch Steal—and take control of your Bazoo!"
Viktor's eyes widened as the mighty ape switched sides, now standing at Marik's command.
"Bazoo—attack directly!"
The beast hurled its fists forward, smashing Viktor's Life Points from 2600 to 400. The crowd gasped.
But Marik was not done. "Main Phase Two. I tribute Bazoo to summon… Helpoemer!"
From the abyss rose a skeletal fiend, its jagged grin splitting wide as its 2000 Attack Points glistened.
Marik's tone was smooth. "Your turn."
Turn 9 – ViktorThe Russian drew again, his face unreadable. But his hands moved with cold precision.
"I summon Panther Warrior!"
The feral beast-warrior emerged, snarling with 2000 Attack.
"But Panther Warrior cannot attack unless I tribute a monster. That is why I play Scapegoat!"
Four woolly tokens popped into existence on Viktor's field.
"Now I tribute one of my tokens to let Panther Warrior attack!"
The beast charged, slamming into Helpoemer. Both monsters had equal Attack Points. Both were destroyed in a blast of energy.
The battlefield shook, leaving only Viktor's three tokens on his side.
Viktor crossed his arms, voice steady. "Your move."
Turn 10 – MarikMarik drew calmly, though inwardly he was amused. He could end this duel with cruel precision.
"Perfect," he whispered. "I Special Summon Lava Golem to your field by tributing two of your Scapegoat tokens."
A monstrous, burning giant emerged, its form towering and grotesque, chains rattling as its 3000 Attack Points roared into existence.
"Lava Golem cannot be controlled by me—it's yours. But it comes with a curse. Each of your Standby Phases, you take 1000 damage."
The giant loomed over Viktor, who narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
"I end my turn."
Turn 11 – Viktor
The Russian agent drew, his hand steady. He did not show fear, though the end loomed near.
Marik's eyes glimmered coldly as he announced, "During your Standby Phase, Lava Golem's effect activates. You take 1000 damage."
A surge of molten energy erupted from the fiend, striking Viktor directly. His Life Points dropped from 400 to 0.
The duel was over.
Silence filled the chamber for a moment as Viktor staggered, his knees buckling slightly under the weight of defeat. And yet—he still stood. The shadow powers Marik so often unleashed remained dormant. This duel had not been a shadow game.
Marik, in his guise as Namu, allowed himself only the faintest smile. Fortunate, he thought with mild disappointment. You survived. Luck favors you today, Russian. Few can say they walked away from a duel with me alive.
Kaiba's sharp voice rang out, breaking the silence.
"The winner is Namu!"