Chapter 164: Great Living Person Transformation (3/7)
"The next act is the magic———Great Escape Show!"
As Chumley snapped his fingers, the `(Performapal Sky Magician)` bound by Pegasus's `(Fiendish Chain)` was enveloped in a cloud of dense smoke, as if Pegasus's Trap Card had been part of the performance plan all along. From within the smoke, a small figure leaped out, holding the ring of the `(Performapal Sky Magician)`.
"By returning one Level 5 or higher `(Performapal)` Monster from my Field to my Hand, I can Special Summon the disciple of `(Performapal Sky Magician)` from my Hand. Come forth, `(Performapal Sky Apprentice)`!"
When the smoke completely dissipated, it was as if a Great Living Person Transformation had been performed. `(Performapal Sky Magician)` had vanished, and in its place on Chumley's Field stood a young magician with a slightly stiff smile. It was clear that facing such a large audience on his first appearance was putting him under considerable pressure. Because of this, the `(Performapal Show Dancer)` beside him was constantly trying to help him relax.
`(Performapal Sky Apprentice)` [Level 3/LIGHT Attribute]
[Spellcaster-Type/Effect]
[800/800]
"Let's thank the master and apprentice pair, `(Performapal Sky Magician)` and `(Performapal Sky Apprentice)`, for the Escape Magic Performance they've presented for us! A brilliant show!" Chumley enthusiastically applauded his own Monster's performance. "However, when `(Performapal Sky Magician)` left the Field, it left a gift behind for its apprentice."
"When a Face-up Position `(Performapal Sky Magician)` leaves the Field, I can Target one Card on the Field and Destroy it!" Chumley's finger pointed toward the `(Toon World)` in Pegasus's Back Row. "And which Card will I Target? Of course, it's that `(Toon World)`!"
When `(Performapal Sky Magician)` had left the Field, it was holding three rings, but the `(Performapal Sky Apprentice)` that appeared in its place only had two in its hands. The last ring, under the cover of smoke, had somehow secretly rolled onto Pegasus's Field, landing right beneath the floating `(Toon World)`.
As Chumley designated the Target, a hand reached out from within the ring and touched `(Toon World)`. Judging by the arm's appearance, it was clearly the arm of the `(Performapal Sky Magician)` that had already left the Field.
"`(Performapal Sky Magician)` has already touched your `(Toon World)`. As long as I wish it, I can destroy it right now," Chumley said, giving Pegasus a thumbs-up. He then bent his thumb as if pressing something. "No, it's reached its limit! I'm going to press the detonation switch, right now!"
Click!
BOOM!
In an instant, like a brilliant fireworks display, the `(Toon World)` on Pegasus's Field was swallowed by flames erupting from the bottom of its pages, followed by a massive explosion!
"No, my love!" Pegasus wore an expression of utter disbelief. "My `(Toon World)`!"
Yugi glanced at Chumley with approval. "Although Toon Monsters have some very tricky characteristics, they all share a common weakness: their `(Toon World)` itself. As long as that Card is destroyed, the Duel Monsters that were turned into Toon Monsters will return to their original forms."
The flames came quickly and dissipated just as fast. But to Chumley's and Yugi's surprise, the `(Toon World)` that should have been burned to ashes was merely charred black. As if alive, the closed book shivered, shaking the dust back to the ground and revealing an unscathed `(Toon World)`?!
"How could this be?! Don't tell me, Pegasus, you scoundrel, you've stooped so low as to give `(Toon World)` an effect that prevents it from being destroyed!" Yugi never hesitated to assume the worst of whatever Pegasus might do.
"Oh~No! Yugi-boy, in your heart, is me truly such a wicked person?" Pegasus ignored the glare Yugi shot him and revealed the real reason his `(Toon World)` wasn't destroyed. "The answer is actually this Set Card on my Field, `(Toon Storyteller)`."
The Set Card that Pegasus had placed last Turn flipped open. The Card Art depicted an open `(Toon World)`. "This card can only be used when me has `(Toon World)` and a Toon monster on my Field. Me can Negate the Activation of any Spell, Trap, or Monster Effect, and Destroy it."
"A card that can negate any effect, and without any Cost." Yugi frowned, his expression grave. "Did you anticipate that Chumley and I would focus our attacks on `(Toon World)`?"
"Nice counter. You just happened to counter my only way to clear the Field." Chumley sighed helplessly and Set two cards from his Hand. "My Turn ends here."
[Chumley: 4000 LP, Hand 2]
[(Performapal Show Dancer)][DEF 1000]
[(Performapal Sky Apprentice)][ATK 800]
[(Magician's Encore)][Set Card]
"It's My Turn again, you know. Draw." Pegasus smiled as he drew a card. "This Turn, me can finally start attacking you, Chumley-boy, Yugi-boy～"
[Pegasus: 7500 → 7000 LP]
"Now then, who should me attack first?" With a look of indecision, Pegasus appeared troubled. "A clash between the magic show-loving `(Performapal)`s and the fantastical Toon monsters. Me is quite excited to see what the result will be."
"However, Yugi-boy, you're part of a wager that even me is looking forward to, so me will attack you first." Pegasus looked at Yugi, then flipped the monster he had Set in his Monster Zone. "First, me summons the monster previously Set on the Field, `(Mermaid Archer)`."
The card flipped, revealing a giant, ochre-colored shellfish. The shell opened, and the mermaid living inside poked her head out, checking the surroundings for danger.
[(Mermaid Archer)][Level 4/Water]
[Aqua-Type/Normal Monster]
[1400/1500]
To Mai Valentine's surprise, Joey, who would usually blush or even get a nosebleed at the sight of a beautiful Duel Monster, was completely unmoved by the `(Mermaid Archer)`, despite her pretty face and the large, exposed areas of her shapely body.
As if noticing Mai Valentine's puzzled look, Joey, who was sitting beside her, scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Yeah, it's strange. I mean, I feel like the mermaid is definitely pretty, but... for some reason, I can't help but feel she looks like a man."
The `(Mermaid Archer)`, who sported a face straight from the Pokémon set next door—that of James—seemed to hear the idle chatter from Joey and Mai Valentine outside the Field and glared fiercely at Joey.
Soon enough, however, `(Mermaid Archer)` had her own problems to worry about. The `(Toon World)` on Pegasus's Field opened once again, sucking `(Mermaid Archer)` into it.
Author's Note: Still need to make up for the last chapter.
Author's Note: With this chapter done, I'm still four chapters behind.
(end of chapter)