Gladiator Proving Ground (Part 2)
Previously...
``Hey, Sy, I got the cards made,'' called Chumley as he raced over.
``Thanks Chumley. It was totally worth the wait,'' said Jaden.
``At last, men we have reached our destination. Head to your cards now!'' announced Heraklinos.
``Can we help you with something?'' asked Alexis.
``I'll ask the questions around here, got it? Where is soldier Jaden Yuki?'' protested Heraklinos.
``I am, I guess,'' replied Jaden.
``Very well, are you ready to Duel, son?'' asked Heraklinos.
``You bet I am,'' answered Jaden.
``Gladiator Beast Andal (1900) report in Attack Mode! Now I'll return them to my Deck for Gladiator Beast Gyzarus (2400) in Attack Mode and with its effect, I can destroy 2 cards on the field and I'll target your 2 face-down cards,'' said Heraklinos. *Jaden's face-down cards are destroyed*
``I've gotta take this Deck down or face an army of Gladiators!'' thought Jaden.
``Alright, son. I'll Set 2 cards to end my turn,'' concluded Heraklinos. (Hand: 2 cards)
``I play Elemental HERO Woodsman (2000 DEF) in Defense Mode and I think I'll target him with my face-down Hero Ring and now he cannot be attacked by any of your monsters with 1900 or more ATK to call it a turn,'' said Jaden. (Hand: 2 cards)
``You call that a turn? I call that pathetic! I'll Summon Gladiator Beast Equeste (1600 ATK) in Attack Mode. Your Woodsman is no match for the Gladiator Beast's Battle Halberd card that I'll equip onto Equeste. Now when Equeste attacks, I can destroy a Spell or Trap at the end of the Damage Step and your Hero Ring cannot prevent this attack because Equeste has only 1600 ATK. Equeste, attack his Woodsman! His LP drops to 7600. Now I'll destroy your Hero Ring with Halberd's effect! Hero Ring is destroyed. With your Hero Ring gone, I can send my other army members into battle. Laquari, take out Woodsman!'' proclaimed Heraklinos. Woodsman is destroyed.
``You're not the only one that can recruit as I activate Hero Signal and with it, I get to replace my fallen Woodsman with Clayman (2000 DEF) in Defense Mode!'' reacted Jaden. Clayman appears.
``I'm not scared of that rock pile because now it's time for you to meet my ultimate fusion as I return Equeste, Laquari and Lanista to my Deck for the very monster you see before you, Gladiator Beast Heraklinos (3000 ATK) in Attack Mode!'' announced Heraklinos.
``Unprecedented! This Deck is literally the ultimate tag team for with Heraklinos in play, Heraklinos himself can discard a card from his hand to stop any Spell or Trap Card activated and what's worse is that he can do it during either player's turn!'' said Bastion shocked.
``That really puts a dent in Jaden's Deck because many of his best combos involve Spell or Trap Cards, not to mention his Fusion Monsters,'' added Alexis.
``The good news is that with only one card in hand, Heraklinos will have to use it wisely and therefore can only stop the activation of one Spell or Trap Card. If Jaden can force it to be discarded then anything he does after that will resolve, provided nothing he does triggers either face-down cards Heraklinos has,'' analyzed Bastion.
``Nothing you have left can match my power so I'll end my turn,'' said Heraklinos. (Hand: 1 card)
``You're a pretty tough guy but how tough can you be with only one card in your hand? I'll show you how tough I can be as I play the Field Spell Skyscraper 2 - Hero City and with it, only I can target an Elemental Hero in my Grave that was taken out in battle and bring it back so come on back Woodsman! Woodsman appears. Next, I'll bring out my Tuner known as Elemental HERO Knight (700 ATK) in Attack Mode. Now you'll be able to throw down with a new type of Summoning, as I'll send these two to the Grave for a Synchro Summon! Come on out, Elemental HERO Sorcerer (1800 ATK) in Attack Mode,'' declared Jaden.
``You talk bigger than your monster,'' ridiculed Heraklinos.
``Are ya sure about that? My Sorcerer has an effect that allows me to discard 1 card and equip himself with a Level 4 or below Elemental HERO monster in my Grave once per turn! Watch what a HERO Deck can really do!" replied Jaden.
TO BE CONTINUED....
