It all came down to this — Gladiator Beasts versus Teleport Dark Armed! It was a fitting finale to this weekend’s tournament: the victor here would not only claim a laptop, a Doomcaliber Knight, and the title of Shonen Jump Champion, but he’d set the tone for the next several months of competition.

Jupiter won the roll and set a card to each zone. Walker summoned Armageddon Knight, sent Destiny Hero – Malicious to his graveyard, and lost him to D.D. Crow. Walker attacked with the Knight, hit Sangan, and Jupiter searched his deck for Gladiator Beast Bestiari. Walker activated Reinforcement of the Army in his second main phase, searched out Destiny Hero – Fear Monger, and set a spell or trap card to end.

Jupiter summoned Bestiari, ran over Armageddon Knight, then tagged out to Gladiator Beast Laquari — things were silky smooth on his side. He set a second, then a third spell or trap card. Walker activated Allure of Darkness, removed Caius the Shadow Monarch from his hand for its effect, then activated Monster Reborn, targeting Armageddon Knight! He brought it back, sent Destiny Hero – Malicious to his graveyard, and set a card to each zone. “Go.” He had two cards in hand, two cards set in his back row, and two monsters on the field.

Jupiter drew to three cards in hand, with three cards in his spell and trap zone plus Laquari face up. He sent Laquari to attack Armageddon Knight, set another back row card, and ended. When Walker tried to remove Malicious to special summon next turn, Jupiter flipped Gladiator Beast War Chariot.

Walker summoned Elemental Hero Stratos and Jupiter had to let it go. Walker got his last Malicious with his effect, discarded him for Destiny Draw, drew two, then set a third spell or trap card to match Jupiter. “Go.”

Laquari attacked Stratos, tagged out to Gladiator Beast Equeste, and Equeste sent War Chariot back to Jupiter’s hand! He threw down Monster Reborn, targeted Walker’s Stratos, and Walker handed him over; that got Jupiter his own Stratos. He summoned him, searched his deck for Elemental Hero Prisma, and finished his turn by setting another back row card. Walker was in trouble.

He flip summoned Destiny Hero – Fear Monger, then normal summoned Krebons: Jupiter had no response, but when Walker Synchro summoned Goyo Guardian Jupiter flipped Solemn Judgment — Walker chained one of his own, Jupiter chained another, and Walker chained a fourth Solemn! The life points stood at 2000 to 1725, with Jupiter leading.

Walker attacked Equeste with Goyo Guardian, but lost his monster to Dimensional Prison, giving a sharp intake of breath. He set his last two cards to his back row, and when Jupiter tried to attack for game with Stratos Walker responded with Emergency Teleport. He special summoned Krebons in defense mode, struggling to hold on, but when Jupiter attacked again and Walker activated Krebons’ effect Jupiter chained War Chariot! It was over, and both players began side decking instantly.

Jermol Jupiter is just one game away from becoming a Shonen Jump Champion! Could Walker pull an Ackerman, and win out in two consecutive duels?

He opened by setting a spell or trap card, then normal summoned Krebons. Jupiter had Bait Doll, and activated it to get rid of his opponent’s Dust Tornado. He normal summoned Gladiator Beast Hoplomus, special summoned Test Tiger, and tagged Hoplomus out for Murmillo. Murmillo’s effect destroyed Krebons, attacked directly, and then tagged out to Laquari. A set spell or trap finished Jupiter’s turn.

Walker was in trouble — he set a card to each zone and ended. Jupiter activated Cold Wave, Walker chained Crush Card Virus tributing his Spirit Reaper, but Jupiter chained Solemn Judgment! He normal summoned Gladiator Beast Equeste and attacked for 3700 damage total, dropping Walker to 3500 life points! He tagged Equeste out for a second Laquari.

Walker was up; he drew, looked at his hand, and offered the handshake. There was nothing he could do.

Jermol Jupiter is your new Shonen Jump Champion, and Gladiator Beasts still reign supreme!