Austin Kulman is an eleven-year-old champion hailing from Team Fusion. He’s come here to prove that he will be the next National Champion. Standing between him and glory is Robert Lopez. He is firm in his resolve, with the image of Wolverine being torn asunder by The Hulk getting his point across.

Did Austin fulfill his dream? Or would the Hulk tear it apart?

The Merchants of Yu-Gi-Oh!

Robert elected to go first. He opened with a single set spell or trap card, ending his turn.

Roberts used his next turn defensively, setting a monster and one spell or trap card before ending his turn. Austin responded in his next turn with a Nobleman of Crossout, taking out Robert’s set Dekoichi the Battlechanted Locomotive. This cost both players two copies of Dekoichi apiece, making it likely Dekoichi would not appear again. Austin entered his battle phase and attacked with the Reaper, only to lose it Robert’s Mirror Force. Austin set a spell or trap card and a monster and then ended his turn.

Robert used his turn to set another spell or trap card and end. With his monster safe, Austin was able to flip summon it, revealing Magical Merchant. With its effect he acquired Confiscation. He then Summoned Tsukuyomi and used its effect to flip Magical Merchant face down. He attacked with Tsukuyomi, but it ran into Sakuretsu Armor and was destroyed.

Robert summoned Breaker the Magical Warrior. He used it to attack Austin’s face down Magical Merchant. Austin used its effect and acquired Call of the Haunted. Austin used his next turn to set a monster and then ended his turn.

Robert works on a plan. He used Breaker’s effect on Austin’s face down card, but Austin chained with it, revealing the dreaded Scapegoat. Robert tributed Breaker for Zaborg the Thunder Monarch and used its effect to take out Austin’s Set monster and then attack a Sheep token.

Austin checked his graveyard. He removed a Night Assailant that had been lost to the Merchant and one of the departed Magical Merchants to summon Chaos Sorcerer. He then used its effect to remove Robert’s Zaborg from play and followed with Premature Burial, reclaiming Jinzo.

With Robert’s next turn, he had run out of options. He now had only a single set spell or trap card and no monsters to protect him, while Austin had Jinzo, the Sorcerer, and three sheep. In his next turn, Austin attacked directly with both monsters. Robert drew his next card, but found nothing to help him. He conceded the Duel, giving the win to Austin.

The Hulk’s Revenge?

Robert would again go first. He set a monster and one spell or trap card. Austin opened his first turn with Cyber Dragon. But the dragon was food meant for Zaborg the Thunder Monarch, and with its effect Zaborg made short work of Robert’s face down Dekoichi. Austin declared a direct attack with Zaborg, but Robert responded with Scapegoat to protect his Life Points. Zaborg ate his tasty meal, leaving three sheep behind. Austin entered his second main phase and used Confiscation, relieving Robert of his Sangan.

Robert used his next turn to set a spell or trap card. Austin began his next by summoning Sangan, using both it and Zaborg to enjoy a meal of Sheep. He concluded by setting a spell or trap card.

Robert set a monster. He took time to consider his next move, deciding to use Smashing Ground to take out Zaborg. Austin entered his next turn and used Sangan to eat the last sheep. He then used Nobleman of Crossout to hit the face down, revealing Magician of Faith. Both players lost two copies a piece.

Robert’s field was now occupied by only a single spell or trap card. He played Mystical Space Typhoon from his hand to destroy Austin’s set Sakuretsu Armor. He followed up by special summoning Cyber Dragon and normal summoning Spirit Reaper. He used the Cyber Dragon to take out Austin’s Sangan. Austin chose Spirit Reaper from its effect. Robert then continued his attacks with his own Reaper, taking a Smashing Ground from Austin’s hand.

Austin’s next turn was a short one, with only the setting of a monster. Robert attacked it, and it was the same Reaper Austin had gotten through Sangan’s effect. Robert shifted his own Reaper into defense position and ended his turn.

Austin played Graceful Charity, discarding Scapegoat and Tsukuyomi. He then set one monster and one spell or trap card, ending his turn. As Robert began his next turn, Austin said, “I’ve got a plan.” Robert chose to ignore the face down spell or trap card and attack with his Cyber Dragon. The monster was Dekoichi, and with its effect, Austin drew a card.

Austin used his next turn to set a monster. Robert attacked it with his Cyber Dragon, revealing Magical Merchant. This time, Austin’s Merchant allowed him to acquire Torrential Tribute. With no further actions, Robert ended his turn.

Austin set a spell or trap card and ended his turn. He was still being protected by the Reaper. Robert knew this, and proceeded through his next turn without action.

Austin took advantage of the stall he had won from Reaper. He flipped his Call of the Haunted and used it to return Sangan to the field. He then used Torrential Tribute, destroying every monster on the field. With the destruction of Sangan, Austin choose another Spirit Reaper from his Deck. He then played Heavy Storm, taking out Robert’s face down options. Austin’s Reaper then hit the field and its direct attack cost Robert a Breaker from his hand.

Robert retaliated with a Cyber Dragon, going after Austin’s Reaper for some damage. He then set a monster and a spell or trap card, ending his turn. The face down monster was taken out by Austin’s very next play, Nobleman of Crossout. Robert’s Morphing Jar was alone in its fate, as Austin did not have one to remove. Austin then set a monster and shifted his Reaper into defense position.

Robert Tributed his Cyber Dragon for Zaborg. He used its effect to take out Spirit Reaper and then attacked Austin’s other monster. Austin followed with a cyber Dragon of his own and a Breaker the Magical Warrior to keep it company. He then used a Snatch Steal from his hand to lay claim to Robert’s Zaborg. With every monster now under his control, Austin unleashed a devastating wave of attacks.

Rob used his turn to set a monster. Austin was unafraid of the face down monster, sending Zaborg in to meet it head on. The monster was revealed to be D.D. Warrior Lady, and even with its effect there was nothing Robert could do to save his Life Points from Austin’s remaining attacks.

Austin claims victory of the match, going 2 – 0.

A Word For The Fans

Before departing, I asked Austin for some words to share with his fans.

He said that he would like to thank Team Fusion for helping him to playtest. It really helped. He respectfully acknowledged fellow members of his team that had not done so well that day. He also said that he had waited eleven months and two weeks for this day, the day that he would let everyone know that they can see him as the National Champion! As he departed, he said “Go, Team Fusion!” and then went on his way with another victory under his belt.