Just a disclaimer to say, that Yu-Gi-Oh doesn't belong to me. All characters are owned by others. I'm merely using them in this fanfic for fun.
Thanks to K -316 for the prompt on this one.
Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's – A Second Rose – Chapter One
The sun shone brightly up over Neo Domino City. The citizens were making the most of the fine weather, basking in the sun, some with ice cream cones. Little kids excitedly ran about the place while parents chased after. Couples went for romantic strolls in the parks and office workers were out on their lunch breaks. It seemed as those everyone was outside. However, there was one person indoors.
Konami sat hunched over his work bench tinkering with a part for his Duel Runner. The humidity in his garage (the side room in his apartment) meant he had his signature red jacket and hat up on the coat rack in the corner of the room. His dark grey t-shirt was stained from sweat and smeared with oil. He wiped his forehead with the back of one of his gloved hands. The work on this piece was much more taxing than he initially realised it would be.
After the incident with Crow and Rally back in the Satellite, his old Duel Runner was sadly demolished. This meant he had to start work on his new one from scratch. Thankfully, as he was a mechanic, this wasn't too much of a burden. In the free time between jobs, he could always continue working on it. The problem for him was due to the Satellite incident he wasn't able to travel there to collect some of the parts he needed. As a result, he had to build several of the parts himself.
He narrowed his eyes as he concentrated on the schematics of the engine blueprints Yusei had lent him. The Satellite Duelist was a genius when it came to Duel Runners, so Konami was happy to accept any help or advice Yusei could offer. As Konami was a full-time mechanic that spoke about the level of tech wizardry the crab-haired Satellite duelist was on.
He continued to tighten the bolt on the frame of the scrap metal, his stomach started growling. The brown haired boy looked over at the clock to see if it was close to breakfast. He gasped when he realised that it was one o'clock and he had already spent seven hours working on his Duel Runner.
"Ah, great," He muttered to himself as he stood up from his desk, "so much for only a quick bit of work before breakfast….."
"I did try to warn you, Sir." The Marauding Captain said as he sat in the corner. "Several times in fact. But you were too caught up in your work."
"Not helpful." Konami said as he tided away his tools.
"Honestly, I don't understand your fascination with that contraption. It's a sure fire way too die if you ask me."
He threw back on his red hat and jacket as he walked up the stairs to his one room apartment. It wasn't the most luxurious place in the city, but it was definitely a step up from the Satellite. The bedroom, kitchen and sitting room were all in the one room, the only other doors being the bathroom and the front door.
Konami made his way over to the small fridge beside the sink. He opened the door to see a single can of soda. He hung his head as he remembered that he was meant to do his groceries yesterday after his work on the Tops Plaza hotel. Of course, he ended up getting sidetracked into a duel and completely forgot about his chores.
"Well, time to get around to it." He murmured as he made his way out of his apartment. "No jobs today so I've some free time…."
As Red Hat walked along the footpath to the downtown district, he started to think about how much harder life in the City was compared to Duel Academy. There he always had someone along with him to remind him of all his menial tasks. The food was proved for the students as well, so he had grown accustomed to not having to do his shopping. Lost in his nostalgic thought, he quickly reached the shopping centre.
He made the rounds picking up everything he needed. The amount of meat and rice he bought would last him a week, giving him all that precious time to work on his Duel Runner. At this stage, the red hat wearing duelist knew that he wouldn't have his Duel Runner in time for the Fortune Cup. As any self-respecting turbo duelist would do, he would have to turn down the invitation. It was such a shame that he couldn't match wits against Yusei and the King, Jack Atlas.
Konami had started to walk back through the districts main street when he suddenly felt a strong presence. More than just a mere physical presence, he could feel the sounds of Duel Monster Spirits. They sounded distressed and in pain. Looking around for the source of such negative emotions, Konami's eyes locked on a girl standing just off to the side of the road.
Her burgundy hair was neck length, except for her bangs which ran down over her shoulders. Her fringe was rolled back out of her face by some strange metallic device. Her dress was a strange mix between a Victorian era corset and military uniform with stockings all the way up her legs. She wore red, heeled pumps and a gold necklace with an emerald gem. However, to Konami, the most striking feature was her eyes.
Her brown eyes displayed so much hatred and contempt for her surroundings. She looked at everyone with disgust, as if they were below her. Despite this they couldn't mask one thing from Konami. He could see the fear in her eyes. The fear that Konami immediately recognised as her fear of being in an unfamiliar place.
She had changed since he had last seen her, but he had no doubt about who she was. The infamous Black Rose. Even without her mask that he had heard so much about from the Underground duel tournaments, he could tell that it was her.
Slowly he made his way over to her. The Spirits were asking him to help her as well as having his own desire to help the girl. "Hey there!" He said as flashed a reassuring smile. "You're Akiza Izinski, right?"
The girl turned her glare at him. Konami slightly hesitated before continuing to walk forward. 'Thank Ra that looks don't kill.'
"Who's asking?" Akiza responded not lowering her glare.
"K-Konmai. Konami Himura. Nice to meet you." Red Hat responded holding out his hand for a handshake. He quickly lowered his hand when Akiza stared at it like she might try ripping it off.
"What do you want?" She asked, clearly in no mood to put up with some strangers' advances.
Konami gulped. This girl was intense. "I just noticed that you looked kinda lost and was wondering if you need any help?"
Akiza continued to stare a hole in Konami. She barely blinked as she glared at him. "Suppose I was. Why would you help me? What do you want? You already seem to know who I am. How do you know that?"
"W-Well, I was always taught to help people out when they need my help." Konami said regaining his smile. "I don't want anything from you. I promise."
"How do you know who I am?" Akiza asked, looking frustrated by the boy avoiding the biggest question.
"I've seen some of your underground duels." Konami tried to explain away.
"Really?" Akiza said as she raised a sceptical eyebrow. "I wear a mask and go by an alias. So that doesn't hold up. Explain."
"Well-" Konami began before he was interrupted.
"It's the witch!" A gruff voice yelled out. Both Konami and Akiza turned to face a pair of men with markers on their face. One was wearing a red jacket and had brown hair. The other was blonde with a green jacket. "It's time to pay!"
"Ah!" Akiza said turning back to face Konami, the hatred in her eyes somehow intensified. "I see. You were trying to stall me for when your friends arrived."
"What!? No! I'm not with them." Konami said, pleading his innocence.
"Well you better not be with her either!" The brown haired man yelled, eyeing Konami suspiciously. "Otherwise we're going to have a problem."
"Hold up!" Konami shouted back. "What's your problem?"
"Our problem?" The blonde man repeated. "The Black Rose Witch is our problem. Right, KenYou?"
"Damn right, Pablo!" KenYou yelled. "Your little girlfriend has been causing everyone some grief. Time for her to get what's coming to her!"
"We're not dating!" Konami yelled.
"Oh please!" Akiza said, clearly not impressed or threatened by the two boys. "If you're so eager for payback how about we duel right here and settle it then?"
"Fine by us." Pablo yelled. "Two on Two! Us versus you and your little boyfriend!"
Akiza scoffed at this. "As if I need him to beat you two. By the way, we're not dating!"
"Jeez," Konami said looking at Akiza as he lowered his shopping bags to the ground, "why don't you tell me how you really feel?"
Akiza silenced him with a single death stare. She activated her duel disk, sighing when she heard Konami do the same. "Did you not hear what I just said?"
"I can't let you do this alone." Konami said. "Two versus one isn't fair."
Akiza sighed again. "I don't think you're going to take no for an answer." She didn't object any further though.
"You'll wish you stayed out of this, dork!" KenYou yelled as he and Pablo activated their duel disks.
"It's time to duel!"
AKIZA&KONAMI 8000LP VS PABLO&KENYOU 8000LP
"I'll start off!" Pablo yelled, drawing his card. "I'll summon the Goblin Attack Force in Attack Mode and throw three cards face down."
"Is that all?" Akiza asked as she began her turn. "I'll summon Twilight Rose Knight in Attack Mode." (ATK: 1400). "Next, I'll activate his effect and special summon Violet Witch in Attack Mode." (ATK: 1100).
Konami couldn't help but flinch as saw that Monster appeared. A shiver ran down his back as he thought back to the last time he saw it. It went unnoticed by Akiza however. He looked at the field and immediately knew what was coming with the Tuner Monster and a non-Tuner Monster on the field.
"It's time to show you my power!" Akiza yelled. "I'll tune my level 3 Twilight Rose Knight with my level 4 Violet Witch. Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Appear now, Black Rose Dragon!"
A storm blew around the duelists, sending rose petals flying about the place. Konami lifted his arms to protect himself. The petals left many small cuts on any exposed piece of flesh on his arms. When he lowered his arms back down he saw a huge Dragon in front of him. The black Dragon was decorated it red roses and had vines spread about it. The first thing that struck him was the feeling of pain radiating from the beast.
"I'll now activate my Dragon's effect." Akiza said, the only one of the duelists who wasn't reeling from the appearance of her ace card. "It can destroy all cards on the field!"
"W-What?" Pablo asked, looking horrified as the winds picked up again. His Goblins and face downs were blown away leaving his field completely clear.
"I'm not done yet. I'll activate Monster Reborn to bring back my Black Rose Dragon!"
"For the love of Ra!" Konami yelled out as he covered up again. The wind was just as painful this time.
"Now my Black Rose Dragon will attack you directly." One of the Dragon's vines shot out like a whip and knocked Pablo to the ground. (LP: 5600). "I'll end my turn with a face down."
"M-M-My turn…" KenYou stuttered out, looking nervous as his partner was still trying to make his way to his feet. "I'll play set one Monster face down and play two cards face down. I end my turn."
Konami looked around the field as he drew his card. Akiza had caused Pablo some damage with one attack. The cuts on his arms stung slightly as well. Thankfully that was the extent of the damage so far. Their opponents had clearly lost any bravado they had before the duel. It would be a straight up slaughter if he didn't end this before Akiza got another turn. Knowing this he set out to end the duel this turn.
"I'll summon my Marauding Captain in Attack Mode." (ATK: 1200). "Next, I'll use his special effect to special summon the Comrade of Landstar to the field in Attack Mode." (ATK: 500). "Then, I'll tune my level 3 Comrade with my level 3 Captain to Synchro Summon a level 6. Icy winds blow in and freeze my enemies' hearts. Come forth, Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier." (ATK: 2300).
Ice cold winds were whipped up as a light formed in the centre. A Dragon emerged from it, covered in ice that shone in the sunlight. The Monster was as beautiful as it was dangerous.
"I'll activate his effect. By discarding three cards, I'll return your three cards to your hand." KenYou flinched, as once again they were left defenceless. "I'll attack you directly with Black Rose Dragon." Luckily for the boy, Konami didn't share his partner's powers and he was left physically unharmed as a result. (LP: 3200). "Finally, I'll have Brionac attack you directly after I use the quick play spell card to give him an extra 1000 Attack Points." The Sea Serpent blew out a stream of ice shards that reduced the opponents LPs to zero.
AKIZA&KONAMI 8000LP (WIN) VS PABLO&KENYOU 0000LP (LOSE)
The boys collapsed to the ground, shell-shocked by their opponents' skills. Pablo looked like he was still recovering from the single blow from Akiza. KenYou looked revealed to escape without taking a hit.
"It appears as though you actually have some talent as a duelist." Akiza said, as she turned to face her partner.
Konami looked at Akiza, plastering a smile onto his face. "You too!" He said, hiding his fear. He was still trying to wrap his head around the feeling of pain from her Monsters. It was so strong. He wondered if they reflected a pain hat Akiza was hiding.
"You still haven't explained how you know me though." Akiza said, not letting the issue slip.
"Well, it's complicated…." Konami said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Pablo and KenYou started getting up, glaring at Akiza as they did so. Akiza's head snapped to attention as she felt the eyes on her.
"Why don't you leave before I actually break a sweat?" Akiza said with a sinister look in her eyes.
KenYou and Pablo ran as fast as they could away from the scene. It was only then that Konami heard the applause of the crowd around them. He was so caught up with the duel that he never noticed them forming a crowd, although they were in the middle of the popular shopping district. While he was distracted with the crowd, Akiza walked off not wanting to be surrounded by the crowd.
Konami looked around just in time to see her disappear behind a corner. Reacting quickly, he ran and picked up his groceries before following after her. He knew his earlier idea about her being lost was right. The road she was taking only lead down a dead end. Red Hat chased after the Black Rose as he approached the corner. When he turned it, he was met by an angry looking Akiza.
"What is it that you want?" She said, her face turning red from the anger. It was also probably from embarrassment as she realised she walked down a dead end.
"I was going to tell you this is a dead end." Konami quickly replied. "And I was wondering if you'd let me help you find wherever it is you're looking for?"
Akiza looked at the ground for a few seconds seemingly deep in thought. Her eyes snapped back to glare at Konami again. "Very well, I'll allow you to escort me to the Arcadia Movement."
"The Arcadia Movement?" Konami asked looking surprised. "That's in the complete opposite direction to where you're going."
Akiza's mask of anger finally slipped as she looked down at the ground in embarrassment. "….Sayer normally guides me when we're walking around… I don't really pay attention to how we get to places….. And this was something I didn't want to have him along for…. I wasn't sure what to do…."
Konami couldn't help but smile at the girl. When she dropped her 'I hate everyone' mask, she was actually kind of cute. As if she could read his mind, Akiza glared at him. "Just remember I can crush you like a bug whenever I want!" Konami gulped at the outburst.
"N-No problem…" Konami said rather nervously. "I'll lead the way to the Arcadia Movement."
Konami turned on his heel and started walking back down the main street. Akiza followed after him and didn't engage in any small talk. The silence was extremely awkward for Konami, who tried his best to kill the dead air.
"It's nice to have someone my own age to interact with." He said. "I haven't met many people the last few months since I arrived in Neo Domino City. Most of my friends from Duel Academy are either still there teaching or are competing around the world. I was travelling with them for a year, but I decided to settle down into an ordinary life as a mechanic on the side as well as a Turbo Duelist."
"Look, I really don't care." Akiza said without breaking stride.
"Oh, right. Sorry." Konami said, scratching the back of his neck with his spare hand. "Just trying to lighten the mood."
"Don't." Akiza said, barely casting him a glance. "I prefer silence."
Red Hat silently nodded his head as he picked up the pace of his walk. The girl was definitely not the small talk type of person. After a few more minutes of walking, they arrived just outside Konami's apartment.
"Do you mind if I just put my groceries away?" He asked her.
Her eyebrows clinched up as if she was going to object before she let out a small sigh. "Just be quick about it."
Konami smiled as he headed inside. Akiza stayed outside and started going through the route to his house from the shopping district in her head. It would be useful to remember it in case she ever needed the boy's help again. It would also be helpful if his house was on the way to the Arcadia Movement. She could use it as a landmark to tell herself that she was heading in the right direction.
"Phew… I'm back." Konami said as he walked back from his apartment. He raced through his house to make sure Akiza wasn't kept waiting. "We can keep heading straight down the footpath on the left to reach the Arcadia Movement HQ."
The pair resumed their walk in silence towards the building. Konami had tried whistling to break the silence but that was also shot down by Akiza. The rest of the walk was rather awkward and uncomfortable, especially for Konami who wasn't used to this silence from a tag partner. Normally he couldn't get Jaden or Crow to shut up.
After a few more minutes, Konami's PDA started buzzing. He looked down to see that Misty was ringing him. He turned to face Akiza. "You mind if I take this?"
"Go ahead." Akiza said. "I can see the Headquarters from here. You don't need me to walk any further." She started walking off without a backwards glance.
"Oh right." Konami said, slightly disappointed he couldn't make more of a breakthrough with the girl. "Glad I could help."
Just as he was about to answer the call, Akiza stopped. She didn't turn around as she spoke. "Uh…. I appreciate you helping me… It would have been troublesome finding this place alone."
Konami stood there stunned for a moment before he responded with a genuine smile. "No problem. If you ever need my help again, you know where to find me."
The two took off in opposite directions. As Konami answered the call from Misty, he decided then and there that he would help ease the Black Rose's pain no matter what.
{A/N}
Just a quick little chapter to show off the characters meeting before the real meat of the story happens. The duel was short enough to show off that Konami and Akiza, in particular, are on a level above common duelists. It was a bit difficult writing Akiza without sounding too out of character. Feel free to let me know how you found her or any other aspect of the story. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy.