Hi, this is Copper. I'm still kinda new at writing fanfics, but since Level Rising was a slight hit, I've decided to ship the sequel. If you want to read the first story, click my profile name. Enjoy!
Level Rising: Dark Times
By Copper Thrice
Chapter 1: Things Change
Almost a year ago, Duel Academy hosted a tournament called the GX tournament.
At that time, the Academy was practically invaded by a group called the Society of Light.
The Society defeated students at the Academy in duels and brainwashed them into servants of the DarkLight.
During this time a boy named Jake Parion, a boy who had failed the Academy entrance exam, fought his way through the duels to rescue his old friend Ellie Watcher. She had been brainwashed by Saartorius, an evil servant of the DarkLight, and she had become another Society puppet.
Jake faced her in a duel and won by the skin of his teeth, freeing Ellie.
However, a few days after their reunion, Jake had to say goodbye. He had been chosen recently by the Level Monsters, powerful creatures who spirits now resided in his Duel Monsters deck. Because of this, Jake had to prepare for the coming of a new evil force that threatened existence.
Many months later…
Breathing heavily, a boy in his mid teens wearing a duel disk ran down the streets of Italy's grand city, Rome.
The boy turned around to see the six men who were pursuing him gain ground on him.
"Crud," he thought gritting his teeth, "Not good."
One of the men pulled out a pistol and aimed it at the boy.
"Oh, man," thought the boy as he ducked into an alleyway. At the end of the alley was a chain-link fence. The boy quickly scrambled over it. As he fell to the other side, a bullet whizzed by him, then a second shot by him.
As he tuned around a corner, his left arm was behind him and he felt a bullet impact nearby. Silently muttering surprise, he pulled his arm forward.
"Great," he said aloud, "Just great." His duel disk was old and given to him for the GX tournament. Now, instead of a loss of paint on it, it was missing a chunk because of a bullet hole.
"Well," the boy said trying to turn on the disk to no avail, "least it didn't get my arm."
Then he heard the men chasing him climb the chain-link fence in the alley.
The boy turned to see that he was in a new alley and this one was closed off by a brick wall.
"Aw, C'mon," he yelled frustrated. Then he bit his lip and turned to the corner where the men would soon be coming. "Guess its time to try out the Crystal." He said.
The boy took a deep breath and pulled a palm-sized clear crystal out of his pocket. He held it out to his side and said, "Spirit Crystal… ACCESS!" He slapped the clear crystal onto his arm and it changed shape.
The crystal grew around his arm and formed into a gauntlet. It then expanded and took the shape of a crystallized Duel Disk system, complete with LP gauge, deck slot, and graveyard slot.
"Whoa," said the boy, "Marik was right," he grinned, "This IS pretty cool." He faced forward and the men who chased him stood right in front of him, the one with the gun smiled cockily.
"Hey, brat," the man said aiming his gun, "Give us the crystal and we'll end you quickly."
The boy grinned broader and reached for his deck box on his hip. The crystal disk spread a wing-like crystal monster summoning area.
"Let's get this clear for your boss." Said the boy, "My name's not 'brat'…"
A card jumped to his hand as he opened the deck box and the boy slapped the card onto the crystal wing and the wing shone brightly in the dim alley. The assailants were blinded.
"The name's Jake, Jake Parion!"
Immediately, a five foot, violet-armored warrior with sheathed twin swords and a long helmet appeared from the light.
"Meet Mystic Swordsman LV 3." Said Jake, then he pointed at the men, "Go!"
The Swordsman lifted his covered face and jumped high into the air. He came down and kneed one of the men. Using the man as a springboard, he roundhouse kicked two others.
Faster than Jake could see, the warrior stepped in front of two men and elbowed them in the gut, prior to pulling his arms up and punching them in their faces.
The last man pulled out his gun, a scared expression on his face.
He fired.
The warrior held up his hand
The warrior stood still for a moment and then turned to the man with a clenched fist.
The Swordsman opened his hand and the flattened bullet fell out of it.
It fell to the ground with a clink.
The Swordsman pulled out one of his swords and quickly slashed at the man.
Everyone watched as the man's gun fell into two pieces.
The man yelled then he and his bruised companions ran out of the alley, stumbling as they ran.
Jake chuckled. "Nice job, Mystic," he said.
The swordsman sheathed his sword and took a proud stance.
"I have a love for the dramatic," the warrior said, then he put his hands to his hips, "well, thanks for the workout, but its time to go. Later!"
The Swordsman faded into light and disappeared.
Jake grinned and shook his head. Then he put his deck back in the hip-box.
The crystal returned to its original form.
Jake threw it into the air and caught it.
Jake walked out of the alley and a motorcycle sped up to and parked in front of him.
The rider was very tall man who wore a leather outfit and a helmet.
The man took off his helmet and his dark skin and face scarred with Ancient Egyptian symbols.
"Ready to leave, Master Jake," said the man in a deep voice.
"Yeah," said Jake, "Let's not keep Marik waiting, Odion," Jake put on his helmet and sat behind Odion, "but man this crystal thing's awesome!"
Odion nodded, put on his helmet and the two sped off out of the city.
Well, what do you think? I'm trying pretty hard on this new story. Hope you liked it.
Don't worry, there's an actual duel in the next chapter. Just wait for it!
-Copper