Spiritual Shadows Chapter 1: Skill Successor, a yu-gi-oh! 5d's fanfic

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Spiritual Shadows

Hello, everyone. I'm Digidramon, and this is the third fic in my Spirit Saga, the set of fanfics that began with Seven Spirits and continued in Spirit Legends. This, my good readers, is Spiritual Shadows, the next installment in the story.

This fic takes place eighteen years after the end of Spirit Legends, and as such, New Domino City will have changed slightly over that time, with new developments and such. However, the fundamental places depicted in Spirit Legends and indeed, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's itself, will remain there. In terms of actual dates, to lay out a timeline, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters takes place in 1995, GX takes place from 2005-2008, 5D's/Spirit Legends takes place from 2038-2042 and thus this fic takes place in 2060.

To note, I will probably not show canon characters in this. This fic is focused primarily around OCs, and as such, canon characters will probably only be mentioned. Occasionally I may bring in a canon character if I feel I want to use that character, and if I do, I will try my best to depict them in accordance with the anime.

If I use an OCG-only, anime, manga or fan-made card, then as I have done before, I will list their stats at the end of the chapter in the card stats section, in addition with where it appears. When I do this with an anime card, I will use the dub name for the episode in question, unless it doesn't have a dub name, in which case I will use the original name instead. When I use anime or manga cards, I will usually use the dub name, unless I prefer the original name. This will be the case for most cards – I will usually use the English name unless I prefer an original name.

No specific banlist will be used in this fic; instead I shall use my discretion as to the usage of Forbidden cards. The most absolutely broken cards (Raigeki, Harpies' Feather Duster, the Chaos Envoys) will not be used at all, and they will be treated as banned, while other Forbidden cards may be allowed, but treated as Limited to one, and should they be used, I won't use them in the same combination that made them so broken. For example, if I use Dimension Fusion, it will not be used in the Dark Magician of Chaos-Spell Economics-Dimension Fusion-Burn loop. There is one exception to this rule – Dark Strike Fighter, which will be used with its original name and anime effect, which is nowhere near as broken as the real card.

Now, a very important note: on the whole I will use dub names and terms in this. This is in respect to the fact that I discovered this awesome series as a result of growing up watching the dubbed anime, and therefore I am more familiar with the dub names. However, sometimes I may feel the dub went too far and use an original term (for example, I will always use Team Satisfaction over The Enforcers, and for a certain awesome catchphrase, Riding Duel over Turbo Duel).

Riding Duels will happen on occasion in this, though not much, and since this fic takes place well after the WRPG, Speed World 2 has been made the official Field Spell for all Riding Duels. Speaking of which, here are the stats for Speed World 2, based on what we've seen of it in the anime so far:

Speed World 2

Field Spell Card

Image: A cylindrical passage of energy surrounded by fiery rings, leading towards a flash of white light

If you activate a non-'Speed Spell' Spell Card, you take 2000 damage. During each Standby Phase starting from the 2nd turn, place 1 Speed Counter on this card (max 12). This card cannot be removed from the field. Both players can have a copy of this card active simultaneously, and this card is automatically activated at the start of the Duel. You can remove any number of Speed Counters from this card to activate one of the following effects:

• 4: Reveal all 'Speed Spell' Spell Cards in your hand and inflict 800 damage to your opponent for each card revealed.

• 7: Draw 1 card.

• 10: Destroy 1 card on the field.

(Speed World 2 was first used by Trudge and Ghost in the 5D's episode, 'A New Threat'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's. This card, like its predecessor Speed World, is a virtual card integrated into Duel Runner and Duel Board mainframes. Neither version can apparently be removed from the field during a Riding Duel, as shown by the 5D's episode 'Surprise, Surprise' in which Yusei's Speed Spell – Gap Storm did not destroy Speed World.)

Well, that's everything important covered – so let's launch into the fic itself! Riding Duel, Acceleration!

Chapter 1: Skill Successor

The plane of existence was dark, a limitless void of pure dark, and the dark was all that kept it from being nothingness.

Light illuminated the shadows as three beings appeared, radiant and perfect. One was a woman; with radiant hair live a river of gold, clad in shining Greek battle armor, wielding a spear and a shield bearing the head of a woman with hair of serpents. Her eyes were cornflower blue, and her very gaze bore power.

To her right was a tall, handsome Latin American man clad in regal white robes akin to those of Incan priests, the robes bearing the device of a golden solar disk. He wielded a staff topped with a second solar disk, his eyes burning like the very sun itself.

Finally, to her left was a second man, this one Asian in appearance, with long white hair, clad in a regal white kimono and wielding a spear and a string of white crystal beads. His eyes radiated his wisdom, but also his pain.

"Inti," the woman said, addressing the Latin American man, "Izanagi," she turned to the Asian man. "It is good to see you once again."

"Well met, Athena," Inti said, his voice carrying a regal power. "Well met, Izanagi." The Asian nodded.

"Greetings, my comrades," he said. "Let us get down to business – the Planets."

"Their alignment has begun," Athena said. "Both the celestial orbs and their divine spirits are coming together."

"The Light stirs within my sphere," Inti added. "If the alignment completes, it shall awaken."

"It must be stopped," Izanagi spoke. "The prophecy must be fulfilled."

"The nine have been chosen," Athena determined. "They shall guide those destined by the prophecy to their fates, and thus the Planets shall fall before the awakening of the Light."

"Let the Fates run their course," Inti replied. "And we shall prevail, by their struggle in our name." The goddess smiled slightly beneath her helmet, before she and her fellows vanished, casting shadow upon the plane once again…

It was a bright, crisp spring morning in the legendary New Domino City. For once, the metropolis wasn't being menaced by ancient Incan demons, Synchro Killer machines, legions of men in black leather or soul-taking Atlantean kings. In fact, the city was remarkably peaceful.

A seagull sweeping in from the sea gazed down upon the shining skyscrapers of the Tops area, down at the ravaged, dirty expanse of the Daimon Area and finally it flew over the great stadium that was a legacy to one of the greatest duelists in the short history of Duel Monsters – the Kaiba Dome.

Currently the stadium was packed full of fans watching the final round of the Duel Monsters Regional Championship 2060, which would decide the official champion of the region surrounding New Domino City. The tournament had taken place over the previous three days, with the final round being decided today.

"Everybody listen!" the now aging MC, or Master of Ceremonies, announced. "Over the last three days, more and more participants across New Domino have been eliminated from the competition, leaving only two competitors for the title of New Domino Regional Champion of 2060! These two participants will now battle it out on the track for that title, so without further ado, let's welcome our two finalists! First of all, a girl who's made a real name for herself with a Deck of attractive power... let's welcome, the Magnet Empress, Ayumi Dojima!"

A blast of smoke erupted from one of the two participant tunnels as a red and blue Duel Runner shot from it, adorned with plus and minus symbols. The handlebars were decorated like bar magnets with north and south poles marked, and the Duel Disk attached was shaped like a horseshoe magnet curled around the central piece, again marked with plus and minus signs.

The rider was dressed in a form-fitting blue and red riding suit marked again with the same plus and minus signs, her helmet adorned with two bar magnet shaped antennae similar to those on one of her most notable monsters. Strands of her jet-black hair escaped the helmet to blow out like ribbons in the wind, and Ayumi's azure eyes stared out through the transparent visor with fiery determination. She was currently nineteen years of age, and was proving a skilled duelist already.

As Ayumi took her position at the start of the track, the MC continued his commentary. "And our second finalist has a legacy to live up to from his father, but he's already starting strong here... his Deck seems to encompass all the strands of Duel Monsters in its folds, so people, give a great welcome to our resident Elemental Master, Kellyn Mikuro!"

Another Duel Runner burst from the second tunnel, this one colored in a rainbow array of red, blue, green, black, gold and dark purple stripes. It was fairly streamlined and clearly well-cared-for; its paintwork was barely dusty, let alone scratched. The Duel Disk attached was an old Battle City model, but its central hub had been painted in the same manner as the Runner.

The rider wore a plain white riding suit and helmet, his dark brown bangs coming into view as they brushed between the visor and forehead. Beneath the bangs, his stormy grey eyes burned with a fierce courage and determination that displayed the spirit of a duelist ready to fight to the bitter end. His lips were set in a deep smile at this; performing in the sport he loved most of all.

Kellyn took up his position beside Ayumi at the starting line, the presence of both Riding Duelists immediately bringing up the holographic countdown board of three golden lights.

"Alright duelists, activate the Speed World 2 Field Spell Card!" the MC called. Kellyn and Ayumi pressed their fingers to a button on each Runner's console, the image of the Spell Card appearing on the screens.

"Duel Mode engaged," the computerized voice of the computer spoke, "Speed World 2 active, autopilot standing by." Speed World 2 spun and vanished on both screens as the dueling field was displayed on both, the compulsory Field Spell immediately present in both Field Spell Zones as Life Point and Speed Counter displays edged the screens accordingly with each duelist.

"Three," the countdown began, the first golden light fading to grey, "Two," the second faded, "One – Duel!" The final light faded before all three flashed green and the board shattered as both Duel Runners shot forwards.

"Riding Duel, Acceleration!" Kellyn and Ayumi shouted as one.

Kellyn 8000LP 0SPC/Ayumi 8000LP 0SPC

"Ladies first!" Ayumi insisted, drawing a card. "I activate the Speed Spell – Over Boost, increasing my Speed Counters by four!" Her Duel Runner immediately accelerated far ahead of Kellyn's (Ayumi 8000LP 4SPC). "Of course, my Counters decrease to one during the End Phase, but it's still a gain since I had none to begin with! Now I summon my Alpha the Magnet Warrior!"

A blue portal opened beside the Magnet Empress, and her monster soared from it, a knight-like figure made from granite rock, wielding a sword with a crossguard shaped like a horseshoe magnet and a shield adorned with a crest in the same shape. Its helmet bore a horseshoe magnet wrapped around its forehead, a bladed crest crowning the helmet (1400/1700).

"Alpha in attack mode..." Kellyn muttered in surprise. "This has to be a trap..."

"Next I activate my Speed Spell – Summon Speeder!" Ayumi called. "This allows me to automatically Special Summon a Level Four or below monster from my hand, like my Gamma the Magnet Warrior!" The Spell Card flashed into existence beside her and Gamma emerged from it, a squat crimson being with a horseshoe magnet for a collar, bladed wings extending behind it adorned with N and S symbols. The second Magnet Warrior soared beside Alpha with a rocky groan (1500/1800).

In the stands, Kellyn had quite a few fans. Several hundred of the five-thousand spectators were cheering for him, but three of these spectators were quite special. These three were sat together near the action of the track.

Only one was a girl, sixteen at least, dressed in a white shirt studded with gem-like sequins in the colors of the rainbow, as well as blue jeans. Her Duel Disk was rainbow-colored, her long hair dark brown and her eyes a cobalt blue. She was the most enthusiastic in cheering Kellyn on, shouting his name continuously. Her name was Cynthia Yuki, and she was the daughter of Kellyn's godfather, Drago Yuki and his wife Kira Yuki.

Another was a boy, dressed in a steely grey tracksuit jacket and trousers, with a silver rucksack on his back. His hair was jet-black, his eyes dark brown, and his stare had a feeling of hidden strength and power to it. This boy was Alex Emerick, Kellyn's seventeen-year-old cousin, and as such he was only slightly less enthusiastic in support than Cynthia.

Finally was a boy dressed in a jet-black coat trimmed in white, his Duel Disk themed after a yin-yang symbol. His hair was jet-black, his eyes emerald green, and his skin was darkly tanned. His eyes seemed almost guarded in their stare, but he gave an impression of incredible power just sitting there. In a Duel, he would be magnificent. Such was the blessing of his parentage – this was Ryo Orimoto, the nineteen-year-old son of world famous Pro duelists Yamato and Mayumi Orimoto.

"Looks like Ayumi's fallen back on the traditional Magnets this time around," Ryo noted. "Normal Monsters like those three can be pretty powerful if you use them right… Kellyn's going to have his hands full handling them if she can bring them together…"

"C'mon, Ryo, trust Kellyn a bit more," Cynthia replied. "He can do this…"

"Two out on the first turn, huh?" Kellyn murmured.

"Oh yeah!" Ayumi retorted. "That title is mine, Mikuro! I throw out two face-downs, and end my turn!" The two reversed cards appeared behind Alpha and Gamma.

Kellyn 8000LP 0SPC/Ayumi 8000LP 1SPC

"I draw!" Kellyn called, pulling the card from his Deck as they sped up (Kellyn 8000LP 1SPC) (Ayumi 8000LP 2SPC).

"I summon UFO Turtle!" With a roar, a dark green tortoise with a shiny silver UFO for a shell appeared beside him from a crimson portal, a heat haze surrounding it (1400/1200).

"Attribute Searcher, huh?" Ayumi noted. "And a Fire Searcher at that... copying your dad's Flamvell style won't benefit you here, Kellyn!"

"I make my own style!" her opponent shouted. "I have my own path to follow... and sometimes paths cross for a while... UFO Turtle, attack her Alpha the Magnet Warrior!" UFO Turtle belched a stream of flames at the magnet-themed knight...

"Trying to achieve a draw won't work here! I activate my reverse card, Reinforcements! This increases my Alpha's attack points by 500 until the End Phase!" Alpha the Magnet Warrior glowed with energy (1900/1700) and as the flame stream hit, it charged through the fire and cleaved UFO Turtle in two with a sweep of its sword. The tortoise exploded into slag, and Kellyn winced as the sword struck him.

(Kellyn 7500LP 1SPC)

"I activate UFO Turtle's effect!" he shouted. "Since it was destroyed in battle and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Fire-Attribute monster with 1500 or less attack points from my Deck in attack mode, like Masked Dragon!" The UFO Turtle's remains combusted and from the fire, a crimson-red dragon sprung, its red scales covered by metal plates that also coated its wings. Its golden eyes stared out in silent agony, its sewn-up mouth preventing the dragon from even screaming (1400/1100).

"Dragon Deck, then," Ayumi shrugged. "It hardly matters, I'll beat you anyway."

"Do you really think I'm so unimaginative that I'd follow every single glory-hungry idiot out there and go with Dragons for the power?" Kellyn snapped at her. "Seto Kaiba... Chazz Princeton... Jack Atlas, even. This game has had arrogant, stupid dragon-users since it began, and I'm not keen to follow in any of their footsteps. They're always defeated by someone with far more imagination, who uses a Deck they choose for more than just blatant power."

"Not Flamvell... not Dragons..." Ayumi mused. "What is this Deck?" Kellyn simply remained silent, simply placing two cards face-down.

"Turn end," he concluded, Alpha the Magnet Warrior losing its energy aura (1400/1700).

Kellyn 7500LP 1SPC/Ayumi 8000LP 2SPC

"I draw!" Ayumi shouted as their speed increased once again (Kellyn 7500LP 2SPC) (Ayumi 8000LP 3SPC).

"I activate Speed Spell – Angel Baton," the Magnet Empress said as the Spell appeared. "Using this Speed Spell, since I have at least two Speed Counters, I can draw twice so long as I toss a card afterwards." She drew two cards and immediately threw one into the Graveyard slot of her Duel Disk.

"Now for my headliner, by sending Alpha the Magnet Warrior, Beta the Magnet Warrior and Gamma the Magnet Warrior from my hand or field to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand!" A third Magnet Warrior appeared beside Alpha and Gamma, this one golden yellow and streamlined, with a horseshoe magnet for horns and more magnets for hands, before all three faded into motes of golden light that flowed together. An explosion of energy erupted, lighting the whole stadium...

The energy faded to reveal a towering, twelve-foot-tall warrior made of shining stone, with Gamma's wings, its head blocky with Beta's horseshoe magnet horns, wielding Alpha's sword. Its bracers, hips and greaves were marked with N and S symbols, and the monster stared down at Kellyn imposingly as it spread its wings (3500/3850).

"Say hello to Valkyrion the Magna Warrior!" Ayumi shouted.

"Holy crap..." Kellyn breathed.

"Take this!" his opponent said. "Have at thee... Valkyrion, destroy his Masked Dragon! Magnet Blade!" Valkyrion spread his wings and shot at Masked Dragon, cleaving Kellyn's monster with two with a swing of his sword, Kellyn's Trap lifting up.

"Here's an old favorite!" he shouted. "Defense Draw reduces the damage to zero and I get to draw a card!" A sphere of emerald energy erupted around him, knocking Valkyrion back as Kellyn draw once. "Now Masked Dragon's effect activates, letting me Special Summon a Dragon-Type with 1500 or less attack from my Deck, like another Masked Dragon in defense mode!" As the first Dragon combusted, a second appeared from the flames (1400/1100), curling up and folding its wings around itself.

"I activate the Trap Card, Magnet Return!" Ayumi called. "This lets me Special Summon a Magnet Warrior from the Graveyard, and I choose the Magnet Warrior Omega Minus I tossed with Angel Baton!" The Trap lifted up in a flare of electricity, forming into a dark blue robotic monster wielding a sword and magnet-shaped shield (1900/600). "Now, Omega Minus, take out his Masked Dragon!" Magnet Warrior Omega Minus charged and cleaved the Masked Dragon in two.

"I activate its effect to summon my third Masked Dragon!" Kellyn called out. His third and last copy of the dragon appeared, again curling into defense mode (1400/1100). Ayumi grimaced.

"God damn searchers!" she snarled. "I end my turn!"

Kellyn 7500LP 2SPC/Ayumi 8000LP 3SPC

"My turn!" Kellyn announced, drawing as they sped up (Kellyn 7500LP 3SPC) (Ayumi 8000LP 4SPC).

"It's time I took an offensive! I summon the Tuner Monster, Elemental Dusk!" he shouted. In a flash of elemental energy, a vaguely humanoid figure, limp and lanky, pure white in color appeared, raising bladed limbs as its purple eyes gazed at Ayumi emotionlessly (0/0).

"Now I play Speed Spell – Level Shifter, letting me raise or lower a monster's Level by one!" Elemental Dusk glowed with power (Level 4). "Finally, Tuning Level Four Elemental Dusk to my Level Three Masked Dragon… Synchro Summon…!"

Elemental Dusk closed its eyes and its form simply faded away, leaving four white stars that shot outwards and imprisoned Masked Dragon, expanding outwards into electronic green Synchro Gates that aligned perfectly to encircle the Dragon. Masked Dragon's eyes widened as its body faded away too, leaving only a fluorescent orange framework that shattered into three stars. The stars aligned before flowing into one and exploding with a violent flare of fire…

"The spirits of fire blaze and rage within my very heart! Let those flames take shape upon the world! Synchro Summon! Rage, Elemental Order – Fire!" Kellyn chanted fiercely, and as Ayumi looked at him, she could have sworn she saw flames dancing in his irises.

The flames were sucked inwards, coalescing into the Synchro Monster, which somersaulted skywards and landed before Kellyn with twin wheels of fire around its hands. It was a tall, slender man dressed in a jet-black coat zipped down to his waist, letting the tails billow out from his black-sheathed legs, his fiery red spikes of hair rippling in the wind. The Elemental Order glared at Ayumi with deep pale green eyes, the wheels of flame around his hands dying to reveal twin chakrams rimmed with bladed spikes and highlighted in red, glowing with the heat still emanating from them (2400/1500).

"Hey… isn't that…?" Ayumi murmured, a flicker of recognition in her eyes.

"I activate Elemental Order – Fire's effect, forfeiting his attack this turn to destroy one of your monsters and hit you with its Level times 100 as damage! Destroy Valkyrion with Explosion!" Kellyn called, cutting her off.

Elemental Order – Fire ignited his chakrams, pressing the disc-shaped weapons together and melding the two into one.

"Don't say I didn't warn you!" he said, heard only by Kellyn.

With a practiced motion, he hurled the larger single chakram at Valkyrion, the weapon exploding in a maelstrom of fire on contact and vaporizing the Magna Warrior, Ayumi shrieking in pain as the fires washed over her.

(Ayumi 7200LP 4SPC)

As the flames washed away from Ayumi, Fire caught his chakrams calmly as they came flying back from the explosion. The Magnet Empress stared at Kellyn in shock at the loss of her most powerful monster.

"You are something," she muttered. "No one else beat Valkyrion that fast… I'm impressed. But it won't save you. That title is mine!"

"We'll see!" Kellyn snapped at Ayumi. "I end my turn!"

Kellyn 7500LP 3SPC/Ayumi 7200LP 4SPC

"I draw!" Ayumi snarled, ripping the card off of her Deck (Kellyn 7500LP 4SPC) (Ayumi 7200LP 5SPC).

"I activate Speed Spell – Resolved Hope! Using this, I can drop any number of Speed Counters to draw a card for every three counters I lose!" Her Duel Runner slowed and fell behind Kellyn's (Ayumi 7200LP 2SPC) as she drew once. "Now I activate Speed Spell – Angel Blessing, letting me draw up to four cards since my Speed Counters are less than half yours!" She drew four times.

"Good combo…" Kellyn muttered.

"I summon Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus!" Ayumi cried. There was a sudden flash of electromagnetic energy that formed into a towering orange-armored robotic warrior, wielding a spear and a shield marked with plus signs (1800/1500). "Now I throw out two face-downs, and end my turn!" The two cards appeared behind her Magnet Warriors.

Kellyn 7500LP 4SPC/Ayumi 7200LP 2SPC

"I draw!" Kellyn shouted, pulling the card from his Deck (Kellyn 7500LP 5SPC) (Ayumi 7200LP 3SPC).

"I throw down a monster in defense!" A reversed card appeared beside Elemental Order – Fire. "Now, Elemental Order – Fire, attack Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus! Eternal Flames!" The Synchro Monster dashed towards the Magnet Warrior, igniting his chakrams again…

"I activate the Trap Card, Magnet Force Plus!" his opponent retorted. "This equips to your monster when it attacks one of my Plus monsters, negates the attack and then the equipped monster is also treated as a Plus monster! This means that it can't attack Plus monsters, but if I control a Minus monster, then your monster has no choice but to attack it!"

"The rules of magnetism," Kellyn realized as Elemental Order – Fire was hurled back. "Those with similar charges repel, while dissimilar charges attract… well, if I have no choice… Fire; attack her Magnet Warrior Omega Minus! Eternal Flames!" The Elemental Order rushed at Omega Minus…

"Trap Card open – Rising Energy!" Ayumi shouted, throwing Gaia Core into the Graveyard. "Now my Omega Minus gains 1500 points at the cost of a card from my hand!" Magnet Warrior Omega Minus glowed with incredible power (3400/600) and as Fire hurled his blazing chakrams, the robotic warrior deflected them with its shield before lunging and impaling the Elemental Order on its sword, shattering Kellyn's Synchro.

(Kellyn 6500LP 4SPC)

"No… way…" Kellyn breathed in horror. He had lost his Synchro Monster purely because of an impulsive, reckless attack. "I-I… place one card face-down and end my turn…" As the card appeared, Magnet Warrior Omega Minus's glow faded (1900/600).

Kellyn 6500LP 4SPC/Ayumi 7200LP 3SPC

"My turn!" Ayumi called smugly (Kellyn 6500LP 5SPC) (Ayumi 7200LP 4SPC).

"I summon another Magnet Warrior Omega Minus!" Another of the blocky, robotic warriors appeared, raising its sword (1900/600). "Now, Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus, attack his face-down monster!" Sigma Plus charged at the monster, which rose into the form of a grey-furred anthropomorphic rat clutching a human skull in its talons (1400/1450). The Giant Rat screamed as Sigma Plus impaled it on its spear, shattering like glass.

"My Giant Rat has the same effect as UFO Turtle except for Earth monsters!" Kellyn shouted. "I summon another Giant Rat!" Another of the rats rose up before him with a snarl (1400/1450).

"Magnet Warrior Omega Minus, destroy Giant Rat!" One of the sword-wielding Magnet Warriors charged and cleaved Giant Rat in two with its blade, before going on to strike Kellyn.

(Kellyn 6000LP 5SPC)

"I use it to summon my third Giant Rat!" Kellyn said as his final copy of the rat appeared (1400/1450), and was promptly cleaved in two by Ayumi's second Magnet Warrior Omega Minus.

(Kellyn 5500LP 5SPC)

"I use that one's effect to summon Elemental Dusk!" A second copy of the bizarre colorless Tuner appeared in a flash of energy (0/0).

"But that's a Dark monster!" Ayumi protested.

"Elemental Dusk is also treated as Fire, Water, Wind and Earth Attributes," Kellyn explained. Ayumi snarled in frustration.

"Turn end!" she snapped coldly.

"In your End Phase, I activate The Afterglow of a Miracle, letting me bring back a monster that was destroyed in battle this turn!" Kellyn called. "Welcome back, Giant Rat!" Giant Rat reappeared, crouching in defense mode (1400/1450).

Kellyn 5500LP 5SPC/Ayumi 7200LP 4SPC

"My turn!" Kellyn announced as he drew (Kellyn 5500LP 6SPC) (Ayumi 7200LP 5SPC).

"I Tune Elemental Dusk to Giant Rat to Synchro Summon…!" Elemental Dusk faded away, and its three Level Stars shot out to encircle Giant Rat as they transformed into Synchro Gates, the Rat melting down to its orange framework. The framework shattered into four stars that aligned and flowed together, shattering in a flare of energy…

"The might of the earth is held within my spirit! Let its power bring me victory now! Synchro Summon! Rise, Elemental Order – Earth!" Kellyn chanted fiercely.

The energy broke with such force that the ground below seemed to fracture and break as the second of Kellyn's Elemental Orders landed beside him. This one was again clad in a black coat, but his was zipped down to his knees. His short, wavy hair was chestnut brown, and his form was muscular beneath his black clothes. Earth raised a hand and motes of energy formed in his grip, creating a colossal black tomahawk trimmed in red, which he wielded with ease despite its clear weight (2400/1500).

"I activate the effect of Elemental Order – Earth, letting him halve one of your monster's original attack and defense points until the End Phase!" Kellyn shouted. "Ayer's Rock!"

"I'll crush you!" Earth cried as he raised his tomahawk and slashed with it. Rock formed along the arc of the slash, crashing against one of Ayumi's Magnet Warrior Omega Minuses, which was flattened against the ground and battered by the effect (950/300).

"Damn it…" Ayumi muttered.

"I throw a monster face-down," Kellyn said, placing the monster onto his Disk and watching it appear beside Elemental Order – Earth. "Now, Elemental Order – Earth, obliterate her Omega Minus with Skysplitter!" Earth roared a battle cry and surged forwards, cleaving the Magnet Warrior in two with a brutal sweep of his tomahawk. Ayumi cried out in pain as the blade swept into her, almost knocking her off of her Runner with the force.

(Ayumi 5750LP 4SPC)

"Why didn't Kellyn use that effect on Sigma Plus?" Alex wondered. "He'd have done more damage."

"It would only have been marginally more," Ryo replied. "And he could see he needed to get rid of those Omega Minuses or he'd be taking more and more damage. The drawback with Kellyn's Deck is the rule that his Searchers summon in attack mode."

"This is a Searcher Deck?" another spectator said near them.

"Yeah," Ryo said. "You see, Kellyn focuses on sending monsters to the Graveyard through the Searchers as much as he can."

"But why?"

"That's the next stage," the youngest Orimoto said with a smirk. "And when people see it, that's when they see how powerful Kellyn's Deck can be… the Elemental Orders are nothing compared to what he can unleash when he chooses to…"

"Heh… you'll regret not getting rid of Sigma Plus…" Ayumi groaned.

"We'll see," Kellyn replied. "I end my turn with a face-down." "Even if she does summon something that can destroy Elemental Order – Earth, I still have Call of the Haunted to bring him right back for more…"

Kellyn 5500LP 6SPC/Ayumi 5750LP 4SPC

"I… draw!" Ayumi exclaimed as she drew the card (Kellyn 5500LP 7SPC) (Ayumi 5750LP 5SPC). A brief smirk passed over her lips as she saw it.

"Now it's time for one of my best monsters to show," she laughed. "I can only Special Summon it by sending a Plus and a Minus monster from my field or hand to the Graveyard," Sigma Plus and Omega Minus faded into grains of light, "but its well worth it to summon my Conduction Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus!"

There was an immense explosion of energy that faded to reveal a towering, eighteen foot tall robotic warrior, like some battle mecha out of an anime. It stood tall on stubby legs, twin laser cannons protruding from its shoulders. Its body armor was yellow and red in color, and it glared down at Kellyn with electric-blue eyes (2700/1300).

"Holy crap…" Kellyn breathed.

"Sure, it may have one hell of a long name," Ayumi laughed. "But who cares? This guy's what brought me right to this final, Mikuro, and it'll take me further still! Now its effect activates, letting me treat it as either a Plus or a Minus, but for now I choose Plus!"

"It doesn't matter either way," Kellyn muttered.

But now, I activate the effect of the Tuner Monster, Gaia Core in my Graveyard! Using this monster, I can remove it and a single non-Tuner in my Graveyard from play to bring out a Synchro Monster… so let's bid adieu to Gaia Core and Valkyrion," Valkyrion the Magna Warrior and a bizarre emerald green stone appeared before her, Gaia Core fading into a Synchro Ring and encircling Valkyrion, "to Synchro Summon…" The Magna Warrior faded into eight glowing stars that united in a flare of energy…

"Powers hidden deep within the world, exert your force across all there is! Crush him with your might! Synchro Summon! Magnet Paladin Theta!"

A new magnetic monster descended, spreading six thin blade-wings as it drew twin sabers, one marked with a Plus sign, the other with a Minus sign. Its body was made of steel, well-streamlined, and its electronic blue eyes glared down at Kellyn soullessly (2900/1600).

"Normally I could toss a Magnet Warrior from my Graveyard to boost Theta by 500 points until your End Phase, but unfortunately a Synchro Monster summoned by Gaia Core loses its effects," Ayumi said bitterly. "Still, it's good enough to take out your Elemental Order… Theta, destroy it! Polar Magna Blade!" Theta's swords glowed with energy and it surged forwards, cleaving the blades in an X and shattering Earth before slashing again across Kellyn.

(Kellyn 5000LP 7SPC)

"Now, Linear Magnum Plus Minus, destroy his face-down! Conductor Cannons!" Linear Magnum Plus Minus blasted energy from its cannons into Kellyn's face-down monster, which was revealed as a humanoid dragonfly with an emerald carapace, its four arms ending in sharp talons (1400/900). The Flying Kamakiri #1 shrieked and shattered as the blast roasted it.

"When Flying Kamakiri #1 is destroyed in battle and sent to the Graveyard, I get a Wind monster with 1500 or less attack from my Deck, like another Kamakiri!" Kellyn shouted as another of the insects appeared (1400/900). "And I also activate Call of the Haunted, letting me bring back Elemental Order – Earth in attack mode!" Earth reappeared in a flash of power, summoning his tomahawk again (2400/1500).

Kellyn 5000LP 7SPC/Ayumi 5750LP 5SPC

"My draw!" Kellyn cried (Kellyn 5000LP 8SPC) (Ayumi 5750LP 6SPC).

"I switch my Flying Kamakiri to defense mode," the insect knelt, folding wings and arms around itself (1400/900), "and activate Elemental Order – Earth's effect again – Ayer's Rock!"

"I'll crush you!" Earth shouted again as he smashed the blade of rock into Magnet Paladin Theta, crushing the Synchro into the earth (1450/800).

"Now, Earth, attack Theta with Skysplitter!" Kellyn commanded fiercely. The Elemental Order charged and cleaved Theta in twain with his tomahawk before striking Ayumi with the blade.

(Ayumi 4800LP 6SPC)

"Now I activate a Trap Card I've had since the start – Synchro Destructor!" the Elemental Master roared. "Synchro Destructor can only be activated when my Synchro Monster destroys your monster and it deals you damage equal to half of the destroyed monster's original attack points!" A phantom of Magnet Paladin Theta appeared beside him. "And what's more, since the destroyed monster was a Synchro Monster, the damage gets inflicted again!" Another Theta phantom appeared, and both shot at Ayumi as blasts of white-hot power that exploded around the Magnet Empress, making her scream in pain.

(Ayumi 1900LP 4SPC)

"I end with a face-down," he finished. "This second Afterglow of a Miracle can bring back Earth even if she beats him again, and then I can combine Speed Spell – Speed Energy with his effect to win."

"During the End Phase of the turn it was destroyed, Theta's effect activates in the Graveyard," Ayumi groaned. "I pick any monster on the field and make it a Plus or Minus, so I'll make your Elemental Order a Minus!" A flare of negative charge surrounded Elemental Order – Earth.

Kellyn 5000LP 8SPC/Ayumi 1900LP 4SPC

"My turn!" Ayumi cried, drawing fiercely (Kellyn 5000LP 9SPC) (Ayumi 1900LP 5SPC).

"I activate Speed Spell – Unstable Accel!" she shouted. "This lets me draw two cards, but I have to lose my whole hand and all my Speed Counters during the End Phase!" She drew twice and smirked. "I activate the effect of my Conduction Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus, letting it gain half the points of any Plus or Minus monster on the whole field except itself, so I'll give it half your Earth's points!"

Linear Magnum Plus Minus glowed with incredible power (3900/1600). "Now I activate Speed Spell – Over Boost, speeding up by four counters!" Her Duel Runner accelerated to move alongside Kellyn's (Ayumi 1900LP 9SPC). "To end, I activate Speed Spell – Final Attack, doubling Linear Magnum's points until the End Phase, but it can't attack directly and is destroyed in the End Phase!" Her Conduction Warrior blazed with awesome power (7800/1600).

"No!" Kellyn cried in shock – he'd come so close, and now it was over…

"You've been a strong opponent," Ayumi admitted softly. "I'll remember this Duel, no matter how high I climb; I'll look back at you, because you've pushed me hard. But now you're finished, Kellyn Mikuro." A tear slid down her face, a tear of joy at what she'd gained at long last. "I'm sorry this has to end… Conduction Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus… end this Duel! Attack Elemental Order – Earth! Conductor Cannons!"

The Conduction Warrior's cannons charged with blinding power, before it fired, a cataclysmic blast of electromagnetic force that detonated right beside Kellyn. He screamed in agony as he was smashed against the crash barrier by the force, his Runner skidding and toppling to pitch him onto the track. His head reverberated with pain as his helmet crashed down on tarmac, and then it was over as the blinding light of the attack faded…

Kellyn 0LP 4SPC/Ayumi 1900LP 9SPC

He tore off his helmet and threw it aside bitterly. As he heard the crowd cheer Ayumi, Kellyn Mikuro could only watch in numb silence at how unbearably close he'd come to victory… just one turn and he'd be the one the crowd cheered, and Ayumi would have been here, lying there on the tarmac in this dreadful feeling of loss and closeness…

But in the end, he had to get up, pick up his helmet and wheel his Runner away. He was a Mikuro, and like his father before him, he'd accept this loss. He'd grow from it; no matter how much it cost him to do so… no matter how bitter he felt over losing… because he had to accept that Ayumi had gained Fate's favor when she drew Unstable Accel, and then when she drew Over Boost and Final Attack. The fickle hand of Fate had chosen her this time around, and who knew? Next time, it might choose Kellyn.

That was why he dueled. That was why so many dueled – because of the thrill, the knowledge that the outcome was uncertain until the final card was played. It was what stopped him throwing down his Deck after every loss, no matter how much rode on that Duel, he'd always stand up and keep going. It was what kept him going on to the next Duel, and regardless of how each Duel turned out, he'd keep on moving forwards in the knowledge that every time, victory could be his.

As he entered the garage where his Runner had been stored across the tournament, he found them there, his friends. Ryo, Cynthia and Alex were standing there, Ryo leaned against the wall with a slight smile on his face, Alex rushing forwards to help his cousin with the Runner and Cynthia giving him the sympathetic look she gave each time.

"Don't sweat it, Kellyn," Alex said as they wheeled the Runner into its bay. "There's always next year, and the year after that, and the year after that…"

"I think what Alex is trying to say, in a far-too long-winded way, is that you shouldn't feel down about this too much, Kellyn," Ryo explained. "We all know how losing feels, my friend. Whether it's a big stake Duel like that one, or just something in the playground for fun, losing always feels the same. The bitterness, the sorrow, the disappointment… they're always there. Part of being a duelist is overcoming those feelings and having the strength to get up and spit in the faces of those who tell you to give it up."

"Yeah, just get back up and be strong, Kellyn," Cynthia said. "I know you can do it.

"Anyway," Ryo said. "Why don't we head over to Daimon Arena for some Duels? There ought to be a few people around."

"Yeah, let's do that," Kellyn said. "Just let me get showered and changed, okay?"

"We'll meet you outside then," Ryo agreed with a nod. "C'mon Alex, Cynthia. Let's give him a bit of peace and quiet." The three turned and walked away, leaving Kellyn to reflect on his loss…

Card Stats:

Monsters:

Magnet Warrior Omega Minus

EARTH/ Rock/Effect /Level 4/ATK: 1900/DEF: 600

"Minus" monsters cannot battle each other. If your opponent controls a "Plus" monster, this card must attack it if possible.

Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus

EARTH/ Rock/Effect /Level 4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1500

"Plus" monsters cannot battle each other. If your opponent controls a "Minus" monster, this card must attack it if possible.

Conduction Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus

EARTH/ Rock/Effect /Level 7/ATK: 2700/DEF: 1300

This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned by sending 1 "Plus" Monster and 1 "Minus" Monster from your hand and/or field to the Graveyard. Select 1 face-up "Plus" or 1 face-up "Minus" Monster on the field (other than this card) and increase the ATK of this card by half the selected Monster's ATK for as long as the selected Monster remains on the field. You can activate this effect again if a new "Plus" or "Minus" Monster becomes available after the first selected Monster leaves the field. When this card is Summoned, designate it as a "Plus" Monster or a "Minus" Monster. You can change this designation during any of your Standby Phases. If this card battles a Monster whose name contains the same word as its designation, that battle is negated. If there is at least one Monster on the opposing side of the field whose name contains the same word as the designation that this card is not designated to, this card must battle one of those Monsters during the next Battle Phase if it is able to.

(The above three cards were first used by Bastion in the GX episode, 'Duel Distractions Part 1'. Creative credit for them goes to the writers of GX.)

Elemental Dusk

DARK/ Fiend/Tuner /Level 3/ATK: 0/DEF: 0

This card's Attribute is also treated as FIRE, WATER, WIND and EARTH. This card cannot be used for a Synchro Summon, except for the Synchro Summon of an "Elemental Order" monster. If this card is in your Graveyard, you can remove from play a monster that shares an Attribute with this card from your Graveyard and Special Summon this card from your Graveyard in face-up attack position. If this card is removed from the field after being Summoned by this effect, remove it from play.

Elemental Order – Fire

FIRE/ Warrior/Synchro/Effect /Level 7/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1500

'Elemental Dusk' + 1 or more FIRE non-Tuner monsters

Once per turn, you can destroy 1 face-up monster your opponent controls and inflict damage to your opponent equal to its Level x 100. If you do, then this card cannot attack this turn.

Elemental Order – Earth

EARTH/ Warrior/Synchro/Effect /Level 7/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1500

'Elemental Dusk' + 1 or more EARTH non-Tuner monsters

Once per turn, you can select 1 face-up monster your opponent controls and halve its original ATK and DEF until the End Phase.

Gaia Core

EARTH/ Rock/Tuner /Level 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0

While this card is face-up on the field, it cannot be used as a Synchro Material Monster. If this card is in your Graveyard, you can remove it and another EARTH monster from play to Special Summon an EARTH Synchro Monster with those Synchro Material Monsters from your Extra Deck. A monster summoned by this effect has its effects negated while it is face-up on the field.

Magnet Paladin Theta

EARTH/ Rock/Synchro/Effect /Level 9/ATK: 2900/DEF: 1600

1 EARTH Tuner + 1 or more EARTH Rock-Type non-Tuner monsters

Up to twice per turn, you can remove from play 1 'Magnet Warrior' monster in your Graveyard to have this card gain 500 ATK until your opponent's next End Phase. During the End Phase of a turn in which this card was destroyed, you can select 1 face-up monster on the field and have it treated as a "Plus" or "Minus" monster while it is face-up on the field.

(The above five cards are my own inventions and creative credit for them goes to me. However, I do not own the characters that Elemental Dusk, Elemental Order – Fire and Elemental Order – Earth are based on, they are the property of Disney and Square Enix, the makers of Kingdom Hearts.)

Spells:

Speed Spell – Over Boost

Normal Spell Card

Image: Four golden stars shooting upwards through a purple void.

Gain 4 Speed Counters. During the End Phase, the number of your Speed Counters becomes 1.

(Speed Spell – Over Boost was first used by Jack in the 5D's episode 'The Fortune Cup Finale Part 1'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)

Speed Spell – Summon Speeder

Normal Spell Card

Image: Dunames Dark Witch rising from a vortex of azure energy into a world of purple energy.

Activate only while you have 4 or more Speed Counters. Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from your hand. The monster Special Summoned by this effect cannot declare an attack this turn.

(Speed Spell – Summon Speeder was first used by Yusei and Hunter Pace in the 5D's episode 'Surprise, Surprise'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)

Speed Spell – Angel Baton

Normal Spell Card

Image: A beautiful blue-robed angel similar to the one depicted on 'Graceful Charity', holding a shining blue gem in her hands.

Activate while you have 2 or more Speed Counters. Draw 2 cards. Send 1 card from your hand to the Graveyard.

(Speed Spell – Angel Baton was first used by Yusei in the 5D's special episode 'Evolving Duel! Stardust VS Red Demons'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)

Speed Spell – Level Shifter

Normal Spell Card

Image: A Chaosrider Gustaph changing gears on his motorcycle, with the upper gear marked with five Level Stars, the lower with three.

Activate only while you have 3 or more Speed Counters. Select 1 monster you control and increase or decrease its Level by 1.

Speed Spell – Resolved Hope

Normal Spell Card

Image: A black-feathered bird soaring into the sunset.

Activate only while you have 3 or more Speed Counters. Reduce your Speed Counters by any amount, and draw 1 card for every 3 Speed Counters removed.

Speed Spell – Angel Blessing

Normal Spell Card

Image: Celestia, Lightsworn Angel flying through Speed World.

Activate only while you have 4 or less Speed Counters, and your total Speed Counters are less than half of your opponent's. Draw until you have 4 cards in your hand.

Speed Spell – Unstable Accel

Normal Spell Card

Image: Dokurorider shooting along a highway with a sparking, smoking Nitro Unit connected to his motorcycle.

Activate only while you have 3 or more Speed Counters and your Speed Counters are lower than your opponent's. Draw 2 cards. During this turn's End Phase, reduce your Speed Counters to 0 and discard all cards in your hand.

(The above four cards are my own inventions and creative credit for them goes to me. Speed Spell – Level Shifter was first used in the Spirit Legends chapter 'Prophecy of a Future King', while Speed Spell – Resolved Hope was first used in the Spirit Legends chapter 'As All Light Dies', and Speed Spell – Angel Blessing was first used in the Seven Spirits chapter 'The Rise of Jack Atlas'.)

Speed Spell – Final Attack

Normal Spell Card

Image: B.E.S. Tetran descending into an atmosphere with numerous Gradius surrounding it.

Activate only when you have 8 or more Speed Counters. Double the ATK of one monster you control. That monster cannot attack directly and is destroyed during the End Phase.

(Speed Spell – Final Attack was first used by Yusei in the 5D's episode 'The Fortune Cup Finale Part 2'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)

Traps:

Magnet Return

Normal Trap Card

Image: Alpha the Magnet Warrior soaring from a fissure in the ground.

Special Summon 1 'Magnet Warrior' monster from your Graveyard and equip it with this card. When this card is destroyed, destroy the equipped monster.

(Magnet Return is my own invention and creative credit for it goes to me.)

Magnet Force Plus

Continuous Trap Card

Image: Magnet Warrior Sigma Plus ready to receive an attack.

Activate only when your opponent attacks a "Plus" monster you control. After activation, this card is treated as an Equip Card and is equipped to the attacking monster. Negate the attack. The equipped monster is treated as a "Plus" monster. If the equipped monster attacks a "Plus" monster, the battle is negated. If you control a "Minus" monster, the equipped monster is switched to Attack Position and must attack that "Minus" monster.

(Magnet Force Plus was first used by Bastion in the GX episode 'Magnetic Personality'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of GX.)

The Afterglow of a Miracle

Normal Trap Card

Image: A ray of sunlight breaking through black storm clouds, with emerald stars spiraling around it and birds soaring up towards the gap in the clouds.

Special Summon 1 monster from your Graveyard that was destroyed by battle this turn to your side of the field.

(The Afterglow of a Miracle was released as a promotional card for the OCG set 'Duel Disk – Yusei Version'. A TCG release for it is currently unknown.)

Synchro Destructor

Normal Trap Card

Image: Colossal Fighter screaming as red aura surrounds him, sending bolts of energy in all directions.

Activate only when a Synchro Monster you control destroys a monster by battle. Inflict damage to your opponent equal to half the original ATK of the destroyed monster. If the destroyed monster was a Synchro Monster, inflict the damage a second time.

(Synchro Destructor was first used by Yusei in the 5D's special episode 'Evolving Duel! Stardust VS Red Demons'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)

Next time, it's Alex's time to shine! As he faces up to a brutal opponent with a very strong Deck, can he bring out a victory from his Deck? To find out, read Chapter 2 – 'Parallel Select'!