Chapter 1: How the Day Started Out
It's amazing how a normal day of hanging out with your friends can turn into seeing one of them slowly die in front of you. Heh…it's also amazing how far someone would go to save them even if it meant throwing away your humanity for the sake of others. For me I was no different when I made a deal with someone who deep down, I felt like I shouldn't have trusted him
-Yusei
-X-
It was late in the afternoon in New Domino City as a teenage man who seemed to be about 18 years old seemed to be waiting for something; the man had spiky black hair with golden highlights and cobalt blue eyes, he wore a black shirt with red markings, a dark blue overcoat, blue jeans, and brown boots. Satellite resident Yusei Fudo was calmly leaning against his red duel runner as he stood across the street in front of a certain academy waiting patiently for his friend, he looked at his watched seeing the time strike 3:00 allowing him to grin as he heard the chimes of school bells ringing across the courtyard. He looked up from his watch to see the entire student body walk out of the front gates until he found a certain someone he had been waiting for
"Hey Akiza" He called out
Reacting to the shout was a teenage girl who seemed to be the same age as Yusei; she had rose red hair and auburn colored feline shaped eyes, she was wearing the standard Duel Academy uniform which had consisted of a red blazer, white button shirt, black skirt & stocking and red shoes. The girl now known as Akiza looked around to see who called her before noticing Yusei who was smiling and waving at her, she rushed up to him not wanting to keep him waiting any longer
"Hey Yusei" Akiza greeted "What're you doing here?"
"Well I was on my way to my friend's house to hang out until I noticed that I was passing the school, so I decided to make a detour and wait for you to see if you had wanted to come along with me."
Akiza blushed as she smiled "Thanks Yusei I'd loved to come along with you." Her smile faded "I hope you didn't wait long though."
The dark haired boy shook his head "Nah, I've been here for about 10 minutes now." He assured as he took Akiza's schoolbag and gave her his spare helmet in its place "Well if there's nothing else is keeping us here, let's get going."
Akiza nodded as she climbed onto the runner with Yusei and they took off; during the whole ride Yusei and Akiza were in the middle of a conversation
"So how was your whole day Yusei?" Akiza asked as she looked out towards the scenery
"Other than the work calls I've gotten today it was pretty quiet." He replied "So how about you Akiza, how was school?" Yusei asked as they stopped at a red light
The red head shrugged "Same old, same old, nothing new or different; but I did read about something interesting though."
Yusei looked over his shoulder curiously "And what would that be?"
"The Temples of Obliviana"
"Obliviana" Yusei repeated slowly
Akiza nodded as they continued on knowing the light was green "Yeah, I read about how many years ago a series of ancient temples were created on earth as some sort of gift, it was basically the pride and joy of both light and darkness of Heaven and Hell. I read that the temples were created as some sort of offering after some sort of indifference had occurred between the two domains, reason of why it doesn't say though."
"You seem to be pretty into that, do you actually believe in what you had read?" Yusei said somewhat teasingly
Akiza looked away bashfully "Well not all of it" she mumbled "But if there real and still around to this day then I would like to see them, for some reason things like that or anything spiritual and somewhat supernatural have always interested me."
Yusei smiled at her before slowing down to a stop when he saw that they were at their destination; the place that they were at was a nice little place that had the title on top written 'Poppo Time Clock Shop'? Akiza stared confusedly at the place then back to Yusei was got off his runner and started towards the building
"Yusei I thought you we were going to your friend's place?" she called
"Yes I did and we're here"
"But this is a clock and repair shop how could your friends live here?" Akiza asked bewildered
Yusei started grinning madly at his friends confusion almost to the point of breaking down in laughter, to which the red-head schoolgirl glared at him slightly "Sorry, Sorry" he apologized regaining himself "It's just you have the same reaction that I had when I found out that my friends were living here."
He pointed to a building next to the clock shop "You see how that this building is adjacent to the shop?" earning a nod "It's also an apartment building, you see the owner of this clock shop decided to turn part of the extra space into a living quarters as well, don't know why other than her saying that it would be convenient for friends and family member that visited."
"'Her' you know the lady?"
"Well…not directly only through my foster mother Martha." Yusei said as he walked towards the house with Akiza right behind him "Zora is an old friend of hers who visits from time to time, she's a nice caring person most of the time, and the other times-"
"I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU THREE!" Someone from within the house roared completely cutting off Yusei abruptly as well as causing Akiza to jump behind him in surprise and fright
"Not so much…" he mused with a sweatdrop
"Zora come on can't we just-" a second more quieter voice tried to reason by was rudely cut off
"NO I DON'T CARE" the voice now known as Zora yelled "CLOSE TO MARTHA OR NOT MY PATIENCE IS WEARING THIN WITH YOU THREE, THE NEXT TIME SOME CRAP LIKE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN I'M THROWING YOUR ASSES OUT ON THE STREET: NO EXCEPTIONS!"
The door opened revealing an elderly looking lady with grey hair and glasses wearing a blue dress, she slammed the door shut causing the two teens to jump again slightly and rubbed her temples muttering something like boys being the death of her one day. Upon turning to leave she cast her gaze to Yusei and almost instantly her irritated attitude did an immediate 180
"Yusei" she cheered as she rushed up to him completely forgetting any anger she had in her "How are you, it's been a while?"
"I'm fine Zora and yeah it has, but as always I'm just living my life to its fullest extent."
Zora smiled before noticing Akiza behind Yusei "Oh and who's this young lady right here?"
Yusei smiled "Zora this is my friend Akiza Izinski, she goes to New Domino Duel Academy."
Said schoolgirl gave a small wave "Please to meet you"
"Likewise, it's always a pleasure to meet anyone who is a friend of Yusei's." Zora started before glaring at the apartment behind her "Some…more than others."
Yusei sighed a little exasperated at Zora's comment; he knew exactly who Zora was talking about I mean it wasn't a secret to him that Zora hated Jack, Crow, and somewhat resented Bruno with a passion. Now she didn't hate the boys themselves per se, she just hated the fact that they kept on destroying her house; when the three boys had first moved in Jack and Crow had brought their runners with them. Zora had known first hand thanks to Martha that they were duelist moreover riding duelist, so she was expecting to hear loud noises such as engines roaring and stuff like that. What she hadn't been expecting was her house to look like a filthy mechanic garage; when she first came over to check up on them, to say she was shocked at what she saw would have been an understatement. Upon entering the house the place looked like a tornado blew by in there, it didn't help either that an explosion had just occurred due to them trying to create a new engine for their runners. In short ever since that day she had developed some sort bad blood towards them. Yusei snapped out of his thought at the sound of Zora sighing
"Well in any case I ought to be going now." Zora said looking at her wrist watch
"Oh are you heading out?"
"Yeah, I have some errands to take care of; I'll probably be out the whole day." Zora turned and started walking off "Well I won't keep you any longer; take care, Yusei and it was nice meeting you Akiza."
And with that she walked off Akiza turned to Yusei smiled "Zora seems like a nice lady." She said earning a joking shudder from the black haired duelist
"Only when she's not scawy." Yusei said in a playfully childish frightened tone making Akiza giggle "When she's angwy she turns weally, weally mean."
If Akiza thought she couldn't take Yusei pretending to sound like a scared little kid, it was the fact that he was making little horns with his fingers on his head that made her break down in laughter. After getting a few chuckles himself in Yusei straightened up and looked at the apartment building
"Well in any case let's go meet my friends and see what they did to make Zora…"
"Angwy" Akiza teased
Yusei chuckled "Yeah…angwy"
-X-
Far off on the other side of the world on a widespread plain surrounded by a jungle was a monumental sized tan colored ancient temple; on it and the four tall pillars surrounding it were markings that seemed to be a cross between angelic and demonic. The huge tall building standing was none other than the Temple of Obliviana. As the building just remained untouched by anything or anyone, up on a cliff top far from temple was a woman was standing arms folded looking down at the structure. She had long dirty blond hair and a black faceplate mask hiding her features; she wore a pure black armor with gold streaks running around it that only covered her chest leaving her slightly well-toned stomach exposed, an armored skirt with spikes on it, black gloves, and boots, as well as a black cape with a light blue interior: SUPREME QUEEN OF DARKNESS: ASUKA HAOU
The wind blew softly against her hair and bangs and although you couldn't see it Asuka was maintaining a neutral expression on her face, her eyes scanning the temple "So this is the famous Obliviana Temple, it doesn't seem like much." She mused before raising her right hand; from her opened palm a small purple orb began to form growing no larger than to the size of a baseball.
She lobbed the ball at the temple and at first nothing seemed to happen until in a blink of an eye the temple was engulfed in a fiery explosion. When the fire cleared it showed that the building was untouched but a white force field appearing around it; Asuka narrowed her eyes behind the mask at the outcome
"Okay so it's not completely defenseless, no matter" She started before snapping her finger "But let's see if it can protect itself from the inside."
As soon as she said that there was a loud rumbling emitting from under the temple and erupting from the ground simultaneously were four giant purple Cyclops monsters wielding giant stone clubs, each giant looked towards Asuka
"Destroy the pillars" she commanded
With the order registered in their minds the giants slowly turned towards the designated pillars and started to swing their clubs against them. There was a thundering rumble upon impact, small cracks started to form as the markings on the pillars started to glow and fade. As the Cyclops were relentlessly attack the pillars Asuka sensed a presence behind her, not even bothering to look back she sighed somewhat irritably before uttering one word
"Speak"
Behind Asuka a female servant bowed her head in respect before starting "My lady I have just received word from our spies, he has finally been found."
Asuka immediately snapped her head in reaction before turning to face the servant who just continued on "The location on his whereabouts is currently…New Domino City."
Narrowing her eyes behind her mask Asuka walked past the servant before speaking up "Mira"
"Yes?"
"Keep an eye on the temple's progress; once the force field is down, have the forces come and seize claim on it."
"Yes, my queen" the woman now known as Mira replied before heading towards the temple
Asuka lifted her mask slightly revealing her lips and brought her armored index finger and thumb to it giving off a sharp loud whistle, faint sounds of galloping could be heard before a black horse white a white mane and tail jumped and landed in front of Asuka it let out a huge cry before snorting. Unfazed Asuka mounted the steed and headed off into the wide plain
"So you finally decided to show yourself huh…Rathe."
-X-
"Uh Yusei"
"Yes Akiza"
"Do your friends usually live like this?" Akiza asked as she and Yusei stared in the environment they had just walked into
They had walked into the apartment with the intent of warm greeting and possibility of stopping a possible fight (At least Yusei was with the latter.) what they got instead was…well to say they were shocked at what they were seeing was a royal understatement. The whole entire apartment if Poppo Time was utter chaos: most of the furniture were either turned over or destroyed, some windows broken and the rest of the place was cover with ash and soot, many things were scattered across the floor from small pieces of debris to metal parts to what seemed to be part of a runner and to also an adult magazine?
…..Okay then…..
"Not really, but it seems real legit in my opinion." Yusei answered with a sweatdrop
After they finished looking around the apartment they finally they set their sights towards Yusei's friends Jack, Crow and Bruno in the middle of the apartment with Jack and Crow arguing with each other and the Bruno sitting on the flipped over couch. All three of them were so occupied they hadn't noticed Akiza and Yusei come in
"Well Jack, once again thanks and your stupidity you've single-handedly screwed us all." Crow barked towards the blond
"Me, I highly doubt that it's my fault considering that it was your incompetent thinking that started the whole thing in the first place." Jack retorted a little smugly
Crow started fuming "My incompetent…if you had just helped out in the beginning, none of this would have happened!"
"Ahem" Yusei coughed
"I told you already I was helping, you're the one who wanted to get pissy at me for no reason."
"Uh guys?" Yusei called out again
"What help? All you just did read the stupid newspaper and drink your retarded coffee."
"Watch what you say about my coffee Hogan." Jack said dangerously "Less you want me beating your ass all over again."
"Is that a threat Atlas?"
"No it's just me saying that I'm gonna kick your Black-wing ass all over this-"
"HEY!" Screamed the pissed off spiky haired man
Jack and Crow as well as Bruno who was still rubbing his head looked up to see Yusei with an irritated look on his face which changed to a smile as he gave a small wave
"Yo everybody"
"Yusei" Crow called completely forgetting his anger towards Jack
"Hey Yusei glad to see you could make it." Jack smiled as he gave his friend a handshake
"Hey guys, uh…I see we must've have been interrupting something?"
"No you weren't" Crow sighed "The only reason the place looks like this is because of Jack's dumbass."
"I beg to differ; you're the one who started it." Jack retorted
"What happened anyway?" Yusei asked trying to distract them from getting into another argument
Jack and Crow looked at each other, then towards Bruno before looking back at Yusei and speaking in unisons
"Here's how it happened"
Flashback:
Jack, Crow, and Bruno was building a Duel Runner for Bruno, lately the blunette had been getting interested in dueling so everyone had decided to pitch in and build Bruno a duel runner…or a least that's how it started. Now when I say 'Jack, Crow, and Bruno were working on the runner' it was more like Crow and Bruno were building it and Jack…well, he was on the couch drinking his daily coffee while reading the newspaper apparently without so much as a care in the world. That site obviously pissed Crow off as he grew a huge tic mark on his head
"Jack I thought you said you were gonna help us?" He stated his anger blatantly evident
"I am helping… I'm supervising your progress" Jack said eyes still on the paper
Crow looked ready to kill the blond but somehow managed to keep his steadily rising anger in check "You're not even doing that either." He pointed out
Now while it may have looked like Jack was reading his newspaper, he really wasn't. Normally he would be -believe it or not- actually helping out with the runner construction. Because when it comes to dueling he loves and cares for it with a passion, and he loves helping people who are new to it get into the fray. I mean hey, what's the point of being the king if you can't beat your newly peasants every now and then. So the reason why he wasn't helping out; well he felt like annoying crow today, and the only way he can do that…be an ass.
Jack took his eyes off the paper and turned his attention to the fuming orange haired thief and blue haired mechanic who was continuing to on the engine oblivious to everything around him. Not even a full minute passed before he went back to reading
"There you see I supervised." Jack said smugly eagerly waiting Crow's reaction
It was a desired result as Crow had snapped and took a small wrench and threw it towards Jack. It was also at that point Jack picked up his cup and was about to drink his coffee; and while Crow missed his intended target he hit the next best thing that would greatly affect Jack: Jack's coffee. Now if one were to ask what it took to piss of Jack you would be given a handful of replies, such as:
Talking shit about his dueling skills
Damaging his runner
Or even talking trash about his looks and style
But out of all of them there is one you never toy around with; should you choose to do so, it's either saying you're incredibly stupid or you don't value your life anymore. And that one thing is…screwing around with Jack's coffee
Because we all know the golden rule:
'He, who disturbs thy king's coffee, will suffer divine wrath of grand maliciousness from thy king himself.' Or in modern language 'King goes crazy when you fuck with the goods.'
Jack watched stunned as the beverage spilled out of the cracked mug pouring onto his pure white clothing. Silently he calmly put the broken mug down, slowly folded his paper and set it to the side and picked up the wrench that cause the untimely death of his beverage. He breathed heavily out through his nostrils and nodded his head.
A white blur was all Crow could see before he found himself on the ground seeing stars and Jack towering over wrench still in hand moving at speeds that would make Superman seem slow. Bruno who was oblivious to the violence behind was working away at the runner's mainframe
Had the poor man been paying attention he would've noticed the flying wrench that cracked him in the back of his head; and in doing so it started a series of chain reactions. When he got hit, a tool he was momentarily using accidently punctured the engine causing it and the runner to blow up. During the said explosion one of the tires popped off and started flying everywhere.
(A/N: And funny thing about tires; if given enough force it can become a dangerous weapon)
As the tire was bouncing around destroying everything in its path, Jack and Crow were rolling around on the ground fully intent on beating the living hell out of each other. At that (UN) fortunate timing Zora had entered the apartment for a surprise visit/inspection. She had heard loud noises and was wondering what was going on this time. When she saw everything from the destroyed environment to Bruno unconscious next to the bike; to say she was shocked at the sight would've be an understatement. Before she could say anything she ducked her head immediately at the flying tire that nearly took her head off; she stared back at the tire before looking back at the boys with a murderous expression on her face.
"BOYS!" she screamed at the top of her lung
On a dime Jack and Crow stopped their rolling around fist inches from their faces while Bruno woke up holding his head in pain. They saw the royally pissed Zora standing at the top of the stairs and only one thing popped into their mind
'Crap'
-X-
Akiza who had been listening to the whole story had gained a huge sweatdrop on the back of her head 'All of this destruction…over a cup of coffee?'
Yusei meanwhile kept a neutral expression "…You know, at this point being friends with you for as long as I have things like this doesn't really surprise me anymore." He stated truthfully "But the way I see it you're both at fault here. Crow for starting a fight causing all this destruction, and Jack for not helping out and avoiding all of this."
Jack and Crow merely huffed and looked away from Yusei
"Anyway everyone there's someone I'd like you to meet." Gesturing to Akiza, the red head walked up shyly next to Yusei "Everyone this is my friend Akiza Izinski; Akiza these are my close friends Jack Atlas, Crow Hogan, and Bruno."
Akiza smiled and gave a small wave as she looked at all three of the guys, Jack and Crow stared at Akiza bewildered before looking back towards the spiky haired man who just had his arms folded waiting for their reactions. Breaking out of his stupor first Crow jerked a finger at himself giving a toothy grin
"Hey there Akiza, my name is Crow Hogan." The orange haired duelist said then pointed his thumb towards Jack unenthusiastically "The tall idiot next to me is Jack Atlas."
Ignoring the said fuming blond Crow then pointed to Bruno "The blue haired man behind us is Bruno."
Bruno gave a small wave before wincing and going back to tending the bruise on his head. Akiza smiled and greeted them back while Yusei surveyed the damaged. Sighing he took off his jacket and started to pick up some of the broken trash that was scattered around the floor.
"Well, let's get this place cleaned up, everyone grab a broom or start picking up the chairs."
Hearing groans of complaints, Yusei turned to face Jack, Crow, and Bruno "Hey, complain all you want guys, but it's either we get this place cleaned up now; or have Zora when she comes back and scream at you even more; take your pick."
Grumbling incoherently everyone went to different part of the apartment and started on their task, Akiza decided to chip in and help out to make the job go by even faster.
-X-
An few hours had past and after some back-breaking work the place was finally neat and tidy, granted the windows were still broken and the damaged runner was still yet to be taken care of; but at least the Zora wouldn't have any reason to shout, or at the very least reprimand.
"Finally I thought we would never get this done." Akiza sighed laying on top one of the black garbage bag in exhaustion
"We could've been done with this already." Yusei said tying his garbage bag then gave Jack and Crow -who were giving each other death stares- a blank look "That is, if those hadn't get into one of their arguments again."
Finished tying and staring at the clock Yusei sighed and wiped his hands "Well I guess we should call it a day."
Crow fist-bumped his friend "Thanks for stopping by, and for helping out; me and Jack will take care of the garbage bags before we head out for Martha's."
Martha had called earlier while everyone was cleaning and asked if Crow or Jack could help watch the kids at the orphanage while she went out for important business. Crow being the kid loving guy the he was automatically accepted and asked (More like pestered and annoyed) Jack about joining him, which he accepted as well.
"Okay guys; me and Akiza are heading out now." Yusei said as they walked to his runner "Also Bruno I hope you get your head checked out real soon."
"Thanks Yusei I will."
-X-
Jack, Crow, and Bruno waved goodbye to their friends as each of them went off in their own direction, the ride was smooth for Yusei and Akiza as they headed back towards their apartment "So what did you think of my friends?" Yusei asked
The red-headed student smiled "They seemed nice, although they do tend to fight a lot."
Shrugging his shoulder Yusei looked straight ahead smoothly bypassing cars that were in front of him "Trust me when I say you'll get used to it. Almost to a point where you don't really care anymore because it's so ridiculous."
Akiza grimaced as she tightened her grip to fix more comfortably "It can get that bad?"
"Akiza…they fought over ramen one time; a cup…of ramen. They beat each other senseless for two hours…over a cup…of ramen."
Akiza was floored "Uh…Okaay?" she paused not sure how to continue "One of them couldn't have just buy another one?"
Yusei chuckle "Akiza, those two are the epitome of self-vanity; they'd sooner eat their own foot before swallowing their pride and admit defeat."
Laughing at the information, they rode towards their apartment in silence. The sun finally started to go down by the time they reached the front door, upon entering the house the stomach of a certain red-head started rumbling loudly. Brow raised, Yusei looked at Akiza who looked away sheepishly
"Well I see someone's hungry after a hard day's work." Yusei teased earning a puffed-cheek glare from the schoolgirl "I'm feeling grease food, want take out?"
Akiza smiled and shrugged "That's fine with me"
"Okay, then I'm gonna head out. Be sure to hold down the fort."
Akiza gave an over exaggerated mock salute "Aye, Aye Captain"
Yusei smiled and got onto his runner, unaware of the events that were about to take place
-X-
On top of a tall building a man was looking down at the bright city below him. He was a fairly mature looking man around his late 30s, he had dark burgundy red hair and jade green eyes; he wore a pure black suit with a crimson shirt and black, he had a skull ring and was holding a cane with a silver skull handle. The man stared down as the citizen of New Domino went on with their lives: RATHE
Rathe gave an impassive look towards each person, scanning them as if he was a predator stalking his prey. He closed eyes suddenly and put his hand to his ear almost as if he was listening for something and in his case…he was. The faint sound of a gunshot going off rang in his ears and he smiled lowly
"It seems I have found a potential candidate." He mused before disappearing in a blaze of fire
-X-
Yusei Fudo was hurrying back to his house food in tow at almost breakneck speed, well not literally but he was speeding. Yusei had learned in his life that whenever he got take out for him and Akiza he should always be quick about it; because when he took a long time Akiza would get hungry. And people namely him would get hurt when she was hungry. Yusei was so focused on getting home he barely saw a hooded man coming up to the crosswalk and nearly slammed into him
"Jeez, man I'm so sorry, are you alright?" Yusei asked
The hooded man seemed to ignore Yusei and continue on practically unaffected by the fact he could have nearly been killed. Yusei stared at the retreating man for a moment before continue on back to the house. Reaching the house something felt off to Yusei, he walked towards the door ready to knock to signal Akiza to open the door…only to find it already open. His eyes widened, dropping the food he swung the door wide open and paled at the sight in front of him.
"AKIZA"
End of Chapter
Rewrite of my old story, not going to go into it much other than it's a lot better than the first one. To those who read my first version of this story I hope you like the redone version of this and to those reading this for the first time I hope you like the first chapter.
See you next time