Yu-Gi-Oh! Parhelion
An: Welcome. Read. Enjoy?
Disclaimer: *points finger at Konami accusingly* I didn't do it. The Yu-Gi-Oh! series belongs to them, Kazuki Takahashi, and probably an assortment of other companies that I don't know about. Unless otherwise stated, the OCs featured here belong to me. Also do not own the video game referenced by Amalia's cards.
Credit for fanfic cards goes to Scarlet Weather, author of Burning Red and creator of the fabulous~ Burning Red drinking game. *hic*
Chapter One: Hidden, Forbidden
Panting replaced the usual soundtrack, headphones abandoned back at the apartment. Running after dark wasn't really her thing to begin with and no time for distractions. Potential rapists aside, sneaking into school required your full attention. Amalia landed in a heap, muttering viciously at the fence and the laziness of city buses. Damn it. That hurt.
The brunette pushed up, wincing. She huffed, brushing herself off and starting across the courtyard. This was all her damn room-mate's fault. Eva deserved to be locked in a janitor's closet for being such a hateful witch, but Amalia's conscience shrieked in protest, urging the tomboy's feet to shuffle faster. We have that test tomorrow. If I have to stay up for anything it should be study-
"You aren't supposed to be here!" Oh friggin hell! She whirled, panic morphing into a snarl as someone's hand settled on her shoulder. The speaker reeled, face half-familiar and clearly as startled as she'd been a moment ago. He took a hasty step back, tripping.
Amalia raised an eyebrow, expression smoothing. "And who are you? Hypocrite. Move it."
The boy shook his head, trying to climb back up before Amalia stepped around him. "No, no. You've got to go away." The way he said it pushed a wave of unease up her spine, contempt chipping as she realized his fear was genuine. This guy was really over-worried for a simple prank. Evangeline wasn't in actual trouble was she?
"Look, I'm not going to tattle." The brunette was already past the school fountain, unsure of why she'd paused, fingers flexing anxiously. It seemed obnoxiously quiet all of a sudden. Amalia swallowed, neck prickling, and turned to hurry. Not a good idea.
"Wait!" The boy lunged, arms chained around her ankles immediately. Amalia flailed, chin smacking against the ground angrily, reaction typical. The freshman swore, kicking viciously and mentally promising to throw Eva out a window after making sure was okay. The brunette yowled, biting down on the hand trying to clamp around her mouth. "Let me go!"
Do not intrude
Amalia hissed in disgust, shoe half-off and somehow away from freaky guy as she hobbled up the entrance, hand pressing against the school doors.
THIS IS MINE
Amalia jerked, cold crashing down on her as something bounced against the nightstand. Eva brought a fork to her lips, chewing on a waffle concern for her room-mate's shrieking. The brunette tumbled to the floor in a mess of tangled sheets, soaked to the bone and sparing no insult as the bucket finished rolling across the room. "WHAT KIND OF FREAK ACTUALLY DOES THAT?"
"Personal amusement is an important part of my daily breakfast." Her room-mate quipped, setting her plate on the younger girl's dresser and turning to leave. "Third period starts in six minutes."
Amalia stopped short, shock taking place long enough to send her flying over a misplaced hand weight before the closet broke her fall. "WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP EARLIER?"
"Waffles take fifteen minutes in the oven." Eva ignored the brunette's howl, leaving her mess for someone else to clean up. Amalia hissed, muttering a vicious prayer that included blind taxi drivers and a certain upperclassmen to whichever deity might be interested. Six minutes later and Amalia decided that no one was listening, barely catching Eva's shout as she pounded downstairs and through the hallway in search of her shoes. "By the way, the dryer ate your umbrella."
TV static replaced the silence that followed, drowning out Amalia's thoughts on the subject. The tomboy snorted, mouthing at the ceiling hopefully and gesturing towards the living room to try and get her request across one more time.
Lightning cracked across the sky in scolding, wind whipping a sheet of rain straight into the teen's face as she plunged outside.
With the success of Duel Academy and its branch campuses, Kaiba Corporation had decided to establish smaller facilities worldwide. Emphasis was still placed on teaching aspiring duelists the finer points of the game, but it wasn't uncommon for students to enroll in hopes of attracting more scholarships. When the company had expressed an interest in planting its mark on Martel, it had made perfect sense for one of the established private schools in the area to agree to renovation instead of uprooting the parents of potential enrollees.
All in all, it was a dilemma that had been relatively easy to resolve compared to the current one. "Mr. White. I understand that you must still be quite upset, but this is the eighth time you've been in my office since Miss Beaumont decided to transfer."
The speaker looked up from the papers in hand, shuffling them together with a few taps against his desk before setting them aside. The elderly man's expression wasn't unsympathetic, forehead crinkled in genuine concern. "If you can't move past this, I'll be forced to recommend you for expulsion."
"Stop it." Knuckles whitened, jaw twitching violently as the bluenette clenched his teeth. They knew. They knew and were trying to ignore him. "She didn't leave! You know exactly what they did!" The Osiris shook, biting his lip tightly.
The headmaster sighed, eyes closing wearily. "I know that it's hard to accept, Richard. But the matter is closed. For your own sake, please try your best to move on." He didn't expect that to happen, unfortunately. The slacker's usual attitude had been replaced with a frantic, bulldog-like tenacity during the past few days. It wouldn't be long before he was overtaken by it. "I've already repeated myself a dozen times, but I doubt that she would have wanted you getting into trouble on her account. You're excused from classes for today. Go home and try to get some rest if you can."
The boy didn't waste time, stomping away without another word, blinds rattling angrily as the door slammed behind him.
"..." Kryl waited thoughtfully for a moment before addressing the potted shrub on his desk. "These children worry me." The plant rustled sarcastically, earning a sweat drop as the middle-aged man blushed before swatting the leaves angrily. "Hush, you."
"You know it has a point, Grandfather."
"What wretched relatives I'm cursed with." The headmaster complained, chair squeaking as he corrected himself. "Have enough respect to knock."
"My apologies." The newcomer didn't seem very apologetic. Neatly trimmed violet hair and an administrative uniform identified him as one of the staff, eyes closed in amusement while he hovered behind the middle-aged man. "Should I inform Clara that she has an opportunity to redeem herself? Or do you insist on waiting?"
"Why must you be so eager to ask a question you already know the answer to?"
Amalia shivered, shoes squashing as she trudged down the hallway and looking for the entire world like a drowned rat when the bell rang. Students flooded out of the classrooms, chatting with the buddy next to them and ignoring everyone else for the most part. If she could just get to her locker, she'd be safe.
"Your hair looks nice today." Double damn it.
Thomas grinned down at his favorite chew toy, ignoring the glint in her eyes and gnashing of teeth as he poked her shoulder innocently. The blonde wasn't stupid, but he'd stopped fearing her temper a few weeks into the semester. Most of the time. "But wearing white was probably a bad call."
"Shut up, Lech." The underclassman pulled her blazer closed defensively, fighting with the zipper. Her tormentor sighed dramatically, shrugging out of his own jacket and draping it over the girl's head. Amalia growled, ripping it away in a flash and stuffing her own into bag. Yellow seemed too bright compared to the usual red and the sleeves slid over her palms, but she wasn't in any position to complain. "Thanks."
"You could sound more grateful."
"You probably have something horrible planned for me later." The blonde's grin grew wider. Hit the nail right on the head. Amalia bit the inside of her cheek, glancing back at the wall in dread. "What?"
"I'll let you know." If the second bell hadn't rang then, she could have strangled him. The entire morning was starting off wrong and knowing this place, things would snowball. Thomas patted her on the head in mock sympathy, apparently sensing her train of thought and throwing it into overdrive with a chuckle. "Don't worry. It'll end better this time."
Not. Reassuring. The crowd slacked, headed towards next period and Thomas slipped off. Amalia gave a mental sigh, trying to push her worry away for later, and fetched what she needed from her locker before setting off for the principal's office. She'd need a late-notice or Mr. Wallace would never let her in class. "Oh Mighty Murphy, what is my offense?"
The lights flickered ominously, earning a sweat drop and making her freeze. Never mind. Amalia frowned, familiar unease crawling up her back and paused, turning back the direction she'd come. Some straggler gave her a confused look, sipping out of the water fountain near the staircase as she started up it. "It's still closed off up there, you know."
Amalia waved him off. "I'll be careful."
That was good enough. The boy shrugged without a second thought, picking up his bag and heading towards class. Everyone knew that the second floor had been closed off for repairs almost two weeks ago. It didn't stop at least a half-dozen people from tromping upstairs to check things out for themselves. Curiosity had gotten the better of Amalia and her fear only two days after the incident. There wasn't much to look at besides shattered windows and charred rooms.
And a giant hole in the floor. But that wasn't anything to worry about. After all, no one else seemed to notice the freaking thing. Sure there were lunch-room whispers about disembodied voices and something glittering to be overheard, but not a mention of the perfect circles cutting through the bottom of one floor to another. Even in a town full of mentally unstable lunatics, someone really ought to have shown a little concern about that. Maybe put up a barricade or two... why should she have to be the only sane person?
Amalia ducked under the caution tape at the top of the stairs, air catching in her throat as another chill crept over her shoulders, clothes still half-soaked. Should have brought a change. Might have thought of that if someone had woke her up on time.
there wasn't anything to look at up here
It was too weird. Déjà vu wasn't new. She could tack the other night as a dream. Not remembering how it ended helped a lot. But the property damage was an extremely odd coincidence.
there isn't anything up here
Asking Eva wouldn't be very productive. Hateful woman was about as forthcoming as a shark, regardless of whether or not she was joining the rest of the Martel loony bin. Well, at least she wouldn't have to put up with devil-woman if they committed her. That was an upside.
there is nothing to see
Someone else was up here. Amalia blinked, dazed at the realization. "Hey." Great, just when she'd been about to turn back. What kind of weirdo hung around in a burnt-out stairwell? The brunette frowned, half-way raising her hand out of habit despite the awkwardness. Maybe he was a new member of the staff or something? Slacks and a white vest seemed a little overdressed for anything else. "Are you a new teacher?"
".. could look at it that way." The stranger glanced back over his shoulder lazily, too-yellow eyes followed by a hungry smirk. Amalia adjusted her backpack nervously. Okay, time to head back to class now. "And I suppose you're a student. Don't you know this area is off limits?"
Crap. "Um.. well, I guess so."
"That's a shame." The white-haired man sighed, looking disappointed. "So, I can't let you off with a warning."
"No!" Amalia panicked, waving her hands frantically. Memories of the last time she'd been sent to the office because of Thomas flashed through her mind, possible expulsion something she didn't want to face again. "Hang on, you don't have to do that. Really, I won't come back again-I promise!"
"You seem sincere." The teacher rubbed the back of his neck in thought, head tilted back towards the ceiling. Maybe he'd let her off the hook. "But I can't just let you go. I have an idea."
Given how often that phrase led to broken bones, angry senior citizens, and curling into the fetal position Amalia should have known better than to have looked relieved. She remembered a second later, eyebrow raised doubtfully as he slid a duel disk into place. The invitation was clear. "You want to duel over it.." Figured.
"It's better than going to the office isn't it?" He grinned, looking far too much like someone who'd stolen a piece of candy. "You don't even have to win. Just entertain me and I'll consider letting to you leave." He was doing that creepy thing again. Amalia's frown deepened, backpack sliding to the floor as she unzipped it, collecting her own device. "I guess I have to. What's your name again?"
"You can call me Keidan." Both machines beeped, life point counters rolling into place. Keidan's smile remained in place as he drew, taking the first move. "I'll set a monster before passing it to you."
"My draw." Amalia picked up, glancing over her hand as the brown-backed card appeared on her opponent's field. Better to attack then let him set up anything if he hadn't already. "I summon Celestial Spirit - Rat (1300/800) and attack." A broadsword clattered to the floor immediately, heaved upwards by a white ball of fluff a moment later before the rodent in question flipped, slashing its weapon across the card. A scaleless creature yowled before shattering in a burst of pixels, replaced a few seconds later as a bright red egg appeared in its place. "When it's sent to the grave, Masked Dragon (1400/1100) allows me to call another dragon from my deck. But it's still your show right now."
"I'll set two cards facedown. Your move." Amalia frowned, recognizing the dark-colored chick that pushed its head through a new crack in its shell easily enough. "Red Eyes." It didn't stop the brunette's confusion when her life points suddenly dipped, one of the cards in her back row exploding without warning. (4000 - 500 = 3500 Amalia)
"Stamping Destruction deals damage to my opponent and destroys one of their facedown cards." The hatchling let out a squeak as it disappeared, sent to the graveyard before Keidan slapped another monster down in its place. "Now, Summoner's Art to bring a monster to my hand and when my Chick (800/500) is on the field I can use it to special summon a Red Eyes Black Dragon (2400/2000)." The familiar beast emerged with a screech, neck arching proudly as a smaller dragon emerged at its side, lithe and eyes narrowed expectantly with a hungry rattle. "In addition, I normal summon Red Eyes Wyvern (1800/1600). Go."
The rodent on Amalia's side tried to scramble away but didn't stand much of a chance against the much larger foot that landed on top of it. The brunette winced, experiencing a sinking feeling and raising her arm as the second dragon's attack came blazing towards her. Holograms didn't hurt much with the Academy settings, but it was instinct. (3500 - 500 - 2400 = 600 Amalia) "Damn it."
"Watch your mouth." The teacher warned, grin finally disappearing. It hadn't quite fallen into a frown, but the man's eyes said he was anything but pleased. "I set one face-down and end my turn. You're not providing much of a challenge, Miss Walker."
"..." The brunette licked her lips, drawing with a swallow. That didn't sound good. Great. This place was paradise for any psychologist wanting a case-study, but she didn't want to get kicked out of the mad house. Something about that prospect seemed a little shameful. "I flip Mystical Space Typhoon." Amalia readied her next play as a whirlwind tore through the teacher's face-down card, summoning another monster. "Celestial Spirit - Ox (1500/1000) increases the attack of all Celestial Spirit monsters on the field by four-hundred points, including itself."
Keidan's frown lightened, still unconvinced at the bull that arrived, tossing its head in annoyance. It shared the same white and red color-scheme as the monster before it, stamping its foot impatiently. "Go on."
"Hmph." Amalia felt a grin of her own coming out, raising a pair of cards to view. "I can remove Rat from the grave to give one Celestial Spirit its effect until the end phase. And Different Dimension Reincarnation special summons one of my removed from play monsters in exchange for a card from my hand! Rat's (2200/800) up first, destroy Wyvern!" The rodent reappeared, chattering angrily before it rushing up to its destroyer and whapping the dragon overhead with the blunt side of its blade. Ox (2400/1000) let out a bellow soon after, charging towards the Red Eyes (2400/2000) despite the inferno building between the creature's jaws, both creatures disappearing as fire washed over the field. (4000 - 400 = 3600 Keidan)
"Your monster gets a power boost when it attacks." Keidan noted, answered with a nod. The white haired man drew. "I activate another Stamping Destruction to destroy your equip card." (600 - 500 = 100 Amalia) The student's face fell immediately as her monster disappeared again, leaving her wide open. "Other than that, I set two cards face-down. End turn."
Amalia twitched, mumbling. "I'll set a monster in defense. End turn."
"Come on now, Miss Walker." Keidan shook his head. "I'm not going to turn you in if you lose. But if you don't put up a fight, this is going to have been a horrible waste of time." An innocent looking baby dragon twirled through the air cutely, wide eyes watching the scene curiously. (300/200) "At least try to convince me you're worth keeping here."
".. draw." Damn it, this was why she didn't like wagering important things on a card game. Well, here was her shot. "I activate the magic card Roll of Fate!" A die fell through the air between the duelists, bouncing around haphazardly until it eventually rolled to a stop. Four dots blinked cheerfully before disappearing. Amalia pulled four cards from her deck, discarding the same amount quickly. "Here I go, Celestial Spirit - Tiger!" (1900/1200) The air shook with a roar as the great cat crashed into view, snarling eagerly. "Any battle damage he deals is halved, but I can remove the Celestial Spirit - Phoenix I just discarded to double that. I'll play Wild Nature's Release and then remove Rat and Ox again as well! Attack! Claw of Onslaught!" (4000/1200)
"When it's attacked, Decoy Dragon (300/200) lets me summon a high-level dragon from my grave and switch the target." Keidan explained, a screech that was familiar by now stealing the Tiger's attention as Red Eyes burst out of the ground with a protective glint in its eyes. The feline hissed in confusion, pivoting as a powerful tail swept through the space where it'd just been, before falling on the larger dragon. (3600 - 1600 = 2000 Keidan)
"That's fine! Tiger's effect activates when it destroys a monster, it can attack one more time!" (2000 - 1600 = 400 Keidan) Red Eyes clawed its way back onto the field in time to disappear again, thrashing wildly and earning a terrified squeak from Decoy Dragon before its protector shattered. Tiger roared in satisfaction while its owner set another facedown, before shattering as well. Another snarl snuck into existence, a winged lion-like monster stretching out. (2300/1000) "When its sent to the graveyard, I can discard a Beast from my hand to revive Manticore of Darkness. Back to you, professor."
"Teacher." Keidan corrected, drawing. "And it seems like you have a little strength, after all. But the game comes to a close now." The white haired man pressed a button on his duel disk, trap card swinging open as a hellish dragon with crimson eyes rose up yet again. "Birthright revives a normal monster in my cemetery for as long as it remains face-up. Red Eyes (2400/2000) take down her monster and finish this."
"W-why didn't you use that before?" Amalia felt her nose wrinkle, temper flaring. The brunette clenched her fist, biting down. He was messing with me? Or just feeling sorry? The sight of an inferno forming urged her to put the thought aside, attention snapping back to the present. "Trap card, open! Spirit Force!" (100 Amalia)
"You negated the damage." Keidan set another card from his hand, revealing the last one. "But this match is over. I active Nobleman of Crossout. Spirit Force lets you add a tuner to your hand, but without another monster, it's useless."
Amalia's heart fell. Crap. He didn't sound happy about it, either. The guy had said she didn't need to win, but the expression on his face didn't seem very reassuring. The brunette bristled, defensive. Damn it to hell. "My draw!" Keidan's eyebrows raised at the smirk on his opponent's face, mirroring the sudden change as his own grimace lifted. "Here we go! I summon Celestial Envoy!" (700/250) Amalia cheered at the sight of a rather small ball of green light bouncing up and down enthusiastically. "And by removing two of the monsters in my graveyard, I'm going to special summon Celestial Spirit - Beast of the Brush!" (2500/2100)
"Looks like you lucked out."
"Yeah!" Amalia grinned, pointing at the red under glow spreading across the ceiling, a long howl drowning out the Envoy's excited yips before a white wolf came crashing down onto the floor with a yelp-like yawn. "But that doesn't change what I'm about to do! Level three, Celestial Envoy! Level seven, Beast of the Brush! Tuning!" The Envoy gave a whoop, surrounded by a series of rings as it bounced towards its long-time friend and dispersing into a set of three stars once it hit the wolf's muzzle. "Mother to the stars, lift this oppressive shadow! Synchro Summon! Shine brightly, Wild God of the Heavens!" (2800/1800)
In a brilliant burst of multi-colored flame that washed over the wolf's back, its head was thrown back in another triumphant howl. The creature's fur started to shine, silver a stark contrast against the dark dragon glaring down at it. "When Wild God's on the field, I can pay half my life points to flip three coins. I can bounce set cards equal to the number of heads I get back to their owner's hand." A trio of golden coins appeared on the field, spinning. "Also, Wild God gains two hundred attack for my removed from play Celestial Spirits." (3800/1800)
"Very well. Good job, Miss Walker." Keidan smiled, arms crossed in satisfaction. The white-haired man's duel disk beeped, trap card sweeping open. "I chain Burst Breath to your monster's effect and tribute my Red Eyes to destroy all monsters with defense less than his attack."
"F-" Wild God blinked, giving a confused grunt before it abruptly disappeared. Amalia paled, rubbing her neck self-consciously before a fireball exploded against her forehead. "..." (0 Amalia)
Keidan ran a hand over Decoy Dragon's horns, the creature crooning affectionately at being petted. "In my end phase, I could revive Red Eyes with Wyvern's effect... but that was worth the look on your face."
It was even louder with the foul-mouth absent. Music pounded through much abused speakers while Eva lounged on the sofa, terrified screams cutting through the living room as the TV blared at full volume. To her credit, the older teen could hear the doorbell ringing perfectly well. It just didn't mean she was obligated to get up and go answer it when she'd almost been asleep. "No one's home right now."
The dark haired girl rolled over in annoyance as someone continued to press the bell, fishing the remote out from between the cushions, the sound of a chainsaw revving joining with the other noises.
Rather quickly, the visitor stopped knocking.
"Your barriers never work." Eva pointed out after them, readjusting herself again. It wouldn't be good if the idiot got too involved, but there didn't seem to be any helping it. There was still that boy to deal with too. "He's probably going to get himself killed."
He'd broken their promise. Been absolutely useless.
weakling
Richie bit his lip, hands balled inside pockets and staring up at the closed-off corridor intently.
liar
It wasn't his fault. Not his fault.
coward
The young man flinched, turning away from the staircase and starting back down the hallway.
Fake Cards:
Celestial Spirit – Rat
Light Lv 4 1300/800
When this card attacks during the battle phase, it gains 500 attack. You can remove this card in your graveyard from play to select one "Celestial Spirit" monster you control. The selected monster gains this card's effect until the end phase.
Celestial Spirit - Ox
Light Lv4 1500/1200 Beast
While this card is face-up on the field, all "Celestial Spirit" monsters gain 400 attack points. You can remove this card in your graveyard from play to select one "Celestial Spirit" monster you control. The selected monster gains this card's effect until the end phase.
Celestial Spirit - Tiger
Light Lv 4 1900/1200 Beast
When this card destroys a monster as a result of battle, it may attack once more during the Battle Phase. This card may not attack more than twice using this effect. Battle damage this card inflicts to the opponent is halved. You can remove this card in your graveyard from play to select one "Celestial Spirit" monster you control. The selected monster gains this card's effect until the end phase.
Celestial Spirit – Phoenix
Light Lv4 1200/1200 Wined Beast
During your turn, when this card battles an opponent's monster, you can send one card from your hand to the graveyard. If you do, damage from that battle to your opponent is doubled. You can remove this card in your graveyard from play to select one "Celestial Spirit" monster you control. The selected monster gains this card's effect until the end phase.
Celestial Envoy
Earth Lv3 700/250 Warrior/Tuner
During your Main Phase, add one Celestial counter to this card. (max. 2) You may tribute this face-up card to return a number of "Celestial Spirit" monsters from your removed from play pile to your graveyard equal to the number of counters on this card.
Celestial Spirit - Sacred Beast of the Brush
Light Lv7 2500/2100 Beast
You can remove up to 2 'Celestal Spirit' monsters in your graveyard from play to reduce the number of tributes required to tribute summon this monster by that amount. When this card gains the effect of a 'Celestial Spirit' monster that has been removed from play, it retains that effect after the end phase. When this card battles, you can send a 'Celestial Spirit' monster from your deck to the graveyard.
Wild God of the Heavens
Light Lv10 2800/1800 Beast/Synchro
1 'Celestial' Tuner + 1 Celestial Spirit – Beast of the Brush
You can pay half of your life points to flip three coins. When you do, return a number of set magic or trap cards on the field equal to the number of heads to their owner's hand. This card gains two-hundred attack points for every Celestial Spirit in your removed from play pile.
Endnote: This was proof-read several times, but it probably should have stayed on my desktop a while longer. Then Okamiden came out today. I can't afford it. My obssessive tendencies kicked in. Also, Decoy Dragon should have been destroyed when Keidan used Burst Breath. However, if Amalia can topdeck a god then Keidan can probably topdeck my pitiful attempt at comic relief. ^^;;; Hope you enjoyed it. See you next time.