This is a continuation of A New Student a New Power set in the Zexal universe. I hope that you enjoy it.
Aaron looked over the edge of the boat on to the ocean which seemed quiet as the boat sped by. "So where are we headed kid?" The captain asked looking at the boy.
"The closest populated port." Aaron responded as he continued looking outward. He had no desire to return home, and he felt this would be the time for him to explore and learn while trying to find a place to fit in for a while. The captain nodded his head and plotted the course. Soon enough, Aaron was docked off a small tropical island in the south. The captain left once Aaron was on shore and everything with customs had been cleared.
"So what are we going to do here?" Encryption asked.
"We're going to explore. Maybe learn a few things while we're here." Aaron said putting the phone away while a small boy with a duel disk ran up to him.
"I challenge you to a duel!" The boy said powering on his duel disk. Aaron did the same. "I should tell you that on this island we play for each other's decks." The boy said drawing his cards while the duel stated with 4000 life points each. Aaron nodded his head agreeing to the rules while the boy started his turn. "I play one monster facedown and then I play Book of Taiyou to flip it over and reveal Cobra Jar. Now I can summon a Poisonous Snake Token in face up defense mode. Now I play Book of Moon and flip it facedown and I'll play another Book of Taiyou to flip it over and summon another Poisonous Snake Token. I'll play one card facedown and end my turn.
Aaron drew his card and looked at his hand. "I play Mystical Space Typhoon and destroy your facedown." Aaron smiled watching the facedown trap get destroyed. I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight, and I'll have him attack your Cobra Jar." Aaron watched as the monster was destroyed and the boy's life points fell down to 2800. "I play two cards facedown and end my turn."
The boy drew his card. "I tribute my tokens to summon Big Koala in attack mode, and I'll have him destroy your Gearfried. I'll end my turn." The boy smiled as he watched Aaron's monster get destroyed and his life points fell down to 3100.
Aaron drew his card and knew that his victory was assured. I play Monster Reborn and bring back Gearfried the Iron Knight. I'll activate my trap, Stronghold and summon it as a monster with 2000 defense in faceup defense position. I tribute Stronghold and Gearfried to summon Emes the Infinity. I'll equip him with Sword of the Orichalcos and sacrifice 3000 life points to give Emes 6000 more attack points. Emes, finish this!" Aaron shouted clutching his chest as he watched the boy's Big Koala get destroyed and his life points fall to zero.
The boy sighed as he powered off his duel disk and walked over to Aaron. He removed the deck and handed it to him. "Here." He mumbled. Aaron took the deck and put it in his bag while a girl wearing a short floral dress with tanned skin and long dark hair ran over to the boy.
"Kiaku, did you lose another duel?" She asked kneeling beside the boy who nodded his head almost in tears. "Come on, we can get you a new deck from the elder." She comforted him while she turned to Aaron. "I'm sorry if my baby brother caused you any trouble. My name is Mako." She said standing up and looking at Aaron.
"It's fine. I have a new deck now." He responded.
"I can tell that you're an outsider. Please, come with us to the elder. He loves to meet travelers." She said motioning for him to follow her as they walked towards a village. At the northern end of the village was a large compound with two guards armed with duel disks and spears standing outside.
"Mako, what brings you here with an outsider?" One of the guards asked acknowledging Aaron's prescence.
"Kiaku lost another duel, and I'm sure the elder would like to meet our guest." She said motioning to Aaron. The guard nodded his head as he allowed them to enter the compound. An elderly woman wearing a long robe sat at a table and said nothing as she motioned for the group to take a seat.
"Mako, you brought me a guest, and your brother who I assume lost another duel." She said staring at the small boy who shyly nodded his head. The elder sighed as she reached in to her robe and produced a deck which she handed to the boy. "Try not to lose this one."
"Thank you elder." The boy said excitedly running from the tent.
"He's so impulsive. If he doesn't slow down and learn to duel, he's never going to mature in to a strong man like his older brother. Ero is such a talented young man." She said recalling old memories. "Mako, if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to our guest alone." Mako nodded her head and bowed before exiting the compound. "So what brings you to our small island? Not a tourist, you're too young and serious for that. Plus, we don't take kindly to them. Perhaps just a lonesome traveler trying to find himself?"
Aaron nodded his head astonished by the elder's accuracy. "Well this island is a wonderful place to start. Distractions from the outside world do not come here often, and a duelist certainly has a place in our society. Our ancestors have dueled for centuries, even in times of the pharaoh. In those times, we took the souls of the losers. Over time, traditions have evolved and now the victor takes the loser's deck. The deck is part of the duelist. Their hearts and souls are linked to them. Therefore, taking one's deck is like taking a piece of their very being. Please pardon my rambling."
"It's fine." Aaron responded.
"Well, if you seek to find something in yourself on this island and beyond. I suggest you make the trek to the temple located deep within the jungle. Several duelists train and hone their skills on this trek, but I would be lying if I didn't tell you that the journey is no joke. It is difficult and very dangerous." She explained. "But I see that you wield what appears to be the Orichalcos. Now before you go questioning me, I've been around for a while, and I've seen all sorts of strange artifacts and powers. I've even used some of them. Now go get going. You're young and full of life. The jungle temple awaits you."
"Thank you." Aaron said bowing to her heading for the exit.
"Oh, wait." She said running over to him. "Please take this as a symbol of our friendship." She said putting a bracelet on his arm with several dark beads and a few charms on it. "This bracelet is made from volcanic ash along with the charms which are carved from the bones of this island's animals."
"Thank you, but why do you consider me a friend all of a sudden?" Aaron asked looking at the bracelet and then the elder.
"I can sense that you have a good heart. I wish you the best of luck, and know that with that bracelet, the spirit of the island is with you."
"Thank you." Aaron responded before leaving the compound. "I don't know what that old bat sees in me. I haven't exactly been doing much good." Aaron thought to himself before walking off towards the jungle.
Aaron walked about halfway through the jungle when a boy stopped him. "I'm not letting you get to the jungle, outsider." He said powering on his duel disk.
"Let's go." Aaron said powering on his duel disk with the duel starting at 4000 life points each. "Allow me to start. I play Wave Motion Cannon and with every passing turn I put a counter on it. I play one card facedown and end my turn."
"You should never leave the field open like that." The boy smirked drawing his card. "I discard Pinecono from my hand to special summon Acorno, but now Pinecono's effect kicks in and allows me to special summon it from my graveyard. Now, I'll play two Harmonic Waves and level up my weak little monsters to level four. Now for you to meet one of the beasts of the jungle. I overlay Acorno and Pinecono to XYZ summon Diamond Dire Wolf. Diamond Dire Wolf, attack him directly!" Aaron winced as he took 2000 points of damage as they boy ended his turn.
Aaron drew a card and looked at his hand. "An XYZ monster, I've never seen one of those." He thought to himself looking at his hand and then the field. "I summon Slate Warrior in attack mode and play one card face down. Your move."
"This duel is mine." The boy said smugly as he drew his card. "I summon Gazelle King of Mythical Beasts. I activate Diamond Dire Wolf's ability. By using one overlay unit and tributing a beast monster on my field, I destroy your Slate Warrior. Now Diamond Dire Wolf, finish him!" He shouted.
"Not so fast. I activate my trap, Call of the Haunted and bring back my Slate Warrior." Aaron let out a sigh of relief as the monster was destroyed and he only lost 100 life points. He also saw the wolf's attack and defense fall by 500 points. The boy ended his turn while Aaron drew his card. "I summon Neo the Magic Swordsman and I command him to attack your wolf." Aaron ended his turn with the boy's life points at 3800, his at 1900, and his Wave Motion Cannon having two counters on it.
The boy drew his card. "I summon Berserk Gorilla, and I'll have him destroy your swordsman like the jungle always defeats invaders." He smiled watching Aaron's monster get destroyed and his life points fell down to 1600.
Aaron drew his card. "I play one monster facedown and end my turn. All I need is this turn, and I win."
"It's too bad you won't get that far." The boy chuckled drawing his card. "I summon another Berserk Gorilla and order it to attack your facedown." Aaron's card flipped over to reveal Gearfried the Iron Knight which was destroyed. "Now to finish you, Beserk Gorilla, finish this!" The boy smiled knowing that his victory was assured, but he looked over to see Aaron who was still standing there with all of his life points.
"I discard my Kuriboh to make the battle damage from your gorilla zero." The boy ended his turn knowing that he was finished. Aaron drew his final card and gazed at Emes the Infinity. "I activate Wave Motion Cannon and end this duel!" Aaron called out watching the boy's life points get reduced to zero. He walked over to him once the duel ended and received the boy's deck as well as some helpful advice.
"Take the path to the left to the temple." He instructed walking off looking slightly dejected. Aaron proceeded toward the temple feeling tired from walking nonstop. He reached in to his bag and grabbed a bottle of water and took a few sips before getting back up and walking towards the temple.
When he finally got to the temple, he looked at the ruined stone building in awe. "This place is incredible." He thought to himself as he climbed the steps and walked inside. Sunlight could be seen flowing in from cracks in the ceiling as he walked a bit further in to the temple.
He was startled when a voice spoke. "Welcome, outsider. You have come far. My name is Ero." Aaron turned around to see a boy about his age, maybe a little older clad in a sapphire blue cloak with the hood down revealing a pair of vibrant green eyes and a very calming appearance. "I have come for a duel." He said powering on his duel disk which looked like it was made from part of a tree. "I am one with this jungle, and this duel will demonstrate our bond."
Aaron powered on his duel disk as the duel began with 4000 life points each; he would be going first. "I summon Gil Garth in attack mode. Your move."
Ero drew his card. "Very well then. I summon one monster in facedown defense position and end my turn."
Aaron drew his card. "Let's get this duel started now. Gil Garth, attack his facedown!" Aaron watched the card flip over to reveal Hyena.
Ero chuckled. "Now the power of the jungle shall arise as I summon two Hyenas from my deck." Aaron played one card facedown and ended his turn as Ero began his. "Come on out Bachibachibachi! Now for my true power to emerge, I overlay Bachibachibachi and my two Hyenas to XYZ summon Tri-Edge Levia. By giving up one overlay unit your Gil Garth loses 800 attack and any abilities it has are negated and Bachibachibachi's ability makes Tri-Edge Levia's attacks do piercing damage, so defense mode won't do you much good." Aaron cringed as he watched his life points fall down to 3200 while Ero played one card facedown and ended his turn.
Aaron drew his card and smiled at the fond memory in his hand. "I play one monster in facedown defense position along with one card facedown. Time for me to take this duel up a notch." He said with a smile.
"If this is your best, you better be ready for your defeat. I summon Gazelle King of Mythical Beasts. Attack his face down, Gazelle!" Ero watched the card flip over to reveal Giant Soldier of Stone and cringed as his life points fell down to 3500. He ended his turn while Aaron began his.
"I summon one monster in facedown defense position. If your last turn taught you anything, you won't attack." He ended his turn glaring at Ero who drew his card.
"I tribute my Gazelle to summon Curse of Dragon. I play one card facedown and end my turn." Ero played it safe fearing Aaron's facedown.
Aaron had a devious smiled on his face drawing his card. "You should have called my bluff. It was Kuriboh. I tribute my Kuriboh and my Giant Soldier of Stone to summon my ace, Emes the Infinity! Emes attack and destroy his Tri-Edge Levia!"
Ero didn't show any fear. "I activate my Levia's ability by giving up one overlay unit. Now both of our monsters will be destroyed. You should have thought before making that move."
Aaron smiled. "I've been planning it. I activate my facedown, Rush Recklessly and give my Emes an extra 700 attack." He watched Ero's monster get destroyed and his life points fall down to 2800. "I equip Emes with Fragment of the Orichalcos and end my turn."
Ero began his turn. "I'm not stopping yet. I play Polymerization and fuse Curse of Dragon and Gaia the Fierce Knight in my hand to summon Gaia the Dragon Champion and I summon one monster facedown and end my turn."
Aaron drew his card. "Let's finish this duel now. I summon Servant to the Orichalcos and perform contact fusion to summon Emes Guardian of the Orichalcos." The monster with 3000 attack and 2700 defense arose glowing as he was plated in the Orichalcos stones. "I equip Emes with Sword of the Orichalcos and give up 3100 life points and he gains 6200 along with the difference in our life points because of his ability making his attack 11900. Emes Guardian of the Orichalcos, finish this with Orichalcum slash!" Aaron watched Ero's Gaia fall in defeat as it was destroyed and his life points fell down to zero.
Ero cringed in disbelief at his loss. "I couldn't have lost. I want a rematch. Right here! Right now!"
"Ero, that's enough." A voice echoed as a shadow shrunk until the village elder stood there looking at the two boys. "Ero, you lost. Give Aaron your deck and be done with it."
Ero sighed and nodded his head as he walked over to Aaron and handed him his deck. "Please take good care of it."
Aaron nodded his head and put the deck in his bag. "Thank you for the duel. I promise to give these cards a new start."
"Okay, Aaron, please come with me now." The elder touched a panel on the wall and watched as it slid open. "The island spirits have communicated to me that you are worthy to observe the wonders of the universe. Aaron reluctantly followed her inside and saw a golden colored portal waiting at the end of the corridor. "Beyond this gate is a universe of order and chaos in their purest forms. Go forth and accept the power granted to you."
Aaron nervously walked forward and stepped through the portal where he was floating in between two worlds while a voice spoke. "Young duelist, the order of the Orichalcos has brought you great success, but you must learn the balance to truly be successful." The scenery shifted as Aaron was above a white tundra. "This is Astral World, a place of pure order. Everything is under control and nothing is left to fate. Your dueling is adept in order." The scenery shifted once more to a red tundra with crystal formations popping up every now and again. Aaron was close enough where he grabbed one of the crystals which was glowing while he put it in his pocket. "This is Barian World, a world ruled by chaos and destruction. Neither of these worlds were stable until they finally came together to form one world of balance. You must learn to control the balance to master the art of dueling. Use this knowledge to guide your future."
Aaron was immediately transported back to the temple. "You have heard the words of the Numeron Code, the source of the universe itself. I wish you could stay with us longer and learn, but you must go. I have arranged you a flight to Heartland City. You may find something of value there." She said winking at Aaron who smiled briefly at her.