Chapter 1: The Story Begins
Hello Evryone, to anyone who may have been paying attention to my Starving Predator fanfiction, you may know I've been planning on doing a Zarc/Ray prequel, well here it is. This is the 1st chapter that features Zarc's rise as a hero, his inevitable turn to darkness, and the birth of the Supreme King Dragon. I hope you guys enjoy it. :)
(The Original Dimension: 18 Years Ago)
Lightning flashed through the dark sky, as the surviving army group made its way through the destroyed city. There were fires in several areas, and almost everything had been reduced to charred and broken slabs of rubble. The military and surviving duelists were working together to stomp out the monsters responsible for this catastrophe, dragons to be more exact. Led by a demon duelist, these dragons wanted to bring destruction on humanity out of vengeance of humanity's vices, not that many people knew that. As the militia and duelists hid behind several fallen houses in what was once a thriving city, one of them radioed another group at another block to move in and advance on the target that was walking down the street, his 4 dragons guarding him. The plan was to have the best remaining duelists hold back the dragons. Defeating this devil was out of question, he had reigned as champion for a reason. However, they could open him up to the militaries weapons. If he shot down and his duel disk destroyed, the dragons would vanish, and the nightmare that humanity had brought upon itself would be over. "Delta Squad 2 is in position. Squad's 3 and 4, be ready to attack his flank." The commander whispered.
"Yes sir, we're ready." The sergeants on the other line reported.
"Excellent, live or die, I'd like you to know that it was an honor leading you." Hearing his comrades' retort the same, the older man smiled before turning off the com-link. He turned around, "Alright, remember, we've only got one shot at this. We have to get his attention and surprise his dragon's so that we can land a successful ambush. We may die, but if we can hold them back long enough for our comrades to end this, it will be worth it. Are you ready?" He asked. At the sight of their nods, he let himself grin one last time, "Then let's end this."
As the duelist continued his walk through the charred city, the duelist militia made their ways towards him quietly, only for him to stop and turn in their direction, "You can come out now. I know you're there. Show yourselves and I'll give you the 1st turn." The white dragon on his right turned and snarled at where they were hiding, only for the white haired duelist to raise an arm, "Easy there girl, let them come out." When the duelists of that squad eventually left the cover of some fractured slabs of concrete, he smiled. "And just when I was worried everyone lost the nerve to fight."
"Your twisted games end here Zarc!" One of the teenagers roared and summoned his Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman, followed by his comrades who summoned Desperado Barrel Dragon, Stardust Warrior, and Infernoid Tierra.
"That's rich coming from you Drayden. But from the looks of it, you guys are playing for keeps. Good…so am I." Zarc responded, and had the purple dragon on his right confront them, "Take care of this rabble Starve Venom." The abominable cross of twisted nature and a dragon came forth, ready to destroy the king's enemies. Behind him, several more duelists and soldiers appeared, their monsters set to attack the dragons that stood to guard their master from any projectiles. "It looks there's no holding back, now why don't you end me like the hero you say you are, O slayer of dragons." Zarc spat.
Equipping his Destroyer Swordsman with Wizard Buster, Drayden roared, "You'll pay for everything you demon!" With that, his swordsman raced forth and cut Starve Venom to pieces. "Take that!" Drayden then grit his teeth as the smoke cleared and Zarc was completely fine. "Damn, how did you survive?!"
"It's a little thing called Kuriboh, lets me send it from my hand to the graveyard to make the damage 0. Also, since Starve Venom just bit the dust, it's safe to assume you know what comes next." Zarc said with a nonplussed expression as the storm began to pick up from where the dragon was.
Drayden grinned, "I know, Destroyer negates the effects of the dragons on your field, not in the graveyard, but thanks to my equipped Wizard Buster, monsters in your graveyard can't activate their effects, so your dragon's venom is gone!" His proud smile faltered when Zarc chuckled, "What's so funny?!"
"Do you think that you foolish humans can stop…the Malevolent Catastrophe…you brought about?" Zarc grinned as Drayden's eyes widened, lowering them to look at the trap at Zarc's feet, Malevolent Catastophe, which destroyed all Spells and Traps on the field as soon as he attacked. In his rush he hadn't noticed it. "Now die with the rest of your kind, Venomous Vengeance!" Zarc roared as the typhoon of malicious poisonripped through the opposing monsters and duelists, passing off Zarc and the other 3 dragons harmlessly. As he stared at the fallen warriors, Zarc scoffed, "Barely worth my time." He then looked at the enemy beasts and duelists that had supplied, "Anyone else?"
From afar atop another building, Delta Squad 2 readied their rocket launchers as they saw Zarc and his dragons have their backs turned. Without Starve Venom, Zarc was open to an attck from behind, they needed to take this chance now while his other dragons were still busy with the remaining monsters. Readying their aim, they fired, and Zarc quickly turned his head around the moment they fired. When the smoke cleared, the soldiers gasped as they saw Starve Venom rematerialized and covering an unharmed Zarc, who hadn't turned at all as he eyed them warily. They then noticed a strange blue mage with a cape hovering over the bodies of the 4 dragons and their master. The sorcerer had a strange staff along with circular markings that seemed to mark the stars above its head.
"Astrograph Magician's effect was triggered following the death of Starve Venom, enabling me to summon it as well as revive the dragon." Zarc then snapped his fingers and the magician raised its staff which glowed, causing the squad to appear before Zarc. "So these are the cowards that hide." His gaze hardened as his simmering hatred began to boil and come to the surface. "Were any of you part of the group that killed Ray?" He snarled.
"Wh-what?!" One of them asked out of wonder.
"DON'T LIE TO ME!" Zarc roared, his façade of calmness breaking, before he reeled it in, and quietly snarled. "This isn't the 1st time you've tried something underhanded in the weeks following the beginning of your end. The last time ended Ray, did any of you have a part in it?"
Slowly, one of the soldiers raised an arm, and Zarc eyed him with a gaze no one could identify. "I didn't fire the blast at the stadium that day. It was someone else. We were trying to blast you, but he got impatient and fired while that girl was still there."
Drayden slowly lifted his head in shock, if there was anyone in the world that could reach Zarc's heart, it would've been Ray. He had believed Zarc had beaten her when he saw her broken form, which her father refused to accept and was keeping he body in a near catatonic/comatose state while he attempted to use RSV to heal her. But in truth, he hadn't, and was grieving her end.
Zarc spat in the soldiers face, "You fools disgust me." He then drew a card before calling out, "Dark Rebellion, use your overlay units and make the strength of our enemies your own! Treason Discharge!" Zarc called out as the black fanged dragon trapped several monsters in webs of lightning, transmitting their energy into itself. "Magic Card, Diffusion Wave-Motion! Now Astrograph Magician will slay all the opposition, Dimensional Wave Slash!" The Magician raised its staff once more, and several slashes of light pierced all the monsters, ending them. He then stared at the humans surrounding him as his wizard faded, "End them." Zarc said emotionlessly as he walked away.
"Z-Zarc…" Zarc turned around to see Drayden rising from the dirt, "Please, just stop this. You don't have to do this." Drayden begged his former rival turned enemy.
"For the sake of the Duel Monsters, as their Supreme King…I must do this." Zarc replied.
"Zarc, I don't know what you're talking about, but think about Ray, would she want you to do this!?"
Zarc simply turned around, "It doesn't matter anymore…she's gone. I've made up my mind, now farewell." He then walked away as Odd-Eyes launched a blast of fire that consumed Drayden. The memories of his mother and Ray ate at his soul. Tears nearly gave way which Zarc forced back…they were gone, crying couldn't bring them back. Ironic, his pain and rage over their ends had produced the power that could've saved them. It seemed fate enjoyed holding him by a noose, tantalizing him with the love and warmth he wanted so badly, only to end with lies, and broken hope. In the end however…he now had a power, unlike anything he ever felt before, and he could feel it. Astrograph Magician was just the doorway to unlock the true Supreme King within him. Soon, he would unlock it. Then he would show this foolish race the power and death they had lusted for so badly.
The days continued, and the dragon's siege upon humanity continued. Militia and people from all around the globe came to fight him. Like ants against dinosaurs, they were squashed with ease. No one could ever defeat Zarc in battle. "Especially since their own Duel Monsters stand by me." Zarc commented while standing with Odd-Eyes Dragon. "The Duel Monsters cry out for revenge on humanity. They side with us. And as their king, how could I fail?"
As time went on, Zarc found himself back in the broken remains of the stadium where he'd been forced to provide barbaric fights for their sick amusement. His 4 dragons gave out mighty roars and Zarc chuckled. "You guys too huh, it's still not enough…to satisfy us." He let out a crooked smile, "I grow tired of this humanity. This pathetic skin and flesh of mine only reminds me of their foolish ignorance, and all the pain it's brought me. Let us become one of flesh and bone, so that we may never feel so alone. With this we will gain ultimate power, and bring humanity to its final hour!" Zarc laughed as he drew Astrograph Sorcerer and raised the card which began to glow a white light. "My dragons…my friends…my family, with this we will be one and the same!" Zarc let out a mad laugh as his dragons roared into the heavens above…
This was not how the story was supposed to go…The Supreme King was meant to be the messiah that protected both the Duel Monsters and humans from eternal woe. However, destiny had different plans. In the ancient, older days, The Dominion of the Beasts and humanity coexisted in harmony. The power of Duel Monsters enabled humans to gain knowledge of power, while it was the human spirit that kept the sprits bounded to the mortal world. Many people knew of the monsters, but few could see and manifest the spirits. Those that could were either destined for incredible good or evil.
The ancient struggle has continued since the beginning of time. One such struggle was identified in the Barians and Astral beings, whose war inevitably led to human involvement. Fortunately, Yuma Tsukumo's hope and beliefs brought a sense of peace between chaos and order. Another ancient struggle could be found in Ancient Egypt, the location where Pegasus discovered the Millenium Items and Duel Monsters, prompting for their revival, now as a card game. The ancient war between Pharaoh Atem and Zorc, was brought to a close thanks to the aide of the King of Games and his close friends. Having no more reason to remain, Atem ultimately found defeat at the hands of his close partner. Saying farewell, he walked away to the afterlife. Another Ancient War between that of the Dark Signers and Signers was brought to an end thanks to the new Signers led by Yusei Fudo. Later on the group faced off against Yliaster, the final pieces of humanity from a destroyed future where humanity's ignorance led to their own demise. Fortunately, they managed to put the tragic scheme of these survivors to rest, and Yusei Fudo ultimately guaranteed that the event that took place in the future would never happen again.
Unfortunately, none of them could stop humanity's ignorance and selfishness, nor the 2 forces that could not be brought to an end. The light of destruction and gentle darkness have been at war beyond the very 1st millennium. The light was a wolf in the guise of a sheep. A sociopathic killing machine of the highest functionality, it wished for either the total destruction or the eternal subservience of all life to its will, or both if it could. The only force not blind to it was the darkness, which provided life with the strength to grow and evolve. Though it safeguarded and protected them, the Darkness was not tame nor was it subservient to humanity's will. If pressured the darkness would act viciously, as its will is to simply manifest life and ensure the natural continuation of life. Anything that threatened the way of life had to be eliminated. In order to help humanity prosper, it chose someone of purity of heart and of courageous/righteous will to safeguard and help humans. This being was known as the Supreme King. He has lived a thousand lifetimes in a thousand years, and has managed to keep humanity from self-destruction. Sadly, as millennium and centuries lapsed, humanity eventually forgot the truth of the ancient monsters, even now as they held their very cards. The last Supreme King, Yuki Judai, had only barely managed to save humanity from falling to despair. However, now, humanity has all but forgotten the Duel Monsters spirits. And as humanity's arrogance and the Duel Monster's vengeance threatens to destabilize the world, the new Supreme King is ultimately left with a choice, a choice that was never meant to be. This is the story…that changed everything…
Yu-gi-oh! Arc-V: The Rise And Fall of the Dragon King
Opening (Somnus):
Deus dormit
Et liberi ignem faciunt
Numquam extinguunt
Ne expergisci possit
Omnia dividit
Tragoedia coram
Amandum quae
Et nocte perpetua
In desperatione
Auroram videre potest
Mane tempus expergiscendi
(The Original Dimension: 31 years ago)
It was a nice summer morning for the mother and child that lived outside the city. Though rather simple, it was well furnished and had a friendly, caring aura, akin to the people who lived there. A young boy was sitting on the catch before getting up and staring outside through the open window, smiling as he felt the breeze on his face, relieving the stress from the hot day. He then heard the sound of footsteps approach the house, and smiled upon recognizing their source. "Mama, Mama!" The boy cried as he ran towards the front door, his mother already entering the house.
'Ugh, Zarc, what have I told you about waking up so early." She stated, having left earlier in hopes she could get home while he was still asleep.
"It woke me up again." Zarc said while his mother sighed, staring at the adorable floating fur ball behind Zarc.
"Can't you leave my son for just a little bit Kuriboh." Zara huffed.
"Kuri…" Kuriboh responded with a puppy dog expression while Zara just sighed.
Later on, after Zarc had finished eating the eggs and toast his mother made for him, he scurried towards her and stared at her with a curious expression, "Hey mama, what is Kuriboh anyway?"
Thinking about it for a minute, Zara sighed, "I guess I was going to tell you sooner or later." Opening a drawer in the living room, she took out a deck of cards and brought her son to a couch, placing him on her lap while showing her the cards. "These cards are known as Duel Monsters. Do you notice this card?" She gestured as she removed a card from her deck and showed it to her son.
"It's Kuriboh!" Zarc exclaimed as he grabbed the card and held it in his small, chubby hands. As he traced a finger across the card with reverence, he saw the monster manifest in front of him squealing in delight. "Wow!" Zarc smiled, reached out, and ruffled the little fiend's fur, causing it to nuzzle Zarc affectionately. He then looked at the card, "If it's just a card, how come I can see and touch it."
Zara sighed, "Duel Monsters are more than just ordinary monsters. They are living beings; they have souls, just like we do." She then looked away sadly, "But not many people know or believe that."
Looking up at her, Zarc asked, "Why not mama?"
"I guess not many people can see them. It took a long time before I was truly able to see them." She then smiled at Kuriboh before ruffling Zarc's hair. "You're one of the special ones; you were always able to see them." She then searched through the pile of cards and pulled a new card out of them. "Do you want to make a new friend, Zarc?" Zarc perked up at that, wriggling in his mother's lap and she laughed, "Okay, well…here's my partner and strongest monster, I always planned on giving him to you." Zara handed the boy the card.
"Odd…Eyes…Dragon." Zarc read the name of the card as he held the card with reverence, and the card seemed to emit a faint glow in response. Unknowingly, as Zarc looked up, his golden eyes glowed and he gazed at the spirit of the dragon in his hand. Slowly, Zarc stretched out one of his hands, and the red dragon lowered its head so Zarc could touch it. Zarc was in awe of the mighty dragon, especially its mismatched jeweled eyes, which seemed to make it that much more it that much more incredible. "So cool." Zarc said.
Zara's smile towards her son grew sad, and she raised her head to look at the partner she was passing on to Zarc. 'I'll need you to look over Zarc when I pass on, since I'm not going to be around for too much longer.' She thought. Odd-Eyes understood what she was thinking and swore to itself that it would protect Zarc's life and his smile.
"Is something wrong mama?" Zarc asked looking up at her.
Zara shook her head, "No, everything is fine. So, what do you think about, Odd-Eyes?"
"I love him. We're going to be best friends?" Zarc cheered while Odd-Eyes grinned.
Zar smiled before ruffling Zarc's hair. "Remember, Duel Monsters have souls just like we do. Treat them as you would treat your closest friends. Understood?"
Zarc shook his head, "Yes!" He then looked at Kuriboh and Odd-Eyes, "Do you guys want to be my friends?" Odd-Eyes and Kuriboh smiled and nodded. "Yay!" Zarc cheered while Zara watched, happy for her son.
Well that wraps up this chapter, next one will show how Zarc and Ray 1st met, as well as Zarc's introduction to Entertainment Dueling, or at least the concept of it. Also, to anyone who doesn't know the theme song Somnus, it's the main theme of FF VS 13/FFXV. You can look it up on line to hear it, also, try to see how the lyrics relate to this story, because trust me, it relates more to this prequel and Starving Predator than people know. I'll have the next chapter for this story and Starving Predator out possibly tonight or next week, so stay tuned for more :)