This is going to be a different version of Arc-V. Same characters, original subbed names for now, but if you want me to use the English character names let me know, but I'll be using the TCG names of all the cards. The biggest difference is an OOC Yuya. His dad's disappearance made more of an impact than on the show. He's still an entertainer, but has trouble smiling. I won't cover everything that happens on the show, and I may mix up a few things, for example, certain characters might have different personalities besides Yuya. I much prefer the use of 'effect' rather than 'ability' in the English versions, to be honest. And with Teletoon airing the English version, this'll be a bit easier to pull off to get the English names of all the Action Cards. Shippers be warned, Yuya and Yuzu have a secret relationship! Let's get into it.
Chapter One: The First Pendulum Summon
The setting, nightfall. Flower petals scattered in the calm breeze. Two best friends in a heated Duel. One, Noboru Gongenzaka, large physique and a pompadour. Another, Yuya Sakaki, scattered multicolored hair wearing goggles above his eyes, a necklace and a somewhat cape. One side of the field, two Machine-Type monsters. The large friend about to make his next move.
"I tribute Superheavy Samurai Swordsman and Superheavy Samurai Blue Brawler." said Gongenzaka. "Now I summon in Defense Mode, my ace monster! Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei! Okay, Yuya. I set up my field. Now show the man what you've got!"
"Ladies and Gentleman!" Yuya shouts. Sitting atop his lone monster, he springs up in the moonlight. "I activate my Quick-Play Spell, Hippo Carnival! It's showtime!" Three holographic Vegas-clad hippos appear.
"What are ya doin'? This is supposed to be a real match!" Gongenzaka sounds annoyed.
"Ugh! Take this seriously, Yuya!" A girl who's been Yuya's closest friend, now his secret girlfriend, Yuzu Hiragi accidentally sets sparks throughout the Duel System. She jumped up looking concerned.
Suddenly, her dad, the school principal came in. "What's happening, Yuzu?"
"Oh, just a slight malfunction..."
"That's not good! Our school depends on us being able to produce entertaining Duels!" Shuzo exclaimed. Just then in the middle of Yuya's spectacle, the Augmented Duel imagery shorted out, leaving the Duel unfinished. And Yuya crashed onto the floor. A young boy visiting the school wondered if he was all right. The aspiring Duelist quickly recovers with a funny face. (Instead of the one on the show, I envisioned him doing the face Toon Summoned Skull did in the original series. So much funnier.)
Afterwards
Shuzo, Yuzu, Gongenzaka and Yuya all recovering from the Duel gather in the break room.
"This is a disaster! At this rate, You Show Duel School's reputation will be shot through the tubes!" Skip yelled.
"Man, I was really into it too. I haven't haven't felt good like that in a long time." said Yuya. "How exactly did our Duel System get shot down?"
"That does it, Yuya!" Yuzu angrily shouted. "You just haven't been yourself, it's frustrating!"
Yuya evades but bumps into Gong. "Hey, did someone put a wall in here?" He had a bit of a frown, but wasn't anywhere near sad.
"Yuya, listen. For the past three years, you haven't been the Yuya we grew up with." said the larger friend. "When your old man went missing, it's like your smile went missing with him. You know as well as anyone how he'd always have the crowd cheering for more in each match he was in. And now you have an obligation to do what he did, but it seems like you're not even tying!"
"Look, it's true things have been different since Dad disappeared, but I'm still determined to be as amazing as he was, even if I can't smile all the time."
Then, one colorful individual enters. "Hello, all. Hope I'm not interrupting." he said as he walked up.
"Who are you?" Shuzo asked.
"I'm Nico Smiley, Dueling manager and promoter. I'm here on behalf of Strong Ishijima, the current Action Duel champion."
"Ishijima?" Yuya was filled with angst at the thought of the name.
"He's hosting a Fan Appreciation Day at the Leo Duel School and he's asked personally for a one-on-one Duel with Yuya. This is the chance you've always wanted!" Smiley turned toward Yuya. "You can finally make up for your father's disappearance three years ago. I assume you still remember?"
"Yeah, I remember..."
"Now that you're fourteen years old, you can face him. The son of Yusho Sakaki saves his father's reputation. It may also promote publicity for your school."
It may not have been a smile, but a smirk like that was as close as it was gonna get "I'll do it!"
"Yuya! What are you trying to prove? If you face this head on, that crowd will tear you apart!" Shuzo shouted.
Yuya was infuriated. "Look, Principal. I know you just looking out for me... but this is my decision to make, got that?! I've gotten the short end of the stick from people for three freakin' years. I'm fed up with it! Besides, only four students a school doesn't make. (Yuya, Yuzu, Ayu, and Futoshi) Nico, you tell your Champion I'll be there." The prodigal son started walking.
"Where are you headed in such a rush, dear boy?" Nico wondered.
"I just need to get ready." Yuya smirked as he dashed ahead.
"Why can't he understand what I'm doing for him?!" Shuzo sounded frustrated himself. Only to be smacked by a white fan held by Yuzu.
"Look, Dad. I know you're upset about this, but like Yuya said, he's wished for this for so long..."
"Most of the spectators are those that stayed loyal to his father even after he went missing. It shouldn't be that hard on him. And the Institute is willing to donate a new state of the art Duel Combat System to your school, free of charge." Nico added.
"Still, for Yuya's well being, he's had it pretty rough. Gongenzaka, what do you think?" Yuzu chimed in.
"We've had each other's backs this far, guess I have no choice either." said Gongenzaka.
With that, Yuya had enough time to regather his thoughts before heading to his exhibition match. With his goggles over his eyes as opposed to above and pendulum in hand, he began to remember what it was like with his dad before that fateful event.
At the LDS stadium
The place was packed. Nico at the center of it all, ready to make the big announcement.
"Welcome, one and all to the Duel of the Decade! Three years ago, the legendary Dueltainer Yusho Sakaki was unable to defend his championship title. Now Sakaki's own son, Yuya, will fight on his behalf! Now, to set the field! Activating the Field Spell, Castle of Chaos!"
The Duel System located beneath the Stadium lit up, producing the Action Field.
"This ARC technology is really something else. To the spectators, they seem like holograms, but adding mass to Solid Vision makes the images as real as ever!" Nico looks up. 'They're here.' "Now please join me in welcoming our Duelists for today's match. Introducing the current Action Duel Champion. Three years and still solid as as rock, Strong Ishijima!"
The crowd sure went off. The Sledgehammer stood there lost in his thoughts.
"Shame, really. I was hoping by challenging the kid, Yusho would've come out of hiding. I have to defeat him to show I'm the true Champion!" But what he didn't realize was his unwavering opponent. People's words advising him to see behind him. Yuya pulls off his funny face from earlier.
"What's a clown doing here?" asked Ishijima.
"Not just any clown, look familiar?" as Yuya made his big reveal.(Team Rocket style)
"You're Yusho's son?"
"Of course I am. Now let's get this Duel started."
Smiley was astounded. "Unbelievable! His challenger has already appeared! Give it up for Yuya Sakaki!"
All the spectators were amped Yuya showed up when he did. The others from the school, as well as one other who had just arrived, but was waiting to make herself known were the only ones not surprised.
"At least he made it all right." said Gongenzaka.
"But can he win?" Yuzu asked.
"It's Yuya's determination that might be deciding factor." The mystery woman appeared.
"Yoko?" Shuzo seemed surprised.
"Did you really think I was gonna miss this?"
Yuya and Ishijima were simply trying to see what the other would do. Both Duelists charge up their Disks. "All right, show me just how tough you really are." said Yuya.
"Such big talk for a kid. I'll just crush any chances you have of winning in no time." the Champion replies.
"My, my. Sparks are already flying and the Duel hasn't even started yet." said Nico. "Okay, both players, draw your starting hand of five cards." Yuya and Ishijima started off with five cards. "Duelists locked in combat! Kicking up the dust from the ground and taking to the skies! Their monsters storm the Field! The greatest evolution of Dueling has arrived! Action...!" His arm extends upwards...
"Duel!" Both players shout. Nico's snap cause the bright lights above to break into the field's scattered Action Cards.
"All right, I'll let you go first. Just remember, the starting player can't draw on the first turn."
"Okay, showtime!" Yuya began his 'performance'. "Ladies and gentleman! For my first move, I'll have to make a stellar getaway." He grabs the zipline and slides down. "And to help with that, I summon Performapal Hip Hippo." (ATK: 800) The hippo appears and Yuya lands. "Okay, time for some hide and seek." they both take off into the trees.
"Hide and seek, is it? Fine, then! I draw!" The Champion looked over his cards and decided his first move. "I activate the Spell Card, Feast of the Wild LV5! With it, I can summon 2 Level 5 Warrior-Type monsters from my hand. I summon Swamp Battlegaurd (ATK: 1800) and Lava Battleguard! (ATK: 1550) But now, I'll tribute them both for my strongest monster! I summon Battleguard King! (ATK: 3000) Now I attack!"
Yuya reveals a hidden Action Card. "I've got something for that. I active the Action Spell, Evasion. This negates your attack. Rolling Hippo!"
Ishijima seemed surprised. "Seems you know to use Action Cards, all right. But that won't be enough! With Battlegaurd King effect, I can attack twice in a turn! Attack Hip Hippo again!"
"That had to hurt. Battleguard King flattened... What's this?" Nico exclaimed.
"What, again!?"
"I barely made it out. Just before your attack, I activated the Action Spell, Miracle. My monster isn't destroyed and I only take half the damage."
LP: 4000 - 2900
"You won't last much longer. I set one card and and my turn."
Back in the spectator's section, Shuzo decided to ask something. "Okay, Yoko, fess up. You know something's wrong. Yuya's different out there."
"I might know what it is. The way I see it, he's still coping with what happened three years ago. Dueling seems to be only thing keeping him going. Yuya always knew people looked down on him. But it's okay, because he hasn't lost his smile completely. He's trying to revive his father's legacy, and maybe even completely take his place in his absence."
The others wondered why Yuya didn't tell them all that sooner, especially Yuzu. She knew Yuya could always talk to her, but maybe it was too much for her to handle? Noboru knew his best friend was broken back then, but wondered if Yuya picked up all the pieces yet.
"Okay, my turn." Yuya sees one of his best monsters. "Okay, this is it. I'll use Hip Hippo's effect. If he's tributed, he counts as 2 monsters." They go over the ledge. "Now I tribute Hip Hippo to summon..." A red dragon with shining eyes appeared. "Our star attraction, Odd-Eyes Dragon!" (ATK: 2500)
The rising star landed atop Odd-Eyes. "The fun's just getting started!"
"Yeah! His dad's catchphrase! Kid's on fire!" Shuzo shouted with such excitement.
'You've been waiting for this, Yuya. Win this for your dad.' Yoko looked with anticipation.
"Just because you used his catchphrase doesn't make up for him being too scared to face me!" Ishijima shouted.
Yuya was infuriated. "He wasn't scared and neither am I! If he had shown up, he'd have won. And by using his moves, that's what I'll do!"
"You're free to try, but my ace monster has 3000 Attack Points while your ace only has 2500!"
"That's true, but not after I play this. The Spell Card, Wonder Balloons."
"Simply amazing! Yuya's quickly sending Action cards to the Graveyard!" said Smiley.
Three balloons emerged and latch onto Battleguard King. "I sent three cards to the Graveyard, resulting in three balloons and for each one your monster loses 1000 points for the turn." The balloons blew up and Battleguard King's Attack Points became 0.
"You can only hold one Action Card at a time. I get it, you weren't running randomly, you were looking for many Action Cards as possible so you could use them right away."
"About time you figured it out."
The crowds were ecstatic for the amazing duel. Yuya suddenly knew what he had to do.
'The crowd, the cheers, the excitement! This must be how Dad felt!' Odd-Eyes, let's send the Champion out in style! Its effect is when it destroys a monster deals half of the destroyed monster's original Attack Points as damage! Attack Battleguard King! Spiral Flame!"
Odd-Eyes' fire reached its target causing a giant explosion. However...
"I also had an Action Spell in reserve. Now I activate Miracle!" the Champion revealed.
LP: 4000 - 2750
"As expected of a Pro! Ishijima holds his ground against Yuya's devastating attack!" Nico exclaims.
"You stand no chance, this is as far as your father's Dueling will get you! I activate Battleguard Rage! After taking damage, my monster gains 2000 Attack Points!" (ATK: 2000)
"I'll end my turn." Yuya announced.
"End Phase, Battleguard King regains its lost Attack Points." (ATK: 5000)
"5000 Points?! How's Yuya going to win now?" Yuzu freaked out.
"My turn. You won't survive! Battleguard King attacks Odd-Eyes Dragon!"
Yuya reached for another Action Card, but couldn't get it when Battleguard King's attack hammered Odd-Eyes.
LP: 2900 - 400
"Battleguard Rage's effect returns your destroyed monster to your your hand before it hits the Graveyard. Now I'll activate Battlrguard Magic. Half your monster's Attack Points are added to my Life Points."
LP: 2750 - 4000
"Battleguard King can only attack twice if there's another monster on the opponent's field. I'll just put one card face-down and end my turn. What'll you do, fight or run?"
'Who am I kidding? I only have a hand filled with Monster Cards. But for some reason, I don't feel like backing out.' "I'm staying right here!" Yuya's necklace started glowing. "Let's see if you're right, Dad. If the pendulum swings one way, it's guaranteed to swing the other way! I draw!"
Just then, three of Yuya's monsters were glowing. Two Spellcaster-Type monsters were slightly changed by the glow, and Odd-Eyes Dragon became an entirely different card. At the same time, Yuya didn't realize what would happen next.
"I use Scale 1 Stargazer Magician and Scale 8 Timegazer Magician to set the Pendulum Scale!" Just then, the two magicians came up through bright lights stopping in midair, and beneath both of them a number appeared.
"Now I can summon monsters from Level 2 through 7! Swing, pendulum! Bring forth the arc of light! It's come down to this. I Pendulum Summon!" A giant hole between the two magicians with a larger scale of Yuya's necklace revolving around it shoots out three bright lights going downwards.
"Performapal Whip Snake! (ATK: 1700) Performapal Sword Fish! (ATK: 600) And Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!" (ATK: 2500) Everyone was at a complete standstill. No one knew what to think of this. Except Yuya, who was certain he was about to end the Duel right there.
Ishijima was questioning the young boy's ground breaking move. "How is it possible? He summoned three monsters at the same time. There's no way he should be able to do that."
"I'm baffled, too, but there would have been an error otherwise." said Smiley.
"Just what is this Pendulum Summon?"
"I use Whip Snake's effect! Once per turn, I can swap the Attack and Defense Points of any monster. (ATK: 1100) Next, Sword Fish's effect! Reducing the opponent's monsters Attack points by 600!" (ATK: 500) Yuya sounded much more dominant and courageous.
Whip Snake's tail gave off a hypnotizing vibe as Sword Fish became many and surrounded Battleguard King.
"What's this? Ishijima's monster's completely vulnerable! It's Attack Points were gravely reduced from 5000 to a mere 500." Nico shouted.
"Battle! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, attack Battleguard King!" Yuya declared.
"Won't happen! I activate the Trap, Battleguard Howling! Your monster is sent to your hand and you take damage equal to its Attack Points!" Ishijima countered.
"I'll use Timegazer Magician's Pendulum Effect! If a Pendulum Monster is targeted by an opponent's Trap Card, I can negate it. Infinite Gear Reversal!"
"Well, then I activate the Action Spell, Evasion!"
"Now I get to use Stargazer Magician's Pendulum Effect! Negating any Spell Card that targets a Pendulum Monster when I attack. Halted Horoscope!"
"Damn, there's nothing I can do!"
"It's time to end this! I'll send both of them out with a bang! Go, Odd-Eyes! Spiral Strike Burst!"
"I'll still be in this next turn!"
"For you there is no next turn! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's effect activates! When it destroys an opponent's monster Level 5 or higher, it deals double the damage! Reaction Force!" Odd-Eyes glowed red on one side and green on the other as the flames intensified, ending the game.
LP: 4000 - 0
"The... End."
The holographic imagery faded as the game was decided. Just then, Yuya felt like he was coming out of a trance. He looked around and saw the empty Action Field. "Huh, what happened? Ishijima? What about the Duel?"
"You did it." Yuya hears someone.
"You really beat Strong Ishijima in your dad's place. Great job, Yuya." said Yoko.
"That was incredible!" Yuzu shouted.
"You had everyone on the edge, very nice!" Noboru supported his friend.
"Going above and beyond the call, we have a new star student!" Shuzo was the most surprised.
The crowds didn't know what to think, but were all ecstatic of the outcome.
Nico Smiley rushed up to greet Yuya."Bravo! Excellent! Congratulations! Yuya, you simply must tell us about the new Summoning method you debuted in today's match."
"New... method?" Yuya seemed out of the loop. Did he really discover a new style of summoning? Maybe the others could shed some light on this matter.
I know I used a bit of episode 2 in the first chapter, but some duels that are two parters will make up one chapter. I have plans to continue, and have high hopes for this project. I've even taken mental notes of how the chapters will be written for the Friendship Cup. Like I stated above, just let me know if I should keep the original character names or if I should switch them. Peace out everybody!
