Disclaimer: I do not own YGO ZEXAL and never will! Sadly…!
C-Y-F: One of my first fics, hope you enjoy!
I held my hand out, "Rio, are you okay?"
Rio smiled and took my extended hand, "Yeah, of course, Rima!"
I smiled and before I knew it Rio had been turned to dust. I fell to my knees, "RIO!"
"RIO!" I screamed out as I sat up on my bed. I breathed heavily as I clutched my blankets. I smiled sadly, "That dream, again?"
I woke up and did my morning routine.
Oh, my name is Rima Tsubasa. What else? Um, I live by myself in my house. Okay, my parents are ALWAYS away on business but that really isn't anything new. I'm neighbors with Yuma and we're good friends…I'm best friends with Shark and…Rio. Anyways, I love dueling, but who doesn't? I was a finalist in the Duel Nationals but I forfeited because I got sick. It was a really pneumonia. So, I wasn't allowed to duel. I don't know why I suddenly got it…
Anyways, I need to get to school.
I sat at my desk which is right beside Kotori's. Kotori was one of my classmates. She doesn't duel but hey, she's still a good person. She had bright green, shoulder-length hair and cute hazel eyes. She's a really nice person so I have nothing against her.
"Good morning, Rima," she greeted.
"Morning, Kotori," I greeted back with a smile.
She was wearing the regular girl school uniform as I wore the guy one. You know, the red shirt and tie, but I wore light blue shorts with mine. I didn't really want to wear the skirt. It was so short! How can I move in that! First day when I had to wear it, I could barely walk up the stairs without holding my skirt down! It just wasn't worth it. I flipped back my white hair. It reached my waist, which I love~ I also have big, brown eyes.
Yuma ran into the classroom and sat down, "Made it…"
"Right on time, Yuma…for once," I teased as the teacher walked in.
He stuck out his tongue at me. He then just stretched, "Hey, I made it, didn't I?" Yuma was…daring. He liked doing all this crazy stuff. And no, I do not mean drugs and stuff. He just does a lot of challenges. He usually fails though. He had black hair with two pink spikes. A rather crazy hairstyle but it suits him. The Emperors key dangled from his neck.
It was something that he got from his dad. But…his dad sort of disappeared. Yuma has Akari-san, his sister, and Haru-san, his grandmother, with him though. His mother disappeared as well. Speaking of Mirai-san, I had the Empress Key. I had received it from Yuma's mom when I had entered the Duel Nationals, which took place in Heartland. It was sort of a good luck charm to me. It looked like a feather and embedded in it was a small red gem. I miss Mirai-san. She was a really warm and caring person. More than my mother was, I thought bitterly.
I quickly looked to the front of the class. Somehow…thinking that hurts.
Gym class!
Tetsuo hit the blocks, "It's impossible! Going over twenty vaults, it's impossible!" Tetsuo was a rather plump boy with hair that reminded me of a pine tree.
"That kind of height?" asked Yuma confidently, "I can overcome it! Kattobingu daze, ore!"
And that's his catchphrase, 'Bring it to 'em!' I watched as he made the jump…and ultimately failed.
"Are you okay, Yuma?" asked Kotori as she stepped forward.
Everyone else around us laughed, Tetsuo being the loudest. It's funny how Tetsuo and Yuma are actually best friends.
"Kattobingu," mumbled Yuma as he lay on the floor. I winced slightly, that'll probably leave a mark.
"Isn't he an idiot?" asked Tetsuo smugly. Again, how are they best friends?
I sighed and knelt down in front of Yuma, "Anything badly hurt?" I asked with a hint of concern.
Yuma looked up at me, probably surprised at my tone. He slightly shook his head, "No."
I patted his head, "Then you're fine." I smiled brightly as he lightly glared at me.
Swim class!
Yuma dove into the pool. I've gotten used to these 'challenges' he always accepts. Actually, he's pretty well-known for doing these challenges…and failing.
"Good luck!" cheered Kotori. I had a sneaking suspicion she liked- I blinked. I shifted my gaze to Yuma then back to Kotori. Maybe…
"It's impossible, it's impossible," said Tetsuo, "It's not possible, right?"
I blinked before realizing he was talking about Yuma and the challenge. "Who knows?" I shrugged, combing my fingers through my ponytail.
A ton of bubbles came up and that was obviously Yuma, who failed.
Tetsuo started laughing as Kotori looked worried, "Yuma!"
I sighed, not even bothering to ask if Yuma was okay. He seemed fine. Yuma spit out water like a fountain. I stared at him in slight disgust. Ew…We swim in that!
"Just as instructed, the document's basics are…"
I barely listened to our sensei as she droned on and on and on and on…I'm not going to go into details. It's torture already, I don't want to repeat it. Kotori and Yuma were talking to each other but I didn't really feel like eavesdropping.
"Kattobingu!" yelled Yuma as he stood up.
I sweat dropped, bad move.
Our sensei had already started walking towards him but now that he yelled she was right up in his face. There was a lot of giggling from the other class members as I watched in exasperation. This happens at least once a week.
Dueling!
I ran out with Yuma and Kotori. Dueling Period! Finally, my time to shine!
Yuma was grinning like mad, "Oh! They're doing it, they're doing it! Yeah!" With that, he threw up his D-Gazer. He yelled, "D-Gazer set!"
Kotori and I put ours on less ceremoniously. I rolled my eyes at Yuma as he jumped around happily.
As the A/R turned on we saw a fish Duel Monster fly by us. We had to duck but I don't think anything would've happened if we let it go through us. We walked through the path looking around.
I hummed as I looked around. Who to duel…? Who to duel…?
"Who are you going to lose against this time, Yuma?" asked Kotori teasingly.
Yuma faltered, "I am going to win this time! If I do Kattobingu I will get a straight win record-"
"Oi, you two, stop flirting," I said as I looked over the hill. I'm pretty sure that was…
"It's not-"
"Yeah, yeah," I said as I rolled my eyes, "Now look over there," and I proceeded to point to the duelists.
"It's Tetsuo!" said Yuma. We looked to each other before nodding. We all ran up the stairs to the sidelines of the duel.
"Yuma, Rima, Tetsuo's opponent is…" Kotori spoke.
"Shark!" said Yuma, finishing the sentence.
Shark…Oh, we're not talking about the animal. I'm pretty sure I told you he was one of my best friends? Yeah, this is Shark. He has purple-blue tentacle hair and his real name is Ryoga. He's got these awesome blue eyes that I wish I had. Oh, he's also a kickass duelist. If I had to pick between 5 pro duelists and Shark, I'd pick Shark in a heartbeat.
"Xyz summon!" said Shark, "When there are two or more monsters with the same level, I can use those monsters as materials and special summon and Xyz monster! I overlay level 3 Skull Kraken and level 3 Big Jaws! Xyz summon! Come, Shark of the sky, Aero Shark!"
An orange shark appeared on the field with missiles connected to it.
"Xyz summon?" questioned Kotori.
"The special thing about Xyz summon is that, the material monsters aren't sent to the graveyard, but become overlay units and support the Xyz monster! I don't have any Xyz monsters but it's amazing I tell you!" spoke Yuma, amazed.
I nodded in agreement, "Xyz monsters can help your deck immensely. It can be a great comeback!"
"Go, Aero Shark!" ordered Shark, "Direct attack!"
Tetsuo was hit with direct damage.
Shark: 4000LPS
Tetsuo: 0LPS
Shark is the winner!
We took off our D-Gazers. That was a good finishing move. I expect no less from Shark though.
"Tetsuo…" whispered Yuma.
Shark walked over to Tetsuo with a smirk, "As promised, I will be taking this…"
To my disbelief, Shark picked up Tetsuo's deck. W-why?
"What are you planning to do with Tetsuo's deck?!" asked Yuma as we ran over to Shark.
He glanced at me before turning back to Yuma, "Who are you?"
I glanced at the deck and then back to Shark. What's he doing?!
"I am Tsukumo Yuma, this guys' classmate!"
"Oi, you know who this person is, right?" asked Goon #1.
"Yeah, I know," said Yuma, "The boss of the bullies of this school, Shark!"
"You sure know well," said Shark, "but this is a righteous reward."
I was confused, "What?" Righteous award?! How is taking someone's deck a righteous reward?!
"In this duel, we bet our decks."
Decks…? Why would he…There's no reason to take someone's deck!
"For what purpose…?" and Yuma trailed off.
"These guys…" started Tetsuo, "kept telling me that I don't have any experience to call myself a duelist…"
Yuma tsked, "Then I will beat him in a duel and get that deck back!"
"Yuma," I warned, putting my hand on his shoulder. That might not be a good choice.
"Stupid!" said Goon #1 as I retracted my hand, "Shark-san has skills to enter a world national!"
"He isn't someone you can win against!" said Goon #2.
I stared at the goons. I won't deny that Shark is a good duelist but saying rude things to Yuma like that…! I was with Shark at the Nationals, I have been friends with him ever since he started dueling!
"How would I know that?" asked Yuma, "I'm also aiming to be the Duel Champion!"
Sharks' eyes narrowed, "Duel Champion?" he stepped closer to Yuma, "Do you know how strong you must be to be a Duel Champion?"
"I don't know that…but…"
"Then you shouldn't blurt out such things!" yelled Shark. I winced, he snapped.
"I am free to dream, right?" asked Yuma.
"A dream, eh?" said Shark and then he held out Bronk's deck, "If you want this deck back, hand over something you value precious."
"My most precious thing…" said Yuma as he looked down to his Key. Oh no…please no!
Before I could do anything Shark had ripped the key from its rope on Yuma's neck. "S-Shark!" I called out. What the…?!
Yuma advanced but the goons stopped him, "What are you doing?" He yelled.
"It looks like this is a really prized possession," said Shark smugly.
"Give it back!" yelled Yuma. That was from his dad…
"Should I show you this thing's real value?"
"Eh?" asked Yuma.
My eyes narrowed, what did Shark mean by that?
Shark dropped the Key to the ground, "Precious things, you know? You will know its value when you lose it. It's real value!"
We all gasped as Shark stomped on the Emperors Key.
The goons freed Yuma who fell to his knees. He picked up the main piece before glaring at Shark, "You bastard! How dare you?!"
Shark moved his foot to reveal the lower piece, "Your precious thing just broke…and has disappeared." He had kicked the piece away, out of our sight.
"Too bad," said Shark, "but looks like I can't return this deck."
"You are a coward, Shark!" yelled Yuma as he tried to punch said-person.
Tetsuo held him back, "Stop!"
"But I will give you a chance," smirked Shark, "If you are planning on becoming the future Champion, let's battle with a duel! If you beat me, I will return this deck. But if I win, I will take your deck! This week Sunday, location is in the park in front of the station. If you want to get the deck back, come."
Before I could let him leave, I ran in front of Shark.
"What is it, Rima-"
I slapped him hard across the face. He looked shocked and held his red cheek. "Shark…why are you doing this?" I asked him quietly. "There's no need. Making someone lose something valuable…" I looked him straight in the eye, "You don't feel the least bit sorry? Especially when you, yourself almost lost something valuable?"
Shark just put his hands in his pockets, "Huh. I didn't think you would do that." I saw how he just dodged what I said.
"Well, you thought wrong, Ryoga-oniichan," I said sadly as I walked back over to Yuma's side. It was just something I called him when I felt like it. He usually tells me never to call him that in public.
He stared at me before walking off with his goons.
I knelt down in front of Yuma, "Sorry, Yuma…I could've done something but…"
"It's alright," said Yuma, not looking up at me. I noticed how he clenched his fists tightly. It's something you do when you try not to cry. I stood up, looked to Kotori and Tetsuo. "Don't worry. I'll take him home," I said.
I held the rope connected to my Key. I watched it glint in the small amount of moonlight, "Mirai…I don't know why you entrusted me with this."
I sat beside Yuma as everyone around us jumped vaults.
"Hey, Yuma?" I asked.
"Huh?"
I put my hand on his shoulder, "I know I'm not the best of friends but you know, I'm here for you."
He stared at me before looking back down, "Thanks, Rima." He was being really down today.
"Yuma!" yelled Kotori as she ran over to us, "You aren't challenging twenty stacks today?"
Yuma gripped his half-key, "It's okay today. I'll pass."
"Yuma…" whispered Kotori. She was obviously worried.
"Yuma!" yelled one of the boys, "Aren't you Kattobingu today?"
"Next time…" said Yuma, waving his hand in dismissal.
Kotori and I were in the water in front of him. She looked at Yuma thoughtfully before splashing Yuma with some of the water.
She smiled, "Come on, cheer up, Yuma!"
"I know…" said Yuma, "But I can't get any strength right now. Because the key broke…I can't believe I'm not able to Kattobingu."
Kotori and I lifted ourselves up onto beside Yuma.
"Yuma…" said Kotori, concerned for him.
I clutched my Empress Key. Shark has gone too far.
Kotori and Yuma went walking around while I went straight to the hospital.
I went to the Front Desk, "I'm here to see Rio Kamishiro."
I barely listened to the nurse as I went through the familiar doors to Rio's room. As I entered I saw her there, lying on the bed.
I sat on a stool and watched Rio, "Hey, Rio…"
Rio was my closest friend in the world. She was Shark's younger, twin sister. She had long, blue hair with light blue bangs. She's one year older than me but we still became friends. I put my bag down. Rio looked a mummy, wearing all those bandaged around her body. I think she was asleep but she could be awake.
"I wish they didn't cover your hair," I smiled sadly. "I always loved stroking it since Shark will never let me touch his hair, the meanie."
Rio was covered in bandages and wires but I talk to her like she was her normal self.
I sighed, "Your brother is being a big jerk. But…I know he will turn back to normal soon enough."
I touched Rio's bandaged hand softly, "I love you, Rio-chan." A few tears ran down the side of my face, "I miss you…" I dried my tears and left.
Yuma held up a card, "Just how am I supposed to use this card?"
When I had walked back home, I noticed Yuma's bedroom light was on. I joined him in arranging his deck. He showed me the other half of his key. I have to thank Tetsuo.
"Just keep it in your deck, Yuma," I said, "It could help in a tight situation."
Yuma nodded, "This deck is something my dad used. If I can use this deck well…I am sure it's strong!"
I strapped my deck-box to my belt. I was wearing faded jeans shorts and a white t-shirt. My hair was decent so I was ready to go. I walked out of my house to be met with Yuma running past me. I rolled my eyes and raced after him. I was able to catch up, "Yuma, this duel is gonna be a hard one, I should know." I walked beside him, seeing various scenarios flashing through my head.
"Ah," said Yuma, "I know. But I'm not backing down!" He smiled bravely.
I smiled, "Alright! I wish you the best of luck then!" I really do.
"I will congratulate you for not running away in fear," said Shark, "But if you ran away with your tail running, your deck would have been safe."
Yuma pointed at him, "Instead of running away from someone like you, I would rather quit being a duelist! Kattobingu daze, ore! Duel Disk, set! D-Gazer, set! Duel target, lock on!"
A/R Link established.
"Duel!"
"Hang in there, Yuma!" cheered Kotori.
"Let's go! My turn, draw!" yelled Yuma, "I summon Zubaba Knight (Atk: 1600-Lvl: 3)! It's the first turn, so I can't attack. So I end my turn like this!"
No set cards…Zubaba Knight has no effects…This might be bad.
"My turn, draw!" said Shark, "I summon Big Jaws (Atk: 1800-Lvl: 3)!"
"An attack power of 1800?" asked Yuma. Not good. Sure, if Shark attacks there's not much damage but…
"Zubaba Knight's attack points is 1600," said Shark, "Big Jaws's attack points is 1800. When two monsters in attack position battles, the one with the lowest attack will be destroyed and you will receive damage equal to the difference of their attack points."
"He had a monster stronger than Zubaba Knight in his hand?" questioned Yuma.
"That kind of trash monster should have been summoned in defense position," said Shark.
I closed my eyes. "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…" I mumbled under my breath to calm down.
"What are you doing, Rima?" Kotori asked me, confusion in her eyes.
I opened my eyes, smiling at her, "Just calming myself down."
"All…alright," she said, blinking.
Shark continued, "Well, even if you had a better monster than that, it would've been pointless. I activate the magic card Aqua Jet! Until the end phase, a Water-attribute monster's attack is increased by 1000 points (Atk: 2800)!"
"It's here!" said one of the goons.
"Shark-san's magic combo!" said the other.
"Battle," ordered Shark, "Go, Big Jaws! Big mess!"
Zubaba Knight was destroyed.
Shark: 4000LPS
Yuma: 2800LPS
"Zubaba!" yelled Yuma. He lost a good deal of life points.
"I set one card and end my turn!" said Shark as he smirked.
"Damn it!" cursed Yuma, "But I only lost 1200 life points! My turn, draw! I summon Gagaga Magician (Atk: 1500-Lvl: 4)! I'm counting on you, Gagaga!"
"What?" asked Shark, "Only an attack power of 1500 and it's in attack position? My god, what a total misplay."
I half-agreed, what was Yuma up to? An equip spell, a monster effect?
"It's not!" said Yuma, "I equip from my hand Wonder Wand to Gagaga Magician! A monster equipped with Wonder Wand will have its attack increased by 500 points (Atk: 2000)! If the attack power is low, then I will power up with an equip magic card!"
"Alright!" cheered Kotori, "With this, it's power is higher than Big Jaws!"
"Go, Gagaga Magician!" ordered Yuma, "Attack Big Jaws!"
"To totally ignore my face down card…" said Shark, "Trap activate!"
"Trap card?!" asked Yuma incredulously.
"Zeus Breath!" said Shark, "This card activates when my opponents monster attacks and it negates the attack!"
Yuma was caught in the tide. Shoot…
Shark continued, "Also, when there is a Water-attribute monster on the field, it inflicts 800 points of damage to the opponent! My Big Jaws is a Water-attribute monster! So, you will take on 800 points of damage!"
Shark: 4000LPS
Yuma: 2000LPS
Yuma was already down by half his life points. Yuma better get a bit of defense on because this isn't the end.
"Damn it!" swore Yuma.
"Is that so…trap card, eh?" he asked and he flipped up, "Alright! I set one trap card! Turn end!"
"Yuma!" yelled Tetsuo face-palming.
"Idiot," I said shaking my head, "Set cards can be a trap or a magic. If you tell your opponent, well, it can be advantage for them!"
"Dang it!" yelled Kotori, "Get yourself together!"
"H-hey, it's not my fault!" Yuma shouted back.
"You stupid trash," said Shark getting Yuma's attention. "My turn, draw! I summon Skull Kraken (Atk: 600-Lvl: 3)!"
"Attack power of 600," said Yuma, reading its stats, "Alright. There aren't any monsters on his field that has higher attack than Gagaga Magician!"
"Like it can go that easy," said Shark, "I activate Skull Kraken's effect! When Skull Kraken is summoned, it destroys face-up magic or trap card on the opponent's field! I destroy Wonder Wand (Atk: 1500)!"
"What?!" asked Yuma shocked.
That's bad.
"With this, Gagaga Magician's attack power has become lower than Big Jaws."
"This is bad!" said Tetsuo, voicing my thoughts.
"Huh?" asked Kotori.
"With this, Shark has two monsters on his field," said Tetsuo, "This pattern is the same as when he dueled me!"
"And that would mean…" I said, "An Xyz summon!"
"Looks like Yuma really can't win…" said Tetsuo.
"Yuma…" whispered Kotori.
I stared at Yuma, "You two may have lost hope but I'm gonna keep cheering Yuma on."
"Rima…" said Kotori.
It was true though. Yuma needs someone to be behind him, "Yuma!"
Yuma didn't answer as he was staring at the ground.
"What's wrong?" asked Shark, "Are you really planning on becoming the Duel Champion with those kinds of skills?"
Yuma clutched his Key.
"Because you are still clinging onto something like that, you can't win in a duel!" mocked Shark.
I reached up and held my Key. Shark is being such an ass!
"What?!" asked Yuma angrily.
"I just thought of something good," said Shark, "If I take away your deck, just like your key, I will rip it all apart!"
"You bastard…" growled Yuma.
"In the end, you can't do anything all alone, can you?" Shark insulted Yuma. He then started cackling.
"Stop joking around!" yelled Yuma, "I am not someone like that! No matter how much I fail, no matter how much I get laughed at, I will always Kattobingu because…I always believe in myself! My Kattobingu hasn't finished yet!"
Yuma ripped his half-key from its cord and it was glowing insanely. I looked down to see the Empress Key glowing as well. The hell?
As the glow died down…uh? Where the hell am I? Let me rephrase that, where are we? Yuma was beside me holding his key.
Yuma looked to me, "Rima?"
"Where are we?" I asked as I saw a gate in front of us.
"Long story," he said.
I was about to ask him to clarify but then his key changed. The other half of it…was back?
"Now, open the door!"
I knew it was the creepy door-gate-thing talking.
Yuma looked shocked, "This is?!"
"Open the door!" said the demon door, "If you do, you will obtain a new power but in exchange…you will lose something you hold most precious."
Yuma looked at his key.
I smiled, "I may not know what the hell is going on but…Kattobingu!"
Yuma smiled, "Thank you, Rima." He then started sprinting towards the demon door, "I am going to Kattobingu all the way!"
He shot his hand through the keyhole. Yuma was knocked backwards and a barrier surrounded me. I looked down at my key, "Could this thing be doing this?" I asked myself.
The chains on the door snapped and it opened. I don't know if it was just me but I saw a blue figure fly through. Actually, did I see two? I blinked. Okay…
I don't know if there was a second one but I have no clue where it went. The first one though 'hit' Yuma and a bunch of cards surrounded him. The barrier was still in place but it was fading.
"Huh, what…what is this?!" asked Yuma.
In a blink of an eye, we were back to the duel.
Yuma was sitting while my key had stopped the barrier and its glow.
"What…what was that just now?" asked Yuma, "A dream?"
"No…I don't think so," I said to him.
Yuma still look confused and he looked at the key in his hands, "That's right…What happened?"
I heard a grunt of pain. I turned to see Shark hunched over, "Shark?"
"What is this?" he asked, "Strength is overflowing within me…" he yelled in pain?
"Shark, what's wrong?" I asked worriedly. He may be acting like a jerk but we're still friends.
He didn't answer and he winced in pain, "I overlay the level 3 Big Jaws and Skull Kraken! I construct the overlay network with the two monsters! Come, No.17 Revise Dragon (Atk: 2000-Rank: 3)!"
"Numbers?" asked Yuma.
"I've never heard of number monsters before," I said steadily.
"That isn't the monster he summoned in my duel!" said Tetsuo.
"Then what is that?" asked Kotori.
"I'm the same with Rima," said Tetsuo, "I've never heard of numbers before either"
Shark continued, "I activate Revise Dragon's effect! Once per turn, by using an overlay unit, Revise Dragon's attack points increases by 500!"
"What?!" asked Yuma disbelievingly.
"Go Revise Dragon, vice stream (Atk: 2500)!" ordered Shark.
Yuma was pushed backwards by the blast. Gagaga Magician was destroyed.
Shark: 4000LPS
Yuma: 1000LPS
"Yuma!" yelled Kotori.
I bit my lip, three thousand point gap…
"Looks like the match is set," said Shark, "I will finish you off with the next blow!"
Yuma was still struggling on the ground, "Ugh…it hurts…Damn it, looks like I can't-"
"Stand up!"
My eyes grew wide as I noticed…that blue being again. It was an actual person.
"Let's win," he said.
"Who are you?" asked Yuma, voicing my thoughts.
Alright! First chapter revised on 19/05/13.