Disclaimer: The following piece is in no way a claim to ownership of the depicted characters. Yu-Gi-Oh, Yu-Gi-Oh R, Yu-Gi-Oh GX and Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's are owned by TV Tokyo, Konami Corporation and Kazuki Takahashi. The book/poem after which this fanfiction document has taken its name is the property of Edgar Allen Poe. This story as presented is strictly for entertainment purposes, both for its owner and readers.
Chapter 3 – The Dragon's-Blood Duel! Gale Rider vs. Trident Dragion
Under the midnight full moon's radiance, Ryo stood on the roof of the apartment building, two Duel Discs strapped to his waist. The one of the left was his new Dragunity Deck: polished, turbo-charged, and unable to overcome Jack when he had used the Deck of legendary Ryukishi Kyojo.
On the right, the corrupted Duel Disc of his Cyber Reverse-Style Deck; also powerful, and strong enough to go head-to-head with Kyojo at his best, but a Deck which was almost uncontrollable. It had nearly killed him thrice in recent years, and as a result he had set it aside. Until now.
"This is something I always knew I'd have to do," Ryo thought to himself. "I'd just hoped it wouldn't be this soon." Standing on the sidelines were Jack and Judai, in case anything happened to their black-clad friend.
Raising his left arm to fold in front of his chest, he grabbed his back Duel Disc with his right arm and pulled it over his left arm. The gauntlet fit into place perfectly, and almost immediately the lights on the device activated and the automated shuffler mixed up the cards and dealt him a hand.
However, when he grabbed it, the black vines which covered the disc re-grew and shot up his arm, extending over every inch of his body; and after that red and black electricity began to course through them, making him howl in pain. "Kaiser, don't give up!" Judai yelled out, waiting at any moment to run out and help him.
Ryo was forced to close his eyes from the pain of the experience, but within his own mind there was a tranquil stillness. There he stood amongst the blackness of the subconscious mind, standing there as his normal self opposite a sneering double of himself.
"What is this about?" Ryo asked to his alter ego. Before even speaking, the figure chuckled in a deep voice rather unlike Ryo's and closed its eyes, before turning and saying,
"This is about the ability to fulfill one's goals and desires," the figure spoke, using the voice of Darkness as it opened its eyes. A blanket of shadow formed around the body double, changing its clothes to those that Fubuki and Fujiwara had used while under his influence, and he added, "you were willing to throw away everything you knew for victory, and that is what you were given."
"I was given a path to victory," Ryo corrected. "That did not involve you, Darkness."
"Darkness?" the figure replied, almost in sarcastic surprise. "Darkness is gone." With that, the face of the figure slowly morphed into that of Fubuki, quickly covered by the dragon-like mask. Resuming in Fubuki's voice, the figure spoke: "The entity of which you speak does not inhabit you anymore, and never will."
"Then what are you?" Listening to these statements, Ryo looked on in awe and shock with wide eyes and open mouth.
"Isn't it obvious?" the figure asked, his features and voice slowly shifting to those of Fujiwara below the mask. "I'm the part of you that you cannot admit is part of you. The part you despise for what it has done, what it has made of you."
"You're lying."
"Oh, but I wish I was," it finally added, its features below the mask resuming those of Ryo and its voice following suit. It then took off the mask, revealing a cold pair of sadistic eyes and a masochistic smile that could only mark Hell Kaiser.
"Im... impossible."
"You and I are one and the same," Hell Kaiser explained to his other half. "We have struggled for power for years, and that's long enough. You want respect, and I want victory. It's time we buried this hatchet and pooled our forces."
"Agreed," Ryo nodded. In unison the two figures began walking towards each other, stopping only when they were two feet away from each other. They both then extended their right hands, and when they clasped them they erupted into a bright burst of light.
"Judai," Ryo said, back I the real world, reaching for the Deck, "I… never… give in!" With that he grabbed the Deck and pulled the entire Deck out of the slot, scattering the cards like a pile knocked off a table. The dark vines all over his body slowly began to dissolve as the dark powers began to flow away from the scattered cards, exorcised from their home.
"Ryo, are you okay?" Jack asked, both he and Judai both stepping out onto the roof and standing behind Ryo. In mere seconds Ryo turned around, his eyes now showing a dark confidence they had not shown for years; the exuberance of his youthful self had been brought back, and there was no denying it.
"I'm better than alright," he answered, a strong and confident tone greater than usual in his voice. "I'm back, and Hell Kaiser lives."
The very next morning, as the sun was just coming up, both Jack and Hell Kaiser walked up onto the roof of the building, taking opposite positions and raising their Duel Discs. Following close behind were the five who had observed their earlier duel, and they were all eager to see how his new Deck would fair against the champion Deck Jack had inherited.
***
Earlier that night, Hell Kaiser had come back into the living room of his penthouse at around 1 a.m., the back Duel Disc still on his arm, as he lay the two piles of cards – his two Decks – down on the glass table. Turning them over and fanning out the cards, he began to look through the cards and take out what he thought was useful for his new one.
Within his own mind, he initially did not notice Asuka entering from the master bedroom, dressed in her white lace nightgown and smiling at her fiancé and his actions. "Honey," she said to him, causing him to look up and turn her way. The confident-looking smile he gave said it all, and she was thrilled.
"You got yourself back," she realized, walking towards him as he stood up. She gave him a nice warm hug, her lacey outfit snug against his black leather coat and tight-fitting shirt, and giving him a kiss on the lips. "It's so good to see you happy," she said cheerily.
"And now," he said slyly and in what Asuka considered a sexy tone of voice, "I can make you happy." Asuka giggled lightly as the two both locked lips again, the two shuffling off to one side slightly. A tug-of-war-like motion of kissing ensued, followed by some small hip movements by both parties, but then Asuka strangely backed off. "What's wrong?" Hell Kaiser asked, worried about his fiancée.
"As good as that sounds," Asuka replied, "we can do that any time. I don't want to keep you from your Deck, and I'm tired tonight anyway." Releasing their embrace, Asuka began to walk away to the bedroom cheerily, blowing him a goodnight kiss on the way out.
Turning back to his cards, Ryo sat back down and continued the task of selecting and combining cards from both Decks.
***
"I hope you gave this Deck some considerable thought," Jack gloated, holding up the Trident Dragion card as he slipped it into his Extra Deck.
Across the way, Ryo stood glaring at Jack confidently, almost looking like a punk rocker: his hair, not ponytail-free, had been died back and given red tips; his eyes were lined with black make-up; and his belt and cuffs were adorned with spikes. Looking at Jack he said, "I have a feeling this Deck will take thing to the next Level. You're going down Atlus!"
"Then it's on!" Jack said, both players raising their left arms to activate their Duel Discs. Both devices immediately shuffled their cards and gave them each a five-card hand. Taking both up they each yelled,
"DUEL!"
Hell Kaiser: LP 4000
Jack: LP 4000
"I take the first move," Hell Kaiser declared. "Draw! Magic Activate: Treasure of Harmony! I discard one Dragon-type Tuner with 1000 or less ATK, and I draw 2 cards!" Flipping around the card Dragunity – Phalanx, he slid it into the Cemetery slot of his black claw Duel Disc and pulled 2 new cards.
"I summon Dragunity – Dux (ATK: 1500)!" Placing the card onto a Monster Space, in front of Hell Kaiser formed a beige-feathered Icarus-like warrior, who let out a small battle-cry as Ryo raised his now-glowing Cemetery. "When this monster is Summoned, from my Cemetery I equip to it a Level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster. Come: Phalanx!"
Up from below the ground arose an armoured dragon slightly larger than the warrior, with silvery armour and a piece that resembled a big lance, which the warrior leapt up onto and stood on the back off.
"Phalanx, is it?" Jack noted, remembering the use of it previous.
"Exactly," Ryo said, sneering it slightly, "And by its effect I Special Summon it (ATK: 500)!" After he finished these words, his beige feathered monster leapt off the dragon and returned to a standing position by itself.
"Then that's that isn't it?" Jack asked.
"I tune my Level 2 Phalanx to my Level 4 Dux!" With a shriek, the dragon changed into 2 white robs that became green rings to surround the beige feathered monster. It became a yellow outline of itself and released 4 white star orbs, which merged into a single column of light.
"Synchro Summon! Dragunity Knight – Gaedarg (ATK: 2400)!" From the light with a battle cry arose a red and grey-armoured winged warrior mounted on a similar-looking serpentine Dragon. "And next, by this monster's effect I may add 1 Dragunity from my Deck to my hand and discard 1 as well." From his Deck he silently pulled out a second Dragunity – Phalanx and placed it in the Cemetery immediately.
"He's stocking his Cemetery for a big play," Asuka realized.
"I set 2 cards and end my turn." As Hell Kaiser slipped his 2 cards into the Slots, he stared at Jack and said, "Let's see the Deck of the Legendary Ryukishi Kyojo start better."
"Ask and ye shall receive," Jack issued, reaching for his Deck. "Draw! Magic Activate: Dark Allure!" Pulling 2 cards from hid Deck, he took a card from his hand (which he revealed as Mad Daemon) and placed it into his pocket. "I Special Summon Vice Dragon (ATK: 1000)!"
Rising up in front of Jack with a guttural growl, the purple dinosaur-like dragon snarled and waved its massive paws. "Next I summon Flare Resonator (ATK: 300)!" Beside the dragon emerged the small rodent-like monster with tuning fork and glass rod in hand. Within seconds the monster burst into flames and Jack yelled, "Tuning!"
Clanging its fork and its rod together, the burning monster changed into 3 green rings to surround the purple dragon, who breathed out 5 white orbs before disappearing. "The heartbeat of the ruler will now be heard. Take witness to its creation-shaking power." The orbs formed the vertical column that erupted into the form of Jack's grey and red dragon completed with armour pieces.
"Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Daemon's Dragon (ATK: 3000)!" Roaring at Hell Kaiser, it was expected that the dragon would make the man tense; instead, he stared back at it with a confident, almost arrogant glare.
"You took me seriously enough to use your own monster today," Hell Kaiser issued sarcastically. "I'm so enthused. And because of your Flare Resonator's effect, your monster grows stronger still; it gains 300 ATK (ATK: 3300). I shall enjoy crushing that monster."
"We'll see how funny you think it is after this!" Jack declared hostilely. "Red Daemon's, attack his Gaedarg! Absolute Power Force!" Roaring, the dragon formed a fireball around its right fist to thrust it at the mounted dragon, but as it neared Hell Kaiser grabbed 6 cards from his Deck and flung them into the air.
"Trap Card Open!" he declared, motioning to it as it flipped over. "By the effect of Power Wall, by sending 9 cards to the Cemetery, I negate my Battle Damage!" As the cards drifted down, they were identified as Rainbow Dark Dragon, Cyber Dark Keel, Dragunity – Javelin, Samsara Dogma, Fusion Guard, Cyber Dark Horn, Cyber Dark Edge, Cyber Dragon Zwei and Dragunity – Primus Pilus.
"But even so," Jack growled as the flames on his dragon's fist spread onto Ryo's monster. "Your monster is still destroyed by this battle."
"Not in this case!" Hell Kaiser taunted, snapping his fingers and causing a card to flip face-up. "With Synchro Guard, I make my Synchro Monster indestructible by this attack, and I draw 1 card from my Deck!" Pulling his card, the flames around the monsters shattered like a destroyed card before the red and grey dragon returned to his place.
"I set 1 card and end my turn," Jack declared, violently thrusting the card into the slot. "You have trifled with the King; so now you will show me your power, oh mighty Prince of Darkness." Even with sarcasm noted in his voice, Hell Kaiser quickly replied with,
"Then feel the power of the Cyber-Style Heir reborn in the depths of Hell!" With that Hell Kaiser reached for his card and declared, "It's my turn. Draw! I activate the effect of Gaedarg, and from my Deck I add another Dragunity – Dux to my hand." Pulling the card out of the Deck when it slid forth, he placed it in his hand before revealing the card Dragunity – Primus Pilus and placing it in the Cemetery.
"Searching his Deck for a non-Tuner this time," Sho noted. "He's going for another Synchro monster, to topple the Red Daemon's."
"Come, Dux (ATK: 1500)!" Once again the beige Icarus-like figure rose up and raised its sword as it cried out. "Return, Phalanx!" Up from below the ground arose the silvery dragon before it roared out and joined the two monsters beside it. Then, Hell Kaiser took a card and slapped it down.
"I Tune my Level 2 Dragunity – Phalanx to my Level 4 Dragunity – Dux!" As the dragon roared, it turned its body into 2 white orbs that became green rings and surrounded the beige gryphon-like warrior and changed it into 4 white orbs. The end result was a white column of light that produced a beige-feathered warrior riding on top of a silvery serpent dragon.
"Synchro Summon: Dragunity – Gaelborg (ATK: 2000)!"
"This monster again?" Jack scoffed. "How dare you mock the King's monsters with the likes of them?"
"Like so!" Hell Kaiser declared, pointing at Red Daemon's Dragon. "Battle! And with Gelborg's effect, I exclude Dragunity – Primus Pilus!" pulling the card from his Cemetery, the dragon roared as its own power was increased (ATK: 4200) before the creature's rider raised its sword and the dragon shot forward.
"Trap Card: Guard Block!" Jack declared. "I take no Battle Damage and I draw 1 card!" Pulling his card, the sword cut through the red and grey dragon with little effort before the monster exploded.
"Permanent Trap: Call of the Living Dead!" Jack declared, his dragon exploded up from the roof again with an angry roar.
"A clever ploy," Hell Kaiser responded. "I've been waiting for a duel of this energy, this vigour. I set 2 cards and end my turn."
"Draw!" Jack declared, smiling. "I Summon the Tuner Monster, Dread Dragon (ATK: 1100)!" As he slapped the monster onto the field, his existing dragon was joined by a brown dinosaur-like dragon with small arms and wings, large legs, a massive tail and black dreadlocks. "And then, I set 2 cards."
"He's set up the conditions for that card's Synchro Summon," Yusei realized.
"He's made that Deck his own now," Crow realized. "Just as Hell Kaiser did with the Dragunity, he has taken on Trident Dragion."
"Behold the Duel of the Past and Present King!" Jack declared, raising his right fist to the sky. "I Tune my Level 2 Dread Dragon to my Level 8 Red Daemon's Dragon!" Roaring, the brown dragon released 2 orbs from its mouth and disappeared, the orbs turning into 2 green rings that surrounded the red and grey dragon.
The giant Dragon which Jack cherished roared as it became a yellow outline of itself, disappearing as 8 white orbs were released and a pillar of fire formed. Jack then raised both arms and chanted, "The King of Hell shall now release his greatest servant, to cleanse the Earth and light the Pyres of Dogma! Synchro Summon! Incinerate, Trident Dragion (ATK: 3000)!"
As with before, the flames exploded out and released the massive serpentine three-headed dragon, roaring demonically while red runic lines lit up on its sides. Then, once again the Dragon's Birthmarks on the three Present Signers lit up and began sparking, and Jack stared on at Hell Kaiser smugly. "Meet the King's Ultimate Soldier!"
"The King's armies will not hold back the Legions of Hell Kaiser!" the black-clad duelist retorted. "Bring upon me your wrath, for this time I will withstand it and claim victory."
"Then claim this," Jack sneered. "With Trident Dragion's effect, I destroy the Call of the Living Dead that became static after I used Red Daemon's Dragon, as well as my set Synchro Overlimit!" Flipping up, the aforementioned latter trap appeared as both cards shattered. After that, Jack's Cemetery glowed and 3 cards slid back out.
"Synchro Overlimit?" Sho repeated. "Then Jack has…"
"Planned to Summon out both monsters from the beginning," Asuka relayed.
"When this set card is destroyed," Jack informed, "By excluding Synchro Materials from my Cemetery, I Ressurect 1 Synchro Monster. I remove Flare Resonator and Vice Dragon, and I Re-Summon Red Daemon's Dragon (ATK: 3000)!" Taking the top 2 cards and placing them in his pocket, Jack slapped the third onto the tray and his monster took up place on the field.
"And then, because I Synchro Summoned a Level 8 or higher Dragon with Dread Dragon," Jack further smirked, "Trident Dragion gains 800 ATK (ATK: 3800)!"
"This… can't be!" Sho worried. "Brother's already lost."
"I refuse to go down!" Hell Kaiser yelled defiantly.
"That's too bad," Jack issued. "Battle!"
"Permanent Trap: Forceful Stop!" Hell Kaiser issued. "I send Dragunity – Gaelborg to the Cemetery and end this Battle Phase!" Roaring, the silver dragon and its rider disappeared as the Trap Card glowed.
"Main Phase 2," Jack issued, "I activate Card of Death." Pulling his 5 cards, Jack smiled and said, "I release Red Daemon's Dragon to Advance Summon Strong Wind Dragon (ATK: 2400)." Changing into a neon rainbow orb, the red and grey dragon further morphed into a green dragon with a well-defined physique and massive wings.
"Now, my Dragon gains 1500 ATK (ATK: 3900). Turn end."
"I must end this," Hell Kaiser realized. "Draw!" I activate my Gaedarg's effect: I add Hell Dragon to my hand and discard it." Pulling out his monster and immediately discarding it, he then pulled a card from his hand and activated it. "Magic Activate: Synchro Release! I return Gaedarg to the Extra Deck and Special Summon Dux (ATK: 1500) and Phalanx (ATK: 500)!"
Roaring, the dragon's body broke up into 6 white orbs, collecting into 2 and 4 before spawning the two monsters used to create it. "Next, I activate Magic Burial, and for 800 Life Points, from my Cemetery I Special Summon my second Dragunity – Dux (ATK: 1500)." Up from the ground rose a second of the beige feathered warrior, and after that Hell Kaiser's Life Points fell.
Hell Kaiser: LP 3200
Jack: LP 4000
"I Tune my Level 2 Phalanx to me 2 Level 4 Dragunity – Duxes!" Roaring, the dragon released 2 white orbs to form to green rings before it disintegrated. These rings split up, each surrounding a monster and changing it into 4 white orbs before they all fused into a single beam of light.
"Draw swords up and cross them in the force of the Gods of War," Hell Kaiser chanted. "With powers combined, fight the battles of destiny and rise to the greatness above! Synchro Summon! Bonds of the Warriors, Dragunity Knight – Gale Rider (ATK: 3800)!"
As the light subsided, it once again gave rise to the six-winged dragon and its Icarus-like mount that roared out in fury. "And as you know, this is the time when both our set cards are returned to the Deck."
"Chain: Permanent Trap, Spell of the Ruler! I equip this Trap to my Trident Dragion, and increase its ATK by 700 (ATK: 4500)!" As the card glowed, it released an aura that surrounded the large three-headed dragon, who in turn uttered a guttural demon's snarl.
"What a coincidence," Hell Kaiser issued, snapping his fingers. "I also Chain Spell of the Ruler (ATK: 4500)!" As Jack looked on in shock, the same card he had just played appeared on Ryo's field and gave the same aura to his monster. "And next, I activate Spider's Thread and activate your Card of Death!"
"Kisama!" Jack issued as the image of his card glowed on Hell Kaiser's field, and the black-clad player drew 5 cards as such. "Magic Activate: Cyber Dark Impact!" His Cemetery glowing, Hell Kaiser watched as three cards slid out and he thus held them up. "By returning Cyber Dark Horn, Edge and Keel to my Deck, I Fusion Summon Armored Black Dragon – Cyber Dark Dragon (ATK: 1000)!"
The dark brown dragon-like machine appeared first, roaring like a mechanical lion. Second was the dark green dragonfly-like monster, and last the dark grey serpent with four wires on its body also appeared, snarling as it bore its toothy mouth. In a flash of sparks, they all fused together in a fixed shape and the maw of the brown monster opened up to reveal the green-eyed, leathery face of the dragon.
"By the effect of Cyber Dark Dragon, I equip it with the Rainbow Dark Dragon I sent to my Cemetery earlier (ATK: 5000)!" With that a long grey serpent dragon with black-feathered wings and four red eyes let out a massive roar before the machine dragon descended upon it and grabbed it with 8 claws, attaching yellow wires to its temples to paralyze it and drain its power.
"And next, for every monster in your Cemetery," Jack stated, "it gains 100 ATK."
"That's correct," Hell Kaiser noted, "And at this time that number is 7 (ATK: 5700)! Battle: Destroy Trident Dragion!" Roaring, the mechanical beats released a force of energy that struck the red three-headed dragon, making it roar out loudly before exploding.
"Very well" Jack yelled, "But Spell of the Ruler costs you 700 Life Points!" As Hell Kaiser watched Jack's Life Points fall, his own Life Points were struck as a purple aura consumed him.
Hell Kaiser: LP 2500
Jack: LP 2800
"And now, Gale Rider," he added, "destroys Strong Wind Dragon!" Rising up, the dragon's mount drew its weapon and cut through the green dragon, which roared as it exploded and Jack grunted in frustration.
Hell Kaiser: LP 2500
Jack: LP 2200
"I set 2 cards and end my turn,"
"Draw!" Jack issued. "Magic Activate: Angel's Gift!" Pulling 2 cards, he smirked as he took 2 monsters from his hand and discarded them. "Next, I Activate Avarice Pot! I return Dragion, Red Daemon's, Dread Dragon, Strong Wind Dragon and the Dark Resonator I just discarded!"
The 5 cards sliding out, Jack took his cards and reshuffled them before pulling 2 new cards. "I send Forceful Stop to the Cemetery and Special Summon Trap Eater (ATK: 1900!" Behind Hell Kaiser's Trap formed a blue vortex, through which a piranha-like demon with grey leathery skin emerged, devouring the Trap Card on the way to Jack's field.
"Now he can't end the Battle Phase if he needs to," Asuka realized.
"And knowing Jack, he will," added Crow.
"I Summon Twin Breaker! (ATK: 1600)!" Beside the monster formed a warrior with a three-pronged blade for each hand and a veil over its face, right before the demon growled. "I tune my Trap Eater to my Twin Breaker!" The roaring demon changed into 4 green rings that surrounded the warrior, changing it into 4 white orbs and making a pillar of light.
"The heartbeat of the ruler will now be heard. Take witness to its creation-shaking power. Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Daemon's Dragon (ATK: 3000)!" From the light, once again the form of the red and grey dragon took up shape, and the monster roared with its usual power (ATK: 3000).
"Is that the best you can do?" Hell Kaiser taunted.
"The King always has a new tactic up his sleeve," Jack answered. "Instant Magic: Quick Summon! Come out: Jinhua Cat (ATK: 400)!" A shadowy recess formed along the ground right beside the dragon, as Jack smiled. "I may now Special Summon 1 Level 1 monster in my Cemetery, so return: Salvation Dragon – Savior Dragon (ATK: 0)!"
"What?" Hell Kaiser yelled. Sure enough, the shadow released the red large-headed dragon with a teardrop-shaped body and segmented wings that the gang new well. From that, the shadow took the form of the dragon, albeit in black.
"Behold, the true form of the King's power! I Tune my Level 1 Savior Dragon to my Level 8 Red Daemon's Dragon and my Level 1 Jinhua Cat!" Rising up into the sky, the red dragon became see-through as it increased in size until it was largey than the roof of the apartment building. Into it rose both the shadowy dragon and the red and grey dragon, the latter changing into an outline with 8 orbs inside and the former a single. All 9 then formed a row and fused.
"Polished, lone light! Become the true high-ruler and illuminate the earth! Shine your light! Synchro Summon! Creation-Shaking Soul, Savior Demon Dragon (ATK: 4000)!" The body of the red dragon exploded into a huge fireball, which then spawned a huge red and dark grey four-winged wyvern with wings composed of white feather-like blades, a mane of red hair surrounded by three long yellow horns, and a club tail with several spikes.
"That monster," Judai said sternly, thinking of the times when both he and Yusei had unleashed the power of the Saviors.
"Savior Demon Dragon may, once in one turn, negate the effect of an opponent's monster and add that monster's ATK to its own," Jack bellowed. "I absorb the power of Cyber Dark Dragon! Power Gain!" The dragon roared before launching a barrage of crimson flames onto the mechanical dragon, destroying the creature grasped in its claws.
"Without the effects it normally has," Asuka realized as the flames died down, "Cyber Dark Dragon's ATK returns to normal (ATK: 1000). Therefore, Savior Demon Dragon's ATK is 5000."
"If he receives this hit," Sho realized, "He's done!"
"Savior Demon," Jack yelled, "Attack Cyber Dark Dragon! Ultimate Power Force!" Roaring, the entire body of the titanic four-winged dragon burst into crimson flames and it shot towards the mechanical dragon, but not before Hell Kaiser reacted.
"Trap Card Open: Shock Reborn!" He declared. "With this, I halve by Battle Damage!" As the card glowed, the burning beast struck and passed through his mechanical monster, which was about half the size of the attacking beast, singing it and creating a back draft that consumed Hell Kaiser in its wake.
"What's going on?" Crow asked as Hell Kaiser screamed in pain and the dragon flew past the roofline, extinguishing and returning it its own place as the flames around Ryo died down and he fell onto his knees. "Jack, you bastard!"
Hell Kaiser: LP 500
Jack: LP 2200
"Now you understand what it means to defy the King!" Jack yelled, laughing hysterically after doing so. "My monster has all but eliminated your Life Points! And next turn, you will fall!"
"Oh really?" Hell Kaiser asked, looking up with a look of sadistic enjoyment on his face. "Because I've not fallen, but stumbled. Your crown, King, shall now me mine!" As Jack looked on in shock at these words, Hell Kaiser rose up and pointed at his card. "When Shock Reborn halves my Battle Damage, I then Special Summon 1 monster from my Cemetery with ATK less than my Damage. Return: Dux (ATK: 1500)!"
In a burst of electricity, a blue vortex formed that returned to the field the beige feathered monster from earlier.
"That does you little good," Jack said. "Magic Activate: Sublimation Energy! I draw 3 cards!" Pulling them one by one, he spun one around and issued, "I then equip Savior Force to my Savior Demon Dragon!" Up from the card rose a purple flaming aura that blanketed the four-winged monster, protecting it.
"Instant Magic: Cyclone!" With that a whirlwind rose out from the card, striking Hell Kaiser's face-up card and making him cringe in frustration while his monster's power fell (ATK: 3800). "I set 1 card and end my turn, so my monster's ATK returns to normal. (ATK: 4000)."
"Draw!" Ryo declared, pulling a card. "Magic Activate: Donated Power! I Release Dux and power up my Gale Rider (ATK: 5300)!" As the card appeared, Hell Kaiser's beige monster disappeared while the power of his other monster rose. "Next I activate Arms Hole, and send my top card to the Cemetery to add Fighting Spirits to my hand!"
Pulling a card from his Deck, Hell Kaiser placed it in the Cemetery and then fanned through his Deck to grab a new card. He then placed it on his monster. "Now, my monster gains 300 ATK (ATK: 5600). Battle!"
"Instant Magic: Battle Tuned!" Jack declared, flipping his card. "By excluding one Tuner from my Cemetery, I add its ATK to my face-up monster. I choose Trap Eater (ATK: 5900)! Counterattack!" Roaring, Jack's monster built up a meteor-like fireball in its jaws and shot it at the attacking creature, striking it and making Hell Kaiser stagger.
Hell Kaiser: LP 200
Jack: LP 2200
"Because of Fighting Spirits' effect," jack noted, "Your monster was not destroyed, just its equip card (ATK: 5300). But, in my next turn, I can power up my Dragon and win!"
"Except that there is no next turn, Jack!" Hell Kaiser sneered. "Trap Card: Synchro Halo!"
"Kisama! You planned this!" Jack realized, seeing the card flip up and Hell Kasier's monster glow.
"Exactly," Hell Kaiser confirmed. "Because I could not destroy your Savior Demon Dragon, this Trap lets me double its ATK (ATK: 10600) and attack again!"
"That much ATK?" Crow blurted. "Holy fuck!"
"That's Big Brother's true Duel!" Sho realized.
"Gale Rider, Destroy Savior Demon! Lance of the End!" Rising up, the dragon blasted towards the flying red dragon and the mount drew its sword, slashing the dragon and making a blast shoot down from the Dragon onto Jack. Before the dragon could be shattered, Jack roared out in anger as he fell.
Hell Kaiser: LP 200
Jack: LP 0
"Behold, King," Hell Kaiser instructed as his monster disappeared and Jack's burst into a beacon of light, slowly returning whence it came. "The Duel of the Cyber Style Heir!"
Staring at Hell Kaiser for a few seconds angrily, Jack finally smiled and walked over to his opponent, hand outstretched. "That's a true duel," the blond duelist said simply. "I say, as a true King, that you deserve your crown, Kaiser."
At that moment, Judai raised his hands and began clapping, and soon all the others began to follow suit. Nodding, Hell Kaiser turned to them happily and said, "Thank you for your help. Jack, I need one last favour of you."
"Yes?" Jack responded, slightly curious.
"That reporter friend of yours, Carly; tell her Hell Kaiser is ready for a comeback, and that he's willing to give her an interview." Jack acted slightly stunned at this comment, making the group smile in amusement.
Elsewhere, in a forest-like world, a man in a dark purple outfit composed of a belted trench coat, a black coat and pants, and a pair of gold-lined purple boots, with a Duel Disc strapped to his arm, could be seen walking to some undisclosed location. He had overtop of his outfit a dark grey cloak with the hood up, to cover his identity.
After a few minutes of walking, he reached a structure similar to a Mayan pyramid, albeit with five spires on the top of it. Three of them were different than the remaining two; they were taller and more ornate, and they were coloured light blue, dark red and bright red. At the top of the altar stood a tall blue-skinned figure in black, purple and gold armour-like robes and holding a sun-shaped staff fitted with a purple gem.
"The New Power has been invoked," the blue-skinned figure issued as the man reached the top of the stairs. "The Signers must finally have learned of its true potential."
"Again?" was the human's response as he pulled down his hood, revealing his gold eyes and dirty-blond hair. "Then all is coming true." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a single Duel Monsters card, a Synchro Monster, with no name, level, text or attribute. Instead, it only featured the image of an orange and grey four-winged dragon with red eyes.
"The new Fifth Signer has indeed been chosen, as you perceived," the blue-skinned figure stated solemnly. "The time is nigh to pass on that card to him, and he will make it his own."
"And set its tortured soul upon its true Master," the man stated, looking at the card. "No longer will the Signers be short their full power." Turning to the blue-skinned figure, he added, "Endymion, has my friend arrived yet?"
"I fear, Taiyou," was Endymion's reply, "That we cannot find Kyojo. However, I do indeed believe that he has returned to Domino, or Neo Domino as it is now known."
"Zero Reverse," Taiyou whispered in a saddened voice. "Damn thee, Rudger."
"All will come to pass that justice is restored, my apprentice. You must trust in me." With that Taiyou looked up at the five spires, seeing that each one had pictured on it one of the Five Dragons, but in addition the spires that were coloured each held a second monster above that: Savior Star above Stardust on the blue, Savior Demon above Red Daemon's on the dark red, and Savior Rose above Black Rose on the light red.
"I feel the time has come for me to resume my task allotted to me by Destiny," Taiyou said, turning away and pulling his hood back on. "Let me know when Kyojo is seen." When Endymion nodded, Taiyou started down the altar steps and into the forest.
"When will the project be ready?" a man dressed in a white robe asked to the image of a woman on a screen, sounding calm and collected as he did so.
"Within the hour," was the woman's reply. "Yliaster will soon have completely repaired the BAD into a usable state."
"Excellent, Yusuriha. You may proceed," the man said, turning the screen off. "It's merely a matter of time now. Where the Brothers Godwin failed, we shall succeed..."
Riding down the streets of Neo Domino, a man dressed in a black leather riding suit and operating a large dark red and black D-Wheel suddenly felt a vibration in his pocket and pulled over onto the shoulder. Dismounting, he pulled out his cell phone and answered with a Texan accent, "Hello?"
"He's begun to make his move," a female voice stated, prompting the man to smile.
"Thanks for the head's up," the man answered. "I'm in position when we're ready to begin."
"As am I. We just need to get the Signers on board."
"Why don't you leave that to me?" the rider asked. "I think you being with Yliaster, even undercover, might not go over well with how that group's rubbed them the wrong way and all."
"Alright. I'll continue to keep things under wraps and under surveillance on my end."
"I'd expect nothing less from someone as talented as you," the rider flattered.
"Talk to you later." With that a beep on her end signaled the end of the call, and the man turned to his call list and picked out a number. After pressing the button, he smiled and waited until the person answered.
"Hey, Judai, it's me," the rider stated.
Card of the Week – Hell Kaiser/Ryo
Dragunity Knight – Gale Rider
Attribute: WIND
Level: 10
Type(s): [Dragon/Synchro/Effect]
Effect: 1 Dragon-type Tuner + 2 or more non-Tuner Bird-type monsters.
When this card is Synchro Summoned successfully, return all set cards on the field to their owners' Decks.
ATK/ 3800
DEF/ 2500
*Everything is set up for my next full-length fic, which I know will be a hit. Review if you wish.*
