Chapter 3
It was night time and I had just returned home to the Sakaki residence to find it empty, except for the pets who had all gone back to their kennels and pens for the night after their dinners. I found a note left behind on the refrigerator by both Yusho and Yoko. Apparently Yusho had an important appointment to attend to at his old school branch in the fusion dimension, something to do with a new program they were about to implement though he had no further details, so he had no choice but to make a trip there for the week and see for himself, but considering its dimension related he probably couldn't return home for the next couple of weeks. As for Yoko, she had forgotten she planned a Maiami Queen reunion gathering tonight but completely forgot about it until now due to all that's been happening lately involving the new family additions and 4 dimensions. Luckily she was kind enough to leave behind a pair of reheatable set meals for me and Yuya in the refrigerator.
It was pretty quiet the entire time considering Yusho wasn't around to entertain us this time, which was rather disappointing to be honest, and Yoko not around to add to that family atmosphere. Surprisingly not even Yuya had arrived home yet so I assumed he was involved in a duel, which was usually normal for either him or me considering we are now pro duelists. The time alone at dinner however helped me to collect my thoughts on this afternoon, I still hadn't gotten over that strange feeling I experienced after Reira grabbed my hand. I definitely felt something then, as if something was transferred to me from her but I still couldn't put my finger on it. I still felt the same yet also different too….Oh well no point worrying about something if I don't have enough info or any answers to.
After dinner I had enough of waiting so I decided to go to my room and sort out our decks at the desk hoping to pass the time or to take my mind off today's weird event. Jin, Nushi and Yamata then materialised and made themselves comfortable on the couch, bed or by the window. After a while, Jin looked out the window and looked somewhat concerned, "Yuya's sure been gone for a while hasn't he?" he commented after now hearing anything from outside our room for quite a while. Normally when he arrived home he'd make a wisecrack joke or a proclamation to the household but now was completely silent.
"Yeah, haven't seen him since we left him at school," Yamata added, "Wonder what happened to him and the others…"
Nushi the turned his attention to me and noticed I was solely focused on our cards that were laid out on the table, "You haven't said a single word since we came in here," He said coming up to me with a raised eyebrow, "Not even you can be this quiet when working with cards. Care to tell us what's on your mind?" Hearing that the others got all curious and went up to me as well. In all honesty I had no idea how to describe what just happened, though come to think of it, shouldn't they feel it too?
"Ummm you guys don't feel anything different with yourselves do you?" I asked.
"Huh?" They went curiously, some of them even raising an eyebrow finding my question odd.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jin asked.
"Oh guess to was just me then…." I then said to myself seeing their puzzled response as the answer, "Well, to tell you the truth I've felt a little strange after I played with Reira this afternoon." I said placing my fist to my chest, "She touched me and then I felt something…though I don't know what." I the recollected my thoughts on how I felt a bright light shone from her all of a sudden and then I felt something odd after that, "Surprised you didn't feel anything yourselves."
"Hmmm how interesting…." Nushi thought to himself as he scratched his chin.
"If you felt it surely we should too but we didn't…." Jin said, "Maybe its something to do with your physical body?"
Yamaha's face perked up, "I know! Maybe Reira was sick and maybe you caught her bug!" He then exclaimed before throwing a panic, "Quick guys check his temperature! He could have come down with a disease and doesn't know it yet!"
We all sweat dropped at his sudden alarm, "You dummy, if she was sick do you think Himika would bring her out into the park?" Nushi face palmed and shook his head.
"Hmm good point." Yamata replied feeling countered.
"Come to think of it…." I then thought to myself remembering something, "Reira is technically possessed by a spirit….Could it be?"
Jin then turned to me feeling concerned that something may be inside me, "Maybe we should look inside you and-" Before he could finish though my room door suddenly opened.
BANG!
"Huh?" We all turned and looked to see a somewhat battle scarred Yuya walk or should I say limp in through the door. His clothes were now smudged and somewhat scraped and I even noticed a couple of bruises and bandages over his arms and even a couple on his face! When he looked up he carried somewhat of a cross between a scowl and a frown, his counterparts materialised beside him and we could see they each suffered a handful of injuries of their own!
"Y…Yuya?" I asked uneasily.
"Sorry to be so late….School nurse only just let me out from the infirmary….." he groaned while tying his best to force a weak smile, "Had to walk all the way home, was too dizzy to use my rollerblades, otherwise I wouldn't be able to steer myself properly. Just finished dinner and came to see if anyone else was around since mom and dad were out. Then I found you here." He replied.
"Whoa….you look like you've been dragged in by a stray cat…..Not quite the best look for you guys" Yamata commented hearing some low growls coming from Yuto and the others.
"I take it you guys didn't enjoy school that much…." I said nervously as I helped Yuya settle down on my bed.
"Urgh…." he groaned as he felt all sore with his bruises putting pain on him again.
Yuri then glare at us, "If Yuya weren't holding me back now, I'd strangle your neck till your souls pop right out of that body like a banana!" he snarled which made us all sweat anxiously, hoping Yuya would still be strong enough to hold him back.
Gulp. We swallowed hard hearing his threatening words and we could tell from his tone he was dead serious!
"Why didn't you tell us about what to expect at school?" Yuto groaned as he sorely rubbed his head while Yugo tried his best to cover a black eye.
"S…sorry Yuya, since you saved the world and all it's natural to get a little famous in the process." I said pityingly, "Then only recently we overheard a rumour about crazed fan clubs lying in wait at your school, at first I didn't think it would be a big deal and that you enjoyed adoring fans." I then twiddled my thumbs, "So I expected the little heads up this morning to be enough….But when I heard your echoing screams from half way to You Show…." My friends then narrowed their eyes at me menacingly which made me sweat drop, "But even so I didn't think things would get that out of hand for you…." I waved out my hands begging them not to clobber me, "I never expected fans to be so direct and rough to their own idols?"
"Oh this wasn't them," Yugo replied rubbing his eye.
"Huh?"
"Yeah those fans were nothing compared to the Academia soldiers we went fought during the war in Heartland." Yuto added as he tried hard to ignore his throbbing headache.
"This was from Yuzu and her sisters…." Yuya groaned.
"Say….what?" me and my brothers went in surprise.
"You won't believe what we went through because of what you didn't tell us sooner….." Yuya muttered as he began to relive this eventful day.
Right after that incident in the school courtyard, Yuzu had swatted away every single fanboy and girl with her fan before charging after Yuya himself, then she pretty much took out the combined anger of her and her sisters on the helpless Yu boys. To think they when they were once Ray they did everything in their power to defeat Supreme King Zarc, and now they're the ones oppressing the poor boys out of jealousy. Later they all introduced themselves, each one shifting control and taking turns to get to know their classmates. They got along pretty well with most of the other students, except when there were times when fangirls came up to them and went head over heels for the boys either for their heroic actions or for their talents or 'charming looks' as Yuri calls it. Each time that happened Yuzu and her sisters had to step in and discipline their respective boyfriend.
When it came to other boys playing cool they were fine, but when girls came in Yuzu smacked Yuya around similar to when Mieru clinged to him, Ruri taking out her hidden jealousy on Yuto when he unintentionally played prince charming to girls in need (Surprisingly she was much stronger physically than she appeared). Yugo showed off on purposely in sports class (Making fans go gaga over him) and even fawned over girls in their sports uniforms, trying to peep on the girls locker room or drooling over cheerleaders in the other room Rin came down on him like a ton of bricks! As for Yuri, Selena didn't do all that much but keep him in line and out of trouble most of the time, though when he misbehaved such as using his scare tactics on teachers either for the fun of it or when they merely frustrated him, she didn't hesitate to step in and clobber him real hard! (Something he never expected to receive from a bracelet girl considering they were usually running in terror from him) Other than all that, lessons were just fine….But to think this happened the entire day must be utter torment for them….The pain they must have accumulated in that body of theirs from each of them….
"I….see…." I replied to him uneasily before making a reminder to myself, "Okay, note to self, never underestimate girls nor make them mad…." My brothers nodded in unison.
"Hmph, if I were in control I'd send shivers down their spines just like how I did last time but noooooo, you guys wouldn't even let me out for even a minute!" Yuri moaned in annoyance knowing he could have easily taken them at any time if they didn't hold him back.
"You know you can't do that Yuri." Yuya mentioned to him seriously.
"And you'll regret it if you do." Yuto added as he and Yugo glared at him protectively, Yugo even began popping his knuckles to show he wouldn't hesitate to get physical if he needed to.
"Hmph, I don't care…." he scoffed before cringing at the pain in his sore jaw, "I don't get why I had to be hit though….."
"Maybe Selena's just taking out her frustration on you after hearing from her sisters what you did to them." Nushi suggested which made the purple fusion boy snort grumpily.
I then classed my hands together hoping to move on from this as soon as possible, "So uh….let's just put this behind us and not dwell on what's been done okay? Haha…." I laughed nervously.
"Hmph!" They scoffed but Yuya was the first to let it go. He then turned his attention over to my desk and noticed a pile of cards laid out on it. Curious he then walked over to it, "So what exactly have you guys been up to this whole time?"
"Sorting out your decks I see….Guess you have nothing better to do with 'mom' and 'dad' gone." Yuri mentioned as he looked over what I had laid out, nodding at them impressed.
"Wow….You've actually got a very wide range of cards here…." Yuya said in awe as most of them he never saw before or knew they were rare for sure.
"Thanks," I replied, "I actually collected some these from place to place, either as gifts from opponents I defeated or from rare card dealers. Many of which you'd never see in a lifetime."
Yuya smiled feeling privileged to see such rare treasures with his eyes till they bulged out of their sockets as soon as they viewed a card he never expected to see, "Eh!? Is that an odd eyes monster!?" He gasped as he caught sight of odd eyes phantom dragon.
"Why…yes it is." I said as I walked up to him.
He then picked up the card and looked around it at every angle to make sure hi eyes weren't deceiving him, but when he knew it was real he couldn't believe it for a second, "H…How did you get this!?" he gasped.
"It sort of came up with in a duel of mine a long while back while we were in the synchro dimension." I said, not really wanting ti explain it was thanks to my dragon Bahamut, "Not fully sure how it happened but I think it might work in a way similar to how you create new monsters of your own in dire situations."
"I see….You might be right about that." He muttered as he slowly reached for the pendant around his neck and grasped it.
I took notice of it and soon realised it was thanks to that trinket he was able to come up with many new cards and further evolve his monsters when it synced with his heart or even with his counterparts when they became awakened by Zarc.
"So, since we're both here now, why not we work out some new strategies with each other or even trade!" I suggested, "After all an entertainer's duty is to wow the crowd each and every time right?"
Yuya then grinned in response, "Haha you're right, that's something Nico Smiley once told me. I can't keep relying on the same tricks all the time after all, and with your help I'm sure I'll be able to put on all sorts of new tricks and shows to amaze and entertain the crowds!" He cheered excitedly as he couldn't contain his excitement a second longer, "Come on! Let's get started already!"
After that we spent a couple of hours showing each others' cards and strategies we came up with each time. We even exchanged cards with each other or lent the other a card to complete a combo, like a missing piece in a jigsaw puzzle.
"Cool, to think we both can create new cards right when we need them most." Yuya commented, "When we trust in our deck and believe in it, along with the wishes of the friends we carry on as well as our hopes, the cards always answer us when we need them."
"I couldn't agree more Yuya," I said to him before looking at his pendant, "Although-"
"Hm? Is something wrong?" Yuya asked curiously when he saw me staring at him.
"I am curious, I then pointed out, "How did you get that pendant in the first place? As far as I know you've had it with you since you were a kid, kind of like how Yuzu and the girls grew up with their respective bracelets. I am certain that's how you created your first pendulum monsters and then no doubt used that to evolve your monsters too. In a way it's similar to they are."
As Yuya held up the pendant and saw it swung back and forth he began to remember back to when his dad taught him about having to look at a duel like his pendulum and to know a duel will always swing both ways, "Yeah, this pendant of memories really has come through for me time and time again." He said as he recalled his many achievements thanks to it, from gaining his first fusion monsters, combining his dragon with Yuto's, achieving his first synchro monster and when he generated smile universe, the card he needed to overcome Zarc and finally when he used it in his grand finale duel against Reiji after combining the powers of the 4 dragons into an arc of light. "Each new card I create from it as well as a victory I earned from it, is also a memoir of an irreplaceable memory and adventure."
His smile vanished, "As for how I got it….." He then scratched his head and taped his shoe on the floor in thought before shaking his head, "I don't really know, never thought of it actually….Though, I do have some recollection of having it during my days of Zarc, other than that I have no clue…."
"Hmmm….maybe something only Zarc would know?" I thought to myself curiously before he interrupted my train of thought.
"Anyways enough of that, lets get back to why we're here."
"Huh? Oh yeah, the cards." I said as we got back to the cards on the desk. After a while of sorting and exchanging we both seemed satisfied with what we got from the other.
"Thanks Ryuga, you don't know how much your help means to me." Yuya thanked as he placed his new additions into his deck.
"No problem Yuya, that's what friends do." I answered.
He held up his entire deck in his hand, "With these new cards in my deck I'll no doubt be able to put on many more fantastic shows to capture the hearts of the audience and show them the true meaning of duelling!" he cheered, "The 4 dimensions will be united even more so than when they were whole."
"Whole…." I breathed as that word reminded me of something, "Come to think of it…this almost reminds me of when I spent my days helping Zarc out with his deck at times or even Ray too." I thought to myself as I recalled the old memoriesI once had. What we were doing now in the present was very similar, only now we had many more friends from 4 worlds to share our experiences with.
"Oi! Why do you guys get all the fun!?" I snapped out of my thoughts and me and Yuya turned to look at his brothers waiting impatiently.
"Yeah, I think it's only fair that we be allowed to work on our decks too!" Yuri grumbled while Yuto crossed his arms and looked away not wishing to be involved, though inside he wanted his turn just as badly. My own brothers could see that too.
"Hmm…yeah you guys are right." Yuya commented, "It wouldn't be fair if I were the only one to get new cards from our friends. You guys deserve some too, also, it'll be a great to give you guys control for a change."
"Agreed," mentioned Yuri with a now, "And thank you very much brothers for allowing me to be next."
The other 2 boys glared at him, "Hey!"
"We made no such agreement!"
"Sigh….Here we go again." I sighed as they began quarrelling once more and Yuya trying hard to play peacemaker.
"Want to do something about them?" Jin suggested seeing things were starting to get rather aggressive between the 4 boys.
I looked on and wanted to but at the last minute changed my mind, "I would, but this is their problem Jin. Surely we can let them work it out in a civilised way….." The sounds of rumbling and fighting soon came in as the 4 boys were enveloped in a cloud of dust and beating each other up, "Even if it seems impossible…."
After a little while they separated and breathed exhaustedly in a stalemate till Yugo raised his hand, "Ooh! I know! Why not we duel to settle this!?"
Everyone looked on silently with blank faces, "Of course! Why didn't we think of that?!" Yuri cheered clapping his hands together.
"Heheh!" Yugo grinned rubbing his nose cockily till his ego got smashed once more by Yuri.
"You really are a bigger idiot than I thought Fusion…." he groaned in annoyance.
A tic mark appeared on Yugo's forehead, "Say what!?" He growled holding out a fist to the bother he despised most, "It's Yugo! Not Fusion! Get it right! And what's that about me being an idiot huh!?"
"Do you really not know? Typical coming from you….." Yuri scoffed, "In case you're blinded than a bat, Yuya's the only one of us with a duel disk now, we couldn't duel each other even if we wanted to!"
Following his words, Yugo then looked at Yuya then back to him and the others for a few times, "Oh….how come I never noticed that…"
A couple of us face palmed in dismay while some of us fell back down.
"In that case," Yuya said as he stepped into the direct center of his counterparts, "Let's decide with rock, paper, scissors! Winner decides the order of who goes next! And to make things more interesting I'll join in too!" he cheered with a joyous face while raising his arm out confidently!
They then looked to each other and muttered a bit before coming to an agreement, "Sounds fair."
"Better than yelling all night."
"If it means I don't need to hear you guys argue anymore then I'm up for it too."
"Alright then 1…2…3!" The boys threw out their hands in unison.
(Yuri)
First up was Yuri, who sat at the table with Nushi as they laid out their set of cards, "Hehehe! As expected I came out on top, or is it second considering Yuya went first?" Yuri chuckled to himself proudly, "Then again it's to be expected after all since I was the last one to be absorbed it just means I'm the best of the 3." He snarkishly added.
"So was I Yuri….so was I…." Nushi thought to himself remembering his duel with me, also finding his cocky boasting to be ever more annoying than ever. Something he always disliked about his comrade even when they were in Academia in the same side, "You want to work on your cards now or not? If you're just here to talk and waste my time move over and let someone else have their turn." He impatiently remarked not wanting to put up with his obnoxious attitude longer than he had to.
Yuri's smile vanished and was replaced with a scowl, "Hmph! You're no fun anymore. Last time you used to enjoy chatting about your accomplishments on the battlefield and spread fear wherever you went! Nowadays you're such a bore."
"And you need to grow up and move on." Nushi replied, "Like it or not 'old friend' the Nushi you knew is long gone, and unless you stop dwelling in the past and keep up with the times like everyone else you'll be left behind in the dust."
He then hissed, "Tch! Fine…..We'll do things your way for now. But push it too far and you're going to get it."
"I'll keep that in mind Yuri," Nushi replied undeterred, "Now come on let's do this." For some reason Nushi was always able to get under his skin, maybe because he had grown soft after living in a family life for some time, or maybe because Nushi was one of few people he genuinely respected. Either way, Yugo pretty much enjoyed Yuri being on the receiving end for a change.
As they looked over what each other had to offer, Yuri caught sight of a card near the edge of the table, "Hmm? My my….what a most majestic masterpiece of a dragon you have…." He said as he picked it up and eyed it, "It resembles my starving venom in more ways than one, and it's a pendulum monster on top of that! Allow me to praise your excellent taste in monsters."
"I'm flattered Yuri." Nushi replied before smiling lightly, "If you want you can have it, consider it a token of our new 'friendship'." He said.
"Why Nushi how generous of you!" Yuri gasped while acting all surprised before smirking to himself, "Of course, I'm not a person who enjoys being indebted to someone else. I assume you'd like something in exchange?"
"Heh, interesting….let's see what you have to offer…." Nushi replied.
After a little while of exchanging cards and creating a few new ones with each other's powers, "I take it you're pleased with your new additions to your predatory arsenal Yuri?" Nushi asked as Yuri gathered up his cards.
"Oh why yes indeed Nushi, these will serve most well." he said as he added the new cards to his deck, "Who would've thought you would have some skill in pendulum yourself."
"Heh, there's much you still don't know about me old friend." Nushi smirked in amusement.
"Heheh, how interesting….Maybe your new self isn't so boring now after all."
"If you guys are done chatting now its my turn now." Yuto interrupted as he stood behind Yuri while tapping his foot on the ground.
"Hmph….And things were just getting good…." the fusion Yu-boy scoffed.
(Yuto)
Next up was between Yuto as Jin then swapped out with Nushi, "It's been a long time since we've been able to to work like this man to man Jin." Yuto commented as he helped to sort out his own cards and combos with Jin, also eying out the various cards he old friend had which he obtained from the dragon monastery he grew up in, which were in fact very rare and impressive.
"I agree," my silver haired brother said as he noticed Auto's impressive array of cards too, "Since that day I rescued your butt out of that rainstorm and brought you into my house, how could I ever forget."
"Yeah…." Yuto blushed slightly feeling embarrassed that he let something as simple as hunger bring him to his knees. Something his brothers found out when they shared each others' memories, when he overheard them snickering behind his back he narrowed his eyes with a fierce glare as a warning not to push his buttons. On the other hand, me and the others simply looked on.
"Hmm you've got an interesting pair of cards here." Yuto commented as he picked up a pair of cards Jin left out, "They greatly remind me of my dark rebellion xyz dragon as well as odd eyes rebellion dragon." He said eying Jin's dark rebellion wraith dragon and dark anthelion dragon respectively, "I am curious to know how managed to come up with these or where you got them."
"Similar to how you and Yuya gained new powers when you were merged, let's just say I picked up a trait or 2 when I was with Ryuga." Jin replied. "I'd be happy to help you and your deck out with a couple of tricks I picked up from my friends."
"And I'd be happy with that too."
Just like before came a set of card exchanging and making for each other, "Alright that should be enough for now." Jin replied feeling exhausted as he wiped away some sweat from his forehead.
Yuto nodded satisfied, "Thanks a lot old friend, you truly were an irreplaceable ally of ours during the war and a friend to us." He said pleased as he kept his cards in his pocket.
"Really touches me to hear you say that Yuto." Jin replied feeling appreciative of their bond as friends and war comrades (Something he valued most deeply and seriously) "Makes me feel more valued and touched than I once believed."
Suddenly a series of loud rants can be overheard in the room, "Oi! Enough with the catching up and acting all chummy already! It's my turn now! I've waited like 15 minutes for this and I don't want to wait any longer! Hello!"
They both sweat dropped at the loud complaints, "Well, guess it's time to switch, I can't bear Yugo's whining for a second longer."
"Let's not keep him waiting then," Jin sighed seeing his time with his old friend had to be cut short, which reminded him of having to make time for his old xyz allies some other day, "Alright Yamata you're up." he called out letting him know it was his time to take over.
(Yugo)
"Aw Man! Why am I last!?" Yugo groaned as he began stomping his feet on the ground as soon as he got control and became his full self.
"Umm because you always choose rock?" Yamata suggested.
"Duh! Rock's the strongest! Everyone knows that!" his friend called out strongly which only earned a sweat drop from his red haired friend.
"Sigh….still the same Yugo…." he said before smiling lightly to himself, "Hehe, but I guess that's what Rin and I like about you, hardheaded but determined too. Once you set your mind to something there's no way you'll ever stop, plowing on down a straight line or even creating a new path of your own, you'll always finish the race win or lose." He thought to himself before getting down to business, "Well enough whining already, you've got your turn now so let's get started."
As they laid out some of their cards Yugo immediately caught sight of a couple of Yamata's cards, "Hey! Those are the speedroid cards I gave to you a long while back during the Friendship cup! Now you've turned them into pendulum cards!" He gasped at passing rider and domino butterfly, "Don't know how you did it but awesome!"
"Why.…yes they are awesome…." Yamata replied remembering them yet didn't use them for sometime, "More like Fafnir's the one who made them actually but what's the difference….." he thought knowing she deserves the credit, but of course that was another matter.
"And that!" his banana haired friend pointed out to clear wing fast dragon, "That's the monster that looks like my clear wing synchro dragon! A synchro pendulum on top of that!" he exclaimed in amazement.
"Hehe, well it is a one of a kind card…." Yamata chuckled proudly as he picked it up and eyed it.
Yugo suddenly grabbed his hand "Come on! I'll trade for it!" he said with bright shining eyes.
"Eh?" He expected that but didn't expect him to be all direct and blunt about it.
"Also, could you maybe cook up a couple more pendulums too? it'll really help me in a duel I just know it!" Yugo then requested to Yamata's uneasiness as he leaned in closer to him. "Come on Yama! For old times sake! We're pals after all! PLEASE!" he begged while clutching his hands together and looking at him with bright puppy dog eyes.
"Errr…." Yamata had seen and experienced scary things in his life, but none was as disturbing as what he was witnessing right now.
A little while later-
"Huff….There you go buddy. Happy?" Yamata gasped exhaustedly as he handed Yugo a couple of cards in exchange for a few of his own.
"Woohoo yeah! These are awesome! Just you wait with these new bad boys in my deck I'll tear up any other opponent in a turbo duel with ease!" Yugo excitedly cheered as he grabbed the cards out of Yamata's hand and bounced around the room like an energetic kid….which there was no difference really.
Yamata then smiled lightly to see his energetic spirit was as strong and burning bright as ever, "Would love to see you try that with me when we both ride." he said as he soon switched places with me and Yuya with Yugo.
"Well guys I think today's been a great day for all of us, hopefully makes up for what happened earlier today, but I think it's time we all crashed in for the night." I suggested as I noticed it was getting pretty late.
"YAWN!" Yuya went as he stretched his arms and rubbed his eyes, "I was thinking the same thing. It's been over an hour already….Time sure flies when you're having fun." he moaned drowsily. "Any longer and I'd be asking for trouble. Can't wake up too late otherwise I'd miss school."
"Agreed, just like in Heartland's war days, part of a solider's duty is keeping his body in tip top shape." Yuto added feeling tired himself, "Neglect your proper needs and you're asking for trouble." he commented with a nod.
"Hmph, that'd be a blessing to not go to boring land where we can't even clasp on your duel disk without getting it confiscated by the so called teachers. Honestly they really enjoy taking the fun out of life…..and do they honestly expect us to be better citizens with all their lessons about nonsense that we'll never even use?" Yuri complained having to face another day of boredom, for the next 5 days a week for the entire school year. "If I got my body back and the professor had us card people again, they'd be first on my target list." he grunted.
"Hopefully Yuzu and the others would have cooled off by tomorrow….for your sakes…." Nushi thought as he overheard Yuri's silent remark hoping he would learn his lesson no matter how unlikely it seemed.
Yugo pretty much ran out of energy and knocked out cold, snoring loudly like an earthquake. Yuya took it as his queue to turn in, "Night guys! See you tomorrow! Thanks for the cards."
"You too." I replied as he closed the door behind him and I hoped into bed myself. After I switched off the lights and pulled the blanket over me, my brothers then materialised around me.
"You know Ryuga," Jin started, "After looking around at all the cards we've collected so far over the years, also thank to what our dragons provided us with, I'd say we've assembled quite an arsenal wouldn't you agree?"
"Yeah, we should properly thank them too!" Yamata added, "Especially who those cards came through for us time and time again!"
Thinking about it they did have a point, "You know you guys night be right." I said, "We do actually have more cards than we really need, and even if we do run low we'll always have our friends to conjure up some new ones for us." I then sat up with a thought, "I think maybe we should share or better yet give them away to those who may need them more than us."
"That sounds very nice of you." Jin said in approval.
"Yup, think of all the needy and unfortunate kids we'll be helping out who can't afford cards like these. We'll be sure to put smiles on their faces for sure!" Yamata added.
"Heheh, you guys are way too soft." Nushi chuckled in amusement as we looked towards him suspiciously. Despite atoning for his past mistakes he still had a shifty attitude that we needed to be wary of, "Instead of simply giving all these hard earned cards away like copy paper for free, why not sell them?"
"Eh!?" we gasped in alarm at his suggestion.
"Think about it, we'll be able to make a living off what we sell, also imagine how much people would pay if they were to get their hands on the rarest cards we can offer huh?" he grinned.
"Nushi! How could you say that!?" I cried at his greedy intentions.
"Selling them for money? I didn't think you could ever stoop that low." Jin grunted.
"Tch! You're reminding me of the tops back home, where they could easily get the best cards money could buy while we commons had to struggle hard to make do and get by with what we could afford." said Yamata.
"Besides we don't need extra money, we're already getting by just fine thanks to the Sakakis." I added.
"Oh? So you're saying you prefer to freeload off them after all they did for us? Giving us a roof, 3 warm cooked meals a day and even a family life to be part of? And you call me heartless?" Nushi countered which pretty much silenced us all.
Admittingly he did have a good point…All this time the Sakakis did sacrifice much for us and we never once thought of giving back to them…. "Think about it, it's about time we showed them how much we appreciate them. And if you're still not happy about it, maybe we could even pitch in with our fundraising for the school too. Surely they can use the extra cash to improve and expand with all the new students coming in and all, maybe even help them get better quality equipment and teaching material." Surprisingly Nushi knew the value of having others in one's life now, and figured we should actually show it to them now and repay them for what they've done. "And it'll all be thanks to us that they may stand on top of the duelling world up with LDS, or maybe even higher! Think about it you guys, you know where I'm going don't you?"
"Tch! He really is shrewd…." Yamata grunted having no way to counter his statements and Jin reluctantly agreed.
"But still Nushi, you have to understand-"
"I know Ryuga, I'm sure we can charge reasonably based on the rarity of the cards so that it's fair for everyone. We'll even include offers, events and pack sets too so they won't need to spend so much in individual cards, if they're lucky they may even win a rare card or 2 in those packs or events if they're lucky." Nushi continued as we listened on, "In fact, I even have a name thought out for our illustrious franchise! The Dragon's Lair! Has a nice ring don't you agree?"
"Hmm…I'll think about it….." I said which was all he wanted to hear from me, "But not right now, it's getting late and I don't want to have more on my mind now otherwise I won't be able to get a good night's rest. Maybe some other time then…." As I settled back down on the bed I then said to them, "Night guys."
"You too." They said as they faded away.
When they left I stared at the ceiling in deep thought for a couple of minute think about the past hour. "Sure was nice spending time with Yuya and the gang just now….Really does take me back to when we were Zarc and Dahaka in the original dimension." I thought to myself as I remembered many good times we shared together as rivals and friends, "That reminds me…I almost forgot about today with Reira…." I remembered before my sleep needs came back to me, as my eyes grew heavy and tired, "I think I'll figure that out in the morning, it'll be a new day and maybe I may find some answers. After all and no point worrying about what I don't have the answers to now. YAWN…." I thought before putting myself at ease as I closed my eyes and drifted off into dreamland.
(Dream)
"Urgh…." I groaned suddenly coming down with a mild headache, which spurred me to open my eyes. As I did I was surprised to find myself no longer in my own room! "Wh…what the?" As I looked around I found myself floating alone in the middle of a dark multicoloured space (Similar to that of Yuya's mind). "Am I in a dream again?" Somehow I wasn't surprised anymore, after experiencing various situations like this before I felt this was pretty much natural by now….Surprisingly it was completely empty and quiet, usually I would have at least someone to talk to at this point but there was no one as far as my eyes could see. "Hello! Is anyone there!?" I cried out hoping to get an answer, but all my call accomplished was an echo through the empty void of my mind space. "G….Guys?" Looking around I was surprised that neither my counterparts nor my dragons could hear me, "Can you hear me? Hello?"
A voice then spoke out of nowhere, "I'm afraid the only ones here are you and me. Hope you don't mind if I keep this only between the both of us…Dahaka."
My eyes widened upon hearing my original name called, and the voice who said it belonged to someone that I would recognise anywhere, "That voice! It can't be…."
A white light began to shine before me, as it took shape it soon materialised in the form of a person I hadn't seen for what seemed like an eternity, "Hello Dahaka, it feels like it's been an eternity since we last met and spoke to each other like this." Standing before me was a very old friend of mine who I knew since the original dimension, with his easily recognisable spiked silver hair with light green highlights and his cowboy like attire, there was no mistaking him.
I nearly lost my breath and felt my heart skip a beat at the sight of my old friend from way back, "Z…Zarc!?" I gasped as my heart felt like it skipped a beat. He was once the Supreme King Dragon who once tried to destroy the world, but now….he was back to how he originally was, "It's…really you….from back in the original dimension, when you truly loved and had a passion for the purest of all duels….."
As I said that he then smiled warmly, "You remember me for who I truly was and not as a demonic destroyer. How it pleases my soul to hear that." He said feeling relieved I did not hold anything against him or see him only as a monster.
"I never thought I actually would get to see you again like this." I said next, "Sure I may have had fun with Yuya and his brothers time to time, but you were always lying dormant inside Reira after she did what she had to stop you from dividing yourself once more and repeating the past." I said feeling somewhat regretful we had to come to that chose, as well as feeling partially responsible for having her do that.
"She did the right thing." Zarc replied having no qualms about it, "It was from her eyes that I had the chance to see each and every one of you all grow and smile, just like the original dimension once did. With all your bonds of friendship and the memories and experienced you all shared together from across dimensions, made me realise the beautiful worlds that I was attempting to destroy and how lost I was before…." He said feeling some regret over the things he did before smiling lightly again, "I truly am thankful for both Yuya and you to remind me of the reason why I truly began duelling in the first place. However, I also longed for a chance where we could meet face to face and talk like we used to back in the original dimension." He continued remembering that some time ago he hoped to speak with me again up close, "Since then on I had been waiting patiently for a chance to finally talk to you again, and I seized it the moment you came in close contact with Reira earlier this afternoon."
I then remembered, "So it was you, you transferred yourself to me from her after realising your self awareness of being locked inside her." I said to which he nodded, "It was all to sudden and without warning, though I can't really blame you since such a chance may only strike once." I thought after that understandably, "Still…the fact he truly wanted to talk to me again touched my heart to see him back to person he was."
"And now we're here face to face, after so many long years. How long I waited for this chance old friend." He said gladly before his smile vanished, "Although….I truly wished this reunion could have been much better."
"Zarc?" I asked finding his sudden mood change to be rather unsettling.
"Now that I realised everything that has happened since our old lives, how I destroyed our old homes and countless innocent people out of my own foolish pride and arrogance. I have no right to show myself before you let alone ask for your forgiveness, not after what I did….." He said as he lowered his head and even shedding a single tear.
"Don't say that Zarc! It wasn't entirely your fault!" I yelled telling him not to feel sorry for himself.
"It was, and you can't deny it." He then insisted, "Not only did I forcibly turn my own counterparts against one another for my own revival, I failed to see that they had their own lives as well, how they all had their own rights to live. Not only did I force them to revive me back into the demon I had become, I even planned to repeat my mistakes and add new ones on top of them, destroying 4 new worlds that were born from our original one…..I could never forgive myself after everything I did."
"Zarc…." I said feeling sorry for him that he realised his the consequences of his mistakes too late.
"I won't deny that I was solely responsible for the mass destruction and chaos I inflicted upon our world when I turned into a demon." He said before looking to me, "But whether you choose to believe what I say now, I honestly must confess the truth that it wasn't simply because of society's darkest desires and ignorance that turned me into that demon…..It was also due to someone else….."
I was caught off guard by what he said, "S…someone else?"
He nodded, "Do you recall the pendant that my successor Yuya wears?"
"Pendant?" I asked before recalling what he meant, "Oh yeah, the one he kept with him around his neck since his childhood. It also was responsible for giving birth to not only the first ever pendulum monsters, but also to most of his other cards too, how he managed to evolve his duelling along with his monsters based on putting in all his passion, emotion and wishes into every match he had."
He nodded, "I'm glad you were able to see that. You see he actually wasn't the one who came into the possession of it." Zarc continued, "In fact, it's original owner was none other myself."
"R…really!?" I gasped before realising something, "I figured Yuya was missing some memories that only you yourself had." I then asked, "But…what does that have to do with how you became the Supreme King dragon?"
Zarc turned his head away feeling reluctant to say anything until he decided to admit the entire story, "I actually have a lot to confess and explain, but to do so I'll have to go back to pretty much the beginning, actually even before that…."
"I have time don't worry about it." I insisted showing him I had the patience, "I really would love to hear your side of the story and what everyone else doesn't know."
Zarc then smiled with relief, "Thank you Dahaka for being kind enough to hear me out. I'll try to explain best I can and hope you'll be able to keep up." He said as he began to tell his story.
(Flashback)
"It all started sometime ago before we even met. In fact, before even solid vision was made real." The scene around us shifted to a small square in the original dimension streets, where Zarc himself was having a duel against another opponent alongside his signature monster odd eyes dragon against a roughneck bully with a giant ushi oni, while groups of people watched and cheered excitedly from the sidelines. "Long before I made it to the pro league, I was a simple duelist who entertained small crowds and performed bright and joyful matches to families and to young children on the streets. It didn't matter whether I won or lost, as long as they smiled purely and understood the true meaning of duelling, that was good enough for me." The duel ended with odd eyes inflicting the finishing blow after Zarc had believed in his deck to draw the duel changing card he needed and trusted his monster to carry out his wishes. After his victory the crowds, especially the children praised him greatly to which he accepted humbly with a bow. "I actually respected the cards in my deck and always treasured my monsters like family, even if others found it to be ridiculous seeing the cards to be merely paper and ink."
Sometime later his audience and spectators considered him to be nuts for being able to hear the voices of duel monsters and they themselves preferred victory over the true sport of duelling, leaving him disappointed that they weren't able to understand what he was trying to show them. "At first I was downcast when some of my audience refused to heed my words and actually disrespected their cards and monsters at times, but it was their decision to make and I disliked having to resort to force. All I could really do was look on sadly and do little to nothing to help the poor monsters that may have been disrespected for either being weak or common." There were times he observed violence between people over rare monsters or even tossing them away in the garbage, which disheartened him. "Each day I kept wondering how I would be able to reach out to the hearts of countless people and show them what a true duelist would be. Then one day, after one of my duels when the audience was rather lackluster after finding my matches to have grown rather stale, I was approached by a mysterious old man wearing a hood." An aged sage like man with a rather long white beard while wearing an old set of black robes approached Zarc while mildly clapping with pleasure, "I must say young man, that was most impressive….." he said.
Zarc then smiled and grinned, glad that someone was able to appreciate his duel, "Haha oh it's nothing that spectacular. But I'm glad you were able to appreciate my duelling even though everyone else doesn't seem to agree." He said modestly while scratching his head.
"Oh no, I'm not talking about your match just now." The man said which caught his ears, "I speak of something far more significant. Something you haven't yet realised yet you show great potential for."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Zarc asked curiously.
"Ho ho ho….you will understand soon enough Zarc. But for now, I believe you are deserving of this." He said as he reached into his pocket and took out a bluish crystal with a pair of angel wings on it tied to a lace.
Taking it from his hand Zarc looked carefully as it swung back and forth, "Wow, that's a very nice….pendant sir. Thank you…." He said unsure of what to make of this unusual gift.
"Oh that is more than a mere pendant young man." The sage replied with a smile, "I see much potential within you, how you can hear and understand the voices of your own monsters. Such a gift is a rare one indeed and one that should be treasured."
His eyes widened in surprise, "H…How did you-"
"Oh I know many things young man, especially of the potential you have locked deep within yourself and by your….lack of vision."
"What do you mean by lack of vision?" said Zarc feeling offended, "I duel to-"
"Bring simple smiles to small groups of people who are short sighted and unable to comprehend your greatness? Surely you are capable of so much more than that!" The man replied which silenced him, "I see much promise within you, and that crystal will help you to realise it!" he said before holding out a hand to him, "All you need is the proper guidance and motivation to master that power, and I can be the one to help you." Thinking for a moment Zarc felt conflicted, unsure if he could trust this man as it seemed he had ulterior motives, but on the other hand, what he said was true. If he wanted to touch the hearts of people, he needed to get stronger and more powerful….after that without hesitation and determined to take a new step forward, Zarc took his hand.
"You probably didn't know this, but before I met that man I never knew how to synchro, fusion or xyz summon. In fact the first ever monster I truly felt a genuine bond with was Odd eyes dragon." Zarc continued as the scene shifted to the man training Zarc and helping him to realise his full potential, "However, after gifting with that pendant, he also taught me how to listen to the voices of my monsters. Once our hearts were as one I could hear what they felt and thought. The sensation of realising it could easily take your breath away." Zarc continued as he continued to grow more connected to his dragon as he trained harder. Eventually as time passed-"That pendant didn't just allow me to talk to my monsters, but as time went on I was eventually able to channel my strong emotions and determination in sync with my monsters and eventually managed to call forth clear wing, dark rebellion and starving venom through that pendant." The 3 other dragons of his took form after his pendant glowed and created his new monsters before him.
"Your very first fusion, synchro and xyz monsters….." I breathed in amazement, seeing their birth which resulted from the bond Zarc and odd eyes had along with him channelling their wishes into the pendant given to him by the sage. Who looked on proudly with a pleased smirk on his face. All of them powerful and yet they had pure hearts wanting only to bring not just smiles to the people but also to show them the true meaning of genuine duelling.
"In honour of him and all he did to help me get where I was in the duelling world, I chose to never take it off and I always wore it since then. Though I never actually asked for his name." Zarc said as his flashback self held on to it tightly and kept it underneath his clothes.
"No wonder I never knew about it….Because you always kept it hidden…." I thought to myself upon realising how it had been passed on to Yuya now, like a torch to the next one in line. "So then with his teaching, you were finally able to not only master fusion, synchro and xyz with such ease, you learnt how to communicate with duel monsters themselves. No wonder you had such an edge over the competition since you started duelling in the arena." I commented impressed at his whole story and his beginning, "To think all this happened before we first met, before Leo Akaba perfected solid vision."
"Yes, but back then eventhough monsters couldn't act freely on their own, I could still hear their voices and communicate with them though interacting with them was still far off." Zarc continued as it shifted to when he and I met one day as he was starting to get back into duelling like he always had, "When you told me how you believed in duel monster spirits yourself when we first met, I was overjoyed that you could understand me and appreciate the true value of the monsters no matter rarity nor strength."
"None of that mattered between us, in fact to us monsters were monsters and all could be friends no matter the kind or their value." I said in agreement as it then shifted to Leo Akaba being praised by crowds of people for perfecting real solid vision with duel monsters.
"When Leo Akaba perfected solid vision with duel monsters, they not only learnt how to be self aware, it was when I was able to display their full potential and soon I was well on my way to achieving what I sought out to do for a long time." He said as he duelled powerfully across the fields and gaining a huge upper hand over any opponent who faced him. "I hoped that once I won my way to the very top and get recognised by everyone, I would finally be able to capture the hearts of many with my duels and even show them their true value and meaning."
As Zarc continued the scene changed to when he and I duelled, where I used exploder dragon wing against odd eyes dragon. It was the first match he actually had difficulty with, each of us fighting hard to overtake the other but in the end he won by an inch as Odd eyes defeated my dragon and ended the duel with its ability, "When we duelled you managed to defeat me and claim the title in the final." I said as he held out the trophy joyously while being applauded by countless people, including myself, Leo and Ray. The old sage looked on from the sidelines pleased. "That was a great memory from another lifetime." I said which Zarc nodded in agreement.
It shifted to me shaking hands with Zarc as I prepared to leave on my journey to find strength, "After we parted ways I continued to hold on to the pledge we made that day and continued to duel strongly as I always had. To protect my title for the day you wold return to challenge me to a rematch." Zarc continued as he won more and more duels after that before his smile vanished, "However, during one duel…..something happened which changed everything for me." In one match against an opponent, after Odd eyes defeated Ignition beast volcanon and slammed it into his master, severely injuring him the process. Zarc himself was horrified at what he did and the crowds look on speechless. But instead of being furious and booing him, they instead smiled and applauded! I myself looked on stunned beyond belief at the people back then and Zarc himself gained a light smile relieved that they loved it.
"So that was the day that all changed everything for you…." I breathed finding it unthinkable that the audience back then would approve of such violence compared to now, though the synchro dimension did bear some similarity to it but not on this scale….
Looking back on it Zarc felt disgusted by not only the people but also the fact he once enjoyed it himself, "Since that incident I kept duelling as I always had, the more violent and aggressive my duels went, the more the crowds cheered. They loved it, adored it to the core." He said as he fought harder than before and trying his best to meet their demands and expectations, something he was obliged to do as champion and to our promise to keep winning. In one duel he used Odd eyes to grab and toss an opponent into the ground after destroying his Mezuki. "At first I thought that kind of duelling and entertainment was acceptable as long as the people smiled. That's what I told myself, but with each act of violence and destruction I pulled off I could feel my own pure heart crack and shatter into pieces. Deep down I knew it was wrong…." He said clenching his fist and gritting his teeth in anger. "One day after another one of those duels I was beginning to have second thoughts about the way I was duelling. Before my next match begun, I had initially planned to announce to the audience that I wasn't going to go on with it, and that I would rather quit duelling instead of giving in to their demands and duelled like how they wanted."
I couldn't believe my ears after heard what he said sincerely no less, he actually planned on giving up what he enjoyed most just to do what was right…."But….what happened?" I then asked curiously wondering why he never went through with it.
He swallowed hard before continuing, "Well….As I was about to preparing myself to say my piece to the crowds in the preparation rooms I was visited by my old mentor whom I hadn't seen in a long while." He said as he was preparing a speech but a knock on the door interrupted him and entering was the very same sage who taught Zarc all he knew. Before Zarc could talk to his he was interrupted,
"Congratulations Zarc! You have most exceeded my expectations in terms of your growth and abilities." The sage praised to which Zarc held his head down not feeling his actions to be commendable, "What is the matter? Are you not proud of how successful and powerful you have become?"
"What is there to be proud of!?" Zarc screamed as tears of pain fell from his eyes, "This is wrong! This isn't what I sought out to achieve when I began duelling! In fact this isn't even duelling at all! It's wrong!" he cried angrily, "I can't do this anymore! I'm done with this!"
The sage said nothing before smiling lightly, "My disciple, what is there to cry about. Do you not see that what you have done is perfectly acceptable?"
"Wh…what!?" Zarc gasped bewildered by the master's words.
"Do you not see that their cheers and praises are all for you? It is a champion's duty to respect the wishes of the people who look up to him as their example is it not?" The sage asked.
Zarc was beginning to waver in his beliefs, "But still…."
"If you're not convinced, listen to your monsters. In fact, I can sense they themselves want nothing more than a savage duel! Listen to them and prove me wrong." He then added as Zarc took out his 4 cards and saw them glow. His eyes widened in surprise after hearing them.
"They…..they're angry….at the people….They want to completely destroy them…." Zarc breathed after hearing their own wishes.
"Yes, and the people want you to continue to duel as you always have been." The sage continued, "And by doing so, you'll also be able to please your monsters in the process as well as respecting their wishes. After all, isn't a true duelist supposed to duel not for themselves but for the people as well as for their own monsters hmmm?"
"Th…that is true…." he replied feeling convinced, "Perhaps….I've been looking at this all the wrong way….hehehe…." He said as a sadistic grin began to appear on his face after that and all of his doubts and fears had vanished completely.
I stood back watching in disbelief at what just unfolded before me. I never imagined that even Zarc's own teacher would side with society and continue to encourage Zarc to keep duelling as he always had, even more violently on top of that! What should have been the day to end it only accelerated the countdown the original dimension's demise. "At first I thought they were furious at the people and wanted vengeance upon them, so I thought by continuing to duel savagely as I always had been not only would I be satisfying their hatred and show I cared and respected what they wanted, I too would also be bringing smiles to the people." Zarc said as he and odd eyes tore through 3 opponents at once as well as their monsters being pompadour Blizzadon, Baggy pants lavasaurus and blade armor ninja! "That wasn't all….." he added regretfully, "That man also misled me to believe that what I was doing was what you would have wanted…."
"What…do you mean by that Zarc?" I asked.
He then shook his head, "I have no idea how….but somehow he knew about our old pledge where you wanted to return one day and win the title of world champion from me." he continued as it shifted to another scene where they both spoke yet again behind the scenes, "He told me to keep winning, no matter how I duelled as long as I won I'd be keeping my end of the promise to stay at the very top until you returned. As everyone began to follow in my footsteps and duel just as vicious as I did, I soon believed that I was leading them by example like how you wanted me to." He said as several more duelists began to pick after him with Beastking barbarous piercing through a rider on a vampire dragon, a celestial blue wolf lord sirius ripping apart a King of feral imps and a drill barnacle striking down a female duelist past her condemned maiden. "Eventually, after all experiencing all these thoughts and beliefs, followed by my obligations to satisfy the crowds and my monsters by any means necessary I became the Zarc you once knew….."
"That's awful…." I said sadly for him….Perhaps it was fortunate that Yuya didn't remember all of this others he probably wouldn't be able to smile and move on as easily as he has before.
"A mere understatement." Zarc continued, "In the end it all turned into a vicious never-ending cycle, where I would continue to duel violently in order to gratify the crowds and my monsters, followed by your wish for me to keep winning and lead the people by example. As my heart hardened from the combined negative desires of the crowds as well as the anger and hatred me and my monsters had towards them which we took out on all our opponents, it eventually became clear to me that this would never stop, unless I showed them my greatest entertainment of all."
"Destroying the world…." I breathed as the day came when he unleashed the fury of his 4 dragons upon the stadium and eventually the city itself. The military and conventional weapons did little to stop their vicious rampage as they tore through everything humans could set against them, "I still don't understand how entertaining the crowd could have lead you to making such a choice…."
"I didn't believe it myself now that I look back on it…." said my old friend admiringly, "I suppose after hearing the words of my former mentor telling me by dong this I would satisfy all the pledges I made in my life, I believed that if I wanted to reign as the eternal king of all duelists I would have to destroy everything and everyone so no one would ever dare to challenge me out of fear. That way I would have most certainly stood at the top of the world with no one worthy left to fight me. Also, if the crowds were to see such devastation and violence before them as they always wanted, but on a much grander scale beyond the arena, wouldn't they too be overjoyed?"
"I can't believe how easily he twisted your sense of justice after how much he did for you….." I hissed angrily at the thought of the man who twisted my irreplaceable friend who was good and pure into the demon which destroyed the world we lived in and loved so long ago.
"My dragons and I still weren't satisfied even after all our accomplishments…." Zarc said as they easily tore through military tanks on the ground and jets from the sky, "So we believed the next and final step towards utter perfection and dominance was to unite our powers into one being….Or so I was told…." Zarc continued as the scene shifted to the old sage handing him a card that would seal the fate of the original dimension.
"When the time is right my apprentice, you will know when to use this." The sage said with a sinister grin as he handed Zarc the Astrograph Sorcerer card, "Use this and all your wishes will finally be fulfilled. Those of you, your monsters and the people of this world."
"No way…." I breathed seeing what unfolded before me.
"That's right…..But the one responsible for giving me the key to acquiring that power was….my nameless mentor….." He said as Zarc eventually used met up with his dragons at the devastated arena and used that new monster which glowed in sync wth the pendant hidden under his neck as they integrated into Supreme King Dragon Zarc…..
"So that's what happened…." I breathed as I knew what happened after that. Zarc unleashing terror and devastation upon the world, people fleeing in terror, to eventually me and Ray having to step in and end his madness once and for all.
Zarc then lowered his head and closed his eyes in sadness, "Looking back at it all now, if any good came out of all the destruction and devastation I unleashed, which then drove Leo Akaba and Ray to split the world into 4, it's the time I spent watching over your bright and true smiles from Reira's eyes which gave me the chance to finally realise what a fool I had been….."
Sensing his emotional pain and regret once more I walked up to him and placed my hand on his shoulder, "I truly am sorry Zarc," I said feeling some of his remorse and realising I was also partially responsible too, "If only I had been there for you to help shelter your pain or even help bring you out of your despair." I then shrugged it off and shook my head looking to him with a bright smile, "But….all that is long behind us." He then turned to me suprised to see me smiling and welcoming him warmly even after what he just showed me and the whole truth behind it as well, "We're living in an entirely new world now, or should we say 4 new worlds. Consider it giving our past lives a clean slate for us to start over. And I'm not about to let our former selves control us nor define us who we are today." I then held out my hand to him, "Zarc, I'm more than happy to welcome you to become part of these new worlds. To our new homes and to our new lives."
He was speechless at what I offered him and was unsure of how to make of it, "You….actually forgive me?" He slowly began to tear up, "Even after everything I did….after everyone I hurt….even you?"
"I did so a long time ago…." I replied, "And I'm sure that everyone else will to. Everyone deserves a second chance, even you." I said, "Like Yuya's dad once said, if you ever feel like crying, try to laugh instead. Know that even when things don't end up your way, it'll eventually come back your way as well. That's how life is, like a pendulum. And like Ray said, there always was light inside you and I never doubted it for a second. Now that you're back we can truly start over and put the past behind us."
He then wiped away his tears feeling my warm kindness, "Thank you Dahaka….I really owe the 4 worlds more than I could ever give…." He said gladly as he began to reach out fro my hand, "I truly wish this matter could be fully resolved right here and now…." He then took away his hand to my surprise, "But….I'm afraid things aren't that simple."
"What.…do you mean Zarc?" I asked curiously why he didn't accept.
He then got down to the real matter at hand, "In all honesty the true reason why I called to meet you here isn't just to shed light on the truth but also because….I need your help."
"My…help?" I questioned finding his request rather odd.
"You probably haven't sensed it yet but….recently I felt as though something evil, which had been lying dormant from a time even before, had started to awaken from deep slumber." He admitted having felt this a while ago, which was what spurred him to warn me, "If fully awakened and unleashed, the unthinkable could befall upon all 4 dimensions, making even the destruction I inflicted on the original dimension look more like a car accident in comparison."
"Wh….what!? A new evil!?" I gasped in alarm, unable to comprehend that a new three more dangerous and larger than ever before was about to appear soon, "That can't be…." I then looked to him firmly, "Tell me Zarc, what is this evil and how can we defeat it once and for all?"
He shook his head disheartenedly, "I wish I knew….Currently I'm unsure what it is myself but….I somewhat feel it has a connection with me though I am not sure what." He then opened his eyes firmly, "One thing I am certain of, is that I know I have a responsibility to put a stop to this incoming threat before everything and everyone suffers a worse fate than the original dimension once did. But…sadly in my current state I know I can't do this alone. Which is why I really need your help in this Dahaka."
Hearing his words I could feel their genuine sincerity, "He means it….Every word he says…." he truly was trying to make up for all he had done in the past.
Zarc then turned his head conflicted, "I know I may not have any right to ask anything of you but please….I need you to help me.…."
I said nothing and thought for a moment before replying, "I don't know if the help I can provide is enough, but….the fact remains is that you're my friend and friends never abandon nor forget each other. I'll do my best and try to help you ij any way I can. That's the best I can do." I said hoping it would be enough for him.
He then smiled gladly, "That's all I need, and believe me I already owe you and everyone else more than I ever could." Zarc said before turning around and regaining his confidence and resolve, "If helping to protect these worlds can help make up for the destruction I once caused then I will be more than willing to sacrifice my own life for it." He then turned to me, "I appreciate you deciding to help me Dahaka and you can be sure we will be able to put a stop to this together, but for now, farewell…." He said as he shone brightly in my face causing me to shield my eyes in response.
(Next morning)
As I opened my eyes slowly I saw a beam of sunlight shining in through from a gap between my curtains, "Morning already….." I then stepped out of bed and changed into my normal clothes and headed outside. Seeing how dark and quiet it was I could assume I was the only one awake at the moment. "Just now…." I breathed as I still was stunned completely by the dream I just had….or maybe it wasn't and it actually happened for real….Focusing hard within myself I could tell Zarc really was taking refuge inside of me, somehow managing to avoid detection from my other counterparts because he was only focusing on entering my soul and not the others…..
"They're still sleeping now," I thought to myself feeling their life energy to be dormant, "Maybe they don't know that Zarc and I talked last night and maybe it's best they don't find out, at least for now." After climbing down Yuya's fire pole from the upper floor and landing as quietly as I could I headed to the kitchen to fix myself some breakfast. As I entered the dining hall I stopped for a moment, "Just in case though-" I closed my eyes and focused hard, "Bahamut." As soon as I called his name, my partner dragon appeared before me.
"You summoned me Ryuga?" he asked curiously.
"You heard everything didn't you?" I asked looking to him seriously, "Even though Zarc was only speaking with me, you are all linked to Dahaka's spirit so you must have heard in on our conversation last night correct?"
He nodded in response, "It is incredible to think that Zarc has still been alive and well despite being separated from his body, and now he's been purified thanks to the combined efforts of his descendants."
"It is, glad to have him back to his true self too…." I added with a smile before becoming more serious, "About this new upcoming threat, you don't by chance know anything about it do you?"
"Hmmm…." He thought to himself before answering, "To be precise it was only a few days ago when I felt a change in the winds and the dimensional shifts." He said as he recalled the nightmare he had sometime ago one night, "I did indeed sense something awakening beyond the boundaries of space and time, though I cannot confirm whether the evil Zarc sensed or this anomaly are related or even one and the same. Still it is a matter that cannot be overlooked…." he said, "I never imagined that the events that transpired since then had strings attached to them the entire time….."
"If it's gotten you worried then this might mean huge trouble the 4 dimensions even more than ever." I said feeling uneasy myself. It was only recently we were able to avoid destruction at the claws of the supreme king dragon and now a new threat had risen up to fill the void left behind. Possibly an even greater threat ever faced in the multiverse…."Whatever we're up against, the fact remains we don;t have a lot of information on what we're dealing with. So for now I say we go along with Zarc and follow any leads he may have. It's our only option right now and I'd rather not involve any of our other allies just yet unless absolutely necessary."
"That would be the wisest course of action." Bahamut said in agreement, "How may I serve you now?"
Thinking for a moment, "For now I'd like you to inform your siblings about what Zarc and I discussed last night, get them and your forces prepared for battle and for anything that may come our way. Also, I'd appreciate it if you could also inform my brothers as well, considering they probably haven't received the news and I would prefer not to give it to them myself."
Bahamut then nodded before me, "It is as good as does Master Dahaka. You will not be disappointed." he replied with a respectful gesture an bow before disappearing.
"Master Dahaka…heh….haven't been called that in a while…" I chuckled to myself as I wasted no time hurrying over to the refrigerator to help myself to some milk for my cereal and some honey for my bread. After breakfast, I packed a muffin and a couple of apples for later knowing this would be a long trip for sure. Taking a breath and feeling ready for saving the world again, I summoned Zarc from inside me once more, "So Zarc, since you seem to know about this new evil, where should he head to first?" I asked as he materialised before me in spirit form, just like how he appeared to me in my dream.
He then closed his eyes in thought before answering, "I do sense a disturbance in the fusion dimension." He answered immediately which I found quite odd, "I grew up in the original world and was split along with it, I'll know it when a something abnormal occurs in one of the worlds born from it." He then added.
"Huh? Who knew…." I thought to myself surprised. Out of the 3 of us who separated into 4, he's now the sole original survivor now so I suppose he's the only one we can rely on for this.
Before heading out the front door I then turned around worried about how the others would feel if I left all of a sudden without any notice, "I'd better leave a note just in case." I thought to myself as I took a piece of paper form the side and began writing on it.
"I see you don't want to involve the others. You're just as kind and considerate as always." Zarc said as he looked over my shoulder and smiled at the thoughtful message I was leaving them behind, "After what they all went through because of me, perhaps this would be for the best….." He then thought knowing he put them through much suffering already and felt they deserved their gentle peace, and hopefully we would be able to protect it.
After finishing it I then thought for a moment on what I should do to keep my real intentions hidden from the rest of the so they wouldn't try to snoop around for any clues or wouldn't suspect anything fro me, "Maybe a small detour should help throw them off my trail a bit….." I said as I whispered what I planned to Zarc.
"Smart move. Hopefully it should buy us a day or 2." he replied.
I nodded in response hoping he was right, "Alright then, let's go." Holding out Bahamut's card and inserting it inside my duel disk, a dimensional portal opened before us and we walked through ready for a new cross-dimensional adventure!
And there's chapter 3, which is more of a bonding episode between old friends as well as setting up the plot for the future. There is also the part here which showed what gave Ryuga the idea to open up a card shack of his own.
Apologise for the long wait, encountered errors while trying to upload as well as accessing the website.