AUTHOR'S NOTE: The following episode is made with the coleboration with and is dedicated to A5L, a very good friend and a fabulous fan. A disclamer is in order:
- Belongs to A5L: his OC, Alejandro "Alex" Loredo;
- Belongs to KANAN: the song "BRAVING!", with music and in the original Japanese;
- Belongs to Kazuki Takahashi and Konami: the "Yu-Gi-Oh!" franchize and card game;
- belongs to me (in every respect to all other authors): original OC's of this story, fanmade cards that are listed at the bottom of each episode, and the English synch-translation for "BRAVING!", (only lyrics exist, it has never been recorded or dubbed; the dub exists only fan-wise, not as an official part of the ophus;); All these exist in order with the Fanfiction terms of use and fanfic's right for expression and no disrespect was intended with any of them;
I sincerely hope I said enough, please excuse my errors if any are spotted; That said, enjoy the show.
It was a regular day in Sourand, a typical morning filled with traffic noise and D-Gazer graphics comercials.
It was a nice sight to behold, especially if you were a foreigner visiting the city for the first time. There were not many cities in the world that provided this much influence from Duel Monsters, except notably New Domino City, Neon Metro and, of course, the satelyte cities of Heartland.
From a safe spot, a certain someone was observing the magnificent city. It was astonishing how much the sheer presence that someone experiences can wake in a man, the feeling of calm, relief, joy, but also a burning spirit that was hard to keep down, excitement trying to take over.
?.?.?: "So this is Sourand? Such a cool place! I bet there's a lot of strong duelists here. I can't wait to see what kind of spirit they'll show me."
The young man that was trying to hold down his excitement was a Latin-American student, with a short, black and a little spikey hair style and hazel-brown eyes. He wore a royal-blue sleeveless coat, a black shirt underneath it, simple blue pants and a pair of black shoes. Other detailed accessories include a silver cross necklace and a pair of black, fingerless gloves. He was carrying what appeared to be a sport's bag worn by the strap that he was supporting with his right shoulder.
It was a foreigner with great potential, and his silver necklace flashed brightly amidst the sunlight. Because the usage of enigmatic question marks would be useless at this point, we might as well tell his name: Alex.
Alex: "I came this far, might as well go all the way! (excited) Gaaah, I can't hold back any longer, I must run, run, run like the wind!"
He was a cheerful character, a very nice and honest person to have around, although people like that tend to get the wrong kind of attention by goofing around. This was an example of it: without any obvious stimulus, other than his own will for it, Alex stepped on it and ran down the hill, following the road into the city, and feeling the wind against his face like it was an embrace greeting him, and the rustling of the leaves in the trees and bushes sounded like a strong cheer to him. It goes without saying that he was smiling all the way.
However, the moment was not perfect.
In a brief moment, he saw a small glint in the corner of his eye…
And he heard a spooky call.
Alex: "Hm? (halts) What is it?"
He observed one of the trimmed bushes that was growing next to the road. For it was there that he saw it, the source of the mysterious light, and the voice that sounded like a draft down a spooky hall: there, among the branches, a Duel Monsters card was stuck.
Alex could only see the backside of the card, and completely failed to notice one disturbing fact about it: a substance similar in appearance to a dark mist was spraying out of it, the dark aura spreading around like an octopus preying on innocent travelers, waiting for a fool to come and pick it up…
Of course, that part of it was concealed and unseen in the visible spectrum of the human eyesight, so to Alex, it was just a card stuck in the bush.
Alex: "A card? Who dumps a perfectly fine card out here? (approaches the bush) Maybe someone dropped it? I best return it, then."
A sinister mark would flash on the backside of the card in a milisecond: a mark resembling the Arabic number 60!
Alex suddenly felt cold as he stretched his hand in order to pick the card up. It was no ordinary cold, the blood in his veins basically froze up.
He reached for the card…
And then…
A raven flew by, snatched the card and flew off. It was squaking and croaking in the typical raven-matter as it beat it's wings, expelling a fair amount of feathers as it flew higher, out of Alex's reach. Alex only remained surprised.
/AN: (XD) Be honest, you didn't see that one comming, did you?/
Alex: "(o_o) Heh? (sweatdrops) What was that all about?"
Ravens and magpies like shiny objects, and this particular one snatched a shiny card in it's beak. Alex couldn't notice it anymore from that distance, but the other side of the card was actually completely blank, glowing in an awkward fashion.
It took him a few moments to process that weird event. It wasn't until a few seconds later that he remembered what he was doing.
Alex: "Oh, right, the city! (runs off) Sourand City, here I come!"
And so, Alex raced down the road, and into the great city he went.
At the same time, the raven that snatched the card also flew off into the city…
And the card kept on flashing it's mark: the Number 60.
/intro song: „BRAVING!" by Kanan; („Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal", 2011/12); English version;/
(at the crossroad with a traffic lamp glowing red…)
When I hear your voice calling me
From beyond,
(… Sky Galen is waiting to cross;)
I can feel your heart beating through end of time.
(Enlil and Flint await on the other side; they wave at him…)
With the courage and the will to win
(… and he smiles and runs towards them over the street…)
A shiny future will begin
(… in full dash, he greets them both with a high-five!)
Today!
Number Wars
(flashy cards rain all over Sourand; transparent images of Sky catching one of them; then another image of him receiving a card from an old man in a bed…)
Can you tell me how do I pass the wall of lies that holds in front of me?
(… and an image of Enlil cowarding in the corner of her room as she glances to another gloomy card; the last image of Sky helping her get up, smiling;)
I want to see the truth whose misty sight is always on the run.
(three seperate screens rolling simultaneously: sealed forms of Shining Knighcorn, Galileon and Divine Wind emerge…)
Why must this valley of illusions be so hard to penetrate?
(… as the numbers 59, 41 and 71 flash, they simultaneously begin their transformation…)
Must our journey end right now in doubt and fear
(… and as they take on their true forms, all pose in arrival)
As it hasn't even begun?
(Keira's face in the breeze, concerned…)
I am living my story,
(… then smikrs vilely towards the screen, as a monstrous head of an enshadowed creature ghosts in behind her)
I believe it will have a happy end.
(an image of Enlil with her cute smile, blushing…)
Tommorow won't come
(… as Flint jumps ahead of her, and transforms…)
Unless we all
(… into Sky's Duel Disk, which he puts on, along with a D-Gazer…)
Take the first step ahead!
(… then takes a bold dueling stance)
(a line-up of Wind-up monsters before Sky; from the front to the back: Kitten, Bat, Dog, Shark, Magician, Warrior, Soldier, Juggler, and Zenmaister;)
When I hear your voice calling me
From beyond,
(Rikki sets his Duel Disk; Rosemary draws a card; a tough dark-haired dude plays a card; Sky punched forwards, evoking an attack;)
I can seize the truth hidden by the misty light.
(screenover of characters: Rikki; Alex; a pretty red-haired girl in a warrior cosplay; a small girl in a fancy pink dress; a hot blonde girl; Toby; a guy in a red jacket with an odd shield/sword…)
With the future hiding out of sight
(.. and an old man with a hood, whose glare takes up the background)
Our hoping hearts will turn the light.
(Sky skateboarding across the road, leaping high and fisting up, shouting;)
With a merry smile following every step,
(Enlil embracing a frog-like monster colored in sugar and rainbows; more similarly colored monsters appear around her: a taddy bear that gives up 2 Vs for Victory, a large parrot, and in the background, a large insectoid warrior with a spear;)
With a braving heart stronger than anyone's
(Sky and Flint, confronting an unknown figure…)
The illusions will all fade away,
(… that summons a towering enshaded monster, resembling a humanoid dragon with a massive sword)
And we'll see the dream that fades to day.
(in Xyz space, Wind-up monsters perform: Zenmaister punches forward; Zenmailes glides up; Zenmaik slams it's scepter; Zenmaioh drills forward; Zenmails jets up…)
The truth that keeps following,
We can see the light hiding at the end of time
(in the same space, Sky lifts up a card, and it flashes…)
With the courage and the will to win
(lightspeed overblending of monsters: a star-shaped magician; a dinosaur; Big Bang Boom Box; Shadow Dragoon; a phalanx warrior in red armor; a dark wyvern; a gigantic mecha-beetle; Nyctophobia; a single-eyed fiend; a girl in a flower; a dark demon…)
A shiny future will begin
(… finally, Shining Knighcorn charging up it's horn… and slashing the screen with it)
Today!
(finish: Sky, Flint, Enlil, Rikki and other staff take a pose with the Numbers and Zenmaister appearing in the back)
Number Wars
OC-Guest Special!
Episode 4: Reborn Legend- A Super Dragon Showdown
The metropolis of Sourand was as busy as always, people walking around and the sound of traffic simply overflowing down the dstreets. It was an all in all a typical day…
… Unless you were a certain young orange-haired teenage girl with twin-tails, on your way to school with a certain guy with a naturally bi-colored hairstyle, acompanied by a robot sidekick.
Enlil was never good at containing her emotions when she was around Sky, ever since that faithful day when he defeated her Number and welcomed her into his house (sort of). It was quite a nuisance, she was blushing on every second occasion, it was difficult to see her actual expression. (not to mention, it's annoying for me to find alternative expressions for the word "blush" since that's pretty much what she was doing every now and then)
She was falling behind Sky, trying to keep her aim straight, but she would occasionally glimpse at Sky and try to look at his face across his shoulder.
This was not a usual blush. She was concerned.
(flashback)
Last night at Sky's residence, Enlil got up in the middle of the night to get herself a glass of water. She was basically sleepwalking, her eyes were half-way closed as she was moving silently down the corridor, in a slight fear she might wake up Sky and Rikki.
Yawning, she paced up the stairs and down the corridor, wearing an oddly colored jammies (those were basically gummi colors: pink, gently blue, and lemon yellow, the ones you usually find on candies and lollipops), when she, at one point, realized she didn't have to sneak after all.
She was walking past Sky's room (which was comparably larger than hers, but notably much more chaotic), and noticed a slight glint of light comming from the lower edges of the door. The door itself was left ajar, so she could peek inside a little.
To her surprise, Sky was wide awake, sitting by his desk with the lamp still on. His head was supported by his own hand, tha was leaned against the desk by the elbow, a classic thinker pose. Flint was deep asleep in his closed-in mode, standing on the counter next to Sky's bed.
He might have thought he was whispering, but Enlil could make out the meaning of those words he spoke. He was thinking out loud, but what he was saying didn't make sense at first.
Sky: "When I rouse them up, my fingers form a V and… Nonono, that's not it. Something that rymes with 'quality'… Kitty… City… Pretty. (rubs head) Gosh, get out of my head! (sigh) It's no use, I'll never get the hint."
Enlil(thinking): "What is he doing so late?"
But then…
Sky: "If only Keira-chan was here."
If there was one name she disliked to hear, it was that. No matter how many times she tried to get his attention, Sky would always start talking about his crush on Keira-chan. She never got the hint why or how someone could get off the topic that much, but it clearly meant a lot to him.
Enlil(thinking): "(silent gasp) Is he dreaming… of her?"
And his aditude changed suddenly: he got up from his chair, a move that came so asudden that Enlil thought he had spotted her, and so she ducked away a little and closed the door down, only to realize he was just standing up for no reason. She could still hear him talking:
Sky: "Maybe… Maybe I should. (resolveful) Tommorow I will… Definitely ask her!"
From the other side of the wall, Enlil heard those words and shed a tear. Sky was openly exclaiming something regarding Keira-chan. And considerring the fact that just recently a girl other than her confessed her feelings for him (then took it back), Enlil was afraid he was reckless enough to do the same.
Enlil: "Will he… confess to her?"
(end flashback)
A load of nonsense moments like that could only have roused Enlil a bit, but she gave those moments much thought. Her thoughts as follows might clear things up:
Enlil: "There's no doubt about it. He was talking about Keira last night. He said he was going to ask her something… today. I wonder what he meant?"
Sky: "Is something wrong?"
Enlil was completely caught off guard when Sky looked her in the eyes from a close range. After she jerked, she looked sideways in order to avoid looking into his eyes.
Enlil: "It... It's nothing."
Sky: "Are you sure? You blush a lot lately. If it keeps up, I might need to take you to a doctor or something."
Flint: "(facepalms) Gosh, are you really that stupid, Sky-sama baka?"
The sentence warmed Enlil's heart a bit.
Enlil: "Are you… worried about me?"
Sky: "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I? You're an important friend, after all."
Enlil: "A friend? Oh, right, friend…(whispers) I was actually hoping to be something more."
Sky: "What was that?"
Enlil: "I-i-it's nothing."
Sky: "Huh? Alright, I just thought you wanted to share something."
Enlil: "Actually… If I may ask..."
Sky: "What is it?"
Enlil: "You… Were up last night, weren't you?"
Sky scratched his head a little in embarrasment.
Flint: "Sky-sama, that true? When did you go to bed?"
Sky: "I've been working on something, it's not worth mentioning. Oh, sorry… I didn't wake you up last night, did I?"
Enlil: "No, I mean… I was awake, but it wasn't your fault. And I heard you talking about… about…"
She couldn't say it out loud. When she tried to, she would bite her own lip almost in a reflexive action.
Enlil: "About something you wanted to do today."
Flint: "Sky-sama, what were you doing?"
Sky: "I guess there's no hiding, is there? Okay, I'll tell you. I… (looks sideways) I wanted to talk to Keira-chan today."
On the sound of her name, Enlil grew a little vein-pop on her forehead, but hid her reaction with a warm smile.
Flint: "Talk to her in what way?"
Sky: "Well… You know…"
Enlil: "You can talk to me if you want. I'll be happy to help."
Sky: "I'm not sure it's something you can help me with, Enlil. I think Keira is the only one…"
Enlil grew 2 more vein-pops.
Enlil: "But there's no need to bother her with that kind of thing. I don't mind, really."
Sky: "I don't want to bother you either. And I kinda… wanna build up my resolve, you know."
Enlil was now twitching like a cricket, her dislike of the situation more than evident.
Enlil: "Why do you have to mention her all the time?"
Sky: "(O.o) Huh? When did I…?"
Enlil: "Sky-kun, what makes Keira so special that you can't do it with me?"
Sky: "Errr… (blink) What are you talking about?"
Enlil realized she was being impulsive, and shamefully gasped, then stared at the ground.
Enlil: "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. But I just want to know… Why do you like Keira so much?"
Sky: "Uhm…"
Enlil: "I know she is pretty and smart, but so are many other girls. But you never take interest in any of them."
Sky: "They're not Keira-chan, that's why!"
The moment he spoke up with that tone made all of them stop moving forward. Sky and Enlil looked at each other, both sporting very concerning expressions. It was as if they each wanted to share something, something deep.
Sky: "I'm sorry. But… Keira-chan, she is very special. Sure, she is pretty, and smart, and an idol of the school but… I don't think anyone has the right picture of her."
Enlil: "Can you tell me then?"
Sky: "(thinks) Let's see, where to start? When I first saw her, she didn't leave much of an impression on me."
(flashback)
One year ago, both Sky and Keira started out as freshmen in Sourand High. Keira was already gaining attention of the other students for her looks, and several other talents, while Sky moved up the ranks at a slower pace.
Every now and then, Sky would simply spend his recesses sitting in his spot in the classroom, overviewing what the others were doing. He would also occasionally glance over to Keira, who was almost always surrounded by other female students, chatting and laughing over typical girl-talks.
Sky: "I wasn't always crazy about her. My first impression of her was no different than my views of any other student back then. Of course, I knew who she was since everyne was talking about her."
By reviewing the grade scores on exams, Sky would almost always find himself in the middle of the list for his C-ranked grades. However, there was a good reason why so many students passed the test with ease.
And then, there were the chatters:
Student1: "Phew, that went well."
Student2: "So, did the answers I mailed to you come in handy?"
Student1: "You bet. It saved a lot of work, all I had to do was memorize the answers."
Student2: "Good thing they use the same test over and over, year after year. I just had to check in on my older brother from the 2nd grade from what he remembered last year."
Student1: "Easiest bet in the world."
That's when Sky came along, and checked his rankings. He was in the middle of the list, but still, despite the low points he obtained, he sighed in relief.
Sky: "Phew, glad that's over."
Student1: "(checks the list) What? Sky, you scored that low?"
Student2: "Geez, I honestly expected more of you. You kept reviewing the lectures in the library all the time, how could you flunk like that?"
Sky: "I didn't flunk. It's an honest C, and I'm happy for it."
Student1: "What 'honest C', with your learning skills, and the test answers I spread over the class, you should have obtained a perfect score."
Student2: "Yeah, what's the matter, did the answers get messed up?"
Sky: "No, I… didn't use them."
Both of the students made a loud "eh". They didn't expect to hear that kind of thing from Sky.
Student1: "What do you mean you didn't use the answers? Everyone else did."
Student2: "Yeah, they weren't that easy to get."
Sky: "I don't care!"
Both students jerked back a bit as Sky put on his serious face.
Sky: "Nothing in life is different than dueling. This includes this test. I would rather have flunked with honor than pass by cheating."
Student1: "That wasn't cheating, it was a completely fair gathering of sources."
Sky: "Saying it in a different way doesn't make it right. There won't always be a pre-prepared sheat with answers. We must find a way to break the obsticles with our own strength, our own way. That's the way life should work, and the way dueling works! To act anyhow else… It is completely dishonorable!"
Hearing that made both male students change their personality, from friendly to hostile. They both seemed upset… no, mad at Sky for saying that. They looked at him like he was a traitor.
Then, one of them pushed Sky and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. Then he made close eye contact.
Is it too late to mention that both of them were taller than Sky?
Student2: "Listen, bonehead, are you planning on ratting out on us?"
Sky: "What?"
Student1: "He's right, you might go to the principle's office and exclaim your whole class passed the test by using answers of the previous years. You didn't use them, so you'd be safe."
Student2: "But the rest of us will get expelled, and if that happens, we'll make the rest of your life very miserable!"
Sky: "I am well aware of that possibility, and so should you have been! (pushes him off) And for that sake only, I won't tell."
Student2: "Afraid already? You should be!"
Sky: "You don't scare me. But being a snitch that tells on other people is a completely dishonorable deed, I would never do such a thing. It is you who must realize the error of things by yourself, not from me."
Student1: "Are you friggin' serious?"
The conversation was cut short, as none other than Keira came along. She ignorred the 3 boys completely, and focused on the rankings on the board in front of her.
Her finger scrolled up the list, and she eventually found her name among the top 3. She smiled.
Keira: "95. What a relief, I thought I made too many errors."
And just like that, she blinked to the students with a smile (including Sky), and happily proceeded down the hallway. Realizing none of them could get violent in front of someone like her, the two students let go of Sky and observed Keira as she was leaving instead.
Student1: "That was… Keira Detroy, was it not?"
Student2: "The prettiest girl in our class, she's so cute when she smiles."
Student1: "(to Sky) See that, moron? Even she got a good grade, and you know why? Because she used the answers!"
Sky: "You can't know that!"
Student2: "He's right. From our lessons, it was impossible to learn enough to obtain that high score without side-help."
Sky: "If she did, she did so only on her own harm. I earned my low grade, and I'm happy for it. Even if I flunk an exam, when I re-take it I'll score higher than before. That's what my spirit, Sky-High, really is about!"
Student2: "Gosh, you're stupid."
Student1: "Come, we don't need that kind of trouble today, don't you see the guy's a lost case?"
Student2: "Yeah, you're right. It's probably too dishonorable for him to even talk to us, he's perfectly harmless."
They were just laughing out loud, and walked along the hallway, leaving Sky all alone to recollect his thoughts.
Sky: "I felt alone, like no one would bother to understand what spirit was all about. Almost everyone I met were trying to get through the easy way, not reconsidering any other option. To me, back then, Keira was no different, just one of many."
But there was a scene in the library that changed that…
Sky: "However, one day…"
Sky just walked into the school library. This differs greatly from what your vision of a library might be, this chamber was almost entirely electronic, and had large, wardrobe-sized computer processors instead of shelves. Most of the desks there were enpowered by monitors and only a small section with actual books remained there.
Anyway, the entire section was empty, Sky though he was the only one there.
Until he…
Sky: "Huh?"
Noticed a dim light from one of the desks.
Keira was sitting there, all alone, reviewing the lectures from a book and a screen that she was monitoring. She was writing down notes at a rapid pace, and silently chanting the words she tried to rememember.
Sky made sure she didn't notice him: he made no sudden moves or loud sounds, he basically hid behind a processor and observed her as if he was spying on her.
Sky(thinking): "She's still here? Why? Is she studying?"
Keria kept taking down notes, not regarding Sky's presence.
But then, at one point, her hand cramped.
She dropped the pencil she was writing with and held her hand in pain. She managed to silent her cry and simply grint her teeth a little.
Sky didn't know what happened. In an act of instinct, he approached her, and picked up the pencil she dropped, then he talked to her.
Sky: "Are you alright?"
Keira didn't look at Sky until now. She smiled warmly, and nodded, still trying to hold her own aching hand and supresss the unknown pain. This might have been the first time that Sky could look at her eyes directly, and they seemed as beautiful as he remembers them: a pair of ocean-deep violet colored tides.
Keira: "You are… Sky Galen, aren't you?"
Sky: "Uhm… Yes, how do you know?"
Keira: "I'm sorry, I'm trying to remember all my classmate's names. I'm sorry to bother you."
Sky: "Uhm…(blushes) It's fine…"
Keira: "Can I have that back?"
She was pointing at the pencil that Sky picked up.
Sky: "Oh, right, sure… Here."
He handed the pencil over to her, but when Keira reached for it with her aching hand.
And that's when Sky noticed… Keira's hand…
Sky: "(gasp) Your… Your palm…"
… It was completely red and bruised. An awful amount of stress was put on it, no doubt. The hand was almost bleeding.
Keira: "What, this? It's nothing."
Sky: "Are you kidding me, how long have you been writing down notes here?"
Keira: "(takes the pencil) I think I lost track of time."
Sky: "You've been studying here all day?"
Keira: "Yes…"
Sky: "But… doesn't it hurt?"
Keira: "It does, a little. But I can bear it."
Sky: "Nonsense. (takes out a tissue) Here."
The tissue he handed over was a cool, moist wipe, which Keira gently pressed against her palm, feeling a slight relief in the painful area.
Keira: "Thank you, it helps."
Sky's view of Keira changed for the better on that day.
Sky: "I saw her true strength that day. I thought she earned her grades in the same way as most others… But the truth was, she was literally killing herself studying, to succeed in a fair and honest way. She knew the pain, and she beared it. It was way more than I could have ever dared to do."
But it doesn't end here:
Sky's next memory was during a dueling exam. Students were free to use their own decks, but were also allowed to make use of some rare and powerful cards that the teachers were offering, this included the powerful Lightning Vortex, Dark Hole, Heavy Storm and many more rare cards that had no archetype preference.
Of course, many students decided to strengthen their decks with as many rare cards as they were offered.
But, when Sky walked up to a teacher in order to register…
Teacher: "This is just a small test of skill, there's no need to be nervous. Before you stand the items you can use: a prepared D-pad and D-Gazer, and if the need arises, you can lend some of the rare exam cards we have to offer. Only you need to register here, and sign a confirm that you will return the cards after you-"
Sky didn't wait for him to finish. With his very own deck at hand, Sky only took 2 of the three items before him: the Duel Disk and the D-Gazer. He didn't even touch the small box of rare cards. This action caught the teacher in the middle of the sentence.
Teacher: "Hey, what the…?"
Sky: "I'm set."
Teacher: "What about the card loan?"
Sky: "What, those? I don't want to."
Teacher: "Are you sure? All the others strenghtened their decks with these, you'd be at a great disadvantage."
Sky: "So what if I will? I won't duel unless it's by my own power. I don't trust a card I didn't earn fair and square. Besides, in real life, there won't be such chances to strengthen my deck like this, so why would I start pretending now?"
That was before Sky was forged into the duelist he is today. Because of his unrivaled spirit to battle his duels with honor rather than force, he wasn't skilled enough to win against opponents that only played the game for the sake of victory. Because of this, his skills were greatly discriminated.
During the exam, however…
Keira: "It's my turn. Draw! (draws)"
Keira drew her card with the same hand she uses to write with. The hand was covered with several layers of bandages, as her wound from overworking herself still didn't heal completely. Naturally, every draw was painful.
But there was something else that caught her attention: a duel next to hers.
It was a duel between Sky, and a random straw-haired guy.
His opponent had a dangerous formation of monsters on his field:XX-Saber Boggart Knight(ATK: 1900/ LV4),X-Saber Emmersblade(ATK: 1300/ LV3) andXX- Saber Garsem(ATK: 1400/ LV4).
All Sky had on the field was hisWind-up Knight(ATK: 1800/ LV4) andWind-up Soldier(ATK: 1800/ LV4). And it only got worse.
Foe: "You think that oversized toy would stop me? (draws; smirks) Heh, looks like I drew a winner. (reveals the card) I play the Equip Spell:United We Stand! This card's effect increases the Attack points of one monster of my choice by 800, for every monster I control. And I equip it to my Boggart Knight!"
The equiped Spell immediatelly sky-rocketed his middle monster's Attack points, and the beast-warrior let out a powerful war-cry.
XX-Saber Boggart Knight: ATK: 1900… 2700… 3500… 4300!
Sky: "4300 Attack points… That card is immensly powerful. A strong opponent."
Foe: "And now… (reveals another card) AnotherUnited We Stand!"
Sky: "Say what?"
The scene reoccured, but and the Knight's Attack points just kept on climbing:
XX-Saber Boggart Knight: ATK: 4300… 5100… 5900… 6700!
Sky: "Another one, are you serious?"
Foe: "All fair and square. I combined the powers of the Unted we Stand that I won with another copy that I got from the Exam deck. My Monster's Attack points are almost 7000, there's no way you can play anything stronger!"
Sky: "You are… An awful duelist!"
Hearing that stunned Keira that was eavedropping at them. It also stunned Sky's opponent, who seemed furious.
Foe: "What did you say, awful? You're a bad judge of game, can't you see what an overwhelming move I made? I'm way stronger than you are!"
Sky: "Strong duelist is not the same as good duelist! You already made excelent use of that United we Stand, so why do you need another one?"
Foe: "What? Are you stupid, it's because I can! It makes me even stronger!"
Sky: "It makes you an idiot, what kind of a victory do you expect to acheive if you disregard the opponent? In a duel, the enemy must be respected, not destroyed! Using cards in such a greedy way is completely dishonorable!"
Foe: "(hisses) Whatever, you're just jealous. Do you really think I give a goof's bag about respecting my opponent? Only power can bring you further, that's what dueling is about."
Sky: "That's wrong. If winning a duel means burrowing your opponent under with no regards for others… Then I'd rather loose than win like that!"
That sentence stirred Keira up even more, and as she had ended her duel, bowed to her opponent and concluded the exam, she went to come closer to both players.
Foe: "Then you will loose! Pathetic thoughts like that will get you killed, you moro-"
Keira: "Stop it already!"
Foe: "Heh?"
It wasn't until now that Sky and his opponent realized that Keira was watching them. She took her place by Sky's side, and glared at the other guy with great fury.
Keira: "Dueling for power, are you serious? This is not what dueling is about. How can you even look yourself in the mirror and say that?"
Sky: "(stunned) Keira-chan…"
Foe: "What, you're defending him? Look at him, he's a lunatic talking nonsense, someone like that is not fit to be a duelist."
Keira: "I didn't hear you speak any wise words. You only retaliate with what you know you can't match with insults and talk of power. You make me sick!"
Foe: "Why, you…!"
Keira: "(to Sky) Sky-kun, defeat this jerk, I don't want him to win with that kind of aditude."
Sky: "Uhm… Right! I won't loose to someone as heartless as that! My spirit's rising! Sky-high!"
Foe: "Stop talking nonsense! Boggart Knight, attack!"
Heeding it's master's words, the beast warrior picked up it's sword and charged forward, and attack that, if it would connect, would mean a certain defeat.
Sky: "Reverse card, open! (the card flips)Gravi-Balance! This card negates a monster's attack, then destroys all cards that are equiped to it!"
Boggart Knight was about to deliver a devastating blow to Sky's monsters, but just then, a mysterious force covered his body in a plasmic purple aura, and halted his advance, then sent him back. The Knight was thrown back severely, as if he was punched by a giant. When it landed, it's equipment cracked, and the shard of this destroyed both United we Stand cards on his master's side of the field.
Foe: "Oh no!"
XX-Saber Boggart Knight: ATK: 1900
Sky: "You're wide open! (draws) It's my move, I draw! I summonWind-up Juggler!"
Before him, his trustful monster appeared: a spring-legged juggler with an X-shaped head.
Juggler: "Zen! Zenmai! (ATK: 1700/ LV4)"
Sky: "You guys ready?"
Knight&Soldier: "(nod) Zenmai!"
Sky: "First, I activate Wind-up Soldier's ability! Attack points, plus 400. Level, plus 1."
The key in the Soldier's back was spinning like a windmill, and this charged the monster with power.
Soldier: „ZEN! Zenmamamamamamamamamamama…!"
Wind-up Soldier: ATK: 2200/ LV4… LV5
Sky: „Alright, everyone, attack!"
That was the assault that he delivered. All of his monsters charged forward, and sent their respective attacks: both the Soldier and the Juggler formed some kind of fireballs in their arms and tossed them at their targets, while Wind-up Knight charged at his enemy, the XX-Saber Emmersblade.
Soldier: „(launches) Zen-Mai!"
Juggler: „(launches) Zenmai!"
Knight: „(charges) Zeeen!"
Soldier's fireball hit the Boggart Knight, pulverizing it in an instant.
The Knight's attack biforcated the cricket-like Emmersblade, and the monster shattered into pixels.
And the Juggler's fireball also destroyed the ruminant-like Garsem, detonating in it's face.
The attacks combined decimated the enemy's Life points, and pushed him backwards, causing him to fall on his back in defeat.
Foe: LP: 1000… 0
WINNER: Sky
And so, with the duel over, the AR space dissipated.
Sky: „Yahoo! I won! Thanks for the support, Keira-cha… Eh?"
Sky wanted to thank Keira himself, but as soon as he turned his head to look at her, he realized she was no longer there.
Instead, he saw Keira next to another student who was having a duel, trying to patronize him and improve his gameplay with tips such as:
Keira: „As long as you summoned a monster in Attack mode, try to deal as much damage to the opponent by attacking the weaker units. Attacks from bigger monsters are inevitable, but make sure to make good use of your Main phase 2…"
Even though she was no longer talking to him, Sky smiled as he took off his D-Gazer.
Sky: „I know she wasn't talking to me anymore, but in that moment I felt… Like she was the first one to understand me. Like there was still hope for me left. And I guess, that's when I…"
(end flashback)
Enlil listened to the story very carefully. Even though she felt like she had a bone to pick with Keira, she had to admit that from what she heard Keira didn't seem like a bad person at all.
Enlil: „She's actually very nice. So… she means that much to you?"
Sky: „Well, err… (blushes) One might say that."
Enlil: „(hangs head) I see… If Sky-kun confesses to Keira-san, it would mean my efforts to get his attention will fade into nothing. But… If he manages to be together with someone like that, he'd be very happy. And I guess… I should be happy for him as well."
Sky: „Are you okay?"
Enlil: „(blushing) Of course I'm fine! Stop saying that all the time, idiot!"
Flint: „Now who's overreacting?"
Sky: „I'll take that as a yes. And about Keira-chan… I was hoping to meet her today."
Enlil: „Why? Is it something personal?"
Sky: „One might say that. It's very important."
And then, all of the sudden:
Rosemary: „(between the two) What is it?"
Enlil&Sky&Flint: „(freak out) AAAAAAAHHH! (just Sky) Rosemary? Where did you come from? (just Enlil) You weren't here a second ago!"
Rosemary: „I've been following the two of you, especially my Honey."
Sky: „(-_-) Again, I'd prefer you didn't call me that."
Rosemary: „Here."
She handed Sky over a note of sorts, that was wrapped in a narrow envelope. He hesitatingly took it.
Sky: „What is this?"
Rosemary: „It is adressed to you, but must have been mailed to me by mistake."
Flint: „You don't say."
Enlil: „What does it say?"
Sky: „I wonder what it is… (opens up the letter) Hmmm… (-_-) Oh, that."
It was a greeting card, fabulously decorated with kisses and butterfly logos. The picture on the card depicted a hot long-haired blonde girl in an adventurous outfit, fit for archaeologists and treasure hunters (this includes a saucer-shaped hat). She was posing next to a couple of black natives, who were mostly bare-chested, but one particular man wore a red shirt and had a cigar in his mouth. They all smiled at the camera with the girl in the middle.
The background depicted a large dinosaur-like skeleton of sorts stuck half way into a red rock.
Sky new the girl all too well: it was Terry-chan.
This is what the card said:
„Yo! Wassup, cous'? Terry-chan reporting to you from Tendaguru! It's dusty, and windy, and rocky, and I wish you were here with me. They let me dig for fossils, and I was thinking on naming a new dinosaur species after one of us. Of course, it's going to be me since, let's face it, I'm awesome. Don't worry, I'll bring you a bag full of crazy rocks when I get back. Hugs and kisses!"
Sky: „(O.o) Tendaguru? Where is that?"
Flint: „Let me show you."
Flint directed his eyes towards the nearest wall, then projected an image onto it through the beams that came out of his eyes. The image he was broadcasting was a map of the world.
Then, he zoomed in on Africa.
Then on south-east Africa, with the island Madagaskar caught in the picture.
Then on the country of Tanzania.
And pin-pointed at the site's location in the middle of the map.
Flint: „Tendaguru is located… here. It's a famous Tanzanian digging site. The fossils here date all the way to late Jurassic period, and the dinosaur species Dysalotosaurus and Ketrosaurus were discovered here. Also, the locals are said to be excelent football players."
Sky: „How the heck did Terry get from Europe all the way there within few days?"
As soon as Enlil saw the girl in the postcard, realizing it was yet another pretty lady that shares Sky's history, she grew envious once more.
Enlil: „Who is Terry, exactly?"
Sky: „Just a distant cousin. She travels the world a lot, and sends me postcards every now and then. Except she never holds still, so I can never reply properly."
Enlil: „Oh? I guess you really miss her."
Sky: „Well, about that…"
CLICK-CLICK!
Sky: „Heh?"
The postcard in his hands started to glow in a familiar light.
Sky: „(O.O) WHAT THE HECK?"
And it exploded.
KABOOOOOOM!
It blew up right into Sky's face, with the same force as a firecracker. This surrounded him in a cloud of black smoke, and a few seconds after the bang, which made everyone else duck for cover, Sky was twitching, slightly bent backwards, and covered in ashes.
Flint: „Sky-sama! Are you alright?"
Enlil: „Why did the postcard explode?"
Rosemary: „Perhaps I used too much nitroglycerin in the lubricator lotion."
Enlil: „EH? Why did you use nitroglycerin? Why did the postcard have to explode."
Rosemary: „Because it was an encrypted message from the President."
Enlil: „(O.O) What, really?"
Rosemary: „No, that was a joke."
Enlil: „(-_-) You sure sounded serious."
By this time, Sky managed to regain his usual form by cleaning his skin and clothes of the ashes and gasping the remaining smoke out of his lungs.
Sky: „Why did I deserve this? (shakes head)"
And just as sudden things wouldn't stop:
Flint: „(meep-beep) Hm? (meep-beep) Sky-sama, I'm reading something."
Sky: „I sure hope it's nothing Rosemary wrote."
Flint: „No, not that. (meep-beep) The signal is faint, but I think…"
Sky: „Yes, go on…"
High above them, a black bird, a raven was making a fly-by over the city. What was so special about this bird, you ask? It was holding an imageless card in it's beak.
Unfortunately, it was way too high for anyone to notice. But the card it was carrying was clearly sending out a signal of sorts.
Flint: „I believe it might be… Numbers!"
Sky: „What, really?"
Flint: „I can't be sure, but the readings align alright."
Sky: „I don't care what the chances are, I'm taking it. Lead the way!"
Flint: „Aye! This way."
Flint was moving at great speed down the street, and Sky followed him at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, this was in the opposite direction of where they intended to go, so both Enlil and Rosemary were left behind.
Enlil: „Hey, Sky-kun, but what about…?"
Sky: „(from afar) You guys go on ahead! I'll catch up with you later!"
In a matter of seconds, he was out of sight.
Enlil: „Oh, bother. I don't like going to school all by myself."
Rosemary: „Shall I acompany you then?"
Enlil: „Uh? (sweatdrops) Not very comforting."
The city was full of people, and full of sights, this including strange buildings and oddly decorated pieces of architecture.
Among these, there was a bridge crossing over Sourand Stream, a small river that ran through the city. The bridge itself was a fantastic piece of art: a golden tower in the middle of the river supported by bridgewires and pillars of steel, connecting the two halves of the bridge, that was overall colored in beautiful blue shades.
This is the location where Alex was observing the city, taking every angle and every moment under reconsideration, like a tourist. He was writing things down into his personal notebook that he was carrying along, as he observed and adored the scenery of Sourand: the people, the town, everything.
Alex(narrator): "Dear Diary, I have just arrived at the great city of Sourand. I didn't manage to find my way to Sourand High at first, but the city itself is worth the distractions. I have never seen so much space centered around dueling, and people here are certainly enjoying it in every aspect. I failed to find a good opponent as of yet, the sheer sight of the city kept my mind of things."
Alex felt a little uneasiness in his stomach, but this turned out to be the work of another force. He checked his deck-box that was straped on his belt, and took out a card, observing it with a wide smile.
Alex(narrator): "Nonetheless, I believe I will find a worthy opponent here. My gut is telling me that. And… so is Red-eyes. I can almost feel how excited he is."
The card in his hand was a true rarity: an original art fit for historic artefacts, a card depicting a dark dragon of great power, in a ferocious pose. Yet, despite the appearance, Alex didn't feel the slightest uneasyness. In fact, the card's appearance seemed to bring him much joy.
Alex(narrator): "But… I also think something's a little off. When I entered, the winds turned cold and I felt my stomach turn. I also believe to have witnessed a card hanging in the branches, abandoned and cold. I wonder what it meant?"
Unbeknowns to him, the raven carrying the very card that he described just flew high above his head. It landed on a random tree on the other bank of the river, placing the card on the branches there, then kept observing it like it was some kind of weird toy.
Alex(narrator): "Still, my mind is made up. I will find my challenge here."
That said, he packed his notebook into the bag he was carrying. But he didn't put the card he took out back into the box. Instead, he observed it for a bit longer, and watched it's surface reflect the sunlight.
Alex: "Oh well, wouldn't hurt to carry you around a bit more. Let's find this school together."
Sky: "Wait, why don't you!"
Alex: "Huh?"
Alex heard someone scream out loud, and as he looked at the side of the bridge where the voice came from, he saw a weird sight: a young man, about his age, running after a small catterpillar-driven robot, that was moving at a surprisingly great speed.
Both were comming in very fast.
Flint: "Beep is up… And increasing… It's right around here!"
Sky: "I hope for your sakes you're right."
The scene was indeed an odd one, which made Alex blink a few times.
And just as the small robot came close to Alex, disregarding it's presence…
The beeping in it's antenna stopped, and he made a sudden stop.
Flint: "Wait, something's not ri-"
… but Sky didn't follow that same fashion.
The halt of his sidekick was so sudden that Sky didn't find the time to notice it, so he incidentally slammed his left foot into Flint's back, tilting him forward…
And causing him to trip.
Sky: "(falling) GYaaaaaah, Fliiiint!"
And fall atop of Alex.
Alex: "BAAAAAH! (slam!)"
The impact was an embarrasing scene, both guys fell down. Sky landed on his face on the ground, while Alex was pushed sideways and impaled the fence of the bridge with his back.
Sky got up slowly, grunting and hissing.
Sky: "What the heck, Flint? Why did you stop?"
Flint: "(gets up) Don't blame this on me, Sky-sama baka!"
Sky: "Stop using that phrase! (gets up, then turns to Alex) So sorry about this. Are you okay?"
Alex: "I…"
Alex checked his bodyparts to make sure all were present… But then he realized both of his hands were empty.
Those hands that he held his card with!
Alex: "No! My card!"
Sky: "What?"
Alex looked around, in panic, trying to locate the card he was missing. He must have accidentally dropped it in the impact.
And then he saw it…
Flying in the wind around 6 feet away from the bridge, way out of handreach.
Alex: "No! My card!"
An odd thing happened:
Sky put his right foot atop of the fence of the bridge…
Sky: "I'll get it!"
Alex: "What are you…"
… and he jumped after the card, reaching out for it in mid-air.
Sky: "I'll save it! Sky-High!"
Amazed, astonished, breath-taken, those were the adjectives fit for the moment. Without second thoughts, Sky actually jumped after the card that belonged to a total stranger. He, in fact, jumped off the edge of the bridge!
In mid-air, he managed to grab the card…
Sky: "Got it!"
… and he quickly tossed it over at the bridge.
Sky: "Flint, catch!"
Only a duelist can throw a card with such force. The card flew towards Flint, that was standing at the edge of the bridge, and the robot managed to catch it… almost dropping it in a clumpsy moment.
Flint: "I got it, Sky-sama!"
Sky: "Great!"
This all occured within moments…
But there was one tiny problem:
Sky: "(looks down)… Eh?"
Gravity.
Sky: "AYE-AYE-AYE!(falls down)"
There was barely any resistance to it (aside from Sky's desperate attempts to try to use his arms as wings and fly), and so Sky simply fell down into the river, screaming…
Alex: "You, pal…!"
SPLASH!
Alex and Flint both twitched aside a little on the sight of Sky's drop into the river. It felt like watching a painful scene in a comedy movie. They knew the main character was alright, but they didn't want to be in his place right now.
As for Sky…
Sky: „… I'm fine."
(minutes later)
Thankfully, the Sourand Stream is a shallow and slow river, and Sky is a good swimmer, so fishing him out wasn't all that difficult.
It's what came afterwards that was the problem: the drying of clothes, which Sky insisted on still wearing. In short, he ended up wet and muddy. So, as him, Flint and Alex remained on the stream's shore, which was in fact a soft, grassy dam, where they needed a lot of sunshine to dry him up.
Sky: "Ah, man, look at this mess. Now I actuallyhave to put on that awful uniform."
Flint: "(-_-) What did you expect? You jumped of the bridge."
Sky: "One thing I'll keep out of my resume."
Alex: "I'm sorry you had to do that. You really didn't have to go that far."
Sky: "Nah, it's alright. It was my fault, after all, that you almost lost your card."
Alex: "You're one odd character. I don't think I know that many people that are willing to jump of the bridge for the sake of a card."
Flint: "You're obviously from out of town."
Alex: "I am. In fact, I am way foreign."
Sky: "What, really?"
Alex: "My name is Alejandro Loredo. But most people just call me Alex."
Sky: "Alex, isn't that an American name?"
Alex: "I'm an exchange student from the United States."
Sky: "Wow, so you really are far away from home. (gets up) My name is Sky Galen. This here is my buddy Flint."
Alex: "Your buddy? (looks at Flint) I thought that was your servant bot."
Flint: "(!) I'M NOT A SERVANT, BAKA! I'M A DELICATE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT!"
Sky: "(sweatdrops) Isn't that what he just said?"
Alex: "(laughs) You guys are funny! I wish we met under different conditions. Thanks again for saving my card."
Sky: "My pleasure. I couldn't live with myself knowing I was responsible for the loss of someone else's comrade."
Alex: "What? Comrade?"
Sky: "That's what Duel Monsters are to me, important allies. Don't tell me you don't feel that way."
Alex: "Well, actually, I feel the same way. I don't think I'd be able to duel the way I do if I didn't share some kind of bond with my monsters. (scratches cheek) But, it kinda sounds silly when you say it out loud."
Sky: "Not at all!"
Alex: "Eh?"
Sky: "Why should what's in your spirit be kept for yourself? When you're dueling, you must use that spirit, reveal it to the world. Life is lived the same way, without holding back. That's how life works, and that's how dueling works."
Alex: "(laughs) You really are a curious one."
Sky: "By the way… Is the card safe?"
Alex: "Yep."
Alex checked once again, and took out the card from his pocket. It was completely dry and shiny.
Alex: "I owe you a lot, I don't know what I'd do without this guy by my side."
Sky: "So that's the card I… WOAH!"
It wasn't until now that Sky, and Flint, noticed what precice card it was that they helped saving. It was a Normal monster, but it was one of a kind…
Sky: "Th-that's…"
… A ferocious dragon with a deadly attack.
Sky: "Red-eyes Black Dragon!"
Flint: "And it's an original artwork in mind-condition! That card is every duelist's Holy Grail! Where did you get that?"
Alex: "I have it since I know for myself. It's my absolute favorite."
Sky: "No kidding! That card is awesome!"
Alex: "You really think so?"
Sky: "Totally! Not only is it a cool dragon, it's THE cool dragon."
Flint: "It's not an every-day kind of rare card what you have there. I heard Red-eyes Black Dragon was reprinted and redesigned several times in history because the initial version was so hard to get by. Many new images were used, but that one you have is an original, it hasn't been produced in over 60 years."
Alex: "I know Red-eyes is a very rare card, it's my treasure. My treasured ally, that is. Did you know there were only 60 left in the world?"
Sky: "I figured as much. (checks his pockets) But as long as we're on the subject of awesome cards…(takes out a card) This guy here is my absolute ace."
He took out a card and showed it to Alex: his was also a nice eample, but other than Alex's it was an Xyz monster with a much poorer history: his very own Wind-up Zenmaister.
Alex: "Wind-up Zenmaister? Well… That's nice, I guess."
Sky: "I know he doesn't seem like much, but this guy is a must in my deck. I never leave my house without him."
Alex: "Really? Not that it surprises me, it is a powerful card."
Sky: "I don't care if it's powerful or not, it's the card itself that makes me wanna live happy."
Alex: "I agree it looks kinda cool… But I bet it doesn't have a legend bount to it."
Sky: "Uhm… Legend?"
Alex: "The legend of the Red-eyes, you know."
Sky: "That was… (thinks) Hmmmm… You know, I do remember something I read in an article once. How did that go again?"
Alex: "Here, let me refresh your memory. Long ago, when Duel monsters started out, Normal monsters were the most common cards in the world. Among these, the most powerful feared card in the world, arguably the very first Duel monster in existence… was Blue-eyes White Dragon."
Sky: "Oh, right!"
In their imagination, both Sky and Alex pictured a powerful white-mailed dragon soaring through the skies, letting out it's distinctive cry, and illuminating the dark sky with it's trademark White Stream attack.
Sky: "It is indeed a mighty monster. Even to this day, it remains the most powerful Normal monster in the game."
Alex: "However, the card was the rarest in the world. Only 4 copies were ever made. 3 of these were owned by the founder of Kaiba Corporation: Seto Kaiba."
An image of a wealthy millionare flew through both of their minds, and he had not one, but 3 such beasts roaring behind him.
Alex: "Those 3 copies had vanished along with him on his death-bed. The 4th one disappeared long before that happened, so obtaining one of those was impossible."
Sky: "But according to legend, there was another powerful dragon, one that could match the Blue-eyes in strength. That monster, was the Red-eyes Black Dragon."
An image of a powerful dark dragon rising out of an erupting volcano shot through their heads.
Alex: "That's right. Like Blue-eyes, it was an extremely rare and hard to obtain card. But in the time of the dawn, it was an extremely powerful monster, and was considered an equal rival to Blue-eyes himself."
Sky: "However, as the dawn soon came to an end, many Normal monsters were casked away, in favor to Effect monsters. While Blue-eyes White Dragon remained supreme in terms of strength and defense…"
Alex: "Red-eyes' stats proved him a bit inferior."
A sad image arose: they were picturing how Red-eyes, along with many other Normal monster cards, fell into the dark abyss of forgetfulness.
Alex: "However, it was the Legend of Red-eyes that was it's salvation. For it is said, while Blue-eyes White Dragon represents sheer power…"
Sky: "Red-eyes Black Dragon represents pure potential, that's right!"
The sad image was corrected, and they both imagined the mighty Red-Eyes Black Dragon soaring into the skies, crying in power.
Alex: "It was a thought that was the revival of the Normal monsters. It is said that Red-eyes was among the first to help Normal monsters come back up, due to the duelist's potential to wield it despite his weakness."
Sky: "It was no weakness at all. The potential that hides within the Red-eyes is what a duelist must recognize, in order to ceize that kind of power."
Alex: "And it is often that to those who can recognize the potential, that the Red-eyes himself will grant his power. And that is the Legend of Red-Eyes Black Dragon."
It was a bit hard for both of them to snap back into reality after seeing all those images.
Sky&Alex: "Such an awesome story!"
Flint: "Ahem! You do realize I am still here, right?"
Sky: "What, you thought we were talking to ourselves?"
Flint: "So basically, the legend revolves around the rivalty between the Blue-eyes White and the Red-eyes Black Dragon, am I correct?"
Sky: "Heck no, weren't you listening?"
Alex: "The point of the story is the sheer duelist's potential. It means it never matters what kind of a deck you use or how strong your cards are, with power alone you never prove anything. It's the way you use it that awakes the true power."
Sky: "A duelsit's heart!"
That's when things got sobby: both Sky and Alex covered their faces with their elbows and cried their eyes out.
Sky&Alex: "(crying) That's so deep I have to cry!"
Flint: "What the heck is wrong with you two?"
Alex: "This story got me all pumped up! (snaps back) Sky, you're a duelist of spirit. Will you duel me now?"
Sky: "(snaps back) Of course! What better time to execute my Sky-High?"
Alex: "It is my dream to become the best duelist with this Red-eyes, to show a duelist's true potential!"
Sky: "And it's my dream to show my Sky-High to the world, to make a world of great and honorable duelists!"
Alex: "Then let us both clash and live our dreams someday!"
Sky: "Of course we will!"
Alex&Sky: "Let's duel, here and now!"
Flint: "No, wait!"
On his call, both Sky and Alex dropped down (anime style) as Flint ruined their moment.
Sky: "(!) What is it now, you stupid Beelze Frog sound-alike?"
Flint: "You don't have the time to duel right now, you insulting Puman sound-alike!"
Sky: "What did you say? (rapidly points at Alex) That's a great duelist standing there right now, I'm not missing my chance to duel the likes of him!"
Flint: "Aren't you forgetting something? (displays the time on his chest) You have classes today, and you need a change of clothes. You'll have to either ditch school or arrive dirty, and you don't want either of that."
Sky: "(O_O) Oh… right…"
Alex: "Man, what a shame. I just remembered I have some business at Sourand High as well."
Sky: "What, seriously, you're going to Sourand High?"
Alex: "I applied there temporarily. I wanted to meet a lot of strong duelists, so I traveled here all the way from USA."
Sky: "But say, if we meet by any chance at school, can we duel then?"
Alex: "Sure. I'll find the time."
Sky: "Awesome! I'll get to take on the Red-eyes duelist!"
Flint: "Geez, you guys."
In front of their eyes, Flint performed a transformation, and turned into a skateboard, which Sky immediately boarded.
Alex: "Wow, cool transport!"
Sky: "Well then, it was nice meeting you. And remember… (speeds off) I'll be beating you today!"
Sky skated away at a great speed, and by the time Alex replied, he was out of sight.
Alex: "Not if I beat you first!"
And so, Alex simply shrugged and started to walk in the other direction.
And while Sky was skating his way home…
Sky: "Well, I don't think I'll be meeting with Keira-chan today either. Not looking like this."
(a little note: while he's in his skateboard mode, Flint is still capable of communicating, this being displayed by the small bar on the front of the bord flashing whenever he speaks)
Flint: "Is it really so important that you have to mention it now?"
Sky: "For me it is. It might… be a very important step."
Flint could feel Sky's serious face even though he was currently grinding on a stair-fence.
Flint: "Here's a though: why don't you e-mail her instead?"
Sky: "HEH? E-mail?"
Flint: "You'll have time to reconsider your words, and she won't see you blush."
Sky: "I don't know, sounds kinda impersonal."
Flint: "What's the harm? You won't be bothering her if she's busy and she can reply you as soon as she's free."
Sky: "Hey, good point. I think I'll do just that. Thanks, Flint. You've been a great help."
Flint: "Right… Just don't tell Enlil-chan I told you so."
Sky: "Huh? Why not?"
Flint: "Didn't you notice? She feels uncomfortable whenever you talk about Keira-chan."
Sky: "What? Why?"
Flint: "I think you better talk to her in person, I may not give a right explanation."
Sky took his moment of silence to reconstruct his thoughts. He still had to look at the road ahead as he was moving at a great speed.
Sky: "Okay, I'll look into it later. Let's get changed first."
So, they headed home…
Meanwhile, at the pier, Alex was just leaving for school as well.
Alex: "That was one weird experience. Well, I hope Sky is as good in dueling as he is saving cards and telling stories."
What missed his sight: atop of a tree that was positioned next to that path, a raven was observing her latest catch: a shiny imageless card of sorts. The bird kept pecking on it, looking at it like it was a mirror, and overall it was admiring it.
However, as soon as Alex passed next to that tree, and the raven pecked on the card… there was s shock, a zap of dark energy that scared the bird away, and forced her to flee. As it was flapping it's wings, it hit the card as well and caused it to fall off.
From there on, it was the wind that carried the card, allowing it to glide gently… As Alex noticed it at this point.
And as Alex looked up to see what it was…
Alex: "Hm? What…"
… the falling card turned it's face to him.
The world stopped, and what was glaring into his eyes…
Was a Number 60!
The gym of Sourand High was the place where most of the excercise occurs. This includes sprints, volleyball, various ball and running games… and, of course, dueling.
That's where Enlil's and Rosemary's class was stationed. The class was lined up nicely like they were a military squad, and the two girls took their positions next to each other, almost tauntingly.
Enlil: "Why do you have to stand next to me all the time? You didn't show any interest before."
Rosemary: "That was before I knew you were an aquintance of my targe- I mean, my Honey."
Enlil: "(-_-) So you show no concern for me at all, I guess…"
Rosemary: "Don't think like that. It's my duty to show concern for anyone Sky cares for."
Enlil: "Heh? What are you, an esper?"
Rosemary: "Yes, I am."
Enlil: "What, seriously?"
Rosemary: "No. That was a joke."
Enlil: "It's not funny. Learn to speak in a sarcastic way, why don't you!"
Rosemary: "Hush. Teacher is present."
It was like she said. As soon as the teacher entered the gym, holding a screen-pad of sorts, all of the rumblings and grumblings ceased and everyone's attention turned to him.
Teacher: "Everyone, may I have your attention please. I have a special treat for you today."
The silent ramblings continued at this point as the students were wondering what the teacher meant. In order to silence them once more, he had to continue.
Teacher: "Keep it down, I'll explain everything. On today's lesson, we'll see how you've sharpened your dueling skills by now."
Enlil: "Dueling? But, sensei, weren't we supposed to take lessons on intracultural references?"
Teacher: "All part of the program. The Sourand High has pulled a few strings, and we're having a guest of honor: a duelist has come visit us all the way from the US."
Rosemary: "United States?"
While the speech continued, someone was pacing towards the enterance of the gym. The footsteps belonged to Alex, but…
Teacher: "What better way to see the relations and delations between nation's ways of dueling but by a live example. So everyone, please give a warm welcome to our guest: Loredo Alejandro-kun!"
The class applauded as the doors to the gym opened, and someone came in.
At first, they indeed welcomed the newcommer with a warm applause and whistles.
But then, they saw him.
Everyone quieted down.
Teacher: "Eh? You are… Loredo-kun, right? (checks his file) That's weird, you look a bit different than on your photos."
The newcommer that entered was Alex, there was no doubt. But, there were a few facts about him that made him look dramatically different from how Sky met him.
First: he was now wearing a dark trench-coat.
Second: he had an odd red gleam in his eyes.
Enlil: "What is this? I suddenly feel cold."
And third: his voice sounded deeper… more sinister too.
Alex: "Well… Who goes down first?"
That's what he exclaimed. And that was the start of a nightmare.
Back at Sky's home, Rikki was there to help Sky get a change of clothes. Unfortunately for him, the only thing he had spare was a variant of the school uniform, the one that he dislikes so much.
Rikki: "So you didn't find the Number, aniki?"
Sky: "(puts the sleeves on) Forget the Number, didn't you hear of the great guy I ran into? As soon as I'm done here, I'll duel him on the first chance. I just have to see what a Red-eyes duelist is capable of."
Rikki: "I didn't know there were still duelists left with such decks."
Sky: "I know, that's what makes it so amazing."
At that point, he was done dressing up: he looked upon himself in disgust, and iched his shoulders along the way. The school uniform was dry, clean, but unironed. In the best case, it looked like it served as a futon for a cat before Sky put it on.
Sky: "Gosh, I hate this thing. I look like I came out of a clone machine. How is my Sky-High supposed to work in these rags?"
Flint: "Since when are we putting fashion tags on Sky-High? It works the other way around, it doesn't matter what you wear, as long as- (beep-beep) Heh? (beep-beep, beep-beep) Ah? GYAAAH! Numbers alert, Numbers alert! Sky-sama!"
Sky: "What, again?"
Flint: "It's the same Number from before, it became active!"
Sky: "You mean, someone's using it right now?"
Rikki: "How can you tell?"
Flint: "My scanners never miss a Number of this magnitude!"
Sky: "Can you tell where it is?"
Flint: "Well, that's…"
Just as things heated up, Sky's D-Gazer started beeping as well. In this case, it worked the same way as a cellphone, which meant someone was contacting him.
Sky: "Hold that thought. (takes out the Gazer and answers) Hello?"
The D-Gazer's lens served as a video link. Enlil was on the other end.
Enlil(overphone): "Sky-kun! Come quick!"
Sky: "Enlil, what's wrong?"
In the background, Sky could hear screams of students and sounds of fireblasts. Enlil watched a horrible scene unfold before her eyes, but she turned to Sky nontheless.
Sky: "What was that?"
Enlil: "Something's wrong here! It's the new exchange student!"
Sky: "Exchange? Does she mean Alex by any chance?"
Enlil: "That's right, he said his name was Alex! (another blast in the background) It's horrible, he's gone mad!"
Sky: "What, Alex? That can't be right, it can't be the same person."
That's when Flint interrupted the conversation. And by the looks of it, he was being hysterical.
Flint: "Sky-sama, Sky-sama! I have the location!"
Sky: "It will have to wait, we have bigger problems over…"
Flint: "But Sky-sama, it's the school! The signal is comming from inside Sourand High!"
Sky: "Say what? (to Enlil) Say, this person… is he using a Dragon deck?"
Enlil: "Yes! His ace monster is… I think it's the lethal… Red-eyes Black Dragon."
Words that Sky never wanted to hear. This only confirmed that it was Alex, THE Alex that he met earlier, was the culprit behind the mayhem. He stopped breathing, and only thunk with a blank stare. And if it was Alex that was causing this ruckus at the same time Flint sensed a Number, it could only mean…
Rikki: "What does this mean?"
Sky: "(to Enlil) You hang in there! I'll be there as soon as I can! (hangs up) Let's go, Flint!"
Flint: "Understood!"
Without an explanation, Sky and Flint stormed out, and Rikki tried to run along. But as soon as Flint came outside, he transformed into a skateboard, let Sky dock him and dashed away at the speed of a motorbike. There wasn't even time to catch up with them.
Sky: "Let's go! We'll begin the Numbers Hunt!"
The scene at the gym was anyting but a merry lesson: Before the students stood Alex Loredo, but his appearance was drastically different from when we first saw him: He was now wearing a black trench-coat, that kept on flapping a bit as he walked like it was a pair of wings; his eyes, usually hazelnut brown, now bore a crimson gleam.
Even his voice sounded differently: more deeper, more serious… and more like that of a maniac.
He was facing not one, but 3 scared male students, all of which already had their D-Gazers and Duel Disks activated, but on Alex's side, there was a terriying monster: a dark dragon enshadowed by a black mist, the only feature peering though the darkness being a pair of narrow, red eyes. The opponents were horrified.
Alex: "Is that all you can do? How pathetic! Go, Red-eyes Black Dragon: Inferno Fire Blast!"
Not once, but three times did the Dragon attack, each time sending a round sphere of crimson flames at his opponents. The explosions on impact seemed infernal, and all 3 students were blown back severely by the strike of hellfire. They fell down screaming, and remained motionless on the gound.
LP: 0
LP: 0
LP: 0
WINNER: Alex
With the end of the duel, Red-eyes disappeared along with the rest of the pixel-based battlefield, but Alex's dark aura remained, much to the horror of those that remained standing. Unsatisfied with his opponents, he looked down on them.
Alex: "One turn three kill. You were no match for the power of the legendary Red-eyes either. (to others) Next!"
The entire gym was full of male students lying around defeated, it was spreading almost like an epidemic. Those that remained standing were trembling in fear.
This includes the teacher.
Teacher: "Hey, hey, that's enough. There's no need to push the kids so far, after all, this is only a part of cla-"
Alex: "You shut up!"
Teacher: "(freaked out) Gh, what…"
Alex: "Unless you wish to experience my power yourself, I suggest you stay out of this. This is the best way to show them what dueling really is about. (to the students) You hear me? I am the most powerful duelist in this room until one of you proves me wrong!"
Enlil: "What is wrong with him? Who is insane enough to duel such a person?"
Alex: "What's wrong, is everyone scared? That is good, because against the might of the legendary Red-eyes Black Dragon you are all worthless trash! No one is leaving this room until I've beaten every last one of you!"
It was like listening to an evil spirit talking. The students that remained were already whispering things about Alex.
"Is he serious, how do we beat something like that?"
"I never knew Red-eyes Black Dragon duelists were this fearsome."
"Hey, you do it."
"What, are you stupid? There's no way I'm going up against that guy!"
"We're all goners if we try."
Enlil: "Sky-kun…(prays) There's no one else I'd count on now but you, please hurry!"
After she heard what Enlil said to herself, Rosemary felt like it was about time she makes her move. She took a deep breath, and stepped forward.
Enlil: "Hey, what are you…?"
"Prez…"
"Rosemary-sama!"
She took her position, right at the spot where Alex's opponent was supposed to stand. This occured much to the other's disaproval.
Alex: "What do you want?"
Rosemary: "I am Class president, and it is my duty to stand up for my students. (activates her Duel Disk) Your next opponent will be me: Rosemary Noble!"
Alex: "Hmpf, how deep. (shrugs) It's a shame that's thebest what you all have to offer, but I don't mind taking down girls if it will prove my point. Let me show you the Legend of Red-eyes come true before your very eyes!"
Rosemary: "Give me your best shot!"
Enlil: "Rosemary, what are you doing?"
Rosemary: "It was wise choice to call my targe- I mean, Honey at the scene. But we can wait for him no longer. I will do my best in defeating this guy, for my class sakes."
Enlil: "That's insane, have you seen what he's capable of?"
While they argued, the teacher thought it was high time to make an exit. He behaved more cowardly than most of the students there: he actually hid behind a training dummy, and moved around by sneaking.
Teacher: "I'm not staying here any longer. I'll have to report this to the Student Council."
And so, the otherwise well built teacher started tip-toeing his way to the exit.
One.
Step.
At.
The.
Time.
Until…
Sky: "Look out beloooooooow!"
As the teacher, and pretty much everyone else looked up, they met a great surprise:
Those were Sky and Flint falling down the window in the ceiling. Have I mentioned that the gym was about as tall as a 2-stores building?
Enlil: "Sky-kun!"
But the enterance was not as graceful as you think. They didn't drop in, they were falling!
In desperation to try defying gravity, both Flint and Sky were flapping their arms, pretending those were wings.
Flint: "AAAAAH, WE'RE GONNA DIE!"
Sky: "NO WE WON'T! WE'LL USE SKY-HIGH!"
Flint: "THIS IS NOT WHAT SKY-HIGH MEANS!"
And they fell right atop…
Teacher: "(O.O) Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh-!"
DOING!- KAPUT!- PRETTY BIRDS!
… the teacher.
Sky and Flint landed just fine, unharmed.
As for the teacher, well…
His eyes were swirly, he had "happy little Kuribohs" dance in a circle above his head, and I think some of his teeth were missing. He was KO, that's my point.
Sky: "Uhm... Oops, sorry about that."
Flint: "At least we landed safely."
Naturally, the scene caused quite a commotion among the students:
Enlil: "Sky-kun!"
"(O_O) What the heck…"
"(O_O) Did he just knock out our teacher?"
Sky: "Sorry I'm late, we took a new shortcut on the way here."
Flint: "And we're never using that one again."
Enlil: "(!) This isn't the time to act cool, you baka!"
And when she mentioned it, Sky looked around the gym, and realized it was a serious situation: it was almost apocalyptic, unconcious students were lying about, defeated and humiliated. In the center of this was none other than Alex.
Sky: "What… What happened here?"
Alex: "I didn't expect you to drop in, Sky."
Sky: "What… Alex, that you? What have you done, did you defeat them all?"
Alex: "Of course. None of them are a match for my new limitless powers."
Sky: "What limitless powers?"
Alex: "Don't you get it? I am one of the last people on Earth that use a Red-eyes deck. It's an old-fashioned deck, but powerful nontheless, none of these fools saw it comming."
Sky: "What are you talking about? This is insane, it's nothing like what we talked about!"
Alex: "Really? Remind me, what did we talk about?"
Sky: "Don't act cool! We were saying how potential makes a duelist strong and…"
Alex: "Oh, that's right. That fairy tale, and I was stupid enough to believe it. I came to realize, however, one must resort to power in order to dominate above all others!"
Sky: "This can't be…"
Flint took his chance to scan Alex in this new form: his instruments beeped and flashed, and at one point, he detected a number-like marking on his chest. That's when all his scanners confirmed his suspition.
Flint: "Aha, Number detected! He must have found a Number on his way here."
Sky: "So it's true… When he obtained the Number, his desire must have turned into the exact opposite of what he truly believed in."
Alex: "Numbers? So, that's how this card is called."
He picked a card from his pocket. He didn't show it, but the card itself was transmitting a gloomy aura.
Enlil: "So it was the work… of a Number."
Alex: "Call me old fashioned, but I have a duel to attend to."
He turned his grinning face towards Rosemary, and was about to activate his Duel Disk when…
Sky: "Wait, you don't have to do this! If there is anyone here you should be dueling, then it's me!"
Alex: "What?"
Sky: "You think you're powerful? And that makes you a good duelist? I can prove you wrong! I challenge you and your Number!"
Alex: "You really think you're up to the challenge?"
Sky: "So what if I'm not? I want to save the people here… and you as well!"
Alex: "What did you say?"
Sky: "Alex, this isn't your way, you're being controlled! Snap out of it, remember how you used to believe in the potential of-"
Alex: "Atop talking nonsense to me, you moron!"
Sky: "Gh…"
Alex: "This is the new me, and I like it. My revelation that power is the ultimate weapon of a duelist has made me the strongest Dragon duelist on the planet! What can you offer that is greater?"
Sky: "I can… go Sky-High!"
He was dead-serious. Sky wasn't going to let go of this challenge.
Alex: "Fine, you go down first."
Sky: "Enlil, Rosemary, take the wounded students and the teach outta here."
Rosemary: "You can't expect me to do a maid's work-"
Sky: "Alex is my concern! My responsibility!"
Rosemary ceased talking. Instead, she turned towards the other students and ordered them:
Rosemary: "Get the others and get out."
"But prez…"
"How are we supposed to get out with that guy-"
Rosemary: "Didn't I make myself clear?"
Some girls are cute when they're angry. But not Rosemary, she's just scary. One might as well put the scene of fire in her background, it would still have the same image. So, without hesitating, the students did as she had told them: they picked up the unconcious students, and went on to leave the gym, pretending like it was a firedrill.
Sky: "Flint!"
Flint: "Understood!"
Flint flipped up, and transformed into his Duel Disk mode, then connected to Sky's left wrist.
Sky: "Duel Disk, set!"
Alex: "I'll show you the infernal overwhelming power! (activates Duel Disk)"
Sky took out his D-gazer. Alex already had his on.
Sky: "D-Gazer, set!"
Enlil also put her D-Gazer on, and remained in the gym as the only spectator.
Enlil: "Do your best, Sky-kun!"
"AR-Vision: Link established."
They drew their cards and…
Sky&Alex: "Duel!"
Alex: LP: 4000
Sky: LP: 4000
Alex: "I will show you true power. I'll go first. (draws) My turn! (reveals a card) I play the infamous Spell card known as Polymerization!"
Sky: "That card… Don't tell me, it's…"
Flint: "When Polymerization is played, it can send monsters to the Graveyard, and fuse these materials into a new Fusion monster via Fusion summon."
Sky: "I know what it does, tinhead!"
Alex picked and revealed 2 cards in his hand. They were both Dragon-type monsters.
Alex: "So now, by the power of Fusion, I'll fuse together Divine Dragon Ragnarok with Spare Dragon from my hand."
Both monsters, although not summoned, appeared on the field, and above them a transparent whirl was summoned as well. The first monster was a pale-pink, long dragon that resembled some kind of bizarre chinese dragon, a serpentine kind that flew without wings. It's head sported 4 eyes and it had a long horn on it's nose.
The other dragon was almost completely pale, and had a more western-based appearance, except it's head resembled that of a catfish, this including the long whiskers. It also had a tall membrane of sorts on it's back.
Alex: "When I Fusion summon a Dragon-type monster, I can treat Spare Dragon as any of the materials. Now I combine my two beasts!"
Both dragons were swallowed up by the swirly void, and vanished into thin particles of light. The swirl, however, served as a portal for a new monster.
Enlil: "What will he bring up?"
Alex: "Appear, Dragon Devil…"
What came out of the portal was a large monster, a combination between a dragon and a spellcaster: to be more precise, the entire lower body belonged to Ragnarok, except it was golden now, and the dragon's head was now lodged into the new monster's chest. The upper body of the monster belonged to a different monster: a dark spellcaster whose armor and cape was fashioned after a dragon skull, and he used a dragon-themes flute as it's weapon.
Sky: "You're kidding me!"
Alex: "King Dragun!"
What stood before Sky was the paragon of the entire dragon race. ATK: 2400/ LV7
Sky: "This is bad… King Dragun is the perfect general for Dragon decks, and he called it out on his first turn."
Alex: "I'm not done yet. I'll use King Dragun's monster effect. Once per turn, this allows me to special summon another dragon-type monster from my hand. (plays a card) I choose this one: come forth, Divine Dragon Apocralyph!"
Alex's new monster had a simple, yet terrifying appearance: that of a dragon made entirely of fire. The burning effect was so intense you couldn't tell where the flames end, and the dragon starts. It's howl was evenly terrifying. ATK: 1000/ LV4
Alex: "Then Apocralyph's effect activates. That means I can exchange 1 card from my hand with a Dragon-type monster in my Graveyard. (discards, then adds) I select this one, which I will summon now: Divine Dragon… Ragnarok!"
He played the long-themed dragon from his hand. It arrived out of Apocralyph's flames, but it's presence was closer related to that of a storm elemental. People that watched Dragonball might know the feeling of having a monster that looks like that gaze upon you. ATK: 1500/ LV4
Sky: "Two Divine Dragons of level 4… Does this mean…"
Alex: "Witness the power of Dragons! I overlay both my level 4 Divine Dragons!"
Fire and lightning united as both dragons turned into Overlay units, one that was purple, and the other that was yellow. They spiraled up, and opened up an Xyz portal.
Sky: "Is he planning on revealing his Number already?"
Alex: "With these two monsters, I construct an Overlay Network: Xyz summon!"
Even more flames erupted from his portal, and the flames themselves… they became the monster.
Alex: "Appear, Dragon Devil…"
The new monster had the entire lower body identical to Apocralyph's burning visage from his neck down. As for the upper half… it was the appearance of a beautiful blonde female monster, that was also using a dragon-themed flute as a weapon of choice.
Alex: "Queen Dragun Djinn!"
Hat's when the Queen of dragons opened her eyes. As she was now, she seemed like a beautiful monster…
Until she smiled, at which point her mouth literally doubled it's size and revealed a set of extremely sharp teeth! ATK: 2200/ R4
Sky: "That's not the Number…"
Enlil: "King Dragun… And now Queen Dragun as well?"
Flint: "Yeiks! Sky-sama, do you know what this means?"
Sky: "I do. Both of his monsters have extremely powerful protection effects."
Alex: "I now use the monster effect of Queen Dragun Djinn: by consuming an Overlay Unit, she can revive any level 5 or stronger Dragon-type monster from my Graveyard."
As he explained his effect, the Queen absorbed one of the two Overlay units that were orbiting around her through her flute, which she then put forward and launched an infernal amount of fire that stack out like wires.
Sky: "Do you even have a level 5 or higher Dragon in your Graveyard?"
Alex: "Fool, what do you think I discarded when I used Apocralyph's ability?"
The flames opened up a portal in the ground, and connected to a monster beyond. Another fearsome dragon was pulled up, but his visage was covered by the flames around him.
Alex: "Time to rise, Dragon Lord of the Abyss: Darkblaze Dragon!"
The new monster had a sinister design: a burning wyvern like creature with 2 pairs of sharp wings, and a grin fit for a hellhound rather than for a dragon. It's a good thing that all students left by now, otherwise they'd start fainting at this point when they heard the dragon's scream. ATK: 1200/ LV7
Sky: "Another strong Dragon, when will he end?"
Alex: "And when Darkblaze Dragon is summoned from my Graveyard, it's special ability activates, which means his original Attack points and Defense points increase two-fold!"
Darkblaze Dragon: ATK: 1200/ DEF: 1000… ATK: 2400/ DEF: 2000
Flint: "So strong!"
Sky: "Amazing, he called forth 3 above of average strong monsters, and I didn't even make a turn. But… You used up almost your entire hand in doing so!"
Alex: "I beg to disagree. As closure, I play a spell card: (reveals it) It's called Super Rejuvenation, and during the End phase of the turn it's played, I can draw 1 card from my deck for every dragon that I discarded or tributed on this turn."
Sky: "Wait a sec, that means… (finger counts) There was the Fusion, then Darkblaze, which means…"
Alex: "For Divine Dragon Ragnarok and Spare Dragon that I discarded, then for the Darkblaze Dragon that was also discarded afterwards, I can draw a total of 3 cards. (draws) Hahahahaha!"
Enlil: "Oh no, he's wieding his deck perfectly!"
Alex: "This combo is perfect, both my Dragon Devils have special abilities: as long as I have King Dragun, my opponent cannot target Dragon-type monsters with effects, and my Queen Dragun Djinn prevents all my dragons from being destroyed by battle. I end my turn like this."
So much had happened after the first turn, and Alex had 3 dangerous monsters on his side of the field. If it wasn't the first turn and he attacked, things would have looked extremely grim for Sky.
Enlil: "How is he supposed to escape this? Alex already has 3 monsters!"
Sky took a close peek at each and every one of his seperate monsters, and tried to revise a strategy.
Sky: "What a powerful move. He has 3 extremely strong monsters out already. First, there is King Dragun: that monster prevents me from using card effects that target Dragon-type monsters, and it can summon more dragons from the hand. Then there is the other one, Queen Dragun Djinn. Her effect makes all dragons indestructable by battle, except for herself, and she can Special summon dragons from the Graveyard. Those two monsters combined represent a dangerous Wall combo that prevents me from using most tactics against dragons, but he also has the third monster: the Dragon Lord, Darkblaze Dragon. When it destroys a monster by battle, I'll take damage equal to that monster's Attack points. It's a powerful Strike and Fend combo. It's almost invincible…"
Flint: "Sky-sama…"
Sky: "Hm?"
Flint: "You don't intend on giving up, do you?"
Sky: "… Nonsense. It's not in my nature to give up a duel defore it evan began. So what if I loose, at least I do so with dignity. But… I will not loose just like that! I'll hunt that thing down, Sky-high!"
Flint: "Now we're talking."
Sky: "His flaw is his overconfidence. I can use that to my advantage. It might appear invulnerable, but if I can call a monster that is stronger, I can gain the upper hand already. Also, Queen Dragun cannot prevent her own destruction, and she has the least Attack points, so I'll go after her first. (draws) My turn, draw! (plays a card) I play Wind-up Factory!"
The large green-rimmed card materialized before him.
Alex: "You intend to fight my dragons with an assembly lane?"
Sky: "We'll get to that when the time comes. But first, I summon Wind-up Warrior!"
The monster he played looked like an orange, more bulky version of Wind-up Soldier, with identical anathomical traits: crabhands and a V-shaped helmet that also covered it's mouth.
Warrior: "Zenma… Zenmai! (ATK: 1200/ LV4)"
Sky: "And when a Wind-up monster is Normal summoned, this card can be Special summoned from my hand: come, Wind-up Shark!"
Another portal opened up next to the Warrior, and a stream of bubbles emerged out of this . Along with the bubbles, Sky's new monster took it's place next to his Warrior a Wind-up version of a blue shark, with a water-filter instead of a mouth, and with 2 wind-up keys stuck in it's back. It perfromed like a dolphin begore asuming a battle stance.
Shark: "Kyah! (ATK: 1500/ LV4)"
Alex: "He already has 2 level 4 monsters. Is he after an easy Xyz summon?"
Sky: "Wind-up Warrior's monster effect activates! By winding him up, he can give another monster on my side a boost, and I select my Shark: Attack points, plus 600; level, plus one!"
The key of Wind-up Warrior spun around at a great speed, and this winding up produced a mighty aura that was transferred onto Wind-up Shark.
Wind-up Shark: ATK 2100/ LV4… LV5
Sky: "Then, I also use Wind-up Shark's effect. He can change his own level once per turn. I select the reduction ability: level minus one!"
That's when the Shark's own wind-up key, the one on the left, started spinning, and producing an aura of sorts.
Wind-up Shark: LV5… LV4
Enlil: "What? He increased his monster's level, then he decreased it again? Why?"
Alex: "What kind of a game are you trying to pull there?"
Sky: "I have my comrades as I need them. But this way, when a Wind-up monster's effect activates, the effect of Wind-up Factory also initiates."
Alex: "How?"
Alex didn't notice this until it was too late, but the Spell Wind-up Factory actually lit up, and a card slid out of Sky's deck.
Sky: "That means I can add 1 Wind-up monster to my hand. I select Wind-up Butterfly. (picks, then reveals the card) It's called Hand Control. And with that done, I overlay my level 4 Wind-up Warrior and Shark!"
Warrior: "Zenmai!"
Shark: "Kyah!"
Both monsters turned into Overlay units, and united inside a portal to the Xyz space…
Sky: "Bridge this space with the antispace: Xyz summon!"
And out of the portal, a massive machine came out: a robot that was hovering atop of a pyramid-shaped pad, with wind-up keys stuck in it.
Sky: "Appear, Mechanical Budha: Wind-up Zenmaister!"
Called forth into the daylight, the Xyz monster of Sky readied it's fists and prepared for battle. 2 Overlay units appeared to support it. ATK: 1900/ R4
Alex: "What a waste of time. You took 5 minutes to call upon a monster that is weaker than any of my own!"
Sky: "I beg to differ: for each Overlay Unti supporting him, Zenmaister receives a plus 300 Attack points bonus."
Alex: "What?"
Wind-up Zenmaister: ATK: 1900… 2500
Alex: "He is stronger than all my monsters!"
Sky: "Now I play a Spell card: Spartan Assault! (plays it) And because you control monsters that cannot be destroyed by battle due to Queen Dragun Djinn's effect, Zenmaister can attack twice during this turn!"
Zenmaister flew up, and prepared his fist, as Alex's monsters looked up to him and expected the strike.
Alex: "He attacks twice?"
Sky: "There's more, I know how to use my opponent's effects against him. Queen Dragun Djinn can prevent the destruction of your dragons, but not her own. Zenmaister, attack Queen Dragun with Spring-up Knuckle!"
The mech on his side followed the command, and performed a strike with his right fist. The entire right arm stretched forward, attached to the body by a long mainspring, and the fist ignited half way towards it's target.
The fist made an impact directly on the Queen's belly, delivering massive damage and causing the Queen to scream in pain. Against this attack, her body shattered and blew up in an instant, and Alex covered his face to withstand the debris.
Alex: "No way, my combo got…"
Alex: LP: 3700
Sky: "Now your dragons are no longer indestructable. Zenmaister, attack King Dragun next!"
After retracting it's arm, Zenmaister flew forward and came face to face with the mighty King Dragun, who was twitching in the machine's gaze. Zenmaister attacked him, and this time he send him to oblivion with an overwhelming uppercut. Dragun exploded as his head was bent backwards under a weird angle. Once again, Alex was caught off guard.
Alex: LP: 3600
Alex: "My combo… He broke it like that? (vile smile) I see… so he is a strong opponent after all."
Sky: "(sets cards) I set 2 cards down, and end my turn!"
Enlil: "Amazing! Sky-kun, keepi it up!"
Flint: "We have him backs to the wall."
Sky: "Don't celebrate just yet. I'm not after defeating Alex."
Flint: "What? Oh, right… Numbers…"
Sky: "Not even the Numbers matter now. What I want is the old Alex back."
And while they were having their discussion, Alex was holding his own speech:
Alex: "An impressive move there. You really had he fooled. Unfortunately, it was not good enough. Now, let me show you… The terror of Red-eyes! (draws) My turn, draw! (looks at the card) Perfect timing. (plays a card) I activate the Spell card: Monster Reborn."
The card he played was a typical asset to as good as any player's deck, so having him play it was no big surprise. That made the threat no less harmful, however.
Sky: "That card… Oh no, is he gonna…?"
Alex: "Monster Reborn's effect is to revive any Monster from either player's Graveyard. I'll be bringing back a dragon that was sent there last turn."
The card of Monster Reborn turned into a dark twister, and a familiar shape roamed out of this tornado.
Alex: "Revive, Dragon Devil: King Dragun!"
It was the male king of dragon-benders, and he was as feared as ever. ATK: 2400/ LV7
Sky: "Again, this means he can use his effects once more."
Alex: "That's correct. I'll use the effect of King Dragun right now. (picks a card) Once per turn, this lets me Special summon any Dragon from my hand. Such as this one…"
He put the card up, and shadows swirled around the card like flames attracted to a draft.
Alex: "Cast thy shadow over the world, wreck havoc with a glare that destroys all hope! (slams the card)"
The shadows opened up a dark tendrill-based portal, and this was engulfed in crimson flames, which took on a familiar shape…
Enlil: "Is that… no way!"
Sky: "Oh no… Not him too…"
Alex: "Appear… Red-eyes… Black Dragon!"
As the flames died, they revealed the shape and the skin of the dragon: a dark mail of black scales stretching down like an obsidian armor, and sharp edges that kept on pointing out how dark the creation was. Ultimately, the dragon peeked out, with it's gleaming red eyes and a black hide, roaring infernally. ATK: 2400/ LV7
Flint: "I can't believe it! He called it out!"
Sky: "No… That is not the Red-eyes Black Dragon that I envisioned. Something is wrong… and I think, it's the Numbers!"
Alex: "A powerful ally he is… But he is not an opponent for you."
Sky: "What?"
Alex: "For you, Sky, I have prepared something beyond powerful."
He put his fist up, taunting Sky… and that's when a violet number 60 appeared on the back of his hand.
Sky: "Alex, no!"
Alex: "You will vanish! (puts his arm up) I overlay the level 7 King Dragun and Darkblaze Dragon!"
The remaining two dragons on his side, the spellcaster-hybrid and the Dragon Lord, both became Overlay units, and spiraled up, opening a massive spiraling portal in the ground.
Alex: "With these Overlay units, I shall construct and Overlay Network: Xyz summon!"
That's when the overlay units entered the portal, uniting inside.
What they pulled out was a consealed form of a monster: it looked like a dark, double Y-shaped blade with a blackened center that resembeled a dull jewel. Each of it's 6 ends ended with an additional curved blade.
Alex: "Close the curtains of this weak world, envoy of power!"
60!
The dark tendrills that alex kept toying with surrounded the monstrous shape, and started forming it's veins, nerves, muscles, and pretty much performing an organogenesis out of darkness.
The bits that attached to the top left and right formed layers and layers of dark blades, whcich eventually became the wings.
The shadows below turned into reptilian feet, and a tail.
The shades in the front arose forward and turned into sharp armed, almost demonic claws.
The topmost blade detached and extended, gaining an actual bladed edge and a hilt, and at this point, the wings covered the rest of the creature, hiding the entire rest of it's transformation.
Alex: "Appear, Number 60!"
By the time it was done with it's own genesis, the creature peered through the darkness… with eyes as red as a bloody moon. That was an evil glare not even Red-eyes could match, despite it's namesake.
The monster extended it's arm, and grabbed the massive blade that detached.
Alex: "Phantom Lance Dragon Fiend…"
This was the ultimate design: a dragon of the darkest night, armed in armor fit for a demon lord (including a helmet with many spikes and horns on it), holding a spear whose blade was so gigantic it could easily pass for a greatsword if it's hilt were any shorter. Like Red-eyes, it had a dark body, and crimson red eyes… but it's presence was that of darkness, not of hellfire. A dark Number 60 appeared on the side of it's neck, engraved like a shining tatoo.
Alex: "Shadow Dragoon!"
The dragon was huge, towering even over the already large Red-eyes. It's howl was that of a demon lord. ATK: 3200/ R7
It was an apparition that added a further feel of agony to the already gothic scenery Alex presented.
Sky: "The Number 60…"
Enlil: "It's even stronger than Red-eyes!"
Alex: "So, what do you say about my new Dragon? Marvelous power, isn't it?"
Sky: "That's the thing that made you crazy about power? I'm glad it's out, now I can destroy it and bring you back!"
Alex: "Bring me back? Haven't you realized I don't want to turn back to my former self? This Number, it opened my eyes, and now I'm standing taller than ever."
Sky: "I beg to differ. (looks at his card) My face-down card is Xyz Weight. Once played, it reduces one Xyz monster's Attack points by 800 times it's Overlay Units. If I use it, I can cut down his monster's Attack points in half. Even if he consumes a Unit by then, it should still be enough."
In his head, that looked like this:
Number 60: Shadow Dragoon: ATK: 3200…2400… 1600
Sky: "With that done, Zenmaister will be more than a match for him."
Wind-up Zenmaister: ATK: 2500
Sky: "And his Red-eyes Black Dragon cannot match up to that power either, so he'll be forced to leave it standing."
Red-eyes Black Dragon: ATK: 2400
Sky: "Even though Numbers can only be defeated by other Numbers, I will still be able to do some damage before I divise a plan to counterattack."
Alex: "I know that look."
Sky: "Huh?"
Alex: "It's the look losers put on in expactation to their predictive plans to suceed. Let me guess, you mean to use your face-down card against me? I will crush that plan with my new power! Shadow Dragoon's monster effect activates!"
With a roar, the lance-wielding dragon absorbed one of it's Overlay Units through the jewel in it's spear, then turned it towards… Red-eyes.
Alex: "By consuming an Overlay Unit, he can lend the power of a Dragon on my side… by consuming him."
Sky: "(shocked) What?"
Alex: "I shall release Red-eyes Black Dragon to use this effect! Activate: Shadow Lance Charger!"
Struck by his own master's decision, Red-eyes Black Dragon looked at Alex in fear, then went to behold the massive Shadow Dragoon… before the later pierced his spear through his heart.
The scream of the dying dragon was awful, ten times more anguishing than it's battle-cry. The poor dragon cried… literally, it shed a tear that scattered around like vapor.
Then, it shattered shattered into dark dust.
Sky couldn't believe it either. The Number's ability was beyond brutal, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Enlil felt the same way.
Enlil: "… So cruel…"
Once done with that, Shadow Dragoon's chest armor opened up, and absorbed the dark dust that remained after Red-eyes demise. Once done, the armor closed, and in a dark flash, it's spear changed shape, so now the main blade resembled Red-eyes' head.
Number 60: Shadow Dragoon: ATK: 3200… 5600!
Enlil: "Fifty-six-hundred!"
Alex: "Ahahahahahaha, behold the power I gained!"
Sky: "Why… Alex, that was your favorite card, why did you do that? (sheds tears) Why did you murder Red-eyes like that?"
Alex: "Why shouldn't I? He was weak, and so were all my other monsters, the moment they lost to you they became worthless, the best I could do with them is use them as materials and steel-brandishers!"
Sky: "I don't believe it… Alex, what about your…"
Alex: "Enough talk! Go, Shadow Dragoon! Attack Zenmaister with Phantom Lance Impact!"
Holding himself back no longer, the immense Dragoon turned it's new spear's tip towards Zenmaister, ready for a javelin throw.
Flint: "YEIKS! If this hits, we'll be in deep trouble!"
Sky: "Minimize damage! Reverse card, open! (the card flips) Xyz Weight! If I target Shadow Dragoon now, he looses 800 points because he still has an Overlay Unit left!"
Number 60: Shadow Dragoon: ATK: 5600… 4800
It threw it's lance, and it was heading towards Zenmaister. The robot did it's best to try and counter the impact, but his body was atomized as soon as the lance penetrated him, ending his existence with a mighty explosion that pushed Sky back and threw him off ground.
Sky: "Gyaaaaaaaaaah! (falls)"
Sky: LP: 1700
Enlil: "Sky-kun!"
Despite the trashing he took, Sky still decided to get up instantly, panting like a freerunner.
Alex: "You managed to outlive that? Had you conserved your Trap, you might have put it in a better use."
Sky: "I care for my monsters, even if my own Life goes down in the process. But you… Why did you…"
Alex: "I don't have to explain myself to you. In the End phase, the effect of Xyz Weight wears off!"
Sky: "Right, but so does your Dragoon's eff…"
Number 60: Shadow Dragoon: ATK: 4800… 5600
Sky: "(O_O') Eh?"
Alex: "Did you think it's effect was that lame? This is the might of a level 7 Xyz monster: no matter the phase, it's new power remains!"
Sky: "Are you kidding me?"
Alex: "Unless you mean on giving up now, you better make a turn."
Sky: "I don't want to fight you this way, Alex! I wanted our duel to be an honorable one, a fun duel, not like this…"
Alex: "What, you're whimping out because I'm stronger than you now?"
Sky: "YOU'RE NOT STRONG!"
Alex: "What?"
He yelled it out with such relentless spirit it almost brought up a gust of wind.
Sky: "Alex, this isn't who you are! The Alex I met knows the true value of cards, the true meaning of duels. He wouldn't carelessly sacrifice his most important ally just for the sake of power! Least of all, the one that brings potential!"
Alex: "I have found a new potential!"
Sky: "That wasn't you, it was the Number! You're dueling for it's sake, not your own. You're not using your own strength, that makes you weak. A duelist's honor is the only thing that should make you feer powerful. Remember it, the duelist's potential that Red-eyes stands for!"
Alex's eyecolor and voice returned to normal…
Alex: "Duelist's… potential…"
… for one second. Afterwards, he held his head as if he had a headache, and yelled out with his corrupt voice.
Alex: "Stop it! You're envious!"
Sky: "(puts his hand on the deck) I'll show you what you missed! Duelist's honor, Sky-High! (draws) My turn, draw! I summon Wind-up Butterfly!"
The summoned monster was just what it's name implied: a purple and white mechanical butterfly with a wind-up key in it's back. It didn't appear to have any arms or feet, apart from the 2 pairs of round claw-like features that looked chibi on it's chest. It seemed to be releasing some sort of pixie dust with each wingbeat.
Butterfly: "Cho? Cho-cho… Zenmaaaai… (ATK: 1200/ LV3)"
Sky: "I activate Wind-up Butterfly's monster effect: by switching it to Defense position, and winding it up, I can Special summon another Wind-up monster from my hand!"
Butterfly: "(it's key spins) Mai-chooooo…"
As the key spun in it's back, the Butterfly's wings were beating rapidly, and glowing with a sparkling shine, releasing a great amount of cyclone-swirling violet dust, which served as another portal for a monster…
Wind-up Butterfly: ATK: 1200… DEF: 800
Sky: "I Special summon… Wind-up Rabbit!"
… which turned out to be the red humanoid lapin Wind-up soldier. It took it's place next to the Butterfly.
Rabbit: "Zenmai! Mai-mai-mai! (ATK: 1400/ LV3)"
Sky: "And due to Wind-up Factory, another monster joins my hand. (a card slides out) This time I'll pick… Wind-up Magician. (picks the card, and shows it)"
Alex: "Another toy won't matter to my… Wait a sec, 2 level 3 monsters…"
Sky: "I have to buld up a defense! I overlay the level 3 Wind-up Butterfly and Rabbit!"
Butterfly: "Mai-cho!"
Rabbit: "Zenmai!"
Both monsters turned into Overlay units, and spiraled around each other, while a portal opened up beneath them…
Sky: "Once again, bridge this space with the antispace: Xyz summon!"
The cries of his monsters were still echoing as the units entered the portal, uniting, and pulling out a new monster, whose card Sky just played:
Sky: "Appear, Mechanical Tommahawk…"
The new monster was yet another machine: it looked like a robot whose torso was stuck into a boat's keel that was attached to aeroplane wings, with 2 massive pincer-like arms that bore the Wind-up insignia. It's head looked like a cross between Zenmaister's and Soldier's, having the stern look of the first, and the V-shape of the later. It's eyes flashed up upon it's arrival.
Sky: "Wind-up… Zenmaines!"
The monster grunted in a mechanical manner, and took a defensive stance in front of Sky as 2 Overlay units surrounded him. DEF: 2100/ R3
Enlil: "Zenmaines? That's a new one."
Sky: "Now I'll set a card (sets it), and end my turn."
Alex: "You think that will make any difference? A defending monster is a weak monster all the same. (draws) I draw! (stares at his card) Tsh, I can't use this one. So I'll just get rid of it! (plays a card) I play the Spell Trade-In. That means I can discard a level 8 or higher monster to draw 2 new cards from my deck."
He revealed the card he drew: it greatly resembled Red-eyes Black Dragon, but had metallic features.
Alex: "I'll ditch my Red-eyes Black Metal Dragon (discards), so I can draw 2 new ones. (draws)"
Sky: "Again, he's giving up his own allies without remorse!"
Alex drew new cards, and he grinned once he took a look at them.
Alex: "Now this is more like it. (plays a card) First, the Spell card: Swing of Memories, activates! With this card, I can bring back a Normal monster from my own Graveyard."
The played card sunk into the grund, and turned into a pool of shining liquid, as radiant as a rainbow. A well-known monster emerged out of this pool, but not on it's own accord, more like it was pushed up by an unseen elevator.
Alex: "Come back, Red-eyes Black Dragon!"
The dragon was revived, but it kept it's head hung down, and barely let out a sound. ATK: 2400/ LV7
Sky: "You brought him back, why?"
Alex: "So I can use it again, of course. I have no need of flawed monsters!"
Sky: "Don't tell me… Alex, don't!"
Alex: "Shadow Dragoon's monster effect activates!"
The immense dragon absorbed an Overlay Unit through it's lance…
Alex: "I consume an Overlay Unit… and I transfer all of Red-eyes attack points over to my new monster!"
… then pointed it towards Red-eyes.
The dragon cried once more upon seeing what the overlord dragon was about to do. Dragoon already started to swing it's spear.
Alex: "Shadow Lance Charger!"
And it brought it down upon the newly resurected Red-eyes, slashing his chest…
Once again, Red-eyes let out a tear of remorse, before it's body turned into dark dust, which was instantly absorbed through the chest armor, and then the spear of the Shadow Dragoon.
Number 60: Shadow Dragoon: ATK: 5600… 8000!
Sky: "How could you do that again, Alex!"
Alex: "Ahahahahaha, behold! My dragon's Attack points are at 8000!"
Enlil was horrified by the events unfolding. All she could do in order to still retain a sane head was to try cheer Sky on.
Enlil: "Sky-kun, hang in there! Your monster is in Defense mode, he can't damage your Life!"
Sky: "But he…"
Alex: "I wouldn't count on that. (reveals a card) I activate the Equip card: Overlord Force!"
The card he played added a second set of barbed thorn-like extentions on the Dragoon's spear, now making it look like a huge thorn-tail.
Alex: "With this card, all card effects are useless against Shadow Dragoon. And when it attacks a monster in Defense position, it can inflict Piercing battle damage!"
Sky: "Yeiks!"
Flint: "Rust and buckets! Defense position is useless against Piercing damage, we can't defend ourselves!"
Shadow Dragoon picked up it's immense spear, and turned it against Sky's Zenmailes.
Alex: "This is the end! Vanish into oblivion! Shadow Dragoon, attack!"
So, the dragoon tossed the spear at the now petite machine, and tossed it like a javelin.
The impact was inevitable, and Zenmailes struggled greatly to endure the attack and to keep the launched spear at a distance, maybe even try and counterstrike…
Enlil: "Sky-kun!"
Alex: "That's it, begone! I win!"
Sky: "I already told you… As long as I have a duelist's spirit, I cannot be brought down even should I loose!"
Alex: "Say what you want, it's still your downfall!"
Sky: "But… I won't be losing either! When you strike me down, I rise up even higher! Sky-High! I reveal my Trap: Thousand Bouncer!"
His card flipped and shone forth. It was depicting a monster made of Legos blowing back a vicious Nosferatu-like bat monster.
Alex: "What is that card?"
Sky: "On this turn, if I would take massive damage to my Life points, I can convert that damage so that it becomes 1000."
The shockwave emition that passed by Zenmaies from the attack, like a riverflow that bypasses a rock in the creek, flew in Sky's direction, and pushed him back… but he managed to remain still and endure the damage.
Sky: LP: 700
Sky: "Excelent, I escaped defeat."
Alex: "But your monster is still going to be destroyed!"
Sky: "Another overule: I activate Zenmaines' monster effect!"
Zenmaies eyes flashed up!
Sky: "By consuming an overlay unit, it can escape it's own destruction!"
It absorbed an Overlay Unit through the gear on it's back, which caused the wind-up keys in it's wing-engines to spin like crazy, and this produced an immense force in the wings that eventually endured, and blew back the spear back into the hands of it's wielder, much to Alex's disappointment.
Speaking of which, he was quite stunned by this action.
Alex: "I don't understand, my power is at 8000, how could I not defeat you?"
Sky: "Stop pretending like you don't know! It's because you're not thinking by yourself!"
Alex: "I'm not… What?"
Sky: "You've been toyed around by the Number, the real alex wouldn't do any of the stuff you did. You had a perfect chance to attack me with Red-eyes, but instead you chose to sacrifice it for the sakes of one monster only!"
Alex: "No… That's not how it happened, I needed more power…"
Sky: "What are you talking about? You had plenty of power, you just became greedy for more. It didn't demonstrate your power, only your ability to destroy. Come on, think, what does Red-eyes stand for?"
Alex: "Red-eyes… It stands…"
(flashback)
Alex: "For it is said, while Blue-eyes White Dragon represents sheer power…"
Sky: "Red-eyes Black Dragon represents pure potential, that's right!"
(end flashback)
He was staring the ground… and shed a long tear.
Alex: "Duelist… Potential?"
And then… his eyecolor returned to normal.
Sky: "Alex?"
And his voice.
Alex: "Sky… What have I done?"
Sky: "(smiling) Alex!"
Flint: "He's back!"
Enlil: "What happened?"
But, as happy as the scene was, it seemed like Number 60 had a mind of it's own.
The Shadow Dragoon looked down to it's "master", and with a single glare, it summoned what appeared to be dark fire-like tendrills that instantly surrounded Alex. He had to grip his head and scream out loud.
Alex: "AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGG…"
Sky: "ALEX!"
Alex: "It's useless! No matter how hard you try, I'm not turning back there! I won't give into the power, my spirit is stronger than that!"
Sky: "You are…"
Alex: "Sky! Beat this thing, don't allow it to cause any more damage!"
Sky: "I will save you, Alex! (points forward) I activate Zenmaines monster effect! In the End phase of a turn in which he escaped destruction, he can destroy one card on the field!"
The jet engines on Zenmaines' wings stirred up again, and were still gathering power after it's unit was long since consumed.
Sky: "The target I choose… Is Overlord Force!"
Zenmaines aimed, and it fired. The wings fired a twin beam of destructive energy, which was pointed at the tip of Shadow Dragoon's spear.
When the Dragoon realized what was going on, he put the spear forward to defend himself, and the spear… shattered like glass in it's hands, much to his shock.
Alex was released from the influence of the dark flames, and remained gasping on the spot.
Enlil: "Alex-kun, are you…"
Alex: "I'll be fine. It was a wise choice, Sky. When Overlord Force is destroyed, the monster it was equiped to… loses half it's Attack points."
And that's how Shadow Dragoon's power fainted, as it's spear was shattered into shards, shards into dust, and the dust… into nothing.
Number 60: Shadow Dragoon: ATK: 8000… 4000
Flint: "You could have targeted Shadow Dragoon himself, you know?"
Sky: "I know. But I'm not giving the thing an easy way out. For what it did to Alex… and Red-eyes… I'll hunt the thing down myself. And I'll beat it down with honor and potential!"
Alex: "Take it down… Please…"
Sky: "I'll show you potential! Sky-High! (draws) My turn, draw!"
He looked at his entire hand, and revised a plan.
Sky: "I need space, for Alex' sake. Trap, open! (the card flips) Zenmailstrom! To activate it, I release my brave Zenmaies!"
In the awe of the Trap, Zenmaines vanished in a waving light…
Sky: "So I can Special summon a new monster from my hand: come out, Wind-up Magician!"
… and was replaced by Sky's well known spellcaster with a geared-up wand.
Magician: "Hah! Zeeeeen-Mai! (ATK: 600/ LV4)"
Sky: "And by the power of Zenmailstrom, I can also summon a monser from my deck that has the same Attack points as my Magician. I special summon… Wind-up Rat!"
A second beam of light made a path for another Wind-up monster: this one was a rat-like monster moving on large wheels, so it looked pretty much like a toy rodent.
Rat: "Zumi-zumi… Zenmai! (ATK: 600/ LV3)"
Sky: "Now for Rat's effect: it allows me to wind him up and put him into Defense mode. (switches) Then I revive a Wind-up monster from my Graveyard."
Rat: "(winds up) Zenmaaaaaaaa… (DEF: 600)"
The wind-up function created a large bubble in the rat's mouth, in which a mirage of a monster was visible. And as soon as this bubble popped, a new monster emerged.
Sky: "Be reborn, Wind-up Butterfly!"
It was the violet butterbug from before. It took a flapped it's wings in a merry dance. DE: 800/ LV3
Sky: "And when a Wind-up winds up, Magician can use it's effect as well, which summons a new Wind-up monster from the deck."
Magician: "(winds up) Maaaaai!"
With a wave of his wand, the Magician created a shiny pathway, for a new monster to come by: it ran down the path of light with a loud meow.
Sky: "Come out, Wind-up Kitten!"
It was the kitten!
Kitten: "Nyaaah… Zen-Nyah! (ATK: 800/ LV2)"
Sky: "(shows a card) Finally, I Special summon Half-Way Eater!"
A fifth monster showed up, slithering through the air through an abyss portal in the ground: a serpentine orange deepfish.
Eater: "Khhhraaah!"
Sky: "By reducing magician's level by half, and dumping it into my Half-Way Eater, it can be Special summoned with new stats."
The fish swam through the Magician's level display, devouring the 2 stars that were placed there, then took it's place on a seperate zone and swallowed the spheres, gaining new stats.
Wind-up Magician: LV4… LV2
Half-Way Eater: ATK: 800/ LV1… LV2
With that… 5 monsters stood on Sky's side!
Enlil: "5 monsters at once!"
Flint: "We are ready, Sky-sama!"
Sky: "Alright! I overlay the 3 level 2 Wind-up Magician, Wind-up Kitten and Half-way Eater!"
/insert song: "Tagiru Chikara" by Psychic Lover ("Digimon Xros Wars Hunters", 2012)/
All 3 became Overlay Units… And opened up a spiraling portal beneath them.
Sky: "Bridge this space with the antispace: Xyz summon!"
A large light erupted from beyond the portal, as a massive shape got out: the sealed form of the Number 59!
Sky: "Shine brightly, and twist all other lights about!"
59!
Sky: "Appear, Number 59: Shining Knighcorn!"
The appendages flipped down, and openened up, becomming what appeared to be hooved legs.
The small horn-like structures bursted up, and extended, opening and spawning a pair of golden wings.
The entire lower portion tilted backwards and split into three parts, two forming the hind-legs, and the last one extending like a fan and becomming the tail.
The frontal part extended, bursting through the layers of armor. The armor slid down, and a horn pierced through like a javelin, revealing the head.
Hibana chirashite DEAD-HIT
Ki wa nukenai ze DANGER ZONE
Total result: a golden stallion-like creature with golden wings and a horn that was standing atop of a head that more closely looked like a knight's helmet than a alicorn's cranium. Three orbs were orbiting around the beast as it performed it's battle-cry. ATK: 1800/ R2
Moeru
(Moeru)
Toushi
(Toushi)
Atsuku
Hibikiatteru nda
But Sky didn'tt give it the time to gloat yet:
Sky: "Not done yet! I also overlay the 2 level 3 Wind-up Rat and Butterfly!"
And so, the other 2 monsters became Overlay units, and opened up a large spiraling portal.
Kibun saikyou SUPERSTAR
Girigiri semeru HUNTING TIME
Sky: "Once again, I bridge this space with the antispace: Xyz summon!"
41!
So it occured that another consealed shape emerged: a dark-purple, wide bicone with pinkish zig-zag lines down it's equador middle.
Iku ze!
(Iku ze!)
Ore no
(Ore no)
Chousen ga hajimaru
Sky: "Roar in the night, and make the world awe!"
Both cones dislodged a little, revealing a golden armor-like structure within.
Sky: "Appear: Number 41: Roaring Star Beast King- Galileon!"
One part of this odd shape turned inside out, narrowed down and became the tail.
A massive paw with claws reached out and slammed against the ground.
A piece of golden armor opened up into triangular shoulder plates for the front pair of legs.
Finally, a small yellow star appeared atop of the formation, and the mighty beast got it's face.
Nerai wo sadameru no sa
And so it arrived: the dark purple lion king of the stars. A yellow number 41 flashed next to it's right ear on it's mane.
It roared, like a true king of beasts, and took it's place next to Knighcorn as 2 Overlay units surrounded it. ATK: 1900/ R3
That was the sight: 2 bestial Numbers on Sky's side, confronting the massive Shadow Dragoon.
Hanate ima
Jounetsu de
Tokecha isou na
Enlil: "Both Numbers?"
Flint: "Let's take it down!"
Sky: "Galileon's monster effect activates! He can consume an Overlay unit…"
Afureru ore no POWER!
On his note, one of the Overlay Units that Galileon was absorbed through the star on it's forehead…
Sky: "Then, one monster on your side looses half it's attack power! Star-howl Crusher!"
… and then, it roared!
Tagiru Chikara!
Tomerarenai
The beast's roar was so tremendous it was visible as a dark whirlwind.
This might seem unreal, but as soon as Shadow Dragon was struck by that whirlwind, he was blown back completely, his spine almost snapped! It was like a paperdoll that was trying to endure a waterstream, the fiend could barely stand afterwards!
Number 60: Shadow Dragoon: ATK: 4000… 2000
Sky: "It's down! Attack it, Shining Knighcorn!"
Mugen no
E-NERGY uzumaku yo
The alicorn spread it's wings, and aimed it's horn forward, now charging at the heart of the dragoon…
Sky: "And I use it's ability: by detaching 2 Overlay Units, Knighcorn can break down 1000 more of it's attack points, then boost himself by 300 plus! Power Breakdown!"
Ima sekai wa
Ore wo matteru
2 Overlay units magnified the Knighcorns horn, and it increased 10-fold in size…
Number 60: Shadow Dragoon: ATK: 2000… 1000
Number 59: Shining Knighcorn: ATK: 1800… 2100
HIT-UP! Kyuujoushou tsukinukero
And upon impact, the Knighcorn penetrated the evil monster's chest, and blew it up with a wave of shining light!
Alex felt it's monster fade, but did not resist the wave of damage at all.
Alex: LP: 2500
Subete wo kakete
Idomu BATTLE
But the shadows of Number 60 were still surrounding him. They slowly regained the draconic form…
Flint: "It's comming back!"
Sky: "Don't give it a chance to stand up! Galileon, attack directly!"
Hitotsu ni nare
HEART&HEART!
The lion of the stars charged forward, and swiped the arriving shadow with a swipe of it's claws, eliminating it, and also pushing Alex back due to the force of the impact.
Alex: LP: 600
The shade seems to have disappeared, and alex finally returned to his old colors.
Alex: "It's… It's gone!"
Sky: "Alex, you're back… right?"
Alex: "I… I'm sorry, I really messed up, didn't I? Jumping of bridges doesn't sound all that bad now, huh?"
Sky: "(-_-) Yep, he's back alright."
Flint: "But the duel isn't over yet. We can't relax yet."
Sky: "Why not?"
Flint: "Sky-sama, I cannot perform the Hook Linker and purify the Number unless the duel is over. You have to win against Alex, or the Number will keep on troubling him."
Sky: "But we beat the Number, what else am I supposed to… (idea) Wait, I got it! (sets a card) I set a card, and end my turn!"
Alex: "You're still going? But the Number is…"
Sky: "Don't be silly. Deep down, you want me to continue, right?"
Alex: "B-but I…"
Sky: "I promised you a duel, right? My only reget is our duel dtarts at this middle point. Besides… (points at his Duel Disk) isn't there someone you need to talk to?"
Alex: "I…?"
Alex looked at his Duel Disk's Graveyard compartment.
In his mind, he heard a familiar cry:
Alex: "Red-eyes… Forgive me, I wasn't strong enough. But… I can still do the right thing. (to Sky) Alright, I'll continue, my way! (draws) My turn, draw! (looks at the card) This is… I play the Spell card Pot of Avarice. This card adds 5 monsters from my Graveyard to my deck, then shuffles it and allows me to draw 2 more cards."
From his Graveyard, Alex picked 5 cards to return to his deck: Ragnarok, Apocralyph, Spare Dragon, Red-eyes, and Metal Red-eyes.
He put the cards atop his deck, and the disk's auto-shuffle did the rest.
Alex: "Alright, here goes. I draw 2!"
As soon as he drew his cards… he was surprised to see their content.
His expression beared a mixture of emotions, among which were awe, sadness, but also joy. Yes, what he felt like was weep tears of joy.
Alex: "No way… You… (plays a card) I play Red-eyes Black Chick!"
He summoned a monster. And it was a chibi one too! It looked exactly like a juvenile, just hatched version of Red-eyes Black Dragon. It made sounds like a baby lizard, and glared forward like a baby duckling. ATK: 800/ LV1
Enlil: "(blushing) How cute! A baby Red-eyes."
Sky: "Where did you get that? Hold on a sec, does this mean…"
Alex: "That's right! My old friend forgave me, and I found my strength again. I activate the effect of Red-eyes Black Chick: if I send it to the Graveyard, it can grow up, and I can special summon a new monster from my hand!"
On his note, the chick spat out a humble ember of crimson flames, and this flame consumed it… and it grew larger.
Alex: "Come forth… Red-eyes Black Dragon!"
And as the flames faded, a familiar monster arrived: it was none other than Red-eyes, but this time in it's full shine and glory, without any sinister strings attached to it. It's appearance still dark, yet radiant in the sunlight as if it's full potential just got reawoken. It roared with pride. ATK: 2400/ LV7
This came as a surprise for all of them.
Enlil: "Red-eyes Black Dragon?"
Flint: "I thought he got shuffled into the deck."
Sky: "And you drew him again? Wow, such an amazing draw move!"
Alex: "You're an impressive duelist yourself. The bond I share with my Red-eyes Black Dragon is beyond any Number's influence. But as he is now, Red-eyes cannot defeat your Numbers. So I have this! (picks a card) The Spell card, Inferno Fire Blast!"
Tagiru chishio
Takanaru mune
The card Alex played had an image of Red-eyes on it, and as soon as he played it, Red-eyes on his side of the field started charging up an attack.
Sky: "What the…?"
Kirameku senkou hikisaku yo
Alex: "Instead of attacking with Red-eyes this turn, Inferno Fire Blast inflicts damage to my opponent equal to Red-eyes Attack points."
A massive red orb of fire formed in Red-eyes mouth…
Kono uchuu no
Domannaka de
Enlil: "But that is 2400 damage! If Sky-kun gets hit by that, he'll loose."
Flint: "And our hunt will be over!"
HOLD UP! Kobushi wo furiagero
Sky: "Don't worry, I had this comming."
Alex: "Go for it, Red-eyes!"
Red-eyes fired it's attack, and a giant ball of fire was directed at Sky… But he only smiled in return.
Sky: "At least I got a glimpse of your potential, Alex. Trap, open! Nature's Reflection! (the card flips) During this turn, any effect damage I take is redirected at my opponent."
Kurayami no naka
kibou motome
Before Inferno Fire Blast could reach Sky, the earth cracked open in front of him, and a huge monolith emerged from the ground, intercepting the impact. Instead of shattering, however, the monolith bounced the attack straight back in Alex's direction with a mighty energy resonance.
And so, the fireball was headed towards Alex…
Hitotsu ni nare
BURNING HEART
Alex: "Aw, what a shame. And it was going so well…"
… where it blew up and picked him off the ground.
Alex: "BAAAAAAAAAAh!"
He fell on the floor, and his Life points bounced down.
Alex: LP: 0
WINNER: Sky
Sky: "Alright!"
But, before the AR space was dismissed…
Flint: "Okay, let's do it, Sky-sama!"
Sky: "Aw, geez. Fine. Deploy, Hook Linker!"
On his wrist, Flint performed his transformation, twisting and turning until he attained the shape of a mechanized crossbow-shaped cannon.
Alex: "(gets up) Eh? What is that thing?"
Sky: "(turns the device towards Red-eyes) Sorry, this might sting a little."
In his D-Gazer, Sky saw a pair of lightwaves weaving together…
Sky: "Establish link with Red-eyes."
… until both waves were synched up and overlapped perfectly with those of Red-eyes.
Sky: "And fire!"
Flint shot a lightning-like ray at Alex's dragon, which the dragon grabbed with it's jaws, forming a perfect sphere that had the same effect as it's usual Inferno Fire blast, except this one was pale white instead of red. He then turned towards Alex and...
Alex: "Hey, hold on a sec!"
… fired a beam towards him in form of a powerful sunshine-searchligh. When the beam reached Alex, he made the same impression as a cartoon character zapped by lightning as odd particles started exiting his body….
Alex: "(zapped) AYE-AYE-AYE-AYE-AYE-AYE!"
… and the Number's spirit, a shadow, was being pulled up by the beam. It left alex's body completely, screaming, and was pulled up towards Red-eyes, where it was captured in a spherical prison of light, which the dragon proudly launched at the device on Sky's arm.
The demon was yelling all along, and as it reached Sky, the device grabbed the sphere and started crushing it, slowly absorbing it's essence, as Flint was decoding it's effence and blinged on and off like a siren.
Flint: "(blinging) BELE-BELE-BELE-BELE-BELE-BELE-BELE-BELE… Captured!"
In the end, a card slid out of Flint's mouth.
Sky picked the card up, and observed it. He was holding the card of Number 60: Shadow Dragoon, and smiled.
Sky: "Numbers hunt: concluded!"
That's when the AR space finally dissipated. Sky took of his D-Gazer and approached Alex, who was still in a buzzy state after the Hook Linker attack. Enlil joined Sky in seeing whether his friend was alright.
Sky: "Oi, Alex!"
Enlil: "Are you alright?"
It's a little hard to describe Alex's reaction and condition. He wasn't really hurt… that much.
Alex: "(zappy) Been better."
Sky: "It'll wear off. (helps him up) So, how do you feel?"
Alex: "(checks his bodyparts) A little better. But I…"
Sky: "What?"
Alex: "I kinda messed up, didn't I? If it wasn't for that Number, this whole mess wouldn't have happened."
Flint: "Don't bumb yourself out like that. You overcame the Number on your own, that sows great spirit."
Sky: "He's right. No need to feel down."
Alex: "But, uhm… What about everyone else?"
Sky: "Else?"
Alex: "(hangs head) My insane self badly beat up and hurt many students here. I was so looking forward to showing them the great potential of Red-eyes Black Dragon, and now they'll be holding the worse grudge against it."
That was a problem indeed. After what Alex did previously using a Red-eyes deck, he'll hardly keep a good name in Sourand.
Sky: "Oh, right… What do we do, I don't want people to remember you like this."
Enlil: "(thinks) Hmmmmmm… Wait, it doesn't have to be like that."
Sky&Alex: "Eh?"
Enlil: "(winks) I have an idea."
A few minutes later…
The teacher that Sky accidentally crashed onto came down the corridor. He was completely bruised up, had a wrapped up leg and head, and was walking with the help of a pair of crutches. Not only that, but he was also acompanied by a group of students, which were all in Enlil's class (many of which were victims of Number 60's attack). Rosemary was among them as well.
Worse yet, he had brought professor Sagawa along as well.
Teacher: "Such insolence I've never seen in a student! Even if he was a respected outlander duelist, he completely ruined my class and traumatized my students!"
Sagawa: "Just keep calm, I better look at it by myself."
Rosemary: "Professor Sagawa, as class president, I beg you to reconsider-"
Teacher: "There's nothing to reconsider about! Misbehaviour is one thing, a physical assault on a teacher something entirely different!"
Rosemary: "I wonder if I should tell him it was Honey Sky that knocked him out?"
And so, they had reached the enterance of the gym. It was closed shut, and the teacher advised Sagawa before they moved any further.
Teacher: "Here it is! Be careful, the student is extremely dangerous and-"
And just as he was about to open the door for himself…
They opened up by themselves.
Slamming into the teacher's face in the process.
Teacher: "OWIIIEEEE!"
It all occured in a flash, no one could really see who or what emerged out of the gym. Whoever it was, he was in a hurry, and bypassed all students, all staff in a matter of seconds, then vanished somewhere far in the corridors.
One thing everyone could notice was: he was wearing a dark trench coat.
What only Rosemary noticed: "he" had catterpillars instead of feet.
Rosemary: "Was that…?"
Sagawa: "What was that?"
Teacher: "(holding his head) A black outfit? (points) That must have been him! He went that awa-"
Alex: "That's right! And stay out!"
Teacher: "Eh?"
Here's a little surprise that everyone noticed: inside the gym, Alex was throwing empty punches in the direction where the trench-coat phantom vanished into. He had his Duel Disk and D-Gazer active, and just turned it off. Sky and Enlil were standing behind him, cheering him on. They also had what some people might call "theatrical smiles" on their faces.
Sky: "Amazing duel!"
Enlil: "You saved the day, Alex-kun!"
Teacher: "HEH? But he (pointing at Alex)… Then he (pointing at where the coat vanished)… And then… (at Alex)"
Sagawa: "What happened here?"
Sky: "Professor Sagawa? Good thing you came."
Enlil: "It was awful, you just missed quite a lot."
The teacher could not comprehend how one student got in 2 seperate places at the same time, so he just kept pointing at Alex, yelling his lungs out:
Teacher: "That's him! The Red-eyes duelist! He's the one responsible for it!"
Alex: "Who, me?"
The students were confirming his hypotesis:
"That's him alright."
"But… something's a bit different now."
Sagawa: "Young man, I got plenty of complains comming on your behalf. Is it true that you almost reinsaked an entire class and assaulted this respected teacher?"
Alex: "Eh? But I…"
Sky: "Wait a sec, you got it wrong. It wasn't Alex."
Teacher: "Nonsense, I saw him rampage with my own eyes!"
Enlil: "That was someone entirely different."
Teacher: "Heh?"
Sky: "You must have bumped your head pretty hard, sensei. I thought the guy you mean wore a dark outfit and had red eyes."
Teacher: "Yeah, so?"
Sky: "So… (points at Alex) Does he in any way look like the guy you're looking for?"
The teacher had to "eeehh" for a moment as he tried to put the pieces together. Alex put on a cheesy smile, as if to escape suspicion.
But it was undenyable: the Alex that was standing before him now and the one they met earlier seem like two entirely different persons. Without the dark coat, one might not even call them twins.
"He kinda does look different."
"Can it really be the same guy?"
Teacher: "But he… Then where…"
Enlil: "You just missed the culprit."
Teacher: "Heh?"
Sky: "The guy you met stole Alex's deck earlier and pretended to be him to get himself a name. You just missed him, it's a shame we couldn't catch him."
Teacher: "You mean… It was an imposter?"
Sky: "But no worries. (shoulder-taps Alex) The real Alex here came by and beat him good. We'd all be goners if it weren't for him. (to Alex) Isn't that right?"
Alex: "Well… The guy was putting a bad name on me, so I… kinda showed him some manners."
Teacher: "You beat him?"
Sagawa: "You're the real Alejandro Loredo? Well, in that case a few congratulations are in order."
"Wow, he beat that creep by himself?"
"Indeed, they can't be the same, not even the eyecolor is the same."
Sky: "Aaand, Alex, don't you have something to say?"
Alex: "Actually, I do. (to the students) The person from before was not me, and whoever it was, he put the name Red-eyes on a bad term. But… If you want to see the true side of the Legend of Red-eyes, I can always show you."
Just like that, students started gathering around Alex and patting him like he was some kind of movie star.
"You beat that guy? You must be a great duelist."
"That Red-eyes Black Dragon card of yours is so cool!"
"Oi, will you show us how they duel in the US?"
Alex: "Hey, wai a sec, one at the time."
And that was how Enlil's plan was executed with succession. Seeing how well things turned out, both Sky and Enlil paced sideways, and simply observed Alex taking care of the situation.
Enlil: "That ended well."
Sky: "What a relief."
Sagawa: "Only one thing I don't understand…"
That's when Sky started to sweat nervously. It wasn't like professor Sagawa to suspect things for no reason.
Sky: "Uhm, what is it?"
Sagawa: "This is Hizuki Enlil's class, so it's natural she's here. But… (looks at Sky) Why was my favrite demos, Sky Galen at this spot?"
And Sky's sweating just increased, and he got the goosebumps.
Sky: "Uhm, well I… I kinda… errr…"
Sagawa: "I can think on only one reason for that."
It was intense. If Sagawa realizes that the whole thing was a prank, Sky and Alex might get into serious trouble. This serious situation was concluded in the following way:
Sagawa… Looked at Sky… and…
Sagawa: "(^_^) You came for the duels, didn't you?"
Sky: "(O_O) Ah?"
Once again, Sagawa had a personality change: from a strict teacher he suddenly blushed up his cheeks, smiled and gave an OK sign with his fingers. Not to mention he was talking like he was trying to impersonate a plushie.
Sagawa: "I should have known you couldn't resist, but this is not your class after all, please show some respect for the schedule, Galen-kun."
Sky: "(-_-) R-right."
And that's when Alex approached Sky as well, and tossed him a Duel Disk.
Alex: "Oi, Sky, catch."
Sky: "(catches it) Duel Disk? Wait, are you…?"
Alex was in his cool pose, with a D-Gazer already on.
Alex: "I still have a presentation to hold, and a duel to execute. So, you still up for the challenge?"
Sky didn't even hesitate. He accepted the challenge.
Sky: "Right! That's what I've been waiting for all along! I won't hold back, you know."
Alex: "I would have it no other way."
Sky and Alex both drew their hands, and the students gave them some space…
Sky&Alex: "Duel!"
Missing the entire scene, someone came by the door of the gym.
It was Flint. He barely crawled in and leaned against the doors in relief.
Flint: "Gosh, why did I have to be a bad guy here? I didn't mind playing the Numbers Phantom and clear Alex's name, but sometimes I just don't get the respect I deserve. (looks at the gym) Heh, what's going on?"
This was the scene:
Sky: "Go for it, Wind-up Zenmaister!"
Sky's monster on the field was his favorite one: the Zenmaister of Wind-ups, already charging forward and preparing to punch forward.
Alex: "Like heck I'm loosing! Show him what you got, Red-eyes!"
The monster on Alex's side, none other than Red-eyes Black Dragon, also charged, and was ready to counterstrike.
Flint observed the cene in awe.
Flint: "Oooh, I see…"
(SNAPSHOT!)
Flint caught a memoriable picture for the scrapbook. This one was depicting two great duelists, Sky and Alex, clashing in a duel in which their monsters, Red-eyes and Zenmaister, were colliding. He managed to capture their spirit and passion, as neither of the duelists was backing down.
But, he never revealed the outcome of the duel.
Numbers Hunt Status Report:
Number 60 successfully captured;
Later…
It was night at Sky's residence, and Sky was unpatiently skipping left and right the living room, with his laptop still on in the middle of the room. Flint was trying to follow his uneven course, while Rikki and Enlil were sitting there, unaware what was happening.
Rikki: "Why are you so restless, aniki?"
Enlil: "Yeah, you've been walking in circles for hours."
Sky: "I'm just praying, that's all."
Flint: "That's how you call this?"
Enlil: "What happened that is so important?"
Finally, Sky haltd, sighed, and explained:
Sky: "Okay, fine, I'll tell you. Remember that important thing I wanted to ask Keira-chan today?"
Enlil felt unease. As soon as Sky would mention Keira, she knew a serious conversation was to follow.
Enlil: "Yes. Yes I do."
Sky: "Well, I thought about it and…"
Enlil: "Yes?"
Sky: "I e-mailed the request to her."
Enlil: "(blushing) You did what?"
Sky: "I didn't know what else to do! I couldn't find her anywhere today with all the ruckus that occured! So I… Well, you know…"
Rikki: "What did you ask her?"
Sky: "(embarrased) What's it to you, I don't have to say that!"
Enlil: "E-mail? Does it work like that? Will he confess to her online? And if he does, what will become of…?"
That's when his laptop beeped and notified them:
"You've got mail."
Rikki: "What, now?"
Rikki reached for the laptop.
Sky: "AH! (hysterical) Are you nuts? Don't look at it! It could be from Keira-chan!"
It was too late. Rikki already opened the folder.
Rikki: "It's from someone called… Alejandro?"
Sky calmed down from his "love hysteria".
Sky: "Heh? Let me see."
He reached for the screen himself (by bending over the back of the couch in order to reach the laptop), and checked the message for himself.
Sky: "Yep. That's him alright. I wonder what it says."
He checked the message. This is what it said:
"Hi there. I made it back to US alright. I'm sorry our first duel was dealt in such a way. But maybe, if it wasn't for the Number, I wouldn't have met new friends there, so I'm glad in a way. Me and Red-eyes have more towns to visit, more legends to spread. Don't worry, I'll definitely become the greatest Red-eyes duelist the world has ever seen! And never forget: the potential of a duelist!
- from: Alex"
Sky smiled a bit, but also added a bit of a frown to it.
Sky: "Not exactly what I expected, but I guess it's alright."
Rikki: "What was that ruckus at school today, anyway?"
Sky: "I'll tell you later. Right now I wonder if Keira got my message."
Rikki: "She doesn't have to reply instantly, you know."
Sky: "I know, but that doesn't mean I cannot wait for it to come."
Enlil remained quiet for the time being. She didn't feel like having a conversation involving Keira. Against the likes of her, Enlil felt like her chances to get Sky's affections were slim at best.
And then, her most unwanted sound occured:
"You've got mail."
She gasped.
Sky: "Again?"
Rikki: "Who is it from?"
Flint hoped on the couch, and looked at the screen. He postponed the answer a bit. Somehow, he knew this was a topic one must choose to talk about carefully.
Flint: "It's from her. Keira-chan."
Air stood still, including the breath in both Sky's and Enlil's throat.
Sky: "Sh… she replied?"
Enlil: "So soon?"
Rikki: "What does it say?"
Sky: "I can't bare to look! Please, you read it."
Flint opened up the file… read the first verse, and said.
Flint: "I… I…"
Sky: "Yes?"
Flint felt like telling this to Sky in the face, so he turned around before replying:
Flint: "I see… a smiley."
Sky&Enlil&Rikki: "HEH?"
There was indeed a smiley at the start of the mail.
Sky: "Th-that's a good thing, right?"
Flint: "Hold on, I'll read the rest. (reads) It says… 'About time you asked'?"
There were multiple responses on that note.
It started with everyone gasping. Then, Sky performed what some people might call "a victory dance" (others might just call it "bouncing"). He seemed overjoyed.
Sky: "Yahooo! I did it! She said yes!"
Rikki: "What? What did you asked her?"
He kept dancing/bouncing in great joy, Flint was also shouting out loud in a similar manner, Rikki was still confused…
While Enlil simply sighed and was in deep thought.
Enlil: "So it is over… If she replied to Sky's confession like that, it can only mean something new will start between the two. I guess I missed my chance."
She shed a tear, but wiped it off quite fast. She smiled warmly.
Enlil: "But that's okay. I guess, I should be happy that Sky-kun will be happy with someone. Even if it's not me. I guess… He would have wanted it that way. So… I'm happy too."
Sky: "(dancing) …said yes! She said yes! She said yes! This is so great!"
Flint: "Would you calm down, there's more. (reads on) Ahem, 'I'll be too happy to help you with your problem. You are free to lend and copy my…' (O_O)… ' Benington and Higashi script? I also have a…' (o_O) 'Basics on Momentum Mechanics by Doctor Fudo you can borrow'? (to Sky) What the heck is this?"
Sky: "Must be the literature I ordered."
Enlil: "Huh?"
If you're confused at this point… I don't blame you.
Flint: "Literature? What literature? I thought you were asking her out."
Sky: "What? No way! There's just this test comming up soon, and I was a little short on materials, so I thought to ask her if I can borrow some."
(METAPHORICAL SOUND OF BREAKING GLASS!)
Enlil: "(X_X) AH?"
Until I say otherwise, for the rest of the conversation Enlil was staring at the floor, wide-eyed, (as if) her mind was blown.
Flint: "(o_o) THAT'S WHAT YOU ASKED FOR?"
Sky: "Why would I ask her out over e-mail? That'd be ridiculous. Besides, I'm not so sure it would be such a good idea for our relationship."
Flint: "(nuts) YOU DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP, THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT!"
Sky: "Why do you have to be so agressive? What did I do?"
Let's ignore their argument for now and see what Enlil had to say. She spoke slowly and quietly, but she made no direct eye contact.
Enlil: "Rikki."
Rikki: "Yes?"
Enlil: "Go to your room please."
Rikki: "Uhm… okay."
Ignorring the arguments between Sky and Flint, Rikki slowly paced towards the stairs, and left for his room.
At this point, Sky and Flint were the loudest objects in the room.
And then, to get their attention…
Enlil slammed the laptop's shutter down and closed it.
She didn't move otherwise, and no one could see her eyes because they were beshadowed.
Flint: "Huh?"
Sky: "Enlil?"
Enlil: "Do you have… ANY idea how worried I was?"
She got up very slowly. She tried to maintain a monothone voice, and her movements were almost spooky. She didn't loook at Sky yet.
Just for the record, she was calm… It was a calm before the storm.
Enlil: "Did you even realize how intense these past few days were for me? Do you?"
Sky: "Enlil, what…?"
Then she turned around, but didn't look at Sky directly.
Enlil: "I was this close to breaking into tears… having you mention Keira all the time… And now I find out you made such a big fuss… out of an exam!"
Now this is where things got spooky: an intense, dark, spooky aura that was shimering like a dark flame surrounded Enlil. It was WAY spookier than any aura a Number can put on someone.
(note: the aura is purely metaphorical, there are no evil beings nearby)
Upon seeing this, both Sky and Flint were terrified.
Sky: "(O.O) AH? Flint… I thought we purified her Number."
Flint: "(o.o) We did."
Enlil: "You know what I think? You… Sky-kun… I think…"
The aura inensified to the point when Sky and Flint saw nothing else in the room but her.
Then, she looked at them:
Her eyes were on fire and she had sharp sharkish teeth!
Enlil: "I THINK YOU'RE SUCH A BIG BAKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Someone out on the street could hear the following noise:
Sky: "GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
There is no need to tell you what she did to Sky. But one thing's for sure, it wasn't pleasant.
That was the first time Enlil used "The Scream" on Sky.
-!
(BONUS!)
Flint: "It's time for Numbers Math Trivia! It's the part of the episode where we explain certain Number's significance. Math was never more fun! Let's see, today we have successfully met with…"
(Shadow Dragoon's card appears)
Flint: "Number 60: Shadow Dragoon! An immensely powerful Xyz Dragon that almost ruined our first OC Guest appearance. You think you know what the Number 60 stands for? I think I do."
Number 60: Shadow Dragoon/ Phantom Lance Dragon Fiend- Shadow Dragoon(Xyz/ DARK/ rank 7/ Dragon-type/ ATK: 3200/ DEF: 2400)- 2 level 7 Dragon-type monsters
- If you control a non-Dragon-type monster, this card cannot attack. Once per turn, you can detach 1 Xyz material from this card: send 1 Dragon-type monster you control to the Graveyard and this card gains ATK equal to that monster's original ATK.
Flint: "The number can be read as ro-ju, which in a way sounds like rojo, the Spanish word for red. This implies it's connection to the Red-eyes archetype, but as you saw in it's nature, it is definitely not related to the archetype. Poor Alex had to play the bad guy, it must have been rough. Oh, Sky-sama couldn't acompany me today with the trivia. He is still stuned by the Scream. Don't ask, it's awful. Enlil sure is scary at times…"
/ending song: "Treasure!" by Emiri Kato ("Ben-to", 2011)/
(instrumental opening: a dandylion is swinging sith the breeze on a green meadow; Enlil picks it up, observing it, blushing… she is about to blow the seed away, but a strong gust of wind beats her to it;)
(one of the seeds, carried by the wind, ends up flying around the town of Sourand…)
Kirameku yakei toka
Zeitaku DINNER toka
(… bypassing the figures of Rikki, Rosemary, a black-haired guy…)
Sonna mono nanka ni kyoumi wa nai
(… until it ultimately lands on Sky's shoulder)
Harapeko yuuhizaka
(he picks it up, wondering…)
Itsumo no ano basho e
(then smiles and blows it into the wind, and it is once again carried away…)
Horane hajimari no nioi kanjita
(it reached Keira, and is floating in front of her face)
Mezasu mono ga soko ni
(… but it suddenly vanishes before touching her face; Keira sadly observes it as a shadow of a monster appears behind her)
Arukagiri tachimukau
(Wind-up Zenmaister's summoning)
Tada no FAIR LADY
(Then the arrival of Shining Knighcorn and Galileon)
Nanka janai
(they turn to cards, and Sky catches them…)
Miseteageru wa
(Sky is running in a rush next to a wall made entirely of huge Xyz monster cards, all Numbers, flipping up, and down as he keeps on running, like a tunnel of shifting mirrors…)
Ima kakedashite
Kono chi o kette
Te o nobase yo sakebe
WE ARE NOT DOGS!
Keshite dakyou wa yurusarenai
Aite ga daredemo onaji yo
(… Enlil joins him in the run, also like she's running away…)
Zenshinzenrei
Butsukariatte
(…then Flint drives next to them, in the same kind of rush…)
Kizuna ga fukamaru no
WE ARE THE BRAVE!
(… then Rikki, then Rosemary, and soon after that the black haired-guy, all panickingly fleeing from something unseen, except for Rosemary who is stern)
Sore koso ookami no PRIDE
Nerae HELL-BENT ON WINNING!
(this last part is sung by a blue-haired idol singer, Aiko BlueStar)
Aiko: "Tsukame TREASURE OF MY LIFE!"
(last scene: Sky and the cast greeting the audience… Flint jums up front and takes up the entire screen)
(next time)
Flint: "Once upon a time, there was peace in Mead Earth, until one day, the evil Saruman, who was not a monkey (saru: Jap. monkey) forged a Number out of the flames of the Hexed Mountain. One Number to rule them all. So war tore apart the land. Now Sky must take a fellowship of brave hobbits to dispatch the evil Number and destroy it in the test-results river it was forged fro-"
Sky: "Wait a sec! That's not the next episode preview! That's the plot for Tolkein's Lord of the Rings!"
Enlil: "You just added Numbers to it."
Flint: "Eh? Are you sure? There is no evil Mountain full of Numbers? Would be cool, though…"
Sky: "Get of the stage before we get sued!"
Flint: "They can't sue us for that… can they?"
Enlil: "People are easy to lose temper, please stop it!"
Sky: "Delete! Delete!"
(… This is getting embarrasing. Since these guys don't know how to run a show, I have to bring the entire episode summary… again:
The Idol singer Aiko Hoshino, better known as BlueStar, is on tour to Sourand, and Sky can barely hide his excitement! But… As Flint noted the similarities between her singing career and the arrival of Numbers, Sky fears he will have to face her on stage. When he is scowled on live stage by obsessed fans, he has no choice but to let her win, but if he does, the Number might take over everything! What will he do…?)
Sky: "Next time on Number Wars: 'Seeking Soul- Song of the Heart!' Spirit rising, Sky-High!"
Card intel:
Gravi-Balance (Trap, Normal)- Activate when an equiped monster attacks: negate the attack and destroy all cards that monster is equiped with.
Spare Dragon (Light/ level 4/ Tuner/ Dragon-type/ ATK: 1000/ DEF: 1000)- You can treat this card as a Fusion material Monster for the Fusion summon of a Dragon-type Monster. If you do this, the other Fusion material Monster(s) must be the correct one(s), and they must be Dragon-type Monsters.
Number 60: Shadow Dragoon/ Phantom Lance Dragon Fiend- Shadow Dragoon(Xyz/ DARK/ rank 7/ Dragon-type/ ATK: 3200/ DEF: 2400)- 2 level 7 Dragon-type monsters
- If you control a non-Dragon-type monster, this card cannot attack. Once per turn, you can detach 1 Xyz material from this card: send 1 Dragon-type monster you control to the Graveyard and this card gains ATK equal to that monster's original ATK.
+ Anime only effect: This card can only be destroyed by battle with another "Number"
Wind- Up Butterfly (WIND/ level 3/ Insect-type/ ATK: 1200/ 800)- During Main phase: you can change this Attack position card to face-up Defense position; Special summon 1 level 4 or lower "Wind- Up" monster from your hand; this effect can only be used once while this card is face-up on the field.
Overlord Force (Spell, Equip)- Equip only to a DARK Dragon-type monster. If the equiped monster attacks, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects during Battle phase only, and if it attacks a Defense position monster, inflict Percing Battle damage to your opponent. If this card is sent to the Graveyard: reduce the equiped monster's ATK by half.
Thousand Bouncer (Trap, Normal)- During this turn, whenever you would take more than 1000 damage to your Life points at once (by either battle or card effect): the damage becomes 1000. During the End phase, if this effect was used 3 or more times: draw 1 card.