Happy 2015, everyone! To celebrate, here is the newest chapter, as promised. I will tell you, though, that this chapter, along with the next two or three chapters (as far as my knowledge goes) will be a tad shorter than usual. But do expect another hint of the main storyline kicking in.
But before we continue, I want to discuss something that I'm sure is on a lot of your minds: The fact I'm overly descriptive. I know what I'm about to say may seem stubborn of me, and I truly understand your concerns about it. But I can't help but be descriptive like that; I think it's one of those bad habits I have when it comes to writing fan fictions like this. Plus, I can't help but want my audience to have an exact idea of what things or who people look like throughout. I'm not making any promises, but I will at least try (emphasis on the "at least") to not overdo this as I'm doing right now. Still, for this criticism alone that's annoyed you: I apologize.
Also, before I forget: Remember how I keep telling you that I'd have this story follow whatever Forbidden/Limited List was effective at the time I posted a certain chapter? Well, the January 2015 Lists are in effect; but since more will be coming (and that's a fact, mind you), I'll just make that part of my disclaimer saying that this story will follow whatever Forbidden/Limited List will be in effect at the time I wrote a certain chapter. And hopefully, just hopefully, I won't be using any cards that violate whatever my change in new Forbidden/Limited Lists. But I guess you can't blame me for it since, you know, any previous List was effective at the time I was writing.
Enjoy chapter seven, everyone!
It was evening at one of Neo Domino City's Turbo Duel lanes, on the same day after the events of Mira's Battle Royale-style Turbo Duel. In these modern times since the reunification of Neo Domino and the once shunned Satellite, Turbo Duels have been performed more frequently than ever, and these very lanes were where most of them occurred.
Unsurprisingly enough, there was a Turbo Duel already in progress. But one of the two turbo duelists didn't seem to be dueling for pleasure, but rather their life.
That turbo duelist was dressed in a black one-piece riding suit with orange flames, and his helmet was of the same color scheme. The Duel Gazer underneath his helmet consisted of a platinum microphone and a light blue lens in the shape of a flame. His Duel Runner resembled a chopper, with its handlebars black and its hood orange with dark red flames. His only monster was a muscular man in volcanic armor, with his two fists shrouded by orange flames. [ATK: 2100; LV: 6]
His opponent appeared to be male, but he was certainly not human. He appeared to be a winged fiend clad in rusty gold armor, with parts of the armor coated in some kind of black metal. In place of a Duel Runner was a pale wicked unicorn whose parts of the body were also covered in the same black metal. Because he didn't have a Runner, a Duel Disk was attached to his left wrist. It appeared to be an actual part of his arm, as it was made entirely of a flap of skin, with the Main Deck sticking out of the top of the arm. Two of the Monster Card Zones had a monster, and they were both silhouettes beside the duelist. One of them was a knight with a tattered cape, and the other was a small fireball humanoid.
"This ends now, foolish mortal!" the fiendish duelist declared in a distorted male voice. "I overlay both of my monsters!" Both of his silhouettes transformed into orbs of purple light, which flew up and spiraled into a crimson portal that formed above both duelists. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network and Xyz Summon the last monster you shall see!" Before the crimson portal exploded, another silhouette flew out of it. This time, it appeared to be some kind of dragon with demonic wings and a pair of arms. Two dark purple orbs were orbiting around the dragon upon its emergence.
"Now, my beast, activate your power!" he declared after sliding a card from his hand into the Graveyard slot located in between the Disk's Monster Card Zones. The dragon then ate up one of the two orbs of light as its blood red eyes stared directly at the volcanic warrior. The warrior suddenly found himself unwillingly float to the figure's side of the field, much to the other duelist's surprise.
"Prepare yourself for an agonizing defeat! My subjects, annihilate this worm!" The dragon unleashed a burst of purple flames from its mouth while the brainwashed volcanic warrior flung a fireball. Both fiery attacks struck at the duelist, causing him extreme pain as he screamed in agony. [LP: 4000 – 0000] The duelist also lost control of his Runner as he skidded across the lane and violently crashed into a wall, creating a huge cloud of smoke in the process. When the smoke cleared, the defeated duelist was seriously injured, and the Runner looked like it was ready to be thrown away like a piece of irreparable piece of trash.
"There!" the victor said, staring down at his victim. "That should draw one of those foolish Wielders near. And once they arrive, I shall defeat them, and we shall be one step closer to completing our objective!" A portal formed in front of him, and it was leading to what appeared to be outer space. Pulling on his steeds reins, he galloped into the portal just in time before it closed up.
CHRONICLE 007
INVADER OF DARKNESS
"Well, this is interesting!" Homanu exclaimed, reading the newspaper. He and the rest of the gang were at Mira's apartment, having their breakfast.
"What is it?" Kero asked with a mouth full of toast and strawberry jam.
"Listen to this: 'Last night, a turbo duelist was assaulted by an unknown duelist whose Duel Runner was not registered in the Neo Domino's Police Department's database. Medical experts confirm that the victim will be alive, but will be sustained in critical condition. "We've been through situations like this before," Police Officer Tetsu Ushio commented. "Once we track down whoever's behind this, we'll give that bastard proper justice!" Until then, it is recommended by officers that you should stay in your homes during the evening; but should you go out, please proceed with caution.'"
"Who would do such a thing?" asked Mira.
"Your guess is good as mine. But I think we should do what the police suggests we do and try to stay out of this."
"I think you're ri-" Before she could finish that sentence, the amethyst on her necklace began to shine faintly as it did when Kero was dueling Jenner. And just like before, a vision went through her head. This time, she saw the same duelist that assaulted the other turbo duelist, only this time the perpetrator's opponent appeared to be a member of the Neo Domino police, presumably Ushio. The perpetrator had two dragons, one of which resembled the one he defeated the previous duelist with, and the other being a giant three-headed dragon. The three-headed dragon fired bursts of energy at Ushio, causing him to scream in agony. Only then did Mira's vision end.
When it did, Mira's friends suspiciously looked at her. "Mira? Are you okay?" Kero asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, I'm just fine!" Mira said, snapping back to reality. "…Actually, I was wondering if we could, um…go out to watch Tetsu in action against this culprit?"
"WHAT?!" Homanu cried. "Mira, have you lost your mind?! You heard what the police are saying: We should stay inside so that we don't end up in the hospital, or even the morgue!"
"I know that, but…you know, maybe he could use a little cheering on, if you know what I mean! …Please?"
"Sorry, but the answer's no. I'm not saying that you can't beat this creep if you come across him, but I just don't want you hurt!"
"…I guess that makes sense…"
"Thought you'd see it my way. How about we do some training after breakfast?"
"Sounds fun! Let's do it!" Kero cheered. As they went back to finishing breakfast, Mira couldn't help but be worried. It happened again! If that vision of Kero being in danger was true, then so must that vision of Ushio! I don't know why this keeps happening, but I'm gonna get to the bottom of this!
After a long day of training for the tournament, it was time for the three to go to bed. Everyone was already in their sleepwear, and Mira and Homanu pulled under the covers while Kero slept in his hammock. As soon as she was sure her friends were fast asleep, she carefully pulled herself out of the covers and began to get dressed in her everyday clothing.
"I'm sorry to do this, Homanu," she whispered, "and I can't tell you why I'm doing this; but this is something I have to do." After writing a note and placing it beside Homanu, she took her Turbo Duel deck and carefully crept downstairs to the garage. She fastened on her helmet, but instead of opening the garage door and starting up her Runner's engines, she actually dragged the Runner outside the garage's side door as quietly as she could. Because the Runner was rather heavy, it took her at most five minutes. Then, after wheeling the Runner to a spot where Homanu wouldn't be able to hear her, she finally climbed upon it, started up its engines, and rode off.
Elsewhere, Officer Tetsu Ushio and some other police officers were riding across one of Neo Domino's Turbo Duel lanes, tracking down the culprit like they said they would in the newspaper article. Though it has almost been fifteen years since both Neo Domino City and Satellite were saved from the Arc Cradle, Ushio hadn't changed one bit; he was still the same strict but egotistical officer he was back then.
"Okay, men; listen up!" Ushio barked. "I don't want any of you to leave until we're absolutely sure that whoever's behind all this isn't showing up tonight! But if any of you hear anything suspicious, contact me immediately! But leave that ungrateful ass to me—he's mine, and that's an or-"
"Wait—what's that?!" one of the officers cried. He was pointing to a familiar unicorn galloping towards them, driven by an equally familiar fiend. "Oh, look: More foolish mortals!" he spoke. "I shall annihilate each and every one of you like the useless flies you are!"
"So, you're the one who's behind all this!" Ushio shouted. "I don't know who you are, punk; but I'm taking you down for both last night's assault, and an attempted assault right now! So I suggest you come quietly before things get ugly!"
"I am afraid I cannot let that happen!" the duelist shouted, activating his Duel Disk. A card automatically slid out of his deck, and a slot underneath the Duel Disk's Main Deck slot automatically opened. The card he placed on the Field Card Zone slot was none other than Speed World Two, and the slot closed back up. When it did, the consoles on his and Ushio's Runners automatically lit up as the 'Duel Mode' process occurred. "Duel Mode engaged," the female voice announced. "Autopilot standing by." The wave of purple energy flowed out of Ushio's Runner, shrouding the duel area.
"So that's how you want to play it, huh?" Ushio grumbled. "If it's a duel you want, it's a duel you've got!" He pressed a button on the side of his helmet, and his Duel Gazer with a silver microphone and dark blue lens underneath the helmet flashed for a split second. Meanwhile, the duelist's left eye began to glow blood red. "Augmented Reality Vision Link established," the female voice announced as the wave of green energy flowed around the area, and virtual screens began popping around in random places.
"This lane will be starting a Riding Duel," an automated male voice spoke as black signs with 'DUEL-LANE' written in yellow rose from parts of one of the lanes. "All pedestrian vehicles please diverge immediately."
"Lane selection. Two optimum, usable lanes," the male voice announced once again as a screen displaying a blue background and a yellow line forming an appropriate lane for the declared Turbo Duel was shown. "Submitting duel lanes to central." Eventually, a yellow rectangular caution sign with 'AUTHORIZATION' written in black on the bottom popped up in the center. "Authorization."
Finally, platforms of the calculated lane began to rise. In the process, a black ticker tape with 'DUEL LANE SET – CAUTION' written in red was shown across the platforms' sides. "A duel will be starting. A duel will be starting," the male voice still spoke. "All pedestrian vehicles please diverge immediately. A duel will be starting. A duel will be starting."
"Okay, whoever-you-are," Ushio declared, "it's time to get your ass handed to Officer Tetsu Ushio!"
"My name is Thanatos," the duelist spoke. "And in this Spirit Battle, it shall be you who will lose to me!"
"'Spirit Battle'? I don't know what that means, but we'll see if you really can beat me!" The decks inside both duelists' Wrist Dealers automatically shuffled, and the duelists drew five cards apiece.
"Turbo Duel, acceleration!" both duelists shouted.
USHIO: 4000 LP / THANATOS: 4000 LP
USHIO: 0 SPC / THANATOS: 0 SPC
"Non-scum go first!" Ushio declared while drawing his card.
"Stop this at once!" a female voice shouted. Everyone turned their heads to see that the voice belonged to none other than Mira, who was trying to catch up with Ushio, Thanatos and the rest of the officers.
"What are you doing out here?!" Ushio barked. "Don't you know you're not supposed to be out here at this time of night?! Especially at a time like this?!"
"I can't explain, but you have to stop this duel now. Your life's at stake!"
"What do you know about fighting crime?! I will admit, I found it impressive when Crow told me about you helping to stop Jenner; but these kinds of things should be left to a professional!"
"You don't understand! You could get yourself killed right now!"
"Butt out and let me duel!" Turning his attention towards Thanatos, he resumed: "Don't worry about her—I'm the one who's gonna take you down! To prove it, I'll send my Level Four Stygian Street Patrol, my Level Four Assault Dog, and my Level Six Gate Blocker Two from my hand to the Graveyard!" He took three cards from his hand and slid them into his Runner's Graveyard slot. Three rectangles of orange light appeared, and combined to form some kind of portal.
"By doing all that, I Special Summon Montage Dragon in Attack Mode!" He took another card from his hand and slapped it onto one of his Runner's Monster Card Zones. Instead of a blue portal appearing, the monster to be summoned flew out of the orange portal that formed earlier. It was a gigantic, purple-skinned, three-headed dragon, each one with a white mask attached to its forehead.
"Thanks to its ability, Montage Dragon's Attack Points will be three hundred multiplied by the total Levels of the monsters I sent to summon it! My monsters' total Levels were fourteen. And that, multiplied by three hundred, is forty-two hundred!" Each of the dragon's heads let out an intimidating roar. [ATK: 4200; LV: 8]
That's the dragon I saw in my vision! Mira panicked in her mind. If his opponent summons whatever dragon he called out, he's doomed!
"Next, I summon Search Striker in Attack Mode!" He took another card from his hand and slapped it on a Monster Card Zone next to Montage Dragon. A blue portal appeared next to the dragon, and out of it flew a warrior dressed in a navy blue trench coat. He was equipped with a silver mask resembling a knight's helmet, with a right eye opening, and two laser weapons connecting to his back. [ATK: 1600; LV: 4]
"I'll place this face-down, and end my turn!" He took the final card in his hand and slid it into his Runner's Spell/Trap Card Zone slot. A vertical backing materialized beside his Runner before fading from sight.
This duel is mine! he thought rather overconfidently. My Montage Dragon has forty-two hundred Attack Points, which is more than enough to wipe him out in one attack! …Granted he doesn't place any monsters face-down, that is. But if he does, I'll activate my face-down Dragon's Rage! With it in play, whenever any of my Dragon-Type monsters attacks a monster in Defense Mode, the difference between Attack and Defense Points will be dealt as damage to him!
But just in case he has a monster that'll do me harm once flipped, there'll be Search Striker's own ability! He can instantly destroy any face-down monster once he attacks! Sure he'll switch to Defense Mode afterwards, but it'll be well worth it!
"My turn!" Thanatos declared, drawing. When he did, Ushio's Runner increased in speed, while Thanatos urged his steed to go faster
USHIO: 1 SPC / THANATOS: 1 SPC
"I summon Evilswarm Castor in Attack Mode!" He took a card from his own hand and slapped it onto one of his Disk's Monster Card Zones. Another blue portal appeared beside his steed, and a knight flew out of it. He was clad from head to toe in platinum armor, and he also wore a tattered red cape. [ATK: 1750; LV: 4]
"Then I summon Evilswarm Obliviwisp in Attack Mode!" He took another card from his hand and slapped it on a Monster Card Zone next to Evilswarm Castor. A blue portal appeared beside the knight, and out of it flew a sinister fireball creature composed entirely out of blue-purple fire. [ATK: 0450; LV: 4]
"Hey, you can't do that, you cheat!" Ushio barked. "The rules clearly state that you can only Normal Summon once each turn!"
"Yes, that would be the case. But thanks to Evilswarm Castor's special ability, I am granted to Normal Summon an additional 'Evilswarm' monster during the turn it is Normal Summoned!" Ushio only growled at that.
"Next, I overlay my Level Four Evilswarm Castor and Evilswarm Obliviwisp!"
The knight and the fireball creature transformed into orbs of sinister purple light. The orbs of light flew up and spiraled into the sky, straight into a crimson portal that formed above both duelists.
"With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network and Xyz Summon one of my most powerful cards! Arise…EVILSWARM BAHAMUT!"
Before the crimson portal exploded, a sinister dragon flew out of it. Its body, including its wings, appeared to be made of ice; however, it was covered in a thick layer of black rocky skin. It also had a pair of blood-red eyes. Upon its appearance, two orbs of purple light were orbiting around the dragon's head. [ATK: 2350; RANK: 4; ORU: 2]
Oh, no; he did summon it! Mira panicked in her mind. Now Ushio's a goner for sure!
"This ends now, Tetsu Ushio! I activate Evilswarm Bahamut's special ability! By using one Overlay Unit and sending one 'Evilswarm' monster from my hand to the Graveyard, your Montage Dragon is mine!"
"WHAT?!" Ushio cried. Before he could say or do anything else, Thanatos slid a card from his hand into his Runner's Disk's Graveyard slot, and the dragon devoured one of the two orbs orbiting around it. [ORU: 2 – 1] Afterwards, the dragon's eyes began to glow, and each of the opposing dragon's three heads began to have glowing eyes of the same color. Predictably but unexplainably, the three-headed dragon floated over to Thanatos' side of the field.
"This…this can't be happening!"
"I am afraid it is, foolish mortal! Now, prepare to perish! Evilswarm Bahamut, attack Ushio's Search Striker!" The black icy dragon unleashed a burst of purple flames from its mouth, incinerating the navy-suited laser warrior. [LP: 4000 – 3250]
"Montage Dragon, annihilate this worm! Power Collage!" Each of the dragon's three heads fired a burst of energy at Ushio, causing him to scream in agony as he violently crashed into a nearby wall. [LP: 3250 – 0000]
"USHIO!" Mira screamed, realizing that her vision had indeed come true. Several officers who were with Ushio quickly halted their Runners and hastily climbed off them to gather towards the fallen captain.
"Someone call for an ambulance, quick!" one of the officers shouted.
"Right!" another officer obeyed, saluting him. He took out a cell phone from his pocket and hastily dialed the hospital. Meanwhile, Mira and Thanatos were riding past the policemen.
Well, it looks like my work here is done, the satisfied Thanatos thought with a grin. He paused as he noticed that a small orb attached to his chest armor was glowing a lustrous red. Wait a minute—my mission was to draw the Wielders near. And according to my senses, there is a Wielder nearby! But really, there was nobody close to him except Mira. Could she be a Wielder, perhaps?
"You bastard, I'll never forgive you!" Mira shouted, catching up to Thanatos. When she did, his crystal shone brighter than before. She is a Wielder! It seems as if tonight got even more interesting!
"I admire your feistiness, Wielder!" he said aloud. "Perhaps you would like to show me that energy in a Spirit Battle!"
Upon hearing the word 'Wielder', Mira was astonished. How is this possible?! I promised Cassandra I wouldn't tell anyone I was this 'Wielder', and I actually didn't! …Maybe he's one of the 'enemies' who could try to kill me!
"Fight me like the Wielder you are!" Thanatos barked, snapping her back to reality. "Or are you just too cowardly to fight?"
"I'll show you who's a 'coward'!" Mira shouted, pressing a button on her Runner. After Thanatos did the same, both duelists' Runners' consoles turned on and repeated the 'Duel Mode' process. "Duel Mode engaged," the female voice announced. "Autopilot standing by."
After the wave of purple energy flowed out of her Runner, Mira pressed a button on her helmet's side, causing her Gazer underneath to flash for a split second. Thanatos, however, left his left eye well-lit. "Augmented Reality Vision Link established," the same voice announced as the wave of green digital energy flowed, along with the virtual screens popping out of various places.
"This lane will be starting a Riding Duel," the automated male voice spoke again as the black signs rose from the lane. "All pedestrian vehicles please diverge immediately.
"Lane selection. Two optimum, usable lanes," the male voice announced once again as the screen calculating the appropriate lane was displayed. "Submitting duel lanes to central." The yellow caution sign with 'AUTHORIZATION' written in black on the bottom popped up in the center. "Authorization."
Finally, platforms of the calculated lane began to rise. In the process, a black ticker tape with 'DUEL LANE SET – CAUTION' written in red was shown across the platforms' sides. "A duel will be starting. A duel will be starting," the male voice still spoke. "All pedestrian vehicles please diverge immediately. A duel will be starting. A duel will be starting."
"There's no way I'm gonna let you harm any more of these people!" Mira vowed.
"We shall see about that, Wielder!" Thanatos barked.
After the decks inside both duelists' Wrist Dealers automatically shuffled, both players drew five cards apiece.
"Turbo Duel, acceleration!" they both shouted.
THANATOS: 4000 LP / MIRA: 4000 LP
THANATOS: 0 SPC / MIRA: 0 SPC
"I shall start this duel!" Thanatos declared, drawing his card. "And right away, I shall activate a Spell Card!"
"With no Speed Counters?!" Mira exclaimed. "Is that even possible?"
"In this case, it is! I activate the Spell Card that shall determine whether or not a Wielder such as yourself lives or dies! I activate…
"CRONUS' SPIRIT BATTLE!"
He took a card from his hand and ruthlessly swiped it into his Disk's Spell/Trap Card Zone slot. Almost instantly, the entire Turbo Duel lane was engulfed by streaks of blue fire. Mira watched in horror—this couldn't possibly be part of augmented reality, as she herself could actually feel the intense heat from the flames.
"Once I am through with you," Thanatos declared, "my master will be one step closer to achieving his objective!"
TO BE CONTINUED…
FEATURED CARD – CHRONICLE 007
Evilswarm Bahamut
DARK/Dragon – Xyz – Effect/Rank 4/2350/1350
2 Level 4 "lswarm" monsters
Once per turn, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card and discard 1 "lswarm" monster to take control of 1 face-up monster your opponent controls.
EXCLUSIVE CARDS
Gate Blocker 2
EARTH/Rock – Effect/6/100/3000
You can Tribute 1 "Gate Blocker" to Special Summon this card from your hand. Your opponent cannot gain Speed Counters with the effect of "Speed World" Field Spell Cards.
Image: A dark turquoise and ruby-colored tablet with two eyes on top of each other, both of which have red irises
Origination: Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's anime – Episode 31 – Hometown and Friends, Tag Riding of Reunion
(NOTE: This card's effect has been modified to keep up-to-date with the continuity of "Speed World" Field Spell Cards.)
Next time, on Yu-Gi-Oh! EXELIXI…
The Turbo Duel between Mira and Thanatos has just begun! And already, things aren't looking too good—especially with Thanatos's Spell Card!
"Whenever any of us summons or reveals a Monster Card that has a Level or a Rank, it will gain Life Star Counters equal to that monster's own Level or Rank. And they will need lots of them; for during each of our End Phases, one Life Star Counter will be removed from all of our monsters that have them. Once a monster runs out of them, it is destroyed!"
So that means if I want to avoid getting my monsters destroyed, I'll need monsters that have no Levels or Ranks, Mira thought. But there's one problem…none of such cards exist!
If I don't find a way to beat this guy, I'll end up like Ushio! …Or probably worse!
Elsewhere, a certain friend discovers the ruse!
"So, she did go out!" Homanu cried, clenching the note. Turning to the sleeping Kero in his hammock, Homanu shook his friend on the shoulder, causing him to fall out of the hammock. "Whadja do that for?!" Kero whined.
"Kero, you gotta come with me," Homanu sternly told him. "Mira's gone out to help Ushio, and we gotta stop her before she gets into trouble!"
"But Homanu, it's sleepy time!"
"'Sleepy time' will have to wait!" Homanu said, hurriedly changing into his riding clothes. "Our friend's life is at stake!"
Indeed, her life is at stake-and things will eventually get worse!
"Evilswarm Ouroboros, attack Destiny Hero Dread Guy! Evil Trident Flare!" Three bursts of sinister purple fire shot out of each of the dragon's heads. The flames struck at the muscular chained hero, incinerating him and resulting in an explosion. The force was so great, it actually flung Mira off her Runner, crashing into a wall. [LP: 3400 – 0650]
"MIRA!" Homanu shouted at the top of his lungs, his eyes starting to well up with tears.
But is all hope really lost?
"Mira…she's back!" Kero cried in happiness.
"What?!" Thanatos gasped, pulling on the reigns to get his steer to run again. "How is this possible?! As soon as I attacked you, you looked like you were lifeless!"
"That is what you wanted to think," Mira spoke in a tone slightly deeper from her usual voice. "But as her entrusted Iroa, I absolutely refuse to permit you to harm her!"
"'Entrusted Iroa'?" Kero wondered. "Homanu, what's she talking about?" Homanu didn't answer; he was just thankful his friend was alive.
"As the Iroa of Darkness, I shall show you what happens when you dare try to harm my host!" Mira shouted boldly, her left iris suddenly shifting from red to green underneath the Gazer's lens.
Will Mira win this duel of life and death? And how is it possible for Mira to recover after enduring such a deadly attack?
Stay tuned for the next Chronicle: "Evilswarm Thanatos"!