Chapter 7: Feelings remembered!

Episode Basis: Feelings Towards the Cards! Crystal Skull Vs. Great Cattle Demon

Just a few minutes after the last duel, Himuro and Yusei were in place on the dueling field. While Yanagi was concerned about Yusei, Lua was sure Yusei could win but Himuro just wanted to make sure, "Satellite punk, do you know how to duel?" Yusei answered, "You'll find out soon enough." But Himuro didn't believe him as he smugly grinned and said, "You're just gonna quickly fail and embarrass yourself." The spectators on Himuro's side agreed, "If you want to quit, now's the time." "What can you do with that lame deck?" "Himuro, finish him off fast." Those comments made Lua angry and he was about to yell at them. He just couldn't let anyone who insulted those he cared about get away with it. But Yusei turned his head to Lua, as if he knew what Lua was going to say, and shook his head indicating that it's all right. Lua was about protest, but he knew Yusei better so he didn't and nodded in understanding. Yanagi looked at Lua and asked, "Sonny, are you sure about this?" Lua turned his head to Yanagi and replid with a grin of his own, "Don't worry, he'll be fine. Just watch and see for yourself."

Yanagi seemed to understand Lua as he remembered seeing the Crimson Dragon come out of the duel stadium and gazed at Yusei again. "You... Who are you?" he asked quietly so no one could hear him. Lua, however, was also worried about Yusei. He just didn't want to admit it.

"You're going to learn your place." Himuro said as he and Yusei readied their duel disks. Then, they gave the signal to begin. "Duel!"


Yusei: 4000, Hand size: 5

Himuro: 4000, Hand size: 5


"My turn! I draw!" Himuro announced as he started the duel with his turn and draw. Once he glanced at the card he drew, he let out a sinister grin. "From my hand, I summon Landmine Spider!"

Landmine Spider (TCG name: Jirai Gumo)

Level 4

Insect/Effect

Earth

ATK: 2200; DEF: 100

"It appeared!" Yanagi panicked while Himuro's gang grined with one of them saying, "All right! He already summoned it on the first turn. Landmine Spider is Level 4, but it has 2200 attack points! Himuro, give him the jitters!"

Himuro then announced, "I set two cards. I end my turn." Yusei didn't seem worried as he took a look at the cards in his hand. Nor did Lua as he knew the effect of Landmine Spider, but Yanagi did worry until Yusei spoke to get his attention, "Grandpa. A duel breathes life into cards. It's the role of the duelist to give them that life. If the cards felt pain when they were stepped on, then it is the role of the duelist to win and give them happiness."

Unknown to anyone in the duel arena, the duel was being watched by the warden of the detention centre, Takasu. He was a large fat man with large arms, giving a bulky appearance. He seemed rather uncouthly too as he shown by pulling his nose hair and blowing it. He picked the telephone and made a call.

Apparently, he was contacting Godwin, who was escorting Jack to his mansion. "Understood. Please continue to keep an eye on them." Godwin said after hearing the report. He hung up and told Jack, "The man from Satellite has started dueling at the detention centre." Jack simply grunted knowing Godwin mentioned Yusei, but deep down he was still concerned about Lua. As if he knew, Godwin added, "The boy is watching the duel, so he is fine."

As they entered Godwin's mansion, Godwin spoke, "King, I'm taking you to a room that you have never seen before." The inside of the mansion seemed to have ancient portraits as walls as they moved forward until they reached an elevator. As he passed identification security equipment, Godwin said, "I'll give you a glimpse of the true nature of the Public Maintenance Department." The elevator went down and it seemed to go on until it reached the very bottom.

By the time it did, the door opened. Godwin and Jack walked down a hallway which was lit with flames. Jack glanced at the walls, both sides decorated in a strange pattern. Ahead was a large door that seemed to be in Aztec design. The door opened but when they entered, the floor glowed and Jack looked back to see the door closing.

"Please calm yourself and look forward." Jack did as Godwin instructed and surprised to see what they were in was not another room. It looked more like a temple. On the archway to the temple was a picture of a dragon. Jack noticed something about that picture and checked his signer arm. "Have you noticed it?" Goodwin asked. "King, the mark you have on your arm symbolizes the wings of the Crimson Dragon."

"Crimson Dragon..." Jack said. Goodwin answered, "Yes. The Crimson Dragon you saw at Duel Stadium, King." Jack looked up remembering the Crimson Dragon Goodwin mentioned and something else.

Back at the duel in the detention centre, Yusei signaled, "It's my turn." And he looked at the card he drew.


Yusei: 4000, Hand size: 6

Himuro: 4000, Hand size: 3


It's name was Triangle O. "I had that card in my hand last time." Yanagi noted. Yusei placed the mentioned card into his hand was about to play another when, "Wait! If you summon that, you'll take 1000 points of damage!" Lua said. Yusei looked at Lua for a moment, as if he didn't believe what he heard. "I summon Crystal Skull in defense position!" But he did play it, and its effect activated. "Yusei!" Lua yelled. The gang laughed but Himuro didn't as he said, "You're messing around. Go ahead and self-destruct." But Yusei suprised Himuro and Lua by responding, "Self-destruct? Why would I do that? From my hand, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Curse Reflection Doll!" Yanagi was surprised as he said, "That card is..." A paper doll came out of the spell card and went right into the beam of Crystal Skull's effect. Then it turned black and split into thousands of the same doll, heading straight for Himuro. "What?" Himuro was surprised and not sure of what's happening until the the dolls came into contact with him and he suddenly braced for impact.


Himuro: 4000-3000

Yusei: 4000


"What's going on? Himuro lost 1000 life points!" One of the gang members asked with another adding, "And that Satellite punk took zero damage, even though he was the one who summoned Crystal Skull." Himuro wanted to know as well, so he asked "What did you do? What was that card?" Yusei answered, "Curse Reflection Doll. Due to its effect, the damage I take becomes zero, and you take damage equal to what I would have taken." Himuro growled at that and the gang was surprised and didn't believe it. "He dealt Crystal Skull's damage to Himuro." "You used the curse of Crystal Skull to your advantage." Yanagi was amazed himself when he said that. Lua was so amazed he couldn't speak. Yusei said, "The card answered me. Though derided as useless, Crystal Skull gains great power due to the power of its friends." Yanagi asked "Friends?" Lua snapped out of his amazement as he remembered Yusei telling him the same thing before. "That's right! The cards you gathered are its friends." Yusei smiled as Lua told Yanagi.

Yusei actually noticed that Lua was so depressed of losing his own cards, he started to feel doubt about everything around him and hoped that the move he pulled off and what he said would reach Lua. And it did. Yanagi was happy too as he looked at Lua then Yusei. "You look up to him, don't you lad?" Lua answered, "Yeah. He's been like a big brother to me for as long as I can remember." Yanagi added, "I can see why. He's incredible." Himuro's gang wasn't convinced though as one of them said, "Himuro, that was just luck. There's no way you can lose to a Satellite punk!" But they were surprised when Himuro answered, "You're wrong." Himuro was scowling at first, but his face turned into a grin as he added, "It wasn't luck. That other boy did say they were stripped of their decks. And it means they actually know how to duel. It's getting me excited. For the first time in a while, I can battle seriously." "I end my turn." Yusei announced. The gang seemed nervous as the member from before gulped and noted, "This is the first time I've seen Himuro look like that."

"My turn! I draw!" Himuro announced.


Himuro: 3000; Hand size: 4

Yusei: 4000; Hand size: 4


Himuro narrowed his eyes in cunning sort of way when he looked at the card he drew. He began his turn by saying "I tribute Landmine Spider to summon Cattle Demon!" Yanagi was confused though. "Why? Landmine Spider has higher attack points." Lua answered, "Yeah, but it also has a nasty effect. When it attacks, you have to toss a coin and call heads or tails. If wrong, the player using it loses half of their life points." Yanagi understood then. "Oh. So if Himuro attacked with Landmine Spider and called it wrong..." "His life points would've become 1500." Lua finished. Two of the gang added, "Smart kid. But that's not the real reason!" "The real show is about to start!"

"I tribute Cattle Demon to Special Summon Great Cattle Demon!" And the monster used to defeat Yanagi made its grand appearance once again. Himuro then went to Battle Phase and announced, "Great Cattle Demon, attack Crystal Skull!" The gang cheered, "Himuro is attacking!" "Do it!" "Oh no! Yusei doesn't have any set cards to stop the attack!" Lua yelled as Yanagi was just as worried. Yusei just narrowed his eyes as Great Cattle Demon closes in. "Specter's Bite!" The attack crushed Crystal Skull to many pieces before it turned into a pixels and disappeared.

Himuro continued by saying, "Great Cattle Demon's monster effect! When this card destroys one of your monsters in battle, it is allowed to attack again! Attack him directly!" Great Cattle Demon let out what looked a smoky breath but is actually spider thread since it wrapped around Yusei when making contact.


Yusei: 4000-1400


"Big Bro Yusei!" "Sonny!" Lua and Yanagi got worried, but the gang were excited, one of them complementing Himuro. "He did it." Another talking bad about Yusei. "He's all talk." Himuro smirked as he said, "I end my turn. Now summon a monster!"

Meanwhile, at the underground temple, Goodwin explained everything to Jack from the beginning. "Neo Domino City's Public Maintenance Department is just our current incarnation. We have inherited the power of the people of the stars who brings peace to the world. It's name is Iliaster." "Iliaster?" Jack asked. Goodwin answered, "The word means 'the first matter of all things.' Government, economy, military, everything that controls the world is run by the people who swear allegiance to Iliaster. I, Rex Goodwin, am the 360th star guardian."

Back at the duel, Yusei drew for his turn.


Yusei: 1400; Hand size: 5

Himuro: 3000; Hand size; 2


"From my hand, I summon Ashoka Pillar in defense position!" Yusei said as the Ashoka Pillar appeared like before. But the gang just laughed at it. "There's another one. A useless stick that only has high defense points." "Hurry up and destroy this one too!" "Be quiet." Himuro ordered, which shocked the gang, Yanagi and Lua. Himuro turned back to Yusei and said, "Let me see how much you can squeeze out of that deck." Yusei continued, "From my hand, I activate the Equip Spell Stonehenge." And after he placed the card into a card slot, a hologram showing a structure to ruins found in England appeared.

Yusei explained, "With Stonehenge, I can Special Summon a monster with zero attack points from the graveyard and equip this on it." A light appeared as Yusei announced, "I Special Summon Crystal Skull in defense position." By the time Crystal Skull appeared again, its effect completely hit Yusei.


Yusei: 1400-400


The gang laughed, "Himuro, you're overestimating him." "Bring out Crystal Skull? Is there no limit to his insanity?" But Himuro answered, "No, you're wrong. After Great Cattle Demon destroys a monster, it can battle again. If he doesn't have two monsters on his field, his life points will instantly become zero." The gang looked shocked as one of them said, "So those two monsters are just for blocking purposes." "I see. He chose a way to survive Himuro's attack, even if that meant taking damage." "But he made a mistake." Himuro mentioned. "What do you mean?" All of the gang was just as curious as the one who asked that question. Himuro answered, "When Ashoka Pillar is destroyed, he takes 2000 points of damage." Yanagi agreed, "That's right, sonny. If Great Cattle Demon attacks you, it's over." Yusei merely responded, "Do you really believe that?" Yanagi got confused from that, but Lua gave out a small smirk as Yusei took another card from his hand. "I set one card and end my turn." Yusei signalled for his turn. Himuro thought, "Like I thought, he placed a trap. However...' and said out loud, "That what's I'm aiming for." That made Lua confused himself.

At the temple, Goodwin and Jack walked closer to the temple as Goodwin continued explaining, "Iliaster. It originated 3000 years ago in the Andes Mountains of South America." An ancient picture with some inscriptions on the inside of the arch proved it. "King, let me lead you to the pre-Inca civilization." And with that, Goodwin raised his hand then a light enveloped the whole place and soon got replaced by clouds. Jack looked down at first then forward to see what appeared to be a floating island with a temple similar to the one they were at before. Goodwin explained, "In the past, the people of the stars built the giant stone civilization known as the temple of heaven. They revered the dragon star, which was said to govern all of creation, as their god. All the wisdom held by the stars was handed down to the ruler, the Star Dragon King." The Star Dragon King was the one wearing unique clothing among the people of Inca worshipping the temple where one star among the others in sky glowed crimson...

Goodwin continued, "Through the Star Dragon King, the people were led by the stars, and they built a unique society and civilization. However, as it happens quite often, evil wars threatened the peace. When that happened, the Star Dragon King prayed to the dragon star for salvation. And the dragon star answered. The Crimson Dragon, which is the incarnation of god, came down and sealed the incarnation of evil into the ground." "Into the ground?" Jack asked. "Yes." Goodwin answered. "Right here." Raising his hand again to image of the temple was replaced with a full view of... "The Nazca Lines?"

Back at the duel, Himuro signaled, "My turn. I draw!"


Himuro: 3000; Hand size: 3

Yusei: 400; Hand size: 2


The card he drew was Apostle of Obliteration (TCG name: Nobleman of Crossout). He couldn't use at this moment but it didn't matter. "I'll see the identity of your set card. Battle!" Great Cattle Demon prepared to attack which scared Lua and Yanagi who exclaimed, "Stay away!" Himuro then ordered, "Great Cattle Demon, attack Ashoka Pillar! Specter's Bite!" But just before the attack hit, "I activate the Continuous Trap Totem Pole!" Yusei's set card revealed itself and turned into a totem pole. One of the faces shot out of the pole and took the attack. Himuro was surprised, Yanagi and Lua cheered, "Incredible!" and the gang was shocked.

Yusei explained, "Totem Pole negates your monsters' attacks up to three times." Yanagi complemented, "That's pretty good I didn't it had that effect." Lua was surprised to hear that when he asked, "You didn't?" Yanagi nodded, "It's true. I only..." but he was interrupted by Himuro laughing causing them both to look at him. "You fell into my trap, Satellite punk." Himuro said making Yusei wonder what he meant until, "I activate the Continuous Trap Spiderweb Castle!" Just after the mentioned card lit up, many spiderwebs appeared until they formed a Japanese castle. Himuro explained, "Spiderweb Castle can activate when the opponent activates a trap. With this card, when your monster attacks, that monster's attack points are halved. Furthermore, if I send this card to the graveyard, I can attack you directly. There's no way you can win, Satellite punk!" Lua shouted, "Don't so sure! Yusei will show what he can do on his next turn!" "But you heard what he said." Yanagi told him, but Lua only added, "Don't worry, grandpa. I'm sure Yusei will." "But..." "Trust me." Yanagi was still worried but he decided to try. Yusei smiled as he heard Lua say what he did.

Himuro then announced, "I set one card and end my turn." He then thought, 'Now come at me. My field is perfect. With Pitfall (TGC name: Trap Hole), if you summon a monster with 1000 or more attack points, it will be destroyed. If you try to attack, Holy Barrier - Mirror Force (TGC name: Mirror Force) will destroy all your monsters in attack position. Still I look forward to see if the boy is right about you. After all, this duel has me fired up. I've forgotten how this felt.'


Flashback

'It reminds me of that time...' Himuro thought as he remembered what he enjoyed a long time ago. 'The exciting world of professional dueling. And my final opponent...' It was Jack Atlas who just attacked, destroying his Great Cattle Demon and reducing his life points to 0 that turn. Later Himuro was sitting on the ground when Jack came and took off his helmet. "You said you were good enough to face the King, but this was all you could do? This was the worst duel ever." Himuro's face was shown already in shock. 'After that, I kept falling. I quit being a professional. However, I couldn't abandon dueling.' It was true as it showed a duel happening in one the places commonly known as The Underground, with Himuro being a participant. 'I competed underground against hooligans and barely pulled off victories. I clung on to victories among the garbage. I was completely absorbed in illegal duels until I finally ended up here.' It was proved illegal as money was handed over to those who won a bet, then he was seen drinking alcohol. 'What a pathetic story.'

End Flashback


'I like you since you were able to get me this excited. I can't lose this duel!'

Yusei announced, "It's my turn." He looked at the deck. 'I believe in you. Let's show grandpa your victory. The same victory Lua believes in. If I can just get one more monster... Come!' Suspicion was held as he drew his next card.


Yusei: 400; Hand size: 3

Himuro: 3000; Hand size: 2


After looking at the card he drew, Yusei smirked, making Himuro gasp. The gang was just as shocked. "He smiled." Yanagi was in shock too but Lua gave a toothy grin.

Yusei said, "I activate the spell card Piri Reis Map!" The gang no longer looked shocked after Yusei played the card. "Who cares. That's just a map." Yanagi responded, "You shouldn't underestimate it! Piri Reis Map is from the Middle Ages..." "There he goes again." One of the members complained then the other intrepputed, "We've had enough of your stories!"

Yusei explained, "Piri Reis Map allows me to add one monster with 0 attack points in my deck to my hand." The selected card was slotted out of the deck so Yusei can add it to his hand. And then, "I summon the card that was added to my hand. Cabrera Stone!"

Cabrera Stone

Level 1

Rock/Effect

Earth

ATK: 0; DEF: 0

After it appeared, a vibration was let out of it.


Yusei: 400-200


"What's that rock?" One of the gang members asked. Yanagi answered, "It's Cabrera Stone! It's incredible. Humans and dinosaurs..." "Enough of your talk!" The gang interrupted, just before Yanagi continued, "But what a spectacle! Crystal Skull, Cabrera Stone and Ashoka Pillar! I'm getting goosebumps! You can't see this in any museum!" Himuro was curious though as he said, "What's the meaning of this? Due to Piri Reis Map's effect, if you summon the card you added to your hand, your life points are halved. Now you only have 200 life points. Why did you choose that card?"

Yusei had his eyes closed that time but the time he opened them, he answered, "To win." Himuro looked confused so Yusei explained, "When Crystal Skull, Ashoka Pillar and Cabrera Stone are on my field, there's a card that I can activate." Yanagi and Himuro noticed as Yanagi said "That's..." Then Lua cheered loudly, "Go, Yusei!" Yusei then called "I activate the spell card Triangle O!" Just then, a glowing circle appeared, split into three and revealed to be a large triangle. Within the triangle, the three monsters on Yusei's field began to crack. Suddenly, "What? It's even coming on to my field?" Himuro said in shock. Just then the castle and Great Cattle Demon took the effect the same way as the three monsters before did. Himuro yelled, "What?" and his gang was in shock. "They'll all be destroyed!" Yanagi was amazed when he said, "Awesome! So this is the power of Triangle O!"

Yusei explained, "Triangle O destroys all cards on the field." As the castle disappeared, the monsters shattered into pieces. "Then the damage I would have taken due to the destroyed cards' effects will be dealt to you." And as Yusei said, the pieces of the Skull, Stone and Pillar headed straight for Himuro.


Himuro: 3000-0


Himuro fell to one knee in loss as the duel was over. Himuro's rushed over to him. "Himuro! Are you okay?" Yanagi cheered, "Sonny, you're awesome! You won by reflecting 3000 points of damage that you were going to take. I didn't think it was possible." Yusei turned around and asked Lua specifically, "Do you understand now?" Lua smiled as he answered, "Yeah. I almost forgot what you taught me, but I remember now. Any card can be good. It all depends on the duelist." Yusei grinned then said to Yanagi, "Don't worry, I was only fulfilling the wishes of the cards." Yanagi teared up as he said, "Sonny." and jumped to hug and tried to kiss Yusei, though Yusei held him back. Lua chuckled at the sight.

As Himuro stood up, his gang wasn't pleased though. "He defeated Himuro without even battling once." "That punk! How dare he do this to Himuro!" But just before they could even move, "Wait!" Himuro held his arms up to stop them. "Himuro..." Himuro walked up to Yusei and the others and said, "You won without even attacking once. You were chosen by the cards. That was a good strategy. I'm amazed." Yanagi finally got off of Yusei who handed him back his deck. Himuro continued, "I didn't know a duel like this was possible. What's your name?" "Yusei." he answered. Himuro turned to Lua. "And you are?" "I'm Lua. About how I ended up here, I was driving a D-Wheel." Lua answered. Himuro grinned. "So it was you. I heard a mention about a boy being sent here for riding a D-Wheel under-age. Just wanted to know if it's true myself." Lua then understood. "That's why you offered your room to have me placed in." Himuro answered, "Yeah." Then he turned to Yanagi. "Grandpa, I'm sorry that I stepped on your cards." Yanagi said, "It's fine. More importantly, look at this." He show Himuro his cards. "Doesn't it look like Crystal Skull is smiling?" He talked to Yusei and Lua "Sonny, you're really incredible! And lad, if you learned how to duel from him, you must be just as incredible!" Lua chuckled sheepishly, "I don't know if I could be as good as Yusei." Himuro spoke out, "I agree with him. It would be a waste if you two were stuck here. I want to send you to the world of pros." Yusei grinned and Lua chuckled. Himuro asked Yusei, "Will you duel me again?" And Yusei answered, "Anytime." And they shook hands until, "Numbers 88 and 89!" Just arriving at the arena was the security guard who was just escorted Yusei and the others to their cells with three other guard. The ones he addressed were Yusei and Lua respectively. "The chief wants a word with you two. Come with us." Yusei and Himuro looked stern while Yanagi and Lua worried, all four wondering what the chief warden wanted with Yusei and Lua.

Back with Jack and Goodwin, they were seeing the Nazca Lines from the distance of the sky. Goodwin explained as we see flashbacks of war and devastation, "The evil was sealed into the ground, but like rain water seeping underground over time, it has seeped all over the world. Look at the current world. War, poverty, incurable illnesses, economic chaos. There is no peace from the era of the people of the stars. The only utopia is Neo Domino City. You must understand by now. In the near future, the evil god sealed in Nazca will resurrect. It will feed on the evil of people's hearts." Jack seemed shocked as he said, "What?" Goodwin continued, "We are preparing for the day when the evil god resurrects and will summon the Crimson Dragon that will protect the people. We are searching for Signers that have the mark of the dragon." Jack looked at his mark once again and pondered, "With this mark, that means I'm one of them." and wondered to himself, could Yusei and Lua be among the Signers too?

My thanks and apologies with everyone who waited for this chapter. I was able to make a start on it some months ago but I've been so busy with the apprenticeship and hobbies that I was starting to lose interest. When Demonic Hellfire just added my story to favourites last week and asked to update it I was reminded that 5d's is my favourite Yu-Gi-Oh series, so thanks for the reminder and the favourite, Hellfire. I was able to most of it on Saturday but had such a headache after that. just finished it this British night. I hope this is well worth it. For the Fortune Cup chapters, I'm just about to set a poll so I can know whether to make it double elimination like I thought I could or have it like the anime.

For originality, I may not have such characters, but that doesn't mean I won't use original cards! I may use cards from future arcs as well but only those that support the cards used in 5d's, not XYZ. As for original cards, I may need to borrow at least a few from Earth Beast for story purposes. If anyone has original cards to offer, I can accept but no overpowering cards.

Thank you for your time.