The weeks seemed to fly by since Toru completed his Duel Runner. While it still needed more work, it was improving on every day. Tatsuya was certain it was only a matter of time before Toru decided to go ahead with his plans to move to the city.
The week prior...
Toru continued to tinker with his Duel Runner, tweaking a few nuts and bolts as he looked over his prized machine. Wiping a his brow, he stood up from his work and set his wrench down.
"Whew! That ought to do it for now," Toru breathed, plopping down in the chair he had set up by the vehicle.
A knock came to the door, prompting Toru to answer it. Opening the door, he found Tatsuya standing in the doorway.
"Sup Toru?" Tatsuya greeted, getting a fist bump from his best friend.
"How you doin' Tatsuya?" Toru asked as he walked back to the chair and sat down, leaning back for comfort.
"Not too bad, just been tinkering with my deck to see what other strategies I can put into place," Tatsuya frowned. "So far there's not much I can add to it."
"Have you tried any Synchros? They help a lot you know," Toru inputted, getting a sigh out of Tatsuya.
"I've tried, but none of them appeal much to me. That is, not many of them work with the deck without it being completely changed around. It just messes with the synergy too much," Tatsuya muttered.
"I gotcha. Yeah, your deck relies on discarding a lot. Hmm...there's gotta be a good card for that," Toru mumbled to himself.
"Ah! I've got it!" Toru declared, scampering over to his shelves to pull down a binder full of cards.
"These are cards I've drawn from packs over the years. I know how your deck works and I think I have just the two cards to give you the edge and some more muscle!" Toru declared.
"You don't have to do this Toru. I can find a good card on my—"
"Nuh uh, no sir. You helped me out last month, so I'm helping you in return," Toru decided, flipping through his binder until he came across the cards he wanted.
"Perfect! Here, take a look at these," Toru stated, holding up two cards for Tatsuya to see.
One of the cards was named Fabled Valkyrus, while the other was named Fabled Raven.
"Light aligned?" Tatsuya questioned, getting a nod from Toru.
"They may seem out of sync with your primarily Dark deck, but they're also Fiends. And check out the sweet effects!" Toru beamed.
"Let's see...Fabled Raven. Discard any number of cards and gain 400 attack and one level for each card until the end of the turn? Whoa...that's actually pretty good. And it's a tuner. Okay, Fabled Valkyrus' effect is...also viable for this deck. Why didn't I think of this before? Then again, I never actually had much interest in the Fabled cards, but these two are the exception, thanks Toru," Tatsuya smiled.
"Not a problem! Also, if you discard your Dark World Monsters with high levels, you'll be able to really do some damage," Toru added with a nod.
Tatsuya nodded and took out his deck, shuffling a few of the cards into the side-deck and adding the new cards into it.
"I guess this makes us even huh?" Tatsuya stated, getting a chuckle out of Toru.
"You bet it does! Though I'm still a bit salty that you met Sherry Leblanc before me," Toru grinned. "Buuuut since you helped me out, I can let that go."
Tatsuya rolled his eyes and lightly nudged his friend.
"So, what's the plan after you finish your Duel Runner? Gonna enter the WRGP? You need a team you know," Tatsuya beamed.
Toru grinned and sat back down in his chair.
"I've already got a plan for that. I plan on moving to the city pretty soon. Crash Town's getting a bit rough nowadays and I don't think I can stick around much longer with the Malcom and Ramon Groups running around like they have been," Toru sighed.
"I agree with you there. Their shenanigans are getting way out of hand," Tatsuya muttered.
"You're not kidding. I hear another duelist got dragged off to the mines the other night. Losing comes with a high price with those people. I'd get in there and handle them myself, but I am not about to blow my chance at competing in the WRGP. So I'm staying out of that mess," Toru said firmly.
"It's probably for the best. Even Klaus doesn't get involved. Then again, not many of them want to duel with Klaus because of how tough he is. They mostly leave him alone," Tatsuya said with a shrug.
"It's because the old man kicks ass when he duels. His deck has to be the most annoying one around. I honestly don't know how you managed to beat it," Toru stated, scratching his head in confusion.
"Grapha helped a lot. He's actually what finished that match," Tatsuya laughed.
"That's right! You created that deck the day you beat Klaus didn't you? I remember you sayin' you were collecting cards to create your best deck yet," Toru remembered.
"And so far, it still is..."
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's
Arc One - Sixth Turn - Finding Nico
WRGP WC
The Dark Oppressor
Tatsuya looked down at the new Synchro monster in his hand. It was the first time he'd ever added one to his deck. Needless to say, he wanted to test it out at some point. He was certain an opportunity would come along eventually. It was never a matter of if, but when it would come.
"Tatsuya!" Cried West as he ran towards the front porch of Tatsuya's house.
West came to a halt in front of the house and began to pant in exhaustion. He had clearly been running for a while.
"What's up West? You look worried," Tatsuya observed.
"I-I can't find Nico! I've been looking everywhere for her!" West shouted in exasperation.
"Have you checked the hideout?" Tatsuya blinked, getting a nod from West.
"We've gotta go find her right now! C'mon!" West pleaded. "I saw those two gangs roaming the town. Nico could be in trouble!"
"The Malcom and Ramon Group?" Tatsuya breathed, worry coming over him as he thought of Nico in the midst of them.
"Tatsuya!" Klaus' voice rang out, causing both of them to turn towards the old man as he came running. "Something terrible has happened!"
"Does it have anything to do with the Malcom and Ramon Group?" Tatsuya inquired.
Catching his breath, Klaus nodded.
"It looks like things are heating up between the two. They've gotten more wreckless than ever!" Klaus frowned, glancing down at West in confusion.
"West? Where's Nico?" Klaus demanded.
"I don't know! I looked for her this morning, but she wasn't there! She wasn't at the hideout either," West exclaimed.
"Not at the hideout? That can't be good..." Klaus grimaced, palming his face and dragging his hand down. "Tatsuya, you go on ahead and look for Nico. West, you'll be staying here."
"But I wanna help!"
"You'll do nothing of the sort! You may be able to duel but those groups are more experienced and don't play fair! I'll not have you taken in by them!" Klaus growled.
"But I-"
West felt Tatsuya's hand on his shoulder and looked up.
"Sorry West, but I'm gonna need you to sit this one out. I know you want to find your sister, but gramps is right. We can't afford to have you taken away from us. I don't think I could forgive myself if that ever happened," Tatsuya stated, giving West a calm reassuring look.
West hugged Tatsuya tightly and then stepped back.
"Bring Nico back safely you hear?" West said with a determined look.
"Don't you worry. I'm sure she's found her way back to the hideout by now. She's a resourceful girl," Tatsuya smirked, turning to Klaus with a serious expression.
"Keep him safe gramps. Not that I have to tell you that," Tatsuya stated before turning to head north.
"Good luck, Tatsuya," Klaus said silently, watching as his grandson took off to look for Nico.
Be careful Tatsuya. Those men are more dangerous than you think. They use unnecessary force and will not hesitate to do so. I can only hope your training was enough. Though you beat me once, I can't be certain that it will mean you will be able to defeat them...
Nico pressed herself against the wall of one of the houses in the middle of town. Keeping her breathing shallow, she silently peered around the corner as a few men wearing similar uniforms consisting of cowboy hats, vests and boots, walked by.
Why are they out so early? Are they just there to cause trouble? Nico thought with a worried look.
Her worry only grew as she spotted a familiar man walking beside them.
Dad!? Nico mentally gasped, her heart racing faster than it was before.
"So Sergio, tonight's the big duel. Are you ready to show that Ramon group what you're made of?" One of the men inquired with a grin.
"If it means that I'll be able to put more on the table for my family, then yes," Sergio said with a faint smile.
What are you thinking father!? Those men are dangerous!
"If you win tonight's duel, you'll be rewarded with more than enough to feed your kids," Another man chuckled.
"I can only hope so," Sergio replied, following the two men back to the Malcom base.
I've got to tell Klaus about this...
Nico turned to run but quickly withdrew as soon as she saw a member of the Ramon group coming from the side of the building she was hiding behind.
"So that's who they're recruiting to duel against us huh? He doesn't look very strong to me. It should be a breeze to take him down," the young man laughed.
Nico stepped back and slowly worked her way around the other side of the building so she could head toward the hideout. However, as she went to make a break for it, she tripped and fell.
The youth turned around and spotted Nico getting up from the ground and dusting off her dress.
Looks like I've found myself a playmate. She's got a Duel Disk too it looks like, the young man grinned, taking note of the holster and Gun-style Duel Disk at her hip.
"What do we have here? Aren't you a little young to be running around on your own?" The dirty blonde stated, approaching Nico with a sly grin.
Nico whipped around at the remark and frowned.
"I'm fifteen, I'm not a kid," Nico growled.
The young man shrugged.
"Your face looks young to me, if it weren't for your assets, I'd have mistaken you for a little girl," he teased.
Nico hugged her chest and narrowed her eyes.
"Pervert!" She spat.
The young man rolled his eyes and activated his Duel Disk.
"How about we cut the chit chat and duel? As much as I'd love to continue with our exchange, I'd rather get a warmup match in before tonight," he said with a smirk.
As he stepped forward, he was suddenly nailed hard in the back by a swift palm-heel strike that sent him sliding on his face in the sand. Nico looked up and her face brightened as she saw a familiar set of amethyst eyes.
"Tatsuya!" She exclaimed, rushing to hug her friend.
"You okay Nico?" Tatsuya asked with a stoic gaze, his eyes not leaving the man he'd just struck.
Nico nodded and looked back as the young man caught his breath and slowly stood up, staggering a bit before whirling around to glare at Tatsuya.
"What's the big idea!?" He fumed. "You trying to kill me or something?"
"If you had hurt Nico in any way, sending you to the infirmary wouldn't have been off the table," Tatsuya hissed, fixing the ruffian with a glare.
"You wouldn't dare! And even if you did, the Ramon Group would destroy you," he barked.
"You really think I care about that? You guys are just a bunch of nobody's pretending to play gods," Tatsuya frowned. "It's pathetic..."
"Pathetic!? I'll show you! I, Scotch of the Ramon Group, challenge you to a duel!" He declared holding up his disk with a scowl.
Tatsuya sighed and tapped the mechanism on his Duel Disk and activated it. The dark Deck Zone jutted out from both sides and the Life Point Counter appeared on the glowing violet screen.
"Duel!"
- Duel -
Scotch - 4000 LP
VS
Tatsuya- 4000 LP
- Duel -
"Since I made the challenge, I'm callin' the shots! I'll go first!" Scotch declared, drawing his first card.
FIRST TURN – SCOTCH
"To start things off, I'll be setting one card and activating Zombie World!" Scotch declared, shooting his hand into the air as he snatched up the Field Spell and then slid it dramatically into the Field Spell Zone.
The field soon became shrouded in an eerie mist. Rotting trees rose up from the ground and skeletons and corpses were strewn everywhere. Tatsuya narrowed his eyes. This did not bode well.
"As the name implies, this card makes it so that every monster on the field and in the Graveyard become Zombies. You also won't be able to Tribute Summon anything but a Zombie-Type monster! So to start this off, I set one card face down and a monster in defense mode. I'll end it there," Scotch stated with a smirk.
"My turn then. Draw!" Tatsuya said fiercely.
SECOND TURN - TATSUYA
Tatsuya drew his first card and looked at his hand.
This card isn't of any use right now, but it might later on, Tatsuya thought, reaching for a card in his hand to play.
"I summon Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World! Rise up!" Tatsuya declared with a powerful shout.
The spear-wielding fiend erupted from the depths of Dark World and brandished his deadly weapon, letting out a low hiss of ferocity.
Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World - (Dark/Fiend/Effect) - LV 4 (ATK/1600 DEF/1300)
"Next I'll activate Dark World Dealings! Now each of us draws and discards one card," Tatsuya explained, drawing his card while discarding another.
"Now that I've discarded a card, I'm allowed to activate the effect of the card I just sent to the Graveyard! Come on out, Goldd, Wu Lord of Dark World!" Tatsuya roared, summoning his fiendish ally to the field.
Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World - (Dark/Fiend/Effect) - LV 5 (ATK/2300 DEF/1400)
The mighty fiend swung his golden axe about before slamming the pole end into the ground with a roar.
"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But I'm activating Bottomless Trap Hole! So say goodbye to your Wu-Lord!" Scotch delcared, raising his hand to activate the trap he'd set.
Goldd was suddenly pulled under the arena by a massive green hand, vanishing without a trace, out of play. Tatsuya grimaced at the turn of events.
"Very well then, I'll just attack with Beiige! Dark Spear Strike!" Tatsuya commanded his fiendish soldier.
Beiige snarled and surged forward, accelerating as he swung his spear with lethal force, slashing through the defensive monster, revealing it to be a turtle with a pyramid-shaped shell on its back.
"Thanks for that! Now that my turtle is out of the way, I'm allowed to special summon a monster from my deck as long as it has 2000 defense or lower!" Scotch informed with a devious grin. "And the one I'm choosing is Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon!"
Red-Eyes? That can't be good! Tatsuya thought in alarm.
"To the depths of the underworld you were cast. But even in death your power is not suppressed! Rise up and infect all who dare oppose you! I summon Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon!" Scotch called out.
A terrifying roar erupted from the cemetery-like field, causing the ground to tremble from the force that had been awakened. A decrepit claw burst out of the ground, followed by another that gripped the solid foundation before thrashing its way to the surface, fully revealing itself as it spread its wings and roared one more time.
Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon - (Dark/Zombie/Effect) -LV 7 (ATK/2400 DEF/2000)
Tatsuya clenched his fists as he stared down the decaying monstrosity of a legend. The abomination snarled at Beiige, making it very evident that he was to be the first meal it ate after having been revived. Keeping his focus, Tatsuya continued his turn.
"I set two cards face down and end my turn," Tatsuya stated.
"Good! Now I can start spreading the plague," Scotch sneered. "My draw!"
THIRD TURN - SCOTCH
"I'm going to enjoy this part," Scotch snickered. "I summon Spirit Reaper in attack mode!"
Spirit Reaper - (Dark/Zombie/Effect) - LV 3 (ATK/300 DEF/200)
Up from the ground shot monster that resembled the Grim Reaper himself. Wielding a deadly scythe, the skeletal fiend brandished it before Tatsuya and gave him a devilish grin.
"Next I'll start my assault! Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon, attack Beiige now! Inferno Zombie Breath!" Scotch ordered.
Tatsuya watched as Beiige put his spear up in a defensive manner. Try as he might, the spear-wielder couldn't stand up to the overwhelming force of the might before him. The blast consumed him entirely.
Scotch - 4000 LP
Tatsuya - 3200 LP
"That's not all. Using the effect that Red-Eyes carries, I'm allowed to Special Summon the monster I just destroyed during my battle phase!" Scotch proclaimed, pointing towards the ground as it began to rumble and burst open, revealing Beiige to be on his side of the field now.
Tatsuya tensed up at the sight of his own card being used against him.
"Now, Beiige, attack your former master! Dark Spear Strike!" Scotch ordered.
Tatsuya braced himself as his own monster charged him and slashed through his Life Points.
"And now it's Spirit Reaper's turn! Attack now with Soul Rending Slash!" Scotch commanded.
Spirit Reaper flashed forward and sliced across Tatsuya's abdomen, making him take a knee from the force of the blow, forcing a card to the graveyard.
"Tatsuya!" Nico called out, worried for her friend as she saw him slowly getting up.
"I'm fine Nico, don't worry," Tatsuya muttered, standing back up and fixing Scotch with a fierce stare.
Scotch - 4000 LP
Tatsuya - 1300 LP
"That was payback for hitting me in the back," Scotch growled.
"Well enjoy it while it lasts," Tatsuya smirked. "Because by attacking with Spirit Reaper, you've triggered a card that was sent to my Graveyard by his effect!"
At his words, a deafening roar was heard from the depths of the Graveyard. Suddenly, without warning, the ground burst open and a spiraling vortex of violet light shot towards the sky, parting the heavens with its ethereal glow. Rising up from the ground was a fiend that made Beiige tremble in fear and step backward.
"Meet Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World!" Tatsuya called out.
The terrifying ram horned Fiend growled fiercely and brandished his two pronged staff before slamming it into the ground.
Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World - (Dark/Fiend/Effect) - LV 7 (ATK/2500 DEF/1800)
"What is that thing!?" Scotch demanded, not liking the power it bore.
"Something you're going to regret provoking. Because since he was discarded by Spirit Reapers' effect, his own effect activates, summoning him to the field. But there's one other thing. Since he was sent by your monster and revived, one of two other effects takes place. Now witness his power! Wipe the field clean of his monsters!" Tatsuya bellowed.
In a mighty show of power, Reign-Beaux lifted his staff and channeled dark energies into it, causing lightning to crackle around the staff. Suddenly, a pulse of destructive violet light shot out from the staff and eradicated Scotch's monsters in one fell swoop.
"No! My Red-Eyes!"
"In the grave where it belongs," Tatsuya snapped, getting a fierce stare in return.
"You'll pay for this! I set one card and end my turn!" Scotch snarled.
FOURTH TURN - TATSUYA
"I don't know how to tell you this, but it's over for you..." Tatsuya declared.
"You've got nothing!" Scotch barked.
Tatsuya smirked and reached for a card in his hand.
"Oh I've got something alright. I summon Fabled Raven to the field!" Tatsuya called out.
With a mighty screech, the humanoid with raven red-tipped raven wings soared onto the field, flaring his wings out with a mighty shout as he stared down his foes.
Fabled Raven - (Light/Fiend/Tuner/Effect) -LV 2 (ATK/1300 DEF/1000)
"Ha! What a weakling! He's just a low level weakling!"
"Shut up, wash your neck and wait," Tatsuya glowered, getting a glare in return.
"Fabled Raven isn't like the other creatures in my deck. However, he does offer something that helps them tremendously. The ability to discard any number of cards I want!" Tatsuya declared.
"But first, I'll activate one card I had set from the start. Dark Scheme!" Tatsuya bellowed, raising his hand high to reveal his trap.
"With this card, we each discard two cards in exchange for drawing two. Since I have none, I'll just draw two cards!" Tatsuya declared.
"Next, using Fabled Raven's effect, I'll be discarding one card in my hand to give him 400 Extra attack points and a level!" Tatsuya declared, discarding one of the cards he'd drawn.
"Next, I'll activate the effect of the monster I just sent to the Graveyard! Rise up, Sillva, Warlord of Dark World!" Tatsuya shouted in a commanding tone, beckoning the fiend to his aide.
Sillva, Warlord of Dark World - (Dark/Fiend/Effect) -LV 5 (ATK/2300 DEF/1400)
"There's one other thing I may have forgotten to mention. Fabled Raven is a tuner monster," Tatsuya revealed, getting a startled reaction from Scotch. "And judging by your face, you know what's about to happen..."
"Y-You wouldn't," Scotch stammered.
"I would and I will! I tune my level three Fabled Raven with my level five Sillva to bring forth, Fabled Valkyrus! Come forth!" Tatsuya commanded.
The skies darkened and lightning split the sky before crashing down onto the cemetery, bringing with it a powerful new foe. Dark, demonic wings unfurled as the newest fiend made his presence known. Clad in an obsidian armor with red and gold plating, the Fabled Valkyrus stepped forth, letting out a gutteral growl as he gazed upon his foe, flexing his arms with a terrifying roar following.
Fabled Valkyrus - (Light/Fiend/Synchro/Effect) -LV 8 (ATK/2900 DEF/1700)
"Now that he's here, I can go ahead and end this duel," Tatsuya declared.
"You're a fool if you think I'm about to let that happen!" Scotch snapped back.
"The only fool here, is you," Tatsuya quipped.
This is perfect! If he attacks me, I'll just spring my trap and destroy Reign-Beaux! He won't know what hit him!
"This is what you get for trying to attack Nico! Reign-Beaux, attack with Dark Reckoning!" Tatsuya commanded.
"If you think I'm about to let that happen, you're crazy! I activate Magical Arm Shield! I'll be taking hold of your Fabled Valkyrus!" Scotch declared.
Tatsuya smirked and shook his head.
"See, I knew you had that face-down for a reason, which was why I prepared this! Dark Bribe!" Tatsuya cried out, springing a trap of his own.
Scotch watched as his trap was negated and destroyed. When he looked up, a spiraling blast of energy rocketed towards him and punched a hole in his Life Points, knocking him over.
Scotch - 1500 LP
Tatsuya - 1300 LP
"You...ingrate! I swear I'll get you for this," Scotch spat bitterly, his eyes widening as he saw Fabled Valkyrus standing in front of him with his hand outstretched.
"Sorry, but that's not happening today. So run along! Fabled Valkyrus, end this with Ray of Destruction!"
Scotch got up and started to run as Valkyrus powered up. With his sights set on Scotch, he roared and launched a devastating beam of distorted light from his hand. The beam locked onto Scotch and trailed him at an accelerated rate before connecting with a deafening explosion.
Scotch - 0 LP
Tatsuya - 1300 LP
Incredible... Nico thought as she watched Tatsuya retract his Duel Disk and turn towards her. A faint ethereal glow flashed in his eyes for but a moment before fading out.
Tatsuya sighed and shook his head.
"Come on Nico, we need to get going. Gramps and West need to know you're safe," Tatsuya said with a faint smile.
"Uh-huh," Nico replied, following beside Tatsuya as the two made their way towards the beginning of town.
As the two walked back, Nico couldn't help but wonder about what she'd seen in Tatsuya's eyes. It sent chills down her spine when he looked at her. It was as if the same gentle friend she'd come to know had changed for but a moment. Deciding not to dwell on it, she pushed the thought from her mind.
Nico and Tatsuya made it safely back to Klaus' house where her brother greeted her with an unexpected tackle-hug. When asked about what happened, Tatsuya and Nico explained of their encounter with Scotch of the Ramon group and the results of the duel they'd been in.
"So you defeated one of the Ramon Group's duelists huh?" Klaus said gruffly, getting a nod from Tatsuya.
"Scotch was said to be one of their better duelists. I've seen his deck at work and it's nothing pretty," Klaus frowned. "Yet you bested him in a duel. Perhaps your victory against me was more than enough to prove that you have learned well. Your parents would be proud. I know I am..."
Tatsuya blinked and canted his head.
"You goin' soft gramps? It's not like you to give me this much praise," Tatsuya smirked.
"Take it as a gift. You've earned it," Klaus remarked, turning at the sound of Nico and West entering the room after preparing for bed.
"You two ready for bed?" Klaus inquired.
"What? Bedtime already!? I wanted to duel!" West whined.
"No fuss! The two of you need to-"
"Come on gramps, let him have a little fun," Tatsuya inputted, getting a raised brow from Klaus.
"Please Klaus? I wanna duel you! I promise I'll go to bed after," West pleaded.
Klaus frowned and then let out an exasperated sigh.
"Alright. One duel and then it's bed time, got it?" Klaus said firmly.
"YES! Get ready old man, you're going down!"
"I may be old, but I can still kick your keister! You're on West!"
And so, the duel began...
Sixth Turn - Finding Nico
End Phase
