Chapter 9: An Offer You Can't Refuse

Everyone thinks Jack Atlas and Yusei Fudo are the only Satellite residents to ever enter New Domino City. They're wrong. Officially, I'm from Satellite and I got into New Domino.

How? Let's just say I took Jack Atlas's path. Someone made an offer I couldn't refuse, difference being, I didn't have to betray my friends and steal a certain Synchro Dragon for my offer. I got in free of charge, for a reason I didn't care about until it was too late.

As for my friends, they came with me. The offer was for me, but they were a part of the deal. Do I regret what happened because of that offer? No. If I hadn't accepted, I wouldn't have met amazing people and had legendary duels. I wouldn't have started my relationship with Kelsey. I wouldn't have done a ton of things.

Including duel someone considered an urban myth. What was I warned? Beware of the Rose...

Julian stood on the edge of Daedalus Bridge, gazing out over the sea to New Domino. He was right on the unfinished edge of the bridge, thinking about the man who had given his life to try and let the people of Satellite get into the wealthy city.

"You tried, my friend," he murmured.

"I'm surprised he bothered," an unfamiliar voice spoke sarcastically. Julian turned to see a short man wearing a crimson jacket with a black collar and red pants. His skin was pale and his hair was lavender coloured, red lipstick coating his lips.

"Who are you?" Julian asked guardedly.

"My name is Lazar," the man replied "and I'm the head of Sector Security." Julian instantly turned, his face hardening.

"What do you want with me?" he asked, mentally cursing himself for not being more observant.

"Mr Goodwin would like to extend an invitation to you," Lazar said, holding out a pristine white envelope in a white gloved hand. Julian took it carefully, opening it and examining the contents.

"Legacy of Champions?"

"Mr Goodwin is inviting the best of Duelists to participate in a competition for the title of Champion of New Domino. He believes you are worthy of attending such a prestigious event."

"What do I get? How am I supposed to get to New Domino?"

"Tomorrow, the garbage pipeline will be offline for an hour due to... extended and thorough maintenance of the systems. That will be your window of opportunity. As for what you get, you are allowed to bring several friends and family with you for support, you will get a private apartment to yourself and free meals in whatever establishments you see fit. If you wish to participate, just get through the pipeline with whoever you're bringing tomorrow at seven PM. There will be a Sector Security Officer on guard for protection, just show him that invitation and you will be let through. Ask him to lead you to the Kaiba Dome, which is the tournament venue. Mr Goodwin and I shall meet you there."

"Why me?" Julian asked, utterly shocked.

"How do I know what Mr Goodwin thinks?" Lazar snapped "but I would like to test you. How about a Duel, just for fun? Right here, right now."

"You're on," Julian replied, activating his Duel Disk as Lazar revealed his own and activated it.

Julian 8000LP/Lazar 8000LP

"I'll start!" Lazar snapped, drawing "I draw! Next I'll lay three cards face-down and summon my Jester Masque in attack mode!" With a cackle and a burst of sparks, a woman in a tight brightly coloured bodysuit and a mask with an exaggerated frown appeared (ATK: 0). "My Jester Masque gets 500 attack points for every Spell and Trap on the field." Jester Masque glowed and cackled (ATK: 1500).

"Your move."

Julian 8000LP/Lazar 8000LP

"I draw," Julian said "next I summon Flamvell Glunica in attack mode!" His purple skinned dragon appeared, snapping its talons and creating a fireball (ATK: 1700).

"Flamvell Glunica, attack Jester Masque!" Flamvell Glunica hurled its fireball, incinerating the Jester and making flames rise around Lazar as its effect activated.

"And I'll activate my Ookazi Spell Card, to inflict 800 damage to you, before laying two cards face-down and activating my Molten Destruction Field Spell to end," Julian said. More flames erupted around Lazar as Julian's face-downs appeared and the area changed to the volcanic landscape of Molten Destruction. Flamvell Glunica burst into flames (ATK: 2200).

Julian 8000LP/Lazar 6200LP

"I draw!" Lazar snapped "next I activate one of my face-down cards, Imperial Custom! While this card is active, my other continuous Trap Cards cannot be destroyed! I'll end my turn!"

Julian 8000LP/Lazar 6200LP

"I draw," Julian said "next I summon my Flamvell Hellion in attack mode!" With a roar, flames erupted from the ground, growing into a man sized figure that appeared to be a grown up Flamvell Baby. It's body shone white hotand horns of flame sprouted from its head as a long reptilian tail grew from it to sweep at the floor (ATK: 1600). "Next I'll Tune my Hellion with Glunica to Synchro Summon..." Flamvell Hellion dissolved into four glowing rings that wrapped around Flamvell Glunica, dissolving it down to the familiar orange framework, then the four glowing stars that exploded into red light...

Gathering flames become the inferno of new life! Synchro Summon! Become the soul of Fire, Flamvell Phoenixian!"

Julian's mighty Phoenixian burst from the crimson star, screaming in rage and sheer exhilaration at its power (ATK: 1500). Then it burst into flame both from Molten Destruction and its own power (ATK: 2600).

"Phoenixian, attack with Howling Inferno!"

"I counter with Manner of the Royal Court, destroying your monster!" Lazar snapped. Energy shone from his card and incinerated the phoenix.

"I end my turn!" Julian yelled in sheer frustration.

"Touchy, touchy," Lazar chuckled.

Julian 8000LP/Lazar 6200LP

"I draw," Lazar chuckled "next I summon my Jester Lord in attack mode!" With a cackle, a man in a brightly coloured blue and orange suit, with impossibly thin legs covered by white tights and wearing a brilliant purple mask over his face (ATK: 0). "And because Jester Lord is the only monster on the field, he gets 1000 points for every Spell and Trap on the field!" Jester Lord glowed and cackled (ATK: 4000). "Jester Lord, attack him directly!" Jester Lord cackled, leapt forward and punched Julian to the ground.

"I'll end by activating the Trap Card Late Penalty, meaning that if you don't control a monster in your Standby Phase, you can't conduct your Battle Phase for that turn."

Julian 4000LP/Lazar 6200LP

"Alright Julian, stay calm," Julian thought "you can win this, just focus."

He drew.

It was what he needed.

It was what he deserved.

It was salvation and damnation, because he saw the path he had to take for victory. It was his one chance.

"I summon Flamvell Archer in attack mode," Julian spoke. His archer appeared, raising his flaming bow (ATK: 1000).

"Next I activate the Trap Card Descending Lost St-Star." His voice faltered momentarily as he forced himself to continue down the path. "God, why can't I just walk away? Why do I have to use this thing again? Why?"

"Why?"

"Descending Lost Star revives a Synchro Monster from my Grave in defence mode, at the cost of reducing its defence points to zero and its level by one." Flamvell Phoenixian burst from the ground in a tornado of flames, crossing its wings across itself (DEF: 0).

"Next I T-Tune Flamvell Ar-Archer with Fla-Flamvell Phoenixian to Synchro Summon..." Flames burst from the ground as Flamvell Archer dissolved, shooting a glance at Julian as if to say 'What are you doing?' The Archer became three glowing rings that cut through Flamvell Phoenixian, turning it into an outline of orange energy and then seven glowing stars that exploded with crimson light and burst into flames as they aligned.

"GATHERING FURY BECOMES A FIRESTORM OF RAGE!" Julian roared as fire rushed through his veins, something gripped his mind and took control in a second, a Spirit of Flame so powerful he was nothing.

YOU ARE ME AND I AM YOU a voice rumbled in his mind, reverberating throughout his form.

"UNLEASH YOUR MIGHT OF DEVASTATION AND RUIN!"

I AM FLAMVELL NIDHOGG, THE SPIRIT OF FIRE. I AM THE PASSION THAT BURNS IN YOUR HEART, THE EMBERS OF COURAGE BLOWN INTO LIFE BY THE STORMWINDS OF DESPERATION. I AM THE HEAT OF LOVE WITHIN YOUR CHEST, GRANTING YOU THE PLEASURES OF BEING WITH THOSE CLOSE TO YOU.

I AM DESTRUCTION AND WRATH! I AM DESOLATION AND RUIN! I AM BOTH CREATOR AND DESTROYER, JULIAN MIKURO, VESSEL OF FLAMES! IT IS SO WITH MY BETHREN! WE ARE SEVEN, JULIAN! SEVEN SPIRITS...!

"SYNCHRO SUMMON! FORCE OF THE INFERNO, FLAMVELL NIDHOGG!" With an immense roar, the dragon of volcanic rock and magma, ash and flame burst from the inferno, screaming in rage as it did so (ATK: 3500). Then the flames exploded from it, everything burning to ash under the intense heat of its power.

"Spirit of Fire..." Julian murmured, eyes glazed as he stared at his Spirit.

The flames embraced him, invitingly, lovingly. They swept across his skin, not too hot or firm, but gentle and warm, like the touch of a lover on his skin. The flames kissed his hands, his neck, his face...

DANCE WITH THE FLAMES, VESSEL OF FIRE.

He was beyond resistance. The flames took hold of him and he was spun around, the flame solid in a second and catching him as he fell towards it.

He saw dragons. He saw elves and dinosaurs. He saw all laid out in the fire. He smiled foolishly, uncontrollably.

The smile faded.

A man rose from the flames, burning with flames and yet still real. Rugged face creasing into a smile, torn and ragged clothes light on his body as he stepped forward.

"Uncle..." Julian whispered, reaching out to touch the flame figure.

"You fool."

"This is my destiny."

"You think that anyone can control that, Julian? You think these things will simply come and go at your whim? What's the old saying? Play with fire and you'll get burned."

"Not me."

"You don't believe that."

"I believe this is what I was meant to do. Control Flamvell Nidhogg, tame its power, utilize that potential! It can be for good or evil, Uncle!"

"Can you resist your evil?"

"This is my choice to make."

"Beware of the Rose, Julian. Beware of the Black Rose..." The flame man shattered into embers and vanished on the wind.

LET US END THIS DUEL Flamvell Nidhogg roared in his mind.

"Let's."

"Come on already!" Lazar snapped as the flames dissipated, leaving an empty field.

"Your move," Julian said, something of Flamvell Nidhogg in his voice making Lazar flinch.

It wasn't just the voice. Julian was standing that little bit taller, his hair that little bit longer, and his stance that little bit more confident and intimidating.

And his eyes that little bit darker.

Julian 4000LP/Lazar 6200LP

"I draw," Lazar said "I lay one card face-down in defence and end my turn." His face-down monster instantly appeared.

Julian 4000LP/Lazar 6200LP

"I draw," Julian said, doing so "I activate the Spell Card Monster Reborn and revive my Flamvell Phoenixian!" With a roar, his mighty phoenix burst from the glowing ankh, body exploding into golden flames (ATK: 1500). The flames swirled around it, rising in intensity (ATK: 2400). "Next I equip my Phoenixian with the Spell Salamandra, raising its attack by 700." A glowing fire kanji symbol appeared on Flamvell Phoenixian and its whole body burst into brilliant golden flames (ATK: 3100).

"Flamvell Nidhogg, attack his face-down with Muspell Desolation!" Flamvell Nidhogg roared, flames growing in its maw as they shot through the cracks in its rocky form to kiss the air. The flame orb in its mouth grew until it dwarfed the form of Flamvell Phoenixian.

It shot through the air and incinerated the face-down, which wasn't even visible among the roaring destruction of the flames. The flames struck Lazar, making him cry out in pain as he was hurled to the ground.

"Flamvell Phoenixian," Julian said, licking his lips to get some moisture into them as he savoured the sheer power of having Flamvell Nidhogg in front of him, at his command.

"Howling Inferno." With a mighty roar, the unstoppable torrent of flames shot at Lazar from Flamvell Phoenixian, searing away his Life Points in a second.

Julian 4000LP/Lazar 0LP

"Incredible," Lazar gasped "such... power. Goodwin... was... right about... you."

"What do you mean?" Julian asked as his monsters faded away.

"Goodwin said... that you wielded a power... so great it could either... allow this world to endure forever... or destroy it in a second. He said that power... stemmed from Flamvell Nidhogg. He said that... Flamvell Nidhogg is but one of seven."

"Seven? Seven Spirits... that's what Flamvell Nidhogg said to me."

Lazar stood up, wincing as his burned arms flexed and moved.

"You are a strong duelist," he said, smiling through his pain "I will certainly be entertained by your performance at the Legacy of Champions, should you attend. Farewell." He turned and walked away, being met by several Sector Security officers on Duel Runners. One reached out a hand and helped Lazar onto the Runner before the group departed.

"I'll be there," Julian muttered, staring at his Flamvell Nidhogg card and smiling.

They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's true. I had absolute power and it corrupted me.

But I didn't have that power quite at that point. Experiences unlocked it for me, my hatred of Jack Atlas, my love for Kelsey, my growing desire to exceed, my near-death at the hands of the Rose...

Who's this Rose? She's a witch, my friends. A witch with a crimson and black dragon the likes of which I knew nothing until it was unleashed to destroy me. A witch who was at the same time a Signer...

Card Stats:

Monsters:

Jester Masque

DARK/ Spellcaster/Effect /Level 4/ATK: 0/DEF: 0

While this card is face-up on the field, it gains 500 ATK and DEF for every Spell and Trap card on the field. When there are no Spell or Trap cards on the field and this card is destroyed by battle, reduce the Battle Damage you would have taken to 0 and inflict the amount of damage you would have taken to your opponent's Life Points.

(Jester Masque is my own invention and Creative Credit for it goes to me and me alone.)

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Jester Lord

DARK/ Spellcaster/Effect /Level 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0

If this is the only monster on the field, this card gains 1000 ATK for every Spell and Trap Card on the field.

(Jester Lord was first used by Lazar/Jeager against Crow in Episode 43 of Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's. Creative credit goes to the writers of 5D's.)

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Flamvell Hellion

FIRE/ Pyro/Tuner /Level 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 200

When this card is sent to the Graveyard by your opponent's card effect, reduce all effect damage you take to 0 until the End Phase.

(Flamvell Hellion is my own invention and creative credit for it goes to me.)

Traps:

Imperial Custom

Continuous Trap Card

Other face-up Continuous Trap Cards you control cannot be destroyed. Only 1 "Imperial Custom" can be face-up on the field.

*

Manner of the Royal Court

Normal Trap Card

Activate only when your opponent declares an attack. While you control no monsters, destroy all Attack Position monsters your opponent controls.

*

Late Penalty

Continuous Trap Card

If your opponent controls no monsters during their Standby Phase, they cannot conduct their Battle Phase this turn.

(The above three cards were used by Lazar/Jeager against Crow in Episodes 43 and 44 of Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's. Creative credit goes to the writers of 5D's.)

Digidramon: A witch who at the same time is a Signer... not too hard, right?

Yusei: You aren't serious.

Jack: Rivalry with me? Sounds interesting.

Yusei: Jack! You're not helping! Get back on topic, the Rose!

Digidramon: It's my fic, my rules. I can bring in whoever I like. Is it really a sin to bring in one of my favourite characters in 5D's, especially when she uses Black Rose Dragon, which I built a whole deck around, I might add!

Yusei: Where's Akiza?

Jack: I dunno... maybe she's out buying more roses for her stupid dragon.

Akiza: Jack Atlas...

Digidramon: Jack, you might want to know that Akiza's about to kill you.

Jack: She doesn't scare me.

Yusei: You never dueled her, Jack. If you had, you'd be afraid.

Akiza: I'll get this out of the way... Digidramon does not own Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's because if he did, he'd have a part, Rex's 'I am the Fifth Signer' line from episode 26 wouldn't be there and we'd have seen the Fifth Dragon by now.

Digidramon: Good. Now then, Leo, Luna, Featured Card of today!

Leo: Today's choices are Descending Lost Star, Jester Lord, Jester Masque, Flamvell Nidhogg and Manner of the Royal Court!

Luna: Today's card is... Jester Lord! It might look weird, but it packs a punch when combined with Lazar's restriction Trap cards!

Digidramon: Keep reading Seven Spirits, adoring fans! The next chapter is Chapter 10: The Girl with the Red-Eyes! And beyond that, well I'm bringing more characters and epic duels in! Watch out for the Rose, my friends! To be continued...!