"How much progress have you made on the transporter?"

"Oh, really? By his birthday? That's good news…"

"Hm? Nothing's wrong, why do you ask?"

"…Ah. No, it's just… my son's become good friends with Reizo over the past several months. I'm sure he'll be sad to see him go home, since Reizo was never meant to be here in the first place."

"…You have a good point. As long as the transporter isn't a one-way trip and his mother says it's alright…"

"Thanks for the update, Chris. If you need my help at all…"

Chapter 8: The Soaring Falcon

Reizo tensed in the stands as the current exhibition match came to a close. It had to be his turn soon; there was only a handful of eleven-year-olds trying to get into Heartland Duel School this year, and already three Duels had taken place. That was what it took to get in: win a Duel against one of the students of the school in front of all the other students and teachers.

"Reizo, chill. It's not like you to get nervous," Ruri said, putting a hand on his shoulder. She smiled at him reassuringly. "I've seen you Duel, there's no way you're going to lose, okay?"

"Right." Reizo let his shoulders relax. He was getting worked up over nothing. His name was called, and he stood up, ready to Duel whoever he had to to get into this school. There was no way he was going to let himself lose this, no matter his opponent. Ruri and Yuto gave him one last thumbs-up and a smile, and he made his way to the center of the arena.

A good deal of his confidence waned when he found out just who his opponent was supposed to be. A tall teenager wearing a blue trench coat walked to the opposite end of the field, his Duel Disk already ready. He had golden-colored eyes and straight blueish-black hair that reached his chin, with his dark teal bangs tucked to the side in the shape of a wing—a style that should be familiar because it was how Ruri chose to style her bangs as well.


Back in the stands, Ruri gaped at Reizo's opponent. "What? Oh man, who do I root for now?!"

Yuto agreed with her.


Who would have thought. Reizo chuckled a little. "Kurosaki Shun, right? I never imagined this would be our first proper meeting."

"Akaba Reizo. I've heard a lot about you from my sister," Shun responded. "Though, just because you're her friend does not mean I will go easy on you!"

"And just because you're Ruri's brother doesn't mean I'll let you beat me!" Reizo powered on his Duel Disk, and both of them drew their starting hands. "Let's Duel!"

Shun's Life Points: 4000. Reizo's Life Points: 4000.

The younger Duelist was always the one to get the first turn in these exhibition matches, so Reizo examined the cards in his hand. The Gates of Dark World, Dark World Dealings, Oppal, Archer of Dark World, Broww, Huntsman of Dark World, and Gren, Tactician of Dark World. Not the most ideal hand in terms of monsters, but he had a way to draw even more cards than before. "I'll start with the Spell Dark World Dealings! We each draw one card, then discard one from our hand!" He drew Necro Gardna, and discarded Broww. "The card I discarded was Broww, Huntsman of Dark World, whose effect allows me to draw an extra card since he was discarded," Reizo said.

Renge, Gatekeeper of Dark World. Good, he could lay down a defense this turn, see what Shun's cards can do on the next, and possibly bring out Balak or Amethyss after that. "I Summon Renge, Gatekeeper of Dark World in Defense Mode!"

A giant grey golem appeared on Reizo's field, its hands its largest feature. The palms of the monster were a bright orange.

Renge, Gatekeeper of Dark World: DARK Fiend-Type / Level 4 / 100 ATK / 2100 DEF

"I'll end my turn by activating the Field Spell The Gates of Dark World, which grants all Fiend-Type monsters an extra 300 ATK and DEF," Reizo finished, sliding the card into his Duel Disk. The spectators of the Duel vanished to the two Duelists, who found themselves surrounded by mist and purple lightning. A giant, demonic gate was behind Reizo.

Renge, Gatekeeper of Dark World: 100 + 300 → 400 ATK / 2100 + 300 → 2300 DEF

"My turn then, draw!" Shun declared. He looked over his hand for only a second before grabbing one of the cards. "I Summon Raidraptor - Vanishing Lanius!"

A mechanical bird appeared in front of Shun, its main body a dark blue, but its wings, chest, and head green. Exhaust pipes stuck out as feathers on the bird's wings, and on its chest was a red symbol—two stylized Rs mirroring each other.

Raidraptor - Vanishing Lanius: DARK Winged Beast-Type / Level 4 / 1300 ATK / 1600 DEF

"On the turn that I Summon this card, I can Special Summon a second Vanishing Lanius from my hand," Shun continued, a second copy of the bird appearing on his field. "Then, because I control a Vanishing Lanius, I can Special Summon Raidraptor - Fuzzy Lanius from my hand as well!"

A smaller bird appeared on his field, its body purple rather than green. Parts of its wings were blue as well, and a green orb rested on its chest. The same stylized red symbol appeared on the plume of the bird's head.

Raidraptor - Fuzzy Lanius: DARK Winged Beast-Type / Level 4 / 500 ATK / 1500 DEF

"I Set two cards face-down and end my turn," he declared.

Okay, he has to be baiting me into a trap, Reizo thought as he eyed the two face-down cards. He played all three of his monsters in Attack Mode even though they have a far better DEF stat, and despite having three Level 4 monsters, he didn't Xyz Summon. "It's my turn, I draw!" Lucent, Netherlord of Dark World. That wouldn't be helpful in this situation. "I activate the second effect of my Field Spell! By banishing a Fiend-Type monster like Broww from my Graveyard, I can then discard a Fiend-Type monster from my hand and draw another card!" He discarded Gren and drew into Foolish Burial. "At this time, Gren's effect activates: since he was discarded from my hand by a card effect, I can destroy one Spell or Trap Card you control! I'm destroying the one on the left!"

The destroyed card was something called Raidraptor - Desperate. Reizo wasn't sure what it did—his Duel Disk, while it functioned in this Dimension, did not have certain cards from Xyz registered in its database, and since Shun's cards were in that category, he couldn't read their effects—but it didn't sound good so he was glad he destroyed it.

The question now is… do I use Oppal to attack, or do I bring out Balak or Amethyss instead? His other card could still be the trap, or one of his monsters could have a secondary effect. …Hm. Balak's effect would ensure I'm not left defenseless at least. Reizo nodded, sure of what he was going to do now. "I Summon Oppal, Archer of Dark World!"

A small humanoid creature in skeleton armor appeared, a bow in his hands. Three arrows rested in his quiver, the fourth already notched.

Oppal, Archer of Dark World: DARK Fiend-Type / Level 4 / 1000 + 300 → 1300 ATK / 300 +300 → 600 DEF

"I Overlay my two Level 4 monsters!" Reizo declared, and he was so caught up in the chant that he didn't notice the slight smirk that graced his opponent's lips at the announcement. "He who leads the forces of darkness, strike down the foes of Dark World! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Storm forth, Balak, Marshal of Dark World!"

The two monsters turned into separate spheres of light, diving into a galaxy of red light. The galaxy burst, and a large figure in black armor appeared before Reizo. The armor had three red orbs set into the breastplate, and the helm had horns that curved backwards. The monster held a massive broadsword in both hands, and his cape fluttered in the wind.

Balak, Marshal of Dark World: DARK Fiend-Type / Rank 4 / 2200 + 300 → 2500 ATK / 1600 + 300 → 1900 DEF


"If nii-san's face-down is what I think it is, I don't think Reizo should have Xyz Summoned," Ruri said, chewing on her lip.

"Mm. Reizo's never seen Shun Duel before, though, and I doubt he's heard of what the 'Raidraptor' archetype does," Yuto mused. "This is gonna be a lot harder for him than he thinks it is."


"Balak, Mashal of Dark World! Attack Raidraptor - Fuzz—"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Raidraptor - Rapid Xyz!" Shun interrupts, flipping up his remaining face-down card. All three of his monsters turned into separate spheres of light just like Reizo's had a moment ago, and the familiar galaxy appeared again. "Because you control a Special Summoned monster, I can Xyz Summon a 'Raidraptor' monster using the monsters I control!"

Tsk. If I hadn't Xyz Summoned…!

"Obscured falcon! Raise your sharpened talons in front of adversity, spread your wings of rebellion! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Raidraptor - Rise Falcon!" Shun chanted.

The galaxy burst, and out flew an even larger mechanical bird than before. It had two sets of wings, the lower ones smaller than the main ones, but continued the theme of having exhaust pipes for feathers. The bird's wings were blue, with yellow disks set in them, while its head and neck were a green of the same shade as Vanishing Lanius. Just like the other two monsters, Rise Falcon also had the two Rs emblazoned on its neck.

Raidraptor - Rise Falcon: DARK Winged Beast-Type / Rank 4 / 100 ATK / 2000 DEF

"Rapid Xyz also allows me to activate Rise Falcon's effect: by detaching one of its Xyz Materials, Rise Falcon gains ATK equal to the combined ATK of all your Special Summoned monsters until the end of this turn," Shun explained as his monster absorbed one of the lights circling it and burst into flames.

Raidraptor - Rise Falcon: 100 + 2500 → 2600 ATK

Reizo scowled, that really wasn't good for him. Balak couldn't counter that effect, and he didn't have anything he could use to stop an attack either except for Necro Gardna, but that had to be in the Graveyard and it was in his hand. "I… I end my turn, then."

Raidraptor - Rise Falcon: 2600 → 100 ATK

A smile tugged at the edges of Shun's mouth as he drew his next card. "You've still got a lot to learn about Xyz Summoning. I activate the Spell Rank-Up-Magic - Raid Force!"

Reizo's face paled, forgetting the taunt. He uses Rank-Up too?

"Using Rise Falcon as the Xyz Material, I Xyz Summon a different 'Raidraptor' that's one Rank higher than it! Ferocious falcon. Break through this fierce battle and spread your wings! Destroy our gathering foes! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear! Rank 5! Raidraptor - Blaze Falcon!" Shun chanted.

The blue-and-green falcon spiraled into yet another galaxy of red light, to be replaced by another larger mechanical falcon. This one had a color motif of red and orange, with even more of the yellow disks sprayed out across its body, a triangle of them on each side where its wings met its body. The red symbol was on its chest, set atop black betal.

Raidraptor - Blaze Falcon: DARK Winged Beast / Rank 5 / 1000 ATK / 2000 DEF


Ruri grinned as she watched her older brother make his move. "That's my brother for you! Turning the tables with his Rank-Up-Magic!"

"I wonder if Reizo can keep up…" Yuto wondered.


"I activate Blaze Falcon's monster effect! By using one Xyz Material, all Special Summoned monsters you control are destroyed, and you take 500 damage for each one!" Shun continued.

One of the three lights circling the red falcon disappeared into its chest. The falcon's eyes lit up a bright teal, and green light burst from each and every exhaust pipe attached to its wings. From each of those lights, red machines that looked almost like actual feathers hovered around Reizo's monster, bombarding it with lasers. The armored demon attempted to raise his sword, but the lasers were too much for him. He shattered into a million pieces of light, the blast provoking a gust enough for Reizo to shield his face from.

Reizo's Life Points: 4000 - 500 → 3500

At least…! "Because Balak was destroyed, I can Special Summon the Xyz Material it still had attached until the end of my next turn!" Reizo shouted, reviving his two monsters in Defense Mode. Renge and Oppal both had DEF that surpassed Blaze Falcon's. He was safe.

…Or not. "Raidraptor - Blaze Falcon can attack my opponent directly," Shun declared, immediately putting a damper to that hope. His monster swooped down and slammed into Reizo—and he was so glad this wasn't an Action Duel because that would have sent him flying.

Reizo's Life Points: 3500 - 1000 → 2500

The thought of Action Duels made him grimace. Just another reminder of home—even if he didn't miss them.

Shun stared at Reizo's monsters for a moment, then pointed at Oppal. "When Blaze Falcon inflicts battle damage, it has the effect to destroy a monster you control."

"Another destruction effect?"

"At least this one doesn't deal damage."

That did not stop Reizo from almost hissing in annoyance when his Tuner monster blew up under a different barrage from the red falcon. He would have certainly preferred it had Oppal remained on the field because then its effect wouldn't have been necessary to Synchro Summon on his next turn.

"I'll Set a card, and that ends my turn," Shun finished after looking over the one card still in his hand, now empty from playing it.

"Finally… It's my turn! Draw!" Polymerization. The smile typical for Reizo when things went his way appeared on his face. Oh, that was definitely the best card he could have drawn. "I'll start by Tributing Renge, Gatekeeper of Dark World to Summon Lucent, Netherlord of Dark World!"

A large, winged fiend appeared before Reizo. It had horns on either side of its head, and the top of its wings looked the exact same. The monster was a silverish color, jagged armor covering its body.

Lucent, Netherlord of Dark World: DARK Fiend-Type / Level 6 / 2400 + 300 → 2700 ATK / 0 + 300 → 300 DEF

"Then, from my Graveyard, the effect of Oppal, Archer of Dark World activates! I can discard a card from my hand in order banish Oppal along with a non-Tuner 'Dark World' monster… and perform a Synchro Summon!" Reizo declared, confident that this would not steer him wrong.


Many of those in the audience stared at the young boy in confusion, wondering what he meant. Those that had already seen him Duel knew of the "unique" Summoning methods he possessed, but didn't say anything to those confused. It was best seen rather than explained.

One teacher in particular cracked a smile in response to the announcement. "A Synchro Summon… so he is that Akaba Reizo…"


"I discard Necro Gardna and Tune my Level 4 Oppal with my Level 4 Renge!" Both monsters reappeared on his field for a moment, then the former shot all four of its arrows to the sky, each turning into a green ring that circled Renge in a column. "Mad ruler, extend your kingdom across the earth! Claim everything in the name of Dark World! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Arise, Amethyss, Demon Queen of Dark World!" Reizo chanted.

The rings vanished. In their place stood a demonic woman with violet skin, a dark crown resting on her head. Her armor was a dark grey, amethysts set in a line along her torso for decoration. Her weapon of choice was a staff made of bone, the top of it a skull. The skull's eyes had been filled with rubies.

Amethyss, Demon Queen of Dark World: DARK Fiend-Type / Level 8 / 2600 + 300 → 2900 ATK / 1800 + 300 → 2100 DEF

"So this is a Synchro Monster…" Shun muttered.

"Amethyss gains 200 ATK for every card in my hand, but she also has an effect that activates upon her Synchro Summon! I get to draw three cards!" Reizo explained. He drew his cards—The Forces of Darkness, Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World, and Hallowed Life Barrier. That was even more ideal.

Amethyss, Demon Queen of Dark World: 2900 + 1000 → 3900

"Next, I activate the Spell Foolish Burial, allowing me to send Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World from my Deck to the Graveyard," Reizo said, though Amethyss lost 200 ATK in the process of dropping a card from his hand. "With that done, I activate the effect of my Field Spell again! I banish Balak from my Graveyard and discard Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World from my hand to draw a card! And when Beiige is discarded, I can Special Summon it instead!"

A fiend holding a lance made of bone appeared on the field. It also wore bone as armor over its torso and head.

Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World: DARK Fiend-Type / Level 4 / 1600 + 300 → 1900 ATK / 1300 + 300 → 1600 DEF

He drew his card. Ceruli, Guru of Dark World. Not as relevant, but definitely better Fusion Material than having to use Lucent. "The effect of Grapha activates from the Graveyard! By returning Beiige to my hand, I can Special Summon Grapha to take its place!"

The dragon that appeared was less dragon and more demon, the spikes on its knees and elbows curved threateningly, and the horns protruding from its head not much better. The grey dragon's pitch-black wings spread out, and its eyes glowed red with fury.

Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World: DARK Fiend-Type / Level 8 / 2700 + 300 → 3000 ATK / 1800 + 300 → 2100 DEF

"And for the last touch… I activate my Spell Polymerization!" Reizo said, grinning. "This lets me fuse the Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World and Ceruli, Guru of Dark World that are in my hand! Vanguard of shadows and sage of hell! Combine your strength in the midst of unlight and bring forth the supreme ruler of Dark World! Fusion Summon! Level 8! Colorless, Chaos King of Dark World!"

A demon stepped out of the portal of light behind Reizo, its entire body pitch-black. Shadows dripped off the monster like rainfall, scattering upon hitting the ground. Its clawed hands grasped a bone-encrusted sword almost as wide as the demon itself.

Colorless, Chaos King of Dark World: DARK Fiend-Type / Level 8 / 3000 + 300 → 3300 ATK / 2100 + 300 → 2400 DEF

Amethyss, Demon Queen of Dark World: 3700 → 3300 ATK

"Fusion too… hm."

"I did say I wasn't going to let you beat me," Reizo said. Then he threw his arm out, declaring, "Using Colorless' effect, I can add one of my banished cards to my hand. I choose Gren, Tactician of Dark World!"

Amethyss, Demon Queen of Dark World: 3300 → 3500 ATK

His field was ready. But… that face-down card… Reizo narrowed his eyes at it. Shun still looked confident despite the fact that his monster was vulnerable compared to the two monsters Reizo already had out. Should he go ahead and conduct his Battle Phase? Considering that Shun's cards have been anti-Special Summoned monsters so far… "Battle! Lucent, Netherlord of Dark World attacks Raidraptor - Blaze Falcon!"

His monster struck the red falcon in the chest, shattering it immediately.

Shun's Life Points: 4000 - 1700 → 2300

But then… Shun revealed his last face-down card, and Reizo knew he should have gone through with Fusion Summoning Colorless already. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Rank-Up-Magic - Raptor's Force!" Ruri's brother announced. The familiar galaxy of light reappeared before him, as did Blaze Falcon for a moment before spiraling into it. "I Special Summon the monster you just destroyed, and make it Rank Up to another 'Raidraptor' that is one rank higher!"

He has two Rank Up cards?!

"Prideful falcon. Spread your wings, dyed in the blood of heroes, and charge through the path of revolution! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear! Rank 6! Raidraptor - Revolution Falcon!"

The galaxy exploded. Now, a black falcon with only one set of wings appeared in front of Shun, far fewer exhaust pipes and yellow disks than the previous two monsters Shun had used. The symbol, though, was still on the bird's right shoulder.

Raidraptor - Revolution Falcon: DARK Winged Beast-Type / Rank 6 / 2000 ATK / 3000 DEF

I messed up big time, didn't I? Reizo thought as he stared up at the new monster.


A/N: Oh yes, Reizo did mess up big time. Wonder how he's gonna get out of this, considering what Revolution Falcon can do…

Also, yep. I'm being cruel and saving the rest of the Duel for the next chapter. Along with… well. Just read the next chapter's preview.

Phewkeeping track of all of Reizo's cards' ATK and DEF increases and decreases was exhausting. But I think it turned out perfectly fine.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please review!

(I don't own Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V, or Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL.)


Cards from this chapter:

Oppal, Archer of Dark World

DARK Fiend/Tuner/Effect

Level 4

Effect: If this card is in your Graveyard: You can discard 1 card from your hand; banish this card and 1 non-Tuner "Dark World" monster from your Graveyard, then Special Summon 1 Synchro Monster from your Extra Deck, whose Level equals the combined Levels of the banished monsters. (This Special Summon is treated as a Synchro Summon.)

ATK: 1000

DEF: 300

Balak, Marshal of Dark World

DARK Fiend/Xyz/Effect

Rank 4

2 DARK monsters

Effect: Once per turn, if this card is targeted by a card effect: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; the effect of that card now becomes "Your opponent discards 1 random card." If this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard: Special Summon any Xyz Material it had attached, if possible. Monsters Special Summoned by this effect are destroyed during the End Phase of your next turn.

ATK: 2200

DEF: 1600

Amethyss, Demon Queen of Dark World

DARK Fiend/Synchro/Effect

Level 8

1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner "Dark World" monsters

Effect: When this card is Synchro Summoned: Draw 3 cards. This card gains 200 ATK for each card in your hand. Once per turn, if a face-up "Dark World" card you control would be destroyed: You can negate its destruction, then discard 2 cards from your hand. During each of your End Phases: Place 1 card from your hand to the bottom of your Deck or destroy this card.

ATK: 2600

DEF: 1800

Colorless, Chaos King of Dark World

DARK Fiend/Fusion/Effect

Level 8

2 "Dark World" monsters

Effect: If you control another face-up "Dark World" monster, this card cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects. Once per turn, you can target 1 banished "Dark World" monster; add it to your hand, then discard 1 card.

ATK: 3000

DEF: 2100


The Duel between Kurosaki Shun and Akaba Reizo comes to a stunning close. Afterwards, one of Heartland Duel School's teachers approaches Reizo. How could this man be here in Heartland?!

Next time: Standard's Tricks