Hyper Runners: Duel Legacy
All Character © Respective creators
Chapter Nine: Fanning the Flames
Night had shrouded the city of New Domino. And while the heroes sleep themselves into a land of bliss, they were unsuspecting of newest threat that would soon arrive. Upon closer inspections to the highways, a tornado of flames erupted suddenly in the middle of the road. When the fire dissolved, the charred remains of a duel runner were left scattered across the pavement and the rider was covered in heavy burn marks. The shadow of a man stood over the body of the fallen duelist, shaking his head lightly.
"Well, that was pathetic." The man commented, looking back to the city. "Maybe I'll have a much more suitable challenge in town. Hopefully, my partner managed to pick up a few new stooges while I was away."
Several hours had passed by before the light of day returned to the city. And while Ruki, Namura, and Hikari were at Muto Park to practice their dueling skills, they were shocked to learn that Marcus had passed up the offer. Instead, the redhead trouble maker was making himself busy by helping Yusei in the construction of their newest Duel Runner. While the Signer Leader was checking the statistics on his computer, the Marked Duelist was revving the engine for testing.
"Ok, let's try the engine one last time." Yusei said coolly. "I think their might be something wrong in the pressure."
"This is the seventeenth time we've tried this." Marcus complained. "Can't we just say it's finished take it out for a test run?"
"The last time we did that, I found my Runner at the bottom of the river." Yusei said sternly.
"Hey, at least I brought it home clean." Marcus joked feebly.
"Just test the engine." Yusei ordered.
Rolling his eyes, the redhead troublemaker kicked on the engine and increased the speed and pressure of the test Runner. But as his acceleration advanced, Yusei noticed something unusual about the statistics for the Runner's engine. And just as he had expected, a warning signal blared from the computer, warning them to stop the testing at once. But because the engine was so loud, Marcus was oblivious to his teacher's warnings. Yusei already knew what was coming next and swiftly rushed out of the garage, much to his student's confusion. As the Signer Leader slammed the door shut, a muffled boom was heard from the other side. At the same moment, Akiza walked by, looking at her fiancé with a knowing expression.
"Let me guess." Akiza said playfully. "Marcus again?"
"Do you know anyone else that can cause as much destruction?" Yusei retorted.
"I can name three professional duelists." Akiza smirked. "All of them a signer."
The Rose Duelist pushed past Yusei and opened the door to the garage, looking around the destruction. The Duel Runner they had been working on was melted, the computers and equipment was smoldering, and Marcus was nowhere to be seen. But that only lasted until he managed to unstuck himself from the ceiling.
"I think you're right." Marcus said dizzy. "There was something wrong with the pressure."
"If you two are quite done," Akiza smirked. "Would you mind cleaning yourselves up? Crow's decided to stop by and visit."
"Crow?!" Marcus shouted excitedly.
While Marcus did agree that Yusei was the best duelist in New Domino City, he had a very high opinion on Crow – the same couldn't have been said about Jack. The Mark Duelist was eager to see Crow, but Akiza wasn't letting him in the house while covered in soot. So, natural, he grabbed a hose and sprayed himself against the wall, but now he wasn't allowed in until he was dry. After ten minutes of confusion, the Marked Duelist found Yusei and his old friend, Crow sitting at the table, telling each other stories about the past.
"Hey, remember the time when I put purple dye in Jack's shampoo." Jack laughed.
"How can I?" Yusei smirked. "You won't let anyone forget. Jack is still out for your blood."
"Well, it's a good thing I'm a master of escape." Crow chuckled until he noticed Marcus. "Hey, kid, you still out of the Facility, huh? Me and Jack lost a bet to Leo when we thought you were going to be thrown back in the other day."
"He came close." Yusei said coolly.
"That's for the show of faith." Marcus said sarcastically. "What are you doing here, Crow? Besides trying to clean out our fridge...again."
"I just wanted to see the new Duel Runner." Crow shrugged. "But the explosion I heard earlier pretty much speaks for itself." All eyes were instantly on Marcus, who lowered himself into his seat. "But the second reason I'm here is to check if you heard the news about last night."
"What happened last night?" Akiza asked interestingly.
"A duel went on in one of the Duel Lanes." Crow explained seriously. "There were a lot of reports about some weird monster that no one has ever seen before. When Sector security asked for a description, Industrial Illusions says they never created a card like that."
"Sounds similar to the Elemental Knights." Yubel noted, appearing at her partner's side. "This is getting more interesting with each passing day."
"Living with these guys for two years," Marcus added."Not much surprises me these days."
"So what's the big deal about an unknown monster?" Yusei questioned.
"It's what that monster did that worries everyone." Crow continued. "When Sector Security went to investigate, they found a Duel Runner turned to ash and the duelist lying on the side of the road. The Duelist was dead – his body was buried alive."
"That's horrible." Akiza flinched, obviously remembering her days as the Black Rose. "Did they ever find out who did it?"
"No, but some people who passed by saw the guy using fire monsters." Crow replied. "Sector Security decided to name him Pyro until they know who this guy is. They even asked me to help investigate."
"And you accepted?" Marcus questioned strangely.
"Like I said: more interesting." Yubel commented.
"Hey, we don't want a repeat of the Ghost incident." Crow stated. "I don't know who this guy is, but I'm gonna blow out his candle."
"That was terrible." Marcus groaned.
"Shut up!" Crow exclaimed
Later that night, Crow went out on the highway as he had promised, keeping an eye out for the unknown fire user. The Tail Signer really had no idea what he was going up against, but then again, he had no idea what he was doing against the Dark Signers. The way he saw it, this was just an exercise. During his personal patrol, Crow spotted many people on Duel Runners, but most of them were working for Sector Security or heading back home. After the fourth hour, he finally stopped for a moment on Daedalus Bridge, resting his head on the dash board.
"Man, this is a bust." Crow whined. "I've been out here all night without even a single trace of this freak. I'm beginning to wonder if this Pyro guy is even real."
"Pyro, huh?" A voice echoed.
"What the?" Crow questioned confused.
"Overriding Duel Runner..." The onboard computer announced. "Auto pilot standing by..."
Before Crow even knew what was happening, his Duel Runner took off down the bridge on its own. The only people the Tail Signer knew could do this were Sector Security. But why would they force him into a duel in they were on the same side. Suddenly, a comet of flames appeared to the right on his right and slowly died away to reveal a new challenge. A Duel Runner painted with ruby-red finish, black flames tattooed to the head, and a pair of circular, spiked weapons was tied to the back. The man at the seat wore a long, black coat zipped down to his knees, dark jeans beneath, a pair of black gloves, and a silver chain around the neck. His face remained unseen due to his hood being raised.
"So, I hear you've been looking for me." The man said amusingly.
"Are you Pyro?" Crow questioned.
"That's not my name, but yeah." The man chuckled. "I've only been in town for one night and I'm already building a reputation. Man, I am good!"
"Not for long!" Crow shouted. "I'm bringing you in!"
"You'll have to beat me first." Pyro challenged.
"Have it your way." Crow said confidently.
"Duel!" The men shouted together.
Crow (4000) – Pyro (4000)
"I'll start off." Pyro declared. "I summon Fox Fire in defense mode."
A small orange fox with a flicker of fire on its tail appeared on the field (300/200).
"Then I place one face-down and end my turn." Pyro finished, setting down his card.
"All right, it's your funeral." Crow grinned, drawing his next card. And in doing so, he activated the Speed Counters (1-1). "And because you have a monster on the field, I can special summon Blackwing – Sirocco the Dawn!"
A tall crow in a humanoid shape with long wings appeared on the field (2000/900).
"And because I have a Blackwing on the field," Crow continued. "I can activate the special abilities of Blackwing – Bora the Spear and Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind to special summon them to the field!"
Two new creatures appeared on either side of Sirocco. The first was a mighty humanoid raven with lengthy wings and red feathers covering its head, carrying a large spiral spear (1700/800). The next one was a small, kid-like raven with a black expression surrounded by green feathers (1300/400).
"And now I activate Sirocco's special ability!" Crow announced. "I select one Blackwing on the field and give the attack points of all my monsters to it. And I choose Blackwing – Bora the Spear!"
Sirocco clasped its hands together and thrusted them into the air, expelling an aura of green energy. Gale the Whirlwind was also drained of its power, looking strangely weak in comparison. Bora the Spear raised its weapon to accept the energy and turned its attention to the duelist on the opposite end (5000/800).
"I get it now." Pyro smirked. "You're planning to use Bora the Spear's piercing effect to wipe out my life points in one go."
"That's the idea!" Crow shouted victoriously. "Bora the Spear, attack that psychopath and end this!"
The raven warrior screeched to the night sky and flapped its mighty wings in the direction of the tiny kitsune. But just as Bora the Spear made it's approach, Fox Fire suddenly exploded and released a wave of fire. Bora the Spear was instantly consumed by the flames and its comrades suffered the same fate. The unknown fire licked against both Duelists, but Crow seemed to feel the worst of it. The heat was so intense that he actually felt like he was on fire. The Tail Signer sharply pulled Blackbird away from the fire pit and looked down at his arm – his Signer mark was covered by black burns.
"The heat was real." Crow thought wildly. "Is this guy some kind of Dark Signer?"
"Hey, have you looked at your life points lately?" Pyro chuckled.
Though still twitching from his injury, Crow looked back at his onboard computer and met with an unusual surprise.
Crow (1500) – Pyro (3850)
"What the?!" Crow exclaimed. He watched as his speed counter dropped to zero due to losing so many life points. "What the hell just happened?!"
"When you attacked, you activated my trap card: Suicide Bomb." Pyro announced, revealing the trap card. "This card destroys all monsters on the field and subtracts or life points by half their total attack points."
"Damn!" Crow cursed. "I place one card face-down and end this turn."
"Wise choice." Pyro said tauntingly, drawing his card (1-2). "And because of Fire Fox's special ability, I can return it from the graveyard in defense mode."
Fire Fox returns to its master's side in a burst of orange flames (300/200).
"And now I summon Flame Spirit Ignis!" Pyro declared.
A spiral of flames emerged from the right side of Pyro, slowly taking form of a beastly creature. The lower portion of its body was made entirely of fire, but the upper half resembled a human. The only exceptions with the clawed hands and the fox head, which contained nine eyes (1500/1200).
"Ignis, end this dual with flame Fang!" Pyro commanded.
The flaming spirit glided for the final shot, but was sadly denied.
"And now I activate my trap card: Feather Dance!" Crow shouted swiftly, revealing a card of an unknown monster covered in a shower of black feathers. "When a monster attacks me directly, I can special summon one Blackwing from my hand. My choice will be Blackwing – Vayu the Big Flag in defense mode!"
A small creature that resembled a cockatoo wearing a black uniform appeared on the field (800/0). Because it was no longer able to attack directly, Ignis was forced to snap its jaws down over the small bird. The flaming spirit seemed to want to draw out the pain as much as possible, but the Blackwing monster was inevitably destroyed from the conflict.
"You managed to save yourself this time," Pyro stated. "But that won't work a second time. I end my turn."
"Actually, I just sealed the deal." Crow grinned, drawing his card (2-3). "Because by letting Vayu go to the graveyard, I can activate its special ability. By removing Vayu and non-tuner monsters from the game, I can special summon a synchro monster. So I am removing Sirocco and Vayu to summon Blackwing Armed Wing!"
A storm of black feathers dropped from the sky, partially impairing the two rider's vision. But when the storm cleared, Pyro found himself faced with powerful threat. A tall humanoid wearing pure black armor with metallic wings on its back and red feathers sticking out from the back of its helmet. It was carrying a long weapon that seemed to be a mixture of a rifle and a spear (2300/1000).
"And Armed Wing has a special ability." Crow said victoriously. "When it destroys a monster in defense mode, the difference is dealt straight to you. Armed Wing, cut that fox down to size!"
The armored warrior released its artificial wings and charged ahead past the flaming spirit and towered over the kit. Armed Wing's attack was swift as it sliced the tiny fox in two, obliterating it instantly. Pyro suffered the con sequence of the backlash when he dropped back due to the loss of his speed counters (2-1)
Crow (1500) – Pyro (1750)
"And best of all, Armed Wing gained 500 attack points every time it destroys a monster in defense mode." Crow continued
Blackwing Armed Wing – (2800/1000)
"My turn ends and so does this duel." Crow smirked.
"Such confidence." Pyro said nonchalantly, drawing his card (3-2). "That won't be much use as I activate Shadow Spell!" He threw the card on the field. "This trap card reduces your monster's attack by 700 and prevents it from attacking."
A swarm of chains slithered from the cards much likes snakes and restricted Armed Wing. Its weapon was tossed aside and the armored warrior was forced into a painful hold (2100/1000)
"And now I summon The Thing in the Crater!" Pyro announced.
A large pit of lava appeared on the field – a pair of glow eyes could be seen within the molten liquid (1000/1200).
"And now I attack with The Thing in the Crater!" Pyro declared.
The lava suddenly jumped up and dived for the armored warrior. But even with the chains binding him, Armed Wing was still superior to it. With a great struggle, Armed Wing recovered its weapon and held it forward to slice the lava down the middle, instantly destroying it. Pyro dropped back once more due to the loss of another speed counter (3-1)
Crow (1500) – Pyro (650)
"What was the point of that?" Crow questioned interestingly. "You only killed your own monster."
"Actually, I just played the final card for your defeat." Pyro grinned deviously. "Because when The Thing in the Crater is destroyed, I can special summon a pyro-type monster from my hand."
"What?!" Crow exclaimed.
"You wanted to know how I got the last guy." Pyro cackled. "Well, now you're about to find out!"
Pyro swiftly dropped the selected card on his duel disk, which confirmed Crow's worst fears. A tall pillar of pure fire erupted in the center of the bridge, creating a smoldering hole in the pavement. Before the Tail Signer knew what was going on, a spiked wheel of metal like the ones on the back of Pyro's Runner emerged from the pillar. The weapon, which was identified as a chakram, sliced through Armed Wing and eradicated it in an instant. The last thing crow could remember was the metal wheel flying in his direction.
Back at Yusei's house, Akiza was once again invited over to dinner. Now, this was one of the benefits of Akiza around more often in Marcus' opinion. With the Rose Duelist at the house every so often, it was a better chance for them to get some real food. Yusei always got lost in the kitchen and Marcus somehow managed to burn cereal with milk – Yusei never told him it was hydrochloric acid. The redhead managed to devour everything he could get his head on until he was ready to burst.
"Wow, you're like a human garbage disposal." Akiza giggled.
"If you never came around, we would most likely be dead within three days." Yusei commented.
"Is that the only reason you love me?" Akiza questioned. "Because of my cooking?"
"No, of course not!" Yusei exclaimed worried. "What I meant to say was..."
Fortunately, he was saved by the ring of his phone. The Satellite Shooting Star quickly jumped out of his seat and made his way out into the hallway. Marcus and Akiza heard Yusei answer, but there was a long period of silence following it. Akiza seemed worried. And at the same time, Yubel appeared behind Marcus, staring into the hallway with a grim expression.
"Hey, what's up?" Marcus asked.
"Something has gone wrong." Yubel stated seriously. "I can feel it."
"Thanks for tell me." Yusei said solemnly from the hallway. "Good night."
Both duelists heard the phone click. Though they knew he had hung up, Yusei took six minutes to collect himself and returned to the table. The moment he had entered the room, Akiza swiftly pushed out of her seat and stood at the man's side.
"Yusei, what's wrong?" Akiza asked quietly.
"That was from Domino Hospital." Yusei said restrained. "Crow found Pyro and dueled him."
"He lost."
A new menace brings a greater source of distress. What has become of Crow after the duel? Why is the unknown duelist attacking the city? And can he possibly be defeated? Find out on the next Hyper Runners!
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Duel Trivia:
Name: Suicide Bomb
Type: Trap Card
Property: Counter
Effect: You can activate this card during your opponent's battle phase. All face-up monsters on the field are destroy and half their attack points are taken from the owner's life points.
