Episode 86: Betrayal Part 1

Unknown…

Yuni is floating in what appears to be outer space. In front of him is the Milky Way Galaxy. The voice of Cosmo announces, "The New Yugohan threat must not be allowed to spread!"

Yuni looks confused. He cries out, "What's going on here!? Is that you Cosmo? How are you talking to me?"

Cosmo's voice says , "I have found out the plans of New Yugoha, and I have managed to use my powers to speak to you in your dreams. New Yugoha can not be allowed to spread any further!"

Yuni nods. "Yeah, I kind of figured that, why do you need to tell me?"

Just under half of the galaxy before Yuni becomes colored green. "The New Yugohan Empire has almost conquered half of the galaxy. The only reason that they have not spread any further is the vast area of space with absolutely no life sustaining planets, known as The Void. It is almost impossible to cross The Void, due to the lack of places to re-supply and refuel." Next to the border of the New Yugohan Empire, a red strip stretching the length of the galaxy appears. "Earth is the first and only known planet to sustain life within The Void, and as such, could be the key to future New Yugohan conquests." A blue dot, Earth, appears in the middle of The Void. It turns green and suddenly the green begins to spread past The Void, and across the rest of the galaxy. "This isn't just about the Earth anymore. The New Yugohans use the Power of Order. If they spread any further, the Balance of Chaos will be disrupted."

Yuni is surprised. "Wait, you're telling me that Yugoha knows of Chaos?"

"That is an explanation for another time."

Yuni nods. "Yes, of course. I will do whatever I can."


Yuni's House, Domino City

The next morning, Yuni appears to have just finished getting dressed. He thinks, There's so much going on right now. It's surprising that I can even think about sleeping, let alone get a whole night's worth.

Yugi suggests, Life goes on.

Yuni nods slowly.

He looks to the side and sees a hologram projector. He picks it up and activates it. It's a picture if him, Brutus, Tori, and Zenith at the party after Yuni won the World of Duel Tournament. He thinks, What about Zenith though, does life go on for him? It's been months since this hologram was recorded, and we have yet to hear a word from him since.

I'm sure he's fine. He went through a lot during that tournament. He had a completely normal life, but then he was forced into your abnormal one. He even had his soul taken for some time.

Yeah, but if it wasn't for him, I don't know what would have happened.

A flashback begins. Yuni is sitting down next to a hospital bed. He looks extremely depressed. Zenith lies unconscious in it. This is after Zenith got his soul taken by Oblivion. Yuni sighs. He thinks, If only a medical scan really could solve our problems…

Out of nowhere, a disembodied voice, the one of Zenith says, Ugh, you know that I hate those things!

Yuni looks at Zenith's comatose body and exclaims, "Zenith!? But…but…how?"

Zenith's voice states, Do not worry about that. Just know that even now, I stand by your side.

"What's going on?"

I should ask you the same thing. Your two best friends are out there dueling, trying to see who is going to face off against Oblivion, the same guy who banished my mind! Why are you in here moping over me, when they're out there!? They need all of your support now! Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.

Yuni looks down in shame. "You're right. I don't know what's gotten into me." He looks back up, now with new found confidence. "Thank you Zenith." Yuni runs out.

The flashback ends. Yuni thinks, If Zenith didn't encourage me, I would have missed Brutus and Tori's duel, and who knows? I might not have even been up for fighting Oblivion. I still don't know how he did it, but even without a soul, he somehow managed to help me.

He puts down the hologram, walks out his door, and heads downstairs. Yuni's grandpa is sitting in his chair watching the holovision. He turns around towards Yuni and exclaims, "Yuni, have you heard the news!? This is the most important thing to ever happen in human history!"

Yuni grins and walks over towards the holovision so he can see it. Across the screen words flash, "We are no longer alone!" A news reporter says, "For those of you just joining us, this is incredible news. Only an hour ago, a representative from an alien government appeared before the United Earth Congress and offered an invitation to join them in an intergalactic society." Yuni's mouth drops agape. Standing on the screen on a stage is the New Yugohan Emperor. The newscaster continues, "The representative has offered to answer any questions during a live press conference, which should begin any moment now. Let's listen in."

The emperor steps up to a podium with a microphone. He says into it, "Greetings to our dear new friends, the people of Earth. I am the Emperor of the New Yugohan Empire. I have come here to offer your people a grand opportunity. The New Yugohan Empire is a vast interstellar government spanning thousands of star systems. We are a peaceful society, and wish to invite you to join us, and take your rightful place amongst the stars. Any questions?"

One reporter asks, "You claim to be the emperor of an empire. I don't know about where you come from, but here we look at an empire as a bad thing. They conquer people and rule with absolute law. A government like that does not agree with the ideals of our planet."

The emperor shakes his head. "No, you misunderstand me. We are an empire, not because of our conquests, but because of our vastness. If you desire not to join us, then we will leave you alone."

Yuni mutters under his breath, "Yeah right…"

His grandpa asks, "What was that Yuni?"

He sighs. "Nothing Grandpa."

Another reporter asks, "What do you have to offer to us?"

The emperor smiles a fake smile that no one seems to notice. "I am sure that by now your scientists have detected an odd energy pattern coming from the vicinity of the Machu Picchu ruins. It is actually a demonstration of our benevolence towards humanity. Thousands of years ago we visited your planet. Your people then were still too primitive to be accepted into the Empire, but over the years we left your planet with many gifts. One such gift was the Machu Picchu Power Plant. It generates energy thousands of times more efficient than your nuclear fusion engines. This one power plant could fuel your entire world's energy needs and still have power to spare." The audience bursts out all asking questions at once.

Yuni's grandpa asks, "Isn't this grand Yuni?! I remember when you were little, you always talked about aliens and other worlds! It must be like a childhood dream come true, right?"

Yuni laughs awkwardly. "Yeah…um…I guess…"

The sound of a phone ringing is heard. Yuni says, "I'll get it." He walks across the room and hits a button on a device. A hologram of Tori appears above it.

She asks, "Please tell me you're watching the holovision."

Yuni nods. "Yeah…I am."

"Only a week ago I would have been thrilled about this news. What should we do?"

Yuni slowly shakes his head. "I have no idea whatsoever. They're putting up a perfect façade."

From the holovision, a reporter says, "This just in, Kaiba Corp. has announced that they are against allying ourselves with the New Yugohan Empire. No information on this is available as of yet."

Yuni states, "At least Seto has some sense. The rest of the world though, they have no reason not to go along with this." Yuni and Tori both sigh. "Alright, we have to find some sort of evidence against the New Yugohans."

Tori suggests, "The Press Conference is taking place outside of the Ministry of Dueling, so it's not far. Maybe we can find something there after its over."

Yuni nods. "I guess that's our best bet right now. Why don't you call Brutus? Then we'll all meet up there once the crowd leaves." Tori nods and deactivates the communication. Yuni turns around and sighs.


Outside the Ministry of Dueling, Domino City

Yuni, Brutus, and Tori are looking around the stage that held the press conference only hours before. Brutus is looking underneath the stage, Tori is in the spectator section, and Yuni is on top of the stage. Brutus asks, "I don't get it. What is it exactly that we're looking for?"

Yuni answers, "I don't know, maybe something that the New Yugohan left behind, something that could be used as evidence against them."

Tori says, "This is worthless. We're never going to find anything."

Yuni sighs. "We have to though. If this world goes along with whatever the New Yugohans are planning, the Earth is doomed."

An electronically disguised voice says, "And that's the way it's going to be." The three look up in the air to see the armor-wearing New Yugohan from before. He's floating in the air using a jetpack-like device attached to his back. "Greetings Yuni Oha."

Yuni takes an offensive stance. "You're that New Yugohan soldier from before!"

"I'm no longer just a soldier. I really should thank you. When you defeated that worthless Zex, I was promoted to the position of Grand Admiral of the New Yugohan Space Navy."

Yuni scowls with hatred. "What do you even want with our planet!?"

"Your planet is positioned at a strategic section of the galaxy. This planet could serve as a gateway to the rest of the galaxy that has so far remained elusive to the New Yugohan Empire. Not to mention, it's harboring the Princes of Yugoha, a threat to the Empire that must be wiped out of existence.

"And what's up with this sudden need for good public relations!?"

"A common invasion strategy utilized by the Empire. While we could invade your planet right now as we speak, our invasion armada is more powerful than anything your planet has ever experienced, it's always easier to take over a planet when they welcome you with open arms. You're planet is doomed. There's nothing that can be done about it. Thousands of planets have fallen to the New Yugohan Empire. This one will be no different."

Yuni shouts with anger, "I'll never allow your people to take over Earth!" As he shouts this, he generates an orb of Chaos energy and hurls it at the New Yugohan. He quickly swerves out of the way, holds up a hand, and out of the palm of the armor fires a beam of energy. Yuni creates a barrier of light that blocks the attack. He then converts the shield into hundreds of sharp shards that are sent flying the New Yugohan, who fires several rapid-fire blasts of energy, destroying each shard before it hits him. He puts his two hands together and fires an even bigger beam of energy than before. Yuni does the same. The two attacks collide in between them. After several moments of trying to overpower the other one, the colliding attacks explode, causing a shockwave that forces both of them back.

Yuni gets up and shakes himself off. The armored New Yugohan was thrown into the stage, and crashed through it. He crawls out as well. He presses a button on his wrist and the armor around it unfolds, revealing a Duel Gauntlet. He states, "We are civilized, why not settle this like civilized men?"

Yuni activates his. "Fine, duel on."

The Duel Computer starts to say, "Duel now commencing. Yuni Oha vs.-" It's suddenly cut off by static.

A different computer voice, the New Yugohan version picks up. "Scanning decks…decks accepted. Commence dueling."

Tori asks, "What gives!? What happened to the Duel Computer!?"

The armored man turns towards her. "I can't have your duel authorities learning that New Yugohans are dueling their citizens. I simply transferred us to the New Yugohan computer, it's much more efficient anyways."

Yuni shouts, "I don't care, let's just duel!"

The man prepares to draw. "Fine, I'll take the first move since you're so eager." The top card of his deck glows green. "Will you look at that. The duel hasn't even started yet, and your fate has been sealed." He draws it. "I activate the Malevolent Soul Engine of Tyria!" The sinister, green barrier is projected around them. It separates Yuni and the armored man from Tori and Brutus. Yuni grunts. He says proudly, "My Soul Engine has taken 421 souls."

Yuni sneers, "You monster."

"You hardly even know who I am."

"I know enough. I know your type, and it deserves no respect."

"I feel like you're judging me prematurely. Why don't you wait until you find out who I really am?"

"Nothing you can do will change the way I think about you."

"We'll just see about that. This monster in my hand is level six, but its effect allows me to set it without any tributes." A facedown card appears on the field. "I'll also back it up with another facedown card. Make your move Yuni Oha (Unknown Duelist's hand: 3)."

Yuni draws. "I summon Cyber-Tech Spearman (Dark/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 1700/DEF 200)!" Yuni's monster is a robotically armored soldier carrying a long spear. "Cyber-Tech Spearman, attack his facedown monster!" The monster prepares to thrust it spear at the facedown card. "When my Spearman attacks a facedown monster, it gains 500 attack for the duration of the Damage Step (ATK: 2200)! Also, it inflicts piercing damage, meaning you'll have some damage coming your way!" The monster attacks, piercing the card. It flips up to reveal a slim and swift looking monster, colored grey. It has a large bulbous head, with large black eyes.

The armored man states, "You just attacked my facedown Sneak Invader (Dark/Level 6/Psychic/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 0)!"

Yuni, Brutus, and Tori all gasp. Yuni slowly says, "I've only heard of one person who uses the Invader cards…"

The armored man pulls off his helmet. The angle we're shown does not reveal his face. A familiar voice says happily, "What? Are you not happy to see your number one fan?" The angle changes, revealing the armored man to actually be Zenith. He smiles.