Chapter 9: Willingness

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh

Alex and the cloaked young man stared at each other intently for a few moments from opposite sides of the street. Amanda, Will, Tom and the shop owner had gathered outside as well, standing a few feet behind Alex. They looked from Alex to the man across the street, and waited silently for something to happen. The cloaked figure walked across the empty street, stopping when he reached the other side and was only a few feet away from Alex. He chuckled to himself, seemingly amused.

"Who are you?" demanded Alex.

"I would have asked you first, but then I remembered I didn't care, Guardian of Light. As for me, if you must call me something; call me 'Ted'."

"Okay Ted; what do you want with me?"

"It should have come naturally, considering the title I called you by. However; it's not quite the same as last time. Since I'm not my master, I can't gain control by winning a duel. What I can do however; is defeat you in a duel, knock you out and swipe your precious Guardian Monster."

"What does that gain you? I'm the only one who can use it."

"For now, yes. However; my master is currently searching for a method to unlock the power he needs without you and wishes to have your Guardian Monster to test his workings on."

"I would love to see you try."

"That's the plan," replied Ted, his Duel Disk activating.

The others seemed intent on watching what was happening, but Alex was trying to wave them away.

"What's going on with this guy Alex?" asked Tom.

"Yeah, and why don't you want us watching?" added Will.

"This guy is from a… dangerous dueling gang." Alex had to make something up, regardless of whether or not is sounded convincing. "He's trying to beat me to undercut Telham's team and steal my rarest card. I want you guys to back off because these holographic duels can get pretty intense. If you feel you need to watch, at least get inside."

Amanda, Will and Tom begrudgingly listened to Alex's request and made their way back into the card shop. The shop's owner was about to go back in, but then made his way back to Alex. He pressed something into Alex's hand before running back into the store. Alex looked at what he had been given, and saw the 'Honest' card the old man had showed him earlier. He smiled and slipped the card into his deck, before turning to face Ted once more.

"Aw, did the geezer give you a hankie in case you start crying? Not that it matters, since I won't be showing any mercy anyways."

"Let's just get this over with, 'Ted'."

Alex drew his card first this time, after experiencing the lack of courtesy showed by his previous opponent. "I'll start things off with 'Garoth; Lightsworn Warrior.'" Alex's monster appeared on the field, pointing his halberd directly at Ted. "I'll also set two cards face down and end my turn."

"I was hoping for more of a fight, but oh well," scoffed Ted. "Now I'll summon 'Luster Dragon', in attack mode."

Ted's monster was a level four wind type dragon monster with no effect. It had nineteen hundred attack points and sixteen hundred defense points. The monster materialized as soon as Ted placed it on his Duel Disk. Its body was fairly sturdy looking, and appeared to be made entirely out of sapphire. Each of its arms boasted four claws while its legs each ended in a single, sharp point. Its wings were very thin, but seemed to be able to keep the dragon aloft. It roared at 'Garoth', who stepped back from it.

"Now my Dragon; attack his Warrior, it's bothering me."

Luster Dragon let out a roar and opened its mouth towards 'Garoth'. Instead of spewing flames, large chunks of sapphire crystal shot from the dragon's mouth. These chunks struck 'Garoth', causing him to shatter along with them. A fragment of the shattered crystals nicked Alex's cheek, causing him to wince a bit. His life point counter also dropped to thirty-nine fifty. From inside the shop, Alex could hear encouraging words being shouted by his friends.

"I'll end my turn with a couple of face downs, just like you."

Alex ignored his obnoxious opponent and drew his card. "I'll activate 'Solar Recharge'," he called, discarding the 'Jenis; Lightsworn Mender' in his hand.

Alex then drew two more cards and sent two more to the graveyard from his deck. His graveyard immediately spat one of the cards back out at him, holding it so he could retrieve it. Alex plucked the card, and saw that it was 'Wulf; Lightsworn Beast'. Apparently the Duel Disk recognized his monster's ability, and alerted him to it. Alex then summoned 'Wulf' to the field in attack mode. Ted's dragon seemed unfazed by Alex's new monster, but he didn't notice.

"I'll also summon my 'Jain; Lightsworn Paladin' in attack mode." 'Jain' materialized on the field next to 'Wulf', who looked to his fellow 'Lightsworn' and nodded. "Now 'Wulf; attack his 'Luster Dragon' with Noble Claw!"

'Wulf' let out a howl before leaping at Ted's dragon. As he approached the dragon, he brought his right arm forward, balled into a fist. The metal blades on his hand began to glow bright yellow just as they impacted the dragon's chest. It let out a howl and then shattered, disappearing form the field. A piece of the broken dragon struck Ted as his life points dropped to thirty-eight hundred.

"I'll activate my face down card; 'Bond of Dragons'. When one of my dragon type monsters is destroyed, it let's me summon another Dragon type monster of level four or lower from my deck. Now I called to the field 'Masked Dragon'!"

Ted's Duel Disk automatically ejected the desired card from his deck, which he then placed on the field. His new dragon had a fairly small body, but an incredibly long neck and head. Most of its body, including its wings and legs, were a pale cream colour, but its underbelly was bright red. The way the colours were patterned on its face made it look like it was wearing a mask. It had only fourteen hundred attack points though.

"Fine then, 'Jain', attack his 'Masked Dragon' with Shimmering Slash."

'Jain' nodded to Alex and then ran towards Ted's new dragon. His sword began to glow brightly as he drew it from its sheath, until it was bright white. He brought his sword down onto the dragon's neck, severing its head. There was no blood, the monster instead vanishing as soon as its head was removed. 'Jain' then walked back over to Alex's side of the field. When he got back and turned around, he saw 'Masked Dragon' still on the field.

"The special ability of 'Masked Dragon' allows me to summon a dragon type monster from my deck when he's destroyed, so long as it has fifteen hundred or fewer attack points."

"You may still have monsters out, but you're down to thirty-one hundred life points." Alex ended his turn and discard two cards from his deck for 'Jain's' effect.

"I may be behind in life points right now, but I'm still going to slaughter you. It starts with this," claimed Ted as he drew his card. "I offer my 'Masked Dragon' as tribute to summon 'Luster Dragon #2'." Ted sent his first dragon to the graveyard and placed the new one on the field.

When this new monster materialized, it towered over both 'Wulf' and 'Jain' and roared at them. Like the first 'Luster Dragon', this dragon's body seemed to be made entire out of crystal. However; the green hue of its skin indicated that it was emerald instead of sapphire. It had a much greater wingspan than its predecessor, and also seemed to have deposits of actual crystals growing out of its back. It boasted two thousand, four hundred attack points.

"Are you scared yet?" taunted Ted. "If not, then wait until after my dragon attacks! Now my beast; obliterate his Paladin!"

The emerald dragon roared and reared up, opening its mouth wide. Once again instead of flames, massive crystal shards flew from its mouth. The shards exploded on contact with 'Jain', crushing him under their force. Alex was once again struck by a broken jewel shard, although this one was larger than before. It struck his gut, but he tried to minimize his reaction in order to keep his friend from noticing. His life points dropped to thirty-three hundred and fifty, which left him still holding a slight lead.

"You seem to be having trouble dealing with the reality of this duel," taunted Ted. "I'd offer you the chance to surrender and save yourself the anguish, but I'm having too much fun pummeling you." He then ended his turn by setting one more card face down.

Alex shook his head and tried to ignore the pain in his abdomen as he drew his next card. He was pleased with what he saw in his hand. "Now I'll make a sacrifice as well. I offer my 'Lightsworn Beast' as tribute in order to summon 'Celestia; Lightsworn Angel."

'Wulf' nodded to Alex before disappearing, at which time Celestia materialized above the playing field. She descended down to where 'Wulf' had been standing and took his place. The jewel in her spear began to glow as Alex activated her effect by discarding four cards from his deck. The same stream of light as before shot from the jewel, branching into two sparks. The first struck Ted's dragon, causing it to immediately shatter. The second struck one of his face down cards, which was revealed to be the trap card 'Mirror Force'.

"What was that about me surrendering?" retorted Alex. "Now that you're wide open; 'Celestia' can attack your life point directly. Go; Celestial Spear!"

'Celestia' smiled at Alex before turning back to face her attack target. She lowered herself and shifted her spear forward, before gliding towards Ted. She seemed about to strike him in the gut where Alex had been hit, but at the last moment veered her spear upwards, striking him in the shoulder. Ted grunted and winced before clutching at his left should with his free hand. He glowered at 'Celestia' who was already back on Alex's side of the field. His life point counter now displayed a mere eight hundred points, causing him to grumble to himself.

"Before my battle ends, I activate the permanent trap card 'Glorious Illusion' to revive my 'Wulf'." A magical circle appeared on the ground, glowing with intense bright light.

"Not so fast," declared Ted. "I'll stop you with my face down card; Solemn Judgment." His face down card opened, revealing a depiction of a lordly man gesturing regally. "Now by paying half my life points I can negate the activation of your trap card."

Alex sighed, displeased that he wasn't able to end the duel this turn. Still, he took the opportunity to address his opponent. "I think I should offer you a chance to surrender, seeing as you only have four hundred life points left."

"Those points mean nothing," he spat as he drew his card. "Now I'm afraid I have to prove it. I'll start by summoning my third 'Masked Dragon', in attack mode. I'll follow up with the spell card 'Dragon's Mirror'."

When Ted activated his card, a large mirror appeared on the field. It currently reflected 'Masked Dragon' on its surface.

"What does that card do?" demanded Alex.

"It brings about my victory. Now by removing dragons in my graveyard and on the field from play, I can perform a fusion summon. Now behold my unstoppable beast: The 'Five Gods Dragon'!"

As Alex looked on, 'Masked Dragon' was pulled into the mirror. He also saw astral projections of two more 'Masked Dragons' appear, as well as those of the two 'Luster Dragons'. They too were sucked into the mirror, which then vanished. The mirror reappeared behind Ted, although this time it was much larger. Alex couldn't stop his hand from shaking as he waited for this new monster to emerge. The monster first appeared as a shadow inside the mirror, but the shadows were lifted as the beast clawed its way out of the mirror

Once the beast had fully emerged, the mirror disappeared completely. This massive dragon was immensely muscular, and had great arms ending in triads of claws. The most intimidating thing about this dragon was its heads. It had five of them, spread out across its broad shoulders. Only the middle head seem to match its body, while the rest were completely bizarre. One of the heads was made completely of flames, while the second resembled a sea serpent. Another head seemed to be made entirely of wispy shadows, while the last one was mechanical.

The earth shook as this massive beast stepped forwards a few paces, until it was nearly on top of Ted. All five of its heads bellowed with an indescribably horrible shriek. Alex had to cover his ears to drown out the noise, as did his friends inside the card shop. Even worse was the fact that this dragon had five thousand points for both its attack and defense stats.

Ted yelled out with maniacal laughter as he new beast snorted at Alex's monster. "Care to surrender now, Guardian of Light? Too bad, because my dragon is going to obliterate you first."

Alex glowered at the new monster, but was still unable to stop his hand from shaking. Damn it! That thing is enormous. Not only that, but it might do some major damage. Even if it can't physically damage me, its attack might cause my nerves to overload, since they still react to the pain of the attack.

"Now my unstoppable dragon; attack his puny angel!"

The 'Five Gods Dragon' let out another terrible shriek and opened all five of its mouths wide. Each one then proceeded to unleash a stream of energy of a different type. The flaming head unleashed fire, the serpent head unleashed water, the middle head unleashed a tornado, the shadow head unleashed a stream of smog and the mechanical head unleashed a lightning blast. 'Celestia' flew forward, directly into the path of the attack and raised her spear in front of the oncoming blasts. Alex could tell that she was trying to protect him from as much of the damage as possible.

Eventually 'Celestia' dropped under the strain of the attack and was destroyed. Although she had stopped some of the blast, the rest of it still flew towards Alex. He raised his arms, placing his Duel Disk in front of his face in order to shield himself as much as possible. When the attack impacted, the force of it threw Alex off his feet, backwards into the card shop window. The windows had already been cracked by the shock from the attack, and the one Alex hit shattered as he connected with it. He landed face down inside the card shop, several feet farther back than his friends.

When they had seen Alex knocked off his feet, the people inside the card shop had instinctively dived out of the way. Now they were all standing up, brushing broken glass off their clothes and hurrying over to Alex's side to see if he was okay. Alex was still moving, although he was in rough shape. Even though the dragon's attack hadn't damaged his body, he had received many small cuts from the broken window. Outside, Ted's maniacal laughter could be heard again.

"Had enough yet, Guardian of Light?! If you're not back out here in one minute, I'll assume you're forfeiting or dead, and I'll take 'Judgment Dragon' for myself."

Alex attempted to push himself off the ground, but Tom tried to hold him down. "You can't go back out there," he said. "You just got thrown through a window."

"Yeah; what the hell just happened anyways?!" exclaimed Will.

Amanda bore a look of extreme shock on her face, and seemed unable to say anything.

"I have to get back out there," spat Alex, still trying to push himself up.

"Are you crazy?!"

"He still has life points left," stated the shop owner.

Everyone including Alex instinctively looked at the Duel Disk's life point counter, and saw that he did indeed have six hundred and fifty life points remaining. Alex managed to get onto his feet, although he very nearly fell down again as soon as he was up. He began walking back towards the shop door, but then turned back to the shop owner.

"Thanks Gramps."

"I don't know what just happened, but you can explain that later. Right now, you have to go back out there and win that duel."

Alex smiled at the owner as he walked back out onto the street. He stared determinedly at Ted, and a small smirk curled onto his lips.

"So; back for more punishment eh? Maybe I should have dueled against the old man instead. Since he owns a card shop, he might have had better cards to duel with."

Alex simply drew his card and smiled, as he saw 'Honest', the very card Gramps had given him, in his hand. Looked to the other cards in his hand, and saw that the only other monster he had to play was 'Lumina; Lightsworn Summoner'. Even so, with 'Honest' in his hand, she would be more than enough to finish him off. None of the other cards in his hand could be used right now, so he went straight into his play.

Ted chuckled darkly to himself. There's no way he'll have anything strong enough to defeat my dragon. Then, if he tries to destroy it with a card effect, my trap card 'Destruction Jammer', will stop him dead. There's no way he can win.

"Now I'll summon 'Lumina; Lightsworn Summoner', in attack mode."

Lumina materialized on the field in a flash of light, settling down right in front of Alex. She had only one thousand attack points, causing Ted to snicker at her. She wore an ornate, form fitting sundress and her arms were adorned with bracelets, bangles and rings. Her hands glowed with magical energy, a magic circle accompanying the adornments on her wrists. Her short, golden hair was topped by a gold tiara, and her neck bore a scarf, the tassels of which hung down either of her shoulders.

"Now 'Lumina'; attack his 'Five Gods Dragon' with Rune of Light!"

Ted wailed out his laughter at Alex's declaration. "I think getting thrown through that window messed up your mind. Your monster won't even scratch my dragon!"

"Nope, she's going to destroy it. I discard 'Honest' from my hand. Now, when one of my Light monsters battles, it gains attack points equal to the strength of the opposing monster."

"What?!"

"In short, 'Lumina' is about to gain five thousand attack points."

After Alex discarded the card from his hand, 'Honest' appeared on the field, floating above 'Lumina'. 'Lumina' drew a symbol in the air, projected in a bright white light. She touched the symbol and it flew up towards 'Honest', stopping in front of him. 'Honest' held out his hands, enveloping the rune in further light. The rune then shot outward and expanded, its power projected by 'Honest'. The rune engraved itself on the dragon's chest, causing it to wail in pain. The rune gave a large flash, after which the massive dragon began to dissolve. Ted stood there with a horrified look on his face, not watching as his life point counter drop to zero.

Alex panted, the weight of his injuries now coming back in full force. Even so he smiled, pleased that he had managed to defeat Ted. He looked to the shop owner, who was practically glowing after seeing Alex use his card to win the duel. He was about to walk back inside when Ted began to ramble desperately.

"Please master, don't do this," he wailed. "I almost had him, just give me another chance."

Alex was about to run up to Ted when he saw him convulse violently. Ted then looked at him with a blank expression in his eyes. A small smirk appeared on his face.

"Greetings once again, Guardian of Light." Although Ted's mouth spoke, the voice that came from it belonged to Michael.

"Michael?! How are you speaking to me?"

"Through my servant. Since he was one of the ones who submitted to me willingly, as opposed to those who I had to conquer, your defeat of him offered no release from my control. I decided to take over his mind so that I could speak with you."

"What do you want?"

"Only to tell you that your attempts to resist me are futile and a waste of your effort. You would be much better off to join me, since my goals are far less foul than you give them credit for."

"I'm afraid that isn't going to happen."

"Then I am afraid that things are only going to get worse for you. I shall still hope that you will come to your senses and join me."

After that, Michael's voice faded, and Ted's eyes turned back to normal, although he passed out shortly afterwards. Alex was close to joining him, when Will and Tom ran out from the card shop and propped him up on their shoulders. Amanda and Gramps also ran out of the card shop, crouching down next to Ted's unconscious form. Before anyone could say anything, the sound of police sirens caught their ears. They wordlessly decided that this was not the place to be at this time. Amanda and Gramps worked to move Ted while Alex was supported by Will and Tom, and they began working their way towards the park.

Author's Notes: Ouch, looks like things got real really fast. How will Alex explain things to his friends, and how will they respond? Keep reading to find out, and thanks for reading up until this point.