Alright guys, we're officially in the double digits now for chapters on this story. We had two reviewers for Chapter 9 at the time of publishing this chapter, so I'd like to thank both Martyn and D3lph0xL0v3r, continued readers of the story!
Just so no one is confused, the first half events of this chapter take place on Friday before the dance, with the second half of the chapter taking place during the Saturday of the dance.
On another note, I hope I wrote this alright. I never really paid attention to courtroom scenes and stuff... that statement will be made clear once you read the chapter. On that note, I hope everyone enjoys the chapter!
"Jury, report." The judge said, shuffling through some papers. He was a grey haired, middle aged man, wearing the traditional black robe with a white undershirt and black tie.
"The jury is all here, your honor." Said a woman standing at the jury box, dressed in a black formal dress. With her in the jury box were a mixture of men and woman, all dressed alike in black suits and dresses.
"Good, then the prostitution of the defendant, Jirou Kenyo, shall begin." The judge spoke, turning to a police officer standing to his left. "Go fetch the prisoner."
The police officer nodded, walking out of the court room, passing by the only two people in the court room. Mr. and Mrs. Kenyo were sitting there together behind the defendant stand, Mrs. Kenyo crying to herself as Mr. Kenyo kept an arm around his wife, looking stressed. "As promised, we published no information about this trial." The judge spoke directly to them. "However, your son still committed an act of extreme violence, and this must be done."
"O-our boy w-would never." Mrs. Kenyo sobbed, her tears dripping into her blue dress. "H-he didn't get along with h-his brother... in f-fact he was quite mean to h-his brother, but h-he's always been a g-g-good boy to everyone else!"
"Perhaps to your eyes, yes." The judge said, making Mr. Kenyo shake a little in rage, wrinkling his blue suit. "However, the crime happened, and no matter how 'good' your son was, he will still go through his trial."
The back doors of the court opened, and to the surprise of everyone, it was not Jirou and the police officer, but two additional guests. The first was a balding, older man wearing a red suit and a wide, rich looking smirk on his face. He held a cane that was decked out in jewels and a sapphire as the handle. Accompanying him was a man no older then Jirou, wearing a black racing suit meant for turbo duels, with yellow designs all over. His black hair was spiked straight up, with a single bang falling down in the center of his forehead. His black eyes looking around the room with interest.
"Huh, not a big turn out." The younger man spoke, looking down at the older man.
"Now, now, Raven." The older gentleman spoke. "They did want this to be a private trial, after all."
"Who are you?" Spoke the remaining cop in the room, as he stepped forward. "How did you get past the guards outside?"
The older man spoke, as he entered the court room with Raven. "I believe I do have a right to be here, as chairman and manager of the Pro Dueling League. Mr. Lockwood, at your service."
The judge sighed, pounding his hammer to catch the attention of the police officer. "Mr. Lockwood, I do believe that this trial's guests were only approved to be the jury of 12, the parents of Jirou, and any court officials that were permitted to be working here today, which basically means me, and the police. You have no right to be here with whoever you brought with you."
"Ah, yes, please excuse me. This is Raven, the newest rising star of the Pro League." Mr. Lockwood grinned. "And if you may hear me out, your honor. Being the manager and owner of the Pro League, I believe that I have every right to be here, as your prosecuting my client on a manner that happened in my dueling arena."
The judge sat back, sighing. He thought for a minute before nodding. "Very well, you and your other athlete can stay, but I do not want to hear any more out of you unless you are asked to speak, do you understand.
Lockwood nodded, though Raven looked at his boss sideways, not believing that they were just here to watch the trial. A few tense minutes passed, with only Lockwood seeming relaxed, keeping a grin on his face. Finally, the backdoors opened again, and through them stepped Jirou, handcuffed in the front, being escorted by the cop to the defense stand. Mrs. Kenyo sobbed louder than ever at the sight of her oldest son in chains. Jirou got to the front and turned back to his parents, looking at them for a few minutes before finally speaking.
"Where's the twerp?"
"He getting ready for Union's Homecomming Dance." Mr. Kenyo replied. "On top of that, he's stressed enough knowing what you did. He doesn't need to see this."
"In other words, he's too weak to come." Jirou replied, turning back to the front to miss his father's glare of anger.
"Mr. Kenyo." The judge spoke, looking at Jirou. "You are hereby charged with aggressive assault on Hero… seriously, they couldn't have put his real name? Anyway, you're charged with aggressive assault, rending a citizen hospitalized with several fractures, broken bones, etc. How do you plead?"
Jirou didn't reply for a moment, before finally speaking. "I plead that I carried out the duel as any duelist would. I attacked with my monster to win the duel, and Hero merely was too weak to take the blow. Not my fault."
"If I recall, duelists registered in the Professional Leagues are hereby obligated to sign a contract stating that they would not carry out any dueling that would result in severe injuries. Ever since Solid Vision was implemented, duelists are able to interact with holograms, by touching and feeling them. The contract farther states, when conducting direct attacks, the duelist must take pre-cautions that said attacks would be conducted one at a time, to insure no actual injuries will occur. You, on the other hand, ordered three direct attacks to be issues simultaneously, which I believe is not only a violation of the contract you signed, but is taught to be very dangerous to do as multiple attacks have been known to cause actual injury."
Jirou smirked. "Guess I forgot. You can't really pardon me for making a simple mistake?"
"Ah, but if you recall, you must make the oath of the Pro League each and every time you conduct a duel within my walls." Lockwood spoke.
"Mr. Lockwood, I do believe I said you are not to speak unless spoken to." The judge snapped.
"I apologize, your honor." Lockwood said. "I just thought that information should be known."
The judge nodded. "Your defense?"
"Don't I get a lawyer for this sorta thing?" Jirou asked as he looked around. "I don't see one… on that note, I don't even see a prosecution lawyer!"
"Under normal circumstances you'd get a lawyer, yes." The judge replied. "However, no lawyer would take your side in the case. You're assault was broadcast on live TV, and if I recall, any lawyer we tried to appoint to you refused, as the evidence was indisputable."
Jirou grit his teeth angrily. Mrs. Kenyo was sobbing harder than ever, and Mr. Kenyo had gone pale in the face.
"If I may, your honor." Lockwood said, standing up. "I do believe that I do have some evidence for some innocence on my client's behalf."
"Whose side are you on, anyway?" The judge asked, glaring at Lockwood. "First you state some evidence against him, now you're defensing him?"
Lockwood continued to grin. "Please, your honor. I do have to take care of my clients, don't I? They are my duelists for my duel league. Jirou did indeed conduct his attack, however, the state of an action duel has been known to cause increased adrenaline to a duelist, therefore causing them to sometimes make rash decisions."
"A duelist is usually expected to handle this, Mr. Lockwood." The judge shot back.
"Yes, indeed, I apologize." Mr. Lockwood said, sitting back down. Raven raised an eyebrow, wondering what exactly Lockwood was playing at. The old man was still grinning, as if he expected that answer.
"I do believe all the evidence was submitted and reviewed by the jury before the case began." The judge said. "And since no evidence was submitted in the defense that is passible, have we come to an agreement?"
We're already going to the verdict? Jirou thought to himself. Without lawyers? This is a fucked up trial… almost as if it's ridged entirely for me to be announced as-
"Yes, your honor." The woman from before spoke up. "We find the defendant, guilty of-"
"If I may again, your honor?" Lockwood stood up, raising his hand.
"Excuse me?" The woman shot at the old man. "But I believe the judge asked me to speak and not you."
"Pardon me, miss." Lockwood smiled, bowing at her. "But such a quick conclusion… without even a chance for young Jirou. What would you do to him if her guilty sentence went through?"
"That isn't your business till I issue the punishment based on the severity of the crime." The judge said. "But if you must know, the degree of his assault means he could serve six to thirty years in prison." At this, Mrs. Kenyo let out a loud sob before practically fainting.
"Six to thirty… my, oh my." Lockwood shook his head, still grinning. "And what exactly will this do? Lock him away for him to maul on his hatred. I believe since he is a duelist, we should solve this like a duelist."
"What are you inferring?" The judge asked, suspicion in his voice.
"A duel, of course." Lockwood spoke. "Jirou is still reigning World Champion of Duel Monsters, and with that title he is able to defend it. Here I have Raven, a man more than capable of stripping him of his title. The duel will be simple. If Jirou wins, we drop the charges and he keeps his title. If Raven wins, Jirou loses his title to Raven and your sentence will be carried out."
"Are you insane?" The judge asked in shock. "You expect me to bet this criminal's fate on a card game!? This is a criminal who assaulted a man we've got here! This isn't something that we can just bet on a children's card game!"
At this, the grin of Lockwood finally faded, replaced with a sinister look of anger that made the room grow cold. "Children's card game? I'm sorry, your honor, but you have no idea the meaning of this game. It isn't like Go Fish or any game you'd classify as a children's game… this game is about heart, your soul and mind… this game was used by the ancient Egyptians to invoke powerful magic that we of today cannot comprehend. I merely offer a solution, to settle this manner how it was created, with the very game. If the cards find Jirou is guilty, he will serve his sentence. I believe you will find, your honor, that this game is more than just a game."
"This is just a ploy!" The judge shouted. "You just want to broadcast this duel and get more profit, don't you?"
"Perhaps it will net me a gain." Lockwood said, glaring. "But, the people don't want a private trial… they want justice, and the cards will serve it! And if I may, this is an invalid trial in the first place! No lawyers? A jury of biased individuals?"
"The evidence is too much! Lawyers would only state what we already know!" The judge stated.
"But you're still bound to follow your own code." Lockwood stated. "You must give all a fighting chance, and you're basically announcing this boy as being guilty without a lawyer to even prosecute him, or one to defend him. He didn't announce if he was guilty or not."
"His statement was basically him stating he attacked the prosecution!" The judge noted.
"And where is the prosecution?" Lockwood asked. "In the hospital, yes, but surely a prosecuting lawyer would be here? No, I feel as though this trial is corrupted, as if someone manipulated it to be unfair on purpose. Perhaps even Hero himself paid off the jury and the judge." At that, the judge flinched, something Raven and Lockwood both noticed. "Therefore, I am taking manners into my own hands. The duel will decide if Jirou will walk a free man to fight in the Pros for me as Champion, or serve the six to thirty he would be sentenced to here."
"You can't just take this manner from the court." The judge stated.
"Oh?" Lockwood grinned, as the back door opened as two men stepped through. "I think I can."
Raven looked back in shock, watching as the two men walked through the door, dressed like secret service agents. They scanned the room before the one of the right started to talk. "This court is ruled as invalid."
"I beg your pardon!" The judge spoke.
"Supreme Judge Lennox has ruled it himself." The one on the left spoke.
"J-j-judge Lennox?!" The judge's voice shook, as he recoiled back in fear.
"Supreme Judge Lennox has also agreed by Lockwood's request for this to be settled in a duel." The one on the right said. "The duel is scheduled for tomorrow, 8 pm sharp. Good day." They then turned to Jirou, grabbing him and guiding him out of the room. "Till then, the prisoner will be held by the secret service."
Raven, in the mist of silence from the judge and jury, bent over to whisper to Lockwood. "Who's Lennox?"
"An old friend." Lockwood whispered back, a smirk on the man's face. "You best be ready, the duel tomorrow is not going to be easy. Now, we should go before the Kenyo's erupt questions on us, or this corrupt judge yells as us."
"This was your plan." Raven whispered back as they began walking out of the courtroom. "Your plan all along, wasn't it?" Lockwood didn't reply, but a small smile was still on the man's face.
XxXxXxX
The news that Jirou would be dueling in a match against up and coming duelist Raven of the Pro League spread so fast, that by noon the next day everyone in the city had heard the news. Only the students of Union seemed to miss it, as they were too busy getting ready for the dance. The teachers did hear the news, however, and decided it was best that the students did not know of this, especially Yuga and his friends.
"Welcome to Pro Dueling!" A women shouted at the Grand Dueling Arena. "I'm your announcer for the evening, Melissa Claire! And now, the main event is about to get underway! Tonight, we have wanted criminal and current Duel Champion, Jirou, defending his title from Raven, a duelist who rose to fame soon after the infamous duel between Jirou and Hero! The duel tonight will be a Riding Duel, a dueling style that became popular when Synchro Monsters were developed for the first time! Now, let's welcome the challenger the evening, Raven!" Smoke erupted from a doorway on the turbo dueling track, as a black duel running with yellow steaks came roaring onto the track. Raven was wearing the same uniform he wore at the trial, just with a black helmet to match. Cheers erupted from the crowd as Raven raced around the track, stopping at the starting line.
"And now, the current World Champion, Jirou!" The smoke erupted again, and a white duel runner roared into the track, but there was no cheers to welcome this one. Jirou, now wearing a white riding suit with a white helmet, was met with boos and hisses, some people even backing away in this seats to be farther from him. Jirou stopped next to Raven at the starting line, and looked sideways at his opponent, who looked very serious.
I don't know why you wanted this, Lockwood. Raven thought to himself. All I know is you wanted this, and I cannot lose! I have to win, not just for the title, but to lock this criminal way for good.
"Duelists, are you ready?" Melissa asked. "Then let's get this underway, Speed World Neo on!"
"Turbo Duel." Both duel runners said in their mechanical voice. "Auto pilot, standby."
Two rings erupted from the duel runners, turning the entire track into a field for them to duel on as a yellow blade came out of the black duel runner and a blue blade came out of the white duel runner. Melissa smiled as a holographic stoplight appeared on the field and began changing from red to yellow and finally to green. "Riding Duel… Acceleration!"
Both duel runners suddenly took off, racing across the straightaway to the first corner.
"DUEL!"
Jirou: 4000 vs Raven: 4000
"Whoever takes the corner first gets to make the first play in the duel." Melissa shouted. "And from my eyes, it's Raven!"
Raven did indeed round the corner first. He looked behind at his opponent, who was eyeing him carefully. No, he wanted to go second. Cyber Dragon can use its special ability to come out on the field if he has no monsters and I have at least one. "My turn, then." Raven announced. "I summon Blackwing – Kris the Crack of Dawn (1900/300)!" A blue humanoid looking bird appeared, flying alongside Raven's duel runner.
A Blackwing deck, huh? Jirou thought.
"Whoa, already a big opening play by Raven!" Melissa screamed, as the crowd erupted in cheers.
"These people obviously don't know a good match." Jirou taunted, smirking. "Cheering for you with only one monster on your side of the field. It's pathetic."
Raven took this insult in stride, smiling to himself. "You obviously haven't ever seen me duel. Now I activate the special ability of the Blackwing – Oroshi the Squall in my hand! Because I have a Blackwing monster on my side of the field, I can special summon him to my field from my hand (Blackwing – Oroshi the Squall: 400/600)!" This time, a blackbird appeared on the field, flying alongside the duel runner as well. "Now, I tune my Level 1 Blackwing – Oroshi the Squall to my Level 4 Blackwing – Kris the Crack of Dawn!"
"A Synchro Summon!?" Jirou gasped.
"Light fiend, appear and blind the enemy with illusions! Synchro Summon! Level 5, Armades, Keeper of Boundaries (2300/1500)!" Raven chanted. Before Jirou's eyes, a white garbed undead looking monster appeared and began hovering on the track beside Raven's duel runner.
"And there it is! The specialty of Raven, the first turn Synchro Summon!" Melissa cried to cheers of the crowd.
"I'll place once card face down." Raven said, as the card appeared on the field and disappeared to save memory in the duel runner. "You're go."
Jirou grit his teeth, drawing a card. "My turn! I activate the effect of King of the Swamp! By discarding him from my hand, I can move a Polymerization from my hand to my deck! I then put a monster in face down defense mode and end my turn."
Raven smirked as Melissa's voice rang out through the stadium. "Jirou barely made a play! Did he not get a good hand, or is this part of some plan of his?"
Jirou closed his eyes, which was safe to do because of the auto pilot of the duel runner he was loaned. He could hear the audience booing and hissing at his lack of moves that turn. They were shouting things like "How did this guy ever beat Hero?" and "They should've just locked you away and not have given you a chance!" He remained calm, however, silently telling himself that he would soon show them all.
"It's my turn again." Raven cried, drawing a card as the crowd's boos turned into cheers once again. "I'll attack your face down defense monster with Armades!" The fiend flew forward, slashing at the monster the card hologram was hiding. It appeared as Cyber Dragon Core (400/1500), and was instantly destroyed by the monster's attack. "I end my turn there."
The crowd was cheering, and Jirou smirked. "I wanted you to destroy that card, hence why I left him wide open."
Raven smirked back. "Then show me why you made that call."
Jirou hissed, drawing a card. "I will, my turn now! I activate the effect of my Cyber Dragon Core. When he is in my graveyard, I can banish him to summon one 'Cyber Dragon' monster from my deck, as long as I have no monsters on my side of the field. I summon, Cyber Dragon (2100/1600)!" The metallic serpent machine dragon appeared on Jirou's field, roaring loudly and floating alongside his master.
"Not a bad move, if it was against a weaker monster." Raven stated. "How do you expect to beat 2300 attack points with 2100?"
Jirou growled. "Let me finish my turn, punk! Now, since I still have my normal summon, I'll summon Cyber Dragon Zwei (1500/1000) to the field!" Another Cyber Dragon appeared on the field, but this one had yellowish green highlights in its metallic armor. "I activate my Zwei's special effect! By revealing one Spell Card in my hand, the name of my Cyber Dragon Zwei is treated as Cyber Dragon for the rest of the turn. I'll show you my Polymerization, since you already know I have it!"
Raven's eyes widened as his smile faded. "And you're doing that because…"
Jirou smirked. "That's right, now I can fuse my Cyber Dragon Zwei with my Cyber Dragon, using Polymerization! Two machine dragons, merge together into a new ferocious machine! Fusion Summon! Level 8, Cyber Twin Dragon (2800/2100)!" A two headed Cyber Dragon appeared next to Jirou's duel runner, glaring at his adversary. "My Cyber Twin Dragon has a passive effect. He gets to attack twice during each Battle Phase! Now, Cyber Twin Dragon, attack his Armades with your first head!" Cyber Twin Dragon's left head roared, sending out a blast of blue energy, obliterating Armades (Raven: 4000 - 3500). "Now, the second attack! Cyber Twin Dragon, direct attack!" The right head of Cyber Twin roared, sending out the same blast as the first one did, this time hitting Raven and causing the duel runner to spin out of control for a bit before Raven regained his handling (Raven: 3500 - 700).
"I don't believe it!" Melissa shouted, eyes wide in disbelief. "Jirou has drawn first blood, and with two hits in a row! He's reduced Raven's life points to a mere 700! How will he respond?"
Hisses and boos came from the crowd. Cries in protest to Jirou's amazing play ringing in the ears of the Cyber user, but he ignored them all. "I'll end my turn."
Raven shook his head, and looked back up, but to everyone's surprise, he was smiling. "My turn now!" He then drew a card, and the cheers erupted once again. "I summon Blackwing – Pinaki the Waxing Moon (1200/1000)!" Out came a black bird wearing what looked like a white turban, holding a bow. "And I activate the ability of the Blackwing – Kris the Crack of Dawn in my hand! Because I have another Blackwing on my field, I can special summon him from my hand. Next, I tune my Level 3 Blackwing – Pinaki the Waxing Moon with my Level 4 Blackwing – Kris the Crack of Dawn!"
Another Synchro Summon? Jirou thought to himself.
"Darkened gales, become the wings which will soar to heaven! Synchro Summon! Level 7, Blackwing Armor Master (2500/1500)!" Raven chanted, as a giant armor plated humanoid bird appeared next to his duel runner. "Armor Master's special ability, he cannot be destroyed by battle and I take no damage from battles involving him!"
"Say what!?" Jirou shouted.
"There's more." Raven smirked, looking behind his shoulder at his opponent. "When he attacks a monster, I place one Wedge Counter on it, and any monster with a Wedge Counter on it can have that counter removed by him to make their attack and defense 0 until the end of my turn!"
Jirou hissed, pulling a card from his hand. "In that case, I discard my Effect Veiler! By doing this, the effects of your monster are negated until the end of your turn."
Raven smirked. "Not like you had a choice but to do that. Effect Veiler can only be used on your opponent's turn. Doing that prevents me from placing a counter on your monster this turn. Very well, I'll end my turn now, but not before activating the effect of my Pinaki in my graveyard. Because he was sent to my graveyard this turn, I can activate his special ability. It allows me to move one Blackwing from my deck to my hand, and I choose Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind!"
"It's my turn now!" Jirou declared, drawing a card. "I activate Monster Reborn! This allows me to bring back my Cyber Dragon from the graveyard! Rise, my beast!" Cyber Dragon appeared from a vortex, roaring loudly.
Raven looked back at Jirou, a smirk on his opponent's face. I get the feeling he's got Evolution Burst in his hand. "Trap activate, Icarus Attack! By tributing 1 Winged-Beast monster on my side of the field, I can destroy two cards on yours. I sacrifice my Blackwing Armor Master to destroy Cyber Twin Dragon, and Cyber Dragon!"
Blackwing Armor Master flapped his wings violently, and in a matter of seconds Cyber Twin Dragon and Cyber Dragon were destroyed by the whirlwinds he created. Jirou growled in anger, glaring at Amor Master as he vanished from the field.
"Raven just took out both of Jirou's monsters! In exchange, he had to sacrifice his own!" Melissa called. "Was his play the right one?"
"I was right, wasn't I?" Raven asked to a growling Jirou. "You had Evolution Burst in your hand and were going to use it in combination with your Cyber Dragon to destroy my Armor Master? Don't forget, I watched that duel between you and my predecessor. I knew that if you had that card, you'd try to use it on me."
"Shut up!" Jirou shouted. "I set a monster in defense mode and end my turn."
"Then I go now." Raven stated, drawing a card. "I summon Blackwing – Kalut the Moon Shadow (1400/1000)!" Another black bird appeared, but this one seemed to have blonde hair and a red mask on his face. "Now I activate the special ability of the Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind in my hand. Because I have another Blackwing on the field, I can summon him from my hand. Come forth, Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind (1300/400)!" A purple feathered Blackwing with green feathers on his head appeared on Raven's field. "Now, I tune my Level 3 Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind to my Level 3 Blackwing – Kalut the Moon Shadow!"
Just how many times is this guy gonna Synchro Summon? Jirou thought in frustration.
"Draw the great blade of myth! Come from the dancing whirlwind of feathers, heroic raptor! Synchro Summon! Level 6, Blackwing – Nothung the Starlight (2400/1600)!" Raven chanted, smirking. "Nothung the Starlight's special ability now activates, you take 800 damage once he is successfully Synchro Summoned!" (Jirou: 4000 - 3200)
"Jirou has finally taken some damage!" Melissa shouted, glee in her voice. "Looks like Raven is ready to make his comeback!"
"Now I attack!" Raven shouted. "Nothung the Starlight, attack his defensive monster!" The Blackwing drew his sword, charging forward and slashing at the facedown monster, which was revealed to be another Cyber Dragon Core. "I place one card facedown and end my turn."
Jirou was now livid. He growled an inhumane growl, drawing his card and immediately playing it. "You'll pay! First I play Pot of Greed, which allows me to draw two cards!" He drew two cards from his deck, smirking at the sight of them. "Perfect. I summon my Cyber Dragon Drei (1800/800)!" Another Cyber Dragon appeared, this one with pure gold highlights. "Now I activate the spell card, Overload Fusion!"
That's it. Raven thought to himself, smirking.
"Taste my wrath! I fuse the Cyber Dragon Drei on my field, with my Cyber Dragon, Cyber Dragon Zwei, Cyber Twin Dragon and the two Cyber Dragon Core's in my graveyard, banishing them all to fuse them! Overwhelming machine of unstoppable might, lay waste to those that dare oppose you! FUSION SUMMON! Level 9, Chimeratech Overdragon! (?/?)" A five headed machine dragon appeared next to Jirou's bike from what looked like an exploding vortex, roaring with its many heads. Some people screamed in fear from the sight of the same monster that hospitalized Hero.
"J-J-Jirou summons his most famous monster! The Chimeratech Overdragon!" Melissa stuttered in fear. "I-its appearance seems to be freaking out some of the audience, but Raven doesn't seem to be afraid at all! In fact… I think he's smiling!"
Jirou grinned evilly, looking at his opponent. "What's the matter? So scared at facing the same monster that hospitalized your predecessor that you broke mentally? I think you forgot that my Chimeratech Overdragon has 800 points for each monster used to summon him, plus gaining an additional attack for each one as well. So he has five attacks and 4000 attack and defense points (Chimeratech Overdragon: 4000/4000)!"
"Jirou's monster not only has the most points we've seen this duel, but additionally can attack five times in a row. Unless Raven has a trick up his sleeve, he's doomed!" Melissa called.
"FACE THE SAME FATE AS YOUR FORMER! ATTACK!" Jirou shouted in rage.
"You really are something." Raven said. "Where did you go wrong? Where did all that hate come from? Doesn't matter, you made your final mistake. I activate a trap, Compulsory Evacuation Device! It sends one monster on the field back to your hand, or in this case, the Extra Deck." A strange looking cylinder device appeared next to Raven. Suddenly, it shot a red ray out at Chimeratech Overdragon, causing the monster to vanish before all of their very eyes.
"My dragon!" Jirou called, eyes wide in shock.
"I take it your turn is over?" Raven asked, getting nothing but a growl in return. "I take that as a yes!"
"Jirou passes on the rest of his turn!" Melissa called. "With nothing on his field, if Raven makes the right play, the match is over!"
"I draw!" Raven called, smiling at the card he pulled. "I summon Blackwing – Blizzard the Far North (1300/0)!" A blue bird appeared next to Raven, squawking. "Normally he'll let me summon a Blackwing from my grave, but there is no need. Now, Nothung the Starlight, attack him directly!" The humanoid bird charged forward, slicing through Jirou and causing him to spin out of control (Jirou: 3200 - 800). "Now, Blizzard the Far North, direct attack as well!" Now the blue bird charged, pecking Jirou violently and causing the 21 year old to fall off his bike and onto the ground (Jirou: 800 - 0).
Raven Wins!
Jirou got up off the ground slowly, glaring at his opponent, who had stopped just a few feet from him, looking at him with saddened eyes as he took off his helmet. "I'm sorry, but I had to defeat you." Jirou then yelled wildly, charging with his fist wound up for a swift punch, but Raven didn't even move. Before he could connect, five bodyguards were on the field, restraining him and dragging him away.
"Jirou has been defeated! Raven has officially claimed the title from him, and is our new Dueling Champion!" Melissa called to cheers of celebration. Raven looked after his opponent before getting back onto his duel runner and riding off the track to the cheers of the crowd. He then entered the dock where he parked his duel runner, taking off his helmet as Lockwood walked up behind him, the everlasting smile on the billionare's face.
"It was all planned." Raven muttered, knowing Lockwood was listening. "The duel, the invalid trial… you had this all planned from the beginning, didn't you Mr. Lockwood?"
"Whatever makes you think that, my friend?" Mr. Lockwood asked, still smiling. He walked up to Raven and placed a hand on the new World Champion's shoulder. "Regardless, you should be happy."
"Happy?" Raven asked. "It was fixed! How else would your friend Lennox agree to this, especially if he is supreme judge?"
Lockwood frowned an innocent looking frown. "Dear Raven, I honestly dunno what you mean. Lennox knew the trial was unfair from the start and came to me. We then worked out a deal that I go to the trial and see if for myself. In the event I did see it was unfair, I would page him, and he would send his secret service to correct the situation fairly.
"With a duel?" Raven asked. "I highly doubt a Supreme Judge would agree to something like that..."
"My boy, you should know better than anyone the powers of this game." Lockwood said, smiling again. "You yourself believe in this game's ability to do justice to those who have wronged, am I right?" Raven remained silent, but nodded. Lockwood smiled, before turning away to hide his grin as he walked away. "Please join us upstairs in the grand rooms. We have wine to celebrate your new title, and I am sure there's some lovely ladies that will be there to see you."