Chapter 10-The honourable conclusion

Ryuga was suddenly finding himself in a dimensional void, almost the same as when he first met Bahamut. "Humph! After that moving speech you gave you're already starting to give up? How pathetic."

Ryuga turned around to look face to face with Bahamut! "Gah! Bahamut! How did.. When.. Wh.."

"None of that matters, what does now is the fact you're actually going on your word again. And here I thought you aimed to be the number one duel legend in the world! Or are you just a fraud!?" he yelled angrily.

"What did you say!?" Ryuga yelled angrily back, "Of course not! I'll never give up not till a match is decided!, not till my life gauge reaches 0! Never!"

"So why now?" Bahamut asked with a spurring tone, "Last time when we duelled in the mountains you had faith and believed in your cards and in the end you gained victory. How is this any different?"

Ryuga began pondering for a moment, "Well it's just, she's been able to counter or take advantage of every move I've made thus far, what if I don't get what I need in time? What if I lose?"

"Well, if you lose, so what?"

"Huh?"

"You said it yourself, you've been searching for a worthy opponent for a very long time right? Well now your wish has been granted and before you is an opponent worth your best! What more could you want?"

"!" Ryuga suddenly realised

"Besides, making it to the top isn't easy, you're bound to fail at times but what's important for a legend is that he never stays down even when he falls!" He spoke, "and besides, you haven't lost yet! So don't keep whining about how it's hopeless before your life points hit 0! After all, you trusted in your cards with unwavering faith and thus you were granted victory, pendulum summoning, and of course myself. So tell me, are you going to give up now before this battle even begins?" he asked.

"I..I…" Ryuga began to stand up and soon gained a strong look of determination! "I refuse to quit! Ok Bahamut we'll win this together!"

"I knew you had it in you my dragon emperor, the whole time…" he said smiling.

"Dragon emperor?" Ryuga asked puzzled.

"You'll know in due time, but for now…" with that Bahamut shone so brightly Ryuga had to shield his eyes with his arm before finally returning to reality, and his fingers were on his deck. "Alright here goes.."

"I draw!" looking at the card and smiled, "Thanks Bahamut" after observing the field, "I place a facedown and that's it."

"Wait, that's that!" she yelled angrily. "First you get my hopes up with your speech of determination now you simply end without trying to fight! How dare you go soft!"

Ryuga smiled weakly, "Hehe didn't I mention before? Dueling is not only a game, it's also a way 2 people can connect and learn about each other." "How so exactly?" she asked back.

"Well you can learn basically from the moves one makes, the cards they play, the combos they use and even how they use their cards. The fact is from our little match here, I've found out a bit more about you than when we first met at the harbour this afternoon!" Ryuga stated.

"Y..You have!" Ayame gasped, "D..don't pull my leg! You don't know anything!"

"Well, the way you played your combos so skilfully means that you are experienced yourself, as well as devoted to bringing out the best possible way of your cards. Also you value your monsters so much that you're willing to sacrifice your own points just to keep them alive, not just strategically speaking but also because you can't bear to see them get destroyed. You also seem to enjoy thrilling battles, as your cards focus mainly on strengthening your own monsters or forcing your opponent to fight! Frankly your moves have already explained them all!"

Unlike the previous few times, Ayame was utterly at a lost for words (This boy, he can tell all that just from a few turns like that? He must be some kind of duel prodigy, is this what Yuya Sakaki meant by having to enjoy the true meaning of duels and to make others smile?)

"I really respect you a lot but there can only be one winner from this duel!"

"You got that right," she spoke thrilled, "And that's going to be me! My draw!" she looked and grinned. "Guess he really did mean it when he said he could learn who I am from my strategies, had he attacked my trap Half Counter would have no doubt sealed my victory. No matter, this card will do it just fine!"

"This duel's been fun but I'm wrapping this up with my next card, another Battle Gladius!" a second dagger materialised which merged with the second to form a lance! Bringing Gaiodiaz to 3200!

"Alright Gaiodiaz, time to fight! Go and attack Black Brutdrago!" both monsters charged at each other, Brutdtrago attempted to go for the Gladiator's neck but was held off by both weapons and then thrown off and onto its back! Before managing to get up Gaiodiaz leaped into the air and pierced through the chest of Brutdrago, causing it to roar in pain and explode!

"Grrgh! Brutdrago!" cried Ryuga as his monster was destroyed before his eyes.

Ryuga: 1200-1000

"Now this is where it ends because Gaiodiaz's ability allows me to inflict damage equal to the defence of the monster he destroyed! Since Black Brutdrago had 2600 defence, that means you're through!" she called as her monster threw his axe like a boomerang again!

"I was hoping for that!"

"Come again!?"

"I reveal my trap Damage polariser! This trap negates effect damage and instead allows us both to draw a card in turn!" Ryuga spoke as the trap absorbed the battle axe before dissolving.

"No way! You actually survived!" she spoke frustrated as she was cheated of victory. "Whatever, next turn you're all mine!" she boasted as she viewed her gladiator beast Tygerius in her hand.

Ryuga on the other hand had a plan set in motion, "I drew mystical space typhoon, that should give me the all clear on my next attack," he thought.

"Black Brutdrago's ability now activates! When destroyed and sent to the graveyard he allows me to special summon 1 gemini monster with its effect activated from my graveyard, I choose blaze wing butterfly!"

From the black ashes of brutdrago came together a red swirls which unravelled itself into butterfly.

"With that you'll be able to summon any gemini with an activated effect from your deck," spoke Ayame, "Still I highly doubt you'll be able to get past my Half counter and my Gaiodiaz," she thought to herself still believing victory was assured.

"Bahamut," thought Ryuga as his dragon materialised in spirit form behind him, invisible to Ayame of course, "I trust that you'll be able to handle this." Bahamut nodded in agreement before fading.

"It's my turn and now here goes!" he shouted as he drew as hard as he could. Looking at it his face began brimming with hope and victory, "It's here!"

Ayame's eye caught sight of his look and began to feel nervous, "I activate mystical space typhoon, now I destroy your facedown!"

"Darn it!" growled Ayame as she braced herself from the strong wind which blew away her trap. "Guess it was the right decision to remain calm and trust in my cards rather than attack out of fear," said Ryuga as he watched Half counter explode. "Tch! Well as much as you trust in your cards lets see you get pass my monster!" she issued a challenge with Gaiodiaz roaring.

"I'll gladly accept your challenge Ayame in one last battle! I now tribute my blaze wing butterfly," which once again wrapped itself in a fiery cocoon. "Get ready Ayame and prepare to meet the full strength of my resolve! The monster which reflecting my unwavering faith and determination!" As he chanted the cocoon exploded and revealed a mighty dragon within! One that even made Ayame tremble at the sight!

"Bahamut! Sacred Dragon of Hope!"

The dragon soared into the sky and let out a mighty roar, creating loud shockwaves which rattled the surroundings! Shards of glass began flying out and one even struck the viewing LDS camera!

LDS Headquarters

"Signal lost sir!" cried one of the operators as the camera screen went blank. "We can see that.." spoke Reiji who was disappointed with the unfortunate accident. "Quickly! Switch to the nearest camera, we can't lose track of this duel no matter what!" yelled Nakajima to the staff who tried their best, "Negative! Camera 55 earlier was the only one within visual range of the duel!"

"Grrr!" he grunted as he slammed both hands on the desk, "Calm yourself," spoke Reiji in an attempt to keep him in control, "But Presdient Reiji!"

"There's nothing more we can do, for now we will just have to pit our hopes that our mystery duelist will be able to handle that fusion duelist on his own." he stated as he pushed in his glasses while referring to the spiking new gemini signal.

Shun gained a fierce expression on his face, he had witnessed the summoning of an incredibly powerful monster but now he couldn't tell what the possible outcome of the duel would be, also feeling worthless as he could do nothing to prevent another innocent apparently from being defeated.

Alleyway

Ayame couldn't take her eyes off Ryuga's monster, feeling the devotion and power emanating from its very presence made it very clear this dragon was Ryuga's ace "That's a very impressive ace monster indeed Ryuga, but it's still outmatched by mine!"

Ryuga then answered back calmly "For now yes, but that's about to change! With an equip spell of my own!" he proclaimed as he took the very card he just drew, "Go Fighting Spirit! This raises my monster's attack by 300 for every monster you have out!" The spell began to strengthen Bahamut with even more determination and roared loudly, making Gaiodiaz back down in fear! "No way!" cried Ayame as the dragon managed to surpass her monster's strength.

"Charge forth Bahamut and attack! Supreme Sacred Strike!" Bahamut charged straight at the gladiator beast and both engaged in close hand to hand combat, before Bahamut shattered the lance with his jaws and launched a powerful beam attack at point blank range!

Ayame:3100-3000

"Rgh! That still won't cut it! Next turn I'll.."

"No you won't get a next turn." answered Ryuga who was apparently smiling with the thought of a secure victory.

"What was that?!" she yelled in shock and slight anger, thinking Ryuga was simply acting cocky, "You're bluffing! You have to be!"

"Afraid not, you see Blazewing's ability allowed me to unseal my Bahamut's special ability, when he destroys a monster that was special summoned from the extra deck, you automatically get dealt damage equal to the attack points of the destroyed monster!" said Ryuga as the beam pierced throughout the body of Gaiodiaz and headed straight to his opponent.

"This…can't be." Ayame spoke with defeat.

Ryuga then bowed in respect, "You fought a great duel and I thank you for it."

BOOOOM!

Ayame:3000-0

Ryuga: Win!

"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!" she screamed as she flown across the pathway before skidding some distance across the pavement! "Oh no! Are you alright?!" cried Ryuga in horror as he hurried to her aid.

LDS Headquarters

On the monitor, the summon energy signatures had died down to 0, which indicated the conclusion of the duel.

While Reiji was closing his eyes while pondering over the possible scenario that took place while the camera was out, Nakajima managed to recover the footage that was recorded before the camera went out. "Sir, you're not going to believe this but apparently there was also the presence of pendulum summon energy detected during the duel." Nakajima said as he observed the readings carefully. "What did you say!?" Reiji shouted in surprise, to think that someone else had managed to beat him and LDS to the use of pendulum summoning right after Yuya Sakaki.

Zooming in on the moment, "Using scale 3 dragon horn hunter and scale 7 Lancephorynchus, I now set the pendulum scale! With the scale, I'm allowed to summon monsters between levels 4-6, Mighty power filled with infinite potential, carve me the path of hope that shall lead to victory! Pendulum Summon! Now come forth my loyal monster comrades!" his eyes narrowed at the situation, "This duelist may be even more powerful than we first anticipated Nakajima," spoke Reiji in a serious manner, "He would make a fine addition to the lancers sir, if we hurry now we may be able to retrieve him." he suggested.

"Don't even bother, the duel took place near the edge of the city, by the time we even mobilise a team he would be long gone by now…" Reiji simply answered. "That is most unfortunate Mr President" his assistant answered sadly.

Shun however took no notice in that, he however focused on the scene regarding the 'contact fusion' performed by the opponent duelist, "Gladiator Beasts Spartacus and Augustus I fuse you both together! Contact Fusion!" he gritted his teeth in anger, "No standard duelist could ever pull off such an advanced fusion technique! No doubt she's with them!" he growled as painful memories began flooding back to him, pains of innocents with screams, massive carnage and destruction laying a once proud city to waste, invading people with mechanised monsters terrorising the area and destroying all in their path! The invaders showing absolutely no mercy, laughing maniacally too! Treating them as if they were part of a hunting game!

As he turned to leave he was once again stopped by the staff guarding the door. "And where do you think you are going this time?" asked Reiji, though already knowing what he had in mind. Shun turned around quickly, "You expect me to just sit here and do nothing while a member of Academia runs free in this city unchecked?! Your special duelist may have been eliminated by now and yet here you are doing nothing!?" he yelled as proceeded to the door, only to be grabbed by Nakajima suddenly!

"Mark my words Kurosaki," spoke Reiji suddenly just as Shun was about to walk outside the operation room, "If you so much as step outside LDS or even put up any kind of resistance before leaving, then our agreement will be off." he spoke in such a way that Shun's determined mindset was quickly shattered, and he began to feel doubt consuming him, his face sweating and him grinding his teeth in frustration, but he still refused to show any weakness. "Like it or not, we are your best hope of rescuing your sister and comrades from the enemy, so do us both a favour and save us the trouble of having to restrain you ourselves."

"Tch!" he growled as he shook his arm free of Nakajima's grip and went out. Turning to his boss, "Shall I keep a close eye on him sir?"

"Do what is necessary to keep him in line. With the championship only days away, we can't afford any infighting or conflicting agendas." answered Reiji calmly. "As you wish." replied Nakajima as he left too.

With both men gone, Reiji turned his attention to the monitor viewing the recorded events of the duel, stopping at the scene with the mighty dragon, which gave off energy signatures of both pendulum and gemini power! " I don't know how you were able to acquire pendulum cards, let alone such skill. No doubt with that power you would've easily won the match."

"Things are bound to get very interesting from here on out indeed." he smiled.

Alleyway

"Urg.." grunted Ayame as she struggled to open her eyes. "Ayame! Thank the stars you're alright!" breathed Ryuga a sigh of relief as she awoke in his arms.

"Yeah.." she answered. They both then stared at each other for a while, saying nothing before both breaking out in joyous laughter together! "That was just incredible! I can't believe you could actually fusion summon without the use of a spell and only needed monsters!"

"You were great too! You really surprised me how you were able to turn the duel around in a single move. In fact, the way you say how you've managed to learn about me just by watching me play my cards…You really are something."

They exchanged compliments for a while until Ayame said, "You know that pendulum summon you pulled off? That was the key role in your turnaround. And here I thought Yuya Sakaki was the only one here who could.."

"Yuya Sakaki!" Ryuga gasped at the name, "H..Hey something the matter?!" she spoke surprised that it came out so suddenly. "You know Sakaki?" Ryuga asked desperately, "We.. I mean I've been searching for him for quite sometime!"

"Urrr…." thought Ayame as she didn't know how to answer, "Unfortunately no, only by reputation." she admitted sadly. "Reputation?" Ryuga thought puzzled.

"All I know is that he's aiming to become a top notch duelist to entertain people, spreading the dial of connecting through duels and bringing smiles to all, so sadly that's all I know…" she said.

"I see…" he thought, "Thanks though, it's really good info for me." he answered. Ayame was slightly sad she couldn't tell him anymore before she remembered something useful, "Hey I know!" she suddenly shouted which caught Ryuga's attention, "The upcoming Maiami tournament would be an excellent place to go to! After all it's an essential step for anyone who wishes to go pro! SO maybe you'll find your Yuya there!" she said. Soon Ryuga's face brightened up with joy as he finally had something he could use, which suddenly smashed down after Ayame's next few words, "But in order to enter, you'll need to be part of a duel school, do you happened to be enrolled in any?" she asked.

"!" sweat dropping at the remark and speechless.

Seeing his changed expression Ayame then suggested, "I know Ryuga! How about you enrol at my duel school!" "Huh!?" he gasped shocked at the sudden request. "We're always looking for talented and devoted duelists to join and after seeing you in action today it's clear you're one such person!" she added, "Like you said I too learnt about you, how you care and trust in your deck that they would always help you find a way out no matter how far backed into a corner you are! Also you put your heart into every duel and refusing to yield until there's absolutely no move left! So what do you say?" she asked while holding out her hand, "Interested?"

Pondering over the offer, Ryuga felt tempted to accept immediately, from the duel he could tell her intentions seem very pure and didn't seem to want anything in return herself. Also she appeared to be both compassionate, honourable and skilled, so this duel school seemed like a promising place to enrol, however…

"I really appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass" he said sadly declining, to which shocked her. "But…Why?"

Thinking of the best way of saying to her without hurting her feelings, he answered, "As great as your offer is, I'm afraid it's still a little too sudden, so I need a little time to think. Besides I still wish to see what else is available here in Maiami City and the championship isn't till much later. So Ihope you can understand."

Listening to his reasonable decline she then closed her eyes and smiled, "Very well then, but the option will still stand till the day before the championship, so do take your time to think it over ok?"

"Sure will" he replied. As he was about to leave his arm was suddenly grabbed, "Huh?" he turned to see Ayame there, "Wait before you leave, let me give you a little something." she said as she reached in to her pocket and pulled out a card, "Iron resolve?" Ryuga read. "I've seen your determination and will during the match, heh, almost reminds me of myself in a way, so I think this card suits you perfectly!"

"But I can't just…" before he continued she stopped him, "Relax, take it as a token of my thanks, for both lunch today…" she began to turn around, "and for the match."

Ryuga was touched by this as he had no words for her except, 'You too Ayame. Let's duel again sometime!" he said holding out his hand. Looking at it she then smiled and shook, "It's a deal." then they both parted ways.

As he was walking back, Ryuga could hear chuckling in his deck pocket and so went fishing in it, plucking out Red Eyes, snickering, "Admit it kid! You like her don't you!?" "Say what!?" he yelled back flustered, "Again! Give it a rest it's starting to get old! Besides like I said we only just met!"

"But there is an old saying love at first sight," spoke a feminine voice, "Not you too Blue eyes!" Ryuga moaned in defeat as he noticed her smiling in unison with Red eyes (which was something he didn't see everyday). "It's written all over your face! Hahaha you should look at yourself hahahaha!"

Covering his ears, Ryuga began to moan as loud as he could to keep both dragons from pestering him the whole way back…..

Night

It was nearly midnight and while Blue eyes and Red eyes slept, Ryuga stayed up sorting through his deck. Next to him was the trunk which originally contained the cards that his grandfather Basara gave him, inside contained a wide variety of cards that he had either earned, picked up or bought due to pestering from Red Eyes (damage condenser, damage eraser, double or nothing, kaiser glider, summoner's art etc.)

"Hmmm, Ayame stated Yuya Sakaki is some kind of special duelist called an entertainment duelist," he thought reflecting upon what she told him. "We should start searching around the duel schools that would match that criteria eh Bahamut?" he turned but was surprised to see Bahamut deep in thought and paying no heed to his words.

"Hey Bahamut?" he called which startled him, "Grah! What did you do that for!?" he snarled. "Gah!" he gasped in shock, "S..Sorry, it's just you've been spacing out ever since we came back home! Just wanted to know what's up?" he answered quickly, hoping his dragon wouldn't try to roast him!

"Errr sorry," he apologised while scratching his upper horns, "I just can't shake the feeling that there was something not right about that girl."

"Ayame? What do you mean?" Ryuga questioned suspiciously. "From every duelist we've fought I could tell while different they all gave off a similar energy vibe, yet when we faced her, it was something as if it was out of this world." he answered as best he could without trying to give away too much.

"Out of this world?" Ryuga replied with a sweat mark, "I bet you were just overreacting." he laughed

Turning his head to with of those 'Are you serious?" looks, "You do realise who you're talking to don't you?" he growled. "I'm sure of it, I mean she did admit how she takes pride in her duelling and I bet because of how she values her cards so much unlike others we've faced! I bet that's just it, don't you agree?"

Thinking for a moment Bahamut then admitted, "Hmm perhaps you're right, I did feel her heart and soul resonating with her deck that time. Maybe…"

As Ryuga laid down to sleep Bahamut then thought for one last moment, (Her wavelengths were clearly different compared to any standard duelist, could she…No that can't be! The border between dimensions can't ever be crossed! It's impossible, we made it so that they may never intersect again…It has to be…)

Pier

A lone duelist in a cloak was inside one warehouse, who removed her duel disk before replacing it with another, this one being different in design and shape. After pressing some buttons…

"This is Ayame reporting" she answered throughout the line. "What is your current status?" answered a male voice down the other end. "All is going according to plan Captain Barett," she replied, "The duelists of standard are of little to no threat to us, feel free to proceed with your preparations to standard with mistress Selena whenever you please."

"That is excellent news," spoke Barett on the other end, "As one of my most trusted subordinates I had no doubt your mission would be a complete success."

Ayame smiled with the received praise before suddenly remembering her previous match, "Actually, there is a slight matter you must take into account when you do arrive captain sir." she spoke.

"And what pre-tell would that be?"

"Apparently there are actually a few 'diamonds among the rough' here in standard, so you would do well not to let your guard down," she said in a warning tone, "Believe me I know."

There was a slight pause before Barett answered, "I see, I shall take that into account when we make our way there, thank you for the advice."

"If I may ask Captain, there is also the possibility that we could acquire some of these special duellists to join our noble cause of dimensional unification! Also it wouldn't hurt to have them on our side so we would be able to proceed with plans without much resistance like XYZ." she asked. Once again there was another pause, this one longer, Barett was surprised by this suggestion and began thinking before giving his answer, "I highly doubt the Professor would agree to such a request considering everything thus far, however as one of my most powerful subordinates I shall ask on your behalf and he may consider it."

Relieved to hear the pleasing news Ayame smiled, "I thank you captain, I shall continue to monitor things here and report back shortly to you." "Please do so, Out" the transmission was then cut off.

Ayame then reached into her pocket and picked out 4 cards, which happened to bear the pictures of the very same duel punks that attacked her the night before! Smiling at her souvenirs she then began to think, "Hehe Ryuga Shirogane, I look forward to having you with us soon!"

Finally managed to finish this! The pendulum cards Ryuga will use for now include Draconia and normal pendulum monsters, but some OC ones and cards will come later on. Also every now and then I will be reading my own previous chapters and update them time to time with corrections or cards, even trying to add new lines to bring out character or emotion when I can to make it seem like the anime. I also wish to give thanks to Raygha Raikouga who has been giving me a review each chapter. Positive feedback is appreciated.

I know I could have created better Gladiator Beast Combos here, but don't forget, Ayame stated she's only testing out standard duelists while she's here so she won't use more advanced combos till later, still hope you guys like what I managed to put together with the Gladiator Beast archetype.

Also just saw the latest episode of Yugioh Arc V regarding starve venom fusion dragon, really epic abilities too!