Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! Gx, or Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds or any characters from the Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise. I do own any OCs I make, but most will be likely be minor characters (even more so than the minor characters in the show - save for Nozomi and Hiroshi. My fingers ran away with them, and I like the dynamic they made too much to change it. I find them amusing). I make no money from this fanfiction as it is a tribute to a fandom I really like and want to play around in. If you see this on a paid site, please note that someone has plagiarized me and let me know so I may take steps to prevent fines or whatever. Also, I will be using the Japanese names, so if you're only familiar with the English, 4kids swapped two names: Blitz is Nerve and Nervin is Blitz.
So, second chapter I've written today, 5th one in 3 days. (Finished over the course of two.) My muses, crazy as they are, are blessing me. I actually woke up on Thursday, grabbed the laptop, and started writing, so I think I had a dream I don't remember that gave me this burst. Wish I could remember it, it must've been crazy awesome since it's making crazy awesome. *pouts*
Now for the moment you've all been waiting for! The Herald makes his debut! ...Wait that's not what you've been waiting for? Oh, then it's time for Kentucky Fried Takasu! ...What? That's not it either? Oh, you've been waiting for Yusei getting his wings? Well, darn. That's not happening yet. Certain events need to happen first. (I've had sugar, hence the sheer insanity of last chapter, and likely this one.) Oh, and I'm having the Gx dorms have their dubbed names because, honestly, Slifer Slacker rolls off the tongue better than Osiris Drop-Out. And Judai did seem to take some pride in his slacking abilities…
Oh, and this will be my first written duel. It's a canon one, but better to practice now while I have a script for them still. *gestures to the episode she has paused, ready to take notes and translate them into a story form* Let me know how I do, and how to improve, please.
Edit added nearly 2 months after writing this chapter: I am so so sorry for not updating sooner, my mom needed the computer for awhile, and as it's actually hers and we made a deal for me to use it, my writing had to wait. I have 3 chapters ready to go, all 3 will be uploaded today, and I'll get to work on the next one immediately. *crosses fingers and prays her mom won't need the computer again anytime soon*
Also, I may have some Tag Duels sooner than I thought, thanks to the Duel Links Tag Tournament currently happening helping me learn how to Tag Duel. Now I just need them to add 5Ds so I can learn Synchro Summoning and I'm gold. Especially since I'm contemplating making original cards, and need more understanding of the game to do so.
"So?"
"Message delivered in a way that won't destroy the time stream, and I broke their brains a bit. Happy?"
"Yup, thanks, Burst Lady!" The Herald of Gentle Darkness, Supreme King of Dimensions, and proud Slifer Slacker, Yuki Judai chirped before ducking quickly. His opponent screeched as she flew back up into the air, wheeling around for another attack. Burst Lady stood back and watched with Yubel, Neos, and the rest of the deck, waiting to see if things would get out of hand before stepping in. Judai had had 20 years of practice, he could handle the small fry without breaking a sweat.
"So, care to tell us what we're doing here?" Dark Panther growled. Not that he ever spoke in any other way since that's just how his voice was.
"Sure. We're here to see if Divine is really important or if I can make him 'disappear' like he tried to do to my niece and nephew," Judai snarled, eyes suddenly shining gold as the anger at that mortal's audacity brought out the power of the Supreme King - and a bit of his mindset before Burst Lady stepped forward and slapped Judai on the back of the head. The Harpy Lady, realizing who she'd been attacking, fled in fear of reprisal, causing Judai to pout. "Awwww, I was having fun."
"Your definition of fun is others' definition of insanity," Yubel deadpanned, causing Judai to stick his tongue out at her. She rolled her eyes. "Real mature, Judai, once again, I'm reminded how much of a good idea it was for you to appoint a Regent instead of taking the throne yourself."
"Spoilsport."
"Eternal brat."
"Not my fault I'm an eternal teenager. Uh, love you?" he added quickly, seeing Yubel glare. While she had mellowed out some, she was unfortunately still suffering some side affects of being corrupted by the parasitic Light of Ruin. At least she was stable enough that Judai could defuse them for short periods of time. And right now that time was up, so before the instability could manifest fully, he summoned the power of Super Fusion to refuse.
That was cutting it close, Judai, the demonic dragon hybrid whispered as mental stability was instantly restored by the fusion.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Guess I got carried away with my game of tag," the Kuriboh-haired teen admitted sheepishly.
Tag. Only you, Judai. Only you would call someone trying to rip your head off as you ducked and dodged a game of tag and actually mean it. I worry about your mental state sometimes.
"Pot. Kettle. We knew there'd be consequences, at least they're not really dangerous. Anyway, let's get going, I really need to know if I can change just one tiny thing."
"Things have already changed, despite the path ending the same way as before. Yusei's different. Johan's a CEO. Rei has a niece and nephew through a sister she didn't have originally. We've thankfully kept the timestream stable despite Ylisater's meddling, but there are changes. Do we really want to risk purposefully bringing about a change? We might do Yliaster's work for them!" Sparkman exclaimed.
"That's why I'm seeing someone who can hopefully give us an answer. If they can't, I won't risk it. Oh, we're here." Before them was a Magician's Tower, made up of clocks and cogs, with a single Pendulum-shaped door. "Too bad this guy doesn't have a card yet, would've made it easier to talk to him."
"The time is not yet right for that, my liege," intoned a solemn voice as the door swung open. "Enter, and we shall speak."
"Could we not be so formal? I appointed a Regent for a reason, Timegazer!" Judai whined, but entered the Tower all the same, his deck following.
Okay, Yusei. Breathe. Breathe. No killing the Warden. No doing an actual crime, you're better than that, you won't stoop to their level. Breathe. Just breathe.
Yusei was currently trying to keep himself from murdering Takasu. Yanagi and Himura were badly hurt, framed by several corrupt guards for their loyalty to Yusei. Apparently Takasu knew about that little, uh, meltdown Yusei had had before he was transferred to maximum security and they were questioned. They refused to talk, and were paying the price, and Yusei was this close to stopping Takasu's ability to breathe.
Deep breaths, Yusei. In, hold, three, four, out, two, three, four. In, two, three, four, out, two, three, four. Keep it cool, you won't help anyone by blowing your lid.
Yusei's new cellmate, Aoyama, stood aside, clearly not happy about this development, but for different reasons than Yusei. And that was another thing that irritated Yusei - Aoyama's selfishness. Normally he'd be able to brush it off, but he'd been desperately trying to control his temper for nearly two weeks now, and something had to give.
And then Takasu issued his ultimatum.
The other inmates joined together to give Yusei a mis-matched deck, and Yusei immediately knew the best strategy to use with what he had. The time came and he met Takasu on the middle walkway.
Yusei looked at the Duel Disk he was wearing with trepidation. Only the survivor, huh? It looked like his unnatural endurance was going to be put to the test.
"DUEL!"
"I take the first turn! Draw!" Yusei took a quick look at his hand before summoning a monster. "I summon Greatest Thief of the Century (ATK: 1000/DEF:1000) in Defense Mode!" The caped Spellcaster-type monster took the field with a flare, before settling on one knee in defense position. "I end my turn."
Yusei: 4000LP
Takasu: 4000LP
"It's my turn! Draw!" The corrupt warden took a quick look at what he drew before summoning a card. "I summon Chain Repairer (ATK: 1600/DEF: 1200)!" A monster that greatly resembled Takasu in girth took the field, swinging his massive sledgehammer before settling it on his shoulder. "I'll attack your monster with Chain Repairer! Go, Chain Repairer!"
The monster leapt impossibly high, swinging his sledgehammer and crushing Greatest Thief of the Century beneath it. "And it's now that Chain Repairer's effect activates! When it destroys a monster by way of battle, it inflicts 300 points of damage to the opponent!" Takasu grinned nastily. "Get ready to accept your fate, Hero for the Trash."
Yusei: 4000LP→ 3700LP
Yusei looked to the chain attached to his Duel Disk just as energy started to build. "Wh- AAAAHHH!" He couldn't cut off the scream before it started from the surprise. He should've expected a dirty trick like this. Falling to one knee, he breathed heavily, trying to push back the pain. The voltage was higher than what was used against him before. Takasu was actually trying to kill him. Pushing the pain back, he managed to open one glaring eye.
"Whoops, sorry about that!" Takasu said with a grin, clearly not sorry in the least, the sadistic bastard. "I didn't explain that part yet. These Duel Disks have a special mechanism in them, so that whenever we take damage, they're set to stream an electric current through them to match!"
Electric currents running through Duel Disks? Shit! They got this tech from Kiryu's modified Duel Disk. Only instead of a short jolt meant to destroy the opponent's Disk when they lost, it was a stream meant to harm the opponent throughout the duel. A bastardized form of a mythical Shadow Game… Yusei, once again, regretted creating those Duel Disks. He'd made a point to install a device in Jack's and Crow's before they left, so he could remotely destroy them if the power they gave the owner was abused, but part of why he stuck with Kiryu for so long was because Kiryu's growing paranoia wouldn't let Yusei touch the Duel Disk for maintenance even if Kiryu was watching. And now look where Yusei's invention, meant to protect people in the Satellite from just one of many threats, got him. He grit his teeth, angry at himself, and furious at what Takasu had turned his tech into.
"As precedent stands, I doubt the loser of this duel will survive."
Precedent. Meaning he'd done this before. Kiryu had been here. Kiryu had died here. The report claimed suicide, but Yusei hadn't believed it. Was this how his brother had died?
"When I said only the survivor will be able to pull off the Duel Disk, this is what I meant!" Takasu chuckled, before laughing more sinisterly when Yusei whispered, "Kiryu," confirming the Hope of the Satellite's thoughts on the matter. He killed Kiryu. Takasu murdered his brother. He would pay.
"I place two cards facedown and end my turn!"
Yusei: 3700LP
Takasu: 4000LP
Yusei stood up, rage coursing through him. This monster, this demon would not survive the day. Yusei could not be charged with his death, not when Takasu was the one to hook himself up to its cause. Yusei's eyes glowed slightly, power barely kept at bay by a net of tattered chains thanks to all the teen had endured these past couple of weeks. Yusei could now sense the power trapped within him, power that had always been there, power that was sealed, an old seal that was beginning to break. The first crack occurred when that Mark appeared on his arm, and the more energy used against Yusei, the more cracks appeared. Yusei now had access to a trickle of power, a trickle he would harness.
"It's my turn! Draw!" Yusei roared. He glanced at his card quickly, before switching it to a card from his hand and declaring, "I summon The Kickman (ATK:1300/DEF:300) in attack mode!"
A purple Zombie-type fighter appeared on the field, arms up on both sides of his face, curled into fists. Yusei internally winced at the so-called "fighting position" that left the monster completely open to attack. He resisted the urge to fix the monster's stance, the mentor in him screaming in frustration.
"Next is the Equipment Magic, Doping!" Yusei activated the Spell Card. "The attack power of the monster equipped with this is increased by 700 points!" The Kickman's muscles began to bulge as the power of the spell card coursed through it. (The Kickman ATK:1300 → 2000/DEF:300) "The Kickman, attack his Chain Repairer!" Yusei ordered, extending a hand, fingers splayed, as shadows began to discreetly swirl about his feet. The Kickman eagerly jumped toward Chain Repairer, flipping in the air to aim a high jump kick at Chain Repairer's chest.
"I don't think so! Permanent Trap, Soul Anchor! This card becomes an Equip Card on Chain Repairer, and, so long as this card's on the field, it can't be destroyed by battle!"
The Kickman's kick landed and he returned to Yusei's side of the field. "But Damage Calculations still apply," The raven-and-gold-haired male noted.
Takasu: 4000LP→ 3600LP
Takasu let out what was clearly a fake scream, as Yusei expected. The electricity had started to build, only to stop. The Warden's fake scream soon turned into laughter. "Well, I'll be darned. Why, it looks like my Duel Disk is out of order!"
"That's plain dirty! I bet the current never passed your Duel Disk in the first place!" Yusei heard Aoyama shout. He was still here? He should be making his way to the escape point already. Yusei may not be happy about Aoyama's selfishness, but considering the circumstances… How many had Aoyama witnessed being murdered in a similar fashion to what Takasu was attempting now? Yusei did not blame the guy in the least for taking the opportunity to run, with or without anyone else invited.
Takasu roared with laughter at that. "Quit making your wild accusations! I can't help if it's broken!"
Jeers started up against Takasu. Aoyama cried out above them, "Yusei, you have to stop! This duel doesn't count!" The fear in Aoyama's voice confirmed he'd seen someone murdered. Yusei wouldn't ask. He didn't want to know who it was. He didn't want the hope that Kiryu somehow survived to die. (He knew Kiryu was out there, but was he really alive? There was a darkness, a different one to the one he was now beginning to tap into. The darkness he felt out there was evil. The one he was tapping into was… Gentle, for lack of a better word.)
"I'm afraid that's not an option. I apologize to Hero-dono that things turned out this way," again the apology was made with a sneering grin, clearly just empty words, "but there's no good reason to stop this duel. The duel will continue on! My turn!"
Yusei: 3700LP
Takasu: 3600LP
Takasu drew his card, quickly placing it in his hand, before grabbing another and summoning, "I summon Chain Snake (ATK:800/DEF:1200) from my hand!" A snake made up of chains burst out of the summoning light, spinning in a ball briefly, before uncurling and hissing at Yusei, fangs bared. "Have some of Chain Snake's effect!" Chain Snake rushed to The Kickman, slamming down on his shoulders, weighing him down with the sudden burden. "Chain Snake turns into an Equip Card on the opposing monster, and decreases its attack and defense by 800 points!" (The Kickman ATK:2000→ 1200/DEF:300→ 0) "Go! Chain Repairer!"
The Kickman looked up, just as Chain Repairer brought his sledgehammer down, destroying Yusei's monster.
Yusei: 3700LP→ 3300LP
Yusei couldn't stop the scream as the electricity coursed through him again, this jolt far bigger than the last. Equal to the damage taken his ass, the voltage would steadily increase even if he took a single point of damage until his heart gave out. A pulse ran through him, the power rolling out from behind the badly damaged seal. Yusei staggered, both from the pain of the electricity and the power coursing through him.
"Also, when Chain Repairer destroys an opposing monster by battle, it'll inflict 300 points of damage to the opponent!"
Yusei: 3300LP→ 3000LP
Yusei's eyes went wide as another even bigger shock went through him and the seal cracked some more, releasing a bit more power to counter the damage. The strain was already starting to get to him as a result, not because his body would give out at this rate, but every time a new crack appeared in that seal, pain coursed through him as unfamiliar, yet familiar power swept through him to repair the damage and strengthen his body beyond human limitations. He screamed in agony from the double dose of pain. Everyone, including some guards who forgot themselves momentarily, cried out to him in worry. Yusei fell to his hands and knees, gasping and panting in pure agony.
"But, there's more."
Oh, kami, no!
"When the monster Chain Snake is equipped to is destroyed by battle, it's controller must send a number of cards from their deck to their Graveyard equal to the level of the equipped monster. Kickman is level three, so now… Send 'em to the Graveyard! Three cards from your deck!"
Deck Destruction, Yusei thought, kneeling on one knee, still wincing. At least that worked well with his own strategy. He reached for his Deck, drawing three cards, showing that it was three to Takasu with a snarl, and placing them in the Graveyard one by one. Takasu laughed once again, and Yusei's rage mounted higher.
"I'll get right back on sending you to your dump of a hometown! Just as soon as I put your life to an end…" Takasu laughed again. Yusei was going to destroy him just to stop that annoying sound.
Everyone started calling out to Yusei, begging him to get up. Yusei would - just not yet. He was preparing his own counter game.
"How many have you killed this way, Takasu?" Yusei asked.
"Huh? Why would that matter?"
"Because depending on how many souls are screaming for justice, your suffering will match," the kneeling being stated, before lifting his head, eyes glowing red as a hazy crimson Mark showed up on his right arm, and glowing sigils shone through his clothing. The sigils resembled chains in a way, joining together over his torso, and creating a lock centered over his heart. The ridges on his back flared pain once again, but Yusei didn't even feel it this time as the sigils closest to them pulsed, keeping something at bay. A few "chains" were noticeably cracked, two or three fully shattered, but plenty were still intact enough to serve whatever purpose the seal held.
"You want a bastardized Shadow Game? Fine. How about we play a real one then. Winner survives. Loser pays for their crimes in the Empty Dimension. The severity of the punishment will be determined by how much blood is on their hands. Enough, and your soul will be shredded to pieces by the end of your sentence, removed from the Cycle for good." Yusei stood, shadows swirling around him, before flying out, transforming the atmosphere into sinister-looking black and purple.
"Where- where are we? What have you done?"
"We're in the Shadow Realm. I've allowed everyone to continue to watch, unaffected by the Rules of the Game."
"You no good Satellite scum! You're all evil! This proves it!"
Yusei chuckled. "Evil? That's rich, coming from a murderer. Besides there's two kinds of Darkness. One meant to destroy, one meant to create and protect. I suspect the same for Light, considering I sense a Light running alongside the Darkness within me, both of the same side of the scales. The Light is Hope, the Darkness is Gentle, but both can become dangerous when provoked by Evil. You are Evil, Takasu, and the Light of Hope and Gentle Darkness exist to destroy Evil when found. You never should have electrocuted me. Your actions have brought your own demise. The seal on my powers wouldn't have weakened so much without your help."
...Well, that happened. I didn't plan on the duel being altered, but… *looks to muses and sees one of the butterflies is now fluttering about* Yeah. For the record, Yusei's not going evil. He's pissed as all hell and justified in that. But once the duel's over and he's calmed down, he's gonna be pretty horrified by what he did. Part of why he won't notice his tail until it's pointed out in that bar. He's a bit distracted, trying to figure out what the hell's going on with him. He's not thinking about what he's saying right now either, he's just saying what he feels is true. (Which is another reason to freak out later - quiet as his freaking out will be - because how the hell does he know all of this? Well, that, and all his other questions will be answered… eventually.)
Cards used in this chapter:
Greatest Thief of the Century (Great Phantom Thief)
Card Type: Monster
Attribute: Earth
Types: Spellcaster/Effect
Level: 3
ATK/DEF: 1000/1000
Card Effect Type: Trigger
Card description:
Each time this card inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent's Life Points, declare the name of 1 card. Then see your opponent's hand and discard all copies of the declared card in his/her hand to the Graveyard.
Chain Repairer (Iron Chain Repairman)
Card Type: Monster
Attribute: Earth
Types: Warrior/Effect
Level: 4
ATK/DEF: 1600/1200
Card Effect Type: Trigger/Ignition
Card Description:
When this card destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, inflict 300 damage to your opponent. Once per turn, you can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Iron Chain" monster from your Graveyard, except "Iron Chain Repairman". This card cannot attack the turn you activate this effect.
The Kickman (The Kick Man)
Card Type: Monster
Attribute: Dark
Types: Zombie/Effect
Level: 3
ATK/DEF: 1300/300
Card Effect Type: Trigger
Card Description:
When this card is Special Summoned, you can equip 1 appropriate Equip Spell Card from your Graveyard to this card.
Doping (Stim-Pack)
Card Type: Spell
Property: Equip
Card Description:
The equipped monster gains 700 ATK. During each of your Standby Phases, the equipped monster loses 200 ATK.
Soul Anchor (Soul Anchor) - no TCG equilvalent
Card Type: Trap
Property: Continuous
Card Description:
Equip this card to a monster on the field. The equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle (damage calculation is applied normally). Also, it cannot change its battle position.
Chain Snake (Iron Chain Snake)
Card Type: Monster
Attribute: Earth
Types: Reptile/Effect
Level: 3
ATK/DEF: 800/1200
Card Effect Types: Ignition, Continuous-like, Trigger
Card Description:
During your Main Phase, you can equip this card to 1 face-up monster your opponent controls. That monster loses 800 ATK and DEF. When it is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, its controller sends cards equal to its Level from the top of their Deck to the Graveyard.
A big thank you to the Yugioh Wiki for their breakdown of cards - including those that are anime-only like Soul Anchor. I referenced them throughout the duel to make things a bit more descriptive. Also a thank you to those at KissAnime, I wrote this duel by watching for a few seconds, writing what happened in my own words (and adding my own parts for PLOT!), watching for a few more seconds, writing some more… I have a much greater appreciation for all those "Watching the Show" writers if this is what they have to do to write their stories. I'd never have the patience for it. Intellectually, I knew what they did, but knowing and experiencing are two totally separate things. (I'm glad the butterflies are taking off already, means I'll have more leeway in canon duels and any alterations I want to make.)
Also a big thanks to my new beta, Shenluen. They encourage my crazy - and keep feeding my muses Ideas.