Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh ZeXal!
When I woke up in the morning, Ryoga wasn't there. I checked and my fever had gone away. I did my morning routine and when I walked downstairs, I noticed my couch had a folded blanket and pillow on it. He must've stayed the night and left early. I smiled and walked out the door.
It was morning and I met up with Yuma and Astral.
I glared at Yuma for a split-second before smiling, "Good morning, you two." Even though Yuma is making me mad, it's just stressful to be mad at him all the time.
"Morning!" said Yuma.
Someone ran up and asked him to duel and he agreed. They both ran off somewhere.
"That was…random," I said as Astral still floated beside me. I looked at him, "You're not going with him?"
"It's not a number duel so I don't think Yuma needs me," replied Astral, turning his gaze to me.
I smiled softly, "How's he taking the duel with Ryoga?"
"He's been dueling recklessly, more than usual," answered Astral.
I looked down, "So he's shaken up…"
"Yes, I suppose he is," Astral confirmed.
I looked up at Astral, "What would've happened if Ryoga took the key?" I asked quietly. I was worried about Astral. He was my friend after all.
"I think I probably would've disappeared," said Astral quietly. I saw the troubled look on his face. If he did disappear…
I wrapped my arms around him in a hug. Astral stiffened under the touch but he quickly relaxed. I looked into his mismatched eyes, "I'm glad you're okay, Astral."
"Rima..." he whispered and he hesitantly put his hands around me. We let go of each other and I smiled at him, "Come on, I gotta get to class."
"Hold on a moment," he said and I tilted my head confused. He took my hand and raised it to his lips. I watched as he kissed my hand. It made me feel much more different than the one with Fuya-kun. This kiss actually made me really embarrassed.
Astral let go of my hand and smiled slightly, "You said that a kiss on the hand meant thank you, right?"
Somehow, I was a bit disappointed but I didn't let it show. I smiled, "Yeah, it does…"
Kotori and I were in the library. I was looking around and we passed the desks. I spotted a certain spikey-haired boy. "Hey, Kotori, isn't that…?"
"Yuma?" finished Kotori, "Why's he here?"
I shrugged, "Let's go find out." We walked over to him, Kotori in the lead.
"Weird, it doesn't opened," said Yuma confusedly and tiredly.
"Research?" asked Kotori as we planted ourselves in front of him. "It's pretty unusual to see you in a library, isn't it?"
She nudged him over and did the right computer commands. A screen popped up. My eyes widened as I read one of the sentences, "Duel Monsters National Tournament?" Why is he researching that?
"Yeah, give me a minute," said Yuma, moving over to take the mouse.
He scrolled down to a picture of Ryoga. W-what?
They both gasped. Kotori read it, "'The corrupted championship candidate, Kamishiro Ryoga'! This is…about Shark…"
"Yuma…" I whispered. Why was he researching Ryoga?
"Shark's past…" whispered Yuma.
Kotori read it aloud, "'The championship candidate, Kamishiro Ryoga, tried to steal his competitor's deck and was disqualified. The tournaments competitors…"
She continued as I droned out. Damn it, my hand balled into a fist. Ryoga wasn't like that. He was nervous, he did not do it on purpose.
"That's it," finished Kotori quietly.
Yuma moved the mouse and accidentally pressed something and a screen popped up, "Huh?" Astral appeared out of the key at that moment. I looked away from the screen. It was about me.
"'Championship candidate, Rima Tsubasa, forced to forfeit match because of pneumonia. Kamishiro Ryoga and herself were seen outside of their hotel, Tsubasa in an ambulance. This also added onto the stress of dueling to the young water-type duelist…" read Kotori before becoming silent.
"That's…" I heard Yuma say.
I looked back to the screen. Two pictures were on it. There was me holding out Athena in one. In the other, was Ryoga holding my hand as I was rushed into an ambulance. I remember that day…I was in the hotel with Ryoga when I collapsed. Ryoga didn't tell me anything that happened after that, I didn't remember. I almost didn't make it.
"I don't want to talk about it," I said after receiving the looks they were giving me.
Outside!
We were outside and the two of them were talking about Ryoga. I didn't mind. I was too lost in my own world anyway.
"Rima."
I glanced behind me to see Astral, "Hm?"
"What is pneumonia?" Astral asked curiously.
Right, he didn't know about sicknesses I guess. "Pneumonia is a lung infection. It basically gives you a high or low fever, you can barely breathe, you start coughing and sweating a lot...I'm sure if it's not treated right, you can d-d-d..." I couldn't finish the sentence.
Astral seemed to notice and didn't press further. I'm really grateful for that.
"I am glad you are alright," he spoke.
I looked back at him and offered a kind smile, "You're a good friend, Astral. Thanks."
He mumbled something incoherent. I questioned him but he said it was nothing. Oh well. I finally decided to get into the lovebirds convo.
"That someone like Shark tried to steal his competitors' deck…" said Kotori/
"That's obviously a lie," defended Yuma and I thank him for that.
"But at the library…" said Kotori, upset.
"Ryoga is not that type of person!" I shouted before calming down a bit. Now's not the time to be losing my temper.
"I understand," agreed Yuma, "Mine and Shark's duel…Such a person wouldn't duel like he does!"
"Yuma…Rima…" murmured Kotori.
"Hey!"
In front of us, a guy stopped in front of us. I recognized him. He was one of the guys I saw yesterday. He was panting heavily. He looked panicked.
"You were at Shark's place!" confirmed Yuma.
My eyes widened at what the guy said to us. Ryoga is…?!
"What, Shark going to commit card robbery?!" asked Yuma incredulously.
"That's right," said the redhead, "Our aniki's suddenly started talking about attacking the museum! It's those cards fault! When they received those cards, their personalities changed!"
{Aniki = Big bro}
Astral floated to beside me, "Numbers!"
"I'm sure that our aniki's are going to make him responsible for the whole crime!" said the redhead, "At this rate, he'll-"
Yuma and I dashed forward. I needed to find Ryoga and I'm sure Yuma was thinking the same thing.
"Wait, you two!" shouted Kotori and we both stopped, "Stop getting concerned with Shark already!"
"I have to…" said Yuma quietly, "I have no choice but to go!"
"Why?" asked Kotori confused, "Why are you going so far for Shark's sake?"
"Wrong!" shouted Yuma, "I'm not doing this for Shark's sake, I'm going there for my own sake!"
"Yuma…" I said. He finally admits it?
"I've been lying to myself," he said. His hand tightened, "I said I wanted to help Shark out of this…But the truth is that I wanted to win! Only because I wanted to win, I used numbers…It's despicable to let it end like this!"
I know what Yuma is talking about. I smiled at Kotori, "You know, I made a promise to someone to protect Ryoga. I don't want to break that."
Yuma and I ran once more after that. That 'someone' was Rio. She made me promise and I don't think I'm doing such a good job. For now, I should help.
Yuma and I were in front of the museum. I had no idea what we were going to do but as long as Ryoga is okay…Three motorcycles pulled up. I recognized Ryoga's immediately and the others…the gangs' leaders probably.
"Who are you?!" asked one of them. Ryoga looked shocked.
"I- no, we won't let you go any further," said Yuma as the moon came out from behind the clouds.
"What did you say?" he had an evil aura around him.
The other crossed his arms, "You're that grouchy guy from before. But the girl…"
"That is…the Fairy girl," said the first one, "The Fairy-hime."
On both of their arms two number marks appeared. No. 19 and No. 61…
"Look, the two of you," said Astral, floating beside us.
So it does involve Astral. Oh well, I guess we gotta duel.
"If you want to go further, you need to beat me in a duel!" announced Yuma.
"Same with me!" I said in agreement. I haven't dueled in a while and this is for Astral and Ryoga's sake.
"Duel, you say?" asked the first one.
"What are you planning?" asked the second.
"If you guys win…" Yuma held out his ace, "I'll give you my number!"
He's really going through with it. I smiled, these guys won't know what hit them. I saw Ryoga's shocked expression at Yuma's aid. He really doesn't believe anyone would help him...
"But if we win, you won't lay a hand on the museum!" proposed Yuma.
"That's the same as our cards!"
"I see," said the first one, holding his number, "These are called numbers-"
They...just figured that out...Idiots.
"-With yours and our two cards, we have a lot of power. If we can get your cards, we'll be invincible!"
"Come on, Rikuo, Kaio!" shouted Yuma. So that's their names…Wow, I feel so lost.
"Are you planning on dueling him alone?" asked Ryoga.
"No, I'm in as well," I spoke up, knowing Ryoga was just worried about me. I looked to Yuma, "Can I?"
"Of course!" he said, "I won't let Shark commit card robbery!"
"I already told you: don't concern yourself with me anymore, to the both of you," said Ryoga. I was a bit hurt but I was mostly irritated. Ryoga is an idiot. Does he seriously think I'm not gonna help?
"There is no way I can leave you alone like this!" shouted Yuma, "Those guys are only using you!"
Ryoga smirked, to my surprise, "I know that. But…I have no other place left."
"You're wrong!" I shouted angrily, "We've talked about this, you just won't listen 'cause you're a jerk!"
"Rima's…right?" said Yuma confusedly before looking to Ryoga, "This is not a place for you to stay at!"
Ryoga's shock shone through his eyes.
"I won't give up," said Yuma, "This time, I'll make you cut your relationship with these guys!"
"You're being intrusive!" shouted Ryoga. I wonder if he was talking about me as well. "Why are you going this far?!" asked Ryoga.
"Because we're comrades, isn't that obvious?!" asked Yuma.
Ryoga's eyes were full of shock and, well, astonishment. Mine were as well. Comrades...Yuma really thought of Ryoga as one.
"The talking will end right there," said Rikuo.
"If you're both betting your numbers, this is a whole different story," said Kaio.
"It's not two against two," said Rikuo, "We'll fight three against two."
"Right, Ryoga?" asked Kaio. Fighting against these two losers was one thing but against Ryoga…
"Bring it on!" shouted Yuma, not caring. "I don't care if I have to fight against two or three, just bring it on!"
"And I'll duel with you, Yuma," I said smirking, "With me, you really can't lose."
Ryoga walked forward with a smirk. We all looked at him in confusion. He walked to in front of me, like a shield. He turned to Kaio and Rikuo, "Sorry, but I'm gonna stick with these two."
"What did you say?" asked Rikuo.
"Bastard, are you betraying us?!" asked Kaio.
"Shark…?" asked Yuma, surprised.
"Don't misunderstand," said Ryoga smirking, "I'm just tired of their babysitting. Also," he took a glance at me, "I'm not letting you duel these guys, Rima."
"Why not?!" I asked sobbingly. I wanted to duel!
"It's obvious, is it not?" he asked and he didn't look at me, "We're family, aren't we?"
"Yeah…" I agreed softly.
"Interesting!" said Kaio.
"You're challenging us to a tag duel then?" asked Rikuo, "They're stupid."
They were friggin laughing at us. Damn it…
"You know how this is going to be, right, Ryoga?" asked Rikuo.
"Rima, I think you should go over to the sidelines now," said Astral as the battle was commencing.
I nodded and ran over to the side, "Good luck though you probably don't need it!" Especially with Astral and Ryoga. Yuma's good too but…
"Let's go!" announced Yuma, "Duel disk, set! D-Gazer, set!"
I quickly put mine on as well. Okay Ryoga's at a disadvantage because of the number thing but he'll win with the help of Yuma/Astral.
A/R vision link completed!
"DUEL!"
"I'll take the first turn," said Rikuo, "My turn, draw! I set one monster in defense position!"
He then smirked to Kaio who chuckled. That seems a bit sketchy…
Rikuo continued, "Furthermore, I set two cards and end my turn."
"Yuma, they seem to be familiar with tag duels," noted Astral, "Be careful."
"I know that!" shouted Yuma smiling, "My turn, draw! I summon Zubaba Knight (Atk: 1600-Lvl: 3)! Let's do it! I attack the defense position monster! Go, Zubaba Knight!"
"Wait, Yuma!" I shouted and he stopped.
Ryoga explained quickly, a hint of exasperation in his voice, "In a tag duel, you cannot attack until all players had one turn."
"Is that so?" asked Yuma embarrassed, "Well then, I end my turn!"
"Ugh, Yuma…" I muttered face-palming. He needs to learn these rules.
"What an amateur," said Rikuo, "This duel will be ours!"
I agreed with him on the first part but I know Yuma, Astral and Ryoga will win.
"My turn, draw!" announced Kaio, "I summon Regent Blizzardon (Atk: 1400-Lvl: 4)! Furthermore, I set two cards and end my turn!"
"We'll make you regret challenging-"
"-us invincible comrades to a duel!"
Ryoga went up next, "My turn, draw! I summon Big Jaws (Atk: 1800-Lvl: 3)! Furthermore, I special summon Shark Sucker (Atk: 200-Lvl: 3)! When a fish-type monster has been summoned successfully, this monster can be special summoned, from my hand."
An Xyz summon already.
"Two level 3 monsters…" remarked Yuma, "Are you going to…?"
Ryoga continued, "I overlay level 3 Big Jaws and Shark Sucker! I create an overlay network with these two monsters! Xyz summon! Come forth, Underwater Warship – Aero Shark (Atk: 1900-Rank: 3)!"
"Xyz summon in his first turn!" said Yuma astonished, "Shark really is amazing!"
"And he's not even done yet," I said while smirking.
Ryoga nodded to me before turning back to the duel. "I activate the monster's effect! By removing one overlay unit, I can deal 400 points of damage for each card in my hand!"
"I see," said Astral, "Even though one isn't able to attack on the first turn, effect damage still applies."
"I have four cards in my hand," confirmed Ryoga, "That means Rikuo will receive 1600 points of damage!"
Rikuo: 2400LPS
Kaio: 4000LPS
Shark: 4000LPS
Yuma: 4000LPS
"Yeah, it's decided!" cheered Yuma before looking confused, "Eh?"
Rikuo laughed, "We knew this would happen" and he smirked at his brother.
Kaio smirked, "I activate my trap! Blizzard Egg LV5!"
So they had a synchronized setup.
"This card can be activated when effect damage was inflicted," explained Rikuo.
"It allow the partner player who received effect damage to special summon one level 5 monster," said Kaio.
I get it so far…
Kaio continued, "However, if he's not able to special summon, the player receives 500 points of damage."
There's no way they could know for sure.
"That means-"
Astral interrupted Yuma, "If Rikuo doesn't have any level 5 monsters in his hand, he'll receive 500 more points of damage, it's a dangerous bet."
"Level 5, level 5, huh?" said Rikuo. And even though his face was covered with his hand, I could tell he was smirking. The smirk grew more as he got a card, "I special summon level 5 Bontan Lavasaurus (Atk: 2100-Lvl: 5)!"
"No way…" I muttered. They got a lucky break, that's all.
"I'll go next!" announced Rikuo, "I activate a trap! Flame Egg LVL5! This card allows my partner player to special summon a level 5 monster if effect damage has been inflicted."
I watched worried as Ryoga turned to keep the flames at bay. Then I remembered it was A/R. I hate fire. I just hate it.
"However, if he's not able to special summon, the player receives 500 points of damage," he said.
Yuma shielded himself with his arm, "Again, the same-"
"I special summon Menchi Icebergdon in defense position (Def: 2100-Lvl: 5)!" Kaio was successful.
They're cheating. They're definitely cheating. You may call me a poor sport but I'm pretty sure they're cheating. Damn mongrels.
"He had another level 5 monster?" stated/asked Astral surprised.
"This is a lie, right?" asked Yuma shocked as well, "They suddenly special summoned two monsters!"
"Of the same…level…" then it hit me. They can do an Xyz summon!
"Did you see that?" asked Kaio, "Our perfect combination?!"
"There is no one who rivals us brothers in a tag duel!" said Rikuo.
A bit too cocky, are we?
"What's up with this self-confidence?" asked Astral clearly shocked at their 'luck'. "There is something weird about this duel!"
I think I'll give them a minute or two before I rat them out. Can't be helped now.
"Let's go, Ryoga!" shouted Rikuo, "I activate a trap! Stare LV5! This card lets me inflict 500 points of damage for each level 5 monster on our field! We have two level 5 monsters on our field! That makes 1000 points of damage! Take this, traitor!"
Ryoga braced himself as he was hit with damage. He was pushed backwards by the impact.
"Shark!" shouted Yuma.
"Ryoga…!" I said worried. He still has life points so he's not out but still. I glared at the opposing team. There's no way they could've made that combo without knowing each other's cards.
Rikuo: 2400LPS
Kaio: 4000LPS
Shark: 3000LPS
Yuma: 4000LPS
"Keh, he's no big deal," said Rikuo, making me growl lowly.
Ryoga kneeled, "I set two cards and end my turn!"
Damn it, these cheaters!
"W-what's happening in this duel…?" asked Yuma utterly confused, "Neither of us attacked…even so, we're losing life points."
They're targeting Ryoga first, obviously.
"Calm down, Yuma," said Ryoga, standing up.
"Eh?" asked Yuma turning around.
"You can't win this duel like this," said Ryoga and he smiled-smirked. I can't tell which one.
"My turn, draw!" announced Rikuo, "I change my face-down monster into face-up attack position! Come forth, Punch Flamesaurus (Atk: 1800-Lvl: 4)!"
Tetsuo and Kotori ran over to my side. I smiled at them, "Glad you guys could make it."
Tetsuo looked ahead, "Tag duel?! Why are Yuma and Shark dueling together?"
"Don't worry about it, Tetsuo," I said looking back to the duel, "Just watch."
Rikuo continued, "I activate Punch Flamesaurus's flip effect! This monster can increase his level by 1. It's now level 5! I overlay level 5 Punch Flamesaurus and Bontan Lavasaurus! I create an overlay network with these two monsters! Xyz Summon! Come forth, No. 61 Volcasaurus (Atk: 2500-Rank: 5)!"
"Numbers?!" asked Yuma incredulously, "This is, his-"
Already…My key glinted at the sight of it. Alright, mental note: key glows when number is summoned.
"Numbers!" shouted out Tetsuo, surprised.
"You did it, brother!" said Kaio.
"This is mine!" said Rikuo smirking, "I'll show them how dreadful we are!"
I think that was a pun. With him having dreadlocks…oh, never mind.
"I activate Volcasaurus' effect!" shouted Rikuo, "By removing one overlay unit, I can destroy one of my opponents' monsters and inflict damage equal to that monsters' Atk. I destroy Aero Shark, magmax! And now, equal to Aero Shark's Atk, you'll receive 1900 points of damage!"
Ryoga flew backwards.
"Shark!"
"Ryoga!"
Rikuo: 2400LPS
Kaio: 4000LPS
Shark: 1100LPS
Yuma: 4000LPS
"Is this the time to be worried about him?" asked Kaio.
"You're next!" shouted Rikuo, "I destroy Zubaba Knight! Magmax!"
Yuma was thrown backwards as well. Only good thing is that they ran out of overlay units.
"Yuma!" shouted Kotori worriedly.
Rikuo: 2400LPS
Kaio: 4000LPS
Shark: 1100LPS
Yuma: 2400LPS
I grimaced as I felt the sting. Man, I hate these number duels.
Yuma sat up a little, "W-what incredible strength."
They cackled cruelly at them. "Did you realize how strong we are?" asked Rikuo.
"We'll be taking your numbers!" said Kaio.
We all glared at them. These hyenas are conceited. At the end of this duel, Ryoga and Yuma will win!