Chapter 12: Every Rose Has It's Thorns
(Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh!)
"Will he be alright doctor?" Andre asked Dr. Schmidt.
The graying doctor took the mask from his face and took in a deep breath. "Your friend will be fine. I only found some mild frostbite on a couple o his fingers. Give him about two days of rest and he will be back to full health in no time flat."
"Thank you." Andre said, turning from the doctor to join Westin and Zoey as the pair stood at the window facing the unconscious Doug laying in his hospital bed.
It was extremely dark in this section of the building. Andre leaned against the newly-reinforced glass. This particular hallway had been recently remodeled after an incident involving the Dark Signers.
"I hope he feels okay." Zoey said.
"How many of us have to get hurt before this stops?" Westin said, looking at the ground. "We have to put an end to these guys. They've harmed three of us and killed an innocent woman. When is enough, enough?"
Andre slammed his fist into the wall. "I thought I was angry before. But this raised the bar. Whoever these people are, they're messing with the wrong group of friends. I would die for you guys. I'm not about to let some depressed group of flunkies do any more damage to us, or this city."
"I'm right there with you." Westin said. "This ends at the Battleground Cup."
"We'll see who comes out on top." Zoey said.
"Now Alicia, this next request will sound a bit strange." the entity spoke.
"Anything for you Sayer." Alicia chuckled. "Just name the person and I'm there."
"This one wasn't exactly a Dark Signer, but she must pay for what she's done." he spoke. ".........Alicia, my sweet, she has betrayed me, and you.....and all of our fellow psychic duelists. She was once amongst our ranks and now walks with Yusei Fudo and that gang of self-centered Signers."
"It's Akiza isn't it!" Alicia clenched her fists, standing quickly. "I've wanted to put the Black Rose in her place since I've met you."
"That's good, she needs to pay for what she's done to us."
"Oh she will, but Sayer?"
"What is it my sweet Alicia?" the entity continued.
"Well........did you......love her?" Alicia said quietly.
"What? No, I've never loved any but you." the faux Sayer answered slyly.
Alicia brightened. "That's good to here. Now, where can I find her?"
"At the test track down by the ocean." Darius spoke into the bowl of water, voice changed to that of Sayer's slightly.
"Thanks." Alicia's beaming face came into view. "I won't let you down."
With that she took off, allowing Darius to look up from the bowl.
This is perfect. Little, lost Alicia will be picking a fight with the wrong person. I remember Akiza, she'll wipe the floor with that depressed crybaby. That's what she did to me.
"Darius!"
Darius snapped from his thoughts to see Edmund standing in the doorway.
"What is it?"
"I hope you're not messing with that girl anymore." Edmund spat, pacing into the room.
"Nope, I just let her go for the last time. Alicia will pay for what she did to me. Making a fool out of me in front of the entire Arcadia Movement. It's time I show her what it's like to feel the sting of defeat!" Darius huffed.
"That's good." Edmund said, placing an ebony hand on Darius's shoulder. "But let's not lose sight of the big picture here. We have one more ritual to complete and we will have the power we seek."
"Just in time for the Battleground Cup." Darius sneered. "But what about those Spirits?"
"Pah, those thing are useless. Not a single ounce of good came from those. But that's not to say that we are done with them just yet. I was hoping that your ability would come in handy here as well. Just be sure to pick someone under 100 years old this time."
Alicia darted through several alleys, making her way towards the test track near Daedalus Bridge. There were several duelists scouring the alleyways, challenging each other. Alicia heard the mention of the Battleground Cup more than a few times.
It's a good thing Sayer told me to sign up for that. I'm sure to find more of my targets. And a little practice wouldn't hurt either.
She finally reached the alley's mouth to see a crimson Duel Runner speeding in circles. Alicia waited in the safety of the alleyway's darkness until the duelist stopped her training.
Akiza dismounted her custom Duel Runner and unlatched her helmet before taking it off.
That was a good run. Maybe I will be able to stand in for Crow as planned. I can handle Ground Duels, how hard can it be?
"Akiza!" a familiar voice screamed from behind.
Akiza whirled around just in time to see a dark-haired teen swing a fist at her. Akiza backed up as the teen stumbled to the right.
"You betrayed Sayer!" the teen regained herself and Akiza got a good glimpse at her face.
"Alicia......Alicia Sorano?"
"The one and only, and I'm her to avenge Sayer. How can you call yourself a psychic duelist knowing what you've done?" Alicia spat.
"I'm proud not to call myself a psychic duelist Alicia. I didn't know if you were okay after the Dark Signers attacked the movement. Thank god you're okay." Akiza stepped towards her before Alicia shoved her away.
"Save the sob story! I'm here to duel!" Alicia activated her duel disk. "Sayer wants this done, so I'm doing it."
"Sayer? Alicia.....Sayer's dead." Akiza spoke shockingly.
"You're a liar. That's impossible. He just talked to me not ten minutes ago." Alicia said, taking a small step back.
"I saw it myself Alicia! An Earthbound Immortal was his undoing." Akiza tried to reason with her.
"You were always his favorite." Alicia dropped the subject, glaring at Akiza. "Well, Black Rose, I'm going to make you pay! It's high time I get the respect for my abilities! They are far greater than you could have imagined!"
"Alicia, I'm sorry.....I......I truly am." Akiza said.
"Whatever, activate your duel disk!" Alicia spat.
"Whatever you say." Akiza sighed as she activated hers as well. "I'm sorry that you have to see by dueling me, I'll try my best not to harm you."
"And I'll try my best to harm you." Alicia screamed. "Duel!"
Alicia 8000LP / Akiza 8000LP
"I'll start." Akiza said as she drew. "I'm going to summon my Violet Witch."
A woman clad in a violet coat with four large leaves covering her arms appeared. She carried a yellow staff with red rubies encrusted on each end. (Atk: 1100)
"Next, I place two cards face down and end my turn." Akiza finished as two reversed cards appeared at her feet.
"I draw!" Alicia screamed, spittle lying from her lips. "I'm going to summon out my Fortune Lady Water!"
The blue Fortune Lady appeared next to her mistress. (Atk: ? - 1200 Lv: 4)
"Now, attack her Violet Witch!" Alicia screamed.
Fortune Lady Water raised her staff and a torrent of water came crashing towards Akiza's Violet Witch.
"I counter with my trap card, Rose Blizzard!" Akiza shouted. "Your attack is negated and your monster is changed to defense position."
Fortune Lady Water took a knee. (Def: 1200 Lv: 4)
"You'll pay for that!" Alicia cried. "I place one card face down and end my turn."
The reverse card appeared at her feet.
"Alicia, I've been telling you the truth. You have to believe me." Akiza said. "I've never betrayed my fellow psychic duelists, Sayer did."
"Just finish this duel!" Alicia said. "I won't hear any more of your lies."
"Fine, I draw." Akiza cried. "I sacrifice my Violet Witch in order to summon my Rose Tentacles!"
Violet Witch shattered in a shower of golden dust as a new monster took shape. It was a giant plant, sprouting vines from each angle. At the top sprouted a single red budding rose flower. (Atk: 2200)
"Now, Rose Tentacles, attack her Fortune Lady Water!" Akiza screamed.
Rose Tentacles lashed at Fortune Lady Water with a vine.
"I activate my trap card, Slip of Fortune." Alicia countered. "This card negates your attack and removes my Fortune Lady Water from play until my Standby Phase."
Rose Tentacles recoiled as Fortune Lady Water vanished.
"Fine then Alicia, I end my turn." Akiza sighed.
Alicia drew. "Don't mind if I do. Fortune Lady Water comes back to my field!"
Fortune Lady Water reappeared as her level increased. (Atk: 1500 Lvl: 5)
"Next, I activate the Field Spell known as Future Visions." Alicia screamed as she slapped the card onto her duel disk.
The familiar, strange atmospheric setting from Alicia's duel with Misty appeared.
"Whenever a monster is summoned, it gets removed from play until the next Standby Phase, so, I summon my Fortune Lady Light." Alicia cried.
The yellow Fortune Lady appeared. (Atk: 200 Lvl: 1) She then vanished.
"Now here's the good part. Whenever my Fortune Lady Light is removed from play, I can Special Summon a Fortune Lady monster from my deck, like Fortune Lady Fire!" Alicia continued.
The crimson Fortune Lady appeared. (Atk: 400 Lvl: 2)
"Now, my Fortune Lady ire also has an ability. Whenever she is Special Summoned by another Fortune Lady's effect, she can destroy a monster on your field and inflict damage to you equal to that monster's attack points!"
"What! Not Rose Tentacles!" Akiza screamed.
"I'm afraid so. Even Sayer can't help you now!" Alicia chortled.
Fortune Lady Fire released a jet of flames from her staff, incinerating Rose Tentacles. A heat wave raced towards Akiza.
"I don't need Sayer's help, and neither do you!" Akiza screamed. "I activate Nature's Reflection, dealing any effect damage I take this turn to you!"
A large mirror formed in front of Akiza, intercepting the flames and sending them hurtling towards Alicia. The flames struck the distressed duelist as she screamed in pain.
(Alicia 5800)
"Akiza, you are pushing it. I'll unleashed all my power to stop you!" Alicia screamed.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. Yusei stood in the same spot I am now. He believed in me just as I believe in you Alicia. All this time, I would have come into contact with you. Sayer was a bad man. It took a lot for me to see that, but once I did, everything got better. Forget him, he's gone." Aliza screamed back.
"Never! Fortune Lady Fire, attack her directly!"
Fortune Lady Fire released the same jet of flames, scorching the Plant-duelists as she screamed in pain.
(Akiza 7600)
"Now Fortune Lady Water, douse her!" Alicia continued.
Fortune Lady Water released the torrent of waves crashing into Akiza.
(Akiza 6100)
"That's it from me Akiza." Alicia spat.
"Glad to hear that." Akiza said as she drew. "I activate Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two extra cards."
She drew the two extra cards.
"First, I think I'm going to get rid of your pesky Field Spell by playing Mystical Space Typhoon! Next, I summon my Witch of the Black Rose!" Akiza shouted.
The black, rose witch appeared. She resembled that of a rag doll with several black roses sprouting from her form. (Atk: 1700) The field returned to normal, the ocean view magnificent.
"When I have no cards on the field and she is summoned, I can draw the top card of my deck. If it's a monster card, I can Special Summon it; if not, I must automatically discard it to the graveyard." Akiza informed her opponent.
"Just see what it is." Alicia cried.
Akiza drew. "It's Dark Verger, so I Special Summon it."
A small, two-leaved plant appeared with an eye on each leaf. (Atk: 0)
"Next, I'm going to tune my level four Witch of the Black Rose with my level two Dark Verger in order to Synchro Summon..." Akiza began.
Rose petals began to swirl as her psychic abilities activated. Even Alicia, a powerful psychic duelist in her own right, was awestruck.
"Lone flower which blooms in the forest of the sun, appear from the roots and show yourself now! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Splendid Rose!"
A beautiful woman rose from the Synchro Summon. She was divided in color. Half of her was green and the other half black. At her feet connected a single rose bulb. She sprouted several vines from her back. (Atk: 2200)
"Now, she has a pretty useful ability. I remove from play my Dark Verger to halve the attack of your Fortune Lady Water." Akiza said as she pocketed the card.
Fortune Lady Water cringed. (Atk: 750)
"Now, Splendid Rose, attack her Fortune Lady Water!" Akiza screamed.
Splendid Rose sprinted towards Fortune Lady Water, leapt into the air, and kicked the monster, shattering her in seconds.
(Alicia 4350)
"That's it from me." Akiza stepped back.
"I won't let Sayer down!" Alicia roared as she drew violently. "I sacrifice my Fortune Lady Fire in order to Advance Summon Fortune Lady Dark."
Fortune Lady Fire shattered into golden dust and was replaced by the black Fortune Lady. (Atk: 2000 Lvl: 5)
"Next, I activate Time Passage, increasing her level by three!" Alicia said.
Fortune Lady Dark glew with an omnious aura. (Atk: 3200 Lvl: 8)
"Now, Fortune Lady Dark, destroy her Splendid Rose now!" Alicia vented.
Fortune Lady Dark releases a spiral of dark energy from her staff. The energy slammed into Splendid Rose, sending her crashing to the ground and shattering moments after.
(Akiza 5100)
"Now, my Fortune Lady Dark has a special ability. Whenever a Fortune Lady attacks and destroys an opponent's monster, I can Special Summon a Fortune Lady monster from my graveyard like Fortune Lady Water!" Alicia continued.
The indigo Fortune Lady appeared for the third time. (Atk: 1200 Lvl: 4)
"Attack Akiza directly!"
Fortune Lady Water sent the torrent of water smashing into Akiza for the second time.
(Akiza 3900)
"It's your move." Alicia spat.
Fortune Lady Dark returned to normal. (Atk: 2000 Lvl: 5)
"I draw!" Akiza shouted. "I summon my Lonefire Blossom!"
A strange plant bulb appeared spitting flames. (Atk: 500)
"However, I'm already sacrificing him in order to Special Summon my Tytannial, Princess of Camellias!" Akiza continued.
Another beautiful woman sprouted from the ground in front of the Signer. This one had the lower body of a large plant bulb. Her head was also adorned with a rose bulb. (Atk: 2800)
"Now, Princess, attack her Fortune Lady Water." Akiza screamed.
Tytannial spun, releasing several rose petals slamming into Fortune Lady Water. The latter screamed in pain before shattering.
(Alicia 2750)
"I place one card face down, now take it away Alicia." Akiza smiled.
"Don't mock me, this will all be over very soon for you Akiza. You will be joining Misty and Devack before you even know it!" Alicia spat.
"You still don't understand do you! I guess I need proof! Come with me after this duel and I will show you." Akiza offered.
"There won't be an 'after' for you!" Alicia drew violently.
Fortune Lady Dark cried with happiness. (Atk: 2400 Lvl: 6)
"I activate Synchro Boost, raising my Fortune Lady Dark's level by one and attack points by 500." Alicia cried.
Fortune Lady Dark cried in happiness once more. (Atk: 3300 Lvl: 7)
"Now, attack her Tytannial!" Alicia screamed.
Fortune Lady Dark released the spiral wave of dark energy, shattering Tytannial as Akiza covered herself from the attack.
(Akiza 3400)
"Now I get to Special Summon Fortune Lady Water once more!" Alicia screamed.
The monster appeared with a cackle. (Atk: 1200 Lvl: 4)
"Attack her directly!" Alicia continued.
Fortune Lady Water sent the torrent of waves crashing into Akiza again. The Signer chocking and sopping wet.
(Akiza 2200)
"Now go Akiza, but make it quick. This turn will be your last." Alicia laughed.
"I'm sorry." Akiza said as she drew. "But I summon Twilight Rose Knight."
The small girl in knight's armor appeared. (Atk: 1000)
"Her effect allows me to Special Summon a level four Plant-type monster from my hand. And I Special Summon Lord Poison." Akiza continued.
The grotesque monster appeared. (Atk: 1500)
"Now I'm going to tune my level three Twilight Rose Knight with my level four Lord Poison on order to Synchro Summon..." Akiza began.
The flurry of rose petals started once more. Only this time, it was much more intense. Alicia covered her face as several small cuts appeared.
"Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Black Rose Dragon!"
The colossal dragon soared into view. It's ebony body marvelous in the ocean's reflection. Alicia stared in awe, despite her goal. (Atk: 2400)
Once she came to, Alicia shouted. "Ha, my Fortune Lady Dark has much more attack points."
"My Black Rose Dragon has a special ability. I can remove from play one Plant-type monster in my graveyard to have one of your monsters lose it's attack points." Akiza said quietly.
"What? No!" Alicia screamed.
"I'm sorry." Akiza said. "I remove Splendid Rose from play in order to reduce your Fortune Lady Dark's attack points to zero." Akiza pocketed the card.
Fortune Lady Dark screamed in agony as her attack points decreased. (Atk: 0 Lvl: 7)
"Black Rose Dragon, destroy her Fortune Lady Dark with Black Rose Flare!" Akiza pointed at the pallid Alicia.
Black Rose Dragon unleashed a jet of searing energy from it's maw, the blast shattering it's target.
(Alicia 350)
Alicia recovered quickly. "That attack doesn't matter. Next turn I will defeat you. I have the perfect cards to do so!"
"I'm sorry Alicia, but there won't be a next turn." Akiza informed the panicking girl as her face down card lifted up.
"I activate Synchro Overlimit! When my Synchro monster destroys one of your by battle, it can attack again in a row. So, Black Rose Dragon, destroy Fortune Lady Water with Black Rose Flare and end this duel!" Akiza screamed.
"No! Sayer! I'm sorry!" Alicia screamed in agony.
Black Rose Dragon unleashed a jet of energy tantamount to the one preceding it, shattering Fortune Lady Water and Alicia's life points.
Alicia 0LP / Akiza 2200LP
Black Rose Dragon faded to nothing as Akiza made her way over to the fallen Alicia. The Signer reached down to help her up.
"Come with me, I'll show you the truth. I didn't want that to happen."
Alicia looked up, tears runnin down her cheeks. "I don't want your pity!"
She slapped Akiza's hand away and stood.
"Alicia, I've been speaking the truth. I swear." Akiza pleaded.
Alicia shook her head, taking in all the events at once. "I don't know what to believe!"
"Believe me." Akiza said, taking another step towards her.
"No! Stop! Don't come near me. It's time I find these answers out for myself." Alicia spat, turning and sprinting from the Signer.
In her haste, Alicia dropped a single portrait. Akiza stooped to pick it up and gasped at the face of the young man standing next to Alicia in the photo. He had pitch black hair, definitive eyebrows, and mildly tan skin.
Darius! What are you doing to her?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks to Digidramon, Psychid, and TheDuelistOfDawn for all their reviews.
Monsters:
Splendid Rose
WIND/ Plant/ Synchro/ Effect/ Level 6/ Atk: 2200/ Def: 2000
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
Once per turn, by removing from play one Plant-type monster in your graveyard, you can halve the attack of 1 monster your opponent controls until the End Phase. During a Battle Phase of a turn in which this card attack, by removing 1 Plant-type monster in your graveyard from play, until the End Phase this card's attack is halved and it can attack once again in a row.
Traps:
Rose Blizzard
Normal Trap Card
Activated when a monster you control is selected as an attack target. Negate the attack of your opponent's monster and switch it to defense position.
Synchro Overlimit
Normal Trap Card
Activate only when a Synchro monster you control destroys an opponent's monster by battle. That monster can attack once again this turn. If it does, destroy it after the End Phase.
Next time on Rise of Darkness: The Battleground Cup kicks off with an exciting duel between Westin and a local archaeologist who has acquired a certain set of cards which debuted at the KC Grand Championships. Can Westin overcome this man's "ancient" strategy? Or will he be sent crashing out of the tournament on day one?
Be sure to check out Chapter 13: Ancient Dreams
