I do not own Yugioh!5D's
Chapter 12- Resolve
-To make our way, we must have firm resolve, persistence, tenacity. We must gear ourselves to work hard all the way. We can never let up- Ralph Bunche
I didn't wear make-up and neither did Luca. So it stands to question –
Where did Lua get make-up from?
"Couldn't ya help him in the application process Missy?" Yanagi whispered as Lua practiced being Luca. I gave him a…'D' for effort really. Luca never acted so ridiculous.
"I don't wear make-up," I shrugged. We were now within the Kaiba er – Memorial Circuit, Point-Dexter had met up with us at the entrance.
I smiled as Luca berated her older brother on his acting skills (or lack thereof).
"Nii-san, Yusei shall we depart," Lua said walking up to us, swaying hips a bit too wide for it to be considered natural.
"No one walks like that," I announced, really wondering about where he got his portrayal of girls from. Neither I nor Luca acted like he was acting.
"Lua, it's better if you drop the make-up," Yusei added as the three of us parted from the group.
A member of the production crew (or something like that) found and directed us towards a dimly lit room. If my general bearing were correct then that meant that this room was no doubt beneath the central podium of the stadium, which meant the platform at the center of the room could no doubt be raised.
As the Fortune Cup guy directed us to stand on the lowered platform, I hesitated. There was just so much noise. There was a massive crowd, thousands of people, waiting for a show. I could hear the thundering noise their collective movement brought about, the excited and noisy chatter.
The proverbial cold feet was starting to set in. Which was ironic seeing as my palms were getting sweatier by the second. I took a deep breath and stepped onto the platform, taking up the space between Lua and…this dude in a cloak.
I…did my best not to stare but I will admit that most of the occupants donned some interesting clothing.
I spied blood red hair out of the corner of my eye and I knew who it was. I really hoped that I didn't have to duel her right off the bat…or Yusei…or Lua.
How would all this pan out? I had taken the place of someone, that was for sure. I didn't remember who it was though, nor his/her importance in the whole Fortune Cup.
…Oh well?
"We'll give it our all, right Nii-san?"
I looked down at Lua, who was looking up to me. I smiled wryly knowing that that wasn't just in the literal sense either.
"Nothing less," I nodded in conformation. I was nowhere near as confident as I sounded. I gazed towards Yusei, who was on the other side of Lua. He had his head up and his shoulders squared, confident and sure of the goal he wanted to attain.
I didn't have much of a reason other than to keep the twins safe as best as I could. Yusei though…
…definitely had something to fight for – Which was one of the reasons that I didn't want to go up against him. Because…I've already lost to him.
Against his resolve, mine didn't measure up.
His friends took priority. Always.
That's why he would endure, especially if it meant that he'd keep them safe. He was in this Fortune Cup to fight against the people behind the event. The ones that put his friends in danger.
That was why no matter how loudly the crowd spoke up against him, he'd bear it. He'd bear it and let his actions and dueling speak for him.
"Yusei," Lua mumbled looking at him worriedly.
Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Skylar gazed unto the crowd with a sneer.
Yusei's lips quirked up in a small smile at their reactions.
Yusei, not for the first time, marvelled at the unique set of friends he had found upon his venture in New Domino City. It proved that no matter where you went and more importantly no matter where you were from, bonds could form between the unlikeliest of persons.
Old Man Yanagi, Himuro, Saiga, Lua, Luca, Skylar – they were the proof.
And that in itself gave him both faith and strength.
Friendship was something worth believing in and it was something worth fighting for.
I watched the crowd around me, slightly disgusted but I had expected it all the same.
Discrimination – the same as it was in any world. And it wasn't just for persons within or from the Satellite. Once you were branded, once you were marked, it was as if you were an outcast to the society around you.
To most of the people in the stadium, Yusei must appear to be a blemish within the Nirvana that was New Domino City.
But New Domino City was only a Nirvana at the surface if at all.
Nirvana was Bliss. In Bliss there was equality. Where was the equality here?
To be fair I've seen and heard of various 'Equality Campaigns'- most geared towards the liberation of the people of the Satellite (It really did seem like a modernized version of slavery) or the reconnecting of the Satellite to New DC.
The different campaigns had their support but in the end, bore little to no fruit. I believe that it was a result of two things- persons didn't deem such moves as profitable and enough people just didn't seem to care.
Apathy was a really scary concept.
Bomber's speech did little to move me and I wasn't about to get on board of Goodwin's sugar coated politically correct merry-go-round. I would give him this though – he spoke the truth in regards to the dueling field being where equality rested. It wasn't perfect but it was likely to be where you'd find the most equality (and wasn't that a bit sad in itself).
With that said, I was happy that the Announcer Guy finally got things moving along, even if I was paying more attention to his hair than what he was saying. Seriously though, I felt like taking some garden clippers and just snipping it off.
I watched as pictures flitted across the screen for a few seconds before they finally stopped, all paired up.
Lua was up first against Bomber, and he was excited about it. Poor Luca must have been cringing in her seat in the audience. Lua looked absolutely ridiculous, his gesticulation wild and his speech erratic when he was excited (He was adorable really).
Then it was Aki (…There was no use in complaining about the names anymore really…) against Gill de Lancebow (...there were honestly no words), followed by Yusei against whoever Shira was and I was up last against…Professor Frank.
Honestly the guy seemed pretty plain, but I knew that things were never as they seemed.
The waiting area for those who were yet to duel was pretty spacious. It had two long tables, each surrounded by chairs as well as three sets of two moderately comfortable couches, which were positioned so as to have one in front of the other, a coffee table being what separated the them.
On the wall at one end of the room, which was closest to the entrance, was a giant screen which was of course, provided for our viewing pleasure.
They had us all in one room, but it was big enough, just in case we saw it fit to give the other competitors a big enough space while we prepped for a duel.
Lua had already left for his duel with Bomber. Before he had left though, after turning to Yusei and promising to not duel selfishly, he looked to me for the final word.
Gold-green irises shone with nothing but determination, they held nothing but resolve.
"Lua," I called his name (because I was honestly going for that cool final word sort of thing that would make him all pumped). "Show me your Duelist's Resolve."
Lua nodded resolutely. "Alright! I'm off!"
I smiled as I watched him run out.
"Duelist's Resolve?"
I looked over at Yusei who was sitting beside me and nodded.
"Why do you duel? What's the reason? Do you have something to prove? Do you have someone or something to protect? What feelings will your duel convey to your opponent? What feelings will it convey to those looking on?"
My eyes glazed over as I recalled that particular duel I had with Yukio.
"Never give up, believe in yourself, trust in your cards– That's what I was taught about Duelist's Resolve."
I was trying my best to not get into the monologue habit. Internal monologues were okay though.
That was what I had gotten from my duel with Yukio that time. I figured out how (why?) I dueled. I didn't duel for the thrill (although the thrill was awesome). I dueled out of necessity. This time round it was to protect the twins.
…At least that's what I feel better believing. I'd like to believe that my motive is pure, really.
"Skylar?"
I had probably zoned out again and missed whatever he had said.
"Lua's duel is starting," I said instead and directed my attention to the screen.
All the world was watching. All eyes were on him.
Was this what the King Jack Atlas went through whenever he dueled in front of crowds all the time?
Lua was nervous, but he was a million times more excited.
The crowd around him was thunderous and alive. The energy that rolled off of them in waves resonated within the very core of his being. It made him pumped.
It was an exhilarated feeling.
This was the feeling that he liked.
This was the feeling that he wanted every day.
If he became King himself then he could have what he liked, he could have what he wanted.
Yeah, he had a feeling that he'd always thrive in these kinds of environments.
Lua wasn't going to panic and he definitely wouldn't be backing down. Even now when he only had a little over half his life points left.
He had promised Yusei that he wouldn't duel selfishly. He had promised his Nii-san that he'd show his Duelist's Resolve.
He'd trust in his cards and he wouldn't give up no matter what.
I never understood why some duelists reacted the way they did in duels.
Often times I couldn't help but snort- the theatrics of duelists were nothing if not entertaining. Did they really have to pose every time they drew a card? Did they have to name the attacks of their monsters during the battle phases? Was it all necessary?
I could understand why they acted surprised at certain cards' effects. If you weren't that versed on the various cards, it'd be easy to be caught off guard by them. It wasn't the same as in the Video games, where you could always take the time in the duel to check on the effects of all the cards on the field.
You had to stay sharp and well versed. You had to think on your feet. And that was when you weren't driving at the speed of a race car.
Now with all that said, I would rather classify the frustrated yell Lua let out when Bomber's monster, his Giant Bomber Air Raid (Why couldn't it have been a shorter name?), that it was just that, a yell of frustration (and probably disappointment) and not the result of some phantom pain he felt upon his (hologram) monster being destroyed by Bomber's (hologram) monster and shattering into a million pieces.
It wasn't like he was facing Akiza.
...Or perhaps I was downplaying it too much...?
I rose from the couch and began to head out of the room, Yusei following in like, an unspoken agreement to go and meet Lua on his way down from the dueling arena.
He probably needed some cheering up.
There was a fifteen minute interval scheduled before the next duel. Lua had used this time to switch into his regular clothing and Luca had abandoned the coat and hat she had donned initially.
Yusei and I waited in the corridor nearest to the bathrooms. Lua, Luca and Dexter all stood in front of the bathrooms and I decided to let Luca be the first to comfort her brother.
We didn't have a long wait, as soon enough, their footsteps as they made their way in our direction sounded. I smiled encouragingly when Lua spotted us. His shoulders were slumped and he looked the part of a sad puppy.
Cute.
"All you need to do is win your duels later on. The experience you got form losing will always prove useful."
And there was the daily dose of Wisdom courtesy of Yusei Fudo. He should write little motivation cards and hand them out.
"You tried your best," I nodded in recognition of his effort.
He sighed a bit forlornly before perking up and clenching his fist. "You guys don't lose either! We'll be cheering you on from the stands!"
I smiled. I've said it already, the boy bounces back quickly.
The click of heels caused me to turn my head away from Lua. I stiffened at the sight that greeted me. My weariness is possibly illogical because I know what I know. Nonetheless, regardless of who Akiza would become, at this moment in time she was volatile and thus by dangerous.
I had no issues in stepping aside as she strode by us without so much as a word to any of us, her face hostile. The very aura around her seemed to shout 'Leave me Alone!'
'Wait, 'alone'?'
I sharply turned my back to everyone, clutching my mark, which was hidden beneath my jacket sleeve as it faintly pulsed upon her passing.
'Alone…'
That had been her no doubt.
"Nii-san?"
My head shot round a bit jerkily and I stared surprised at everyone. When had they turned their attention to me?
"Are you alright?" I asked Luca, ignoring the unasked 'What's wrong?'. I had heard that she had a headache earlier.
She nodded. "If it happens again, have someone take you to the infirmary."
She nodded once more this time more hesitantly.
I wasn't satisfied by the response, but I also wanted to start moving, anything to deter Yusei's contemplating glance.
The roars of the crowd signalled the beginning of the next duel. "Let's head off."
I didn't wait for a reply as I made my way back to the Competitors' Room.
Rex Goodwin stared at the video feed projected, his arms folded. He watched as the girl, Skylar Kameyo, hurriedly made her way back to the room he provided for the Fortune Cup Competitors.
He unfolded his arms and reached for the remote on the small table beside him. With the press of a button the feed from the hallway switched to the one in the CR.
He watched as she entered the room and made her way over to the coffee machine. Here, Goodwin paused to reach for his own beverage. In his opinion, tea was much more soothing than coffee.
As he took a sip, he noted that when she sat down she once again held unto her right arm. His eyes narrowed.
He knew that he was in search of the three other Signers. Of the four competitors whom were not employees of his, she was the least likely to be a Signer.
She was an anomaly.
He switched the video feed once more. The duel between the Black Rose Witch and Lancebow was well under way.
He placed his tea cup down. He mused. He had set up this competition for the sake of gathering the Signers.
It would seem as if he had caught a Disciple of the Dragon Star as well.
Aki was efficient.
And ruthless.
I watched as the Knight fell to the Black Rose Dragon's attack. I took a deep breath even as I resisted clutching my right arm. During the latter part of the burning sensation had increased, but it was tolerable. Fortunately my mark hadn't begun to radiate.
Which would have proved a problem seeing as Bomber had taken it upon himself to join the company of both Yusei and I.
Yusei.
I wasn't sure if he noticed it, but he had yet to release the hold he held on his right arm. I knew his mark was reacting to Akiza. The chances are that Luca's and Jack's were as well. This was why I resisted holding onto my arm, I couldn't afford to give myself away.
Not to Bomber who was no doubt on Goodwin's payroll.
Nor to Yusei. I needed him to stay blind for a while longer.
Intermission came and went. Then just like that it was time for Yusei's duel. Then it was my turn.
I would have preferred to be in the stands with the twins and the others instead of sitting in this awkward (on my part) silence with Bomber. Aki had not returned to the room. My best bet was that she already left for the day and I was thankful for that.
"Are you worried for your friend?" After watching the duel in silence, Bomber decided to speak up. Yusei's life points were down to 400.
"No," I stated simply. "He'll win."
Bomber said nothing, merely going back to watching the duel.
Moments later Yusei won. I had to hand it to the Mukuro guy though. It took guts to take the place of another competitor the way that he did. He also had the skill to back it up, but since his opponent was Yusei, he had to lose.
'Would that be the same if Yusei and I dueled each other?'
I shook my head. I had to make it past the first round.
"Well he won just like you said."
I didn't answer him, instead choosing to rise from my seat.
I had a duel in fifteen minutes.
Lub-dub, Lub-dub, Lub-dub.
The pounding in my ears, the churning feeling in my stomach, the sweaty feeling in my palms.
I was in super great condition going into this duel.
I sighed as I went through my cards in an attempt to soothe my frayed nerves.
My deck specialty was Spellcaster/Spell Counter. I dubbed it the 'Heart Deck', because truly the cards that made up my deck were near and dear to me. A handful of them were given to me by my friends back in Casper City. The years had gone by and even though new cards came out…well 'new and improved' just couldn't replace 'faith'. My friends believe in me and I carried their hearts with me always.
Tragically sentimental, I know.
I had seven over the minimum required for a standard deck and the Monster: Trap: Spell card ratio wasn't even in the least, but it had worked for me.
I attached my duel disk, which was the metallic black version of the standard model with emerald coloured gems courtesy of Yuuto-sensei, and placed my deck carefully within it. My duel started in less than 10 minutes.
On my way to the Duel Arena, I met up with Yusei, who was no doubt heading back to the CR. We paused for a moment.
"That was a good duel," I complimented. I needed something to say.
"Thanks," he said nodding. "Good luck in your duel."
"Thanks." The words fell from my lips and I internally cringed at how automatic it sounded.
We stood there for a while, not saying anything. I was subject to Yusei's unwavering stare yet again. I didn't know what he wanted, but I knew that he did want something.
But what?
I finally made to leave when Yusei suddenly grasped my arm. My right arm.
Similarly to the other time when our right arms came in contact, my mark began to burn.
I did my best not to let my surprise show. I peered at Yusei to see him staring at his arm.
"When your duel is over," he began, blue irises locked with mine, "Can you tell me what you know about the Crimson Dragon?"
.
.
.
.
I've already lost to him.
Against his resolve, mine doesn't measure up.
Word count: 3358
Omake- Hair
"His hair is unbelievable," I decided to announce.
Yusei looked at the Announcer Guy, seeming to seriously consider my statement.
"Ah," he made a sound of agreement after a few moments.
"Yours too," I pointed out glancing at the spikes that went both up and down. Yusei ran a hand through his hair and by the way it shifted under his touch, I knew that that was how it was naturally (his hair didn't have any gel in it).
"It's like a sea-urchin."
I waited for a moment before Yusei finally stopped tussling his hair. He gave a small smile, probably agreeing with my assessment.
I also waited for him to comment on my hair. He didn't.
"Aren't you going to comment on my hair?"
I vaguely remember plaiting my hair a lot in my first life. Now it was a bit of a mess, but it somehow just…worked for me I suppose (Thank you Anime gods). But I did enjoy plaiting and just generally playing around in the twins' hair.
"Girls should be complimented," was his eventual and simple answer.
My brows furrowed and my eyes narrowed.
…Was he saying that there was nothing good to say about my hair?
A/N: MC's hair is really something- I really couldn't resist. The Omake was supposed to be a bit longer but...meh.
So Skylar's deck is as stated Spell-caster/Spell counter. Question- would you like to see her duel with Professor Frank?
I'll give more info on the Disciple of the Dragon Star concept I'm going with in the next chapter. Though I may not be updating for a while.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed/viewed/favourited/followed!
Constructive criticism/comments/questions/suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Thanks for reading.
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