Episode 14: For the Birds
In the back of an alley in Paradise city, a young man materialized out of nowhere. He opened his eyes and looked around.
"Been a while." the young man said to himself.
The young man, named Shay Obsidian, had straight blueish-black hair that fell to his chin, and light green bangs in the shape of a wing partially tucked under some strands on the left. He has yellow-green eyes, and a red scarf. He wears a blue trenchcoat that is tattered at the ends; with the coat is belted shut, and adorned with belted cuffs. He also sported grey pants and brown shoes.
As Shay walked into the busy streets, he couldn't help but smile a bit to himself. Shay came from the XYZ Dimension, which was still currently being rebuilt after the Dimension War. Heartland City, where Shay lived, had been hit the hardest. Buildings were destroyed, streets were cracked and littered with debris, and people had to take refuge in huts and rubble. Thankfully, now that the war was over, Heartland City was being rebuilt by both residents of the XYZ and Fusion Dimension. Many residents from the Fusion Dimension even moved there to help out, hoping to atone for the invasion.
Shay was certainly in the middle with all this. In a lot of ways, he was grateful for the people in the Fusion Dimension coming to help out. It meant a lot to him that they wanted to lend a hand and fix what they broke. He was even becoming friends with a few of them, a duelist named Aster Phoenix in particular. Aster was a commander of the Fusion Dimension's army, but defected after he was defeated by Yusho and Yuya. He then joined the Lancers in an effort to defeat Duel Academy and stop Zarc.
Along with Aster, Shay considered Sora to be a friend. Sora was originally a spy scouting the Standard Dimension when he first ran into Shay. The two formed a bitter rivalry due to the war and Shay had no love for Sora. However, thanks to Sora's friendship with Yuya and Zuzu, Sora defected as well and became a member of the Lancers. After the war, Shay and Sora began to bond and Sora became almost like a little brother to him.
Still, there was some bitterness with Shay. The pain that the invasion caused him and the people of Heartland City was scar that was never going to leave him. Plus, while he trusted some people from the Fusion Dimension, he didn't trust others. For one thing, there were these two girls called the Tyler Sisters. Grace and Gloria Tyler were duelists working for Duel Academy and were the top tag duelists. Shay and Yuya managed to defeat them, with Yuya winning them over with his dueltaining. However, Shay just wasn't interested in being friends them. Grace was particularly annoying, as she wouldn't seem to leave him alone for some reason.
Then there was Dennis McField, a dueltainner from Duel Academy. Like Sora, Dennis was a spy working for Duel Academy, specifically working under Yuri. Dennis's job was to scout each dimension and find anyone who resembled Ray Akaba. And unfortunately for Shay, his sister Lulu was one of those counterparts. Shay still hated Dennis, because he was the reason Duel Academy was able to invade and it was him that led Yuri to Lulu. Plus, while Shay didn't blame Yuya or Zuzu for any of this, he could never truly see his sister or his best friend again.
Shay stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and took out a locket. In the locket was a picture of himself with Yuto and Lulu. He smiled, thinking of that day, missing it dearly.
"I hope you guys are in a better place." said Shay. "Cause I sure miss you both."
Shay had a feeling that the only reason he didn't go crazy was because of his friends, his friend Kite in particular. Kite was also a resident of Heartland City and one's of Shay's closest friends. Honestly, the only people Shay could ever truly call family were Yuto and Kite. He loved all of his friends from the XYZ Dimension and the Lancers, but he's known Yuto and Kite for years. They've been like brothers to him. It was painful enough losing Yuto, he could only imagine what it would be like to lose Kite too.
As Shay walked, someone crossed in front of him. He looked up to see a smiling man in a business suit. It was Eric Samson.
"Good day young man." said Eric with a slick smile.
"Get lost." said Shay.
"You don't happen to be Shay Obsidian, are you?" Eric asked, ignoring Shay's remark.
"So what if I am?" Shay asked.
"Why, you're one of the best young duelists around kid." said Eric. "And you could be even better if-"
"Not interested." Shay interrupted. "Now kindly buzz off. I've got places to be."
Shay stepped pass Eric, but was then intercepted by Reggie and Stacy.
"What's the rush, Flyboy?" Reggie asked, toothpick sticking out of his mouth.
"Yeah." said Stacy. "An offer like this doesn't come every day."
"I already said I don't care." said Shay. "So get out of my way."
"Certainly." said Eric. "Just so long as you agree to a quick duel or two."
"A duel?" Shay asked.
"Yes." said Eric. "You defeat my two associates here, you can be on your way. Lose and you and I will be talking major league contracts."
"Ugh, fine." said Shay. "But let's save some time. I'll duel both of them at once."
"Works for me." Eric said happily.
The four of them then moved out of the streets and into a nearby park. Reggie and Stacy stared down Shay, cocky expressions on their faces. Shay looked unfazed as they all activated their duel disks.
"Duel!" they all said together.
"Generating Action Field." a female voice said. "Crossover."
Blue platforms then appeared all over them, with action cards scattered around the area as well.
"I'll start." said Shay. "First, I summon Raidraptor-Vanishing Lanius."
Shay's first monster appeared with a fierce screech (atk1300/def1600).
"I then special summon Raidraptor-Fuzzy Lanius." said Shay, summoning a new monster. "I then overlay level four Fuzzy and Vanishing Lanius."
Shay's monsters then turned into two dark purple lights, which shot into the air as they landed inside a yellow and black portal. Lightning then shot out of it as Shay's new monster formed.
"Avian hunter of the night." said Shay. "Seek your prey with your dark eyes, and grasp glory with your sharp talons! I XYZ summon! Take flight, Raidraptor-Force Strix!"
With a mighty hoot, Shay's new monster appeared (atk100/def2000).
"That's it?" Stacy laughed. "That little chicken doesn't stand a chance against us!"
"Who said I was done?" said Shay. "I use Force Strix's ability. I detach one overlay unit to add a winged beast type monster to my hand. I choose another Vanishing Lanius. Plus, since I just sent Fuzzy Lanius to my graveyard, I can add another Fuzzy Lanius to my hand."
The cards then popped out of the deck as Shay added them to his hand.
"Now, since I successful summoned a Vanishing Lanius this turn." said Shay. "I can special summon another Vanishing Lanius to the field, like so."
With that, a second Vanishing Lanius appeared.
"And since Vanishing Lanius is out, Fuzzy Lanius can join him." said Shay. "Now, I overlay them like before, to XYZ summon a second Force Strix!"
A new Force Strix then appeared alongside it's comrade. As it did, both monster's atk points increase by 500, raising them to 600.
"Wait, why'd your monster's atk points go up?" Reggie asked.
"When I control another winged beast monster other than Force Strix." said Shay. "It's atk points increase by 500. And I'm gonna increase their atk points even further. Using my second Force Strix, I detach an overlay unit to add Vanishing Lanius to my hand. And since it was Fuzzy Lanius that I sent to the graveyard, I can add another Fuzzy Lanius to my hand."
Shay then repeated the process, adding Vanishing and Fuzzy Lanius to his hand.
"Then, just like before, I summon Vanishing and Fuzzy Lanius." said Shay, summoning his monsters. "And then use them to XYZ summon my final Force Strix!"
Shay's last Force Strix appeared, raising all three of the XYZ monster's atks to 1100.
"I then lay two face-downs and end my turn." said Shay.
"Then it's my move." said Reggie. "I draw. Then, I play Gishki Aqua Mirror. I can use this card to ritual summon any Gishki Ritual monster I want. I then tribute Gishki Shadow, which has the special ability that allows it to be one tribute for any WATER attribute ritual monster."
A mirror then appeared, along with Reggie's monster. Reggie's monster went inside the mirror and then disappeared. The mirror spun as a new monster began to form.
"From the depths of the ocean." said Reggie. "Comes a new monster that's sure to make a wave of destruction! I ritual summon, Evigishki Levianima!"
The mirror burst as Reggie's new monster emerged (atk2700/def1500). It gave a mighty screech, brandishing it's sword at Shay, who looked at the monster unfazed.
"I end my turn there." said Reggie.
"My turn then." said Stacy. "I draw! I then play, Polymerization. I fuse Berformet with Gazelle, the King of the Mythical Beasts!"
Stacy's two monsters merged together in a swirl of light, forming her new monster.
"Two lords of the jungle merge as one." said Stacy. "Becoming a beast the likes of which makes all predators cower. I fusion summon, Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast!"
With a thunderous growl, Stacy's new monster appeared (atk2100/def1800)
"I then play two face-downs and end my turn." said Stacy. "Your move."
"Then I draw!" said Shay. "And I play the spell, Rank-up Magic Raid Force. This allows me to summon a monster using one of my Force Strix's that is one rank higher. Go, Rank-up XYZ Evolution!"
One of Shay's Force Strix's then turned into purple light, that burst into the overlay network. A blast of red light then appeared as Shay's new monster took form.
"Terror of the skies!" said Shay. "Predator of blazing force! With wings that slash and talons that tear! Rise up, Raidraptor-Blaze Falcon!"
Shay's new XYZ monster then appeared (atk1000/def200). With a screech, it faced down Stacy and Reggie's monsters.
"Oh please." said Stacy. "That monster is weaker than your last one. Don't bother trying to scare us with that."
"You should be scared." said Shay. "And soon you'll find out why. But first, I use the last overlay unit of one of my Force Strix's to add Raidraptor-Singing Lanius to my hand."
Shay's new monster is then added to his hand.
"I then special summon Singing Lanius." said Shay. "And by doing that, my Force Strix's gain 500 more atk points."
Singing Lanius (atk100/def1800) then appeared with a little chirp. This increases Shay's Force Strix's atk to 1600.
"I then summon Raidraptor-Retrofit Lanius." said Shay. "And when I use Retrofit Lanius to XYZ summon, it can count as two monsters. Now, I use Retrofit Lanius to build the overlay network!"
Retrofit Lanius then turned into purple light as it shot into the overlay network. Lightning then burst out as Shay's new monster appeared.
"Blaze with crimson light!" said Shay. "Set flame your thirsting blade to light the skies! I XYZ summon, Raidraptor-Blade Burner Falcon!"
With a mighty screech, Shay's new XYZ monster soared into the air (atk1000/def1000).
"Time to end this!" said Shay. "First, I attack with Blaze Falcon, which can attack you directly! Go, Electrostatic Volt!"
Reggie ran to find an action card, with Shay close behind. The two of them managed to find one at the same time.
"I play Attack Restriction." said Reggie. "Now, your monster can only hurt me if it has 2000 or more atk points."
"I activate the Action Spell, Extreme Sword!" said Shay. "This increases Blaze Falcon's atk by 1000, which means he can continue his attack!"
Blaze Falcon's atk rose to 2000 as it rammed into Reggie, lowering his life points to 2000.
"Blaze Falcon's effect then activates." said Shay. "When it inflicts damage to my opponent, I can destroy one monster they control."
Blaze Falcon's wings then opened up as missiles shot out of it. Stacy then ran for Action Card, grabbing it and playing it.
"I use the Action Spell, Detour." said Stacy. "This negates your monsters effect and hits you for 500 points of damage."
The missiles then changed direction and blasted Shay. Shay's life points then dropped to 3500.
"Fine by me." said Shay. "I use Blaze Falcon's special ability. I detach an overlay unit to destroy your monsters and inflict 500 points of damage to each of you for each one destroyed!"
Blaze Falcon then dispatched an overlay unit as little machines flew out of it. The machines then fired green lasers at Reggie and Stacy, destroying their monsters. Reggie's life points then lowered to 1000 while Stacy's lowered to 3000.
"I then activate the trap, Birds of a Feather!" said Shay. "While I control five Raidraptor monsters on my field, you can't destroy any of them with card effects this battle. Now, go my Raidraptors! Full scale attack!"
Reggie and Stacy screamed as the rest of Shay's monsters soared at them. They hit the two of them with a mighty crash. When the dust settled, Reggie and Stacy layed down, their life points at zero.
"What a waste of time." said Shay.
"Not bad there son." Eric smiled.
"Look, I've been here long enough." said Shay, walking away.
"You may think it was a waste of time." Eric smirked silently to himself as he watched Shay walk away. "But it wasn't for me."
The doors to the elevator opened as Shay walked out. He then turned to walk through a set of large doors, which led to Declan's office. Declan, along with several other people, were already inside.
Shay recognized all of them. Sora was leaning on the wall, sucking on a lollipop. On either side of Declan's desk was Moon Shadow and his brother, Sun Shadow. Sun Shadow looked nearly identical to Moon Shadow, except his hair was light brown and he had red clothing instead of blue. Standing by the window staring out into the city was Dennis.
Shay stared down Dennis. Dennis McField had bright curly red hair hanging down to his chin in crumpled spikes, green eyes, and a beauty mark below his right eye. He wore an odd ensemble of clothes, a long-sleeved blue collared shirt with a purple bow tie around his neck, and an orange jacket on top of that, which was missing the right sleeve and with a shortened hang on the right side, as well as a black glove on his left hand, and dark pants and red shoes.
Dennis turned to Shay and smiled warmly. However, he then noticed the expression on Shay's face and turned away nervously.
"Good to see you are all here." said Declan. "We just have to wait for one more."
The doors then opened again. Shay watched as a young man entered. Shay didn't remember his name, but he knew he was a student at the Leo Institute.
"Good to see you here Ravenwood." said Declan.
"I hope I'm not late." said Kev, bowing to Declan.
"You're right on time." said Declan. "Now then, we have much to discuss."
"So what's this about?" Shay asked.
"Recruitment." said Declan.
"Recruitment?" Sora asked.
"Yes." said Declan. "It's time for the Lancers to expand our ranks."
"Really?" Dennis asked. "Are you sure?"
"Of course." said Declan. "Right now, we are at peace. And I see no reason as to why it won't stay that way. However, though a reason may not be present, that doesn't mean it isn't possible. We need to prepare for such measures."
"What about Obelisk Force?" Sora asked. "Or New Domino's Sector Security?"
"They are not our responsibility." said Declan. "They are certainly helpful, but they have their own duties to fulfill. No, we need to recruit free duelists and strong duelists, just like we did before. That is why I intend to host another Battle Royale. And, with the exception of Ravenwood and Sun Shadow, I desire that Lancers to assist with this endeavor."
"How?" Shay asked.
"Simple." said Declan. "You all will duel with the participants to test them. By dueling you and each other, we can see their strengths and weakness, which will allow us to determine potential new members, such as Ravenwood and Sun Shadow."
"I see." said Moon Shadow.
"I won't let you down Declan." said Kev. "I'll make it through the Battle Royale."
"I hope you do." said Declan. "Because it won't be easy. A small band of Obelisk Force members have agreed to help us as well."
"With what?" Shay asked.
"Extra security." said Declan. "Just in case."
"Right." said Shay skeptically.
"Now, if you would all be so kind as to spread the word." said Declan. "I intend on the event to happen in two weeks. I'll be sending invitations as well soon."
Everyone nodded as Declan showed them where they were assigned. Shay was going to contact Gong first, then go with Dennis and Sora to promote the Battle Royale in the park. As he left with Dennis and Sora, Shay couldn't help but feel that there was more to this than met the eye. After all, Declan had a track record for keeping details away from people.
What are you up to Declan? Shay asked himself.
In the dimension of pure whiteness, a masked figure was looking down into a chasm, which lead to the creature trapped within the orb. The monster roared in rage as small glowing lights entered the force field, which were then absorbed by the monster.
The masked figure had a long, deep black cloak that covered his body. His face was completely covered by the mask. The mask had no mouthpiece, but it did have eye-holes with the infinity symbol around it. Dark red eyes glowed through the mask. A hand came out of the sleeve of the robes, a blackened hand.
"Soon, master." said the masked being. "I know you grow impatient. But soon, your revival shall come."
"Master." said someone behind the masked man.
The masked man turned to see the blue haired man that attack Riley bowing before him.
"Have you fulfilled your task?" the masked man asked.
"No." said the blue haired man. "There was an altercation. I will be returning soon."
"Bring some troops with you when you do." said the masked man. "I sense we may have an opportunity on our hands."
"Is that so?" the blue haired man asked.
"I would not be surprised if they have a trap laid out for us." said the masked man. "Hoping to weaken us. But we are legion. We are strong. So, we shall take their bait."
"As you wish." said the blue haired man.
The blue haired man then disappeared. A moment later, four more people appeared.
One was an old man in robes like the masked man. The robes covered everything except for part of his mouth and his chin. His body was beyond old and wrinkling, almost like it was decaying.
One was a beautiful woman. Unlike her comrades, her skin was a pale blue. She had bright white eyes with no pupils and silver hair. She wore an elegant, dark blue dress. She also wore bright golden earings and rings on her fingers.
The third person was massive. He was at least seven feet tall and wore black armor with long, sharp shoulder pads. He had a short, scruffy black beard and fierce eyes.
The last was a thin man with a wicked, mischievous smile. He had a long pointed nose and wore a red and black jester like outfit. His hair was messy and twisted, like he never combed it.
"Our master's patience grows thin." the large man said in a booming voice.
"Patience." said the woman in a smooth, silky voice.
"Hehehehe." said the scruffy haired man. "Our master no longer has patience. He's been stuck for billions of years after all."
"The time will soon come." said the old man in a raspy voice. "And when he returns, he will purge all universes. None will survive."
"Indeed." said the masked man. "What of our champions, Fujakion? How are they progressing with our tasks?"
"My champion is doing well." said the old man, Fujakion. "Then again, his psychic abilities already gave him great strength."
"Dear Adrian is doing his part." said the woman. "He's already wiped out one dimension in merely a day."
"My champion is preparing his armies." said the large man. "He has already brought with him a colonel and some doctor to assist."
"And mine is still scouting dimensions." said the messy haired man. "But I'm sure you and your champion knew that already, right Fukion?"
"Indeed." said the masked man, Fukion. "The dimension he is in seeks to fight back. I doubt they will stand a chance."
"I am troubled by this." said the large man. "Astrograph Sorcerer is supposed to be there, correct."
"He is weakened, Tsyesion." said Fujakion. "The one known as Zarc used up his power. For now, Astrograph Sorcerer is no threat to us."
"However, he will still be retrieved." said Fukion. "My champion shall see to that. We will also get the souls of Zarc and Ray Akaba. Our master will be pleased to gain their power."
"Yes." said Fujakion. "Especially because it is a power that Zarc stole."
"Then we steal it back." said the woman. "Simple as that."
"Let us return to our duties." said Fukion. "We still have much to accomplish."
All five of them nodded before disappearing. As they did, the monster below let out another thunderous roar.