"I see you have returned."
It was late. Or was it early? Either way, the sun had not yet clawed its way past the horizon, and so, the area was covered in the cold cloak of night. Konami had only just returned from his adventure, his clothes worn and eyes weary. It had been a long day, for the both of them.
"Did you succeed?" the headmaster asked. "The cards Pegasus left to the Academy… did you find them?"
"About that…" Konami said, stepping further into the warm confines of the cabin and closing the door behind him. "…Let's just say that it's a long story."
"Let's just say that we have quite a bit of time." The headmaster retorted with a small smile. "Here." He added, moving to pull out a chair for the weary child. "Let us sit. You must have quite the tale."
"Yeah…"
Moving slowly Konami crossed the space between them, tiredly slouching his body into the seat the headmaster had revealed. He set his hands onto the table softly, just in time for a long, weary sigh to escape his lips.
The headmaster chuckled at the noise, swiftly moving around the table to take the seat across from the Slifer. Mimicking Konami's position in his own way, the man smiled behind his mask, and made to speak.
"Now… tell me."
And so Konami did. He explained his journey into the glowing cavern, and detailed his encounter with the strange, yet familiar phantasms he encountered inside. Needless to say, the headmaster was enthralled from the very beginning. It wasn't until Konami's story neared its conclusion that he saw fit to interrupt.
"So that's where you got the necklace from. I'll admit I was rather curious when you returned here wearing it." The headmaster chuckled.
"Yeah." Konami nodded, playing with the golden device strapped around his neck. "It's strange though. These three pieces of gold… when you put them together it looks as though they could hold a card of some sort, but every time I do and crack it open there's nothing but air. Something you can show but not see huh…? How irritating."
"Hm? What was that you just said?" the headmaster asked curiously.
"Oh, don't mind me." Konami waved him off. "I was just thinking about something that illusion told me before disappearing. A riddle I'm supposed to solve while obeying the rules of the pact."
"A riddle? Well, that certainly does sound like something a Game Master like Pegasus would partake in, doesn't it?" the headmaster laughed. "Something you can show but not see? I wonder what answer it is he's looking for…"
"Who knows?" Konami shrugged. "As far as I'm concerned, right now I'm more worried about the rules of the pact that I am to obey. It's only three things, so it's not like it'll be all that hard to live by, but still, you can't help but be a little paranoid when you get caught up in things like this, you know?"
"Quite." The headmaster agreed. "You said it only three things, correct? Would you mind enlightening me as to what they entail?"
Konami glanced at the man suspiciously, before letting another sigh escape his lips. "Yeah, I guess I could do that much. I owe you for fixing me up after all. Alright, listen close. I'm only going to say this once."
He held his hands up steadily, raising a single finger as he explained each point.
"Rule Number One:" he began, "Thou shalt not use thine cards save for Duels of Great Importance. Seems simple enough. That pretty much just means that I can't run around using them whenever I please. Duels of great importance… I suppose it's referring to things where there's a lot at stake, a Duel that you can't afford to lose."
"Indeed. It should be rather simple to abide by that command, it isn't as if there aren't an abundance of other cards around to use for… fun." The headmaster agreed, nodding his head before gesturing for the boy to continue.
"Rule Number Two:" Konami obliged, "Thou shalt not forfeit possession of thine cards. Again, pretty straight forward. Simply put, now that these cards are in my possession, I can't afford to lose them. They're with me now, and so too will they stay."
"Then I suppose you had best keep a firm grip on them," the headmaster laughed, "especially with the Academy operating as it does. It would not be surprising if one or more students attempt to drive you into an Ante Duel."
"You're right about that. In those cases it might be better off not to use them completely, or make sure I'm confident enough in my Deck and own skill to pull out a win." Konami agreed, narrowing his eyes in thought. "In any case, it's the last rule that's confusing. I mean, it certainly doesn't seem like that much when you first hear it but… well, let me just go ahead and say what it is. Rule Number Three: Thou shall take responsibility for thine cards' actions."
"Responsibility?" the headmaster inquired. "Well, that is interesting."
"Right?!" Konami asked, his voice raising ever so slightly. "What does that even mean? Take responsibility? How can you do that for a card? …Unless it's telling me that they're all like Yata-Garasu here…" he added, glancing subtly at the Spirit that had settled itself gently in the window sill.
It cawed quietly.
"Anyway, that's all of them." Konami said, lowering his hand to lean back in the chair. "Three rules to live by, and a riddle to solve. I have my work cut out for me… as if I didn't have enough to worry about already. What am I supposed to do…?"
"Oblige them." The headmaster replied, as if the answer were obvious. "You wouldn't have received the cards if they didn't think you could handle them. The fact that you, of all people, did means that there must be something about you that Pegasus, or the Duel Spirits, like. Your fate is already entangled with that of one Duel Spirit," the man continued, "surely a few more won't hurt?"
Konami glanced at Yata-Garasu once more. "Maybe… I guess we'll find out in time, won't we?"
"Indeed." The Headmaster agreed. "In the meantime, let us drift away from such topics. I've been meaning to talk to you about that ruined jacket of yours…"
And so the conversation shifted to lighter things, though the unease in Konami's heart never settled.
Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force
Learning to Duel
Arc Two – Chapter Eleven
The Strongest Slifer
That had been last night. Konami knew that the headmaster had stayed up all night adding the padding and his ruined uniform, but at the moment, such things were absent from his mind. Wisteria was across from him, and the room was surrounded in the same blue flames that had been present during their first encounter in the tower. The flames of Demise.
"This Duel is of Great Importance to me," Konami thought furiously, "so I should have no problems using these cards! That being said… it's not the only thing I'm thinking about right now! Red Hat's riddle… "Something you can show, but not see"… with Wisteria here in front of me, the answer is far too obvious! And that is…!" he activated his Duel Disk, flicking it outward while sliding his Deck deep into its fold. "My hate!"
"DUEL!" the two shouted, their emotions high as they glared each other down.
KONAMI VS WISTERIA
KONAMI – 4000 LP
WISTERIA – 4000 LP
"As Queen of the Academy, the right of First Move is mine!" Wisteria exclaimed, grabbing a card from the top of her Deck. "Draw!"
TURN ONE – WISTERIA
"I'll begin with the card that will bring everything together! The monster – Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands!" she shouted, throwing the card down upon her Duel Disk.
In a flash of light the grey Fairy emerged, its horde of hands spreading out in multiple directions as it made to stand. With a soft groan it heaved itself upward, ready to do as its master commanded.
Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands – (LIGHT/Fairy) – LV4 – (1400/1000)
"As you already know from our first encounter," Wisteria continued, "Manju here has an effect! When I Normal Summon him onto my side of the Field, I can grab 1 Ritual or Ritual Monster Card from my Deck. I think I'll do just that, and add Demise, King of Armageddon to my Hand with Manju's ability!"
Manju gleamed with powerful magic as its effect activated, and in a great flash the blue card that had dealt Konami defeat flew into Wisteria's cold, pristine hands. The girl smirked upon glancing at it, and turned to face Konami once more.
"Unfortunately for you however, Demise won't be staying there very long." Wisteria cackled. "I activate… this! The Spell Card Advanced Ritual Art! With this, I can select 1 Ritual Monster in my Hand, like Demise, and then send Normal Monsters from my Deck to the Graveyard whose total Levels are equal to that of Demise's! Of course, it's only then that the real fun begins, because once they're sent… I can Ritual Summon the chosen Ritual Monster to the Field!"
"What?!" Konami snapped, his glare increasing tenfold.
"Now, sacrifice yourselves for my cause!" Wisteria yelled, glancing at her Deck sadistically. "I send the Level 4 Ryu-Kishin Powered and the Level 4 Mad Dog of Darkness to the Graveyard! With their death the world shall crack and flee as the darkest of Kings is born! Fear! Fracture!" she chanted, twirling the card about in her fingertips before bringing it down upon her Duel Disk with great force. "Be made whole and conquer all lands in sight! I call your name now, Demise, King of Armageddon!"
The blue flames surrounding them burned brighter as the fiendish King appeared in all his glory. His great battle axe gleamed alongside his armor, and as his skull-like face came into full view, Wisteria's smile grew.
Demise, King of Armageddon – (DARK/Fiend) – LV8 – (2400/2000)
"It's only the first turn, and you're already bringing out the big dogs!" Konami cursed.
"Of course! I have no time to be playing around with the likes of a worm like you!" Wisteria snapped, quickly grabbing another card from her hand. "I'll set one card face-down, and End my Turn!"
Growling, Konami curled a hand into a fist, attempting to still his trembling limbs. "Well, that's just fine! But I hope you don't regret it, because now… it's my move, and if you can bring out heavy hitters on your first Turn, then so can I! My Move! Draw!"
TURN TWO – KONAMI
"I summon… Gem-Armadillo to the Field in Attack Mode!" Konami shouted, revealing the first member of his brand new archetype.
In response to his words, a small, Carnelian-colored armadillo appeared. Two rocket-shaped appendages grew from its shoulders, and it squeaked in a rocky, hoarse voice before settling upon the Field.
Gem-Armadillo – (EARTH/Rock) – LV4 – (1700/500)
"Gem-Armadillo? I never heard of that card before!" Wisteria exclaimed.
"Well you're about to get your first look at it, and a lot of other new cards as well, because Gem-Armadillo has an effect!" Konami shouted.
"It does?!"
"When Gem-Armadillo is Normal Summoned, I can add 1 "Gem-Knight" monster from my Deck to my Hand, and the one I'm choosing is… this one!" Konami said, grabbing a Normal Monster and revealing its form to his opponent. "The ice-cold water lover, Gem-Knight Sapphire!"
Wisteria growled at the appearance of the knight splashing water around, and turned her gaze back toward Konami.
"So what? Even if you have a few new cards, it doesn't change the fact that you've already summoned this Turn! While I admit that overgrown Armadillo of yours may have the Attack Power to destroy my Manju… don't forget that I'll be able to wipe it out with my Demise on my next Turn!"
"Perhaps, but you're mistaken about one thing, Wisteria!" Konami roared. "The Gem-Knights aren't cards meant to be used for Normal Summoning, but rather… the advanced power of Fusion Summoning instead!" he quickly made to grab another card from his hand, before revealing its contents to the enraged women across from him. "Behold now, the power of their very own union card, the Combination Magic – Gem-Knight Fusion!"
He slapped the Spell Card upon his Duel Disk, and immediately a giant hologram of its form appeared on the Field. Similar to the Polymerization Spell, it displayed two creatures combining into one, though instead of a blank or dreary background, it revealed a shining world filled with gems and shining stones instead.
"Gem-Knight… Fusion?" Wisteria questioned.
"That's right! Now, allow me to explain what it does!" Konami continued. "Similar to other Fusion cards, Gem-Knight Fusion allows me to send two or monsters in my Hand or on my side of the Field to the Graveyard, so long as they're used to Fusion Summon a "Gem-Knight" Monster from my Extra Deck! So, watch now as I combine the might of my Gem-Knight Sapphire with that of another Gem-Knight in my Hand, the thunderous Gem-Knight Tourmaline!"
He revealed the second Gem-Knight, displaying a yellowish warrior wielding a sphere of lightning between its palms.
"With their power, two becomes one, and a brand new gemstone is borne!" he chanted, watching as the two cards appeared on the Field for a brief instant before vanishing inside the Gem-Knight Fusion Spell. Lightning cracked and roared around the Field, and as Konami's Spell vanished, a new card rose up in its place. "Appear now, and bring devastation upon my foe with the speed of lightning! Come forth, Gem-Knight Topaz!"
A single bolt of lightning crashed down upon the Field at Konami's behest, and a golden warrior armed with a pair bolt-shaped Tonfa appeared with a loud harrumph. It swung its weapons about twice as if practicing, before striking a pose and moving to stand beside Gem-Armadillo.
Gem-Knight Topaz – (EARTH/Thunder) – LV6 – (1800/1800)
"Hmph! All that talk and this is what you have to show for it? That monster has only 1800 Attack Points!" Wisteria noticed. "It's barely stronger than your stupid Armadillo!"
"True, but its effect more than makes up for its low Attack!" Konami explained. "And it's that effect that I plan to make use of… by having him attack your Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands! Go, Gem-Knight Topaz! Strike him down with your Lightning Blade!"
The Gem-Knight harrumphed once more at the command, a surge of electrical energy overtaking its body completely as it suddenly lunged forward, driving its sharp Tonfa through Manju's hard skin. The Fairy cried out upon impact, its eyes going wide just before it shattered into ten thousand shards of light. Wisteria too, winced, feeling the tingling sensation that came with the loss of a monster.
KONAMI – 4000 LP
WISTERIA – 3600 LP
"Hmph! So what? I only lost a few Life Points!" Wisteria noted, easily recovering.
"That's what you think, but my Gem-Knight Topaz has an effect!" Konami continued. "Whenever he destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, the controller of the destroyed monster takes a bit more damage… equal to the Attack Points of the monster Topaz destroyed!"
Wisteria's eyes widened at Konami's revelation. "W-What did you just say?!"
"Let's go, Gem-Knight Topaz!" Konami roared. "Show her that Lightning can strike twice with your Thunder Slash! Double Attack! Go!"
Topaz once again moved forward at Konami's words, bringing its two Tonfa down across Wisteria's front in an X-shaped swing. The girl cried out as the weapons tore through her, forcing her body to stumble back as the pain rippled across her skin. Her face twisted into a nasty expression, and she turned to her Duel Disk to watch her Life Points drop rapidly.
KONAMI – 4000 LP
WISTERIA – 2200 LP
"I may not have the power to overtake your Demise right now, Wisteria," Konami shouted, "but don't think for a second that that means I can't get at your Life Points instead!"
"You'll pay for that…!" Wisteria snarled. "You and those hideous rock creatures of yours!"
"Oh yeah? We'll see about that." Konami retorted, grabbing another card from his hand. "I just know how you love to destroy things, so I'll set one card face-down on the Field, and End my Turn! Let's see what you've got, oh "great Queen"!"
"You mean to mock me…?!" Wisteria growled. "Fool… I'll have you pay for your insolence! It's my Turn now! I Draw!"
TURN THREE – WISTERIA
"Mm! Ruin!" Wisteria thought, glaring at the card in her hand sharply. "It would be far too easy to finish this Duel now with the cards I control, but that face-down of his… tch, I can't risk it! Especially with only 2200 Life Points! In that case…!"
"You may think you have me figured out, worm, but I still have quite a few tricks up my sleeve! Like this for example! My face-down Ritual Spell, End of the World! With this, I can Tribute Monsters from my Hand or my side of the Field equal to the Level of one Ruin or Demise in my Hand, and then Ritual Summon that monster! Since Demise, King of Armageddon is already on the Field… I'm certain you know what's coming!" Wisteria snapped, grabbing another blue card from her Hand while sending two other Monsters to the Graveyard. "Begone, Level 4 Sonic Bird, Level 3 Ryu-Kishin! Your Queen demands your sacrifice!"
The two monsters vanished from her hand, becoming small spheres of light that leapt toward the Graveyard. As they settled into their position, the flames surrounding the Field grew even hotter as Wisteria raised her chosen monster and began to chant.
"O' Great Fairy who sleeps among us, arise now and show us your might! Mislead! Manipulate! Wrap the world around your finger and cast it into the endless abyss! I call your name, Ruin, Queen of Oblivion!"
The silver haired woman emerged from the floor at Wisteria's call, garbed tight in her red and black dress. Twirling her vile staff about her expertly, the woman let loose a wicked laugh before settling into position beside Demise.
Ruin, Queen of Oblivion – (LIGHT/Fairy) – LV7 – (2300/2000)
"Ruin and Demise?!" Konami exclaimed, glancing at the Destruction Duo in surprise.
"That's right, and now that they've both arisen, your chances at winning this Duel just went from slim to none!" Wisteria exclaimed. "Let's go, Ruin! You shall have the first taste of victory, by annihilating that Gem-Knight Topaz of his! Go forth, strike it down with your Eternal Beauty!"
Ruin whipped the staff about one more time, her eyes gleaming in sadistic delight as she suddenly thrust it forward, impaling Topaz upon its sharpened point. The Gem-Knight cried out upon being pierced through, and by the time the shout died down it had already shattered into small fragments of light. Konami stepped back as they passed through them, delivering him damage equal to the difference.
"And don't forget," Wisteria cackled gleefully. "When Ruin destroys an opponent's monster by battle, once and only once that turn, she gains a second attack! Go Queen of Oblivion, destroy that Gem-Armadillo with your Hellfire Flare!"
Twirling about on her heel, Ruin smashed her staff into Konami's second monster as well, eliciting a pained shriek from the Rock-type. Yet again fragments of his shattered monster passed through Konami's person, and he cried out, taking a step back as yet another wave of pain coursed through him.
KONAMI – 2900 LP
WISTERIA – 2200 LP
"And I'm not finished yet!" Wisteria shouted happily. "Because now that my Ruin, Queen of Oblivion has cleared the Field, that means that her mighty King, Demise, can land a direct blow upon your person!"
"Ah…!" Konami cursed, responding to Wisteria's words with a sharp glare.
"Your stares won't save you now!" the woman retorted, swooping her hand forward eagerly. "Go, Demise! Hit him with all your might! Infernal Axe Breaker!"
Demise's eyes glowed blue for the briefest of seconds, and it suddenly appeared before Konami, its battle axe raised high for a deadly strike. Konami glanced up, only to leap backward just as the monster swung down on the handle. As a result, the axe landed inches in front of Konami's person, and an explosion of blue flames leapt out from the point of impact. Wisteria's eyes gleamed, and she clutched her free hand tight.
"Perish!"
The Field exploded, and Konami flew backward, his body receiving the full force of Demise's attack.
KONAMI – 500 LP
WISTERIA – 2200 LP
"How's that, worm?! Do you not see that no matter what cards you use, it's futile? I'm better than you! Always have been, always will be!"
"Heheh…" Konami laughed, slowly crawling back to his feet. "Idiot. If that was really the case, I'd have already lost this battle!"
Wisteria's eyes widened ever so slightly. "What?"
"You took my bluff plain and simple! If you had the sense to use Demise's effect from the beginning, and then summon Ruin, this Duel would've already been over! You fell for my bluff Wisteria, plain and simple! And now… it's time for my comeback!"
"What?! Wait! I could have… won?!" Wisteria shouted angrily.
"That's right, but it's too late now! It's my Turn!" Konami roared. "Draw!"
TURN FOUR – KONAMI
"I activate my face-down card!" he shouted immediately, revealing the Trap Card that everyone knew and loved. "The Resurrection Trap – Call of the Haunted!"
"What?!" Wisteria glowered. "It's not something like My Body as a Shield?!"
"Heh, so that's what you thought it was." Konami smirked. "I already told you didn't I? It was a bluff, and you fell for it hook, line, and sinker! Now, I can bring back one of the Gem-Knights in my Graveyard, and the one I choose is… my Gem-Knight Sapphire, in Attack Position!
With a loud splash the bluish Gem-Knight appeared, a wave of water spiraling around him in perfect circles. Moving through several different poses, the silent Gem-Knight stood firm, gazing upon the Ragnarok Duo defiantly.
Gem-Knight Sapphire – (EARTH/Aqua) – LV4 – (0/2100)
"0 Attack Points?!" Wisteria laughed. "What a waste! Your Gem-Knight would have been better off being summoned in Defense Position, but even then it wouldn't be able to withstand an attack from either of my Ritual Monsters! What a farce!"
"True, but I didn't summon my Gem-Knight Sapphire to battle you!" Konami retorted. "I'm merely bringing him back to help out another of his friends, but first, I need to activate the effect of a card still in my Graveyard! That of Gem-Knight Fusion!"
"That Polymerization rip-off?!" Wisteria asked. "But you can't fuse monster with a card that's in the Grave!"
"No, you can't." Konami agreed. "But thanks to my Gem-Knight Fusion's second effect, it won't be for long! See, when it's the Graveyard during my Turn, I can banish 1 Gem-Knight monster in the Graveyard to add it back to my Hand! And since I still have two more in my Grave, I can banish my Gem-Knight Tourmaline to return this Spell Card back to my Hand!"
"Ah!" Wisteria exclaimed, watching as a shining light erupted from Konami's Graveyard slot and returned the Spell between his fingers. Grimacing, the girl tightened her fists, wondering what new Fusion Monster he'd summon next.
"And now that I have this card back among my Hand…" Konami mused. "I can once again combine the power to two Gem-Knights into one, but this time… they'll become a red-hot warrior capable of taking on all foes! Behold now, I activate the Combination Magic – Gem-Knight Fusion to combine the power of my Gem-Knight Sapphire and this! The Flaming Iron Fist – Gem-Knight Garnet!"
He revealed the second Gem-Knight he intended to use, displaying a red being whose right hand was completely encompassed in flames. It appeared on the Field for a split second alongside Sapphire, before vanishing into the Fusion card completely.
"When two become one, the true power of the Gemstone is revealed!" Konami chanted. "Protect! Defeat! The fist of Garnet hardens now and becomes a red-hot soul who fights for his comrades! Appear now, and stake your claim, Gem-Knight Ruby!"
In response to his words, a shining red warrior with a gallant blue cape appeared, wielding a mighty battle axe far sleeker than Demise's own.
Gem-Knight Ruby – (EARTH/Pyro) – LV6 – (2500/1300)
"Ruby this time?!" Wisteria asked. "And 2500 Attack Points…! It's stronger than my monsters!"
"That's right! And that means that I can destroy either of them with my next attack!" Konami shouted. "Let's do it! Gem-Knight Ruby! Attack Wisteria's Ruin, and wipe it out completely with your Flaming Iron Strike!"
Ruby harrumphed at that, buckling its knees and tightening its grip on its weapon before lunging forward. Ruin's eyes widened as the creature neared, and she raised her own staff to block, but to no avail. Ruby's weapon tore through both her staff and her skin, and Ruin let loose a terrible cry before shattering into a thousand golden shards that rapidly vanished from the Field.
"No! My Ruin!" Wisteria yelled, watching her Life Points drop further.
KONAMI – 500 LP
WISTERIA – 2000 LP
"Ngh! You…!"
"Heh, and with only 2000 Life Points left, you can't even think about using Demise's effect without losing as well!" Konami declared.
"You… bastard…!" Wisteria snarled. "You planned this from the beginning, didn't you?!"
"I made it up as I went along, not that it's any of your business." Konami retorted. "I'll set a card and End my Turn."
"Ngh…! Then it's my move! I draw!" Wisteria replied.
TURN FIVE – WISTERIA
"You may have reduced my Life Points to a mere 2000, but don't think that means that I'm out of this Duel yet! I only need to inflict 500 Points onto you and this Duel is mine, Red Hat!"
"True, as I always say, the Duel's not over until the Final Card is played, and I'm sure your Deck has all kinds of cards to turn this situation around." Konami mused. "Even so… just because you have them, doesn't mean that you'll be able to use them!"
"What does he mean by that?" Wisteria thought to herself. "I won't be able to use the cards I play? No matter! Surely he's just bluffing again! Besides, with the card I just drew, it won't even matter!"
"Talk big all you like, it won't change the fact that you've lost this Duel! Certainly, my ability to use Demise's destruction effect may be gone… but that doesn't mean that I can't use another! I activate this! The Spell Card Lightning Vortex! It allows me to destroy all face-up monsters you control, by discarding one card from my hand now!"
"I had thought you might try something like that, but I already told you, Wisteria!" Konami shouted, "Just because you have a card, doesn't mean you can use it! I activate my Negation Trap – Dark Bribe!"
"Ah! No!" Wisteria shouted.
"That's right!" Konami grinned. "This will allow you draw a new card to add to your hand, but, it also negates the activation of your Lightning Vortex, and sends it to the Grave!"
Wisteria glowered in outrage upon watching her Spell Card vanish into the abyss. Slowly grabbing her next card, she glanced at it slowly, cursing when she saw what it was.
Ritual Raven.
"I don't need you right now!" she hissed.
"Hmph, looks like the Queen's not so capable after all." Konami mused.
"How dare you!" Wisteria snarled. "I'll beat you yet, worm! This Duel's just getting started-!"
"No! It's finished!" Konami shouted. "You've dragged this on well, Wisteria, but the moment you fell for my bluff this Duel was over! Even more so now that your Final Trick has been denied! It's my Turn now, and I hope you're ready, because I know it for what it is! My Final Turn!"
He grabbed his next card dramatically, a shining light engulfing the room as he spoke.
TURN SIX – KONAMI
"I activate the Resurrection Magic – Monster Reborn!" Konami shouted, grabbing the card from his hand. "This will allow me to revive my Gem-Knight Topaz in Attack Position! Rise up, hero of lightning!"
A bolt of lightning once more crashed upon the Field, and the golden Knight appeared to stand alongside his brethren.
Gem-Knight Topaz – (EARTH/Thunder) – LV6 – (1800/1800)
"That old thing? What's it going to do?! Only your Ruby has the power to defeat Demise, or have you forgotten that fact?" Wisteria asked.
"Oh I haven't forgotten Wisteria." Konami mused. "In fact, it's part of my plan. Because now I'm activating my Gem-Knight Ruby's special ability! Once per Turn, I can Tribute one "Gem" Monster I control, and Gem-Knight Ruby gains Attack Points equal to the Attack of the Tributed Monster! Gem-Knight Topaz has 1800 Attack Points. That means, by combining his strength with Ruby's, together they'll have a whopping 4300 Attack!"
The two Gem-Knights glanced at each other and nodded, touching their palms together for a brief moment. Topaz suddenly shone brightly, and with a roar of thunder it disappeared, giving all of its electrical strength to the red-hot Pyro that remained.
Gem-Knight Ruby – (EARTH/Pyro) – LV6 – (4300/1300)
"I-Impossible! 4300 Attack Points?! How is that-?!" Wisteria cut herself off in sheer disbelief. "No! I refuse to accept it!"
"So you say, but you'll be forced to confront reality soon enough, Wisteria! But first, I have one more card to play! A card that's been begging for action since the day I arrived at Duel Academy!" Konami shouted, reaching for the card he'd drawn that Turn.
"What?! Another one?! What is it?! What monster are you going to summon now?!" Wisteria asked, taking a step back.
"It may not be strong, but it's certainly not weak! This monster reflects my very soul! Illusive! Direct Attack! I call it forth from my Hand now! Appear in all your glory! Great Guide – Yata-Garasu!"
Finally.
The purple bird cawed as it appeared on the Field, littering the room with thousands of similarly colored feathers. Its one leg was revealed to hide two more, revealing its nature as the spirit bird that had guided the emperor so many years ago.
Yata-Garasu – (WIND/Fiend/Spirit) – LV2 – (200/100)
"A weak monster like that?!" Wisteria asked in outrage. "But why-?"
"You're about to find out! Battle Phase!" Konami roared. "Gem-Knight Ruby! The world calls! It demands the head of he who brings about the apocalypse! Strike hard! Stronger than ever before! Use the might that Topaz has given you to attack Demise! Flaming Iron Fist – Lightning Barrage!"
Ruby's eyes flashed gold, its body filled with the power that Topaz had given him. With a loud cry it charged forward, battle axe in hand. Lightning and Flame swirled and mixed around him as he neared his target, and with a single shattering blow, Ruby's axe tore through the King's being, cleaving him clean in two.
"No… No…!" Wisteria breathed, staggering backward with her eyes wide. "DEMISE!"
The King fell, and the room exploded.
Something you can show, but not see…
Konami's slowly opened his eyes, the power released at the time of Demise's destruction having nearly taken him out. Yata-Garasu stood firmly in front of him, its wings spread wide as it defended the boy from the worst of the explosion. Blue flames trickled around them, and through it all, Konami could see.
He could see the walls scorched patterns and black marks.
He could see the door behind him opening, announcing the arrival of several Duelists.
He could see the empty Field that lie ahead of him.
And he could see into the center of it all, where Wisteria stood, unmoving.
KONAMI – 500 LP
WISTERIA – 100 LP
Yata-Garasu lowered its wings as the worst passed, and slowly, it retook its position on the Field. Neither Konami nor Wisteria said anything. There was no reason to. Wisteria's empty Field… Konami's remaining monster… it was far too obvious how things were going to end.
Even so…
The sound of approaching footsteps drew Wisteria's attention, and she glanced upward, her deadened gaze widening only so much as she looked upon Konami's battered form.
Hate, anger, so many things seemed to pass through his eyes in that single moment, but in the end, it was something else entirely that settled on his face. Something she had never seen before.
Pity.
"You get back!" she hissed, swiping through the dust at him angrily as she backed away. "You stay away from me!"
And yet he continued his approach.
Despite her outrage, despite her fear, he continued, until finally, she had nowhere else to run. She stood, back against the wall, and glared at her opponent, daring him to take one more step –
He did.
With a loud cry she swung out at him, an action taken despite knowing the futility of the movement. Konami caught her wrist with ease, and for a brief instant, his rage had returned. Wisteria flinched, bracing herself for the impact.
The impact that never came.
"...It's over, Wisteria." Konami said softly, releasing his grip. "I've won."
His statement hung for several seconds, and upon receiving no response, Konami knew what he had to do.
He took several steps away from the girl, gazing at her with that same, blank expression he'd had ever since defeating Demise. He raised his free hand softly, and far behind him, Yata-Garasu peaked its head.
"Attack."
The command cut through the air like a sharp knife, and immediately the great bird brought its wings down upon Wisteria's face.
KONAMI – 500 LP
WISTERIA – 0 LP
The Field cracked and fizzled, its power fading now that the Duel had finally come to completion. As if the last of her strength had suddenly faded, Wisteria slumped to the floor, a mixture of disbelief and horror plastered on her face.
"To the victors go the spoils." Konami quoted, approaching the girl once more now that she'd fallen. "That includes everything you are, Wisteria. Including these."
He held up the cards that had mysteriously found their way into his possession after the last attack. It didn't take her long to realize what they were.
Demise, and Advanced Ritual Art.
She bowed her head once more, realizing full well what that meant.
"Well played… my King." She whispered in a hush.
To the Victor go the spoils. That was the rule of North Academy. The strongest Duelist owned them all. There was nothing else to it. Konami had won, and so, he ruled.
"You and I will return to Duel Academy." Konami said finally, having decided upon this long ago. "You will explain what happened there, and be tried by a jury of your peers. What happens from there on, you can decide."
A slow clapping filled the area, and only then did Konami remember that two familiar guests had forced their way in at the final moment.
"Chazz, Headmaster, so you made it after all." Konami greeted.
"What? Headmaster?!" Chazz asked, glancing at the masked man in surprise. "That's who this old geezer is?! And wait, how do you know that anyway?! What's going on here?!"
"Why, your dear friend Konami here just became the rightful King of North Academy." The headmaster explained.
"Oh really? Well I think it's high time for someone else to take the throne!" Chazz started, only to be cut off as the headmaster laid a hand upon his shoulder.
"Now, now Chazz, there's no need to rush things. I promised you Jaden Yuki didn't I? There's no need to worry about becoming the best. Certainly not with what I have in mind."
"Oh yeah? And what's that?!" Chazz snapped. "It better be good, because otherwise there's nothing to stop me from taking on all you slackers at once!" he glanced at the bowing Wisteria for a brief moment before wrinkling his nose in disgust. "No matter how much an elite you might have been!"
"Oh I assure you Chazz what I have in mind will please you. You see, it's just about time for the Yearly Inter-School Match between North Academy and Duel Academy. As it just so happens, I've been thinking of ways to "spice" things up a bit, if you will. And with the Duelists before me, I've finally come to a decision. You three, despite your circumstances, have shown this Academy that you have what it takes to stand at the top. Wisteria, the moment you returned from Duel Academy you took this tower by storm. While I admit your attitude does little to endear you to others, the cards you command were more than enough to put you at the top. Chazz, you defeated nearly fifty of our students on your first day here, including the former King, Czar. That alone would have made you the Number One student in my book, if it weren't for the arrival of your dear friend here, Konami."
Chazz glowered at that, glaring at the Slifer once more. "We're not friends."
The headmaster ignored him, instead turning to face Konami himself.
"It's been quite a journey, hasn't it? Capsizing the ship, finding those cards, Dueling the Top two Duelists of North Academy… one of which saw fit to battle you twice. Your life has been rather intriguing, "Red Hat". I can see why Pegasus chose you."
Though Wisteria and Chazz did not understand what he meant by that, Konami did.
"I have no intention of remaining here permanently." Konami reiterated. "After Wisteria confesses to Duel Academy as to what she did. I'm out of here, you realize that, right?"
"Of course," the headmaster agreed, and all was silent for a moment. "But you simply must help us! Duel Academy's taken the win for the past three years! How will I ever receive that wonderful grand prize ever again?!"
The sudden lack of decorum caught them all off guard. Reeling back, Konami sweat-dropped as the man gripped his leg tightly, and he could only imagine that there were tears streaming down the man's face as he spoke.
"Please child! You three are our only hope! I dare not entrust one of you the job! Who knows what the headmaster might do if he finds out we've stolen three of his students?! Only with all three of you do I dare change the event!"
"Ugh…" Konami deadpanned.
"How pathetic. A headmaster groveling at the feet of his students." Chazz complained. "Is this guy really the headmaster of this Academy?"
"Yeah…" Konami sighed, pressing his fingers against his forehead in annoyance. "If I say yes will you get off me?"
"…Maybe."
"Fine. But I'm still returning to Duel Academy after this… Inter-Academy Duel, or whatever you call it. I've missed enough classes as it is, and Crowler's not one to let Slifers slack easily."
"Heh, you've got that right." Chazz smirked.
"Then it's decided!" the man cheered, stepping away and clapping his hands together happily. "You three, "the Divine Trinity", shall compete against three of Duel Academy's strongest first-year students! Oh, and that's what I wanted to tell you, Chazz. One of the representatives they've chosen… is Jaden Yuki."
The man left them with that knowledge, leaving the room with a gleeful laugh. Konami sighed once more, glancing between the shocked Chazz and rather subdued Wisteria. Yet again, it seemed as though he'd gotten himself into some kind of trouble. Even so, he couldn't help but smile.
For while Jaden Yuki had proven himself the Strongest Slifer in his absence, Konami Kodo took solace in the fact that finally, finally…
He was going home.
Chapter Twenty One
Arc Two – The Strongest Slifer
END