(((A/N: HELLO EVERYBODY. You may be wondering. HEY, HOL UP, TIME THIEF. THIS STORY IS COMPLETE. and you'd be totally right because this update here is just to let you know: THE SEQUEL IS UP. Quickest way to get there is either from my profile clicky clicky above (below on the app) or through the 5D's archive - take your pick ;) This'll be the last update to Acid Rain, ever. I knew ye well.
"BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!"
Yup. I'm dropping a lil' excerpt for you guys because I like you. You grew on me, I guess. Here's a teaser from ARC2 of Clear Skies.)))
from [The First Blank]
The Daedalus Bridge was the same blue as the sky. I raced across the central strip to reach the Satellite. My jacket fought off the fall chill. I glanced to the coat's shoulder, which I'd had to stitch up.
My runner jerked to the side. The screen lit up, displaying the words: "Duel Lane Open."
"What the hell? Again? I don't see any other riders-"
A shadow passed over the sun. A runner soared from a highway crossing above and landed smoothly onto my lane. The sleek, crimson runner had a perfect balance on its single back wheel. The rider's hair was dark blue like the ocean in a storm, and a reflective green visor masked their face. They wore a bulky, red-pink riding outfit. "Rain Orichalcum!"
"Oh, great. Another weird-ass person shows up who knows my name. What is it this time?"
"Have you truly been hand-picked by god?"
I puffed a sigh. "When you speak, are you seriously expecting me to understand the crazy shit you're spewing, or is it more like firing a bullet into the dark hoping it'll land?"
"You act innocent," the mysterious rider said. "I know who you are. You are she who becomes humanity's downfall. Duel Start!"
My screen lit up, displaying the opposing duelist's name as… Vizor. Very helpful, duel system. Very, very helpful. "How about you go first?"
"I was planning on it." Vizor drew her (my best guess from the voice) sixth card. "I summon T. G. Catapult Dragon! Its effect allows me to special summon a level three tuner from my hand. I choose T. G. Jet Falcon!"
An orange-veined dragon soared on wide wings beside a bird of prey. They twirled midair, crossing flight paths, and green rings surrounded them. Vizor called, "My monsters sync to create T. G. Hyper Librarian! When T. G. Jet Falcon is used for a Synchro Summon, you take 500 points of damage!"
A shade of her monster flew forth from the white-robed Synchro and phased through me. My life energy was sapped, and a sudden wave of exhaustion crashed over me. My counter fell to 3500. Vizor said, "I can also draw when a Synchro Summon occurs while I control T. G. Hyper Librarian. I set two face-downs and pass turn."
This lady wasn't messing around; she'd Synchro Summoned without it costing her barely anything. "Okay, I summon Blizzard Dragon in defense position and use her effect. Your Hyper Librarian can't attack or change battle position until the end of your next turn! I set a couple of face-downs and give it back to you!"
"How unimpressive," she said. "I thought you would be a force to be reckoned with! I summon T. G. Cyber Magician! Its ability allows me to tune it with a monster in my hand for a Synchro Summon. I choose T. G. Rush Rhino! Cyber Magician and Rush Rhino tune to Synchro Summon T. G. Wonder Magician!"
The mechanical beast's stars aligned with the small magician's, creating level five Wonder Magician, who had 1900 attack. "By Hyper Librarian's ability, I can draw again. Now, Wonder Magician destroys Blizzard Dragon!"
A blast of magical energy broke apart her frozen wings. I was glad to come away unscathed. Vizor said, "My turn's not over yet. T. G. Wonder Magician just so happens to be a Synchro Tuner monster!"
"…A what what?"
A corner of her mouth curled upward. "It means my two Synchro Monsters can tune together to create a monster more powerful than any you've ever seen."
"But- but it's still the Battle Phase! Even if that crazy ability did exist, you couldn't-"
She shouted, "Here's your introduction to the limitless power of Accel Synchro Summon! T. G. Wonder Magician and T. G. Hyper Librarian shatter the sound barrier with a clear mind!"
The sheer sonic speeds she reached buffeted my runner. A force like an explosion rattled me, and she disappeared for milliseconds before reappearing with a brand new monster: a green meka with wide, silver wings and a burning yellow blade. "T. G. Blade Blaster is my Accel Synchro Monster, and it plans on ripping you to shreds!"
"Woah woah woah! You can't attack with that thing! Like I said, Synchro Summons can't happen during the Battle Phase!"
"Time for a lesson, ancient monster," Vizor said. "Accel Synchro Summons can occur at any phase during either turn. Learn or be left in the dust."
"Uh, shit, well, I use the trap Torrential Tribute!"
"Weak. By Blade Blaster's ability, I can cancel your trap's effect by discarding!" I mentally cursed. Now it made sense why she was stockpiling cards. She said, "T. G. Blade Blaster attacks you directly!"
Her Accel Synchro Monster rocketed over my empty field, aimed his sword at me, and fired. Searing pain sizzled every inch of my skin. I screamed and spun out. I regained control a foot from slamming into the edge of the bridge. My life counter dropped to 200. "What… what the hell? Th-that hurt more than any attack I've ever…"
Vizor was grinning. "This is for the future you destroyed. My duty is to eliminate you for the sake of the world. Your evil will send the land spiraling towards ruin."
"You've got the wrong girl!" I shouted. I stared at my trembling hands. It was like a Dark Signer duel. If I lost this… I'd be dead. I didn't have anything. I was going to die. I… "Listen. You need to call this off! I don't know what you're after, but I'm trying to do the opposite of destroy the world!"
A glint caught on something in her fist. She tossed it to me. It was an abnormally large Orichalcos pendant bearing the six-pointed star of the Seal. She said, "Recognize it?"
I gulped. "This was… my father- my patron's."
She pointed an accusatory finger at me. "That symbol and the Orichalcos all come together to create mass devastation. The substance is a wicked infection."
"Not true! I use the Orichalcos for anything but! The Orichalcos wants no different from any other being: to live!" I… wanted to live. "Please understand. I'm not the one you're after. You're another time traveler, aren't you? Primo told me greed caused the destruction!"
"Primo knows nothing," she spat. "You are the source, and I will eliminate you."
She wouldn't budge. What could I do? I didn't have anything strong enough I could possibly summon this turn. Even if I did, she had two face-downs. I thoughtspoke a plea: Crimson Dragon? Can you help?
I have no power left, he lamented. I'm so sorry, young dragon.
My heart thumped and my grip tightened on my handles. I had to think. My Blue-Eyes wouldn't be strong enough. Nothing was. I was dealt a bad hand. What if she's right? What if I somehow mess everything up? Wouldn't be the first time… I wanted to be better, but was there no hope for redemption?
Was I doomed to be the source of evil forever? That makes this 'Vizor' the hero and me the villain. I would always be…
I glanced to my deck. Maybe if I folded, it wouldn't hurt as badly. Maybe if I gave up…
I should. I should give up.