Hi all! Hiyuusha here with another chapter of Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force! A late update, but it was a trying chapter. Anyway, hope you all enjoy, here you go!
Last time...
Akiza frowned. This Duel was getting far too close. She needed to handle this… but she had no monsters! "Are you done?" she asked with a frown, gazing at Konami with a stoic scowl.
"Heh, I suppose so." Konami nodded, "Now, make your move!"
"With pleasure!" Akiza nodded, "Draw!"
The crowd once again discussed what they thought of the girl. Did she have something in her hand that could turn things around, or was this finally the end of the wicked witch? She scowled.
"I'll set a monster face-down in Defense Position… and end my turn."
"Here we go…" Konami declared, drawing his next card. He glanced at it…
And smiled.
Akiza narrowed her eyes knowingly. "So he's finally drawn then…!"
"This is it Akiza…" Konami started, raising the card to the sky, "With this card now in my Hand… I can finally see the ending!"
Akiza readied herself for what was to come.
"Here I go!" Konami shouted, "The deaths of thousands form the Seal! Let their Let their rebirth bring forth those long forgotten! Special Summon!"
The world around the two Duelists raged as all the monsters in Konami's Graveyard returned themselves to the Deck.
"Behold!" Konami roared, "Exodius, The Ultimate Forbidden Lord!"
And Now…
-Chapter Thirty Six-
Torn
The two Duelists stared each other down dangerously, the forceful winds from Exodius' summoning overtaking the two of them.
Exodius-LV10-(0/0)
"Hmph…" Akiza smirked, "Do you really think that monster has what it takes to defeat me? I think you've gotten a bit too confident, Red Hat."
"Well, you're entitled to your opinion." Konami grimaced, "You're welcome to think that this monster doesn't have what it takes to end you, but look at the Field Akiza! Look at your Life Points! Once my Amphibian Beast wipes out that monster on your side of the Field, you'll be wide open! One attack from my Exodius… and you'll be finished!"
The teen was right. Akiza only had one Face-Down Monster and a hidden Spell or Trap. And with her Life Points where they were…
Konami- 1200 LP
Akiza- 550 LP
Yes, a single attack from Exodius would put the monster's attack at 1000, more than enough to take out the last remaining pieces of the girl's Life Points.
Akiza narrowed her eyes and scoffed.
"You rely on that Egyptian Lord of yours far too much! Really, does it even fit in that Deck you're using right now? Come to think of it," she smirked, "I can't think of a single Duel you've had where that card hasn't at least been present in your Deck or Hand. Dependent much?"
"Heh, and this is coming from a woman who uses nothing but plant monsters all the time?" Konami shot back, "Stop trying to delay the inevitable Akiza! We both know that this Duel is about to end!"
"It would appear so," Akiza murmured, "Very well! Go ahead, make your move!"
"With pleasure!" Konami shot back, "Go Amphibian Beast! Attack that Face-Down Monster, and clear the way!"
The Amphibian Beast roared, rearing its head to the sky and the terrible shriek echoed through the audience.
The MC winced, covering his ears at the sound before raising the microphone to his lips, "What a hideous roar! Will this monster's attack truly mark the end of the Black Rose's Streak?!"
The Amphibian Beast sure seemed to think so, leaping across the watery field as it prepared to drive its claws into the face-down card.
"I don't think so!" Akiza snapped suddenly, "I think it's time I activated my Face-Down Card! Reveal, Synchro Deception!"
"Synchro Deception?!" Konami asked, having never heard of the card before, "What kind of card is that?!"
"Well," Akiza smirked, "given from the name I take it you already realize it has to do with Synchro Monsters…" she paused, waiting for his nod of understanding before continuing with her explanation, "it allows me to take one Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck, and send it to my Graveyard!"
"Send it to your Graveyard?" Konami asked, seeing the girl reach for her Black Rose Dragon. "But why on earth would you condemn your monster to such a fate?"
"Because…" Akiza began to explain, dropping the card of gently as her eyes gleamed sinisterly, "the Face-Down Monster your Amphibian Beast just attacked… was the Effect Monster Blue Rose Dragon!"
"Blue Rose… Dragon?!" Konami thought aloud, his eyes widening in realization. He knew that card! Akiza had used it during their grudge match in the Arcadia Movement! He grimaced, recalling the moment as a deep frown made its way across his face.
"I'm setting a monster and two cards!" Akiza declared, throwing the rest of her hand face-down on the Field. "There's nothing else I can do now "Red Hat", but don't take my words lightly! I will burn you to ash!"
"Maybe so, but with plays like that you're not very convincing!" Konami retorted, "Draw! It's time to uncover what that Face-Down of yours is! Go Gene-Warped Warwolf! Attack!"
The monster nodded, spreading its four arms wide as it lunged across the Field, ripping its claws deep into the concealed Monster Card.
With a squawk, a small, blue creature made itself known, squawking once more as the Gene-Warped Warwolf cleaved it in two with another basic swing of its claws.
"Blue Rose Dragon?" Konami asked, "Well, it's off the Field now. Time to use Gogiga Gagagigo to attack you directly-"
"Stop right there "Red Hat"!" Akiza hissed, sweeping her hand to the side, "That Blue Rose Dragon you just destroyed happens to have an effect!"
"What?" Konami scowled, "Figures…"
"That's right!" Akiza hissed, "When my Blue Rose Dragon is destroyed and sent from the Field to the Graveyard… I can select one Black Rose Dragon in my Graveyard, and Special Summon it back to the Field!"
"Oh no!" Konami shouted, feeling the wind pick up once more.
"Oh no…" Konami grimaced, feeling the exact same way as he watched the monster vanish from the Field.
"Heh," Akiza smirked, "It seems by that look on your face that you know exactly what's about to happen!"
"Ngh!" Konami grimaced, "Damn it! Is there anything I can do…? Anything I can play?!"
The teen clenched his empty hand angrily, "No!"
Akiza raised her hand to the sky triumphantly, a pillar of blinding green light erupting behind her. "Yes! Finally, Chilling flames shall engulf the entire world! This Pitch-Dark Flower shall set into bloom! Resurrection! Appear now, Black Rose Dragon!"
The red roses that composed her sinister dragon's wings spread out behind the girl, and a terrifying draconic roar spread across the world.
Black Rose Dragon-LV7-(2400/1800)
The crowd all leaned back in their seats, their eyes wide in shock and fear.
"It's the Black Rose!"
"Run, she'll kill us all!"
Akiza closed her eyes silently, listening to the audience hiss and screech at her as they always did. It mattered not. She had succeeded in doing what she set out to achieve. All that was left was the wrap up.
"Well Red Hat, can you still see the ending?" Akiza asked solemnly, "I will admit that this truly was a close Duel. However, I'm afraid there can only be one victor, and it won't be you."
Konami grimaced, glaring at the girl from across the Field as she spoke. "Darn it, Exodius!"
"Yes, you may have lasted another turn, if not for your inexplicable need to play that one card." Akiza smirked, "But why should I complain? After all, its presence is what allows me to end this Duel right here, right now!"
Konami's eyes went wide as his Duel Disk changed to the End Phase, "C-Crap!"
"Now, what was it you always like to say?" Akiza smirked, "Oh yes… Final Turn!"
She glanced at the card, Thorn of Malice.
"Heh, now then!" the woman began, pointing at Konami's Exodius, "It's time we burn his overgrown Forbidden Lord to ashes! Go my Black Rose Dragon! End it all, with your Black Rose Flare!"
The dragon acknowledged the command, its rosy wings curling inward as black thorns protruded from its bosom, rooting themselves deep inside the earth as green fluid slowly filled the dragon's body, rising to its throat.
"Do it now!" Akiza roared once more, and the dragon consented.
With a flap of its wings, the green energy burst from the Black Rose's jaws, enveloping all in its path as it sped towards Exodius, and victory. The Ultimate Forbidden Lord howled angrily as the beam collided with his chest, the power of the Black Rose Dragon far too much for him to handle at the moment.
Strands of the beam ricocheted every which way upon collision, raining bolts of the dragon's energy down upon the much suspecting public.
The audience in the front most rows cried out as small sparks of the stream splashed down on the earth beside them, leaving behind naught but dark, smoking stains. Being the frightened, civilized folk they all claimed to be however, they reacted the only way they knew how…
…by leaping from their seats like brutes, fighting their way to the back as they tried, and for many, failed, to retreat.
Exodius in the meantime fell, his power broken beneath the weight of the Signer Dragon before him.
The Black Rose was just too strong. With a final howl of anger and pain, the Ultimate Forbidden Lord fell back, sending dirt and debris exploding outward from the point of impact. Konami had no choice but to close his eyes, allowing the overwhelming force to overtake him completely as Exodius finally shattered, leaving the Field, and ending the game for good.
Akiza- 550 LP
Konami- 0 LP
Red Hat hissed as he rolled out of the debris, his body planted firmly on its back as he gazed upon the dust cloud masking his location.
He couldn't move, but surprisingly, he found that to be far less concerning than the outcome of the Duel.
"So… that's it then…" he managed to utter weakly, "I lost."
"Yes, you did." Akiza agreed, staring down the boy stoically. "Quick spectacularly I might add. But in the end, it would appear that you are a few years too early to be challenging the Arcadia Movement… Perhaps now…" the woman's eyes glazed over as she turned from the fallen teen, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, "Yes, now that this has been settled, I am certain that the Arcadia Movement will be safe."
"Arcadia Movement…?" Konami thought, "Safe? What on earth is she talking about…?"
Needless to say, Red Hat was confused. Sure, he would be the first to admit that he had his differences with the occultist gathering of Psychic Duelists, but after SOT's Pyrrhic victory on Arcadia Movement Headquarters he had been sure to suspend any and all future operations they planned on the group.
So what was with the words Akiza had just whispered to herself? The Arcadia Movement was safe; at least, it was for the moment!
As if to answer his thoughts, a burst of crimson red light erupted in the lingering dust cloud, resulting in the appearance of a cloaked man and a slow, rhythmic series of claps.
"Well said Akiza." The smooth voice of the cloaked man called, "With this victory, my goals for the Arcadia Movement are one step closer to reaching fruition. There's just one thing left to do."
Konami narrowed his eyes, struggling to gaze upon the person now standing beside the Black Rose Witch. As he attempted to rise, a stream of crimson light seemed to rip from the man's cloak, forcing him back to the ground.
"Oh, no, no, no." the man chuckled, quickly, eagerly, making his way to his fallen foe. "We can't have you getting all excited now can we Konami?"
"He knows my name?" Konami thought grimly, straining against the invisible force that kept him in place, "How? Why? Not good…"
If he'd thought about it a moment later, he might've realized that many people knew his name at the moment, what with it being displayed right beside Akiza's in the dueling lineups and all. Still, in light of the current events, it did seem to be a rather moot point.
Maintaining his smooth, eager demeanor, the man knelt down beside Konami, clapping the boy on the shoulder several times. "It's been some time hasn't it my friend?"
"Do I know you?" Konami replied slowly, taking in the man warily.
The man shook his head in mock disappointment, "Really Konami? Forgetting about me so soon? You saw me not even a month ago, really, is your memory truly bad?"
"No," Konami grimaced, "but I don't recall meeting anyone who had taken a liking to large, billowing cloaks… well, besides Akiza anyway."
"Yes, I'm afraid our mutual friend here does have quite the taste doesn't she? Running around the slums dressed in such garb…" the man chuckled once more, moving his hand across Konami's body to reach for his Duel Disk, "Nonetheless, I'm afraid I haven't risked coming here to talk about our fashion sense. There's something you have that I'm quite interested in, you see. And to be frank, I feel that it's been with you long enough."
"!" Konami's eyes snapped wide open, struggling against air as the man deactivated his Duel Disk.
"Ah, yes. Here it is." The man chuckled, "I must say, I was quite fond of this card when I first saw it, but to hold it in my own hands… it truly is quite the experience."
"Exodius…" Konami grimaced, watching the man fondle his card, "What the hell do you think you're doing, touching my card like that?!"
"Your card?" the man laughed, "Konami, my dear boy… I'm afraid this card belongs to no one. It's far too powerful to be used lightly, especially while in the hands of some reckless Duelist like yourself."
"Reckless…?! Listen you-!"
"Listen? Did you listen to me, when I told you of my grand plan for this city? Did you listen to me when I spoke of your place amongst the populace? No Red Hat, the time for listening has long past." He pressed his hands firmly against the card, "Now, is the time for action."
And in an instant, Exodius found itself ripped into several, useless pieces.
Konami stared at the man speechless, watching as his ace card's remains were swept away into the wind. "D-Divine… but… Shadow Realm, frozen…"
The man laughed to himself. "Divine…? No Red Hat," the man paused, pulling back the hood and revealing the face of the very person Konami just spoke of, "I am Sayer."
-5D's-
"Something's wrong," Enzo frowned, "That dust cloud should've been gone by now!"
"And more than that… look at the Dueling Screen," Alice added, pointing to the dangling, sparking board that fizzed in and out above all their heads, "It's not showing the result… you don't think, something bad happened do you?"
"Of course something bad happened!" Wisteria scowled, "He was dueling against that infernal Akiza! I knew I shouldn't have let him go up against that witch! She'd already put him in the hospital… just what could she have done to him this time?!"
"There's not much we can do right now to find out…" Mathew sighed patiently, "but I wouldn't get too worried. Even she wouldn't go out and kill someone in public, right?"
"Well, you may have a point there," Rathie grumbled, "but in that dust cloud down there there's not too much of a crowd now is there?"
"Ngh…" Mathew grimaced, "Maybe… but I don't think that's what's going on down there. Wish we could get down there and check it out, but with all these Securities that's not happening any time soon."
"Ah…haha…" the MC chuckled sheepishly from above, waving down to the crowd, "We seem to be experiencing some… technical difficulties. If you all would just sit tight, we'll be sure to have this up and running again in no time!"
Enzo sighed, standing from his seat and sweeping away from the rest of the SOT. The MC had a habit of saying such things, and he wasn't going to start believing him now.
"H-Huh?!" Wisteria called after him, "Hey, Enzo! Where do you think you're going?! You can't just walk off at a time like this!"
"Relax," the teen replied, "I'm just going for a walk. It's dusty out here and… well, it's not exactly like we're doing anything useful just sitting out here are we?"
The group couldn't argue with that.
If the loss of power to the Duel Screen wasn't enough, the fact that the dust cloud still hadn't settled enough for Sector Security to take action was more than a little disconcerting.
Wisteria frowned, folding her arms imperious as she made to stand, "Well then, if you're going inside to do something useful then it would seem I have but no choice than to come with-"
"No, no…" Enzo waved her off, "There's no need for that, really." He offered the group what he hoped looked like a comforting smile. "I'm just gonna go see how things are looking down there. You know, find out if anyone's been able to find out what's been going on in that cloud or not."
Wisteria stared after him for several seconds before exchanging a quick glance with Rathie.
She sighed.
"Very well," the girl sniffed, "but you better let us know if you find out something interesting! There will be dire consequences if you do not!"
"Yeah, yeah…" Enzo grunted, disappearing inside the stadium, "Whatever you say "Queen.""
To be honest, finding out if anything had happened to his friend was only half the reason why he suddenly decided to head inside. The other half…? Well, Wisteria had been getting rather annoying as of late. It was only natural that Enzo would try to find the quickest route to avoiding her as much as humanely possible. The teen frowned, trudging through the hallways as he glanced through the windows towards the dust cloud below.
"Konami," he thought briefly, "What the hell happened down there?"
Trapped in his thoughts, the teen never realized he was on a collision course with another preoccupied Duelist.
"Augh!"
"Eh?"
Enzo grunted, taking a staggering step backwards as he shook the slight pain from his head, "Ow…" he glanced up at the man he'd run into, "Hey, sorry about that pal, I wasn't exactly watching where I was going, if you know what I mean." Enzo paused, his eyes going wide as he took in the man's appearance.
"It's fine," the man replied kindly, "I wasn't exactly watching where I was going as much as I should have either."
The man turned, his spiky hair ruffling with his movements as he turned to leave.
"H-Hold on!" Enzo shouted, pointing at the man dramatically, "You're- You're Yusei Fudo, aren't you?!"
The man turned back, blinking down at the teen curiously, "Huh? Do I know you?"
Enzo blushed at his sudden mistake, "Ah… well, that's… no, I don't think- Well, maybe…" the boy sighed, rubbing the back of his head gently to think out his response, "If anything it could be say that you're acquainted with a friend of mine."
"A friend?" Yusei asked, setting a hand on his hip as he regarded Enzo strangely.
"Yeah, the one down there dueling the Black Rose." Enzo explained, "Or… the one that was dueling the Black Rose… no telling what he's up to in that dust cloud now."
"Oh, you must be talking about Konami." Yusei realized, "Now that I think about it, I do think I've seen you hanging around him once or twice." His look got a bit more serious, "So you haven't heard anything yet either then?"
"H-Huh?" Enzo asked quickly, surprised at the sudden question, "Well, no, those Securities keep announcing that they haven't been able to get in close enough to take in the situation as much as they'd like to, and they're a bit wary about tossing out their resources for just two people… not to mention, they seem to be a bit preoccupied with something else as well."
"So you noticed that as well." Yusei nodded in approval, "Earlier I saw several Securities rush up towards Goodwin's office, but I didn't think much of it at the time. Maybe I should've gone after them…"
Enzo turned back to look at the window. It seemed the cloud was finally beginning to settle, whatever reason it had for staying around for so long seemed to be reaching its conclusion.
Yusei turned, as if preparing to head back the direction from which he came.
"H-Hey!" Enzo shouted, "Where ya going?!"
"Back to my seat to prepare," Yusei explained, "This is still a tournament after all. Whoever comes out of that dust cloud victorious is going to be my next opponent."
"So, just like that, you're walking off?" Enzo asked, "But, what about Konami? What if something happened?"
Yusei smiled at the teen, "You should have a little more faith in your friends. From what I've seen of him, Red Hat knows how to handle himself."
-5D's-
"My name is Sayer." The Divine lookalike spoke coolly, gazing down at the fallen Red Hat with a smirk. "But you already knew that, didn't you Red Hat?"
Konami grimaced, ignoring Sayer's last statement. "Exodius-"
"Exodius is gone," Sayer interrupted, "swept away by the winds of Fate. I do wonder how you'll do without it. It was your self-proclaimed ace after all, even if it didn't always fit it in with the Decks you used it inn. Which raises another question…. Why on earth are you so insistent on using so many Normal Monsters? I mean, don't get me wrong, they can be quite formidable under the right circumstances but really, you never were one for the "normal" Red Hat."
"Ack… Agh…!" Konami grimaced, rolling over so he lay flat on his stomach, "Why… do you care? They're just a kind of card…!"
"No," Sayer intruded, shaking his head in thought, "if that were the case you wouldn't be so focused on using a monster that relies on normalcy to win. No, there's something deeper here… some silly, naïve thought that I'm not seeing."
Sayer paused here, circling the boy as he wrapped his arms around his back as Goodwin would. "Why would you- oh. I see now…" he glanced at Konami in amusement, "Really, Red Hat, to think you would aspire for such things, but I suppose I can see where you're coming from."
"What the hell are you talking about now?" Konami grunted, shifting his gaze between the man calling himself Sayer and the surprisingly quiet Akiza.
"A lifetime of battles… year after year of Shadow Duels and dangerous circumstances… it's really no wonder why you came all the way to these forsaken outskirts, looking for a new start." Sayer smirked, "It's a shame you were once again denied here in Neo Domino City no?"
"Sayer…" Akiza started, only to be silenced before she could finish.
The man sighed, kneeling down above Konami once more and shaking his head in disappointment, "Really now, you should know more than anyone that such a thing won't suit you my friend. A life of normalcy… purchasing your own happiness through naught but ignorance and obedience... pathetic."
Konami groaned, attempting to lash out at the man futilely.
"You belong on the front lines!" Sayer continued, "Striking out at me, while I strike back at you! We were born for this Konami! Crafted from the flesh and bone of the ancients themselves to continue this endless cycle of battle."
"You're insane…" Konami noted, attempting to roll his eyes at the man's words. He probably would have too, if it weren't for the fact that he was still peeved about what Sayer had just done to his prized card.
The boy grimaced, turning to face Akiza as well, "And you… you knew this would happen didn't you? I thought you were acting suspicious… but it was all a ploy wasn't it? A trap set long before this Duel even began!"
The girl had the decency to look away, but she said nothing to confirm or deny Red Hat's thoughts.
"Oh, come now." Sayer laughed, "Don't blame the girl, she was merely doing what she was told." He glanced at the severed arm gripped firmly beneath his cloak. "Ah… it seems our fun here is coming to a close." He turned back to Konami one last time, "I trust you'll keep what happened here quiet? It wouldn't do if certain parties learned just what happened to that esteemed card of yours…"
Despite his mounting rage, Konami knew who the man was talking about. "Goodwin. You, what do you-?"
"All in good time Red Hat," Sayer chuckled, "For now…" the arm beneath his cloak lit up, and Red Hat suddenly felt far more tired than he had initially. "Sleep."
The man vanished at those words, and Konami felt his vision fade into black. Akiza watched the scene with a darkened frown. Slowly, she turned, heading back to her initial position on the Field before regarding her fallen foe one last time.
"If… If it's any consolation…" she sighed, "I am sorry."
Outside, the dust cloud settled and the power to the Dueling monitor was restored, revealing the Duel's outcome to all still present.
"L-Ladies and Gentlemen…." The MC began, "It seems that we have our winner…"
The crowd murmured in silence, looking down at the scene before them. Red Hat, sprawled out helpless on the floor with his eyes closed, and the Black Rose Witch, standing victoriously across him. It didn't paint a pretty picture. Nonetheless, the MC continued.
"Without a further ado," the man gulped, "I give to you all, Akiza Izinski!"
-Chapter Thirty Six-
End
Akiza snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, ending the Fortune Cup for our red-capped protagonist! But while this may mark the end for him, for others, the tournament is still in full swing! Yusei sets his eyes on the wicked Black Rose… and Divine's mysterious lookalike pursues his own dark goals! When all is said and done, will anyone be left standing?! Find out next time, on Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force!
Memory Fragment POSTGRAD01- Outshined
Bastion Misawa stood at the port in shame, gripping the handrails leading to the docks as he thought over his latest lost. It was the first tournament he'd been to since leaving Duel Academy, and finally, the boy thought he had a chance at gaining some of the prestige that always seemed to elude him at the school.
If only he had known…
Contrary to his thoughts when he had first arrived, several other alumni of the prestigious Academy had attended the tournament, each and every one of them focused on winning it all.
Chazz Princeton…
Alexis Rhodes…
Hell, it was surprising that Jaden Yuki himself hadn't shown up, despite the outrageous rumors that the boy had actually attended.
Against all odds, Bastion had fought, clawed his way to the finals, but just when he thought victory was finally in reach… he had to show up and rip it from his hands.
Who was the he Bastion spoke of?
The rising pro and efficient Duelist, Syrus Truesdale.
His arrival had come as a shock to Bastion, who had suspected the boy to be halfway across the world in America at the time. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Bastion had dueled well against the boy, and at first, he thought that it was a Duel he could win with ease.
But Syrus had matched him each and every move. Combo for combo, card for card! The small, blue-haired boy that had seemed so meager back in the Academy had all but destroyed Bastion's strategies, sending the genius spiraling down to 0 Life Points in an instant.
Needless to say, those who had bet on Bastion were not amused.
Syrus had tried to be kind in the aftermath, but it didn't do much to console the former Ra Yellow.
Everything Bastion had gained… all the prestige he had mustered on his climb up the ranks, gone! Stolen by Syrus in the heat of the moment!
His hand clenched against the guardrail as he heard approaching footsteps.
"Disappointed?" Konami asked, standing behind Bastion curiously.
He too had come to town, though not to partake in the tournament. You see, he had come as Bastion's wingman. The Ra Yellow had hoped that by bringing the boy along he'd be able to siphon off some of his skills, but obviously, that was not the case.
Bastion snorted. "Who wouldn't be? To come so close to victory… to come so close to having my name remembered for all to see!"
"That's how it happens sometimes. Still," Konami looked over his shoulder towards the angry masses quickly approaching, "looks like those rich guys that invested in you aren't too happy."
"Of course not," Bastion sighed, "I'll accept full responsibility of course-"
"You sure you don't just wanna run?" the voice asked, "Because… I'm pretty sure I'd try to run right now."
"Running is for cowards," Bastion decided, "and to be frank, I'd rather be forgotten in the annals of history than be remembered for all time as a coward who couldn't face up to what he did."
"In this case," the former Slifer chuckled, "I think what you didn't do would be more appropriate."
Bastion sighed, not bothering to justify that with a response.
"Get ready," Konami told him, "here they come."
Bastion nodded, turning to face the mustached man that had rallied the rich behind Bastion.
"Were you disappointed by your loss?" the man asked darkly, "Because I sure was!"
"Ah… yes," the Ra Yellow agreed sadly, "I just didn't have what it took. I did try my best, but even my greatest strategies were no match for Truesdale…."
The man scowled, "Well your best strategies weren't good enough! Try someone else's strategies!" he paused, shaking his head, "Well, perhaps this won't be your only chance to win."
"Huh…?" Bastion asked, "What do you mean?"
"You mean you haven't heard yet?" the rich smirked, revealing a small fold of paper from his jacket, "The latest edition of the Daily Duel. Take it, maybe you'll want to show it to your kids or something."
"Ah…" Red hat told Bastion, "I wouldn't- well…"
"Hmm?" Bastion raised an eyebrow, "Let's have a look shall we?"
The man chuckled, handing the Ra Yellow the newspaper.
"Exclusive Interview with the Champ…" Bastion began, "written by Angela Raines. It's just a bunch of nonsense… his motivations, experiences as a Duelist…"
"Skip all that mumbo jumbo," the man told him, "down at the bottom, read it!"
Bastion blinked in confusion, "Very well…" he skimmed the page, proceeding to the point the man seemed to be interested in.
"Bastion, really, look you don't wanna-"
"I'll take on anyone, any day!" Bastion read aloud, "Even… Even what's-his-face from the finals?" tears began to spread across his face, "Even… Even Syrus can't recall my name? Is that truly how far I've fallen…?"
"It gets better." The man chuckled, "remember that hot piece of legs you pulled in with when the tournament first started?"
Bastion's eyes went wide, "You mean Mindy? Did something happen? Is she alright?!"
The man chuckled, "Oh, she's more than alright. You know what I heard?"
Konami once again tried to interrupt, "Look old man, you don't need to-"
"No!" Bastion interrupted, "I must know, what did you hear?"
"Well," the man laughed, "I heard that she's gonna be part of Truesdale's new posse!" he laughed seeing the look on Bastion's face, "I guess she didn't love you after all, eh?"
Bastion crumpled down to the ground, letting loose a wail like none had heard before. Sure, it wasn't as if he expected to go anywhere with his fellow student, but he'd thought he'd be able to hold onto her at least for more than a month! But no, Syrus had to go and take that as well!
"I tried to warn you…" Konami sighed, the rest of his speech being drowned out by the sound of the approaching boat.
"Well," the rich man snorted, "Time for you to leave. Train hard," he glanced over the fallen sack before him, "and next time, make sure you don't lose! Who knows, maybe you'll win me back some of that money!"
The boat's horn rang out through the port once more, and Konami watched as the rich man faded back into the city. One thing was certain, Bastion was gonna need a pretty big rebound to come back from this particular failure.
END