Big thanks to MarBere123, Unknowedz, NeoFGD, Playerhood18, matrixnis, GamingGuy84, Ryujomaru15, Elbarto4000, Big duels, dvdryms, Jason, Yuka Kuroshiro for reviewing the previous chapter!
Hopefully you'll enjoy reading this chapter.
ROOM – MANSION – THE BROTHERHOOD'S HQ – DEN CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
"Ryoga! You Duel, right?"
Shark turned to the person who called him. He was a boy around his age. A grey-eyed muscle-built black skinned boy with dark-brown hair styled in curls, to even a ponytail. His attire consisted of white shirt with red sweater vest and black pants. He was also wearing black gloves. The boy smiled at him with younger children clinging to him like younger siblings did to their older brothers.
"Akihiro." Shark called back.
"You should duel with us sometimes! Dueling is gonna change our lives! I wanna become World Champion and make everybody happy!"
The boy, Akihiro, said, extending his hand for Shark to take, hoping he would duel with them.
"I know that maybe we're not as good as your sister, but I'm sure she'll want you to duel more against opponents other than her."
That's right. A day ago, his younger twin sister, Rio, left the orphanage to become a priestess trainee. After her compatibility with Duel Monsters surfaced, someone from the Imperial Castle came and offered to train her to become priestess. Rio accepted because not only she was interested, but she also thought she could send money for the orphanage once she became official priestess. Shark wasn't exactly thrilled by the news, but he respected his sister's decision and let her go, both promising to stay in contact with each other.
Shark stared at the boy in front of him, his friend that he and his sister made at the orphanage. If Shark has to be totally honest, his friend was a total opposite of him. He was cheerful, gentle, and popular amongst the children. He was like their light and hope. He and Rio were idolized by the children and often played together when Rio was still around. Shark, on the other hand, thought himself as tainted and warped. He had done lots of horrible things that dirtied his hands. He didn't feel he belonged in the light like his sister, their friend, and the children. Due to this belief, he kept himself as distance as possible.
"I'm not interested."
Shark said as coldly as he could, brushing off the hand extended to him. They were friends, but he thought it was his duty to remain as a shadow. If this will give the children in the orphanage the hope and dream they needed, then he will continue to stay in the shadow...
Three months later, however, Shark regretted this.
He regretted his way of thinking that led him to lose his friend.
He couldn't erase that moment when he lost his friend.
The sight of his friend's bloody body lying on the altar won't leave his mind...
Shark abruptly awakened from his sleep with face full of sweats. He sat up, removing the blanket. He clenched his chest as his heart was beating fast and he was panting quite heavily. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. He repeated for a few times until he calmed down.
"Damn it...!" Shark cursed, placing a hand on his head. What a nightmare to have. He wondered if it was because of the stress he has due to meeting Apophis' Duelists lately.
A ringtone ceased his thoughts. He picked his Duel Disk he placed on the table beside his bed. The screen showed an incoming call from Rio, her picture appeared on the screen.
"Yeah? What is it, Rio?" Shark picked up the call.
[What's with that tone? I know you're not much of a morning person, but be nicer, Ryoga!] Rio complained from the other side of the call.
"If you just want to greet me a good morning I'm out. I'm not in the mood for a chatter right now." Shark replied nonchalantly.
[Sheesh... Anyway, I'm calling to tell you that we're going to LINK VRAINS today. Celica-sama asked me to do a little scouting and asked me to take someone from Yuno-san's squad with me. Obviously, I chose you. Celica-san already made a call to Yuno-san.]
"Kay' then. I'll see you later. Now let me get more sleep." Shark said, yawning.
[We'll meet in LINKV RAINS at 15.00 AM!] Rio ended the call with that.
Shark put down the Duel Disk back on his desk. His eyes landed at two photographs beside it. The first was the photo taken when Yuno officially formed his own personal squad, he and the others were standing beside Yuno in the photo. The second one was the photo when he was still staying at the orphanage. His sister and Akihiro and the children were looking at the camera cheerfully while he, on the other hand, stood behind without even looking at the camera.
"Akihiro..."
DUEL FIELD – MANSION – THE BROTHERHOOD'S HQ – DEN CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
Yuto was standing alone on the Field. It might be weird for anyone who saw him, standing alone with his Duel Disk activated without any opponent to fight against. But Yuto didn't care about that. He wanted to do this alone. He summoned two monsters to his Field: Phantom Knights – Silent Boots and Phantom Knights – Dusty Robe, both in Attack Position through Pendulum Summon. Their Battle Positions weren't exactly matters since he won't be fighting anyone. He summoned them for another purpose.
Yuto looked at a certain card from his hand. He frowned as he was staring at the card, Magic Card: Fusion. This was the card provided by Yuno so he could fight against Neon's Fusion Spring that only allows players to summon Fusion Monsters and no other monsters for 3 Turns. Back then; he couldn't perform Fusion Summon because of what Neon and Geist said. No, even without Neon and Geist saying those words, he still couldn't do it because it brought back the memory of the war last year. When he recalled that, he froze.
"I have to do it this time. I have to prove them wrong…" Yuto thought. He mustn't let his enemies' words to go through him. And it was just as Yuya said once before. The Fusion Summoning and Fusion Monsters were not at fault. The ones at fault were the Duelists who used it to harm people. If he thought about it that way, he should be able to do it.
"This time, I will…" Yuto picked the Fusion card from his other hand. He raised it up, preparing it to use it. At that moment, however, he found his hand trembling. They were appearing again. The horror inflicted by Academia from the war last year came into him. His breathing started to feel heavy. His hand that was holding the Fusion card stopped moving. He couldn't move it to do the summoning. Everything came into him again…
His burning homeland.
The cries of the citizens.
His family and comrades being carded one by one.
"Yuto!"
He didn't realize that he had blacked out until he realized Ruri was holding him by the shoulders, whispering soothingly to him. Yuto fumbled for his words again.
"R-Ruri…"
"What's wrong, Yuto? Are you sick?" Ruri asked worriedly. It has been a long time since she saw Yuto like this. What has happened?
"No. I…I'm…" Yuto looked away from her, staring at the Fusion card in his hand that he was still holding.
"That card…!" Ruri's eyes widened when she saw the card. Why Yuto has that card?
"This card was given to me by Yuno-san to fight against our enemies. He thought it would be useful for us. But… I'm sure you know why I can't use it…even though I tried…" Yuto laughed humorlessly, smiling bitterly.
"Yuto…" Ruri tightened her grip on Yuto's shoulder for a second before letting go to hold his hand.
"Ruri, do you think we have truly forgiven Academia, Fusion Dimension, for what they have done?" Yuto asked, finally looking at her in the eyes.
"What do you mean?" Ruri asked. She no longer held any contempt since the Academia has repented for the horrible things they have done. They truly regretted it and tried their best to atone everything. She no longer hated him or anything, and she was sure the same could be said to the others she knew.
"Whenever I 'm seeing the Fusion cards aside from Yuya's, it brought back those horrid memories. I feel there was malice as much as the ones who crushed our happiness that time. It reminded me of the pain we had, opening old wounds." Yuto's grip on the card tightened as he frowned even more.
"I said I've forgiven them…but maybe I'm just being hypocrite. If I have truly forgiven them, then I normally would have put the past behind me. I shouldn't have been bothered by a simple Summoning Method. But if I still avoid using it like a plague and merely seeing them brought back the memories, doesn't that mean that I haven't forgiven them? Maybe that was exactly the case? Deep inside I actually never truly forgive them? I actually wanted to seek revenge despite what I said?" Yuto couldn't stop recalling what Geist and Neon have told him.
Ruri didn't think. She just moved, and she heard him gasp as she threw her arms around him, and they both swayed, almost losing their footing on the ground.
"In that case, we're the same. I don't think I can use Fusion. Maybe, everyone else too. We are the same, Yuto." Ruri said. A tear started forming from her right eye. She was so stupid. How could she not think about it? Just a second ago she thought she has truly forgiven Academia, but after hearing what Yuto said, she realized that the thought of using Fusion Summon never crossed in her mind. In fact, using that summoning method was something she never wanted to do because it brought back memories like Yuto felt. That was a proof that part of her has yet to fully forgiven Academia.
"But one thing I am sure is, even though maybe we haven't fully forgiven Academia, wishing for revenge is the last thing in our mind. We want peace above all else, and trying to get revenge would only lead to another conflict." Ruri rubbed Yuto's back comfortingly. They have already enough with conflict and war. Revenge was the last thing to ever cross their minds. And Yuto was one of the kindest people she knew. He would never seek revenge if that would put the peace into danger. Above all else, he didn't want to hurt anyone.
Ruri pulled back and placed her hands on both sides of Yuto's face, smiling at him.
"We'll figure this out together. I'm sure we can overcome this." Ruri told him.
"Ruri…" Yuto stared hard at Ruri's smile and held one of her hands holding him. Strangely, he felt better.
Ruri then let go, but they were still staring at each other. "You don't have to force yourself for now. Let's talk this to Yuno-san–"
Ruri was cut off when the door suddenly slammed open, revealing Yukiya with pant up breath coming in while carrying his laptop. Yuto and Ruri blinked at the grey haired boy's condition that looked like he has just did long meters of marathon.
"Y-Yukiya? Why are you all sweating up?" Ruri asked.
"Forget about me! Yuto! Ruri! You need to look at this!" Yukiya showed his laptop to the two.
"A chatroom? What's wrong with this chatroom?" Yuto asked.
"Read the chats carefully!" Yukiya told them.
[Hey! I heard there is another newcomer from ARC-V!]
[Wow, for real?!]
[Where?!]
[Someone said he saw him in LINK VRAINS! He defeated Apophis Servant!]
[Who?! What kind of person this Duelist is?"
[Dunno his name, but he is using this bird-type Xyz Monster!]
[Oh, yeah, I heard about that too! That falcon-like monster, right?]
[Yeah! Dunno if this is true, but someone said he saw him wandering around the west server.]
Falcon-like Xyz Monster... Yuto and Ruri only knew one person who used that type of monster.
"Are you sure about this, Yukiya?" Yuto asked, turning to the said person.
"This is just a rumor, but I thought you should know this." Yukiya answered. He just happened to find the chat while looking for any information in regards of Apophis' activities.
"It's just a rumor, but this is our only clue." Ruri said before heading out.
"Where are you going, Ruri?!" Yukiya asked.
"I'll log into LINK VRAINS! If it's really Brother, then I have to go!" Ruri replied, hastening her pace.
"Wait! I'm going too! Yukiya, tell Yuya and the others about this!" Yuto followed his girlfriend behind. Finally, a clue after days since the underground prison incident. If the person mentioned in the chat was really Shun, then this time he won't let him go.
"I'm coming, Shun…!"
ZAIZEN RESIDENCE – APARTMENT – DEN CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
Aoi just arrived home after school. She has Duel Club so she came home later than usual. It has been a few days since she has stopped being Blue Angel as her brother told her to. Honestly, she was frustrated. People started saying many things about her sudden absence. She didn't care though. What frustrated her was she couldn't help exposing Heidel's true nature. She witnessed it herself and determined to help, but yet, now she couldn't do anything. She wasn't even allowed to go outside the house other than school for a while by her brother.
"Can't I do anything at all?" Aoi said as she threw her bag on the floor and sat on the bench, sighing in exasperation.
"I wonder how Ruri and the others are faring…" Aoi wondered. Since the last time they met, she hasn't heard anything from Ruri. She at least wanted to help her looking for her brother, Shun Kurosaki, but without able to log into LINK VRAINS, what she could do was limited. Sighing, Aoi turned on the TV to cool her head.
{Everyone! Look what we have here! We have a special show for today! Now, a Duel between a member of Phantom Dragons, Shadow, and the rumored Duelist who lately defeated Apophis Servants from behind us, Hayabusa, shall commence!}
"What?!" Aoi's full attention turned to the TV.
As announced by the MC, Yuto, in his VR avatar, Shadow, was facing against a Duelist she has never seen or heard before. But she then processed the latter's name. Hayabusa means 'Falcon', and falcon reminded her of…
"Ruri's brother…?"
LINK VRAINS – DEN CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
As she said on the phone, Rio has logged into LINK VRAINS using her VR avatar, Merag. As Merag, her skin was chalk-white and her hair is longer with more volume and is purely dark blue instead of dual-colored. She was wearing a white dress with blue and gold pieces, with large white shoulder pauldrons and gloves, with a blue midriff and the Imperial Guardian's emblem on her chest. She still has her pink eyes. She also has red marks on each side of her cheeks, a jeweled diadem with a gold net over the back of her hair that was adorned with green and red jewels that also has a green teardrop jewel hanging over her face.
"You're 2 minutes late, Nash." Merag told her older brother who was also using his avatar, Nash, giving him a scolding look.
"Only 2 minutes. No big deal." Nash replied. He has a magenta skin tone and red and blue heterochromatic eyes with aqua markings on his face. He wore a crimson cape and copper-colored guards on the wrists, shoulders, and his legs are tipped with red stones and also wears a 'H'-shaped belt. The Brotherhood Emblem pendant was engraved onto his chest. His tentacle-like hair gained more volume and he also wore a copper-colored crown piece with a red jewel on his forehead.
"So, what's this thing you were asked to investigate?" Nash asked, going straight to the point.
"There's a rumor about an Xyz Duelist from ARC-V defeating Apophis Servants lately. The only Xyz users we know are Ruri and Yuto, but they're with us the whole time so it's definitely one of them. Plus, this Duelist is using falcon-like monsters from what the rumor said." Merag explained.
"Whoever is this, you intend to scout, to recruit him to fight together against Apophis?" Nash asked.
"That's the plan. If not, at the very least we must make sure he won't be a threat to us." Merag replied.
"And where do you plan to find him in this...mess up LINK VRAINS?" Nash asked again as he looked at his surroundings.
"I knew you'll ask that. I've studied his patterns. He was attacking at the places with the most concentrated virus and bug activities. If my deduction is correct, today, he'll appear over there." Merag pointed at the south way of the area.
Immediately after, an explosion occurred at right where Merag was pointing at. That just confirmed her deduction.
"Let's go." Nash said, rushing towards the explosion together with Merag.
Since running would be too slow to reach the place, they resorted using D-Boards and rode on Data Storm until they arrived at the exact place where the explosion occurred. They jumped into the thick smoke from their D-Boards and landed safely. They removed themselves from the smokes, but found it was unnecessary as a strong blow of winds were blowing away the smokes in a minute. And that was when they saw the very person they were looking for, together with his monster.
He has dark brown hair in usual style. He was wearing a lined pattern long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves folded. Overtop was a long dark crimson overcoat with white pants, boots and open-fingered gloves.
"Shun!"
Nash and Merag turned around when they heard the familiar voice and footsteps. Yuto and Ruri, in their VR avatars Shadow and Canaria, came running towards the Duelist. Shun. That was Ruri's missing brother and Yuto's best friend's name. Then this person was the missing Shun Kurosaki and the one who saved Ruri, Yuzu, and Aoi in the underground prison a few days ago?
"I'm going by the name 'Hayabusa' here. Those are fitting avatars you're using, Yuto, Ruri." Shun or his avatar name, Hayabusa, addressed his best friend and sister.
"It really is you, Brother!" Canaria covered her mouth while trying not to tear up from her immense relief. She moved several steps towards her brother, but when she did so, she was surprised that her brother's respond was taking a step back from her.
"Brother?" Canari stopped. A dull pain filled her chest by her brother's gesture.
"Don't come near me. I can't be with you." Hayabusa told his sister and best friend.
"What do you mean? Why?" Canaria asked.
"There's nothing I can say more than that. Leave." Hayabusa said in commanding tone.
"You really expect us to do that?!" Shadow stepped in. "Do you know how much you have made us worried? To be honest, there were moments we thought we have lost you! We were relieved when we found out that you're alive. But what's this? What's with the cold attitude?"
"As I said, there's nothing I can say more than what I've said. Leave now." Hayabusa demanded.
Shadow growled. The three of them have finally reunited after a month, and Shun's reaction was not only distant but he even told them leave just like that? Furthermore, he was one thing, Shun even acted cold towards Ruri? That was not right. He refused to leave like he asked them to. They have finally met, and he refused to leave without nothing. He wanted answer. He wanted to know what happened to his best friend that he was behaving like this.
"If you want to make us leave...use this." Shadow raised his Duel Disk and activated it. They must settle this in their usual way whenever they have unresolved problem.
"Fine. I'll have to do this the hard way to make you understand." Hayabusa activated his Duel Disk. He then ran towards the edge of the building and jumped towards the Data Storm, landing on his D-Board.
"Shadow!" Canaria called out in attempt to stop him, but he then smiled at her.
"Don't worry. The two of us will be fine." Shadow said before he jumped as well, landing on his D-Board, beginning the Duel.
[SPEED DUEL!]
"Come at me!" Shadow challenged his best friend.
"From my hand, I summon Raid Raptors - Rudder Strix (ATK: 0 / DEF: 1600 / LV: 4)!" Hayabusa summoned Rudder Strix in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"When Rudder Strix is summoned or Special Summoned, I can inflict 300 damage to the opposing player!" Hayabusa declared as Rudder Strix shot its laser at Shadow, inflicting the damage.
SHADOW LP: 4000 = 3700
"I set one card face-down and end my turn!" Hayabusa finished.
"I don't know what happened to you, but you'll tell us everything! My Turn! When I control no monster while my opponent does, I can special summon Phantom Knights – Nautilus Cloud (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 5)!" Shadow summoned Nautilus Cloud in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zone.
"When a Phantom Knights Monster is special summoned through its effect, I can special summon Phantom Knights Argent Fear (ATK: 1300 / DEF: 1600 / LV: 5)!" Shadow summoned Argent Fear beside Nautilus Cloud in Attack Position.
"I overlay Nautilus Cloud and Argent Fear! From the depths of Purgatory. Dedicate to the Restless Soul with the Song of Revolution. Echo for eternity, and appear! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Rank 5! Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2500 / RNK: 5 / ORU: 2)!" Shadow summoned Dark Requiem in Attack Position in the first Extra Monster Zone.
"Battle! I attack Rudder Strix with Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon! Requiem Disaster Disobey!" Shadow declared attack. Dark Requiem's fangs shined and its wings spread, changing its design into that of stained glass. The dragon flew forward to strike the small bird-like monster.
"Trap, activate! Raid Raptors - Risky Flight! If a Level 4 or below Raid Raptors would be destroyed through battle, the destruction will be negated, and the battle damage will be halved! The Battle Phase will also be skipped!" Hayabusa opened his first Reverse Card, protecting Rudder Strix from destruction.
HAYABUSA LP: 4000 = 2500
"When Rudder Strix is attacked, I can Special Summon two Raid Raptors from my hand!" Hayabusa summoned two more Rudder Strixes in Attack Position in the Main Monster Zones. And using the effect of the new Rudder Strixes, Hayabusa inflicted 600 damage.
SHADOW LP: 3700 = 3100
"Damn it… I set a card and end my Turn." Shadow concluded. His best friend was still as merciless as always.
"My turn! I overlay the three Level 4 Rudder Strixes on my Field! Obscured falcon! Raise your talons sharpened by adversity! Spread your wings of rebellion! Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank 4! Raid Raptors - Rise Falcon (ATK: 100 / DEF: 2000 / RNK: 4 / ORU: 3)!" Hayabusa summoned his ace monster in Attack Position in his first Extra Monster Zone.
"I activate Rise Falcon's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, it can add the ATKs of all Special Summoned monsters on my enemy's Field to its own ATK! And it can also attack all Special Summoned monsters!" Hayabusa increased Rise Falcon's ATK to 3100 as the Xyz Monster's body was covered in blazing crimson flames.
"Battle! I attack Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon with Rise Falcon! Brave Claw Revolution!" Hayabusa declared attack. Rise Falcon flew straight towards its opponent, ready to strike and scorch the dragon.
"Trap Card: Phantom's Drug! I negate the destruction of a DARK Monster I control!" Shadow opened his Reverse Card, allowing Dark Requiem to block Rise Falcon's attack. The dragon clashed its hands against the Raid Raptor's head, deflecting each other. Hayabusa held onto his D-Board as he got pushed back from the impact.
SHADOW LP: 3100 = 3000
"I set two cards face-down, and end my turn! At this moment, Rise Falcon's ATK returns to normal." Hayabusa concluded his Turn.
"Brother! Please stop!" Canaria shouted from above, riding her own D-Board but not interfering with the Duel.
"Ru-Canaria!" Shadow exclaimed.
"Brother, why are you doing this? We're fighting against Apophis, right? Then why we're fighting against each other?!" Canaria questioned her older brother. However, he didn't answer her, more like ignoring her. She bit her lip. Why won't he answer her?
"Why are you separating yourself from us? Why won't you explain anything? Talk to me, Brother!" Canaria questioned again with louder voice. She was truly on the verge of tears. She just…she couldn't understand her older brother she was seeing right now.
"There is something that I have to do alone. Nothing more and nothing less." Hayabusa finally answered, but that was it. He refused to talk any further. He glanced back at Shadow, gesturing him to start his Turn.
"Stand back, Canaria. We'll get our answer from him once we finish this Duel." Shadow told the girl, looking up at her before he started his Turn again. "My Turn! I set a card."
"I attack Raid Raptors - Rise Falcon with Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon!" Shadow immediately declared attack. Dark Requiem made a whirling movement as it made its way towards the Raid Raptors Monster, something that Hayabusa has already anticipated.
"Quick-Play Magic! Rank-Up-Magic: Battle-Up Force! When my opponent attacks, I can use a Raid Raptors on my Field to Xyz Summon a monster that is two Ranks higher!" Hayabusa opened the Overlay Network using the card and Rise Falcon.
"Prideful falcon! Spread your wings dyed in the blood of heroes! Advance down the road of revolution! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Come forth! Rank 6! Raid Raptors – Revolution Falcon (ATK: 2000 / DEF: 3000 / RNK: 6 / ORU: 2)!" Hayabusa summoned Revolution Falcon in Attack Position in the same Extra Monster Zone.
"Revolution Falcon can destroy a Special Summoned monster and inflict damage equal to half of the ATK when it is summoned by ranking up a Raid Raptors Monster. I've already won this Duel!" Hayabusa smiled cockily, brimming in confidence. He pointed at Dark Requiem. "I activate Revolution Falcon's effect! Annihilate him, Revolution Falcon! I will destroy Dark Requiem, and inflict damage equal to half of its ATK!"
"You won't win so easily!" Shadow retorted.
"Hmph!"
"When my opponent activates an effect that will destroy a monster I control, I can activate Phantom Knights – Black Prints' effect from my hand! I discard it to negate Dark Requiem's destruction!" Shadow discarded the monster in his hand, negating Revolution Falcon's effect, thus, allowing Dark Requiem to remain on the Field.
"I won't let you win so easily, either! You can try and attack it, but due to Revolution Falcon's effect, Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon's ATK and DEF will become zero!" Hayabusa reminded.
"Who do you think I am, Shun?! We've known each other for so long, so of course I already know your Deck! I've prepared! Trap Card: Phantom Silent Echo! When the ATK and DEF of a monster I control were changed through monster effect during Battle Phase, I can activate this card the moment it was set to negate that effect!" Shadow negated Revolution Falcon's effect. With this, Dark Requiem kept its original ATK. The dragon swiftly pierced Revolution Falcon's body, exploding it.
HAYABUSA LP: 2500 = 1500
"Quick-Play Magic! Rank-Up-Magic Death Double Force! When an Xyz Monster on my Field is destroyed, I can Special Summon that monster, and Xyz Summon a Raid Raptor whose Rank is two times higher!" Hayabusa activated the card from his hand, performing another Rank-Up Xyz Summon using Revolution Falcon.
"Falcon that is my very own soul! Fly forth, with unyielding conviction and undying devotion in your heart! Become an impregnable final fortress, and make your advent! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Come forth! Rank 12! Raid Raptors - Final Fortress Falcon (ATK: 3800 / DEF: 2800 / ORU: 1)!" Hayabusa summoned his strongest Monster in Attack Position in the Extra Monster Zone.
"I set one card face-down, and end my turn! Come at me! Hayabusa!" Shadow concluded as he dared his best friend.
"Here I go, Shadow! It's my turn! I attack Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon with Final Fortress Falcon!" Hayabusa declared, motioning Final Fortress Falcon to launch its dozen missiles. All of the missiles hit the dragon who cried out as it exploded.
SHADOW LP: 3000 = 2200
"Quick-Play Magic: Phantom Link! When a DARK Monster I control is destroyed by Battle, I can special summon the destroyed monster and two Level 4 or lower monsters from my Graveyard to perform Link Summon!" Shadow summoned back Dark Requiem, Nautilus Cloud, and Argent Fear.
"It's the time! Come forth, the circuit of shadow that cover the world!" Shadow opened the Link Circuit in front of him.
"Arrowhead confirmed! The summoning condition is at least 1 Phantom Knights Monster! I set Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon, Phantom Knights – Nautilus Cloud, and Phantom Knights – Argent Fear, in the Link Markers! Circuit Combine!" Shadow set Dark Requiem in the Top Marker, Nautilus Cloud in the Left Marker, and Argent Fear in the Bottom Marker.
"Link Summon! Appear! Link 3! Cyber Rebellion Dragon (ATK: 2300 / Link: 3 / LM: Left, Top, Bottom)!" Shadow summoned Cyber Rebellion in Attack Position in the Extra Monster Zone.
"I activate Final Fortress Falcon's effect! By detaching all of its Overlay Units, during this turn, I can attack my opponent's monster by banishing a Raid Raptors Xyz Monster from my Graveyard! I attack Cyber Rebellion Dragon with Final Fortress Falcon!" Hayabusa banished Rise Falcon, allowing Final Fortress Falcon to attack again, launching its missiles.
"Trap Card: Dragon's Phantom Armor! Until the end of this Turn, DARK Dragon-Type Monster I control gains 700 ATK and it cannot be destroyed by Battle!" Shadow opened his Reverse Card, equipping dark purple-colored armor in shade of black to Cyber Rebellion, increasing its endurance. Its current ATK became 3000. Cyber Rebellion endured the missiles and explosions caused by them, surviving the attack.
SHADOW LP: 2200 = 1400
"I activate Final Fortress Falcon's effect! By banishing Revolution Falcon from my Graveyard, I can attack the opposing monster again!" Hayabusa banished Revolution Falcon, allowing Final Fortress Falcon to attack Cyber Rebellion one more time. However, due to Shadow's Trap effect, the dragon remained standing on the Field albeit injured.
SHADOW LP: 1400 = 600
"I set a card and end my Turn." Hayabusa concluded.
"My Turn! Draw!" Shadow looked at the card he drew and his eyes widened in panic. The card he just drew was Phantom Fusion, one of the cards given to help him in Fusion Summon. He was so in hurry to log into LINK VRAINS that he had forgotten to exclude the card from his Deck. He looked at his remaining cards in his hand and Cyber Rebellion. He blinked at a certain card in his hand. He could use this!
"I activate Magic Card: Phantom Knights' Spirit Elysium! I can lower the ATK of my opponent's monster by 600!" Shadow activated that certain card from his hand.
"Only 600 won't be enough to defeat Fortress Falcon." Hayabusa pointed out the difference between their monsters' ATKs. Even if Shadow lowered Final Fortress' ATK to 3100, Cyber Rebellion still has lower ATK.
"This effect can be repeated up to the numbers of Phantom Knights monsters in my Graveyard!" Shadow interjected.
"What?!" Hayabusa was genuinely shocked. This was the same strategy he used to defeat Dennis' Antique Gear Chaos Giant during Friendship Cup. To think Shadow was using it against him. Shadow has 3 Phantom Knights monsters in his Graveyard, so Fortress Falcon's ATK was lowered by 1800, making its current ATK 2000.
"Battle! I attack Final Fortress Falcon with Cyber Rebellion Dragon!" Shadow declared attack now that Cyber Rebellion's ATK was higher than Final Fortress Falcon. Cyber Rebellion Dragon covered its entire body with purple electricity from its wings, particularly its fangs that glowed brightly. The dragon let out a loud roar before flying forward, eyes focused solely on Final Fortress Falcon. In a few seconds, Cyber Rebellion's fangs pierced through the black dragon, exploding it to bits of data.
HAYABUSA LP: 1500 = 1200
"Trap Card: Raid Raptors Hatchling's Remnants! When an Xyz Raid Raptors Xyz Monster I control is destroyed, I can special summon two Level 4 or lower Raid Raptors from my Graveyard!" Hayabusa activated his trap in the midst of being blown away, barely able to keep his balance from falling off from his D-Board.
"I set a card and end my Turn." Shadow concluded. He positioned himself to ride beside his best friend. "Hayabusa, won't you give it a rest already? What are you planning? Why are you telling us to stay away? Have we done something wrong to you?"
Hayabusa was silent from the question. He didn't even look at Shadow's eyes. All of a sudden, Hayabusa crashed his own D-Board to Shadow, prompting the latter to retaliate to prevent himself from falling. The two crashed against each other as they continued to move forward until Hayabusa finally started his Turn.
"My Turn! I overlay my two Rudder Strixes! Fangs of Rebellion from the pitch-black darkness, rise up against the foolish oppression! Descend now! Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / RNK: 4 / ORU: 2)!" Hayabusa summoned Dark Rebellion in Attack Position in the Extra Monster Zone, shocking Canaria, Merag, Nash, and especially Shadow who was its owner.
"Dark Rebellion?!" Merag exclaimed as she was watching from a building with her brother.
"Why does he has Dark Rebellion?!" Nash wondered out loud. They have been looking for the Four Heavenly Dragons, and Shun Kurosaki was holding one of them?!
"Could it be…you're the one who intercepted Apophis when he transported the dragons?!" Shadow questioned.
Hayabusa shook his head in denial, however. "No. It's someone else. I'm working with her at the moment for a reason." He revealed.
"Her? Who do you mean? For what reason?" Shadow questioned more, but Hayabusa decided to make his move at that moment.
"I activate Magic Card: Level Treat! I can treat a Monster on the Field as a Level 5 Monster until the end of this Turn!" Hayabusa treated Cyber Rebellion as Level 5 Monster, allowing him to use Dark Rebellion's effect.
"I activate Dark Rebellion's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can halve the opposing Level 5 or higher Monster's ATK and adds the lost ATK to Dark Rebellion! Treason Discharge!" Hayabusa activated Dark Rebellion's effect, absorbing half of Cyber Rebellion's power into itself, making Dark Rebellion's ATK 3650 while Cyber Rebellion's ATK became 1150.
"Dark Rebellion!" Shadow called out to his dragon. However, to his surprise, his own ace monster also acted the same way as his best friend. First Shun, and now Dark Rebellion. What was happening to his two closest friends?
"Battle! I attack Cyber Rebellion with Dark Rebellion! Revolt of Lightning Disobey!" Hayabusa declared the last Battle Phase. Dark Rebellion, without hesitation, charged at the Link Monster, roaring energetically with its shining fangs pointed towards the opposing dragon.
Shadow glanced at Phantom Fusion. If he use Phantom Fusion and summon his Fusion Monster at this moment, he could win this Duel. He knew that but still…he couldn't use it. When he tried to reach the card, the memories were resurfacing again.
He couldn't do it.
It was impossible for him.
He could never use Fusion Summon…!
Closing his eyes and gritting his teeth in frustration, Shadow removed his hand from the card and instead opened his Reverse Card that he has saved as the last ditch effort.
"Trap, activate! Cross Damage! The battle damage will be inflicted to both of us!" Shadow declared.
The two dragons unleashed their attacks and clashed against each other. The resulting clash caused quite a huge explosion that hit both sides. Shadow and Hayabusa fell from their D-Boards as they were blown away and their LPs were depleted at the same time. They both fell on the ground beneath the Data Storm, writhing in pain while struggling to move their bodies.
HAYABUSA LP: 1200 = 0
SHADOW LP: 600 = 0
Canaria, Merag, and Nash jumped off from their D-Boards and landed near the two. Merag and Nash tended to Shadow, while Canaria rushed to her older brother. She was also worried for Shadow, but at the moment she must be with her brother.
"Brother!" Canaria called out, trying to reach him.
Before she could even touch him. Hayabusa did a somersault, jumping several steps away from his sister. The two were staring at each other for one moment before Hayabusa broke the eye contact and turned his back on her. She didn't need to ask where he was going. He was going to log out.
"Don't go! We have been looking all over for you! Sayaka, Allen, Kaito, everyone is worried about you! Me too… I miss you…! Please come back!" Canaria couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She didn't care about anything at that moment. She just wanted her beloved brother to come back.
Hayabusa's hands were trembling as he listened to his sister's cry. But he clenched it so hard that it seemed it would bleed to stop the trembling. He brought out something from his Duel Disk. It was a rectangle-shaped data. He then threw it to his sister who clumsily caught it, looking confused at her brother and the item in her hands. Hayabusa's hand made a motion as if he wanted to cup her face, but he held it back. He wore back the cold mask he has earlier and turned his back from them again.
"We'll meet again soon." Hayabusa told them before he jumped onto his D-Board, riding on the Data Storm again.
"Brother!" Canaria called out. Shadow, who has regained his strength, stood up and ran to follow Hayabusa in attempt to stop him.
"Shun! Wait, Shun!"
But it was too late. Shadow could do nothing to stop his best friend. He has logged out midair.
PARK – DEN CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
Ruri was sulking, as anyone would say when he saw her now. Shortly after her brother left, she handed the data to Merag and logged out. She quickly ran out from the mansion, running without any particular destination to go. She just wanted to run until she was tired out. She took a rest at a park, sitting on the bench near the playground.
She didn't understand. She couldn't understand her brother she met today. He was almost like a totally different person. He was like a stranger.
"You were here after all."
Ruri looked up to see Aoi and Rio smiling kindly at her. They then took a seat on both her sides.
"I'm sorry for making you worry…" Ruri apologized.
"We understand. Your reaction is normal, Ruri." Aoi patted the younger girl's back to comfort her.
"You don't need to hold it back." Rio assured her student who shook her head.
"No. I already have enough crying. I'm confused right now… I can tell that he is my brother, but yet he is not the same… I almost couldn't recognize him. I can't understand what he is thinking right now…" Ruri admitted, wiping another tear that was forming.
Aoi placed a hand on top of Ruri's. She smiled empathically at the girl. She understood. She used to be in the same position as her. She missed her brother and when the older brother didn't behave the way they expected, they felt lonely, feeling they were being neglected even though that wasn't exactly the case. But when they felt so lonely, their minds sometimes couldn't comprehend it.
"Ruri. I don't know a thing about your brother. But I do know this: your brother still loves you." Aoi told her confidently.
"When you got trapped in the underground prison, he came to save you despite the danger. He held you close to him all the time until we're reunited with Johan-san and Rio-san. You must have felt him, right?" Aoi reminded. The way he held Ruri that time, she knew that the older brother cared for Ruri very much.
Ruri closed her eyes, remembering that time when her brother saved her. She could still feel the warmth and soft touches of her brother when he was carrying her. It felt kind and gentle. That was the older brother whom she loved with all her heart.
"We don't know the reason behind your brother's behavior. But whatever he was doing, he must be thinking it's the best for you. As younger sisters, it's our job to trust our older brothers." Rio told Ruri, helping in wiping her tears with a handkerchief that Ruri accepted gratefully.
"Older brothers can be hard to understand sometimes, but deep inside we knew they never stop loving us, younger sisters." Aoi added.
Ruri slowly smiled. She recalled every precious moment she has with her older brother. All precious memories and love they were sharing. Remembering them, her heart was at ease. That's right. Her brother trusted her, and she trusted him. That would never change. Ruri pulled Rio and Aoi closer to her, smiling brightly.
"…Yes. Thank you, Rio-san, Aoi-san…"
ROOFTOP – MANSION – THE BROTHERHOOD'S HQ – DEN CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
Yuto was staring at the sky without any particular reason. His thought was not at the sky or anywhere in the mansion. His mind was thinking about his best friend. For the first time from since he first befriended Shun he didn't know what was on his best friend's mind. This was not only about Shun but also his ace monster, Dark Rebellion. This was the first time his dragon acted so cold towards him. Did this person responsible taking the dragons did something to them? No, his mind quickly decided. He could see it clear that both Shun and Dark Rebellion were in their right mind.
Then why? Why were they doing this?
"Don't think too much for your own sake, Yuto."
Yuto flinched from surprise, snapping him out from his thought. He saw his mentor, Shark, approaching him.
"Don't think any kind of bad things about Shun Kurosaki. Don't jump too quickly into conclusion. If you're his best friend, then trust him." Shark advised his student. He knew exactly what Yuto was thinking, and he must stop him before Yuto lose his trust for his friend without him realizing it.
"But it's unlike usual. I don't understand what he was thinking. Not at all." Yuto admitted. The Shun he met today was like a stranger to him.
"You're his best friend then you should know him best that he is not a kind of person who would do something without a reason." Shark said.
"Yeah. You're right. But…"
"No buts. If you want to understand him so much, try to position yourself in his position. Try to think, why do you want to avoid your own best friend and sister? Why you refuse to tell them anything? Why even though we could have fight together instead you distant yourself from them?" Shark interjected, not giving Yuto a chance to finish his words. He understood both Yuto and Shun's feelings. He knew because he had been in their positions before.
"Try to think about it while gathering all the facts you have. If I were him, I did that because whatever I think I have to do alone is dangerous…most likely too dangerous for the people I care about." Shark said, surprising Yuto.
Yuto knew that feeling. Not wanting to put the people he cares about into danger, distancing himself from them so they won't get involved, that was a common thing to do when the danger was too great. When he mistook Yuzu as Ruri, he stopped her from dueling Sawatari because he didn't want her to get hurt again. He also stopped her from going after Shun to stop her fight against Masumi because he didn't want her to get involved.
"If you understand that now, there should be no reason for you to doubt your best friend. And now, what is your other problem?" Shark asked, changing the subject.
"Huh?"
"You have something else that's bothering you, right?" Shark said. During the Duel, he noticed Yuto was hesitating to use a card. Whatever the card was, he was against using it and opted to use Cross Damage.
"Fusion Summon and Monsters. Until now, I still can't use them. Even though I understand that they were themselves are not bad, I can't help but be reminded of the last war when I almost lost everything. The ones at fault were the ones using Fusion Summoning, but even so part of me is still holding Fusion Summon and Fusion Monsters with contempt…" Yuto revealed, taking out the Fusion Card he has in his pocket pants.
Shark didn't know the full detail about the war that Yuto and the others have experienced, but at least he knew that Yuto was the one who suffered the most in the war. His hometown was destroyed, family and comrades being carded, and many others. It was not strange if Yuto was still holding a grudge against Academia. There was still hatred within Yuto, but he didn't choose that hatred. He chose for the path that will keep the peace. But now he was finally forced to confront this problem. Perhaps this was the true test for him to learn to fully forgive Academia without forgetting what they have done.
"Have you ever conversed with your Fusion Monster?" Shark asked.
"Talk with my…Fusion Monster…?" Yuto blinked. He never thought of that. He was so focused on the Fusion Summoning itself and using Fusion Monster that the thought trying to talk with the Fusion Monster directly never crossed his mind. Shark didn't need to wait for Yuto to speak to know his answer.
"The rest is up to you to figure it our yourself. You better do something quick or you'll shame my position as your mentor." Shark said while taking his leave, giving Yuto a wave of his hand before he descended the stairs.
He hoped what he did could help his student, especially the first problem they talked about. They have different circumstances, but somehow, Yuto and Shun reminded him of himself and Akihiro.
"You never acknowledge me as an equal! Inside, you always look down on me! I cannot forgive that! Because of you, I fell into hell!"
For that reason he won't let Yuto and Shun to end up the same way as he and Akihiro did.
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:
The Cyber Magical Swordsman– Yuya and his friends follow Shun's Intel about the five lieutenants responsible spreading the virus across LINK VRAINS. They encounter the first of the lieutenants, Hyde, the one who created the virus and bugs.
FANFIC ORIGINAL CARD MEMO:
PHANTOM KNIGHTS – NAUTILUS CLOUD: (WARRIOR / DARK / EFFECT / ATK: 1200 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 5). When you control no monster while your opponent does, you can special summon this card from your hand.
PHANTOM KNIGHTS – ARGENT FEAR: (WARRIOR / DARK / EFFECT / ATK: 1300 / DEF: 1600 / LV: 5). When a Phantom Knights Monster is special summoned through its effect, you can special summon this card from your hand.
PHANTOM KNIGHTS – BLACK PRINTS: (WARRIOR / DARK / EFFECT / ATK: 1200 / DEF: 800 / LV: 3). When your opponent activates an effect that will destroy a monster you control, you can discard this card from your hand to negate destruction.
PHANTOM'S DRUG: Negate the destruction of a DARK Monster you control. (Trap Card)
PHANTOM SILENT ECHO: When the ATK and DEF of a monster you control were changed through monster effect during Battle Phase, you can activate this card the moment it was set to negate that effect. (Trap Card)
PHANTOM LINK: When a DARK Monster you control is destroyed by Battle, you can special summon this card as two monsters and perform Link Summon. (Quick-Play Magic)
DRAGON'S PHANTOM ARMOR: Until the end of this Turn, DARK Dragon-Type Monster you control cannot be destroyed by Battle. (Trap Card)
RAID RAPTORS HATCHLING REMNANTS: When an Xyz Raid Raptors Xyz Monster you control is destroyed, you can special summon two Level 4 or lower Raid Raptors from your Graveyard. (Trap Card)
PHANTOM FUSION: During Battle Phase, if a monster you control battle a monster with higher ATK, you can perform Fusion Summon using the targeted monster and this card as Fusion Materials. (Quick-Play Magic)
Finally done! The plot will move more starting the next chapter! Meaning, more actions to come! Before you ask, yes, Akihiro is based on Kyoji Yagumo from ZEXAL manga. However, I will change his backstory to make him different from Yagumo. I hope this chapter showed enough progress for certain characters' development.
Please don't forget to review this chapter~!