Hi all! Hiyuusha here with another chapter of Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force! With Akiza eliminated from the tournament, only one obstacle lies between Yusei and the title of King. His name: Jack Atlas! Will Yusei finally see a conclusion to the Duel he's fought so long to reach? Maybe you'll find out today, on Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force!
Last time...
"But- But- I just don't see how he could lose!" Yusei heard a feminine voice hiss beside him, turning to face a pink-haired girl deep in discussion with several others.
"Aw come on," Enzo, Yusei recalled from his previous meetings with the teen and Red Hat himself, sighed, "You can't expect the guy to win all the time can ya? Everyone gets a bad draw every once and a while… maybe this was just his."
"Well, he could've at least tried to get the timing a little better…" a chubby man broke in, "against an opponent like that a bad draw's the last thing you need. Any news on when he'll get up?"
"No…" the girl grimaced, leading the group deeper into the stadium, "All… was still… leave."
Yusei frowned. They were too far away to hear. He took a step forward, intending to join the group so he could learn the status of his… acquaintance, friend even, but as usual, Leo had other plans.
…
As his Duel Disk deactivated, Yusei couldn't help but look to see what was going on in his opponent's mind. He had wanted to help her, true, but she had seemed so cold to his attempts that he couldn't help but wonder if there was anything to help after all.
A single drop of water reconfirmed his suspicions.
If it wasn't for the sudden downpour of rain that followed, even the audience would have been able to see what was happening.
The girl, Akiza, was crying.
Yusei frowned, doubting that his Duel with the girl was enough to crack through that terrible outer shell she cherished so.
Why then, did she cry? Was that truly what he saw, or was it a trick of light, brought upon him by the Duel Disk's disappearing holograms.
He was just about to reach out to her when a sudden shout from the crowd broke his thoughts.
"Yeah! That's the way! How's it feel being the one on the ground now Witch?!" a voice from the crowd called.
That single statement… that one comment amongst the rain. It ruined everything.
And Now…
-Chapter Thirty Eight-
Riot
"Any news on when he'll wake up?" Enzo had asked Wisteria, referring to her information as she was the only one of the SOT to actually speak with those tending to the boy.
"No," the girl grimaced, turning on her heel and leading them down another hallway, "All they said was that he was stable at the moment. So I guess that means he's safe for now…" she paused, grimacing at the thought of the doctor, "I had tried to stay around in hopes of waking him up somehow, but that bumbling fool found out and told me to leave."
"So Konami-bro isn't gonna help us sell cards?" Alice asked with a frown.
"It would seem that way," Wisteria frowned, tapping her foot against the floor as she stopped once again, "And to think, none of this would have happened if it weren't for that accursed Witch he seemed so caught up in helping. Honestly, that man will end up getting himself killed trying to save someone, I swear!"
"Well… it could've been worse," Mathew decided, joining the conversation for the first time, "Like you said, he could've gotten killed."
Wisteria frowned at this, gazing towards the floor in defeat. "I know… I just wish there was something more I could do to help out… but, I'm no good at things like medicine."
"Hey," Rathie mumbled, "You gave him that stern talking to right? Odds are everything will be just fine. There's no way Konami will lie down for long after hearing those words come outta your mouth, at least, not if he knows what's good for him."
Wisteria stared at Rathie incredulously, running over the words he just said before nodding imperiously as she often did.
"Yes, yes you're right!" she declared, "I did give him a talking to didn't I?! And it was rather good I'd like to think!" she turned to Enzo, patting him on the back far more roughly than she should, "You'll see Enzo, Konami will be up and at em in no time!"
The boy grimaced, rubbing the point of impact gently as the girl marched off with the rest of the group in tow. "You're saying that like I'm the one who needed to be cheered up…"
"Enzo, what are you mumbling about back there?!" Wisteria asked, "You're going to be left behind! Come on, don't you want to cheer on the person going up against that Witch?!"
The teen grimaced at the words, "Yeah… Yeah… I'll be there in a minute!"
He sighed, staring up at the hallway's Duel Screen where the MC was concluding his regular commentary.
"Yusei "Rising Star" Fudo and Akiza "Black Rose" Izinski! The Final Round of the Fortune Cup starts now! Which of these two Duelists will risk it all in a Turbo Duel against Riding King Jack Atlas?! Let's take it down and find out…"
Enzo snorted at the man's antics as the Duelists' stats appeared on the screen. The MC was just as rambunctious as ever. Turning away from the screen, Enzo sighed, running a hand across the case for his own Deck. It'd been a while since he last threw down… Konami, Akiza and even this Yusei fellow all had Duels set up for them specifically…. When would he once again get a chance to shine? The teen snorted, knowing the answer before he'd even asked it: the next tournament of course.
Yes… the next tournament that would be held at some undisclosed time from now… there was no guarantee such a thing even existed.
Enzo sighed, letting his hands drop as he turned back to glance at the Medical Ward once more.
"Get well soon pal," he thought, "Hasn't even been half an hour and I'm itching for a Duel without you."
With that said, he turned, running to catch up with the others before Wisteria would decide to give him a stern talking to.
Yes. One day he'd shine in the sun… but for now, he'd settle for watching in the distance.
That was an hour ago.
An hour before it started raining… an hour before Yusei had defeat the Black Rose Witch… an hour before, well, an hour before the crowd went wild.
"Yeah! That's the way! How's it feel being the one on the ground now Witch?!" a voice from the crowd called.
Akiza glanced up at the audience, horrified.
Who had said that? Who had uttered that one comment that would bring all of the stadium's wrath down upon her?
"Look at her!" another voice shouted out suddenly, "She's like a deer caught in the headlights! Run her down!"
"Yeah! We don't need your kind 'round here!"
"Get outta Neo Domino, ya damn Witch!"
"Witch? If anything, she's more of a Bit-"
Akiza closed her eyes, closing off the world around her as she retreated into her shell. It was Duel Academia all over again. They would laugh at her, they would glare at her, and then… when she was alone and left with no one to turn to… only then they would finally lash out at her.
It seemed that Akiza's psychic abilities dwelled far beyond that of dueling, for not a minute after she finished that last thought did a bag of popcorn go sailing through the air.
"Get outta here!"
"You lost witch! Go home already!"
From across the arena, Yusei glared at the scene. These were supposed to be the best and brightest of Neo Domino City? These were the people who acted so high and mighty, turning away those who could make far better use of their resources…?
Quickly, the man pushed the bubbling surge of resentment he felt to the recesses of his mind, focusing on the far more important matters at hand.
"Akiza!" he shouted, crossing the Duel Arena as a stray bolt of lightning cracked above him.
The rain was getting worse.
"Yusei…?" the teen asked curiously, staring up at the man in a daze. Her eyes narrowed as she came to her senses, "What're you-?"
"We need to get you out of here," he spoke quickly, raising his arm to defend them as a bottle of coffee splashed beside them, "It's not safe."
"You expect me to leave this place?!" Akiza snapped harshly, only now realizing that she was humiliating herself by resting on her knees, "With you?!"
"Do you have a better idea?" Yusei asked, covering them both once more a rain of condiments and other discarded assortments fell upon them.
"She's enchanted him!"
"It's not safe!" another roared, "Get back, or she'll cast her spell on you too!"
"Burn the Witch!"
"Whether you want to or not, we need to go." Yusei decided, grabbing the girl gently by the shoulder as he helped her to her feet.
"Don't expect me to thank you for this…" Akiza warned, "I have no intention of falling into your… your…"
"I wasn't expecting you to thank me," the crab-head explained, ushering the girl forward as another series of condiments fell towards them, "but it won't stop me from helping you."
"Spare me your heroism." Akiza scowled, "I don't know what it is you're plotting by assisting me here, but be assured that I won't allow it to continue for long!"
Yusei opened his mouth, perhaps to reassure the girl that he didn't have any tricks up his sleeve, only to promptly shut it and shake his head instead. He'd let the girl make her own conclusions about him for the time being.
After all, it wasn't like she could come up with anything worse than the rest of Neo Domino did… right?
-5D's-
"Goodwin!" Jack spat, "What the hell do you think you're doing?! Why isn't Sector Security rounding up those mongrels?!"
"Jack," Rex greeted cordially, his voice surprisingly strained, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
The King grimaced, his face scrunching up angrily as he gave Goodwin a once over, "I already told you! I demand that you make use of your Securities and do away with those bloody fools tossing food down into the arena!"
"Worried for the girl?" Rex wondered aloud, "Worry not. I've already taken measures to ensure no lasting harm comes to her. She is a Signer after all… even if she chooses to deny it."
"The girl?" Jack asked, glancing down to the stadium where Yusei was assisting Akiza, "I could care less about her!" he roared, "The only thing I'm concerned with at the moment is my Duel with Yusei, which up to this point, has been postponed again and again thanks to you and your schemes! I've had enough of it I say! Now, call Lazar and have him put an end to this madness would you?!"
Goodwin sighed, rubbing his forehead in agony, "Unfortunately, Lazar and the rest of Sector Security are a bit… preoccupied at the moment. And I'm sorry to say it Jack, but what they're doing is far more important than feeding your ego or helping you attain your grudge match with dear Yusei."
The King grimaced, his hand curling into a tight fist as he glared at Goodwin incredulously, "What was that?"
"It's time you started looking at the big picture Jack," Goodwin continued, flexing his cybernetic arm as he gazed out the window from his desk, "things have finally started to come to a head. It's only a matter of time before they appear."
Jack didn't need to ask to know who it was Goodwin spoke of. "They?" he asked incredulously, "Please don't tell me that you're going on about these Dark Signers you've dreamed up again? You've seem to gained quite the habit of deflecting inquiries, haven't you Goodwin? Day in and day out you've been rambling on about these Dark Signers of yours, and yet, what do you have to show for it, light shows and petty tricks?!"
"Light shows and petty tricks?" Goodwin repeated quietly, a deathly silence coming over the room. "Do not take me for a conjurer of cheap tricks! You know nothing! I have spent years, years, preparing this city for what was to come! I've sacrificed years, to ensure this land will be capable of surviving the coming storm!" he grimaced, taking in Jack's appearance as he continued his tirade, "And now, I see it all threatened by a single man, far too caught up in his own likeness to see what's at stake!"
Jack gnashed his teeth, "Do not attempt to ridicule me, Goodwin! I'll have you remember that I am King-"
"King?!" Goodwin spat, "King of what?! Everything you think you've earned, everything you believe to have gained through your hard work and sacrifice, do not forget that it was I who made it all possible! If not for me, you would still be sitting in a ruined throne amongst an abandoned theater!"
"That was two years ago!" Jack scowled, taking another step forward as he thought of hitting the man, "Things have changed now, "I've made myself known, never again shall I be forced to-"
"Enough! You may have seated yourself upon the throne of Kings Jack," Goodwin started, rising from his seat with a thunderous expression, "But I sit upon a throne of Gods."
The doors to his office suddenly burst open, and two heavily muscled men strode inside.
"You called for us sir?" one of them asked, glancing between Jack and Goodwin warily.
"Yes," Goodwin spoke calmly, "Mr. Atlas here was just about to leave… weren't you Jack?"
"Leave?" Jack spat angrily, "The hell I am!"
One of the guards set a hand on Jack's shoulder, "Let's go son, no need to get rowdy."
Jack turned, driving his knee into the man's stomach before turning on his heel, making use of his Duel Disk to swipe the other one across the face. The two crumpled with relative ease.
"Goodwin!" the King shouted, throwing a punch at the Director in his rush of anger.
Rex closed his eyes, catching the fist with his cybernetic arm and grasping it tightly.
"It's time you learned some humility Jack." The man began coolly, steadily applying pressure to Jack's arm as his bones began to creak. "And I believe, this will be just the thing."
Jack's eyes went wide as he found himself on one knee, and if it hadn't been for feeling his throat go hoarse, he wouldn't have even realized he was screaming.
"My arm… Goodwin, what have you done?"
"Something I should have a long, long time ago." Rex replied, drawing a folder from the confines of his desk. "Do you truly wish to know just how much of a King you are?"
Jack glanced at the man curiously, his vision blurring in and out from the pain his arm was delivering.
"Read it." Goodwin advised, tossing the folder to Jack's feet, "Read it… and maybe then you'll see, just how puny and insignificant you are."
Jack made to open his mouth, perhaps to scream and yell at Goodwin some more, but he found he couldn't. A sudden blow to the back of his head knocked him from his senses, and he fell to the ground unconscious.
"Sorry about that boss," one of the fallen guards apologized, "he got the drop on us."
"Take him away," Goodwin grunted, "and before I forget… that folder there, perhaps you'd see fit to give a copy to an aspiring reporter? I hear Ms. Raines has quite the career in the making, if you know what I mean."
The second guard nodded, taking the folder and looking at its contents. His eyes went wide, "But Boss, this kind of info will-"
"Ruin Jack?" Goodwin answered, "Yes… I'm well aware of what it will do to his career. Nonetheless… the man needs it. He's spent far too long relying on the fame of the spotlight. It's time someone gave him a wakeup call. And if not me, well… who better than his own fans?"
A frowning Goodwin, a fallen King, and two guards dealing with things far above their pay grade… if it weren't for the raging crowd below someone might have just given the scene pause. Oh well, only one thing was certain…
Horahkty wasn't going to be happy about this.
-5D's-
"So would you care to explain to me exactly why you thought this was a good idea?!" Enzo hissed, following Wisteria as she swiftly pushed her way through the crowd into the lower hallways.
"Well, isn't it obvious?" the girl snapped, "It was that Witch's fault that Konami got in the state he's in in the first place right? If anyone should be able to fix it immediately, it would be her!"
"Look, Wisteria, I know you have a thing for him and all, but even I think this is getting a little bit- ow!" the teen grimaced, rubbing his shoulder as he pushed his way through the angry crowd, "Watch it pal, I get your eager and all, but the least you could do is stop shoving into people!"
The culprit didn't bother with a proper response, opting to glare at the teen furiously before shoving past him in search of the Black Rose Witch.
Wisteria's voice quickly caught the teen's attention once more, leading him on as she moved into yet another hallway. "Enzo! Where'd you go?!"
"I'm right here," the boy grimaced, catching up to her as quickly as possible, "Some of these guys… not very polite."
"Whatever," the girl sniffed, "Come on already! I thought I saw them just a few moments ago…"
"H-Huh? Really?" Enzo asked, "Where? When?"
Wisteria frowned, increasing her pace, "They just turned the corner; if we hurry up we might still be able to catch up with them!"
Enzo nodded, following the girl through the winding halls and rowdy seats towards their intended targets.
It took some time, but after several moments, he thought he could make out the distinct spiky hair Yusei was known for. And of course… finding Yusei meant…
"Look!" Wisteria hissed, "There she is! That Witch… Let's move now, before someone else gets to her!"
"Wait Wisteria," Enzo warned, "This is the last chance to back out. Do you really wanna go antagonize this woman?"
"Of course I do!" Wisteria huffed, "I mean, no! That's not what we're here for! I merely want her to fix what she did to Konami, after that, she can go do whatever it is she wants!"
"Well, alright, if you're sure…" Enzo sighed, "I still think we should've brought some of the others along… you know, just in case."
"Oh budge up," Wisteria smirked, "It'll be fine! Now then, let's do this, go on Enzo, go get her!"
"W-What? Me?!" the boy asked in shock, "Hold on, why do I have to be the one to go do it? This was your plan; you should be the one in charge of talking to her!"
"Well, yes, under normal circumstances that would be true but… well, you see-" Wisteria pouted.
"You, You're scared of her aren't you?!" Enzo accused, "You're scared of her, so you're trying to get out of it by having me go talk to her instead!"
"That's, that's… who's to say you're not the one who's afraid of her!" Wisteria retorted.
"Me? Afraid…? Not at all!" Enzo puffed his chest, "As if I'd be afraid of… her!"
"Prove it then," Wisteria smirked, "You take the lead."
"Fine! I will!"
"Good," Wisteria laughed, pointing forward, "There she is."
Enzo gulped. He had known the girl was there, but he hadn't expected to get pushed to the "front lines" so to speak.
"Uh, right then…" he frowned, "Here we go… ahem…"
Wisteria frowned, walking behind the boy several paces as Yusei and Akiza came to a stop.
"Is this not far enough?" the witch hissed, "There's no one even around!"
"It's better to be sure." Yusei replied. "No one seems to be too fond of you at the moment."
Wisteria found this to be the perfect time to make an entrance, "Isn't that the truth? You've been causing quite a stir recently, haven't you witch?"
Akiza frowned at the voice, watching the pink-haired girl suddenly push a stumbling Enzo forward. "You two… what are you doing here? Did Red Hat put you up to this?"
"Huh?" Yusei blinked, "You know these people Akiza? I recognize one of them from earlier… Konami's friend…"
"I know full well who they are," Akiza grimaced, "They made themselves known to me when they launched an assault on the Arcadia Movement! All at the behest of that leader of theirs, "Red Hat" Konami!"
"Glad to see you remember," Wisteria scowled, "I suppose that'll save me time."
"Save you time?" Akiza asked, "What are you on about?"
"What am I on about?" Wisteria asked, her eyes narrowing to slits, "Konami of course! You did something to him, didn't you?! Some kind of dark trickery… more than what you've shown in those Psychic Duels of yours! I demand that you undo whatever it is you've done immediately!"
Akiza frowned at the girl, "Undo what I did…? Is this some kind of joke?"
"Ah, I knew this was a bad idea…" Enzo grimaced, "Look, Akiza, right?"
The girl snapped her head towards Enzo, taking in his appearance coolly, "What is it?"
"Er… well you see, ever since his Duel with you, Konami's been kinda… well… to put it simply he just hasn't woken up. We were hoping… you might be able to use some of your psychic mumbo jumbo to fix him up and all, you know! Make him good as new?"
Akiza grimaced, her hand clenching the cloth at her waist as she thought over what the boy was saying. "He's still asleep? Strange… usually he would be up and about by now… I half expected him to be the one approaching me like this, not his little "sidekicks.""
"Akiza-" Yusei started, only to be cut off by Enzo once more.
"Come on, isn't there something you can do? You know… anything?" Enzo pleaded.
Akiza closed her eyes, "What happened to Red Hat was not of my doing. And even if I could reverse what had happened, which I doubt, why on earth should I bother?" she smirked at the growing glares of the group, "He's been nothing but a pain in my side since the day we've met, I think I could do with some peace and quiet for once."
Wisteria gaped at the woman in disgust, "You-! You foul, wicked," she paused, struggling for the right word, "Witch!"
Akiza's mouth twitched upward, "I've been called worse things. Now, if that's all-"
"Akiza, wait!" Yusei started, "Think about this. It's your opportunity to help someone; you really don't want to just leave them hanging, do you?"
The Witch snorted, "I've humored you and Konami's little girl scouts long enough I think. Besides, I already told you that there would be nothing I can do. My powers exist only to destroy. It'd be useless trying to use them to help others."
"But, your comments earlier mean you know something right?" Enzo protested, "You said you weren't the one who did it to him… that means someone else was in that dust cloud with you! Who was it? Come on, Akiza, give us a name!"
"You want a name?" the girl repeated, furrowing her brows in disgust. "You want to know who's responsible for his condition? Very well, I'll tell you, if only to see the look on your faces. Besides, it might do some good to have him occupied with things other than undermining the Arcadia Movement Divine built."
Wisteria glowered at the woman. She was stalling. "Hurry up and get to the point then! If you didn't do it, who did?!"
Akiza cackled, "The person responsible for your friend's condition is Sayer, renewed lord of the Arcadia Movement. But I suppose you and your little boy toy here would be more familiar with him as the man in the ice chamber, Divine."
"N-No way," Enzo blinked in surprise, "That frozen dude did this to Konami? But I thought he was… you know, frozen!"
"He woke up not long after your departure from the premises," Akiza explained, curling her hands into fists, "and ever since, he's been masquerading around as our former leader, despite my knowledge that this is ultimately not the case!"
"Masquerading…?" Yusei asked, "So this person then… he's not really Divine?"
"Of course not!" Akiza snapped, "Divine would never be so foolish as to act as recklessly as this Sayer character has! He'd never take such risks as attacking someone out in the open!"
"Then why don't you do something about him?" Wisteria scowled, "It sounds like he's a problem for you just as much as he is for Kon-kun!"
Akiza glared at the girl once more, "Things are not as simple as you think." Her hand tightened, "Enough, I will not speak of such things here. If you wish to help your friend, seek Sayer. He's the one who'll have the answers you seek."
"And where would we go about finding this… Sayer character?" Wisteria sniffed, folding her arms imperiously. "The Arcadia Movement?"
Akiza cackled, that psychotic grin she loved to play with coming to light as she stared down the pink-haired girl, "No. Last I spoke with him, he had seemed rather intent on making for Peru. Who knows… with all the hours that have passed, he may have already left."
"P-Peru?!" Enzo gaped, "What the hell- What's he doing all the way down there?!"
"Who knows?" Akiza smirked, "Maybe if you find him you can ask. Until then," she turned, sweeping away from the group as quickly as possible, "stay away from me and my people."
Yusei frowned, watching the girl disappear into the shadows of the stadium. Just when he thought he was finally making progress… he should've known things were going too well.
-5D's-
Angela Raines was by no means an ordinary reporter. Since day one of her career, she had aspired to be the greatest, to become the most renowned newscaster the Daily Duel ever had.
And with the connections she'd made over the years, she liked to think that she was doing rather well.
"Uh, Ms. Raines?" her assistant called, setting his camera down against the wall, "There's a um… a person here to see you?"
Angela blinked in surprise, stepping away from the mirror as she finished checking her hair. Reporters had to look good after all, "Well don't keep them waiting Hans let them in! I'd like to get this over with so I can try and get an interview with that finalist… Fusei Yudo?"
The cameraman sighed at the name, shaking his head at Angela's inaccuracy. "Right, come on in."
"Thanks," the burly visitor said quickly, stepping inside the reporter's room and glancing around, "Is she-?"
"Yeah, in the ladies room," Hans confirmed, returning to his camera tune up, "She'll be out soon I think."
"Here I am!" Angela said quickly, stopping at the door to adjust her shirt promptly, "Now then, to whom do I owe the plea-? Oh, well if it isn't Goodwin's little lackey. Having fun in the office?"
"Angela," Goodwin's guard greeted, bowing ever so slightly, "always a pleasure."
"Spare me," she smirked, rolling her eyes and shooing Hans out the room. She waited until the door was shut to continue their conversation. "So, is this a social call or did Goodwin have need of me?"
"The latter I'm afraid," the guard said, pulling a folder from his sleeve, "but I'm sure that this particular request will do wonders for your career as well."
"Oh really?" Angela asked, raising a brow, "And just what is so important about this file that Goodwin saw fit to give it to me? An illicit affair? A secret conspiracy for murder? Come on now, don't leave me hanging."
"Why don't you take a look?"
Angela smirked, shaking her head at the guard before flipping the file open. What she found astounded her.
"This…? What is this? Surely it's not what I'm seeing, right?"
"Oh I assure you, Goodwin says this is very real." The guard chuckled, "He even said he was willing to attest to that on tape."
"But, wouldn't this damage his career?" Angela asked, "Never mind what it would do to Jack Atlas!"
"The boss says that Mr. Atlas needed a bit of a wakeup call," the guard shrugged, "I guess he thought having this put on air would be the best way to give him one."
"Oh he'll be getting a wakeup call alright. The fans will be at his throat once I host this story!" Angela spoke giddily, "He won't be able to go a day without someone booing at him or demanding recompense for all their wasted time and money…. It'll be the story of a lifetime! A King torn from his throne… and I'll be the one covering it!"
"Exactly," the guard smirked, "then you understand what must be done?"
"Oh of course," Angela laughed, looking through the file once more. "but bribery… really, who'd have thought?! And from how long this list goes on, it looks like not one of his Duels have been won fairly… oh I'll have a Field Day with this one. I'll owe Goodwin big!"
"See to it you remember that." The guard said with a tone of finality, stepping outside the room to leave Angela with her thoughts.
The girl giggled, running the many thoughts throw her head. She could imagine thousands of headlines… and at the moment, one in particular really seemed to jump out at her.
Jack Atlas… King no More.
-Chapter Thirty Eight-
End
Angela Raines is on the case! With a file of bribed Duelists in her hands, Jack Atlas' career as King is all but over! And what of Sayer? Will Enzo and the rest of the SOT catch up to him before he leaves for Peru? With the little information they have to go off of, it's highly unlikely! Be prepared for more twists and turns, next time, on Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force!
Memory Fragment W10
"Tragoedia… you've lost."
Things had come to an end at long last.
With a violent terrible shriek, the Egyptian shadow faded, reverting into the sinister black creature that bore the name Tragoedia.
"Impossible! Never before. Shadow Game!"
"That's right," Konami spoke calmly, "and as per the conditions, you shall return Wisteria to my care."
Tragoedia hissed, snapping its pincers at the boy angrily. "Folly! Lost. Rematch!"
"That was not part of the agreement," Konami continued, "Return her to me, or shall I claim your spirit instead?"
"Mortal! Do not. Test me!" Tragoedia snapped, its sound echoing angrily through the chamber.
"I already have, you failed." Konami decided, "So… I'll ask once more. Return the girl, now."
Tragoedia hissed, glaring at the boy as it snapped its pincer once more. "No choice. Take. Force!"
Konami's eyes widened at the words, and before he knew what was happening Tragoedia charged, its pincers raised and poised to strike.
"Use! Sacrifice!"Tragoedia uttered.
"You'll be the only sacrifice here!" Konami grimaced, "I never deactivated my Duel Disk! Behold, Mirror Force!"
Tragoedia's sinister red eyes widened as a gleaming light enveloped the space around Konami, repelling its pincer with tremendous force. It never stood a chance.
With a single crack, the power of Konami's Trap Card activated, the invisible barrier releasing an ethereal glow that overwhelmed the dark monster completely.
"Confused! Feel! Pain!"Tragoedia shrieked in futility as the light overwhelmed it, shredding his remains to ashes.
Konami lowered his Duel Disk stoically, watching the sizzled remains of the creature fade to ash. "Next time," he advised, "you should listen when people ask for their things nicely."
The sound of a light groan drew his attention.
"Wisteria!" he shouted, making his way over to the girl briskly.
"H-Huh…? What… happened?" the girl asked in confusion, gripping her head lightly.
"You ran off after complaining about that Golden Egg Sandwich I force-fed you." Konami explained, "You were taken by that thing, Tragoedia… don't you remember?"
"Huh? I was…?" the Obelisk Blue frowned, "That's… That's right! You left me to die! How could you do something so- huh? Where is it?"
"I defeated it," Konami spoke in amusement, "rescuing the damsel in distress in the process."
"You… beat that thing?!" Wisteria asked, turning to see the final pincers of the creature disappear, "I-Impossible… how on earth-?"
"Seems it was good at dueling," Red Hat grinned, offering a hand to the girl, "I was better."
Wisteria snorted at the words, taking the boy's hand as she pulled herself to her feet. She grimaced as she glanced at the chamber, dusting off her clothes before turning back to Konami. "So you saved me then?" she smirked, "What a darling prince you've turned out to be. I suppose Alexis was right about you after all."
"So she's the one who set you on me," Konami laughed, "I should've known."
"I'll admit I had my doubts, but dueling a giant monster like that…? It couldn't have been easy…" Wisteria frowned, "I guess I'll just have to admit that you have a bit of skill after all."
"I thought we established that long ago?"
Wisteria ignored him.
"So, what is this place anyway? Some kind of chamber…?"
"Tragoedia planned to sacrifice you here." Konami explained, "It seemed like he was pretty close to finishing whatever it was he set out to do too."
"I was going to be a sacrifice?" the girl asked, affronted, "For what?!"
"That's what I'm gonna find out." Red Hat said, stepping into a hall leading deeper into Tragoedia's abode. "You coming?"
Wisteria frowned, staring at the Slifer Red planning to lead her even deeper into the underground caverns. Go with him or work her way back up through the darkness alone? It wasn't much of a choice.
"Y-Yes! Wait for me!"
END