Quillion9000:This chapter... Some of you may be confused or displeased with a certain aspect considering there is no build up to it. Don't worry to much. It's a small point in the entire story and it is explained why it doesn't come up in universe, but I would also like to explain why it doesn't seem to come up before this. The simple fact is, the two characters used show up so rarely in canon.
I will say it is the start of a relationship. Anyways, this is an attempt, on Unknown and I's part, to use these characters a bit more and to ensure the story shifts as much as possible without getting rid of strife and challenges completely. That just makes for a boring story. If you like what we did, then cool. If you didn't, well, it is a small part of the entire. Since I don't want any of the characters potentially spoiling things and Zack... still recovering... I'll take care of the disclaimer.
Disclaimer:Unknown entity328 and I do not own Naruto or Yugioh Gx. They only own their original characters and any plot points they may come up with. Get You Game on!
Coauthor:Unknown entity328
Half Finished ColosseumH
Bastion and Syrus entered seeing that the colosseum looked like one you could find in Rome. They also found several students, including Jasmine and Mindy, and Crowler working on the place.
"Huh, I didn't think those two were into hard labor." Syrus stated.
"What's that supposed to mean Syrus?" Jasmine asked sounding rather offended.
Syrus shook his hands in front of himself defensively. "I meant nothing by it. I-It's not like woman couldn't do this work. You two just didn't strike me as the type to enjoy this work. I mean I wouldn't want to do this. I don't have the build for this."
Bastion put a hand on Syrus' shoulder to stop him from babbling. "Doctor Crowler, what is going on here?"
"Just doing some work for some rare cards." Crowler stated.
Mindy smiled. "Yeah, no way this would be worth it unless we were getting some rare cards." She then looked off to the right. "By the way, her tiger doesn't like new people."
The duo turned their heads to look at a tiger off to the right. This resulted in them scurrying to top of an unfinished pillar as the tiger got close to scratching them.
"Now Amazoness Tiger, that is not how we greet a key holder and his friend. Come over here." A famine voice ordered.
The duo turned to find a woman wearing a dark blue tank top, a double buckled belt, combat pants, ankle bracelets, and an elbow length left and wrist length right glove with studded knuckles. Her maroon hair was tied back in one long ponytail reaching below her waist. She was also rather muscular. The tiger approached her, and she lovingly gave him attention.
"Okay, what is going on here!?" Syrus asked still shaken from being chased by the tiger.
The woman smiled. "This is the arena where I plan to duel the remaining key holders. Your friends here make surprisingly great workers." She walked over to them while taking out cards. "Speaking of which, I might as well send them home with full pay. No reason to keep them around when the key holders have started finding me."
The woman handed out rare cards to everyone with most of them immediately taking off save for Crowler, Mindy, and Jasmine. Once the woman was done, she came to stand in front of Bastion and Syrus who'd climbed down from their pillar.
"How rude of me key keeper. I should have introduced myself. I am the Shadow Rider Tania. Also known as Tania the Amazon." Tania informed.
Bastion stepped forward. "Well, I am Bastion Misawa. I am a first year and top student of Ra. I shall be your opponent."
Tania smiled. "Oh, you have some fight. I like that in a potential mate."
Bastion found himself blushing, but he shook his head. "Let's get down to business. What are the terms of the duel?"
"If I win, I get your key; however, this won't be a Shadow Duel because I'm not after your soul." Tania informed.
That caught Bastion off guard. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me right big boy. You see, it's like this. My tribe is comprised of all women, so to marry I must shop around." Tania explained.
"Marry!?" Bastion asked shocked.
"That's right hun." She winked. "Now let's do this."
(Bastion 4000/Tania 4000)
Syrus moved to the stands and to his shock, Crowler, Mindy, and Jasmine joined him. He also noticed that Jasmine seemed rather annoyed, but he wasn't about to bring it up in case in had to do with his earlier comment.
Fortunately, he didn't have to bring it up at all. "The nerve of that lady. Forcing Bastion into a duel for marriage. Zack would be appalled."
Mindy giggled. "You sure you're not just using Zack as an excuse because you don't want Bastion to duel for his hand in marriage."
Jasmine turned away from Mindy and crossed her arms. "Don't be ridiculous."
This only made Mindy giggle more. Bastion was unaware of what they were saying up there though he was confused by how Syrus kept looking from Jasmine to him.
"I'll start by summoning my Amazoness Swordswoman(1500/1600)." A woman in a blue tank top with long, messy red hair appeared. "I'll then place two cards face down and end my turn."
"I'm up." Bastion drew. "I activate my Summoning Jutsu: Snakes. This spell grants me two Snake Tokens(1000/1000)." Two small, purple snakes appeared. "I'll then tribute them both to summon my Guren(2500/2000)." A woman in a green kimono with white camellias on it appeared. "I'll have her attack your Swordswoman."
Swordswoman was destroyed, but Bastion took the damage (Bastion 3000/Tania 4000).
Tania smiled at Bastion's frustration. "Let me assure you that what just happened was the effect of my Swordswoman. You take all battle damage whenever this card is involved in a battle. I'm not done with just that. I activate Pride of Tribe allowing me to summon an Amazoness Swordswoman(1500/1600), from my deck, due to the loss of the first Swordswoman."
"I set two cards and end my turn." Bastion declared.
"Oh my, you are keeping quite the level head there. That's another wonderful trait." Tania stated excitedly.
"I think she went over the edge ages ago." Crowler commented.
Syrus looked at Crowler in disbelief. "You three were working for her until a short while ago. That's another thing, you three were working for a Shadow Rider."
Jasmine was fuming as she noticed Bastion's blush.
The top Ra cleared his throat. "I know what you are trying to do, and it won't work my dear. I'm too focused."
"That cute blush on your face says otherwise." Tania drew. "I activate Polymerization allowing me to fuse my Amazoness Queen in my hand with the Amazoness Swordswoman on the field to summon Amazoness Empress(2800/2400)."
A woman with white hair and a black and red cape appeared.
Bastion was aware of the monster and fortunately had a trap that would get rid of it. "I activate Demon Consuming Seal. With this, I can remove your empress, but I must also remove my Guren. A small price to pay considering your fusion's effect."
Tania gushed over him. "Not many could claim to get over my Empress. You are simply amazing Bastion." Bastion froze as his blush deepened. "You are just so handsome, and I am really loving you."
The Ra was not used to this level of compliment from the opposite gender. It sent his heart beating so fast that he had to put his hand over it.
"This isn't good. Bastion's losing it." Syrus stated worried.
Jasmine had officially had enough. "Bastion Misawa, you better not think about falling in love with her. I mean come on, this isn't the Bastion I've admired. This isn't the Bastion that duels with true passion. Stand tall and duel…" She gulped. "If you do, I'll let you take me on a date."
That certainly got Bastion's attention because he whipped his head around to face her. All thoughts of Tania had been momentarily tossed out of his mind. Syrus and Crowler looked at her with shock while Mindy was positively beaming, and Tania was curious.
"You like me?" Bastion was also quite confused, but that hadn't really changed since this whole affair began.
Jasmine was blushing something fierce. "Don't make me repeat myself you love struck idiot. I've admired you ever since the first exam. The way you duel and… Jus… If you're going to lose, then do so genuinely. Don't falter because some other girl pays you a compliment."
Bastion shook his head completely losing his blush. "This day has turned out differently than I expected, but she's right. I lost track of what was important over a few compliments. It's time I start to play for real."
Tania smirked. "Well, seems you're off the market hun. Ah well, I can still take that key and try to make husband out of the next key holder. Provided he's a free man. After all, Amazons don't make a habit of stealing other lady's men." She waved to Jasmine with a smile. "You should have spoken up earlier dear."
Jasmine crossed her arms and looked away. "I speak up when I choose."
Tania smiled. "I'll play my Amazoness Fighter(1300/1300)." A muscular woman in primitive, Amazon battle wear appeared. "She'll attack you directly."
"I activate my Magic Cylinder to redirect the attack back at you (Bastion 3000/Tania 2700)." Bastion declared.
"A nice move." Tania complimented. "I end my turn."
Bastion drew. "I activate Polymerization to fuse Dosu, Zaku, and Kin to summon my ultimate monster Orochimaru(3000/2500)." A pale skinned man with long, black hair and snake like eyes appeared. "He'll attack your Fighter."
"Any battle involving Amazoness Fighter results in no battle damage to me." Tania informed.
"I end my turn." Bastion declared.
Mindy nudged Jasmine. "Look Jasmine, your boyfriend's really fighting now. Just like you wanted."
Jasmine glared. "He's not my boyfriend."
Tania drew. "I activate Pot of Greed allowing me to draw two cards. I'll then play my Amazoness Swordswoman(1500/1600) and have her attack your Orochimaru. Remember, you take all the battle damage where this card is concerned (Bastion 1500/Tania 2700)."
"I'm assuming you did that because you have a way to secure a line of defense." Bastion stated.
Tania smiled. "Indeed, I do. I activate Premature Burial. Now by paying 800 life points, I can bring back my Amazoness Queen(2400/1800)." A woman in primitive garb with a large blade in her hand appeared (Bastion 1500/Tania 1900). "She may not be as strong as your Orochimaru, but her effect prevents the destruction, by battle, of all my Amazoness monsters. I end my turn."
Bastion drew. "I set one card and I'll have Orochimaru attack your Queen for the life point damage (Bastion 1500/Tania 1300)."
Tania drew. "This seems like the right time to activate my face down. Amazoness Willpower. This allows me to special summon any Amazoness monster from my grave; however, it can no longer change battle position and it must attack if able." Bastion knew what was coming.
"You can guess who I choose. Come forth Amazoness Swordswoman(1500/1600). I'll then activate Amazoness Spellcaster. This switches one of my monster's attacks with one of yours. I choose Swordswoman and Orochimaru. Now she'll attack you monster."
"I activate my face down, Test Curse Mark. My monster gains 1500 more ATK until the end of the turn and would have been destroyed at that point; however, that clearly doesn't matter." Bastion declared.
Orochimaru and Swordswoman wiped each other out leaving Bastion defenseless.
Tania smiled. "It was a good duel. Shame I can't make you my husband. Ah well, I'll just have to wait for the next key holder. Amazoness Queen destroy his life points (Bastion 0/Tania 1300).
Bastion fell to one knee feeling rather down that he let some girl's compliments shake him. If only he'd been on his game the entire duel, then it would have turned out differently. Now, he'd lost his key as it vanished from his neck.
"Bastion!" Syrus shouted.
He ran towards his downed friend as everyone followed him.
Jasmine sighed, "You duel, but you lost your key in the process you idiot."
She helped him up.
Bastion sighed. "Sorry about that. I wasn't in my right mind for most of that duel."
"So, you ended up losing Bastion?" Chazz stated as he and Chumley walked into the arena. "That's to bad, but fortunately the Chazz is here to remedy the situation."
Everyone looked at him with Tania asking. "Who are you?"
"Chazz Princeton." He pulled out his key. "I'm your next opponent Shadow Rider."
Abandoned Dorm: Banner's Room, About the Same Time as Bastion's Duel…
Zack and Amnael activated their duel disk. "Duel!"
(Zack 4000/Amnael 4000)
"I start by activating my Alchemic Kettle-Chaos Distill. Due to it's effect, all my cards will be banished instead of being sent to the graveyard. It also allows me to use many spells. Three of them are Steel Lamp, Bronze Scale, and Lead Compass. These in turn allow me to summon Alchemy Beasts Salamandra the Steel(500/500), Ouroboros the Bronze(500/500), and Leon the Lead(500/500)."
A steel a dragon, a lead colored lion, and a bronze colored snake appeared.
"Three monsters in one turn!" Zack was shocked.
"It gets worse Zack. Be wary of how many cards he banishes." Atticus stated.
"They're right Zackery. This is only the beginning. If you wish to win, you will have to duel at your best. I activate Black Process-Negledo. Since I control Distill, and have no cards in my hand, I can banish my three Alchemy Beasts. I then draw two cards for every beast banished."
Banner drew six cards. "I'll now activate Chaos Greed. Since four or more cards have been removed from play and I have no cards in my grave, I can draw another two cards. I'll activate Tin Spell Circle, Mercury Hourglass, and Silver Key.
They in turn allow me to summon Alchemy Beasts Aretos the Tin(500/500), Ekenas the Mercury(500/500), and Moonface the Silver(500/500)." A tin colored bird, a mercury colored sea animal, and a silver moon with a large legs, small face, and small arms appeared. "I'll end with a face down."
"Well, I've never faced an opponent with a deck quite like yours." Zack drew. "Thought I don't see that as a reason to give up. I'll start things off with a change of scenery. I play Konoha." The room shifted becoming the village with giant wooden walls.
"This field spell gives my Shinobi 300 more ATK and every time you destroy a Shinobi monster, I'll get to summon a LV 4 or lower to take its place. I now summon Lee(2000/1500)." The boy in green spandex with a bowl cut and bushy eye brows appeared. "He'll attack Moonface the Silver."
"I activate Elemental Absorber. With this card, I can banish a monster from my hand. From then on, a monster with the same attribute as the one sent can no longer declare an attack. I have The Rock Spirit in my hand."
A rock wall formed blocking Lee's kicks.
Zack grit his teeth. "I throw down two face downs and end my turn."
Banner drew and smiled. "I activate White Process-Albedo. This spell, so long as Chaos Distill is on the field, allows me to summon Golden Homunculus(1500/1500)." A huge, golden golem appeared.
"Golden Homunculus(5400/5400) gains 300 ATK and Def for every one of my banished cards." Zack stepped back in shock at the ATK points that were larger than his life points. "He's not the only one with an effect. I forgot to tell you that my Alchemy Beast can attack directly."
Zack was blasted by the three Alchemy Beast causing him to scream out in pain as he was brought to his knees. His breathing suddenly becoming haggard as all the damage from past Shadow Games compound the pain (Zack 2500/Amnael 4000)
"Unless one of those pitiful traps can save you, this duel is over. Golden Homunculus, attack Lee." Amnael declared.
"Zack!" Atticus worriedly shouted.
"Not happening. I activate Substitution." Zack declared.
A wooden log appeared blocking fist. The impact of the attack shattered the log, but the card went faced down again.
Banner chuckled. "It's a temporary way to extend the duel. Either you will fall to Homunculus or you will eventually fall to my Alchemy Beast. It doesn't matter which because this duel will soon be over one or the other."
"I just need to survive the next turn and this duel could very well end in my favor." Zack placed a hand on his heart. "Just need to hold out a little longer." He drew. "I set one monster face down and I'll switch Lee to defense."
Banner drew. "My Alchemy Beasts will attack you directly once more."
Zack took every hit with another scream of agony and pain (Zack 1000/Amnael 4000). This time, he managed to stay standing; however, he began to sway as everything became so fuzzy until he fell hitting the ground hard seemingly unconscious.
Amnael laughed. "Is that all you have Zackery? I expected more of the Hero of Domino City than this pitiful display."
"Lay off Banner. You know as well as we do the duels Zack fought before this one." Atticus stated trying to defend him.
Amnael continued to laugh. "I am aware, but it doesn't matter to me. He was the one to start this duel, and I'm merrily going to end it."
Zane stepped forward. "Wait, I'll take his place. I'll continue the duel since he can't."
Amnael shook his head. "I don't have to agree to that."
At that moment, Jaden ran into the room panting. "I finally made…" He noticed Zack laid on the ground. "Zack! What…" He then noticed Banner and the holograms. "Banner… I didn't want to believe it, but it's true. You're a Shadow Rider." He looked at Zack sadly. "You hurt Zack."
"Did you think this was something I wouldn't do Jaden? My act must have been better than I imagined. Anyways, if you wish to duel me next, then you'll have to wait a moment. I mean, I do have to finish my turn, but I doubt Zackery will be able to take his next." Amnael pointed at Zack. "Now, Golden Homunculus destroy his face down."
"Can't a guy get a little rest around here?" Zack moved his hand to his trap. "I activate Substitution."
The wooden log appeared and took the attack once more. The Obelisk-Slifer then rose to one knee panting and huffing from the effort.
Atticus and Jaden had huge, goofy grins while Zane had a small smile.
"End your turn Banner because this duel is over." Zack declared.
Amnael chuckled. "Well, at least the hero of Domino can take punishment. Very well, I end my turn."
Zack drew. "I start by activating my other face down Dust Tornado allowing me to destroy that Elemental Absorption. Next, I flip Ino(1100/700 Konoha)." The girl with long, blond hair and purple attire appeared.
"Her effect then activates allowing me to take the monster from your side of the field with the lowest attack. Since they're tied, I choose your Moonface. I then sacrifice them both to summon Asuma(3300/2200 Konoha + Kunai)."
The man with black hair, full beard, and green vest appeared. "That's not all. I activate Kunai and equip it to Asuma." Banner had a small smile. "Now Asuma and Lee will destroy your Alchemy Beast!"
The Shinobi moved in and destroyed Banner's last two Alchemy Beast resulting him screaming out in pain as he fell to his knees (Zack 1000/Amnael 0).
Zack then fell backwards already passed out before hitting the ground. Zane, Atticus, and Jaden rushed to his side with Zane feeling for a pulse.
"His pulse is there, but it's incredible weak. We need to get him medical attention immediately." Zane stated before picking him up and slinging him over his shoulder.
"I'll grab the Shadow Charm." Jaden stated.
Atticus saw his sister. "I'll get Alexis."
Jaden ran over to Amnael who'd already turned to dust. Two Shadow Games in a row was to much for his body to handle. Jaden grabbed the tablet and Atticus grabbed Alexis. The three boys, with the injured, ran as fast as they could for Duel Academy. What they didn't noticed was the little ball of light that drifted up from Banner's 'remains', nor did they notice Pharaoh who ate said ball of light. The cat then ran after them.
Half Finished ColosseumH
Chazz came to stand across from Tania as Chumley and the others took to the seats to watch.
"You got some real spunk. I like that." Tania stated.
Chazz said, "Save your compliments. The Chazz is here to do one thing and one thing only. That's duel. What are your terms?"
"First, you are single, right?" Tania asked.
"Yes." Chazz replied.
Tania smiled. "Wonderful. The terms are as follows. This won't be a Shadow Duel because I want you. If I win, I get your key and you agree to marry me. If you win, I give up on the search for the keys. Meaning you have one less Shadow Rider to deal with."
"That's fine with me because I don't intend on losing." Chazz declared.
"Duel!"
(Chazz 4000/Tania 4000)
"I'll start things off with a big move. I activate Fiend Sanctuary. This summons a Fiend Token(0/0)." The silver creature appeared. I'll then sacrifice him to summon my Armed Dragon LV 5(2400/1700). The red dragon with black armor and small spikes appeared
"Why stop there when I can activate Level Up. This allows me to bring out Armed Dragon LV 7(2800/1000) and all I must do is send Armed LV 5 to the grave." The large red dragon with shiny metal armor appeared. "I'll end my turn."
"Oh, so you're the type that likes to go all out?" Tania drew. "I suppose it's only fair I do the same. I activate Polymerization to fuse my Amazoness Tiger with Amazoness Paladin in order to fusion summon Amazoness Pet Liger(2500/2400)."
A lion tiger hybrid with blue armor appeared. "I'll then summon Amazoness Swordswoman(1500/1600)." The woman with a sword and primitive, blue outfit appeared. "I'll have her attack your Armed Dragon."
"Why would you do that?" Chazz asked.
Tania smiled. "It's my Swordswoman's effect. Any battle damage incurred in battle involving her is dealt to you (Chazz 2700/Tania 4000). My Liger will then attack your dragon since it's effect grants him 500 more ATK during the damage calculation (Chazz 2300/Tania 4000)." She smiled at him. "You're up handsome."
"She wasn't kidding about going big right from the start." Syrus stated.
Bastion nodded. "Indeed. Chazz now has a lot of ground to cover."
Chazz wasn't fazed as he drew and smiled himself. "That was an okay combo, but this duel is over. I activate Call of the Haunted to return my Armed Dragon LV 5(2400/1700) to the field. I'll then activate Level Modulation.
This allows me to summon my Armed Dragon Level 7 from the grave without worrying about its summoning conditions. Of course, it will lose the ability to attack and its effects can't be activated this turn; however, that doesn't matter when I intend to tribute him. I do this to summon my strongest dragon Armed Dragon LV 10(3000/2000)."
The huge red and black dragon decked in black metal appeared alongside the LV 5. "His effect allows me to send any card from hand to the gave allowing me to destroy all monsters on your side of the field. Say bye to your Liger. Now that you're wide open, my dragons will attack you directly (Chazz 2300/Tania 0)."
Tania smiled as the holograms vanished. "Well, how about that? You are some duelist Chazz Princeton, and I shall hold up to my end of the deal. I will no longer search for the keys. I am no longer apart of the Shadow Riders."
She turned into a much smaller version of the Liger shocking everyone.
"What just happened?" Mindy asked.
Bastion cleared his throat. "Well, she appears to be a duel spirit or something. I mean we have fought a vampire, so it's not illogical to think that she could have the ability to turn into a Liger either." He stood up and clapped. "Either way, splendid duel Chazz."
Chazz walked forward and claimed the gauntlet. "That's another one down, but what about the Shadow Rider Zack went off to confront? I hope he didn't have to duel."
Dark Green Demon:ok, that was great and painful, Alexis lost. I do not want to sound evil, but I think Zack is demanding too much of himself, in a very short time with all those Shadow Games, which is bad because as you said, it is affecting him and I do not think anything good comes out of it.
Savoxgut:Well, Zack showed that he is a better person than his parents would ever dream of being. Also Alexis lost, damn !. I think it's really worrying about Zack, he's already affecting his many Shadow Games in such a short time and I think it will cost him sooner or later.
Quillion9000:Zack plays the hero. He's been a hero every since he started taking down the bullies and using his dueling skills to help the cops whenever they need a duelist. I know, it sounds ridiculous until you consider this is the Yugioh world, and I assume cops need competent duelist. Who better than someone that has proved themselves time and time again in the past.
Anyways, this brings up interesting quandaries. How much is to much to give? How long until you give out? These are things Zack admittedly never have to think about since normal duels don't take such a strain on the body, and he is a kid, so the cops wouldn't bring him into to difficult a situation. Basically any situation where they only needed duelist. That isn't to say Zack hasn't accomplished a fair bit, it's just more tame then Shadow Duels are.
Couple all this with the fact that the only person he really had to care about was his sister. Sure he has good friends in Detective Shin and Gerard, but no one really his own age until he came to Duel Academy. That's also not to say he was a loner. Far from it. You'll see come the summer chapters. At the same time, there's no one to really hang out with. The only interactions he had with others his age came through his work or casual duels.
In short, Zack is... complicated to say the least. He still has growing to do even if it's not standard for someone his age.