Author's Note: This chapter has no *gasp* duel!
Follow the footsteps of your own path.
Chapter Forty-Five: Return of the Genex Tournament
"What happened?" Kai questioned as Sakura helped him to his feet. "What happened to Gluttony?"
Sakura shook her head, not quite understanding what happened either. "I'm not sure. There was a strange woman...and then a ray of light...and then Gluttony was gone."
Kai tilted his head and looked up at the spectator's booth, seeing no sign of Mugen. 'Does Mugen have something to do with this?'
Kai was brought out of his thoughts as Sakura spoke, "Come on, lets get you to the infirmary."
As Sakura led Kai out of the arena Hayato and the others were tending to an unconscious Hiro. "It looks like he'll be alright." Hayato said, checking the boy's pulse.
Hitaki sighed in relief. "That's good."
Ed turned to the duel arena, where Gluttony had stood only moments before, "I don't get it, what happened to Gluttony?"
"I don't think anyone really has any idea, but that's not really important right now. We need to get Hiro to the infirmary." Jade said.
Ed nodded, "Yeah you're right, which reminds me, I've got to get Shindo, he's still asleep. You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up with you."
As Ed made his way up the stairs Hayato turned to the others, "We need to find the best way to get Hiro to the infirmary without making his injury any worse than it already is."
"I got it." Hide said, lifting the unconscious boy up and slinging him over his shoulder. Everyone stood there, staring at the older teen. Hide arched an eyebrow, "What?"
Mugen sat down at the far end of a long table, which was surrounded by seven more chairs, two of which were empty, the others being occupied by five of the Seven Sins. "Before we begin, I would like us all to take a moment to mourn Gluttony's death."
"Why?" Greed questioned, looking rather bored. "Its his own fault he got killed isn't it?"
Mugen turned to Greed sharply, his eyes narrowed, "Thanks to Gluttony's sacrifice, we have confirmed that Kai is Justice, one of the Seven Virtues, for that, he deserves our respect. Understand?"
"I don't get it, why do you need the Seven Virtues for anyway? Aren't we enough?" Greed questioned, gesturing to the other Sins.
Greed barely how any time to react as an immense pressure suddenly pressed down on him, nearly slamming his head into the table. "I didn't hear your answer, Greed. Do you understand?" Mugen repeated.
After a few seconds of struggling against Mugen's power, Greed relented. "I...understand." He said through clenched teeth.
"Good." Mugen replied, his usual smile back in place. "Now, I would like everyone to close their eyes and bow their heads in remembrance of Gluttony."
The Sins did what they were asked of, closing their eyes and bowing their heads. 'Just you wait. Once I get my hands on that kid's power, it'll be me giving out the commands.' Greed thought to himself.
"Now then," Mugen said, causing the Sins to look up at him as he pulled out a small device, "We've spent quite some time on this island, but despite that fact I haven't been able to gauge the students at this academy very well."
Placing the device on the table, Mugen tapped it, a hologram projecting from it as a result. "As you can see, this small list of students are those of which I am certain have power, but its not nearly enough."
Mugen tapped the device again, causing the hologram to vanish. "It has become clear to me that the easiest way to uncover the powers within a person is to allow them to grow through battle, and what better way than to do that with a tournament."
"A tournament? That sounds like fun." Envy said, smirking.
"Unfortunately, none of you will be allowed to enter, putting the students against you would prove to be ineffective, a repeat of what happened with Ms. Yukia would not be in our best interest, Veyn."
Lust snickered as Envy frowned and slumped into his chair. "Do not worry though, I will be giving all of you the opportunity to duel those from the list I have already come up with. It will take some time to get this tournament up and running, so until then, I want you all to continue to keep a low profile."
Standing up, Mugen picked up the small device from the table. "You are all dismissed." One by one, the Sins filed out of the room, all except one.
"Is there something wrong Niav?"
"If I may, I'd like to ask you something." The woman replied.
Mugen nodded, "No need to be so formal, after all, I trust you more than I trust anyone else in this world."
"If that woman hadn't appeared, would you had let Gluttony devour all of those souls?"
"Of course not. I only held off in hope that Temperance's power would awaken. I strongly dislike putting the innocent in harm's way, the same as you, of course, you already know this."
"Temperance? Do you mean the Kaiserin?"
Mugen nodded, "Yes, I had hoped that her powers would awaken and suppress Gluttony's. It could be that I'm mistaken and that she is not Temperance, but I don't believe that's the case. I believe we will have to try a different tactic with her."
On the other side of the door, Greed grinned. 'I think I can benefit from this.'
The days that followed after Gluttony's defeat were filled with confusion for those who hadn't been affected by Sloth's power. It quickly came apparent to them that those who had fallen asleep only remembered a normal duel between Kai and Gluttony, which made them unsure of what to say or do.
Hayato and the others were successfully able to get Hiro to the infirmary without further injuring the boy, which was surprising considering Hide's rather rough way of carrying him there. Despite this, Hiro had yet to awaken from his unconscious state.
Kai's wound had healed relatively quickly, though it did leave him with three long scars across his chest. Even though he had managed to defeat Gluttony, he quietly berated himself for being unable to stop Gluttony's power.
After Kai's wound healed, he and Sakura began to discuss the students on the list Kazuki had given her, not wanting another incident like what happened with Gluttony to occur again.
Which leads us to present day Duel Academy...
The students had all been called to an assembly, one by one they had all filed into the large room, taking their seats as they waited for the principal to arrive.
Ed yawned and kicked his feet up on the seat in front of him. The student who was sitting in front of him swiftly turned around. "Look you, no matter where I sit, you're always behind me kicking your feet up on my seat! Well I've put up with it for the last time! Its early in the morning and I'm trying to relax!"
Ed made a shooing motion with his hand as he yawned again, "If you don't like it you should just stop sitting in front of me." He replied.
The student was about to open his mouth to reply but stopped when Hide cut in, "Can't you see I'm trying to get in some sleep before this assembly starts? Shut up, or I'll make you shut up."
The younger student immediately recognized Hide and decided it was best if he didn't say anything else, opting to turn around in his seat instead.
Shindo, who was sitting between Ed and Hide, leaned back in his seat, suppressing a yawn. "So, what do you guys think this assembly will be about?"
"More than likely its going to have something to do with Mugen." Hayato answered as he sat down next to Ed. "I'd be surprised if it didn't."
"Hey guys." Hitaki said as she and Jade took their seats one row above them. There was a series of 'hey' responses from the others, except for Hide, who had already fallen asleep.
"You girls don't mind if I join you, do you?" Kai questioned as he sat himself down next to Jade. The two girls shook their heads. Kai turned towards the end of the row, where Sakura was sitting alone. "Hey Sakura, why don't you come sit with us!"
The violet haired girl reached into her blazer and pulled out her palm organizer and began to type something. Kai reached into his own blazer as his palm organizer began to beep. Loading up the message, he read it to himself. 'Stop yelling, its early in the morning and I have a headache. I'll pass on your offer by the way.'
Shrugging, Kai returned his palm organizer to his blazer just as Principal Taragi and Mugen walked into the arena, both of them wearing microphones on their shirts. Clearing her throat, the principal gained everyone's attention.
"Students of Duel Academy, before we start, I'd like to apologize for waking you up at such an early hour."
There was a series of grumbles following her statement and Taragi patiently waited for them to die down. "Now that you've got that out of your systems, please allow Mr. Taizo to speak." Taragi said, gesturing to the man.
Mugen nodded and stepped forward, briefcase in hand. "Students of Duel Academy, during my stay here I have found that there are a number of you who I am considering sponsoring, however, I feel there is still a great deal of hidden talent I have yet to discover."
Placing the briefcase on the podium before him, Mugen opened it, causing a projection of the island to appear from it. "And so, for the past few days Ms. Taragi and I have been discussing my proposal for a tournament to be held, to be more specific, the return of the Genex Tournament on this island."
An uproar of cheers followed Mugen's announcement, who smiled in response. Once the commotion died down considerably, Mugen began to speak once more. "Unlike the original Genex Tournament, this one will be quite different."
The students began to whisper amongst themselves, all curious about the details. "Initially, all entrants will be dueling one another with Genex points on the line. In order to reach the finals, which will showcase the top eight, students will have to collect one hundred of these points."
"For this tournament, students will be given a special duel disk funded by my corporation that automatically records the number of points a duelist has. Each entrant will start off with one point. To speed up the process, students can bet any number of points before the start of a duel."
The image of the projection flickered, now showing the smiling face of Kai, as well as seven other duelists. "The top eight duelists, excluding the Kaiserin will automatically be given a total of two Genex points. However, if any of the listed students do not wish to enter, those points will be given to the student next in line instead."
"During this tournament, if you manage to defeat an opponent that is of a higher rank than you, then you yourself will see an increase in your rank, it is possible that you may even be promoted to the next dorm depending on the opponent."
"The finals will be broadcast worldwide, increasing the final eight's chances of being sponsored by another corporation, in the event that I myself choose not too." Once again the image on the projection flickered, this time showing the impassive face of Sakura.
"Since she is the top ranked student of this academy, the Kaiserin will not be participating in this tournament normally. The Kaiserin will face the winner of the tournament, with her title on the line as the prize.
Mugen closed the briefcase, causing the projection to fade away. "Lastly, the Seven Sins may be challenged for this tournament, defeating them will give you a total of three points, however, losing to them immediately eliminates you from the tournament."
A man in a black suit approached Mugen, who handed him the briefcase. "Registration for the tournament will be available at the Examination Hall later today. The tournament will officially begin starting next week. I wish you all good luck."
Taragi stepped up to the podium once more, "Students, you are dismissed."
The students began to chatter amongst themselves as they poured out of the arena, Taragi frowning as they went. 'For some strange reason I can't help but feel a little apprehensive about this.'
In the school's infirmary, Hiro groaned as he awakened, squinting at the lights that hung overhead the bed he was currently lying in. "Where am I?" He grumbled to himself.
After a few seconds of attempting to adjust his eyes to the light, a voice spoke, "You're in the school infirmary." It was a voice that Hiro vaguely recognized.
He abruptly sat up, wincing slightly. "You shouldn't move around too much, you expended a lot of power."
Hiro turned his head, looking over to the window, where Niav stood. "You've been unconscious for seven days. Your friends have been visiting you everyday, they've been very worried about you."
Momentarily forgetting the fact that the woman before him was an enemy, Hiro smiled. "My friends...I'm glad they're okay."
"I've been visiting you everyday too." The woman said, causing Hiro to look up, a look of apprehension on his face.
"Why?"
"I wanted to apologize...for that." She answered, pointing at the bandages wrapped diagonally across Hiro's body. "I don't like putting innocents in harm's way if I can help it."
Hiro frowned, "You expect me to believe that?" He said angrily. "I don't know what you guys want with me or this academy, but what happened to Sara and what Gluttony tried to do proves that it can't be anything good."
Niav turned away from Hiro, "Believe what you will, but I am telling the truth." Without another word, the woman left, leaving Hiro alone to try and make sense of what had just happened.
Niav stopped outside the door, frowning at the sight before her. "What are you doing here?"
Greed placed his hands in his pocket, a smirk on his face. "You really did a number on him, eh?"
Niav ignored his comment, "You shouldn't be here."
Greed ran a hand through his braided hair, "Neither should you." He replied, a shark-like grin on his face. "You know...Mugen wouldn't be too happy about you talking to the kid, especially since I'm sure it wasn't in his orders to do so."
Niav crossed her arms under the generous swell of her chest, "Are you threatening me?"
"Whoa, hold on a minute." Greed said as he took several steps back, his hands raised in mock defense. "That's not my intention at all. All I'm saying is, if you've got something planned, I want in."
Niav walked over to the Sin, and placed her hand on his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "If you ever try to betray our cause, I will crush you."
Greed watched as the woman walked off, rubbing his now numb shoulder. 'Dammit. She's a lost cause, I guess I really shouldn't be surprised though, after all, she was the very first Sin.'
The Examination Hall was filled with students who were eager to register for the tournament, their chatter filling the entire hall. Ed grinned, having just finished entering himself in the tournament. "This tournament is exactly the chance I need to show the whole world exactly what I got! I'm going all the way to the top!"
"You still on about that?" An Obelisk Blue student said, his uniform more white than blue.
It took Ed a few seconds to recognize the student, "Oh its you. Don't tell me you plan on entering the tournament." He said, crossing his arms across his chest.
Kado frowned, "Of course I am, why wouldn't I?"
"Well...", Ed trailed off, a smug look on his face, "You better hope you don't run into me, otherwise I might just have to wipe the floor with you again."
A vein formed on the boy's forehead, "First of all, you barely beat me, second, our duel record is one to one, so don't go thinking your better than me just yet." Kado said.
"Oh how the mighty hath fallen."
The two duelists turned, a black haired girl wearing an Obelisk Blue uniform was staring back at them. The girl shook her head, "And to think I once had a crush on you Kado."
Ed stared at the girl, "Um...who are you again?"
The girl instantly glared in response. "How dare you forget who I am! I am the great Eliza Trumbull, heiress to the great Trumbull fortune!" The girl yelled out shrilly, causing those around her to wince in pain.
James Haught and Risty Chihoda entered the Examination Hall, fortunately for them it was after Eliza's outburst. "Hey look, I got Dark Armed Dragon(2800/1000). This will make a nice addition to my deck." He said, holding the card away from the others he had gotten from his purchased booster pack.
"Hey James, hey Risty." A boy said, walking over to the two Ra Yellow students.
"Oh, hey Nick. You entering the tournament too?" James asked.
Nick nodded, showing off the Genex duel disk he had just received, "Yeah, and I'm gonna win it for sure."
"You'll have to get through me and Risty if you want to do that." He replied, turning to the girl. "Right Risty?"
James blinked as the girl that was standing by his side a few seconds ago was no longer there. "Hey, where did she go?"
"I think she went to go register." Nick answered.
"Well I'd better go register too. See you around." He said as he walked over to the line of waiting students.
"See ya."
"Um, I'll have three Duelists' Advent, two World Championship Edition Sixteen, and five Gamer's Paradise: Capcom Edition." Kai said as he slid his money over the counter.
Shirona, the woman behind the counter nodded and found the named packs, handed them to the blue-haired boy. "Would you like anything else?"
Kai thought about it for a moment. "Hmmm, no, I think that will be it."
"When you buy ten or more packs you can get another one for free."
"Really?" Kai questioned, having never known that. "In that case I'd like another World Championship Edition Sixteen." The woman nodded and handed the boy another of the named packs.
"Have a nice day." Shirona said, waving goodbye.
"You too." Kai walked out of the card shop, "Were you waiting for me?" He asked, spotting Sakura standing a few feet away.
Sakura nodded, "I wanted to ask you if you were planning on entering the tournament."
Kai shook his head, "The thought of dueling you for your title is tempting, but I already know the true purpose of this tournament. Mugen wants to see what we can do, he wants to know which students he should go after, and he's already seen most of what I got. I don't plan on letting him see anymore."
"That's true, but this tournament benefits us as well."
Kai nodded, "We'll know exactly which students will be able to help us stop Mugen and his Sins. Still, its going to be tough. Some of the students know exactly what happened in my duel with Gluttony, they're not going to be easy to convince."
"That's true, but if we fail to get anyone to join us, we still have Hayato and the others to fall back on."
"Yeah, and if they enter this tournament they're bound to get stronger."
As the top two duelists of the school continued their discussion, Veyn poked his head around the corner, a deep frown on his face. 'So they've got their own plans do they? I'd better tell Mugen about this.'
"I'm so glad you're awake Hiro!" Hitaki exclaimed, capturing the white-haired boy in a hug, causing him to hiss in pain in response.
"Oh, sorry about that." Hitaki apologized, quickly letting the boy go, blushing in embarrassment. "You were unconscious for seven days...so seeing you awake now I kind of got a little carried away."
"Its okay, it only hurts a little." Hiro remarked.
Hayato and Hitaki exchanged looks, and then Hitaki leaned in. "Really? Are you sure?" She questioned, not quite able to believe that anyone could heal from a broken rib so quickly.
Hiro nodded, "Of course."
"But...there's no way you could have healed from your injury that quickly." Hitaki said in disbelief, Hayato nodded in agreement.
"As impossible as it seems, it's the truth." The three duelists turned to the door, where the school nurse, Ayame Kurosaki was standing. "I couldn't believe it at first when I came to check on him earlier. It usually takes about four to eight weeks to recover from a broken rib, but it looks like Hiro might be able to do it in two."
Hitaki turned back to Hiro, "That's great news! That means Hiro will be able to enter the tournament!"
Hiro blinked, confused. "Tournament?"
"Thanks to Mugen, the Genex Tournament has returned to this island." Hayato explained.
"Now hold on a minute," Ayame cut in, a stern look on her face, "He may be healing quickly, but that doesn't mean he's well enough to enter the tournament."
Hitaki frowned, "But-"
"Its okay." Hiro said, cutting her off. "I'd really like to enter, but Ms. Kurosaki is right. Just because I'm feeling better doesn't mean that..." Hiro trailed off, and then leaned over and held his head.
Ayame quickly rushed to his side, Hitaki and Hayato stepping out of her way as she did so. "What's wrong? Are you in pain?"
Hiro shook his head as the room around him seemed to begin to spin. "No...but I am starting to feel dizzy."
Ayame gently helped Hiro lie down. "Just lie down, you've only just recently woken up from a seven day sleep, so a bit of disorientation is natural."
The woman turned to Hayato and Hitaki, "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you two to leave. Hiro needs a little more rest it seems."
The two reluctantly nodded and turned for the door, Hitaki taking one last look over her shoulder. 'Hiro...I hope you'll be alright.'
Author's Note: I think you all are really going to enjoy the Genex Tournament Arc.
Card of this chapter:
Dark Armed Dragon: Dark/Dragon 7/2800/1000
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except by having exactly 3 Dark monsters in your graveyard. You can remove from play 1 Dark monster from your graveyard to destroy 1 card on the field.
A former student returns to Duel Academy Island. What should be a happy reunion ends up being anything but.
Next time, A Battle Within the Darkness!
