Phoenix Lockheart woke up bright and early. She cringed, remembering she was in the putrid town of Flotsom, a community of drunken reprobates in the middle of the swamps of Milkwalk Forest. Her body ached. Not even letting them finish their food, Yuri sent them out into the swamps to hunt the monster attacking the town. They found it in no time, after tossing the body of a cow in the water to lure it. The hungry beast was an aquatic monster known as Beast King of the Swamps. It, unfortunately, chose to make its home in the waters of Flotsom. Thanks to the combined efforts of the young heroes, the monster's head was now on display in the mayor's office. They were heroes of the town and were each rewarded with seven silver coins.
But the celebrations lasted late into the night. Far too late. In fact, they had overslept. Phoenix checked her clock. It was an hour past noon. She heard the sounds of the people outside yelling obscenities with every sentence that came out of their filthy mouths.
She looked up in her bed and saw the Aurelian girl, Aksana, sleeping on a hammock. Though looking peaceful and relaxed she snored loudly. It kept Phoenix up most of the night, as well as the constant laughing of the people outside who did not know the meaning of the word sleep.
Her beautiful, fiery orange hair was a mangled mess and her she had dark bags under her lovely eyes. She yawned making a sound like a grizzly bear and scratched her back as she got up from the bed. She wore a thin, white nightgown. One of the straps dropped over her right shoulder.
Phoenix looked outside from her window. The sun was out, providing a warm light but it revealed the poor state of the town. The dirty people of Buckletree were swaying about, drunk as ever.
A blacksmith was working on some swords, and judging by the dullness of the blades, he was an amateur, weak at his craft. To her dismay, a man was defecating in the bushes near the entrance to the town. Then a group of young boys, tossing a top at the muddy ground spotted her in her window.
"Show us your tits!" one of them called out making obscene gestures with his hands and tongue.
Phoenix gasped in shock and shut the drapes over her window.
"How did I come from the luxury of the Citadel to this?" she asked herself in disgust.
She then remembered. Prince Yuri was in her company, and they had to move out posthaste.
"Aksana, wake up," said Phoenix shaking her companion.
Aksana stirred in her sleep.
"Wake up," Phoenix said, shaking her again. Aksana growled and turned, playfully swatting away Phoenix's hands.
"Wake up," Phoenix growled. "We have to get moving."
"But mommy, I don't want to go to school..." Aksana mumbled.
"What?" said Phoenix.
"I want to play with the swords," Aksana mumbled again.
"Will you please get up!" Phoenix said shaking Aksana again to no avail.
"ARRGH!" roared Phoenix, pointing to the sky and summoning her flaming bird, Mavelus who burned Akasna's bottom.
"YEOW" Aksana shouted. The hammock spun around multiple times before she fell on the floor with a thud.
"Cunt!" shouted Askana.
"Must you use such offensive language?" said Phoenix.
Aksana massaged her butt and saw that her nightgown was seared. "Do you know how much these cost!" she shouted at Mavelus, who was rolling on the ground with laughter. Its skinny, purple legs were rapidly waving back and forth.
"Yuri has a friend to save and all you care about is your underwear!"
"Whatever." snapped Aksana. "Do that to me again and I'll cut open your pretty neck."
"I'll keep that in mind," said Phoenix. "Now get dressed. I'll go get Yuri."
"Shut up!" Aksana shouted at Mavelus, still on the ground laughing.
After breakfast Yuri, Phoenix and Aksana waved good-bye to the townsfolk before riding away. Phoenix was relieved to get away from the town at last.
"So where do we head from here?" Aksana asked.
"North, towards the Great White Mountains," Yuri answered. Uraby, Trakadon and Gilasaurs were riding alongside him to protect them should they run into more bandits. "The fort should be nestled in between a smaller group of mountains called the Iron Bank Mountains."
"Oh, no. I was afraid we'd be going there," said Aksana.
"What for?" asked Phoenix.
"I've heard tales about the lands around the Great White Mountains. Tales of large, hairy mammoths guarded by giants so powerful they can knock you into the sky with one blow."
"Oh, and don't forget about the talking dogs and the evil mountain man who can suck the souls out of dragons," teased Phoenix.
"Are you playing me for the fool?" Aksana asked, reaching for her dagger.
"Lock it down," Yuri said turning his head so he could see them. "Both of you!"
They continued northward until they left the forest of Milkwalk and were finally in an open plain where the mountains, so much bigger when up close, came into view. Just a mile away from the majesty of the Great White Mountains stood a lonely mountain range shielded by a dense pine forest. Yuri also saw the remains of a large bell tower.
"Naralians," said Yuri.
"You are sure?" Phoenix said grabbing her bow. Mavelus merged itself with the weapon to give it a fiery enchantment. Phoenix summoned another fiery bird called Fushi No Tori to aid her in combat.
"I recognize that banner," said Yuri. "A roaring grizzly with a golden crown in a field of orange. Leave the horses here."
They dismounted, weapons at the ready. They used the tall grass to hide themselves as they got close to a campsite.
"Naralians," whispered Phoenix. "They're even more hideous in person."
"What are they doing this far south?" Yuri asked. "I thought Yami beat his son in a duel."
"You fool," said Aksana. "Do you really think King Forrest will cease his advancement to the Diamond Throne because his son lost in a game of cards? The man honors no vow."
They heard the clink-clank of armor and ducked. King Forrest had arrived at the camp. Over the hill, Yuri saw an army of a thousand men marching down the dirt road in the forest.
"Is she secure?" King Forrest asked.
"Yes, sir," said a soldier. "She's in the ruins of the tower, there. We heard a rumor that Prince Yuri and his friends slew a monster in Flotsom. That's not far from her, My Liege. He is close. He'll be here."
"And then he'll wish he'd never been born," sneered Donald.
King Forrest laughed. "Gentlemen. Break out the wine. A celebration is in order. We've all but won this battle."
The marched into the camp to a party tent where all the food and drink was being stored.
"Well, what do we do now?" asked Akasana. "There have to be hundreds of them in the camp alone."
"And I count more than thirty tunnels going into the mountains," said Phoenix. Fushi No Tori was flying safely over the mountains. "Who knows how many more could be in them," she said with desperation. "If we're going to do this, we have to do it quick and quiet. If the Naralians discover us we're as good as dead."
"Can't you summon the God Cards and force them to surrender?" Aksana asked.
"No. I could pass out. I may have summoned them as a baby but my powers were uncontrollable back then. Now...I don't even know what to think."
"He's right," said Phoenix. "I wouldn't risk summoning high-level Duel Monsters. Once we're weakened. the Naralians could take advantage of us."
"You're the prince," said Aksana. "But I still say we can take them out with strong monsters."
"What was that!" Phoenix said with fright. They heard a rustling in the grass behind them. Perhaps it was a guard out on patrol. They expected the worse when out of the grass emerged a puppy with gold fur.
"Marron!" Aksana said holding out her arms. The puppy Duel Monster jumped into her embrace and licked her face.
"That's...a Marron," gasped Phoenix. "Yuri, you aren't cheating my eyes with a spell are you?"
"Nope, I'm no magic-user," said Yuri. "That's a real Outstanding Dog Marron. I was wondering where he was."
"We got separated when those bandits held me, hostage," said Aksana. The dog continued licking her face. "Oh, my little baby, I missed you."
"You'd best keep him safe," said Phoenix. "That dog won't help us in the dungeon."
"You're not going in there," said Yuri.
"What do you mean, you don't intend to go alone, do you?"
"Every piece of my gear and armor is enchanted to boost my stealth. I'll have a better chance of rescuing Serenity if I go it alone."
"And just what the hell are we supposed to be doing?" Phoenix asked impatiently.
"Just sit tight and look pretty," Yuri said pulling his hood over his head.
"I beg your pardon!" said Phoenix.
"Sexist! Sexist!" Aksana hissed at Yuri.
"Will you relax?" said Yuri. "It was only a jest. Phoenix, since you have that bow, you can provide me with sniper support. You can pick off the Naralians up there on the top of the ledge."
"And what can I do."
"Just make sure no more Naralians come into the ruins," said Yuri. "If anything happens, summon a monster, but only if the situation goes really bad, got it?"
"Understood."
"I'll be back in an hour," said Yuri. He slowly sped off towards the fort. Normally his boots would be crunching on the gravel but the magical enchantments prevented them from making a sound. Phoenix rushed for the ledge using magical anklets that boosted her speed. To Aksana, Phoenix looked like a scarlet blur.
"Well," she scoffed, "looks like everyone has enchanted magical items except for me. Guess, it's just you and me baby." She scratched Marron behind the ears.
Yuri climbed on the walls of the mountains, as silently as he could. It was a one-hundred-yard trek to the fortress and there were Naralians and guards at every turn. They laughed and sang a crude song about the rape of an elvish princess.
Any Naralian who got too close to him, Phoenix shot with her flaming arrows. She would even provide distractions, such as blasting barrels of their drink, grog. Yuri passed a fountain of the stuff. He looked down into it. The drink was tan-colored swill that was pure alcohol. It was a beverage that even Jon and Ryon would refuse to drink. The stench almost knocked him out, it was so bad.
Yuri then climbed up an old watchtower where a Naralian archer was standing guard. Yuri leaped up from the ledge and tackled him to the ground, slicing open his throat before the Naralian could even make a sound.
He then walked over the Naralians via a long rope that attached to a wooden pole on the ledge over on the other side. A feat he would have thought impossible many months ago. When he and Crystal were kids they played in a pool in the backyard of Crystal's house. They dared each other to walk on a rope that was hung over the pool that was used for games. They could never do it, and even though Crystal was a ballerina with exceptional balance she could never walk over the rope.
"Oh, if she could see me now," Yuri muttered as he walked over murderous Naralians. "I miss you, friend."
Yuri made it to the ledge on the other side of the valley that led to the fortress. It was a beautiful day. Azure skies, fluffy white clouds, birds chirping and warm air. The scene would have been relaxing had it not been for the damned monsters underneath him. With his new-found agility, Yuri scaled walls with amazing speed and killed any Naralian who got in his way with ease, all without making a sound.
He made it to the fortress at last. He could hear the howling of the Naralians from deep inside in the darkness. There were also guards at the gate and a huge Duel Monster called Opticlops. He stood five meters tall and was chained to the ground. There was a blazing, red horn on the top of its head.
"I'm not going to get past that," Yuri whispered to himself. Luckily there were some Naralians carrying a new batch of grog outside. Phoenix knew what to do and blew them up. But the Naralians weren't stupid. They knew something was going on, for one of them started shouting: "Sniper! On yer feet boys!"
"Search everywhere!" another one shouted.
Phoenix knew the Naralians were onto her, so she dashed away from the ledge to find someplace else to shoot the enemy. The Naralians began pouring out of the castle. Yuri saw his chance and snuck it.
Oh, the smell was dreadful, for it was like walking into the elephant house in the zoo, mixed with the horrid smell of the Naralian grog. There were barely any torches to light up the place and the ground was wet.
Yuri wished he had Jaeyoung's thermal vision spell. It was so dark he couldn't see his hands or feet. Once in a while he would find torches lighting up the darkness. He heard voices from the bend and hid behind an arch in the walls.
Three Naralians walked by; their gear clinking with every step. They snorted like boars and burped as they walked by him. Yuri continued his trek into the fortress. The halls of the ancient fortress taking him right and left, up and down. It was like a maze. He then spotted a stairwell that was lit up by an orange glow of fire.
He held the hilt of his light-forged sword in his grip. He couldn't activate it now, for the glowing blade would give away his position. He heard a commotion from below. The guards who held onto Serenity outside were fighting over her Duel Monsters cards. She was chained to both sides of the walls by her arms. Her clothes were torn and shredded. Yuri jumped down the stairs. The guards were startled and raised their weapons. Yuri's unsheathed his sword from his back and dimmed its light with a thought.
He stood his ground, waving his blade tantalizingly at his two foes. One of them charged forwards, holding up his poorly-forged iron sword he jumped high, Yuri held his blade up in a high guard and waited for the guard's sword to hit the blade. The two swords met, Yuri was almost knocked back. Strong for such a little creature. The other guard then charged. Yuri held up his sword and parried the attack.
He tried to slash the guards, but their armor was too thick and bulky. He flipped the sword in the air and gripped the central part of the blade and began thrusting the sword at the guards. The technique provided a more accurate blow and added more force so the sword could dig into the armor.
They were weak in the armpit and the neck. Yuri tripped one of the guards and jabbed the sword down its collarbone. It gasped in agony and stood still. He blocked the blows from the other guard and spun around behind him. He thrust the sword into the guards back. It gave a yelp and died, falling flat on the floor.
"Serenity!" Yuri cried. He sheathed his sword on his back. He searched the guard's bodies for a key. Luckily he found it in no time at all. He released Serenity from her shackles. She fell, but Yuri caught her just in time.
"Serenity, are you okay?"
"Who are you?" she asked weakly.
Yuri removed his hood. For a moment Serenity still did not know who he was...until she saw the glow in his right eye. For a moment, Serenity felt all the fear and all the pain wash away from her body.
"You..." she breathed. "It's you."
"I'm Yuri."
"I know," Serenity said laughing with joy. Yuri could feel her body quiver with joy. Tears rolled down her face, leaving clean streaks where it washed away the grime. "I wish we could have met under better circumstances," she said with a wan chuckle. "By the Stars of Horakhty, look how you've grown. You were just a baby in my arms."
"Now it looks like you're in mine," Yuri said trying to laugh. He was glad he found her, but he was still in the middle of a fortress overtaken by Naralians.
"I can't believe you came to my rescue," she said with a weak smile.
"It's the least I can do, for the woman who cared for me," said Yuri.
"I'm sorry we left you there," Serenity sobbed. "I'm sorry we left you on Earth. I wanted nothing more than to see you grow. Look at you, you were the best thing to ever happen to me and... your life...I missed it all."
"You don't have to be sorry," said Yuri. "Yami did what he had to do, for my sake. Come on, we can talk later. We need to get out of here."
Yuri helped Serenity to her feet. Together they walked out of the fortress. Yuri was rather surprised that they had no encounters with Naralians. That was...until he walked outside.
King Forrest and his men were waiting.
"I will handle this," said a voice behind the Naralians.
Yuri felt a knot in his chest when he saw who emerged.
The ruler of Aurelia, Caesar.
"My friend," said King Forrest, shaking his hand.
"Ah, Forrest, it's been too long," Caesar said cheerfully.
"I knew there was something about you, I didn't like," Yuri growled like a beast.
"That makes two of us," said Caesar. He was dressed in black armor, trimmed in gold. His pauldrons doubled as a cape and he wore a purple, silk sash over his torso. "You cursed thief. I offer you my home; feed you my food; bless you with drink. I teach you about the land and forge you into the man you are and how do you repay me? By stealing my Nymph. Where is she?"
"You'll never see her again," said Yuri. "I set her free."
"You were trouble from the start, Yuri. I could have sold you to the Naralians long ago. But you had so many friends around you. I was certain my mercenaries would be the end of you."
"So you sent those mercenaries to the Sea of Glass!" shouted Yuri.
"I did," said Caesar. "And I also knew Lady Wheeler would be here. I knew you wouldn't resist coming to get her. But I must say, I was certain it wouldn't come to this. I was sure those mercenaries I hired would have no trouble killing you. But you go and surprise me by having your flunkies wipe them out, and then you shock the world by slaying all of the monsters Zorc sent to stop you from getting the Divine Beasts. No surprise, after all, I taught you all I know."
"Gaius, Aksana and the Legion taught me everything!" said Yuri. "You did nothing for me!"
"When will you learn boy?" growled Caesar. "I am the Legion; I am Aurelia; I AM THE CAESAR! You are a strong warrior Yuri. But I'm afraid the adventure ends here. The Naralians will be taking your head and the Divine Beasts. And since I can't have my Nymph, I'll instead have Serenity take her place in my halls!"
"If you touch her I'll..."
"Ah, ah, ah," said Caesar. "Don't be acting like the hero. Otherwise, they might get hurt."
Aksana and Phoenix were kicked out from the crowd of Naralians. The Naralian who kicked them then tossed an iron cage at the ground where Marron was locked in, whimpering in fear.
"Sorry, Yuri," said Aksana. "There were too many of them."
Caesar and King Forrest laughed.
"You are in no position to be making threats, boy," said Forrest.
"Now, we're in a bit of a hurry here, Yuri," said Caesar. "So let's make a deal. You surrender yourself and Slifer, Obelisk and Ra to the Naralians, and I will make sure no harm comes to Serenity, Aksana or your pretty mage friend here. They will be taken straight home, under my personal care. Ah, this pretty little mage, will scrub my floors. And then, Aksana, the lovely daughter of my general will join me in a bath. And then...the three of us will..ACK!"
An arrow struck the back of his head and came out of his mouth. Caesar coughed, fell on his knees and fell flat on his face, dead. Yuri looked around and spotted Jaeyoung on the cliffs of one of the mountains. More arrows flew from the sky and landed on the Naralians. Yuri's heart was filled with joy when General Gaius, the noble warriors of Legionaries followed by an army of Tharinian soldiers stormed into the valley.
Michael, Jon, Jaeyoung, Ryon, and Stas were leading the charge with him. Michael striking first with his assault rifle followed by the others in a clash of steel. Phoenix used fire to burn away her rope bonds and then formed two fireballs on her hands and tossed them into the air, forming into twin scimitars that had the likeness of a golden phoenix with beautifully crafted filigree moldings on the blades. She cut Aksana free so she could join the fight.
"Yuri!" Ren called from atop the cliff overlooking the fort.
He and Leon rappelled down.
"What are you guys doing here?" cheered Yuri.
"Saving your butt!" said Leon.
A legionnaire loyal to Caesar charged. Leon blocked his attack with his sword and ended him with a shot from his magnum.
"Where'd you learn to fight?" Yuri asked.
"Ren taught me a thing or two before coming down here," said Leon. "Look out little brother, here comes another one!"
"YA!" Yuri roared, slicing out the foolish Naralian soldier's guts. Yuri then battled the man-at-arms while Phoenix fought with the fat soldier. King Forrest blew on a horn and summoned reinforcements from the ships. They all dashed across the forest right for them to join the battle.
Another horn blew in the distance halting the charge. Yami was riding down the hills with a force of Black Luster Soldiers and Buster Bladers behind him ready to join the battle, too.
"You ready for another fight, little brother?" Leon asked, standing back to back with Yuri.
"Yeah, let's do this!"
"I was wrong about you, little guy. You're pretty cool. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me."
"I already did Leon, years ago. We're brothers! We're family."
"Yeah. Now let's take these guys out!"
They charged down the hill leading to the fort and fought violently against the Naralians and the legionnaires loyal to the now-dead Caesar. Forrest's son Prince Malcolm jumped out from a formation of rocks and fired a bolt from his crossbow at Yuri's back.
Yuri screamed as the fiery pain surged his body.
"Yuri!" cried Leon, but he was surrounded by a squad from Forrest's personal guard.
King Forrest dashed for Yuri, raising his sword and screaming out a furious battle cry. Leon jumped over the guards and sprinted towards Forrest to fight him. Yuri looked up, biting his lip to fight the pain in his back. Leon was holding his own pretty well against King Forrest, but then he too was struck by a bolt from Prince Malcolm's crossbow.
King Forrest saw his moment and stuck his sword into Leon's gut.
"NOOOOOO!" Yuri shouted.
Leon gasped. Blood oozed from his mouth.
King Forrest removed the blade from his gut to let Leon fall on the ground. Phoenix spotted Prince Malcolm's perch and fired an arrow into his heart. He grunted and fell dead on the rocks. King Forrest lunged for Yuri. Yuri used his lightforged sword to cut King's Forrest's sword in half.
"Don't hurt me!" cried King Forrest. "No! No! Don't hurt me!"
He ran back into his army like the coward that he was.
"Leon!" Yuri called crawling to his fallen brother.
"Damn, Yuri," coughed Leon. "I guess I got too careless,"
"I've been through worse," said Yuri. "We can mend this up."
"Yeah?" chuckled Leon. "Well, I'm not part god, remember."
"Leon…"
"Yuri…Brett and the Martinettis will be back. They have plans for Aquarius and it's not good. You have to stop them okay?"
"Brett? What does he plan to do?"
"I don't know, but you have to do whatever it takes to make sure they don't come into power. If they do, there will be no stopping them. Aquarius will forever be in the palm of their hands. Our parents won't be safe. Your pals won't be safe. Crystal won't be safe. Promise me you'll go back and stop them."
"I will," said Yuri. "You and me and Ren. Together."
"I'm afraid I can't. Rule well…" he placed a hand on Yuri's shoulder. "My brother."
And then Leon spoke no more.
"Leon…Leon…. LEON!"
"Yuri," said Ren. "I'm so sorry."
"My Lord!" said Richard. "Look! We have them trapped in the valley. Yami and his forces are held up in the east and the Legion loyal to you are blocked off in the West. The prince and his friends are all ours!"
"He's right!" said Donald. "KILL THEM! CHARGE!"
"Oh geez," said Jon. "We're completely cut off from all help."
"What can we do?" sobbed Aksana.
"We die with honor," Jaeyoung said readying his sword.
"Gentlemen," said Stas. "Ladies. It has been an honor. Let's takedown as many as we can. We won't go down without a fight right Yuri. Yuri?"
He looked down at his friend. Yuri's eyes were glowing brighter than it had ever glowed before. There was a bright aura radiating from his body. He looked down at the oncoming soldiers with a face that caused the enemy to halt. The sky began to darken. Purple lightning flashed in the sky.
"What are you doing you fools!" shouted King Forrest. "ATTACK!"
"AAAARRRRGGGH!" Yuri road as a beam of light shot out of his body and into the blackened sky. The bright silhouette of Ser Norman hovered above him.
A choir began to sing, announcing the summoning of a god.
The battle ceased as the soldiers looked to the sky seeing a red arcane circle spun above in the sky. A bright light snaked out of it and swirled over the mountains. Wings erupted from the light and flapped so fiercely it blew the snow off the mountains leaving them bare. The creature began to take form from the coils of light.
"Serenity!" Yami called, running toward her.
"Yugi!" Serenity cried, embracing him. "What is that!"
"Slifer the Sky Dragon!" shouted Yami. "He's done it!"
"I'm scared, Yugi!" she sobbed.
The soldiers dropped their weapons, observing the titan above them snarling as its coils slithered overhead. Phoenix sobbed, marveling at the sky dragon, so-called because it covered the entire sky. Its massive wings stretched for miles.
"Fire!" the sailors of the Naralian navy cried out, launching flaming projectiles from their catapults.
The sky was dotted by thousands of flaming explosives. Slifer flapped his wings blasting them away with hurricane-force winds. The princes held on for dear life until the gale subsided. Slifer gave a thunderous roar at the enemy ants below him. Some took off their helmets and dropped their weapons. Dashing into the forest whimpering and sobbing fear. King Forrest fired his crossbow at the beast. It did nothing. Slifer opened its mouth forming a large ball of bright blue energy.
It charged for another few seconds and fired its powerful beam at the enemy.
King Forrest screamed as the blast reached him. He felt five seconds of anguish. And then he was gone.
The beam from Slifer traveled all the way to the sea where Forrest's navy was docked. The Naralian soldiers saw the beam approach but it was too late to do anything. They and their ships were atomized by the blast.
Then all was silent.
Embers danced in the air. It was all that remained of King Forrest and his army and the Legionnaires on Caesar's side.
Yuri stopped glowing. He stared at the sky to gaze upon the beast he summoned. Slifer snarled and roared into Termnnia, challenging anything for a fight worthy of his power.
Thunder exploded in the sky followed by flashes of purple lightning.
"Yuri…" Yami said silently. "My King."
He knelt for Yuri and his dragon. The other soldiers and his friends the princes knelt as well.
"Are you all right?" Gaius asked. He was panting heavily in exhaustion. Sweat rolled down his face and dripped from his chin.
"Yes," said Yuri, brushing embers off his leather breastplate. He struggled to stand up, though he did his best not to show it so as to keep his friends from worrying about him.
Gaius looked at his daughter. "And you..." he said.
"Father I..."
"Not another word!" said Gaius. "We will discuss this when we get home."
"Yes father," Aksana said hanging her head shamefully.
"Don't be so hard on her sir," said Yuri. "She fought well today, and I couldn't have done any of this without her."
"She is a good fighter, of that I have no doubt," said Gaius. "It's her problem with authority. She does not listen."
"Neither do I," said Yuri.
"Still, what a mess this is," said Gaius.
"There is some good to come out of it," said Yuri. He was holding to the Aurelian crown.
"Ah, good riddance," said Gaius.
"Indeed, it is high time Aurelia got a new leader," said Yuri.
"You couldn't possibly..."
"He can," said Yami. "Yuri, I believe you were in the middle of something."
Gaius's Legionaries gathered round as Yuri stood beside Gaius.
"Honorable soldiers of the Imperial Aurelian Legion!" Yuri shouted. "As the Prince of Termnnia, Wielder of the Divine Beasts and heir to the throne. It is with great honor, that I declare, General Gaius Marcellus as your new CAESAR!"
He held up Gaius's arm. The Legionaries cheered and held out their swords.
"HAIL CAESAR!" they shouted. Aksana walked towards her father and hugged her. "HAIL CAESAR! HAIL CEASAR!" The Legionaries shouted. Michael and the princes stepped forward clapping for their instructor. Yami and the soldiers from Tharinian Army clapped for him as well.
"Yuri...I...me?"
"I can't think of anyone better," said Yuri. "It's the least I can do for you, my friend."
"HAHA!" roared Gaius as he embraced his former student.
"My brothers!" called Gaius to the Legionnaires. "I promise, great change will come to Aurelia. Our homeland will return to its former glory. And as my first action as your Caesar," he took a ring from his hand. "I name my daughter Aksana as your new General of the Imperial Aurelian Legion."
He quickly placed the ring on Aksana's hand and held up her arm. The Legionaries cheered again.
"I will never forget what you have done for me; for my country!" said Gaius. "I will not let the opportunity you gave me go to waste."
"I have complete faith in you Caesar," said Yuri. "Thank you."
Yuri then let out a sickening cry. His eyes rolled behind his head as he fell forward.
"YURI!" his friends shouted, dashing towards him.
"Yuri!" cried Yami. He picked him up and held him in his arms.
Yuri was fading away.
"Yuri, hold on… hold on…"
The last thing Yuri saw was Yami looking down at him and his great beast snarling in the thundering skies. And then he fell into an abyss of black eternity.
Yuri
Yuri was lying in his bed in the Spire of the Kings. He was unconscious for three days. It served him right for summoning a Divine Beast into battle. When the doctors told him he could get out of bed, Yuri was dressed into extravagant formal wear so to make a speech for the people, anxiously awaiting to see the Divine Beasts. And now all that was left for Yuri to do was to ready himself for the Academy. He was alone in his room with Yugi, the real Yugi.
"So Horakhty told you everything about us, huh?" said Yugi. "The spirit in the puzzle and that he was once a pharaoh thousands of years ago."
"She did," Yuri said, sitting down in front of Yugi at the table. "She put a lot on my mind that day. That your body plays host to some reincarnated king. Hmm. You and Me. Ser Norman and Yami. We're alike. Except I'm a demi-god chosen to rid the world of its evil."
"Yeah, talk about far out, huh?" Yugi said looking at the mess of cards on the table. "But those are mysteries that should be solved in a later rime. Right now, it looks like we need to figure out some strategies with those dinosaurs of yours," Yugi said examining his cards.
"No offense, Yugi," said Yuri. "But this is a waste of time. Back home, I'm the Duel Monsters World Champion."
"Oh, are you?" said Yugi. "So here we stand, two world champions from different worlds. Why don't we put your skills to the test, Yuri?"
"You sure, Yugi?"
"Yes, but before we play, I'm going to have to ask for my Exodia cards back."
"Exodia?" Yuri asked. "Oh yeah, he's the monster I used to beat Leon in the…hey, wait a minute you were the one who sneaked those cards into my deck!"
"Well, I had to give you some sort of edge," said Yugi. "I mean, Kaiba put those Blue-Eyes White Dragons into Leon's deck. So, I had to do a little sneaking around myself. By the way, I'm sorry about your brother."
"Yeah, I was just starting to get to know him," said Yuri. "I hope he rests easy."
"He'll always be with you, Yuri. Brothers will be together always."
"Thanks, Yugi. I appreciate that. So how about that duel, huh?"
"Sure, you first,"
"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into, Yugi. I summon Megazowler and…"
"Ah, ah, ah, you can't do that?"
"Why not?"
"I forgot the other world plays less strategically than we do. See those stars on the monster's card."
"Yeah, it's their level, I know that."
"Well, here in Termnnia we have to sacrifice weaker monsters in order to summon stronger ones. Your Megazowler is a six-star monster, so it would require one monster as a sacrifice to be summoned."
"Oh, I see," said Yuri. "And the higher the level, the more monsters I have to offer, right?"
"That's right," said Yugi.
"Makes sense, I kind of like that. Now you have to work to bring tough customers to the field instead of just slapping them into play."
"Which leaves me to ask, why don't you enforce the new rules into your world, Yuri?"
"I just might do that," said Yuri. "That'll put Brett out of business I hope."
"Who's Brett?" Yugi asked.
"Some jerk I know back on Earth. It's best we don't speak about him."
There was a knock on the door. "Enter," Yuri said.
A Black Luster Soldier stepped inside and bowed. "Your Grace. King Antilles of Dragonrock is here to see you."
Yugi silently muttered: "Uh-oh." He didn't want Antilles to ruin their fun. When Yuri told the Black Luster Soldier to allow him inside, Yugi felt his heart tie into a knot. The Black Luster Soldier bowed once more and left to make way for the King. Yuri was surprised to see that Antilles was in good form for one so elderly. He was fifty and seven but was tall and broad like a young brawler.
"Your Grace," Antilles said with a bow. "And Master Yugi. A pleasure as always. Yuri, my boy, how do you like the Spire of the Kings? Is everything to your liking?"
"Uh-huh. Everything is great. The food, the wine, the bedding. The bathers."
Antilles let out a hearty laugh. "I figured as much. My what it's like to be as young as you. I trust you're ready for the academy, young one?"
"I am, but I've got some disheartening news from Pegasus. Apparently, I'm missing a few credits that I need to qualify to make it. I have to take a few semesters in a prep school to achieve them."
"Well, that is why I am here, Yuri. I have come to announce that the Spire of the Kings will turn into an academy of sorts for the next few months. You see, you have some very powerful and influential classmates who were to go to school with you. But, they have had their hands tied saving the world from evildoers all over the globe. You have the likes of Zane Truesdale, Princess Alexis Rhodes, young Jaden, and the like, who have all fallen a tad behind in their requirements for school. So, per High Chancellor Pegasus's request, they will all be coming here to attend a private session with you."
"Really?"
"Yes. You will be taking classes in the Glass Palace, which is out there on an island in the Bay of Kings. It's a prep school to get into the Academy of Kings here in Rassay, but it will suit your needs until you fulfill your credit requirements. It's also a good time to see if you can qualify to attend the university in the prestigious Obelisk Blue Dorm."
"Obelisk Blue?" Yuri asked.
Yugi nodded. "Yeah, Duelist Academy is split up into three dorms. The lowest-ranking dorm is Slifer Red. The good students go to Ra Yellow. And finally, only the best of the best can attend the Obelisk Blue Dorm."
"Yes," said Antilles. "As Yugi said, only the best of the best can go there. Do you think you're up to the challenge, little Yuri?"
"Of course, you can count on me making it to Obelisk Blue! I'm up for it."
"Good. The new Master Rule of Five came out, and you must learn how to use it. And let us not forget you still have yet to master the arts of Xyz, Synchro, Pendulum, and Link Summoning."
"So many mechanics?" Yuri wondered.
"And it's wise that you learn them all," said Yugi.
"Indeed," said Antilles. "I will inform my niece of the news. With all the excitement going on she too fell behind in her requirements. I will personally see to your school supplies, Prince Yuri. Good luck to you. Your classes begin next week." He bowed and left.
"Is learning all this stuff really necessary?" Yuri asked.
"Sadly it is," Yugi said with a sigh. "Don't chicken out now, Yuri. The academy is full of tough customers looking to take you out and make a name for themselves. Not to mention there are going to be a lot of cards you and I have never seen before. That's why the spirit of the puzzle asked me to enroll in the school, to help you out."
"And I appreciate that," said Yuri. "I could use all the help I can get."
"Oh, hello boys," said Solomon, Muto coming into the room. He was carrying boxes of booster packs in his arms.
"Hey, grandpa," said Yugi.
"I just thought I'd bring you some cards to help build your decks for the Glass Palace. It may be a preparatory school, but it's filled with young, and powerful players ready for the big time at Duelist Academy."
"Thanks," said Yuri. "These could really help."
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Solomon asked. "Dig in."
Yuri and Yugi worked late into the night to make a good deck for school. By midnight, they had finished and leaned back in their chairs exhausted.
"You and Yugi have assembled a powerful deck, Yuri," Yami said examining Yuri's cards.
"Is it going to be enough?" Yuri asked desperately.
Yami looked at the boy and nodded. "There comes a time when there's nothing left to do but believe in the deck you've created." He paused. "Yuri…"
"Huh?" Yuri asked.
"This school is unlike any challenge you've ever faced. According to Horakhty, the fate of Termnnia rides on the three of us, so you've got to be strong and trust in your cards."
"But what about you, pharaoh?" Yuri asked. "There's still so much we don't know about you."
"Our destiny will reveal itself when the time is right. But now you must fulfill yours. With this deck, you will pave the way to the Diamond Throne. If you believe in the heart of the cards there is nothing you can't do."
"Right and I'll be ready. We can do this."
"Yes, but it won't be easy."
"I ready to face whoever and whatever lies ahead, Yami. You stood by me and helped me when I was a baby and when I first came here into this new world. Now it's my turn to help you. I will be by your side. There is an evil force returning to Termnnia and it's up to you, and me and Yugi to stop it. You had to deal with this evil, thousands of years ago, but you had to do it alone. Now you've got me and Yugi."
"Thank you, Yuri. And likewise, we will be there for you now until you are crowned High King."