Chapter Two
"Wanna try it again today?"
"No, I don't," Yuito replied to his friends question. It has been three days since he had defeated the guy with the dragons monsters and got the Combat Duel Disk. Everyday since then he had tried to somehow sneak into the higher parts of the town to apply at an agency as a Combat Duelist, but he hasn't been able to make it past the security patrols.
"We might find a lucky opening one day," Keiji tried to cheer his friend up, but Yuito just waved it off.
"Yeah, we might," he said. "Mind if I go checking the restaurants today? I need some distraction."
"Actually I just wanted to ask you if you would. I did it for... what? Four days now. I'm beaten."
"You're so supportive of me trying to get us a better life."
"Who made sure you wouldn't starve when you get back here, beaten up by policemen?"
"They didn't beat me."
"They could have."
"Yes, they could. Okay, I appreciate your effort."
"Thank you," Keiji smiled, "That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
With this, both Yuito and his friend set of to the streets looking for food while the ending night still covered them for a little. They left the Combat Duel Disk hidden at their place, the chance of it being stolen on the streets was too high for the both of them, considering it could prove to be their eventual way into a better life.
This night was really dire in what it offered to the boys, as many of the restaurants they checked either hadn't thrown out their leftovers from the day before yet, did not have any, or those they had were already taken by somebody else. The pair did still have some of the bread that Keiji managed to get them the day before, so they could afford one dire night, but it was still unfortunate.
As he had requested, Yuito eventually set off alone to continue searching, while Keiji returned to their place to keep any eye on their belongings.
Even though the night was dark with just the occasional yellow lamp illuminating the streets, Yuito had no trouble finding the right way. He had taken the same route countless time, every second night since he ended up with Keiji to be exact. Of course, the starting point sometimes differed, but he ended up knowing this part of the city like the back of his hand. At the beginning he sometimes started taking detours and venturing into new parts of the town, but eventually discovered that it didn't have any more use than sticking to his most used route.
When Yuito arrived at his first stop – a slightly cleaner and fancier burger joint in the upper parts of this town ring – he found the dumpster to be almost empty as well, much to his dismay. He didn't know whether this was because he came too late or because he came to early, but nonetheless, he didn't get much here today.
Wait no.
There was still a paper bag in the back of it. Maybe there was still some food inside there. If only Yuito could reach it, as the container was nearly empty. He lifted himself up and tried to reach over the ream, while at the same time trying to not fall in. While leaning over the containers edge and trying to balance himself with his feet, he managed to reach closer and closer to the bag, almost getting his hand on it.
"Do you need help?"
Yuito almost fell into the container when he heard the thin voice behind him, barely managing to cling to it and clumsily get back on the ground.
"I'm sorry that I scared you," the person then said, "are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm alright," Yuito said, before he turned his head to take a closer look of whom he was talking to.
This person was a white-haired boy, maybe a year or two younger than him, wearing a lined brown leather jacket and matching pants, with brown leather boots.
"Wait, I know you!" the boy suddenly exclaimed, "you're the guy from that viral video, who defeated some scumbag with a Ritual Monster!"
"Someone filmed that?" Yuito asked, somewhat taken aback.
"Of course! It's all over the internet! The people love you!"
This confused Yuito even more. If a video of his duel existed and if the public liked watching his duels, why hasn't he been approached by a real scout yet? Why hasn't he been made a real Combat Duelist?
"Can I please get an autograph?" the boy suddenly ripped him out of his thoughts, holding a small book and a pen in his hand.
"S-Sure," Yuito replied, not sure what else to do. It had been ages since Yuito wrote his name down the last time, so he was only able to produce some scrawly thing that barely resembled 'Yuito'.
"Can you please write 'for Eivin'?" the boy then added, "I'm Eivin, by the way."
After adding the requested line, Yuito returned the small book and the pen, getting a gleeful 'thank you' from Eivin.
"So, if you have the time," Eivin continued, before pulling a Combat Duel Disk from his backpack, "would it be too much to ask you if you want to duel? Just for fun?"
"I... I don't have my Duel Disk on me," Yuito replied a little ashamed.
"Naw, that's unfortunate," Eivin replied, "but take this as a challenge for when we next meet."
"Yes, we can duel then," Yuito said.
"What were you doing back here?"
"I, uhm, well, I..." Yuito felt kind of embarrassed admitting to his fan that he was just searching the garbage for food, but Eivin seemed to be able to deduce that by simple taking a look into the dumpster behind them.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, but didn't even wait for an answer: "Don't move, just for a few minutes. I'll be right back."
With these words he was gone, back around the corner where he came from.
While Yuito was not sure what to expect now, he did wait for Eivin to return. The sun was already starting to rise, but he hadn't got nothing so far. In fact, he should actually try to get going as fast as he could, because he was losing important time, considering he had already been too late at this dumbster. Yet, he was kinda curious on what Eivin has had in mind, even if Keiji would most likely scold him for doing so.
After just a few minutes, Eivin did actually return, carrying two brown paper bags in his hands.
"It's not the most healthy stuff, but it's the best I can whip out right now."
Yuito simply stared at the two bags the boy carried in his hand, hesitating to take them.
"Come on," Eivin said, "They're yours. A gift from a fan."
Reluctantly, Yuito reached out and took both bags from his apparent fan, while muttering a faint "thank you". They felt pretty heavy and appeared to be filled with food to the brim, which still felt pretty warm. Yuito couldn't remember when he last had a warm meal.
"You're welcome, but I need to get going now," the other boy said, "I really look forward to seeing you on TV soon!"
As fast as the white haired boy had appeared, he had also vanished again, while Yuito was still dumbfounded at what had just happened. He was equally taken aback by how that boy just gifted him two bags filled with food and excited to tell Keiji about how he had just given away his first autograph. He had gathered enough food for days, so he decided to track back to their place.
He decided to go a little faster, as the lights of the street lanterns around him irregulary shut down. This part of the town wasn't particulary well managed, so the lanterns went out not at once but rather one by one. While passing through a street where all the lamps were already out for example, he could still see blue light shining out of one of the crossroads.
After his head had processed that thought, Yuito stopped dead in his tracks.
Blue? Street lights were orange.
Before passing over the crossroad, Yuito took a peek around the corner, to see where the light was coming from.
"Yesterdays night is coming to a close. Do you have something to guide you home?"
Yuitos head darted back across the wall as he heard the man standing in the alley talking to him.
"There is no use in hiding from the light, Yuito. The day is dawning, light will be flooding this world soon."
He heard footsteps in the alley as the man walked closer to him.
"How do you know my name?" Yuito asked, "Who are you?"
"I am a guide," the man replied, ignoring Yuitos first question, "you may call me Tian."
"Is that really your name?" he continued asking, as the man passed around the corner.
"No," the man replied and Yuito was able to catch a glimpse of his looks. It seemed like he has been ripped out of a century long gone, with his flowing red cape and a blue velvet jacket underneath. The blue light originated from a antique looking lamp in his hand, contrasting his red cape and hair.
"Who are you? And how do you know me?" Yuito insisted.
"No one of importance, as of now," Tian replied, "for now, that's all I'll tell."
"If you say so," Yuito said, trying to step past the man, "it was nice seeing you anyway."
Tian didn't make any move to stop Yuito, instead he said: "I know your father."
"My fathers dead," Yuito stopped in his tracks.
"If you say so."
"How do I know you're not lying to me?"
"You do not. You can choose to believe me or you can choose not to. Decisions like this one open doors in your life, or close them. I cannot tell you what you have to do."
"Tell me about my father. Convince me I can trust you."
"No."
"What?"
"Earn it," Tian turned around and revealed a Duel Disk attached to his arm. "Show me you're your fathers son."
"I don't have my Duel Disk on me," Yuito replied, "if you give me time, I can..."
"Is this yours?" the man said and pulled another Duel Disk from under his coat, that looked just like the one Yuito acquired a few days ago. When Tian passed it to him, he realized that it was exactly that one, with Yuitos deck stored in it.
"How did you..." he started, but his opponent interrupted him by starting up the Combat Duel interface.
Tian: 4000 LP
Yuito: 4000 LP
"I'll have the first turn, please," Tian started, after placing his lantern in front of his feet, "I do so by Normal Summoning 'Netherfly – Luci the Guide'." The monster that emerged from Tians card was a small firefly, its tail giving off a faint, blue light.
Netherfly – Luci the Guide: FIRE / Insect / Level 4 / 1650 ATK / 0 DEF
"Then I end my turn."
"So you wanted to go first for just that?" Yuito asked, concerned by the simplicity of his opponents first turn, "I draw, then I Normal Summon 'Stone Crypt Force Sorcerer'." His monster resembled a blindfolded magician in a dirty coat, carrying a staff in his hands.
Stone Crypt Force Sorcerer: EARTH / Spellcaster / Level 4 / 1900 ATK / 0 DEF
"I'll immediately use it to attack," Yuito went on, "and its target will be Luci the Guide!" The wizard drew its staff and fired a wave of energy towards the insect, which dissolved into light particles.
Tian: 4000 LP - 3750 LP
"It was a vain effort, destroying my monster. Once Luci is destroyed, she calls a new guide for you from my deck. I Summon 'Netherfly – Phory the Beacon' to replace her." The new monster that appeared from Tians deck was another firefly, however, its light shined in a brighter blue than Lucis.
Netherfly – Phory the Beacon: FIRE / Insect / Level 4 / 1550 ATK / 0 DEF
"It was a vain effort, replacing your monster," Yuito played Tians words back, "because while my Force Sorcerer is the only monster I control, it can make up to three attacks on monsters per turn. Strike again, my monster." The new monster on the field didn't last long, before being blown into pieces by the wizards shockwave.
Tian: 3750 LP - 3400 LP
However, once the dust of this last attack had cleared, Tians field wasn't empty, instead a butterfly with glowing, blue wings had taken the place of Phory.
Netherfly – Monarch the Mosaic: FIRE / Insect / Level 4 / 1750 ATK / 0 DEF
"My first monster was capeable of replacing itself. What made you believe my second isn't as well?"
"I was just taking a chance," Yuito replied, "and it proved helpful. You Summon your monsters in Attack Position, as if inviting me to destroy them. You probably want them in your Graveyard for some reason. It taught me to not destroy any more of them."
"Well, too bad," Tian replied, "You don't have a chance. This is a Combat Duel and your Sorcerer got placed in the Combat Zone. It must attack if possible. That includes any additional attacks it might have."
Yuito gritted his teeth, as he ordered Force Sorcerer to do a third attack – its final one for this turn anyway.
Tian: 3400 LP - 3250 LP
"As we've already established, I use my monsters effect and replace it with another monster from my deck. Here comes Viceroy the Painting." Another butterfly appeared on Tians field, its wings pulsating with ever-changing patterns in blue light.
Netherfly – Viceroy the Painting: FIRE / Insect / Level 4 / 1950 ATK / 0 DEF
"That thing is strong enough to defeat my Sorcerer!" Yuito yelled, "You've had this the whole time? Are you mocking me?"
"Not at all," Tian replied calmly, "to truly advance, we need to commit mistakes. A path of mistakes leads us on the right way."
"Were you raised in a fortune cookie factory?"
"Do I appear like I was?"
"I Set one card face-down and end my turn," Yuito just brushed him over and placed his 'Eroding Scribestone' card on his Duel Disk. He should try to Summon a monster from the Extra Deck. He'd not succeed.
"My turn," Tian said while drawing his card, "I Normal Summon a second copy of Luci the Guide." Another monster appeared next to the butterfly, the firefly that Yuitos Sorcerer had already destroyed once last turn.
Netherfly – Luci the Guide: FIRE / Insect / Level 4 / 1650 ATK / 0 DEF
'Two Level four monsters... Here comes an Xyz Summon...'
"From my hand," Tian went on, "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Inherited Guidance'."
'Spell Card? So a Fusion Summon instead.'
"It doubles as a Ritual Spell and allows me to Ritual Summon any 'Netherfly' Ritual Monster from my hand."
With these words, Yuitos face fell: "Rituals? You use Rituals too?"
"Remarkable, isn't it? Even when your opponent also uses them, you always have the element of surprise on your side. And no one is prepared to fight them." As he spoke, the butterfly on his field and was sucked into the Spell Card. "I tribute Viceroy the Painting! Ritual Summon! Become the guiding light that leads the condemned souls! 'Netherfly – Cypho the Signal'!"
The Spell Card burned away in blue flame, out of which a large firefly emerged, blue lines of energy running along its body, its light blinking in bright blue light, as if trying to send a message in Morse code.
Netherfly – Cypho the Signal: FIRE / Insect / Ritual / Level 4 / 2050 ATK / 0 DEF
"Just see the look in your face. I'm pretty sure you're not prepared to fight against Ritual Monsters yourself, are you?" Tian remarked.
"I am prepared to fight everything. Just bring it on," Yuito replied with as much faked confidence he could muster, given that his face-down card didn't work against monsters that did not come from the Extra Deck.
"I activate the effect of 'Luci the Guide'," Tian said, "by banishing Viceroy from my Graveyard, all other Insects I control will gain 500 ATK until your next End Phase." Lucis light flared with intensity and when it did, Cyphos also started to pulsate more intense.
Luci the Guide: 1650 ATK - 2150 ATK
Cypho the Signal: 2050 ATK - 2550 ATK
"As an Insect was banished from my Graveyard, Cyphos effect activates, which allows me to destroy any one card you control," Tian eyed Yuitos field suspiciously, "the fact that you didn't use that face-down yet might mean that you cannot, it might also mean that it activates in battle. I have the advantage at the moment, so I'm not gonna take a risk. I choose to destroy it." The Ritual Monster gave up one flash of light that made Yuito shield his eyes and when he looked back onto his field, the Set card was gone.
Thank god it was...
"Useless," Tian ended his thought unknowingly, "You managed to derail me from my path of victory. I'm impressed. You really are your fathers son."
"My fathers dead."
"So you say. I attack your Force Sorcerer with Cypho the Signal and will then attack you directly with Luci." Both monsters' lights rapidly increased in intensity, to a point where Yuitos skin felt like he was standing inside of a large campfire.
Yuito: 4000 LP - 3350 LP - 1200 LP
"I set one card and end my turn," Tian said, as a face-down card appeared on his side of the field.
"My turn," Yuito continued, "I activate my Spell Card 'Stele of Necromancy'. With it, I can revive an EARTH Spellcaster, but it forbids me from touching the Extra Deck until the End Phase." As there only was a single monster in Yuitos Graveyard, his decision wasn't hard. The magician, that was wiped from the field the last turn returned.
Stone Crypt Force Sorcerer: EARTH / Spellcaster / Level 4 / 1900 ATK / 0 DEF
"I proceed to Normal Summon 'Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands'." A humanoid being composed of a gray mass of differently sized arms appeared on the field. It was hard to tell if there were actually ten thousand.
Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands: LIGHT / Fairy / Level 4 / 1400 ATK / 1000 DEF
"Whenever it is Normal Summoned, I can add a Ritual Monster or a Ritual Spell Card from my deck to my hand. I choose Runecross Wizard." Yuito sighed as he slipped his most trusted card out of his deck. It would help him. It must.
"I activate my Ritual Spell Card 'Rosette Scribestone'! Using it, I tribute Manju and Force Sorcerer, in order to Ritual Summon 'Runecross Wizard'!" A large stele appeared behind Yuitos monsters, which both dispensed into light particles and were absorbed into it.
"You're going all in for a Ritual versus Ritual battle. I like that tone," Tian said, "to bad I'm not gonna let you."
With these words his face-down card flipped up: "I activate the Counter Trap Card 'Guidance into the Abyss'!" The stele Yuitos Ritual Spell Card had summoned was engulfed in a layer of blue flame.
"My Trap can be activated in response to a Special Summoned Monsters effects, or the Summoning of a monster though a Spell or Trap effect. It will immediately negate that effect, the only condition I will have to meet is that I must be able to immediately Ritual Summon a Netherfly from my hand for the effect to go off." His smaller firefly was also engulfed in the same blue fire as he went on, "I tribute Luci the Guide to Summon my best monster instead of yours. Ritual Summon! Look into the flames and guide us on the path of true light! 'Netherfly – Saturn the Pair of Eyes'!"
The flames on Tians field morphed until they resembled a butterfly being made entirely out of different shades of blue flames. It's eyes glowed in blue light, while the pattern on its wings resembled two pairs of eyes staring relentlessly at Yuito.
Netherfly – Saturn the Pair of Eyes: FIRE / Insect / Ritual / Level 4 / 2150 ATK / 0 DEF
After Saturn had manifested on the field, the flames that had encapsulated the stele on Yuitos field vanished, leaving it empty and having Yuito sink onto one knee.
"Saturn gains 300 ATK for each of my banished Insect monsters," Tian explained.
Saturn the Pair of Eyes: 2150 ATK - 2450 ATK
"I... I end my turn..." Yuito said, embracing the fact that he was unable to defeat both of Tians monsters while having just lost his chance to Summon his.
Cypho the Signal: 2550 ATK - 2050 ATK
"As I said, failure eventually guides you onto the right path. Practice and this path will once reunite you with your father."
"My father is dead!"
"Saturn, attack Yuito directly with your Eyes of Fire!" The butterfly unleashed a blast of blue flames towards Yuito and knocked him along the alley they were dueling in.
Yuito: 1200 LP - 0 LP
But when Yuito looked up after being defeated, the man with the lantern had vanished without a trace.
He couldn't get this strange meeting out of his head while he headed back to his and Keijis hideout. He was eager to tell his friend about and and ask him about his opinion. If he thought that this Tian guy could possibly be telling the truth. But his father was dead. He had to be. Tian couldn't know him.
Passing around the corner and into their alley, he was already greeted by a fruity smell that he couldn't assign at first, but eventually figured out that it was perfume. A womans perfume.
"Oh, so there is our shining star!" he heard a female voice say, before he even knew what was going on.
"May I introduce myself," she said, while handing Yuito a business card, Keiji standing awkwardly behind her, "my name is Alessia Meiko, I'm a talent scout."
Author-made cards:
Stone Crypt Force Sorcerer / EARTH / Spellcaster / Level 4 / 1900 ATK / 0 DEF
If this card is the only monster you control, it can make up to 3 attacks on monsters per turn. A Ritual Monster that was Ritual Summoned using this card as a tribute gains the following effect: ● Once per turn, during either players turn: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; Destroy it.
Netherfly – Luci the Guide / FIRE / Insect / Level 4 / 1650 ATK / 0 DEF
Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can banish 1 Insect-Type monster from your Graveyard; all face-up Insect-Type Monsters gain 500 ATK until your opponent's next End Phase. If this card is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by a card effect): Special Summon 1 "Netherfly" monster from your Deck, except "Netherfly - Luci the Guide".
Netherfly – Cypho the Signal / FIRE / Insect / Ritual / Level 4 / 2050 ATK / 0 DEF
You can Ritual Summon this card with any "Guidance" Ritual Spell Card. Once per turn, during either player's turn, if an Insect-Type monster in your Graveyard is banished: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy it. If this card is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by a card effect): You can target 2 of your banished Insect-Type monsters; return them to your Graveyard.
Netherfly – Saturn the Pair of Eyes / FIRE / Insect / Ritual / Level 4 / 2150 ATK / 0 DEF
You can Ritual Summon this card with any "Guidance" Ritual Spell Card. This card gains 300 ATK for each of your banished Insect-Type monsters. If an Insect-Type monster is banished: All face-up non-Insect-Type monsters on the field lose 500 ATK. If this card is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by a card effect): You can target 2 of your banished Insect-Type monsters; return them to your Graveyard.
Stele of Necromancy / Normal Spell Card
Target 1 EARTH Spellcaster-Type Monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it. You cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of the turn.
Inherited Guidance / Quick-Play Spell Card
(This card is also always treated as a Ritual Spell Card.)
This card can be used to Ritual Summon any "Netherfly" Ritual Monster. Tribute monsters from your hand or field, then Ritual Summon 1 "Netherfly" Ritual Monster from your hand whose Level exactly equals the total Levels of those monsters.
Guidance into the Abyss / Counter Trap Card
If your opponent activates the effect of a Special Summoned monster OR a Spell/Trap Card that would Special Summon a monster(s): You can Ritual Summon 1 "Netherfly" Ritual Monster from your hand by Tributing monsters you control whose total Levels equal the Level of that monster, and if you do, negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it.