Coral: Here's another chapter of Circus GX! I was hoping to add in a duel that included Symphogears, to honor the fourth season that came out recently, but I just couldn't imagine a good duel with them, especially not with my OC's usual character. Makes me wish I held off the previous chapter just a little longer. BUT! There is a change in opening from this chapter forward, with the song coming from the Symphogear show itself! Third season! So that should be close enough of an honor. Now, that being said, enjoy the chapter~
Normal dialogue
Life Points/Monster stats
*LOCATION CHANGE/ CHANGE IN P.O.V*
Attacks/Effects
'thoughts'
Language other than Japanese (this is English sub after all)
*OPENING*
Roar out through the high heavens,
(Opening starts with a red silhouette of a monster)
Wrapped in undulating emotion;
(Silhouette changed into a different monster in blue)
The truest of tones can be found here at this very spot…
(Silhouette changed once more into a yellow monster. Scene changed to Samejima's office, the man looking out the window at the sky above)
(Instrumental)
(Camera looks up at the dark sky. Title appears. After several seconds, flames extinguished it, changing the scene)
The trembling signal of pain in my heart,
(Kohaku was practicing some stunts when she sensed something and looked behind her)
Broke through many a night,
(Scene changed to Bella doing some ninja training when she also sensed something and looked at a distance)
As I searched for you – it's enough to drive me insane…
(Scene changed again to Alex running from something before he summoned Freakstar Dragon and rode on his back, flying out of the Abandoned Dorm as it exploded behind them)
Within the elegant, dreamlike sounds that float upon a double-edged warmth,
(Jacko, Tiffany, Seth, Shou and Hayato looked at a distance, watching their friends facing off against the Shadow Riders)
Entrusted tears roam throughout the sky
(Camera zoomed in to Arkham and a Rider in a black cloak. Kohaku and Kazato stares at them. The unknown rider walks away and Kohaku grabbed the cloak and pulled it off)
The more I seek this radiant melody,
(Scene changed as Judai summoned his Heroes and declared an attack)
All that's projected is more illusions.
(Asuka summoned her monsters and also declared an attack)
But the moment we know as "now" will always be what forms the miracle of tomorrow…
(Scene changed to Ryo and his Cybers, to Misawa and his 'Magnet Warriors', to Manjoume and his dragons, to various other characters and their monsters)
So I want to sing for your sake!
(Scene changed to where the Mythic Demon cards are sealed, the three monster spirits circling around the Spirit Gates)
Let everything be set free
(Darkness and Camula had their monsters battle Judai, Chronos, Ryo and Kazato's monsters)
If you have a dream for the future that you believe
(Another cloaked duelist was dueling against Bella and her ninjas)
Our resounding hearts are unstoppable!
(Misawa and Manjoume battled Tania and Don Zaloog. Alex and Asuka dueled against Abidos III and Titan)
Let's go (together), joining hands (no matter how far)!
(Arkham and the earlier cloaked duelist have a full field of monsters on their side, facing off against Kohaku. Kohaku and her 'Circus Freak' and 'Relic' monsters leapt from floating rock to rock over to them)
I won't ever let go of that smile!
(They all prepared their strongest attack and fired. Scene paused with a close-up image of Kohaku and the earlier cloaked duelist facing off)
One night, a couple of days after Kohaku's duel against Arkham, in a small cave, a group of people gathered deep inside, standing before an inlet. Among them was Arkham, covered in scratches.
"Our time has arrived," one of them spoke in a deep, male's voice. "You have made a pact to help me retrieve the cards of destiny. After Arkham, who went to check what our destination's strongest was made of, who will be the first to officially lead the battle?"
"Whoever does go, leave the one who did this to me. She's mine," Arkham said with a smirk.
"I will go," volunteered a masked duelist in black clothing. He put on a duel disk similar to Duel Academia's and walked out of the cave.
"She really did some damage to you, did she," a female stated to Arkham.
"Hmph. She was tougher than you said she was. That's all," the 'Kamen Rider' duelist simply answered.
The female let the matter be and walked off.
"Where are you going?" the voice from earlier asked.
"A long stroll," she simply answered, exiting the cave.
The next day, Kohaku and her friends were in Daitokuji's class. Kohaku's left arm was in a sling and she had a bandage around her head, injuries from her duel. During class, she couldn't help but think about the conversation she had with her friends the day before.
*FLASHBACK*
Kohaku just woke up from the injuries she sustained in the duel, finding herself in the nurse's office in bandages. Her friends were by her side, waiting for her to wake.
"What happened?" she asked.
"You don't remember?" Judai asked. "You were dueling with that Arkham guy yesterday."
"Also known as 'Hell's Reaper'," Jacko added. "You were lucky to not lose the duel, or who knows what would've happened to you."
Kohaku slightly nodded at his words and realized something. "Dad... Where's dad?!" She winced at the pain she felt on her head.
"Calm down, Kohaku. Stress isn't good for you right now," Asuka advised. "Your father's okay. He's in a meeting with the other teachers."
"No doubt it'll be about yesterday," Bella assumed. "Either it will be to expel us, or attempt to, or about why the dorm became a pile of rubbles."
"Probably both," Tiffany guessed.
"I don't think they'll expel us, though," Seth said. "If it was a few students, then maybe they will. But there's a handful of us who went to the Abandoned Dorm."
"Even if it is about expulsion, something tells me Prefessor Kazato will convince them to let us off the hook. After all, the only reason we were there was to find him," Misawa pointed out.
"He's right. The rules state that students can't go to the Abandoned Dorm, but it said nothing about teachers or visitors," Alex agreed. "If he tells them that we only went there due to the possibility that he was there, they have to let it go." Everyone nodded in agreement.
"But still, I wonder what that duel was exactly about," Shou said. "Sure Arkham is Hell's Reaper, but why did he come to Duel Academia?"
That question got everyone else wondering about why Arkham was on the island.
"Shou has a point. If he wanted to duel the strongest, it would be the Kaiser," Hayato pointed out. "But instead, he chose to challenge Kohaku. I wonder why."
"Either way, something tells me that that isn't the last time we will see him," Hibiki said, appearing next to Kohaku, who nodded in agreement.
"That means we have to keep out guard up," Sakura said, appearing by Bella's side.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
Kohaku let out a sigh, wondering about what would happen if they do meet Arkham again.
'He's definitely going to settle the score with me the next time we meet,' she thought. 'I'm lucky enough to not lose. But even so... What was that card I drew? 'Relic Weapon Evolution'... I never had that card in that deck before. Unless...' Her mind went to her late twin, as she remembered the conversation she had while she was knocked out. 'I'm wondering now which of us is the older twin,' she thought with a small smile on her face.
Just then, the bell rang, signaling that class was over.
"All right! It's lunch time!" came Judai's voice, as he took out a lunchbox and started to chow down.
"Ah, Yuki Judai-kun. Your lunch will have to wait a bit- nya. You and I are going to the Principal's Office- nya," the Osiris headmaster told him, much to his and his Red friends' confusion.
"Principal's Office? But why?" Tiffany asked, looking at the 'Elemental Hero' duelist.
"Judai, you didn't do something bad again, did you?" Hayato asked in concern.
"It's the Principal's Office," Shou said. "Aniki, don't tell me it's an expulsion."
"But he didn't do anything that's considered bad enough for that, did he?" Jacko questioned.
"Hmm... I don't remember something like that," Judai said, trying to remember a time when he had committed something bad enough to be expelled.
One duelist seemed to like the idea of Judai leaving. "Judai, it was nice knowing you. This is goodbye!" Manjoume declared.
"He doesn't even know exactly why Judai's being called," Alex said in a whispered tone to Kohaku and Bella.
"Being called up can mean anything," the blue of the three pointed out.
"Manjoume-kun, you are to come as well," Daitokuji corrected the 'Armed Dragon' duelist, to his shock. "And then there's Misawa-kun, Asuka-san, Alejandro-kun, Bella-san, and Kohaku-kun." The students called all stood up.
The group all followed their alchemist teacher to the Principal's Office, wondering why they were called over.
"Why are we being called?" Judai voiced out.
"I'm not sure. I was just told to bring you kids there-nya," Daitokuji replied.
As they walked, they met up with Ryo, Chronos, Kazato and Kate.
"What a distinguished group this is- no ne," Chronos commented.
"I assume this means you kids were also called up to the Principal's Office," Kazato said.
"That's right, dad," Kohaku confirmed.
Chronos noticed Judai, whom he still had a grudge against, was among them. "Surely we have a mistake here? We have an odd man out- no ne."
"Don't sweat it, Thunder," Judai said to Manjoume, assuming it was him who was being spoke of.
"He means you!" he corrected.
The group went inside the office while Daitokuji went back to class. There, Samejima explained to them of Duel Academia's secrets.
"Three Mythic Demon cards?" Judai repeated in a questioned tone.
"That's right. Sealed within this island, those three cards have been with us since ancient times," Samejima continued to explain.
"Wait, this academy was around that long ago?"
"No, he said 'island'," Kohaku corrected.
"Shut up. Be quiet and listen!" Manjoume whispered to them.
"Originally, this academy was built over where those cards are sealed," Samejima continued on. Everyone was shock at the information. "Those three Mythic Demon cards lie dormant deep underneath the academy. According to the legend of the island, when those cards are brought up to the surface, the world will be shrouded by evil, chaos will enshroud everything, and the darkness dwelling within the people will be released. Before long, the world will be destroyed and be no more. This is what is said of the extent of the power that these cards conceal."
Everyone tensed at how strong and dangerous the cards were. Well, all except one.
"I don't really get it, but they sound like pretty awesome cards!" Judai exclaimed.
"Aren't you paying attention- no ne?!" Chronos scolded.
"Those who have challenged us, who have ambitions of breaking the seal on those cards, have appeared," Samejima still continued. "In fact, one of you had most likely already dueled against one of them." He looked at Kohaku when he said that.
"Huh? You mean Arkham?" she asked.
"Judging by what was told the other night. The group he's part of is known as the 'Shadow Riders'. They are ten people who are shrouded in complete mystery. One of them had already revealed himself and no doubt had retreated, but another had arrived on the island."
"What did you say?!" Misawa gasped.
"Arkham was troublesome enough," Bella said.
"But how will they try to break the seal?" Asuka asked.
"The three Mythic Demon cards are sealed in the ruins that lie under this academy," Samejima started to answer. "Ten enormous stone pillars known as the ten 'Spirit Gates' protect these cards. Those ten pillars will open with ten keys. These are those ten keys." He took out a box from his drawer.
"Then the Shadow Riders will come to steal these keys," Alex said. "But what does it have to do with us?"
"To that end, I would like to ask you to protect these ten keys."
"You want us to protect them, but how?" Manjoume asked.
"Naturally, by dueling." That response caught them all. "If one were to steal the keys to the ten Spirit Gates, they must win them in a duel. That is an edict carried out on this island since ancient times. That is why I had you, the best duelists within our academy, gathered here. Well, I also called on one more to match the amount." He looked to Chronos as he said that.
"I'm sure he means you- na no ne," Chronos obliviously accused Judai. The red wasn't at all bothered by the false accusation.
"They will come here to challenge those duelists who possesses these ten keys. If you are prepared to battle the Shadow Riders, then I would like you to take one of these keys." Samejima opened up the box, revealing the keys in question.
Judai instantly took a key and put it around his neck, like a necklace. "Sounds fun. I'll do it!"
Ryo smirked at his bravery/naivety and also took a key, followed by Misawa, Asuka, Manjoume and Kazato.
"My, my, my. Principal, you mustn't scare them- no ne," Chronos said to Samejima. "After all, while they want to challenge and defeat those at the academy, we should think they're just coming to steal- no ne. Also, I would like my deck if I am to help protect the academy- na no ne."
"Well, I suppose such a thought is all right for now. And I suppose I can return you your deck," the principal agreed, handing Chronos his 'Antique Gear' deck back as the blonde teacher took one of the remaining keys, leaving three left. The group all looked at the duelists who have yet to picked up a key. "And, what will you three do?"
"I'll gladly take a key, but..." Alex trailed off, looking at Kohaku's injured state.
"We won't take it, if we all don't take a key," Bella said, also looking at Kohaku, whose eyes were shadowed by her bangs.
"Duel... is not a tool to be used for battle," she spoke. "A duel that is only based on victory alone is a false duel, one I almost lost my dad in. Duels are used to make people smile. Injured or not, I'll use my duel style to open the Shadow Riders' eyes, have them see the true light!" She took a key from the box. Her best friends smiled at each other and picked up the remaining keys.
"Thank you everyone. From now on, our battle has begun," Samejima thanked. "Please, be on standby to duel at any moment. And please, you must protect the three Mythic Demon cards, and the keys to the ten Spirit Gates without fail."
Later that night, Kohaku was in the Obelisk Blue dorm in Bella's room, getting some medical treatment from the psychic duelist.
"Tell me again why you couldn't just give me an instant healing like you did last time," the 'Circus Freak' duelist asked.
"Because apparently after that, you were like a kid on a really high sugar rush," she reasoned. "And although that's good and all, we don't want your wounds to reopen."
"Exactly," Sakura, the monster healing Kohaku, nodded in agreement. "I'd rather not continuously heal a near-dead person. Do you have any idea how tiring that gets?"
The Ra Yellow simply chuckled.
The duel monster's hands stopped glowing. "Okay. Your arm should be good as new after I treat it tomorrow. Just keep it out of harms way. And you can take the bandage off your head now."
"Thanks, Sakura," Kohaku thanked, removing the bandage around her head with her free hand. "That means just one more day and I can get back to my performance pace!"
"I'd rather you hold off on that for a few more days," Sakura advised, only to be ignored as Bella removed her card from her duel disk.
A knock was heard at her door.
"Were you expecting someone?" Kohaku asked.
"Not that I know of," she answered. Bella then called, "Who is it?"
"It's Kate. Kohaku's mother." The two girls looked at each other before going to open the door. There, Kohaku's mother stood, with an odd duel disk in her hand.
"Hey, mom. What are you doing here? And is that a duel disk?" Kohaku asked.
"As a matter of fact, it is. One that can activate Action Field." The female students were surprised at the description.
"It can what?!" Bella gasped.
"Seeing how famous Action Duels became in this school, your father sent Pegasus a message about making a duel disk that can bring Action fields with it wherever duelists are. And as you can see, Pegasus agreed to the idea. Rather, he himself had thought of it after watching some videos from the Representative Decisive Tournament. This is a prototype and he wished for you to have it."
"Pegasus wants me to have it?!" Kohaku asked, not believing what she heard.
"Action Duels exist because of you after all. Even your father thinks you should have this Duel Disk."
Kohaku looked at the disk in her mother's hands. She reached out and held it in her own hands, a smile forming on her face. "Thanks mom. Tell Pegasus I said thanks too. And that I won't let him down!"
Kate let a small giggle escape her mouth. "Of course."
The gift got Kohaku even more excited. "Alright! Now I can't wait to be at full recovery!"
"Calm down idiot!" Sakura shouted.
"You should know that she won't," Ino told her.
All of a sudden, Kohaku's Gravekeeper's pendant started to glow, much to the girls' shock.
"What the...?" the owner began to question, holding up her key.
"Why is your pendant glowing?" Bella asked. Before Kohaku could answer, their keys started to shake.
"Girls, what does that mean?" Kate asked, in a worried tone. She heard from her husband about how they were chosen to be guardians of Duel Academia and had hoped that it was a joke. Seeing their keys glowing, however...
The young duelists turned to the volcano, where they felt was the source of the keys' reaction. They looked at each other and nodded, knowing what the other was thinking. The next thing Kate knew, Kohaku and Bella ran out of the room.
As they ran to the direction of the volcano, they met up with the other protectors of the Spirit Gate keys, minus Chronos. Seth was also with them.
"Judai! Shou! Hayato!" Misawa called as they caught up to them.
"Jacko and Tiffany too!" Bella called, shocked to see that their friends all got involved in the incident.
"Is Judai okay?" Alex asked.
"Of course he is! It's not like Aniki would die!" Shou exclaimed.
"'Die'?" Kazato repeated in a questioned tone.
"So, it was a Duel of Darkness?" Manjoume guessed.
"That's right. But Judai won!" Hayato said.
"It was some battle," Jacko stated.
"Quite dangerous too," Tiffany added.
Ryo looked to the side and saw Asuka was kneeling right by a Shadow Rider's side... crying and hugging him? He approached the two in confusion. "Asuka?" he spoke.
"His soul... He had another soul in him..." she said, confusing him even more. "That's why it was sealed away, leaving his original soul!"
"What are you saying, Asuka?" Ryo asked.
"Don't you see? It's my brother, Fubuki!"
The Kaiser couldn't believe his ears. But once he got a better look at the Rider's face, he saw that Asuka was telling the truth. "Fubuki?!"
Everyone else joined up with them, all shocked at the development.
