Ladies and gentlemen, for your consideration, I present Chapter One.
Chapter One
Trial of Conviction
(Black Forest, two miles from Crystal Village)
Two men walked through the woods, looking to see if anyone was following them. Once they were sure they were alone, they stopped and started looking through a deck they'd stolen, looking for rare cards. Neither saw or heard a third individual approach them, a young man in a camo jacket, a winter hat, and shades. He glared at them, and spoke. "I don't take kindly to trespassers." They faced him. "Man, we're just passing through." The young man did not back down. "Surrender that deck and leave peacefully, or I will take it by force."
They faced each other, then looked back at him. "How would you do that?" The answer was to hold up his Duel Disk, already activated. They both activated their Duel Disks, leaving the deck on the ground behind them. "You two will regret your decision." They grinned at him. "Come on, we eat losers like you for breakfast." Drawing his starting hand, he said, "There's more to me than meets the eye."
(Later)
They both stared in shock at the dragon in front of them, each one's Life Points down to 200 while their opponent stood untouched. The opponent drew his next card, and said, "I activate Monster Reborn, reviving your Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"
(Red-Eyes Black Dragon appeared: a level 7 monster with 2400 ATK)
They stared at him in shock. "How?! How did you keep us from damaging you so easily?! It's... It's inhuman!" He replied, "All I will say is that you two have disappointed me. I was hoping for a worthy challenge. Both my monsters, finish them!" They both flew back as their Life Points hit 0, looking up in fear as he approached them, picking up the stolen deck and glaring down at them. "Get out of my turf." They both scrambled to their feet and raced off, the victor glaring at their backs as they ran. He made his way out of the forest to return the deck to its owner.
(Crystal Village)
Akiru looked through his deck, looking through the changes he'd made over time. Putting his deck into his pocket, he walked out the door to go to the Black Forest to do some thinking away from prying eyes. During the drive there, he thought over how the last few days had gone. Some Duelists had gone missing in various cities. The authorities were stumped as to what was happening. Akiru sighed as he parked his van, and walked into the forest, Duel Disk on his arm.
As he walked through the forest, he became aware of something or someone following him, and turned around, facing them. He saw a Duelist in a camo jacket, a winter hat, and shades looking at him. Looking at this person, he asked, "Can I help you?" The Duelist said nothing, prompting Akiru to look more closely at him for a moment. He sighed. "Look, I came here to do some thinking alone, so unless you need help, leave me alone." The Duelist spoke. "I have an issue with people walking into this forest without my permission." Akiru coolly replied, "I don't need your permission. You don't own these woods."
The camo Duelist replied, "I'm the Guardian of the Black Forest. It's my duty to ensure that no one causes harm to this forest." Akiru raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a name?" Nodding, the Duelist answered, "My name is Artemis Agrotera." Akiru replied, "I'm Akiru Hirasu." Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Hirasu? As in the American champion?" Akiru replied, "He's my older brother." Artemis kept his gaze on him, then said, "How do I know you're telling the truth?" Akiru replied, "How do I know you're telling the truth of being the guardian of the forest?" Artemis was silent for a moment, then smirked. "Well played. If you're really the champion's brother, then surely you have some skill."
Akiru replied, "You know there's only one way to find out." Artemis nodded. "Prepare yourself, Akiru Hirasu." He activated his Duel Disk. Akiru activated his own, and replied, "Let's go."
(Artemis: 4000)
(Akiru: 4000)
Artemis gripped his top card. "I'll start us off, and I draw." Looking at his card, he grinned. "I Summon Harpie Channeler!"
(Harpie Channeler appeared: a level 4 monster with 1400 ATK)
Akiru looked at the monster. "A Harpie Lady deck, huh?" Artemis replied, "I'm not done. I activate Harpie Channeler's ability. By discarding a Harpie card from my hand, I can Special Summon a Harpie monster from my deck in Defense Mode. I discard Harpie Chick to Special Summon Harpie's Pet Dragon!"
(Harpie's Pet Dragon appeared: a level 7 monster with 2500 DEF)
Akiru raised an eyebrow. "Not bad." Artemis replied, "I have one more thing to tell you. While I control a Dragon-type monster, Harpie Channeler becomes level 7!"
(Harpie Channeler's level: 7)
Akiru muttered to himself, "Two level 7 monsters..." Artemis continued. "I Overlay Harpie's Pet Dragon and Harpie Channeler! With these two monsters, I Xyz Summon Gaia Dragon, the Thunder Charger!"
(Gaia Dragon, the Thunder Charger appeared: a Rank 7 Xyz monster with 2600 ATK)
Akiru looked the monster over. "This isn't my first time seeing that card." Artemis raised an eyebrow, and said, "Then you likely know what it does, but in case you've forgotten, it deals piercing damage." Akiru nodded. "I'm aware." Artemis nodded, saying, "I end my turn. Now let's see what you've got." Akiru drew his card. "I activate the spell card Joker's Straight. By discarding a card, I can Special Summon Queen's Knight from my Deck."
(Queen's Knight appeared: a level 4 monster with 1500 ATK)
"The second effect of Joker's Straight is I now add either a Jack's Knight or a King's Knight from my Deck to my hand. I'll choose King's Knight." Artemis nodded. "So when you Summon it, you get Jack's Knight from your Deck." Akiru replied, "Joker's Straight allows me to Summon the monster I chose as an additional Normal Summon, so I Summon King's Knight out through the effect of Joker's Straight."
(King's Knight appeared: a level 4 monster with 1600 ATK)
"Now, when King's Knight is Summoned, I can Summon Jack's Knight from my Deck."
(Jack's Knight appeared: a level 5 monster with 1900 ATK)
Artemis said, "That's all fine and good, Akiru, but you seem to have forgotten that my dragon is stronger than all those monsters." Akiru replied, "Who said they'd be battling it?" Artemis was surprised. "Huh?" Akiru said, "On the turn I use Joker's Straight, I can't Summon monsters from my Extra Deck unless they're Warrior-type. Luckily, I have a few options in that regard. I activate Face-Card Fusion. This lets me use my three Knights for a Fusion Summon! I fuse Queen's Knight, King's Knight, and Jack's Knight to Fusion Summon Arcana Knight Joker!"
(Arcana Knight Joker appeared: a level 9 Fusion monster with 3800 ATK)
Artemis stared in shock. "Arcana Knight Joker. One of the rarest Fusions in the game." Facing Akiru, he said, "You're lucky to have one." Akiru replied, "I have two." Artemis stared at his opponent in shock. "What?" Akiru replied, "I don't normally do this, but I saw a Duelist using his copy of the monster to steal cards from other Duelists by tricking them into betting their rarest cards for it. I took him down and took the card from him to keep it from being used for those purposes." Artemis sighed as he looked his opponent over again. "You're full of surprises, Akiru, but that alone does not guarantee victory."
Akiru nodded in agreement, then said, "Arcana Knight Joker, attack Gaia Dragon!" The knight slashed through the dragon, destroying it.
(Artemis: 2800)
Artemis grimaced as he got back up. "Impressive. You're the first to deal damage to me in a very long time." Akiru replied, "I appreciate the compliment, but don't forget that we're still opponents." Artemis nodded. "I haven't forgotten." He drew his card, then said, "I'll Summon Harpie Lady 1 to the field."
(Harpie Lady 1 appeared: a level 4 monster with 1300 ATK)
(Harpie Lady 1's ATK: 1600)
Akiru knew what had happened. "With Harpie Lady 1 on the field, all Wind monsters get an extra 300 Attack Points." Artemis nodded. "You're well read with your cards, Akiru. I'll activate Elegant Egotist. With this Spell Card, I can Summon from my Deck Harpie Lady Sisters!"
(Harpie Lady Sisters appeared: a level 6 monster with 1950 ATK)
(Harpie Lady Sisters' ATK: 2250)
Artemis continued. "They may not be able to defeat your Arcana Knight Joker, but if all else fails, I can reduce the damage I take. I'll activate Swords of Revealing Light." Akiru sighed. So you're playing defensively now, huh? We'll see how well that works for you." Artemis replied, "I'm not out of this yet. I end my turn with a card Face-Down." Akiru drew his card. "You'll have to do better than that, Artemis. I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy your Swords of Revealing Light." Artemis grimaced as his card was destroyed. Akiru continued. "With that out of the way, Arcana Knight Joker, attack Harpie Lady Sisters!"
Artemis was quicker. "I activate Impenetrable Attack! With its effect, I can either choose to save my monster, or protect my Life Points! I choose to protect my Life Points!" The Harpie Lady Sisters were destroyed, but Artemis took no damage. Akiru sighed. "Damn it. Okay, certainly wasn't expecting that. Not bad." He looked at his hand. "I'll set a card Face-Down and end my turn." Artemis drew his card. Looking at Akiru, he asked, "Let me ask you a question real quick. Has anyone beaten Arcana Knight Joker yet?" Akiru faced him and replied, "Not yet. I believe I'll meet someone who can someday."
Artemis grinned. "That day is today. I activate Dark Hole! This will destroy all monsters on the field on the spot!" A black hole opened in the center of the field, dragging all of the monsters into it. Akiru sighed, then faced Artemis. "Crudely done, but I admire your determination." Artemis nodded. "You've proven to be a tough opponent, Akiru. Despite everything I've thrown at you, you've come back with a move of your own." Smiling, he added, "I now believe that you are Bordeau's brother, and you've earned my respect." Akiru nodded in gratitude, replying, "You're no pushover yourself, Artemis." With a smile of his own, he said, "This is what a Duel should be."
Artemis continued. "I'll activate Monster Reborn, to bring back Gaia Dragon, the Thunder Charger!"
(Gaia Dragon, the Thunder Charger reappeared)
Akiru spoke up. "I'll activate my trap, Halfway to Forever!" Artemis looked on with interest. "I've never heard of that card before." Akiru replied, "It's a rare one, to be sure. It allows me to choose two level 4 monsters in my Graveyard and Summon them back to the field with their abilities negated. I choose Queen's Knight and King's Knight."
(Both monsters reappeared)
Artemis looked at him with interest. "What's the point of that move?" Akiru answered, "I have to use both monsters to Xyz Summon right away." Artemis looked at him in shock. "You can Xyz Summon too?" Akiru called out, "I Overlay level 4 King's Knight and Queen's Knight, to Xyz Summon Number 39: Utopia!" A sealed form resembling angel wings rose up, before transforming into a warrior in white armor with gold highlights, and angel wings on its back, the number 39 blazing in red on its left shoulder.
(Number 39: Utopia appeared: a Rank 4 Xyz monster with 2500 ATK and 2 Overlay Units)
Artemis chuckled. "Impressive. An Xyz Summon on the opponent's turn. However, while I'm impressed you have a Number Card, I can't say it really helps you in this case, considering it only stands at 2500 Attack Points." Akiru replied, "And a good ability." Artemis nodded. "Yes, I know. It can negate attacks. But you can only use it twice." Akiru nodded. "I'm aware." Artemis ordered, "Gaia Dragon, attack Utopia!" Akiru replied, "I activate Utopia's ability! By using an Overlay Unit, I stop your attack. Go, Lightwing Shield!" One of Utopia's wings became a giant shield, which blocked the attack.
Artemis nodded. "Remember, you can only use it one more time. I'll just drain it of its last Overlay Unit next turn. Your move." Akiru drew his card and looked it over. 'Lightray Diabolos. Shame I can't Summon it, but maybe I can use it for something later.' "I'll pass this turn." Artemis drew his card, and ordered, "Gaia Dragon, use up Utopia's last Overlay Unit!" Akiru responded, "Go, Lightwing Shield!" The shield appeared again, blocking the attack. Artemis commented, "Without Overlay Units, Utopia will self destruct when it's attacked next, leaving you vulnerable. I end my turn."
Akiru drew his card and looked it over. 'Damn it! Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord. I can't use this here.' "I'll use Utopia to rebuild the Overlay Network and Summon Chaos Number 39: Utopia Ray!" A black sealed form appeared where Utopia had once been, resembling black wings, before transforming into a warrior in black armor with gold highlights, and a massive sword strapped in a sheath to its back.
(Chaos Number 39: Utopia Ray appeared: a Rank 4 Xyz monster with 2500 ATK and 1 Overlay Unit)
Artemis chuckled. "Clever. You can't use its abilities, but it'll reduce the damage you take next turn." Akiru replied, "That's all I can do for now." Thinking to himself, he added, 'I can't Summon Lightray Diabolos or Lightray Daedalus yet. It's best to wait until my next turn in case he has something up his sleeve.' Artemis drew his card. "Gaia Dragon, destroy Utopia Ray!" The blast from the dragon incinerated Utopia Ray, and blasted Akiru, the blue-clad Duelist grimacing as he took damage.
(Akiru: 3900)
Artemis chuckled. "Depending on what I draw next, you may only have one turn left." Akiru replied, "It's not over until someone runs out of Life Points." He drew his card, and looked it over. 'Level Lifter. Well, that's useless right now. Good thing I have other options.' As he thought this, his Extra Deck pouch started glowing. Curious, he looked inside it. "What the-?" Taking out the card that was glowing, he looked as it took form, revealing a monster he'd never seen before. 'I didn't put this card in my deck. Where'd this come from?' Artemis watched with interest. 'Could that be...?'
Akiru looked over his hand again. 'Maybe Level Lifter and Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord aren't as useless here as I thought.' "First, since I have at least 4 Light monsters in my Graveyard, I can Summon from my hand the Lightray Deadalus!"
(Lightray Daedalus appeared: a level 7 monster with 2600 ATK)
Artemis was impressed. "A Lightray? Those are very rare, six to be exact." Akiru answered, "I've collected all six over the years." Artemis stared at him in shock. "All of them?!" Akiru continued. "Second, since I have at least five Light monsters with different names in my Graveyard, I can Summon from my hand Lightray Diabolos!"
(Lightray Diabolos appeared: a level 7 monster with 2800 ATK)
Artemis grimaced. "You plan to end it with them?" Akiru replied, "Nope. I have another idea. I activate Level Lifter. With this Spell card, I discard a monster, and two monsters on my side of the field become the discarded monster's level. In this case," he revealed Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord, "level 8."
(Lightray Diabolos' level: 8)
(Lightray Daedalus' level: 8)
Artemis gasped. 'It is one of them.' Akiru called out, "I Overlay level 8 Lightray Daedalus and Lightray Diabolos, to Xyz Summon a monster unlike anything either of us has seen before! Come forth, Number 107: Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon!" A giant diamond-shaped sealed form with red and blue crystals rose up, before transforming into a mechanical-like dragon, its red eyes focused on Artemis, as it let out a roar that shook the area around them.
(Number 107: Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon appeared: a Rank 8 Xyz monster with 3000 ATK and 2 Overlay Units)
Artemis stared at the Number in amazement. "I knew it existed, but to face it in battle is something else." Akiru replied, "Let's see what my new card can do. Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon, destroy his Gaia Dragon, the Thunder Charger!" The red-eyed dragon reared its head, and unleashed a blast of pure energy at the other dragon, obliterating it instantly, with both Duelists having to cover their faces from the force of the blast.
(Artemis: 2400)
Artemis gripped his shoulder and cursed under his breath. 'Yep. It's the real one. Akiru has no idea what he has unleashed.' Akiru gripped his chest as he felt pain surge through it. "Ahh!" 'What?! I didn't even get hit by that, and I feel pain?' Artemis sighed as he looked at the dragon again. "I knew this day would come, but I didn't think it would come so soon." Akiru asked, "What are you talking about?" Artemis faced him. "I'll tell you after the Duel is over. Now is not the time." Akiru sighed, cracking his back muscles as he got back up. "I end my turn."
Artemis drew his card, and sighed. "Not what I needed." Facing Akiru, he said, "Do you prefer to finish your opponents off, or would you rather they surrender?" Akiru answered, "Automatic no to surrendering. That's what cowards do." Artemis nodded. "Very well. I pass this turn." Akiru drew his card. "I'll make this quick. Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon, finish this Duel!" The dragon fired another beam of energy, blazing through Artemis as he braced for it, still feeling the pain.
(Artemis: 0)
(Akiru: WIN)
Akiru nearly fell over from the pain he just experienced. "Ahh!" Getting back up, he looked at Artemis, who walked over to him. "I will now explain to you what it is you just Summoned, and why you should limit your uses of it as best you can. I'm not sure why it chose you, but with great power comes great responsibility." Akiru asked, "What is it?" Artemis replied, "It's a Number Over One Hundred. They're a set of Number Cards that only have one copy of each in existence, and they did not come from this planet." Akiru looked at him in shock. "Are you sure?" Artemis answered, "Yes. There are seven in all."
Akiru got up, and asked, "Do you know where the others are?" Artemis shook his head. "No. My teacher didn't explain that to me. He just asked me to keep my eyes open for them, before he disappeared." Akiru sighed. "Why did it hurt us both?" Artemis answered, "The Numbers Over One Hundred aren't as powerful as the Egyptian God Cards, but they're just as dangerous. One can cause light to moderate injury in a Duel. Fortunately, they can't outright kill a Duelist on their own." Akiru looked at the card. "Can you find out why it came to me?" Artemis replied, "If I find anything, I'll let you know. Meanwhile, I suggest you don't tell anyone else about this. I don't want to cause a panic."
Akiru nodded in agreement. "I'll keep it safe." Artemis nodded in gratitude.
(Unknown location)
A duelist in black robes approached a hooded figure. "My lord, one of the Numbers Over One Hundred has awoken. It's somewhere around Crystal Village." The hooded figure faced the duelist, and spoke in a raspy voice. "Well done, Stryker. Monitor the card's owner and keep watching for the rest." Looking away, he added, "They are the key to my plan's fruition." Stryker bowed in respect. "It will be done, my lord." With that, he left, the hooded figure looking at a card in his hand. "You have been my most treasured instrument, Stryker, but you have yet to earn my full trust. A test may be in order, perhaps..."
A/N
Surprise! It seems there's more going on than Akiru realizes, and he has a new ally, and a very powerful card in his collection. As for the hooded figure, I can't reveal too much, but I will say that he knows something that Stryker doesn't.