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PBC Report, Day 1, Section 2. Target 0352 left his residence shortly after the conclusion of Section 1, and is moving through the Domino City alleyways to avoid unwanted attention. Aside from that, there are no changes. I have received word that agent -0007, Codename: Aranoryu, is to duel target I3. I will deal with either mentioned in the last sentence accordingly. Though understandable, if he is trailing M3I1, agent -0001 still hasn't shone. Please understand that this is not a statement of suspicion, as I was warned about several times in the past.
-0002, Codename: Umiryu.
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Domino/Battle City Central Square.
"Well, it looks like it's calmed down a bit around here." Drake commented as they neared the clock-fountain. "A lot of the duelists have gone off into other areas. Some of the high rankers probably went to duel near their respective regions."
"Meaning?" Lara asked, confused.
"Meaning Underwood's probably in the park, Tsunami the aquarium, Raptor....well, there aren't and sandboxes nearby, so I dunno..."
"Raptor's out." Someone said out of the blue. As the startled pair turned to see the speaker, he continued," He lost to Espa, or 'ESPa' Roba, who's also been defeated by a duelist with brains the opposite size of his luck."
Drake paused, before responding to the stranger," I'm glad Joey won against a tough duelist, but who are you?"
The newcomer glanced casually at the red-eyed dragon user, his green eyes, darker than those of Lara's, showing that he was either tired or bored. He had sand-colored hair, and wore a brown, duster-like jacket, completely contrasting Drake's black one. Under that was an orange-red T-shirt, and he had black, leather-made jeans like Drake's. "I'm not really in the mood to give my life story, but let's just say that my name's Ryu. Arano Ryu, the desert duelist." (A/N: My apologies to Gearfried the Iron Angel, whose guess was so far from the truth. Sorry, but no points for this chapter. j/k. )
Lara glared." Excuse us. Then again, since you're copying my boyfriend's style so much-"
"It actually works for him." Drake said quickly, trying to divert Lara's attention. Something in his gut told him this wouldn't end well. Arano sighed," Don't worry, I'm used to it. All of my...aquaintances dress the same way, and I'm the newest, so...."
Lara blinked, then grinned sheepishly," oh...hehe, sorry..."
Arano, however, stood up. "No, I'm sorry. If it's not too much trouble, would you like to duel me?"
Drake noticed he was asking Lara, who looked as bewildered as he did." How is THAT a form of apology?"
"Well, I recognize you as Drake Pegasus, and since I don't have a chance against you, I'd like to see if your girlfriend's as good as Duelist Weekly says."
Lance's voice immediately came through along with Drake's half anger, half embarrassment-induced blush. {So, they've keeping taps on both your dueling techniques AND your nightlife..}
"Shut it." He grumbled, missing the knowing smirk on the challenger's face. Lara, however, didn't, and her Duel Disk changed modes almost immediately." You're on." [LP:4000]
"Great." Arano said, a slight smile finally showing. [LP:4000] "Ladies first?"
"If Drake has no objections." Lara said, grinning at the strangely sudden blush on Drake's face. {Finally, something got through.}
{Lance is probably helping him out.} Prima muttered in her hikari's mind, her voice annoyed at her 5000 year fiance. {From what you've said, he's had much more control over his facial bloodflow when his mind's a single-occupant room.}
"Okay, then. My first monster is the Fire Princess." [1300/1500]
The Fire Princess, clinging to Lara's criteria of female/destructive monsters, was clothed in a bright orange robe, her blonde hair streaming down to her waist, illuminated by circling flames.
"I'll also play a card facedown, and end my turn." She continued, doing so. Arano nodded.
"I shall simply place one monster facedown." He said quietly, the card appearing in front of him on the ground.
"That lets me activate my trap, Solemn Wishes!" Lara declared as the card revealed itself. "Every time I draw a card, my life points increase!" [LP:4500]
The dirt-haired one nodded calmly as small flames erupted around him. "That, in turn, activated your Fire Princess's ability. Whenever your life points increase, mine will be lowered by 500 points." [LP:3500]
"Thanks for saving the explanation," she replied, drawing, "it proves you know about more cards than your own, so try this!"
Arano narrowed his eyes scrutinously as continuous magic card appeared. "Messenger of Peace. Every turn, you will give up 100 life points to prevent all monsters with 1500 or more attack points from attacking. This compliments your Fire Princess, who can only be destroyed by a monster with more than 1500 points."
Lara blinked. "Well, that was fast."
{He can note strategies immediately, even obscure details....} Drake mentally noted. {He said he was a desert duelist, but...}
"I shall sacrifice my facedown monster for another." The calculating duelist went on. "Also, I play one card facedown, ending my turn."
Lara sighed. "Then again, noting strategies quickly is a standard for defensive duelists..." [LPs:4900/3000]
"Indeed. Activate Dust Tornado!"
The violet-haired girl gasped, then winced, closing her eyes against the dustdevil that appeared. As the winds died down, she noticed one less card next to her. "My Messenger of Peace!"
"I also use a Quickplay Magic card from my hand." He continued. "Mystical Space Typhoon will destroy your Solemn Wishes."
A large wind picked up again, pushing the still-present sand over the card, carrying it away as the virtual dust vanished.
"Crud..." Lara whined," there goes the better part of a strategy..."
{We shouldn't have assumed this would be easy. He probably planned for us to take it easy; we should've summoned another monster last turn.}Prima noted, slightly shocking her hikari. {What? Lance has started helping out, or at least running a commentary.}
{Sorry. Wow, is this what it's like to talk to yourself during a duel? .... I was gonna ask why I felt light-headed, but my last sentence answered me.}
"I'll play this, then; Dian Keto the Cure Master!" [LPs:5900/2500] "I'll also summon one monster facedown, and end my turn."
{Let's see, that's three turns.} Arano thought briefly, before speaking aloud, "The easy part's over, Miss Pegasus! Now-"
He blinked as the two others reddened, one facefaulting and the other, looking up, quizzically. "Huh?"
"We're....not....married.... " Drake managed as he pushed himself up, still matching his hair with facial color.
Lara blinked, then, reddening again, nodded. "Y-yeah... I mean, well, not yet..." Pleased with the resounding crash behind her, she shook her head, "anyway, make your move!"
"As I was saying..." Arano said, annoyed, "Night has fallen on this duel, though the sun shines blaringly above us. The monsters who rested in the day's extreme heat can now reveal themselves!"
He grinned, flipping his card over. "Ryu Kokki!" [2400/2000]
As the monster arose, Lara stepped back, slightly sickened. The creature was giant and humanoid, and made entirely out of human skulls. A large, red, glowing sphere rested below it's neck.
"I also have these three creatures, each the same; my three Gilasaurus!"
Three brown-skinned, small, raptor-like dinosaurs appeared on the field next to the towering zombie. [1400/400]
"Lara! The Gilasaurus can be Special Summoned from a duelist's hand directly, so he may summon something else!" Drake warned.
Arano's grin became a smirk. "No duh, Pegasus. Normally, Special Summoning Gilasaurus allows my opponant to bring monsters back from the Graveyard, but since your girfriend has none, she gains nothing. And you're also right about the other monster, my favorite creature, Stone Dragon!" [2000/2300]
The Stone Dragon replaced two of the small dinosaurs, and it's name couldn't have been more fitting; it's entire, wingless body was made of brown rocks.
"Now, I think I'll attack based on what I know. Stone Dragon, attack Fire Princess with your Scale Barrage!"
The creature's entire body suddenly split apart. Lara's eyes widened, and she jumped back out of instinct as the countless rocks smashed her monster out of sight, before returning to their original shape, which hovered back to Arano's side.
"Next, Ryu Kokki will take on your facedown monster!"
The long-haired girl scowled as the card next to her feet was smashed by a fist of faces. "Finally, brace yourself for a an encounter of the painful kind, Gilasaurus!"
Lara winced again, but a small shield of light surrounded her as the dino rammed into her." That would've been painful, if my LP were weaker." [LP:4500]
Drake frowned in thoughtful concern. {Arano's out of cards, while Lara now has four in hand. She needs a way to defeat her opponant quickly, though, or she'll lose.}
His eyes widened, then he smiled. "Hey, Lara? Think you could try that new Magician combo my dad thought of?"
For a moment, she was confused. Then, as she drew her card, she smiled back. "Sure thing, Drake. Thanks..." She murmered the last word quietly.
"My card is Cost Down, which allows me to lower the level of a monster, making it easier to summon." She said. "And I summon a close, personal friend of mine, Dark Magician Girl!" [2000/1700]
The famously known DMG floated near her master, wearing a blue, skin-tight suit of armor and a small pink skirt. A small crystal was near her neck, and her long, unruly blonde hair donned a blue, horn-shaped helemet. A small, elaborately designed wand was at her side, and her sapphire eyes glared at the three creatures before her.
"Then I use Sage Stone, allowing my Dark Magician Girl to recieve a little help, in the form of her senior, Dark Magician!" [2500/2100]
The more-skilled of the two, the Dark Magician was taller than his student, weaking all purple armor, a green staff in his hand, his purple hair and nearly-glowing blue eyes filled with the same determination as his assosciate.
"That won't help you for long." Arano remarked." Even if Ryu Kokki is destroyed, it's special ability destroys any Spellcastor or Warrior it does battle with."
"That's why I'm playing this last card, Diffusion Wave-Motion!" Lara called." For 1000 points, I can allow my Dark Magician to attack every monster on your side of the field, and protect him from any effects your monsters may have!" [LP: 3500]
"Dark Magic Attack!" She declared, throwing a hand out, like Drake had earlier. The mage responded by thrusting his hand and staff forward (surprising the DMG), sending a wave of light-inverting energy over the field. The giant, the dragon, and the dinosaur roared in unison, then dissintigrated simultaneously. Arano didn't seem too shocked, however. [LP:800]
"...as much as can be expected, from the lover of the game's creator's son." He said quietly, then to the other two, " now we both have nothing in our hands. The fate of this duel depends on my next draw."
The four minds gasped, surprised, as he slowly spoke, "I trust that my deck will give me what I need."
{No way. If he's doing what I think he is, I need to lie down.} Lance started denying.
{Then I hope you've gotten a softer bed since the last time I viewed your Soul Room.} Drake thought to his partner. {Arano's trusting in his deck, like Yugi would in this circumstance. Plainly put, Heart of the Cards.}
{Gah....but how we he know to do that, anyway? More importantly, why?} The skeptical yami asked. {This doesn't seem serious enough to need the ol' H.O.T.C., and he seems to be less emotional than you'd be at Kaiba's funeral. Depression-wise, that is.}
"...I summon a monster facedown, and end my turn!" Arano defiantly called.
Lara drew, still purplexed, but not willing to forfeit her only Locator Card on a possibility. "I've drawn the Magic Card, Knight's Title! This transforms my Dark Magician into a Warrior monster, the Dark Magician knight!"
Drake raised an eyebrow, Arano blinked dully, and the Dark Magician Girl flushed slightly as the Spellcastor's armor changed into a more knightly fashion, his undercloak becoming a cape, and his staff transforming into a rune-covered sword. [2500/2100]
"I see. Your deck, though it combines the strenth of your Magicians, is more human-based than dragons, with Warrior cards included." The desert-based duelist noted." Your Knight's Title allows your Magician to take advantage of other card in your deck....."
"Exactly!" Lara smirked." Dark Magician Knight, Sword of Dark Magic Attack!"
The bladesman waved his hand over his blade, then slashed through the air, inverting the colors around them however, he was thrust backward, and gaped as his spell had no affect.
"Unfortunately, it plays into my hands well. My facedown monster is my rarest, the Kinetic Soldier!" [3350/3800]
The Soldier was obviously human, by the sking near his mouth an the light-colored hair barely visible, but his entire body was covered in a suit of futuristic armor.
"The Kinetic Soldier normally has statistics of 1350/18000. However, he's able to convert the chi used by Warriors to power both his attack and defense points by 2000." [LPs:2200/800]
"Talk about luck..." Drake murmered, stepping back as his girlfriend fumed. "If Lara had drawn ANY other card, he would've lost..."
"It isn't luck!" The darker green-eyed one shouted, shocking them both. "My deck responded to my need, calling my best monster to me. It was the Heart of the Cards!"
Drake jumped again, this time from the thudding sound in his mind. Quickly checking, his snarled, kicking the ball his yami had thrown into Lance's face, and returning his mind to the current situation.
"I guess he really IS putting his trust in his cards..." Lara whispered. She said normally," Dark Magician Girl, Dark Burning Attack."
The Soldier flinched before dissapearing as a heart made from black magic exploded in his face. Arano's eyes narrowed, suddenly shining with emotion Lara couldn't see through the fumes. He drew a card from his deck, looked at it with deep thought, then gingerly laid it back on the pile.
Lara blinked as her monsters vanished. "A forfeit?"
"Nothing I can do." Arano said, his voice full of a strange, foreboading tiredness. "Thank you for the duel, Lara."
Through the still-fading smoke, Lara quickly grabbed the speeding pair of cards twirled at her; a Locator Card and the Kinetic Soldier. She could vaguely make out his quickly retreating form.
"What was his problem?" She asked of the air without sarcasm. "Drake, I think something's wrong. It seems like something's about to happen to him..."
"I think so, too." He sighed, standing beside her. He blinked as a cool breeze blowed by, noticing the shiver of the sleeveless girl. "Hey, where's your jacket?"
"I left it at home, it didn't seem to cold last night." She replied, her arms wrapped around the side of her bluish-purple tanktop. She blushed as Drake suddenly removed his black duster, reversed it, and placed the jacket-shaped coat on her. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it." The blazing-eyed one said, his thoughts wandering to what the defeated duelist had said about the cold of the night, and wondering what danger he might be in.
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He stopped, panting as he entered the alleyway, mind racing. One in his position would normally be worried about how they could leave the city without being seen. In his case, however, his thoughts were focused on something more important, a dream he had had since childhood...
"Well?" A voice asked from behind him, the tone curt but the sound clearly of someone his age. "I take it you remember our agreement. What do you want, more than anything else, enough to end an innocent life for, and crush OTHER peoples' dreams?"
Arano said nothing, but stared at the sky above him, looking for the stars absent from the daylight sky.
"Well?" The other repeated, impatiently.
"..... I wanted my father to be the famous person he deserves to be..." the answer came softly." I want him to find cures for diseases currently uncurable, so that others wouldn't die like his father did."
A slight smile came on the shadowed one's face. "Very well, Aranoryu.... Tarento." He reached a hand into his pocket as the slightly younger duelist grinned bitterly.
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Agent -0007, Tarento Sabure, Codename: Aranoryu, lost the duel against target I3, and was dealt with as per regulations. Tracking of target I3 concluded, no further reports given.
Conditions: Arrange for Sabure to be delivered to a local hospital, inform his parents, and pay all medical bills. Also, arrange for a grant of one billion American dollars (minimum) to be sent to Dr. Hiru Sabure for the study of curing any and all forms of cancer. Assign legal agents to him, with low payment conditions, and have them blame and sue the first background-appropriate person available for mentally torturing Tarento into a 'coma'.
Agent -0002, Codename: Umiryu.
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"The first step into darkness is full of eagerness, while the step back into the light is full of regret. Shouldn't it be the other way around?" -The Unknown Unown.
