The ship docked at Icarius Island the next morning, its loud horn jarring everyone awake from their sleep. Kira, who was already awake and having his breakfast, nearly spilled his meal when the horn sounded. Gods, you would think they had better sound-proof rooms with all the money they had.
"Duelists!" The speakers boomed, causing Kira to nearly spill his food again. "I am sure your fiery dueling spirits has been set afire by our energetic arrival call." Is that what you call it, Kira thought sourly? "As said, we have arrived at Icarius Island, the dream kingdom of many duelists around the world. Five other ships has arrived as well, each also carrying 30 duelists also. Even as I speak they are also receiving their instructions as well. Here is your one and only instruction on board the ship." The man drew a deep breath. "Get off this ship in 5 minutes or you're all disqualified!"
Kira wasted no time in running back to his room and grabbing his bag. Exiting the room and rushing down, he met other duelists on the way, most still in their pajamas, and was forced to jostle his way down to the ground. Highly unorthodox Kaiba, he thought as his feet touched dry land. Then he saw the almost all the occupants from every ship were down and panting for breath, and found himself smirking. But very effective. He turned his eyes on the surroundings. The land was fertile, lush with greens and blooming with wildflowers. A range of mountains ran over the horizons, where the morning sun was just arising from its deep slumber. Many would smile at the beautiful sight, reminded of sweet dreams and perhaps fond memories. Not so Kira, who felt his face darkening at the sight.
As a child he had lived in a similar surrounding, only to find pain and destruction. He still remembered his torturers; their stony and unsmiling faces; their obsessive hold on the thing they called tradition. Again and again they put him to test, only to punish him when he didn't perform to their expectations. At last he had broken free of their grasps, only at a terrible price…
A beeping sound jerked him out of his reverie. He looked at his Duel Disk and saw it had just received a message. Quickly he scanned through the text.
Duelists,
Welcome to Icarius Island, where you will pit your prodigious skill against many others. As you may have noticed, five other ships have arrived along with the one you boarded, each with 30 duelists. As to make the competition more manageable, we have decided that only 8 teams will be contesting against each other in the Gen-ex Tournament. Yes, you read it right, only 8 teams. Which means you will have to find your own partners. Each team will consist of 3 people, meaning only 24 will be allowed to participate in the official tournament. Please find your partners and register into our system. If you cannot find a partner, then our system will automatically sort you into a team with others who could not find partners. Please do so now.
Kira shut his Duel Disk and sought Suain and Lacus out. He found them standing under a nearby tree. "Didn't get a good night sleep?" he asked, noting Suain's bleary eyes.
"My room was right next to a loud mouth who just couldn't keep his mouth shut. Add the fact that his snore is louder than thunder, I couldn't even get a wink." He snorted disgustingly. "You'd think with all their money, they might have at least installed a sound-proof room."
"I thought the same thing." He looked at Lacus, who had just finished reading her message. "Looks like I was right about the teams after all. Will I find any arguments if I were to register us as a team?"
"Of course not, we already agreed upon that on board the ship yesterday," Lacus said.
Kira snapped his Duel Disk to attention, and a digital form appeared in front of him. He filled in whatever little details it needed until the last one. "It says we need a team name," he said, frowning. Suain immediately opened his mouth but Kira cut him short. "If you suggest Blue Eyes White Dragon or anything similar, you are going to get my fist in your mouth Suain." He clamped his mouth shut.
The trio thought about the matter, before Lacus said: "Lets just draw a card. Whoever has the monster with the highest attack gets to name the team. Magic and trap cards are counted as zero attack points."
"I've got a better idea. Why not just name the team after the card?" Kira said. He shuffled his deck, Suain and Lacus doing the same, and drew. He eyed the card briefly, and felt Zephyr stir in his mind.
You haven't drawn that card for a while, he remarked. He chuckled. Amusing that the card that represents you will now also represent your team.
We don't even know what cards they drew yet brother.
You know whatever they draw is unlikely to beat it. Lacus's elves depend on their equipment to be strong. Suain's strongest is his Horus, and the chances of him drawing that is 1/40.
They showed their cards. Lacus looked disappointed, having drawn a trap card. Suain had drawn his Horus the Black Flame Dragon Lv 6. Kira showed his card, and both of them widened their eyes in disbelief. "So it's decided then," Kira said, shuffling the card back into his deck.
"We're Team Angel."
The sun was already high in the sky as the members of Team Angel made their way around the island. Kira led the way, his mind buzzing with the earlier instructions. He found himself liking the way the tournament was conducted. They were required to acquire points to achieve the Gold status to enter the Citadel, where the real tournament was to be held. The task was simple enough. They could duel other teams for the points, or even the Guardians, "special" duelists who would automatically upgrade their status. The message also mentioned something about secrets around the island, adding the element of mystery into the mix. What Kira really liked was the fact they were required to earn their own comfort. They were to obtain their own food, shelter and everything else, whether by dueling or otherwise. He smiled at the thought. Being pampered was nice, but he missed the harshness of the wild.
Enjoying ourselves are we, Zephyr said?
Indeed brother. It's been a while since I enjoyed this much.
You should see Suain. He looks like he's ready to explode. Kira turned his head.
Indeed Suain looked like he was ready to explode. His face was red and he was panting from the exhaustion of carrying their bags. That was one thing they had agreed upon after forming the team. They would each take turns to carry the others' bags, and whose turn it was was decided by a simple game of rock-paper-scissors. That obviously didn't bode too well with Suain, who had been carrying the bag since they started. Kira mentally chuckled. Idiot doesn't even realize he plays rock every time.
"Can we stop yet?" Suain asked, panting.
"Not unless you want to have leaves for lunch," Kira said, noting the sun was nearing its peak. "C'mon, the station isn't that far off."
Suain grunted.
True enough, they soon reached a natural clearing in the forest, where the station was. It was a large shack, seemingly crude and roughly built. Beside it was a spring. Kira looked at it and suspected it to be artificial, since it was too clean, lacking the green algae which usually dwelled in still water. He entered the shack.
The interior was no less different from the exterior. Aged tables and chair furnished the building, while odd masks hung on the walls. Kira ignored the décor and stared straight at the owner.
He was a large man, brutish looking with big meaty hands. A singlet, turned almost transparent by his sweat, covered his chest and slightly large stomach and a pair of torn jeans covered his legs. Pulling a long draw from his cigar, he puffed exaggeratedly and gave the team a crooked grin, showing his discolored teeth. "Well runts, are you going to continue standing there or what?"
Kira narrowed his eyes. Runts? "We're here to purchase some provisions," he said smoothly.
The man snorted. "I doubt midgets like you have even earned enough points to deserve my presence here, let alone buy my food."
Before Kira could answer, Lacus reacted. "Hey, that's not very nice. We're just trying to buy some food, that's all."
"Too bad little girlie. I'm being paid to be offensive. If you want nice then go back home to your mummy."
Kira gave the man a hard look. Two can play this game old man. "C'mon guys. We don't want to deal here." He made to leave.
"That's right, go back home crying to your mummy, runts."
Kira turned, a bored expression plastered on his face. "Your insults can't even be considered insults old man," he said, the boredom evident in his voice. "I think Kaiba needs to do a better job educating you. Another year or so should be enough for you to come up with an insult—hopefully."
The man's face grew angry. "Why you little-" And he launched into a string of curses and insults, screaming like a madman. By the time he was finished he was panting heavily, his face red from the exertion. Kira still held the same bored expression.
"I'm surprised at you, old man. A 5-year old could curse better than you. Is 'bastard' the best thing you can come up with? I'm not even offended, since in my case it happens to be true." He heard Suain and Lacus gasp behind him. "And any child can use the f-word. I'm not particularly offended with that either, since that's true too. I had my share of girls. My advice: never try one at Brazil. The girls there have stinky breath. You can't even be sure you are kissing her because you like her lips or just because you want to cover her mouth to avoid the stink." He heard gasps again, this time louder.
The man looked at him oddly before bursting out in laughter. "Very good youngster. Very very good." His tone was no longer insulting. He went behind his counter and emerged with a large sack. "Here, you earned it." He handed the sack to Kira, who just dumped it on Suain. "I like your style. Most duelists who come here either just swear back at me angrily or go wimpy and beg. You're the first who actually stood your ground without being either. Now off you go." He went back behind the counter. "Oh, before I forget, you earned this too." His hands snapped out.
Kira's hand shot out and grasped the card. Smiling ever so slightly, he left the shack with Suain and Lacus.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Lacus demanded after they had walked some ways away from the station.
Kira turned to her, breaking his conversation with Zephyr. "Tell you what?" he asked.
"That you were an illegitimate child. Or that you-" Her face grew crimson.
It took Kira a moment to figure out what she was talking about. "Huh? You mean the thing back at the station? I was lying." He stopped to stare at both Lacus and Suain. "Don't tell me you two actually bought that?" They both silently nodded. Kira groaned. "You two can be so gullible sometimes." He said, shaking his head.
Before they could continue three men, all clad in tight clothing, jumped on them. Kira dodged one before grabbing Lacus, dragging her out of the reach of another. Still holding onto her, he jumped back and let her go. The two assailants, who followed, were suddenly met with charging Kira. He ducked under a punch and returned it with one of his own. Blocking another, his feet lashed out, hurling his opponent back.
"Kira, move!"
Kira ducked just as the third assailant went flying over him, crashing into his partners. Dusting himself, he looked at his Suain and Lacus. Suain was fine, panting from exhaustion but otherwise fine. Lacus had a murderous look on her face. He glanced back at their assailants.
One of them had gotten up. "Damn it Jiruku," he said. "I told you this group had warrior-like feel about them. But do you ever listen? No. Now look where it got us."
The man known as Jiruku groaned as he sat up. "Shut up Hikoi. Would you rather face that damn mage and his pets?"
Hikoi shuddered. "Not me. Just the thought of it gives me the shudders."
"Um guys, I think we have other things at the moment here," the third man said, pointing at Kira and the gang.
"Yes, I believe you guys do owe us an explanation," Kira said, his tone falsely sweet.
"We just wanted your food," Jiruku said, throwing caution to the wind. "That man back at the hut, may his soul burn in hell, refused to sell to us and even insulted us. So we figured we'd wait for someone who got it and take it from them instead."
"I see. So basically you're saying because that guy back at the hut didn't give you any food, you decide to steal them from someone else instead. Is that all?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Since that didn't work, would you duel for it instead?" He held up his Duel Disk.
"What's in it for us?"
"We'll bet half of our points against half of your food."
Kira looked back at his team mates, and then shrugged. "Good enough for me." He activated his Duel Disk and stepped opposite to Jiruku. "I hope you duel better than you fight. Because if you don't then I'm going to trample over you." They drew their opening hand.
Kira: 4000
Jiruku: 4000
Jiruku grinned as he drew his card, indicating he would be starting. "Don't worry. I'm definitely better at dueling. I set one card and place one monster in defense. End turn."
Kira drew. Placing four cards face-down, he ended his turn.
"No monsters? You couldn't have put a more obvious trap," Jiruku remarked as he drew. "But I'll oblige you. I'll summon D.D. Warrior Lady (1500/1600) in attack mode and have her attack you directly!" A woman wearing strangely alien armor and wielding a beam saber appeared on the field. Surging forward, she slashed at Kira.
Kira: 2500
Jiruku: 4000
"Kira!" Lacus and Suain both cried out for their friend.
Jiruku looked confused when no traps were activated and stared at his hand in doubt. He ended his turn.
Kira drew and slapped the card down on his Duel Disk. "Time to start the offense. Skilled Dark Swordsman (1800/1800) in attack mode." A dark-armored swordsman, holding a dark blade appeared on the field. "Attack the D.D. Warrior Lady! Dark Moon Slash!"
Jiruku grinned as the swordsman charged. "Activate trap: Ring of Destruction!" A ring of grenades surrounded the warrior. "Boom."
A loud explosion rang through the forest. Pieces of debris went flying as birds scattered. Jiruku was still grinning as the dust settled, but his mouth dropped in shock as he saw a transparent figure standing in front of Kira. The figure was cloaked, its face hidden by the hood it wore. Its right arm was raised in front of him, as if protecting Kira from harm.
"Dark Wraith (700/900) can be discarded from my hand to negate any damage done to me." The wraith disappeared.
Kira: 2500
Jiruku: 2200
"You would have done better if you have let your warrior-lady use her effect instead. Reveal Call of the Haunted to revive Skilled Dark Swordsman." The warrior reappeared on the field, dirt clinging to his armor. "And I pay 800 Life Points to use the effect of Premature Burial which lets me revive my Dark Wraith." The wraith shot up from the ground.
Kira: 1700
Jiruku: 2200
"Activate Treasure from Heaven and Pot of Greed." Kira's final two face-down cards flipped up. "Treasure from Heaven lets us draw until we hold six cards in our hand. Pot of Greed lets me draw two more." Both of them drew their cards.
"Now watch," Kira said as an ominous dark aura surrounded his swordsman, "Skilled Dark Swordsman gains one token for each magic card played. I just played three. When he has three tokens I can sacrifice him to summon Dark Mystic Swordsman (2500, 2200)!" The dark aura swallowed the swordsman. For several moments it seemed nothing would happen, but there was a sudden burst of energy. The darkness retreated, and another swordsman, this one holding twin blades, emerged. "When Dark Mystic Swordsman is summoned he destroys one of your monsters." Jiruku's set card exploded.
"No, my Gravekeeper's Guard (1000/1900)!"
"I'm not done yet. Dark Wraith will unionize itself will Dark Mystic Swordsman, increasing his stats by 200. (2700/2400) And I'll tribute it for Wraith the Mysterious Wanderer (2800/2600)." The wraith floated above the warrior. There was a flash of light as the two merged. When it disappeared, the swordsman was wearing the wraith's cloak, its hood hiding his features. His hands were hidden beneath the cloak, and the twin blades hung sheathed at his side, all covered save the hilts. Kira pointed at the D. D. Warrior Lady. "Go."
Jiruku blinked as the warrior disappeared, and again as it reappeared behind the warrior-lady, stabbing her in the back. "D. D. Warrior Lady's effect activates. When she battles, I can remove her and the opposing monster from play." The warrior-lady made to grab Wraith, but her hand merely passed through him.
"Wraith is unaffected by monster effects," Kira explained. "Two cards face-down and end turn."
Kira: 1700
Jiruku: 900
Jiruku was sweating as he drew his next card. He slid it into his Duel Disk and set a monster card, ending his turn.
Kira drew. "I summon Barrier Dragon (900/1900) in defense mode." A turtle-like dragon shimmered into the field.
Jiruku pressed a button on his Duel Disk. "Activate Torrential Tribute! Now all our monsters are destroyed." A tidal wave suddenly appeared out of the blind, the strong currents slamming into the monsters. When it was over Jiruku was shocked beyond words when he saw the dragon had moved to the front of Wraith, forming a buffer of sorts.
"Barrier Dragon prevents anything on my field to be destroyed by any mass-destruction effects. Wraith attacks for game!" As the words left his mouth, the wanderer ran forward and slashed Jiruku.
Kira: 1700
Jiruku: 0
Kira's Duel Disk beeped as the duel ended. He looked at it, and saw that his team's status had already been upgraded. "Thanks for points," he said to Jiruku, who was furious.
"Whatever!" Jiruku snapped. "Let's go guys." The trio left the place.
"That was close," Lacus breathed. "For a moment I thought you were going to lose. Your Life Points took quite a beating."
Kira smiled gently as he heard Lacus's words. "Perhaps. But there's something in my game play that you should learn, Lacus."
"Huh?" Lacus asked confusedly. "What is it?" Even Suain looked confused.
Kira smiled mysteriously. "Think about it."
