Chapter 35: True Colors
Giga Gagagigo was seething with rage. It was one thing to have been defeated by Invader of Darkness, despite the strength he gained. But the bastard didn't even have the decency to kill him. Instead, he was just chained up in one of the cells. How humiliating.
Some time passed before Giga Gagagigo heard footsteps. On the other end of the cell bars were Invader of Darkness and Lightning Punisher. Invader of Darkness had a few cuts on his skin that Giga Gagagigo left, but overall, it looked like he was doing fine. Lightning Punisher on the other hand wasn't looking too good. Burn marks were all over his body, and his arms looked mangled. It was understandable though. When an exploding cloud detonates in your face point-blank, it's not likely that you'll go off unscathed.
"Are you comfortable Gagagigo?" Invader of Darkness asked.
"Go to hell."
The creature sighed. "Listen, I understand that you despise me. I won't even say your feelings are unjustified. But right now, it would help the both of us if you'd co-operate." Invader of Darkness held up the Eyepatch Shadow Charm. "Any information you have about this, and that pendant the human stole from Lightning Punisher would be most appreciated."
"Co-operate?! Appreciated?! You threw me into a pit to fight for my life when I was nothing but loyal to you! You destroyed most of my body when I worked with Marauding Captain! If you want me to help, you can forget it. And you'd be sorely mistaken to think that threatening my life will change my mind on that."
"Are you sure? Because it would be a shame to die before you get revenge on those who wronged you."
"Just denying you the help you need is worth my life."
Invader of Darkness grinned. "Well, I'll just have to let Freed know that he'll no longer need to worry about you."
That got Gagagigo's attention. "...You know where Freed is?"
Invader of Darkness nodded. "Another Spirit Dimension that's currently under attack by the Dark World army. You wouldn't want Brron to kill Freed before you get the chance to, would you? Help me, and I can open up a portal to that dimension where you can do as you please."
"And what makes you think I'll believe you? You betrayed me before. And why aren't you going after that dimension yourself? Don't you want to rule all of the dimensions?"
"Right now, my forces aren't great enough to defeat either the Dark World army or the Steel Knight Army. I'll get to that dimension in time, and take out whichever side's the winner. You however don't care about taking out the army. You simply want Freed's head."
"And yours." Gagagigo reminded.
"And we see how that worked out for you."
"Still, my first question remains. How will I know you'll hold up your end of the bargain?"
Invader of Darkness turned to Lightning Punisher, and nodded. The mouthless monster pointed at the chains holding Gagagigo, and let out small bolts of lightning. Despite his weakened state, it was more than enough to break the chains. Invader of Darkness then built up a crimson red aura around his fist before summoning a portal next to him. Displayed was a knight with long blonde hair crossing blades with a demonic, purple creature wielding a halberd, and wearing armor made out of bones. "There. You can see that this portal takes you to a place where Freed is battling against Beiige of the Dark World. Satisfied?"
Gagagigo was silent for a while. "First of all, before you send me to Freed, and before I tell you two ANYTHING, there's a certain human I want to kill first."
Alexis, Syrus, and Chumley found themselves teleported outside the base of the volcano. "He did it...Jaden did it." Alexis said in relief.
"Alright!" Syrus cheered.
"Wait a sec...where's Jaden?" Chumley asked. They looked around before seeing Jaden and another body a little bit away from them, both lying unconscious on the ground. Jaden was covered in scars and burn marks.
"Jaden!" Syrus yelled in concern. The three of them ran towards him in concern. "He's not moving." Syrus said. "Come on bro, wake up..."
Alexis put a hand on Jaden's wrist to check his pulse, letting out a sigh of relief. "He's fine. He's exhausted, but who can blame him?" Alexis took a look at the card near Jaden. A mask in the shape of a dragon surrounded by chains. Nightshroud's soul.
"Oh man! That's a relief." Chumley said. He turned to the top of the volcano. As he saw the two figures hovering above the center of the volcano, Chumley thought about how hard it was to believe that they were in the center of it just a few minutes ago. Wait a second...
"Guys, do you see that?" Chumley pointed to the direction of the figures.
"Huh?" Syrus and Alexis both turned to where Chumley was pointing.
"I don't see anything." Alexis said.
"Seriously?" Chumley asked. The more he looked at it, the more he could make them out. Some spiky-haired man with no mouth or eye pupils, and some yellow creature wearing a cloak.
"You must be exhausted too. We did go through a lot." Syrus pointed out.
"Maybe..."
Alexis took a look at the other unconscious duelist. A young man with long brown hair, and wearing a dark trench coat. Nightshroud's body. 'Might as well take a look. Better to be sure that Nightshroud's soul is really sealed away.' Alexis walked towards the body and knelt down to take a good look.
The man slowly opened hs eyes. As Alexis took a good look at his face, she gasped in shock. "A...Alexis..." That was all he said before going unconscious again.
"It can't be..." She immediately held the man's body, sobbing.
Damian was hiding behind a large rock, shirtless. A bat was perked on top of it. He was hastily stuffing a tuxedo into his bag with one hand, while holding the phone with the other. "It looks like Camula teleported me in too late." He whispered. "Jaden already beat Nightshroud, but he's unconscious."
"Yeah, we see that." Scott responded. He, Camula, and Kagemaru were in the cave, watching a display from what Camula's bat was showing. Tania and Abidos left to prepare for when they would make their moves.
Scott turned to Kagemaru. "Jaden beat Nightshroud, but he's knocked out. Do you want Damian to duel one of the other key holders?"
Kagemaru said nothing for a while. Truthfully, he sent Damian to duel Nightshroud as a suicide mission, though not letting Damian know that was the case of course. "Is Alexis in any condition to duel?"
"You think you can duel Alexis?" Scott asked.
"Doesn't look like it. She's too emotional over seeing her long lost brother again. Makes sense." Damian answered over the phone.
"He says-"
"I heard him." Kagemaru answered.
"If he can't gather duel energy now, he can just duel Jaden when he recovers for his initiation." Camula stated.
"Agreed."
Scott nodded. "Just duel Jaden when he recovers. That'll be your initiation in the Shadow Riders."
"Got it." Damian hung up the phone, and started to put on his Obelisk Blue jacket.
"Hang on Jaden! We're coming!" A familiar british voice called out from the distance. the opposite direction of where Damian was hiding from. Syrus and Chumley turned their heads and saw Chazz and Bastion running towards them.
This was the opportunity. Damian came out of hiding, and ran from the other direction. "There you guys are!"
Chazz, Bastion, and Damian went towards Jaden. "We saw a bunch of lava shoot out from the volcano, and our keys started glowing. What happened?" Chazz asked.
"A Shadow Rider challenged Jaden." Chumley answered. "Jaden won, but he's wiped right now."
Chazz took a look at the volcano. "Is that..."
The spiritual image of Ojama Yellow materalized next to Chazz. "Hey boss, duel spirits!"
"I can see that." Chazz answered.
"Hey! Have either of you two seen my brothers?" Ojama Yellow asked. "They're wearing the same clothes as me, but they look really different. One's green with one eye, and the other's dark purple with a huge nose."
The two figures were taken by aback at this. "It seems that some of them are able to see us." Invader of Darkness stated.
"Chazz...you can see them too?" Chumley asked.
Chazz raised an eyebrow. 'Wait, so it's not just me and Jaden?' "...Yeah."
"Huh? What are you two talking about?" Bastion asked.
"It's nothing." Chazz didn't want to have to deal with explaining this duel spirit stuff. He barely understood it himself.
Damian walked towards Alexis, still crying and hugging Atticus' body. "Is something wrong Alexis?" He asked, feigning ignorance.
"It's my brother...it's Atticus!"
"Atticus?" Syrus repeated. It's been a while, but he remembered that name coming up last semester, back when Ghassan dueled against Alexis.
"He must have been possessed by Nightshroud." Alexis said, wiping away her tears. "But now he's back."
Damian took a look at Alexis' face. If it was possible to look devastated, and elated at the same time, Alexis was pulling it off. He saw this scene before multiple times, but it happening upfront and personal was a different experience entirely. Emotions were stirring within Damian as well. Happiness for Alexis, but also concern for himself. 'It probably won't be long until Alexis asks me questions. Seeing Atticus will probably remind her about how I knew what Atticus' deck was.'
Damian noticed some bubbles started to form on the surface of the ocean near the edge of the volcano. "Is that..."
The spirit of Invader of Darkness floated towards Chazz and Chumley. "You should tell that girl to move away from that Damian boy. Otherwise, she'll be killed as well."
"WHAT?!" Chumley and Chazz both reacted.
"Are you guys ok?" Bastion asked.
Based off the bubbles, and the reactions of the two people who can see Duel Spirits, Damian had somewhat of an idea of what was going on. "Guys, get out of here. Now." Damian started running towards the water.
"What are you-" Alexis began to ask.
In the blink of an eye, a figure leaped out of the water and pinned Damian to the ground. "It's been a few months since our last duel, hasn't it?" Giga Gagagigo asked.
"What the?!" Bastion, Syrus, and Alexis all asked.
"Is...is that a Duel Monster?!" Syrus asked.
"Ugh...if you want to duel, mind getting off me?" Damian asked.
The cyborg lizard complied, allowing Damian to stand up and catch his breath. "You're lucky that The Light forbids me from killing you unless it's a duel. But if you refuse, or run away, all these kids are getting that fate instead."
Chazz turned to the spirit of Invader of Darkness. "Who the hell are you guys?!"
"And why are you here?" Chumley added.
"We're just here to watch. Him on the other hand has something against your friend there." Invader of Darkness answered.
"Are you a Shadow Rider?!" Bastion demanded.
"If I was, I wouldn't threaten to kill you without a duel." Giga Gagagigo answered. "No, I'm just a Duel Spirit."
"A Duel Spirit?" Syrus asked.
"You humans have a card of me. Giga Gagagigo. And there's plenty of other Duel Spirits residing in your dimension as well. But what makes me different from them is that I'm able to take physical form here at will."
"Now that I think about it, he's right. Duel Spirits being able to have a physical form here is a once in a blue moon experience." Ojama Yellow stated.
Alexis gasped. "I remember now! Ms. Fontaine told me about you! You went on a killing spree in America!"
"What?!" Chazz, Bastion, Chumley, and Syrus reacted.
Giga Gagagigo growled a bit. "Damn, looks like word spread about me. Well, it doesn't matter. As soon as I'm done with the boy, I won't be in this dimension for long."
"Long story short, he's an old opponent I beat back in America." Damian answered.
"Wait a second...YOU were the person who dueled him in Kaiba Land, weren't you Damian?!" Alexis asked.
"Word spread about that?" Damian asked as he searched for his Duel Disk. "Whatever. It has nothing to do with the Shadow Riders stuff, so this doesn't concern you guys."
"Doesn't concern us? He wants to KILL you!" Chazz yelled.
Damian got out his Duel Disk. "Well if he succeeds, I guess the Shadow Riders will need to find him to retrieve my Spirit Key."
"Now this is an interesting turn of events." Camula stated.
"Isn't that the Duel Spirit who's allies with you?" Kagemaru asked Scott.
Scott said nothing. He just stared at the projection in shock. 'Light, what the hell's going on? Did you send him to try and kill Damian again?'
"Not this time. Giga Gagagigo simply has a personal grudge against the boy." The Light of Destruction answered. "Still, it doesn't hurt to have a second chance at trying to take over Damian's mind."
Scott grunted in annoyance. Figures that The Light wouldn't try to stop this.
Giga Gagagigo walked towards Jaden's body.
"Hey! Don't come near him!" Syrus yelled. He ran towards the monster, but was swatted to the ground.
"Syrus!" Chumley ran to him in concern. "Are you okay?"
Syrus rubbed his head in pain. 'This...this feels familiar.'
"He agreed to duel me, so I have no reason to kill you. Don't waste your gift." Gagagigo crouched down, and took the Duel Disk that was attached to Jaden's wrist. "I'll give this back to him when I'm done." Gagagigo took out Jaden's deck, put it next to his body, and put in a new deck before walking back towards Damian.
"Damian, what do you know about this guy?" Alexis asked. "You dueled him before."
Damian put in a deck in his Duel Disk. "All I know is that he's a Duel Spirit who hates me." Damian turned to Gagagigo. "I'm ready."
"Good." Giga Gagagigo waved his hand in the air before a field of light circled around him and Damian.
"What the heck's this?" Chazz asked.
Bastion picked up a rock and tossed it towards the force field. As it touched it, the rock was repelled back. "Doesn't look like anything can go through it."
"Huh. This is new." Damian noted.
"This'll ensure that your friends don't interfere." Giga Gagagigo and Damian both activated their Duel Disks.
"Now I can see how battles are done in this dimension first hand." Invader of Darkness said.
"DUEL!" (Damian 4000/Giga Gagagigo 4000)
"I'll go first." Damian drew from his deck. "I summon F.A Whip Crosser (0/1000) in attack mode!" A man riding a futuristic blue and yellow motorcycle appeared on the field. "F.A's gain 300 attack points for every level they have. Whip Crosser is a level 4, so it gains 1200 attack points." (F.A Whip Crosser 0-1200/1000)
"That's still not a lot of attack points." Chumley said.
"Just wait." Chazz told him.
"I activate the field spell, F.A City Grand Prix!" As Damian activated the card, countless virtual blue buildings rose around him and Gagagigo. Multiple of the roads were highlighted yellow, serving as a race track. "With this field spell, all F.A monsters gain 2 levels, and they can't be targeted by my opponents card effects. Along with that, F.A Whip Crosser can gain a level whenever an F.A spell or trap card or effect is activated." (F.A Whip Crosser 1200-2100/0 LV 4-7)
"Whoa! From 0 attack points to over 2000 just like that?" Syrus asked.
Damian turned to the others from the force field. "Take Jaden, and get out of here."
"And just leave you here?" Bastion asked.
"Don't worry. I'll be meeting up with you guys soon."
"Heh. Rather concerned for those fake friends of yours." Giga Gagagigo said.
"Fake friends?" Alexis repeated.
"I set two cards face down and end my turn." Damian said. "Like I said, get out of here. Jaden's hurt, and so is Alexis' brother. We can't waste time."
Chumley picked up the unconscious Jaden, and carried him on his back. "Hey Chazz, I think you should stay behind." He whispered. "Keep an eye on those other two." He tilted his head at the spirits of Invader of Darkness and Lightning Punisher.
Chazz nodded. "I'm staying here Damian. If you lose, somebody's got to save you."
"I'm staying as well." Bastion stated.
Alexis picked up her unconscious brother, and carried him on her back. "Chumley, Syrus and I will head to the infirmary then."
Damian would have preferred if ALL of them left. Then he wouldn't have to worry about Gagagigo exposing anything. But any further protest would probably come off as suspicous. "Fine. Just get Jaden out of here!"
Atticus, Chumley, and Syrus all ran towards the school. While being carried by Chumley, Jaden started to stir a bit. 'This feeling...it's the same thing that happened when me and Bastion dueled Scott.'
Alexis clenched her fist as she carried Atticus. 'Damian...just how many things are you hiding from us?'
Soon, the only spectators that remained were Bastion, Chazz, and though only Chazz and Gagagigo noticed them, Invader of Darkness and Lightning Punisher. Giga Gagagigo drew. "It's my move. I activate Pot of Greed." The monster drew two cards from his deck. "Now I activate Heavy Storm to destroy your field spell and two face-downs!"
Damian gritted his teeth as a hurricane kicked up, causing the city to crumble. Damian, Chazz, and Bastion all felt themselves being pushed by the storm.
"What the hell?! This storm...it feels real!" Chazz yelled.
"These must be the powers of the Shadow Duels that Sheppard and Alexis warned us about!" Bastion replied.
Damian's set F.A Test Run and F.A Dead Heat shattered into pieces, along with Damian's field spell. (F.A Whip Crosser 2100-1500/1000 LV 7-5) "I activate City Grand Prix's effect. When it's destroyed, I get to add an F.A from my deck to my hand. I choose my F.A Auto Navigator." Damian added the card to his hand. "And since I activated the effect of an F.A spell, Whip Crosser gains a level." (F.A Whip Crosser 1500-1800/1000 LV 5-6)
"Fine. I summon Raidraptor-Vanishing Lanius (1300/1600) in defense mode!" A mechanized dark-blue shrike wearing futuristic green and yellow armor emerged on the field. Engraved on it's steel neck was some kind of red crest.
"Since when did you get Raidraptors?" Damian asked.
"Since Adrian decided to move to Duel Academy. I figured if I was going to beat you, I would need to get a more advanced deck. Anyway, I activate the effect of Raidraptor-Fuzzy Lanius (500/1500). If I control a Raidraptor, I can special summon this monster from my hand!" A mechanized black shrike wearing futuristic purple armor descended next to Vanishing Lanius. A red crest identical to Vanishing Lanius' was on it's headpiece.
"I activate the effect of Whip Crosser. When you activate the effect of a monster with a level lower than Whip's current level, you take 300 damage! Go Whip Crosser! Engine Discharge!" Damian yelled. Electricity built up in Whip Crosser's fingers before it fired the electricity at Giga Gagagigo. (Giga Gagagigo 4000-3700)
"I activate the continuous spell card, Raidraptor-Nest. Once per turn, if I control two Raidraptors, I can add one from my deck or graveyard to my hand. I add Raidraptor-Mimicry Lanius from my deck to my hand. And now, I activate the effect of my Vanishing Lanius. On the turn it's Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a level 4 or lower Raidraptor from my hand. Come out Raidraptor-Mimicry Lanius!" (1100/1900) A mechanized blue shrike wearing yellow armor appeared on the field. It's neck and armor pulsated with electricity.
"Whip Crosser's effect activates once again due to you activating Vanishing Lanius' effect." Damian said. Whip Crosser fired another blast of electricity at Gagagigo. (Giga Gagagigo 3700-3400)
Bastion smiled. "Raidraptor's specialize in using their effects to swarm the field, but almost all of the non-xyz members are fairly low in level. With Whip Crosser's effect, Damian turned their biggest strength against his opponent."
"I activate Mimicry Lanius' effect. On the turn it's summoned, I can increase the level of all my Raidraptor's by 1." (Raidraptor-Vanishing Lanius LV 4-5) (Raidraptor-Fuzzy Lanius LV 4-5) (Raidraptor Mimicry Lanius LV 4-5)
"Third verse, same as the first." Damian said. Another bolt of electricity was fired at Giga Gagagigo. (Giga Gagagigo 3400-3100)
"You're starting to annoy me. I overlay my three level 5 Raidraptors!" A swirling dark vortex appeared on the ground, the Raidraptors dissolving into light and flying inside it. "Ferocious falcon. Break through this fierce battle and spread your wings to destroy our enemies! Xyz summon!" A huge amount of flames shot out from the vortex. Emerging from the flames was a mechanized falcon in red and black armor. It's mechanical wings were attached to it's legs rather than black. Three red orbs of light trailed around it. "Appear! Rank 5, Raidraptor-Blaze Falcon!" (1000/2000)
"A rank 5, but it only has 1000 attack points?" Chazz asked.
Gagagigo turned to Chazz. "Don't underestimate it boy. Blaze Falcon can attack the opponent directly if it has an XYZ material. and when it does battle damage, I can destroy a monster controlled by the opponent!" Chazz gasped. "Go Blaze Falcon! Blazing Bomb!" The Raidraptor flew up into the air before generating an orb of fire between it's wings.
"Looks like I forgot to tell you. If a monster's RANK is lower than Whip's level, you still take the damage!" Damian yelled. Another bolt of electricity was fired at Giga Gagagigo. (Giga Gagagigo 3100-2800)
The orb of fire was hurled at Damian, engulfing him in flames. "Ahhhhh!" (Damian 4000-3000)
"And now that I inflicted battle damage to you, Blaze Falcon can destroy a monster you control. Eliminate that eyesore!" Blaze Falcon generated energy in it's wings before launching a stream of fire at Whip Crosser.
"Ugh..one more time Whip Crosser! Engine Discharge!" As the fire headed towards it, the F.A fired one last blast of electricity at Damian's opponent, electrifying him once more. (Giga Gagagigo 2800-2500) Immediately, the fire reached Whip Crosser, engulfing it in flames.
"Well, things could be worse. In just one turn, Damian took out over a third of his opponent's life points." Bastion stated.
"I set two cards facedown and end my turn." Giga Gagagigo said.
Damian started panting as he touched a burn mark on his arm. As he expected, he felt a stinging pain. "Ugh...just like the last time we dueled. The damage is real."
"That's right. And like before, this isn't like regular Shadow Duels. Only your life is at risk here."
"So even if Damian wins, this bastard'll be fine?" Chazz asked.
"It's my move!" Damian drew a card. "I summon F.A Auto Navigator in defense mode!" The holographic chibi girl emerged in front of Damian. "When she's summoned, I can add an F.A field spell to my hand. I add and activate my F.A Circuit Grand Prix." The field morphed into a racing stadium with empty bleachers. "This field spell won't last for long though. I activate the F.A Test Run in my graveyard, letting me destroy an F.A card on my field to special summon an F.A from my deck." The stadium crumbled as a surge of electricity began to build up.
"I special summon my F.A Sonic Meister!" (0-1200/1000) From the surge of electricity shot out a red and blue race car. "With Circuit Grand Prix's destruction, I can add an F.A card to my hand. Like a second copy of City Grand Prix." Damian smiled as he put the card in the field spell slot. Once again, a holographic city rose up, increasing the levels of Damian's monsters. (F.A Sonic Meister 1200-1800/1000 LV 4-6) (F.A Auto Navigator LV 1-3)
Chazz and Bastion smiled. "Now he can bring out a Level 9 synchro." Bastion said.
"And I have a good feeling I know what it is." Chazz added.
"I tune my Auto Navigator with my Sonic Meister!" Damian yelled. The two F.A's flew into the air, Auto Navigator transforming into three green circles. As Sonic Mesiter went through them, it began to dissolve into six points of light. "Gathering bonds weave a greater force! Become the path it's light shines upon! Synchro Summon!" A flash of green light occured before an enormous futuristic car carrier appeared on the field. "Rev up your enegines, F.A Motorhome Transport!" (0-2700/3000)
"Let me guess, it gains levels due to your field spell, right?" Giga Gagagigo asked.
"Bingo." (F.A Motorhome Transport 2700-3300/3000 LV 9-11) "And that's not all. Now that Motorhome Transport is a level 11, it can't be destroyed by battle OR card effects!"
"And thanks to City Grand Prix, Gagagigo can't target it with card effects either!" Bastion exclaimed.
"I wonder. If those two knew the real you, would they still be rooting for you?" Gagagigo asked. Chazz and Bastion looked confused.
Damian ignored Gagagigo. "Motorhome Transport, destroy his Raidraptor!" The car carrier shot out a mechanical claw at the Raidraptor.
"I activate my trap card, Gravity Bind!" As the F.A was about to grab Raidraptor, a force pushed it's mechanical claw to the ground. "With this trap card, no monsters that are level 4 or higher are able to attack."
"Wouldn't that prevent Gagagigo's monster from attacking as well?" Invader of Darkness asked.
"Xyz monsters don't have levels. They have 'ranks.' Meaning that they can attack freely." Chazz replied.
"Tch. I set a card facedown and end my turn." Damian said.
Gagagigo drew. "So, assuming that you beat me, how long will it be until you tell your 'friends' the truth?" Damian stayed silent. "After this duel? In a week? Or not until it's too late?"
"Take your turn already."
"Hmph. I'll make them see the real you, one way or another. I summon Raidraptor-Napalm Dragonius (1000/1000) in defense mode." A red and yellow serpent-like creature wearing teal and silver armor with mechanical wings over it's upper body appeared. "Once per turn, Napalm Dragonius can deal 600 damage to your life points." The monster opened it's mouth a unleashed a stream of fire at Damian.
"Uggghhhh..." (Damian 3000-2400) Damian's skin and clothes began to burn even further. 'This pain...it feels so good." It took everything in Damian's power to avoid smiling.
"Feeling excited boy? Your life is in danger after all."
"Huh? Why would anybody be excited about their life being in danger?" Ojama Yellow asked.
"Next I activate the effect of Raidraptor-Nest, allowing me to add a Raidraptor to my hand. I add Raidraptor-Booster Strix to my hand."
"He boosted his defense even further with that card." Bastion said. "Now, even if Damian's able to attack a Raidraptor monster, he can remove Booster Strix from play to destroy the attacking monster."
"Now, I activate Rank-Up-Magic Raid Force from my hand. I can target one Xyz monster I control and special summon a Raidraptor that's one rank higher using it as a material!" Giga Gagagigo turned to the spirits of Invader of Darkness and Lightning Punisher. "Pay close attention to this. Because like Blaze Falcon, I'm going to evolve further!"
"Is...is he talking to other duel spirits?" Bastion wondered.
The Raidraptor set itself on fire as it began to change form. "Prideful falcon, spread your wings, stained with the blood of our foes. Carve out a path of vengeance! Rank Up Xyz Change!" The monster flapped it's wings and blew away the flames, revealing itself. A mechanized purple and silver falcon, a singular spike at it's bottom serving as a substitute for feet. "Appear! Rank 6, Raidraptor Revolution Falcon!" (2000/3000)
"He evolved his Xyz monster?!" Chazz asked.
"So, it looks like there are multiple ways to summon the same type of Extra Deck monster." Invader of Darkness noted.
"Whenever Revolution Falcon battles a monster that was Special Summoned, the attack points of that Special Summoned monster are reduced to 0 for the battle." Giga Gagagigo smirked. Chazz gasped, while Bastion gritted his teeth. "Go Revolution Falcon! Blazing Bombardment!" The Raidraptor flew into the air and opened up it's hatch. A series of bombs were dropped on Damian's Synchro Monster. (F.A Motorhome Transport 3300-0)
With each bomb that landed, an explosion occured, repeatedly setting Damian ablaze. "GYAAAAHHHHH!" (Damian 2400-400) Damian's jacket burned to ashes as he fell to the ground.
"Damian!" Bastion and Chazz yelled in concern.
"Hmph. I'm curious about why you agreed to duel me. Yeah, I threatened your 'friends' but it's not as if you truly care for their well being." Gagagigo said.
"Enough with the bullshit, lizard!" Chazz yelled. "What do you know about Damian anyway?"
"He agreed to risk his life against you for our sake. And before, he's offered support to almost all of us in one form of another. It's nonsensical to say he doesn't care about us!" Bastion stated.
Damian widened his eyes. 'They...they really trust me.' Damian clenched his fist, tears building up in his eyes. 'And I constantly betray their trust.'
"Trust me, I know this boy more than you do." Giga Gagagigo replied. "Has that blonde girl told you about how he knw of the whereabouts of that Atticus person since the beginning of Duel Academy, but never gave a clear answer about where he was? You can ask the girl to see if I'm lying."
"What?" Chazz reacted.
Gagagigo turned to Chazz's direction. "Or how about how he got you to lie about it being YOUR idea to have him and Scott duel Jaden and his friend in the tag duel for their expulsion?"
"Well...yeah but..."
Bastion was taken by surprise. "Wait...that wasn't Chazz's idea?"
"Not at all. In fact, Damian was in on a plan to get Jaden expelled from the beginning."
Damian said nothing. What could he say? Chazz could confirm that Damian asked him to lie for them, and Alexis could confirm that he and Ghassan knew about Atticus, so it's not like he could deny it.
"What's he doing?!" Scott yelled while viewing the display.
Camula snickered. "It seems that he's revealing your secrets before we ever had the opportunity."
"Hmph. This could be problematic. One of the biggest advantages of you and Damian is that the other key keepers trust you. This Duel Spirit threatens you two losing that trust." Kagemaru said.
'Are you just going to let this happen? This could threaten the plan you know.' Scott said to The Light of Destruction.
"Hmm. At the moment, nothing Gagagigo said risks revealing my existence." The Light of Destruction answered.
'Yeah but-'
"Listen. You know as well as I do that Damian is getting too attached to these people. Perhaps Gagagigo severing his bonds with them can benefit us. It would make sure Damian knows that these people aren't supposed to be his friends. Though of course, if he's about to say anything that risks our mission, I'll put a stop to it."
Scott had to admit, The Light made a good point. Ironically, Giga Gagagigo revealing some of Damian's secrets could make Damian more loyal to their side.
"And let me make one thing perfectly clear. Being beaten by him isn't the only reason I despise this boy." Gagagigo said. "Don't get me wrong, it pisses me off, but what I really despise about him is how flimsy he is with his convictions." Gagagigo turned back to Damian "You act as if you care about these people, and yet you refuse to tell these students information that could help them. But on the other hand, you deliberately make your goals harder to feel less guilty. I loathe Invader of Darkness, but at least he never half-assed on what his goals were. You however are nothing but a coward. A coward who can't make a decision, but has the gall to act as if you WANT to take risks."
"You think we'll buy that shit? The worst Damian's done is maybe try and get Jaden expelled. And even me and Crowler have done that!" Chazz protested.
"Whether you believe it isn't my concern. Damian knows whether or not I'm lying. I end my turn with a facedown."
Damian didn't bother to defend himself. Everything Gagagigo said was true. Damian was a coward, through and through. He was too afraid to tell the students the truth because it would risk him not being able to get home. He was too afraid to go all the way with helping The Light of Destruction because he didn't was worried he wouldn't be able to live with himself. He was excited about dueling others because it offered a distraction from those feelings. And duels where he felt pain offered even further distraction. But by this point, there's no way he could simply distract himself. He needed to choose which side he was on.
...Or find a way to escape it all. "...Heh. Heh heh heh."
"Huh? Is he...laughing?" Bastion wondered.
"Couldn't hold in your joy anymore, huh?" Giga Gagagigo asked.
Damian stood up, chuckling while wobbling. On his face was a wide smile. "Guilty as charged." Damian drew a card. "I activate Pot of Greed to draw two car-" Damian coughed up blood, interrupting himself.
"Hey! He can barely stand, let alone duel! I'll take his place!" Chazz yelled.
"Don't be dumb. What would dueling you accomplish? I just want payback on Damian." Gagagigo replied. "Besides, I don't think he minds." He pointed to Damian. Chazz and Bastion started to notice that his chuckles were getting more and more frequent. Damian started to scratch his own burn marks.
"Even at a time like this, he's excited about the duel?"
"I...I don't think it's only that Chazz. Look." Bastion replied. Damian continued scratching his burn marks, repeatedly wincing as he did so. "He's deliberately hurting himself."
"Heh heh heh. God, I'm really in a bad situation." Damian drew two cards from his deck. "If I control an F.A that's level 7 or higher, I can Special Summon this card from my hand. I special summon, F.A Dark Dragster in defense mode!" (0/2000) A purple vortex appeared in the sky before a futuristic black race car with several purple thrusters drove out of it. "And like most F.A's, it gains 300 attack points for every level it has. It's level 7, and it gains two more levels thanks to City Grand Prix." (F.A Dark Dragster 0-2700/2000 LV 7-9)
"Dark Dragster's effect activates. By lowering it's level by 3, I can destroy any card on the field. I choose Gravity Bind!" Dark Dragster surged with black lightning before launching a bolt at Gagagigo's trap. "Now my F.A's can attack again."
"But which one will you attack? Only Motorhome Transport can prevent being destroyed from Booster Strix's effect, so it's the only one that can attack. But if Revolution Falcon battles it, your monster's attack points will be reduced to 0. You could switch Motorhome to defense mode for next turn, but then Napalm Dragonius will use it's effect to finish off your life points. You're trapped!" Gagagigo laughed.
"I don't think so. I activate my trap card, F.A Overheat. This lets me special summon an F.A from my hand, lik my. F.A Hang on Mach (0-1800/1800 LV 4-6) in attack mode!" A man riding a blue hoverbike appeared on Damian's side of the field. "And with Overheat, the special summoned F.A gains 3 levels." (F.A Hang on Mach 1800-2700/1800 LV 6-9)
"Yes! Hang on Mach can't be affected by monster effects with a level or rank lower than it's level. Neither Revolution Falcon nor Booster Strix will affect it!" Bastion exclaimed.
Giga Gagagigo gritted his teeth. "And that means he can use Motorhome Transport to destroy Napalm Dragonius."
"Battle Phase! I activate a second copy of the quickplay spell, F.A Test Run to switch Dark Dragster to attack mode and destroy Napalm Dragonius!" A bolt of lightning shot out from the spell card, destroy the Raidraptor. "And with an F.A spell activated..." (F.A Motorhome Transport 3300-3600/3000 LV 11-12) (F.A Hang on Mach 2700-3000/1800 LV 9-10) (F.A Dark Dragster 1800-2100/2000 LV 6-7)
'Hmph. Even if he's able to destroy my Revolution Falcon, I have the quickplay spell, Rank-Up-Magic Doom Double Force set. This'll let me summon Final Fortress Falcon when Revolution Falcon is sent to the graveyard. It has 3800 attack points, more than Motorhome. There's nothing to fear.'
"When Hang On Mach is level 7 or higher, all cards sent to your graveyard from now on are banished instead."
Gagagigo gasped. There was nothing he could do. He couldn't believe he was going to lose to this coward twice in a row.
"Time to finish this. Motorhome Transport, attack Revolution Falcon!"
This took Giga Gagagigo, Chazz, Bastion, Scott, Kagemaru, and Camula all by surprise. "WHAT THE?!"
Invader of Darkness smiled. "Interesting."
Motorhome Transport got out it's claw and stretched out to Revolution Falcon. "You said I couldn't make a decision right? Well, how's this for a decision? Instead of choosing to possibly turn things around, I choose to die!"
I've been waiting to get to this part of the story for a long time. It's been hinted at for a while that Damian wasn't exactly stable mentally, not helping with how guilty he felt about working for The Light of Destruction. But now, his pain loving ways have been fully revealed, culminating in him attempting to have Giga Gagagigo kill him. Scott, Bastion, and Chazz will probably never look at him the same way again. Well...if they get the chance to look at him again.
It took me a little while to decide what deck I'd have Giga Gagagigo use in his rematch against Damian, but I ultimately decided to go with Raidraptor's, mainly because they seemed like a pretty good fit. Animals boosted with cybernetics that can evolve into more powerful forms felt fitting considering Giga Gagagigo and Gogiga Gagagigo. I considered showing Jaden's duel with Nightshroud but having Nightshroud use more modern Red-Eyes cards, but since it would ultimately have the same result and the impact on the plot would be the same, I decided against it.
On a mostly unrelated note, I started rewatching Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's a few days ago. I finished the Dark Signers arc yesterday, and man, I really think Yu-Gi-Oh peaked as an anime with the first season of 5D's. (Or first two seasons? Get conflicting stuff about whether or not the Dark Signers arc is Season 2, or part of Season 1.) The duels were almost always great, no episode felt unnecessary, the drama and character development was done incredibly well, and I never felt like there was a useless member of the main cast. I still like the later seasons of 5D's, and I also love the original series, GX, and most of Arc-V, but they all had some major issues with either pacing, usage of their characters, or both. The first 64 episodes of 5D's however is probably the best time I've ever had with the Yu-Gi-Oh anime. Only the Japanese version though. 4Kids butchered 5D's pretty badly, lol.
But yeah, that's enough gushing for now. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and have a great day!
