bopdog111: We're here guys.
Ulrich362: That's right, and after the whole adventure with Jinzo things probably will be calming down... as much as they can be at Duel Academy.
bopdog111: And now it's a filler chapter.
Ulrich362: Yeah, another one. Though there is some justification for this one... not the least of which is as an alternative to the canon episode.
bopdog111: We decided not to do the Harrington episode since that episode to me is boring.
Ulrich362: A fair point, it's not exactly the most interesting episode. So with that established, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, or Persona by we own the OCs!
It had been a few hours since the battle with Jinzo. Syrus was relived that Rise was alright after it.
"Uh... Now can you explain some things to us?" Jaden asked them.
"I had a feeling you'd ask." Naoto admitted.
"Well that stuff doesn't happen everyday." Chumley pointed out.
"Even to us." Banner agreed with Yuzu nodded.
"It shouldn't happen to most people." Yu admitted before closing his eyes. "Remember what happens when we duel?"
"When a Persona is destroyed right?" Alexis asked.
"Exactly, our Personas are us. It isn't like your cards." Yosuke explained. "We aren't exaggerating when we say it could kill us... and Yu's in the most danger."
"Since his Deck is only Personas." Zane concluded.
"Exactly, my power is slightly different. I can use more than one Persona to fight like you guys saw. Izanagi and Lucifer are just two of several... but that's exactly why I can't duel Bastion, honestly I can't duel unless it's absolutely necessary." Yu explained.
"Yeah, but at the same time Yu's probably the strongest one of us when it comes to taking down shadows." Chie added.
"Well like I said, I'm trying to crack the secret how you can duel without inflicting pain to you." Bastion told him.
"And you're not having any luck are you?" Teddie asked.
"Not yet, but that doesn't mean I'll stop trying." Bastion replied.
"Bastion I don't think you get it." Naoto told him. "Yu and his personas are one and the same. Unless you can have an effective duel without attacking him once there is no solution."
"Syrus... do you have a minute?" Rise inquired.
"I do get it Naoto." Bastion told her, "It is the same like how formulas, and equations are one of the same correct?"
Syrus turned to his girlfriend.
"At a rudimentary level yes. But there's a third factor, one Yu-Sempai is also removed from. The Shadow itself." Naoto nodded.
She gestured for them to go to another room.
"But as we know that they have differences based on how they work." Bastion told her. "And like them Personas, and their real person will have differences. And believe me there are tough formulas to crack, and even though Yu doesn't have a Shadow I can find a way to duel without having him killed, or at the very least have something to get him healed throughout dueling."
Syrus looked as he, and Rise walked to the room.
"Open your ears! This isn't like a difference between two formulas or equations or whatever, they're not two separate things Yu and his Personas are the same exact being. There is no difference." Chie told him. "Separating them isn't possible."
"Calm down Chie." Yukiko mentioned before frowning. "She has a point though, you can't just stop being your Persona."
"That isn't what I meant." Bastion told them.
"Then what did you mean?" Kanji asked only to pause. "Look, we're not saying you aren't a smart guy or that you can't come up with great ideas but this isn't that."
"I'm not saying, I should separate them when that's obviously impossible." Bastion told them. "When a Persona takes damage the person who summons it feels the pain. And taking too much it can cause him or her to either pass out, collapse, go into a coma, or die. That's what happens isn't it?"
"Yeah." Yu nodded.
"And when Teddie used his healing abilities it cancels out that damage right?" Bastion asked them.
"That's technically true, but Bastion you're ignoring something. Teddie uses up his own strength to do that and in a duel unless I throw the match I'll be trying to hold out and several Personas will end up destroyed." Yu told him before frowning. "Plus... there are more shadows like the one from tonight on the Island."
"Please let me finish." Bastion smiled to him.
Yu nodded at that.
"So in short if I can make, and replicate a function in your Duel Disks where it also uses the energy on your Personas little by little it can heal the damage you took making it you be at a full recovery without passing out while dueling." Bastion told them with a smile, "The code to crack was so simple, and apparently I was too smart to see it."
Everyone stared at him in shock before Yu handed him his Duel Disc.
"Go ahead, if you think you can." Yu mentioned before frowning and taking out a phone before dialing. "Mitsuru-san, it's me. Something's come up."
Bastion took it as he said, "I'll contact you by the time I'm finished, and trust me I'll not disappoint."
"Hold on a second." Yosuke mentioned as Yu put the phone down.
"Is everyone who saw the Shadow in this room Narukami?" Mitsuru asked calmly.
"Yes." Yu answered.
"All but Rise, and Syrus." Jaden said now noticing.
"I see." Mitsuru stated. "Considering the circumstances I'll trust Narukami's judgement. They're attending Duel Academy in order to handle a potentially world ending threat. One you saw only a small part of tonight."
"A world threat. They said they located it's several miles under Duel Academy." Alexis said recalling.
"Under normal circumstances I'd prefer to keep this information on a need to know basis but considering you've all already seen it firsthand that isn't an option any longer." Mitsuru replied.
"And you are?" Chumley asked.
"Mitsuru Kirijo." Mitsuru answered. "Now then, Narukami keep an eye on them and inform me if anyone of them awakens to their potential... and about that other matter you told me about, I'm having Aigis and Yamagishi look into it."
"And by other matter you meant what me, and Yu talked about?" Jaden asked.
"Yes." Mitsuru nodded before they heard muffled voices. "Something's come up, I'll attempt to explain more in person but be cautious. This Jinzo was the first but there will be others."
With that said she hung up. Yu placed his phone back.
"So let's keep this to ourselves for now." Zane decided.
"Yeah." Yosuke nodded.
Meanwhile...
"Syrus..." Rise started.
Syrus payed attention, "Rise... Is something wrong?"
"Yes, you could have died today!" Rise yelled.
Syrus flinched at this stepping back. Rise had tears in her eyes.
"R-Rise... I-I couldn't just..." He stammered.
She hugged him. "Did you even think what that would have done to everyone? To me?"
"I... I am just doing what a boyfriend would do... Protect their girlfriends..." Syrus told her hugging her back.
"Syrus..." Rise started with tears before wiping her eyes with one hand and smiling gently. "That means a lot, but promise me something. Promise me that you'll be more careful, because losing you would hurt too. Especially after what happened at the lake."
Syrus thought it over before saying, "Okay Rise... I promise."
Rise smiled gently before pausing. "Wait a second... Come on, I had an idea."
"Hm?" Syrus asked confused before nodding.
Rise ran into the room with everyone before smiling. "Yu-sempai can duel Bastion."
"Uh Rise, Bastion might've already came up with something." Yosuke told her.
"Not that Yosuke-sempai, Yu-sempai can use so many different Personas... so what if he used someone else's deck for the match?" Rise asked. "That way his Personas won't be in danger."
They looked at each other on it but Zane, Jaden, Alexis, Bastion, Banner, and Yuzu all frowned at that.
"What's wrong with that idea?" Chie asked noticing that.
"There isn't anything bad." Jaden told them, "A Deck is a Duelist's own pride, and if they use someone else's deck it may seem like taking advantage of what it can do."
"Yes indeed. If Yu needs to use a different Deck besides his Personas he should construct a new one by himself." Zane agreed.
"Or we can wait until I'm finished with the answer so that way he can duel with his Personas safely." Bastion added.
"... Bastion, do you even have a deck ready to duel me?" Yu asked him.
"It's not yet ready but I can use one of my other decks in the meantime." Bastion answered.
"... Then fine." Yu relented. "We can have that match. On three conditions."
"And they are?" Bastion asked.
"1st, all of you be careful and if something weird starts to happen you tell one of us." Yu answered. "2nd, Nobody else learns what happened tonight unless their life is at risk."
"And what's the third condition?" Bastion asked.
Yu closed his eyes. "The third condition... is that we call it off if things get too dangerous for either of us."
Bastion nodded offering his hand, "In that case it's done."
Yu nodded taking it before they all went outside for the duel. Bastion was working on the Duel Disk as he then said, "Alright... It's finished."
He handed Yu it.
"Well... this is it you guys." Chie whispered nervously as Yu took his Duel Disc.
"Bastion, you can go first." Yu told him.
Bastion nodded as they got ready with Bastion selecting a Deck, "You can handle the heat of my Fire Deck this time."
"DUEL!"
(Dueling Theme: Faint by Linkin Park)
Yu: 4000
Bastion: 4000
Let the duel begin!
Bastion 1st Turn:
"My go!" Bastion drew, and smiled "And I'll start by summoning this! Fire King Avatar Barong!"
A red warrior appeared.
Fire King Avatar Barong
Fire Type
Level 4
Beast-Warrior
ATK: 1800
DEF: 200
If a face-up "Fire King" monster you control is destroyed by a card effect (except during the Damage Step): You can Special Summon this card from your hand. During the next Standby Phase after this card was destroyed by a card effect and sent to the Graveyard: Add 1 "Fire King" card from your Deck to your hand, except "Fire King Avatar Barong".
"Fire King, alright." Yu nodded.
"And next up I'll play Fire Formation - Tensu." Bastion added.
Fire Formation - Tensu
Continuous Spell Card
During your Main Phase, you can Normal Summon 1 Beast-Warrior-Type monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.) All Beast-Warrior-Type monsters you control gain 100 ATK.
"So now as long as this cards out all my Beast-Warriors gain 100 more points." Bastion explained. "And more also I can summon another Beast-Warrior from my hand."
"Multiple monsters, and they get stronger?" Naoto inquired in surprise.
"And now I summon Fire King Avatar Arvata!" Bastion called as a elephant like warrior appeared.
Fire King Avatar Arvata
Fire Type
Level 4
Beast-Warrior
ATK: 1800
DEF: 200
When a monster effect is activated while this monster is on the field (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy 1 other FIRE monster in your hand or field. If this card is destroyed and sent to the GY: You can target 1 FIRE Beast, Beast-Warrior, or Winged Beast monster in your GY, except "Fire King Avatar Arvata"; Special Summon it, but it has its effects negated, also it is destroyed during the End Phase. You can only use each effect of "Fire King Avatar Arvata" once per turn.
Arvata: (ATK: 1800 + 100 = 1900)
Barong: (ATK: 1800 + 100 = 1900)
"That's a strong start." Yu admitted.
"And now I place my remaining hand face-down, and that'll do." Bastion said setting three cards.
Yu 1st Turn:
Yu drew his cards before nodding. "I start by setting five cards facedown."
"All of his Spell/Trap Zones filled in 1 go?" Jaden asked shocked.
"That's right, and then I think I'll summon Magician Persona Jack Frost in defense mode." Yu said as a small snowman in a blue hat appeared.
Magician Persona Jack Frost
Water Type
Level 4
Spellcaster
ATK: 1500
DEF: 1000
(Effects to be revealed.)
"Water against fire." Bastion said, "That's quite useful."
"I end my turn." Yu said calmly.
Yu: 4000
Bastion: 4000
Bastion 2nd Turn:
Bastion drew as he looked over. Rise suddenly frowned. "Hey... Syrus, can you do me a favor?"
Syrus turned to her.
"Can you take your blazer off? I want to make sure you didn't get hurt before." Rise explained. "From when we dove to the ground."
Syrus blushed a little before taking it off where he is wearing a gray tank top. Rise looked before her eyes widened and she teared up seeing a scrape across Syrus' left shoulder from where he hit the ground. "You were hurt..."
"Huh?" Syrus noticed it, "Oh... It doesn't look too bad."
"At least you were wearing your jacket, so it probably wasn't infected." Yukiko pointed out.
"Plus with the jacket red nobody would see a bleed." Yosuke added.
"Still, if you're hurt perhaps getting it bandaged would be a good idea." Banner suggested. "Better safe than sorry."
"Well does anyone have one?" Syrus asked before shuddering, "And quick because since it's Winter Break it's cold out here."
"We can see nurse Fontaine after the duel." Yuzu told him as Rise helped him with his blazer.
He nodded as he put it back on.
"Alright! I'll activate my face-downs! Fire Formation - Tensen!" Bastion called, "And Backfire!"
Fire Formation - Tensen
Continuous Trap Card
When this card is activated: Target 1 Beast-Warrior-Type monster you control; it gains 700 ATK until the end of this turn. (This ATK gain remains even if this card leaves the field.) All Beast-Warrior-Type monsters you control gain 300 ATK.
Backfire
Continuous Trap Card
When a FIRE monster(s) you control is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent.
"Barong gains 700 more attack points then both he, and Avarta gains 300 from my trap! And then whenever a Fire monster is destroyed, and sent to the graveyard you take 500 points of damage!" Bastion called.
Yu's eyes widened in surprise hearing that.
Barong: (ATK: 1900 + 700 + 300 = 2900)
Arvata: (ATK: 1900 + 300 = 2200)
"That could be a problem."
"And now Yu time to see if it works... Barong attack that Jack Frost!" Bastion called.
"Trap card open, Tetrakarn!" Yu called. "This negates your attack and destroys your monster."
Tetrakarn
Normal Trap Card
When an opposing monster declares an attack, destroy the attacking monster.
The monster shattered.
"You've just triggered Barong's ability." Bastion smirked.
Yu smirked before wincing from the flames as Bastion's Duel Disc registered an error.
(Yu: 3500)
"Well actually I didn't mean Barong. I more meant Yaksha's effect in my hand." Bastion said, "Since a Fire King was destroyed, I can summon it!"
A beast holding a blue fire staff appeared.
Fire King Avatar Yaksha
Fire Type
Level 4
Beast-Warrior
ATK: 1800
DEF: 200
If a face-up "Fire King" monster you control is destroyed by a card effect (except during the Damage Step): You can Special Summon this card from your hand. If this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard: You can destroy 1 card in your hand or that you control. You can only use this effect of "Fire King Avatar Yaksha" once per turn.
"Not good." Yosuke frowned.
Yaksha: (ATK: 1800 + 100 + 300 = 2200)
"And now Avarta attack!" Bastion called as the elephant charged.
Yu glanced at his cards before suddenly smiling. "Are you sure?"
"Huh?" Bastion asked hearing that.
"I play another trap, Persona Change!" Yu called.
Persona Change
Counter Trap Card
Activate only if a "Persona" monster is being targeted for an attack. Return that monster to your deck and Special Summon 1 "Persona" from your Hand, or Deck. (You can only activate this card if you only control one monster.)
"I'll use it to trade Jack Frost for something a little sturdier. Hierophant Persona Kohryu!"
At that a golden dragon with four colored orbs appeared in Jack Frost's place.
Hierophant Persona Kohryu
Light Type
Level 8
Dragon
ATK: 3000
DEF: 2400
(Effects to be revealed.)
"Whoa now that's strong." Syrus said amazed.
"It should be, that's one of Yu's best Personas." Chie grinned.
"Now, you were attacking so Kohryu counter with Maziodyne!" Yu called.
"Actually since you summoned a new monster it's a replay." Bastion reminded him.
Yu nodded. "Alright."
"I'll chose to halt my attacks, and end this turn." Bastion ended.
Yu 2nd Turn:
Yu drew his card before closing his eyes. "Bastion... I hate to admit it but I think we're done."
"You don't know that yet." Bastion told him.
"Actually I do, thanks to the spells Tarukaja and Mind Charge." Yu explained before grunting.
(Yu: 1750)
Tarukaja
Normal Spell Card
Target one Persona Monster you control, it gains 500 ATK until your third end phase after this card is activated.
Mind Charge
Normal Spell Card
Pay half your Life Points and target 1 "Persona" Monster on your field. Double its ATK until the next time it attacks or is attacked. You can only activate one "Mind Charge" or "Power Charge" per duel.
Kohryu: (ATK: 3000 + 500 = 3500 * 2 = 7000)
"Ah oh man!" Syrus cried shocked.
"Yu-sempai is strong." Rise smiled. "There's a good reason he's our leader."
"Sorry Bastion, Kohryu attacks Avarta with Maziodyne!" Yu declared.
The monster charged an attack.
"I activate the face-down Fire Barrier!" Bastion called.
Fire Barrier
Continuous Trap Card
Effects will be revealed.
"With this until the end of your turn you cannot attack my Fire Monsters, or effect them with card effects!" Bastion called.
Yu frowned. "Does that trap mean my attack doesn't count then?"
"Pretty much. And there's more. At the end of this battle phase you can draw two cards, and it's destroyed." Bastion answered.
"I ask because if the attack doesn't count Kohryu's points stay at 7000." Yu explained before drawing his cards only to smile. "I set a monster and end my turn."
Yu: 1750
Bastion: 4000
Bastion 3rd Turn:
"Alright here we go!" Bastion called drawing, "And I activate Pot of Greed!"
Pot of Greed
Normal Spell Card
Draw 2 Cards.
"And due to it's magic I can draw 2 more cards." Bastion said drawing twice.
"What do you think Zane?" Alexis inquired.
"I think we can trust in Bastion's judgement." Zane answered, "But then again the soul is a complex thing to study."
"Yeah, you can say that again." Alexis nodded.
"Anything helpful Bastion?" Yu inquired.
"The Field Spell, Fire King Island!" Bastion called as they appeared at a Volcano Island.
Fire King Island
Field Spell Card
If this face-up card in the Field Zone is sent to the Graveyard or banished: Destroy all monsters you control. You can only use 1 of the following effects of "Fire King Island" per turn, and only once that turn.
● During your Main Phase: You can destroy 1 monster in your hand or you control, and if you do, add 1 "Fire King" monster from your Deck to your hand.
● If you control no monsters: You can Special Summon 1 FIRE Winged Beast-Type monster from your hand.
Everyone looked around curiously.
"And now I sacrifice both Yaksha, and Arvata!" Bastion called as the two were offered, "That way I can summon Fire King High Avatar Garunix!"
A huge phoenix like monster appeared cawing.
Fire King High Avatar Garunix
Fire Type
Level 8
Winged-Beast
ATK: 2700
DEF: 1700
During the next Standby Phase after this card was destroyed by a card effect and sent to the Graveyard: Special Summon this card from the Graveyard. When you do: Destroy all other monsters on the field. When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: You can Special Summon 1 "Fire King" monster from your Deck, except "Fire King High Avatar Garunix".
"Your monster is powerful but Kohryu has 7000 points." Yu pointed out.
"Well before the show we need to see if it works." Bastion told him. "Garunix attack his face-down!"
The monster was revealed to be Izanagi who shattered from the blast as Yu screamed before collapsing.
"Yu!" the team tried to run but Bastion said, "No! Let's see if it works."
Then Yu's Duel Disk started to do something. It's glowing green before it spread over Yu's body as Yu can feel the pain numbing until he can't feel it anymore. Yu grunted before weakly getting up and surrendering before falling back and breathing heavily. "It still needs some work."
Yu: 1750 (Surrendered)
Bastion: 4000
Bastion wins the duel!
They ran to him. Bastion asked him, "So is it successful?"
"It helps, but it isn't perfect." Yu replied as Yukiko summoned Sumeo-Okami and healed him.
"Well this means you guys can duel without your lives at risk right?" Syrus asked them.
"Maybe soon." Rise nodded before smiling.
"True, but what I want to know is how you managed something like this so quickly Bastion." Naoto admitted.
"Admittedly I'm not made of money. But you can improvise from your surroundings." Bastion said, "Or using my own Duel Disk for it."
"However he did it right now we have two things to think about, the first is Syrus getting bandaged up, and the second is trying to come up with a plan in case more of those things show up and try to attack someone else." Zane pointed out.
They nodded at this.
"Uh Rise. Can we do this alone?" Syrus requested. "I think your teammates, and our friends would want more time to plan it they'll fill us in when we're done."
Rise smiled. "Sure."
He nodded as they walked to Nurse Fontaine's office.
"Excuse me?" Rise asked politely.
They entered as it was Fontaine who turned over, "Ah Syrus, Rise nice to see you two! What can I do for you?"
"We were wondering if you could bandage up my shoulder." Syrus explained taking off his blazer only for Rise to gasp in horror.
Fontaine looked to it. Syrus' scrape had somehow gotten worse and was actively bleeding.
"Oh my god!" Fontaine gasped.
"What?" Syrus asked startled before seeing it, "W-What the!?"
Rise's eyes widened before whispering so only he could hear. "Were you hit?"
Syrus thought back before saying, "Well... It wasn't just his attack... Something else was about to attack from behind, and when we avoided it gotten me while it was destroyed by Jinzo's attack."
Rise frowned. "Syrus, did you see what that something was?"
"I couldn't make it out. But I think it looked like a black eagle." Syrus answered.
Rise frowned. "Ok, from now on you are staying with me. I don't care if they have a problem with that."
"Staying with you...?" Syrus asked surprised before blushing, "Won't Banner, and Fontaine have a problem?"
"If they have a problem they can talk to me directly." Rise told him. "You could have died, and I am not going to let that happen."
Fontaine looked on before saying, "Well Rise... I have to say it is sudden. But as long as you two can behave, and make sure not to do anything out of line he can stay at the Blue Girl Dorm."
Syrus' face turned red at that. Rise smiled before kissing Syrus' cheek. Syrus told her, "Ah... This is gonna be a while to get used too."
"Maybe, but we still have time. Now then, let's go get your stuff." Rise smiled.
"What about the scrape?" Syrus asked.
Rise frowned before turning to nurse Fontaine who took some bandages and wrapped up his shoulder. Syrus looked on as she finished wrapping as Syrus flex his arm a little. "Wonder how I didn't feel it was getting worse."
"Maybe it was because you were excited watching the duel?" Rise suggested but she was frowning.
"Maybe." Syrus said before putting his Blazar back on.
"After you get to Rise's Dorm room take the Blazar off that way the bandages will have air for it to heal." Fontaine told Syrus.
Syrus nodded at that though was a little red, "Come on Rise. We better pack."
Rise nodded as they walked out only for Rise to frown. "Syrus... I'm so sorry."
"For what?" Syrus asked her.
"If we'd never come here you wouldn't have been hurt." Rise choked out as she started crying. "It's all my fault."
"No... It was my own fault Rise... I should've been more careful or at least warn you to say that thing was gonna attack behind you." Syrus told her.
Rise just tears up before embracing him gently. Syrus hugged her back while rubbing her back.
Ulrich362: Well then... quite a bit happened here.
bopdog111: Yeah it does.
Ulrich362: Things are definitely going to be interesting very soon. Oh, and for the curious two rather significant details will be revealed in the next chapter. As for what they are... We'll be keeping them to ourselves until then.
bopdog111: Until then looks like Syrus will be staying with Rise.
Ulrich362: True. See you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!