Ulrich362: Minor change of plans, a bit of filler before the Nightshroud arc.
bopdog111: I had played Persona 4 for quite a while, and it sparked some things I want to ask, and who better then to ask then the Investigation Team?
Ulrich362: Makes sense to me.
bopdog111: And also cause I realized the Team itself doesn't have much matches so we're fixing that in the coming chapters. And for a small side note the chef in me weeps from the Mystery Food X related scenes despite it being humorous so this chapter will also fix that up.
Ulrich362: To each their own, I think it's kind of a funny little gag and to be fair it is confirmed that they can cook... anyone who's gone with Chie's lovers route in Persona 4 can confirm that. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX or Persona but we own the OCs!
It had been about a week since Duel Academy was finally saved from destruction at the hands of Yubel, the original Persona, and the Persona of Haou the Supreme King AKA Jaden's incarnation in the past. Of course, Jaden was also lost with Yubel when he fused his soul with Yubel's with the Super Polymerization card that made everyone else go back home. Alexis took it pretty hard but recovered later on after deciding to keep being strong for Jaden for the Shadows to come.
During which Bastion had been taught how to properly be the Team's navigator by Rise although the other Team Members helped since she's pregnant with her, and Syrus' child along that Yu, and Marie went on some small dates together to reconcile with each other which worked out. Syrus also takes care of Rise quite well, and make sure she doesn't overexert herself for her, and there baby's sake. The remaining Erebus wielders also taken some practice to be ready for other Shadows that might come steal the other Erebus cards to release Nyx.
Now everyone was gathered at the Investigation Dorm's living room cause Syrus brought up some of them have questions to ask the Team themselves to clear some forms of confusion of something bugging in there minds for a while to which Yosuke said they will explain only if they ask about Adrian's involvement how he came into contact with the Kirijo Group in the firstplace.
Now Syrus was carefully sitting Rise down on the chair while Yuzu helps out.
"Thanks you guys, sorry I can't be much more help." Rise admitted.
"You need to reserve your strength for you, and Syrus' little one." Yuzu told her with a smile, "It takes a lot of strength for one to form right so you need to save it for it to grow."
"I know." Rise sighed. "Are the others on their way?"
"There heading over." Yosuke said to Rise who was in the Living Room sitting down on the floor with them. "And I guess Adrian is trying to think what to say right now."
"I have a few questions about that... but I think we'll be answering more than we get to ask." she admitted before frowning again and just looked down.
Syrus softly took her hand smiling to her.
"Maybe if I could have done more... he'd still be with us." she frowned. "I could have done something to help Jaden."
Syrus shook his head, "It's not your fault Rise... We never thought Jaden would take that step... But I know he's okay wherever he is."
She just nodded. "You're probably right."
Yuzu then said to them, "I should probably check on Chie, Yukiko, and Naoto on how the food is coming." She then told them, "Don't let everything start without us."
"We won't." Syrus mentioned.
Yuzu walked as Yosuke sighed complaining, "We're having another helping of Mystery Food X... Can't we just avoid that for now on?"
"Hey, you can at least say they tried Sempai." Kanji said to Yosuke.
Teddie shrugged a bit saying, "Miss Yuzu did say she had been helping them, so maybe it be better this time?"
"Don't get your hopes up Ted." Yosuke shook his head. "I mean the New Years Cake was a success but it's a one time thing since there curry was worse when Syrus made that call during the Second Year."
Knock Knock Knock
"Well no time to chat there here." Marie said to them walking to the door, and opened it letting everyone in.
"Hi everyone." Rise smiled. "The food should be ready soon."
They walked in before Alexis asked her softly, "How you been doing with you, and Syrus' baby Rise?"
"I'm ok... I wish I could have done more to help in the other world... what I did nearly made me throw up, I feel so useless right now." she frowned.
"Well not to worry." Bastion assured her, "I'm not experienced as you are, but I'll be sure to provide the Team with the necessary aid they need."
Rise nodded at that.
"Well, you're doing a good job so far." Zane pointed out.
Bastion nodded just as Yuzu, and the girls walked in, "Well foods finishing up so we got time. Do we have everyone?" They looked over before nodding as they went finding seats just as Yuzu asked, "So who's first?"
"That should be Adrian's boat." Yosuke said to them turning to Adrian. "I mean, he has yet to tell us how he knows the Kirijo Group."
Adrian nodded before standing up. "Well it went back when my little brother was born. Like what Yubel said a while back, I used to be jealous of him since I wasn't the blood heir to the Gecko Familyline while he has. Then one night... I tried to murder him."
"You what?" Kanji questioned in shock.
Adrian looked down explaining, "I was abandoned by my parents when I was young, and I awaited to die one day since my life has no meaning. But then the Gecko Family found me, and take me under there wing since they were unable to produce an heir."
He then explained to what the family is. "The Gecko Family has a lot of incredible influence of it's petroleum factories along with being skilled chemists, and have a lot of information under there belt. It was all great, and gave my life meaning for what it meant to be in charge of such a charismatic family. It was gonna be perfect..."
He then looked down. "Until HE came in."
"Your younger brother." Naoto frowned. "Still that doesn't even begin to excuse trying to murder him."
Adrian looked at her before he then told everyone, "Shido Gecko, my younger brother, and true heir to the Gecko Fortune. Ever since he was born, I had been looked down. I was denied my place as the heir to the Gecko Fortune, and went back to square one I was those years ago."
He then looked down crossing his arms. "Then my jealously grew as the months drove by... then it taken to form that to remove the roadblock for my quest for power, I have to remove it myself. So one night I went into the family kitchen, and grabbed a knife. Alone in his room, I walked, and raised it intending to kill... But then I stopped."
He looked up explaining to everyone. "The look on his sleeping face made me pause what I was doing, and contemplate if killing him really does benefit me. It may make the Gecko Family heirless again but his blood will be on my hands which will do more harm then good. And when I gave more thought, I then realized that the Gecko Family although brief in shaping me into there heir did care for me although we aren't family. My dark shadows tempt me to kill him there... But in the end, I lowered my arm, and dropped the knife. I couldn't do it... I almost let my dark thoughts consume me whole... I went back to my room, and cried that night. I almost killed an innocent child all for a silly quest of power to find my life's purpose. I then realized then my true purpose in life: Helping Shido became the rightful heir he was meant to be one step at a time, so I abandoned my dark thoughts, and decided to put in all my effort to help him become the heir he will be when he's ready to take the Gecko Family Line mantle."
"I'm sure your brother is grateful for everything you did for him." Yukiko mentioned softly.
"Yeah, and at least you realized it was wrong before... well it all worked out." Chie pointed out.
Adrian nodded before stating, "But now years later a test came up. A obstacle that tested me to see if my thoughts really are gone or still lingered."
"What kind of test?" Yuzu questioned.
Adrian was quiet before he answered, "Shido became deathly ill."
Everyone looked stunned hearing that.
"It happened one day to which when the entire Gecko Family gave up trying to help him, I put aside my pride for his needs. So I headed down to someplace that's dangerous in town, and begged a peddler for the medication needed." Adrian said to them. "They told me something I kept thinking about:"
"Never let go of your inner thoughts. They are a part of you, and should you choose to reject them, they will eat away at your psyche which will lead you to become a different person you believe isn't you. The only way for you to remain true to yourself, is by accepting who you are no matter what kind of reasons you have."
"Accepting... that's just like how we awoke to our Personas." Yosuke realized.
Adrian nodded before saying, "It made think of years ago that I was nothing, and tried to kill Shido to become something in life. I managed to abandon those thoughts for Shido's sake but now from hearing those words it made me think if accepting what I am can save Shido, then I will truly do that."
He then gave a serious soft look. "So in the end, I accepted that I am nothing to the Gecko Family but I will become something for them, and work hard for it. Pleased by my resolve they gifted me the medicine, and I hurried back, and gave it to Shido which cured him days later. Seeing Shido back on his feet after thinking he was doomed to die, the Gecko Family accepted me as someone important to them not the 'washed out heir' they used to call me. So I worked hard on my studies to be someone the Gecko Family would depend on while working as Shido's ideal brother."
"I'm sure your brother loves you." Teddie smiled.
Adrian softly smiled before Kanji asked, "So where does the Kirijo Group play in all this?"
Adrian at that was silent before then saying. "Well as it turns out that peddler was an agent of the Kirijo Group as a means to test out the selflessness of humanity, and see if there are still people out there who are true to themselves. Upon finding me, they contacted the Kirijo Group, and informed them about me."
He then shook his head with a smile. "About a month later a limo pulled up where a woman came into the Gecko Family requesting to meet with me." Looking over at the Investigation Team he said to them, "You all should be familiar with this woman."
"Mitsuru-san." Naoto noted.
Adrian then explained to them. "She talked with us that I am someone special in the Gecko Familyline by putting Shido above my selfish dark thoughts to rescue him. She then offered a Business Deal with the Gecko Family, to which the Kirijo Group will provide them with medication funds, and assist them in whoever tries to mess with them. In exchange they give me a position to work for the Kirijo Group, and assist them in whatever needs they can to be ready in case of Shadow attacks. I hesitated but Shido told me to take the job."
He gave a small smile. "He knows we wouldn't be close together but he told me to take the job since he felt that I done a lot for him it's not right for me to continue valuing him above others as I saved him before, and knows that my needs are needed else where, and can't be only for the Gecko Family. With that in mind, I accepted Mitsuru's offer, and took the job."
He then looked up then saying, "I was also a talented Duelist since I had quite a bit of skill when I was tested against the Shadows, and worked my way into East Academy's grades, and when the Student Transfer Program came up the Kirijo Group recommended me to head here to see how the Sacred Beasts are looking, and aid the Team against the Shadows that are trying to release Nyx from the Great Seal."
With that Adrian then finished. "And there you have it. How I made into contact with them, and why I'm here."
"That... wow." Yukiko whispered in awe.
"So he accepted himself by putting Shido above himself for his sake." Yosuke said to Yu hearing that in awe. "What you think of that partner?"
"It makes sense." he nodded.
"Yeah, it sure does." Atticus nodded at that in agreement, "I mean, tried to kill his sibling for power but then put it aside is a tough choice to make. But he made the choice, and it gave him something better for him in the end."
Adrian crossed his arms. "Well I aim to come clean with Shido about my near assassination attempt one day, but I am trying to figure when the right time will be. I trust, I will figure it out."
"I'm sure he'll understand, he loves you after all." Rise smiled. "You're his older brother who did so much for him after all."
Adrian nodded before sitting down. "Well now that my past's confusion is clear it should be time for all of us to talk about your own ends right?"
"That would make sense, so what do you want to know?" Yu inquired.
Jim at that raised his hand, "Actually I got something to ask mates. Well two actually but there on the same subject: This kid you all mentioned." He then cupped his chin. "I think his name was... Mitsuo Kubo?"
Yukiko shuddered.
"What about him?" Chie asked.
"Well you all said before he's not the real culprit on your turf's murder spree, and had been apprehended by police after you all defeated his Shadow in the TV world." Jim explained to them before asking, "But after you guys caught the real culprit, what on earth happened to the guy after that?"
"He still murdered King Mo... Mr. Morooka, so he's likely still in prison." Chie answered.
"Well does he have real motives why?" Atticus asked curiously before adding, "I mean, you all mentioned everyone held a grudge against that guy but does he have another reason besides hating him?"
"Mitsuo had no grudge against King Moron, he didn't even go to Yasogami... he just wanted attention." Yosuke frowned.
Adrian frowned at that. "That kinda sounds like me. We both wanted to be someones in life, and we resorted to murder to have some form of attention onto us. Only instead I managed to pull myself away before I done the deed while he left his dark thoughts consume him whole. He would've been better if he had some aid."
"You might be right, but I don't think he would have wanted to pull himself away." Rise frowned.
Jim at that asked his second question about Mitsuo, "Well you all mentioned he continued rejecting his suppressed thoughts. But what do you mates think will happen if he accepted them instead?"
"The same as us, he would have probably awoken to a Persona... though he'd probably still be in jail for committing murder." Teddie answered.
"Indeed, accepting himself would have granted him the power of Persona but it wouldn't change the actions he already took." Naoto agreed.
"If only he didn't isolate himself things would be different." Syrus added with a frown, "If he had taken the time to try to socially interact he wouldn't have killed someone."
"It's in the past, who knows what could have happened we can argue that all day. It can't change things." Kanji pointed out.
At that Axel then asked, "Well not to speak ill of the dead but with Mr. Morooka gone you all at least got yourselves a teacher that treats you better, right?"
"Um..." Yukiko started uncertainly.
"Well about that..." Yosuke mentioned awkwardly.
"That depends on what you mean by better." Yu admitted.
That made everyone sweat-drop knowing this new teacher is probably just as bad if not worse then Mr. Morooka. Deciding to lift off this awkward tension Jesse asked his own question, "Well uh, I got something to ask." They looked to him before he asked, "You all said, you have to accept your own thoughts to unlock your Personas, and went through the TV World to unlock them right? But what about Yu's case, you all never told us how he unlocked his that way."
"My other half awoke his power." Marie answered. "Izanami-no-Okami."
"Oh, was it when you first arrived and didn't feel good at the gas station?" Nanako realized turning to Yu.
"Yeah, that's right. That's when I gained the power to pass through the TV and not long after that I awoke to my Persona, Izanagi... well my first Persona anyway." Yu nodded.
"When you say other half is Izanami your own Persona?" Axel asked Marie curiously.
"No, actually I am Izanami herself." Marie answered. "I was split in two, one half that wanted to give mankind what they desired, and the half that wanted to protect humanity. I was the weaker half, the one that wanted to protect humanity and after being split I lost all my memories. It wasn't until Yu and the others cleared away the fog that I remembered who I was... or, who I thought I was and tried to erase myself."
"Except Yu-sempai wouldn't let anything happened to the people he loves." Kanji mentioned. "Then we finally realized everything was because of the other Izanami and Yu managed to kick her ass."
"After that, we reunited as me... Izanami-no-Mikoto. I still go by Marie though, or... Mariko Kasumi, the Inaba weather reporter." Marie finished.
"So what was Ameno-Sagiri's role into this?" Chazz finally spoke up, "You all said the murders happen cause of Adachi, and then it was cause of that psycho Izanami that is orchestrating things but what was Ameno-Sagiri's own part to play in that twisted game?"
"Ameno-Sagiri was the ruler of the fog." Yu answered. "The best way I can describe is would be... Ameno-Sagiri would be the equivalent of a Shadow Rider or member of the Society of Light while Izanami would be Kagemaru or the Light of Destruction controlling Sartorius."
"So in the end he was but a servant." Sheppard frowned at this before saying, "Well at least you all managed to drive him away right? Does this mean he won't return for a while?"
"I doubt he will." Yosuke nodded.
"I got something to ask." Hassleberry raised his hand which they looked over to him before he asked them, "You all went to Tatsumi Port Island at that mall in that room Risette reserved? How did you all get drunk when alcohol wasn't involved? It doesn't make total sense to me."
"Likely due to the atmosphere." Naoto answered calmly. "Certain people can get drunk just due to being in certain locations."
Teddie then laughed, "Well you guys should've seen what happened. Rise-chan, and Yuki-chan were totally drunk on the mood telling Nao-chan how we operated, and then I nearly kissed Kan-"
"To be fair, looking back had I believed you the case would have gone in an entirely different direction... so I suppose it was a good thing it came across as drunken antics instead of anything else." Naoto chuckled.
"You might as well keep that to yourself." Kanji warned Teddie.
"Sorry." Teddie said but still has his smile.
Nanako raise a hand herself, "Uh, I have something to ask."
"Yeah Nanako?" Chie asked with a smile.
Nanako looked to Yu before asking, "From... from all the time you asked to look at the Weather Report? Is it all cause you, and your friends can keep track when the fog comes in big bro?"
"Yeah, if we waited too long a body would appear. The Shadows would get aggressive and kill anyone inside the TV." Yu nodded.
"Well you guys said Adachi throws them in, and this one guy, Namatame, I think tries to 'save' them which will also kill them." Zane said to them before asking, "Does this also mean he also has the power Yu had, and if so, what happened to him after you all stopped him?"
"Adachi-san, Namatame, and I all had the same power. After we stopped him and proved he wasn't the real murderer and now he's mayor." Yu answered.
"Does he have a Persona or a Izanagi like how you, and Adachi have one?" Zane gave a second question.
"No, he never awoke to a Persona like that." Rise answered.
"Well I can tell you all fought a dangerous enemy even if he doesn't have the power against you guys." Axel admitted to them.
"More than you can imagine." Yu frowned.
They nodded before Adrian then asked, "Well I gave my answer how I know the Kirijo Group. From your story none of you all came into contact with them while Adachi was abusing his power with killing. So how do you all know about them?"
"It was during Golden Week, I went back to see everyone and the Midnight Channel came back." Yu answered. "Only this time it was depicting a fighting tournament called the P-1 Grand Prix."
"Obviously we wouldn't fight each other so we went in to investigate... though Teddie and Rise already ended up inside the TV, and Kanji somehow fell through his TV in his sleep so he thought it was a dream for a while." Yosuke added.
"Hey, that part isn't important!" he snapped.
"Actually we thought Ted, Rise, and Kanji had just gone missing... Naoto meanwhile was working on another case." Yukiko added.
"I was doing an investigation into the Kirijo group, and so covertly followed them to Inaba after a highjacking led to important cargo being stolen. That cargo ended up being Labrys, Aigis's older sister and the person who's Shadow created the P-1 Grand Prix in the first place." Naoto explained. "While we were forced to fight against each other we ultimately were successful in helping Labrys accept her Shadow though that was only the beginning."
Syrus looked worried, "Oh let me guess... Sho?"
"Yeah, if you remember you can't pass through the TV unless you had my power or a Persona... but Labrys didn't have either when she was thrown in... Sho on the other hand did. Well Minazuki did." Yu answered. "He was kidnapped along with several other kids by Shuji Ikutsuki and had a Plume of Dusk implanted in his body, the same thing that gives Aigis and Labrys their personalities. It created a second personality inside him, one with a Persona."
"So basically you all came to know the Kirijo Group cause of that Shuji guy right?" Atticus asked.
"It's why we ended up involved in the same situation as them... but yeah." Yu nodded. "Apparently when two Personas fight small fragments are shaved off and by gathering enough you can control massive numbers of Shadows when they fuse into a new form... do you remember when I dueled Franz?"
They looked at each other hearing that before Bastion admitted, "We... could use a reminder. It's been close to a year since you, and Jaden fought Ra after all."
"When we first saw Ra, I thought it was a being known as Hi-No-Kagutsuchi... a godlike being that gave Minazuki incredible power to help him achieve his goals but ultimately betrayed him. If it wasn't for Adachi-san's help it would have ended the entire world." Yu answered. "A giant being engulfed in flames."
Chumley at that remembered something cupping his chin, "Hey I heard that name before."
"You have?" Rise asked.
Chumley looked through a Deck of cards, "You mean this?"
He shows the Investigation Team a Duel Monsters card that shows of a humanoid man with a sharp-toothed grin with flames for hair and markings of the sun on his muscular body with a blue loan cloth around his waist with beads around it.
Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi
Level 8
FIRE
Level 8
Pyro/Effect/Spirit
ATK: 2800
DEF: 2900
This card cannot be Special Summoned. This card returns to its owner's hand during the End Phase of the turn it is Normal Summoned or flipped face-up. If this card inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent, they discard all cards in their hand during the next Draw Phase, before they draw.
"It has the same name, but no. The Hi-No-Kagutsuchi I fought with Adachi-san was much different." Yu answered.
Chumley at that nodded saying, "Well Pegasus developed a series of monster cards based the religions and mythologies from Eastern Asia. This one is only a part of the set. I knew I find the names of your Personas familiar so I recheck the series, and that's when I saw that your Personas are based on that series. The Spirit Monsters. Izanami, Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, Yamata-no-Orochi, even Amano-Iwato."
"That's definitely possible." Naoto nodded.
"Of course, is it merely just a coincidence?" Chumley asked nervously, "Cause if these are anywhere like yours..."
"I don't think they are." Chie admitted.
Just then a DING was heard which perk Yuzu's head, "Ah! Well good timing, food's ready." She smiled to Naoto, Chie, and Yukiko, "Okay girls lets plate up, and see how you all done for everyone here."
"Can we... not." Yosuke asked nervously. "I mean, you girls can do so many incredible things but cooking... it isn't one of them."
Chie was obviously irked. "Hey Yuzu gave us some pointers so maybe it'll be different this time!"
"Well I hope." Naoto admitted as they walked to the kitchen.
Yosuke turned to Yu asking, "...Do you have a barf bag?"
"I wish I did." Yu admitted shuddering.
"Well at least nobody can blame us when we do it." Yosuke said as they looked down dejected waiting certain death.
A few minutes later...
At a large table outside everyone sat on chairs looking at the food that is served which looked to be rice bowls with dark brown rice with vegetables mixed into the rice atop some meat with what looks like sauteed onions, and sesame seeds with Naurtomaki, and a sheet of nori.
"Well dig in everyone. The girls put every ounce of effort into it." Yuzu smiled to them before blinking seeing several hesitant looks, "Hey aren't you all hungry?"
"I ate already." Kanji answered.
Teddie didn't get what he exactly meant though. "Huh, no you didn't. You asked a while ago what will be for dinner to-"
"Shut up Ted." Yosuke frowned.
Chie was nervous saying, "W-Well hey at least take a bite before you judge. That IS the normal look." She turned to Yuzu asking, "That IS normal right?"
Yuzu nodded before explaining, "It should if your making Teriyaki Rice."
"Well if you all aren't gonna eat then I will." Belowski said to them taking his chopsticks, and took a bite. He paused tasting his bite which the Team looked over seeing his paused look.
"And here is victim one..." Yosuke said with a worried gaze.
In fact rather opposite cause Belowski called out they weren't expecting.
"Oh my god, this so good!"
"No way... are his taste buds completely gone?" Yosuke asked.
"Yosuke-sempai, if I die... tell ma I loved her." Kanji mentioned taking a small bite.
When Kanji took a bite he paused with widen eyes. Instead of an awful taste, boneless taste, or inedible taste he instead tastes something completely different. A soy sweet flavor with complex aromatic properties with some tanginess with a bit of heat, and tasting a bit of flavor from the beef, and some acidity. Overall what he is tasting is... PURE HEAVEN.
"This is... ok, how much did Yuzu-sensei do you three and be honest." Kanji mentioned.
Confused Yosuke asked, "Hey what are you talking about?" Curiously taking a bite Yosuke froze, "Agh!" He then shouts, "OH MY GOD, THIS IS GOOD!"
He takes bites which Chie off guard asked, "H-Hey we actually did something right for once?"
Yuzu smiled before telling the three, "Well like I told you before the less ingredients you put in, and knowing what stuff to put in, and how much time, and heat goes in will wield better results. Rice Bowls don't need no chocolate, no ice coffee, no potatoes, no beans, none of all that stuff. If you all want to cook good, you have to get the insight of someone who's experienced in cooking like me, and hold back all the ingredients, and seasonings you all are planning to put in."
"But isn't experimentation the sign of a good cook?" Yukiko asked her.
"Well yes but like experimenting a small misstep would either work really well or really bad." Yuzu explained, "If you include chocolate not only will it clash with the beef's flavor it also makes it horrible in taste with the sweetness, and bitterness being too much. If fish is your fancy you need to place it together with things that compliment it's favor like citrus, or butter but not too much of those. And for spice everyone does like heat but not all of us have iron stomachs so go as little as you can. There is always room for experimentation but try not to do TOO much otherwise one of those Mystery Food X incidents will happen."
"So basically, small things here and there to see what works." Naoto nodded. "That makes sense."
"Lastly it's also important to taste the food your making as you go." Yuzu then added in a piece of wise advice. "Tasting allows you to see if the food your making is going like it can. If it's tasting odd it's cause you've overdone it, or it needs something. Tasting is just as important to cooking as it is eating, cause it allows you to experiment without making a big ol' mess of things."
The girls all nodded at that.
"Well, I still think Rise's spicy food is amazing." Syrus admitted with a smile.
Rise smiled to him at that which Yuzu said, "Well everyone has there own tastes on liking it sweeter, or more spicy."
She then looked over to the Investigation Team, "I noticed the three had a bit of problems from there Curry last year so I decided to help them out with it, and decided today was when there ready to start for real."
"Thank you so much." Yosuke smiled. "Chie's amazing but... she's not a good cook."
"I can tell." Yuzu said to him with a smile, "From listening in how exactly they made it, I gave some criticism, and tell them what ingredients don't work, and the steps they taken wrong. It took a while but now there improving."
"Well the only way to know for sure is to keep practicing." Yukiko mentioned.
"And taste for seasoning." Yuzu said before she then said, "But Chocolate can be used as an ingredient for a dish but it's Mexican." The girls looked at her as she answered, "It's called a Mole Sauce which uses Mexican Chocolate cause that stuff has a bitter taste that complements the sauce well. Maybe if we have time, I can let you all know how to use Mexican Chocolate for real edible lick smacking good foods."
"That sounds good to me." Rise smiled before groaning. "Or... maybe later."
Syrus softly rubbed her back, "Well Rise you better get more strength. Your eating for two after all."
"I remember." she smiled.
A few minutes later...
Everyone finished eating feeling full from the food Yuzu helped Chie, Yukiko, and Naoto fixed up as Yukiko smiled to them, "Well thank goodness, we made something right for once."
"I knew you three could do it." Yuzu smiled to them.
"Well... all it take was asking someone who knows to cook." Chie admitted.
"Trust me, I given you a low slide. Some people would've yelled at you, I mean they mean well but they take it at such a mean way." Yuzu admitted to them.
Dr. Crowler shook his head before looking. "If we're still on the subject earlier, I got something to ask the Team."
Hearing that they turned to him.
"...Be honest with me... was I like Mr. Morooka when you first started?" Dr. Crowler asked them with a frown.
"No, you were a little biased towards Obelisk for obvious reasons but you really did care for all of us and showed it. King Moron just hated all of us for some reason." Chie answered. "Honestly, King Moron was a lot worse."
Suddenly Nanako's eyes widened as she gasped. "What happened to Professor Viper's rules?"
They looked at her confused before Teddie realized, "Hey yeah, the Bio-Band thing."
Sheppard hearing that sighed before saying, "Well no need to worry." They looked to him. "After talking with Kagemaru we agreed to disband the Bio-Band System since we found Viper's body sometime earlier, and decided for the cause of his death to be the result of his Bio-Bands since he sapped all his strength for Yubel. So it's safe to say, that we won't have to duel for survival anymore." He then looked down in what looks like guilt.
"You had no way of knowing what he was up to." Naoto mentioned. "I'm sure the students will be glad they won't have to worry about expulsion anymore."
Sheppard shook his head, "It's not that... I invited Professor Viper for another reason."
"You did, why?" Yosuke asked.
Sheppard looked before answering, "Well I was worried about Jaden, and you all since you are the best duelists in the school but are not Obelisks. So I invited Viper to help you all grow as duelists, and advance up a rank." He then looked down. "But it lead to almost everyone here killed."
"That's a good point, how skilled have you all gotten?" Zane inquired.
They all looked at each other before Chie said, "Well... we tried to finish our duels quickly so we don't know exactly."
"Well we could use some training for our Erebus cards here, so maybe we can see if a member of the Team duels against one of us." Chumley suggested to them.
"That might be a big risk... I mean what happens if you lose? Plus if our Personas get destroyed..." Rise trailed off nervously.
"Would dueling on a table solve that issue?" Yuzu asked them before saying, "I mean we been using Duel Disks for a while with the Kirijo Group supplying our Duel Disks so the pain of Personas destroyed in battle would be healed but would it make a difference if we don't use them, and use tables instead?"
"That... yes that probably would work." Naoto nodded.
Nanako at that asked excited, "So who duels first?"
"Shouldn't our teachers get to decide that?" Yu asked turning to Yuzu, Dr. Crowler, and Chancellor Sheppard.
That made them blink while they looked at each other before Sheppard said to them, "Well... Since I barely had any time for some practice, I should head first." He then gave a wink with a grin, "Besides I can't let you all be ahead of me."
"That sounds good to us." Chie smiled.
Zane at that tells them, "Well you all shouldn't underestimate Chancellor Sheppard. He happens to be my mentor in the Cyber Art Style."
"Ok, well who do you want to duel?" Chie asked.
Sheppard looked over the Investigation Team before he then turned to Naoto, "Naoto, you wouldn't mind taking on your Headmaster?"
"Not at all." she smiled.
With that Sheppard, and Naoto walked to the table shuffling there Decks. Nanako then looked down as if recalling a memory before turning to Yu, "Big bro?"
"Yeah?" Yu asked her.
"I... I think I finally understand why you guys didn't want me here." Nanako said to him, "It... was cause of me, and Mr. Namatame in the TV World, and I died?"
Yu flinched but nodded. "Yeah, like we said when Axel challenged me and faked kidnapping you."
Nanako looked down before she then smiled to him. "I'm glad that you were worried about me after that... But I want to be strong. There will be times you, and your friends aren't around, and I have to stand up for myself. I want to try being strong, and handle myself."
"Nanako..." Yu whispered before smiling as he hugged her. "You've already proven you're strong."
"Actually before they start, that reminded me of another question." Yuzu mentioned to them looking over, "You guys said after you defeated Kunino-Sagiri who isn't really Namatame's Shadow, and she passed in the hospital, what had given Nanako her life back?"
"I think… is not being fooled into killing Namatame." Chie admitted. "We weren't tricked, or I think that's why… it was a supernatural fog."
"Well I'm glad you didn't do the deed. It wouldn't solve anything if you did done it." Zane said to them. "We all experienced much revenge driven people here in Duel Academy, and we can say that your better then us by not letting your emotions talk."
"Honestly... it was mostly Yu-Sempai." Kanji admitted to them. "He managed to stop us by yelling, 'Calm the hell down' while we were in Namatame's room. Yosuke-sempai was trying to ask Yu-sempai thinks about the decision he's making."
"Actually, Namatame's Shadow is what saved his life and Nanako's." Yu explained. "It didn't make any sense if he was the killer."
"Based on those warning letters you told us about." Chazz nodded hearing that.
Sheppard at that said, "Well those are stories for another time." They looked over before he said, "Right now, let's try looking outward for the future. Without Jaden it's up to us to keep the Arcana of Erebus away from the Shadows, and guard them so that Nyx wouldn't complete the Fall."
Dimitri looked down at that. "Up to you all you mean."
"Don't worry you done the best you could." Yuzu softly patted Dimitri's back, "They caught us off guard before we won't make that mistake again."
Turning to Naoto, Sheppard smiled to her, "Well now time to begin right Naoto? I must warn you, I won't think of going easy."
With that they drew there hands readying while they watched near the table.
(Dueling Theme: The Good Life by TDG)
Naoto: 4000
Hand: 5
Field: Nothing
Sheppard: 4000
Hand: 5
Field: Nothing
Let the duel commence!
Sheppard 1st Turn:
"I'll go first Naoto." Sheppard said with a smile looking at his hand.
Sheppard looked before taking two cards, and placed them face-down. "I'll place two cards face-down, and that's all."
"That's it two set cards?" Belowski asked confused.
Zane with crossed arms explained, "This is a strategy style in the Cyber Art. If I am guessing right Sheppard is already prepared for a hard attack."
Sheppard's Hand: 3/Field: Two Set Cards
Naoto 1st Turn:
"An interesting start." Naoto admitted drawing her card. "In that case I'll begin by setting two of my own cards facedown and then I'll summon Chief Officer in attack mode."
(Attack Position)
Chief Officer
DARK
Level 3
Warrior/Effect
ATK: 1700
DEF: 0
This face-up Attack Position monster cannot be destroyed by battle. If this card battles switch this card to Defense Position at the End of the Damage Step. During your Standby Phase: You can destroy 1 card on the field. This card must be in face-up Defense Position to activate, and resolve this effect.
"Now, I'll attack your life points directly."
Sheppard smiled before saying, "Not so fast." Naoto blinked as Sheppard flipped a card, "I use my face-down, Cyber Shadow Gardna."
(face-up)
Cyber Shadow Gardna
Continuous Trap Card
During your opponent's Main Phase: Special Summon this card as an Effect Monster (Machine/EARTH/Level 4/ATK ?/DEF ?). (This card is also still a Trap.) When an opponent's monster declares an attack that targets this card: The ATK/DEF of this card become the ATK/DEF of the attacking monster. Once per turn, during your opponent's End Phase: Set this card in its Spell & Trap Zone.
"During your Main Phase, before you attack, my face-down Cyber Shadow Gardna becomes a monster." Sheppard moves the card to one of his Spell & Trap Zone.
"A Trap card that becomes a monster?" Nanako asked never seeing that.
"Yeah, you see Nanako some Spells or Trap cards can become monster cards that allows players to have shields or strong attackers in case things go south." Yuzu explained to her.
"And for this shield in particular, it allows it to have the same points as your Officer's attack points." Sheppard explained to Naoto.
Cyber Shadow Gardna: (ATK: 1700/DEF: 0)
Naoto's nodded before saying, "But isn't your monster destroyed? Chief Officer can't be destroyed while in Attack Position."
"Yes of course." Sheppard takes the card placing it in the graveyard, "However, I wanted my Gardna to be destroyed if you didn't attack."
"Oh?" Naoto inquired.
Sheppard flipped a second card, "My Byroad Sacrifice."
Byroad Sacrifice
Normal Trap Card
Activate only if a monster on your side of the field is destroyed by battle. Special Summon 1 "Cyber Ogre" from your hand.
"I can only use this card if you destroy a monster on my field in battle." Sheppard explained before telling her, "I can summon a monster from my hand."
Naoto frowned hearing that. Sheppard places a card, "My Cyber Ogre."
(Attack Position)
Cyber Ogre
EARTH
Level 5
Machine/Effect
ATK: 1900
DEF: 1200
By discarding this card from your hand to the Graveyard, negate 1 battle involving a "Cyber Ogre" on your side of the field, and it gains 2000 ATK until the end of its next battle. This effect can be activated during either player's turn.
"And if I recall right Chief Officer switches Battle Position after it battles doesn't it?" Sheppard asked with a grin.
"It does, which should protect my life points." Naoto nodded ending her turn as she switched her monster to defense position.
Naoto's Hand: 3/Field: Chief Officer (Defense Position), Two Set Cards
Naoto: 4000
Hand: 3
Field: Chief Officer (Defense Position), Two Set Cards
Sheppard: 4000
Hand: 2
Field: Cyber Ogre (Attack Position)
Sheppard 2nd Turn:
"Then it's my turn." Sheppard drew looking at his hand, and places down a card, "Next I'll summon Cyber Esper in Attack Position."
(Attack Position)
Cyber Esper
FIRE
Level 4
Machine/Effect
ATK: 1200
DEF: 1800
While this card is in face-up Attack Position, you can look at every card your opponent draws.
"I have a feeling this isn't going to end well for me." Naoto admitted.
"Well first Cyber Esper attack attacks Chief Officer." Sheppard explained with a grin to her.
"As my monster is in defense position his ability won't protect him." Naoto frowned putting Chief Officer in the graveyard.
"Then Cyber Ogre will attack you directly." Sheppard added to her.
Naoto nodded noting the damage before smiling. "I have a trap of my own, Acceptance of your True Self." (Naoto: 2100/Hand: 3)
Acceptance of your True Self
Normal Trap Card
When you take battle or effect damage: Special Summon 1 "Persona" monster from your Deck. If your opponent has higher LP when this card is activated: You can destroy 1 card your opponent controls, but you cannot declare an attack the turn you activated this card.
"As I took damage, this allows me to call on Fortune Persona Sukuna-Hikona in attack position and destroy your Cyber Ogre."
(Attack Position)
Fortune Persona Sukuna-Hikona
DARK
Level 5
Warrior/Effect
ATK: 2000
DEF: 1800
(This card is treated as an "Detective", and "Officer" card.)
Unaffected to Spell/Traps. Once per turn, if a card(s) you control is destroyed: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that target. When this card is destroyed and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 "Fortune Persona Yamato-Takeru" from your Extra Deck.
"This also can help us learn if dueling on a table can avoid any consequences should our Personas be destroyed."
Sheppard placed the card in his graveyard before setting a card, "I end my turn for now."
Sheppard's Hand: 1/Field: Cyber Esper (Attack Position), One Set Card
Naoto 2nd Turn:
"My turn." Naoto looked at her drawn card before Sheppard said to her, "Hang on Naoto." She looked at him before he explained, "As long as Cyber Esper is in Attack Position, I can look at every card you draw."
Naoto's eyes widened before she nodded showing Sheppard that she drew Corrupt Officer.
"That allows Naoto-kun to add a card when it's destroyed wasn't it?" Rise asked recalling the card.
"Yeah, it is." Kanji nodded.
"Now, I'll summon my Corrupt Officer in attack position." Naoto smiled.
(Attack Position)
Corrupt Officer
DARK
Level 3
Warrior/Effect
ATK: 1200
DEF: 700
If this card is destroyed by battle: You can add one card from your opponent's Deck to your hand, then end the Battle Phase. The card added by this effect is added to the opponent's hand during there Standby Phase. You can banish this card from your GY: Special Summon 1 "Officer" or "Detective" monster from your GY, except "Corrupt Officer".
"I attack Cyber Esper with Corrupt Officer."
Sheppard takes the card placing it in the graveyard before handing his Deck to Naoto for her to select which card she picks to add. Naoto placed Corrupt Officer in her own graveyard before taking the deck and looking through it only to take Cyber Ogre. "Now, since a card I control was destroyed Fortune Persona Sukuna-Hikona can destroy your set card."
Sheppard takes the card placing it in his graveyard showing itself as Trojan Blast. That was before he said, "Of course since Corrupt Officer's destroyed, the battle ends doesn't it?"
"Yes." Naoto nodded. "I'll end my turn."
Naoto's Hand: 3/Field: Fortune Persona Sukuna-Hikona (Attack Position), One Set Card
Naoto: 2100
Hand: 3
Field: Fortune Persona Sukuna-Hikona (Attack Position), One Set Card
Sheppard: 4000
Hand: 1
Field: Nothing
Sheppard 3rd Turn:
"Well my turn." Sheppard drew looking before placing it on his field, "I use Pot of Greed."
Pot of Greed
Normal Spell Card
Draw 2 cards.
"So now I draw 2 more cards." Sheppard drew two cards adding them to his hand before then adding, "Next, I use Monster Reborn."
Monster Reborn
Normal Spell Card
Target 1 monster in either GY; Special Summon it.
"So now I can summon Cyber Ogre again." Sheppard placed the card on his field again.
Cyber Ogre: (Attack Position)
"Wait one moment, during your standby-phase the card Corrupt Officer took is added to your hand." Naoto explained handing him the card before frowning slightly. "I had hoped you wouldn't be able to summon a monster to use as a sacrifice quite so easily however."
"But he wouldn't Tribute the monster he just brought back to summon another right?" Yosuke asked bringing that point up.
"Just watch and see." Zane smiled.
Sheppard at that said to Naoto, "Well I place 1 card down, and end my turn here."
Sheppard's Hand: 2/Field: Cyber Ogre (Attack Position), One Set Card
Naoto 3rd Turn:
Naoto drew her card before her eyes widened slightly. "I use the second effect of my Corrupt Officer, by removing him from play I can bring Chief Officer back from my graveyard."
Chief Officer: (Attack Position)
"Sukuna-Hikona attack Cyber Ogre."
Sheppard at that takes a card in his hand discarding it showing the Cyber Ogre, Naoto added, "Well now is Cyber Ogre's ability. By sending this card from my hand to the graveyard Cyber Ogre on my field isn't destroyed, and any damage I take becomes 0." He then added with a grin, "But that's not the only thing."
"It's not?" Yosuke asked hearing that.
"No, Cyber Ogre has another useful ability." Zane mentioned calmly.
"And that ability is until the next battle Cyber Ogre gains 2000 attack points."
Cyber Ogre: (ATK: 1900 + 2000 = 3900)
"That's rather impressive, unfortunately I can equip your Cyber Ogre with the Criminal Record spell to end my turn." Naoto mentioned.
(Equipped to Cyber Ogre)
Criminal Record
Equip Spell Card
If the equipped monster battles an "Officer" or "Detective" monster before damage calculation, destroy that monster. You can discard 1 card, shuffle this card into your Deck. You can only activate 1 "Criminal Record" per turn.
Naoto's Hand: 3/Field: Fortune Persona Sukuna-Hikona (Attack Position), Chief Officer (Attack Position), Criminal Record (Equipped to Cyber Ogre), One Set Card
Naoto: 2100
Hand: 3
Field: Fortune Persona Sukuna-Hikona (Attack Position), Chief Officer (Attack Position), Criminal Record (Equipped to Cyber Ogre), One Set Card
Sheppard: 4000
Hand: 1
Field: Cyber Ogre (Attack Position/ATK: 3900), One Set Card
Sheppard 4th Turn:
Sheppard drew looking, and called, "Well now to make up for that I use Dark Hole."
Dark Hole
Normal Spell Card
Destroy all monsters on the field.
"All monsters on the field are destroyed." Sheppard explained to Naoto.
Naoto frowned placing all her monsters and her Criminal Record spell in the graveyard. "As Sukuna-Hikona was destroyed I can call Fortune Persona Yamato-Takeru to the field."
(Attack Position)
Fortune Persona Yamato-Takeru
DARK
Level 6
Warrior/Effect/Fusion
ATK: 2200
DEF: 2000
(This card is treated as an "Detective", and "Officer" card.)
Must be Special Summoned by the effect of "Fortune Persona Sukuna-Hikona". If a card(s) is destroyed: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent. Once per turn, if this card destroys a monster by battle, and sends it to the GY: This card can make a second attack in a row during each Battle Phase this turn. If this card is destroyed by card effect: You can Special Summon this card from your GY in Attack Position. You can only activate this effect of "Fortune Persona Yamato-Takeru" per turn.
Sheppard at that takes the last card in his hand placing it on the field, "Well now, I use the Spell, Magnetized Fusion."
Magnetized Fusion
Normal Spell Card
Fusion Summon 1 Machine Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, by banishing Fusion Materials listed on it from your field or GY.
"So now I banish both Cyber Ogres to summon there true form." Sheppard said removing both cards in his graveyard.
Naoto's eyes widened hearing that. Sheppard takes one card from his Extra Deck, and placed it on the field, "Cyber Ogre 2!"
(Attack Position)
Cyber Ogre 2
EARTH
Level 7
Machine/Effect/Fusion
ATK: 2600
DEF: 1900
"Cyber Ogre" + "Cyber Ogre"
A Fusion Summon of this monster can only be conducted with the above Fusion Material Monsters. When this card attacks, it gains ATK equal to half the ATK of the attack target, during damage calculation only.
"And now Cyber Ogre 2 will attack Yamato-Takeru, and that in turn activates Cyber Ogre 2's ability. When it attack, it's attack points increase by half of your opponent's points."
Cyber Ogre 2: (ATK: 2600 + (2200 / 2) = 3700)
Naoto's eyes widened as she sent her Persona to the graveyard.
(Naoto: 0600/Hand: 3)
"This could be going better." she frowned. "Though it didn't do any damage which is what we wanted to confirm."
"Well now Naoto, now comes the challenge for you to face." Sheppard smiled to Naoto which confused them as he flips his face-down, "The spell, Scrap Fusion!"
Scrap Fusion
Quick-Play Spell Card
Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your opponent's Extra Deck, by banishing those materials listed on it from there GY to your side of the field.
"Scrap Fusion?" Teddie asked.
"What does that do?" Nanako asked turning to Zane.
Zane turned to her, "It allows him to summon a Fusion Monster by banishing the needed monsters."
"Oh, ok." Nanako nodded.
"But it involves something different." Sheppard grinned, "It summons a monster from YOUR Extra Deck Naoto."
Naoto's eyes shot open. "What?"
"In addition it banishes the monsters I need from your graveyard, and as a matter of fact both of the monsters needed are there right now. So now I fusion summon Fortune Persona Yamato-Sumeragi from your Extra Deck to my field." Sheppard grinned to her.
Naoto frowned handing him her monster. "Then I suppose our duel is over, I only have 600 life points and Yamato-Sumeragi has 2800 attack points."
Sheppard places the card.
(Attack Position)
Yamato-Sumeragi
DARK
Level 8
Warrior/Effect/Fusion
ATK: 2800
DEF: 2600
"Fortune Persona Yamato-Takeru" + 1 "Detective" or 1 "Officer" monster
OR "Fortune Persona Sukuna-Hikona" + "Fortune Persona Yamato-Takeru"
(This card is treated as a "Ultimate Persona", "Detective", and "Officer" card.)
The effects of Spell & Traps your opponent activates during your turn are negated. Once per turn, during your opponent's Battle Phase (Quick Effect): You take no Battle Damage from battles involving your opponent's monsters, and if you do, this card cannot be destroyed by those battles until the end of the Battle Phase. During your Standby Phase, banish 1 "Officer" or "Detective" monster from your GY: Destroy 1 card on the field. You can only activate this effect of "Yamato-Sumeragi" per turn.
"Whoa, cards like those are real?" Nanako asked in awe about such a powerful spell.
"Yes, there are very powerful spells and Scrap Fusion is one of them." Zane nodded.
Sheppard at that said, "Now your monster attacks for the win."
Naoto nodded. "That's quite the powerful card, we'll have to come up with strategies to counter it in case the Shadows have similar options available to them."
Naoto: 0000
Hand: 3
Field: One Set Card
Sheppard: 4000
Hand: 0
Field: Cyber Ogre 2 (Attack Position), Yamato-Sumeragi (Attack Position)
Sheppard wins!
"Honestly has me worried if the Shadows would try that. They would use our Personas against us." Yosuke admitted with a frown.
"We'll be alright Yosuke-sempai." Kanji grinned. "We handled everything before and we'll get through this too right?"
"This time not just by you guys." Axel said to the Team, "You have all of us, and the Erebus Wielders as well. Whatever the Shadows do we will stop, and we will figure a way to seal one of the Arcana Shadows."
Everyone just nodded at that with smiles.
Ulrich362: Well, it looks like things are... mostly going well, with the one glaring exception of course.
bopdog111: What is that exception?
Ulrich362: Jaden is still gone.
bopdog111: Well next is the Nightshroud arc for real. I had been watching the subbed version through Crunchyroll so I get what's gonna come next, and how it plays.
Ulrich362: Sounds good to me, see you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!