LtD2

Just a little note, duels are still meant to be written somewhat sketchy details wise, as the OC gets more used to dueling, he will think about details more(monster attack and defense points, life point subtractions and additions, etc) The second duel has less details than the first because he doesn't see a point in thinking about life points as he's sure of his victory.

Chapter start

I blinked as my vision was misty, as if someone had taken my glasses away.

I blinked more to try and clear up my sight. I saw two large figures in front of me, with plenty of smaller ones around it. And by that, I mean it's like a pair of elephants surrounded by humans.

Which may have been my guess(not really) if my sight hadn't adjusted and shown me it was the Lightsworns.

Well, I assume it was them, I recognize Judgement and Punishment Dragon, but not the rest.

A girl with Brownish/Orangish hair approached me with a sad smile.

"Greetings fine sir." She said jokingly.

I couldn't hold back the snort.

I'm definitely no fine sir, and this is definitely no dream.

"You catch on quite fast." She said with a smile. "What gave it away?"

Dreams and reality have a pretty distinct feel to them. And right now it's leaning toward the latter more.

"You would be correct then. My apologies at both our actions and my blunt explanation, but my clan and I had pulled you and many of your counterparts from the different dimensions in order to help our master against a threat."

Uh. No problem. Best to rip the Band-Aid off I suppose.

Still, let's go one by one here, my counterparts from another dimension?

"Yes, all who live do not exist in simply one world, a fact you have both read many times."

Oh so you know about that...

She giggled. "You needn't worry, it is a harmless hobby. As for the dimensions, while a few of them are quite similar, as that was the case for our master and a few of your counterparts, but as you have figured some of them are quite different, as that is the case with you."

I'll get back to that dimension business soon. Soooo, how did your master run into that thing anyways?

"Our master had quite the misfortune...alongside everyone else who had been on the same ship as him. Our master had fought long and hard, enduring more than everyone on that ship combined...but it was not enough."

"We used an ancient spell that would bring you and your counterparts from many dimensions together in a fight against a….demon of sorts...however the realm interfered with our spell. Rather than all of you working together to win safely, he was allowed to pick you off one by one."

I frown. Was that why I dueled something so many times? No, it wasn't me, but memories from my counterparts.

"With each duel, your counterparts weakened him more and more, in his anger at not having the upper hand he sacrificed more power, and alone, your counterparts could not have won. He broke the ancient rules in his desire to win, and while punished harshly with the loss of his power, enough that he could no longer consume souls, it was not enough for him to surrender fully."

Then why did I survive? I don't even think I did anything noteworthy. I wouldn't even call myself a duelist like the other counterparts probably were. I mean, I was just a normal guy, much as it pained me to admit how unremarkable I am.

"Indeed, on the surface it may seem like a foolish choice, but your dimension is special, those who live in it often connect spiritually with other dimensions, which is why you'll often see other worlds closely related to your media. Those 'authors' unknowingly see visions of other dimensions and are often in the position to spread the stories, which also serve to strengthen the ties between your dimension, and the rest."

I guess that makes sense. I mean, I'm not too smart so I'll just accept the dumbed down explanation she purposely gave.

"The reason why we brought you as well was due to your spiritual power, which was equal to your counterparts combined. The connections you made with other duel spirits merely strengthened what was already there. And when the demon had defeated your counterparts, he tried to consume their strength in order to replenish his own, but they instead merged with you to keep him weak."

I suppose that's actually impressive. But if we merged, shouldn't I feel differently? Are they inside me and able to talk?

"Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, your counterparts do not have much strength inside your conscious, meaning you cannot split apart. Perhaps, over time they will wake up once more."

Somehow, that doubtful tone doesn't inspire much hope in me….

Right...so, why exactly did I wake up on a beach instead of my bed?

"Because of the merges, your soul and your body are much different than they once were, due to the nature of your world, had you been sent back your life would have become twisted due to the new foreign presences inside you. We could only use another spell which allowed for a copy of the you before the merge to go back and live your life. Due to the nature of the Spell, you can always return to your world using that body, meaning you will effectively and literally live two lives should you choose."

That...sounds tiring. And complicated. I'm not too sure how I feel about another me living my life while I live the life of….another me, I suppose I should say.

I suppose I can rely on your help while I'm in this world at least?

She smiled. "Of course. While you are not our master, and it may take some time for the others to wish to duel with you, we are all indebted to you for saving a part of the master, and as the situation you are in also indirectly our fault, you are our responsibility."

So are you all the only ones I can talk to here? Cuz the way the others are staring at me from afar makes me think they're not a good conversation unlike you.

"Heehee. No. I apologize in advance about my clan, some of them are simply a bit too traditional, and as such are not quite happy right now as we must ask you to live our master's life. Despite the fact that we cannot fight by your side, I have called forth a great deal of Duel spirits connected to you due to your collection of 'aesthetic' decks from your own world. When you sleep, if you focus hard, you can talk to your other comrades that reside in the cards you feel closest to. Though returning to this realm of your Spirits will cause you to miss out on dreaming or going to your home world for that night."

I-interesting.

So, um. Thanks.

"You needn't thank me. Unfortunately I do not imagine the other Lightlords will be so willing to accept you as their master. Not without a great deal of convincing." She said quietly with a somber smile.

I didn't mind, I mean, their master isn't really me, so...

Well, I can imagine there's a lot still not said, but no point in pressing. That type of information comes out sooner or later.

"When you awake, you will find the other spirits will have sent you their cards when you return to consciousness. Your counterpart's closest friends will be able to retrieve the some of the cards for you as they are in a chest in his home, as you are in the hospital. The other half of the cards you will be able to retrieve immediately as it showed up with you in our master's deck casewhen you were found. Quite a few months will have passed since you defeated the abomination."

Thanks for the heads up, anything else you want to mention?

"Hm...well I suppose there are a few things you should watch out for...since they are likely to be quite dangerous..."

I regret asking.

Well, not really. I do absolutely feel fear knowing about 'that'.

I adjusted my sleek red hoodie while pointedly not looking at Serena.

"Why do you even care so much about hiding your cards!?" Serena frowned at me as she always did when I insisted on this. "It's not as if the average duelist owns more than a small percentage of all the cards made. There are plenty of pro duelists with rare decks. And my Moonlights aren't exactly used by everyone. While the amount of cards you have is definitely awe-surprising, you don't have anything that would make people scream at you."

"I think you mean awe-inspiring, or awesomely surprising." Slips out of my mouth before I could stop it.

Still. I guess I never really thought about that. Maybe it was an effect from being in my world that I cared so much about what cards are in a deck and the mentality of how anyone can get any card. I thought that showing cards nearly or just impossible to get for the average duelist should be avoided but...

I mean, Serena's Moonlights were in a card pack by luck, and then she later dueled others for the remaining cards and ultimately completed the deck after winning a tournament and asking for the last ones as a prize. Her fusion monsters were formed from her desire for victory and grace.

Even when the Lightsworn evolved to Lightlords from this body's tourney days hadn't really cause a scandal. Apparently with how 'odd' this world is in terms of cards and duel spirits that it takes something like trying to Fix a duel or cheat by sleight of hand stuff to really cause a scandal. After all, when everything from Fusions to Links exist in some capacity and even without first having bought the physical cards you can get new cards out of nowhere, so I suppose complaints about how rare cards are aren't really listened to.

Still, when thinking about that line of thought, I should be feeling relieved or something right? I mean much as I loved my Heroes, I did enjoy using other decks too.

So why do I still feel so reluctant?

Serena let out a sound of frustration. "Fine! Let's just duel right here and now!"

"What? What if we get there late?"

"This is far more important that schooling a bunch of losers. I'm getting to the bottom of this."

More important how? Well, I guess I shouldn't argue. She hasn't been violent in our friendship so far, but I won't test that. Especially since she was angry enough to call everyone else losers.

I looked over to my trunk/chest full of cards where Serena was at. She grabbed one of the decks and placed it in my hand and ripped me away from my room into the backyard.

"I'm coming. I'm coming. Alright then-"

""Duel!""

Serena - 4000 Me - 4000

I looked over to my deck and saw that Serena grabbed my Prophecy Invoked deck. All things considered, the only reason I didn't bring it with me was because I still wasn't sure how use it, not to mention it was basically shoddily made. It was a deck I made because I thought the cards were fun together.

As for my hand, well I wasn't too sure how it was, just that it was probably "not good". Most of the hand was full of the high level monsters and the two invoked spells. Problem was, none of these cards could be used without Aleistor. I had Spellbook inside the Pot, but I would prefer not to use that card since it'll give Serena more ammunition.

I realized that neither of us mentioned who would go first just yet, Serena seemed to be analyzing her cards before she turned her gaze to me. Seeing that I wasn't saying anything, she narrowed her eyes and said, "Fine then, guess I'm going first."

I was relieved I didn't have to go first and immediately risk losing due to this hand.

"First I'll summon Moonlight Blue Cat in attack mode and place three cards face down and end my turn." Serena's monster graced the stage with a double front flip and landed next to her.

I breathe deeply in anxiety. This next draw could really make or break me.

It was...

Pot of Greed. Guess the Heart of the Cards came in, or maybe I just got lucky. Either way, let's see what I can do with this first.

"I activate Pot of Greed and draw two Cards." I pulled out the cards and saw a monster I could summon alongside a spell card to help me pull of a small combo.

"I summon the Strength of Prophecy!" The red garbed spellcaster stood straight at my call. "Now I activate Spellbook of Secrets which lets me add a Spellbook Spell card to my hand and activate the added Spellbook of Power. This card lets me increase a monsters attack by 1000 until the end of this turn, but now I activate Strength's effect by shuffling Spellbook of Power back into my deck to gain an extra 500 attack permanently!"

With 3000 attack points I made my attack. Strength of Prophecy blasted Moonlight Blue Cat into next week with a fire bomb.

Serena - 2600 Me - 4000

"I activate my trap card Moonlight Reincarnation Dance. This lets me bring two Moonlight monsters to my hand. And Blue Cat special summons one Moonlight Monster because she was destroyed, so I'll grace the stage with Purple Butterfly in defense mode."

I frown. That...didn't seem good. "Spellbook of Power's effect activates, when the monster who I targeted destroys a monster, I can add a Spellbook card to my hand."

Rather than give Serena even more cards, I'll add cards to my own hand alone.

"I activate Spellbook of Knowledge, this lets me discard one Spellbook card to draw two cards. So I'll discard Spellbook inside the Pot. Turn end."

I was pretty nervous about what she would do, with her trap card she was able to add two moonlights, if she didn't have a fusion before she would now no doubt.

"I send Black Sheep to the graveyard and add a Fusion to my hand, now I'll summon White Rabbit and bring back Black Sheep!"

I hate that I saw this coming.

"Now I activate Fusion using Black Sheep and White Rabbit! Swirl in the vortex of the Moon's gravity! Beautiful beast that dances in the moonlight! Fusion Summon! Moonlight Cat Dancer!"

The beautiful level 7 Fusion arrived gallantly and fiercely.

"Now Black Sheep's effect brings back White Rabbit to my hand. Now with Moonlight Perfume I'll summon back Black Sheep."

What? Why would she waste it now? No, if she has a fusion, then black sheep would...no, it wouldn't summon back Cat Dancer, maybe she'll summon it with White Rabbit to get two Cat Dancers?

I wanted to ask, but I figured I'd see why sooner or later.

"Now I activate Crush Card Virus and tribute Black Sheep, so now all your monsters with more than 1500 attack are destroyed."

I flinched as more than half my hand shattered and was sent to the graveyard alongside Strength of Prophecy. Definitely didn't see that one coming.

Odd, as far as I knew, Serena wasn't the type to put something like CCV in her deck, I wonder what changed that?

"I'll let Purple Butterfly fly away and give Cat Dancer an extra 1000 attack points. Now I'll attack directly with Cat Dancer! And your Life points take an extra 100 effect damage!"

I fell to a knee from the hit, and watched Cat Dancer backflip towards Serena.

Serena - 2600 Me - 500

Damn. This 4000 LP limit is terrible, it's almost a wonder how anyone gets any comebacks. If I could tank a turn or two I might have grabbed some cards to turn this around, but with Crush Card Virus in play my options are even more limited. Talk about cornering someone.

Definitely going to be my loss.

I didn't have many options other than to play what I currently have. How does Crush Card Virus work other than destroying monster cards over three turns? I don't think it affects the field, but CCV has always confused me on how it works.

I probably shouldn't be thinking for too long. Serena looks like it'll make her mad if I think too long.

"Draw!" Serena's CCV came into play and revealed the card to her. Magical Meltdown. Guess I was safe, and honestly this was good for me. In more ways than one.

"I play the Field Spell Magical Meltdown!" A large red mystical circle encased us. "This lets me bring an Aleister the Invoker to my hand, and I'll bring him right out!" The Hooded Spellcaster rose out from the circle, brandished his staff and held his Spellbook closely to his body.

"His effect allows me to bring an Invocation from my deck, which I will now play and banish Aleister from my field and High Priestess of Prophecy from my graveyard! Mystical Occultist of Summoning, Spellcaster of Hidden Wisdom, Bring forth your power and summon the Metallic Knight of the Heavens! Fusion Summon! Invoked Beast Merkabah!"

A large chariot machine rode out from the red circle. The knight on top raised his weapon as his chariot littered our surroundings with its noise.

"Now I use Invocations secondary effect, by shuffling it back into my deck I can bring Aleister to my hand. Now enough wasting time, Mechaba attack with your divine chariot!" The knight rode forward to trample Cat Dancer.

"Cat Dancer's effect activates!" Serena shouted. "She can't be destroyed by battle!"

I grin. "Invoked Beast Merkabah's effect activates, by discarding a card of the same type, I can negate and banish your card whose effect you tried to activate!" I discard Aleister, knowing that Invocation would let me use him again later on.

Serena - 2500 Me - 500

"I'll throw down some face downs and end my turn." I said, feeling slightly better about myself, but not by much.

Serena drew her card and her eyes flashed to her hand. Immediately she came up with a plan. "I banish Moonlight Perfume from my graveyard and bring Black Sheep to my hand. I'm sure you know what I'll do with her don't you." I did, and was proven right as she added a fusion. "I'll play Kaleido Chick and use her Effect to send one Cat Dancer from my extra deck to the graveyard and now she can be treated as Cat Dancer. Now with Fusion I'll fuse Kaleido Chick with Crimson Fox in my hand! Swarm in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Elegant and Slender beast dancing in the moonlit wilderness! Moonlight Panther Dancer!"

I could only wince despite the mesmerizing sight of graceful dancing. I guess I should be glad she didn't or couldn't pull out Leo Dancer. Kaleido Chick was dangerous as always.

"Now the effect of Moonlight Crimson Fox activates, because she was sent to the graveyard your Merkabah's attack becomes 0! I also activate Panther Dancer's effect to let her attack twice, and on the first battle your monster is not destroyed. Panther Dancer! Destroy Invoked Beast Merkabah!"

I began to panic. Why didn't I stop her stupid fusion? I already knew that against someone like Serena, slowly escalating my own tactics(as per my preference to slowly build up to a climax end) aren't enough, I need to also stall her own, even if just slightly. I frustratedly activate a spell card as I cuss at myself for my preference only using Mechaba's effect at dire moments. "I activate The Book of Law and tribute Mechaba for a new monster. I summon forth the Warrior of Lightning and Wind! Fusion Tribute! Invoked Beast Raidjin!"

In a storm of wind and electricity, my armored warrior surged forward.

"I activate his effect and flip your Panther Dancer face down!"

"I banish Crimson Fox and negate your effect, giving us both 1000 life points. Now the attack goes through!"

Serena - 3500 Me - 900

"Now I attack again due to Panther Dancer's ability!"

"I activate Defense Draw! All damage is turned to 0 and I draw one card!"

Serena Tch'd. "You might have saved your life points, but your monster is still destroyed."

I puffed out my right cheek and sucked in my left. This wasn't good at all.

I couldn't say anything in my defense, so I just decided I would see if there was anything I could do. But I wasn't too sure of my chances. Panther Dancer couldn't be destroyed with card effects meaning I needed a card to banish her. And this deck had no means of direct attacks through ignoring monsters. If I stay defensive, she'll definitely summon Leo Dancer without hesitation this time. Talk about a killer situation.

I guess my only play is to hope I can whittle her lifepoints down by attacking.

"My draw..." I wince as World of Prophecy was destroyed. It's mostly useless in my hand, but it still sucked to see it go.

"I banish three Spellbook Spell cards in my graveyard to special summon the Devil of Prophecy! Now I play Invocation! I banish Crowley the Invoker and Fool of Prophecy in my graveyard." A young man with blonde hair holding the same staff as Aleister appeared. His blue robe bellowed in the wind. He was accompanied by another young man with purple hair wearing a yellow robe.

"Arcane Magician of Summoning, Fool of Unlimited Potential, pool together your knowledge and summon the Wandering Mountain of Myth! Fusion summon! Invoked Beast Magellanica!"

A large rock golem like monster rose forth. It was currently the size of the house, but I knew from my spirit world adventures that it was easily the actual size of a mountain.

I regained Crowley to my hand with invocation and watched Magellanica increase its attack to 3500 due to Crowley's effect.

"Now attack Moonlight Panther Dancer with Continental Devastation!"

He raised his giant rocky fist and shot it toward the feline and shattered the feline.

Serena - 2800 Me - 900

"Now Devil! Attack with Magical Consumption!"

But I noticed she looked too calm and felt my heart drop. She used a Defense Draw of her own and stopped my attack from dealing damage. I cursed as that was my best chance at dropping her life points.

"Don't think getting rid of Panther Dancer changes anything! I'm still winning this duel!"

Well things definitely weren't looking too great. I definitely was done for if she brought out any of her Dancers. I don't doubt her winning, what I doubt is my ability to come back.

She drew a card and played it to the field in defense mode. "I summon White Rabbit, with her effect I'll bring back Cat Dancer in defense mode. I'll place two cards face down and activate White Rabbit's other effect, up to the same amount of Moonlight monsters on my field, I can return spells and traps on your field."

Luckily I'm fast enough for this! "I activate Hope for Escape! For every 1000 difference in our life points I draw one card!" Slightly lamenting that the damage I gave her beforehand stopped me from drawing an extra card, I breathed hard as I hoped this would put her in a corner.

I had Megallanica and Devil on the field, but I wasn't too happy with my chances, I hoped those face downs weren't anything bad. But I'm not one to place my all my cards in a sketchy bucket.

I'm almost positive I won't like that face down. To be honest, given the situation I doubt that I'll-

"Hey! What are you waiting for!"

For now, I'll risk it. If it's a bluff, I won't be in any better position.

"Megallanica! Attack Blue Cat!"

"Not so fast! I activate Mirror Force!"

"Shit!" A curse slipped out as my mountain sized monster shattered into dust, with Devil following.

It was a good thing I didn't summon another monster after all. But damn if I didn't call it right. And damn if I wished I were actually wrong and was just paranoid.

"My turns not over just yet! I discard Crowley the Invoker to activate a spell card from my deck! That spell card is Invoked Formation! I normal summon Aleister from my GY and place Invoked Purgatorio in defense mode with its effects negated." I add Invocation as I watch Aleister rise up with the weird looking trio of monsters in Purgatorio looking rather transparent. "Now I activate Invocation and banish Aleister and Crowley the Invokers! Mystical Occultist of Summoning. Arcane Magician of Summoning, Overload your magical power and become a great beast! Fusion Summon! Invoked Beast Caliga!" I summoned Aleistor's monster form in defense mode and added back Aleister. "Now I banish Invoked Formation and fuse Caliga and Purgatorio! Spell caster corrupted by magic, Demonic beasts of Hell, fuse together into a being of paradise! Fusion Summon! Invoked Beast Elysium!"

I summoned a...well to be honest I wasn't too sure what Invoked Elysium was other than that it was bigger than Megallanica. With 4000 defense points, as long as she didn't have any card to destroy it I should be fine.

"I also use his effect, by banishing Caliga in my graveyard all dark monsters on your side of the field are banished as well!" Darkness encased her defense line and banished them.

"Watashi no Turn!" Serena drew a card and I was beginning to have a bad feeling like I always do.

"I activate Moonlight Fusion! Because you have a monster summoned from the Extra deck, I can use a monster from my extra deck as material, I send Panther Dancer to the graveyard with White Rabbit and Blue Cat on the field to bring forth my most beautiful monster! Swarm in a vortex of the moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! The king of beasts dancing atop the summit of the moonlight wilderness! Moonlight Leo Dancer!"

This might be the end for me!

"I activate Elysium's effect! Because he is also treated as having multiple attributes, I can banish him to get rid of Leo Dancer!"

Darkness shrouded both our monsters and made them disappear.

However, it was clear to me- that was not enough.

After all-

"I summon Moonlight Emerald Bird!"

-she still had a normal summon.

Without a second's notice, the graceful descent of the bird into the battlefield made me sigh wistfully.

There was no doubt now...

"Emerald Bird! Attack!"

I didn't say anything.

I could only raise my duel disk.

This was my inevitable...

"Gah!"

Defeat.

Serena wins! Fuck!

I fall back on my ass and growled quietly. I run my hand through my hair rather hard.

She completely destroyed me.

It annoyed me. In fact it annoyed me even more than losing to the King of Games.

Maybe I need to invest some more time for the Invoked Prophecy deck. That was actually pretty fun, but the high level Spellbook of Prophecy monsters were a bit of a Killer given their more selfish effects. Or maybe the deck itself is fine, I just need 8000 life points or an opponent not as good as Serena. I think there's still some Invoker and Prophecy cards that could have turned it-

"Are you trying to make excuses to yourself again?"

A voice cut in on my thoughts which was pretty unappreciated.

"What?" That being said, I was intrigued on how she knew what I was thinking.

"I noticed this throughout our duel, and the other day when you were dueling in the park b-"

Wait, she was there at the park? Did Rei invite her? She wasn't there when we lef- Oh wait she's still talking.

"-you seem to always think you're going to lose. Every time your opponent does something you always get his fearful look in your eyes, and whenever you pull something off your incredibly relieved that it wasn't interrupted. You don't even respond to your opponent's attempts of conversation and close up, which is completely different from how you are out of a duel, when you can't help but keep talking once you start. When you win, you're too busy being relieved that you won you aren't even thinking of your victory. When you lose, you just ignore the pain from losing and shrug it off. As if there was nothing you could do. As if you don't care about it. "

Wow. She really did get to bottom of all that. Guess dueling and how it connects people is true. Though it's real one sided understanding in this case. Even I'm not sure if she's telling the truth or just what she perceives as the truth.

I've always been of the thought that; nobody knows you better than yourself, but that doesn't mean a person can't try to ignore what they don't like about themselves. I'm positive my loss is just because she's too good, but maybe simply thinking that has a negative effect as well.

"I get it now." She closed her eyes and sighed before sitting down in front of me.

"The reason you don't want to use those cards...is because you think that if you lose with them, you won't be able to make excuses to yourself."

Ouch. She could at least not say it put loud.

But maybe that would defeat the purpose.

She is right on a certain level. I hate losing, and I'll always look for the reasons why I lost. Whether it's true, or just something I decided to see as a reason.

"Look, I get it, I really do. But you can't hold yourself back because you're constantly sure you're going to lose. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you can't enjoy the duel, you're more likely to lose. I saw you enjoying yourself each time you summoned a new monster you couldn't with your other decks, it's been clear to me with how often you edit those decks that you really want use them-"

I can't help but snort. Maybe that's why she grabbed this deck.

I won't say I'll stop being who I am, but at the very least, "Alright I got it quit the lecture. We're going to be late you know."

Serena yanked me up and pushed me towards my room.

No holding back is it.

I don't know if this little lesson stuck with me, but I won't deny that I'd have more fun with variety.

Well, let's see how I stand against other duelists again, without any worries.

Now which decks should I bring?

Unfortunately despite my newfound excitement and will to crush everyone at the tournament, I hadn't had what I felt was a good opportunity to bring out more cards. I ended up simply sticking to Heroes and Spellbook Invokers, the former because I was used to it, the latter because I simply had it with me. I still had another deck that I wanted to use, but honestly I wanted to win more than I wanted to have fun, besides, I really liked using those two decks, so it wasn't that hard of a decision to put off using the third deck.

Of course, added to the fact that I was partnered up with Serena, the two of us never went over three draw phrases each. Her beat down style of overwhelming damage was ruthless, adding onto me using combos to ensure their fields were monsterless(with Elysium or Absolute Zero's effect) or weak(Great Tornado's effect) and her Moonlights went to town on them. Unfortunately, most of the duelists couldn't get past that combo, but a fair few did lock away our monster effects to try and keep that combo from appearing.

Unfortunately for them, my Heroes and her Moonlights had not only raw power but finesse. I may not have that scouter part of my duel disk that let me know what my opponents cards were immediately but luckily Serena hard carried me there when it came to card effects I didn't recognize(Serena was the one who didn't let me bring it in the first place so it was the least she could do.)

Before we knew it, the tournament was over with us as winners. Apparently Serena was disappointed that the ones who gave her trouble hadn't showed up this time. I suppose those ones were the type that didn't have many friends. Like her.

But then the most high school thing cliche that ever happens, happened. And I was both really excited, and annoyed.

"Heh. Hey guys look at these chumps, all happy that they can duel with such mediocre skill."

A bunch of easy to forget faces who dressed clearly rich with expensive Duel disks walked up to us all. I assume the super whiny voice I heard came from the bluish haired dude in glasses.

One who was clearly the leader by how much confidence was being exerted took another step forward. He looked at me and Serena and looked at me dismissively.

"You must think you're so tough don't you? I hope you know those elementary school tactics would have never worked without your beautiful partner here?" He winked at Serena and just his little suave act made me want to throw up.

I gave him a dry stare while Serena glared at him. Honestly, insulting tactics specifically meant to help my tag partner deal damage (that would have obviously been changed up if it were a singles' duel tournament) was pathetic.

I got out my phone and started ignoring them. It was still pretty early. About lunch time. Rei should be free, so maybe we should meet up since the tourney ended faster than usual. That girl is probably at my house again, using my computer and what not. I texted her to let -

"-where do you think you're getting off insulting all these duelists!? Including my friend, who can wipe you all out in one go you rich boy snobs!"

- Her know what was up on our side.

Maybe it was because she was a teenage girl, but her response came in pretty quickly. She was going to run over(literally, and she was pretty fast even by my standards) and we could all go somewhere to somewhat celebrate(because this wasn't that big of an accomplishment). Too bad you had to be 18 to drive in Japan. I don't think even Kaiba or Mokuba could help me there.

"N-no! You're misunderstanding us Serena-chan!"

"I didn't give you permission to call me by my given name." I heard a small growl from my head and looked up to see her angry face. My eyes showed my amusement but I turned them back to my phone while trying to hold my mouth in a neutral form.

I told Rei to look both ways and not to hurry seeing we're probably going-

"B-but I don't know your last name!"

"And you never will!" My angry friend said fiercely (wow this really wasn't her day).

- to end up dueling even more. Although I wonder how this guy knew her name when I don't think anyone ever said it today.

"Hey! Pay attention to what's going on in front of you!" somebody across from me shouted.

Completely resisting my urge to start a fist fight, I walked over to the other duelists from the tournament while Serena started a duel with a few of those guys at the same time.

"Dude! You're not gonna help your friend?" One of the tourney duelists asked, a tall boy with brown hair that stood out horizontally forward.

"Dude," I said back mimicking him, "if she wanted my help, she would have caught my attention while I was on the phone. She's a lot better at analyzing a duelist's strengths by glance alone than I am, so if all she's been doing is getting mad they probably aren't worth much." My words were immediately proven as she threw out Panther Dancer and attacked. "See?"

They all looked amazed, and the girls that were there gained hearts for eyes that told me who their newest role model was.

"Anyways, anyone know what's up with these guys? What's with the stick up their asses, and why do they get off on barging in when the tourney's over."

I saw them flush at my language, though some of the girls instead wrinkled their noses. Japan really doesn't have much cussing among teenagers. Or at least, this Japan didn't.

A girl answered the questions. "I recognize these guys from prep school. They used to hang around Manjoume Jun until the big guy that's staring at Saotome-sama gained a new attitude and broke away with a lot of Manjoume-kun's fans. Everyone who's entering Duel Academia knew about this tournament, but some of the duelists that went to prep school felt too high and mighty to join."

So typical jerk behavior then. These are the type of guys that become neck beards and wheaboos. At least in attitude anyways.

"I wish physical violence wasn't so against the law-" much more so than my world, "-I'd love to give these assholes a punch in the face." Ignoring the flush on their faces, I noted that they all agreed.

Seeing Serena wipe them out would be hilarious, but really not interesting, so why don't I mix things up.

"Y'know, why don't some of you join in and make this a battle royale? They still have a few in reserve, so you can help Serena and take em out at the same time, and before you ask 'Should we really enter?' to me, consider it more practice for the entrance exam." I saw a few of them close their mouths as I cut off their question.

"C'mon. I already hit my duel quota for the day, and while I wouldn't say you need practice, wouldn't you like to take them down a few pegs? Nothing like being the dark horse and winning." They put their hands on their deck cases and I knew they were one reason away from going. "C'mon, its not everyday you can enter a battle royale like this. And definitely not everyday you can Duel alongside Serena. You're guaranteed to become more inspired when dueling with her personally." Admittedly I was bullshitting that last reason but hey, she beat me and now I'm going to use decks I'm more familiar with that aren't Heroes, so maybe I had a point still.

I was also serious about the duel quota. My arm was tired from holding up my duel disk for so long, otherwise I'd be happy to raise my W/L record with some easy wins.

Given how they ran over to duel, it looks like I still succeeded in convincing them, somewhat lies notwithstanding.

Nice.

I pulled out my phone and started recording. This will be one of those things we look back on and laugh and be amazed. Or at least I would.

I wonder if my brother can come to this world too? He's the only one I could think of that would laugh with me with these things.

I swung my phone around with a smile as I caught some more duelists run in, inspired by the ones I convinced.

I can't even bring myself to be surprised at the amount of people joining in on both sides. This world does encourage both individuality and evolution.

"YOU!" My camera swung to catch the disgustingly mad face of the leader, who still hadn't joined in. "This all because of you isn't it!"

I didn't deem answering him. I was recording after all. Didn't want to say anything bad in case(more like when) I put it up on the internet.

Well, if I was gonna talk, best to make sure it's not too aggravating.

"You and your friends were the one who came up to us talking down our skills. Just because they want to prove you wrong doesn't mean you should just blame someone else that your obviously asking for a fight words worked."

"I'm the San-" his words blurred out from all the noise, "-e then. Duel me you nobody scum!"

I put my phone in my chest pocket, still recording.

"Since you're so eager to win, feel free to take the first move." I said putting my deck in. Maybe this was the perfect time to try something new. After all, like I said earlier, single duels require different strategies.

"Your loss you townperson B! I activate Magic Removal Virus Cannon! Now you have to choose ten spell cards and cast them to the Graveyard!" He seemed especially smug at that strategy, which made somewhat sense, despite not being a strategy, that card was super cheap as fuck. Honestly, he said he kept an eye out during the tournament and he still thought that would hurt me? How even more unfortunate for him that this deck runs more than enough spells with more than one copy for me to pick and choose from. I almost wish I used my Superheavy Samurai deck just to see the look on his face when I don't discard any spells. But it's a good thing I didn't use the prophecy invokers deck I suppose, since it's options of getting its spells cards from the grave are rather limited and hard to draw.

"You starting to sweat already loser?" The tanned asshole said as I said nothing and sent my spell cards away.

"Heh. Nice move -" I ignored the glasses asshole dueling his own opponent that also paid attention to the ass he liked to kiss to focus on what cards I should throw, mostly because I just didn't want to hear them talk. I didn't need to focus that hard. I would have called him Four-eyes asshole, but not only would that be a cliché insult, I also prefer to wear glasses to avoid contacts so I didn't want to be somewhat hypocritical.

Side note, I've been wearing contacts just to avoid adjusting it constantly because I feel like I cause the 'anime glasses causes a bright shine/glint' trope too much.

"Now I'll play Raioh and place one card face down. With this you won't be special summoning any monsters." This guy...

Is he for real? For his sake that face down card better be a good one or this one'll be in the bag. Not that I mind.

Honestly, he doesn't even know Raioh doesn't stop fusion summoning and he comes with such a high head?

Wait, does Raioh stop fusions? I don't think it does but...

Well, best to play it safe in the end. Good thing I switched decks.

"With the Scale 1 Metalphosis Silverbird and the Scale 8 Metalphosis Steeleren, I Set the Scales in my favor!"

A man with blue hair on a motorcycle and a girl with pink hair on a bird looking flying vehicle appeared in bright pillars of light.

The sight of these monsters I've never used in these duels astounded him. The sheer shock on his face made me chuckle rather sadistically. He is so fucked.

"P-pendulum monsters!? How'd someone like you get his hands on some of these cards!"

I brushed my hair out of my face and pondered the question.

Before immediately realizing I didn't care about answering his questions.

"Sometimes the cards just choose the duelist. But enough about that, I have no intention on humoring you or anyone else here. With my current scale, I can summon all monsters between 2 and 7. From my hand onto the field, drift into the battlefield at light speed!"

I place the first monster in.

"Level 4 Goldriver-"

"I activate Raioh's effect!"

"-and Level 7 Volflame!" I finished as if I wasn't interrupted.

Goldriver was crushed by lightning upon being summoned, leaving Volfame free to drift in.

His eyes widened as if everything he knew was a lie.

"Bit too hasty now aren't you." I say before continuing my turn so he doesn't say anything that will make me want to just leave. "Now I'll use the effects of the spell cards that are in my Graveyard because of your Virus Cannon. By shuffling my three Metalphosis Fusions back to the deck I can draw three cards."

The large combat machine was revved up by the man inside as he could see what was coming.

"First I'll place down the field Spell Metalphosis Formation." I watched transparent blue vehicles drift around. I suppose the field Spell doesn't have much of a look to it. "Now I activate Silverbird's effect and destroy Steeleren in order to set Metalphosis Fusion on the field."

I could finish him off now...but to be honest, I'm actually rather curious of what he can do. I place one card absentmindedly as I pondered my next action.

Hmmm. Should I? Shouldn't I?

"Hey! Make your move slacker!"

I couldn't resist the tick mark. Fine then.

"I activate Metalphosis Fusion and fuse Volflame with the two cards in my hand! Veteran warrior, don your red hot machine and fight until the end of the world! Fusion Summon! Burn up the Battlefield, Metalphosis Cardinal!"

The tank on the field began to shift as it seemed to enlarge. Flames began to spew as it stood on two legs and the man glared down at my opponent.

"Metalphosis Cardinal! Crush him with your blazing fists!"

"I activate my trap card Sakuretsu armor! Say goodbye to your monster!" A burning piece of armor appeared in the way of my monster's fist and was promptly crushed and sent flying to its owner.

"Ah! What the hell!"

I laugh. "Sorry Mr. Elite, but Metalphosis Formation keeps my Normal monsters from being affected by your card effects. Now your one hit away from losing."

He gritted his teeth. "This isn't over!"

Without me even saying I ended my turn, he drew his card.

"I summon Mahunder in defense mode, and her effect lets me normal summon one level 4 thunder monster, Pahunder!"

Two adults with bright yellow hair and lightning covered fists appeared covering their chests. Oh shit was he about to Xyz summon? It would put some bite to his bark.

"Pahunder also lets me summon another monster, so I'll bring out Origin Thunder Dragon and place a card face down and end my turn."

I looked over to his face down card. And then his empty hand.

"I'll throw some cards face down and activate Card of Sanctity, turn end."

I watched him go red in the face. "You think I need your charity!" He looked angrier than ever.

"Of course. Can't you see whose winning." I taunted him.

Wow this was actually pretty fun.

I couldn't wait to crush that ego of his.

"Grr. I activate mystical space typhoon and get rid of that field spell of yours!" The lights faded away in a rush of wind. "Now I'll play raigeki and get rid of your monster!"

I almost wanted to sigh or smile. Just as I thought. "I activate Metalphosis Counter, when one of my cards is destroyed I summon a Metalphosis monster from my deck. Raremetalphosis Bismugear, time to drift into battle." The green machine rider drifted sideways into defense mode.

"Those zero defense points won't help you at all! I discard Thunder Sea Horse and add two monsters to my hand from my deck. And because I used a Thunder monster's hand effect, I can tribute one monster to summon a certain fusion monster."

"Goodbye Origin Thunder Dragon! I now summon Thunder Dragon Colussus! Come destroy my enemy in a storm of destruction!" He must really like words with 'D' in em.

I watched rather apathetically as he summoned two sibling monsters of the Hunder archetype and started to attack with a confident face as he had a field full of monster's. Had he taken out my set cards, he may have won.

I wished I had a Mirror Force now. I bet the look of despair would look great on him.

It's no Mirror Force, but I placed more cards down for a reason.

Still, admittedly that dragon worried me, the way it growled seemed unnatural and kicked my flight instincts into gear.

Right as Bismugear was destroyed I activated another Metalphosis Counter and summoned Steeleren(while gaining another card due to Bismugear. He was forced to attack with his Colossus, then attacked with his remaining monsters, only to be stopped by my multiple Defense Draws.

I didn't even bother to hold my smugness back.

"Rai! Stop messing around and finish him!" I was brought out of my gloating by a shout at the side.

Ignoring the entertained or awed faces, Serena looked rather annoyed that I was playing around. Apparently the other duels finished by now. There weren't many still dueling.

"Fine fine. Ruin my fun." I sighed.

"You think you can still win this!" He shouted.

I admit it may seem unlikely on the surface with that dragon, but he didn't even have any more face downs to stop me, just a line of monsters who honestly weren't that strong. Plus I had a full hand.

"I'll reset the scales with my Scale 1 Bismugear." The level one rider flashed in. "Now return from my extra deck, Metalphosis Heroes! Steeleren, Volflame."

"Those monsters are too weak to help you here!" I would definitely not call out my monsters were weak when this guy brought out monsters definitely more useful for an Xyz summon and never did. Either he was looking down on me, or he didn't actually have any and was just a fusion user.

I ignored his friend on the side who didn't understand the situation and jumped the gun because I summoned my monsters in defense mode, it was a different reaction from my opponent who began to pale for some reason.

"I activate the spell card Lightmetalphosis Mercureeze. Now it becomes a level 4 normal monster with 1000 attack and defense, then from my hand, because I have more than one Metalphosis monster, I use the trap card LightMetalphosis Titun, which can be summoned as a Level 5 effect monster with 2300 attack."

A teenager on a grey hover skateboard and a silver armored warrior showed up from behind me.

"I activate Violet Flash, now for every fusion Summon this turn I can draw one card. Now I'll activate two Metalphosis Fusions, fusing together my monsters. Burn the Metalphosis into your bodies, let Hero and Machine become one! Double Fusion Summon! Burn up the Battlefield! LightMetalphosis Vibrun! Metalphosis Adamante!" A sleek black armored man with fire igniting on his back appeared with a blue haired armored man.

The 2400 and 2500 monsters burnt the ground as they awaited my call.

Unlike him, I wasn't going to let those face down cards stay there.

"I activate Giant Trunade!"

That pale face became even paler as his (supposedly) traps were cleared and as I used another Formation field spell, but than it cleared up as he noticed neither of my monsters were strong enough to beat his dragon.

I used Vibrun to attack the attack position Hunders. "Vibration Crash!" Starting with mama Hunder over there.

"You think destroying those monsters will do anything!? Colossus can banish monsters from the graveyard to stay on the field, you're only making things worse for yourself!"

Cute, but futile. "I already know that, wanna know something about my own monster? Vibrun can't be destroyed by battle, and after the damage step concludes he can attack again, as long as it isn't a direct attack. Now go Vibrun, take em all out!"

The loser fell back as his life points hit 0. I may not have taken out the dragon in a spectacular way, or at all for that matter, but really I didn't feel the need to. Just wanted to win.

"H-how? How did I lose to some nobody background character...?"

Glasses boy and the rest of the forgettable faces rushed to his side. Serena in contrast to them walked over to me and punched my shoulder.

"I know I said to lighten up in a duel, but did you really have to take that so lightly?"

I shrugged. "I was feeling sadistic. Besides, I was trying to even the playing field."

"Y-you punk. You think you're so big just cuz you won once against him!"

"You should have ended it earlier."

"W-wait! I'm not done with you yet you nobody! How'd you get those lightmetalphosis cards?!"

I nodded. "I could've yeah. Anyways, since we're champs now, you want to call Rei and grab some food?"

"Wh-? Hey! Are you ignoring us!"

Serena thought it over before nodding. "Well the dueling mood was ruined by those guys, so I guess we'll just go."

We left the park, not at all aware that we made some fans and enemies.

Well, more like not at all caring.

As if I had anything to worry about from a bunch of spoiled brats going around bullying others.

Hopefully that wasn't a jinx.

And in this chapter we have the SI's first loss, as well as his first rejection of what he thinks.

This chapter was made pretty quickly, and Serena vs Rai was one of the duels I used an actual real life duel for with exceptions. I wanted this to be done early as, as far as I know, there are a lot of GX fics where the SI-OC hide their cards or hold back in an attempt to save themselves from attention.

While this remains somewhat the case, as the SI doesn't want to get Kaiba's attention using a Blue Eyes, he is no longer reluctant to use certain cards such as Pendulums, which are rare in this world but still exist.

To use an example I thought up but never had a place to put in the story, Super Polymerization is a card that doesn't really exist in this world, and as such is a card SI doesn't want to use, but after this duel, he will be less reluctant and more likely to use the card in fusion decks like Invokers and Metalphosis, despite knowing the card's lore as something super important.

Okay so I know that the bully over in the duel tournament, was super cliché, the thing is, it's meant to be, there's a line in there, about how the yugioh world encourages self evolution, that means that some of the assholes in yugioh most definitely still exist. In this chapter specifically, They're the personification of people who try to step over others for themselves. They don't have names because they don't matter to the SI, just like how they view him. (Also, if you pay attention to the Bully's dialogue and deck, you'll see a hint of what I plan to use him for in the next chapter. He isn't a repeat character, but he's an exaggerated version of what the SI could be if he gets too caught up in his great cards)

The difference between Rai and the bully group however, is that while the bully looks down on others and is positive of his victory, the SI looks down on them, but still takes them seriously and duels all out from the beginning, stopping only to bully and humiliate them during the duel when it's clear he's winning, and still confident that he could turn things around if he starts getting pushed back.

OC Cards / Card Modifications

Lunar Eclipse – real life effect but now Quick Play(unused due to editing the duel)

Lunalight Perfume – Moonlight Perfume – Real Life Effect (No space between Moonlight so it is now searchable)

Crowley the Invoker – Lvl 4 – Dark – Spellcaster – (1800/1000)- This card's name is also treated as "Aleister the Invoker" while it is banished, or in your field, or GY. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can discard this card; activate 1 "Invoked Formation" from your Deck or GY. A monster that was Fusion Summoned using this card as Material gains this effect: If this card is Fusion Summoned: It gains 500 ATK and 300 DEF. (From Batmed)

Invoked Formation – Normal Spell - When this card is activated: Immediately after this effect resolves, Normal Summon 1 "Aleister the Invoker" from your hand or GY, and if you do, you can place 1 "Invoked" monster from your Extra Deck or GY in defense mode with its effects negated. You can banish this card from your GY to fusion summon monsters you control only if those monsters are from the extra deck. You can only use each effect of "Invoked Formation" once per turn. (Batmed with modifications from me)

Hope for Escape – Draw one card for every 1000 point difference between you and your opponent. You can pay 1000 life points before drawing cards. (Original card but slightly edited so tributing LP is optional)

Metalphosis fusion – IRL effect but now it can be activated multiple times as long as it was not sent to the GY the turn of activating the effect.

Lightmetalphosis Mercureeze – Spell – When you activate this card, it is summoned as a level 4 normal monster (Warrior/ Fire/ 1000 attack/ 1000 defense). During either player's turn, when this card is in the graveyard, you can shuffle two Metalphosis monsters faceup in your extra deck or graveyard into the main deck in order to activate it's effect. This effect cannot be activated the same turn it was sent to the graveyard.

Lightmetalphosis Titun – When this card is activated, it is summoned as a Level 5 effect monster (Warrior/ Fire/ 2300 attack/ 0 defense). It's effect is, you can activate one trap card from your hand when this card is destroyed. If you have two or more Metalphosis monsters this card can be activated from the hand, but is summoned in defense mode.

Lightmetalphosis Vibrun – Warrior/ Fire/ 2400 attack / 2800 defense – One Lightmetalphosis monster from the field and one metalphosis monster – This card cannot be destroyed by battle. When this card is attacked, it gains 300 attack and defense until the end of the turn. If this card attacks, after the damage step concludes, it can attack again. This card can only attack directly once per turn.

Make sure to review since not many GX fics stand out. It helps motivate me.