Chapter 2: Pendulum Summon
Recap: I had a strange dream last night, but I could only remember bits and pieces of it for some unknown reason. But what I do know is starting today, my life will change forever.
Kobiyashi's Residance_Naomi's Room_Naomi's Pov_
I was getting ready to go to school until I recalled last night's events. I have no idea who those people were, but I felt terrible for them somehow. I don't know why, but I just do.
I sighed heavily, hoping my strange dream didn't affect my mood today. Yet, that dream wasn't the only thing that would bring me down. Weird enough, today marks the seven years since that incident happened.
The incident that changed my entire life.
7 Years Ago_Maiami's Stadium_
A seven-year-old Naomi was done with her concert. But instead of the usual smile she gave after the concert. Her expression was full of pain. She keeps grasping her throat and coughing harshly.
"N-Naomi?!" the girl's mother, Chou, exclaimed, kneeling near her daughter's fallen figure.
The young girl kept coughing as her ears kept ringing. It felt like she had a lump in her throat and every time she coughed, it would hurt her throat even more. For some strange reason was getting exhausted.
"Naomi! You are going to be okay! I'm going to take you to the hospital. Okay, sweetie," Chou reassured, holding a coughing Naomi in her arms. Her poor daughter kept coughing as her ears kept ringing. When Chou looked down at Naomi, it seemed like she had passed out. But it didn't assure Chou's worries in the slightest.
When Naomi woke up, she was scared about why she was in the hospital instead of being at another concert. That's when Naomi remembered she had passed out from the pain she felt in her throat. That's when Naomi heard from her doctor that she had vocal cord nodules. Since her vocal cords were medium size, she wasn't going to need surgery, but her doctor advised that she avoid overusing her vocal cords.
Which means she can't sing again.
But it didn't lessen her fear.
It didn't even make it better. It only makes things worse for Naomi because it shows that she didn't keep her promise.
It means she can't be an idol anymore.
It means she failed herself, her fans, her friends, and her mom.
It means that she is a failure.
It didn't help when things took a turn for the worst: when the bullying started and being called different names to her face and behind her back.
It worsened her mood and caused her to become depressed. Causing her not to talk anymore because of her fear.
Because, in the end, she doesn't want to fail anyone again because of her actions.
Not again.
Present time_ Normal Pov_
Naomi looked down, recalling every single painful memory of the day.
She glanced at her notebook as a green marker with a frog sticker was on top of the book. Whenever this day comes around, she is reluctant to use it.
Because whenever she does. It feels like she fails her mother every time she doesn't speak. It was as if her mother blamed her reckless actions on herself and apologized for being a terrible mother.
But Naomi still blamed herself for causing her mother so much grief.
She still feels like a failure.
Naomi sighed before taking her belongings and heading out the door. She met up with Yuzu Hiiragi and Yuya Sakaki, her two childhood friends.
Two of the people who stood by her when it happened. Her two closest friends besides Noboru Gongenzaka.
Naomi is glad to have met these kind people because she wouldn't know where she would be right now if she didn't.
Their presence gives her a slim chance of hope that she can try again to fix her mistake. That she can try again.
In the Afternoon_You Show Duel School_
Naomi glanced at the duel observing Yuya's duel against Gongenzaka, knowing the former wasn't taking the duel seriously. Even though he should because this was an exhibition match to show the students' skills at You Show so they can have another student joining them.
Although Naomi found it hilarious to watch, Yuzu disagreed with her since she used her strength to break the system without realizing it. When Naomi heard the sparks, she glanced over, jotted down, and showed them to Yuzu.
"Yuzu-chan, look down."
"What do you mean, Naomi-chan... KYA!" Yuzu-chan said in surprise, seeing sparks blow up and air popping out of the machine. The pink-haired girl tried to fix her mistake, but it was pointless since the system malfunctioned, and the field disappeared, causing the duel to end abruptly.
After the accident, the group discussed the problem Yuzu caused and how Yuya acted during the duel.
"Aside from Yuzu-chan. I know you're an Entertainment Duelist, but we could have another person attend our school."
"Oh yeah, but on the bright side, I made him laugh, right," Yuya remarked, laughing at the end, causing Naomi to sigh.
"That child didn't laugh or smile," Gongenzaka stated.
"Nope. I'm sure he smiled," Yuya argued, leaning back on the couch.
"He did Yuya-san until the Solid Vision System broke. You fell, leaving our recruit and his mother to leave the building," Naomi thought, sweat-dropping.
"Your father, Sakaki Yusho, duel in a way which made everyone laugh to their heart's content," Gongenzaka explained, motioning back to the picture of Yuya's dad, Yusho, with his name and signature.
Looking at the picture made Naomi smile just a little. She remembered memories of Yusho, specifically him playing the Spell Card 'Smile World' when she was at the hospital. The sincere action cheered her up just a little from seeing the colorful smiles and bright scenes in contrast to the dull colors she saw every day in her hospital room.
She noticed her duel spirit, Clear Kuriboh, smiling at the picture.
"Well, even my father made a fool of himself," Yuya added, causing Naomi to facepalm and nearly fall on the floor.
"YUYA!" Yuzu and Gongenzaka shouted, causing the boy to smirk at their reaction.
Fortunately for Yuya, someone interrupted Yuzu and Gongenzaka, who were about to scold him.
The person wore a yellow and black suit with a pink bow having sunglasses. He had slick black hair and black eyes.
"Oh my, it seems you're in a bind," the person announced.
"Um, who are you?" Shuzo asked, confused about the strange man's sudden appearance in his Duel School.
"Oh, forgive me for not introducing myself. My name is Nico Smiley, the manager/promoter of the strong Ishijima," Nico introduced, surprising Yuya and Naomi.
"The strong Ishijima," Yuya repeated, hearing the words that came out of Nico's mouth.
"As the strong Ishijima manager and promoter, the public wants to see the son of the Yusho duel the strong Ishijima," Nico explained, making Yuya remember that day when his father disappeared. Because of his disappearance, Yuya had gained the nickname of the son of the run-away duelist. Since that day, he has become a victim of many taunts and name-calling for the past three years.
Seeing the downcast look on Yuya's face made Naomi remember that day three years ago. She looked at the magazine, frowning.
"Everything thing has already been set," Nico added. There was more tension in the room.
"Sorry, but I won't let Yuya participate in this event," Shuzo replied.
"But why the public wants to see Yuya-kun duel with the strong Ishijima!" Nico protested.
"I won't let Yuya become a spectacle!" Shuzo yelled with determination making Yuya look at his principal with a gleam in his eyes.
"Yuya...for three years, he's has been carrying this burden. I'm asking to leave this place immediately," Shuzo said sternly.
"Oh, what a shame because LDS was thinking of giving You Show Duel School a thank you gift, which is a brand-new Real Solid Vision System," Nico mentioned, purposely trying to sway Shuzo to participate in the event. "It will be free~."
"We'll do it!" Shuzo shouted in happiness.
Yuzu and Chou smacked Shuzo hard with their paper fan and a slipper, glaring at the male.
"Shuzo-kun! I thought you just said that you wouldn't let Yuya become a spectacle," Chou reminded Shuzo of the words he had said moments ago.
She was proud of him for acting like a Principal and a responsible adult, but that was until she heard him saying they would do it made her smack some sense into him. Literally.
"But as the vice principal of You Show Duel school, I can understand," Chou huffed. She understood that their duel school would become even more popular if they decided to take Nico's offer. However, will it be worth it if they ignore Yuya's feelings? Yuzu nodded at Chou's words.
"But right now, what's more important is Yuya's feelings," Gongenzaka stated. Everybody looked at Yuya, who was now gone.
Naomi knew from the look Yuya had from before. Instead of putting on a facade, he wants to move forward and face people properly. He wants to be recognized for his skills as Yuya Sakai.
Not as Yusho's son.
Not as the son of the coward.
But as himself.
Naomi felt inspired by his actions to see the match. She feels kinda hopeful because maybe he may inspire her to talk again.
_ At Maiami Stadium_
Everyone from You Show Duel School arrived to witness Yuya making a grand entrance by dressing up as a clown and eventually taking the disguise off. The duel started with Yuya taking the lead. However, Ishijima proved that he was worthy of his pro title. He manages to push Yuya back and even destroy the boy's ace monster, Odd-Eyes Dragon.
When it seemed hopeless for the young duelist, he stood up as his pendulum started to sway. In turn
Naomi's birthmark and some cards in her deck shone a green color. They were unnoticed by the group except for the girl who took the glowing green cards in surprise.
"W-What's going on," Naomi asked. She detected a voice in her mind. The voice sounds familiar, but she can't recall where she heard it from.
"Please help him. Make sure he doesn't follow the same path he did. Guide him, remind him what he truly duels for."
Naomi saw a long purple-haired woman for a split second as she was wearing a white strap dress. She was the same person who was in that strange dream last night.
But she quickly vanished in a flash of purple light.
Naomi heard a shout coming from below her. She turned her attention to the duel as the source came from Yuya. When she squinted down, she briefly saw his yellow eyes. There weren't the red eyes she was used to seeing. Strange enough, it made her feel relief.
Moments later, Yuya was the champion of the match, and his eyes turned to normal. Snapping him out of his state.
Naomi felt tears of joy running down her cheeks and smiled at Yuya, who seemed to return to normal. But he faced his fears and did what he declared to do three years ago. He will take Yusho's place and win against the Strong Ishijima, he broke out of his shell and became a new person, but he was still the same Yuya to her.
During her excitement, Naomi could barely contain the feelings in her chest. She opened her mouth for the first time in seven years.
Meanwhile, Yuya was confused about what had transpired moments ago, but the confusion was blown away when he heard a shout in the audience.
"Yuya-san! You won against the strong Ishijima. You did it!" Naomi cheered and continued to cheer for Yuya, ignoring the looks she received from the group around her.
"Naomi," Yuya whispered.
"She's right, Yuya. You just won for your father," Yoko agreed, proud of her son.
"That was amazing, Yuya!" Yuzu cheered.
Chou hugged her daughter, glad for two reasons: one, she heard her daughter's voice after so many years, and two, they will be getting their Solid Vision System.
"That was excellent, Yuya-kun, very excellent!" Chou shouted.
The audience started cheering, praising, and chanting Yuya's name across the stadium. Hearing the cheers made Yuya's heart race because this was the first time he felt like this. But strange enough, it wasn't. It was as if he knew this feeling deep down. He knew he wanted to hear more.
More cheers.
More praises.
More people chanting his name.
Nico Smiley ran over to Yuya and knocked Strong Ishijima over.
"So Yuya-kun, what was that summoning you just used?" Nico asked as the crowd of reporters got near him. Nico snapped Yuya out of his unconscious state. He turned to the reporters, confused about what they were talking about.
"Eh?"
Near the Maiami Stadium's entrance, Naomi found her voice hoarse after not using it for so many years, which was understandable to her since it had been a while since she used it. But Naomi was somewhat embarrassed by how loud she cheered for Yuya. Nevertheless, she was glad she did.
Yet despite all of that, she was curious about the question in her mind. So, she asked her ace monster, Queen of Fate - Eternia.
"Eternia-san, what was that?" Naomi asked in her mind.
"Naomi. Yuya has invented a new summon called Pendulum Summon," Eternia replied, glancing at the boy but, most importantly, his pendulum. Her voice has a tinge of fear in them. She was profoundly concerned about the turn of events. She knew that this wasn't just a coincidence. First, Naomi had that dream. Next, Yuya was invited to duel the Strong Ishijima, and now he had created a new method. This had something to do with that.
Eternia will need to investigate these events a little further to make sure she wasn't being paranoid. Or that all of these weren't just a strange turn of events. She knew that this mystery wasn't going to be an easy one to solve. Regardless she will figure this out if she wants to protect her master.
Speaking of her master, Naomi kept looking at Yuya, who looked bewildered by what was happening around him.
"Pendulum Summon, huh" Naomi muttered. "A pendulum that swings back and forth. It cannot be swung with malice alone. If there's darkness then there's must be light to keep the balance."
Strange enough, this day was the day she lost everything seven years ago, but now on this day, Yuya gained everything, and thus, a miracle was born.
And that miracle is Pendulum Summon.
Spirit World_Forbidden Realm_
Eternia asked various duel monster spirits about any changes regarding their respective realms. But to her dismay, every monster she asked gave her the same response: nothing strange had occurred in their worlds.
"There's no possible explanation as to why everything would be normal on this end when multiple strange occurrences are happening in the human world," Eternia muttered in her sanctum. She dug through every nook and cranny in her realm. Went through the archives to check if history was overwritten or even vanished from the books. She didn't find anything unusual to her surprisedly horrible luck. She sighed heavily and ran her fingers through her blonde locks.
She didn't want to resort to using that, but what other choice does she have right now?
Ever since Naomi had that strange dream last night, Eternia had a nagging feeling that something wasn't right. She definitely knew it had to do something with them. But she couldn't figure it out.
What exactly do they have to do with-
Eternia paused her thoughts when she mentioned a group of dragons. Specifically, one dragon in particular. Eternia ran out of her sanctum and was transported to the dragons' realm. If she is correct about her hunch and correctly puts the pieces together, the world may soon come to an end.
Spirit World_Dragon's Realm_
Eternia arrived through the green portal and headed to her destination. She doesn't greet any of her allies and head deeper into the forest. Through the forest, the foreboding feeling came back stronger than ever. It was enveloping her very core. It shook her very senses telling her to turn back. But Eternia refused to listen to her instincts and continued ahead.
She refused to fail again. She won't run away from the truth and be ignorant like last time. She won't live that kind of life again.
Spirit Realm_Dragon's Cave_
In front of the woman is a cave all too familiar to her. A rush of memories began to emerge, reminding the female duel monster spirit why she was here.
Eternia took a step forward, and her hand shone a yellow light acting as her only light source in the darkness. Eternia now knows something was definitely not right. She didn't feel the malevolent and hostile aura shaking her core. With a sickening feeling in her chest, the woman picked up her pace and moved deeper into the cave.
Eternia stopped her movements and saw a giant hole, and above it was a patch of light in the endless darkness. The hole is thirty feet drop, and what lies at the bottom will confirm what the duel monster has been looking for.
Eternia jumped down the hole as gravity pulled her down at an accelerating speed. Soon when she felt close enough, she called forth her signature weapon as the spear extended itself, creating deep holes at the sides to stop her from falling to the bottom and injuring herself.
Eternia gently landed at the bottom and deactivated her spear, returning it to its original state. She shakily took a deep breath and continued her path.
When Eternia arrived at what she had been searching for. Her heart dropped to her stomach, and she landed on the ground, her knees colliding against the hard dirt.
All the hopeful feelings instantly vanished when her eyes locked at the sight in front of her.
What Eternia saw was a gigantic blue crystal in the shape of a pendulum heavily resembling Yuya's hanging above the ground. But that's not what shocks her. What shocked her was the state of the crystal.
...The blue pendulum had been cracked in half.