Chapter 10: The People of the Commons
Hello everyone, this chapter basically sets things up for everything right before Yuya duels 227. I hope no one gets frustrated but parts of these will play a huge importance later on in the story. I hope you enjoy.
(Synchro Dimension: City, Duel Stadium)
The Friendship Cup officially began, and for Yuri's part he rather had to keep himself from dissolving within the shadows out of boredom. He supposed that they weren't complete trash, but they were still trash. The 1st duel had been between a member of the Commons named Crow and a fat man who was a part of the Lancers, Sora said his name was Gongenzaka. Yuri didn't know what was more surprising, that a duelist supposedly as unflinching and unmoving as a mountain was riding a motorcycle, or that said motorcycle could support his weight. The man wielded a deck full of fat samurais that focused on defense, but could attack while in defense mode, which was somewhat interesting Yuri supposed. Crow in turn used an avian themed deck with crows whose Synchro monsters could become tuner monsters. In the end, Crow won, which made Yuri wonder whether or not the Lancers would even be a minor threat to Academia, but he digressed.
The 2nd duel was much more dramatic due to the Commons who was dueling, Shinji Weber. The duel was supposed to be him and Reira, Reiji Akaba's younger brother, but instead it was one of Reiji's bodyguard ninjas named Tsukikage, according to Sora. Yuri figured that the ninja came in as a substitute since Reira was too small to ride a D-Wheel. What made the duel more dramatic wasn't the duel itself and more of the speeches Shinji launched in complaints of the system the Commons lived under.
"Look around us, does this look like a Friendship Cup to anyone?!" Shinji roared, "It's all just a show for the Tops to see us squirm like rats before we lose to a King, a King who deserted us!" He glared at the box Jack was sitting in to watch the duel before continuing, "So why aren't we doing anything? We are we allowing them to walk all over us? Because we are weak, no we are not. Every card has its use and so do we." He then swept his arms to show off his Bee Force cards, "Alone we may be powerless, but together just like my monsters, we can destroy the Tops and change the system! Together, we'll change the system and make the Tops eat dirt! Who's with me?!" In response the Commons in the audience roared in approval.
"The more time passes, the less this is looking like a Friendship Cup." Sora observed.
Yuri rolled his eyes, "You think, I guess this is more like the Commons complaints department. Can this guy just duel and stop talking." Apparently Yuri wasn't the only one who was thinking that.
"Are you okay with voicing your outrage in a manner like this?" The ninja asked Shinji. "I can understand your frustration, but what you suggest is mere anarchy. Trying to blow up a government will leave you nothing in the end."
Shinji glared, "Then I guess you're like all those bastards in the Tops, I heard that you were a bodyguard, but from the looks of it, you're just like one of those Security attack dogs. You don't have honor, you just like abusing the weak while serving your master!" He then turned to the crowd of Commons, "We'll start the Revolution by beating down all the dogs who keep us down, starting with him!" Shinji pointed to Tsukikage.
Unknown to him, Tsukikage was burning with hate from what Shinji said. 'He dares mock the Fuma Clan, a guild dedicated to honor and preserving innocence. He dare mock my brother's sacrifice.' Tsukikage thought back to when he had been assisting Serena and Kurosaki from the Obelisk Force. While he had been doing that, his brother, Hikage, had been dueling Shiunin Sora…and lost. Tsukikage could do nothing as he watched his brother turn into a card, but he wished he could've been there. His brother had known the risks, and so had he. The Fuma Clan was always willing to risk their lives for the greater good as well as for the protection of innocence. For Shinji to blindly accuse him of being little more of a servant who oppressed the weak…to smear mud all over his brother…it was unforgivable. He hoped that Akaba Reiji would forgive him, for he had been told to throw the duel; but now, it was time to punish this fool.
The ninja wasn't the only one angered by Shinji's statements however; from his room Yugo cursed Shinji as he watched the TV that showed the duel. "Damn you Shinji," Yugo scowled, "Why is it that you always take your anger out on the innocent. For all your talk about unfairness you may be one of the most unfair people alive." Yugo had known Shinji from years back, and agreed with the belief that the government was unfair. He thought that the Friendship Cup would be a great way to help people realize that the Commons were worth more than what people saw. Plus, the fact that he and Rin had wanted to enter the Friendship Cup for years in order to duel their hero, Jack, well it was an added bonus. However, Yugo had learned later on that Shinji's bitterness was deeper than what he thought. Shinji hated Jack and saw him as a traitor. He was also violently distrustful of any and all member of the Tops, including people who were sympathetic to the Commons and honestly wanted to help. To Shinji, all the Tops were enemies, there was no compromise. Yugo just wished he had realized that sooner, before it took people Yugo had cared about…
'Rua…Ruka…' Yugo clenched his fists and nearly cried. No he had to calm down; he couldn't let his hate be his guide. He wasn't here to get revenge or hurt anyone; he was here to realize the dream he and Rin had shared in their younger years. Once he did become King, he was sure that he could raise awareness of the war so that he could find and save Rin; as well as apologize to his Xyz doppelganger. He didn't know why Yuya had Dark Rebellion but he hoped his original owner, Yuto, was alright. Yuto had apparently vanished following their last duel.
Back at the duel, Tsukikage had driven Shinji into a corner, only for Shinji to turn it around with a Level 12 Synchro Monster. Tsukikage picked up an Action Card, with it he could avoid defeat and end the duel on his next turn. However, he remembered the words of his brother:
"Remember Tsukikage, it's our job to put our duties and the safety of the innocent first before ourselves. However we may feel, we donned this garb knowing the risks it entails. That does not mean that we are mere servants or emotionless followers. It means that we must cast aside our rage for the greater good and accomplish our missions."
Tsukikage sighed, he was allowing rage to get the better of him. He had allowed his pride to be insulted and had ignored his duties as a means to get revenge. However, the code of the Fuma Clan was to fight for justice, not vengeance. A ninja doesn't hold a grudge, to do so would be a dishonor to his clan. His brother would be ashamed of him. No, he had to carry on with the mission. His brother was a card but he hadn't died, Tsukikage would see him again. He couldn't allow this insult to get to him; he had to remain in control. And so, he allowed himself to lose the duel, as a means of allowing Reiji's plan to continue.
Back at the Council, one of the members turned to Reiji, "It seems that your Lancers aren't capable of winning."
Reiji simply smiled before adjusting his glasses, "To win the war, you must sometimes lose the battle." He then smiled at Tsukikage's projected image, 'Thank you Tsukikage, I promise we will find a way to bring everyone back, including your brother.'
Yuri looked closely at the card in Tsukikage's hand before turning to Sora, "He threw the match."
"How can you tell?" Sora asked.
"The look in his eyes; there's no doubt to me that the Action Card in his hand could've saved him, so why wouldn't he play it?" He thought to himself, "Maybe Reiji Akaba has something up his sleeve."
The next two duels passed as well. 1st was Yuzu vs a former famous duelist named Chojiro Tokumatsu. Yuri found it mildly amusing, though he was rather unnerved by Yuzu's attempts at making an entertainment duel. Her attempts at being cute and fun were rather sickening. Honestly, Yuri figured the best way to entertain people was to show them someone being tortured. Everyone loved seeing someone else get tortured for their amusement. That being said Yuri was impressed by Chojiro's 5000 attack Cardian, even more so when Yuzu used the effects of Action Cards to win the duel. That being said Yuri didn't really like the use of Action Cards since it relied on luck rather than skill…or maybe he was just jealous because he had terrible luck.
After the duel, Chojiro gave a speech on how everyone only had one life to live and to enjoy it to the fullest. He then turned to Yuzu and asked her, "By the way my dear, you said you wanted to send a message to someone who may be down."
"Do…you know Yuya by any chance?" Yuzu asked, attempting it to be an innocent question.
Chojiro then came to her face to face and quietly asked, "Are you and Yuya in love?"
At that moment Yuzu's face went scarlet and she slapped Chojiro in the face with her paper fan before apologizing.
From the shadows, Sora grinned, "I think she was just teased about Yuya."
"How can you tell?" Yuri asked.
"You live with someone for a few weeks, you'll see it too. Though it was obvious from the beginning, everyone can see it, well…everyone except Yuya." With that the two of them shared a genuine laugh together since the first time they teamed up.
Yuri paid little attention to the next duel; it was between Serena and some Tony guy. Serena won with Panther Dancer, wiping out all of Tony's life points. Sora exclaimed, "Well I guess for a traitor she hasn't let her training go to waste."
"Whatever." Yuri replied.
From the Security Bureau, Jean Michel Roger watched Serena's duel and smiled before turning to the girl behind him, "We need her to become a star for the City, that way, when you defeat her and then Jack himself, it will deliver a shock to everyone. Isn't that right…Aki?"
The red-haired girl in the mask made no reply before leaving to return to her room in the Friendship Cup.
Since the Friendship Cup would continue tomorrow, Yuri and Sora left the stadium to see if they could send a message to the Professor. When the line finally got through the Professor face appeared on Yuri's duel disk. "Greetings Professor, we have found the Lancers."
"I see, what's your condition then?" The Professor asked.
"Right now we have to wait, as we can't retrieve the targets right now. The Lancers have entered a tournament known as the Friendship Cup. We cannot do anything as of right now."
The Professor nodded, "What of Dennis, has he been discovered?"
Yuri shook his head, "From what we've gathered it seems the Lancers haven't figured him out yet. He is also in the Friendship Cup, so we can't speak to him."
"What of the duelists in Synchro?"
Yuri waved his hand, "They're alright I suppose, they can give the Obelisk Force trouble, but the higher echelons of Academia should be able to handle them with ease."
"Well then, continue with the mission, and if anything new transpires, notify me immediately." With that the screen went blank and Yuri and Sora left to find some food.
At the City Council Dining Room, the members of the Council invited Reiji and Reira to eat with them as thanks for the Lancers performance. One of the men there says, "Before we begin, we have one more guest joining us."
Reiji turns to him, "Who is it?"
The lady next to the man waves her hand at the door, "The pride of our city, Jack Atlas."
With that the doors opened and Jack made his way to the dinner table. He looks at Reira, leading Reira to turn aside out of intimidation towards the formidable duelist.
As everyone ate White Taki of the Council says, "So I suppose we're at an impasse. We've decided to add Yuzu Hiragi's victory to you as though not a formal Lancer, she is on your side. She performed rather well anyway."
"Indeed." Jack said, "By my standards she was the best duelist there today, she was attempting to reah out to someone during the duel, a good changeup following the last two duels. However," Jack turned to where Reira was sitting, "I thought that the boy was also supposed to duel today, so why didn't he?"
Reiji replied, "Reira is rather shy and timid, he felt uncomfortable and didn't wish to duel. SO we had Tsukikage take his place."
Jack sighed, "That's a shame, and I would've liked to see you duel." He then looked at Reira, who was staring at him in shock.
"What do you mean?" Reiji asked.
"I see a bit of myself when I look at the boy. Those haunted eyes, I had them as well." Jack said with a forlorn expression.
"Forgive me if this might be a sore subject, but isn't it true that you used to be a member of the Commons?" Reiji asked a bit curious.
Jack turned to him, "Why would that be a sore subject? I'm well aware of where I come from and who I am. I remember those days, back then, when I was scared of absolutely everything."
(Years ago in the Commons sector of the City)
He had been an orphan, with no family to guide him. There was little food to eat, and the winters were so cold he could barely get any warmth. Back then, you could hardly see anything that would hint at a future King. He had been timid, scared, and rather broken. That is…until that fateful. He had been bundled himself up next to a dilapidated shack when he noticed a card flowing through the wind. The card fell down in front of his feet and Jack, after checking to make sure no one was there, picked up the card before looking up to the Tops area above him where it fell from. Why had the card fallen down here? Had someone accidently dropped it and the wind picked it up before dropping here? No, that had not been the case. Someone had purposely tossed it down here due to its low level and power, as though it were garbage. But it wasn't, it didn't belong here, it belonged up there in the City in the sky. He…he had to do something. Suddenly Jack placed the card on his heart as he stood up and stared at the city above him. It was his responsibility; he had to bring this card back to the heavens above. However, he had neither the deck nor money to do so. That meant that the only way to bring it back up there was to grow stronger…
(Back to the present)
"And I did. Through Riding Duels, I grew both as a person and a duelist, culminating into my victory in the last Friendship Cup. I've done, the card that came from the heavens awoke me in my darkest moments, finally came back here." Jack then smiled at Reira, "Listen to me Reira, I look forward to seeing you duel and find that strength within yourself. However, remember this, do not falter in achieving your goals and walk the path you must take to get there."
"Thank you for this, Jack Atlas. I promise that we will remember your words." With that he adjusted his glasses before giving Reira a smile, making Reira smile in return.
Back at their rooms the remaining duelists were eating while thinking about the upcoming duels.
Eating a pie, Shingo thought, 'I can't believe that I didn't get a chance to duel today. Well you know what they say, save the best for last. Tomorrow the people will be amazed by the brilliant Sawatari Theatre.'
Meanwhile, Yugo was wolfing down his food, "I'm surprised Yuzu didn't talk about the war with Academia. Well, I guess I'll have to do my part tomorrow."
Yuzu meanwhile was eating her food in spares while hoping that Yuya got her message. Said Yuya hadn't even touched his food, his thoughts still on Jack's words and the unfairness of the tournament. He had been told by Chojiro that the losers of the Friendship Cup were shipped off into a Labor Facility. How this tournament could be considered even remotely right Yuya didn't know. He had to send a message of this during the next duel tomorrow. He had to show everyone, what it really meant to duel and how this was awful. He knew that they would listen, they had to.
His opponent, however, had different plans. Sitting in his own room, the man sat down glumly when he heard something slip underneath his door. Examining this, he found an envelope had been slid underneath the door and opened it, revealing a letter and some Duel Monster Cards. Upon reading the letter, the man choked on his tears.
Greetings No. 227, or should I say Duel Chaser 227. I must say I feel rather bad for being so hard on you following your failure in stopping Yugo, so let me make it up to you. I wish for you to defeat Sakaki Yuya in the duel you have with him tomorrow. If you are victorious, you shall be officially reinstated back into Security with full honors. To help you, I have provided these cards for you to use. They should give you the power to bypass Yuya's Pendulum Cards and overwhelm him. I have the utmost confidence that you shall not fail.
Jean Michel Roger
"I knew it; I knew the boss hadn't given up on me." The man said while tears flowed from his eyes. "After I was beaten by that peasant, Yugo, I was kicked out of Security and hunted by my old teammates. I was forced to lie in the dirt like the trash from the Commons." Cleaning his eyes, the man continued, "But now, I have a 2nd chance. I may have failed the boss last time, but this time I'll listen." He took out and examined the 2 cards he now had; one was Fusion, while the other was a highly powerful monster, Goyo Emperor. "Just watch me boss, I swear I'll win."
Morning finally arrived, and with it Melissa Claire gave a new peppy announcement. "Greetings everybody, the Friendship Cup shall be continuing now. Our first duel today will be Sakaki Yuya vs the soon to be reinstated Duel Chaser 227! Who will redeem themselves after their humiliating losses and continue to the next round; let us, as one city, find out!"
Yuya smiled as he got ready for the duel; he would tell the people about what was happening right below their noses, and he knew they would listen. Elsewhere, Yuri stood at the top of the stadium waiting for the duel. He hoped that Yuya would provide anentertaining duel for him.
Well, that wraps up this chapter. Also, yes, Sergey Volkov won't be in this, I always felt he was rather unnecessary. Aki will be playing an important role in the story. The next chapter will also give us some deeper insight into Yuri if anyone's wondering. To put bluntly, Yuri's going to have some, interesting ideas starting from the next chapter. See you then!:)
